(Natural News) Polar bears could become nearly extinct by the end of the century if climate change continues unabated. That is the narrative that climate alarmists have been using to shed light on the impact of so-called climate change. Yet according to a recent report on polar bears, the Arctic inhabitants face no real danger at all.

Published by the Global Warming Policy Foundation (GWPF) on Feb. 27, it showed that polar bear populations in the Arctic Circle are either stable or increasing despite modest ice loss.

Included in the report are survey results for eight of the 19 polar bear subpopulations in the region. Only two of those eight subpopulations showed insignificant declines after ice loss. The remaining six were stable or increasing despite major reductions in sea ice, bringing the global population size to 30,000.

In 2015, scientists reported a global population size of 26,000. It was believed that melting Arctic ice had a role in smaller polar bear populations. Climate alarmists even went on to claim that the melting of the ice was causing the animals to resort to cannibalism to avoid starvation. The report found no such thing. In fact, the bears were fatter and healthier than ever.

That is because plankton populations in the Arctic also reached record-highs last August. Plankton populations allow researchers to determine the health of marine animals in the area. Less summer ice meant more plankton, which meant more fodder for the entire Arctic food chain, including polar bears.

Polar bear populations are thriving

The report on polar bears was prepared by Susan Crockford, a zoologist and former professor at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. She has authored several papers on polar bears and walruses.

Crockford explained that while the climate narrative insists populations of polar bears are declining because of ice loss, population surveys such as the ones she used for her report do not support such a conclusion.

The report may have additional important implications. Last September, Facebook released an information center to fight climate change misinformation. Facebook uses the International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCN) 2015 Red List of Threatened Species as an official source to fact-check posts on polar bears.

Crockford points out that in light of the new report, this list would need to be updated.

Crockford also noted that polar bears in Canadas Western Hudson Bay, where the ground routinely thaws and freezes, experienced excellent ice conditions for the fourth year in a row in 2020. The animals were fat and healthy when they arrived there last summer.

And contrary to expectations, most of the polar bears that visited the bay remained on the deteriorating ice for much longer than usual in the summer.

The bears also stayed ashore longer in the fall, even after the freeze-up thresholds were reached, casting doubt on the presumably strong link between sea ice coverage and polar bear health and behavior.

Crockford explained that polar bears are more flexible when it comes to their habitats than scientists assumed previously.

The report also showed that less summer ice has so far been more beneficial for the bears than detrimental, as climate alarmists would have it. (Related: Time to put an end to the climate cult.)

Polar bears are regarded as the canary in the coal mine. Biologists examine these animals health and numbers when looking into the effects of climate change. However, the evidence shows that polar bears are far from being a highly-sensitive indicator species, said Crockford.

Visit ClimateAlarmism.news to learn more about declining polar bear populations and other lies propagated by climate alarmists.

Sources include:

TheGuardian.com

ClimateDepot.com

TheGWPF.org
Juvenile white-tailed deer that strike out to find new home ranges -- despite facing more risks -- survive at about the same rate as those that stay home, according to a team of researchers who conducted the first mortality study of male and female dispersal where deer were exposed to threats such as hunting throughout their entire range.

Dispersal occurs when a juvenile leaves the area where it was born and moves to a new location where the young animal establishes its adult home range, explained Duane Diefenbach, Penn State adjunct professor of wildlife ecology. The instinctual dispersal of young deer from the area where they were born to a new home range protects the species' gene pool from inbreeding with close relatives.

Diefenbach's research group in the College of Agricultural Sciences has radio-collared hundreds of Pennsylvania deer over the last 20 years, monitoring their survival, movement and behavior. Earlier research done by his lab, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, revealed that about three of every four young, male white-tailed deer disperse, with yearling female dispersal rates much lower.

Dispersal distances depend on forested cover, Diefenbach and colleagues demonstrated in previous research. But on average in Pennsylvania, males travel more than three miles, typically in direct, straight-line fashion; females that disperse often seemingly wander around before settling down an average of about nine miles from where they started.

"We wanted to know how risky dispersal is," said lead researcher Eric Long, now a professor of biology at Seattle Pacific University, who was a doctoral degree student at Penn State advised by Diefenbach when early stages of the research unfolded. He was surprised to find no detectable increase in death among dispersing deer.

"We expected to find that dispersal results in added mortality because deer are traveling across unfamiliar territory and are more likely to encounter predators or vehicles," Long said. "Going into this research, I expected to have a lot of our dispersers killed by vehicles as they were making the movement. We were surprised at how effective deer are at dispersing, especially when they have to deal with relatively modern risks like roads and hunting."

For this study, researchers captured 398 juvenile male and 276 juvenile female white-tailed deer and compared survival rates of dispersers and nondispersers.

Over three years, 381 males were equipped with very high frequency -- or VHF -- radio-transmitters and were located with telemetry at least weekly; 17 were equipped with global positioning system, or GPS, radio-transmitters that recorded positions at least twice daily. Over six years, 245 females were equipped with VHF transmitters and located at least weekly; 32 were equipped with GPS transmitters that recorded position at least daily.

Juvenile deer were captured in the winter through early spring. At the time of capture, they were seven to 10 months old. For both male and female white-tailed deer, natal dispersal prior to 11 months of age is rare, Long noted, so capture between December and April decreased the likelihood of capturing juveniles that had already dispersed.

Results of the research, recently published in Ecology and Evolution, indicate that for both male and female yearlings, survival rates of dispersers -- males 49.9%, females 64.0% -- did not differ appreciably from those of nondispersers -- males 51.6%, females 70.7%. Only two individuals, both female, were killed by vehicular collision during dispersal movement.

So, why do dispersing juvenile deer fare as well as nondispersers despite facing more risk? Researchers are not sure, but Long suspects that deer with the predisposition to be more adventurous might have a genetic makeup that helps them to avoid threats. Also, he said, there is some evidence to suggest that yearlings in better condition, with bigger bodies, are more likely to disperse than deer in poorer condition.

"It may be that only those deer that are up to the challenge of dispersal even try it," he said. "Bucks, which are more likely to disperse, seem much more efficient at dispersal than females. They don't mess around and wander all over the place like does -- and that likely decreases their risk."

###

Also involved in the research were Clayton Lutz, a master's degree student in wildlife and fisheries science who did his thesis on female deer dispersal and is now a biologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission; and Bret Wallingford and Christopher Rosenberry, Bureau of Wildlife Management, Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission; Pennsylvania Audubon Society; the Susquehanna, Southeast and Northcentral Pennsylvania branches of the Quality Deer Management Association; the Pennsylvania Deer Association; and the U.S. Geological Survey supported this work. Diefenbach is an employee of the U.S. Geological Survey.
Neo Performance Materials and Energy Fuels Inc. are launching a new rare earth production initiative spanning European and North American critical material supply chains.

The initiative will produce value-added rare earth products from natural monazite sands, a byproduct of heavy mineral sands mined in the southeastern United States. Energy Fuels will process the monazite sands into a mixed rare earth carbonate (RE Carbonate) in Utah for use as feed material for Neos value-added separated rare earth production plant in Europe.

Energy Fuels is also continuing to evaluate developing additional value-added US rare earth production capabilities in Utah in the future.

Under an agreement in principle, subject to completion of definitive agreements, Colorado-based Energy Fuels will process natural monazite sands into an RE Carbonate beginning in March or April 2021 and ship a portion of that production to Neos rare earth separations facility in Sillamae, Estonia (Silmet).

Neo will then process the RE Carbonate into separated rare earth materials for use in rare earth permanent magnets and other rare earth-based advanced materials.

Because of increasing demand for value-added rare earth materials in European manufacturing, Toronto-based Neo seeks to expand and diversify its current supplies of rare earth feedstock at Silmet, which is the only operational rare earth separations facility in Europe. Silmet has been separating rare earths into commercial value-added products for more than 50 years.

In addition to supplying RE Carbonate to Neo, Energy Fuels is also evaluating the potential to develop US separation capabilities at its White Mesa Mill, or nearby, as it works to increase its monazite sand ore supplies, thereby fully integrating a US rare earth supply chain in the coming years, in addition to supplying RE Carbonate to European markets.

Typical monazite ore has a higher value than other rare earth bearing ores, as it contains 50%  60%+ total rare earth content, plus 0.20%  0.30% recoverable natural uranium, which is the typical grade of uranium found in uranium mines that have historically fed the White Mesa Mill.

This means that, in addition to extracting the high concentrations of rare earths from the monazite ore, the White Mesa Mill will also extract the naturally occurring uranium in this ore, which Energy Fuels will sell to power clean, carbon-free nuclear energy.

Energy Fuels will produce its RE Carbonate from natural monazite sands supplied by US-based Chemours Company under a sales agreement between Energy Fuels and Chemours that was announced on 14 December 2020. Chemours will supply Energy Fuels with a minimum quantity of 2,500 tons per annum of natural monazite ore produced in the state of Georgia, and elsewhere in the southeast US.

Upon completion of the current commercial-scale pilot program at the White Mesa Mill, Neos Silmet facility expects to purchase and process a minimum of 840 metric tonnes of total rare earth oxides (TREO) per year from Energy Fuels, which is in addition to Silmets current production. This would represent approximately 80% of Energy Fuels production from current Chemours supplies.

Significant quantities of natural monazite ore are produced around the world as a byproduct of zircon and titanium production from heavy mineral sand operations, including large resources in the US, Australia, India, South Africa, and other nations.

Energy Fuels is seeking to secure additional quantities of monazite ores that it can use to further this program and has a goal of processing 15,000 tons or more per year in the future. For perspective, 15,000 tons of monazite per annum would represent approximately 2% of the White Mesa Mills existing throughput capacity and less than 1% of its existing tailings capacity but contain rare earths equal to roughly 50% of total current US demand.

Neo and Energy Fuels have been working in a technical collaboration since April 2020 to establish a monazite processing and RE Carbonate production capacity at Energy Fuels White Mesa Mill plant. As previously announced, Energy Fuels successfully produced RE Carbonate at the White Mesa Mill in October 2020 from monazite sands. Neos Silmet facility in Estonia has successfully processed trial quantities of Energy Fuels RE Carbonate. When ramped up to commercial scale, this new rare earth supply chain is expected to constitute the first time in more than twenty years that monazite ore from the US will be used as a feedstock to manufacture separated rare earth materials outside of China.

Of the 55% TREO typically found in US monazite sands, NdPr comprises approximately 22% of the TREO. NdPr are among the most valuable of the rare earth elements, as they are the key ingredient in the manufacture of high-strength permanent magnets that are essential to the lightweight and powerful motors required in electric vehicles, permanent magnet wind turbines used for renewable energy generation, and a variety of other modern technologies, including, mobile devices and defense applications.

Additionally, because monazite is typically a byproduct from other mining operations, processing monazite ore for the recovery of rare earths, along with the contained uranium, is expected to be at a relatively low cost, since no new mining needs to be licensed, financed, and developed.

Furthermore, Energy Fuels will utilize its existing White Mesa Mill to produce the RE Carbonate, and Silmet will utilize its existing separations facility, thereby avoiding the need to license, finance and develop new facilities with these capabilities. As a result, producing rare earths and uranium from existing mining, processing, and separation facilities is not only expected to be at a relatively low cost, it will result in a much smaller environmental footprint when compared to other projects.

Implementation of this initiative is subject to successful pilot-scale operations, execution of definitive agreements, and optimization of the companies production processes.
The Women's March started on Mykhailivska Square in downtown Kyiv on Monday, March 8.

The pictures from the scene show that several thousand people took part in the action, the participants are holding banners and posters "Ratify the Istanbul Convention," "Feminism is Freedom to Choose," "Clothes are not a Hint," "I Studied for Six Years not to Decorate the Staff," "Mother and Woman's Days are Every Day" and others.

According to Kyiv police, the participants of the event plan to walk along the streets of Mykhailivska and Khreschatyk, through the European Square to Poshtova Square.

A number of members of the Traditions and Order public organization gathered in Mykhailivska Square to conduct their own contraction "Operation to Save Feminists."

Thus, the organizers want to draw attention to the problems faced by women as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: the level of violence has increased, women make up the majority of employees in the social and medical sectors, and are forced to combine household chores, childcare and work amid the lockdown. They also advocate preserving social guarantees for those who have lost their jobs and safe working conditions for women employed in areas with a high risk of infection with COVID-19.

Several participants in the march are dressed in traditional outfits and holding posters with Ukrainian historical figures, in particular Lesya Ukrainka, Solomiya Krushelnytska and Princess Olha.
Prince Harry and Meghan voluntarily abandoned up to 8.4million of funding and services when they stepped down from Royal life, but last night complained of being 'literally cut off'.

The couple had been receiving a combined pot to help them fulfil their roles before they activated Megxit last year.

It included an estimated 1m protection detail as well as money from Prince Charles and the Queen for a role in public life.

But in the couple's Oprah Winfrey interview this morning Harry said they had to go for Netflix and Spotify deals  worth an estimated 80million - to pay for his security after his family cut him off. It is the Home Office who decides levels of funding for protection of Royal family members.

The comment came despite the Sussexes deciding themselves to release the 'financial tie' of the Royal Family and announcing it on one of their websites last year.

A MailOnline audit of public information available on their money suggest they received around 5million funding for their Royal roles.

Harry said they had to go for Spotify and Netflix deals after Royal Family 'literally cut me off'

Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, former renovated home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

This included 2.5million from the Sovereign Grant and 2.5million from Charles' Duchy of Cornwall private estate.

Large renovation costs of one of their homes also cost 2.4million, which was funded by the Sovereign Grant.

On top of this was their security detail which when in the UK cost 1million a year, with paid for a team of at least six highly trained bodyguards.

Those protection costs are believed to have rocketed when they decided to leave the country, with the pricetag for safety costed at around 20million.

At their peak Harry and Meghan's combined wealth had been estimated to be worth around 33 million.

The now-abandoned Sussex Royal website gave a window into the finances of the Duke and Duchess when they said they would

Spotify and Netflix signed up the couple for a deal reported to be worth up to 80million

The Sussexes had said last year they had chosen to release themselves from Sovereign Grant

What is the Sovereign Grant? The Sovereign Grant is a funding mechanism of the monarchy. It is an annual sum which covers the work of the Royal Family. The grant includes expenses to maintain workspaces and official residences. The Queen gives up the revenue of the Crown Estate and in return the funds are granted to the Queen for expenditure. In the 2018-2019 fiscal report, the Queen gave up around 329 million from the Crown Estate to the government. In exchange for 82 million to cover the costs for official expenditure. The Sovereign Grant for 2020-2021 is 85.9 million. Advertisement

In January last year it said they would 'work to become financially independent' as they stepped back.

They said 95 per cent of their income had come from the Duchy of Cornwall, an amount known to total some 2.5million.

The couple had said the remaining 5 per cent had come from the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant, although it has previously been stated that they got 2.5million from the fund.

They also committed to pay back the 2.4m cost of renovating their home, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, a bill initially footed by the UK taxpayer.

In a statement on their old website they said: 'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex take great pride in their work and are committed to continuing their charitable endeavours as well as establishing new ones.

'In addition, they value the ability to earn a professional income, which in the current structure they are prohibited from doing. For this reason they have made the choice to become members of the Royal Family with financial independence.

'Their Royal Highnesses feel this new approach will enable them to continue to carry out their duties for Her Majesty The Queen, while having the future financial autonomy to work externally. While the contribution from The Sovereign Grant covers just five percent of costs for The Duke and Duchess and is specifically used for their official office expense, Their Royal Highnesses prefer to release this financial tie.'

The Sovereign Grant is money the Crown earns which is given back to Royals by government

As well as the Netflix and Spotify deals Harry was estimated to have earned as much as 700,000 to speak at a star-studded JP Morgan summit in Miami in February last year.

Papers for their now in liquidation Sussex Royal Foundation also showed it was owed 200,000 from an unknown source.

But the couple said they had been left little choice to pursue commercial endeavours after the money from the Royal Family dried up.

Harry said members of his family suggested Meghan 'carried on acting because there was not enough money to pay for her' when they married.

He added: 'There were some real obvious signs, before we even got married, that this was going to be really hard.'

Harry said his family 'literally cut me off financially' in the first quarter of 2020 and he went for the Netflix and Spotify deals to pay for his security.

He said he had what Diana left him and 'without that we would not have been able to do this.'

Princes William and Harry received most of a 13m fortune left by their mother Princess Diana. Harry is also thought to have had millions left to him by the Queen mother.
The ongoing dispute between the government and the so-called opposition puts Armenian President Armen Sargsyan in an uncomfortable position. On the one hand, Sargsyan is besieged by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who unsuccessfully seeks the resignation of the head of the General Staff, Onik Gasparyan, from the president. On the other hand, representatives of the pseudo-oppositional "Movement for the Salvation of the Motherland" are seeking an audience with Sargsyan in the hope of persuading him to side with the street "patriots".

Sargsyan is trying to stay on the sidelines, distance himself from competing political forces, since the outcome of the current crisis is unpredictable. In conditions of polarization of society, he approaches the choice of political guidelines with the utmost caution. The president cannot side with Pashinyan, whom the opposition considers to be the main culprit in Armenia's defeat in Karabakh - Sargsyan may lose his powers if he supports the prime minister's policy. Now the number of Pashinyan's political opponents is increasing, and in the event of the prime minister's political surrender, Sargsyan will be forced to share his fate. Sargsyan is a diplomat; he has never entered into open confrontation with either the security forces or the military in his entire political career, preferring to withdraw himself in time.

Former first prime minister Vazgen Manukyan and his Movement to Save the Motherland represent an exclusively reactionary wing of Armenian politics. The prospect of cooperation between Sargsyan and Manukyan is unlikely, since for street patriots, the cautious president of Armenia can only be a tool to remove Pashinyan from power, nothing more. The pseudo-oppositionists allow themselves to set conditions before Sargsyan and are ready to accuse him of a military defeat in Karabakh, if he does not apply to the Armenian Constitutional Court on the issue of dismissing the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Onik Gasparyan. Vazgen Manukyan stated this at a rally held on March 6, organized by his supporters.

The third political movement in Armenia was the bloc of former President Robert Kocharian and other members of the Karabakh clan, who adhere to open revanchist sentiments. For the Karabakh separatists, Sargsyan is a conditional figure in Armenian politics, who has long played its role and no longer represents any significance. This is indirectly confirmed by the cautious campaign of Kocharian's supporters against Sargsyan, who believe that the president's behavior in connection with the resignation of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces looks at least strange. It is not known exactly how Kocharian plans to begin restoring separatist power, but in the future he may choose for himself a modest presidential position by today's standards. If we talk about the prime minister's office, it is highly likely that Kocharyan may not even be included in the party list of one or another party that is ready to participate in the parliamentary elections, but he will probably want to oversee the activities of the government if his supporters win the elections.

Armenian top military officials, whose political activity has noticeably increased these days, also do not inspire confidence in Sargsyan, since they are building their own line of defense against possible accusations of defeat in the last war. The generals are unable to proclaim themselves at the head of the government, therefore the option of a military coup is futile, especially since it leads Armenia to isolation from the West. The position of the Armenian generals boils down to the fact that now the army does not interfere with the civilians to squeeze Pashinyan out of the prime minister's post.
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Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Lucknow, March 8 : The Yogi Adityanath government will celebrate International Women's Day in the most special way under its ambitious 'Mission Shakti' campaign across Uttar Pradesh.

The main event of the second phase of the 'Mission Shakti Abhiyan' will be held in the state capital Lucknow and it will be live streamed in all districts.

Yogi said in a statement that government is committed for the safety, honour and empowerment of women for which various programmes have been initiated in state.

To mark the day, 'Chaupals' will be held at various primary schools as well as the Kasturba Gandhi schools across illages to spread awareness about the safety, dignity, and empowerment of women.

Apart from this, the government will also allow free-of-cost visits of women to the ancient and historical places in the state.

The government has also issued directives to organize a pledge taking ceremony of the guardians for the safety of girls for which an amount of Rs 1,000 has been released to each school.

With the aim of making the new generation the carrier of culture that guarantees respect and protection for women, many campaigns and awareness programmes are being run by the Yogi-led government.

In this series, mass public meetings will be conducted to ensure women's security and empowerment on the occasion of Women's Day in all schools of the state.

Apart from this, the school's headmasters, wardens, facilitators, will promote these awareness activities in their respective villages, gram panchayats, etc.

The programmes are designed to educate girls about 'Good-Touch Bad-Touch'.

Information about the government's women helplines will also be given to parents and children.

All the winners of the various competitions organised at the schools will also be honoured.

A poster exhibition will also be organised to make children aware of social issues like domestic violence, child marriage, gender discrimination and child rights.

In Lucknow as a gift from Yogi on International Women's Day, women can visit historical places including Bara Imambara, Bhool Bhulaiya, Picture Gallery, Rumi Gate, and Ghantaghar for free.

An order in this regard has been issued by the Hussainabad Trust.

Instructions have been given to organise women empowerment related programmes in all districts up to tehsil, block and village level even after one week of the International Women's Day.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
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Los Angeles, March 8 : In the 90-minute-long interview Meghan Markle and Prince Harry gave to Oprah Winfrey, she spoke about he moments she shared with the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Williams wife Kate Middleton. Meghan revealed that the reports which had suggested that she made Middleton cry over "flower girl dresses" actually werent true.

"The reverse happened," she told Winfrey when the latter asked if Markle indeed made Middleton cry and pointed out that the incident was the "turning point" in her relations with the British media.

"A few days before the wedding she (Kate) was upset about something, pertaining to, yes, the issue was correct about the flower girl dresses, and it made me cry. It really hurt my feelings. There wasn't a confrontation," she said.

"I don't think it's fair to her to get into the details of that because she apologised, and I (have) forgiven her. What was hard to get over was being blamed for something that not only I didn't do, but that happened to me. I am not sharing that piece about Kate in any way to be disparaging to her.," Meghan said, further stating that the Palace's attitude towards that news report, too, shocked her.

"They would go on the record and negate the most ridiculous story for anyone," she said. "But when it came to the Kate story, for example, they did not negate it. It was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family. But they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband," she added.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
China's tech industry has been hit hard by US trade battles and the economic uncertainties of the pandemic, but it's eager to bounce back in the relatively near future. According to the Wall Street Journal, the country used its annual party meeting to outline a five-year plan for advancing technology that aids "national security and overall development." It will create labs, foster educational programs and otherwise boost research in fields like AI, biotech, semiconductors and quantum computing.

The Chinese government added that it would increase spending on basic research (that is, studies of potential breakthroughs) by 10.6 percent in 2021, and would create a 10-year research strategy.

China has a number of technological advantages, such as its 5G availability and the sheer volume of AI research it produces. This is one of the few countries where completely driverless taxis are serving real customers. In that light, the country is really cementing some of its strong points.

However, this may also be a matter of survival. US trade restrictions have hobbled companies like Huawei and ZTE, in part due to a lack of cutting-edge chip manufacturing. The US also leads in overall research, and the Biden administration is boosting spending on advancements for 5G, AI and electric cars. As experienced as China is in some areas, it risks slipping behind if it doesn't counter the latest American efforts.
Turkey is already assembling a new batch of Bayraktar Tactical Block 2 (TB2) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for Ukraine.

MP of the Servant of the People faction Ihor Kopytin wrote about this on his Facebook page.

MP Kopytin, Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Myroniuk, and Ukrainian Navy Commander Oleksiy Neizhpapa visited the Baykar Defence company in Istanbul, where they inspected the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

"Together with my colleagues, I was once again convinced that the Turkish side complies with its commitment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Kopytin noted.

As reported, in October 2020, Ukrainian Defense Minister Andrii Taran and Head of the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) of the Republic of Turkey Ismail Demir signed a memorandum outlining their intentions to launch and implement joint projects to build warships, unmanned aerial vehicles and all types of turbines.

In addition, Ukrainian Defense Minister Andrii Taran and Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey Hulusi Akar signed a framework military agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Turkey.

Turkish drones have demonstrated their effectiveness during hostilities in Syria, Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh.

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Nyanya, Abuja, on Monday, ordered the remand of a policeman, Johnson Samanja, accused of shooting a 19-year-old boy to death in October last year.

The trial judge, Peter Kekemeke, ordered Mr Samanja, 51, to be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre in Kuje, Abuja till June 1, when his bail application would be heard.

Mr Kekemeke ordered the defence counsel, George Ukaegbu, to file proper bail application ahead of the hearing.

Mr Samanja was arraigned on a culpable homicide charge on Monday.

The prosecuting counsel, Okokon Udo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on October. 3, 2020 at Dutse Apo village, FCT, Abuja.

ALSO READ: Man arrested for unleashing dogs on police officers

He alleged that the defendant shot at, killing the victim with a police gun.

The offence was said to contravene the provisions of Section 221 of the Panel Code.

Mr Samanja pleaded not guilty.

(NAN)
ROCHESTER, Minn. - From the way we work to how we communicate, the pandemic has changed it all. Now it's impacting population count with fewer babies being born. Over the past year, many doctors expected a baby boom with dozens of people staying home, however, so far it's been a baby bust.

Since COVID-19 has impacted people's jobs and their incomes, it has led to fewer births. Political analyst Rayce Hardy tells KIMT News 3 it's more than just financial reasons.

"Who was also at home where the kids and one of the parents at least are playing teacher for the day so that makes it busy," said Hardy. "Plus the number of people who didn't know if being pregnant during COVID was an increase chance of harm."

According to The Brookings Institution, 300,000 or fewer children are predicted to be born this year which could have a big impact on school systems in the future.

"If your a small rural area and you get hit with a situation where there are no births, five years from now, four or five fewer kids in a kindergarten class, that's a teaching position out the door," said Hardy.

According to The Guttmacher Institute, while birthrates might be low now, there is a chance they could increase in the future since people may be putting off having kids until the country recovers from the pandemic.
Dear Amy: This week, I was fired from a customer-service job. I had only been at the job for three weeks. The incident leading to my firing happened when I was exhausted and caught off guard by a very young customer who was angry about an answer I gave her. I was not at my best but tried to steer her to my manager. The girl refused to see the manager and Tweeted about my company and me that night. The next day, I called my supervisor to alert her about the angry customer. I was shocked to hear our headquarters caught wind of the Tweet, which stated that I was unkind to this customer. I am a compassionate person and about three times her age (about 20). Tell your readers to count to 10 when they are angry, even if they are right in a commercial situation. It is a test of character to know how to complain about people.
Ashley Judd has endured a harrowing experience since shattering her leg last month in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

But the two-time Golden Globe nominee is now recovering at home, where she's surrounded by the support of friends and family.

She's staying optimistic while 'drowning in trauma' from the painful experience and took to Instagram Saturday with an update on how she's recovering for her 497,000 followers.

Drowning in trauma: Ashley Judd is staying optimistic while 'drowning in trauma' from the painful experience of shattering her leg last month in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The 52-year-old actress began the caption with the Zen proverb: 'If I understand, things are just as they are. If I do not understand, things are just as they are.'

She continued: 'I do not understand why what has happened has happened. I do understand I have been loved and helped enormously. I understand nights are a savage agony.'

Ashley thanked her doctors Phil Kregor and Todd A Rubin for 'seven hours of intensive, brilliant, inspired surgical work on my bones and nerve.'

She also showed her appreciation for the nurses, nutritionists and janitors that looked after her during her hospitalization.

Zen proverb: The 52-year-old took to Instagram Saturday with an update for her 497K followers, beginning the caption with the Zen proverb: 'If I understand, things are just as they are. If I do not understand, things are just as they are' (pictured in March, 2018)

Best sister ever: Ashley also included a photo of older sister Wynonna Judd, 56, washing her hair in an inflatable sink, to keep her patient comfortable in bed

Part of the job: Wynonna recently updated Page Six: 'I was looking up how to wash hair for someone who's lying down in bed because she texted me, "Can you wash my hair?" Therein lies the job of a big sister right there' (pictured in November, 2019)

The Double Jeopardy star wrote: 'Now, I am in the bosom of a stream of friends and family, too numerous to mention, who have caught me in their soft arms from this precipitous fall.

'They do for me what I cannot do for myself - prepare meals, shampoo my hair, and they also offer the deep spiritual direction and consolation of trying to begin to craft an arc of meaning and purpose. They also offer and meet my need for quiet. I am lost and they are my shepherd's staff.

'To all who have gone before me and walk beside me with physical therapy, I had no idea. Thank you. I am only at beginning and the combination of drowning in trauma and addressing the physical body is a lot. Yet you have done it, and so will I.'

She posted the caption with a photo of herself and cousin Rachel Sager under a beautiful mosaic piece entitled Truthseeker, which Rachel created, inspired by Ashley.

Savage agony: Ashley continued: 'I do not understand why what has happened has happened. I do understand I have been loved and helped enormously. I understand nights are a savage agony'

Thankful: She thanked her doctors Phil Kregor and Todd A Rubin for 'seven hours of intensive, brilliant, inspired surgical work on my bones and nerve'

Home sweet home: The Double Jeopardy star wrote: 'Now, I am in the bosom of a stream of friends and family, too numerous to mention, who have caught me in their soft arms from this precipitous fall'

Only the beginning: She added: 'To all who have gone before me and walk beside me with physical therapy, I had no idea. Thank you. I am only at beginning and the combination of drowning in trauma and addressing the physical body is a lot. Yet you have done it, and so will I'

Ashley also included a photo of older sister Wynonna Judd, 56, washing her hair in an inflatable sink, to keep her patient comfortable in bed.

Wynonna recently updated Page Six: 'I was looking up how to wash hair for someone who's lying down in bed because she texted me, "Can you wash my hair?" Therein lies the job of a big sister right there.'

Ashley broke her leg in four places and sustained nerve damage last month, after tripping over a tree in the dark, while tracking bonobos, an endangered ape species.

The Divergent actress was transported at a hospital in South Africa after a 55-hour rescue mission, before returning to the United States and undergoing surgery.
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina at a news conference at the US Capitol on Friday. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Sen. Lindsey Graham told "Axios on HBO" that he still thought Donald Trump was good for the GOP.

Graham said Trump had a "dark side" but also a "magic" lacked by other Republicans.

He said Trump could make the GOP stronger and more diverse but "also could destroy it."

Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.

In an interview with "Axios on HBO" that aired Sunday, Sen. Lindsey Graham said former President Donald Trump had both a "dark side" and a "magic" that other Republicans didn't.

The South Carolina senator went from a critic to a close ally during Trump's four years in office but still doesn't always follow Trump the way some other loyalists do. While he opposed Trump's impeachment after the Capitol riot, Graham said Trump "needs to understand that his actions were the problem."

When Axios' Jonathan Swan asked Graham during the latest interview why he still supported Trump, the senator said he still believed Trump's movement was good for the country.

"Mitt Romney didn't do it, John McCain didn't do it - there's something about Trump," Graham said. "There's a dark side, and there's some magic there. What I'm trying to do is just harness the magic."

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Since the January 6 siege by a pro-Trump mob at the US Capitol, not all congressional Republicans have agreed on how the party should move forward. While the vast majority voted against Trump's second impeachment, 10 representatives voted to impeach Trump and seven senators voted to convict him.

Read more: Inside Secretary Pete's quest to make the Transportation Department cool again

Yet Graham told Axios he thought the best way for the Republican Party to move forward with its agenda was "with Trump, not without Trump."

"He could make the Republican Party something that nobody else I know could make it," Graham said. "He could make it bigger, he could make it stronger, he could make it more diverse. And he also could destroy it."

Story continues

Graham told reporters last month that he was meeting with Trump to discuss the future of the Republican Party. He said that he wanted to persuade Trump to help Republicans take back congressional majorities in 2022 but that the party would need to be united.

"If it's about revenge and going after people you don't like, we're going to have a problem," Graham said he would tell Trump.

At the Conservative Political Action Conference late last month, Trump called out the Republicans by name who voted for his impeachment, prompting boos from the crowd.

Trump also told Politico on Saturday that he would be traveling to Alaska to campaign against GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who voted to convict him, calling her "disloyal" and "very bad."

Have a news tip? Contact this reporter at kvlamis@insider.com.

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The Netherlands will extend its controversial coronavirus curfew until March 31, with exceptions for a general election next week, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Monday.

A ban on flights and ferries from Britain was lifted, however, because a COVID-19 variant first found in Britain has now already spread so widely, the government said.

Four days of riots broke out when the overnight curfew, the first in the Netherlands since the Nazi occupation during World War II, was introduced on January 23.

The 9:00 pm to 4:30 am curfew had been due to end on March 15, but "now continues until the morning of Wednesday the 31st," Rutte told a press conference.

"A few exceptions apply for the three days of the elections", from March 15 to 17, "because curfews cannot and must not stand in the way of free elections", he added.

Anyone who could not vote before the start of the curfew at 9:00 pm "can simply do that without hindrance and go home", Rutte said.

Election workers and volunteers needed written proof from local councils.

Restaurants, bars and cannabis coffee shops will remain takeaway only, as they have done since October, said Rutte.

But other restrictions will be slightly relaxed, including more customers allowed in large shops.

The government will announce on March 23 whether outdoor cafe terraces can reopen the following week.

Schools have already reopened in recent weeks.

A Dutch appeals court upheld the coronavirus curfew in February after a lower court ruled that it was illegal and should immediately be lifted.

The Dutch government banned flights and ferries from Britain in December after the spread of the so-called "British variant", but said it was allowing them again from 2300 GMT on Monday.

"The British variant of the corona virus has already been spread in the Netherlands, which is why the flying and sailing ban no longer makes sense," it said in a statement.

Travellers still needed a coronavirus test and to go into quarantine.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 AFP
TAIYUAN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Residents in the Liangcai Village, located in the city of Changzhi, north China's Shanxi Province, used to offer prayers for rain in the local Temple of King Dayu, a mythological figure who is believed to have tamed floods in ancient China.

In recent years, however, the temple has been plagued by an existential threat from decades of decaying due to rainwater leakage.

"The temple has been leaking for more than 20 years," Wang Hongrui, a Party official in the village, said of the only immovable cultural relic in the village.

But, thanks to the efforts of a volunteer team, Wang has managed to raise more than 3,000 yuan (463 U.S. dollars) worth of funds to help protect the temple.

The team came to the public fore on Friday, as China observed "Lei Feng Day" by showing goodwill and helping others in remembrance of the soldier renowned for his generosity and altruistic deeds.

Dubbed "Museum of China's ancient buildings," Changzhi is situated in the southeast of Shanxi and is home to more than 3,500 ancient architectures. The city is surrounded by the mighty Taihang and Taiyue mountains.

However, due to various reasons, many immovable cultural relics are decaying, prompting relic enthusiasts to come to their rescue.

He Yanjun is one of the conservation volunteers. He helped set up a volunteer team for relic protection in 2017, and two years later, the team received official approval. Currently, it has about 300 members from various walks of life. They either donate, patrol, or create public awareness of relic protection.

Over the past two years, the team has renovated or repaired about 30 ancient buildings by working concertedly with officials. Their efforts have been hailed by the public.

Niu Songlin, a 72-year-old volunteer, has been calling on the local TV station in the county of Pingshun to help raise public awareness of cultural protection. He particularly wants to save an ancient opera stage from decaying.

"I remember watching operas and even performing myself on the stage," said Niu, who used to be a teacher in Daduo Village. "The ancient opera stage is a symbol of the hard work and wit of our ancestors, and we cannot let history crumble into ruins."

Many volunteers echo similar thoughts. Song Xuguang, a local official, said that when they decided to renovate the stage, they received more than 10,000 yuan in donations.

"I think the volunteer team really brought social capital into relic protection," said He Yanjun, the founder of the team. "We need to call on the public to protect the relics together, which is one of the major responsibilities of the team." Enditem

[ Editor: JYZ ]
[March 08, 2021] Nuveen Closed-End Fund Reorganizations Complete

The reorganizations of Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Value Fund (NYSE: NJV) and Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Value Fund (NYSE: NPN) into Nuveen AMT (News - Alert) -Free Municipal Value Fund (NYSE: NUW) and the reorganization of Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund 2 (NYSE: NCB) into Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund (NYSE: NCA) were completed prior to the open of the New York Stock Exchange on March 8, 2021. In the reorganizations, NUW acquired substantially all of the assets and liabilities of each of NJV and NPN in a tax-free transaction in exchange for newly-issued common shares in an aggregate amount equal in value to the net assets transferred. In the reorganization, NCA acquired substantially all of the assets and liabilities of NCB in a tax-free transaction in exchange for newly-issued common shares in an aggregate amount equal in value to the net assets transferred. NCA also completed a change of domicile reorganization from a Minnesota corporation to a Massachusetts business trust. The exchange was based upon the values of the funds' net assets as of the close of trading on March 5, 2021. The exchange ratio at which common shares of NUW were issued in exchange for the net assets for NJV and NPN and common shares of NCA were issued in exchange for net assets of NCB is listed below:







Ticker Fund Name Exchange Ratio NJV Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Value Fund 0.89773103 NPN Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Value Fund 0.87497753 NCB Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund 2 1.51727882

For more information about the shareholder-approved reorganizations, please visit www.nuveen.com/CEF. About Nuveen Nuveen, the investment manager of TIAA, offers a comprehensive range of outcome-focused investment solutions designed to secure the long-term financial goals of institutional and individual investors. Nuveen has $1.2 trillion in assets under management as of 31 Dec 2020 and operations in 27 countries. Its investment specialists offer deep expertise across a comprehensive range of traditional and alternative investments through a wide array of vehicles and customized strategies. For more information, please visit www.nuveen.com. Nuveen Securities, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC. The information contained on the Nuveen website is not a part of this press release. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements made in this release are forward-looking statements. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. These include, but are not limited to: market developments;

legal and regulatory developments; and

other additional risks and uncertainties. Nuveen and the closed-end funds managed by Nuveen and its affiliates undertake no responsibility to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement. EPS-1552972PR-E0321X View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005485/en/

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Lawyers for a US pension fund suing Ryanair and its chief executive Michael OLeary in New York want to question news outlets and journalists, including this correspondent, in relation to the legal action.

Ryanair and Mr OLeary are resisting the move through their lawyers.

The Alabama pension fund for fire officers and police officers sued Ryanair and Mr OLeary in 2018, claiming they had made false and misleading statements to shareholders regarding employment issues at the airline.

In late 2017, Ryanair dramatically said it would recognise trade unions.

The pension fund alleged that increased costs as a result of unionisation at Ryanair, as well as lower profits, wiped out millions in shareholder value. The claims have been strenuously rejected by Ryanair and Mr OLeary.

A New York court last year said many of the complaints made against the airline and its boss by the pension fund had no actionable basis.

Now the pension fund wants permission from the US court to request judicial assistance from the Irish courts to interview, under oath, this correspondent. It is in relation to a 2018 article in which Mr OLeary said that recognising trade unions was not one of my best days in Ryanair, but it was inevitable at some point in time.

In a draft letter to the Irish High Court that will be sent if the US court sanctions the move, lawyers for the pension fund state that testimony and documents produced by the Irish Independent are intended for use at trial and are relevant and important to the claims and defences asserted in this action.

The proposed letter adds that it is requested that the High Court of Ireland direct the witness to appear before a competent authority, authorised by the Irish courts, and to compel the testimony of John Mulligan or the Irish Independent representative most knowledgeable about the article.

It wants information regarding recordings, notes and other material.

Lawyers for the US pension fund insist that the journalists it wants to interview possess material information that is highly relevant to the claims at issue in this action.

The lawyers also want permission to ask the UK courts for judicial assistance to question Financial Times journalists Arthur Beesley and Josh Spero, John Collingridge of the UK edition of The Sunday Times, and Conor Humphries of Reuters.

Lawyers for Ryanair are trying to persuade the New York court to rebuff the requests.

While defendants are not generally opposed to lead plaintiffs using letters of request to obtain discovery in this action, the Letter Motion should be denied in its current form because it impermissibly seeks non-party discovery on claims this court has dismissed or on matters this court has already held are not properly the subject of party discovery in this action, they have argued in court filings.

The pension funds lawyers also want permission to seek to question representatives of recruitment firm Crewlink, which provides cabin crew to Ryanair, as well as Brookfield, a company that provides it with pilots.
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ARLINGTON, Ariz.  About 165,000 egg-laying hens were killed when two large barns caught fire Saturday afternoon at a farm nearly an hour west of Phoenix, local meda report.

The fire took place in the barns at Hickmans Family Farm, azfamily.com reported.

The Buckeye Valley Fire District said at least 60 firefighters were on the scene of the huge blaze.

One person has been taken to the hospital in stable condition, the Buckeye Valley Fire District told azfamily.com.

Were devastated, Hickmans Community Outreach Manager Sharma Hickman told KNVX-TV.

The fire came as the farm was working to meet the demand for Easter eggs, Hickman said.

In addition to the Buckeye Valley Fire District, the Arizona Fire & Medical Authority, City of Buckeye, Goodyear, Avondale, and Harquahala Fire District sent crews to Hickmans Family Farm.

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Wilhelmstein Island, an artificial island on Lake Steinhude in the Hanover region of northwestern Germany, looks like the perfect place to isolate yourself during a pandemic.

The story of Wilhelmstein Island began in 1761, when Count Wilhelm von Schaumburg-Lippe, ruler of the County of Schaumburg-Lippe-Buckeburg and an important military commander in the Seven Years War, ordered the construction of a military fortress in the middle of Steinhude Meer, the largest lake in northern Germany. The military defensive complex originally consisted of 16 islands built on large foundations of stone transported to the middle of the lake by local fishermen in their boats. A star shaped fortress was built in the middle of the main island, and later a military college designed to train the leaders of the next generation.

Photo: ChristianSchd/Wikimedia Commons/(CC BY-SA 4.0)

As a fortress, Wilhelmstein Island was tested only once, in 1787, during the Hessian Siege, when it successfully kept the besieging forces of the Duke of Hessen-Kassel at bay. After Wilhelms death and the relocation of the military school to the mainland, the island fortress was converted into an escape-proof state prison.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alex Ivchyn (@alex_ivchyn)

At the beginning of the 19th century, the 16 original islands were merged into a single rectangular island, increasing the available space and helping the island better withstand the fury of the natural elements.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Henning Vorm Walde (@hvormwalde)

By 1867, all prisoners had been transferred to other prisons, and the renaissance of Wilhelmstein Island as a tourist attraction began. In just a few decades, the artificial island turned into a popular destination for visitors from all over Germany and beyond. In 1900 the first weddings are organized on the island as its popularity reaches an all-time high.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by     (@intoday.ir)

Even though the descendants of Count Wilhelm von Schaumburg-Lippe sold Lake Steinhude to the district of Hannover in 1974, in order to avoid expropriation, Wilhelmstein Island remained the property of the Schaumburg-Lippe family, and is currently administered by an island bailiff from the princely court in Buckeburg.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Henning Vorm Walde (@hvormwalde)

Today, Wilhelmstein Island remains one of the most beautiful attractions in all of Germany. After reaching it by boat, tourists can visit the old fortress turned into a museum, take tour of the island, or simply take in the beautiful scenery. The island also offers accommodation, if you plan on spending more than a day there.

When it comes to isolated retreats, weve featured some interesting options here on Oddity Central, from the worlds loneliest house, to an isolated lighthouse in the middle of the sea.
More than 80,000 solo travelers have traveled with O.A.T. in the last five years, and more than half of O.A.T. travelers are solo women.

80,000+ solos have traveled with O.A.T. in past five years

Overseas Adventure Travel, the leader in solo-friendly travel for women over 50, honors strong and adventurous women travelers in celebration of International Womens Day. Boldly exploring the globe, experiencing new cultures, and connecting with others from every walk of life, solo women travelers push the boundaries of whats possible for all women.

Solo women travelers help to enrich the lives of the people theyll meet along the way  often women and girls in far-flung countries  just as their lives will be enriched by the discoveries they will make on their journeys.

More than 80,000 solo travelers have traveled with O.A.T. in the last five years, and more than half of O.A.T. travelers are solo women. The company has 38,000 solo women travelers who have reserved travel for 2021 and 2022. O.A.T. offers Free Single Supplements on 92% of its 30,000 single spaces to support solo travelers.

Women supporting women

In the spirit of women supporting women, O.A.T. issued the complimentary NEW 101+ Tips for Solo Women Travelers. The booklet compiles advice primarily from O.A.T.s most seasoned solo women travelers and was edited by O.A.T. Vice Chairman Harriet Lewis.

The NEW 101+ Tips for Solo Women Travelers, written specifically for the mature woman, shares tips on top solo-friendly destinations; specific regions of the world; solo travel safety; money matters; and etiquette, dining, and culture. Anyone may request a complimentary copy of the NEW 101+ Tips for Solo Women Travelers (or view it) at http://www.oattravel.com/community/101-tips.

For many O.A.T. solo women travelers, the best part of their adventures is the support through O.A.T. travel for Grand Circle Foundation projects, many of which focus on women and girls. The organizations community development, for example, establishes the means for women and village leaders to create sustainable changes in their communities to become economically self-sufficient.

Personalization = Independence

Solo travelers, by definition, are independent, and options to personalize their travels are appealing. For 2022, 85% of O.A.T. travelers are choosing to personalize their experiences in more than 80 countries.

O.A.T. is the only travel company to offer the level of flexibility and choice it does, so solo travelers can create an experience that is truly personalized. Travelers may:

-- Choose a pre-trip or post-trip extension. Pre- and post- options lower travelers average per-day costs and enable them to take advantage of international airfare.

-- Arrive early or stay later to break away and explore a destination entirely on their own.

-- Choose an O.A.T. Stopover. O.A.T. offers 3-night stopovers in cities such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome.

-- Combine two or more adventures. Consecutive trips allow travelers to avoid the expense and length of another international flight.

-- Customize air preferences, such as choosing departure city and airline.

To learn more about O.A.T., please visit http://www.oattravel.com or call 1-800-955-1925.

ABOUT OVERSEAS ADVENTURE TRAVEL

Established in 1978, Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) is part of Boston-based - Grand Circle Corporation's family of travel companies, which also include Grand Circle Cruise Line and Grand Circle Travel. In 1992, owners Alan and Harriet Lewis established the nonprofit Grand Circle Foundation to support communities in which Grand Circle works and travels, including some 300 humanitarian, cultural, and educational endeavors worldwideamong them, 100 schools, in 50 countries. The Foundation is an entity of the Lewis Family Foundation, which has pledged or donated more than $200 million since 1981.
Di Bruno Bros., known for decades for its cheeses and prepared foods sold out of a number of Philadelphia locations, has unveiled its first wine.

Called Di Bruno & Friends Wine Collaboration #1, the exclusive release wine features a partnership involving the Di Bruno Bros. staff, led by Sande Friedman, wine category manager and president of Philly Wine Cru, and La Clarine Farm, a minimal-intervention farm in Somerset, California.

A 50-50 blend of Barbera and Zinfandel, its selling for $39.99 and is available at the Di Bruno Bros. Bottle Shops and its soon-to-open Wayne location. All told, the venture led to the production of 51 cases, so its definitely a limited release.

La Clarine Farm is the two-person operation featuring of Hank Beckmeyer and Caroline Hoel, both refugees from the music business, according to the bio on its website. We found a nice property at 2,600 feet elevation in Californias Sierra Nevada Foothills and have become totally enamored with our region, the bio continues. We have become swamped with work, but we love what we do ...

Its located in the foothills that cross El Dorado County, about 140 miles northeast of San Francisco.

Says Friedman, who joined Beckmeyer for La Clarine Farms grape harvest in fall 2019. Hank is a good friend, and Ive been a fan of his wine-making practices for years, stocking nearly all of his releases on the shelves at Di Bruno Bros. His wines have a similar taste of place to our renowned cheese selection. Hanks production is very small in terms of wine, and it is such a thrill to have been able to collaborate on an Italian-inspired savory red blend just to stock at our stores.

Friedman, along with Beckmeyer and his assistant, during the 2019 harvest handpicked a ton of Barbera grapes from the Suma Kaw vineyard in Placerville, California, an organic-practicing vineyard from where many La Clarine Farm grapes are sourced. The Barbera was foot-crushed and whole cluster fermented with native yeasts, then pressed into tank after nine days, according to information from a press release.

After several months of aging, Beckmeyer sent the fermented Barbera juice, along with a few other options for blending, for the Di Bruno team to taste and create their own desired cuvee. They landed on a blend of the Barbera and early-picked Suma Kaw Zinfandel. Beckmeyer blended the cuvee back at La Clarine Farm in July 2020, and the final wine was bottled, without fining or filtration, on Aug. 8 and left to rest for six additional months of bottle aging.

There are regional wineries that make both Barbera and Zinfandel as varietals, but the combination of the two is unique to the mid-Atlantic.

The teams tasting notes list dried dark red and blue fruits on the nose, accompanied by wild clove and sage, indicative of the Sierra terroir. Flavors of white peach and a touch of smoke meld beautifully with the initial aromas. This wine is savory and medium-bodied with great structure, acidity and soft tannins.

DiBruno called this first release a utility knife red wine that perfectly pairs with all styles and textures of different cheeses, something Di Bruno Bros. has built its reputation around since first opening in the citys Italian Market in 1939.

Per the release: From the Di Bruno Bros. cases, this wine would pair best with a soft Taleggio, or an earthy blue like Colston Bassett Stilton, a nice piece of Prosciutto Rotondo Dolce or Smoking Goose Soppressata. The rustic simplicity and soft tannins also make it great alongside pizza, a burger, BBQ, or simple roasted chicken.

The teams tasting notes for this wine list dried dark red and blue fruits on the nose, accompanied by wild clove and sage, indicative of the Sierra terroir.

Were immensely proud of this collaboration and the expertise of our team, says Bill Mignucci Jr., Di Brunos president. Hes a third-generation owner and grandson of Danny, one of. the companys founders. Its always been our passion and purpose to bring great products from all over the world to our guests, and this wine will be no exception.

Two future collaboration wines from Di Bruno Bros. are planned, the release said, a rose with Wayvine Winery & Vineyard of Nottingham, Chester County, which landed its 2019 Carmine rose among the list of honorable mention wines at the 2020 Sommelier Judgment. DiBruno also will team with Maloof Wines of Forest Grove, Oregon, on a Pinot Gris.

Beyond the more than 80 years operating in the Italian Market, the family has opened other locations in Center Citys Rittenhouse Square, The Franklin, The Market & Shops at Comcast Center and Ardmore Farmers Marker of Suburban Square, serving its neighborhoods with world-class cheese selections as well as gourmet prepared foods, baked goods, fresh meats and seafood and artisanal products from around the world.

This spring, Mignucci will debut a location in the heart of downtown Wayne (375 W. Lancaster Ave.). A convenient location for residents of nearby Devon and Berwyn as well, Waynes 8,000- square-foot energetic Italian culinary marketplace will feature delicious and eye-catching displays and interactive tasting stalls.
LA JOLLA--(March 8, 2021) Deep learning is a potential tool for scientists to glean more detail from low-resolution images in microscopy, but it's often difficult to gather enough baseline data to train computers in the process. Now, a new method developed by scientists at the Salk Institute could make the technology more accessible--by taking high-resolution images, and artificially degrading them.

The new tool, which the researchers call a "crappifier," could make it significantly easier for scientists to get detailed images of cells or cellular structures that have previously been difficult to observe because they require low-light conditions, such as mitochondria, which can divide when stressed by the lasers used to illuminate them. It could also help democratize microscopy, allowing scientists to capture high-resolution images even if they don't have access to powerful microscopes. The findings were published March 8, 2021, in the journal Nature Methods.

"We invest millions of dollars in these microscopes, and we're still struggling to push the limits of what they can do," says Uri Manor, director of the Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Core Facility at Salk. "That's the problem we were trying to solve with deep learning."

Deep learning is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) in which computer algorithms learn and improve by studying examples. To use deep learning to improve microscope images--either by improving the resolution (sharpness) or reducing background "noise"--the system would need to be shown many examples of both high- and low-resolution images. That's a problem, because capturing perfectly identical microscopy images in two separate exposures can be difficult and expensive. It's especially challenging when imaging living cells that might be moving around during the process.

That's where the crappifier comes in. According to Manor, the method takes high-quality images and computationally degrades them, so that they look something like the lowest low-resolution images the team would acquire.

Manor's team showed high-resolution images and their degraded counterparts to the deep learning software, called Point-Scanning Super-Resolution, or PSSR. After studying the degraded images, the system was able to learn how to improve images that were naturally poor quality.

That's significant because, in the past, computer systems that learned on artificially-degraded data still struggled when presented with raw data from the real world.

"We tried a bunch of different degradation methods, and we found one that actually works," Manor says. "You can train a model on your artificially-generated data, and it actually works on real-world data."

"Using our method, people can benefit from this powerful, deep learning technology without investing a lot of time or resources," says Linjing Fang, image analysis specialist at the Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Core Facility, and lead author on the paper. "You can use pre-existing high-quality data, degrade it, and train a model to improve the quality of a lower-resolution image."

The team showed that PSSR works in both electron microscopy and with fluorescence live cell images--two situations where it can be extraordinarily difficult or impossible to obtain the duplicate high- and low-resolution images needed to train AI systems. While the study demonstrated the method on images of brain tissue, Manor hopes it could be applied to other systems of the body in the future.

He also hopes it could someday be used to make high-resolution microscopic imaging more widely accessible. Currently, the most powerful microscopes in the world can cost upwards of a million dollars, because of the precision engineering required to create high-resolution images. "One of our visions for the future is to be able to start replacing some of those expensive components with deep learning," Manor says, "So we could start making microscopes cheaper and more accessible."

###

Other authors on the study are Sammy Weiser Novak, Cara R. Schiavon, Tong Zhang and Melissa Wu of the Salk Institute; Fred Monroe of the Wicklow AI Medical Research Initiative; Lindsey Kirk and Kristen Harris of the University of Texas at Austin; Seungyoon B. Yu and Gulcin Pekkurnaz of the University of California San Diego; Kyle Kastner of the Universite de Montreal, Yoshiyuki Kubota of the National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan; Zhao Zhang of the University of Texas at Austin, and Alaa Abdel Latif, Zijun Lin,, Andrew Shaw and Jeremy Howard of the University of San Francisco.

The research was supported by the National Science Foundation, the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, the Waitt Foundation, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, the National Institute of Mental Health, the Wicklow AI Medical Research Initiative, the Parkinson's Foundation, the National Institute of Health, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

About the Salk Institute for Biological Studies:

Every cure has a starting point. The Salk Institute embodies Jonas Salk's mission to dare to make dreams into reality. Its internationally renowned and award-winning scientists explore the very foundations of life, seeking new understandings in neuroscience, genetics, immunology, plant biology and more. The Institute is an independent nonprofit organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature and fearless in the face of any challenge. Be it cancer or Alzheimer's, aging or diabetes, Salk is where cures begin. Learn more at: salk.edu.
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For many Connecticut residents, life will never return to the way things were before COVID-19, which has already claimed more lives here than both World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and 9/11 combined.

On the surface, weve forgotten what it feels like to enter a supermarket without a mask, to stand among throngs of live music fans at one of the states formerly thriving venues, to sit down at a crowded restaurant with family and friends or to see a new release in an actual movie theater.

But for some, the pandemic has been far more destructive, robbing them of cherished spouses and beloved friends, erasing new workplace opportunities or shutting down careers and businesses altogether.

Frontline health care workers show up every day, hoping to see a shift in momentum away from ventilators and pulse oximeters. Young people stare at screens all day, as internships and entire sports seasons float away like imaginary relics of someone elses forgotten life.

Between check-ins with their kids  many of whom continue to fall behind  hapless parents attend Zoom meetings and sales calls, while teachers toggle between in-person and online learning, usually in real time, all the while waiting for word on when they can get vaccinated.

More than 600 restaurants have shuttered since March 2020, leaving the states food industry in tatters. Artists and musicians, forced to cobble together a living through live streams and virtual tip jars, are facing severe mental health challenges, while essential workers at grocery stores plug away at their jobs, masked for hours at a time.

Older residents, finally, continue to battle depression and isolation, often going months between family visits. Communities of color  disproportionately impacted by COVID-19  are significantly less likely to have received the vaccine than their white neighbors.

The Courant spoke to 13 teachers, artists, working parents, restaurant owners, survivors and others whose lives were forever changed by COVID-19. Here are their stories in their own words.

This effort to memorialize the coronavirus pandemic in Connecticut is a starting point. We will be adding to this oral history over time.


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VANCOUVER, BC, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX: ASM) (NYSE American: ASM) (FSE: GV6) (Avino" or "the Company") is implementing a fully funded increase in drilling from 12,000 to 30,600 metres as approved by Avino's Board of Directors.

"The fully-funded increases to the drilling campaign, with the addition of Phases 2 & 3, as well as the PEA-recommended drilling on the Oxide Tailings resource, totaling 30,600 additional metres, are consistent with our strategy to increase value for shareholders in the long-term through drilling on the Avino Property", said David Wolfin, President and CEO. "We are looking forward to receiving initial results from Phase 1 in Q2 2021, as well as advancing the Oxide Tailings project, as we continue to see exceptional value in this project."

INCREASES:

Project 2021 Original

Budget 2021 Expanded

Budget Increase Exploration Program 12,000 metres 18,600 metres 6,600 metres Oxide Tailings Project - 12,000 metres 12,000 metres Total 12,000 metres 30,600 metres 18,600 metres

Exploration Program

Increase from 12,000 to 18,600 metres

Phase 2, consisting of 6,600 metres, will focus on high-grade, narrow-vein mineralized systems, similar to the previously mined San Gonzalo system

Further drilling has been approved and will be subject to results from Phase 1 & Phase 2

Oxide Tailings Drilling

In 2017, Avino released an encouraging Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA"), which can be found on Avino's profile on SEDAR. One of the recommendations from the PEA was to perform additional surface drilling to increase the confidence level of the resource. This would be done in anticipation on commencing a Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS"). Avino will proceed with the recommended drilling, with the intention of making a decision to proceed with a PFS later in the year.

Capital Expenditures

Following the increases mentioned above, budgeted capital expenditures for 2021 are now expected to be between

$9 and $11 million, up from the original budget of between $6 and $8 million. All figures are stated in US dollars.

COVID-19 Protocols

The Company continues to implement its COVID-19 safety protocol plan at site to ensure the safety of employees and the communities surrounding the Avino mine property. Our drill program is utilizing employees who live locally and require minimal travel to and from the mine site.

Qualified Person(s)

Peter Latta, P.Eng, MBA, VP Technical Services, who is a qualified person within the context of National Instrument 43-101 have reviewed and approved the technical data in this news release.

About Avino

Avino is primarily a silver producer with a diversified pipeline of silver, gold, and base metal properties in Mexico. Avino produces from its wholly owned Avino Mine near Durango, Mexico. The Company's silver, copper and gold production remains unhedged. The Company's mission and strategy is to create shareholder value through its focus on profitable organic growth at the historic Avino Property and the strategic acquisition of mineral exploration and mining properties. We are committed to managing all business activities in a safe, environmentally responsible and cost-effective manner, while contributing to the well-being of the communities in which we operate.

On Behalf of the Board

"David Wolfin"

________________________________

David Wolfin

President & CEO



Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.

Safe Harbor Statement - This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (together, the "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the updated mineral resource estimate for the Company's Avino Property located near Durango in west-central Mexico (the "Property") with an effective date of January 13, 2021 prepared for the Company, and referenced to Measured, Indicated, Inferred Resources referred to in this press release. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the dates of technical reports, as applicable. 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. While we have based these forward-looking statements on our expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee that such future events will occur and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that the Company's Property has the amount of the mineral resources indicated in the updated report or that such mineral resources may be economically extracted.

Such factors and assumptions include, among others, the effects of general economic conditions, the price of gold, silver and copper, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities, uncertainties associated with legal proceedings and negotiations and misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking information. In addition, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Known risk factors include risks associated with project development; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; the COVID-19 pandemic; volatility in the global financial markets; fluctuations in metal prices; title matters; uncertainties and risks related to carrying on business in foreign countries; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain of our officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; currency fluctuations; competition; dilution; the volatility of the our common share price and volume; tax consequences to U.S. investors; and other risks and uncertainties. Although we have 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. We are under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws. For more detailed information regarding the Company including its risk factors, investors are directed to the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F and other periodic reports that its files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

On October 31, 2018, the US Securities and Exchange Commission adopted Item 1300 of Regulation S-K ("Regulation SK-1300") to modernize the property disclosure requirements for mining registrants, and related guidance, under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All registrants are required to comply with Regulation SK-1300 for fiscal years ending after January 1, 2021. Accordingly, the Company must comply with Regulation SK-1300 for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, and thereafter, and the Company will no longer utilized Industry Guide 7. Regulation SK-1300 uses the Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards ("CRIRSCO") based classification scheme for mineral resources and mineral reserves, that includes definitions for inferred, indicated, and measured mineral resources. U.S. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part of the mineral resources in these categories will ever be converted into probable or proven mineral reserves within the meaning of Regulation S-K 1300.

SOURCE Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.avino.com/


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TECO 2030 ASA has signed a letter of intent with an undisclosed European shipowner for engineering support and delivery of a TECO 2030 Marine Fuel Cell system used for zero-emission propulsion. (Earlier post.) This LoI is related to one vessel.





The TECO Marine Fuel Cell System is a 1.2 MW PEM Module specifically for heavy duty marine application. Based on 20 years of Fuel Cell development experience by AVL, it features a modular design, enabling system configuration in megawatt scale.
Today, on 8 March, the World Customs Organization (WCO) is pleased to join the international community in celebrating International Womens Day 2021, focusing on the United Nations theme of Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world, which highlights the importance of womens role in shaping the future following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The importance of putting people at the centre of the recovery process is essential in the post-COVID era. This is also stressed by the WCO in its 2021 theme of Customs bolstering Recovery, Renewal and Resilience for a sustainable supply chain.

WCO Members are encouraged to integrate diversity and inclusion in their organizational policies, both in terms of internal policies, such as human resource management, leadership and career development, as well as external policies, such as collaboration with stakeholders.





In the past year, reports have attested to the fact that gender-based violence has increased during the pandemic. Customs, in their capacity as public administrations, are called upon to remain vigilant and do their utmost to prevent this phenomenon both within their organization and in their engagement with stakeholders. Another impact of the pandemic is the economic downturn. It is estimated that women will be disproportionately affected by the economic impact of COVID-19, given that they are more frequently employed in insecure jobs.

Mainstreaming gender equality and diversity into Customs daily work is key for recovery as it contributes to making organizations and societies more adaptive, inclusive and thereby more resilient, said Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, WCO Secretary General. I would like to express my appreciation to all WCO Members for adopting our Declaration in December 2020. This illustrates the increased interest by WCO Members in further advancing this agenda, gender equality and diversity being a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development, growth and competitiveness, Secretary General Mikuriya added.

The WCO Declaration on Gender Equality and Diversity in Customs calls for Customs administrations to share their experiences of strengthening gender equality and diversity as well as of monitoring and evaluating methodologies to assess and report progress in this area.

This celebration provides a good opportunity to announce the release of the first edition of the WCO Compendium on Gender Equality and Diversity in Customs, which is now available on the WCO website. This publication was made possible thanks to the United Kingdoms Prosperity Fund within the scope of the Trade Facilitation in Middle Income Countries Programme.

The Compendium, which showcases examples from 17 Member administrations, serves as a valuable and timely publication to help guide Members efforts in this domain. Going forward, the Compendium will form part of the ongoing work to collect additional practices on advancing gender equality and diversity, both internally within Customs and also in relation to Customs engagement with stakeholders.

As a matter of fact, over recent years WCO Members have stepped up their efforts to promote gender equality and diversity in Customs. Furthermore, the WCO has expanded the scope of its work to include broader diversity and inclusiveness issues.

In 2017, the Virtual Working Group for Gender Equality and Diversity was launched to provide a platform for Members to exchange experiences and good practices, as well as to raise awareness of the Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT). Following on from this, a blended training package entitled Advancing Gender Equality in Customs was developed and comprises a one-week workshop and an e-learning module.

The WCO takes the opportunity of this celebration to reaffirm its strong commitment to keep on promoting and supporting the advancement of gender equality and diversity in Customs, and to continue working closely with its international partners to move this agenda forward.
International Women's Day is celebrated today (March 8) around the world.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated women with International Womens Day, emphasizing that female healthcare workers have made a major contribution in the fight against the coronavirus, Sputnik reports.

"Our dear women, March 8 is a day when love, admiration and gratitude triumph. These wonderful emotions overwhelm and unite us all," Putin said, adding "I thank all women-doctors, paramedics, nurses and nannies - everyone who rescues and takes care of patients in the red zones, as part of ambulance crews, in hospitals and clinics. It has long been known that sensitivity, empathy, and an attentive, kind attitude are sometimes as much needed as medicine."

The Russian president also thanked all mothers for their everyday work in taking care of their children and families.

"At the same time, in some incomprehensible way, you manage to do everything everywhere, reaching the heights in various fields of activity, evoking constant respect for your commitment, reliability, and responsible approach," Putin said.

He wished good health, success and joy to all women, saying that International Womens Day always creates a special springtime atmosphere.

Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko also congratulated women with the holiday, noting the important work of women in "red zones" and labs.
NEW MILFORD  The town was set to open its first clinic for teacher vaccinations at the John Pettibone Community Center on Saturday, according to health director Lisa Morrissey.

Im really excited, Morrissey said. I think that it really is important for the community.

In its first three weeks, the clinic will be a closed clinic meaning that the town is not taking appointments through the federal Vaccine Administration Management System, (VAMS), but rather targeting specific groups in the community to get their vaccines. In the first two weeks Morrissey said she expects to complete public school staff and daycare provider vaccinations, and following that, the clinic will start to vaccinate any stragglers from group 1b  residents over 65 who have yet to be vaccinated.

Mayor Pete Bass said that getting teachers and students safely back in classrooms is a priority.

In their first seven days of clinics, New Milford has been able to schedule 62 percent of their Pre-K through 12th grade teachers and early childhood providers. The first 500 doses will be administered on Saturday, with another 600 more education workers already scheduled in the first half of next week, making a total of 1,100 appointments, Morrissey said.

When I say its been busy, its been busy, she said.

Since officially stepping into her new role as health director last month, Morrissey has been busy getting this clinic up and running. She had heard that residents were frustrated about having to schedule appointments outside of New Milford, and worked with the mayor, senior services, Nuvance Health, New Milford hospital, over 100 local volunteers, and other partners to make their hometown clinic a reality.

Across the state, other towns and cities have also ramped up efforts to get their teachers and school staff vaccinated now that theyve been made eligible.

Danbury Health Department planned to vaccinate 900 public school educators on Friday and Saturday at clinics at Rogers Park Middle School. The Friday clinic ran from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., while the Saturday clinic was planned for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Its been a great effort from many volunteers and our staff to get through so many of our teachers in this short window, city spokeswoman Taylor OBrien said in an email.

All Danbury Public School teachers who want a vaccine will receive their first dose by the end of next week, she said. The city also plans to hold smaller-scale clinics for educators at the citys private schools, she said.

After these priority groups are vaccinated, Bass said New Milford aims to open their clinic for appointments through VAMS. The location will serve as a regional hub at that point, with vaccine appointments made available to residents in nearby towns, as well.

Those are all like win-win-wins in my book, said Bass.

The clinic will be administering all three vaccines  Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson  and pending receipt of adequate supply from the state, they could eventually have the capacity to hit between 1,200 and 1,500 vaccinations per day at the clinic, Bass said.

And thats if  thats the big if  we get the vaccine, he said.

Educators in Newtown will be vaccinated on Saturday at Newtown High School. The Connecticut Institute for Communities' Greater Danbury Community Health Center is hosting the clinic, in coordination with the local school district and health department. Eligible Newtown teachers and education staff have been enrolled through the district, and all available slots are filled. A second-dose clinic will follow in about four weeks.

With additional reporting by Julia Perkins.
We at NAH believe all Americans should be vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. Its crucial for everyones health that we bring a swift end to the coronavirus pandemic. But we also recognize that giant steps have been taken over the past year to affirm Comfort Culture and the efficacy of working in loungewear, and we hope increased vaccinations and loosened restrictions dont lead to a sudden renewal of workplace dress codes, shorts bigotry and begrudging attendance at Kevins Wacky Wings Night every Thursday at the bar in your office buildings lobby.
GRANTS PASS, Ore.  Detectives arrested two suspected drug traffickers just north of Josephine County on Sunday, part of an ongoing investigation by Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE).

RADE detectives, a Grants Pass Police K9 team, and troopers from Oregon State Police stopped a gray Volkswagen SUV on I-5 just south of Azalea on Sunday. Investigators said that they had been watching the two men in the vehicle  Jonathon James Lawson and Jesus Rubio  on suspicion of drug trafficking.

After stopping Lawson and Rubio in the Volkswagen, K9 "Match" alerted to the presence of drugs in the vehicle. Officers detained Lawson and Rubio while investigators searched the vehicle.

According to the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, the search uncovered more than 11 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 10,000 Oxycodone pills believed to be laced with fentanyl, two guns, two bullet-proof vests, scales, packaging material, and cash.

"Both Lawson and Rubio are convicted felons and they were taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Delivery/Possession of methamphetamine and Oxycodone," GPDPS said.

Lawson was also charged for being a felon in possession of firearms and body armor.
South Korea and the United States will conduct its springtime military exercise this week, but the joint drill will be smaller than usual because of the coronavirus pandemic, Seoul said on Sunday.

The allies will begin a nine-day "computer-simulated command post exercise" on Monday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement.

South Korea and the United States decided to move forward with the drills after "comprehensively taking into consideration the COVID-19 situation, the maintenance of the combat readiness posture, the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of peace," the JCS said, noting that the exercise is "defensive" in nature.

The drills will not include outdoor maneuvers, which have been carried out throughout the year, and the number of troops and equipment will be minimized due to the pandemic, Yonhap news agency reported.

The exercises also provide a chance to assess South Korea's readiness to take over wartime operational control (OPCON), and the series of scaled back drills could complicate President Moon Jae-in's drive to complete the transfer before his term ends in 2022.

Even before the pandemic, the U.S. and South Korea had reduced the scale of drills to facilitate U.S. negotiations aimed at dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear programs.

The combined drills are closely monitored by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) which calls them a "rehearsal for war."

CGTN
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines)  As it celebrates its 25th year of making moments happen, budget carrier Cebu Pacific is launching its first-ever, month-long P25-seat sale.

During the whole month of March, flights to any domestic destination are on sale for travel from today all the way up to Dec. 31, 2021.

On our 25th year, we remain humbled to be part of our passengers stories and life journeys, said Candice Iyog, CEB VP for marketing and customer experience. We are in full support of the simplification of travel requirements, and expect to welcome more guests onto our flights in the coming months.

Aside from this, CEB will also offer 25% discount for flight add-ons and of course, its trademark "piso" sale. Visit www.cebupacificair.com for more information.

The countrys leading carrier operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines, offering safe and affordable flights to and from key cities in Visayas and Mindanao. It also supports the local tourism industry with its regular flights to leisure spots like Boracay, Bohol, Coron, Siargao, and Puerto Princesa.

Milestones @ 25

The airline took to the skies for the first time on March 8, 1996 -- flying from Manila to its hometown Cebu. Since then, it has been committed to fly where Filipinos are -- from its first international flight to Hong Kong in 2001, to its first low-cost long-haul flight to Dubai in 2013.

It received its first ATR 72-500 in 2008, which further boosted inter-island connection and allowed it to expand its domestic network. CEB also consistently made flying accessible for "everyJuan" when it pioneered "piso" sales in 2004.

The operator has also taken part in countless passenger moments  such as when a passenger from Dubai gave birth en route to Manila in 2016, or the surprise of its 150 millionth passenger upon arrival in Cagayan de Oro in October 2017.

CEB passengers have also helped marginalized children across the Philippines through the UNICEFs Change for Good program fund that reached $1 million in 2019.

Throughout our 25 years, we have celebrated countless wonderful moments with our guests. We look forward to #MoreSmilesAhead, as everyJuan flies again, Iyog added.

Expect more surprises from CEB as it celebrates its 25th anniversary this month! For real-time updates, follow Cebu Pacific Air on its official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

A 51-year-old woman who confessed to distributing child pornography was jailed for nine months as the sentencing judge expressed concern about the fact that she previously worked in a creche in Cork for three years.

Evelyn Ajie with an address at an apartment at Clifton Terrace, Summerhill North, Cork, who is originally from Nigeria, worked in a creche performing child minding duties for a period.

Judge Olann Kelleher raised this issue when he was imposing sentence on the accused on two counts of child pornography distribution and one of possession of the material.

Judge Kelleher noted from a background probation report that the defendant worked in a creche, which was not identified, from 2012 to 2015 and the only reason she left was because of health issues. In her court appearance she walked slowly with the aid of a walking stick.

The pornography distribution charges related to September and October 2019.

On what was a long list of cases at Courtroom 1 in Cork District Court today, Judge Kelleher said: It is a very serious case. It is the most serious case that came before the court today. The Director of Public Prosecutions said the case could proceed at Cork District Court only on a plea of guilty. She did plead guilty and the maximum sentence was 12 months.

The three charges

The first count states that on September 1, 2019, she did knowingly distribute child pornography whereby she knowingly showed it or facilitated any activity for the purpose of distribution, publication, exportation or show. The second was a similar charge related to October 5, 2019. The third charge refers to an allegation that she knowingly had in her possession three videos described as child pornography stored on a device.

Sergeant Pat Lyons said the images included an adult African female performing a sexual act on a baby, an adult African female in a sexual act with a pre-pubescent male and thirdly, a 12-year-old boy kneeling on the floor being struck with beads by the person holding the camera. The images were found on her phone.

Defence solicitor, Pat Horan, said the accused was in three WhatsApp groups, based in Italy, Spain and Nigeria and that the images came through when others shared them with her. The distribution by her was by way of further WhatsApp sharing with friends.

She later lodged 500 and was released on bail to appeal the sentence.
Pope Francis concluded on Monday the first-ever papal trip to Iraq, which went off without a hitch despite security worries and a second wave of coronavirus cases in the country

Baghdad (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Mar, 2021 ) :Pope Francis concluded on Monday the first-ever papal trip to Iraq, which went off without a hitch despite security worries and a second wave of coronavirus cases in the country.

The 84-year-old pontiff covered more than 1,400 kilometres (900 miles) inside the country, bringing encouragement to its diminished Christian community and extending a hand to Shiite Muslims by meeting top cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani.

"In my time among you, I have heard voices of sorrow and loss, but also voices of hope and consolation," Francis said on Sunday, concluding his last public event.

"Now the time draws near for my return to Rome. Yet Iraq will always remain with me, in my heart." In his packed three full days in Iraq, the Pope made more than a half-dozen speeches in nearly as many cities, repeatedly evoking hope and fraternity.

In Baghdad on Friday, he called for an end to violence and extremism and urged officials to do more to fight corruption.

Francis called the minority Yazidis "innocent victims of senseless and brutal atrocities," following the Islamic State group's rampage against their esoteric community in 2014.

He also met members of Iraq's other minorities in a moving interfaith ceremony at Ur, where the Prophet Abraham is thought to have been born.

On Saturday, he held an extraordinary meeting with the reclusive but highly respected Sistani, who afterwards said Iraq's Christians should have the right to live in "peace." Francis' full day in Iraq's war-battered north on Sunday embodied a cause close to his heart -- supporting traumatised Christians.

There, he said the "tragic" exodus of Christians "does incalculable harm not just to the individuals and communities concerned, but also to the society they leave behind".

cm/mjg/dwo
Excellencies, friends, partners, colleagues around the world,

Welcome to todays discussions on rethinking womens leadership in crisis situations. This is held as part of our Development Dialogues: Rethinking Solutions to Crisis in the Decade of Action series, where over the course of the next four months, UNDP aims to shine a spotlight on the most urgent action required to support those living in crisis to move towards sustainable development.

This years theme of International Womens Day is Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.

As we celebrate International Womens Day today, we are renewing our commitment for advancing gender equality, womens empowerment, and for the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing gender inequalities, causing rising violence against women and girls globally, and disproportionate negative economic consequences. The pandemic hit women hard, especially for those already in conflict and crisis affected situations.

We are at a critical moment for change. As UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka puts it, Change up the pace: women at the table.

We saw once again the criticality of ensuring women to be at the decision-making table in crisis response. Women's leadership is also vital for designing preparedness and prevention plans.

As our Administrator Achim Steiner stated today: Women must have the opportunity to play a full role in shaping the pivotal decisions being made right now, as choices we make as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic will affect the wellbeing of people and the planet for generations to come.

While there are breakthroughs to celebrate, the vision of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action has not yet realized. Why that is the case?

Again, I quote from the UN Women Executive Director: The universal and catastrophic lack of representation of womens interests in all the areas where decisions are made. The uncomfortable truth is that trying to shift a power balance is often faced with immediate resistance. Until now, decisions in both crisis and non-crisis situations were mostly made by male-led institutions. This long-standing power imbalance is held in place by structural inequalities, discriminatory social norms and social and economic disparities.

To challenge this, we need a systematic approach to create an enabling environment. UNDP has been conducting a series of consultations and innovative learning process over the past year to find out how we can do things differently. We wanted to know what has worked and what hasnt.

Today, my colleague Sarah will talk about the insights coming out of these processes. We are also privileged to hear directly from women leaders and peacebuilders in the distinguished panel, who had helped UNDP arrive at a new bold approach that we would like to propose today.

UNDPs call for a bold approach: Announcing the Facility

We are convinced that UNDPs work must help trigger a seismic shift in the power imbalances that drives gender inequality. We need to move from inclusion to transformation. For that to happen, we need a concerted effort by the whole of society to support womens representation actively and intentionally.

This requires political will. To disrupt the status quo, UNDP is working to amplify womens voices and promote their participation and leadership in public institutions, parliaments, the judiciary, and the private sector. We also need to work more with civil society groups to empower them, and to build local, national and global coalitions for change. And we will make an extra effort to engage with women leaders from all backgrounds to give voice to the unheard.

Recognizing that UNDP is well positioned to act as a convenor, we would like to step up our efforts in forging both traditional and new partnerships to overcome challenges, harnessing the respective strengths of different actors, from grassroots community actors to national governments, UN Women and other fellow UN agencies, donor countries, private sector and homegrown innovators, to tailor solutions.

UNDPs range of tools will help to analyze and provide integrated area-based responses, and to translate theoretical ideas into results. We need integrated solutions at scale, and for that, multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential. We also recognize that delivering solutions to complex problems with sustainable impacts must be based on data, evidence, and correct analysis. We need to further invest in innovation and digitization as well.

To support our new approach in crisis settings and respond to the recommendations we received, I am very pleased to announce today the establishment of UNDPs new Gender and Crisis Engagement Facility.

The Facility will act as a one-stop-shop that supports country, regional and global teams to drive forward transformational change in crisis contexts with a focus on womens leadership, economic empowerment, human rights and access to justice. The Facility intends to act as a success aggregator of gender-transformative programming covering the full range of UNDPs work, providing knowledge and evidence, technical support capacities, and seed funding for innovation.

With this Facility, we will ensure that our efforts are opening new avenues for collective social and economic empowerment. We will strengthen our abilities, for instance, to better understand and respond to intersectional inequalities, including how gender equality, climate and security are linked.

The Facility represents an ambitious but vital commitment to harness UNDPs strengths, to work in partnerships with other actors. UNDP is investing its own resources to kick-start this bold approach. We look forward to engaging with interested donors who would like to invest in us as we scale up our new approach.

Distinguished participants,



UNDP is committed to helping countries across the globe, together with all partners, to put women and girls  their inclusion, representation, rights, and protection  at the centre of all efforts.

As we recover from the past year and turn our sights towards 2030, we must build forward better, with inclusion and with equity, to fully realise womens leadership in crisis situations.

Thank you.
The joint march will commence at the central station and finish at Place d'Armes after making a stop at the Ministry of Labour.

To mark International Women's Day on 8 March, a varied programme has been set up by JIF (Journee Internationale des Femmes) and fraestreik.lu to raise awareness about discrimination against women, and to call on the government to improve its gender equality policies.

The programme includes an online demonstration at noon, followed by a skateboard meeting in the Peitruss skatepark (also open to beginners), live painting by Alex McKell and then the physical protest at 5pm.

Early February, activists announced their focal points for this year's edition of the event: shortening work hours at full salary rates, equal salary rights, and providing better access to social housing for everyone.

Data shows that gender equality remains an issue in Luxembourg: The share of female managers in Luxembourg is among the lowest in the EU, according to Eurostat, and just a third of the country's workforce are women. Nonetheless, along with Romania, Luxembourg has the lowest gender pay gap (GPG) in the European Union.
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Aleksei Navalny was moved out of a Moscow jail almost two weeks ago -- and still may not have arrived at the prison where is to serve his sentence in a case he calls absurd. RFE/RL Moscow correspondent Matthew Luxmoore discusses the situation surrounding the opposition politician, as well as the Kremlins efforts to rein in the Internet, with host Steve Gutterman.
Despite a ban on gatherings, hundreds of demonstrators on March 6 gathered in the Thai capital, Bangkok, in a bid to demand authorities release some protest leaders from jail. According to the Associated Press, the student-led protest movement had sprung up last year with demands for Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and his government to step down, the constitution to be amended to make it more democratic and the monarchy to be reformed to make it more accountable. While there were several protests across the country, the main, however, was held by a new faction of the student-led anti-government movement that calls itself REDEM - short for Restart Democracy.

REDEM is an offshoot of a group called Free Youth and its proclaimed goals are to build democratic socialism and minimize political and economic inequality. Saturdays protest saw demonstrators gathered in front of a criminal court surrounded by barbed wire and water cannon. As the Thai courts denied recent requests for bail for some of the jailed protest leaders, the demonstrators shouted slogans calling for their leaders freedom and burning garbage.

READ: Thai Woman Finds Whale Vomit Worth 1.9 Crores While Walking On A Beach, See Pictures

30 protesters arrested

The protests ran the risk of being provocative, but there were no violent confrontations. However, the group WeVo, which provides security for the demonstrators, said that more than 30 of its members were arrested as they were assembling nearby. Earlier on Saturday, the police had warned that protesters risked being arrested and police might use harsher measures if protesters became unruly.

READ: Thailand Launches Probe Against Facebook For Removing Army-linked Accounts

People in Thailand have routinely congregated in large numbers to pitch reform against Thailands powerful monarchy and break the traditional taboos. Several protesters have been arrested for holding rallies in defiance of the royal defamation law. Protesters, last month, were seen marching against the law, chanting "free our friends" and "abolish 112 slogans and flashing placards, many of whom also banged pots with 112 [article of the criminal code] emblazoned on it.

It is worth noting that the criticism of the monarchy is highly controversial because the institution has been widely considered an untouchable, bedrock element of Thai nationalism. Back in February, the prosecutors had formally charged four top protest leaders with violating the lese mejeste law for the first time since the police started to make arrests under the law last November. The four leaders were denied bail.

(With inputs from AP)

READ: First Batch Of COVID Vaccines Arrives In Thailand

READ: First Shipment Of COVID-19 Vaccines Arrive In Thailand




Amid the ruins in Mosul, Pope Francis prays for the victims of war in Iraq and in the whole of the Middle East.

By Vatican News staff writer

On Sunday morning, Pope Francis arrived at the Hosh al-Bieaa centre in Mosul where he prayed , amidst the ruins and along with the people of Iraq, for all the victims of war in the country and throughout the Middle East.

Pope Francis speaks at the ruins if the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception

Before addressing the small crowd gathered amongst the ruins of the four churches surrounding the meeting place, Pope Francis was greeted by the Archbishop of Mosul, Najeeb Michaeel. He then heard the testimony of a Catholic priest and a Sunni Muslim, victims of the terror that rampaged through the city of Mosul.

Three thoughts

Before his prayer, the Pope shared his own thoughts, centred on three main ideas:

If God is the God of life  for so He is  then it is wrong for us to kill our brothers and sisters in His Name.

If God is the God of peace  for so He is  then it is wrong for us to wage war in His Name.

If God is the God of love  for so He is  then it is wrong for us to hate our brothers and sisters.

Then the Holy Father invited all those present, whether near or far, to "join in praying for all the victims of war," and for ourselves. "May all of us," he added, "whatever our religious tradition, live in harmony and peace, conscious that in the eyes of God, we are all brothers and sisters."

Listen to our report

The prayer

Pope Francis then went on to recite his prayer. He prayed to God that "from beyond the sea of suffering and death, from beyond all temptations to violence, injustice and unjust gain" He might accompany His sons and daughters with a Fathers tender love.

He noted that we have "often forgotten your counsels of peace and harmony" and at times shown indifference. After a brief moment of silence, the Pope went on to ask: "Teach us to realise that you have entrusted to us your plan of love, peace and reconciliation, and charged us to carry it out in our time, in the brief span of our earthly lives."

He concluded with a prayer both for the deceased and for "those who caused such harm to their brothers and sisters." May they repent, he added.

The site



The Hosh al-Bieeya (Church Square) in Mosul holds the ruins of four Christian churches, referred to by the Pope in his prayer. The four churches of the ancient Christian community were destroyed by the so-called Islamic State. In Mosul alone there are over 30 churches that have been completely destroyed. None of them have been rebuilt yet.

A view of several historic Churches of Hosh al-Bieaa damaged by so-called Islamic State militants

The occupation of Mosul

Between June 2014 and July 2017 Mosul was occupied by the Islamic State. An estimated half a million people, including more than 120,000 Christians, fled from Mosul, which had a population of 1,846,500 in 2004. The city has been subjected to systematic devastation and this has led to the destruction of, among other things, numerous churches, the mausoleum of Awn ad-din, Nabi Yunis (the mausoleum of the prophet Jonah) and a section of the walls of the site of Nineveh, as well as that of rare manuscripts and more than 100,000 books preserved in the Library, archaeological finds and numerous statues in the collections of the Nineveh Museum.

Pope Francis is seen in front of ruins at Hold al-Bieaa in Mosul

In June 2017 the Islamic State, encircled by government forces, and with control of the old city alone, destroyed the mosque of Mur ad-din, the symbolic place of the Caliphate, which, however, a few days later was recaptured by the Iraqi army along with a part of the medieval area of the city.

In July 2017, after nine months of fighting, Mosul was liberated.

Full text of Pope Francis' prayer

Below, the full text of the Pope's prayer for victims of war:

Most High God, Lord of all ages, you created the world in love and never cease to shower your blessings upon your creatures. From beyond the sea of suffering and death, from beyond all temptations to violence, injustice and unjust gain, you accompany your sons and daughters with a Fathers tender love.

Yet we men and women, spurning your gifts and absorbed by all-too-worldly concerns have often forgotten your counsels of peace and harmony. We were concerned only with ourselves and our narrow interests. Indifferent to you and to others, we barred the door to peace. What the prophet Jonah heard said of Nineveh was repeated: the wickedness of men rose up to heaven (cf. Jonah 1:2). We did not lift pure hands to heaven (cf. 1 Tim 2:8), but from the earth there arose once more the cry of innocent blood (cf. Gen 4:10). In the Book of Jonah, the inhabitants of Nineveh heeded the words of your prophet and found salvation in repentance. Lord, we now entrust to you the many victims of mans hatred for man. We too implore your forgiveness and beg the grace of repentance: Kyrie eleison! Kyrie eleison! Kyrie eleison!

(Brief moment of silence)

Lord our God, in this city, we see two signs of the perennial human desire for closeness to you: the Al-Nouri Mosque, with its Al-Hadba minaret, and the Church of Our Lady of the Hour, whose clock for more than a century has reminded passersby that life is short and that time is precious. Teach us to realize that you have entrusted to us your plan of love, peace and reconciliation, and charged us to carry it out in our time, in the brief span of our earthly lives. Make us recognize that only in this way, by putting it into practice immediately, can this city and this country be rebuilt, and hearts torn by grief be healed. Help us not to pass our time in promoting our selfish concerns, whether as individuals or as groups, but in serving your loving plan. And whenever we go astray, grant that we may heed the voice of true men and women of God and repent in due time, lest we be once more overwhelmed by destruction and death.

To you we entrust all those whose span of earthly life was cut short by the violent hand of their brothers and sisters; we also pray to you for those who caused such harm to their brothers and sisters. May they repent, touched by the power of your mercy.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen.
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"Tin hats on," one royal aide was quoted as telling the Sunday Times, after a drip of excerpts in which Meghan complained about the strictures of royal life from her gated Californian mansion. Viewers will tune in to see if she and Harry have scores to settle with Buckingham Palace since leaving the royal frontline -- and if so, how far will they go?

Winfrey also retains the international rights, which will feed an appetite of interest about Britain's centuries-old monarchy -- and their troubles -- across the globe.

Diana's shock admission of affairs on both sides, and her life in the world's most famous family, was watched by more than 22 million people in Britain -- a record. But that could be eclipsed by Harry and Meghan's tell-all with Winfrey, who has reportedly sold it to U.S. broadcaster CBS for $7-9 million (5.1 million to 6.5 million, 5.9 million to 7.6 million euros).

The two-hour chat with the U.S. chat show queen is the biggest royal interview since Harry's mother princess Diana detailed her crumbling marriage to his father Prince Charles in 1995.

Britain's royal family on Sunday braced for further revelations from Prince Harry and his American wife, Meghan, as a week of transatlantic claim and counter-claim reaches a climax with the broadcast of their interview with Oprah Winfrey.

 Smear Campaign?

Close attention will be paid to any suggestion by Meghan, who is mixed race that racism played a part in their shock decision to move to North America.

The former television actress, 39, has been portrayed in some British newspapers as headstrong, calculating and spoiled, and the couple reckless and selfish for quitting royal life. But in her defense, Meghan's supporters, particularly in the United States, have seen hints of racism, claiming the monarchy could not deal with a "strong black woman."

In one excerpt, Meghan, who is pregnant with the couple's second child, accused the royals of orchestrating a calculated smear campaign and "perpetuating falsehoods" about them. That came hours after revelations she was facing an internal palace investigation into claims that she bullied royal household staff after she and Harry married in a fairytale wedding in 2018.

Further reports the couple are facing a probe into their charitable foundation have been seen as a counter-offensive by the embattled royals in a bitter battle for public support and sympathy.

 No Winners

Just hours before the broadcast, Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and other senior royals, including his father and older brother William, make their own TV appearance. The Commonwealth Day celebration normally passes with little fanfare in Britain, but this year is being watched closely for signs of implied criticism of Harry and Meghan.

Excerpts released Saturday showed William and his wife Kate -- with whom Harry and Meghan have reportedly fallen out -- praising global health workers for their work during the coronavirus pandemic. That is likely to be viewed in British newspapers in contrast to Harry and Meghan, who have been criticized for complaining about their life, even after signing lucrative deals in the last year.

The couple, known formally as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are likely to get more public sympathy -- and a greater profile -- in the United States. But royal author Penny Junor said the whole affair was "a mess". "I don't think there are going to be any winners in it," she said.

 'Come out Swinging'

The Sunday Times said the queen, 94, would not watch the interview, which is due to air in full on Sunday night in the United States and Monday night in Britain. The weekly quoted unnamed courtiers as calling the situation a "circus", and the palace would "come out swinging" if individuals are attacked.

Viewers will also watch to see if Harry sheds light on his rift with William, after reports he and his wife Kate were lukewarm towards Meghan. They are also likely to expand on their attitudes to the media, which they said prompted their departure, and against whom they have launched a slew of legal claims.

"My biggest concern was history repeating itself," Harry, 36, told Winfrey in one excerpt, referring to his mother's death in a 1997 Paris car crash as she fled paparazzi photographers.

Harry and Meghan first stepped back from royal duties in March last year. It was confirmed last month they would not return and were stripped of their royal patronages and honorary titles.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday launched an investigation into the natural gas market, which forced CPS Energy and other Texas utilities to pay exorbitant prices for the fuel amid the historic winter storm last month.

As we learn more about what drove pricing spikes during the recent winter storm disaster, I am expanding the scope of my investigation to include the natural gas industry as well as electricity providers, Paxton said. These massive price increases impacted businesses and consumers alike and will have long term effects on Texas.

Paxton is looking to investigate trades conducted through the Natural Gas Exchange, or NGX, owned by Intercontinental Exchange, a publicly-traded company that owns the New York Stock Exchange and other commodity trading marketplaces.

Paxtons office is seeking information from Intercontinental Exchange on natural gas trades made during the winter storm to determine whether gas suppliers violated the states anti-price gouging laws.

On ExpressNews.com: CPS Energy: Natural gas behind sky-high costs during last week's winter storm

An Intercontinental Exchange spokesman declined to comment on the investigation.

While the storm pushed down temperatures across the state last month, Texans cranked up their heaters, creating an unprecedented demand for electricity statewide.

But some natural gas pipelines and wellheads froze, and icy roads made it treacherous to deliver gas by truck. The combination of historically-high demand and limited supply sent natural gas prices from between $2.50 and $3.50 per unit prior to the storm to hundreds of dollars per unit.

CPS Energy officials have said they will contest the roughly $800 million in charges it racked up from buying gas during the deep freeze. But utility officials have warned that San Antonio ratepayers could be forced to pick up the tab.

The price spikes have left CPS Energy reeling. The city-owned utility spent $1 billion during the storm buying wholesale power and natural gas to burn at its plants and generate electricity for blacked-out households.

CPS officials have said they believe they were gouged by gas suppliers. The utility will seek relief from the state and federal governments to reduce or forgive the cost of gas bought during the deep freeze.

CPS Energys board last week approved $500 million in short-term financing to cover a portion of the costs for now.

Under Texas law, taking advantage of a disaster declared by the governor by selling or leasing fuel, food, medicine, lodging, building materials, construction tools or another necessity at an exorbitant or excessive price is unlawful.

The market is naturally going to fluctuate. Should it fluctuate (16,000 percent) what it was the day before? We dont believe so, said Rudy Garza, CPS chief customer engagement officer. There are rules in place that are meant to prevent prices going up when you need that commodity the most.

But the price of natural gas in the U.S. is set by the market  what buyers are willing to pay suppliers for gas.

Government regulators tried to set price caps for natural gas from the 1950s to 1970s to protect consumers from large price spikes. But after those efforts led to natural gas shortages in parts of the country in the mid-1970s, regulators opted to let market forces set the price for natural gas.

We have a Public Utility Commission that handles retail markets, and we have a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that handles wholesale markets, said David Spence, an energy law professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Both agencies have an obligation to make sure rates are just and reasonable, and both made the choice to let the market define what that is.

An executive at Comstock Resources, an oil and gas producer owned in part by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, noted in a quarterly presentation in mid-February that the firm had seen a windfall from the spike in natural gas prices.

This week is like hitting the jackpot, said Roland Burns, president and chief financial officer of Comstock. I mean, frankly, we were able to ... get super-premium prices for a material amount of production.

On ExpressNews.com: CPS Energy: Customers won't see storm charges on February bills

The Texas Oil and Gas Association declined to comment. Other industry advocates, such as the American Gas Association, have said natural gas suppliers were just selling at the prices that the market dictated.

During Californias energy crisis in the early 2000s, the state experienced widespread power outages and saw electricity prices spike exorbitantly. Even so, California courts did not want to allow an antitrust prosecution against sellers who were selling at the market price, Spence said.

The courts were pretty steadfast at, essentially, saying it's not up to (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) to define what the wholesale price of electricity is, he said.

With that precedent and regulators preference for market-based prices, Spence said its unclear whether a price-gouging suit related to natural gas prices last month would have merit.

I dont really know that there is a case involving state price-gouging laws in the natural gas wholesale prices, he said.

Spence said its more likely that the state of Texas will step in to pay natural gas supplies who are owed money  including those CPS officials say gouged the utility.

Theres been this gravitation toward the idea that those high prices are, in the long run, a good thing because they provide an incentive for more people to get into the production of power and gas business, Spence said.

The theory is that in the long run, (market pricing) is better, he said. But in the short run, it can be horrible.

diego.mendoza-moyers@express-news.net
DESPITE THE POSITIVE vibes coming from the inauguration of President Joe Biden last week, the siege of the U.S. Capitol smolders in our nation
FLINT, MI -- Children who were in foster care during the Flint water crisis are being put in a better position to make a claim for part of a $641-million settlement of civil cases in state and federal court.

U.S. District Judge Judith Levy and Genesee Cirucit Judge Joseph J. Farah signed an order Friday, March 5, for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to provide the name, date of birth and current address for each current foster child or ward of the state who may have been exposed to contaminated Flint water from April 25, 2014 until Nov. 16, 2020.

Once that information is provided -- within two days of the order -- next friends or individuals who can act on behalf of a child who does not have the legal capacity to act on his or her own behalf will be appointed to assist those children register to file a claim for a portion of the settlement that has received preliminary approval in federal court.

A DHHS spokesman said Monday, March 8, that information on about 3,000 current and former foster youth will be submitted to the court in response to the order. In all of Michigan, there are approximately 13,000 children in foster care, according to the DHHS website.

The order from Levy and Farah say a single next friend can be appointed for more than one child and the special master in the Flint water settlement and an appointed master guardian ad litem have been charged by the court with submitting a list of proposed individuals and entities as appropriate to fill those roles for review and approval by the Courts.

A special master is a court officer appointed by a judge to perform certain jobs such as developing and implementing settlement programs. A guardian ad litem is a guardian that a court appoints to watch after the interests of someone during a court case.

In addition to registering to make a claim and submitting claims materials, next friends can also execute settlement documents on how monetary awards should be received and managed on the childrens behalf, the order says.

Children 6 years old and younger during the Flint water crisis are the biggest potential beneficiaries of the historic proposed settlement of civil water cases that was negotiated by attorneys for Flint residents, the state of Michigan, city of Flint, and others, and nearly 80 percent of the settlement are proposed to be paid to children who were younger than 18 when they were first exposed to Flint River water, which contained elevated levels of lead and bacteria in 2014 and 2015.

After accounting for attorney fees and administrative expenses, the settlement specifies that about 80 percent of the settlement fund will be spent on the claims of children who were minors when first exposed to the Flint River water, with a large majority of that amount -- 64.5 percent -- for those who were ages 6 and under.

Ten percent of the settlement would be awarded to children ages 7-11, and 5% would be allocated for those 12-17 years old.

Read more on MLive:

Youngest Flint water crisis victims to get 80 percent of historic $600 million settlement

Flint water crisis lawsuits for kids 6-12 go to front of the line in federal court

$600M Flint water crisis settlement is more than the state has paid out for the last decades worth of lawsuits combined
Former Sen. Richard Black Explains How Bidens Attacks in Syria Are Aiding ISIS

March 7 , 2021 (EIRNS)Former Virginia State Sen. Richard Black told Irans PressTV in an interview that the U.S. airstrike on Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) operating in Syria actually amounted to U.S. support for ISIS. Senator Black, who is also a retired Army Colonel, said he had previously reported his suspicion that Daesh, as ISIS is called in Arabic, could have been responsible for the middle of the three recent rocket attacks in Iraq, the one on the Balad air base, since Iraqi forces were engaged at that moment in an operation against ISIS cells north of Baghdad. Otherwise, he reported, theres been very little discussion about the possibility of ISIS acting as a third force in Iraq to provoke conflict between America and Iran.

The (Iraqi) PMU forces have mainly fought against Daesh, and they have been highly effective against them. Therefore, when the U.S. attacks the PMU, it assists Daesh terrorists in Iraq and Syria, Senator Black said.

The Biden Administration chose to use the rocket attacks on the Green Zone as a pretext to attack Iraqi (anti-terror) forces, who were effectively blocking Daesh militants from operating along the Syrian-Iraqi border. The attacks targeted sovereign Syrian territory and were in clear violation of international law,

Senator Black said. He stated that, It is unlikely that the U.S. really knows who fired the rockets.

Black suggested U.S. policy is giving ISIS a kind of Syria White Helmets capability. A (U.S.) policy that always assumes that Iraqi anti-terror forces fired the rockets gives Daesh the power to trigger an American airstrike against its enemies whenever Daesh chooses. Daesh fires rockets; we blame the Iraqi militias; the U.S. bombs Iraqi forces. That strategy is unfair and immoral, he said.

Senator Blacks interview was picked up by Sputnik, which highlighted his comments on the necessity for a U.S. military withdrawal from the region.

It is within the power of the U.S. President to stop these wars. However, he cannot accomplish this without totally removing military forces from the region. The U.S. has repeatedly used attacks on its military forces as justification for new troop build-ups. If Joe Biden wanted to create a lasting, positive legacy, he would order all U.S. troops to leave the Middle East within 90 days. However, I do not expect this to happen,

Black concluded.


Manufacturing Engineer - Manufacturing Process and Equipment Development Santa Clara Valley (Cupertino) , California , United States Hardware Summary

Posted: Mar 2, 2021 Role Number: 200227906 Apple's Special Projects Group (SPG) is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to support the Manufacturing Process and Equipment Development team. As a Manufacturing Engineer in our team, you will lead the development of manufacturing processes, create prototypes to validate product designs, and support the selection of best manufacturing technologies to deliver target performance and cost. You will participate in all stages of product development, collaborating with product design teams, ultimately delivering validated product designs to volume production. Key Qualifications 5+ years of experience in new product manufacturing process development and equipment deployment for mass production.

Experience in high and low volume manufacturing environments, including transitioning products from prototype to production, and introducing new processes to a production environment.

Experience designing mechanical equipment, fixtures, and tooling in CAD (NX preferred).

Experience developing automated manufacturing equipment and managing automated equipment vendors from design through final acceptance.

Experience managing contract manufacturers during equipment/process design and validation.

Knowledgeable about production quality metrics, GD&T, and process/equipment qualification procedures.

Ability to work in a dynamic environment, with limited technical information, and "wear multiple hats" as needed.

Great written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate well with management, peers, and suppliers. Description You will be responsible for developing manufacturing processes and define critical process parameters to guarantee product performance and quality in prototyping and in mass production. You will work with product design engineers, providing critical DFx feedback and helping define manufacturing strategies for new products. You will manage new equipment and fixture designs as needed to validate product design and manufacturing processes. You will create detailed work instructions to document new processes, and train operators and technicians on new equipment. You will create manufacturing recipes during product prototyping phase and guarantee proper transfer of new processes to mass production. You will create equipment specifications, manage system integrators during quoting and design phases, and provide hands-on support during startup, installation, and commissioning of new equipment. You will also manage contract manufacturers during their equipment development and process validation to assure product quality, yields, and throughput. In addition to your technical skills, you will sustain highly interactive relationships with internal teams and external partners managing tradeoffs between product performance and manufacturability, and guide suppliers to realize our designs in production. Education & Experience BS in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering required, MS preferred Additional Requirements Travel to vendors, suppliers, and production line facilities will be required. Projects are cyclical with initial development in local labs eventually transitioning to manufacturing sites during production ramp.






MBABANE - It will be known today if government will reverse the two-week extension of the partial lockdown.

Government has refused to come and state whether it will adhere to the resolution taken by Parliament last week to the effect that the extension of the COVID-19 lockdown should be reversed. Instead, government has said it would state a way forward during a sitting scheduled for today at the House of Assembly, starting at 2:30pm. Last Friday, Members of Parliament (MPs) gave government a 48-hour ultimatum to lift the two-week lockdown extension. This was after a motion was moved by Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo. The motion was extensively debated and passed by the House.

The MPs threatened to suspend the debate of the fiscal budget with immediate effect, demanding the withdrawal of the lockdown extension. They argued that the extension announced by the Acting Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, who was not present during the sitting, was oppressive to the nation and a catalyst for poverty and economic disaster. They also argued that when announcing the extension, the acting PM did not mention that he was assigned by His Majesty King Mswati III to make the statement, but created the impression that he was furthering the interests of Cabinet. During an interview with this publication yesterday, Masuku vehemently refused to comment on whether the resolution by the House would be adhered to or not.

Comment

For now, I cant comment on that. I will discuss it in Parliament. I cannot discuss it with the media because on the day the motion was debated and passed, I had gone to see the doctor. I understand that the MPs did not get my position. So I think I cannot discuss it with the media, he said. He mentioned that a Parliament sitting was scheduled for today and he was adamant that the issue would be discussed. Again, I am actually saying nothing. I did receive the resolution of the motion. They brought it to me later on the day, when I was from the doctor. I have looked at it and that is all I can say. I cannot discuss the issue outside, he said. Ngisho njalo nje, ngeke ngiyikhulume ngaphandle, he said in vernacular. Asked to elaborate on his absence last Friday, the acting PM said his health was a priority.

Parliament is important, but my health takes priority over everything. I cannot go to Parliament and die, but I must be alive to carry out my duties there. I reported to the Speaker. Even on Wednesday, when I left Parliament, I did state that I was not well and needed to see the doctor, he said. He said he was asked to return to the doctor on Friday and finished late. Masuku emphasised that he was one person who had no problem attending Parliament sittings even when the going was tough. Those people who are peddling lies that I missed the session intentionally are not being fair to me or anybody else who may be sick. Perhaps they are happy that I am sick. The Parliament I am a member of, I reported to the Speaker, said Masuku. The acting PMs words were echoed by Government Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini, who said the motion was moved in Parliament and, therefore, government would respond there.
SEATTLE, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TLG Motion Pictures ("Hoarders"), founded by American film and television producer Courtney LeMarco, announced today it will begin accepting submissions for The Big Pitch, a now national quarterly competition providing opportunity for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) with strong interest in film, production, and content creation.

TLG Motion Pictures

Previously only open to aspiring BIPOC filmmakers in Seattle, this is the first time The Big Pitch will be accepting submissions on a national level. Now through March 31, eligible individuals may submit their television or film concept for an opportunity to win a $20,000 Service Grant toward the development of their project, as well as other professional support to bring their film, series or short to fruition. Additional updates to The Big Pitch include the opportunity for applicants to submit short film concepts for the first time.

"We created this competition with the hope of uplifting young creatives who otherwise would be presented with very few opportunities in Hollywood," says LeMarco. "What was once a local Seattle competition has now grown into a powerful opportunity for BIPOC filmmakers nationwide."

Last year's winner of The Big Pitch was 25-year-old Mexican-American filmmaker Crisantos Chavez of Tacoma, Washington. His film "PRIV-I-LEGE" followed the story of a 13-year-old boy who gets a crash-course in privilege after transferring from a prestigious school to the lowest-performing middle school in the country. However, Chavez's was just one of many impressive submissions from last year's competition. Nine additional finalists were also selected to pitch their project to top Hollywood executive producers.

To enter The Big Pitch, eligible individuals are asked to submit a one-sheet pitch detailing their television or film concept to [email protected]. A script, reference images, and comparable movie or television examples are also encouraged, though not required.

For more information, please visit https://www.tlgmotionpictures.com/thebigpitch.

About TLG Motion Pictures

The official production company of the Emmy nominated reality series Hoarders on A&E Networks, TLG Motion Pictures provides financing, development and production services for original television, film and digital content and works with production companies, agencies, studios, private equity lenders and financial institutions to package quality projects for domestic, international and OTT distribution. Our partners include many of the biggest names in film, cable and television.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

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The Big Pitch

SOURCE TLG Motion Pictures
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (March 8) issued notices to all the state governments seeking their response on whether reservation could be allowed beyond the 50 percent limit. The apex court was hearing a plea on validity of maratha reservation and stated that this decision will have greater ramifications, which lead to the above decision.

As per the ANI report, the court will recommence the day-to-day hearing in the matter on March 15.

Earlier on February 5, the Bench consisting of Attorney General K K Venugopal, Justices L Nageswara Rao, Abdul Nazeer, Hemant Gupta, and S Ravindra Bhat, had decided to commence and finish the hearing on March 8.

This case stems from the petitions by Jaishri Laxmanrao Patil of Mumbai, who challenged the Bombay High Courts decision of lowering the Maratha community percentage of a reservation in government jobs and higher education.

Back June 2019, the Bombay High Court had upheld the state order and deemed 16 percent reservation as unjustifiable. Following this, the reservation was reduced to 13 percent in higher education and 12 percent in employment, as recommended by the State Backward Classes Commission.

The Constitutions 102nd amendment stipulates that the reservation can only be granted, if a particular community is named in the list prepared by the President.

Additionally, the High Court had held that the 50 percent cap put in place by the apex court can be exceeded in exceptional cases, like with accepting that the Maratha community was socially and educationally backward, and it was duty-bound to take steps for its progress.

In July last year, the Maharashtra state government had stated in the court that it would not proceed with the recruitment process to fill up the vacancies on the basis of 12 percent Maratha reservation till September 15, except for departments, Public Health and Medical Education and Research.

Live TV
(Natural News) The hype surrounding 5G is focused largely on how consumers will benefit. Verizons website proudly proclaims that people will enjoy lower lag times and quicker downloads, and businesses will become more efficient thanks to 5Gs connectivity benefits. Immersive education, connected cars, the Internet of Things and smart communities are just a few areas that stand to gain from this technology, according to the telecommunications firm. However, 5Gs most significant applications will actually fall into the military domain.

The 5G networks that are being built by telecommunications companies right now will allow the Department of Defense to take advantage of the benefits of 5G to further its own pursuits at a far lower cost than if the network had been set up exclusively as a military effort.

There are myriad ways that 5G can be used for military purposes. It is expected to play a central role in the development and use of hypersonic weapons, or missiles that travel at speeds greater than Mach 5, which is five times the speed of sound. These missiles are also capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

In order to guide these hypersonic weapons on variable trajectories and change their direction in a mere fraction of a second so they can avoid interceptor missiles, vast quantities of data will need to be gathered, analyzed and transited in incomprehensibly short amounts of time  and 5G can make it happen. It will also prove valuable in activating defenses should we come under attack from a weapon of this type.

5G will also be useful in the battle network, allowing military personnel to communicate and transmit maps, photos and other pertinent information about operations in progress in near real-time.

When it comes to intelligence and special forces, 5G may be transformative. Espionage and control systems could become far more efficient than the ones used today, and this will be especially apparent when it comes to killer drones and other types of war robots. 5G will allow them to identify, target and follow individuals based on facial recognition.

Department of Defense carrying out widespread 5G tests

In October, the Department of Defense announced awards of $600 million for experimenting with and testing 5G at five American military test sites in what is the biggest full-scale 5G tests for dual-use applications on the planet. These installations will see academic experts, industry leaders and military services working together to advance the DoDs 5G capabilities.

Some of the projects include piloting 5G augmented and virtual reality for mission training, evaluating 5G for enhancing distributed command and control, and testing 5G smart warehouses.

Of course, relying so heavily on 5G also makes us very vulnerable. The network will be a highly attractive target for those who wish to attack the U.S., especially if military operations are depending on it. The network is already being protected and treated as critical infrastructure even though it has not even been fully built yet.

Most of the criticism we are hearing about 5G surrounds its health risks, and these concerns deserve serious weight. We could well be placing ourselves at a high risk of health problems like cancer, genetic and reproductive damage, neurological disorders and learning and memory problems  and that is something that should not be ignored.

However, it is important to also keep in mind that 5G technology is about a lot more than speeding up peoples smartphones  it is going to have major implications in military capabilities, not just for the U.S., but also for its enemies.

Sources for this article include:

WakingTimes.com

Defense.gov

Verizon.com
Beaten, raped to be sent into prostitution, deceived and threatened together with their families: dozens of Nigerian girls who arrived in the reception centers of the island, after a hallucinatory trip to Libya and then by sea, are the alleged victims of a trafficking organization of human beings that had its headquarters in the historic center of Sassari.

The prosecutor of the DDA of Cagliari, Rossana Allieri, has asked for heavy sentences for all the alleged members of the gang. The trial is the one that is celebrated before the Court of Assizes of Sassari. The magistrate asked for 22 years in prison for Vincent Godstime and Vivian Edobor, 18 years in prison for Paul Okhaforh and 15 years for Anthony Ebueie and Joy Idahor, while for Susan Imafidon the required sentence is 18 years in prison.

The Cagliari Anti-Mafia District Directorate reconstructed events that took place in Nigeria, Libya and then in Sardinia, Sicily and Piedmont until the spring of 2017, the same year the Carabinieri arrested the alleged traffickers. According to the DDA, the victims were taken over by their alleged tormentors once they arrived in the reception centers of Porto Torres, Fluminimaggiore and Iglesias. In Sassari the trips of the girls, forced into prostitution, to Piedmont and Liguria were organized. In order to pay for the trip from Nigeria to Italy, the victims had to pay up to 30 thousand euros and could only do so by prostituting themselves. The lawyers of the key characters in the affair (Danilo Mattana, Marco Palmieri, Francesco Sasso) will speak in the next hearings.
Space Jam 2 cancels Pepe Le Pew

Space Jam: A New Legacy has cut Pepe Le Pew from the new movie starring LeBron James. Deadline reports the romantically aggressive Looney Tunes skunk was shot in an earlier cut of the Space Jam sequel by original director Terence Nance, but was axed by new director Malcolm D. Lee. Pepe, who was recently accused of normalizing rape culture by The New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow, was going to appear as a bartender hitting on a woman played by Greice Santo, kissing her arm. Santo then slaps him and James, who finds out Penelope cat filed a restraining order against Pepe, tells Pepe that he cant grab others without consent. This was such a big deal for Greice to be in this movie, a rep for Santo told Deadline. Even though Pepe is a cartoon character, if anyone was going to slap a sexual harasser like him, Greice wished it would be her. Now the scene is cut, and she doesnt have that power to influence the world through younger generations wholl be watching Space Jam 2, to let younger girls and younger boys know that Pepes behavior is unacceptable.

Nicolas Cage marries for 5th time

National Treasure and Leaving Las Vegas star Nicolas Cage got married for a fifth time last month, the actor confirmed this weekend. ET reports the 57-year-old actor wed 26-year-old Riko Shibata on Feb. 16, the birthday of Cages late father, August Coppola, at the Wynn Las Vegas. Its true, and we are very happy, Cage said. The newlyweds were reportedly joined by Cages ex-wife Alice Kim and their 15-year-old son, Kal, for a small celebration afterwards. Cage was also previously married to Patricia Arquette (1995-2001), Lisa Marie Presley (2002-2004), and Erika Koike (2019).

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Mumford & Sons Winston Marshall criticized for right-wing tweet ( BB

Poet Amanda Gorman says she was racially profiled ( ET

Chucky TV series cast includes Devon Sawa, Jennifer Tilly ( SF

Final Supergirl season to premiere March 30 ( E!

Trey Anastasio planning substance abuse treatment center in Vermont ( BB

New Star Trek movie coming from Discovery writer ( SF

Mandy Patinkin joins The Good Fight season 5 ( E!

Buzz is a daily roundup of entertainment news about movies, TV, music and celebrities.
Prince Harry said he feels 'really let down' by his father Charles and told Oprah the bitter rift in his family would have 'angered and upset' his late mother Princess Diana.

In a series of astonishing claims, Harry revealed the Prince of Wales cut off contact with him in the wake of his decision to step away from the royal family.

He told how, during his time in Canada, his father refused to answer his calls as tensions within the family rose and their relationship soured.

In the extraordinary interview watched by tens of millions of people around the world, Harry told Oprah he would always love Charles but said, 'there's a lot of hurt that's happened.'

The two-hour interview was the biggest royal tell-all since Harry's mother Diana detailed her crumbling marriage to Prince Charles in 1995.

Harry, 36, revealed the deep divisions within his family, saying he felt 'really let down' by how his father had handled the situation.

But he also said Charles and Harry's older brother William were 'trapped' by the conventions of the monarchy.

'They don't get to leave. And I have huge compassion for that,' he said.

Harry also alluded to an alleged rift with his older brother, but signalled his aim to repair their relationship.

'The relationship is space at the moment,' he said, 'and time heals all things, hopefully.'

He added: 'I love William to bits, he's my brother, we've been through hell together, we have a shared experience, but we were on different paths.'

In the extraordinary interview watched by tens of millions of people around the world, Harry told Oprah he would always love Charles but said, 'there's a lot of hurt that's happened.'

Prince Harry with his brother Prince William, father Prince Charles and Sir David Attenborough in 2019

Discussing his fractured relationship with Prince Charles, Harry said his father stopped taking his calls, adding, 'There's a lot to work through there. I feel really let down.'

In the most anticipated royal interview in decades, Meghan and Harry also revealed:

Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, made Meghan cry ahead of the royal wedding - but 'owned it' and apologised;

She described meeting the Queen for the first time and having to learn to curtsy

Meghan claims she was 'naive' when she joined the Royal Family - and never researched what it would be like, or Harry. She said that she was initially welcomed by the royals, but was later 'silenced' and felt trapped;

She described being cradled by Harry after feeling that she no longer wanted to live; Meghan claimed she begged for help from Palace but denied it because she wasn't a 'paid employee';

The Sussexes choose to reveal the gender of their baby to Oprah;

In 2019, the rift in the royal family was laid bare when Harry said in an ITV documentary that he and William were on 'different paths' and had good and bad days in their relationship.

The Duke of Sussex also described himself, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge as being 'trapped' within the system.

Harry claimed he was 'trapped' before he met Meghan but, asked if he would have left or ever stepped back were it not for his now-wife, Harry replied, 'No.'

In the candid sit-down, Harry added: 'I wouldn't have been able to, because I myself was trapped, as well. I didn't see a way out. You know, I was trapped, but I didn't know I was trapped.

'But the moment that I met meg, and then our worlds sort of collided in the most amazing of ways. [I was] Trapped within the system, like the rest of my family are.

'My father and my brother, they are trapped. They don't get to leave. And I have huge compassion for that.'

In the most extraordinary royal interview since his mother spoke to the BBC's Martin Bashir in 1995, Harry also laid into his own family claiming Prince Charles had stopped stopped taking his calls and 'cut him off' financially when they emigrated.

The prince said he had to sign multi-million dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify because he was spending his inheritance from Princess Diana and the palace wanted Meghan to go back into acting to pay the bills.

Harry added: 'My family literally cut me off financially.

'Members of my family were suggesting that she [Meghan] carries on acting, because there was not enough money to pay for her. There was some real obvious signs before we even got married that this was going to be really hard'.

He added that his mother Diana would be 'angry and sad' that he felt he had to leave the royal family, but 'she saw it coming'.

Harry said: 'All she'd ever want for us is to be happy', adding that his wife had 'saved me', declaring: 'I myself was trapped, as well. I didn't see a way out'.

Asked about his relationship with Prince Charles, Harry said they were now speaking again, adding: 'There's a lot to work through there, you know?

'I feel really let down, because he's been through something similar.

'He knows what pain feels like, and Archie's his grandson. I will always love him, but there's a lot of hurt that's happened.

'And I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship'.

In the most extraordinary royal interview since his mother spoke to the BBC's Martin Bashir in 1995, Harry also laid into his own family claiming Prince Charles had stopped stopped taking his calls and 'cut him off' financially when they emigrated. Pictured, the family in 2019

Harry confessed he felt 'let down' by his father but said he had 'huge compassion' for Prince Charles and his brother William because they were 'trapped within the system' of the monarchy. Pictured, the family together in March 2020 - around the time Harry was cut off financially

Asked by Winfrey why they stepped back from the royal family to forge their own family life, Harry blamed a 'lack of support and lack of understanding'.

Winfrey asked 'did you blindside the Queen?' with the announcement they were leaving the family. Harry replied: 'No, I would never blindside my grandmother, I have too much respect for her.'

Asked where that story came from, Harry said he could 'hazard a guess' that it may have come 'from within the institution'.

Harry said while in Canada he had 'three conversations with my grandmother and two conversations with my father, before he stopped taking my calls'.

He also revealed Charles had asked for him to put his plan 'in writing'.

Harry said he had to act for the wellbeing of himself, Meghan and Archie, adding: 'He asked me to put it in writing, and I put all the specifics in there, even the fact that we were planning on putting the announcement out on the 7th of January.'

Oprah asked: 'So, you just said that your dad stopped taking your calls. Why did he stop taking your calls?'

Harry replied: 'Because... by that point, I took matters into my own hands. It was like, I need to do this for my family. This is not a surprise to anybody.

'It's really sad that it's gotten to this point, but I've got to do something for my own mental health, my wife's, and for Archie's, as well, because I could see where this was headed.'

He added: 'I feel really let down because he's been through something similar, he knows what pain feels like, (and) Archie's his grandson.

'But at the same time - I will always love him - but there's a lot of hurt that's happened and I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship.

'But they only know what they know, or what they're told.'

Prince Harry's 'telling' pause and tearful response to questions about Charles during Oprah interview suggests their relationship will be harder to mend than his and William's, body language expert claims

By Hayley Richardson for MailOnline

Prince Harry's 'silent pause' and 'gesture of regret' when asked about Prince Charles suggested his relationship with his father will be harder to mend than his and William's, a body language expert has claimed.

During the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes' tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired on CBS on Sunday, Harry's body language created a 'much stronger presence' than it did in the teaser trailers, Judi James told FEMAIL.

She said Harry demonstrated he has very much taken on the role of 'protector and defender' in his marriage to Meghan, who admitted she 'didn't want to be alive' at one point during her life within the Royal Family.

Meanwhile Meghan's 'generally understated' body language made her delivery 'all the more shocking and compelling', and her cradling of her baby bump suggests 'protective motherhood' relating to the narrative about Harry and Archie losing their royal protection, Judi claimed.

During the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes' tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired on CBS on Sunday, Harry's body language created a 'much stronger presence' than it did in the teaser trailers, Judi James told FEMAIL

Judi added that the couple's body language suggested they were keen to let people know that the smiles they saw in photos were 'masking tears and potential tragedy behind the scenes'.

She remarked that Harry looked 'almost tearful' when he spoke about his father and feeling 'really let down because he's been through something similar'.

Harry said while Charles and the rest of his family were welcoming to Meghan at first, things changed after their New Zealand tour - and when the couple travelled to Canada for Christmas shortly before announcing their plans to quit the Firm, his father stopped taking his calls.

'He knows what pain feels like... and Archie's his grandson. I will always love him, but there's a lot of hurt that's happened,' Harry said.

'I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship. But they only know what they know, and that's the thing.'

Meghan Markle became tearful as she told Oprah Winfrey she felt suicidal when she was part of the Royal Family living in the UK and told her husband: 'I don't want to be alive anymore'

The Duke added that while Charles is now speaking to him on the phone, there is 'a lot to work though' because he feels 'really let down'.

Judi said Harry's most dramatic body language shift occurred when discussing his father. 'The silent pause was so telling, as were the eye cut-off, head-shake and tongue-poke,' she explained.

'Harry sucked his lips in, which is often a gesture of regret and he looked almost tearful as he spoke of 'a lot of hurt'.'

She added: 'When asked about 'blind-siding' the Queen, Harry performed a finger-pick and eye-dart plus a pause as Meghan face-gazed before illustrating his respect and affection.

'His response to William's name was surprisingly affectionate too. It prompted a smile and even a small laugh as he told us he loves William. He clapped his hands together then threw them apart as though miming the split after friction but his smile suggested it was a relationship that could be mended.'

Prince Harry's 'silent pause' and 'gesture of regret' when asked about Prince Charles suggested his relationship with his father will be harder to mend than his and William's, Judi claimed (pictured at the Commonwealth Day Service in March 2020)

Although Meghan became tearful at one point, Judi observed how for the most part of the interview her body language looked generally understated.

'She used a constant shake of the head from side to side to suggest disbelief at the things she said she had suffered, plus eye cut-offs or a longer closing of her eyes to suggest pain at the memories,' she said.

'Meghan threw frequent imploring hand gestures at Oprah, with the palm of the hand placed upward to suggest a desire for empathy and agreement, but some hand-chopping gestures, some eye-stutters and a couple of subtle tongue-pokes suggested supressed anger at her memories, especially when she spoke about losing protection for Harry and Archie.'

Judi observed how Meghan's cradling of her baby bump during the interview was a gesture she used when she was pregnant with Archie.

'In video we were told by Meghan about her levels of distress at this point, suggesting that gesture could also have been hugely protective back then too, probably even more so given how she described her life and treatment,' Judi said.

She added that Harry performed some 'thigh-rub self-comfort rituals', suggesting a natural awkwardness when he first appeared part-way through the chat with Oprah, and was reassured by his wife who quickly stretched out an arm to place a hand over his in a protective gesture.

'By the end though it was Harry's hand over Meghan's suggesting he had now very much taken the role of protector and defender,' Judi continued.

Although Meghan became tearful at one point, Judi observed how for the most part of the interview her body language looked generally understated

'At one point he even touched her hand to interrupt and take over the narrative. His constant rubbing of his wedding ring showed clearly where his affection and comfort lies.

'Harry performed his own rituals of suppressed anger as he affirmed Meghan's narrative and added his own thoughts and experiences and if anything his emotional displays of anger and grief looked more open than hers.

'Like Meghan he adopted a precision-pinch gesture frequently to suggest detailed thinking, as well as lifting his hand in the air to turn it round as though turning an invisible door-knob as he spoke of his problems.

'He even used illustrative gestures to mime parts of his distress, miming the 'trapped' life that he had been leading with a two-handed roof gestures.'

Harry said he felt 'trapped' within the royal institution, and said he has 'huge compassion' for the fact his family members still are.

'My father and my brother, they are trapped,' he said. 'They don't get to leave. And I have huge compassion for that.'

Judi concluded that the more candid footage shown during the interview of the couple at home was used to illustrate what they would describe as 'the freedom and simplicity of their lives after Megxit'.

'It's Tom and Barbara from the Good life, with wellies on feeding chickens as Meghan describes herself as The Little Mermaid who married her prince,' she said.

'After all the talk of tragedy these clips seem necessary to illustrate the very simple pleasures of life outside the 'trapped' existence of palaces and royal life. The mood is completely different and happy, showing us that the now carefree couple made the right choice in getting away.'
LG Group's headquarters on Yeouido in Seoul / Yonhap



By Kim Bo-eun



Market expectations have been rising over the future growth trajectory of LG Corp. as the holding company prepares for a split. The decision to separate LG affiliates by setting up a new holding entity under the leadership of LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo's uncle Koo Bon-joon was unveiled last November.



The new holding group, set to be named LX, will have under its arm: trading affiliate LG International, materials manufacturer LG Hausys, fabless chipmaker Siliconworks, chemical manufacturer MMA and logistics unit Pantos. LG said the decision to reorganize its corporate governance structure was made to strengthen its global competitiveness by beefing up the expertise of its respective businesses.





Koo Bon-joon

Following LG's announcement, LG Corp.'s share price has spiked, reaching an all-time high of 115,500 won on Jan. 21. This compares with its 74,500 won share price on Nov. 13, before the announcement. LG's stock closed at 90,400 won per share, Monday.



LG attributes the rise to the restructuring of its businesses to focus on new growth engines including auto parts, electric vehicle (EV) batteries and artificial intelligence (AI). LG's plan unveiled in December to set up a joint venture with Canadian auto parts maker Magna International and LG Chem's spinoff the same month of its EV battery business into a separate entity, LG Energy Solution (LGES), have fueled the momentum.



LG Corp. is set to continue focusing its resources and capabilities in LG Electronics' auto parts business, LG Display's OLED panels and LG Energy Solution's EV batteries. The holding company also plans to invest heavily into new technologies and business areas, including AI, big data and 5G.



This is part of the LG chairman's drive to restructure the group's portfolio. LG has made moves to dispose of businesses considered less central  such as the liquidation of LG Electronics' fuel cell business and the sale of its water treatment business in 2019 and LG Chem's sale of its LCD polarizer business and the telecom unit LG Uplus' sale of its payment gateway business last year.



After Koo took the helm in 2018, LG acquired automotive lighting company ZKW, industrial robot manufacturer Robotstar and data analysis firm Alphonso.





Koo Kwang-mo
VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI  A Van Buren County man was smoking while on home oxygen when a fire claimed his life Friday, March 5, according to fire officials.

The fatal fire, in an apartment at 301 Cemetery Road, is the second one in Bangor in less than a year caused by the victim smoking while on medicated oxygen, Bangor Fire Chief Derek Babcock said.

Babcock announced the cause of the fatal fire as being accidental in a press release Monday.

When medical oxygen is used, the amount of oxygen in the air, bedding, furniture, clothing, and hair increases, making it easier for the fire to start and spread, whether or not the oxygen machine is operating, Babcock said.

Similar to the other fatal fire, he said, the lack of a functioning smoke alarm was also believed to be a contributing factor in the death of the victim.

On behalf of the Bangor Community Fire Department, I offer my condolences to the family and friends of the victim, Babcock said in a statement. I ask everyone in our community to make sure they have working smoke alarms installed on every level of their home before going to sleep tonight.

The Bangor Community Fire Department offers free smoke alarms to those who need them, Babcock said.

When it comes to home oxygen, he said cylinders and tubing should be kept at least five feet from any heat source or electrical device.

There is no safe way to smoke when medical oxygen is in use in the home, Babcock said. Turning off the oxygen is not enough because your clothes, hair, bedding and the tubing soak up the oxygen and become oxygen-enriched.

Also on MLive:

Hunters find skeletal remains less than five miles from Lake Michigan

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Kalamazoos trial backlog for most serious crimes is nearly triple pre-pandemic levels
New Delhi: A Delhi Court on Monday (March 8) convicted Ariz Khan, allegedly associated with terror outfit Indian Mujahideen, terrorist, in a case related to the 2008 Batla House encounter, noting that he intentionally caused the murder of encounter specialist and Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma.

Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Yadav said the evidence produced by the prosecution duly proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge is quoted by PTI as saying it was "duly proved that Ariz Khan and his associates caused the murder of police official and fired gunshot on the police official."

"Khan, along with his associates, voluntarily caused grievous hurt to public servants. The accused intentionally and voluntarily caused the murder of Inspector MC Sharma by use of gunshot," IANS quoted Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Yadav as saying.

The judge said that Khan and his associates also caused hurt to Head Constables Balwant Singh and Rajbir Singh. He further added that the evidence produced on record leaves no matter of doubt that the prosecution has proved the case beyond all reasonable doubt and that the accused is liable to be convicted.

The court will hear arguments on the quantum of sentence on March 15 at 12 noon. It has also directed the investigating officer to conduct an enquiry to ascertain the financial ability of Khan and his family to give compensation to the victims.

On September 19, 2008, the Special Cell of Delhi Police carried out an encounter in Jamia Nagar`s Batla House, in which two suspected Indian Mujahideen terrorists and Inspector Sharma of the Special Cell of Delhi were killed.

Live TV

A trial court in July 2013 had sentenced Indian Mujahideen terrorist Shahzad Ahmed to life imprisonment in connection with the case.

His appeal against the trial court's verdict has been pending in the high court. Ariz Khan had fled from the spot and was declared a proclaimed offender. He was arrested on February 14, 2018, and faced the trial.

Ariz Khan was arrested in February 2018, a decade after allegedly being on the run after the encounter at L-18 in Batla House.

Ariz has been convicted under section 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 333 (voluntarily causes grievous hurt), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant), 302 (murder).

He has also been held guilty under 307 (attempt to murder), 174(a) (Non-appearance in response to a proclamation) 34 (criminal intention) of the Indian Penal Code and 27 (using any prohibited weapons) of the Arms Act.

He is allegedly associated with the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen. Police claimed that he was present at Batla House, along with four others, and managed to give police a slip during the encounter.

Earlier n July 2013, a trial court had sentenced Indian Mujahideen terrorist Shahzad Ahmed to life imprisonment in connection with the case.

(With Agency Inputs)
[March 08, 2021] OUTFRONT Media Displays 'HERstory' Campaign on Digital OOH Assets for Women's History Month

NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE:OUT) kicks off International Women's Day and will continue to celebrate all month long by showcasing reimagined paper doll designs of women in diverse hobbies, careers, and interests emphasizing that women are unique, unstoppable, and strong. Many women grew up with some form of paper dolls and the options to dress them were generally limited to different color dresses and stereotypical roles. Today, women do it all and gender is no limitation to what is possible in one's career or personal life. Highlighting several unique characteristics of women, OUTFRONT's 'HERstory' campaign reimagines what those paper dolls can be. The creative was designed by a collaborative group of women within OUTFRONT, including female members of the creative team at OUTFRONT STUDIOS, and OUTFRONT's Women Employee Resource Group, which provides support and resources for female employees. The campaign design recognizes the limitless qualities that make up today's women and propels the idea that women are still making history and creating her(own)story each day. "We are happy to bring the Women's History Month celebration into public view through this creative which is both whimsical and thought-provoking," said Jodi Senese, Chief Marketing Officer at OUTFRONT Media. "Using the metaphor of paper dolls coupled with the 'we're not playing' tagline provides an attention-grabbing lighthearted visual along with a serious statement of empowerment. Every woman has her own 'herstory' and we are thrilled to display this campaign on highly visible displays across the country." Paper doll print outs of the campaign are available at https://www.outfrontmedia.com/womens-herstory-month. Share your creations by tagging @OUTFRONTMEDIAUSA on Instagram. About OUTFRONT Media Inc.

OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its technology platform, OUTFRONT will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go.







Contact:





Investors:



Media: Gregory Lundberg



Courtney Richards Senior Vice President, Investor Relations



PR & Events Specialist (212) 297-6441



(646) 876-9404 greg.lundberg@OUTFRONTmedia.com



courtney.richards@OUTFRONTmedia.com

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/outfront-media-displays-herstory-campaign-on-digital-ooh-assets-for-womens-history-month-301242435.html SOURCE OUTFRONT Media Inc.

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The founder of Cepu, a university preparation company, was arrested as part of an investigation by the Rome Prosecutor's Office and the Finance Police on a tax evasion system. Francesco Polidori was placed under house arrest, as ordered by the investigating judge.

In the investigation, called "Tutoring", a total of six people are involved responsible, in various capacities, for fraudulent bankruptcy, self-laundering and fraudulent subtraction of the payment of taxes.

At the same time, a preventive seizure of assets worth 28 million euros was carried out, including the headquarters of eCampus, a company in the Cepu galaxy, in Novedrat, in the Como area. The survey does not involve the interruption of teaching activities.

The procedure was born from the bankruptcy of the company Scil srl, in liquidation, formerly Cepu srl, and from that of Cesd srl which between 2006 and 2015 managed its activities throughout the national territory using the brand founded by Polidori, born in 1948. , born in Citta di Castello (Perugia).

The entrepreneur, according to the investigating judge, "played a very important role both from a managerial, organizational and also operational point of view and was on several occasions even direct recipient of the distractions of large sums of money. He participated in the criminal activity by operating from a first-person control room ". The role of dominus "evidently still held, the current existence of Studium Srl", a company attributable to Polidori, and "the very close relationship that the entrepreneur has with various subjects (collaborators, family members or people close to him), who hold positions in the company of the Group, are elements from which we can certainly deduce the relevance of the danger of recidivism ".

Through companies known as "Chinese boxes", the suspects have implemented a series of complex corporate, commercial and financial transactions including the creation of a trust company in Luxembourg through which the real ownership of real estate and brands has been disguised , stolen from bankrupt companies and merged into another company created ad hoc, now subject to seizure. Not only that: they have implemented "the diversion of large financial resources destined for subsidiaries and associates through the establishment of shareholdings (later devalued) and the granting of multiple loans and loans to the same dominus, his family and people to him close, in reality never returned ".

(Unioneonline / ss)
Addis-Ababa, 7 March 2021 (SPS) - Sahrawi Minister of Foreign Affairs and member of the National Secretariat of the Polisario Front Mohamed Salem Ould Salek said Saturday that "no direct or indirect contact has been established between the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and the Kingdom of Morocco," stressing that "a new ceasefire remains dependent on full compliance with the principles of the African Union (AU).



In response to a question from the Sahrawi Press Agency (SPS) on information relayed by media sites reporting "contacts" on the ceasefire between SADR and the Moroccan occupier, Ould Salek denied their existence between the two parties.



"There is no direct or indirect contact between SADR and the Polisario Front on the one hand, and the Kingdom of Morocco on the other hand," he said.



Speaking about the 14th Extraordinary African Summit themed "Silencing the weapons", which focused on reaching a new cease-fire agreement and a solution based on the rights of the Sahrawi people, the principles and objectives of the AU and UN decisions, the Sahrawi minister recalled that "the old cease-fire agreement of 1991 has expired since November 13.



"The international community is fully aware that the sole responsible for this violation is Morocco, because of its denial of the agreement signed with the Front for the Liberation of Seguia El Hamra and Rio de Oro (Polisario Front), commonly known as the "1991 UN-Africa settlement plan," stressed Ould Salek.



The member of the Secretariat of the Polisario Front stated clearly that "the war that began on November 13 is part of the legitimate right of the Sahrawi people to defend their lands, territorial integrity and sovereignty".



"The war will continue until the respect of the conditions set at the extraordinary summit themed "Silencing the weapons" and the respect of the absolute right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and independence, in accordance with Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitutive Act of the AU, said the same official. (SPS)



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The Philippine human rights commission and the government said Monday they were investigating anti-communist insurgency operations by police that killed nine people over the weekend.

Those slain during raids in four provinces on Sunday were vocal critics of the Duterte administration, human rights groups alleged, but government officials defended the raids and said they were justified.

Activists are not necessarily terrorists, lawyer Jacqueline de Guia, a spokeswoman for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), said in a statement.

There should be a differentiation between those who take up arms and those who merely exercise their constitutional right to form and join associations, organizations as well as petition the government for redress of its grievances, she said.

The commission, through one of its regional branches, was already on the said cases to pursue independent probes in line with our mandate as the countrys national human rights institution, the CHR said.

Philippine National Police Chief Debold Sinas, meanwhile, said that the raids were based on search warrants, but police were also investigating allegations from rights advocates that the people who died in the operations were summarily executed.

As of yesterday, we received a report that they implemented simultaneous search warrants, he told reporters, adding they were based on reports of illegal possession of firearms.

And the last report that I received is that nine died, he said.

Responding to concerns raised by rights groups, Sinas said whatever their accusation is, it is under investigation.

The police operations were legitimate, Sinas added, because they are covered by SWs [search warrants].

The violence came two days after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered security forces to end the countrys 52-year-old communist rebellion, the longest in Asia.

In its statement, the independent government commission called on police and the military to carry out a parallel investigation into the incident given the brutal nature of the deaths and allegations of irregularities in the said law enforcement operations.



CHR finds the number of deaths most concerning in light of the pattern of prevalent red-tagging and escalating attacks against activists, it said.

Red-tagging is a term activists use when law enforcers accuse groups or individuals of being communist rebels or supporters of the leftist insurgency.

The watchdog described as worrisome Dutertes public instruction on Friday for security forces to shoot and kill (them) right away if they saw communist insurgents holding a gun.

Words matter and such words can embolden some to act with abuse and impunity, the commission said.

On Monday, Duterte spokesman Harry Roque defended the raids because, he said, the governments security forces were dealing with communist guerrillas.

Because there is war, it is not against the law to kill, Roque said.

But because there have been varying reports as saying that those killed were activists, the government is obligated to investigate, he said.

The nine who were killed we will investigate because they are not covered by the international humanitarian law, Roque said. Because when they were killed, they were not holding guns.

He stressed, however, that Dutertes order to kill, kill, kill is legal because it covers rebels who had guns.

The government has been trying to suppress a rebellion involving the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New Peoples Army (NPA), since 1969.

The rebels vowed to step up attacks against the government after the weekend killings, which rights groups have dubbed Bloody Sunday.

A massacre

On Monday, Vice President Leni Robredo, who was elected separately from Duterte and has been a leader of the opposition, condemned the killings.

There is no other way to describe this  it was a massacre, she said, adding that the deadly raids occurred just two days after the president himself ordered state forces to ignore human rights, kill communist rebels and finish them off.

I call for justice. I am calling for a clean and independent investigation to ensure that those responsible be held accountable, so justice can move forward, Robredo said.

The Filipino people deserve better than this murderous regime.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, a former activist, also condemned the raids.

There is no denying that this scale of violence, injustice, and impunity is being perpetrated by this administration, she said in a statement.

Fellow Sen. Panfilo Lacson, an independent, noted that when the countrys president barks out an order, the commander of troops must dish out clear guidelines on how to carry out such anti-insurgency operations, to ensure that armed combatants  not civilians  are targeted.

It goes without saying that the only legal justification to kill an adversary is in defense of oneself or another person, said Lacson, a former national police chief.

Only five of those killed in Sundays raids have been identified, according to authorities. Six others were taken into custody and nine remain at large.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

BUENOS AIRES (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 08th March, 2021) Bolivia is expecting to hold a meeting of the bilateral intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation with Russia in the nearest future, Bolivian Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta told Sputnik.

"We expect it to happen in the coming weeks," the top Bolivian diplomat said, adding that there was no specific date set yet.

Mayta noted that the Bolivian-Russian ties were based on mutual respect and dialogue and expressed hope for their further progress.

The previous intergovernmental commission meeting took place in 2017. The two countries have about 40 joint projects and a plethora of documents that have been signed on cooperation in the field of hydrocarbons and mining.

On the initiative of the Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Costas Mavrides (S&D, Cyprus) 30 MEPs from all the main political groups addressed a priority written question to the EU High Representative/Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell.

The MEPs are asking what concrete steps the EU has taken to achieve the return of the Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) and other captives, including civilians and women held by Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan continues to keep many hostages despite the trilateral ceasefire statement of 10.11.2020 (which stopped the war in Nagorno Karabakh/Artsakh) and the reached agreement, stipulating the return of all the captives and prisoners of war.

Furthermore, the MEPs are asking the EU High Representative what measures the EU has taken to prevent the abuse and instrumentalization of Armenian captives, PoWs for political purposes and ensure that the Red Cross can visit them. To conclude the parliamentarians are raising the question whether the EU has requested Azerbaijan to communicate the exact number of the captives and if yes, what number has been communicated.

To conclude the parliamentarians are raising the question whether the EU has requested Azerbaijan to communicate the exact number of the captives and if yes, what number has been communicated.

Elaborating on the cross-party written question MEP Mavrides stated: In the face of the crimes against humanity, we cannot remain silent. That is why together with my colleagues from different political parties and member-states, we call on the EU to step up and proceed with concrete actions to achieve the fulfilment of paragraph 8 of the reached agreement, particularly with the return of the Armenian captives, prisoners of war, including civilians and women, being held by Azerbaijan despite the agreement. Azerbaijan blatantly violates the international law and we need to be vocal on this purely humanitarian issue.

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A new executive order signed by President Joe Biden and designed to expand voting rights requires the Pentagon to better track absentee and military ballots from overseas.

Biden's order, issued Sunday, comes as a voter rights and campaign finance bill passed the House last week in a 220-210 vote, with no support from Republicans. The legislation, H.R. 1, the "For The People Act," faces obstacles in the Senate, where Republicans must join Democrats for legislation to be approved.

Biden has urged the Senate to approve the legislation but used his authority as president to direct federal agencies to create strategies for promoting voter participation, including encouraging -- via the agencies' websites and social media accounts -- people to register to vote.

Read Next: The Air Force Wants to Outsource Some of Its Pilot Training to Private Companies

The order also calls for revamping the government's voting information website, Vote.gov, within 200 days.

For military personnel stationed around the world, the Defense Department will be required to work with the State Department, Military Postal Service Agency and the U.S. Postal Service to establish an "end-to-end tracking system" for all absentee ballots cast by military personnel and Americans living overseas.

The order also requires the DoD to offer each active-duty service member annually the opportunity to register to vote in federal elections, update their voter registration or request an absentee ballot.

Biden said Sunday the action is needed to safeguard democracy following the challenges to the presidential election in 2020 and the assault on the Capitol Jan. 6 that attempted to disrupt the process for certifying the Electoral College votes.

Military absentee votes were among those challenged in the numerous lawsuits following the election.

"In 2020 -- our very democracy on the line even in the midst of a pandemic -- more Americans voted than ever before. Multiple recounts in states and decisions in more than 60 courts -- from judges appointed by my predecessor, including at the Supreme Court -- upheld the integrity of this historic election," Biden said during a breakfast to commemorate the anniversary of the march in Selma, Alabama, on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965 -- an event that served as a catalyst for the Voting Rights Act.

"Yet instead of celebrating this powerful demonstration of voting -- we have seen an unprecedented insurrection in our Capitol and a brutal attack on our democracy on January 6th. A never before seen effort to ignore, undermine, and undo the will of the people," he said.

Following the 2020 presidential election, representatives for President Donald Trump filed numerous lawsuits in several states alleging voter fraud and challenging the legitimacy of ballots, including some military absentee ballots.

In Nevada, Trump campaign representatives alleged that more than 3,000 ballots were improperly cast in Clark County, home to Las Vegas and Nellis Air Force Base. But many of the ballots came from military post offices overseas, as well as more than 1,000 domestic locations where military personnel are stationed.

The plaintiffs dropped their suit the day the state of Nevada certified its election results.

By law, military voters may vote absentee in their home of record or choose to register to vote in the state in which they reside.

Service members living outside their home states and U.S. citizens stationed abroad can register to vote and request an absentee ballot through the Federal Voting Assistance Program's website at FVAP.gov.

According to the FVAP's 2018 post-election report to Congress, the DoD sent 655,409 absentee ballots to personnel serving abroad and more than half, or 344,392, were returned, a rate comparable to the overall percentage of Americans who voted in the midterm elections.

But just 26% of the total were from active-duty service members -- a gap that Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said during the 2020 presidential campaign could be related to perceptions by personnel that their votes aren't considered unless an election is close.

"At a minimum, we need to do more to instill confidence in our election system for our overseas military members," she said in a letter to FVAP Director David Beirne.

About 46 percent of the 1.3 million active-duty members, or nearly 600,000 personnel, voted in the 2016 presidential election, according to FVAP. About 75%, or nearly 450,000, voted absentee.

The Biden executive order is designed to improve access to voter registration and ballots and reduce barriers to voting for groups including Blacks, Native Americans and those with disabilities.

The White House release described the executive order as an "initial step in this administration's efforts to protect the right to vote and ensure all eligible citizens can freely participate in the electoral process."

"Every eligible voter should be able to vote and have it counted," Biden said. "If you have the best ideas -- you have nothing to hide. Let more people vote."

Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Joins Call to Ensure Troops' Votes Are All Counted
Molly Gray is the 82nd lieutenant governor of Vermont, and the fourth woman in Vermonts history to hold the position. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Brattleboro Reformer.
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Turkeys acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems has snagged any progress in its fraught relationship with the United States, growing into a sort of mother of all problems between the two NATO allies. Confusion reigns in Ankara on how to manage the crisis after two years of failed efforts at a solution that would allow Turkey to use the systems while allaying the concerns of its Western partners. The need to satisfy Moscow as well makes it a tall  almost impossible  order.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government never foresaw a crisis on such a scale when Ankara signed the contract with Moscow in April 2017, driven by domestic political calculations and without a proper assessment of geopolitical risks. The full extent of the cost and terms of the deal, including the rights and obligations of the Turkish and Russian sides, remains unknown to the public. In any case, the crisis has an Ankara-Moscow dimension, which is often overlooked as the discussion in the Western media focuses on the crisis impact on Turkish-US relations.

The purchase of the S-400s was both a financially costly move and a critical choice bound to affect Turkeys strategic orientation, alliances and foreign policy decisions for decades to come. Yet the acquisition went ahead without a proper technical review by the general staff, any real parliamentary oversight and a healthy public debate as the pro-government media shouted critics down. Thus, Erdogans government alone holds the political responsibility for the economic, diplomatic and security price that Turkey has paid and could pay over the crisis.

Two proposals are being floated in Turkey these days as a way out of the crisis. The first is the so-called Crete model  a reference to the solution of a crisis over the Greek Cypriots purchase of S-300 air defense systems from Russia in 1997. Following strong Turkish objections, the systems were never deployed in Cyprus, ending up in storage in Greeces island of Crete.

Up until December, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar reportedly pressed for a similar formula in his contacts with US officials. In an interview in early February, he said, Many European countries that belonged to the Warsaw Pact before joining NATO still have weapons from the Soviet era. Those weapons remain in the system within NATO. And this is what we have said  that we are open to negotiating a model like the one used for the S-300s in Crete. The minister stressed the purchase of the S-400s did not mean Turkey would be constantly using them. Such systems are used depending on circumstances of threat. We would be the ones to decide, he added.

The Greek Cypriots S-300 purchase had threatened to upset the balance of power in long-divided Cyprus, where Turkey has maintained a large military presence in the Turkish Cypriot north. Turkey argued at NATO meetings that the weapons were not a bilateral problem but a NATO problem, as the Russian-made missiles posed security risks to the alliance. Turkeys objections resonated with the United States and other NATO heavyweights, and eventually all parties agreed to a formula whereby the systems were stored in the western part of Crete, largely reducing the threat for Turkey in terms of the systems range. It was an important diplomatic achievement for Ankara, as the Greek Cypriots failed to deploy the systems on their territory although they had paid for them.

NATO never integrated the S-300s into its own network, and Greece never officially activated them. In December 2013, however, Greece conducted firing tests. With the S-300s sold to multiple countries by then, the United States and NATO were eager to test how efficient US warplanes would be against the Russian systems. The S-300s in Crete were used in military drills for that purpose in 2015. Israel, too, was involved in such drills. Most recently, the systems were reportedly tested during joint military exercises between Greece, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States in November. Through such tests, the United States and NATO have sought to determine the strong and weak features of the systems and take measures accordingly. In other words, Greece has not sought to integrate the S-300s into its air defense or use them otherwise against threats.

The Crete model could appear as a constructive middle way at first glance, but it would amount to critical changes in Turkeys ties with the United States and, more critically, with Russia. Hence, it is unlikely to go through.

Indeed, presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin recently signaled that Ankara has abandoned the idea. A solution based on the Crete model is not on our agenda, he said in an interview published March 2, arguing that Akars remarks had been misunderstood and contorted. Kalin asserted that the decision to purchase the systems had been discussed and thought out at length after the United States failed to come up with a satisfactory and acceptable proposal on Turkeys desire to purchase the US-made Patriot systems. Eventually, Turkey bought the S-400s, showing that it is not without alternatives. Stepping back from this decision is out of the question. We believe the S-400s do not pose a threat to NATOs defense system or the F-35 jets, and that a mechanism could be set up to eliminate the security concerns raised by the American side. We have made a proposal  and believe that we can make progress there, he said.

Kalins remarks evoke the Pakistani model, another formula floated in Ankara that refers to American oversight of Pakistans use of its F-16 jets through a joint monitoring office. In early 2019, Turkey had proposed the creation of a technical joint working group to monitor the operational use of the S-400 systems, but Washington was not interested. So, applying the Pakistani model appears unlikely at present.

Some in Ankara suggest that Turkey should use the S-400s as a bargaining chip in other major disputes with the United States, namely the row over Washingtons collaboration with Syrian Kurdish militia affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers Party, which is designated as a terrorist group by Ankara and much of the international community. Others are floating scenarios about the transfer of the S-400s to a third country such as Azerbaijan, Qatar or Ukraine, but the terms of Turkeys contract with Russia preclude such an option. Another scenario, discussed in security circles, involves the potential transfer of the systems to Turkish Cyprus, but neither the United States nor Russia is likely to greenlight such a move.

In sum, no solution acceptable to all concerned parties appears to be in the cards, at least in the short run. Washington has already rejected a Turkish proposal reminiscent of the Pakistani model, while the Crete model raises concerns for Russia  even though it offers a diplomatic way out that would allow the United States to remove the S-400 issue as a precondition for fence-mending with Turkey. A Russia that plans to sell the S-400s to other countries in the next two decades would hardly like to see the systems used in NATO exercises. Applying the Crete model to Turkeys S-400s would trigger a deep crisis in Turkish-Russian relations.

All in all, the S-400 conundrum is increasingly growing into a mission impossible for Erdogans government. Ankara may find itself with shrinking wiggle room to keep both Washington and Moscow hanging on, as the crisis becomes its foremost foreign policy challenge in the coming months.
A doctor checks on a Covid-19 patient in Hai Duong Province, February 2021. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Health.

Covid-19 hotspot Hai Duong recorded one new case Monday evening, taking the community transmission tally in Vietnam's latest outbreak to 893.

The new case in Hai Duong is a person who has been quarantined since Feb. 14, following contact tracing protocol. The patient is being treated at a field hospital in the northern province.

Monday evening also saw 11 new imported cases who came to Vietnam from Taiwan, South Korea and the Philippines. They'd been quarantined upon arrival.

With the latest addition, the number of community transmissions confirmed since the country's latest outbreak began on Jan. 28 is 893, led by Hai Duong with 709 cases, followed by Quang Ninh (61), Ho Chi Minh City (36) and Hanoi (35).

Vietnam has registered 2,524 Covid-19 cases so far, including 1,920 recoveries and 35 deaths.

On Monday, a total of 377 medical and other frontline workers in HCMC, Hanoi and Hai Duong received a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. None showed any adverse reactions as of that afternoon, according to the Health Ministry.

The National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi has so far vaccinated 66 people, the HCMC Hospital for Tropical Diseases, 104, and Hai Duong, 207.
Sharing Negative Science Results Is Key to Neuroscience Advancement

NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cohen Veterans Bioscience (CVB) and the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) are pleased to announce the opening of submissions for the 2021 Best Negative Data Prize in Clinical Neuroscience. The prize recognizes the researcher or research group whose publication in clinical neuroscience best exemplifies clinical data where the results do not confirm the expected outcomes or original hypotheses or results that challenge a long-standing clinical precedent.

(PRNewsfoto/Cohen Veterans Bioscience)

Publishing all research findingsboth positive and negativeis important for not only driving scientific progress and innovation, but also increasing public trust in research. When researchers fail to publish negative findings, an important part of the complete scientific knowledge is lost, which could lead to unnecessary duplication of research efforts and the loss of time and money. CVB's sponsorship of the 2021 prize for clinical neuroscience extends the organization's previous sponsorship of the same prize for preclinical neuroscience, which has been awarded biannually since 2018.

According to Magali Haas, MD, PhD, CEO of CVB, "The scientific ecosystem needs to begin viewing negative results obtained at all stages of the research processfrom basic science to clinical trialsin a more positive light. Incentivizing researchers to publish negative results from well-conducted clinical trials not only helps to advance the science faster but also ensures that regulatory and public health recommendations are made based on all the available evidence from clinical trials. CVB is proud to extend their sponsorship of the Best Negative Data Prize to the 2021 Prize for Clinical Research as it aligns with our vision of supporting robust, reproducible, and confirmatory science to advance brain health."

Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, MD, member of the ECNP executive board and chair of the ECNP award committee, adds: As the premier European scientific society for the application of neuroscience to brain disorders, the ECNP is strongly invested in advancing knowledge through well-conducted and conclusive negative studies. This improves not only the scientific process but, importantly, the quality of care for brain disorders, which are among the most severe and chronic illnesses across Europe.

Story continues

The call for submissions for the 2021 Best Negative Data Prize in Clinical Neuroscience will open on March 8, 2021, with a closing date of April 30th, 2021. The award itself is a monetary prize of $10,000 made available through the generous sponsorship support provided by CVB (https://www.cohenveteransbioscience.org/) and will be awarded at the ECNP Congress in Lisbon, Portugal in October 2021.

Full details about the criteria for submission and how to apply for the 2021 Best Negative Data Prize in Clinical Neuroscience can be found at the following URL https://www.cohenveteransbioscience.org/

How To Apply

Corresponding authors may submit their papers directly on CVB's website (https://www.cohenveteransbioscience.org/) via the submission link. The review committee will select and inform the winner by August 1, 2021. The public announcement and presentation of the prize will take place at the ECNP Congress in Lisbon, Portugal on October 2-5 2021, where the winner will be expected to present a talk about his or her negative data results paper.

About Cohen Veterans Bioscience

Cohen Veterans Bioscience (CVB) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) biomedical research organization dedicated to fast-tracking the development of diagnostic tests and personalized therapeutics for the millions of veterans and civilians who suffer the devastating effects of trauma-related and other brain disorders. CVB promotes best practices in research for evidence-driven, reproducible, and effective solutions. To support & learn more about our research efforts visit www.cohenveteransbioscience.org.

CVB is also the lead organization behind the US branch of the Global Preclinical Data Forum, a joint US and European initiative that encourages global collaboration to address modern issues in preclinical science, with the goal of enhancing data utility for clinical research and development. The Global Preclinical Data Forum has coordinated the Best Negative Data Prize in Preclinical Neuroscience biannually since 2018. To learn more about the preclinical prize and apply for the 2022 prize, visit https://www.preclinicaldataforum.org.

About the ECNP

ECNP is a scientific association dedicated to advancing the science of the brain, promoting better treatment and enhancing brain health. It is Europe's leading independent forum for the science of CNS treatments. The ECNP Congress, Europe's largest meeting on brain science, showcases the world's best disease-oriented brain research, annually attracting between 4,000 and 6,000 neuroscientists, psychiatrists, neurologists and psychologists. ECNP's wide range of scientific and educational activities, programmes and events make it the largest non-institutional supporter of applied and translational neuroscience research and education in Europe.

The ECNP Preclinical Data Forum, established by ECNP in 2014, was the founding basis, and now the European branch, of the Global Preclinical Data Forum.

More information about ECNP, its aims and activities, can be found at www.ecnp.eu..

MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Cohen Veterans Bioscience ECNP Email: media@cohenbio.org Email: press@ecnp.eu

(PRNewsfoto/Cohen Veterans Bioscience)

Cision

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SOURCE Cohen Veterans Bioscience
During her 16 years in office, Jefferson County Clerk Carolyn Guidry implemented electronic voting, established vote centers where residents could cast a ballot regardless of their precinct and oversaw the archival preservation of millions of county records.

She also was the first African-American woman elected to countywide office here, and she won five terms in the seat despite drawing a challenger every race.

As she begins retirement, the 69-year-old says she still wishes she could have gotten the Commissioners Court on board with the idea of the creation of an election administrator position.

Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens, the states first elected African-American female sheriff, said she remembers when Guidry first assumed the office and the changes she ushered in.

She was considered a troublemaker because she was trying to go against the grain and had progressive ideas of how to run that office, Stephens said. She was certainly a trailblazer. We didnt always agree, but what I love about her is her passion. If she believed it was right and good for Jefferson County, then she wasnt afraid to address those issues and the changes she thought needed to be made.

Related: Nonpartisan administrator considered for Jefferson Co. elections

After working for Southwestern Bell for 30 years, Guidry ran for the office in 2004 to fill the unexpired term of County Clerk Sandy Walker.

As she learned more about the different facets of the office, she got more interested in the work and ran for another term, and then another.

When I got into the office and started doing things, it was a good fit for me. I ran for four full terms  never unopposed  but the people of Jefferson County saw something in me that they wanted to keep in place, and I appreciated that, she said. What started out as a two-year unexpired term ended up being a 16-year career, which I have truly enjoyed.

Like many things, it wasnt without challenges.

The first one started almost immediately after her term began - using punch cards for the general election.

I knew nothing about the punch cards, she said. So, that was strange to me.

Top hits: Get Beaumont Enterprise stories sent directly to your inbox

The next year, the office switched to electronic voting. The system has made the process easier, but Guidry said it was a challenge to get it implemented and train all her workers.

She also remembers suing the county commissioners court because some of her deputy clerks were incorrectly placed under the direction of court-at-law judges. Guidry wasnt comfortable putting employees she didnt supervise under her bond, and filing a lawsuit seemed to be the only option to halt the process.

They werent happy about it, but if its the right thing to do, Im going to do it  especially if its by law, Guidry said.

She cites her experience in the private sector and with a union as vital in successfully negotiating situations like these.

That resolve also led to some of her most proud career moments, she said, which include establishing vote centers and restoring the countys old records.

Related: Jeff Co. voters could soon cast ballots at any location

Vote centers allow county residents to cast a ballot at any location during early voting and Election Day  regardless of the precinct that resident lives in.

The other thing thats been interesting to me is weve been able to do the restoration of all the old records, Guidry said. We have records dating back to the 1800s. Weve made great headway on that. So, I imagine in the next few years, everything will be digitized and available on the website.

Jefferson County Commissioner Michael Shane Sinegal also credits her for making Port Arthur residents feel like theyre a part of the county.

The County Clerks Office at the Port Arthur Subcourthouse was closed for about two years because of budget constraints. Guidry promised Sinegal that, after going through a few budget cycles with the county, shed open it back up.

It first reopened just two days a week and now its open every weekday, and Sinegal says it stays busy.

Related: Jefferson County clerk defends her lawsuit

A lot of the times we got shortchanged because people had to go all the way to Beaumont, but she opened that office back up, he said. Any time we had election issues, Carolyn was there. She gave me her word and she kept it. Because of that, people in Port Arthur have overwhelmingly supported her.

Guidry credits the people who gave her these opportunities for opening the door to her work as county clerk.

Shell leave the doors open to others coming up.

Shes an African-American and a female. Were just ending Black History Month and beginning the celebration of women, Stephens said. To see someone like Carolyn who was been elected when no one else did it before, I think its important to acknowledge many of the battles she had to go through that most people are unaware of because youre first and youre effecting change.

While she didnt run for sheriff and Guidry didnt run for county clerk to be a first, Stephens said those achievements still break down barriers for the next individuals who want to take the positions. And including more people of all backgrounds in any position, be it in county government or others, brings a different perspective that can ultimately improve the whole organization.

Related: Jefferson Co. Clerk will retire this month

We have to have people who came before you, no matter what it is, that were brave enough, she said. When you run for office, youre putting everything out there.

Even though Guidry came first, and this chapter is closing, she says she doesnt expect to be done with the county just yet.

This retirement simply serves as an opportunity to pause and spend more time with her youngest grandson.

But I dont have any idea what God has intended for me in the future to be of service to the people, she said. Im just going to play that by ear to see whats in store for me if he has something in store for me. If not, Im just going to be that spoiling grandmother.

kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/KaitlinBain
A Harrisburg advocate and member of the Dauphin County Democratic Committee has announced her candidacy for Harrisburg City Council.

Lavet Henderson, 38, has thrown her hat in the ring to run a seat on the council.

Henderson said in her announcement the children and families of Harrisburg deserve leadership that listens to them and represents their values, and she is the candidate who can do that.

She is a Harrisburg native who attended Central Dauphin East Senior High School, HACC and Hagerstown University. She interned in the Capitol office of state Sen. Anthony Williams, who said in a press release, Lavet would excel in any position where she could put to work her life experience, inquiring mind, good nature and expanding knowledge of policy making. She is also quite good at making connections and talking with people from a diverse array of backgrounds.

In 2020, she was chosen to join the Emerge PA program, which trains women on how to successfully run a political campaign. She was also appointed as vice president of Pennsylvanias chapter of the National Organization of Women. She worked on the Progressive Turnout Project, canvasing the inner city of Harrisburg to persuade voters to vote for the Democratic ticket and was appointed to the Dauphin County Democratic Committee as committeewoman for the 12th ward.

She said she is passionate about representing the working people of Harrisburg, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, carceral status, or background. She said in her announcement that her personal experience with the criminal justice system makes her uniquely knowledgeable of the struggles the citizens of Harrisburg face.

She said she had been incarcerated in Dauphin County Prison and served time on probation, and that experience has driven her to advocate for change, focusing on aspects of systemic racism, such as wrongful convictions and unfair barriers to success after incarceration.

Henderson is a mother of four and said, if elected, she will continue to work with the community to build stronger relationships with state, local and federal officials and advocate for the residents of Harrisburg.
MBABANE  Change is inevitable!

The above is the consensus among various sectors of society who feel the country is ready to appoint a female prime minister. Such is also supported by the Constitution of the country under Equality before the law in Sub-section 20 (1), which provides that all persons are equal before and under the law in all spheres of political, economic, social and cultural life in every other respect and shall enjoy equal protection of the law. (2) Provides that for the avoidance of any doubt, a person shall not be discriminated against on the grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed, religion, social or economic standing, political opinion, age or disability.

King

The King appoints the prime minister from the House of Assembly with the help of an advisory council. The King is allowed by the Constitution to appoint some members to parliament for special interests. These special interests are citizens who might have been left out by the electorate during the course of elections or did not enter as candidates. This is done to balance views in Parliament. Special interests could be people of gender, race, disability, business community, civic society, scholars, chiefs and so on. While the gender imbalance gap in the country is huge, the will among the nation to balance the scales is there. Recently, the King appointed Lillian Zwane as the Deputy Commissioner-Administration of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Traditionalist and Senior Prince Masitsela said in the history of the country, there has never been a female prime minister but that did not mean it could not happen.
Sanjeev Gupta, 49, the executive chairman of GFG Alliance, was born into a family of industrialists in Punjab, and was educated in the UK. Gupta founded Liberty House Group in 1992, while still an undergraduate as a global commodities trader, and employs 35,000 people in 30 countries.

Fuelled mainly by debt, Gupta started steel in Europe and produced 5 million tonnes of steel in 2019. GFG also has the capacity to make more than 300,000 tonnes of aluminum per year for carmakers, packaging producers, and the aerospace industry.

Gupta even tried to take over ThyssenKrupps European operations, but the talks failed last month after key shareholders raised questions on his ability to collect funds.

In November 2016, Gupta had started exclusive talks with Tata Steel UK for the acquisition of its speciality steels business based in West Yorkshire and China. By February 2017, Tata Steel UK and Liberty House signed an agreement and the deal was completed in April same year.

The acquisition saved 1,700 jobs across sites in Rotherham, Stocksbridge, Brinsworth, Bolton and Wednesbury in the UK.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Molekule , the leader in reinventing air purification, today announced a giveaway program to benefit small- and medium-sized businesses. Businesses urgently need clean air solutions to help protect the environment for their customers and staff. Beginning March 8, 2021, Molekule will donate up to 4,000 Air Mini air purification devices, worth over $1.5 million in total, to help businesses reopen with cleaner air as pandemic shutdowns begin to ease. During this nomination period, existing customers who have purchased a device prior to the giveaway start date, are eligible to nominate a small business to receive an Air Mini device for their storefront.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy contributing 44% of the United States' gross domestic product (GDP), according to the SBA (Small Business Association). "After an incredibly difficult year for small businesses, having access to the innovative, high-performance technology for clean air quality can support better reopening plans," said Jaya Rao, CEO and co-founder of Molekule. "Ever-changing guidelines, fewer in-store customers, and the concerns of staff impact business decisions for many small business owners. This giveaway allows our customers to support their local businesses by nominating them for a free Air Mini. Our hope is that our Air Mini devices will help ease some of the uncertainties in our communities across the country as we all reemerge from lockdown."

"In hospitality, it is extremely important that we evaluate all aspects of cleaning, from surface disinfectants to the air inside our buildings and guest rooms. When it came to air evaluation, we knew we needed to create a unique experience that made both our team and guests feel confident. We discovered Molekule- which has the ability to destroy pollutants in the air, including viruses and bacteria- and integrated them into each of our guest rooms, as well as the common areas of the Lodge. Molekule's units have helped our guests and team to feel more comfortable inside our facilities, which in turn, has enabled us to continue to operate in the best way possible to serve our teams and visitors," said Kate Lala, Director of Operations, Scribner's Catskill Lodge.

Air Mini is designed for smaller spaces in the home or business and is powered by the company's patented Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO) technology. PECO captures inorganic material like dust and dander, and destroys organic airborne pollutants like viruses, bacteria, mold, allergens, and more, via oxidation. Air Mini has demonstrated greater than 5-log, or 99.999% reduction of RNA virus MS2, in just two hours in a single injection chamber test. The company also released testing from the University of Minnesota that demonstrated Air Mini inactivates up to 99.99% of the H1N1 flu virus and Coronavirus strains (bovine/porcine) using a single-pass test.

"We have been using Molekule's air purifiers as an added layer of protection during the pandemic," said Sandra Moreno, owner of DBS Salon in Sunnyvale, CA. "Even before the pandemic hit, our customers and staff felt better knowing we were working to purify toxins out of the air with Molekule. As we began to reopen after shutdowns, our Molekule units have helped with our combined efforts to ensure everyone feels as comfortable as possible."

To nominate a small- or medium-sized for the giveaway program, existing customers can apply here . Eligible companies for nomination include hair salons, restaurants, boutique clothing stores, mom and pop convenience stores and other small retail venues operated by individuals. All terms and conditions, including giveaway eligibility details, can be viewed here .

About Molekule

Molekule is on a mission to provide clean indoor air to everyone, everywhere. Based on 25 years of research and development, the company's patented photo electrochemical oxidation (PECO) technology destroys the widest range of pollutants, including VOCs, mold, bacteria, viruses, and allergens, when compared to conventional filters. Molekule's range of air purification solutions have been reviewed and validated by third-party laboratories, as well as continual internal testing, and its medical-grade product has been granted medical device clearance by the FDA. Today, Molekule is available at Best Buy, Apple and on Amazon. It is also sold internationally in India, Japan, South Korea, and Canada. For more information, visit Molekule.com

Molekule Media Contact

Stephanie Borman

[email protected]

SOURCE Molekule
Seymour Librarys Childrens Room is at the heart of the library and our community. Over 100 years of storytimes have taken place at the 176-178 Genesee St. location, where the library moved in 1903. A century later, the library offers families more than just storytimes, with hands-on interactive programs, connections to local community groups and engaging resources like learning backpacks, science and technology tools, games and more. With the addition of these programs and resources, the Childrens Room space, which had its last major renovation in 1972, needed an update.

When the library opened for in-person browsing in the fall, our Childrens Room remained closed in preparation for upcoming renovations. Collections from the Childrens Room were relocated around the building for readers to continue to enjoy during this transition. The library board, director and staff have been working with the design and planning firm Butler Rowland Mays Architects, LLP, to develop a plan based off feedback from the 2018 community discussions. The renovations, scheduled to start in March, are phase one of our building improvement plan.
Seth Nailor named Vice President of Agency Services

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sammons Financial Group, Inc. has named Seth Nailor as vice president of agency services. In his new role, Nailor is responsible for setting strategic direction and leading agent contracting and agent compensation functions for Sammons Financial Group and its lines of business.

Nailor joined Sammons Financial Group in 2010 and has held a variety of leadership roles with increasing responsibility. Most recently, he served as associate vice president, customer service and claims. His responsibilities included life and annuity claims, reinsurance, unclaimed property and all inforce policy administration transaction processing.

Seth has proven himself to be a strong leader during his time at the company, said Teri Ross, president of shared services for Sammons Financial Group. He has played a key role in several operational transformations positioning our member companies to provide exceptional service to our customers.

Nailors demonstrated ability to set a forward-looking strategic vision and execute against it has resulted in numerous operational efficiencies while mitigating risk to the company. Nailor will lead a team committed to defining and improving the service experience for our agents and distribution partners across multiple lines of business.

In addition to Nailors appointment, new roles were announced for several other leaders in shared services effective March 16:

Mike Pietig is named vice president - annuity new business and suitability operations

Jackie Cockrum is named vice president - administration

Nick Nelson is named vice president - centralized services

Rick King is named vice president - strategy, change management, and continuous process improvement

While team development is always important for growth, it becomes even more important during rapidly changing times, added Ross. We will continue to develop leading-edge capabilities that support the five core principles of our strategy, while also developing our portfolio of strengths and skills as a team.

About Sammons Financial Group, Inc.

The companies of Sammons Financial Group, Inc. help families and businesses protect their future to enjoy lifes moments today. A subsidiary of Sammons Enterprises, Inc., Sammons Financial Group is privately owned with member companies that are among the most enduring and stable in the financial services industry. Our companies include Midland National Life Insurance Company (including Sammons Corporate Markets); North American Company for Life and Health Insurance; and Sammons Institutional Group (including Midland Retirement Distributors and Sammons Retirement Solutions). Together, we offer todays most sought-after life insurance, annuity, and retirement planning products. Sammons Financial Group: With You for Every Moment.

Media Contact:

Hillary Carlson

Manager, External Communications

Sammons Financial Group

hcarlson@sfgmembers.com

(515) 221-7426

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/587b8caf-af1a-403a-8581-df43793bc4da
A 19-year-old woman was found shot to death in Union Township Sunday morning.

Township police were responding to a home on the 2100 block of Melrose Parkway when they found a young woman who had been shot and was unresponsive, according to a press release from the Union County Prosecutors Office and local police.

The woman, identified as Malikah Taylor of Newark, was rushed to University Hospital in Newark but was pronounced dead there just before 8 a.m., authorities said.

The investigation into who shot Taylor is ongoing, and police did not release any information about a possible motive. The Union County Homicide Task Force is leading the investigation with assistance from members of the Union Police Department, Union County Police Department Ballistics Unit, and Union County Sheriffs Office Crime Scene Unit, the press release said.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Prosecutors Office Sgt. Danika Ramos at 908-451-7739 or submit anonymous tips by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com.
Read what is in the news today:

Politics

-- Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Sunday met with voters of the northern port city of Hai Phong, briefing them on the outcomes of the work of the National Assembly deputies of the city.

Society

-- Vietnam reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Monday morning. The national patient tally stood at 2,512 infections, with 1,920 recoveries and 35 virus-related deaths.

-- Medical workers on the front line of the coronavirus fight in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and northern Hai Duong Province are slated to be the first to be vaccinated against COVID-19 starting Monday.

-- Nineteen people were injured after a sleeper bus went out of control and overturned on National Highway 14 in Dak Duc Commune, Ngoc Hoi District, located in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum, on Sunday afternoon.

-- The Southern Institute of Irrigation Science has just issued a warning of abnormal drought and salt intrusion in the Mekong Delta which is forecast to increase rapidly and get worse along the local riverbanks from mid-March.

-- A toddler died and his parents were severely injured after a train knocked off a seven-seater car in central Quang Ngai Province on Sunday.

Business

-- Vietnams economic freedom score has reached 61.7, making its economy the 90th freest in the 2021 Index of Economic Freedom recently announced by the American conservative think tank Heritage Foundation.

Sports

-- Manchester City's relentless march towards the Premier League title was interrupted as their 21-match winning streak in all competitions was ended by a surprise 2-0 home defeat to rivals Manchester United on Sunday, Reuters reported.

World news

-- A series of large explosions at a military base that killed at least 15 people in Equatorial Guinea on Sunday were the result of negligence related to the use of dynamite, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema said, Reuters reported.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Theyd like to break even. At first, they received just 100 doses through the federal retail pharmacy program, though theyve since gotten more. Its unlikely to be a big money-maker  in Kansas, theyll be reimbursed about $24 for fully vaccinating someone with two doses  yet they see it as part of the service they provide to customers who live far from big hospitals and mass immunization sites.
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Kohima Mar 08 (UNI) The Naga Peoples Front (NPF) party has expressed its deep concern over the unrest situation taking place in Myanmar ever since the Military Junta took over the Government by overwhelming the democratically elected Government.

In a release Issued by the Press Bureau of NPF Central Headquarters in Kohima said that it was unfortunate that so many innocent people have lost their life in course of the protest against the Military rule. The NPF, as a political party believes in democratic values either in the form of expression of opinion or peaceful protest against the tyrannical governance. The party strongly feels that in any civilized world, the freedom of expression and peaceful protest should not be encountered with brute force.

Meanwhile, the NPF extend its solidarity with the Nagas living in Myanmar and assure its fullest support in their struggle for democracy and just peace. The party also had the hope that good sense will prevail amongst the Military Junta leadership and peaceful atmosphere would reign without losing any more innocent life, the release said. UNI AS JAL 1840
TV presenter Fiona Bruce is urging people in Northern Ireland to bring their family heirlooms or car boot bargains to the Antiques Roadshow when the hit BBC programme returns to Co Down later this year.

The Antiques Roadshow team are preparing to hit the road for the 44th series of the much-loved family favourite, including a stop-off at the Ulster Folk Museum in Holywood to film a number of episodes.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the series will be filmed on a closed set with an invited audience only to ensure the safety of guests, production and the wider public.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend a recording session where they will share their items with an expert who will be able to reveal more about the craftsmanship, history and provenance of each piece  as well as the all-important value.

Brona Moffett, head of experience and enterprise development at National Museums NI said welcoming the Antiques Roadshow to the Ulster Folk Museum, particularly after the challenges of the Covid pandemic, is incredibly exciting.

National Museums NI and Antique Roadshow have important commonalities in that we both entertain and educate through storytelling, so this will be a fitting opportunity for us to showcase the Ulster Folk Museum to a huge audience, she added.

Whilst we havent yet opened this year  we really cannot wait to welcome our visitors back and so, making this announcement is all the more meaningful to us.

We look forward to welcoming the production team and also those local antique enthusiasts lucky enough to have the opportunity to come along too.

Returning for her 14th year at the helm, Fiona Bruce has acknowledged the teams success at recording the show under challenging circumstances in 2020 and is encouraging people to apply to be a part of the programme this year.

We were thrilled that we managed to make a series of the Antiques Roadshow last summer despite all the difficulties of filming during the pandemic. Hopefully things will be easier this summer though life may not yet be back to normal by the time we start filming. Heres hoping for a summer of great finds!

The hit BBC series last visited Northern Ireland in July 2019 when it was filmed at Castle Ward.

Its estimated around 5,000 people attended the Co Down event in the National Trust grounds.

Two years earlier Stormont was the setting as thousands gathered to find out the value of their prized possessions and heirlooms from yesteryear.

Actual filming dates for the Ulster Folk Museum episodes will follow but people can still apply in the meantime at bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow
While the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic many new lessons are being learned every day by nations all over the globe. For example, Brazil and the US have learned that having a leader who does not believe that the virus is a serious threat to life certainly doesnt augur well for the population.
A man arrested in Lisburn on Monday morning as part of an operation into the New IRA has been released.

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Irelands Terrorism Investigation Unit carried out the search and arrest operation in the city.

Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray, Head of Serious Crime Branch, said: Todays arrest of a 61-year-old man is part of Operation Arbacia, an ongoing investigation into the activities of the New IRA.

The man, arrested under the Terrorism Act, was taken to Musgrave Police Station and questioned by detectives.

He was released on Monday evening.

"The investigation is ongoing," a PSNI spokesperson said.
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Four couples have been caned with up to 20 lashes for having sex outside of marriage in Indonesia.

The men and women were publicly flogged in the ultra-conservative Aceh province governed by Sharia law on Monday.

Crowds gathered to watch the brutal punishment being handed out despite the coronavirus pandemic, with many taking pictures and videos on their phones.

A woman kneels on the floor as she faces a public caning punishment in Banda Aceh for having sex outside of marriage

Four couples received the brutal punishment, receiving between 10 and 20 lashes each, in the ultra-conservative Aceh province

A barefoot Acehnese woman is escorted by Sharia police to her punishment, which was held inside because of the Covid-19 pandemic

A women kneeling on the floor closes her eyes as the caning is administered by a hooded enforcer carrying out the public flogging

A defendant holds her head in her hands as she approaches the caning, where seven other people were flogged on Monday

Crowds gathered to watch the brutal punishment being handed out despite the coronavirus pandemic, with many taking pictures and videos on their phones

The couples, wearing face masks, were checked by medical officers before the caning and escorted in handcuffs to the rug where they knelt to receive the lashings.

A hooded cane-wielding enforcer, whose face could not be seen, delivered the punishment to the offenders.

Aceh is the only province in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country that imposes Islamic law. About 98 per cent of Aceh's five million residents are Muslims.

The public canings usually attract large crowds of eager spectators but today's punishments were handed out indoors with only a small circle of observers.

Aceh is the only province in Indonesia that has implemented Sharia law and considers lesbian, gay, bisexual relationships and sex outside of marriage as crimes that warrant a caning

The couples, wearing face masks, were checked by medical officers before the caning and escorted in handcuffs to the rug

Aceh is the only province in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country that imposes Islamic law. About 98 per cent of Aceh's five million residents are Muslims

An Aceh prosecutor displays the rattan cane which is used to punish Sharia law violations despite much objection to the practice

A handcuffed man is escorted by police towards the flogging which was watched on by a small crowd of eager observers

One man was punished for being caught having sexual relations with his girlfriend, which is considered a crime in Sharia law

Officials said earlier this year that the floggings had been moved indoors and shorn of the usual opening speeches because of the virus pandemic.

Aceh adopted Sharia after it was granted special autonomy in 2001, an attempt by the central government to quell a long-running separatist insurgency.

Human rights groups have slammed public caning as cruel, and Indonesia's President Joko Widodo has called for it to end.

But it has strong support among Aceh's population.

Officials said earlier this year that the floggings had been moved indoors and shorn of the usual opening speeches because of the virus pandemic

Aceh adopted Sharia after it was granted special autonomy in 2001, an attempt by the central government to quell a long-running separatist insurgency

Human rights groups have slammed public caning as cruel, and Indonesia's President Joko Widodo has called for it to end

A man is escorted by police ahead of the public caning sentence in the ultra-conservative region on the northern tip of Sumatra island
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Time spent behind bars is never meant to be easy. But some foreign inmates at Vinh Quang Prison are making the most of their lives locked up.

And in one extreme case, a German national who has served his sentence is happy to stay in the prison because he feels that is now his home.

Foreign prisoners at a Vietnamese language lesson in Vinh Quang Prison. Photo antg.cand.com.vn

Jurgen Michael has been a free man for almost a year, but instead of returning to his homeland he prefers to stay in prison.

I like living here. I dont want to go home. This is my second home, said the 60-year-old.

Vietnamese officers are good and friendly. They treat me very well. They give me banh chung (square glutinous rice cake), gio (Vietnamese sausage) and candy to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) with Vietnamese people. I have a lot of fun while living here so I dont want to go anywhere.

When he was first jailed he did not speak a word of Vietnamese, but after spending so long behind bars he has picked up the language.

Back home in Germany he has no family, so for Jurgen, Vinh Quang is his home, and the inmates are his family. And he is not alone.

Many other foreign inmates have accepted their sentences and are doing their best to build a new life behind bars, reports Cong an nhan dan (The People's Police)

Laos national Khamphy was jailed for 20 years after he was caught in possession of heroin.

My uncle and father used to visit me from time to time, said the 32-year-old.

But last year, due to COVID-19 pandemic, they couldnt do so and I didnt receive any support from them. However, the officers here take good care of us.

Since his conviction 10 years ago, Khamphy has done his best to integrate with the rest of the inmates, even taking part in a talent competition held by the prison.

Its here I have learned so many songs that Ive never knew before. The officers also offer me vocational training and care for me when I am sick.

According to Senior Lieutenant Colonel Ta Van Luong, deputy warden of Vinh Quang Prison, many foreign inmates can speak Vietnamese. They dont only communicate with each other but also sing songs, read poems and perform skits.

In addition to helping prisoners recognise their wrongdoings and become better people, the prison has organised many activities to enhance their spiritual lives.

They are also taught Vietnamese, to gain a better understanding of Vietnamese culture.

Ben is another inmate who has had to make serious adjustments. A life sentence handed down for drug trafficking offences means he will likely never be a free man again.

Knowing your life is finished, and with a Vietnamese wife on the outside, Ben suffered when he was first jailed. But gradually he has come to accept his life behind bars.

He said: I was very sad and depressed but the supervisors have given me a lot of encouragement. Gradually, I regained my spirits.

I have maintained a good rehabilitation record so I hope to get an amnesty. If I am freed, Ill stay in Vietnam because I love Vietnam like my home country.

Ben has also become part of the prison choir. He can sing many songs in Vietnamese but one is by far his favourite.

Now I sing the national anthem of Vietnam very well," Ben said.

"I understand the meaning of the aspiration of the entire Vietnamese nation  that is to gain independence and freedom.

Since being at the prison, I take part in different activities including vocational training, academic education and art. I feel comfortable here.

Every day after work, I practise singing or write letters to my family.

Life nearly always means life in the Vietnamese judicial system, but Ben still holds a glimmer of hope that one day he can prove he has paid his price to society.

And if that day comes, it will be Vietnam where he will spend the rest of his days, hopefully as a free man. VNS
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Prince Harry has revealed he feels really let down by his father Prince Charles, speaking of a rift between the pair in his explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Speaking in the tell-all interview that aired on CBS on Sunday, Harry said he longed for the public support of his family, particularly during a time when his wife Meghan faced scrutiny from the British tabloids.

There was a way of doing this, but for us, for this union, and the specifics around her race, there was an opportunity, many opportunities, for my family to show some public support, he said, referencing the press coverage of his wife.

He pointed to how in 2019, 72 British lawmakers came together to condemn the colonial coverage the press had directed at Meghan, but felt his family hadnt done enough to join them.

No one in my family said anything in those two years, he said, before describing what he saw as a mutually reliant relationship between the tabloids and the Crown.

Read more: Harry and Meghan Oprah interview live: Latest news and updates

The alleged lack of support was especially disappointing from his father, leaving Harry feeling really let down because Prince Charles had gone through something similar during his marriage with Princess Diana.

He know what pain feels like, and Archies his grandson, Harry said, but at the same time, I of course, I will always love him. I think theres a lot of hurt thats happened, and I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship. But they only know what they know, or what theyre told. Ive tried to educate them through the process that Ive been educated.

He explained his decision to step back from his royal position was due to a lack of support, and a lack of understanding, both from his family and from the UK press.

Ive got to do something for my own mental health, for my wifes, and for Archies as well, because I could see where this was headed, Harry added, an apparent reference to the turbulent life of his mother, Princess Diana, who faced heavy scrutiny in the media and at times chafed at the norms expected from a member of the royal family.

The prince also suggested his family members like Prince William and Prince Charles might suffer from similar feelings, but werent able to act on them.

Asked if he would have left the family if he hadnt met his wife, Harry replied: I wouldnt have been able to, because I myself was trapped, as well. I didnt see a way out. You know, I was trapped, but I didnt know I was trapped.

But the moment that I met meg, and then our worlds sort of collided in the most amazing of ways ... Trapped within the system, like the rest of my family are.

My father and my brother, they are trapped. They dont get to leave. And I have huge compassion for that.

Harry also acknowledged during the interview that he had only spoken with his father twice about his eventual decision to step back from the royal family before he stopped taking my calls.

But the prince dismissed the suggestion that the couples decision to leave the UK had blindsided the Queen.

I would never blindside my grandmother, Harry said during the sit-down, I respect her too much.

The Independent has reached out to the royal family for comment.
Ten years into Syria's war, a large patch of territory in the country's northwest controlled by jihadists and allied rebels is still holding out against the Damascus regime.

Can the Idlib bastion, protected against a military onslaught since a March 2020 ceasefire, continue to survive as its own self-run territory, perhaps a bit like the Palestinian Gaza Strip?

- Who lives in Idlib? -

On the border with Turkey, a former Al-Qaeda affiliate as well as a flurry of rebel groups and other jihadists resist government rule in a chunk of territory referred to as Idlib.

The jihadist-dominated bastion is made up of half of Idlib province as well as slivers of adjacent governorates.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) controls the agricultural area and its towns through its influence over the so-called Salvation Government.

Despite HTS claiming it has renounced all ties with Al-Qaeda, the United Nations and European Union consider the group to be "terrorist".

Syria's last major opposition bastion is home to 2.9 million people, of whom two thirds have been displaced from their homes by conflict, the UN says.

Many of those displaced, including those forced to flee other parts of the country, live in camps.

For about a year, fighting has largely halted in and around the area after a ceasefire deal, brokered by Damascus ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey, took hold in March 2020.

But years of successive Russia-backed government bombardment campaigns have chipped away at the opposition stronghold.

From September 2017 to today, jihadists and allied rebels saw their bastion shrink from 9,000 to just 3,000 square kilometres (3,470 to 1,150 square miles), geographer Fabrice Balanche says.

- How many are jihadists? -

Of the 2.9 million residents, several thousand are said to be jihadist fighters, according to UN estimates.

The region is run by HTS and its 10,000 mostly Syrian fighters, a UN report released last month said.

They control the importation and distribution of gasoline and diesel, pocketing about $1 million a month in trading fuel and energy, it said.

Story continues

The group is also reported to control distribution of humanitarian aid, "and confiscates portions of these goods to reinforce HTS patronage networks," the report added.

But several other jihadist groups also exist, and there is sometimes infighting.

Among these, the Al-Qaeda-linked Hurras al-Deen, estimated to have 2,000 to 2,500 fighters, according to the UN.

The Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), whose fighters mostly hail from China's Uighur minority, counts an estimated 3,000 to 4,500 members.

The region has also attracted Western European and Chechen fighters, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says.

The Britain-based war monitor also says some Islamic State group cells are present.

Thousands of Turkey-backed rebel fighters are also based in Idlib, and largely co-exist with HTS.

- Will it last? -

Ankara has deployed thousands of soldiers across Idlib as part of the March 2020 ceasefire deal.

"Any Russian-Syrian offensive against Idlib would run into the Turkish army," a Western diplomat told AFP.

"The Turks have massively invested in the enclave with around 15,000 men."

Turkey, which already hosts at least 3.6 million Syrian refugees, desperately wants to avoid another influx that would spark more popular discontent.

"A new wave of Syrian refugees would present serious political, economic and humanitarian challenges," said analyst Dareen Khalifa of International Crisis Group.

Instead "Ankara is trying to strike a balance between... keeping Idlib out of regime control and thus preventing a flow of refugees -- with jihadists mixed in -- streaming across its border," and maintaining "its relationship with Moscow".

The Syrian regime and its Russian ally, meanwhile, have their eyes on fully securing a key commercial artery running through Idlib called the M4, after gaining partial control in its last military offensive.

Balanche said he could see Turkey agreeing to some concessions, in exchange for being allowed to seize further areas from Syrian Kurdish fighters it views as "terrorists".

President Recep Tayyip "Erdogan wants something in exchange, which I think is more Kurdish territory," he said.

Ankara and its Turkish proxies have already seized large swathes of land from Kurdish forces in several military offensives, the last of which was halted by a Russian-Turkish deal.

But even with some bartering, a rebel bastion could survive as a "Turkish protectorate", Balanche said, to act as a buffer zone on its southern border.

It would be like a "new Gaza Strip," he said.

That is "a narrow strip of land under the control of Islamist groups like HTS, managing a population of refugees, under a drip of international humanitarian aid."

tgg/ah/jkb/kjm
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Bird Song of the Day

At reader request, its Owl Week at the Naked Capitalism Water Cooler. Here we have an American Barn Owl. This clip was hard to find, because most of the really intriguing sonograms turned out to be night-time insect noise!

#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.

Vaccination by region:

Patient readers, I must apologize for mistaking a data artifact for data. Alert readers cpm and shrewd wookie pointed out the vaccination decline I was worried about didnt conform to the data in the New York Times, which showed a steady increase. I had allowed my priors, which include both pessimism and a distrust of the (paywalled) Times and the institutional media generally, to get in the way of double-checking the data. From the 91-DIVOC data log, the Johns Hopkins data was successfully merged over the weekend, meaning that whatever pipes were clogged got unclogged. So I have restored the chart. Thanks again to alert readers cpm and shrewd wookie. The NC commentariat is the best commentariat. However, I still stand by this comment

Early in February, I said a simple way to compare Bidens performance to Trumps on vaccination would be to compare the slopes of the curves. If Biden accelerated vaccine administration, the slopes would get steeper. What I expected was that that the slopes would remain the same; that the fragmented, Federalized, and profit-driven lumbering monstrosity that we laughingly call our health care system would not respond to energy in the executive, but would continue on its inertial path.

>

Case count by United States regions:

South heads downward again, Northeast flat.

Big states (New York, Florida, Texas, California):

Texas drops below New York.

Test positivity:

Jumps in the South.

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? Is this some sort of statistical artifact as well?

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

More to come. lambert UPDATE All done!

Capitol Seizure

Maybe so: Incredible story:  Man joins Facebook group recommended by algorithm  Is invited into encrypted chat  Learns of plot to kidnap Gov Whitmer and harm police  Becomes FBI informant & testifies against plotters Amazing @joeguillen & @omarabdelb: https://t.co/46KslQWGyO  Justin Hendrix (@justinhendrix) March 5, 2021 Or an innovative form of parallel reconstruction. Not that Im foily.

Biden Administration

Building the big one: Behind the scenes of Bidens $1.9 trillion bet [Phil Mattingly, CNN]. This is from February 11, but Im posting it because the reporter seems to have gotten the big things right  granted, for a liberal Democrats definition of right  on the relief package, before the sturm und drang began. For all of Bidens talk of bipartisanship, Democrats now had the power to move their top priority without a single Republican vote. It was the same situation as 2009, when the Obama administration rushed to pass a relief package during his first month in office. Back then Democrats lowered the size of the plan to garner some Republican support, a decision many of them came to regret during the slow recovery that followed. This time would be different. From the outset, the common goal among Bidens team was to go big  even if that meant going it alone.  Let me use this story as a hook for remarks on the relief package. First, its remarkable that conventional wisdom has now become that the Obama administrations response to the last Crash was a debacle. Schumer + Biden > Reid + Obama (with Pelosi, I suppose, being an equally pernicious constant throughout). Who knew? Even more remarkable is that deficits dont matter (as Dick Cheney put it) has also become conventional wisdom. Not remarkable at all is that all those who were were wrong are still in power, and that all those who were right  particularly the MMTers, but also the left in general  are not. We saw the same pattern with Iraq. As for the details of the bill, $1.9 trillion cant help but have a good impact, as did CARES. The childcare provisions are probably good, even if they only last for a year. That said, the bill does, late and partially, what should have been done long ago and universally: Pay Americans for staying home. Its also noteworthy that the bill carefully reinforces means-testing at every opportunity. The bill also continues the immiseration of the working class because it does not raise the minimum wage. Liberal Democrats gotta liberal Democrat. Oh, and heres Mattingly on the famous $2,000 checks: If you send Jon and the Reverend to Washington, those $2,000 checks will go out the door, Biden said during a campaign stop in Atlanta the day before the runoff election. And in the very next paragraph: After Warnock and Ossoff both won, Bidens team made those checks  an additional $1,400 to the $600 already disbursed  a central selling-point for the proposal Do you know a check that works like that? Not out the door and already one-third out the door at the very same time? I sure dont. The double-think is absolutely remarkable, by which I mean perfectly normal. And speaking of checks, this is important, and Mondaire Jones is a Representative, so I assume he knows whereof he speaks:  Listen up: To determine eligibility for the $1,400 survival checks, the IRS will use your most recent tax return. So if you lost your job, lost income, or had a kid in 2020, file your taxes as soon as possible!  Mondaire Jones (@MondaireJones) March 7, 2021 Holy moley, what an insane system! Why not  hear me out  just send a check for the same amount to everybody, and claw back later from the rich if you want? Instead of this goofy rigamorale that leaves your rent check depending on whether the IRS processed your return on time or not! But youll pry means-testing from liberal Democrats cold, dead hands. UPDATE The Senates Second COVID Recovery Vote-A-Rama, Vote-by-Vote [Jonathan Cohn].  Very useful tick tock. Worth skimming. UPDATE The Daily 202: Kamala Harris is playing an unusually large role in shaping Bidens foreign policy [Olivier Knox, WaPo]. Its too early to say whether the president will formally entrust Harris with a specific national security portfolio, the way President Barack Obama handed Biden Iraq, Ukraine, and relations with Turkey after a 2016 coup attempt there. But the skills, knowledge and relationships she is building as vice president could serve her well if Biden  at 78, the oldest person ever to take the oath  bows out after one term, leaving the former California senator his designated heir.  I like Knox, but this is shameless puffery planted by anonymous administration sources. What Harris knows about foreign policy comes from her service on the Senate Intelligence Community. So, great. * * * Krysten Sinema (1): Sen. Kyrsten Sinema practicing her NO vote pic.twitter.com/umAWQV0fQf  Sabrina (@abelinasabrina) March 8, 2021 Wheres the backpack? Kristen Sinema (2) One reason I became disillusioned with progressives is because the progressive infrastructure cultivated and trained Kyrsten Sinema, and candidates like her, for years. Sinema in the mid-2000s was a bisexual punk cheerleader and organizer against Bush. Lifestyle branding.  Matt Stoller (@matthewstoller) March 5, 2021 * * * UPDATE Two Cheers for Joe Manchin [Jeet Heer, The Nation]. The crucial point to understand is that the move from the second position (of House Democrats) to the third position (the first Senate deal) is essentially a wash. Going from $400 to $300 is a loss, but it is made up for by tax forgiveness. The final Manchin deal is a genuine trimming, cutting the top-up for three weeks of potential beneficiaries. Given the economic suffering, its a miserly move. But its a bad policy detail that pales besides the massive positive benefits of the stimulus bill as a whole.  I agree that tax forgiveness is good. What liberal Democrats and the political class generally dont seem to understand is that bills and checks are now, and tax code is later. If youre drowning a mile out, it makes no difference that the Democrats moved the shore one-half mile closer. UPDATE Manchins next power play [Axios]. Manchin said the infrastructure bill can be big  as much as $4 trillion  as long as its paid for with tax increases. He said hell start his bargaining by requiring the package be 100% paid for.  Attaboy.

Democrats en deshabille

Cuomo faces mounting Democratic backlash as top New York state lawmakers call for resignation [CNN]. The lead: The walls are closing in. Where have we heard that before? More: Powerful state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins called for her fellow Democrats resignation on Sunday after two more former aides came forward alleging inappropriate conduct by the governor, including one who accused Cuomo of making an unwanted sexual advance in a Los Angeles hotel room more than two decades ago while she worked for him as a paid consultant. Stewart-Cousins decision to join a growing number of state Democratic lawmakers pushing for Cuomo, who has repeatedly denied inappropriately touching anyone, to step down upped the pressure on the three-term governor as his grip on the state capitol he has ruled for a decade appears to be slipping.  So, following the logic through, here, thousands of dead elders in nursing homes are appropriate. Which makes sense when you look at the record: Covid, deaths of despair, no Medicare for All, etc. Our political class sure knows how to make the hard choices.

Realignment and Legitimacy

Redistricting: This is really neat: The good folks at @PlanScore just launched a new feature where you can upload a proposed or existing redistricting map for a dozen key states (FL, GA, IL, MA, MD, MI, NC, PA, TN, TX, VA, WI) & instantly analyze the map's partisan bias: https://t.co/ld7wRKptXW https://t.co/CJfqQXvIOz  Stephen Wolf (@PoliticsWolf) March 5, 2021 UPDATE Taibbi is Right: Wither Marcuse [Midwest Socialist (flora)].  As long as Marcuses central ideas linger in the background of Leftwing thought, the Left will never be able to mobilize the type of majoritarian movement necessary to transform power. People do not willingly join movements whose intellectual leaders fundamentally do not see them as capable of making their own decisions.. The supposedly transclass radicals that consumed so much of the New Lefts energy, largely due to Marcuses influence, were not transclass at all. In actuality, they were college-educated middle-class individuals. They kind of people who had immense access to education and leisure largely because of social democracys economic prosperity. Despite Marcuses sympathetic words towards the outsiders and the poor, the unemployed and unemployable, the persecuted colored races, the inmates of prisons and mental institutions, his real goal was always the absolutist rule by our intellectual betters. The reason is simple. When a social identity is established through an intellectualized cultural aesthetic, support for oppressed groups becomes an extension of that aesthetic. Solidarity only exists to the point where it does not threaten that aesthetic radicalism.  Well worth a read.

Stats Watch

Wholesale Inventories: United States Wholesale Inventories [Trading Economics]. Wholesale inventories in the US increased 1.3 percent month-over-month in January of 2021, in line with preliminary figures, and following an upwardly revised 0.6 percent gain in December. Inventories of durable goods were up 1.2 percent, with those of computer equipment recording the biggest gain.

* * *

Tech: How SEO Is Gentrifying the Internet [Current Affairs]. Hard to excerpt this one, though its worth reading to make sense of your crapified search experience. Basically, Since the 1990s, SEO marketing has been a lucrative pursuit for the worlds most scruple-free douchebags. But Im not familiar with any of the techniques. Since Google downranks us for Links, we cant make SEO our business model, and so nobody at NC writes with SEO in mind. Read with confidence!

Tech: I havent bought new pants for years, why do I have to keep buying new PCs? [The Register]. Weve got pants that have lasted longer than some computers, thanks in part to the excesses of the likes of Apple and Microsoft.  Due to exigent circumstances, I had to buy another laptop. Reader, I got a bottom-of-the-line iPad, because I didnt and dont have time to configure and learn Linux, even an easy version. (Plus, I need Lightroom.) Nevertheless, I had to spend a lot of time removing functionality I didnt want. For example, I dont want to be Notified about anything, ever. I dont want any animation. I dont want Siri advising me, or indeed knowing anything at all. And so on and on and on. More bloat, maintained by very smart and well-paid people who could be doing something useful with their time.

Tech: Amazon is filled with fake reviews and its getting harder to spot them [CNBC]. Since Amazons early days, reviews are the one big metric customers have relied on to determine the quality and authenticity of a product. Amazons listings often have hundreds or thousands of reviews, instead of the handful found on competing marketplaces. But many of those reviews cant be trusted. Thousands of fake reviews have flooded Amazon, Walmart, eBay and others, as sales have skyrocketed.  Of course, Amazon uses some crap AI, because human moderation has yet to be scaled.

The Economy: Yellen says Biden COVID bill to fuel very strong U.S. recovery [Reuters]. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Monday that President Joe Bidens $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid package will provide enough resources to fuel a very strong U.S. economic recovery, but will not address longstanding inequality problems. She repeated her expectations that the package would allow the United States to return to pre-pandemic full employment levels by next year.  For perspective:

"Scariest Job Chart"

Worst of Great Recession: Down 6.29%

Now: Down 6.21% pic.twitter.com/h60rokHaln  Bill McBride (@calculatedrisk) March 6, 2021

The Scariest Job Chart ran regularly during the last Crash.

* * *

Todays Fear & Greed Index: 61 Greed (previous close: 51 Neutral) [CNN]. One week ago: 66 (Greed). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Mar 8 at 12:39pm. Mr. Market came back from the Nineteenth Hole on Sunday no longer in a grey mood.

Rapture Index: Closes up 1 on Oil Supply/Price. Oil prices have hit a yearly high [Rapture Ready]. Record High, October 10, 2016: 189. Current: 180. (Remember that bringing on the rapture is a good thing, so high is better.) Worth noting we are now at Record Highs. Angst in the Heartland?

Health Care

UPDATE Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People [CDC]. From today: \

The following recommendations apply to non-healthcare settings. Fully vaccinated people can: Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing

Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing

Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic For now, fully vaccinated people should continue to: Take precautions in public like wearing a well-fitted mask and physical distancing

Wear masks, practice physical distancing, and adhere to other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease

Wear masks, maintain physical distance, and practice other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households

Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings

Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms

Follow guidance issued by individual employers

Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations

As usual, CDC suppresses all mention of aerosol transmission, emphasizing physical distance and not ventilation. So, dont bother to open windows, dont invest in filtration, feel free to enter poorly ventilated spaces and stay a long time, etc.

UPDATE The end of the Atlantics Covid Tracking Project:

Our daily update is published. States reported 1.2 million tests, 41k cases, 40,212 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and 839 deaths. This is our final day of data collection after a very long year. pic.twitter.com/fKDkp3iL03  The COVID Tracking Project (@COVID19Tracking) March 8, 2021

I hope that means The Atlantic thinks the pandemic is over, but maybe it means they think its no longer a story. That would be bad.

Multitude of coronavirus variants found in the US  but the threat is unclear [Nature]. Its a Wild West, says Jeremy Kamil, a virologist at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport who co-led a team that, last month, spotted a fast-rising variant in Louisiana, New Mexico and elsewhere. In the absence of clear data on a variants behaviour, its as if theres an unofficial policy that every variant is a variant of concern until proven otherwise, says Kamil.  Amazingly, the article lauds the UKs unified national sequencing effort, without mentioning that the NHS might have something to do with it.

Groves of Academe

I should probably file this under Guillotine Watch:

It left me cold. He did not seem to get that, for a graduate student, it was not funny to have a senior faculty from a top tier university whisper into his ear that he would feel pleasure rejecting his work. But there is more. /5  Cesar A. Hidalgo (@cesifoti) February 24, 2021

The whole thread is worth reading.

The Agony Column

MiB: Controlling Your Limbic System Determines Your Financial Success [Barry Ritholtz, The Big Picture]. The advice part: The human limbic system controls our emotion, behavior and long-term memory (among other functions).  To the extent you succeed in finance, you succeed by suppressing the limbic system, your system 1, the very fast-moving emotional system. If you cannot suppress that, you are going to die poor.  So says Dr. William J. Bernstein, Ph.D., M.D., retired neurologist, principal in the money management firm Efficient Frontier Advisors, and author of several best-selling books on finance. The political economy part: The book focuses on three of our key characterizations: Humans are the Apes that tell stories, imitates others, and seek status. This combination ultimately leads to group dynamics where an entire population can become deeply entrenched in a belief system, that before it is revealed as false, runs amuck. The consequences range can include economic collapse, personal financial ruin, and 1000s of deaths.

So Im in class or at work, and an on-demand mental health top-up from an AI is gonna solve whatever problem Im having:

Theres a Better Way to Parent: Less Yelling, Less Praise [The Atlantic]. Yeah, yeah, ancient wisdom from the periphery vouchsafed to bougie traveller. Nevertheless: In the U.S., when a child calls you a name or smacks you, many parents think that the child is pushing your buttons, that theyre testing boundaries and want to manipulate you. The Inuit parents and elders I interviewed almost laughed when I said that. One woman said something like, Shes a kidshe doesnt know how to manipulate like that. Instead, what they told me is that young children are just these illogical, irrational beings who havent matured enough and havent acquired understanding or reason yet. So theres no reason to get upset or argue backif you do, youre being just like the child.

Reading John Gray in war [Aeon]. it was only through [the English philosopher John] Gray that I saw the similarities between the doctrines of Stalinism, Nazi fascism, Al-Qaedas paradoxical medieval, technophile fundamentalism, and Bushs war on terror. Gray showed that they are all various forms (however incompatible) of utopian thinking that have at their heart the teleological notion of progress from unenlightened times to a future utopia, and a belief that violence is justified to achieve it (indeed, from the Jacobins onwards, violence has had a pedagogical function in this process).. [S]cientific knowledge and the technologies at our disposal increase over time, but theres no reason to think that morality or culture will also progress, nor  if it does progress for a period  that this progress is irreversible. Gray points to the re-introduction of torture by the worlds premier liberal democracy during the war on terror as an example of the reversibility of progress. The irreversibility idea emerged directly from a utopian style of thinking thats based on the notion that the end justifies the means. Such thinking is often accompanied by one of the defining characteristics of the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns: hubris.  I like the framing that violence has a pedagogical function.

Zeitgeist Watch

The Core Message of Meghan and Harrys Oprah Interview: Racism Drove Us From the Royal Family [Time]. It was explicit in perhaps the most shocking allegation: that a member of the royal family came to Harry while Markle was pregnant with their son Archie with concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he was born. Meghan is American and identifies as biracial.  Commentary:

I am definitely not the first to say it but if tonight interested you at all you should absolutely check out the Diana episodes of @yourewrongabout, heres the first: https://t.co/y6pqkg5lDv  Paige Lavender (@paigelav) March 8, 2021

I cant vouch for this particular podcast, but Ive had good luck with Youre Wrong About on other topics.

Class Warfare

Why the DNC had to keep her off the debate stage:

If our goal was to eradicate poverty, we would eradicate poverty.  Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) March 7, 2021

News of the Wired

America in the 60s:

America in the 70s:

The council has spoken pic.twitter.com/5pIpaKyELN  70s Dinner Party (@70s_party) March 4, 2021

Far more surreal than anything Warhol ever produced!

* * *

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 (HH):

HH writes: I waited until today to take these photos, because we wanted to see how our second batch would turn out. Our first batch, while tasty, had some processing issues (cooking for too long, basically  caused some caramelization). In these photos of todays batch, there is a deep orange, barely translucent color. The first batch was opaque and very dark, and so we are unsure whether it should be called marmalade or just candied orange rind.' Holy moley, look at that glow! (I suppose I should declare processed plants honorary; I think activities like canning, pickling, and drying are to be encouraged. But no plant meals, please; nothing plated.

* * *

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:









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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!
The Saudi-led military coalition announced a new campaign of airstrikes in Yemen in response to a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks on the Gulf kingdom this weekend.

Coalition aircraft bombed multiple locations in Sanaa on Sunday for the first time since US President Joe Biden halted offensive support to the coalition in a bid to end Yemens civil war.

The coalition said it would also bomb other areas of Yemen. The targeting of civilians and civilian facilities is a red line, coalition spokesperson Col. Turki al-Maliki said Sunday.

Riyadhs response follows a fresh burst of attacks by the Houthis on Saudi Arabia over the weekend. The coalition said it had intercepted at least 12 explosive-laden drones and two ballistic missiles launched toward the kingdom on Sunday.

At least one sea-launched drone targeted Saudi Arabias largest oil storage site at Ras Tanura in the kingdoms east on Sunday, but caused no damage or casualties, the state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted Riyadhs Oil Ministry as saying.

A suspected Houthi ballistic missile was intercepted in the city of Dhahran near a residential facility used by state-run Saudi Aramco, according to SPA. Explosions were also reported in the western coastal city of Jeddah.

On Monday the US State Department condemned the Houthis attacks and said the United States stands by Saudi Arabia and its people.

Our commitment to defend the Kingdom and its security is firm, the US Embassy in Riyadh said in a statement.

Fighting also reportedly picked up in the area of the embattled petroleum-rich city of Marib, among the last major enclaves left uncaptured by the Houthis.

The United States ended support for Riyadhs offensive operations in Yemen in January in fulfillment of a campaign promise by Biden. The Saudi-led bombing campaign has drastically worsened the six-year conflicts human toll, which the United Nations has dubbed the worlds worst humanitarian catastrophe.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has doubled down on reassuring officials in Riyadh of continued defensive support.

Attacks by Yemens Houthis on Saudi Arabia have picked up in recent weeks since the Biden administration revoked an earlier terrorism designation for the Yemeni rebel group in what the commander of US troops in the Middle East, Gen. Kenneth Frank McKenzie, called an act of good will toward a negotiated end to the conflict.

Attacks by Iran-linked militias in Iraq have also continued over the past several weeks. US officials have said they hold Iran responsible for the actions of its proxy forces in the region.

Timothy Lenderking, the administrations lead envoy appointed to negotiate an end to Yemens civil war, reportedly met with Houthi officials in Oman last month. The State Department has declined to comment on the reported meeting.

The United States placed new sanctions on two top Houthi military leaders last week, accusing them of receiving training from Iran.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A woman grips her purse tightly as you approach. A store manager follows you because you look "suspicious." You enter a high-end restaurant, and the staff assume you're applying for a job. You're called on in work meetings only when they're talking about diversity.

The indignities and humiliations Black meneven those who have "made it"regularly endure have long been seen as part and parcel of life in the United States among the Black community, a sort of "Black tax" that takes a heavy toll on physical and mental health.

Now, a new UCLA-led study reveals these "hidden costs" of being Black in America. Researchers who analyzed a national sample of the views of Black men and white men found that Black men of all income levels reported experiencing higher levels of discrimination than their white counterparts.

"Black men face constant experiences of discrimination and disappointment when they try to contribute. They are treated like criminals in a society where they often are not allowed to achieve their full potential," said the study's co-senior author, Vickie Mays, a professor of psychology in the UCLA College and of health policy and management at UCLA's Fielding School of Public Health.

"Successful Black men," she said, "hope their hard work will pay off and instead are tormented to find their education and income often do not protect them from racial discrimination. The 'return on achievement' is reduced for Blacks in the U.S. It's a disturbing wake-up call."

The study, "Money protects white but not African American men against discrimination," is published today in the peer-reviewed open-access International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

To measure perceived discrimination, the researchers analyzed data from the National Survey of American Life that assessed the mental health of 1,271 Black and 372 non-Hispanic white adults who live in the same areas across the U.S. Survey questions inquired about chronic, daily experiences over the past year. For example, respondents were asked how often in their day-to-day lives any of the following had occurred: "being followed around in stores," "people acting as if they think you are dishonest," "receiving poorer service than other people at restaurants" and "being called names or insulted." Scaled response options ranged from 1 ("never") to 6 ("almost every day").

The results indicate that many Black men face discriminatory indignities on a nearly daily basis, year after yearand the experience is exhausting, said Mays, who directs the National Institutes of Health-funded UCLA BRITE Center for Science, Research and Policy and is a special advisor to UCLA's chancellor on Black life. "It takes a toll on your physical and mental health. You get depleted."

The daily discrimination measured by the survey did not include other frequently cited injustices, such as being pulled over and questioned by police officers without cause and facing discrimination in housing, education, jobs and health care, said Mays. She noted that while the study's results were distressing, they were not particularly surprising.

"We've known this," she said, "but now it's documented. This is evidence."

Higher incomes and achievement offer Black men little relief

While the study found that for white men, increases in household income were inversely associated with perceived discrimination, this did not hold true for Black men, who continued to report high levels of discrimination regardless of any boost in income level.

The findings may explain why Black men, even as they attain greater financial and educational success on average, don't gain much protection against negative physical and mental health outcomes the way white men generally do, said co-senior author Susan Cochran, a professor of epidemiology at the Fielding School of Public Health.

"In the United States, many people believe that higher levels of income and education provide relief against being treated differently, badly or unfairly," Cochran said. "The results of our study show that is truer for white men, but it's clearly not the case for many Black men. Structural barriers limit the benefits of Black men's economic achievements, and perceived discrimination increases the risk of adverse physical and mental health outcomes."

For Black men, increases in income at all financial levels actually lead to more perceived discrimination, perhaps because they come into increased contact with whites, according to lead author Shervin Assari, who conducted the analysis as a researcher with the BRITE Center for Science, Research and Policy and is currently an associate professor of urban public health and family medicine at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science.

"It was upsetting to write this study," Assari said. "Successful Blacks expect better treatment and think they deserve it but often do not get it."

Discrimination, the authors say, is embedded in the fabric of U.S. institutions and harms Black men in their daily lives. For Mays, the damage this does to equal opportunity brings to mind the 1951 Langston Hughes poem "Harlem," in which the poet asks, "What happens to a dream deferred? / Does it dry up / like a raisin in the sun?"

"Change has to come faster," Mays said. "Change has to be permanent. We are tired of hearing 'wait your turn.' Black men's dreams have been deferred for far too long."

Explore further Black and Hispanic Californians face health discrimination; less trusting of clinicians

More information: Assari S, Cochran SD, Mays VM. Money Protects White but Not African American Men against Discrimination: Comparison of African American and White Men in the Same Geographic Areas. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(5):2706. Assari S, Cochran SD, Mays VM. Money Protects White but Not African American Men against Discrimination: Comparison of African American and White Men in the Same Geographic Areas.. 2021; 18(5):2706. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052706
COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP)  A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that a former Mississippi police officer filed after he was fired.

The Columbus City Council removed Reginald Adams as an investigator in March 2019.

He filed a lawsuit in May 2020, claiming wrongful termination and violation of privacy.

The lawsuit said three council members improperly told the Commercial Dispatch that Adams would be disciplined for driving a police vehicle to another city to apply for a job.

U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock dismissed Adams lawsuit Wednesday for failure to state a claim, meaning Adams did not present enough evidence to prove he was fired unjustly.
What started with vaccination clinics at one site in Cayuga County has grown into a larger operation with mobile clinics and a new location at
'Gibraltar and Commonwealth Closer Than Ever' says Deputy Chief Minister

Today Monday 8th March 2021 is Commonwealth Day. This year Commonwealth Day is centered around the theme delivering a common future between all 54 member countries and the wider number of territories of the Commonwealth.

For the second time since 1973, Gibraltar celebrates Commonwealth Day from outside the European Union. It is extremely poignant that this years theme is delivering a common future as our future will now, together with that of the United Kingdom, seek to develop our relationship with the Commonwealth from this new position in the world.

The Commonwealth family is home to more than 2.4 billion people, consisting of 54 independent and sovereign states with many more territories spanning six continents. It includes countries which have huge, vibrant and advanced economies as well as developing countries. Her Majestys Government of Gibraltar says it is fully committed to engaging with as many countries as possible in order to enhance our socio-economic, cultural and political ties, not least in this post-Brexit era. This will be a lengthy process which has already commenced.

'The policy of the Government has been to develop further our relationship with the Commonwealth and its institutions. In line with this, Gibraltar has now been represented at events such as the Commonwealth Youth Parliament and the Commonwealth Youth Forum for the first time. This allows our young people an opportunity to engage with their counterparts in other countries. Gibraltar has also been represented at the Commonwealth Womens Forum, Peoples Forum and the Business Forum which are timed to coincide with the Heads of Government meeting. This is due to take place in Kigali, Rwanda later this year if the pandemic allows.'

The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation and the Commonwealth Local Government Association also see representation from Gibraltar. This participation is relatively new, but there are other areas where Gibraltar has enjoyed a presence for decades, like in the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

More recently, the Government also sends school children to London to visit UK institutions and the different Commonwealth organisations.

In 2019 Gibraltar joined the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) and earlier this year they opened an office locally which will assist the Government with its aim of promoting business links and the role of the private sector across the Commonwealth.

The Minister with responsibility for relations with the Commonwealth, the Deputy Chief Minister, the Hon Dr Joseph Garcia MP, said:

Since we took office, the Government has been fully committed to developing our relationship with the Commonwealth. This work has been greatly intensified with our departure from the European Union and the Government has been conducting a detailed exercise to establish which other Commonwealth organisations we can develop links with. The message this Commonwealth Day is that there can be no doubt that the level of engagement between Gibraltar and the Commonwealth is now closer than ever and this will, undoubtedly, be extremely beneficial for Gibraltar in this post-Brexit world that we find ourselves in.
SALEM, Ore. (AP)  One of the most beloved destinations in Oregon looks a lot different following the blowup of the Beachie Creek Fire.

Large swaths of the 34,000-acre Opal Creek Wilderness and Recreation Area burned after historic winds turned a small fire into an inferno Labor Day night.

The fire destroyed the bridge over Henline Creek  the main access point from Salem and Portland. It also killed many of the trees, including old-growth giants, on Henline Falls, Little North Santiam and Opal Creek trails and in the surrounding area.

All of the buildings at the Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center at Jawbone Flats burned except one  cabin 4. The sites outdoor classroom and water treatment plant also survived.

Its horrific, Ancient Forest Center executive director Dwayne Canfield told the Salem Statesman Journal after getting pictures of the area from fire crews. Its not a total wasteland, and theres some green. But overall, its pretty bad.

Its unclear the impact to every spot across the sprawling temperate rainforest in the Cascade Foothills, but the fire appeared to burn very hot down the Little North Santiam canyon in particular.

Overall, 74% of the Opal Creek National Recreation and Wilderness area burned at high or moderate severity, indicating significant tree mortality.

We do know that large swaths of the Opal Creek Wilderness were subject to high-severity fire, U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Joanie Schmidgall said.

In the meantime, the area remains closed, potentially for a long time, with rain and snow likely to bring landslides to unstable slopes.

The entire Detroit Ranger District, including the Opal Creek area, is closed to the public. The number of downed trees, standing dead trees, ash pits and smoldering fire still make it a hazardous area to enter, officials said.

Violators of a closure order may be ticketed and subject to a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment of not more than six months, or both, fire officials said.

Even so, pictures, videos and descriptions of the area have begun trickling out, showing the impact to an area that had become one of the most popular places to hike and swim in Oregons outdoors.

The fact that the Little North Santiam was heavily impacted doesnt come as a surprise.

The narrow canyon was engulfed in flames Labor Day evening and the next morning, according to people who narrowly escaped from the area.

All five deaths from the Beachie Creek Fire occurred in the Little North canyon, including that of George Atiyeh, the environmentalist who spent a lifetime working to conserve the Opal Creek forest from logging.

The vast majority of houses and cabins in the Elkhorn area were also destroyed.

The North Fork area is a good example, for better or worse, of how a wind-driven fire can get funneled down a condensed canyon, Schmidgall said.

The Beachie Creek Fire ignited in a remote, steep corner of the Opal Creek Wilderness on Aug. 16, following a lightning storm, bringing evacuations to Jawbone Flats and the surrounding forest.

The fire smoldered at about 25 acres for weeks, growing little. But due to concerns over firefighter safety, it wasnt completely put out, forest officials said at the time, even as helicopters dropped water on it.

In depth:`Missed opportunity? Records detail Forest Service response to Beachie Creek Fire before blowup

The fire blew up on Labor Day night on historically high east winds that reached at least 75 mph. It eventually joined wildfires started by downed power lines in the Santiam Canyon to form a 193,282-acre blaze.

It remains unclear where the original Beachie Creek Fire ended and where the power lines fire began, officials said.

Where each fire burned and where they merged is still a piece of the puzzle that were working on, Schmidgall said.

Just about everything in the Little North Santiam canyon was touched, and often severely burned, by the wildfire.

The network of Marion County parks including North Fork, Bear Creek campground and Salmon Falls were hit hard, officials said.

The impact appears to get worse upstream, past the Elkhorn community on the border of Willamette National Forest. Beyond the destroyed bridge spanning Henline Creek, the popular Henline Falls and Little North Santiam trails were burned severely, videos and pictures show. Henline Mountain also appears to be hit hard.

The impact continues up Forest Service Road 2209 and onto Opal Creek Trail, where numerous trees were burned, knocked down by the wind, or both.

The Gold Creek Bridge remains intact, along with the Battle Ax bridge, although both sustained some damage.

Around Jawbone Flats, the fire appeared to burn somewhat less severely. Although the fire only left one building standing, there appears to be patches of green, Canfield said, in addition to the cabin, outdoor classroom and water treatment facility.

Theres a few trees still standing in the downtown Jawbone Flats area, but not a bunch, he said. There is some green in every picture. Its not all bad.

Canfield said its not clear what the next move is for the Ancient Forest Center.

Further up Opal Creek itself, there is also impact, including at Cedar Flats, the iconic grove of ancient western red cedars.

The report for Cedar Flats was that it was pretty hard hit, Canfield said. But there may still be a few of the big trees standing.

Although the wildfire had the greatest impact, the winter is likely to bring more challenges to accessing the remote and narrow canyon.

In addition to the bridge over Henline Creek being out, landslides are likely in places where the fire burned down to the soil.

Residents in the Elkhorn area have already seen the Little North Santiam spike much quicker than normal after rain because theres less vegetation and roots to limit runoff.

Given all the challenges, its likely the area will remain closed for the foreseeable future, officials said.

The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, in the Columbia Gorge, kept some trails closed for years  and some still havent reopened.
New Delhi: Amid speculations about the leadership change in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat met Bharatiya Janata Party chief JP Nadda on Monday (March 8).

There are speculations about the leadership change in Uttarakhand as several ministers and around twenty MLAs are against the working style of Rawat, sources said. However, Rawat declined to speak when asked about the political crisis in Uttarakhand.

According to sources, several MLAs and some ministers complained about the Chief Minister to the party leadership. Later, the BJP central high command sent Raman Singh as party observer for the emergency core group meeting, which was attended by Dushyant Gautam, general secretary in-charge of Uttarakhand BJP.

After the core group meeting of the party, Raman Singh and Dushyant Gautam submitted their report to the party high command. Consequently, Trivendra Singh Rawat was called to Delhi. Interacting with the media persons here, Rawat said, "I congratulate all the women on International women`s day.

Our women should empower themselves and should be socially active. We have passed the law in which women can now claim their right in their husband`s property and will be able to apply for the loan based on that in case they want to start their own business."He further applauded the service of Anganwadi and AASHA workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Anganwadi and AASHA workers have worked selflessly in COVID-19 pandemic, so my government will provide them with Rs 10,000 each. We will provide Rs 15,000 to Mahila Samuh and Mahila Mangal Dal (women welfare group). We have also launched a Ghasyari Kalyan Yojana to benefit the kins of women who die for unnatural reasons," added Rawat.
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They've talked about adding another child into their unique family dynamic.

And Khloe Kardashian brought up potentially having another baby while chatting with Tristan Thompson during a sneak peek clip from the final season trailer for Keeping Up With the Kardashians released on Monday afternoon.

The 36-year-old reality vet revealed that surrogacy was an option on the table for the pair despite their relationship being up in the air even as Scott Disick questioned their status as a romantic couple.

Tough talks: Khloe Kardashian brought up potentially having another baby while chatting with Tristan Thompson during a sneak peek clip from the final season trailer for Keeping Up With the Kardashians released on Monday afternoon

'You're trusting the surrogate with your unborn child and it's just scary,' Khloe told Tristan while lounging at home.

The pair appeared to be deep in talks about adding another little one to their somewhat unconventional family unit.

Khloe and Tristan have toyed with idea of being more romantically involved again following their very public split nearly three years ago when he participated in a kissing scandal with Kylie Jenner's former best friend, Jordyn Woods, while Khloe was pregnant with True.

The 36-year-old reality vet revealed that surrogacy was an option on the table for the pair despite their relationship being up in the air even as Scott Disick questioned their status as a romantic couple.

Medical? It's unclear what Khloe was unwrapping, but it appeared to be a syringe

In another scene from the new trailer, Scott Disick attempted to be the voice of reason while catching up with the Boston Celtics center by the beach.

'You're talking about having another child together but, you don't want to say you're official?' Disick voiced.

Tristan assured Scott that his relationship with the Good American founder isn't a 'secret' but maybe just not so public.

You know it's confusing when: In another scene from the new trailer, Scott Disick attempted to be the voice of reason while catching up with the Boston Celtics center by the beach

Makes sense: Tristan assured Scott that his relationship with the Good American founder isn't a 'secret' but maybe just not so public

Khloe and Tristan have remained committed to co-parenting their three-year-old daughter True despite their makeups and breakups.

And while it's unclear what's in store for their future family, all loose ends will be tied up as the family's famous reality show comes to a close in the 20th and final season of Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

'For the past 14 years, our family has invited cameras inside our homes to document our most personal moments,' Kim said in a voiceover. 'We have shared the ordinary and extraordinary, our triumphs and our tragedies. Now we are upon our 20th season and still have so much more of our journey to share.'
New Delhi, March 8 : The newly-appointed Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Rajya Sabha, Malliakarjun Kharge, began his stint on an aggressive note on the first day of the House proceedings after recess.

On the issue of fuel price hike, the senior Congress leader gave a notice to the chair for suspension of business but it was not allowed, following which the opposition stalled the proceedings of the House.

Observers said that Kharge's aggression is just opposite to his predecessor Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was more mild.

During the first leg of the ongoing Budget session, then LoP Azad had agreed to the discussion on the motion of thanks by the President, but it was delayed in the Lok Sabha even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi took pot shots at Rahul Gandhi for not being in sync with the strategy of the opposition in the Upper House. The Prime Minister had even praised the outgoing LoP in his farewell speech.

Congress insiders said that now the whole strategy will be monitored by Rahul Gandhi in the Upper House after the appointment of Kharge as the LoP.

However, the Congress has a parliamentary strategy committee headed by Sonia Gandhi to devise the party's stand on crucial issues, which even met on Sunday. The treasury bench may feel the heat on key contentious issues, but the government has the numbers, so passing a bill may not be a problem.

On Monday, the House was adjourned for the day after the Opposition forced multiple adjournments in the Rajya Sabha, the first day of the second half of the Budget session, as it pressed for discussion on the fuel price hike.

The House was first adjourned till 11 a.m. and when it met again, Kharge repeated his earlier demand. Deputy Chairman Harivansh said the ruling of the Chairman could not be reconsidered. Pandemonium soon followed and the House was again adjourned till 1 p.m., then till 1.15 p.m. and after that till 1.30 pm and finally for the day.

Earlier, the Chairman of the House, M. Venkaiah Naidu, had rejected Kharge's notice for suspension of business under Rule 267.

Kharge said, "Petrol price has reached Rs 100 per litre in some parts of the country and the government has earned more than Rs 20 lakh crore in the last six years through taxes, and it's utmost important to discuss the issue." But the Chair did not allow the notice and said that it was against the rules. The House was adjourned after the Congress MPs resorted to sloganeering.

"I don't want to take drastic action on the first day," Naidu said.
Dracen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Dracen) announced today that it has entered into a clinical trial and supply agreement with Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of sirpiglenastat (DRP-104), Dracens glutamine antagonist, in combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), Mercks anti-PD-1 (programmed death receptor-1) therapy, in patients with solid tumors.

A Phase 1b trial will enroll locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients to establish the safety/tolerability of sirpiglenastat in combination with KEYTRUDA. The trial is expected to begin by first quarter 2022.

Margaret Dugan, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Dracen, commented: Our novel glutamine antagonist sirpiglenastat has demonstrated potent single agent activity and synergy in combination with checkpoint inhibitors in both genetically modified and patient derived xenograft mouse models of NSCLC and SCCHN, we are excited to explore the combination study of sirpiglenastat with KEYTRUDA in these indications in the clinic.

Dracen has previously announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Fast Track designation for sirpiglenastat for the treatment of advanced, previously treated NSCLC patients whose tumors express mutations in KEAP1, NFE2L2, and/or STK11.

Today, Dracen also announces the adoption of sirpiglenastat by USAN and INN as the non-proprietary name for DRP-104. The USAN Council works in conjunction with the World Health Organization INN Expert Committee and national nomenclature groups to standardize drug nomenclature and establish rules governing the classification of new substances.

KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

About DRP-104

Dracens lead glutamine antagonist, sirpiglenastat (DRP -104), is currently in early-stage clinical development. The mechanisms of action for sirpiglenastat include: a) direct irreversible inhibition of tumor cell addiction to glutamine leading to substantial single agent activity and tumor regression; b) broad metabolic remodeling of the tumor microenvironment leading to enhanced anti-tumor immune activity; and c) stimulation of T effector, NK and NKT cells and inhibition of immunosuppressive MDSC and macrophage cells, leading to greater long-term durable responses and survival in animal models.

About Dracen Pharmaceuticals

Dracen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a privately held biotech company developing proprietary anti-cancer drugs that target immuno-metabolism. Dracens investors include Deerfield Management,; Osage University Partners; and The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS (IOCB Prague). Dracen is headquartered in New York, NY with research operations in San Diego, CA.
New Delhi:

Wreckage instead of houses. Drains instead of roads. Ponds instead of crops. The Monsoon this year has left a pile of catastrophe is its tail.



So far, the floods have claimed lives on 691 people in Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar and Gujarat. Over 2.20 crore people have been affected, 1.21 crore in Bihar alone.



Hundreds and thousands of people have been rendered homeless and standing crops of worth millions have been destroyed. And it is not over yet.



NDRF, Army, PAC, Indian Air Force and every other possible governmental and non-governmental resource has been pushed into the relief and rescue operation. Despite that the toll keep touching new heights every day.



Here is a look at the grim flood situation in different states of India:



Uttar Pradesh: Incessant rains and swollen rivers have caused the deaths of 69 in the state, where 2,523 villages in 24 districts are flooded affecting a population of over 20 lakh, the relief commissioners office said on Sunday.



The official report says 39,783 persons have take shelter in relief camps in the affected districts of eastern UP where there was no let up in flood fury as raging waters of the rivers emanating from Nepal caused havoc in vast swathes of human habitation.



Reports reaching here said Army choppers, NDRF and PAC (flood) jawans continued relief and rescue operations in the badly hit areas.



River Rapti was also flowing well above the red mark at Balrampur, Bansi, Rigauli and Birdghat (Gorakhpur), while Budhi Rapti was above the danger level at Kakrahi (Siddharth Nagar), rivers Rohin and Quano are flowing above danger mark at Trimohini Ghat (Mahrajganj) and Chandradeep Ghat (Gonda), it said.

Also read: Yogi Adityanath conducts aerial survey of flood affected areas



Bihar: The toll in Bihar floods has risen to 202 as the flood situation worsened affecting around 1.21 crore people across 18 districts in the state.



Araria district accounted for 42 deaths, followed by Sitamarhi (31), West Champaran (29), Supaul (13), Madhubani (12), Kisanganj (11), East Champaran (11), Darbhanga (10), Purnea (9), Madhepura (9), Katihar (7), Sheohar (4), Gopalganj (4), Saharsa (4), Khagaria (3), Saran (2) and Muzaffarpur (1), the Disaster Management department said in a report.



A total of 4.22 lakh people have been shifted to 1,336 relief camps in different parts of the state, it said.



The MeT office said Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Purnea are likely to witness generally cloudy sky with the possibility of rain or thundershower on Monday.



A total of 28 National Disaster Response Force teams comprising 1,152 personnel with 118 boats are involved in rescue and relief operations, a release from the state Disaster Management department said.



Also 16 teams of the State Disaster Response Force comprising 446 personnel are helping people in the flood-hit areas with 92 boats, it said, adding 2,228 Army personnel are assisting in relief and rescue operation with 280 boats.



Also 1,879 community kitchens are catering to 3.72 lakh people in several flood-hit areas, the release said.

Also read: 49 fresh causalities take toll to 202, Araria district worst affected



West Bengal: Even as the overall flood situation in West Bengal has started improving, the death toll continues to spike. Three more deaths on Sunday took the figure to 55 since July 21.



Of the 55 deceased, 48 people drowned, four died of snakebite and three succumbed to wall collapse, a senior officer of the state disaster management department said.



Over 52 lakh people have been hit by the floods in six north Bengal districts of Coochbehar, South Dinajpur, North Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Malda.



The officer said the flood situation was improving gradually as the waters had started receding as there was no heavy rainfall in the past 48 hours.



In all, 776 relief camps had been set up in the affected districts, where 2,08,513 people had taken shelter, he said.



The officer said the swirling waters had destroyed over 75,000 houses and damaged another 2.15 lakh.



Despite the overall improvement in the situation, a report from Malda said the Mahananda river, the water of which had flooded the Gajol block, was rising.The water level in a river at Harirampur in South Dinajpur district was also on the rise, the officer said.

Also read: Met department forecasts heavy rain in state including flood-affected parts



Assam: The flood situation in Assam marginally improved even as three more persons lost their lives, taking the toll to 63, with over 22 lakh people suffering across 16 districts in the state.



This is the third wave of flood in the state this year and the total number deaths in flood-related incidents so far has gone up to 147.



The ASDMA said 22.11 lakh people are affected by flood in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Sonitpur, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, South Salmara, Goalpara, Morigaon, Nagaon, Golaghat, Jorhat and Majuli districts.



According to ASDMA, Morigaon is the worst-affected district with 5.29 lakh sufferers, followed by Barpeta with 5.07 lakh people affected in the deluge.



Currently, 1,791 villages and 1.18 lakh hectares of crop area are inundated.



Authorities are running 328 relief camps and distribution centers in 13 districts, where 68,014 people have taken shelter.



Nearly 1,500 people have been moved to safer places in various districts.



The flood has damaged embankments, roads, bridges and other infrastructures in Kokrajhar, Jorhat, Biswanath, Udalguri, Barpeta, Nagaon, Golaghat, Majuli, Dibrugarh, Bongaigaon and Kamrup.



Brahmaputra is presently flowing above the danger mark at Nimatighat in Jorhat and Dhubri town.



While the Dhansiri is flowing above danger level at Numaligarh in Golaghat, the Jia Bharali river is above the red mark at NT Road crossing in Sonitpur. The Kopili river at Dharamtul in Nagaon and the Beki river at Road Bridge in Barpeta are also above the danger level.



Kaziranga National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and Lawkhua Wildlife Sanctuary are also under the flood waters.

Also read: Assam floods claim lives of 124 animals including 9 rhinos in Kaziranga National Park



Gujarat: The flood in the state killed at least 218 people this year. 4.5 lakh people in the state were affected due to floods and over 39,000 people had to be shifted to safer places. Air Force, Army and National & State Disaster Response Forces were all pressed in rescue operations. The forces ended up rescuing over 11,400 people from flood-affected regions.



The flood situation might have improved in the state but the receding waters have made conducive environment for water born and air borne diseases, including Swine Flu. The deadly disease has already claimed 242 lives since flood situation improved in the state.

Also read: Death toll rises to 218, relief operation intensifies

(With PTI Inputs)

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The last native speaker of the so-called Bering dialect of the Aleut language, Vera Timoshenko, has died at the age of 93 in Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka region.

Yevgeny Golovko, the director of the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute for Linguistic Studies, said on March 7 that Timoshenko died in her native village of Nikolskoye on Bering Island.

"A very close variant of the Aleut language is preserved on the (U.S.) Aleutian Islands. There are several speakers living on the island of Atka, but in Russia, as far as we know, there is nobody now who can speak this language. And the dialect on the American side very much differs" from the Bering dialect, Golovko said.

Timoshenko was an expert of the Aleut language, culture, and history who until recently advised Russian and foreign researchers.

Aleut, the sole language in the Aleut branch of the Eskimo-Aleut linguistic stem, used to be widely spoken by the indigenous people of the Aleutian Islands, Pribilof Islands, Commander Islands, and the Alaska Peninsula.

According to experts, there are fewer than 100 to 150 remaining active Aleut speakers.

With reporting by Kam24
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Don't even think about tearing down or re-purposing Houston's cherished River Oaks Theatre, protesters loudly stated over the weekend.

If you were driving down Houston's Gray Street on Sunday, you couldn't miss a sea of demonstrators donning "Rocky Horror" costumes in their fight to save the iconic theater.

"Houston history is NOT for sale," protesters chanted. Drivers honked in response.

More than 100 demonstrators lined the street in front of River Oaks Theatre to stop the 1939 art-deco theatre from going the way of so many Houston landmarksTexas treasures "re-purposed" or torn down to become massive parking lots or condos.

'ROT' THREATENED: Houston iconic venue faces risk of closure again

River Oaks Theatre faces threat of closure with the end of lease looming this month. Landmark Theatres has failed to come to an agreement with Weingarten, the real group that owns the property, at this juncture.

"We were closed for 6 months due to the pandemic with no revenue," Landmark Theatre representative Jeff Smith told Chron. "We had some rent issues and we want to renew our lease and want work with Weingarten in any way we can, but they have not been willing to negotiate with us thus far."

Known among locals as Houston's home of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," the River Oaks Theatre has been the defining space for independent film in the city for more than 80 years.

"River Oaks Theatre has always been a place where movie magic exists at its most esoteric. God knows what will be lost if it becomes a parking lot, Trader Joe's or worse," Artists for Artists founder Amber Slaughter wrote in a Facebook post Sunday. "Write your Mayor...Get loud! Remind those in power why places like this are sacred to our community."

Slaughter asked all those who love River Oaks Theatre to write about their fondest memories at ROT and email them to Houston leaders, including Mayor Turner (mayor@houstontx.gov) and Landmark Theatre representatives (landmark.theatres.publicity@gmail.com).

"Boyhood" director Richard Linklater once said sharing a cinematic masterpiece in a theatre like River Oaks was unlike any other.

"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," Linklater told Sight & Sound. "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."

Chron.com reached out to Weingarten Realty to get their response about renewing the lease of River Oaks Theatre.

"We love the (ROT) theatre being there. Its been a great part of the shopping center," Weingarten's Chief Operating Officer Johnny Hendrix. "It's unfortunate that whether it's COVID-19 or current business circumstances, that they are not able to operate a sustainable business model. They haven't paid rent to us for over a year. It's unlikely that they will remain at the location."

Hendrix said that he was open to meeting with Landmark Theatres to discuss the fate of River Oaks Theatre.

"I'm aware that people love that River Oaks Theatre, and I wish the current circumstances weren't so," said Hendrix, "They cannot pay anything that is reasonable towards rent. They haven't paid any rent in a year. Landmark Theatre is a business. They are not a charity. They're welcome to call me, and I'll be happy to talk with them. We would welcome having a discussion with River Oaks Theatre."
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OSCE releases final report on the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia

By Veronika Malinboym

On March 6, The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) released its final reports on the conduct of the October 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia. The report concluded that despite the challenges posed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the elections were carried out with full respect to the principles of competitiveness and were overall administered efficiently.Although the report found that the freedoms of assembly, association, and expression were mostly respected, and contestants were generally able to campaign freely and without undue restrictions, it did note some areas that needed improvement.The OSCE report highlighted that vibrant campaigning in a pluralistic media environment ended up being quite polarized and some of the private broadcasters were visibly partisan. The OSCE observation mission also noted that despite the Georgian Constitution separating the government from the Church, as well as the countrys Election Code forbidding religious organizations from campaigning, the ruling party did use some religious imagery to appeal to their voters, and various clergymen were seen attending its events.Finally, the mission observed the blurring of the lines between the Georgian government and the ruling Georgian Dream party, especially in the instances when the city mayors campaigned for the candidates. Overall, the final report by the OSCE concluded that to improve the overall conduct of the elections, Georgia must revise the legal framework of the elections, investigate the alleged voters and staff intimidation, clarify the process of vote recount, review the regulations regarding the free on-air time and reconsider the overall composition of the election administration to ensure that it is impartial at all times.The US Embassy to Georgia welcomed the final report of the OSCE and released its statement in which it claimed that the report further highlighted the need for democratic reforms and urged the Parliament to continue a deliberate and inclusive reform:The report underscores the continued need for important reforms, particularly in the areas of campaign finance, electoral administration compositions, and dispute resolution. The United States shares these concerns and urges Parliament to continue a deliberative and inclusive reform process that addresses these longstanding ODIHR recommendations. These important reforms will strengthen political pluralism and democracy, and help Georgia achieve its goals for increased Euro-Atlantic integration, the statement reads.
CEO Hans Henrik Pedersen has decided to pursue new professional challenges outside Goodvalley. He joined Goodvalley as CFO and member of the Executive Board in 2016 and was appointed CEO in 2019. Hans Henrik Pedersen has been instrumental in establishing Goodvalley's current strategy, leading the launch of the Group's premium food brand, developing the organisation and securing a strong capital structure.



Vice CEO Kristian Brokop, who has worked at Goodvalley since 2006 and been a member of the Executive Board since 2017, has been appointed interim CEO. He will work together with Hans Henrik Pedersen to ensure a smooth transition period.

"We want to take the opportunity to thank Hans Henrik for his dedication and contribution to making Goodvalley a stronger and more resilient business that has most recently been able to report solid results amid historically challenging market conditions. We wish Hans Henrik all the best in his future endeavours, and we are pleased that Kristian will take up the position as interim CEO with a view to continue on the course that we have set out for Goodvalley together as a carbon neutral and vertically integrated pork producer with clear ambitions of further strengthening our food brand and continuing the strong growth in our branded product sales," says Anders Obel, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Anders Obel, Chairman

Further information

Group Communications, Jacob Blegvad

+ 45 29 69 14 80

investor@goodvalley.com

Goodvalley at a glance

Goodvalley is an international producer of high-quality pork products operating in Poland, Ukraine and Russia based on Danish production standards. The company is to a large extent self-sufficient and masters the whole production chain from field to fork, from growing crops for feed, breeding and slaughtering pigs including using the manure in biogas facilities to produce electricity and organic fertilizer for the fields. Goodvalley is certified as a carbon neutral company by German TUV and operates according to the highest standards in terms of animal welfare, transparency in the production and sustainable production methods.

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FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO ADDRESS SUBFRAME BOLT ISSUE AFFECTING FEWER THAN 75 MUSTANG MACH-E OWNERS







DEARBORN, Mich., March 5, 2021  Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety recall affecting fewer than 75 customers who have already taken delivery of their 2021 Mustang Mach-E vehicles. During checks to deliver high levels of quality and customer satisfaction, Ford discovered some vehicles may have subframe bolts that the supplier did not tighten to specification.

While the issue in affected vehicles is not to Fords standards, the company is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

About 94 percent of the 1,258 affected vehicles in the U.S. and all 90 in Canada will be serviced before customer delivery. Dealers will inspect the subframe bolts and tighten if necessary.

Owners who have already received their vehicles will be notified beginning the week of March 22.

The Ford reference number for this recall is 21S09.
A regime infiltration attempt has been stymied by Turkey-backed opposition forces, according to North Press.

On Saturday night, Turkish-backed armed opposition groups thwarted the Syrian government and Russian forces infiltration attempt in Ghab Plain, west of Hama Governorate.

The Fateh al-Mubin Operations Room managed to counter an infiltration attempt by Syrian government forces in the Ghab Plain region, west of Hama, military sources told North Press.

Clashes with light and medium weapons took place in the middle of the night between the two parties. Casualties were reported among government forces as they were forced to withdraw to their positions.

Although the ceasefire between Russia and Turkey has been in place since March 2020, the region is witnessing military escalation and mutual bombardment between the government forces and the opposition groups.

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.
New Delhi, March 8 : India has till date operationalised 325 air routes under the regional connectivity scheme 'Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik' or RCS-UDAN.

The scheme was launched in 2016.

Besides, a new route between Delhi and Bareilly under the UDAN-4 bidding process last year was commenced on Monday by Alliance Air.

The Bareilly airport has been upgraded for commercial flight operations under the RCS-UDAN. It is the 56th airport under the scheme and marks the successful operationalisation of the eight airport of Uttar Pradesh after Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Hindon, Agra and Prayagraj.

"Trishul Military airbase, Bareilly belongs to the Indian Air Force and the land was handed over to the Airport Authority of India for construction of the interim civil aviation operations," the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a statement.

"The government sanctioned Rs 88 crore under the UDAN scheme for the development of the interim civil aviation operations. The upgradation was undertaken by the AAI with a cost of Rs 65 crore." Subsequently, Alliance Air was awarded the route under the UDAN-4 bidding process last year.

"The airline will be deploying its ATR 72 600 aircraft having a seating capacity of 70 seats on this route." "To date, 325 routes and 56 airports including 5 heliports and 2 Water Aerodromes have been operationalised under the UDAN scheme." According to the statement, to keep the fares accessible financial incentive in the form of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is being provided under the scheme from the centre, state governments and airport operators to selected airlines.
A Kildare taxi driver under financial pressure who was storing almost a quarter of a million euro of cocaine for drug dealers has been jailed for four and a half years.

Stephen Boylan (51), a separated father of two, was storing the drugs in a wooden cabin where he lived at the rear of a house.

Boylan of The Meadows, Newtown, Kill, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drugs for sale or supply at his home on May 28, 2020. He has no previous convictions.

Judge Martin Nolan noted in mitigation that Boylan had explained his role to gardai and followed that with an early guilty plea. He said Boylan was a good family man who was unlikely to reoffend.

He said Boylan had got in over his head and then felt he had to stay in, which was not unusual.

Judge Nolan said circumstances of the case allowed him to depart from the presumptive minimum mandatory sentence of ten years application to this offence. He imposed a four and a half year sentence.

Garda Michael Martin told Eoin Lawlor BL, prosecuting, that gardai acting on confidential information carried out a surveillance operation and searched a chalet or cabin in which Boylan was living in at the rear of a house.

In the wooden building they found cocaine valued at 245,388 and a small amount of cannabis.

Gardai also recovered bagging materials and a mobile phone with the app Wickr installed where messages are deleted after a period of time. He had been receiving instruction in relation to the drugs on the phone.

Boylan fully accepted his role and told gardai he had got about 1,000 over the time he had been holding the drugs. He said he had fallen into financial trouble and those involved had information on him so that he was unable to extricate himself. He said he did not pack drugs, only hold them.

The court heard he was separated from his wife and had lived in the cabin for 5 years.

Gda Martin agreed with Anne Marie Lawlor SC, defending, that Boylan had been prevailed upon by persons he came into contact with as he was a useful person for the transportation of drugs.

He agreed Boylan was on the very lowest rung and at the point he was apprehended he could not extricate himself as he was under some degree of pressure.

Ms Lawlor said in March 2020 Boylan's taxi business had hit a wall and prior to that he had lived a good life. She said he had made a grave error of judgement as a result of financial difficulties.

She handed in a enormous amount of testimonials illustrating that Boylan had led a blameless life until he had this error of judgement. She submitted it had been accepted by the gardai that at the point he was apprehended he had no choice.

Ms Lawlor said he has undertaken courses and volunteered while in custody, as well as holding a trusted position.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 21:51:11|Editor: Xiaoxia

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BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Female lawmakers and political advisors, with record-high representation at China's ongoing annual "two sessions," are playing an irreplaceable role in pooling wisdom to fuel the country's development, as China embarks on a new journey toward socialist modernization.

Official data shows that women make up 24.9 percent of national legislators at the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) and 20.4 percent of members of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body.

The figures are 1.5 and 2.6 percentage points higher than the 12th NPC and 12th CPPCC National Committee, respectively.

The greater female presence offers a glimpse into the increasingly vital role that women are playing in every aspect of Chinese society.

International Women's Day, which falls on Monday this year, was marked with flowers, best wishes, and celebrations of the achievements of women.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday extended festive greetings to the country's women of all ethnic groups and from all walks of life, applauding their contributions to the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said the joint efforts of the whole Chinese nation, including Chinese women, are needed in realizing the development goals of the Party and the state. He urged Party committees and governments at all levels to fully understand the great significance of women's causes and protect women's rights and interests in accordance with the law.

As China zeroes in on fully building a modern socialist country, topics including rural vitalization, sci-tech innovation, and the protection of women's and children's rights and interests have been widely discussed among the female legislators and political advisors.

Urnisa Kader, an NPC deputy and vice director of a technology promotion center for the forestry and fruit industry in Turpan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, submitted proposals on developing local tourism and building a local logistics center to this year's NPC session.

Having devoted the past 20 years to teaching local farmers standardized fruit cultivation techniques and helping them raise their incomes, Kader, of Uygur ethnicity, said she and local farmers are aiming for a more prosperous future as China pushes ahead with its rural vitalization strategy after eradicating absolute poverty nationwide.

"Turpan now has high-speed rail and an airport thanks to infrastructure construction in the past few years. We hope the development of the tourism industry and the construction of a dried fruit logistics center will help the farmers make more money," she said.

Chen Wei, a leading medical scientist and a CPPCC National Committee member, has focused on strengthening research into COVID-19 and vaccine development in her proposals.

Chen was among the first batch of frontline workers that rushed to the central Chinese city of Wuhan to help when COVID-19 hit the city hard. She also led the research and development of an adenovirus-vectored COVID-19 vaccine, which has been approved for use in China.

Related research work should be further enhanced by using innovative technologies such as biotech, big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence to better understand the sources, animal hosts, and pathogenic mechanisms of viruses, Chen said.

She stressed the need to carry out pre-research on vaccines, nucleic acid tests and antibody detection reagents against the variant strains.

She also called for more support for basic research, technological innovation and talent cultivation as the country pursues innovation-driven development.

The protection of disadvantaged groups' rights and interests is another hot topic during the "two sessions."

Tai Lihua, head of the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe and a national political advisor, said she had submitted proposals on improving education for disabled children, calling for schools to meet the diverse educational needs of children and provide customized education programs.

"In addition to teaching disabled children knowledge, we need to pay more attention to their all-round development and help them better adapt to society," she said. Enditem
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Pope Francis left Iraq today at the end of a historic four-day visit which went off without a hitch despite security fears and a second wave of coronavirus cases in the country.

The pope and his entourage boarded a plane at Baghdad Airport this morning where Iraqi president Barham Salih waved him off following the first-ever papal visit to Iraq.

Francis will fly back to Rome after covering more than 900 miles on his whirlwind tour of Iraq, bringing comfort to its diminished Christian population and reaching out to the Shiite majority in a meeting with top cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani.

In a series of speeches the 84-year-old pontiff urged Iraqis to embrace diversity and made a rousing call for an end to violence and extremism after years of strife following the US-led invasion and ISIS's self-declared 'caliphate'.

Pope Francis boards the papal plane before departing Baghdad International Airport to return to the Vatican on Monday

Iraqi president Barham Salih and his wife Sarbagh Salih accompany Pope Francis in a farewell ceremony at Baghdad's airport today before the pontiff returned to Rome

Francis looks down at the red carpet and the Iraqi president waving him off as he leaves the Middle East to return to Rome

The Christian community of Iraq has shrunk from 1.5million before the 2003 US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein to only 400,000 now.

Francis's last full day in Iraq saw the heaviest security deployment of the entire trip as he landed in northern Iraq to visit Christians who endured the brutality of ISIS.

In the city of Mosul, which was overrun by ISIS terrorists, Francis prayed in a square containing the remnants of four churches that were nearly destroyed in the fighting.

Francis said the 'tragic' exodus of Christians 'does incalculable harm not just to the individuals and communities concerned, but also to the society they leave behind'.

Concluding his final public event on Sunday, Francis said: 'In my time among you, I have heard voices of sorrow and loss, but also voices of hope and consolation'.

'Now the time draws near for my return to Rome. Yet Iraq will always remain with me, in my heart.'

Also on Sunday, Francis met the father of drowned toddler Alan Kurdi, whose lifeless body on a Turkish beach became a symbol of Europe's refugee crisis in 2015.

'The Pope spoke for a long time with Abdullah Kurdi, and was able to hear the pain of a father who has lost his family,' said a statement by the Vatican.

A red carpet was laid out for the pope and the Iraqi head of state before Francis boarded the Alitalia plane from Baghdad back to Italy on Monday

The papal plane takes off from Baghdad on Monday following the successful four-day trip which went off without a hitch despite security fears

The pope is flanked by the Iraqi president and his wife during his farewell ceremony in Baghdad on Monday morning

The pope bows to his hosts as he sets off from Iraq after a four-day trip which was seen as risky in advance but went off without any security problems

President Barham Saleh says farewell to Francis, touching hands despite the second wave of the pandemic in Iraq

In his packed three full days in Iraq, the Pope made more than a half-dozen speeches in nearly as many cities, repeatedly evoking hope and fraternity.

People gathered in crowds to catch a glimpse of the pope wherever he went, fueling coronavirus concerns.

In Baghdad on Friday, Francis called for an end to violence and extremism and urged officials to do more to fight corruption.

Francis called the minority Yazidis 'innocent victims of senseless and brutal atrocities,' following the Islamic State group's rampage against their esoteric community in 2014.

He also met members of Iraq's other minorities in a moving interfaith ceremony at Ur, where the Prophet Abraham is thought to have been born.

On Saturday, he held an extraordinary meeting with the reclusive but highly respected Sistani, who afterwards said Iraq's Christians should have the right to live in 'peace.'

Sistani's rare but powerful political interventions have helped shape present-day Iraq, and his meeting with the pontiff had been negotiated for months.

On Sunday, Pope Francis spoke at the ruins of the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in the old city of Iraq's northern Mosul

The pope prayed for those killed in Iraq's war as he arrived to the battle-scarred city of Mosul and released a dove in front of crowds
By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She is currently writing a book about textile artisans.

Whats on this weeks table for your patriotic Taiwanese?

Freedom pineapples!

As the WSJ reports:

These days, pineapple consumption is seen as an act of patriotism. Taiwan residents have been gobbling up the fruit since Chinaby far the islands largest outside buyerbanned imports of their pineapples starting March 1, citing dangerous pests detected in recent shipments.

Does that mean we should all rush out and try and get our hands on a Taiwanese pineapple, in solidarity with the position of the island vis-a-vis the mainland? Must we also embrace offerings described by the WSJ:

Like many people in Taiwan, Allen Hsueh has a newfound fervor for pineapple. The 38-year-old chef has come up with at least a dozen new recipes for his restaurant in Kaohsiung, called Pomme de Terre, including pork-wrapped pineapple with mozzarella cheese, red curry seafood with pineapple and spiced chicken breast and pineapple salad. The 20 spots for a special five-course, pineapple-inspired meal, scheduled later this month, filled up in a day.

Perhaps not  I think I draw the line at pineapple with mozzarella cheese.

But there are other sound reasons not to jump on the pineapple bandwagon, whether or not the fruit comes from Taiwan and depending on where one lives. A Gizmodo article also caught my eye, for its discussion of the problem of food waste, The World Wastes 1 Billion Tons of Food a Year, and Its Frying the Planet;

If youve ever overstuffed your fridge and let some leftovers go bad in the back of it, youre not alone. People toss more than 1 billion tons of food in the trash every year, according to a new United Nations report. But it doesnt have to be this way. A Thursday report by the UN Environment Program and the UK-based food charity WRAP found that in 2019, the world wasted 1.03 billion tons of food. Thats 17% of all the food the world produced that year, or enough to load up 23 million food trucks that would circle the Earth seven times if lined up bumper-to-bumper. Nearly two-thirds of all food waste came from households. Another 26% came from food service waste, and 13% came from grocery stores and other retailers. The billion-ton total in the report doesnt take into account food wasted earlier in the supply chain, like on farms and in factories. If you factor those in, the report estimates a third of all food gets tossed annually. That sounds bad enough on its own, but when you also consider that 820 million people went hungry in 2019, its absolutely maddening. And to make matters worse, all this food waste is also feeding the climate crisis. It takes a lot of energy to grow and harvest crops and then transport, process, and package them, and when food rots in landfills it also produces methane, a greenhouse gas 80 times more planet-warming than carbon in the short term. The authors estimate that up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food that is not consumed. If food loss and waste were a country, it would be the third biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, Inger Andersen, the Environmental Programmes executive director, said. Food waste also burdens waste management systems, exacerbates food insecurity, making it a major contributor to the three planetary crises of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.

Thats a lot of food. One billion tonnes. But I think rotted food per se comprises only a proportion of the resource waste that the current food production system generates. Another source of waste is shipping foodstuffs vast distances, so that consumers with means can enjoy just about any food during any season of the year.

The Gizmodo does gesture at the notion that the current food production system is deeply flawed:

Our capitalist food production system churns out food with an emphasis on increasing profit, not maintaining sustainability or wiping out hunger. To really get to the root of our food waste system, thats what has to change.

But Id be a bit more specific and say that if were going to come to grips with the full impact our approach to food contributes to global warming, we have to consider the energy costs of moving the food hither and yon as well. (Other than this transportation, I leave aside the contribution Big Ag makes to global warming.)

My husband and I do try to eat seasonally and locally, thus compressing the miles food travels from where it originates to our table  although achieving this goal has been more difficult since I returned to New York the week before Christmas, having mostly been out of the country since early December 2019.

Now whereas in New York City, where I have a home, I can shop at the citys greenmarkets  both the official ones, and others that had popped up to cater to the appetite of city residents for locally-produced food. Or at least I could do so before the onset of the pandemic. Like so many other aspects of New York City life, I I imagine that the pandemic has damaged the citys greenmarkets.

At the moment, however, Im spending much of my time at Point Lookout, on Long Island, and here, at this time of year, Im limited to supermarkets  and not very good ones at that. (I find them so depressing that Im happy for my husband to do our weekly shopping and in fact he just left to complete that chore.)

Certainly none feature any local produce. From late spring through autumn, there s a decent Saturday farmers market in Long Beach, as well as others in surrounding towns.. And I recently discovered the amazing Two Cousins Fish Market, on the Freeport Nautical Mile. Since my first visit on the last Saturday in February when I bought and then immediately froze much of what wed purchased, Ive both grilled fresh ardines and home-cured them; made scallop ceviche with some cherry tomatoes Id fermented; sauteed prawns and served them over spaghetti; and made a Thai curry with mixed fish  calamari, scallops, prawns and monkfish. All fish were caught in the waters surrounding either New York or New Jersey, save for the prawns, which I think came from Florida. This fishmongeris a real treasure: they sell lots of whole fish, which theyll clean for you, and rather than jacking up prices the way many specialty food purveyors do, the prices here are a fraction of specialty food shops or supermarkets. And did I mention the fish is super fresh?

Alas, Im not so lucky with my sourcing of either fruits or vegetables, all of which have logged far too many miles during their journeys to our table. So, Ive found myself eating citrus fruits from Florida and California. Lots of vegetables trucked across from California: fennel, carrots, celeriac, beets, onions, potatoes, tomatoes. Spinach, arugula, radicchio. various forms of sprouts. Some avocados.

We eat whatever we buy and when vegetables look like theyre turning, I make them into stock. I also save peels and trimmings in the fridge, and that waste also gets made into stock.

Ive also succumbed to the occasional pineapple.

Which is not a local food here in New York.

The taste of the pineapple has made me miss India, which Ive typically visited as a tourist many times during the last decade and a half. Now, is a great time to be in India, just before the summer heat arrives. All the versions of tropical fruits  bananas, pineapple, papaya  taste so much better in India. What I can get here in New York just dont taste the same: the fruits mere pallid imitations of the real thing. I think thats because India, for all the problems it still has with wasting food as it travels from source to table, the distance food travels to get from farmers to consumers is far less than it does in the U.S. Indian agricultural production is still distributed throughout the country, Fewer miles mean food is fresher, and better tasting. I should mention that even residents of the vast city of Calcutta enjoy access to very fresh food and vegetables, at cheap prices, much of which is brought to the city from where its grown in the surrounding wetlands via small vehicles and bicycles  although I understand that this food distribution system was disturbed first by COVID lockdowns and then by cyclone Amphan that slammed West Bengal in May  the worst such storm since the 18th century (see Climate Change: Hurricanes Getting Stronger; Cyclone Amphan Pummels Bengal).

While Im discussing the lusciousness of Indian fruits, I must mention mangoes  a culinary consolation that makes it easier to endure the braising of a Calcutta summer. Mangoes Ive eaten in the U.S. fall far, far short of the Indian ideal. Theyre rarely properly ripened, and they lack the complexity of a Himsagar or Langra  and dont achieve the perfection of mangoes Ive been gifted by friends whose families still grow traditional varieties, because their taste is so magnificent even though theyre unsuited suited to commercial production.

(And, allow me to digress for a moment, and forestall the inevitable comment from one of our Indian readers, and make it clear I deliberately ignored the alfonso, often extolled as the king of mangoes  although I think its over-rated, too large, too sweet, entirely one-dimensional. And Ill offer a hypothesis as to why it enjoys such a fine reputation: its a Bombay specialty. And residents of that city are not known for being shy and retiring. Its no accident that Bombay is home to Bollywood (For more on types of mangoes, see From Alphonso to Dasheri to Langra: 10 types of mangoes and how to identify them).

Ill now head away from my mango memories and back to my subject: my pineapple. I admit that my purchase of that fruit is in one sense wasteful: it traveled far to get to me. Alas, so did much of the other fruit and veg weve eaten since December. I see no way around that during this time of pandemic. if I want to eat fish fruit and veg.

But if Im going to be wasteful on the food miles front, Im not going to be wasteful along the rotted food dimension. Nor will I waste any part of that pineapple.

Now, I think it was Fergus Henderson, the chef and author of Nose to Tail Eating  and here I paraphrase  who said if ones going to eat animals, one owes it to the animal to eat all parts of it: nose to tail (see Jay Rayners recent piece in the Guardian, Fergus Hendersons whole animal recipes inspired chefs on both sides of the Atlantic).

So, applying a variant of that Henderonian principle to my pineapple  and employing my newly-cultivated skill at fermenting food  just as soon as I load this post, Im going to make tepache  a Mexican specialty made from the skin of a whole pineapple. Alternatively, one can ferment bananas- one of the most wasted foods on the planet, and theres of course only so much banana bread one can make; tepache can also be made from banana skins as well My recipe comes from the Fermentation: River Cottage Handbook No.18, and includes filtered water, brown sugar, ginger root, cloves, cardamom pods, and a cinnamon stick.

This only takes a day or two to ferment: Ill report back sometime on the success of this project.
[March 08, 2021] Louise Green of Moody's Analytics Wins Again at Women in Technology and Data Awards

Moody's Analytics is pleased to announce that Louise Green has won Reference Data Professional of the Year in the WatersTechnology Women in Technology and Data Awards 2021. It is the third straight year that Ms. Green has won this award. Ms. Green was recently promoted to General Manager of Marketing. In her new role she has responsibility for the central marketing function serving all of Moody's Analytics. She was previously Head of Marketing and Communications for Bureau van Dijk, which became a Moody's Analytics company in 2017. Joining Bureau van Dijk shortly after its founding, Ms. Green led the company's brand strategy, demand generation, knowledge enablement, and other core functions. Much of her focus was on growing market awareness for Orbis, the company's flagship offering, which has become the world's leading database on private companies and entity data. Orbis initially offered information on around three million private companies. Today customers can use it to learn about 400 million companies and more than one billion ownership links. Orbis data is also a foundational piece of oody's DataHub, the new cloud-based platform that integrates vast datasets from across Moody's and our affiliates. Decision-makers can access billions of data points in DataHub to help guide their investment decisions and risk management.



"Being recognized again as Reference Data Professional of the Year is really gratifying," said Ms. Green. "Use cases for reference data are constantly evolving. It's been a great pleasure to help customers understand how Bureau van Dijk's and now Moody's data offerings are the resource of choice for understanding those use cases and can help them make better decisions." Learn more about diversity and inclusion at Moody's.

Learn more about the Women in Technology and Data Awards. About Moody's Analytics Moody's Analytics provides financial intelligence and analytical tools to help business leaders make better, faster decisions. Our deep risk expertise, expansive information resources, and innovative application of technology help our clients confidently navigate an evolving marketplace. We are known for our industry-leading and award-winning solutions, made up of research, data, software, and professional services, assembled to deliver a seamless customer experience. We create confidence in thousands of organizations worldwide, with our commitment to excellence, open mindset approach, and focus on meeting customer needs. For more information about Moody's Analytics, visit our website or connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Moody's Analytics, Inc. is a subsidiary of Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO). Moody's Corporation reported revenue of $5.4 billion in 2020, employs approximately 11,400 people worldwide and maintains a presence in more than 40 countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210307005052/en/

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VANCOUVER, BC, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hello Pal International Inc. ("Hello Pal" or the "Company") (CSE:HP) (Frankfurt:27H) (OTC:HLLPF), a provider of international live-streaming, social messaging and language learning mobile apps, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a letter of intent (the "LOI") with Shanghai Yitang Data Technology Co. Ltd. ("Yitang") to acquire:

(a) an initial 15% interest in a cryptocurrency mining facility (the "Mining Facility") located in North-West China to be dedicated to mining Dogecoin (DOGE) and Litecoin (LTC), with an option to increase such interest to 35%; and

(b) an initial 51% interest in a number of mining rigs also dedicated to mining Dogecoin and Litecoin (the "Mining Assets"), with an option to increase such interest to 100%. The number of mining rigs has been agreed to be a minimum of 12,500, with potentially up to 2,500 more (at no extra cost to the Company), depending on how many more can be secured by Yitang before completion

(together, the "Transaction").

The Transaction

The Mining Facility, when completed, will be able to house 90,000 mining rigs and have a capacity of 70MW, which the Company believes will make it one of the largest dedicated Dogecoin/Litecoin mining facility in the world. When fully deployed, the Mining Assets are believed to account for 3-5% of the Dogecoin/Litecoin hashrate in the world, which the Company believes would make it the world's third largest Dogecoin/Litecoin miner.

The Company has agreed to acquire the initial 15% interest in the Mining Facility for a cash payment of RMB 5,000,000 (equal to approximately C$975,000 based on the exchange rate posted by the Bank of Canada on March 5, 2021 of 0.1950) and the Company will have the option to acquire a further 20% interest in the Mining Facility (for a total interest of 35%) for an additional cash payment to be agreed upon between the parties, each acting reasonably, however, not to exceed RMB 8,000,000 (equal to approximately C$1,560,000 based on the exchange rate posted by the Bank of Canada on March 5, 2021 of 0.1950).

The Company has also agreed to acquire the initial 51% interest in the Mining Assets for C$1,500,000 in cash and 1,800,000 units of the Company (the "Consideration Units") valued at C$2,250,000. Each Consideration Unit will have a deemed value of C$1.25 and consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "Consideration Warrant"). Each Consideration Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of C$2.00 for a period of two years from the date of issue.

For a period of two years following the completion of the Transaction, the Company will have the option to acquire a further 49% interest in the Mining Assets (for a total interest of 100%) for an additional payment, as to half in cash and half in Common Shares (the number of Common Shares to be determined in the context of the market), where the valuation of the Mining Assets is dependent on their net profit over a 12-month period immediately preceding the date on which this option is exercised, multiplied by a formulated multiplier.

"We are excited to expand our crypto strategy to also include Dogecoin and Litecoin, which we believe will play an increasingly important role in the cryptocurrency world going forward," said KL Wong, Founder and Chairman of the Company. "The Hello Pal community, especially what we envision for it to become, is a natural fit with the Dogecoin/Litecoin community, and this deal allows us to become a key player in it," he added.

The Offering

The Company also announces that it has entered into an agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp. ("Canaccord"), as lead agent and sole bookrunner, on its own behalf and on behalf of a syndicate of agents which may be formed (the "Agents") in connection with a "commercially reasonable efforts" private placement of up to 4,000,000 subscription receipts of the Company (the "Subscription Receipts") at a price of C$1.25 per Subscription Receipt (the "Issue Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$5,000,000 (the "Offering"). Each Subscription Receipt will be automatically exercised into one unit of the Company (each, a "Unit") upon satisfaction of certain conditions (the "Escrow Release Conditions") relating to the completion of the Transaction. Each Unit will consist of one Common Share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of C$2.00 for a period of two years from the date on which the Escrow Release Conditions are satisfied. The Company has granted to the Agents an option to sell up to an additional 4,000,000 Subscription Receipts at the Issue Price for additional gross proceeds of up to C$5,000,000, exercisable in whole or in part at any time up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering.

The proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts (less certain deductions) will be held in escrow pending satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions and, following completion of the Transaction, are expected to be used towards the purchases of the Mining Facility and the Mining Assets described above, further potential asset acquisitions pursuant to the Company's cryptocurrency strategy, expansion of its livestreaming operations, and for working capital purposes. If the Escrow Release Conditions are not satisfied by May 31, 2021 or such later date as agreed to by the Company and Canaccord, the escrowed proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts will be returned to purchasers and the Subscription Receipts will be cancelled.

In connection with the Offering, the Company has, subject to regulatory approval, agreed to: (i) pay to the Agents, a fee of 7% of the gross proceeds of the Offering, payable in cash; (ii) issue to the Agents non-transferable warrants (the "Agents' Warrants") equal to 7% of the aggregate number of Subscription Receipts sold under the Offering; and (iii) pay to Canaccord a cash fee equal to C$200,000, payable one-half in cash and one-half in Common Shares at the Issue Price (80,000 Common Shares). Each Agents' Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at the Issue Price for a period of two years from the date on which the Escrow Release Conditions are satisfied.

The Offering is expected to close on or around April 15, 2021 or such other date as Canaccord and the Company may agree.

The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. 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 requirements. This news 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 State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Conditions to Completion of the Transaction

Completion of the Transaction will be subject to certain conditions, including but not limited to: (a) the Company and Yitang entering into the definitive agreements (the "Definitive Agreements") in respect of the Transaction; (b) the receipt of all necessary approvals of the boards of directors of the Company and Yitang; (c) the receipt of all required consents and approvals, including without limitation, approval of the Transaction and the Offering by the Canadian Securities Exchange; (d) satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions; and (e) the completion of satisfactory mutual due diligence. The LOI may be terminated by either party if (i) they mutually agree; or (ii) the Definitive Agreements have not been executed on or before May 31, 2021 or such later date as may be agreed to by the parties.

About Yitang

Yitang, a leading provider of digital wallet services with over US$70 million in crypto-assets under management, is also helping the Company to revamp and reintroduce its digital wallet as well as its own digital token called "Palto". Upon completion of the revamp, the Company's current virtual tokens used on its livestreaming platform is expected to be fully enhanced and backed by blockchain technology, with Palto and popular cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Dogecoin accepted throughout the platform. First launched in 2018 (see news release of the Company dated October 9th, 2018), Palto (PLT) is a utility token that will be used across the entire Hello Pal suite of apps in order to allow for the borderless transfer of value between Hello Pal users across the world.

"We are particularly bullish about the future of Dogecoin, especially in the potential of it becoming "the currency of the people"," said Hans Xu, advisor to Hello Pal. "On the back of our previously-announced Bitcoin mining initiative, we expect this deal to help us increase the prominence of cryptocurrencies among our users even further."

To download Hello Pal please visit the IOS or Android store. For information with respect to the Company or the contents of this news release, please contact the Company at (604) 683-0911 or visit the website at hellopal.com. Email inquiries can be directed to: [email protected].

About the Hello Pal Platform

The Hello Pal Platform is a proprietary suite of mobile applications built on a user-friendly messaging interface that focus on social interaction, language learning and travel. Hello Pal, has been designed from the ground up to be easy to use and enables users' the freedom to speak in their own language regardless of the other person's language they are speaking to. Hello Pal's overriding mission is to bring the world closer together through social interaction, language learning and travel. By creating a platform where it is easy to instantly interact with others around the world and giving them the tools to communicate with each other in a joyful and fun way, we hope to do our part (however small) in fostering understanding and tolerance between all citizens of the world.

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements, including expectations regarding completion of the Transaction and the Offering, including the expected use of proceeds from the Offering and the anticipated closing date of the Offering, as well as statements regarding the expected capacity of the Mining Facility and the Company's belief that such capacity will make the Company the largest dedicated Dogecoin/Litecoin mining facility in the world, statements regarding the expected percentage of the world's hashrate the Mining Assets would represent and the Company's belief that such percentage would make it the world's third largest Dogecoin/Litecoin miner. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Hello Pal cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Hello Pal's control. Such risks and uncertainties are described in Hello Pal's annual and interim financial statements available on www.sedar.com. Although Hello Pal is currently generating revenues, Hello Pal remains in the growth stage and such revenues are yet to be profitable. Accordingly, actual, and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Hello Pal undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

THE CSE HAS NEITHER APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

Hello Pal International

www.hellopal.com

p 604-683-0911

Source: Hello Pal International Inc.

SOURCE Hello Pal International Inc.
For the past several days, the sequence of crime and incidents has been increasing steadily, is getting even faster, these very small incidents have started catching up now, every day there is some or the other incident. While being a victim of the crime plot, today we have brought such a news for you, after listening to which you too will be shocked. Yes, this case is not from anywhere else but from Equatorial Guinea. So let's know about it in detail ...

The serial bomb blasts on Tuesday, March 07, 2021 in a military barrack in Equatorial Guinea have claimed 20 lives, and more than 600 people have been badly injured. Officials have said that the explosion in the military barrack happened around 4 pm local time. The military barrack is located near Mondong Nukuntoma in Bata. The President said in the statement that "the explosion was so strong that it has damaged almost all the houses and buildings in Bata".

The Ministry of Defense issued a statement late on Sunday night, saying that it has been learned that there was an explosion in the arms depot in Barrack due to the fire. The statement said that 20 people are feared dead and 600 people are injured in the blast and work is being done to find out the real cause of the blast. Equatorial Guinea is an African country with a population of 1.3 million, located south of Cameroon. It was a colony of Spain before independence in 1968. Prior to this, the Ministry of Health had said that 17 people were killed in the blast while the President had informed about the death of 15 people. Foreign Minister Simen Oyono Esono Aangu met the foreign ambassadors and appealed for assistance. The explosion is a setback for the oil-rich Central African country.

Continuing his talk, he said, "In view of the state of health emergency (due to Kovid-19) in the country and the tragedy in Bata, it is becoming necessary to ask for help from friendly countries in the event of such crisis. Radio station 'Radio Macuto' said on Twitter that people within a four-kilometer radius of the city are being evacuated to safer places, as the smoke emanating from the explosion could be harmful. Following the explosion, the Spanish embassy on Twitter demanded "citizens of Spain to stay in their homes".

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French billionaire Olivier Dassault died, cause shocking
Blue Origins rocket engine plant in Huntsville, Ala., is the size of three city blocks. Objects on one side can be larger  much larger - than they appear from the other side.

On a recent visit to the year-old plant in Cummings Research Park, Blue Origin moon landing team leader John Couluris pointed across the white factory interior to a gold box on legs. This was what we had come to see.

Walking closer, the box grew bigger until standing beside it means looking up at something the size of a farm harvester. This is the pathfinder model of a Lunar Descent Element the company is building for Americas return to the moon.

Blue Origin is leading one of three teams of private contractors competing to build the space travel system NASA needs to land on the moon and get back off. Meanwhile, NASA is leading development and construction of one of the big rockets that will get it off the ground - the Space Launch System - using its traditional prime contractor and sub-contractor teams.

NASAs plan is to fly three missions in what it has named the Artemis program: one without a crew to circle the moon and prove the rocket and Orion capsule, a second to circle the moon with a crew aboard, and a third to land astronauts again on the surface. Blue Origin has been working on a moon lander of its own, which the company believes gives it a head start and advantage in the competition to supply NASA with a lander.

All of this activity is sparked in part by what the world has learned about the moon since the Soviet Union and America raced to its surface in the 1960s. We now know theres ice at both lunar poles, for example, and that ice holds the ingredients for fuel and power from hydrogen and oxygen. Because the leading theory of the moons creation is a comet blasting a part of the Earth into space some 4 billion years ago, some think the moon may also have precious metals worth mining. The moon offers not only so much that we know or may know, but we dont know what else well find, Couluris said.

There are other key differences from the Apollo era. Then, television ratings and newspaper sales showed worldwide interest. Now, social media can track interest in space the same precise way it tracks clicks on new movies or political races, and followers in the millions for major events in space is normal. You can see the excitement thats come back again, Couluris said. And you can measure it.

Blue Origins team is called the National Team and consists also of Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Draper Technologies. The other two teams in running are led by Dynetics, another Huntsville company, and by SpaceX. All of them will build pathfinders like the one in the Huntsville plant. Its a traditional development step to assure the final spacecraft can maneuver as intended, fit together with other parts as intended and give crews the sight lines from the inside that they need to operate, among other things.

All of that is technical news about how its all done, but standing beside the golden box on legs in Huntsville has more impact. It makes much clearer the size of Americas next journey to the moon. Its a big lander for a big mission, and NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville is managing the lander team selection.

Blue Origin wants to land its descent element on an earlier launch to pre-position equipment and save weight on the crew launch vehicle. In Apollo, everything the astronauts needed went along with them and every ounce mattered.

As for the other competitors, Dynetics (a Leidos company) is developing what it calls the Dynetics Human Landing System (DHLS) for ascent and descent that will launch on the ULA Vulcan launch system. SpaceX is developing its Starship complete with a lander that will launch on the companys Super Heavy rocket.

Back in the factory floor, Couluris points to chairs set socially distanced apart for further conversation. Nearby are other potential parts of its landing system: a big crane and a large shelf with hinges. Both are ideas being tested as possible cargo unloaders that could stay on the moon between missions. Nearby sits a navigation simulator on hydraulic stilts built by Draper Technologies.

The best part about our demonstration lander is that it is also a cargo lander and will deliver a ton of valuable payload, a subset of the full cargo landers capability, Couluris said. That will eventually allow the establishment of a permanent presence on the moon, he said.

Couluris said that first demonstration mission and landing will duplicate the same flight systems, guidance algorithms, sensors, engine, and landing profile as the crewed mission to give highest confidence before the crewed mission.

A big display on the side of Blue Origin's massive rocket engine plant in Huntsville, Ala., shows the company's goal - a return to the moon - and the city that is powering the trip: Huntsville.

The Artemis program was a Trump administration initiative designed to send the first woman and next man to the Moon. Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo. Then Vice President Mike Pence gave the aerospace community the mission in Huntsville at a nationally televised meeting of the National Space Council at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center about a mile from the Blue Origin plant.

People who want to go back to the moon held their breath when Trump wasnt re-elected. Would the new president let the program die or support it? As the Washington Post put it this month, President Bidens White House is dismantling the Trump administrations legacy except for Artemis. And space veteran Couluris strongly believes America and his team will get there. This time, I feel its for real, he said at the factory. We really are doing this. Were motivated to do it. Across the partners.

Couluris said he has been involved in many commercial space programs. This government program is like one of those commercial programs, he said. Lets get this done is NASAs attitude, he said. Lets do it responsibly. How can we help? How can you help us? Its been a great collaboration so far.

We are in a race, Couluris said. The way NASA has the (competition) structured has been critical to driving maturity prior to the down-select. This has driven innovation and driven us to be lean to get things accomplished. The down-select is the term for NASAs coming decision on how many contractors and landing plans it needs to go forward.

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the program like it challenged everything, but Couluris said his team is working. Im very big about face-to-face and getting to know the team, Couluris said. Ive been very impressed with how people have been able to work from home.

Blue Origin built this engine plant in north Alabama because to provide engines for commercial rockets United Launch Alliance builds 15 minutes away in Decatur. Being in Huntsville also gives the company easy access to Marshall Space Flight Center, NASAs lead propulsion center. The company is using historic Marshall test areas to develop, prove and improve its new engines.

NASA has a ton of experience, Couluris said. Learning from the space agency means not trying do this differently and end up learning the same thing over again.

NASAs down-select to the final contractors is on hold for another two months. Couluris said the team is refining our design in the meantime and buying and building equipment for later flight vehicles. The first thing finished will be the flight version of the model on the Huntsville factory floor. And it will be able to fly on anything including ULAs Vulcan rocket, SpaceXs Falcon rocket or NASAs Space Launch System, Couluris said.

The whole effort is a new version of the public-private partnerships that took America to the moon the first time, and its the way America does big space projects now. The work we are doing today in our Huntsville facility is giving us a head start to our future on the moon, Couluris said.
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LITTLETON, Colo., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Beacon Communications, a leader in full-service critical communications for over 20 years, today announced the expansion of its distribution territory into New Mexico with Rauland healthcare product lines.

Beacon Communications has eight different offices in nine states.

The addition of this new territory is a result of an expansion of their strategic partnership with Rauland, a critical communications and life-safety solutions provider. This expansion will introduce Beacon Communications into New Mexico. Together, Beacon and Rauland/Ametek will work to design, implement, and support critical communication solutions in the Healthcare industry.

"Year after year, the Beacon/Rauland partnership continues providing innovative, mission critical solutions to healthcare facilities throughout the Central US. We are very excited and fortunate to now have this opportunity to serve the New Mexico market. We are ready to go to work, which begins by identifying where our offerings will best serve the needs of so many respected healthcare providers throughout this market," said Brad Walsh, President & CEO, Beacon Communications.

Jerry Meier, Vice President Healthcare Sales at Rauland added, "Beacon has always been a valued business partner and we are excited about the synergies and opportunities created as a result of expanding their territory. As we continue our 20 plus year relationship with Beacon, the most significant beneficiary of this change will be our customers, with expanded solutions and services that will help them strengthen their focus on improving patient care and the caregivers' ability to deliver that care."

About Beacon Communications

Beacon Communications, LLC is the industry's leading full-service crucial communications, AV, and security solutions provider. We specialize in delivering solutions with the design, sale, installation, training, and service of the industry's best electronic communication, AV, and security systems. We focus on helping companies in Healthcare, Government Municipalities, Education, and Commercial Real Estate operate more efficiently, cost-effectively, and safely. Visit www.beaconcom.com

About Rauland

Rauland, a division of AMETEK, Inc., is a respected leader in the design and delivery of critical communications, workflow and life-safety solutions for hospitals and education worldwide. Today, Rauland responds to market needs worldwide with two distinct critical communication system product lines: Responder, designed for the healthcare industry and Telecenter systems, serving the educational market. Both product lines reflect our long-standing commitment to the cutting edge of communication innovation, and help ensure that we always have a solution that delivers on our customers' needs and initiatives. Visit www.rauland.com

Media Contact

Meagan Baalman

720-382-6695

[email protected]

SOURCE Beacon Communications
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Vice-President of the Presidential Council, Moussa al-Kouni, has hailed Libyan women on the occasion of International Women's Day on Monday, urging them to contribute to the reconstruction of the country
2034: A Novel of the Next World War

By Elliot Ackerman and James Stavridis

Penguin Press. 320 pp. $27

- - -

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, a machine known as "The Turk" became a sensation by winning matches against expert chess players.

Audiences marveled at this feat of technological wizardry - that is, until one vanquished player took a closer look and discovered that there was a man hidden inside. The whole thing was a hoax.

That long-ago story pops into the head of Sandeep Chowdhury, a deputy U.S. national security adviser, as he's pulled deeper into a terrifying match of technology and military gamesmanship in "2034: A Novel of the Next World War," by combat veteran Elliot Ackerman and Adm. James Stavridis, a former supreme allied commander of NATO.

This crisply written and well-paced book reads like an all-caps warning for a world shackled to the machines we carry in our pockets and place on our laps, while only vaguely understanding how the information stored in and shared by those devices can be exploited. We have grown numb to the latest data breach - was it a political campaign (Hillary Clinton's), or one of the country's biggest credit-rating firms (Equifax), or a hotel behemoth (Marriott), or a casual-sex hookup site (Adult FriendFinder), or government departments updating their networks with the SolarWinds system (U.S. Treasury and Commerce)?

Oh yeah, it was all of them.

In "2034," it's as if Ackerman and Stavridis want to grab us by our lapels, give us a slap or two, and scream: Pay attention! George Orwell's dystopian masterpiece, "Nineteen Eighty-four: A Novel" was published 35 years before 1984. Ackerman's and Stavridis's book takes place in the not-so-distant future when today's high school military recruits will just be turning 30.

The action in "2034" begins near the aptly named Mischief Reef, where Sarah Hunt, a veteran U.S. navy captain nicknamed the "Lion Queen," has steered her flotilla of three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers into the South China Sea - a thinly veiled mission to sneer at the Chinese claim to that stretch of water as part of their territorial seas. Hunt commands highly sophisticated war machines with computerized weapons systems. But she has a tendency to rely on her intuition, in much the same way as another of "2034's" central figures, Maj. Chris Mitchell, a fighter pilot with a penchant for using manual controls and a nickname - "Wedge" - derived from "the world's first and simplest tool." He celebrates successful missions by smoking Marlboro Reds and loves the straightforward stick and button controls of old arcade games.

Their commander in chief is an unnamed woman, the first president elected in modern history without being affiliated with a political party. (Perhaps the future ain't all bad.) Among her predecessors is a one-termer identified only by his last name: Pence. (Presumably - but who knows? - the former vice president, Mike Pence, not his wife, the teacher, towel-charm entrepreneur and watercolorist, Karen Pence.)

Hunt's foray into the South China Sea and Mitchell's simultaneous piloting of an F-35E Lightning into Iranian airspace set in motion a cascading series of events that - without giving away too much - lead to the world war referenced in the book's title. The United States is eventually pulled into a conflict that involves forces from China, Russia, Iran and India. Yet, at a time when strident nationalism has become one of the defining characteristics of our age, Ackerman and Stavridis offer subtle commentary about the interconnectedness of the world. Chowdhury's uncle is an admiral in India's armed forces. Lin Bao, a Chinese defense official who plays a crucial role in the book, is half-American and half-Chinese, and studied at Harvard's Kennedy School.

"We have M&Ms in China too," he says during a tense conversation with Chowdhury in the run-up to the war. "But they taste better here."

He tosses the empty candy wrapper on the sidewalk outside the White House to punctuate the threat. When Chowdhury asks him to pick it up, he just walks away.

The disembodied weapons wielded in the war of "2034" initially are the main tools of the conflict - artificial intelligence, cyber-snooping, Internet-disrupting digital invaders, unmanned drones. But it is the men and women inside the machinery - the bureaucrats and politicians - who move the pieces around the board.

The Chinese scoff at their U.S. adversaries, and the policymakers they see as being responsible for a degradation of American might.

"The deregulation that had resulted in so much American innovation and economic strength was now an American weakness," sniffs one Chinese defense official. "The Americans have proven incapable of organizing a centralized cyber defense."

Hunt isn't so sure that the viewpoint expressed by not only the Chinese, but by her fellow U.S. military commanders, gets it right.

After a major setback, she laments that "there's still a whole swath of officers in our military who cling to a cult of technology. They cannot bring themselves to acknowledge that an overreliance on these systems has crippled us."

She eventually concludes that "the way to defeat technology isn't with more technology. It is with no technology."

The fate of the world in "2034" the novel, and perhaps in ours, just might rest on the answer to that question.

Or maybe the question has already been answered, but we don't know it yet.
Meghan Markle spoke in a calm, measured voice about battling suicidal thoughts and her eye contact and movement suggested a 'burst of strong emotions' as she recalled the difficult time, a body language expert has claimed.

Meanwhile Prince Harry's 'silent pause' and 'gesture of regret' when asked about Prince Charles suggested his relationship with his father will be harder to mend than his and William's, according to Judi James.

The expert went on to say that Meghan's less dramatic delivery when discussing alleged comments made about Archie's skin colour showed a 'subtle plea for empathy or agreement,' while Oprah's 'jaw-drop' gesture suggested 'utter shock.'

During the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes' tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired on CBS on Sunday, Harry's body language created a 'much stronger presence' than it did in the teaser trailers, Judi told FEMAIL.

She said Harry demonstrated he has very much taken on the role of 'protector and defender' in his marriage to Meghan, who admitted she 'didn't want to be alive' at one point during her life within the Royal Family.

Meanwhile Meghan's 'generally understated' body language made her delivery 'all the more shocking and compelling', and her cradling of her baby bump suggests 'protective motherhood' relating to the narrative about Harry and Archie losing their royal protection, Judi claimed.

Judi added that the couple's body language suggested they were keen to let people know that the smiles they saw in photos were 'masking tears and potential tragedy behind the scenes'.

Meghan Markle spoke in a calm, measured voice about battling suicidal thoughts and her eye contact and movement suggested a 'burst of strong emotions' as she recalled the difficult time, body language expert Judi James has claimed

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS: MEGHAN USES LOWER VOCAL TONE

Speaking about the moment Meghan made the shocking confession that she 'didn't want to be alive anymore' while pregnant with Archie, Judi observed: 'This is said in a calm, measured pace and a deeper or lower vocal tone and with no added drama in terms of Meghans body language.

'Meghan uses eye contact with Oprah and there is a micro eye-dart to suggest she accessed recalled memory at one point as she explains.

'Her brows even go up to expose more of the eye and an accelerated blink-rate or eye-stutter suggest a burst of strong emotions at the memory.

'Meghan performs a small head-baton for emphasis before shaking her head from side to side as though keen to shake off painful feelings.'

PRINCE HARRY SUCKS LIPS WHEN SPEAKING OF CHARLES: GESTURE OF REGRET

Judi remarked that Harry looked 'almost tearful' when he spoke about his father and feeling 'really let down because he's been through something similar'.

Harry said while Charles and the rest of his family were welcoming to Meghan at first, things changed after their New Zealand tour - and when the couple travelled to Canada for Christmas shortly before announcing their plans to quit the Firm, his father stopped taking his calls.

'He knows what pain feels like... and Archie's his grandson. I will always love him, but there's a lot of hurt that's happened,' Harry said. 'I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship. But they only know what they know, and that's the thing.'

During the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes' tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired on CBS on Sunday, Harry's body language created a 'much stronger presence' than it did in the teaser trailers, Judi James told FEMAIL

The Duke added that while Charles is now speaking to him on the phone, there is 'a lot to work though' because he feels 'really let down'.

Judi said Harry's most dramatic body language shift occurred when discussing his father. 'The silent pause was so telling, as were the eye cut-off, head-shake and tongue-poke,' she explained.

'Harry sucked his lips in, which is often a gesture of regret and he looked almost tearful as he spoke of "a lot of hurt".'

She added: 'When asked about "blind-siding" the Queen, Harry performed a finger-pick and eye-dart plus a pause as Meghan face-gazed before illustrating his respect and affection.

'His response to William's name was surprisingly affectionate too. It prompted a smile and even a small laugh as he told us he loves William. He clapped his hands together then threw them apart as though miming the split after friction but his smile suggested it was a relationship that could be mended.'

Meghan Markle became tearful as she told Oprah Winfrey she felt suicidal when she was part of the Royal Family living in the UK and told her husband: 'I don't want to be alive anymore'

MEGHAN'S FAST BLINKS WHEN DISCUSSING CLAIMS SHE MADE KATE MIDDLETON CRY: BURST OF EMOTION

Meghan Markle also claimed in the interview that the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry before she married Prince Harry - but insisted that she has now forgiven Kate Middleton and said she bought her flowers to apologise about the incident.

The main bombshells from the Oprah interview - Meghan's mental health The Duchess of Sussex revealed she had suicidal thoughts and said: 'I just didn't want to be alive any more.' She said she begged for help, and asked to go somewhere to get help, and approached one of the most senior people in the institution, but was told it would not look good. The duchess said: 'I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that I've never felt this way before and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution.' - Baby Sussex is a girl Harry and Meghan revealed they are expecting a baby girl. The duke joined his wife in the second half of the interview, and told the chat show host: 'It's a girl.' He said his first thought was 'amazing' when he discovered they were having a girl, adding: 'Just grateful. To have any child, any one or any two, would have been amazing. 'But to have a boy and then a girl, I mean what more can you ask for? Now we've got our family, we got the four of us and our two dogs.' Asked if they were 'done' with two children, Harry said 'done' and Meghan said: 'Two is it.' She also confirmed the baby is due in the 'summertime'. - Royal family accused of racism Meghan said, when she was pregnant with Archie, an unnamed member of the royal family raised 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'. Asked whether there were concerns that her child would be 'too brown' and that would be a problem, Meghan said: 'If that is the assumption you are making, that is a pretty safe one.' Pushed by Winfrey on who had those conversations, Meghan refused to say, adding: 'I think that would be very damaging to them.' She added: 'That was relayed to me from Harry, those were conversations the family had with him, and I think it was really hard to be able to see those as compartmentalised conversations.' - Archie's title Meghan suggested she and Harry wanted Archie to be a prince so he would have security and be protected. The duchess expressed her shock at 'the idea of our son not being safe', and the idea of the first member of colour in this family, not being titled in the same way as other grandchildren. Archie, who is seventh in line to the throne, is not entitled to be an HRH or a prince due to rules set out more than 100 years ago by King George V. He will be entitled to be an HRH or a prince when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne. As the first born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton - one of Harry's subsidiary titles - or have been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, instead at the time of his birth, a royal source said Harry and Meghan had decided he should a regular Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. - The Prince of Wales The Duke of Sussex said his father the Prince of Wales stopped taking his calls while Harry and Meghan were in Canada 'because I took matters into my own hands. I needed to do this for my family'. He said Charles wanted him to put his plans in writing. - The Queen Harry denied that he had 'blindsided' his grandmother Queen with the bombshell statement about stepping down as senior royal. The duke said he believed the report probably could have come from 'within the institution'. - The Duchess of Cambridge Meghan said Kate made her cry ahead of her wedding. Reports circulated ahead of the Sussexes' nuptials that Meghan left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress fitting. But Meghan told Winfrey the 'reverse happened'. Meghan said she was not sharing the information to be 'disparaging', but added it was 'really important for people to understand the truth'. 'She's a good person,' the duchess added Advertisement

'Meghans body language suggests some reluctance to answer Oprahs quick-fire questions here, or a desire to take them at a slower, more measured pace,' observed Judi.

'There is no body movement as the subject of Kate comes up and in reply to Oprahs emphatic first question about making Kate cry, Meghans response is a soft-voiced, simple "No" as she raises her brows, shakes her head in denial and performs a closed-lip wry-looking smile.'

The expert goes on to say that when pushed further Meghan can be seen doing a couple of 'fast blinks' to suggest a burst of emotion and a 'closed-mouth sigh' of what sounds like exasperation as she looks down.

She adds: 'Her mouth-shrug makes her look reluctant but her comment "The reverse happened" comes with some affirmative nodding.'

Although Meghan became tearful at one point, Judi observed how for the most part of the interview her body language looked generally understated.

'She used a constant shake of the head from side to side to suggest disbelief at the things she said she had suffered, plus eye cut-offs or a longer closing of her eyes to suggest pain at the memories,' she said.

'Meghan threw frequent imploring hand gestures at Oprah, with the palm of the hand placed upward to suggest a desire for empathy and agreement, but some hand-chopping gestures, some eye-stutters and a couple of subtle tongue-pokes suggested suppressed anger at her memories, especially when she spoke about losing protection for Harry and Archie.'

MEGHAN PUSHES ARM TO OPRAH WHEN DISCUSSING CLAIMS MADE ABOUT ARCHIE'S SKIN COLOUR: PLEA FOR EMPATHY

Meghan also used her bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview to accuse the Royal Family of having 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white.

Judi claims that while Oprah's 'jaw-drop' gesture suggested 'utter shock,' Meghan is less dramatic in her delivery.

'She pushes one arm out to Oprah in a gesture that suggests a subtle plea for empathy or agreement rather than an over-kill signal,' the body language expert says.

'She pauses as she speaks and her eyes dart quickly to her left to suggest recalled memory or evaluation.'

The Duchess of Sussex described her 'pain' that officials had denied Archie the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect him by denying him 24/7 security.

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it.

Speaking of the Duchess of Sussex, Judi adds: 'When she talks about concerns and conversations about Archies skin colour she uses very small head-baton and hand-baton affirmation gestures to pace her words.'

MEGHAN CRADLING BABY BUMP: PROTECTIVE

Judi observed how Meghan's cradling of her baby bump during the interview was a gesture she used when she was pregnant with Archie.

'In video we were told by Meghan about her levels of distress at this point, suggesting that gesture could also have been hugely protective back then too, probably even more so given how she described her life and treatment,' Judi said.

PRINCE HARRY'S PRECISION-PINCH: DETAILED THINKING

She added that Harry performed some 'thigh-rub self-comfort rituals', suggesting a natural awkwardness when he first appeared part-way through the chat with Oprah, and was reassured by his wife who quickly stretched out an arm to place a hand over his in a protective gesture.

'By the end though it was Harry's hand over Meghan's suggesting he had now very much taken the role of protector and defender,' Judi continued.

'At one point he even touched her hand to interrupt and take over the narrative. His constant rubbing of his wedding ring showed clearly where his affection and comfort lies.

'Harry performed his own rituals of suppressed anger as he affirmed Meghan's narrative and added his own thoughts and experiences and if anything his emotional displays of anger and grief looked more open than hers.

'Like Meghan he adopted a precision-pinch gesture frequently to suggest detailed thinking, as well as lifting his hand in the air to turn it round as though turning an invisible door-knob as he spoke of his problems.

'He even used illustrative gestures to mime parts of his distress, miming the "trapped" life that he had been leading with a two-handed roof gestures.'

Harry said he felt 'trapped' within the royal institution, and said he has 'huge compassion' for the fact his family members still are.

'My father and my brother, they are trapped,' he said. 'They don't get to leave. And I have huge compassion for that.'

Although Meghan became tearful at one point, Judi observed how for the most part of the interview her body language looked generally understated

Judi concluded that the more candid footage shown during the interview of the couple at home was used to illustrate what they would describe as 'the freedom and simplicity of their lives after Megxit'.

'Its Tom and Barbara from the Good life, with wellies on feeding chickens as Meghan describes herself as The Little Mermaid who married her prince,' she said.

'After all the talk of tragedy these clips seem necessary to illustrate the very simple pleasures of life outside the "trapped" existence of palaces and royal life.

The mood is completely different and happy, showing us that the now carefree couple made the right choice in getting away.'
The United States is planning to join an informal UN group on curbing violence against women and girls, Washington's envoy to the world body announced Monday on International Women's Day.

"We all believe and understand that when women do better, countries do better -- communities, families. Not just the women, everyone," President Joe Biden's UN envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield said.

The veteran diplomat said the administration of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, and the country as a whole, "care deeply about gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls around the world."

Thomas-Greenfield was speaking at an informal UN Security Council meeting dedicated to the participation of women in peace processes, organized to mark International Women's Day.

The United States will join the UN Group of Friends for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, which was set up last year and is presided over by the European Union.

Under Biden's predecessor Donald Trump, the United States was at odds with its traditional allies on women's issues. At one point, Washington threatened to veto a draft proposed by Germany on reproductive rights in conflict zones.

Harris will deliver the US speech on March 16 at the 65th Commission on the Status of Women, Thomas-Greenfield announced -- a move that highlights the importance given by the Biden administration to the issue of women's rights.

The event usually brings thousands of women to the UN headquarters in New York every year, but this year, as in 2020, the meeting will be held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"The United States is back at the UN and we are resolute in our support for the women, peace and security agenda," the US ambassador to the UN said.

prh/sst/ec
Gutted: The house on the Rossdowney Road outside Londonderry where a woman died in an early morning fire

Tributes have been paid to the woman who died in a horrific house fire in the Waterside area of Londonderry on Sunday.

She was named locally as Heather Diamond and was aged in her 50s. She died in the fire on the Rossdowney Road at around 7.30am on Sunday. She was alone in the house at the time of the blaze.

River Faughan Anglers Limited said she worked as an office manager for the organisation for the past 16 seasons.

It is with deepest regret that we pass on the news of the passing of Miss Heather Diamond. It was a shock to all the... Posted by River Faughan Anglers Ltd on Sunday, March 7, 2021

"It was a shock to all the directors, present and past, when we learnt this morning of the tragedy that unfolded in Heathers home early this morning on Rossdowney Road," it said in a Facebook post.

"She was known to our many anglers as the face of the company. Always cheerful, she would greet those anglers as they came to renew their permits with a smile, or would phone up the new applicants with good news, or maybe just making light of the fact we needed a new, up to date photograph, because of a receding of greying hairline.

"During this and last season, Heather had been working for us from home, probably more than the two days a week that we asked of her, she was embracing the change to the new online way of working whilst isolating for her own health.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Heathers family and friends, in this darkest of days."

Pictures from the scene on the Rossdowney Road show the extent of the devastation at the house on a semi-rural road on the eastern outskirts of the city.

Emergency services raced to the scene, but the woman's life could not be saved.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known.

Police have launched an investigation.

Waterside DUP Councillor David Ramsey told the Belfast Telegraph: "It's really, really sad.

"My heart goes out to the family circle," he said.

"It's a shock for everyone in the Waterside to learn that someone has passed away in such tragic circumstances.

"It's a sad state of affairs."

SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said the local community had been rocked as news of the fire filtered through. "I want to offer my sincere condolences to the lady's family and friends at an incredibly difficult time," the former Stormont minster said.

"I spoke to neighbours this morning who are shocked and deeply saddened.

"I also want to pay tribute to the emergency responders who attended the incident this morning for their bravery and professionalism."

Sinn Fein MLA Martina Anderson also sent her condolences to the victim's family.

"The local community was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of a woman in a house fire in the Rossdowney Road area of the city," she said.

"I commend the efforts of the Fire and Rescue Service in attempting to save the woman.

"My thoughts are with her family, friends and loved ones at this sad time."

PSNI Inspector Hamilton said: "Police received a report of the fire at 7.30am.

"One woman was taken from the property, but tragically died at the scene.

"The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and will be subject to investigation, in liaison with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

"The Rossdowney Road remains closed following the incident.

"There are no further details at this time."

A Fire Service spokesman added: The thoughts and sympathies of Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) are with the family, friends and loved ones of a woman who died following a fire in a house on the Rossdowney Road in Londonderry.

On Sunday 7 March 2021 at 7.27am, Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in a house on Rossdowney Road, Londonderry. 2 Appliances each from Crescent Link Fire Station, Northland Fire station, Strabane Fire Station and the Specialist Rescue Team attended the incident.

A female casualty was removed from the house and given CPR by Firefighters before being transferred to the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Tragically the woman died at the scene of the incident.

Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used two hose reel jets, a jet and an aerial appliance to extinguish the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation and the incident was dealt with by 2.11pm.
It's time now to meet the newest members of our Morning Mug Club -- brought to you by Holland Farms Bakery & Deli.

Coming up on Tuesday, March 16, Copper City Community Connection in Rome is hosting their St. Patrick's Day Dinner & Fundraiser.

What better way to celebrate, than with food and prizes!

At $15.00 per person, enjoy your choice of Corned Beef or Ham with Cabbage, Potatoes, Carrots and Dessert.

Drive-thru to pick up your meal at Copper City from 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Reserve your meal today by calling 315-337-8230. Reservations must be made no later than March 12.

For every meal you buy, you will be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift card to Hannaford Supermarket!

Show event organizers your Irish pride on Tuesday by wearing something green and you will get a little extra treat!
Israeli and Palestinian authorities both reported violent incidents in the West Bank on Monday. Several security incidents have been reported in the Palestinian territory recently.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said an unidentified person attempted to stab a soldier in Tubas in the northeast West Bank. The soldier was injured and the assailant was neutralized, the IDF said in a Monday tweet, which could mean killed or injured.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) reported the encounter differently. The PA-run WAFA News Agency reported on Monday that a young Palestinian was shot by Israeli forces during a search and arrest raid in Tubas. The youth was shot in the thigh and brought to a hospital by Palestinian medics.

WAFA also reported that two Palestinians were injured by gunfire during a clash with Israeli forces on Monday in al-Khader southwest of Bethlehem. The IDF also said a Palestinian was neutralized after trying to stab an Israeli civilian in Sde Efraim in the northern West Bank on Monday.

There have been numerous clashes between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank in recent weeks. Israeli and Palestinian sources always report the incidents differently, with Israel saying Palestinians initiated the attacks and the Palestinians reporting the opposite. There were several clashes throughout the West Bank last month at protests against Israeli settlements. The Israeli military also shot a Palestinian man who allegedly attacked them in the territory in January.

The United Nations considers the West Bank as Palestinian territory occupied by Israel, but Israel disputes this. Israel controls its borders. Areas within the West Bank are either controlled by the PA or the Israeli military. Most of the population is Palestinian, but there are also hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers living there.
U.S. House members on Monday will receive closed-door briefings with details of a top-level review that calls for security improvements to prevent another breach of the Capitol.

Briefings from the task force led by retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore will be given to members of both major political parties, a person familiar with the matter said.

Recommendations in the draft report include hiring more Capitol Police officers, streamlining the force's command structure, improving its intelligence capability, and upgrading fences and security surveillance. It even suggests restoring horse-mounted patrols to the Capitol complex that were disbanded in 2005.

The report acknowledges "institutional challenges unique to securing the Capitol," including "the inherent tension between public access and physical security." The complex is ringed by miles of temporary fencing topped by razor wire.

Word of the briefings came after House Minority Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., issued a statement critical of Honore, including a suggestion that he'd been chosen by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to reach a desired result: "turning the Capitol into a fortress."

Pelosi said last week that she'd received Honore's draft of an initial security review of the Capitol complex security in the wake of the Jan 6. assault by supporters of President Donald Trump. "It's going to take more money to protect the Capitol," she said.

The report says the breach showed "the need to immediately improve the security" of the Capitol complex and of members of Congress. Those proposals include:

- Developing a "quick reaction force" capability to aid the Capitol Police.

- Hiring an additional 350 Capitol Police officers to augment the 1,200-member force, improving how the force develops and disseminates intelligence on potential Capitol attacks.

- Buying "mobile" or easily retractable fencing to surround the Capitol and legislative office complexes.

- Changes in how the Capitol Police board operates in emergencies and empowering the force's chief "to initiate timely augmentation" in such situations. That should include immediate approval if the Capitol Police chief requests backup from the National Guard.

- Approving more money to enable the sergeants-at-arms for both chambers to procure security systems for all member district offices and residences.

- A new screening system of background checks for members, staffers and others before receiving ID cards to moving about the Capitol complex.

While the draft does not list a cost, Pelosi has said that a supplemental appropriations bill will be needed to boost spending on Capitol security and that work on drafting the legislation has started.

Pelosi commissioned Honore to lead the task force on Jan. 15, with a brief to look at security infrastructure, interagency processes, and command and control. She called him "a respected leader with experience dealing with crises."

Honore, 73, is credited with turning around the federal response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when he led a joint task force coordinating relief efforts. He has experience dealing with the interaction between military and civilian authorities and with security in the Washington area.

Pelosi's call for an independent commission has some bipartisan support, yet the effort risks getting tangled in the bitter aftermath of Trump's impeachment by Democrats over the deadly assault.

- - -

McCarthy, in his statement, questioned Honore's "political bias because of statements he made before his review," including an "inflammatory accusation that Capitol Police officers themselves were complicit in the attack."

"While there may be some worthy recommendations forthcoming, General Honore's notorious partisan bias calls into question the rationality of appointing him to lead this important security review," McCarthy said.

Pelosi has called for an independent commission to investigate the Capitol insurrection, similar to one set up in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. An initial draft of a bill to create such a panel is entangled in partisan fights, including over how many seats each party would get on the commission.

- - -

Aside from a "robust Quick Reaction Force," the Capitol also needs "a fully integrated system of obstacles, cameras, sensors, and alarms, around the complex," according to the report. "The current, temporary security fence surrounds such a tremendous area that it requires significant personnel resources to monitor its entire length."
Dinner is very serious business on Blue Bloods. There are rules to it so itll go smoothly for the Reagans. A recent episode revealed one of their rules when it comes to doing business at the table.

The Reagans eat together every Sunday on Blue Bloods

RELATED: Blue Bloods: Why the Cast Members Dont Use Real Silverware in Family Dinner Scenes

Sometimes the Reagans work together given their work. But they also see each other every Sunday at dinner.

This is because Henrys (Len Cariou) wife was from Ireland. She came from a big family, and they struggled to get food on the table. It was her goal once she moved to the United States that she would be able to feed her own family and this tradition helped her achieve her goal. Its a sweet tradition. But it also comes with rules.

They have rules when it comes to dinner

Will Estes as Jamie Reagan, Vanessa Ray as Officer Eddie Janko, Bridget Moynahan as Erin Reagan, Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan, Will Hochman as Joe Hill, Donnie Wahlberg as Danny Reagan, Andrew Terraciano as Sean Reagan, Len Cariou as Henry Reagan on Blue Bloods | John Paul Filo/CBS via Getty Images

RELATED: Blue Bloods: What Does the Cast Actually Do While Filming the Family Dinner Scenes?

The family might be close, but they dont always get along. The first episode actually showed Erin (Bridget Moynahan) and Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) clashing over a case.

In another episode, My Brothers Keeper, Danny doesnt follow Jamies (Will Estes) order at work so things are tense at dinner. They get so heated they talk about going outside to fight, and Frank puts a stop to it.

The police commissioner mentioned this goes against the rule of no fighting at the table. If you cant abide by the rules of this table. Get out, he tells them. They then leave.

There are more rules to the family tradition. Phones arent allowed but there have been rare moments when it has been broken.

The Reagans dinner rule about business at the table

These dinners never get old. The latest episode of #BlueBloods is now streaming: https://t.co/HyEXvVdalc pic.twitter.com/Kg3pKKnOjH  Blue Bloods (@BlueBloods_CBS) March 6, 2021

RELATED: Blue Bloods Fans Noticed Something Changed in Those Family Dinner Scenes

More Than Meets the Eye showed a very tense dinner. Jamie started it by telling Erin he didnt know why he couldnt get a subpoena for a case. She said he doesnt have proof for a subpoena then called him out for breaking a dinner rule.

Since when do we do official police business at the family dinner? she asked. Sean (Andrew Terraciano) claimed this happens every week, but Frank (Tom Selleck) corrected him.

We discuss police business, we do not conduct it. Theres a difference, wise guy, he told his grandson. All of the men sided against Erin in this case. Jamie and Danny end dinner saying theyll no longer come to her for help.

It was a tough ending to dinner. But the episode ended on a sweeter note. Erin goes to Franks home to find Jamie and Danny. Frank had them apologize for barging into her office and they all had drinks together.

Erin knew the brothers would continue intruding at her job. But they all seem to be comfortable with how they handle business. They just dont want to do it while eating together.
Education publisher Pearson has said it will slash office space after demand for textbooks and in-person exams was severely damaged by the coronavirus pandemic last year.

It expects profits to be hit by 130million from the reduction in its property portfolio, though it forecasts to benefit from this by 10million a year in 2022 and around 20million per annum down the road.

The firm is the latest major FTSE-listed company to declare it is cutting its global office space, coming after Aviva said it plans a 30 per cent contraction by the end of 2021, and HSBC stating it will shrink its estate by 40 per cent.

Sales at Pearson's global online learning division grew 18 per cent to almost 700million last year as virtual schools enrolment soared by 43 per cent

It also announced it is reorganising its global business at a cost of 40million to 70million in 2021 into five divisions: Virtual Learning, Higher Education, English Language Learning, Workforce Skills and Assessment & Qualification.

These divisions will be supported by its Direct to Consumer group, while it further plans to continue to expand its online business, which now covers around three-quarters of all revenues.

Sales at its global online learning division grew 18 per cent to almost 700million last year as virtual schools enrolment soared by 43 per cent, and it opened three full-time US partner schools. Two more are set to open in the 2021/22 academic year.

Meanwhile, the former Financial Times owner revealed its operating profits jumped to 411million for the year from 275million in 2019, as it benefited from the sale of its stake in Penguin Random House and lower-than-expected restructuring costs.

Chief executive Andy Bird said: 'Despite the significant challenges of 2020, it is thanks to the tenacity and commitment of colleagues around the world that Pearson has delivered a solid financial performance.'

A jump in online learning tools was not enough to stop underlying revenues at the firm falling 10 per cent to 3.4billion last year though as the coronavirus led to a massive rise in online learning and a slump in people buying textbooks.

No exams: Pearson's revenues in the UK were hit by the cancellation of summer exams

It blamed the closure of Australian immigration and test centres that conduct its PTE (Pearson Tests of English) language tests as well as Covid-19's impact on courseware purchasing for its international sales dropping by nearly a fifth.

Revenues at Pearson's North American business declined due in part to selling 1.5 million fewer textbooks to American higher education colleges than the year before and the sale of its US K12 courseware business.

Additionally, the curtailing of exams - including in the UK - and the closure of test centres hurt sales at its global assessments operation. However, IT sector demand helped proctoring volumes to jump from about 200,000 in 2019 to 2.1 million at the end of last year.

Nevertheless, the group was upbeat in its outlook, forecasting revenue growth amid easing restrictions across its key markets, with rises in all its divisions except higher education.

Pearson said it expects the 'Covid cohort' of students to somewhat return to learning in schools and higher education buildings from the start of the 2021/22 academic year

'Following significant investments in technology and comprehensive restructuring, Pearson is moving at pace and ready to enter a new era as a digital-first company, focused on delivering sustainable revenue and profit growth for the benefit of all company stakeholders,' Andy Bird remarked.

The firm expects test centres to reopen from next month and for the 'Covid cohort' of students to somewhat return to learning in schools and higher education buildings from the start of the 2021/22 academic year.

Sophie Lund-Yates, an equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, believes this should cause the growth in home learning and testing to start weakening. However, she said: 'It's also fair to assume some of this will be permanent. Pearson is right to capitalise on that trend.

'Times of economic hardship and increasing unemployment is traditionally when demand for adult up-skilling rises  and Pearson is well placed to ride this wave.'

Shares in Pearson closed trading 6.4 per cent higher today at 808.8p.
The first trial in the death of George Floyd is set to begin with jury selection on Monday. Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer filmed with his knee on Floyd's neck in May, faces murder and manslaughter charges for the encounter that sparked months of historic protests around the world.

The trial has been described as one of the most important in the nation's history, a potential barometer of change in a country where police officers are rarely punished for abusive behavior and fatal tactics used on the job.

The judge is considering a last-minute addition of a third-degree murder charge that would give prosecutors another avenue for conviction, but with a shorter prison term. The addition - or a decision to not add the charge - could trigger an appeal from either side. The judge's decision, which might not come until Monday morning, has injected uncertainty about whether the trial will go forward as planned and has created more tension in a city already on edge.

Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died May 25 after he spent several minutes crying out for breath underneath Chauvin's knee on a South Minneapolis street. Chauvin, who is White, was the senior officer on the scene responding to a store clerk's claim that a customer passed a counterfeit $20 bill. The 44-year-old veteran officer led others in holding down Floyd until he lost consciousness and a pulse. The final minutes of Floyd's life were captured on a teenage girl's viral cellphone video.

Opening arguments in Chauvin's case are expected to begin as soon as March 29. A trial for the three other officers implicated in Floyd's death - J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao - is scheduled for August.

Here's what you need to know about the trial as it unfolds.

- How can I watch the trial?

The Washington Post will provide live gavel-to-gavel coverage of Chauvin's trial on our website and on YouTube. Post staffers will anchor live special reports from the courthouse with analysis of the trial and interviews with reporters during key moments in the proceedings, beginning with opening arguments.

Chauvin's trial is being held at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, with strict limitations on who is allowed in the courtroom. Court TV is operating the only three cameras inside the room, which will feed to various networks and news outlets, including The Post. Those cameras will be aimed at the judge, the witness stand, and the prosecution and defense tables.

Court TV has said it will broadcast and live-stream the trial for 14 hours a day for the duration, beginning each day with the opening gavel at 9 a.m. Eastern/8 a.m. Central.

Chauvin's trial will mark the first time in Minnesota that a judge has authorized cameras to show a full criminal trial. Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter A. Cahill has said he agreed to allow the cameras because of intense public interest in the case and coronavirus restrictions that have limited courtroom access. "Not only is (the situation) abnormal - it is, in fact, quite unique," Cahill said.

- What charges does Chauvin face?

Chauvin, a 19-year veteran of the Minneapolis police department, is charged with second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter. On the murder charge, prosecutors will have to show beyond a reasonable doubt that Chauvin caused Floyd's death while assaulting him. On the manslaughter charge, they will have to prove Chauvin took an "unreasonable risk" when he restrained Floyd and that his actions directly contributed to Floyd's death.

State sentencing guidelines on the murder charge suggest roughly 11 years in prison for someone with no criminal history. The manslaughter charge carries a presumptive sentence of roughly four years in prison. However, a judge is allowed to sentence someone to more or less prison time. Prosecutors have asked for a tougher sentence, arguing that Floyd was killed in front of children.

Chauvin was also charged with third-degree murder, but Cahill dismissed the charge in October, saying the statute requires the fatal action to be "eminently dangerous 'to others.'" The evidence presented by prosecutors so far has only shown that Chauvin's actions were eminently dangerous to Floyd, the judge said. When prosecutors appealed, Cahill refused to reapply it. On March 5, the Minnesota Court of Appeals overturned Cahill's decision again, ordering him to reconsider his ruling. The legal back-and-forth has threatened to delay the trial.

The other officers - Kueng, Lane and Thao - are charged with aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter.

- How will the jury be selected?

Cahill began the jury process far earlier than usual. In late December, prospective jurors in Hennepin County were mailed a 16-page questionnaire asking about their views on policing, the criminal justice system and movements such as Black Lives Matter. The survey provided several blank pages for long answers and asked potential jurors to disclose everything they know about the case, including how many times, if any, they viewed videos of Floyd's arrest. It asks whether they participated in protests after Floyd's death and what their signs said.

Prospective jurors will be brought into the courthouse beginning March 8 to be interviewed by attorneys and the judge until they have selected 12 people and up to four alternate jurors. Cahill can remove any juror he believes has a conflict with fairly assessing the case. Chauvin's attorney has been given 15 opportunities to challenge prospective jurors, while the prosecution has nine.

Defense attorneys have argued that a fair trial is not possible in Minneapolis because of extensive media coverage of the case and intense emotions in the community around policing. Cahill has said that if they cannot seat an impartial jury in Hennepin County, he will reconsider the change-of-venue requests, but he has noted: "There really isn't a county ... or a state in this country where there hasn't been a lot of publicity about George Floyd's death."

- What is Chauvin's defense?

Eric Nelson, Chauvin's attorney, said in an October court filing that he'll argue that his client is not guilty because he acted in self-defense and used reasonable and authorized force as a police officer. He also has sought to introduce evidence of Floyd's criminal history, a move strenuously opposed by prosecutors. So far, Cahill has blocked that evidence, ruling it irrelevant to the case.

One of the most integral aspects of Chauvin's defense is Nelson's argument that Floyd died from the drugs found in his system and other underlying health problems, including heart disease. Hennepin County Medical Examiner Andrew Baker formally declared Floyd's death a homicide, listing "cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression" as the cause of death. But the report also listed heart disease, fentanyl intoxication, recent methamphetamine use and Floyd's bout with covid-19 as other "significant conditions."

According to notes filed as evidence, the medical examiner told prosecutors that if Floyd had been "found dead at home alone and no other apparent causes," it would have been "acceptable" to call his death an overdose. But, Baker added, "I am not saying this killed him."

- What is the evidence against Chauvin?

The evidence will probably include the viral video shot by Darnella Frazier, the 17-year-old who filmed Chauvin and the other officers as they restrained Floyd and who is listed as a prospective witness in the case. It will also include videos from body cameras worn by Kueng, Lane and Thao. Chauvin's body camera fell off during the struggle with Floyd and captured only audio of the encounter, according to sources close to the case.

Prosecutors have sought to introduce past incidents in which Chauvin used force as a police officer, including several arrests in which he used a neck restraint similar to the one he used on Floyd. Cahill has allowed mention of just two past incidents, though the prosecution's witness list includes several individuals who encountered Chauvin during his time on the force.

- Who will testify?

Prosecutors released a list of more than 300 possible witnesses, and Chauvin's defense disclosed more than 200 people it could call to the stand. Several names appear on both lists, including Frazier and several people who observed the events at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, where Floyd died.

Both sides have signaled their intent to call Baker, the medical examiner, who will be grilled about his cause-of-death determination. They have also listed several Minneapolis police officers, including Police Chief Medaria Arradondo, who will probably be questioned about police training. There are dozens of potential expert witnesses on the lists, including forensic pathologists and use-of-force experts.

Prosecutors have indicated that they will call several close Floyd associates, including his brother Philonise and his former girlfriend Courteney Ross, who could be asked to humanize Floyd's struggles with opioid abuse. Prosecutors said they could call Kueng, Lane and Thao as potential witnesses - though many expect they would decline to testify, citing their constitutional right against self-incrimination. Chauvin also has the right to testify at his own trial, but there has been no indication that he will.

- How long will the trial take?

Jury selection is scheduled to take roughly three weeks. Cahill has said opening arguments will begin no earlier than March 29, with testimony expected to last at least four weeks. Parties in the case believe a jury could begin deliberating in late April or early May.

- Will there be protests?

Scores of community activists organized marches and other peaceful protests in the run-up to jury selection. They have said they plan to hold vigils outside the courthouse and other parts of the Twin Cities during the trial.

City, county and state officials began planning for trial security last summer, seeking to prevent a repeat of the civil unrest that damaged and destroyed hundreds of buildings across Minneapolis, including a police station. They have reinforced the courthouse with blocks of concrete barriers, multiple layers of security fencing and barbed wire. At least 2,000 National Guard troops have been called to join at least 1,100 law enforcement officers from across the region that will guard the courthouse and other parts of the city.

Some city council members and other activists have questioned the intense security, worried that it could incite unrest rather than prevent it and that it sends a message suggesting the city believes Chauvin will be acquitted.

- What led to George Floyd's encounter with police?

Police responded to a 911 call on May 25 from a clerk at Cup Foods, a South Minneapolis convenience store, claiming that a customer had passed a counterfeit $20 bill. When Kueng and Lane arrived at the scene, an employee pointed out Floyd, who was sitting in a parked car across the street.

Lane pulled a gun on Floyd within 15 seconds of encountering him in the driver's seat, prompting the man to panic and beg officers not to kill him. The officers handcuffed Floyd, but he resisted getting in a squad car, telling the officers he was claustrophobic and had recently had covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Chauvin and Thao arrived during the struggle and began assisting Lane and Kueng, rookie officers who were barely a week into the job.

At Thao's suggestion, they placed Floyd on the street, holding him facedown. Lane held Floyd's legs, Kueng held his back and Chauvin restrained him with a knee to the neck as Floyd complained of struggling to breathe, ultimately losing his pulse.

- How long did Chauvin hold his knee at Floyd's neck?

In the May 29 arrest complaint against Chauvin, prosecutors with the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, which originally handled the case before it was turned over to the state attorney general, said the former officer had his knee on Floyd's neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, citing police body-camera footage that had not yet been made public. But some media organizations questioned this calculation, pointing to time stamps of the video mentioned in the arrest complaint, and a spokesman for the county attorney later amended the time to 7 minutes and 46 seconds.

But police body-camera footage released publicly in July showed Chauvin held his knee on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes, a calculation later reaffirmed by Cahill, who timed it at more than 9 minutes and 20 seconds in a ruling last fall.

Body-camera video shows Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly three minutes after Kueng told him he could not detect a pulse, lifting it only when a paramedic nudged him.

- Who will be in the courtroom, and what about the coronavirus?

Cahill had originally ordered all four officers to be tried together, a decision that was scuttled after court officials decided that the courtroom was not big enough to allow for social distancing. The jury box and public gallery have been removed to create more space, and only about 30 people will be allowed in the room - all ordered to limit movement and wear masks.

Jurors will sit six feet apart, and the prosecution and defense are each limited to four people in the room. Chauvin and his lawyer will sit together, with Chauvin instructed to stay seated and listen through a headset to any potential sidebar conferences between his attorney and prosecutors. Three members of the media will be allowed inside the room: a print pool reporter, a television pool reporter and a producer for Court TV. One member of the Floyd family and one associate of Chauvin's will each have a seat.

Prosecutors asked to delay the proceedings until the summer, when more Americans will be vaccinated, but Cahill refused. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, rejected requests to vaccinate trial participants, arguing the proceedings were no riskier than other recent trials that have been held.

- - -

The Washington Post's Steven Zeitchik contributed to this report.
Yerevan is divided into two camps - some go to Republic Square to support Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, others hold rallies outside the parliament building on Baghramyan Avenue in order to remove the prime minister. Observers note that among those supporting the current government there are not only its ardent supporters, but also those who oppose the revanchist sentiments of the former leaders of the country, the leaders of the "Karabakh clan".

"The city of Shusha belongs to Azerbaijan, it is located on Azerbaijani territory. Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan. Why did our sons die there?"

The position of this woman can be regarded as the most objective. "Thank you for the truth", "It's good that there are such honest people, they are all brainwashed by Dashnak nationalism," they write in the comments to this video.

Let us remind that on September 27 last year the armed forces of Armenia launched a military offensive against the positions of the Azerbaijani army. Azerbaijan responded with a counteroffensive along the entire front. After 44 days of fighting, the President of Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Russia agreed on a complete ceasefire and all hostilities in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict from 00:00 on November 10. On December 1, the transfer to Azerbaijan of the territories returned by Armenia in accordance with the trilateral statement on Karabakh was completed.
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.
Not many may be aware that legendary actor Shammi Kapoor who lived life to the fullest was down with a kidney failure and used to go to the Breach Candy Hospital thrice a week for his treatment. As Kapoor himself once admitted that he wanted to "live for the four other days of the week. When my wife would call me to enquire where I was I would be driving off to Lomavla to have a cup of tea. I loved my driving and I wanted to live it up with kidney disease," Shammi had famously said. As World Kidney Day approaches on March 11 and a virtual walkathon is currently taking place this week, we learn that Ranbir Kapoor, the grand-nephew of Shammi Kapoor has also pledged to donate not just his kidney but other organs as well. In an event organised by the Amar Gandhi Foundation everyone from producer Karan Johar, director Ayan Mukerji of Brahmastra to Ranbir Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan pledged to donate their kidneys while Alia Bhatt also supports the cause.

Ayan and Karan posted videos and also stated, "A real hero is someone who helps everyone else recycle their organs. I have pledged my own organs and you can too and visit www.amargandhifoundation,in to register." "Pledge & donate my organs, I hope that by me doing this it will make a difference to one person or two-person lives, and it keeps going forward and it will make a difference, so please do consider pledging your organs," Ranbir said.

Interestingly Alia Bhatt also said, "It is important to make people aware of the process behind it. I think it is important to come and talk about the health issues and Amar Gandhi Foundation and Organ donation awareness drive. Make people aware of the prospects of their organ donation, alive or post-death". Incidentally, Amitabh Bachchan too who is a part of Brahmastra announced recently that wears a green ribbon because he has pledged his organs.

Also Read: Brahmastra: Ranbir Kapoor And Alia Bhatt To Resume Shooting In A Mumbai Studio Next Week?

Also Read: Brahmastra: Alia Bhatt Shares A Pic With Ranbir Kapoor, But Our Eyes Are Fixed On Goddess Kali's Huge Statue
On Sunday Seven screens the first in a two part special Ivan Milat: Buried Secrets.

Featuring criminologist Dr Xanthe Mallett and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro this is promising to reveal new evidence and more potential victims.

Thirty years ago, in the remote Belanglo forest, Australias most infamous serial killer Ivan Milat murdered seven young backpackers.

Now, a year after Milat died in maximum security prison taking his violent secrets to the grave, the search for new victims and more burial grounds is underway.

Australias foremost criminal investigative team, criminologist Dr Xanthe Mallett and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro, are convinced Milat killed many others.

In this ground-breaking documentary across two Sundays, Mallett and Watson-Munro present compelling evidence that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Milats first victim, 20-year-old Keren Rowland, who was five months pregnant when her body was found in the Fairbairn Pine Plantation near Canberra in May 1971.

Kerens story is the first in a horrifying list of up to 20 more potential victims uncovered in this gripping investigation.

Case by case, Mallet and Watson-Munro meticulously plot a timeline of unsolved murders and disappearances against known locations and confirmed sightings of Milat, the deepest any expert criminal team has ever dug into the serial killers hunting ground.

As the search for new clues is launched using state-of-the-art laser mapping technology, the true scale of Ivan Milats crimes is finally laid bare.

Ivan Milat: Buried Secrets steps inside the mind of a true psychopath, covering Milats strange rituals, his forbidden life, why he killed and killed again, and an unforgettable twist.

Hear from two survivors who share for the first time their terrifying near-death experience at the hands of Milat.

For the families of Milats victims and the dozens of other families still living with the pain of not knowing what happened to their murdered or missing loved ones, all are searching for one thing  closure.

7pm Sunday on Seven.

Related
The number of new Indian students choosing to study at Australian universities collapsed by more than 80 per cent in the second half of 2020, in a further blow to the countrys more than $30 billion international education system.

The Indian student market was worth $6.6 billion to the Australian economy in the 2019-20 financial year, second only to China as the top source country of foreign students studying in Australia.

The intake of international students at Australian universities declined across the board in the second half of 2020, but the drop off in new enrolments from Indian students was especially sharp. Credit:Eddie Jim

But the impact of ongoing border closures has proved devastating for universities recruitment efforts. Around 2500 Indian students began studying at Australian universities between July and November last year  a decline of 83 per cent compared with the same period in 2019, data from the Department of Education shows.

In contrast, new commencements from Chinese university students declined by just over 8 per cent to around 8600 students over the same period. It is unclear how many international students elected to defer their universities studies in 2020 as the data has not been made public.
36 new map-designated cells totalling 1,940 hectares (19.4 km 2 ) staked, increasing the size of McKenzie Break property to 169 mineral claims covering 7,070 hectares (70.7 km 2 )

) staked, increasing the size of McKenzie Break property to 169 mineral claims covering 7,070 hectares (70.7 km ) Recent staking aimed at covering extension of favourable geology and magnetic signature typical of gold mineralization on the property.

New property includes priority targets to be added to the ongoing 14,500-metre drilling program.

MONTREAL, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - MONARCH MINING CORPORATION ("Monarch" or the "Corporation") (TSX: GBAR) (OTCMKTS: GBARF) is pleased to announce it has increased the size of its McKenzie Break property by map-staking 36 new mining cells totalling 1,940 hectares (19.4 km2), extending the property southward. The wholly-owned McKenzie Break project is located 25 kilometres north of Val-d'Or, Quebec.

"We are very pleased to have put together a promising gold property of such significant size, in one of the most prolific mining camps," said Jean-Marc Lacoste, President and Chief Executive Officer of Monarch. "We are continuing to follow the mineralization southwards within the diorite unit on McKenzie Break with our 2021 14,500-metre drilling program, for which some results are already pending. These new claims will allow us to test the southern extension of the favourable geology in an area with relatively little past exploration."

Monarch acquired the original 386.6-hectare McKenzie Break property from Agnico Eagle Mines Limited in 2017 and expanded the property in 2020 through additional purchase agreements with local prospectors and map-based staking. The February 2021 staking expands the property to 169 claims covering 7,070 hectares (70.7 km2). Located 20 kilometres north of the Beacon mill and 10 kilometres south of the municipality of Barraute, Quebec, the property is accessible year-round via Route 397 and a gravel road and includes a portal and a 700-metre ramp driven in 2009.

Figure 1: McKenzie Break property with expanded property limits.

Geologically, the property straddles the Manneville Tectonic Zone, interpreted as the eastern extension of the Destor-Porcupine Break. Gold mineralization occurs in an elongated diorite unit or lens within a shallow embayment of the Pascalis Batholith. The recently staked claims cover a favourable gold-bearing diorite unit characterized by a magnetic high signature. The unit is geologically and geophysically similar to the area where Monarch has had recent drilling success leading to a recent resource update (Geologica and GoldMinds, February 2021) (see table 1).

Table 1: Combined resources (in-pit and underground) by category for the McKenzie Break deposit at the selected cut-off grades

Area (cut-off grade) Indicated resource Inferred resource Tonnes (t) Grade

(g/t) Ounces

(Au) Tonnes (t) Grade

(g/t) Ounces

(Au) Pit-constrained (0.50 g/t Au) 1,441,377 1.80 83,305 2,243,562 1.44 104,038 Underground (2.38 g/t Au) 387,720 5.03 62,677 1,083,503 4.21 146,555 TOTAL 1,829,097

145,982 3,327,065

250,593

Notes:

Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to a Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, market or other relevant issues. The quantity and grade of reported inferred resources are uncertain in nature and there has not been sufficient work to define these inferred resources as indicated or measured resources. The database used for this mineral estimate includes drill results obtained from historical records and up to the recent 2018-2020 drill program. Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.50 g/t Au for the pit-constrained and Underground mineral resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 2.38 g/t Au within reasonably mineable volumes. These cut-offs were calculated at a gold price of C$1,980 ounce. The pit-constrained resources were based on the following parameters: mining cost $3.5 /t, processing, transportation + G&A costs $27 /t, Au recovery 95%, pit slopes 15 degrees for overburden and 50 degrees for rock. The underground reasonably mineable volumes were based on the following parameters: mining cost $98 /t, processing, transportation + G&A costs $27 /t, Au recovery 95%, dilution of 15% at 0 g/t Au with a minimum stope dimension of 10m x 10m x 5m . The geological interpretation of the deposits was based on lithologies and the typical mineralized interval mainly composed by diorite hosted shear zones. The mineral resource presented here was estimated with a block size of 5m X 5m X 5m for the pit-constrained and for underground. The blocks were interpolated from equal length composites calculated from the mineralized intervals. Prior to compositing, high-grade gold assays were capped to 60 g/t Au applied on 0.6-metre composites. The mineral estimation was completed using the inverse distance squared methodology utilizing two passes. For each pass, search ellipsoids followed the geological interpretation trends were used. Tonnage estimates are based on rock specific gravity of 2.77 tonnes per cubic metre for all the zones. Results are presented undiluted and in situ. Estimates use metric units (metres, tonnes and g/t). Metal contents are presented in troy ounces (metric tonne x grade / 31.10348). This mineral resource estimate is dated February 1 , 2021, and the effective date for the drillhole database used to produce this updated mineral resource estimate is September 28, 2020 . No economic evaluation of the resources has been produced.

The resource estimate was prepared by Merouane Rachidi, P.Geo., Ph.D., and Claude Duplessis, P.Eng., of GoldMinds Geoservices Inc., both qualified persons in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 standards. The technical and scientific content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by Louis Martin, P.Geo., the Corporation's qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.

About Monarch

Monarch Mining Corporation (TSX: GBAR) is a fully integrated mining company that owns four advanced projects, including the fully permitted past-producing Beaufor Mine, which has produced more than 1 million ounces of gold over the last 30 years. Other advanced assets include the Croinor Gold, McKenzie Break and Swanson properties, all located near Monarch's wholly owned and fully permitted Beacon 750 tpd mill. Monarch owns 28,725 hectares (287 km2) of mining assets in the prolific Abitibi mining camp that host 588,482 ounces of combined measured and indicated gold resources and 329,393 ounces of combined inferred resources.

Forward-Looking Statements

The forward-looking statements in this press release involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Monarch's actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied therein. Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

www.monarchmining.com

Table 2 - Monarch combined gold resources



Tonnes (metric) Grade

(g/t Au) Ounces Croinor Gold1





Measured Resources 80,100 8.44 21,700 Indicated Resources 724,500 9.20 214,300 Total Measured and Indicated 804,600 9.12 236,000 Total Inferred 160,800 7.42 38,400 Beaufor mine2





Measured Resources 121,000 5.62 21,900 Indicated Resources 310,100 7.10 70,800 Total Measured and Indicated 431,100 6.68 92,700 Total Inferred 134,600 6.96 30,100 McKenzie Break3





In-pit





Total Indicated 1,441,377 1.80 83,305 Total Inferred 2,243,562 1.44 104,038 Underground





Total Indicated 387,720 5.03 62,677 Total Inferred 1,083,503 4.21 146,555 Swanson4





In-pit





Total Indicated 1,864,000 1.76 105,400 Total Inferred 29,000 2.46 2,300 Underground





Total Indicated 91,000 2.86 8,400 Total Inferred 87,000 2.87 8,000 TOTAL COMBINED5 Measured and Indicated Resources Inferred Resources



588,482 329,393





1 Source: Monarch Gold prefeasibility study (January 19, 2018) and resource estimate (January 8, 2016). This resource was completed for Monarch Gold and has not been reviewed by a qualified person for Monarch Mining as required under National Instrument 43-101 and is thus considered as an historical estimate. 2 Source: NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate for the Beaufor Mine, December 18, 2020, Val-d'Or, Quebec, Canada, Carl Pelletier, P. Geo., InnovExplo Inc. and John Langton, P. Geo., JPL GeoServices Inc. 3 Source: NI 43-101 Technical Evaluation Report on the McKenzie Break Property, February 1, 2021, Val-d'Or, Quebec, Canada, Alain-Jean Beauregard, P.Geo., Daniel Gaudreault, P.Eng., Geologica Groupe-Conseil Inc., and Merouane Rachidi, P.Geo., Claude Duplessis, P.Eng., GoldMinds GeoServices Inc. 4 Source: NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate for the Swanson Project, January 22, 2021, Val-d'Or, Quebec, Canada, Christine Beausoleil, P. Geo. and Alain Carrier, P. Geo., InnovExplo Inc. 5 Numbers may not add due to rounding.

SOURCE Monarch Mining Corporation


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Former Deputy Minister for Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has questioned the idea behind portions contained in a History textbook meant for primary six students approved by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.



The Golden History of Ghana for Basic Six Primary Students is written by Mercy Gyaa-Adiyiah and is based on the new NaCCA syllabus for schools.



As captured in a post by the former Deputy Minister sighted by GhanaWeb, page 36 of the textbook seeking to give a historical background into the establishment of the Convention Peoples Party in the Gold Coast, headed by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and the fight for Ghanas independence listed several incidents that paints the Nkrumah regime as dictatorial and abusive of human rights.



The leader of the party, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, was a dictator whose command must be obeyed without complaining, point 3 on page 36 of the textbook reads.



Point 5 also reads the CPP was not a democratic party because it turned Ghana into a one-party state whiles point six (6) also reads the CCP abused the rights of many Ghanaians through the Preventive Detention Act it brought about in 1958.



With difficulty in understanding why a textbook meant to teach the history of the country to school children about one of the most prominent figures rather casts him in a bad light, Mr Kwakye Ofosu described the contents of the book as scurrilous and questioned why such a book will be approved for schools.



So who approved this piece of scurrilous anti-Nkrumah propaganda to indoctrinate Ghanaian children? he wrote.



The Akufo-Addo led government since its early days has been accused of a deliberate attempt to rewrite the history of the country in favour of the Danquah Busia Dombo tradition which founded the current New Patriotic Party.



Among other things, the Akufo-Addo led NPP government has been accused of an attempt to reduce the achievements of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah including his role as founder of Ghana and the leader of the fight for independence.



One of the arguments of the current government has always been that the fight for Ghanas independence was led by several individuals such as the Big Six which includes the late uncle of the President, Dr J. B. Danquah hence the need to give each contributor equal recognition.









So who approved this piece of scurrilous anti-Nkrumah propaganda to indoctrinate Ghanaian children?

Posted by Felix Kwakye Ofosu on Friday, March 5, 2021



Source: ghanaweb









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Gov. Andrew Cuomo again today said he would not resign in the wake of accusations of sexual harassment, adding that stepping down in the face of allegations without a completed investigation is anti-democratic.

There is no way I resign, Cuomo said today during a conference call with reporters. The premise of resigning because of accusations is actually anti-democratic.

His statements come as two more women in recent days have accused Cuomo, a Democrat, of inappropriate behavior.

Ana Liss, 35, told The Wall Street Journal in a story published Saturday that when she worked as a policy aide to the governor between 2013 and 2015, Cuomo called her sweetheart, once kissed her hand and asked personal questions, including whether she had a boyfriend. She said he sometimes greeted her with a hug and a kiss on both cheeks.

Karen Hinton, another former Cuomo aide and a consultant in his days as HUD secretary during the Clinton administration, told NBC 4 New York that Cuomo inappropriately hugged her 21 years ago during a hotel meeting that was supposed to be about a news conference. She said she could physically feel he was sexually aroused.

What she said is not true, Cuomo said of the accusation today, calling Hinton a long-time political adversary of mine.

Cuomo has denied intentionally harassing or acting inappropriate with women, including four former staffers. He said his questions about peoples dating life were meant to be banter not intimidation.

That explanation, and apologies offered by Cuomo last week, havent quelled calls for his resignation, including from some Democratic lawmakers. Those calls come as Cuomo is also fending off criticism and a federal investigation of his reporting of nursing home deaths during the coronavirus pandemic.

I was elected by the people of this state, Cuomo said. I wasnt elected by politicians. Im not going to resign because of allegations.

He also reiterated that his habit of hugging people was not meant to make anyone feel uncomfortable.

At the same time, he noted that the state ethics commission that investigates state lawmakers keeps allegations private until determinations are made.

Cuomo said today Attorney General Letitia James would investigate any allegations.

Anybody can make an allegation to her, Cuomo said. Let the Attorney General do her job. Shes very good. Very competent.

Cuomo added that he doesnt think of the women who have made allegations as liars. I said I encourage every woman to come forward, he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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.
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New Delhi:

The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the response of the Centre and the police on a plea seeking a court-monitored CBI/SIT probe into the alleged illegalities in the National Eligibility Entrance Test held in 2016 for admitting students in post-graduate medical courses.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar also issued notice to the National Board of Examination (NBE), the Medical Council of India, M/s Prometrics Private Ltd and the CBI on a plea which sought to hand over the case to the probe agency.

M/s Prometrics Private Ltd had sub-contracted with CMS IT Services Private Ltd to hire engineers, site supervisors and other staff to prepare exam labs for conducting NEET PG examination at 43 centres across the country.

The bench also expressed concern over the delay in concluding the investigation and said "this is a very serious matter. Therefore, the authorities need to file their status report/response in one week."

The court, which listed the matter for further hearing on September 10, was hearing a petition filed by Dr Anand Rai, who claims to be the whistleblower in Vyapam scam.

Rai, through his counsel Vaibhav Srivastava, submitted that the crime branch of Delhi Police was not competent to handle the investigation of this nature which required technical expertise.

Also Read: Maharashtra HSC supplementary results 2017 announced today, check here

The petitioner said that at this point of time, Delhi Police was acting like a "post office, still awaiting technical data from NBE and M/s Prometrics Ltd and asking Delhi Lt Governor to provide a technical team for analysis of the technical data."

The CBIs special standing counsel Rajdeepa Behura said the polices crime branch was already investigating the matter in which an FIR has been lodged and charge sheet filed.

An FIR was lodged on February 1 against 11 persons and charge sheet was filed on July 9 this year under various sections of the IPC including 419 (cheating by personation), 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) and under the Information and Technology Act.

The plea sought transfer of investigation from the crime branch to Special Investigative Team (SIT) comprising members having expertise in Computer Science and/or an investigation by the CBI or any other competent central agency.

It alleged that till date, NBE and Prometrics have not cooperated with the investigation and no information with respect to technical derails as sought by the police has been furnished, thus delaying the matter and providing time to the culprits to erase the evidence.

"Further, it appears that the officials of the NBE and Prometrics may be involved in the scam, thus making the present issue as sensitive and to ensure the cooperation of the NBE and Prometrics, a court-monitored investigation is warranted," it claimed.

Also Read: Assam Board HSLC class 10 compartment result declared, check here

It has also sought direction to the NBE to initiate appropriate proceedings against the candidates whose names have been disclosed in the charge sheet for allegedly securing admissions in NEET-PG, 2017 using unfair or fraudulent means.

It also sought directions to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that NEET examination be conducted by a public authority with proper oversight and involvement of government officials.
Authorities promised Sunday to pursue criminal charges after a massive party near the University of Colorado in Boulder devolved into a violent confrontation with police that left three officers injured.

Hundreds of people flooded the streets in an area known as the Hill on Saturday night and when told to leave threw bottles, rocks and other objects at police and firefighters, police said.

At least one car was damaged when the mob flipped it over, and police brought in a SWAT team and used tear gas to break up the crowd that numbered 500 to 800 people at its peak, said Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold.

Images shared by local media showed no social distancing and most without masks despite the coronavirus pandemic. Fireworks were set off in the middle of the street and a law enforcement armored vehicle and a fire truck were damaged, according to police and local media.

At one point Herold said a tactical decision was made to withdraw some officers when a group of about 100 people started to rush them. It took more than three hours to disperse the crowd, according to a timeline she provided.

Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty described the rowdy behavior amid the coronavirus pandemic as shameful.

I hear people refer to it as a party. I dont regard flipping over a car as a party and I dont regard people who throw bottles and rocks at firefighters and police as a party, he said. Those are criminal acts and will be treated as such.

No arrests were made at the scene, police said.

Officers were reviewing officer body camera footage and shared social media videos and photos to identify the individuals involved. They also set up a portal on the citys website to allow the public to submit additional video footage or other evidence from the disturbance.

Herold said it was a calculated call not to make any arrests immediately, out of worry that sending in officers would agitate the large crowd. She added that the department had excellent video to help it pursue those responsible for the violence.

The three injured officers were recovering, including one who was struck in the hand and another who was hit in the face but was wearing a gas mask, Herold said. City vehicles suffered thousands of dollars in damages and private property also was harmed, she said.

The Hill neighborhood has been known for decades for sometimes raucous parties and there have been previous confrontations that resulted in violence, including 12 officers injured in a 1997 riot near the school.

But city officials said during a Sunday press conference that the stakes from Saturdays events are particularly high amid the pandemic, with potentially dire consequences. Health officials advised anyone who participated to quarantine for at least 10 days and to get tested for COVID-19.

CU Boulder students returned to campus for hybrid and in-person learning in mid-February.

University officials apologized to Boulder residents who live near the school and said students who were involved in violence, property damage or failing to disperse would be held accountable.

If they cant meet our expectation, they are not welcome at the university, said CU Boulder Chief Operating Officer Patrick ORourke. He added that the university knows its students were involved and We are not going to try to shift the blame.

After the party broke up, other students came to the scene with garbage bags to pick up the large amounts of trash left behind.
The 2024 Presidential candidate aspirant of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hon. Joe Ghartey has encouraged everyone in Ghana to take the AstraZeneca/Oxford Coronavirus Vaccine.



He made the appeal on Saturday, March 6, 2021, after he received his jab of the Covid19 Vaccine at Parliament House in Accra.



According to him, the vaccine was safe and must therefore be taken to protect lives.



This afternoon I took my turn in taking the COVID vaccination. It was a smooth and safe process, the Essikado-Ketan MP said.



I encourage everyone to take the vaccine as it is safe, and our surest way out of this pandemic, he added.



Lets continue to adhere to the safety protocolswearing of masks, washing hands, and maintaining social distance as we undergo this exercise, according to Hon. Ghartey, a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

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.

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BATTLE CREEK, Mich., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today is International Women's Day. On this day  and every day  Kellogg Company is supporting gender equity and women's empowerment in many ways. One way is through our Better Days global purpose platform, where we're committed to supporting 1 million farmers, especially women farmers and workers through programs focused on climate, social and financial resiliency. Avantika Upadhyaya, Assistant Manager, Communications at TechnoServe shares how we're collaborating to help make a difference for women farmers in Uttar Pradesh, India.

Smallholder farmer Sunita Devi (right) and her son (far left), Uttar Pradesh, India

Social K  Kellogg Company Blog

By Avantika Upadhyaya

Assistant Manager, Communications, TechnoServe

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Sunita Devi was forced to leave her job as a day laborer in Chandigarh, India, and return to her village in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, with her husband and adult son, Chinese. That's where she joined TechnoServe's local "Improving Livelihoods for Smallholder Farming Households" program, where for the last year she's leased land and learned to grow wheat on her own. Sunita and Chinese harvested their wheat together and yielded a significant profit, thanks in part to training, crop advisory services and soil health testing. As the pandemic subsides and migrant workers return to the city for work, Sunita has decided to stay in her village and continue building a sustainable livelihood in agriculture, for herself and her family.

Sunita's story demonstrates the power and resilience of women in agriculture. Women comprise a majority of the agricultural workforce in Uttar Pradesh and at least 37% of rural agriculture across the globe. However, women's participation in agriculture is often informal, unacknowledged, and underpaid. Women farmers are often restricted to labor-intensive activities with minimal economic return. They have limited access to information, technology, and market networks - which can all improve their livelihoods but are monopolized by men, because women are often relegated to "domestic" responsibilities with their homes and families. Kellogg and TechnoServe are working to change that.

In 2020, Kellogg and TechnoServe launched the "Improving Livelihoods for Smallholder Farming Households" program to empower smallholder wheat farmers in five districts across Uttar Pradesh. The program's approach to making agriculture more sustainable and profitable  especially as COVID-19 severely impacted smallholder farmer economics in the region  includes enrolling women in local Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) and Farmer Field Schools (FFSs) to provide training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and promote their participation in agriculture.

As Kellogg celebrates International Women's Day (IWD), which recognizes the achievements of women, we're proud to share the news that this program successfully trained 2,719 farmers in 2020, 88% of whom are women.

The program expanded TechnoServe and Kellogg's partnership in India, which started in 2015 with an award-winning program to train more than 12,000 smallholder farmers in Madhya Pradesh in climate-smart practices. Our longstanding collaboration is also one of more than 40 Kellogg's Origins programs under the company's global Better Days platform. Today  International Women's Day  and every day, we are proud to partner with Kellogg in our shared objective to empower more women farmers such as Sunita to build happy, profitable lives.

*TechnoServe is a leading nonprofit organization operating in nearly 30 countries, working with women and men in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries.

As of the end of 2019, Kellogg programs have supported more than 433,000 farmers across the globe, including more than 13,000 women.

You can learn more about how Kellogg is creating Better Days for women farmers in this latest video.

About Kellogg Company

At Kellogg Company (NYSE: K), our vision is a good and just world where people are not just fed but fulfilled. We are creating better days and a place at the table for everyone through our trusted food brands. Our beloved brands include Pringles, Cheez-It, Special K, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, Pop-Tarts, Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Eggo, Mini-Wheats, Kashi, RXBAR, MorningStar Farms and more. Net sales in 2020 were approximately $13.8 billion, comprised principally of snacks and convenience foods like cereal, frozen foods, and noodles. As part of our Kellogg's Better Days purpose platform, we're helping to end hunger and are committed to creating Better Days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030. Visit www.KelloggCompany.com or www.OpenforBreakfast.com.

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The extraordinary moment a three-metre long python feasted on a large white cockatoo has been captured in Far North Queensland.

Cairns local Gary Montagner snapped the snake hanging from guttering of his house in Mooroobool as it widened its jaw in order to slowly digest the bird.

'Nature's circle of life caught on camera!' posted Montagner, who added that nearby squawking cockatoos that can be heard in the background of the video were 'distressed' and remained in the trees, too scared to venture near the reptile.

'The meat's a bit feathery': the python was captured mid-meal in a suburb of Cairns

Certain species of python in Far North Queensland have been known to eat an entire wallaby

It took the python around two hours to fully consume the hapless white cockatoo

The python's upper neck can be seen bulging as it begins to devours what appears to be a sulphur-crested cockatoo, a process which Montagner said took two hours.

'We knew a python sometimes came into our roof,' Montagner told Daily Mail Australia. 'They come in where the roof meets the gutter, through a one-inch-sized hole.

'Then they wait by the bird feeder,' he continued.

'The cockies usually tell each other if there is a python in the area.

'The biggest python I would have seen around my place was six or seven metres long.'

Certain species of python have been known to eat animals the size of wallabies in this part of Australia.

The three-metre long python approaches the end of its two-hour digestion of the large bird

The most common in the Cairns region is the Amethystine python, a non-venomous variety that can grow to a size of between 5 and 8.5 metres and lives on birds and small mammals.

'A neighbour of ours had her cat taken by a python,' said Montanger. 'We have small dogs but the snakes don't seem to go for the dogs so much.'

This particular specimen demonstrates perfect python killing technique - coiling around their prey and squeezing until suffocation occurs, a process known as constriction.

'We like animals,' said Montagner. 'We don't want [the python] killed or removed, it's just part of nature up here.'
The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost.
PALO ALTO, Calif., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Denodo, the leader in data virtualization software, today announced a strategic partnership with EJADA, a leading IT services provider in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. As part of this relationship, Denodo and EJADA will deliver value-added solutions using data virtualization.

By partnering with Denodo, EJADA aims to address and solve some key challenges across a wide variety of government and private sector organizations. EJADA and Denodo, working together, will enable data scientists and architects to gain access to trusted data from across the enterprise in real time, so that companies can realize all of the benefits of agile business intelligence.

"Denodo has been performing consistently and growing about 60 percent a year," says Emiliano Pierdominici, Partner and Channel Sales Director of South Europe and the Middle East at Denodo. "So, as we grow from a product license perspective, we very much care about our customers' experiences in implementation, as well as their expanded use of the Denodo Platform. In this effort we see a great importance to work closely together with systems integrators and consultant partners, who can educate our customers about data virtualization and how agile data management solutions can enable digital transformation, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other complex, demanding initiatives. EJADA is one of Saudi Arabia's largest regional information technology solutions and services companies. As Denodo delegates the resale and implementation of our solution to our partners, this alliance with EJADA will be essential in enabling us to reach new customers in the Middle East and Africa."

"The Saudi market is adopting data virtualization, big data, advanced analytics, and AI across many key industries under the flagship of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA)," says Mahmoud El Leissy, CEO of EJADA. "This partnership brings significant value to Saudi Arabia and the MENA market, as it brings Denodo's leading technologies and world-class solutions together with EJADA's deep industry and domain knowledge, as well as our strong technical expertise to enable companies to provide great experiences to their customers. We are currently implementing the Denodo Platform for one of the most important, national projects in the government sector in Saudi Arabia, delivering significant business value. We are committed to being a key enabler of Saudi Arabia's digital transformation journey, as per its Vision 2030."

About Denodo

Denodo is the leader in data virtualization providing agile, high performance data integration, data abstraction, and real-time data services across the broadest range of enterprise, cloud, big data, and unstructured data sources at half the cost of traditional approaches. Denodo's customers across every major industry have gained significant business agility and ROI by enabling faster and easier access to unified business information for agile BI, big data analytics, Web, cloud integration, single-view applications, and enterprise data services. Denodo is well-funded, profitable, and privately held. For more information, visit www.denodo.com or call +1-877-556-2531.

About EJADA

EJADA is a leading IT services provider in the Middle East and North Africa region, enabling enterprises and public-sector organizations to maintain and increase their competitive edge through innovative IT solutions. We offer a unique value proposition by combining a locally based, culturally aware workforce with comprehensive cross-industry solutions and strategic partnerships with global technology vendors. Through a network of five offices and multiple solution centers in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, we have successfully delivered over 700 of large-scale IT projects with the highest standard of implementation, integration, consulting, and support services. For more information, visit www.ejada.com or call +966 (11) 4722277.
At least 30,000 U.S. organizations have been affected by the recent hacking of Microsoft Outlook, according to Krebs on Security. The hackers target stealing emails from their victim organization. Although the email software, Outlook, was gravely affected, its developer has patched the system to enhance the security of the emails. However, the White House is not satisfied with only patching and noted that it may still have a possible vulnerability.

ALSO READ: Security Alert! Twitter Hacking Spree Alarms Experts

White House on Computer Network Operators

Despite the developer's efforts of improving the security of Outlook, the White House still invokes further actions. Channel News Asia mentioned a White House Official saying that "this is an active threat still developing," as they continue to push and urge the network operators to take the matter seriously. The White House Official added that Top U.S. security officials are working to decide and round upon the next step they should take following the breach.

U.S. News and World Report added that the patch Microsoft has done to their software still poses flaws, such as an open back door that can permit or allow access to compromised servers, leaving them open for further attacks by other hackers. The White House official furthered that "patching and mitigation is not remediation if the servers have already been compromised," adding that it is important for organizations with a weak server to implement measures that will determine if they are already the target of hackers.

As Channel News Asia reported, a Microsoft representative confirmed that they collaborate with the government and other sectors to help the victims and guide the customers. Microsoft also urged the affected customers to apply software updates as soon as possible.

Microsoft Outlook Hacked

U.S. News and World Report noted that Microsoft pointed their fingers at China as the culprit for the recent hacking and attacks on a computer network, but Beijing denied the allegation and accountability on the said attack. The mentioned back channels for remote access can affect many establishments and even government sectors such as credit unions, town governments, small businesses, and town governments. Because of this, the officials from the United States are making efforts to reach the victims, urging them to contact the law enforcement agency.

Since Microsoft has patched the holes in the servers, Krebs on Security added that the group responsible for the attack has also leveled up their attack in any vulnerable, unpatched Exchange not only in America but worldwide. Veloxity President Steven Adair noted that their company noticed the attackers quietly abusing the exchange bugs on January 6, 2021, where most of the people are glued on their television due to the Capitol Riot that took place.

U.S. News and World Report pointed out that Microsoft and the White House have no definite knowledge regarding the scale of the hacking. However, the White House has concerns about the possibly large number of victims.

RELATED ARTICLE: How To Protect Both Microsoft Office 365 and Exchange Mailboxes

WATCH: At least 30,000 organizations newly hacked via Microsoft email flaw - from CNBC Television
Agartala, March 8 : A bridge over Feni river in Tripura is set to turn the dream of the northeastern region into reality, as it would connect the landlocked region with the rest of the world through the Chittagong international sea port in Bangladesh.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually open the 1.888 km bridge, which is 72 km by road from the Chittagong sea port. The bridge has been built by India at a cost of around Rs 129 crore.

The double-lane Feni bridge, which would connect the border town of Sabroom in Tripura with Ramgarh in Bangladesh, would ease transportation of goods and heavy machineries to and from the northeastern states from various parts of the country and abroad using the Chittagong sea port, Kolkata port and other ports in India and Bangladesh.

The District Magistrate and Collector of southern Tripura, Debapriya Bardhan, told IANS that the Prime Minister would dedicate the important bridge to the people virtually from Delhi on Tuesday.

The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has constructed the vital bridge and the 1,476m stretch of approach roads, of which 1,193m falls in the Indian territory and the remaining 283m falls in the Bangladesh side.

The Executive Director of NHIDCL, A.K. Kushwaha, told IANS that the bridge named 'Maitre Setu' (friendship bridge) is a cable stayed reinforced cement concrete (RCC) bridge, including viaduct and pillar support to bear heavy load and weighty machineries.

Experts, economists and traders said that the bridge would open a new horizon of connectivity, economy, trade and commerce, besides strengthening people-to-people bonding between the northeastern states and Bangladesh and other neighboring countries.

CUTS International, a Jaipur-based think-tank an NGO, has conducted several studies on border trade and 'Border Haats' (markets) in a bid to boost the economy and fortify the ties among the people of India and Bangladesh and also to check illegal trades and activities.

The Executive Director of CUTS International, Bipul Chatterjee, told IANS: "More than reducing the travel time between the Chittagong sea port in Bangladesh and Sabroom in southern Tripura, the bridge would further secure India's access to the mountainous northeast." "Having the experience of implementing the TIR Convention of the International Road Transport Union, India should help Bangladesh become a member too. That will further reduce the time and cost of doing trade with and through Bangladesh," Chatterjee added.

The President of Tripura Chambers of Commerce and Industries, M.L. Debnath, said that the bridge will open a new avenue for trade, economy and connectivity between India, Bangladesh and adjoining countries.

"Through this bridge, Tripura, Mizoram, southern Assam and other northeastern states would get access to the Chittagong port to ferry essentials goods and machineries from different parts of the country. The bridge would reduce both cost and time to a large extent as road and waterway transportations are big issues for the mountainous northeastern states," Debnath told IANS.

Only 250 km out of the northeast's 5,687 km outer perimeter touches India. The remaining 5,437 km represents international boundaries with China (1,300 km), Myanmar (1,643 km), Bangladesh (1,880 km), Bhutan (516 km) and Nepal (98 km). Agartala is the nearest (135 km) important city from Dhaka.

There is only a narrow land corridor to the northeastern region through Assam and West Bengal, but this route passes through hilly terrain with steep gradients and multiple hairpin bends, making plying of vehicles, especially loaded trucks, difficult and time consuming.

Besides the Feni bridge, the Indian government has already started contructing the sixth multi-facilitated Integrated Check Post (ICP) along the India-Bangladesh borders and a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the border town of Sabroom, 130 km south of Agartala.

The Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) under the Union Home Ministry, and the Department of Expenditure under the Union Finance Ministry, had sanctioned Rs 90.60 crore to acquire land for setting up the new ICP in Sabroom.

The Indian government in association with Tripura government has already started work to set up the SEZ with an investment of Rs 650 crore.

An official of Industry and Commerce Department in Tripura has said that initially, Rs 60 crore would be spent to develop the infrastructure in the SEZ.

(Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in)
Lucknow: To mark International Women's Day on Monday, the Uttar Pradesh government health department is planning to prioritise women for its vaccination drive against COVID-19, even reserving some facilities for them.

Women over 60 years and those above 45 with comorbidities would be given first preference while administering the COVID-19 vaccine.

Those who have not registered for the drive, too, would be allowed to get the shots at any government centre.

News Agency IANS quoted Agra Chief Medical Officer Dr. R.C. Pandey saying, On Women's Day, we have made arrangements to give priority to women for vaccination. At three centres, only women staffers will be administering the vaccine and that too only to women. Men will not be allowed at those facilities."

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said in a statement that the government is committed for the safety, honour and empowerment of women for which various programmes have been initiated in the state.

The main event of the second phase of the `Mission Shakti Abhiyan` will be held in the state capital Lucknow and it will be live-streamed in all districts.

A poster exhibition will also be organised to make children aware of social issues like domestic violence, child marriage, gender discrimination and child rights.

In Lucknow as a gift from Yogi on International Women`s Day, women can visit historical places including Bara Imambara, Bhool Bhulaiya, Picture Gallery, Rumi Gate, and Ghantaghar for free.

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CHICAGO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Participating in the American Bar Association's annual Free Legal Answers Pro Bono program, Katten attorneys fielded more than 100 questions asked by seniors, veterans and other income-eligible individuals pertaining to a range of issues, from unemployment and disability to housing and homelessness, and was named an ABA 2020 Pro Bono Leader.

In a letter sent to Jonathan Baum, senior counsel at Katten and director of pro bono services for the firm, David F. Bienvenu, chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, informed Baum of Katten's distinction as a pro bono leader. Bienvenu complimented the firm's "sincere dedication to pro bono service," and attached a certificate in recognition of the 119 civil legal questions that 12 Katten attorneys from throughout the firm addressed as part of the program.

"Through your firm's exceptional pro bono service, you are helping to ensure that tens of thousands of low-income individuals across this country are receiving the legal help they deserve," Bienvenu wrote, adding that the certificate "highlights the impact that volunteers like you have made."

The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service presents the annual recognition to individual attorneys, law firms, corporate law departments and other organizations that have provided extraordinary pro bono services through the ABA Free Legal Answers program. Katten was one of 22 legal groups nationally that received the recognition for 2020.

"This recognition acknowledges Katten attorneys who donated their time and skills during a global pandemic that paused life as we know it. The honor also underscores our firm's longstanding commitment to helping people in need," said Baum, who, when he started at Katten nearly 30 years ago, was one of few law firm partners nationally to focus exclusively on the delivery of pro bono work.

During a virtual ceremony for the firm's annual Pro Bono Service Awards, Baum joined Katten chairman Roger Furey and guest speaker Judge Ann Claire Williams, a retired judge of the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, to honor 14 Katten attorneys.

With the help of several corporate sponsors in addition to the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, ABAFreeLegalAnswers.org is an on-line virtual legal clinic through which income-eligible clients can post civil legal services questions to be answered by pro bono attorneys from the appropriate legal jurisdiction. Since the site launched in 2016, nearly 9,000 attorneys have volunteered to answer more than 145,000 questions from individuals in low-income communities, many of them military veterans and seniors.

Katten is a full-service law firm with nearly 700 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm's core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals. For more information, visit katten.com .

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Pro surfer Alana Blanchard has revealed she is expecting a second child with her fiance Jack Freestone.

The American athlete, who lives with her Aussie partner and their three-year-old son Banks in Hawaii, took to social media to announce the special news.

'We are so excited to share with you guys that I have a lil bun in the oven due in July,' she captioned an intimate video shared to her 1.8million followers on Instagram.

Blanchard posted a longer video on YouTube revealing she was keeping the gender of the baby a secret and was considering giving birth in Australia.

Alana Blanchard's first child, Banks touches her baby bump in the video announcing her second pregnancy

Blanchard posted a video with fiance Jack Freestone (pictured) to her 1.8million Instagram followers to announce the news

'We're going to do the two-week quarantine, in a hotel with a toddler and a pregnant woman, so if anyone has any advice for us let us know,' Blanchard said.

'We haven't been to Australia... for a year, so we're very excited to see friends and family,' Freestone added, saying the extended holiday would coincide with the start of the World Surf League tour.

The pregnancy announcement comes just one year after Blanchard opened up about her bitter fallout with her long-term sponsor Rip Curl.

The 29-year-old, who signed with the surf brand at the age of 14, claimed her relationship with Rip Curl deteriorated after she first fell pregnant.

'They pretty much stopped using me after I had Banks or found out I was pregnant,' she claimed in a video shared to her YouTube account in 2020.

'They really didn't like that I had a kid.

'I kind of just decided, we kind of both decided to go our separate ways.

'They no longer really wanted to use me anymore and I kind of want to be with a company that really supports me, who I am today and that just wasn't Rip Curl at the time.'

The blonde claimed she cut ties with the iconic surf brand because they were unhappy she had fallen pregnant in 2017

Blanchard shared an emotional video opening up about ending her long-term sponsorship with Rip Curl

She said she was excited for a change but admitted she had been struggling since the split.

'Going from being sponsored my whole life, since I was 14 to now not having a main sponsor, as a professional surfer that's a huge thing.'

Rip Curl denied Blanchard's claims and said it had wanted to re-sign her.

'Rip Curl has supported Alana Blanchard for the past 12 years and she has been a legend within our brand and a huge influence in our sport,' the company told Stab Magazine.

Blanchard remains one of the most sought-after stars in the sport with more than 1.8 million followers on Instagram (pictured with her son Banks and partner Jack Freestone)

'When Alana stepped into the next phase of her life as a mother, we went to great lengths to support her throughout her pregnancy and months after.

'Rip Curl wanted to re-sign Alana and continue her relationship on our surf team, and made an offer to do so, but unfortunately could not agree to terms.

'We are a little surprised by the comments in her most recent video, but can empathise with her disappointment in leaving the brand. We did some great things together.

'We wish her all the best; we value her contribution and legacy at the brand and we are sad to see her go.'

Blanchard had been sponsored by the brand since she was just 14 (pictured with her son Banks and partner Jack Freestone)

Blanchard had been sponsored by the brand since she was just 14.

During the past decade she has taken out major tour wins, she was ranked seventh in the world in 2012.

And while her appearances on the tour circuit has been dropping, she still remains one of the most sought-after stars in the sport with more than 1.8 million followers on Instagram.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Rip Curl for additional comment.
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 storyline 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.
Russias JSC Remdizel is expanding its family of Taifun-K mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, Designer General of the company Igor Zarakhovich told the TASS news agency. According to him, Remdizel now trials more than ten modifications of the Taifun-K vehicles. As of October 2020, we produce nine variants of the Taifun-K, including those for export, and more than ten modifications are completing their tests, said Zarakhovich.

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Taifun K-63968 (Picture source : Vitaly Kuzmin)

The enterprise tests four variants (including armed ones) of K-53949 Taifun-K 44 vehicles, some modifications of the K-63968 66 system, and the K-4386 Taifun-VDV 44 protected vehicle with a combat station armed with a 30mm cannon, said Zarakhovich.

Remdizel has also designed the ZSA-T-53949 protected medical evacuation vehicle and the ZSA-P-53939 battalion-level mobile hospital; both platforms are based on the chassis of the K-53949 Taifun-K 44 MRAP vehicles and have entered their serial production stages. In 2018, we designed a prototype of the Kornet-EM/Kornet-D self-propelled anti-tank guided missile (SPATGM) system on the chassis of an armoured vehicle. An armoured platform is also planned to be used as a chassis for a command-and-control (C2) system, said Zarakhovich.

According to him, the family of Taifun-K 66 MRAP vehicles omprises only one platform, namely, the baseline K-63969 Taifun-K system. Some foreign-made armament suites and subsystems can be integrated into the Taifun-K-family vehicles at the customers request, said Zarakhovich, adding that the Taifun-K-family system are combat-proven platforms that have been successfully used in conflicts. The first armoured vehicle of Remdizel  the K-43269 Vystrel 44 protected platform  is also in high demand, he noted.

Remdizel is also planning to develop a protected tank carrier. We are planning to design a tank carrier and a utility truck, both based on the K-53958 Tornado-K 88 platform, said Zarakhovich.

The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has already received its first serial Linza (Lens) protected mobile hospitals. This platform is based on the chassis of the K-53949 Taifun-K protected vehicle and weighs some 15 t. It is equipped with a 1st/2nd Class medical module. In accordance with our estimations, such vehicles are in high demand in the global market, said Zarakhovich.

The enterprise has modernized the MT-LB light armoured tracked carrier, which is operated by the Russian military. We have been doing works on the MT-LB light carriers for several years. Initially, we only maintain those vehicles; then, the enterprise decided to upgrade it. The updated vehicle, which is designated MT-LB 2.0, was unveiled at the Army 2020 international military-technical forum, said Zarakhovich.

Remdizel also conducts technical maintenance of the KAMAZ and Ural utility trucks of the Russian military. We have already repaired tens of thousand automotive vehicles from the inventory of the Russian MoD, said Zarakhovich.

Some potential foreign customers from the Middle East, Africa, South-East Asia, and the post-Soviet states express their firm interest in the products of Remdizel, said Zarakhovich. The export-oriented members of the Taifun-K family have been embedded in the portfolio of Russia' s arms exporter Rosoboronexport (a sibsidiary of state corporation Rostec). The company demonstrated them at the recent Aero India 2021 and IDEX 2021 defense shows.

Remdizel is among Russias largest manufacturers of wheeled protected vehicles. The Taifun-K 44 and 66 systems are considered to be the most advanced MRAPs in the inventory of the Russian military.

 Copyright 2021 TASS / Army Recognition Group SPRL . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
An individual was shot and killed on Saturday night at the same Minneapolis intersection where George Floyd died nearly a year ago, according to local police.

"The victim and the suspect had a verbal disagreement, and the suspect shot the victim," Minneapolis Police Department spokesman John Elder told reporters.

Police responded to a call about the incident at the intersection of 38th and Chicago Ave after being notified through ShotSpotter, an automated gunfire detection system. The identities of those involved hasnt been released to the public.

By the time they arrived, the victim was already on their way to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Mr Elder, the police spokesman, added that officerswere met with some interference at the scene but did not elaborate.

Police are still looking for the alleged shooter, and are asking the public for help in the search, describing the getaway vehicle as a light-coloured Subaru with gunshot damage. Members of the public were asked to submit information through the Crime Stoppers of Minnesota website, where they could be eligible for a reward if their information helped solve the case.

At that same intersection, police killed Mr Floyd, an unarmed Black man, after responding to a call hed used counterfeit bills to buy cigarettes. As they detained him, he ended up face down on the ground with officer Derek Chauvins knee pressed into his kneck for minutes on end, as Mr Floyd pleaded he couldnt breathe repeatedly before passing out.

Mr Chauvins trial begins next week in Minneapolis.

Since Mr Floyds death, the intersection has become a public space of great importance in Minneapolis, home to protests, community gatherings, memorials, piles of bouquets and murals paying tribute to the deceased community member.

In September, the city renamed the site in honour of Mr Floyd.
Switzerland on Sunday (local time) narrowly voted in favour of banning full facial coverings including the niqab and burqa in almost all public places. As many as 51.21 per cent of voters voted in support of the controversial proposal in the referendum.

According to CNN, the approval by voters means that facial covering will be banned in all publicly accessible places, including on the streets, in public offices, on public transport, in restaurants, shops and in the countryside.

The places where the full facial coverings will be allowed include places of worship and other sacred sites. Besides, it will be allowed for health and safety reasons and also in situations where it is "local custom" such as carnivals.

There will be no additional exceptions, for example for tourists, according to the proposal by the Swiss federal government.

According to CNN, the proposal, put forward by several groups including the right-wing Swiss People's Party, does not mention Islam specifically but has been widely referred to as the "burqa ban" in Swiss media.

The proposal has been widely criticised, especially by the Swiss religious organizations, human rights and civic groups and the federal government.

According to the Swiss Council of Religions, which represents all major religious communities in Switzerland, has stated the human right to religious freedom also protects religious practices such as dress codes.

The Swiss Federal Council, which serves as the country's federal government, and the Swiss Parliament also rejected the initiative as going too far and advised people to vote against it, CNN reported.

France was the first country in Europe to ban burqas and niqabs in public places in 2011 and the European Court of Human Rights upheld the ban in 2014.

In Switzerland, the referendum has come after years of debates. Twelve years ago another referendum had come that outlawed the construction of minarets in Switzerland.

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KInahan drug lieutenant Barry Fowler is photographed driving what looks like a DHL van and dressed up in a delivery driver uniform.

But on closer inspection it seems that Fowler is spending his time in disguise in a van that has nothing to do with the delivery company or its services.

Tiny details prove that this is a mocked-up van painted to look like it is part of a fleet delivering goods to shoppers all over Ireland.

No employee by the name Barry Fowler works for DHL and the company say that anyone with convictions would not pass their strict vetting systems.

Expand Close Barry Fowler in what appears to be a delivery driver uniform. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Barry Fowler in what appears to be a delivery driver uniform.

An investigation was launched this week into how Fowler got his hands on the van and preliminary results have found that he may have sourced it from a garage, which will now come under the spotlight.

The probe into how the convicted drug and gun trafficker ended up behind the wheel of his very own 'DHL' van got underway after he was spotted by a Sunday World surveillance team.

Fowler has been recently released from prison after serving a seven-and-a-half year sentence on drug and weapons charges.

While on bail for the offences he was caught with a fake passport.

Fowler is listed as a serious organised criminal with associations deep into the Kinahan mob and is a long-time pal of gangland heavy Paul Rice.

The Criminal Assets Bureau have recently issued a proceeds-of-crime case against him after they seized a number of jet skis and other items from him during a raid a number of years ago.

Our undercover team have been watching Fowler for weeks as he comes and goes from his home at The Crescent, in Millbrook Lawn, in Tallaght.

He regularly pulls in driving the 'DHL' van and has been spotted in the red delivery uniform on a number of occasions as he meets with young men.

On occasions, two 'DHL' vans are parked up around his house and he has been observed swapping from one to another.

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DHL and other delivery drivers, are exempt from restrictions and can work and make their way around the city undeterred by Covid-19 lockdowns.

Gardai have been investigating Fowler for years and they are also probing his activities in order to establish why he has been moonlighting as a delivery driver.

In 2015, Fowler (36) was jailed for seven-and-a-half years after a court heard that he led gardai to a van containing more than 370,000 of drugs when he failed to use the indicators on his car.

Fowler was driving a BMW three years previous when he was picked up by officers patrolling the streets and when he sped off they gave chase.

Gardai trailed him to the basement of an apartment complex where an alarm fob on his keys led officers to a transit van containing the drugs.

Fowler is a top target of gardai in the Tallaght and Clondalkin areas and pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a sawn-off shotgun and 9mm bullets at the same location as the drugs were nabbed.

Drug tick lists found in his home showed that he was a major wholesaler of drugs at that time in 2012.

When he awaited trial he was caught at Shannon Airport coming off a flight from Alicante in Spain with a false passport.

At the time he was on Job Seeker Allowance, a court later heard.

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In 2005, Fowler was driving an uninsured motorbike when he crashed killing a 15-year-old girl.

Two years ago, while he remained behind bars the CAB launched their own investigation into Fowler's wealth and seized two jet skis and identified properties in Wexford linked to him.

During eight searches Rolex watches were also discovered and a large sum of 100,000 in cash was previously discovered.

The case was adjourned at the last hearing of the Proceeds of Crime list and lists his partner Lorna Palmer as the second respondent.

In a statement DHL said: "DHL Express can confirm that there is no individual employed by DHL Express, either directly or indirectly, by the name of Barry Fowler.

"We have very stringent security policies and protocols. The results of our initial investigations indicate that the branded vehicles in question have not infiltrated our network or had any access to our customers shipments.

"The security and safety of our people, our network, our customers and the general public is our highest priority.

"Our security team carry out a detailed five-year background check on every potential employee or delivery contractor alongside or international 'Denied Parties' screening process.

"An applicant with the known background of the named individual would not pass our security screening program.

"The images in question suggest fraudulent use of a vehicle branded as DHL, which is of utmost concern. The matter is under investigation and any inappropriate or illegal use of any DHL vehicle or the DHL brand will be reported to relevant authorities."

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A land dispute between the family of a Nigerian senator, Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP/Abia) and the Catholic Diocese of Aba has finally been settled, with the senator handing over the disputed land to the church.

Mr Abaribe is said to have handed over some additional land to the Catholic Church as a display of generosity, according to Chukwuma Machukwu-Ume, a former attorney general in Imo State, who brokered the settlement.

Mr Machukwu-Ume, in a statement on Sunday, said the senator handed more than 22 plots of land to the Catholic Diocese of Aba following a memorandum of understanding with the church, bringing to an end years of misunderstanding on the parcel of land.

The 22 plots of land, located in Oholu community in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, had been a subject of misunderstanding between the church and the Abaribe family.

The former attorney general said Mr Abaribes action showed that a lot of sacrifice is involved in leadership.

What has happened is a reflection of what leadership is supposed to be, making sacrifices in order to keep the society in good harmony and showing examples of sacrifice, he said.

Mr Abaribe, who represents Abia South District, called on religious leaders to sustain their prayers for those who are on the frontlines, trying to ensure a better country for Nigerians.

The senator said that he decided to hand over the 22 plots of land as a gift to the Catholic Diocese of Aba for the common good of the community.

He also noted that no progress could be achieved without peace.

When this dispute arose between my extended family and the Catholic Church, what was always at the back of my mind was that we should always seek peace  that is what is in the bible.

The senator advised politicians to always act in a manner that would advance the cause of the society, with selfless service as a priority.

The Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, Augustine Echema, commended Mr Abaribe for his peaceful disposition, saying the senators action would attract divine blessings.

(NAN)
In a new study on beach nourishment projects, scientists from Scripps Oceanography followed sand placed on local shorelines, as it traveled along the coast.

The study, published in the current issue of the journal Coastal Engineering, tracked sand deposited on four San Diego beaches to see how it functioned there, and where it moved in following years.

We want to try to help answer how much sand you need to put on the beach, how often you need to put it there, and once you put it here, where does it go, said Bonnie Ludka, a postdoctoral researcher at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and lead author of the study.

The study can inform coastal management and fine-tune future sand nourishment projects, said Serge Dedina, mayor of Imperial Beach and chair of the shoreline preservation working group at the San Diego Association of Governments.

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First, I think it shows that at the end of the day for Imperial Beach, in terms of addressing sea-level rise and erosion, sand replenishment is still the best, he said. Its a lot more complicated than we previously thought, and we have to be more innovative in how we address these projects, and do projects that are smaller and more opportunistic. We have to do projects that balance coastal protection, as well as recreational access.

To take measurements, Ludka and her colleagues had the enviable task of riding all-terrain vehicles equipped with GPS gear, and cruising the waves on jet-skis fitted with acoustic sonar. That allowed them to measure the sand height and placement, and track it over time.

The study found that sand placements shift in unexpected ways, and that smaller sand grains may be more unstable. A Torrey Pines replenishment project used sand similar in size to the naturally occurring grains, but those improvements didnt even last a season.

One site was the 2001 Torrey Pines nourishment that was built with a grain size similar to native, Ludka said. It washed offshore at the first moderate storm just months after it was placed. Some of that sand was stored in a large offshore bar, and then partially returned to the upper beach the following summer.

By contrast, coarser sand grains placed at Imperial Beach, Solana Beach and Cardiff Beach in 2012 stayed put, even in the face of rough weather that ravaged other California beaches.

The most recent 2015-16 El Nino had extremely energetic waves, Ludka said. Even during those really big waves, beaches remained wider than they had been in a similar winter.

Thats because of what sand researchers call the fall velocity of sand grains.

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What it means is that the coarser grains tend to fall through the water column more quickly, so it settles to the sea bed and isnt transported as far as smaller grains, she said.

Thats not to say that the coarser grains dont pose their own issues. During the El Nino storms of 2016, sand placed at Imperial Beach moved south down the coast, contributing to blockage of the Tijuana River Mouth that flooded streets and created stagnant pools, killing some 50 leopard sharks.

We could see the beach migrating down there, Ludka said. We think the (nourishment) sand had something to do with it.

Other studies have concluded that sand replenishment can be harmful to intertidal invertebrates, such as worms, clams, amphipods (sandhoppers) and crabs. So it may be ecologically safer to stick to sand similar to the natural grain size, Ludka said.

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And sand placed in the wrong location can dampen waves, to the detriment of surf quality and beach attendance, Dedina said.

We have to do projects that balance coastal protection, as well as recreational access, he said. We need to make sure that if we do these projects, we do them in a way that could improve the quality of the waves, so its seen as a win-win.

Beach nourishment may be the only way to maintain sandy beaches and counter erosion, given the changing dynamics of the coastline, so its important to study how it works, Ludka said. In 2016, Solana Beach and Encinitas launched a 50-year, $165 million project to shore up their coastlines.

Coastal development has blocked sand that was naturally delivered by rivers. And as sea waters rise with climate change, coastal communities will confront the ocean lapping ever closer to their doorsteps.

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Its likely that in the future beach nourishment will be used to try to maintain wide beaches in the face of sea-level rise, she said. But if we dont have the right information, we wont be able to do that.

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deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan
Today Irish women join their sisters across the globe to mark International Womens Day. It is a significant date in the calendar because it affords an opportunity for everyone  male and female of all ages and backgrounds  to reflect upon the position and role of half the globes population.

For women generally, and especially those who have taken a role in advancing womens rights, it is an opportunity to examine how far things have come, and what remains to be achieved.

Any assessment of the human experience  past, present and future  will reveal womens role has been under-appreciated as the female sex has been alternatively excluded from power and influence in our daily lives, or only grudgingly admitted on an occasional basis to the mainstream.

Happily, new assessments of Irish history, especially in this decade of centenary commemorations, are shedding light upon the great contribution of women to Irelands independence struggle and the many social and cultural movements which were aligned to that struggle. Appropriately, access to this new knowledge is being led by women historians and women in similar fields of study.

Some boorish males may downplay, or dismiss outright, the significance of this day of celebration and reflection on women in day-to-day life.

Allegations of faddism and tokenism must be dismissed out of hand as timewasting bigotry. This date has been a focal point in the struggle for womens rights since the turn of the 20th century and its adoption by the United Nations in 1977 anchored it firmly in the mainstream.

Ireland was among the first to return a woman member of parliament in Countess Markievicz back in December 1918. Markievicz became Irelands first government minister when an independent breakaway parliament and administration were established in 1919. But we had to wait 60 years for a second woman in cabinet when Maire Geoghegan Quinn was appointed in 1979.

That story of under-representation by women in our politics remains with us. In the Dail, elected in February 2020, fewer than one in four TDs are women and that is a marked improvement on previous ratios.

In the entire history of this State, we have had four women tanaisti in Mary Harney, Mary Coughlan, Joan Burton and Frances Fitzgerald. And while we have two distinguished presidents in Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese, we are still waiting on our first woman Taoiseach almost 100 years after the States foundation.

We are currently below the EU average of 30pc for female parliamentarians and far behind the Nordic average of 41pc. An ironic reflection in a United Nations report notes that just 22 of the worlds current heads of state and government are women, and at existing rates of change equality of the sexes in this regard would take 130 years.

So, International Womens Day is clearly a celebration of progress and a stocktake of womens current position. But more importantly, it is time to acknowledge the pace of change on the path to equality must urgently be speeded up.
Ananda Developments Plc - Holding(s) in Company

8 March 2021

ANANDA DEVELOPMENTS PLC

("Ananda" or the "Company")

Holding(s) in Company

Ananda has received a TR-1 Form which is reproduced without amendment below.

TR-1: Standard form for notification of major holdings

NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR HOLDINGS (to be sent to the relevant issuer and to the FCA in Microsoft Word format if possible) 1a. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached: Ananda Developments Plc 1b. Please indicate if the issuer is a non-UK issuer (please mark with an "X" if appropriate) Non-UK issuer 2. Reason for the notification (please mark the appropriate box or boxes with an "X") An acquisition or disposal of voting rights X An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments An event changing the breakdown of voting rights Other (please specify): 3. Details of person subject to the notification obligation Name Rupert Williams City and country of registered office (if applicable) N/A 4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.) Name Pershing Securities Limited (via Pershing Nominees Limited) City and country of registered office (if applicable) London, England 5. Date on which the threshold was crossed or reached: 3 March 2021 6. Date on which issuer notified (DD/MM/YYYY): 8 March 2021 7. Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation % of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8. A) % of voting rights through financial instruments

(total of 8.B 1 + 8.B 2) Total of both in % (8.A + 8.B) Total number of voting rights of issuer Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached 5.14 584,138,886 Position of previous notification (if

applicable) 6.85

8. Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reached A: Voting rights attached to shares Class/type of

shares

ISIN code (if possible) Number of voting rights % of voting rights Direct

(Art 9 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.1) Indirect

(Art 10 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.2.1) Direct

(Art 9 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.1) Indirect

(Art 10 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.2.1) GB00BDQPX60 30,000,000 5.14 SUBTOTAL 8. A 30,000,000 5.14 B 1: Financial Instruments according to Art. 13(1)(a) of Directive 2004/109/EC (DTR5.3.1.1 (a)) Type of financial instrument Expiration

date Exercise/

Conversion Period Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is

exercised/converted. % of voting rights SUBTOTAL 8. B 1 B 2: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to Art. 13(1)(b) of Directive 2004/109/EC (DTR5.3.1.1 (b)) Type of financial instrument Expiration

date Exercise/

Conversion Period Physical or cash

settlement Number of voting rights % of voting rights SUBTOTAL 8.B.2

9. Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation (please mark the

applicable box with an "X") Person subject to the notification obligation is not controlled by any natural person or legal entity and does not control any other undertaking(s) holding directly or indirectly an interest in the (underlying) issuer Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the

financial instruments are effectively held starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entity (please add additional rows as necessary) Name % of voting rights if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold % of voting rights through financial instruments if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold Total of both if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold 10. In case of proxy voting, please identify: Name of the proxy holder The number and % of voting rights held The date until which the voting rights will be held 11. Additional information

Place of completion London Date of completion 08 March 2021

-Ends-

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

ANANDA DEVELOPMENTS PLC

Chief Executive Officer

Melissa Sturgess



Investor Relations

Jeremy Sturgess-Smith +44 (0)7717 573 235

ir@anandadevelopments.com PETERHOUSE CAPITAL LIMITED

Corporate Finance

Mark Anwyl

Allie Feuerlein



Corporate Broking

Lucy Williams

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Panaji, March 8 : Two persons, both senior citizens were found dead, believed to be murdered, in South Goa's Fatorda area, police said on Monday.

The bodies of the deceased Minguel Miranda (65) and his mother in-law Caterina Pinto (85) were found in a storeroom of their house, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Paramadiyta told reporters. The official said that three labourers working at a site nearby were missing, but said that the motive of the crime was still unclear.

"We can't say right now, whether the motive was robbery or a personal issue. We are investigating all angles. Three labourers (from the area) are missing. They may have had a role or someone else may have had a role," the official said.

Paramaditya also said that both bodies bear marks of blunt and stab injuries.

"Post-mortem report will make it clear what kind of weapon was used," he said.
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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.
NEW HAVEN  Mayor Justin Elicker said the American Rescue Plan Act could help lead the city  which is battling the economic impact of the pandemic  into the future.

The city would be expected to receive about $95 million in town aid under the federal legislation, which was passed by the Senate and is now under consideration by the House of Representatives, Elicker and other officials said. The city would also stand to gain about $95 million in American Rescue Plan Act school aid, $38 million in school aid from the December stimulus school aid, and $25 million from the rescue plans county aid.

Elicker, and U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, both-D-Conn., lauded the measure at a City Hall gathering Monday.

Elicker said his administration would work with the Board of Alders and residents with regard to aid spending, mentioning the need for digital access and access to healthcare, as well as helping small businesses, as potential priorities.

(T)he primary impact of this is on our economic recovery, investing in small businesses, particularly Black and brown-owned businesses that have been significantly impacted by the pandemic. And it allows us, as a community, to... think about how were going to approach anew the future of our city economically, said Elicker. Theres a huge opportunity for us to do something big here.

The additional funding is not expected to significantly impact the citys operating budget in the future, the mayor said. Elicker again advocated for the state to change its PILOT funding formula to benefit New Haven and appealed to Yale University for further funding.

Elicker said the funding, under the tenants of the federal act, could go to defray coronavirus-related expenditures, such as police overtime, and lost revenue, such as the roughly $3 million in parking fees the city failed to bring in this past year.

But other costs, such as debt service, pensions and contractual increases would likely not be covered, he said.

The $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package, among other measures, also includes payments of up to $1,400 for people earning less than $75,000, expands the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 to $3,000, with an additional $600 for children under 6, and would provide $14 billion for vaccines, $12 billion for emergency food aid and $45 billion for rental and mortgage assistance, according to the office of U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3.

It also includes funding for schools: the New Haven Public Schools would receive about $95 million as well, according to figures from the Congressional Research Service.

The time to make a bold investment in the health and security of the American people is now. We cannot afford another mistake in our response to the challenging circumstances in which we are living through, congressional aide Alexis Brown said, reading remarks on behalf of DeLauro. It is a lifeline to the middle class and cuts child poverty in half.

Blumenthal said he was pleased that a Democratic majority in the Senate was able to pass the bill, but called for filibuster reform, noting the lengthy negotiations that went into the process.

The lesson from past economic crises is  go big, do it now, said Blumenthal. That is what we have done and it will mean billions of dollars for Connecticut and a rescue plan that will relieve poverty and drive the economy forward.

Murphy said the measure was one of the most important of his career.

This economy was hurting; American families were hurting before the pandemic. What the pandemic did was bring the entire economy to a halt, but also expose how fragile Americas economic life was for so many people, said Murphy.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives will take a final vote Tuesday on the nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, which should send the package to President Joe Bidens desk and pave the way for tens of millions of Americans to start receiving $1,400 checks just days later.

The stimulus checks will be on the way soon, Biden told reporters in the White House on Saturday. Experts and lawmakers say Americans whose banking information is already on file with the Internal Revenue Service should start receiving checks just a few days after Biden signs the bill. So barring any unexpected moves in the House, its very likely the IRS starts sending payments by this weekend.

Congress and the Trump administration spent about $4 trillion last year addressing the coronavirus and the rattled economy. Biden and the Democrats  who narrowly control of both chambers of Congress  have agreed to go big despite conservatives concerns over the national debt. Democrats argue the pandemics economic devastation including record job loss, hunger and child poverty demand a robust, costly response.

Democrats are on target to beat a mid-March deadline to prevent a lapse in supplemental jobless aid, which was set to expire on March 14.

When former President Donald Trump signed a previous aid package in December, the IRS starting directly depositing $600 payments into Americans bank accounts in just a couple days. Paper checks soon followed.

Ken Corbin, the chief taxpayer experience officer with the IRS, said recently that We are keeping our eyes closely on the bill as the agency prepared to issue payments, CBS News reported.

The direct payments  $1,400 for adults earning less than $75,000 and couples less than $150,000, as well as $1,400 for dependents  could amount to $5,600 for many families of four, Biden said Saturday after the U.S. Senate passed the comprehensive aid package in a party-line vote.

To calculate how much you may receive, read here.

The House already approved the first version of Bidens $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, but now the chamber must vote on some changes finalized in the Senate, including narrowed income cutoffs for direct payments, reduced unemployment insurance and the removal of a $15 minimum wage, a provision progressive Democrats will revisit after the Senate parliamentarian ruled against its inclusion in the coronavirus aid bill.

Direct checks will shrink for Americans making more than $75,000, with a hard cut-off at $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for married couples. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income was $68,703 in 2019.

On top of the stimulus checks, Bidens plan includes $350 billion to help state and local governments overcome pandemic-linked budget shortfalls; $130 billion to help schools reopen; more than $50 billion to bolster vaccination and testing efforts; and tens of billions to help small businesses and restaurants hit hard by the pandemic. Supplemental unemployment insurance of $300 weekly, which was set to expire later this month, will be extended until at least September.

Biden also touted the potential to cut child poverty in the U.S. in half with the package. In addition to billions to help families secure food, pay rent and avoid evictions, the bill includes an expansion of the child tax credit spread out over the year, delivering $3,000-plus payments to tens of millions of parents across the country.

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CHONGQING, China, March 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Western (Chongqing) Science City released "Golden Phoenix" policies - a slew of new measures focusing on talents, innovation, industry and finance - in an effort to spur growth, according to a news conference held in Chongqing Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone on March 5.



The new policies aimed at developing the City into a major science hub that has impact on technological innovation at national and provincial level by actively pooling resources targeted to reignite drivers of growth, enhance the performance of hi-tech industries, and streamline government services in human resources, technological innovation and financial support.



Among these measures, ten related to human resources encouraged companies to make efforts to attract high-skilled workers to the City and contribute to the development of four leading sectors including information technology, advanced manufacturing, healthcare and hi-tech service. This would create an enabling environment where industries and talents reinforcing each other, making the city a talent magnet with global competitiveness.



Ten measures related to innovation put greater emphasis on ramping up spending on research and development, supporting market entities, building science facilities, and promoting application of technological achievements, in a bid to upgrade innovation chains, and create an environment fostering new drivers of growth, as the City took steps to surmount challenges such as building R&D facilities, incubating tech firms, making breakthrough in key technologies, and promoting their application.



Ten policies concerning industry set to support the development of industrial chains in the areas of the four prioritized sectors, encourage industries to grow in collaboration with each other. By addressing slacking growth momentum in industries, encouraging upgrade of traditional industries and growth of emerging industries, the Science City hoped to build a highly-competitive industrial cluster.



Ten policies related to finance were designated to invigorate the sector through supporting registration and acquiring of licenses of financial firms, aiding their growth and sharing of risks, with an emphasis on financial innovation. Building on financial technology and integration of industry, innovation, investment and policy support, these measures aimed at making greater efforts in aiding the growth of major sectors and tech firms, enticing a greater number of financial firms to operate from the City and developing a fin-tech cluster.



Chongqing Hi-tech Development Zone pledged to fully implement these policy measures and ensure firms and individuals' access to these policy support, providing a solid foundation to accelerate the Western Science City's shift to a leading science and innovation hub in the nation.



For more information, please visit:

https://xhpfmapi.zhongguowangshi.com/vh512/share/9809204?channel=weixin



SOURCE Chongqing Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone
PHOENIX, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- American Solar & Roofing celebrates twenty years in business and a win for the entire solar industry. In 2009, Joy Seitz entered the company and in 2014 became the CEO. Seitz put on a cloak of self-described armor and went to battle for a better and more sustainable Arizona. On a freezing winter day this February, Seitz seems a little energized coming off a photo shoot in Cave Creek. She sat down to recount the journey she's taken and the passion she feels about the whole experience. "I know this photo is important, but it's not all about me. I just happen to be a fighter for what I believe in." That passion is also one of her most endearing qualities. Seitz will be forever thankful for the past, present and future employees that shaped her company. She believes the continued support of current and new customers have made them a 20-year overnight success.

Joy Seitz, CEO American Solar & Roofing

Twenty years in business may not seem like a big deal, but in an industry that's constantly under threat from outside interests it's not only big, it's border line heroic. While dark money flooded into Arizona in the early 2000s and utility companies led by dinosaurs tried to squash her, she persevered. And she innovated. American Solar & Roofing was the first licensed solar contractor in Arizona and likely the first with a mechanical engineer in the COO role. In 2008 they became the first solar company in Arizona to also be licensed, bonded and insured roofers. That matters for customers who want quality construction, not just a savings on their energy bill. By understanding that the best roofing practices and the highest quality, longest lasting solar systems go hand-in-hand, Seitz created a new standard for solar installation.

Coming from a family history of quality construction, Seitz is often copied but never duplicated. While other solar companies rely on robocalls, exaggerated claims and desperate offers to send customers on spending sprees in Las Vegas, Seitz has invested in her own education and in the people who work for her and slowly built something she's proud of. "I made a conscious effort to do what's right, no matter what." It seems that investment has paid off, not just for her, but for Arizona as well.

Media Contact:

Ashlee Singleton

480-695-2039

304613 @email4pr.com

SOURCE American Solar & Roofing
Pepperdine, among top 50 US universities, names J. Goosby Smith as new chief diversity officer

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Pepperdine University President Jim Gash announced Wednesday that J. Goosby Smith will serve as the school's fourth chief diversity officer as the West Coast Christian college seeks to implement a more diverse community of belonging.

Smith, Pepperdines new vice president for community belonging and chief diversity officer, will join the staff on June 1. Smith will also serve as a member of the universitys steering team and as a principal leader on the University Diversity Council, on which she has served in the past.

"Unexpectedly, God has called me back to my first academic home to fulfill the calling on my life  to unite His people and empower them to be their very best selves, Smith said in a statement shared with The Christian Post. I am humbled and excited to engage fully in this endeavor with my Pepperdine family."

Smith previously served as an assistant professor of organizational behavior in the Seaver College Business Administration Division from 2002 to 2006, a tenured associate professor of organizational behavior from 2011 to 2015, an assessment coordinator for the Seaver Diversity Council, and an adjunct professor in the Graziadio Business Schools MBA program.

What an honor it is today to announce Smith is returning to the Pepperdine community, Gash said in a statement. Im especially grateful to the search committee for identifying an amazing and experienced leader. I simply cannot wait to work alongside Smith as we chart a distinctively Pepperdine path forward addressing one of the great issues of our time. Our goal isnt just to have a community of belonging but to train generations of graduates to create the same in their own communities.

Smith presently serves at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, as associate professor of leadership, associate professor of management, assistant provost for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the director of the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Center.

She hopes to earn a master of divinity from Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, in December 2021.

Gash has implemented multiple diversity and inclusion-focused initiatives as president to "build and model a diverse, informed, loving and unified community at Pepperdine," the university's website says.

Some of the diversity initiatives announced in fall 2020 include a presidents speaker series that features leaders with diverse points of view; a review of hiring and retention practices to ensure a diverse faculty and staff; more campus partnerships to increase institutional diversity; as well as the implementation of diversity and inclusion education.

In spring 2022, the universitys Weisman Museum will host the Kinsey African American Art and History Collection.

When I was a candidate to be Pepperdines eighth president, I made it clear that hiring a chief diversity officer would be among my top priorities, Gash continued. Though we began our national search for a chief diversity officer, after getting to know these two extraordinarily qualified leaders, each of whom has a deep love for Pepperdine and our mission, we decided to hire a team  and what a team it is!"

April Harris Akinloye, a double alumna of Pepperdine, will serve as Smiths assistant vice president for community belonging and has served as the chief diversity officer at Vanguard University, a private Christian university in California.

"Smith and Harris Akinloye will be a venerable force to help lead Pepperdine to a new level of inclusion, excellence, and genuine belonging, befitting the Pepperdine communitys unwavering commitment to radical Christian hospitality," Gash added.

Pepperdine is the only Protestant school among Americas top 50 universities ranked by U.S. News & World Report and one of only three Christian universities.
(Newser)  Dread small talk at parties, back when such things existed? If so, a new study may shed light on why. It turns out almost everyone is lousy at knowing when to end a conversation, reports Science. In most cases, people report the chats go on too long, say researchers in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The first part of the study looked at 126 one-on-one conversations in a lab setting between strangers, after which 69% of participants say they wished things ended sooner. Maybe more telling is that only 2% of those conversationsfewer than three of themended when both parties wished. As it turns out, people are rarely in sync on what their conversation partner wants.

story continues below

They might keep talking because they think it's rude to bow out, or stop talking too soon for fear that they're boring their partner. Indeed, in about 30% of chats, at least one partner wanted to talk longer. "Whatever you think the other person wants, you may well be wrong," lead author Adam Mastroianni, a psychology researcher at Harvard, tells Scientific American. In a second part of the study, the research team surveyed more than 800 people online about a recent one-on-one conversation with a friend or family member and found a similar disconnect67% of respondents say the conversation went on too long. Mastroianni found that surprising since the respondents were talking about conversations with people they knew, not strangers. "Just like you wouldnt cut off a stranger and walk away, you also wouldnt do the same thing to your mother," he observes. (Read more conversation stories.)
The platform is also accessible from browsers for creators not interested in using the app or who prefer a desktop and provides them with multiple monetisation choices, from classical content sale and subscriptions to paid DM's and video calls. Payments to creators are made weekly with no delay, every Tuesday for the previous week.

Owned and operated by Canadian company Star Apps Development, qrush is an alternative to both the mainstream Patreon and adult-oriented Only Fans. On one side, it provides the fast and flexible help for independent journalists, bloggers and other influencers on the best possible payout share (90%) with both subscriptions and direct tips (gifts) available. On the other hand, its app is great for Gen Z, and is being used by young creators as a social media platform more into the Tik-Tok style, but with a monetisation option.

Asked about the difference between qrush and Only Fans, Jim Austin mentioned "For users, we are more like a social media platform, where they spend time having fun and connect with their favourite influencers. For content creators, we offer not only the best payout, but also a unique 25% share if users they attract online then spend money on other qrush content creators. Also, we are open to anyone but we are not an adult platform, all public content is 100% SFW. While our rules on public content are similar to Instagram, our content is approved on the site post moderation to avoid any risks. Also, each creator is verified before approval on the platform and can only post their own content, because we believe in copyright protection".

qrush is focused mostly on video content, the fastest growing segment in 2020, as even Google's search algorithms are trying to transcend text to videos. In a market of direct content sales estimated at 10 billion last year, qrush is expecting to cover 10% of the total market in 2021, targeting at least 10 million users by the end of the year.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV5gUfwJRlM

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1450420/qrush_Mobile_App.jpg

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In the past year, Bridget and Tony Caletka were anticipating trips to mark their 30th wedding anniversary and her 50th birthday. Theyd had to cancel a trip with their daughter to Fatima, Portugal, and they didnt want to give up on their celebrations.

Facing a pandemic year in isolation, the couple from The Woodlands decided to do something drastically different: buy an RV.

The couple had never really camped, except for a 2018 trip when they rented an RV and drove to Big Bend National Park. Some friends started RVing full time in retirement, and the Caletkas saw it as their only option, since hotel stays werent something they wanted to do.

After a bit of research, they decided on a Lance brand RV that they could pull behind their vehicles; they found a 2015 model in Conroe at the end of July. Dealers have lengthy waiting lists for new RVs.

On their first trip, they had three flat tires, trouble with a broken lock and propane tank problems, but they stuck with it, visiting state parks  including Lost Maples, Bastrop and McKinney Falls  as well as Camp Gulf in the Florida Panhandle.

The Caletkas arent alone. RV camping has surged in popularity, making campground and state parks some of the hottest reservations around. RV sales have skyrocketed; in January 2021 alone, units shipped were up 39 percent over the same month in 2020.

The RV Industry Association projects that by the end of 2021, some 533,356 new units will be shipped, a projected increase of 23.9 percent over 2020, another very busy year. And those statistics dont count all of the used RVs changing hands among individual owners.

Despite the early glitches, the couple enjoyed camping. Their kids  23-year-old Quintin and Shannon, a senior at Texas A&M University  even wanted to join them.

After four months of occasional camping, the Caletkas decided to take it a step further and remodel the RVs stodgy interior. It had oak-stained wood cabinets, gray-beige upholstery and linoleum flooring. Beige was everywhere.

Bridget knew designer/builder Andee Parker from church, and she reached out to see if Parker could help her find professional help.

It was still in great shape, but from the moment we bought it, I always had in my mind that we would update the cabinets and darker upholstery, said Bridget, a licensed professional counselor at her Forge My Path practice in The Woodlands. For a hot minute I thought we could paint it, then I realized we just dont have time for that.

She was surprised when Parker said she wanted to tackle the project herself. Remodeling an RV is somewhat like remodeling a home in that youre upholstering furniture, installing new lighting and flooring and picking tile.

But its also filled with pitfalls: anything electrical has to be RV size and suitable for 12 volts, furnishings have to be bolted down because they cant move or fall during transport, and, maybe most important, the weight of everything matters.

Parker had never camped or used an RV, but she was intrigued by the space  especially in the context of our changing world. Adapting an RV, as people adapt to changes brought by the pandemic, seemed like such a challenging yet fun idea. Everyone on her staff wanted to have a hand in the project, she said.

One of the biggest changes was meant to brighten up the dark interior. Parker painted walls and cabinets in Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (the scrubbable Duration line), a clean white without undertones. The sofa and dinette  both of which convert into beds  were reupholstered in a creamy white vinyl with gray piping.

A small light fixture over the dinette had to go, but their options were limited. Parker found one she liked and painted its gold trim black to better blend with the new color palette.

Dated curtains were replaced with Hunter Douglas window blinds that have tie downs at the bottom, as if they were installed on a residential door. Curtains that serve to separate the bathroom from the bedroom and main living area were replaced with gray faux linen.

In the kitchen, the epoxy-painted brown counters got a new paint job in a speckled light gray pattern, and the shallow sink was replaced with a deeper one after a plumber was able to tinker with the P trap. A tile backsplash was replaced with a thin veneer of stacked Cararra marble  a style that would look great in any kitchen. The same could be said for the brushed nickel hardware added to cabinets throughout.

As the Caletkas were getting ready for a weekend trip to the Onalaska KOA campground at Lake Livingston, where they could use their remodeled RV for the first time, Bridget reminisced about the advantages of traveling with an RV  not having to use public restrooms and being able to do your own cooking  while remembering other trips, too.

A funny thing happens on nearly every trip, no matter where they are: Someone inevitably compares Tony to Chuck Norris. Hes a dead ringer for the actor.

In fact, in the spring of 2019, Tony went to the Force Chuck Norris 5K in College Station and won the look-alike portion of the event. (He won a Stetson hat and had his picture taken with the actor.)

We were in Puerto Rico once, and someone from the hotel came up to us on the beach and asked if we had our own security or if we needed them to provide it. We had no idea what they were talking about, Bridget said. Then the next day these little boys were following him around and calling him Mr. Norris.

Now he gets mistaken for Chuck Norris everywhere we go. We call it getting Chucked, Bridget said.

diane.cowen@chron.com
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Chandigarh, March 8 : The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday unanimously passed a resolution saluting the "indomitable spirit of women in contributing to the progress of the nation", with Chief Minister Amarinder Singh declaring his government's strong and continued commitment to the empowerment of women and the girl child at every level.

Recognizing the immense contribution of the women in making this world a better place to live, the House resolved "to work with dedication towards providing them an ambience of equity, justice, and freedom to further empower them to be equal partners in the progress of Punjab and our country." The Akalis continued to remain suspended as per the Speaker's directions.

Lauding the decisions of the state government to provide 50 per cent reservation for women in the Urban Local Bodies and the Panchayati Raj Institutions, and 33 per cent reservation in government employment, it noted that athis ensures better representation of women in decision-making and contributes to the furtherance of their interests." Earlier, placing the resolution before the House on the occasion of the International Women's Day, the Chief Minister termed it an occasion "to realistically assess where we have reached and to rededicate ourselves to providing a life of equality and dignity to every woman in the state".

Recalling the words of Guru Nanak Dev, who had said about women: "So kyun manda aakhiye jit jamme rajan (which loosely translates to 'Why call 'her' inferior? From her, the Kings are born)," the Chief Minister stressed the importance of various measures to power the changing attitudes about women.

He expressed happiness over the fulfilment of his government's promise to provide 50 per cent reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, asserting that "this increased political representation will provide political empowerment to women".

Referring to the reservation of the women in 33 per cent of jobs in government and state government undertakings, Amarinder Singh hoped this economic empowerment would also lead to their social empowerment.

He also underlined the need to "commit ourselves to ensuring that every girl child is educated so that she is provided the right foundation to access her rights." The Chief Minister underscored the importance of ensuring an environment where women can be provided both safety and any offenders can be brought to justice, swiftly and surely.

He cited the recently launched Mata Tripta Mahila Yojana for the empowerment of women headed households as another step to strengthen thousands of women and their families in the state Under this scheme, 105 sub-schemes are to be implemented by the various Departments, he said.
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Multinational companies headquartered in countries with tougher environmental policies tend to locate their polluting factories in countries with more lax regulations, a new study finds.

While countries may hope their regulations will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, these results show that these policies can lead to "carbon leakage" to other nations, said Itzhak Ben-David, co-author of the study and professor of finance at The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business.

"Firms decide strategically where to locate their production based on existing environmental policies, with the result being that they pollute more in countries with lenient regulations," Ben David said.

"This highlights the importance of worldwide collective action to combat climate change, given the global scale of firms' operations."

The study was published online recently in the journal Economic Policy.

Researchers used a novel dataset covering 1,970 large public firms headquartered in 48 countries and their carbon dioxide emissions in 218 countries from 2008 to 2015. The database was provided by CDP, a nonprofit formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project.

"What makes this dataset unique is that we can observe the carbon dioxide emissions of each multinational firm in each country in which it operates," Ben-David said.

"This provides direct evidence of the effect of environmental policies and each firm's actual carbon dioxide emissions at the country level."

The researchers also used rankings from the World Economic Forum that rated the strength of each country's environmental policies on a scale of 1 (worst) to 7 (best).

The results of the new study don't mean that tougher environmental regulations have no effect at all on global emissions, Ben-David said. Findings suggest that stringent policies are still associated with a partial, but positive, impact on reducing overall global pollution.

For example, an increase in the environmental policy score from China (2.1, suggesting weak regulations) to Germany (5.5, stronger regulations) is associated with 44% lower global emissions.

But it is also associated with a 299% increase in foreign emissions when compared to the companies' home countries.

"If you make it more difficult to pollute in a company's home country, firms will move some of that pollution activity to somewhere else," Ben-David said.

The study examined whether stricter policies "pushed" firms to pollute elsewhere or lax regulations "pulled" firms to countries where it was easier to pollute.

"We found that the results were primarily driven by the environmental policies in the home country, rather than by opportunities to pollute elsewhere," he said. "It was more of a 'push' effect than a 'pull' effect."

Not surprisingly, firms in the most polluting industries were the ones most likely to respond to strict policies in their home countries by locating their pollution activities elsewhere.

Overall, most carbon dioxide is released in an average company's home country, but the share of home emissions declined substantially over time from 72% in 2008 to 57% in 2015, the researchers found.

In addition, the number of countries in which the average firm polluted increased from six to nine during the period of the study.

"Environmental regulations in each country do work to somewhat reduce global emissions of carbon dioxide, but they also have this negative side effect of pushing pollution to other countries," Ben-David said.

"Countries need to collaborate if they really want environmental policies to have the strongest impact."

More information: Itzhak Ben-David et al, Exporting Pollution: Where Do Multinational Firms Emit CO2?, Economic Policy (2021). Itzhak Ben-David et al, Exporting Pollution: Where Do Multinational Firms Emit CO2?,(2021). DOI: 10.1093/epolic/eiab009
The US is preparing to retaliate against Russia after determining the country was probably involved in the SolarWinds cyberattack. Without providing specifics, White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed to CNBC that the government will carry out "a mix of actions seen and unseen."

According to the New York Times , the US may start conducting those actions within the next three weeks. Sources told the publication that more economic sanctions will be imposed on Russia, while President Joe Biden is likely to sign an executive order with the aim of making government networks more secure.

Hackers breached several federal agencies that used tech from IT company SolarWinds. The attack impacted many corporate networks as well. Microsoft said last month that although the SolarWinds hackers didn't obtain customer data, they got their hands on source code for three products.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration will likely have to deal with the fallout of another major hack, one that China was allegedly behind. Microsoft last week rolled out a fix for Exchange Server vulnerabilities. It said a Chinese state-sponsored group exploited those to breach the networks of various companies and organizations.
The General-Secretary of Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai on Sunday said that the in Ayodhya is likely to be ready in three years time.

"The will be built in about two and a half acres and a wall will be built around it, which is called Parkota. Retaining walls will be built inside the ground to prevent the effects of floods. This work will be completed in three years and with this preparation we are doing all the work," Rai said.

Earlier in the day while addressing a press conference, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) vice-president Rai said that Rajasthan has participated the most in the Samarpan (donation) drive for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

"The collective contribution of Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Chittor for the construction of Ram Mandir is Rs 500 crores, which in itself is quite a big deal," Rai said while addressing a press conference.

"We connected to 36,000 villages in Rajasthan where 9 lakh workers were contacted. 38,125 workers were given the responsibility to deposit the money in the bank. The campaign was monitored from 49 centres in India," he added.

He went on to say that the figures for each state will be revealed soon. A lot of paperwork in connection with the construction of the temple in Ayodhya has been done.

Earlier on Saturday, Rai, had said the door-to-door collection drive for construction in Ayodhya has stopped, but devotees who missed the contribution drive can still make their contributions through the trust website.

Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has been entrusted with the task of Ram temple construction in Ayodhya.

(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.)
Working out simple arithmetics was at the heart of the decision by the Supreme Court to dismiss the 2020 presidential election petition.



With the calculations based on additions and subtractions, the apex court was able to determine that President Akufo-Addo indeed won the December 7, 2020 presidential election by obtaining more than 50 per cent of the total valid votes cast as required by Article 63 (3) of the 1992 Constitution.



These calculations were based on the figures used by the Electoral Commission (EC) in the declaration of the presidential results on December 9, 2020.



In dismissing the petition filed by former President John Dramani Mahama, the court held that the petitioner did not provide any evidence to challenge the figures announced by the EC.



In fact, the court opined that the petitioner relied on the figures declared by the EC as the basis for his claim that no candidate won the 2020 presidential elections, but no matter how the petitioner stretched it, the figures in the declaration clearly showed that President Akufo Addo met the more than 50 per cent threshold.



Declaration figures







On December 9, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa, announced the 2020 presidential election results.



At the time the declaration was made, the presidential election results from Techiman South were outstanding.



Per the declaration by the EC boss, President Akufo Addo had 6,730,413 of the total valid votes cast, former President Mahama garnered 6,214,889, Christian Kwabena Andrews got 105,565, Ivor Kobina Greenstreet had 12,215, Akua Donkor -





5,575, Henry Herbert Lartey - 3,574, Hassan Ayariga - 7,690, Kofi Percival Akpaloo - 7,690, David Apasera - 10,887, Brigitte Dzogbenuku - 6,848, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings - 6,612 and Alfred Kwame Asiedu Walker - 9,703.



The EC chairperson said the total valid votes were 13,434,574 and declared President Akufo-Addo as the President-elect with 51.595 per cent of the total valid votes cast.



Petitioners calculations



Mr Mahama filed the petition with a case that no candidate got more than 50 per cent of the total valid votes per the declaration made by Mrs Mensa.



He said the actual total valid votes should be 13,121,111 (a summation of the valid votes garnered by all the 12 candidates) and not the 13,434,574 as declared by Mrs Mensa.



According to the petitioner, a calculation of what President Akufo-Addo got (6,730,413) as a percentage of the total valid votes announced by the EC Chairperson (13,434,574) would be 50.098 per cent and not the 51.595 per cent as stated by Mrs Mensa.



Even with this calculation, one would think that the petitioner had clearly admitted that President Akufo-Addo still crossed the more than 50 per cent mark.



But that is not the case because the results from Techiman South were still outstanding at the time the Chairperson of the EC made the declaration on December 9, 2020.



While making the declaration, Mrs Mensa said if all the votes in Techiman South (128,018) were added to former President Mahamas votes, President Akufo-Addo would still meet the more than 50 per cent threshold.



Mr Mahama disagreed in his petition and did a calculation that in his estimation would clearly show that President Akufo-Addo fell below the more than 50 per cent mark.



He added the total valid votes of 13,434,574 as announced by Mrs Mensa to 128,018 (total registered voters in Techiman South). The resulting figure was 13,562,595 which in the petitioners view should be the new total valid votes cast.



Going by Mrs Mensas statement, Mr Mahama added all the 128,018 votes to his votes as announced by Mrs Mensa (6,214,889) and arrived at 6,342,907 votes.



Using his new total valid votes of 13,562,595, Mr Mahama argued that a percentage of President Akufo-Addos votes of 6,730,413 expressed as a percentage of the 13,562,595 should have been 49.625 per cent.



It was based on this analysis that the petitioner argued that no candidate in the 2020 presidential election garnered more than 50 per cent of the total valid votes and, therefore, the Supreme Court should order a run-off between him (Mahama) and President Akufo-Addo.



Court calculations



However, in its unanimous decision, the apex court held that it was clear that the chairperson of the EC inadvertently used 13,434,574 which was actually the total votes cast (total valid votes plus rejected ballots) as the total valid votes.



The total valid votes, the court said, should be 13,121,111 (summation of the actual valid votes all the candidates got).



It was the considered view of the court that the petitioner even acknowledged the total valid votes to be 13,121,111 and not 13,434,574.



Also, the court held that during cross-examination, the first witness of the petitioner, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, admitted that the total valid votes should be 13,121,111.



Again, it said Mr Asiedu Nketiah admitted that a percentage of President Akufo-Addos total valid votes (6,730,413) against the total valid votes (13,121,111) would be 51.295 per cent.



In view of these admissions by both the petitioner and his witness, and the fact that the calculations would lead to the same figures, the court concluded that President Akufo-Addo got 51.295 per cent of the total valid votes cast per the declaration made by the Chairperson of the EC on December 9, 2020.



Techiman South permutations



It was now time for the court to factor in the results from Techiman South, and analyse whether or not the Chairperson of the EC was right in saying that President Akufo-Addo would still meet the more than 50 per cent threshold even if all the votes in the constituency were given to Mr Mahama.



Doing the calculation, the court added the total valid votes of 13,121,111 to that of the total registered voters in Techiman South (128,018) and arrived at 13,249,129, which will be the total valid votes for the calculation. The court then added the 128,018 to Mr Mahamas votes (6,214,889) which led to 6,342,907.



Since the assumption is that President Akufo-Addo will not get any votes in Techiman South, his total valid votes will still be 6,730,413.



The court then calculated the total valid votes of President Akufo-Addo (6,730,413) as a percentage of new total valid votes (13,249,129) and got 50.7989 per cent.



This made the court to uphold the statement by the EC chairperson during the declaration that President Akufo-Addo would still meet the more than 50 per cent threshold if all the votes in Techiman South were given to former President Mahama.



It was also the considered view of the court that at the time the petition was filed, the results of the presidential election in Techiman South had been announced, a fact that was even acknowledged by the petitioner in the petition.



Per the results, out of the registered voters of 128,018, the valid votes cast were 99,438, out of which President Akufo-Addo got 46,379, with former President Mahama obtaining 52,034.



When the results are factored into what was declared on December 9, the court said the new national total valid votes would now be 13,220,547 (13,121,111 plus 99,438), while the total valid votes for President Akufo-Addo would be 6,776,792 (6,730,413 plus 46,379), that of Mr Mahama would be 6,266,923 (6,214, 899 plus 52,034).



The court held that a percentage of President Akufo-Addos total valid votes (6,776,792) over the new total valid votes (13,220,547) would be 51.259 per cent.



In conclusion, the court held that President Akufo-Addo met the more than 50 per cent criterion in Article 63(3) of the 1992 Constitution per the declaration made by the EC chairperson on December 9, 2020.



It further held that with or without the inclusion of the results from Techiman South, President Akufo-Addo still met the threshold to become the constitutionally elected President of the Republic 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.

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Singapore , March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- South East Asias first insured Bitcoin fund, BCMG Genesis Bitcoin Fund-I (BGBF-I), has officially launched to address the growing global interest from institutional and corporate investors. This Bitcoin-only fund offers insurance coverage and underwriting for Public Offering Security Insurance (POSI), adding an extra security level to its clients investments. The fund is regulated in Labuan, Malaysia.



Bitcoin has become the most sought-after investment opportunity today and is undergoing a parabolic growth phase fueled by interest from large corporations in the US leveraging this leading digital asset as part of their Asset and Treasury Management. In anticipation of similar interest from Asia, BGBF-I was set up to provide access to Asian accredited investors and large corporates. Bitcoin has fast become a new asset class and with a diminishing supply the intrinsic value of the asset has grown remarkably in recent years.

BGBF-I is a secure, insured and regulated platform where investors can get exposure to the Digital Assets industry. Investors get to benefit from our expertise in the financial, technical and security aspects of Bitcoin investments, as well as enter this class with a peace of mind without any challenges or risk in directly handling the Digital Asset said Fund Manager, Subbu Vempati.

The fund will be deployed in the Digital Assets industry through our involvement with market makers and liquidity providers as well as in the fast-growing industry of Decentralized Finance (DeFi).

BGBF-I is supported by an ecosystem of stakeholders and collaborators with a strong Asian presence. The fund is administered by the dynamic best-practice provider of regulatory compliance and professional services, Alpha Calibration, and audited by Hong Kong-based auditing firm HLB Hodgson. Labuan based IBH Investment Bank serves as the main Fund Advisor to BGBF-I.

IBH Investment Bank is well positioned for wealth management in niche markets such as blockchain. Our strategic partnership with BGBF-I will focus on corporate and financial advisory as well as support our mission to gain a competitive advantage and positioning in Asian Investment banking operations. We are looking forward to successful cooperation, said Dato Howard Choo, Fund Advisor, Managing Director and CEO of IBH Investment Bank.

The BGBF-I leverages an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered blockchain-based platform provided by the worlds first fully insured crypto exchange CGCX.io. The exchange has a highly complex and unique infrastructure that protects assets against cyber-attacks and hacks. With security in mind other measures include having all investment subscription contracts held in custody with regulated banks. All investors must go through mandatory Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) screenings. BGBF-I is committed to continuously evaluate security developments to lead with industry best practices.

All investments are made with a target of generating attractive yield in a regular manner.

Interested accredited investors can learn more about BGBF-I on the official website: www.bgbf1.com

About BGBF-I

BCMG Genesis Bitcoin Fund-I (BGBF-I) is South East Asias first insured Bitcoin fund regulated in Labuan, Malaysia. BGBF-I was founded to utilize the most established crypto asset in the world, Bitcoin, and leverage on its progress and adoption. With robust security and insurance coverage the fund offers investors a new level of security for Bitcoin investments.

About Alpha Calibration

Alpha Calibration is a Hong Kong based dynamic best practice provider of regulatory compliance and other professional services to financial institutions. The company offers pragmatic solutions enabled by a unique combination of buy and sell side experience within investment banking, and legal operations. Asset management and brokerage firms, hedge funds and insurance intermediaries are amongst their clients. Official Website: www.alphacalibration.com

About BCMG Limited

BCMG Limited is a Malaysia based advisory firm that leverages on the latest technology to improve the business of innovative ideas and implement them in the most effective manner. The firm, which has offices in Singapore, Mauritius and the UAE, prides itself with a stellar team of experts from different sectors including Finance, Real Estate, Emerging Technology and Compliance, offering advisory in Next-Gen Technology Advisory, with a niche focus on innovative Capital Financing Models. BCMG Limited has provided advisory for FinTech & DeFi, Private Equity & Venture Capital, Emerging Technology and much more. Official website: www.bcmgltd.com

About IBH Investment Bank

IBH Investment Bank, is a Labuan licensed bank owned by its Bank Holding Company IBH Capital. IBH Investment Bank is known for wealth management within a niche market of blockchain, gold and Forex with strategic partners in local and global transactions. The bank also offers consultancy and advisory services related to corporate and investment matters. With more than 10 years of serving clients, the banks mission is to be a Blockchain Investment Bank with a strong franchise that excels in niche activities. Official website: www.ibhinvestmentbank.com

About CGCX.io

Founded in 2017, Calfin Global Crypto Exchange, CGCX.io set out to offer a highly sophisticated cryptocurrency exchange for a seamless and secure crypto trading experience. Unlike most exchanges that offer only cryptocurrency trading, CGCX.io caters to the larger blockchain community by providing four services under a single platform. CGCX.io is the worlds first fully insured crypto exchange. Official website: www.cgcx.io

For the original news story, please visit https://www.prdistribution.com/news/south-east-asia-s-first-insured-bitcoin-fund-launched-to-meet-the-growing-institutional-interest-in-digital-assets-2.html
New Delhi, March 8 : Amid the political storm brewing in the Capital triggered by dissenting MLAs in Uttarakhand, chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat met Anil Baluni, Rajya Sabha MP from the state and National media in-charge of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here on Monday evening.

Beginning at 8.15 pm, Rawat and Baluni met at the latter's residence for about 30 minutes. After the meeting, without responding to questions posed by journalists, CM Rawat headed directly to BJP President J.P. Nadda's residence for another meeting.

Before this, the top leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party had a meeting in the Parliament House complex for about 40 minutes to discuss the rapidly changing political climate of the state of Uttarakhand.

Sources say National President J.P. Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah and National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santosh participated in this meeting in a bid to resolve the grievances of the dissenting MLAs as well as consider a change in guard in the state.

Rawat's meeting with Baluni at his residence, soon after the meeting of the top BJP leadership, has heightened speculation in the Capital's political circles.

Reports say a large group of MLAs is upset with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. The MLAs complain the bureaucracy has got a free rein in the state, making it spiral out of control. Even MLAs and ministers have no say in the proceedings. In such a scenario, the upset MLAs are demanding that the chief minister be changed.

The BJP top leadership had rushed national vice president Raman Singh and national general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam to Dehradun on Saturday. Singh and Gautam held a meeting of the Uttarakhand core committee and submitted a report to the party leadership. The party leadership is now acting on the basis of this report.

Amid all the tumult in Uttarakhand, four ministers and more than 15 MLAs are camping in the national Capital.
On International Women's Day, hundreds of women marched in the Kazakh city of Almaty to call for gender equality. The March 8 rally was organized by a number of organizations fighting for women's rights across Kazakhstan. The demonstrators demanded the adoption of a new law combating domestic violence and ensuring equality for women, in particular with regard to wages.
MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, MI  A nearly $5 million mixed retail and residential development is planned for a key intersection in Muskegon Heights.

The Shoppes on Sherman project includes a $1 million cleanup of a former dry cleaner shop at the project site on Peck Street and Sherman Boulevard thats critical to the revitalization of the area.

The development about two years in the planning is the project of Joe Rone, a Muskegon Heights native who lives in Iowa but has never lost his love for his hometown.

I have a very good kinship with the city, Rone told city council members last month, explaining that his mother, Eleanor, owned a business in the city for more than 50 years.

Eleanors Boutique was located at the same corner that Rone plans to develop.

Several vacant and blighted storefronts currently on the site located near the Muskegon Heights Post Office would be demolished. Current plans show a three-story building that would wrap around the corner and include first-floor retail space and upper-level housing.

A vacant lot at Sherman and Maffett Street would be turned into a parking lot for the development, according to plans.

A unique aspect of the project is Rones plan to allow local, low-income residents to invest in it through a community investment trust.

The Muskegon Heights City Council unanimously agreed to sell to Rone property it owns at 2336 Peck, which is the former location of Shepard Cleaners.

A $1 million grant has been pledged by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to clean the contaminated former dry cleaning site, Joe Bolin of Westshore Engineering and Surveying told council members last month.

Once the contamination is cleaned up, which likely will take a year, buildings at the site can be demolished for construction of the Shoppes on Sherman project, Muskegon Heights City Manager Troy Bell told MLive. Plans are for 20,000 square feet of retail, Rone told the council at its Feb. 22 meeting.

He estimated a July 2023 opening.

Council members expressed appreciation for Rones commitment to Muskegon Heights.

Many people have come before us with ideas  and many times nothing happens, said Mayor Walter Watt, who thanked Rone for his resiliency.

In addition to Bolin of Westshore, partners Rone has lined up for the project include EGLE, Muskegon Area First and the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce.

The location of the project is an important one because of high traffic volumes and the fact out-of-towners use it to access Lake Michigan from U.S. 31, Bell told MLive. He said an average of 15,000 vehicles pass through each day.

Everybody is excited about what this brings to the community, Bell said. We hope it will be a rallying pointThis is a renaissance that were embracing for Muskegon Heights.

Funding for the project includes tax increment financing, grants and loans, Bell said. Rone has even started a GoFundMe account for the project, which provides community funding required as part of an application the city and Rone will make for a Brownfield Redevelopment grant, he said.

Shoppes on Sherman is a project of Ele Louise LLC, which Rone formed in 2018 as a real estate investment trust, according to information provided to the council. He plans to pilot it as a community investment trust by creating an opportunity for small investments in the project, and therefore in the community.

MLive was unable to obtain a comment from Rone about the project before publication.

Bell told MLive that Rone initially proposed just a retail development on the site, but city officials asked him to reconsider it for residential as well.

I firmly believe that that is the direction we need to go in  combined retail with residential  because thats a key element of walkable communities, Bell said.

Related: Muskegon Heights seeks input on a new vision for its downtown

A market analysis will help determine what type of housing should be included, he said. That analysis will be part of a grant-funded Reaching New Muskegon Heights planning effort for the citys downtown area.

In addition to the citys property, the project involves four other properties, including one owned by Muskegon Countys Land Bank.

The sales agreement with the city calls for a purchase price of $20,000, with the first of biannual installments not due until March 1, 2024, with payment to be completed within two years.

Credited toward the purchase will be various city revenues generated by the project, Bell said. That includes permit fees for the cleanup, demolition and construction as well as income taxes generated by the project, including through construction, cleanup and new jobs it creates, Bell said.

The project will relieve the city of spending an inordinate amount of money to clean up the property, which has become a dumping ground, Bell said.

And even if the project falls through, the $1 million contamination cleanup will enable the property to be redeveloped by another entity, Bell said. No development can occur there given its current state, he said.

This is taking a huge negative and turning it into a positive, Bell said. That area could really use a spruce up.

Also on MLive:

Ignore the scoreboard for now: Return to athletics is a victory for Muskegon Heights

Accused Whitmer kidnapping plotters attended BLM rally to protect protesters from police, attorney says

50-year-olds soon will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine, heres how to get it in Muskegon County
[March 08, 2021] Vesey Street Capital Partners-Backed QualityMetric Adds Angela Host as Chief Commercial Officer

NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- QualityMetric ("QM"), a technology-enabled provider of patient health surveys, ePRO solutions, and consulting services owned by Vesey Street Capital Partners, LLC ("VSCP"), a New York-based healthcare services private equity firm, today announced the addition of Angela Host as its newly-appointed Chief Commercial Officer. Ms. Host has joined the team led by Chief Executive Officer Garth "Gus" Gardner, who has been in that role since soon after the VSCP-led recapitalization of the company in August of 2020. "We are extraordinarily pleased to have Angie join the QM team at this exciting time in our history as a newly independent company," said Gardner. "I have known Angie and have worked side by side with her on important and diverse patient-centered pharmaceutical services projects throughout broad swaths of healthcare on multiple occasions in the past. There has never been a more important need to better measure health from the patient point of view given this time of unprecedented change. We have asked Angie to spearhead our efforts in this new leadership role of connecting our broadening solutions in science, technology, and services tools to the market in innovative and value-additive ways." Added Adam Feinstein, Managing Partner at VSCP, "Vesey Street Capital Partners is honored to be adding someone of the caliber, experience, and reputation of Angie Host to QM's expanded leadership group." "Simply put  we're on a mission to make a difference in patients' lives through our long-standing and expanding tools and technology at QualityMtric, and to us Angie joining the QM team speaks volumes about that commitment," noted Larry Marsh, General Partner at VSCP.



Ms. Host's distinguished career spans 20+ years, with progressively larger leadership roles in healthcare across life sciences, provider, and payer markets. That has included years of sales leadership at GE Healthcare, where she led a large enterprise team, McKesson Technology Solutions, where she directed an EMR-focused sales effort, and Optum (UnitedHealth Group), where she stood up and operated a business that created novel, disease-specific programs bringing together payer, provider and life sciences businesses in targeted projects designed to solve disease-specific challenges in the "Cross Optum" business for OptumInsights. Prior to that, Ms. Host led a sales team at Optum selling pharmaceutical services, data licensing and advanced analytics to the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. Most recently, Ms. Host served as Managing Partner of Life Science sales at Medidata, the global industry leader for clinical trials management software, where she oversaw record segment performance. "I am extremely excited to be partnered with VSCP, with Gus, and with his leadership team in leading new growth in technology, product, and services expansion. To me, this is a perfect business platform for innovation, new solutions development and for inspiring new methods and technology for measuring health from the patient's perspective." suggested Ms. Host. "I look forward to working to further build on QM's proud history to participate in its bright future."

ABOUT QUALITYMETRIC

QualityMetric works with the world's leading healthcare and life sciences companies to measure and better understand outcomes through the creation, administration, and review of general and patient-specific health surveys. Founded in 1997, QM combines its proprietary scientifically validated general health and disease specific surveys with its enabling technology, advanced analytics, and sector expertise to work with all the world's largest pharmaceutical companies in clinical trials and patient surveillance. For more information, please visit www.qualitymetric.com. Media Contact:

Bryan Sekino, CFA

Chief Financial Officer

Vesey Street Capital Partners

The Pearline House

428 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10013

Email: 304623@email4pr.com

(646) 847-2438 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vesey-street-capital-partners-backed-qualitymetric-adds-angela-host-as-chief-commercial-officer-301241922.html SOURCE Vesey Street Capital Partners

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Republic Media Networks Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami is proud to formally announce the launch of Republic Bangla-- the Networks hugely-awaited Bengali news channel. Republic Bangla will go live on-air on 7th March 2021 at 8 am.

From 8 am on Sunday, the channel will beam LIVE across all cable operators, MSOs, DTH platforms and on digital feeds. The Network also released details of the channel numbers that Republic Bangla will be available on, across platforms. The Network also urged its viewers to contact their service providers and send a whatsapp to 7004698699 should encounter any trouble with regard to viewing the channel.

Making the announcement, Republic Media Networks Editor-in-Chief said, The Republic Bangla launch has been a turnkey project for the entire Republic Media Network with a record 65 day execution span. This launch is a result of the combined will, passion, determination, grit and hard work of the best professionals in the news media industry. I am so proud.

Never before in news media has a channel been possibly launched so swiftly. The launch is a testament to the drive of my colleagues at Republic Media Network. I am proud and humbled that Indias biggest news network will be broadcasting in three languages from tomorrow morning, Goswami added.

Republic Bangla has already become one of the largest news organisations in West Bengal having recruited over 300 employees in 60 days. With reporting crews in every district of West Bengal, Republic Bangla will have the widest ground presence and deepest news gathering ability in the Bengali news genre from the day of launch.

Republic Bangla has pledged to disrupt the Bengali news genre with breakaway formats, deep investigative stories, breaking news wheels and campaign-style journalism for causes that matter to the people.

The Networks Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami will be anchoring Jabab Chay Bangla in his signature debate format with innovations and additions - an announcement which has already generated a lot of excitement and anticipation amongst viewers ahead of launch.

Republic Banglas tagline Kotha hobey chokhe chokh rekhe has resonated with the people of Bengal and become a chant all over the world. The Tsunami of support has only pushed Republic Media Network further to deliver content and news in a way that has never been done before in the Bengali-news media space.

With Republic Bangla, the Network embarks on an endeavour to bring in a new era of Bengali journalism that is fearless, unhindered by agendas and uncompromising on the truth.



Republic Media Network is bound by the principles of seeking accountability of the powerful, reportage for the citizen, putting India first, and being uncompromisingly & unflinchingly nationalistic. This promise to put people first and the quest for the truth will carry forward with Republic Bangla.

We are grateful for the trust that has been bestowed upon us both by the people of Bengal as well as our supporters across the world. Your faith in Republic Bangla has been overwhelming. I, on behalf of my entire team, assure you that this channel is here to disrupt and bring in a new wave of journalism. Republic Bangla pledges to millions of Bengali viewers across the world that it will put Nation First & News First, Arnab Goswami said.
" " This canceled postage stamp shows the names of the Five Civilized Tribes who were forced to resettle in what is now Oklahoma. traveler1116/Getty Images

There are currently 574 federally recognized Indian nations (also known as tribes, bands, communities and by other terms) in the U.S. according to the National Congress of American Indians. About 229 are located in Alaska and the rest are in 35 other states. Of that number, five were called the "Five Civilized Tribes," a term which didn't save them from being forcibly removed to "Indian Territory," in the 19th century. So, where did that term come from and who were they?

By the time the first European settlers arrived in America, there were already more than two dozen Native American tribes living in and farming the fertile soil of the Southeast, in the area today encompassing the states of North Carolina down through Georgia, Florida and the Gulf Coast. Like other Native peoples who came in contact with Europeans, these Southeastern tribes were ravaged by diseases like smallpox. Over time, they learned to adapt to the encroaching white culture in ways that they believed would secure their survival and sovereignty.

Many members of these Southeastern tribes converted to Christianity, for example. They took to wearing European-style clothing and living in frame houses. They adopted the agricultural practices of their Southern white neighbors, including ownership of enslaved people, and sold goods in a market economy. They intermarried with whites, spoke English, and sent their kids to schools run by Christian missionaries.

As a result, by 1800, five of the largest Southeastern tribes were routinely referred to by U.S. government officials as "civilized," explains Andrew Frank, a scholar of Indigenous and Seminole history at Florida State University.

"American officials drew a distinction between these five tribes  the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and somewhat the Seminole  and what they would call the 'wild, wandering and uncivilized' tribes elsewhere," says Frank.

The Cherokee were the largest of the "civilized" tribes. By 1830, they had a written constitution with a democratically elected assembly and chief, and they published a newspaper in both Cherokee and English.

"Among Southern whites, those earmarks of 'civilization' suggested that there was a willing assimilation into American culture," says Mark Hirsch, an historian with the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian.

But Frank says that appearances can be deceiving. If you look back deeper into Native American history, Native peoples always incorporated new technologies and customs from their neighbors. And when circumstances in their environment changed  a drop in wild deer population or the introduction of maize  the people changed with them.

"But in almost every instance, the adoption of these new outside things was done for the purpose of protecting Indigenous people, not abandoning them," says Frank. "Despite the appearance of 'civilized' customs, Native people had no interest in becoming part of the United States. They had no interest in assimilating into a white norm. How better to resist the oppressors than to learn their language?"

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'Civilization' Was No Protection

The irony, of course, is that the much-heralded "civilization" of the five largest Southeastern tribes ultimately didn't protect them from being driven off of their tribal lands. In 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act into law, authorizing the forced relocation of Southeastern tribes out West to Indian Territory (modern-day Oklahoma), an act that gave rise to the Trail of Tears.

" " This map shows the original locations of the "Five Civilized Tribes" who were removed to Oklahoma between 1830 and 1834. Interim Archives/Getty Images

Instead of fighting Jackson's order with guns, bows and arrows, tribes like the Cherokee wrote newspaper editorials accusing the U.S. of failing in its Christian obligation to be good neighbors. When the federal government negotiated the fraudulent Treaty of New Echota that relinquished tribal control of their lands, the Cherokee took a "quintessentially civilized response," says Frank. "They filed a lawsuit and wrote a petition to the U.S. government."

The "1836 Protest Petition," written by Principal Chief John Ross, pleaded the Cherokee case in language that could have been torn from the Declaration of Independence.

"By the stipulations of this instrument, we are despoiled of our private possessions, the indefeasible property of individuals. We are stripped of every attribute of freedom and eligibility for legal self-defence. Our property may be plundered before our eyes; violence may be committed on our persons, even our lives may be taken away, and there is none to regard our complaints. We are denationalized; we are disfranchised. We are deprived of membership in the human family!"

The petition fell on deaf ears, as did an earlier Supreme Court ruling that barred government interference in the sovereign tribal lands. Jackson and his supporters would stop at nothing to get their hands on Indian lands, "civilized" or not.

"That's the indignity of it all," says Frank. "The United States says, 'If you do X, Y and Z, then you can stay.' So they do X,Y, and Z and also A, B, and C, and lo and behold the desire for Indigenous land overwhelms it all. In the end, it's all about race, not about culture."

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Out West, the Five Tribes Embraced their 'Civilized' Status

Before removal, the five largest Southeastern tribes  the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole  may have individually employed the word "civilized" to differentiate themselves and lobby for preferential treatment, but it wasn't until their arrival in Indian Territory that they became known collectively as the "Five Civilized Tribes."

"We see this throughout history," says Frank. "Often terms that are born of derision or cultural misunderstanding get embraced by the people themselves as tools of resistance. How better for the Five Civilized Tribes in Indian Territory to distinguish themselves as being deserving of recognition than to embrace this term?"

The Five Civilized Tribes joined forces under this new label as a unified negotiating block with the U.S. government. They were still independent tribes, but they shared an identity that they hoped would protect them in the harsh new reality of Indian Territory. Did it work?

"Indigenous people didn't fare well in the 19th century in the United States; that's just a baseline fact," says Frank. "That being said, some Indigenous people fared worse, and some Indigenous people were treated even more harshly by the U.S. than others. In the end, though, the Five Civilized Tribes were put on reservations and subjected to all sorts of indignities."

Hirsch at the National Museum of the American Indian says that the term Five Civilized Tribes became "shorthand" for describing the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole well into the 20th century. But as an 1894 census of the Five Civilized Tribes makes clear, the "civilized" status of these tribes didn't win them much respect in the eyes of white America.

"The term 'civilized' was originally applied to them in contradistinction to the life of the wild Indian tribes, but as a whole their condition is not the civilization of the Anglo-Saxon," reads the census report. "The civilization of The Five Tribes has not been accomplished without a vast expenditure of time and money by white people. No Indians in the United States have received such care from the whites or have been aided so much by the United States."

Now That's Cool Founded in 1949, the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes is one of the oldest and largest tribal organizations in America representing more than 750,000 members of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee and Seminole nations to protect tribal self-determination and sovereign rights.
By John Burton





It will be nearly a year from now when Korea holds its next presidential election on March 9, 2022. The last year in office usually proves to be a dismal one for Korean presidents due to their lame-duck status.



That appears to be the case for President Moon Jae-in, whose popularity among voters has fallen to below 40 percent from 60 percent last May. While Moon garnered strong support earlier in the year due to his government's effective response to the outbreak of COVID-19, his declining popularity is now blamed on an upsurge of COVID-19 cases since November and the slow rollout of a vaccine program.



Other problems have recently dogged Moon's presidency. One is a perceived conflict of interest when it comes to anti-corruption investigations of his administration as exemplified by the fight between the Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor-General Yoon Seok-youl, which ended in Choo's resignation and undermined public trust in the government. The ruling party's progressive image was also damaged by sexual harassment allegations involving the mayors of Seoul and Busan. Meanwhile, the government has failed so far to deflate a housing price bubble in Seoul that has left many angry about the cost of living.



But it may be too soon to completely write off the final year of Moon's term as ineffective in terms of policy making. For one thing, Moon's Democratic Party holds a strong majority in the National Assembly, a result of public approval for his administration's COVID-19 response in last April's parliamentary elections. This has enabled Moon to pass a slew of legislation in recent months, including those pertaining to labor and corporate governance.



Public support for the Moon government could also grow if Korea makes a robust economic recovery from the impact of COVID-19. After China, Korea is seen as the country most likely to have a strong rebound in growth among the world's advanced economies in 2021, rising by an estimated 3 percent against a 1 percent contraction in 2020.



This reflects the fact that Korea has been relatively successful in stopping the spread of COVID-19 compared with other nations, although extensive government stimulus spending also helped keep the economy afloat last year. Korea is also benefiting from strong global demand for semiconductors, a key export product. With an expected gradual decline in the unemployment rate, now above 5 percent, household spending should increase this year as consumer confidence returns.



It is clear that Moon wants to use some of his remaining political capital to secure a lasting legacy by establishing a peace process and reconciliation with Pyongyang, which has always been a major goal of his presidency. The president recently suggested that inter-Korean cooperation on combating COVID-19 could restart dialogue between Seoul and Pyongyang.



Moon also underscored that intention when he named Chung Eui-yong, his former special envoy to North Korea, as the new foreign minister in late January. Chung's appointment served as recognition that Moon must coordinate efforts with the new administration of President Joe Biden in Washington. Chung, a veteran diplomat, served as Moon's point man in helping arrange the two summits between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump.



But Chung's mission to facilitate closer coordination with the Biden administration could prove difficult since the new foreign policy team in Washington is expected to take a tougher line on North Korea.



One potential source of conflict between Seoul and Washington is already becoming clear. The Biden administration is emphasizing that human rights issues should be included in any talks with Pyongyang, which both Moon and Trump largely played down as they focused on curbing North Korea's nuclear program.



This view has been expressed by Jung Pak, the new U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asia, who is expected to help lead North Korea policy making.



A former CIA analyst, she recently served as North Korea expert at the Brookings Institution, the top think tank in Washington. In her last report before leaving Brookings for the State Department, Pak criticized Moon for using "his power to dampen anti-North speech and activities to support his pro-engagement policy toward Pyongyang." She urged Moon to change his approach to human rights and North Korean defector groups.



There is a risk that strained ties with the U.S. on North Korea policy could distract Moon from achieving his other major goal of creating a more competitive and equitable economy. In his annual New Year address, Moon spoke of Korea becoming a global digital and green power leader, while saying these efforts would help create a more inclusive society.



But if Moon fails to address more immediate public concerns, such as runaway housing prices in Seoul, this could hurt the ruling party's political prospects over the next year and increase the chances of a conservative president taking power in 2022.





John Burton (johnburtonft@yahoo.com), a former Korea correspondent for the Financial Times, is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and consultant.




(Newser)  A sophomore business major at Ohio's Bowling Green State University who was in critical condition for three days at ProMedica Toledo Hospital has diedan apparent result of a fraternity hazing, reports ABC News. Sean Alto, an attorney representing the family of Stone Foltz, says the 20-year-old had attended an off-campus event Thursday held by the college's Pi Kappa Alpha chapter, where he was plied with "a copious amount of alcohol," per WTOL and the Columbus Dispatch. Foltz was eventually dropped off at his apartment by frat members sometime after 11pm, Alto adds, and Foltz's roommates called 911 after finding him unresponsive. "I've never seen my roommate more drunk in his entire life," says one of the roommates, who tells WTOL he'd had a frightening conversation with Foltz before he'd left for the event.

story continues below

Foltz, who the roommate says was pledging Pi Kappa Alpha (aka Pike), had told him earlier that night that the pledges "have to drink a handle of any alcohol" given to them by fraternity members and that "we have to finish the whole thing by ourselves within the time that we are there before we leave." WTOL notes a handle is the equivalent of about 40 1.5-ounce shots. The roommate adds, "It's crazy to me that they can allow this kind of deathly and neglectful drinking to go on." Foltz died Sunday after being taken off life support; his family announced they planned to donate his organs. "The death of Stone Foltz is a tragedy," Alto says on behalf of the family in a statement. "He was a beloved son, brother, and grandson." The international Pi Kappa Alpha organizationwhich suspended the BGSU chapter and says it's moving to permanently nix itsays in its own statement it's "horrified and outraged" over Foltz's death. BGSU also suspended the chapter and says it's investigating. (Read more Bowling Green University stories.)
West Bengal Chief Minister on Monday slammed Prime Minister for "spreading lies and canards" against the TMC government, and said voters, this time, would witness 'Didi versus BJP' fight in all 294 constituencies of the poll-bound state.

Taking a dig at Modi over inclusion of his picture in COVID-19 vaccination certificates, she said the "day wasn't far when the country will be named after him".

Asserting that she will return to power for the third consecutive time in Bengal, the feisty TMC boss said, "The fight is between me and the BJP in all 294 seats."



"They (BJP leaders) will come to Bengal only during elections and spread canards and lies. He is lecturing us on women's safety. What is the situation of women in BJP-ruled states? What is the situation in Modi's favourite Gujarat?



"The prime minister has named a stadium after him. He has put his photographs on COVID-19 vaccination certificates. A day will come when the country will be named after him," Banerjee, who led a rally here on the occasion of International Women's Day, stated.

Rebutting the PM's claim that women do not feel safe in Bengal, she said, "Had that been the case, they wouldn't have been able to move around freely at night."



Hitting out at the PM, Banerjee also said that Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah should shift focus on BJP- ruled states, including 'model state' Gujarat, "where, media reports suggest, four rapes and two killings have been recorded every day over the past two years."



The TMC rally, which commenced in College Square area in central Kolkata, concluded near Dorina crossing, five kilometres away.

Senior party leaders Chandrima Bhattacharyaa and Mala Roy joined the march.

Among others, actresses and now TMC candidates June Maliya, Saayoni Ghosh and Sayantika Banerjee were also seen taking part in the rally.

(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.)
(Natural News) A stunning development covered by The National Pulse reveals that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation helped fund a communist Chinese military front company that used covid testing as a ruse to surreptitiously harvest the DNA of Americans.

This CCP front company was also exposed by 60 Minutes. The name of the CCP front company is BGI Genomics. As The National Pulse explains, The Gates Foundation has also funded BGI projects relating to genome sequencing alongside Chinese Communist Party bodies such as the Ministry of Science and Technology and Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Similarly, Dr. Tadataka Yamada, the former president of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations global health program, serves as the Chairman of BGIs Scientific Advisory Board.

See the Chinese website for BGI at BGI.com, and the US (English) site is www.bgi.com/us/

This bombshell news story is covered in todays Situation Podcast (below), along with other timely news about covid, woke grocery stores, the Texas fight for free speech and much more.

Heres a picture of Bill Gates standing under a BGI corporate banner, alongside other key people (presumably mainland Chinese). The Chinese words say, essentially, Genomics. The words are written in Simplified Chinese, which is the written script of mainland (communist) China.

Under the guiding hand of Bill Gates, BGI targeted the State of Washington and offered to run covid testing labs in the state. But officials ultimately turned down the offer at the request of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence over BGIs ties to the Chinese government, reports TNP. It turns out BGI was just a DNA harvesting front to covertly gather the DNA of Americans, claiming they were being covid tested.

Why would the CCP want to harvest the DNA of Americans?

Remember, Bill Gates is a vocal proponent of global depopulation. He has spent decades funding programs for infertility and population reduction, all under the banner of birth control or womens health initiatives. Its clear that Gates sees human beings as enemies to be largely exterminated in order to save the planet.

The CCP, meanwhile, has long had a goal of exterminating all Americans, then occupying and ruling North America as a new territory of the communist Chinese.

Now, it seems, the goals of Bill Gates and communist China intersect under the banner of genocide. The mass killing of Americans achieves the CCP goal of weakening America and making it ready for a military invasion by China, while Bill Gates achieves a portion of his global depopulation goal while also destroying the United States of America as a sovereign nation.

China, in other words, likely wants to use harvested DNA to build race-specific bioweapons to be unleashed against the United States of America.

And their efforts were aided by Fauci, Obama and the NIH as well as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which helped fund some of the research. Its now clear, in this authors opinion, that governments and globalists have declared war on the human race, and that humanity is now fighting for survival against genocidal, homicidal mad scientists and villains whose primary goal is mass extermination.

Listen to todays podcast for the full details, plus much more:

Brighteon.com/d6901e28-a0d6-478c-9962-0b46d725b8ab

Hear each days new podcast at:

https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday announced a slew of measures and allocations in the state Budget. Congress MLAs staged a walkout during the tabling of the budget for 2021-22 by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, claiming that the BJP government in the state had no moral right to continue in power.

Here are the key takeaways from the Budget:

1. No new taxes to be levied in the state Budget

Fuel prices are set to remain the same after the CM announced that new taxes will not be levied.

During the Budget Speech, he said, "I am not willing to put the burden of additional taxes on the common people. State Government levies Karnataka Sales Tax (KST) on petrol and diesel. This is already lesser compared to other southern states. Despite this, in the 2021-2022 Budget, no taxes including Karnataka State Tax on petrol and diesel has been increased and Budget has been formulated in such a way so as not to increase the financial burden on the common man."

2. Now, all Karnataka districts will have a 'gaushala'

All Karnataka districts will have a 'gaushala' to prevent 'slaughter of cows and to conserve livestock' as CM B S Yediyurappa on Monday announced provisions for the same in the state Budget. He also added that to encourage ayurvedic medicine in veterinary science, a new research institute at a cost of Rs 2 crore will be set up at Veterinary College, Shivamogga.

Also read  Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa spares citizens, announces no new taxes in Budget

3. Karnataka GSDP dropped to 2.6% due to Covic-19 lockdown

Yediyurappa said that due to the Covid-19 lockdown, Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Karnataka dropped to 2.6 per cent compared to 2019-20 fiscal. He added that the agriculture sector has grown 4 per cent, while the services and industry sectors were down 3 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively.

State revenues will not meet last year's Budget targets, but will admit that there is an imbalance in expenditure and revenue, said the chief minister.

"Tax revenues of both state and Centre and down. As a result, the tax share of states has decreased. GST devolution funds for the year reduced by around Rs 8,000 crore compared to budget estimates," said Yediyurappa.

4. Slew of measures for women safety and empowerment were announced

a. Rs 30 crore allocated for a discounted bus pass for women working in garment factories.

b. Tech-based e-beat during night hours to ensure women's safety will be implemented.

Also read  Now, all Karnataka districts will have a 'gaushala'

c. Excellence centres with the help of NIMHANS and NLSIU will be set up to help women who are subjected to harassment and abuse.

d. Elevate Women programme at a cost of Rs 5 cr to assist women entrepreneurs to be implemented.

e. Women entrepreneurs in the service sector can now avail up to Rs 2 crore loan at four per cent interest.

5. Rs 5,372 crore spent for Covid-19 pandemic

More than 63 lakh people have benefitted from initiatives of the state government, Yediyurappa said. Over 9 crore RT-PCR tests were conducted, he added. He warned of a possible second wave after the state saw a rise in the number of new cases, and stressed on following social distancing norms.

6. Rs 31,028 crore allocated to agriculture and allied sectors

Rs 500 crore has been allocated for the benefit of food startups food park that will be set up in Vijayapura, said Yediyurappa. Reservation for farmers children at Agriculture University has been increased from 40 per cent to 50 per cent.

Also read  Discounted bus passes to loans: What Karnataka Budget offers women

The state government has increased subsidy to 50 per cent for small food processing units with an allocation of Rs 50 crore.

APMCs will be digitised with an outlay of Rs 198 crore. A well-equipped flower market with an outlay of Rs 50 crore will be set up at Byappanahalli. Dry chilli market under PPP model will be set up at Ballari APMC. Grants for Kalasa-Banduri projects will be provided this fiscal, and all clearances to implement them will be obtained, said the CM.

Allocation of Rs 5,600 crore has been set aside for Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigama for irrigation works.

7. Education and skill development

The government has allocated Rs 100 crore to develop 50 schools under the Kendriya Vidyalaya model. Also, Rs 100 crore has also been allocated for the construction of toilets at schools and colleges.

Under a new 'Samarthya-Sarathya' programme, training for five lakh students for competitive exams to be implemented with an outlay of Rs 5 crore.

8. Healthcare Budget

a. ICUs of 25 bed and 6-bed capacities will be established in 19 districts and 100 taluk hospitals, respectively, at a cost of Rs 60 crore over the next two years.

b. Rs 2 crore for Tele-ICU facilities has been allocated. The Ayurvedic College in Shivamogga is set to be upgraded to Ayush University.

c. Regional cancer centres along the lines of Kidwai Hospital will be set up at Mysuru and Shivamogga at a cost of Rs 100 crore.

9. Rs 1,500 crore allocated for minority communities

An allocation of Rs 500 crore for various development corporations of backward communities has been made in the Budget.

A new board for the development of Vokkaligas has been proposed.

The government has allocated Rs 200 crore for the renovation and repair of churches, assistance to orphanages and other facilities.

Construction Workers Welfare Board will be set up to construct four temporary residential facilities in Bengaluru Urban and rural districts, one each in Mysuru, Shivamogga, Hubballi, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Hassan and others. Twenty-five mobile check-up centres will also be set up for construction workers.

Allocation of SCSP/TSP has been decreased to Rs 26,005 crore due to an increase in committed expenditure. Committed expenditure to grow from Rs 1.29 lakh crore in 2020-21 to Rs 1.42 lakh crore.

10. Infrastructure and development projects

a. State's 'Jaladhare' scheme to be integrated with Centre's 'Jala Jeevan Mission'. Bulk water supply will be provided to villages from permanent water sources at a cost of Rs 25,740 crore.

b. Engineering divisions of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department will be merged into one to reduce administrative expenditure.

c. Rs 1,500 crore grant will be provided for Kalyana Karnataka Development Board.

d. Rs 3,000 crore has been allocated for the continuation of the special development plan for developing backward taluks.

e. All mega projects costing above Rs 100 crore will be mandatorily evaluated. Drinking water and underground drainage projects by KUWSDB worth Rs 900 crore has been announced in the state Budget.

f. Chief Minister Mega Integrated Industrial Townships to be developed along Bengaluru-Mumbai and Bengaluru-Chennai industrial corridor on a minimum of 500-acre land. Investment of around Rs 10,000 crore is expected in the townships over three years, said Yediyurappa.

g. Karnataka is set to establish a Venture Capital Fund of Rs 100 crore. The state will provide 25 per cent of the fund.

h. Karnataka will float 'Swiss Challenge' tender to take up Peripheral Ring Road works around Bengaluru.

i. Rs 850 crore has been budgeted this year for the suburban rail project. Doubling of Yeshwathpur-Channasandra and Byappanahalli-Hosuru lines is set to be completed by 2023.

j. A total of Rs 7,795 crore has been allocated for the development of Bengaluru.

11. Rs 10 crore has been allocated for the construction of a Yathri Nivas for devotees from Karnataka visiting Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

12. Integrated theme park will be developed downstream of Kabini reservoir in Mysuru under the PPP model at a cost of Rs 50 crore.

13. In a first in India, maps containing details of forest types and density will be prepared in Karnataka using satellites with precision of up to 50 centimetres.

14. A property registration pilot project using blockchain will be implemented at a cost of Rs 1 crore, with the help of IIT-Kanpur to prevent cheating and document tampering. Unified land management system to be developed.

15. Capacity in eight prisons to be increased at a cost of Rs 40 crore. The government will release Rs 10 crore in 2021-22 to develop prisons. At least Rs 15 crore has been allocated for video conferencing facility to produce prisoners before courts.

16. Yediyurappa has set the target for revenue collection for Commercial Taxes at Rs 76,743 crore. To complete the pre-GST legacy audit and to clear tax arrears expeditiously, 'Karasmadhana Scheme-2021' will be implemented.

17. Excise revenue target for FY22 has been set at Rs 24,580 crore. The target for the transport department has been set at Rs 7,515 crore. The target for Stamps and Registration Department set at Rs 12,665 crore. Stamp duty for the first registration of apartments costing Rs 35 lakh to 45 lakh to be reduced to 3 per cent from 5 per cent.

18. For the next fiscal, total receipts are estimated at Rs 2.43 lakh crore. Total expenditure is set to be Rs 2.46 lakh crore, while the revenue deficit is set at Rs 15,134 crore.
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Along with having a more pleasing look and being more user-friendly, the new website has tons of information for potential clients about our company and the services we provide.

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National Cereals and Produce Board Managing Director Joseph Kimote fielded questions from members of the public via Sunday Nation.

What explains the recent reduction in the buying price of maize in NCPB depots from Sh2,700 to Sh2,500 yet farmers incur high production costs since the government no longer offers fertilizer subsidies? Kibet Brian, Mois Bridge

The maize that NCPB is currently buying is for its commercial function and not for the governments National Food Reserves. However, at the onset of the current purchase of maize, farmers were offered Sh2,500 for 90kg bag. Following an elaborate market survey, the market price then was higher than the Sh2,500 and so the Board decided to offer Sh2,700 to motivate farmers to bring their maize to NCPB. The price still remains at Sh2,700 for a 90kg bag.

On the issue of fertilizer, the government is still supplying farmers with subsidised fertiliser but under a new arrangement  the e-voucher programme  in which farmers registered in the programme can access subsidised fertiliser through the vouchers. NCPB is participating in this programme, which is being co-ordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives.

NCPB started purchasing maize from farmers from early February, 2021. What measures have you put in place to ensure that only farmers deliver maize to the cereals board and not traders and are paid their money without delay? Edward B. Wekesa, Bungoma

All those who sell maize to NCPB depots on a commercial basis are farmers who are duly registered. The registration is done by the county governments and the updated registers are provided to the depots, which are then used to ensure that only genuine farmers deliver their grains to the Board.

All farmers who sell maize to NCPB are paid within 24 hours upon delivery of their grain. The quantity a farmer can sell to the Board has been limited to 1,000 bags per farmer. In addition, an elaborate identification and verification process is in place at all purchasing depots and a monitoring system instituted to ensure that a farmer does not deliver above their stipulated quota. The payment is either through electronic funds transfer (EFT) or M-Pesa for those who are registered in this platform.

In the push and pull to disband the Strategic Food Reserve Trust Fund Board, NCPB has been sucked into the centre of these machinations and the Board actually says that NCPB, despite its not very rosy history, will be the biggest beneficiary inheriting some Sh10 billion. What can you say about this tussle and NCPBs involvement? In your view, would it be in the countrys benefit to disband the Fund? Felix Were, Syokimau

The NCPB/SFR Reforms, that have seen the Strategic Food Reserve (SFR) placed as a division under NCPB and renamed as National Food Reserve, were informed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives Agriculture Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) 2019-2029 that aim at transforming the agriculture sector in Kenya and ensuring that there is national food and nutritional security. NCPB is, therefore, implementing the reforms as directed by the government.

In addition, the governance and management of the Strategic Food Reserves will now be informed by well-researched data as will be provided by the Food Balance Sheet Committee and not on short-term interventions that have proven too costly to the Exchequer over the years.

The institution you head has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons, ranging from corruption allegations to delays in paying farmers and a leadership equivalent of a revolving door. How can the image of this institution be salvaged? What is the greatest challenge at the moment? Komen Moris, Eldoret

The image of the Board has greatly improved and we are currently enjoying a lot of goodwill from government and all our stakeholders, including the private sector and development partners in the grain sub-sector. NCPB has spruced up its corporate image and we are continuing to work on its brand acceptance by stakeholders to restore public confidence and trust in the organisation.

The Board has embarked on an effective communication strategy which relies on effective multi-channelled approach aimed at reaching out to our varied stakeholders with clear specific positive messaging.

The greatest challenge at the moment is to strengthen our commercial trading division by pursuing value adding partnerships and promote institutional agility to respond to customer needs and preferences effectively.

What strategies have you put in place to ensure that food security as one of the Presidents Big Four Agenda is ring-fenced and achieved sustainably? Komen Moris, Eldoret

NCPB has diversified its commercial activities to trade in an array of grains such as wheat, rice, beans green grams, sorghum and millet. In addition, it offers affordable farm inputs like fertilisers to cereals as well as horticultural farmers to boost food security which is under the Food and Nutrition Security of the Big Four Agenda.

Under the reformed NCPB, the National Food Reserve (NFR) division will handle many types of foods like maize, powdered milk, canned beef and fish.

The Board has also availed its warehouses to both the private sector who deal in food crops for safe storage as well as those dealing with farm inputs for distribution. Our role is to promote efficient and cost-effective post-harvest activities in order to significantly reduce losses as enshrined in the Agriculture Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) and Vision 2030 medium-term plan.

It is said that we lose 30 per cent or more of cereals produced in our country due to poor post-harvest handling. What measures have NCPB introduced or is introducing to help farmers curb such losses? Samuel Njakai, Nairobi

NCPB offers affordable grain post-harvest services to farmers to reduce post-harvest losses. The services offered are grain drying to reduce moisture, warehousing  regular warehousing and Under Warehouse Receipt System (WRS), grain grading, aflatoxin testing, pest control services, spraying, and fumigation as well as weighing services. To bring these post-harvest services closer to the farmers, the Board is in the process of procuring mobile dryers.

It has been reported that as part of the reforms, NCPB plans to venture into cereals buying and milling and will no longer be a strategic grains holder as we currently know it. Could you kindly elaborate on this? Githuku Mungai, Nairobi

Under the NCPB reforms, there will be NCPB Trading and National Food Reserves (NFR) divisions. NCPB Trading Division is the commercial wing of the Board that will handle all the commercial activities. These include trading in commodities like fertilisers, grains and offer post-harvest management services including warehousing and storage services, as well as clearing and forwarding services. On the other hand, the NFR division will continue to be in charge of the strategic food stocks on behalf of the government.

The board recently opened five new aflatoxin testing laboratories, bringing to six such facilities in the country. Would you say that the aflatoxin problem is now behind us? What has been the cost of aflatoxin to NCPB and farmers? Githuku Mungai, Nairobi

Aflatoxin is still there but testing helps to monitor its presence in grain. By testing, farmers will know its prevalence and take appropriate action to mitigate its effects, for example, by using Aflasafe and practising good post-harvest management. Farmers suffer when their grain is rejected; aflatoxin-contaminated maize has no use and can only be destroyed through incineration. The aflatoxin testing services are available in all our major silos and depots including Nakuru, Eldoret, Nairobi, Machakos, Meru, Mois Bridge and Kitale and are open to the public at a modest cost of Sh1,740 per sample. Plans are underway to establish more labs in Migori, Narok and Bungoma.

Farmers can reduce the prevalence of aflatoxin in the harvested crop by using a product called Aflasafe while the crop is in the field. The application of this product reduces the aflatoxin contamination by 80 to 90 percent in maize and if combined with proper drying and handling, it can reduce the post-harvest losses significantly. NCPB distributes Aflasafe to farmers across the country.

As part of your transformation agenda at the Board, how do you intend to handle the issuance of licences for maize importation to safeguard public safety and our taxes? Jonathan Kipsang, Elburgon

NCPB does not issue importation licences. In the reformed structure, National Food Reserve division will be advised by government with the advisory of the Food Balance Sheet committee (FBSC) on the steps to take in case of any deficit. The FBS is a statistical arm of the NFR and will gather data on the food situation in the country and advise on its availability and accessibility or lack of it.

Agriculture was devolved to the counties under Kenya Constitution 2010. Since 2013, the board has continued to be accused of laxity, incompetency and corruption in handling farmers concerns relating to poor quality of fertilisers and seedlings and bureaucracy in receiving and processing of deliveries. Do you have any strategic plan to address these genuine concerns to cushion them from further harassment, exploitation and abuse by cartels? Dan Murugu, Nakuru

Currently, NCPB works with a commercial mindset, where the customer is at the center of everything; we have adopted a customer-centric approach in all our activities and improved our customer service to boost customer satisfaction. This is enshrined in the Boards Strategic Plan for the period 2020-2023 whose primary focus is to turn around the Boards fortune through improved commercial performance and this will only be possible through improving the corporate image and cultivating customer trust. The strategic pillars of the Plan include Financial stability by increasing revenue, optimizing costs and aggressive debt collection; Commodity Trade to create competitive and sustainable trading; Corporate image and Public Trust, Business Collaboration and Networks, Human Capital Capacity, physical Infrastructure; and, ICT & Innovation.

In addition, the Board has adopted a philosophy known as NCPBNow. NCPBNow is a concept that calls for all staff to offer fast service delivery, to deliver on time, to be accurate and to get it right, the first time. This change in the way things are done ensures that there are no delays in all services that we are offering to our customers.

Our operations have been automated through the upgrading of the Boards ICT system to incorporate the latest business applications that guarantee fast and efficient service delivery. We also enhanced integrity through improved corruption reporting mechanisms, formed and strengthened corruption prevention committees in the entire network.
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After being kicked off of major social media platforms, Facebook and Twitter, Jason Miller stated that former President Donald Trump's social media comeback is coming by the end of spring, probably on a non-mainstream platform.

Trump's Social Media Comeback

Miller, Trump's senior advisor, stated in an episode of "The Interview," a Mediate podcast on Saturday that Trump's team is already having conversations with potentially brand new social media sites, and also existing sites. The conversations started since Trump's controversial ban and suspension on Facebook and Twitter after the January 6 Capitol riot.

Miller also stated that it will not be that long until Trump's social media comeback. He also added that it could be on platforms that people have not seen before. Miller also said that it is an exciting event that would probably shake the world of social media since anything that Trump touches becomes a big thing.

On the other hand, when he was asked if Trump believes that the mainstream social media platforms should invite him back, Miller stated that the former president will not shut his doors down on anything completely. He, however, noted that there is a very low probability of that happening at the moment.

In addition, Miller said that Jack Dorsey of Twitter will most probably close the platform's doors completely. But, he added that with Facebook, he said that they still intend to see what Mark Zuckerberg's views would be in April after an advisory board review with the site.

Back in January, it was announced by The Facebook Oversight Board that the platform would be accepting public feedback regarding the social media platform's suspension of Trump. According to The Verge, it was stated that the board would release a decision on Trump's case after 90 days since January 21.

On the other hand, back in February, Twitter executives have stressed that Trump's ban from the social media site is permanent and would still continue even if he runs for president again.

Read also: Man Who Puts Feet up on Pelosi's Desk During Capitol Riot, Screams at Judge During Court Hearing

Since leaving the White House almost two months ago, Trump has relatively kept a low profile, especially after being kicked off the major social media platforms.

He only made his first public appearance since the Biden administration took over the White House last month at the CPAClast. He has also issued several public statements and radio interviews in the past few weeks, Business Insider reported.

Miller also stated that the public statements that the former president issued are just a "temporary stopgap," until Trump's social media comeback. Moreover, Miller said that he was also discussing with Trump how he's actually had more pick up in the past couple of days of his public statements, compared to the numerous tweets that he released in his last days in the White House.

He also added that the press-releases have allowed Trump's team to add policy specifics. He also explained that the public statements are more detailed and fleshed out than the former president's tweet.

Miller was not able to provide more information on Trump's social media comeback, but he stated that it would be soon.

Related article: Biden Fires Trump-Appointed Lawyer Who Refused to Step down from Office

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
[March 08, 2021] Facedrive Partners with Plan International Canada to Combat Child Marriage in Bangladesh

Facedrive Inc. ("Facedrive") (TSXV:FD), (OTC:FDVRF), a Canadian "people-and-planet first" tech ecosystem, is calling on Canadians to help combat child marriage in partnership with Plan International Canada. On International Women's Day, Facedrive is thrilled to announce that for the rest of 2021, $1 from every Facedrive TraceSCAN device purchase will support Plan International Canada's efforts to end the practice of child marriage in Bangladesh, which has the fourth highest rate of child marriage in the world - with such numbers on the rise due to the impact of COVID-19. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005286/en/ Bangladesh has the second highest number of child brides globally at nearly 4.5 million. By the time a girl reaches secondary school, over half of the girls in her class will be married, with many of them having already dropped out of school due to the practice itself and related factors such as early and unintended pregnancy. In rural areas, the numbers are greater - with 70 percent of girls married before they turn 18. By limiting girls' education and potential, child marriage is a practice that perpetuates poverty, inequality and insecurity. While the factors that contribute to child marriage are complex, there is one solution that can help drastically decrease the rate of this harmful practice, protecting girls' rights and futures - education. Girls that graduate primary, secondary, and higher education, are respectively 24 per cent, 72 per cent and 94 per cent less likely to marry at a young age than girls without education. Facedrive is a Canadian "people-and-planet first" tech ecosystem offering socially-responsible transportation, health, food delivery and marketplace services with a strong commitment to doing business fairly, equitably and sustainably. From inception, Facedrive has been driven by a mandate to contribute positively to the communities in which it operates as well as to worthy global causes. The company is pleased to join forces with Plan International Canada to combat child marriage through targeted investments in education and girls' protection. Through the Combatting Child Marriage campaign, Facedrive's commitment will enable Plan International staff to work with local governments, families and communities to advocate for girls' rights and protection, while implementing change in schools and communities to educate girls about their rights. Facedrive's mission to empower others and give back to the community spans all of the company's verticals, including Facedrive Health. Facedrive Health focuses on mitigating the spread of COVID-19 through its wearable contact tracing solution TraceSCAN. In addition to donating $1 per device sold, Facedrive will also be contributing to the Combatting Child Marriage campaign by allocating resources and raising awareness within its userbase and associated communities. This will include a cause marketing campaign, an employee engagement campaign, an a social media campaign. Through these channels, Facedrive will carry out a community outreach program to connect and educate the Facedrive userbase about the issue of child marriage.



"It is an honor for us to partner with Plan Canada to continue contributing to the well-being of people in a meaningful way. As an ESG platform, we believe that it is our responsibility to use our business platform to support marginalized communities and empower the less fortunate," said Sayan Navaratnam, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Facedrive. "Eradication of child marriage through education is one of the most effective tools to address systemic barriers to human development, reproductive health and gender equality. We are confident that through this partnership between Plan Canada and Facedrive, we will be able to transform many young women's lives and lay path to future joint initiatives to help many more," added Navaratnam. "At Plan International Canada, we are fortunate to have strategic, committed corporate partners - such as Facedrive - who make invaluable contributions to our programs," said Lindsay Glassco, President and CEO, Plan International Canada. "School is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat child marriage. When girls are educated, they tend to marry at a later age, be healthier, earn more, make informed decisions and transform futures for themselves and their communities. Facedrive's commitment will not only help girls today - it will also help break the cycle of poverty from one generation to the next."

About Facedrive Facedrive (TSXV:FD), (OTCQX:FDVRF) is a multi-faceted "people-and-planet first" tech ecosystem offering socially-responsible services to local communities with a strong commitment to doing business fairly, equitably and sustainably. As part of this commitment, Facedrive's vision is to fulfil its mandate through a number of verticals that either leverage existing technologies of the Company or project synergies with existing lines of business (the "Facedrive Verticals"). The Facedrive Verticals include its rideshare business ("Facedrive Rideshare"), sustainable e-commerce platform ("Facedrive Marketplace"), food-delivery service ("Facedrive Foods"), e-social platform ("Facedrive Social") and its contact-tracing and sustainable health services business ("Facedrive Health"). Facedrive Rideshare was among the first to offer a wide variety of environmentally and socially responsible solutions in the Transportation as a Service (TaaS) space, planting thousands of trees based on user consumption and offering choices between electric, hybrid and conventional vehicles (including, more recently, electric and hybrid vehicles on a subscription basis through Steer). Facedrive Marketplace offers curated merchandise created from sustainably sourced materials. Facedrive Foods offers contactless delivery of a wide variety of foods right to consumers' doorsteps, with a focus on doing so in a socially and environmentally-conscious manner. Facedrive Social strives to keep people connected in a physically-distanced world through its HiQ and other e-socialization platforms that invite users to interact based on common interests and by offering gamification and mutual community support features. Facedrive Health strives to develop and offer innovative technological solutions to the most acute health challenges including its proprietary TraceSCAN wearable technology for contact tracing. Facedrive envisions changing the ridesharing, food delivery, e-commerce, social and health tech narratives for the better, for everyone, and is currently operational in Canada and the United States. For more about Facedrive, visit www.facedrive.com. Facedrive Inc.

100 Consilium Pl, Unit 104, Scarborough, ON (News - Alert) , Canada M1H 3E3

www.facedrive.com About Plan International Canada Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children's rights and equality for girls. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years and are now active in more than 70 countries. We are calling on all Canadians to Defy Normal: to believe in the power and potential of every child and to take a stand anywhere children are oppressed, exploited or left behind and anywhere girls aren't equally valued. Together, we can create a world where all unleash their full potential. Visit plancanada.ca for more information and follow @PlanCanada on social media to #DefyNormal and join the conversation. Visit plancanada.ca and https://give.plancanada.ca/employee-engagement/TeamFacedrive for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005286/en/

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Australia Myanmar FILE - In thisNov. 25, 2005, file image taken from video, Sean Turnell, an economist at Australia's Macquarie University, speaks during an interview at his university office in Sydney. Australia has suspended its defense cooperation with Myanmar and is redirecting humanitarian aid because of the military takeover of the government and ongoing detention of an Australian citizen. Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Monday, March 8, 2021 that Australian diplomats only had access to economic policy adviser Turnell twice since he was detained in early February. She described the access as very limited consular support. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP, File)

CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Australia has suspended its defense cooperation with Myanmar and is redirecting humanitarian aid because of the military takeover of the government and ongoing detention of an Australian citizen.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Monday that Australian diplomats and relatives had only been able to contact economic policy adviser Sean Turnell twice by phone since he was detained in early February. She described the access as very limited consular support.

We believe Professor Turnell has been arbitrarily detained along with senior members of the Myanmar government including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, including the President Win Myint, Payne told reporters.

We do not accept the conditions of his detention and the reasons for his detention. We seek a return to democracy. We seek absolutely the cessation of any armed violence against unarmed peaceful protesting civilians. And in everything we are doing we are seeking Professor Turnells release, she added.

Australia announced late Sunday it had suspended a defense training program with Myanmar worth about 1.5 million Australian dollars ($1.2 million) over five years. The program had been restricted to non-combat areas such as English-language training.

Australian humanitarian aid will be directed away from Myanmar government and government-related entities. Instead it will focus on the immediate humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable and poor in Myanmar including the Rohingyas and other ethnic minorities, Payne said.

One of the things that I do not want to do, and that Australia does not want to do, is to penalize the people of Myanmar, Payne said.

Australia had previously imposed sanctions including an arms embargo and sanctions targeting five members of Myanmar's armed forces. These sanctions would continue to be reviewed, Payne said.

Turnell was detained within weeks of arriving in Myanmars biggest city, Yangon, from Australia to take up a job as adviser to Suu Kyis government.

Story continues

Turnells Australian friend and fellow Myanmar expert Monique Skidmore described Australia's response to the Feb. 1 military coup as late and very soft.

The reality is that they have enough money, they have enough weapons, they have enough trade partners with China on their doorstep. They dont need the West, Skidmore said.

"I assume that we are going more softly than otherwise at the moment until Sean is returned to Australia," she added.
British diver Vernon Unsworth (L) and his attorney L. Lin Wood (C) leave the U.S. District Court, Central District of California in Los Angeles, Calif., on Dec. 6, 2019. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)

Supreme Court Dismisses Lin Wood Election Lawsuit Without Comment

The Supreme Court on Monday morning dismissed a Nov. 3 election-related case filed by defamation lawyer Lin Wood.

The high court did not issue a comment as it denied Woods case (pdf), saying, The petitions of writs of mandamus are denied. Wood filed several third-party cases to challenge the results of last years election.

Wood had asked the Supreme Court justices to block the Jan. 5 Senate runoff elections in Georgia. Democrats won both Senate seats, giving them a slim majority in the Senate.

A separate lawsuit that was filed in November by Wood was rejected by the Supreme Court in February. That lawsuit alleged that there were numerous problems with how the election was conducted, including signature matching on absentee ballots.

Wood, a high-profile defamation lawyer, has not issued a comment on his Telegram page after the Supreme Courts decision but said on March 7 that he believes Georgia is the most corrupt state in our country.

Wood, 68, said last month that Georgias State Bar is attempting to discipline himwhich Wood described as a politically motivated act of revenge: In short, the GA State Bar is trying to crush me to silence me and prevent me from practicing law.

The Supreme Court on Monday, separately, dismissed former President Donald Trumps final case that challenged the results of the Nov. 3 presidential election in Wisconsin.

In dismissing Trumps final election-related case on the docket (pdf), the Supreme Court did not provide a comment or explanation: The petitions for writs of certiorari are denied.

Trumps lawyers alleged that Wisconsin election officials violated the Constitution by expanding mail-in voting in the midst of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic. The lawsuit asserted that the states executive branch arbitrarily rewrote election laws without the consent of Wisconsins state Legislature.

It was the last of three petitions filed at the Supreme Court near the end of Trumps presidency that the justices declined to take up. The court on Feb. 22 turned away Trumps other two appeals, including a second Wisconsin challenge and one relating to voting in Pennsylvania, another pivotal state during the Nov. 3 election.

Trumps lawyers filed a lawsuit two days after Wisconsin certified the election results, challenging a policy that allowed the usage of drop boxes for mail-in and absentee ballots. At the time, a federal judge and an appeals court judge rejected the former presidents electionssaying Trump waited too long to file the suit.

Regarding the Pennsylvania lawsuit, the Supreme Court made its choice to decline to hear election-related cases in mid-February. The GOP had argued in its petition that important questions of federal law [were] implicated by the Pennsylvania Supreme Courts 43 decision extending the General Assemblys Election Day received-by deadline and mandating a presumption of timeliness for non-postmarked ballots.

Reuters contributed to this report.
COVID-19 has taken the lives of more than half a million Americans, disproportionately people of color. But it also has had a devastating effect on small businesses, in particular Black- and Latino-owned ones. Few are talking about this misfortune, but these businesses, along with home ownership, have been the primary means by which these communities have accumulated wealth.According to a much cited study , median Black household wealth is on a path to decline to zero by 2053 if the racial wealth divide is unaddressed. Public officials must raise awareness of the negative effects the coronavirus is having on minority businesses and, along with key strategic partners, do something about it.It's hard to overstate the severity of the problem. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported last August that Black-owned companies were almost twice as likely to go under , compared to small businesses in general, as a result of the impact of COVID-19. While the number of white business owners had fallen by 17 percent, according to the report Black-owned business experienced a closure rate of 41 percent and the number of Latino and Asian business owners fell by 32 percent and 22 percent, respectively. And those numbers covered only the early months of the pandemic, last February through April.There are a variety of reasons for these disparities: The number of minority customers these businesses depend on shrunk because they caught the virus or were afraid of catching it; the federal government failed to properly target the $284 billion Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to businesses with the greatest need; the banks responsible for administering the PPP discriminated against minority businesses; and information on the PPP did not reach those businesses in sufficient numbers.Many of these problems are fixable, and there are some encouraging signs: The Biden administration, for example, established a two-week window in which only small, minority- and women-owned businesses could apply for PPP funding. Hopefully adjustments like this will slow the pace of small business failures. That's all the more important given that while Black-, Latino- and Asian-owned companies comprise only 20 percent of all U.S small businesses, these firms still employ "8.7 million workers at a total annual payroll of $280 billion and amassing $1.3 trillion in total annual receipts," according to the Small Business Administration To be sure, most pubic officials agree that we should do everything possible to help minority businesses survive the pandemic  and even thrive after the plague ends. But the critical question, given the limited resources of state and local governments, is how they can be most effective. Beyond bringing awareness to the $150 billion of PPP dollars that still are available and helping small businesses apply, public officials can develop strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions. They have credibility within their communities, are in touch with businesses on a regular basis within their service areas and often provide technical assistance to them.One such nonprofit organization with bona fide experience in working with minority businesses is the National Urban League. Most major cities have a branch of the UL nearby or within their jurisdictions. The UL, once headed by the recently departed civil rights leader Vernon Jordan, is good at focusing on the needs of its clients and helping them apply for loans and other types of governmental assistance. Adding to its credibility, the UL also provides services in areas like health care, housing and workforce development.Many higher education institutions also have solid reputations working with small and minority businesses and state and local governments. When I served as a vice president at Benedict College, a historically Black institution in Columbia, S.C., I supervised staff and programs at the college's business development center, a facility that, in addition to providing incubator space to about 20 businesses, administered a microloan fund and provided a wide range of technical assistance. We worked closely with small businesses with less than 20 employees, the priority group President Biden has targeted first to receive this round of PPP.Later, as president of Georgia Piedmont Technical College, I asked the college's economic-development division to work closely with the school's business department to put together a minority business-development program aimed at helping "mom-and-pop" businesses grow. Programs such as these enabled our college to stay connected to our areas' small businesses and transfer knowledge to state and local governments.One additional benefit to partnerships between governments and higher education institutions is that they provide an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience working with small businesses. Relatedly, tech-savvy students can help minority businesses better function within cyberspace, since almost all government services are housed online, including how to apply for PPP funding.The pandemic has shined a bright light on many inequities in society, including the historic discrimination and hardships faced by small and minority businesses. Public officials can ameliorate some of its worst effects by developing smart partnerships with organizations that have both the desire and the expertise to reach businesses with the greatest needs.GoverningGoverning
[March 08, 2021] Wells Fargo Sets Goal to Achieve Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050

Wells Fargo (News - Alert) today announced a major step in its efforts to support the transition to a low-carbon economy by setting a goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions - including its financed emissions - by 2050. To help meet this ambitious goal, Wells Fargo will measure and disclose financed emissions for select carbon-intensive portfolios; set interim emission reduction targets; deploy more capital to finance climate innovation; and continue to work with its clients on their own emissions reductions efforts. The company will also launch an Institute for Sustainable Finance to manage the deployment of $500 billion of financing to sustainable businesses and projects by 2030, as well as support science-based research on low-carbon solutions and advocate for policies that enable client transitions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005799/en/ (Graphic: Wells Fargo) "Climate change is one of the most urgent environmental and social issues of our time, and Wells Fargo is committed to aligning our activities to support the goals of the Paris Agreement and to helping transition to a net zero carbon economy," said Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf. "The risks of not taking action are too great to ignore, and collective action is needed to avoid the significant impact on our most vulnerable communities. We have a responsibility to help find solutions and are committed to deploying our resources and working closely with our clients in this transition." Wells Fargo outlined five areas of focus: Setting a goal to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 Net zero goal includes Scopes 1, 2, and 3 financed emissions*.

Wells Fargo achieved carbon neutrality in its operations (Scopes 1 and 2) in 2019. Committing to disclose the company's financed emissions measurement approach and provide more robust emissions data Disclose its approach to measuring Scope 3 financed emissions within a year.

Enhance transparency and disclose financed emissions for select carbon intensive portfolios - including the oil and gas sectors, and power sector - no later than the end of 2022.

Expand disclosures to eventually include all financed emissions as sufficiently reliable data becomes available. Setting interim emission reduction targets for select carbon intensive portfolios, including oil and gas, and power Set and disclose interim targets for select carbon intensive portfolios - including the oil and gas sectors, and power sector - no later than the end of 2022.

Set and disclose targets for additional sectors within a reasonable time after disclosing financed emissions for those sectors. Establishing an Institute for Sustainable Finance Establish an institute that will work across the enterprise to support clients in their climate transitions.

Deploy an additional $500 billion in sustainable finance by 2030, building on the $157 billion provided since 2012**.

Support clients' efforts to quantify their emissions.

Support science-based research to aid clients in their low-carbon transitions.

Advocate for policy initiatives that support clients' low-carbon transitions as well as those that advance the U.S. meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Work to support communities as they prepare for and adapt to increasing weather-related impacts with a focus on low- and moderate-income and other vulnerable communities that are being disproportionally impacted by climate change. Integrating climate considerations into Risk Management Framework Integrate climate considerations into the company's Risk Management Framework, eventually utilizing sufficiently reliable data as it becomes available, and use client carbon transition plans in our decision-making processes. The goals announced today are critical next stepsin Wells Fargo's efforts to accelerate transition to an equitable and sustainable future, and they build on recent progress.



In February 2021, Wells Fargo released its first Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Report, which provides an update on the company's progress managing climate related risks and opportunities.

In its operations, the company has met and exceeded ambitious sustainability goals in its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, including leveraging its annual energy spend to support the development of new renewable energy projects across the U.S. To date, Wells Fargo's Corporate Properties Group has entered into nearly 120 long-term contracts that support the development of over 750 megawatts of net-new renewable energy assets.

The company has accelerated sustainable finance across lines of business, providing $157 billion in financing to sustainable business and projects since 2012. Recent highlights include reaching $10 billion in renewable energy financing and serving as a lead underwriter on sustainability-designated bonds, including two of the top five in municipal markets over the last three years. Wells Fargo has established senior Environmental, Social, and Governance roles within the enterprise and across lines of business and staff functions to further advance its efforts.

Wells Fargo's robust Environmental and Social Risk Management (ESRM) policies consider the full spectrum of risk when reviewing transactions with customers in certain sensitive industries, including oil and gas, and utilities. The company updates its ESRM policies as its understanding of social and environmental risks evolves, and seeks to adhere to global best practices for managing these risks.

In communities, Wells Fargo collaborates with leading government and nonprofit organizations to advance clean technology innovation, community resiliency (PDF), and green jobs. Its award-winning Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator is a collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Lab, and the company recently became a founding partner of the Rocky Mountain Institute's Center for Climate Aligned Finance, which seeks to assist financial institutions in bringing portfolios of lending and investment activities in alignment with 1.5C-consistent emissions pathway. For more information on Wells Fargo's approach to managing climate risk, please see the company's 2020 TCFD Report. Additional sustainability perspectives can be found at Wells Fargo Stories. * Greenhouse gas emissions are categorized into three groups or 'Scopes' by the most widely used international accounting tool, the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. Scope 1 covers direct emissions from owned or controlled sources. Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling consumed by the reporting company. Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions that occur in a company's value chain.

** In 2018, Wells Fargo announced its $200 billion sustainable finance commitment and updated the methodology for how it tracks progress. The 2018-2020 results are not comparable to previously reported results for the "finance environmentally beneficial business opportunity" progress statement. Wells Fargo's current sustainable finance reporting methodology is available online. About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets and proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of all middle market companies in the U.S. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 30 on Fortune's 2020 rankings of America's largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health and a low-carbon economy. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter (News - Alert) : @WellsFargo. WF-PESG View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005799/en/

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Sen. Lindsey Graham told "Axios on HBO" that Donald Trump has a "dark side" but he tries to "harness the magic" because he succeeded where Republican candidates like John McCain and Mitt Romney failed.

Why it matters: The South Carolina Republican gyrates between support and criticism of the former president, even after Trump harshly criticized McCain  Graham's longtime friend  and helped spark the Capitol insurrection.

"What I'm tryin' to do is just harness the magic," Graham told Axios' Jonathan Swan. "To me, Donald Trump is sort of a cross between Jesse Helms, Ronald Reagan and P.T. Barnum."

"He could make the Republican Party something that nobody else I know can make it. He can make it bigger. He can make it stronger. He can make it more diverse. And he also could destroy it," Graham said.

The big picture: Graham won reelection in November in one of the most expensive political races in American history. That helps explain his embrace of Trump, wildly popular with the Republican base, but also confounds those who wonder why he sticks with him.

In 2016, when they were competing for the GOP presidential nomination, Graham questioned Trump's mental fitness.

After Trump beat Hillary Rodham Clinton, Graham embraced the new president, despite him criticizing his former sidekick McCain for becoming a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

The day after the Capitol siege, Graham blamed Trump for fueling the attack and declared, "enough is enough."

Now, Graham says he is reengaging purposefully.

What they're saying: "Donald Trump was my friend before the riot. And I'm trying to keep a relationship with him after the riot. I still consider him a friend. What happened was a dark day in American history, and we're going to move forward."

"I want us to continue the policies that I think will make America strong. I believe the best way for the Republican Party to do that is with Trump, not without Trump."

"Mitt Romney didn't do it. John McCain didn't do it. There's something about Trump. There's a dark side and there's some magic there."

Flashback: When Swan noted Trump is not showing remorse for his election challenge and still arguing he won in a landslide, Graham invoked McCain.
Vi at The Glen, a Vi community located in the suburban North Shore area of Glenview, announced today that registered nurse Marissa Salvaleon has been named one of Crains Chicago Business 2021 Notable Healthcare Heroes. The Crains list celebrates Chicago area doctors, nurses, EMTs and home health care providers who have served tirelessly on the front lines of the pandemic over the last year.

Known by her colleagues for her calm and caring demeanor, Salvaleon has worked as a registered nurse at Vi at The Glen since 2017. As a member of the skilled nursing team, she seeks to provide comfort and solace to residents, while also educating them about how to thrive when they are well enough to return to their homes. In early March 2020, Marissa was approached to work in the COVID-19 unit at the community. Despite the unknowns and concerns of her colleagues, Marissa quickly volunteered. She not only agreed to work in the unit when it first opened but has continued to work for the past 10 months since the unit has been open.

For the last five years Marissa has served as a wonderful example of a nurse who entered into the career for all the right reasons, said Steve Fowler, Executive Director of Vi at The Glen. Her commitment to her profession and dedication to those in her care is unmatched. We are thrilled she has received this distinction to honor her hard work.

I am incredibly honored to be recognized by Crains Chicago Business as one of this years healthcare heroes, said Salvaleon. I am thankful and humbled to have been able to provide support and care to our Vi residents and their families throughout the pandemic.

To celebrate Salvaleons selfless approach to caring for others, she will be recognized as the Heart of Vi recipient in her community this year.

To learn more about Vi at The Glen and other Vi communities, visit http://www.viliving.com.

About Vi

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Vi operates 10 continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) across the United States. With more than 30 years of experience as the owner and operator of residential communities for older adults, Vi continues to work toward providing quality environments, services and programs to enrich the lives of those they serve. Vi is proud to be the recipient of a number of best workplace awards, including Glassdoors 2020 Best Places to Work, and Great Place to Work and Fortunes Best Workplaces for Aging Services.

# # #

Media Contact

Murphy O'Brien Public Relations

310-586-7180

vi@murphyobrien.com
We are easily judged by our physical appearance, such as how we dress, whether or not we wear makeup, she said. We are generally quickly judged and considered more delicate and fragile. Its a reality that men will also be the victim of prejudice regarding their young age or physical appearance. But as women we have this challenge: In addition to having this image that sticks to us, we have to work harder to have our work recognized and taken seriously.

She already has encountered difficulties. In the various internships that I have done, she said, I have sometimes found myself in situations where people flirt with me instead of teaching me things, and in this kind of situation we dont feel we are taken seriously at all and that can quickly become a real issue.

I Dream Above All

The pandemic, which slashed Swiss watch exports last year in 19 of the industrys top 20 markets (China being the exception), also has affected the schools, with classes sometimes disrupted and opportunities missed.

Ms. Tsuzuki won the 2020 Richemont Award as the top Mizuno horology student, but because of travel restrictions could not claim the prize  two weeks at a Richemont-brand factory in Europe. But she is to start work for Richemont Japan after her graduation later this month. The two events are not related; despite the award, she said, she had to interview for the watch repair job in the groups customer service department.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is hopeful after her release from house arrest, her husband said as he staged a protest outside the Iranian embassy in London with their daughter.

After completing a near five-year sentence in the Islamic Republic over allegations of plotting to overthrow its government, Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe must now appear before an Iranian court in a weeks time to face new charges.

First threatened by Iranian authorities some four years ago, the charges concern Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe's alleged involvement in propaganda activity against the state, including attending a 2009 demonstration outside its London embassy and speaking to BBC Persian.

The British-Iranian aid worker has been released from house arrest, where she spent most of the last year of her sentence due to Covid-19, and had her ankle tag removed on Sunday.

Her husband Richard Ratcliffe said she remained euphoric on Monday as he launched a protest with the couple's six-year-old daughter Gabriella and his wife's brother Mohamed outside the embassy in Knightsbridge.

Kate Allen from Amnesty International (second left) and others stood with Zaghari-Ratcliffes family (PA)

Mr Ratcliffe had planned to deliver a 160,000-signature Amnesty International petition to the embassy calling for his wife's immediate release, but was turned away by someone speaking over the building's intercom.

Explaining the purpose of Monday's protest to The Independent, he said: We did this to remind them this is the day she was supposed to come home, and she needs to come home.

We wanted to make it clear that they are responsible for the abduction of Nazanin and should have some shame.

He added: The Iranian government likes to live in a Ferrero Rocher world where they arent responsible.

Until [they] take responsibility for [the] hostage problem it is going to continue.

Mr Ratcliffe said his wifes release made for a happy day  Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was said to enjoy her time driving around Tehran, visiting her grandmother and the family of former cellmates  though he feared it may get a bit tougher as the week goes on, with the court hearing for the new charges set for Sunday.

He said little is known about the upcoming court date aside from that it will be a continuation of Novembers hearing, which was adjourned before Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe could give her defence.

We dont know if it will be perfunctory and time has served (we think it carries a one-year sentence) or if it is going to be heavy; either way the lawyer is sure she will be convicted, he said, noting that people familiar with hostage negotiations said this was normal for the end of such a case.

He had earlier said he was grateful for foreign secretary Dominic Raab's condemnation of the cruel and intolerable treatment of his wife.

Mr Ratcliffe said: I spoke last week to the foreign secretary who said, listen, I can't promise you it's going to be this weekend but it feels like we're close.

Nazanin, the lawyer and the in-laws are hopeful, as is the foreign secretary, he told The Independent. I am more cautious. I think we are closer to her coming home than we have been in the last 4 years.

But I dont anything is inevitable by any means  they like to play games.

Boris Johnson has urged Iran to release her permanently, adding that her continued confinement remains totally unacceptable.

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been afforded diplomatic protection by the UK government, which argues she is innocent and that her treatment by Iran failed to meet obligations under international law.

The UK has been locked in a high-profile diplomatic dispute over her detention, and many have linked the episode to an outstanding debt Britain has owed to Iran since the 1970s.

Commentators, including Iranian Nobel laureate and human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi, have said Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe is being used as a political pawn, and Jeremy Hunt, the former foreign secretary, accused Iran of hostage diplomacy.

On Monday morning, the recently retired head of the Foreign Office, Lord McDonald, said the UK had been looking at repaying a 400m debt to Iran, accrued through non-delivery of arms sales reportedly blocked due to the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

We acknowledge it is Iranian money and it does have to go back to Iran, Lord McDonald told BBC Radio 4's Today programme, though he insisted the Foreign Office will not allow any potential repayment to be linked with Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe's case.

Mr Ratcliffe said he is awaiting the outcome of a UK appeals court hearing on the Iran debt, due to take place on 20 April, which he thinks could influence his wifes case.

There is a wider climate  the Koreans have released money owed to the Iranians; its quite possible that it is moving forward and it will have a positive effect on Nazanin, he told The Independent.

The only way to deal with hostage-taking is carrot and stick; I dont think waiting for the Iranians to get bored is disincentivising them.

He said he feared the hearing would be postponed but added that Lord McDonalds comments earlier gave him faith the case was not being stalled as it had been in the past.

Additional reporting by PA
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 11:26:37|Editor: huaxia

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KAMPALA, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Sunday received a second batch of 100,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from India.

Ruth Aceng, minister of health, received the vaccines at the Entebbe International Airport, 40 km south of the capital Kampala, according to a ministry tweet.

The country on Friday received the initial batch of 864,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX facility.

According to the Ministry of Health, the country's vaccination program will be officially launched on Monday, and rolled out countrywide on Wednesday.

The ministry said the doses will be used to vaccinate persons that provide essential services and are high risk of exposure, including elderly people, health workers, teachers and soldiers.

"This is just the beginning of our journey to vaccinate an estimated 22 million against COVID-19. We shall continue to encourage every Ugandan to patiently wait for their turn to receive this vaccine," Aceng said on Friday when receiving the first batch.

Uganda requires at least 45 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to vaccinate the 45 million people in the country and extra doses to cater to the refugee population, according to the Ministry of Health.

China has donated some 300,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines to Uganda, and the ministry is working on technical processes for receiving it.

As of Friday, Uganda had registered 40,464 cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19, 15,065 recoveries and 334 deaths since the first case was reported on March 22, 2020, according to the ministry. Enditem
More than 10,000 oversized vehicles have escaped penalty despite illegally avoiding the new $3 billion NorthConnex tunnel in Sydneys north-west because Transport for NSW has not issued fines.

Trucks and buses longer than 12.5 metres or higher than 2.8 metres must use the tunnel or pay a $194 fine, but an indefinite amnesty where warnings are issued instead of fines means the state government has foregone $2 million in revenue since the road opened in October.

Fines will be issued by the end of March, five months after the tunnel opened. Credit:Wolter Peeters

The nine-kilometre tunnel, the longest in Australia, was built to link the M2 motorway to the M1 Pacific Motorway and bypass a notorious stretch of Pennant Hills Road where suburban commuters battled interstate freighters resulting in crawling traffic.

Part of the justification for building the tunnel was the promise it would remove 5000 trucks a day from Pennant Hills Road. But the failure to fine trucks who do not use the tunnel threatens to undermine the governments policy if more trucks follow suit.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 17:19:35|Editor: huaxia

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MOGADISHU, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Monday lauded Somali women for their huge contributions to peace and development as well as being on the frontlines to defeat COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

In a statement issued in Mogadishu to mark the International Women's Day, which falls on Monday, the UN called for decisive action by Somali leaders to ensure gender equality and full participation of women in all spheres of life.

"Throughout the years, Somali women have played an extraordinary role in reconciliation, peacebuilding, and development," said the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan.

Swan said in his interactions with Somalis, they often tell him that women are the backbone of the Somali society.

"It is time for this to be recognized and translated into concrete actions and opportunities for Somali women to participate in political decision-making and enhance their leadership abilities," the UN envoy said.

The world body also noted the tremendous efforts of Somali women who joined the national response efforts to keep families and communities safe as the country experiences a new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"While applauding women's resilience, we should also remember that in Somalia and elsewhere in the world, the pandemic affects women and girls disproportionately, as they face increased economic uncertainty, violence, and insecurity," Swan said.

He said more efforts need to be done in terms of prevention but also to ensure there are adequate services available for victims and survivors.

Ahead of Somalia's upcoming elections, the world body urged all Somali stakeholders to honor the commitment made to implement the agreed 30 percent women's quota when electing the representation for the Upper House and 11th Parliament. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 22:24:06|Editor: huaxia

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BEIRUT, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) signed on Monday in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) a grant agreement with the Lebanese Health Ministry to renovate a hospital severely damaged in Beirut Port's blasts, Lebanon's National News Agency reported.

The agreement values 2 million euros (2.37 million U.S. dollars).

By rehabilitating and operating the new building of the Karantina Governmental Hospital, the project aims at restoring the most vulnerable residents' access to basic health care services and ensuring that mothers and the most vulnerable children receive quality care in the current complex circumstances.

French Ambassador to Lebanon Anne Grillo said this funding is an additional contribution by France to the reconstruction of Beirut after the blasts, which happened on Aug. 4, 2020.

Meanwhile, UNICEF Representative in Lebanon Yukie Mokuo said that the rehabilitation of the hospital is part of UNICEF's long-term commitment to rebuilding Beirut.

Karantina Governmental Hospital is a refuge for the most marginalized people requiring medical care. Enditem
Refiners and integrated oil firms continue to struggle with low refining margins, as a part of global oil demandjet fuel consumptionis still enormously depressed by international travel restrictions.

Margins for middle distillates, which include jet fuel, have improved since the worst effect of the pandemic last year. But the crisis in the airline industry and the pressure on refiners to curb jet fuel supply amid still very low demand could accelerate permanent closures of refineries geared to produce more middle distillates than gasoline, especially in Europe and Asia.

New refinery capacity in the Middle East and Asia also pressures older refineries, which yield more middle distillates, into risking permanent closures due to unprofitable or uncompetitive low-profit-margin operations. A current glut of diesel supply in Asia also depresses margins, while crude oil prices above $65 a barrel make raw materials more expensive.

The COVID-19 shock to oil demand has already resulted in idled capacity and permanent closures of refineries worldwide, including in the United States. Even with closures of 1.7 million bpd capacity announced by November 2020, there remains significant structural overcapacity, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said at the end of last year.

More refinery closures are in the cards, analysts say, given the newly built capacity and the loss of jet fuel demand which is not expected to recover to pre-COVID levels until 2023.

Sure, refining margins have increased in recent months compared to the worst from the spring of 2020, as Reuters market analyst John Kemp says.

Related Video: Goldman Calls $70 Oil in Q2, But Jet Fuel Is The Joker



Good to see refining margins improve here in January a little bit, strengthening a little bit, which is good, but still a long ways off what historical numbers would be, BPs chief executive Bernard Looney said on the Q4 earnings call last month.

Yet, the current crisis is an existential threat to smaller and less efficient refineries in Europe and Asia that were struggling to turn profits even before the pandemic.

Even oil majors acknowledge that some sites have become permanently uneconomical amid depressed refining margins, fierce regional competition, and expectations of declining road fuel demand in the long term.

For example, ExxonMobil and BP announced in the span of just a few months closures of their respective refineries in Australia. They now plan to convert them into fuel import terminals.

Due to its geographical position, Australia has lost the competition in the refining business as small and old refineries cannot rival the booming oil processing capacity in Asia, particularly China and India.

Globally, refining faces a toughand potentially longway to recovery, said Wood Mackenzies Vice President Oils Research, Ann-Louise Hittle, and Alan Gelder, Vice President Refining, Chemicals & Oil Markets.

Refinery closures or restructuring were a key feature of 2020 across Europe, Asia and the Americas, but did little to lift margins in the face of the collapse in demand, they wrote in January. WoodMacs experts see refinery utilization levels globally staying low this year, so the threat of refinery rationalisation remains.

This year, more than 1 million bpd of refining capacity is expected to be completed in the Middle East and Asia, and these newly-built sites might prompt further rationalization in Europe and across Asia, according to WoodMac.

In Europe, 1.4 million bpd of refining capacity is under serious threat of closure by 2023 at the latest, according to a Wood Mackenzie analysis from the middle of last year.

From Europe to Asia and the Americas, smaller and older refineries could fall victims to the structural overcapacity exacerbated by the COVID crisis. Newer and larger refineries integrated with petrochemicals could pose too overwhelming competition for smaller sites in the post-pandemic oil demand patterns.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the law permits him to remain in office till either 2023 or 2024.

He said this in his court documents filed to counter a suit challenging the three-month extension granted him by President Muhammadu Buhari in February.

PREMIUM TIMES on Monday obtained the counter-affidavit and the notice of preliminary objection along with the accompanying documents filed by the IGP through his lawyer, Alex Izinyon, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Mr Adamu attained the maximum 35 years in service on February 1, but got a three-month extension of his tenure by President Muhammadu Buhari on February 3.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that an Abuja-based lawyer, Maxwell Opara, filed a suit on the same February 3 to challenge the tenure extension.

Mr Opara argued in his suit that by virtue of section 215 of the Nigerian Constitution and section 7 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, Mr Adamu could not validly continue to function as the IGP having retired as a member of the Nigeria Police Force as from midnight of February 1, 2021.

My tenure didnt lapse on February 1

But Mr Adamu argued through his lawyer, in objection to the suit, that his tenure never lapsed on February 1.

The IGP argued that the new Nigeria Police Act gave him a four-year tenure which would only lapse in either 2023 or 2024.

According to him, his tenure will lapse in 2023 if counted from 2019 when he was appointed as the IGP, or 2024, if counted from 2020 when the new Nigeria Police Act came into force.

One of his written addresses reads, in part, Therefore based on our submission above, the combined effect of Sections 215 and 216 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 7 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, is that the 2nd defendant can validly function as the Inspector General of Police atter midnight of February 1, 2021 in so far as he was a serving member of the Nigeria Police Force during the period of his appointment, as his tenure in office is specially regulated by Section 7(6) of the Nigeria Police Act which stipulates in unambiguous terms that upon his appointment he stays in office for four(4) years.

Therefore, if the 2nd defendants tenure in office is calculated from January 15, 2019 when he was appointed into the office of the Inspector General of Police, his tenure lapse in 2023.

However, if his tenure in office is calculated from 2020 when the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 came into force. his tenure in office ends in 2024.

IGP office is quasi-political, unique, special

According to Mr Adamu, the IGP office is not governed by the general provisions applicable to the rest of the police force.

He said the provision of section 18(8) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 which is that Every police officer shall, on recruitment or appointment, serve in the Nigeria Police Force for a period of 35 years or until he attains the age of 60 years, whichever is earlier, is with due respect, inapplicable to the office of the Inspector General of Police in the circumstance.

He argued that the effect of section 7(6) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 is that immediately a person is appointed into the office of the Inspector-General of Police, a new legal regime is triggered off.

He added that from the various provisions of the law, it was discernible that the office of the Inspector-General of Police is conferred with a special status, unique and distinct from other officers of the Nigeria Police force.

He insisted that the IGP upon appointment is only accountable to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Council and this fact we submit makes his office a quasi-political office with a tenure of four (4) years pursuant to Section 7(6) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.

Plaintiff not in a position to know

Mr Adamu also argued through his lawyer that the plaintiff who deposed to the affidavit filed in support of the suit was not directly in a position to know if the IGPs tenure had ended.

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The lawyer argued that this was because Mr Opara, the plaintiff, is clearly not a staff member of the 2nd defendant (IGP) and the Nigeria Police Force.

He failed woefully to state in his affidavit how he got the information that the 2nd defendant had retired from the Nigeria police. He also failed woefully to tender any document to support his claim, the IGPs court document added.

The IGP also argued through Mr Izinyon, that President Buhari did not abdicate his duty by not immediately naming a new IGP on February 1.

Preliminary objection

Mr Adamu also argued in his suit that the suit by Mr Opara was not competent to be heard on merit.

He urged the court to dismiss the suit at t the preliminary stage on among other grounds that , the plaintiff lacks the locus standi to institute this sunt.

He also contended that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit since its subject matter is related to employment and condition of service of the 2nd defendant.

According to him, by virtue of section 254(c)(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) only the National Industrial Court has the jurisdiction to hear the suit.

Plaintiffs prayers

Mr Opara sought, among others, in his suit, an order directing Mr Adamu to stop functioning as the IGP.

He asked the court to hold that the failure of Mr Buhari and the Nigeria Police Council (NPC) to name a new IGP on February 1 when Mr Adamu was said to have completed his tenure amounted to abdication of duty.

He therefore urged the court to compel President Buhari and the NPC to immediately appoint a new IGP.

The plaintiffs sued the President, Mr Adamu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the NPC as the defendants.

PREMIUM TIMES could not confirm if others, aside Mr Adamu, had filed their response to the suit.
Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyeremanten has said key among his task as the sector Minister is to create employments for Ghanaians.



According to Alan Kyeremanten, creating of employments for Ghanaians at his sector is one of the key tasks assigned to him by President Akufo-Addo.



On his Facebook page after their sworn-in ceremony on Friday, March 5, Alan Kyeremanten indicated that he has also been tasked to play an integral part in realizing the Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda.



The key task assigned to me by the President is to lead Governments industrialization agenda, create jobs and to play my part in realizing the Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda, Alan Kyeremanten wrote..



Below is Alan Kyeremantens write up:



On Friday, March 5, 2021, I was sworn-in as Minister of Trade and Industry by H.E the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo, alongside 27 colleagues, at a brief ceremony at the Jubilee House.



I am grateful to the President for reposing his confidence in me and nominating me to serve another term in his government.



I am also grateful to members of Parliament for their approval.



The key task assigned to me by the President is to lead Governments industrialization agenda, create jobs and to play my part in realizing the Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda.



I will continue to serve the government and the nation with the best of my ability.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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.

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The 15 shortlisted films vying to become one of the five Best International Feature nominees at the 2021 Academy Awards are a surprising and creatively engaging bunch. Their stories often are drenched in history  much of it tragic and disturbing  and turbulent social and political currents course through any number of them. Just four of the 15 were directed by familiar names so, for the most part, the filmmakers behind these works are in the early stages of their careers, which can only create optimism and excitement about what these up-and-comers will do in the future.

Oscar nominations will be revealed on March 15.

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Ive now seen all of the contenders and must say that it was, for the most part, stimulating to encounter so many fresh voices from some often little-heard-from realms of the cinematic world. Fewer than half of the semi-finalists come from countries typically thought of as regularly representing the cinematic front-rank  France, Iran, Denmark, Mexico, Russia, Czech Republic, Romania  while quite a few turned up from sources seldom heard from even at international festivals: Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Guatemala, Bosnia & Herzegovina. Odds are that youd be hard-pressed to name any other films made by a dozen of the directors among the contenders this year.

This is all to the good, as international cinema is forever on the lookout for fresh subjects, styles and talent. Watching these 15 films was exciting both for the subjects they embrace  seldom do they resemble the sort of topics that preoccupy conventional Western cinema  and the highly variable ways they tell their stories. Only four of the group are not set in the present, and those mostly deal with specific historical events of the recent past in countries where, for political reasons, one could never have made truth-telling films at the time.

Story continues

And there were some real surprises as to subject matter and approach: Political thriller, The Man Who Sold His Skin, made by Tunisias Kaouther Ben Hania with a fabulous style resembles that of a James Bond film shot by Roger Deakins. While devastating historical dramas from Russia and Bosnia & Herzegovina reveal state-sponsored mass murder of their own citizens not so very long ago? Or, for that matter, two documentaries entering the mix in this category?

Surveying the list of 15 candidates that will shortly be winnowed down to five nominees, two stand head and shoulders above the rest. One is Dear Comrades!, which saw the ever-vigorous 83-year-old Russian master Andrei Konchalovsky reveal and stage the dreadful mass murder by the regime of Soviet citizens in the wake of a workers protest that simply could not be tolerated by the communists in 1962. Shot in black-and-white with a feel of great verisimilitude, the film reveals with sober force the extent to which the dominant totalitarian state in the world permitted not the slightest dissent while revealing along the way the lies and corruption that kept the system fortified. Konchalovskys family was among the elite at the time, so he knows of what he speaks.

The other real stand-out is the curiously titled A Sun, a contemporary drama from Taiwan that played a number of festivals last year and quickly ended up on Netflix. It begins with a startling act of violence, then proceeds, in a zig-zagging way, to dissect the dynamics of a deeply unfortunate family driven by bad choices, stubbornness and indecision. Every moment in this mighty saga of familial failings and foibles from the hitherto little-known director Chung Mong-hong has an electric current running through it, and the cast in exceptional.

These two films stand notably taller than the rest of the pack, and for either of them not to make the final cut would, in my view, mark a major misstep.

Another top foreign film, Quo Vadis, Aida?, this year put a spotlight another extraordinary historical tragedy of recent times: the murder in 1995 by Bosnian Serb forces of more than 8,000 civilians ostensibly under United Nations supervision in Srebrenica. Director Jasmila Zbanics film observes the lead-up to the massive crime with relentless intensity; a double-bill of this and Dear Comrades! would be enough to induce depression about the human condition for an untold period.

Another film that grew out of profound political troubles but takes a very different tack is the above-mentioned The Man Who Sold His Skin, which, like Quo Vadis, Aida?, was directed by a woman, the Tunisian Kaouther Ben Hania. This ultra-stylish piece is rooted in political issues in Syria but spends most of its time in Europe, where the refugee protagonist himself becomes a work of political art and a media sensation when a visa is tattooed on his back and hes placed in an art gallery. Its both topically engaging and gorgeous to watch.

By rights the fifth nominee should be Majid Majidis Sun Children from Iran, which  customarily for the director  focuses on street children who learn how to deal with lifes challenges from an early age. Despite the potentially depressing milieu, the eyes-wide-open, generous-spirited, undidactic Majidi believes so whole-heartedly in the positive aspects of the human spirit that the good can usually at least slightly outweigh the bad.

These five would decisively be my choices as nominees for Best International Feature Film of the year. But there certainly are some other good ones among the other candidates. Filippo Meneghettis Two of Us from France is an appealingly low-key, uncontrived look at the lives of two old neighbor ladies who have long lived in adjoining apartments so that their long-term intimate relationship is not even suspected by their closest family members until, that is, things finally change.

Considerably more rambunctious and crowd-pleasing, and a film I imagine is already a front-runner and could conceivably (if undeservedly) win in this category, is Thomas Vinterbergs Another Round. The central premise  that carefully administered small amounts of alcohol consumed all day long can serve to benefit human performance and mental acumen  is indisputably novel, and the film becomes the sort of celebration of life that tends to sweep audiences up.

One of two documentaries to be found in this international category is Alexander Nanaus Collective, which delivers a blistering picture of Romanias thoroughly corrupt medical system through the terrible case of a fire at a musical venue that killed many young people, which then morphs into sheer accumulation of dizzyingly rampant corruption throughout the countrys medical field. Its endlessly depressing from beginning to end. Cinematically, its as raw and unaesthetic as a film can be  one can imagine hundreds or even thousands of hours of verite material being whittled down to what we see. And if youre ever in Romania and need a doctor, having seen this youll be on notice to get over to Austria (the Romanians here continually sing the praises of its medical system) or virtually anywhere else, at once.

RELATED: Deadlines Contenders International  Watch All The Panels

Medically inflected in a very different manner is the protean Agnieszka Hollands Charlatan, a sturdy Czech film about a real country doctor in the first half of the last century who used highly unconventional techniques to cure people of all manner of ailments. The film skips over too many aspects of the mans long life for it to be truly satisfying, but its still an intriguing look at a true real-life eccentric.

Illness and its treatment are also the subjects of Hope, Norways hopeful in the Oscar race. Director Maria Sodahl came down with cancer after making her first film a decade ago and this follow-up details her against-the-odds battle to survive, supported by her husband and six kids between them. Its conventionally constructed and a certain respectable decorum is maintained, but its also intelligent, sober-minded and well-acted.

Hong Kong is represented by Better Days, which is what all the high school students herein hope to have once theyve completed their National College Entrance Exams. But much more onerous for the 18-year-old heroine is the abuse dished out by her schools rich, snooty and murderous bad-girl clique. This is partly YA fiction stuff, but its turbulent emotional undercurrents are ever-present.

Philippe Lacotes Night of the Kings takes you into a very particular, and particularly scary, heart of darkness, a prison full of rough customers in Ivory Coast where tradition has it that one prisoner will be chosen to recite a story all night long to the others, with the failure to do so supposedly amounting to a death sentence. This unusual setting provides a vital, scary and novel world utterly unto itself. But as arresting as it is, there are elements that dramatically just dont add up or that perhaps are simply not properly explained or justified.

Mystifying in different ways at times is La Llorona, the first film from Guatemala ever shortlisted for an Oscar. This is a mysterious tale in which the terrible legacy of an ousted strongman dictator is challenged, nay haunted by the titular crying woman of legend via a maid in his households employ. Its a small, intently focused film suffused in local history and the ever-lingering spectres of cruelty and tragedy.

The Mexican entry Im No Longer Here from young director Fernando Frias is tasty and evocative as long as it stays in Mexico but doesnt go anywhere interesting dramatically or physically when it ventures to New York, where the young central character is stranded for far too long. What remain most in the mind are the music and the extraordinary costumes and head gear employed by the films street inhabitants.

Finally, I have to admit that Maite Albertis widely acclaimed Chilean documentary, The Mole Agent, left me completely unconvinced and outside the film. Centered on a nice old man whos hired to move into a senior citizens living facility to investigate possible elder abuse therein, the film is positioned as a revelatory documentary. But the whole thing seems like a disingenuous set-up in which the rules of the game are neatly hidden behind a veneer of trendy advocacy.

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London: Way back in 2015, Piers Morgan  a brash and brilliantly talented former Fleet Street editor who later found a natural home in the opinionated arena of breakfast television  opened his phone and saw a direct message on Twitter from an American actor who was a big fan.

The woman was named Meghan Markle and the pair struck up a friendship through the social media platform and then over pints and dirty vodka martinis at the Scarsdale Tavern in the ritzy borough of Kensington when she visited London in the summer of 2016.

Meghans got beauty, brains, charm and a great sense of humour, Morgan later purred. Shes also an ambitious, hard-working and talented woman with a commendable zest for life. That same night Meghan would meet Prince Harry at a bar in Mayfair. Morgan thought the Suits star would make a perfect princess.

Nearly five years on, Morgan is singing a different tune. The friendship soured after Meghan met Harry, and Morgan is now her sharpest critic. And as the British media whipped itself into a frenzy on Monday over Meghans tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, Morgan also cemented his reputation as the loudest.
Emmanuel Macron: The Azerbaijani troops must leave Armenias sovereign territory

Armenia 3rd President on authorities and the upcoming elections

Armenia 3rd President reacts to photos of bodies of soldiers in freezer: It felt like the blood froze in my veins

Armenia Ombudsman addresses OSCE officials in regard to Ilham Aliyev's Armenophobic statements

Turkey's Erdogan expresses willingness to support Georgia-Azerbaijan-Armenia trilateral cooperation

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

French-Armenians hold protest against Armenia acting PM's visit to France

Angulo's goal helped Armenia tie score with Croatia

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: I've fallen in love with AS Roma and Rome over the last two years

Roma extend contract with Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Croatia-Armenia 1-0 (after first half)

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Wargonzo: Russian MOD is dealing with settlement of conflict in Armenia's Syunik Province on a daily basis

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

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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

Oliver Kahn replaces Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as Bayern Munich's manager

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

Arturo Vidal tests positive for COVID-19

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

Thomas Tuchel's contract with Chelsea automatically extended

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

Do pets need to be vaccinated against coronavirus?

Sean Bean stops watching Game of Thrones after his hero's execution

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

Roma, Mkhitaryan reach deal

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Armenia national squad hold last training session before friendly against Croatia

Roland Garros: Naomi Osaka withdraws due to disagreement with organizers

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Scientists offer new approach to overeating treatment

FC West Armenia announce end of career

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

Brazil to host Copa America

Caparros: I think Henrikh Mkhitaryan will help the team during matches in September

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Aguero signs deal with Barcelona

Courtney Cox re-enacts Friends dance with Ed Sheeran

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

Henrikh Mkhitaryan declines Zenit's and Monaco's offers
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Anti-monarchy campaigners have called for an "open, honest" debate about the future of the monarchy following bombshell revelations in Meghan Markle and Prince Harry interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The royal family has been rocked by several damaging claims, including allegations of racism, by the Sussexes in Sunday night's broadcast.

The interview has "thrown the light of day on the grubby institution" of monarchy and how it functions, said Graham Smith, chief executive of the campaign group Republic, which launched a petition calling for the abolition of the monarchy on Monday.

The republican pressure group called for the future of the British royal family to be brought into public discussion following the interview as people get "a much clearer picture of what the monarchy is really like."

"We now need honesty in the monarchy debate that has been sorely lacking until now. Honesty about the democratic alternative, honesty about royal corruption, honesty about costs, tourism and every other bit of nonsense trotted out by royalists for years," Mr Smith said.

Follow live: Queen and Prince Philip ruled out as source of racist comments amid calls for palace probe

"The monarchy has just been hit by its worst crisis since the abdication in 1936. Whether for the sake of Britain or for the sake of the younger royals this rotten institution needs to go.

"Some people will say 'well you would say that', but this interview has only served to highlight what a lot of people have known for years: the monarchy is rotten to the core and does not reflect British values."

Labour for a Republic, an anti-monarchy group made up of Labour Party members, said the interview served as further proof the royals are "not better" than ordinary members of the public.

"The monarchy has always thrived on an air of mystery that just cannot be maintained in this age of the media," Ken Ritchie, the group's spokesperson told The Independent, "It is simply more likely that things like this are going to come out."

Similar calls were made on social media in the aftermath of the interview, with #AbolishTheMonarchy trending in the US along with the UK.

One Democratic US congressman, Mondaire Jones, tweeted support for the Duchess of Sussex for bringing down an entire empire.

Meghan McCain, co-host of The View and daughter of late Senator and 2008 Republican presidential candidate John McCain, tweeted: "Monarchy has been an archaic and toxic concept since 1776."

International media was rife with speculation over the damage incurred to the monarchy by the revelations. One French newspaper, Liberation, said the royal family was a "trap", a bottomless well from which it is impossible to escape, and a golden prison.

Australian paper The Sydney Morning Herald said the interview portrayed the royal family as cold-hearted racists and France's Le Monde said the episode meant a new crisis for the monarchy.
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Running under the theme Aid and Coronavirus, a Focus on Africa, the 17th edition of Dihad will discuss next week the most pressing topics, with a focus on Africa and the issues that arose with the emergence of the Coronavirus.

It will also discuss other issues such as: The Impact of Conflicts and Humanitarian Crises, The Impact of Climate Change, Population Growth, Urbanisation, Education and Employment, and many more.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai, The Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition- Dihad, will be held from March 15 to 17, 2021, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Commenting on the occasion, Giuseppe Saba, CEO of International Humanitarian City in Dubai (IHC) said: We are delighted to take an active part in the 17th Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development Conference and Exhibition- Dihad, especially this year when the world is facing challenging circumstances and for the second consecutive year, fighting against the Coronavirus Pandemic.

He added: Dihad represents an opportunity for exchanging lessons learned and improving our preparedness for the most appropriate emergency response. IHC in Dubai is the largest humanitarian hub in the world and our community did extraordinary efforts in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Dubais excellent logistics infrastructure allows easy transit and transport of vaccines and collateral materials to developing countries and facilitates smooth efforts for the vaccination campaigns to continue to respond to the pandemic.

He concluded: We are proud of having partnered with Emirates SkyCargo, Dubai Airports, and DP World and launched all together with the Dubai Vaccine Logistics Alliance to speed up the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines around the world through Dubai.

Dr Manal Taryam, Board Member and CEO Noor Dubai Foundation stated: We look forward to the annual Dihad event, which serves as an effective platform to interact with fellow humanitarian foundations in various fields. Noor Dubai Foundation continues to support the UN SDG goals through strategic partnerships and successful collaborations with state governments and NGOs with a goal to improve the economic wellbeing of the communities they serve through fighting visual impairment.

She added: This year, the Foundation signed partnerships to continue its work in the elimination of Trachoma in Ethiopia, in addition to a new prevention of blindness programme in Bangladesh, while overcoming the challenges imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic across all humanitarian programmes globally.

Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary-General; Director, Regional Bureau for Africa, UNDP said: In an era of reducing aid and the still - transmitting impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, now, more than ever, the international community must be more purpose-driven in pivoting from delivering aid to ending need. To succeed, we must activate the humanitarian  development nexus through joint design, financing and implementation approaches. We must engage with Africa from the prism of its promise and use all tools at our disposal to accompany African governments, communities and people, in their efforts to harness the full potential of this land of unmatched opportunity.

Running parallel to the conference, Dihad features a rich exhibition, with an impressive participation from 600 of the worlds most prominent non-governmental organisations, humanitarian governmental associations, companies, suppliers and international brands. In addition, the 17th edition of Dihad will bring together the biggest donors, concerned actors, and major UAE based charities and foundations like Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the Dubai Future Council on Humanitarian Aid, the Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, the Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department, the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, the United Nations, Dubai Cares and International Humanitarian City, in addition to international bodies like Red Crescent and Red Cross Movements, NGOs, and other entities to further explore the most urgent needs of people facing huge humanitarian challenges in Africa and to benefit from their experiences and expertise in different fields. The exhibition will feature various activities and will host the France Pavilion and the UN Pavilion, in addition to several workshops.

In addition, the International Humanitarian Hackathon final pitch day will be held during the event days. The eight qualified teams from Egypt, KSA, USA, and UAE will be presenting their creative ideas and solutions for solving the identified humanitarian challenges.

The 17 th edition of Dihad is sponsored by King Abdullah Humanitarian Foundation (KAHF), Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department, Pathfinder International, and Life for Relief & Development, and is organised by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions, a member of INDEX Holding.

-- Tradearabia News Service
Ter-Petrosian called totally understandable the February 25 statement by the militarys top brass demanding the Armenian governments resignation. He said it was provoked by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians careless attempt to blame the armed forces for his humiliating defeat in last falls war with Azerbaijan.

I welcome the militarys restrained behavior in the face of some forces calls and efforts to drive it into unconstitutional actions, Ter-Petrosian said in a statement.

At the same time, I consider extremely dangerous and condemnable irresponsible statements by some politicians portraying military coup as a positive means for making the state healthier and substantiating that [claim] with successful experiences of some countries, he said.

The 76-year-old ex-president stressed that, as a rule, military coups have had disastrous consequences for countries around the world.

In their joint statement, the chief of the Armenian armys General Staff, Onik Gasparian, and 40 other high-ranking officers said Pashinian and his cabinet must step down because they put the country on the brink of collapse after the autumn war stopped by a Russian-brokered ceasefire on November 10.

Pashinian rejected the demand as a coup attempt and moved to fire Gasparian. President Armen Sarkissian appears to have at least delayed the generals sacking. Sarkissian said last week that he will not sign a relevant presidential decree drafted by the prime ministers office.

The militarys demands have been strongly backed by the Homeland Salvation Movement, an alliance of opposition parties campaigning for Pashinians resignation. Senior members of the alliance have urged Gasparian to hold on to his post in any case.

Some of them have also implicitly urged the military to overthrow Pashinian and his cabinet, saying that the current authorities are not capable of dealing with serious security challenges facing Armenia. The Homeland Salvation Movement has not officially voiced such demands, though. It has demanded instead that Sarkissian ask the Constitutional Court to rule on the legality of Gasparians dismissal sought by Pashinian.

Sarkissian discussed the issue with a representative of the opposition alliance on Sunday. The presidential press office gave no details of the meeting.

The alliance coordinator, Ishkhan Saghatelian, told RFE/RLs Armenian Service that the president again did not clarify whether he will appeal to the Constitutional Court.

The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope recently captured a breath-taking image of the big, beautiful and blue galaxy GC 2336. According to a press note, the spiral armed galaxy may look quite similar to our own Milky Way with its planetary distribution and chromatic features. However, the quintessential galaxy is nearly 200,000 light-years across and at a distance of 100 million light-years away in the northern constellation of Camelopardalis (The Giraffe).

In the image shared by NASA, in the centre, one can see a bright yellow orb and all throughout the arms of the galaxy, it is littered with millions of shiny dots, which are stars. According to the press note, the outer stars, bright silver/yellow towards the arm, are younger stars. Whereas, the centre with a more reddish concentration is the older star system.

READ: NASA's Perseverance Rover Drives For First Time On Mars; Touchdown Named Octavia E. Butler

The space agency informed that the NGC 2336 was discovered in 1876 by German astronomer Wilhelm Tempel. At the time, Tempel had used the most technologically advanced equipment available to him, a 28-centimetre telescope. It is worth noting that the NGC 2336 was a centre of interest for many astronomers and the galaxy had even experienced a Type-Ia supernova, which is the only observed supernova in the galaxy since its discovery 111 years earlier.

Hubble has entered its blue period by capturing this quintessential galaxy  big, beautiful, & blue! 



Its spiral arms glitter with young stars, visible in their bright blue light.



This barred spiral galaxy stretches an immense 200K light-years across: https://t.co/u4EaGXJ7Fs pic.twitter.com/yCRcwuerl9  NASA Goddard (@NASAGoddard) March 5, 2021

READ: NASA Shows Perseverance's First Drive On Mars

Hubble telescope captures Stingray Nebula

Meanwhile, Hubble Space Telescope has captured some phenomenal images of our cosmos and beyond. Last month, the telescope had even captured Stingray Nebula, which has been fading precipitously since the past two decades as its brightness diminished frantically. Hubble captured two images 20 years apart. The first image was taken with the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 in March 1996, where the ageing star appeared in good shape, but in the second image taken in 2020, the nebulas central star was seen in its final stages of life.

NASA said in a release that the once bright and young nebula was no longer standing out against the black velvet background of the vast universe. This is very, very dramatic, and very weird, said team member Martin A. Guerrero of the Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia in Granada, Spain. What were witnessing is a nebulas evolution in real-time. In a span of years, we see variations in the nebula. We have not seen that before with the clarity we get with this view.

READ: Biden Lauds NASA Team For Giving US 'dose Of Confidence'

READ: Path To NASA Started Way Back Watching Star Trek As A Child, Indian-American Swati Mohan Tells Biden
(Natural News) An infectious disease expert in the British government has suggested that people should wear masks with three layers. Public Health England (PHE) Senior Medical Adviser Dr. Susan Hopkins explained that wearing three layers helps reduce virus transmission. The more layers you have, the better, she said during a government briefing on Monday, March 1.

The U.K. government mandated that masks and other face coverings be worn on public transportation back in July 2020. This was extended to include physical shops the next month. Government guidance said masks should ideally be at least two layers of fabric, with more than that number recommended.

Hopkins remarks followed that of American infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, who recommended wearing multiple masks for more protection. The director of the U.S. National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases said Jan. 25 that wearing two masks was common sense. He explained: If you have a physical covering with one layer [and] you put another layer on, it just makes common sense that it likely would be more effective. Thats the reason why you see people either double masking.

The British infectious disease expert raised the possibility of the U.K. following Faucis advice and recommending double masking. Hopkins elaborated: What we recommend is at least two layers and, ideally, three layers in a mask. That is really important to reduce the virus transmission both from you to others and others to you.

She then suggested that double-masking could cross the pond and arrive at the U.K.s shores. According to the PHE senior adviser, discussions have been ongoing about revised mask regulations. We have got a facemasks and face coverings advisory group who meet on a regular basis and look at new and emerging evidence. The U.S. has looked at some of that evidence as well, Hopkins said.

We think one mas that has more than two layers in it is currently effective for the vast majority of the population, the British infectious disease doctor remarked. (Related: British government wants masks to be a permanent fixture on peoples faces.)

Face masks are starting to become the new normal in British schools

As much as scientists support mask mandates, a number of British lawmakers have expressed their opposition. House of Lords peer Claire Fox, Baroness Fox of Buckley, is among the members of Parliament against mask-wearing. The former member of the European Parliament slammed the recommendation for children to wear masks in school, calling it clearly nonsensical and detrimental to learning.

Fox took to social media, wondering why isnt there more pushback on these tyrannical measures. [What] about the confusion of face-to-face teaching in masks? You cant assess childrens progress without seeing and engaging with their faces, the baroness said.

As of writing, the Conservative government led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson has not ordered primary school students to wear masks. However, it recommended that face coverings be worn in school areas where social distancing is not possible  at least until the Easter break. Ultimately, this leaves school administrators with the final regarding mask policies on campus. According to guidance by the U.K. Department for Education, no pupil should be denied education on the grounds that they are not wearing a face covering. Downing Street also issued a statement on Tuesday, March 2, which said that primary school children should not be asked to wear face coverings when they return to school on March 8.

However, some primary schools have not been swayed by government guidance on the matter of mask-wearing. At least two primary schools in England have informed parents that their children need to wear face masks in the classroom. Parents of students enrolled at Selsdon Primary and Nursery School in southeast England were informed that children as young as five years old should wear a face mask, except during physical education classes and when eating or drinking.

Selsdon Executive Headteacher Susan Papas explained that using masks allowed students to play safely with others. She added that the school has been very successful in enforcing the measures. Papas noted that children quickly became comfortable with the face masks and were still able to socialize normally with their peers.

Parents of students enrolled at Nascot Wood Junior School in Watford, located northwest of London, were also informed of a mask requirement. The school said children will need to wear a well-fitted face mask as its classrooms do not have enough space for social distancing. Nascot Wood administrators commented that the mask-wearing rule on school premises was not mandatory, but they claimed that their vigilant approach likely played a role in maintaining the low number of confirmed COVID-19 cases there.

Visit MedicalTyranny.com to read more news about double masking and face mask mandates.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

BBC.com

CNBC.com

Twitter.com

DailyMail.co.uk
On Thursday night the House Democrats passed by a vote of 220-210 legislation designed to revamp voting procedures on a national level.

It is telling that the legislation titled HR1 introduced by the Nancy Pelosi-led Democrats in the House is a power grab dressed up as election reform, the provisions of which are all intended to create more Democrat candidate votes in upcoming elections in order to secure a permanent Democrat Party control of Congress and the White House. Passage of this legislation was their first priority  it is numbered ahead of all other proposals because securing power unto themselves in the form of hegemony over the institutions of government is how Marxists and socialists transform the countries they seek to control.

HR1 is a collection of election law reforms meant to dictate to states the manner by which all states shall conduct their elections in the future, mandating certain voting practices be followed while making other voting practices illegal.

You can fit the classifications into two categories: 1) changes in voting processes and procedures that are designed to increase the gross total of votes cast in each election; and 2) changes in voting practices and procedures designed to eliminate any effort to improve or protect ballot integrity. Here is a general summary of the key provisions with regard to voting procedures mandated and prohibited:

Mandated: No excuse mail-in voting for all voters in all states. 15 days of early voting for any election including federal offices. Automatic voter registration  unless the individual opts out  upon the submission of personal information (name, address) to any state agency for any purpose. Online voter registration up to and including on election day. Automatic restoration of voting rights to felons. Allowing ballot harvesting by third parties. Counting of illegal aliens among state populations fo purpose of determining number of congressional districts in each state. Public financing by creating $6 to $1 match of federal funds against small-donor campaign contributions of $200 or less. Prohibited: No voter ID requirements. No purging of voter rolls. No signature matching for mail-in ballots. No redistricting by legislative bodies in the States  only by non-partisan commissions. No disqualification of ballots for out of precinct voting.

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in cases from Arizona where the DNC challenged two Arizona election laws  one that criminalized ballot harvesting, and one that disqualified any ballot cast by a voter in the wrong voting precinct. Similar election laws are used in many other states. I wrote about the cases here , prior to the oral argument taking place. The decision is expected before June, but the sentiment of legal observers is that the Justices will uphold both statutes as not violating the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

HR1 would make both statutes illegal.

Every Democrat voted in favor of passage and every Republican voted against passage. The legislation now goes to the Senate.

Because this legislation must get through the Senate under its normal rules, it will need 60 votes to end debate and proceed to a vote. Similar legislation was passed by the House in 2019 after the Democrats took control of the House, but it was never considered in the GOP-controlled Senate.

Even though the Democrats now control the Senate, there is no chance that 10 GOP Senators will agree to allow this legislation to come up for a vote. The only path to passage will be to end the filibuster rule.

The filibuster rule is a procedural rule in the Senate; it is not a statute or part of the Constitution. Several years ago, Harry Reid, as Senate Majority Leader, established the precedent that Senate Rules could be amended during a legislative session by majority vote. In order to get HR1 brought to a vote in the Senate, Majority Leader Schumer will need to amend the legislative filibuster rule to eliminate the 60 vote requirement to end debate  that change would take only 51 votes. VP Harris could break a 50-50 tie and cast the 51st vote to amend the rules and eliminate the filibuster, and that would potentially allow passage of HR1 on a party-line vote  in both Houses of Congress.

Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema have expressed opposition to eliminating the filibuster, with Manchin being the most adamant in his position. Earlier this week, he was again asked by members of the media about his prior position that he would never change his mind about ending the filibuster.

Never! Jesus Christ! What dont you understand about never? Manchin said.

Manchin has insisted that his position is based on the principle that for legislation to pass in the Senate  even on a party-line vote  there must be meaningful bi-partisan involvement by members of both parties. While it is not necessary to have minority party support in voting for the legislation, Manchins view is that the minority party must be willing to let the legislation come up for a vote rather than have all the processes of the Senate take place on a raw partisan majority basis.

What is also true, however, is that Manchin understands that he is the Senate Majority Leader right now. With the filibuster in place, no legislation has any chance of advancing to a vote without his support. The moment 50 votes become all that is needed, his vote is no more meaningful than one of the Senate RINOs who might be persuaded to support Democrat-backed legislation that Manchin opposes. The White House and Majority Leader Schumer can play Lets Make a Deal with Sen. Murkowski, Sen. Collins, or Sen. Romney in an effort to buy their support for any piece of legislation by offering goodies for their states.

Critical to Manchin is that the main provisions of the Green New Deal not be allowed to come up for a vote, as the coal and natural gas industries are the backbones of West Virginias economy.

So long as Manchin  and maybe Sinema  remains unwilling to change the rules to eliminate the filibuster, HR1 should remain stalled in the Senate.

But HR1 reflects the dreams of the Democrats  federally mandated elections at the state level which create avenues by which massive vote fraud efforts can be orchestrated by Democrat Party interest groups even in states with significant GOP electoral majorities.

Source: House Passes "Permanent Democrat Rule Act" by a Vote of 220-210 in an Effort to Create a US Politburo and One-Party Government  RedState

Observer commentary

Note that flipping five seats in the House would have change the outcome of this. It must be done in 2022!
Meghan Markle opened up about battling suicidal thoughts, Prince Harry disclosed a painful rift with his father -- and both settled a fair few scores in their history-making interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The gloves came off as the pair lifted the veil on their dramatic exit from royal life, holding little back as they alleged racism in royal ranks, and a campaign of lies targeting Meghan.

But there was tenderness too as the pair spoke of their present-day happiness -- and revealed the gender of their second child.

Here are key takeaways from the interview:

- 'Didn't want to be alive' -

Opening up on a barrage of negative media coverage she faced as part of the royal family, Meghan, 39, said the British press drove her to the point where life no longer seemed worth living.

"I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it. And I... just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought," she told Winfrey in the two-hour CBS spot.

Asked by Winfrey if she was having suicidal thoughts while pregnant with her first child, Meghan replied "Yes. This was very, very clear."

Meghan said she approached the palace to tell them she was having a mental health crisis.

"I went to one of the most senior people just to -- to get help," she said. "I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution."

Meghan said she ultimately reached out to one of the late Princess Diana's best friends for support.

"Who else could understand what's -- what it's actually like on the inside?"

- 'How dark his skin might be' -

Meghan, whose father is white and mother is Black, said Harry had revealed to her official concerns among the royals about the skin color of her unborn son, Archie.

"In those months when I was pregnant... we have in tandem the conversation of 'he won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title' and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born," Meghan said.

Story continues

"Those were conversations the family had with him."

Asked by Winfrey if the concern was that he might be "too brown," Meghan replied: "If that's the assumption you're making, I think that feels like a pretty safe one."

- 'Character assassination' -

It was sensational tabloid fodder: the story of how of Meghan made Kate Middleton cry after a bridesmaid dress fitting for Princess Charlotte.

And by Meghan's account -- it was entirely fabricated.

"Everyone in the institution knew it wasn't true," Meghan told Winfrey of the alleged incident, claiming that in reality: "The reverse happened."

Kate, she said, "was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologized."

"A few days before the wedding, she was upset about something pertaining -- yes, the issue was correct -- about flower girl dresses, and it made me cry, and it really hurt my feelings."

Meghan called the incident "a turning point" in her relations with the royal family.

"The narrative about, you know, making Kate cry I think was the beginning of a real character assassination," she said.

"And they knew it wasn't true. And I thought, well, if they're not going to kill things like that, then what are we going to do?"

"I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family," Meghan said.

- 'Let down' -

Speaking candidly about his relationship with Prince Charles, Harry said had he felt "really let down" by his father throughout the painful episode -- but that they were now talking to one another.

"There's a lot to work through there, you know? I feel really let down, because he's been through something similar. He knows what pain feels like," an emotional Harry said.

He described Charles -- the heir to the throne -- and Harry's older brother William as "trapped" by the conventions of the monarchy, but vowed that he would "always love" his father.

"My father and my brother, they are trapped. They don't get to leave. And I have huge compassion for that."

Harry went on say that he and Meghan "did everything we could" to stay in the royal family.

"I'm sad that what's happened has happened, but I know, and I'm comfortable in knowing that we did everything that we could to make it work."

- 'Fairytale' -

But it was not all darkness and score-settling.

Offering royal fans a treat, the couple revealed the gender of their second child, chiming in tandem "It's a girl!" and confirming the baby was due in "summertime."

Asked if they were "done" with two children, Harry replied: "done."

"To have a boy and then a girl, I mean what more can you ask for?" he said.

"Two is it," quipped Meghan.

In a bucolic segment, Harry and Meghan offered viewers a glimpse of their "fairytale" life in California's beachside celebrity enclave of Montecito, showing off their chicken coop -- and its hens rescued from a factory farm.

And Meghan wrapped up with a hopeful look to the future, saying Harry had made a decision that "saved my life."

"And now because we're actually on the other side, we've actually not just survived but are thriving."

Asked by Winfrey if her story "does have a happy ending," Meghan replied: "It does. Greater than any fairytale you've ever read."

ec/bgs
[March 08, 2021] China Bank goes live with Intellect Wealth's Digital Trust Solution

CHENNAI, India, JAKARTA, Indonesia, MANILA, Philippines, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Intellect Design Arena Ltd, a cloud-native, future-ready multi-product FinTech company for the world's leading financial and insurance clients, today announced that China Banking Corporation (China Bank), one of the largest universal banks in the Philippines, has gone live with its Digital Trust and Wealth Management solution using Intellect's WealthQube suite. China Bank now joins the ranks of the very few financial institutions in Asia Pacific with 100% digitized Trust and Wealth Management operations. With Intellect's WealthQube suite, China Bank has acquired the unparalleled ability to service customers in real time, including providing them with their financial statements in real time. China Bank has one of the largest trust banking operations in the Philippines, with over P200 billion in assets under management. The Bank offers a wide range of investment products and services across asset classes-from unit investment trust funds, to fixed income securities, to equities. With Intellect's solution, the Bank also has the competitive ability to service the employee Provident Fund management needs of its customers. The end-to-end, straight-through-processing solution is built on Intellect's WealthQube Hyperscale-C architecture. Hyperscale-C architecture allows banks to build composable solutions and rapidly deliver new products in a hyper competitive market place. WealthQub is able to deliver composable solutions because of its API-first cloud native architecture. Proprietary frameworks such as Pegasus and Orion make it easy to configure new fees and charges and rapidly respond to the compliance directives of regulators. The composable architecture is designed to prevent obsolescence by allowing selective substitution of obsolescent functionality.



Jaideep Billa, President, Wealth Management, Intellect Design Arena, said, "China Bank's vision of 100% straight-through processing or STP was bold and ahead of its time. That vision has now provided unparalleled competitive ability to the Bank. We are delighted that we were able to deliver this competitive advantage to China Bank at half the cost of our Swiss competitors. Intellect's Hyperscale-C Composable architecture has been the success behind this implementation." Patrick Cheng, Chief Finance Officer, China Bank, added, "We had no doubt in our mind that the future is digital, and that Wealth Management and Trust Banking will play an increasingly important role in China Bank's sustained profitability. A complete STP digital backbone gives us greater operating efficiency and more importantly, enables us to deliver exceptional service to our customers. We are pleased to have found the right partner for this endeavor in Intellect."

About China Banking Corporation China Banking Corporation (China Bank), established in 1920, is one of the leading private universal banks in the Philippines. It provides a full range of banking products and services to institutional (corporate, middle market/commercial, SMEs) and individual (retail, mass affluent, high net worth) customers, as well as thrift banking, investment banking, insurance brokerage, and bancassurance through its subsidiaries China Bank Savings, China Bank Capital, China Bank Securities, Chinabank Insurance Brokers, and affiliate Manulife China Bank Life Assurance. China Bank is one of the top 3 listed companies in the Philippines, and among the top 20 in ASEAN, in corporate governance. For more information, visit www.chinabank.ph About Intellect Design Arena Limited Intellect Design Arena Ltd. has the world's largest cloud-native, API led microservices-based multi-product FinTech platform for the Global leaders in Banking, Insurance and Capital Markets. It offers a full spectrum of banking and insurance technology products through its four lines of businesses - Global Consumer Banking, Global Transaction Banking (iGTB), Risk, Treasury and Markets, and Insurance. With over 25 years of deep domain expertise, Intellect is the brand that progressive financial institutions rely on for their digital transformation initiatives. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1169174/Intellect_Logo.jpg

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President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, Mevlut Cavusoglu, who was on a working visit to Ashgabat.

During the meeting, the head of state and his guest exchanged views on the prospects for the Turkmen-Turkish partnership. The trade-economic sphere, energy and transport and communication sector were named among the priority areas of interaction. The Turkish Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan for supporting the operations of Turkish businesses in the Turkmen market.

The President of Turkmenistan and the Turkish Foreign Minister also discussed holding a high-level Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Turkey summit in Ashgabat this year. It was noted that due to the coronavirus pandemic this event was rescheduled. In this regard, Berdimuhamedov stressed that the Turkmen side stands ready to organize a high-level trilateral meeting at any suitable time.

 TURKMENISTAN.RU, 2021
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo continued her plight to encourage residents to wear masks in a Time op-ed published Monday.

The letter comes a week after Gov. Greg Abbott lifting the statewide mandate requiring masks in public places and barred local authorities  like Hidalgo  from issuing ordinances requiring them. Individual businesses can  and will  require masks from customers.

MASK WHIPLASH: H-E-B will expect all customers to wear masks after mandate ends

"I made a promise early on to my constituents: protecting human life would be our North Star, and if we erred, it would be on the side of action," Hidalgo wrote. "... Our decisions havent always been popular with everyone, but I can sleep at night knowing every one of them put safety and the community first. Ill let history sort out the rest."

It's been nearly a year since the pandemic ramped up in Harris County, and across the country. From the get-go, both county and city of Houston officials communicated the threat of the virus and eventually ordered everyone to stay home and wear a mask in public.

Abbott's decision rippled through Texas last week. Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner called the move a political stunt to take pressure off the power grid failure scandal.

In the op-ed, Hidalgo said Abbott's decision was as futile as "trying to wave away a thunderstorm with a hammer."

"Humbled by the sacrifices made this last year by Harris County residents, health care workers and, well, everyone, I, like many, am frustrated to see it all put at risk by the premature elimination of safeguards."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urge everyone to wear masks in public, even if you've been fully vaccinated.
A LOT TO FIGURE OUT

EXPANDING BROADBAND

CONSIDERING SB 2

CHANGING TIMES

(TNS)  Virtual hearings, drive-through voting, default budgets  that's how many New Hampshire communities got through town meeting season in 2020, the year of the pandemic.They're about to do it all over again. And some worry that the traditional New Hampshire town meeting could become another casualty of COVID-19, as Granite Staters become accustomed to new ways of taking care of business. Many communities are voting for local officials and zoning amendments on Tuesday. Residents who are concerned about exposure to COVID-19 can vote absentee, but the rest will cast their ballots in person."Most municipalities have convinced themselves, and probably correctly so, that they can do that safely because they did it safely at the voting in November," said Stephen Buckley, legal services counsel at the New Hampshire Municipal Association. A combination of emergency orders by Gov. Chris Sununu and legislation passed last year has given communities flexibility to postpone town meetings, hold virtual hearings and offer drive-through voting.Many towns have put off the business sessions of town meeting until April or May because of ongoing concern about public gatherings. As vaccinations continue to increase across the state, those meetings now look more promising for in-person voting."There's a lot of confusion out there," Buckley said. His legal services office at Municipal Association fielded 450 calls from local officials in January, twice the number as the previous January. Buckley said some local officials are concerned that some of those emergency provisions may end up limiting the right of voters to amend warrant articles. That's because after virtual meetings for public input, the final content of the town warrant is left to the select board or school board, he said."There's just the concern of taking the public out of that process," he said.Other community leaders have questions about when a newly elected individual takes office, Buckley said. Is it right after election day, or must the person wait until the business meeting is held in May or June? And can someone be sworn in virtually?Local officials are doing the best they can to figure it all out, but it's challenging, Buckley said."The process of running town meeting and doing it correctly according to the dates and deadlines could already be a little complex, and now you throw in some changes ... and it adds a set of variables which are challenging for volunteers and elected officials to make sure they navigate it all correctly," he said.For many towns, postponing town meeting means living within the constraints of last year's budget until they can pass a new one. State law (RSA 32:13) authorizes towns that operate on a calendar year (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31) to make expenditures "which are reasonable in light of prior year's appropriations and expenditures for the same purposes during the same time period."Towns that operate on a fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) typically have more time to get their new budgets passed, since the new year doesn't begin until summer.This year, the governor's Emergency Order No. 83 allows both calendar-year and fiscal-year towns to make expenditures based on the previous year's budgets, but all towns have to adopt budgets by Sept 1.Town warrants have always reflected the times, and this pandemic year is no different.After last fall's divisive election season, dozens of communities are voting on a resolution urging state lawmakers to adopt fair redistricting. In addition to the usual articles to purchase fire engines and plows, many towns this year will vote on expanding broadband access. With families working and learning from home, and town business being conducted virtually during the pandemic, dependable Internet service has become critical, said Buckley, who heard a lot about the issue from local officials over the past year."Certainly in the North Country, as we were talking with towns and cities up there that were trying to have virtual meetings, it was really a challenge," he said. It's also an issue in the southwest corner of the state. That's where Henry Underwood, a planner at Southwest Region Planning Commission, has been focusing on expanding broadband access for the past several years. He also works with other local, regional and state leaders on the issue.In 2014, the SWRPC developed a regional plan for improving broadband service that has since become a playbook for rural communities to follow. Chesterfield led the way, passing a bond article in 2019 to expand broadband, with subscriber fees going to fund the bond payments, Underwood said.Five neighboring towns adopted the so-called "Chesterfield model" in 2020, and at least 10 other communities have warrant articles for broadband expansion this year. Underwood, who is a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialist, said broadband networks were designed to prioritize download speeds, but "during the pandemic we've needed better upload speeds to send our data out."While New Hampshire overall has good speeds, he said, "If Cheshire County were a state, we'd be one rank up from the bottom  just edging out Alaska."According to NHMA, approximately 70 municipalities in New Hampshire have adopted the provisions of what's known as SB 2. The 1995 legislation allows towns that adopt it to vote by ballot on all warrant articles, including the budget, after the public gets the chance to weigh in during "deliberative sessions."More towns and school districts, including in Bow and Hopkinton, are deciding on SB 2 on this year's warrant. Buckley said some communities may decide to adopt SB 2 because of the pandemic, to make it easier for individuals to vote by ballot instead of at in-person town meetings. "I think it's possible that people might not see as much of the value with the social capital and social networking that you get with coming together with your neighbors, and discussing and making decisions on important matters." he said.But author and humorist Rebecca Rule hopes the isolation of the past year will prompt more Granite Staters to embrace anew the tradition of gathering to argue, convince and compromise with their neighbors. Rule was just finishing her book about New Hampshire town meeting, "Moved and Seconded," when her own town of Northwood voted to adopt SB 2 a decade ago. In response, Rule wrote this obituary: "Northwood Town Meeting, born March 23, 1773, died March 8, 2011, gone too soon at the age of 238, deeply mourned by those who loved her."She guided her town through peacetime and wartime, beginning in 1779 when she sent three of her native sons to fight for freedom," she wrote. Rule went on to list the many accomplishments to come out of town meeting  schools, libraries, roads and bridges, caring for the poor. "Yes, she could be feisty. Better, she thought, to get our differences out in the open and settle them with as much civility as could be mustered," Rule wrote. "And she was a good listener. In her presence all were welcome to speak their minds."Rule said she has enjoyed watching her local select board and school board meetings online during the pandemic. "I think more people are watching those," she said. "So I think that's a really good thing and I hope they keep Zooming them after COVID is over." But she misses the traditional March town meeting with its debate and compromise, Rule said. There's a bit of that at the deliberative session, she said, but fewer people actually attend, and many communities just vote to adopt default budgets from the previous year."Where with town meeting, you go and if you don't like the budget, you compromise, and come to a budget that people can agree on and then move on," she said. "It makes me sad," she said. "It's like skim milk when you expect a frappe."Rule said she knows the culture has changed. "People don't want to go to a meeting and sit for four hours or five hours or eight hours and talk about the affairs of the town. They just don't value that, and they don't want to do it and that's the way it is," she said.Most people today don't know the history behind the tradition, she said. In the old days, she said, "March is when the farmers come out of the hills, and go to the town center and see their relatives and their friends that they have not seen since the snow started falling. "It's celebratory and it's a renewal, and you need to be there in person to do that and to feel that, and to be part of the community."NHMA's Buckley said it's too soon to know whether communities will change how they conduct their annual business because of the pandemic. Some towns may opt for SB 2, or adopt charters and town councils instead of traditional town meetings, he said. "Once we're through what we're going through right now, the picture as to what town meeting will look like will be clearer, when we see whether there are changes the towns want to pursue at next year's town meeting," he said.Rule said she remains optimistic that the traditional town meeting won't disappear entirely. "I hope that some towns, especially the smaller towns, continue to see the value in that," she said."That it's not really about the money, it's not really about what gets voted up and down, it's about doing that together as a community."
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Diplomats recognise the contribution of women in the fight against Covid-19

Women have the right to have full control over their body and health, states the diplomatic community on the occasion of International Women's Day.

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Today, on International Womens Day, we celebrate the achievements and leadership of women around the world. We recognise the powerful contribution of women in the fight against the coronavirus, as medics and caregivers, scientists and teachers, in business, and as political leaders.

We are especially mindful that women and girls have been disproportionately affected by the negative economic effects of Covid-19. During the pandemic, women have been more likely to lose their jobs than men, and the burden of unpaid childcare and virtual school has fallen disproportionally on women.

We are concerned about reports from around the world of increasing gender-based violence during the pandemic, which underlines the need for greater effort to prevent and eliminate all forms of sexual and gender-based violence. Lockdowns and other Covid-19 restrictions have exposed women and girls to increased risks of gender-based violence, often at the hands of their partners or other family members, and cut them off from much-needed support.

We support efforts to promote the equitable participation of women in the economy by decreasing the gender pay gap and encouraging equal pay for work of equal value, combatting gender-based discrimination and harassment in and around the work place, and promoting a healthy work-life balance, including the provision of parental and child care.

We also recognise that women have the right to have full control over, and to decide freely, without coercion and violence, matters concerning their body and health. We emphasise respect for the rights of women during childbirth and the importance of universal access for women to health information, education and health care.

We are committed to promoting and protecting the human rights of all people. We want to see gender equality and the full enjoyment of human rights for all women and girls in line with our international obligations. All people deserve to live in safety and dignity, free from violence and fear. We recommit ourselves to achieve this goal.

Signatories:

Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia

Embassy of Albania

Embassy of Argentina

Embassy of Australia

Embassy of Austria

Embassy of Belgium

Embassy of Bulgaria

Office of the Embassy of Canada

Embassy of Colombia

Embassy Cyprus

Embassy of the Czech Republic

Embassy of Denmark

Embassy of Egypt

Embassy of Estonia

Representation of the European Commission

Embassy of Finland

Embassy of France

Embassy of Georgia

Embassy of Germany

Embassy of Greece

Embassy of Iceland

Embassy of Ireland

Embassy of Israel

Embassy of Italy

Embassy of Kazakhstan

Embassy of Kuwait

Embassy of Latvia

Embassy of Luxembourg

Embassy of Malta

Embassy of Mexico

Embassy of the Netherlands

Embassy of New Zealand

Embassy of North Macedonia

Embassy of Norway

Embassy of Portugal

Embassy of Romania

Embassy of Serbia

Embassy of Slovenia

Embassy of Spain

Embassy of Sweden

Embassy of Switzerland

Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Embassy of the United States of America

Embassy of Uruguay

8. Mar 2021 at 7:10
(Natural News) Texas wholesale electricity retailer Griddy Energy is facing a $1 billion class-action lawsuit for allegedly charging customers extremely high prices during the cold snap that left millions without power for days.

Lisa Khoury of Mont Belvieu, Chambers County, East Texas, filed the lawsuit in neighboring Harris County on Monday, Feb. 22. She claimed her electricity bill grew to a whopping $9,340 during the week of the storm. According to the lawsuit, she usually only pays between $200 to $250 for electricity per month.

Between Feb. 13 to 18, Griddy automatically took $1,200 from her bank account. Her overall bill from Feb. 1 to 19 also rose to $9,546.

Khoury said she and her husband were given these charges even though she and her husband suffered mostly without power in their home from Feb. 17 and 18.

Khoury claimed that she expressed her concerns regarding the withdrawals and subsequently bouncing checks, but representatives from Griddy never contacted her again. She finally placed a stop payment order on her bank account on Feb. 18.

The lawsuit claims that thousands of other Texans were given exorbitant bills, some as high as $17,000.

The lawsuit has accused Griddy of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, negligence, unjust enrichment and wrongly withdrawing funds from customer accounts. Khoury is asking the court for an injunction to stop the company from collecting any further bill payments.

Khourys attorney, Derek Potts of the Houston-based Potts Law Firm, told ABC News that Griddy has over 29,000 customers in Texas that could be affected by the lawsuit. (Related: Texans have filed multiple lawsuits against ERCOT for failing to adequately respond to the cold snap.)

What happened financially to all of the customers of Griddy, both in terms of the exorbitant prices charged and the manner in that they were collected from peoples bank accounts and credit cards literally in the middle of a catastrophe while many were without power, heat and water, is clearly contrary to Texas laws in place to protect consumers, said Potts.

Listen to this special Situation Update breaking news episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by native Texan Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he talks about the fifteen difficult lessons he just learned from having to deal with the grid collapse in his home state.

Griddy said the class-action lawsuit is meritless

We understand our customers frustration, said Lauren Valdes, senior manager of social media and content at Griddy, in an email to Reuters. But the lawsuit is meritless, and we plan to vigorously defend it.

Residents of Texas can choose between two electricity bill options. They can sign up for a fixed plan, where the price stays at one rate regardless of market conditions, or they can get a market-rate plan, wherein the price fluctuates based on the price of electricity on the market. Griddy offers the latter option.

We charge [customers] the wholesale, real-time price of energy, which changes every five minutes, said the company in a statement. You effectively pay the same price as a retail energy provider or utility.

Griddy regularly brags about how its market-rate plan regularly ends up being cheaper for most of its customers  except for the week of the storm, when the companys wholesale rate soared to over $9,000 per megawatt-hour due to the energy shortage and the increased demand for power.

The company has blamed the price crisis on the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the states main energy regulator. Griddy claims that the PUC is responsible for raising the wholesale market price of electricity, and that it did not profit from any of the raised prices.

We intend to fight this for, and alongside, our customers for equity and accountability  to reveal why such price increases were allowed to happen as millions of Texans went without power, wrote the company in a blog post.

Sources include:

ABC11.com

Reuters.com
ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / March 8, 2021 / Findit, Inc. (OTC PINK:FDIT) owner of Findit.com, a full-service social networking platform that provides online marketing campaigns and tools for members to increase brand awareness through content creation and sharing, resulting in indexing in search engines is highlighting: Titan Roofing, Freedom Loan Resolution, and RateForce.

In today's release, Findit will be highlighting three featured members that utilize Findit marketing campaigns. Each of these members on Findit has a recurring monthly marketing campaign with Findit that helps improve their overall web presence through search and social media. Findit offers a full suite of marketing services to each of these clients, from content creation to social sharing to video production and more to heighten their overall online presence, aiding them in reaching the audience that is looking for them throughout the web.

Our first featured member is Titan Roofing. Titan Roofing has had an on-going monthly marketing campaign with Findit for several years now. They have claimed a total of 17 names on Findit to target the services that they offer in the areas that they provide those services in. Titan Roofing is a locally owned and operated roofing company in Charleston SC that serves the Greater Charleston Area including: Mount Pleasant, Goose Creek, Summerville, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head and more. Recently, Titan Roofing acquired a sheet metal fabrication machine, the Cidan K25-30 Combi, and they now offer professional sheet metal fabrication services for metal roofing for other roofing companies, businesses and individuals. Findit's campaign has shifted focus to this new service across Charleston SC to help improve exposure for keywords surrounding metal roofing fabrication services and sheet metal fabrication. Get in touch with Titan Roofing today by calling 843-647-3183. Findit also produced new videos to target this search term and their fabrication services.

Titan Roofing has expanded their marketing campaign to cover three new areas: Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island and Beaufort. Findit is in the process of setting up Findit Sites for these new locations, targeting metal roofing installation services and metal roofing repair services for both residential and commercial property owners.

Follow Titan Roofing on Findit



findit.com/metal-roofing-fabrication-services-charleston

youtube.com/watch?v=zjzY6sjgzTQ&ab_channel=Findit.com

Our second featured member, Freedom Loan Resolution offers professional student debt relief counseling services to students with student loans. Some of the services they provide are student debt relief solutions, student loan debt consolidation, and student debt relief counseling to assist students with their debt relief applications. Freedom Loan Resolution will review each student's financial situation that they work with to best determine the course of action to take to get their client student debt relief. While there are no guarantees, Freedom Loan Resolution will assist students in taking control of their student loan debt. As part of their marketing campaign, Findit set up three Findit URLs targeting the keywords that describe the services Freedom Loan Resolution offers. Findit has also produced videos for Freedom Loan Resolution to include in the content that we create for them and share throughout social media. By claiming these names on Findit, and creating content in each URL that is related to that URL, Findit assists Freedom Loan Resolution in increasing tangible search results in search engines and reaching the audiences that are looking for the services that they provide.

Follow Freedom Loan Resolution on Findit

findit.com/freedom-loan-resolution-services

youtube.com/watch?v=oyvw2iOMfdw&ab_channel=Findit.com

Our final featured member is RateForce. RateForce started its journey in 2014 with a mission to help deliver a better way to buy insurance. They serve auto insurance quotes from all over the country so that drivers can compare insurance quotes and buy insurance online at any time. Individuals can find the lowest auto insurance rates that have the comprehensive coverage that they need by conducting online comparison. RateForce helps you compare insurance rates seamlessly by providing quotes from all the top insurance agencies in the country as well as local and regional insurance providers online with no need for long-form submission. As part of their marketing campaign with Findit, a URL has been set up for RateForce utilizing Findit's Claim Your Name feature, targeting auto insurance rates in South Carolina. In addition to content created on Findit, several videos have been produced for RateForce, highlighting the services they provide for South Carolina residents. While RateForce offers insurance rates to residents across the US, their campaign initially focused on South Carolina, and content created on Findit for RateForce has focused on this state.

RateForce has expanded their marketing campaign with Findit to now include the state of Georgia. A Findit URL has been set up for this state along with photo galleries targeting the keywords RateForce looks to capture in search engines. Content will be created under this new URL to improve RateForce's overall indexing in search and exposure in social for Georgia.

Follow RateForce on Findit

findit.com/cheapest-car-insurance-rates-georgia

youtube.com/watch?v=yUm6N9jiCEo&ab_channel=Findit.com

Claim your Name on Findit today with a Findit URL. Findit URLs are $9.95 per month, and each name only exists once on Findit. There is no limit to the number of URLs that you can have, and URLs that are not renewed on a monthly basis do have the ability to be claimed by other people or businesses.

The videos embedded in this release were produced by Findit as part of the marketing campaigns provided to these companies.

Findit also welcomes individuals who are looking to post the content that they want seen and shared without censorship. Findit does not have algorithms in place that controls which posts show up and which posts do not and does not censor content unless it is of pornographic or terroristic nature or inciting violence.

Want to be a featured member on Findit? Get in touch with us at 404-443-3224 or email clark@findit.com.

Download the Findit App today and let the world see what you have to say and share with them.

Google

Apple

youtube.com/watch?v=B-cD0x0ucv4&ab_channel=Findit.com

About Findit, Inc.

Findit.com which is a Social Media Content Management Platform that provides an interactive search engine for all content posted in Findit to appear in Findit search. The site is an open platform that provides access to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other search engines access to its content posted to Findit so it can be indexed in these search engines as well. Findit provides Members the ability to post, share and manage their content. Once they have posted in Findit, we ensure the content gets indexed in Findit Search results. Findit provides an option for anyone to submit URLs that they want indexed in Findit search result, along with posting status updates through Findit Right Now. Status Updates posted in Findit can be crawled by outside search engines which can result in additional organic indexing. All posts on Findit can be shared to other social and bookmarking sites by members and non-members. Findit provides Real Estate Agents the ability to create their own Findit Site where they can pull in their listing and others through their IDX account. Findit, Inc., is focused on the development of monetized Internet-based web products that can provide an increase in brand awareness of our members. Findit, Inc., trades under the stock symbol FDIT on the OTC Pinksheets.

Safe Harbor:

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including statements regarding potential sales, the success of the company's business, as well as statements that include the word believe or 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 Findit, Inc. to differ materially from those implied or expressed.

CONTACT:

Clark St. Amant

404-443-3224

SOURCE: Findit, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/634085/Findit-Features-Members-Titan-Roofing-Freedom-Loan-Resolution-and-RateForce-Who-Benefit-From-Findit-Online-Marketing-Campaigns
SMcK: Im a fan of Jay Kims book, Analog Church, and he has graciously agreed to write this post just for us on what we have learned about embodied church during this (too often) disembodied pandemic.

Jay Kim

In early April 2020, I officiated the graveside memorial of a beloved woman from our church. Less than a month into the pandemic, the gathering was limited to about a half dozen people standing six feet apart with masks concealing the mixture of grief and gratitude on our faces for a life we cherished. Id officiated gravesides before but never like this. Two weeks later, I stood in the NICU of the local hospital. I grieved alongside two dear friends as they said farewell to their newborn, whod been born with a body unable to sustain life for more than a few short days. Now one month into the pandemic, the room was limited to just the four of us, mother, father, a beloved daughter, and a pastor. We cried, prayed, and dedicated a life to the Lord. We did so standing six feet apart with masks on. Surreal to say the least.

As locked down as we've been this past year, there have been exceptions to the safety protocol rules. Even at a civic level, there is an understanding that some elements of human experience demand embodied presence. Weve made allowances for temporary closeness during a time of temporary distance. This has accentuated our longing for the new normal of social distancing to give way to the timeless normal of embodied presence. For pastors and church leaders, 2020 has forced us to stand at the disorienting intersection between digital and analog. But as we begin to see the proverbial light at the end of the Covid tunnel (hopefully), a brief reflection on a handful of learnings from this strange year may help us navigate the days ahead.

INFLUENTIAL CONTENT AND PASTORAL CARE

Digital culture generally and social media specifically have given rise to the phenomenon of the influencer, generally defined as individuals who've built large online followings based on creative and/or aesthetic presentations of particular content. The allure of the influencer is strong and has become such an integrated part of online culture that its nearly inseparable from our digital lives. As the pandemic forced churches to move solely to online spaces, many began focusing an inordinate amount of effort on creating influential content, primarily because the new (for many) medium dictated we do so. But why did I not simply Facetime into the graveside memorial in April or send a kind DM over Instagram a couple of weeks later to my friends in the NICU? Because true pastoral care demands more of us than content. Embodied people need embodied presence, and never more than in times of struggle, grief, and loss. This brings us to a critical question as we enter a post-pandemic worldis the church gathering about content or about care? The answer is both. Content does matter. And if only content mattered, embodied church could conceivably be rendered obsolete. Online spaces are wonderful mediums for content. But if care still mattersand it doesthen the invitation to gather in as embodied ways as possible as often as possible is crucial. Most who gather as the church will not be grieving the loss of a parent or a newborn (though many will); but all who gather are living with at least the persistent, low hum angst of human struggle, pain, and sin. Pastoral calling necessitates standing in these places amongst these people, embodied and fully present.

FRONT DOOR TO THE DINING ROOM

Image: Cover Photo

Early on in the pandemic, amidst the jarring shift being forced upon churches, there also seemed to be a parallel level of buzzing excitement. This was going to force the church to adapt and evolve, to enter digital spaces where people spent most of their time anyway. Church leadership pundits began to wax poetic about the digital frontier before us and the tremendous opportunity for expanding reach at our fingertips. Even as a proponent of embodied church, I will say that some of this has proven true, at least in part. The church where I serve on staff has offered Alpha for a couple of years. The pandemic forced it, along with everything else, online. Surprisingly, attendance and engagement in Alpha has grown exponentially. Something about the pseudo anonymity of the digital veil has paradoxically helped initiate openness and honesty. The same can be said for several small groups in the church that have begun connecting meaningfully online. But for both groups, and for all groups, the initial effectiveness of digital will eventually evolve to the expected desire for analog (embodied) next steps. While digital is proving to be a wonderful front door, at our deepest, we are eager for the intimacy and depth of the dining room. Digital may very well be a permanent part of our ongoing future but the pandemic has taught us that it is a means to a greater, far more incarnational end.

EMBODIED IS TIMELESS

Much has been written in recent months about the dangers of clinging to the old (embodied/analog) at the neglect of the new (online/digital). But this dichotomy is a misunderstanding born of miscategorization. Advocates of a primarily digital ecclesiology will often make parallels between the church and big tech. They point to the way Amazon made brick and mortar bookstores obsolete. If the church is chiefly a peddler of goods and services, then the parallel makes some sense and a lack of digital sophistication will be a death knell. But the church is not chiefly a peddler of goods and services. The church is a body, made up of many partsarms, legs, eyes, ears, all learning to live and move harmoniously through life as one. Most churches most often resemble the body of a preteen, gangly, awkward, uncoordinated. and clumsy, to be sure; but such realities invite us to lean into, not away from, the timeless call to be embodied. And make no mistake, it is timeless, not old. Embodied church is not a relic of the past. It is the unceasing way to be human. We are made of dust and dirt, life breathed into us, animating and energizing us to live and move as embodied humans in God's embodied world. There is no substitute for this. To be human is to be embodied. And the church is not only where we gather but who we are, in the fullest and most alive way possible. This is aspirational of course; we stumble and fail our way toward this reality but it is unmistakably the end goal, our ecclesiological telos, if you will. What we've lost during the pandemic is not the past on our way to a more compelling future; what we've lost (temporarily) is our past, present, and future. Even as pastors and church leaders engage the digital/analog hybridity of the days ahead, we must continue striving toward that which has always been and always will bethe embodied church.

______________________________________________________________________

Jay Y. Kim serves as lead pastor of teaching at WestGate Church and as a teaching pastor at Vintage Faith Church. Hes the author of Analog Church and lives in the Silicon Valley of California.

@jaykimthinks
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Samsung Heavy's LNG oil transport ship / Courtesy of Samsung Heavy



By Kim Hyun-bin



Shipbuilders here are facing problems over several drilling rig deals they made from 2015 due to a slide in oil prices since then that has led to a string of cancellations affecting companies that have heavily relied on the construction of such offshore vessels.



Samsung Heavy Industries said Monday it plans to appeal a British arbitration ruling that ordered it to return a down payment it received from Swedish company Stena.





Last Friday, the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), one of the world's leading arbitration institutions, ruled in favor of Stena's cancellation of a drilling rig order and ordered Samsung to return the advanced payment, and interest and costs incurred totaling 463.2 billion won ($409.7 million).



"Our company does not agree with the arbitration court ruling and plan to submit an appeal," a Samsung Heavy official said.



In June 2013, Samsung Heavy procured the $720 million deal and started construction of the semi-submersible drilling rig after receiving a 30 percent down payment of $216 million.



However, delays occurred due to Stena's frequent demands to change the design of the vessel, the shipbuilder said in a statement.



Samsung Heavy requested for an extension and planned to bill the expense of this to the Swedish company.



Stena then cancelled the deal citing the failure to meet the agreed-upon delivery date, which led both companies to file for arbitration.



Samsung Heavy believes Stena's cancellation was made due economic downturn and drastic drop in crude oil prices, and claims they it has no reason to return the advance payment and has the right to charge for additional expenses incurred based on the design changes.



In late 2013, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) cost around $100 per barrel, but this fell to almost half that in 2015, and by late 2015 it dropped further to $37 a barrel.



In relation to the legal dispute, Samsung Heavy reflected 192.5 billion won in expected losses on its 2020 balance sheet, and plans to set aside an additional 287.7 billion won.



Valaris, DSME to postpone delivery



Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) may resolve a dispute with American drillship client Valaris, related to a $1.2 billion order.



The two companies agreed to postpone the delivery deadline for two drill ships to December 31, 2023 from the initial delivery date of September this year.



DSME inked a deal with Valris to build the two drill ships for $1.2 billion in 2013.



It received 75 percent of the payment and was supposed to get the remaining $300 million upon delivery, but Valaris filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year.



Without the postponement, DSME would have had to find new buyers with a lower asking price given the high volatility in the oil market.


FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: A general view of Abadan oil refinery in southwest Iran, is pictured from Iraqi side of Shatt al-Arab in Al-Faw south of Basra

By Nidhi Verma and Shu Zhang

(Reuters) - Iran has quietly moved record amounts of crude oil to top client China in recent months, while India's state refiners have added Iranian oil to their annual import plans on the assumption that U.S. sanctions on the OPEC supplier will soon ease, according to six industry sources and Refinitiv data.

U.S. President Joe Biden has sought to revive talks with Iran on a nuclear deal abandoned by former President Donald Trump in 2018, although harsh economic measures remain in place that Tehran insists be lifted before negotiations resume.

The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has started reaching out to customers across Asia since Biden took office to assess potential demand for its crude, said the sources, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The sanctions caused a precipitous drop in Iranian exports to China, India, Japan and South Korea since late 2018. Those measures, and output cuts by fellow OPEC+ producers, have led to tight supplies of Middle East sour crude in Asia, the top global oil market. Asia imports more than half of its crude from the Middle East.

"They talked to us. They said: 'very soon they hope to resume oil supplies.' We said: 'Inshallah'," said one source at an Indian refiner. "Inshallah" is an Arabic term that means "God willing," used to express that the speaker hopes something will happen.

Restored Iranian supplies to India, the world's third-largest crude importer, could reduce demand for spot cargoes, which has climbed recently after Iraq cut supplies and Kuwait reduced the duration of some contracts.

India, which is hurting from the recent sustained recovery in global crude prices, expects Iranian supplies to return to the market in 3 to 4 months, a government official said.

Another Indian refiner said they had been told by NIOC officials that a formal agreement on crude supply would be signed after Iran's elections in June. NIOC has also reached out to other Asian customers.

Story continues

"Recently NIOC called us, asking about demand," said a trader at an east Asian refiner. "It looks like Iran is getting ready to return to the market."

Another refining source said the talks were "very initial" and that NIOC wanted to know whether the company would resume Iranian oil purchases. The sources declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

CHINA

Unlike India, China never completely halted Iranian oil imports.

Iran moved about 17.8 million tonnes (306,000 barrels per day) of crude into China during the past 14 months, with volumes reaching record levels in January and February, according to Refinitiv Oil Research.

Of these, about 75% were "indirect" imports identified as oil from Oman, the United Arab Emirates or Malaysia, which entered China mainly via ports in eastern Shandong province, home to most of China's independent refiners, or Yingkou port in northeastern Liaoning province.

The remaining 25% of imports were marked as official purchases for China's Strategic Petroleum Reserves, Refinitiv said, as Beijing maintains a small purchase volume despite U.S. sanctions.

"Volumes started to surge from the last quarter of 2020, with Shandong province as the top receiving region which indicates independent plants are the main consumers," said Emma Li, a Refinitiv crude flows analyst.

Tankers carrying Iranian oil typically switch off their transponders when loading to avoid detection, but then become traceable via satellites near ports in Oman, the UAE and Iraq. Some transfer part of their cargoes to other ships near Singapore or Malaysia before sailing to China, Li said.

Reuters is unable to identify the end buyers for these cargoes.

Without commenting directly on the oil transactions, the Spokesman's Office of China's Foreign Ministry said: "Iran is a friendly nation to China and the two nations have maintained normal exchanges and cooperation. The cooperation between China and Iran under the framework of international laws is both reasonable and legitimate, and deserves respect and protection."

NIOC declined to comment. An official at the country's Oil Ministry said, When the unjust U.S. sanctions are lifted, Iran will be able to sell its oil to any country, and I can assure you that many contracts will be signed.

Geneva-based tanker tracker Petro-Logistics said Iranian oil loadings in January exceeded 600,000 bpd for the first time since May 2019, a sign that the end of Donald Trump's term may be changing buyer behavior.

Indirect shipment arrivals in February, including those waiting to discharge off Chinese ports, reached nearly 850,000 bpd, beating the daily record of 790,000 bpd set in April 2019, according to Refinitiv and Chinese customs data.

Chinese customs data showed on Sunday that crude imports rose 4% annually in the first two months of this year. It will release details for the breakdown by country of origin this month.

"Iranian stuff started to slip into Shandong from late 2019... started with some cash-stripped refiners which processed oil first before paying for the cargo," said an independent Chinese trader familiar with some of the transactions.

Most of these transactions were settled in Chinese currency or euros to circumvent U.S. scrutiny, the trader said.

The record imports have weighed on prices for competing medium and heavy grades from other Middle East producers, traders said.

"While it does not seem that the sanction will be lifted anytime soon, Iran has resurfaced," another trade source said.

(Reporting by Nidhi Verma in New Delhi, Shu Zhang and Florence Tan in Singapore; additional reporting by Parisa Hafezi in Dubai; Editing by Gerry Doyle)
JERSEYVILLE  Jersey County may soon get some of its electricity from the sun as a planned solar energy development continues to make headway with landowners, government bodies and utility companies.

The Hickory Solar development is planned primarily for English Township just northwest of Jerseyville, and the 110 megawatt operation could help to power up to 50,000 area homes when it comes online in 2023. The public will be able to learn more about the project at a hearing that will be scheduled later this year.

Justin Wolf is the development director of Orion Renewable Energy Group based in Oakland, California, and he said lease talks with landowners and discussions with Ameren Illinois have been going on since 2017.

We do a lot of homework before we enter an area to determine whether renewable energy will be a good fit and whether area utilities may have an appetite for that power, Wolf said. We also look at the land  is it relatively flat and devoid of environmentally sensitive areas, and is there existing infrastructure that can use the power locally and move it to areas where power is needed.

Wolf said the Hickory Solar development checks all of those boxes, plus its a great economic development tool because there are more major companies that want to locate their facilities close to these renewable projects, primarily because they make economic sense, plus for the perceived environmental benefits.

When residents are running their air conditioners and watching the ball game on a summer day, they wont know it but the power could very well be supplied from their own solar field, Wolf said.

Panels for the Hickory Solar project would primarily be located on both sides of Grafton Lane as far north as Allen Lane just outside of Jerseyville, with about 15% of the development being sited across the border in southern Greene County. Hickory Solar is a smaller development compared to some of Orions larger solar projects, and groundbreaking could occur in 2022 with completion expected to take about one year. Wolf said.

The typical solar project life span is 30 years, after which the light-absorbing, non-reflective solar panels are recycled. The hail-resistant panels will occupy only one-third of the project area with the remaining space covered in native grasses and plants, Wolf said.

Area landowners could see up to $15 million in lease revenues for the 30-year project duration, and Jersey County could reap several million dollars in additional property tax revenues. Several hundred workers would be employed during the projects construction, and once operational, Hickory Solar may employ a few people for land and site maintenance and security, Wolf said.

Orion Renewable Energy Group has built three other projects, all of them wind farms, in Illinois, including developments that reach into Stark, Marshall, Kankakee, Iroquois and Ford counties. Orion still operates the wind farm in Stark and Marshall counties, but has sold the operations of the other two wind farms.

We feel solar will be a good fit for Jersey County, Wolf said. We are excited about the project and feel it has really good support. We hope and desire to be good neighbors.

Jersey County has a solar company ordinance that governs what Orion must do to establish Hickory Solar, according to County Code Administrator Cindy Cregmiles. The company must provide copies of all landowner leases they have negotiated and then make an application to the Jersey County Boards Subdivision and Land Use Committee. That committee will recommend to the full county board whether to accept or deny the application, she said.

Hickory Solar must also hold a public hearing, Cregmiles said.

They have to be a certain distance from any type of residential structure, they would need to send out letters to the surrounding landowners to let them know what their intentions are, Cregmiles said. This is not something that is going to happen right away.

A portion of the project is within a mile and a half of Jerseyville, so Orion would also need to seek approval from the City of Jerseyville before proceeding, Cregmiles said.

Hickory Solar is more potential good economic news for the area for several reasons, according to Jersey County Business Association Executive Director Beth Bear.

Our community has been fortunate to work with Ameren and MJM Electricity Cooperative, who have supplied our businesses with consistent, fairly priced energy, Bear said. However, we also welcome the Hickory Solar project in Jersey County. Diversified energy production means greater resilience in our energy supply.

The construction of the solar project will create an opportunity for jobs for our workers, and for people to gain experience working in a new sector of the energy industry, Bear said.
ROME, MAR 8 - Rome rock band Maneskin say they are fired up to represent Italy at the Eurovision song contest after their victory at the Sanremo Music Festival on Saturday. The group, made up of Damiano, Victoria, Ethan and Thomas, triumphed with a track called Zitti e Buoni, a piece that is much harder hitting than the songs that usually win the contest. It is ample compensation for Maneskin for having only come second in the Italian X-Factor in 2017, despite being hot favourites after arriving on the music scene with a bang. "We can't wait," the band said when asked about competiting at Eurovision. "We are ready for this responsibility. We have broad shoulders". Although viewing figures were down with respect to previous years, the 71st Sanremo song festival can still be considered a success, given that the week-long event was staged without an audience in the Ligurian city's Ariston theatre. The much-loved festival still managed to hold the nation's attention and grab headlines throughout the week. (ANSA).
When: Monday, March 1, 2021, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Where: Zoom Webinar,

Book now

Covid-19 is the first major test for EU-UK relations. The vaccination race and ensuing competition for contracts and jabs had led to a first major row between the UK and its ex-EU partners.

Following the announcement of the delivery of less vaccines by AstraZeneca, the Commission made the mistake to announce a control of EU exports of vaccines therefore suspending de facto the Northern Ireland protocol. Correcting immediately its mistake, after raising the eyebrows of Germany and France, this diplomatic row highlights the role that the health and vaccination strategies can have on the future of the EU-UK relations. Eventually both partners need each other in the vaccines race but it raises a series of question that our experts will answer in this webinar:

-is the vaccination strategy adopted by the UK and other EU member states symptomatic of a 'renationalisation' or (mis)trust trends?

-after a successful recovery plan during the first lockdown, is the EU meeting new governance challenges with its vaccines strategy?

-what implications are there for citizens' trust in governments' vaccines strategies?

-what are the perspectives in different countries and especially in the UK, the Netherlands and Germany?

-are there also any lessons to draw from a global health perspective and more specifically what does the return of the US to WHO mean for the EU? And what is the EU's perspective on developing countries' access to vaccines?

Panellists confirmed involve

Louise van Schaik is Head of Unit EU & Global Affairs, Netherlands Institute for International Relations

Remco van de Pas, Public health specialist and global health scholar, Maastricht Centre for Global Health

Anna Holzscheiter, Chair of Political Science TU Dresden and head of the 'Governance for Global Health' research group at the Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB).

Valsamis Mitsilegas Professor of European Criminal Law and Global Security, chair of the IHSS Covid-19 working group, Queen Mary University of London (Discussant)

Sarah Wolff, Reader in European Politics and International Relations, PI NEXTEUK Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, member of the IHSS Covid-19 Working Group, Queen Mary University of London (Chair)

This webinar is part of the NEXTEUK 2.0 Lecture Series on the future of EU-UK relations, it is organised in partnership with the IHSS Covid-19 Working Group at Queen Mary University of London. It is supported by Erasmus +
Nepal PM Oli takes India-made Covishield vaccine

International

pti-Deepika S

Kathmandu, Mar 07: Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli took the India-made Covishield coronavirus vaccine on Sunday, as the Himalayan nation gears up to start the second phase of its immunisation drive.

The 69-year-old Nepalese leader received the Covishield jab at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital here on Sunday morning. His wife Radhika Shakya was also vaccinated.

The Covishield vaccine was developed in a collaboration between Oxford University and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. It is manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India.

Oli''s personal physician, Dr Dibya Singh Shah, said the new vaccine guidelines allow the COVID-19 shot to be administered three months after kidney transplantation.

"(After) Evaluating the risks and benefits, it was decided that the prime minister should take the vaccine," Shah told The Kathmandu Post. In March last year, Oli had undergone a second kidney transplant surgery.

After getting the vaccine, Oli asked all senior citizens in the country to get the vaccine jabs, saying they are safe with no side-effects.

Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, Health Minister Hridayesh Tripathi and Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali also received the coronavirus jabs on Sunday.

As part of phase II of the vaccination drive, the Nepal government will cover all persons over the age of 65 years in the country, which is around 1.6 million senior citizens.

Earlier, the government had planned to vaccinate all persons above 55 years, however a shortage in immunisation doses led to the age group being shortened.

In the first phase of the vaccination programme, health workers, security personnel and journalists were inoculated.

The coronavirus has claimed 3,010 lives, along with over 270,000 confirmed infections, in Nepal, according to Johns Hopkins University.




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It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
[March 08, 2021]

New Electric Vehicle Chargers Coming to the Township of King

KING, ON, March 8, 2021 /CNW/ - As Canada transitions to a clean energy future, the Government of Canada remains committed to strengthening the economy, creating good, middle-class jobs and supporting the natural resource sectors.

The Honourable Deb Schulte, Minister of Seniors and Member of Parliament for KingVaughan, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $200,000 investment to install 20 electric vehicle (EV) chargers in public places across the Township of King.

This investment will encourage the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by providing Ontarians with more options to charge and drive their vehicles where they live, work and play.

Federal funding is provided through Natural Resources Canada's Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which is supporting the government's ambitious target to have all new passenger vehicles sold in Canada be zero-emission vehicles by 2040. The Township of King also provided funding, bringing the total cost of the project to over $536,000.

The government has invested over $600 million to make EVs more affordable and charging infrastructure readily available. This includes creating a coast-to-coast network of fast chargers and charging in more localized areas where Canadians live, work and play. This infrastructure will ensure that Canadians can drive and charge their vehicles across Canada. It will support the demonstration of next-generation charging technologies as well as the development of enabling codes and standards. The government is providing incentives of up to $5,000 for Canadian consumers to buy EVs to increase affordability and full tax write-offs for businesses purchasing them.

These investments are driven by Canada's strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, which proposes to further accelerate zero-emission vehicle adoption through an additional $150 million for ZEV infrastructure and an additional $287 million for purchasing incentivesfor Canadians.







The government continues to support green infrastructure projects that will create good, middle-class jobs, advance Canada's low-carbon future and help us achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Quotes

"Canadians want greener options to get to where they need to go. We're giving these to them. This is how we get to net zero by 2050."

Seamus O'Regan Jr.

Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

"Investments in green infrastructure are bringing us closer to a zero-emission future by helping Ontarians make greener choices, improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

Deb Schulte

Minister of Seniors and Member of Parliament for KingVaughan



"The funding from NRCan will help us continue to build on King Township's green legacy. We know EVs are the future of personal transportation. That's why we've started to put the infrastructure in place now that will give our residents convenient access to charging stations."



Steve Pellegrini

Mayor, Township of King

Related Links

Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan)

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada
Marking the seventh anniversary of Russias invasion and seizure of Crimea, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed in a statement this basic truth: Crimea is Ukraine.

Russias occupation and increasing militarization of the Crimean Peninsula have implications far beyond Ukraines borders, threatening the worlds common security, noted Secretary Blinken. Indeed, the occupation comes at significant human cost. Russian occupation authorities have sustained a brutal campaign of repression against Crimean Tatars, ethnic Ukrainians, and members of other minority ethnic and religious groups in Crimea. Russian authorities have raided mosques and homes, expelled independent media off the peninsula, and handed down lengthy prison sentences to those who dare to speak out against the occupation. Russias repression has left Crimean residents in a constant state of fear, unable to live their lives freely.

Secretary Blinken call[ed] on Russia to immediately end its occupation of Crimea, release all Ukrainian political prisoners it unjustly holds, and return full control of the peninsula to Ukraine and likewise call[ed] on Russia to end its aggression in eastern Ukraine.

U.S. sanctions on Russia in response to its aggression in eastern Ukraine and seizure of Crimea will remain in place unless and until Russia reverses course, stressed Secretary Blinken. The United States does not, and never will, recognize Russias purported annexation of Crimea.

The United States welcomes Ukraines new initiative, the Crimean Platform, which aims to improve the efficiency of the international response to the occupation of Crimea, respond to growing security challenges, step up international pressure on Russia, prevent further human rights violations, protect victims of the occupying power, end Russias occupation of Crimea, and return full control of the peninsula to Ukraine. The Crimean Platform will be launched officially at an inaugural summit in Kyiv on August 23, 2021.

The United States looks forward to continuing to work with Ukraine and its allies and partners to end Russias occupation of the Crimean Peninsula and its aggression in eastern Ukraine.
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.

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Denton, TX (76205)

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Cloudy early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

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Cloudy early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
New Delhi: On International Women`s Day, the chair allowed the women MPs to speak on the occasion on several issues. Chhaya Verma, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Fauzia Khan and other MPs demanded the reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and the state Legislative Assemblies.

Chhaya Verma, MP from Congress said, "Time has come that women get reservation in Legislative Assemblies and Parliament, but the government is talking of `Beti Padhao` but the situation of daughters is not good."

BJP MP Saroj Pandey said that the government is trying to curb discrimination against women. Abolishing of the instant Triple Talaq and the efforts on `Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao` are being made in this direction, she said.

Priyanka Chaturvedi of the Shiv Sena said that 24 years after the first talk of the Women Reservation Bill, the Bill has not seen the light of the day after being passed by the Rajya Sabha.

While Congress MP Ami Yagnik said the women got representation in Panchayats due to the effort of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, while BJP MPs Seema Dwivedi and Sampatiya Uike hailed the government for the work being done to empower women.

In his opening remarks, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said, ''International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political contributions & achievements of women across the globe and honour their indomitable spirit, resolute determination & efforts that underline their achievements.''

The Women`s Reservation Bill -- The Constitution 108th Amendment Bill, 2008 -- is pending in Parliament. The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on March 9, 2010. The Bill proposes to amend the Constitution of India to reserve one-third of all seats in the Lok Sabha and in all state legislatures for women.

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 11 am first and then till 1 PM on Monday amid uproar by Opposition members seeking a debate on the issue of frequent increase in fuel prices.

Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjuna Kharge gave a notice for suspension of business to discuss "huge and frequent increase in prices of petrol, diesel and LPG even when global prices are ruling low."

However, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu did not allow the discussion, saying the issue can be debated "during the course of discussion on the Appropriation bill."As the Chair decided to continue the scheduled Question Hour, Opposition parties began shouting slogans seeking a debate on the issue.

The Chair kept on asking members to go back to their seats and not deprive members from the Question Hour. However, Opposition members kept on shouting. "If you don't want the Question Hour to continue, if you want to deprive people of Question Hour, I can adjourn the House. .... Please go to your seat. Loktantra ka majak nahi karna hai... (Don't make a joke of democracy," the Chairman said.

Live TV
A British billionaire has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting dead a member of his staff during a scuffle at a barbecue in Namibia.

Harvey Boulter, 51, is said to have threatened Gerhard van Wyk with the pistol in an argument which erupted after he drunkenly suggested that the 54-year-old's daughter-in-law owed him sex in exchange for a favour.

Van Wyk tried to wrestle the pistol out of Boulter's hands but was hit by a single shot and died on the way to hospital, it is claimed.

Boulter - a Ukip donor who once had a hand in Liam Fox's resignation from the UK cabinet - was later arrested at his 66,000-acre property and is facing a murder charge.

Billionaire tycoon Harvey Boulter (pictured), 51, has been charged with murder after his employee Gerhard van Wyk, 54, was shot at his farm

Gerhard van Wyk, far right, died on the way to hospital after apparently trying to wrestle a pistol out of Boulter's hands during the deadly barbecue scuffle in Namibia. His son Gerhard Jr and daughter-in-law Liani, who was allegedly propositioned by Boulter, are pictured at the front

The argument is said to have broken out as Boulter discussed a plan for Van Wyk's son Gerhard Jr and his wife Liani to build their own home on the billionaire's land.

Boulter, described by a source as 'very drunk', allegedly remarked that Liani 'would have to have sex with him every other night to repay the favour'.

'Gerhard Jr objected to that, they began to argue, Harvey pulled out his weapon and then when his father came to try and get the gun off him, they wrestled and it went off,' the source told The Times.

Van Wyk, who was the manager of Boulter's property, was taken to a car to be rushed by his wife Alta to the nearest hospital but died about 18 miles into the 100-mile journey, police said.

Chief Inspector Paavo Iyambo told The Times: 'Harvey apparently insulted Van Wyk's daughter-in-law, became aggressive and threatened the family with a pistol.

'Van Wyk tried to keep the peace, intervened and tried to take the pistol away from Harvey.'

The family's lawyer Jan Wessels said Gerhard Jr had also been in the car as the family rushed the wounded Mr Van Wyk to Outjo State Hospital.

Following Mr Van Wyk's death, his family reported the incident to the police and Boulter, whose hand was also injured in the scuffle, was arrested at his property.

The billionaire, pictured, had allegedly insulted Mr Van Wyk's daughter-in-law and threatened his family with a pistol

In 2011, the billionaire tycoon forced the former defence secretary Liam Fox to resign after revealing he was travelling with a bogus 'adviser'

The murder charge comes years after the businessman, who is also a Ukip donor, forced Liam Fox to resign from the Cabinet after revealing he was travelling the world with a bogus 'adviser'.

In 2011, it was revealed Dr Fox, had taken close friend and former flatmate Adam Werritty with him on 18 overseas trips as part of his official party, funded by private donors and business interests, and given him access to the Ministry of Defence.

The revelation, which was disclosed by Boulter, led to an inquiry by Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell finding that Dr Fox had breached the Ministerial Code.

Following the scandal, Dr Fox resigned and apologised for 'allowing distinctions to be blurred between professional responsibilities and personal loyalties.'

He said: 'I accept that it was a mistake to allow distinctions to be blurred between my professional responsibilities and my personal loyalties to a friend. I am sorry for this.

'At no stage did I or my department provide classified information or briefings to Mr Werritty or assist with his commercial work - let alone benefit personally from this work.

'Nevertheless, I do accept that given Mr Werritty's defence-related business interests, my frequent contacts with him may have given an impression of wrongdoing, and may also have given third parties the misleading impression that Mr Werritty was an official adviser rather than simply a friend.

'I have learned lessons from this experience.'

A tribute to Esa Carriere was set up shortly after he was killed on the lawn of Kelowna City Hall on Canada Day 2018. The trial of two men charged with manslaughter is underway in Kelowna.
President Joe Biden speaks to the press in the Oval Office at the White House on March 3, 2021. (Brendan Smialowski/Pool via Reuters)

Biden to Address the US in Primetime Speech on March 11: White House

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden will give his first primetime address to the United States on March 11 to mark the one-year anniversary of lockdowns across the nation due to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic.

Psaki made the scheduling announcement during the March 8 press briefing.

He will discuss the many sacrifices that the American people have made over the last year and the grave loss communities and families across the country have suffered, Psaki said. The president will look forward to highlighting the role that Americans will play in beating the virus and moving the country to getting back to normal.

The speech will be his first primetime address since he took office on Jan. 20. According to Psaki, he will pay his respects to the people who died during the pandemic.

In the speech, Biden will also likely reference the $1.9 trillion relief package that was passed in the Senate on March 6. The House is expected to approve the measure on March 9 before its sent to Bidens desk.

There was speculation last week about when Biden would give his State of the Union address to both chambers of Congress, which typically occurs about a month after a new president takes office.

We are in the middle of a global pandemic, and of course any joint session speech would look different than the past, Psaki said last week, saying that the White House has been working closely with congressional leaders about the plans and details about how it will look.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on March 8 released its long-awaited guidance for fully vaccinated people. According to the guidance provided by the agency, those who have been fully vaccinated can gather outdoors with unvaccinated individuals without wearing masks as long as people who are in the household are low risk and healthy.

Over the past week, a number of states relaxed a variety of CCP virus-related rules, including mask-wearing and allowing businesses to open at 100 percent capacity.

In recent days, Utah, Texas, Mississippi, Iowa, Montana, and North Dakota have ended, or will soon end, statewide face-covering requirements. The governors of Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee never did require face coverings.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, said on March 4 that the state will end its mandate in about a month, saying that starting April 9, wearing face coverings will be a matter of personal responsibility and not a government mandate.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, also announced that some virus rules will be rescinded, including capacity limits that were placed on businesses and sporting events. Amusement parks, he said, can also open. But Lamont said the states mask mandate will remain.
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The number of new print magazines started in the U.S. fell by more than half in 2020 to 60, compared t
Data as of March 4, 2021. Daily vaccination numbers drop on weekends. Credit: The Conversation

More than 50 million Americans have received at least one dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. So far, Americans have been largely brand-agnostic, but that's about to change as a new vaccine rolls out.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been hailed as a game changer. It requires only a single dose rather than two doses spaced weeks apart, and it does not need freezer storage, making it a natural fit for hard-to-reach rural areas and underserved communities with limited access to health care and storage facilities.

But while many people are excited about the prospects of only one shot, the new vaccine is also getting backlash. Part of that is coming from lack of clarity about the vaccines' efficacy numbers, and part of it is more nuanced. On March 2, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged Catholics to avoid the Johnson & Johnson vaccine because it uses lab-grown cells that are clones of fetal tissue from abortions in the 1980s.

If states don't plan carefully for how the vaccines are distributed, the result could be a nightmare of frustrated patients and wasted vaccine.

As experts specializing in health care operations, data analytics, and supply chain management, we have been analyzing COVID-19 vaccine rollout policies. While our research shows there is great promise for the one-dose vaccine, we believe biases against the Johnson & Johnson vaccine cannot be ignored in planning and distribution decisions.

The problem with comparing efficacy numbers

The primary factor complicating acceptance of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is in the top-line number: It has an efficacy level of 66%, while the other two U.S.-authorized vaccines, made by Pfizer and Moderna, have efficacy levels of at least 90%.

Trying to compare those numbers is tricky, though. Experts are quick to point out that the clinical trials were conducted at different timesPfizer and Moderna conducted their trials before several other mutated variants had been reported, whereas Johnson & Johnson's trials were conducted after that. Consequently, Johnson & Johnson has clinical trial data to show its vaccine can work effectively against variants first reported in the U.K., South Africa and Brazil.

In terms of preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is comparable to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. With continued shortage of vaccine supply, individuals and vaccinators should take any one of the three vaccines whenever they are available so that they can get sufficient protection sooner.

Yet, the sheer difference in the top-line numbers makes it difficult to look away. According to a February 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey, when offered the choice between a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, either Pfizer or Moderna, and a one-dose vaccine, Johnson & Johnson's, nearly 60% of the respondents preferred the two-dose vaccine and only 7% preferred the one-dose vaccine. Among those who preferred two-dose vaccines, 72% said they were willing to wait a month for it rather than get the one-dose vaccine now.

Such biases can have real consequences. In the European Union, 80% of the COVID-19 vaccine doses made by AstraZeneca  which also has lower reported efficacy and isn't authorized in the U.S.  were sitting on the shelves. Many people, including some clinicians, reportedly believe it to be inferior to the Pfizer vaccine.

Four strategies for a successful rollout

A one-dose vaccine would be ideal for hard-to-reach rural areas and underserved communities. Meatpacking companies have reached out to officials in North Carolina, for example, and the state plans to target agricultural workers. But distributing only the Johnson & Johnson vaccine now could compound the already deep-seated vaccine hesitancy in some regions.

Policymakers must acknowledge these fears and develop a plan. Here are four strategies for creating as smooth a rollout as possible.

(1) Let people know which vaccine they will be getting when they book the appointment. That can avoid people rejecting vaccines at the distribution site, which leads to wasted appointment time slots and potentially wasted vaccine doses. When only the two mRNA vaccines were available, many states did not reveal the vaccine brand when offering appointments, and the public largely perceives the two as interchangable products.

(2) Have each vaccination site focus on one type of vaccine, either the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the Pfizer or Moderna two-dose vaccines to avoid confusion for recipients. Separating vaccine offerings can respect people's legitimate preferences and avoid last-minute cancellations. Operationally speaking, focusing on a single type of vaccine also simplifies the administration process and prevents handling errors.

(3) The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is suitable for small-scale and mobile vaccination sites in rural areas and underserved communities, as well as individuals. However, health officials can help avoid some backlash if they ensure people are offered the option to travel a reasonable distance to larger vaccination sites that offer the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Letting people make informed decision can avoid public mistrust.

(4) Instead of avoiding comparing the three vaccines, public health experts should be more transparent in educating the public about the effectiveness of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. For example, the single-dose vaccine is believed to be 100% effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a strong boost to the COVID-19 vaccination effort in the U.S. However, it may well lead to frustration and waste if vaccine planners don't prepare for potential biases against this new vaccine. The focus should be to leverage the three vaccines to achieve herd immunity rapidly so that the U.S. can finally leave the prolonged pandemic behind.

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.
West Coast Eagles premiership player Adam Hunter has been charged with breaking into his estranged girlfriend's home and attacking her.

The AFL champion is accused of forcing his way into the woman's home in Victoria Park, in Perth, on Sunday, assaulting her and preventing her from leaving.

Hunter, 39, was charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated assault and deprivation of liberty.

West Coast Eagles premiership player Adam Hunter has been charged with breaking into his estranged girlfriend's home and attacking her

He faced Perth Magistrates Court on Monday and was released on $5,000 bail and a $5,000 surety until his next appearance on May 17.

The retired star was ordered to stay 50m away from the woman and not have any contact with her.

Hunter played for West Coast as a utility from 2000 to 2009 before retiring form debilitating knee and shoulder injuries.

His best year was in 2006 when he played 24 games and his team won the premiership in a thrilling match against the Sydney Swans.
People in England are currently enduring a third strict lockdown in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus.

One of the small reprieves people have from the stay-at-home regulations is getting to exercise once a day, as long as you stick to social distancing measures and dont go out in large groups.

However the clarity of the rules was called into question after two women received 200 fixed penalty notices after travelling to a reservoir for a walk around five miles from their homes.

Follow live: Latest UK coronavirus news

The pair were told by officers the beauty spot was not local to them and the takeaway coffees they were clutching were not allowed as they were classed as a picnic.

The fines have now been rescinded and Derbyshire Police have apologised to the two women, but the incident prompts a number of questions about the rules exercise we at The Independent have answered below:

How far can you travel for exercise?

The National Lockdown guidelines state that exercise should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your area to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)."

This definition doesnt offer a lot of help on specific distances, but a comment from the Department of Health and Social Care earlier this week gives a better indication.

Read more: When can hairdressers and barbers reopen?

They said: The term local area in this context has not been legally defined.

"However, people should be sensible about this - if you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live - unless there is a justifiable reason not to do so (for example, you need to travel further for work or to avoid harm)."

 UK Covid-19 vaccinations: Latest figures

However there is a slight divergence between what the government says and what police are able to enforce under the Covid-19 regulations.

A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) told ITV News that the coronavirus laws do not restrict the distance you can exercise.

So technically, you can go for a nice long bike ride or run (if you want to), and stay within the rules.

An NPCC spokesperson told ITV News: Police officers will be inquisitive about why people are out of their homes and will explain the regulations and encourage people to comply. Where people are breaching the regulations and are away from home without a reasonable excuse, they may be issued with a FPN (Fixed Penalty Notice).

"In situations where people are breaching the guidance not to travel out their local area but are not breaching regulations, officers will encourage people to follow the guidance."

Can you go for a walk with a friend?

Yes, you are able to go for a walk with a friend under the current restrictions as long as you abide by social distancing.

After some confusion about the rules Matt Hancock said at a press conference on Monday that you are allowed to meet one friend at the park, but people should be exercising not socialising.

He said at the moment people were meeting in larger groups and kept flexing the rules.

 Ban non-mask wearers from supermarkets, health secretary urges

Mr Hancock added: "If too many people keep breaking this rule, then we are going to have to look at it. But, I don't want to do that because, for many people being able to go for a walk with a friend, that often is their only social contact.

"It is OK to go for a walk with one other person around a park, but you should stay two metres apart from that other person."

Can you have a takeaway coffee or tea?

Yes you are allowed to visit a cafe or takeaway as long as you abide by the rules in any other shop by wearing a mask and keeping at least two metres apart.

A spokesman for No10 said: "Takeaways are allowed, or restaurants, or cafes are allowed to provide takeaways.

"People are allowed to leave their homes if it's for exercise, not socialising."

The Prime Minister has urged people to be cautious and stick to the rules when they are out at shops and going for exercise.

Speaking during a visit to a vaccine centre in Bristol on Monday, he said: "In supermarkets people need to be keeping their distance, making sure that they're wearing masks, doing the right thing.

"We need to enforce the rules in supermarkets.

"When people are getting takeaway drinks, in cafes, then they need to avoid spreading the disease there, avoid mingling too much."
India is called the pharmacy of the world during the COVID-19 pandemic with its vast experience and deep knowledge in medicine. The country is one of the world's biggest drug-makers and an increasing number of countries have already approached it for procuring coronavirus vaccines.

New Delhi : The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines by India in collaboration with leading global institutions has "rescued the world" from the deadly coronavirus and the contributions by the country must not be underestimated, a top American scientist has said.

Dr Peter Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston during a recent webinar said that the two mRNA vaccines may not impact the world's low and middle income countries, but India's vaccines, made in collaboration with universities across the world such as BCM and the Oxford University, have rescued the world and its contributions must not be underestimated.

During the webinar, COVID-19: Vaccination and Potential Return to Normalcy - If and When, Dr Hotez, an internationally-recognised physician-scientist in neglected tropical diseases and vaccine development, said that the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is "India's gift' to the world in combating the virus.

India's drugs regulator gave emergency use authorisation to Covishield, produced by Pune-based Serum Institute of India after securing licence from British pharma company AstraZeneca, and Covaxin, indigenously developed jointly by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech and Indian Council of Medical Research scientists.

The webinar was organised by Indo American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston.

This is something very special and I see it myself because I'm on weekly teleconferences with our colleagues in India, you make a recommendation, and within days it's done and not only done, but it's done well and with incredible rigor and thought and creativity," Dr Hotez said, stressing that he felt compelled to make this statement because "India's huge efforts in combating global pandemic is a story that's not really getting out in the world."

Dr Hotez, considered as the authority on vaccinations, is working on an affordable coronavirus vaccine in collaboration with Indian pharmaceutical companies.

There is increasing evidence that vaccines not only interrupt symptomatic illness and keep you out of the hospital but halts asymptomatic transmission as well. However, the troubling news is that the vaccines work well against the UK B117 variant, which is now accelerating across the US, but doesn't work quite as well against the variant coming out of South Africa.

It is likely that all the vaccines will require a booster for two reasons: the durability of protection for the vaccines is unknown and to create an added immune response that's better tailored towards the South African variant.

Consul General of India in Houston, Aseem Mahajan, along with a distinguished panel of doctors participated in this webinar, that tracked the possibilities of a return to some semblance of normality due to the accelerated roll out of vaccines across the country.

Appreciating Dr Hotez for commending India's efforts in getting vaccines to the world, Consul General Mahajan, said, in keeping with our tradition of sharing with the world, India has exported vaccines to many countries across the world.

India has provided 56 lakh doses of coronavirus vaccines under grants assistance to a number of countries. The vaccines were sent to Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles.

There has also been a boost in the collaborative medical partnerships emerging between the US and India during this pandemic. In addition, India is one of the fourth largest destinations in Asia for medical devices manufacturing and many US companies have expressed interest in collaborating on this front," Mahajan said.

IACCGH Founding Secretary/Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia said that India's response to the COVID crisis, as acknowledged by Dr Hotez, falls in line with Chamber's vision. Since its inception, 21 years ago, India would be a future global player in key areas like technology, medicine, manufacturing and international trade. This belief has been proved time and again particularly in the last decade."

Chamber President Tarush Anand expressed pride that India has risen to this global challenge by leveraging the brilliance of its scientific community and extensive manufacturing capabilities in the most efficient manner to help the world recover from a deadly pandemic.

Describing vaccines as one of the highest expressions of science in pursuit of humanitarian goals, Chief Radiation Oncology Officer and moderator Dr Vivek Kavadi noted that over 28 million people had contracted the virus in the US and more than half a million Americans had tragically died. Lives and businesses had been upended but the breakthrough on the vaccine front has been one reason for cautious optimism.

More than 73 million vaccine doses have been administered to date, 15 per cent of the population has received 1 dose while 7 per cent have received both doses, Dr Kavadi said.
The Supreme Court ruled March 2 that the state must recognize conversions conducted by the Reform and Conservative movements in Israel (progressive Judaism) for purposes of the Law of Return, which entitles Jews arriving to Israel to receive citizenship. In other words, in the eyes of Israeli law, non-Orthodox converts to Judaism are Jewish and should be entitled to become citizens.

But despite all the hoopla, this ruling is not as dramatic as it sounds. After all, these conversions are already recognized, when they are conducted overseas. Reform and Conservative converts from the United States, for example, where most Jews identify with one of these movements, have the right to immigrate to Israel as Jews and immediately claim citizenship.

In fact, the real issue with the current ruling is its timing. With just three weeks left until the March 23 election, it plays into the hands of the Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox parties, but also into the hands of the liberal parties in the Knesset. The current conflict is getting so much attention that it is bound to drive voters on both sides to the polls.

From 2005 to 2008, the Supreme Court postponed issuing a ruling in 11 separate cases filed by immigrants from various places around the world, who underwent Reform or Conservative conversion in Israel. Most of these converts were already married to Jewish citizens of Israel, and were demanding that they be recognized as Jews so as to be eligible for the Law of Return.

The ultra-Orthodox parties refused to recognize them as Jews. The reason the court delayed its decision was so that the state could come up with a solution to the problem, which was acceptable to all the parties involved. Then, in December, the court finally rejected one last attempt by the state to get it to delay issuing its verdict, and announced that they plan to rule in all of the cases before it.

The sole dissenter was Justice Noam Sohlberg. He recommended that the court postpone its decision for one year from the formation of the new government, arguing that the situation was problematic, and that a ruling by the court would not help these converts with recognition as Jews by the Orthodox Chief Rabbinate for other purposes, such as marriage.

The ultra-Orthodox parties and their allies from the more conservative wing of the religious Zionist movement, such as Bezalel Smotrichs National Union party, may have been outraged by the courts decision, but the truth is that they have only themselves to blame. They rejected every attempt at compromise in the decade and a half since the first case reached the Supreme Court.

One of the more recent cases was filed three years ago by the Nissim Commission, a committee charged with investigating the issue. At the head of the commission was former Justice Minister Moshe Nissim, an observant Jew whose father served as chief rabbi of Israel from 1955 to 1972.

After consulting with the parties involved in the dispute, Nissim recommended the creation of an official Conversion Authority under the auspices of the prime ministers office, which would preside over five conversion courts distributed across the country. While the proposed authority would not be subject to the Chief Rabbinate, the judges performing the conversions would all be Orthodox, and conversions would be conducted according to Orthodox Jewish law. On the other hand, his proposed Conversion Authority would not have an absolute Orthodox or ultra-Orthodox majority, and it would give voice also to the Reform and Conservative movements.

The problem was that the two ultra-Orthodox parties, Yahadut HaTorah and Shas, were vital to the coalition. They prevented the implementation of these recommendations, which were intended to meet the needs of the entire Jewish population, and instead granted primacy over all matters pertaining to conversion to the Chief Rabbinate, a body that they already dominated.

On March 2, Nissim himself said that the Supreme Courts ruling was necessary, noting, As long as there is no law covering this issue, all of these problems are brought before the Supreme Court, with the expectation that it will resolve them. To date, no government has heeded any request to do something about the problem.

He continued, It is unfair to the Supreme Court to say that it is acting on the basis of some particular worldview. The extremism exhibited by the Chief Rabbinate prevents the problem from being resolved and even more so, encourages assimilation. My proposal had the backing of many important rabbis, but not the Chief Rabbinate. They rejected my proposal, perhaps out of pride. This has had an impact on the ultra-Orthodox parties and apparently on Smotrich too, which is why the proposal was not brought before the government for approval. There can be no doubt that if my proposal had been passed, the Supreme Court would have rejected all the cases before it. What this means is the chief rabbis opposition to the proposal is what led to the Reform movement being authorized to conduct conversions in Israel.

None of this prevented the ultra-Orthodox parties from using the Supreme Courts ruling in their election campaigns. One of the most controversial cases of this is a video clip released by Yahadut HaTorah, which compares Reform and Conservative converts to dogs.

The video features pictures of dogs wearing prayer shawls and yarmulkes [traditional scull covert], while the voiceover says: The Supreme Court says theyre Jewish, and Only Yahadut HaTorah will preserve your Judaism, your childrens Judaism and your grandchildrens Judaism. The content of the video is apparently a reference to a negative yet very marginal phenomenon among Reform and Conservative Jews in the United States, in which owners have their pets celebrate bark mitzvahs. It should be noted this is done usually as a spoof, around the Purim festival.

The chairman of the Yesh Atid party, opposition Leader Yair Lapid, is known for his acerbic opposition to the ultra-Orthodox parties. He was particularly critical of this election ad, writing that his father, former Justice Minister Tommy Lapid, a campaigner against religious coercion, once told him that, There was a big sign hanging over the parliament building in Budapest that read, No entry to Jews and Dogs. Lapid continued, Anti-Semites across the generations have always compared Jews to dogs.

Both Lapid and Avigdor Liberman, head of Yisrael Beitenu, which partners with Lapid in opposing the ultra-Orthodox, have been rising in the polls recently. Issues of religion and state only help them in their campaigns.

In response the ultra-Orthodox parties were quick to make two demands of any future coalition that might include them. The first is the passing of legislation empowering the Knesset to overturn decisions by the Supreme Court. The leaders of Yahadut HaTorah  Moshe Gafni and Yaakov Litzman  issued a joint statement saying, Yahadut HaTorah will demand legislation allowing the Knesset to overrule Supreme Court decisions. This comes as a response to judicial activism, which is harmful to so many Jews in Israel and around the world, and which threatens to tear us apart from the inside. We will not enter any coalition without that.

The second demand was raised by Chairman of the Shas party Aryeh Deri, who said, No government will be formed without legislation that only official, state-sanctioned conversion is recognized in Israel.

One important lesson from this entire incident is that the Supreme Courts new ruling is not, in fact, an example of judicial activism, as critics contend. On the contrary, it is an extreme example of how the court avoids getting itself involved in legislation.

A second lesson is that the inability of politicians to make difficult decisions is what actually forces the court to make decisions for them.

The third lesson is that the complete and utter refusal of the ultra-Orthodox parties to reach compromises is what repeatedly leads to even worse outcomes for them.

What the ultra-Orthodox concluded from their failure to defeat a powerful court is that instead of resolving problems through dialogue and by recognizing the rights of others, they need legislation that would allow them to overrule the Supreme Court with a simple majority in the Knesset.
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BRAZIL, Ind. (WTHI) - Musical instruments filled Northview high school in Brazil Sunday for a Pops concert!

The school held a chicken noodle dinner to raise money for the Northview band.

People had the opportunity to enjoy a three-hour show.

Performers had on special masks so they could play for the public.

"It's been a long year since we've really gotten to do something like this. We're really appreciative of our administration for making this possible and the health department for doing this. Because it's really important for the kids and the community to see that music is back and alive and well," says Dominic Thompson the director of bands.

A winter-guard show is scheduled next weekend.
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A free website with a homework search engine was launched in 2013 by a boy in the 6th grade.

After seven years, he now owns a website with tens of thousands of daily active users, which needs 23 employees to operate. The website has now turned into a project named Selfomy with three main products that answer questions from grades 6 to 12, shares knowledge about learning; and allows texting and helps people make friends.

All are completely free.

That 6th grade boy was Bui Le Chi Bao (19 years old), a student at Goldsmiths University, University of London (UK).

Passion for computers

The 6th grader Bui Le Chi Bao.

At the age of 3, Chi Bao had access to computers in the family internet-cafe. Chi Bao said perhaps my passion for computers came from that.

Selfomy (formerly Grade 6/7 TK) started in 2013 as a website along with the product of an exercise/homework search engine.

A year later, when Facebook was in vogue, Chi Bao realized that exercises and questions asked through messages easily became lost and were not systematically arranged. Chi Bao's second product, Selfomy FAQ, was born.

"Saying that a 6th grade classmate back then knew how to program, design, and post to social media is hard to believe, but at that time, I learned programming myself and applied it to this project." Chi Bao even had to persuade his family to contribute 200,000 VND to pay for the server after two failures due to overload.

However, after four years, in 2017, the project finally had its first achievement of reaching 1 million views with more than 20,000 daily active users.

Starting a business at the age of 19

Bui Le Chi Bao and Nguyen Phuc Bao

Earlier this year, two close friends provided additional support to Chi Bao. They are Bui Le Nhat Nghi (a student at the University of California in Los Angeles) and Nguyen Phuc Bao (student at the Faculty of Information Technology, University of Natural Sciences - National University of Ho Chi Minh City).

Chi Bao and Phuc Bao have been close friends since 7th grade.

The friends plan to register to establish a company to facilitate the upcoming development.

There's a study from MIT that founders over 30 years old are more successful. I also agree with this statement, but now when the opportunity comes, we must take it. Another important factor is adding the right people. We cannot miss the opportunities and achievements that the whole team has built during the past 7 years, said Song Bao about the decision to establish a company at the age of 19.

Bui Le Chi Bao is studying remotely at Goldsmiths University, University of London (UK). In order to balance learning and work, he says he always has a plan every month, even the most rudimentary, and follows up so that the job can run smoothly.

Fortunately, with the online learning program now, I can be proactive in arranging time to study and work on the project. Of course, there will be trade-offs, but when planning well, the impact will be limited," Chi Bao shared.

Phuc Bao said that because he was just in the first year in college, his schedule was not too packed. It is completely within his ability to arrange time for both work and school.

"Normally, if there is a lot of studying in school that day, I can spend time coding until 1-2 am to make up."

These young people firmly believe that their project will become a real startup.

Bui Le Chi Bao: + Olympic Bronze Medal 30/4 in informatics in 2018 + Science and Technology Second Prize at City level in 2019. Specialties: good self-study. If the job requires learning new knowledge, you can learn by yourself and learn very effectively. Nguyen Phuc Bao: + Second prize for good student at City level in 2017 + Third prize in City Youth Informatics 2017 + Silver Medal at the Informatics Olympics 2018 + Third prize for good students at city level in 2020 Specialties: Programming is always a strength. Shortcomings: Too perfectionist.

Ngan Anh

Student volunteers experience memorable trips to epidemic hotspots At 9 am, an ambulance left Field Hospital No 1 in Hai Duong province, carrying a group of students to a site in Chi Linh City where they needed to take samples for tests for SARS-nCov-2.
Google has doubled-down its efforts to bridge the digital gender divide in India and around the world. On the occasion of the International Women's Day 2021, Google hosted a Women Will event where it made a series of announcements that will empower women in rural India along with adding some specific features on Search and Maps for entrepreneurs.

When women have equal access to opportunity, we all benefit from their perspectives, creativity and expertise, and this is true all over the world. Yet, when it comes to accessing opportunity, deep inequalities persist. Building on the Internet Saathi program success, were making a new commitment to help 1 million women in rural villages in India to become entrepreneurs through business tutorials, tools, and mentorship, said Sundar Pichai, CEO at Google.

Google also gave a low-down on its Internet Saathi program and how it has benefitted in connecting several women of rural India to the Internet since its launch back in 2015. From over 2 million women across 60,000 villages by 2017 to over 30 million women across 300,000 villages in India, the Tata Trusts-backed initiative today boasts of over 80,000 women ambassadors or Saathi's (companion) as they are generally referred to.

These women ambassadors train and educate other women in their villages on how to use the Internet, smartphones, searching online and much more. Google provides all the hardware including the devices and the training to Saathi's and now is training them to create an ecosystem of entrepreneurship enablers. To this effect, Google has announced some key additions to its Search and Maps services along with grants to social and non-profit organizations that are working towards empowering more women and girls across the world.

Google announces Women Will platform and new Search, Maps and GPay features

Google has introduced a new Women Will platform that has been designed for women interested in pursuing entrepreneurship. The company will be working with over 2,000 Internet Saathi's so that more and more women can be aware across villages in India.

The Women Will website has lots of resources for women who want to earn an income, learn a new skill, get support for starting a business and tools to stay safe on the Internet. Through this website, Google wants to help potential women entrepreneurs to turn their interest into a business.

Google has also announced that it will enable searches for women-led businesses on Search and Maps. Users will be able to search for women-led restaurants, women-led stores and more allowing them to purchase and extend their support to women entrepreneurs. This particular feature is available on Google My Business where women-led businesses can identify as such on their business profile.

Moreover, Google is also introducing Business Pages on Google Pay, allowing them to create product and services catalogues that users can see and place an order.

Google pledges $25 million grant with Impact Challenge for Women and Girls

Google has launched a Google Impact Challenge for Women and Girls under its non-profit Google.org. Under this challenge, Google will offer over $25 million in funding to social organizations and non-profits in India and around the world. Selected Impact Challenge grantees will also receive mentoring from Googlers, Ad Grants, and additional support to bring their ideas to life, says Google.

Additionally, Google is also committing $500K in funding to NASSCOM Foundation that it plans to use for digital and financial literacy reaching over 100,000 women Agri workers across Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
CHICAGO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Animal Antibiotics and Antimicrobials Market by Product (Tetracycline, Penicillin, Sulfonamide, Macrolide, Cephalosporin, Lincosamide), Mode of Delivery (Premixes, Oral Solution, Injection), Animal (Food producing & Companion) - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global Animal Antimicrobials Market is projected to reach USD 5.6 billion by 2026 from USD 4.7 billion in 2021, at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2021 to 2026.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Animal Antibiotics and Antimicrobials Market"

151  Tables

35  Figures

152  Pages

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the animal antibiotics market growth can largely be attributed to the rising demand for animal-derived food products, increasing incidence of zoonotic diseases, and the implementation of regulations to prevent the spread of animal diseases. Rising animal healthcare spending and the growing demand for pet insurance are further expected to drive the growth of this market. The untapped emerging markets such as China, India, and Brazil and growth in the overall companion animal population are also expected to offer significant growth opportunities to market players in the coming years.

However, the limited number of new antibiotics, growing resistance to antimicrobials and antibiotics, and increasing good husbandry and hygiene practices are expected to hinder the growth of this market to a certain extent.

The Tetracyclines segment accounted for the largest market share in 2020.

Based on products, the global animal antimicrobials and antibiotics market is segmented into tetracyclines, penicillins, sulfonamides, macrolides, aminoglycosides, lincosamides, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, and other antimicrobial and antibiotic products. In 2020, the tetracyclines segment accounted for 48.9% of the global animal antimicrobials market. Tetracyclines exhibit advantages such as the highest potency against pathogenic microorganisms, are well-absorbed, show low toxicity, and are relatively inexpensive compared to other animal antimicrobial and antibiotic products. These advantages contribute to the large share of this product segment. The fluoroquinolones segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 8.0% during the forecast period. Advantages such as higher efficacy at low concentrations, quick penetration through tissues, and the availability of variations in the route of administration result in the higher adoption of fluoroquinolones among end users.

The Premixes segment accounted for the largest market share in 2020.

Based on the mode of delivery, the global animal antimicrobials and antibiotics market is segmented into premixes, oral powders, oral solutions, injections, and other modes of delivery. In 2020, the premixes segment accounted for the largest share of 46.3% of the global animal antibiotics market. The large share of this segment can be attributed to the advantages of premixes, such as simplified mode of administration and lower instability and hygroscopicity of formulations. The injections segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period. Advantages such as immediate delivery of drugs and rapid onset of drug effects are expected to drive growth in this market.

The food producing animal segment accounted for the largest market share in 2020.

Based on animal type, the global animal antimicrobials and antibiotics market is categorized into food-producing animals and companion animals. In 2020, the food-producing animals segment accounted for the largest share of around 73.4%. This segment is also expected to register the highest CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period. The large share of this segment is mainly due to the rising demand for animal-derived food products, increase in animal healthcare expenditure, and greater concerns about zoonotic diseases.

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North America was the largest regional market for animal antibiotics market in 2020

The animal antimicrobials and antibiotics market is segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2020, North America accounted for the largest share of 30.3% of the global animal antimicrobials market. The large share of this region is mainly due to the increase in the region's animal population, rising demand for animal-derived food products, growth in pet insurance, and rising animal health expenditure compared to other regions.

The Asia Pacific region is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period. Factors such as the rapidly increasing animal population and rising demand for animal-derived food products are driving the growth of this market in the APAC.

Some of the prominent players in the animal antimicrobials and antibiotics market are Boehringer Ingelheim (Germany), Zoetis Inc. (US), Elanco Animal Health (US), Merck & Co. Inc (US), Phibro Animal Health (US), Virbac (France), Vetoquinol S.A. (France), Ceva Sante Animale (France), Dechra Pharmaceuticals Plc (UK), Kyoritsu Seiyaku (Japan), Tianjin Ringpu (China), HIPRA (Spain), Zydus Animal Health (US), China Animal Husbandry (China), and Inovet (Belgium).

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Browse Adjacent Markets: Pharmaceuticals Market Research Reports & Consulting

Browse Related Reports:

Asia-Pacific Animal Health Market by product (Parasiticides (Ectoparasiticides), Antimicrobial & Antibiotic, Vaccines, Feed Additive( Vitamin, Amino Acids, Antioxidant), Growth Promoter) Animal (Livestock, Companion), End-user (Hospitals) - Forecast to 2025

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/asia-pacific-animal-health-market-106215485.html

Veterinary Vaccines Market by Disease (Swine Pneumonia, Avian Influenza, Rabies, Coccidiosis, Brucellosis, Canine Distemper), Type (Poultry, Livestock, Aquaculture, Porcine, Canine), Technology (Inactivated, Toxoid, Recombinant) - Global Forecast to 2025

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/animal-veterinary-vaccines-market-1233.html

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New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/08/2021 -- The global vehicle scanner market is forecast to reach USD 2.34 Billion by 2026, according to a new report by Reports and Data. A vehicle scanner is an electronic tool that is used to diagnose and also reprogram vehicle control modules.



Various types of scanners, such as fixed and portable, aid in illuminating, sensing, imaging, scanning, and processing of the vehicle. These scanners are useful for the onboard diagnostics in vehicles. Consumers demand vehicles that are integrated with more safety features and user-friendly functionalities. Vehicle OEMs are focusing on providing user-friendly systems that possess advanced technology features. Furthermore, increased focus on safety and security norms by organizing governments of various countries along with infrastructure development, are factors driving the vehicle scanner system market.



The rising production of vehicles, an increase in the sales of electric vehicles, advancements in technology, and rising threats from the extremists and terrorists are propelling the demand for the market. An increase in government initiatives and support for the development of intelligent transportation systems and stringent regulations are also encouraging the growth of the market.



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Further key findings from the report suggest



The portability of surveillance systems can significantly affect how (and if) security personnel can deploy in high stress / rapid situations. Light, durable, and highly mobile systems allow fast and easy deployment in any situation. Portable/Mobile Scanner is forecasted to grow with a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period.



Under Vehicle Surveillance Systems (UVSS) provides high resolution stitched images of the underside of the vehicles and scans vehicles of all categories and sizes. The UVSS can be networked to centralized monitoring and database management system.



Scan tools cost more than code readers, and these gadgets are equipped with different variety of features that code readers don't have. They provide access to live and recorded data, can facilitate advanced troubleshooting options, and are also able to read manufacturer-specific codes.



Scan tools costs more than code readers, and these gadgets are equipped with different variety of features that code readers don't have. They provide access to live and recorded data, can facilitate advanced troubleshooting options, and are also able to read manufacturer-specific codes.



The government institutes have a high demand for vehicle scanner systems to secure sensitive places such as oil plants and nuclear plants. The governments are installing vehicle scanners to safeguard defense facilities, military bases, and cross-border checkpoints. The protection is extended to nuclear plants, ancient monuments, and prison facilities.



Asia Pacific is forecasted to grow with a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. High level of production of vehicles in countries such as China, Japan, and developing nations like India, are encouraging market demand



Based on the regions, the report covers the following regions:



North America (U.S.A., Canada)

Europe (U.K., Italy, Germany, France, Rest of EU)

Asia-Pacific (India, Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, Rest of APAC)

Latin America (Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America)

The Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., South Africa, Rest of MEA)



Competitive Terrain:



The global Vehicle Scanner market has a consolidated presence of a large number of companies that have been performing consistently to achieve optimum market growth. The report comprehensively discusses these companies' current market standing, past performances, demand & supply graphs, sales network, production & consumption patterns, and distribution channels. The report thus points out the effective business approaches undertaken by these market players to build on their market footprint.



The leading companies operating across the global Vehicle Scanner market are listed below:



Omnitec, Tescon AG, Godrej & Boyce, Secuscan, Leidos, El-Go Team, Gatekeeper Security, Uveye, Infinite Technologies, and Intelliscan, among others.



Scanner Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2016-2026)



Fixed/Static Scanner



Portable/Mobile Scanner



Structure Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2016-2026)



Drive-Through



UVSS



Technology Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2016-2026)



Sensing



Scanning



Processing



Imaging



Illuminating



Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2016-2026)



Private or Commercial Facilities



Government/Critical Infrastructure Protection



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Radical Features of the Vehicle Scanner Market Report:



Valuable insights into the Vehicle Scanner market to impart an in-depth understanding of the business verticle



An 8-year forecast estimation along with an analysis of key elements of the market



Technological advancements, regulatory framework, and recent developments covered in the report



Growth analysis and projections until 2027



Statistical analysis of the key players operating in the Vehicle Scanner industry



Table Of Contents:



Chapter 1. Market Synopsis



1.1. Market Definition



1.2. Research Scope & Premise



1.3. Methodology



1.4. Market Estimation Technique



Chapter 2. Executive Summary



2.1. Summary Snapshot, 2018-2026



Chapter 3. Indicative Metrics



Chapter 4. Vehicle Scanner Market Segmentation & Impact Analysis



4.1. Vehicle Scanner Market Segmentation Analysis



4.2. Industrial Outlook



4.2.1. Market indicators analysis



4.2.2. Market drivers analysis



4.2.2.1. The increasing concern for security



4.2.2.2. Development in infrastructure



4.2.3. Market restraints analysis



4.2.3.1. Limited growth



4.3. Technological Insights



4.4. Regulatory Framework



4.5. ETOP Analysis



4.6. Porter's Five Forces Analysis



4.7. Competitive Metric Space Analysis



4.8. Price trend Analysis



Chapter 5. Vehicle Scanner Market By Technology Type Insights & Trends



5.1. Technology Type dynamics & Market Share, 2019 & 2026



5.2. Sensing



5.2.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2016  2026 (USD Million)



5.2.2. Market estimates and forecast, by region, 2016  2026 (USD Million)



5.3. Scanning



5.3.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2016  2026 (USD Million)



5.3.2. Market estimates and forecast, by region, 2016  2026 (USD Million)



Continued



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Associated Press

President Joe Biden called out two fellow Democrats on Tuesday in explaining why he hasnt enacted some of the most ambitious elements of his agenda, noting that slim majorities in the House and evenly divided Senate have hamstrung legislative negotiations around key issues like voting rights. Biden, speaking during an event marking the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre, responded to critics who question why he hasnt been able to get a wide-reaching voting rights bill passed. Well, because Biden only has a majority of effectively four votes in the House, and a tie in the Senate  with two members of the Senate who voted more with my Republican friends, he lamented.
New Delhi: Eligible farming families who have not yet registered themselves under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme, must do so before 31 March. If they register before the said date and if their application is accepted on registration before 31 March, they will be eligible to receive Rs 2000 benefit after Holi, and Rs 2000 for the instalment due in April or May, reports said.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) completed two years on Wednesday (24 February).

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme, was launched by PM Narendra Modi in 2019, aims to provide income support to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions.

Under the Scheme, an amount of Rs 6000 per year is released in three 4-monthly instalments of Rs 2000 each directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

Who are eligible to get benefits under the PM-KISAN Scheme?

All landholding farmers' families, which have cultivable landholding in their names are eligible to get benefit under the scheme.

How many times the PM-KISAN Scheme benefit will be given in a year?

Under the PM-KISAN scheme, all landholding farmers' families shall be provided the financial benefit of Rs 6000 per annum per family payable in three equal installments of Rs 200O each, every four months. The period of 1st installment under the scheme was from 01 .12 2O18 to 31 03 2019, that of 2nd installment from 01 04.2019 to 31 07 .2019,3'd installment from 01 08.2019 to 30 11 2019, and so on.

Live TV

#mute

Here is how to register for PM-KISAN Scheme

Visit the official website of PM Kisan.

Go to Farmers Corner and click on the option of 'New Farmer Registration'.

Enter your Aadhaar card number

Enter the captcha code and select your state to proceed further

A form will appear, where you are requested to fill in all your personal information.

Also the bank account details and the information related to the farm will have to be filled in.

Now, submit the form.
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ROME, MAR 8 - Pope Francis said he felt he had got back to living thanks to the relations he had with the people during his historic visit to Iraq after months of "prison" due to COVID-19 restrictions. "After these months of prison, I felt a little imprisoned, this was living again for me, touching the Church, touching the holy people of God," the Argentine pontiff told reporters on the papal flight back from Iraq. "I feel different when I am distant from the people. "I'd like to start general audiences (with the faithful) as soon as possible. "Let's hope that there are the necessary conditions. "I follow the rules of the authorities. They are in charge and they have the grace of God to help us. "There is a proposal to have small general audiences. I haven't decided". (ANSA).
Samsung, Indias most trusted brand, teamed up with National Geographic Traveller India for an adventure like never before to #UncoverTheEpic. National Geographic Explorer and Photographer Prasanjeet Yadav captured the unexplored sky islands of the Western Ghats using Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, Samsungs power-packed flagship smartphone.

We are delighted to partner with National Geographic Traveller India for an epic adventure. At Samsung, we believe in providing consumers with innovations that enable them to do more. A first-of-its-kind camera with pro-grade 108MP lens and 8K video recording, Galaxy S21 Ultra changes the way you shoot. The next time something epic happens out of nowhere, you wont miss the moment choosing between camera and video. With industry first 8K Video Snap feature, photography enthusiasts now have the power to extract high-resolution stills from every second of an 8K video. The stunning beauty of the Western Ghats has been beautifully captured by Prasenjeet using 8K Video Snap and we are thrilled to see it on the magazine cover, said Aditya Babbar, Senior Director and Head, Mobile Marketing, Samsung India.

National Geographic Traveller India has always championed excellence in exploration and this collaboration with Samsung India is one of our most exciting and adventurous projects in recent times. Our story will uncover and showcase the beauty of sky islands in the Western Ghats, one of Indias rarest natural habitats, rich in biodiversity. What was particularly exhilarating about this story was the 8K Video Snap technology that was used to capture our stunning cover shot for the March-April edition of the magazine. At National Geographic, we uphold the highest standards of still photography and for the first time, a still shot from a mobile phone 8K video delivered that. As a sheer storytelling mode, this endeavour was truly unique. We are thrilled with the result and look forward to many more exciting projects in collaboration with Samsung India, said Preeti Vyas, President and CEO, Amar Chitra Katha Pvt. Ltd., Publisher of National Geographic Traveller India.
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Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was once again trending on Twitter, but for the wrong reasons. This is after a story from the New York Post detailed a neural implant that would make people smarter, with the publication initially headlining "Could Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chips make us all as smart as he is."

After the story was published, people on the social media site did not take the story lightly and the headline was met with immediate backlash and, of course, memes.

Elon Musk's Neuralink Chip Story

Could Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chips make us all as smart as he is? https://t.co/NuehrBxpB7 pic.twitter.com/OOqTgMG0H6  New York Post (@nypost) March 6, 2021

The New York Post story stated that Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip will give humans a chance to be as smart as he is. The brain chip also aims to improve the human body and help us compete with AI.

Formed in 2016, Neuralink is one of the Tesla CEO's secretive offshoots with the immediate goal of treating brain injuries. Musk said that paralyzed people who get Neuralink's electronic brain chip installed in their skulls could potentially walk again.

Musk talked about Neuralink in August last year at its headquarters, saying that people should think about the electronic brain implant like a Fitbit for their brains that is the size of a large coin. Musk continued that people can get a link in an hour without general anesthesia and leave the hospital on the same day.

Also Read: Elon Musk Claims Tesla and Ford 'Only American Carmakers Not to Have Gone Bankrupt'

He added that humans are "already cyborgs" due to the daily access to smartphones and computers. The tech mogul stated that Neuralink will close the gap and prepare humans for the future.

Adding a digital layer to the brain's limbic system cortex may be humanity's last hope of matching the exponentail land possible threat of AI in the unseen future.The MIT Technology Review dissed Neuralink's features and described it as a fantasy that was drawn heavily on movies and films.

However, Ray Kurzweil, Google's Director of Engineering and a futurist, credited with the idea of "the singularity," which said that machines could surpass human in intelligence by 2030, and time is of the essence for companies such as Neuralink to help humans keep up. Kurzweil also stated that by the time humans get to the year 2030, Google will have neural net technologies that go beyond what is feasible today, and that this technology will exceed human intelligence.

The Google director added that Neuralink could help humans to interact with our neocortex to process information faster than what humans can with our human brain.

People Question Musk's Intelligence on Twitter

According to Uproxx, people on Twitter thought that Elon Musk's intelligence is questionable, saying that normal people should be smart enough to be born into wealth or they should need a "lobotomy" to be as smart as the billionaire.

The coronavirus panic is dumb  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 6, 2020

I dont really want to become stupider thx  andrew  (@ajvgriff1987) March 6, 2021

I don't need a lobotomy.  Post Man (@J_K_Chesterton) March 6, 2021

Im not clicking the link. Is this like a lobotomy?  Jake Regier (@jakeregier) March 6, 2021





Related Article: Elon Musk, Epic Games CEO Discuss 'Thrust' Issue in SpaceX Rocket Launch-It 'Was Super Fun'
Bhubaneswar, March 8 : Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday requested Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan for setting up one of the proposed four National Institute of Virology (NIV) at Bhubaneswar.

In a letter to the Health Minister, Pradhan informed that Bhubaneswar is well-positioned to be considered as a location for one of the 4 proposed NIVs owing to its strategic location and skilled manpower.

The union budget-2021-22 had announced to set up four additional NAV across the country.

Bhubaneswar with world-class institutes such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre is a prime centre of medical research and education in eastern India, the Minister said.

NIV Bhubaneswar can cater to the population of eastern, south eastern and central Indian states. This will also be in line with the Purvodiya vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added.

Pradhan said India's medical and R&D institutions have played a stellar role in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and the proposal for setting up of four additional NIVs will further strengthen India's defences against future pandemics.
As public health nurses working to educate our future nursing workforce and vaccinate Texans every day in our community, we have witnessed firsthand the enormous toll that the pandemic, and now the winter storm, has taken on health care professionals and other front-line workers. They have been forced to work in unsafe conditions, without proper PPE and even having to remove feces from toilets without running water. And, despite just learning that the U.S. would have enough vaccines for every adult who wants one in just three short months and that Houston was the first city in the United States to record all major COVID strains, Gov. Greg Abbott declared, It is now time to reopen Texas 100 percent.

The govenor once again gambles with our safety, rescinding his single most effective pandemic policy: a statewide mask protocol.

While experts have been sounding the alarm for weeks about more contagious and potentially vaccine-resistant strains, our governor has decided to sacrifice hard-working Texans in order to gain political favor. We were not altogether surprised that he turned his back on science that clearly tells us we are not ready to go maskless. We are, however, disappointed and frustrated with the decision, as it goes against strong public support for masks and sends a confusing, dead wrong message to Texans that masks are no longer needed. The science on mask-wearing is settled: wearing masks protects you and your neighbors, and they work best when everyone is wearing them. Our state lags behind other states in its vaccination rates and is in danger of never reaching herd immunity due to the number of Texans who have stated they would not get the vaccine. Masks are indispensable in our fight to end the pandemic.

Despite the enormous toll that the pandemic has taken on all of us, had we cared to look, the experiences of the past year could have taught us many valuable lessons. We are all deeply connected, and the task of public health is to think about how to protect the common good. This requires thinking of consequences of our actions beyond our own individual spheres, yet Abbott has once again abdicated his responsibility to use the power of public policy to protect our interconnected interests.

Individuals play a crucial role in stopping the spread of COVID. We certainly saw the power of individual goodwill during the energy crisis last month as concerned citizens across this great state sprang into action to rescue stranded neighbors and deliver food and water. However, individuals as independent actors simply do not have the resources or authority to solve collective problems. More than dictating personal behavior, state protocols reinforce the importance of the common good and provide political cover for individuals and businesses who want to do the right thing but are faced with backlash from others.

Weeks and months from now, we will look back on what could have been done to prevent yet another foreseeable catastrophe. We, as nurse educators, will once again encourage our students and colleagues who work in critical care to hang in there despite the constant insults to their sacrifice. And, just like with the power grid catastrophe for which Abbott holds substantial responsibility, he will seek a scapegoat other than himself for why we are facing another crisis of our leaders making. We implore Abbott to rethink this reckless repeal of proven public health strategies. In the meantime, on behalf of our exhausted colleagues and those who have unnecessarily lost their lives, we urge our fellow Texans to remain diligent and practice more personal responsibility than our governor has. Continue to double mask, wash your hands, avoid crowds, get your vaccine as soon as it becomes available to you, and vote for leaders who will protect and honor the wonderful people of this state. We all deserve much better than to be left in the cold dark, fending for ourselves when crises hit.

Thurman and Johnson are faculty members at the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing. This piece was first published in the Dallas Morning News.
The Syrian Environment Minister and the Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs support the need for greater cooperation to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees, reports Al-Watan.

Local Administration and Environment Minister, Hussein Makhlouf, discussed with Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs and Tourism, Ramzi Musharrafieh, ways to enhance cooperation for the safe and easy return of all Syrian refugees to their homeland.

In a statement to reporters, Makhlouf explained that the visit constitutes a continuation of the cooperation between Syria and Lebanon to address the issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon and secure their voluntary return to their country while providing them with all facilities  such as transportation, decent places to live, and access to lost documents.

Makhlouf pointed out that the past period witnessed a systematic return of refugees, despite the difficult conditions due to the coronavirus and the unilateral coercive measures imposed by countries supporting terrorism to prevent the return of Syrians to their country. This has negatively affected the treatment of this issue and complicated putting an end to the suffering of thousands.

For his part, Musharrafieh indicated that the bilateral visits will continue until the return of Syrian refugees is secured, especially in light of the difficult economic conditions in Lebanon. The return of security and stability to many Syrian lands and the facilities that the Syrian state has been providing has encouraged many refugees to return to their homeland.

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.
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GOSOL, Spain  The castle that crowns the hill above the village of Gosol used to be among the grandest along Spains border with France, with views of fertile farms and forests rich in timber that stretched up to the cloudy mountaintops.

But the castle is in ruins now, and until last year, Gosol had fallen on hard times, too. The town census had gone down in nearly every count since the 1960s. The school was on the verge of closing for lack of students. The mayor had even taken to television with a plea to his countrymen: Come to Gosol, he asked, or the town would disappear.

It took a pandemic for Spaniards to heed his call.

Among those who packed their bags was Gabriela Calvar, a 37-year-old who once owned a bar in a beach town near Barcelona, but watched it go under during last years lockdowns and decamped to the town in the mountains for a new start.

Maria Otero, a web designer who found she could telecommute, brought her husband and three children to Gosol, the place where her grandparents had been born, but where she had only spent the summers milking cows on visits.
Lucknow, March 8 : The Uttar Pradesh government will run a 15-day "focused sampling" drive from March 13 to 27, in view of the upcoming festivals like Shivratri and Holi.

According to Amit Mohan Prasad, additional chief secretary, health, the focus of the drive will be migrant workers and people coming from other states for the festive season.

"During Holi, people from other states and areas come back to their homes to celebrate. There is a lot of movement during this period," he said.

Those included in the focused drive would be persons returning from states having a high rate of infection, people who sell colours and water guns, those working in restaurants and 'dhabas' (eateries) and also those involved in the liquor and 'bhang' shops, said the official.

A senior health official said that the government was mulling a proposal to ban Holi Milan programmes and Kavi Sammelans that usually attract huge crowds and people, these functions, stand in close proximity.

"We have not yet decided because ensuring social distancing at such functions is near impossible. We may allow some to be held with strict safety protocols," official said.

Meanwhile, the government spokesman said that Uttar Pradesh had become the first in the country to administer 20 lakh doses of the vaccine.

While over 14.85 lakh shots were given in the first phase, in the second phase for persons above 60 and those between 45 and 60, doses had been administered to over 5.29 lakh persons.

Latest updates on Holi Festival 2021

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
NEW YORK, March 8, 2021--The Vilcek Foundation recognizes the research contributions and work of Princeton University faculty member Mohamed Abou Donia in a new article and video. Abou Donia is the recipient of a 2021 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science. He receives the award for his rigorous work on the impact of the microbiome of humans and other organisms on host health, disease, and the environment.

The Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science are awarded annually to early- and mid-career immigrant scientists living and working in the United States. The awards are bestowed on individuals whose early-career work exemplifies outstanding scientific accomplishment, and whose work represents a significant contribution to their field of study. The prizes highlight the value of immigration and diversity for enabling scientific advancement and discovery.

Abou Donia, a native of Egypt, is an associate professor and a principal investigator at Princeton University. His laboratory studies small-molecule-mediated interactions between host organisms and their microbiomes, and the implied impacts for health and disease outcomes. Abou Donia's research has led to the development of screening methods to reveal with individual-level precision how drugs are metabolized by the human gut microbiome, and mapped microbiome-encoded genes involved in drug metabolism.

"Microbes that live on humans are capable of producing molecules of the same kind as clinically used therapeutics," he says. "It's very important to understand what these molecules do to us, and whether we can harness this repertoire of molecules for treating human diseases."

Abou Donia's interest in small-molecule interactions grew out of his studies in pharmacy at Suez Canal University. Abou Donia earned his PhD in pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of Utah, and completed his post-doctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco, in the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences. Abou Donia received an NIH Director's New Innovator Award in 2015, and was named a Pew Biomedical Scholar in 2017. He is the recipient of a Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research.

The article and video from the Vilcek Foundation highlight the scientific value of Abou Donia's work, and the experiences and insights that have shaped his path to this work.

Read the article and watch the video at the following link: Mohamed Abou Donia: "How our microbial partners affect our health."

###

The Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science

For more information about the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science, read the Vilcek Foundation's announcement from March 1, 2021, or contact creativepromise@vilcek.org.

The Vilcek Foundation

The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation of the arts and sciences. The foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia. The mission of the foundation--to honor immigrant contributions to the United States, and more broadly to foster appreciation of the arts and sciences--was inspired by the couple's respective careers in biomedical science and art history. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded over $5.8 million in prizes to foreign-born individuals and supported organizations with over $5.2 million in grants.

The Vilcek Foundation is a private operating foundation, a federally tax-exempt nonprofit organization under IRS Section 501(c)(3).
The government of Nepal is all set to celebrate International Womens Day with the national theme of Womens Security, Respect and Employment: Basic for Prosperity today. However, despite the celebration of achievements, Nepali women still face discrimination on the basis of gender on various fronts. Below discussed are three major pertinent issues that women have been facing in accessing justice, their legal measures and practical challenges:

Domestic violence

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

The introduction of the Domestic Violence (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2009, was taken as a milestone in addressing domestic violence in Nepal. The act describes domestic violence, addressing its various forms: physical, mental, sexual and economic or emotional harm. It also prescribes punishment with the fine starting from Rs 3,000 to Rs 25,0000 or imprisonment or a six-month jail sentence or both (Section 13).

However, the law does not sufficiently protect the rights of women and girls. For example, it does not cover gender-based violence happening online. Statistics from various non-government organisations working against the violence depict a high rise of such cases during the pandemic.

Workplace discrimination harassment

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

Technological advancement has been followed by the speedy growth of opportunities for employees. However, the opportunities are disproportionately distributed. Although the constitution of Nepal has a provision of the right to equality in its article 18, discrimination in the workplace is rampant in forms discrimination in the form of sex, race, disability, age, nation of origin, and colour to name a few. Further, the Labor Act, 2017, has mentioned that there shall be no discrimination on any basis.

But, many women are facing harassment at the workplace although various laws are formulated to curb that. The government has formulated the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act, 2015, specific legislation addressing sexual harassment in the workplace. Pursuant to section 4, any of the unsolicited acts committed by, or caused to be committed by, any person in abuse of his/her position, power or by the imposition of any type of coercion, undue influence, or enticement would constitute sexual harassment. Sexual harassment includes physical contact and advances; showing or displaying pornographic material, expressing sexual motives by way of written, verbal, or non-verbal means, demand or proposal for sexual favours; and flirting or harassing with a sexual motive.

Additionally, the Electronic Transactions Act, 2006, in its section 47 prohibits teasing, harassing, insulting or similar indecent activities against women by means of the use of computers, the internet, and other means of electronic communication. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies also adopted the Code of Conduct against Gender-based Violence at the Workplace in Industrial Enterprises in 2010.

More on this, there are various laws and policies which have prohibited sexual harassment at the workplace. For instance, the Foreign Employment Policy recognises the problem of sexual harassment faced by female workers in course of foreign employment and states the need to address their concerns. The Criminal Code, 2017, prohibits certain acts that constitute sexual harassment. The Labour Act also prohibits sexual harassment.

Contrary to the objective of these laws, the practice shows a different picture. The reports prepared by various institutions show that working women face different kinds of violence: unequal pay, social discrimination at the workplace despite law ensuring equal rights, fair wages, and social protection.

Chhaupadi

File

The traditional practice of sending out menstruating women from the home, majorly practised in the western parts of Nepal, is linked with social taboos and, often stigma, in Hindu traditions. The practice is already criminalised through the enactment of a law in 2017, with a provision of imposing a fine of Rs 3,000 and/or three months imprisonment to any individual who is forcing women to practise the system.

Although the practice is criminalised, various news reports show otherwise. The report commissioned by the United Nations Nepal says 45 per cent of the population in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces believes that it is another customary practice that causes harm whereas there are various stakeholders from governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in declaring the region Chhaupadi-free.

As per the reports, the harmful practices in these provinces are deeply rooted in discriminatory social norms, often founded on religious beliefs and customs. Recently, the government had destroyed more than 300 menstruation sheds in the region; however, after destroying the shed women have started staying in animal shelters. It means advocacy would be required to change the mindset of people regarding menstruation.

The significance of International Womens Day is always present, as an honour to all the women who have contributed from their sides. However, different social, economic and other factors are hindering women to have equal access and opportunities in society. Despite signs of progress on laws from what we had a few years ago, the practice still requires rich, research-based interventions and strategies.
[March 07, 2021] Ezidebit and Genie Solutions Create a New Way Forward for Medical Consultation Payments

BRISBANE, Australia, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Payments solution provider Ezidebit has been selected by Australia's leading medical practice management software provider Genie Solutions to provide omni-channel payment options for its customers. This is a first for the medical industry, where payment solutions and practice management software often work independently of each other. The introduction of payment module, Patient Payments powered by Ezidebit, to Genie Solutions' software, streamlines the collection and reconciliation of consultation payments for medical practitioners. Genie Solutions has been providing practice management software solutions to the Australian medical industry for over 20 years' and supports over 21,000 Medical Professionals. Ezidebit supports more than 27,000 businesses Australia-wide with diverse, flexible payment solutions. The Patient Payments module gives medical practices the ability to take payments online before or following a consultation or procedure, as well as an EFTPOS solution to simplify physical in-practice card paments. The invoice set-up and full payments reconciliation is completed by the Practice Management Software (PMS).



Ezidebit Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Mark Healy said they were delighted to be working with an innovative partner like Genie Solutions, with substantial benefits flowing to medical practices around the way they manage payments, and benefits for patients as well. "Practices can accept payments 24/7, and patients can pay securely online from the comfort of their home and lessen personal contact with staff," Mr Healy said.

"With the increase in online consultations, it is more important than ever to facilitate these virtual interactions. "Payments are automatically reconciled in the practice management software, seamlessly integrating with pre-existing workflows, and with the added benefit of having faster access to the funds. "This is a big step forward in reducing human error with manual reconciliation and administrative burden." Ezidebit and Genie Solutions are working on continuing to evolve the integration to enhance the payments function even further. Genie Solutions' Chief Executive Officer James Scollay said the partnership with Ezidebit will help improve practice efficiency and enhance the overall patient experience. "Genie Solutions' purpose is to help medical professionals deliver better health outcomes, and this partnership with Ezidebit does just that," Mr Scollay said. "It provides patients with flexibility and significantly increases the practice's efficiency, allowing specialists to focus more on patient care." Patient Payments powered by Ezidebit is now available to Genie Solutions customers using Gentu and will be available to Genie desktop customers in the coming months. For further information please visit http://www.geniesolutionssoftware.com.au/patient-payments SOURCE Ezidebit

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Prince Charles and Princess Dianas marriage was anything but perfect. While the Princess of Wales wanted nothing more than to feel loved by her husband, Prince Charles neglected her needs throughout their union.

But the most disturbing element of their tumultuous relationship was when Diana hurt herself in front of Prince Charles. Instead of tending to his wife during her desperate cries for help, all he would do was shrug her off. He even went so far as to claim she was faking her problems.

Prince Charles and his pregnant wife Princess Diana at the Chelsea Flower Show in London, 1984 | Jayne Fincher/Getty Images

Princess Diana once threw herself down the stairs while pregnant with Prince William

During Princess Dianas marriage to Prince Charles, she felt like a prisoner. Not only did her husband ignore her as though she were invisible, but he was also madly in love with another woman. Because of this, the Princess of Wales felt completely isolated and alone.

The Prince And Princess Of Wales In Germany Attending An Evening Function | Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

In an anguished plea for help, the desperate Princess once threw herself down a flight of stairs while pregnant with Prince William.

According to Dianas biography, Diana: Her True Story In Her Own Words, the queen had a more appropriate reaction to the incident than her actual husband. The Queen was the first to arrive on the scene, the book reveals. She was horrified, physically shaking with the shock of what she had witnessed.

Meanwhile, Her husband simply dismissed her plight and carried on with his plan to go riding.

Princess Diana And Prince Charles At Munich Opera House | Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

They were messages of complete desperation, the book reveals of Dianas self-harm. Please, please help. In the first years of their married life, Diana made several suicide bids and numerous threats. It should be emphasized that they were not serious attempts to take her life, but cries for help.

Princess Diana nearly stabbed herself with a penknife, and Prince Charles barely flinched

The Prince And Princess Of Wales Looking Unhappy During A Banquet In New Zealand | Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

And during one tragic cry for help, Princess Diana picked up a penknife lying on the dresser table and cut her chest and thighs. She did this in front of Prince Charles when he refused even to acknowledge her presence. Even though she was bleeding in front of her husband, Prince Charles thought she was faking her problems.

According to her book, Diana would later tell her friends, They were desperate cries for help. I just needed time to adjust to my new position.

Prince Charles told Princess Diana that he didnt love her right before their wedding

Princess Diana (1961  1997) with Prince Charles at a ceremony at the Rotes Rathaus, Berlin, November 1987 | Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images

According to People Magazine, a source close to Diana claims that Prince Charles told his future wife that he didnt love her right before their wedding night.

One of the most shocking things that Diana told me was that the night before the wedding, Charles told her that he didnt love her, her close friend Thornton said. I think Charles didnt want to go into the wedding on a false premise. He wanted to square it with her, and it was devastating for Diana.

Thorton added, She didnt want to go through with the wedding at that point. She thought about not attending the wedding.

The government has provided relief for the time being to people crossing over into Indian territory following military in and waiting for a direction from the Centre as regard to their future stay here, state Home minister Lalchamliana said on Monday



He informed the state legislative assembly that some people from have sneaked into in the recent days due to the volatile political situation in the neighbouring country.

"A detailed record of the identities and other particulars of the nationals, who have entered into due to the humanitarian crisis, is being prepared and relief is provided to them by the state government for the time being.

"And thereafter, how they should be provided shelter and relief will be decided as per the centres directive," he said.

"As the foreigner issue is solely the centres subject, we are waiting for a direction from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs," Lalchamliana said.

Fleeing persecution several people from Myanmar, including some policemen, have crossed over to Indian side and are currently taking refuge in Mizoram following the last month military in the Southeast Asian country.

A top police official told PTI that more than 100 Myanmar nationals have so far entered Mizoram since late February.

The exact figure of the refugees could not be ascertained now as some people are living with the locals (Mizos) and the Myanmar's Chin people, who have already settled in Mizoram, the police official said.

According to the home minister, four northeastern states- Mizoram (510 km), Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Manipur (398 km) and Nagaland (215 km)- share 1,643 km international border with Myanmar.

Apart from Mizoram, the three other northeastern states are also believed to be facing refugee influx from Myanmar due to the present political scenario triggered by the last month military in the neighbouring country, he said.

Lalchamliana said that India is not bound by the legal obligations to protect refugees as it is not a signatory to the United Nations Refugee Convention of 1951 and its 1967 protocol.

Earlier on March 5, the Myanmar government had asked Mizorams Champhai district administration to return eight Myanmar policemen, who apparently fled their country to take refuge in Mizoram.

An official of the Mizoram home department said they have informed the matter to Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the state government is waiting for the centre's direction.
LOS ANGELES, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the clean and transparent wine brand Avaline, co-founded by Cameron Diaz (Wellness author: The Body Book, The Longevity Book) and Katherine Power (Who What Wear, Versed Skincare, Merit), announces a highly-requested direct-to-consumer (DTC) program which will make their range of clean, delicious wines even more accessible and easy-to-shop. The announcement coincides with Avaline's commitment to supporting women in wine through an integrated partnership with the Lift Collective , an organization that advocates for positive change in the wine industry through the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion. Throughout March, Avaline will donate 2% of DTC sales to the group.

The DTC program arrives on the heels of the brand's successful launch with over 21,000 cases of wine sold from its launch in June 2020 through the end of 2020. Avaline White ranked #2* in the white blend category (Total US Food). Avaline's Rose and White experienced significant distribution in 2020 and with the launch of Red and Sparkling in Q4, Avaline's store count will more than double to 5,000 locations in the first half of 2021. With its DTC, Avaline is addressing opportunities within the $3.7 billion DTC wine market with an approach designed for their community's needs.

Abbott Wolfe, Avaline's founding CEO says, "Our marketing focus is on building an active community around Avaline. They ask, we listen. Most of this community engagement happens on social media, and the addition of DTC allows us to further connect and grow." He adds, "DTC can be a strong new product development tool which ultimately supports the success of our retail partners as the brand grows in volume and offerings."

As a continued part of Avaline's effort to make clean wine more accessible, Avaline's loyal and growing community can now visit drinkavaline.com to purchase their portfolio of just clean, delicious wine transparently produced with organic grapes, full of natural goodness and free of unnecessary extras. The website will offer the full product lineup in one place: White, Rose, Red and Sparkling as well as website-only seasonal bundles like Winter Staples (Red, White & Sparkling), and soon, exclusive products and goods.

Coinciding with this launch and International Women's Day (3/8), Avaline is partnering with the Lift Collective to support women in the wine industry on multiple fronts. This partnership will include both the sponsorship of their upcoming Lift Collective Virtual Conference on March 23rd and 24th ( tickets available here ) as well as the creation of Avaline Scholarships, which provides funds and mentorship from the Avaline team, all with the goal of accelerating the growth of female-founded brands in the wine industry. Current and aspiring entrepreneurial candidates can apply online ( here ).

Avaline's collection of clean wines include Avaline Red, a light to medium-bodied wine from a notable family in the Southern Rhone Valley region of France. The popular Avaline White is made by the esteemed Can Rafols dels Caus in Spain while Avaline Rose is crafted by one of the oldest winemaking families in Provence, the Mas de Cadenet estate. Avaline's newest release, Avaline Sparkling, is a dry, refreshing and effervescent wine from biodynamic pioneer Raventos i Blanc.

For more information on Avaline, please visit www.drinkavaline.com .

*A/O white non-varietal/white blend category in the latest 4 weeks ending 1-3-21 (Total US Food)

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Avaline

Related Links

https://drinkavaline.com/


A pair of B-52 bombers flew over the Mideast on Sunday, the latest such mission in the region aimed at warning Iran amid tensions between Washington and Tehran, Global News reports.

The U.S. militarys Central Command said the two B-52s flew over the region accompanied by military aircraft from nations including Israel, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It marked the fourth-such bomber deployment into the Mideast this year and the second under President Joe Biden.

Flight-tracking data showed the two B-52s flew out of Minot Air Base in North Dakota, something Central Command did not mention in its statement on the flights though authorities later published images of the flight crew preparing its departure there.
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Several public and private banks are likely to remain open for only four days next week due to bank strikes and public holidays. Therefore, bank account holders should plan their visits accordingly. However, mobile and internet banking functions will remain unaffected on these holidays.

Several bank unions have called for a bank strike across the country on March 15 and 16 against the proposed privatisation of two state-owned lenders by the government. These unions comprise All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC), National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE), All India Bank Officers' Association (AIBOA), Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), Indian National Bank Employees' Federation Federation of Canara Bank Employees' Congress (INBEF), Indian National Bank Officers' Congress (INBOC), National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW), National Organisation of Bank Officers (NOBO), All India Nationalised Bank Officers' Federation Canara Bank Officers' Association (Regd.) (AINBOF).

Therefore, next week from March 13 to March 16, banks are likely to remain shut for four straight days.

March 13, 2021: Second Saturday

March 14, 2021: Sunday

March 15, 2021: Monday (bank strike)

March 16, 2021: Tuesday (bank strike)

March 21, 2021: Sunday

In this year's Union Budget, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that two public sector banks (PSBs) will be privatised along with one general insurance company.

"Other than IDBI Bank, we propose to take up the privatisation of two Public Sector Banks and one General Insurance company in the year 2021-22. This would require legislative amendments and I propose to introduce the amendments in this session itself," she said.

The Centre last year consolidated 10 public sector banks into four and as a result, the total number of PSBs came down to 12 from 27.

List of Bank holidays in March 2021:

March 11, 2021: Mahashivratri

March 13, 2021: Second Saturday

March 14, 2021: Sunday

March 21, 2021: Sunday

March 22, 2021: Bihar Day

March 27, 2021: Fourth Saturday

March 28, 2021: Sunday

March 29, 2021: Dhuleti/Yaosang second day

March 30, 2021: Holi

Also read: Women's day 2021: Google doodle celebrates women trailblazers

Also read: Considered suicide, royal family concerned about son's dark skin colour: Meghan Markle
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 21:41:10|Editor: huaxia

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NICOSIA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus has started building a barbed-wire fence along the UN-policed buffer zone in a bid to prevent irregular migration, Interior Minister Nicos Nouris told CyBC state radio on Monday.

"We are faced with an avalanche of refugees and unregulated immigrants, so we have to do something to control it," Nouris said.

Nouris said the entire buffer zone running 185 kilometers from the east coast to the northwestern coast of the island has been mapped, adding that other parts used by people traffickers will also be fenced off.

He also said the United Nations, the European Commission and the embassies of key countries had been informed beforehand about the fencing.

Cypriot authorities have said that non-EU citizens make up 4.2 percent of about 900,000 population of the part of Cyprus under the control of the internationally recognized government of Cyprus, the highest concentration in any EU country.

The fencing off parts of the buffer zone has created concerns among residents of Astromeritis Village, a community about 45 kilometers west of the capital Nicosia, and two other nearby communities. They complained that it will prevent their access to their properties inside the buffer zone.

Nouris sought to allay their concerns. "There is absolutely no intention to abandon the buffer zone and neither does the placement constitute a border demarcation," he said.

On this eastern Mediterranean island, the Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot communities have been divided since 1974 with a buffer zone in between. The buffer zone is patrolled by a UN peacekeeping force. Enditem
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Reed Howlett is an accomplished thought leader in the premium pet food industry, with over 25 years of relevant experience. He has served in many executive and leadership roles within the sector, including as CEO of pet food company Nature's Variety.

"I am honored to serve as the next CEO of WellPet to build on the Company's heritage as a pioneer in the premium-focused, natural pet food category," said Howlett. "WellPet has an unprecedented opportunity to expand to serve more pet families by deepening our focus on providing the highest quality pet food and treats and driving nutritional innovation for our partner retailers and pet parents, and ultimately supporting the health and happiness of the pets that depend on the Company's products."

Howlett succeeds Camelle Kent-Rizkalla, who over the last eight years helped to significantly elevate WellPet and its brands, and will continue in an advisory capacity with WellPet. "Leading WellPet for the past several years has been the thrill of a lifetime, and I have great confidence in Reed and the entire WellPet family to further WellPet's success serving our retail partners and pet families with the very best natural nutrition," said Kent-Rizkalla.

The Company also announced the appointments of Jeffrey Watters and Paul Kayser to the Board of Directors. Watters joins the WellPet board with over 33 years of relevant industry experience, serving most recently as President and CEO of Ainsworth Pet Nutrition. Kayser joins the WellPet board with over 28 years of relevant experience and is currently President and CEO of Clearlake portfolio company Pretium Packaging.

"We are thrilled to welcome Reed and Jeff to the Clearlake family and are excited to have Paul bring his expertise to another of our portfolio company's boards. We look forward to working together with this team to execute on WellPet's growth plans, driven by Clearlake's O.P.S. framework including organically through product innovation and potential transformational acquisitions," said Jose E. Feliciano, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Clearlake. "On behalf of Clearlake and the Board, we want to thank Camelle for her exemplary service to WellPet, and we wish her the best in her future pursuits."

"WellPet is well positioned as an innovator in the highly dynamic premium pet food and treats category," added Arta Tabaee, Managing Director at Clearlake. "The entire sector is supported by accelerating tailwinds from the confluence of pet humanization, pet adoption, and increased spending on natural and healthy premium foods and treats. We couldn't be more excited to have Reed, Jeff, and Paul join the WellPet team to drive increased investment and growth under our sponsorship."

ABOUT WELLPET

For more than 100 years, WellPet has been a pioneer in the natural pet food movement by offering nutritional recipes with the highest quality ingredients for dogs and cats. Headquartered in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, WellPet is a top global supplier of premium pet food and treats with brands including Wellness, Old Mother Hubbard, WHIMZEES, Eagle Pack, Holistic Select, and Sojos. Powered by its dedication to provide the very best natural food and treats for happier, healthier pets, WellPet has become a leader in the high growth premium-focused category. The Company is uniquely positioned as the largest independent North America-based pet food manufacturer, producing proprietary and exclusive formulations at its three state-of-the-art facilities in Indiana, Minnesota, and the Netherlands, supported by a supply chain spanning over 1.2 million distribution points across the globe. More information is available at www.wellpet.com.

ABOUT CLEARLAKE

Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is a leading investment firm founded in 2006 operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit, and other related strategies. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with world-class management teams by providing patient, long-term capital to dynamic businesses that can benefit from Clearlake's operational improvement approach, O.P.S. The firm's core target sectors are consumer, industrials, and technology. Clearlake currently has approximately $30 billion of assets under management, and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 200 investments. The firm has offices in Santa Monica and Dallas. More information is available at www.clearlake.com and on Twitter @ClearlakeCap.

Media Contact:

For WellPet:

WellPet

Chanda Leary-Coutu

603-490-5593

[email protected]

For Clearlake:

Lambert & Co.

Jennifer Hurson

845-507-0571

[email protected]

SOURCE WellPet; Clearlake Capital

Related Links

http://www.clearlake.com


Credit: CC0 Public Domain

While most people think of strokes affecting the brain, they can also affect the eye. Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a rare form of acute ischemic stroke that occurs when blood flow is blocked to the main artery of the eye. It typically causes painless, immediate vision loss in the impacted eye, with fewer than 20% of people regaining functional vision in that eye.

Today, the American Heart Association published a new scientific statement, "Management of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion," in Stroke, an American Heart Association journal. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Cerebrovascular Section affirms the educational benefit of the scientific statement, and it has been endorsed by the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology Quality of Care Secretariat and the American Academy of Optometry.

"Central retinal artery occlusion is a cardiovascular problem disguised as an eye problem. It is less common than stroke affecting the brain but is a critical sign of ill health and requires immediate medical attention," said Chair of the statement writing committee Brian C. Mac Grory, M.B.B.Ch., B.A.O., M.R.C.P., an assistant professor of neurology and staff neurologist at the Duke Comprehensive Stroke Center at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. "Unfortunately, a CRAO is a warning sign of other vascular issues, so ongoing follow-up is critical to prevent a future stroke or heart attack."

In a comprehensive review of the world literature, committee members from the specialties of neurology, ophthalmology, cardiology, interventional neuroradiology, neurosurgery and vitreoretinal surgery summarized the state of the science in this condition. They found indications that this type of stroke can be caused by problems with carotid arteries, the blood vessels in the neck. However, there is also evidence CRAOs could be caused by problems with the heart, such as atrial fibrillation, which is the most common irregular heart rhythm. The risk of having a CRAO increases with age and in the presence of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, Type 2 diabetes, smoking and obesity.

The new scientific statement notes the lack of large clinical trials on CRAOs leads to uncertainty within the medical community of exactly what causes them or the best way to treat them. As a result, there is wide variability in diagnosis and treatment methods. Most concerning, according to Mac Grory, is that many practitioners may not recognize CRAO as a form of stroke resulting in patients receiving delayed testing and treatment, often in the outpatient clinic instead of the emergency department.

"We know acute CRAO is a medical emergency requiring early recognition and triage to emergency medical treatment," Mac Grory said. "There is a narrow time window for effective treatment of CRAO and a high rate of serious related illness. So, if a person is diagnosed in a doctor's office or other outpatient clinic, they should be immediately sent to a hospital emergency department for further evaluation and treatment."

Current literature suggests that treatment with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a "clot buster" that is also used to treat brain strokes, may be effective. But tPA must be administered within 4.5 hours of the first sign of symptoms to be most effective and safe.

The writing committee also noted that emerging treatments, such as hyperbaric oxygen and intra-arterial alteplase, show promise but require further study. Other potential treatments that require further research and evaluation include novel thrombolytics to break up clots and novel neuroprotectants (substances capable of preserving brain function and structure) for use in tandem with other therapies to restore blood flow in the blocked artery.

Because of the potential for future strokes or even heart attacks, patients should undergo urgent screening and treatment of vascular risk factors. The writing committee notes that the complexities of diagnosing and treating CRAOs require a team of specialists working together. Secondary prevention (including monitoring for complications) must be a collaborative effort between neurologists, ophthalmologists, cardiologists and primary care clinicians. Risk factor modification includes lifestyle and pharmacological interventions.

Explore further Steps outlined to reduce the risk of stroke during, after heart surgery

More information: Brian Mac Grory et al, Management of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association, Stroke (2021). Journal information: Stroke Brian Mac Grory et al, Management of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association,(2021). DOI: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000366
A Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway employee on March 3 was crushed to death between two trains at the companys transit hub located near the border of La Mirada and Buena Park in Southern California.

According to the Orange County Fire Authority, rescue workers found the victim mangled in the rail yard shortly after midnight and declared him dead at the scene. While the workers identity has not been released as of the time of this writing, it was reported that he was in his 40s.

The National Transportation Safety Board issued a statement on Twitter later that morning announcing that three investigators were expected to arrive on the scene shortly.

BNSF engine. (Image Credit: Wikipedia/Augy8400)

In an unrelated incident about 12 hours later, a BNSF freight train derailed near the Mojave Desert community of Ludlow, California, roughly 120 miles away from the earlier incident.

The train was traveling from Kansas City to Barstow with mixed freight when 44 cars derailed and a tank car carrying denatured alcohol leaked several thousand gallons of the highly flammable liquid, which is often used as a solvent and camping stove fuel.

According to the US Department of Transportations Federal Railroad Administration, there were 21,061 accidents involving BNSF between 1996when BNSF was established by the merging of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and Burlington Northern Railroadand 2020.

Over the last 25 years, BNSF has been involved in 3,102 fatalities, including 82 employee-on-duty deaths, and 25,031 other injuries, involving a staggering 15,903 employees.

When all other American rail companies are included, the total number of accidents jumps to 126,420 between 1996 and 2020, with 21,148 fatalities and 236,329 injuries, including 492 employee deaths and 136,464 employee injuries.

The number of accidents, fatalities, and injuries in the US compared to the total amount of rail miles traveled exceeds those of most other highly industrialized nations. While there undoubtedly are several factors that have led to this carnage, a determining cause has been the deregulation of the rail industry coupled with a lack of extensive rail modernization and investment in safety protocols.

The rail industryincluding both passenger and freighthas enacted cost cutting measures wherever possible to keep profitability high.

Historically, there was a relatively steady decrease in occupational fatalities in the United States through 2009, before the trend reversal began showing its effects.

According to the US Department of Labors Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 129,426 occupational fatalities between 1996 and 2019. The highest number of fatalities in a given year during that time period was 6,238 in 1997, while the lowest number was 4,551 in 2009. That number has steadily risen since 2009 to 5,333 fatalities in 2019.

The steady increase in deaths correlates with the decrease in regulations. Many of these were put into place during previous stages of the class struggle, and undoubtedly saved countless lives. The turning point was the ICC Termination Act of 1995, which abolished the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) created as the regulatory agency by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887.

Companies complain that the costs of regulation are too high. They spend millions bribing public officials and propagandizing for deregulation. The unions and Democratic Party politicians are willing accomplices.

Workers lives must no longer be put on the line to increase the profits of companies. That can only be accomplished when the working class mobilizes independently of the capitalist two-party system and its toadies in the trade unions and takes up the mantle of the revolutionary fight against the capitalist system.

Workers should follow the lead of educators and autoworkers by establishing their own organizations, rank-and-file committees, to fight for increased occupational safety, including the homicidal back-to-work drive before the end of the pandemic. We urge railroad workers to send information about workplace conditions and the join the fight for rank-and-file safety committees.
Ghanas only Tier IV data centre has reportedly been bought by fund management group African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), which now promises to make the former Etix facility the largest data centre in the country.

According to the Datacenter Dynamics website, the fund, together with the management team of Onix Data Centres Ltd, described as the most advanced Tier 4 data centre in Europe, have acquired a majority stake in Ngoya Etix DC (Ghana) Ltd, a carrier-neutral data centre with a current capacity of 170 racks (expandable to 680 racks).

Ngoya Etix DC was a joint venture between European global data centre developer and operator Etix Everywhere and investment trusts Ngoya and Africa Investment Group (AIG). The Accra facility was first announced in late 2017.

The facility in the Greater Accra region is the only Uptime Institute-certified Tier IV data centre in the country. As part of the deal, made via AIIMs flagship AIIF3 pan-African infrastructure fund, the facility will be expanded into what AIIM promises will be the largest in the country. It will be renamed Onix Accra 1.

Connectivity will be provided by Vodafone, Comsys Holdings Corp and CSquared Innovations Inc. Onix DC also has plans to install an internet exchange point (IXP) in the facility. The redeveloped centre will be partly powered by solar energy.

African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) develops and manages private equity infrastructure funds designed to invest long-term institutional unlisted equity in African infrastructure projects.

AIIM actively manages investments in East, West and Southern Africa and has equity under management of $2.0 billion, with a track record extending across seven African infrastructure funds.
Sanaa, March 8 : Yemen's Houthi militia has confirmed attacking Saudi Aramco facilities with eight ballistic missiles and 14 bomb-laden drones, an official of the rebel group said.

"The attack targeted Aramco facilities in Ras al-Tannura port in Dammam region and other targets in the regions of Asir and Jazan," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by the group's al-Masirah TV on Sunday.

He vowed that his group would continue attacking Saudi Arabia as long as the war and blockade continue on Yemen, reports Xinhua news agency.

Last November, the Houthis had claimed of attacking Aramco's distribution station in Jeddah, but it was not officially confirmed by Saudi Arabia.

Earlier on Sunday, the Saudi-led coalition launched a series of airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled military sites in Yemen's capital Sanaa, local residents witnessed.

The strikes hit the 1st Division Camp, Maintenance Camp and the 4th Brigade in downtown Sanaa, as well as the Attan site in the southern part of the capital.

The airstrikes came as a response to the Houthis' intensified cross-border drone and missile attacks on Saudi cities.

The Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television reported that the Saudi-led coalition forces had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired by the Houthi militia towards Saudi region of Jazan, as well as 12 explosive-laden drones.

The coalition made no comment on the other alleged Houthi attacks on the Aramco facilities.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized control of several northern Yemeni provinces and forced the internationally-recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of Sanaa.

The Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in 2015 to support Hadi's government.
Many Oregon children and teens whove suffered learning losses and mental health impacts from prolonged school closures will get summer learning and enrichment opportunities thanks to substantial grants to be doled out this spring, Gov. Kate Brown and the leaders of the Oregon House and Senate said Monday.

They plan to have the Legislature allocate $250 million in state funds and $75 million from the federal government to fund the summer programming, they said.

The past year has been hard on Oregon kids and their caregiversespecially working mothersin so many ways, Brown said in a statement. As COVID-19 recedes from our communities, its time to bring back the summer enrichment programs that spark joy, foster creativity, and encourage healing for our children, who have persevered through adversities few generations have faced at their age.

State leaders said they will put a particular emphasis on getting the money to school districts and community programs that will cater to Black and Indigenous children and teens and other students and preschoolers of color.

The governor has been under pressure from parents, Republicans and some child advocates to get teens and children back into classrooms and back in front of teachers, counselors and school social workers, all of whom have been given priority access to vaccines. Some young people are faring very poorly in the pandemic yet the governor has prioritized reopening restaurants, bars, gyms and hair salons ahead of schools, they have complained.

Todays announcement comes on top of Fridays, in which the governor directed schools to reopen to all elementary students the week of March 29 and to all middle and high school students three weeks later. At those stages, schools could limit in-person learning to just a few hours a week in a hybrid mix of physical and online teaching.

Given that Oregon has more than 600,000 students in high school and younger, not all students will be included in summer programming, as the funding would amount to about $400 per child or teen -- not enough to provide substantial learning or enrichment options.

The offices of Brown, House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney said the powerful trio have specifically committed to securing passage of the following five components of a summer learning package:

Summer academic and enrichment: $90 million. School districts and their partner organizations could use these grants for a wide range of enrichment activities for students in kindergarten through grade eight. Options could include outdoor activities, performing arts, robotics and other instructional activities. Programs could include mental health supports. Culturally-specific and relevant opportunities would have to include all children, including those with disabilities and those who do not speak English fluently. Schools will be encouraged to partner with culturally-specific community organizations.

High school academic support: $72 million. As schools work to reopen prior to summer, there will be particular logistical challenges to returning high school students to in-person instruction. In many districts, they will be among the last students to return to classrooms. These academic support grants will allow school districts to offer summer school to help high school students who have fallen behind in credits over the past school year. This summer programming may also include enrichment and social-emotional support.

Summer activity: $40 million: These grants would allow community organizations to provide enrichment activities for students, such as day camps and park programs.

School-based child care: $30 million: These grants would be used by high-poverty elementary schools and tribes to partner with community-based providers to provide wraparound child care servicesincluding health and wellness, mental and behavioral health and nutritious food  for K-8 students participating in summer enrichment and academic programming. Grants will prioritize low-income working families.

Early childhood programs: $13 million: These funds would help Early Learning Division grantees continue providing services to Oregon preschools through the summer. The programs include Oregon prekindergarten, Preschool Promise and the Early Childhood Equity Fund.

-- Betsy Hammond; betsyhammond@oregonian.com; @ChalkUp
PHILIPSBURG:--- Peridot Foundation states: Until further notice, enjoy life as it is and celebrate every moment.

Facing challenges is nothing new as the world commemorates International Womens Day on March 8, 2021. The past year was dominated by the Covid- 19 world-pandemic and the hardships created in its path of destruction. The United Nations theme justifiably places the spot-light on this virus as it threatens to set back achievements made by women and men over many decades in the social, academic, cultural, economic, and political arena. How can women be equal partners in decision-making processes, especially in policy-making in a Covid-19 world?

The underlying theme of this year is: #Choose to Challenge. Taking specific policy actions to halt the setbacks at the same time create new opportunities requires a partnership between government and civic society together making a conscious decision to move forward.

Arrindell continues and said: In order to conquer the challenges caused by the current pandemic and emerge successfully we must commit to pool our resources, creativity, human and financial capabilities. Its equally imperative to invest in research and development with the objective to establish policies to elevate and strengthen women in society regardless of social standing or financial position. For example, we must resort to collect reliable, up to date, and consistent data about how Covid-19 affects women for example:

1. Let us begin at the workplace. How many women have been laid off? How many women returned to work and under what conditions. Were women laid off in higher proportion than men? How many women returned to work and under what conditions? How many women remain unemployed. How many women have been retrained and started their own businesses under the specific Dutch Trust-fund and other related programs?

2. Financial/economic: challenges: what is the percentage of women-owned businesses closed permanently due to the government-mandated shutdown? How many women re-opened their doors and under what conditions. What type of businesses are most affected negatively? What is the number of new businesses established by women in spite of the pandemic?

3. Personal circumstances: is there an increase in violence against women at home and or in the workplace? If yes, how many women are affected and how are they assisted in the aftermath of such incidents?

Peridot Foundation concludes and states: collecting information in order to have reliable data gives policy- and decision-makers the right tools to plan and introduce effective short, mid and long- term projects and programs that elevate individual woman by extension make our society stronger

Finally: We take this opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude to the Community Centry-Hill Foundation who commissioned Mr. Micheal Maghiro for the repair of the statue: GUARDING LOVED ONES YOU MAY LOOSE located at the Church- hill roundabout. Wishing everyone Happy International Womens Day March 8, 2021.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Evidence from underwater landslides during New Zealand's 2016 Kaikoura earthquake could help scientists better understand the world's largest, tsunami-generating quakes.

Researchers from New Zealand's Te Herenga WakaVictoria University of Wellington, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), GNS Science, and University of Auckland, and Kyoto University in Japan, have verified theories that specific details of pre-historic subduction-zone quakes may be shown by the extent of seafloor sediments.

Their paper in Nature Geoscience, shows the magnitude 7.8 Kaikoura quake on 14 November 2016 triggered landslides that evolved into bottom-hugging mud slurries that ran out far beyond the original landslide.

They ultimately deposited material in layers called turbidites in 10 consecutive canyons along a 200-kilometer stretch of the Hikurangi subduction margin, from Marlborough through Cook Strait to the southern Wairarapa coast.

Lead author Dr. Jamie Howarth, a senior lecturer in Victoria University of Wellington's School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, says the research is groundbreaking and may help with seismic-hazard forecasting. It is supported by New Zealand's EQC (Earthquake Commission) and a Marsden Fund grant.

"Our research demonstrates for the first time that the distributions of turbidites along subduction zones faithfully records the spatial extent of strong ground motions during earthquakes," says Dr. Howarth. "It confirms turbidites preserved in sediment cores can be reliably used to reconstruct past earthquakes, their fault-rupture directions, and amplification of earthquake ground motions.

"It provides evidence that turbidites may act as 'natural seismometers' and paves the way for using turbidites preserved in sediment cores to determine the direction of rupture and spatial variability of ground motions during pre-historic earthquakes. Both are essential elements for reliable seismic hazard forecasting but up to now have been difficult or impossible to infer from the geological record."

The triggering investigated in the study occurred along the Hikurangi margin from about 15km southeast of the rupture tip in the Conway trough, south of Kaikoura, to about 120km north of the rupture tip, between the Pahaoa and Honeycomb canyons off the southern Wairarapa coast.

Subduction zones generate the world's largest and most destructive earthquakes. The March 2011 magnitude 9.0 Tohoku earthquake in the Japan Trench and subsequent tsunami killed 15,897 people and caused US$360 billion of damage.

Dr. Howarth says that, as these large earthquakes are rare on human timescales, forecasting their occurrence requires evidence from long geological records.

"Turbidites in marine sediment cores produce arguably the longest and most complete records of subduction-zone earthquakes around the globe, but the use of them in forecasting has been vigorously debated by earthquake scientists, as there are few examples where the relationship between the fault(s) that rupture in an earthquake, the spatial extent of strong shaking, and the deposition of turbidites has been observed.

"The work has global relevance and is also particularly relevant for New Zealand because it shows that turbidites are reliable recorders of past earthquakes on the Hikurangi margin, New Zealand's largest potentially hazardous source of large quakes."

NIWA marine geologist and co-author Dr. Alan Orpin says the widespread evidence of localized submarine landsliding and turbidites offers "a rare opportunity" to test some fundamental assumptions from one of the best monitored earthquakes in history.

"We can now explore older turbidites collected from the Hikurangi margin to assess if they too represent previous earthquakes and how widely they were felt by the seascape."

GNS Science seismologist and co-author Dr. Yoshihiro Kaneko says the study has elegantly explained the movement of turbidity currents using advanced simulations of seafloor shaking.

"Initially, scientists were puzzled that turbidites were triggered as far as 120km from the rupture but none were seen at close range. However, this unexpected pattern correlates nicely with ground-shaking intensity controlled by the earthquake rupturing from south to north and the presence of softer sediments along the Hikurangi margin."

Explore further Signs of ancient earthquakes may raise risks for New Zealand

More information: Jamie D. Howarth et al. Calibrating the marine turbidite palaeoseismometer using the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake, Nature Geoscience (2021). Journal information: Nature Geoscience Jamie D. Howarth et al. Calibrating the marine turbidite palaeoseismometer using the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-021-00692-6
Chennai: Actor and politician Kamal Haasan urged women to follow, speak about and play an active role in politics, citing how Mahatma Gandhi's movement owed its success to brave women. "Politics affects women, hence you must have an effect on politics" he urged the ladies. The veteran actor was addressing women achievers from various streams on the occasion of International Women's day.

In response to a specially challenged woman Advocate, who requested that Kamal Haasan's party should ensure that their campaign and campaign material be accessible and inclusive, Haasan assured that his party has taken the first step towards inclusivity of challenged persons. He added that once their party comes to power, they will have an MLA from the specially challenged community.

"Our party takes pride in having made the unprecedented announcement about providing income to Homemakers. We are giving you income and feel that you have a part in the GDP", he said, adding that how Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor had welcomed the announcement and wished that all parties followed suit.

Taking a dig at the DMK's vision document that was unveiled on Sunday, Haasan said that Universal income for women was now being taken seriously by all parties. As soon as the DMK document was shared, Haasan had accused the Dravidian party of ripping off his idea and making a mention of basic income for women.

In a veiled attack on DMK President MK Stalin's campaign song - "Stalindhaan Vaaraaru" (Stalin is only coming to power), Kamal said that these days dacoits came with a prior announcement.

Live TV

Further hitting out at the DMK for plagiarising his idea, Haasan said, "To insult M Karunanidhi, one just needs to say MK Stalin. You know what it means".

Speaking of his political view and career he said, "I once took part in protests against Hindi imposition, but didn't know that I myself would later act in Hindi films. Back In the day, it seemed right to protest against it, as the politics of the was such. But today instead of fighting against Hindi, I would say long-live Tamil" Let Tamil also flourish, said the actor.
Washington, March 8 : ` US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has proposed a UN-led peace conference in a letter to Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on the war-torn country's prolonged issue, according to media reports.

In the February 28 dated letter to Ghani, Blinken proposed the conference in Turkey "to discuss a unified approach to supporting peace in Afghanistan", Xinhua news agency quoted The New York Times, which obtained a copy of the proposals, as saying in a report on Sunday.

Envoys from the US, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran and India would attend the proposed conference, according to the report.

The proposals included a road map for a future Afghan government with Taliban representation; a revised constitution; and terms for a permanent and comprehensive cease-fire.

Blinken noted in the letter that the US had not decided to pull out the remaining about 2,500 troops from Afghanistan by May, but expressed concerns that "the Taliban could make rapid territorial gains" following an American withdrawal.

The report said the existence of the letter, which was first reported by Afghanistan's TOLO News, was confirmed by a US official in Washington and the Afghan government.

However, a State Department spokesperson on Sunday declined to comment on the letter, saying: "We have not made any decisions about our force posture in Afghanistan after May 1. All options remain on the table." The US and the Taliban signed an agreement in February 2020, which called for a full withdrawal of American military forces from the conflict-ridden country by May 2021 if the militant group meets the conditions of the deal, including severing ties with other terrorist organisations.

The administration of President Joe Biden had noted that the Taliban had not met its commitment under the US-Taliban deal.

The war in Afghanistan, which has caused about 2,400 US military deaths, is the longest one in American history.
Rhea Chakraborty Returns To Social Media On Women's Day With A Special Post For Her Mother: My Strength, My Faith, My Fortitude

Actress Rhea Chakraborty made her return to social media with a special post dedicated to her mother on the occasion of International Womens Day. The Chehre actress and her family have been facing investigation from multiple government agencies looking into her boyfriend Sushant Singh Singh Rajputs death in June 2020. She has scarcely been active on social media since she was named as the prime accused by the late actors family.

Rhea posted a picture of her holding her mother Sandhya Chakrabortys hand and wrote, Happy Womens Day to us .. Maa and me .. together forever ... my strength, my faith, my fortitude - my Maa. Her post saw support from several of her fans who applauded her for her strength in the comment section. Suzanne Khan and Shibani Dandekar also showered love on the post posting several heart emojis.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rhea Chakraborty (@rhea_chakraborty)

The actress is expected to resume work this year but was found mysteriously missing from the recent announcement poster of her film Chehre which also features Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi leading several fans to believe that she might have been edited out of the project.

Currently out on bail along with her brother after the NCB arrested them last year for allegedly supplying drugs to the late actor, Rhea has been spotted around town a few times where she tried to avoid all media attention.
Then there are the books we once put on a pedestal which in part now make us cringe  like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which uses the word n---er more than 200 times (arguably to point out racism), or The Secret Garden , in which the main character retorts that natives are not people. Changing times, changing mores. But do we delete the books altogether?

Censorship of books has always been controversial. Australia banned Aldous Huxleys Brave New World in the 1930s primarily for obscenity, but it has since been judged one of the greatest books of the 20th century and has featured in the HSC syllabus for advanced English.

If I Ran the Zoo is one of the Dr Seuss books that will no longer be published.

The 19th century libertarian John Stuart Mill claimed that censorship robbed the human race of the opportunity to grow. In his view, when you suppress an opinion, you suppress a debate; you steal an opportunity for existing and future generations to learn and be corrected.

Most parents would struggle to see any offence in Seuss furry characters and whacky worlds, depicted in books like Green Eggs and Ham and The Lorax. For decades, these stories have been an intriguing door to reading for young children around the world.

But the National Education Association in the United States, which has traditionally run Seuss-heavy book weeks, started to disassociate itself with the author a few years ago. As well as the racist depictions, such as a Chinese man in And to Think I saw it on Mulberry Street, and grass-skirted Africans in If I Ran the Zoo, a study in 2019 determined that only 2 per cent of Seuss human characters were non-white and all were presented as inferior.

Danny DeVito and Zac Efron read The Lorax to school children at American book week in 2012. Credit:AP

There are justifiable concerns about exposing young children to offensive stereotypes. Children are already aware of bias and difference by the age of three or four because they take their cues from the world around them and the consistent patterns of behaviour they see. So we have to be careful about the material we present to them  and how we present it.

It is critical that we give children the opportunity to read and absorb all sorts of stories, featuring different types of protagonists. It is especially important that children from minority groups see themselves portrayed in a positive light in books they read. The efforts of publishers over the past few years to embrace childrens books that feature main characters who arent straight white boys is welcome and refreshing.
New Delhi, March 8 : Before Elon Musk-led Tesla finally makes its India entry, ride-hailing platform Ola on Monday announced world's largest two-wheeler manufacturing facility called Ola FutureFactory that will have annual production capacity of one crore vehicles and will be operational by 2022.

The factory will generate 10,000 direct employment, along with additional jobs being created by Ola vendors and suppliers.

According to Bhavish Aggarwal, Chairman and Group CEO, the Phase 1 will be ready with initial annual capacity of two million around June this year.

Built over 500 acres in Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu, the facility will roll out one scooter every two seconds at full capacity, Aggarwal told mediapersons.

"It will have 10 production lines running at full capacity. It will be the most advanced two-wheeler factory with 3,000 AI-powered robots built on Industry 4.0 principles," he said.

It will be an integrated manufacturing facility, addressing all needs from battery to finished goods.

Ola Electric has also released first teaser visuals of the much-anticipated electric scooter.

The announcement came as Tesla made its official to enter the country and chose Karnataka over Tamil Nadu to firm up its roll-out plans.

Ola Electric last year acquired the Netherlands-based Etergo BV, an innovative electric scooter company known for its award-winning AppScooter for an undisclosed sum, and announced its foray into the premium electric two-wheeler market, both globally and nationally.

"With electric, digitally connected capabilities, two-wheelers will further emerge as the most preferred urban mobility paradigm around the world and empower every consumer. We look forward to building the best global capabilities in engineering, design, and manufacturing for these products to be made here in India," Aggarwal had said.

With European design, strong engineering collaboration and Indian manufacturing and supply chain, Ola Electric said it aims to transform the over 100 million-strong global two-wheeler market, including more than 20-million Indian two-wheeler market, into a clean energy, digital future.

The company has plans to set up extensive charging and swapping networks around the country.

Ola Electric is also working with India's leading power distribution companies towards developing a conducive EV ecosystem through the establishment of battery swapping and charging stations in New Delhi.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
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Underwriters Laboratories selects Dr. Christopher J. Cramer as senior vice president and chief research officer. Tweet this

Cramer was named to the position following a national search and will officially transition into his role as chief research officer of Underwriters Laboratories in June. "I have always been inspired by the public service mission of the University of Minnesota, and seeing that value mirrored in Underwriters Laboratories' own commitment to benefit society through its dedication to advancing public safety was a key factor that drew me to this new opportunity," said Cramer. "The ever-increasing pace of technological change requires a nimble expansion of fundamental research designed to ensure that safety can be engineered into every step of product development, manufacturing and usage, and I'm terrifically excited to lead Underwriters Laboratories' ambitious effort to dramatically grow their research endeavors in this fashion."

In his current role as vice president for research at the University of Minnesota, Cramer oversees research programs, support and services exceeding $1 billion per year across the university's five campuses. He manages the systemwide research enterprise, helps develop innovative approaches to enhance research productivity and supports new areas for research in collaboration with university leadership. A dedicated educator and scholar in the field of theoretical chemistry, Cramer is a recipient of the American Chemical Society's 2021 Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award. He is a fellow of the American Chemical Society, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation.

Cramer joined the University of Minnesota in 1992 and, among his many accomplishments, served as editor-in-chief of the scholarly journal Theoretical Chemistry Accounts from 1997-2014. He held the role of associate editor for the Journal of Physical Organic Chemistry from 1997 to 2018.

Cramer earned his A.B. from Washington University in St. Louis and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He served for four years as an officer in the United States Army and is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm.

About Underwriters Laboratories

Underwriters Laboratories is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the UL public safety mission through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.

We fund our work through grants, the licensing of standards documents and the business activities of our wholly owned subsidiary, UL Inc., which also advances our shared mission through testing, verification and certification, training and advisory services, data-driven reporting and decision-making tools for customers around the world. For more information about Underwriters Laboratories, visit UL.org. For more information about UL Inc., visit UL.com.

SOURCE Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

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NSU swim coach Monanian moving on after four seasons

Monanian moves on to Purdue after accepting an assistant position at their program.
TORONTO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc. ("Supreme Cannabis" or the "Company") (TSX: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) (FRA: 53S1) today announced that it has launched THC gummies under its sugarleaf brand. The first variety, Strawberry Peach, is being shipped to cannabis retailers in British Columbia, Saskatchwan, Alberta Manitoba and PEI, and is expected to be available by the end of March.

"Gummies are a great addition to our product line," said Beena Goldenberg, President and CEO of Supreme Cannabis. "They are the most in-demand product in the edibles category by both novice and experienced users. We expect sugarleaf gummies will be well-received by consumers for their fresh strawberry peach flavour and that they are vegan-friendly."

Sugarleaf's gummies are expertly-crafted to ensure precise delivery of THC in a convenient gummy format. Each sugarleaf gummy is a delicious combination of natural strawberry and peach flavours and contains a consistent dose of 2.5 milligrams of THC. Each package includes 4 gummies, for a total of 10 milligrams of THC per package.

The introduction of sugarleaf gummies complements the roster of new products recently introduced by Supreme, including large format flower and pre-rolls from Hiway, Pur Cloud CBD 510 vape kit and cartridge by Blissco, and Pink Kush and Ice Cream Cake strains from 7ACRES Craft Collective.

"We will continue to look for opportunities to expand our product line to deliver the variety and excitement that cannabis consumers are seeking," added Ms. Goldenberg. "We currently have products available to serve the broad spectrum of cannabis consumers  from novice and experienced users, connoisseurs, to those looking for value pricing. This line-up has helped us secure our position as a top10 Canadian Cannabis Company  according to the analytics firm Headset."

About Supreme Cannabis.

The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc., (TSX: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) (FRA: 53S1), is a global diversified portfolio of distinct cannabis companies, products and brands. Since 2014, the Company has emerged as one of the world's most premium producers of recreational, wholesale and medical cannabis products.

Supreme Cannabis' portfolio of brands caters to diverse consumer and patient experiences, with brands and products that address recreational, wellness, medical and new consumer preferences. The Company's recreational brand portfolio includes, 7ACRES, 7ACRES Craft Collective, Blissco , sugarleaf, and Hiway. Supreme Cannabis addresses national and international medical cannabis opportunities through its premium Truverra brand.

Supreme Cannabis' brands are backed by a focused suite of world-class operating assets that serve key functions in the value chain, including, scaled cultivation, value-add processing, automated packaging and product testing and R&D. Follow the Company on Instagram , Twitter, Facebook , LinkedIn and YouTube.

We simply grow better.

Forward-Looking Information.

Certain statements made in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to anticipated events or results and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as "anticipates", "believes", "targets", "estimates", "plans", "expects", "may", "will", "could" or "would". In this press release, forward-looking information and statements relate to, among other things, the expected availability of the Company's THC gummies. Forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is 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.

SOURCE The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.supreme.ca/


Members of the National Guard stand behind a barbed wire fence perimeter surrounding the Hennepin County Government Center before jury selection begins at the trial of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, on March 8, 2021. (Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images)

Jury Selection Delayed in Derek Chauvin Trial

Jury selection was delayed Monday in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter in the May 2020 death of George Floyd.

The delay is until at least Tuesday, reported local outlets. It stems from prosecutors requesting that an appeals court impose a hold on the selection as higher courts decide whether they can add a third-degree murder charge.

Informed of the request, Judge Peter Cahill sent potential jurors home.

Once selection does start, it will take no more than three weeks, according to a court order.

During the selection, lawyers for Chauvin will have 15 challenges to prospective jurors. State prosecutors will have nine.

In an image from video, then-Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin kneels on the neck of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 25, 2020. (Darnella Frazier via AP)

Potential jurors are not being referred to by name in a bid to keep their identities shielded.

The selection will start at 9 a.m. each day in the Hennepin County Government Center. One member of Floyds family is allowed to be present during the trial; relatives can rotate through the position. The same restrictions apply to Chauvins family.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, few spectators are being allowed inside the courtroom, and only two media workers are being allowed to watch in person. All spectators and potential jurors must wear masks and comply with social distancing requirements.

Chauvin was one of four officers involved in the arrest of Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020. Officers were called at 8:08 p.m. after he allegedly used a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store.

Chauvin, the highest-ranking officer present, held Floyd on the ground by using his knee to pin his neck after other officers failed to get Floyd inside a patrol vehicle. Officers said Floyd resisted; Floyd claimed he did not, but said he didnt want to get inside the vehicle because he was claustrophobic.

After 7 to 9 minutes of being pinned to the ground, Floyd ceased breathing and speaking, according to the criminal complaint filed against Chauvin.

Floyd was rushed to a hospital and declared dead.

Protesters raise their fists and chant after a march a day before jury selection is scheduled to begin for the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis policeman accused of killing George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minn., on March 7, 2021. (Nicholas Pfosi/Reuters)

The countys medical examiner in an autopsy concluded that Floyd died from cardiopulmonary arrest while being restrained by officers. Testing revealed Floyd, who had a history of heart disease, had fentanyl and methamphetamines in his system. The examiner opined that the underlying health conditions and presence of drugs contributed to the death, and ruled the manner of death homicide.

The murder and manslaughter charges stem from Chauvin causing Floyds death by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life, prosecutors wrote in the complaint.

Chauvins lawyers have argued that the state hasnt shown probable cause to sustain the charges.

The three other former officers are being tried later this year on lesser counts.

Floyds death triggered protests and riots across the nation, including in Minneapolis. People asserted the death was an example of systemic police brutality.

Thousands of protesters marched in the city on Sunday, carrying a fake coffin and chanting no justice, no peace, a common refrain from the Black Lives Matter movement. Others held banners, including one that stated I cant breathe. Floyd uttered those words while being pinned to the ground.

People carry a casket covered in roses during a march in honor of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn., on March 7, 2021. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, right, addresses reporters outside the Hennepin County Family Justice Center in Minneapolis, on Sept. 11, 2020. (Jim Mone/AP Photo)

Social media accounts linked to the far-left Antifa network are threatening riots if Chauvin isnt convicted, Antifa expert Andy Ngo reported on Sunday. The states attorney general, former Democrat Rep. Keith Ellison, has in the past expressed support for Antifa.

Minnesota officials have worked for eight months to prepare for the trial and its aftermath, including activating the National Guard in Minneapolis and nearby areas.

The trials of Chauvin and the other officers have raised the potential of civil unrest, Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, wrote in a recent executive order.

Workers also erected barricades around the courthouse and other buildings in anticipation of unrest.

The planning is guided by two core principles, prevention of damage to property and crimes, as well as also ensuring First Amendment constitutional rights for those who wish to peacefully gather and assemble and demonstrate, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo told reporters on March 1.

Michael Paul, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Minneapolis Field Office, said there are no current credible or specific threats.

However, we know from experience that the threat environment and the threat picture evolves daily, he added. This is a fluid time of heightened rhetoric, and publicized and politicized information across social media and the internet. Threats can transition from aspirational to operational very quickly. And our job will be to sift through the threatening communications to determine which are true indicators of an escalation towards criminal activity or violence. If and when the threats cross this threshold, FBI Minneapolis will work hard with the partners you see in front of you here today to disrupt and mitigate them before violence occurs.
Upon completion, the company will be well-funded with about $7.95 million in cash.

Cellmids anti-ageing hair care brands are being sold in Australia, Japan, the US, China, Germany and the UK.

Cellmid Ltd ( ) is raising up to $3.8 million via a renounceable rights issue to fund its recently initiated Chinese distribution agreements, as well as explore additional product and market opportunities for its anti-ageing beauty technologies.

Upon completion, the company will be well-funded with about $7.95 million in cash.

Details of the offer

Under the offer, eligible shareholders will be offered two new shares for every five shares held as at 5.00pm (EST) on March 11, 2021.

For every two new shares issued, investors will receive one free attaching new option, with an exercise price of $0.18 and a term of two years from the date of issue.

Cellmid will apply for the new shares and new options to be quoted on the ASX.

The rights issue price represents a discount of 26% to the companys 30 day volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of 10.16 cents.

This renounceable rights issue is open to all eligible shareholders who have a registered address within Australia or New Zealand, and who hold shares on the record date.

The rights issue will close on March 26, 2021, unless extended, and eligible shareholders can apply for shortfall in excess of their entitlement.

Shareholders can also trade their rights from Wednesday, March 10, 2021, until the close of trading on March 19, 2021.

Partly underwritten

Mahe Capital Pty Ltd advised on the issue and acts as lead manager and underwriter.

The issue is partially underwritten to $3 million by Mahe.

The underwritten amount of $3 million includes a sub-underwriting of $388,877.70 by non-executive director Dennis Eck.

Eck is a resident of the US and as such, is not eligible to participate in the rights issue.

The amount of his sub-underwriting represents that amount that he would have been entitled to, had he been resident in Australia.

Eck has waived any right to a sub-underwriting fee.

All other directors intend to participate.

Well-funded

On completion, the company will be well-funded with about $7.95 million cash, which will be used to increase sales of its consumer health products into China under its distribution agreements, broaden the product portfolio, and increase digital marketing activities with the view to grow subscriber numbers.

It will also allow the company to pursue other markets for its anti-ageing consumer products.

Cellmids anti-ageing haircare brands are being sold in Australia, Japan, the US, China, Germany and the UK under the brands evolis, Jo-Ju and Lexilis.

In addition to pursuing revenue growth from its existing markets, the companys key objective is to achieve operational profitability for the full 2022 financial year by building a substantial direct-to-consumer business (e-commerce) and from growing revenue in China through existing distributors and new partnerships.

Initial orders have recently been shipped under the distribution agreements with Chinese distributors Ourui Health Management Limited and Aeon International.

Cellmid will continue to pursue other product and market opportunities for its own brands while exploring potential licensing of its anti-ageing technologies.
Presidente @FSagasti: Valoramos iniciativas como @Barrio_Seguro, liderada por el @MininterPeru, que tiene por objetivo mejorar las condiciones de seguridad y convivencia pacifica en los territorios focalizados con mayores indices de violencia y de criminalidad.#8M2021 pic.twitter.com/grgob19cFY
SALZBURG, Austria and COLOGNE, Germany, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 14th time, EHI has selected the winners of the reta awards, those companies with the best ideas for technologies in retail. The winners will be announced today via video at the EHI Innovation Days, powered by EuroCIS. For the first time, there will be an award in the new category "Best AI and Robotics Application" with which Checklens, an A.I. company from Salzburg, Austria, will be honoured as "Top Supplier Retail 2021". In cooperation with Diebold Nixdorf, Checklens has developed an AI-based system for IKEA that automatically detects scanning errors at the SCO checkouts. A smart camera above the self-checkout area detects each individual product and notifies the customer via the POS software if a product has not been scanned. The system can currently recognise more than 15,000 IKEA products.

"We are very excited that IKEA has been recognised for the success of our solutions at the self-checkout station. Scan verification and correct transactions increase the profitability of each of our clients' stores, and the shopping experience is also significantly improved - fewer errors and less stress at the self-checkout make shopping faster and more pleasant," says Co-CEO Armin Hamzic. The scan verification also brings many advantages for the employees of the companies: "Employees can thus focus on the valuable and positive customer interactions such as consultations. This increases satisfaction while the number of critical interventions with shoppers decreases," says Felix Koppl, Co-Founder of Checklens.

The EHI Retail Institute in Cologne presents the reta awards annually in 5 categories to three companies each. A prominent jury of representatives from industry, science and research selects the winners from numerous submissions.

https://checklens.ai/photos/.

Contact: Konstantin Heiller, Vice-President Sales & Marketing, Tel: +43 650 202 93 93, [email protected]

Publisher: Checklens GmbH, Strubergasse 26, 5020 Salzburg, Austria, www.checklens.ai

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/checklens

About Checklens GmbH

At Checklens, we help retailers to improve the shopping experience for their customers: our artificial intelligence (A.I.)-based visual product recognition enables a smooth and frictionless shopping experience. For example, our smart cameras recognise products in-store to help shoppers self-scan. Checklens is one of the fastest growing A.I. technology companies in Europe with offices in Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Russian Federation. Our international team consists of more than 100 experts in computer vision, data engineering and software engineering and we count the top retailers in Europe among our customers, with installations in Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Belgium and Sweden.

SOURCE Checklens GmbH
As others have pointed out, an independent investigation is perhaps the only way Porter, or someone in his position, could get natural justice in circumstances such as these. Porter has said that he doesnt see what more he could say to an investigation. Be that as it may, the reality is that while some believed his denials, others did not. Everyone seems to agree that the current situation is deplorable. And it is difficult to see how can we have an inquiry into the general culture in Parliament without addressing the allegations against our top law officer. Second, we need to dispel the apparent confusion between criminal processes, and all the other ways that we can and should handle allegations of misconduct. The calls for an investigation are not about a criminal proceeding. No one is threatening to deprive Porter of his liberty, as is sometimes the case in a criminal trial.

This is not about jail; its about a job. Lets agree that no one has a right to hold public office. It is a privilege. The public deserves the best possible representation. That is why conduct that falls far short of a crime can still disqualify a person from public office. Any inquiry into the allegations against Christian Porter would be to examine his fitness to do his job, not to send him to jail. Credit:SMH Yet when it comes to allegations of sexual misconduct, some apply the far higher standard of the criminal law, arguing that a person cannot lose their job unless it is proved that they have committed a crime. Allegations of sexual misconduct can be criminal matters, but they can also be professional, employment, and reputational issues  including the reputation of an institution.

Many have echoed the Attorney-Generals fear that, if we establish an investigation into these claims, then anyones career could be destroyed by a mere allegation. Its worth remembering that the Heydon investigation was not a public inquiry. An investigation does not have to be a show trial, as many seem to be suggesting. This appears to me to be a deliberate red herring. There is a lot of daylight between saying that the only way to deal with an allegation is to refer it to the police versus allowing trial by media. We have recent examples that give us some ideas for constructive ways to proceed, including from a co-equal branch of government. Why should we accept that our Parliament is held to lower standards than our courts or, indeed, the private sector? Also, this focus on how investigations could impact the subjects of allegations has overshadowed the important role investigations could play for the alleged victims. Porter may not have anything to add to his public comments, but that shouldnt preclude others from having a responsible forum where they can have their say.

In this case, an investigation would serve as the only way that the alleged victims story could be heard  albeit, tragically, in her absence. Being heard matters for her friends, family, and countless others. It mattered to me as a witness, in a different context. Loading So much about sexual misconduct involves transferring shame and fear onto the victims instead of the perpetrators. We understand the importance of being heard when it comes to truth and reconciliation commissions, but we dont yet seem to understand it in relation to sexual abuse. Of course, we cant launch an investigation into every allegation. Unavoidably, a leader  be they a prime minister, a chief justice, or a corporate leader  must exercise judgment in deciding which allegations warrant an investigation.
Two months into the role of country manager in Vietnam for such a big company, and 10 years into your IBM journey, what are your thoughts on the role of women in such a position?

Pham Thi Thu Diep was appointed as the first female country general manager in Vietnam of IBM, the multinational technology company headquartered in New York.

I have received the greatest support from the Vietnam team as well as from my regional colleagues as we transform to adapt to the new business environment.

I feel fortunate that there are many programmes in IBM that will groom female leaders to hold significant positions in the company. My journey in the last 10 years as a female leader has been meaningful and fulfilling. But it is not so good across the board for women leaders.

The latest IBM Institute for Business Value study on women in leadership in the workplace reveals that organisations are losing their footing in the effort to achieve gender equality in the global workforce, spurred in part by the pandemic. We are at a crossroads where failure to take immediate and bold action will have long-term business and societal repercussions.

The start of 2020s difficulties brought clearly to light the incredible pressures working women face both at home and in their careers. But one year later, leaders recognition of the challenge hasnt turned it into a priority. IBMs study shows gender equality is still not a top 10 business priority for 70 per cent of organisations, and optimism about the likelihood of progress is fading among both women and men.

Are there any specific factors to address on the point that the pandemic has negatively affected working women?

The massive shift to remote work brought renewed attention to the persistent challenges that women face as they work to advance their careers, during the workday and from the second shift of family responsibilities that many women pull at home after their day jobs end.

C-Suite leaders widely recognised their clearer view into the context in which their people, especially working mothers, were working, and that new kinds of empathetic leadership, programmes, and cultural support would be required.

And yet, IBMs study shows gender equality fatigue is growing. Only 62 per cent of women surveyed and 60 per cent of men surveyed expect their organisation will significantly improve gender parity over the next five years.

Many organisations are implementing more programmes for gender equality and female empowerment. How does this impact on progress in this area?

Organisations have implemented more programmes, but that hasnt equalled more progress without shifting mindsets or creating inclusive cultures. While more organisations are instituting more programmes to improve gender equality and inclusion compared to 2019, like gender-blind job screenings and parental leave for women, that hasnt translated to better outcomes because mindsets and cultures have not shifted.

Its obvious that if front-line managers in particular dont take personal accountability to challenge stereotypes and make change for themselves and their own teams or feel empowered to fully adopt programmes that support womens equality in the workplace, they will not have their full effect.

On the other hand, male allies are truly essential. Men and women often perceive the gender equality problem and progress differently. But male allies are essential to drive cultural change, especially those at middle management levels who are often on the front line to promote women into leadership pipelines.

What suggestions can be offered to drive equality in organisations?

First of all, organisations leadership must pair bold thinking with big commitments. We have to make gender equality a top 5 formal business priority, driving accountability with specific, measurable goals across every level of leadership.

McDonalds Corporation recently announced it is tying 15 per cent of executives bonuses to meeting targets including diversity and inclusion. We might also have to create programmes to bring women back into the workplace and invest in the future pipeline with skills schemes that make it easier for women to enter high-growth fields.

IBM has such programmes centered on shifting the talent paradigm to expand ways for people to enter and stay in the workforce and build family-sustaining careers. This includes the growth of new collar jobs and apprenticeships; roles in which having the right skills matters more than having a traditional degree.

Currently, nearly half of IBMs job openings in the US do not require a 4-year degree, and we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in initiatives to help people around the world gain skills for a new era of technology. We believe the philosophy of skills as currency and the concept of new collar jobs can be a game changer. If the requisite of a four-year degree vanishes, then we can help more women transition out of inflexible roles and into jobs that provide them support and flexibility.

Secondly, we should create a culture of intention, and insist on making room. Employers and managers need to take an empathetic and inclusive approach toward their employees. Other IBV research found that the best-performing CEOs say they are committed to supporting the wellbeing of their employees, even if it costs them profitability or budget.

IBM is focusing on empathy through initiatives such as training managers on empathy and mental health awareness, as well as a grassroots, company-wide commitment to respect boundaries when working from home called the IBM Work from Home Pledge.

Last but not the least, we must use technology to accelerate performance. Hardwire fairness into screening, use digital tools for communication and feedback to surface whats working and whats not, and invest in collaborative tools and teaming practices that allow women and men to engage effectively in physical and remote environments even after the pandemic abates.

At IBM, we have focused on understanding how women are doing and what they need, through surveys, so that we are designing initiatives and benefits that support them best. Mini pulses provide data-driven insights on the impact the pandemic has had on womens careers, as well as how all employees are doing in the face of external and internal issues, such as the pandemic, racial injustice, and shifts in business strategy and organisational changes.
Thane/Mumbai, Mar. March 8 : Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Monday said that the Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) has registered a murder case and launched investigations into the mystery of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiren's body being recovered from the Thane Creek wetlands on March 5.

A stolen SUV Scorpio, belonging to Hiren, had been abandoned outside Antilia, the home of Reliance Industries Ltd. Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Feb. 25 and later 20 gelatin sticks and a purported threat letter were found in it.

Exactly 10 days later, Hiren's body was found in the Thane Creek, resulting in a political uproar after which it is now being probed as a murder case.

Deshmukh said that considering the circumstances and the appeals made by Hiren's family, including his widow Vimala, the case has been handed over to the ATS which will probe the murder angle.

The ATS has set up around 10 investigation teams to probe different aspects of the probe, which visited the Hiren family and the marshes from where his body was fished out last Friday (March 5).

On a complaint by Vimala Hiren, the ATS has registered a FIR under Indian Penal Code's Sec. 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 34 (common intention), and 120B (criminal conspiracy), against some unknown persons.

His family and friends rejected outright the 'suicide' theory since Hiren, 48, was a good swimmer, owned a car accessories business, in Thane.

On Saturday evening, Deshmukh held a meeting with Director-General of Police Hemant Nagrale, and the government wrote to Additional Director General of Police Jai Jeet Singh and ATS head, to take over the investigations.

In the letter to Singh, Deputy Home Secretary Ramesh Manale mentioned both the cases - the recovery of the SUV and gelatin sticks outside Antilia, coupled with the mystery death of Mansukh Hiren, the prime witness in the case, seeking an immediate probe and submitting the report to the government on priority.

Meanwhile, the gelatin sticks have been sent to the Forensics Science Laboratory, Mumbai for detailed analysis and to ascertain if the SUV chassis number of the car was tampered or changed, to help identify the real owner of the vehicle.

Earlier, Deshmukh informed the Maharashtra Legislature that the car belonged to one Sam Peter Newton and he had given it over to Hiren's company for interior refurbishment - since he could not pay up for the work done.

However, Bharatiya Janata Party's Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis, contested this pointing out how Hiren in his statement to the police had said that he had purchased the car from Newton.

Prior to his death, on March 2, Hiren had shot off a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deshmukh and the police chiefs of Mumbai and Thane alleging harassment.

"I have already given my explanation and statements about how the vehicle was stolen, and I am being victimised and suffering harassment by police and news reporters," Hiren's letter said, adding that he had been repeatedly interrogated by the Vikhroli and Ghatkopar police stations, Crime Intelligence Unit and Nagpada unit of ATS and also NIA.

"The interrogation by various agencies disturbed my peace of mind. In spite of being a victim, I am treated as an accused. I have also been receiving calls from media houses who have been harassing me and my family," he said.

The alleged threat letter, how the gelatin sticks were found in the SUV and tracking the vehicles' original owner shall be matters of the investigation.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
During a webinar on Thursday with The Wall Street Journal, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell made a not-so-subtle pivot at the end of the discussion when he was asked whether he would like to serve a second term at the helm of the central bank if it were offered (emphasis mine).
Chennai: Ahead of the assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has finalised seat sharing deal with its allies. The party saw a number of busy days, with back to back meetings with its allies to finalise the seat-sharing ratio. The DMK will be fighting the upcoming state assembly elections with Congress, CPI, CPI (M), MDMK, VCK, IUML and MMK.

The DMK on Friday (March 5) signed the seat-sharing agreement with the CPI. The agreement, allotting CPI six seats for the coming assembly elections, was signed by DMK president M.K. Stalin and CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan at DMK headquarters in Arivalayam.

The party on the next date, Saturday (March 6), signed seat-sharing with CPI (M) state general secretary K Balakrishnan, other party members G Ramakrishnan and Mahendran met DMK leaders at the DMK headquarters in Arivalayam after the second round of seat-sharing talks.

"CPI (M) and DMK delegations have discussed the seat-sharing in today's meeting. Both parties have asked for their required number of seats", said Balakrishnan.

MDMK chief Vaiko also signed the agreement with DMK president M K Stalin, hours after CPI (M), on the same day. "MDMK has joined hands with DMK. The talks went well. DMK president MK Stalin has signed an agreement in which six Assembly constituencies have been allotted to MDMK," said Vaiko.

Additionally, DMK on Sunday (March 7) announced that its ally, Congress will get a total of 25 seats and will contest in the bypolls for Kanyakumari Lok Sabha following the death of the sitting MP of H Vasanthakumar.

Earlier, ANI had reported sources inside Congress stating that the Tamil Nadu Congress president KS Alagiri broke down in front of party members after feeling humiliated by DMK during the seat-sharing discussion.

The party had decided, earlier last week, on the seat sharing with Indian Union Muslim league (IUML) and the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) allotting them three and two seats respectively.

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.

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The Accra Juvenile Court C has remanded a Junior High School (JHS) final year pupil of the Nungua Kroma Two JHS, for allegedly assaulting a teacher who punished him for failure to do his homework.



He has denied conspiring with 15 other men to assault the teacher and has been remanded into Police custody, his plea was not taken by the court.



The court ordered the suspect to make his next appearance on March 18, 2021, whiles efforts were underway to apprehend his accomplices.



The prosecution told the Court that the accused (name withheld) refused to do his homework and after he was punished for that, he dashed home to call 15 other young men who allegedly stormed the school in a Sprinter Bus and attacked the teacher, inflicting wounds on his face.



The prosecution said the teacher and the complainant, Mr Moses Onyameasem, was rescued by his colleagues and rushed to the LEKMA Hospital, Accra, where he was treated and discharged.



The prosecution said after the attack, the mother of the pupil also allegedly besieged the school and assaulted the teacher verbally.



According to the Prosecution the development led to the closure of the School and others in the community.



Prosecution said on Monday, February 22, at about 1215 hours, the teacher, accompanied by one Roger Asempa, the Head Teacher of the school, came to the Police Station with a head injury to report of an assault.



The prosecution said the teacher reported that earlier at about 1200 hours, a student in his class and 15 other young men from the Nungua town came to the School in a bus to physically assault him.



The prosecution said a medical report form was issued to him to seek medical attention, whilst a joint stakeholder meeting was held over the incident.



At the meeting were Madam Monica Ankrah, the Greater Accra Regional Director of Education, the Municipal Director of Education, Madam Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, and the Member of Parliament for Krowor, and representatives of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, Parent-Teacher Associations and traditional authorities.



The prosecution said the Police then assured the teachers of adequate security in and around the school.

Source: GNA









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March 8, 2021 Pangilinan: No 'nanlaban' excuse in Calabarzon police killings if P289M body-cams used SENATOR Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan took to task security forces in the suspicious killings of activists and the arrest of others during raids in several provinces in Calabarzon over the weekend. "As a person, I find the killings very disturbing. Every life is precious. Peace and order, not killings, ang mandato ng mga pulis. Ang dami ng namamatay sa Covid, sa mga bagyo, sa kung anu-anong sakuna. Huwag nang maging dahilan ang pulis sa pagkamatay pa ng kababayan natin," he said. "Bilang tao, parang naubos na ang luha at galit ko sa nangyari. Condemnation and outrage would be an understatement over the fate that befell the victims. Have we become a nation of butchers of our fellow Filipinos? Is there no more respect and value for life, rights, and due process?" he added. Pangilinan said that to prevent such obvious disregard for human life, the Philippine National Police (PNP) must use the P289-million body-worn cameras that it purchased in 2019. "Without the body cameras, the 'nanlaban' excuse of the police for killing their captives would always be under a cloud of suspicion," he said. Pangilinan said the PNP and other law enforcement agencies should explain what happened to the budget for body camera appropriated to them as early as 2017. He said the PNP and other concerned law enforcement agencies should explain why up now, body cameras are still not part of requirements of police operations. "Why are these cameras not being used? It should not be too complicated to use one. Is there a deliberate delay in utilizing these cameras?" he asked. Pangilinan said the PNP earlier acknowledged that the body cameras will be useful in documenting their police operations amid allegations of extrajudicial killings during their drug war raids. In 2018, three police officers were found guilty of the high-profile murder of 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos with the help of the video that caught the cops shooting the helpless teenager. The senator pointed out that cries of human rights violations of relatives of the victims and various groups should not be dismissed. He noted that two of the those killed were arrested alive and then later turned up dead under mysterious circumstances.
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I am a primary care physician for adults and children at a safety net clinic in Los Angeles. I also teach medical students. I am an out lesbian and am planning on becoming a parent.

I struggled with my LGBTQ identity as a teenager in the early 2000s. I did not hear much about LGBTQ people or issues at home or in school, and what I did hear was usually negative. I recently learned that my home state of Arizona just repealed its no promo homo laws in 2019, which placed restrictions on discussing homosexuality in a positive manner in K-12 public school sexual education curriculums. This structural homophobia had significant consequences on my self-worth and caused me to feel marginalized and isolated.

Today I am happy, partnered, and accepted in my community. There is national marriage equality and there is more LGBTQ visibility in the media.

Even though there has been a lot of progress, LGBTQ youth are still struggling with discrimination. I am disheartened that 40 percent of LGBTQ youth surveyed by the Trevor project in 2020 seriously considered suicide in the previous 12 months, and the amount of LGBTQ youth reaching out to the Trevor project crisis centers has doubled at times during the COVID 19 pandemic.

I have pediatric patients in my clinic tell me that they are nervous to reveal their sexual identities to family and friends. Many of my young LGBTQ patients have mental health issues. According to a recent Human Rights Campaign survey, only 26 percent of LGBTQ teens say they always feel safe in their school classrooms. Only five percent of LGBTQ teens say all of their teachers and school staff support LGBTQ people. Additionally, sixty-seven percent of LGBTQ teens report that they have heard family members make negative comments about LGBTQ people. Many LGBTQ youths are still homeless. It is clear that there is much more work that needs to be done.

LGBTQ teens are unique in that they are often minorities within their own families, and they need our support. We need to teach children early about the existence and acceptance of LGBTQ people in developmentally appropriate manners.

I believe children are old enough to learn about LGBTQ people as soon as they are old enough to learn about Disney princes and princesses. They need to learn that a prince or princess may have a same-sex partner in some cases, or maybe they were born as one sex but really identify as another gender. If we do not teach about LGBTQ people when we teach about straight people, we are really implying that LGBTQ people are taboo or inferior. Teaching children young will help straight children become allies and stand up to bullying. It will also help LGBTQ youth feel more empowered to be proud of who they are.

Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles recommends teaching children young about these issues in developmentally appropriate manners.

I want to conclude with the following recommendations:

1. Teach your children that I exist. Teach your children that LGBTQ people are from all races, religions, and work in all jobs in society. We all exist and are just as important as our straight counterparts.

2. Support programs to help place LGBTQ inclusive education in schools. A few states still have no promo homo laws. Please help to get rid of these laws if you can.

3. Teach your children that you will love them and their friends the same no matter how they identify.

4. Teach your children to stand up to bullies.

5. Be a supportive ally for LGBTQ youth who are struggling today. LGBTQ youths who report having at least one accepting adult were 40 percent less likely to report a suicide attempt in the last year than LGBTQ youths that have no accepting adults in their lives.

Lets end the cycle of children growing up feeling inferior and rebuilding their self-esteem as adults. Lets reduce the bullying, feelings of isolation, and mental health issues. Lets be the best allies we can to the next generations of LGBTQ youth. We owe it to them.

Alexis Smith is a family physician.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Kolkata, March 8 : Nearly thirty Indian jurists, civil rights activists, media personalities and academics who work and write on Myanmar have appealed to the Modi government to play a proactive role for bringing "an immediate end to the current bloodshed and confrontation, and a restoration of peace in Myanmar." Most of the signatories hail from India's Northeast which shares a 1643-kms border with Myanmar.

"We call on the Government of India, as a long-standing friend of Myanmar and its peoples, to urge the regime to respect the will of the people and return to democratic rule," said the petition to External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar.

The petition, also copied to Foreign Secretary H.V. Shringla and other officials of the external affairs ministry, called for immediate release of NLD's supreme leader Daw Aung Saan Suu Kyi, deposed President Win Myint and other senior leaders of democratic parties.

The signatories came up with an six -point charter of demands aimed at the Myanmarese military junta :

Respect the will of the people and return to democratic rule.

Refrain from using force against peaceful protesters and allow the right to free speech andexpression, of which the right to protest is a corollary.

Release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and all other civilian politicalleaders who were detained after the coup, including those held for the protests.

Restore the internet in full and respect freedom of the press.

* Restore the suspended laws which protect the right to privacy of individual citizens,and prohibit arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, and search-and-seizure raids on private property without court orders.

Initiate criminal proceedings against security personnel and police officers who havefired or ordered the firing of live rounds at unarmed protesters.

The signatories to the petition asked the Indian Government to urge Indian companies, including state-owned ones, to immediately suspend all commercial ties and proposed deals/joint ventures with the Myanmar military and all affiliated entities, including the two biggest conglomerates, Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) and Myanma Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL).

The petition advocated support for all regional efforts to restore democratic order in Myanmar and urge a restoration of peace.

The petition said the signatories were aware of India's realpolitik constraints but asserted that "only an elected civilian government and a military governed by civilian oversight in Myanmar can ensure political and economic security and stability needed for bilateral and regional processes'.

"The political instability created by the coup in Myanmar can have far-reaching implications not just within Myanmar, but also the region. Notably, it could disrupt the peace processes in India's sensitive North-east which shares a long land border with Myanmar by opening the space for

renewed insurgent activity. It could also push vulnerable civilians to cross over from Myanmar, as has already been reported along the Mizoram-Chin border," said the petition .

The petition said that the " coup seriously threatens the ethnic peace process started by the previous administrations in Myanmar, and the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) framework that

drew 10 Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) to negotiations." India's ministry of external affairs did issue a strong statement on Feb 1, the day of the military takeover in Myanmar but after that have avoided open criticism of the military junta for ostensible security and diplomatic considerations.

The Feb 1 MEA statement said: "We have noted the developments in Myanmar with deep concern. India has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition in Myanmar. We believe that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld. We are monitoring the situation closely." The Indian army is keen that the government avoids a direct criticism of the Myanmar military because it banks on it for action against Northeastern rebels based in the neighbouring Sagaing province . India also fears a direct criticism of the Myanmar military junta may drive it totally towards China.
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New Delhi, March 8 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and invited him to visit the state on April 15 on the occasion of Himachal Day to inaugurate the 'rath yatra' showcasing the 50 years glorious journey of development.

He apprised the Prime Minister of the state celebrating its golden jubilee of statehood, entire year by organising various programmes, an official statement said.

The state-level function will be organised in Mandi district on April 15 along with the 'rath yatra' to showcase the developmental journey and achievements of the state in the last three years.

He also requested the Prime Minister to inaugurate the 111 MW Sawda Kuddu Hydel Project constructed at a cost of Rs 1,796 crore, besides laying the foundation stones of the 210 MW Luhri Stage-I and 66 MW Dhaulasidh Hydel Projects.

Earlier, Thakur met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and requested her to release Rs 1,420 crore for creation of the new greenfield airport in Mandi district and expansion of existing airport at Kangra town and upgradation of civic amenities.

Thakur said the air connectivity acquired more attention keeping in view limited rail connectivity.
Several similar incidents can be pointed out readily, which is a nauseating condition.

by N.S.Venkataraman

The ongoing election process in five states in India clearly indicates that peoples views are not priority for various political parties and they think that peoples views can be taken for granted.

The manner in which the political parties are negotiating with each other for seat sharing and negotiating with several parties at the same time and jumping from one front to another, with least regard for policies, programmes and political principles, clearly highlight the fact that the elections in India have become a mockery.

While the situation is almost similar in all the five states going to polls shortly, let us take the case of three states to analyse the disgusting scenario.

Tamil Nadu scenario :

In Tamil Nadu, Congress party has been talking with DMK and wanted more than forty seats allotted to it in the front led by DMK.

DMK originally was unwilling to give more than 18 seats. Later on, Congress party complained that it has been treated with scant regard by DMK during discussions and it is reported that the state chief of the Congress party even shed tears while addressing the party workers. Then, a newly formed party led by Kamala Hassan, a cinema actor, was reported to have offered to provide more seats to the Congress party. Then, it is reported that DMK increased the number of seats to prevent the Congress party walking away and sanctioned 25 seats to the party.

Now, what is common between DMK, Congress and Kamala Hassans party ? In the discussions, policies and programmes were not discussed but only the negotiating skills mattered and the so called winnability of the parties , which otherwise meant that their capability to hoodwink the electorates. Perhaps, one thing common between these parties is that they have huge hatred for Prime Minister Modi. Is that enough to fight the elections together?

On another side, BJP was negotiating for more than 40 seats with AIADMK and finally settled for 20 seats, for whatever reasons.

Another party, known as PMK wanted some reservation for a particular caste and the AIADMK government obliged and the party joined the AIADMK front.

The above alignments are chaotic and there is no other way to describe it.

Puducherry scenario :

In the case of Puducherry, just before the announcement of the election date, many congressmen and some DMK men withdrew their support for Congress party leading to the fall of Congress government. They were all with the ruling front in Puducherry for a long time and left for no justifiable reasons. Obviously, they saw the writing on the wall and took pre emptive steps to protect their political interests.

West Bengal scenario :

In West Bengal, several TMC ministers and MLAs left TMC and joined BJP , even though they were all with the TMC for a long time. They seem to have suddenlydiscovered that TMC was misruling West Bengal, though they were part of the TMC government. Probably, they saw an advantage for their political interest by joining BJP.

Scant regard for public opinion :

All these above despicable conditions clearly show that the politicians, whichever the party or faction that they belong to , do not care as to what people would think about their jumping from one ship to another just to get personal advantages. Perhaps, these people do not have any commitment to any political philosophy and seem to think that politics is a matter of convenience.

Mockery of democracy :

Several similar incidents can be pointed out readily, which is a nauseating condition.

The way that the political parties are negotiating with one another to get maximum seats for themselves has created a condition, where the electorate are often left high and dry and with no choice other than voting for one front or another, inspite of the fact that some parties in the front may not be to their liking.

Though periodical election is the hallmark of democracy where people have the option to accept or reject one party or the other based on their performance and track record, the mixing of the political parties in various fronts before the election and dissolving the front after the election , make people feel frustrated and helpless.

Medias role:

Unfortunately, the media in the country have failed to condemn such principle less coalitions in strongest terms but seem to be getting excited in speculating which party will be in which front and in the process, media get a lot of opportunities to publicise the breaking news and retain the interest of the people.

Need for corrective law :

While there is no doubt that political parties have made a mockery of the electoral process , now it has reached an absurd level, that would jeopardise the entire electoral democratic process in the country. The net result would be a masala government that would not be the representative government reflecting the peoples choice and will.

People cannot be accused for such conditions, as they are left with no choice due to the manipulative strategies of the political parties. In such conditions , we are seeing that NOTA votes are steadily increasing all over India.

Ultimately, the ground reality is that the countrys fate has gone into the hands of politicians , who have no principles or commitment to any particular cause but are only targeting to win polls and getting into the government by hook or crook.

It is high time that the Election Commission should look into this problem with seriousness that it deserves and should examine with great care as to whether the coalition of parties to fight elections should be banned once for all.

Perhaps, a strong peoples movement demanding such law is necessary. The question is who will bell the cat ?
[March 08, 2021] The Portage la Prairie Mutual Insurance Company Deploys Guidewire ClaimCenter; Selects Additional Core and Data Products for Business Transformation

The Portage la Prairie Mutual Insurance Company (Portage), a Canadian Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance provider, and Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE: GWRE), the platform P&C insurers trust to engage, innovate, and grow efficiently, today announced that Portage has successfully deployed ClaimCenter as its new claims management system in the first phase of its Legacy System Replacement strategy. The company implemented ClaimCenter to all lines of business at each of its regional offices. John Mitchell, President and CEO, Portage said, "Our strategy was to stay as close to out of the box as possible, only making changes when it was essential to our business. That strategy was instrumental in completing the project on time and significantly under budget. User feedback about ClaimCenter has been positive, highlighting the system's easy navigation, reduced training time, and ready access to client information." Portage also recently selected PolicyCenter, BillingCenter, Client Data Management, Rating Management, and Reinsurance Management as its new systems for policy administration, underwriting, billing, client data, rating, and reinsurance management. With these selections, the company is now a full InsuranceSuite customer. Portage also selected DataHub and InfoCenter as its enterprise-wide data management and business intelligence systems. Portage will be following the same strategy to implement these products as ClaimCenter: making only those changes essential to run its business. Mitchell said, "The implementation of PolicyCenter and BillingCenter will complete the second of our three-phase Legacy System Replacement strategy. The final phase will involve transitioning from our legacy back-end financial and reporting system to Datahub. Once all of our data is transformed into DataHub, our data management capabilities and insights will be significantly enhanced. These new systems will enable us to improve our ability to compete in an evolving market." "We congratulate Portage on this significant milestone in its evolution and are humbled by its continued trust in the Guidewire platform," said Mike Polelle, Chief Delivery Officer, Guidewire Software. "We applaud the company's commitment to providing its policyholders with financial security for their assets, and look forward to working with the customer and its partners to deliver the cloud foundation for its future." Guidewire PartnerConnect Consulting member CGI (News - Alert) led the ClaimCenter implementation project, hosting the product on its cloud platform. "We are pleased that Portage entrusted us to lead this implementation project," said David Cameron, Senior Vice President, Greater Toronto Area, CGI. "We are excited to see Portage Mutual use ClaimCenter through our hosted platform to provide efficient and timely support to its customers during their times of greatest need. We look forward to working together in the future." Guidewire PartnerConnect Consulting member Deloitte (News - Alert) are leading the project to implement PolicyCenter, BillingCenter, Client Data Management, Rating Management, Reinsurance Management, DataHub, and InfoCenter, using the Deloitte InsurCloud cloud platform accelerator. InsurCloud is pre-configured for the Canadian insurance industry and leverages the power of Guidewire InsuranceSuite. It is built to improve speed to market in personal lines, farm, and small commercial product lines, while reducing costs and risk. Upon deployment, Portage will be supported by Deloitte through a long-term managed service agreement. "We are honored that Portage has selected InsurCloud and Guidewire as the foundation for the next phase of their business transformation. We are humbled that the company is putting its trust in Deloitte and entering into this long-term working relationship with us," said David Kerr, Partner, Industry Solutions, Deloitte Canada. About The Portage la Prairie Mutual Insurance Company The Portage la Prairie Mutual Insurance Company was organized October 2, 1884, based on the underlying principles of security, integrity, hard work and personalized service. Over the years, we've made a lot of changes in the way we do business. We've expanded our property and casualty insurance products and services to offer agricultural, auto, condominium unit owner, contractor, disaster planning/recovery, home busiess, office, realty, residential, retailer, and tenant insurance packages, and built a reputation as one of the most responsive property and casualty insurers in Canada. But the underlying principles that guide our company -and the friendly, small town style of doing business- remain the same.



Our products are provided through a network of more than 500 independent insurance brokers supported by our Head Office in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, as well as by Branch Offices in Edmonton, Bedford, and St. Catharines, Canada; and Claims Service Offices in Brandon, Dauphin, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg, Canada. As a 100% Canadian-owned mutual insurance company, the success of Portage Mutual depends upon serving policyholders with fairness, and showing genuine concern for their security. We do this by providing reasonably priced, flexible insurance products and by supporting our brokers with exemplary service.

For more information, please visit www.portagemutual.com. 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 www.cgi.com. CGI has been deeply entrenched in the global P&C industry for more than 25 years, working extensively on both the business and technology sides. Our experts have the credentials, experience and know-how to work across the entire P&C insurance value chain, as well as a track record of on time, on budget delivery, leveraging CGI's best-in-class Management Foundation. Having built, sold and implemented dozens of core insurance systems around the world, CGI is highly qualified to assist in the planning and successful execution of customers' transition to, configuration of and integration with Guidewire's leading solutions. To learn more about CGI's P&C practice, and how CGI provides clients with insights they can act on, visit www.cgi.com/en/insurance/property-and-casualty. About Deloitte Deloitte provides audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax, and related services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. Deloitte serves four out of five Fortune Global 500 companies through a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries and territories bringing world-class capabilities, insights, and service to address clients' most complex business challenges. Deloitte LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see http://www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms. Our global Purpose is making an impact that matters. At Deloitte Canada, that translates into building a better future by accelerating and expanding access to knowledge. We believe we can achieve this Purpose by living our shared values to lead the way, serve with integrity, take care of each other, foster inclusion, and collaborate for measurable impact. To learn more about Deloitte's approximately 312,000 professionals, over 11,000 of whom are part of the Canadian firm, please connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. About Guidewire Software Guidewire is the platform P&C insurers trust to engage, innovate, and grow efficiently. ?We combine digital, core, analytics, and AI to deliver our platform as a cloud service. More than 400 insurers, from new ventures to the largest and most complex in the world, run on Guidewire. ? As a partner to our customers, we continually evolve to enable their success. We are proud of our unparalleled implementation track record, with 1,000+ successful projects, supported by the largest R&D team and partner ecosystem in the industry. Our marketplace provides hundreds of applications that accelerate integration, localization, and innovation. For more information, please visit www.guidewire.com and follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) : @Guidewire_PandC. NOTE: For information about Guidewire's trademarks, visit https://www.guidewire.com/legal-notices. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005114/en/

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Princess Diana's former butler has called Oprah Winfrey a 'very clever business woman' for bagging an interview with Harry and Meghan years after the Princess of Wales turned her down.

Paul Burrell, 62, said Diana chose to give her own 1995 bombshell interview to a 'heavyweight news progamme', rather than Oprah's 'commercial' US television show because she wanted to be more 'in control' of her narrative.

Appearing on Lorraine today, Paul recalled Oprah, 67, approaching Diana ahead of her explosive Panorama interview and said the chat show host has finally 'got the interview she wanted'.

He predicted that the Princess of Wales would have guided Meghan through life in the Firm, advising the Duke and Duchess of Sussex not to go down the 'commercial route' and to 'be in control of their own destiny'.

Princess Diana's former butler has called Oprah Winfrey a 'very clever business woman' after bagging a tell-all interview with Harry and Meghan after the Princess of Wales turned her down

Diana gave her own bombshell interview in 1995 (pictured) to BBC's Panorama because she because she wanted to be more 'in control' of her narrative than she would be on a 'commercial' US show

'She would have been the person there to help because she had the experience', said Paul of Diana. 'And of course Oprah did come to Kensington Palace and tried to court the Princess before her panorama interview.

'She said to the princess "I want to be the first person to interview you". But Diana said afterwards, "I couldn't do that because I wouldn't be in control of it, that is commercial television in the Unites States. I want to give it to a serious news programme which is heavyweight and will make my words more relevant".

'The princess would have discussed all of this with them, the young people and said "Do you really want to go down this commercial route? It really is a minefield, control it. Be in control of your own destiny".

'Oprah is a very clever business woman and she got the interview she wanted, she didn't get it with Harry's mother but she got it with Harry.'

Appearing on Lorraine, Paul recalled Oprah approaching Diana ahead of her explosive Panorama interview and said the chat show host has finally 'got the interview she wanted'

He told host Lorraine Kelly that the couple have 'crossed the bridge' from royalty to celebrity, but urged the pair to 'get on with their life' and 'continue the work Diana started'

He believes that the couple have 'crossed the bridge' from royalty to celebrity, but urged the pair to 'get on with their life' and 'continue the work Diana started' following the interview.

'Harry and Meghan have crossed that bridge from royalty to celebrity and they are now celebrities,' he said. 'There are very few ways back over that bridge.

'He said his brother and father are trapped in the institution of monarchy, that is their destiny, that is their path. Harry always knew his brother had a different path to him Harry had to find his own road map and that's what he's doing now.

'I wish him all the luck in the world, I want them to succeed and continue the work Diana started, they have the world at their feet, go now and do what you have to do. Get on with the job and get on with your life. '

During the couple's highly-anticipated two-hour interview, Meghan hailed her 'happy ending' with Prince Harry and Archie now the family are in California - calling their escape from the UK 'better than any fairy tale'.

During the couple's highly-anticipated two-hour interview, Meghan hailed her 'happy ending' with Prince Harry and Archie now the family are in California - calling their escape from the UK 'better than any fairy tale'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are 'thriving' in the US after having 'been through a lot' during their time as senior royals.

The main bombshells from the Oprah interview - Meghan's mental health The Duchess of Sussex revealed she had suicidal thoughts and said: 'I just didn't want to be alive any more.' She said she begged for help, and asked to go somewhere to get help, and approached one of the most senior people in the institution, but was told it would not look good. The duchess said: 'I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that I've never felt this way before and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution.' - Baby Sussex is a girl Harry and Meghan revealed they are expecting a baby girl. The duke joined his wife in the second half of the interview, and told the chat show host: 'It's a girl.' He said his first thought was 'amazing' when he discovered they were having a girl, adding: 'Just grateful. To have any child, any one or any two, would have been amazing. 'But to have a boy and then a girl, I mean what more can you ask for? Now we've got our family, we got the four of us and our two dogs.' Asked if they were 'done' with two children, Harry said 'done' and Meghan said: 'Two is it.' She also confirmed the baby is due in the 'summertime'. - Royal family accused of racism Meghan said, when she was pregnant with Archie, an unnamed member of the royal family raised 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'. Asked whether there were concerns that her child would be 'too brown' and that would be a problem, Meghan said: 'If that is the assumption you are making, that is a pretty safe one.' Pushed by Winfrey on who had those conversations, Meghan refused to say, adding: 'I think that would be very damaging to them.' She added: 'That was relayed to me from Harry, those were conversations the family had with him, and I think it was really hard to be able to see those as compartmentalised conversations.' - Archie's title Meghan suggested she and Harry wanted Archie to be a prince so he would have security and be protected. The duchess expressed her shock at 'the idea of our son not being safe', and the idea of the first member of colour in this family, not being titled in the same way as other grandchildren. Archie, who is seventh in line to the throne, is not entitled to be an HRH or a prince due to rules set out more than 100 years ago by King George V. He will be entitled to be an HRH or a prince when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne. As the first born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton - one of Harry's subsidiary titles - or have been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, instead at the time of his birth, a royal source said Harry and Meghan had decided he should a regular Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. - The Prince of Wales The Duke of Sussex said his father the Prince of Wales stopped taking his calls while Harry and Meghan were in Canada 'because I took matters into my own hands. I needed to do this for my family'. He said Charles wanted him to put his plans in writing. - The Queen Harry denied that he had 'blindsided' his grandmother Queen with the bombshell statement about stepping down as senior royal. The duke said he believed the report probably could have come from 'within the institution'. - The Duchess of Cambridge Meghan said Kate made her cry ahead of her wedding. Reports circulated ahead of the Sussexes' nuptials that Meghan left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress fitting. But Meghan told Winfrey the 'reverse happened'. Meghan said she was not sharing the information to be 'disparaging', but added it was 'really important for people to understand the truth'. 'She's a good person,' the duchess added. Advertisement

Meghan hit nerves across the world in 2019 when she said 'it is not enough to just survive something' and instead 'you've got to thrive and feel happy' when speaking about her struggles with life in the Firm.

And now, the duchess said she, Harry and Archie are 'on the other side' and circled back to her earlier comments, triumphantly declaring 'we've actually not just survived but are thriving'.

But it their joy followed hardship, with Meghan revealing she was suicidal when she was pregnant and had warned Harry 'I don't want to be alive anymore'.

Harry also revealed that his father Prince Charles stopped taking his calls after they decided to quit while his wife said an unnamed member of Harry's family was 'worried' about how 'dark' their son Archie's skin would be when he was born.

But Meghan said: 'Now, because we're actually on the other side, we've actually not just survived but are thriving.

The Duchess of Sussex also used the interview to liken herself to Disney's The Little Mermaid, a princess who loses her voice when she marries a prince.

While standing in the family's chicken coop, Meghan told Oprah: 'I was sitting in Nottingham cottage, and The Little Mermaid came on.

'Now, who as an adult really watches The Little Mermaid? But it came on, and I was like, "Well, I'm just here all the time, so I may as well watch this."

'And I went, "Oh, my god! She falls in love with the prince, and because of that, she has to lose her voice."

'But by the end, she gets her voice back.'

Oprah said: 'And this is what happened here. You feel like you got your voice back', to which Meghan replied: 'Yeah.'

The Sussexes also used the interview to reveal they were already planning 'Megxit' just six months after they married in May 2018.

Describing how she considered ending her life believing it 'was better for everyone', Meghan said: 'I just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.

'And I remember - I remember how he just cradled me. I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help.

'I said that "I've never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere."

'And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution'.

She added: 'I don't want to put more on my husband's shoulders. He's carrying the weight of the world. I don't want to bring that to him'.

The Duke of Sussex also said his family had 'cut him off' financially in early 2020, claiming that they had to sign multi-million dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify because he was relying on spending his inheritance from Princess Diana.

In the biggest royal interview for decades, Meghan claims Harry's family were worried about how 'dark' their son's skin would be. Harry also accused the family of failing to 'show support' for his wife when she suffered racism, and said he was 'trapped' in the Royal Family until he met Meghan.

He said: 'My father and brother. They're both trapped. They don't get to leave'. He added that his mother Diana would be 'angry and sad' that he felt he had to leave the royal family, but 'she saw it coming'. Harry said: 'All shed ever want for us is to be happy'.

Asked about his relationship with Prince Charles, Harry said they were now speaking, adding: 'There's a lot to work through there, you know? I feel really let down, because he's been through something similar. He knows what pain feels like, and Archie's his grandson. I will always love him, but there's a lot of hurt that's happened. And I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship'.

Harry also said the couple left because of the media in Britain and because of a 'lack of support and lack of understanding' from his family, and revealed that his father refused to speak to him after they left for Vancouver. And in a sign that his relationship with his brother William is strained, claiming he 'didn't have anyone to turn to' and was 'ashamed' to admit his wife struggling.

He said: 'I love William to bits. He's my brother. We've been through hell together. I mean, we have a shared experience. But we're on different paths'. Harry added: 'My family literally cut me off financially. Members of my family were suggesting that she [Meghan] carries on acting, because there was not enough money to pay for her. There was some real obvious signs before we even got married that this was going to be really hard'.

Meghan also revealed that Kate Middleton made her cry before she married Harry in a row over flowergirls' dresses, and claims she called the Queen when she heard Prince Philip was admitted to hospital almost three weeks ago.

In the sensational interview she also accused the Royal Family of having 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white.

The Duchess of Sussex also described her 'pain' that officials had denied him the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect their son Archie by denying him 24/7 security.

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it.

When Oprah asked if she was denied the title because of he is mixed-race, Oprah asked if the palace had concerns Archie would be 'too brown', Meghan said: 'In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, we have in tandem, the conversation of 'He won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title,' and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'.

Oprah then interrupted and said: 'Hold on. Hold up. Stop right now. There's a conversation... about how dark your baby is going to be?' Meghan replied: 'Potentially, and what that would mean or look like'.

'And you're not going to tell me who had the conversation?', Oprah asked. To which Meghan replied: 'I think that would be very damaging to them. That was relayed to me from Harry. Those were conversations that family had with him.'

Much of the two-hour show was about the Royal Family, but there was no mention of Meghan's rift with her father and a brief mention of her mother Doria.

Meghan As Oprah wrapped up the interview the couple insisted that they had had a 'happy ending' by moving to LA, with Harry saying he had 'no regrets'. But his wife added: 'My regret is believing them [the Royal Family] when they said I'd be protected.'
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It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
Humble ISD Board of Trustees Position 1 candidates share their motivation for running

Humble ISD has set an election for four positions on the board of trustees May 1. Here is the Tribunes profile of Position 1. Four candidates have announced. They are Robert Sitton, Rebecca Tribo, William Epperson and Edgar Clayton.

Robert Sitton is a lifelong resident of the Humble area, graduating from Humble High School. Sitton started a career in finance with Morgan Stanley and eventually landed a spot at Edward Jones, where he has worked for the past 19 years. Sittons volunteer career include stints as chairman of the board for Kingwood Medical Center and the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce.

I am currently serving my second term as Humble ISD board president. I have been in the trenches for the past 10 years, making tough decisions that affect all students, faculty, staff and taxpayers of Humble ISD, he said.

We have a great community, a great school district and a great group of trustees. When I ran in 2011, my basic premise was I am passionate about education, passionate about kids and passionate about this community. Ten years later, that has not changed. We have maneuvered through countless challenges and not only survived, but thrived, he said.

I have the proven experience and leadership needed to continue the long-standing legacy of excellence that is Humble ISD. Service, commitment and passion for all is why I am proud to announce my candidacy for re-election to Position 1 of the Humble ISD Board of Trustees. My focus is on all children and facilities throughout the district, in addition to every family that calls Humble ISD home.

William Epperson, a Humble native and a graduate of Humble High school, is also running for Position 1. He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law in 2019. He is currently preparing for the Texas bar exam and plans to pursue a legal career in corporate ethics and compliance.

During my seven years as an AVID tutor with the district, I worked diligently with some amazing teachers in helping build critical thinking in our students to help prepare them for college. My students were extremely gifted and were leaders within their schools; however, a few struggled economically at home. I saw firsthand how this can impact educational outcomes and how it differed from campus to campus. I am running so that we do not forget about those students who are struggling economically, he said.

Epperson feels he is the best candidate.

I will be incredibly grateful for this opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to me. I will dedicate my time to address student, teacher, and community needs that will ensure that our district provides an exceptional learning environment for all our children, he said.

Rebecca Tribo is a lifelong resident of the Humble area. She attended Humble ISD for 12 years and has three children. Tribo is a hairstylist and she has worked in this field for 15 years.

Tribo specified her motivation for running for Position 1.

I speak with people in this district every day, whether they be parents, employees or other interested parties. For a while now, many members of our community have not felt represented by the Humble ISD school board; I want to narrow the rift that exists between the Humble ISD board and the underrepresented, said Tribo.

Tribo said her qualifications include active community service.

I run the Lake Houston Advocacy Foundation, which aids underrepresented members of our local communities. At the LHAF, we have worked through some of the most urgent times in our communitys recent history, including the key months of the pandemic. I am eyeing to continue serving the community through this role.

Tribo concluded that she is running to represent everyone in the district. Her campaign logo is For Everyone.

Edgar Clayton is employed as a deputy constable for Fort Bend County Constable Precinct Four. He holds a master peace officer license and has over 20 years of law enforcement experience. Clayton has an extensive education; he graduated with two masters degrees from Prairie View A&M in counseling and in human sciences and two bachelor degrees from University of Houston-Downtown in interdisciplinary studies and safety management. Clayton is serving on the board of Harris County MUD No. 400. He and his wife, Laquesia, have two children and have lived in Humble ISD for more than 10 years.

Since COVID-19 has affected our community, I have seen a lot of changes in the district. School leaders and board members were put under a microscope as to all the decisions that were made for our district. The decisions that were made, however, often put members of our community on notice.

I do not feel as though members of our community had enough input in the boards recent decisions. People need a voice on the board, and I hope to provide this voice for the parents and children of Humble ISD, he said.

Voters should vote for me to ensure that they will be represented on all issues concerning students, employees, and school district enhancement.

A vote for me is a vote for transparency.

The election is May 1.
Pope Francis speaks to Abdullah Kurdi, left, father of Alan Kurdi, at the end of a mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Irbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Sunday, March 7, 2021. (Vatican Media via AP)

Pope Francis has met the father of Alan Kurdi, a three-year old Syrian boy who drowned crossing the Mediterranean Sea and whose image drew global attention to the plight of refugees fleeing to Europe.

Following a mass on Sunday in the Iraqi city of Irbil, Francis met with Abdullah Kurdi and spent a long time with him, the Vatican said.

Through an interpreter, the Pope listened to Mr Kurdis story and expressed sympathy for the loss of his family. He thanked the Pope for his words.

The Kurdi family, who hail from Kobane in Syria, took the route of many Syrian and other migrants in 2015 by sea in a small boat from Turkey heading for Greece.

When their boat capsized, Alan, one of his brothers and his mother died.

The image of Alans body, washed up on Turkish shores, came to symbolise the perilous journey to Europe.

The father now runs a charity in Irbil.
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Update March 8, 2021: After a two-year fight to clear his name, a judge threw out charges against Pawel Uczciwek and called the allegations against him a colossal waste of time. For the full story, click here.

A man accused of hitting a Muslim woman and trying to pull off her headscarf has denied the attack, claiming he was trying to protect his girlfriend from racist abuse.

Aniso Abdulkadir said she was waiting for a tube at Baker Street Station in the early hours of Saturday morning when a man attacked her. She claimed her friend was also pinned against a wall and spat at.

She posted a photo of her alleged attacker on Twitter and urged others to share the image in order to identify him, attracting more than 35,000 retweets by Monday afternoon.

But Pawel Uczciwek, who identified himself as the man in the photograph, rejected the accusations and said he was simply trying to diffuse a fight.

"I defended my partner by trying to completely diffuse a racist attack from three random females," Mr Uczciwek, who says he is a 28-year-old architect from London, wrote on Twitter.

"As a result, one of the females in particular responded by making malicious completely false allegations against me and I would like to confirm I never hit or attacked anyone."

The British Transport Police (BTP) said they were aware of Mr Uczciwek's statement

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 1 May 2021 People swim in the Sky Pool, a transparent swimming pool bridge across two exclusive residential blocks standing next to the US Embassy in Nine Elms, in London, Tuesday, June 1, 2021 AP UK news in pictures 31 May 2021 People enjoy the hot weather at Brighton beach Reuters UK news in pictures 30 May 2021 People venture into the sea as they enjoy themselves during a hot day on Brighton Beach AP UK news in pictures 29 May 2021 Swimmers at the Stonehaven Open Air Pool in Aberdeenshire, which reopens after lockdown restrictions were eased PA UK news in pictures 28 May 2021 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he meets Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Downing Street in London REUTERS UK news in pictures 27 May 2021 White Pelicans in the sunshine in St James's Park, London PA UK news in pictures 26 May 2021 Boats are seen at Southsea Moorings in Portsmouth Reuters UK news in pictures 25 May 2021 York Glaziers Trust employees Kieran Muir (left) and Emily Price (right) remove a stained glass window panel at the start of a new five year, 5m project to conserve York Minsters South East Transept and its medieval St Cuthbert Window PA UK news in pictures 24 May 2021 Dark rain clouds above an oast house at Bewl Water reservoir near Lamberhurst in Kent during one of the rainiest Mays on record, with the UK seeing 131 per cent of the usual months rainfall already PA UK news in pictures 23 May 2021 The Premier League trophy with the Manchester City club colour ribbons on, at Etihad Stadium, prior to the last Premier League match of the season. City will finally pick up the trophy after they won the league on 11 May Getty UK news in pictures 22 May 2021 Gary Kenny lifts the Buildbase FA Vase Trophy after Warrington Rylands won the FA Vase Final against Binfield at Wembley Stadium Getty UK news in pictures 21 May 2021 A family buffeted by the wind whilst crossing the the Millennium Bridge in London, with wind and rain forecast to ravage the UK on the first Friday that people have been allowed to meet in large groups outside in England PA UK news in pictures 20 May 2021 Devon And Cornwall Police Demonstrate Their Skills For Policing The G7 Summit Getty Images UK news in pictures 18 May 2021 An employee stands before a costume for the Queen of Hearts by Bob Crowley on display at the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London PA UK news in pictures 17 May 2021 Passengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick Airport after the ban on international leisure travel for people in England was lifted following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 16 May 2021 Emergency workers at the scene of a suspected gas explosion, in which a young child was killed and two people were seriously injured, on Mallowdale Ave Heysham which caused 2 houses to collapse and badly damaged another PA UK news in pictures 15 May 2021 Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters let off smoke flares, wave flags and carry placards during a demonstration in support of the Palestinian cause as violence escalates in the ongoing conflict with Israel, in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 14 May 2021 Member of staffs tighten screws and paint a Marlin skeleton, before it goes on display at the Natural History Museum in London, as the museum prepares to reopen to the public on 17 May, following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 13 May 2021 A worshipper at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Mordon, south London, ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The celebration marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting, called Ramadan. PA UK news in pictures 12 May 2021 A couple have wedding photos taken in Westminster, London Getty UK news in pictures 11 May 2021 The sun rises on Coquet Island, off Amble on the Northumberland coast, where as many as 35000 seabirds cram onto this tiny island to breed PA UK news in pictures 10 May 2021 Newly elected for a second term Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during his signing in ceremony at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on Londons Southbank PA UK news in pictures 9 May 2021 People mill around St. Michael's tower on top of Glastonbury Tor as it is seen through blooming yellow rapeseed on a day of mixed weather in Glastonbury, Somerset PA UK news in pictures 8 May 2021 Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford elbow bumps newly elected MS Labour candidates Elizabeth Buffy Williams, Rhondda, left, and Sarah Murphy, Bridgend & Porthcawl Labour, right, as they meet in Porthcawl, Wales PA UK news in pictures 6 May 2021 A group of five Sisters from Carmelite Monastery in Dysart cast their vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election at Dysart Community Hall, West Port, Dysart PA UK news in pictures 5 May 2021 Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer (centre) with West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Liam Byrne (far right) and Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner (far left) during a visit to Birmingham, whilst on the election campaign trail PA UK news in pictures 4 May 2021 Artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey stand within 100 oak saplings which form part of a living art installation entitled Beuys' Acorns by the UK-based artist duo, outside the Tate Modern in London PA UK news in pictures 3 May 2021 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie feeds the Gentoo penguins during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo on the campaign trail for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election on May 6 PA UK news in pictures 2 May 2021 Chelsea players celebrate their fourth goal during the Womens Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, at Kingsmeadow Stadium in south west London. The Blues won the game 4-1, (and the tie 5-3 on aggregate) sending them through to their first Champions League final AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 1 May 2020 Demonstrators during a march through London during a 'Kill the Bill' protest Angela Christofilou UK news in pictures 30 April 2021 Shoppers queue outside Primark in Belfast as shops reopen and hospitality is able to open outdoors in Northern Ireland where lockdown restrictions have begun to gradually ease PA UK news in pictures 29 April 2021 Specialist operators at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, near Telford, Shropshire, clean the Hawker Hunter aircraft displayed within the museum's National Cold War Exhibition, during annual high-level aircraft cleaning and maintenance PA UK news in pictures 28 April 2021 Millions of tulips in flower near Kings Lynn in Norfolk, as Belmont Nurseries, the UK's largest commercial grower of outdoor tulips, offers socially-distanced visits to its tulip fields at Hillington to raise funds for local charity The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House PA UK news in pictures 27 April 2021 Paula Laughton checks one of the newly installed Lego models in the new Lego Mythica land at Legoland Windsor Resort PA UK news in pictures 26 April 2021 A red panda rests on a tree at Manor Wildlife park, which reopened its doors as lockdown restrictions continue to ease, in Tenby, Wales Reuters UK news in pictures 25 April 2021 Sheep climb the hillside as flames from a moor fire are seen on Marsden moor, near Huddersfield AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 24 April 2021 Supporters protest against Manchester United's owners, outside English Premier League club Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium in Manchester AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 23 April 2021 People enjoy the warm weather at City Hall near Tower Bridge in central London PA UK news in pictures 22 April 2021 Uyghurs during a demonstration in Parliament Square, London, which is being held ahead of a House of Commons debate, bought by backbench MP Nus Ghani, on whether Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang province are suffering crimes against humanity and genocide PA UK news in pictures 21 April 2021 People walk at the Taihaku Cherry Orchard in Alnwick REUTERS UK news in pictures 20 April 2021 People stand in front of anti Super League banners outside Anfield as twelve of Europe's top football clubs, including Liverpool, launch a breakaway league Reuters UK news in pictures 19 April 2021 Women enjoy sunny weather in Greenwich, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in London, Britain, Reuters UK news in pictures 18 April 2021 Stephen Maguire (right) of Scotland interacts with Jamie Jones of Wales during day 2 of the Betfred World Snooker Championships 2021 at The Crucible, Sheffield PA UK news in pictures 17 April 2021 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburghs coffin, covered with His Royal Highnesss Personal Standard arrives by Landrover Defender at St Georges Chapel carried by a bearer party found by the Royal Marines during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle Getty Images UK news in pictures 16 April 2021 Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, checks the teeth of "Dentosaurus" during a visit to the Thornliebank Dental Care centre in Glasgow, as she campaigns ahead of the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary Election AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 April 2021 Myanmar's former ambassador to the UK, Kyaw Zwar Minn, outside his residence in north west London. The ambassador has been barred from entering the Myanmar embassy in Mayfair after he was removed from office PA UK news in pictures 14 April 2021 People take part in coronavirus surge testing on Clapham Common, south London. Thousands of residents have queued up to take coronavirus tests at additional facilities set up after new cases of the South African variant were found in two south London boroughs. 44 confirmed cases of the variant have been found in Lambeth and Wandsworth, with a further 30 probable cases identified PA UK news in pictures 13 April 2021 The core of the Milky Way becomes visible in the early hours of Tuesday morning as it moves over Bamburgh Lighthouse at stag Rock in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 12 April 2021 Rebecca Richardson (left) and Genevieve Florence, members of the Aquabatix synchronised swimming team, during a practice session in the swimming pool at Clissold Leisure Centre in north London, which has reopened to the public. Many facilities have reopened in the latest easing of lockdown include pubs and restaurants who can serve outside, non-essential shops, indoor gyms and swimming pools, nail salons and hairdressers, outdoor amusements and zoos PA UK news in pictures 11 April 2021 A pub staff pins up a sign announcing the reopening of the Fox on the Hill pub on Denmark Hill in London EPA

A spokesman for the BTP said: Behaviour like this is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

This incident has been reported to us and were investigating.
A heroic mother who jumped into a canal to pursue a man who allegedly stole her son's boat has told how she kept chasing him down despite breaking her foot in the process.

Penelope Howard swam after the man after he allegedly used a hacksaw to cut the tinnie's padlock before taking the boat out into Mermaid Waters on the Gold Coast.

The bumbling alleged thief, 39, was later arrested at a nearby address after failing to start the tinnie's engine - with bizarre footage showing him rowing away awkwardly as the fully-clothed mum waded after him.

Ms Howard said she then broke her foot after scrambling up a rock wall in an attempt to catch the man.

Penelope Howard spotted the man in her son's boat at Mermaid Waters, on the Gold Coast at about 3pm on Friday

'I realised I was not fit enough to catch this bloke by swimming and the boat was drifting quite fast I scrambled up this rock wall behind Luna,' she told the Today show on Monday.

'As I was going up I broke my foot and didn't realise at the time.'

Queensland Police later used their dog squad to hunt the alleged thief down at nearby Salamander Court.

Ms Howard (right on Monday morning with her son Hunter) broke her foot after scrambling up a rock wall in an attempt to catch the man

The man was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, burglary, trespass, contravening a direction.

Co-host Allison Langdon commended Ms Howard for her bravery and determination despite badly injuring herself in the pursuit.

Ms Howard called the police who arrested the 39-year-old man

'I'm thinking how soft I feel right now Penelope broke her foot and still managed to cross the road and catch an [alleged] thief,' she said.

Ms Howard also told how she first found about the alleged theft after coming home from work.

'The boys came home from school and one of their friends was up on the hill and saw that someone was hacksawing the tinnie off the fence,' she said.

'Hunter got me and said "Mum, there's someone stealing the tinnie" which sounded unbelievable because it was the middle of the day.'

Ms Howard's attempts to get the boat back went viral after she shared footage to Facebook of her pursuit.

'Stop, that's ours. Bring it back,' Ms Howard could be heard yelling.

'Turn around and bring it back. You can't take our boat.'

A second video shows the man allegedly trying to turn on the motor as Ms Howard begs for someone to stop him.

Ms Howard's heroic behaviour caught the attention of social media users who commended her efforts.

The man was allegedly seen rowing off with Ms Howard's son's boat on Friday afternoon

'That's awesome work by you,' someone wrote.

'Super mum! So brazen to do it all in daylight too. Glad he was caught,' another commented.

'WOW!!! That is gold. Good on you. What a mum!' another posted.
Had Scindia remained in Congress he would have become CM: Rahul Gandhi

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

New Delhi, Mar 08: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday told youth wing leaders that had Jyotiraditya Scindia remained in the party he would have certainly become chief minister but was now a "backbencher" in the BJP, according to sources.

He said he had told Scindia so, but "he chose a different path" by joining the BJP, where he can never be the chief minister. Gandhi while addressing the executive committee meeting of the Indian Youth Congress said that even if Scindia returns to the party fold, "he cannot be the chief minister now".

Puducherry elections 2021: Times Now-C-Voter opinion poll suggests NDA likely to grab 18 seats

The former Congress chief exhorted youth leaders to adopt patience and be able to digest power. He said the party is observing the contribution of all of them, sources said.

"I told Scindia that he will 100 per cent become the chief minister one day. But he chose a different path. Had he not left the party, he would have been CM. He is today a backbencher in the BJP and can never become chief minister there," a source quoted him as telling the gathering.

Kerala elections 2021: Times Now-C-Voter opinion poll suggests LDF likely to 82 seats

Scindia had left the party along with some legislators loyal to him to join the BJP. This led to the fall of the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in Madhya Pradesh early last year. However, IYC president B V Srinivas denied that Gandhi made any reference to Scindia and claimed it was "not correct".

He said Gandhi told the youth that "anyone who wanted to join or quit the party was free to do so", as he urged them to continue their fight against the RSS-BJP ideology and not fear anyone. Sources, however, said he told the youth leaders that the coming days belonged to them and they should remain loyal to the party and continue their fight against the BJP/RSS and work hard for the party which was "observing" them and their contribution.

TN elections 2021: Times Now-C-Voter opinion poll suggests DMK-Congress alliance likely to win big

He said politics was a long process and one who worked sincerely for the party and remained loyal would get rewarded. "I will continue to fight these forces. I do not fear from anyone, Gandhi said at the closed-door gathering," the source said.

All state presidents and Indian Youth Congress national office-bearers attended the executive meeting. The Youth Congress leaders made a presentation at the meeting on the work they proposed to do in the next year.

Gandhi told them to continue with their programme of protests on issues of price rise and unemployment and farmers' issues and to take to the streets against the government.

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Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 21:17 [IST]
From topics about voting to the notorious coronavirus, misinformation targets different communities and minority groups as victims, filling fear and unprecedented worry about things that concern the nation. The Latino community is one of the minority groups that have been a target of misinformation.

Reports have claimed that misinformation in the English language has been translated to Spanish to target the community that uses the language, propagating wrong information that can harm or even break someone's reputation. Incidents of the actual spread of misinformation are recorded.

ALSO READ: Fact Check: Did Social Media Really Prevent Election Misinformation?

How Misinformation Travels

Associated Press mentioned an incident in Las Vegas when the former Chairman of the Democratic Party, Tom Perez, guested on a Spanish Language show when a caller blasted baseless complaints about both parties, encouraging Latinos not to cast their votes at all.

But the call during that radio show is not the only platform that has been dominated by countless misinformation that victimizes the minds of the Latinos. Channel News Asia mentioned a report saying that most of the false narratives in the Spanish language are translated from English and then circulated to other social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and even group chat apps such as Whatsapp. From there, the false information will circulate, with a high possibility of making people believe its claims.

According to Associated Press, the most recent one is during the election season. Automated accounts drove the undetected spread of disinformation about the candidates on social media platforms.

City News 1130 mentioned a report from Stanford University researchers, in collaboration with the University of Washington, a social network analysis firm, and Atlantic Council's DFRLab. The report suggests that "The most prominent narratives and those shared were either closely aligned with or completely repurposed from right-wing media outlets."

Misinformation circulation

According to Channel News Asia, the reports that encompass misinformed details, which are originally in the English language, are being translated in various countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Nicaragua, and Mexico. From these countries, Hispanic people who are voters in the United States will receive misinformation from their family members through group chat apps. Details also suggest that the misinformation is usually small and targeted, making it difficult to prevent.

Associated Press argued that WhatsApp and similar services are famous for the Hispanics residing in the United States because these kinds of services allow them to communicate via the Internet for free with their families and relatives from other parts of the world. This popularity makes the app a channel of misinformation. Perez mentioned in City News 1130 that the volume and sources of Spanish language information are wide-ranging, and that should alarm everyone.

Channel News Asia furthered that misinformation has continued a furious pace following the election. More than 20 Latino progressive groups formulated a letter dated in January that urges Spanish-language radio stations to crack down on the practice. As Florida Democratic Strategist Evelyn Perez-Verdia explained, the circulation of false narratives about current events has doubled.

RELATED ARTICLE: Facebook Tweaks Algorithm to Promote Certain Sites Amid Surge in Election Misinformation

WATCH: Spanish-Language Disinformation Campaigns Target Latino Voters - from NBC News
NSU swim coach Monanian moving on after four seasons

Monanian moves on to Purdue after accepting an assistant position at their program.
Lucknow, March 8 : UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, on Monday, said that there was now an awareness about crime against women.

He said that when he formed the government, there was a lack of awareness on this issue.

"We began by expanding Women Power Line to 75 districts from four districts. Helpline number 181 for domestic violence was also integrated with other helpline numbers to make it effective," he said.

Launching the second phase of the ongoing Safe City project to provide an environment free of fear to women, the chief minister honoured women for their contribution in various fields and inaugurated various schemes as part of 'Mission Shakti' in the state capital.

"Today, 20 per cent of women are inducted in 3 PAC Battalion in Gorakhpur, Lucknow and Badaun. For girl education, we launched 'Kanya Sumangla Yojana' with Rs 15,000 benefit for a maximum of five times," he added.

The Uttar Pradesh government had launched the 'Mission Shakti' program on October 17 last year for the security of women in the state and to further strengthen the safety mechanism for the girls and women.

In the first phase, under the Safe City project in Lucknow, 100 pink booths are being constructed for women safety in different areas of the city.

Out of this, 70 pink booths have been completed.

At the same time, 100 two-wheeler pink petrol and 10 four-wheeler pink petrol have been given to women policemen for the safety of women and girls.

These pink patrols are constantly patrolling around the girls' schools, colleges and markets.

For the facilities of women, Pink Toilets with special facilities are also being constructed at 74 places in the city, out of which 18 Pink Toilets are ready.

Under the Safe City project, lights are installed after identifying the dark spots in the city.

So far, 3625 dark spots have been identified and lights have been provided at 660 places while 2965 other spots will be taken up by the end of March. This will curb crimes against women at night.

The Women Power Line 1090 operated under the Safe City project is also proving to be a boon for women. After getting better results, the work on increasing the capacity of the women power line is also being done.

Apart from this, the integration of women power line with 112 cyber forensics facility, data analytics centres have also been established through enhancement in the technology.

The hot spots are being monitored through CCTV cameras, drones and control rooms. The installation of panic buttons, CCTV cameras and GPL in city buses will also be completed by December 2021.
New Delhi:

According to a latest research led by a group of scientists from Los Alamos National Laboratory in the US, a potential new state of matter may help explain phenomena like superconductivity.

Superconductivity is a phenomenon of exactly zero electrical resistance and expulsion of magnetic flux fields occurring in certain materials, called superconductors, when cooled below a characteristic critical temperature.

The phenomenon is largely used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particle accelerators, magnetic fusion devices, and microwave filters.

The latest findings, published in the journal Nature suggests that among superconducting materials in high magnetic fields, the phenomenon of electronic symmetry breaking is common.

The ability to find similarities and differences among classes of materials with phenomena such as this helps establish the essential ingredients that cause novel functionalities such as superconductivity.

The high-magnetic-field state of the heavy fermion superconductor CeRhIn5 revealed a state in which the material's electrons aligned in a way to reduce the symmetry of the original crystal, something that now appears to be universal among unconventional superconductors.

Also Read: Weighing yourself daily may help reduce extra inches on your waistline

Unconventional superconductivity develops near a phase boundary separating magnetically ordered and magnetically disordered phases of a material.

Talking about the same Filip Ronning of Los Alamos National Laboratory has said, "The appearance of the electronic alignment, called nematic behaviour, in a prototypical heavy-fermion superconductor highlights the interrelation of nematicity and unconventional superconductivity, suggesting nematicity to be common among correlated superconducting materials."

Heavy fermions are intermetallic compounds, containing rare earth or actinide elements.

"These heavy fermion materials have a different hierarchy of energy scales than is found in transition metal and organic materials, but they often have similar complex and intertwined physics coupling spin, charge and lattice degrees of freedom," Ronning was quoted further.

Also Read: 50 tumours removed from woman's uterus after three-hour long surgery

(With PTI inputs)

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  White New York City residents are getting vaccinated at higher numbers compared to Black and brown residents, likely due to decades-long mistrust in the healthcare system, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday.

Speaking at the Jacob Javits Center coronavirus (COVID-19) mass vaccination site in Manhattan, the governor said only 18% of the people vaccinated in New York City are Black, compared to 57% white, and 20% Hispanic.

Its a lack of trust. The Black community is saying I dont trust the system that says its safe. Too many times weve been told to trust the system and the trust was broken. Do you remember the Tuskegee Experiment and now youre telling me to take the vaccine?  Cuomo said.

Cuomo admitted that when the Trump Administration said the COVID-19 vaccine was safe he did not initially trust it, but after having the top scientists and health experts in the state review the data he has since changed his mind.

COVID-19 disproportionately impacts the Black community, not just in the state but across the nation.

COVID discriminated  two times as many Blacks died as whites; two times as many Blacks died as whites  think about that, Cuomo said.

The Black population had a higher infection rate, fewer COVID tests available, more co-morbidities, more existing underlying conditions because of the healthcare system in this nation. There are healthcare deserts and those people did not have the same level of healthcare and they fell to COVID and thats the God honest truth, he continued.

Faith leaders spoke during the press conference, urging residents to have faith in the science and to get vaccinated.

The states rollout of the vaccine has been equitable, the governor said, adding that it has worked with 48 houses of worship.

MORE VACCINATE SITES, NONE FOR S.I.

Cuomo also announced the state would be opening 10 additional vaccination sites statewide, including one in the Bronx. It did not list a specific location at this time.

The Bronx already has one state-run site, Yankee Stadium, which is a partnership with the city of New York.

There are also state-run sites located in Brooklyn at Medgar Evers College, York College in Queens and the Jacob Javits Center.

As the production from the federal government is increasing, so as were getting more, were ready to distribute more, Cuomo said.

Staten Island remains the only borough without a state COVID-19 vaccination site.

The state Department of Health (DOH) opened the first drive-thru COVID-19 test site in the state on Staten Island in the parking lot of South Beach Psychiatric Center, located at 777 Seaview Ave, in Ocean Breeze.

The already existing infrastructure of the drive-thru site would easily allow it to be a drive-thru vaccination site or a mixed-use site, offering both testing and vaccinations, however, there are no immediate plans to do so.

When asked about the lack of a state site on Staten Island and the possibility of one, either alone or as a city-state partnership, Jill Montag, state Department of Health spokeswoman, told the Advance/SILive.com any expansion is reliant on increased supply of vaccines.

New York State has operationalized one of the largest vaccine distribution networks in the nation, with over 5,000 providers statewide, and nearly 4 million shots administered to date. The state has also taken special efforts to reach communities where access is lowest, hesitancy rates are the highest, and vaccination rates are below average, but as with everything, the states supply is limited by the allocation we receive from the federal government, Montag previously said.

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The brain is a unisex organ, according to a sweeping new review that found little difference between male and female white and gray matter.

Past research has claimed men' brains make them better at thinking logically, while women's brains allow for better communication and multitasking skills.

But researchers analyzing decades' worth of data say, once relative size is taken into consideration, the remaining differences in brain function and structure are quite small and rarely consistent from one study to the next.

They say past analysis has been clouded by neurosexism - the biased assumption that female brains are just wired differently from male brains.

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A new analysis of 30 years of MRI scans and postmortem brain tissue found that, once size was accounted for, few differences in brain function and structure could still be attributed to gender

Scientists have claimed for centuries there are distinct differences between the male and female brain.

But Lise Eliot, a neuroscientist at Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago, says those theories have been tainted by bias and small sample sizes.

The brain, she maintains, is 'a unisex organ.'

In a new meta-analysis, she and her colleagues examined 30 years of MRI scans and postmortem brain tissue and found that, once size was accounted for, few differences in brain function and structure could still be found.

While neurological issues like ADHD, anxiety, depression and dyslexia tend to be diagnosed in one gender more than the other, Eliot says there's no evidence that's because male and female brains are 'wired' different

For example, the amygdala, which controls the 'flight or fight' instinct, was only about one percent larger in males, too small to be statistically significant.

While some studies indicate that male brains tend toward lateralization  using one hemisphere of the brain at a time, rather than the two sides being in constant communication  Eliot found individual results were too varied to draw any conclusions.

And studies that suggested women were better at recognizing the expression on another persons face, were countered by other reports indicating men were more proficient.

The typical adult male brain is about 10 or 11 percent larger than the average female brain.

Larger brains have more white matter, used in coordinating communication between different regions.

But that doesn't mean male brains are functionally different, says Eliot. It's just a question of scale.

'A woman with a large brain will have a higher ratio of white matter than a woman with a small brain,' she told The Academic Times.

'Like many neuroscientists, I was under the impression that if we can just get up to bigger sample sizes, we will get rid of the noise; we'll be able to see these reliable differences,' Eliot said.

Ongoing research has provided larger and large sample sizes, she sadded, 'but we're not finding these reliable differences.'

In fact, many reports contradict each other.

Eliot found that the amygdala, the part of the brain that controls the 'flight or fight' instinct, was only about 1 percent larger in males, too small to be statistically significant

'There's not a consistent finding across all large studies that we can reliably, slam-dunk know for a fact that, say, the hippocampus is larger in one sex, or the orbitofrontal cortex is larger in another,' she said.

Differences in adolescent brains faded with age, as teenage boys caught up developmentally with their female peers.

When looking at the brains of adults, said, it's impossible to know what differences are the product of biological sex and which are based on life experience as a given gender.

'It's really not appropriate to think of the brain as coming in male-type and female- type, Eliot said, 'Just like we don't really think of the kidney or the lungs or the heart as coming in male- or female-type.'

Eliot's findings, published February 20 in the journal Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, counters earlier research pointing to discernible differences between male and female brains.

A 2016 study from UCLA suggested male brains showed a higher amount of activation in the insular cortex, a region of the brain which controls emotions and self-awareness.

Other studies have noted differences in the hippocampus, the region of the brain is involved in learning and memory, as well as responses to stress and epilepsy.

In 2013, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania scanned the brains of 1,000 men, women, boys and girls and concluded male brains were wired from front to back, while the female brain crisscrossed from left to right.

That could explain why men tend to be better at performing one task, the authors said, while women are more equipped for multi-tasking.

But Eliot shoots down their theory as an overreachpointing out that the average subject age was 15 years old, just midway through brain development.

In older participants, ages 17 to 22, the differences in neural wiring were much less noticeable.

'Girls mature about 1-2 years ahead of boys  in their brains as much as their height and reproductive organs,' Eliot wrote in the Huffington Post at the time, 'so virtually any snapshot at mid-puberty is likely to find a sex difference.'

She added that the sample size in the University of Pennsylvania report also suggests differences between male and female brains are minimal.

'Anytime you need 1,000 people to reach statistical significance, it should tip you off that the differences are modest, and measurable only at the population level,' she wrote, 'as opposed to a slam-dunk difference you can expect between every boy and girl,' Eliot wrote.
Israel reopens country, reduces COVID restrictions 5 million Israelis vaccinated, 3.8 with 2nd dose

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, 08 MAR - On Sunday, as decided by the government on Saturday evening, most business activities including restaurants and cafes, schools in areas with low infection rates, cultural events, tourist attractions, and hotel eating facilities were allowed to reopen in Israel.



The Ben Gurion airport is also partially reopening and allowing the return of up to 3,000 Israelis per day without any prior authorization required from the authorities. Quarantine for those who have neither had the virus not been vaccinated will be at their own homes.



With almost 5 million Israelis vaccinated with at least one dose (3.8 million with the second as well) and a low enough number of infections to keep the situation under control, restrictions have thus been reduced.



A key element has been the introduction of a "Green Pass" for those who have either recovered from the virus or received both doses of the vaccine against COVID-19, which enables those in possession of it to have access to more services than those without it.



Restaurants can fill up to 75% of their open indoor dining areas with Green Pass holders and up to 100 in their outdoor areas so long as social distancing is practiced.



For cultural and other events, the percentage is 50% and up to 300 Green Pass holders, while 5% of them can be those who have recently had a negative COVID test.



Hotel dining areas and the facilities themselves can open with almost the same rules, as well as houses of worship.



Healthcare authorities have not ruled out that special restrictions may be brought in for Jewish Passover festivities at the end of March. (ANSAmed).




RJD MLC's impudence in Bihar Legislative Council causes CM Nitish Kumar to lose cool

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

Patna, Mar 08: An RJD MLC's attempt to ask an out-of-turn question inside the Bihar Legislative Council on Monday caused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, also a member of the House, to momentarily shed his famed composure and react in anger.

The leader of the House rose in his seat to reprimand MLC Subodh Kumar. A starred question was raised by fellow RJD legislator Mohd Farooq and the reply by Rural Works Minister Jayant Raj apparently did not satisfy the opposition.

Farooq thereafter raised a supplementary query and the minister rose again to reply when Subodh Kumar stood up and began hurling questions from his side. The chief minister intervened at this stage and said, "You must wait for your turn when another member has raised a question and the reply is being given."

Tamil Nadu elections 2021: CPI, CPI-M to contest 6 seats each in DMK alliance

The MLC, who was visibly disconcerted, attempted to stick to his guns, but the chief minister told him firmly, "You please sit down, first learn the rules." He also turned towards senior opposition legislators and said, "Why do you not impart your knowledge to these people."

The chief minister thereafter began addressing the chair, pointing out the impropriety of the RJD legislator, who is in his 30s. The young MLC tried to salvage some pride by insisting he was merely asking a "poorak prashn" (supplementary question).

The septuagenarian snapped, "Will you interrupt me while I am speaking? Will you not listen? Is this the way to conduct yourself?" The House was stunned into silence as the chief minister uttered these words on top of his voice, before resuming normal tone and explaining to the member that even if he had a supplementary question, he should have brought it to the notice of the Chair and raised it only once permission for the same was granted.

International Women's Day: PM Modi buys products to celebrate women enterprise, creativity

These are rules, which you must learn and scrupulously follow. I have no objection to anybody asking questions. But this must be in order," the chief minister said before taking his seat.

Chafed by the dressing down, Subodh Kumar whined, "I have respect for the chief minister but what I did is not without precedent. I wonder what was so amiss with my doing something even members of the treasury benches do."

Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar, who held the parliamentary affairs portfolio in the previous government, rose to reiterate that the RJD MLC's behaviour was inappropriate.

Muthoot Finance shares drop as chairman falls to death | Oneindia News

"Any number of supplementary questions can be raised. But it cannot be acceptable that one member has raised a question and even before its reply is over, another legislator starts blurting out his own queries," Shravan Kumar said.

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Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 16:36 [IST]
As far as usual suspects go, Robert Garrett fit the bill. The 23-year-old New Orleans man was out on bail for earlier armed robbery charges when another man claimed last month that Garrett was his partner in Old Metairie and Uptown stickups.

But Garrett has been cleared in those February cases after detectives debunked the other mans identification, authorities said this week. In at least one instance, Garrett was working at a Wendys at the time of the crime, his attorney said.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office recalled a warrant seeking Garretts arrest. Meanwhile, the Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office has refused 11 armed robbery charges after further investigation from the New Orleans Police Department, prompting praise from Garrett's defense attorney for the quick action.

Police arrested the other man, 18-year-old Joshua Dean, for illegal carrying of a weapon and possession of a stolen firearm on Feb. 15. After his arrest, Dean copped to a series of armed robberies, New Orleans police said.

He also claimed his accomplice in at least one robbery was a high school associate nicknamed "Greedy, police said in a warrant.

New Orleans police said they plugged that nickname into a database and came back with Robert Garrett. Dean identified a photo of Garrett as his partner, New Orleans police said in a warrant.

Dean and Garrett were accused of robbing a woman of her car and other belongings after ambushing her outside her home in the 400 block of Woodvine Avenue in Old Metairie on the night of Feb. 12. Her car was later recovered in New Orleans.

+2 NOPD jails one, seeks another in four carjackings, including three near Uptown universities New Orleans police have jailed a suspect in at least four recent carjackings  including three near Tulane and Loyola universities  and are l

New Orleans police also identified Dean and Garrett as accomplices in armed carjackings on Feb. 9 in the 8100 block of Green Street; on the same night at Cohn and Pine streets; on Feb. 10 in the 5500 block of Vicksburg Street; and on Feb. 13 in the 3600 block of State Street.

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Garrett was arrested Feb. 23. Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office detectives tracked down his alibi for the Woodvine Avenue robbery and verified it, the agency said.

The NOPD said it also managed to prove that Garrett was not involved in the armed robberies.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams' office quickly refused the armed robbery charges on Feb. 24.

Garrett's lawyer, Greg Thompson, said he didnt know why Dean might have identified his client and was unaware of any prior connection between the two men.

Garrett was working at a Wendys in New Orleans at the time of at least one robbery, Thompson said. Law enforcements full-throated declarations of Garretts innocence were unusual, he added.

"I want to applaud the thorough investigation that the NOPD and JPSO detectives conducted in these cases," Thompson said in a statement. "I also want to acknowledge the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office for doing the right thing and quickly refusing the charges as soon as Mr. Garrett's alibis were confirmed. He could've waited months or years in jail for the chance to prove his innocence. When law enforcement does the right thing, it helps to restore faith in our criminal justice system."

Garrett remains incarcerated at the Orleans Justice Center for now. A judge raised his bail on earlier, pending armed robbery charges after his more recent arrest. With the newest charges refused, Thompson said he intends to ask the judge to lower the bail on the pre-existing charges to allow his client to go free.

Dean remains locked up in the New Orleans jail.
AKRON, Ohio  The Ohio Secretary of States decisions to place the Summit County Board of Elections under administrative oversight and to reject the reappointment of Summit County Republican Party Chair Bryan Williams to the board arent the first time the Akron-area elections board has come under scrutiny.

In 2008, another GOP chair was booted from the Summit County Board of Elections by the then-secretary of state.

Then-Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat, rejected the reappointment of longtime Summit GOP Chairman Alex Arshinkoff to the election board in February 2008, citing political conflicts and threats to workers.

That decision by Brunner led to a turf war that went all the way to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Arshinkoff, who died in 2017 at the age of 62, was described as the Republican Godfather of Summit County, often holding a tight grip on money and patronage in the county for three decades.

After Brunners decision, the county party offered up Arshinkoff ally Brian Daley, but Brunner rejected Daley as well. She instead appointed Donald Varian, a Republican suggested to Brunner by a Democratic elections board member.

That May, Varian challenged Arshinkoff for chairmanship, but Arshinkoff beat back that bid handily to remain head of the county party. He said then that a rival Republican state senator and prominent Democrats conspired to have him removed from the board and as party chairman.

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled 4-3 in June 2008 that Brunner replace Varian with Daley, as requested in a lawsuit brought by the Summit County Republican Executive Committee.

In the most recent incident, Secretary of State Frank LaRose rejected Williams reappointment, citing his conduct in how the board conducted the November general election and maintained its voter rolls.

The problems at the board, according to LaRose, likely led to disenfranchisement of qualified voters  namely, people convicted of a felony but not incarcerated and eligible to vote  and at least one instance of voter fraud through a dead persons active registration.

But the other board members  including Democrat Bill Rich and Republican Ray Weber, whose terms are set to expire in 2023  arent off the hook just yet, since LaRoses office believes problems at the board have occurred for many years.

The secretary will not hesitate to initiate removal of the two board members whose terms end in 2023, prior to that date, if we determine that it is in the best interest of the voters of Summit County to do so as we uphold our sacred oath to administer safe, secure, fair and accurate elections, LaRoses office said in a news release.

LaRoses office has placed six county board of elections under administrative oversight since he took office in 2019, according to spokeswoman Maggie Sheehan. Three of those boards remain under administrative oversight, she said.
New Delhi, March 8 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the indomitable spirit of women as the world celebrated the International Women's Day observed on March 8 every year.

"Saluting our indomitable #NariShakti on International Women's Day! India takes pride in the many accomplishments of the women of our nation. It is our Government's honour to be getting the opportunity to work towards furthering women empowerment across a wide range of sectors," Modi tweeted.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said: "On International Women's Day, I truly appreciate the role of India's #NariShakti in strengthening the foundations of this great nation. The government led by Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi is deeply committed to women empowerment in all walks of life." Union Cabinet Minister for Textiles and Women & Child Development, Smriti Irani said: "A desire to conquer new frontiers, a promise to continue to be torchbearers of change, development & equality. Wishing everyone - women & supporters of Women-led Development, a Happy International Day of Women!" She also hailed women frontline workers engaged in the Covid battle in a separate tweet: "There is No HERO Without HER! The spread of COVID-19 brought to the fore selfless and determined role of #NariShakti during the crisis.

"This Women's Day, we salute our 6 million+ women health workforce for their unequivocal contribution in India's fight against Corona. @WHO." Celebrating Team MEA's #NariShakti. #InternationalWomensDay, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar tweeted a photo of his team.

"#NariShakti Rail: The first woman driver of Indian Railways, Smt. Surekha Yadav drives the all women-staffed Mumbai-Lucknow Special, in celebration of #InternationalWomensDay," Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal tweeted with several photographs of the all-women staff.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
At one stage after she finally got to the private ward she heard a woman calling for help. Michelle Minchins left leg swollen like a balloon in compression stockings while waiting for a bed at Joondalup hospital. The nurses were so flat stick they couldnt get to her, Ms Minchin said. At one point I could hear her calling out help, help I think Im dying and no one was coming. Ms Minchin used a zimmer frame to get out of bed and managed to flag down a student nurse to help the woman.

Earlier she spent hours waiting for a CT scan which revealed an artery was pressing down on the vein that took blood out of her leg. But it was very difficult to pin down someone to give her the results. The nurses were lovely but they were like Im so sorry, we cant do anything, were stuck, she said. It was 10pm before she was finally wheeled to a bed in the holding zone but again there was a six-hour wait for her private room. Junior doctors who were unsure of what to do with her.

Eventually they phoned Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital whose specialist staff told them to send Ms Minchin over. Loading She did not receive emergency surgery in time to prevent the clot reaching her belly and even with the surgery she still got life-threatening pulmonary embolisms, or fragments of blood clot in her lungs. The risk factor of the clot is that if it shifts, it will go into my lungs and then I would pretty much suffocate from the inside, she said. She spent 24 hours in the high-dependency unit after surgery and six days in hospital.

She said the surgeons at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital were not surprised by her lengthy wait at Joondalup. But the issues are not just at Joondalup, with multiple complaints to Radio 6PR about Fiona Stanley Hospital. In an email to Liam Bartletts Mornings, Pam Couglin described how her 92-year-old father recently spent 9.5 hours ramped in an ambulance after his doctor ordered him to go straight to hospital since an X-ray showed he had Bronchial Pneumonia. The ambulance arrived at Fiona Stanley at 6.30pm on Monday, February 15, followed shortly by Pam and her sister. The paramedics, who we have nothing but praise for, advised us to go home as he will be ramped for at least 6-8 hours, she said.

We subsequently returned at midnight and asked the triage nurse if he could be transferred to Murdoch Hospital and she advised that there were no beds available. Loading She said it was 4am before her father was moved to an emergency holding bay and it was another nine hours before he made it to a ward. However they said he was unable to stay there and would be transferred to Fremantle Hospital, where there was one bed available, Ms Couglin said. By this time my father was so tired and distressed, I again requested he be admitted to any private hospital.

They finally found a bed in South Perth Hospital and he was transferred the next morning. The Health Department said public hospitals used a system that automatically calculated the minimum number of nurses needed based on ward occupancy, acuity and complexity. Loading They monitored and managed staffing on a shift by shift basis to address shortages and ensure staff on the wards could deliver safe care. A spokeswoman said they rarely worked below this minimum with nursing directors rather employing more nurses, or using staff who volunteered to work extra shifts.

Nurses who called in sick were replaced. Critical care areas were prioritised. She said nurse numbers did dip last year as a result of COVID-19 restrictions when elective surgery was paused. Some had not returned to their profession afterwards. With increased absenteeism and reduced access to agency staff this had sometimes meant nurses volunteering to work double shifts or overtime, or nurses from non-clinical areas going to the wards to assist. Despite unseasonably high demand staffing had been safely managed by utilising casual staff and additional shifts by part-time staff. There was also active recruitment for nurses going on.
Clearing the path for Harris to bump Biden

By Mark Alexander



Last month, almost three dozen House Democrats issued a formal letter questioning Joe Biden's mental acuity as it related to his sole presidential authority to launch nuclear weapons.

In that letter, principal signer Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) asked that Biden give up his unilateral authority because, "Vesting one person with this authority entails risks." Panetta tactfully noted, "Past presidents have threatened to attack other countries with nuclear weapons or exhibited behavior that caused other officials to express concern about the president's judgment," and asked that Biden "install additional checks and balances."

Translation: "Mr. President, you are terminally non compos mentis, and we don't want your finger alone on the launch button."

Given the timing of that letter, combined with the fact that, since their "unity" inauguration, Biden's uber-leftist president-in-waiting, Kamala Harris, has been rapidly assuming duties generally reserved for the president, is it any wonder that she's now running an office pool on when she'll bump Biden off his box?

Some on our team don't think he'll finish the year. I'm not sure he will finish the month.

Biden and Harris were swept into office on a tsunami of unverifiable bulk-mail ballots after a mass media pre-election cover-up of Biden's ChiCom corruption  made possible by the collusion between the Democrat Party, their Leftmedia propagandists, and their Big Tech speech suppressors.

The Demo/media co-conspirators combined forces to elect Creepy Joe, but leftists of all ages were really supporting Harris. She is, like Bernie Sanders, the socialist they wanted, and indeed Harris voted with Sanders on 92% of legislation before the Senate in the two years she served.

The Biden/Harris ticket was the inverse of the Obama/Biden ticket, with the radical unknown on the top unable to draw the more moderate Demo voters without adding Biden. Last year, because Biden won the Demo primary in a large field of mostly leftist candidates, he needed a leftist on the bottom of his ticket to win.

In August of last year, when Biden announced Harris as his running mate  despite her abysmal primary performance  I titled my profile of Harris, "Actually It's the 'Harris-Biden' Ticket. I wrote, "It may be 'Biden-Harris 2020' on the ballot, but it's really Harris '21-'22-'23-'24, and she is a perilous Trump opponent." Just ask Donald Trump!

Noting that Biden's handlers completed their "selection of his [Insert Leftist Woman of Color Here] ticket requirement" just ahead of the Demo convention, it was clear that neither Michelle Obama nor Susan Rice passed Joe's "sniff test."

It was equally clear that the then-78-year-old Biden still had enough cognitive processing ability to know he was on borrowed time, even declaring himself a "transitional candidate" early in his campaign.

Recall that in public forums just before the election, Harris made a very deliberate reference to "a Harris administration, together with Joe Biden." Following the script, the next day, Biden referenced a "Harris-Biden administration." In Biden's case, this might have been a "slip of the teleprompter," but the point stands. Harris is at the helm and she is a perilous threat to Liberty.

I believe Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer scripted Biden's "transition," the rapid succession setup to replace him with Harris. Their scheme is not unprecedented. In 1944, when it was evident to his Democrat Party handlers that Franklin Delano Roosevelt would not survive his fourth term, they tapped Sen. Harry Truman (D-MO) as his successor  who indeed did succeed FDR just months after his January 1945 inauguration for a fourth term.

Weeks before the election, Pelosi seeded the 25th Amendment legislation for Biden's path to resign. As I noted then, "Pelosi's target is, ostensibly, Trump. But if Biden wins, this will provide Democrats plausible deniability to remove him. Of course, he'll be complicit in that political maneuver, and 'acquiesce' to House Democrats in order to cover the fact that the real candidate has been Kamala Harris all along, thus not causing protest from his supporters that the transition was fixed before the election."

And Trump agreed with that assessment: "Crazy Nancy Pelosi is looking at the 25th Amendment in order to replace Joe Biden with Kamala Harris. The Dems want that to happen fast because Sleepy Joe is out of it!!!"

So, when will Joe go?

Indicative of how short the puppeteer strings are, now 40 days into his administration, Biden's handlers have not allowed him to hold any solo press conferences.

And when Joe does go, there is a pesky constitutional question that will have to be resolved: Is Harris eligible to be president?

Now, for the record, we did not join the parade denying Barack Obama's citizenship, because that was a rat hole down which a lot of conservative political capital was wasted. However, for those of us who still understand that our Republic is only as strong as the Rule of Law upon which it was founded, the question of Harris's citizenship, and thus eligibility, is far more compelling than the questions raised about Obama.

Article II, Section 1 of our Constitution stipulates, "No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President..."

Though Harris was born in California, recall that her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a scientist who emigrated from India, and her estranged father Donald Harris, from whom she inherited her slave-trading legacy, was a Stanford University economist who emigrated from Jamaica. Her mother's citizenship status was unclear, and her father's citizenship was listed as Jamaican. After her parents divorced, at age 12 Harris left the country with her mother to live in Montreal, where she spent her teenage years  years about which she says very little.

Of course, Leftmedia talkingheads (and even a few conservative outlets that should know better) reject any consideration of the Harris citizenship question, claiming it's "racist" to bring it up. But whether Kamala Harris is a "natural-born" U.S. citizen has nothing to do with her race. It has only to do with the circumstances of her birth. Thus, the inquiry about eligibility is relevant.

Despite the Demos' "open borders" agenda, key to establishing their "permanent majority" that subordinates the law and welfare of American citizens to their political objectives, the notion of "birthright citizenship" is erroneous. It is clear that the drafters and ratifiers of the 14th Amendment never intended it to confer citizenship on the children of illegal aliens or those in our country legally but who are not citizens.

Leftmedia "fact-checkers" who dismiss Harris's parents' status as irrelevant completely ignore that aspect of the question. In fact, parental legal status is the entire premise of the "anchor baby" debate.

When Harris arrives at the presidential podium, the Supreme Court will have to answer the question of her eligibility. And if it's determined that she is not eligible, maybe that's Pelosi's plan  as the speaker is next in the line of succession for the presidency.

Meanwhile, the most perilous threat posed by a Harris presidency is not about race or birth status. The real threat to American Liberty is her leftist agenda. She's a radical leftist fraud who cannot be trusted with power.

Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

An Amazon telehealth outfit that started as a pilot service for Seattle-area employees and their families has quietly filed paperwork to operate in 21 more states, a signal of Amazon's expanding ambitions for the $3.8 trillion medical sector.

The service, Amazon Care, launched a year ago as an app providing on-demand chat and video consultations with medical professionals for Amazon's then-54,000 Puget Sound employees. Users can also book in-person visits at their home or office with clinicians. Payment for the service routes through Amazon.com.

In recent weeks Amazon Care has incorporated in Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Wyoming, according to records filed with state agencies. The online health magazine Stat was first to report Amazon Care's expansion.

Amazon did not respond to questions about whether access to the newly expanded service will continue to be limited to Amazon employees.

But there are indications that Amazon may begin offering the service to a broader audience. In December, Business Insider reported that Amazon had pitched other companies, including Seattle-based Zillow, on the health care app. Amazon has been hiring health care practitioners, research scientists and product managers for the app around the countryincluding in California, Georgia and Texas, according to Stat.

And with a nationwide group of home health care providers, Amazon Care on Wednesday announced it would begin lobbying lawmakers to ease regulations on what kind of health services can be performed outside of a doctor's officepotentially widening the services Amazon Care can provide.

Amazon has not yet received professional licenses that would allow it to operate facilities like medical testing labs in the 21 states it has filed to do business. However, that paperwork may be coming down the line: In its Georgia business registration, Amazon indicated it planned to start doing business in the state this July.

Amazon began nosing around the lucrative field of health care in 2017, when it made several high-profile hires from the sector. Former One Medical Vice President Christine Henningsgaard joined Amazon, as did Missy Krasner, from the digital health-records management company Box.

Henningsgaard, who left Amazon in 2019 to start the maternity-focused health care venture Quilted Health, refers to herself on her LinkedIn profile as part of the "founding team" of Amazon Care, which she described as "bringing customer obsession, advanced technology, and last mile logistics to health care."

Around the same time, the company formed an ill-starred health care consortium with Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase. The organization, later dubbed Haven, had a stated goal of offering better service and rates from health care providers on behalf of the triumvirate's nearly 1.2 million employees; Haven dissolved last month.

Amazon purchased online drugstore Pillpack for $753 million in mid-2018; the next year, the company won landmark approval allowing its voice-activated artificial intelligence, Alexa, to transmit private patient information. When the coronavirus began infecting Amazon's hundreds of thousands of warehouse workers last summer, the company built hundreds of its own on-site laboratories to test employees.

In November, Amazon launched an online pharmaceutical delivery service, sending drugstore share prices tumbling. Just weeks later, Amazon's cloud-computing division unveiled a health data management service for doctors and hospitals that complies with patient confidentiality regulations.

Amazon Care has likely been in the works since at least early 2018, when Amazon hired Seattle geriatrician Dr. Martin Levine. Amazon Care clinicians are employed by Care Medical, formerly Oasis Medical, a company Levine founded shortly after he joined Amazon, according to business records.

Amazon replaced Levine early last year with Dr. Sunita Mishra, a former executive at Providence St. Joseph, where she led the development of the health system's mobile app for on-demand medical care. Levine is now chief medical officer at The Polyclinic health system, which operates 14 sites around the Puget Sound region. Weeks after Mishra joined Amazon, the company expanded access to Amazon Care to all of its now-80,000 Washington state workers.

2021 The Seattle Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (March 8) said the celebrations for India's 75 years of independence should reflect the spirit of the country's freedom movement and showcase its achievements to the world since 1947.

Speaking after the first meeting of the 259-member high-level national committee headed by the prime minister to commemorate 75 years of India's independence, PM Narendra Modi said public participation should be the basis of the celebrations.

"It is an opportunity to showcase to the world our achievements since 1947. We need to tell people about the sacrifice of freedom movement heroes," he said after the virtual meeting.

The members of the committee include former president Pratibha Patil, Chief Justice of India S A Bobde, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, 28 chief ministers, artistes like Lata Mangeshkar, A R Rahman, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, senior BJP leader L K 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 panel.

Live TV
Northern Ireland Education Minister Peter Weir during a visit to a Primary 3 class at Springfield Primary School in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

A further two people in Northern Ireland have died after testing positive for Covid-19 and 144 new cases of the virus have been reported.

It brings the death toll to 2,077 and the total number of confirmed cases since the outbreak to 113,789. Some 1,224 people have tested positive in the last seven days.

There are currently 220 Covid patients in hospitals across Northern Ireland, with 35 in intensive care and 25 requiring ventilation.

Hospitals are operating at 90% capacity.

A total of 18 care homes are dealing with Covid outbreaks.

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Meanwhile. some pupils have returned to school on Monday for the first time since the latest lockdown started in December.

P1 to P3 pupils returned to classes, however they are set to go back to remote learning after two weeks.

No date has yet been set for the wider return of all pupils in Northern Ireland to school - with the Education Minister Peter Weir urging his Executive colleagues to push ahead for the return of all pupils to school.

"I want to see that moving as quickly as can be safely accommodated," said Mr Weir on Monday.

"I want to see the P1 to P3s remaining in school throughout and I want to see an early return for the remainder of primary and also the remainder of secondary school pupils."
Viewers gripped by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey took to social media Sunday night to ask 'who is Ursula the evil sea witch' after the Duchess of Sussex compared herself to The Little Mermaid.

Meghan, who revealed she is expecting a girl in the summer, told the talk show host she had an epiphany when she watched the Disney movie and saw parallels between the character Ariel and her own life since meeting her real-life prince.

In the tale, mermaid Ariel meets a human prince and falls in love but, in order to be with him on land, she makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula to give up her life in the sea and her voice in exchange for three days as a human.

In the end, the sea witch is defeated, Ariel gets her voice back and is changed into a human permanently so she can live happily ever after with her prince.

Viewers gripped by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry 's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey took to social media Sunday night to ask 'who is Ursula the evil sea witch' after the Duchess of Sussex compared herself to The Little Mermaid

Meghan, who revealed she is expecting a girl in the summer, told the talk show host she had an epiphany when she watched the Disney movie and saw parallels between the character Ariel and her own life since meeting her prince

'I was sitting in Nottingham cottage and The Little Mermaid came on,' Meghan said in a clip of her, Oprah and Harry in 'Archie's Chick Inn' coop where the chickens they rescued from a battery farm reside.

'And who as an adult really watches The Little Mermaid but it came on and I was like, 'Well I'm here all the time I might as well watch this.'

'And I went, 'Oh my God she falls in love with the prince and because of that she loses her voice.'

'But in the end she gets her voice back,' she added.

Oprah said: 'And this is what happened here. You feel like you got your voice back', to which Meghan replied: 'Yeah.'

Meghan later told Oprah that her and Harry's love story has been 'greater than any fairytale you've ever read.'

People took to social media reacting to her comments with some asking if Meghan was calling the Queen the villain in the real-life saga while others mulled a future acting role for the former Suits star.

'I am the adult woman who watches The Little Mermaid, Meghan,' one person wrote, in reference to Meghan laughing at adults watching Disney films.

'But point made. Who is Ursula the evil sea witch in that analogy, though?'

'And I went, 'Oh my God she falls in love with the prince and because of that she loses her voice. But in the end she gets her voice back,' Meghan said of Ariel (above)

People took to social media reacting to her comments with some asking who the villain is in the real-life saga

Others mulled a potential future acting role for the former Suits star

'If Meghan was the lil mermaid, who is the Ursula who took her voice? There is a specific name and I want it!' another added.

'Meghan lowkey just compared the Queen to Ursula,' joined in another.

Another person added: 'Yeah, interesting analogy. Meghan may not have intended it, but now I cant help but picture the Queen as Ursula.'

One person wrote that they were 'rooting' for the Disney villain: 'Lmaooo that was so f**kin embarrassing. You a grown ass woman, Meghan. Never mind that we were all rooting for Ursula, goofy ass.'

Others suggested Meghan could be a good fit for a future remake of the movie.

'Disney remake the little mermaid (2021) starring meghan markle challenge,' one person tweeted.

'I like to think that Meghan talking about 'The Little Mermaid' was really her just hinting that she'd like to join the cast of the live action movie!!' another tweeted.

Many viewers shared memes of their reactions to the comparison.

'When Meghan realized she was the little Mermaid is definitely in my top 5 favorite television moments ever!!' one person tweeted.

'Meghan Markle and this damn Little Mermaid metaphor. She too damn good at this. They absolutely picked the right f**king one,' said another.

'Omg Meghan IS Ariel from the Little Mermaid #OprahMeghanHarry,' one person wrote.

Another added: 'MEGHAN MARKLE IS THE LITTLE MERMAID. WOW.'

Meanwhile, several others hit back at the duchess's suggestion that adults do not watch The Little Mermaid.

'Yes, adults do watch the little mermaid. I am adults,' one person wrote.

'Meghan: 'Who as an adult watches The Little Mermaid?' Me, having watched it just one week ago...,' added another.

Several people hit back at the duchess's suggestion that adults do not watch The Little Mermaid

In the bombshell interview, Meghan accused the Royal Family of having 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white.

The Duchess of Sussex also described her 'pain' that officials had denied him the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect their son Archie by denying him 24/7 security.

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it.

And in an extraordinary Meghan was on the verge of tears as she had suicidal thoughts and told Oprah: 'I don't want to be alive anymore'.

In the most extraordinary royal interview in decades, Meghan also revealed in her Oprah interview that the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry before she married Harry - but insists she has forgiven Kate who bought her flowers to apologise.

The interview aired first in the US on Sunday night despite protests it should be put on hold while Prince Philip - Harry's grandfather - recovers in hospital from heart surgery.

The same week, Buckingham Palace launched a probe into allegations Meghan bullied Kensington Palace staff, drove out two PAs and inflicted 'emotional cruelty' on aides.

Others likened the interview to Netflix show The Crown, suggesting the show's final season had more or less written itself
After 170 years, the black-browed babbler reappeared in a Borneo forest, leaving ornithologists stunned  and delighted.

The first and only known specimen of the black-browed babbler was collected in Indonesia in the 1850s. Because it was wrongly labeled as being from Java instead of Borneo, people searching for more black-browed babblers never discovered any. The error was eventually corrected, but still, no one was able to find the bird.

In 2016, the bird-watching group BW Galeatus was established in Borneo. Two members had questions about a black and brown bird they would sometimes see in a forest in Borneo's South Kalimantan province. The men, Muhammad Suranto and Muhammad Rizky Fauzan, captured one of these birds in October, and sent photos to another member. It looked like the black-browed babbler, but since that seemed too good to be true, he forwarded the photos to experts.

When the bird was confirmed as a black-browed babbler, ornithologist Panji Gusti Akbar told The New York Times, he felt "excitement, disbelief, and a lot of happiness." Ding Li Yong, a conservationist with BirdLife International, said it "took me a while to come to grips with this thing. I had a tear in my eye."

The bird was released back into the wild, and once COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted, several experts plan on traveling to Borneo so they can learn more about the elusive black-browed babbler. The hope is that this finding will help get people in the region excited about birds and nature, plus get tourists to visit. "We're now seeing this bird alive for the first time in all of its natural glory," Yong told the Times. "Borneo is an island of surprises, and there's a lot to still be discovered and learned."

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Just as everyone was getting into sourdough kit starters and baking fresh bread loaves last year, Agueda Ulloa was longing to create something that hit closer to home.

As the granddaughter of a former Mexican bakery owner, Ulloa gravitated towards Mexican pan dulce (sweet pastry bread) and realized that what she wanted to bake most was one of Mexicos most quintessential baked goods  the iconic concha.

Of all the Mexican sweet bread varieties, conchas are among the most popular. The pastry itself is best described as a rounded bread with a thick powdery sugar dome thats etched with a sundry of linear designs. Its shape and appearance help give the traditional pastry its name, meaning seashell.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Initially, Ulloa baked for friends and family but never imagined that the hours she devoted in the kitchen would lead to something much greater. But since August 2020, Ulloa has baked dozens of conchas for her East Bay pop-up, Cafe de la Olla.

In August I was a full-time supervisor at Krispy Kreme, and I was [starting] my college semester, Ulloa said. I would make donuts Monday through Friday in the early mornings, go to class and then make conchas on the weekends. It was a really busy startup, and I didn't really have expectations for the business, but as time went by, I started getting recognition in the community.

Ulloa has since quit her job at Krispy Kreme to focus on her small business full-time. Cafe de la Olla is located within Ulloas home in Union City, where she bakes regular- to mini-sized conchas that are priced at $15 and $10 a dozen, respectively. Customers can place their orders online and pick them up in Union City or catch Cafe de la Olla at one of its pop-up events in Hayward. She also sells individually wrapped conchas that she says have been especially trendy with pandemic drive-by parties. Her clientele has even expanded beyond friends and family and has attracted customers from all over the Bay Area, with some visiting as far east as Tracy.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

The pop-up has only been around for about seven months, but Ulloa has been making conchas ever since her childhood. It runs in my blood, Ulloa said.

Conchas always take Ulloa back to her childhood when shed spend time with her extended family in Oklahoma. On those visits, making Mexican pan dulce was a bonding experience and each member of the family, including the kids, would take part in the baking process. Ulloa says the children were tasked with placing the sugar topping on each concha and she still remembers the feeling shed get as she watched her grandfather  the pro baker  place the sugar garnish with such ease.

It was entertaining watching my grandpa  he's definitely a showoff, Ulloa said with a laugh. [He would] put [the sugar topping] on in seconds with fast hands and the young kids [would take] a few minutes. He's a very straightforward person so he'd be like, Oh, this kid has technique or No, this one wont carry on the tradition.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Despite the simple ingredients needed to make conchas, preparing the pastry is a lot harder than many would think. On most days, Ulloa fulfills about 60 dozen concha orders (but she can make up to 100 dozen for pop-up events) in a two-day process that requires an overnight rest of the dough. The sugar topping is made of equal parts vegetable shortening, sugar and flour that, once blended together, resemble the texture of Play-Doh, Ulloa said. But adding the sugar mix on the actual concha takes technique and practice. If youre not careful with the placement, you could inadvertently flatten the mound and prevent it from blooming into a soft, pillowy pastry.

Ulloa developed a brioche-style recipe for the pastries she makes, though she also uses the original family recipe her grandfather employed at his bakery in Tlacuitapa, a small town in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Curating the recipe was no small feat either.

It took me years to find this exact twist on so many different recipes and put it all together into one, Ulloa said.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

One advantage to the brioche-style concha is that the pastry is less dry compared to traditional conchas, thanks to plenty of butter that goes into the batter. Ulloa also puts her unique spin on conchas with a variety of flavored toppings she developed. Cafe de la Olla offers the standard vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavors, but theres also a cinnamon apple version and conchas topped with Oreo cookies. Theres even Paleta Payaso and Mazapan de la Rosa flavors  a nod to the candies that Ulloa would find at her local Mexican supermarket.

Across Latinx households, conchas and other Mexican pastries are best enjoyed dipped into coffee or Nestles Abuelita hot chocolate. The tradition of sinking bread in hot chocolate dates back to the 1500s when its believed that a viceroy dipped his bread in the local, sweetened hot chocolate in front of a crowd and the addictive habit was born, Eater wrote in a deep dive of the history of conchas. The pastry itself was likely influenced by French immigrants during Frances occupation of Mexico in the 1860s, leaving their imprint on Mexican culture by introducing baguettes, croissants, crepes and more into the region. Mexican versions of French baked goods were adapted and integrated into daily life, continuing through today, where Bay Area panaderias sell pan dulce.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Cafe de la Ollas unique spin on the traditional concha is one way Ulloa believes her business stands apart from other dessert-style pop-ups around the Bay Area. And customers love them too: Ulloa has been thrilled to hear the positive feedback from her clients, both young and old, who have been caught off guard by the flavors, Ulloa says.

Ulloa has plans to add more to her current menu with the addition of cafe de olla (coffee sweetened with piloncillo, or pure cane sugar), cold brew, horchata cold brew and chocolate Abuelita cold brew. She started experimenting with cold brew coffee recipes when customers at previous pop-up events asked if she had coffee available.

Ulloa admits that launching a pop-up during the pandemic wasnt easy as she had to navigate through the permit process on her own. She said there didnt seem to be a clear path to opening a small business from home, and getting email responses from the county also took time. Eventually, Ulloa got all her licenses, including the cottage food operations license, to cook and sell goods from home. Shes also currently saving up to buy a larger professional oven.

Ulloas grandfather, who now resides in Oklahoma, hasnt had the chance to try conchas from Cafe de la Olla yet, but Ulloa says hes thrilled that shes carrying on the family tradition.

The idea of making conchas came long before my own generation, Ulloa said. I want [my grandpa] to be here to see the whole process. Hopefully when the pandemic permits, he'll be here helping.
Just over a year into the coronavirus pandemic, China has become one of the "most active" markets for mergers and acquisitions (M&A), as mainland buyers scoop up deals in Asia and buy local operations from multinational companies seeking to exit the region, according to one of Deutsche Bank's top bankers in the region.

Activity is probably the "busiest" it has been in a number of years to begin 2021, in terms of the number of deals in the region, even as the sizes of transactions are a little smaller, according to Mayooran Elalingam, Deutsche Bank's Asia-Pacific head of investment banking coverage and advisory.

"Even if the rest of the year is much more normal, we should have a very, very good year in M&A, probably the best in awhile," Elalingam said. "We had a good year at the end of 2020 for announcements. That will carry through."

Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.

Domestically, there were 825 deals in China worth a combined US$75.7 billion through March 5, the biggest number of transactions since 2018, according to data from Refinitiv.

There were 51 announced outbound deals by Chinese buyers worth a combined US$5.8 billion to begin the year, compared with 79 outbound transactions worth a combined US$1.6 billion in the same period in 2020, according to Refinitiv.

Deal making is being driven by a variety of factors this year, Elalingam said. A number of companies raised a lot of cash in 2020 as they wanted to be flush to navigate the pandemic and are now looking for ways to deploy it, he said.

"There are new buyers in town. There are the SPAC buyers. There is private equity, infra and core plus funds, and also insurance and yield seeking funds, which in cases can be single-digit return hurdles," Elalingam said. "There's a lot of new buyers for assets that didn't exist before. That's a good thing."

Story continues

Other firms are looking to dispose of assets as they seek to decrease their debt, he said.

Activists have returned following a quieter year because of the pandemic, and are again pushing for asset sales to unlock value in companies, Elalingam said.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns have also become a more prominent part of the discussion in deals, he said. The higher profile of ESG concerns comes on the back of China and other governments in the region announcing plans last year to be carbon-neutral by 2060.

Green bonds are fixed-income products designed to fund projects that are environmentally friendly.

Mayooran Elalingam, Deutsche Bank's Asia-Pacific head of investment banking coverage and advisory. Photo: Handout alt=Mayooran Elalingam, Deutsche Bank's Asia-Pacific head of investment banking coverage and advisory. Photo: Handout

As US-China relations remain strained, Chinese buyers are focusing on more local and regional targets for outbound transactions, rather than the United States, Elalingam said. They are also pursuing deals where multinational companies are looking to sell some assets as they exit the region, he said.

Outbound activity had been on the decline in recent years, as China pushes to reduce corporate debt following the world's biggest shopping spree in 2016, and the Trump administration pursued a trade war with Beijing.

"Inbound into China is still a little tricky and who the buyer is matters," Elalingam said. "Generally, for our multinational clients, we're seeing more outbound flow than inbound at the moment."

Prominent exits in recent months included Nestle agreeing to sell its water business in China to Tsingtao Brewery Group in August and its Yinlu peanut milk and canned rice porridge business to Food Wise Company in November.

Another trend that could play an important role in deals in the region this year is the proliferation of special-purpose acquisition vehicles (SPACs). These so-called blank-cheque companies raised more than US$60 billion in initial public offerings in the first two months of the year, including a record US$34.6 billion in February, according to Refinitiv. It is the fastest pace for fundraising by SPACs in the past two decades.

These investment vehicles are not currently allowed to list in Asia, but bourses in Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia are considering whether to make rule changes to allow them to do so.

Some of Hong Kong's wealthiest families are jumping on the trend as well and forming their own SPACs, including Richard Li, the younger son of Hong Kong's richest man Li Ka-shing, and Adrian Cheng Chi-kong, the third-generation scion of New World Development.

"Two things matter for a successful SPAC market in APAC - investors and regulatory framework. We have large investor appetite in this region to support SPACs, as evidenced by Asian demand in overseas SPACs," Elalingam said. "However, the regulatory framework needs to be thought through, as this is a complex product that probably suits more sophisticated investors."

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.
Source: PA

April 3 2016: The mother-of-one is detained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard at Imam Khomeini airport after a holiday visit to Iran where she showed her daughter Gabriella to her parents.

July 12 2016: Richard Ratcliffe, her husband, delivers letters to Downing Street for outgoing prime minister David Cameron and his replacement Theresa May on his wife's 100th day in custody. He says it is 'astonishing' no British minister has publicly criticised Tehran for arresting Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

August 9 2016: New prime minister Mrs May 'raised concerns' about Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe during a phone call with president of Iran, Hassan Rouhani.

September 9 2016: Mr Ratcliffe says his wife has been jailed for five years following a conviction on unspecified 'national security-related' offences - a sentence he describes as 'a punishment without a crime'.

November 13 2016: Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe begins a hunger strike, which she ends after five days amid her family's fears for her health.

January 2 2017: Mr Ratcliffe says Mrs May and her ministers could have 'publicly stood up for Nazanin more' and should have called for her release. Mr Ratcliffe said: 'She raised those concerns in September. What happened after September? Nothing much, really.'

April 24 2017: The family of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe say she has lost the final stage of her appeal against the sentence.

November 6 2017: It is feared Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe may face a further period of imprisonment because of remarks made by then-foreign secretary Boris Johnson. Mr Johnson told a parliamentary committee the previous week that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was working in Tehran training journalists at the time of her arrest in 2016. Four days later, she was summoned before an unscheduled court hearing, where the foreign secretary's comments were cited as proof that she was engaged in 'propaganda against the regime'.

November 7 2017: It is announced that Mr Johnson told his Iranian counterpart in a phone call that his comments to a Commons committee provide 'no justifiable basis' for further legal action against Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe. A Foreign Office spokesman says Mr Johnson now accepts that he 'could have been clearer' when he told the Foreign Affairs Committee that the British woman had been training journalists in Iran at the time of her arrest.

November 12 2017: Mr Ratcliffe says his wife has seen a medical specialist after finding lumps on her breasts and is 'on the verge of a nervous breakdown'.

November 15 2017: Mr Ratcliffe describes an hour-long meeting with Mr Johnson as 'positive and constructive'.

December 12 2017: Mr Johnson said he and his Iranian counterpart spoke 'frankly' regarding the case of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, during talks in Tehran.

Later in December 2017: Mr Ratcliffe said he believes there is 'still a chance' his wife may be released in time for a dream Christmas together.

December 28 2017: Mr Ratcliffe says he is in limbo waiting for news of his wife's release but has not given up hope, and describes the situation as 'a lot more positive' than last year.

April 14 2018: Iranian ambassador to the UK, Hamid Baeidinejad, says the Iranian government is doing its best to secure Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's release, saying the judicial process was 'complicated' but insisted 'we are trying our best'.

May 21 2018: Mr Ratcliffe says his wife has been told to expect another conviction after appearing in court over a new 'invented' charge.

August 3 2018: New foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt pledges to do everything possible to secure Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's release, after talks with Mr Ratcliffe.

August 21 2018: Mr Hunt says he is considering a request by Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband to grant her diplomatic protection.

August 23 2018: Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is given temporary release from prison for three days and her husband says it feels like 'home is one step closer'. She returns to prison three days later.

September 26 2018: Mrs May and Mr Hunt ramp up pressure on Iran to release the charity worker during talks in New York. The PM tells Iranian president Hassan Rouhani she has 'serious concerns' about the jailing of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

December 26, 2018: Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe turns 40 in jail. Three days later, she marks her 1,000th day of incarceration.

January 14 2019: She begins a hunger strike in protest over her treatment in jail. The action ends after three days.

January 24 2019: Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif raises hope of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's return to the UK by suggesting she could be freed in exchange for an Iranian woman held in Australia on a US extradition request. The minister subsequently backs away from his comments.

June 15 2019: Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe begins another hunger strike, this time lasting 15 days. She is joined, in a show of solidarity, by her husband, who strikes outside the Iranian Embassy in London.

June 24 2019: Mr Johnson, who came under fire as foreign secretary for his comments about Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's case in 2017, becomes Prime Minister. Dominic Raab replaces Mr Hunt as Foreign Secretary.

September 23 2019: Mr Ratcliffe says Mr Johnson can make amends for his failings in his incarcerated wife's case by telling Iran's president 'enough is enough' and securing her release.

October 10 2019: The couple's daughter, Gabriella, returns to the UK after more than three years living in the Middle East. The child, who is now five years old, had been living with her grandparents in Tehran since her mother was arrested. Her father says: 'It has been a long journey to have her home, with bumps right until the end.'

December 18 2019: Mr Ratcliffe is joined by Gabriella singing Christmas carols outside Downing Street, and he called on the Prime Minister to 'please take responsibility for Nazanin's case and do what you can to get her and others home'.

January 3 2020: A US air strike kills Iran's top military chief, General Quassem Soleimani. Mr Ratcliffe says he is worried about his wife, and tells ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'I sit here partly worried for what that means for Nazanin, partly worried what that means for my in-laws, sat in their ordinary living room in Tehran where they're all really worried.'

January 10 2020: Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe spends one night in a clinic after suffering 'palpitations and panic attacks' due to the tensions in Tehran, sparked by the death of Gen Soleimani, Mr Ratcliffe says.

January 23 2020: Richard Ratcliffe and their five-year-old daughter Gabriella meet the Prime Minister in Downing Street, but Mr Ratcliffe says there was 'no breakthrough'.

He tells reporters: 'I don't think I have come away thinking Nazanin is coming out tomorrow or even next week, and I will think carefully about what I tell her on the phone on Saturday about where the hope is to come.'

February 23 2020: Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg tells the House: 'It is a particular concern that the coronavirus has been rumoured - but I emphasise rumoured and not confirmed - to be in the prison in Evin where Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is.'

February 29 2020: Mr Ratcliffe says he believes his wife has contracted coronavirus in prison as he expresses concern at the jail's 'refusal to test her'.

March 3 2020: The couple's Labour MP, Tulip Siddiq, says she believes Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe may be temporarily released from jail due to the Covid-19 outbreak in Iran.

She tweets: 'News from Iranian Ambassador that my constituent Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe may be released on furlough today or tomorrow from prison in Iran.

'If this is true, Nazanin would welcome leaving Evin jail, but we've been here before.'

March 17 2020: Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is temporarily freed from jail. She says she is 'happy to be out, even with the ankle tag' and can only go within 300 metres of her parents' home.

March 28 2020: Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's temporary prison release is extended to April 18 and Mr Ratcliffe says his wife's file has been put forward to the Iranian prosecutor general to be considered for clemency.

April 21 2020: After a delay, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's prison release is extended again for around one month. Mr Ratcliffe, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, reveals that the family are able to talk via video calls for about four to five hours a day.

May 20 2020: Mr Ratcliffe says his wife's release has been extended indefinitely until there is a decision on her clemency. He describes the news as 'a real step forwards... I don't think it's guaranteed one way and I don't think she thinks it's guaranteed one way, but let's enjoy the moment.'

May 26 2020: Mr Ratcliffe says the family are on the 'cusp of potentially good news' and thinks the family could find out about a decision on her clemency the following day.

August 24 2020: Lawyers for Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe ask Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for a meeting and call on the British Government to stand up to Iran over its 'abusive treatment'.

September 8 2020: Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe appears before a branch of Iran's Revolutionary Court in Tehran, where she faces a new charge.

March 7 2021: Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's sentence is due to come to an end.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 9)  President Rodrigo Duterte fires back again on Vice President Leni Robredo on her statements about the China-made Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine.

Duterte expounded that Robredo is creating uncertainty and doubt among people about the effectiveness of Sinovac, the first COVID-19 vaccine brand to arrive in the country last February 28. An initial batch of 600,000 doses donated by the Chinese government and military arrived on that day.

"Instead of helping, the Vice President muddled up everything, thereby I said creating uncertainty and doubt in the minds of the people. I hope next time, if she has nothing good to say, she should just maybe shut up I did not get irritated. I got angry at you because I said, what is this? Time is running out to convince people," said Duterte.

The President responded to the Vice President's remark in an online show interview where she said Duterte was short-tempered. It was Robredo's response to Duterte's comment on his public address last week that she should "bring a basket" and shop for vaccines.

Duterte got irked by Robredo's backing of some health workers who pleaded to the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) to review the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine.

HTAC was created under the Universal Health Care Law to review the cost and ethical and community impact of health technologies that will be introduced to the public. Included for review are medicines, vaccines, and health devices.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who co-authored the law, clarified that under the measure, the health technology assessment process is only recommendatory to the Department of Health and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said the country is expected to receive one million more doses of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine by the end of March. The Philippine government reached an agreement with Sinovac to secure 25 million doses of the product. The government will request for two million doses by April and three million doses by May.
One byproduct of Saturday's anti-lockdown event in Cork city was that Van Morrison might have gained a few fans. Even the notoriously grumpy singer might raise a smile at that.

Van's 'As I Walked Out', from his critically panned new album, was played over a tinny speaker as the organisers from a group called the People's Convention set up outside Brown Thomas, the crowd expectant and building, despite having been urged to stay away.

Music is a subjective business, but you can never judge an act by its fans.

In a way, the same applies to this event. Some people were there to vent, many wanted hope, plenty were at the end of their tether. It was not typified by one person.

This was reflected in the words of the second speaker, Peter O'Donoghue.

He told the crowd, which gardai estimated reached more than 450 people, that he was "not a quack", that he was not affiliated to far-right or far-left.

It was he who told people in no uncertain terms that anyone who came with a view to causing trouble should pack up and go home. It drew applause.

There was also an element of nuance when he spoke about his own reasons for attending.

He referred to some of his own neighbours who had said he was stupid, selfish and foolish to attend, and they had told him to "cop on".

He came anyway, making sure to note his respect for the gardai, but placing everything  including the public health advice not to gather  behind the right to freely gather, something he said was a Constitutional right.

He spoke about the "slippery slope to authoritarianism".

Read More Six arrested on day of Cork anti-lockdown protest

The right to protest is central to the creation of this state.

It was hardly a surprise that some people at the event were, literally, wrapped in a tricolour.

One woman carried a small sign declaring 'Irish Lives Matter'.

But the coronavirus, and more particularly its new, ultra-transmissible variants, don't really care about our Constitution, or our right to free assembly, or nationalities or political stripes.

It wants to get into our airways and do its worst. For a year now, that's what it has done, with devastating effect.

That's why it was easy to sympathise with many of the arguments made by people who genuinely feel like they can't take much more of this, and yet still be struck by the dissonance on display.

One woman held a sign stating 'Pay the student nurses'. That's a laudable aim, one everyone can get on board with.

Spokesman Diarmaid O Cadhla also mentioned the respect for frontline care workers.

Peter O'Donoghue speaking at the protest rally on St Patrick's Street in Cork city centre on Saturday afternoon. Picture: Larry Cummins

But as we know, frontline health staff have accounted for a substantial number of positive Covid cases since the pandemic began.

What if an outbreak arises from this very gathering, and Cork's Covid-19 numbers  currently the lowest incidence rate in the country  rise as a result?

How is that repaying those same nurses, when their own lives would then be at greater risk?

Afterwards, Dr Ronan Boland, GP and former President of the IMO, tweeted: "Anyone attending (let alone organising) such an event has no respect for frontline healthcare workers. Period."

It's that view, rather than platitudes from the street, that is likely to chime with doctors and nurses around the country.

Mr O Cadhla and Mr O'Donoghue spoke about the rising unemployment rates, the businesses going bust, the strain on mental health, the lonely deaths as people have passed away in isolation.

A woman spoke with emotion about not seeing some of her children who live overseas for a year.

But then she spoke about "manipulation of the figures from the outset".

Another speaker, Paddy Bullman, from east Cork, said "the only thing they wanted to stop you spreading was the truth".

But the truth  the deadening, dull truth, the one we're sick of hearing every day  is that until enough people get vaccinated, until science and medicine find a way, Covid-19 is a very real risk to everyone.

Contracting it is a lottery, for you and your children.

That might sound like "scaremongering", a word heard often on Saturday, but this third wave has almost certainly been the one where we have all known someone who has contracted it.

And unquestionably, the strain of repeated lockdown is taking a toll, on young people, on families.

The pandemic has highlighted the gaps and tiers in society  those who can work from home, and those who can't; those whose jobs are secure, and those now out of work; those who, remarkably, may be able to save money during the course of this, and those whose finances have taken a battering.

The discourse over lockdowns seems to have gone the same way  if you are pro-public health advice, you are seen by some as pro-lockdown, like we all want to be stuck, interminably, within our 5km limits, unable to see anyone, or do anything.

We're in the midst of a pandemic where sadly there are no easy answers, no silver bullets, just hopes that vaccines will resolve this mess and let us get back to living the lives we want.

Twin sisters Katriona and Pamela Mackey spoke of the need to end lockdowns at the anti-lockdown protest on St Patrick's Street. Picture Larry Cummins

Before the demonstration got underway, sisters Katrina and Pamela Mackey stood outside Fitzgerald's menswear holding signs asking for a better strategy and demands for better.

But read the small print: our ICU bed capacity is "one of the lowest in Europe", so how does potentially adding to that tally help us out of this situation?

The sisters have graced the red of Cork with distinction while representing Cork at camogie.

They're respected people.

When they spoke, politely, to the media before the event began, they were emotional.

They have had enough. They want to go back to training, to living. Don't we all?

In this increasingly broad church, they were part of a crowd in which others were holding signs that said 'speak the truth, shame the devil', and where a man's homemade placard declared 'Fine Gael say you can't be anti-mask, vaccine or science, however, your uncle can be your aunty open the country and stop the nonsense'.

There are different agendas, united under one loose banner.

Some wore masks, some did not.

Some listened intently and said things needed to change.

Others channelled their rage and paranoia, sneering at mask choices, shouting "get rid of the fake news media", filming everyone, being filmed.

They gathered, as if the act of gathering would make all this go away, either by force of will, or numbers, or magic.

But it clearly isn't going to make Covid go away.

The inconvenient truth is that gatherings, like this one, risk pushing us back.

So Van may well add a few new fans attracted by the subject matter of his new album.

But as the vast majority of a weary people still hold the line, however painfully and reluctantly, maybe he'll lose a few as well.
When Carlos Mercado caught COVID-19 late last year, he suffered through the sickness alone.

Mercado, who lives alone in Jersey City, quarantined in isolation as he waited for his symptoms to fade. Wishing to help but wary of contracting the virus, his family and friends dropped off care packages at his home with food, water and clean laundry.

I had faith and I stayed positive, Mercado said. But I knew that once I was better, then I was going to try to help other people out there that were home suffering. Because I experienced it.

Now Mercado, since recovered, has made it a priority to help others avoid what he went throughby helping them get vaccinated. He has joined the hundreds, if not thousands, of people donating time and money to help strangers through the dizzying process of booking appointments for the coronavirus vaccine.

With supplies still limited, the process of getting a vaccine in New Jersey has become notoriously difficult. Healthcare workers, first responders, seniors 65 and older, and people 16 to 64 with underlying health conditions are now eligible, as are teachers and day care workers as of March 5.

As of March 15, that list will expand to include transportation workers, migrant farmworkers, public safety and MVC personnel, tribal communities, homeless people, and shelter residents.

But as eligibility has expanded, demand for the states vaccines has vastly outweighed the supply, increasing competition for the still-limited number of doses.

Its kind of like, youre adding more folks, which is causing more appointments to be missed out by these elderly folks, said Adil Sheikh, a project manager in Plainsboro who volunteers his time helping book appointments for seniors.

Those seeking the vaccine must navigate byzantine online registration forms, vaccine appointments that vanish within seconds, and hours waiting on hold on the phone. Thats where volunteers like Mercado and Sheikh come in.

Aided by Facebook groups like the 100,000-member New Jersey Covid Vaccine Info and vaccine botscomputer programs that alert social media users to open appointment slotsvolunteers have managed to book thousands of shots for people who are less technologically literate.

Its become like a game, said Janki Shah, a doctor who volunteers her time booking appointments for New Jersey strangers. Essentially, its a contest of fastest finger. Who gets there first?

Shah lives in New York City but began navigating New Jerseys vaccine registration sites to help family members who live here. After that, she said, she just continuedhelping book appointments for strangers in Hudson County and across the state.

The first week it was almost like a high, getting people the appointments they needed, she said. She would wake up early every morningCVS usually releases appointments around five or six, she saidand stay up until midnight every night because thats when Hackensack Meridian releases their appointments.

She connects with people seeking help on social media and fills out registration forms for those seeking shots. At first, she said, it felt odd to ask strangers for essentially everything besides your social security number. But people willingly entrusted her with their personal data.

I do think it just goes to show how desperate people are to get this vaccine, she said.

In Plainsboro, Sheikh has assembled an arsenal of six computers to be able to book appointments quickly when they appear. He uses Google tools that refresh pages and fill forms with personal information automatically. These have allowed him to book between six to eight shots for random folks every night, he said.

You have to be tech-savvy to be able to book these appointments, he said.

Adil Sheikh has assembled six computers to help him book vaccine appointments more quickly.

But some, like Mercado, are finding ways to help through more old-fashioned means. After he recovered from the coronavirus, Mercado registered his parents in the state system to get a shot. But with no reply forthcoming, and more contagious COVID-19 variants popping up in the U.S., Mercado began to worry. He began calling Jersey Citys Bethune Center, where the first city-run vaccination site was located, trying to get his parents an appointment.

Im sure thousands of people were trying to get vaccinated, he said. So I kept calling back every four minutes.

Eventually, he managed to book appointments for his parents. After that, he started to help neighbors book vaccine slots, then friends. Then strangers began asking him for help. It isnt just elderly people who are struggling to get the shot, Mercado said.

(Peoples) English may be bad, or they might have fears that they dont have their citizenship and insurance, he said. Theres a lot of information thats out there, they just dont understand it or dont have access to it.

Patricia Grundling, 73, who Mercado helped book an appointment, called Mercado incredible.

After chatting with her on their street, Mercado gave her a phone number to call to book an appointment. When that appointment came, he drove her to the Bethune Center and back.

If it wasnt for Carlos, I never would have had my shot, Grundling said. He wouldnt even let me buy him a cup of coffee.

Mercado estimates that hes helped more than 35 people get vaccinated in Jersey City.

Jersey Citys my home, he said. I want to make sure I do the best I can to protect it.
While greeting everyone on the occasion of International Women's Day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday has made a scathing attack on the Central Government over the Womens Reservation Bill. She slammed the Centre for not bringing the bill to Parliament.

The WB CM took to Twitter and said, "While the Centre has not yet brought the Womens Reservation Bill in #Parliament, I am proud that All India Trinamool Congress has 41% women MPs in Lok Sabha and 31% in Rajya Sabha. We have also reserved 50% seats in local bodies for women candidates."

READ | Amit Malviya Raises Questions On TMC Using Mamata's Posters On Ambulances In Poll-bound WB

READ | Mamata Banerjee To Contest Only From Nandigram; TMC Announces West Bengal Candidate List

West Bengal elections 2021

The West Bengal Assembly with 294 seats will also go to the polls from May 2, 2021. CM Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress holds 222 seats at present. However, BJP has made major inroads in the state in the Lok Sabha elections winning 18 seats out of 42 and establishing itself as the major opposition force in the state. The BJP is using its booth-level strategy and has regularly dispatched its top leaders including Amit Shah and JP Nadda in the state for winning the upcoming elections, with the Prime Minister also addressing mega-rallies there in recent weeks. The party has also been inducting a number of major TMC leaders on a regular basis and plans to hold at least 1500 rallies and assorted road-shows in total.

Elections to the 294 seats in West Bengal will be held in 8 phases across 1,01,916 polling stations, announced the EC. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

1st phase- 30 constituencies. Date of polling- March 27

2nd phase- 30 constituencies. Date of polling- April 1

3rd phase- 31 constituencies. Date of polling- April 6

4th phase- 44 constituencies. Date of polling- April 10

5th phase- 45 constituencies. Date of polling- April 17

6th phase- 43 constituencies. Date of polling- April 22

7th phase- 36 constituencies. Date of polling- April 26

8th phase- 35 constituencies. Date of polling- April 29.

READ | Mithun Chakraborty Has Cryptic Take To 'BJP's Bengal CM Face' Speculation; Speaks To Arnab

READ | Babul Supriyo Speaks To Arnab Goswami Ahead Of PM Modi's Mega Rally In Kolkata
Rizzi previously served as President and Chief Sales Officer of Travel Leaders Corporate. With close to 30 years of leadership experience in sales, marketing and operations, Gabe originally joined Travel Leaders Corporate in 2016 as President where he successfully integrated a series of acquisitions to make Travel Leaders Corporate a leader in the corporate travel arena.

In his new role as President, Rizzi will lead the business divisions across the organization. This includes Global Travel Collection, Travel Leaders Group and Bonotel Exclusive Travel. Rizzi will also oversee Travel Leaders Corporate, which includes Travel Leaders International, Corporate Travel Services in Mexico and Your Event Solutions in the U.K.

Jeremy Van Kuyk has been promoted to Chief Information Officer for Internova Travel Group, replacing interim Chief Information Officer Steve Curts, who will continue to serve on Internova's Board of Directors.

Van Kuyk joined the company as an Associate Business Analyst in November 2000 and has held various positions with increasing responsibility in IT. Most recently, he served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Travel Leaders Group where he spearheaded the development and implementation of various technology programs, including Agent Profiler, the company's proprietary online lead-generation system for travel agents, and Engagement, a comprehensive technology suite of programs that helps travel agents promote and sell their services. In his new role, Van Kuyk will oversee the information technology needs of business divisions across the Internova organization.

"We are extremely pleased to have Gabe and Jeremy join our executive leadership team," said O'Hara. "Gabe is a proven leader who has already demonstrated his ability to drive revenue growth across the organization, drawing upon his more than three decades of experience. And Jeremy has been instrumental in leading the evolution of technology at Travel Leaders Group, making him the perfect fit for Internova during a critically important time as we, as a company and as an industry, prepare for the rebound of travel."

About Internova Travel Group

Internova Travel Group is a travel services company that supports travelers, travel advisors and travel agencies in our four divisions: Global Travel Collection (Luxury & Premium Travel), Travel Leaders Group (Leisure Travel), ALTOUR (Corporate Travel) and Bonotel (Hotel Product). Internova represents more than 65,000 travel advisors in over 6,000 company-owned and affiliated locations predominantly in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with a presence in more than 80 countries.

SOURCE Internova Travel Group

Related Links

https://internova.com




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[March 08, 2021] CSU reports a record net income of R$46.8 million in 2020, with a strong expansion of 74.3% over 2019.

SAO PAULO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CSU (CARD3:BZ), a leading company in the Brazilian market in state-of-the-art technological solutions for payment means, customer experience and clients' loyalty and incentives, discloses the results of the year 2020, following the good moment started in the 1st quarter of 2019, with growth in the main indicators: net revenue of R$456.9 million, gross profit of R$135.8 million, record EBITDA of R$130.8 million and record net income of R$46.8 million. Such figures are higher by 7.8%, 24.3%, 25.7% and 74.3%, respectively, over 2019. Even in the months with the greatest challenges in confronting Covid-19, when the economy slowed and the pandemic crisis affected all sectors, the company advanced, and in an accelerated way, on the digital path - which has been making a difference in winning new clients, in the supply of digital products in the most diverse areas and, especially, in the expansion of its profitability in the two business units. Mr. Ricardo Leite, Investor Relations Officer, details that "CSU meets the needs of consumers for solutions such as virtual cards, digital wallets compatible with Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Apple Pay, invoice scanning, wearables - devices that carry out payment, robotic technology in customer service and, recently, approval for the issuance of cards with the Elo flag". Regarding the highlights per unit, at CSU.CardSytem, which has state-of-the-art technological solutions for payment means, there was efficiency in the delivery of digital products with an 18.7% growth in EBITDA compared to 2019, a record of R$100.1 million. At CSU.Contact, which offers complete customer experience solutions, operations with the working from home solution were expanded to serve customers via remote work of most CSU employees, with a 55.4% expansion in EBITDA over 2019, a record of R$30.7 million.



CSU also increased its investment in technological solutions, with the purpose of promoting even more assertive tools and to maintain the pace of expansion in its economic and financial results. Between January and December 2020, the company invested R$51.7 million, representing an increase of 1.9% in relation to the previous year. To meet the growth in demand for its services, CSU maintained its workforce ending 2020 with approximately 6,000 employees. Thus, "in the face of such a challenging year affected by the pandemic, we were able to assist many companies, our clients and their consumers with cutting-edge solutions based on innovation, presenting a high level of quality throughout the period in all our operations. As a victory for the company, during a year with several obstacles, we proposed the distribution to shareholders of R$18.5 million, of which R$12.5 million in interest on own capital already paid and R$6.0 million in complementary dividends to be approved at the general meeting, representing 40% of the year's net income, which demonstrates our resilience and ability to get out of crises better than we entered", concludes the executive.

About CSU Created in 1992, CSU is a leading company in the Brazilian market in state-of-the-art technological solutions for payment means, customer experience and clients' loyalty and incentives. CSU has about 6,000 employees, in the offices of Sao Paulo, Barueri, Recife and Belo Horizonte. Acting in a pioneering way, in 2006 CSU was the first company in its segment to go public on B3, becoming part of the highest corporate governance level, the Novo Mercado segment, under the ticker CARD3. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/csu-reports-a-record-net-income-of-r46-8-million-in-2020--with-a-strong-expansion-of-74-3-over-2019--301242547.html SOURCE CSU

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A teen and a woman in her 20s are dead and a man in his 20s is in critical condition after three separate Sunday shootings in Philadelphia.

This marks a homicide count of 83 for Philadelphia in 2021  a 24% increase from where it stood at this time last year, NBC 10 is reporting.

Around 5:17 p.m. in the citys Olney section, a woman was found shot multiple times and was rushed to the hospital, where she later died, Action News 6 ABC is reporting.

Its unclear where in that neighborhood she was shot as the police secured two separate crime scenes on the 5300 block of North 5th Street and on the 400 block of West Fisher Street, reports indicate. Police recovered three guns and arrested two men, according to reports.

Just before 6 p.m., a man who was attempting to steal a vehicle on the 4000 block of L Street was shot and is now in critical condition, 6 ABC reports. Its unclear who shot him, but NBC 10 reports a suspect was taken into custody.

And an 18-year-old man was shot in the chest on the 1800 block of Sullis Street around 7:08 p.m. and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, reports indicate. No arrests have been made, and no weapons have been recovered.

No names have been released in any of these cases.

More than 300 people have been shot in Philadelphia so far this year, according to reports.
The United States is deeply troubled by the arrest of opposition leader Nika Melia and other members of the opposition in Georgia.

The arrest of Nika Melia, the leader of the United National Movement, has drawn thousands of protesters into the streets of the capital, Tbilisi, demanding his release and has created a rift within the ruling party. Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia resigned recently amid a debate within the government over enforcing an arrest warrant for Melia. He is alleged to have violated the terms of his bail related to a case against him that he and Georgian NGOs claim is politically motivated. It is reported that some 20 other people were also arrested at the partys headquarters.

Polarizing rhetoric, force, and aggression are not the solution to Georgias political differences, said State Department spokesperson Ned Price in a statement.

The U.S. Embassy in Georgia warned that the political arrests in Georgia have moved the nation backward on its path toward becoming a stronger democracy in the Euro-Atlantic family of nations.

European Commission spokesperson Peter Stano urged all sides in Georgia to show the necessary restraint, utmost restraint and responsibility, to avoid more escalation in the interest of the country and its people.

The political situation in Georgia has been tense amid allegations of voter fraud in the country's October parliamentary elections. The Georgian Dream party, which has governed Georgia for the last eight years, claimed it received the largest share of the vote at 48 percent. But opposition parties refused to recognize the results, claiming the count was manipulated.

Both Georgian Dream and United National Movement have pro-Western platforms promoting better relations and eventual membership in NATO and the European Union.

We call on all sides to avoid actions that could further escalate tensions and to engage in good faith negotiations to resolve the current political crisis [in Georgia], urged spokesperson Price.

The United States stands ready to support a democratic, secure, and prosperous Georgia.
The situation was not looking good yesterday, and we were literally 15 minutes away from going on strike when the employer (Jewel) finally realized just how serious the situation was, Mike Cales, the unions secretary-treasurer, said in a news release.
Kakaobank CEO Yun Ho-young



By Lee Kyung-min



Kakao Bank and Citibank Korea have yet to offer services whereby customers can add savings accounts to the list of their bank accounts on the Open Banking online platform, a data-driven financial service initiative spearheaded by the Financial Services Commission (FSC).



The apparent failure to update the service promptly brings into question whether Kakao, the much-touted internet-only fintech leader, has misplaced priority by paying attention only to the upcoming initial public offering (IPO), with its customer-oriented mindset increasingly being neglected.



Kakao Bank plans to complete its planned IPO by the second half of this year. It achieved a net income of 13.7 billion won ($12.1 million) in 2019, only two years after it was launched. The net income for 2020 was 113.6 billion won.





Citibank Korea CEO Yoo Myung-soon
After nearly ten hours of play, Ludovic "Gr4vyB04t" Geilich took down Event #30: Super High Roller $25,500, $2.5M Gtd. for $635,080. Geilich made it through the 127 player field to get heads up with Belgian grinder Bert Stevens, who is perhaps better known as "girafganger7".

The two cut a deal before heads-up play when Stevens had slightly more chips than Geilich, meaning Stevens actually earned slightly more than Geilich despite finishing second.

Geilich is no stranger to big results. With more than $3 million in earnings on the live felt and more than $4 million in the virtual arena, Geilich is one of the best in the world no matter where the cards are dealt. The $635K he earned from this event represents his biggest score either live or online, eclipsing both the $300K+ score he earned live in 2013 at EPT London for 4th place, as well as his $462,182 win in 2016's WCOOP-70: $21,000 PL Omaha [6-Max, High-Roller].

Final Table Results

Place Name Country Prize 1 Ludovic "Gr4vyB04t" Geilich United Kingdom $635,080 2 Bert Stevens Belgium $655,298 3 hashtag_fold Canada $418,948 4 David Yan New Zealnd $316,226 5 Daniel Dvoress Canada $238,691 6 Arsenii Malinov Russia $180,167 7 Sami Kelopuro Finland $135,992 8 David Coleman United States $102,648 9 level29 India $77,480

The Day's Action

Event #30: Super High Roller $25,500, $2.5M Gtd. got underway at 3 p.m. Eastern time with five hours of late registration. By the time the registration window was closed, 127 entries swelled the prize pool to $3,175,000, more than 25% above the guarantee.

There were still 44 players left at the tables when registration closed, fighting for 17 paid spots. It took a little over an hour before Seth Davies was eliminated on the money bubble after getting it in good with kings over queens, but then losing out to Finland's Sami Kelopuro when a queen hit the river.

Along the way, big-name players like Isaac Haxton and Mikita Badziakouski lost their chips just before the money, as did Chi Zhang, who fired six bullets in this one before busting near the money bubble.

Wiktor Malinowski

Just over an hour passed before they were down to the final table. Wiktor Malinowski, better known on the online cash streets as "limitless", was the unfortunate player to bubble the final table. He lost a race with eights to Geilich's ace-king when the Scotsman flopped a king.

That set up a final table that took just over two hours to complete. Among the big names to make the final table were American David Coleman (8th for $102,648), Finnish player Kelopuro (7th for $135,992), and Canadian Daniel Dvoress (5th for $238,691).

They played four-handed for about an hour, even trying to cut an ICM deal at one point that was rejected by "hashtag_fold", before David Yan became the next casualty when his king-seven couldn't hold against the queen-seven of Stevens, and that opened the floodgates. "hashtag_fold" followed Yan to the exit immediately after, and after Stevens and Geilich cut a deal heads up, they only played two hands before Geilich took it down.

The deal was cut at the start of heads-up play when Stevens had the slight edge in chips. That gave Stevens the biggest payout at the end, $655,298 to $635,080 for Geilich, but it was Geilich who got the official win.

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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
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COLUMBUS, OhioOhio Attorney General Dave Yost and his fellow Republican counterparts in 18 other states are seeking to intervene in a U.S. Supreme Court case over whether federal family-planning money can go to clinics that perform abortions or make abortion referrals.

In a joint motion filed Monday with the nations high court, the attorneys general argued that Trump Administration rule changes to the Title X federal family planning program benefit Ohio. They noted that the Ohio Department of Health is now receiving millions in grant money that once went to Planned Parenthood before the changes were made in 2018.

The new policy, they added in a legal brief, ensure(s) that states can participate in the important Title X program without appearing to approve of abortion.

Federal funds cannot be used to directly pay for abortions. The Title X program, rather, helps low-income Americans receive medical exams, contraceptive services, and cancer and sexually transmitted disease screenings.

However, abortion opponents argue that giving Title X money to Planned Parenthood for those services indirectly supports the organizations abortion procedures.

Soon after taking office in January, President Joe Biden ordered a review of the Trump-era rule change. Yost and the other AGs argue thats a signal that the new Democratic administration will soon undo the regulation. Abortion-rights supporters and medical groups have called the policy change a gag rule.

The Supreme Court announced last month that it will review the rule change to resolve conflicting rulings by lower courts about its legality.

Besides Ohio, other states joining in the brief include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia, according to a Yost release.

Yost and the other AGs stated in their brief that if the Supreme Court doesnt allow them to directly intervene in the case, American Medical Association v. Cochran, then the court should at least permit them to file a friend of the court advisory brief.

Read the full brief:
By Joseph S. Nye, Jr.





CAMBRIDGE  When China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, recently called for a reset of bilateral relations with the United States, a White House spokesperson replied that the U.S. saw the relationship as one of strong competition that required a position of strength. It is clear that President Joe Biden's administration is not simply reversing Trump's policies.



Some analysts, citing Thucydides' attribution of the Peloponnesian War to Sparta's fear of a rising Athens, believe the U.S.-China relationship is entering a period of conflict pitting an established hegemon against an increasingly powerful challenger.



I am not that pessimistic. In my view, economic and ecological interdependence reduces the probability of a real cold war, much less a hot one, because both countries have an incentive to cooperate in a number of areas. At the same time, miscalculation is always possible, and some see the danger of "sleepwalking" into catastrophe, as happened with World War I.



History is replete with cases of misperception about changing power balances. For example, when President Richard Nixon visited China in 1972, he wanted to balance what he saw as a growing Soviet threat to a declining America. But what Nixon interpreted as decline was really the return to normal of America's artificially high share of global output after World War II.



Nixon proclaimed multipolarity, but what followed was the end of the Soviet Union and America's unipolar moment two decades later. Today, some Chinese analysts underestimate America's resilience and predict Chinese dominance, but this, too, could turn out to be a dangerous miscalculation.



It is equally dangerous for Americans to over- or underestimate Chinese power, and the U.S. contains groups with economic and political incentives to do both. Measured in dollars, China's economy is about two-thirds the size of the U.S. economy, but many economists expect China to surpass the U.S. sometime in the 2030s, depending on what one assumes about Chinese and American growth rates.



Will American leaders acknowledge this change in a way that permits a constructive relationship, or will they succumb to fear? Will Chinese leaders take more risks, or will Chinese and Americans learn to cooperate in producing global public goods under a changing distribution of power?



Recall that Thucydides attributed the war that ripped apart the ancient Greek world to two causes: The rise of a new power, and the fear that this created in the established power. The second cause is as important as the first. The U.S. and China must avoid exaggerated fears that could create a new cold or hot war.



Even if China surpasses the U.S. to become the world's largest economy, national income is not the only measure of geopolitical power. China ranks well behind the U.S. in soft power, and U.S. military expenditure is nearly four times that of China. While Chinese military capabilities have been increasing in recent years, analysts who look carefully at the military balance conclude that China will not, say, be able to exclude the U.S. from the Western Pacific.



On the other hand, the U.S. was once the world's largest trading economy and its largest bilateral lender. Today, nearly 100 countries count China as their largest trading partner, compared to 57 for the U.S. China plans to lend more than $1 trillion for infrastructure projects with its Belt and Road Initiative over the next decade, while the U.S. has cut back aid. China will gain economic power from the sheer size of its market as well as its overseas investments and development assistance. China's overall power relative to the U.S. is likely to increase.



Nonetheless, balances of power are hard to judge. The U.S. will retain some long-term power advantages that contrast with areas of Chinese vulnerability.



One is geography. The U.S. is surrounded by oceans and neighbors that are likely to remain friendly. China has borders with 14 countries, and territorial disputes with India, Japan, and Vietnam set limits on its hard and soft power.



Energy is another area where America has an advantage. A decade ago, the U.S. was dependent on imported energy, but the shale revolution transformed North America from an energy importer to exporter. At the same time, China became more dependent on energy imports from the Middle East, which it must transport along sea routes that highlight its problematic relations with India.



The U.S. also has demographic advantages. It is the only major developed country that is projected to hold its global ranking (third) in terms of population. While the rate of U.S. population growth has slowed in recent years, it will not turn negative, as in Russia, Europe, and Japan. China, meanwhile, rightly fears "growing old before it grows rich." India will soon overtake it as the most populous country, and its labor force peaked in 2015.



America also remains at the forefront in key technologies (bio, nano, information) that are central to twenty-first-century economic growth. China is investing heavily in research and development, and competes well in some fields. But 15 of the world's top 20 research universities are in the US; none is in China.



Those who proclaim Pax Sinica and American decline fail to take account of the full range of power resources. American hubris is always a danger, but so is exaggerated fear, which can lead to overreaction. Equally dangerous is rising Chinese nationalism, which, combined with a belief in American decline, leads China to take greater risks. Both sides must beware miscalculation. After all, more often than not, the greatest risk we face is our own capacity for error.





Joseph S. Nye, Jr. is a former dean at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and the author of "Do Morals Matter? Presidents and Foreign Policy from FDR to Trump." His article was distributed by Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org).




Governor Opens All Businesses, Lifts Mask Mandate Wednesday Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order Tuesday, March 2, lifting the mask mandate in Texas and increasing capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100 percent.



The executive order rescinds most of the governor's earlier executive orders related to COVID-19. Effective Wednesday, March 10, all businesses of any type may open to 100 percent capacity. The order also ends the statewide mask mandate in Texas. Businesses may still limit capacity or implement additional safety protocols at their own discretion.



"With the medical advancements of vaccines and antibody therapeutic drugs, Texas now has the tools to protect Texans from the virus, said Governor Abbott. "We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans by opening Texas 100 percent."



During his remarks, the governor said that by Wednesday, about 7 million shots will have been administered in Texas and over half of seniors in Texas will have received a vaccine.



The governor also said that Texas has a surplus of personal protective equipment and can perform over 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day, and he said that Texans have adopted daily habits that reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and infection.



He added that the number of active COVID-19 cases is the lowest since November, meaning more Texans are recovering from COVID-19 than contracting it.



Abbott's order states that if COVID-19 hospitalizations in any of the 22 hospital regions in Texas get above 15 percent of the hospital bed capacity in that region for seven straight days, a county judge in that region may use COVID-19 mitigation strategies.



If restrictions are imposed at a county level, they may not include reducing capacity to less than 50 percent for any type of entity, Abbott said.



"Make no mistake, COVID-19 has not disappeared, but it is clear from the recoveries, vaccinations, reduced hospitalizations and safe practices that Texans are using that state mandates are no longer needed," Abbott said.



"Today's announcement does not abandon safe practices that Texans have mastered over the past year. Instead, it is a reminder that each person has a role to play in their own personal safety and the safety of others. With this executive order, we are ensuring that all businesses and families in Texas have the freedom to determine their own destiny," he added.



The Texas Department of State Health Services continued to encourage Texans to wear masks following the governor's announcement.



"Should you wear a mask? The answer is absolutely yes, DSHS Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt told the House Public Health Committee Wednesday. Does the governor want folks to wear a mask and to take their own personal responsibility to do it? The answer, I believe, is yes."



The Texas Hospital Association also released a statement following the announcement.



"On behalf of all Texas hospitals, we ask that Texans continue wearing a mask in public to protect yourself and those around you," it read.



The Texas Education Agency reported shortly after the governor's announcement that it would leave the decision regarding mask orders at schools up to local school boards. Area districts were assessing how to move forward at the end of the week. See accompanying story for more information regarding statements from Hill County schools.



As of Thursday, March 4, DSHS was reporting that 3,929 Hill County residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and a total of 2,193 were fully vaccinated.



The state was reporting a total of 98 confirmed fatalities in Hill County from COVID-19 as of Friday morning, March 5.


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 Sued by 12 States Over Climate Executive Order

President Joe Biden was sued by 12 states over a climate change-related executive order, saying it has the potential to severely affect states economies.

State attorneys general from Arkansas, Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah joined a lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

Manufacturing, agriculture, and energy production are essential to Missouris economy and employ thousands of hard-working Missourians across the state. Under President Bidens executive order, which he didnt have the authority to enact, these hard-working Missourians who have lived and worked this land for generations could be left in the dust, Schmitt, a Republican, said in a March 8 statement.

The lawsuit challenges Bidens Executive Order 13990, titled Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis, and accuses the Biden administration of not having sufficient authority to issue binding numbers on the social costs of greenhouse gases in federal regulations.

From higher energy bills to lost jobs, this massive expansion of federal regulatory power has the potential to impact nearly every household in this statethats why today, Im leading a coalition of states to put a stop to this executive order and protect Missouri families, said Schmitt.

The White House didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The suit argues that Bidens order could inflict trillions of dollars of damage to the U.S. economy, while saying that the executive order threatens the Constitutions separation of powers doctrine.

In practice, this enormous figure will be used to justify an equally enormous expansion of federal regulatory power that will intrude into every aspect of Americans livesfrom their cars, to their refrigerators and homes, to their grocery and electric bills, the lawsuit reads (pdf).

According to the White House, Bidens Jan. 20 order is designed to promote and protect our public health and the environment as well as conserve our national treasures and monuments.

Where the Federal Government has failed to meet that commitment in the past, it must advance environmental justice, the order stated. In carrying out this charge, the federal government must be guided by the best science and be protected by processes that ensure the integrity of Federal decision-making. 

The order directed all federal agencies and departments to review and take action to address the Trump administrations climate-related executive orders.

The lawsuit was filed on March 8 in federal court in the Eastern District of Missouri.
Australian flag flutters in front of the Great Hall of the People during a welcoming ceremony for Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Beijing, China, April 14, 2016. (Reuters/Jason Lee/File Photo)

SBS Suspends Chinese State Media Broadcasts Over Human Rights Complaint

Australian public broadcaster SBS has temporarily stopped its broadcasts from Chinese state-run television CCTV and CGTN after receiving a complaint from a human rights group that both channels had aired dozens of forced confessions.

SBS announced on Friday it was reviewing a letter of complaint sent by the human rights organization Safeguard Defenders, which highlighted serious human rights concerns.

The group accused SBSs English and Mandarin-language programs suppliers, CGTN and CCTV, of broadcasting at least 56 forced confessions from prisoners over a seven-year period.

Both networks, produced by Chinese state-controlled media to target international audiences, are aired on SBS as part of its World Watch programming, with CGTN broadcasted since 2015 and CCTV since 1993.

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 while we undertake an assessment of these services, an SBS spokesman said on Friday.

A Chinese flag flutters outside the CCTV headquarters, the home of Chinese state media outlet CCTV and its English-language sister channel CGTN, in Beijing, China, on Feb. 5, 2021. (Carlos Garcia Rawlins via Reuters)

In the letter of complaint, Safeguard Defenders said the confessions are forced out of prisoners who are arbitrarily detained or have not been on trial. It said CCTV and CGTNs airing of the confessions breach SBSs own code of conduct regarding the lack of consent and privacy infringement.

These broadcasts involved the extraction, packaging and airing of forced and false confessions of prisoners held under conditions of duress and torture, SBS reported the letter said.

These offences involved the airing of confessions extracted from suspects long before any indictment, trial or conviction, and in many instances while the victim was detained incommunicado, with no access to legal counsel, at secret locations.

A significant number of these confessions are broadcast not only in China, but internationally via CCTV-4 and CGTN, the letter said.

Staged Confessions

Some of the people who have confessed on two Chinese state-owned channels include detained journalists, bloggers, lawyers, activists, Hong Kong booksellers, and Safeguard Defenders director, who is also the author of the complaint letter, Peter Dahlin.

The ABC reported on Friday, last week, that Dahlin was arrested in China when running the non-governmental organization China Action which offers legal service to Chinese people and assists human rights lawyers.

Peter Dahlin in On Chinese TV, Confessions Are All the Rage, Wall Street Journal video on Youtube in January. 23, 2016. (Screenshot)

Dahlin had been held for almost one month when he says he was brought before television cameras to confess in January 2016.

He then confessed that he had violated Chinese law, caused harm to the Chinese government, and hurt the feelings of the Chinese people in a manipulated interview.

I have been given good food, plenty of sleep, and I have suffered no mistreatments of any kind, he told the interviewer, I have no complaints to make. I think my treatment has been fair.

Chinese state media agency Xinhua later used the confession to praise the Chinese police for having smashed an illegal organisation that sponsored activities jeopardising Chinas national security while branding Dahlin as a Western anti-China force.

The Chinese government later admitted that coercive measures have been used against him despite denying the claim initially, the Guardian reported.

Forced Confessions as a Political Tool

In a 2018 investigative report, Safeguard Defenders said the practice of forcing confessions out of dissidents lies at the core of control in Communist China both for furthering the political grip and in ideological reform.

It is known as the regimes common tool to humiliate, discredit or persecute those deemed class enemies during the Mao era.

Similar defaming programs have been used to serve as the partys attack dogs when a particular political threat emerges, wrote Sarah Cook, a research director at Freedom house, in a 2019 report.

Some of these include a 2009 documentary series about the Dalai Lama, the disinformation on the Hong Kongs democracy protests, and efforts to justify the incarceration of the Uighurs, the report said.

Chinas TV Confessions, Al Jazeera English on February. 22, 2019 (Screenshot)

Western Media Versus Chinese Media Apparatus

SBSs interim ban on CCTV and CGTN comes seven months after UK media regulator Ofcom revoked CGTNs licence to operate in the UK.

The watchdog explained the decision in a statement that the Chinese media outlet is not controlled by its licence-holder, Star China Media Limited (SCML), but instead by a body which is ultimately controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.

We have given CGTN significant time to come into compliance with the statutory rules. Those efforts have now been exhausted, Ofcom stated.

SBSs move is likely to intensify the diplomatic tensions between Australia and China, which is considered to be at its lowest point in decades.

Last year, the Australian spy agency ASIO raided the homes of Australian based Chinese state-media staff while investigating allegations of foreign interference.

Meanwhile, China detained Cheng Lei, a Chinese Australian CGTN news anchor and deported two other Australian journalists. Beijing has also banned ABCs digital platforms in China since 2018.

In 2019, concerns were raised over SBSs decision to maintain the contract with Shuangyuan Shi, director of the Confucious Institute in the NSW Department of Education, despite the program being disbanded by the NSW government for fear of Chinas infiltration.

An SBS spokesman backed Shis position as a cultural commentator on SBS Mandarin radio, saying he is a well-known expert and does not comment on any political matters.
Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested the president of an adult video (AV) production company over the alleged upload of illegal content to a sales site last year, reports the Asahi Shimbun.

On December 9, Yoichiro Shimada, 40, allegedly worked with executive Yukari Suzuki, also 40, to upload an unscensored film to the site FC2 Content Market Adult.

The film, starring Fukanyan (whose real name is Tadamasa Fukazawa), did not include the obfuscation of genitalia, which is required by law.

Fukazawa, 38, was also arrested in the case. He and Shimada admit to the allegations. However, Suzuki has declined to comment.

Yoichiro Shimada (Twitter)

According to police, Shimada uses Twitter and dating apps to recuit performers for the AV films made by his company.

Over a 29-month period through February, the company has uploaded at least 4,250 illegal films to the internet. The films sell for between 1,000 yen and 10,000 yen each.

Revenue from the films has totaled about 660 million yen over that period, police said. - tokyoreporter.com
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has finally had his first dose of his company's coronavirus vaccine, he told Axios on Sunday.

The 59-year-old executive vowed in December that he would wait his turn to get the shot, when asked by CNBC whether he would get an early dose to boost confidence in the 95 percent effective vaccine.

True to his word, Bourla finally got vaccinated on Monday after becoming eligible in New York, where he lives with his wife.

Bourla said that he feels 'liberating' now that he's had his first dose.

He won't be sufficiently immune to return to some semblance of normality until about two weeks after his second dose, but according to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, next month Bourla will be able to see other fully vaccinated people indoors and without a mask.

Bourla's vaccination came shortly after the US approved a third coronavirus vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has finally had his first dose of his company's coronavirus vaccine, he told Axios on Sunday

Bourla got his first dose of his own firm's vaccine, which is thought to be 95% effective, but encouraged Americans to take any shot available as soon as it is available (file)

J&J's shot is a single-dose inoculation, Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines, which each require two doses to offer immunity.

In trials, all three vaccines appeared to prevent 100 percent of COVID-19 deaths and 'virtually all' hospitalizations, as Dr Anthony Fauci is fond of saying.

Bourla added his voice to the choos of experts urging Americans to take whichever shot is available to them, as soon as it is offered.

They argue on that all three vaccines perform equally well for the most important metrics.

'This is a pandemic. The vaccines that are approved by the FDA are all vaccines that are meeting the threshold,' Bourla told Axios.

'If we are in a situation where we need to make a priority decision, deaths are coming first above everything else, always, and hospitalizations.

The vaccines have not been tested head-to-head.

But they had different efficacies for preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in their respective trials.

Pfizer's had the highest performance, reducing the risks that people who received both doses would develop symptoms by about 95 percent.

Moderna's did nearly as well, reducing infection risks by about 94 percent.

Their clinical trials concluded in the late fall and early winter, however, before variants became a considerable threat.

Deaths and hospitalizations were equally unlikely in the trial group that got Johnson & Johnson's real COVID-19 vaccine, compared to those who got a placebo.

But there were more 'breakthrough' infections.

The vaccine was 72 percent effective in the US during trials, which concluded just as variants were beginning to spread in the US.

It was about 64 percent effective in South Africa where the more infectious variant, B1351, with mutations that help it to evade vaccines, is now dominant.

That's triggered some leariness among Americans.

Mayor of Detroit, Michigan, Mike Duggan, set off a wave of questions over that vaccine after he commented the he wanted the 'best' shot for his constituents, and was apparently misunderstood to mean that he was rejecting an allocation of J&J shots.

He's since clarified his statement, but not before the question was put to White House officials: What did scientists have to say to people who felt they were getting an inferior vaccine?

'If it was the case, can I get a vaccine now - any vaccine now - or a vaccine that I prefer two months later, I would go with whatever I can get now,' Bourla said, echoing statements from health officials like Dr Anthony Fauci.

Bourla did wait, however, so as to remain in-step with the eligibility timeline in New York, where he lives.

People age 65 and older, front line workers, teachers, essential workers at places like grocery stores and taxi drivers, and people 16 or older with comorbidities or underlying conditions, including obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes or pregnancy.

It is not clear which category of eligibility applies to Bourla, 59.

The Greek-born CEO was also meant to arrive in Israel on Monday to commemorate the delivery of 10 million doses of the firm's vaccine to the country.

But an Israeli TV network reported that Bourla and his delegation had postponed the trip because they were not yet fully vaccinated.
Three billion tons: this is how much metals and minerals the energy transition will require, according to a World Bank report. Demand for some of these, such as copper, lithium, cobalt, and graphite, is set to increase 500 percent by 2050, according to the same report. And the market for some of themnamely copperis already near a deficit.

Copper prices are close to record highs last seen in 2011, and one analyst at least expects demand to exceed supply before this years end. Demand, Natalie Scott-Gray from StoneX said last month, as quoted by Mining.com, will rise by 5 percent this year while supply will only inch up by 2.3 percent. The longer-term problem is that additional supply takes time to come.

We see the use of electric vehicles, wind farms and solar requires up to five times the amount of copper, Jeremy Weir, chief executive of Trafigura, said at this years edition of CERAWeek, as quoted by Reuters. You cant turn on the switch and produce more copper.

Weir added that copper mines take between five and ten years to develop, which means a tighter supply in the observable future. The situation is similar to other minerals that are essential for the energy transition. Cobalt prices are on the rise, too, at the moment, because of expectations that supply will tighten due to rising demand. And Teslas Elon Musk recently inked a deal to make the company a technical adviser at the Goro mine in New Caledonia to secure its long-term nickel supplyanother key battery metal.

Related: The Climate Change Bankers, For Better or Worse

A 500-percent increase in demand for anything is certainly good news for investors in that thing, so bullish times are ahead for metals and minerals investors as the prices of base metals such as copper and nickel rise. But as copper and nickel prices rise, so will the price of the products made with them, notably EVs, on which much of the energy transition hinges. EVs are being touted as increasingly affordable as carmakers and battery makers continually reduce production costs. But if the price of any battery components jumps significantly due to a shortage, these production cost cuts will be wiped out.

The root of what could become a serious price problem with base metals lies in the past: for years, the industry has been plagued by underinvestment due to weak base metal prices, and these weak metal prices were the result of abundant supply because the demand drivers were always the same: manufacturing, construction, telecoms, and power utilities for copper, and stainless steel production and construction for nickel.

Right now, just 4 percent of the global demand for nickel comes from the electric vehicle industry, while 70 percent comes from the stainless steel production industry. But the forecast boom in EV adoption will lead to an increase in the share of demands from 4 to 10 percent by next year and further to 20 percent by 2030. This is a very sharp and very quick increase that will inevitably cause price spikes as production has yet to catch up.

The outlook is even more bullish for copper. Since 1990, there have been as many as 224 major new discoveries of copper deposits, according to a report by S&P Global Market Intelligence cited in a BFI Capital Group overview of the energy transition. Yet only 16 of these discoveries were made in the last ten years, with only one made since 2015. This means a depressed exploration environment that has led to a decline in future supply, which means a shortage is looming large on the horizon.

Related: Saudi Surprise Cut May Have Lasting Effect On Oil Prices



Speaking of depressed exploration and underinvestment, the oil market is also facing a shortage despite the commoditys fall from grace into deep disgrace as the ultimate reason for the sorry state in which the Earths atmosphere appears to be. Two price crashes in the past ten years caused shrinking exploration, with the second crisis also accompanied by a pandemic that led to a historic demand collapse, further reducing the industrys appetite for new exploration. The result: in just five years, the world will need 10 million bpd more oil than it has, according to French Total.

Total is not the only one warning of a shortage. The American Petroleum Institute recently said that the combination of underinvestment and natural depletion will result in a shortage as soon as next year. Of course, the API is an industry organization, so one would expect such a warning from it, but the makings of a shortage are easy to see from a distance, too. Everyone in oil cut their investments in new exploration during the 2014 and the 2020 crisis. Last year many even had to reduce existing production because of the collapse in demand.

Now, with the prospects for oil grimmer than before because of the energy transition, many, notably Big Oil majors, are planning to continue reducing their production. Demand, meanwhile, is not declining as fast as energy transition advocates might want it to decline, especially in developing nations that are heavily dependent on fossil fuels. India, one of the biggest drivers of global oil demand, has already warned that the OPEC+ decision to keep production caps in place will hurt its economic recovery.

So, what we have to look forward to in the coming decade or so may well be more expensive EVs and more expensive solar and wind farms, since copper features heavily in these renewable energy systems, and, ironically, more expensive oil.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Ahead of the 62nd anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day, hundreds of people, including Tibetans, took to the streets in Taiwan to demand greater public advocacy against China's illegal occupation and decades of atrocities in Tibet. Sunday's demonstration was held to create awareness about the Chinese rule in Tibet among the general public around the world. The Tibetan Uprising Day is observed on March 10 every year to mark the 1959 armed rebellion against China in Tibet, which resulted in a violent crackdown of Tibetan people, forcing the Dalai Lama to take shelter in India.

Read: Dalai Lama Receives 1st Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine In HP After Tibet Govt-in-exile's Request

According to news agency ANI, protesters began their march from Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT Station in Taipei on Sunday, where they chanted slogans, such as "Free Tibet, China Out", "Long Live Dalai Lama!". Several mainstream politicians also took part in Sunday's rally, including Member of Parliament Hung Sun-han of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Taipei City Councilor Miao Po-ya. Organisers of the demonstration have reportedly planned another rally for March 10 to mark the Tibetan National Uprising Day at Freedom Square in Taipei.

Read: Himachal CMO Updates On Tibet Govt-in-exile's request To Vaccinate Dalai Lama In Premises

Tibetan National Uprising Day is observed annually by numerous advocacy groups fighting for the freedom of Tibet. The uprising day is also marked by the Tibetan government-in-exile, which presently operates out of India, and also by the 14th Dalai Lama, who lives in Dharamshala. Meanwhile, the Tibetan uprising day is being observed in Taiwan for the past 17 years, where rallies are organised each year to remind people of the violent Chinese crackdown in the Himalayas and the ongoing illegal occupation.

Read: Dalai Lama's Last Surviving Bodyguard Dies In US; Tibet Govt-in-exile Pays Glowing Tribute

How Communist China occupied Tibet?

After the Qing dynasty was toppled in the early 20th century, Tibet declared independence and restored Dalai Lama as ruler. The 13th Dalai Lama ruled Tibet until the 1950s, when the victor of the Chinese civil war, the People's Republic of China (PRC), annexed Tibet after forcing a 'Seventeen Point Agreement' on the newly installed 14th Dalai Lama and other officials in Lhasa. China called the annexation a "peaceful liberation of Tibet". Tibetan officials were forced to give in to the agreement in fear that China would launch a full-scale invasion if they refuse to sign the treaty.

Read: Tibetan Govt-in-exile Lauds US Prez Trump For New Tibet Policy




Everybody calm down.

Dr. Seuss is not being canceled, and his books are not being banned. If I had a little more energy, Id put that in anapestic tetrameter.

No political party or branch of government has attempted to make Dr. Seuss books unavailable.

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So when U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the House minority leader, addressed his colleagues on the floor or the chamber this week and said, of the Democrats, first they outlaw Dr. Seuss ... he was being a big lying liar.

McCarthy was actually speaking about HR 1, a major overhaul of federal election law, so bringing up Dr. Seuss was pretty random. It was also  did I mention this?  an untrue falsehood and lying lie.

McCarthy also posted a video of himself reading Green Eggs and Ham, which is not one of the six Seuss titles whose status caused the weeks uproar.

Kevin McCarthy is a silly person.

Green Eggs and Ham and, indeed, all of the most beloved Seuss titles were not affected by this weeks announcement. Dr. Seuss Enterprises  founded by Theodore Geisels widow to manage his literary estate after the author died in 1991  announced that it would no longer publish six Seuss titles. The rest of his oeuvre  more than 60 books in all  will remain undisturbed.

Two of the titles  If I Ran the Zoo and To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street  are mid-level favorites. The other four, if I hid them in a list amid 16 other fake Seuss titles, you would be unlikely to recognize.

Just so were clear, Republicans, the decision came from the people who own the material. Dr. Seuss Enterprises manages the intellectual property for Geisels estate. Ive spoken to many Republicans in my day, and I always got the feeling that they believed people should be able to do what they like with their property.

On the other hand, there does seem to be a new-found uneasiness with Dr. Seuss. President Joe Biden failed to mention him in this years Read Across America proclamation, which is issued on Geisels birthday, the same day his estate announced it wouldnt publish more copies of those six titles because of their hurtful and wrong portrayal of minorities.

Again, just so were clear, proclamations are staff work. Theres no way Biden knew that Trump and Obama had mentioned Seuss in the past or that Seuss was notably omitted this time.

This is not the same thing as canceling or banning. Its not the same thing as calling Geisel a racist. In fact, there are significant parallels between Geisel, born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, and a fella from down the road, Mark Twain, who adopted Hartford as his home city.

Each man was troubled by racial and ethnic injustice and also not completely uncontaminated by it. Ive always believed that people who are pure of heart tend to deliver a less powerful and compelling message than the messengers who know whats right but are nagged for life by a pebble of wrong in their shoes.

If I ran the zoo, Im not sure what Id do. I abhor the banning of books and the sterilization of culture. You have to teach Twain, with sensitivity, to high schoolers, but maybe theres some kind of an age cut-off. A Chinese-American second-grader shouldnt see an offensive caricature of himself when he pulls a book off a shelf in the school library.

And we grown-ups have to admit to ourselves that some of what we loved is less innocent than we realized.

Those crows in Dumbo were my favorite part of the movie. They were funny and edgy, jiving out on a rail fence, and their song, When I See an Elephant Fly is the best song in the film. But they are unmistakably a source of minstrelsy and Black comic relief in a white movie. But I be done seen about everything ...

I wasnt surprised when they didnt appear in the recent Tim Burton remake. Crows, you gotta go.

As a kid I read and loved Booth Tarkingtons Penrod books, but there are two minor characters, local Black boys named Herman and Verman, who are so steeped in stereotype as to make the Penrod franchise a literary Superfund site.

We laughed when Robin Williams did an Indian accent or when Billy Crystal put on blackface to do an (unquestionably loving) impersonation of Sammy Davis Jr.

But its time to put away childish things.

It isnt easy, fixing culture. If you keep what you love and ditch what you hate, youve done nothing. We will survive without any further printings of McElligots Pool or On Beyond Zebra!

We wont grow by erasing their existence or embracing them in blind nostalgia. Dont embrace or erase it. Just face it and taste it. Should it keep its place or fall from grace?

I have to stop now. Whether you write on a screen or papyrus, those Seussian rhymes are a cognitive virus.

Colin McEnroes column appears every Sunday, his newsletter comes out every Thursday and you can hear his radio show every weekday on WNPR 90.5. Email him at colin@ctpublic.org. Sign up for his newsletter at http://bit.ly/colinmcenroe.
Police in Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, have arrested a 76-year-old woman on suspicion of killing her 83-year-old husband with a saw.

According to police, Yoko Maru has admitted to killing her husband Toshio by cutting his neck with a saw for about two hours from 11 a.m. on Friday as he slept on his side in his futon, Fuji TV reported. Maru was quoted by police as saying she had hated her husband for years.

Police said the couple lived with their son who was at work on Friday and did not return home until late at night. Maru called 110 at around 8 p.m. and said she had killed her husband.

Police said Maru told them her husband used to beat her and never give her any money and that her hatred for him and been building up over many years. - Japan Today
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The pilot study, centered on a combination of 13 traditional medicinal compounds used in China early on in the coronavirus outbreak, will test if the mixture is safe for COVID-19 patients and whether a larger study can then be conducted.

Shortly after the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 appeared and began spreading through the Chinese city of Wuhan, the pandemic response team in China turned to traditional medicine to understand and treat the new disease. The resulting therapy is a novel cocktail derived from ancient therapies.

The therapy was used extensively in Wuhan, and hospitals there that treated patients with it observed significant success compared with those that did not. However, formal clinical trials designed to scientifically show if the therapy is effective and to produce a detailed understanding of side effects were not conducted during the initial outbreak.

Now, researchers at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and Keck School of Medicine at USC have developed a plan to study the traditional medicine used in Wuhan to counter the severe and often life-threatening symptoms many COVID-19 patients experience.

The pilot study examines the use of Xuanfei Baidu granules (XFBD) for COVID-19 patients experiencing mild to moderate symptoms.

A cocktail of traditional Chinese medicinal compounds

Physician Zhang Boli, president of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and his team, drawing on generations of knowledge, created XFBD using a combination of 13 separate medicinal compounds targeting various symptoms of COVID-19.

The mixture includes compounds believed to reduce fever, clear virus, suppress cough, make phlegm easier to clear from the lungs, and soothe muscles in the trachea and relieve shortness of breath.

In addition, one ingredient is thought to provide a mild anticoagulant effect, possibly dissolving or preventing blood clots that can present a severe danger for COVID-19 patients.

The need for treatment options continues

Currently, there are few options for mild or moderate COVID-19 cases. Pharmacological treatmentssuch as antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugsare only slowly becoming available with an initial focus on severe cases and hospitalized patients.

While the number of cases in the U.S. has declined dramatically in recent weeks, the threat of a new surge still looms, particularly at the current pace of vaccine distribution and as new, more contagious variants of the virus emerge.

"We hope and should expect to transition from the uncontrolled outbreak and the resulting necessity for mitigation to a rapid containment of small outbreaks over the coming 12 to 18 months. Continuous vigilance, social distancing measures and vaccine distribution will be a key factor to this successful transition, but so is the availability of drugs that can lower the risk of progression to severe disease," said Peter Kuhn, Dean's Professor of Biological Sciences and professor of biological sciences, medicine, biomedical engineering, aerospace and mechanical engineering, and urology at USC Dornsife.

Kuhn, a founding member of the Bridge Institute at the USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, is co-principal investigator on the study with his collaborator Darcy Spicer, associate professor of clinical medicine and chief of the Division of Oncology in the Department of Medicine at Keck School of Medicine.

Building on years of collaborative science

While a clinical study examining XFBD has not been undertaken, some evidence shows traditional Chinese medicines may help. Before the widespread use of traditional medicines, China saw 10% of their mild and moderate cases progress in severity. As traditional medicine use became more common, the number of cases progressing dropped, with just 2% to 5% experiencing worsening disease.

Kuhn and Spicer, along with USC Dornsife postdoctoral scholar Elizabeth Qi, worked together to design a study that can determine scientifically what effect, if any, XFBD has on progression of COVID-19.

Kuhn, who holds joint appointments at Keck School of Medicine and USC Viterbi School of Engineering, previously studied the SARS virus responsible for the 2003 outbreak in Asia, said he began discussing the current virus, SARS-CoV-2, and the disease it causes, COVID-19, early on in 2020 as the pandemic took hold in the United States.

"These conversations quickly focused on strategies for testing and therapeutics," Kuhn said. One exchange, with entrepreneur Ming Hsieh, chair of Fulgent Genetics and a USC trustee, centered on what researchers in China had learned about the virus and the disease. This led to a formal collaboration between the USC team, Fulgent and the scientists at Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, who developed XFBD.

"We are pleased to partner with the esteemed researchers USC and leveraging our Next Generation Sequencing capabilities to aid in the development of this potential treatment for COVID-19," said Ming Hsieh, chair and CEO of Fulgent Genetics. "We believe that by utilizing our [next-generation sequencing] expertise along with our knowledge of the evolution and treatment of COVID-19 in China, we have contributed insightful and actionable data to the development of XFBD."

Hsieh, along with Kathy Leventhal, a USC trustee and member of the USC Dornsife Board of Councilors, and her husband, Richard, a business executive and philanthropist, helped finance the pilot study.

Clinical trial sets the stage for deeper understanding of traditional medicine

The clinical trial is a pilot study operated entirely remotely, including obtaining informed consent from patients and monitoring patient performance. The resulting data produced will support the design of the next studies of XFBD.

During the 12-week study, patients are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving XFBD and the other receiving placebo. Patients take the medicine or placebo dissolved in water by mouth twice a day for 14 days, and the clinical trials team using remote patient management software will follow up with them 10 weeks later to assess their symptoms and performance.

If the pilot study shows XFBD is safe and the remote trial is feasible, researchers can advance to phase II studies, which will involve a larger group of patients as well as specific subgroups of patients, such as specific age and ethnic groups. If those studies go well, phase III studies would follow to demonstrate clinical efficacy.

Ultimately, the researchers hope to see if XFBD will reduce the risk of progression to severe disease, hospitalization and death in people with COVID-19.

Explore further Most people are naturally armed against SARS-CoV-2: study

More information: For more information about the study see For more information about the study see kuhn.usc.edu/xfbd
[March 08, 2021] Rockefeller Capital Management Announces Specialized Philanthropic Advisor Addition to Global Family Office

Rockefeller Capital Management ("Rockefeller" or the "Firm") has today announced the appointment of Andrea Lawrence as the Head of Philanthropy within Rockefeller's Global Family Office, where she will strategically advise the Firm's clients through their charitable giving to create impact and help build momentous legacies. She will report to Heather Flanagan, Head of Trust Fiduciary and Family Office Services, and is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "Providing individuals and families with tailored strategies that create meaningful contributions is a core part of our offering across the Global Family Office," said Flanagan. "Andrea is a significant addition to our team, and we're thrilled to welcome her entrepreneurial spirit, deep knowledge of fiduciary management and creative solutions to counsel individuals and families around their giving strategies." This appointment continues Rockefeller's deliberate and strategic growth across the Global Family Office, which holistically serves the Firm's high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients and is merged with their leading private wealth practice, which includes trust companies, client accounting, client advisory and wealth strategy services. Earlier in 2021, the business announced its acquisition of Whitnell & Co. ("Whitnell") to provide affluent families across the Midwest with a complete set of multi-family office services centered around financial planning, wealth management and generational wealth transfer.



"The Rockefeller name is synonymous with philanthropy, charitable endeavors and improving the world for the next generation," added Lawrence. "In a year where philanthropy is top-of-mind given the concurrent pressures from COVID-19 and the rise in conversations and action around equity, I am excited to help Rockefeller's clients use their means to create a legacy that lasts." Lawrence joins Rockefeller from Tapestry Advisors, LLC, an independent family office and philanthropy consulting firm, which she founded in 2007. Prior to that, she held various leadership roles managing estate planning at Ballamor Capital Management and Calibre,

Wachovia's family office. She began her career in tax consulting at Price Waterhouse and has held estate planning and legal roles at the Office of Chief Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service and several regional law firms. Lawrence graduated from the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce, and from Villanova University's Charles Widger School of Law with both a J.D. and Master of Laws in Taxation. More about Rockefeller's Global Family Office capabilities can be found at https://rcm.rockco.com/global-family-office/ 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/20210308005037/en/

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Secret documents detailing how the Morrison government decided to fast track 15 major infrastructure projects, including gas and uranium developments, face a legal challenge that could force their release.

Environment group the Australian Conservation Foundation filed a case to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on Tuesday, arguing against the Morrison governments claim that national cabinet is exempt from freedom of information requests.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen.

The federal government announced a list of 15 major infrastructure projects on June 15 to be fast-tracked through the approval process, including under the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act, after state governments agreed in national cabinet to co-operate.

The projects include an upgrade at Perth Airport, the Narrabri gas field in North West NSW, an extension of the Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine in South Australia, a liquefied natural gas hub, as well as road, rail and energy transmission line projects.
Monday, March 8, 2021

We've already blogged on Breck Wall and his trip to Galveston the weekend of the assassination.

Jack Ruby called Breck Wall on Saturday night, November 23rd, to talk about his problems with the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA). Garrison implies that Breck Wall gave the order to Ruby to kill Oswald, and his notation is from 1977.

The notation on the upper right reads as follows:

"8/3/77 Note within one hour of DF's [David Ferrie] check-in here, Ruby makes his last l/d call for the night, calling Breck Wall who has already arrived in Galveston. Next A.M. - w/o any more l/d calls - Ruby goes to police HQ + kills Oswald."

On the bottom part of the memo is more nonsense. "An Observation on an American Success Story." I don't know if jointly owning a filling station (which only lasted about ten months) is an example of "subsequent upward mobility." But to Garrison this all ties together into something suspicious.

I covered Ferrie's trip to Houston and Galveston here , and here .

In March 1967 Garrison gave an interview to Lawrence Schiller who was then taking photographs for Life Magazine. I don't have the document, but here is a description in the Peter Vea index.
The International Space Station will be passing over Australia's east coast tonight.

Star gazers and space enthusiasts have been told to keep an eye out for a bright dot passing over the Brisbane skyline, in Queensland, at 6.44pm on Monday.

The space station will be approaching from the south-west before disappearing in the north-east at 6.51pm.

Star gazers and space enthusiasts have been told to keep an eye out for a bright dot passing over the Brisbane skyline, in Queensland, at 6.44pm on Monday

The International Space Station will be visible to the naked eye, so there will be no need for a telescope.

Other parts of the country will be able to see the bright dot travelling across the sky the following day.

The station will pass over Sydney on Tuesday at 8.33pm and appear in the sky for just two minutes.

Melbourne residents will be able to watch the space station pass from 8.31pm to 8.36pm.

It will also pass over Canberra at 8.32pm and disappear again at 8.36pm.

The space station will pass over Darwin a few minutes later at 8.40pm.

Viewers will have to be quick as the dot will only be in the sky for a maximum of five to seven minutes.

'What you'll see is this very bright star, the brightest object in the early evening sky. It will look like something otherworldly,' astrophysicist Dr Brad Tucker told the ABC.

Dr Tucker said it was rare to be able to clearly see the space station - which orbits the Earth roughly 15 times every day - so clearly.

'It's not visible all the time. The only time to see it is in the early evening or early morning hours when the sunlight reflects off of it and comes back down to earth.'

The International Space Station is a large spacecraft that has been orbiting the earth since its launch on November 20, 1998

The International Space Station is a large spacecraft that has been orbiting the earth since its launch on November 20, 1998.

It has been permanently staffed by rotating crews of astronauts and cosmonauts since November 2000.

Research conducted aboard the ISS often requires one or more of the unusual conditions present in low Earth orbit, such as low-gravity or oxygen.

ISS studies have investigated human research, space medicine, life sciences, physical sciences, astronomy and meteorology.
[March 08, 2021] Short Film To Fight Domestic Violence Menace Released In 150 Screens In MMR

- #MeraFarzHai 2.0 urges people to speak up in wake of the alarming rise in domestic violence cases exacerbated by lockdown - Film by Viviana Mall and Thane Police to be released across 150 screens urging people to take responsibility and report incidents on 103 helpline number - Online petition calling for further policy changes and enhanced safety MUMBAI, India, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 family's 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 Women's 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. 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 women's 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 women's safety, thereby encouraging individuals to take action for every cause possible.>



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 victim's 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 L'Oreal Paris. Inspired by Viviana Mall's initiative, Ontarion government launched #WhoWillYouHelp in September 2020 followed by #StandUpAgainstStreetHarassment by L'Oreal Paris, in November 2020.The campaign film was also reposted by Telangana State Police on their social media handles. Campaign link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWl43ybHaZc Petition link: https://www.change.org/p/mrs-smriti-zubin-irani-fight-against-domestic-violence?recruiter=29763990&recruited_by_id=ee3a85c0-dca3-012f-61c2-4040f855b16c&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard ABOUT VIVIANA MALL : Viviana Mall, a well-known 'Destination Mall' by the Ashwin Sheth Group, was built to give an experience to its audience. Encompassing one million square feet, Viviana Mall covers over 250 leading brands in its prime retail and leisure space. Established in 2013, the mall is India's first and only visually impaired friendly mall and has also launched "XRCVC-Viviana Extension" a resource centre for visually impaired.

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Mechanisms of efficiency-driven evolution and environment-assisted quantum transport. (A) Schematic description of the evolutionary progress of photosynthetic complexes toward their current geometry, with efficiency being the evolutionary driving force. As evolution progresses, the structure of the photosynthetic complex evolves toward its current structure [the Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) complex in this example] while increasing efficiency. Whether this is indeed the evolutionary pathway of photosynthetic complexes, and if so, whether quantum coherence is part of the efficiency enhancement is a central question in the field of quantum biology. (B) Schematic depiction of the population uniformization mechanism shown for a uniform chain of six sites (blue lines depict the sites in the chain; yellow arrows show the excitation of first site and extraction from fifth site). The density of the sites is described by blue bars for the quantum regime, ENAQT regime, and classical regime, along with a schematic form for the current versus dephasing curves. Credit: Science Advances, doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abc4631

In a new report now published on Science Advances, Elinor Zerah Harush and Yonatan Dubi in the departments of chemistry and nanoscale science and technology, at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, discussed a direct evaluation of the effects of quantum coherence on the efficiency of three natural photosynthetic complexes. The open quantum systems approach allowed the researchers to simultaneously identify the quantum-nature and efficiency under natural physiological conditions. These systems resided in a mixed quantum-classical regime, which they characterized using dephasing-assisted transport. The efficiency was minimal at best therefore the presence of quantum coherence did not play a substantial role in the process. The efficiency was also independent of any structural parameters, suggesting the role of evolution during structural design for other uses.

Investigating quantum effects in biology

During photosynthesis, energy can be transferred from an antenna to a reaction center to collect light and convert it to chemical energy for use by the organism. Exciton-bound electron hole pairs formed the energy carriers in the photosynthetic process to carry harvested solar energy from the antenna to the reaction center via a network of bacteriochlorophylls (photosynthetic pigments that occur in bacteria), also known as the exciton-transfer complex (ETC). Interests on the ETC have expanded in the past decade where researchers used ultrafast nonlinear spectroscopy signals to demonstrate long-lived oscillations. The discovery of coherent oscillations in ETCs presented the hypothesis that quantum coherence occurred within natural photosynthetic complexes to assist energy transfer. Harush et al. sought to understand if quantum coherence could exist in the biological process of photosynthetic energy transfer. If so, was it used by the natural system for enhanced functional efficiency? While experimental and theoretical work have addressed these questions, they remain largely unanswered. In this work, the team addressed the questions using tools developed from the theory of open quantum systems. The findings suggest the unlikelihood for photosynthetic complexes to use quantum coherence to increase their efficiency.

Effect of environment on photosynthetic transfer efficiency in FMO and PC645. Calculated exciton current as a function of dephasing for the FMO (A) and PC-645 (B) complexes. The shaded green area indicates the estimated range of physiological dephasing rates. Insets show a schematic description of the exciton complexes. Credit: Science Advances, doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abc4631

The team considered three different photosynthetic ETCs (exciton-transfer complexes) during the experiments. These include the Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) complexwhich appears in green sulfur bacteria, the cryptophyte phycocyanin-645 (PC-645) proteina part of the photosynthetic apparatus in cryptophyte algae, and light harvesting 2 (LH2)  a part of the purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas acidophila. All three complexes showed coherent energy transfer oscillations in nonlinear two-dimensional spectroscopy measurements. The team plotted the exciton current as a function of the dephasing rate for the FMO complex and the PC-645 complex. The similarity between the plots indicted relative insensitivity of the current to the internal structure Hamiltonian. Using the bacterial populations Harush et al. tested the level of "quantumness" of the system. They recognized this using a connection between the exciton population and dephasing rate through the mechanism of environment-assisted quantum transport (ENAQT). The ENAQT effect was clearly visible in the results since the current showed a maximum in the dephasing rate. However, the current enhancement was minute at approximately 0.0015% increase to indicate the unlikely nature of the complex to impose a meaningful evolutionary driving force.

Exciton density arrangement in the formation of ENAQT. (A) Density configuration (i.e., exciton occupation at different sites) of the FMO complex for three different regimes: quantum limit (blue line, deph = 104 s1), biological condition (yellow line, deph = 106 s1), and classic limit (green line, deph = 1012 s1). The transition from the quantum regime toward the classical regime is accompanied by a shift in the density configuration, from a wave functiondetermined configuration to a uniform gradient between the source and the sink, with a uniform configuration in between. To more clearly see this, (B), (C) and (D) present the schematic structure of FMO, where each sphere represents a BChl site, and the color brightness reflects its density. Credit: Science Advances, doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abc4631

Effect of environment on photosynthetic transfer efficiency

The team next investigated the LH2 (light harvesting-2) complex to understand the connection between ENAQT (environment-assisted quantum transport) and the population. This was difficult due to the lack of spatial separation between the antenna and reaction center in the construct. The LH2 complex contained two rings of bacteriophyll pigments; B800 (yellow ring) and B850 (blue ring) named after their energy absorption resonance in nanometers and absorbing energy in the visible region of the spectrum. Each part of the complex could absorb light to excite an exciton, which transferred from one of the rings to the reaction center allowing many exciton transfer-paths to occur. However, a current versus dephasing curve for LH2 revealed the importance of coherence during transport. The team then plotted current as a function of dephasing rate of the LH2 system and noted a very small increase in current approximating 0.05 percent.

Effect of environment on photosynthetic transfer efficiency in LH2. Average LH2 exciton current as a function of dephasing rate (black line), calculated for 900 possible paths. Pink curves show the current of arbitrary chosen realizations (i.e., entry and exit sites) in LH2. Shaded green area marks the natural dephasing rate. Inset: Schematic description of LH2 transfer network. Credit: Science Advances, doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abc4631

Current versus dephasing rate for 5000 realizations of FMO-like networks. Energies were kept fixed, while hopping matrix elements were picked from a range of 200 cm1. ENAQT is obtained for almost the same range for all realizations, indicating the independence of efficiency in the ENAQT regime (and the regime itself) on the structure of the system. Credit: Science Advances, doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abc4631

Current, coherence and classicality.

The results of the study established the absence of a substantial increase in the exciton current when comparing the fully quantum case with the physiologically realistic dephasing rates. They also took classical systems in to account, which were not defined by the lack of any coherence, although their coherences could be fully determined from the populations without additional information. Researchers had previously quantified the distinction between quantum and classical systems. In a classical system, the two currents will be the same, implying that quantum coherences do not carry additional information across the classical dynamics.

The outcome of this study indicated how the structures of interest relative to FMO, PC-645 and LH2 did not evolve to enhance the efficiency of the complexes. In the future, Elinor Zerah Harush and Yonatan Dubi intend to assess the origin of the observed dephasing time to acknowledge if the values calculated in the study are unique. The team also intend to understand other potential evolutionary advantages of the photosynthetic transfer complexes, which will guide biophysicists to broadly understand the possible role of quantum effects in photosynthetic complexes.

Explore further Purple bacteria shine path to super-efficient light harvesting

 2021 Science X Network
UISD proudly announced that its Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, David Gonzalez, was selected as one of the TASA Inspiring Leaders. The district said that the recognition was a result of his outstanding contributions impacting the students.

Gonzalez was one out of four chosen throughout Texas by the Texas Association of School Administrators for the professional journal INSIGHT.

Now more than ever, Texas public school staff members are looking to leaders to inspire them in their day-to-day work as we all cope with an ever-changing educational landscape, INSIGHT Editorial Director Dacia Rivers said. TASAs Inspiring Leaders tagline is not just a reminder of TASAs commitment to leadership development  it describes our members themselves.

The journal describes the four inspiring leaders as members of the school systems that reach out to inspire their peers during the everchanging world around them.

Gonzalez has been a part of public education for approximately 30 years and has held his position at UISD since 2014. He helped create multiple initiatives including Project Unify, a UISD program that promotes acceptance and unity among all special needs students. On his INSIGHT bio, he was also credited with supporting the infusion of state-of-the-art interactive technology in over 1,950 UISD classrooms.

When we make district decisions, we should always look beyond formulas and trends, Gonzalez said. We must never forget that we are first teachers/educators. Its imperative to visit classrooms and talk to teachers, our students and the school staff. As school leaders, we must never lose sight of whats happening in our classrooms.

Colleague and director for middle school instruction David Canales provided his input for the journal as well. He commended Gonzalezs dedication to the students and the district.

Mr. Gonzalezs knowledge, experience, dedication and love for our community children have supported his ascent in the field of education, Canales said. It is his experience, heartfelt commitment and dedication to the students, teachers and administrators that are the driving force toward academic excellence for United ISD.

cocampo@lmtonline.com
The Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, announced this Monday (8 March) that 4.8 million vaccines from the pharmaceutical company Pfizer will arrive in Spain in April.

Thanks to these doses, "there will be a very significant increase in the arrival of vaccines" against the coronavirus, she said in an interview with Cadena SER.

We knew that limited doses, around 8.3 million, were going to arrive in the first quarter of the year. We already have 5.5 million and in March we will reach the goal. But we also know that in the second quarter there will be a very significant increase, and in April alone 4.8 million vaccines will arrive from Pfizer," she said.

The Health Minister also explained that the possibility of the AstraZeneca vaccine being used in the future for people over 55 years of age is an "open issue", although she clarified that this decision will be taken "in light of scientific evidence.

She said that, at the moment, the clinical trials released by the pharmaceutical company have been carried out in a population younger than 55, "therefore, for now, there is no scientific evidence," she explained.

However, other countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Belgium have already authorised it for vaccination in people over 55.
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Meghan Markle wore her hair in a woven bun to symbolise 'women warriors of history,' and 'tactically tied it up' so she doesn't have to 'push it back and seem nervous', during her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, a celebrity hair stylist has claimed.

Speaking to FEMAIL, Tom Smith, who counts Geri Horner and Louise Redknapp among his clients, said the Duchess of Sussex was 'poised and controlled' 'strategically timeless' in her look while speaking in the CBS special.

Meghan Markle wore her hair to symbolise 'women warriors of history,' and 'tactically tiedit up' so she doesn't have to 'push it back and seem nervous', a celebrity hair stylist has claimed. Meghan is pictured during her interview

He added that Meghan knows this is her 'Diana moment' as a 'piece of TV history that will go down in history' as styled herself accordingly.

It comes as The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who now live in Montecito, California, said they are preparing to welcome a sister for their 22-month-old son Archie later this year.

Meghan and Harry's relaxed attire symbolises their 'unity and freedom' Celebrity stylist Rochelle White told FEMAIL: 'Meghan's fashion choice for this interview is a stylish Giorgio Armani belted floral-silk midi dress. It was suitable for this type of interview and very flattering on her and her growing bump. 'She kept her jewellery and accessories minimal with a simple diamond bracelet and stud earrings. 'Her hair was a tidy/messy bun and keeps her hair off her face but adds contrast to her sleek look. 'Her make-up is subtle and gives a very natural look which I think is very fitting. She is not looking to gain attention for how she looks and who she is wearing.' Rochelle added that Harry's 'trendy' light grey suit coupled with a fitted open shirt gives off a 'relaxed' feel. 'It is either the same or very similar to the suit he worn when his son Archie was born and he could be wearing it to symbolise family and unity at this time,' she said. 'With that in mind, and the floral design on Meghan's dress, it could be a way of symbolising their unity and freedom not in words, but in fashion.' Advertisement

In the bombshell interview, the former US actress also told Oprah that she was suicidal when she was pregnant with Archie and had warned Harry 'I don't want to be alive anymore'.

Harry also revealed that his father Prince Charles stopped taking his calls after they decided to quit as royals and emigrated while his wife said an unnamed member of the royal family was 'worried' about how 'dark' their son Archie's skin would be when he was born.

In the interview, Meghan wore her hair slicked back in a loose bun with two strands framing her face.

'Meghan is poised and controlled in her interview and is giving off calm but strong vibes, her hair will have been designed to compliment this energy and we can see this from the balance of strength and softness,' Tom explained.

'The main structure of Meghan's hair is a woven bun at the nape of her neck, incorporating braiding, which has typically been worn by warriors in history.

'Meghan wants us to know she means business and this is her moment in time.

'Her hair style is also strategically timeless like her choice in dress, she knows this is her "Diana moment" - a piece of TV history forever referred to,' he continued.

Meghan sported a Giorgio Armani belted floral-silk midi dress and her signature low bun during the interview, where she also shared her 'pain' that officials had denied Archie the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect their son Archie by denying him 24/7 security.

'Her hair is mostly solid and secure, but the soft pieces left out around her face move gently in the breeze of the outdoor interview setting,' Tom added.

'This choice will have been made to keep her look from being too severe.

In the interview, Meghan wore her hair slicked back in a loose bun with two strands framing her face

Meghan showed off 'full glam' and 'stepped up her game' for interview Make-up artist Lisa Little told FEMAIL: 'Meghan has really stepped it up when it came to her make-up look for the Oprah Winfrey interview. 'Meghan had opted for the more demure soft makeup application for the last couple of years whilst being in the royal family, but for the show she gave us full glam. 'Showing us her true LA red carpet style makeup, Meghan chose a heavy smokey eye which made her eyes really pop with the eyeliner application on both the lid and the water line, these were a real focal point for me. 'A lot of emphasis was made of Meghans eyes, for a more it even look and to make us focus on her. 'Your eyes tell a lot and are one of the first parts of us that show emotion. 'Teamed with a set of false lashes which were fuller on the outer part of the eye to give that cat lifting eye effect we are seeing everywhere at the moment. 'Although Meghan was wearing foundation, it was sheer coverage which allowed her freckles to remain poignant and giving her that sun kissed, pregnancy glow. 'Teamed with perfectly placed contour and a pop of heavy blush Meghan truly looked like she had settled back into her previous la girl glam! 'With a heavy eye and popping blush Meghan balanced her look with a soft pink lip giving them just enough colour to tie the whole look together. Advertisement

'She wants to feel secure, comfortable and strong, without coming across as cold or hard.

'Her hair choice has been carefully planned.

'The pieces either side frame her face perfectly which puts the entire focus on her facial expressions and features,' he continued.

Tom also revealed the Duchess's hair was styled to make her 'as comfortable as possible' and shows 'sophistication and maturity'.

'Her total look will have been designed to make her feel as comfortable as possible, minimising room for risk or error so she can focus entirely on relaying her story with minimal distraction.

'Having her hair mostly pinned up is an excellent choice as she can move and gesture freely without worrying about moving her hair out of place.

'This is tactical as she does not want to appear to be seen nervously messing or playing with her hair to get it out of her face,' he added.

'Meghan's hair also denotes a sophistication and a maturity that we have not seen since her departure from the UK.

'She has mostly been seen wearing her hair loose, long and free, which gives off a "lighter and carefree" energy.

'However, this look is far more mature and elegant, it makes a statement of strength - we are supposed to be taking her seriously, and listening and believing what she has to say,' he concluded.
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The 13 migrants killed in a crash near Calexico, California, last week had paid up to $10,000 each to be smuggled into the U.S., DailyMail.com can reveal.

Border Patrol believe the crossing  the first large vehicle breach in the El Centro sector of 2021  was organized by a network of criminal gangs who charge desperate migrants thousands of dollars to make the crossing in specially modified cars.

The people killed in the crash were among the increasing numbers of migrants attempting to cross into the U.S. in recent months.

Border Patrol figures for the El Centro sector where the crash occurred show that 13,787 people attempted to cross into the U.S. illegally in January alone  a 100 percent increase from 2020 when just 6,429 attempts were made.

Border Patrol say the Biden administration's relaxation of President Trump's hardline immigration policies have encouraged more people to attempt the journey.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, 44 people 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)

Hilda Richard, 48, of Holtville, is seen at a memorial for the victims. She told DailyMail.com, 'I heard they were undocumented migrants coming to the U.S. for a new life'

When DailyMail.com visited the crash site on Thursday, the wreckage had been cleared but a small shrine had been set up  dotted with candles, flowers and signs demanding justice

Two SUVs were spotted entering the U.S. by Border Patrol cameras Tuesday morning after smugglers pulled down a section of the 18ft high border fence 30 miles south of Calexico early Tuesday morning.

One of the cars crashed shortly after driving off  although no one was hurt  while the other was t-boned by a semi-truck as it sped through an intersection 35 miles north-west of the border.

Border Patrol say the Biden administration's relaxation of President Trump's hardline immigration policies have encouraged more people to attempt the dangerous journey

The impact sent the car spinning into a nearby field, scattering debris, and killing 13 of the Mexican and Guatemalan passengers instantly. Another 12 were taken to hospital.

A spokesman for the Border Patrol El Centro sector told DailyMail.com there were 12 similar border breaches last year.

California Highway Patrol named the injured to DailyMail.com as Darlin Robledo, 20, from Tapachula, Mexico, Avelardo Nava, 18, from Guerrero, Mexico, and Manuel Rufino, 39, from Oaxaca, Mexico.

Rene Zelando, 30, from Nayarit, Mexico, Berti Orozco, 21, from Guatemala City, Guatemala, Zeterina Mendoza, 33, from Guerrero, Mexico, Camilio Rodriguez, 44, from Santa Maria del Oro, Mexico, Jose Martinez, 16, from Guerrero, Mexico, and Berlin Cardona, 46, from Guatemala City, Guatemala, were all badly hurt and taken to San Diego for treatment.

Jorge Gutierrez Martinez, 24, Esteban Montiel, 22, and a 15-year-old girl who has yet to be identified are all hospitalized in Palm Springs with major wounds

The injured victims are still being treated for their wounds but are likely to face deportation once they recover unless they file an asylum claim.

Border Patrol sources also told DailyMail.com that one of the dead or injured is a people smuggler - at least one smuggler or coyote travels with every group.

While on some occasions, they are the driver, many smugglers travel as a passenger which lets them hide from law enforcement among their clients.

Yesenia Cardona, 23, from Guatemala City, Guatemala, was named last week as one of the dead  police said they are still trying to identify the rest of the victims.

Now DailyMail.com can reveal that passengers had paid a minimum of $5,000 each, rising to $10,000 for the Guatemalans who had made the longest trip.

Yesenia Cardona, 23, from Guatemala was among 13 migrants who died in a deadly car crash on Tuesday after illegally crossing the border from Mexico. Yesenia was traveling with her mother, Berlin, (pictured together) as they crossed the border and she died in her mother's arms

The SUV had slipped through this gap in the border fence on Tuesday morning

Repair workers were seen Friday fixing the section of the border fence between the US and Mexico breached by alleged people smugglers last week close to Gordon's Well exit on the I-8 in California

The people killed in the crash were among the increasing numbers of migrants attempting to cross into the US in recent months. Border Patrol figures for the El Centro sector where the crash occurred show that 13,787 people attempted to cross into the U.S. illegally in January alone  a 100 percent increase from 2020 when just 6,429 attempts were made

Jacqueline Arellano, 38, who works with migrant charity Border Kindness told DailyMail.com: 'It's incredibly expensive. It costs between $5,000 and $10,000 to make the crossing which goes to the guide  or coyote  to take them and sometimes, even to allow them to cross.

'It's really costly. It's something people put a lot on the line for.'

Former Border Patrol agent Jenn Budd, 49, from El Cajon, California, added: 'The amount depends on where they're from.'

Budd, who quit her job in 2001 and is now a migrant advocate, added: 'Somebody who's from China is going to cost a lot more than somebody who's from Guatemala.

'It also depends on how you want to come. If you have unlimited amounts of money, it's not even like being smuggled  you just buy your way in.

'The people who were involved in the crash are the lower end of the money scale but they're still paying thousands.'

When DailyMail.com visited the crash site on Thursday, the wreckage had been cleared but a small shrine had been set up  dotted with candles, flowers and signs demanding justice.

The migrant SUV had been attempting to cross busy State Road 115 at a crossroad when it was hit by a semi-trailer.

A mass was held on Thursday at the scene of the accident between a SUV carrying 25 immigrants and a truck near the US-Mexico border

One woman hold a sign that reads 'They will live in our hearts' at the scene of the accident

Locals told DailyMail.com the area is notorious for crashes with tractors, trucks, semis that go doing down the busy highway

Locals told DailyMail.com the area is notorious for crashes. Meribel Jimenez, 33, from nearby El Centro, said: 'There's a lot of tractors, trucks, semis that go down here. It's always busy.

'I'm pretty sure they were nervous - they were going too fast and didn't want to stop. The trucks, cars are always underestimating how fast they're going and it's hard for them to stop.'

Sgt Arturo Platero (pictured) of the California Highway Patrol told DailyMail.com: 'There was no chase. As far as the crash is concerned, our agency is investigating to determine the cause of the collision and that could take a few months to figure out

Hilda Richard, 48, of Holtville, added: 'I heard they were undocumented migrants coming to the US for a new life.

'Those poor people, their poor families. I live just down the road and it's always so busy here.'

Others visiting the shrine were angry.

Hugo Castro, 48, of border charity SOS Migrantes, told DailyMail.com there needs to be a change in the law.

He said: 'They didn't hurt nobody. It was a crash. A lot of farmworkers are saying that actually there were Border Patrol agents around the area but they are afraid. So what's the truth?

'We are now experiencing the effects of inhumane immigration policies right here in my country, the United States. We need humane immigration reform.'

Sgt Arturo Platero of the California Highway Patrol told DailyMail.com: 'There was no chase. As far as the crash is concerned, our agency is investigating to determine the cause of the collision and that could take a few months to figure out.

He added: 'Me personally, I've never come across anything like that before. It's extreme. Obviously, that vehicle wasn't meant to hold that many people.

'We deal with crashes on a daily basis. Every day we see collisions and every day there are people who die as a result. But this magnitude, this is obviously something different.'

Officer Carlos Pitones of the El Centro sector told DailyMail.com: 'It's been picking up  it's been really busy in the area.

'Biden is having an effect.'

Budd disputes this idea, saying the increase in crossing attempts is due to the border shutdown and Trump's suspension of asylum processing, only recently lifted by Biden.

She added: 'People don't just drop everything and come when they hear there's a new president. Making the decision to come to the US is a big deal  they don't just come.'

Signs, candles and flowers are seen at the crash site in a memorial for the 13 migrants who lost their lives last week

Hugo Castro, 48, (pictured) of border charity SOS Migrantes, told DailyMail.com there needs to be a change in the law

'Those poor people, their poor families. I live just down the road and it's always so busy here,' one local at the scene told DailyMail.com

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

Arellano added: 'Regardless of who's in office, it doesn't have much of a difference for the most disadvantaged because there's a lot of different avenues for migration.

'Biden being in office and the negative impact Trump had hasn't really affected the refugees who were able to apply for asylum. That's the folks that have been waiting at the border for the last year.

'But for the people that are crossing through the desert or who are being packed into these SUVs, these are folks that have no recourse so for them, they don't qualify for asylum, they have no means and they're obviously desperate enough because of the conditions of their country of origin, they're going to do something dangerous just for a chance.

'Historically, for that set of folks, who's in office hasn't made much of a difference.'

Pitones told DailyMail.com that the section of the border fence that was pulled down was an old one and that the newer sections are almost double the height at 30ft.

But Arellano says people will keep trying regardless. She said: 'The wall doesn't work. The wall is a monument. It's not actually keeping anybody out.

'Not only is the wall compromised frequently, it can be circumvented because it's incomplete. Even if it was complete, people would go over it, people would go under it.

'The conditions that are driving human desperation aren't going to be contained by any wall, any technology, anything.'
Prosecutors have been granted more time to prepare evidence for the trial of a mother-of-one accused of organising prostitution, money laundering and brothel-keeping in Dublin.

Nicolina Velic (25) who is originally from Romania but lives at Abbot Court, Cualanor, Dun Laoghaire, was arrested as part of an investigation by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau.

Judge Brian OShea ordered her to appear again at Dublin District Court on March 18 for a book of evidence to be served.

She was earlier charged with multiple offences.

Detective Sergeant Andrew Lambe told Judge OShea that Ms Velic was accused of organising prostitution, brothel keeping at a number of locations, money laundering in relation to crime proceeds, and using false instruments.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed trial on indictment in the circuit court.

Strict bail conditions have been imposed.

The accused, who has not yet indicated how she will plead, was warned she must not have any contact with witnesses or potential witnesses. She has to sign on three days a week at Dun Laoghaire Garda station and reside at her current address. She also had to hand over her passport.

Ms Velic, who is on social welfare, must remain contactable at all times.

Her solicitor, Tracy Horan, said the case followed a huge investigation which spans multiple properties.

Her partner, Hani Ali Showky (44) also with an address at Abbot Court, Cualanor, Dun Laoghaire, is in custody on remand charged with 85 connected offences. He is accused of offences for organising prostitution, brothel-keeping at a number of locations, money laundering and using false instruments.

Mr Showky, an Egyptian national, has lived in Ireland for 10 years.
WASHINGTON  Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, a moderate Democrat who has often balked at efforts to alter Senate rules to allow his party to muscle through its agenda over Republican opposition, signaled a willingness on Sunday to make changes to the filibuster and support future party-line votes if bipartisan negotiations proved unsuccessful.

Mr. Manchin, whose role as perhaps the most centrist Democrat in an evenly divided Senate gives him outsize influence, remained adamant on Sunday that he would not vote to outright abolish the 60-vote supermajority threshold, which requires Democrats to attract the support of 10 Republicans to pass most legislation.

But he reiterated that he would support altering the rules of the practice and potentially establishing a talking filibuster  requiring any senator objecting to ending debate to remain on the floor and speak for the entire time. That could make filibusters far less frequent, and give Democrats far more opportunities to pass legislation on party-line votes, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tiebreaker.

If you want to make it a little bit more painful, make him stand there and talk, Im willing to look at any way we can, Mr. Manchin said of the filibuster on NBCs Meet the Press. But Im not willing to take away the involvement of the minority.
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Glasgow, March 7 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Mar, 2021 ) :Rangers' first Scottish Premiership title for 10 years was confirmed Sunday after Celtic's drew 0-0 at Dundee United to stand 20 points behind their Glasgow rivals with six games left to play.

Steven Gerrard's men have stormed to the title without losing a game to end Celtic's record-equalling nine consecutive Scottish league titles.

Rangers were not even in the top-flight for four of those seasons after the club was demoted to the fourth tier following liquidation in 2012 due to financial troubles.

"This club has been to hell and back over the past 10 years," said Gerrard after Saturday's 3-0 win over St Mirren put Rangers on the brink of a first major trophy since 2011.

"I've only been part of it for three, but I can certainly relate and I've got that feeling and that affection with the fans and I know what they have been through." The former England and Liverpool captain never won a league title during his legendary 17-year career at Anfield.

However, Gerrard has transformed Rangers' fortunes, both domestically and in Europe, since taking his first senior managerial role in 2018.

The newly crowned Scottish champions have reached the last 16 of the Europa League for the second consecutive season and face Slavia Prague on Thursday.

Rangers were denied the chance to rub salt into Celtic wounds by winning the title at Celtic Park in two weeks' time in their next league fixture.

Celtic dropped points for the 12th time in the league this season with caretaker manager John Kennedy taking charge for just the second time since Neil Lennon resigned last month.

The issues that have dogged Celtic all season cost them at Tannadice as they dominated but failed to find the net with 27 attempts on goal.

"Our objective was to get to 10, but Rangers have been better than us this season," Kennedy told Sky sports. "We've been champions for so long, but we've not been good enough this season." Thousands of Rangers fans ignored coronavirus restrictions to descend upon Ibrox on Saturday to get the title celebrations going early.

"Once we got close or achieved our first big part of success together, which was always going to be the hardest, I had a good idea what the reaction would be like," said Gerrard.

"I think what you've seen today is 10 years of what these supporters have been through. I'm delighted for them and really proud of the players efforts because they've been outstanding this season.

"From a league point of view, they've been close to perfect." The Scottish government condemned the scenes outside the stadium on Saturday and pleaded with supporters not to congregate again on Sunday.

Justice Minister Humza Yousaf tweeted: "I understand Rangers fans will be desperate to celebrate but please remember you must stay at home.

"No mass gatherings are allowed. We cannot risk any further spread of the virus."
Major Project Status recognises the importance of the development, which supports the Australian Governments critical minerals strategy and Western Australias future battery industry strategy.

EcoGraf is building an integrated business to produce graphite for the lithium-ion battery market.

( ) (FRA:FMK) has received the Australian Governments approval for the Major Project Status (MPS) for its Battery Anode Material Facility in Western Australia.

Major Project Status recognises the importance of the development, which supports the Australian Governments critical minerals strategy and Western Australias future battery industry strategy.

While approving this status, the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews MP has recognised the opportunity for the Battery Anode Material Facility to contribute to the growth of the critical minerals industry in Australia and that its planned investment in downstream critical minerals processing has the potential to encourage further project developments.

Support from the Australian Government

EcoGrafs managing director Andrew Spinks said: We are delighted to receive this support from the Australian Government as our development is positioned as an integral part of the downstream modern manufacturing of battery and critical minerals in Australia.

EcoGrafs development strongly aligns with recent legislative policy changes in Europe that require higher standards of environmental and social governance (ESG) in battery supply chains.

Unprecedented investment is currently underway to establish a self-sufficient and sustainable battery manufacturing supply chains to support the electric vehicle industry.

Recently, the company has raised $54.5 million from a number of significant institutional investors, which will allow it to complete the construction and commissioning of commercial operations at its first facility in Western Australia.
Former Vice President Mike Pence is planning to make his first public remarks since leaving office in January, an appearance that is certain to be heavily scrutinized for any hints of his political ambitions in the future and clues about the status of his relationship with former President Donald J. Trump.

Mr. Pences choice of a venue for the appearance  a dinner next month in South Carolina that is being hosted by a social conservative organization  suggests that he is happy to keep stoking speculation that he may run for president in 2024. And the trip, which was reported earlier by The Associated Press, will not be his first to the crucial early primary state. Mr. Pence spoke to a private gathering of another conservative group in Charleston last month.

But it is Mr. Trumps next move that will also help determine how much of a future Mr. Pence has in the Republican Party. The two departed Washington on a sour note, with the former president furious that Mr. Pence did not attempt to halt the certification of the electoral vote on Jan. 6.

Though Mr. Pence lacked the authority under the Constitution to keep President Biden from being certified as the winner, Mr. Trump and his supporters believed otherwise. And when a mob of hundreds of extremists smashed their way into the Capitol as Congress was voting to formalize the results of the election, some were filmed calling Mr. Pence a traitor and demanding his execution.
HANGZHOU, China, March 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Adlai Nortye, a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced the formation of its new Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) comprised of five internationally renowned experts. The SAB includes Ronald M. Evans, PhD (Member of the US National Academy of Sciences, Professor at the Salk Institute and Director of the Salk's Gene Expression Laboratory), Tony Hunter, PhD (Member of the US National Academy of Sciences, Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology at the Salk Institute), Jason Pontin (Investor and former senior partner at Flagship Pioneering), Andrew Zhu, MD, PhD (Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School) and Wenle Xia, MD (former faculty member at Duke University).

Chaired by Dr. Ronald M. Evans, the inaugural members are leading experts in the areas of oncology, clinical science and life science investment. The SAB will guide and advise the Company as it advances its preclinical and clinical immuno-oncology programs to address unmet medical needs.

"We are excited and honored to have a prestigious and accomplished experts joining as inaugural members of our new Scientific Advisory Board," said Carsten Lu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Adlai Nortye. "Their expertise and insightful perspectives will provide excellent support for the advancement of Adlai Nortye's scientific programs to help patients live longer and live better."

Bios of the SAB members are listed below.

Ronald M. Evans, PhD, SAB Chair

Dr. Ronald M. Evans is a Member of the US National Academy of Sciences, Professor at the Salk Institute, Director of the Salk's Gene Expression Laboratory, and March of Dimes Chair in Molecular and Developmental Biology. Dr. Evans is known for his original discoveries of nuclear hormone receptors (NR). In the 1980s, Dr. Evans successfully cloned the first nuclear hormone receptor, the human glucocorticoid receptor. He then discovered a superfamily of 48 nuclear hormone receptors that uncovered a wealth of previously unrecognized physiologic pathways. Drugs developed to these newly discovered receptors help control sugar, salt, calcium, cholesterol, and fat metabolism. In addition, these discoveries have helped to build a new generation of drugs to battle breast, prostate, colon and pancreatic cancers and leukemia.



Tony Hunter, PhD

Dr. Tony Hunter is a Member of the US National Academy of Sciences, Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology at the Salk Institute and the Renato Dulbecco Chair in Cancer Biology. Dr. Hunter is one of the foremost recognized leaders in the field of cell growth control, growth factor receptors and their signal transduction pathways. He is well known for discovering that tyrosine phosphorylation is a fundamental mechanism for transmembrane-signal and dysregulation of such tyrosine phosphorylation, by activated oncogenic protein tyrosine kinases, is a pivotal mechanism utilized in the malignant transformation of cells. Dr. Hunter's discovery of tyrosine phosphorylation uncovered an entirely new mechanism of signal transduction in physiology and malignancy and led to development of a new class of cancer drugs.

Jason Pontin, Investor

Jason Pontin is a venture capitalist, angel investor, science and technology writer, and former senior partner at Flagship Pioneering. He is a Venture Partner at Social Impact Capital, Partner at TK, the board chair and cofounder of Totus Medicines, and led the initial seed round in Menten.AI. From 2004 to 2017, he was editor in chief and publisher of MIT Technology Review. He has written for many publications, including The New York Times, Wired, and The Economist. In 2013, he delivered a TED talk entitled "Can technology solve our big problems?" which has been viewed more than 1.5 million times.



Andrew Zhu, MD/PhD

Dr. Andrew Zhu is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Director of Jiahui International Cancer Center (JICC), Director of JIH Clinical Research. Dr. Zhu is an internationally recognized leader in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma, and has served as a principle investigator in many pivotal clinical trials in HCC, cholangiocarcinoma and other gastrointestinal cancers. As the lead global principal investigator, he led the pivotal studies which resulted in regulatory approval of pembrolizumab and ramucirumab in advanced HCC. As a co-principal investigator, he led the phase III trial of first IDH-1 inhibitor Ivosidenib in cholangiocarcinoma with IDH-1 mutations, which met the primary endpoint.

Wenle Xia, MD

Dr. Wenle Xia was former Chief Scientific Officer of Adlai Nortye, the Director of Translational Research Laboratory at Duke Cancer Institute and an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, head of GSK Oncology Translational Research and Chief Scientific Officer of Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. Dr. Xia is well recognized for his contributions in the discovery and development ErbB targeted therapy and Lapatinib, which was approved by FDA in 2007.

Disclaimer: Participation by Dr. Evans and Dr. Hunter does not constitute or imply endorsement by the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

About Adlai Nortye

Adlai Nortye is a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a highly differentiated immuno-oncology focused pipeline through global collaborations and internal discovery. The pipeline contains multiple preclinical and clinical stage drug candidates, and three of them are under clinical development, including the FDA Fast Track-designated Buparlisib (AN2025) in a global phase III clinical trial; the FDA Fast Track-designated intravenously-administered oncolytic virus Pelareorep (AN1004) to have completed a phase II clinical trial; and an oral EP4 antagonist (AN0025) with a completed phase 1b trial in a neoadjuvant setting in colon cancer and an ongoing phase 1b trial in combination with Merck's KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in patients with advanced solid tumors. Adlai Nortye is headquartered in Hangzhou, China, with a R&D and global clinical operations center in New Jersey, USA. For more information, please visit: en.adlainortye.com .

SOURCE Adlai Nortye

Related Links

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One of Cuomo's concerns is the gaps in remote learning. He projected that studies would remote learning caused discrimination and that Black and Hispanic students fared worse with the shift to online classes, in part, because they lacked the necessary equipment or couldn't access the internet.

"The local governments should be aggressive on in-class teaching, unless there is a community or school that has an infection spike. That is different," Cuomo said. "But if the school doesn't have an infection spike and if the school is safer than the surrounding community, then why isn't the school open five days a week?"

Cuomo acknowledged that there are concerns among teachers about whether it's safe to return to classrooms. New York State United Teachers, a union representing educators across the state, has said that to return to in-person classes, vaccines must be available for all teachers, there should be COVID-19 tests for students, staff and teachers, and other safety measures, such as masks and social distancing.

Many of those points have been addressed in state guidance from the education and health departments. Some school districts have opened for in-person classes five days a week, while others continue either remote learning or a hybrid model.
March 08, 2021

U.S. Launches New Afghanistan Initiative Which Is Unlikely To Fly

The U.S. has an agreement with the Taliban which commits it to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by May 1. Should the U.S. stay longer the Taliban will again start attacking U.S. troops and bases in Afghanistan and the conflict will continue as it did over the last 20 years.

The agreement also foresees peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. But President Ashraf Ghani has been dragging his feet with regards to peace talks. He believes that the U.S. will stay in Afghanistan, that he does not have to make concessions and can continue to stay in office. Meanwhile the Afghan army is losing the war. The Taliban already rule most of the the countryside. They are ready to take the cities which are still under government control as soon as the U.S. pulls out.

The Biden regime does not want to pull out to then immediately see the Taliban win the war. It needs some face saving period of 'peace in Afghanistan' to justify a pull out. It also wants to keep some CIA counter-terrorism force in the country which is something the Taliban are unlikely to allow.

Over the weekend The Biden administration launched a new attempt to create a power sharing agreement for Afghanistan. This would include the Taliban into the current government under President Ghani. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is putting pressure on the Afghan government to agree to that:

In a letter to President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan requesting his urgent leadership, Mr. Blinken signaled that the Biden administration had lost faith in faltering negotiations between Mr. Ghanis government and the Taliban. The unusually blunt letter, in which Mr. Blinken asked Mr. Ghani to understand the urgency of my tone, reflected American frustration with the Afghan presidents often intransigent stance in stalled peace talks.

The letter (also here) was delivered by U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalizad to President Ghani, his rival Chairman Abdullah Abdullah and to the Taliban.

In it Blinken announced that he would ask the UN to convene the foreign ministers of Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India and the United States to discuss a unified approach for supporting peace in Afghanistan. Pakistan, which supports the Taliban, is likely to reject any inclusion of its arch enemy India into such a process.

Khalizad also delivered a draft of an Afghan Peace Agreement (pdf) which is essentially a new constitution for Afghanistan but with all the elements that created the current failed system. (Writing constitutions for countries which have fundamental internal disagreements is a British and U.S. pasttime which rarely works.) The proposal foresees an interim government with a few Taliban seats in the parliament. It sets out new elections which the Taliban generally reject. The proposal includes the creation of a new High Council for Islamic Jurisprudence to advise the independent judiciary. That is probably the sole good element and the only one the Taliban could agree with.

While Blinken has claimed to have coordinated all this with U.S. allies, the EU special envoy to Afghanistan expressed dismay:

Roland Kobia @RolandKobia - 12:17 UTC  Mar 7, 2021 #Afghanistan has a Constitution, had elections, held Loya Jirgas, has Joint Declaration with the US, is engaged in Doha process. The IRA has the support of vast majority of international community + the world in UNSC and Geneva has committed to protect achievements & Republic.

As a third point Blinken will ask the government of Turkey to host a meeting between the Afghan government and the Taliban to finalize a peace agreement. (Turkey, one snarky commentator said, because it has much experience with getting along with Islamist fundamentalist.)

There are a few additional points in the letter which the Taliban will reject:

The proposals also called for the Taliban to remove their military structures and officers from neighboring countries. Pakistan has provided a sanctuary for Taliban commanders and fighters crossing back and forth into Afghanistan and has permitted the militants to maintain a political council in the country. Both Pakistan and the Taliban are unlikely to agree to such a proposal.

President Ghani is furious about Blinken's letter. Other interest groups in the Afghan government also reject it. They think it is a bluff. Unless the U.S. stops the money flow to Kabul and pulls out its troops there is no need for Ghani and other to proceed.

The Taliban will also reject the proposals. They want the U.S. to leave and they feel sure that, after that, they can win the civil war and reinstall their Islamic Emirate. Their backers in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are likewise convinced that there is no need to change course.

The new U.S. proposal is a dead end. It is somewhat astonishing that the State Department could not come up with a better initiative. Then again it is nearly twenty years into this conflict and it still mixes up Afghan nationals and their currency:

Department of State - @StateDept - 9:00 UTC  Mar 8, 2021 The State Department is proud to honor 7 courageous Afghani women who were assassinated as #WomenofCourage for their efforts to help others and used their voices to empower those around them. Their efforts will not be forgotten.

Posted by b on March 8, 2021 at 17:28 UTC | Permalink

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Explosion on Gaza fishing boat kills 3 Palestinian anglers

March 08,2021 | Source: AP

Three Palestinian fishermen were killed Sunday after a blast ripped through their boat off the Gaza shore, union officials said.



Nezar Ayyash, of the fishermen syndicate, said the anglers  two brothers and a cousin  were plying their trade off the coast of the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip when the explosion happened.



The cause of the blast was not immediately clear.



Palestinian media reports blamed Israeli navy fire, but the Israeli military said it was not involved in this incident. The Hamas-run interior ministry in Gaza said it opened an investigation.



Minutes before the explosion, local media reported that Hamas, the militant group ruling the Gaza Strip, was test-firing rockets toward the sea.

 The Associated Press

Theme(s): Others.
H-E-B has further clarified its mask policy after swift backlash.

After Gov. Greg Abbott announced last week that he was ending the statewide mask mandate, H-E-B spokesperson Lisa Helfman said the stores would continue to require employees and vendors to wear masks while at work and "urge all customers" to do the same, Chron's Jay R. Jordan reported.

MIXED MESSAGING?: Gov. Greg Abbott recommends masks days after deeming actual mask mandate unnecessary

In a statement released Friday, the company reiterated its mask policy for after the mandate ends on March 10.

"While statewide policy has changed, our store protocol has not," the company said in a statement. "Mask use at our stores will remain. Our signs requiring mask use will remain posted at entrances and we will continue to make announcements in store."

We will continue to expect shoppers to wear masks while in our stores. Additionally, we will still require all our Partners and vendors to wear masks while at work."

H-E-B also said it will give masks to customers without one.

Chron's Jay R. Jordan recently spoke with H-E-B president Scott McClelland after H-E-B said it would not require customers to wear masks once the mandate ends. McClelland said that while stores have the power to require mask-wearing, antagonistic customers have caused nearly 2,000 in-store incidents surrounding masks at Houston stores alone.

McClelland said then that customers not wearing a mask would be asked to put one on. If they don't have one, a Partner would offer them a mask. But McClelland said associates would not escalate the situation if the customer continued to refuse.

"What's important to me is, I've got to ensure for the physical safety of both my employees and customers in the store," McClelland told Jordan. "That's what we have been doing, and frankly it's the same thing we'll continue to do."

WEAR EVERYWHERE: Here's where you still have to wear a mask in Houston

In its statement, the company continued to encourage customers to wear masks and asked for "kindness and understanding" from shoppers as retailers try to "enforce an emotional topic for many."

"As Texans helping Texans, lets continue to protect each other while in our stores," H-E-B wrote. "Lets keep wearing masks, to protect yourself, our fellow Texans, and our dedicated Partners who are committed to helping our communities throughout this pandemic and every other crisis this state may face."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8)  DITO Telecommunitywhich committed to invest 257 billion over five yearswill reach profitability once it secures 30% of the Philippine market share, a company executive said.

During a virtual briefing on Monday, DITO chief technology officer Rodolfo Santiago said the group's population coverage has to be at 80% level before it could snatch a 30% market share.

Currently, the third telco player, which made its mobile services commercially available in Visayas and Mindanao today, boasts of 37% coverage.

READ: DITO Telecommunity launch in Visayas, Mindanao seen as 'big boost' in telco industry

"Our target is to get 30% of the market as soon as possible. It is easiest to achieve when [population coverage] is 84 percent or higher," he said.

"We will be fighting toe to toe for market share," Santiago added.

According to Santiago, DITO is aiming to "achieve our commitments very, very early on."

Under its committed level of services, DITO promised to boost coverage to 84% of the Philippine population and deliver a minimum average internet speed of 55 megabits per second by the end of its fifth year or by 2024.

DITO chief administrative officer Adel Tamano, meanwhile, was bullish the group could grab a bigger market share, especially with the implementation of the Mobile Number Portability Act.

The MNP will allow Filipinos to keep their mobile number even if they switch to a different service provider.

Tamano noted the implementation may start by the middle of this year.

"We're here for the long haul. I'm very confident that we will get a significant market share once things equalize in terms of our coverage, and once the fight becomes service versus service because pretty soon we will have mobile number portability. And affordability," he said.

Santiago added that securing 30% market share would be "more than enough" to gain profit.
The Minority caucus in Parliament has reaffirmed its commitment to hold the Akufo-Addo led government accountable for its stewardship to Ghanaians.



We expressly reaffirm our resolve to hold the Akufo-Addo government to account over the coming days, months and years for their stewardship to the Ghanaian people. This is nonnegotiable, a press statement signed by the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu has said.



The group further gave the assurance that it will do well not to disappoint the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the future, adding that they have never been sold.



The Leadership and entire Parliamentary caucus of the NDC wish to reiterate our commitment to the cause of the great National Democratic Congress. You may be disappointed in this outcome but we will not disappoint or let you down in the future. The Caucus has never been and would never be for sale. We categorically deny all allegations of influence or favour as a consideration for the approvals in the House, he said.



The caucus has come under criticism following the approval of President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addos nominees for ministerial appointments. on Thursday.



The National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi was the first to attack the leadership of the minority as well as the Speaker, Alban Bagbin of betraying the party.



Specifically naming the Minority Leader and the Tamale South Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Haruna Iddrisu, and the Minority Chief Whip and MP for Asawase , Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Mr Sammy Gyamfi said the duo brazenly defied the leadership of the party and betrayed the collective good for their selfish interest.





But in the statement, Mr Iddrisu called for the forgiveness of supporters and the grassroots of the party over their failure to reject some Ministers-designate who appeared before the appointments committee.



He said The past few days have been the most difficult for the NDC Minority Caucus in Parliament following the approval of President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addos nominees for ministerial appointments.



Pre Order Ghana Year Book 2021

Justifiably, the partys base and grassroots are unhappy and in some instances have had cause to reject and even condemn the decision of the House to approve the three nominees that went through voting. For many, it is unimaginable how they could pass the test in the hands of the same Minority that secured them a Speaker of Parliament from an opposite Party in the Executive on the 7th January 2021, Mr Iddrisu said.



He reassured that the caucus remains loyal to its base and call for restraint and calm among its supporter.



We ask all NDC faithful to have faith in the Caucus leadership as we navigate our path to recapturing the Presidency in 2024. The Caucus would lead the vanguard with the support of our loyal grassroots. May we always be reminded that the things which bind us as comrades far outweigh whatever may divide us.



It is important to note that we are parties of equal strength with; NDC 137 and NPP 137+1, how we wish we had just 140. We acted in accordance with our oath of office and in good faith and conscience. We hold dearly our founding principles of probity, accountability and social justice in our every engagement on behalf of our Party, he explained.

Source: Graphiconline.com









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HOUSTON - (March 8, 2021) - Carbon Hub, Rice University's zero-emissions research initiative, has awarded seed grants for six projects that will rapidly advance its vision for transforming the oil and gas sector into a leading provider of both clean hydrogen energy and solid carbon products that can be used in place of materials with large carbon footprints.

Six research teams from Rice University; the University of Cambridge, England; the University of California, Berkeley; the IMDEA Materials Institute, Madrid; the Polytechnic University of Milan; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and the University of Dayton Research Institute were selected for one-year grants in response to Carbon Hub's first call for research proposals.

Based at Rice and launched in 2019 with a $10 million commitment from Shell and the participation of Prysmian and Mitsubishi Corporation Americas, Carbon Hub is a grassroots, global research and development community working with industry partners to produce technologies for efficiently splitting hydrocarbons into hydrogen fuel and solid carbon materials and for producing high-value products from those materials.

"Our starting point is utilizing methane and other light hydrocarbons to co-produce clean hydrogen and high-value materials that can outcompete and displace heavy CO2 emitters like metals, construction ceramics and fertilizers," said Carbon Hub Director Matteo Pasquali, Rice's A.J. Hartsook Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

Pasquali said Carbon Hub funding is intended to "move the needle, far and fast" and grants can be renewed if teams demonstrate success.

The winning proposals:

* Cambridge's Adam Boies, Simone Hochgreb, James Elliot and Matthew Juniper will investigate the fundamental kinetics of catalytic reactions that produce carbon nanotubes from methane. The research aims to gather necessary information for the design and scaleup of reactors for high-yield production.

* UC Berkeley's Roya Maboudian, Paulo Monteiro, Carlo Carraro and Jiaqi Li will use experimental and computational techniques to investigate cement reinforced with carbon fibers. The team will investigate a wide range of fibers and concrete binders to find optimal blends.

* Rice's Caroline Masiello and Daniel Cohan will use bench-scale experiments and computer models to investigate whether methane-derived carbon could reduce urban smog and/or reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations if added to soil as it is in popular charcoal soil amendments called biochar.

* IMDEA's Juan Vilatela will address engineering challenges for using non-woven carbon nanotube fabrics in place of lithium battery components made of aluminum and copper. Replacing those metal components could eliminate more than 4 million tons of annual atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions.

* Rice's Geoffrey Wehmeyer, Junichiro Kono and Matthew Foster will lay the groundwork for replacing metal power transmission cables with carbon nanotube fibers. To allow side-by-side comparisons, they will investigate fundamental electrical and thermal conductivity at scales ranging from individual nanotubes to bundles of tubes, fibers of bundles and yarns of fibers.

* Milan Polytechnic's Matteo Maestri and Matteo Pelucchi aim to pave the way for optimized co-production of hydrogen and carbon nanotubes by developing descriptive frameworks for competing catalytic reactions. The information would allow process engineers to minimize production of unwanted soot in large-scale reactors for nanotube production.

* MIT's Mark Goulthorpe and UDRI's Paul Kladitis will test the performance of carbon nanotube materials in a variety of composites that could be used to construct homes and other buildings. The work complements Goulthorpe's CarbonHouse, a demonstration project supported by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy to validate the use of carbon from methane pyrolysis as both structural and non-structural building materials.

###

Links and resources:

Carbon Hub homepage: carbonhub.rice.edu

A high-resolution IMAGE is available for download at:

https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2019/ 12/ 1209_HUB-rice-lg. jpg CUTLINE: Rice University's Carbon Hub is a zero-emissions research initiative to produce technologies that split hydrocarbons into hydrogen fuel and solid carbon materials that can be used to make buildings, cars, clothing and more. (Photo by Tommy LaVergne/Rice University)

https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2019/ 12/ 1209_HUB-mpasquali-lg. jpg CUTLINE: Matteo Pasquali (Photo by Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

This release can be found online at news.rice.edu.

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

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.
A Georgia man died Friday night in a one-vehicle crash near Mentone.

Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the incident happened at approximately 8:40 p.m. Friday on Alabama 117 near East River Road, about two miles south of Mentone.

Mark L. Wilson, 59, was fatally injured when the 2020 Ford Ranger in which he was a passenger left the roadway, struck a culvert and overturned. Wilson was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver, George William Hurt, 67, also of Georgia, and another male passenger, were injured. Both were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.
SYDNEY  The tabloids in Australia called Kathleen Folbigg a murderer of innocent babies  the nations worst female serial killer. In 2003, a court sentenced her to 40 years in prison for smothering her four children before each had turned 2.

But all along, Folbigg has insisted that she is innocent, and that her children were all victims of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Now, 90 leading scientists say they are convinced she is right. New genetic evidence, the scientists say, suggests that the children died from natural causes, and they are demanding that she be pardoned.

In a petition sent to the governor of New South Wales last week, the group of scientists, which includes two Nobel laureates, called for Folbiggs immediate release and an end to the miscarriage of justice.

The very public challenge sets up a tense standoff between some of the worlds top medical minds and a criminal court system that rarely overturns convictions. It is a story of judges putting more weight on the ambiguous musings of a mothers diary than on rare genetic mutations, and of scientists who are determined to make the legal system respect cutting-edge expertise.

Caught in the middle is Folbigg, who is now 53. More than 30 years after her first childs death, her story has not changed, and she maintains that she will be vindicated.

A Troubled Mother and Her Children

Folbiggs life has been troubled almost since the moment she was born.

She was just 18 months old when her father, Thomas Britton, murdered her mother in 1968. His wife had walked out on them over a money dispute, and he stabbed her on a public footpath in Sydney in a drunken rage.

Roughly 28 years later, Folbigg wrote in her diary: Obviously, I am my fathers daughter.

By that point, in 1996, she had married a miner, Craig Folbigg, had moved to a working-class suburb, Newcastle, a coal capital north of Sydney, and had lost three of her children.

Kathleen Folbiggs first child, Caleb, died on Feb. 20, 1989, at 19 days of age. His death was classified by doctors as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS.

The next child, Patrick, died nearly two years later, at 8 months. He was blind and had epilepsy and choked to death, according to his death certificate.

A baby girl, Sarah, died on Aug. 30, 1993, at 10 months old, and her death was also classified as SIDS. Folbiggs last child, Laura, died in March 1999 at 18 months old, with the cause initially listed as undetermined.

The deaths seemed at first to be simple, horrific tragedy. But Folbiggs husband turned her in to the police after reading one of her diary entries. It said Sarah had left with a bit of help.

Folbigg told authorities that what she wrote had simply captured the angst and despair of young motherhood and that a bit of help referred to her hope that God had taken her baby home.

At her trial, the doctor who had ruled Lauras death as undetermined, Allan Cala, testified that he had never seen a case of four children dying in the same family. He was admitted as an expert witness, and although he did not present independent data, prosecutors relied on his account to argue that lightning strikes and flying pigs were more likely than four babies dying so young in the same family over a span of 10 years.

There has never, ever been in the history of medicine any case like this, one prosecutor said in closing arguments. It is not a reasonable doubt; it is preposterous.

The jury agreed. Folbigg, 35 at the time, was found guilty of the murders of Patrick, Sarah and Laura and the manslaughter of Caleb. She collapsed into tears as the verdicts were read.

The Science That Could Set Her Free

But there was never any medical evidence of smothering, the scientists say  that was one hole in the case. It is the first thing mentioned in their pardon petition for Folbigg.

None of the children, they go on to say, were healthy when they died. Laura, the last to die, had been sick with a respiratory infection, and an autopsy later found an inflamed heart.

With those hints in mind, her lawyers asked geneticists to examine the case, searching for a mutation that might explain the familys experience.

Carola Vinuesa, an immunologist from the Australian National University in Canberra, and another doctor, Todor Arsov, visited Kathleen in prison on Oct. 8, 2018, and received consent to sequence her genome. They both found that Folbigg had a rare mutation in what is known as the CALM2 gene.

The genetic defect essentially creates heart arrhythmias that can cause cardiac arrest and sudden death in infancy and childhood.

Only about 75 people in the world are known to have the mutation, Vinuesa said, including some parents without symptoms. But children died in at least 20 of those cases, and in many others, they suffered cardiac arrest.

That was especially true when there were triggers driving up adrenaline  and one known trigger is pseudoephedrine, a drug that Laura was taking when she died.

Using blood and tissue samples from all four children, taken shortly after they were born, Vinuesa and Arsov found that Sarah and Laura both had the same mutation as their mother.

By that point, Folbiggs lawyers, who had already exhausted formal appeals, managed to secure a formal inquiry into the case. Vinuesa submitted a lengthy report in December 2018.

But there were signs of resistance. Cala reemerged, telling the judge that by the time Lauras body arrived, after three deaths, you have to have in the back of your mind, is there something else going on in relation to possible trauma?

Bob Moles, a law professor at Flinders University, said the admission of such statements showed a major flaw in Australian justice.

One of the main problems we have is a willingness of courts to admit scientific evidence that is not really scientific, he said.

Sensing that the evidence was not being taken seriously, Vinuesa wrote to Peter Schwartz, a world-leading genetic researcher in Milan. He wrote back and said he had been studying a U.S. family with the same mutation, including two children who died from heart attacks.

He sent a letter to the inquiry with his findings. In July 2019, the judge reached a decision. He said he had considered the scientific evidence but had found Folbiggs diary quite compelling  and he had no reasonable doubt about her guilt.

Refusing to Give Up

Frustrated but more determined, the scientists network gradually expanded.

Several of the people involved, including Arsov, submitted their findings to an international peer-reviewed journal. The paper was published in November.

Further research into Calebs and Patricks genomes has revealed that they had a separate rare genetic variant, which in studies with mice has been linked to early lethal epileptic fits.

In all, 90 eminent scientists have agreed that the medical evidence proves Folbiggs innocence. The signatories to the pardon petition include Schwartz; John Shine, president of the Australian Academy of Science; and Elizabeth Blackburn, a 2009 Nobel laureate in medicine who teaches at the University of California, San Francisco.

We would feel exhilarated for Kathleen if she is pardoned, Vinuesa said. It would send a very strong message that science needs to be taken seriously by the legal system.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Agillitics, a premier provider of digital supply chain services, announced today that it has named Reed Stepleman as its VP of Solution Design effective March 8th 2021. Stepleman will bring his 23 years of supply chain solution and design expertise to help Agillitics fundamentally change the way supply chain data is used to make timely, accurate, and crucial business decisions. As part of Agillitics leadership expansion, Keith Robbins has been promoted to VP of Services, to oversee Agillitics transformational projects.

I am truly humbled and excited that Reed has decided to bring his passion for Supply Chain to Agillitics. Reed and I worked together for years at Manhattan Associates and he has truly been a mentor to me and so many in the supply chain world, says Agillitics President & CEO, Tim Judge. Having Reed as part of our leadership team will be a true gamechanger in our expansion and growth plans for 2021 and beyond. Reeds experience, creative thinking, and passion for everything he does will allow us to deliver continued exceptional value for our customers.

Today I am thrilled to join a great small business in their pursuit of expanding their presence in the Supply Chain Data Analytics Market. I am very honored to join Agillitics (http://www.agillitics.com) as their VP of Solution Design. Agillitics is an amazing team of data scientists headquartered in Atlanta, GA. They help companies think bigger, work smarter, and learn faster with data. Through my 23 years in Supply Chain, I have consistently found that when companies implement large scale systems, they generate a tremendous amount of data, but often have no plan for this data aside from storing it in a data structure (data lake, archive, etc). The answers to so many Supply Chain questions are rooted in that data. I look forward to bringing my Supply Chain expertise and guidance to great companies over the future years.

About Reed Stepleman

Reed Stepleman has spent over two decades dedicated to the Supply Chain Industry. Prior to joining Agillitics, Reed spent the last two years at Deloitte, LLP as a Specialist Leader in the Supply Chain and Network Operations Group transforming a Life Sciences companys end-to-end Supply Chain. Before Deloitte, Reed spent nearly 20 years at Manhattan Associates as a Design Architect enabling Supply Chain Transformations for Tier 1 companies utilizing the Manhattan Associates Warehouse Management, Labor Management and Supply Chain Intelligence software. Reed has expertise in multiple verticals including Retail, Apparel & Footwear, E-Commerce and Life Sciences.

About Agillitics

Agillitics is a supply chain analytics consulting and technology firm based in Atlanta, GA. Through business intelligence, analytics and optimization, Agillitics empowers companies to make prescriptive and proactive data driven decisions to improve operational performance, enable innovation and drive competitive advantage across industry verticals. Agillitics enables organizations to unlock the value in their data by providing different leading practices and mechanisms to uncover insights (Dashboards, Control Towers, Predictive Capabilities). This can be done through a single data source, or Agillitics can integrate datasets from multiple systems (ERP/WMS, WMS/MHE, ERP/TMS/WMS) for comprehensive supply chain decisions.
The spokesman for Iran's foreign minister told reporters today there have been no talks between Iran and the United States on a return to the nuclear deal or any other issues.

During a press conference, Saeed Khatibzadeh was asked about Secretary of State Anthony Blinkens letter to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in which he calls for a UN-facilitated conference with representatives from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India and the United States. Irans inclusion in the letter has led to speculation that envoys or foreign ministers from the United States and Iran could use these talks as a springboard to holding talks over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iranian nuclear deal.

The United States exited the JCPOA in 2018 and reapplied sanctions. Iran took multiple steps away from the JCPOA compliance but remained technically in the deal despite not deriving any economic benefit from doing so. Europe also remained in the deal, although it abided by US sanctions.

Khatibzadeh said, We have not had any contact directly or indirectly with the United States about JCPOA or non-JCPOA issues. In regard to Blinkens letter, Khatibzadeh said Iran has not yet received any letters from the UN regarding the meeting, and they will review it once they receive it. Khatibzadeh said regional issues are important and significant on their own, and Iran would not view any regional multilateral talks as an opportunity or concession to discuss the JCPOA with the United States.

Khatibzadeh also discussed Blinkens latest statement that Iran is moving in the wrong direction on the nuclear issue. The United States has been driving on the wrong side of the freeway for years, and it imagines that those who are driving on the correct side are in the wrong. He said the sooner the United States realizes it is on the wrong side the better it will be for it, the world and multilateralism.

When asked by reporters if Iran is open to negotiations with the United States to return to the nuclear deal, Khatibzadeh said, The United States has not even taken the first step, and just as we said before, they have to take steps to remove sanctions. He added, They have not even taken this action on paper.

Khatibzadeh said there are three steps the Biden administration can take to have a full return to the JCPOA: a firm commitment to their JCPOA obligations, removal of sanctions and return to the JCPOA. He conceded that some coordination might be needed but the direction is clear. He added that it is the United States that is on the wrong path.

He also viewed Irans recent agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, which kept cameras rolling at Irans nuclear sites for another three months, as an opportunity to open a diplomatic window. If the United States does not return to the nuclear deal and remove sanctions, Iran would delete the files permanently, it has said.
Who says women and finances don't go well together? Meet new-age women, who not only take charge of their money but are also doing it in the male-dominated fields. Take, for example, Dalal Street. Even as just 8 per cent of India's asset managers are women, according to Morningstar research, the number of women investors is growing. At 5paisa.com, a listed discount broking firm, the count of women investors has more than doubled. They are not just working professionals, but homemakers are also taking the reins.

Meet Mumbai-based retail investor Sheetal Shah. She left her job after marriage, but for the last three years has been earning good money from the stock market. "At any given point in time, my portfolio is up by about 50 per cent," says Shah.

What made her enter the stock market? "Nine to five job is not possible for me. The stock market gives me the freedom to manage both my time and money. Even though I track markets every single day, there are days when I am too busy or when I am just not in the mood. I easily take a break. I am not answerable to anyone. It empowers me," says Shah.

Also Read: Only 13% of MF industry AUM managed by women, but outperform category average

Delhi-based investor Sujata Dargan took to the stock market to keep herself busy and afford her expenses on her own. "I quit my job after my office moved to a suburban area and travel would kill 4-5 hours in a day. I didn't want to sit idle. Starting a business requires a good amount of seed money. I didn't have that. It was the time when the stock market was soaring. Even though I did not have financial knowledge, I decided to take a plunge. I started out as a small trader but made sure I would not play on margins. Whatever I invested, it was my money."

Initially, Dargan would sell stocks on just 5-8 per cent profits, but when she understood the short-term capital gains tax, security transaction tax, and brokerage fee, she focussed on long-term investing. She played with risky bets too.

"When I started trading, I had bouts of good days and bad days. I was lucky I made money in YES Bank and Vodafone Idea. But as much as I got to know the market, I stopped chasing falling knives and started making a portfolio of blue-chip companies."

Now Dargan has a portfolio of 15-odd stocks which she tracks daily and inspires other women in the family and even her husband to put money in the stock market.

What the data says

At 5paisa.com, the number of women investors grew by 155 per cent year-on-year in FY21. As many as 62 per cent of women investors belong to the age group of 26-45 and come from cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and Ahmedabad.

"Most of the investors are working professionals followed by housewives. Good quality mobile apps, access to the internet, and increased awareness about equity as an asset class have helped increase the participation of women investors in the last year. Of course, working from home has accelerated the participation," says Prakarsh Gagdani, CEO, 5paisa.com.

Another brokerage Fyers has witnessed a 40 per cent increase in women traders on its platform compared to the pre-COVID period.

Also Read: Why is the stock market rising amid economic slowdown? A portfolio manager decodes

Safety over high-risk-high-return

The change is coming, but women still prefer safety over high-risk-high-return bets. "Women are more inclined to invest than trade. The duration of their trades tends to be slightly higher, and they have wider stop losses. In terms of expectations, they expect high profits in a very short period of time without too many entry/exits. But this could also be because most of them are first-time investors," says Tejas Khoday, Co-founder and CEO, FYERS.

Mrin Agarwal, founder, Finsafe India, says among her clients, women still prefer traditional investments like FDs, insurance policies, and gold over equities. "I am seeing younger women willing to invest into stocks, but they are buying based on tips from friends and colleagues. Women should spend some time educating themselves about money management," she says.

What should a newbie do?

Take advice from those who are like you and are already doing it. "Women must understand that the stock market is no rocket science, but it does demand time. Reading into fundamentals is important. I am still learning fundamentals and technicals," says Shah.

Chartered Accountant and CFA aspirant Khushboo Dadia suggests keeping eyes open and picking stocks that one sees around oneself. "Just look around and see which items you use in your household. Google and check which company owns that brand. If a lot of others are also using it, then why will the company not grow unless it is backed by bad management?" says Dadia.

"For example, we keep on visiting Pantaloons. It is owned by Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail. Westside is owned by Trent. Good Day and ParleG biscuits keep coming home, Savlon soap too. There are a lot of examples. Start with the FMCG sector. You will correlate better and find interest," she adds.

Dadia tripled her money in Trent between February 2019 and now.

Also Read: India's richest women: HCL Tech's Roshni Nadar tops list; Kiran Mazumdar, Leena Gandhi follow

What to do when you make losses?

"You won't like it definitely. You may feel like giving up. But it's part of the process. As you learn to drive a car, it's obvious you'll bang it once you are on the road, but you don't stop driving. Similarly, you must let go of losses and learn more to evolve as a seasoned investor," Shah says.

As you start out, one thing that you must avoid is relying on tips by people around you or those flashing on business channels. "Listen to them, but act according to your will," says Shah.
A Mandeville native was killed in his Dallas-area apartment after a bullet fired from a neighboring unit unit went through a wall and struck him Friday afternoon, the local ABC affiliate in McKinney, Texas, reported Sunday.

The station, WFAA-TV, reported that police say they found 26-year-old Brandon Power, an alumnus of St. Paul's School and LSU, dead from a gunshot wound in his Grassmere Lane apartment after responding to a welfare check.

Police arrested Michael Parker Jr., 22, and booked him into the Collin County jail on a manslaughter charge, the report said.

Power graduated from St. Paul's in 2013 and then from LSU with an engineering degree in 2017.

Dailey Thibeaux, who identified himself as Power's boyfriend, said in a Facebook post that Power was "taken from me and everyone who loves you too soon."

"It simply does not make sense," Thibeaux wrote.

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CBS News' David Begnaud reported that Power's emergency contacts were notified after Power's Apple Watch detected his heart stopped.

Additional details, including why Parker Jr. allegedly fired the gun, haven't been released.

Read the full story from WFAA.
New Delhi, March 8 : A Delhi court on Monday convicted Ariz Khan, an alleged Indian Mujahideen terrorist, in a case related to the 2008 Batla House encounter.

Ariz Khan was arrested in February 2018, a decade after allegedly being on the run after the encounter at L-18 in Batla House.

Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Yadav said that Ariz Khan, along with his associates, intentionally murdered encounter specialist and Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma and caused hurt to Head Constable Balwant Singh and Rajbir Singh.

"Ariz Khan is held guilty and convicted under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 27 of the Arms Act," the judge said.

The court will hear the arguments on the point of sentencing on March 15 at 12 noon.

Ariz has been convicted under section 186, 333, 353, 302, 307, 174(a) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code and 27 of the Arms Act.

On September 19 in 2008, the Special Cell of Delhi Police carried out an encounter in Jamia Nagar's Batla House, in which two suspected Indian Mujahideen terrorists died.

The suspected IM operatives were said to have been involved in the serial bomb blasts that took place in Delhi six days before the encounter.

Encounter specialist and Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who spearheaded the police action, was also killed during the operation.

Ariz is allegedly associated with the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen. Police claimed that he was present at Batla House, along with four others, and managed to give police a slip during the encounter.

As per the statements issued during Khan's arrest in 2018, the police had said that Khan is an expert bomb maker, executioner and conspirator, and had been wanted for his involvement in various bomb blast cases in Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Uttar Pradesh.

On the last date of hearing, the judge had issued a production warrant against Ariz Khan alias Junaid for his presence during the pronouncement of judgment.

Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) A.T. Ansari represented the Delhi Police, while advocate M.S. Khan represented Ariz Khan during trial proceedings in the matter.

Of the five men residing in the apartment in Batla House, Mohammed Sajid and Atif Amin were killed during the encounter, Junaid and Shahzad Ahmad fled and were caught years later, while Mohammad Saif surrendered to the police.

A trial court had, in July, 2013, sentenced Indian Mujahideen terrorist Shahzad Ahmed to life imprisonment in connection with the case.
A coronavirus patient in the US suffered a painful three-hour erection due to a rare complication of the disease.

The unidentified 69-year-old, from Ohio was diagnosed with the condition, known medically as priapism, while in hospital with a severe bout of Covid last autumn.

He was admitted to the Miami Valley Hospital in August with severe breathlessness and inflammation, which had caused fluid to build up inside his lungs.

The patient, who was obese, was sedated and put on a ventilator when his condition deteriorated and his lungs started to fail after 10 days of treatment.

Medics placed him face down in the prone position for 12 hours as an emergency technique to help get air around his body. When he was turned onto his back later in the afternoon, nurses noticed he had developed an erection.

Writing in The American Journal of American Medicine, medics who treated him said they believed Covid had caused blood clots in his penis.

An ice pack was applied to the patient's penis to try to bring the swelling down but the stiffness persisted for three hours. Doctors then had to drain the blood from his penis using a needle. While the priapism did not return, the patient died in ICU when his lungs eventually failed.

A Covid patient in the US had to have blood drained from his penis after suffering a painful three-hour erection due to a rare complication of the disease

They said the corpora cavernosa  the chambers of tissue inside of his penis  were rigid, yet the tip was flaccid.

The man was diagnosed with low-flow priapism  when blood becomes trapped in the erection chambers, which is believed to have been caused by clots in his blood.

Because the patient was unconscious, he was unable to answer questions about how much pain he was suffering.

But the condition  which can cause permanent damage unless treated quickly  is known to become excruciating.

The swelling subsided 30 minutes after his penis had been drained and the patient was put on a drip which included medication to prevent blood clots.

Covid has been found in many patients to damage blood vessels, causing dangerous blood clots.

While experts are unsure why the virus causes the blockages, the prevailing theory is that it is the result of an immune overreaction called a 'cytokine storm', which sees the body attack healthy tissue.

Commenting on the case, Dr Richard Viney, a consultant urological surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, said it was 'interesting'.

He said he hadn't come across any Covid-19 patients with priapism himself.

Dr Viney told MailOnline: 'We havent seen any cases of Covid-related priapism like this and we have dealt with more Covid patients than any other European hospital as far as Im aware, so this is clearly a rare but explainable manifestation of Covid.

'In this patient, he had low flow priapism which would certainly fit with microemboli (little clots forming in smaller blood vessels) and this is one of the complications of Covid we see in many other organ systems.'

Priapism also affects men with sickle-cell disease, leukemia (cancer of the blood), or malaria, but can happen randomly without any trigger.

Blood clotting has been reported as a dangerous complication in up to a third of coronavirus-infected patients.

When clots block arteries or veins, the blockages can trigger fatal heart attacks and strokes. They can also lead to priapism.

It is not the first time a Covid patient has suffered from priapism.

An unidentified 62-year-old man from France suffered the painful condition while receiving care in hospital for a severe bout of Covid.

The patient left intensive care after spending two weeks on a ventilator, suggesting he has now recovered from Covid-19.

Doctors at Centre Hospitalier de Versailles in Le Chesnay, an area near Paris, wrote about the man in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine.

Myriam Lamamri, an intensive care doctor who treated the French patient, explained blood clotting was the likely cause.


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After nine years of enthusiastically seeking out hundreds of San Franciscos forgotten signs on busy streets and in narrow alleys, Kasey Smith was unsure about what to do next with her urban-exploration project.

Thats when changes to the world and her Oakland neighborhood led to her to move it to the East Bay. This time, shes bringing everyone in on the project.

San Francisco is loaded with ghost signs  decades-old, often hand-painted advertisements on the sides of buildings that are abandoned and in various states of decay. Smith documented more than 400 of them with her SF Ghost Sign Mapping Project, and she gave me a ghost sign tour of the Tenderloin in 2016 for an SFGATE story.

Even with all its hidden treasures, San Francisco is still just a 7-by-7 city, and its ghost signs have largely been mapped by now. A rare lost sign did resurface in July 2020 when a construction crew renovating a building next to Duboce Park became sudden archaeologists. They uncovered a large sign including ads for the now-defunct Par-T-Pak Cola and Rainier Beer.

The sign probably was painted when the building was a grocery store in the early 1900s. This serendipity didnt last long, however: The sign would be covered up again to complete the renovation.

Though she still enjoyed giving tours of the signs she had mapped, Smith says she hit a stasis with the project by 2019, and because she was now working remotely from east Oakland and no longer commuting to S.F., she looked closer to home for inspiration.

Two nearby discoveries helped her find it. In late 2019, she noticed a two-story commercial building on the corner of 34th Avenue and San Leandro Street  a half-block from the Fruitvale BART station  was undergoing renovations that included removing the exterior shingles.

Kasey Smith / Instagram

What emerged from underneath was a large, glorious advertisement for Belfast Old Fashioned Mug Root Beer  known today as Mug Root Beer (heres some background on the former San Francisco company). The painted sign includes a 1950 copyright, with a tagline at the top that reads, You havent tasted root beer like this in years!

There would be no cover-up this time  the owner opted to seal and preserve the sign.

Another stunning ghost sign uncovered by renovations in late 2019 revealed a three-story time capsule of Uptown Oakland. On the side of the Tapscott Building, built in 1925 on 1900 Broadway, are colorful ads for the Skaggs grocery chain, Uprights Department Store, S&H Green Stamps and Ground Gripper Shoes. They had long been obscured by trees and possibly other buildings until a construction crew took the trees down.

These brands are a sight more old-timey than the iPhone, and from a Beaux Arts exterior they tell a story of the early 1900s. S&H stamps, for example, could be bought while checking out at a store such as Uprights and traded in for products in the S&H catalog.

Smith marveled at the blue-painted background for the Uprights ad  blue tends to fade easily, its shocking to see that for a local department store, she said. And she was just as delighted by the bony foot within a shoe in the green-and-white Ground Gripper Shoes ad.

There seems to be a happy ending in store for the massive sign: A rendering of what the Tapscott Building will look like includes a restored version of the ads looking down on outdoor diners.

Kasey Smith / Instagram

Those two signs were both revealed around the same point in time, which really made me go, This is fate telling me I need to actually do this, Smith said. Mapping the East Bay is the next phase.

The East Bay mapping project has about 55 pins so far, with another two-dozen newly reported signs being researched until they're added. So far, there's one notable difference from the S.F. signs: more of them are neon. Thats in part because San Franciscos neon signs were built earlier than the East Bays and have since disappeared.

One neon sign that demands a pilgrimage is the brilliant Towata Flowers sign in Alameda, which comes with a whopper of a backstory. The late Anna and John Towata were a Japanese American couple who sold flowers here for nearly six decades until 2009. But that was only after they had to give up their previous flower shop and begin a 1.5-year incarceration during World War II.

They were forced to leave for Tanforan Assembly Center in San Bruno three days after they were married, then were sent to the prison camp in Topaz, Utah. They eventually returned to Alameda and opened the shop under a showstopper of an Art Deco sign that has lasted to this day.

The neon doesnt appear to have lit up in at least 10 years. But its still easy to admire the gold, mixed-case flowers proudly displaying over the name John S Towata, which is bookended by blue lighting.

Behind the lights is a green facade made with Vitrolite that was popular in the Art Deco days but is exceedingly rare today. The facade was missing a few panels, but at some point in the last few years, they were replaced.

Kasey Smith / Instagram

Smith calls the sign her favorite storefront in the East Bay.

Its got that beautiful shimmering green facade, that super classic font to it, she said. The number of people who daydream about what they would do with that building, or who they hope moves in. Thats the sign and business facade people talk about the most.

Since the flower shop closed, the building has gone through several incarnations as a boutique but has sat vacant for several years. Vincent San Nicolas, a broker for the company that leases the building, says it was recently sold to a new buyer who will be starting some much-needed work on the space as well as the exterior of the building. He said he didnt know how the building or adjoining greenhouse will be used.

The pandemic shutdowns of 2020 gave Smith more incentive to walk around her neighborhood in search of signs, but it made venturing farther afield difficult in the East Bay. So she appealed for people to send in their own sightings via her Twitter and other social media accounts, and some have.

Kasey Smith / Instagram

One tip she got from west Berkeley was a ghost sign bisected by a fence on the side of a shuttered two-story building. It reads, Drink Nehi, referring to the parent distributor for Par-T-Pak, which went out of business in 1954 but has ads littered throughout the Bay Area. Its the only Nehi-specific ad Smith has seen.

It would take some trespassing or a good boost to read the remainder of the ads tagline, which begins with In your, before its obscured by the fence.

Theres a grander and more readily visible sign in downtown Berkeley on the east side of the Heywood Apartments, a heritage landmark built in 1906. The sign includes ads for the Burr & Sons painting and wallpaper company, and T.R. Catton-Sanitary Engineer Plumbing-Heating. Theres a large BE1927 painted as well, which denotes the Berkeley telephone designation plus phone number in 1928.

Some signs of bygone brands have been restored and are easy to spot, such as the Golden Bridge Beverages ad on Webster Street in Alameda  the companys last remaining ad in the Bay Area. Others are faded and may be impossible to figure out, such as the Hygenic Dog Foods sign on a shuttered industrial building near the Berkeley-Emeryville border at 1000 Murray St.

Kasey Smith / Instagram

One side of the building has signage that actually reads Health Food for Dogs, and lest people think its an ironic joke, Smith points out property records from 1946 that show a Hygenic Dog Food Co. really existed, or was meant to.

For those who would like to venture out on their own and spot signs, Smith composed a self-guided tour of Webster Street, and she says more are on the way.

Smith also arranged an East Bay community mapping day in October, when she encouraged people to walk around their own neighborhoods and photograph any signs to add to the map. She said she plans another one in April.

Kasey Smith / Instagram

The way it ended up, I told people, Do you need an excuse to go and get some exercise? Smith said.
As mask mandates are lifted and social distancing measures eased, businesses across Houston are working to get employees vaccinated against COVID-19, offering the paid time-off, free transportation and even small bonuses to get the shots.

Local businesses say they are making vaccinations a priority, not only to protect workers, but also to build confidence of customers as more people, many newly vaccinated, head out to restaurants, bars and shops. After more than a year of struggle, restaurants, bars and other businesses that depend on foot traffic say they want to be ready with a healthy staff to capitalize on the pent-up demand expected to be released as the pandemic is brought under control and the massive federal stimulus bill juices the economy.

A recent survey by PNC, a Pittsburgh-based bank that recently entered the Houston market, found that three out of four small and mid-sized businesses will encourage or require employees to get vaccinations. More than half are providing assistance, such as transportation, or offering incentives such as paid time off.

At Harold in the Heights, the bar and restaurant is paying employees an extra $100 for getting inoculated. The owner, Alli Jarrett, said she decided to offer the one-time payment after hearing of the approval of Johnson & Johnsons one-shot vaccine, which, with versions from Pfizer and Moderna, would make vaccines widely available.

Jarrett said she anticipates most, if not all, her employees would want to get vaccinated, but provided the incentive to encourage people to look into it a little sooner.

We are not taking an HR stance that is mandatory, Jarrett said, but we are highly encouraging employees to get vaccinated when they can.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Restaurant suppliers feel pinch of industrys hard times

Huge weight lifting

Larger businesses also are offering sweeteners. The grocery chain Krogers said last month it would pay a $100 bonus to workers who receive the full manufacturer-recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccines. Bank of America is offering paid time off for all employees to get a vaccinated.

Greg Martin, proprietor of Bistro Menil in the Museum District, said hes helped his eligible employees sign up for wait lists or make appointments. If necessary, he said, he will arrange transportation to get to vaccine sites and provide paid time off for them to get the vaccine.

None of his workers have contracted COVID, said Martin, who has been careful to abide by social distancing guidelines, but getting the vaccine will still be a huge weight of their shoulders.

They dont want to get sick, Martin said. Theyre engaged with customers their entire shift.

Brad Moore, co-owner of Grand Prize, a bar the Museum District, said he will encourage his employees to get the vaccine as soon as they are eligible, he doesnt think a requirement will be necessary. The employee group chat is always buzzing about vaccine updates and how to get on wait lists.

We wont need to do a requirement because all of our staff is on board, Moore said. They are motivated and in agreement about getting back to work safely.

Once the entire staff is vaccinated that doesnt mean the bar will operate as it did pre-pandemic, Moore said. He plans to continue mask requirements for employees and customers while keeping capacity limits. He will loosen social distancing restrictions once the Centers for Disease Control indicate that its safe.

The pandemic hit small and mid-sized businesses hard and conditions remain challenging for them, according to the PNC survey. More than six in 10 small and medium businesses said it remains difficult to stay open. Less than half said they expected sales increases in the near future. One-fourth said they would have to close in a year unless conditions improve.

Employees hit hardest

Nearly two in 10 businesses, or 16 percent, cut workers last year, according to the PNC survey. Only 11 percent of owners said they were expecting to increase the number of full-time employees in the next six months.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston's economy will struggle - but wearing a mask could save 17K jobs

Martin said Menil Bistros sales fell 50 percent in 2020 over 2019. The restaurant has three quarters of the staff that it did before COVID. The restaurant managed to stay afloat with takeout orders, but it was still hard for all the employees who make their money on tips, which often depends on face time with customers.

People always think its hard on owners, but its really hard on hourly and tip wage employees, Martin said. If they dont have the sales, they dont get the tips.

The emergency low-interest loan initiative known as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was a lifeline for many small businesses during the pandemic, according to the survey. About half of Houston businesses surveyed said in they received PPP funding in 2020; another 4 percent applied but did not receive the funding.

Seventy-six percent of those that received a PPP loan considered it extremely important.

Even with the extra help, businesses still needed to adjust to survive during the pandemic. More than 90 percent of Houston businesses said they adapted their companies in response to COVID-19, such as implementing new policies and procedures, and making physical modifications for health and safety reasons.

The state has required masks and imposed capacity limits on businesses, but those rules were rolled back Wednesday, leaving it up to the businesses to require masks or limit capacity. Local political leaders and public health officials criticized Gov. Greg Abbott for lifting the COVID-19 restrictions, arguing that infection rates, while declining, remain high.

Handling conflict

Some businesses are continuing to require masks and reduce capacity. Amanda Field, owner of Republic Aerial Yoga in the First Ward, is keeping her studios mask policies in place for the safety of her teachers and clients. She is concerned, though, that people will feel emboldened not to wear masks.

I definitely worry about that, and experienced it during the pandemic, Field said. Unfortunately, Ive gotten good at dealing with conflict and handling situations where people are doing what they want to regardless of what is safe for others.

The move by Abbott, however, is also giving business owners hope that normal might return in the not-so-far-off future, said Kurt Rankin, senior economist at PNC.

As government-mandated business restrictions ease and COVID19 vaccination efforts progress, Rankin said, small business owners in Houston are more optimistic than those in the rest of the nation.

becca.carballo@chron.com
According to information published by U.S. Department of Defence on March 7, 2021, the Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman, United Kingdom Royal Navy, France Marine Nationale and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) participated in exercise Khanjar Haad 26, Feb 21-25.

According to information published by U.S. Department of Defence on March 7, 2021, the Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman, United Kingdom Royal Navy, France Marine Nationale and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) participated in exercise Khanjar Haad 26, Feb 21-25.

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Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal CG-73 (Picture source: US Department of Defence)

The annual Oman-led surface, air and mine countermeasures multilateral exercise is designed to strengthen capabilities in underwater diving, searching, mine identification, demolition and maritime explosive ordnance disposal operations.

During this years iteration of the exercise, Omani Lynx helicopters landed on the guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73), marking the first time this type of Omani aircraft has landed on a U.S. warship. Practicing these landings, designated as helicopter operations from ships other than aircraft carriers (HOSTAC), ensures partner nation pilots and ship crews can successfully and safely conduct cross-deck helicopter operations.

By training together, exercises like Khanjar Haad 26 allow participating naval forces to effectively develop the necessary skills to address threats to freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce.

Participating U.S. forces included Port Royal, patrol coastal ships USS Chinook (PC 9) and USS Thunderbolt (PC 12), and mine countermeasures ships USS Gladiator (MCM 11) and USS Sentry (MCM 3).

This is one of many exercises in which the U.S. military participates with partner nations in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility each year.

U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Sea of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

USS Port Royal (CG-73) is a United States Navy Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, the 27th and final in the class.

Originally, Port Royal was to be outfitted with the experimental shipboard mounted High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWEPS). Based on a megawatt-class deuterium/fluorine chemical laser, HELWEPS would have replaced the standard 5-inch forward gun. HELWEPS was to have been used to destroy missiles up to about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) away, or to burn out electro-optical sensors about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) away. The outfitting, scheduled to occur in Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, California in 1994 was cancelled, along with all plans to install HELWEPS on Ticonderoga-class cruisers.

Four (LM2500) gas turbine engines propel Port Royal with 80,000 shaft horsepower (60,000 kW) at speeds greater than 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph). Two five-bladed controllable reversible pitch propellers (17-foot (5.2 m) diameter) and two rudders assist in acceleration and deceleration.
She always turns heads with her fashionable ensembles.

And Amanda Holden showcased her impeccable dress sense once more on Monday as she departed Global Studios in central London in a striped blouse and navy trousers.

The presenter, 50, looked sensational as she finished recording her Heart FM show and marked International Women's Day.

Stunning: Amanda Holden showcased her impeccable dress sense on Monday as she departed Global Studios in central London in a striped blouse and navy trousers

Her flattering wide-leg trousers boasted gold buttons and complemented her delicate gold jewellery.

The Britain's Got Talent judge boosted her height with white heels and draped a navy handbag across her torso as she sauntered through Leicester Square.

Amanda rocked full coverage make-up and curled the ends of her straight blonde locks for a sleek hairdo. She also protected her eyes with oversized shades.

The mother-of-two captured her outfit to her Instagram Story as she gave a 'big shout out' to fellow Heart FM presenter, Ashley Roberts, for International Women's Day.

Nautical: The presenter, 50, looked sensational as she finished recording her Heart FM show and marked International Women's Day

Faultless: The Britain's Got Talent judge boosted her height with white heels and draped a navy handbag across her torso as she sauntered through Leicester Square

The duo posed in front of a decorative floral wall as her co-host, 39, stood out from the crowd in a frilled lilac shirt and asymmetric pleated skirt in a khaki hue.

Amanda uploaded an array of pictures with her female pals including BGT's Alesha Dixon, as she honoured the celebratory day which shines a light on women's rights.

She also uploaded a photo alongside The Apprentice star, Kelly Hoppen, and Simon Cowell's other half Lauren Silverman.

Amanda proceeded to share a snap with her two daughters, Hollie, nine and Lexi, 15, whom she shares with her husband Chris Hughes.

Having fun: Amanda also captured her outfit to her Instagram Story as she gave a 'big shout out' to fellow Heart FM presenter Ashley Roberts for International Women's Day

'Love this woman': She uploaded an array of pictures with her female pals including BGT's Alesha Dixon, as she honoured the celebratory day which shines a light on women's rights

The upload comes after Amanda 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 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!'

Her 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.

Women united: She also uploaded a photo alongside The Apprentice star, Kelly Hoppen, and Simon Cowell's other half Lauren Silverman

Family matters: Amanda proceeded to share a snap with her two daughters, Hollie, nine and Lexi, 15, whom she shares with her husband Chris Hughes (not pictured)

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.

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.

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.

Dream team: She also uploaded a picture at lunch alongside Ashley, in addition to Heart FM producer Anna Richardson and senior social media editor Sofia Lever

Not standing for it! On Friday, she hit out at the government after they announced they would be giving frontline nurses a one per cent pay rise amid the coronavirus pandemic

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.

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.
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San Francisco, March 8 : In a shocking revelation, the Wall Street Journal has reported that Russian intelligence agencies used fake new websites to undermine public confidence in Pfizer and other US-based Covid vaccines.

Citing US officials, the report said on Sunday that four online publications linked to Russian intelligence agencies have been spreading misleading information about Covid-19 vaccines.

"The websites played up the vaccines' risk of side effects, questioned their efficacy, and said the US had rushed the Pfizer vaccine through the approval process, among other false or misleading claims," the report mentioned.

The websites have been identified as New Eastern Outlook, Oriental Review, News Front and Rebel Inside.

The US officials, including from State Department's Global Engagement Centre, said that these false stories are often picked up and circulated by international media.

"We can say these outlets are directly linked to Russian intelligence services. They're all foreign-owned, based outside of the United States. They vary a lot in their reach, their tone, their audience, but they're all part of the Russian propaganda and disinformation ecosystem," the Global Engagement Center official was quoted as saying.

"Russian intelligence services bear direct responsibility for using these four platforms to spread propaganda and lies".

A spokesperson for the Kremlin denied the allegations to the WSJ.

Russia announced in November last year that its Sputnik V vaccine had efficacy of 90 per cent.

Critics, however, critics said the clinical trials of the vaccine on patients were limited.

The Lancet reported last month that a large-scale testing found Sputnik V was safe, and had a 91 per cent efficacy rate.

There has been a surge in vaccine-related scams in recent months and a new report said last week that the number of web domains featuring the word "vaccine" in their title has now significantly increased, and the danger includes credential theft, credit card fraud, malware installation and more.

The team at cyber security firm Check Point Research (CPR) said that since the beginning of November 2020, it has documented 7,056 such new domains, of which 294 were deemed potentially dangerous.

From July till October, the team documented only 1,773 new domains, of which 228 were deemed potentially dangerous.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Students for Life of America (SFLA), a pro-life youth organization, has listed 23 Christian schools identified as working with the nation's largest abortion promulgator, Planned Parenthood.

According to SFLA's initial report posted on their website, Planned Parenthood had "quiet relationships with many faith-based schools."

"There is an unholy partnership between a number of Christian schools and the abortion industry, but Students for Life is mobilizing pro-life advocate nationwide to cut ties with the nation's number one abortion vendor," said the group's president, Kristan Hawkins.

SFLA states that out of the 700 Christian colleges they surveyed, about a hundred schools are complicit to the promotion of abortion through their partnership with Planned Parenthood (PP). This was subtly done through "advertising Planned Parenthood internships and career postings; referring students to PP as a resource; incorporating PP into medical school rotations; and hosting events for students with the abortion giant."

On Wednesday, they released the first set of 25 Christian Schools confirmed to have ties with PP. They also mapped their locations across the country with the caption,

"At least 25 Christian colleges have developed friendly relationships with Planned Parenthood, America's biggest abortion vendor, with some even endorsing them as "a trusted resource." But we know the truth. Planned Parenthood's goal is to ensure Christian, college-age young adults do not bat an eyelash at (or worse, encourage) abortions."

Two schools in Pennsylvania namely the Messiah College and St. Francis University immediately revoked their connection to PP in response to the appeal of pro-life advocates.

"Our hope is that the schools that remain on our list will learn from this example and cut ties with the nation's biggest seller of abortions... which clearly has no place within a Christian institution" Students for Life said.

The remaining 23 are as follows:

American University (D.C.), Methodist

Augsburg University (MN), Lutheran

Augustana College (IL), Lutheran

California Lutheran University (CA), Lutheran

Drury University (MO), United Church of Christ

Eckerd College (FL), Presbyterian

Emory University (GA), Methodist Episcopal

Fordham University (NY), Catholic

Luther College (IA), Lutheran

Macalester College (MN), Presbyterian

McKendree University (IL), United Methodist

New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NJ)

Ohio Wesleyan (OH), United Methodist

Oklahoma City University (OK), United Methodist

Paine College (GA), Methodist

Roanoke College (VA), Lutheran

Saint Joseph's University (PA), Catholic

Saint Norbert College (WI), Catholic

Southwestern University (TX), United Methodist

Trinity Washington University (D.C.), Catholic

University of Indianapolis (IN), United Methodist

University of Lynchburg (VA), Disciples of Christ

West Virginia Wesleyan (WV), United Methodist

The full report and list are yet to be published by SFLA's Institute for Pro-Life Advancement by August or September. Meantime, SFLA's pro-life partners continue to contact the remaining 23 colleges urging them to stop helping the abortion industry thrive by cutting ties with Planned Parenthood.

Kristan Hawkins told the Christian Post that some of these colleges have, without qualms, expressed their support on Planned Parenthood.

"In some cases, we had situations where the school openly supported Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry and was obstinate in their response to us. And that to me, I think, was the most surprising," she said.
NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today on International Women's Day, UN Women's HeForShe movement is issuing a global call to leaders to join the newly formed HeForShe Alliance and help accelerate progress toward gender equality.

Launched by UN Women Global Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson, HeForShe is a solidarity movement and an international platform that engages men and boys as allies to support the work of the women's movement and ultimately create an equal world for all.

"The role of government, private sector and third sector is critical in advancing gender equality," said Edward Wageni, Global Head of HeForShe "We are aiming to partner with today's most ambitious leaders who will not only act as role models in their industries but join forces with HeForShe to truly accelerate the pace of change."

The HeForShe Alliance presents a unique opportunity for organizations and institutions from across the globe to join a network of 12-14 industry leaders, to partner alongside heads of state and together create long-lasting change.

Moving in earnest, four high profile, inaugural partners have already signed up. Howard University, a prominent HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) based in Washington D.C. is committed to addressing representation at leadership as well as promoting consciousness on masculinities, with a focus on Black men.

"The voices of strong women are needed today more than ever, and I am excited to see our society embrace more women in leadership roles," said President Wayne A. I. Frederick. "As the proud father of a dynamic young 14-year-old who is coming into her own as a woman, and the leader of a school that educates a student body that is predominantly women, I will be there to support their collective strides to shatter the glass ceilings that dare to limit their ambitions."

De Beers Group, the world's leading diamond company, is committed to increasing the representation of women in technical roles and leadership as well as promote a culture that enables their journey to achieving gender parity by 2030.

"We are thrilled to be extending our partnership with UN Women for another five years and to be joining the newly-formed HeForShe Alliance," said Bruce Cleaver, CEO of De Beers Group "Achieving gender parity across our workforce is a business-critical priority for De Beers Group  not only is it the right thing to do, it's the only way we will access the full talent pool and achieve our full potential. Now more than ever we have a societal imperative to keep working toward gender equality, as the Covid-19 pandemic has brought new challenges and we must work hard for sustainable change. We look forward to continuing to work with UN Women and our fellow HeForShe Alliance peers to share learnings, scale impact and accelerate progress over the next five years."

PwC, one of the Big Four, is a global network of professional services member firms delivering world-class assurance, tax, and consulting services. PwC is committed to embedding common ESG standards to aid companies around the globe in their sustainable value creation. In addition, PwC will explore the development of an internal credential to recognize learning in the areas of belonging and inclusive leadership.

"At PwC we recognize the importance of learning in the areas of inclusion and diversity," said Bob Moritz, Global Chairman at PricewaterhouseCoopers "We are committed to work with HeForShe on bringing these learning opportunities to a wider audience, along with supporting the need for providing stakeholders with trustworthy information upon which to evaluate business performance against this broader conception of value. They can only reward value creation if they can meaningfully identify it."

Finally, Vodafone, a leading telecommunications company in Europe and Africa, is committed to building on their support for survivors of domestic violence and abuse with additional tools, awareness and leadership strategies to end the cycle of abuse.

"Vodafone is proud to join the newly formed HeForShe Alliance to accelerate progress on gender equality and expand our programme of support to survivors of domestic violence and abuse," said Nick Read, CEO of Vodafone "Our technology connects those affected by domestic violence and abuse to advice, support and information. As an employer, we are equally committed to supporting survivors with our policy and training. We hope that our work with the HeForShe Alliance will help end the cycle of abuse."

In line with the six themes of UN Women's Generation Equality Action Coalitions, each partner's commitment work will also contribute to this global mandate.

HeForShe Partners from 2015 to 2020 are:

Heads of State/ Heads of Government from:

Canada, Finland, Ghana, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Malawi, Romania, Rwanda, Sweden and Uruguay

Global CEOs/Chairman of:

Accor, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Danone, De Beers Group, Electronic Arts, Exelon, Koc Holding, McKinsey, PwC, Schneider Electric, Standard Bank, Unilever, Vodafone and World Bank Group

Vice-Chancellors/Presidents/Chief Constable of:

Georgetown University, Kenyatta University, Nagoya University, Sciences Po, Sussex Police, Stony Brook University, University of Sao Paulo, University of Waterloo, Wits University and World Scouts

Interested organizations or institutions are invited to complete this application form by April 15th.

About HeForShe

Created by UN Women, the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women, the HeForShe solidarity movement for gender equality provides a systematic approach and targeted platform where a global audience can engage and become change agents for the achievement of gender equality in our lifetime. HeForShe invites people around the world to stand together as equal partners to craft a shared vision of a gender equal world and implement specific, locally relevant solutions for the good of all of humanity. For more information, visit http://www.HeForShe.org/en.

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE United Nations HeForShe

Related Links

heforshe.org


Evolutio Enters Into Strategic Partnership With Talkdesk to Expand Its Reach Into Spain Enterprise Markets

Talkdesk, Inc., the cloud contact center for innovative enterprises, today announced its partnership with Evolutio, a leading provider of cloud-based services for global companies across the Spanish market. This agreement reinforces Evolutio's position as a leading independent cloud-based service provider in Spain. Partnering with Talkdesk enriches Evolutio's customer experience (CX) portfolio and enables the company to seamlessly sell, deploy and implement Talkdesk cloud contact center solutions to meet today's critical need for organizations of all sizes and industries to ensure business continuity while providing optimal digital experiences from any working environment.

"We are pleased to announce our partnership with Talkdesk," said Jacinto Cavestany, chief executive officer, Evolutio. "Adding Talkdesk's cutting-edge CX technology into our portfolio is one more step towards our goal to surround us with the best partners to fulfill our promise of offering cloud-based solutions that meet our customers' needs to enhance digital and flexible experiences. The Evolutio team, knowledge, assets and reach in Spain makes us the ideal partner to bring Talkdesk into the Spanish market."

"Talkdesk is driving the contact center industry forward with innovative solutions, providing companies the tools they need to make customer experience a competitive advantage," said Tiago Paiva, chief executive officer, Talkdesk. "We are excited to form this strategic partnership with Evolutio and expand Talkdesk's reach and influence in the Spanish market."

Talkdesk is revolutionizing the customer service market with Talkdesk CX Cloud, the industry's first and only modern, global end-to-end customer experience solution. By combining enterprise performance at scale with consumer simplicity, CX Cloud allows companies to easily adapt contact center operations to the evolving needs of customers, customer service and sales teams, resulting in increased productivity, customer satisfaction and cost saving. Talkdesk CX Cloud offers a dynamic customer experience platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), a white-glove approach to comprehensive business services and simple, seamless integration capabilities with more than 60 business tools, including the deepest Salesforce integration. Talkdesk CX Cloud sets a new benchmark for the contact center solutions market with enterprise scalability, security and reliability, backed by the industry's only 100% uptime Service Level Agreement.







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About Talkdesk

Talkdesk is the cloud contact center for innovative enterprises. Combining enterprise performance with consumer simplicity, Talkdesk easily adapts to the evolving needs of support and sales teams and their end-customers, resulting in higher customer satisfaction, productivity and cost savings. Over 1,800 innovative companies around the world, including IBM, Acxiom (News - Alert) , 2U, Trivago and YMCA rely on Talkdesk to make customer experience their competitive advantage. Learn more and request a demo at www.talkdesk.com.

About Evolutio

Evolutio is an expert enabler of cloud services. The company works for some of the most relevant global and local organizations of the Spanish market. Its goal is to foster the agility, flexibility and innovation capacity of its customers, helping them to optimize their business value and making their digital transformation possible. The company is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, and its assets include: more than 5,600 km of deployed networks, 3 data centers and 6,200 virtual machines, 270 security certifications, 1,000 highly qualified experts and over 30 years of experience in the field. For more information, please visit evolutio.com.

Talkdesk is a registered trademark of Talkdesk, Inc. All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8)  The Health Department does not yet see the need to revive stricter and more widespread lockdowns to allow healthcare workers to manage the continuously rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country, a health official said on Monday.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, who also leads the task force focusing on new COVID-19 variants, on Tuesday said hospitals in Metro Manila are seeing an increase in the number of patients seeking help or being admitted in hospitals. However, she added that hospital officials are still able to manage the influx of patients.

"Nakitang dumadami ang tao sa ER, biglang dami ang kaso. To say that the system is overwhelmed, no. Kapag tinignan ang healthcare utilization, we still are at manageable level. Meron pang almost 50% na pwede mag-accommodate," she said in a media forum.

[Translation: There are more patients in the emergency room, more COVID-19 cases, but it's not right to say the system is overwhelmed. If you look at the healthcare utilization, we still are at a manageable level. We can still accommodate 50% of the capacity.]

Several groups of medical workers asked for a "timeout" back in August 2020 because hospitals in the region were being filled to capacity. The situation forced the national government to reimpose stricter modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila for two weeks.

Vergeire said this time, government officials are trying a different tack. She said the task force for new variants recommended that local governments step up localized response, such as granular lockdowns and increased visibility of authorities to remind the public to correctly follow minimum public health standards, like the proper wearing of face masks and shields, and physical distancing. She added a "timeout" can be considered if the need arises.

"This kind of 'timeout' would not be recommended at this point. Let's try to see kung magiging effective ang una nating salvo ng localized responses [Let's try to see if our initial salvo of localized responses would be effective]," the official said.

The Philippine National Police said it is ready to assist local governments to ensure the public follows minimum health standards.

OCTA Research Group fellow Dr. Butch Ong said the current health picture is worse than the COVID-19 surge last year. Although the 4,000 daily cases then have not yet been reached, he said the virus is spreading faster now considering the presence of two contagious variants.

"Mas mabilis ang pagkalat ngayon than noong July-August 2020 na humingi tayo ng timeout [It is spreading faster now compared to July-August 2020 when we asked for a timeout," he said in a separate briefing.

He also warned that hospitals may reach their capacity, considering that more and more cases of the South Africa and United Kingdom variants are being detected in the country. Ong said targeted lockdowns, more effective localized border control, and stricter implementation of health protocols can stop the transmission of the virus.

The OCTA group projected that Metro Manila may see up to 3,000 daily cases and up to 6,000 new infections nationwide by end of March as the rate of increase in the country's cases continues to pick up.
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Dish plans to add yet another mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) to its wireless business. On Monday, the company announced that it has an agreement in place to buy Republic Wireless . With the deal, which should close before the end of first half of the year, Dish will add approximately 200,000 customers to its wireless subscriber base. The company claims Republic Wireless customers wont see any immediate changes to their plans.

After spending nearly a decade of trying to break into the wireless market, Dish has made a lot of recent progress. It all started July when the company paid $1.4 billion to buy Boost Mobile from T-Mobile and Sprint. The two carriers agreed to divest themselves of the pre-prepaid brand to get regulatory approval for their $26 billion merger . One month later, Dish bought Ting Mobile from Tucows . Its too early to tell if Dish will successfully transform itself into a competitive national carrier, but its certainly trying to make a go of it.
A person walks past the New York Stock Exchange at Wall Street in New York City, on Nov. 16, 2020. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

US Gets Its Lowest Score for Economic Freedom in Decades

WASHINGTONEconomic freedom in the United States has dropped to an all-time low due to its deteriorating fiscal health, according to an annual index of the worlds freest economies.

The U.S. economic freedom score has declined 1.8 points this year to 74.8, Heritage Foundation, a conservative U.S. think tank, announced last week.

While the U.S. economy remains mostly free, it was ranked 20th in the world, down three places since last year. The United States has fallen behind countries such as Georgia, the United Arab Emirates, and Chile, according to the prominent index.

The major obstacles to greater economic freedom in the United States continue to be excessive government spending, unsustainable levels of debt, and intrusive regulation of the health care and financial sectors, a Heritage report stated.

The Index of Economic Freedom is an annual ranking created in 1995. This years index ranks 178 countries by examining qualitative and quantitative factors grouped in four categoriesthe rule of law, government size, regulatory efficiency, and open markets. The index measures economic freedom in a country based on 12 factors from property rights to tax burden and financial freedom.

Singapore has topped the list for the second year in a row because of its business-friendly regulatory environment and a very low unemployment rate, the report stated. New Zealand and Australia came in second and third this year, respectively.

The struggle between the state and the free market continued in 2020, according to Anthony Kim, research manager at the Heritage Foundation and editor of the Index of Economic Freedom.

Fiscal and monetary policy measures implemented by the governments of the United States and other countries in response to the pandemic have weakened economic freedom and long-term prosperity.

Our index really emphasizes that the solutions are not in the hands of bureaucrats and government planners. Its with the individuals and private sector enterprises in the free market, Kim told The Epoch Times.

Despite the challenges created by the health crisis, the average global economic freedom score remained at a record high of 61.6 for the second consecutive year.

The main reason is that a number of countries have been moving in the right direction, Kim said, adding that Baltic countries, in particular, such as Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, and some other countries in Europe, have performed well with regard to economic freedom.

The 2021 index was prepared using data that covers the second half of 2019 through the first half of 2020, according to the Heritage Foundation.

While tax reform and deregulation have helped improve economic freedom in the United States, government spending, a rising deficit, and growing public debt in the past few years have reduced the countrys score, according to Kim.

Im afraid that direction will not be better anytime soon as we have seen all the executive orders from President Biden, he said.

Bidens policies are trying to empower a big government agenda in the name of helping people, he added.

Hong Kong, this year, has been dropped from the index due to growing concerns over Beijings tightening grip on the city after the introduction of the controversial national security law last year.

Hong Kong topped the economic freedom list for 25 years until 2019. Experts in Hong Kong believe that the Chinese communist regimes rapid encroachment on Hong Kongs freedom has further deteriorated the citys economic environment.

The index also removed the Chinese special autonomous region of Macau, the worlds biggest casino gambling hub, from the rankings.

Hong Kongs Finance Secretary Paul Chan reacted to the Heritage Foundations decision to remove Hong Kong from the index.

I do not agree that our economic policy has been taken over by the central government, he said during a webinar organized 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.

The Hong Kong government has taken pride in the Heritage index that had shown the territory to be the worlds freest economy for decades. It has used such studies to promote the city as an open, safe, and vibrant business hub.

Chinas economy has been rated mostly unfree, ranking 107th out of 178 economies. Meanwhile, Taiwans economy is the sixth-freest in the 2021 index, recording its best performance in the history of the study.

Taiwan has remained committed to economic freedom, transparency, and openness, Kim said.

Economic freedom not only boosts GDP per capita and standard of living in a country, according to Kim, it also affects overall human development in terms of education, health, and longevity. Its also highly correlated with economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and social progress.
The BJP high command on Monday called Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat to New Delhi in the face of the serious discontent within a section of the state party MLAs and MPs who are bitterly opposed to his style of functioning, top party sources said here.

"The CM is going to New Delhi on Monday," said a source close to the Chief Minister.

The high command's decision came after it sent former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh to hold an unscheduled meeting of the core committee on Saturday in Dehradun when the Assembly session was discussing the state Budget at Garisain. This raised many eyebrows both in the Chief Minister's camp as well as that of his opponents.

The Chief Minister along with the party MLAs was asked to fly to Dehradun by helicopter in the afternoon on Saturday soon after the Budget Session of the state Assembly was adjourned sine die in a hasty way.

State BJP President Bansidhar Bhagat when contacted had stated that the core committee meeting did not discuss anything related to the change of guard in the state.

"I have made it clear earlier also that there was no discussion on change of guard," he said.

On March 18, Chief Minister Rawat will complete his four years in office, an event which will be celebrated in a big way in the state, Bhagat said.
Victims of sexual abuse, including by clergy, have a right to tell their stories. The majority of sexual abuse allegations against priests are credible, and now that three men have made accusations against Pfleger, St. Sabina Parish needs to act more like Jesus in its treatment of the accusers.
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Jackass star Bam Margera was briefly hospitalized over the weekend to treat a staph infection.

The 41-year-old took to Instagram to share his ailment with fans - which he said 'f**king hurts' - and to thank a friend for taking him to the emergency room in a post early Monday morning.

Bam's infection comes after the MTV star was kicked off of Jackass 4 last month following weeks of troubling behavior, including drunkenly ranting on social media and revealing he was 'manic bipolar.'

Troubled: Jackass star Bam Margera was briefly hospitalized over the weekend to treat a staph infection, he revealed via Instagram early Monday morning

The reality star shared a photo from his hospital bed showing his infected leg. Angry looking red welts were seen around a new tattoo on Bam's leg.

'The only person I can blame for my staff [sic] infection,' he wrote in the caption. 'Thank you Danny way for taking me. I deserve it and it f**king hurts very bad.'

According to TMZ, sources close to Bam said that the star checked into the hospital over the weekend after 'experiencing pain' near the place where he recently got inked.

The insiders added that the infection most likely came from a dip he took in a hot tub. Luckily for Bam, things weren't too bad, he is already home and expected to make a full recovery.

Infection: According to TMZ , sources close to Bam said that the star checked into the hospital over the weekend after 'experiencing pain' near his most recent tattoo on his leg following a trip in a hot tub

It's been a difficult few weeks for Bam. He was fired from the upcoming Jackass film because he couldn't abide by conditions set forth by the producers relating to his addiction issues.

The star reportedly broke his contract, which included conditions that he needed to follow in order to stay on the project, TMZ reported.

An insider revealed that the conditions included taking his medication, blowing into a breathalyzer, his commitment to staying sober, seeing a psychologist and routine drug tests during the project.

It is not know which of the conditions Bam reportedly failed to abide by, which led to the producers to inform him he wasn't part of the Jackass 4 project anymore.

Problems: It's been a difficult few weeks for Bam, he was fired from the upcoming Jackass film because he couldn't abide by conditions set forth by the producers relating to his addiction issues

The outlet reported that from the start of the project, the filmmakers were worried about Bam's addiction issues and erratic behavior, but that they wanted him to be part of the project from the beginning.

Prior to getting the boot, Bam had displayed some concerning behavior during a social media ran where he asked fans to boycott the film.

Bam was clearly inebriated in the video and returned to social media the next day revealing he is 'manic bipolar' and would be seeking treatment.

'I have some good news,' he said in a minute-long clip. 'I realized that I'm manic bipolar, and yesterday I had to go so bats**t bonkers f***ing crazy because of not knowing the answer for a year and a half whether we're doing Jackass or not ... I had to deal with the madness to finally know the answer.'

Issues: Prior to getting the boot, Bam had displayed some concerning behavior during a social media ran where he asked fans to boycott the film (pictured in Jackass)

Over the years the Viva La Bam star has struggled with alcoholism. He was hospitalized back in 2009 following several days of binge drinking and entered rehab for the first time later that year, staying only a few days.

His struggle with substance abused worsened following the death of friend Ryan Dunn in 2011.

Over the years Bam has unsuccessfully checked into various facilities to treat his alcoholism, often leaving before the completion of the programs.

The star enjoyed a brief seven-month period of sobriety in 2018 after getting a DUI but relapsed when he was robbed at gun point later that year.

'I have some good news,' he said in a subsequent social media clip. 'I realized that I'm manic bipolar, and yesterday I had to go so bats**t bonkers f***ing crazy because of not knowing the answer for a year and a half whether we're doing Jackass or not ... I had to deal with the madness to finally know the answer.'

In 2019 he was kicked off of a Southwest flight after he drunkenly berated airline staff.

Just a few weeks later he was arrested in Los Angeles and charged with charged with misdemeanor trespassing for drunkenly refusing to leave a hotel after he was told there were no rooms available.
Press Release

March 8, 2021 Senate adopts reso honoring Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ The Senate today adopted a resolution expressing its profound sympathy and sincere condolences on the demise of Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ, who passed away last Saturday at the age of 88. Senate Resolution No. 674, taking into consideration Senate Resolution No. 675, was unanimously adopted on Monday, March 8, 2021. The resolutions were introduced by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Richard Gordon respectively. The resolution honored Fr. Bernas for his "immeasurable and invaluable contributions to the legal profession and society." The Jesuit priest was a notable constitutionalist and one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution. "We salute you for a life of service and devotion to God, the Rule of Law and your countrymen, Fr. Joaquin Bernas," Sotto said in his sponsorship speech. He described Fr. Bernas as a man with a "strong sense of morals and ethics who was humble and calm, exuding authority even in his silence." Sotto said the Jesuit priest had willingly responded to the call of legal and moral duty to protect democracy and human rights unmindful of his own physical well-being. He said Fr. Bernas' unblemished devotion and faith in God and the Rule of Law had helped rebuild the country through his teachings, writings, and leadership. "His death is great a loss not only to his Atenean family and to the legal profession but to the Filipino people and the nation as well," Sotto said. For his part, Gordon said Father Bernas was a not only a lawyer, a man of cloth, an educator and a counselor but he was also a friend. He said Fr. Bernas would often be called to court to share his wisdom on complex and novel constitutional issues. He said Fr. Bernas resolved some key legal issues of national significance. "Father Bernas was a dedicated educator who shared his knowledge and expertise on political and constitutional laws to young law students, inspiring them to become excellent public servants and legal practitioners," Gordon said. He recommended that a copy of the resolution be given to the family of Fr. Bernas. Born on July 8, 1932, Fr. Bernas was ordained as Jesuit priest on June 10,1965. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in English, Latin, and Greek Classics and Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from Berchmans College in 1956 and 1957, respectively. Bachelor of Laws degree from Ateneo de Manila Law School in 1962 and placed 9th in the bar examinations given that year. He got his Licentiate of Sacred Theology from Woodstock College in 1966, and Master of Laws and Doctor of Juridical Science from New York University in 1965 and 1968, respectively. Fr. Bernas taught at the Ateneo de Manila Law School in 1966 and served in various capacities inside and outside of the university, namely: as Dean of the Ateneo College of Arts and Sciences (1970-71), Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines (1976 to 1982), Dean of Ateneo Law School (1972 to 1976 and 2000 to 2004), Member of the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution, 28th President of the Ateneo de Manila University (1984 to 1993), Rector of the Jesuit Residence (1994 to 2000), Dean Emeritus of the Ateneo School of Law upon his retirement in 2004, and Director of the Philippine Stock Exchange.
POE ON CALABARZON KILLINGS, ARRESTS:

Police operations against any suspected groups or individuals must strictly adhere to due process.

The Constitution states that "no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws."

It is the mandate of law enforcers to ensure that these guarantees are observed and not just dismiss nonchalantly cries of possible human rights violations.

Protecting the right to life should have the highest threshold in our quest for peace and order.
Unworthy: A Polemic Against the Secret Second Coming: a brilliant read that speaks about the idea of mans avoidance of struggle and the rapture that mankind is looking forward to. Unworthy: A Polemic Against the Secret Second Coming is the creation of published author S. Kuhl, a US Navy combat veteran of Vietnam. He is currently an online seminary student at Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary.

Kuhl shares, Finally, this is not just another book denouncing the pretribulation rapture, but a Bible-based analysis and polemic against the very idea of man trying to avoid pain and tribulation. While it is true that the Bible teaches that we (Christians) are not to suffer wrath. The Bible also teaches that as Christians, we should expect trials and tribulation.

Daniels prophecy of seventy weeks, the final week mans rule is divided in half, creating two periods of three-and-a-half years. The final three-and-a-half years of mans rule on earth will be the time known as Jacobs trouble. Evil will no longer be restrained; that is the Holy Spirit will cease to hold back evil, allowing ungodly men to rejoice in the darkness they have wanted, since the beginning. Christians will have disappeared from the earth by this time, and men can and will run wild. Earthly government will be a single one-world government ruled by an insane fascist leader, who will not care what women want but only care that the world worships him as God. The people will celebrate when last two righteous men in Jerusalem are killed by Satan and send gifts to each other. Christians should rejoice that they will not be here, but they will see the rise of the Antichrist and recognize him when he appears with his false prophet.

The stage for this play is being set as we watch todays headlines. Unworthy will show you that we are today living in what Jesus called the beginning of sorrows. (Matt. 24:8)

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, S. Kuhls new book is a stirring work that will open the readers mind and give them a polemic against the secret second coming grounded on a different perspective and the writings of the Bible.

View a synopsis of Unworthy: A Polemic Against the Secret Second Coming on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Unworthy: A Polemic Against the Secret Second Coming at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Unworthy: A Polemic Against the Secret Second Coming, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
A team of scientists in Israel recently evaluated the efficacy of an mRNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, BNT162b2 (also known as the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine), in inducing host humoral immune response.

The findings reveal that the vaccine is capable of inducing strong anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody response and that the response varies significantly with age. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

Study: Kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 anti-s IgG after BNT162b2 vaccination . Image Credit: LookerStudio / Shutterstock

Background

As of March 7, 2021, there have been 116 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 2.5 million deaths, reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). Besides discovering and repurposing potent anti-viral therapeutic approaches, several potential vaccines have been produced in record speed as an attempt to prevent further transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Many of these vaccines have already received emergency use approval from national regulatory authorities across the globe. As of March 8, 2021, around 249 million vaccine doses have been administered globally, according to the WHO data.

In Israel, the large-scale administration of the COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2 has been started in mid-December 2020 after obtaining a highly affirmative response from a randomized placebo-controlled vaccine trial. Recently, studies conducted in nation-wide mass vaccination settings have reported that the BNT162b2 vaccine is highly effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, hospitalization rate, severe complications, and death.

In the current study, the scientists have evaluated the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses among Israeli healthcare workers vaccinated with BNT162b2. Specifically, BNT162b2 is a lipid-nanoparticle formulated, mRNA-based vaccine that contains perfusion-stabilized, membrane-bound full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as a vaccine antigen.

Study design

The study was conducted on a total of 116 healthcare staff working in one of the largest healthcare organizations in Israel. Of all participants, 48 were below 50 years of age and 68 were above 50 years of age. About 8% of the participants were male.

All participants were administered with 2 doses of the vaccine at an interval of 21 days. The serological tests for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-specific IgG antibodies were conducted serially between January 14, 2020, and February 24, 2021. On average, 3 serological tests were conducted for each participant, leading to a total of 382 tests.

Important observations

As evident from the findings, seroconversion occurred in all participants 14 days after immunization with the first dose. The titers of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-specific IgG antibodies reached a peak value by around day 30, which was 10 days after the second dose.

The scientists observed a variation in antibody response among participants aged below or above 50 years. The participants who were below 50 years of age showed higher antibody levels in the blood. Importantly, the scientists observed that despite gender-wise variations, the antibody levels remained significantly higher than the threshold for serological reactivity.

Regarding the durability of the vaccine's effect, the scientists observed that after peaking, the antibody response decayed very slowly throughout the study period (six weeks).

Study significance

Overall, the study findings indicate that the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2 is highly effective in inducing robust antibody response against SARS-CoV-2. Although the vaccine showed higher efficacy among younger participants, the scientists believe that further studies are needed to accurately evaluate the long-term dynamics of such age-related variations. They have also highlighted the need for exploring other factors that may influence the rate of seroconversion.

Since the study duration was restricted to only six weeks, the long-term efficacy of the vaccine could not be explored. Moreover, because of the relatively small sample size and disproportionate male to female ratio, the study cohort is not a true representative of the general population. These might be the potential limitations of the study, as mentioned by the scientists.

*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
Julie Bishop has shocked viewers with a crude description of her male Liberal MPs colleagues who unsuccessfully tried to block her rise in federal politics.

The former Foreign Affairs Minister and deputy leader appeared on ABC's 7.30 on Monday, where host Leigh Sales quizzed her on a wide range of topics from the culture in federal parliament and alleged rape of former party staffer Brittany Higgins to former colleague, Attorney General Christian Porter.

Ms Bishop confirmed a group of male Liberal MPs tried to stifle her progression to the frontbench and revealed the shocking name they dubbed themselves before she hit back at the group with a classy response.

The jaw-dropping moment unfolded after Sales recalled a conversation she had with former federal MP Sharman Stone about a group of party colleagues called 'the swinging d****' who sought to block Ms Bishop's political aspirations.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop (pictured) gave a jaw-dropping response when asked about a group of former male colleagues who try to sabotage her rise in politics

'Well actually, I believe it was big swinging d****, so obviously there was an overexcited imagination on the part of some I would suggest,' Bishop replied with a wry smile.

'Look, no-one self-identified to me, thank goodness for that.

'But if they were seeking to block my aspirations, they didn't succeed because my ambition was to be the foreign minister of Australia and I served in that role for five years.

'And likewise I was deputy leader of the party for 11 years. If their ambition was to thwart my aspirations, then they failed.'

Ms Bishop also spoke about the recent sexual assault allegations that have rocked Canberra.

She was surprised to hear that Prime Minister Scott Morrison wasn't informed by his office that Brittany Higgins was allegedly raped by a male colleague in a minister's office in Parliament House until the former party staffer went public with her claims last month.

Julie Bishop (pictured) told 7.30 host Leigh Sales she believes a culture of sexual harassment and discrimination has developed in Parliament House over many years.

Ms Bishop backed an inquiry into the handling of the matter by the Prime Minister's office.

'In my experience, an allegation of that nature, a serious indictable offence, would have been brought to the attention of the Prime Minister immediately, and handled by Prime Minister and Cabinet,' she said.

'It's the kind of information that Prime Ministers in my experience want to know about.

'I know there's an inquiry into what the Prime Minister's office knew and why they handled it the way they did. So I guess we'll know why it was this information was withheld from the Prime Minister.'

Ms Bishop also discussed how she would have handled the allegations.

'As someone who has employed many people over many, many years, if someone had come to me with an allegation that a rape occurred, as it turned out, in my office, but in a workplace for which I'm responsible, I would have felt a duty, not only to that person, but to others in the workplace to inform the police,' she said.

Julie Bishop (left) also addressed claims by former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins (right) that she was allegedly raped by a male colleague in Parliament House

Ms Bishop believes a culture of sexual harassment and discrimination has developed in Parliament House over many years.

'I believe it's embedded in Parliament, the environment, the conventions, the protocols, were all established at a time when there were very few or no women in Parliament.

'It's taken a very long time for this to be a change.

'Getting more women into the Parliament is not the immediate answer, but it will help.'

Ms Bishop hopes more girls will consider politics as a career but was up front about the challenges they will face.

'It can be the most rewarding and satisfying career, but behaviour that is unacceptable, unprofessional, it's not accepted in workplaces across Australia and what concerns me is that Parliament House is where the laws are made,' she said.

'We in Parliament where I was are the legislators. We make the laws that we impose on workplaces around the country.

'Parliament House should be the exemplar, the gold standard, the place where people can see how best practice in workplaces should be carried out.'

Australia's first female foreign minister Julie Bishop (pictured) served in the role for five years

Ms Bishops response was more measured when asked about fellow Western Australian Christian Porter.

He outed himself last week as the federal minister accused of raping a teenage girl in 1988 but emphatically denied even sleeping with the woman, who took her own life last June.

While she knew him for many years since he was a promising young lawyer, Ms Bishop insists the pair didn't work closely together.

But she backed calls for an inquest into the matter, stating it was likely the next 'logical step'.

'It's within the criminal system, there are checks and balances, there are statutory powers, it has legal standing and so that is the next step and I understand from media reporting that that's what the family would welcome,' Ms Bishop said.
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Results have extended the overall mineralised footprint to over 1 kilometre south of Lord Nelson and this remains open in all directions, highlighting the potential of Lords Corridor and the Sandstone Gold Project.

Based on assay results to date, it is likely the current program will be expanded and initial planning is underway.

( ) has received further strong assay results from ongoing drilling at its 100%-owned, 900 square kilometres Sandstone Gold Project in Western Australia, which have confirmed another lode within a new zone of gold mineralisation 1-kilometre south of the Lord Nelson Pit.

The results have extended the overall mineralised footprint to more than 1-kilometre south of Lord Nelson and this remains open in all directions, highlighting the potential of Lords Corridor and the Sandstone Gold Project.

Drilling is ongoing with two reverse circulation (RC) rigs focused on completing around 20,000 metres of the program at the Lords Corridor, Vanguard and Chance.

Based on assay results received to date, it is likely that the current program will be expanded and initial planning is already underway.

Assays for the first 28 holes for 5,213 metres of drilling that commenced this year, targeting extensions of known mineralisation at Lord Henry and Lord Nelson, Orion and Vanguard, are already with the laboratory and are expected early next month.

Same style as Lord Nelson

Alto Metals managing director Matthew Bowles said: These new results from the successful first pass step-out exploration holes drilled late last year, have confirmed two new lodes, within a new zone of gold mineralisation discovered more than a kilometre south of Lord Nelson.

Importantly, these holes were drilled in an area completely undercover and the style of mineralisation intersected is exactly the same as what we see at Lord Nelson and reminds us of the first few holes drilled that led to the Orion Lode discovery.

We are fully focused on exploration."

Initial assays expected early next month

Bowles added: We have a major drilling program underway, with two rigs on-site testing extensions of known resources and priority regional targets.

Once initial assays from drilling that commenced at the start of this year are received, expected early next month, we will then have regular, ongoing news flow.

Assay results

The first pass RC drilling completed in December 2020, was designed to test conceptual targets along the plus-3-kilometre Lords Corridor.

The wide-spaced holes were drilled on an 80 x 80 metres grid in an area with no previous drilling more than 1,000 metres south of Lord Nelson.

Assay results include:

4 metres at 5.3 g/t gold from 124 metres within 16 metres at 1.6 g/t from 116 metres; and

4 metres at 2.7 g/t from 148 metres within 8 metres at 1.6 g/t gold from 144 metres.

The style of mineralisation (quartz-pyrite veins style mineralisation related to granodiorite intrusion) of the new lode is identical to what is seen at Lord Nelson and Orion Lode.

This further supports the companys geological model, which predicts the potential for multiple Lord Nelson style lodes, within the Lords Corridor.

It is the second new lode discovered from the current drilling program along the Lords Corridor, following the discovery of an earlier lode a further 400 metres to the south on the eastern edge of an undrilled IP anomaly.

Aggressive drilling ongoing

The 2021 drilling program at the Sandstone Gold Project recommenced in early February and a second RC rig arrived at site shortly after to accelerate completion of the remaining around 20,000 metres of the planned 30,000-metre program.

Following completion of the initial five holes at Lord Henry, the first RC rig is targeting depth extensions of known mineralisation at Lord Nelson and the Orion Lode.

On completion of the first phase of extensional drilling at the Orion Lode, the second RC rig has commenced step-out drilling at Vanguard to complete a planned 8,000 metres drill program.

It will then commence a maiden 2,000 metres exploration program at Chance, with up to $150,000 co-funded through the WA State Government Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS).

Once this drilling has been completed the second rig will move back to the Lords Corridor, to follow up on the first phase results.

The first RC rig will remain on the Lords Corridor to complete the planned drilling at Lord Nelson and the Orion Lode, before moving down to follow up on the latest results from the new zone in this release and the test the IP target which has not yet been drilled.
THUNDER BAY, ON, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Clean Air Metals Inc. ("Clean Air Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV: AIR) (OTCQB: CLRMF) (FRA: CKU) is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated January 20, 2021, the Company has filed a technical report detailing the Mineral Resource estimate for the Thunder Bay North Project near Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The technical report was independently prepared for Clean Air Metals by Nordmin Engineering Ltd. The report, titled "NI 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT AND MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE FOR THE THUNDER BAY NORTH PROJECT, THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO" has been filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com as at March 4, 2021 and is available on Clean Air Metals' website at www.cleanairmetals.ca.

About Clean Air Metals Inc.

Clean Air Metals' flagship asset is the Thunder Bay North Project, a platinum, palladium, copper, nickel project located near the City of Thunder Bay, Ontario and the Lac des Iles Mine owned by Impala Platinum Holdings. The Clean Air Metals project hosts the Current Lake Deposit and magma conduit and the Company is actively exploring the Escape Lake Deposit, a twin conduit structure to the Current Lake Deposit. Executive Chairman Jim Gallagher, P.Eng. and CEO Abraham Drost, P.Geo. lead an experienced team of geologists and engineers who are using the Norilsk magma conduit stratigraphic and mineral deposit model to guide ongoing exploration and development studies.

Social License

Clean Air Metals Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Panoramic PGMs (Canada) Ltd. acknowledge that the Thunder Bay North Project is on the traditional territories of the Fort William First Nation, Red Rock First Nation and Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishinabek. The parties together are the Cooperating Participants in a Memorandum of Agreement dated January 9, 2021 (reported January 11, 2021).

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Abraham Drost"

Abraham Drost, Chief Executive Officer of Clean Air Metals Inc.

Neither the 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.

Cautionary Note

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Clean Air Metals Inc.

Related Links

https://www.cleanairmetals.ca/


Theater is up and running  in Australia.

Frozen and Hamilton are onstage in Sydney, Come From Away in Brisbane and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in Melbourne. And theres more to come: Moulin Rouge! The Musical is gearing up for an August bow in Melbourne.

How are they managing to perform when most of the theater world is dark? And what, if anything, do the Australian productions portend for a resumption of theater in New York, London, and everywhere else?

That was the subject of the latest episode of Offstage, a New York Times digital series about theater during the pandemic, which streamed live on April 29 and is still viewable by Times subscribers.

The Australian cast of Frozen sang Let It Go from Sydney, and the cast of Come From Away performed Me and the Sky from a simple stage in Melbourne, with an introduction from actress Zoe Gertz. Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Baz Luhrmann and Kate Walsh shared good wishes, and audience members talked about their experience returning to see shows.
It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
Screenshot taken from a video shows Daniel Ray Caldwell, 49, at the Renaissance Hotel on South Potomac Avenue in Arlington, Virginia, on Jan. 6, 2020. (FBI)

Texas Man Accused of Spraying Chemicals on Police Outside Capitol to Remain Jailed Before Trial

A North Texas man accused of spraying chemicals at over a dozen police officers outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. earlier this year will remain in custody until his trial, according to a report.

Denton County resident Daniel Ray Caldwell, 49, a former U.S. Marine, was arrested by FBI agents on Feb. 10 for his alleged participation in the Jan. 6 incident.

He was charged with multiple offenses including assault on a federal officer, trespassing on restricted grounds, violent entry on those grounds, and participating in civil disorder.

A federal judge at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas ruled on March 5 Caldwell will stay behind bars until his trial in Washington, D.C., The Dallas Morning News reported.

In a statement of facts (pdf) filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, FBI special agent Seth Webb said Caldwell was seen in a video on Jan. 27 while wearing a green hoodie, dark glasses, a camouflage hat, camouflage assault pack, and camouflage trousers among a crowd of protesters.

Screenshot from a YouTube video allegedly showing Daniel Ray Caldwell, 49, spraying officers with a chemical spray outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. (FBI)

In one of the videos, which were posted to Twitter and Youtube and later obtained by law enforcement officials, Caldwell is seen spraying a mist at police who were trying to stop the protesters from reaching the Capitol building.

The criminal complaint reads that Caldwell was seen in a second video recorded at the Renaissance Hotel on South Potomac Avenue in Arlington, Virginia after the protest where he talked to females off-camera about the events that occurred earlier in the day.

Caldwell was wearing the same outfit as during the protest in that second video published by ProPublica as he described the events outside the Capitol, answering questions from the unidentified females.

I believe 10 minutes after we started the storming, a big fight broke out and the guns go off and one girl got hit in the neck, Caldwell said during the interview. The female, as well as Caldwell himself, were both struck by rubber bullets fired by police during the incident, he claims.

He continues to explain that once the fight started, somebody took the female struck in the neck, and then took off. Others, including Caldwell, stayed outside the Capitol as police were spraying mace towards him.

The complaint noted that Caldwell warned police officers before spraying himself that if they continued spraying, he would return the spray.

According to Caldwell, once the officers sprayed him, Caldwell sprayed toward police officers and believed he sprayed around 15 officers, special agent Webb said in the statement of facts. Caldwell stated that officers then shot him with a big cannon with rubber bullets.

On Feb. 4, the FBI interviewed a witness who claimed Caldwell previously participated in Airsoft Military Simulation (MilSim)a live-action, in person simulation of armed conflict scenarios conducted by civilians that involve airsoft plastic projectiles launched be replica weapons, but do not involve actual firearmsand would bring a real firearm to the course and had to be corrected and asked to return the firearm to his vehicle, the documents state.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced in late February more than 300 protesters accused of participating in the Jan. 6 incident have been charged.

From NTD News
It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
Gurugram, March 8 : Although the Covid-19 vaccine has been introduced in Gurugram, the district health facilities are still struggling to find donors for plasma.

The Health Department of Gurugram had inaugurated its first dedicated plasma bank for Covid-19 patients on August 15 in the previous year.

According to official data of the Health Department, out of 58,580 recovered Covid-19 patients, only 607 came forward for plasma donation so far. Of these, 400 recovered coronavirus patients were found to be fit for plasma donation.

"Vaccination's campaign has now reached the third phase in Gurugram and around 792 units of plasma at the Rotary Blood Bank have been received from these 400 patients, which have been given for treatment of other infected people," said a senior health official on requesting anonymity.

In the last one month, not even a single Covid recovered patient reached at the Government Plasma Bank located in Kadipur for donation. The last person came to donate plasma on January 24.

The officials said that there was a need to reach out to the masses through social and mainstream media to create awareness for plasma donation.

Meanwhile, doctors said that they are trying to motivate people to donate plasma.

The Department of Administration and Health, had appealed to donate their plasma with the right to defend Corona infection.

"Plasma donation is a personal decision, but we urge people to come forward for it. Plasma donation is safe and can save someone's life," Virender Yadav, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Gurugram said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
A carer who was driving a car while high on cocaine has been sacked after she was using her uniform in a bid to make unnecessary lockdown journeys.

Police pulled over Lilian Wyn Binyon who pleaded guilty to drug-driving at Caernarfon Magistrates' Court in September last year.

The 32-year-old carer from North Wales had been working as a domiciliary care worker for Carelink Homecare Services in Llangefni, Anglesey.

Police pulled over Lilian Wyn Binyon who pleaded guilty to drug-driving at Caernarfon Magistrates' Court in September last year

Binyon, pictured gave 'false impression that she was working in her registered role' when she was pulled over by police

Following her conviction, Binyon was brought to a disciplinary hearing by Social Care Wales.

A misconduct hearing was told she attempted to give the 'false impression that she was working in her registered role'.

The bogus journey took place while the UK was under strict 'stay at home' rules in April last year.

The Fitness to Practise panel heard Binyon also had 82mg of benzoylecgonine in her system during the journey - a product of cocaine.

The Social Care Wales hearing was told Binyon also had another two convictions for driving under the influence of cocaine.

She has now been removed from the register after the panel found her actions amounted to serious misconduct.
YANGON, Myanmar - Demonstrators in Myanmars biggest city came out Monday night for their first mass protests in defiance of an 8 p.m. curfew, seeking to show support for an estimated 200 students trapped by security forces in a small area of one neighbourhood.

Anti-coup protesters discharge fire extinguishers to counter the impact of the tear gas fired by police during a demonstration in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 8, 2021. The escalation of violence in Myanmar as authorities crack down on protests against the Feb. 1 coup is raising pressure for more sanctions against the junta, even as countries struggle over how to best sway military leaders inured to global condemnation. (AP Photo)

YANGON, Myanmar - Demonstrators in Myanmars biggest city came out Monday night for their first mass protests in defiance of an 8 p.m. curfew, seeking to show support for an estimated 200 students trapped by security forces in a small area of one neighbourhood.

The students and other civilians earlier took part in one of the many daily protests across the country against the militarys seizure of power last month that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The military government also placed a major curb on media coverage of the crisis. It announced that the licenses of five local media outlets  Mizzima, DVB, Khit Thit Media, Myanmar Now and 7Day News  have been cancelled.

These media companies are no longer allowed to broadcast or write or give information by using any kind of media platform or using any media technology, it said on state broadcaster MRTV.

An anti-coup protester discharges a fire extinguisher to counter the impact of the tear gas fired by police during a demonstration in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, March 8, 2021. Large protests have occurred daily across many cities and towns in Myanmar. (AP Photo)

All five had been offering extensive coverage of the protests, often with livestreaming video online. The offices of Myanmar Now were raided by the authorities Monday before the measure was announced.

DVB said it was not surprised by the cancellation and would continue broadcasting on satellite TV and online.

We worry for the safety of our reporters and our staff, but in the current uprising, the whole country has become the citizens journalists and there is no way for military authorities to shut the information flow," Executive Director Aye Chan Naing told The Associated Press.

The government has detained dozens of journalists since the coup, including a Myanmar Now reporter and Thein Zaw of AP, both of whom have been charged under a public order law that carried a penalty of up to three years in prison.

The night's street protests began after police cordoned off part of Yangons Sanchaung neighbourhood and were believed to be conducting door-to-door searches for those who fled attacks by security forces to seek shelter in the homes of sympathetic strangers.

Protesters wearing helmet and gas mask take positions behind a makeshift barricade as armed riot policemen gather in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, March 8, 2021. Myanmar security forces continued to clamp down on anti-coup protesters, firing tear gas to break up a crowd of around 1,000 people who were demonstrating in the capital, Naypyitaw. The protesters deployed fire extinguishers to create a smoke screen as they fled from authorities. (AP Photo)

News of their plight spread quickly on social media, and people poured into the streets in neighbourhoods all over the city to show solidarity and in hopes of drawing some of the pressure off the hunted protesters. On some streets, they constructed makeshift barricades with whatever was at hand.

In the Insein district, they spread across road junctions, singing songs, chanting pro-democracy slogans and banging objects together.

The diplomatic missions of the United States, Britain, Canada and the European Union all issued statements urging the security forces to allow the trapped people to return safely to their homes. Although all have been sharply critical of the Feb. 1 coup and police violence, it is unusual for such diplomatic statements to be issued in connection with a specific, ongoing incident.

There is heightened tension caused by security forces surrounding Kyun Taw Road in Sanchaung Township, Yangon. We call on those security forces to withdraw and allow people to go home safely, said the U.S. Embassy's statement.

Reports on social media citing witnesses said as many as 50 people were arrested overnight in Sanchaung and other parts of the city, but many of those who had been hiding were able to leave safely at dawn Tuesday, a few hours after police abandoned their search.

Anti-coup protesters flash a three-fingered sign of resistance during a demonstration in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 8, 2021. The escalation of violence in Myanmar as authorities crack down on protests against the Feb. 1 coup is raising pressure for more sanctions against the junta, even as countries struggle over how to best sway military leaders inured to global condemnation. (AP Photo)

On Monday night, security forces chased crowds, harassed residents watching from windows, and fired stun grenades. They also were some reports of injuries from rubber bullets.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was following developments in the Sanchaung district where many of those trapped are women, who were peacefully marching in commemoration of International Womens Day, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

He calls for maximum restraint and urges for the safe release of all without violence or arrests, Dujarric said, and for respect of the rights to freedom of assembly and expression for peaceful demonstrators voicing their hopes and desires for the future of their country."

Guterres also called the occupation of a number of public hospitals in Myanmar by security forces completely unacceptable, the U.N. spokesman said.

The nighttime hours have become increasingly dangerous in Myanmar. Police and army units routinely range through neighbourhoods, shooting randomly to intimidate residents and disrupt their sleep, and making targeted arrests.

In this image taken from video, people stand outside their homes and gather together on a road in Insein township in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, March 8, 2021. Demonstrators in Myanmars biggest city came out Monday night for their first mass protests in defiance of an 8 p.m. curfew, seeking to show support for an estimated 200 students trapped by security forces in a small area of one neighborhood. (AP Photo)

Security forces shot and killed two people in northern Myanmar during the day, local media reported.

The Irrawaddy online newspaper said the victims were shot in the head during anti-coup protests in Myitkyina in Kachin State. Graphic video on social media showed protesters backing away from tear gas, responding with rocks and then fleeing after a fusillade of what seemed to be automatic gunfire.

Demonstrators hurriedly carried away the injured, including one apparent fatality, a person with a severe head wound. A second body was seen later on a stretcher, his head covered with a cloth.

Another shooting death took place in Pyapon, a city about 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Yangon.

To date, the government's violent crackdown has left more than 50 protesters dead. At least 18 people were fatally shot Feb. 28 and 38 on Wednesday, according to the U.N. Human Rights Office.

Security forces also clamped down on anti-coup protesters elsewhere Monday, firing tear gas to break up a crowd of about 1,000 people demonstrating in Pyinmana, a satellite town of the capital, Naypyitaw. The protesters deployed fire extinguishers to create a smokescreen as they fled from authorities.

Thousands of protesters who marched in Mandalay, the second-largest city, dispersed on their own amid fears that soldiers and police were planning to break up their demonstration with force.

Meanwhile, an armed force from one of Myanmars ethnic groups was deployed to protect anti-coup marchers in the wake of a brutal crackdown by the junta.

The unit from the Karen National Police Force arrived shortly after dawn to accompany about 2,000 protesters near Myitta in Tanintharyi Region in southeastern Myanmar. They carried an assortment of firearms including assault rifles as they marched ahead of the column down dusty rural roads.

The Karen police force is under the control of the Karen National Union, one of many ethnic organizations that have been fighting for greater autonomy from the central government for decades. The KNU employs both political and, through its armed wing, military means to achieve its aims.

Large-scale protests have occurred daily in many cities and towns since Myanmars military seized power, and security forces have responded with ever greater use of lethal force and mass arrests.

On Sunday, police occupied hospitals and universities and reportedly arrested hundreds of people involved in protesting the military takeover.
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Meghan Markle hailed her 'happy ending' with Prince Harry and Archie now the family are in California - calling their escape from the UK 'better than any fairy tale' in their bombshell CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex - who used their two-hour special to reveal their second baby will be a girl - are 'thriving' in the US after having 'been through a lot' during their time as senior royals.

Meghan hit nerves across the world in 2019 when she said 'it is not enough to just survive something' and instead 'you've got to thrive and feel happy' when speaking about her struggles with life in the Firm.

And now, the duchess said she, Harry and Archie are 'on the other side' and circled back to her earlier comments, triumphantly declaring 'we've actually not just survived but are thriving'.

But it their joy followed hardship, with Meghan revealing she was suicidal when she was pregnant and had warned Harry 'I don't want to be alive anymore'.

Meghan Markle hailed her 'happy ending' with Prince Harry (pictured together in 2020) and Archie now the family are in California - calling their escape from the UK 'better than any fairy tale' in their bombshell CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey

The duchess said she, Harry and Archie (pictured together in 2019) are 'on the other side' and circled back to her earlier comments, triumphantly declaring 'we've actually not just survived but are thriving'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex - who used their two-hour special (pictured) to reveal their second baby will be a girl - are 'thriving' in the US after having 'been through a lot' during their time as senior royals

Harry also revealed that his father Prince Charles stopped taking his calls after they decided to quit while his wife said an unnamed member of Harry's family was 'worried' about how 'dark' their son Archie's skin would be when he was born.

But Meghan said: 'Now, because we're actually on the other side, we've actually not just survived but are thriving.

'I mean, this is miracles. I think that all of those things that I was hoping for have happened, and this is in some ways just the beginning for us.

'You know, we've been through a lot.

'It's felt like a lifetime. A lifetime.'

Oprah asked: 'So, your story with the prince does have a happy ending.

Meghan replied: 'It does.'

Oprah added: 'It has a happy ending because you made it so.'

Meghan hit nerves across the world in 2019 (pictured) when she said 'it is not enough to just survive something' and instead 'you've got to thrive and feel happy' when speaking about her struggles with life in the Firm

Meghan replied: 'Yeah, greater than any fairy tale you've ever read.'

The Duchess of Sussex also used the interview to liken herself to Disney's The Little Mermaid, a princess who loses her voice when she marries a prince.

While standing in the family's chicken coop, Meghan told Oprah: 'I was sitting in Nottingham cottage, and The Little Mermaid came on.

'Now, who as an adult really watches The Little Mermaid? But it came on, and I was like, "Well, I'm just here all the time, so I may as well watch this."

'And I went, "Oh, my god! She falls in love with the prince, and because of that, she has to lose her voice."

'But by the end, she gets her voice back.'

Meghan cited this event at the Royal Albert Hall in January 2019, claiming she was forced to go when struggling with her mental health

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have insisted their interview with Oprah Winfrey would be the 'last word' on them quitting as senior royals. Pictured: Meghan and Harry in a teaser trailer for the interview

The main bombshells from the Oprah interview - Meghan's mental health The Duchess of Sussex revealed she had suicidal thoughts and said: 'I just didn't want to be alive any more.' She said she begged for help, and asked to go somewhere to get help, and approached one of the most senior people in the institution, but was told it would not look good. The duchess said: 'I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that I've never felt this way before and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution.' - Baby Sussex is a girl Harry and Meghan revealed they are expecting a baby girl. The duke joined his wife in the second half of the interview, and told the chat show host: 'It's a girl.' He said his first thought was 'amazing' when he discovered they were having a girl, adding: 'Just grateful. To have any child, any one or any two, would have been amazing. 'But to have a boy and then a girl, I mean what more can you ask for? Now we've got our family, we got the four of us and our two dogs.' Asked if they were 'done' with two children, Harry said 'done' and Meghan said: 'Two is it.' She also confirmed the baby is due in the 'summertime'. - Royal family accused of racism Meghan said, when she was pregnant with Archie, an unnamed member of the royal family raised 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'. Asked whether there were concerns that her child would be 'too brown' and that would be a problem, Meghan said: 'If that is the assumption you are making, that is a pretty safe one.' Pushed by Winfrey on who had those conversations, Meghan refused to say, adding: 'I think that would be very damaging to them.' She added: 'That was relayed to me from Harry, those were conversations the family had with him, and I think it was really hard to be able to see those as compartmentalised conversations.' - Archie's title Meghan suggested she and Harry wanted Archie to be a prince so he would have security and be protected. The duchess expressed her shock at 'the idea of our son not being safe', and the idea of the first member of colour in this family, not being titled in the same way as other grandchildren. Archie, who is seventh in line to the throne, is not entitled to be an HRH or a prince due to rules set out more than 100 years ago by King George V. He will be entitled to be an HRH or a prince when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne. As the first born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton - one of Harry's subsidiary titles - or have been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, instead at the time of his birth, a royal source said Harry and Meghan had decided he should a regular Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. - The Prince of Wales The Duke of Sussex said his father the Prince of Wales stopped taking his calls while Harry and Meghan were in Canada 'because I took matters into my own hands. I needed to do this for my family'. He said Charles wanted him to put his plans in writing. - The Queen Harry denied that he had 'blindsided' his grandmother Queen with the bombshell statement about stepping down as senior royal. The duke said he believed the report probably could have come from 'within the institution'. - The Duchess of Cambridge Meghan said Kate made her cry ahead of her wedding. Reports circulated ahead of the Sussexes' nuptials that Meghan left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress fitting. But Meghan told Winfrey the 'reverse happened'. Meghan said she was not sharing the information to be 'disparaging', but added it was 'really important for people to understand the truth'. 'She's a good person,' the duchess added. Advertisement

Oprah said: 'And this is what happened here. You feel like you got your voice back', to which Meghan replied: 'Yeah.'

The Sussexes also used the interview to reveal they were already planning 'Megxit' just six months after they married in May 2018.

Describing how she considered ending her life believing it 'was better for everyone', Meghan said: 'I just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.

'And I remember - I remember how he just cradled me. I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help.

'I said that "I've never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere."

'And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution'.

She added: 'I don't want to put more on my husband's shoulders. He's carrying the weight of the world. I don't want to bring that to him'.

The Duke of Sussex also said his family had 'cut him off' financially in early 2020, claiming that they had to sign multi-million dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify because he was relying on spending his inheritance from Princess Diana.

In the biggest royal interview for decades, Meghan claims Harry's family were worried about how 'dark' their son's skin would be. Harry also accused the family of failing to 'show support' for his wife when she suffered racism, and said he was 'trapped' in the Royal Family until he met Meghan.

He said: 'My father and brother. They're both trapped. They don't get to leave'. He added that his mother Diana would be 'angry and sad' that he felt he had to leave the royal family, but 'she saw it coming'. Harry said: 'All shed ever want for us is to be happy'.

Asked about his relationship with Prince Charles, Harry said they were now speaking, adding: 'There's a lot to work through there, you know? I feel really let down, because he's been through something similar. He knows what pain feels like, and Archie's his grandson. I will always love him, but there's a lot of hurt that's happened. And I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship'.

Harry also said the couple left because of the media in Britain and because of a 'lack of support and lack of understanding' from his family, and revealed that his father refused to speak to him after they left for Vancouver. And in a sign that his relationship with his brother William is strained, claiming he 'didn't have anyone to turn to' and was 'ashamed' to admit his wife struggling.

He said: 'I love William to bits. He's my brother. We've been through hell together. I mean, we have a shared experience. But we're on different paths'. Harry added: 'My family literally cut me off financially. Members of my family were suggesting that she [Meghan] carries on acting, because there was not enough money to pay for her. There was some real obvious signs before we even got married that this was going to be really hard'.

Meghan also revealed that Kate Middleton made her cry before she married Harry in a row over flowergirls' dresses, and claims she called the Queen when she heard Prince Philip was admitted to hospital almost three weeks ago.

In the sensational interview she also accused the Royal Family of having 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white.

The Duchess of Sussex also described her 'pain' that officials had denied him the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect their son Archie by denying him 24/7 security.

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it.

When Oprah asked if she was denied the title because of he is mixed-race, Oprah asked if the palace had concerns Archie would be 'too brown', Meghan said: 'In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, we have in tandem, the conversation of 'He won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title,' and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'.

Oprah then interrupted and said: 'Hold on. Hold up. Stop right now. There's a conversation... about how dark your baby is going to be?' Meghan replied: 'Potentially, and what that would mean or look like'.

'And you're not going to tell me who had the conversation?', Oprah asked. To which Meghan replied: 'I think that would be very damaging to them. That was relayed to me from Harry. Those were conversations that family had with him'.

Much of the two-hour show was about the Royal Family, but there was no mention of Meghan's rift with her father and a brief mention of her mother Doria.

As Oprah wrapped up the interview the couple insisted that they had had a 'happy ending' by moving to LA, with Harry saying he had 'no regrets'. But his wife added: 'My regret is believing them [the Royal Family] when they said I'd be protected.'
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The second season of the informative In Search of Portland podcast puts the spotlight on familiar, if not beloved, landmarks such as the 121-year-old elk statue, which was removed last summer to protect it during the downtown Portland protests.

Other episodes in the podcast series have looked at the food carts that used to occupy the Block 216 parking lot, which is now a construction site for an office, hotel and condo tower; the only remaining piece of the gilded William Sargent Ladd mansion, an 1883 carriage house thats now Raven & Rose restaurant on Southwest Broadway; and the long-abandoned riverfront Centennial Mills in the Pearl District.

Host Brian Libby, a Portland journalist and critic who has reported on architecture, design, visual art and film here for two decades, does more than tell the fascinating history of each landmark.

He interviews experts in a calmly enthusiastic manner, delves into the story of who created or commissioned the landmark, and offers his feelings about each one. The citys iconic statue of an elk, installed in 1900 at Southwest Main Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues, is my favorite work of public art in the city, he confesses.

More than anything else, Libby, who writes the respected Portland Architecture blog, gets listeners to care about the citys disappearing architecture and advocate for its preservation.

This is a personal journey, exploring the Rose Citys architectural and cultural landmarks, forgotten gems and the dreamers who populate them, he says at the start of each In Search of Portland episode.

The podcasts are produced by nonprofit radio station X-RAY FM.

"Elk statue: Portland illustrator Nicolai Kruger created artwork of the landmark.Nicolai Kruger

Portland illustrator Nicolai Kruger created artwork of each landmark. Kruger, an architect who worked on the Knight Cancer Research Building while with SRG Partnership, says illustrations help her communicate whats important better than a photograph.

Kruger accurately depicts the elk statutes long neck, a feature that upset members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) when the statue was unveiled, even though the fraternal order was not involved in the commission.

In 1899, American sculptor Roland Hinton Perry was hired by former Portland mayor David P. Thompson, an influential businessman and head of the citys humane society, to design a water fountain for horses and to recognize the herds of Roosevelt elk that once roamed the banks of the Willamette River.

The artist took a realistic approach in representing the animal, which was not popular at the time or what he was classically trained to do in Paris, according to the podcast.

Libby discusses the statue with Fred F. Poyner IV, an art historian who wrote Portland Public Sculptors: Monuments, Memorials and Statuary, 1900-2003, which includes Perry.

The statue, named simply Elk, had spent more than a century on the busy traffic median between Chapman and Lownsdale squares, which are across from the Justice Center, the focal point of last years protests against systemic racism, police brutality and the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Fires were lit by protestors in the statues granite base, the David P. Thompson Fountain, but the bronze elk was not damaged. As a precaution, in July, 2020, the statue was taken down by the Regional Arts and Culture Council and stored in a secret location, a large warehouse on the northern edge of the city.

Libby explains that during his August visit to see Elk, safely strapped to a pallet, he could look closely at the patina that has formed over time on the bronze statue.

When Elk returns to public view, Libby and Poyner hope it is reintroduced with a Native American perspective like the statue of Chief Seattle in Seattles Tillicum Place, and not limited to having just one interpretation, says Poyner.

The success of the sculpture is that people can feel ownership and affection for it, for different reasons, says Libby, who became aware of Elk when it appeared in Gus Van Sants 1991 movie My Own Private Idaho, before Libby moved back to Oregon.

The base of the "Elk" statue on SW Main on July 6, 2020, after the statue had been removed. (The Oregonian)Dave Killen

In the first season of the engaging In Search of Portland podcast, Libby highlights well-known visionaries, from architect Pietro Belluschi to artist Mark Rothko, as well as lesser-known but important contributors who enhanced the citys environment.

In an episode about Lincoln Hall at Portland State University, which originally was Lincoln High School, we talk about voice artist Mel Blanc coming up with the voice of Woody Woodpecker in its hallways, Libby says.

Centennials Mills: Portland illustrator Nicolai Kruger created artwork of the landmark.Nicolai Kruger

>Centennial Mills (xraypod.com) Listen to Brian Libby interview historian Chet Orloff and Prosper Portland development director Lisa Abuaf, who is leading the citys effort to transform Centennial Mills, the long-deserted flour mill complex along the Willamette River.

Ladd Carriage House: Portland illustrator Nicolai Kruger created artwork of the landmarkNicolai Kruger

>Ladd Carriage House (xraypod.com) Listen to architect Paul Falsetto and interior designer Tracy Simpson talk about the nearly demolished 19th-century carriage house, once part of founding father William Ladds mansion, thats now the Raven & Rose restaurant on Southwest Broadway.

SW 10th and Alder: Portland illustrator Nicolai Kruger created artwork of the landmark.Nicolai Kruger

>Block 216 (xraypod.com) Listen to Food Carts Portland writer Brett Burmeister talk about Southwest 10th Avenue and Alder Street, and Architectural Heritage Center historian Val Ballestrem explain its 19th-century history.

 Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman
By Ritah Kemigisa

The African Union (AU) commission has called for an end to acts of gender based violence as the world celebrates the International Womens Day.

In a statement, the commissions chairperson Moussa Faki says there is need to break the silence and put an end to these acts of violence.

He says COVID-19 brought to light the persistence of the difficult conditions of African women.

According to Faki, the pandemic marked a worrying setback in achievements and progress, particularly in terms of Gender equality and the Empowerment of women and at the same time stressed Gender-based violence, to such an extent that the COVID-19 has been described as a silent pandemic.

He meanwhile implored member States that have adopted Plans of Action on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda to effectively implement them and that those that do not have one to adopt it swiftly.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  A man has died after a shooting in a parking lot at the Coronado Center in northeast Albuquerque on Sunday afternoon, according to police.

Gilbert Gallegos, an Albuquerque police spokesman, said the shooting happened in the malls east parking near Louisiana Boulevard at about 2:15 p.m.

An officer driving in the area heard shots and drove to the scene, where she found a man with apparent gun shot wounds.

He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, Gallegos said.

Police asked drivers to avoid the area. They shut down Louisiana south of Menaul after the shooting, and the polices mobile substation parked at the mall during the investigation.

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Jasmin Bhasin and Aly Goni's much-awaited music video, 'Tera Suit' has finally been unveiled by the makers. The track has been crooned and composed by Tony Kakkar and had been in the buzz right since its inception. Now, that the song has finally been released, it can be safely said that it is nothing less than a treat for all the 'JasLy' fans out there.

Talking about the fun track, the song sees the infectious chemistry between Aly Goni and Jasmin Bhasin. The two can be seen shaking a leg with Tony Kakkar. Some of the stylish outfits donned by Jasmin is also pleasing to the eye in the track. The peppy beat of the track coupled with Aly and Jasmin's crackling camaraderie is one of the main highlights of the song.

Also Read: Aly Goni And Jasmin Bhasin To Collaborate With Tony Kakkar For The Music Video Tera Suit

Aly Goni and Jasmin Bhasin had recently unveiled the first look of the song in their social media accounts which had sent their fans into a frenzy. Talking about the same, Jasmin could be seen looking super glamorous in the outfit of a jailor. The Dil Se Dil Tak actor could be seen donning a white crop top with black pants and a cop's cap. Aly Goni on the other hand could be seen looking dapper in a white tee which he had paired up with an orange jacket and baggy pants, holding a bundle of notes in his hands. The poster of 'Tera Suit' also featured Tony Kakkar in a yellow tee and black pants. The fans of the two soon started trending, 'Tera Suit Out Now' to celebrate the release of the song.

Also Read: Jasmin Bhasin And Aly Goni's Fans Shower Love On JasLy, Trend 'Jasmin Ke Ghar Hum Jayenge

This marks the first collaboration of Aly Goni and Jasmin Bhasin for a music video, ever since the two exited the Bigg Boss 14 house. Some of the couple's industry friends like Bharti Singh, Krishna Mukherjee and others have also cheered for the song on their social media account. Not only this, but Aly and Jasmin's co-contestants from the show like Manu Punjabi and Rubina Dilaik have also given a shout-out to the song. Take a look at the catchy song featuring Aly Goni and Jasmin Bhasin.
Troubled steel magnate Sanjeev Gupta will hold crisis talks with unions tomorrow as fears grow that his empire is teetering on the brink of collapse.

Thousands of jobs in Britain's steel industry are thought to be at risk after the biggest lender to Gupta's GFG Alliance, Greensill Capital, was thrown into turmoil and is now expected to go into administration.

The emergency summit with unions comes as bidders are reported to be circling Gupta's plants  amid speculation he may have to resort to a fire sale.

Crisis: 762 jobs are at risk at Sanjeev Guptas Stocksbridge plant

But one site in particular, a factory that makes aerospace parts in Stocksbridge, South Yorkshire, could become the first victim of cuts after the pandemic hammered demand for its products.

With the downturn in the aerospace industry, it is not clear if any buyers would be keen to snap up the Stocksbridge plant, which employs 762 people.

The GFG Alliance is a loose collection of companies that includes Liberty Steel  Britain's third-largest steel maker with 3,000 workers at 11 sites. Gupta, 50, became the 'saviour of UK steel' after a spending spree that saw him buy up plants in Rotherham, Stocksbridge, Newport and Hartlepool.

But the Indian-born British tycoon also went on a global acquisition binge, buying steel and aluminium factories in Australia and the US. The GFG Alliance has racked up an estimated 4billion of debt to lenders, including 3billion to Greensill alone.

Unions are desperate to find out if the collapse of Greensill will hit Liberty Steel's UK operations, and have been frustrated by the lack of transparency.

A spokesman for steel union Community said: 'We will be meeting with Liberty early this week to seek assurances. We take confidence from the fact this is a vital strategic business with a world-class workforce producing the best steels money can buy.'

The GFG Alliance declined to say where Gupta is and where he will dial into the Zoom meeting from  but according to some media reports he is in Dubai.

Gupta has been criticised for the GFG Alliance's lack of transparency for years  with sceptics saying the group's complex structure and its opaque accounting make it impossible to tell how the company is performing.

For months Liberty Steel has been preparing to release a full set of accounts for the global business  but these have been delayed.

Greensill crumbled after Credit Suisse wound up 7.2billion of funds. Bankers were said to be concerned about financing linked to Gupta. Greensill was put under further pressure last night after its chairman and two other board members resigned.
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It's a story that has been common across large tech firms in San Francisco over recent months  first, a company announces a work-from-home strategy, then comes the unloading of San Francisco office space. But this deal is a whopper.

File-hosting service Dropbox's Mission Bay headquarters  a four-building complex at 1800 Owens Street  is selling for $1.08 billion, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

The sale, which is expected to close before April, will mark the second-largest transaction for a single property in the city's history, falling only behind the $1.2 billion sale of the Embarcadero Center in 1998, a much larger complex.

The 750,000-square-foot property known as The Exchange is being off-loaded at around $1,440 per square foot, breaking the price-per-square-foot San Francisco record. The buyer is as yet unknown.

The astounding sale marks yet another major tech firm pulling out of San Francisco office space as working from home becomes the new normal. In October, Dropbox made the announcement that the office-to-home shift was permanent.

We believe the data shows the shift to remote work, though abrupt, has been successful overall, the company said in a blog post at the time. ... In our internal surveys most employees say theyre able to be productive at home (nearly 90%) and dont want to return to a rigid five-day in-office workweek.

In February it was revealed that Uber was looking to unload a large chunk of office space, also in Mission Bay, before they had even moved in.

Salesforce, which employs over 9,000 people in the Bay Area, announced in February its Work From Anywhere strategy, estimating that more than 65% of employees will adopt the new system, based on a company survey.

In January, Digital Realty  a tech support company that employs around 1,500 people worldwide  announced its headquarter's relocation to Austin, the tech capital of Texas.

Yelp's San Francisco headquarters at 140 New Montgomery St. is also now up for lease. With more employees working remotely were reducing some of our footprint in San Francisco, but we will still maintain our HQ office there, the crowd-sourced reviews company said in a statement.

Last year, Pinterest, the social-sharing site popular for pinning recipes, home inspiration and more, canceled its $89.5 million San Francisco office lease.

In another sector, Gap Inc., recently announced to employees it will be closing its Old Navy offices in Mission Bay and consolidating those workers into the parent companys Embarcadero office building.

Dropbox did not reply to a request for comment at time of publication.

(SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of one another.)
Thousands of jobs in Britain's steel industry are at risk after Greensill Capital, the biggest lender to troubled steel magnate Sanjeev Gupta's GFG Alliance, collapsed into administration today.

Administrators at Grant Thornton have been appointed after the specialist lender fell into 'severe financial distress', having lost some 7.2billion in funds from Credit Suisse, as bankers were said to be concerned about financing linked to Gupta.

Greensill's chairman Maurice Thompson and two other board members also resigned last night.

Crisis: Greensill Capital, the biggest lender to troubled steel magnate Sanjeev Gupta's GFG Alliance, collapsed into administration today

The collapse of Greensill puts some 5,000 jobs at risk at Gupta's Liberty Steel and other of his sites. Gupta will hold crisis talks with unions tomorrow as fears grow that his empire is teetering on the brink of collapse.

Steel union Community said today: 'We are ready to work with all stakeholders to protect jobs and take confidence from the fact this is a vital strategic business with a world-class workforce, producing the best steels money can buy.'

The emergency summit with unions, which had already been scheduled before the news of Greensill collapse, comes as bidders are reported to be circling Gupta's plants  amid speculation he may have to resort to a fire sale.

But one site in particular, a factory that makes aerospace parts in Stocksbridge, South Yorkshire, could become the first victim of cuts after the pandemic hammered demand for its products.

With the downturn in the aerospace industry, it is not clear if any buyers would be keen to snap up the Stocksbridge plant, which employs 762 people.

The GFG Alliance is a loose collection of companies that includes Liberty Steel  Britain's third-largest steel maker with 3,000 workers at 11 sites.

Gupta, 50, became the 'saviour of UK steel' after a spending spree that saw him buy up plants in Rotherham, Stocksbridge, Newport and Hartlepool.

But the Indian-born British tycoon also went on a global acquisition binge, buying steel and aluminium factories in Australia and the US. The GFG Alliance has racked up an estimated 4billion of debt to lenders, including 3billion to Greensill alone.

Unions have been desperate to find out if the collapse of Greensill will hit Liberty Steel's UK operations, and have been frustrated by the lack of transparency.

A spokesman for Community union said yesterday: 'We will be meeting with Liberty early this week to seek assurances. We take confidence from the fact this is a vital strategic business with a world-class workforce producing the best steels money can buy.'

The GFG Alliance declined to say where Gupta is and where he will dial into the Zoom meeting from  but according to some media reports he is in Dubai.

Gupta has been criticised for the GFG Alliance's lack of transparency for years  with sceptics saying the group's complex structure and its opaque accounting make it impossible to tell how the company is performing.

For months Liberty Steel has been preparing to release a full set of accounts for the global business  but these have been delayed.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Tom Perez was a guest on a Spanish-language talk radio show in Las Vegas last year when a caller launched into baseless complaints about both parties, urging Latino listeners to not cast votes at all.

Perez, then chairman of the Democratic Party, recognized many of the claims as talking points for #WalkAway, a group promoted by a conservative activist, Brandon Straka, who was later arrested for participating in the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

In the run-up to the November election, that call was part of a broader, largely undetected movement to depress turnout and spread disinformation about Democrat Joe Biden among Latinos, promoted on social media and often fueled by automated accounts.

The effort showed how social media and other technology can be leveraged to spread misinformation so quickly that those trying to stop it cannot keep up. There were signs that it worked as Donald Trump swung large numbers of Latino votes in the 2020 presidential race in some areas that had been Democratic strongholds.

Videos and pictures were doctored. Quotes were taken out of context. Conspiracy theories were fanned, including that voting by mail was rigged, that the Black Lives Matter movement had ties to witchcraft and that Biden was beholden to a cabal of socialists.

That flow of misinformation has only intensified since Election Day, researchers and political analysts say, stoking Trump's baseless claims that the election was stolen and false narratives around the mob that overran the Capitol.

More recently, it has morphed into efforts to undermine vaccination efforts against the coronavirus.

The volume and sources of Spanish language information are exceedingly wide-ranging and that should scare everyone," Perez said.

The funding and the organizational structure of this effort is not clear, although the messages show a fealty to Trump and opposition to Democrats.

A nonpartisan academic report released this past week said most false narratives in the Spanish-language community were translated from English and circulated via prominent platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, as well as in closed group chat platforms like WhatsApp, and efforts often appeared coordinated across platforms.

The most prominent narratives and those shared were either closely aligned with or completely repurposed from right-wing media outlets, said the report by researchers from Stanford University, the University of Washington, the social network analysis firm Graphika and Atlantic Councils DFRLab, which studies disinformation online around the world.

Straka said via email that nothing from the #WalkAway Campaign "encourages people not to vote. He declined further comment.

While much of the material is coming from domestic sources such as Spanish-speaking social media influencers, it increasingly originating on online sites in Latin America, those studying it closely say.

Misinformation originally promoted in English is translated in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Nicaragua and elsewhere, then reaches Hispanic voters in the U.S. via communications from their relatives in those countries. That is often shared via private WhatsApp and Facebook chats and text chains.

Theres this growing concern that this is very much part of the immigrant and first-generation information environment for a lot of Latinos in the United States, said Dan Restrepo, former senior director for Western Hemisphere affairs at the National Security Council. A lot of it is seemingly coming through family and other group chats, whose origins are in-region rather than the United States.

WhatsApp and similar services are popular among Hispanics in the U.S. because the services allow for communicating with family and friends in Latin America free over the internet, avoiding costly long-distance charges. While those originating such campaigns in Latin America often cannot vote in the U.S., they can influence family in this country who do.

YouTube, Facebook and other social media companies have cracked down on false claims since before the election and intensified such efforts after online conspiracy theories helped incite the Trump loyalists who attacked the Capitol.

We are running the largest online vaccine information campaign in history on our apps in dozens of languages, including Spanish," said Kevin McAlister, a spokesman for Facebook which owns WhatsApp and Instagram. Weve removed millions of pieces of content on Facebook and Instagram that violate our COVID-19 and vaccine misinformation policies, and labeled more than 167 million pieces of COVID-19 content, including Spanish-language content.

WhatsApp now limits users ability to send highly forwarded messages to more than one chat at a time; that led to a 70% reduction in the number of such messages. The company also partnered with Google to provide a feature allowing users to search the internet for the contents of forwarded messages to better check the veracity.

Still, those who monitor Spanish-language content online describe an information void, or dearth of reliable sources with large enough followings to consistently debunk falsehoods.

The Spanish-language space has been a bit of a blind spot for researchers for awhile now," said Bret Schafer, a disinformation expert at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, which works to combat online efforts to weaken democratic institutions. "This field exploded after 2016 and, the vast majority of us who are in it, more of us speak Russian than Spanish.

With the election behind them, the proponents of these campaigns are now trying to spread chaos more broadly, notably by trying to create doubt about vaccines. That push is especially dangerous because Latinos have higher chances of being infected by, hospitalized from and dying of COVID-19 than do whites and African Americans or Asian Americans.

Maria Teresa Kumar, president and CEO of Voto Latino, which works to promote Hispanic voting and political engagement nationwide, has personal experience.

Her mother, Mercedes Vegvary, runs an elderly care facility in Northern California and spent weeks planning to forgo getting vaccinated against COVID-19 because a friend at a gym had showed her a video circulating on social media. In it, a woman wearing a lab coat and claiming to be a pharmacist in El Salvador says in Spanish that such vaccines aren't safe for use in humans.

A video with a similar message appears to have originated in Panama, and another came from the Middle East but had been translated into Spanish. All moved into the U.S. via text chains or internet messaging from people with family and friends in Latin America, Kumar said.

One chain features doctored video of the late, Nobel Prize-winning chemist Kary Mullis purportedly dismissing Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, as a phony who knows nothing about virology. Another shows a crowded street that it claims is full of Italians flaunting social distancing and mask-wearing rules over the hashtag in Spanish #yonomevacuno or I wont be vaccinated.

The vaccine disinformation may revert to more election related falsehoods as the 2022 midterm elections come more clearly into view. Voto Latino and Perez have partnered with the liberal online watchdog group Media Matters for America on a $22 million Latino Anti-Disinformation Lab that will seek to counter online falsehoods about the coronavirus vaccine and upcoming elections.

You dont stop sowing chaos and misinformation in off years, said Restrepo, who was President Barack Obamas former principal advisor on Latin America. You continue the steady drumbeat so that youre building your reach, youre building your capacity youre moving into a space that is amenable to further dis- and misinformation."

Democrats blame misinformation efforts for helping Trump win larger-than-expected shares of Latino support in normally reliably blue areas. But quantifying that is difficult.

Trump won about 35% support from Latino voters, according to VoteCast, an Associated Press survey of the national electorate. That helped him prevail in Florida and Texas, even as he became just the second Republican since 1948 to lose Arizona.

Kumar said that during the presidential race, misinformation in Spanish with Latin American roots would usually first hit Florida and whatever sticks, spills over. By mid-September, narratives had spread to Texas, popping up in Houston, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley, along the U.S.-Mexico border. By the week before the election, much had reached Arizona and New Mexico, she said.

Now researchers will be watching to see if misinformation  especially that meant to discredit COVID-19 vaccines  spreads among congressional districts. That could serve to ultimately discourage Latino turnout in the midterms.

Misinformation may have helped fuel significant gains in Latino support for Trump in some Venezuelan American and Colombian American areas, where voters were especially wary of claims that Biden was soft on socialism.

Biden won Floridas heavily Hispanic, most populous county of Miami-Dade by only 7 percentage points compared with Hillary Clintons about 30-point victory in 2016, and precincts with large Colombian American and Venezuelan American populations were part of the reason why.

Biden prevailed about 25 miles to the north in Weston, Florida, which is part of Broward County and affectionately is known as Westonzuela because of its sizable Venezuelan immigrant population, but saw Trump narrow the gap in some precincts.

In Texas, Trump became the first Republican to carry sparsely populated Zapata County, on the U.S.-Mexico border, in a century and won 41% of the vote in Hidalgo County, the largest in the fast-growing Rio Grande Valley area, in 2020, compared with 28% in 2016.

That bump might be attributable to the heavy concentration of energy and law enforcement jobs in South Texas, and Trumps promises to secure the border and promote fossil fuels. But misinformation also deeply penetrated the area, Perez said.

Evelyn Perez-Verdia a Florida Democratic strategist who has been monitoring disinformation groups in Spanish, said that since the election, those spreading it have been watching the Biden administration daily and building false narratives around current events.

The people who are making it have to understand the sub-cultures and cultures of the community, Perez-Verdia said.

Brazilian Americans, for instance, have gotten manipulated video from a Democratic presidential primary debate when Biden suggested he would raise $20 billion to help Brazil battle Amazon deforestation that makes it sound like Biden is ready to send U.S. troops into that country.

Misinformation has continued at such a furious pace post-election that 20-plus Latino progressive groups drafted a January letter declaring No Mas Lies, Disinformation and White Supremacy that urged Spanish-language radio stations and other outlets in Florida to crack down on spreading it. Perez-Verdia, one of the signees, said afterward that it hasn't dropped off. I consider now that it's actually doubled down.

In response to Russian meddling in the 2016 election, Congress approved $160 million for the State Department to lead efforts across the federal government to identify and counter foreign propaganda. Still, a 2018 report by the Senate Intelligence Committee found that such efforts had only increased following Election Day 2016  a postelection pattern that is consistent with the one experts have tracked in Spanish after 2020's vote.

So far, Congress isn't investigating Spanish-language misinformation to see if its origins spread beyond Latin America.

Was this a deliberate effort to suppress the votes of specific demographic groups? Was this orchestrated and funded by dark money groups or other organized actors?," said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. "These are all legitimate questions.
British private schools struggling to find funding amidst the global pandemic are falling prey to and are being shopped by Chinese firms, sparking fears that CPP influence will spread in the U.K.

Firms from communist China are buying up British private schools that are struggling amidst the financial crisis brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. These firms are run by "high-ranking members of the ruling Chinese Communist Party [who] seek to expand their influence over Britain's education system," The Daily Mail reported.

Seventeen British private schools have already been bought by these Chinese firms, but experts believe that this is just the start of a shopping spree or "feeding frenzy" to get their hands on these U.K. educational institutions.

According to the report, 9 out of the 17 schools that were bought off are now owned by firms that are led by China's most senior Communist Party members. These 17 schools have been found to be using educational tools that are expanding communist influence in the west, teaching students a "'whitewashed' view of China."

One Chinese firm even admitted that they acquired the British private schools to support communist China's "Belt And Road strategy," which goal is to expand their country's global influence.

"British private schools are a weak link, because there is a need for investment, and the CCP is taking advantage of that," Wang Jianhong, spokesman for the U.S.-based rights group Humanitarian China told Radio Free Asia. "British private schools are a weak link, because there is a need for investment, and the CCP is taking advantage of that."

Wang warned that there is "little awareness of CCP infiltration" and that there is truly an increase in the number of British private schools that are being bought off by companies from communist China. Wang said, "Compulsory education providers in the U.K. are now owned by enterprises controlled by the CCP, and the worry now is that its ideology will affect what is being taught there."

What's more, Wang cautioned that "Western countries have yet realized the extent of the CCP's involvement here."

U.K.-based author Ma Jian is on the same page with Wang when it comes to communist China shopping for British private schools. Ma explained that this move is "about targeting the next generation, educationally speaking" and that it is totally on-brand for communist China to expand their influence in the west and to the rest of the world.

One of the key players in the bid for communist China to shop around for financially struggling British private schools is Bright Scholar, headed by Yang Huiyan, who is reportedly worth $27.3 billion and is the only woman in Bloomberg Billionaires Index's 15 richest people from Asia, as reported by Insider. The 38 year-old businesswoman is the daughter of Yang Guoqiang, a member of the Communist Party's highest-ranking advisory council.

Meanwhile, two British private schools Bedstone College in Shropshire and Ipswich High School are also now owned by Wanda Group, which is headed by Wang Jianlin, an ex-soldier for the People's Liberation Army who is now worth $14.8 billion and is also a member of China's senior Communist Party advisory council. China First Capital Group, which also has senior Communist Party members on its board, is now the owner of two more British private schools.

Conservative Member of the Parliament Tom Tugendhat admitted that communist China now has a strategic advantage in influencing others and that as a country, U.K. needs to "decide what it is we are prepared to defend."
Four out of England's seven Nightingale Hospitals set up to cope with the Covid crisis will close for good in April.

The facilities in Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and Harrogate will shut their doors permanently in April, the Health Service Journal reported.

Officials spent more than 500million on the hospitals, set up in convention centres and large venues, in case NHS wards were overloaded with patients with Covid-19.

An NHS spokesperson called them 'the ultimate insurance policy' in a statement today.

But hospitals never were overwhelmed and the Nightingales saw only light use as rehabilitation centres before being mothballed and then some reopened for vaccinations in the winter.

The three remaining Nightingales, in Exeter, London and Sunderland, will be kept either as extra NHS capacity for routine work or as Covid vaccine centres.

It comes as the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 in the UK has plummeted to 10,898, from a peak of 39,248 in January, and admissions are down from over 4,000 per day to 700.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock is pictured at the opening of London's 4,000-bed Nightingale Hospital in April

The closure of the Nightingales marks a step-change in Britain's future with the coronavirus, suggesting health chiefs are now confident in the NHS's ability to cope.

As the vaccination programme steams ahead  almost 23million people have had a jab protecting them from severe illness  the ratio of infections to hospital admissions should shrink to a fraction of its previous size.

Although scientists are convinced there will be a third wave of infections when lockdown lifts, experts and ministers hope the jabs will, for most people, reduce the virus to a simple cold or a sniffle.

NHS England confirmed the hospitals would close and a spokesperson said: 'Since the very early days of the pandemic the Nightingale hospitals have been on hand as the ultimate insurance policy in case existing hospital capacity was overwhelmed.

'But as we have learned more about coronavirus, and how to successfully treat Covid, existing hospitals have adapted to significantly surge critical care capacity and even in the winter wave  which saw more than 100,000 patients with the virus admitted in a single month  there were beds available across the country.

The London Nightingale Hospital had already started to be dismantled before the end of 2020 and will now be used for the Covid vaccination programme

Sunderland's Nightingale Hospital will remain open as a vaccination clinic

The Harrogate Nightingale will be closed for good by the end of March, reverting to its former use as a convention centre

'Thank you to the many NHS staff and partners who worked so hard to set the Nightingales up so swiftly and of course the public who followed the guidance on controlling the spread of the virus and helped to prevent hospitals being overwhelmed.'

When the four Nightingales have closed, the one in Exeter, in a large unit on an industrial estate, will remain open as a diagnostic centre for the local NHS.

A TIMELINE OF THE NIGHTINGALE HOSPITALS NHS Nightingale Hospital London Announced: March 24

Opened: April 3 (by Prince Charles)

Closed: May 15

What now? Open for vaccinations NHS Nightingale Hospital Birmingham Announced: March 27

Opened: April 16 (by Prince William)

Down to standby: May 5

What now? Closing for good NHS Nightingale Hospital North West Announced: March 27

Opened: April 17 (by Duchess of Cornwall)

Closed: June 5

What now? Closing for good NHS Nightingale Hospital Yorkshire and the Humber Announced: April 3

Opened: April 21 (by Captain Tom Moore)

Radiology outpatient clinic: June 4

What now? Closing for good NHS Nightingale Hospital North East Announced: April 10

Opened: May 5 (by Matt Hancock)

What now? Open for vaccines NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol Announced: April 3

Opened: April 27 (by Matt Hancock & Prince Edward)

Down to standby: July 6

What next? Closing for good NHS Nightingale Hospital Exeter Announced: April 10

Opened in standby: July 8

First Covid patients: November 26

What next? Open for local NHS Advertisement

The Sunderland and London hospitals  built in conference centres  will remain open as vaccination clinics for the Covid-19 jab rollout.

The Harrogate hospital will be used by the local NHS while it is dismantled and turned back into a convention centre.

In Bristol, the hospital will be reverted back to an exhibition centre at the University of the West of England (UWE).

Birmingham and Manchester's centres were also inner-city conference centres  the NEC and G-MEX, respectively.

The Nightingales were controversial because they were so lightly used by Covid-19 patients during the worst of the pandemic.

By the end of 2020, just 249 Covid patients had been admitted to them.

Ministers splashed the cash on seven Nightingales amid fears hospitals would be overwhelmed by Covid during the darkest days of the spring.

And 19 temporary field hospitals were built in Wales, while Scotland and Wales opened one each at further expense to public funds.

But after they were mothballed in December it emerged health bosses had already started stripping the flagship Nightingale in London of its 4,000 beds, ventilators and even signs directing ambulances to wards. Photos from inside the hospital revealed it was virtually deserted, with wards emptied of beds, chairs stacked on top of each other in storage and no ambulances outside.

Pressuring NHS bosses to keep the hospitals open, a Covid-19 adviser to the British Medical Association called on them to use the emergency units for the 'purpose for which it was built'.

'As far as I am aware the Nightingale hospital in Exeter is the only one being used for Covid patients - the purpose for which it was built,' said Dr David Strain, who is also a hospital consultant in Exeter.

'They are the less sick patients - we don't have the staff to run two intensive care units in the main hospital and the Nightingale.'

Many Nightingales have stood empty for months, despite ministers hailing them as a 'solution' to the Covid crisis when they were first opened to huge fan-fare.

Sunderland's make-shift facility, which wasn't used at all during the pandemic, remains closed.

London's  which was opened by Prince Charles  was dismantled, with unused beds sent to other struggling hospitals across the capital.

Others were re-purposed to treat non-Covid patients to take the pressure off main hospitals, with some tipped to become vaccination centres.

Manchester's was open for 'non-Covid care', while locations in Bristol and Harrogate operated as 'specialist diagnostics centres' or for local medics.

Only Exeter's Nightingale was being used to treat Covid-19 patients over Christmas, with figures showing there were 28 people on its wards on December 23.


Tamboran Resources Limited Announces Changes to its Board

Sydney, Mar 8, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Tamboran is pleased to announce the appointment of Non-Executive Director, Dick Stoneburner, as Chairman of the Tamboran Board effective February 2021, and the appointment of Ann Diamant as a new Non-Executive Director of the Company effective March 2021. Patrick Elliott has stepped down as Chairman and remains on the Tamboran Board as a Non-Executive Director.Mr Stoneburner is currently Executive Adviser, Pine Brook Partners. He was formerly the Founder, President and Chief Operating Officer of Petrohawk Energy Corporation (2003-2011), where under his leadership Petrohawk developed a global leading unconventional oil and gas portfolio. Mr Stoneburner also held leadership roles as the President of the North American Shale Production Division at BHP Billiton Petroleum. Mr. Stoneburner began his career as a geologist in 1977 and held positions at Texas Oil and Gas Corp., Weber Energy Corp., Hugoton Energy Corp. and 3TEC Energy Corp.Mr. Stoneburner holds a B.S. in Geological Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.S. in Geological Sciences from Wichita State University.Mr. Stoneburner said: "I am both honoured and excited for the opportunity to help guide Tamboran as it undertakes the appraisal and development of the vast shale gas resource that is present in the Beetaloo Basin."I believe that my experience with Petrohawk Energy, where we drilled hundreds of horizontal wells safely and economically across multiple basins, will help provide the opportunity to bring North American best practices to Australia. I look forward to working with our world class board of directors and our proven management team to deliver material value to all our stakeholders through the proposed development of this exciting resource."Tamboran's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Joel Riddle, said: "The Board wishes to thank Pat for his guidance, leadership and commitment as Chair of the Board since 2009, and is pleased that the Company will continue to benefit from Pat's extensive experience in the Australian energy industry through his ongoing Non-Executive Directorship. I have worked with Dick since 2014, when he joined Tamboran as a Non-Executive Director, and look forward to continuing our work as he leads our Company as its new Chairman."Ms Diamant joins Tamboran's Board following a distinguished 17-year career with Oil Search Limited ( ASX:OSH ) where she led Investor Relations efforts and Corporate Communications discipline. Prior to Oil Search, Ms Diamant was responsible for investor relations and investment strategy at Orogen Minerals Limited, and previously held positions as an oil and gas equities analyst and head of energy research at HSBC Securities Australia Ltd, Hartley Poynton Ltd and SBC Australia Ltd.Ms. Diamant holds a BSc Hons (First Class) - Colour Chemistry from the University of Leeds, UK and a MSc DIC - Management Science from the Imperial College London, UK.Mr Riddle further stated: "We would like to thank David King and Stuart Lake for their many years of service to the Company as well as their significant contribution to shareholders. The addition of Ann to our Board is significant. She brings a wealth of experience in investor relations and communications as well as a deep understanding of the energy and financial markets in Australia. These attributes, together with her appreciation of societal and investor expectations on environmental, social and governance issues, are particularly important to Tamboran as we consider a listing of our Company on the ASX. Her skills complement the qualities and capabilities of our existing non-executive directors, further enhancing Board leadership in our Company."The Board changes follow the appointment of David N. Siegel as a Non-Executive Director of the Company in January pending shareholder approval of Tamboran's acquisition of Sweetpea Petroleum Pty Ltd ("Sweetpea"). Tamboran expects to hold a shareholder vote on the acquisition in April 2021. Mr Dave Siegel is the nominee for the Non-Executive Director role under the acquisition agreement.Mr. Siegel currently acts as a Senior Advisor for Apollo Global Management Inc. ("Apollo"), one of the world's largest and most successful private equity firms with more than US$450 billion in assets under management. He also serves a similar role for HRS Capital and Elysium, the family offices of Apollo's co-founders. Mr. Siegel has over 30 years of experience primarily focused in the aerospace and aviation industries having served as CEO of AWAS, one of the world's 10 largest aircraft leasing companies, CEO of Frontier Airlines, Chairman and CEO of XOJET, Inc., Chairman and CEO of Gategroup, AG., CEO of US Airways Group, Inc., and Chairman and CEO of Avis Budget Group, Inc. He also spent seven years at Continental Airlines in various senior management roles. Mr Siegel began his career as a consultant at Bain & Co.Mr. Siegel earned an M.B.A., with honours, from Harvard Business School and Sc.B., magna cum laude, in Applied Mathematics-Economics from Brown University.With respect to the Sweetpea acquisition and Mr. Seigel's appointment Mr Riddle stated: "We view the acquisition of Sweetpea as consistent with of our Beetaloo Basin focused strategy and a unique opportunity to gain operatorship in the core area of this prolific resource. Dave is a world class executive and business leader with a wealth of experience managing companies, from start-ups to multi-billion dollar enterprises."About Tamboran Resources Limited

Tamboran is a natural gas company focused on supporting the net zero energy transition by developing clean, low-CO2, unconventional gas resources in the Northern Territory, Australia. Tamboran's key assets are a 25% working interest in EP 161 and a 100% working interest in EP 136 which are located in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.



The Company is focused on developing early-stage, unconventional gas resources within its portfolio which are located in the Beetaloo Sub-basin in the Northern Territory. Tamboran Resources Limited is headquartered in Sydney, Australia with a global management team leveraging a significant depth of experience in the successful commercialisation of unconventional hydrocarbons throughout North America. The team brings a wealth of knowledge, including modern shale reservoir assessment, as well as cutting-edge drilling and completion design technology.
Metso Outotec has been awarded a contract for the engineering and delivery two 170 t/h Bayer process flash evaporation plants to National Aluminium Companys (Nalco) Damanjodi Alumina Refinery in Odisha, India.

The value of the order is approximately EUR13 million ($15.7 million), and it has been booked in the Metals segments orders received in Q1 / 2021.

We are excited for Nalco having chosen us as the supplier for the two energy-efficient flash evaporation plants complementing our market position in the Bauxite and Alumina sector, highlights Dr Alessio Scarsella, Director, Light Metals at Metso Outotec.

Previously, we have delivered three process lines for Nalcos calcination and hydrate filtration plants, the first of which has been in operation since 1987. Additionally, in March 2020, we received an order for two alumina calciners and one hydrate filtration plant, increasing Nalcos annual alumina production to approximately one million tonnes. The now ordered evaporation plants will help Nalco meet its production target.

The Alumina business remains in Metso Outotecs portfolio and is not part of the earlier announced divested Aluminium business. -- Tradearabia News Service
Editors Note: Allentown Diocese Bishop Alfred Schlert clarified his position on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and lehighvalleylive.com published a story about this clarification after the following letter was submitted.

I just finished reading the article titled Allentown Diocese urges Catholics to choose alternative to morally comprised J&J vaccine. While I do endorse the use of quotes around the phrase morally compromised, I have concerns about the slant of the article as a whole.

I understand that it is not an article written entirely by lehighvalleylive.com staff and contains information from The Associated Press, but that does not mean the flawed opinion of the bishop is best suited as the initial emphasis of the article and headline of the piece as it appears on the website.

Considering we are in a nationwide pandemic -- with many lives clearly still at stake -- more emphasis should be placed on this paragraph in the article: While not disputing the church officials contention that an abortion-derived cell line is used in the production, Johnson & Johnson issued a statement Tuesday stressing that there is no fetal tissue in its vaccine.

The Pope himself has said Vatican staff may be subject to sanctions if they do not receive the vaccine with no mention of which manufacturer has created it. With the bishops ill-informed and potentially life-threatening opinion on avoiding the J&J vaccine taking a front seat, those who follow the Catholic faith could erroneously interpret his quotes to mean Catholics should refuse the J&J vaccine as a whole if no other vaccine is available at the time.

I would urge you to remove this article and print a follow-up to the piece that focuses more on the science-based, factual information about the J&J vaccine and the fact that it is NOT made of aborted fetal cells or tissue.

We are in a crisis in our country where false information has been spreading like wildfire. We need to be extremely cautious in not encouraging those damaging flames to spread.

Monica Dieterly

Bethlehem
The wait is over! After weeks of anticipation, Oprah Winfrey's tell-all interview with Prince Harry and the former Meghan Markle finally aired on Sunday night... and it was explosive!

We rounded-up the 11 biggest bombshells from the two-hour affair you need to know tomorrow morning before you stop by the office water cooler on Zoom.

1. They actually eloped.

Meghan told Winfrey that three days before their wedding in 2018, she and Harry actually tied the knot.

"No one knows that," she explained. "We called the archbishop and just said, look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world, but we want our union between us, so the vows that we have framed in our room are just the two of us in our backyard with the archbishop of Canterbury."

"Just the three of us," Harry added.

2. Meghan had to learn how to curtsy.

When Harry and Meghan were dating, the two were driving to have lunch at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, England, where Prince Andrew resides. As they were driving, they learned that the queen was finishing a church service nearby and would be there, as well.

Members Of The Royal Family Attend Events To Mark The Centenary Of The RAF (Chris Jackson / Getty Images)

Meghan explained, I remember Harry and I were in the car and he says, OK, well my grandmothers going to be there so youre going to meet her. I said, OK great! I loved my grandmother, I used to take care of my grandmother. He goes, Right, do you know how to curtsy?

As it turns out, the duchess had no idea that family really curtsied to the queen in private.

I thought, genuinely, that that was what happens outside. I thought that was part of the fanfare. I didnt think thats what happens inside. I said, 'But its your grandmother.' He goes, 'Its the queen.'

3. Kate Middleton made Meghan cry.

Several months after Meghan and Harry's wedding, a story broke that Meghan had made her sister-in-law, the former Kate Middleton, cry over a dispute about flower girl dresses. But Meghan said the reality was "the reverse happened."

Story continues

Kate Middleton (AP)

"A few days before the wedding, (Kate) was upset about something  the issue was correct, about flower girl dresses  and it made me cry and it really hurt my feelings," Meghan recalled. "It wasn't a confrontation, and I don't think it's fair to (Kate) to get into the details of that because she apologized and I've forgiven her. What was hard to get over was being blamed for something not only I didn't do but that happened to me and the people who were part of our wedding going to our comms team saying, 'I know this didn't happen.'"

She added that Kate gifted her flowers and wrote her an apology note afterwards, calling her "a good person."

4. Archie's skin color was an "awkward" conversation.

Meghan, who is half Black, told Winfrey that there were "concerns and conversations" among the royal family ahead of her son Archie's birth about "how dark his skin might be."

When Winfrey asked if the issue was that he'd "too brown and that would be a problem," Meghan explained, "I wasn't able to follow up with why, but if that's the assumption you're making, I think that feels like a pretty safe one."

The Duke & Duchess Of Sussex Visit South Africa (Samir Hussein / WireImage)

Winfrey also asked Prince Harry what concerns his family posed to him about his son's race.

"That conversation I am never going to share, but at the time it was awkward and I was a bit shocked," he said. "That was right at the beginning... what will the kids look like?"

5. Meghan has contemplated suicide.

While reflecting on the onslaught of negative press the duchess received since marrying Prince Harry in 2018, the duchess said that it came to a point where the situation felt unsurvivable.

I just didnt see a solution, she told Winfrey. I just didnt want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.

Oprah interview with Harry and Meghan (Joe Pugliese / Harpo Productions)

She did eventually tell her husband that she was having suicidal thoughts, saying that what she remembers from the conversation was how he just cradled me. The two had to go to an event at the Royal Albert Hall hours later, an outing Harry didnt think Meghan should attend given her mental state.

I remember him saying, I don't think you can go, and I said, I can't be left alone."

6. Meghan and Harry didn't choose not to give Archie a royal title.

The duchess said that while she was pregnant with Archie, born in May 2019, the royal family wanted to change protocol and not offer her son a royal title.

"They didn't want him to be a prince or princess ... which would be different from protocol and that he wasn't going to receive security," Meghan said. "I was very scared of having to offer up our baby, knowing that they weren't going to be kept safe."

She added that "no explanation" was given about her son not receiving a title. "It's not their right to take it away," she said.

7. They're having a girl!

They revealed their second child together will be a girl! Asked what his reaction was when he found out on the ultrasound, Harry responded, "Amazing. Just grateful."

"To have any child, any one or any two, would be amazing, but to have a boy and then a girl, what more can you ask for?" He continued. "Now we've got our family. We've got the four of us and our two dogs, and it's great."

Harry and Meghan (@misanharriman/Instagram)

8. They're done having kids.

"Done, two is it," Meghan told Winfrey, adding that the baby is due in the summer time.

9. The dynamics with Harry's family shifted after their tour in Australia.

Harry explained that while his family never explicitly acknowledged the racism Meghan faced in the press, his grandmother, father and brother and sister-in-law Kate were all "really welcoming" initially. But "it really changed after the Australia tour," he said, when they announced Meghan was pregnant for the first time.

Related: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's intimate interview with Oprah Winfrey will air Sunday after weeks of anticipation.

"(The tour) was the first time the family got to see how incredible she is at the job, and that brought back memories," he explained, referencing his mother, the late Princess Diana.

I just wish that we would all learn from the past but to see how effortless it was for Meghan to come into the family so quickly in Australia and across New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga and be able to connect with people," he said.

Princess Diana, Meghan Markle

10. Money from Princess Diana was used after the royals cut them off.

Prince Harry said that after the royal family cut them off in the first quarter of 2020, he turned to money his mother left him.

"My family literally cut me off financially and I had to afford security for us," he said, adding, "I have got all what my mum left me. Without that we would not have been able to do this."

Winfrey asked earlier what he thinks his mom would think of their royal exit, to which he said, "I think she saw it coming. I felt her presence throughout this whole process."

11. Prince Harry and Prince William don't seem to be on the best of terms.

As for the relationship between Prince Harry and his brother, Prince William, who is second in line for the throne, the duke said that while he loves his brother, theyre leading different lives now.

I love William to bits," he said. "Hes my brother and weve been through hell together. We have a shared experience. But we walk different paths.

Later, when Winfrey pressed him on the subject of his relationship with his brother, he added, "The relationship is space... at the moment. Time heals all things, hopefully."
by Dr Laksiri Fernando

There were two bizarre and idealistic articles, to say the least, published in the Colombo Telegraph(CT), one after the other, giving some prominence, one by a gentleman (Ranjith C. Perera) and the other by a lady (Rohana Jayaratne), quite detrimental to the independence, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and interests of the common people of the country. Jayaratnes article subsequently published in the Daily Financial Times.





The timing of these two articles is rather dubious given the UK initiated draft resolution before the Human Rights Council, with intimidated economic sanctions, and threatened prosecutions against some high officials to be executed in foreign lands, if not before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Contempt to Home Country

The title of the first article appears radical, UNHCR [sic] Should Focus on the Sovereignty of the Oppressed, Not the Oppressors. Why sic? Although he means United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), he says UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees!). The title is radical because he apparently talks on behalf of the oppressors! The general tendency of the author is to consider everything he dislikes as human rights issues! This is very clear from the following sentence.

Besides the human rights questions related to 30 year civil war, 2021 preliminary report sent to Sri Lanka, it is reported prominent charges have been raised on the 20th constitutional amendment, military appointments to civil administration etc. by the new government that came into power one year ago.

The other tendency is to take all what the High Commissioner has said as the gospel truth. It may be the case that the author is allergic to the present government and the 20th Amendment. However, that should not be a reason to believe or support what is in the High Commissioners Report lock, stock, and barrel. There is no critical perspective given perhaps due to his political bias. The most extreme or idealistic is what he talks about sovereignty.

After condemning many Asian, African, and Latin American governments, he proposes Therefore, it is high time international organizations such as UN and UNHRC should adopt a more realistic definition to the word sovereignty On that basis the international organizations focus would be of the sovereignty of the people or oppressed not of the rulers or oppressors.

Question of Sovereignty?

Perhaps he is unaware or forgotten the Article 3 of our Constitution which says, In the Republic of Sri Lanka sovereignty is in the People and is inalienable. Sovereignty includes the powers of government, fundamental rights and the franchise. Of course, there can be a difference between the constitutional theory and practice in any country. But thatcannot be resolved by pleading to foreign countries or the UN. What the UN defines in terms of sovereignty is the following in Article 2(1) and 2 (7).

Article 2 (1): The Organization is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members. This means the countries like Sri Lanka, whether this equality principle is practiced by the UN or not.

Article 2 (7): Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state or shall require the Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present Charter; but this principle shall not prejudice the application of enforcement measures under Chapter Vll.

Under the Charter, the UN or its agencies cannot intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state. The exception is in the case of action with respect to threats to the peace, breaches of the peace, and acts of aggression in Chapter VII. However, decisions in this regard should be taken not by the UNHRC but by the Security Council, when and if necessary. The authors many references and particularly references to other Asian, African, and Latin American countries show that his views do not emerge from idealism, but outright colonial mindset.

Second Article

The second article by the lady is more subtle but of the same genre. It is titled How Can Sri Lanka Successfully Overcome the Challenge of the UNHRC Resolution? To be sure, so farthere is no resolution from the UNHRC, but allegedly a draft resolution from a Core Group led by the UK, our former colonial master. I have expressed my doubts before whether any resolution at the UNHRC could be democratically approved at the current session which is conducted virtually online which gives undue advantages to rich countries against the poor countries.

The article gives a fair description of the UN organizations and the UNHRC,but quite blind to its failures. It asks, In the above context, can Sri Lanka question the integrity of the UNHRC, an important arm of the UN, and thereby condemn the very foundation that it was built on? However, to the best of my knowledge, Sri Lanka or any other country has not questioned the foundations of the UN (but perhaps the UNHRC!), but validly questioned the terrible failures, partiality, and duplicity of the High Commissioners report and the double standards of the UK initiated draft resolution.

The article says, In her January 2021report, Bachelet called for an International Criminal Court investigation into Sri Lankas Tamil separatist conflict This is simply not true. Bachelets report never mentions a Sri Lankas Tamil separatist conflict or even I would not blame the whole Tamil community for that separatist war or separatist terrorism in the country.The problem with Bachelet report exactly is that she never accepts separatism or terrorism for Sri Lankas past or present problems.

Bizarre Recommendations

The main concerns about the article are in the 12 recommendations that it prescribes. As a way out of the UNHRC challenge,she propagates that noncompliance is not an option for a weaker nation in the global context of superpower competition. This is a defeatist and colonial mindset. She repeatedly talks about weaker members and weaker nations like Sri Lankain her article. She admits that some of the previous UNHRC recommendations are already in operation and they could be and should be expedited. However, that should not be done just because of the pressure, bullying or threats from the superpowers on the Western side.

Let us look at some of the controversial recommendations more specifically. Look at the number 4 which says, Avoid confrontation with international media and countries supporting the resolution which can further harm Sri Lankas image as they are too powerful force to reckon with. What is recommended here is the meekness on the part of Sri Lanka. This is the same as what some of the Colombo based NGOs propagated before May 2009 arguing that the LTTE cannot be militarily defeated and therefore their demands should be adhered to.

The article also questions the sovereignty of the country like the first author in the following manner: The outdated concept of state sovereignty is of little or no relevance any more in a globalized and interdependent world with porous State borders due to rapidly expanding and instant communication via ICT.

This could have been considered idealism if it were argued separately as an opinion. But arguing for giving up sovereignty in the context of threats from the imperialist countries like Britain, USA or even Germany is quite opportunism and colonial mind set coming from an apparent Sri Lankan. The article goes on touching on another sensitive question for the Sri Lankans as below.

The concept of Unitary Status in a geographically defined multiethnic polity, by nature of its centralized control, is flawed because it tends to be detached from the interests of minorities in deference to the majority leading to inequitable socio-economic development.

This kind of an opposition to the concept of unitary state coupled with talking about porous state borders not only promotes the disintegration of the state, political system, and the socio-economic development of the country, but also invites foreign trained and assisted terrorism back again to the country. We have already seen some glimpses of this phenomenon reemerging in April 2019 not because of globalization, but because of the neglect of national security and peoples security on the pretext of globalization by the last government.
A witness who claims to have seen the prime suspect in the Suzy Lamplugh murder case dump a suitcase in a canal three days after her disappearance reported his sighting to police three times but the information was never passed on, a new documentary claims.

Estate agent Suzy, 25, vanished after leaving her Fulham office to meet a client who called himself 'Mr Kipper' on July 28, 1986 and was declared dead, presumed murdered in 1994.

The only suspect is John Cannan, 66, who is serving three life sentences at Full Sutton Prison in York after being convicted of the murder of Shirley Banks in Bristol in 1987 and the attempted kidnapping of Julia Holman, as well as the rape of an unnamed woman in Reading in 1986. Prior to this stint behind bars, he served an eight-year jail sentence for rape and theft.

He is believed to have told a former girlfriend that he strangled Suzy and buried her body in concrete, but police were never able to charge him for the crime, and he could be released in 2022.

A witness who claims to have seen the prime suspect in the Suzy Lamplugh murder case dump a suitcase in a canal three days after her disappearance reported his sighting to police three times but the information was never passed on, a new documentary claims

The only suspect is John Cannan, 66, who is serving three life sentences at Full Sutton Prison in York after being convicted of the murder of Shirley Banks in Bristol in 1987 and the attempted kidnapping of Julia Holman, as well as the rape of an unnamed woman in Reading in 1986

Last year it emerged a man reported seeing Cannan dump a trunk into the Grand Union Canal in Brentford, west London at 5am on the Monday after Suzy disappeared.

In a new two-part Sky documentary, The Mystery of Suzy Lamplugh, former detective superintendent Jim Dickie, who was in charge of a re-investigation into the case, reveals the witness, known as Dave, went to Brentford police station three times to report what he saw, but it was never followed up.

Meanwhile a friend of Dave's called Anne says he was so convinced it was Cannan he'd seen that he took time off work to attend his trial in Exeter, after recognising his face in the newspaper while reading about the murder of Ms Banks.

'He said, "That is the man I passed that day"... he noticed very much, there was something about his eyes. There was always a starey-ness about his eyes,' Anne said.

Dave died in 2008; after watching Mr Dickie on the TV commenting on another search for Suzy's body, Anne approached him with her friend's story.

In a new two-part Sky documentary, The Mystrery of Suzy Lamplugh, former detective superintendent Jim Dickie, pictured, who was in charge of a re-investigation into the case, reveals the witness, known as Dave, went to Brentford police station three times to report what he saw, but it was never followed up

Last year it emerged a man reported seeing Cannan dump a trunk into the Grand Union Canal in Brentford, west London at 5am on the Monday after Suzy (pictured) disappeared

Mr Dickie said he believes Dave's account is 'reasonable' because it matched Cannan's pattern of behaviour. He previously observed that Ms Banks' body was found in a rural location near a main road, while the Grand Union Canal is close to the A4 and M4.

'He likes to dump bodies by water,' he said. 'Secondly, that early in the morning, you can get a car down there, if you had a trunk in your boot, you could get it out and wheel it down the towpath, so I find it very, very feasible.

'[Dave] went to the Brentford police station three times, three times. There should be an officers information in the major incident room with the information he gave, and that should have been followed up... someone screwed up.'

Mr Dickie added that had he been made aware of Dave's statement when he took over the case in 2000, they 'could have recovered a body'.

Mr Dickie said had he been made aware of Dave's statement when he took over the case in 2000, they 'could have recovered a body' (pictured: Suzy Lamplugh)

Suzy's parents Diana Lamplugh, who died in 2011 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2003, and Paul, who passed away in 2018, never found out who abducted and killed their daughter

'It wasn't passed on to the original investigation team, it certainly wasn't passed on to my team,' he said. 'All I will say is, if I was still the senior investigating officer, I would move heaven and earth to see if there is a body in luggage in that area.'

In a later scene, Anne reveals she received a phone call from a police officer a couple of months ago telling her they're 'not pursuing' the line of inquiry anymore.

'I felt well, perhaps I've been dismissed as well,' she said.

Ms Lamplugh's car was found in the evening on the same day she disappeared, parked in a Fulham street a mile from the house, with its handbrake off but with her purse still in the door pocket. Witnesses reported seeing a woman meeting her description arguing with a man outside a property in Shorrolds Road at about 1pm on July 28, 1986.

John Cannan was filmed for the Suitor Dating Agency just six weeks before he was arrested for abducting and murdering Shirley Banks in October 1987

Cannan had been living at a west London bail hostel, and according to Mr Dickie, he frequently climbed out of the window at night and frequented pubs, clubs and wine bars in the Fulham area.

Six years later, the Metropolitan Police revealed Cannan was its prime suspect in the case  but the Crown Prosecution Service ruled there was insufficient evidence to prosecute.

Speaking about his impending release, Mirror journalist Rob Chaytor told the Sky documentary he is still in touch with one of his victims, who has a police panic button by her phone.

'She showed it to me, that's a direct route to the local nick - it was still thought by the police that Cannan could still get at his previous victims, and I know two of them have direct police protection,' he said.

The disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh (right) in July 1986, captured the nation's attention as it was impossible to believe that the vivacious estate agent, aged 25, could simply vanish off the busy streets of Fulham, West London

Suzy pictured with her mother Diana,who saw her for the last time the weekend before she went missing

Suzy's brother Richard also speaks, and admits his family have 'never been able to grieve' for his sister as a result of her body never being found.

'You get to the stage where you don't grieve because you want to stay as positive as possible,' he said. 'You feel sad but you don't want to mourn her loss because you don't want to betray her, you don't want to think the worst.'

He added that the thought of Cannan being released from prison is 'really upsetting', both for his family and those of his other victims.

'I think it's really upsetting for the people he's raped and murdered before or after Suze as well,' he said.

Suzy's brother Richard also speaks, and admits his family have 'never been able to grieve' for his sister as a result of her body never being found

Suzy worked at the Sturgis estate agents, having been hired on spot as a negotiator when she strode into the office asking for a job, and was put in the window desk as 'the most attractive female'

In a previous Channel 5 documentary, Cannan's brother blamed him for their father's death and revealed how the family 'begged' him to admit to Suzy's murder

'I think they should be the ones who should be more upset than me because we haven't got proof that he's the man that killed Suze, but the evidence points that way. I don't really care for the man, I don't want to meet him, as far as I'm concerned he's nothing to me.'

In a previous Channel 5 documentary, Cannan's brother blamed him for their father's death and revealed how the family 'begged' him to admit to Suzy's murder, branding him a 'power freak' who doesn't have a 'modicum of regret, conscience or compassion' and will 'take all his secrets to the grave'.

The estate agent's disappearance is one of the most puzzling cases of the 20th century. Suzy's mother Diana Lamplugh died in 2011 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2003, and her father Paul passed away in 2018. Richard and Suzy's sisters Tamsin and Lizzie still look forward to the day the mystery is solved.

The Mystery of Suzy Lamplugh airs on Sky Crime on March 14 at 9pm and 10pm.
New Delhi, March 9 : The Congress has appealed to the Delhi government for free Covid vaccination to all, unemployment allowance to the youth and reduction in the Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel prices.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, former MLA and Delhi Congress leader Adarsh Shastri urged Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Finance Minister Manish Sisodia, to keep the welfare of the people upper most in mind while presenting the Delhi Budget on Tuesday.

Shastri said that the people of Delhi have been dogged by myriad problems, and the primary objective of the Budget should be to shore up the disturbed economy, address issues such as price rise, unemployment, pollution, dirty drinking water, health, education, pension and cleaning up the polluted Yamuna river, among others.

The Congress leader said that the Budget should be aimed at serving the people, as mere lofty announcements will serve no purpose, as has been the case in the past six years.

"The Budget should make provision for free Covid vaccination to people of Delhi in all hospitals, including private hospitals, to honour Kejriwal's promise," he said, adding that due to the Covid-19 pandemic economic crisis, a majority of the people are not in a position to afford vaccination on payment.

Shastri said that the youth and young people in Delhi are struggling without jobs, and the government should provide "unemployment allowance to the youth", till enough job opportunities are created for them.

He demanded the Delhi government should also immediately reduce the 30 per cent VAT imposed on petrol and diesel, which is the highest-ever charged in Delhi, to give relief to people.

"Surge in oil prices has had a cascading effect on all the essential commodities, making the lives of the common people unbearable," he said, adding that Delhi Congress also wants ration cards for 11 lakh families, who have been waiting for ration cards for the past six years.

Shastri said: "The recent by-elections to the five municipal wards showed that Delhi want Congress back in power, as the party's vote share raced to over 22 per cent, to make it the main opposition party, and Delhi Congress' budget suggestions were aimed at people's welfare." He also said that the AAP government in Delhi should shelve the move to boost excise revenue to Rs 7,651 crore, through a liberalized liquor policy, which will only ruin the youth of the Capital.

The former MLA added, "The pre-Budget Economic Survey paints a bleak picture, as the per capita income of the national capital has come down by 9 per cent, while the contraction in Delhi's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is expected at 5.68 per cent in 2020-21." He said that the fiscal deficit increased from 0.20 per cent of GSDP in previous years to 0.39 per cent this year, which in monetary terms, means that the deficit was Rs 3,227.79 crore in 2019-20, and for 2020-21, it's estimated to be Rs 1.08 per cent.

He said that the reduction in the revenue surplus was a matter of great concern, as Delhi's revenue surplus has crashed in last few years, while the outstanding debt of the Delhi government rose to Rs 34,461.83 crore.
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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. I was silent  Were you silent or were you silenced? The latter. They didnt want him to be a prince or princess, not knowing what the gender would be, which would be different from protocol, and that he wasnt going to receive security. What? It was really hard. What do you mean? He wasnt going to receive security? This went on for the last few months of our pregnancy where Im going, Hold on a second. That your son and Harry, Prince Harrys son, was not going to receive security? Thats right. And also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when hes born. What? And  Who  who is having that conversation   with you? What? But I knew that if I didnt say it, that I would do it. And I just didnt  I just didnt want to be alive anymore. Well, the way youre describing this, its like you were trapped and couldnt get help, even though youre on the verge of suicide. Thats what you are describing. Thats what Im hearing. Yes. And that would be an accurate interpretation, yes? Thats the truth. And what I was seeing was history repeating itself, but more perhaps, or definitely far more dangerous, because then you add race in, and you add social media in  and when Im talking about history repeating itself Im talking about my mother. When you can see something happening in the same kind of way, anybody would ask for help, ask the system of which you are part of, especially when you know theres a relationship there that they could help, and share some truth or call the dogs off, whatever you want to call it. Your dad stopped taking your calls. Why did he stop taking your calls? Because I took matters in  by that point, I took matters into my own hands. It was like, I need to do this for my family. This is not a surprise to anybody. Its really sad that its got to this point. But Ive got to do something for my own mental health, my wifes, and for Archies as well, because I could see where this was headed.
There are very few women truck drivers in Zimbabwe, but Molly Manatse does not like to be singled out for her gender. The 31-year-old says truckers should not define themselves by gender - and women like her "are just drivers, we do the same job". Manatse is the only woman driver at a trucking company that employs 80 drivers. Her latest trip is a 1,700 kilometres (1,056 miles) journey to the port city of Durban in neighbouring South Africa.

Many women in Zimbabwe are refusing to be defined by their gender or circumstance, even as the pandemic hits them hardest and imposes extra burdens. In many instances, these women are helping the troubled country grapple with the double trauma of COVID-19 and ongoing economic deterioration.

Manatse's salary helps to take care of relatives who have lost jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. Memory Mukabeta also helps to support members of her extended family whose livelihoods have been hit by the restrictions caused by the virus. The 37-year-old runs a car repair shop, a vocation traditionally viewed as a male domain.

Zimbabwe saw a devastating resurgence with an increase in numbers of COVID-19 infections and deaths in December and January. Now, the government is beginning to relax restrictions and businesses are trying to recover. But Mukabeta fears it may be a longer road to recovery for businesses owned by women, especially in male-dominated sectors, due to inherent prejudice.

From the moment she answers the phone, many clients doubt her abilities, she explains. On paper, Zimbabwe has progressive laws that guarantee women's rights in the workplace and at home. The country - where women make up 52% of the population of 15 million - is a signatory to international treaties supporting gender equality.

However, lack of implementation, as well as trained cultural practices that reinforce inequality, mean women still lag behind, according to the United Nations. Many women say it is not easy to achieve equality or professional recognition and they are often reminded of women's traditionally subservient role. Manatse says recognition, respect and equality for women are unlikely to come on a silver platter in a highly patriarchal society such as Zimbabwe's. But she says women should realise that "the sky is the limit to everyone" and follow their dreams.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
An appetising offer has arrived from Deliveroo. It's not a halfpriced Biryani, but a plan to offer 50million of shares to customers.

They can register their interest in up to 1,000 of stock via the takeaway firm's app tomorrow, when it is expected to formally unveil its 7.5 billion London float. If the offer is oversubscribed, the most loyal customers will be prioritised.

The offering is heartening as armchair investors have been locked out of several big floats of late, angering the major investment platforms.

Customers can register their interest in up to 1,000 of stock via the takeaway firm's app

Deliveroo also aims to give 16million of payments to the riders who have delivered the most orders, with an average windfall of 440, via a 'Thank You Fund'.

Given the questions it has faced over riders' rights, we'll reserve judgment on how generous this gratitude is until it's clear how much management will make from this whopper of a flotation.

Premier Foods

If Deliveroo isn't to your taste, check out home cooking specialist Premier Foods. Tomorrow it will launch a 1million marketing blitz for its Sharwood's curry sauce brand - its first in five years.

Shares in the maker of Oxo and Bisto have made big gains over the past year as consumers munch their way through lockdown at home. They sit at 93p, up from early pandemic lows of 19p, but will doughty Premier's brands be shunned when restaurants reopen?

Amigo Holdings

Savvy hedge fund Bybrook Capital has quietly been building up a sizeable stake in Amigo Holdings, the guarantor lender that has had a shocker since floating in 2018 at 2.75 a share.

Bybrook, a debt-focused fund, recently said it owned 6.5 per cent of Amigo while US heavyweight JP Morgan bought a similar amount of stock.

The shares, though, endured a tough ride last week, sliding to just 13p as Amigo was outed as the most complained-about lender in the UK. There are fears that compensation claims could push the firm towards insolvency.

It looks like Amigo badly needs a friend.

Telit Communications

Activist investor DBAY Advisors has raised its stake in Telit Communications, and now owns 26 per cent of the AIM-listed 'internet of things' provider.

Quite what that will mean for Telit - which hit the headlines in 2017 when its chief executive Oozi Cats had to resign after it emerged he was linked to fraud in the US - remains to be seen.

Late last year, Telit received three takeover bids, including one from DBAY.

The other offers came from one of Telit's rivals, US-listed Lantronix, and Swiss semiconductor firm U-blox.

However, the Telit board failed to agree a deal with any of the potential buyers.

Now that DBAY holds a sizeable chunk of the company, it looks well positioned to have another tilt.

Contributor:Ben Harrington
On International Women's Day, civil rights organisations called for gender equality, violence-free life and renewed pledge to invest in women's leadership building in the post-pandemic world.

Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi noted that it will be Women's Day in its true sense when no daughter of India will feel insecure to go out alone at any time, when the 6-year-old daughter of the poorest mother in a backward village will dream like my 6-year-old grandson and move shoulder to shoulder with him".

Amitabh Behar, CEO, Oxfam India stressed on the need to stand in solidarity with women's struggles for their rights, dignity, status as workers, farmers, owners of property, as deserving of equal wages and above all a violence-free life.

"If you open newspapers or look at popular conversations, women are either made out to be goddesses or marketed as consumerist products. We need to get back to the roots of why we celebrate women's day, he told PTI.

Oxfam India has also dedicated their annual Trailwalker Challenge to women who were the worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic last year and are still struggling to recover from job loss, violence, health-related challenges and gender-based discrimination.

The theme of this year's Oxfam Trailwalker Virtual Challenge is #WalkForHer.

Poonam Muttreja, executive director, Population Foundation of India (PFI) said the International Women's Day this year celebrates the leadership of women and girls in shaping more equitable futures as the pandemic recedes.

"International Women's Day (IWD) belongs to all groups and all women everywhere. It honours the story of women's struggles for equality around the world and is symbolic of our collective efforts to ensure human rights and social justice for women," she said.

"When women and girls lead, we see change. Women have been at the forefront of the COVID-19 response across the world, and young women are at the helm of online and on ground movements for social justice, climate change, and human rights. International Women's Day is a rallying force for individuals, organisations, movements, and groups to come together to ensure 'generation equality'," she added.

Aparajita Gogoi, WRAI, coordinator and executive director, Centre for Catalyzing Change: COVID-19 Pandemic, highlighted the many ways in which women leaders at grassroots level have been at the forefront of relief and rebuilding activities.

"This International Women's Day, we need to renew pledge to invest in women's leadership building as a way of redoubling recovery efforts in a post-pandemic world," she said.

International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8 around the world.

(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.)
Photo credit: Amy Sussman - Getty Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

It's fair to say that Kelly Marie Tran had a difficult start in Hollywood. After scoring the role of Rose Tico in Star Wars: Episode VIIIThe Last Jedi, Tran seemed all but set for superstardom. However, she was soon inundated with racist and sexist online abuse from the toxic side of the Star Wars fandom, and was forced to delete her Instagram account as a result.

Luckily, Tran is back, and she's better than ever. The actress is now starring in Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon as the first ever South East Asian Disney princess, and it's safe to say that she's going to gain a whole new legion of fans who'll have nothing but love for her.

To promote the new film, Tran hit the virtual red carpet in a show-stopping outfit that was totally worthy of her new status as a Disney princess. Stylists Wayman and Micah shared photos of Tran's red-carpet look, and revealed, "Our first Southeast Asia Disney Princess Kelly Marie Tran in custom Thai Nguyen @thainguyenatelier Ao Dai. This national garment was traditionally worn as a female student uniform, but has since evolved to be worn by both sexes on special occasions, weddings, celebrations, especially this time to the world premiere."

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The caption further explained, "In Vietnamese culture, rich colors are adored, but for this special celebration we wanted Kelly Marie Tran to feel like royalty, so we went with the black and gold. The hand beaded "Gold of phoenix and lotus motif details represent the intricate art and culture of Vietnam. The headdress khan ong symbolizes power. The image of a phoenix rising from the ash perfectly suits the beautiful and strong Kelly Marie Tran combined with the lotus motif in the center of the headdress, which is the national flower of Vietnam. MUA: @nhinako_makeup Hair: @dereksyuen #virtual #premiere."

Tran's Hollywood journey has been anything but smooth, but as her new role demonstrates, she's most definitely ready for her close-up.

Story continues

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A video posted on Twitter by China's Cultural Counsellor at the Chinese embassy in Pakistan has backfired on him. Zhang Heqing recently tweeted a video of a dancing Chinese girl with the caption: "Off your hijab, let me see your eyes. #Xinjiang dance".

The tweet has not gone well with Pakistani citizens as the hijab is considered a sacred piece of clothing that women cover their heads with. As a result, scores of Twitter users in Pakistan slammed Heqing for "insulting" Islam, asking him to delete the tweet immediately. One even said that the tweet might strain China-Pakistan relations.

"This is an awful statement. But if the Chinese goes on like these Islamophobic statements than Pak-China relation will not end on good terms...But we must realise that stupid people like him are there who want to create misunderstandings. Better to reports him to the Chinese government[sic]," the Twitter user said.





@zlj517 Mr Zhao if you read below comments and gauge damage this gentleman did to China-Pak relation!  JustusJoker, Banana Republic (@JustusJoker) March 7, 2021

Another Twitter user reminded Heqing that the hijab is very much part of "our Islamic values" and that ridiculing the same while holding a key position in Pakistan is shocking. "We condemn it and demanding you to delete this tweet," the user added.

Mr. @zhang_heqing hijab is very much part of our islamic values , ridiculing while holding a key position in Pakistan is shocking. We condemn it & demaning u to delete this tweet. Hope u will respect our vslues.@AnsarAAbbasi@TalatHussain12@MoulanaOfficial  Muhammad Ayaz Raja (@ayaz786raja) March 7, 2021

One user said that Heqing had "crossed the line" and asked the counsellor to apologise.

@zhang_heqing sir know your place. We respect China as a country .But you crossed the Red line with your derogatory tweet towards Muslim women. You should be ashamed of your self & issue an apology for your shameful tweet . I hope @ForeignOfficePk take up this issue  Dr. Khan (@khannn666) March 7, 2021

Realising the sensitivity of the issue, the Chinese embassy deleted the tweet.

Also read: International Women's Day 2021: 40,000 women from Punjab, UP, Haryana to lead farmers' protest in Delhi

Also read: Adidas launches metre-long 'baguette sneakers'; netizens have a field day
By Umit Bektas and Ece Toksabay

YATAGAN, Turkey (Reuters) - Behind Tayyibe Demirel's olive groves in southwest Turkey lies a vast, grey expanse, stripped bare by a coal mine eating into the rolling hillside. On the horizon, heavy smoke billows from three giant chimneys of the power plant by the town of Yatagan.

Determined to save her land and village, Demirel, a 64-year-old grandmother, has singlehandedly taken on the operators extending the mine to feed what is one of Turkey's largest power plants.

Last month, she won a court case against the expansion of the mine towards her village and, armed with information she herself uncovered from an earlier court ruling that said olive groves must be protected, she also won the appeal at the higher court.

Her victory in court halted plans for mine expansion, but Demirel fears her six-acre property is being surrounded.

"All the land around will be dug and plundered, and the olive grove will be stuck in the middle," she said. "I object. I will continue my struggle, and seek my rights. How am I supposed to come to my field? Land here from the sky with a helicopter?"

Campaigners say pollution from the coal mined and burned at Yatagan, 40 km (25 miles) from some of Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean beach resorts, has led to major health and environmental damage.

Five villages have already disappeared as mines serving the Yatagan power station have expanded, and Demirel's village of Turgut is now threatened. Across the province of Mugla 5,000 hectares, the equivalent of nearly 8,000 football fields, has been lost to mining in the last four decades, campaigners say.

Asked about its plans to expand the mine, Yatagan Power Plant told Reuters it has planted more than 1.5 million trees in the region and its operations respect the environment and are carried out under supervision of relevant Turkish ministries.

Limak, operating another plant in the region, told Reuters its production meets 5% of Turkey's power demand, with 1,050 mW installed capacity. The company added that its land purchasing practices were in line with laws and regulations.

Story continues

HEALTH COSTS

Across Turkey, authorities are pushing ahead with plans to more than double coal power capacity. The government says it has to reduce high import dependency for energy that accounts for a fifth of the total value of Turkey's imports and is a significant factor behind years of current account deficits.

The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), a European non-profit organisation measuring the impact of pollution estimates the healthcare costs of coal power generation in Turkey at up to 5.9 billion euros per year.

Deniz Gumusel, environmental activist who co-authored a report on Turkey's coal power for HEAL, said three coal power plants in the region caused the death of 45,000 people in the more than 40 years since the first plant came online, mostly due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

"This is like war, against people and against forests and ecosystems," she said.

But the determination of villagers and women like Demirel means there is still room for optimism, she insisted.

"Women are carrying out an incredible fight against this unjust coal business. They were very successful in stopping or slowing down the progression of the mines."

Looking out from her fields of olives to the open pit mine, Demirel says that a few years earlier the area had been carpeted with tulips, poppies and daisies. "Which is better, a hell pit or nature?" she said.

(Reporting by Umit Bektas and Bulent Usta in Yagatan and Ece Toksabay in Ankara; Editing by Dominic Evans and Raissa Kasolowsky)

Christine Smith QC has been appointed by Health Minister Robin Swann to head up a public inquiry into the work of a Southern Trust urologist.

It follows serious concerns about the clinical practice of Dr Aidan OBrien who retired from the trust last year.

The trust notified the Department of Health of concerns last July, with Mr Swann saying they were "of the gravest concern".

In November, Mr Swann told the Assembly that 1,159 patients records had been reviewed and 271 patients or families had been contacted by the trust.

He said nine cases have so far been identified that meet the threshold for a serious adverse incident (SAI) review, while a further six cases are being reviewed in more detail to establish if those patients had come to harm.

The information came to light after the trust became aware of potential concerns regarding delays in the treatment of surgery patients who were under the care of Dr O'Brien on June 7.

As a result of the potential patient safety concerns, an initial look-back exercise in relation to the consultants work was conducted to ascertain whether there were other areas of potential concern.

Ms Smith has previously acted as senior counsel to the inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse and was also senior counsel for the Department of Finance in the inquiry into the Renewable Heat Scheme.

She is currently senior counsel to the public inquiry into the events leading to the recall of neurology patients by the Belfast Trust.

Mr Swann said he believed a public inquiry was "the best way to ensure that the full extent of the concerns is identified and for the patients and families affected to see that all relevant issues are pursued in a transparent and independent way".

He said that he hoped the inquiry would be fully underway by the summer.

The next step will be to finalise the terms of reference for the inquiry, following engagement with the Assemblys Health Committee and the patients affected by the lookback, and to finalise the members of the inquiry panel," the Health Minister said.

Mr Swann said he believed Ms Smith's "professional expertise and recent involvement with inquiries equips her to chair the Urology Inquiry".

The UUP MLA said she was a "very experienced Queens Counsel with a background in public inquiry work".

He also reiterated the unreserved apology to the patients and their families he issued in November.

I wish to reassure them that I will endeavour to ensure that they obtain appropriate treatment and support and the care that they need," Mr Swann said.
Action on tackling economic inactivity in Belfast's most deprived areas has not progressed in a quarter of a century, it has been claimed.

Alliance councillor Eric Hanvey made the comments during a meeting of Belfast City Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee.

The committee was presented with an update on the key findings of a report into barriers experienced by economically inactive residents within Urban Village areas across the city.

Part of the Executive's Together: Building a United Community (TBUC) strategy, the Urban Villages Initiative is designed to improve good relations and develop areas where there has been a history of deprivation and community tension.

The four Urban Village areas in Belfast are Ardoyne and Greater Ballysillan (North Belfast), Colin (West Belfast), EastSide (East Belfast), and Sandy Row, Donegall Pass and the Markets areas (South Belfast).

Of those individuals who were involved in this research - consisting of 36 one-to-one interviews, 252 questionnaires and 12 focus groups - a third have been out of work for between two and five years and 27% were out of work for more than five years.

Over half of respondents are living with a health condition or disability. Almost 75% of those aged between 19 to 49 reported having no qualifications.

The main barriers to employment identified by respondents include qualifications, confidence and inter-generational economic inactivity.

Two thirds of respondents feel they require skills training and almost two thirds have been unable to fund this.

Not being able to identify referees to provide to prospective employers was also noted.

Some 75% said the potential impact on their benefits, or those of their household, is a challenge to getting and remaining in a job and 87% reported that they do not have family support and encouragement to help them find employment.

More than two thirds described themselves as not being confident in presenting themselves at job interviews and 60% are worried their communication skills would be a barrier in a job environment.

Recommendations from the research include: sharing it with the Department for Communities to explore additional support to address employment barriers, engaging with local communities around opportunities within the digital sector, and continuing with the council-funded Enterprise Pathway programme to help people move into self-employment.

Mr Hanvey said: "Based on 25 years working in this area, essentially I could have come up with the same recommendations and findings 25 years ago.

"What is deeply worrying is that, in a number of areas, my own belief is that in the late 90s and early 2000s we moved forward, but since then we have moved backwards.

"In terms of accessing training, it is becoming increasingly difficult for people who are unemployed to actually get mean ingful training.

"They are pushed into preparation for work courses, job hunting courses - things that don't actually change their employability.

"In terms of the benefits trap, we have done nothing. We haven't really, meaningfully, increased the minimum wage.

"We have done nothing to make work pay to any great extent, certainly not in the last decade and a half."

Mr Hanvey also said there are issues around childcare, care for adults, with availability down and costs up.

"Regarding health and disability, again I would feel strongly that PIPs and other initiatives have made it worse for people with disabilities, not better," he added.

"Any actions which were there previously to help people with disabilities into employment have had their budgets cut significantly."
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Assembly members have supported a call for human rights experts to advise on a legislative bid to repeal an aspect of Northern Irelands recently liberalised abortion laws.

The Private Members Bill in the name of DUP MLA Paul Givan targets a specific provision within the regions abortion regulations that allows late-term terminations in cases of serious non-fatal disabilities.

Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw tabled a motion in the Assembly on Monday seeking to ensure that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission was consulted about the proposed law change.

Ms Bradshaw said it was important to examine how the Bill proposed to balance the issues of disability rights and gender equality.

Expand Close TUV leader Jim Allister criticised Ms Bradshaws motion (Liam McBurney/PA) PA / Facebook

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Under Assembly rules, only two speakers were allowed to address the chamber on the motion  the proposer and one opponent.

TUV leader Jim Allister, who opposed the motion, branded it empty grandstanding, highlighting that it was already established practice to consult the commission on such Bills.

Mr Givan introduced his Bill in the Assembly last month in a short procedural stage that only lasted a few minutes. Substantive debate on the proposal will take place at the second Assembly stage.

Northern Irelands previously restrictive abortion laws were changed by MPs at Westminster in 2019 at a time when the Stormont administration was collapsed.

The laws allow abortion in all circumstances up to 12 weeks. Terminations are permitted up to 24 weeks when there is a risk to the womans physical or mental health.

It is a request for clarity on the best way to ensure that disability rights and gender equality are created and advanced in legislation and public policy as part of the same internationally recognised human rights standards Paula Bradshaw

There is no time limit in cases of fatal foetal abnormality or when there has been a diagnosis of a serious physical or mental impairment that would cause a serious disability.

Abortions post 24 weeks in those circumstances are extremely rare.

Mr Givans move is being backed by disability rights campaign group Dont Screen Us Out, which claims the law is discriminatory and will allow abortions without time limit for conditions such as Downs syndrome or cleft palate.

Ms Bradshaw insisted her motion was not a commentary on the purpose of Mr Givans proposal.

This motion is not a commentary on the intention of the Bill, which provides for a welcomed discussion on how best to ensure the ongoing support for women to take babies to term if available, as well as around the urgent need to stop the perpetuation of stigma around conditions such as Downs syndrome, she said.

Rather, it is a request for clarity on the best way to ensure that disability rights and gender equality are created and advanced in legislation and public policy as part of the same internationally recognised human rights standards.

Expand Close DUP MLA Paul Givan has tabled the Private Members Bill (Niall Carson/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp DUP MLA Paul Givan has tabled the Private Members Bill (Niall Carson/PA)

Mr Allister claimed it was ironic that Ms Bradshaw invoked the issue of human rights for a Bill related to abortion.

There is such a compelling irony in someone rising in his House to invoke the cause of human rights in order to protect the bringing of death to the womb, he said.

The TUV leader said the motion would make no difference to how the Bill would proceed.

Every Bill that comes to this House, particularly one of this nature, as of right and of necessity, will go to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for their views as a consultee, he said.

So here we have a motion, demanding that something that will inevitably have to happen anyway should be done. It really is such empty grandstanding to bring a motion such as this.

The motion passed by way of an oral vote without the need to proceed to a formal division in the Assembly.
Mumbai, March 8 : Soon after the Centre took over the case of the SUV with 20 gelatin stick found near the home business tycoon Mukesh Ambani from the Maharashtra ATS, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray described the development as "something fishy".

"There is something fishy and hence the case has been taken over by the NIA. We will ensure that whatever is fishy is exposed," Thackeray said.

In an abrupt move, the Ministry of Home Affairs has asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the probe, barely after state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh informed the Maharashtra Legislature on the status of the cases pertaining to the abandoned SUV and the murder of its owner Mansukh Hiren, which were handed over to the Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS).

While Thackeray hit back by assuring a full-fledged probe into the alleged suicide of Dadra & Nagar Haveli MP Manoj Delkar in Mumbai last month, Deshmukh said the state will continue the probe into Hiren's case.

The CM added that it's clear that the opposition BJP does not have faith in the "government machinery", as governments may come and go, but the administrative set-up remains the same and one must "trust it".

In an apparent retaliatory move, he said the Maharashtra Police will conduct a detailed probe into the death of seven-time Lok Sabha MP Delkar on February 22, and "punish the guilty".

"An Union Territory is governed by the Centre. I wonder why the opposition (BJP) is quiet on the issue of a seven-time MP ending his life. There are names in his suicide note and Delkar's family has faith in the MVA government for a fair probe. We will take the case to its logical end," Thackeray declared.

Barely 48 hours after Hiren's body was fished out of the Thane Creek wetlands near Mumbra town on March 5, the state government had asked the ATS to take over the case from the Thane Police.

The ATS was in the process of re-registering an FIR with murder charges against some unknown persons and probe even the case of the abandoned SUV outside Antilia on February 25, its ownership, the gelatin sticks and purported threat letter found in it, resulting in a furore in corporate and political circles.
The Duchess of Sussex has told Oprah Winfrey that the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry ahead of her wedding, after stories suggested that it was Meghan who had made Kate cry.

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PSL Ventures has raised a $100m fund targeting the increasingly powerful and diverse ecosystem of the US Pacific Northwest.

The firm, which operates as a startup lab as well as a venture capital investor, targets seed and pre-seed investments in the region.

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PSL said that about 15% of all tech companies that received early-stage venture capital funding in Washington State over the past year were co-founded by the firm.

B2B companies comprise two-thirds of the firms current portfolio, and consumer companies comprise one-third, with a smattering of fintech, sustainability, and digital health companies serving both businesses and consumers.

PSL said that one out of every three companies it has helped build is female-founded (in most of those cases, its the CEO who identifies as female), and one out of eight are BIPOC-founded.

The firm operates an incredibly proactive model, having invested in 70% of its portfolio companies within two months of their incorporation  in many cases before an entrepreneur even has a pitch deck.

A statement from the firm detailing the fund close said, In our experiences as founders and investors, we are so often there before the company story even begins.

We find that earliest of stages incredibly exhilarating, and it also happens to be the kind of investing and company-building were good at.

Recent deals from the firm include backing a $5.4m seed round for data pipeline specialist Iteratively.

The round was led by Googles Gradient Ventures fund, and also included backing from Fika Ventures.

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SOUTHINGTON  A Utah man was driving under the influence when he went the wrong way on a Connecticut highway and hit and dragged a state trooper, according to police.

Michael Newman, 35, of Salt Lake City, was charged with reckless driving, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, driving the wrong way on a divided highway, first-degree criminal mischief, assault on a public safety officer and first-degree reckless endangerment.

Around 2:10 a.m. Saturday, Connecticut State Police troopers were dispatched to the area of Interstate 84 west in the area of Exit 32 for a report that a wrong-way driver had gone off the roadway, according to a state police report.

Troopers and Southington officers shut down the highway.

As troopers arrived, they found the driver  later identified as Newman  driving in circles on I-84, state police said. When Newman stopped, he was facing the wrong way, the report said.

Once he was stopped, a trooper tried to get Newman out of the car. State police said instead Newman drove off, dragging the trooper. State police said the trooper was not injured.

The troopers tried to box Newmans car in. State police said Newman intentionally hit one of the cruisers before he crossed to the eastbound lanes, then back over to westbound, in an attempt to escape arrest.

When Newman was stopped at another point, state police said the use of a Taser was attempted, but didnt make contact.

Newman was eventually stopped just east of the Exit 32 on-ramp and was taken into custody. State police said his vehicle sustained disabling front-end damage.

Newman, described by police as combative, was taken to the state police barracks to be processed on the charges.
The Egyptian parliament recently commended the Ministry of Education on approving a new school subject: common values. The course examines religious values and verses that have the same meaning in the three Abrahamic religions  Judaism, Christianity and Islam  in a move that will allow Egyptian students to study verses from the Jewish religion for the first time ever.

Kamal Amer, the head of the parliamentary defense and national security committee, said in parliament Feb. 26, The Ministry of Educations approval of the subject of religious values shared between the divine religions expresses the states keenness to spread the values of tolerance and fraternity.

The three religions include common values that students must study to be able to confront the extremist and takfirist ideas that backward groups are working to spread in society, Amer said, adding, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is keen to teach the youth the values of respect for others, tolerance and rejection of fanaticism and extremism. This is why the Ministry of Education decided to teach the subject of common values in schools.

On Feb. 14, the Ministry of Education approved the parliaments proposal on the subject of common values between all the Abrahamic religions and the principles of tolerance, citizenship and coexistence.

Deputy Minister of Education Reda Hegazy said during his Feb. 14 meeting with the defense and national security committee, Due to its importance, the subject will be factored into students' GPA, even though religious classes are not counted.

Farid el-Bayadi, a member of the defense and national security committee and author of the proposal, also called for the removal of Islamic religious texts from a number of subjects such as Arabic.

He told parliament on Feb. 14, Including religious texts in subjects such as Arabic, history and geography is too dangerous.

Teaching religious texts through subjects not related to religion leads teachers to interpret such texts in extremist and subversive ways and studies have established a link between this issue and the spread of extremist ideas, he added.

Rumors circulated on social media about the removal of Quranic verses from school curricula, prompting the Ministry of Education to issue a statement Feb. 19 saying there was no such plan.

These are only rumors aimed at spreading speculation about the states commitment and interest in religion, given its importance in educating the youth, the statement said.

The ministry stressed, The teaching of Quranic verses and hadiths in educational curricula entrenches moral values such as tolerance, cooperation and moderation.

In 2015, the Ministry of Education worked to remove texts and subjects that lead to extremism and incite violence, removing from the Arabic language curriculum texts about Salah al-Din and Uqba ibn Nafi, which made reference to fighting, guerrilla warfare, the expulsion of Christian Crusaders from Egypt and burning enemies alive. The state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper also published a report about an Arabic language lesson for grade three that promoted the ideas of the Islamic State and burning animals alive in a jihadist analogy.

In 2015, the Ministry of Education formed a committee to review religious educational materials and submit passages of violence, extremism and intolerance to the Ministry of Endowments and Al-Azhar.

Bayadi told Al-Monitor, The decision to teach this subject in schools will play an important role in spreading principles and values that stand against extremism and hatred.

He explained, Teaching students texts that carry common values from the three Abrahamic religions is essential in terms of strengthening the principles of humanity. The crisis lies in extremist interpretations of texts that may lead to intolerance and hatred.

Asked about his ideas to promote the principles of citizenship and tolerance in school curricula, Bayadi said, In addition to teaching interfaith shared values in schools through this subject, students should undertake voluntary services and activities to serve the community, as this would promote the principle of coexistence.

He added, The current religious curricula must be developed so that their goals promote the fight against intolerance and extremism.

Journalist Kamal Zakher told Al-Monitor, The decision to teach the subject of common values cannot alone confront extremism because Egyptian society is riddled with extremism and intolerance.

Zakher went on, The extremist society surrounding students has a bigger detrimental effect than a mere school subject. Therefore, it is imperative to choose appropriate teachers for the subject of common values because most of the time the task of teaching religious subjects is assigned to teachers who are not qualified to do so. Some of them are extremists and use the platform to convey their ideas to students.

It is important for students to study religious texts from all Abrahamic religions in order for them to grow more tolerant, but the problem lies in backward currents that attack the teaching of any religion different to theirs, he concluded.
Magnis Energy Technologies Ltd (ASX:MNS) is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and aims to become a leading global producer of next-generation green credentialed Lithium-Ion Battery (LIB) cells.

Magnis Energy Technologies hires battery experts to lead production at NY battery plant

Magnis Energy Technologies Ltd (ASX:MNS) (OTCMKTS:URNXF) has appointed a new leadership team at Imperium3 New York (iM3NY) as a part of the company's strategy to start production at the lithium-ion battery plant in New York.

The team assembled brings a wealth of experience in manufacturing, development, sales and marketing along with day-to-day operations in the lithium-ion battery industry.

Magnis also confirmed that the iM3NY Lithium-ion battery plant is on track to begin production in late 2021.



The team

Magnis has appointed Chaitanya Sharma, an engineer with more than 15 years' experience in the lithium-ion battery industry as the new CEO of iM3NY.

He was the first engineer at Tesla's gigafactory in Nevanda.

Magnis has also appointed Bill Shannon, who had earlier worked as former vice president at Duracell USA, as the new chief operating officer.

His experience in the industry totals more than 20 years, made up primarily of his time at H&T Corporation where he contributed to the start-up of four factories around the world.

Similarly, Mike Driscoll, who has more than five decades of experience in the technology industry, will be appointed as the chief financial officer.

The company also appointed Priyadarshi Panda, a chemical engineer with nearly 15 years of experience, as the vice president of engineering.

Panda is an expert in the installation of tools, running them through the commissioning process and optimising their throughput and performance efficiency.

Moreover, the company has appointed Paul Stratton as senior vice president of sales and marketing, and Brandon Jordan-Thaden as senior director of engineering.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) speaks in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 2, 2021. (Graeme Jennings/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Cruz Puts Hold on CIA Nominee to Pressure Biden Over Nord Stream 2

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has placed a hold on President Joe Bidens CIA director nominee William Burns, a move he hopes will pressure the Biden administration to put tough sanctions on Russias Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project.

Ill release my hold when the Biden admin meets its legal obligation to report and sanction the ships and companies building Putins pipeline. Follow the law. Stop being soft on Russia. #NordStream2, Cruz said on Twitter on March 5.

The move will temporarily delay the floor vote to confirm Burns, a former ambassador to Russia, as the Republican seeks to pressure the Biden administration to sanction ships and companies helping Russias state energy company Gazprom build the $11 billion pipeline to take gas under the Baltic Sea to Europe via Germany.

The Trump administration imposed sanctions on any companies helping Gazprom to lay pipeline, insure vessels, or verify equipment.

Former President Donald Trump opposed the project on the grounds that it would strengthen Russian President Vladimir Putins economic and political influence over Europe. Poland has been one of the fiercest critics of the pipeline, which would sharply reduce central and Eastern European countries bargaining power in case of a supply dispute with Russia, which has in the past cut deliveries of the fuel to Ukraine and parts of Europe in winter during pricing disputes.

Many EU officials in Brussels have also expressed opposition to the project, hoping to reduce the blocs energy dependence on Russia.

President Joe Biden has also opposed the project, which would bypass Ukraine and deprive it of lucrative transit fees, since he was vice president under former President Barack Obama. The White House said in January that the president believes the pipeline is a bad deal for Europe.

The pipeline, which is more than 90 percent complete, would double the capacity of the existing Nord Stream duct to deliver gas from Russia to Europe via Germany under the Baltic Sea. Its expected to be completed by this year.

A Feb. 19 report released by the State Department didnt outline any new sanctions on Russia, which has prompted pushback from lawmakers. Responding to the report, Cruz said that it was startling to see the Biden administration begin by handing Putin a victory he has been building towards for over a decade.

The State Department is scheduled to submit a second report on the pipeline project to Congress on May 16, which could contain more sanctions, although spokesman Ned Price has said sanctions are only one of many tools that can be used.

Burns has been confirmed by the Senate for five previous jobs over 33 years and is expected to eventually be approved by the full Senate.

Tom Ozimek and Reuters contributed to this report.
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The New South Wales Education Department said last week said it would trial a program to hand out free pads and tampons in schools. Department secretary Mark Scott said: "We are developing work on a pilot program around this and details will be emerging on that shortly."

In a recent Australian study, more than one-third of young women said they missed at least one class, either at school or university, in the past three months due to menstrual symptoms, including pain and fatigue.

Despite the fact menstruation can have a significant effect on around 50% of a school's population, access to period products (such as pads and tampons) is not yet universal. Not even in Australia.

Young women are missing school because of this. This affects their mental health as well as their ability to participate fully in life.

Missing out on education

Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, toilets, hand-washing facilities and waste management.

It's a a problem that has a greater impact on women who are already marginalized. Many young women in remote Indigenous Australian communities are not attending school for several days each month during menstruation.

Research suggests this is due to the high costs of feminine hygiene products, embarrassment and overcrowded bathroom facilities.

While typically thought of as only physiological, periods and menstrual cycles are tied to psychological health. A lack of sanitary products can bring about feelings of profound shame and embarrassment.

Having poor access to sanitary products can affect your mental health too. Credit: Shutterstock

Period poverty in developed countries is associated with a lower quality of life, poor self-esteem and mental-health issues.

While there is no Australia data on how many women are affected, a sample of college women in the United States found 14.2% experienced period poverty in the past year. An additional 10% experienced it every month.

Worryingly, nearly half of the respondents experiencing period poverty reported symptoms consistent with moderate to severe depression.

And having poor access to sanitation products during adolescence has long-term mental health effects throughout a woman's life.

Seeing red: outrage about periods

Research has found stigma and taboo about menstruation continue to be a problem. Many girls feel embarrassed to talk about it or ask for help.

Menstruation is frequently framed as troublesome, compared to the "exciting and powerful" bodily changes male teenagers go through when students are taught about them in sex education.

Society's repulsion towards menstruation can be seen in ads for menstrual products that, until only recently, did not show blood. And when they did, it was met with considerable social outrage.

However, attitudes are starting to shift.

Blood Normal - Love Libra.

Since 2015, Australian charity Share the Dignity has been working to reduce the impact of period poverty by installing vending machines that dispense free period products in schools, homeless shelters and other locations.

In 2019, Australia removed the GST on period products. And this year Isobel Marshall was named the 2021 Young Australian of the Year in recognition of her work to fight menstrual stigma and period poverty.

But there's more we can do.

Free period products in schools

Scotland was the first country in the world to make period products free to everyone who needed them in 2020.

New Zealand has announced the rollout of free period products in schools nationwide from June this year.

Victoria has installed dispensing machines for period products in every government school. And South Australia recently announced it would provide free sanitary products to all female students in year 5 and above.

South Australian Education Minister John Gardner has said: "We want to ensure that no girl or young woman in South Australia is missing school because they don't have access to sanitary products."

This International Women's Day it's time to rethink menstrual education in schools to destigmatise periods, encourage young women to seek help, and put access to period products for all Australians on the agenda.

Explore further New Zealand to issue free period products in schools

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

A Derry man facing numerous charges related to drugs supply who allegedly told police he imported heroin from Dublin has been granted bail.

The defendant was previously granted anonymity because of a paramilitary threat against those charged with drug-related offences in the city.

His charges include possession of Class B and C drugs, importing Class A drug heroin and being concerned in the supply of Class C drugs.

Alleged offences date from April  November, 2020, according to his charge sheets.

A Public Prosecution Service (PPS) representative said the defendant has pleaded guilty to a number of charges.

Police objected to bail due to the risk of reoffending and said he has a relevant record in relation to drugs supply.

The court was told the defendant has no regard for court orders.

A police officer said the accused has been involved in the supply of drugs and is also addicted to drugs.

The bulk of offences date back to June when the defendants nephew was arrested, she said.

A police officer said the defendant then contacted a police switchboard and requested to speak to the investigating officer.

While on the phone, she said, the accused said he was the right hand man and had travelled to Dublin where he obtained half bars and ounces of heroin.

That conversation has been captured as evidence.

Later the same month police seized Xanax from the defendant.

When granted bail and prohibited from having a mobile phone he was found with a device and admitted to being a middle man who was selling all types of drugs to addicts, the court was told.

A police officer said that at a later date he was found with pregabalin, diazepam and a wrap of heroin at which time he said, I forgot I had gear on me.

In October of last year he was granted High Court bail then found in possession of Class C drugs.

He was granted bail again but returned to court in November after it was found that he had not been complying with a court order to attend Woodlea House.

Defence barrister Sean Doherty said his client has been in custody for approximately three and a half months.

He said an enhanced combination order was recently imposed for a separate case at Crown Court and the judge was aware of drugs supply cases moving through the courts.

Defence counsel said theres no doubt hes an addict and he has come close to losing his life due to accidental overdoses.

He comes from a family with addiction issues, he added. His father lost his life due to alcohol issues.

His brother died from a drug related overdose in 2019.

The mother of his children died of a drugs overdose in 2020 and he couldnt attend the funeral because he was incarcerated.

The court heard that the death of the woman last year brought into sharp focus his responsibility for the children.

The defendants daughter is being looked after by his mother and his son is in the care of the Western Trust.

He is now enrolled on a Subutex programme to treat his opioid addiction and Mr Doherty asked for him to be released to attend Woodlea House.

Deputy District Judge McStay said the defendants record is extremely poor and the Crown Court Recorder would have considered all matters when imposing a probation order.

The judge was satisfied that support mechanisms are in place and there is pressure on the defendant in terms of the need to have contact with his children.

Bail was granted with strict conditions including a curfew of 10pm-7am, an electronic tag, a ban on alcohol and drugs, and he was ordered to attend with his GP within 72 hours of release.

He must also attend a Subutex programme and Woodlea House for treatment.
Hundreds of people dressed in blue jackets with the letter MNA written on the back held signs supporting the nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital and shaming Tenet Healthcare, the facilitys parent company, Monday morning.

With winter hats, hand warmers, masks, and many layers, nurses in the Massachusetts Nurses Association at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester began an open-ended strike at 6 a.m.

The signs called for more staffing, improving COVID-19 safety and called out the hospitals CEO Carolyn Jackson. Built on a business decision through 19 months of negotiations with Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, the reality of the moment struck many Monday morning, as nurses described tears filling in their eyes as they exited their last shift before picketing.

Everything all combined together. Just the struggle were having, said Johannah Delaurie, a nurse at Saint Vincent Hospital said. Its just because weve been here for so long and were like a family. We are all like a family. Were very emotionally attached to our jobs and we love what we do.

On Feb. 23, 800 nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital delivered a 10-day notice of their intention to strike. The hospital said it has implemented fully trained registered nurses who are providing care to patients amid the strike.

Quality is the cornerstone of everything we do here at Saint Vincent, and our community can be assured that we have taken the appropriate steps to ensure we will be able to remain focused on providing exceptional, safe, quality care to our patients despite the strike action being taken by the MNA, Jackson said in a statement on Monday. While we still remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement with the MNA for a new contract that is fair and beneficial to both parties, we wont let anything distract us from our primary mission of doing what is best for our patients.

Katie Murphy, the president of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, stood outside with other MNA members. She and dozens of others arrived at the hospital at about 530 a.m. to greet the nurses that left at 6 a.m. on Monday.

She said without the nurses picketing outside, care at the hospital would drop.

Its so distressing to leave our patients because we know our patients and were qualified, Murphy said. These are scabs that are taking care of the patients or administrators who havent done patient care in years. We do believe that is a lower quality care.

In picketing outside the hospital Monday morning, nurses gave up a salary and health benefits to demonstrate. Like Jackson, they hoped a settlement could be reached soon.

Nobody wants to be out here, registered nurse Ashley Watter said. This is a damn hassle for us. Wed rather be working. Today is my day to work and Id much rather be in that building than out here. This is hard.

Complaints from nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital date back to last February when more than 70% signed a petition calling for safer staffing levels.

A month later, more than 200 nurses attended a negotiation session with management to provide information about the staffing levels.

Last May, after furloughs were implemented, nurses filed a vote of no confidence in Jackson and her management team.

In December, more than 400 nurses participated in an information picket to protest the same conditions. In January, nurses picketed outside the hospital as part of an informational demonstration.

The picket on Monday signified a strike that removed 800 nurses from the hospital. Picketing will continue from 6 a.m. to midnight throughout the open-ended strike.

Hospital staff and nurses from UMass Memorial Healthcare - the citys other hospital - stood outside with Saint Vincents nurses.

The local teamster union stood in solidarity on the sidewalk and countless horns echoed on Summer Street.

Its great. Its good to have that community support, Watter said. Nobody wants to be out here.

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When officers arrived at the crash scene, the driver could already be seen lying on the ground, with Surbrook shouting at the police dog, a German shepherd named Knox, to subdue him. The man can be heard in the video pleading with Surbrook to pull Knox off him as the dog puts him in a hold and appears to bite him several times.
BEATTYVILLE, Ky. (AP)  Gov. Andy Beshear reiterated his promise to seek federal disaster relief on Friday while touring several flooded counties in Eastern Kentucky, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.

What I saw was the worst flash-flooding that Ive seen in my lifetime, Beshear said after touching down in Beattyville in a National Guard helicopter to talk with local officials.

Beshear spoke at a community center there piled with donated good, clothing and cleaning supplies. He estimated that 200 homes were affected in Lee and Breathitt counties but said it could take weeks to get a full assessment of the damage.

Beshear went to Western Kentucky earlier in the week, but Friday was his first flight over the areas of Eastern Kentucky hit by the worst flooding in decades.

Beshear and Michael Dossett, head of Kentucky Emergency Management, said the state will request public assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help cities, counties and the state deal with damage to roads and other infrastructure. They will also seek individual assistance to homeowners. The individual assistance is more difficult to get approved, but if the state qualifies, homeowners with damage could get up to $35,000 from FEMA, Dossett said.

The initial focus of the damage assessment will be on eight of the hardest hit counties  Estill, Lee, Owsley, Breathitt, Powell, Jackson, Clay and Johnson. Officials urged people to document the damage to their homes and businesses to aid that process.

A total of 71 cities or counties in Kentucky made local disaster declarations in addition to the state declaration, Dossett said.

In Clay County, where flooding broke waterlines, some people were still without service on Friday, Emergency Manager David Watson said.

Breathitt County Emergency Management Director Chris Friley said a damaged dam there is estimated to need $10 million in repairs.

Beshear said FEMA officials will arrive Monday. They were initially coming to assess damage from the February ice and snow storms that wrecked electric lines and left tens of thousands of people without power, causing $30 million in damage to the electric infrastructure.

Some counties were still clearing away downed trees from the ice storm when the flood hit.

It has been a tough year, Beshear said.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
University College Dublin: Associate Professor Catherine Cox has been named winner of the UCD 2020 Research Impact Case Study Competition. Her case study, entitled 'Out of sight, out of mind: changing public perceptions of the mental health crisis in Irish prisons,' details the significant impact of her project exploring the history of prisoner health.

The five-year project is funded by a Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator Award and led by co-Principal Investigators Associate Professor Cox and Professor Hilary Marland from University of Warwick. The research identified long-standing neglect of people with mental illness in Irish prisons.

Working with partners in the arts sector, she co-devised a series of events that communicated these challenging histories, changing perceptions of prisoners' right to psychiatric services and contributing to the wellbeing of prisoners and ex-offenders.

Associate Professor Cox is director of UCD Centre for the History of Medicine in Ireland, a senior member of faculty at UCD School of History and leads theHealth Medicine and Wellbeingresearch theme in UCD College of Arts and Humanities.

She said:

Leading and working on the Wellcome Trust Award 'Prisoners, Medical Care and Entitlement to Health in England and Ireland, 1850-2000' was hugely rewarding. The team at UCD School of History collaborated with brilliant artists, dedicated advocates and imprisoned people to communicate with large audiences about an important but neglected issue, mental health in the criminal justice system. In doing so, we co-created artistic works and exhibitions that were marked by excellence and innovation. Importantly for me, a historian, we put the history of these issues in conversation with our present. I am delighted the achievements that emerged from these collaborations have been recognised by a UCD Research Impact Case Study Award."

The annual UCD Research Impact Case Study Competition encourages researchers, of all disciplines, to write a case study that tells the story of how their work has made a positive difference.

Despite the challenges of the year, UCD Research received more entries than ever before in 2020. Commenting on the results, Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact Professor Orla Feely said: "The volume of entries we received last year is a testament to the high-impact work going on across the university and to our researchers' dedication to making meaningful contributions to the world. Research at UCD continues to improve health and wellbeing, protect the environment, influence policy, stimulate economic growth, enrich people's lives, and inspire the next generation."

There were nine runners-up in the 2020 UCD Impact Case Study Competiton:

Diabetes Complications Research Centre (UCD DCRC)

Addressing the stigma faced by people living with obesity

Associate Professor Ainhoa Gonzalez

Planning for sustainability through Environmental Sensitivity Mapping

Assistant Professor Jennifer Keenahan

Protecting the built environment from the effects of wind

Associate Professor Marie Keenan

Reimagining justice and healing after sexual violence

Professor Fionnuala McAuliffe

Right technology, right time: how the PEARs app is improving pregnancy outcomes

Professor Cal Muckley, Dr Gaurav Kumar, Linh Pham and Darragh Ryan

Protecting older adults against financial exploitation

Dr Kevin Nolan

Reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission in hospitals

Associate Professor Francesco Pilla

iSCAPE: improving the smart control of air pollution in Europe

Dr Heidi Riley

Promoting women in peace mediation across the island of Ireland

Professor Feely added: "I would like to personally congratulate our finalists and to thank them, not only for their hard work on these case studies, but for their commitment to ensuring people benefit from their research.

" I encourage all researchers to consider entering this year's competition when it launches this spring."
The American Medical Association, which owns and publishes JAMA but has no editorial control over its content, tweeted Thursday that the podcast was wrong, false and harmful. The associations CEO, Dr. James Madara, said in a statement that structural racism in health care and our society exists and it is incumbent on all of us to fix it.
In the coming days the Junta de Andalucia will present a new package of direct aid aimed at small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) and the self-employed in the hospitality and commerce sectors to minimise the effects of closure or reduction of activity measures that have been imposed to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

This was announced in Malaga on Sunday, 7 March, by the Andalusian president, Juanma Moreno, who, although he did not specify the amount of this plan, emphasised that it will be "the largest that any autonomous region has put on the table" to date.

Moreno explained that to implement the plan the Junta has done an exercise in "accounting audacity" because "it does not have magic wands. Money does not grow on trees, we have limited resources and every time we put money into something we have to take it away from other things.

He predicted that in about eight or ten days this aid package could be presented, which is currently being negotiated with unions and employers.

Moreno was speaking at the provincial congress of the Partido Popular in Malaga, and he admitted that no matter how broad this package of measures is, it will not solve the problem of the tens of thousands of people who have been "overwhelmed" by the economic effects of the coronavirus, but he trusted that it will be "some oxygen to help endure this situation".

The regional government head also called on the central government of Pedro Sanchez to work in coordination with the Junta de Andalucia and to contribute "at least" the same resources as the region for the aid. If we put in a hundred, let him put in a hundred; if we put in 300 he should put in 300. We must do it together," he reiterated.
Learning Santa Fe is a bimonthly column by a variety of community voices about the state of our schools and education in general. Carmen Gonzales is a member of the Santa Fe Public Schools Board of Education. Michele Behar Reich is a youth services librarian for the Santa Fe Public Library and chairwoman of the The Reading Group.
FILE PHOTO: Augusta street is pictured during partial lockdown as part of state of emergency to combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Lisbon

By Victoria Waldersee

LISBON (Reuters) - The COVID-19 pandemic has achieved what many mayors across Europe have tried and failed to do: wipe out tens of thousands of Airbnbs from city centres and so help lower rental costs for locals, in some places by as much as 15%.

While Europe's cities have long welcomed tourists, critics say the surge of properties listed on short-lettings site Airbnb in recent years had priced many locals out of their own housing markets, turning historic neighbourhoods into soulless spaces.

Property management companies and landlords contacted by Reuters in cities including Lisbon, Barcelona, Prague, and Venice said the collapse of tourism in the pandemic meant some hosts had now replaced holidaymakers with mid- to long-term tenants, moved in themselves, or given up properties altogether.

Data from holiday rental analytics firm AirDNA showed the number of Airbnb listings with at least one night booked or available in the past month in Europe's 50 largest cities plunged 21.9% year-on-year in 2020.

Airbnb says it has adapted to changing travel patterns, with people heading to smaller towns and cities rather than tourist hotspots. "We had more listings in France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the Czech Republic combined at the end of 2020 than the end of 2019," spokesperson Andreu Castellano told Reuters.

While some hosts in major European city destinations plan to return to Airbnb when tourists come back, others have left the holiday-let business for good.

"If tourism had come back faster, maybe I wouldn't have taken this decision. But I can't go another year without a clear sense of when money is coming in," said Vanessa Rola, 40, who was renting four apartments in Lisbon's Graca district on travel platforms including Airbnb. Without tourists, she couldn't pay her own rent, and is in the process of ending her contracts.

In Venice, where AirDNA data showed year-on-year bookings for Airbnb and rival Vrbo combined were down 67% in January, residents' activists are urging the government to seize the opportunity to help locals by, for example, capping rental days and converting empty space into low-cost housing.

Story continues

"Before the pandemic, renting in Venice had become almost impossible for normal people," Marco Gasparinetti from residents' rights group Gruppo 25 Aprile told Reuters, blaming short-term lets for pushing up prices. The city of just 60,000 residents is normally visited by 20 million tourists a year.

"There are 30,000 people who commute to Venice every day but can't afford to live here. Now that could change and help make sure Venice is not just an open-air theme park for tourists."

Graphic: Sliding market - https://graphics.reuters.com/AIRBNB-EUROPE/CITIES/azgpoeoaepd/airbnb-reservations.jpg

DISAPPEARING LISTINGS

Last month, Airbnb reported better-than-expected bookings in its first earnings release since going public, buoyed by countryside getaways and a rebound in demand in North America. Business was weakest in Europe, the Middle East and Africa amid COVID-19 lockdowns and travel curbs.

For years, European mayors have struggled to rein in the proliferation of vacation properties in city centres, lacking the data to enforce limits on rental days or the number of properties in a building used for holiday lets.

Airbnb, Expedia, Tripadvisor and Booking.com agreed last March to share data with the European Union's statistics agency on the number of nights and guests booked, and 2020 figures are expected in the second half of this year, Eurostat said.

Last September, 22 mayors wrote to EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager urging her to extend data-sharing to city administrations, so they could "secure the liveability of our neighbourhoods."

"As tourism returns, we must make it sustainable - creating a model that isn't prohibitive to holiday lets but does have limits which ensure this is a city you can visit, but also where you can live and work," Ricardo Valente, a councillor in Porto - one of the signatory cities - told Reuters.

But COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions on cross-border travel are doing the job for some city authorities  at least for now.

Graphic: Airbnb available listings - https://graphics.reuters.com/AIRBNB-EUROPE/CITIES/xlbvgdkjapq/airbnb-listings.jpg

In Lisbon, which saw huge growth in Airbnbs in the historic centre, around 5,000 of the city's roughly 25,000 listings have disappeared from the website during the pandemic, according to website Inside Airbnb.

Rental prices fell by 15% between March and December 2020, according to real estate database Confidencial Imobiliario, attributed largely to the sudden availability of thousands of former holiday lets.

In Prague, Airbnb listings tumbled from just over 14,500 to less than 8,000, according to Inside Airbnb. Rents have fallen by around 8%, real estate developer Trigema reported.

"I was losing $20,000 a month, and regulation was making things very complicated," said Ondrej, a landlord in Prague who has sold his two Airbnb flats and given up the three he was renting to sublet.

"The Airbnb boom is over."

Airbnb, however, says it has proved resilient amid shifting demand. "Guests are getting out of city centres and booking whole homes," Castellano said. "The Airbnb platform inherently adapts to where demand is ... we adapt to guests' needs."

GONE FOR GOOD?

Not everyone in city centres is giving up. Data from Portugal shows that while thousands of properties have fallen off Airbnb, just 114 have given up their holiday-let licence  a coveted asset in the city's historic districts, where the local council prohibited new licences from being issued in 2019.

Programmes attempting to lure Airbnb owners onto the social housing market through tax incentives and the promise of a five-year contract have so far seen slow uptake: just 34 properties in Lisbon and 12 in Porto, the city councils said.

Instead, some landlords are using local letting websites or their own direct booking channels to find longer-term tenants.

Airbnb released three videos last month entitled "Made Possible By Hosts", widely seen as an attempt to woo back those who had left the platform.

But for some, the wait is unaffordable. AirDNA data showed forward bookings in Rome, Lisbon and Budapest were 85-90% below last year's levels at the end of March. By contrast, bookings across U.S. holiday rental platforms were just 2% below last year, their data showed.

Eduardo Miranda, head of Portugal's holiday let association, expects around 15% of Airbnbs to stay off the market in Lisbon for good, even when tourism returns.

"This is going to be another year of sacrifice," Miranda said. "The best of this summer will be lost. And if the summer is lost, the year is lost. Those who stay in the business will be the ones who really care."

(Reporting by Victoria Waldersee in Lisbon. Additional reporting by Silvia Aloisi in Milan, Michael Kahn and Jan Lopatka in Prague, Joan Faus in Barcelona. Graphics by Michael Ovaska. Editing by Mark Potter)
Kanpur : , March 8 (IANS) A rape accused, who was brutally thrashed after being caught by the villagers in Sachendi area, has succumbed to injuries.

The accused, Subodh Bajpayee, had allegedly raped a woman when she had gone to nearby fields on Saturday. He was handed over to the police and lodged at a temporary jail in Chaubeypur where he died on Sunday.

The body has been sent for post mortem examination.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Brijesh Kumar Srivastava said, "The autopsy will establish whether the accused died of internal injuries due to severe beating or not." The SP said both the woman and the accused were residents of the same village.

"The woman had gone to the nearby fields when Subodh allegedly waylaid her and raped her. The woman returned home and narrated the ordeal to her family members after which an FIR was lodged at the Sachendi police station.

Meanwhile, the villagers continued their hunt for the accused. On Saturday, they caught hold of him and handed him to the local police after beating him black and blue," he said.

"We have launched an investigation to ascertain the actual cause of Subodh's death," the SP said.

The family of the accused has demanded a fair probe into the incident.
The honeymoon is over for President Joe Biden and Senate Democrats, whose unified front was thrown into doubt during the final stages of negotiations ahead of Saturday's vote to pass the White House's $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill.

The party's fragile internal peace, which Biden and his team have tended to with great care since he won the Democratic nomination last year, suffered a double blow over the past 24 hours, as moderates clashed with progressives on the Senate floor, placing the White House's big-ticket "American Rescue Plan" in legislative limbo on the eve of its eventual passage.

Though the bill still succeeded on a party-line vote, and now heads back to the House Tuesday for a final vote before Biden signs it into law, its shape and scope remained an open question overnight. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, voted for a Republican amendment that would have pared back jobless benefits further than what Democrats believed, earlier Friday, had been a compromise with support throughout their ranks. Manchin eventually signed onto both parties' amendments, a weird if ultimately meaningless bipartisan stroke that was wiped off the books when the Democratic majority's version won out.

Manchin's eleventh hour deliberations and an earlier vote on a separate amendment, proposed by independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour -- which was, as expected, rejected -- set off a firestorm among progressive groups and their allies. The clashes underscored abiding divisions within the party, exposed the fragility of its narrow Senate majority and foreshadowed more visceral fights to come, like the brewing clash over a comprehensive new voting rights and election integrity bill passed this week in the House -- the kind of legislation that will require all 50 Senate Democrats to get on board along with ten Republicans.

Conflicts between the party establishment and its progressive wing have been overshadowed by Trump-era Republicans' civil war of late, giving the White House space to promote a relief bill that, even where it falls short of most liberals' hopes, includes a range of ambitious items championed by the left.

When a provision that would increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour was chalked off by the Senate parliamentarian, who ruled it out-of-bounds under the so-called budget reconciliation rules Democrats are using to pass the larger bill, progressives groaned and sent miffed tweets. They half-heartedly lobbied the White House to overrule the parliamentarian, but stopped short of threatening to withhold their support for the underlying relief legislation. Ditto for another bargain, driven by moderate senators' misgivings, that tightened eligibility for stimulus checks. Progressives made noise about the deal, which strayed from Biden's campaign promise of checks for all, but didn't walk away from the relief package.

It seems unlikely progressives will be so accommodating when the next battle arises -- and there are more than a few on the horizon.

A new phase

Time appears to be ticking down on the "team player" phase of Biden's young presidency. Next up on the Democratic majority's docket is an infrastructure spending package that will again lead to conflicts over how and how much to spend -- this time with both sides of the party's ideological split coming into the negotiations feeling owed a bone after agreeing to concessions on the relief bill.

Climate activists, who make up the most politically potent outside progressive groups, believe -- and expect -- that the next round could represent their last best chance to secure the kind of public investments necessary to seed a new, clean energy economy. But in a party that is all over the map on issues like fracking, and, given the makeup of this Congress, support for such transformative investments will require a number of powerful figures -- Manchin, again, comes to mind -- to acquiesce to bigger demands than anything in the pending relief bill.

As Democrats moved toward final passage, the Senate late on Friday began a process known, colloquially, as a vote-a-rama, which allows lawmakers from both parties to offer up amendments, usually as a means of trolling the other side or putting their rivals on the spot over contentious, though unrelated, issues. Despite its jolly nickname, the practice can be grueling and mainly functions as an opportunity for the minority to gum up or, at least, slow down the majority's efforts to pass their desired legislation and put them on record for next year's campaign spots.

Less typical, especially in such a divided chamber, is the prospect of a member of that majority breaking with their own party and, in the process, draining political capital from the new President. Enter Manchin, who apparently never agreed to an intra-party compromise touted by the White House hours earlier, which lowered from $400 to $300 monthly federal unemployment payments in exchange for lengthening the program into September and making the first $10,200 of benefits nontaxable for most households.

By the time Democrats announced another deal on unemployment benefits, presumably to bring Manchin back onside, that deal had been modified to restrict for whom those benefits would be nontaxable and to shave some time off the September end date.

With that, the White House released a statement, from press secretary Jen Psaki, talking up the details before arriving at the point.

"Most importantly, this agreement allows us to move forward," she said, "on the urgently needed American Rescue Plan, with $1400 relief checks, funding we need to finish the vaccine rollout, open our schools, help those suffering from the pandemic, and more."

The fights to come

Democratic heartburn also flared up, in a more visceral way that suggests tougher clashes to come, over the defeat of Sanders' amendment to more than double the federal minimum wage.

Legislation to raise it from $7.25 an hour to $15, which had been included in the initial Biden package but shorn off after the Senate parliamentarian's ruling, has been a sticking point for progressives for years. On Friday, the rhetoric met reality when Sanders put his amendment on the floor, where it ran up against bipartisan resistance.

The eight Democrats who joined Republicans in voting against it almost immediately came under fire from progressive groups and their allies, like Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who is running in the state's 2022 Democratic Senate primary.

"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," Fetterman said in a statement, before calling the proposal's opponents "deeply out of touch" and accusing dissenting senators of "turn(ing) their backs on working people."

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a moderate Democrat who voted against the measure, came under especially withering criticism from the left, which seized on a video of her issuing a curiously showy thumbs down gesture to register her vote. By early Friday evening a political action committee founded by former aides to Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York had posted audio for a radio ad, to run next week in Arizona, excoriating Sinema, who's not up for reelection until 2024.

Sinema in a statement after her vote insisted she was open to an increase in the minimum wage, but not through the reconciliation process Senate Democrats are using to move Biden's Covid relief bill.

"Senators in both parties have shown support for raising the federal minimum wage and the Senate should hold an open debate and amendment process on raising the minimum wage, separate from the COVID-focused reconciliation bill," the Arizona Democrat said.

But the reality is more complicated.

Sinema was only one of eight to vote against the amendment, with others including safe-seat Democrats like Delaware Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons, the latter being the closest of Biden allies in the Senate.

Though their votes have been met with lesser degrees of activist fury, they might offer stronger indicators of the moderate party establishment's position and a better, fixed point from which to view the fights to come -- specifically over the fate of the legislative filibuster and, with it, the voting rights and election legislation that passed the House last week.

The fate of the "For the People Act," though it seems like a distant star amid the current tumult, is another looming question with no discernible, practical answer in the Senate.

What's clear is that it's a non-starter in a chamber that requires most legislation to meet a 60-vote threshold. Democrats could change the rule if all 50 senators agree, but at least a handful are openly hostile to the prospect -- even after former President Barack Obama last year called it a "Jim Crow relic" to be done away with -- and Biden has shown no indication he would support, let alone whip votes to end it.

But in an announcement that barely registered in a preoccupied Washington earlier on Friday, Democratic Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith announced that she had "made up (her) mind" and joined the ranks of those prepared to abolish the filibuster. Her decision might not have generated much hoopla, but as Democrats plot their path forward, history might well judge it the day's most consequential moment.
PHILOMATH, Ore. -- Two adults were found dead of apparent gunshot wounds in a home in Philomath on Sunday.

Police responded to a hang-up 911 call in the 1200 block of North 19th Street at about 10:40 a.m.

The officer arrived at the scene and didn't receive a response from the home's occupance. A Benton County Sheriff's deputy helped force entry into the home.

RELATED: POLICE INVESTIGATING INCIDENT IN PHILOMATH

Police have identified the deceased as Carl and Merry Rath, age 55 and 53 respectively.

On March 7th, 2021, at 10:41 a.m., the Philomath Police Department responded to a hang-up 911 call at 1284 N. 19th Street, #4, in Philomath, Oregon.

The official cause of death has yet to be determined. An autopsy is scheduled for later in the week.

Police assure the public that the community is safe and there are no outstanding suspects.

If you have any information, contact officers at 541-929-6911 or by email at police@philomathoregon.gov.
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CHICAGO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Easterseals Ambassador Stephanie Thomas, a disability fashion stylist and creative director in Los Angeles, is leading an initiative to change how the world defines and views women with disabilities during Women's History Month in March. With a group of disabled women and photographer Brad Swonetz, Thomas is recreating magazine covers of iconic women of color like, Naomi Sims, Jennifer Lopez, Selena Quintanilla, Lena Horne and more. The campaign launches on March 8th, recognized as International Women's Day, to celebrate these BIPOC female trailblazers with disabilities as iconic game-changers and history makers.

In 2004, Stephanie Thomas developed her Disability Fashion Styling System  which guides her work as the founder of Cur8able, a social enterprise using fashion styling as a tool to eradicate negative perceptions of people with disabilities (PWD). Thomas has followed clothing and retail trends for PWD since the early 90's with one goal in mind - solving dressing challenges. Although starting a business was not Thomas' desire, in 2006, while working as a morning-drive radio deejay, she became frustrated by the number of in-store clothing options designed for pets and the lack of clothing options designed for wheelchair users. So she launched The PJ Deejay campaign , and it lasted a year, concluding with a fashion show featuring women with and without disabilities, and Thomas' inevitable journey as a social entrepreneur began. In 2010, she launched her first website about dressing with disabilities. In 2015, she changed the name of that website to Cur8able.com, and it wasn't until 2018 that she finally turned her life's work into a business. Today, Cur8able, LLC has six ambassadors, Thomas dubs the "Cur8tors," who post weekly on Cur8able social media platforms. These Cur8tors are the women Thomas styled and Swonetz photographed for the campaign in Los Angeles.

As a model for the shoot herself, Stephanie, a congenital amputee missing digits, recreated the 1969 Life Magazine cover of model and trailblazing wig-and-beauty entrepreneur Naomi Sims. Thomas says this cover meant a lot to her, being born in 1969 and growing up in the 70's where there were not very many women with dark brown skin featured as models. Sims blazed her own trail going on to become one of the most iconic models of her time. After five years in the industry, she decided to move into the wig and beauty industry, filling a niche by creating products for Black women. Although different paths, Thomas also sees herself as an outsider who has fought to create a space for people with disabilities in the fashion industry.

"This Cur8able production is an example of how I use fashion styling to challenge ableist perceptions. I style to honor disabled bodies, not hide them, not apologize for them, and not make people feel sorry for them," Thomas states.

Thomas was named an Easterseals Ambassador earlier this year, one of six women with disabilities who are national influencers and leaders in the disability community. They are partnering with Easterseals, one of the nation's leading nonprofit providers of services and advocacy for the one in four Americans living with disability today, to highlight issues that affect the disability community and affect change in assuring equal representation and inclusion of these 61 million Americans.

About Easterseals

Driven by its purpose to change the way the world defines and views disability, Easterseals makes profound, positive differences in people's lives everyday through its life-changing services and powerful advocacy. For more than 100 years, Easterseals has served as an indispensable resource for individuals living with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and their families. Together, our Affiliates in communities nationwide serve 1.5 million people annually through a variety of services including early intervention; autism services; inclusive childcare; medical rehabilitation including physical, occupational, and speech therapies; behavioral health services; workforce development programs; adult day services; respite; transportation; and more. In schools, workplaces, and communities, we're fostering environment where everyone is included and valued  making a real and positive impact on us all. Join us in ensuring that everyone  regardless of age or ability  is 100% included and 100% empowered. Learn more at www.easterseals.com.

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The White House has praised the Duchess of Sussex's "courage" in sharing her "struggles with mental health" during her interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, was asked if Joe Biden had watched the interview, and what he thought about "the racism they [the Duke and Duchess] felt".

Ms Psaki said: "Let me first say, obviously, many of us caught the interview, as many Americans did, and around the world. Meghan Markle is a private citizen and so is Harry at this point.

"For anyone to come forward and speak about their own struggles with mental health, and tell their own personal story, that takes courage."

The Biden administration will not provide any further "commentary" on the interview, she added.

In other key developments during the two-hour interview, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told Oprah:

Prince of Wales "stopped taking" Harrys calls after their royal departure Meghan contemplated suicide, saying she "just didn't want to be alive any more" Duchess of Cambridge made the Duchess of Sussex cry before her wedding, she claimed Couple had a private marriage ceremony three days before their wedding officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury Sussexes wanted Archie to be a prince so he would have security Queen wasnt blindsided by their departure the Duke insisted Couple are expecting a baby girl during the summer Princess Diana foresaw his departure from the Royal family, Prince Harry claimed Royal family has an "invisible contract" with the tabloid press, Harry claimed

Follow our live blog for a play-by-play of the explosive interview and the global reaction.

Story continues

07:30 PM

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at Royal Albert Hall on night she revealed she had suicidal thoughts

The Duchess of Sussex said she felt so low at one point that she told the Duke of Sussex that she could not be left alone because she was afraid she might harm herself.

She describes a particularly distressing time when she was attending a show with her husband at the Royal Albert Hall.

07:14 PM

'Why Meghan is a millennial hero'

Its the fairytale that every girl of my generation grew up with: the prince falling for the cool, independent just like us woman in jeans, and then going on to marry her against all the odds, writes Radhika Sanghani.

For millennials like myself, fed on a diet of Disney movies followed by The Princess Diaries and The Prince & Me, not to mention The Prince & Me 2, Harry and Meghans story was the fairytale we already knew off by heart.



And most of us were already predisposed to Team Meghan. As a strong, black, independent woman whod carved out a successful career of her own before even meeting Harry, she was everything we admired.



It seemed like no matter what, Meghan could never win. Her Grenfell charity cookbook was claimed to have terrorist links, her (and our) love of avocados was blamed for mass murder, and every time Harry expressed a slightly woke opinion, she was accused of the sexist and insulting crime of making him her puppet.



When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they were leaving the Royal family, to create their own Happy Ever After, it was not a surprise. If anything, it was the perfect 21st century fairytale ending.

Read the full comment piece here.

07:07 PM

Why there's no way back for Meghan, Harry and the Royal family

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's interview with Oprah has raised questions about what it is the couple might have achieved with their revelations, according to The Telegraph's Camilla Tominey.

"It was probably the most astonishing royal interview I have ever seen in my life", says Camilla Tominey. In the two-hour interview broadcast in the United States, the Duchess of Sussex revealed she had suicidal thoughts as a senior member of the Royal family and that there were "concerns" about Archie's skin colour before he was born.

But according to Camilla Tominey, the tell-all interview failed to reveal what was behind the couple's unhappiness. "What has [the interview] achieved, apart from saying stuff that can't be undone?", she added.

Read the full analysis here.

06:59 PM

Harry and Meghan's pregnancy photographer congratulates couple

Misan Harriman, a friend of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and who has photographed them, has congratulated them on the news that they are expecting a baby girl.

"What wonderful news to celebrate on International Womens Day! Congratulations my friends, and welcome to the #girldad club H," he wrote.

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06:47 PM

Queen 'too busy' to meet Prince Harry and Meghan

The Duke of Sussex said he was suddenly told the Queen was too "busy" for him to visit her in the days before he and his wife released their shock statement saying they intended to step down as working royals, Gareth Davies reports.

Harry said his grandmother had told him to come and see her at Sandringham after he and Meghan arrived back in the UK from Canada in January 2020.

He said it made him "really sad" that some of the advice which he says the Queen as head of The Firm - the name by which the royal family is sometimes known - had received "has been really bad".

The Sussexes released their statement on January 8 2020, saying they intended to step down and become financially independent, but still support the Queen - a dual role which in the end was unworkable.

In a previously-unseen clip from the interview, Harry said the contents of that statement had been put in a letter "to the institution, to my father, which was then shared at the end of December while we were in Canada".

He said the Queen had already invited them to spend time with her at the estate in Norfolk, but that plans then changed.

06:30 PM

Prince Harry and William to reunite at unveiling of Diana statue

The Duke of Sussex is determined to stand shoulder to shoulder with his brother at the unveiling of a statue of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, whatever the fallout from his Oprah appearance, writes Victoria Ward.

Prince Harry hopes that the brothers can present a united front at Kensington Palace on July 1, which would have been the Princesss 60th birthday, in an attempt to move past their rift.

A source close to Prince Harry insisted that whatever had been said and done, he desperately hoped to attend the event and considered it a priority.

There is more uncertainty about whether the Duke might make it back to the UK for earlier events, such as Trooping the Colour on June 12 or the Duke of Edinburghs 100th birthday on June 10.

Despite the explosive nature of the revelations made to Ms Winfrey, the Sussexes consider the interview their last word on the subject and want to move on.

Read the full story here.

06:22 PM

New Zealand 'not likely' to become a republic in wake of Harry and Meghan interview, says Jacinda Ardern

New Zealand's prime minister says the country is not likely to become a republic in the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan's interview, as Commonwealth countries face calls for the removal of the Queen as Head of State.

Jacinda Ardern was asked whether the unflattering picture of the British royal family painted by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had given her pause about New Zealand's constitutional ties to Britain.

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern - Kirsty Wigglesworth/Pool via Reuters

"I've said before that I've not sensed an appetite from New Zealanders for significant change in our constitutional arrangements, and I don't expect that's likely to change quickly," she said.

New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with The Queen as Sovereign.

But discontent is bubbling elsewhere - #AbolishTheMonarchy was trending on Twitter on Monday morning.

Jamie Johnson has the story.

06:11 PM

Are there more bombshells to come from still-unseen portions of the Harry and Meghan interview?

Two hours of the interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex failed to make it into the final edit, raising the prospect of further explosive revelations being drip fed by US television.

It has emerged that Oprah Winfrey interviewed first the Duchess of Sussex and then jointly with Prince Harry over the course of three hours and 20 minutes.

However, only one hour and 25 minutes made it into the prime time programme broadcast on the US network CBS on Sunday night, and repeated tonight on ITV for a fee of 1 million. A few further clips were shown on CBSs breakfast programme hosted by one of Oprahs closest friends.

Ms Winfrey has now disclosed details of how the interview came about  a three-year odyssey that culminated in the bombshell interview of the decade that has wreaked havoc on the House of Windsor.

Read more on the potential further Oprah revelations.

06:00 PM

'Americans were always Team Royal  but it's clear times have changed'

When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left Britain last March it was the Duchess of Cornwall who pointedly commented: Our loss is Americas gain, recalls Katie Nicholl.

For Britons, who have held Prince Harry in their hearts ever since he walked behind his mothers coffin as a child, it was a sad moment. But across the pond there was excitement as America celebrated bagging the fun prince and his glamorous American wife. It was the ultimate homecoming and after their interview with Oprah, its clear that the couple now have the support of the American public  which is Team Sussex all the way.

The couple agreed to sit down with Oprah to tell their truth  but the knock-on effect extends well beyond family relations and tells us an important story about the growing transatlantic divide.

In Britain, where the Sussexes popularity has plummeted according to recent polls, the Duchesss decision to publicly air her grievances has been largely perceived as insensitive to the Queen, given the Duke of Edinburgh is in hospital recovering from heart surgery.

In the States, however, the Royal Familys popularity had nosedived in the run up to the interview, and after Sundays screening it appears to have hit an all-time low. There are even calls for the monarchy to be abolished.

Read more: The very different moods either side of the Atlantic

05:53 PM

US reaction: America's fury at Royal family over Duchess of Sussex's racism accusations

America reacted with widespread anger at Buckingham Palace following the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's bombshell interview, Nick Allen reports.

Serena Williams, the US tennis star who co-hosted the Duchess's baby shower in 2019, said she was a victim of "systematic oppression".

She said: "Meghan Markle, my selfless friend, lives her life - and leads by example - with empathy and compassion.

"She teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble. Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she's experienced."

Ms Williams added: "I know first hand the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of colour to minimise us."

05:49 PM

Duchess of Sussex reveals she contemplated suicide when pregnant due to 'stress' and 'isolation'

The Duchess of Sussex has revealed she had suicidal thoughts and struggled with her mental health after joining the Royal family, Josie Ensor writes.

The Duchess, 39, said in the extraordinarily candid interview that the stress and isolation drove her to contemplate taking her own life while pregnant with son Archie.

She claimed she told a senior Palace official that she wanted to get treatment for her depression, but was denied because it would look bad.

"[Going to a hospital] is what I was asking to do, I was told I couldn't because it wouldn't be good for the institution, the Duchess told Oprah.

She said she felt so low at one point that she told the Duke of Sussex that she could not be left alone because she was afraid she might harm herself.

05:37 PM

How plans to slim down monarchy have spiralled into racism row

By raising the spectre of racism, Prince Harry and Meghan have pressed on a sore that has long been one of the Royal familys weaknesses, writes Gordon Rayner.

For a monarch determined to slim down and modernise the Royal family for the 21st century, the Queens decision not to give her great-grandson Archie the title of prince made perfect sense.

Following controversy over the roles and publicly funded privilege of minor members of The Firm, the Queen and the Prince of Wales had already decided to shift the focus to Her Majesty and just six others.

What they could not have predicted was that two years later, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would try to weave that perceived snub into a new narrative  one of racism at the heart of the House of Windsor.

They didn't want him to be a prince, the Duchess told Oprah Winfrey, which would be different from protocol ... we have in tandem the conversation of, He won't be given security. Hes not going to be given a title. And also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when hes born.

Analysis: How racism claims could do permanent damage to Royal brand

05:21 PM

White House praises Meghan's 'courage' over mental health in intervention

The White House praised the Duchess of Sussex's "courage" in sharing her "struggles with mental health", reports our US Editor Nick Allen.

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, was asked if Joe Biden had watched the interview, and what he thought about "the racism they [the Duke and Duchess] felt."

Ms Psaki said: "Let me first say, obviously, many of us caught the interview, as many Americans did, and around the world. "Meghan Markle is a private citizen and so is Harry at this point.

"For anyone to come forward and speak about their own struggles with mental health, and tell their own personal story, that takes courage.

"And that's certainly something the president believes. And he's talked about the importance of investing in these areas that they're [the Duke and Duchess] committed to in the future as well."

She added: "We aren't going to provide additional commentary from here on behalf of the president, or others, given these are private citizens sharing their own story and their own struggles.

"And let me just reiterate we have a strong and abiding relationship with the British people, and a special partnership with the government of the UK on a range of issues, and that will continue."

05:05 PM

Watch: Boris Johnson refuses to comment on Royal racism row

05:00 PM

Harry and Meghan leaving Royal family was foreseen by Diana, claims Duke

Prince Harry has revealed that he was financially able to step back from the Royal family because his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales left him an inheritance, our US correspondent Josie Ensor reports.

The Duke told Oprah Winfrey: "I think she saw it coming" as he revealed he was now living off money left to him by his late mother after he was cut off financially early last year when he and the Duchess moved to the US.

Princess Diana and Prince Harry at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1994 - Paul Greaves/Shutterstock

I have what my mum left me and without that we wouldnt have been able to do this, he said of his new life in Los Angeles. Its like she saw it coming and shes been with us through this whole process.

The princes were left about 6.5 million each when their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, died 23 years ago. The sum was invested and gathered substantial interest, so Prince Harry inherited around 10 million on his 30th birthday.

Read the full story here.

04:42 PM

How Harry and Meghan found comfort in California

Eccentrics, exiles, inventors, hippies, criminals: for more than 150 years, all have come to California seeking a new life in a place where their old world can't touch them.

And, as we found out in Oprah's two-hour interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, royals can do the same.

While the programme was full of accusations and revelations, in the background we also learned a lot about the life the Sussexes have established with their son Archie in the upscale seaside town of Montecito.

Meghan and Archie pictured on the beach in California - CBS

In particular, we saw a different side of Prince Harry, roughly 4,700 miles away from his royal duties and more than 6,800 from his service guiding in air strikes and piloting attack helicopters for the British Army Air Corps.

Laurence Dodds has more on the life described by Meghan as "greater than any fairytale you've ever read".

04:35 PM

'Kate made me cry', says Meghan about row over bridesmaids' dresses

The Duchess of Sussex claimed during her interview with Oprah Winfrey that the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry during wedding planning - not the other way round as had been reported, writes Josie Ensor.

Megan Markle said in a blockbuster interview that The Duchess of Cambridge made her cry during a discussion about the bridesmaid outfit that her daughter, Princess Charlotte, would wear.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace - Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Europe

The incident was first reported in The Telegraph which claimed that there had been a row over whether the young bridesmaids should wear tights for the Sussexes' wedding in 2018.

The Duchess of Cambridge felt that they should, saying it was protocol, while the Duchess of Sussex reportedly did not want them to. In a rare statement, Kensington Palace denied the claims at the time.

Read the full story here.

04:26 PM

Boris Johnson: 'Right for Prime Ministers to say nothing' on royal matters

Boris Johnson is asked by The Sun's Harry Cole about "wall-to-wall" media coverage of Britain as an "unwelcoming and racist country" in light of the Sussexes' interview.

He is asked whether this has damaged the UK and, the Queen aside, he believes the Royal Family is racist.

"I congratulate you on your very determined attempt to involve me in this story more than I've said already," Mr Johnson says.

"When it comes to matters to do with the Royal Family, the right thing for Prime Ministers to say is nothing, and nothing is the thing that I propose to say today about that particular matter."

04:23 PM

New videos reveal Queen and Philip did not make racist Archie comments

The Queen and Prince Philip have been ruled out after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex claimed a senior member of the Royal family made racist comments about their unborn son.

In a series of new, unseen videos that have appeared in the aftermath of Prince Harry and Meghan's bombshell interview with US television host Oprah Winfrey, even more extraordinary claims have been made.

They include the fact the Sussexes left the UK in part due to racism, that Meghan believes her father betrayed her and the Queen being too busy to meet Prince Harry.

Our Breaking News Editor Gareth Davies has the story.

04:18 PM

Boris Johnson declines to comment on Sussexes interview

Boris Johnson has declined to comment on the interview, or Meghan and Harry's allegations that a member of the Royal family asked about how dark the skin of their firstborn child would be.

Asked about the issue at the Downing Street press briefing - which is ongoing - Mr Johnson said:

"I've always had the highest admiration for the Queen and the unifying role that she plays in our country and across the Commonwealth.

"As for the rest of all other matters to do with the Royal Family, I've spent a long time now not commenting on Royal Family matters and I don't intend to depart from that today."

04:09 PM

Prince Harry and Meghan's 'secret wedding' an exchange of vows and not legal ceremony

The Duke and Duchesss secret wedding was an exchange of vows, and not a legal ceremony as they claimed.

Prince Harry and Meghan suggested that they were married in their back garden by the Archbishop of Canterbury three days before their fairytale wedding.

In her interview with talk show host Oprah Winfrey, the Duchess said the wedding at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 was a "spectacle for the world".

However, the couple claimed that they decided to have their own private moment and married in their garden days before.

Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk down the west steps of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, after their wedding ceremony - AFP/Ben Stansall

After the airing of the controversial interview on American network CBS last night, sources within both the Church of England and those working for the Sussexes moved to clarify that the vows presided over by the Most Rev Justin Welby in the garden did not constitute a legal marriage.

Instead, the marriage was merely a personal and private exchange of vows between the couple.

Gabriella Swerling, Victoria Ward and Camilla Tominey have more details here.

03:54 PM

'The interview can't be undone': Why there's no way back for Meghan, Harry and the Royal family

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's interview with Oprah has raised questions about what it is the couple might have achieved with their revelations, according to The Telegraph's Camilla Tominey.

Her analysis is here.

02:57 PM

New, unseen clips emerge of interview

Our video team has pulled together the new, unseen clips that have been released this afternoon from the interview.

Having filmed the interview over two days, a lot of the content was stripped out from the main run of the interview.

Oprah, appearing herself on CBS This Morning, discussed her role as the host and talked through the new clips.

02:32 PM

The 10 key moments that led to Sussexes split from The Firm

May 16, 2018: Harry and Meghan were secretly married in their back garden by the Archbishop of Canterbury three days before the wedding ceremony. May 19, 2018: Harry and Meghan got married publicly in St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle in a spectacle for the world. October 15, 2018: Harry and Meghan landed in Sydney ahead of their official royal tour of Australia, covering 76 engagements in 16 days. November 2018: Multiple allegations that Meghan left the Duchess of Cambridge in tears in an incident before the Sussexes' wedding were reported by this newspaper. Meghan now claims Kate made her cry. January 16, 2019: Meghan attended a show at the Royal Albert Hall while pregnant. She said she is still haunted by pictures of her and Harry at the event and was weeping every time the lights went down. January 29, 2019: An online story was published about Meghan eating avocados which said the fruit was linked to water shortages, illegal deforestation and environmental devastation. January 8, 2020: Meghan and Harry announced - via Instagram - their decision to step back as senior members of the Royal Family. January 18, 2020: An agreement was reached that the couple would no longer be working royals, following a summit five days earlier. March 2020: Meghan and Harry permanently moved into their new home in Los Angeles after they had lived in Canada for a few weeks. February 19, 2021: Meghan and Harry will not return as working members of the Royal Family, Buckingham Palace confirmed.

02:16 PM

Meghan told to be '50pc of herself', Oprah recalls

Oprah Winfrey also recalled a conversation she had with Meghan when she first approached her in 2018 and said: "She had just joined the Royal family and she shared a conversation with me then that made me feel somewhat disheartened.

"She said she had been told, been given advice, that it would be best if she could be 50% less than she was. That was the quote, if she could be 50% less.

"I remember hearing that in 2018 and I said to her, 'I don't know how you're going to survive, being half of yourself'."

CBS This Morning anchor Gayle King also clarified: "They were not paid for the interview and it was not at my house!"

Winfrey added: "It was filmed at a friend's house, I'm not going to disclose the friend, I don't want people going to try to find the friend, I have friends."

02:15 PM

Oprah, Harry and Meghan to have debrief later today

Asked how the couple is feeling today, Oprah Winfrey said: "I haven't really spoken to them since the interview because we are in different time zones.

"I got a text from Meghan yesterday saying 'How is it going?' because she was putting Archie to bed waiting on the west coast feed and had no idea what was happening on the east coast. I said 'I don't either but from what I can tell it's going well, I know it's airing.'

"I will probably have a conversation with them later on today."

02:14 PM

Oprah compares Meghan-Thomas Markle relationship to Harry-William

Asked by CBS This Morning if Oprah Winfrey thought Meghan was open to repairing the relationship with her father, Winfrey said: "I didn't pursue that conversation. From what I gathered the relationship with her father is similar to what is happening with Prince Harry and Prince William, there is distance there and maybe with time things will get better but for now, no."

The TV star also discussed Harry's relationship with the Prince of Wales and said: "I was surprised he was open and vulnerable because we could feel his pain when he was speaking about his father.

"When he talked about 72 Members of Parliament stood up and none of his family did and that hurts, I could feel he really deeply meant that.

"You can feel his sadness and I think what he said in the interview last night on continuing to mend that relationship is what he intends to do but it is very sad."

02:13 PM

Did Meghan's father 'betray' her, Duchess is asked

Meghan said there was an "obsession" with anything in her world including tracking down her parents.

She said: "I did everything I could to protect both of them in that media frenzy for over a year".

Asked if it felt like "betrayal" when she found out her father Thomas Markle was "working with the tabloids", Meghan said: "I'm just trying to decide if I'm comfortable even talking about that."

She said of the story which came out just before she and Harry got married: "We called my dad and I asked him and he said 'no, absolutely not' and I said you know the institution has never intervened for anything for us but they can try to go in and kill this story, but if they do this once we're not going to be able to use that same leverage to protect our own kids one day."

Meghan said she had said to her father: "'I just need you to tell me and if you tell me the truth we can help'. And he wasn't able to do that, and that for me has really resonated, especially now as a mother."

Winfrey said: "Not being willing to protect you?"

Meghan said: "And also me saying just full stop 'if we use this to protect you we won't be able to protect our own children one day, I'm talking about your grandchildren'.

"I look at Archie, I think about this child, and I genuinely can't imagine doing anything to intentionally cause pain to my child. I can't imagine it, so it's hard for me to reconcile that."

Asked about his accountability for his actions, she added: "Everyone has accountability. They (tabloids) hunted my mum down and you've never heard her say a word."

01:58 PM

PM says there is 'no place in society' for racism

Boris Johnson has made clear in the past that there is "no place in society" for racism, No 10 has said in the wake of the explosive Harry and Meghan interview, writes our Deputy Political Editor Lucy Fisher.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman confirmed Mr Johnson has not seen the interview yet, but said he has "spoken about racism previously, and about the fact that there is no place in society for it whatsoever".

An indication was given that Mr Johnson is likely to respond to questions about it at a Downing Street press conference this afternoon.

Speaking to reporters at a Westminster briefing, the PM's spokesman said: "It's completely a matter for you what you guys ask him, but on issues such as this, I think it's fair for the Prime Minister to respond to any such questions himself." The spokesman sidestepped the question about whether Mr Johnson would agree with children's minister Vicky Ford that it is unacceptable to ask about the skin colour of an unborn child.

01:40 PM

'There's a difference between privacy and intrusion', insists Oprah

Discussing the Sussexes' bid for privacy, Oprah Winfrey said: "There is a difference between privacy and intrusion and being able to have boundaries.

"Yes you want privacy. You don't want helicopters and people hiding in the bushes filming your baby outside playing.

"I think when people say 'Oh they are talking now but they wanted privacy' they don't understand there is a difference between being a public figure who wants to have some boundaries and not be consistently intruded upon versus being private."

01:38 PM

Thomas Markle lied about working with tabloids, Meghan says

In another previously unseen clip, the Duchess of Sussex described the damage to her own family's relationships amid intense press scrutiny, writes Rozina Sabur.

The Duchess said her father's decision to work with the tabloids had been a "betrayal" because he had lied about it when she confronted him.

"That for me has really resonated especially now as a mother," she told Winfrey.

"I look at Archie and I think I can't imagine doing anything to intentionally cause pain for my child," she said.

By contrast, the Duchess said her mother Doria Ragland had been living in "silent dignity" despite being "hunted" by the press.

The Duchess also gave her half-sister Samantha Markle and her upcoming tell-all book short shrift, saying: "I think it would be very hard to tell all if you don't know me."

She added that she had last seen her half-sister "18 or 19 years ago", saying "I grew up as an only child, which everyone who grew up around me knows".

She claimed that Samantha only changed her surname back to Markle when she began dating Harry.

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01:34 PM

No apology for Harry from royals over decision to leave The Firm

In a newly aired clip of their interview shown on CBS, Prince Harry said none of his family had apologised to him for the reasons they had to leave the institution, reports Rozina Sabur.

"No, sadly not. The feeling is this was our decision therefore the consequences are on us. Despite three years of asking for help and visualising how this might end," he said.

"You could feel his sadness," Oprah Winfrey told her friend Gayle King said in an interview on CBS on Monday morning.

Winfrey added that she had received a text from Meghan on Sunday evening asking how the interview was being perceived while it was being broadcast on the US east coast.

Winfrey revealed that the Duchess was busy putting Archie to bed on the west coast and was waiting to watch it later that evening.

The chat show host said she would have a debrief with the couple later today. "I'm pleased we were able to maintain the integrity of the interview from a 3hr 20 minute cut down," she added.

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01:33 PM

Meghan: Social media made it 'the wild, wild West'

Harry said the "relationship and that control and the fear by the UK tabloids, it's a really, it's a toxic environment".

He said he will "always be there for him (William), and I will always be there for my family and as I've said I've tried to help them to see what has happened".

Asked if his father, the Prince of Wales, thinks it is a "toxic environment", Harry said: "I think he's had to make peace with it."

Asked why they could not make peace with it, Meghan said "this was different" due to social media, describing it as "like the wild, wild West".

01:22 PM

Racism allegations and suicidal thoughts most striking, says Oprah

Appearing on CBS This Morning, Oprah Winfrey said her two biggest surprises during the interview came when the Duchess discussed her suicidal thoughts and the conversations about Archie's skin colour, writes Rozina Sabur in Washington.

She clarified: "I was surprised that they were telling me about it" rather than shocked that the conversations on race had taken place.

01:15 PM

Oprah Winfrey: 'I wanted to ask Harry and Meghan why they left'

Oprah Winfrey said the full interview was three hours and 20 minutes long and was edited down to one hour and 25 minutes for the US broadcast, and the most important question she wanted to answer was "why did they leave?"

She added: "The stories about blindsiding the Queen were very damaging to them and hurtful to them, there had clearly been months and months of preparation before they moved to Canada."

She also referred to a statement released by the Queen on Jan 18 which said their decision to leave followed "many months of conversation and more recent discussion".

Winfrey added: "The Queen on Jan 18 actually said that there had been months of conversation but in spite of that there were still all those stories about blindsiding."

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01:14 PM

Keir Starmer: Allegations by Duchess must be taken seriously

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the allegations made by the Duchess of Sussex in her television interview must be taken seriously.

Speaking during a visit to a school in Dagenham, east London, Sir Keir said: "It is really sad to see the family in turmoil like this.

"The issues that Meghan has raised of racism and mental health are really serious issues.

"It is a reminder that too many people experience racism in 21st-century Britain. We have to take that very, very seriously.

"Nobody, but nobody, should be prejudiced (against) because of the colour of their skin or because of their mental health issues.

"This is bigger than the royal family. For too many years we have been too dismissive and too willing to put these issues to one side."

01:12 PM

Duchess of Sussex: Cannot compare negative coverage

The Duchess of Sussex said it was unfair to make comparisons between negative coverage of her and bad press about the Duchess of Cambridge in a newly aired clip of her interview with Oprah Winfrey.

"If a member of this family will say we've all had to deal with things that are rude - rude and racist is not the same," she told Winfrey.

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12:55 PM

Queen and Prince Philip ruled out of Archie skin tone claims

The Queen and Prince Philip were not part of conversations about Archie's skin colour, Oprah Winfrey revealed.

Oprah told CBS This Morning that the Duke had wanted to make clear that neither his grandmother nor grandfather were involved in "those conversations".

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12:54 PM

Prince Harry: Queen refused to meet

In another clip, Harry said he had been suddenly told he was no longer invited to spend time with the Queen at Sandringham in January 2020.

Harry said the Queen had told him to come and see her there after he and Meghan arrived back in the UK from Canada.

He said: "My grandmother had said 'the moment you land, come up to Sandringham, we'd love to have a chat, come for tea, why don't you stay for dinner because it's going to be a long drive and you're going to be exhausted?"'

He said "the moment we landed in the UK" he got a message from his private secretary at the time, passing on a message from the Queen's private secretary.

He said it was "basically saying 'please pass on to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that he cannot come to Norfolk. The Queen is busy, she's busy all week'."

Oprah said: "After she'd just invited to you?"

Harry replied: "She'd just invited me.'The Queen is busy, she's busy all week, do not come up here'."

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12:47 PM

Sussexes left UK because of racism, Duke admits in new, unseen clip

In a previously unseen clip from the bombshell interview which aired on CBS this morning, the Duke and Duchess discuss racism in the UK in greater detail.

Asked whether they left the UK because of racism, Prince Harry told Oprah Winfrey it was "a large part of it".

The Duke added that British society was not "bigoted" but the country's press was "inherently corrupt".

Prince Harry described attending a fundraising dinner for his Sentebale charity during which a well-connected friend warned him about racism in the UK.

"[They] said to me 'please don't do this with the media, they will destroy your life'...This person is friends with all the editors," the Prince said.

"He said: 'You need to understand that the UK is bigoted'. I stopped and I said the UK is not bigoted. I said the UK press is bigoted, and specifically the tabloids, is that what you mean?"

"He said: 'No, the UK is bigoted.' I said I completely disagree but unfortunately if the source of information is inherently corrupt or biased then that filters out into society."

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12:16 PM

Interview was 'kryptonite', says royal commentator

Royal commentator Tine Brown called the interview "kryptonite".

"This is a hand grenade that has been thrown into the heart of the institution," she told CBS News. "It's extremely hard to refute a lot of what they said."

12:09 PM

US anchors condemn Royal family

US anchors were full of condemnation for the Royal family after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, Washington Correspondent Rozina Sabur reports.

Gayle King, a CBS anchor and a friend of the Duchess, told her morning show: "I don't know what people were expecting but they weren't expecting that."

12:04 PM

Oprah to be interviewed about interview

The host is appearing on CBS This Morning to discuss the interview.

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11:53 AM

Camilla Tominey analysis | Interview can't be undone, there's no way back

Having reflected on the astonishing interview, here is our Associate Editor Camilla Tominey's take on the revelations, the Sussexes and where they and the Royal family go from here.

11:50 AM

'Will they investigate racism in the Palace,' asks Labour MP

Labour MP Nadia Whittome tweeted: "When Meghan Markle was accused of bullying, Buckingham Palace immediately announced an investigation.

"Now that Meghan has revealed comments about her child's skin colour, will they investigate racism in the Palace? I won't be holding my breath."

11:05 AM

Have your say on the interview

Whether you watched it live, have been keeping abreast of the bombshell claims in our live blog or you are waiting for the re-run tonight - you can have your say now.

What did you think of the Meghan and Harry interview with Oprah Winfrey?

Check back later this afternoon to see if your comment has been included in a round-up of the best reaction.

10:29 AM

Watch: The engagement immediately after Meghan told Harry of suicidal thoughts

The Duchess said she had struggled to admit her suicidal feelings to her husband. I was ashamed to have to admit it to Harry, especially, because I know how much loss hes suffered, she said.

Meghan dabbed away tears as she said she eventually told him just hours before they attended the premiere of Cirque du Soleil's Totem in January 2019 (you can see their appearance below), when she was around five months pregnant.

She said the Duke had told her he did not think she should attend the engagement but that she was so concerned for her own welfare that she told him she could not be left alone.

It takes so much courage to admit you need help, she said, to admit how dark of a place you are in.

09:45 AM

Sussexes went stateside 'with good wishes of Royal family'

On the issue of Harry seemingly falling out with his father Prince Charles, Mr Anson said: "I don't know about that, obviously.

"My feeling is that both the Queen and Prince Philip and Prince of Wales will have tried to have been helpful.

"There is no question they went to California with the good wishes of the Queen and her family.

"It was very clear they would remain as very close members of the family."

09:20 AM

Will the Queen respond?

There will be mounting pressure on Buckingham Palace to respond to the allegations made in the interview - not least on the issues of racism and Meghan's suicidal thoughts.

Will the Queen respond? Her former press secretary thinks not.

Mr Anson said: "I think the Palace's instinct will reflect how the Queen has carried her role in last 69 years.

"Try to take things gently, to be open and fair and deal with those things that are to do with family to be dealt with in a private, family setting.

"They tend to treat these family matters privately - not to do it all over the airwaves."

09:10 AM

'Not a strand of racism' in Royal household, says Queen's ex-secretary

Charles Anson said that there was "not a strand of racism" within the Royal household.

He said: "I certainly recall at the time of the wedding when I was working as a commentator - and the overwhelming sense of welcome for Meghan and for their marriage

"That was both evident in the press and the reaction of the public - and I don't think there's a strand of racism in that within the Royal household at all."

He said that any racism that existed was on social media.

Pressed that this was not what the Sussexes were saying, Mr Anson said: "I do take that point, that was a question and it's obviously one that needs to be considered."

08:58 AM

Queen's former press secretary has his say

Charles Anson, who was the Queen's press secretary for seven years from 1990 to 1997, said the interview was "very significant".

Asked about the claims that Meghan did not get help from within the Royal family when she expressed suicidal thoughts, he said: "There is a medical household and I remember it being very responsive both to members of staff and the Queen and her family.

"In my experience - seven years - nearly everybody wanted to do the best they could for their principals - about programmes, security and life.

"Everybody was proud and wanted it to work out."

08:47 AM

Harry's military friend: 'I came away having sympathy for Royal family'

Dean Stott, who has known the Duke of Sussex for more than a decade after they met during military training, described the interview as "powerful", "honest" and "uncomfortable at times".

He told BBC Breakfast that people have to be clear about "the distinction between the royal family and the institution".

He said: "The royal family, you know, Meghan only had praise for them. However the institution and the officials, I think they're the ones that have come up quite badly in this interview."

He said he does not think Harry will regret doing the interview, adding: "Obviously something needed to be said."

"I came away from watching it actually having sympathy for the royal family," he said. "They don't have a voice.

"When Harry mentions that they (other members) are trapped, that's very uncomfortable to hear."

08:37 AM

New pictures of Archie revealed in interview

The interview also produced new pictures of Meghan and Harry's son Archie running along a beach.

Archie running along the beach - Oprah with Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special

New pictures of Archie - Oprah with Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special

08:34 AM

Meghan's upset over Archie not being prince

The Duchess of Sussex has suggested it was her son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor's "birthright" to be a prince and the decision not to give him a title went against convention.

She expressed her shock at being told he would not get security and the idea of him "not being safe", and said she wanted him to have the title so he could have police protection.

Meghan also suggested that the decision was taken because of Archie's race.

The duchess shared her upset at the "idea of the first member of colour in this family, not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be". "It's not their right to take it away," she added.

Oprah Winfrey asked in the televised tell-all: "Do you think it's because of his race? I know that's a loaded question."

Meghan replied: "In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, so we (had) the conversation of he won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title. And also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born."

But Archie was not entitled to be a prince because of rules set down by King George V more than 100 years ago. And being a prince or princess does not automatically mean royals have police protection.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie's security is no longer paid for by the taxpayer.

08:03 AM

Body language expert: Harry's 'anger and resentment' towards his father

The Duke of Sussex's body language during the bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey showed "anger" and "resentment" towards his father, an expert said.

Harry accused the Prince of Wales of refusing to take his calls as he went public with his grievances about the Royal family. He revealed he and his father are estranged, adding: "I feel really let down."

Author and body language expert Judi James said that while Harry showed "love" when discussing his brother, the Duke of Cambridge, he was "comprehensively" negative when it came to Charles.

"I think specifically what emerged was his anger about his father," she said. "He spoke with affection about the Queen, he spoke with love for his brother, William.

"But when his father was mentioned the dramatic pause lasting several seconds before he spoke kind of said everything, really. And that's when he started to do the fast blinking. He sighed, he did a leg judder, he did a tongue poke.

"So that's where probably the key focus of resentment seems to lie."

Ms James said "there was no real effort to mask his (Harry's) response" to Charles.

07:58 AM

Labour MP expects Buckingham Palace to investigate racism claims with 'upmost seriousness'

Shadow education secretary Kate Green has said she expects the "shocking" claims by Meghan regarding Archie's skin colour to be investigated with the "upmost seriousness".

Watch below her talk to Sky News below.

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07:40 AM

'No place for racism' says minister over Meghan's claims

Vicky Ford has said there is "no place for racism", after the Duchess of Sussex claimed that a member of the Royal family raised "concerns" about how dark Archie's skin would be before his birth.

Stressing she had not seen the documentary yet, the schools minister said it was "absolutely" unacceptable, adding: "There is absolutely no place for racism in our society and we all need to work to make sure that doesn't happen."

Asked about Meghan's claims that her mental health deteriorated to the point where she felt suicidal, Ford told Sky News: "Mental health and wellbeing is a really big issue,and that is part of the reason why we have prioritised bringing young children back into classrooms for their wellbeing support as well as education."

07:31 AM

The 11 unanswered questions from the interview

Who is alleged to have asked about how dark Archie's skin would be? The duke and duchess refused to say which member of the royal family had this conversation with Harry while Meghan was pregnant with Archie. Meghan said she would not reveal the identity because it would be very damaging to them. Harry followed suit, and said he will never reveal who said it and what was said, but this will not stop the speculation. What damage has been done to Harry and Meghan's relationship with the Royal family? At this stage, the damage could be irreparable. The duke has vowed to try to restore his relationship with his father, the Prince of Wales, and said he hopes he can heal his rift with William in time. The interview is likely to be seen as an attack on the whole family, and it remains to be seen how William will react to his wife being singled out. What did Kate say to Meghan to make her cry? Meghan said it was Kate who left her in tears over the flower girl dresses, not the other way round as was reported. "It was a really hard week of the wedding, and she was upset about some things," the duchess said. Kate apologised and sent flowers and a note. But Meghan said it was a turning point when the false story was not put straight. Who did Meghan approach in the Palace for help when feeling suicidal? Meghan said she went to "one of the most senior people". The duchess sent emails and begged for help and people said "Yes, yes, it's disproportionately terrible... but nothing was ever done", she claimed. Why was Meghan not supported? Meghan said: "There was no guidance... there's no class on how to speak, how to cross your legs, how to be royal, there's none of that training." She added: "That might exist for other members of the family" but said it was not offered to her. Who was jealous of Meghan? Harry indicated that members of the Royal family were jealous of Meghan because of the ease with which she carried out royal duties on their tour of Australia and New Zealand. What about Meghan's father? The duchess has been estranged from Thomas Markle since her wedding, but Winfrey was not seen questioning Meghan about their relationship. Does she intend to reach out to her father, and he will ever meet Harry or their children? Why did Meghan think Archie should be a prince? Meghan said she wanted Archie to be a prince so he could have police protection, and expressed her shock at the idea of the first member of colour in the family not being titled in the same way as other grandchildren. But seventh in line Archie is not at this stage entitled to be a prince because of rules established more than 100 years ago by King George V. Why didn't the Queen make Archie a prince? The Queen stepped in ahead of Prince George's birth to issue a Letters Patent to ensure all the Cambridges' children, not just George, would have fitting titles. But the Cambridges' children are the offspring of a future monarch whereas Archie is not. He will be entitled to be an HRH or a prince however when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne. What about the alleged bullying Meghan is accused of? The interview was filmed before the Times revealed that a senior aide raised concerns over bullying and that Meghan allegedly drove out two personal assistants and humiliated another, which the duchess denies. Questions still remain as to what exactly went on and how Meghan treated her staff. Buckingham Palace has launched an investigation. What will Harry and Meghan name their daughter? With the couple set to have a baby girl, the bookmakers will be predicting Diana as the frontrunner. Or perhaps even Elizabeth in honour of the Queen.

07:23 AM

How will Buckingham Palace respond?

The royal family and their aides have some challenging accusations to answer about why a suicidal Meghan was not supported and given help, and about the allegations of racism.

The Queen, known for her calm approach, is never reactive or rash during challenging times, and The Telegraph understands that there will not be an official response this morning.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have long been vocal campaigners on the issue of mental health so questions remain about their involvement and what their response will be after both were named in the interview.

07:11 AM

Kate made me cry, not other way around, insists Meghan

Contrary to reports, which first surfaced in the Daily Telegraph in November 2018, that Meghan had made Kate cry during a bridesmaids dress fitting, the former actress insisted it was actually the other way round, reports Associate Editor Camilla Tominey.

Implying a distinct lack of sisterly support from the mother-of-three, even when everything was going on with my Dad, Meghan insisted: Im not sharing that in any way to be disparaging about her, adding: I would hope that she would want that to be corrected.

Read Camilla Tominey's analysis here.

06:57 AM

Watch: Meghan: 'I just didn't want to be alive any more'

Perhaps the most shocking moment of the two-hour interview was Meghan saying she'd had suicidal thoughts.

Watch it here:

06:53 AM

Oprah interview could trigger 'start of PR war'

Harry and Meghan's explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey could trigger "the start of a PR war", a public relations expert has said.

PR consultant Mark Borkowski said his initial reaction to the interview, broadcast in the US in the early hours of Monday, was that it was "pretty damaging to the Royal family".

He said: "Some of the accusations and some of the deeply personal insights into living inside a royal household will be judged, particularly by an American audience who are watching on primetime as pretty shocking.

"He (Harry) was very direct about the fact that he felt that his father (Charles, the Prince of Wales) had not given him the support, and he wanted to try and rebuild a relationship, the fact that he was close to his brother (William, the Duke of Cambridge), but obviously there was some distance between them.

"It certainly is their opportunity to give their side of the story, it's depending on what is the counter view of that - we've already seen bullying accusations, this could be the start of a PR war.

"Or it could be a moment for everybody to draw a line in the sand and start talking and trying to heal some wounds here, because the wounds are very deep."

The interview also revealed how Meghan felt suicidal while working as a senior member of the Royal family.

Mr Borkowski said: "There's a lot of losers in this."

06:43 AM

'I'm sickened by what I've had to watch'

ITV Good Morning Britain's Piers Morgan has berated the two-hour trashing of the Queen.

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06:41 AM

... And there's still more to come!

Winfrey said sections of the interview which were unable to be broadcast during the two-hour time slot would be held over until a second show, to be transmitted this afternoon.

Royal watchers will be waiting with baited breath, given the dramatic nature of the first instalment.

06:40 AM

Harry and Meghan sign 100m Netflix and Spotify deal

Harry said his family "literally cut me off financially" in the first quarter of 2020 and he went for the Netflix and Spotify deals to pay for his security.

Since leaving the UK last year, the pair have signed lucrative deals - thought to be worth well over 100 million - with Spotify and Netflix to give them the capital to pursue their new lifestyle and public goals.

They have also bought a multi-million pound home in the celebrity enclave of Montecito in California, and also launched a non-profit foundation called Archewell.

06:39 AM

Two are to become four - as Sussexes expect girl

Meghan beamed as she spoke about her unborn child, a girl, the Sussexes confirmed.

The baby, a sister to Archie, is due in the summer - although no further details were provided about timings.

Harry said his first thought was "amazing" when he discovered they were having a girl, adding: "Just grateful. To have any child, any one or any two, would have been amazing. But to have a boy and then a girl, I mean what more can you ask for? Now we've got our family, we got the four of us and our two dogs."

Asked if they were "done" with two children, Harry said "done" and Meghan said: "Two is it."

No hints were given about what the couple will name their child, and, given they have sought to leave royal protocol behind them, it may be some time after the birth before the duo allow the world to see a picture of the latest member of their brood.

06:35 AM

The bullying probe backdrop and the Duke

Harry and Meghan's interview came at a time when the Royal family have barely been out of the headlines.

First, concerns linger about the health of the Duke of Edinburgh, who remains in hospital having undergone heart surgery last week.

Second, the furore over allegations of bullying made against the duchess by former royal staff.

Rumours are swirling about who will be called to give evidence in the Buckingham Palace probe.

Past and present employees are to be invited to speak in confidence about their experiences of working for the duchess, after it was alleged she drove out two personal assistants and that staff were "humiliated" on several occasions.

To fully examine the allegations Meghan would be needed to be part of the proceedings but it is not clear at this early stage what role if any she will play in the process.

06:34 AM

Where do Harry and Meghan go next after Oprah interview?

After such enormous accusations, where to the Duke and Duchess go from here?

The next handful of posts will take a look at this issue.

The Sussexes' decision to stand down as senior members of the royal family was always going to cause a great deal of upset.

But the extent of that rift was underlined when Harry disclosed his father, the Prince of Wales, stopped taking his phone calls during the build-up to the announcement that he and Meghan were leaving the royal family.

Likewise, Harry and older brother William were said to have fallen out some time ago.

While Harry clearly signalled stresses on his relationships with his father and brother, he expressed a desire for them to "heal".

Meghan's revelation that the Duchess of Cambridge previously made her cry is unlikely to be well received at the palace, given the long-standing tradition that disputes are not aired publicly. Some relationships might be easier to repair than others.

06:31 AM

America's fury at Royal family

America reacted with deep sympathy for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and there was widespread anger at Buckingham Palace following their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, writes Nick Allen in Washington.

Much of the focus was on the revelation that a senior royal discussed the Duke and Duchess's son Archie and "how dark his skin might be when he's born."

The interview sparked a wave of goodwill for the Duchess in particular, and was widely seen as disastrous for the palace.

Read Nick Allen's full story on reaction here.

06:22 AM

Watch: The bombshell claims of Meghan and Harry

If you're just waking up, our video team have this clip of highlights for you from the extraordinary two-hour interview of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's claims.

05:44 AM

Camilla Tominey on the bombshell interview

The Telegraph's Associate Editor Camilla Tominey has written an analysis of the Oprah interview, complete with a number of "marmalade-dropper" moments.

"We knew it was going to be blockbuster TV. But what we didnt anticipate about the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes Oprah interview is how unvarnished their truth was actually going to be," she writes.

"Talk of Royals hiding behind the sofa ahead of the primetime, no-holds-barred chat appeared to underestimate quite what the couple had in store. "

Read it all here.

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05:35 AM

New Zealand's PM reacts

New Zealand's prime minister says the country is unlikely to become a republic anytime soon or otherwise break from observing Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was asked by a reporter whether the unflattering picture of the British Royal family painted by Harry and Meghan had given her pause about New Zealand's constitutional ties to Britain.

"I've said before that I've not sensed an appetite from New Zealanders for significant change in our constitutional arrangements, and I don't expect that's likely to change quickly," she said.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern - Hagen Hopkins/Getty

Asked whether Harry and Meghan had ever inquired about living in New Zealand, Ms Ardern said they hadn't in any official capacity, as far as she was aware.

And asked about her personal friendship with Meghan since the couple toured the country in 2018, Ms Ardern said she had kept in touch. "It is fair to say in the past I've had contact here and there," she said. "But ultimately, the matters that are being canvassed here I see as for Meghan and Harry to respond to directly. These are matters about their personal lives and their personal decisions, and I don't think it deserves a commentary from anyone else."

05:26 AM

Hollywood mogul offered couple LA home

The Duke and Duchess revealed Hollywood mogul Tyler Perry provided a home and security for the couple when they moved from Canada to the US.

During their chat with Oprah Winfrey, the couple confirmed it was a Los Angeles mansion owned by Perry they fled to when leaving Canada early last year, days before the first coronavirus lockdown.

They later bought a home in nearby Montecito, where they are living now. They told how Perry provided them with security after their UK tax payer-funded protection was removed.

Speaking of their departure from British Columbia, Canada, Meghan said: "We didn't have a plan. We needed a house and he (Perry) offered his security as well so it gave us breathing room to try to figure out what we were going to do."

Harry added: "The biggest concern was while we were in Canada, in someone else's house, I then got told, short notice, that security was going to be removed. By this point, courtesy of the Daily Mail, the world knew our exact location.

"So suddenly it dawned on me, 'hang on a second, the borders could be closed, we're going to have our security removed, who knows how long lockdown is going to be, the world knows where we are, it's not safe, it's not secure, we probably need to get out of here'."

05:13 AM

Roxane Gay suggests Royal family was jealous

American writer Roxane Gay suggested the Royal family was angry with Meghan for attempting to modernise the monarchy. "They cannot stand when someone marries into the family and soars to popularity they will never, ever have," she wrote on Twitter.

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05:07 AM

Piers Morgan blasts 'disgraceful betrayal of the Queen'

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04:55 AM

Serena Williams praises 'selfless' Meghan

Tennis star Serena Williams has paid a tribute to her "selfless friend" Meghan after her tell-all interview with Oprah.

"Meghan Markle, my selfless friend, lives her life - and leads by example - with empathy and compassion," she wrote on Twitter.

"She teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble. Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she's experienced.

Williams added that she knows "first hand the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of colour".

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04:49 AM

What time will interview air in the UK tonight?

Britons will be able to watch the full Harry and Meghan interview with Oprah in the UK tonight.

The two-hour blockbuster will be broadcast by ITV and on ITV hub on Monday at 9pm.

04:34 AM

How the UK press reacted

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04:30 AM

Oprah to reveal extra clips on Monday

Oprah Winfrey will join CBS' morning programme on Monday to divulge extra footage from her interview with the Duke and Duchess.

The extra clips will air on "CBS This Morning" on Monday at 7 am east coast time.

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04:27 AM

Inaugural poet weighs in

Amanda Gorman, the 22-year-old poet who captured hearts with her performance at Joe Biden's Inauguration in January, has weighed in.

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04:21 AM

Celebrities support for Meghan and Harry

Celebrities and American activists have taken to social media to show support for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following their interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Among those showing support for the couple was Meena Harris, the niece of Vice President Kamala Harris.

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Ms Harris live tweeted her reactions during the interview, and tweeted after it wrapped up: "Her Majesty The Queen Oprah."

Bernice King, the youngest child of the civil rights icon Martin Luther King, tweeted: "Royalty is not a shield from the devastation and despair of racism."

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Social media users have been largely sympathetic towards the couple following the US broadcast, which aired at 8pm on the east coast.

American comedian Matt Bellassai tweeted: "The little inhales Meghan and Harry both take before dropping each bombshell....... the 'I'm about to say this shit to Oprah' breath."

Lord Alan Sugar said: "I just watched the Harry and Meghan interview with Oprah on US TV. Hmm ... I'll be interested to see the reaction in the UK tomorrow."

04:13 AM

Oprah praised for interview that will 'go down in history'

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04:03 AM

US reaction

American commentators have already begun weighing in on the bombshell interview by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

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03:14 AM

'We have no regrets'

As they concluded their bombshell two-hour interview, the couple asked whether they have any regrets about their decision to step back from Royal life.

Prince Harry replied: "No... I am really proud of us. I am so proud of my wife. She safely delivered Archie during a period of time that was so cruel, so mean."

He offered a glimpse of their most trying moments in London, describing how his wife would sometimes cry while breastfeeding their son.

The couple said this is 'just the beginning' for us - AFP

The Duchess said her one regret was "believing them when they said I would be protected".

However she employed a favoured phrase, adding: "we've actually not just survived but are thriving" calling it a miracle".

The interview ended with the Duchess declaring: "in some ways just the beginning for us."

Winfrey asked if Meghan's story with a prince "does have a happy ending", to which she replied: "Greater than any fairy tale you've ever read."

03:01 AM

'I love William to bits'

Asked about his relationship with his older brother, Harry said: "The relationship is space at the moment. And time heals all things, hopefully."

He added: "I love William to bits, he's my brother, we've been through hell together, we have a shared experience, but we were on different paths."

Harry said 'I love my brother to bits' but their relationship had been tested - AFP

Winfrey pressed Harry to disclose the content of a conversation Meghan referred to earlier in the interview about Archie's skin tone.

Harry said: "That conversion, I am never going to share. At the time it was awkward, I was a bit shocked."

He added that it happened "right at the beginning" of their relationship.

He said members of his family suggested Meghan "carried on acting because there was not enough money to pay for her".

He added: "There were some real obvious signs, before we even got married, that this was going to be really hard."

02:58 AM

Harry: 'My father and brother are trapped'

Prince Harry said he still felt compassion for his father and brother because they are also "trapped".

"They don't get to leave," he said, adding he has "huge compassion for that".

Asked if he would have stepped back had he not met Meghan, Harry said: "No, the answer to your question is no."

He said that despite being "trapped", he "didn't see a way out" or realise he was trapped until he met Meghan.

02:52 AM

Harry feels 'let down' by Charles

Prince Harry has divulged that his relationship with his father has still not been repaired.

"I feel really let down" by him, he said, "because he's been through something similar", adding "Archie is his grandson."

Prince Harry added that he will always love his father but "there's a lot of hurt that's happened".

He also revealed that "my family literally cut me off financially".

The prince said he had been able to restart their lives in the US with money his mother had left him.

"I think she saw this coming," he added.

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02:50 AM

Diana would be angry at split, says Harry

Asked how his mother would have reacted to the developments of the last year, Prince Harry said she would "feel very angry with how this has panned out and very sad."

The Prince said the turning point for the couple came after their tour of Australia.

"They saw how good she [Meghan] was at the job," he said, adding: "That brought back memories."

Princess Diana and Prince Charles with their children William and Harry - AFP

Oprah asked Prince Harry whether he was suggesting the Royal family were "jealous" of Meghan, in the same way the recent Netflix series The Crown had suggested they were of his mother.

Asking whether the couple have watched The Crown, Harry replied: "I've watched some of it. We've watched some of it."

Meghan, laughing, added: "I've watched some of it."

02:43 AM

Harry: Royal family has 'contract' with tabloids

Prince Harry says there were many opportunities for his family to show their support for Meghan but they were "scared" of antagonising the press.

Im acutely aware of where my family stand and how acutely scared they are of the tabloids turning on them, he told Oprah.

The Prince claimed there is an invisible contract between the royal family and the tabloids, adding the dynamic is one of control by fear.

The institution survives based on its relationship with the press, he said.

The Duchess added that the press coverage's racial overtones changed the level of threat to the couple.

It changed the death threats, she added.

02:34 AM

Harry: My dad stopped taking my calls

Prince Harry revealed that his father Prince Charles stopped taking his calls while discussions about the couple's future role were ongoing.

The prince denied blindsiding his grandmother the Queen with his plans to quit the UK, saying he had too much respect for her.

"I had three conversations with my grandmother, and two conversations with my father before he stopped taking my calls. And then he said, can you put this all in writing?"

Asked why Prince Charles had stopped taking his calls, Prince Harry said: "By that point I took matters into my own hands, it was like, I needed to do this for my family. This is not a surprise to anybody. It's really sad that it's got to this point, but I've got to do something for my own mental health, my wife's and for Archie's as well."

Harry said he ultimately decided to step back because of a "lack of support and lack of understanding" from both the British press and the Royal institution.

02:18 AM

Harry: 'I was desperate'

Joining his wife for the second part of the interview, Prince Harry described the circumstances leading up to them stepping back from the Royal family.

The Duke of Sussex also revealed their security detail was removed when they stepped back from being senior members of the family.

Gripping Meghan's hand, he said: "Their justification was a change in status. I pushed back and said is there a change of threat or risk?

"Eventually, I got the confirmation that no, the risk hasn't changed but due to our change of status - we would no longer be 'official' members of the Royal family."

Prince Harry said he felt "trapped" by the institution - AFP

Prince Harry said the couple had done everything they could to try to remain a part of the Royal family and considered living in a Commonwealth country like Canada or New Zealand in order to satisfy the Palace.

Asked about the "tipping point" which led the couple to quit the UK, Prince Harry replied: "I was desperate.

"I went to all the places which I thought I should go to, to ask for help - we both did, separately and together."

Oprah asked: "You left because you were asking for help, and didn't get it?"

Harry replied: "Yeah. Basically. But we never left."

Meghan said: "We never left the family."

02:11 AM

Sussexes reveal they're having a girl

Prince Harry has joined the couch for the second part of their interview. The couple revealed they are expecting a baby girl.

The Prince said he was "just grateful".

Prince Harry joins the interview - CBS

"To have any child, any one or any two, would have been amazing. But to have a boy and then a girl, I mean what more can you ask for? Now we've got our family, we got the four of us and our two dogs."

Asked if they were "done" with two children, Prince Harry said "done" and the Duchess said: "Two is it."

Meghan also confirmed the baby is due in the "summertime".

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01:53 AM

'I didn't want to be alive anymore'

The Duchess said she reached "a breaking point" where she came to find her life unsurvivable and began to have suicidal thoughts.

"I just didn't want to be alive anymore," she said.

The Duchess said her friends and family's reactions to the negative press coverage of her made her all the more aware of her impossible situation.

Meghan referenced this event as one of her hardest periods - Paul Grover for The Telegraph

The Duchess grew tearful as she told Oprah: "I was really ashamed to say it at the time, and ashamed to have to admit it, to Harry especially, because I know how much loss he suffered.

"But I knew that if I didn't say it that I would do it, and I just didn't...I just didn't want to be alive anymore".

The Duchess described Harry cradling her and looking back on an event where he gripped her tightly by the hand to protect her.

But she added that the wider Palace institution denied her access to mental health help.

"I went to the institution, and I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that I've never felt this way before and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution," she said.

01:43 AM

Meghan: 'Royals aired concerns about Archie's skin colour'

The Duchess of Sussex said that when she was pregnant with Archie there were "concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born".

Meghan said she would not reveal who was involved in the talks, but said there were "several conversations" about Archie's skin tone and "what that would mean or look like".

"That was relayed to me from Harry," she said. "Those were conversations family had with him."

The Sussexes with their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor shortly after his birth - AFP

Pushed by Winfrey on who had those conversations, Meghan said: "I think that would be very damaging to them".

The Duchess added that the decision not to give Archie a title was made by the Palace.

"They didn't want him to be a prince or princess, not knowing what the gender would be, which would be different from protocol, and that he wasn't going to receive security," she said.

"In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, so we have in tandem the conversation of, you won't be given security, not gonna be given a title and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born."

01:40 AM

Meghan: I was silenced

The Duchess of Sussex told Oprah she was "silenced" when she joined the Royal family, while everyone in her circle was instructed to say "no comment" to questions which she said they did.

Meghan said the reports around her incident with the Duchess of Cambridge was "the beginning of a real character assassination".

The Duchess said "people within The Firm" told her she was "everywhere" in press coverage, and a member of the family suggested that she "lay low" for a while.

"I said: 'I have left the house twice in four months, I am everywhere but I am nowhere'," the Duchess told Oprah as she described her loneliness.

Winfrey asked Meghan: "Were you silent? Or were you silenced?"

"Everyone in my world was given very clear directive from the moment the world knew Harry and I were dating, to always say 'no comment'," she replied.

01:31 AM

Things 'worsened' once we were married

The Duchess has claimed the Palace was willing to "lie" to protect "other" members of the Royal family rather than correct reports about her.

Meghan says the situation became more difficult after marriage - CBS

"It was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected, but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family," she said. "But they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband."

However the Duchess stressed that the Queen was nothing but lovely to her, comparing their relationship to one of grandmother and grand-daughter.

01:19 AM

'Kate made me cry'

Contrary to reports that the Duchess of Sussex made the Duchess of Cambridge cry at her wedding rehearsal, Meghan says the "reverse" was true.

Meghan says Kate made her cry - CBS

Oprah raised the rumours that Meghan had made "Kate", as she referred to her, cry during a rehearsal for the flower girls.

Reports after the Sussexes' wedding suggested Meghan's demands had left the Duchess of Cambridge in tears during the rehearsal.

She said in fact the "reverse happened" and the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry. She later apologised, brought her flowers and took accountability for it.

The Duchess said Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge made her cry before the wedding - AFP

Meghan said she was not sharing the information to be "disparaging", but added it was "really important for people to understand the truth".

"She's a good person," the Duchess added.

Meghan said the Duchess of Cambridge was "upset about some things and she owned it and apologised".

The Duchess described later press reports that distorted the incident as a turning point.

01:16 AM

Harry and Meghan married days before their wedding

The Duchess revealed that she married Prince Harry three days before their Royal wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor.

The formal ceremony was done by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

01:15 AM

Duchess invokes Diana

The Duchess opens the interview by invoking the infamous interview done by Diana, Princess of Wales in 1995.

The interview with the BBC revealed intimate details of Diana's marriage to Prince Charles and was watched by millions. It was also said to have infuriated the Queen.

The Duchess said she entered the Royal family "naively", but had since become aware of Diana's "famous" tell-all interview.

Oprah with Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special - CBS

The Duchess said she did not research Prince Harry or his family beforehand, and had a very limited understanding of what marrying into the family would entail.

"I didn't romanticise any element of it, but I think as Americans especially - what you know about the royals is what you read in fairy tales," she said.

The Duchess said the Queen was "lovely" to her - AFP

Meghan revealed the first time she met the Queen, Prince Harry asked her if she knew how to curtesy.

"He said: 'Do you know how to curtesy?'

"That was the first moment that the penny dropped."

She said she and Harry then practiced her curtsey before meeting the Queen.

"We sat there and we just chatted. And it was lovely and easy," she said.

01:03 AM

'No subject is off limits'

And we've begun. Oprah has opened the interview by reminding viewers that no subject is off the table. The Duchess of Sussex has not been paid for her participation.

The Duchess of Sussex said she knows the gender of her baby and it will be revealed later on during the interview, which was filmed at a friend's house.

01:01 AM

Oprah's most memorable and revealing interviews

To give you a taste of what is to come, The Telegraph looked back over the course of Oprah Winfrey's 25-year television career and the interviews that made her TV royalty.

From Lance Armstrongs guilt to Rihannas forgiveness, for some of the most memorable moments in modern pop culture, you need look no further than Oprahs sofa.

Have a look back at her greatest TV moments here.

12:58 AM

Palace 'bullying' investigation will only feature Duchess

Allegations of bullying against the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have surfaced in recent days ahead of their tell-all interview.

The Telegraph's Victoria Ward has this report revealing that the Buckingham Palace investigation into bullying will be confined solely to allegations concerning the Duchess - and no other members of the Royal family.

The review will be deliberately limited in scope, focusing on a specific time period, and will invite only members of staff from the time to give evidence, The Telegraph understands.

Read the full story here.

12:44 AM

Princes hope to reunite this summer

The Duke of Sussex is determined to stand shoulder to shoulder with his brother at the unveiling of a statue of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, whatever the fallout from his interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Victoria Ward has spoken to a royal source who believes tonight offers the Sussexes' a chance to "draw a line under that chapter of their lives".

The source, who is close to Prince Harry, insisted that whatever had been said and done, he desperately hoped to attend the event at Kensington Palace to mark his mother's 60th birthday on July 1.

Read the full story here.

12:36 AM

'Today's the day'

The Queen of chat show has been counting down the hours until the interview airs on her social media accounts.

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12:34 AM

Meghan's sorority watching along

Students from Northwestern University in Chicago, Meghan's alma mater, will be eagerly watching tonight's interview.

Members of the Duchess' former sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, say they are marking the occasion with British-themed food and memorabilia from the royal wedding.

Despite coronavirus restrictions, Northwestern graduate Alexis Barber, 22, told the New York Times she will be taking to Instagram to share her obsession with the Duchess with friends.

I just need to know whats going on, she told the newspaper.

12:15 AM

PR savvy or a faux pas?

Oprah Winfrey is the queen of the chat show, but is she the right person to interview Harry and Meghan? The Telegraph's Robin Aitken has his reservations about the move.

He writes: "I can see the temptation  it gives them a huge audience and an opportunity to enlist the sympathy of the credulous  but it comes at a cost. The thing which Harry and Meghan stand to lose is their authenticity. How can we take them seriously when so much about their lives now seems so phony and fake?

For one thing the idea that this is any kind of normal journalistic interview is wrong. Oprah Winfrey is no even-handed inquisitor. She has built a reputation and media empire by monetising flattery - the same technique employed with huge success by Hello! magazine.

If you look at Oprahs back catalogue (and its vast; she has interviewed more than 30,000 people in her long career) what stands out is the way she shamelessly massages the egos of her famous guests; but then occasionally she goes on to be unexpectedly sharp and insinuating.

Its a technique that can pay dividends but it doesnt entirely dispel the suspicion that she often pulls her punches.

You can read more here.

11:59 PM

'Were you silent, or were you silenced?

This was the first teaser CBS released, and in it Oprah Winfrey reveals "there is no subject that is off-limits". She asks the Duchess of Sussex: "Were you silent, or were you silenced?"

11:48 PM

Your essential pre-interview read

The Telegraph's Associate Editor, Camilla Tominey, has written this forensic account of how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ended up here, beginning back in October 2017. She writes:

The Telegraph has spoken to a number of well-placed insiders who witnessed first-hand the turmoil within the royal household from Meghan's arrival as Prince Harry's girlfriend to the couple's decision to stand down as working royals last year. All spoke on the condition of anonymity amid claims they had been operating in a "climate of fear", where employees were routinely "humiliated" in front of their peers and repeatedly subjected to "unreasonable demands" by both Meghan and Harry.

It's an unmissable piece and you can read it in full here.

11:41 PM

Five thorny issues we can expect to crop up

The tiny crumbs from the interview that CBS has already thrown out tell us that it is going to be unmissable.

The slickly produced, dramatic teasers have quashed any lingering hopes that the couple might stick to more mundane and diplomatic subject matters. Instead, they will lift the lid on life behind palace walls in a manner no member of the family has done for decades.

Here, Victoria Ward highlights five issues likely to be hot topics, with racism top of the list. As she writes:

From the moment Meghan Markle arrived on the royal scene, the couple have claimed that press coverage has contained undercurrents of racism. She will almost certainly talk about race in Britain but more damaging would be claims that the royal institution itself was racist.

Read her full article here.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
DENVER, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Britehorn Partners served as exclusive investment banker to Meridian Title Corporation in its sale to Armatage Capital. This deal represents another successful transaction for Britehorn Partners in the title insurance sector. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1938, Meridian Title has 34 offices in Indiana and Michigan, and facilitates residential and commercial transactions across the country. The company works with real estate brokers, banks, attorneys, builders and individual home buyers and sellers to deliver streamlined and on-time closings for any type of real estate transaction.

"When we started the sale process, our goal was to find the right partner to continue the company's proud legacy of service to our clients and our family culture," said Mark Myers, outgoing CEO of Meridian Title. "We are grateful to the Britehorn Partners team, led by Brett Story, for identifying Armatage as the right buyer and guiding us to a successful transaction."

"I am very excited to get to work with the Meridian team and build upon the company's strong foundation and sterling reputation," said incoming CEO and Armatage principal, Randy Rempp, "We have evaluated countless businesses over the years and believe we have found the perfect acquisition in Meridian."

About Armatage Capital

Armatage Capital was founded in 2018 by Randy Rempp as an acquisition fund focused on creating the right ownership transition for business owners at the right time. Randy brings over a half decade of operating experience to the table and has a strong focus on positioning businesses for growth. He has partnered with a diverse group of successful investors. This team brings an entrepreneurial enthusiasm and expertise across a multitude of industries. For more information, please visit www.armatagecapital.com

About Britehorn Partners

Founded in 2013, Britehorn Partners is a leading investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions for middle-market clients with a specialty in finance & insurance, technology, telecom, consumer product and business service verticals. The Britehorn Partners team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars. For more information, visit www.britehorn.com.

Contact:

Natalia Story

6507736748

[email protected]

SOURCE Britehorn Partners LLC
THE man who led the opposition to Taylor Wimpeys first drainage scheme has complained to the local government ombudsman about South Oxfordshire District Councils handling of the issue.

Peter Boros complained to the council last year because it was set to process the developers application without a full flood risk assessment and, he claims, only changed tack when the scale of opposition became apparent.

Mr Boros says the proposal was so different from what was agreed in 2018 that the council should have demanded a full planning application, which would have given residents more time to respond.

He also criticised the council for refusing to consider his petition because its policy excludes these where they relate to planning applications. Mr Boros is suppported by Shiplake Parish Council and people who signed his petition.

But the district council dismissed his complaint. Development manager Paula Fox said the council didnt have to consult on reserved matters applications where planning permission already existed but it published all available information online.

She told Mr Boros: Had my officers had any awareness of the complexity of ground conditions during the determination of the outline planning application or the reserved matters application, these would have been brought to the fore as soon as possible.

Indeed, it was only after details of the development were approved through a reserved matters application that the scale of the problems became apparent. Im sorry you gained a perception of bias towards the developer... the council is required to work with them but that doesnt mean the submitted information isnt rigorously and independently assessed by officers and expert consultees.

Planning applications tend to generate significant public interest and its not unusual to receive petitions with hundreds of signatures. It would be unmanageable if each was to trigger a requirement for full councils consideration. We are considering the drainage matters very carefully and through the correct process.

Mr Boros then complained to the councils head of services Adrian Duffield, who supported his colleague. He said: I understand many residents opposed the principle of development on the site and would like the [drainage scheme] rejected as a way of preventing it but the council is expected to work constructively to find solutions to enable the permission to proceed.

Mr Boros told the Henley Standard: I would question why such a poorly constructed case from Taylor Wimpey wasnt examined properly. It shouldnt be necessary for loads of people to object to the district council, or to hire a team of engineers and lawyers, to force a shift in position. You should be able to trust your planning authority to make decisions on your behalf.

A council spokeswoman said: Feedback from the community is an important part of the planning process. We have followed our standard procedures for applications of this type.
Ghaziabad: Residents of a housing society in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad have filed a complaint against the chairman of the maintenance committee after the latter allegedly threatened them for seeking information regarding the completion of the project.

The members of AJPA Dronagiri Society, Sector 11, Vasundhara, had convened a meeting of the society on Sunday (March 7) to discuss the completion of the project, its amenities, completion certificate and status of the society finances.

The residents alleged severe financial indiscipline in the society accounts which management denied sharing with members despite many requests. They also claimed to have been denied the promised facilities in the society and were threatened for raining the issue.

During the meeting, R D Sharma, chairman maintenance committee, and Anil Sharma, secretary, allegedly misbehaved with the residents. Sharma allegedly threatened that he already has several cases against him and that he did not fear the administration or police.

Following this, the members approached the SHO, Indirapuram, to file a complaint against Sharmas. The residents said that they are scared and worried about the safety of their families.

hey have also submitted their application with UP RERA, DM of Ghaziabad, SSP Ghaziabad to look into the issue.
Mastercard is partnering with the Expo School Programme to expand its work in designing a better world for women by calling on girls across the UAE to join a virtual Girls4Tech session to celebrate International Womens Day.

Mastercard is hosting virtual Girls4Tech sessions in 23 countries to inspire girls across the globe to explore the possibilities of careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

A Mastercard signature education programme, Girls4Tech was launched to drive the interest of young girls in STEM subjects. The programme aims to help support the skill gap in the technology industry for girls in primary school, using basic technology and training content that effectively drives learning and engages curiosity.

Emanating from a deep and enduring partnership between Mastercard and the Expo School Programme team, the virtual session  co-hosted with Expo 2020  will help create a pipeline of female talent for the jobs of tomorrow by teaching subjects that are shaping the future of science, research and the digital economy.

Through Girls4Tech, Mastercard has committed to reach 2,020 girls across the UAE before Expo 2020 ends on 31 March, 2022  leveraging its deep expertise in payments technology and innovation in a way that creates limitless possibilities for girls. The initiative covers topics such as encryption, fraud detection, data analysis, digital convergence, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. It also emphasizes important skills, including collaboration, creativity and communication, to enable young girls to apply their technical knowledge to solve real-world challenges.

International Womens Day has been marked every year for over a century. In the run-up to the UAEs Golden Jubilee, we are working towards a bright and connected future, not just on this special day, but every day. Working with our partners, we are committed to tackling the problem head-on to see women succeed and thrive in domains where they have historically been overlooked. Through Girls4Tech, we can inspire young girls to become the technology leaders and innovators of tomorrow, said Beatrice Cornacchia, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Mastercard Middle East and Africa.

Since the launch of Expo School Programme, we have been engaging with schools from across the emirates, inspiring and empowering the next generation to explore, create and learn through a variety of initiatives and programmes. We have been engaging with the schools community through a series of diverse virtual workshops and are now delighted to collaborate with Mastercard on Girls4Tech to celebrate the power of technology for girls across the UAE, said Alya Al Ali, Vice President, Expo School Programme, Expo 2020 Dubai.

Girls4Tech has already reached more than one million girls in 41 countries, and Mastercard has committed to reaching five million girls globally by 2025. The award-winning programme is available in 14 languages, including Arabic.

In celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, held annually on February 11, Expo has also teamed up with UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to promote gender equality in STEM. -- Tradearabia News Service
Over the last few years, Xiaomi has enjoyed a lot of success with its Redmi Note series of phones. In fact, the Redmi Note series has been such a runaway success, that it has not only outsold most of Xiaomi's other popular phone line-ups, but even entire brands at times. So when the company launched its latest Redmi Note 10 line-up earlier last week, it appeared to be doing so with the hope of repeating its past successes.

While it's too early to say if Xiaomi has managed to do so with the Note 10 series, we can definitely say the phones look like a very good attempt at doing so. The Note 10, Note 10 Pro and the Note 10 Pro Max offer enough in terms of upgrades over their predecessors from last year. However, the biggest upgrades are offered by the most expensive phone in the line-up this year, the Note 10 Pro Max. Starting at Rs 18,999, it is quite aggressively priced as the phone offers in return a 120Hz SuperAMOLED display and a headline-grabbing 108-megapixel-lens-based quad-camera set-up. We've had the device with us for a few days now. Here are our initial impressions of it.

Redmi Note 10 Pro Max: About the design and display

To begin with, let's talk about the design. With the Note 10 Pro Max, Xiaomi has moved away from the Aura design philosophy which it had introduced a few years ago, as the new phone is based on its EVOL design language. As a result, the Note 10 Pro Max is significantly slimmer and sleeker than the Note 9 Pro Max from last year. The phone is also slightly lighter at 192 grams. To its credit, Xiaomi has used glass both at the front and the back of the device, which makes the Note 10 Pro Max look premium beyond its price point.

The glass back isn't exactly glossy, but in the black colour variant, it's slightly reflective and also picks up smudges easily. The back also features a dual-step camera set-up which houses the phone's four camera lenses. Moving to the front, we have a minimal amount of bezels enclosing a vibrant panel that can work at either 60Hz or 120Hz -- as per the user's choice. The 6.67-inch SuperAMOLED panel is rated to run at FullHD+ resolution and supports 100 percent DCI-P3 wide colour gamut, HDR-10. Because of its make, the panel is also claimed to reach a high peak brightness of 1,200 nits. Protecting the display is a sheet of Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Overall, these elements come together to create a rather well-designed device that not only looks great but also feels good in the hand.

Redmi Note 10 Pro Max: Feels snappy

Underneath, the phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G processor which does not support 5G. However, this chipset offers an octa-core configuration CPU and Adreno 618 GPU. Xiaomi has paired this with up to 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and up to 128GB UFS 2.2 storage to choose from. While still have to run our battery of tests on the device, we found that the phone's hardware was generally adequate for handling most things you throw at it.

We'll come up with detailed numbers later with our full review, but for now, we can confirm the general performance of the device appears to be satisfactory and the device looks good to handle heavy-duty games including Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9 Legends. The fast display also helps improve the gaming experience on supported phones and generally ended up feeling like a nice feature to have on the device because of how crisp and vibrant it is.

Redmi Note 10 Pro Max: Battery and other features

Xiaomi has also retained some features that were popular with the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max. As such, the Note 10 Pro Max also gets a 3.5mm audio jack, IR sensor, stereo speakers, 360-degree ambient light sensor, and more. It also offers a similar-sized battery as last year, with the new device getting a big 5,020mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging out-of-the-box.

Redmi Note 10 Pro Max: Cameras

However, the Note 10 Pro Max's biggest upgrade is arguably its Samsung ISOCELL HM2 108MP-lens-based camera set-up. This set-up not only affords the phone a lot of versatility because of the presence of a dedicated 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 5MP Super Macro lens, but also a 2MP depth sensor for helping improve the quality of portrait shots clicked by the device.





Once again, we haven't tested the device's cameras enough to give a clear verdict about it. However, we have used it enough to say our initial impressions of it are positive. In the time we've used the device, we have found it to be good for clicking pictures. As always, the phone MIUI 12-based camera app works without any hitches and also offers support for a number of modes including Panorama, VLOG, and Clone mode.

The phone's camera is fast to focus and also locks on to subjects at a tap. The shutter speed is also good and these elements come together with the high megapixel count to produce well-detailed pictures. The primary lens especially clicks well-detailed shots in both well-lit and low-light situations. For the latter, pictures do tend to come out a bit oversaturated, which takes a little away in terms of colour accuracy, but overall, the low light performance appears to be good for a phone in the price range.





The 5MP Super Macro lens will also prove to be a nice addition for those who like Macro photography. While it may not be a replacement for a DSLR with a dedicated lens, the Super Macro with its low megapixel count can still prove to be a good enough addition for a point-and-shoot camera set-up. The ultra-wide lens on the device appears to be there just to make up the numbers with its performance leaving a little to be desired. However, we'll like to reserve our verdict on it for now and wait for our full review to talk more about it.
NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaders involved in the 2021 Generation Equality Forum have called for bold new global commitments to catapult progress on gender equality. The Action Coalitions of the Forum are new and innovative partnerships including governments, feminist and youth movements and organizations, the private sector and international organizations. They will today preview the actions they view as critical to creating gender-equal societies as the world rebuilds post COVID-19. The leaders will also call for others to join them as commitment makers in their milestone effort to accelerate investment and implementation for women and girl's rights. Their urgent call reflects concern that gender equality  set back by the COVID-19 pandemic  needs redoubled investment and focus if the world's women and girls are not to fall behind.

The 2021 Generation Equality Forum, an initiative of UN Women, with the governments of France, Mexico and in partnership with civil society and youth, will kick off in Mexico City in March 2021 and culminate in Paris in June 2021 aiming to spur major financial and political commitments for gender equality.

The Action Coalitions are highlighting the concrete action steps that they see as central to a new and bold feminist agenda within the next 5 years. Examples include:

Radical Steps to End Violence Against Women and Girls, including accelerated introduction and implementation of laws and policies prohibiting all forms of gender-based violence, protecting 550 million more women and girls worldwide.

A Global Re-set on Care-work and Equal Pay, including policy efforts to recognize, reduce and redistribute unpaid care work, alongside the creation of an additional 80 million decent care jobs.

Putting Women and Girls at the Heart of the new Digital and Green Economies by fueling the creation of jobs and leadership opportunities, doubling the proportion of women working in technology and innovation, and accelerating investment in gender-responsive climate solutions.

Halving the current global gender digital divide faced by girls and women, ensuring that 600 million more women can access the internet, and over 350 million more women and girls have access to a mobile phone.

Empowering women and girls to make and act on their own decisions about their sexual and reproductive lives by extending comprehensive sexuality education to 50 million more young people and changing norms, laws and policies to enable at least 260 million more girls, adolescents and women to exercise their bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive rights.

Increasing resources for feminist, youth-led and grass-roots women's groups, including women's funds, by doubling the annual growth rate of funding to such organizations.

The Generation Equality Forum responds to the fact that 26 years after the landmark Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing public rhetoric on gender equality has not been matched by action and implementation. COVID-19 has exacerbated existing inequities, with reports of rising violence against women, as well as greater adverse economic impacts.

The initial draft actions of the Action Coalitions may be viewed here. Full 'blueprints' detailing the draft agendas of each action coalition will be unveiled at the Generation Equality Forum in Mexico City, March 29-31 and commitments toward the action coalitions will be announced in Paris in June 2021. Registration for the Mexico event is now open at this link. Further information on the Mexico City Forum can be found here.

Welcoming the initial work of the Action Coalitions Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, said: "The pandemic has had a disastrous impact on women's and girls' lives and been a major set-back in the drive to achieve equality in our generation. The Generation Equality Forum  fueled by the work of the Action Coalitions  is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to permanently change course. We call on governments, corporations and change-making organizations around the world to join our urgent drive for action and commitments."

For further information about how to become a Generation Equality Forum commitment maker, interested organizations may view the FAQ or complete an expression of interest at the Generation Equality Forum website, forum.generationequality.org



Notes to Editors



1. For further information please contact Clare Winterton, UN Women, [email protected], +1 415 867 6525 or Nancy McCarthy at Ogilvy Public Relations, [email protected], +1 212.880.5366/mobile (917) 549-0233.





SOURCE UN Women

Related Links

https://forum.generationequality.org


Built for Theron Ink - a gold prospector and early Napa Valley settler who eventually became a highly successful agriculturist - this property known as the Ink House has come to market.

Ink House was Theron Ink's home on Helios Ranch in the late 1800s, by which time Ink had established himself as "valuable in Napa's contribution to the history of Northern California," according to a very entertaining biography published by the Lewis Publishing Company in 1891. The ranch was recognized by the National Park Service and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Through the many decades, the ranch was parceled off, leaving Ink House on 1.23 acres. In recent years, it became one of Napa Valley's boutique inns. The inn was even home to Elvis Presley during the filming of "Wild in the Country" in 1960.
Performance Brokerage Services, Inc. Performance Brokerage Services represented Don and Cheryl Brenengen in the sale of their 6 dealerships to Morries Automotive Group.

Performance Brokerage Services, the leading buy-sell firm in the automotive industry, is pleased to announce the sale of the majority interest in Brenengen Auto to Morries Automotive Group. The transaction consisted of 6 dealerships in Wisconsin, including Kia of West Salem, Chevrolet of West Salem, Chevrolet Cadillac of Onalaska, Chevrolet Buick of Sparta, Ford of Sparta and Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Tomah.

In 1991, Don Brenengen founded Brenengen Auto, a leading and well-respected automotive retail group with 6 locations in western Wisconsin. Don Brenengen commented that the sale will create significant growth opportunities for our employees and a superior experience for our customers. Both groups share the values of serving their communities with honesty and integrity.

Founded in Minneapolis in 1960, Morries Auto Group has become one of the leading dealership groups in the upper Midwest, adding 10 additional locations since 2016. What started out as a family business, grew to a partnership structure that includes management and Fremont Private Holdings, the investment side of Fremont Group. Adding Brenengen Auto to their dealership portfolio will offer Morries 23 brands with locations in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Lance Iserman, CEO of Morries, commented, Brenengen is a natural complement to our existing business and has similar values rooted in a no-haggle, best-price approach and a focus on customer experience, community partnership, and overall culture.

Performance Brokerage Services represented Don and Cheryl Brenengen in the sale of their 6 dealerships to Morries Automotive Group. Over the last 5 years, Performance Brokerage Services has represented for sale over 200 automotive dealerships making it the highest volume automotive dealership brokerage firm in North America.

About Performance Brokerage Services

Performance Brokerage Services, Inc. specializes in intermediary services to buyers and sellers of automotive, commercial truck, motorcycle, RV and equipment dealerships.

Performance Brokerage Services offers a unique approach by providing complimentary dealership assessments, no upfront fees, no reimbursement of costs and is paid a success fee only after the transaction closes.

Clients benefit from utilizing an extensive network of industry related accountants, attorneys, hundreds of registered buyers and longstanding relationships with most of the auto manufacturers.

With corporate offices in Irvine, California, and 5 regional offices in Utah, Florida, Texas, Virginia and New Jersey, Performance Brokerage Services provides its clients national exposure with local representation.

After 25 years, 700 transactions and with a 90% closing rate, the companys reputation is unmatched and governed by the utmost ethical conduct, integrity and transparency.

For more information about the services offered by Performance Brokerage Services, visit https://performancebrokerageservices.com.
Gardai visited the home of Justice Minister Helen McEntee last night after a threatening phone call was made against her claiming there was a bomb at the property.

Sources have revealed that the threat was made to the Samaritans charity, who in turn contacted gardai.

It is understood the caller claimed that there may be a bomb at the Ministers home.

Gardai rushed to Ms McEntees Co Meath home but no device was found there after a detailed search.

It is understood that she was given security advice.

Read More

Officers have begun an investigation into the hoax phone call but no arrests have been made.

When contacted by Independent.ie, a spokesman for the Minister declined to comment.

Sources say that the minister, who is expecting a child in May, is the latest high profile public figure to be subjected to hoax threats.

She is among the most senior positions at Cabinet and among her key roles is being briefed on urgent security matters by the Garda Commissioner.
ORWIGSBURG  Schuylkill Countys oldest borough is getting a new look for one of its parks, and plans more such work in the future.

Borough Manager Randall P. Miller said the work on Albrights Woods, located along Grove Street at the border of West Brunswick Township, is progressing as weather permits.

The work is needed to keep the park safe, he said.

There are a bunch of dead trees that are hanging over the playground area, Miller said. Weve had dead limbs fall off the dead trees already.

Miller said at least 12 trees will be removed, although it could be more by the time the work is completed. There is no exact timetable for the work, he said.

Until he gets here, there may be other trees, Miller said.

He said the borough is taking the playground equipment from the site, but will not necessarily be getting rid of it.

Were trying to salvage as much (of it) as we can, Miller said.

He said the borough is trying to obtain grants from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to fund the installation of playground equipment at other locations. Those sites include the Orwigsburg Area Youth League ballfield in the Ridgeview development and a property the borough recently bought along Ridge Road near the intersection with Marshall Drive, according to Miller.

The grants arent done yet, and probably will not be until this fall, he said.
By Rupam Jain and David Brunnstrom

NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - India has urged the United States, Japan and Australia to invest in its vaccine production capacity, an Indian government source told Reuters, as the so-called Quad alliance tries to counter China's growing vaccine diplomacy.

Beijing has committed to provide at least 463 million doses of its home-made COVID-19 vaccines through exports and donations across the world from Asia to Africa, Europe and Latin America, according to Reuters calculations.

Two senior Indian officials said the Quad alliance, grouping the United States, Japan, Australia and India, was stepping up efforts to expand global vaccination to counter China's growing soft power. India, the world's biggest vaccine maker, believes it is best placed to steer the effort, they added.

Asked for comment, a U.S. State Department spokesperson did not refer to India's request for funds or to China but said Washington was deeply focused on expanding global vaccination, manufacturing and delivery.

"Secretary (Antony) Blinken spoke with his Quad counterparts on February 18 to discuss cooperation on COVID-19 response and recovery and climate change, among other issues," the official told Reuters.

There was no comment from the Australian government. But a government source said a global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic was a policy priority for the country and its Quad partners. Australia is exploring a number of options to work with partners to enhance stability and prosperity in the region, the source said.

Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told a news conference on Friday that the four countries discussed the "necessity and importance of international cooperation to ensure equal access to vaccines for developing countries," at the February meeting, but nothing was decided.

An Indian foreign ministry spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.

One of the two Indian sources, an official who has direct knowledge of Quad alliance discussions, said the group had had several meetings about global vaccination.

Story continues

"India has more vaccine options than any other Asian country at this point of time," said the source, declining to be named as he was not authorised to talk on the matter. "India expects members of the Quad alliance to pay to ramp up production.

A second Indian source said that at the February virtual meeting, the Quad countries discussed ways to "encourage alternative medical supply chains, thereby implying less dependency on China".

A top political advisory body in Beijing, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said concerns that China was using vaccines to sway other countries were "extremely narrow-minded."

China's purpose was to make vaccines available globally, the foreign ministry said.

BILLIONS OF DOSES

Indian companies such as the Serum Institute of India (SII), Bharat Biotech, Biological E and Cadila Healthcare have the combined capacity to produce billions of doses of their own vaccines or contract-manufacture for others.

SII, the world's biggest single manufacturer, is producing the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine for many countries and will soon start making the Novavax shots in bulk.

India is also trying to sell a vaccine created by Bharat Biotech and the state-run Indian Council of Medical Research to 40 countries including Brazil, the Philippines and Zimbabwe. Bharat Biotech says it can make about 700 million doses of the shot a year.

Indian vaccine makers are also planning to produce more COVID-19 vaccines developed by the United States and Russia, including Johnson & Johnson.

A top Indian vaccine official told Reuters in January that the government had also held discussions with U.S. companies Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc about making their shots in India.

Serum's Novavax partnership holds "the key to the Quads diplomatic alliance in vaccines and push China out of regional vaccine sales", one of the Indian sources said.

"The focus is also on making sure the Quad alliance secures all the key markets for vaccines," he said.

Indian companies will also produce about 300 million doses of Russia's Sputnik-V vaccine, but the source said Washington was not keen on helping expand Moscow's clout in vaccines.

(Reporting by Rupam Jain, David Brunnstrom, Neha Dasgupta, Kirsty Needham, Krishna N. Das, Sanjeev Miglani and Kiyoshi Takenaka; Writing by Krishna N. Das; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Credit: ErsinTekkol/Shutterstock

Flexible workplace policies designed to improve gender gaps in employment and pay might actually make things worse for women.

Flexible work has been on offer to both men and women in many companies for decades. However, it is usually women who are in non-standard employment such as part-time work, often to meet the demands of children, sick parents or partners needing extra care.

Flexible arrangements might support women in maintaining a work-life balance. But policies that make it easier to transition to a part-time job or take leave may actually be weakening their position in the labor market and their lifetime earnings potential, therefore widening gender gaps in pay.

This highlights the need for equal policies for women and men.

COVID-19 and the labor market

The world changed under COVID-19 and the movement towards more flexible work may be one of the silver linings of the pandemic.

This International Women's Day (March 8), we are in a unique position to tap into the learnings from the COVID-19 lockdowns, during which many men and women were working from home and sharing housework, home-schooling and childcare responsibilities.

Research shows Australian fathers stepped into more involved roles in the household during the lockdowns and have maintained higher levels of involvement in housework and childcare as things return to normal.

Job flexibility and gender pay gap

New research from the Melbourne Institute suggests flexible work conditions such as part-time hours could be a driving factor in the career decisions of women, but not men, and a key reason why the gender divide in employment is not narrowing.

Gender differences in labor force participation, wages and working hours in Australia are very similar to those in the Netherlands, so a study from there offers valuable insights for policymakers in Australia.

Researchers (including one of us, Jordy Meekes) used data from Statistics Netherlands to analyze how men and women respond to job loss.

The study found women remained unemployed for longer than men. When they did find new jobs, women also experienced a larger reduction in working hours than men, which reduced their annual earnings.

It appears women tend to put more emphasis on job flexibility than men, an explanation for why it is hard for women to return to the workforce. Women may even be willing to pass up job opportunities in favor of the flexible work conditions they rely on to balance work and family life.

Women remain largely responsible for the organizational and physical work of making sure kids are completing homework, lunches are prepared and attending numerous after-school activities.

Since work and school schedules are seldom aligned, someone has to do the juggle. To keep the family humming, mothers spend more time on housework and care and less time on employment after the birth of the first child.

Part-time mothers

The career penalty for women that comes with having a child in the current system is felt long beyond the period of maternity leave.

It is commonly acceptable for women to return to work in a part-time capacity. And it is often women who are culturally and socially expected to use flexible conditions to leave work and care for a sick child, for example. Less so for men.

The Melbourne Institute study found men who worked part-time in their previous role took longer to secure another job and were more likely to have to take a pay cut than men who worked full-time.

Men who previously worked part-time earned on average 10% less in the new job. This finding suggests employers attach a penalty to part-time work for men, explained by the fact it is relatively uncommon for men.

Equal policies for women and men

Our beliefs about gender norms are shifting but this is not reflected in workplace and government policies on paper or in practice.

A review of existing policies is an important step in determining how suitable workplace policies are to support all employees.

Having written policies to support diversity and inclusion or flexible work practices is positive but it is not a sign of success. Particularly if, in practice, only a small number of employees can avail of the benefitsand at what cost?

The COVID-19 lockdowns, while challenging for many, have given us an insight into what flexibility could truly look like for men and women alike.

Explore further Why do men publish more research papers than women? Motherhood plays key role

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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From todays Down in Alabama podcast:

Youve surely heard the phrase, metropolitan statistical area. Sometimes for places that may or may not feel very metropolitan to you.

Its a subjective word. Some of us feel a little cramped in Vinegar Bend. Others need to be able to walk to an Apple Store and a Cheesecake Factory to feel connected to the world.

A proposal has been out there that would change the threshhold for what qualifies a place to be considered a metropolitan statistical area -- reportedly just for categorization purposes, although some fear there could be negative consequences for some areas.

Well talk more about that on todays Alabama news briefing. Also well talk about an effort to boycott Amazon and this weeks weather.

The Down in Alabama podcast is short and free. Listen to it by clicking on the player above or subscribe by looking for Down in Alabama on the device of your choosing. Get this and other AL.com newsletters here.

Click here for the Spotify podcast page

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JERSEY CITY  Police are still searching for Elvis Santana, the man wanted in the fatal stabbing of Mathew Mortimer, a 29-year-old Bayonne man.

At least 100 Jersey City police officers, some units from the Hudson County Regional SWAT team, Bayonne police officers and more were seen surrounding the Monaco building on Washington Blvd. in Downtown Jersey City for hours Friday night and Saturday afternoon, Jersey Journal Freelance Photographer Joe Shine said.

Authorities conducted floor-to-floor checks looking for Santana. The Jersey City Police Department could not be reached for comment.

Mortimer was found in the hallway of an apartment building on Avenue C near West 54th Street just before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Mortimer was pronounced dead 45 minutes later at Jersey City Medical Center.

Santana was marked as a suspect in the murder on Friday.

A person familiar with the incident told The Jersey Journal that Santana had relations with Mortimers girlfriend. The Avenue C apartment building in Bayonne  where Mortimer was found fatally stabbed  is where he lived with his girlfriend and her children, the person said.

7 1095 Avenue C in Bayonne.

As of Sunday, no arrests have been made.

Desirae Mortimer told The Jersey Journal that she remembered her brother for his heart pure of gold. She said he was her best friend and receiving the news on March 2 put her into shock.

The homicide is the first of two in Bayonne in 2021 and was the fourth in Hudson County this year.

This report was updated to correct the name of the building searched by police.

Its St Patricks Day on 17 March and what better way to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland than by reading a book by an Irish author? Ireland has a population of just under five million, but despite its size it has produced some of the finest and most successful writers in the world  from James Joyce to Edna OBrien.

Literary superstar Marian Keyes has sold more than 35 million copies of her books worldwide. Colm Toibin won the 2009 Costa Novel Award with Brooklyn, which was made into a movie starring Saoirse Rohan, while The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne was also turned into a film  and later on, a ballet.

Read more: 8 best Marian Keyes books from Rachels Holiday to Grown Ups

Choosing the best books by Irish authors is highly subjective and its almost impossible to narrow them down to a mere 10 titles. With that in mind weve picked books to suit all tastes  from highbrow tomes to popular fiction  but we could have chosen 100 and still not included everyone we wanted to feature.

We havent, for instance, included Oscar Wilde (The Picture of Dorian Gray was his only novel), Roddy Doyle, William Trevor, Eimear McBride, Lisa McInerney, or Maeve Binchy and more  all of whom are brilliant writers.

Weve kept our focus instead on novels, and even then more well known books like Angelas Ashes, Frank McCourts Pulitzer Prize -winning memoir about his poverty-stricken 1930s childhood, are missing.

Still, the ones below are some of our all-time favourites by Irish authors, that made us laugh, made us cry and made us think  titles that well re-read over and over again in the years to come.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

Brooklyn by Colm Toibin, published by Penguin This beguiling novel beat Hilary Mantels Booker-prizewinningWolf Hall to the coveted 2009 Costa novel award and we can see why. Its the story of Eilis Lacey, a young girl who leaves small-town Ireland to find work in 1950s New York. Desperately homesick at first, Eilis gradually becomes absorbed in her new life  till devastating news from home forces her to decide between personal freedom and duty. Its exquisitely-written and a tender story of love and loss, we couldnt put it down and think youll love it too. Buy now  6.95 , Hive.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} The Country Girls by Edna OBrien, published by Faber & Faber When Edna OBriens classic coming-of-age novel was first published back in 1960 it caused outrage. It was banned by the Irish censor for its explicit content and frank portrayal of sexual desire and in some ways that made it even more of an exciting read. But times have changed and in 2019, Faber & Faber, published a new edition ofThe Country Girls trilogy, including the two sequels, The Lonely Girl and Girls in their Married Bliss, with the addition of an introduction by Eimear McBride herself. The trilogy follows the tale of two girls  Cait Brady and Baba Brennan  who grow up in a repressive Irish village after the Second World War. After being expelled from convent school they head to the bright lights of Dublin, where their lives take unexpected turns. Its an exceptional collection and each page is as seductive and dazzling as the next. Buy now  9.43 , Blackwells.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright, published by Vintage From the Man Booker prize-winning The Gathering to The Green Room, its hard to choose between Anne Enrights novels. However, our pick is The Forgotten Waltz, which was shortlisted for the 2012 Orange Prize, and chronicles a love affair that wrecks two Dublin marriages. Narrated by Gina, who is married to the steady Conor but in love with the more complicated Sean, we found it to be an achingly brilliant piece of writing on passion and delusion. Its a pleasure to read from start to finish and reignites our love for fiction. All because Enrights prose flows so smoothly and eloquently that she makes writing seem effortless. Buy now  7.37 , Whsmith.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne, published by Definitions It may surprise you to learn that John Boyne wrote the first draft of his classic 2006 novel in just two and a half days. The idea came to me on a Tuesday evening, he told The Irish Times in 2017. I began writing on Wednesday morning and continued for 60 hours with only short breaks, not sleeping on Wednesday or Thursday nights and finishing the first draft by Friday lunchtime. Since then its a novel that has captured the hearts, and many tears, of the nation. Told through the eyes of naive nine-year-old Bruno, we learn that he is baffled by his familys move from Berlin to the middle of nowhere. Why is there a huge razor-wire fence next to the house and who is the boy in grey striped pyjamas on the other side? Its tale of innocence, evil and the power of friendship and though its aimed at younger readers, its lauded by people of all ages and for us its truly an unputdownable read. Buy now  6.55 , Whsmith.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} Ulysses by James Joyce, published by Penguin Modern Classics No list of the best Irish literature would be complete without Ulysses  even though its a book that divides opinion. Some Joyce fans are so devoted to it that they re-read it every year, while sceptics declare that its one of the most challenging novels in the English language (Joyces Finnegans Wake is even more challenging). First published in book form in 1922, the story is set in and around Dublin on a single day in 1904. The three main characters, Stephen Dedalus, Leopold Bloom and his wife Molly are modern-day counterparts of Telemachus, Ulysses and Penelope, and the events of the novel loosely mirror the main events of Ulyssess journey home after the Trojan War. If you can keep up with all thats going on, its a fascinating read  though it might not be the best choice for a relaxing, easy, before-bed read. Buy now  9.99 , Waterstones.com {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} Normal People by Sally Rooney, published by Faber Thanks to the BBCs TV adaptation, Sally Rooneys Normal People became one of the most talked-about novels last year. Its the story of star-crossed lovers Marianne and Connell, who grow up in the same small town in the west of Ireland and try to stay apart but cant. At school Connell is popular with everyone while Marianne is a loner with no friends. The situation changes at university in Dublin, where Marianne thrives but Connell finds it hard to fit in. Its relatable content makes it all the more compelling and we cant recommend it enough as a book or a series to binge. Rooney is still only 30 but shes a wonderful writer who deserves every plaudit shes received. This year the BBC will begin filming Rooneys first novel, Conversations with Friends, which is also set in Dublin and explores the tangled relationships of four friends and we cant wait to once again see her words come to life on screen. Buy now  6.99 , Blackwells.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} Grown Ups by Marian Keyes, published by Penguin Marian Keyess novels are warm, witty and wise. Even when shes writing about hard-hitting subjects like divorce, depression or alcoholism, shes never preachy or pious. Its hard to choose her best book but her latest, Grown Ups, is a wonderful story, filled with heartbreak, empathy and Keyess trademark humour. Its the story of the Caseys, a close-knit family of three brothers, their wives and their children. Described by her publisher as inimitable Marian Keyes, it explores everything from family life and infidelity to bulimia and tricky finances. Youll laugh, cry, and might even have your heart broken, but its definitely worth it. Buy now  6.99 , Waterstones.com {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} City of Bohane by Kevin Barry, published by Vintage Shortlisted for the 2011 Costa First Novel Award and named as one of the BBCs 100 Novels That Shaped Our World, Kevin Barrys dystopian novel is an electrifying and utterly original read. The once-great city of Bohane on the west coast of Ireland is on its knees, infested by vice and split along tribal lines. The place has been in the grip of gang-leader Logan Hartnett for years but there are rumours that his old nemesis is back in town  and trouble is brewing. We love how different this book is from anything else on this list and are sure you will too. Buy now  9.99 , Waterstones.com {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} The Sea by John Banville, published by Picador When The Sea was named as the winner of the Booker prize in 2005 Professor John Sutherland, the chair of the judges, described it as a masterly study of grief, memory and loss. Its the story of art historian Max Morden, who returns to the seaside village where he spent a childhood holiday. Hes mourning the loss of his wife but it gradually becomes clear that hes also confronting a distant trauma. We found it a really intriguing read, with every page helping us try to piece together the answers, and though the shifts in time were occasionally hard to follow we cant deny that John Banvilles writing is sublime. Buy now  8.19 , Whsmith.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern, published by HarperCollins For something lighter try Cecelia Aherns best selling PS, I Love You, which she wrote at the tender age of 21. In the intervening years she has published 17 more novels, selling more than 25 million books worldwide  a pretty impressive achievement for a writer whos still only 39. PS, I Love You tells the story of Holly, whose husband Gerry dies of cancer. However, after his death she discovers that Gerry has left her a bundle of notes, one for each month and each signed PS, I love you. Its raw and heart-wrenching and one of those books we could read time and again without ever boring. We also love the follow-up to this heartrending tale, Postscript, which was published in 2019. Buy now  8.19 , Blackwells.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}}

The verdict: Books by Irish authors Choosing fiction is incredibly personal but our top choice is Brooklyn by Colm Toibin for its beautiful writing and tender storyline. However, The Country Girls, Edna OBriens classic coming-of-age tale of two convent girls who head to the bright lights of Dublin is not to be missed. Want more fiction books to curl up with this Spring? Take a look at these titles from The Duchess of Cornwalls new book club, The Reading Room

IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing.
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The Book Industry Study Group has long relied on volunteers to get its work done in creating a more informed and efficient book publishing industry. In addition to maintaining industry standards and best practices, BISG's different committees play the key role in getting the organization's work done on the different issues that affect all players in the supply chain. For the first time, all five BISG committees are chaired by women, and this week, PW, in cooperation with BISG, is shining a spotlight on these exceptional colleagues who volunteer their time and expertise to improve the way the industry produces, markets, and sells books.

Each day this week, beginning with Rebecca Burgoyne, PW will run a Q&A with the different chairs. The interviews have been conducted by industry consultant Julie Blattberg and edited by PW.

Burgoyne is executive director of operations for the United Methodist Publishing House, in which capacity she oversees production, supply chain, logistics, and intellectual property. She is chair of BISG's supply chain committee.

How did you get into the industry?

Its genetic. My father, Tom Clarkson, has been in the book industry since the early 1970s. When I graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1987, he invited me to join his consulting firm, which had a good smattering of book companies in its customer base. I got hooked on systems, standards, and processes, and ended up taking a job with one of our clients, The United Methodist Publishing House.

Whats your committee working on now?

Our biggest project is supply chain mapping, which comprises a visual portrayal of the book industry supply chain. This tool brings us to a shared understanding of the supply chain, including the entities, activities, and information flows. Its useful for everything from communication and training, to problem solving and standards development. The supply chain mapping project will have payoffs for years for come.

Were also updating existing standards for carton and pallet marking, discussing the implications of piracy and counterfeiting, and working to understand the impact of printing changeable metadata, such as pricing directly onto book jackets.

Whats on the horizon in 2021 for your committee?

We took a first pass on the 2021 charter during our last meeting. Weve tentatively laid plans to use the supply chain mapping tool to explore two areas: (1) the causes and effects of piracy on the U.S. market and (2) the applications of EDItX and XBITs. Additionally, we plan to adapt [the U.K.'s] BICs Industry Returns Initiative for the U.S market and to take on activities that strengthen engagement with book retailers and retail organizations.

Thinking about your work with BISG, what are you most proud of?

Bringing the supply chain map to see the light of day has been a real milestone, but the only part of this work I can legitimately lay claim to is continually putting this on the agenda, and continually putting the need for this map in front of the committee. The committee members have done an incredible job of stepping up and taking a blue-sky concept and turning it into something highly usable. We are well positioned now to take this to the next level and apply the mapping tool to some real-world problem-solving. I guess Id say Im most proud to work with a group of people who are authentically committed developing tools and solutions for the book industry supply chain.

Personally and/or professionally, what have you gotten out of volunteering with BISG?

Personally, its the connectionsthe friendships and the sort of genuine support that can only come from people who work in the same sector of an industry. When it comes to the minutiae of logistics or really geeking out over a solid standard, theres just no match for those colleagues who are in the same boat.

Professionally, I can think of three benefits: connections, solutions, and service. Connections are vital to any productive professional. Whether its trendspotting or problem-solving, when I need a sounding board, my BISG connections are a phone call away.

Solutions are core to BISGand the solutions come out when we gather in committee. You just cant beat BISG committees for diverse ways of thinking and commitment to workable, mutual solutions. Finally, committee work provides an outlet for service, an opportunity to give back. This industry has given me employment and purpose, and so, giving back in service is the most rewarding aspect of volunteering with BISG.
The start of jury selection was delayed Monday in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd, while an appeal proceeds over the possible reinstatement of a third-degree murder charge.

Chauvin, who was recorded on video kneeling on Floyd's neck for about nine minutes, is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter.

An appeals court ruled Friday that prosecutors can also try to reinstate a third-degree murder charge.

Chauvin's lawyer, Eric Nelson, said Monday that he intends to file a petition for review to ask the Minnesota Supreme Court to consider Friday's ruling, prompting prosecutor Matthew Frank to argue that the district court does not have jurisdiction to proceed before the matter is resolved.

Jury selection, which was scheduled to begin Monday, will be delayed for at least a day. Potential jurors were sent home while the state filed a motion with an appeals court to delay the jury selection process.

Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill said he is prepared to move forward with what will be one of Minnesota's highest-profile trials ever.

Cahill said that the third-degree murder charge is a narrow issue and that the court can proceed with other motions and jury selection and "figure out where we're at March 29," when opening statements are set to begin.

Frank, however, contended that proceedings be delayed in part so that jurors would know what charges they would be considering.

"This court will be seating jurors for a trial about which we don't know what the exact charges are going to be yet," he said.

He asked that the court stop the jury selection process and allow Frank's petition to be filed.

That would delay the trial by at least 30 days, Cahill said.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the state is ready to go to trial, but that the trial "must be conducted in accordance with the rules and the law."

Story continues

"Now that Mr. Chauvin has stated his intention to appeal Friday's Court of Appeals ruling to the Minnesota Supreme Court, as is his right, the district court does not have jurisdiction to conduct jury selection or hear and rule on other substantive matters in the trial," he said in a statement. "We have filed motion with the Court of Appeals to ensure that justice is pursued properly."

Image: Derek Chauvin (Darnella Frazier / via AFP - Getty Images file)

In the decision, a three-judge panel said Cahill was wrong to refuse prosecutors' request to add a third-degree murder charge in October. The panel said Cahill should have followed the precedent the appeals court set last month when it affirmed the third-degree murder conviction of Mohamed Noor, a former police officer, in the 2017 fatal shooting of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, an Australian woman who had called 911 to report hearing a possible sexual assault happening.

Cahill ruled last week that only one member of Floyd's family will be allowed to attend the trial at a time and that different family members will be able to rotate through the position. The ruling also applies to Chauvin's family.

Floyd, a Black man, died May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee on Floyd's neck while he was handcuffed. Chauvin remained in that position for several minutes, even as Floyd said that he couldn't breathe. The incident was recorded by a bystander and widely shared on social media. Police were investigating whether Floyd used a counterfeit $20 bill at a nearby store.

Floyd's death sparked nationwide protests and renewed calls for an end to police brutality and racial inequities.

Chauvin and the three other officers who were at the scene were fired the day after Floyd's death, and they were later arrested. The other three officers, who were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter, are expected to go to trial in August. Prosecutors have asked the Court of Appeals to reinstate third-degree murder charges against them, too.

Chauvin had agreed to plead guilty to third-degree murder and go to prison for more than 10 years shortly after Floyd's death in an attempt to avoid future federal charges, but then-U.S. Attorney General William Barr was reported to have rejected the deal because Ellison was preparing to take over the case from the county prosecutor and Barr wanted to let him make his own decisions. Barr also was reported to have been worried that it was too early in the investigation and that the agreement would be perceived as too lenient.
On International Womens Day the Movement project launches and Herstory Founder Melanie Lynch shares her personal story of migration.

Like every person on this planet, migration is in my blood. As a 10 year old, I would voyage by bicycle across Dublin with my father to buy Jewish bread from Bretzel Bakery on Lennox Street.

Our Jewish ancestors immigrated to Ireland from France and this weekly ritual kept their memory and tradition alive. On my mothers side, our great-grandparents were Northern Irish Catholics who had no choice but to move to the Republic to escape discrimination and find work.

Some ancestors migrated across the division of religion to marry Protestants. The heart knows no boundaries. If only we listened to it more.

At a family reunion in Fermanagh we retraced our humble ancestral lineage through seven generations who endured the famine and the Troubles. A few emigrated to America and sent money home, transforming the trajectory and fortune of future generations.

Two centuries later, their bravery and generosity has impacted on my access to education and career opportunities. Im baffled by the attitude that immigrants are expected to be highly skilled with university education. How quick the Irish are to forget our history of emigration and the opportunities our ancestors received abroad that Ireland couldnt offer at the time.

As a teenager I got a glimpse of the potential for a thriving multicultural Ireland. At Wilsons Hospital School, students from six continents attended this progressive school perched on a hilltop in the middle of rural Ireland.

Every week the postbox filled with letters and parcels from 29 countries around the world. From China to Mexico, we were all outsiders, even the Irish. As a Catholic I was an outsider in a Protestant school and the Protestants are a minority in the south.

In this melting pot environment the question: Where are you from? was never racist. Our curiosity and respect for other faiths and cultures was genuine. Difference was celebrated.

After school I attended university in the UK where I was taken under the wing of African students. They hosted the best parties and told extraordinary stories of adventures on the worlds most diverse continent. The outsiders became the insiders.

A tutor sparked my interest with his infectious passion for African-American music and its influence on the civil rights movement. During Obamas historic presidential campaign I penned my degree thesis on deconstructing colonial ideologies and racial stereotyping.

Now, 12 years later, the creative realisation of that research is Herstorys new Movement project, a new international education project that explores the fact that emigration and immigration are two sides of the same story.

Today, International Womens Day 2021, we launch the first phase of Movement with a series of parallel stories, school workshops and a student art competition. You can read the stories and teachers can download the interactive school workshops on our website: www.herstory.ie/movement

In May, well launch phase two of the project, with an international exhibition of portraits and parallel life stories; landmark light show in Ireland, melting pot events featuring musicians, poets, and storytellers; the direct provision empowerment programme with personal development and inspirational workshops for asylum seekers; and the Parallel Peace Project with womens organisations in Northern Ireland, Palestine and Israel.

Since the beginning migration has been a core theme for Herstory, and it is one of the few constants of the human experience. . The pandemic is a reminder that borders and nationalities are fabrications that conceal our common humanity.

Ireland has one of the greatest Diasporas in the world with 70 million people cherishing their Irish roots worldwide. However, the Irish migration story is marked by successes and struggles. We know only too well what it feels like to be excluded, stereotyped and discriminated against. As Mary McAleese once said; We are a vibrant first world country but we have a humbling third world memory.

In these divisive times its easy to forget that immigration and emigration are two sides of the same story. Its only right that we open our doors and our hearts to the New Irish and give them the opportunities our ancestors received around the world

**** Read more about The Movement project at www.herstory.ie/movement
JACKSON, MI  A transgender woman imprisoned at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson is suing the state prison system after allegedly being raped and sexually violated twice at the all-male facility in early 2020.

The lawsuit, filed March 2 in U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, alleges the Michigan Department of Corrections failed to abide by its own policies leading the plaintiff, identified only as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, to be housed with a convicted murderer and sex offender who raped her within 24 hours of being bunked together.

Prisoners, regardless of their gender identification or sexuality, have a constitutional right to be safe from sexual abuse, said Nakisha Chaney, an attorney representing the woman. MDOC failed to follow its own policies, clear national guidelines and the housing plan that applied to our client. As a result, our client was raped.

MDOC Spokesman Chris Gautz declined to comment on the lawsuit, stating MDOC cannot comment on pending litigation.

The Prison Rape Elimination Act was passed by Congress in 2003 to acknowledge and address sexual abuse of prisoners. In 2009, the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission released a report that transgender prisoners are at a known heightened risk of sexual violence, with male-to-female transgender women incarcerated in mens prisons having a special risk of harm.

In early December 2019, the woman was issued a medical order that prohibited her from being housed with a cellmate who did not have gender dysphoria, according to the lawsuit. A month later, in January 2020, she was housed in the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in a cell with a known sexual predator, serving a life sentence, against the objections of the woman, the lawsuit states.

Her new cellmate, a non-gender dysphoric man, was hostile to her and equally did not want her as a cellmate as other prisoners began taunting them and making transphobic jokes, the lawsuit claims.

Corrections staff ignored the plaintiffs objections and threatened disciplinary segregation if she did not enter her cell, the lawsuit states.

The cellmate made several threats something would happen as staff walked away, yelling they shouldnt have this faggot in here, the lawsuit claims. The cellmate forcibly raped the plaintiff that night, the lawsuit states.

The plaintiff reported the incident in the morning and was taken to the prison hospital for treatment. While being treated, the womans security level was moved from level 2 to level 4, despite the fact she was a victim and did not engage in any misconduct, the lawsuit claims.

She was moved to a new cell with a different cellmate who, like her first cellmate, was a convicted sex offender, the lawsuit states.

Though the new cellmate seemed less hostile, he told her of the multiple sexual assaults he had committed, both before and during his incarceration, and pressured the plaintiff to expose her genitals, the lawsuit claims.

After submitting a grievance report, the woman was taken to see a therapist and temporarily moved to protective custody before being taken back to her cell where se was later sexually assaulted again, the lawsuit states.

The woman has since been transferred out of the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility.

No future courts dates have been scheduled as of yet. The case has ben assigned to U.S. District Judge George Caram Steeh.

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. and ATLANTA, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) and Jackson Physician Search, a firm specializing in the permanent recruitment of physicians, physician leaders and advanced practice providers throughout the U.S., today announced an extended executive partnership to provide physicians and medical practices with consultative resources and recruitment solutions to operate more efficiently and optimize the level of care to patients.

As a trusted organization of more than 40 years, Jackson Physician Search implements proven recruitment methodologies coupled with personalized service. Despite challenges brought on by COVID-19, the firm has continued to be successful in helping MGMA members fill key provider and leadership positions.

The demand for physicians continues to outpace supply, which has exacerbated staffing shortages in medical practices for years. Physician vacancies have been particularly troublesome during the pandemic, as physicians are already facing increasing levels of stress, disengagement and burnout. Asking physicians and their teams to pick up further slack to help ensure high-quality levels of patient care and satisfaction could put medical practices at risk of losing their physicians to early retirement or another employer in the long run. This is why accelerating the recruitment cycle has become imperative.

"When we transitioned to a 100% digital sourcing model more than a decade ago, we were driven by our commitment to providing a more effective, efficient and transparent recruitment experience for our healthcare partners," said Tony Stajduhar, president of Jackson Physician Search. "Looking back at 2020, during a time when there were fewer recruitment engagements across the industry, this strategic shift in candidate acquisition enabled us to make a record number of placements and perfectly positioned our clients to continue filling critical vacancies."

To help physicians and medical practices as they recruit and hire talent, MGMA and Jackson Physician Search have created resources to address the tight physician market, the competitive landscape, and hiring during and after the pandemic.

Additionally, Jackson Physician Search was a key contributor to MGMA's Medical Practice Excellence Conference, A Virtual Experience, in October 2020, sharing educational sessions on physician staffing, upcoming physician retirements and improving the physician interview experience, while facilitating discussions about physician burnout and wellness during COVID-19 and in the post-pandemic world.

"Last year, when physicians and their medical practices needed frontline help, advice and resources, we partnered with Jackson Physician Search to provide support and tools that helped our members overcome financial and operational hurdles," said Halee Fischer-Wright, MD, MMM, FAAP, FACMPE, president and CEO of MGMA. "Our goals are well aligned, and I look forward to continuing our partnership to help practices recover and recruit so they can be successful in their markets."

Set to be released in Fall of 2021, the organizations are partnering to gather original quantitative and qualitative research and data on physician and advanced practice provider (APP) staffing. The focus will be on addressing the toughest industry challenges to help medical practices recruit the physicians and APPs needed to meet patient demand and achieve or exceed revenue goals.

About Jackson Physician Search

Jackson Physician Search is an established industry leader in physician recruitment and pioneered the recruitment methodologies standard in the industry today. The firm specializes in the permanent recruitment of physicians, physician leaders and advanced practice providers for hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers and medical groups across the United States. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Ga., the company is recognized for its track record of results built on client trust and transparency of processes and fees. Jackson Physician Search is part of the Jackson Healthcare family of companies. For more information, visit www.jacksonphysiciansearch.com.

About MGMA

Founded in 1926, the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) is the nation's largest association focused on the business of medical practice management. MGMA consists of 15,000 group medical practices ranging from small private medical practices to large national health systems representing more than 350,000 physicians. MGMA helps nearly 60,000 medical practice leaders and the healthcare community solve the business challenges of running practices so that they can focus on providing outstanding patient care. Specifically, MGMA helps its members innovate and improve profitability and financial sustainability, and it provides the gold standard on industry benchmarks such as physician compensation. The association also advocates extensively on its members' behalf on national regulatory and policy issues. To learn more, go to MGMA.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contacts:

Hollon Kohtz, Assistant Director of Public Relations, MGMA

[email protected]

303.397.7892

317.847.5658 (Cell)

Kristen Myers, Director of Marketing and Communications, Jackson Physician Search

[email protected]

678.501.2418

SOURCE Medical Group Management Association

Related Links

www.mgma.com


ALBANY, N.Y., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sauces and condiments can be found on almost every dish around the world. Despite this, the scientific community has paid relatively little attention to them. Due to commercial motivations, some of the world's most well-known food companies are delving deeper into the psychology of condiment selection, both when choosing from a wide variety of available options. They are also studying the consumer psychology behind selecting suitable condiments for certain preparations. These factors are likely to foster growth of the global condiment sauces market in the years to come.

Given such a background, the industry has seen a bunch of new product releases. Many condiment sauce brands have quickly established themselves as well-known names in the said industry. Manufacturers are being forced to try out different flavours and compositions as a result of changing consumer preferences, which is likely to work in favor of the global condiment sauces market over the analysis timeline, from 2020 to 2030. The emphasis on clean labelling is also expected to increase customer demand for organic ingredients.

Request for Covid-19 Impact Analysis on Condiment Sauces Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/Covid19.php

Renowned companies are largely motivated by the desire to attract new customers while maintaining the ones they already have. Smaller businesses and start-up companies, meanwhile, are willing to form strategic partnerships in order to gain a foothold in this intensely competitive industry. Given its growing prominence, the global condiment sauces market is likely to observe considerable growth in the near future.

Key Findings of Market Report

Changing Consumer Preference to Shape Contours of the Market

Despite shifting tastes, customers are willing to spend more on a variety of condiment sauces that enhance the flavour of their meal. Although the food industry divides condiments and sauces into different groups by definition, their versatility appeals to a large segment of the population. This is expected to open plethora of opportunities for the players in the global condiment sauces market over the analysis timeline, from 2020 to 2030.

The ability of consumers to move between varieties of condiments and sauces poses lucrative opportunities for the players in the global condiment sauces market in the forthcoming years. As a result, some of the industry's most reputed brands are abandoning conventional definitions in favour of all-purpose condiments. As a result, customers now have the option of experimenting with a wide variety of condiment sauce applications, allowing for greater incorporation into daily meals and enhancing overall sales prospects of the product.

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Outbreak of Covid-19 Left Significant Impact on the Market

The food and beverage industry first saw an increase in demand for staple products with longer shelf life during the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic and indefinite lockout worldwide. As a result, during the first phase of the epidemic, the industry's demand for condiment sauces, grains, and frozen food products amongst many other items, shot through the roof. This worked in favor of the global condiment sauces market during the initials days of the disease outbreak.

However, most businesses in the sector are currently grappling with supply chain disturbances and diminished consumption. As a result, they are dependent on their online presence as a chosen platform of distribution to keep up with the changing market landscape. Significant shifts in the behavioural pattern of the consumers and industry patterns may have a significant effect on the market's prospects. As a result, the industry is likely to see launch of innovative promotion tactics, with key players emphasising the beneficial properties of their brands and promoting them across online platforms.

View Detailed Table of Contents at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/1548

Condiment Sauces Market: Growth Drivers

Influenced by the latest trends, a growing number of brands are integrating organic ingredients into their sauces. To draw the attention of buyers, some of the leading companies have launched non-GMO and organic product lines.

In Asia Pacific , improvement in lifestyle and a desire to try new tastes and flavours may foster a lucrative opportunity for condiment sauce brands.

, improvement in lifestyle and a desire to try new tastes and flavours may foster a lucrative opportunity for condiment sauce brands. Increased consumer awareness about the harmful effects of sodium found in sauces and condiments has induced the market to go for clean labels. Individuals are better educated these days, and they are more likely to pick products made with natural or organic ingredients.

Global Condiment Sauces Market: Key Competitors

Kraft Foods Group Inc.

General Mills Inc .

. Walmart store Inc.

Unilever group

The Kroger Company

ConAgra Foods Inc.

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Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Food & Beverages Industry,

Passionfruit Seed Oil Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/passionfruit-seed-oil-market.html

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Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

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Italy is leading the European Union into full-blown vaccine protectionism. Late last week, it blocked the export of a quarter of a million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine that Australia had contracted for.

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maios spurious reasoning was twofold. First, there were delays in Europe getting sufficient doses of the vaccine, and so letting any doses go abroad was unacceptable. Second, Australia had a low rate of infection so didnt need the vaccine as much as Italy.

Italy has blocked a consignment of vaccine bound for Australia and France is considering doing the same. Credit:Edwina Pickles

As he put it: As long as these delays remain, it is right for the countries of the European Union to block exports toward nations that are not vulnerable as a response to the failure of companies to respect commitments.

The French look set to pile on, with Health Minister Olivier Veran saying: I understand [Italys view]. We could do the same thing.
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The Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari and Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar, on Monday received the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, at the State House Clinic, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also received the vaccine at the clinic.

NAN reports that Mr Gambari and others were administered the vaccine after some frontline health workers as well as President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, received theirs on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

NAN observed that the Chief Nursing Officer of the State House Clinic, Esther Ibrahim, administered the vaccine on the affected government officials.

They were later presented with vaccination cards by the Chief Medical Director of the clinic, Husain Munir.

In his remarks, Gambari said the vaccination was painless and that he followed the footsteps of President Buhari who demonstrated leadership alongside his deputy who received the jabs on Saturday.

He advised eligible Nigerians to take the vaccines as they had been verified to be safe.

The more Nigerians are vaccinated the more we are safe, he added.

Also speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary, State House, Umar lauded the Buhari administration for providing the vaccines to the citizens in good times.

He also advised all eligible Nigerians to take the vaccine because it is safe and very useful.

Mr Marwa, on his part, said the vaccine is painless and I feel good.

NAN gathered that the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who was earlier scheduled to take his jab at the event, will now take it later in the day alongside members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

NAN reports that the ongoing public vaccination is meant to reassure Nigerians of the safety and the efficacy of the vaccine.

(NAN)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 21:27:52|Editor: huaxia

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LIVERPOOL, Britain, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Amid a mixed sense of nervousness and excitement, millions of children returned to schools across England on Monday under phase one of the British government's "roadmap" to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I've missed face-to-face lessons with our teachers, and hugging my friends," said second-year high school student Elinor Greenwood as she looked forward to returning to her classes.

As a 12-year-old teenager, Greenwood admitted it could be tough for her and friends as she returned to Liverpool College, a secondary school, facing the prospect of schoolwork piling up and extra restrictions.

"I've lost half a year's education as a result of the closures brought about by the pandemic," she told Xinhua.

"Even now I won't be able to give my friends at school a hug and we may have to wear masks, which I guess is OK. But I do worry that there is a lot of classwork to catch up on in the coming months."

"I've had online lessons, but I much prefer face-to-face classes. I don't seem to be able to learn as well unless I am there in the classroom. I also miss learning in a big group with my friends, it's a sort of fun thing that way."

On Feb. 22, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his long-anticipated "roadmap" exiting the lockdown. The reopening of schools in England from Monday is the first part of the four-step plan.

Under the guidance, secondary school students across England are to receive three COVID-19 lateral-flow tests before using at-home kits twice a week.

"So the plan to give us tests twice a week. In fact it's a good thing. I will also have the vaccine when it becomes available for my age group," Greenwood said.

Greenwood said she feels the country could have done more from the start, such as locking down earlier as other countries had done.

"I don't think the right decisions were made in the early days of the pandemic, but I also think we will have learned a lot from this and will hopefully be better prepared for next time," she said.

"When this is all over people will know how we can do things differently, learning from the mistakes we made during this pandemic. People will be studying this pandemic for many years to come."

TWO-EDGED SWORD?

For teacher Katy Thurgood-Parkes, the reopening of schools during an ongoing pandemic could be a two-edged sword.

The art and design teacher traveled from home in Liverpool to her school at Ashton-in-Makerfield, a small satellite town close to Manchester.

"I look at the return in a twofold way," she told Xinhua.

"I fully acknowledge the importance and value of our children being back at school. It's essential for the social and development side of their lives. But I also have some concerns on what around 1,500 students all coming back will have on the pandemic."

"If I am honest, I think I would have preferred the schools to stay closed until after the upcoming Easter holiday period in April."

Thurgood-Parkes praised the way the school had handled the health emergency, and the way all of the restrictions and controls had been put into place.

"But the reality is what happens when so many kids head out of the school gates, head to the local shops to buy snacks and candies. What effect may this have on spreading the virus?"

She said she is happier knowing that the potential spread of COVID-19 through children -- many of them showing no symptoms -- had finally been acknowledged by the British government.

"But I do feel teachers have been seen as sacrificial lambs in the way the pandemic has been handled. Three of the staff in my department have picked up the virus at school," she said.

Thurgood-Parkes also fears plans to test all students several times a week for the virus will be problematic.

"It is going to be disruptive to lessons, and who knows what will happen when children have self-tests in their own homes," she said.

Making children wear masks may also pose issues for some children, especially those who need extra teacher support.

"I can't praise the school enough for the efforts made, but we have been faced with guidelines changing quite quickly."

Looking forward to seeing her students face-to-face for the first time in months was tempered with a sense of fear, the teacher admitted.

"I don't feel safe, if I'm honest," she said. However, Thurgood-Parkes said her passion for teaching remain unchanged even during the worse pandemic in living memory.

"I love my job and I love working with our young students," she said.

MIXED REACTIONS BEYOND SCHOOL

With thousands of new COVID-19 cases still being reported every day, there has been mixed reaction to the reopening of thousands of junior and senior schools, as well as colleges.

Chief Medical Officer for England Chris Whitty has said "everything is strongly in favour of children going to school," with extra safety measures in place. These include testing for students and the wider use of face masks.

"The risk to children is incredibly low from going to school and from catching COVID," he said.

But the re-opening of schools was criticized by Professor John Ashton, a Liverpool-based global public health expert.

"It is pretty reckless for the sake of a few weeks plus the upcoming Easter Holidays. It would have made more sense to wait until mid-April to reopen schools," Ashton told Xinhua.

Calum Semple, professor of child health and outbreak medicine from the University of Liverpool, said Monday that it is inevitable there will be a rise in cases as schools reopen, but adding it was not so important if the virus reproduction number (the R number) rose slightly considering the importance of education.

Semple said the British government's approach is more about reducing the absolute number of cases going to hospital and needing intensive care.

Saying society needs to learn how to live with the virus, Semple added: "It's going to be difficult and it is going to mean some social distancing and face mask-wearing, good ventilation until really late summer when we've got the vast majority people vaccinated."

More than 22.2 million people in Britain have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest official figures.

Another 5,177 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,218,520, according to official figures released Sunday.

The country also reported another 82 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain stood at 124,501. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

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
SGF Colorado's two new locations will open on May 17, 2021, with former University of Colorado Advanced Reproductive Medicine (CU ARM) Drs. Murray, Polotsky, and Roeca on board. Among the many reasons we are excited to bring on Drs. Murray, Polotsky, and Roeca is because it allows us to formally connect with providers who share similar values and goals."

Shady Grove Fertility (SGF), a leading provider of comprehensive fertility services and IVF, with locations throughout FL, GA, MD, NY, PA, VA, D.C., and Santiago, Chile, announced today it is opening two new locations in Colorado. The new locations will open on May 17, 2021, with former University of Colorado Advanced Reproductive Medicine (CU ARM) physicians Shona Murray, M.D., Alex Polotsky, M.D., and Cassandra Roeca, M.D., on board.

Drs. Murray, Polotsky, and Roeca will provide training to the University of Colorado Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship program while providing patient care in SGF Colorados Denver and Colorado Springs, CO, locations.

I am incredibly proud to continue in my role teaching our next generation of REIs, while at the same time join the SGF family. My respect for SGF spans many years as Ive long admired their ability to increase access to care through exclusive financial programs, their commitment to innovation, and their delivery care model that seeks to always put patient needs first, Dr. Polotsky said.

SGF Colorado will offer comprehensive fertility services, including in-person and virtual physician consultations, diagnostic testing, low- and high-tech treatment options such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), donor egg treatment, egg freezing, fertility preservation for people with cancer, and LGBTQ family building.

The Denver location will be home to physician offices for patient consultations, transfer rooms for embryo transfer and IUI procedures, and endocrine and andrology laboratories, as well as cycle monitoring services, such as bloodwork and ultrasound. Plus, the space will be equipped with a state-of-the-art embryology laboratory and ambulatory surgery center with five recovery bays and an operating room. The Colorado Springs location will be home to physician offices for patient consultation, intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedures, endocrine and andrology laboratories, as well as cycle monitoring services, such as bloodwork and ultrasound.

Among the many reasons we are excited to bring on Drs. Murray, Polotsky, and Roeca is because it allows us to formally connect with providers who share similar values and goals. These physicians believe in a patient-centric care model that addresses patients very individual and personal set of needs, a core belief of SGFs as well. The natural synergy of joining forces as SGF Colorado provides a tremendous advantage to patients in need of fertility care, said Eric A. Widra, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, SGF.

SGFs expansion into Colorado also enhances access to their renowned donor egg treatment and gestational carrier programs. SGF is home to the largest donor egg treatment program in the nation with more than 8,000 babies and counting to its credit. A unique feature of SGFs program, the practice recruits and medically, psychologically, and genetically prescreens all prospective, ready-to-cycle egg donors prior to listing them on the SGF donor registry.

Given the staggering fact that one in eight couples of reproductive age are in need of fertility care, its reassuring that SGF Colorado offers an expansive insurance network as well as unique financial programs for self-pay patients. Their hallmark program, the Shared Risk 100% Refund Guarantee Program, offers patients the reassurance they will either take home a baby or receive a full refund. SGF also provides income-based and military discounts, to name a few, as well as an exclusive financing partner, Fertility Finance.

SGF is known as a pioneer in many ways, shown through their commitment to research, innovation, and education. I am proud to be joining a practice of this caliber, home to award-winning physicians who continuously and safely push the envelope and offer the very finest in care, shared Dr. Roeca.

Its long been my commitment to put patients on the most direct path to a baby. My decision to join the SGF Colorado team was made simpler by their long-standing commitment to evidence-based medicine, and to their sense of professional collaboration. Patients benefit from a network of strongly affiliated, connected physicians who stay in frequent communication and unite under the same mission, to advance the standard of care, says Dr. Murray.

New patients may schedule an appointment at either of the SGF CO locations by calling the SGF New Patient Center at 1-888-761-1967 or submitting this brief online form. Established CU ARM patients may schedule appointments by contacting CU ARM directly.

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.
This Week in Review

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
These are the female-owned shops that need to be on your radar (Getty)

Over the past year, thanks to the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns that came along with it, weve seen a surge in women starting small businesses.

In fact, a new Pinterest report says that women are searching the term "small business plan" on its platform 50 times more than they were this time last year and searches for "starting a business from home" have also increased four-fold.

As a small business owner myself (hi, @wickandrose), I know how hard it is to build something from the ground up, so this International Womens Day were celebrating women who have done just that.

Read more: Signs you're 'old' according to Gen Z - from side parts to skinny jeans and laugh-cry emojis

Below, we chart the small brands with female founders that you need to know.

Liv & Dom

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What is it? Handmade ceramics and designs celebrating the female figure.

Who are the founders? Identical twins Liv and Dom Cave-Sutherland who graduated from illustration degrees in 2015 and launched their eponymous homeware brand in Lewes.

What to buy? Whether youre in the market for an upcycled lampshade, a candle holder or a pretty soap dish, Liv & Dom are your women. They only drop new stock every month or so and, when they do, youll have to be quick as it tends to sell out within hours.

Shop here.

Terrazzo Perazo

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What is it? Hand-crafted terrazzo homewares.

Who is the founder? A product of the pandemic, Terrazzo Perazo was founded by Milly Parazo after she lost her job in May 2020 (you can read Yahoo Styles interview with her here).

What to buy? You cant go past the signature trinket dishes.

Shop here.

Kinship Press

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What is it? A bespoke stationery service fulfilling all your wildest floral fantasies.

Who are the founders? Sister duo Alice Howarth and Naomi Bell. Alice has a journalism background and Naomi is an illustrator by trade.

What to buy? If youre in the market for some beautiful event stationery, try out their bespoke service. If not, they have animated digital e-bouquets that you can send to a loved one.

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Shop here.

Blondies Kitchen

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What is it? The UK's first milk and cookie bar, currently stocked at Selfridges and delivering UK-wide.

Who are the founders? Chelsie Collins and Kristelle Levyare, two professionally-trained chefs who founded the brand in 2016. After a trip to New York, the pair became obsessed with American-style cookies and decided to bring them to UK soil.

What to buy? One of the aforementioned cookies is a good start. You can get giant personalised cookies, as well as cookie nuggets and Nutella-stuffed Oreo cookies, too.

Shop here.

Our Lovely Goods

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What is it? Natural wax candles, botanical skincare and the team also works with talented artisans in Nigeria to curate their collection of homewares.

Who are the founders? Aberdeen-based Ebi and Emmanuel Sinteh, a husband and wife duo. The pair hold workshops on how to make your own candles and body scrubs too.

What to buy? The raffia collection of homewares is particularly beautiful, but its hard to go past one of their chic soy candles (Into the Woods, with scents of pine, clove and bergamot, is our pick).

Shop here.

Rejig

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What is it? A fresh take on the classic jigsaw puzzle, these are the kind of puzzles that, once finished, youll want to frame.

Who are the founders? Georgia Totvanian and Talya Aylin Baker who launched the puzzle brand in November 2020.

What to buy? Theres three different vibrantly coloured puzzles - simply take your pick.

Shop here.

Prick

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What is it? Londons first plant store dedicated to cacti - and it ships UK-wide.

Who is the founder? Award-winning photographer Gynelle Leon who has even penned a book about cacti.

What to buy? With its wide-ranging selection of cacti, succulent fans simply need to take their pick. Our personal favourites are the mammillaria backebergiana subs ernestii and the echeveria pulvinata (be sure to pick up one of Prick's signature two-tone pots as well).

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Mille Saisons

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What is it? Handmade accessories crafted from Grade-A Mulberry silk.

Who is the founder? After graduating from a fashion degree in 2016, Jo Norton launched her own luxury silk brand and hasnt looked back since.

What to buy? Whether youre in the market for a silk scrunchie, face mask or capuchon, theres something at Mille Saisons to suit every silk lover.

Shop here.

Sheer Chemistry

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What is it? Nude tights in inclusive skin tones and sizes.

Who are the founders? During a cold winter, Tahlia Gray became frustrated by her inability to find tights to match her skin tone, thus Sheer Chemistry was born.

What to buy? One of its various shades of tights, of course.

Shop here.

Fruity Booty

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What is it? Kendall Jenner-approved underwear. Created by women, for women.

Who are the founders? Friends Minna Bunting and Hattie Tennant started their London Fields-based lingerie brand four years ago and its now available for worldwide shipping from its site.

What to buy? Opt for the new peaches and cream set or get ready for summer with the midnight floral cami.

Shop here.

Avila Diana

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What is it? Greeting cards designed to depict marginalised groups.

Who is the founder? Law student Avila Chidume set up Avila Diana in 2018 when she saw a gap in the market for greeting cards that represent underrepresented communities.

What to buy? We love the fun birthday cards and the inclusive engagement cards too.

Shop here.

Roop

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What is it? A Manchester-based boutique specialising in handmade handbags and accessories.

Who is the founder? Natasha Fernandes Anjo, who goes by the nickname Roop. Several years after studying fashion at university, Natasha decided to create the environmentally conscious brand that now has a cult following.

What to buy? If you dont already own one of its signature furoshiki bags, its best to invest now.

Shop here.

Lofty Frocks

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What is it? A slow fashion brand making one-of-a-kind dresses for sizes 6-22.

Who is the founder? Mandie Voukanari launched Lofty Frocks six years ago, and it has gone from strength to strength ever since.

What to buy? One of the bespoke dresses - you can peruse the different fabrics available here.

Shop here.

Fundi Box

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What is it? A subscription box filled with African-inspired craft kits.

Who is the founder? Comfort Badaru Smithson launched the boxes in August 2020. The name, Fundi, is a Swahili term for someone who is skilled in making things.

What to buy? Subscribe to the craft boxes or simply buy a one-off - each box comes with a small gift as well.

Shop now.

Cath Pots

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What is it? Patterned ceramics, hand thrown in the UK.

Who is the founder? Glasgow potter Cath started making pottery after a trip to Japan in 2015. She signed up for night classes when she returned and now makes both functional and decorative pieces.

What to buy? Cath is currently in the middle of a restock but check out her Instagram for past wares.

Shop here.

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Watch: Do coronavirus vaccines affect fertility?
Coppens previous roles have included but are not limited to serving as president of Bloomera, marketing director for Aurora Cannabis, and the director of international sales for Ample Organics

Former CEO Brandon Boddy has amicably agreed to depart to facilitate Coppens transition as AgraFloras new leader

AgraFlora Organics International Inc ( ) (FRA:PU31) (OTCPINK:AGFAF) announced Monday that Canadian cannabis industry veteran Elise Coppens has been appointed as its new CEO.

Coppens was also named to the companys board of directors. Both appointments are effective from March 8 but subject to the final acceptance of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

During her career in the Canadian cannabis industry, AgraFlora noted that Coppens roles have included but are not limited to serving as president of Bloomera, marketing director for Aurora Cannabis, and the director of international sales for Ample Organics.

I would like to thank the board of AgraFlora for welcoming me to the organization and I look forward to implementing my vision for the company immediately, Coppens said in a statement. AgraFlora has great assets and human capital, and with that foundation I am confident that we can add great value to the Company for the benefit of all stakeholders.

She added: My near-term mission is to establish a new set of goals and priorities for the Company, based on a clear corporate strategy that is appropriate for the evolving competitive landscape.

AgraFlora said that its former CEO, chairman and corporate secretary Brandon Boddy has amicably agreed to depart in order to facilitate Coppens transition as AgraFloras new leader.

I would like to warmly welcome Elise to AgraFlora and am excited to have someone of her calibre take over the leadership of this Company, Boddy said. Under her direction, AgraFlora will be better positioned for growth and success both in the Canadian and international cannabis marketplaces.

The company said the roles of chairperson and corporate secretary will remain vacant until such a time as AgraFlora has completed the search to fill the roles either on a combined or separate basis.

Engages corporate consultancy

Meanwhile, AgraFlora said it jad recently engaged Meadowbank Strategic Partners Inc, a corporate consultancy in Calgary, Alberta, to provide investor relations, capital markets, and corporate development advisory services for an initial term of three months.

Under the terms of the agreement, Meadowbank will be paid a minimum of $3,500 plus GST in cash per month, or a minimum of $10,500 plus GST in aggregate, for its services. Meadowbank will not receive any securities in the company as compensation for its services.

Neither Meadowbank nor its principal currently owns any securities of AgraFlora, However, Meadowbank, its principal, and its affiliates may acquire or be awarded an interest in the securities of the company at a future time.

Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham
Ever since the duke and duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, announced in early 2020 that they would be stepping away from the royal family, even the most irregular of royal observers have wondered what pushed the couple over the edge. It took a little more than a year and no less than Oprah Winfrey herself, but now weve finally got some answers in the form of a much-anticipated interview that somehow managed to be even more sensational than the prerelease hype suggested. Heres an overview of some of the biggest revelations that came out of CBS Presents Oprah With Meghan & Harry.

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At her lowest point, Meghan was having suicidal thoughts.

In the darkest and most intense moment of the interview, Meghan told Oprah that during her royal life, she just didnt want to be alive anymore. She recounted how she finally told Harry about her feelings: That was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. And I remember, I remember how he just cradled me.

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Meghan said that when she sought out medical help for her mental health struggles, she was denied by a senior person in the institution, who worried how it would look. She added that the palaces HR teamthe one currently investigating her for bullyingalso denied her request for help because she was not an employee.

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One of the first tabloid stories that dubbed Meghan a palace mean girl was, according to her, exactly backwardand a preview of the palaces unwillingness to defend her.

Early on in the wave of negative tabloid stories about Meghan, one claimed that she made Kate, the duchess of Cambridge, cry in the lead-up to her wedding to Harry. According to Meghan, it was actually the other way aroundKate had made Meghan cry over flower girl dresses. I dont say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding, she told Oprah. She said her sister-in-law later made amends: She brought me flowers and a note, apologizing. And she did what I would do if I knew that I hurt someone, right, to just take accountability for it.

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Meghan also said the palace treated her differently than other royals, refusing to correct press narratives (like the aforementioned one) that cast Meghan in a negative light even as officials were willing to lie on behalf of other family members. Everyone in the institution knew it wasnt true, Meghan told Oprah. So why didnt somebody just say that? Oprah asked. Thats a good question, Meghan replied.

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Archies skin color inspired concerns for at least one royal.

In one of the most-quoted exchanges of the night, Meghan said someone in the family had concerns about her son, Archies, skin tonespecifically about how dark his skin might be when hes born.

That was relayed to me from Harry from conversations that family had with him, Meghan said.

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Asked later about this, Harry sharply declined to reveal who was part of these discussions. It is a conversation Im never going to share, he said. Speculation immediately began about the culprit on social media.

The royals didnt want Archie to take a royal title, also denying him the security detail that comes along with it.

Meghan said that the palace decided, without the couples input, that their son, Archie, would not be a prince, nor would he be given the same security protections other royals received. The palace also told the couple that it would be taking away Harrys security once he left full-time royal living. This was one of the more confusing exchanges of the interview for non-royals-heads, but you can read more on the royal title issue here, and more on the security situation here.

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Harry and Meghan didnt blindside the queen.

Meghan and Harry said they planned their move to be less involved in the royal family far in advance and had substantive discussions about it with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles, despite press coverage that claimed the queen was taken aback. Harry said he believed this spin came from within the institution.

After Harry and Meghan announced their decision to step back, Prince Charles stopped taking Harrys calls.

Charles did not fare well in the interview. Theres a lot to work through there, Harry said. I feel really let down, because hes been through something similar, he knows what pain feels like, and Archie is his grandson. It did not sound like the situation has improved: I will always love him, but theres a lot of hurt thats happened, he said.

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Harrys current relationship with his brother, Prince William, is strained.

Harry was slightly more diplomatic about William, saying that he loved his brother but we went down different paths.

Despite the serious nature of much of what Meghan and Harry shared, there were some entertaining and sweet moments as well. The best of the good, the neutral, and the just plain random:

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Theyre having a girl!

Meghan is currently pregnant with the couples second child, and the two said they planned to stop there: no more kids after Archie and his future baby sister.

Three days before their widely televised wedding, the two were married in secret by the archbishop of Canterbury.

A bit of a flex.

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Meghan never Googled Prince Harry before getting involved with him.

Nor did she know much about what the job of royal entailed: It was a moment from the night that raised some eyebrows of disbelief, but Meghan explained by saying shed been around celebrities all her life in Los Angeles.

One of Meghans first jobs was at a yogurt shop called Humphrey Yogart.

Angelenos were inspired by this news:

My official statement on this evenings news: if Meghan Markle worked at Humphrey Yogart circa 1994, there is a 100 percent chance I purchased yogart from her. That is all I can say on this matter.  Karina Longworth (@KarinaLongworth) March 8, 2021

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When the couple first moved to California, they said they stayed in uber-producer Tyler Perrys house, and he also provided them with security.

Tyler Perry, American hero.

Oprah has watched The Crown. Harry and Meghan have watched some of The Crown.

To be fair, does anyone really want to slog through the second and third seasons?

At the height of Meghans struggles, she watched The Little Mermaid and identified deeply with Ariels story.

She did not reveal who from the palace fulfilled the other roles in the story.

Meghan and Harry have a chicken coop at their homethe chickens are rescuesand a little house with a sign on it that says Archies Chick Inn.

Archie, almost 2, also currently enjoys saying the word hydrate and the phrase Drive safe! Both good pieces of advice.
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A lot went wrong after the 2020 election in the United States. But heres one thing that went right during it: A risk everyone worried about  foreign election interference  mostly failed.

That showed what is possible when government officials and technology companies are laser focused on a problem, effectively coordinate and learn from their past mistakes.

But the false narrative that the election was stolen, culminating in a mob attack on the U.S. Capitol, also pointed to the limits of those efforts. The Russians or the Chinese didnt delegitimize our election. We did it to ourselves.

Today, I want to explore the glass half-full view. The largely averted threat of foreign election meddling was a success that shouldnt be overlooked.
A number of Irish celebrities have shared touching Instagram tributes to the ladies in their lives to mark International Women's Day 2021.

Celebrated every March 8th, International Womens Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Irish stars such as Rozanna Purcell, Greg OShea, Laura Whitmore, and Rosanna Davison all commemorated the event online.

Former Miss Universe Ireland Roz Purcell highlighted the importance of International Womens Day to her Instagram followers.

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The 30-year-old said: Today is the day that we have to acknowledge all the inspiring women who have inspired us along the way and still do and give us a helping hand.

She also listed a selection of her favourite inspirational women, including Adi Roche and Olympian Sonia OSullivan.

Mary McAleese was also mentioned in Rozs list, who said that the former president encouraged women to take on leadership roles.

Yes, we can become president of Ireland. Maybe not me, Ive done too many bikini photos, she joked.

Meanwhile, Love Islands Greg OShea paid tribute to his mum and sister with a photo of the trio enjoying some afternoon tea.

He captioned the post: Shout-out to all the women of the world today, especially to the ladies in my life.

"I appreciate you. Literally wouldnt be where I am today without you. #InternationalWomensDay,

Greg wasnt the only Love Island star to mark the occasion on Instagram. The shows presenter, Laura Whitmore, shared an empowering poem from her new book.

The mum-to-be added: Happy Womens Day to all my ladies in all your shapes and forms.

Meanwhile, model Rosanna Davison posted a series of quotes by Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, and Emma Watson.

She captioned the post: Happy International Womens Day! Its a day for highlighting equal rights and opportunities, and for showing that by empowering and supporting other women, we can become stronger together.

The changes we make now will help to pave the way for our daughters to grow up in a world of gender equality. #internationalwomensday #iwd2021, the former Miss World continued.
New York, March 8 : Top Democratic lawmakers from New York have urged state Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign after two more former aides accused him of inappropriate behaviour, as well as due to allegations that his administration was altering Covid data, it was reported.

The calls were made on Sunday by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie in separate statements, The Hill news website reported.

The latest development comes after the New York Attorney General's office announced last week that it would probe allegations of sexual harassment against the Governor, who apologised after two women said they made him feel uncomfortable while working in his administration.

A third former aide said he made sexual advances toward her at a wedding.

In her statement, Stewart-Cousins said: "Every day there is another account that is drawing away from the business of government. We have allegations about sexual harassment, a toxic work environment, the loss of credibility surrounding the Covid-19 nursing home data and questions about the construction of a major infrastructure project.

"New York is still in the midst of this pandemic and is still facing the societal, health and economic impacts of it. We need to govern without daily distraction. For the good of the state Governor Cuomo must resign." Heastie in his statement said: "We have many challenges to address, and I think it is time for the Governor to seriously consider whether he can effectively meet the needs of the people of New York." Later in the day, another New York Democrat, Senator Michael Gianaris tweeted that he agreed with Stewart-Cousins calling for Cuomo's resignation "so we can move our state forward".

Besides the harassment and improper behaviour alleagation, a senior Cuomo adviser acknowledged to the legislature that state administration had been covering up data about the number of nursing home residents who had died of the Covid over fears of a federal probe.

But in a press briefing, Cuomo said he will not resign, saying he was "elected by the people of the state. I wasn't elected by politicians".

"The premise of resigning because of allegations is actually anti-democratic and we've always done the exact opposite. You know the system is based on due process and the credibility of the allegation," The Hill news website quoted the Governor as saying.

"This is not about me and accusations about me. The attorney general can handle that. This is about doing the people's business, and this next six months I believe will determine the future trajectory for New York state."
Iran has released British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe from house arrest at the end of her five-year prison sentence but she has been summoned to court again on another charge, her lawyer said yesterday.

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was arrested at a Tehran airport in April 2016 and later convicted of plotting to overthrow the clerical establishment.

Having served most of her sentence in Tehrans Evin prison, she was released last March during the pandemic and kept under house arrest, but her movements were restricted and she was barred from leaving the country. The authorities removed her ankle tag yesterday.

She was pardoned by Irans supreme leader last year, but spent the last year of her term under house arrest with electronic shackles tied to her feet. Now theyre cast off, her lawyer Hojjat Kermani said. She has been freed.

Her family and the foundation, a charity that operates independently of media firm Thomson Reuters and its news subsidiary Reuters, deny the charge.

Mr Kermani said a hearing for Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffes second case has been scheduled for March 14. In this case, she is accused of propaganda against the Islamic Republics system for participating in a rally in front of the Iranian Embassy in London in 2009 and giving an interview to the BBC Persian TV channel at the same time, Mr Kermani said.

He said he hoped this case will be closed at this stage, considering the previous investigation.

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffes husband Richard Ratcliffe told Skys News on Sunday she was pleased her ankle tag had been removed but said the news was mixed due to the court summons.

Antonio Zappulla, Thomson Reuters Foundation CEO , said the foundation was delighted that her jail term was ended and he had told him she was ecstatic to be able to sit in a cafe and have a coffee.

Nazanin must be given her freedom, as was promised. ( Telegraph Media Group Ltd 2021)
Just imagine that youve woken up in the middle of the night with chest pain. Not just a twinge or a niggle but a deep, agonising pain going up to your neck, making you sweaty, light-headed and nauseous.

Knowing something is very wrong and that you need to get to hospital immediately, whats on your mind at this very point?

My guess is that you care about how long it will take for an ambulance to blue-light you to hospital. You care about how long it will take to see the medical team for your diagnosis (a heart attack).

You care about how long it will take to get the treatment you need (for your blocked coronary artery). Because, ultimately, what you care about is surviving and enjoying a good quality of life with your family.

A man is seen getting vaccinated against Covid-19. If Covid has taught us anything, its that we can never go back to the way we used to do things. The NHS needs to change

Or are you thinking: Oh, I wonder, how did NHS England commission the cardiac theatre staff? Does the local health authority pay for the hospital to do my kind of op via a block tariff or payment by results?

Of course you arent. Thats because when youre ill, the organisation of the health service is not your priority.

As an A&E doctor, its not the first thing on my mind, either. I care about what I can do to increase your chances of a long and healthy life. But, actually, the organisation of the NHS is key to everything.

Who ensured that the ambulance protocol is to take you to the hospital that has a specialist centre with the capability of managing heart attacks at 3am, even if its not the closest one to your home?

Who set up the systems so that there are consultants in A&E 24/7  and who ensures there are staff and equipment able to unblock your artery?

Its these decisions that will save your life, not just the doctors and nurses. Not all heroes wear capes; some wear stethoscopes and others use Excel spreadsheets.

And how these managers manage the system is as key to your chances of survival as the A&E staff in front of you.

The system is essentially working. Yet the politicians are now talking about more reform of the NHS  yes, now of all times.

But rather than throw my hands up in despair, as I and so many medical professionals did with the last (disastrous) large-scale reform of the NHS, in 2012, this time Im hopeful that lessons have been learnt and this round of reforms leads to improvements.

This is because reform is the right thing. If Covid has taught us anything, its that we can never go back to the way we used to do things. The NHS needs to change.

Who ensured that the ambulance protocol is to take you to the hospital that has a specialist centre with the capability of managing heart attacks at 3am, even if its not the closest one to your home?

The current system is a red tape nightmare, with multiple organisations working in silos. Instead of joining forces and working for the good of patients, hospitals and GPs are forced to tender out their services, wasting millions of pounds on accountants and management consultants.

But there is potential that the proposed new reforms could get rid of this madness.

First, the proposals remove the requirement for any NHS body to put contracts out to competitive tender for providing everything from cancer care to mental health services. This would stop the NHS wasting billions on bureaucracy.

The new plan also creates integrated care systems that bring together different strands of the NHS, local health authorities and councils to work together in a joined-up way for the good of our patients, rather than competing with each other.

Currently, if an elderly patient with dementia develops an infection, falls and needs to go to hospital, they go from the care of the GP and community trust to the hospital trusts.

They may need nursing care, daily measurement of oxygen levels and intravenous antibiotics, but not the specialist care of the hospital.

However, because there are different organisations involved, the care is traditional, i.e. the patient will stay in hospital until they hopefully get better and no longer need the intravenous antibiotics or as much nursing support.

On a hospital ward for many more days than they need to be, the patients physical state declines from a lack of exercise, while psychologically and emotionally theyre suffering outside the comfort of their own home.

And, crucially, this also puts them at risk of hospital-acquired infections, and their chance of survival is lower.

On A local level, managers have, thankfully, been ignoring the rules of the 2012 reforms and creating integration by the back door  for instance, discharging patients, then getting a therapist to assess their ongoing needs once theyre in their own home.

The reforms hand more power to the Secretary of State for Health, which could be a good thing. Take how weve led the world with Covid vaccination as the Government, hospitals, GPs, St John Ambulance and the Army came together to save our nation. The current Health Secretary is Matt Hancock

Covid has accelerated this innovation and shown why the reforms are needed now more than ever.

The 2012 changes were a disaster, not just because of the billions now spent on red tape.

The emphasis on competition, thats now being removed, was based on the Governments idea that if you open the NHS up to competition, you drive up standards of care while driving down costs.

But looking after patients is not like selling socks: competition wont help get all of the hospitals in your area to group together to provide the best possible attention for someone who needs specialist heart attack care at 3am as an emergency, for instance.

There are still worries about the new reforms. First, they should involve integrating the health service completely; worryingly, last weeks Budget made no mention of our social care system.

The reforms hand more power to the Secretary of State for Health, which could be a good thing. Take how weve led the world with Covid vaccination as the Government, hospitals, GPs, St John Ambulance and the Army came together to save our nation.

By centralising power, you can make nimble decisions bringing in the help of other parts of government.

But we dont want to just hand powers to the Secretary of State or to outside companies (as we have seen go so wrong with the procurement of PPE): we need legally-required transparency.

Finally, the big unknown about the new reforms is the key aspect of NHS care: funding and staff.

The ultimate test of these reforms is whether they help us in our job of providing better care. As a doctor, I hope they do. And as a patient, a parent and a son, I need them to do so.

Dr Rob Galloways book, In Stitches: The Highs And Lows Of Being An A&E Doctor (under the pseudonym Dr Nick Edwards), is published by HarperCollins, 5.99.

Happy Hour

Everyday activities that boost your happiness hormones. This week: Chewing gum

Rhythmic activity such as chewing, walking at a steady pace or tapping your fingers triggers the release of serotonin, a brain messenger associated with calmness and better mood, according to a number of studies.

In fact, just five minutes of chewing gum is enough to trigger serotonin release, and 30 minutes causes enough of a rise to reduce pain.

In 2010, researchers in Japan discovered that the rhythmic activity of chewing activates the brains prefrontal cortex, which increases serotonin release.

Professor Andrew Smith, an expert in nutritional neuroscience at Cardiff University, says: This may underlie the reduction of pain sensitivity found after chewing. It also confirms the finding that chewing gum is a simple method of stress reduction.

Try this

David Lloyd Clubs app, @home, now offers free access to more than 600 classes, ranging from high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to yoga, Pilates and post-natal workouts. Its free on an iPhone through the App Store.

Storm in a teacup

The downsides of hot drinks. This week: They can cause problems with an old filling

If a hot drink comes into contact with a deep, old filling thats close to a nerve, it could cause acute pain and inflammation of dental pulp (the soft area in the centre of the tooth).

This is a condition known as pulpitis, says Dr Charles Ferber, a dentist based in London, and it can be treated by replacing the old filling: But if the problem is extensive  for example, with the pain waking you at night  you may need an X-ray and root canal treatment, where the nerve is removed and the canals of the root are sealed, to avoid the spread of infection and save the tooth.

If you have problems with your teeth [i.e. have sensitive teeth], its worth being careful with very hot liquid.
A Canadian nurse may face discipline from her local nursing regulatory body after she filmed herself refusing to wear a mask, submit to a COVID test, or quarantine after arriving at Toronto Pearson Airport on an international flight.

Jessica Faraone, 29, arrived back home in Toronto last week after spending a month in Tanzania, but defiantly refused to follow any of her country's rules even after being detained by border security.

A maskless Jessica  who got in a 'screaming match' with officials over a refusal to follow guidelines  insisted that as a frontline worker, she is 'a hero' and 'can do what I want.'

Anti-masker: Jessica Faraone, 29, arrived home via Toronto Pearson Airport last week after spending a month in Tanzania and refused to wear a mask, quarantine, or take a COVID test

Pictured: Healthcare workers at Toronto Pearson Airport prepare to test passengers on February 1

Jessica seemed to know that was about to instigate trouble when she arrived at the airport, as she'd already begun recording herself before she even interacted with any officials.

'Let's see what happens!' she said to the camera.

'So far, I have refused to stay in a hotel because Im a Canadian citizen. I'm refusing to do the COVID test, because Im a Canadian citizen,' she said.

Being a citizen of a country does not exempt one from following the laws or ordinances of that country. Toronto currently requires all residents to self isolate for 14 days if they travel out of the province.

The local authority also has a mask mandate in place for anyone who is in a public place, unless they have a medical condition that prevents them from doing so.

Thus far, Canada has seen more than 888,000 COVID cases, and 22,258 people have died from the virus.

After Jessica stopped filming for several moments, she came back to say that she had just been in a 'screaming match with border security.'

The camera cut to a border security agent telling Jessica that she needed to respect everyone around her  which she insisted she was doing.

'I'm a frontline worker, actually, I'm considered a hero. I'm a registered nurse,' she told him. 'I have freedom of speech, I can do what I want.'

Jessica told the agents: 'I'm a frontline worker, actually, I'm considered a hero. I'm a registered nurse. I have freedom of speech, I can do what I want'

'They tried to shame me because I'm a nurse and I should know better. And it's all f***ing bulls***,' she said

'They basically just wanted to shut me up, escort me out, so that other people couldn't hear what I was saying, because I was saying it to every person in the airport,' she said

The border security agent reminded her that she was in a custom control area and she needed to respect the workers there.

After another recording intermission, Jessica  who claims to have had two negative COVID tests before boarding the plane  filmed herself as she left the airport.

'The moral of the story is, I walked out. I didn't even get a f***ing ticket. They said they'd mail it to me,' she said.

'They tried to shame me because I'm a nurse and I should know better. And it's all f***ing bulls***.

'They basically just wanted to shut me up, escort me out, so that other people couldn't hear what I was saying, because I was saying it to every person in the airport.'

At home, after having some time to 'digest' what happened, Jessica said the 'part that bothered me the most was that the officers were really rude to me.'

'The public health nurses were extremely rude to me, shaming me, saying I should know better [because] I'm a nurse, threatening to report me to the College of Nurses.

Trouble? The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), her province's nursing regulatory body, has said that it has notified the appropriate people to investigate

Rules: Nurses are publicly accountable to the CNO and have a responsibility to not 'communicate anti-vaccination, anti-masking, and anti-distancing statements'

As it turned out, the public health nurses didn't need to report her  because Jessica inadvertently reported herself by posting her video rants.

The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), her province's nursing regulatory body, has replied to several Twitter users and promised to notify the appropriate people.

According to the CNO, when nurses speak publicly and identify themselves as nurses, they're accountable to the CNO.

The CNO's website says: 'Nurses have a professional responsibility to not publicly communicate anti-vaccination, anti-masking, and anti-distancing statements that contradict the available scientific evidence. Doing so may result in an investigation by CNO, and disciplinary proceedings when warranted.'

Meanwhile, Doris Grinspun, CEO of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario, told the CBC that Jessica displayed 'offensive behaviors that are unprofessional and that contravene public health measures.'

'To have this video surfacing on social media at the same time thousands and thousands of RNs, RPNs, NPs and other health professionals are working 24 hours a day, seven days a week protecting Ontarians and trying to save lives is unfathomable,' Grinspun said.

Jessica said: 'I would be genuinely disgusted if my license got taken away for having an opinion and exercising my rights'

Listen up! She has continued to dig her heels in, calling the reaction at the airport 'insanity'

Jessica, meanwhile, is still digging her heels in.

'This is absolute insanity. We need to stick together. I'm completely allowed to have my own opinion based on working in hospitals, on COVID floors, in long-term homes,' she said.

She has continued to rant against COVID restrictions, insisting that the virus  which has claimed 2.59 million deaths worldwide and left countless suffering from longterm symptoms  is not that dangerous.

'You know why they don't want you traveling?' she wrote,' captioning an image of what looks like a remote village in Tanzania. 'Or make it very hard for you to travel ... because they don't want you to realize how other countries have little to no restrictions and are living normally.

'A plane full of negative covid swabs must still wear masks on the plane and quarantine when you get home BUT if you drive through the border through the States you don't have to quarantine? Please tell me how this makes sense?'

Masks and quarantines are still necessary after a negative COVID test due to the possibility of a false negative. It is also possible that a person who has recently contracted the virus  like the day before a flight  would not yet have symptoms or register a negative test.

She has continued to rant against COVID restrictions, insisting that the virus  which has claimed 2.59 million deaths worldwide  is not that dangerous

Jessica's claim that those who arrive in Canada via the US by car do not have to quarantine is also incorrect.

According to the government's website, 'People who travel, regardless of citizenship, will need to follow testing and quarantine requirements to keep Canadians safe, particularly given the new COVID-19 variants in Canada and around the world.'

On a page titled 'Driving to Canada requirements checklist,' the government says those who arrive that way must 'have your ArriveCAN receipt, test results, and quarantine plans ready for assessment by a Border Services Officer,' 'take a test upon arrival,' and 'go directly to your place of quarantine.'

But Jessica told The Toronto Sun: 'I'm not saying COVID isnt real. Im disputing the measures the government is putting in place for a virus that has a 98 per cent survival rate.

'Masking people and children, oppressing health-care workers opinions that go against the grain, socially isolating people, and instilling fear into Canadians  is not how we solve this problem.'

She added that she has not yet heard from the CNO.

'I would be genuinely disgusted if my license got taken away for having an opinion and exercising my rights.'
Kathmandu, March 8

Nepal is preparing to import a security printing press by mid-July this year, inform concerned officials.

The government plans to print postal stamps, excise duty stickers, and academic credentials with the machine.

The government has estimated the machine will cost Rs 800 million, but importing it can save Rs 9 billion every year, informs Bikal Paudel, the executive director of the Security Printing Centre.

Once the machine is imported, it will take around one year to install and prepare for the operation. We will prepare the IT Park in Banepa to install this machine.

Paudel assures there will not be any human resource crisis to operate the machine.

Earlier in February last year, an audiotape had leaked out, in which the then communications minister Gokul Baskota had demanded Rs 740 million commission from the agent of a Swiss company, KBA-Notasys, to give his side a contract to establish a security printing press in Nepal. The controversy had cost Baskota his ministerial job.
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Some are coping, others struggling, but Syrian refugees in Turkey say they dare not follow their dreams and return home while President Bashar al-Assad remains in power.

Of the 5.6 million people who have fled Syria's conflict, more than 3.6 million have settled in neighbouring Turkey.

Their arrival since Syria's descent into bloody war that began a decade ago has profoundly changed the makeup of southern Turkish border provinces such as Gaziantep and Hatay.

According to official figures, Gaziantep is now home to 450,000 Syrians, making up a fifth of its population.

Most have come from Aleppo, the obliterated Syrian city just an hour's drive south.

"I want to return to Syria and am trying to get Turkish citizenship at the same time, because as long as Assad is in power, our return is out of the question," Ismail Abtini, 42, says.

He runs a grill restaurant with his family on one of the main thoroughfares in the city of Gaziantep, after fleeing Aleppo in 2013 with his parents, siblings, wife and children to "avoid the barrel bombs dropping on our neighbourhood".

One of his brothers was killed in the government assault.

- Lives left behind -

Abtini acknowledges that his business is booming, as two roasters rotate whole chickens and a spit is laden with meat for takeaway shawarma.

But, he adds, back home, "we left behind businesses, houses and large farms" -- something to return to should Assad ever be ousted.

On this stretch of Gaziantep's Inonu Avenue, better known as the Iranian Bazaar, most of the shops are run by Syrians -- although storefront signs are spelled out in Turkish, as required by law.

"We fled the Assad regime, and if someone suddenly told us that Assad has fallen, you wouldn't find a single Syrian in Turkey," says Zakaria al-Sabbagh, a 23-year-old dried fruit vendor.

"But if the regime stays put, there is no hope" of going back, adds fellow trader Khader al-Houssein, 41.

Story continues

"I love my children too much to put them through what I went through."

In a small barbershop, Mohammad Abu Al-Nar, 28, and his customers debate Syria's fate and their possible futures.

"If I return now, I will be jailed and no one will hear from me again," the barber says, as he takes his scissors to a Syrian customer's mop of hair.

"Especially since I am an army deserter. And there are many others like me in Turkey."

- 'A beautiful country' -

While the traders on Inonu Avenue are cobbling together new lives, others are only just hanging on.

Zeina Alawi, who lost her husband in a bombing in 2014, lives with her four daughters and two sons in a squalid flat not far from the city centre.

Deprived of odd jobs by the pandemic, she depends on good Samaritans to help feed her family and pay the equivalent of 50 euros (about $60) a month for an apartment furnished with two mattresses, a striped sofa and a charcoal furnace.

With no prospects of return in sight, she remembers Syria with fondness.

"I tell the children that Syria is a beautiful country where we lived in a house and were happy, where we didn't have to suffer the kind of work that we have to do here," Alawi says.

"But God has decided otherwise."

- 'Maybe one day' -

Ahd Al-Wali, a grocer and confidante of many of the neighbourhood's Syrian families, grabbed her son and fled Aleppo in 2014, a year after her husband, an opposition fighter, was killed by regime forces.

"How could I go back there?" the 39-year-old asks in her small storefront, where she runs a tab for most of her poor Syrian customers.

"Can you imagine walking down the street, seeing his (Assad's) portrait hanging amid all the destruction that he himself caused, not to mention the women and children he has killed?" she says.

"Of course not."

Some graffiti written on a wall near the grocery shop echoes the thoughts of many Syrians in this Gaziantep neighbourhood about a possible return home.

"Maybe one day," it reads.

ezz/zak/par/kjm
The Opposition's continuous uproar and persistent demand for a discussion on the increase in petrol, diesel and prices on Monday led to washout of the day's proceedings in

The upper house which met for the first time in the second part of the Budget Session saw repeated adjournments aa the continued protests inside the House.

witnessed four adjournments -- first around 10.05 am till 11 am and again till 1 pm and then two quick adjournments of 15 minutes each -- before it was adjourned for the day.

The House will now meet on its regular timing of 11 AM to 6 PM from Tuesday, after Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu accepted the demands of some members for a regular sitting.

The House was meeting for five hours from 9 AM to 2 PM since the first part of the Budget Session that started on January 31.

Leader of the Mallikarjun Kharge gave a notice for suspension of business for Monday and demanded a discussion on the "huge and frequent" rise in prices of petrol, diesel and even when global prices were "low".

The Chairman disallowed the discussion, saying the issue can be discussed during the course of discussion on the Appropriation Bill, but asked Kharge to mention the subject of his notice considering his seniority.

Kharge said price of petrol was touching Rs 100 and diesel Rs 80 per litre, while rates have increased and prices of petroleum products have gone up.

He claimed that that there has been nearly 820 per cent increase in the prices of petrol and around 258 per cent in excise duty after 2014. He said the central government has made a "profit" of Rs 21 lakh crore in the last six years from tax and cess on petroleum products.

Describing it as a "burning subject", he said people are agitating across the country.

"That's why we are requesting you to suspend all the rules under Rule 267 and give us a chance to speak on this subject. Ultimately, what is the government going to tell about this," he said.

When the Chairman asked him to stop raising the issue and take up the Question Hour, the members began shouting slogans demanding a debate.

Naidu kept asking members to return to their seats and not deprive members of Question Hour, but the Opposition members were relentless in their demand and kept on shouting.

"If you don't want the Question Hour to continue, if you want to deprive people of Question Hour, I can adjourn the House.... Please go to your seat. 'Loktantra ka mazak nahi karna hai'...," the chairman said.

As members continued to shout, he adjourned the House till 11 am.

When the House re-assembled at 11 am, Congress members again raised their demand forcing another adjournment till 1 PM.

When the House met again, Congress members asked about the fate of their demand and Vandana Chavan, who was in the chair, adjourned the House twice for 15 minutes each at 1 PM and 1.15 PM.

When the House met again at 1.30 pm, Chavan said shall resume normal working hours from Tuesday, March 9.

"This is a happy news for all the members. On the request received from many members from various parties, the Chairman has decided that from tomorrow, Tuesday, March 9, 2021, the sitting of Rajya Sabha will commence from 11 am up to 6 pm, as per usual timings of the House.

"The Members will be seated in Rajya Sabha Chamber and Galleries only, with some distancing," she said.

She then adjourned the House for the day.

The day's proceedings started with new members Biswajit Daimary (Assam), Dineshchandra Jemalbhai Anavadiya (Gujarat) and Rambhai Harjibhai Mokariya (Gujarat) taking oath.

Obituary references were made to former members of the house Vidya Sagar Nishad, M Rama Jois and Satish Sharma, who died during the intervening period of the budget session.

In his introductory remarks of the resumed Budget Session, the Chairman complimented Mallikarjun Kharge on becoming the Leader of Opposition and expressed confidence that his vast and diverse experience will benefit the House significantly.

Naidu said members should make it a point to be present in the House to enhance understanding of parliamentary procedures and also use the library facility.

Naidu said he has been told that some members do not attend the proceedings even when they are in the capital.

"I am told they are in Delhi but they are not present in the House," he also said, while clarifying that he was not referring to any particular member or any party.

"I appeal to all the members, please make it a point to be in the House and then observe debates, enrich your knowledge," he said.

To mark International Women's Day, the Chairman lauded the role of women and said said it is a time to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political contribution and achievements of women across the globe and honour their indomitable spirit.

"We need to ensure an environment that allows women to express themselves to their full potential in the form of both words and deeds", he said, wishing more power to women.

A number of women MPs spoke on the occasion, with some raising demanding reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies to enable them to get adequate representation.

Naidu informed the House that the 8 Committees of Rajya Sabha have spent 12 per cent more time this year on examination of Demands for Grants of 18 ministries over that of last year.

(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 US averages over 1,150 tornadoes every year. That's more than any other country. In fact, it's more than Canada, Australia and all European countries combined.

Within the US, every state has had at least one tornado, and some have dozens each year.

The US is special in terms of producing so many tornadoes, especially violent ones.

In the US, the average number of tornado fatalities per year is 73. But in Europe, where the tornadoes are usually much weaker, the fatalities are estimated to be between 10 and 15 annually.

Some states are deadlier than others

Texas on average has 140 tornadoes every year --the most of any state. Kansas, Florida, Oklahoma, and Nebraska round out the top five.

But the total number of tornadoes does not always tell the whole story. For example, despite Alabama having on average 42 tornadoes per year -- more than three times fewer than Texas -- it is at the top of the list for tornado fatalities.

Alabama averages 14 tornado fatalities per year, almost double the next highest -- Missouri with eight deaths per year.

The time of day and the topography where the tornado occurs makes a big difference in the fatality rate.

The topography in Alabama and other Southern states often includes rolling hills, plateaus, and many more trees than the Plains states like Kansas, Texas, and Nebraska, where a tornado often can be seen from miles away. The more likely a tornado can be seen often leads to the tornado being reported faster, allowing more time for people to be warned and seek shelter.

Southern states such as Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas also see more tornadoes overnight versus any other state. This can lead to higher fatalities, since many people are sleeping and unaware that a tornado is approaching.

"Tornadoes in the Southeast tend to be more dangerous than their Great Plains counterparts," says Brandon Miller, CNN Meteorologist. "There are a number of reasons for this, some weather and some geographic. Southeastern tornadoes often travel faster, moved by a faster jet stream."

All of these factors can lead to higher fatality rate in Southern states compared to the Plains. But all of these states have a few things in common: the ideal atmospheric conditions for tornadoes to form.

"The basic ingredients for severe thunderstorms that can make tornadoes are warm, moist air near the ground, relatively dry, cool air aloft (about 10,000 to 30,000 feet), and horizontal winds in the environment the storm forms in that increase as you go from the ground up and change direction with height, blowing from the equator near the ground and from the west aloft," says Dr. Harold Brooks, senior scientist with the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory.

Low pressure systems in the US pull warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and cool, dry air aloft from the Rocky Mountains or the High Desert in the southwest. The states that fall in between those two regions end up being in the ideal location for severe weather to ignite.

"No place else in the world has the large warm water on its equatorward side with a wide high range of mountains extending from north to south to the west of it," Dr. Brooks said. "All the other tornado prone regions have at least one feature suboptimal."

The US leads every other country for tornadoes

Other countries experience tornadoes, including Germany, Australia, South Africa, eastern China, Japan, Bangladesh, Argentina, and more.

Europe as a whole is comparable to the size of the US, but there is a vast difference in number of tornadoes and tornado fatalities.

From 2011 to 2020, the US averaged a preliminary total of 1,173 tornadoes per year, and Europe around 256. However, Dr. Pieter Groenemeijer, Director of the European Severe Storms Laboratory (ESSL), cautions that the European number may be on the low side.

"Weaker tornadoes are likely still under-reported in some countries, such as France and the UK," Groenemeijer says.

European Russia (which is the part of the country west of 58 degrees East longitude), tops the list at 86 tornadoes annually. Germany comes in second with an average 28 tornadoes annually.

The peak density of tornado reports coincides with the high population density over Belgium, the Netherlands, and northern Germany, according to a study on severe storms in Europe published in December 2020.

The study also reports that thunderstorms are twice as frequent over the United States, with as many as four times more storm reports, compared to Europe.

One thing most countries have in common is the time of day that tornadoes occur, which is most frequently during the afternoon and early evening. But the peak season is not the same. In the US, spring is the peak for tornado activity. For central and northern Europe the main tornado season is in summer, whereas it is autumn for the western and central Mediterranean region, and winter in the eastern Mediterranean.

Outside of the US, Canada actually ranks second on the list for most tornadoes, with an average of 100 per year.

Tornadoes are not limited to the Northern Hemisphere. Australia has dozens every year, and South Africa also reports annual occurrences. South America, much like other continents, has its own tornado hotspot, known as "pasillo de los tornados." This tornado corridor includes Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and a portion of Brazil.

According to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research in New Zealand, tornadoes are relatively rare there. On average, around seven to 10 moderate to strong tornado events are reported in New Zealand every year.

Southern Hemisphere tornadoes typically rotate clockwise, which is the opposite of how tornadoes primarily spin in the Northern Hemisphere.
Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange traded 0.2 per cent higher at 14,983, around 8.45 am, indicating a positive start for the benchmark indices on Monday.

Here are the top stocks to track in today's session:

Aarti Drugs: Aarti Specialty Chemicals (ASCL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, gets an approval accorded under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the pharma sector.

Adani Ports: The company will issue up to 1 crore equity shares of face value of Rs 2 each to Windy Lakeside Investments on a preferential basis. The allottment will be done at a price of Rs 800 per share, which is a 6.7 per cent premium to Friday's closing price.

PVR: Multiplex major plans to invest Rs 150 crore to open up to 40 screens across the country in the next fiscal. The company's target of having 1,000 operational screens has been pushed by a year due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic to the end of fiscal 2022-23, a top company official has said.

Sayaji Hotels: The company, on Saturday, said it has inked agreements for seven new properties across various states, including Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Cipla: Drug major Cipla, on Saturday, said it has voluntarily liquidated a wholly-owned step-down subsidiary. This liquidation was a part of internal reorganisation and it will not affect performance or revenue of the company, Cipla said..

NMDC: The company has left the price of lump ore unchanged at Rs 5,100 per tonne and Rs 4,210 per tonne for fines in its latest price revision announced on Saturday.

RHFL, Punjab & Sind Bank: Reliance Home Finance (RHFL), on Saturday, said it has defaulted on loan of over Rs 40 crore from Punjab & Sind Bank even as the company has enough cash and cash equivalent which it cannot use due to a court order.

DHFL: DHFL, on Friday, said its administrator has filed additional affidavits in the NCLT Mumbai in connection with fraud amounting to over Rs 1,424 crore.

Indian Bank: State-owned Indian Bank on Friday said it will divest stake in joint venture entity ASREC (India) Ltd as part of asset monetisation exercise. The bank holds a 38.26 per cent stake in ASREC (India) Ltd.

India Grid Trust: Investment trust inked an agreement to acquire 100 per cent equity stake in NER II Transmission from Sterlite Power for about Rs 4,625 crore. The completion of acquisition would depend upon receipt of unitholders' consent, regulatory and other relevant approvals, it said.

ICICI Lombard: ICICI Lombard General Insurance has approved an interim dividend of Rs 4 per share for the current fiscal in the midst of a pandemic year as also the sectoral regulator asking insurers to take a conscious call on dividends due to pandemic-induced economic stress.

Just Dial: The company has signed an advertising agreement with Star India for advertising as Co-presenting Sponsor for the Indian Premier League.

Adani Power: The company has made a Rs 2,600-crore offer to acquire Essar Power MP under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) rules, according to media report.

Emkay Global Financial Services: Vridhi acquired 1,57,290 equity shares in the company at Rs 76.54 per share while Equity Intelligence India and others, including Porinju Veliyath reduced stake in the company to 5.16 percent from 5.20 percent, via open market transactions.

Maruti Suzuki: The company produced total 1,68,180 vehicles in February 2021 against 1,40,933 vehicles in February 2020. The passenger vehicles production increased to 1,65,783 units from 1,40,370 units in the same period.
Despite repeated denials, it is clear the Chinese government downplayed the severity of the initial COVID-19 outbreak in the city of Wuhan in December 2019.

Opinion

Despite repeated denials, it is clear the Chinese government downplayed the severity of the initial COVID-19 outbreak in the city of Wuhan in December 2019.

But as guilty as Chinese President Xi Jinping and his officials might be in not doing more to contain the virus and the enduring crisis that has wreaked havoc across the world, it absolutely does not justify the hate, violence and scapegoating of Canadians and Americans of Chinese and Asian descent. (Suffice it to say that if the virus had originated in the United Kingdom under similar circumstances, Brits and Scots in North America would not have been targeted.)

In San Francisco on Jan. 28, Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old immigrant and grandfather from Thailand, was out for a morning walk in a suburban neighbourhood when suddenly he was rammed from behind by a person who charged him. Ratanapakdee fell hard on a cement driveway, hitting his head. The blow caused bleeding in his brain and he died two days later without regaining consciousness.

A 19-year-old teenager has been charged with murder and elder abuse. Yet Ratanapakdees family insists the tragic incident was the result of hate and the economic hardships caused by COVID-19.

They may be correct. Since the onset of the virus, anti-Chinese and anti-Asian bigotry have dramatically increased in Canada and the U.S., leading to numerous incidents of harassment and violence. In both countries, whether it is on public transportation, shopping in a store or merely walking on a sidewalk, Asians have been bullied, screamed at, spat on and physically assaulted. They have also been the targets of online abuse.

In early September 2020, the Toronto chapter of the Chinese Canadian National Council issued a report indicating that more than 600 incidents of anti-Asian racism had been reported to that date across Canada, and that Canada had a "higher number of anti-Asian racism reports per capita than the United States."

Indeed, the results of a survey conducted by Angus Reid and released last June indicated that of the more than 500 Chinese Canadians who participated, half reported being called names or insulted as a direct result of the COVID-19 outbreak, and more than 40 per cent stated they had been threatened or intimidated.

Historically, crises  whether war, economic depression or pandemic  have brought out the best and worst in some people. Overt discrimination is no longer legal in Canada and the U.S. as it once was, but prejudice remains endemic. Today, we denounce it publicly and teach students its many lessons and dangers, but it remains beneath the surface of western society, rearing its ugly head during times of extreme stress.

In the case of COVID-19, it has to be pointed out that a contributing factor to anti-Asian racism was former president Donald Trumps deliberate use of the terms "China virus" and "kung flu." As with other polarizing events, he stoked hate, giving it credence and the presidential seal of approval. As CNN has noted, in some reported hate incidents in the U.S., "perpetrators repeated the former presidents language."

At the same time, anti-Chinese and anti-Asian attitudes have a long history in North America. In the early 20th century, few issues frightened white Canadians and Americans more than unwanted immigrants from the non-English, non-Christian world. At the top of the list of undesirables were the Chinese, followed closely by the Japanese. Both groups represented the "unassimilable Yellow Peril."

Chinese labourers had sacrificed themselves to build the Canadian Pacific Railway in Canada and the Transcontinental Railway in the U.S., yet that did not mean they were welcome to stay on when those projects were completed. By the mid-1880s, the U.S. had passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, virtually banning all Chinese immigration, and Canada had imposed restrictive head taxes. In 1923, Canada banned nearly all Chinese immigration, a ruling that was not repealed until 1947.

The history of the Chinese in Canada is a story of discrimination, race riots  such as the one in Vancouver in 1907 precipitated by the Asiatic Exclusion League  and fearmongering. Feeding the hysteria was the widely held belief that Chinese men used opium to exploit and sexually assault white women. The Methodist Church officially deemed Chinese restaurants as "dangerous places" for Canadian women.

As an example, in Toronto in 1913, Horace Wing, a Chinese merchant, was arrested and charged with "procuring a white woman for immoral purposes" after he hired a young white woman named Minnie Wyatt as a stenographer. She had sought the job by placing an ad in the newspaper; her parents had reported Wing to the police.

Equally devastating was the punishment imposed in 1939 on Velma Demerson, a white 18-year-old who was charged under Ontarios Female Refuges Act as being "incorrigible" because she was pregnant and living with Harry Yip, a Chinese waiter. Her father had also reported her to the police. She was confined for one year to Torontos refuge for wayward girls and her newborn son was taken from her.

The world has changed a lot since then. Yet the ugly and truly irrational racism engendered by the stress and strain of COVID-19 is another reminder that we have not advanced as far as we think.

Now & Then is a column in which historian Allan Levine puts the events of today in a historical context. His most recent book is, Details are Unprintable: Wayne Lonergan and the Sensational Cafe Society Murder.
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Tom Selleck

Bret Lundberg/Images /Getty Images

Can you imagine anyone other than Harrison Ford playing Dr. Henry Jones Jr. in the Indiana Jones franchise? And can you imagine anyone other than Tom Selleck staring as Thomas Magnum in Magnum, P.I.?

Well, little did we know, but Selleck nearly was cast in the lead role for 1981's Raiders of the Lost Ark and may have very well taken on the part of Indiana Jones, were it not for a contract he had signed for Magnum, P.I., the hit detective series that wound up becoming a career-defining gig.

"After I did the pilot for Magnum, I tested for Indiana Jones and got the job. Steven [Spielberg] and George [Lucas] my newest pals at the time offered me the job and I said 'well I've done this pilot,' and they said 'well thanks for telling us. Most actors wouldn't do that, but we got cards to play with CBS.' 'Turns out CBS wouldn't let me do it. They held the offer out for about a month. Harrison Ford hates to hear this and Harrison this is your role and your indelible in it, so it's just an interesting story," he explained in an interview with Yahoo Entertainment's "BUILD Series." "But yeah, I mean look, I signed a deal for Magnum, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm proud that I lived up to my contract. Some people said, 'you gotta get in the car and drive into a brick wall and get injured and get out of Magnum and do this.' And I said 'I gotta look my mom and dad in the eye, and we don't do that.' So, I did Magnum, it's not so bad, is it?"

Watch the interview below.

And here's some more fun movie trivia for you: Audrey Hepburn almost didn't star in Breakfast at Tiffany's and Matthew McConaughey auditioned for the role of Jack in Titanic.

All this talk of beloved films have you ready to take a walk down movie memory lane? Check out these classic movies you can stream on Amazon and Hulu.

Story continues

WATCH: We Now Know Who Will Play the Male Leads in the Movie Adaptation of Where The Crawdads Sing

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Monday movie night, anyone? We're plopping on the nearest couch and grabbing the popcorn for an Indiana Jones marathon.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The trend for highly-educated women to have fewer children isn't seen among those who are religious, new analysis suggests.

According to the study, birth rates declines sharply for non-religious women with higher-level qualifications in Britain and France, while practicing religious women who are similarly educated maintain high fertility levels.

Researchers believe this can be attributed to lifestyle differences and the perceived cost and benefits of having a larger family among women from different religious groups.

This could include closer social ties among members of the same religious community, resulting in more support for families.

Statistics analyzed as part of the study show women who were not religious were less likely to become mothers compared to those who said they were religious, or practiced a religion in both countries.

Those who reported no religious affiliation had the least number of children (1.8 on average in Britain and 1.9 in France), whereas practicing Catholic women had the most, on average 2.5 in Britain and 2.4 in France.

The study examined the relationship between religion, educational attainment and completed family size in Britain and France for women born from the 1920s to the 1960s.

The study, published in the journal Population, by Dr. Nitzan Peri-Rotem from the University of Exeter, uses data from the British Household Panel Survey from 2010 and the French Generations and Gender Survey.

Among religiously unaffiliated women, there is an average gap of nearly one child between the least and most educated groups. On the other hand, among women with a greater religious commitment, these differences are considerably smaller or insignificant.

In Britain, non-religious women who only attended secondary school had on average 2.3 children, and the most educated womenwho had attended college or university, had 1.6. Among practicing Protestant women this was 2.2 children among the least educated to 2.1 for the most.

In France religious women who attended college or university had on average 2.6 children on average compared to 2.3 children for the least educated, and 2.1 children for those who didn't progress beyond the end of secondary school. Non-religious women with the highest levels of education had 1.5 children, compared to 2.5 for those with the lowest levels.

Dr. Peri-Rotem said: "In Britain and France women who are more educated are less likely to have children, and have fewer of them overall. However, this is not the case for those who are religious. These patterns can be explained by variations in the perceived costs and value of children among different religious groups. Family life and children are highly valued by religious communities, and women who are more religious receive more support when seeking to expand their families.

"Our research shows religion can play an important part in understanding variations in the relationship between education and the birth rate in Britain and France. The relationship between education and fertility outcomes is not uniform across religious groups, and for practicing religious women higher education can go hand in hand with a higher birth rate."

Explore further New research examines links between religion and parental support from non-family members
Wells Fargo will aim to have net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the bank announced Monday. The move comes after similar pledges across Wall Street, including from Charlottes Bank of America.

As a part of the pledge, Wells Fargo will disclose financed emissions for some carbon-intensive portfolios. The company will also finance $500 billion of sustainable projects.

We have a responsibility to our clients and customers, our investors and to society at large, said Jon Weiss, the head of corporate and investment banking.

Wells Fargo will set interim emission reduction targets for its oil, gas and power financing by the end of 2022, according to a news release. The bank is already carbon-neutral in its internal operations.

In February, Bank of America announced a similar pledge, which included goals to purchase only zero-carbon electricity and reduce water usage. New York-based Citi announced it would go net zero earlier in March.

Other pledges

While the pledges are generally welcomed by environmentalists, some are skeptical of the sincerity of the pledges and curious about details. The Sierra Club criticized both Citi and Bank of Americas pledges for a lack of specifics when they were announced.

Almost all major banks have had longstanding financial relationships with the oil and gas industry.

Wells Fargo had long been a major backer of the industry, and two years ago Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan personally helped close one oil companys $35.7 billion purchase of a rival.

We are a major players in the oil and gas space in the United States particularly, Wells Fargos Weiss said. We view this as a collaboration with our clients (in) those industries to help them in their transition to a lower-carbon economy.

Wells Fargo plans to continue to finance carbon-intensive businesses, Weiss said, as part of helping those businesses navigate the transition to a lower-carbon economy. The bank ruled out funding oil and gas drilling in the Arctic last year.

The San Francisco-based bank employs 27,000 in the greater Charlotte area, a legacy of the banks 2008 purchase of Wachovia.
For the first in a long time -almost 50 years- Indonesia has welcomed a Christian police officer to be the nation's new police chief.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo personally nominated Comr. Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo for the post, The Jakarta Post reported. Prabowo was the President's former adjutant and also the head of the Criminal Investigation Department.

On January 27, Prabowo was officially sworn in as the successor of the outgoing police chief, Gen. Idham Azis, UCA News reported.

According to The Christian Post, Prabowo's installment as a Christian officer is the first in Indonesia, a Muslim-majority nation, since its independence in August 1945. This also marks the third time in the country's history that someone from a religious minority holds office in the national government.

Prabowo's appointment was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives despite resistance from Islamic adherents.

"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," says Muhyiddin Junaidi, leader of the Indonesian Ulema Council.

In Prabowo's defense, the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (CCI/PGI) states that the new chief's religion was not the basis for his appointment, but what he has accomplished for his country.

"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," they said.

"His appointment shows that every citizen has the same rights to reach a position of leadership," they added.

Father Paulus Christian Siswantoko, executive secretary for the Indonesian Bishops' Commission for the Laity, praised President Widodo for his decision.

"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.

Prabowo gave his word that he'll champion religious freedom and will try to promote diversity. He will also address issues on intolerance and radicalism.

He added that he'll 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 told Evangelical Focus.

Indonesia's Religious Profile

According to Open Doors USA's 2021 World Watch List, Indonesia ranks 47th in Christian persecution worldwide. With Islam being the predominant religion in the country, Indonesian Muslims bent on radicalism have succeeded to push their agenda on their government including the persecution of religious minorities.

According to The Christian Post, the recent 2020 report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom indicates that "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," their annual report states.
[March 08, 2021] Yanimed Achieves ASTM Medical Standards, Looks to Expand Footprint in the US

Yanimed has recently achieved the ASTM D6319-19 standards and submitted the 510k application. These developments are critical to the brands ambitious expansion plans in the US. NEW YORK, March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yanimed is pleased to announce that it has recently achieved the medical device standards as laid down by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). These standards specify and evaluate the design and performance requirements for different biomedical materials, tools, and equipment in the United States. A Malta-based brand delivering world-class nitrile gloves and protective masks, Yanimed has also submitted the 510k application with the goal of conducting long term business operations in America in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Comprising of over 30,000 volunteer members from more than 140 countries, the ASTM is a global leader in the development of voluntary consensus standards used by individuals, companies, and other institutions around the world. They develop and publish technical standards for many different industries with the goal of enhancing performance and safety over a wide range of products, materials, systems, and services. The specific requirements for nitrile rubber gloves used in medical testing, diagnosis and treatment are described under the standard ASTM D6319-19. This standard applies to handmade gloves; examination gloves made of nitrile rubber, as well as packaged sterile or non-sterile or non-sterile bulk examination gloves made of nitrile rubber. It also provides test methods to evaluate the performance and safety of nitrile rubber gloves manufactured for medical examinations and diagnostic and treatment procedures. By achieving this standard, Yanimed has established the fact that its nitrile gloves are tested and qualified. In the pre-Covid US market, almost any company could ell medical devices, gloves, and other protective gears. However, after the pandemic, the 510k certification plays critical role in this process. Technically speaking, 510(k) is the technical dossier required by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to sell a medium-risk medical device or IVD in the United States. It contains detailed technical, safety, and performance information about a medical device. The documentation must demonstrate the device in question is "substantially equivalent" to a predicate device. The 510(k) applications must be reviewed and cleared by the FDA before the applicant legally sell or distribute its products in the US.



"Our collective understanding of COVID-19 has greatly expanded since the start of the pandemic, as well as how to protect ourselves," said Sergio Raygada, CEO US Operations, Yanimed. Our nitrile gloves are latex-free examination gloves, well tolerated by the skin and powder-free. Having achieved the ASTM standards, we are confident about making a positive impact on the US market. Some salient features of Yanimed nitrile gloves include:

Ideal for sensitive skin and allergy sufferers

Suitable for both hands

Excellent skin compatibility

Low in protein and irritants

Rolled edge for reliable hold without slipping

Compliant to DIN EN 455, ASTM 6319 (also tested for EN374) standards

Available in the usual sizes S-XL

Well stretchable and offers a very good tactile sensitivity To find out more about Yanimed nitrile gloves, please visit https://yanimed.com/ About Yanimed: Yanimed is a brand of Blokkx Ltd. based in Malta. Under the brand-name Yanimed, the company produces protective articles like nitrile gloves and protective masks. All its products are manufactured in selected factories in Asia, mainly from Vietnam, China, Thailand and Malaysia that meet stringent quality standards. Contact: Website: https://yanimed.com/ Email: info@yanimed.com Phone: + 44 330 02 7 02 07 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/311b7be0-dd14-4138-9b7b-a82f04bdac36



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STAMFORD  Alongside a handful of other city leaders, Mayor David Martin received his COVID-19 vaccine on Monday afternoon just days after the city started vaccinating teachers.

Martin said previously that hed wait to get vaccinated until the city started inoculating its teachers. After the statewide vaccine eligibility expansion last week, Stamford launched a clinic for educators on Saturday at Stamford Health. For its first weekend, the clinic targeted elementary school teachers.
VANCOUVER - British Columbia's health minister promised to "do better" on Monday after call centres to schedule vaccine appointments were overwhelmed on the first day of booking.

A health-care worker stands in the post vaccine waiting area at a mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic for Peel Region during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mississauga, Ont., on Monday, March 1, 2021. Call centres will open today across British Columbia to book COVID-19 vaccine appointments for some of the province's most elderly residents. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

VANCOUVER - British Columbia's health minister promised to "do better" on Monday after call centres to schedule vaccine appointments were overwhelmed on the first day of booking.

Adrian Dix said there were 1.7 million calls in less than three hours after the phone lines opened for people over 90 and Indigenous elders over 65 to book their appointments.

Dix said he believed that people who were not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine were flooding the lines, but he also acknowledged that more staffing was needed.

"It's really important in order to allow those over 90 to get their appointments that we only call when our age group becomes open for calling," he told the province's COVID-19 briefing.

"It's also important that we do better. I know that people have called in and have waited a long time today."

Dix said that more resources would be added in the coming weeks, as more age groups become eligible to call to book their vaccines.

People born in 1936 or earlier can start calling for appointments on March 15 and those born in 1941 or earlier can start to schedule their immunizations March 22.

Fraser Health was the only authority to launch an online booking platform on Monday, but Dix said a web-based system would become widely available on April 12.

Some residents with elderly parents said they spent hours redialing their health authority's number and only got a busy signal or a recorded message telling them to call back later.

Julie Tapley, whose 90-year-old father lives in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, said she was frustrated that the authority had not yet established an online booking system.

"I just want to get in the queue and start the process so that (my parents) can return to their normal lives."

B.C.'s provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said creating an online booking system is "quite a large project" and Fraser Health was the only authority with an existing platform.

Of about 80,000 people eligible to book appointments this week, roughly 26,000 have already received a shot, so a relatively small number of people should be calling, Dix said.

He said about 10,000 appointments were booked as of Monday afternoon and a "significant number" of those were scheduled through the Fraser Health online site.

Dix urged eligible residents and their families to keep calling in the coming days. There are plenty of appointments available and it is not a "first-come, first-serve" system, he said.

Although B.C.'s case numbers have been on the rise, Henry said some restrictions would be eased in the coming weeks as the weather warms and immunizations ramp up.

Outdoor gatherings, larger meeting places and layers of protection such as masks will still be recommended, she said.

"I like to think of it as slowly turning up the dial again rather than flicking a switch," she said.

She also said she hopes to see the return of sports and in-person religious ceremonies within weeks.

Officials have been developing a plan with faith leaders to enable the gradual return of in-person services, as there are important dates in many religions coming up, Henry said.

A B.C. Supreme Court judge reserved his decision on Friday on a petition filed by three Fraser Valley churches who argued that a ban on in-person services violates charter rights.

Henry reported on Monday 1,462 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths over three days, pushing the death toll to 1,391 in the province.

She said there was one new outbreak in a long-term care home, the Cottonwoods Care Centre in Kelowna, where a high number of residents and staff had already been vaccinated.

The flare-up serves as a reminder that while vaccines are effective and prevent severe illness and death, they dont necessarily mean that all transmission will be stopped, she said.

There have been 144 new cases that are variants of concern, bringing the total to 394 confirmed cases. Officials still do not know how about a quarter of the cases were acquired.

Henry became emotional when quoting Chief Robert Joseph, a knowledge-keeper with the Assembly of First Nations.

"We will celebrate our lives again, dream our dreams again and watch our children regain their hope," Henry quoted him as saying, with tears in her eyes.

"That's what we can look forward to in the coming months."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 8, 2021.
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, they expressed their pleasure at the growing trend of reciprocal ties in various fields and underlined the two countries resolve to further develop cooperation in all areas.

A statement released by the Armenian Foreign Ministry similarly cited Zarif and Ayvazian as praising the Armenian-Iranian relationship anchored in centuries-old friendship and reaffirming their governments intention to deepen it.

The interlocutors touched upon issues of regional security and stability, added the statement. They both stressed the importance of coordinated interaction in addressing new challenges facing the region.

The Armenian ambassador to Iran, Artashes Tumanian, met on Monday with Mojtaba Zolnour, the chairman of the Iranian parliaments committee on national security and foreign policy.

In a statement on the meeting, the Armenian Embassy in Tehran said Tumanian discussed with Zolnour the situation and possible developments in the region after last years war in Nagorno-Karabakh. It said they agreed that closer bilateral ties are good not only for Armenia and Iran but also regional security.

Zarif reaffirmed Tehrans desire to continue seeking closer relations with Armenia after the Armenian-Azerbaijani war when he visited Yerevan in late January as part of a tour of Russia, the South Caucasus and Turkey. The chief Iranian diplomat also voiced strong support for Armenias territorial integrity, calling it a red line for the Islamic Republic.
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A safari park tracker searching for wild game for rich tourists was ambushed by two lions and eaten alive as he followed the tracks of a pair of cheetahs.

Malibongwe Mfila, 27, had seen the tracks divert off the dirt road he was following in his jeep and stopped to follow where they went on foot.

But within just 20 metres two young male lions who were lying camouflaged in a thicket leaped out and dragged him to the ground before beginning to eat him.

The lions were subsequently shot, a police spokesperson confirmed.

Malibongwe Mfila, 27, was ambushed by two lions and eaten alive as he followed the tracks of a pair of cheetahs

Tragic Malibongwe Mfila, 27, (right) had seen the spoor divert off the dirt road he was following in his jeep and stopped to track where they went on foot. He was attacked and killed by the lions who were later shot, in an image released by the South African Police Service, left

The terrified tracker was out alone scouting the 22,000 hectare grounds in his vehicle at the Marataba Safari Lodge in the Marakele National Park for signs of the Big 5.

South African Police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed the young ranger was attacked and killed by the lions who were later shot.

He said: 'He was busy driving around in the bush looking for animals like elephants and lions in order to tell the guides where to do game drives.

Marataba Safari Lodge is pictured above. Marataba's Park Management confirmed two young male lions had been euthanised and that post mortems were being conducted out on both

'He reportedly stopped his vehicle and got out and as he was walking away from the road he was suddenly attacked and killed by two lions' he said.

The police spokesman said another driver in the park spotted the two lions still eating the employee and summoned help and they were shot.

South African National Parks spokesman Reynold Thakhuli said: 'He was tracking wildlife as part of his usual duties for Marataba when he died.

'He was following up on cheetah tracks and appears to have alighted from the vehicle and had walked just 20 metres when he came upon two male lions.

'They attacked and killed him,' he said.

Marataba's Park Management confirmed two young male lions had been euthanised and that post-mortems were being conducted on both.

Robert More who is CEO and owner of the More Family Collection which owns the luxury 750 a night safari lodge paid tribute to their tracker.

The terrified tracker was out alone scouting the 22,000 hectare grounds in his vehicle at the Marataba Safari Lodge in the Marakele National Park for signs of the Big 5. A lion is pictured above in this stock image

He said: 'Malibongwe was an integral part of the Marataba Luxury Lodges field guiding team and had great promise for a very successful future.

'The Marataba family is devastated by his loss and his sunny disposition coupled with his natural talent will be sorely missed by us all here.'

The safari lodge is a four-hour drive from Johannesburg at the foot of the Waterberg Mountains in Limpopo Province and is home to the Big 5.

They are lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant and Malibongwe's job was to try and scout out where they were and radio details to game rangers.

A male lion can weigh 500lbs and be four feet tall at the shoulder and up to 7 feet in length.
At least eight people are dead after a fire ripped through a detention facility for migrants in Yemens capital, Sanaa, the United Nations migration agency said Sunday.

More than 170 people are injured, with at least 90 in serious condition, according to Carmela Godeau, the International Organization for Migrations (IOM) regional director.

The cause of the fire incident in the holding facility remains unclear, Godeau wrote on Twitter. But this is just one of the many dangers that migrants have faced during the past 6 years of the crisis in Yemen.

Yemen is embroiled in a civil war pitting the Iran-aligned Houthis against a Saudi-led coalition that intervened in 2015 on behalf of the internationally recognized government. The Houthi rebels, who control Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, have launched an offensive to take the oil-rich Marib province.

The Associated Press reported that Houthi civil defense teams on Sunday put out the fire and were investigating what caused the blaze at their facility, which holds some 700 migrants.

Some 100,000 migrants from countries like Somalia and Ethiopia reach Yemen each year by boat from the Horn of Africa, the IOM says. Once in Yemen, migrants tend to search for employment as nannies, housekeepers, construction workers and manual laborers in the wealthy Gulf states.

But thousands are stranded in the war-torn country, the IOM says, where they face extreme danger, exploitation and abuse. In January, more than 2,500 migrants arrived in Yemen  the Arab worlds poorest country  from neighboring Djibouti.

The pandemic has significantly slowed migrant travel. Some 37,500 people embarked on the journey in 2020, compared to roughly 138,000 people in 2019, the migration agency said.

Last week, at least 20 migrants traveling to Yemen from Djibouti drowned after dozens were thrown overboard by smugglers, the latest such incident in the Gulf of Aden in recent months. An IOM statement said smugglers started shouting there were too many onboard the crammed vessel and forced some 80 people into the sea.
Credit: Shutterstock

While kangaroos are easier to spot than many of Australia's more secretive native species, a suite of threats currently face these magnificent animals.

The 2019-20 fire season was exceptional because, according to modern records, it consumed forests that had never before burnt at such vast scales.

More than 200,000 kangaroos are thought to have died during or soon after the fires in Victoria, where paradoxically, permits have been issued to kill almost 450,000 kangaroos since 2018. At that time, the state's total population was estimated to be 1.4 million.

Although these figures are alarming, this is not another grim conservation tale.

This year, La Nina climate patterns have brought Victoria's wildlife and fire crews some respite in the form of summer rain and cooler daytime temperatures. And the Victorian Government's Department of Environment Land, Water and Planning has among the most sophisticated approaches to ecological fire management in the world, having forged partnerships with researchers and community groups over recent decades.

My team, including co-researchers Lauren Delaney and Dr. Julian Di Stefano, works with land managers in Victoria and South Australia to find out where and when to apply planned fire for the benefit of kangaroos and other animals.

Our new research has found that kangaroos prefer a mix of long-unburnt and recently burnt areas within large expanses of woodland or forest.

It's likely that kangaroos enjoy the shelter provided by shrubs and large trees in long-unburnt vegetation, alongside fresh, green ephemeral foods in recently burnt areas.

However, the kangaroos' preferences changed where remnant patches of vegetation were surrounded by pasture, crops or small towns.

In fragmented landscapes, kangaroos did not prefer a mix of fire ages, presumably because they substituted pasture grasses for post-fire ephemerals.

We found consistent patterns in four species: eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus), red-necked wallaby (Notamacropus rufogriseus) andto our surprisethe yellow-footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes), a 45-gram shrew-like marsupial.

The yellow-footed antechinus is famed for its unusual sexual exploits, involving the death of all males following an annual winter mating season. After the males die, pregnant females must search for a suitable den in a tree hollow or log where they rear their young.

Fires can cause a shortage of dens for the yellow-footed Antechinus. Credit: Patrick Kavanagh/Flickr

Fire may cause a shortage of these den sites if it consumes big, old trees which provide lots of hollows.

While females are fairly sedentary, a radio-tracking study showed that males live their short lives to the full and may leave the relative safety of native woodland to find food in nearby pasture.

Nonetheless, it was harder to wrap our heads around the notion that the dainty antechinus would venture into paddocks more often than the much larger and more mobile kangaroos and wallabiesbut our results indicate that the four species share an ability to take advantage of a range of resources.

We used wildlife cameras to survey the animals on Gunditjmara Country in the heathy woodland of a quiet corner of southwest Victoria, where remnant vegetation is surrounded by pasture, pine and blue gum plantations.

Using a sprawling and dilapidated house in Casterton as a base for our fieldwork, we visited 70 sites and tied cameras near the base of two trees per site. The cameras are triggered automatically by motion and heat, and we placed a smelly bait mix of oats, peanut butter and golden syrup in front of the camera to encourage animals to hang out long enough for us to identify them with confidence.

After 25 days, we returned to pick up the cameras and celebrate our haul of tens of thousands of animal images.

For animals like koalas and echidnas, identification is easybut Gunditjmara Country features several mammals that are very difficult to distinguish from one another.

Eastern and western grey kangaroos may look identical to the untrained eye, but with practice and help from kangaroo experts we gradually picked up the subtle differences in ear shape and fur colour.

We hope that the outcomes of the many days we spent scratching our heads while looking at grainy images will help land managers decide where and when to use planned fire (or fire suppression) to benefit kangaroos and other less-well-known species.

Although two kangaroos, the wallaby, and the antechinus are not currently listed as threatened or endangered, increasingly frequent wildfires, together with increases in the numbers of kangaroos that can be killed for commercial profit, are likely to be having dramatic impacts on population sizes.

Biodiversity conservation during this time of rapid environmental change can sometimes feel like trying to hold back a tsunami with the palm of your hand.

However, tailoring ecological fire management strategies according to whether native vegetation occurs as a large, continuous block or in fragmented remnants may help preserve one of Australia's iconic species for generations to come.

Explore further Kangaroo overgrazing could be jeopardising land conservation, study finds

More information: Lauren Delaney et al. Mammal responses to spatial pattern in fire history depend on landscape context, Landscape Ecology (2021). Lauren Delaney et al. Mammal responses to spatial pattern in fire history depend on landscape context,(2021). DOI: 10.1007/s10980-020-01186-3
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8)  Malacanang assured the public an investigation is underway on the deaths of activists in the Southern Tagalog region, but maintained that President Rodrigo Duterte's order to shoot and kill armed rebels is "legal."

In his briefing on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the government is obligated to probe the killings, which happened during simultaneous police operations in Calabarzon over the weekend.

"Ang siyam na napatay, iimbestigahan po natin 'yan dahil hindi po sila sakop ng IHL (International Humanitarian Law) dahil noong sila ay napatay wala naman silang hawak na baril," he said.

[Translation: We will look into the nine deaths because they are not covered by the International Humanitarian Law, because when they were killed, they were not holding any firearm.]

This was contrary to what the Philippine National Police reported. In an interview with CNN Philippines' New Day earlier in the day, Laguna Police Spokesperson PLtCol. Chitadel Gaoira said the suspects carried explosives and assorted weapons with them, which makes their operations "legitimate."

"Based on our records, a crime is usually committed with these firearms, with these instruments so we have these operations. We don't want to wait for the suspects to use these explosives and loose firearms in criminal or illegal activities," Gaoira said.

Of the fatalities, six were recorded in Rizal, two in Batangas, and one in Cavite. Meanwhile, six people were arrested, three each in Laguna and Rizal. However, Gaoira admitted they have yet to establish whether all of them were linked to previous groups and if they have been involved in previous crimes.

READ: 9 dead as police crackdown vs activists in Southern Tagalog

Roque maintained that in line with International Humanitarian Law, Duterte's "shoot and kill" order applies to armed rebels in the middle of a conflict.

"Under IHL po, tama 'yung order ng Presidente, 'Kill Kill Kill,' kasi nga po kapag merong labanan, ang kalaban mo may baril na pwede kang patayin, alangan namang ikaw ang maghintay na ikaw ang pwedeng mabaril at mapatay."

[Translation: Under IHL, the President's order is correct, 'Kill, Kill, Kill,' because if there is conflict, your enemy is armed and you can be killed, of course you would not wait to get shot and die.]

He added: "Legal po iyan dahil ang sinabi niya ay para sa mga rebeldeng may hawak na armas."

[Translation: The order is legal because that applies to rebels with firearms.]

Duterte told members of the government's anti-communist task force on Friday that free housing and jobs will be provided to communist rebels who will surrender. For those who will not, the police and military must "make sure to kill them" during encounters if they see them with firearms.

Rights group Karapatan has so far identified seven of the nine fatalities, along with their affiliations. They were Emmanuel Asuncion of Bayan Cavite, Michael Dasigao and Mark Lee Bacasno of Sikadd-Montalban, Ana Marie Evangelista and Ariel Evangelista of Umalpas-ka in Batangas. They also named Puroy Dela Cruz and Randy Dela Cruz, both Dumagat leaders inTanay, Rizal. The group said they are still verifying information on the two other deaths.

Meanwhile, only four of the six arrested were identified as of writing: Elizabeth Camoral of Bayan Laguna, Karapatan paralegal Nimfa Lanzanas, Olalia Kilusang Mayo Uno Executive Vice Chair Esteban Mendoza, and Courage member Eugene Eugenio.

In a statement, the Commission on Human Rights announced it is already conducting an independent probe through its Calabarzon office. It also expressed concern on Duterte's order last Friday, noting that such words can "embolden some to act with abuse and impunity."

"We stress that, while CHR condemns the use of arms and violence to overthrow a government, human rights must be respected at all times. Crimes must be punished under the guidance of the rule of law and due process," it said.

Roque noted that the CHR can freely conduct its own probe, but authorities need not cooperate with the agency since they have their own investigation.

But when asked why there was no resolution on the deaths and arrests of red-tagged victims of the administration, Roque reasoned: "That's how the wheel of justice operates. It's not instant justice a la kangaroo court of the NPA. It takes time."

STORY LINK GBP/USD Outlook: Pound-Dollar Rises as UK Business and Consumer Confidence Hit Year-Highs

GBP/USD Exchange Rate Edges Higher on Positive UK Business Morale

US Dollar (USD) Exchange Rates Sink Despite Strong US Economic Data

GBP/USD Forecast: Could Growing UK Optimism Boost Sterling?

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The Pound to US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate rose today following a bout of upbeat UK economic news. The pairing is currently fluctuating around $1.38.Today saw UK business confidence hit 12-month highs. The BDOs Services Optimism Index beat forecasts, rising to 94.13 in February from Januarys 86.60.Today also saw the publication of the latest consumer confidence report from YouGov, which rose to 105.4 in February, up from 103.4.Kay Neufeld, head of forecasting at the Centre for Economics and Business Research, commented on the data:With a road map for the gradual reopening of the economy now published, we expect the positive consumer sentiment to further aid in the recovery over the coming months.The Bank of Englands (BoE) Governor, Andrew Bailey, also commented on the growing sense of economic optimism in the UK.As a result, the GBP/USD exchange rate rose today owing to increasing confidence in the UKs economy now that it is due to reopen in the next few months.Additionally, UK Covid-19 infection rates and daily death rates have fallen significantly, buoying confidence in nations vaccination programme and economic recovery.The US Dollar (USD) fell against the Pound today despite a surge in US Non-Farm Payroll data, which beat forecasts and buoyed confidence in the worlds largest economy.Februarys US jobs data also improved confidence in the American economy, with 379,000 jobs being added and beating consensus figures.Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, commented:The core story here is that the re-opening of services will be the dominant factor in the payroll numbers over the next few months.Shepherdson also said that he could easily see a 1 million rise in employment, conditional on whether theres a surge in coronavirus infections or not.US Dollar investors will be looking ahead to tomorrows release of Februarys US NFIB Business Optimism Index.Any improvement in the outlook for the US economy would boost the USD/GBP exchange rate.Pound traders will be awaiting tomorrows release of the UK BRC Like-For-Like Retail Sales data for February.If this shows a marked improvement in UK retail sales, however, then we could see the GBP/USD exchange rate head higher.The GBP/USD exchange rate could continue to head higher this week, however, if the outlook for the UK economy continues to improve on falling Covid-19 rates.

International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements.

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[March 08, 2021] Facedrive Key Executives Extend Share Lock-Up Period

Facedrive Inc. ("Facedrive") (TSXV:FD), (OTC:FDVRF), a Canadian "people-and-planet first" tech ecosystem, announced today that key executives of the company have voluntarily agreed with the Company to extend the lock-up period of their shares ("Lockup Period"). Sayan Navaratnam - Chairman, CEO and largest shareholder of Facedrive - has extended the Lockup Period for all Facedrive shares that he owns (both directly and indirectly) by two years to March 31, 2023, meaning all of his shares will only gradually begin releasing from lock-up on that date over 18 months (at a rate of 15 percent every 90 days). Similarly, Junaid Razvi, Executive Vice President and Suman (News - Alert) Pushparajah, Chief Operating Officer (with all of the aforementioned, including Mr. Navaratnam, being "Key Executives") have also extended their Lockup Period in respect of all shares held by them (both directly and indirectly) by one year to March 31, 2022, meaning all such shares will only gradually begin releasing from lock-up on that (at a rate of 15 percent every 90 days) over 18 months. All of the Locked-Up Shares belonging to said Key Executives total 46.57 million common shares ("Key Executive Shares") in the Company. Collectively, the Key Executive Shares account for approximately 49% of Facedrive's total issued and outstanding shares. As the Lockup Period approached an end, the Key Executives voluntarily agreed to extend the applicable Share Lockup Period to demonstrate their continued belief in the mission of the company and the opportunity ahead. This voluntary action signals the commitment of Facedrive's Key Executives to the company's long term success and further aligns the interests of the individuals to those of the company. "My leadership team and I are very pleased to extend our share lock-up period - as a way to demonstrate to the investors that have put their faith in us - of our conviction in the opportunity ahead for our Verticals and, particularly, our TraceSCAN, Facedrive Foods and Steer businesses. We all realize we are on the cusp of something great, and our only objective is to continue pushing forward our ESG mandate while building long-term sustainable value for our employees, partners and shareholders", said Sayan Navaratnam, CEO and Chairman of Facedrive. "As the initial lock-up period came to an end, we felt it was necessary to assure the market that we had no plans to sell our shares and that we are all in this for the long term. Markets can be irrational, and we continue to keep our focus on building products that deliver true value to our customer and partners."



About Facedrive Facedrive is a multi-faceted "people-and-planet first" tech ecosystem offering socially-responsible services to local communities with a strong commitment to doing business fairly, equitably and sustainably. As part of this commitment, Facedrive's vision is to fulfil its mandate through a number of verticals that either leverage existing technologies of the Company or project synergies with existing lines of business (the "Facedrive Verticals"). The Facedrive Verticals include its rideshare business ("Facedrive Rideshare"), sustainable e-commerce platform ("Facedrive Marketplace"), food-delivery service ("Facedrive Foods"), e-social platform ("Facedrive Social") and its contact-tracing and sustainable health services business ("Facedrive Health").

Facedrive Rideshare was among the first to offer a wide variety of environmentally and socially responsible solutions in the Transportation as a Service (TaaS) space, planting thousands of trees based on user consumption and offering choices between electric, hybrid and conventional vehicles (including, more recently, electric and hybrid vehicles on a subscription basis through Steer). Facedrive Marketplace offers curated merchandise created from sustainably sourced materials. Facedrive Foods offers contactless delivery of a wide variety of foods right to consumers' doorsteps, with a focus on doing so in a socially and environmentally-conscious manner. Facedrive Social strives to keep people connected in a physically-distanced world through its HiQ and other e-socialization platforms that invite users to interact based on common interests and by offering gamification and mutual community support features. Facedrive Health strives to develop and offer innovative technological solutions to the most acute health challenges including its proprietary TraceSCAN wearable technology for contact tracing. Facedrive envisions changing the ridesharing, food delivery, e-commerce, social and health tech narratives for the better, for everyone, and is currently operational in Canada and the United States. For more about Facedrive, visit www.facedrive.com. Facedrive Inc.

100 Consilium Pl, Unit 104, Scarborough, ON (News - Alert) , Canada M1H 3E3

www.facedrive.com Forward-Looking Information Certain information in this press release contains forward-looking information. This information is based on management's reasonable assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to us and are made as of the date of this press release. Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors. Information regarding our expectations of future results, performance, achievements, prospects or opportunities or the markets in which we operate is forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances. Many factors could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. See "Forward-Looking Information" and "Risk Factors" in Facedrive's Filing Statement dated August 28, 2019 for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. Readers are urged to consider the uncertainties, risks and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. We have no intention and undertake no 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 securities law. 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. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210307005059/en/

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Margaret, an 80-year-old retiree who lives near Tulsa, Okla., has spent the past year fearing the coronavirus. She's constantly worn masks, toted hand sanitizer and used drive-throughs to run her errands. Her age and preexisting health conditions - including heart failure, diabetes and blood clots- put her at elevated risk if she gets sick.

But unlike many at-risk Americans seeking safety and an end to the pandemic, Margaret refuses to get a coronavirus vaccine.

"There's too many unanswered questions," said Margaret, who agreed to be interviewed only if her last name was withheld because of concerns that she might be harassed. Margaret also said she fears side effects, such as the headaches that some people have gotten from the second shot. "I'd just as soon as not go through that," she said.

Margaret is a Republican - a fervent Donald Trump supporter - and polls have repeatedly found that nearly one-third of Republicans share her staunch resistance to the coronavirus vaccine for a variety of reasons. Some, such as Margaret, worry that the vaccines were developed too quickly. Others argue without evidence that many vaccines are unsafe or will make them sick. More echo Trump's repeated contention that the coronavirus threat is overblown and do not trust the government's involvement.

"I had a slight fever of 99.5 for a day and a half," said Steven Rousey, a 43-year-old aircraft mechanic in Georgia who describes himself as a "Libertarian Republican," and said tests confirmed that he caught the virus in September. "I don't think it was the boogeyman they made it out to be."

While other groups have also been wary about the shots, for instance, communities of color, polling shows that hesitancy has started to wane while GOP resistance to the vaccine remains relatively high. A Kaiser Family Foundation poll released last week found that 28% of Republicans said they would "definitely not"get the vaccine, and another 18% said they would "wait and see" before getting a shot. As a result, millions of Republicans could remain unvaccinated, a potential roadblock to efforts to achieve the high levels of immunity needed to stop the virus in the United States - an irony that is not lost on Trump officials who worked to end the pandemic.

"It's a little bit confounding," said Paul Mango, who helped lead the Trump administration's Operation Warp Speed initiative that sped coronavirus vaccines to market in less than a year. "I really don't understand it, to tell you the truth. To me, this was the most spectacular medical development in our lifetimes."

Some of that hesitancy is embodied by Trump himself, who spent years raising questions about vaccine safety, dismissed the value of flu shots while president and got vaccinated against the coronavirus in January, shortly before leaving the White House - opting not to publicly disclose or televise the decision.

The Washington Post spoke with more than two dozen people about Republicans' vaccine hesitancy, including Trump voters balking at the shots, analysts who have studied vaccine concerns, and health officials from the Biden administration, counties that voted for Trump and the de Beaumont Foundation, a public health group that has teamed up with longtime GOP political strategist Frank Luntz to win over vaccine skeptics.

"I'm determined to crack this code," Luntz said, detailing his plans to bring together a focus group of Republicans next week, trying to craft messages to convince conservatives to get the vaccine. "Their decision affects everyone."

But some of the Americans who Luntz and others are desperate to persuade say they've already made up their minds.

"If the coronavirus is supposed to kill you, it's going to kill you even if you hide under a rock and wear a mask," said Gary, a 73-year-old retired pipe fitter in West Virginia who voted twice for Trump, and who spoke on the condition that his last name to be withheld so he could speak freely about his beliefs. "Personally, I don't think it's any worse than the flu."

- - -

It was Trump who most famously compared the coronavirus with seasonal influenza as the virus spread across the world, and public health officials decried his efforts to minimize the threat.

"This is a flu. This is like a flu," Trump said on Feb. 26, 2020 - before more than 500,000 Americans would die after contracting the virus in subsequent months.

"I think the president set the tone early on by downplaying the coronavirus or comparing it to the flu," said Robert Coon, a GOP consultant in Arkansas who's conducted coronavirus-related surveys for clients. "For a lot of people, the first impression was that it's not that big a deal, and it's kind of hard to come back from that."

Even after Trump was stricken with covid-19 last October, he told Americans that the threat was overblown and he again contrasted with the flu the virus that can cause covid-19 - a connection that pollsters and analysts say is evident in Republican voters' responses.

"The attitude that the seriousness of covid was being exaggerated in the media tracks well with how President Trump talked about it when he was in office," said Liz Hamel, who helps lead KFF's polling on the coronavirus. "His message 'you shouldn't be worried about it,' his relentless positivity, is reflected in the attitudes of many Republicans who don't want to get the vaccine."

The recent revelation that Trump chose not to get the coronavirus vaccine on camera was criticized by public health experts, who said he missed an opportunity to signal the vaccines' safety and benefits to millions of his supporters, unlike then-Vice President Mike Pence, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Trump's unannounced vaccination also came as a surprise to four former senior administration officials working on vaccine efforts.

"A reporter asked me about it this week, and it was the first I heard of that," Mango said.

Trump did repeatedly invoke his administration's success in developing coronavirus vaccines, but "I don't think the support from the president was so much to convince people to take the vaccine, as it was about the political benefit," said Coon, the Arkansas-based GOP consultant. "I don't think it was as focused on the public health benefit as it should have been." The administration's promised public service announcements touting vaccines also never materialized.

And it was not until last month's Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, that Trump first explicitly instructed conservative voters: "Go get your shot."

"I wish it had been earlier," said a former senior Trump official, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "He's the only one that can get to these people."

"For them, he's the pope and the chief rabbi rolled into one," Luntz agreed. "I don't need a focus group to tell me that nothing would have a greater impact than a Donald Trump PSA."

- - -

Public health experts say they've begun implementing strategies to reach out to communities of color, worried that their historic distrust of the medical establishment might lead to low vaccination rates. But there's been less focus on winning over Republicans. The head of the de Beaumont Foundation said that lack of action prompted him to enlist Luntz, the longtime communications consultant and pundit, to come up with messages to reach conservatives.

"[About] half of Republicans say they are unsure or unwilling to take the vaccine and that hasn't changed since December," said Brian Castrucci, the foundation's leader. "I was alarmed when I saw that."

Luntz said he planned to convene about 20 people from more than a dozen states for a virtual focus group Saturday - all two-time voters for Trump who have not decided on whether to get the shots - and to bring in prominent Republicans "to see if they can fashion a language that will change their minds." Luntz declined to identify who would be involved, but he said he'd then test the focus group's results through polling after the event.

The Biden administration is also researching how to reach holdout Republicans, said a senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss in-progress efforts. "The most trusted messengers are doctors, nurses, faith leaders," the official said, suggesting that Biden officials would also appear on conservative networks such as Fox News. "We want to talk to everybody," the official added.

The quest to find a credible messenger who can reach Republicans also has been complicated by the cool relationship between Biden's administration and the one it replaced. Biden's team has repeatedly criticized Trump officials' handling of the outbreak, and it moved to quickly usher offstage many of those involved, including Deborah Birx, who coordinated the White House coronavirus task force and Surgeon General Jerome Adams.

"If people are saying they'd listen to Jerome Adams, I'd call Jerome tonight," said Castrucci. "This isn't selecting teams for dodgeball, this is about the health of the nation."

Mango, the former Trump official, said that at 62, he's waiting his turn for the vaccine but offered to "do it on camera, if The Washington Post wants to send a photographer."

- - -

Luntz said he's uncovered differences between young Republicans who do not want to get the shots, often arguing that the virus' threat is overblown, and that older conservatives worried about possible side effects. But all share a common worldview: "They simply don't trust the government to do the right thing," he said.

Hamel, the KFF polling expert, concurred that skepticism of the government has grown among conservatives. She pointed to significant declines in Republicans' trust of institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and of officials such as Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious-disease expert, that paralleled Trump's own attacks on them last year.

About 8 in 10 Democrats and Republicans told KFF in April 2020 that they trusted Fauci to provide reliable information about the coronavirus. By September, KFF pollsters found, less than half of Republicans said they still trusted Fauci, while Democrats' trust in the scientist had increased.

"That shows a pretty clear relationship between the messaging coming out of the White House and the stance that Republicans were taking on trusted public health messengers," Hamel said.

Yet vaccine-hesitant Republicans defy easy categorizations.

Marianne, a teacher in her thirties in Florida, described herself as a "classic conservative" who refused to vote for Trump. But having already contracted a mild case of the virus in October, which could give her short-term immunity, she says getting vaccinated is unnecessary.

"I feel completely confident weighing my own decision-making and understanding of scientific studies, and weighing the real risk and relative risk," said Marianne, who spoke on the condition that her last name be withheld to speak freely about her beliefs. She said she reads research on the virus and has followed the Food and Drug Administration's emergency-use authorization process for the vaccines.

"My husband makes fun of me, 'Why did you have to become an expert in this too?' " she added. "Well, it was a long pandemic."

Meanwhile, Clarence Cooper, a 64-year-old retired mortician in Florida who does not want the vaccine, gets his coronavirus information mostly from talk radio, has yet to be infected and is a loyal Trump supporter. "I voted for him the second time, I'd vote for him for the third time," Cooper said.

Trump's recent exhortation to get the vaccine did not motivate him because their situations are so different, Cooper added. "He needs the vaccine - he's been risque, not wearing masks," Cooper said. "I'm kind of like a cave man. . . . I don't go out for 10, 11 days at a time . . . and when I do, I wear two or three masks, wash my hands, carry hand sanitizer, wipe the shopping carts."

Cooper said he's also heard conspiracy theories on talk radio about the vaccine's development. "I don't want to be a pin cushion," he said.

Such resistance, multiplied by millions, could complicate the push to reach herd immunity. "I don't think you're going to end up with 70% adoption in some states, where you're not going to have the majority of the biggest political party," said Coon, the Arkansas-based consultant. The proportion of people who need to be immune to reach herd immunity for covid-19 is not known, but experts estimate that it is between 70% and 85%.

It's too early to see those views play out. Health officials in eight rural counties that Trump won handily - such as in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia - said demand is still outpacing scant supply.

"We've had a huge outpouring of people wanting the vaccine here," said Deborah Baker, the health director of the Pulaski County Health Center in Missouri where Trump carried the county by a 46-percentage-point margin. "I don't think the political environment has mattered," she added.

But Republican resistance could become more apparent when vaccines become more available this spring. "The thing that's most concerning to me right now is that share of 'definitely not' is not budging among the public overall, including Republicans," said Hamel, the KFF polling expert.

One of those "definitely not" is Margaret, the Oklahoma retiree, who said she needled her son over his vote for Biden so much that they did not speak for a few days. Yet for all her admiration of the former president, she drew no confidence in the vaccines developed under his administration.

"He didn't develop the vaccine. Scientists did it," she said. "I know one thing: Biden didn't do it."
The Busker is an apple among oranges, said New York-based Julie Reiner, known for her award-winning beverage programs at Clover Club and Leyenda. This is a whiskey that bartenders will embrace because it will perform excellently in craft cocktails.

The Busker, a new-to-world Irish Whiskey, is proud to announce that it was named the top Irish Whiskey Blend in a blind, independent tasting of industry experts. The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth was blind-tasted against four leading Irish whiskeys in similar price points, including Proper Twelve, Jameson, Bushmills and Tullamore D.E.W. The panel consisted of five renowned industry experts, including Andy Seymour, Julie Reiner, Anu Apte, Sean Kenyon and Jackie Summers. The panel judged each spirit on appearance, nose, aroma and finish. Awarded the highest aggregate score, The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth was recognized as a standout among the judges for its distinctive taste in a world of similar-tasting Irish whiskeys.

The Busker is unique, unlike any other of the whiskies we tasted, said Andy Seymour, owner of Liquid Productions and partner in BAR. All the others were going in the same direction, and this stood out right away. The Busker has a bolder and richer taste that we all immediately picked up on.

The Busker is an apple among oranges, said New York-based Julie Reiner, known for her award-winning beverage programs at Clover Club and Leyenda. This is a whiskey that bartenders will embrace because it will perform excellently in craft cocktails. The panel noted that the bold flavors of The Busker make it suitable for sipping as well as for cocktails that might overwhelm less distinctive Irish whiskeys.

The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth combines the Busker Single Grain with a high percentage of The Buskers Single Malt and Single Pot whiskeys. Matured and finished in three different casks (Bourbon, Sherry, Marsala), this whiskey brings a new definition of richness and smoothness to the Irish whiskey landscape. The flavor profile of The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth blend is ideal for multiple consumption occasions, from sipping neat or on the rocks to classic cocktails that dont typically use Irish whiskey, like Manhattans, Sours, tiki drinks, Old-Fashioneds or even the Vieux-Carre. These are cocktails that craft bartenders embrace and cocktails that are trending at-home with consumers.

Our team at The Royal Oak Distillery set out to make an Irish whiskey that would appeal not only to Irish whiskey drinkers, but also to bourbon lovers, said Ignacio Llaneza, Vice President of Brand & Trade Marketing for Disaronno International in the U.S. Were able to achieve a fuller, rounder whiskey with a higher malt content in the recipe, and triple cask finishing in Bourbon, Sherry and Marsala casks. Ultimately, we want to provide a journey into Irish whiskey at an affordable price point. Based on the tremendous feedback from our esteemed judging panel, quite frankly we believe The Busker has the potential to become the preferred Irish whiskey in the United States.

Jackie Summers, creator of Sorel Liqueur and named Drinks Internationals 100 Most Influential Bar Industry Figures (2020) and Imbibe 75 (2021), noted that The Busker was the outlier, and the only bottle I would drink and buy again. Denver-based Sean Kenyon, the person behind award-winning bars Williams & Graham, Occidental and American Bonded and recognized as Tales of the Cocktails American Bartender of the Year (2014), agreed, calling The Busker blend a real stand out, something interesting in the Irish whiskey world where the others go in the same direction. Anu Apte, behind a number of award-winning Seattle bars including Rob Roy, No Anchor, Navy Strength, Vinnies Wine Shop and The Bar Bazaar enjoyed The Buskers round, soft and integrated notes. The Busker brings an exciting and very different new distillate to market, she said.

The blind tasting recognition follows The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth receiving a Best Buy rating and 94 points in the April 2021 issue of Wine Enthusiast. This impressive ranking outclassed the other major whiskey brands, and was the highest-rated Irish whiskey when measured against similar priced competitors.

For more information about The Busker and its most recent awards, please reach out to Andrew Quinzi, aquinzi@colangelopr.com.

About The Busker

The Busker is a new to world Irish Whiskey that is born out of a modern Ireland, where the contemporary and bold meet at the crossroads of tradition. The Busker is produced at the Royal Oak Distillery, in County Carlow, Ireland, located on an 18th century estate in Ireland's Ancient East region. It is the only distillery in Ireland which offers all three classic Irish styles of whiskey - Single Grain, Single Malt, & Single Pot Still, which make The Busker Single Collection. The Busker portfolio also includes The Busker Blend which is a beautiful blend of The Single Collection. The Busker uses different casks during the maturation process of their whiskeys including Bourbon casks, Sherry casks and Marsala casks. Most recently, The Busker took home multiple top accolades at the 2020 LA Spirits Awards: The Busker Single Malt was awarded the 2020 Platinum Medal and Best Irish Whiskey, while the Single Pot Still and Blend were awarded the Gold Medal.

For more information, visit http://www.thebusker.com and join the conversation at @thebusker_official
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A home at 2410 Daugherty Lane in Ooltewah was destroyed by fire Sunday afternoon.

A family noticed fire on the back porch at 1:55 p.m., exited the house, and called 911.

The Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department responded and arrived on the scene reporting a fully-involved house fire. Firefighters worked quickly to get the fire under control. Unfortunately, with windy conditions, the fire spread quickly and consumed the entire house.

Firefighters worked for two hours to extinguish the fire.

No injuries were reported, but HCEMS was on the scene for any potential injuries to the firefighters.



Tri-Community VFD requested a Mutual Aid response for additional manpower. Chattanooga Fire and Catoosa County Fire responded to the scene. Hamilton County Rescue responded for rehab.



Chief Steve Wright, Tri-Community VFD, reported the house is a total loss and was valued at $360,000. The cause of the fire will be under investigation by the Tri-Community VFD Fire Marshals Office. The homeowner will be staying with family members.
Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Trumps Last Remaining Election Challenge

The Supreme Court on March 8 dismissed former President Donald Trumps final remaining challenge to the 2020 presidential election results, a lawsuit challenging the results in the state of Wisconsin.

At the same time, the high court also declined to hear an emergency petition for mandamus brought by pro-Trump lawyer L. Lin Wood, who, on Dec. 30, 2020, asked the court to block the Jan. 5 runoff elections for Georgias two U.S. Senate seats. The races were won by Democrats who unseated two incumbent Republicans, handing control of that chamber to Democrats as President Joe Biden began his term of office.

The court, as is its custom when refusing to hear petitions, didnt explain its actions. No justices indicated they were dissenting from the dismissal orders.

In the case at hand, Trump v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, court file 20-883, Trump argued in a petition filed Dec. 30, 2020, that the commission violated the U.S. Constitution when it established rules for mail-in voting without the consent of the state legislature. In the petition, Trump sought to appeal an unfavorable Dec. 24, 2020, ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.

The commission and local election officials implemented unauthorized, illegal absentee voting drop boxes, compelled illegal corrections to absentee ballot witness certificates by poll workers, and encouraged widespread voter misuse of indefinitely confined status to avoid voter ID laws, all in disregard of the Legislatures explicit command to carefully regulate the absentee voting process, Trumps petition stated.

For example, in June 2020, the Democratic mayors of Madison, Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, and Green Bay filed a grant request with a nonprofit called Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL), regarding the Wisconsin Safe Voting Plan 2020. The plan applied only to the five cities and attempted to leverage private funding, unauthorized by the Wisconsin Legislature or any federal entity, to bring about mass absentee voting to favor Democrats.

The mayors received the full $6.3 million they sought from CTCL, which was heavily funded by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the petition stated.

CTCL funding not only paid for programs which undermined state election law and allowed municipalities to circumvent clear policies of the Legislature, it also injected partisan politics into these illegal practices, by sending funds to Democratic strongholds, including for drop boxes for the return of absentee ballots, the petition stated.

In the petition, Trump challenged the rules under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and the Electors Clause in Article II of the U.S. Constitution, which gives state legislatures control over how each states presidential electors are appointed.

Later, after Biden was certified by Congress as the winner in Wisconsin and inaugurated as president, Trump filed a supplemental brief on Feb. 9, saying the issues at hand were still relevant because they would affect future elections, including any in which he might again seek office. Moreover, Trump argued, those who violated the law in Wisconsin and elsewhere by altering voting procedures at the 11th hour needed a deterrent to discourage future bad behavior.

In the brief, he acknowledged that in the intervening period, Congress accepted electoral votes for President of the United States from the State of Wisconsin for President Joseph R. Biden, and President Biden was sworn in as the forty-sixth President of the United States.

These events have mooted aspects of the relief initially sought by Petitioner, yet key issues are not moot based on the capable of repetition yet evading review doctrine.

The exception applies where (1) the challenged action is in its duration too short to be fully litigated prior to cessation or expiration, and (2) there is a reasonable expectation that the same complaining party will be subject to the same action again, the brief stated, citing Supreme Court precedents.

The narrow window in which legal disputes may be resolved following a presidential election weighs heavily in favor of applying the capable of repetition doctrine to resolve issues capable of reoccurring. Otherwise, non-legislative state actors may be emboldened in future presidential elections to make even more last-minute changes to state election laws contrary to the Electors Clause than occurred in this years election.

The dismissal on March 8 came after the Supreme Court threw out a series of legal challenges on Feb. 22 to voting processes and results in several states left over from the recent presidential election cycle, as The Epoch Times previously reported.

Those cases concerned the presidential elections held in the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
A Northern Irish farmer has been issued a fine after he was found guilty of tampering with a bovine TB test.

Mark Watters, from Co Tyrone, was convicted of one charge of interfering with the result of a TB herd test.

The 47-year-old was also charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a number of cattle.

The control of bovine TB is dependent on identifying reactor animals at tests conducted by NI's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

Current bovine TB levels in Northern Ireland have risen to levels not seen for several years, the department explained.

"Interfering with the results of a TB test undermines the confidence of the general public in the honesty of the farming community," DAERA said.

It added that such an act was 'misrepresentative' of the majority of farmers who were affected by disease.

The majority of herd keepers fully comply with the requirements of the TB eradication scheme.

The department gives high priority to the welfare of animals and operates a vigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements.

Any breaches are investigated thoroughly and offenders prosecuted as necessary, DAERA said.

Mr Watters appeared in Dungannon Magistrates Court on Monday (8 March), where he was fined 700 plus 15 offenders levy.
[March 08, 2021] Cipriani & Werner's Cyber Practice Grows with Addition of Michael Bonner

PHILADELPHIA, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cipriani & Werner, P.C. has added Michael Bonner to the firm's Cyber Practice Group as a Partner in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office. The move comes as the national law firm has seen exponential growth in data breaches, ransomware and other privacy related events that impact both businesses and governments.

"When these incidents occur, it is crucial for leaders to seek guidance and advice from well-qualified and experienced professionals," said John Loyal, co-chair of Cipriani & Werner's Cybersecurity practice. "Adding Michael takes our capabilities to a whole new level. The combination of his cybersecurity experience and his work with the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is, frankly, unmatched in the industry." Prior to joining Cipriani & Werner, Michael was a partner at a boutique law firm, focusing exclusively on cybersecurity and data privacy matters. In his new role, he will help clients navigate the complexities of an incident response, from leading the investigation and developing a commnications strategy to determining what obligations the incident may impose upon clients based on state and federal law. Clients also rely on Michael to help them prepare for and respond to state and federal regulatory inquiries and investigations.



Michael prepared for his cybersecurity career by spending over a decade at the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, where he most recently served as Assistant Chief of the Special Investigations Unit. As a prosecutor, he investigated and prosecuted all types of matters including violent crimes, property crimes, firearms violations, child sexual abuse, and public corruption. In addition, he served as a supervising prosecutor for the Philadelphia County Investigating Grand Jury. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with John, Ernie Koschineg, and the Cipriani & Werner Cyber team," said Bonner. "I look forward to using my knowledge and experience to contribute to the growth and continued success of their Cybersecurity practice."

Cipriani & Werner's Cyber team helps clients with all aspects of data breach preparation and response. Contact our Cyber team 24/7 at 1-833-63-CYBER or cwcyber@c-wlaw.com. About Cipriani & Werner

Cipriani & Werner is a multidisciplinary law firm with more than 150 professionals in 14 offices covering 8 states and the District of Columbia. With its reach Cipriani & Werner supports the needs of clients on both a regional and national basis. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cipriani--werners-cyber-practice-grows-with-addition-of-michael-bonner-301242074.html SOURCE Cipriani & Werner, P.C.

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A container is transported on a truck at the container terminal of the Lianyungang Port in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 14, 2021. (Photo by Wang Chun/Xinhua)

BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- China's foreign trade maintained upward momentum in the first two months of 2021, with exports posting strong performance, official data showed Sunday.

The country's total imports and exports of goods expanded 32.2 percent year on year to 5.44 trillion yuan (about 838.16 billion U.S. dollars) in the January-February period, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC).

The growth rate is in a sharp contrast with a virus-induced slump of 9.7 percent during the same period a year earlier.

The substantial increase in foreign trade in the first two months was partly due to a low base last year, said GAC spokesperson Li Kuiwen. "Yet even compared with the same period in 2018 and 2019, China's foreign trade in the January-February period this year logged growth of about 20 percent."

Notably, export growth soared to 50.1 percent while imports rose 14.5 percent in yuan terms.

People visit an ancient cultural street in Tianjin, north China, Feb. 17, 2021, the last day of this year's Spring Festival holiday. (Photo by Sun Fanyue/Xinhua)

The fact that people chose to stay put over the Spring Festival holiday this year contributed to China's export boom, said Tu Xinquan, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics.

GAC surveys showed foreign trade companies in export-oriented provinces of Guangdong and Zhejiang managed to continue manufacturing activities during the week-long holiday as many workers followed the government's guidance to stay put to contain the spread of the virus, leading to an earlier-than-usual resumption of manufacturing sector.

China's strong foreign trade data also reflected booming overseas demand for Chinese products, said Tu.

The country saw double-digit growth in foreign trade volumes with major trading partners in the January-February period. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations remained China's largest trading partner during the period, with the combined trade volume rising 32.9 percent year on year.

Photo taken on May 27, 2020 shows a container truck carrying Vietnamese lychees exported to China at Kim Thanh II International Border Gate in Vietnam's northern Lao Cai province, which borders China.(VNA via Xinhua)

Other major trading partners such as the European Union, the United States and Japan saw trade volumes with China surge 39.8 percent, 69.6 percent and 27.4 percent, respectively.

China's foreign trade with countries along the Belt and Road amounted to 1.62 trillion yuan in the first two months, up 23.9 percent year on year.

The robust foreign trade data was in line with the Chinese economy's overall growth momentum. Official data showed the purchasing managers' index for China's manufacturing sector, a gauge measuring the vitality of manufacturing activities, remained in expansion zone for 12 consecutive months.

Companies showed increasing vitality and resilience. Imports and exports by private businesses stood at 2.57 trillion yuan during the same period, rising 49.5 percent year on year and accounting for 47.2 percent of the country's total, customs data showed.

Cargos are unloaded from a container ship at the container terminal of the Lianyungang Port in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 14, 2021. (Photo by Wang Jianmin/Xinhua)

Some enterprises tended to be bullish about the outlook of foreign trade in the next few months, as they have stocked up on goods in advance, leading to increases in imports of integrated circuit, iron ore and crude oil, the GAC surveys showed.

Yet, maintaining steady growth of foreign trade will still be a tough task as instabilities and uncertainties in the global market remained and the COVID-19 pandemic continued to ravage the world, the GAC cautioned.

For instance, foreign trade companies in the short term need to tide over difficulties such as the price hikes of raw materials and shipping as well as the shortage of containers.

Efforts need to be made to push forward high-level opening-up, improve business environment for imports and exports, and facilitate new business models such as cross-border e-commerce, the GAC said.
French billionaire and member of Parliament Olivier Dassault died on Sunday in a helicopter crash.

Citing French local media, DW News Agency reported that the 69-year-old, a lawmaker with the center-right Republicans party, was killed in Calavdos in Normandy, northern

On Friday, he was seen in a public engagement in Beauvais near Paris with Prime Minister Jean Castex and Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin.

French President Emmanuel Macron took to Twitter to pay his tributes stating that Dassault "never ceased to serve our country, to value its assets. His sudden death is a great loss."

Dassault, was the eldest son of billionaire industrialist Serge Dassault, whose group builds the Rafale warplanes and owns Le Figaro newspaper.

Since 2002 he was the lawmaker for the conservative Les Republicains party and along with his two brothers and sister was heir to the family fortune.

His grandfather Marcel, an aeronautical engineer and celebrated inventor developed a propeller used in French planes during World War I, which went on to become a business empire .

(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.)
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Elon Musk gave fans a rare glimpse of his family life on Monday, when he shared a snap of himself posing with girlfriend Grimes and their 10-month-old son X  A-XII.

In the image, shared on Twitter, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO, 49, was seen holding his adorable offspring as the toddler appeared fixated with a colourful bunch of flowers.

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon stood beside his musician girlfriend Grimes, 32, who donned cat eye sunglasses as she looked on adoringly at the father-son interaction.

Family: Elon Musk gave fans a rare glimpse of his family life on Monday, when he shared a snap of himself posing with girlfriend Grimes and their 10-month-old son X  A-XII

Wearing her blonde locks in long beachy waves with a floral headpiece, the Canadian star looked relaxed and happy as she enjoyed her day in the sunshine.

Captioning the image, Elon further fuelled talk of his recently announced plans to rename a Texas town, when he simply wrote: 'Starbase, Texas.'

According to the Houston Chronicle, his Space Exploration Technologies Corp. has hatched plans to build his deep space rocket in Boca Chica, on Texas' Gulf Coast.

Last Tuesday, Elon tweeted: 'Creating the city of Starbase, Texas. From thence to Mars, And hence the Stars.'

'The Second Last Kingdom': Last month, the billionaire warmed his fans' hearts by tweeting a rare snap of his toddler offspring

It has been reported by Bloomberg that the tweet was likely in reference to possible moves to Boca Chica's name to Starbase.

Last month, Elon also warmed his fans' hearts when he tweeted a snap of himself with his son, X  A-XII.

In his new snapshot Elon could be seen using one hand to chat on the phone and the other arm to hold his baby, who was tugging at his shirt.

Elon, who in January passed Jeff Bezos to become the richest man in the world, cryptically captioned the post: 'The Second Last Kingdom.'

Side by side: The tech heartthrob, who is CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, shares his child with girlfriend Grimes, whose real name is Claire Elise Boucher

It is unknown whether he was making a joking reference to The Last Kingdom, a BBC show based on the historical fiction novel of the same name by Bernard Cornwell.

When Grimes, real name Claire Elise Boucher, gave birth to his baby last May it was initially announced that they had named their child X  A-12.

However, they then discovered that the California constitution only allows legal names to contain characters from the English alphabet.

As a result they eventually changed the name to X  A-XII, replacing the Hindu-Arabic numerals '12' with Roman numerals signifying the same number.

Say his name: Shortly after the baby was born he went on The Joe Rogan Experience and shared that his newest son's name is verbally said, 'X Ash A Twelve'

Elon  who shares five sons with his first wife Justine Wilson and was married twice to his second wife Talulah Riley  has explained how to pronounce X  A-XII.

Shortly after the baby was born he went on The Joe Rogan Experience and shared that his newest son's name is verbally said: 'X Ash A Twelve.'

He dished that Grimes 'came up with the name' except for 'A-12' which was 'my contribution' and was inspired by Lockheed's aircraft 'Archangel-12, the precursor to the SR-71, coolest plane ever. It's true.'

Elon confided: 'It's actually, I think it's better being older and having a kid. I appreciate it more. Yeah, 'cause babies are awesome.'
EDWARDSVILLE  A Granite City woman was charged with child abduction Friday after violating a custodial order.

Shernese M. McLorn, 30, was charged March 5 with child abduction, a Class 4 felony.

The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department.

According to court documents, on March 4 McLorn violated a court order by removing the child from the courts jurisdiction during a supervised visit and fleeing the area.

Bail was set at $50,000.

Other felony cases presented March 5 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include:

 Dustin E. Freytag, 33, of Cottage Hills, was charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony; aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony; and domestic battery (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. According to court documents, on March 3 Freytag allegedly strangled and struck a pregnant household or family member. It was noted he had a previous conviction for domestic battery out of Madison County in 2019. Bail was set at $60,000.

 Terry L. King Jr., 35, of Collinsville, was charged two counts of aggravated domestic battery, both Class 2 felonies; and unlawful restraint, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County States Attorneys Office. On March 4 King allegedly strangled a household or family member, and prevented them from leaving a residence. Bail was set at $75,000.

 Amy L. Finazzo, 36, of Granite City, was charged with disorderly conduct, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On Feb. 28 Finazzo allegedly filed a false domestic battery report. Bail was set at $15,000.
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New guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 can safely visit with other vaccinated people and small groups of unvaccinated people in some circumstances, but there are still important safety precautions needed.

'Covid-19 continues to exert a tremendous toll on our nation. Like you, I want to be able to return to everyday activities and engage with our friends, families, and communities,' CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said at the White House briefing Monday. 'Science, and the protection of public health must guide us as we begin to resume these activities. Today's action represents an important first step. It is not our final destination.'

'As more people get vaccinated, levels of Covid-19 infection decline in communities, and as our understanding of Covid immunity improves, we look forward to updating these recommendations to the public.'

The CDC defines people who are fully vaccinated as those who are two weeks past their second dose of the Moderna and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines or two weeks past a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. There is growing evidence that people who are vaccinated don't spread Covid-19, but scientists are still trying to understand how long vaccine protection lasts.

'The level of precautions taken should be determined by the characteristics of the unvaccinated people, who remain unprotected against Covid-19,' the guidelines said.

The new CDC guidance says fully vaccinated people can:

Visit other vaccinated people indoors without masks or physical distancing

Visit indoors with unvaccinated people from a single household without masks or physical distancing, if the unvaccinated people are at low risk for severe disease.

Skip quarantine and testing if exposed to someone who has Covid-19 but are asymptomatic, but should monitor for symptoms for 14 days

This means that vaccinated grandparents may finally feel comfortable visiting their unvaccinated grandchildren and giving them a big hug, especially if they're local -- the CDC still says people should avoid travel -- and as long as none of the unvaccinated people in that household are at risk for severe Covid-19.

And if you and a friend are both vaccinated, you can finally have dinner together.

However, people who are fully vaccinated still need to take precautions in many scenarios. The guidelines say fully vaccinated people must:

Wear a mask and keep good physical distance around the unvaccinated who are at increased risk for severe Covid-19, or if the unvaccinated person has a household member who is at higher risk

Wear masks and physically distance when visiting unvaccinated people who are from multiple households.

In addition, fully vaccinated people should continue basic safety precautions, including: wearing a mask that fits well and keeping physical distance in public; avoiding medium- and large-sized crowds; avoiding poorly ventilated public spaces; washing hands frequently; and getting tested for Covid-19 if they feel sick.

So, the vaccinated can't yet throw a big end-of-the-pandemic party or hang out over cocktails at a crowded bar.

Keep wearing that mask at the grocery store and if your neighborhood holds an in-person meeting, don't go hugging those you haven't seen in a while.

If fully vaccinated people live in a non-health care congregate setting, such as a group home or detention facility, they should quarantine for 14 days and get tested if exposed to someone with a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 case.

The guidelines say that the risk of infection in social activities like going to the gym or restaurant is lower for the fully vaccinated. However, people should still take precautions, as transmission risk in these settings is higher and increases the more unvaccinated people are involved. So wear that mask on the treadmill, and if dining out, keep it on while waiting for your meal

No change to CDC travel guidance

In the new guidance, the CDC notes its travel recommendations have not changed: The CDC says people should delay travel and stay home.

Walensky said CDC travel guidelines will remain the same for the vaccinated until there is more data about how much or how little vaccinated people can transmit the virus to others. She added that a 'larger swath' of the population will also need to be vaccinated before it's really safe.

About 90% of the country is still not vaccinated, Walensky said. Travel brings too much exposure to crowds and the spread of variants is also a real concern.

'Every time there's a surge in travel, we have a surge of cases in this country,' Walensky said.

'We're hopeful that our next set of guidance, will have more science around what vaccinated people can do, perhaps travel being among them.'

Jeff Zients, the White House coronavirus coordinator, said he hopes the country sees the announcement of new guidelines as a 'hopeful day.'

'We are here in no small measure because of the safety protection that many, many Americans have taken with regard to their family, friends and neighbors,' Zients said. 'We ask people to continue to do that so we can get there, as quickly and as permanently as possible.'

There are now 30 million people in the United States who are fully vaccinated, but the United States still averaged more than 60,000 cases per day over the last seven days, according to Johns Hopkins University.

'We continue to have high levels of virus around the country, and more readily transmissible variants have now been confirmed in nearly every state, while we work to quickly vaccinate people more and more each day, we have to see this through,' Walensky said Monday. 'Let's stick together. Please keep wearing a well fitting mask and taking the other public health actions we know work to help stop the spread of this virus.'
Despite the service shifting more resources toward the ARRW program last year, the missile failed its first flight test a few...
A secret detail on a small number of 20c coins minted in one year could be worth a small fortune - and one could be in your wallet.

Tik Tok channel The History of Money said about 0.5 per cent of 20c pieces made in 2004 could be worth $8 each to collectors.

The Perth video blogger, known as Joelo, explained the valuable coins have a bigger image of the Queen's head on the back.

Pictured: The coins look identical on the front, but one has a larger head on the back

Coins that have a larger head were also imprinted closer to the edge and have a pointy letter A in the text around the rim.

'At first glance, these 2004 20c coins are identical,' the coin expert said.

'But the one on the left has a larger head than the one on the right.'

Out of about 72 million 20c coins produced that year, only about 400,000 have larger heads.

Each piece with the unique feature could be worth up to $8 if kept in good condition.

'Handy addition to your collection,' he said.

A coin with a larger head (pictured right) are worth about $8, as only half a per cent of 20c coins minted have the anomaly

Pictured: The 'A' is pointy on the large head and flat on the small head and is closer to the rim

HOW TO TELL IF YOU HAVE A RARE 20c COIN A rare coin will have a larger head than ordinary coins. The 'A' is pointy on the large head and flat on the small head. The large head is also closer to the edge. Source: Tik Tok Advertisement

Excited viewers shared their thoughts in the comments to the video.

'Eight dollars for a 20c coin,' one user wrote with two surprised emojis.

Australians should also look out for 20-cent coins from 1966 because the number 2 has a wavy baseline.

Ordinary 20c pieces have a straight baseline on the number two.

The anomaly could be worth up to $800.

Coin expert Matthew Thompson from Town Hall Coins and Collectables in Sydney told Daily Mail Australia that most people pass on rare coins by accident - so they should be looking for anything out of place.

'People don't expect institutions like the Mint to make mistakes,' he said.

'But from time to time things can go awry. If you see mistakes on a coin, if you have something interesting, odd or out of place, then other people are likely to find it interesting, too - that's why people collect.'
Photo: (Photo : Photo by @MarcSallinger from Twitter)

Suzanne Morphew, 49, disappeared from Salida, Colorado, nine months ago, and the investigation into her disappearance is still ongoing. According to officials, she was reported missing by a neighbor on Mother's Day, 2020, after officials were informed she went for a bike ride and never returned.

Law enforcement partners aiding the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) in the investigation include the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the FBI. However, the CCSO has not provided an update on the case. A family member said Tuesday that officials had told them not to talk to the media.

The family is offering a $200,000 reward for information leading to Suzanne's safe return.

READ: 7-Month-Old Baby Missing Due to Daycare Negligence



No suspects or persons of interest have been identified, and no arrests have been made. Suzanne Morphew's disappearance is now being investigated as a missing person case.

Law enforcement agents executed two search warrants at Suzanne's Maysville home in the weeks and months following her disappearance; a judge has ordered those records sealed.

Suzanne's brother, Andy Moorman, led a 6-day search effort to locate any clues related to his sister's disappearance at the end of September. Hundreds of volunteers searched for the missing person for 6,000 miles near the Puma Path home. However, the search yielded no evidence related to Suzanne's case.

ALSO READ: After a Suicide Attempt, Missing Mom Was Found Floating Alive in the Sea



After Suzanne went missing, her husband began selling their properties

Barry, Suzanne's husband, 52, raised eyebrows when he first listed the house for $1.75 million in October of last year, just five months after she went missing.

On Monday, the family home of missing Colorado mom Suzanne Morphew, which has three bedrooms and four bathrooms and is located on Puma Path, was classified for $1.75 million on Zillow and Redfin. The Morphews became the home's second tenants, having purchased it for $1.57 million on April 12, 2018. The sprawling mountain home has 7.7 acres of living space, is situated on the river, and borders a national forest.

According to the listing, every room has a view of the snow-capped mountains, and a natural stone staircase leads down to a park-like setting along the river. The house is wholly landscaped, has new fixtures, and is just a 15-minute drive from downtown Salida. The area's median income is $415,518.

READ MORE: Parental Discipline Gone Wrong: 7-Year-Old Boy Missing After Parents Left Him In Bear-Infested Area As Punishment

According to a copy of the sales deed, he completed the sale of the three-bedroom home in rural Salida on Thursday. The buyer is identified as 'Mountain Renewal,' a Nevada Limited Liability Company.

Furthermore, both Barry and Suzanne's names appear as sellers on the deed, indicating that the sale proceeds would most likely be deposited into a joint account.

Mallory and Macy, the couple's daughters, had stayed with them in the house since 2018. However, Barry previously told CBS4 that he wanted to sell the house because the girls are afraid to stay there as they think their mother was kidnapped from there.

However, the family home isn't the only thing Barry has sold in the last few months. Suzanne's husband recently sold another property in Salida, Colorado, in addition to the Puma Path home. The property was a 2-acre vacant lot in the Longhorn Ranch Subdivision that he bought for $165,000 in June of 2020, just weeks after Suzanne went missing. He sold the land for $150,000 in February of 2021.
Accused sex pest Andrew Cuomo kept his 'single-and-ready-to-mingle' status by using his religion to avoid marriage to live-in girlfriend Sandra Lee for more than a decade, DailyMail.com has learned.

The New York Governor told anyone who asked that as a divorced Roman Catholic he did not feel he could marry again, one close friend said.

But all the time, Lee was pressing him to tie the knot and make her New York's First Lady. She was so determined to get hitched that she even had a picture of the ring she wanted.

'It was a huge cushion-cut ring from Bergdorf Goodman,' a former friend told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'It was the size of a thumbnail and, as you can imagine, very expensive.

'We were at dinner  it was fall 2014 just before Andrew got elected to his second term as governor  and she pulled out this carefully folded page she had torn from a high-end magazine and told me that was the ring she wanted him to propose with.

'But she wanted it changed. I can't remember whether it was an emerald in the picture and she wanted a sapphire or if it was the other way round, but she wanted it custom made.'

Chef Sandra Lee had been pressing New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to get married 10 years during their long-term relationship. Lee was so determined to be First Lady of New York that she even had a picture of the ring she wanted Cuomo to propose with. Pictured together in 2016

In Feburary 2017, Sandra Lee tweeted a photo of herself in a wedding dress, saying: 'I'm having such a lovely time digging through all of this #wedding #Inspiration! What's the most unique thing you've seen done at a wedding?'

Lee denied to DailyMail.com both that she carried the picture and that her intended used his faith as an excuse. Cuomo did not comment when contacted.

While celebrity chef Lee, now 54, may have had a fantasy marriage in her head, former altar boy Cuomo, 63, was intent on staying single and hit upon his faith as a reason to avoid a second trip down the aisle.

A source tells DailyMail.com that Cuomo told anyone who asked that as a divorced Roman Catholic he did not feel he could marry again. Pictured in 2006

Ironically if he had acceded to Lee's wishes and they had stayed together, he may not be in the trouble he is now. He allegedly told one of his accusers, former executive assistant Charlotte Bennett, 25, that he was lonely during the pandemic, saying he 'can't even hug anyone.'

Neither Cuomo nor Lee immediately responded to DailyMail.com's requests for comment.

Cuomo, now 63, divorced Kerry Kennedy  Bobby Kennedy's seventh child  in 2005 two years after he discovered she was having an affair with his close friend, polo player Bruce Colley. They had been married for 15 years and had three daughters.

Even during their marriage he was known as a womanizer.

A New York magazine profile from 2003, shortly after his first gubernatorial campaign, said: 'Certainly this sense of Andrew's being too hot to handle became a factor in the campaign. The Clintonian aura attached to him. The flirtatiousness was real. In any given room, he was a serious serial flirter. The intensity  physical, sexual  was ever-present.'

He met newly divorced Lee at a cocktail party in the Hamptons  the New York millionaires' playground  in the fall of 2005 and their relationship became public the following year when she left California and moved to New York.

But their love progressed at a glacial pace.

t took Cuomo six years to move into Lily Pond, Lee's sprawling home in Mt. Kisco, New York, 40 miles north of Manhattan, and a further three years before Lee talked about the ring she wanted.

'She really wanted to be First Lady of New York,' said the former friend. 'I always felt she was jealous of Andrew's close relationship with his mother Matilda  who of course had been First Lady when Mario Cuomo was Governor.'

Cuomo is pictured being sworn in as governor in 2010, with Sandra by his side, his daughters and parents Mario and Matilda Cuomo by his side. 'I always felt [Sandra] was jealous of Andrew's close relationship with his mother Matilda  who of course had been First Lady when Mario Cuomo was Governor,' the source said

Sandra Lee was seen for the first time Sunday since the explosive sexual misconduct allegations came out against Cuomo. She moved to Malibu after selling the New York home they shared

'Over the recent past, we have realized that our lives have gone in different directions and our romantic relationship has turned into a deep friendship,' the couple said in a joint statement announcing their split

The relationship limped on for another five years after the ring incident. Cuomo and Lee finally announced that they were splitting in 2019.

'Over the recent past, we have realized that our lives have gone in different directions and our romantic relationship has turned into a deep friendship,' they said in a joint statement.

The decision came as little surprise as Lee had not been seen next to Cuomo's side in a year and for the first time she missed his 2019 State of the State address.

Cuomo, 63, divorced Kerry Kennedy (pictured together) in 2005 two years after he discovered she was having an affair with his close friend. They have three daughters together

Lee sold her Mt. Kisco home last year for $1.85 million. 'My last moments on Lily Pond were very BitterSweet,' she tweeted  the home is on Bittersweet Lane. 'I walked around the outside of my beautiful home  I wanted to drink in every angle and remember the beautiful moments that were spent in every place.'

She has now moved to an oceanfront home in Malibu, California, while Cuomo is living full-time in the Executive Mansion in Albany.

Lee was born to a teen mom in Santa Monica, California. As her family disintegrated, she moved to Washington State and Wisconsin where, according to her autobiography, she witnessed her father rape his new girlfriend.

The family was originally Seventh-Day Adventist but her mother became a Jehovah's Witness when Sandra was a pre-teen. She converted to Judaism when she married first husband, KB Homes boss Bruce Karatz.

Cuomo has had a contentious relationship with his church. While he touts his faith, he has drawn anger from bishops for his support for abortion and marriage equality and for cohabiting with Lee. He was also attacked for his pandemic rule banning gatherings which included religious services.

Cuomo and Lee finally announced that they were splitting in 2019 and he moved out of her sprawling New York estate called Lily Pond

Lee sold her Mt. Kisco home last year for $1.85 million. She has now moved to an oceanfront home in Malibu, California, while Cuomo is living full-time in the Executive Mansion in Albany

'My last moments on Lily Pond were very BitterSweet,' she said  the home is on Bittersweet Lane. 'I walked around the outside of my beautiful home  I wanted to drink in every angle and remember the beautiful moments that were spent in every place'

Three women have now accused Cuomo of inappropriate behavior.

He appeared close to tears as he apologized during a virtual press conference on Wednesday but said he would not resign and urged people to reserve judgment on him until an inquiry into his behavior is complete.

'I feel awful about it and frankly I am embarrassed by it,' he said as he choked up. '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.'

He also defended his touchy-feely ways, saying hugging and kissing were his 'customary way of greeting people' and that it's what his father, Mario Cuomo, also did.

Lindsey Boylan, 36, a former New York State economic development officer, said the governor forcibly kissed her on the lips in his Manhattan office and asked her to play strip poker with him on his taxpayer funded jet on a flight back from western New York.

Boylan said Cuomo 'has created a culture within his administration where sexual harassment and bullying is so pervasive that it is not only condoned but expected.

'His inappropriate behavior toward women was an affirmation that he liked you, that you must be doing something right, she wrote on Medium.com.

'He used intimidation to silence his critics. And if you dared to speak up, you would face consequences.'

Boylan's accusations were backed up by Bennett, who said that she was in Cuomo's office in Albany, on June 5 last year, when he asked her if she thought age made a difference in relationships and said he was open to having affairs with women in their 20s.

'I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared,' said Bennett, who was an executive assistant and health policy advisor in the Cuomo administration before she quit in November.

'I was wondering how I was going to get out of it and assumed it was the end of my job.'

Photos taken in September 2016 show New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, 63, getting cozy with his closest aide Melissa DeRosa, 38, at dinner

Charlotte Bennett (left), 25, accused Cuomo of sexually harassing her during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in his Albany office, including quizzing her about dating older men. Lindsey Boylan (right) accused him of attempting to kiss her on the mouth in 2018

Three more women came forward accusing Cuomo, (L-R) Anna Liss, Anna Ruch and Karen Hinton

Then former Obama administration official Anna Ruch, 33, who had never met Cuomo before, said they were at a wedding in September 2019 when he put his hand on her bare lower back and she instantly removed it. He then cupped her face in his hands and asked if he could kiss her.

'I was so confused and shocked and embarrassed,' Ruch told the New York Times. 'I turned my head away and didn't have words in that moment.'

Over the weekend two more women came forward. Former spokeswoman Karen Hinton, 62, said Cuomo gave her a 'very long, too long, too tight, too intimate' embrace in a Los Angeles hotel room in 2000, while he was Bill Clinton's Housing and Urban Development Secretary.

And Ana Liss, 35, a policy aide said he had called her 'sweetheart,' kissed her hand and asked if she had a boyfriend. 'It's not appropriate, really, in any setting, she told the Wall Street Journal.

Rich Azzopardi, a spokesman for Cuomo told the paper: 'Reporters and photographers have covered the governor for 14 years watching him kiss men and women and posing for pictures. At the public open-house mansion reception, there are hundreds of people, and he poses for hundreds of pictures. That's what people in politics do.

Added to the harassment accusations, DailyMail.com last week published exclusive pictures of a cozy dinner Cuomo had with Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa in 2016. DeRosa denies anything untoward was going on.

Cuomo  who at one stage was being touted as America's Governor for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic  has seen his approval rating plummet over the past few weeks as the harassment scandal has grown and his administration has admitted it deliberately underreported the number of COVID deaths in the state's nursing homes.

A Marist College poll released last Tuesday said only 49 percent of New Yorkers approved of his job performance. In a similar poll in July last year that figure stood at 66 percent.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 11:36:56|Editor: huaxia

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HANOI, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam imported over 1 million tons of plastic worth nearly 1.6 billion U.S. dollars in the first two months of this year, posting a year-on-year rise of 2.3 percent in volume and 21.5 percent in value, according to its Ministry of Industry and Trade on Monday.

Over January and February, the country also spent more than 1.3 billion U.S. dollars importing plastic products, up 30.8 percent from the same period last year, according to the ministry.

In 2020, Vietnam imported over 6.6 million tons of plastic totaling more than 8.3 billion U.S. dollars, up 3.5 percent and down 7.7 percent respectively from the previous year. Its largest suppliers of plastic and plastic products included China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and the United States, official data showed. Enditem
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NYT Cooking: Learn how to make bagels with Claire Saffitz.

Water has long been part of New Yorks bagel mythology. The citys tap water is particularly low in magnesium and calcium, which makes it soft, in water speak. But bakers can adjust their dough for a boil in soft or hard water to achieve the desired effect.

Its not the water source, its the baker, reads the introduction to bagels in Modernist Bread, Nathan Myhrvold and Francisco Migoyas 2017 myth-busting bread book.

Ms. Winston uses unfiltered Berkeley tap water. And when she first started baking, she used what she describes as a crappy, standard electric, total ho-hum not-fancy oven.

It was a D.I.Y. situation, and she built her own bagel boards, baking off a dozen at a time in her home kitchen. As Ms. Winston became more serious about it, she obtained a cottage food license and posted about the bread on Facebook. Lines grew in her Alameda kitchen, out the front door, down the street, around the block.

Boichik, decorated simply with family photos, had been open only a few months when the pandemic hit. Ms. Winston quickly rethought her business  she pushed to sell wholesale, introduced home delivery, and hired a Shopify developer to build a new website for smoother online ordering.
Doris leads the firm's wealth management businesses, including Wilmington Trust Wealth Advisory Services, M&T Securities, and Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, and is one of three women on the bank's 14-member Management Committee that sets the company's priorities and strategies. Since joining the firm in 2016, Doris has spearheaded initiatives and firmwide models to help achieve organic growth goals and ultimately position Wilmington Trust as one of the country's leading wealth advisory firms and the company of choice for corporate transactions and structures.

"Doris' continued leadership has further enhanced our abilities to meet the complex needs of the families we serve, especially during these challenging times," said Kevin Pearson, vice chairman of M&T Bank. "She is committed to providing clients with integrated advice and solutions and has continuously supported the growth of diverse teams and our reach to new markets. Doris is very deserving of this recognition, and we congratulate her for her service to Wilmington Trust and M&T Bank, the industry, and her community."

Under Doris' leadership, Wilmington Trust focuses on wealth planning, investment management, trust and estate services, financial solutions, and private banking. Doris's efforts fortify our roots, which date back to the founding of Wilmington Trust Company by T. Coleman du Pont in 1903. Wilmington Trust has been serving successful individual and institutional clients for more than a century. The firm is globally recognized and has a team of professionals that bring a unique blend of knowledge, experience, and resources to clients in all 50 states and numerous other countries.

In addition to her industry contributions, Doris is also recognized for championing women in the workplace and supporting the arts in New York City. She serves her community as chair of the Northeast Region of the Committee of 200, a highly regarded women's executive leadership organization; as a member of the Women's Forum of New York; and as a board member of the Museum of the City of New York. Additionally, she is a member of the Economic Club of New York.

A feature profiling all of this year's "Most Notable Women on Wall Street" honorees will be included online at www.crainsnewyork.com and in the March 8th print issue of Crain's New York Business.

About Wilmington Trust

Wilmington Trust's Wealth Management offers a wide array of personal trust, planning, fiduciary, asset management, private banking, and family office services designed to help high-net-worth individuals and families grow, preserve, and transfer wealth. Wilmington Trust focuses on serving families with whom it can build long-term relationships, many of which span multiple generations.



Wilmington Trust also provides Corporate and Institutional Services for clients around the world.



Wilmington Trust has clients in all 50 states and numerous countries, with offices throughout the United States and internationally in London, Dublin, Paris, and Frankfurt. For more information, visit www.wilmingtontrust.com.



About M&T Bank

M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T's principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, operates banking offices in New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Trust-related and investment services are provided by M&T's Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Maya Dillon, Head of Communications, Wilmington Trust

(646) 735- 1958

[email protected]

Wilmington Trust is a registered service mark used in connection with various fiduciary and non-fiduciary services offered by certain subsidiaries of M&T Bank Corporation including, but not limited to, Manufacturers & Traders Trust Company (M&T Bank), Wilmington Trust Company (WTC) operating in Delaware only, Wilmington Trust, N.A. (WTNA), Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Inc. (WTIA), Wilmington Funds Management Corporation (WFMC), and Wilmington Trust Investment Management, LLC (WTIM). Such services include trustee, custodial, agency, investment management, and other services. International corporate and institutional services are offered through M&T Bank Corporation's international subsidiaries. Loans, credit cards, retail and business deposits, and other business and personal banking services and products are offered by M&T Bank, member FDIC.

This is for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer, recommendation or solicitation for the sale of any financial profit or service or as a determination that any investment strategy is suitable for a specific investor. Investors should seek financial advice regarding the suitability of any investment strategy based on their objectives, financial situations, and particular needs. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or a loss. There is no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful. Wilmington Trust is not authorized to and does not provide legal, accounting or tax advice.

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[March 08, 2021] Argo Blockchain Purchases Land in Texas with Access to Power Generation Rights

Argo Blockchain, a global leader in cryptocurrency mining (LSE: ARB), is pleased to provide a further update to its previously announced non-binding Letter of Intent with DPN LLC of New York, which set out the terms for Argo to acquire 320 acres of land in West Texas, USA. The Company has now completed the acquisition of DPN LLC and as a result, has acquired the land. The acquisition of DPN LLC (by way of a merger with a wholly owned subsidiary of Argo) gives Argo access to up to 800-megawatts of electrical power, where Argo intends to build a new 200mw mining facility over the next 12 months. This facility will provide Argo with what it believes are some of the lowest electricity rates in the world, the majority of which is from renewable sources. The consideration for the acquisition was an initial price of US$5M, satisfied by the issue and allotment to the shareholders of DPN LLC of 3,497,817 new ordinary shares in Argo, with up to a further US$12.5m in shares at a predetermined price being payable if certain contractual milestones related to the facility are fulfilled. Peter Wall, Chief Executive of Argo Blockchain, said: "Argo's purchase of land in Texas represents a sinificant milestone for the Company and is a cause for celebration. It not only gives us greater control over our mining operations but also the ability to meaningfully expand our mining capacity on a large scale. We now have access to some of what we believe is the cheapest renewable energy worldwide, in a location where innovation in new technologies is encouraged and incentivised."



XMS Capital Partners, LLC acted as a financial advisor to Argo Blockchain in connection with the transaction. Application will be made for the 3,497,817 new Ordinary Shares to be admitted to the standard segment of the Official List and to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Admission is expected to occur at 8:00 a.m. on 11 March 2021. The new Ordinary Shares will rank pari passu with the existing Ordinary Shares of the Company.

Following Admission, the total number of Ordinary Shares in issue will be 368,361,690 and the total number of voting rights will therefore be 368,361,690. This figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules. Argo Blockchain plc is a global leader in cryptocurrency mining with one of the largest and most efficient operations powered by clean energy. The Company is headquartered in London, UK and its shares are listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker: ARB and on the OTCQX Best Market in the United States under the ticker: ARBKF. argoblockchain.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005467/en/

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New Delhi:

A 12-year-old Delhi boy breathed his last due to the vector-borne disease Dengue in the National capital, municipal authorities has said on Monday. According to reports this is the first death of the year, took place in Delhi.

"The boy, identified as Nitish Kumar, hailed from Bihar and was residing in Safdarjung area in south Delhi. He died at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital," South Delhi Mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat was quoted while interacting with PTI.

This is the first dengue death reported this year in the national capital, which is battling the sting of malaria and chikungunya too.

Authorities at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said, "The boy was brought to the hospital on July 30 and died due to dengue haemorrhagic fever on August 1."

At least 657 people have been affected by dengue this season, according to a municipal report released today. At least 153 cases of the disease have been reported this month till August 19.

Also Read: Delhi teenager jumps off building, police probing 'Blue Whale' link

Of the 657 dengue cases, 325 affected people were residents of Delhi while the rest of the cases diagnosed were traced to other states.

The number of people affected by malaria this year till August 19, has climbed to 412 while the figure for chikungunya stands at 311.
An elite regime fighting force has retreated from Yarmouk Palestinian camp south of Damascus, writes Sowt Al-Asima.

Two days ago, the governments 4th Division withdrew the last group of its fighters stationed in the areas of Yarmouk Camp and Al-Hajar al-Aswad, south of the capital, Damascus.

Sawt Al-Asima sources said that the 4th Division withdrew completely from the two areas after the fighting contracts for the 4th Divisions local militias in the region ended at the beginning of this month.

The sources added that the withdrawal process included all of the 4ths military checkpoints, stressing that the regions security is now under the purview of Military Security.

The sources indicated that Military Security has set up many security checkpoints near the entrances and exits of the two areas, and others have been set up in the vicinity of neighborhoods where some real estate owners have obtained security clearance to be.

The sources indicated that Military Security reopened the Al-Qadam neighborhood road, leading to the entrance to Al-Hajar al-Aswad, to facilitate the entry process for the people of the Arnaout neighborhood, indicating that the road will be an alternative to Al Thalatheen Street to reach Al-Hajar al-Aswad.

According to the sources, handing over the zones security file to Military Security and the withdrawal of the 4th Division comes as a preliminary step to allow some residents to return to their homes, pointing out that Military Security will issue a list of the names of the people of Al-Hajar al-Aswad who have secured approval to return.

The issuance of new security approvals came after a tour conducted by a special committee that was formed to assess the buildings of the Al-Hajar al-Aswad area. The committee identified 60 percent of the homes as fit for restoration.

The military changes in the south of Damascus started at the end of February, when the 4th Division began to dismantle its military checkpoints in the area, including a checkpoint at the only entrance to the Yarmouk camp on Al Thalatheen Street, and it reopened the road leading to the Al-Qadam neighborhood of Damascus, the Arnaout neighborhood, and Aalaf in Al-Hajar al-Aswad.

As per the same sources, the security file for the Yarmouk camp and the Al-Hajar al-Aswad will be handed over to the Military Security Branch, which will handle the security of the area and issue entry approvals for the people.

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.
Southern Pines, NC (28387)

Today

Mostly clear skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Mostly clear skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
Bengalauru:

Several BJP leaders in Karnataka has demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for "misusing" the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) by forcing it to file "false" cases against opposition leaders, including BS Yeddyurappa, the state unit chief of the saffron party.

Deputy chief minister R Ashok and MP Shobha Karandlaje has demanded the chief minister's resignation.

Speaking to reporters, Karandlaje attacked the state government for "weakening" the institution of Lokayukta by constituting the ACB, which is controlled by the chiefminister.



"The ACB is not an autonomous body in its true sense. It takes directions from the chief minister and Siddaramaiah isusing it to target the opposition leaders by foisting falsecases against them," she alleged.

The ACB had recently filed FIRs against Yeddyurappa, accusing him of de-notifying 257 acres of land from a preliminary notification of 3,546 acres, meant for the formation of the Dr K Shivaram Karanth Layout, "bypassing" the de-notifying committee's approval, when he was the chief minister between May, 2008 and July, 2011.

Karandlaje alleged that the FIRs were filed "inretaliation" to the Income Tax raids at minister D KShivakumar's property, during the stay of a number of GujaratCongress MLAs at a resort here.

She also condemned the ACB for putting pressure on thethen special land acquisition officer of the Bengaluru Development Authority, H Basavarajendra, to "frame" Yeddyurappa.

In a letter to Governor Vajubhai Vala, the officer hadalleged that the ACB was putting pressure on him to give a statement against Yeddyurappa. He had also claimed that he was named as an accused inthe case because he refused to do so.

In a counter to his allegations, the ACB released a statement last night, saying it was a feeble attempt by Basa varajendra to build a false defence. Ashok said the officer's complaint proved that the FIRs against Yeddyurappa were politically motivated.

Yeddyurappa is the first chief minister in south India to step down while in office following corruption charges. He has recently been named as the BJP's chief ministerial candidate for the 2018 Karnataka Assembly polls.

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London, March 8 : Banksy, the acclaimed anonymous British street artist, has offered to auction a piece of his artwork in an effort to raise funds for the UK's National Health Service (NHS), the media reported on Monday.

The artwork, called 'Game Changer', appeared at the Southampton General Hospital in May 2020 when the country was under the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It shows a young boy kneeling by a wastepaper basket with a discarded Spiderman and Batman model figures in favour of a new favourite action hero - an NHS nurse who is wearing a facemask, a cape, and an apron with the Red Cross emblem (the only element of colour in the picture).

The artist left a note for hospital workers, which read: "Thanks for all you're doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if its only black and white." According to the London-based Christie's auction house, the artwork has a pre-sale estimate of between 2.5 million pounds to 3.5 million pounds, the BBC reported.

In a statement, Katharine Arnold, Co-Head of Post-War and Contemporary Art, Europe at Christie's, said: "'Game Changer' is a universal tribute to all those fighting worldwide on the frontline of this crisis.

"The work pays tribute to the strength and resilience of those who have demonstrated true leadership throughout the pandemic, the staff of our vital NHS." Starting Monday, 'Game Changer' will go on display at the auction house's London Headquarters until March 15.

The auction is scheduled for March 23.
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:
NEW DELHI: International Women's Day, a day when we honour womens immense strength and unique abilities, falls on March 8 which is a Monday this year. This day is meant to uphold feminist values and celebrate womanhood to the fullest. Its also an occasion to celebrate the great achievements of women and the meaningful contributions theyve made to the world.

To understand how this day came to be, here is its interesting history and significance:

History

The international celebration rose out of womens rights movements in the US, Russia and other European countries where they demanded civil, social, political and religious rights for women. In 1909, the Socialist Party of America inaugurated the first National

Woman's Day on February 28 in the United States.

The celebration crossed borders when activist Clara Zetkin proposed holding an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen in 1910. With about 100 women from 17 different countries present at the meeting, the decision to make the Womens Day celebration international was passed.

International Women's Day was first observed in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland in the year 1911.

Significance of the date

The date of March 8 was chosen for the celebration as it marks the day when women in Soviet Russia started protests for the right to vote which they were granted in 1917. A public holiday was later declared on the same date.

Earlier, the date (March 8) was only celebrated by socialist activists and communist countries. However, the larger feminist movement adopted it in 1967. The celebration gained legitimacy when the United Nations began commemorating International Women's Day in 1975 and two years later, the UN General Assembly officially formalized it as International Women's Day.

Theme for 2021

The theme for International Women's Day 2021 is 'Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world'. According to the UN Women website, it aims to 'celebrate the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic'. The hashtags for the day will be #IWD2021 and #InternationalWomensDay.

We look forward to celebrating brave and beautiful women all over the world!
You are correct in that Indiana and nearby states have several good colleges that will prepare her for a tech career. Your daughter is also right because companies like Google and Facebook hire many of their employees from top-tier colleges. And in the case of these two companies from top colleges in their vicinity. But, if you dig more deeply into the hiring process, there is more than the degree-granting college that corporate recruiters take into account. Test scores (if available), grade-point averages and work experience also can be critical. While now optional at most schools, research studies indicate that SAT and ACT scores are strong predictors of strong academic performance with raw intellectual horsepower. One former client who now works at Google said his job experience got him through the door, not his educational pedigree. He graduated from Indiana University as a Wells Scholar, moved to San Francisco for law school, and specialized in venture transactions while studying at the University of California Hastings College of the Law.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th March, 2021) The US State Department confirmed that its experts spotted four online platforms they believe are used by Russian intelligence to spread disinformation about Western coronavirus vaccines, an allegation denied by the Kremlin.

"We can in fact confirmed that our Global Engagement Center has identified four Russian online platforms that are directed by Russian intelligence services and spread disinformation. These sites have in fact included disinformation about two of the vaccines that have now been approved by the FDA [Food and Drug Administration] in this country," State Department spokesman Ned price said on Monday.

The allegation, originally published by the Wall Street Journal, was dismissed as "nonsense" by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who said that the Russian special services have nothing to do with any criticism against vaccines.

Peskov also recalled negative coverage given by Western media to Sputnik V, the world's first coronavirus vaccine developed by Russia.

"If we treat every negative publication against the Sputnik V vaccine as a result of efforts by American special services, then we will go crazy because we see it every day, every hour and in every Anglo-Saxon media," Peskov said.

On Saturday, US infections disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said the obtained data from Sputnik V "looked pretty good."

"It is very clear that Russia is up to its old tricks and in doing so is potentially putting people at risk by spreading disinformation about vaccines that we know are to be saving lives every day," Price said.

"The Global Engagement Center and other entities here are focused on countering disinformation and propaganda globally, not only in the Russian context. But, of course, the Russians have been engaged in this effort for some time, as we know," he added.

The White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki vowed on Monday to fight the disinformation campaign "with every tool at the United States' disposal.
'Little Haiti' is a neighborhood in the Dominican Republic capital Santo Domingo

Experts have hit out at a plan by the Dominican Republic government to build a wall on its border with Haiti to reduce illegal immigration, claiming it won't work unless accompanied by development.

The Dominican Republic and Haiti share the island of Hispaniola, which was the site of the first European colony in the Americas. They are separated by a 380-kilometer (240-mile) border.

Dominican President Luis Abinador announced on Saturday that work on a border wall would begin in the second half of the year.

"Within two years we want to end the serious problems of illegal immigration, drug-trafficking and the transport of stolen vehicles that we've suffered from for two years," said Abinader.

The relationship between the neighboring countries has historically been difficult and every time there is a new government in Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic, it makes tackling illegal migration from French-speaking Haiti a priority.

Almost half a million Haitians live in the Dominican Republic, which has a population of 10.5 million.

On January 14, Abinader and his Haitian counterpart Jovenel Moise signed an agreement that included a commitment to take measures against "the wave of illegal migration" and "to reinforce border security and vigilance."

But for Juan Del Rosario, a professor at the Autonomous University in Santo Domingo, the Dominican capital, "there should not be a wall ... while there remains extreme poverty and political instability in Haiti, which exerts migratory pressure."

"You could build a 100-meter high wall and people will try to get around it," Del Rosario told AFP.

For William Charpentier, the coordinator of an independent migrant and refugee body, the wall would be an "unnecessary expenditure" that could be better spent elsewhere.

"They need to increase development projects" that benefit both Dominicans and Haitians in border areas, he said.

Story continues

But many in the country support the idea of a wall.

"I think it's good because here in the Dominican Republic there are already many Haitians, it's full. You can't even get a doctor's appointment because it's full of Haitians everywhere," Lucia, a 23-year-old student, told AFP.

"I think it would be good because then you can control migration from one country to another, there won't be as many problems as there could be," said unemployed Antonio Mejia, 62.

"All this will benefit both countries."

Charpentier says that the idea of building walls between peoples awakens "resentment, xenophobia and racism."

- 'Permanent persecution' -

Del Rosario points to the barrier former US president Donald Trump vowed to build on the southern border with Mexico as an example for why walls don't work.00000

"With greater resources and technology, it was impossible" to build it, he said.

The Trump administration claimed to have built more than 650 kilometers of wall but according to the BBC, only 130-kilometers of that was a new wall, the rest replaced existing structures.

The border itself is more than 3,000-kilometers long.

Charpentier says migrants face "permanent persecution" due to the mass deportations of those that are undocumented, while even legal migrants face difficulties in renewing documents and renting homes.

Yet border areas are dynamic with people crossing regularly for work or to sell goods.

"Contrary to what you might think, the money is on the Haitian side and the goods are on the Dominican side," said Del Rosario.

"There's an informal exchange which cannot be considered contraband ... if that's blocked, there will be internal migration flows" from border regions to the big cities.

Agriculture and construction both rely on foreign laborers, adds Josue Gastelbondo, the head of the International Organization For Migration office in Santo Domingo.

"Ideally, measures to increase border controls should complement measures to promote regular and orderly migration," he said.

str-erc-jt/rsr/bc/bgs
New Delhi, March 8 : Congress MP from Anandpur Sahib Manish Tewari on Monday gave adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha to discuss the price hike in petrol, diesel and LPG.

The Congress is set to corner the government on the issue as it is related to the people's cause.

Earlier in the Rajya Sabha, the Chairman of the House M. Venkaiah Naidu rejected Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge's notice of suspension of Business under rule 267.

Kharge said, "The petrol price has reached Rs 100 per litre in some parts of the country and the government has earned more than Rs 20 lakh crore in the last six years through taxes and its utmost important to discuss it." But the Chair did not allow it and said that it was against the rules. The House was adjourned till 11 a.m. and then again till 1 p.m. after the Congress MPs resorted to sloganeering.

"I don't want to take drastic action on the first day," Naidu said.

In the national capital, petrol was sold for Rs 91.17 per litre on Sunday.

Similarly, in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, the fuel was priced at Rs 97.57, Rs 93.11 and Rs 91.35 per litre, respectively, all unchanged from the previous levels.

After a spike in global oil prices seen over the last two weeks with crude price jumping close to $67 a barrel, prices had fallen to around $63 a barrel but it rose again to cross $69 a barrel mark now after the OPEC+ decision to continue with crude production cut in April.

In tandem with petrol prices, diesel prices too were unchanged in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata at Rs 81.47, Rs 88.60, Rs 86.45 and Rs 84.35 per litre, respectively.

Petrol and diesel prices have been rising continuously since February 9.

In the 14 increases since then, prices have gone up by Rs 4.22 per litre for petrol while diesel rate has risen by Rs 4.34 a litre in Delhi.

The increase in the previous weeks has taken petrol to cross historic high levels of Rs 100 a litre in several cities across the country.
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Clay, NY  A 17-year-old has been charged with intentionally setting his familys home on fire Sunday morning in Clay, Onondaga County Sheriffs Office announced today.

His parents were inside the home at the time of the fire, deputies said in a news release Monday.

The teen, who police did not identify, has been charged with second-degree arson. Deputies said the teens parents were able to escape the fire without injuries.

Deputies and firefighters responded to the fire at 303 Brookhaven Road in Clay shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday. When police arrived, the homeowners told deputies their 17-year-old son was still inside the home, deputies said.

Deputies entered the home to search for the teen, but couldnt reach his bedroom on the second floor due to heavy smoke, deputies said. They climbed a ladder to get onto the attached garage and then tried to climb in the teens bedroom window, but heavy smoke still kept them out. Deputies said they yelled numerous times to the teen, but no one answered.

After climbing down from the roof, officers saw footprints in the snow leading away from the home, deputies said. Deputies along with New York State Police started searching the neighborhood, and saw the teen running east on David Drive away from the scene.

The teen was caught in the area of Bear and Buckley roads, about 1.5 miles from his home.

The fire was under control in about 10 minutes, but the second floor was damaged significantly by the fire and smoke, deputies said.

The teen was arraigned and is expected to appear in Family Court today.

Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime at 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 08:11:34|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

- - - -

SANTIAGO -- Chile announced on Sunday the third consecutive day of more than 5,000 daily cases of COVID-19, with 5,280 cases, bringing the total to 855,785, the Ministry of Health reported.

The ministry also reported another 69 deaths, bringing the death toll to 21,077, and said that 28,557 people are currently in the active stage of the disease.

- - - -

KUWAIT CITY -- Kuwait reported on Sunday 1,144 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 200,572.

The Kuwaiti Health Ministry also announced seven more deaths, taking the death toll to 1,127. The tally of recoveries nationwide rose by 956 to 186,187, while 13,258 coronavirus-related patients were receiving treatment.

- - - -

KATHMANDU -- Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli received his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Sunday as the government started the second phase of vaccination drive against COVID-19 in the Himalayan country.

"Prime Minister Oli along with his wife Radhika Shakya received the vaccine at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu," the Prime Minister's Personal Secretariat said in a press statement on Sunday.

- - - -

LONDON -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the reopening of schools in England as a "national effort" to beat coronavirus, even though some experts warned Britain is still not "out of the woods", local media reported Sunday.

"The reopening of schools marks a truly national effort to beat this virus," Johnson told Sky News.

- - - -

BEIJING -- China's homegrown recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine, recently approved for use in Uzbekistan, is expected to be another "powerful weapon" in fighting the global pandemic, a senior Chinese CDC official has said.

The vaccine has a relatively simple production process, a high output and is easy to store and transport due to its relatively low storage requirements, said Gao Fu, head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, on the sidelines of the ongoing annual session of the country's top political advisory body.

- - - -

NAIROBI -- COVID-19 is exacerbating inequities associated with gender in several key spheres of life and development, Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for Africa said in a statement issued in Nairobi ahead of International Women's Day to be marked on March 8.

WHO said that African women bore the brunt of income losses, social marginalization, and health risks that escalated at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the continent. Moeti pointed out that the pandemic's aftershocks had a disproportionate impact on women and girls in the continent amid the absence of a robust safety net to minimize their vulnerabilities. Enditem
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
(Newser)  Of all the secrets revealed by at-home DNA tests, Kathy Gillcrist's has to be one of the more extreme. The 63-year-old was adopted and quickly connected with her first known family member after taking a 23andMe DNA test in 2017: a third cousin named Susan Gillmor. As luck would have it, Gillmor is an amateur genealogist. The two women hit it off, and Gillmor helped Gillcrist track down her birth mother. Zeroing in on the birth father proved much tougher for Gillmor, who kept at it for several years until the a-ha moment: "I'm looking at the surnames, I'm looking at names in common, I'm looking at geographyand his name is William Bradford Bishop Jr.," she tells WECT. Thing is, Bishop is a federal fugitive on the FBI's most wanted for murder list. And the crime he allegedly committed isn't one you'd want to learn of while looking for your dad.

story continues below

The FBI claims a then-39-year-old Bishop in 1976 bludgeoned to death his mother, 37-year-old wife, and three sons, ages 14, 10, and 5. Bishop was added to the most wanted list in 2014, and CNN reports FBI case agent Charles Adam said at the time that Bishop allegedly killed his family members in Bethesda, Maryland, then drove to Columbia, North Carolina, where he dug a shallow grave, put the bodies in it, and set them on fire. Gillcrist was born in 1957, a couple of years before Bishop's oldest son. The FBI says Bishop in 1976 worked as a foreign service officer at the State Department in Washington, DC, and learned he was passed over for a promotion on the day of the murders. Bishop's car was found abandoned in the Smoky Mountains; he was described as an avid outdoorsman who had gained extensive camping experience in Africa. (Read more DNA test stories.)
Lebanon's roads blocked by protests Demonstrations held against high living costs for past week

(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, 08 MAR - Beirut and other major cities in Lebanon awoke on Monday to streets and artery roads blocked by protestors, ever angrier about high living costs and the effects of the economic crisis after the plunge of the local currency, which dropped even more over the weekend against the US dollar.



For the past week, anti-government protests have resumed with a fury in almost all cities across the country, from Beirut and Tripoli to Sidon and the Bekaa valley.



Outgoung prime minister Hassan Diab over the weekend threatened to interrupt his management of current affairs after a six-month stalement in political talks for the formation of a new government.



Roads have been blocked with tyres and rubbish bins set aloght in Beirut, Tripoli, the central Bekaa Valley, and around Sidon. (ANSAmed).




No further deaths with Covid-19 were reported in Ireland on Monday.

A rapid reduction in case counts and numbers in hospital has been observed, public health doctors said.

The case tally is falling approximately 3% a day, Professor Philip Nolan added.

He said: We are seeing sustained progress in suppressing transmission, perhaps even accelerated progress in suppression.

Another 437 infections were confirmed.

As of 8am, 418 Covid-19 patients were in hospital, with 103 in intensive care.

Prof Nolan added: We are at a case count a little under 500 cases per day. That remains very high but it is very significant progress from a week ago.

Dr Cliona Murphy, chairwoman of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said there was no evidence that taking any of the vaccines affected a womans ability to conceive.

There is emerging research showing an effect on mens fertility in the period after he has suffered an infection, she added.

Prof Nolan warned of the danger of the disease bouncing back if people let down their guards.

Expand Close Professor Philip Nolan (Brian Lawless/PA). / Facebook

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We need to be immensely careful that the level we have succeeded in getting Covid-19 to does not turn around and bite us.

Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said the progress could turn around in a matter of weeks and that had been seen in other countries.

We have made more progress in the last fortnight than any other country in Europe.

He raised concerns over the number of outbreaks among travelling communities in the Midlands.

He said research showed compliance with the key public health measures remain very high, with washing hands regularly at 93%, using hand sanitiser at 95% and social distancing in a queue at 93%.

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The deputy chief medical officer added: While levels of anxiety (36%) and boredom (38%) are understandably high, it is encouraging to see that a sense of hope continues to rise across the population, with 48% of people reporting that they feel the worst of the pandemic is behind us.

This hope is justified in the context of the continued improvement in the key indicators of the disease and with the ongoing rollout of the vaccination programme over the coming weeks.

However, it is vital that this hope does not give way to complacency; across Europe countries are seeing a deteriorating picture and our own disease incidence remains high  we must do all we can to continue to suppress this virus and to ensure that as many people as possible get to benefit from vaccination over the coming months.

Keep your guard up and hold firm.
[March 08, 2021]

Conversion Logix Launches The Conversion Cloud Partner Program, a Private-Label SaaS and Turnkey Agency Service, Aimed at Growing Agency Revenue!

AUSTIN, Texas, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Conversion Logix, LLC announced the release of The Conversion Cloud Partner Program, a private-label SaaS aimed at helping agencies convert website visitors into actionable leads for their clients. The Partner Program has already proven to be a solution for agencies looking for ways to boost their recurring revenue and client retention.



Jeff Jobe, CEO, Conversion Logix, stated: "Agency growth opportunities in 2021 are enormous. Businesses are searching for solutions that simplify sales and lead-generation in an online world. The Partner Program offers clients a suite of powerful SaaS solutions under the agency's own brand name."



The Conversion Cloud's software suite includes six lead-gen tools and an on-demand Market Attribution report, called Clarity. Clarity provides summarized data for a marketing agency to understand how digital campaigns are performing and where to improve them.



"Every account you add through The Conversion Cloud Partner Program generates more revenue for your agency, increases lead conversion rates, and strengthens your relationships with clients," Mr. Jobe added.



The Conversion Cloud Partner Program has already expanded its client base as it continues to brng existing marketing agencies more leads, appointments, and sales. In addition, The Partner Program promotes a professional community and social platform for agency collaboration and ideation.









About Conversion Logix



Conversion Logix, LLC provides digital marketing services and licenses lead-generation software to industry leaders in the multi-family housing, senior living, automotive dealerships, and small business markets. Our people work across the industry sectors that drive and shape today's small business marketplace. Conversion Logix has been ranked on the Inc. 5000 and Austin Business Journal's Fast 50 Growing Companies. Conversion Logix is a Premier Google Partner, Facebook Marketing Partner, and developed The Conversion Cloud, a lead-gen software suite designed to help businesses get more leads, appointments, and sales. Learn how Conversion Logix is transforming local business marketing at www.conversionlogix.com or www.partner.theconversioncloud.com.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/conversion-logix-launches-the-conversion-cloud-partner-program-a-private-label-saas-and-turnkey-agency-service-aimed-at-growing-agency-revenue-301241856.html

SOURCE Conversion Logix
[March 08, 2021] AIM ImmunoTech Announces First Healthy Subjects Dosed in Phase 1 Intranasal Ampligen Clinical Study

OCALA, Fla., March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE American: AIM) today announced that it has dosed the first healthy subjects in its Phase 1 clinical study on the safety of AIMs drug Ampligen as a potential intranasal therapy. AIMs s goal is to develop Ampligen as a potential intranasal prophylaxis or early-stage treatment for COVID-19 and other respiratory viral diseases.

Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR), an independent institute located in Leiden in the Netherlands, is conducting the clinical study, titled A Phase I, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Activity of Repeated Intranasal Administration of Ampligen (Poly I:Poly C 12 U) in Healthy Subjects. The current study plans call for the enrollment of eight healthy subjects in each of four Ampligen treatment groups and eight placebo subjects, for a total of 40 healthy subjects. The trial is designed to assess the safety, tolerability and biological activity of repeated administration of Ampligen intranasally. The subjects will receive intranasal dosing every other day for 13 days, for a total of seven doses each. AIM is funding the clinical study. The prior in vitro modeling at The Institute for Antiviral Research at Utah State University demonstrated that Ampligen was able to decrease SARS-CoV-2 infectious viral yields by 90% at clinically achievable intranasal Ampligen dosage levels.



Thomas K. Equels, CEO of AIM stated, We greatly appreciate the tremendous efforts of the entire team at CHDR to help us initiate our Phase 1 study of Ampligen as a potential intranasal therapy. Our objective is to expedite the development of Ampligen as a potential prophylaxis or treatment for COVID-19. Prior results of in vitro modelling were promising, and we are highly encouraged by the potential of an intranasal prophylactic approach using Ampligen to prevent infection and spread of COVID-19. We look forward to providing further updates as this critical trial progresses. About AIM ImmunoTech Inc.

AIM ImmunoTech Inc. is an immuno-pharma company focused on the research and development of therapeutics to treat multiple types of cancers, immune disorders, and viral diseases, including COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Cautionary Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the PSLRA). Words such as may, will, expect, plan, anticipate and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Many of these forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among other things, for those statements, the Company claims the protection of safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the PSLRA. The Company cannot assure that the CHDR study will be successful or yield favorable data and trials are subject to many factors including lack of regulatory approval(s), lack of study drug, or a change in priorities at the institutions sponsoring other trials. Significant additional testing and trials will be required to determine whether Ampligen will be effective in the treatment of COVID-19 as an intranasal therapy or otherwise, and no assurance can be given that this will be the case. There is the potential for delays in clinical trial enrollment and reporting because of the COVID-19 medical emergency. We do not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof. Contacts: Crescendo Communications, LLC

Phone: 212-671-1021

Email: aim@crescendo-ir.com AIM ImmunoTech Inc

Phone: 800-778-4042

Email: IR@aimimmuno.com



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South Korea, Saudi Arabia and France rank lowest on The Body Shop Global Self Love Index The Body Shop launches global self-love uprising with activist Jameela Jamil

NEW YORK CITY, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - A global report launched today by The Body Shop has identified a self-love* crisis for women around the world, with one in two women feeling more self-doubt than self-love, and 60% wishing they had more respect for themselves. The Body Shop Global Self Love Index is a first-of-its-kind study, commissioned to inform a long-term commitment from The Body Shop to always use its voice to build self-esteem. As a result, The Body Shop is launching a global movement called the "Self Love Uprising," supported by activist and actress Jameela Jamil and Sara Kuburi. The Millennial Therapist. In addition to these global partners, the movement will also be supported by beacons of self love and activism on a local level by what The Body Shop has coined as "Leading Light." Actor & Activist, Tommy Dorfman, Founder of Future Ancestors Services, Larissa Crawford, Writer & Still Kickin Founder, Nora McInerny, and Immigrant Rights Activist & Speaker, Sara Mora, will represent The Body Shop in North America for the duration of 2021 as the brand kicks off various activist initiatives throughout the year.

The study, designed by The Body Shop and leading market research firm Ipsos, ran between November and December 2020 with over 22,000 people in 21 different countries. The Self Love Index comprises a number of academic measures of self-worth, wellbeing, and happiness, and reveals how age, gender, country, and living standards impact how people feel about themselves.

South Korea, Saudi Arabia and France rank lowest for self-love, whereas Denmark, Australia, and the United States rank the highest. People in the US have a Self-Love Index score of 61, 8 points above the Global average score (53), with only Denmark and Australia scoring higher.

Further key findings of The Self Love Index include:

Covid-19 has had a slightly more positive impact on women's self-love than negative. In the US, almost two thirds of women (64%) feel the COVID-19 pandemic has not changed how they feel about themselves. A quarter of women in the US (25%) say they feel more negative about themselves now and only 11% say they feel better about themselves than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Frequent users of social media have lower levels of self-love, however they are twice as likely to say they get the emotional support they need, compared to non-users.

37% of single women, and 38% of minority women, rank in the lowest quartile on the Self Love Index, compared to 21% of married and 25% of non-minority women.

People from minority groups in US have a Self-Love Index of 59 compared to 63 among those not from minority groups. LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities taking part in the survey are more likely to be in the lowest 25% of self-love scores.

Frequent feelings of anxiety and signs of depression are felt by a slightly higher proportion of people in US than the global average. There is no significant difference by gender. 43% of under 35's often feel down/depressed, feel anxious and/or worry too much.

41% of those who use social media for two hours or more, frequently feel down or depressed and 42% of heavy social media users worry too much and/or often feel anxious.

People in the US who are single have lower Self-Love, with an average score of 58, compared to 63 among those in a relationship.

Self-Love increases with age in US. People under 35 are significantly more likely to be in the lowest 25% of the Self-Love scores (41% compared to only 9% of those 55 and over).

The top three causes of low confidence among women in the US are: financial status (31%), feeling I am not making progress towards the things I want in life (23%), the state of the world (e.g. politics, the economy) (22%).

One of the most surprising findings of the research is that overall, Covid-19 has had a slightly more positive impact on women's self- love than negative. However, women with low self-love were six times more likely to say Covid-19 had a negative impact on their self- love, and women with financial worries also say Covid-19 had a negative impact, suggesting that the pandemic has compounded self- esteem issues for the most vulnerable women in society. Resilience is also linked to self-love: the higher a person scored, the more likely they were to say they are quick to bounce back from tough times.

One divisive issue when it comes to self-love is social media. Frequent users of social media are twice as likely to say they get the emotional support they need compared to non-users, indicating social media networks may play a valuable role in providing support networks for women. However, the research also shows that heavy social media users have lower levels of self-love, are more likely to compare themselves to others, and are often more unhappy with their body.

"For many women, the pandemic  although unpleasant  has offered a space for reflection, reprioritization, and authenticity," said The Body Shop Self-love Expert Sara Kuburic. "Many have embraced who they are, stripping themselves of pressures to show up or "be" a certain way. But, for those women who struggled with self-esteem prior to Covid-19, they have found the isolation and lack of social support confronting and painful because it robbed them of the external sources that masqueraded as self-esteem. In this increasingly online world too, if a woman is using social media as her primary means of building or outsourcing her self-love and validation, the unrealistic expectations and comparisons can become detrimental and amplify struggles of self-acceptance."

The Body Shop will use the findings from the Index to review and inform its own practices, especially across its marketing and product portfolio. The aim is to spread one million acts of self-love in one year, to create more love and positive change in the world.

Hilary Lloyd, Vice President Marketing & Responsibility for North America said, "As an activist brand, our mission is to fight for a fairer and more beautiful world. In order to create a positive change in the world, we must start with creating a positive change within. We call for people around the world to rise up with self-love, especially in a society that promotes self-doubt and insecurity. We are excited to embark on this journey to drive change individually, in the beauty industry and beyond."

"I see the lack of self-love as an emotional pandemic, and one which is sadly hitting younger generations the most," Actress and activist Jameela Jamil added. "Self love is an inside job, so let's all take just one positive action towards loving ourselves. As a woman, being proud of yourself and believing you are 'enough' as you are, is an act of social and political resistance."

Join Jameela Jamil and The Millennial Therapist, Sara Kuburic on Wednesday 17 March on The Body Shop Instagram for a live chat on how to rise up with self-love.

SELF LOVE MEANING

*Self-love is many things, but it starts with the recognition and appreciation of our inner worth and value.

ONE MILLION ACTS OF SELF LOVE

The Body Shop aims to inspire 1 million acts of self-love in 1 year, to create more love and positive change in the world. It doesn't matter how big or small, every act can lead to big change. Tips on acts of self-love will be shared on The Body shop online self-love hub and The Body Shop social media channels. Self-love is not merely a concept, it's an experience. With this understanding, the one million acts movement highlights that self-love involves an action, and that action is at the heart of any change  personal or global.

The Global Self Love Index

COUNTRY Median South Korea 43 Saudi Arabia 48 France 48 China 48 Spain 49 Japan 50 United Kingdom 50 Sweden 50 India 50 Canada 51 Nigeria 51 Indonesia 52 Brazil 54 Russia 54 Germany 56 The Netherlands 59 South Africa 59 Australia 59 United States 59 Mexico 60 Denmark 63

Methodology of research

This online study was conducted between November 22 and December 8, 2020, staggered across 21 countries. The survey was fielded for an average of 9 days in each country. The survey took about 16 minutes to complete. Certain demographic questions were not asked in some countries due to sensitivities around cultural norms.

Respondents included adults age 18 and older. The final sample size was 22,619 with approximately 1,000 completed in each country.

ABOUT THE BODY SHOP INTERNATIONAL

Founded in 1976 in Brighton, England, by Dame Anita Roddick, The Body Shop is a global beauty brand and a certified B Corp. The Body Shop seeks to make positive change in the world by offering high-quality, naturally-inspired skincare, body care, hair care and make-up produced ethically and sustainably. Having pioneered the philosophy that business can be a force for good, this ethos is still the brand's driving force. The Body Shop operates about 3,000 retail locations in more than 70 countries. Along with Aesop, Avon and Natura, The Body Shop is part of Natura &Co, a global, multi-channel and multi-brand cosmetics group that is committed to generating positive economic, social and environmental impact. The four companies that form the group are committed to generating positive economic, social and environmental impact.

SOURCE The Body Shop International Ltd.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Radhakrishna Mohan immigrated to America in 1989, built a career in computer science while serving as a labor leader, and thinks hes the right choice to be the next Staten Island Borough President.

In an interview with the Advance/SILive.com, Mohan, who ran for Congress in 2018 and lost to former Rep. Max Rose in the Democratic primary, said his experience as a labor leader and time working with community organizations give him the experience for the job.

I want to give back to the community, he said. Community comes first for me. I want to do whats best for the community.

As an employee of the New York State Insurance Fund for almost 27 years, Mohan became a shop steward and later rose to council president of the Public Employees Federation Division 240.

He has also served as a member of Staten Island Community Board 1, and been on the boards for the 121 and 122 Precincts community councils.

Ive been involved with the community for a long time, Mohan said. I understand the issues that (are) facing Staten Island.

Before emigrating from India, Mohan participated in labor organizing in his own country, and rose to the leadership of the Tamil Nadu Secretariat Union. Tamil Nadu is a state in southern India.

At the time in the 1970s, he and a group of other young people had joined the organization, but found themselves dissatisfied with its leadership after it negotiated a poor contract, Mohan said.

Truthfully, I didnt know anything about unions at that time, but we were all pumped up and got them to bring in a change, he said. That experience brought me here, and pretty much Im doing the same. I want to elevate myself to something better.

Mohan said he remains in contact with the people he worked with to form that union. They took to calling themselves the team  a moniker he said remains with the unions modern leadership.

When he came to the U.S., Mohan said he first settled in Albany where he worked at a bank before he got the job for the state.

Mohan is one of the five declared candidates for the June 22 Democratic primary to replace outgoing Borough President James Oddo. The others are Lorie Honor, Mark Murphy, Brandon Stratford, and Cesar Vargas.

The Staten Island Democratic Party chose to endorse Murphy in the primary race. Mohan said he couldnt question the partys decision, but that he still feels hes the right person for the job.

Looking at my background, my action speaks for itself. Its not just that I came overnight here and am running for an office, he said. I did my job and thought that I can do better doing service in my community.
Legislature unanimously OKs $1.7 billion Covid aid bill

RALEIGH  The General Assembly has passed with a unanimous vote a new Covid relief bill that would direct nearly $1.7 billion in aid across the state.

The legislature now will consider more contentious pandemic-related legislation, including a bill filed by Rep. Tim Moffitt of Henderson County that would allow the states bars and restaurants to fully reopen.

The Covid relief bill is the latest in a series that allocates money from the federal government. House Bill 196 includes $600 million in new spending, primarily for North Carolinas colleges and universities. It directs millions for K-12 schools, including money to evaluate how North Carolina handled the transition to remote learning and what the long-term effects of virtual schooling could be for the states children.

Joe Coletti, senior fellow of fiscal studies at the John Locke Foundation, said the adjustments in this bill are evidence the state legislature is prudently using the billions in relief from Congress.

The General Assembly is using the discretion and extra time it has with Coronavirus Relief Fund money, to better meet actual needs, reducing appropriations where they could not be used and increasing funding in other areas that could have more benefit, he said.

Coletti said he would prefer if the federal government gave the flexibility to direct education relief money to families instead of only school systems.

The bill passed by a vote of 117-0 in the House, 48-0 in the Senate. It is now in front of Gov. Roy Cooper. While the governor has vetoed many of the General Assemblys COVID-related bills, he did sign a prior $2 billion relief bill.

Other legislation in front of the General Assembly will have a tougher time.

Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, has said he will bring the chambers school reopening bill back for another veto override attempt. The effort failed by one vote last week, with one Democrat who was a primary sponsor of the bill absent.

Moffitt introduced the bill last week that would allow the states bars and restaurants to fully reopen. Currently, bars are limited to 30 percent capacity. They had been closed for nearly a year before being allowed to reopen at the end of February. Restaurants are limited to 50 percent capacity, and diners are required to wear masks even in their seats unless they are actively eating or drinking. Under the bill, restaurants would have to put employees through daily temperature checks and health screenings, frequently clean high-touch areas and deep clean each night.
[March 08, 2021] Former Governor Deval Patrick and Lauren Smith, MD, MPH Join Social Finance Board of Directors

Today national nonprofit Social Finance announced the appointment of Deval Patrick and Lauren Smith to its board of directors. Deval Patrick is a business executive, impact investor, political and civil rights advocate, and former governor of Massachusetts. The first African American governor of Massachusetts, he served from 2007-2015, during which he expanded affordable health care to more than 98% of state residents, launched initiatives stimulating clean energy and biotechnology, and steered the state to a 25-year high in employment. In 2015, he founded the Double Impact Fund at Bain Capital, the first impact investing fund of a major U.S. investment firm, where he and his team invested hundreds of millions of dollars in companies that deliver both competitive financial return and significant measurable social and environmental good. Patrick is the founder and chairman of the TogetherFUND, a political action committee working to drive engagement among disenfranchised and marginalized voters, a senior advisor to Bain Capital, and a member of the boards of directors of mission-driven companies. Learn more about Deval Patrick > Lauren Smith, MD, MPH is the chief health equity and strategy officer of the CDC Foundation, where she works to embed health equity across the Foundation's COVID-19 response activities with an explicit focus on addressing systemic racism and its impact on vulnerable populations' wellbeing amidst the pandemic. Sith's previous roles include serving as co-CEO of FSG, a social impact consultancy, where she also led the U.S. Health practice; medical director and then interim commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health; senior strategic advisor for a 50-state network focused on reducing infant mortality; national medical director of the Medical Legal Partnership for Children; health policy fellow in the office of the Massachusetts Speaker of the House; medical director of the pediatric inpatient service at Boston Medical Center; and faculty member of the Department of Pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine. Learn more about Lauren Smith >



"On behalf of our team and board of directors, we are excited to welcome Deval and Lauren to Social Finance," said Tracy Palandjian, CEO and Co-Founder. "As governor of the Commonwealth, Deval was one of the earliest champions of Social Impact Bonds to help government spend smarter, and he is a passionate advocate and practitioner of impact investing. His leadership will help advance our public sector offerings and our next generation of impact investment products. Lauren's extensive experience as a public health leader and a clinician will be invaluable to our work as we build partnerships and funding structures to tackle the structural and social determinants of health, from education and housing to workforce development." Social Finance pioneered a set of innovative outcomes-based funding strategies in the U.S. over the past decade, including the Social Impact Bond. The organization launched the first-ever Career Impact Bond in 2019, a holistic financing model designed to increase access to education, employment, and economic opportunity. Founded in 2011, Social Finance has a team of 75 people with offices in Boston, Austin, and San Francisco.

### About Social Finance Social Finance is a nonprofit organization that develops funding strategies to measurably improve lives. The organization has mobilized over $150 million to support more than 20,000 individuals across a range of issue areas including workforce development, homelessness, and criminal justice. Learn more at socialfinance.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005719/en/

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White supremacists are trying to join the ranks of law enforcement and the military so they can 'terrorize minorities' and 'initiate a collapse of society', the FBI has warned.

The agency's San Antonio branch said right-wing extremists sought to join the two in an effort to 'further' their ideologies.

Their findings were based on investigations from 2016 to 2020 and were first reported by ABC who had access to a leaked copy of the report.

The report says white supremacists would 'very likely seek affiliation with military and law enforcement entities in furtherance of' their ideas.

White supremacists are targeting the military and law enforcement to learn how to terrorize minorities and 'to prepare for and initiate a collapse of society, the FBI has warned in a leaked document. FBI Director Christopher Wray last week labeled the January riot at the U.S. Capitol, pictured, as 'domestic terrorism'

The February 25 report, which was handed out in Texas and across the US, focuses on white-supremacist publication 'Siege'.

It reads: 'In the long term, FBI San Antonio assesses [racially motivated violent extremists] successfully entering military and law enforcement careers almost certainly will gain access to non-public tradecraft and information, enabling them to enhance operational security and develop new tactics in and beyond the FBI San Antonio.'

The report's authors say their findings are 'based on evidence [extremists] expressed a desire to join the military and law enforcement primarily to obtain tradecraft to prepare for and initiate a collapse of society, specifically by engaging in violence against the US government and specified racial and ethnic groups.

'Online peers encouraged them to seek these careers and [extremists] built relationships with associates seeking military employment, focusing on the associates' current and future martial skills.'

A man waves a Confederate flag in Graham, N.C. in November last year. The FBI's San Antonio branch said right-wing extremists sought to join law enforcement and the military in an effort to 'further' their ideologies

The FBI findings were based on investigations from 2016 to 2020 and were first reported by ABC who had access to a leaked copy of the report. The Ku Klux Klan protests on July 8, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia

FBI Director Christopher Wray last week labeled the January riot at the U.S. Capitol as 'domestic terrorism'.

Wray said the number of arrests of white supremacists and other racially motivated extremists has almost tripled.

A Pentagon report released last Tuesday said domestic extremist groups pose a serious threat to the military by seeking to recruit service members into their ranks and, in some cases, joining the military to acquire combat experience.

'Military members are highly prized by these groups as they bring legitimacy to their causes and enhance their ability to carry out attacks,' the report said.

'In addition to potential violence, white supremacy and white nationalism pose a threat to the good order and discipline within the military.'

Rep. Jamie Raskin said the report shows how the 'FBI's failure to level with the American people about organized racist infiltration of law enforcement is having dangerous and deadly consequences'.

He added: 'When we asked the FBI last year to testify about white supremacists executing plans to infiltrate law enforcement entities across America, the bureau refused and told us it had no evidence that racist infiltration was a problem.

'Now, the January insurrection - and the growing evidence of off-duty law enforcement officers being involved in the attack on Congress - and this newly leaked report confirm in my mind that the FBI's failure to level with the American people about organized racist infiltration of law enforcement is having dangerous and deadly consequences.'

A Pentagon report released last Tuesday said domestic extremist groups pose a serious threat to the military by seeking to recruit service members into their ranks and, in some cases, joining the military to acquire combat experience. The Capitol riot is pictured

Raskin, who is the chairman of the House Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Subcommittee, said: 'We are continuing to press the FBI for information about how it plans to counteract the contagion of white supremacist infiltration of law enforcement bodies.

'The FBI must answer specifically for what it is doing to combat white supremacist infiltration of law enforcement. It must work to root out officers who seek state power to terrorize our communities under color of law.'

An FBI spokesperson did not comment on the contents of the report but said in a statement: 'FBI field offices routinely share information with their local law enforcement partners to assist in protecting the communities they serve.'

Jessica Watkins, 38, leader of far-right 'Oath Leaders' group charged with conspiring to storm the Capitol claims she was in Washington D.C. on January 6 to provide security for the Trump rally before the riot

A leader of the far-right 'Oath Keepers' group and an Afghanistan war veteran who was charged in the Capitol riots said she was in Washington, D.C. last month to provide security at the Trump rally and meet with Secret Service agents.

Jessica Watkins, a 38-year-old transgender woman, is one of nine associates of the far-right anti-government group charged for conspiring to storm the Capitol to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden's election victory.

She has been detained since mid-January.

Court filings revealed Saturday that Watkins is claiming she was only in D.C. on January 6 to help with security for speakers at the Trump rally that took place right before the Capitol storming.

She is also claiming the United States Secret Service was aware of her assisting in security efforts near the White House that day.

Prosecutors allege Watkins, an Afghanistan war veteran, entered the Capitol building illegally.

The 'Oath Keeper' leader pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy charges.

According to the indictment, Watkins arrived at the Capitol with communication devices, reinforced vests, camouflage helmets and goggles. Prosecutors claim she forcibly entered the Capitol 'with a line of individuals wearing Oath Keeper clothing, patches, and insignia.'

Then on Sunday it was reported a member of the far-right group Proud Boys was in contact with an associate of the Trump White House in the days leading up to the MAGA riot at the United States Capitol on January 6, it has been claimed.

A law enforcement official said to be familiar with the details of the investigation told The New York Times that the contacts were uncovered thanks to cell phone records and location data.
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A penguin escaped a pod of chasing killer whales by leaping into a dinghy full of tourists after flinging itself headfirst into the side of the boat.

The flightless bird repeatedly jumped out of the water in a dramatic chase that circled the tour boat before it leapt aboard to the delight of the stunned passengers.

Travel blogger Matt Karsten, 40, and his wife Anna, 32, were taking a tour through icebergs in the Gerlache Strait, Antarctica, when a large group of orcas swam up to their Zodiac boat.

A penguin escaped a pod of chasing killer whales by leaping into a dinghy full of tourists after flinging itself headfirst into the side of the boat

The creature repeatedly jumped out of the water in a dramatic chase that circled the tour boat before it leapt aboard

The predators spotted a gentoo penguin swimming nearby and gave chase, darting between the tourist boats.

Footage shows the penguin leaping out of the icy water with the killer whales in close pursuit.

The penguin tries to get into one of the boats for safety but lands just short and bounces off the side of the vessel and back into the sea.

Seconds later, the penguin successfully makes it over the rim of the boat and is helped aboard by the cheering tourists.

The predators spotted a gentoo penguin swimming nearby and gave chase, darting between the tourist boats watching on

Footage shows the penguin leaping out of the icy water with the killer whales in close pursuit

Travel blogger Matt Karsten and his wife Anna, 32, were taking a tour through icebergs in the Gerlache Strait, Antarctica, when they saw the incredible chase

Matt said: 'It was crazy to see in person. It was like watching a National Geographic episode on location. I imagine the penguin was very relieved to get away.

'We were heading out for a scenic Zodiac cruise between icebergs when a large pod of orcas showed up playing in the water besides us.

'They swam right up to the camera and said hello. Suddenly the orcas started chasing a gentoo penguin trying to eat it.

'Back and forth they went with the penguin swimming fast with the orcas on its trail. Eventually the poor penguin tried to jump into a nearby zodiac boat.

The penguin tries to get into one of the boats for safety but lands just short and bounces off the side of the vessel and back into the sea

Seconds later, the penguin successfully makes it over the rim of the boat in its bid for freedom

The cheering tourists helped the penguin clamber itself aboard to escape the hunting killer whales

'The penguin failed at first, falling back into the water, but then managed on the second attempt.

'The orcas did follow the zodiac boat for a while. They did give up in the end leaving the penguin safe with his new friends.

'After cruising for a little bit, the penguin said goodbye to the boat and hopped back into the icy water.'

Matt - who calls himself the Expert Vagabond - has been travelling around the world visiting more than 50 countries since 2010 and is currently based in Yucatan, Mexico, after the birth of his second child.

After the penguin jumped into the dinghy, the captain quickly moved away in fear of the killer whales

The tourists were amazed as the penguin sat in the boat before later returning to the sea
Conservation groups have launched a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over its April 2019 decision to deny Endangered Species Act protection to the eastern hellbender, which is Pennsylvanias state amphibian.

The Center for Biological Diversity, Waterkeeper Alliance, Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper, Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper and Waterkeepers Chesapeake have filed a formal notice of intent to sue.

Hellbenders are river-dwelling salamanders that can grow longer than 2 feet. They live in clear, fast-flowing streams in 15 southeastern, midwestern and northeastern states, but have been eliminated from much of their historic range.

Hellbenders are under pressure from a multitude of threats throughout their range, and those threats are only expected to worsen in the coming years, said Brian Segee, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity.

Nearly 80 percent of hellbender populations have been lost or are in decline due to agricultural and industrial water pollution, habitat destruction, sedimentation, warming waters, dams and other impoundments, and climate change.

While acknowledging that those threats will likely intensify, the service nonetheless found in April 2019 that the hellbenders protection under the Endangered Species Act is not warranted.

Hellbenders are like the canary in the coal mine. This ancient species is now almost gone from much of Appalachian streams because they are incredibly sensitive to pollutants and the destruction of their habitats when smothered by sediment, said Morgan Johnson, a staff attorney at Waterkeepers Chesapeake. Hellbenders are usually the first species to vanish when clean mountain streams are contaminated and disturbed.

John Zaktansky, executive director of the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, added, Hellbenders thrive best in clean streams and creeks and provide an important litmus test for water-quality concerns, but we have seen a steep decline in their numbers within the middle Susquehanna watershed.

An endangered or threatened status for this creature, which has helped us better monitor our network of waterways, would go a long way to securing their future, and the future of the waters in which they live.

According to the CBD, the services decision to deny protection to the hellbender was in large part based on population augmentation efforts such as the use of artificial nest boxes or release of juvenile hellbenders raised in captivity from wild-caught eggs. While laudable, the ability of these efforts to rebuild populations is unproven, and they do not help to address or diminish the many threats hellbenders face.

Daniel Estrin, general counsel and advocacy director for Waterkeeper Alliance, described the services denial of federal protection for the hellbender as scientifically and legally indefensible. These sensitive and unique creatures are suffering the proverbial death by a thousand cuts as a result of pollution, climate change and encroachment on their limited habitat, all caused by humans. We must protect them before its too late.

Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Ted Evgeniadis said, The federal government must review the same facts again and warrant the protection of the hellbender under the Endangered Species Act.

Segee said, The hellbender needs and deserves all the help it can get, and Im hoping that augmentation efforts can help rebuild some of its depleted populations. But only the mandates of the Endangered Species Act have the power to truly protect these salamanders habitats and put the species on a path to recovery.

The hellbender, which also is known as the snot otter, became Pennsylvanias official state amphibian in April 2019. The push for the designation began in 2017 with the Chesapeake Bay Foundations Pennsylvania Student Leadership Council.

Hellbenders are a completely aquatic species, commonly found in cool, highly oxygenated, perennial streams. Boulders, especially large, flat rocks, serve as nest rocks and provide shelter and cover, and are the most important indicator of adult hellbender habitat. Hellbenders breathe through their skin, but also have lungs they can use in some conditions.

They are primarily nocturnal and move by walking on stream bottoms but can swim short distances to avoid predators.

Hellbender lifespan is estimated to be at least 25-30 years and may be closer to 50.

Known by colorful names like devil dog, snot otter, Allegheny river monster, grampus and old lasagna sides, the eastern hellbenders nicknames reference the loose, frilly skin along its sides and its mucus-like covering, which is believed to provide protection from abrasion and parasites and may have antibiotic properties.

The CBD petitioned to protect the eastern hellbender under the Endangered Species Act in 2010. The October 2017 not warranted finding came after two legal agreements the center entered into with the Fish and Wildlife Service in 2011 and 2013 to expedite protections.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8)  The Department of Health on Monday clarified that dependents of medical frontliners are not supposed to get COVID-19 vaccines until all 1.8 million healthcare workers have been inoculated.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the current stockpile of 1.12 million doses can only inoculate 560,000 people since two doses are needed for those who will receive Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines. This is not even enough to vaccinate all healthcare workers, she stressed.

"They are not eligible. Ang binibigyang prayoridad muna ngayon ay healthcare workers natin," the official in a media briefing. "Ang pamilya ng healthcare workers, dadating tayo sa punto na iyan kung papasok sila sa ibang sektor, mabibigyan sila."

[Translation: We are prioritizing healthcare workers. Their families will receive it if they are part of other priority sectors.]

Quezon City Rep. Angelina "Helen" Tan was one of the first few people who received Sinovac's CoronaVac vaccine last week, saying she got the shot because she is a registered dependent of her son who is a healthcare worker.

The DOH also said the government officials who jumped the vaccine priority list will be able to get their second dose despite their disregard for the line.

Vergeire, however, stressed that no breaches in the priority list can be committed when it comes to the doses from AstraZeneca due to the possibility of losing additional vaccines from the global COVAX facility.

"Hindi natin pwede sayangin ang bakuna na naibigay na, kailangan ibigay ang second dose," Vergeire pointed out. "Any breach sa protocol na pinapatupad sa ngayon might jeopardize the succeeding batches of vaccines that will come from COVAX. Nakikiusap tayo na sundin ang prioritization framework."

[Translation: We cannot waste the first dose so we have to give the second dose. We are appealing to follow the prioritization framework.]

There was a breach in the priority list during the first week of rollout when Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya and Michael Salalima, chief of staff of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, received their Sinovac shots. During the vaccination ceremony at the Pasay General Hospital, Pasay City Vice Mayor Noel Boyet del Rosario  who is not a medical frontliner  was also inoculated.

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, Ramon Tulfo, also revealed that he and thousands of other government officials, soldiers, and police personnel have been inoculated with Sinopharm.

The President 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.
Sam Armytage has quit Sunrise in a tearful announcement this morning, ending 8 years on the Seven breakfast show.

The shock announcement comes just weeks after her marriage to Richard Lavender and a newspaper article in which she refers to narcissist in television.

I dont think any of us want to do the same thing forever. Theres a lot about television thats all about you and thats an awful way to live your life. TV isnt a place thats necessarily very healthy, she told interviewer Angela Mollard, before saying with a grin: Its full of sociopaths and narcissists  it can be a dangerous environment, let me tell you.

I have always been brave and fearless in my career and this decision is no different, she said in a statement today.

I want to take a break and find some peace and calm. I go out of this job at a time of my own choosing and on top of the ratings, which not many people on television can say they do. I cannot thank you all enough for having me in your lounge rooms all these years.

David Koch said, Ever since Sam joined Sunrise eight years ago, she has been the rock of the program and always led from the front.

Sams humour, work ethic and team first values have been an inspiration to us all. But now its time for Sam to put herself and Rich first and we couldnt be happier for, or more supportive of, them both.

Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, said: Sam has been an important part of the Seven team for almost two decades, including eight fantastic years as co-host of Australias #1 breakfast show.

We will be sad to see her leave Sunrise, but completely understand and support her decision to step back for a while and focus on her family. We wish Sam nothing but the very best for her break and look forward to announcing some exciting new projects for her in late 2021 and into 2022.

But Armytage has also been frequently in headlines, followed by paparazzi and criticised on social media. She has frequently hit back over interest in her personal life, previously telling TV Tonight, A lot of it is rubbish, but there are so many pages to fill on the internet these days, if they dont write rubbish, what else are they going to write about? But you know thats the beast that it is!

We put ourselves out there and sometimes we get shot down.

Last December amid rumours of her future Seven news boss Craig McPherson told TV Tonight, Sam has her beliefs. David Koch has his beliefs in certain areas. They dont always agree but that makes for a healthy debate. We dont like enforcing and lecturing our audience to any particular way on things but in a year that was very polarising its understandable (when something said) can suddenly become a bit of an inferno out there.

He added, Everyones back next year, no changes flagged there.

Sam Armytage departs Sunrise as the show continues to defeat its breakfast competition. Her final show is Thursday.

Later next year the show will relocate from Martin Place to Eveleigh.

Related
Francis has Q&A with journalists on the flight back from Baghdad. The meeting with Al-Sistani validates the reasons for fraternity and dialogue; the one with the father of little Alan Kurdi highlighted the right to emigrate. Lebanon will be the destination of an upcoming trip, but nothing has been decided about Argentina.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis spoke with journalists on the plane that brought him back from Baghdad, landing in Rome around 2.20 pm.

During the flight the pontiff focused on a number of issues. The meeting with Al-Sistani validated the reasons for fraternity and dialogue; the one with the father of the Alan Kurdi highlighted the right to emigrate, alongside the right not to emigrate; the stories of Christians in Qaraqosh were touching; Lebanon will be the destination of an upcoming trip, one to Argentina has not yet been decided.

The trip came after these months in prison. I really felt a little imprisoned. This trip revived me. Revival means touching the Church, touching the holy people of God, touching all peoples. A priest becomes a priest to serve, in the service of the people of God, not for careerism, not for money.

On Women's Day, Francis said that we must fight, fight, for womens dignity. They are the ones who carry forth history; this is not an exaggeration. Women carry forth history and this is not a compliment because today is Women's Day.

Francis stressed the strength women have in carrying forth life, history, family. Yet, even today women are humiliated. Let's look at an extreme [situation]. One of you showed me the price list for women (by the Islamic State for Christian and Yazidi women). I couldnt believe it: For this kind of woman, of this age, this is the price.

Women sell themselves; women enslave themselves. Even in downtown Rome, working against trafficking is an everyday job. During the Jubilee I went to see one of the many houses of the Opera Don Benzi. Young women had been freed, but one had an ear cut off because she had not brought money that day; the other was brought from Bratislava in the boot of a car, enslaved, kidnapped. This happens in our part of the world, right! People trafficking.

Asked about relations with Islam and his meeting with Al-Sistani, Francis answered by revealing that the Abu Dhabi document was prepared with the Grand Imam in secret, over six months. It was a first step and we can say that this was the second and that there will be more.

Ayatollah Al Sistani said something that Ill try to remember: Men and women are either brothers and sisters by religion or equal by creation. Equality is in fraternity, but we cannot go below equality. He (Sistani) was very respectful.

This meeting was good for me. It is a light, and these wise men are everywhere because God's wisdom has been scattered throughout the world.

The pontiff spoke about the Middle East, Lebanon. Lebanon is a message. Lebanon is suffering, Lebanon is more than a balance; it has the weakness of diversity, some still not reconciled, but the strength of the great reconciled people, like the strength of cedars.

For this trip Patriarch al-Rahi asked me for a favour and make a stop in Beirut, but it seemed a bit too little ... A crumb before a problem, a country that is suffering like Lebanon. I wrote him a letter; I made a promise to visit.

I didn't think about a trip to Syria, because I didn't get any inspiration. But I am so close to tortured and beloved Syria, as I call it.

Yesterday after Mass I met the father of Alan Kurdi because he asked. Alan drowned in 2015 after the boat he was travelling capsized in the sea.

Migration is a twin right: the right not to migrate, and the right to migrate. These people have neither, because they can't but migrate, [and] don't know how to do it. They cannot migrate because the world has not yet become aware that migration is a human right.

Urgent measures are needed to make people work in their own countries and not migrate. Some measures [are needed] to uphold the right of migration.

It is true that every country must study well its capacity to receive but it is not only [a question of] the capacity to receive and [hen] leave them on the beach. It is [the capacity] to receive them, to accompany them, to move them forward and to integrate them. Integrating migrants is the key.

With respect to forgiveness, What touched me most is the story of a mother in Qaraqosh, said Francis. She lost her son in the first Islamic State bombings. She said one word: forgiveness. I was moved. A mother who says: I forgive, I ask forgiveness for them.

We lost this word, we know how to insult big times, we know how to condemn big time; me first. But forgive... forgive ones enemies, this is pure Gospel. That's what struck me most in Qaraqosh.

Finally, in Mosul, I stopped in front of the destroyed church, I had no words. [I] couldnt believe it . . . Couldnt believe it  Not only that church but also the other churches, even a mosque [was] destroyed. It probably did not go along with those people. Its hard to believe how cruel humans can be.

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)  Senate Bill 97 honors Indiana's rich history of successful popcorn production. The bill designates popcorn grown in Indiana as the official state snack.

Indiana and Nebraska are the top two leading states for popcorn production in the United States, according to Senate Bill 97.

According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, Indiana planted 94,000 acres of popcorn and harvested 93,000 acres and 2016.

That was an increase from 2015 where Indiana planted 85,000 acres and harvested 83,000 acres.

Two companies within the WLFI viewing area play an important role in Indianas successful popcorn production.

Were lucky to be in a great location to grow corn seed, said Jay Hulbert. Indiana is one of the premier hybrid corn seed production areas in the world.

Jay Hulbert is the President and CEO of Ag Alumni Seed, located in Romney.

Were an odd little business, said Hulbert. We are a not-for-profit affiliate of Purdue University and were Indians foundation seed company.

Hulbert is pleased with the Ag Alumni facility and what the operation is able to do for popcorn production.

Were a leading breeder, producer, and marketer or hybrid popcorn seed, said Hulbert. Weve come to specialize in hybrid popcorn seed, which has become over 90% of our business since about 1995

We breed new popcorn hybrids and we test them across the Corn Belt and in various international locations, said Hulbert. Then we produce seed and market it to popcorn companies.

Once the seed is marketed to popcorn companies, the companies create contracts with farmers to grow the popcorn.

In order to create the best hybrid, Ag Alumni is constantly testing the performance of each hybrid.

We typically develop and test several thousand new hybrids every year and then only a couple of those make it through to the marketplace, said Hulbert. Were always breeding popcorn hybrids with higher yields.

Ag Alumni Seed works closely with Gutwein Popcorn, located in Pulaski County.

Were a family business my dad started it in 1998, said the Gutwein Popcorn Plant Manager, Tyler Gutwein. We process and package popcorn.

Tyler says they have contracts with 13 growers. The growers are able to grow the popcorn for the Gutweins to use.

We supply the seed to them, which a portion of that comes from Ag alumni, said Tyler Once it's harvested, they bring it in here, we condition it, clean it and package it."

The Gutwein family also farms, where they're able to take part in growing popcorn on their farmland.

Tyler's brother, Lance, takes care of planting and harvesting.

"We farm three thousand acres. We usually have about 500 acres of beans and the rest is popcorn, said Lance.

Lance said the moisture for popcorn has to be just right.

You want the moisture to be a lot dryer than field corn, said Lance. You want to try to be around 14% or 15%.

After the popcorn is harvested, its not processed immediately. In order to get the moisture where they want it, the popcorn is stored in grain bins.

"It can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months to get it conditioned to the right moisture, said Tyler. "Once it's conditioned, we bring it into the plant and it runs through the cleaning equipment and then it can be packaged.

So new crop in the fall can take up to three months until it's ready to go, said Tyler.

I remember when we first started we were packaging two-pound bags of corn by hand and then selling it, said Tyler. To see where weve come now is really amazing.

Tyler said hes been happy with how much the business has continued to grow.

While looking ahead to the future, Tyler knows Gutwein Popcorn will continue to provide high-quality popcorn to customers.

"We would like to continue to grow, said Tyler. However, we don't want to lose sight of what we do here. We produce high-quality corn."

Each November, the USDA NASS conducts a survey in cooperation with Purdue University. The most recent survey indicates 2020 was a record year for popcorn production in Indiana.

The USDA NASS report indicates that Indiana planted 94,000 acres of popcorn in 2020, which is up from 75,000 acres planted in 2019.

At this time, Senate Bill 97 has passed the Senate. The bill has been referred to a committee in the house.
Just because indoor dining is available now in the Bay Area, you shouldn't necessarily do it yet  even if youre vaccinated, according to infectious disease experts.

Since the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are 95% effective, experts agree its unlikely a fully vaccinated person will get sick from indoor dining, but they caution it may not be worth the risk right now.

While one said the practice should be fine for younger vaccinated people, he warned that an older individual with pre-existing health conditions should be more careful. Another expert said indoor dining is currently unwise for anyone because theres still so much virus in the community  and more contagious variants are spreading. However, the situation could improve in a few weeks.

Without any official guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it becomes a personal decision.

It depends on who you are and what your risk tolerance is, said George Rutherford, a UCSF infectious disease expert.

The CDC released new guidelines Monday stating that vaccinated people can safely gather with other vaccinated people indoors without a mask, although the agency didnt address restaurants. There, the challenge is that its impossible to know whether workers or fellow diners have been fully vaccinated as well. Its still unknown whether a vaccinated person can carry the virus, potentially infecting other people despite not feeling sick.

Until we have an answer to that question with much more data, I think its prudent to assume its possible, said John Swartzberg, an infectious disease expert at UC Berkeley. A more transmissable strain is projected to become dominant by the end of March, which could lead to a superspreading event if many people in a restaurant arent vaccinated, he added.

For Rutherford, whether to dine inside depends on personal risk factors, such as age and pre-existing health conditions. Thats because the chances of getting sick when fully vaccinated are slim, but theyre not nonexistent.

Restaurant density matters a lot, too, he said. While San Francisco restaurants are required to operate at 25% capacity with tables spaced at least 6 feet apart, there isnt much enforcement of the rules unless diners report businesses to the health department. If two tables are right next to each other, that could put even a fully vaccinated person at risk, he said.

Since indoor dining isnt an essential activity, Stanford University infectious disease expert Robert Siegel recommends continuing with outdoor dining and takeout  or waiting until more of the population is also vaccinated.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Weve gotten to the point where we think red tier means safe. But look at the definition, he said. (Red tier means the virus spread is substantial.) If you want to be completely safe, you shouldnt take your mask off.

The coronavirus case counts are too high in California for Swartzberg to feel good about dining at a restaurant  the numbers are similar to last summers surge, a time when few considered indoor dining safe. While Swartzberg, who is fully vaccinated and in his 70s, feels confident he wont die from the coronavirus, he knows theres a small chance he could get sick  and hed rather not risk enduring a flulike case for a dining experience.

From a public health outlook, hes also concerned about multiple more-contagious variants that have already been detected in the state. He pointed to the CDCs recent study linking restaurant dining to surges in coronavirus cases, and he fears that there might be a fourth surge on its way. Ideally, people should hold off on indoor dining for another four to six weeks, he said.

Its like theres a storm off the coast of California, and we dont know if its going to come to land or not, he said. We keep playing this same record over and over again: We go through a surge, we become really careful with social distancing and masking, and low and behold the numbers drop. But each time after a surge, we loosen up too soon.

Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @janellebitker
Japan is reportedly considering a response to increased Chinese activity near the Tokyo-administered Senkaku islands, also known as the Diaoyu Islands in mainland China. According to reports, China has stepped up its presence near the disputed islands from twice a month last year to twice a week in 2021. This comes after China imposed a new law in February, giving its coast guards permission to open fire on foreign vessels that are deemed a threat to its sovereignty.

Read: EXPLAINER: What's Happened So Far At China's Annual Congress

Tokyo is alarmed

Latest reports suggest that Tokyo is alarmed by the increased Chinese activity in the East China Sea and is considering ramping up its military presence near the islands. Both China and Japan claim Senkaku islands as their own territory, with the Chinese military asserting its control by repeatedly entering the contested waters.

Read: China Tells Biden To Reverse 'dangerous Practice' On Taiwan

The concern in Japan has increased in the recent past, particularly because of Article 9 of the Japanese constitution that prevents the country's Self-Defence Forces (SDF) from engaging in violent responses to settle international disputes. The calls to amend the Article, and in some cases to entirely remove it, have intensified lately.

Read: Japan Plans To Monitor Chinas Increased Defence Spending, Calls For Transparency

A Japanese official said the Self-Defence Forces can use weapons as law enforcement if Chinese coast guards keep entering Tokyo's territorial waters, news agency ANI cited SCMP as saying. However, it is unlikely that Japan will use force to tackle the dispute with China as it is already in contact with the United States, Britain, and Canada to discuss a diplomatic response.

Read: Japan Contemplating Response Over China's New Coast Guard Law

Japan is not the only country concerned by Chinas new coast guard law. Several countries, including Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines have disputes with China in the South China Sea and are concerned about misuse of the law by the Chinese authorities to assert its dominance in the region.

(With inputs from ANI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday said there was 'something fishy' about the Centre transferring the probe in case of explosives-laden car found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Earlier today, the Union Home Ministry had handed over the investigation in the mater to NIA. The case was being investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) earlier.

"If Centre is planning on taking over the case, there is something fishy about it. We are also investigating another matter, that of the suicide of MP Mohan Delkar. The opposition has no guts to speak about it as they know who calls the shots in union territories," India Today quoted Thackeray as saying.

Delkar, a seven-time Member of Parliament (MP) from the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli was found dead in a Mumbai hotel on February 22. He had allegedly died by suicide.

Also read: Lok Sabha MP Mohan Delkar found dead in Mumbai hotel

"You all know that ATS was probing the case. Agencies are not someone's property. Governments change but the system doesn't. One needs to believe in the system," Thackeray added.

On February 25, an abandoned Scorpio car with 20 gelatin sticks inside it was found near 'Antilia', the residence of Ambani in south Mumbai. As per the police probe, the vehicle was stolen from Airoli-Mukund Bridge on February 18.

"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," a letter found inside the car read.

Last week, the vehicle's owner, Mansukh Hiren, was found dead in a creek in Thane. Hiren's wife had expressed suspicion that her husband may have been murdered.

Two days after his body was found in the creek, the Maharashtra ATS had registered a case of murder against unidentified persons.

Also read: Ambani bomb scare: NIA to probe case of vehicle laden with explosives

Also read: 'Yeh sirf trailer hai': Letter found with explosives outside Mukesh Ambani house
3 1 of 3 Sergio Flores / Bloomberg Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Kin Man Hui, Staff / San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less 3 of 3





The Permian Basin Coalition released a statement Thursday saying that Rep. Brooks Landgrafs bill to ban the storage of high-level nuclear waste in Texas does not go far enough in seeking to keep nuclear waste out of the state.

Landgrafs bill would ban the storage and disposal of high-level nuclear waste away from civilian nuclear power plants or university research reactors in Texas. A proposal from Waste Control Specialists to expand their existing nuclear waste site in Andrews County to store high-level waste would be impacted by the bill.
Kanpur : , March 8 (IANS) The body of an assistant company commander (Home Guard) who had gone missing from Malasa area, has been found in the jungles of Vijayipur in the Musanagar area here.

The body was located on Sunday, said police.

The police reached the spot after the body was spotted by the locals and have sent it for autopsy to ascertain the cause of death.

According to police, the deceased Ram Chandra Verma, 54, a native of the Girdaun village and an assistant company commander, had gone missing after he left home to visit a relative on a bike on March 3.

"He did not return home and when his family members found his mobile phone to be constantly switched off, they lodged a missing report with the Bhognipur Kotwali police station", said Inspector Musanagar, Deepak Singh.

Singh said, "During the preliminary round of investigations, we recovered the deceased's bike from the house of his friend-Chetram, who lives in the Deengh village of the district. His family members have accused Verma's three friends of murdering him." The inspector further said: "Though his forensic report is yet to come, our preliminary investigation indicates that Verma died of injuries. We are investigating the case, based on his call record history to find out whom he had last spoken to." Verma is survived by his wife and a son.
On Chinese social media, users remain hooked on news about the Nanjing hit-and-run stabbings, as well as a leading scientists predictions that 80% of the population will be vaccinated by year-end

Jun 01, 2021 06:52 PM
Rebranding

8 March 2021

Smart Suites: Smart Suites positions guests at the heart of Vermont's South Burlington, just a 30 minute drive to the famed Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory - and a short drive from the Lake Champlin waterfront, University of Vermont, newly redesigned Kwiniaska Golf Course and family-friendly ski resorts. In addition to spacious, all-suite style guestrooms, the hotel features daily complimentary breakfast, a fitness center and sundeck.
On Chinese social media, users remain hooked on news about the Nanjing hit-and-run stabbings, as well as a leading scientists predictions that 80% of the population will be vaccinated by year-end

Jun 01, 2021 06:52 PM
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.
SAWS saves the day

As I was dreading the thought of opening my next water bill, I read that in light of the horrific week of freezing weather we endured, on our next statement, the San Antonio Water System will charge us the lower of either our January or February bill.

Thank you, SAWS! We needed one kind thing!

Carol Christians Rice

And so do neighbors

The recent snowstorms were not exactly a winter wonderland because of the hardships we had to endure with no electricity and water.

Fortunately, this burden was minimized for me and my family thanks to the kindness of several neighbors: One brought us 2 gallons of drinking water, and another one walked through the snow to bring us two buckets of water he got from another neighbors swimming pool, so we could flush the toilets. On trash day, when there was still snow on the ground, a neighbor across the street offered to take it out. After water was restored, her son checked my outdoor faucets to make sure they were working fine.

I will forever be grateful to these friends and neighbors who braved the cold to help us.

Dora Luz Ruvalcaba

Warming up to feds

Isnt it funny that Texas, which failed its residents because it didnt want federal interference with the regulation of its energy, now wants federal help and will get it from a compassionate, caring president?

Nancy Powlas

The snowy day fund?

Whats the rainy day fund for?

Why couldnt we use it for the deep freeze power failure?

We couldnt use it for schools and couldnt use it for Hurricane Harvey.

Whats it for?

Linda Richter

Lege should buck up

Re: May this winter storm thaw our conscience, Cary Clack, Other Views, Sunday:

Is this the Shakespearean winter of our discontent when a shivering, waterless Lone Star State was caught with its pantalones down and its derriere fully exposed for the world to see? Some will find it humorous and others unacceptable, as columnist Cary Clack points out: People shouldnt live like this.

The poorly legislated cowboy climate rodeos in Austin must be regulated, checked and balanced for the sake of everyone.

And Texas: Lets pull up our pants and cowboy up.

Jesse L. Howell

Ready for the thaw

Husband: Guess what I just saw?

Me: A trickle of water?

Husband: No, even better  the newspaper!

Jacquie Green

Print radical rhetoric

Re: Radicals seen as challenge for GIs leaders, front page, Feb. 7; 12 Guard members called security liabilities, Nation, Jan. 20:

These items report that National Guard members were removed from securing President Joe Bidens inauguration after vetting by the FBI found they had made extremist or inappropriate statements and texts. It was reported also that a Military Times poll found numerous incidents of white nationalism, but the magazine did not define white nationalist.

The public should be informed of the statements and views that were deemed to be extremist and inappropriate, and the definitions by which those assessments were made. People need to be able to identify threats to the government and be aware of whether their own beliefs are considered to be extreme. In George Orwells 1984, the people were forbidden to have heretical tendencies, but only the Thought Police knew specifically what they were.

Bob Barton, Kerrville

Credible news exists

Re: What conservatives can do about the media, Other Views, Feb. 13:

Kudos to Marc Whyte for pointing out the lack of objectivity in the mainstream media and the excessive power that Big Tech has in shaping our political narratives.

Does he really think conservatives  or liberals for that matter  want platforms where all sides of an argument are welcomed? Sadly, objectivity is no longer profitable. If you want objective reporting, support your local newspaper and work toward publicly funded news sources.

Brian King

Add context to Alamo

Re: Professor wants the full story of Alamo to be told, Metro, Tuesday:

I agree with Trinity University history professor Carey Latimore about acknowledging slavery in Texas history. Interesting to note is that Stephen F. Austin wrote a letter to Rafael Gonzales, governor of Coahuila and Texas, imploring him that slavery was a matter of great importance.

To quote An Empire for Slavery by Randolph B. Campbell: (Austin) wrote that without slavery, Texas couldnt attract the people to make sugar and cotton plantations and instead be populated by shepherds and the poor.

Rafael Castillo

Taylor is a staple

I must tell you that Michael Taylor is the gem of your newspaper. His columns are always different, but very interesting and always concerning finances.

He is always last in S.A. Inc. I dont know if that is a place of honor or not. I always read his column and not all the others.

Treat him nicely; he is a valuable part of your publication.

Ed Dylla
Candice Swanepoel was featured in a set of promotional photos posted to the Instagram account of her swimwear brand, Tropic Of C, on Monday morning.

The former Victoria's Secret model's sizzling beach body was on full view in both of the photos, which were shot at a breathtaking tropical location.

The fashion industry figure appeared to be making the most of the sunny weather as she posed next to a palm tree while showing off two of her company's products.

Scenic views: Candice Swanepoel was featured in a duo of promotional photos posted to the Instagram account of her swimwear brand Tropic Of C on Monday morning

Swanepoel wore Tropic Of C's Praia top and bottom in mystic pink; both articles of clothing served to emphasize her jaw-dropping figure.

The 32-year-old supermodel accessorized with a long necklace and a single anklet in all of the shots.

Her gorgeous blonde hair contrasted with her outfit's vibrant shade and flowed freely in the coastal breeze.

Swanepoel first launched Tropic Of C in January of 2018 with the intention of creating swimwear with environmentally friendly materials.

Doing it right: All of Tropic Of C's products are constructed with recycled materials and packaged in biodegradable containers

Looking good! The supermodel was pictured wearing the brand's Praia top and bottom; the swimwear's color contrasted well with her flowing blonde hair

The swimwear company's products are mainly constructed with a regenerated nylon fiber made from various recycled materials.

As opposed to using a screen printing process, Swanepoel's brand digitally prints its textiles, which reduces water and electricity consumption.

The supermodel also ensured that Tropic Of C's packaging was made with biodegradable materials to keep every aspect of the company environmentally friendly.

In addition to focusing on her line's physical aspects, the runway regular is often featured in her brand's promotional photos.

Putting in work: In addition to focusing on her line's physical aspects, the runway regular is often featured in her brand's promotional photos

Over the length of her career, the fashion industry icon has been featured in international versions of publications such as Elle, Harper's Bazaar and GQ, among others.

She has also walked the runway for numerous brands, including Chanel and Fendi.

In 2010, Swanepoel was named a Victoria's Secret Angel and was later featured on the cover of the lingerie brand's annual Swim Catalog.

The supermodel's last appearance for the line came in 2018 when she walked in the company's annual Fashion Show.

Apart from her modeling work, the designer shares two sons with her former partner Hermann Nicoli, whom she was romantically involved with from 2005 until 2018.
New Delhi, March 8 : One striking feature of the farm protests running for over 100 days now, is the mammoth participation of women in it.

Women on frontline of these protest are not perhaps leading but they are walking shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. Their role of being facilitators is undeniably crucial in the agitation which has turned into a movement against the three contentious laws passed by the Centre.

Though at a first glance, their participation may not appear as a distinctive feature of this protest. However, if one considers the socio-economic background of the women agitators, who largely did not go to school, have no formal education, are homemakers and live in a patriarchal set-up, it will reveal how difficult it must have been for them to shed off there homely persona and don the garb of revolutionaries.

"We work on the backstage... for this protest. From cooking meals to cleaning up the area, we do everything," said 41-year-old Gursharan kaur from Hoshiyarpur, Punjab.

"Apart from that, we also support our men during demonstrations," she added.

Gursharan lives in village and is present at Singhu border protest site for nearly 90 days. She joined her husband at the site a few days after the agitation started.

Gursharan has two teenage children who are at home. When asked how they have been managing, she said: "Their parents are fighting for their future. The least they can do is look after themselves." "We are homemakers. It doesn't suit a housewife to agitate on streets, but what to do? These farm laws will destroy our future and it is responsibility of every single person to fight for the future, irrespective of gender," said 35-year-old Baljeet Kaur from Amritsar, Punjab.

She is present at Singhu along with her husband and in-laws for over three months.

"Je aj awaz nai uthai te saada bhavikh (future) nai bachna...agli peedi saanu buzdil/kayar kahegi. (Our future will cease to exist if we don't raise our voice now, and future generations would call us cowards)," Baljeet added.

For 55-year-old Shanti Dhillon from Mahendragarh, Haryana, it has been 60 days at the protest site. She informed that more than half of the women of her village have joined their families here at Singhu.

"It's good. The atmosphere is vibrant here," Dhillon said when asked how does she feel about the place.

"We now treat this border as our home and the people out here as our community. We do the same house chores that we used to do back at our homes. Cleaning, cooking and washing," she added.

"If the government thinks that it will make us tired then I want to clarify. We will not go back till the black laws are scrapped. We are totally determined and convinced with it," Dhillon said in a confident tone "Look at it this way. Our fooding and lodging is supported by the community here. So basically, we are saving our expenses on food and electricity. If the strategy of the government is to prolong the agitation and exhaust our spirits, then they are on wrong track," she remarked.

Women's presence on the frontline has ensured a massive impact on those who chose to stay back. "Now remaining women of my village are willing to join us here," Gursharan said adding that this (protest) is their struggle to ensure sustainable future of farming for the generations to come.

Speaking of struggle when asked how they would deal the scorching summer heat of Delhi if the protest continues, Preetinder from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Punjab, remarked: "Saanu garmi nai lagdi..kisaana de bache haan...assi tan 50 degree vich vi Bhangra paunde ne! (We are children of farmers, the summer sun don't affect us. We can even do Bhangra at 50 degrees Celsius)".

"Do you see even a drop of sweat on our foreheads despite wearing full-length clothes? Now look at yourself," Dhillon teased this reporter's pointing towards his sweat-drenched face.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
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One of the investigators who questioned the killers of two-year-old James Bulger has recalled his chilling encounter with Robert Thompson, 10, who tried his best to outwit police during interviews.

Phil Roberts was the detective sergeant who arrested and questioned Robert Thompson after the abduction and murder of James Bulger, two, in Walton Liverpool on Friday 12 1993.

James was taken away from his mother during a shopping trip at the New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle and led out of the centre by Thompson and Venables to the Walton train tracks where his mutilated body was found badly beaten two days later.

Recalling the investigation in Channel 5's two-part documentary Lost Boy: The Killing of James Bulger, airing on Wednesday and Thursday at 9pm, Roberts said he found Thompson to be 'street smart' and 'clever,' and said the ten-year-old was 'trying very, very hard to con me.'

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Robert Thompson was charged on February 20 1993 for the abduction and murder of James Bulger, two, and were found guilty on all counts, and senteced to eight years in secured children homes. They were released and given new identities in 2001

Phil Roberts, pictured, was the detective sergeant who interviewed Robert Thompson in relation to the murder of James Bulger on February 12 1993 in Walton, near Liverpool. He talked of Thompson and the case in Channel 5's Lost Boy: The Killing of James Bulger, airing Wednesday and Thursday on Channel 5

Denise, pictured, said she would 'never let go' after James' murder, and said 'it is my son that he took,' speaking of Jon Venables, who is currently in prison relating to child pornography charges

'He was quite confident in him self, was street-wise, he thought he was quite clever,' Roberts recounted. 'But he wasnt really showing any anxiety...all he was waiting for was to go home.

'I don't think he recognised the fact that what he'd done was that bad,' he added.

'I don't know how he was doing at school, but he was switched on and he was trying to con me, trying very hard,' he added.

Fellow detective Laurie Dalton said Thompson was 'calculating' and trying to manipulate the investigators and 'would cry whenever there would be an awkward situation,' to deflect blame.

James Bulger, two, was taken away from his mother Denise Fergus during a shopping trip at the New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle on February 12 1993. His mutilated body was found two days later on rail tracks in Walton

'When I say "cried," there was not a drop of water, there was not a tear.'

In the documentary, Jim Fitzsimmons, who was investigating alongside Roberts and arrested Venables, said he got a call from Roberts after the arrest of Thompson.

'He said "Jim, these are little children. I can't consider that they'd do something like this",' Fitzsimmons said.

In the documentary, Roberts explained: 'I couldn't believe a ten-year-old could cause so much suffering.'

Both Venables and Thompson first denied ever being at the Stand Shopping Centre, but their lies soon unravelled after fingerprints put them at the scene.

Venables and Thompson first denied ever been at the New Strand shopping centre. But Thompson soon admitted being there and seeing James, pictured, with his mother

Jon Venables was the one to eventually admit to police that he'd killed James

The documentary will feature police interviews where the two ten-year-olds were heard blatantly lying about their whereabouts and denying ever having 'taken a kid.'

Jon Venables denied ever being at the Strand, and told his mother and investigators it was 'God's honest truth' he had been nowhere near the shopping centre.

However, Thompson had admitted to being at the Strand with Venables, and the police used this information to force Venables into telling them the truth.

In the interview recording, the ten-year-old admitted he was at the shopping centre, but cried: 'We never took a kid.'

In the recordings, Thompson is heard crying: 'I'm gonna take all the blame,' and saying 'You said I took him' to Robert, in order to make it sound as though it was his friend who had said he'd taken James' hand to lead him away from his mother.

Meanwhile, Venables, who was interviewed separately from Thompson in another prison, three miles away, admitted: 'I killed the baby,' after the police asked his mother to talk to him.

Thompson tried to manipulate the investigators, who said he was 'calculating' and would pretend to cry 'without a tear' (James as a toddle, before his murder)

While Venables made this confession, he then moved on to claim Thompson was responsible for most the harm that had come to James, two, and never again admitted he was responsible for the toddler's murder.

In a chilling extract, Venables can be heard imitating James' voice as he told the investigators that the toddler had said 'I want my mum.'

Thompson and Venables were 11 when they faced a 17-day trial at Preston Crown Court in November 1993, and were the youngest murder defendants in the UK in over 100 years.

They were sentenced to eight years and served seven years eight months, so that they wouldn't go on to serve time in an adult prison. They were given new identities at the taxpayers' expense on their release in 2001.

While Venables has been recalled to prison several times, Thompson has not re-offended and in 2006, the DailyMail and Mail on Sunday revealed he had come out as gay, aged 23, and had been granted permission to live with his same-sex lover, after telling his partner about his criminal past

Denise Fergus, James's mother, said she felt Venables and Thompson had not really been punished for their crimes (pictured: James before the murder)

James playing at home before the murder. Denise said Venables and Thompson shouldn't have been able to get away with murder

James' mother Denise, who now has three son, Michael, 27, Thomas, 22 and Leon, 21, said in the documentary she felt like Venables and Thompson hadn't really been punished for their crimes because they had not spent any time in an adult prison facility, and were only sent to secured children's home for the murder.

Denise said the seven and eight months sentence was 'not only a kick in the teeth but a stab in the back.'

'I thought "James's life didn't mean anything, then",' she said.

'I wanted them to spend a long time in an adult prison,' she added. 'You can't get away with murder. That's someone's child that they've taken and they can't get away with it.'

The mother-of-three said she had also been scared by the fact Thompson and Venables' identity had been changed, and that their pictures had not been released to the public.

'I got a lot of nieces that go into town. One of them could be chatted up by him,' she said in the documentary, revealing she had had to discuss it with her nieces.

'For everyone who says I should let it, well why should I let it go? It was my son that he took. I'm never going to let this go,' she concluded.

Lost Boy: The Killing of James Bulger airs on Wednesday and Thursday at 9pm on Channel 5.
New Delhi: In honour of International Women's Day 2021, Google Doodle has released a small 41 seconds video animation to celebrate the same. In the video, we do not see women's faces but their hands that slowly but steadily have paved a way for a brighter future for generations of women to come.

"Doodle takes a journey through a series of firsts in womens historyhighlighting female pioneers who have challenged the status quo and paved the way in education, civil rights, science, art, and so much more," read the statement by Google Doodle.

The statement further read, " Doodle celebrates the women around the world who overcame the obstacles of their time to create a lasting legacy. These firsts stand on the shoulders of countless otherswomen who laid the foundation, in the past, for todays doors to be finally opened and glass ceilings broken. In honor of the trailblazers of the past, present, and futureHappy International Womens Day!"

This year's Google Doodle was designed by Helene Leroux. The theme for this year's women's day is 'Choose to Challenge'.
- Key CAD winners and losers on exchange rate markets:

- CAD/TRY = 6.10269 (+2.56%)

- CAD/EUR = 0.66609 (+0.35%)

- CAD/GBP = 0.57154 (+0%)

- CAD/USD = 0.78923 (-0.3%)

Foreign exchange analysts at MUFG maintain a positive stance on the Canadian dollar with support from stronger fundamentals including a boost to exports from strong US demand.

The higher price of oil and favourable yield spread developments continue to favour a stronger CAD.

MUFG expects that the US dollar will weaken again later in 2021, but it recommends buying the Canadian dollar against the Euro.

It recommends selling the Euro to Canadian Dollar (EUR/CAD) exchange rate with a target of 1.4600 and stop-loss of 1.5400.

The bank notes that the latest Canadian trade data was much stronger than expected with a trade surplus of C$1.4bn for January as exports increased strongly for the month. The surplus overall hit 6-year highs.

There was a further widening in the Canadian trade surplus with the US.

MUFG notes; Merchandise exports to the US jumped by 11.3% in January, and lifted the trade surplus with the US to the widest level since October 2008.

The bank also expects that the US $1.9trn fiscal stimulus will provide a further lift for US demand and also, therefore, boost Canadian exports to the US.

Bank of Canada set to upgrade expectations

The Bank of Canada (BoC) will announce its latest policy decision on Wednesday. Given a stronger economic rebound, MUFG expects that the BoC will upgrade its economic assessment at this Wednesdays policy meeting.

It is encouraging expectations that the BoC will eventually bring forward plans to tighten policy.

This meeting will not include a new Monetary Policy Report and any announcement of policy tapering is likely at the April 21st policy meeting and a bullish assessment this week would reinforce expectations that bond purchases will be curtailed.

Oil prices make further gains

The Canadian dollar (CAD) exchange rates remain sensitive to changes in oil prices given the importance of crude exports. If oil strengthens, the Canadian dollar tends to strengthen.

Oil prices strengthened further overnight with global benchmarks hitting 28-month highs and Brent peaking at $71.35 p/b.

As well as expectations of stronger demand, oil prices were support by a drone attack on the Saudi Arabian Ras Tanura export terminal. Ras Tanura is the worlds largest oil terminal, capable of exporting roughly 6.5 million barrels p/d and any disruptions to exports would put upward pressure on prices.

MUFG notes; The developments are supportive for our oil analysts forecasts for the price of Brent to rise towards USD77/barrel in Q2.

After overnight gains, oil prices did retreat ahead of the New York open with Brent at $69.60 p/b.

According to the bank, the main risk to the trade idea is that higher global bond yields trigger an even deeper correction in risk assets which would tend to undermine the Canadian dollar.
As Secretary General at the Department of Defence, Jacqui McCrum is familiar with the suffering caused by Covid-19, after her daughter Freya (23) was struck down by the virus at Christmas.

It was incredibly stressful. She was struggling to breathe, so there were two days and nights where I didnt sleep, she says. So I know exactly what people are going through with it.

The first woman ever to be appointed to the role of Secretary General of the Department of Defence last year, she had to hit the ground running. Appointed at the end of August when we were all told to remain in our counties, she says the environment has made it a challenge to get around to the various barracks to build up relationships.

But she has been proud to see all the team pulling together to aid the health system. The Defence Forces has been involved in vaccinations and swabbing, the delivery of the vaccine itself by the Air Corps and the involvement of the naval service from the outset.

Asked about the rumoured cold war between the civil service and the defence forces, Ms McCrum speaks of wanting to bust the myths.

A lot of people on the sidelines have views that are historic and dont reflect the current working environment, she says.

In my view, we have a healthy, professional relationship and given that we have policy on one side and operations on the other, you have a tension between the two that should be healthy as we all focus on the objective of working on defence being better.

The most senior-serving female member of the Defence Forces is Brigadier General Maureen OBrien, currently serving in The Golan, and with 14 overseas missions to her name.

A native of Galway city, she took up the position of Deputy Force Commander with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria in 2019 and has served as acting Force Commander for 10 months of her deployment. She will shortly return home.

It gave me great pride to see how we, as a small mission, rose to the challenge presented by the global pandemic, she said, adding that soldiers and civilians worked together tirelessly.

Meanwhile, with 17 years service in the Defence Forces, Combat Medical Technician Sgt Gemma OConnor hails from Cork city. Her sporting accolades include nine senior All-Ireland camogie titles.

However, this past year has been all about Covid, starting with testing in the nursing homes  a situation that has been very difficult.

They are elderly, sick and some are distressed. Youre doing your best to calm them but its all very new for people not familiar with working in that environment. But it was a good experience, said Sgt OConnor.

Another first for the Defence Forces came with the appointment of Colonel Mairead Murphy as director of the Defence Forces Medical Branch in September 2019. By the following January she was watching the news intently, as reports of a novel virus in China emerged.

She linked in with international military colleagues in Europe and the US to see how they were coping.

I suppose it was stressful. Everybody was working hard in the Defence Forces, they were long days  driving into work early morning and you wouldnt be leaving until the late evening.

The most challenging part of the pandemic for Col Murphy proved to be when her husband was posted to Lebanon for six months last June. With three children in their teens and early 20s now studying from home, life changed for their family. But theyre great  everybody adapted, she said.

Wanting to know exactly the challenges her colleagues were facing, Col Murphy trained up to take part in swabbing at a nursing home.

Because it was a medical task that was very hands-on, you felt you were really doing something worthwhile, she said. Going to the nursing homes was very difficult for everybody. A terrible time.

Col Murphy personally vaccinated people in a Dublin care-home facility.

It was very rewarding because they were an older cohort confined by Covid, she said.

For them, the vaccination was a freedom to move. One lady told me her partner was in another ward and she hadnt been able to see him.

It was emotional. It was very heartwarming, she said, adding that there is a real positivity about these tasks.

But it has been exhausting for everybody, she acknowledged.
Last week saw Paratus Namibia announce the signing of its first fibre Open Access agreement, onboarding Africa Online as a client.

But this is only the start. Paratus, a full-service network spanning the African continent and connecting customers internationally, says that this is the first of many deals in which Paratus will share its infrastructure with licensed operators in delivering fibre connections to the broader business and domestic market in Namibia.

It suggests that by removing the main barrier to enter the market, what it calls its Open Access service allows multiple operators to share the same fibre infrastructure and deliver services to their respective customers without the need to duplicate the costly development of that infrastructure.

Paratus Namibia claims it is effectively disrupting the network services industry with this move by enabling fair competition and affordability to customers and users. It is also, it says, giving the economy a boost as Open Access opens economic opportunities for licensed operators to benefit from connecting to a growing fibre network.

In fact the bulk of Paratus Namibias investment has been in fibre infrastructure (currently running at around N$150-million  or $9.7 million  annually) as the operator sees this as the best solution for today and the foreseeable future.

Paratus adds that Africa Online is expected to be the first of many in the pipeline to sign up to Paratus Namibias Open Access service.
Swiss Re has entered into a strategic partnership with ICEYE, a commercial satellite operator and satellite-based flood monitoring provider.

Building on ICEYEs innovative technology, the partnership will advance flood risk management, assist disaster response and speed up claims payments globally  thereby addressing insurers pain points, said Swiss Re.

The partnership will advance Swiss Res natural-catastrophe services by enabling early warning systems and near real-time flood monitoring built on ICEYEs flood monitoring capabilities with radar satellite imaging.

ICEYEs unique radar satellite constellation, high resolution imaging capabilities, and rapid response analysis fuels ICEYEs monitoring solution, which offers global coverage for Swiss Re to track and react faster to floods around the globe.

The strategic partnership will initially focus on floods but is intended to expand to other perils, such as wildfires, wind and earthquake damage.

Flooding has been consistently one of the globes most recurrent and costly natural catastrophes, said Swiss Re. Indeed, modeling floods has proven particularly challenging in locations with fine-scale changes in elevation, complex terrains and man-made structures as is typical for dense urban centers.

The partnership aims to address those areas where most of flood modeling today falls short, said the reinsurer.

Swiss Re will gain access to ICEYEs data on flood events on a global basis, high accuracy observation-based flood maps, snapshots of the developments of individual floods, and water depth estimations within 24 hours for these events. Swiss Re will make footprint assessments of the events available on CatNet Premium  its proprietary geo risk platform  thereby enabling faster loss assessment and payouts for clients.

Pranav Pasricha, Swiss Res global head of P&C Solutions, said: Were very pleased to announce the strategic partnership with ICEYE. By combining Swiss Res risk knowledge with ICEYEs data, we will be able to further expand our capabilities in geo and remote sensing. The partnership will enable us to develop solutions, advance our services to the benefit of our clients and enable faster claims payouts. We see this as an important commitment for a serious natural catastrophe threat and think it could become a real game changer.

Swiss Re has challenged ICEYE to create a transformative flood monitoring capability for the insurance industry, and they have helped us create it. We look forward to partnering with Swiss Re to give Swiss Re and their clients a competitive advantage in the market, commented Charles Blanchet, vice president Solutions, ICEYE, which is headquartered in Espoo, Finland.

Source: Swiss Re

Top photograph: An artists depiction of an ICEYE SAR microsatellite, credited to ICEYE.

Topics Mergers Flood Swiss Re
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[March 08, 2021] ConnectALL Funds Scholarship for Students in STEM to Honor Female Technology Pioneer Betty Knight

ATLANTA, March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ConnectALL, a leading provider of value stream management (VSM) solutions, today announced it will be funding a scholarship to the University of North Georgia (UNG) in honor of technology pioneer Elizabeth (Betty) Knight. The Betty Knight  ConnectALL Technology Scholarship is designed for students who wish to study a technology-related discipline and plan to enter a technology field. UNG, which is designated as a State Leadership Institution, offers a STEM program that includes degree programs in Computer Science, Cybersecurity and Mathematics.

My grandmother was an amazing woman in her own right, but her successes in the technology industry were truly extraordinary for a woman at that time, said ConnectALL President and COO Lance Knight. I place her in a very small group of female technology pioneers that include Ada Lovelace and Katherine Johnson, and I am honored to provide an incentive for others to follow in her footsteps. The Betty Knight Legacy Betty Knight entered the IT field later in life, beginning with a personnel job at the GE Light Military Electronics Division (LMED) in Utica, New York. Knight took the IBM Programmers Aptitude Test (PAT) as a control and aced it, kick-starting a career that spanned nearly three decades. During that period, her achievements included designing an early timesharing network architecture, starting an online Seniors Forum that became the AARP, and creating and managing a version of Microsoft MSN Online designed specifically for senior adults. Whie encouraging women to enter technology fields, Knight had been seeking a way to honor Betty when it occurred to him to start a scholarship program. We hope this financial assistance will provide aspiring technology pros with the support they need to move forward in the field, said Knight. We also hope our efforts will inspire women  to enter a technology-related profession. International Womens Day seems like the perfect time to make this award public.



The Mike Cottrell College of Business at the University of North Georgia understands the importance of opening doors for women into the fast-growing, high paying careers in computer science, cybersecurity and information systems, said Dr. Mary Gowan, Dean of the Mike Cottrell College of Business. One of our goals is to increase the number of women in the talent pool for technology jobs, and we are doing that through our commitment to include middle school and high school young women in our GenCyber summer programs, through creating networking opportunities for women students with technology professionals, and through offering scholarships to support students in these disciplines. We appreciate that ConnectALL is lending a hand with our efforts. This meritorious scholarship will be awarded to a student in the Mike Cottrell College of Business who is studying Computer Science, Information Systems or Cybersecurity at UNG. The winner will be determined by a committee with preference given to a student who has exhibited a passion for technology since high school, is excelling in extracurricular competitions, and/or mentoring others in the field.

ABOUT CONNECTALL ConnectALL is a value stream management company dedicated to helping customers achieve higher levels of agility, traceability, predictability and velocity. ConnectALLs services and solutions help organizations to connect people, processes and technology across the software development and delivery value stream, enabling companies to align digital initiatives to business outcomes and improve the speed at which they deliver software. ConnectALLs value stream management solutions and services allow companies to see, measure and automate their software delivery value streams. ConnectALL has been recognized as Best in Show in the Value Stream Management category of the 2020 SD Times 100 and recognized by numerous third-party analyst firms as a key player in value stream management. Visit us at https://www.connectall.com.

Media Contact: Malinda Lackey Michael Mackenzie Communications malindal@michaelmackenzie.com 404.445.1842

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NCT (Amendment) Bill giving more power to L-G in Delhi gets Rajya Sabha nod

BJP tally in Rajya Sabha likely to go up by 1 next year

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 1 pm as Congress corners govt over fuel price hike

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Mar 08: Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned again till 1 pm on Monday amid uproar by Opposition members seeking a discussion on the issue of frequent increase in fuel prices.

Minutes after the House met at 11 am after the first adjournment, Congress members again demanded the discussion on rising fuel prices in the country.

Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge sought a discussion on the matter.

He said it was important to discuss the matter as people were suffering due to the frequent increase in fuel prices.

Kharge said the legislative business could be taken up later.

However, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh did not allow the discussion as he noted that the decision of the Chairman cannot be reopened.

Earlier Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had not allowed the discussion, saying the issue can be debated later.

As the Chair decided to continue with the legislative business, Opposition members started shouting slogans forcing the Deputy Chairman to adjourn the House till 1 pm.

The second part of the Budget session of Parliament began on Monday and is scheduled to conclude on April 8.

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue of sharp rise in prices of petrol, diesel and LPG in Rajya Sabha on Monday, and demanded that the Upper House discuss this "burning subject" as people are suffering.

Kharge gave a notice under Section 267 to suspend the legislative business of the House and discuss the issue of rise in prices of petroleum products.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu did not accept the notice, and said the matter can be raised during the discussion on the appropriation bill. He said enough opportunities will be there to discuss this issue during this part of the Budget session.

However, Naidu allowed the Leader of Opposition to mention the issue in the House.

"This is very important issue and it is a burning subject. Throughout the country, people are agitated," Kharge said.

The senior Congress leader said petrol prices have touched nearly Rs 100 a litre while diesel rates are more than Rs 80 per litre and LPG prices have also increased.

Muthoot Finance shares drop as chairman falls to death | Oneindia News

Kharge said the government has collected Rs 21 lakh crore by putting excise duty and cess on petroleum products.

He said farmers and people are suffering because of rise in prices.

Kharge pressed for holding a discussion on this issue, but the Chairman did not allow.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 12:36 [IST]
Feature Article

Los Alamos National Laboratory moves 500 employees to Santa Fe

DOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory

LOS ALAMOS, N.M., March 8, 2021--Los Alamos National Laboratory is strengthening its presence in Santa Fe with the signing of a 10-year-lease of two adjacent office properties totaling 77,856 square feet of space at the corner of Pacheco Street and St. Michael's Drive. The new location offers meeting rooms, permanent offices, and co-working space for roughly 500 employees in the Laboratory's administrative services sectors, including human resources, procurement, finance, and information technology. No hazardous work will be carried out there.

"This is the largest job-relocation initiative in Santa Fe's history. The Lab

The Laboratory plans to move 500 employees to two buildings on Pacheco Street in fall, 2021. The job relocation is the largest in Santa Fe history

Laboratory employees are those of nonprofit Triad National Security, the Laboratory's management contractor. The relocation project makes the Laboratory one of the five largest, non-public-sector employers in Santa Fe.

"Having two major office buildings fully occupied promises to strengthen the Santa Fe economy and anchor the St. Michael's commercial corridor," said Bridget Dixson, president and CEO of the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce. "The Chamber is pleased to welcome the Laboratory to the business community."

The Pacheco Street buildings offer meeting rooms, permanent offices, and co-working space for roughly 500 employees in the Laboratory's administrative services sectors, including human resources, procurement, finance, and information technology.

Employees who will be working at the Pacheco Street offices are existing employees, not new hires. However, the Laboratory expects to hire 1,200 new employees in FY 2021, as it did last year to meet increased mission workload. In FY 2020, 70 percent of its 1,000 new hires were New Mexico residents.

Today's announcement comes on the heels of an earlier one about a downtown space at the corner of N. Guadalupe and W. Alameda, which will be a hub for educational partnerships, workforce development initiatives, media relations, government affairs, and technology transfer. The Guadalupe office will be occupied when COVID-19 regulations are lifted. The Pacheco Street complex is expected to be in use in fall 2021. Both of these leases help the Laboratory meet an immediate need, recognizing that additional is still needed.

As announced last month, the Laboratory is also leasing a 28,000-square-foot building on N. Guadalupe Street. It will be a hub for educational partnerships, workforce development, media relations, government affairs, and technology transfer and includes the Dorothy McKibbin Conference Center. The office will be occupied by approximately 75 employees once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

"Two new offices in two different Santa Fe neighborhoods will diversify our city's economy and is a natural fit," said David Fresquez, president of the Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Even with the new buildings in Santa Fe, the vast majority of the Laboratory's 12,000+ employees will still work in Los Alamos County.

About Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is managed by Triad, a public service oriented, national security science organization equally owned by its three founding members: Battelle Memorial Institute (Battelle), the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), and the Regents of the University of California (UC) for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.
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Beijing, March 8 : Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi said that Beijing is ready to work with the US to bring bilateral relations back on the right track.

Making the remarks at a press conference on Sunday, Wang said the two sides should follow through on the outcomes of the phone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart President Joe Biden on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year last month, and set bilateral relations on a new path of healthy and steady growth, Xinhua news agency reported.

As two countries with different social systems, China and the US naturally have differences and disagreements, the Foreign Minister said.

"What matters most is to manage them effectively through candid communication to prevent strategic miscalculation and avoid conflict and confrontation," he said.

It is not surprising that there is competition between China and the US as their interests are intertwined, but the two sides should have healthy competition on the basis of fairness and equity, Wang said.

Beijing hopes that the US will meet China half way and remove all its unreasonable restrictions on bilateral cooperation as early as possible, and not create new obstacles, the State Councillor said, noting that Beijing is ready to work with Washington in fields including anti-pandemic fight, economic recovery and climate change.

Wang also said that China welcomed the US' return to the Paris Agreement and expects that Washington will "shoulder its responsibility and make its due contribution".

"We hope that renewed China-US cooperation on climate change will bring positive 'climate change' to the (bilateral) relations." In the last two years, tensions between the world's two largest economies escalated.

The former administration of US President Donald Trump had levied tariffs on billions of dollars' worth of Chinese goods, to which Beijing also responded with duties of its own.

In January 2020, the countries reached a phase one agreement on trade that called for increased Chinese purchases of US goods and greater access to the Chinese financial market.

However, bilateral tensions again increased in the months since, amid the coronavirus pandemic after the Trump administration directly blamed China for the global crisis.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Jeong Eun-bo, left, Korea's chief negotiator in defense cost-sharing talks with the United States, and his U.S. counterpart Donna Welton hold the latest round of negotiations in Washington, D.C., Sunday. Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs



By Kang Seung-woo



Although Korea and the United States have finally closed a long-delayed defense cost-sharing deal hardly favorable to Korea, it is not just something Seoul can sit back and enjoy, according to diplomatic observers, as it is now expected to face demands from Washington in return to play a certain role as a long-time ally, such as participating in the U.S.-led anti-China coalition.



According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. State Department, Monday, the two sides have reached an agreement in principle on a new Special Measures Agreement (SMA) that determines Korea's contribution to the upkeep of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK). Although exact terms were not disclosed, the deal is likely to be a multi-year agreement to cover the U.S. military presence here, with a hardly favorable to Korea  something it had continuously proposed previously.



"Thanks to the agreement, Korea now can be free of the burden of protracted SMA negotiations. However, in accepting the Korean government's proposal, the Joe Biden administration will want Korea to expand its role in the region," said Shin Beom-chul, the director of the Center for Diplomacy and Security at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy.



"In that respect, the government will have to determine how to contribute to what the U.S. wants from it as an ally."



Kim Yeoul-soo, chief of the Security Strategy Office at the Korea Institute for Military Affairs, said the U.S. will increase its calls for Korea to join in its anti-China campaign.






You might have seen International Women's Day mentioned in the media or heard friends talking about it.



But what is it for? When is it? Is it a celebration or a protest? Is there an equivalent International Men's Day? And what virtual events will take place this year?



For more than a century people around the world have been marking 8 March as a special day for women.



Read on to find out why.



1. How did it start?



International Women's Day, also known as IWD for short, grew out of the labour movement to become a recognised annual event by the United Nations (UN).



The seeds of it were planted in 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote. It was the Socialist Party of America who declared the first National Woman's Day, a year later.



The idea to make the day international came from a woman called Clara Zetkin. She suggested the idea in 1910 at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. There were 100 women there, from 17 countries, and they agreed on her suggestion unanimously.



It was first celebrated in 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The centenary was celebrated in 2011, so this year we're technically celebrating the 110th International Women's Day.



Things were made official in 1975 when the United Nations started celebrating the day. The first theme adopted by the UN (in 1996) was "Celebrating the past, Planning for the Future".



International Women's Day has become a date to celebrate how far women have come in society, in politics and in economics, while the political roots of the day mean strikes and protests are organised to raise awareness of continued inequality.



2. When is IWD?



It's on 8 March. Clara's idea for an International Women's Day had no fixed date.



It wasn't formalized until a war-time strike in 1917 when Russian women demanded "bread and peace" - and four days into the women's strike the Tsar was forced to abdicate and the provisional government granted women the right to vote.



The date when the women's strike commenced on the Julian calendar, which was then in use in Russia, was Sunday 23 February. This day in the Gregorian calendar was 8 March - and that's when it's celebrated today.



3. What colours symbolize International Women's Day?



Purple, green and white are the colours of IWD according to the International Women's Day website.



"Purple signifies justice and dignity. Green symbolizes hope. White represents purity, albeit a controversial concept.

The colours originated from the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908," they say.



4. Is there an International Men's Day?



There is indeed, on 19 November.



But it has only been marked since the 1990s and isn't recognised by the UN. People celebrate it in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the UK.



The day celebrates "the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities", highlighting positive role models and raising awareness of men's well-being.



The theme for 2020 was "Better health for men and boys".



5. How is Women's Day celebrated and will there be virtual events this year?



International Women's Day is a national holiday in many countries, including Russia where the sales of flowers doubles during the three or four days around 8 March.



In China, many women are given a half-day off work on 8 March, as advised by the State Council, although many employers don't always pass the half-day on to their female employees.



In Italy, International Women's Day, or la Festa della Donna, is celebrated by the giving of mimosa blossom. The origin of this tradition is unclear but it is believed to have started in Rome after World War Two.



In the US, the month of March is Women's History Month. A presidential proclamation issued every year honours the achievements of American women.



This year will look a little different because of coronavirus and more virtual events are expected to take place around the world, including this one from the UN.



6. What is the IWD 2021 theme?



The UN announced their theme for 2021 as "Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world".



UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said: "We need women's representation that reflects all women and girls in all their diversity and abilities, and across all cultural, social, economic and political situations. This is the only way we will get real societal change that incorporates women in decision-making as equals and benefits us all."



But there are also other themes around. The International Women's Day website - which it says it is designed to "provide a platform to help forge positive change for women" - has chosen the theme #ChooseToChallenge and says it is asking people to "raise your hand high to show you're in and that you commit to choose to challenge and call out inequality".

Source: BBC









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MORE than half-a-million euro worth of illegal drugs have been seized in Limerick so far this year, gardai have revealed.

Updating members of the Limerick Joint Policing Committee, Chief Superintendent Gerard Roche said 29 search warrants under Section 26 of the Misuse of Drugs Act were executed across the Limerick division up to the end of February.

As of February 28, the total estimated value of drugs seized in 2021 was 382.447. Last week, drugs worth more than 160,000 were seized during separate operations in St Mary's Park, Moyross and Castletroy.

Figures collated by the divisional drugs unit show that cocaine accounts for nearly half of all seizures so far this year while nearly 200,000 worth of cannabis has also been seized. A further 40,000 worth of cannabis plants have been found.

Other drugs seized in smaller quantities include ecstasy, heroin, prescription tablets, ketamine, crack cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis oil.

More than 50,000 in cash, which gardai believe is related to drug dealing, has also been seized in Limerick so far this year.

Several people have been arrested since the beginning of the year and a number are before the courts.
A Pentagon nominee has alarmed some South Koreans by saying the troop strength of the U.S. Forces Korea is not a "magic number," suggesting it could be downsized or increased as needed.

Colin Kahl, the nominee for undersecretary of defense for policy, said in a confirmation hearing at the Senate Armed Services Committee last Thursday, "Our security commitment to [South] Korea is unshakable and consistent with the Mutual Defense Treaty." But he added this commitment "is not tied to a 'magic number' of forces, or to a specific capability, but rather to a 70-year alliance relationship based on common values and people-to-people ties."

He reminded the committee that U.S. President Joe Biden has recently announced a "global posture review to ensure that U.S. forces deployed globally are matched with the global threat environment."

"If confirmed, I look forward to reviewing... the necessary requirements of our major operational plans across the region to ensure that our global force is optimally deployed to meet emerging challenges, including those on the Korean Peninsula," he added.


(Natural News) On Friday, Feb. 26, a judge ruled that Maricopa County, Arizona, must turn over around 2.1 million ballots from the November election so that a proper audit can be conducted.

Maricopa County Superior Judge Timothy Thomason ruled on Friday that the subpoenas issued by the Arizona State Senate ordering Maricopa County to turn over election materials and equipment is valid and should be enforced.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors tried to argue that the subpoenas were unlawful, stating that the audits that have already been conducted are sufficient and the ballots should be sealed. (Related: We are going to turn over every rock  Arizona GOP calling for very thorough election investigation.)

The Court finds that the subpoenas are legal and enforceable, wrote Thomason in his ruling. There is no question that the Senators have the power to issue legislative subpoenas. The subpoenas comply with the statutory requirements for legislative subpoenas. The Senate also has broad constitutional power to oversee elections.

The judge further argued that the Arizona legislature clearly has the power to investigate and examine election reform matters, and that the state senators have the power to subpoena material as part of an inquiry into election reform measures.

The ruling concludes a months-long legal battle between the Board of Supervisors and the State Senate over how the election should be audited.

The Board of Supervisors has argued that the audits it has conducted on itself are sufficient, while the State Senate wants to conduct its own audit of the ballots, as well as double-check the countys voter rolls and other information.

This dispute began when former Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Eddie Farnsworth, a Republican, held a hearing to question several Maricopa County officials regarding their handling of the election. The committee then issued multiple subpoenas, which prompted the county to file a lawsuit against the Senate.

Farnsworth issued the subpoenas after the election last year following multiple allegations of voter fraud, malfeasance and misconduct from President Donald Trump and his campaign. The subpoenas were re-issued in January when the chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee was transferred to State Sen. Warren Petersen, another Republican.

Arizona Republicans praise decision, will conduct a forensic audit of Maricopas election results

Arizona Republicans have heaped praise on Thomason for the fair ruling. Republican State Senate President Karen Fann said on Friday that the Senate is thrilled with the judges decision and is grateful that he can see the big picture.

[The audit was] never about overturning the election, said Fann, it was about the integrity of the Arizona election system.

This was always about voter integrity and the integrity of the voting system itself, she added.

According to Petersen, the courts ruling allows the Senate to proceed with a forensic audit of Maricopa Countys election results. The county includes the state capital of Phoenix much of its metropolitan area. More than 2.1 million people in the county voted in the last election.

Maricopa Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Bill Gates wrote on Friday that the county has nothing to hide, and that they have conducted three fully transparent audits, including two forensic audits handled by independent, qualified and outside Vote System Testing Laboratories.

I trust the Senate will be completely transparent with the public, as Maricopa County has been, wrote Gates. From the beginning, the county has sought clarification from the court. The court has ruled. I look forward to working with the Senate to provide them the information they are requesting.

It is unclear whether or not the Board of Supervisors will try to appeal Thomasons decision to a higher court.

The fight to hold those responsible for election fraud is not over. Learn more about this and other ongoing battles by reading the latest articles at VoteFraud.news.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

AZMirror.com

AZCentral.com
OnePlus will unveil its latest flagship smartphones  the OnePlus 9 5G series  during a streaming launch event at 9 AM Eastern on March 23rd. And when those phones make their debut, they'll pack cameras tuned by 180-year-old Swedish camera maker Hasselblad.

With OnePlus top-of-the-line hardware and computational photography and Hasselblads rich aesthetic knowledge in traditional photography, I am confident that the OnePlus 9 Series will be a major leap forward in our ability to deliver a premium, flagship camera," said OnePlus CEO Pete Lau in a press release.

Word of the partnership won't come as much surprise to the company's fans: leaked images of an unreleased OnePlus device sporting Hasselblad branding have been circulating for weeks. And more recently, OnePlus has shared a number of space-themed teasers that obliquely reference the deal. (Hasselblad has supplied NASA with cameras for use in space for decades, including the venerable Hasselblad 500ELs that landed on the moon with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.) But what does this deal actually mean for the OnePlus camera experience?

To start, the OnePlus 9 series should benefit from "advanced color calibration" jointly developed by the two companies. Long story short, users should expect more accurate, natural-looking colors in photos taken with the OnePlus 9 Pro and beyond. And since Hasselblad deals almost exclusively in pro-grade, medium-format cameras, it's perhaps natural that special attention was paid to the OnePlus 9 series' Pro mode. In addition to typical features like direct control over ISO, focus, exposure time, and more, the Hasselblad Pro mode also lets users shoot photos as 12-bit RAW files and work with an editing interface inspired by Hasselblad's own Phocus image processing app. Meanwhile, on the video front, OnePlus says its Hasselblad-branded cameras will offer "improved" HDR video recording, plus support for 4K 120FPS and 8K 30FPS recording.

It all begins with a simple thought. Discover the #OnePlus9Series, co-developed with Hasselblad, on March 23.



Get notified: https://t.co/8HQZu9LLbl pic.twitter.com/fIajmlM2Lg  OnePlus (@OnePlus_USA) March 8, 2021

Hasselblad bits aside, the OnePlus 9 Pro is widely expected to ship with four rear cameras, and the company revealed a few new details about them this morning. The phone's main camera will use one of Sony's new IMX789 sensors, which we've heard was custom-developed for the upcoming OPPO Find X3. (Given OnePlus's shared corporate parentage with OPPO, this really shouldn't be a shocker.) OnePlus also confirmed that its latest ultra-wide camera will use a so-called "freeform" lens  as seen on the Huawei Mate 40 Pro+  that and all but eliminates barrel distortion in those spacious photos.

With all this in mind, there are a few things worth noting. For one, despite OnePlus's embrace of space imagery in its recent teasers, the company has made no mention of a Pixel-like astrophotography mode. What's more, Hasselblad's deal with OnePlus will last for three years, and it's unclear how OnePlus's approach to color science may shift after the partnership expires. And this isn't Hasselblad's first attempt at a smartphone partnership, either  years ago, it teamed up with Motorola to create a separate 12-megapixel camera that magnetically attached to Moto Z smartphones. (Spoiler alert: It was just alright.)

As it turns out, the OnePlus 9 is only part of the companys plans to set new standards for smartphone photography. Over the next three years, OnePlus has pledged $150 million to further develop four camera research and development centers around the world, as well as experiment with new camera components and technologies to debut in future devices. On the docket right now: developing panoramic cameras with a 140-degree field of view and new lenses to improve autofocus for selfies, though the company was quick to note its efforts may extend well beyond these projects.

OnePlus cameras have steadily improved over the years, but they have so far lagged behind competing offerings from companies like Samsung and Apple. With this multi-year deal in place, OnePlus seems ready to dramatically up its photography game, but for now, consider us cautiously optimistic. With any luck, the company's March 23rd launch event will have plenty of sample images  and more juicy details about its Hasselblad deal  for us to pore over.


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Kylie Jenner seemed to be in a flirty mood on Monday morning.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star posted three new photos to Instagram where she was in a skintight catsuit.

In one image the 23-year-old beauty leaned down to push her famous bottom against a mirror. In her caption the beauty mogul said, 'You can look but dont touch.'

The suit suits her: Kylie Jenner seemed to be in a flirty mood on Monday morning. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star posted three new photos to Instagram where she was in a skintight catsuit

Sisters Kim and Khloe liked the post as fans made comments from 'only you can pull that off' to 'Sure wish I was that mirror.'

The star revealed her tiny 24inch waistline in the unforgiving suit that had pastel colored pictures all over it.

The 5ft5in Calabasas native also held on to a colorful and small mint green and silver Prada purse.

Her hair, which was styled by Jesus, was worn down with a slight curl on the ends. And her makeup, by Ariel, was perfect as she had on silver eye shadow.

Glam slam! Her hair, which was styled by Jesus, was worn down with a slight curl on the ends. And her makeup, by Ariel, was perfect as she had on silver eye shadow

The ex of rapper Tyga added a chunky silver bracelet and matching rings with similar earrings.

This comes after Kylie showed an update to her $1m purse and shoe room for spring 2021.

There were pastel-colored Hermes purses as well as new items from Chanel.

Jenner has never held back when it comes to revealing the spoils of her hard work from Kylie Cosmetics which has made her worth around $1billion.

Yes she did! In one image the 23-year-old beauty leaned down to push her famous bottom against a mirror. In her caption the beauty mogul said, 'You can look but dont touch'

The beauty gave several angles of the closet which had no black items, only colorful pieces such as open toe shoes, high heels that are strappy and eye-popping purses with fancy hardware.

There was a heart-shaped beige Chanel purse with a large black double C logo.

And on the shelves were dainty crystal-encrusted purse from Judith Leiber, which Kim and Khloe also collect.

And a small dusty blue Hermes Birkin bag also stood out. Behind that was a large Louise Vuitton bag with the LV logo in hot pink.

Spring hues: Jenner on Sunday showed an update of the room for spring 2021. And on the shelves were dainty crystal-encrusted purse from Judith Leiber

Upscale: The beauty gave several angles of the closet which had no black items, only colorful pieces such as open toe shoes, high heels that are strappy and eye-popping purses with fancy hardware

The look: There was a heart-shaped beige Chanel purse with a large black double C logo

The shoes looked perfect for Miami nights with a stunning light metallic pink pair by Alexandre Vauthier.

And there were several shoes from the designer Louboutin.

In one of the clips, the mother to Stormi Webster said she was reorganizing the closet.

Jenner then shared images of her nails; they are now long and a beige color with several rhinestones. One nail even looked like a bandanna print.

And the TV star was thrilled that her pink ring matched her purse.

She knows how to match her items: And here the Life Of Kylie star said she matched her purse to her ring which she loves

Bright idea: She added white slacks and strappy rhinestone heels to her outfit

In 2019 Kylie shocked fans with a look at her very upscale walk in closet at her Hidden Hills, California mansion.

Her closet specifically dedicated to designer bags has reached legendary status.

The special room was reported to have over $1 million worth in product.

The mogul's interior designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard revealed that the reality star had over 400 designer handbags in the closet of her Hidden Hills mansion.

The way her closet looked before: Designer Martyn Bullard shared a look at her closet in 2019

The London-native told People magazine that Kylie's massive 'purse closet that is dedicated to her collection of incredible bags.'

Before that Kylie gave her fans a special inside look at her impressive collection for a video on her YouTube channel as Bullard shed even more light on it.

He said: 'There are at least 400 bags, mostly Hermes, lots of Birkin bags and then Louis Vuitton, lots of Chanel and some Dior and Fendi.

'Lots of them are collectors items. Shes bought some as investments and theyre treated like works of art.'

Bullard added that she has a individual closets for everyday clothes, workout clothes, a VIP storage room, the handbag closet, and even a custom-designed fitting room.

In the video posted on her YouTube channel she revealed that she even has a few handbags set aside for her one-year-old daughter Stormi including a $7,700 pink Hermes bag that will likely be her little girl's first purse.

Kylie has at least four leather Hermes Birkin bags, which cost $11,000 or more a piece, while her orange suede Birkin retails for about $20,000.

Collector: Kylie has at least four leather Hermes Birkin bags, which cost $11,000 or more a piece, while her orange suede Birkin retails for about $20,000

'The one that I think is the most unique and cool is definitely the Dalmatian. I think it is really beautiful,' she says of the limited-edition Birkin, which costs about $20,000.

The looker also thinks her Hermes So Black Birkin is 'pretty cool' because it has all black hardware. The limited-edition style, which was estimated to be worth $10,000 to $15,000, went for $24,000 at a Christie's auction.

The diva launched her makeup empire because as a teen she loved to play with makeup: 'The reason I got into makeup is its all about making yourself feel better.'

Kylie's home has been featured very prominently recently as she is featured in Architectural Digest's annual Star Power issue.

The mogul looked striking in a retro-inspired yellow dress as she twirled around her very chic, modernly styled living room.

Kylie's gorgeous gown featured a halter neckline with bunches of billowing fabric hiding her stellar figure.

The throwback mustard-hued frock had a dusting of pink with heavy feathers to match the hemlines.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Europe's media said Harry and Meghan had 'declared war on the royal family' and left the British monarchy in 'crisis' today after their explosive tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey was watched around the world.

German-speaking media described the two-hour special as 'hard to beat in its explosiveness' and 'simply devastating for the palace' after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex alleged that a royal figure had raised concerns about their son's skin colour.

Some compared it to Princess Diana's infamous BBC interview in 1995, with French media calling the programme an 'American-style announcement' that 'went against the grain of the royal family' - with precedents that are 'all quite disastrous'.

And Swedish media wondered aloud whether support for the Queen and the rest of the royal family would take a hit from the interview, in which Meghan said she had been driven to contemplating suicide by the pressures of royal life.

A commentator for Swiss newspaper Blick said the interview was 'the worst that could happen to the royal family' and described the racism allegations as a 'declaration of war'

French newspaper Le Monde said the royal family was facing a 'new crisis' following the interview, highlighting the claim that the colour of Archie's skin was a cause of concern

Germany's best-selling newspaper Bild joked that news of the explosive allegations would be delivered to the Queen alongside her breakfast

Germany's best-selling newspaper, Bild, ran the Harry and Meghan story at the top of its website on Monday and said the interview had been 'worse than the royals expected'.

'It was and is the interview of the year,' the Bild article said. 'What the couple revealed to US talk show legend Oprah Winfrey is hard to beat in its explosiveness.'

Broadcaster RTL, which has secured the rights to broadcast the interview in Germany, said Meghan had 'let us see deep into her soul'.

Swiss newspaper Blick said Harry and Meghan had 'described life in the British royal family as so gruesome that escaping was the only way for them to survive'.

One pundit, Flavia Schlittler, said in a Blick online video that the racism allegations were a 'declaration of war on the royal family'.

Schlittler described the interview as 'the worst thing that could have happened to the royal family', while Blick noted how other royals had 'demonstratively' ignored it.

And in Austria, a comment piece in the Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper said Harry and Meghan had 'struck out with a sweeping blow' against the palace.

'The interview was not only far more explosive than the preview clips had led us to expect - it was simply devastating for the palace,' it said.

Swedish broadcaster SVT wondered aloud whether support for the Queen and the British monarchy would take a hit following the interview with Oprah Winfrey

Austria's Salzburger Nachrichten said Harry and Meghan had 'struck a sweeping blow against the British royal family' with the interview that aired on Sunday night

The Irish Times said in a TV review that began simply 'Ooof!' that 'the couples devastating interview is a damning portrait of Britains sacred institution'.

'In Ireland we are, of course, reflexively baffled by the deference shown to the royals in the UK. Meghan clearly shares our bemusement,' it says.

Meanwhile, French paper Le Monde said the royal family faces 'a new crisis' after Harry and Meghan lobbed 'unpinned grenades' at the House of Windsor.

The claims 'give the impression of an excessively traditionalist, even institutionally racist institution' which was 'incapable' of accommodating Meghan, it says.

France's BFM TV called it an 'American-style announcement' that went 'against the grain of the royal family' and its reputed motto 'never complain, never explain'.

'The precedents are not numerous and were all quite disastrous,' it says, referring to the Diana interview in 1995 and Prince Andrew's interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019.

'If the British feel betrayed and do not appreciate this kind of unloading... Americans adhere more to this way of communicating,' one pundit argued.

The Irish Times said the interview was a 'damning portrait of Britain's sacred institution', adding that viewers in Ireland were 'baffled' by the deference shown to the royals

Italian paper La Repubblica recalled the 1995 Diana interview, saying Harry and Meghan had similarly 'fired one broadside after another' against the royal family

France's BFM TV called it an 'American-style announcement' that went 'against the grain of the royal family' and its reputed motto 'never complain, never explain'

Italian paper La Repubblica also recalled the Diana interview, saying Harry and Meghan had similarly 'fired one broadside after another' against the royal family.

'It looks like the start of a new season of The Crown. But it's all true. At least according to what [Meghan and Harry] said,' one article reads.

In Spain, newspaper El Pais said it was 'one bombshell after another for two hours... the heaviest beating was taken by the royal family'.

Another Spanish paper, ABC, said Meghan had 'held nothing back' and 'painted a dark and sinister portrait of the Firm', as it is sometimes known.

Meanwhile in Sweden, the story dominated broadcaster SVT's website on Monday morning, with one correspondent saying the claims were 'devastating' if true.

'It will be interesting to see if and how the support for the royal family is affected,' another pundit wrote.

'The devastating television interview with Oprah Winfrey has been called, among other things, a historic PR crisis for Buckingham Palace, the worst-case scenario for the royal family and a bombardment powerful enough to sink a flotilla.'

'It is no wild guess to believe that support for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will increase even more now that the interview has been broadcast.'

Harry and Meghan in a promotional photo for their interview with Oprah Winfrey which was broadcast in the United States last night

The royal family has yet to respond to the interview, which has not yet aired in the UK, but reports said the Queen would not be watching the broadcast.

While Meghan was complimentary about the Queen herself, she claimed that royal aides had refused to help her even as her mental health cratered.

Meghan told Winfrey she had got to the stage where she 'just didn't want to be alive anymore'.

'I said that I've never felt this way before and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution,' she claimed.

Harry and Meghan both refused to identify an individual who allegedly worried aloud about how dark the skin of their first-born child might turn out to be.

Meghan told Winfrey there had been 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he is born'.

Harry meanwhile suggested his family were jealous of Meghan's popularity with the public - just as Diana's appeal had reportedly been seen as a threat.

And he revealed he has become estranged from his father, the Prince of Wales, saying: 'I feel really let down', but said he wanted 'to try and heal that relationship'.
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Bengaluru, March 8 : The Karnataka Budget for ensuing fiscal 2021-22 has not proposed increase in state tax on petrol or diesel to avoid financial burden on the people, said Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Monday.

"As the Covid pandemic has caused untold miseries to the people in the year 2020-21, I am not willing to put burden of additional taxes on them. No taxes, including tax on petrol or diesel has been increased for the year 2021-22," said Yediyurappa while presenting the state Budget in the Legislative Assembly amid boycott and walkout by opposition Congress.

Yediyurappa, who also holds the finance portfolio, said that though sales tax on petrol and diesel in the state was lesser compared to other southern states, he was not increasing it (tax) on fuels.

"The Budget has been formulated in such a way so as not to increase the burden on the common man," said Yediyurappa in Kannada while presenting his 8th Budget during his tenure as Chief Minster.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Figure 1

Plan View of C Zone Drilling and Geochemistry

Plan View of C Zone Drilling and Geochemistry

TORONTO, March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evergold Corp. (Evergold or the Company) (TSX-V: EVER; WKN: A2PTHZ) is pleased to announce widespread strong and locally very high-grade gold and silver values from rock and talus fines sampling of what is now designated the C Zone at Pyramid Peak on its Snoball Property, northwest British Columbia, Canada. The Company is also pleased to announce long-delayed assays for the final hole of the 2020 Snoball drill campaign, SB20-013, which returned a high-grade gold intercept, 18.40 g/t Au and 5.63 g/t Ag over 1.60 metres, reinforcing the pattern of high-grade gold-silver intercepts established by early drill results delivered in 2020. All drilling in 2020 was carried out from the Apex drill pad, located on top of Pyramid Peak, and most holes were drilled to the southwest (Figure 1).



Significant C Zone Drilling Results: (Note: previously released results are indicated with an asterisk(*). Widths reported are drilled core lengths).

and

and

and

and 5.63 g/t Ag

54.54 g/t Ag

54.24 g/t Ag

4.51 g/t Ag over 1.60 metres from 130.00 metres in hole SB20-013

over 0.70 metres from 134.30 metres in hole SB20-006

over 1.44 metres from 47.75 metres in hole SB20-005

over 1.50 metres from 33.00 metres in hole SB20-002

Significant C Zone Rock Sampling Results: (Note: previously released results are indicated with an asterisk(*). Readers should note that rock grab samples are by their nature selective and not necessarily representative of the overall C Zone mineralization).

and

and

and

and

and

and

and

and

and

309.00 g/t Ag

750.00 g/t Ag

141.00 g/t Ag

43.75 g/t Ag

48.47 g/t Ag

63.79 g/t Ag

81.58 g/t Ag

40.73 g/t Ag

1080 g/t Ag

(sample #SBRX-03)

(sample #SBRX-04)

(sample #SB20DBR05)

(sample #SB20TPR18)

(sample #SB20TPR027)

(sample #SBRX-07)

(sample #SB20DBR11)

(sample #SB20TPR26)

(sample #CGSN016R)



Significant New C Zone Talus Fines Sampling Results: (Readers should note that talus fines samples may not be representative of overall C Zone mineralization due to enrichment by weathering).

Story continues

and

and

and

and

and

53.83 g/t Ag

77.20 g/t Ag

125.00 g/t Ag

70.57 g/t Ag

17.55 g/t Ag

(sample #SB20MGB14)

(sample #SB20MGB15)

(sample #SB20MGD17)

(sample #SB20MGD19)

(sample #SB20MGD02)



The C Zone has really blossomed as a prospect with the additional sampling and prospecting work we carried out in September last year, following wrap-up of the Phase 1 drill program, said Kevin Keough, President & CEO. It is a high-grade prospect hosting the style of gold and silver-enriched veining that established the early reputation of the Golden Triangle. The high, mountain-top elevation of the discovery suggests our early drilling may have just caught the top of the system. Some of the proceeds of our recently closed $8 million financing will be allocated to doing the exciting work of further unfolding this early-stage discovery in the pending field season, commencing in July when the snow up high has largely melted and the weather has improved. Prior to that well be getting going at our Golden Lion prospect, where we have a camp already in place, more moderate terrain, a lower snow load, and another large-scale gold-silver system to advance.



Updated modeling of the latest mapping, rock sampling, talus fines and drill results, combined with previously announced results, suggests the C Zone is a broad, SW-NE trending, southwesterly-plunging epithermal-style vein system likely encompassing several variably oriented vein sets. The Apex pad was located at the northeastern extremity of the C Zone, and the majority of holes in 2020 appear to have been drilled parallel or sub-parallel to, and likely beneath, the plunge of the higher-grade core, or shoot, of the zone. As such the plan for the pending 2021 drill program is to drill holes to the southwest of the Apex pad, and perpendicular to the interpreted trend and plunge of the zone, chasing the zone down-plunge to the southwest, where rock and talus fines sampling of the rubbly-weathering and oxidized zone suggest the tenor of the mineralized system may be increasing. In addition, on-the-ground follow-up is planned for the possible southwestern plunge extent of the zone evident in strongly elevated historical Au and As values downslope in that direction for a minimum of 500 metres.

Financing Closed February 23, 2018

The Company notes, further to its press release dated February 23, 2021, that the aggregate consideration paid to Canaccord Genuity Corp., as sole underwriter in connection with the Companys C$8,000,000 bought deal private placement, was $469,598 in cash and 2,203,353 broker warrants.

QA/QC:

Andrew J. Mitchell, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for Evergold Corp. and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

Samples of HQ and NQ diametre drill core were cut in half with a diamond blade rock saw, with one half placed in individual sealed polyurethane bags and half placed back in the original core box for permanent storage. Drill core samples were driven by truck in sealed woven plastic bags to the MSA Labs preparation facility in Terrace, BC, with final analysis at the MSA analytical laboratory in Langley, BC. The MSA Labs facilities are accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015 standards. Gold was determined by fire-assay fusion of a 50 gram sub-sample with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Various metals including silver, gold, copper, lead and zinc are analyzed by inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectroscopy, following multi-acid digestion. Both the Company and MSA Labs have robust QA/QC program that includes the insertion of blanks, standards and duplicates.

Figure 1 accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c30538a9-ecbb-4e89-a702-eae8267e55aa

About Evergold

Evergold Corp. has been assembled by a team with a record of recent success in British Columbia, combining four 100%-owned properties in prime B.C. geological real estate from well-known geologist C.J. (Charlie) Greig, with the recently optioned Rockland property in Nevada, seasoned management, and a qualified board. The Companys flagship assets consist of the Snoball property, located in the heart of BCs famed Golden Triangle, where drilling in 2020 achieved the discovery of a new high-grade intrusion-related gold-silver system on Pyramid Peak; the Golden Lion property, located at the north end of B.C.s Toodoggone region, where drilling in 2020 confirmed the presence of a large-scale epithermal-style gold-silver zone at the GL1 Main prospect; and the past-producing high-grade Rockland gold-silver property in Nevada. All three of these properties host discoveries and/or zones of precious metals that the Company believes offer considerable near-term upside.

For additional information, please contact:

Kevin M. Keough

President and CEO

Tel: (613) 622-1916

www.evergoldcorp.ca

kevin.keough@evergoldcorp.ca

Neither 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 Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Companys future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, or plan. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet managements expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the expected use of the proceeds of the Offering, tax treatment of the Common Shares and Warrants comprising the FT Units, the receipt of final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Companys objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, inability to fulfill the duty to accommodate First Nations and other indigenous peoples, an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restrictions on labour and international travel and supply chains, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in the Companys public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies 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. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.




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Pope Francis, front right, bids farewell upon concluding his visit to Iraq at Baghdad airport, Iraq, Monday. Pope Francis left Baghdad on Monday after three days of the historic whirlwind tour of Iraq that sought to bring hope to the country's marginalize Christian minority with a message of coexistence, forgiveness and peace. / AP-Yonhap



Pope Francis on Monday wrapped up his historic whirlwind tour of Iraq that sought to bring hope to the country's marginalized Christian minority with a message of coexistence, forgiveness and peace.



The pontiff and his traveling delegation were seen off with a farewell ceremony at the Baghdad airport, from where he left for Rome following a four-day papal visit that has covered five provinces across Iraq.



As the pope's plane took off, Iraqi President Barham Salih was at hand on the tarmac, waving goodbye.



At every turn of his trip, Francis urged Iraqis to embrace diversity _ from Najaf in the south, where he held a historic face-to-face meeting with powerful Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, to Nineveh to the north, where he met with Christian victims of the Islamic State group's terror and heard their testimonies of survival.



The pontiff's visit witnessed scenes unimaginable in war-ravaged Iraq just a few years ago.



In Iraq's south, Francis convened a meeting of Iraqi religious leaders in the deserts near a symbol of the country's ancient past _ the 6,000-year-old ziggurat in the Plains of Ur, also thought to be the birthplace of Abraham, the biblical patriarch revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims. The gathering brought religious representatives across the country rarely seen together, from Muslims, Christians, Yazidis and Mandaeans. The joint appearance by figures from across Iraq's sectarian spectrum was almost unheard-of, given their communities' often bitter divisions.



The pope called on them to work together and make peace.



In the city of Najaf, Francis held a private meeting with the notoriously reclusive al-Sistani, among the most influential and revered Shiite clerics, and together they delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence and affirmed the rights of Iraqi Christians. It was a powerful message the Vatican hopes can preserve the place of the thinning Christian population in the tapestry.



Al-Sistani is one of the most senior clerics in Shiite Islam, deeply revered among Shiites in Iraq and worldwide. His rare but powerful political interventions have helped shape present-day Iraq. Their meeting in al-Sistani's humble home, the first ever between a pope and a grand ayatollah, was months in the making, with every detail painstakingly negotiated beforehand.



In the northern city of Mosul, once at the heart of the IS militants' so-called Islamic ''caliphate'' and still devastated years after the Islamic State group's onslaught, Francis prayed in a square containing the remnants of four churches _ Syriac Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox and Chaldean _ nearly destroyed in the war to oust IS from the city.



Later, in the Christian town of Qaraqosh, where an entire Christian community was forced out by the brutality of IS militants, Francis urged Christians to forgive their oppressors and rebuild their lives.



People gathered in crowds to catch a glimpse of the pope wherever he went, fueling coronavirus concerns. Few wore facemasks, especially during Francis' stops in northern Iraq on Sunday. That day ended with an open-air mass in a stadium that drew nearly 10,000 people. Security was tight and most events were strictly controlled.



Public health experts had expressed concerns ahead of the trip that large gatherings could serve as superspreader events for the coronavirus in a country suffering from a worsening outbreak where few have been vaccinated. The pope and members of his delegation have been vaccinated but most Iraqis have not.



Iraq is in the midst of another wave of the coronavirus, spurred by a new, more infectious strain that first appeared in the U.K. Authorities in Iraq recorded 4,068 new infections on March 6, according to Health Ministry figures, up significantly from infection rates at the start of the year. In total 13,500 people have died among a total 720,000 infections. (AP)




-- "China opposes 'vaccine nationalism'," said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. "We reject any 'vaccine divide' or any attempt to politicize vaccine cooperation."

-- China is ready to work with the United States to return bilateral relations to the right track of healthy and steady growth.

-- Slamming the Xinjiang genocide accusation as a "thorough lie" and a rumor fabricated with ulterior motives, Wang justified his comments with concrete figures.

BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- China on Sunday proposed making the COVID-19 vaccines truly affordable and accessible for humanity as well as a healthy competition between the world's top two economies, injecting fresh certainties into the turbulent world.

The messages came as the long-lasting pandemic and the rising headwinds of protectionism are battering the already-fragile global economy in the midst of major changes unseen in a century.

"China hopes that all members of the international community can work together and let the torch of multilateralism light up humanity's way forward," Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a press conference on the sidelines of the country's ongoing annual "two sessions."

"PEOPLE'S VACCINES"

The only major economy that registered positive growth in 2020 worldwide, China has carried out its largest emergency humanitarian operation since 1949, honoring its commitment to making Chinese COVID-19 vaccines a "global public good."

It has provided and is providing the vaccine aid free of charge to 69 developing countries in urgent need, while exporting vaccines to 43 countries, according to Wang.

He said his country plans to set up vaccination stations abroad to administer Chinese vaccines for compatriots in need from surrounding countries, and stands ready to work with the International Olympic Committee to provide vaccines to Olympians.

China will continue working with others in unremitting efforts to completely defeat the pandemic that has claimed more than 2 million lives around the world, Wang pledged.

"China opposes 'vaccine nationalism'," said the senior diplomat. "We reject any 'vaccine divide' or any attempt to politicize vaccine cooperation."

HEALTHY COMPETITION, NO SYSTEMIC RIVALS

China and Russia standing together will remain a pillar of world peace and stability, Wang told the press conference, adding that the two neighbors should be each other's strategic support, development opportunity, and global partner.

On the Sino-U.S. ties that is at a critical crossroads, Wang noted that China is ready to work with the United States to return the bilateral relations to the right track of healthy and steady growth.

"China hopes that the United States will meet China half way and remove all its unreasonable restrictions on bilateral cooperation as early as possible," he said, adding that they could cooperate in areas such as the pandemic response, economic recovery and climate change.

China hopes that the new U.S. administration will make a "clear departure" from its predecessor's "dangerous practice" on Taiwan, he said, warning that the one-China principle is a "red line" that must not be crossed.

China and Europe share extensive common interests and are not systemic rivals, Wang said.

"Differences in systems should not be an excuse for antagonism and confrontation," he noted.

On the Sino-Japan relations, Wang said they should remain focused without being distracted by any single event to make the bilateral relations more mature and stable.

XINJIANG, HONG KONG

Slamming the Xinjiang genocide accusation as a "thorough lie" and a rumor fabricated with ulterior motives, Wang justified his comments with concrete figures.

The Uygur population in China's Xinjiang has doubled from 5.55 million to over 12 million in the past 40-plus years and the gross domestic product in the northwestern Chinese autonomous region has surged by more than 200 times over the past 60-plus years.

"Speaking of genocide, many people would have in their minds the native American of the 16th century, African slaves of the 19th century, the Jewish people of the 20th century, and the aboriginal Australians who are still struggling even today," he told the press conference.

The Chinese foreign minister also took a question on Hong Kong as the country's top legislature is mulling a draft decision to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in accordance with the Constitution and the HKSAR Basic Law.

He said that the move to improve Hong Kong's electoral system and ensure "patriots administering Hong Kong" is "totally constitutional, lawful and justified," and will "usher in a brighter future" for the region.

Wang also responded to questions on regional hotspot issues including the situation in Myanmar, saying China stands ready to play a constructive role in easing the tensions in the neighboring country.

The immediate priority for Myanmar is to prevent further bloodshed and conflict, and ease and cool down the situation as soon as possible, Wang said.
If 600 million more women were connected to the Internet over the next three years, global GDP would rise between $13 billion and $18 billion, said a new report by Zain Group, a regional leader in the mobile telecom sector.



The report Women in Technology - Bridging the Gender Gap in STEM Fields provides insights on the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), highlighting the impact on socio-economic development across the board.



The release of the report, which coincides with International Womens Day, explores several important issues regarding the cause, nature, and effects of the challenges faced by women as related to STEM, and the prejudices they face even upon entering professions related to the subject area.



Bader Al-Kharafi, Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO said: "The role of women in tech needs to be increased. It is that simple. Zain is continually driving equality programs, recognizing the need to push an agenda that is cohesive, inclusive, and fair to all. This thought leadership report is another tool to highlight the extent of the exclusion of women from STEM-related fields, and what is needed to close the gender gap across the region and beyond.



Since the launch of our Gender Diversity initiative, we have invested in certifying over 100 females within Zain on the fundamentals of Data Analytics and Science. These colleagues then went on to take part in our group wide 12-hour datathon in April 2020 at the height of pandemic, and are now part of a talent pool of resources we tap into for tech related projects across our footprint. WE will continue to inspire learning through practice, and the engagement in this datathon has proven the resilience of our talented pool of women in STEM.



Jennifer Suleiman, Zain Groups Chief Sustainability Officer said: Zain has a long list of activities aimed at reducing the gender gap. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted glaring inequalities across so many aspects of modern life, and the plight of females in STEM-related fields is one of them. The timing and topic of our latest report that coincides with International Womens Day couldnt be more appropriate, and we hope it forces people to recognize the state of play when it comes to gender exclusion and the steps required to rectify it.



This latest and insightful thought leadership encompasses issues related to gender biases in STEM; innovation in STEM; developing STEM skills to achieve financial inclusion; and Covid-19 and women in technology. Core areas of discussion and highlights in the report include:



Aspects of Gender Disparity



Women account for half of the worlds population and are fundamental to ensuring a sustainable future and peaceful societies. There has been some progress made towards achieving a more equal society, however, there is still a long way to go and according to the UN, the gender gap is considered the unfinished business of our time.



The Gender Digital Divide

Studies have shown that the gender digital divide is due to the lack of access females have in attaining digital skillsets that can help them advance and develop in the area. Additionally, women are more likely to represent lower income segments, leaving them unable to afford and purchase digital software and hardware.



Glaring discrepancies exist with regards females gaining access to digital tools, including:



 165 million fewer women own a mobile phone in comparison to men

 Globally, 433 million women are unconnected

 The global internet user gap is 17%

 If 600 million more women were connected to the internet over the next three years, global GDP would rise between $13 billion and $18 billion



Literacy and STEM Education



As the number of girls gaining an education increases, disparities associated with access to opportunities, quality and topics they choose to study becomes more evident. It is imperative for girls to further develop themselves in STEM education, as careers in these areas are seen as the jobs of the future, driving innovation, social well-being, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.



Zain Bahrains Girls for Tech Camp, for example, was launched in partnership with the Kingdoms Supreme Council for Women and Clever Play, an organization that aims to inspire childrens curiosity and passion for STEM. Established in October 2019, the program equips girls between ages 8 and 13 years with 10 hours of training in coding, and targets training 1,000 girls. In 2019-2020, 725 girls completed the program.



Employment Equality



Women are underrepresented in the technology sector and even though large strides have been made in STEM education, it has not translated into employment. Studies have shown that even though countries have largely invested in improving girls education including STEM education, cultural and societal constraints have hindered this needed transition, impacting societies in a dramatic manner. This gap in STEM employment prevents economies from reaching their full potential as it omits half of the populations potential and talent to contribute to the economy.



Gender Biases in STEM



Gender stereotypes in the context of STEM start at an early age and continue to impact children at later stages in their lives. It has been studied that childrens choices to enter STEM start as early as 3-5 years of age. By the ages of 6-10 years, girls start developing the notion that boys are better in math, which is not the case, as analyses show girls and boys in fact perform the same. Another stereotype that starts to emerge during this time is that males innately succeed in the field of STEM. These stereotypes continue to manifest throughout the course of womens education and career.



Innovation in STEM



STEM plays a key role in creating innovative tools to address global challenges that our world faces. It has been proven that diversity in teams drives transformation as it brings about new ideas and perspectives. As men and women have different life experiences that lead to varied perspectives, such diversity in viewpoints triggers creativity and improves results. Merging STEM and diversity creates phenomenal growth opportunities.



Developing STEM Skills to Achieve Financial Inclusion



Technology and digital services are seen as tools that can be used to enable development. When used to progress development, technology can be extremely transformational and improve social and economic outcomes. Such tools could also be used to improve distribution in addition to promoting inclusivity, increasing accessibility and allocating resources. With that being said, it is important for marginalized and disadvantaged segments to leverage tools that help elevate their standards of living and increase their access to services.



Covid-19 and Women in Technology

A needs assessment conducted by UN agencies highlighted that households led by women had less access to the internet than those led by males during these times of Covid-19. In addition, only 41% of women-led households claimed that their children had access to online websites created by ministries of education that supported the continuation of learning in comparison to 56% of male-led households.



In addition to learning inequalities, the increase of violence during lockdowns is extremely alarming as females are left vulnerable to dire situations. Digital advancements such as instant messaging with geolocation functions, domestic abuse hotlines, and disguised apps that provide discreet information for survivors in case their abusers continue to track them, can play a pivotal role in saving the lives of women.  TradeArabia News Service
New exhibitions for Spring-Summer 2021 at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Haringhata: A 32-year-old local BJP leader was shot in Haringhata area of West Bengal's Nadia district, the police said on Sunday (March 7).

During a patrol, police personnel found the injured, Sanjay Das, near a tea stall at Kapileswar Santoshpur and admitted him to a hospital, SP of Ranaghat Police District, VSR Ananthnag, said. Sanjay Das, a booth president of the BJP under ward no. 10 of Haringhata Municipality is stated to be out of danger.

The BJP alleged that goons sheltered by the Trinamool Congress were behind the incident. The ruling party in the state denied the charge and claimed that it was the fallout of a clash among the members of a group, who are associated with the saffron party.

The SP said that when policemen on patrol stopped their vehicle near a tea stall beside National Highway 12 at around 2.30 am on Sunday, they found some people were sitting on the ground a short distance away. On noticing the policemen, all except one person fled.

Ananthnag said that the trouser of the person, later identified as Das, was soaked in blood and he was in an inebriated condition.

He told the police that one person in the group fired at him and the bullet hit him in the waist, the SP said.

The BJP leader's father lodged a complaint with the police in the evening, naming several people as accused.

He said that his son told him that one person in the group fired at him following a heated argument over some political issue.

Meanwhile, the political environment in West Bengal is heated up as both the parties, BJP and TMC, have started their election campaigns in the state. The assembly elections in West Bengal are scheduled to be held in eight phases. The voting for phase 1 for 30 constituencies will take place on March 27, voting for phase 2 for 30 constituencies will be held on April 1.

The polling for phase 3 for 31 seats will take place on April 6, for phase 4 for 44 constituencies on April 10, for phase 5 for 45 constituencies on April 17, for phase 6 for 43 constituencies on April 22, for phase 7 for 36 constituencies on April 26 and for phase 8 for 35 constituencies on April 29.

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UPDATE: Additional explosive devices were found at a Newaygo home by police.

NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI  Four students and a teacher suffered minor injuries when another student accidentally detonated a homemade explosive device, state police said.

The 16-year-old student who detonated the device suffered moderate to severe injuries when it exploded Monday, March 8, in a classroom, state police said.

Newaygo Schools Superintendent Peggy Mathis said that the explosion was not an attack or designed to be something malicious, but a serious lack of judgment.

The explosion was not somebody planting an explosive device in order to hurt our students. Those directly involved with the situation determined that was not the intent.

School officials initially reported that the 16-year-old, who was hospitalized, was the only one believed to be injured in the morning blast. State police later said that four students were taken by parents to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

A teacher also sought treatment.

Newaygo police responded at 8:52 a.m. to a report of an explosion inside a classroom, state police Lt. Michelle Robinson said in a statement.

Early investigation shows that the 16-year-old brought the explosive to school before it detonated. Robinson said she could not describe the device with the investigation ongoing.

Schools Superintendent Peggy Mathis told MLive that an explosive compound was detonated. After the explosion, students were evacuated to the bus garage.

School workers and first responders immediately sought to determine what happened and if other students were at risk. All other schools in Newaygo County were put on lockdown until police determined there were no further threats to students.

High school students eventually were dismissed for the day because of smoke inside the building and the police investigation.

Robinson said that police are trying to determine the material used in the explosion and circumstances behind the student bringing it to school. Police believe it was an isolated incident.

The state police Bomb Squad, FBI and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, are on the scene trying to help identify the explosives used. Police asked people to avoid the area near the high school.

Multiple police, fire and hazardous-materials agencies from around the area responded to the explosion.

Read more:

Student ignited explosive compound at Newaygo High School, injuring 3

Hunters find skeletal remains less than five miles from Lake Michigan

Grand Valley State University will hold a virtual commencement ceremony this spring
With Microsofts release of Visual Studio Code 1.54, the open source code editor now runs natively on Apple Silicon computers.

Published March 4 and dubbed the February 2021 release, Visual Studio Code 1.54 features stable Apple Silicon builds. Apple Silicon was introduced by Apple last year as an ARM-based CPU to replace Intel CPUs in Mac computers.

Developers on Macs with M1 chips now can use Visual Studio Code without needing emulation via the Rosetta translation environment. Users will notice improved performance and longer battery life, Microsoft noted. The default download of Visual Studio Code for MacOS now is a universal build running natively on all Macs.

Visual Studio Code is Microsofts streamlined code editor supporting operations such as debugging, task running, and version control. It is based on the Electron framework for developing cross-platform desktop applications in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

Visual Studio Code can be downloaded from visualstudio.com. Other capabilities in Visual Studio Code 1.54, which follows last months Visual Studio Code 1.53 release, include:
I recently had lunch with some family friends at one of their homes. My friends housemate spoke to an uncle* about the situation in Myanmar and how insightful it was talking to someone who protested at the 8-8-88 uprisings, a nationwide series of pro-democracy protests on August 8, 1988.

Right there, I had a moment of clarity: surviving a dictatorship is not a universal experience.

My parents fled Myanmar (also known as Burma) during this brutal uprising. I was born a few years later as a refugee on the Thai-Burma border and moved to Australia when I was three.

Ye Yint Aung with his father and sister at a recent protest in Melbourne against the Myanmar coup.

Going to protests is a family pastime: the overnight ritual of painting signs, cooking for the next day, sewing armbands and bandannas and ironing on them the yellow peacock National League for Democracy logos. I have to remind myself that not everyone did this as kids.
Mass MoCA Workers File for Union Election

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Workers at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art are looking to unionize after they say the pandemic has highlighted unfair working conditions and job insecurity at the world's largest contemporary art museum.

In a statement released on Monday, staffers say they have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board for an election to join Technical, Office, and Professional Union Local 2110 United Auto Workers.

"Forming a union at Mass MoCA will help strengthen the institution by investing in its workers. Though there has long been a need and desire for organized labor, last year's COVID-related layoffs really laid bare the ways in which we don't have the leverage we need or deserve," said Amanda Tobin, associate director of education, in the statement.

The sprawling museum laid off about 120 of its 165 employees at the end of last March and reduced the hours of remaining staff as COVID-19 pandemic forced closure of numerous cultural, recreational, business and education organizations. The museum's popular Freshgrass Festival was canceled along with many of the concerts and performances that make up about 70 percent of its $12 million budget.

Mass MoCA has since reopened but with limited access to abide by pandemic regulations; it currently falls under the 50 percent capacity limit. Some staff were rehired through the federal Payroll Protection Plan but others were not.

Tobin, who's worked at the museum for seven years, said she and her colleagues were let go "with little communication and no assurance there would be a job to return to in future."

"The mass layoffs were isolating and confusing, and were made with no regard to the staff's experience and history with the institution," she said. "Unionizing is the best way to move forward on equal footing with leadership and start to rebuild trust and reorganize priorities in the face of the very real, systemic issues that the COVID-19 pandemic and this summer's uprisings for racial justice have exposed. Together we can start to fix these problems."

The new union local, if approved, would cover curators, art fabricators, educators, facilities, other front-facing staff, and more. The petition cites job insecurity, inequitable conditions, low salaries, and pandemic lay-offs as major reasons for organizing a union.

The union local, if approved, would cover curators, art fabricators, educators, facilities, other front-facing staff, and more. The petition cites job insecurity, inequitable conditions, low salaries, and pandemic lay-offs as major reasons for organizing a union. It's estimated that about 100 people will be in the newly formed unit, including full- and part-time professional and non-professional staff, including custodial workers.

TOP Local 2110 covers about 3,000 workers in the fields education, museums, publishing, professionals firms and others ranging from secretaries to computer operators to museum curators and editors. Its workplaces include Columbia University, the American Civil Liberties Union, the New York Historical Society and HarperCollins Publishers.

Workers at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston last November voted overwhelmingly  133-14  to join Local 2110, citing some of the same issues as Mass MoCA staff.

"I love Mass MoCA. It's an important institution in our community of North Adams and the creative community more broadly," said Maro Elliott, manager of institutional giving, who has worked at the museum for a cumulative five years, in the statement. "The exhibitions, public programming, and community engagement that MASS MoCA facilitates would not be possible without the talented and dedicated staff who work to make it happen. Our value  and values  as staff will be better recognized through an organized and collective voice. I know we can make MASS MoCA a better place for everyone, staff and visitors alike."




Haiti - Politic : Denial of the National Palace on Joseph L. Mathieu





Following the arrest by the National Police of Haiti (PNH) and the judicial transfer to the USA of Mathieu Lissner Joseph, a naturalized American Haitian actively wanted by the American justice for drug trafficking who was the subject of a international arrest order and the rumors that followed, suggesting that Mathieu Lissner Joseph was an employee of the National Palace, Lyonel Valbrun, the Secretary General of the Presidency published a formal denial to clarify:



"[...] Mathieu Lissner Joseph holds an access badge, as are other suppliers and subcontractors offering professional services to the Administration of the National Palace, in accordance with the law.



The Secretary General of the Presidency:



Emphasizes to everyone that the citizen in question, who was wanted by American justice, is neither a relative nor a driver of the President of the Republic, as specialists of the "INFOX" want to believe



He also calls on the population to be cautious in the face of this campaign of intoxication and manipulation of public opinion.



The Secretary General of the Presidency welcomes the cooperation between the Haitian and American authorities and wishes to recall that the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime remains one of the priorities of the Jovenel Moise Administration."



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33169-haiti-flash-two-haitian-criminals-transferred-to-the-usa.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















South Carolina wildlife officials are asking residents who hang bird feeders to take them down for the next few weeks out of fear they might be spreading disease.

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources said they're concerned by a rise in bird deaths and believe dirty feeders are to blame.

Residents should take the feeders down until early April, they said.

"This is just one less place for birds to congregate and spread any disease or bacteria among each other," Amy Tegeler, DNR's bird conservation coordinator, said.

Mold or bacteria can easily form on wet bird seed, either in the bird feeder or on the ground, according to DNR. If bird feeders aren't properly maintained, then spoiled feed, seed hulls and waste can severely harm local bird populations.

"This moldy bird seed and uncleaned bird feeders can cause birds to become sick," DNR's release said. "Specifically, mold can cause fatal avian diseases. The risk is greatly reduced when bird feeders are cleaned regularly."

Wildlife officials discovered that Pine Siskins  small birds in the finch family that range widely across North America but are considered by conservationists to be in steep decline  and some other species have been dying.

"While Pine Siskins are more susceptible than other species to getting sick from dirty bird feeders, there has been an increase in the number of reports SCDNR has received from across the state in the last several weeks," according to the agency.

The department said residents shouldn't be concerned that the short-term removal will cause lasting harm to birds that sometimes favor seeds placed out by humans.

"Bird feeders are a wonderful way for people to enjoy and help birds right in their backyards. Unfortunately, keeping bird feeders isn't as easy as just putting one up and making sure it stays filled with food, it requires regular maintenance and cleaning," Tegeler said. "And when outbreaks such as this happen, it's a great reminder of just how important it is to keep feeders clean so birds can continue to thrive in South Carolina."

Anyone who finds sick birds can report them to a wildlife rehabilitator, she said. Dead songbirds should be handled with gloves and buried or removed in a plastic bag so that disease won't be transmitted to pets or humans.

"In some yards Pine Siskins are gathering in large numbers during this 'irruption' year," said Jennifer Tyrrell, engagement manager for Audubon South Carolina. "It's important now that if you're seeing Pine Siskins you take your feeders down until they have left the area as Salmonella cases are one the rise."

An irruption year is marked by finch species moving south in search of food when their usual sources  conifer forests in the U.S. and Canada  run low, according to the National Audubon Society.

"Regardless of whether or not you have finch flocks at your feeders, keeping them clean is essential if you want to responsibly and safely feed birds in your yard," Tyrrell said.

Even if one homeowner keeps their feeders clean, others in the area may not be, she said, which means other birds could be bringing disease in to contaminate other feeders.
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Nguyen Thi Hue, a medical worker in Hai Duong Province, is injected with AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, March 8, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Gia Chinh.

Medical and other frontline workers in Hanoi, HCMC and Hai Duong got the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine on Monday morning.

At 6:15 a.m. the Vietnam Vaccine JSC sent the vaccines to the HCMC Hospital for Tropical Diseases where 900 medical workers are to be given shots.

At the same time in Hanoi, specialized vehicles transported the vaccines to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

Dr Vu Minh Dien, deputy director of the hospitals center for pandemic prevention and vaccination, said 420 medical personnel would be immunized in the first phase.

"If possible, we will vaccinate all the hospital staff, but because the vaccine supply is limited and must be distributed to many other provinces, the highest priority is given to those who have direct contact with Covid patients and some medical staff in charge of screening patients."

From a warehouse belonging to the company in Hanoi's Dong Da District, two vehicles left at 3 a.m. for the Kinh Thanh District medical center and the Hospital of Tropical Diseases in Hai Duong Province, 60 kilometers east of the capital.

Hai Duong, where there have been 707 cases so far, got 33,000 doses meant for medical staff and other frontline workers.

As one of the first people to be vaccinated in Hai Duong, Nguyen Thi Hue, 34, a member of the contact tracing team in Tan Viet Commune, said she was concerned about the quality of the vaccine, but was confident that there would be good results.

"My job involves regular contact with people who have had direct or indirect contact with patients, putting me at high risk of infection. I decided to register to be vaccinated to protect myself and my family," she said.

During the screening, the recipients had to inform authorities about their medical history including acute or chronic diseases or chemotherapy they had and history of allergy or anaphylaxis.

Healthcare workers carefully advised them about possible reactions such as pain at the injection site, headache, nausea, chills, fever, and anaphylactic reaction or allergy. The recipients had to then sign a Covid-19 vaccination consent form.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long warned that the vaccine does not guarantee 100 percent immunity against Covid-19.

According to AstraZeneca, it is 76 percent effective, increasing to 81 percent after the second shot. The recipients are set to get the second dose after 12 weeks.

Long went on to stress the need for everyone to continue complying with the pandemic prevention protocol.

The first batch of 117,600 vaccine doses arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on a flight from Seoul on February 23, and after evaluating its quality, the health ministry approved the vaccination.

This month Vietnam will get another 1.3 million doses through Covax, a global mechanism for developing, manufacturing and procuring Covid-19 vaccines.

While the production of domestic vaccines is underway, the government has speeded up foreign procurement to inoculate prioritized groups.

It is negotiating with vaccine manufacturers in the U.S., Russia and some other countries to ensure it can obtain a total 150 million doses to cover 70 percent of the countrys population this year.

It has also approved the use of Moderna and Sputnik V vaccines.
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Frances Tapps was eight months pregnant when a Jefferson Parish sheriffs vehicle rolled up to her Kenner street on a Thursday evening in January. Deputy Randy McClendon got out in uniform and walked up the concrete path to her apartment, she said.

He rapped on the window and banged on the front door while yelling, Tapps told an internal affairs investigator the next day.

Hes beating it saying, Get, I need yall to vacate the premises. Get out, Tapps said, according to a transcript of her statement. So I open the door, hes got his hand on, the officers got his hand on his gun.

Tapps said in an interview last week that she walked outside and got in her car to visit her mother up the street, but McClendon pulled up his marked cruiser and blocked her in the driveway.

Thats when she hit the record button on her camera phone.

OK, youre a Jefferson Parish police, she said on the recording, challenging McClendon over his presence there. Shed already called Kenner police, who were on their way.

I am a private citizen, McClendon, 49, responded from the drivers seat of the patrol car, its front passenger door emblazoned with the JPSO shield.

McClendon came with no eviction papers, and even if he had, thats a local constables job, not that of a sheriffs deputy, noted Jessica Sawyer of Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, Tapps attorney.

Nor was McClendon on the lease as a landlord, though that wouldnt give him the authority to force Tapps to leave, either.

You still have to go through the process. You have to get a judgment, Sawyer said in an interview. Youre circumventing the courts. No ones above the law.

A spokesman for Sheriff Joe Lopintos office acknowledged an internal investigation into McClendon over the incident.

That investigation is ongoing, and we do expect discipline to follow at the conclusion, Capt. Jason Rivarde said.

McClendon "remains actively working" during the investigation, in accordance with the agency's normal policy, he said.

The incident took place amid a federal moratorium on evictions for failure to pay rent, as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control aims to slow the spread of COVID-19 through vulnerable communities.

Sawyer called it an example of increasing attempts by landlords, frustrated over a series of state and federal eviction moratoriums since the start of the pandemic a year ago, to involve law enforcement to illegally evict tenants.

She dismissed McClendons claim from his patrol car that he was only a private citizen.

You cant say youre acting as a private citizen wearing your uniform, wearing your badge. Any normal person would think hes a representative of the department, she said.

The company that owns the triplex, HUM Management, hadnt yet filed court papers to evict Tapps, whose rent is subsidized by a federal Section 8 housing voucher.

The firms principals are Abdul and Syeda Siddiqui, state records show. A man responding to a cell phone number for Abdul Siddiqui said McClendon was not part of HUM Management, but hes my partner.

The man didnt elaborate. Efforts to reach McClendon for an interview were not successful.

HUM Management also owns three other rental properties in the parish, property records show.

Tapps said McClendon had been around before, identifying himself as a partner in the two-story brick building. On both occasions, she was behind on rent.

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That was this mans second time coming to my house threatening me behind money, she said last week. Thats the only time I see him come around.

Lopintos office rebuffed a request for information on McClendons disciplinary record, citing state privacy laws.

Whether McClendon was on duty when he visited Tapps would be part of the internal investigation, Rivarde said. He said McClendon works in the offices Fourth District, based on Airline Drive in Metairie.

Kenner police reached Greenwood Street about 5:35 p.m. on Jan. 7 and spoke first with McClendon and then Tapps. McClendon claimed he was a part owner of the building and he had been told that (Tapps) was vacating the residenceMcClendon advised that he was there to retrieve the key from (Tapps), according to a brief police account.

Tapps, 38, called that a lie. She told investigators that McClendon gave her an ultimatum: pay the rent or be out by 4 p.m.

He kept saying, Get out, she said.

She also says McClendon ran her name through a law enforcement database.

He said, And by the way, youve got attachments, I ought to bring you to jail, Tapps told an internal affairs investigator, Sgt. David Canas. And Kenner Police told him, You cant bring her to jail.

Rivarde, the sheriff's office spokesman, said the allegation that McClendon used sheriff's office resources for a personal matter "is part of the investigation, and is also expected to be part of the discipline anticipated after the completion of the investigation."

Under Louisiana ethics law, its an abuse of office for a public servant to use the authority of his office or position, directly or indirectly, in a manner intended to compel or coerce any person or other public servant to provide himself, any other public servant, or other person with any thing of economic value.

Kenner officers advised McClendon that he needed to have (Tapps) formerly (sic) evicted from the residence prior to retrieving the key, according to the police account.

Tapps acknowledged she hadnt paid her share of the rent since the apartment repeatedly failed inspections last fall and Kenner housing officials withheld the subsidy, which covered the large majority of her $900 rent. She said the housing authority cited the apartment for a faulty electrical box, trouble with fire detectors and toilets that require extra water dumped in to properly flush.

The day after McClendon showed up in his squad car, court records show, the landlord filed to evict Tapps

Three days later, she went into labor at the housing authority office. That afternoon, she delivered a baby boy, Judah, in an emergency C-section, she said.

He sent me into labor, she said of the deputy. What if something would have happened to my baby?

Tapps said she got word of the eviction petition while at the hospital. Kenner Justice of the Peace Roscoe Lewis would deny it for lack of sufficient notice. The landlord filed again to evict her on Feb. 17, claiming Tapps owed the full past-due rent amount over four months.

But Lewis again denied it, this time citing a declaration that Tapps submitted under the CDC moratorium, Sawyer said.

Tapps said shes now approved by housing officials to move to a new apartment.

McClendon's history at JPSO appears spotty. He once worked as an account clerk for the Jefferson Parish schools system before he was suspected in 2009 of skimming nearly $10,000 from the district, according to a report in the Times-Picayune.

At the time, JPSO officials said McClendon also had worked for the sheriffs office, as a process server at First Parish Court in Metairie. He resigned from the sheriffs office in January 2009, during the theft investigation, officials said.

But District Attorney Paul Connicks office refused the charges a year later, and it appears that McClendon soon rejoined law enforcement.

He received his state certification as a peace officer in 2011, according to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, and earned a higher certification as a correctional officer in 2018.

Records from a bankruptcy case that was closed in 2016 show that McClendon was working for the St. Charles Parish Sheriffs Office in 2015. When he returned to Jefferson Parish is uncertain.
Burning Man originated in San Francisco in 1986, becoming so large it eventually had to move to Black Rock Desert. Many large sculptures end up in storage so it's wonderful to bring this fnnch sculpture back home to San Francisco for everyone to enjoy.

2020 was the first year the physical Burning Man was officially canceled, due to Covid-19. The owners of STUFF decided they wanted to bring Burning Man back to life for people to enjoy. STUFF displays the amazing fnnch honey bear sculpture in its upper level, the only space large enough to fit this tall sculpture. It has proven hugely popular for viewing and photographs for social media.

STUFF, a collective housing 60+ small businesses, has over 17,000 square feet of space showcasing everything vintage, retro and mid-century. They're open seven days a week from 11-7.

STUFF, a long-time and early supporter of fnnch, collaborated on "Express Yourself" in 2017. At the time, fnnch said, "It was the coolest painting I've made." It features 16 honey bears in total and introduced 5 new ones including Trans Bear, Afro Bear, Skateboard Bear, Stuff Bear and the Summer of Love Bear. It's now available as a high-quality archival print signed by fnnch at STUFF. STUFF and fnnch embrace "Express Yourself," with fnnch saying, "There is often no right way to do something, and I support you doing you."

fnnch believes art is for everyone and strives to bring art into the public realm by creating street art and murals. He has been featured by the New York Times, Washington Post and San Francisco Chronicle. His art can be found in San Francisco, LA, New York, Miami, Chicago, St. Louis, Tel Aviv, and Hong Kong.

Come experience all at STUFF, Be who You are and Express Yourself.

ABOUT: fnnch is a local artist in SF, CA who is now known worldwide with releases of his art selling out within minutes. He's most known for his honey bears and getting art into public spaces. fnnch has also dramatically expanded philanthropy raising or donating $12,000- in 2019 to $293,000- in 2020. fnnch.com or @fnnch. STUFF, a large vintage modern store in San Francisco at 150 Valencia Street, Loves everyone being who they are. Visit stuffSF.com or on Facebook.

Contact James Spinello 415-710-4288 [email protected]

SOURCE STUFF

Related Links

https://www.stuffsf.com


Governor of South Dakota Kristi Noem made headlines in 2020 for keeping her state open during the COVID-19 outbreak and opposing Faucian dictates about masks, stay-at-home orders, and church closures. To this, conservatives applauded  and rightly so. But does holding the line during a pandemic in a state with less than 900 thousand people  about the size of Charlotte, North Carolina  now warrant the frenetic swell of support for Noem among conservatives to be the next vice president or even president? Absolutely not  especially at time when the fight for constitutional conservative values is more important than ever.

Noem said in her speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where she put on a visually stunning show, that "conservatives must be smarter than progressives." Indeed they must  starting with the people they rally around to be their leaders. After listening to her speech, one would walk away thinking she fits the bill. She checked all the boxes: told the harrowing tale of keeping her state open in defiance of draconian demands, made jokes about the incompetence of the D.C. media (one could just hear the echo of Sarah Palin's lame-stream media quips), talked enthusiastically about America's founding and the Constitution, rallied the troops for limited government and our God-given rights, praised good old-fashioned American individuality, derided identity politics, told a touching personal story about her cowboy father, and ended with a plea for our children and their future.

Perfect. Just what all conservatives long to hear, and much like  the comparison is simply too obvious to ignore  Palin in her prime. We loved the Alaskan governor too. Sassy, fiery, intelligent, pretty, and 100-percent Americana.

Unlike Palin, however, Noem has a federal record that goes beyond her laudable COVID response and her brief time in the governor's mansion. She served in Congress from 2011 to 2019, where she cast votes that affected all Americans, not just those in South Dakota. Alas, reality has a way of throwing cold water on us all.

Noem waxes eloquent about freedom, conservatism, and the Constitution, but when it came to voting, she was decidedly purple in her ideology and leadership within the House of Representatives. Contrary to conservative values, she voted for the bloated $855-billion Cromnibus spending package, voted against repealing federal biofuel and energy subsidy programs, voted against farm bill work requirements, voted against reducing funding for assistance housing programs, and voted against reducing funding for essential air service programs and other alternative energy requirements. However, she has been consistently pro-life and voted to bar funding of Obama's policy to grant amnesty to illegal aliens, though at the time of this vote, she had an underwhelming 51-percent liberty score across the board.

Regarding voting scores, Heritage Action and Conservative Review gave her a failing grade of 58-percent lifetime liberty score. Compare this to Ted Cruz's 91 percent, Rand Paul's 89, and Mike Lee's 96. The Club for Growth in 2017 gave her a lifetime score of 65 percent. Compare this to Justin Amash's 99 percent, Andy Biggs's 100 percent, and Jim Jordan's 98 percent. The American Conservative Union in the same year gave her a lifetime average of 75 percent. Finally, Noem's National Journal Composite Conservative Score, which was last recorded in 2013, was 27.5 percent.

During Noem's many years in Congress, she held zero leadership positions on any committee or subcommittee. She succeeded sponsoring three bills (an Amber alert bill, an amendment to Title XI, and a peace and security act) that made it into law. The last piece of legislation is problematic  not so much because the law is overtly controversial  it had bipartisan support  but because of its focus and external support.

Additionally, the peace and security act wasn't about liberty, limited government, conservative initiatives, or economic growth. It was about women. Having legislation about women isn't intrinsically bad, but it does say something about your priorities when your most notable legislation as a woman is about women during an age of identity politics. It's also revealing that the initiative was supported only by anti-conservative lobby groups.

The bill introduced by Noem in the 115th Congress was H.R. 2484  Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017, an issue previously advocated by the Obama administration. In the Senate, S. 1141 was introduced by a Democrat  Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, who was considered as a running mate for Joe Biden. The bill states, "The United States should be a global leader in promoting the participation of women in conflict prevention, management, and resolution and post-conflict relief and recovery efforts; and the political participation and leadership of women in fragile environments, particularly during democratic transitions, is critical to sustaining democratic institutions."

In other words, the United States is to be proactive in telling international entities that women  because of their sex  need to be involved in peacemaking because, evidently, they're better at making peace. Again, not a necessarily a controversial issue  and it did receive Republican support and was signed into law by President Trump  but it's not particularly "conservative" or limited regarding government involvement. And, as stated above, it received no support from conservative lobby groups.

Often, it's revealing to grasp the essence of a bill by looking at who lobbies on its behalf. In the case of Noem's legislation, there were two: J Street and Population Action International. J Street is a liberal "pro-Israel" group funded by George Soros  financial support that the head of J Street wanted to keep confidential and "misspoke" about when it was leaked. To ward off controversy, founder Jeremy Ben-Ami later apologized for "misleading" statements about Soros's large funding of the lobby group.

J Street is extremely progressive and supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Here it stands apart from AIPAC, which is decidedly pro-Israel and supported by most Republicans. J Street also successfully labored to defeat Tea Party activists Joe Walsh and Allen West because they opposed the creation of a Palestinian state.

The other lobby group for Noem's legislation was Population Action International, a feminist organization that supports universal access to abortion, climate change initiatives, and the reproductive "rights" of young people. It is ardently supported by the Feminist Majority Foundation and puts pressure on American politicians to support family planning programs, gender equality, and environmental sustainability on an international scale.

Exposing the sole lobby groups for Noem's legislation does not mean she supports their agenda. However, when it comes to politics, you can learn much about a person's political trajectories not only by what she says she stands for or by a singular stance on a particular issue, but who supports her when she steps up to present federal legislation. At best, this could mean she can connect on some points with an opposition bound by identity politics; at worst, it means she focuses on compromises rather than much-needed disruptive conservative initiatives.

In summary, Noem is a novice governor who has made some good decisions for her state during the pandemic and is able to give an attractive speech to conservatives. But she is a failed legislator when it comes to issues she says she supports; has proven herself in no leadership positions within Congress, where the mettle of national and international politics is truly tested; and is legislatively supported by groups that oppose everything conservatives hold dear.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
For millions in South Carolina, March 8 marked the first day they could sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

But with so many people clamoring for an appointment and thousands on waitlists, the loosened rules didn't mean everyone was successful in scheduling their shot.

A year after the first two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the state, roughly 2.7 million additional South Carolina residents became eligible for the vaccine on Monday, including everyone 55 and older, those with underlying health issues or disabilities, and everyone who must work in person. The new guidelines, announced last week, mean the majority of the state can look for an appointment.

But with dozens of vaccine providers to choose from and each with different scheduling systems, many found appointments were not easy to come by.

After spending hours on the phone the morning of March 8 calling a half-dozen pharmacies and the hospital group Prisma Health, Nikki Thompson was able to schedule one of the vaccine appointments she needs.

A stay-at-home parent to four children who qualifies because of her health, Thompson, at first, found an appointment three hours away from her home in Greenville. The couple's 4-year-old son has a chronic lung disease that has landed him in an emergency department with a common cold and has made the family even more cautious over the past year.

"We've been counting down the days for the vaccine," Thompson said.

Then, early in the afternoon, Thompson discovered two appointments closer to home at Ingles Pharmacy in Greenville for March 21. The trick was to call, not to look online, she said.

Still in the past phase

South Carolina moved on to its next steps in vaccinating as much of the public as possible before the highest priority individuals have all had a shot.

Only about a third of the state population who qualified in the first phase of eligibility have completed their vaccinations, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control's data. That population includes people age 65 and older, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, health care workers and first responders.

As of March 5, about 531,000 people 65 and older had received at least one dose of the vaccine, representing about 57 percent of South Carolina's population in that age group.

At the Medical University of South Carolina, low vaccine supply has meant the health system hasn't been able to schedule new appointments for weeks. About 40,000 people are on MUSC's waitlist, all of whom qualified in the state's first phase. It is possible some of those thousands have since found appointments elsewhere.

At Conway Medical Center just outside of Myrtle Beach, 1,900 people from the first eligibility phase are on the hospital's waitlist. By the afternoon of March 8, 3,000 more people had requested appointments  putting it on track for the most requests in a single day since the hospital opened its portal on Jan. 13.

Even so, state health officials have said enough progress has been made, and enough appointments were left open across the state, to justify moving on. Nick Davidson, senior deputy for public health at DHEC, said on March 5 "nearly" all long-term care facility residents and staff have at least had the opportunity to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Availability a moving target

Now that eligibility has been opened further, DHEC is directing the public to use its website, vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov, where dots light up green where appointments are supposedly available.

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A spokeswoman for the health agency said the website is updated several times daily. Even so, clicking on a green dot doesn't always mean an appointment is guaranteed, with slots quickly being snapped up.

"It's important to note that a provider's ability to schedule appointments can change each day based on vaccine availability  more appointments will open up when facilities receive their direct shipments for the week  and as individuals cancel appointments for various reasons," the DHEC spokeswoman said.

Demand is still outstripping supply, she said.

Some providers sent mixed signals, meanwhile: Despite being a designated vaccinator for weeks, a sign on the window of a local CVS pharmacy read "the COVID-19 vaccine is NOT CURRENTLY available at CVS locations." Its website contradicted that statement.

Educators, who are among the group newly eligible March 8, are also likely sapping a portion of the state's weekly shipment of COVID-19 vaccine. Ryan Brown, spokesman for state Superintendent Molly Spearman, said more than 30 districts have announced clinics for their employees this week or next.

The states nearly 123,000 K-12 employees represent a small percentage of those newly eligible. All 79 of South Carolinas school districts had developed vaccination plans ahead of last weeks announcement.

And while limited supply is hampering some districts ability to follow through with those plans quickly, particularly along the coast, most arent having an issue, Brown said.

Were seeing a lot of vaccine providers jumping at the chance, he said. By and large, particularly in rural areas, theyve got it going on as a result of having plans in place and providers knowing they can knock out a good portion of eligible people at one time.

Some people had luck accessing vaccine appointment schedules before eligibility technically opened up on March 8.

Both Vicki Viers and her husband qualify because they are in their early 60s. Viers, a Huger resident and real estate broker, managed to schedule an appointment for her husband on Saturday, and by Monday morning a shot was in his arm.

Viers plans to drive more than two hours to Camden for her own appointment on March 10.

Originally from West Virginia, Viers said she would be willing to drive to her home state for a vaccine if she must. The virus has kept her from family, as well as hindered her efforts to build up her real estate business, given she and her husband only moved to South Carolina about a year and a half ago. Now that she is scheduled, Viers plans to visit her mother, who has also been vaccinated, and see her grandkids in Mount Pleasant and Ohio.

"I haven't seen the grandkids for a year except through windows," she said. "I can't wait for hugs."

In good news for Viers and everyone who is looking forward to seeing their families, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said March 8 it is acceptable for people who have been fully vaccinated to meet up for small, indoor gatherings.

With appointments set up for herself and her husband, Viers said she has moved on to searching for a way to schedule other members of her family who are newly eligible.

Seanna Adcox contributed reporting from Columbia, and Nick Masuda contributed from Myrtle Beach.
DGAP-Ad-hoc: OPDEnergy, S.A.U. / Key word(s): IPO

OPDE Investment Espana, S.L. is considering its initial public offering while its 100% subsidiary OPDEnergy has engaged EIG to refinance its outstanding senior notes due 2024 and raise financing ...



08-March-2021 / 12:50 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.





OPDE Investment Espana, S.L. is considering its initial public offering while its 100% subsidiary OPDEnergy has engaged EIG to refinance its outstanding senior notes due 2024 and raise financing to buy back Marguerite's 80% stake in three solar PV plants in Spain

OPDE Investment Espana, S.L. is considering a potential IPO by way of a mostly primary offering to raise equity to partially fund the development of its pipeline of renewable energy projects in the short term.

OPDEnergy has separately engaged EIG to refinance its outstanding  and US$ senior notes due 2024 with new senior notes in a principal amount of up to 140 million.

OPDEnergy's 100% subsidiary Otras Producciones de Energia Fotovoltaica has received acceptance from Marguerite to its non-binding offer and exclusivity agreement regarding the repurchase of Marguerite's 80% stake in three solar PV plants in Spain with an aggregate installed capacity of 150 MW.

8 March 2021. Madrid, Spain. In response to news having appeared in the Spanish press, OPDE Investment Espana, S.L. (the "Company"), OPDEnergy, S.A.U.'s ("OPDEnergy") parent company, would like to confirm that it is considering an initial public offering ("IPO") by way of a mostly primary offering to raise equity to partially fund the development of its pipeline of renewable energy projects in the short term.

Separately, OPDEnergy has recently engaged EIG on an exclusive basis in respect of a potential refinancing transaction by way of an optional redemption by OPDEnergy of its outstanding  and US$ senior notes due 2024 with a portion of the net proceeds of a new issuance of up to 140 million in principal amount of senior notes due 2023 (the "Refinancing Transaction" and the "New Notes"). The proposed Refinancing Transaction is not conditional upon the IPO.

In turn, OPDEnergy's 100% subsidiary Otras Producciones de Energia Fotovoltaica, S.L. has received acceptance from Marguerite Solar Spain, S.L.U. ("Marguerite") to its non-binding offer and exclusivity agreement until 30 April 2021 regarding the repurchase of Marguerite's 80% share capital in three solar PV plants in Spain with an aggregate total installed peak capacity of 150 MW, subject to completion of the Refinancing Transaction and other customary conditions (the "Marguerite Portfolio Buyback"). Such plants were developed by the OPDEnergy group, which continues to provide operation and management services in respect thereto, and 80% of the equity and shareholder loans of the three project companies were sold to Marguerite in 2019. Assuming that binding agreements are entered into by the parties in respect of the Marguerite Portfolio Buyback and all conditions precedent to closing are met, OPDEnergy intends to apply a portion of the net proceeds from the issuance of the New Notes to fund the execution by Otras Producciones de Energia Fotovoltaica, S.L. of the Marguerite Portfolio Buyback.

INSIDE INFORMATION



This Press Release relates to the disclosure of information that qualified, or may have qualified, as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation ("MAR") in relation to OPDEnergy's senior notes due 2024. For the purposes of MAR and Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055, this announcement is made by Isabel Troya Smith, Investor Relations Director of the OPDEnergy group.



DISCLAIMER

This announcement includes references to a potential initial public offering of the ordinary shares of the Company, following the re-registration of the Company as a sociedad anonima, which is under preliminary analysis by its shareholders and directors, and a decision has not been taken on whether to proceed with such transaction. This announcement is neither a prospectus nor a prospectus equivalent document nor an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities of the Company, following the re-registration of the Company as a sociedad anonima, in such jurisdictions where such offer or sale would be unlawful. Investors should not subscribe for or purchase, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities referred to in this document except on the basis of information in, or incorporated by reference to, the prospectus to be registered with, and approved by, the Spanish National Securities Market Commission (Comision Nacional del Mercado de Valores, the "CNMV"). Once approved, the prospectus will be available at the Company's registered offices and published on the websites of the Company and the CNMV in due course in connection with the proposed initial public offering of ordinary shares (the "Shares") of the Company (the "Offering").

The issue and/or sale of Shares in the Offering are subject to specific legal and regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. The Company assumes no responsibility in the event there is a violation by any person of such restrictions.

The Company has not authorized any offer to the public of securities in the United Kingdom or in any Member State of the European Economic Area.

In any Member State of the European Economic Area, this announcement is only addressed to and is only directed at qualified investors in that Member State within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market.

In the United Kingdom, this communication is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, and any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is available only to, and will be engaged in only with, "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (i) who are persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"); (ii) who are high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"); or (iii) who are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated. Persons in the United Kingdom who are not relevant persons should not take any action on the basis of this communication and should not act or rely on it.

Neither this announcement nor any part or copy of it may be taken or transmitted into the United States or published, released, disclosed or distributed, directly or indirectly, in the United States, as that term is defined in the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Neither this document nor any part or copy of it may be published, released, distributed or disclosed in Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S., Australian, Canadian, South African or Japanese securities laws.

This announcement and the information contained herein are not a solicitation of an offer to buy securities or an offer for the sale of securities in the United States (within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act). The Shares of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in the case of a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in compliance with the relevant state securities laws. There will be no public offering of the ordinary shares in the United States.
Australian of the Year Grace Tame has lashed out at Australia's 'varying' definitions of sexual consent.

The 26-year-old made a powerful speech at Marie Claire's International Women's Day breakfast in Sydney on Monday.

Ms Tame, who has become an advocate for victims of sexual assault, was a 15-year-old schoolgirl battling anorexia when her high school maths teacher raped her on the classroom floor.

'It's consent which is absolute consent,' she told the audience on Monday.

'You can't be a little bit pregnant as we know, you can't be a little bit dead and you can't be a little bit consenting. They're yes or no.'

The 26-year-old made a powerful speech at Marie Claire's International Women's Day breakfast in Sydney on Monday

Last week Ms Tame hit out at Scott Morrison over his handling of parliament's sexual assault crisis

'When you have such ambiguity around a concept you can't actually develop a proper understanding and therefore you can't take it seriously,' she said.

'It undermines the ability to conform and actually approach things properly.'

The Tasmanian also encouraged other women to speak up about sexual assault and be catalysts for a change of culture.

'I like to think of myself as a little domino,' she said. 'There's a whole lot of dominoes waiting to be pushed over; just be that one domino.

'Your tiny little contribution has enormous catalytic potential.'

Last week Ms Tame hit out at Scott Morrison over his handling of parliament's sexual assault crisis.

Mr Morrison said he had discussed allegations Ms Higgins had been raped by a male colleague with his wife Jenny.

He said Jenny had asked him 'what would you want to happen if it were our girls?' - prompting him to tackle parliament's sexual assault crisis head on.

Ms Tame, who has become an advocate for victims of assault, was a 15-year-old schoolgirl battling anorexia when her high school maths teacher raped her on the classroom floor

Last week Ms Tame hit out at Scott Morrison over his handling of parliament's sexual assault crisis

Ms Tame said you don't need to be a parent to have the capacity to empathise with sexual assault victims.

'Having children doesn't guarantee a conscience,' she said in response to a question after her address to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday.

A reporter asked: 'Do you think those words ring true now in the way he handled that?'

She responded: 'Clearly not'.
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A Chinese political advisor told China.org.cn on Wednesday that she believed Shenzhen's Luohu district has done right in building itself into an international consumer hub.

Wu Yihuan, a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the vice mayor of Shenzhen, is currently in Beijing to attend the fourth session of China's top political advisory body, which will run from March 4-10.

Recalling the "2020 gift from Luohu" digital yuan test launch co-organized by the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and the People's Bank of China in October 2020, Wu said that the general public was quite positive about the campaign.

During the event, 50,000 "red envelopes" containing 200 yuan ($29.88) each, were handed out to local residents through a system on the iShenzhen app. The money can be used to make purchases at 3,389 designated shops, including supermarkets, retail stores, and restaurants. It is hoped that the giveaway will also promote the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as stimulate consumption and domestic demands.

"It has been an ongoing plan to build Luohu into an international consumer center, so this is one of the things that is worth doing," she said.

During Luohu's development spanning more than four decades, Wu described how she is proud of efforts made by the district to systematically attract top commercial attractions, boosting consumption. "It now has many quite good, high-end commercial networks and outlets and huge consumer venues such as The Mixc (Shenzhen), the oldest major shopping mall in Shenzhen and which is at the heart of the Luohu district, boasting top international brands and shops found elsewhere in the world."

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the advisor believes Luohu will continue to innovate, as well as promote and stimulate consumption to fulfill its own vision.

Luohu district, established in March 1979, is one of the six oldest areas of Shenzhen. In 2019, local GDP reached 239.03 billion yuan and earnings from Luohu's service sector were the highest among all Shenzhen districts. The district's economic density is also higher than the city's average.
New Delhi, March 8 : Fearing of getting apprehended, a Sri Lankan fishing ship dumped the 260 kg of contraband which it was carrying, in the Lakshadweep sea, said the Indian Coast Guard after successfully averting a major drug transshipment through the sea route.

The coastal security forces detained six crew members for the interrogation.

"The value of these narcotics in international market is approximately Rs 2,100 crore," Indian Coast Guard said in a statement on Monday.

The coast guard ships and aircraft while on patrol off the Lakshadweep islands observed suspicious movements of three Sri Lankan fishing boats.

The boats were continuously monitored by the coast guards units and were subsequently intercepted and checked at the opportune moment.

Initial investigation revealed that Sri Lankan fishing boat Akarsha Duwa was at sea for longer duration of over a fortnight.

"Inconsistent information received and abnormal behaviour of crew further raised the suspicion level," the Coast guarding force said.

As the crew were giving misleading statements, they were interrogated tactfully upon which the crew admitted having been involved in smuggling of narcotics and contraband.

While en-route, the crew noticed presence of Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft in the area.

"With the fear of getting apprehended, the crew decided to flee the area. However, on realizing that fleeing from ICG ships was impossible, they dropped five bags of contraband weighing around 260 kg of narcotics in water," the force said.

Due to rough sea conditions off Minicoy Islands the boats were brought to Vizhinjam near Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday for further interrogation by the concerned security agencies.

Post rummaging and joint investigation at Vizhinjam, SLFB Akarsha Duwa along with six Sri Lankan crew was detained for final investigation.

Two other Sri Lankan boats with crew were released for handing over to Sri Lankan authorities for further investigation due to considerable quantity of fish stock onboard.

In a similar operation in November 2020, the coastal security forces had apprehended Sri Lankan fishing boat 'Shenaya Duwa' off Kanyakumari, carrying narcotics worth value approximately Rs 1,000 crore in the international market.
Market Focus Vietnam webinar

Le Linh Lan, Ambassador of Vietnam to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, said at a Market Focus Vietnam webinar last week that Swiss investors with comparative advantages and strengths in tech, innovation, capital, and expertise in finance, pharmaceuticals, and food manufacturing will look more to Vietnam as a safe and attractive destination for doing business in a post-pandemic world.

In addition, there is still potential in areas of trade and investment given the complementary nature of the two economies, Lan added.

Switzerland, as a member of the European Free Trade Area, has been in negotiation with Vietnam for a far-reaching free trade agreement (FTA) since 2012.

Negotiations between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) have completed their 16th round, Lan said. We are hopeful about the possibility of the conclusion of the trade deal especially this year, when we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two economies. An early conclusion of the FTA between Vietnam and the EFTA will give a big boost to economic and trade relations.

With forthcoming conclusion of the FTA, Swiss companies can enjoy similar benefits as their EU peers under the provisions of the EU-Vietnam agreements, which entered into force last year.

Indeed, more Swiss businesses are exploring investments in Vietnam. Last November, a group of Swiss and German investors paid a working visit to Vietnam. Former German Vice Chancellor Philipp Rosler led the delegation, meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and leaders of a number of ministries. Business leaders decided to invest $350 million in the healthcare sector, tech start-ups, and notably a tourist resort in the southern island of Phu Quoc.

Last week, the non-profit Swiss Vietnamese Business Gateway (SVBG) also made its official debut to promote investment and trade cooperation between Swiss and Vietnamese companies. The SVBG, founded by Vietnamese expatriates in Switzerland, will pave the way for more Swiss investors to join the market by providing updated information and legal consultations and guidance, as well as introducing quality human resources.

Swiss companies such as Nestle, Roche, Holcim, and Schindler were among the first to set foot in Vietnam when the country opened up its economy in the 1990s. Today, more than 100 Swiss companies are operating in Vietnam. As of February 20, Switzerland is the 21st biggest investor in Vietnam with the total investment capital of around $1.77 billion.

Will Mackereth, supply chain director of Nestle Vietnam said, At the moment, 80 per cent of Nestle products made in Vietnam is for domestic sale while 20 per cent goes to export. The success of the business in both the domestic market and export gives us a lot of optimism that we should see continued investment in Vietnam in both areas.

Meanwhile, Axel Armellin-Nguyen, co-founder of The Happy Turtle Straw, explained why Vietnam is an ideal hub for foreign startups including those from Switzerland. Vietnam is one of the most dynamic countries with the growing trend of innovation and fintech solutions. The government is very supportive of innovation by offering many incentives like tax relief and providing facilities for startups.

The Happy Turtle Straw is now focusing on a green tech model by developing better biodegradable straws in Vietnam. Using sustainable potato and cassava starches in a process thats 100-per-cent free of harmful chemicals, as well as being completely vegan and gluten-free, the companys plant-based drinking straws are already making all the difference. Its straws have been used in assisting natural preservation initiatives in Vietnam caring for sea turtles, as well as making drinking water safer in Lebanon.
Meghan Markle 'covered herself in blood diamonds' despite saying she was not attached to the 'grandeur' surrounding her role, US broadcaster Megyn Kelly said.

The former Fox News anchor also criticised the Duchess of Sussex for making the claim despite inviting George Clooney and Oprah Winfrey to her wedding in 2018.

Ms Kelly spoke out on ITV's Good Morning Britain after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's dramatic interview with Oprah was broadcast in the US on CBS overnight.

She said this morning: 'She (Meghan) goes onto say, I don't believe in any of the grandeur. There's an article already up on the New York Post here in the States that's saying this is the person who had Clooney and Oprah at her wedding even though she didn't even know them, and then covered herself in blood diamonds from a Saudi Prince, so like, spare us that you're not into any of the grandeur.'

It comes after claims were made last week that Meghan wore a pair a striking diamond earrings that were a wedding gift from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, who approved the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly spoke out on ITV's Good Morning Britain today

The article Ms Kelly was referring to was an opinion piece in the New York Post by Maureen Callahan headlined: 'Meghan Markle's interview was full of bull.'

Speaking from New York, Ms Kelly also told ITV: 'What I saw tonight was somebody who is totally un-self-aware, completely unaware of how she sounded.

'Like, I wasn't planning on saying anything shocking, expect for my husband's racist family almost drove me to suicidal thoughts while I was pregnant with my baby.'

Continuing to impersonate Meghan, she went on: '"And I thought meeting the Queen was going to be just like meeting a celebrity in Los Angeles. Like meeting a Chris Jenner." Nobody believes that'.

The 'grandeur' reference came when Meghan was speaking about learning that Archie would not be receiving security and would not become a prince.

Oprah asked the Duchess: 'Was the title was him being called a prince, Archie, being called a prince, was that important to you?'

Meghan Markle wore a pair of striking diamond earrings that were allegedly a wedding gift from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia. She is pictured wearing them at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji, on October 23, 2018

The Duchess of Sussex was again seen wearing the earrings one month later on November 14, 2018 as she was photographed leaving Kensington Palace to attend Prince Charles's 70th birthday party at Buckingham Palace

And Meghan replied: 'If it meant he was going to be safe, then, of course. All the grandeur surrounding this stuff is an attachment that I don't personally have, right?

'I've been a waitress, an actress, a princess, a duchess. I've always just still been Meghan, right? So, for me, I'm clear on who I am, independent of all that stuff.

'And the most important title I will ever have is 'Mom.' I know that. But the idea of our son not being safe, and also the idea of the first member of colour in this family not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be.'

Ms Kelly also criticised Meghan for not specifically ruling out the Duke of Edinburgh sensationally accusing a Royal Family member of racism.

Harry and Meghan claimed a royal, whom they both refused to identify, was worried about how dark their son Archie's skin tone might be before he was born.

But Ms Kelly said the lack of a name had led to social media speculation mounting in the US over the person being Prince Philip.

There is no suggestion that the 99-year-old Duke was responsible, and Buckingham Palace has not yet commented on the claims made in the Oprah Winfrey interview.

The claims relating to Philip may have been made because of his famous history of gaffes, but ITV royal correspondent Chris Ship told Good Morning Britain today that he had been told it was neither the Queen nor Prince Philip who made the remark.

Philip was taken to King Edward VII Hospital in London on February 16 for treatment for an infection, before having heart surgery at St Bartholomew's Hospital last week.

Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain, Ms Kelly said: 'Her implication that someone in the Royal Family objected to her having a baby of colour could, right here, the speculation on Twitter is that it was Prince Philip, right, so I don't know who it was.

'But while the guy's in a hospital you might want to put like a corral around him, and say I can tell you it's not the suffering 99-year-old  I don't know, something, to throw the guy a bone.'

It comes after Meghan was criticised last week for speaking up for human rights in Saudi Arabia yet wearing priceless earrings from its rulers.

George and Amal Clooney (left) and Oprah Winfrey (right) attended Meghan and Harry's wedding at Windsor Castle in 2018

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's interview Oprah Winfrey has now been shown in the US

She was photographed wearing the earrings, a wedding gift from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, three weeks after the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whose death the prince has accepted responsibility for.

Meghan was claimed to have been 'unaware' of the global outrage at the time about reports the prince had ordered the murder.

She wore them at a dinner in a visit to Fiji in October 2018. Her staff told journalists the jewellery was 'borrowed', without stating from whom.

Meghan has campaigned for women in Saudi Arabia to be allowed to drive, appearing with Loujain al-Hathloul, an activist who has since been jailed.

Lawyers for the duchess denied to The Times that she had misled anyone about the provenance of the earrings.
South Africa: Newly qualified vets to serve N West rural areas

North West Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development MEC Desbo Mohono, has welcomed 11 newly qualified veterinarians, who have started their Compulsory Community Service (CCS) programme in the province.

The CCS is a national programme that seeks to offer newly qualified vets an opportunity to render their much-needed services to the rural communities, as well as to gain valuable experience and knowledge.

The programme involves placing newly qualified veterinarians across the entire country, with focus being on prevention of disease, rendering ambulatory services and providing education, especially regarding responsible pet ownership, resource utilisation and optimising livestock production.

The vets have been placed in the following State vet offices: Madibeng, Moses Kotane, Mahikeng, Ramotshere Moiloa, Kagisano and Greater Taung. They have also been placed in the following vet labs: Vryburg and Potchefstroom, and the Potchefstroom Military Veterinary Hospital, SAPS Veterinary Service, and one at the North West University.

Mohono has welcomed this development, saying the newly qualified vets bring much-needed skills.

We welcome these doctors and we are grateful for their willingness to come and serve in our province. The deployment of these doctors, mostly to previously disadvantaged areas, is a clear indication that government is taking animal health care services very seriously, the MEC said.

The newly qualified vets also operate under strict monitoring by the Veterinary Council and are accountable professionally to it.

They will acquire a certificate of full completion at the end of their 12 months and only then can operate in places of their own choice.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-03-08. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The very public challenge sets up a tense standoff between some of the worlds top medical minds and a criminal court system that rarely overturns convictions. Its a story of judges putting more weight on the ambiguous musings of a mothers diary than on rare genetic mutations, and of scientists who are determined to make the legal system respect cutting-edge expertise.

Caught in the middle is Ms. Folbigg, who is now 53. More than 30 years after her first childs death, her story has not changed, and she maintains that she will be vindicated.

A Struggling Mother and Her Children

Ms. Folbiggs life has been troubled almost since the moment she was born.

She was just 18 months old when her father, Thomas Britton, murdered her mother in 1968. His wife had walked out on them over a money dispute. He stabbed her on a public footpath in Sydney in a drunken rage.

Roughly 28 years later, Ms. Folbigg wrote in her diary: Obviously, I am my fathers daughter.

By that point, in 1996, she had married a miner, Craig Folbigg, had moved to a working-class suburb, Newcastle, a coal capital north of Sydney, and had lost three of her children.

Ms. Folbiggs first child, Caleb, died on Feb. 20, 1989, at 19 days of age. His death was classified by doctors as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS.
Google plans to accelerate Chrome's release schedule to match rival Firefox's every-four-week cadence.

The Mountain View, Calif. company will also offer a new release channel, dubbed "Extended Stable," that will be refreshed every eight weeks, aimed at enterprises weary of frequent deployments.

"As we have improved our testing and release processes for Chrome and deployed bi-weekly security updates to improve our patch gap, it became clear that we could shorten our release cycle and deliver new features more quickly," Alex Mineer, technical program manager, Chrome operations, wrote in a March 4 post to the Chromium blog.

Goggle's reasoning for the new tempo was identical to Mozilla's rationale for speeding up Firefox in September 2019. Then, two Mozilla officials cited the same more-stuff-faster grounds. "We're adjusting our cadence to increase our agility, and bring you new features more quickly," said Ritu Kothari and Yan Or, the Firefox release management team leader and senior director of product integrity, respectively.

Not ready yet; shooting for third quarter

The switch to a swifter release cadence won't happen overnight. Instead, Google will start the four-week interval in the September quarter, with Chrome 94. (For context, Google issued Chrome 89 last week.)

In the near term, Google will continue to upgrade Chrome every six to eight weeks. Chrome 90, for instance, is to launch April 13 (six weeks after version 89), Chrome 91 on May 25 (six weeks), Chrome 92 on July 20 (eight weeks), and Chrome 93 on Aug. 31 (six weeks).

At that point, things get a bit weird, as Google will pause only three weeks between Chrome 93 and 94; the latter is to launch Sept. 21. Between Chrome 94 and 95, though, there will be the new four-week standard, with the latter releasing on Oct. 19.

Extended Stable for enterprise

As well as the faster release tempo for Chrome, Google also decided to mimic Mozilla in another way: It will offer a less-frequently-upgraded version, called "Extended Stable," for enterprises and other large organizations, just as Mozilla provides a Firefox "Extended Support Release," or ESR.

Unlike Firefox ESR  which remains the same, feature- and functionality-wise, for more than a year  Chrome Extended Stable stays static for just eight weeks. Google will update Extended Stable every two weeks with security fixes, but only those which address "important" issues. Mineer did not elaborate or define "important," but said: "Those updates won't contain new features or all security fixes that the four-week option will receive [emphasis added]."

Only customers using group policies will be able to enable and run Chrome Extended Stable.

What of Edge?

Like Chrome, Microsoft's Edge browser also relies on the Google-dominated open-source Chromium project for its underpinnings, including the core technologies that render pages and run scripts. With Chromium's build schedule changing to speed up Chrome's releases, Edge will have to follow suit.

Microsoft has yet to confirm that; in fact, its release timetable goes only as far as version 93, the version before the intervals begin shrinking.

More information about Chrome's release cycle can be found on Google's website.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president on Monday asked Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to disclose one landmark achievement of his four-year tenure, saying people were fed up with the Congress and his government.

Instead of working for the welfare of the people, Congressmen presided over the loot of state resources, be it by illegal quarrying of sand, liquor smuggling or embezzlement of NREGA funds, the SAD president said, addressing the 'Punjab Mangda Hisab dharnas'.

"Once the SAD forms the government in the state, we will hold an inquiry into all these illegal acts, particularly the loot of NREGA funds," he said.

Badal claimed Congress legislators had established cement tile factories and forced village sarpanches to purchase tiles from them at inflated rates. "We will ensure all those guilty of such frauds are given their due punishment," he added.

Sukhbir Badal also came down heavily on the Congress government for "shedding crocodile tears" over the high rates of petroleum products.

He said if the Centre was levying 31 per cent tax on petro products, the Punjab government was levying 27 per cent tax.

"The Congress government should reduce its VAT quotient to give relief to farmers and the common man," Badal said.

He said the Punjab government increased power tariffs by about 15 times during the last four years, making power rates in the state among the highest in the country. "These should be reduced immediately," he said.

Rejecting the Congress government's stand that power purchase agreements with private thermal plants were responsible for the high tariffs, Badal said the state was getting power at Rs 2.80 per unit but was selling it at Rs 10 per unit.

He announced that once the SAD formed the government in the state, it would half power tariffs for domestic consumers.

Badal said the chief minister would have to tell people why he played with their emotions and why he took a false oath in the name of the holy Gutka Sahib to waive farmer loans completely, besides other promises.

"Even farmer suicide victim families were promised Rs 10 lakh and a government job, but the government had reneged on this promise also," he added.

Badal said the Congress government was also responsible for the plight of the farmers, who were agitating against the three agricultural laws.

It was the Congress party which promised in its election manifesto in 2019 to repeal the APMC Act and allow inter-state trade in agricultural commodities, he added.

Promising to restart development in the state and secure the farmers, the SAD president said, "Once we form the government, we will launch a programme to ensure all 12,000 villages in the state have concrete streets, access to clean drinking water and sewerage system. We will also introduce a minimum support price on fruits and vegetables as well as milk.

(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.)
Ben Stansall-WPA Pool/Getty Images

Public opinion sharply polarized in the United Kingdom on Monday as the smoke cleared after Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.

On one side were those who argued Meghan and Harrys interview was a self-indulgent tirade of unsubstantiated allegations aimed at undermining the monarchy and enhancing their own profiles. On the other stood what appeared to be a stunned, shocked, and disbelieving majority appalled at the treatment Meghan said she had endured.

Nowhere was the national psychodrama clearer than on Britains breakfast chat show, Good Morning Britain, anchored by Meghan troll-in-chief, Piers Morgan, who led the charge for those arguing that the interview was a disgusting slur on the royal family.

As he did so, his aghast-looking co-presenter Susanna Reid made it clear this wasnt happening unchallenged on her watch; she angrily accused Morgan of talking over her and not taking Meghans allegations with the seriousness they deserved in an on-air confrontation.

Another guest, racial equality activist Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, called Morgan a liar and a disgrace for his attacks on Meghan.

A clip of her berating Morgan was widely shared on social media.

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In a later panel on the show, British TV star Trisha Goddard also held Morgan to account for his suggestion that the comments about Archies skin color might not have been racist.

Morgan claimed that most families might have a conversation about a new babys skin color and tried to say that it was curiosity rather than racism.

But Goddard asked him, Why is everybody else such an expert about racism against Black people? Im sorry, Piers, you dont get to call out what is and isnt racism against Black people. You can call out all the other stuff you want, but leave the racism stuff to us, ok?

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Morgan's views were broadly summarized by a number of tweets he sent after the broadcast, writing, I expect all this vile destructive self-serving nonsense from Meghan Markle, and, I wouldnt believe Meghan Markle if she gave me a weather report.

Story continues

The British opposition Labour party called for an investigation into the allegations of racism. Kate Green said the accusations by Meghan during an interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired in the U.S. on Sunday were really distressing, shocking.

Green told Sky News, If there are allegations of racism, then I would expect them to be treated by the palace with the utmost seriousness, and fully investigated.

Asked if the palace needed to respond to the claims, Green said, Im sure that the palace will be thinking very carefully about that, and I certainly think people will be wondering what is going to be said. But theres never any excuse, in any circumstances, for racism, and I think it is important that action is taken to investigate what are really shocking allegations.

There has been no official government response to the interview so far. Vicky Ford, the Conservative governments minister for children, who was undertaking a broadcast round to talk about the full reopening of schools in England, told the BBC she had not seen the interview.

Ford added, Theres no place for racism in our society, and we all need to work together to stop it.

Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns tweeted, Todays Commonwealth Day gives us all another reminder of Her Majestys long life of service and duty, continuing to work for us all despite her husband being in hospital. Britain stands with our Queen.

Fellow Conservative MP Michael Fabricant said, Every family is dysfunctional one way or another. The holder of every high position will have personal little secrets they want hidden. We are all human. Only HM Queen seems to float selflessly above it all.

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WeLab operates multiple online financial services with leading positions in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Indonesia including digital banking and consumer finance businesses, with close to 50 million individual users and over 600 enterprise customers. As Asia sails into the digital banking revolution and many countries in the region are in the process of studying or implementing digital banking frameworks. WeLab is ahead of the curve, spearheading the new age of banking operating WeLab Bank in Hong Kong  one of the first fully-licensed digital banks in Asia since obtaining its license in early 2019. With its unique market knowledge and extensive network, WeLab is perfectly positioned in this strategic partnership with Allianz to take advantage of the vast opportunities in Asia where its total addressable market size for financial services is close to US$3 trillion in annual revenue.

WeLab has achieved significant milestones in the increasingly digital COVID era

In the COVID era, the market is rapidly evolving, with accelerated digital adoption as one of the outcomes. The pandemic has transformed people's money habits across their financial journey. The boom in digital services adoption plays into WeLab's strength in fintech services. WeLab has emerged stronger from the pandemic with multiple businesses achieving significant milestones in the past year. For example:

Fueled by increased digital adoption in online financial services, WeLab's user base grew by 20% YoY, adding around 10 million users to the current 50 million user base, the largest user growth in recent years;

Launching a digital-only bank during the third wave of pandemic in Hong Kong proved to be extremely timely, with WeLab Bank garnering strong traction during its first 6 months of operations;

proved to be extremely timely, with WeLab Bank garnering strong traction during its first 6 months of operations; WeLend, Hong Kong's largest pure online lending platform, outperformed the market by 70% during the year to achieve its all-time record high sales volume, at a time where traditional branch operating hours and business model were severely hampered;

largest pure online lending platform, outperformed the market by 70% during the year to achieve its all-time record high sales volume, at a time where traditional branch operating hours and business model were severely hampered; WeLab's B2B enterprise solution platform in Mainland China doubled the number of business partners from 300 to over 600 as financial institutions move towards online financial services;

In Indonesia , the mobile lending platform Maucash continues to scale with increased brand recognition and popularity of online financial services in Indonesia , achieving over 6x YoY volume growth.

Partnership will accelerate growth of WeLab's pan-Asian financial services footprint

With this round of investment and new cooperation, WeLab aims to combine its advanced digital banking technology capabilities and market know-how with Allianz's expertise in insurance and asset management, the two partners aim to holistically improve people's financial wellbeing. The broader strategic cooperation between WeLab and Allianz will continue to develop over time and encompasses two key areas:

The rollout of pioneering digital wealth management in Asia : WeLab Bank and Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) intend to enter into a strategic cooperation in digital wealth management and financial services. WeLab Bank is looking into developing and distributing digital wealth management solutions with AllianzGI, a global asset manager under Allianz, with assets under management of over EUR 582 billion *. These would aim to bridge the significant unmet investment needs in Asia , a region where only 27% of the population use financial advisors, resulting in a sizable under-advised population of over 3.4 billion. Once implemented, WeLab Bank will be the first digital bank to deploy this wealthtech advisory technology in Asia . The plan is to roll out these wealth management services to new digital customers in Hong Kong and later to the Guangdong -Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA), through Wealth Management Connect, reaching the 72 million population in one of the world's wealthiest megalopolis.





New markets and new products: development and distribution of investment and insurance solutions: WeLab recognizes opportunities to widen the regional scope of its financial service offerings to other markets in which Allianz operates. For example, in the booming digital Southeast Asian economies, there are around 400 million active internet users, but over 70% of the total population is either unbanked or underbanked. There is, therefore, a lot of potential to expand the cooperation. The two companies are exploring opportunities to offer new digital investment and insurance products in the region, combining Allianz's expertise in investment and insurance and WeLab's network of customers and technology.

Simon Loong, Founder & Group CEO of WeLab, said, "We are thrilled to welcome Allianz as an investor and strategic partner to the WeLab Group. We see this as a first-in-market 4-way partnership where there are abundant synergies between WeLab, as a fintech leader and a pioneer in digital banking, and Allianz, as a global insurer and asset manager. More importantly, both companies share a vision on delivering advanced technology solutions to customers in Asia. Today, we announce both the new round of funding and a strategic partnership in wealthtech and banking at WeLab Bank. We look forward to expanding WeLab's geographical presence and bringing our technology into these new markets with Allianz. We will be expediting our hiring this year, aiming to add around 100 hires, as investing in people and culture will be key to support future growth."

Nazim Cetin, CEO of Allianz X, said, "In a relatively short amount of time, WeLab has built up a powerful platform for digital financial services and achieved excellent access to retail and business customers in Asia, a region of strategic importance for Allianz. WeLab's high-performance technology platform, in particular, makes it a unique fintech in the Asian markets. The investment in WeLab is a promising one for Allianz both economically and strategically. We look forward to leveraging our strategic partnership with WeLab and the business potential in the region."

Desmond Ng, Head of Asia Pacific at Allianz Global Investors, said, "Asia is home to some of the most dynamic wealth management and banking markets of the world. Hong Kong, in particular, is a significant market for us. With the second-highest bank deposits per capita in the world, it is a very attractive wealth management market. The potential strategic cooperation with WeLab presents an exciting opportunity for Allianz Global Investors as an integral part of our growth strategy in Asia."

Existing investors also participated in this round, reflecting their continued conviction and confidence in WeLab. The Series C-1 round remains ongoing, with the final close expected in the coming months.

About WeLab

WeLab, a leading fintech company in Asia, operates one of the first licensed digital banks in Asia - WeLab Bank, as well as multiple online financial services with leading positions in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Indonesia, with close to 50 million individual users and over 600 enterprise customers. WeLab uses game-changing technology to help customers access credit, save money, and enjoy their financial journey.



Powered by proprietary risk management technology, patented privacy computing techniques, and advanced AI capabilities, WeLab offers mobile-based consumer financing solutions and digital banking services to retail individuals and technology solutions to enterprise customers.



WeLab operates in three markets under seven key brands, including WeLend and WeLab Bank in Hong Kong, WeLab Digital (), Taoxinji (), Wallet Gugu (), and Tianmian Tech () in Mainland China and Maucash in Indonesia.



WeLab is backed by the most renowned investors including Allianz, China Construction Bank International, International Finance Corporation (a member of the World Bank Group), Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Berhad, CK Hutchison's TOM Group, and Sequoia Capital.

To learn more about WeLab, please visit: www.welab.co, or follow WeLab on LinkedIn and Facebook.

About Allianz X

Allianz X invests in digital frontrunners in ecosystems relevant to insurance and wealth management. As one of the pillars of Allianz Group's digital transformation strategy, Allianz X provides an interface between Allianz Operating Entities and the broader digital ecosystem, enabling collaborative partnerships in insurtech, fintech, and beyond.

For more information, please visit: https://www.allianzx.com/.

About Allianz Global Investors

Allianz Global Investors is a leading active asset manager with over 700 investment professionals in 25 offices worldwide and managing EUR 582 billion in assets for individuals, families and institutions*.

We see investing as a journey and we seek to create value for our clients every step of the way. We invest for the long term, employing our global investment and risk capabilities and sustainable investing expertise to create innovative solutions that anticipate future needs. We believe in solving not selling  our goal is to elevate the investment experience for clients, wherever they are based and whatever their investment objectives.

Active is: Allianz Global Investors

*Source: Allianz Global Investors. Data as at 31 December 2020

For media enquiries, please contact:



WeLab:

WeLab Corporate Communications Team

Tel: +852 6214 4734

Email: [email protected]



Allianz X:

Gregor Wills

Tel: +49 89 3800 61313

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE WeLab
Russia celebrated International Women's Day on Monday with volunteers across the country presenting flowers to women.

In Moscow, Kremlin riding school students on horseback presented tulips to women visiting the Soviet-era VDNKH (Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy) expo park.

Volunteers offered flowers to medics in Rostov-on-Don and to passengers at the airport in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Army officers also congratulated women who participated in World War II with military bands playing outside their residences.

In a video statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin wished for all women to be "healthy, happy and successful in everything, to reach understanding with everyone who is dear to you".

Created in the 1920s as a form of propaganda, Women's Day originally was an opportunity to praise Soviet women and their role in the state.

During World War II, the holiday became even bigger as women were glorified for their heroic role in defeating the Axis powers.

Nowadays, the national holiday is not just a celebration of Russian women, it is also big business for suppliers and sellers of flowers.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
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Mallorca is facing extremely tough competition this summer and with the vaccination programme going great guns in Britain, European countries are lining up to entice tourists.

At the moment overseas travel from the UK is only allowed under exceptional circumstances and from today all travellers will have to prove that they have permission to go abroad and according to the Department for Transport anyone who cant produce the necessary documentation could be fined 200.

Cyprus and Portugal say they plan to welcome British tourists from mid-May, which is when the UK travel ban is due to be lifted.

British tourists whove received one of the vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency will be allowed to enter without the need for a negative test and they wont have to quarantine as long as theyve had their second jab at least seven days before arrival, Cyprus Deputy Tourism Minister, Savvas Perdios told British media.

Cyprus has already struck a similar deal allowing Israeli tourists to enter from April 1st.

Portugal is still on the UK's red list, so at the moment tourists and travellers arriving in Britain have to quarantine, but that list is constantly under review and changes made depending on the epidemiological situation.

"I do believe that Portugal will soon allow restriction-free travel, not only for vaccinated people, but those who are immune or who test negative and we hope to welcome British tourists from May 17, Rita Marques, Portugal's Secretary of State for Tourism told the BBC.

Meanwhile, every country in Europe is scrambling to come up with some kind of vaccine passport or certificate that will allow people to go on holiday.

The UK is investigating the possibility of a vaccination certificate.

The French President has said he would not accept a system that makes a vaccine certificate conditional for entry.

Airlines are reportedly developing a Travel Pass App and the World Economic Forum is said to be working on a CommonPass.

But the biggest problem is that countries are moving at different speeds, so even although the UK is way out in front with its vaccination programme, the Balearics have been woefully slow in immunising people, which puts the Islands at a huge disadvantage.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Interior Design Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 153 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 153 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 Interior Design Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-interior-design-degree-programs/

2021 Interior Design Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Academy of Art University

Andrews University

Auburn University

Ball State University

Bay Path University

Boston Architectural College

Brenau University

Colorado State University

Drexel University

Endicott College

Fashion Institute of Technology

Florida State College, Jacksonville

Florida State University

George Washington University

Kansas State University

Meredith College

Mesa Community College

Mississippi College

New York School of Interior Design

Ohio State University

Oklahoma Christian University

Park University

Pratt Institute

Purdue University

Rhode Island School of Design

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

Samford University

Savannah College of Art and Design

School of Visual Arts

Stephen F. Austin State University

Suffolk University

Syracuse University

Texas Christian University

The New School

Thomas Jefferson University

Tidewater Community College

Tulsa Community College

University of California, Los Angeles

University of Cincinnati

University of Florida

University of Idaho

University of Minnesota

University of Nebraska, Lincoln

University of Northern Iowa

University of Texas, Austin

University of Wisconsin, Stout

Villa Maria College

Virginia Commonwealth University

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/.
A Latina council member has hit out at toxicity and a culture of disrespect against people of colour after she was mocked for her accent during a virtual meeting surrounding racial inequality.

Nancy Navarro, a member of the Montgomery County Council in Maryland, was addressing a zoom meeting on Tuesday on issues of racism before two voices unwittingly overlapped the audio.

As Ms Navarro continued speaking about inequality in the countys coronavirus vaccine rollout, quiet sounds of laughter and discussion can be heard.

"I love how her accent comes out ... and pronounces words that she thinks that theyre pronounced," one person says before commenting on the way she says "represent" and "hologram."

Another person then responds with a chuckle, "I heard hologram, and I was like, Thats kinda interesting, they say. "So cute," the other person replies in the footage, followed by a laugh.

In a statement following the meeting after she was made aware of the comments, Ms Navarro said: This sort of commentary is completely inappropriate and uncalled for.

She added: It is a loud commentary on the toxicity and culture of disrespect directed at leaders and community members of colour.

Ms Navarro, who is the first Latina member to serve on the council, has prioritised causes of racial equity and social justice during her tenure.

She explained to WTOP that foreign-born residents are faced with such micro-aggressions every day.

Our own county council has a lot of staff that is either foreign-born or first-generation, she told the broadcaster.

Council spokesperson Sonya Healy told CNN that the woman in the clip was an employee of the Montgomery County Council and that the incident had been turned over to their human resources office.

Montgomery Community Media (MCM), an organisation that contracts the councils virtual meetings, confirmed that the other person overhead in the call was a male MCM trainee.

"The behaviour of the male MCM trainee involved is completely unacceptable and not reflective of our culture," the organisation said in a statement. "We are appropriately disgusted and disappointed."

Ms Navarro spoke to CNN about the disappointing irony of the incident happening while she was discussing issues regarding racism and inequality within the community.

"The juxtaposition of the fact that, here we were, going through a very important moment, discussing something so critical for this county," she said.

"It was just very interesting how this was superimposed in that particular moment."
DALLAS - March 8, 2021 - A new type of CAR T-cell therapy more than triples the expected length of remission for multiple myeloma patients who have relapsed several times, according to an international clinical trial with UT Southwestern as the lead enrolling site.

Results of the trial, published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine, were significantly better than those seen with other therapies available to heavily relapsed and refractory myeloma patients who had already received the three main classes of treatment. Nearly three-quarters of the patients had at least a partial response to the therapy. About a third achieved a complete remission, with the disappearance of all traces of cancer.

Median time without the disease worsening was 8.8 months with this new treatment, but Larry D. Anderson Jr., M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of internal medicine and co-first author of the journal article, points out that patients who received the trial's maximum dose of engineered T-cells experienced longer remissions, bringing the average to more than 12 months. Previously, similar patients treated with currently available therapies following multiple relapses have only had an average of three to four months of remission before their disease returned.

"We have patients that are over two years out from their single infusion of CAR T-cells and still in remission despite having no other treatment options when they were enrolled in this trial," says Anderson, a member of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center who cares exclusively for patients with plasma cell disorders, mostly myeloma patients. "The results mark a true breakthrough with unprecedented depth and duration of remissions from what we hope will be the first cellular therapy option to become available for myeloma patients. Even though we don't yet know if some of these patients may be cured, and many relapse within one to two years, it can at least buy many patients time until other treatment options become available. Most patients also have good quality of life with relatively low risk of severe CAR T-cell-related side effects."

Multiple myeloma, the second most common blood cancer, is a cancer of plasma cells, a white blood cell important in the immune system. The disease's attack on bone marrow puts patients at risk of life-threatening infections. It is diagnosed in more than 32,000 people a year, and African Americans are twice as likely as the general population to be diagnosed with this disease.

Three main classes of treatment are available now for multiple myeloma: drugs called proteasome inhibitors, drugs to modulate the immune system, and antibody treatments. Among more than a dozen new therapies for myeloma approved by the Food and Drug Administration over the past decade, most offer only a few months of remission for patients with multiple relapses. Until now, most treatments induce responses in only a third of patients, and complete remissions are rare.

The phase 2 trial involved 128 patients, ages 18 and older, who previously had been given regimens from the three main classes of treatment. The patients received a median of six previous antimyeloma regimens; 120 formerly had undergone stem cell transplantation.

The clinical trial included nine sites in the U.S., one in Canada, and 10 sites in five European countries. Several patients traveled from as far away as Michigan and Minnesota to UT Southwestern's Dallas campus to be part of the trial.

Study participants had their T-cells engineered to target a molecule called B-cell maturation antigen, or BCMA, which is only found in plasma cells and myeloma cells. This new T-cell therapy for myeloma patients is called idecabtagene vicleucel, or ide-cel. It is also known as bb2121.

The infusions of the engineered cells started a two-week hospitalization period during which doctors watched for possible side effects such as anemia; neutropenia, a drop in a type of white blood cells; and thrombocytopenia, a drop in blood platelets. Although low blood counts were common, they were manageable, and other severe side effects were uncommon.

"One of the nice things we saw in this study was that the rates of severe CAR T-cell-related toxicities - called neurotoxicity and cytokine release syndrome - were very low in multiple myeloma compared to what we have seen with lymphoma CAR T-cell infusions," Anderson says. "The majority of people had some side effects, but most were low level and manageable, and I would say this therapy is often much better tolerated than a stem cell transplant, which most of these patients had already gone through."

Pioneered in the late 1980s, CAR T-cell therapy is a promising and still emerging treatment for blood cancers. CAR, which stands for chimeric antigen receptor, takes part of its name from the chimera, the mythical animal with the tail of a serpent and head of a lion. In modern medicine's version of the chimera, the head is an antibody, and the tail is a T-cell receptor. CAR T-cell therapy involves harvesting a patient's own T-cells by withdrawing blood, reengineering them in a lab to have this cancer-fighting chimera, and then growing hundreds of millions of them to put back into the patient by infusion.

CAR T-cell therapy is currently approved for use only in lymphoma and leukemia. Several different CAR T-cell treatments for myeloma are in clinical trials, but this CAR T-cell treatment is the first to complete and publish data from an FDA registration trial. Based on these results, the pharmaceutical companies Bristol Myers Squibb and bluebird bio are seeking FDA approval of ide-cel as a standard therapy for relapsed myeloma with a decision expected by the end of March.

The trial was funded by bluebird bio and Celgene, a Bristol Myers Squibb company. Anderson is a consultant who serves on an advisory board for Celgene and has other consulting activities disclosed in the manuscript.

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(Yahoo News Singapore file photo)

SINGAPORE  Following hawker culture's inscription into UNESCO's list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity last December, Singaporeans will be engaged to identify potential nominees for future inscription.

A series of focus group sessions with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds  including academics, heritage experts, practitioners and youths  will be conducted by the National Heritage Board (NHB) this year to identify possible elements.

Following the focus group sessions, Singaporeans will also be invited to share their feedback on the shortlist of potential elements for nomination.

"We are indeed proud of our cultural assets, and want to share these with the world. To this end, we will widen our search to put up other aspects of our cultural heritage for UNESCO nomination," Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, said during her ministry's Committee of Supply debate in Parliament on Monday (8 March).

"I invite all Singaporeans to actively contribute their ideas and suggestions to NHB."

In the meantime, NHB will continue to partner community organisations, educational institutions and the private sector to showcase Singapores hawker culture through festivals, exhibitions and programmes at museums and heritage institutions.

It has supported documentation projects, such as a study by the Singapore Heritage Society on how Singapore's hawker culture has evolved from past to present in terms of culinary traditions and changing landscapes.

Several museums to reopen in the coming years

Several museums in Singapore will be reopened in the coming years, with new content and improved visitor experiences to encourage a museum-going culture.

The Changi Chapel and Museum and the Reflections at Bukit Chandu, two important World War II interpretative centres, will reopen in mid-2021 and in the second half of 2021 respectively.

These two centres have undergone necessary upgrading works in the past two years, to address wear and tear over more than 15 years of operation. With the redevelopment, visitors can look forward to refreshed content and offerings on the respective WWII stories highlighted at each centres.

Story continues

Next year, the Singapore Philatelic Museum will reopen as Singapores first dedicated childrens museum. Families and young children can look forward to interactive exhibits, anchored in rich storytelling and complemented by engaging programmes and initiatives.

The Peranakan Museum is targeted to reopen in the first quarter of 2023 with refreshed content that will explore the cross-cultural traditional arts of Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia. The museum had consulted academics and community groups including The Peranakan Association Singapore, Peranakan Indian (Chitty Melaka) Association Singapore, Arab Network@Singapore, and Eurasian Association for the redevelopment.

Meanwhile, the Malay Heritage Centre will be closed for redevelopment from early 2022 for restoration works in Istana Kampong Glam. The redevelopment will include a refresh of the content in the centre's permanent galleries to incorporate new research findings about the diverse Malay community and the Kampong Glam precinct.

In the coming years, a series of restoration projects will be carried out for monuments completed in the mid- to late-19th century. This will ensure that these structures continue to stand strong for future generations.

The monuments are the former Istana Kampong Glam, the main building of the Istana, the National Museum of Singapore, and the former Empress Place Building (currently the Asian Civilisations Museum).

"Before Covid-19, our museums achieved a record high visitorship of close to 9.6 million in 2019," Low said.

"Although the ongoing pandemic has changed the dynamics of visitorship, we are pressing on with new plans to draw participation and expanding audiences through virtual platforms."

$20 million enhancement to Arts and Culture Resilience Package

During the Parliament COS debate, Tong announced a $20 million enhancement of the Arts and Culture Resilience Package (ACRP) to continue MCCY's support for arts groups and artists amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This brings the total amount for support measures rolled out under the ACRP to $75 million.

The enhancement will cover the following new grants and extensions to existing schemes.

Self-Employed Person (SEP) Grant for arts and culture freelancers to collaborate on projects

Business Transformation Fund (BTF) to support the transformation of arts and culture organisations to be more efficient and sustainable.

Extension of ACRP Operating Grant to help key organisations in the arts and related sectors defray their operating costs.

Extension of the 80 per cent Venue Hire Subsidy until June.

MCCY will be working with the Ministry of Finance to conduct a review of the Cultural Matching Fund (CMF), towards an additional top-up of the fund, which was established in 2013 to provide dollar-for-dollar matching for private cash donations to eligible arts and heritage charities.

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For more parliament stories, head over to sg.news.yahoo.com/sgparliament
New Delhi, March 8 : On the occasion of International Women's Day on Monday, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar lauded women for their compassion, consistency and courage, while honouring the women officers in the Indian Forest Service (IFS).

The minister honoured 280 women IFS officers and 5,000 frontline staff. The IFS was created in 1865, but it had no women officer until 1980.

"God did not differentiate between men and women while giving capacities. Women have three important traits -- compassion, consistency and courage," Javadekar said.

He also recalled the contribution of Rani Ahilyabai, Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, Madam Curie and many others.

"There are so many women scientists and engineers. An old container ship was run by women,who have also gone to space," he said.

The minister was speaking virtually at the inauguration of a book titled 'The Green Queens of India - A Nation's Pride', which is a tribute to the women IFS officers.

From the time when the Imperial Forest Service was created way back in 1865, the IFS has witnessed a sea change in its functioning and structure.

One major milestone was the induction of three women officers in 1980. Since then, there has been no turning back and the cadre strength of women IFS officers has grown from a mere handful to over 250 serving officers today.

These women officers, along with the women personnel down the ranks, have been a formidable force to reckon with as they bring in their natural traits of effective communication, sincerity and dedication to the service.
Police of Kon Tum Province in Vietnams Central Highlands are investigating the accident of a sleeper bus which overturned while crossing local Ngoc Hoi District on Sunday.

The sleeper bus was heading northbound on the Ngoc Hoi District section of Provincial Road No. 14 at 4:00 pm on Sunday when it crashed into the roadside after trying to avoid a collision with a truck coming from the opposite direction.

According to reports, the area was experiencing heavy rain at the time, causing the road surface to become slippery.

All 19 passengers and staffers on the bus were injured in the accident, but no heavy casualties were reported.

Traffic police in Ngoc Hoi District promptly arrived at the accident scene to rescue the victims inside the vehicle and direct traffic.

All 19 victims had been deemed safe by late Sunday afternoon.

Police in Kom Tum Province are still working on the case.

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Several small groups of demonstrators hit the streets of Bahraini towns Feb. 14 in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Bahraini Arab Spring that erupted in February 2011. The protests were organized by the February 14 Youth Coalition, which spearheaded the mass protests that rocked Bahrain in support of democracy and human rights a decade ago. Although the Arab uprisings resulted in the removal of the autocratic rulers of Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and Libya, they were crushed by the security forces in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Syria and elsewhere.

The Bahraini regime overpowered the February 14 movement and arrested, tortured and killed so many protesters without much, if any, condemnation from major friendly Western powers, including the United States. Former Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman ordered the arrest of Shiite clerics, academics, peaceful activists, political party leaders and parliamentarians. He dissolved al-Wefaq, the countrys major Shia organization, confiscated its assets and arrested its leaders.

Last November, Bahrainis had hoped that with the death of Khalifa and the appointment of Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa as the new prime minister, the country would witness a period of political reform and could set the stage for sectarian reconciliation. So far, Salman has shown no tangible indications he would move in that direction.

Yet, some Bahrainis are hopeful that as Salman solidifies his power position, and with encouragement from the Biden administration, he could move toward Sunni-Shiite reconciliation.

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Washington could use Salmans appointment as an opportunity to encourage him and his father, King Hamad, to allow the banned al-Wefaq and other civil society institutions to reopen. Salman could allow political clubs to resume their legal, peaceful, political and cultural activities. Opening up the country would ultimately pave the way toward creating a more highly educated, technologically advanced and economically vibrant country.

Bahrains rulers, like those in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, sold the Trump administration on the false claim military aid and arms sales promoted regional stability and these weapons and other technologies were designed to thwart regional state and non-state threats. Sadly, many of the weapons supplied by the United States, Britain, France and other Western countries have been used in Arab-instigated regional conflicts and against their own people.

Arab dictatorships in recent years spent hundreds of millions of dollars in Washington on think tanks, defense industries, prestigious public relations and law firms, retired diplomats and senior military officers, self-proclaimed Gulf scholars, and academic institutions. Simply, this lavish spending was aimed at persuading U.S. leaders that autocrats were reliable partners in the fight against terrorism and Iran.

They argued that autocracy is a sure bet for the future of the Arab world whereas democracy is fickle and chaotic. For the most part, American leaders in the past decade have swallowed this flawed claim.

American tolerance of tyranny in Bahrain and other Middle Eastern countries in recent years seems to have run its course under the Biden administration. Human rights and freedom of expression, including a free press, are expected to figure highly in the Biden administrations resetting of relations with Bahrain and other Gulf monarchies.

President Bidens emphasis on human rights is a strong signal to Salman that his administration plans to question Arab rulers fake argument equating autocracy with stability.

It is time for the United States under the Biden administration to call out Salman and other Arab autocrats on their human rights record and convince them diplomatic engagement is more effective in solving pressing regional tensions.

If Bahrains ruling family aspires to unleash the innovativeness and creativity of its people, it must unshackle them and allow them the freedom to explore, invent, create and even make mistakes. Free citizens can respond to the challenges of our times effectively and creatively; a shackled people simply cannot.

The Biden administration could also urge the Bahraini prime minister to release the thousands of dissidents. Otherwise, the Bahraini youth will remain a constant challenge to the ruling establishment.

If Salman and his father King Hamad are interested in resetting relations with the new American president, they should heed the presidents recent statements on democracy, diplomacy and human rights as the only way for Salman to chart a new course and for Al Khalifa to stay in power in partnership with their people.

Emile Nakhleh is research professor and director of the Global and National Security Policy Institute at UNM and a former senior intelligence service officer at the CIA. A longer version was published on ResponsibleStatecraft.org.

SEATTLE, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Outreach , the largest and fastest-growing sales engagement platform, today announced Mary Shea, sales futurist and leading industry analyst, as Vice President, Global Innovation Evangelist.

With deep industry expertise and exceptional vision, Shea has been shaping the future of B2B sales -- calling for the move to digitization across the selling cycle long before the pandemic. In this new role, she will serve as an evangelist for sales technology, supporting business leaders as they prepare for an increasingly complex commerce environment. Shea will help Outreach's existing and prospective customers demystify the sales technology landscape and better understand the role sales engagement and other complementary sales technologies play in enabling better experiences for both sellers and buyers.

"Mary has been such a strong expert and advocate of sales technology. She's played a crucial role in shaping the current state of not just the sales engagement category, but sales technology as a whole," said Manny Medina, chief executive officer of Outreach. "We created this position to lean into her strengths, advising and educating buyers and sellers. With her experience helping executives to decipher the market and make buying decisions and her industry-leading research, she's truly a futurist and educator. Our category needs her insights more than ever, and we are excited to have her as part of our team."

Shea is one of the foremost industry analysts who cover the future of B2B sales and evaluates emerging and established sales technologies. In her previous role as a Forrester Research principal analyst, she advised the world's leading brands and most innovative technology providers on how to enable their selling organizations and prioritize their product strategies to reflect the increasing digitization of the buying and selling process. Shea led the research for and authored the inaugural Forrester Wave: Sales Engagement report in September 2020, pointing to the pandemic as a 'watershed moment' for B2B selling and amplifying the need for companies to invest in a sales engagement solution.

Mary's future research will focus on the evolving dynamics between B2B buyers and sellers, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the B2B sales force, and the critical role sales technologies play in enhancing the buying and selling experience. Shea is an advisory board member of Start-Out, a not-for-profit organization that works to increase the number, diversity, and impact of LGBTQ+ founders and business leaders.

"I'm excited to join Outreach at a time when the sales engagement space is exploding and transforming the way sellers work and buyers buy," said Mary Shea. "I've always enjoyed working with the Outreach team as an analyst, and now I have the opportunity to work more closely with product and commercial colleagues to help influence the next generation of sales engagement technology. I also get to do the parts of my job as an analyst that I loved, such as working with buyers to find solutions to address their pain points and conducting and delivering research to help educate the market."

About Outreach

Outreach is the largest and fastest-growing sales engagement platform that helps companies dramatically increase productivity and drive smarter, more insightful engagement with their customers. The only sales engagement platform to make the Forbes Cloud 100, Outreach was also the fastest-growing Sales Engagement Platform on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500. More than 4,600 companies such as Adobe, Tableau, Okta, Splunk, DocuSign, and SAP depend on Outreach's enterprise-scale, unparalleled customer adoption, and robust AI-powered innovation. Outreach is a privately held company based in Seattle, Washington. To learn more, please visit www.outreach.io .

PR Contact:

Amanda Woolley

[email protected]

SOURCE Outreach

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The Biden administrations review comes at a time when rising waves of terrorism and violence have seized Africas Sahel region, a vast sub-Saharan scrubland that stretches from Senegal to Sudan, and are threatening to spread. The Islamic State in Libya has actively sought fresh recruits traveling north from West African nations, including Senegal and Chad.

Armed groups have attacked bridges, military convoys and government buildings. The threat is pushing south from the Sahel into areas previously untouched by extremist violence, including the Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo and Ghana, where the Pentagon has a logistics hub.

Security has worsened to the point where the Pentagons Africa Command told the Defense Departments inspector general last year that it had abandoned for the moment a strategy of weakening the Islamist militants, and instead was mainly trying to contain the threat.

Security continues to deteriorate in the Sahel as instability spreads and threatens coastal West Africa, Colin Kahl, Mr. Bidens nominee to be the Pentagons top policy official, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in written responses to questions in advance of a hearing last week. We cannot ignore that persistent conflict in Africa will continue to generate threats to U.S. personnel, partners and interests from violent extremist organizations.

The Pentagons Africa Command operates MQ-9 Reaper drones from Niamey, Nigers capital, 800 miles southwest of Dirkou; and from a $110 million drone base in Agadez, Niger, 350 miles west of Dirkou. The military has carried out drone strikes against Qaeda and Islamic State militants in Libya, but none since September 2019.

Some security analysts question why the United States needs both military and C.I.A. drone operations in the same general vicinity to combat insurgents in Libya and the Sahel. In addition, France, which has about 5,100 troops in the Sahel region, began conducting its own Reaper drone strikes from Niamey against insurgents in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.

A recent report by the International Crisis Group concluded that the military-first strategy of France and its allies, including the United States, has failed. The research and advocacy organization, which focuses on conflict zones, noted in its report that focusing on local peacemaking efforts could achieve more.
Jamesville, N.Y.  Deputies have released the names of the four officers involved in the fatal shooting of a teenager Thursday during a mental health call in Jamesville.

Four officers from three different agencies fired their guns during the deadly shooting of Judson Albahm, 17, police said. The officers are:

Trooper Corey Fike, who has worked for the New York State Police for seven years

Sgt. Amy Bollinger, who has worked for the sheriffs office for 20 years

Investigator Lucas Byron, who has worked for the DeWitt Police Department for 11 years

Investigator Matthew Menard, who has worked for DeWitt police for five years

Judson was shot after he pointed an airgun at officers near Apulia Road on Thursday afternoon, police spokesmen from the three agencies said. A photo of the type of airgun police said Judson had  a GLOCK G19 GEN .177 CO2 Action Pistol  was also released.

The airgun, which is made to look like a handgun, shoots steel BBs. The airgun is made by GLOCK as a less-than-lethal alternative to the original gun. It can be purchased on Amazon for $70.

The incident started around 12:30 p.m. Thursday when the teens mother called 911 for help. Judson hit his mothers car and drove away from his familys 4372 Apulia Road home, his mother told dispatchers.

When police responded to Apulia Road, St. Josephs Comprehensive Psychiatric Mobile Crisis Outreach Team was on scene, sheriffs spokesman Sgt. Jon Seeber previously said.

Dispatchers warned officers that Judson had a history of mental illness and sometimes carried an airgun. The teen had also threatened to try to die by suicide by cops in the past, dispatchers said.

Officers from the state police, the sheriffs office and DeWitt police eventually ended up on Apulia Road as tensions grew. The teen ran away after being confronted by officers, police said.

At some point, Judson pointed his airgun at officers, the spokesmen said. Four officers  Fike, Bollinger, Byron and Menard  then fired at the teen, killing Judson, the spokesmen said.

An exact timeline has not been released. An ambulance and firefighters were called to the shooting at 1:28 p.m., according to Onondaga County 911 dispatch records.

Judson died at the scene. Police have not said how many times he was shot or who fired the fatal shot.

Prosecutors are still determining who will handle the case. If the teen was considered armed, the Onondaga County District Attorneys Office will investigate his death. If he was unarmed or if there is a significant question about whether he was armed, the state Attorney Generals Office will investigate.

Until prosecutors decide who will lead the investigation, the three spokesmen declined further comment.

Staff writer Samantha House covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? Reach her at shouse@syracuse.com.

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About 25 people marched to the West Linn Police Department on Sunday afternoon to demand that the state fire former Lt. Michael Stradley for his role in the 2017 arrest of Michael Fesser.

They held signs saying Police Accountability Now, Its not Black vs. White Its Everybody vs Racism and Fire Stradley Now!'

The wrongful theft arrest of Fesser, a Portland resident, spurred a series of city, state and federal investigations and resulted in two civil lawsuit settlements to Fesser totaling more than $1 million.

Stradley currently works for the state Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. He was placed on paid leave in February 2020 after the various investigations began.

Fire Mike Stradley and punish all officers involved with Michael Fessers arrest, said Maddie Shelby, a senior at West Linn High School, who marched to the police station and addressed the group gathered.

Rob Ward, a retired Multnomah County sheriffs deputy who is Black and lives in West Linn, blamed the lack of action against Stradley to the good ole boy system.

When Stradley worked for West Linn, he enlisted Portlands gang enforcement officers to help West Linn officers arrest Fesser on Feb. 25, 2017, on allegations that Fesser stole money from the Portland company where he worked, A&B Towing.

Stradley told West Linn and Portland officers that Fesser, who is Black, was a gang associate. He also later warned his Portland colleagues that Fesser was potentially dangerous in November 2017 when an indictment was obtained. Stradley went to work for West Linn police after retiring from Portland police, where he had previously worked as a gang enforcement officer.

After Fesser sued West Linn police, Stradley admitted in a sworn deposition that he hadnt had contact with Fesser for more than 20 years and had no direct knowledge that Fesser was tied to a gang. Stradley acknowledged that he knew only that Fesser had been seen with gang members two decades earlier and had attended trials of known gang members.

Stradley also admitted that he knew of no threats that Fesser had made that would make him dangerous.

West Linn police had built a bogus theft case against Fesser at the behest of their police chief at the time, Terry Timeus, who was friends with Fessers boss at A&B Towing, Eric Benson. Benson had complained to the police chief that Fesser was making trouble at the towing company by alleging he faced a racially hostile work environment.

Stradley left West Linn police in 2018 for the state public safety department, which trains and certifies police, corrections officers and emergency dispatchers.

The department asked an outside lawyer to investigate Stradleys role in the Fesser case. The state agency also asked the Oregon Department of Justice to do an employment investigation into Stradley. The state Justice Department inquiry is still pending, according to Linsay Hale, of the state public safety department.

During the rally, Kathy Selvaggio, a founder of the West Linn Community for Police Reform, urged the state public safety department to also revoke the police certifications of fired West Linn Sgt. Tony Reeves, former Chief Terry Timeus and Stradley. Reeves led the investigation into Fesser.

The state department last year initiated investigations into whether Timeus and Reeves should lose their police certifications. No action has been taken.

Stradley and his lawyer Sean Riddell both declined comment Sunday.

The community group also has called on the city of West Linn to strengthen its police contract language to require accountability for misconduct.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian
To be sure, safety-net hospitals such as Mercy are expensive to run. In our world of obstetrics, the cost of caring for a woman with severe maternal complications is four times higher than one with an uncomplicated delivery. And costs of lifetime care for a woman who survives a pregnancy complication but is severely disabled, or for her premature infant with lifetime complications, could be in the millions of dollars. Those millions could be reduced and complications prevented, if the woman does not have to travel for quality care but can get it close to home.
Beth Rigby today slipped back onto TV screens three months after being taken off air for breaking lockdown rules to attend a colleague's 60th birthday bash.

The Sky News Political Editor appeared from the channel's Westminster studio ahead of Boris Johnson's coronavirus press briefing to discuss the return of schools.

It was her first appearance back on screens since relevations that she was part of a group of Sky News colleagues who partied that night away for Kay Burley's 60th birthday in early December, in breach of lockdown rules.

Guido Fawkes reported a 'group of ten' including Ms Rigby, Inzamam Rashid and Sam Washington celebrated Ms Burley's 60th at private members' club the Century Club in Soho.

It is claimed that a 'smaller group' then went on to the nearby Soho restaurant Folie as the 11pm curfew came into effect, before four of the original party ended the night at Ms Burley's home in west London.

Sky News Political Editor Beth Rigby appeared from the channel's Westminster studio ahead of Boris Johnson's coronavirus press briefing to discuss the return of schools

Ms Rigby broke lockdown rules to attend a 60th birthday party for Sky anchor Kay Burley

Ms Rigby and presenter Ms Washington were taken off air by Sky along with North of England correspondent Mr Rashid.

Ms Rigby later apologised for flouting Tier 2 restrictions with the 60th party, as a source in the news organisation claiming: 'She's no leg to stand on'.

It comes as Miss Burley's friends are said to be searching for the Sky staff who reportedly told photographers that she was breaking Covid rules.

A number of junior producers hatched a plan after they overheard the newsreader discuss her 60th birthday celebration, it was claimed.

Her disgruntled colleagues revealed details of her night out to the Press via an encrypted email, according to the Mail on Sunday.

'It was a case of boom, this could really bring her down,' said a source. 'They thought, 'If she gets caught, that would be the end for her'.'

Pictured: The route Kay Burley and three colleagues took across central London as she celebrated her birthday on Saturday, December 5

A photographer, reportedly tipped off by the Sky employees, caught the moment the party of ten spilled out on to the streets of Soho following their dinner.

They also took pictures of Miss Burley and Miss Rigby embracing, which the political editor has since apologised for.

After creating an email account using highly secure service ProtonMail, the plotters reportedly sent an email with the attached pictures to The Sun, using the email address 'kayburley@protonmail.com'.

A Sky News spokesperson confirmed that today was Ms Rigby's first day back, and that there would not be any further action over the incident.
Some reports show that Shopee has left its rivals far behind, and that Tiki is competing equally with Lazada, while Sendo is in the fourth position.

The numbers of visits to wesbites from Q1 to Q4 2020

In 2020, when the rumor about the merger of Vietnamese sites Tiki and Sendo spread, many experts predicted that the combined efforts of the two e-commerce platforms would help increase the competitiveness of Vietnams e-commerce in the region.

However, as the merger plan failed, the competitiveness of Vietnamese players in comparison with foreign ones remains a question.

Shopee, Lazada have diverse goods, Tiki good at delivery

A recent report from Reputa, a social listening platform, showed that Shopee is mentioned more on the internet more than other e-commerce platforms. Meanwhile, Tiki has gained fame for its the delivery speed.

In 2020, nearly 70 percent of discussions on social networks were about Shopee. Lazada ranked second with 11.4 percent, followed by Tiki and Sendo with 9.07 percent and 8.78 percent, respectively.

On Google Trends, Shopee has also left other rivals far behind. The next positions belong to Lazada, Tiki and Sendo.

Shopee leads e-commerce platforms in its ability to approach young clients, aged 18-35, mostly female clients from Hanoi and HCM City.

Young people and women are also the majority of clients interested in other platforms, but they account for a smaller proportion than Shopee.

According to Reputa, goods are the most influential factor on the four e-commerce sites. The factors include the cost, quality, variety of goods and reliability of stores on the platforms.

Lazada (53.55 percent) and Shopee (52.9 percent) are the two sites where the goods factor is highest, followed by Sendo (37.35 percpent) and Tiki (33.65 percent).

The second most important factor to attract customers is marketing and media campaigns. In this term, Tiki is leading (38.65 percent), followed by Sendo (30.45 percent), Shopee (30.3 percent) and Lazada (24.05 percent).

The third most important factor is the delivery service (delivery speed and shippers behaviors), and customer care. Tiki is the e-commerce site which pays the highest attention to that factor (20 percent). It can deliver goods within two hours, and customers can check goods before receiving.

Meanwhile, the shops that deceive clients, deliver wrong goods and provide low-quality and counterfeit goods are the biggest problems (46 percent) that cause dissatisfaction when shopping on the four platforms.

After analyzing clients assessments, Reputa concluded that Tiki is good at delivery speed, while Shopees advantage lies in its goods diversification and costs.

Shopee excels in number of views

According to iPrice, Shopee led in both the number of visits to the website and the ranking of apps on Android and iOS in the entire year 2020. Tiki and Lazada are on the same par, while Sendo has been left behind.

Some reports show that Shopee has left its rivals far behind, and that Tiki is competing equally with Lazada, while Sendo is in the fourth position.

In terms of visitors, Shopee had 43 million visits to its website a month in Q1 2020, double the figure of Tiki, which was in the second position. In Q4 2020, the number of visits to Shopee surged to 68.6 million a month, triple Tikis. The app of the platform also ranked No 1 in 2020.

As for Lazada and Tiki, the number of visits to the latter was usually a little higher than Lazada. On average, Tiki had 22.5 million visits a month in 2020, higher than the 19.8 million of Lazada.

Meanwhile, Sendo was in the fourth position with the number of visits decreasing from 17.6 million a month in Q1 to 11.2 million in Q4 2020.

In Q1 2020, Tikis app ranked second for iOS operating system. But since the Q2, it has fallen into the third position. Meanwhile, the two foreign platforms, Shopee and Lazada, have been in the two leading positions, pushing the two Vietnamese platforms to the bottom of top 4.

As such, the foreign Shopee and Lazada are ahead of Vietnamese rivals. Tiki number of visits is a little higher than Lazada, but the figure is still far lower than Shopee. Meanwhile, Sendo is at the bottom in top 4 in both web and app users.

Founded by Vietnamese, both Tiki and Sendo have investment capital from both Vietnamese and foreign funds.

To compare the four e-commerce platforms, it is necessary to compare their turnover and profits, but all of them have not made public these figures.

CafeF estimates that Lazadas accumulative loss by 2018 had reached VND7.111 trillion, Shopee VND2.708 trillion, Tiki VND1.395 trillion and Sendo VND1.253 trillion.

The figures about losses show the high investment levels. The two foreign rivals take full advantage of their capital to compete with Vietnamese platforms which have less money.

According to Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnams e-commerce grew by 18 percent in 2020, the highest growth rate in the region. It is the only country in Southeast Asia which had a two-digit growth rate. The market had value of $11.8 billion, accounting for 5.5 percent of total turnover from goods and service retail.

Hai Dang

Three main trends for Vietnam's e-commerce in 2021 Innovation in Vietnams e-commerce industry this year will focus primarily on payments, logistics, and digital technology.
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A consent hearing is due to be held today as planning for the new Omokoroa town centre progresses.

Jace Investments Limited are planning to establish a mixed-use commercial town centre, after a years worth of expert consultations, council and community engagement and thorough planning and fore thought.

Spokesperson for Jace Hayley Larman says they look forward to presenting their application to independent commissioners on Monday at the hearing.

Our proposed staged Omokoroa Town Centre is scaled to meet future growth projections for the peninsula and surrounding rural areas that could potentially become the largest population in the Western Bay of Plenty in the next 50 years.

Hayley says their vision is to provide a place that people can be proud of.

For the JACE Group, it is not only important to get the logistics, look and feel right but grow the long-term legacy. For us that means helping to foster and support livelihoods, enhance the local lifestyles and create opportunities for the community to connect.

According to the Jace Group website, the proposal features staged development for retail space, cafes, restaurants, offices, a civic center as well as a possible cinema.

This stunning multipurpose hub will establish a vibrant town centre to fulfill the shopping, convenience and social needs of the growing Omokoroa community and nearby rural catchments.

Jace say they have made provisions to keep the coastal boutique feel that Omokoroa currently boasts by introducing a local farmers market and multiple artistic green spaces throughout.

Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Garry Webber says the population of Omokoroa is marching towards 12,000 and it was always planned that they would need some sort of town centre facility.

Its expected to be 12,000 in the next 20-30 years. Well need some sort of retail facility as part of a town of 12,000 people.

He says since the 2000s Omokoroa was deemed a growth area for the Western Bay sub region.

Deputy Chair of the Omokoroa Residents and Ratepayers Association John Palmer says the association is largely in support of the plans however the location was not ideal.

But he says theres a need for a town centre wherever it is.

The advantage is its privately owned and not funded by Council.

He says the provision for the civic building isnt large enough and the location isnt ideal.

During the submission process, 76 submissions were received within the statutory time period (20 working days), 46 submissions in support, seven neutral and 19 submissions in opposition.

Common themes in support of the application included that it lessened vehicles travelling to Tauranga, supports family lifestyle, provides community areas, was central to the residential population, would make Omokoroa self-sufficient, and provides onsite amenity for higher density living.

Common themes opposing the plans, among others, were the lack of urban design, that the bulk and scale of buildings will change the look and feel of Omokoroa, location of three-storey apartment building overlooking residential area, the location of the childcare centre being inappropriate, and poor location of Civic Building on edge of town centre.

The consent hearing started at 9.30am on Monday at the Western Bay of Plenty head office, 1484 Cameron Road, Tauranga.

The first half of the day will be the presentation, while the afternoon will hear the speakers.

The meeting is open to the public.
Hyderabad, March 8 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday enquired about the violence in Telangana's Bhanisa town and voiced his concern over the incident.

Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy said Shah spoke to him over telephone to enquire about the violence that broke out in Bhainsa on Sunday night and the prevailing situation.

Reddy said he spoke to the Telangana DGP M. Mahender Reddy again.

The police chief apprised him of the situation and assured that it is now under control and that the offenders will be nabbed soon.

Eight people including two policemen were injured in the clashes in Bhainsa town of Nirmal district on Sunday night.

The communal violence broke out after an argument between two groups over a road accident.

Following the violence, additional forces were rushed to the town and police imposed prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons.

Adilabad Superintendent of Police, Vishnu S Warrier, who holds the additional charge as Nirmal SP, said the situation is now completely under control.

Meanwhile, Telangana's Minister for Industry and Municipal Administration K.T Rama Rao said the state government would not tolerate lawlessness in any form. ' He took to Twitter to appeal to people not to fall prey to rumours and hate-mongering.

"Peace & harmony is fundamental to the progress of civilised society," he said.

Rao said he has requested Home Minister Mohammed Mamhood Ali and DGP to take stern action to bring the perpetrators of violence in Bhainsa to justice "My appeal to the people of Bhainsa not to fall prey to rumours and hate mongering spearheaded by divisive forces. Govt will stand by you to maintain law and order effectively," Rao tweeted.

Meanwhile, Mahmood Ali said he spoke to the DGP, the SP and the District Collector on Sunday night and that the situation in Bhainsa was completely under control. The injured were given treatment and sufficient force was already deployed, he said.

"Normalcy is ensured. Monitoring the situation from time to time, personally," Mahmood Ali tweeted.

According to Y. Nagi Reddy, Inspector General of Police, North Zone, violence broke out after an altercation that took place between two youth belonging to different communities on an incident of motorcycle accident. Within no time, the supporters of both the communities gathered and pelted stones on one another followed by incidents of arson.

He said additional forces (500) led by District SP Vishnu Warrier rushed to Bhaina and the situation was brought under control. No further incidents were reported thereafter. Pickets were posted in sensitive localities and intensive patroling was organised.

Six civilians and three police officers were injured in stone pelting. Miscreants set afire two houses, two auto rickshaws, two four-wheelers and five two-wheelers.

IGP said several persons suspected to be involved in this stone pelting and arson were taken into custody and are thoroughly being interrogated. The persons involved in the incident will be arrested following due process. CCTV footages and other technology aids are being utilized to identify and arrest the accused.

The official said the police department views the incident very seriously. All offenders involved in the incidents of violence will be brought to book. Strong actions are being initiated against all the offenders concerned including externment and preventive detention, he added.
Malabo: A series of large explosions at a military base rocked the city of Bata in Equatorial Guinea on Sunday (March 7), killing at least 20 people and injuring hundreds, local television station TVGE said.

The defence official told television station TVGE that authorities had ruled out an attack, but the cause of the blasts remain unknown.

TVGE showed teams pulling people from piles of rubble, some of whom were carried away wrapped in bed sheets. It said 420 people were injured, citing a local health official.

Pick-up trucks filled with survivors, including children, drove up to the front of a local hospital.

Inside, wards were overwhelmed with the wounded, many covered in blood. Some lay on the floor or on tables, awaiting attention.

TVGE called on people to donate blood and said hospitals in the Central African nation were full.

In the blast area, iron roofs were ripped off houses and lay twisted amid the rubble. Only a wall or two remained of most residences.

In the immediate aftermath, people ran in all directions, many of them dazed and screaming.

A column of smoke reached into the sky and around its base firefighters sought to put out the blaze.

"Following developments in Equatorial Guinea with concern after the explosions in the city of Bata," Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said on Twitter.

The Spanish Embassy in Malabo said Spanish nationals should stay in their homes.

The blast comes as Equatorial Guinea, an oil producer, is suffering a double economic shock because of the coronavirus pandemic and a drop in the price of crude, which provides around three-quarters of state revenue.

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New Delhi: A Delhi Court will on Monday pronounce its judgment in a matter related to the 2008 Batla House encounter. According to reports, the court will pass judgment in the case of Ariz Khan, who was arrested in February 2018. Khan was arrested by the Special Cell of Delhi Police after a decade of allegedly being on the run.

According to Delhi Police, Ariz Khan was at the spot during the Batla encounter but managed to escape. Saket Court`s additional session judge Sandeep Yadav is scheduled to pass judgment on Monday.

On the last date of hearing, the judge had issued a production warrant against Ariz Khan alias Junaid for his presence during the passing of judgment. Additional public prosecutor AT Ansari represented the Delhi Police and advocate MS Khan represented the accused Ariz Khan during trial proceedings. Ariz is allegedly associated with the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen.

Police had earlier claimed that Ariz Khan was present at Batla House, along with four others, and had managed to give police the slip during the encounter on September 19, 2008, in Delhi`s Jamia Nagar, in which two Indian Mujahideen terrorists were killed and as many arrested.

Two suspected terrorists, Atif Ameen and Mohammad Sajid, were killed while two other suspects - Mohammad Saif and Zeeshan were arrested earlier. The incident took place a week after five serial blasts occurred in Delhi on 13 September 2008 in which at least 30 people were killed and over 100 injured.

Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma of Special Cell was killed during the 2008 Batla House encounter. A trial court in July 2013 had sentenced Indian Mujahideen terrorist Shahzad Ahmed to life imprisonment in connection with the Batla House encounter case.

His appeal against the trial court`s verdict has been pending in the high court.

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The Oregon Health Authority announced 211 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday and no new deaths.

Thats well below the daily average reported over the past seven days, though reporting delays tend to result in lower case counts on weekends. Cases have been trending downward statewide since mid-January.

The new numbers come as the vaccination effort continues and problems abound for Oregon seniors trying to snag coveted appointment slots to be inoculated against the coronavirus.

Formal and informal volunteers around the state are helping sign up seniors struggling to navigate unfamiliar and often glitchy websites or those who do not have internet access.

A new lottery-based vaccine waitlist system designed to reduce the stress of signing up for an appointment has been marred by uncertainty, poor communication and overwhelmed call lines.

At the Portland International Airport mass vaccination site, people reported wait times of several hours Saturday night to get their shot, with some rescheduling their appointments for 8 a.m. Sunday morning.

Connie Amos, site lead for the vaccination site, said Saturday was their biggest day yet at PDX, with 5,800 vaccination appointments, though that could ultimately prove to be too much to handle, she said.

Where the new cases are by county: Benton (10), Clackamas (26), Columbia (1), Coos (4), Curry (8), Deschutes (9), Douglas (12), Hood River (1), Jackson (13), Jefferson (3), Josephine (5), Klamath (1), Lake (3), Lane (16), Lincoln (1), Linn (7), Malheur (2), Marion (17), Morrow (1), Multnomah (23), Polk (8), Tillamook (4), Washington (20) and Yamhill (16).

Who died: The state did not report any deaths Sunday.

The prevalence of infections: On Sunday, the state reported 338 new positive tests out of 10,090 tests performed, equaling a 3.3% positivity rate.

Whos in the hospital: The state reported 116 Oregonians with confirmed coronavirus infections were hospitalized Sunday, three more than Saturday. Of those, 34 coronavirus patients were in intensive care units, five more than Saturday.

Vaccines administered: Oregon has administered 1,142,035 first and second doses out of 1,362,535 received, which is about 83.8% of its supply. Oregon reported 26,235 newly administered doses, which includes 16,414 on Saturday and the remainder from previous days.

Since it began: Oregon has reported 157,285 confirmed or presumed infections and 2,296 deaths, among the lowest per capita numbers in the nation. To date, the state has reported over 3,869,695 lab reports from tests.

-- Jaimie Ding

jding@oregonian.com; 503-221-4395; @j_dingdingding
Charleston, WV (25301)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
LeadCrunch has already proven its approach with some of the worlds most impressive cloud and software companies. I am excited to join the tremendous team at LeadCrunch and to help drive the continued adoption of our market-leading technology.

LeadCrunch (LeadCrunch.com) is excited to announce the hiring of Jonathan Spier as its new CEO. Spier brings 20+ years of experience in building category-leading companies, including two prior successful roles as a venture-backed CEO at NetBase and PLAE.

The Board is excited to welcome Jonathan to LeadCrunch, said Dave Toth, LeadCrunch Chairman. LeadCrunch has been experiencing tremendous growth, and Jonathans experience and leadership will aid the company greatly as we look to take the company to the next level as an undisputed category leader.

At LeadCrunch, Spier will look to build on the companys early market momentum by accelerating go-to-market and new product development.

B2B sales is at an exciting inflection point where AI will radically advance the way we approach customer relationships, said Spier. LeadCrunch has already proven its approach with some of the worlds most impressive cloud and software companies. I am excited to join the tremendous team at LeadCrunch and to help drive the continued adoption of our market-leading technology."

In his 15 years as a venture-backed CEO, Spier has established his companies as leaders in their respective categories, resulting in sustained market leadership, growth, and value creation. At PLAE, Spier led a next-generation retail brand from launch through to millions of units sold as the market leading online kids footwear brand. Under his leadership, PLAE was a pioneer in the emerging direct-to-consumer business model, building a thriving customer community and a best-in class digital marketing engine that turned PLAE into a household name among its target audience.

At NetBase (now NetBaseQuid), Spier led the company from founding through $100M+ acquisition interest from a major global software provider. Spier built enduring relationships with blue-chip customers and partners including Coca-cola, P&G, JD Power, SAP, Taco Bell, and many others, and recruited a world-class executive team including senior leaders from Apple, TIBCO, Trilogy, BroadVision, Cadence, and McKinsey. Under Spiers leadership the company developed the worlds most advanced and most scalable natural language processing (NLP) technology, defining the market for Social Media Analytics, the category it still leads today.

Spier holds a bachelors degree in Computer Science with honors from UC Berkeley and an MBA with honors from the Harvard Business School.

About LeadCrunch

Since its founding in 2013, LeadCrunch has grown to be the leader in AI B2B targeting and lead generation. The company is on pace to hit record revenue targets in 2021 and ranked #35 on Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America, 2020. Customers include leaders in B2B sales and marketing like Adobe, Citrix, Salesforce, SAP, IBM, Oracle, and Google. In all, the company counts 7 of the top 10 cloud software providers and 6 of the top 10 largest business software companies as customers, along with hundreds of other small to mid-size technology companies.
SQM recently announced that it was the first lithium mining company to join the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), while committing to expand its capacity for lithium carbonate production in 2021 to 120,000 tonnes per year and to 180,000 tpy by 2023.

This compared with output of...
FLINT, MI  Mott Community College is offering free tuition to students who qualify through its STEM Scholars program.

The program is aimed at academically talented students that plan on attending college full-time to complete an Associate in Science degree and are interested in a STEM-related career after graduation.

STEM is short for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and includes such fields as, but not limited to, biology, physics, environmental science, computer information sciences, mechanical engineering, and statistics.

Mott Community College STEM scholars are required to participate in at least two STEM-based activities, which include joining a club, attending an academic workshop, or attending tutoring programs.

The program offers tutoring every other Friday, said Cassandra Walker, STEM Scholar Project Coordinator. As coordinator, I provide them with one-on-one support. Every two weeks, we have a one-on-one meetings.

Walker is a two-time Mott Community College graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Business Management and an Associate in General Studies degree.

She went on to complete her Bachelor of Business Administration and her Master of Public Administration with an emphasis on statistical data analysis from the University of Michigan-Flint.

Prior to joining Mott Community College, Walker was employed at the University of Michigan-Flint as an assistant in the College of Arts and Sciences.

In 2019, Walker incorporated her own STEM-based company Tetromorph Inc., a business consulting firm that offers statistical data analysis services.

Within the program, students are able to explore multiple STEM career options, interact with experienced professionals in the field, and travel to STEM related research conferences. Prior to the pandemic, scholars would be provided $2,500 to fund their travel expenses, such as airfare and room and boarding, to attend STEM-related conferences.

During the pandemic, the scholars were still expected to attend these conferences virtually, and doing so, the program still aided scholars the $2,500 to cover the conferences fees.

Program scholars are encouraged to participate in paid summer research opportunities, or internships, and complete the Undergraduate Research Methods course (STEM-199) during the winter semester of the first year.

The course serves an introduction to research methods within the STEM field. In the research course, students will learn to apply knowledge and develop new skills by working closely with a faculty mentor.

Had STEM Scholars been available for me when I was in school, I wouldve been a STEM Scholar, Walker said.

The program offers scholarships to the program and are awarded to students who have shown high level of academic achievement, demonstrated financial need, and are pursuing a degree in the STEM field. The program is funded through the S-STEM Scholarship and The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) by way of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

LSAMP was established in honor of Louis Stokes, who was the first African-American congressman elected in the state of Ohio and the first African-American on the House Appropriations Committee. Stokes served as a United States House of Representative for 15 terms, retiring in 1999.

LSAMP serves as a program to assist universities and colleges across the United States in diversifying STEM programs and workforce by increasing the number of STEM baccalaureate and graduate degrees awarded to disenfranchised and underrepresented minority students.

Its like a gateway into a university for students, for minority students, and disenfranchised students, Walker said. Im seeing that they will have a lot more - in the future - we will have more scientists coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and people of color. I see exponential growth in professionals, STEM-based professionals, from those background as a result of the program.

Other benefits include academic advising, professional tutoring, and university visits and transfer preparation advising to: Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and Western Michigan University.

STEM Scholars recipients will receive funding for up to a two year period that covers tuition and required course materials.

To qualify and be eligible, students must:

Be U.S. citizen or legal resident

Enroll full-time at Mott Community College

Plan on pursuing a STEM degree

Must not have completed more than 20 credits toward program of study

Show academic potential from high school and maintain a 3.0 GPA while at MCC

Show financial need (Pell Grant Eligible)

The STEM Scholars Program is open to all Mott Community College students who are in the Associate of Science program that have an interest in transferring into a four-year institution, according to Walker. The S-STEM scholarship is also not limited to minority students, however, the student seeking the scholarship must be Pell Grant eligible to apply.

To apply, a student must first apply to Mott Community College, if not already enrolled, complete a STEM Scholars application, and complete a FAFSA online.

Those interested can visit mcc.edu/stem to learn more about the program and apply.

Read more on MLive:

Mott Community College ranked among Michigans top online community colleges

Former Burton police chief named Mott Community Colleges new top cop

Mott Community College freshman wins national culinary competition
New Delhi: The results for Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2021 February exam are expected to be declared on jeemain.nta.nic.in today.

Earlier, on Sunday night the National Testing Agency (NTA) released the final answer key of JEE Main 2021.

Over 22 lakh candidates had registered for the JEE Mains examination 2021, out of which 6.05 lakh students took it in the February session. The remaining candidates will be eligible to appear for the March, April and May sessions.

The candidates can check their scores on these two websites:

1. JEE Main 2021 official website- jeemain.nta.nic.in

2. Alternate NTA JEE result site - ntaresults.nic.in

The NTA would also release score or percentile rank for the candidates. Here is how to check and download NTA scores:

1. After the JEE Main result is declared, candidates must visit the official website- jeemain.nta.nic.in

2. On the homepage, click on the JEE Main Feb Result link

3. A login page will open

4. Key in your application number or roll number and date of birth to log in

5. Your JEE Main Result 2021 and NTA scores will be displayed on the screen

6. Download and take its printout

Only 6 candidates, on the basis of the performance, will be given 100 percentile rank.

Additionally, JEE Main Ranks would be announced once the sessions of March, April and May conducted. NTA will announce the cut off for JEE Advanced 2021 only after the final result of JEE Main 2021, which is expected in June.

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Exactly how badly Covid ravaged the NHS during December was laid bare today by an interactive tool that tells you how your hospital fared before the second wave even peaked.

MailOnline's analysis of the most up-to-date monthly NHS statistics has uncovered the huge blow dealt to cancer services and other routine treatments by the surge in infections, which saw trusts across the country warn they could be overwhelmed by surging admissions.

Cancer patients are meant to be seen for potentially life-saving treatment within 62 days of being diagnosed. But no hospital trust in England met the target in December, while just a third of patients were seen within the crucial time-frame at two trusts in London and Birmingham. And 65 per cent of hospitals saw fewer cancer patients than at the same time the year before.

Separate figures showed nearly 1.4million patients had waited longer than 18 weeks for vital scans and diagnostics tests in England in December. In comparison, the figure was 646,000 for the same month in 2019. Fewer than half all of patients in Bradford and Chester had been sent for scans within the four-month target.

Charities today said the stark figures painted a grim picture of the 'devastating' impact the pandemic has wrought on the healthcare sector.

Hospitals were forced to cancel tens of thousands of procedures to cope with the influx of Covid patients during the second wave, sparking fears of a timebomb of non-coronavirus illnesses such as cancer.

Pressure on NHS units has eased dramatically since the crisis peaked in January but there are still 10,000 infected patients on wards  above levels seen last May when the first shutdown was eased.

All hospitals in England failed to meet NHS target of starting to treat all cancer patients 62 days from diagnosis

HEALTH BOSSES WARN OF HIDDEN WAITING LIST OF SIX MILLION PATIENTS Health bosses have warned of a 'hidden' waiting list of six million patients who haven't come forward for treatment could flood NHS later this year. Head of the NHS Confederation Danny Mortimer said that official waiting list could swell to unprecedented levels that have not been seen in more than a decade. Mr Mortimer added that patients should expect to wait months - and in some cases up to a year - to be treated after Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Budget offered no new investment to meet previous guarantees on waiting times. The NHS Confederation estimated that there was a 30 per cent drop in the number of patients being referred for treatment from 2019 to 2020. It is thought that these 5.9 million 'hidden' patients still require treatment but do not appear in any NHS statistics. But almost two thirds are expected to join waiting lists later this year - with figures expected to grow from 4.6 million in December 2020 to 8 million by October 2021. Mr Mortimer warned that this would represent the worst levels for 10 or 15 years. Advertisement

Every hospital trust in England failed to reach the NHS target of starting treatment for all cancer patient within two months of their diagnosis in December 2020, figures revealed.

It came amid spiralling Covid hospital admissions during the second wave, with doctors and nurses stretched to the limit at many trusts.

The worst performing hospitals out of 124 where data was provided tended to be in large cities, where more beds were occupied by patients suffering debilitating symptoms triggered by the virus.

North Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust, in London, was worst hit after only managing to start treating 34.7 per cent of cancer patients within the 62-day target (38 patients were waiting for treatment). This was less than half the 70.5 per cent seen at the same time the year before.

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust was the second worst-hit at 38.9 per cent, compared to 54.9 per cent in 2019.

And Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals saw 51.4 per cent of cancer patients within two months, compared to 67.3 per cent the year before.

Separate data shows each of these hospitals had more than 90 per cent of their beds full, on average, during the course of the month. At least 12 per cent of beds were occupied by Covid patients. In North Middlesex Hospital almost 30 per cent were used for coronavirus.

The NHS also publishes figures on the number of suspected cancer patients seen within two weeks of an urgent referral from their GP.

Almost nine in ten of these individuals do not have cancer, but waiting longer could cause the disease to spread, becoming harder to treat.

University Hospitals Birmingham also saw the fewest patients that potentially had cancer within this time frame in December, after checking just 44.3 per cent out of 2,793 patients in the time-frame.

It was followed by Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals which saw 48.7 per cent (out of 1,867) within two weeks of an urgent GP referral, and North Middlesex University Hospital which saw 57.1 per cent (out of 736).

Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UKs chief executive, said the figures showed the 'devastating' impact of the pandemic on cancer services.

'The NHS is working hard to protect cancer services,' she told MailOnline. 'But the impact of Covid on cancer patients has been devastating, with 41,000 fewer patients in the UK starting treatment compared to the year before.

'The Government must urgently make sure the NHS gets the funding it needs to clear the substantial backlog of patients waiting for diagnostic tests and treatment.

'Its vital we get back, as soon as possible, to ensuring faster and earlier diagnosis of cancer when chances of survival are greatest.

'This spring budget could be that moment to help give every person with cancer the timely diagnosis and treatment they deserve.'

Professor Clare Turnbull, an expert at the London-based Institute of Cancer Research, told a meeting of the Royal Society of Medicine last month there could be a 'sizeable number of deaths' sparked by the delays.

More than 1.45million patients waited longer than 18 weeks for routine treatment in December

More than 1.45million patients in England waited longer than 18 weeks for routine treatment in December 2020, NHS figures revealed.

This was more than double the number waiting longer than four months the year before, when there were 646,000 on the nationwide list.

Procedures people have to wait for tend to be routine non-emergency operations such as joint replacements or cataract surgery.

Data also showed no hospital hit the 'milestone' of seeing every patient referred for a diagnostic test within six weeks, risking some conditions becoming harder to treat because of the lengthy time they were left unchecked.

There were 345,000 patients on these lists by December 2020, more than eight times the number at the same time the year before (Almost 42,000).

The worst-hit hospitals with the longest referral to treatment times were scattered across the country, highlighting the national impact of the virus.

The Countess of Chester Hospital, near Manchester, saw the fewest patients within 18 weeks after inviting in just 48.4 per cent (12,415 out of 25,673). It was followed by Hull Teaching Hospital which saw 50.4 per cent (29,967 out of 59,437) and Dorset County Hospital which saw 53.3 per cent (8,651 out of 16,246).

In terms of the longest waiting times for diagnostics tests, University College London Hospitals still had 70.3 per cent of patients on lists after six weeks (of 4,074 patients).

This was followed by Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS at 58.6 per cent (out of 23,094 patients) and Barnsley Hospitals at 57.1 per cent (out of 4,170 patients).

As many as 174 NHS trusts in England provided referral to treatment waiting time data in December 2020, and 168 in December 2019.

Almost every single bed was occupied at two hospitals in London over the whole of December

Almost every single bed was occupied at two hospitals in London over the entire month of December, official NHS figures revealed.

Whittington Health NHS trust, in Islington, and North Middlesex Hospitals, in Enfield, were both almost completely full throughout the month.

Whittington had 183 out of 185 beds occupied throughout the month, on average. While North Middlesex saw 394 out of 400 beds filled.

More than 22 per cent of beds at both trusts were taken up by patients suffering from Covid, the NHS figures also revealed.

Overall, the third highest levels of occupancy were in Buckinghamshire Healthcare Hospitals at 98 per cent (320 of 329).

Medway Hospitals, in Kent, had the highest proportion of Covid patients in December, with 57 per cent of all beds occupied by the infected, on average (195 out of 371 patients).

It was the only hospital in the country to have more than half of its bed capacity filled by Covid patients, which is thought to be linked to an explosion of cases in the county triggered by the more infectious Kent variant.

The second highest proportion of beds occupied by Covid patients was in North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals (38.6 per cent or 165 out of 427), and the third highest was in East Kent Hospitals (37.4 per cent or 283 out of 756).

Hospitals with fewer than 150 beds were excluded from the MailOnline analysis.
The Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) wants Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho out of Building Bridges Initiatives (BBI) campaign programmes or else they will abandon the referendum push.

Through Minority Whip in the National Assembly Junet Mohamed, the party issued an ultimatum to President Uhuru Kenyatta to remove Kibicho.

Junet told the Sunday Nation the President has to choose between their input in the push to amend the Constitution and his powerful PS whom they accuse of hijacking the BBI secretariat and sabotaging it.

If he must continue meddling in the work of the secretariat if he must continue dictating how we do the work, if he is that indispensable, we will be left with no choice but to abandon BBI. (Mr) Kibicho is causing political constipation and we are not afraid of telling him that, Junet told the daily.

The Suna East MP, who is also the co-chairman of the BBI Secretariat, warned that allowing Kibicho to run the show would not only complicate chances of a favourable referendum outcome but also make the BBI appear as a State project.
At the conclusion of the Mass in Erbil, Pope Francis praised the generosity and heroic witness of the Iraqis, while thanking all those who made his visit possible.

Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis offered his heartfelt gratitude to the local Church leaders in Erbil; to Mar Gewargis III, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East; Christians of various denominations; Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda; and all the Bishops, the government and civil authorities, and the many volunteers for their great welcome and assistance.

His Greeting came at the conclusion of the Mass celebrated Sunday evening in the Erbil.



He heartily greeted the beloved Kurdish people, and paid tribute to all Christians of various traditions, many of whom shed their blood here. Yet our martyrs shine together like stars in the same sky! the Pope said; and from there they call us to walk together, without hesitation, towards the fullness of unity.



While many shared testimonies of sorrow and loss, the Pope noted as well the stories of hope and conslation, thanks especially to the "tireless charitable outreach" of religious institutions of every faith assisting in rebuilding and social rebirth. The Pope offered special thanks to the ROACO umbrella organization representing Catholic aid agencies.



Iraq will always remain with me, in my heart, the Pope said, and he encouraged everyone to work together in unity for a future of peace and prosperity that leaves no one behind and discriminates against no one. He assured them of his prayers and called on all people of good will to work together to forge bonds of fraternity and solidarity in the service of the common good and of peace...May God bless you all! May God bless Iraq!


MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A timeline of key events that began with George Floyd's arrest on May 25, 2020, by four police officers in Minneapolis:

May 25  Minneapolis police officers respond to a call shortly after 8 p.m. about a possible forgery at a corner grocery and encounter a Black man later identified as George Floyd, who struggles and ends up handcuffed and face-down in the street. Officer Derek Chauvin uses his knee to pin Floyd's neck for about nine minutes while bystanders shout at him to stop. Bystander video shows Floyd crying I can't breathe multiple times before going limp. He's pronounced dead at a hospital.

May 26  Police issue a statement saying Floyd died after a medical incident, and that he physically resisted and appeared to be in medical distress. Minutes later, bystander video is posted online. Police release another statement saying the FBI will help investigate. Chauvin and three other officers  Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao  are fired. Protests begin.

May 27  Mayor Jacob Frey calls for criminal charges against Chauvin. Protests lead to unrest in Minneapolis, with some people looting and starting fires. Protests spread to other cities.

May 28  Gov. Tim Walz activates the Minnesota National Guard. That night, police abandon the 3rd Precinct station as protesters overtake it and set it on fire.

May 29  Chauvin is arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. President Donald Trump tweets about thugs in Minneapolis protests and warns: When the looting starts, the shooting starts. Protests turn violent again in Minneapolis and some other cities.

May 30  Trump tries to walk back his tweet. Protests continue around the country and sometimes turn violent.

May 31  Walz says Attorney General Keith Ellison will lead prosecutions in Floyd's death and the nationwide protests continue.

June 1  The county medical examiner finds that Floyd's heart stopped as police restrained him and compressed his neck, noting Floyd had underlying health issue and listing fentanyl and methamphetamine use as other significant conditions."

Story continues

June 2  Minnesota's Department of Human Rights launches a civil rights investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department.

June 3  Ellison files a tougher second-degree murder charge against Chauvin and charges the other three officers who were involved in Floyd's arrest.

June 4  The first of multiple funeral services for Floyd is held in Minneapolis.

June 5  Minneapolis bans chokeholds by police, the first of many changes to be announced in coming months, including an overhaul of the police department's use-of-force policy.

June 6  Massive, peaceful protests happen nationwide to demand police reform. Services are held for Floyd in Raeford, North Carolina, near his birthplace.

June 7  A majority of Minneapolis City Council members say they support dismantling the police department. The idea later stalls but sparks a national debate over police reform.

June 8  Thousands pay their respects to Floyd in Houston, where he grew up. He's buried the next day.

June 10  Floyd's brother testifies before the House Judiciary Committee for changes in holding police officers accountable.

June 16  Trump signs an executive order to encourage better police practices and establish a database to track officers with a history of excessive use-of-force complaints.

July 15  Floyds family sues Minneapolis and the four former officers.

July 21  The Minnesota Legislature passes a broad slate of police accountability measures that includes bans on neck restraints, chokeholds and so-called warrior-style training.

Oct. 7  Chauvin posts $1 million bond and is released from prison, sparking more protests.

Nov. 5  Judge Peter Cahill rejects defense requests to move the officers' trials; takes rare step of allowing cameras in a Minnesota courtroom, citing the coronavirus pandemic.

Jan. 12  Cahill rules Chauvin will be tried alone due to courtroom capacity issues. The other officers will be tried in August.

Feb. 12  City leaders say George Floyd Square, the intersection blocked by barricades since Floyd's death, will reopen to traffic after Chauvin's trial.

March 8  Jury selection is scheduled to begin in Chauvin's trial.

___

Find APs full coverage of the death of George Floyd: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd
The jobs of two embattled senior cabinet ministers are under fire. (Source: Getty)

The roles of two senior cabinet ministers at the centre of the Parliament House rape allegations scandals have been called into question as the pair take time off for mental health and sick leave.

A senior Labor official has publicly questioned whether Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations Christian Porter and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds are fit to hold their positions.

"Are we all supposed to just pretend when Christian Porter comes back from leave that nothing has happened? Labor home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally said on Sunday.

"We need to be clear that he is a fit and proper person to hold the position of Attorney General, the first law officer of this country."

Porter has categorically denied the rape allegations by a woman who took her own life last year.

WATCH ABOVE: Attorney-General Christian Porter denies rape allegations

Thinktank McKell Institute also blasted the ministers decisions to take mental leave as cruel injustice, pointing out that many Australian workers do not have access to paid leave of any kind.

Theres a cruel injustice when two Federal Ministers can take freely extendable mental health leave while 3.7 million Australians dont have access to any paid leave - at all, the Institute stated on Twitter.

If its a benefit thats necessary for the health of Ministers under political pressure for their own mistakes - surely its necessary for all of us.

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McKell Institute CEO Michael Buckland told Yahoo Finance that it was "deeply hypocritical" for these ministers, who could access sick leave, to withhold it from others.

"I bet when they took their jobs neither Mr Porter nor Ms Reynolds anticipated needing stress leave, but it's a safety net they would be grateful for now and that's exactly the safety net we should all have," Buckland said.

"All working Australians deserve access to leave, including mental health leave, especially those on more modest incomes than ministers of the Crown.

Story continues

"Unlike Mr Porter and Ms Reynolds, the average baggage handler experiencing stress does not have a cushion of money around him to help absorb the blow  he needs that leave to deal with life's unexpected challenges."

Some Australians took to social media to share their frustrations about the ministers ability to access sick leave.

Christian Porter gets to take mental health leave for the [sic] being the suspect of allegations but yet if I take mental health leave for my mental illness, I risk losing my payments. Cool and normal, tweeted user Skyler Nixon.

Meanwhile, Reynolds is taking sick leave for three weeks until 2 April under the advice of her cardiologist. But Keneally has described Reynolds position as Defence Minister as untenable.

Keneally, who wished her a full return to health, said that her job was under question on the basis of three issues: competence, capacity, and judgement.

When it comes to the Minister's capacity, she needs to be able to turn up to the Parliament and answer questions. And if she is not well enough to do that, then we have to seriously ask, is she available to do the job as Defence Minister? she told ABC Radio National on Monday.

This is a key national security portfolio. I do wish her well. I hope she returns to health soon. But we need a Defence Minister who can turn up and answer questions in Parliament and in estimates.

Revelations that Reynolds described rape allegations claimant Brittany Higgins as a lying cow also completely contradicts the Defence Ministers public statements, Keneally added.

Reynolds reportedly made the comment after Higgins, a former Liberal staffer in Reynolds' office, went public with her rape allegation.

You cannot call the alleged victim of a rape in your own office a lying cow and think that has no consequences, Keneally said on Sunday.

Independent senator for South Australia Rex Patrick told Yahoo Finance he did not begrudge people taking leave due to stress, but pointed out that this matter concerned two very senior politicians in very senior positions.

This stress appears to be related to their roles. They have portfolios such as Defence and the administration of justice across Australia, he said.

And whilst I wish both of them well, it does give rise to concerns about their ability to discharge their functions perhaps in more stressful situations.

Take control of your money and learn to maximise it with the Womens Money Movement! Join the club on LinkedIn and follow Yahoo Finance Australia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to the free Fully Briefed daily newsletter.
CAMBRIDGE, England, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Novogene Europe, a leading provider of genomic services and solutions, has announced the launch of a Clinical Service to provide its European customers with next-generation sequencing (NGS) services and solutions for their clinical samples.

The Clinical Service has launched after Novogene's Cambridge Sequencing Centre was awarded IS0/IEC 17025 accreditation, the highest recognised quality standard in the world for calibrating and testing laboratories. Accreditation means the lab consistently produces precise and accurate test data and has implemented a rigorous quality management system.

The Cambridge Sequencing Centre ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation follows on from CLIA accreditation for the California Clinical Laboratory in the USA, and CAP accreditation, received in 2017, for the Tianjin Medical Lab in China.

"ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation enables us to expand our European sequencing to include high-quality clinical services," said Dr Aina Pi Roig, Technical Support Supervisor for Clinical Services at Novogene Europe. "Our goal is to become the trusted partner for scientific researchers and genetic testing suppliers through our best-in-class sequencing solutions, great customer service and expert scientific team."

"We're really proud of all the work the Cambridge Sequencing Centre team put in to achieve the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. It is testament to the precision and standardisation of our experimental procedures and bioinformatics analysis," added Tingting Zhou, General Manager, Novogene Europe. "Offering clinical services opens up a range of new solutions for our customers and really helps us in our mission to advance genomics and improve life."

About Novogene

Novogene is a leading provider of genomic services and solutions with cutting edge NGS and bioinformatics expertise. With one of the largest sequencing capacities in the world, we utilise our deep scientific knowledge, first-class customer service and unsurpassed data quality to help clients realise their research goals in the rapidly evolving world of genomics.

With over 2,000 employees, multiple locations around the world, 32 NGS related patents and over 580 publications in top tier journals such as Nature and Science, we have rapidly become a world-leader in NGS services.

Our Sequencing Centre on the Cambridge Science Park offers our customers an unrivalled NGS service with a quick turn-around, exceptional data quality and expert PhD level advice and support throughout your project.

To find out more about Novogene Europe's Clinical services please visit en.novogene.com or contact [email protected], +44-1223-628-750

SOURCE Novogene Europe

Related Links

www.novogene.com


UK courts failed to pass on the conviction of European criminals to their EU home countries, of which around 18,000 were Irish.

In total, 112,490 criminal convictions were not sent to relevant EU capitals over an eight-year period due to a massive computer failure, it recently emerged.

Of those, at least 17,996 are Irish, representing the second largest group of EU criminal convictions. Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond, who also serves as the spokesperson on European Affairs, expressed his disappointment with this failure of communication.

This needs to be raised formally and seriously, he told the Sunday World.

Why did these lapses happen, how will [we] cooperate going further and will the UK Government commit to meeting their responsibilities in keeping their neighbours safe?

These revelations are extremely disappointing and raise many concerns now in the post Brexit era where scope for formal cooperation between the UK and remaining EU Member States like Ireland will diminish.

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Of the convictions, 109 were killers, 81 were rapists, and one man was found guilty of both crimes.

This failure to comply with EU law and notify member states was first discovered at least six years ago, and a provisional plan to update them had been drawn up at that time by the UKs Criminal Records Office.

However, according to the Guardian, it was not acted upon amid concerns about the reputational impact on Britain.

If a foreign offender is sentenced, then Acro Criminal Records Office, a UK body responsible for international police data sharing, is legally required under EU law to alert police in convicted criminals home country.

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This issue mainly affects those with dual nationality, who are rarely deported from the UK, even after lengthy prison sentences. As such, EU member states may have been left in the dark as to the crimes of criminals if they decide to move.

Of the total criminal convictions which have not been passed on to EU member states, 19,565 have now belatedly been sent on to Poland. A further 12,466 have been sent to Romania.

After that, in decreasing order the remainder are Latvia, Slovakia, Czechia, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany.

Another 10,000 convictions belong to various other EU states.
BJP leader shot at in West Bengal

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Kolkata, Mar 08: A 32-year-old local BJP leader was shot at and injured in Haringhata area of West Bengal's Nadia district, the police said on Sunday.

During a patrol, police personnel found Sanjay Das near a tea stall at Kapileswar Santoshpur and admitted him to a hospital, SP of Ranaghat Police District, VSR Ananthnag, said.

Das, a booth president of the BJP under ward no. 10 of Haringhata Municipality, is stated to be out of danger.

Always felt at home: Gautam Gambhir may campaign for BJP in Bengal

The BJP alleged that goons sheltered by the Trinamool Congress were behind the incident. The ruling party in the state denied the charge and claimed that it was the fallout of a clash among the members of a group, who are associated with the saffron party.

The SP said that when policemen on patrol stopped their vehicle near a tea stall beside National Highway 12 at around 2.30 am on Sunday, they found some people were sitting on the ground a short distance away.

On noticing the policemen, all except one person fled.

Ananthnag said that the trouser of the person, later identified as Das, was soaked in blood and he was in an inebriated condition.

He told the police that one person in the group fired at him and the bullet hit him in the waist, the SP said.

Das' father lodged a complaint with the police in the evening, naming several people as accused.

Muthoot Finance shares drop as chairman falls to death | Oneindia News

He said that his son told him that one person in the group fired at him following a heated argument over some political issue.

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Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 8:31 [IST]
The opposition Congress on Monday staged a walkout during the tabling of the budget for 2021-22 by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, claiming that the BJP government in the state had no moral right to continue in power.

"This government carrying a bundle of sins has no moral right to continue in power. So we have decided to protest against the presentation of the budget," former chief minister Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

He charged that the Chief Minister, who holds the Finance portfolio and the Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani were out on bail in a criminal case relating to creation of bogus documents to take back Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) land at Devanahalli in Bengaluru.

Siddaramaiah, who is Leader of the Opposition in the legislative Assembly, also said six other ministers approached the civil court seeking injunction against the telecast or publication of any defamatory material against them by the media following the sex-for-job allegation against the BJP MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi who had to step down as minister.

"After the telecast of Ramesh Jarkiholi (objectionable video clip), these six ministers including Shivaram Hebbar, M B Patil, Dr Sudhakar are in fear. What's their fear? Shouldn't there be some basis behind the fear?" he said.

According to him, there were many more ministers whose objectionable CDs were made.

The Congress stalwart charged that the injunction sought by the ministers was an attack on the freedom of press.

"These ministers had taken oath saying that they would discharge their duties without any fear or favour. When they have gone to court out of fear what moral right do they have to continue in power including the Chief Minister," Siddaramiaah sought to know.

He alleged that the government was steeped in corruption as well.

He said the Congress party would not listen to the budget by an "unethical" government and the members would protest by wearing black badges.
If youve fallen behind on episodes of The Equalizer, dont worry. Showbiz Cheat Sheet is right here to get you all caught up. Heres what happened last time on The Equalizer Season 1, Episode 4.

Robyn McCall investigates the death of an activist on The Equalizer

Queen Latifah with Liza Lapira on The Equalizer | Barbara Nitke/CBS via Getty Images

The Equalizer Season 1, Episode 4 (titled It Takes a Village) opens with two people walking down the street. One of the people is Malcolm, a community activist. The other is his neighbor and friend, Crystal. Malcolm is passionate about bringing justice to the people in his neighborhood.

One of Malcolms neighbors comes to him because her lights were cut off even though shes paying her bills. Malcolm says its just a tactic used to force poor people out of the neighborhood so developers can take over.

That night, Crystal is walking home, and she notices police activity outside her building. When she looks closer, she realizes its Malcolm. He was dead. Crystal goes to Robyn McCall (Queen Latifah) for help. Crystal says the police are claiming Malcolm jumped from his apartment window. However, she doesnt think thats what happened because they made plans earlier.

Robyn investigates Malcolms death further. She stops by his apartment to look around. When shes inside the apartment, she notices the imprint of a pair of special edition Jordan 1 Fragments underneath the window. These sneakers cost thousands of dollars. Robyn takes a photo and brings it back to her associates.

Robyn is suspicious because theres no way Malcolm could afford these sneakers. He also didnt have a pair of Jordans on his feet or in his apartment. Robyn thinks someone else might have been there. She also notices Malcolm left a clue in his suicide note, which she thinks he was forced to write.

The clue points to a rap song by Kendrick Lamar (Good Kid, m.A.A.D City) that talks about gang violence. Robyn thinks a gang member might have been involved in his death. Youd have to be pretty clever to pull that off under duress, says Mel.

Robyn takes on a violent gang member

Queen Latifah on The Equalizer | Barbara Nitke/CBS via Getty Images

Robyn says Crystal mentioned there was a gang taking over the area. The team discovers a gang named the Bombers control the neighborhood. A man named Kenya Bell is the leader. Robyn pays Kenya a visit. One of the first things she notices is that hes wearing the sneakers she mentioned earlier. Kenya was the one in Malcolms apartment the night he was murdered.

When Kenya sees Robyn, he tells her she made a big mistake. His associates come out and point their guns at her. With Mels help, Robyn manages to scare Kenya and his associates. Shes also able to clone his phone. Robyn discovers that one of Malcolms neighbors, Charles, knew what happened. He was helping Kenya.

Charles says he was paid to convince the residents to move out. Kenya asked him for the spare key to Malcolms apartment. Charles gave Kenya the key because he thought Kenya was just going to give Malcolm a scare. He didnt know he was going to kill him.

Charles reveals Kenya was working with Robert Harrington, a real estate developer. He wanted to develop within the neighborhood, but he couldnt do it without the residents permission. He asked Kenya to help him clear out the residents who wouldnt move.

Since Malcolm was organizing events to help the residents stay put, he was viewed as a threat. This is why Robert had him killed. Anyone who gets in his way is going to be cut down just like Malcolm, says Robyn.

Robyn McCall gets justice

Her goal is to hold both Kenya and Robert responsible for Malcolms murder. Robyn goes to detective Marcus Dante and tells him she has a lead on Malcolms death. She also tells him Charles is a witness. However, problems arise when one of the gang members sees Marcus talking to Charles. They know law enforcement is on to them.

Kenya is brought in for questioning, but he wont admit he was working with Robert. Robyn later finds out that Robert has been funding a terrorist group called Prophets of Honor. He paid them money so that he could get building permits in Bahrain. The terrorist group takes that money and buys weapons.

Robyn eventually takes Robert down with William Bishops help. Charles decides to move out of the neighborhood and Crystal picks up where Malcolm left.

The Equalizer airs Sundays on CBS at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

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About 5:45 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of West 119th Street in the West Pullman neighborhood. The boy had been sitting in the Impala when a white four-door Honda with tinted windows pulled up next to it and someone inside began firing shots toward the vehicle. The child was shot in the left arm and was taken to Comer Childrens Hospital, where he had been listed in good condition, according to police.
Editors note: 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 a series of profiles featured on PennLive and in The Patriot-News.

Fighting to give equal rights to those who historically have been left behind has always been a mission for Jeannine Peterson, even as a girl growing up in Pittsburgh.

When I came up in Pittsburgh, I came up during civil rights and we marched for equal rights, she said. I just think that you know today with all of the civil unrest that we have to fight, theyre still fighting for justice and equality... Thats the same thing we were doing back in the 60s and 70s.

Petersons journey to becoming executive director of Hamilton Health Center began with a sociology degree and a job in drug treatment at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh. She went on to become part of the Governors Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, while earning a masters degree.

Her focus on her career, though, was suddenly altered when she was blessed by a gift she hadnt expected at that point of her lifes journey.

I had reached the pinnacle of my career (and) I found out I was pregnant and I was devastated, Peterson said. I can remember just, you know, thinking, oh my goodness, how am I going to do this.

This surprise blessing, said Peterson, now tops her list of accomplishments. She was thankful to be able to continue along her career path, traveling with her daughter, and supported by her husband.

Peterson advanced through the ranks of government service, eventually becoming deputy secretary of health under Gov. Bob Casey Sr. She administered the states drug and alcohol program, as well as the maternal and child health, and preventative and communicative disease programs before heading to a private sector job when Caseys term ended in 1995.

In 2000 came the offer that pulled her back to Harrisburg: She was asked to serve as interim CEO of Hamilton Health Center, whose mission is to provide quality health care regardless of recipients ability to pay.

At the time, it wasnt considered a plum job. The center was struggling financially. Many of Petersons colleagues believed turning it around was an impossible task.

They felt it was going to be a failure and a tarnish on my, up to that point, a successful career but I felt that this organization Hamilton Health Center was an organization that was vitally needed in the community, Peterson said. It served a significant purpose to provide medical and dental services to people regardless of their ability to pay.

In 2001, Peterson became CEO. Today, the center has erased its $2 million deficit, and has greatly expanded its offerings, now serving up to 30,000 people in Harrisburg. Peterson has worked to find partners to fill needs in the community  for example, funding from Highmark Foundation allows the center to provide medical and dental services to Harrisburg school children.

It opened a Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy to provide low-cost medications, and moved the health center to a larger location at 110 South 17th St., then expanded it to create a one-stop state-of-the-art medical mall, as its website says. Its even expanded geographically, opening a clinic in Perry County.

Peterson worked to ensure all families, including those on Medicaid managed care plans and the uninsured, access to the center. Bilingual staff was hired, to reflect the population the center serves. A Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program was developed to help young mothers and children with nutrition education, healthy foods, and breastfeeding promotion and support.

Thats my passion, Peterson said, to continue to serve and to find the gaps and the needs and see if we can fill it.
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PHOENIX  Firefighters reported stopping the forward progress of a wildfire that grew to 175 acres and threatened homes and businesses Monday afternoon near Tonto Basin northeast of Phoenix.

There was no immediate word on containment, however, and crews planned to watch the fire area overnight.

As a precaution, the Gila County Sheriffs Office ordered the evacuations of about 50 homes involving some 100 people in the Tonto Basin area which is about 90 miles northeast of Phoenix.

At least one business that sells motor homes, RVs and boats also was threatened by the flames.

Arizona State Forestry officials said the wildfire started on private property and was human caused.

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Tonto National Forest rangers responded to the wildfire along with fire engines and hand crews.

By 1 p.m. Monday, the wildfire had grown to 50 acres northwest of Roosevelt Lake and winds of up to 15 mph pushed the fire to 175 acres by 5 p.m.

The Red Cross set up an evacuation center in Payson.

State Route 188 was closed in both directions west of Punkin Center due heavy smoke and video from a TV news helicopter showed flames burning close to the highway.
Chandigarh, March 8 : Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Monday informed the Assembly that the process of setting up of tertiary cancer care centre in Fatehabad town is underway.

However, the work of another tertiary cancer centre being constructed in Ambala will start soon.

Responding to a question on the second day of the Budget session, Vij said a proposal to set up cath lab at the Civil Hospital in Sonipat is under consideration.

Approximately 15,000 square feet of land will be required to set up the lab.

The Health Minister said cancer screening is done in all the district hospitals and critical patients are sent to second and third-tier cancer hospitals for treatment.

The Minister said currently four cath labs are currently operational in Gurugram, Panchkula, Ambala and Faridabad districts.

In these, stents are being provided to heart patients at the cost of Rs 46,112 only, while in private hospitals up to two lakh rupees is charged for a stent.

In government hospitals, this facility is provided free of cost to the below poverty line, the Scheduled Castes, government employees and pensioners.
A 31-year-old man in Toledo, who was rushed to hospital after claiming to have been bitten by a rattlesnake while walking in a field, was trying to hide a secret stash of 45 highly poisonous and lethal snakes and 12 scorpions at his home.

The man had calmly called the 112 emergency services after he was bitten and was rushed to hospital where an antidote was administered and he spent a day in an intensive care unit.

But Guardia Civil officers didnt believe his version of events and investigations showed that the man was fond of collecting exotic animals on a farm in Val de Santo Domingo. Once a court order was obtained to search the property the police found 45 snakes and 12 scorpions in terrariums.

Thanks to the help of specialists more than 30 species of reptiles were recorded, including two green mambas, a king cobra and a boa constrictor.

As the man could not provide documentation that would prove their legitimate origin and authorisation for the possession of these animals, the Seprona nature protection service of the Guardia Civil seized the reptiles and took them to a zoological centre.

The recovering 31-year-old man now faces animal protection charges.
Legislators and political advisers have called for more action to be taken to protect children, especially girls, from sexual assault. Such measures include raising children's awareness by making content related to the crime part of the curricula in China's nine-year mandatory education system. Sexual assaults on children have drawn increasing attention from the public over the past few years. According to a report released on Tuesday by Girls Protection, a foundation established in 2013 to protect girls from sexual assault, 332 such incidents were exposed by the media last year. Those cases involved 845 victims, the youngest of whom was only 1 year old. More than 90 percent of the victims were girls, the report said, and more than 70 percent of the assaults were committed by people who have frequent or close contact with children, such as teachers, relatives and neighbors. Zhao Wanping, a national legislator who has been dedicated to researching children in rural areas, said many of the cases involved leftbehind children in impoverished areas. These children usually live with grandparents and lack the supervision or protection of their parents, who work in other cities to support the family, he said. "Under such circumstances, the children are vulnerable to people with bad intentions, especially those who have frequent contact with them," said Zhao, who is also the deputy director of the Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences. This issue has attracted the attention of many legislators and political advisers, who are discussing potential actions and ideas. Zhao Junfu, a Supreme People's Court judge, said the amendments to the Criminal Law, which took effect on March 1, and the revised Minor Protection Law, which will take effect on June 1, have placed further emphasis on juvenile protection by adding content related to sexual assault. Amendments to the Criminal Law, for example, stipulated that those who are found guilty of hurting children under age 10 could receive up to 10 years in prison, he said. The laws also include detailed arrangements after sexual assaults occur, such as making efforts to protect the victims' privacy, transferring the victims to other schools and offering financial support, Zhao said. Zhu Lieyu, a national legislator and lawyer from Guangdong province, said because many sexual assaults happen on school campuses, schools should shoulder more responsibility in protecting and helping students, such as by setting up hotlines for victims to report the crimes and providing psychological guidance and other necessary support. However, psychological intervention after the incidents is just a remedial action with limited effect, Zhao Wanping said, adding that precautions are more important. "The very first step is to let children know what sexual assault is and how they should react when facing such incidents," he said. "Such information should be included in the textbooks used in the mandatory education system (primary school and middle school) and taught to raise children's awareness," he added.


A local drug-testing company has pivoted to offer rapid COVID-19 tests geared toward international travellers and essential transportation workers.

Star Drug Testing Services, which normally does random drug and alcohol testing for transportation, child-welfare and other industries, was granted approval to start conducting antigen and antibody tests starting today following federal and provincial guidelines. It is charging $169 for the rapid antigen test and $59 to test for COVID antibodies.

The Winnipeg lab has already received a lot of interest in the private tests, said president and owner Marina Charriere. When the pandemic hit, she said she heard from corporations who wanted to test their employees for the virus even though they didnt have symptoms. Apart from rapid-testing pilot projects for a select few groups of workers, including personal care home staff and teachers, Manitoba doesnt offer asymptomatic COVID-19 tests, so private labs have stepped in to fill the gap.

"The need was there (with) the companies that we see. We first started looking at it in terms of, how do we meet these companies needs?" Charriere said.

"Then we started seeing, you know what, there are a lot of people out there, individuals, who just want to know. Or who are taking care of a loved one at home whos got a fragile immune system and wouldnt mind doing an antibody test or an antigen test weekly just to make sure or to have that second layer of safety."

The antigen test is not considered as accurate as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests commonly used in Manitoba and other jurisdictions. While the PCR test  considered the gold standard  detects the viruss genetic material, the antigen test detects proteins on the surface of the virus and delivers a faster result. The rapid antibody tests, authorized by Health Canada just last month, are meant to detect whether someone already had the virus, not to diagnose it. Both tests show results in about 15 minutes.

Other private labs in Manitoba test for COVID-19 and its antibodies, but Charriere said she believes her company is the first in the province to offer these specific rapid tests. She said she expects the tests to become more popular with companies that require their employees to travel across the border, and with individuals who are headed to international destinations that accept antigen test results.

The rapid tests are another tool Charriere said she hopes will help further decrease the burden on Manitobas health-care system.

"If were to do our part, we need the tools to do our part. And the province cant be responsible for everyone, and the health-care workers need to be there for the ones who are ill. But for those who are not showing symptoms, it gives them another avenue that they can take so that they can do their part but not bombard the health-care system," Charriere said. "(It will) allow them to take some responsibility and allow them to have control of their health."

Currently, travellers entering Canada have to provide proof of a negative PCR test  antigen tests arent accepted. But the U.S. does accept antigen tests upon arrival.

"Every test has its pros and cons," Charriere said. "We still encourage the social distancing, the masks. Because not everybodys vaccinated, and until that happens, even though you (might) have the antibody, theyre now saying that variants may happen in terms of you having it (COVID-19) again."

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay
Amanda Gorman, the young Black American poet who famously performed at President Bidens inauguration, spoke out against the British royals treatment of Meghan Markle on Sunday.

Meghan was the Crowns greatest opportunity for change, regeneration, and reconciliation in a new era, she tweeted . They didnt just maltreat her light-- they missed out on it.

By the time Gorman tweeted, Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, had been broadcast all over the United States in an explosive two-hour interview with Oprah Winfrey on CBS. During that interview, the Duke and Duchess alleged that members of the royal family had isolated Meghan, worried aloud about how dark her sons skin would be, and denied her help when she was having suicidal thoughts .

I just didnt want to be alive anymore, Meghan told Winfrey tearfully.

Gorman, the United States first youth poet laureate, responded in a series of five tweets.

Meghan is living the life Diana should have, she wrote , if only those around her had been as brave as she was. Meghan isnt living a life without pain, but a life without a prison.

Its that prison-like quality of life within the monarchy, as Meghan and Harry described it, that shocked many viewers on Sunday. Upon joining the royal family, Meghan said she was forced to turn over her keys, her passport, and her drivers license. As a result, she said, when her mental health started to deteriorate, she was unable to go somewhere for treatment.

I couldnt, you know, call an Uber to the palace, Meghan said.

Gorman, 23, won worldwide fame with her Inauguration Day recital of her poem, The Hill We Climb. In that performance, she depicted both an unsparing picture of American racism and a hopeful vision of the countrys future.

On Sunday, the poet expressed a similar outrage at the House of Windsor, which allegedly denied Meghan and Harrys son Archie the title of prince because unnamed family members worried his skin would be too dark.

This may be part of the royals missed opportunity for a racial reconciliation that Gorman referred to in her tweet.

But as in The Hill We Climb, Gorman also found a glimmer of hope in the situation.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 22:21:20|Editor: huaxia

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Deputies to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) walk towards the Great Hall of the People for the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

The greater female presence offers a glimpse into the increasingly vital role that women are playing in every aspect of Chinese society.

BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Female lawmakers and political advisors, with record-high representation at China's ongoing annual "two sessions," are playing an irreplaceable role in pooling wisdom to fuel the country's development, as China embarks on a new journey toward socialist modernization.

Official data shows that women make up 24.9 percent of national legislators at the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) and 20.4 percent of members of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body.

The figures are 1.5 and 2.6 percentage points higher than the 12th NPC and 12th CPPCC National Committee, respectively.

The greater female presence offers a glimpse into the increasingly vital role that women are playing in every aspect of Chinese society.

Deputies to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) attend the second plenary meeting of the fourth session of the 13th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

International Women's Day, which falls on Monday this year, was marked with flowers, best wishes, and celebrations of the achievements of women.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday extended festive greetings to the country's women of all ethnic groups and from all walks of life, applauding their contributions to the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said the joint efforts of the whole Chinese nation, including Chinese women, are needed in realizing the development goals of the Party and the state. He urged Party committees and governments at all levels to fully understand the great significance of women's causes and protect women's rights and interests in accordance with the law.

As China zeroes in on fully building a modern socialist country, topics including rural vitalization, sci-tech innovation, and the protection of women's and children's rights and interests have been widely discussed among the female legislators and political advisors.

Urnisa Kader, an NPC deputy and vice director of a technology promotion center for the forestry and fruit industry in Turpan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, submitted proposals on developing local tourism and building a local logistics center to this year's NPC session.

Having devoted the past 20 years to teaching local farmers standardized fruit cultivation techniques and helping them raise their incomes, Kader, of Uygur ethnicity, said she and local farmers are aiming for a more prosperous future as China pushes ahead with its rural vitalization strategy after eradicating absolute poverty nationwide.

"Turpan now has high-speed rail and an airport thanks to infrastructure construction in the past few years. We hope the development of the tourism industry and the construction of a dried fruit logistics center will help the farmers make more money," she said.

Chen Wei, a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), delivers a speech at the second plenary meeting of the fourth session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

Chen Wei, a leading medical scientist and a CPPCC National Committee member, has focused on strengthening research into COVID-19 and vaccine development in her proposals.

Chen was among the first batch of frontline workers that rushed to the central Chinese city of Wuhan to help when COVID-19 hit the city hard. She also led the research and development of an adenovirus-vectored COVID-19 vaccine, which has been approved for use in China.

Related research work should be further enhanced by using innovative technologies such as biotech, big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence to better understand the sources, animal hosts, and pathogenic mechanisms of viruses, Chen said.

She stressed the need to carry out pre-research on vaccines, nucleic acid tests and antibody detection reagents against the variant strains.

She also called for more support for basic research, technological innovation and talent cultivation as the country pursues innovation-driven development.

The protection of disadvantaged groups' rights and interests is another hot topic during the "two sessions."

Tai Lihua, a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and director of China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe, "sings" the national anthem with sign language while sitting in on the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) as a non-voting participant at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

Tai Lihua, head of the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe and a national political advisor, said she had submitted proposals on improving education for disabled children, calling for schools to meet the diverse educational needs of children and provide customized education programs.

"In addition to teaching disabled children knowledge, we need to pay more attention to their all-round development and help them better adapt to society," she said. 
CAROLINE Flack's family "begged" her to give up showbusiness because they feared for her mental health.

In an upcoming Channel 4 documentary, the former Love Island host's twin sister Jody recalls how her sister had been "terrified" to publicly admit the extent of her struggles.

Caroline Flack: Her Life And Death, which airs next week, features family and friends, including Olly Murs and Dermot O'Leary, speak- ing about how the presenter was affected by her life in the spotlight.

Read More

Flack took her own life at the age of 40 on February 15 last year while awaiting trial on an assault charge for an alleged attack on her boyfriend, Lewis Burton.

Speaking in the film, Jody said: "I would beg her to change jobs and leave showbiz, but she never would.

"Life would have been easier, but she wasn't built for an easy life."

Flack's mother, Christine, said she had from a young age "found heartbreak impossible" and was distraught after her teenage relationship with a fair- ground worker known to the family as "Waltzer boy" broke down.

Read More




PORTLAND, Ore., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Stealth Coating Market by Resin Type (Epoxy, Polyurethane, and Polyimide) and Application (Aerospace & Defense, and Automotive): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027." According to the report, the global stealth coating market garnered $249.0 million in 2019, and is projected to garner $375.0 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 5.3% from 2020 to 2027.

Prime determinants of growth

Rise in epoxy stealth coatings demand and increase in application from the aerospace & defense industry drive the growth of the global stealth coating market. However, high cost of investment restrains the market growth. Contrarily, surge in investment in R&D for stealth technology creates new opportunities in the next few years.

Request PDF Brochure: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/10654

COVID-19 Scenario

Manufacturing activities of stealth ships, aircrafts, and drones has been restricted to the significant extent due to the lockdown measures taken by the governments of various countries including Russia , China , and others.

, , and others. Furthermore, manufacturers of the fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft halted their manufacturing activities, which in turn, led to lowered demand for stealth coating.

The epoxy segment to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period

By resin type, the epoxy segment accounted for the highest market share, contributing to nearly half of the global stealth coating market in 2019, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. This is due to increase in applications in the aerospace & defense and automotive sectors along with its properties such as strength, durability, and chemical resistance. However, the polyurethane segment is expected to manifest the highest CAGR of 5.8% from 2020 to 2027, owing to growth of the automotive industry and surge in demand and production of luxurious cars across the developing countries such as India and China.

Get Detailed COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the Stealth Coating Market @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/10654?reqfor=covid

The aerospace & defense segment to maintain its dominance during the forecast period

Based on application, the aerospace & defense segment contributed to the largest market share in 2019, accounting for nearly 90% of the global stealth coating market, and is projected to maintain its dominance in terms of revenue during the forecast period. Moreover, this segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 5.5% from 2020 to 2027. This is due to vital role played by stealth technology in next-generation military assets such as aircraft, ships, and drones along with rise in aircraft production and demand. The report also analyzes the automotive segment.

North America to maintain its lead position by 2027

By region, North America held the highest market share in 2019, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global stealth coating market, and is estimated to maintain its lead position by 2027. Moreover, this segment is projected to maintain the highest CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period. This is due to rise in aircraft production, especially in the U.S. and increase in consumption of stealth coatings in luxurious cars. The report also discusses regions including Asia-Pacific, Europe, and LAMEA.

Leading Market Players

Intermat Defense

Hyper Stealth Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

CFI Solutions

Veil Corporation

Micromag, Stealth Coatings Inc.

Stealth Veils

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Anti-Viral Coatings Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202027

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A Louisiana company wants to build a 36-silo grain terminal on the west bank of St. John the Baptist Parish, bringing more jobs and air pollution to the Mississippi River corridor between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

Greenfield Louisiana LLC of Baton Rouge says the 248-acre export terminal would employ 60 people in barge, dock, rail, truck, storage, processing and elevator operations for wheat, corn and soybeans. Some residents, and the ACLU of Louisiana, object that its operations and grain dust emissions would threaten the health and safety of neighbors.

The company applied for its Louisiana air quality permit in May, and the Department of Environmental Quality issued it in August. Because the project qualifies as a "minor" source of air emissions, the department wasn't required to provide public notice.

Greenfield Louisiana anticipates emitting 81 tons of inhalable particulate matter measuring as large as 10 micrometers per year and 37 tons of fine particulate matter measuring as large as 2.5 micrometers per year. The terminal would also contribute 10 tons of carbon emissions annually.

Particulate matter is comprised of small solid or liquid bits that can cause haze and penetrate deep into people's lungs and bloodstream, potentially leading to respiratory and heart issues.

Community activist Joy Banner, who lives in Wallace, said the terminal would worsen the area's questionable air quality.

"We already are inundated with chemicals, with smells, particulate matter from the other plants that rest across the river from us," Banner said. "We have dust in our cars. We have dust in our houses. We have dust in our shoes."

Banner, whose aging parents also live in St. John Parish, looks to the experiences of Reserve residents who live across the Mississippi River near two grain elevators that caused respiratory problems and quality-of-life complaints in 2014.

"They may be calling it minor, but, I'm sorry, minor according to who? They're not living in the midst of it," Banner said. "When I'm looking through the information, they're not putting this in the context of a community that is already burdened with overpollution."

The project site is just downriver from the Veterans Memorial Bridge, adjacent to a small, predominantly Black neighborhood of more than a dozen households and about half mile from the Whitney Plantation, a museum centered on the life of people who were enslaved there on the plantation and recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.

That historic designation might have to be considered by the Army Corps of Engineers, one of the permitting agencies. Banner is Whitney Plantation's communications director, but she said spoke for herself - not her employer - for this story.

NO.plantations.adv.013.jpg Figures are placed on the porch of an original slave cabin at the Whitney Plantation in Wallace, La., Monday, Aug. 10, 2020.

Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

In May, the Port of South Louisiana applied for a $25 million federal grant to help it build a dock for Greenfield Louisiana's terminal. If approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the port would lease the dock to Greenfield.

As the country's largest grain port, the Port of South Louisiana currently handles more than half of the U.S. grain exports annually.

The port said Greenfield's terminal would create 300-plus jobs at peak construction and 70 to 100 permanent jobs. Greenfield's air quality permit application anticipated 60 permanent jobs.

St. John Parish President Jaclyn Hotard and several council members, including Kurt Becnel, whose district includes the site, offered their support for the federal grant, signing letters that cited the project's expected boost to trade at the port.

But the ACLU of Louisiana executive director, Alanah Odoms, said grain elevator work can be hazardous. Workers can become buried by "quicksand"-like grain and suffocate while clearing storage bins. Grain dust is also highly combustible and can lead to explosions.

New industrial growth in Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley' is 'environmental racism,' UN panel says United Nations observers said this week that further industrialization in the Mississippi River corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans i

A public comment period on Greenfield's applications for three government permits is now open. The start of the period happened to coincide with a call from United Nation human rights analysts to end environmental racism and halt further industrialization of the river parishes between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Industrial interests call this stretch Louisiana's chemical corridor; their opponents call it "Cancer Alley."

"Findings in a recent research report conducted by the United Nations human rights officials confirm that this stretch of our state is one of the most heavily polluted areas in the United States and the risk of cancer from air pollution in the corridor is 95% higher than in most of the country," Odoms said. "We cannot afford any more harmful emissions released throughout these parishes. For the health and safety of all Louisianians, we urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reject this permit.

Banner, the community activist, plans to host a virtual community meeting about the project on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. She can be called at (225) 206-1993.

Written public comments may be submitted by March 31 to the Corps at 7400 Leake Ave., New Orleans 70118. They must include the applicant's name and this project code: MVN 2014-01518-2 EMM. Written comments to the Department of Environmental Quality may be sent to P.O. Box 4313, Baton Rouge 70821 and must include the applicant's name and this code: WQC 210201-01.

Corps spokesman Ricky Boyett said a public hearing may be scheduled later based on the comments received.
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RYE BROOK, N.Y., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey of more than 6,500 U.S. blood cancer patients and survivors reveals that only half are very likely to get a COVID-19 vaccine while one in three is either unlikely or unsure about it. The nationwide survey was a collaboration between The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), Boston University Questrom School of Business and The Behaviouralist, a London-based research consultancy.

The results come despite the serious risks facing blood cancer patients. Some early studies suggest around half of blood cancer patients hospitalized with COVID-19 will die from the disease.

"These findings are worrisome, to say the least," said Gwen Nichols, M.D., LLS Chief Medical Officer. "We know cancer patients  and blood cancer patients, in particular  are susceptible to the worst effects of this virus. All of us in the medical community need to help cancer patients understand the importance of getting vaccinated."

"Blood cancer patients are being given preferential access to limited vaccine supplies in many communities, but that doesn't mean they are willing and able to get vaccinated," said Rena Conti, Dean's Research Scholar and Associate Professor at Boston University Questrom School of Business. "We need both adequate supply and strong demand to keep this vulnerable population safe."

The survey is the largest to date asking cancer patients and survivors about their attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines.

There have been widespread reports that cancer patients and survivors across the country have struggled to obtain the vaccine. The newly-released survey results add another wrinkle to that story: a large portion of cancer patients may not feel comfortable getting the vaccine, even if it's made available to them.

The most common reasons cited for hesitancy were concerns about side effects and a belief that the vaccines have not been tested properly. There is no reason to believe COVID-19 vaccines are any less safe in patients with blood cancers. There are concerns, however, that patients with some types of blood cancer or undergoing certain treatments may not mount the same immune response from the vaccine as the general public. Cancer patients were largely excluded from COVID-19 vaccine trials.

LLS has launched the LLS National Patient Registry , open to anyone with blood cancer, to help answer important questions about vaccine effectiveness.

"Right now, we're missing key data  and patients know it," Nichols said. "That may be one of the reasons they're skeptical. By improving our understanding of how blood cancer patients and survivors respond to these vaccines, we can develop better strategies to protect them from COVID-19."

LLS also plans to repeat the survey soon to assess cancer patients' and survivors' evolving access to vaccines and willingness to get vaccinated. This effort will help improve future educational and outreach efforts to this vulnerable community.

In the meantime, LLS advises blood cancer patients to discuss vaccination with their oncologist and healthcare team as soon as possible so they can make an informed plan of action when a vaccine becomes available to them. Well over 100 leading cancer organizations have underscored the urgency of prioritizing vaccine access for cancer patients and survivors, and CDC guidelines prioritize cancer patients in the "1c" vaccination group.

About the Survey

Patients and survivors included in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's database were surveyed during the first three weeks of December 2020. During that time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Emergency Use Authorization to both the Moderna and PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccines.

Six in 10 (59.8%) of the 6,516 respondents were female, 86% identified as white, 6.5% as Black or African American and 4.7% as Hispanic or Latino/a. The average age of the respondents was 64 years and most (70%) had an Associate's degree or more.

Seventy percent said they are either very likely (50%) or likely (20%) to get the COVID vaccine. The remaining 30% said they are very unlikely (8%), unlikely (9%) or neither likely nor unlikely to get vaccinated (13%).

Read more about the results here.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: cure leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has regional offices throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the LLS Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., ET.

For additional information visit lls.org/lls-newsnetwork . Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

About Boston University

Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. With more than 34,000 students, it is the fourth-largest independent university in the United States. BU consists of 17 schools and colleges, along with the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences and a number of multi-disciplinary centers and institutes integral to the University's research and teaching mission. In 2012, BU joined the Association of American Universities (AAU), a consortium of 65 leading research universities in the United States and Canada.

About The Behaviouralist

The Behaviouralist is a research consultancy specializing in understanding, and changing, human behavior. Founded in 2014 by professors Robert Metcalfe and Robert Hahn, the team at The Behaviouralist has worked with governments, utility companies, charities, and other organizations on challenges related to public health, resource conservation, tax compliance, sustainable transportation, and workplace productivity. For more information, please visit www.thebehaviouralist.com .

Media Contacts:

Ryan Holeywell

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

[email protected]

(202) 277-0802

Michael Sherry

Belfort Group (on behalf of Boston University Questrom School of Business)

[email protected]

(617) 646-3318 (Direct)

(201) 615-2218 (Mobile)

Jesper Akesson

The Behaviouralist

[email protected]

+44 7554 370 524

SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)
AG Nessel Defends Age, Background Check Requirements for Semiautomatic Assault Rifles

AG Nessel Defends Age, Background Check Requirements for Semiautomatic Assault Rifles

Ryan Jarvi 517-599-2746 Attorney General

March 8. 2021

LANSING  Attorney General Dana Nessel recently joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in supporting a Washington state initiative regulating the sale of semiautomatic assault rifles.

The coalition filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in support of Washington in Mitchell v. Atkins. The attorneys general argue that states have the right to enact reasonable firearm regulations that protect public safety and reduce the prevalence of gun violence. The coalition argues that this includes passing regulations to ensure that only individuals who are likely to use firearms responsibly are able to access them.

States must have the ability to protect their residents from gun violence and they should be able to establish regulations that serve that purpose, Nessel said. Congress has adopted measures for handguns that are similar to what the state of Washington requires for semiautomatic rifles, and the challenged regulations simply provide additional safeguards to the public over and above our federal standards. A single life lost to gun violence is one too many, and states have an obligation to ensure they are serving in the publics best interests.

In 2018, the people of Washington passed Initiative Measure No. 1639, which imposed new rules on sales of semiautomatic assault rifles, requiring purchasers to be of a certain age and that local law enforcement agencies conduct enhanced background checks on prospective buyers. The measure also prohibits the in-person sales of semiautomatic assault rifles to nonresidents. In 2019, a group of firearms dealers and prospective purchasers who did not meet the age requirement filed a lawsuit, alleging that Washingtons measure infringed on their Second Amendment rights and violated the dormant Commerce Clause. The district court ruled against the plaintiffs, and they appealed to the Ninth Circuit.

In the amicus brief, the coalition argues that states have the responsibility and power to protect their residents by promoting safety, preventing crime and minimizing gun violence. Additionally, states can enact specific regulations that are best tailored to their residents needs. These regulations include restrictions that prohibit the sale of firearms based on the purchasers age, which are found in all 50 states.

The coalition also argues that states can also permissibly promote public safety by restricting in-person sales of firearms to state residents, as Washington has. Restricting the in-person sales of semiautomatic assault rifles to state residents allows states to conduct more robust background checks on those who purchase weapons, and better ensure that only individuals who are likely to use firearms responsibly can use them. Congress already has enacted an identical measure with respect to handguns, limiting the in-person sales of all handguns to the residents of a dealers home state. The attorneys general point out that Washingtons initiative merely extends that rule to the sale of semiautomatic assault rifles.

Joining Attorney General Nessel in filing the brief are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.
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We recently had a Christian from the persecuted church in China speak at our church. Her story was very moving as she talked about spending six years in a Chinese prison (you can listen here). I kept thinking, I wonder if persecuted Christians would like more freedom? No doubt many would say, Absolutely. Religious freedom is a gift from God.

Although we disagree on non-essentials like the gifts of the Spirit, I have benefited greatly from the ministry of John MacArthur, and I use the MacArthur Study Bible. However, there are times when we need to lovingly show the other side of the coin.

In a recent article, Pastor MacArthur was quoted as saying, I told our congregation a few weeks ago that I could never really concern myself with religious freedom. I wouldnt fight for religious freedom because I wont fight for idolatry. Why would I fight for the devil to have as many false religions as possible and all of them to be available to everyone?

I understand where he is coming from, but shouldn't we defend our freedom to worship Jesus when given the opportunity? And isn't that what he and other pastors like myself, Jack Hibbs, and Rob McCoy are doing by staying open during the pandemic . . . exercising and defending religious freedom?

Promoting religious freedom is not idolatry. The Word of God is like a lion. You dont have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself (C.H. Spurgeon).

Ironically, many of the men and women who died for our freedoms did not die for what America is becoming today. Many gave their lives in order that we would have religious freedom rather than capitulate to a godless society.

I wonder what Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, and Knox would say if asked the same question about religious freedom? They all pushed for it during the Reformation. What about Tyndale and Huss who were burned at the stake for simply declaring the truth? What would they say about having the freedom to worship God and read His Word?

Politics Is Not A Bad Word

Politics wont save America any more than a dumbbell will save someone who is drowning; however, we cannot ignore our God-given civic responsibility and the massive impact that politics has on our society. We make a huge mistake in comparing our system of government with the system that the Apostle Paul was under. God blessed America with religious freedom, at least initially.

In the realm of government, there are two primary areas of responsibility for us to consider. One is Gods eternal kingdom; the other is the worlds political system. We have a responsibility to both, and Gods eternal principles establish the foundation for both. Our political system, ordained by God, oversees the affairs of men. The primary role of government is to secure our God-given rights. One of the primary purposes of government is to protect the freedom to express our love for God.

This issue of religious freedom has never been more important in America than it is today. Mr. Potato Head is being renamed, but Cardi B can pollute the minds of the innocent. Well allow a transgender person to be the Assistant Secretary of Health, but say nothing about the sexual exploitation of our children. Pastors are being threatened with large fines and jail time for keeping churches open while pot shops, liquor stores, and abortion clinics get a free pass. If you ask me, and countless others, religious freedom is worth fighting for.

We dont have to compromise our principles to be involved in politics. What good is salt left in the shaker, or a light that is hidden? Politics is not a bad word. In simple terms, politics refers to governing or leading a group of people. I think Gods Word has a great deal to say about that. Silence is not an option.

A Powerful Reminder

Ill close with a story I often tell: Why didnt someone do something? Those five words still haunt my thoughts today. Some time ago, I sat speechless as I listened to a man recount his trip to a holocaust museum with his young daughter. As they walked by photos of the death camps and gas chambers, his daughter silently contemplated the horrors that were unfolding before her eyes.

When the tour ended, they drove home without saying a word. The father wondered if she truly understood the significance of the event. Was she too young to view such depravity? Would it make a negative impact on her life? Would it leave her fearful and wounded? Would she begin to doubt God?

His questions were answered nearly two hours later when his daughter finally spoke. She looked at her father and asked, Daddy, why didnt someone do something?

Will we hear those same haunting words from our children and grandchildren? Yes! If we fail to contend for what is right via religious freedom, we may see a time in our future when our children will ask, Why didnt someone do something? Sadly, we may not be able to answer.
Proposed changes to livestock worrying legislation created in 1953 could help police forces across England and Wales deal with incidents more effectively.

It is hoped much-needed changes to the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 will deter irresponsible dog owners from causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to the livestock industry.

The law has been described as 'weak' by the Chair of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) Livestock Offences group, Rob Taylor, as it no longer served its purpose.

The out-dated legislation does not allow the police to obtain DNA and to prosecute people whose dogs have attacked alpacas and llamas.

It also does not allow forces to prosecute if the dog attack happened on land that is not agricultural land, according to Mr Taylor.

And if a dog is subject of a control or destruction order at court, the 1953 Act does not have any powers written into it for the court to refer to and use.

To make matters worse, the court also has to borrow laws from an old Victorian civil act, namely the Dogs Act 1871.

The Act dates from the early 1950s when both farming and policing were practiced differently," Mr Taylor said at a recent webinar hosted by the Farmers Union of Wales and Wales YFC.

"We can all agree that both occupations have evolved since then and the act does not reflect modern practices."

Figures show that the cost of dog attacks on livestock increased by over 10% to 1.3 million last year as the pandemic saw a surge in people visiting the countryside.

There is growing concern among producers that the spring lockdown will see another influx of walkers unfamiliar with the countryside code.

PC Dave Allen, of North Wales Police, said during the webinar that the consequences of livestock worrying for the farmer can be 'horrendous'.

"It can affect loss of blood-line, affect next years stock especially when ewes are in lamb or are lambing," he explained.

"The stress of it can cause a ewe to abort often many days after the attack, but as a police officer in the court system we have to work with the beyond any reasonable doubt scenario.

"How can we prove to a court that the ewe has lost her lamb 7 days later because of a livestock attack. We cant."

The Livestock Worrying Police Working Group has placed a report before parliament asking for legislation changes.

It calls for the police to gain the power of search and seizure and the ability to obtain a DNA sample of a suspected dog.

The report urges the Home Office to make the crime recordable by the police so they can have the full facts and for cases to be heard at Crown Court.

It says compensation and fines should also be reviewed.

"And in addition, we would like to see a legal obligation to report attacks by dog owners to the police, added PC Allen.

Highlighting how North Wales Police are using technology to gather evidence of livestock attacks, Mr Taylor said that 10 farms in Dyfed-Powys and 8 in North Wales have now been fitted with wildlife cameras.

Footage from the cameras will soon be broadcast live online, allowing people to see the protection they are providing.

Mr Taylor said police forces across England and Wales had been campaigning for five years to get a change in the 1953 Act.

"Im hopeful that theres going to be a substantial change taking place," he told attendees at the webinar.

"It is at the consultation stage but were hopeful we might see changes this year.
The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from state governments on allowing over 50 per cent reservation for scheduled castes/scheduled tribes (SC/ST) and other backward class (OBC) for education and employment.

Hearing a plea challenging the Maharashtra State Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act, which provides reservation to Maratha community, a five-judge bench, led by Justice Ashok Bhushan, said it will hear all the states in the matter, Bar and Bench reported.

Senior lawyers Mukul Rohatgi, Abhishek Singhvi and Kapil Sibal told the apex court that the issue will affect not only Maharashtra but all other states, and hence they should be heard on the issue. Attorney General K K Venugopal also agreed with this view.

Accordingly, the apex court issued notice to all the state governments, and the matter will be next heard on March 15.

Also read: Haryana's 75% reservation for locals puts IT, BPM industries in a fix

An order by the Supreme Court in 1992 had laid a cap of 50 per cent on reservation for SC/STs and backward castes for education and employment.

The Maharashtra State Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act provided 16 per cent reservation for Maratha community. In 2019, the Bombay High Court upheld the law, but reduced the reservation to 12 per cent for admission to educational institutions and 13 per cent for employment.

The High Court's order was challenged in the Supreme Court, saying that it violates the 50 per cent cap for reservation laid down by the apex court.

Also read: Telangana govt to implement 10% reservation for economically weaker sections

Also read: Remove caste reservations in faculty recruitments at IITs - Panel to Centre
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CNN host Chris Cuomo has caught flak after he said hes Black on the inside after singing the Good Times theme song during a segment with Don Lemon.

The 50-year-old journalist and news host was skewered on Twitter for the moment, which was his answer to why he knew the song so well. How do you know all the words to Good Times? asked Lemon.

You know Im Black on the inside, he said, with Lemon quickly moving on from his comments. The awkward moment only lasted a few seconds, but it was long enough for some to take issue with it.

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Some simply expressed their disappointment, while others such as Twitter user @AishaStaggers explained why its so offensive to others. Black isnt something you can just say you feel you are inside without having to deal with the racism that comes with being physically Black on the outside, she wrote. Some users also pointed out Cuomo has received scrutiny for his comments on race in the past.

In a clip that resurfaced in 2019, Cuomo said getting called Fredo as an Italian-American is like the N-word to us.

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The situation comes after a particularly bad news week for the Cuomo family, with his brother and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo facing increasing pressure to resign amid sexual misconduct allegations. Multiple women have reported Cuomos unwanted advances and instances of sexual assault, but he has denied all the allegations.

I never touched anyone inappropriately," he said in response to the accusations leveled against him. "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 know the facts and make a decision when you know the facts."

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The 2015 nuclear deal will be back on track only if the U.S. lifts the sanctions on Iran and all parties to the multilateral agreement, including Europeans, meet their commitments, President Hassan Rouhani said in a meeting with visiting Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, Mehr news agency reports.

The 2015 nuclear deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was signed between Iran, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, Germany, and the European Union.

Based on the JCPOA, confirmed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231, Iran agreed to put limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for termination of economic and financial sanctions.

The Iranian president also criticized Europes inaction and failure to honor the nuclear deal, saying, The Islamic Republic of Iran has been committed to the JCPOA and saved it, and is the only party that has paid a price for it.

Rouhani also reiterated that Iran will resume implementing all its commitments to the JCPOA fully as soon as the U.S. lifts the illegal sanctions and abandons the policy of threats and pressure.

Pointing to Irelands membership in the UN Security Council and the European countrys evenhanded approach, Rouhani stressed, The Security Council should have acted properly against the previous U.S. administration because of its violation of the Resolution (2231).

Rouhani also said his country is ready to cooperate with international organizations to settle regional crises, suggesting that the best way to work with Europeans to resolve the problems at bilateral, regional, and international levels is negotiations on the basis of mutual respect and avoidance of any threat and pressure.

For his part, Coveney noted Ireland, as a member of the UN Security Council for the next two years, can facilitate implementation of the JCPOA in line with Resolution 2231.

Deploring the former U.S. administrations withdrawal from the nuclear deal as a historic mistake, the Irish foreign minister described the JCPOA as a valuable international agreement contributing to peace.

Ireland would do its utmost to save the JCPOA and is ready to play any possible role to ameliorate the situation and restart negotiations among all JCPOA parties, Coveney pointed out.
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Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 17:15:36|Editor: huaxia

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SUVA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 situation has highlighted the centrality of the role of women in holding societies together as they carry out diverse responsibilities, said a Fijian minister on Monday.

In her message to mark the International Women's Day with the theme "Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world" and a campaign theme of "Choose To Challenge," Fijian Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa said that in Fiji, 63 percent of health workers, 80 percent of social workers and 85 percent of market vendors are women.

She said that as they address the extraordinary hardship that COVID-19 has brought to women and girls and their communities, they shall look ahead to the opportunities. Changing attitudes is fundamental to achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls. In so many ways, that must start with respect and balance of power.

She stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified and exacerbated gender inequalities.

In Fiji, the economic impacts of COVID-19 are being disproportionately felt by women, who earn less than men, have little to no savings, and work in jobs with little security or protections. These pre-conditions are being coupled with increased unpaid work and disturbing spikes in already high rates of gender-based violence.

The Fijian government recognizes the gendered impact of COVID-19 and is prioritizing the importance of gender responsive national recovery plans and the critical role that all women and girls play as leaders and in building resilience, she said.

She added that the island nation will also continue its efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls with the development, adoption and implementation of the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence against all women and girls to stop violence before its starts.

The minister urged Fijians to work together to create an inclusive and equal society in Fiji which has a population of around 900,000. Enditem
The Wall Street Journal has claimed that Facebook fact-checkers relied on 'opinion and not facts' after an op-d written by Johns Hopkins professor Dr Marty Makary (pictured) was flagged last week.

The Wall Street Journal has revealed that Facebook fact-checkers relied on 'opinion and not facts' when they flagged an op-ed that was written by a Johns Hopkins professor discussing his projections on the coronavirus.

Dr Marty Makary in February made a bold claim: 'We'll have herd immunity by April'.

Makary wrote in a Wall Street Journal guest column that he estimates that the US will have herd immunity by April, driven by the high, but underestimated, number of people who have been infected already - and by vaccination.

'Some medical experts privately agreed with my prediction that there may be very little COVID-19 by April but suggested that I not talk publicly about herd immunity because people might become complacent and fail to take precautions or might decline the vaccine,' said Makary in his op-ed, published on February 19.

'But scientists shouldn't try to manipulate the public by hiding the truth,' he added.

According to another article published by the Journal's editorial board on March 5, Facebook added a 'missing context' label to Makary's piece.

'Independent fact-checkers say this information could mislead people,' the label against Makary's story reads.

The board wrote: 'According to Facebook, "Once we have a rating from a fact-checking partner, we take action by ensuring that fewer people see that misinformation."'

In addition, the Facebook label links to Health Feedback, which is a World Health Organization-led vaccine project and an affiliate of the nonprofit Science Feedback that 'verifies scientific claims in the media'.

The board noted that the 'fact-check' from Health Feedback says: 'Misleading Wall Street Journal opinion piece makes the unsubstantiated claim that the US will have herd immunity by April 2021. Three scientists analyzed the article and estimate its overall scientific credibility to be very low.'

More than 28.9 million cases of COVID have been reported in the US since last year

However, the Journal's editorial board called it a 'counter-opinion masquerading as fact-checking'.

According to the Journal, 'Makary didn't present his opinion as a factual claim' and instead based his argument on 'studies and other evidence that Americans would have enough immunity from vaccination and natural infection by early spring to sharply reduce the virus spread'.

The Journal's board said Makary simply made a 'projection' that was only flagged by the 'progressive health clerisy' who 'worry it could lead to fewer virus restrictions'.

The board said that Facebook's fact-checkers 'cherry-pick' studies 'to support their own opinions, which they present as fact'.

At the time Makary's article noted that new daily infections declined 77 per cent over a six-week period, equating this decrease to a 'miracle pill'.

Despite the declines in new cases top health officials including Dr Anthony Fauci and CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky have warned that the progress is tenuous.

America is still seeing more new infections a day than it did at the height of the summer peak, Walensky said at the time - and even the current downward trajectory is threatened by the spread of new variants like the UK's, which has already caused more than 1,600 infections in 43 states.

But Makary's rosy prediction largely dismissed the presence of variants, noting that cases are declining in the UK, where the B117 variant quickly became dominant, triggering massive case surges and lockdowns there.

He also claimed that herd immunity in the Brazilian city of Manaus, where 76 per cent of people had already been infected resulted in a 'slowing of the infection'.

But the Lancet report that he drew those statistics from documented the 'resurgence of COVID-19 despite high' proportions of the population who were previously infected.

Inevitably, the US and every other nation comes a little closer to herd immunity with every day and every additional case of COVID-19, and that does reduce the number of people vulnerable to infection - but the nation is likely still a long way off from reaching vaccination or prior infection for 70 per cent of the population.

Vanderbilt University infectious diseases professor Dr William Shaffner said that while herd immunity likely is building in the US, contributing to the lower case numbers, it's too soon to predict that the nation will reach that point by April.

'His thesis - I would raise it as a question, he raises it as a conclusion,' said Shaffner.

'Not only does he draw a conclusion...he makes a prediction.

'I sure hope he's correct, but I can't say that. I'd Id prefer to under-promise and over- deliver; namely keep talking about the end of summer or early fall' bringing a return to normalcy in the US.

That's been the consistent prediction of public health officials like Fauci since vaccines were authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December.

At the time of Makary's article, just 12.6 per cent of the population had one or more doses of the coronavirus vaccine, and about 1.6 million doses were being given a day.

At that rate, Bloomberg's vaccination calculator estimated that 70 per cent of the US won't be inoculated until about New Year's Day, 2022 with some of that gap being made up by the number of Americans who acquire immunity by surviving COVID-19.

With a population of 331 million, that estimate would suggest that a quarter of the US population has been infected and immune to COVD-19 (although it's still not clear how long that protection will last, most studies suggest it will provide three to eight months of immunity, at least).

Makary argued that the number of Americans who have already had coronavirus and are now immune or, at least, less at-risk of the infection, is discounted in other public health experts' predictions of when the US could reach herd immunity.

He also credits this for the current and precipitous decline in new infections.

'Why is the number of cases plummeting much faster than experts predicted?' he asks.

'In large part because natural immunity from prior infection is far more common than can be measured by testing.

'Testing has been capturing only from 10 percent to 25 percent of infections, depending on when during the pandemic someone got the virus.

'Applying a time-weighted case capture average of One in 6.5 to the cumulative 28 million confirmed cases would mean about 55 percent of Americans have natural immunity.'
The Paterson Police Department is mourning a 37-year officer who died Sunday morning.

Capt. John Phelan, 58, died at St. Josephs Medical Center in Paterson, according to a statement from the police department provided by Director Jerry Speziale.

The statement said he experienced medical complications at the hospital. Additional information was not immediately available.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said that Phelan was the longest-serving of the approximately 400 police officers in the department.

Captain Phelan followed in his fathers footsteps and became a valued leader in the police department. Im going to miss the laughs we had together. He was known for his sense of humor. He was also a storyteller, Sayegh said.

Phelan, a Clifton resident, had extensive family ties to the police department in New Jerseys third-largest city.

Phelan was married to Paterson Police Deputy Chief Lourdes (Mercado) Phelan, his wife of 15 years. His late father, Jack Phelan, was a lieutenant when he retired from the department.

Police Capt. Patrick Murray, of the special investigations division, grew up with Phelan and their fathers were officers in the police department at the same time.

This is the only job we ever thought of doing. John touched more people than any of us will ever know and I am proud to call him my friend, Murray said in the statement provided by the police department.

Phelan started in June 1984 as a police officer. He was promoted to sergeant, lieutenant and, in his final role, to captain of the patrol division. He was previously assigned to the narcotics division, detective bureau and patrol division.

Following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Phelan was among those assisting at the World Trade Center site.

The police department said Phelan was known for his vast knowledge, and equal desire to share that with everyone throughout the department, regardless of rank.

John was equally known as a humble, dedicated, community-oriented, public servant, who was always genuinely kind to everyone he met. One of Johns many gifts was his openness and ability to help and communicate with people, one he would routinely utilize to help enhance public safety, concluded the police statement.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Sayegh said on Monday that the city is planning for something very special with his services.

This story has been updated with comments from Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.
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The expanding construction industry in India is generating huge demand for concrete bricks that employ high volumes of mold release agents. Growth in the construction sector is also supported by government initiatives, such as the Housing for All and the Smart City Mission. Due to this factor, the Indian mold release agents market is set to increase its revenue from $114.6 million in 2018 to $153.9 million by 2024, demonstrating at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period of 20192024.

Pre-Purchase Inquiry at: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/send-enquiry?enquiry-url=indian-mold-release-agents-market

On the basis of type segment, the Indian mold release agents market is categorized into water-based, solvent-based, and others. Of these, the water-based category is demonstrating the highest growth in the market. This is attributed to the presence of minimal volume of carcinogens and mutagens, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in the water-based mold release agents, in comparison to solvent-based agents. Also, concern about environment stringent norms for VOC emissions is increasing. These factors will eventually increase the demand for water-based mold release agents in coming years.

To cater to the demand for mold release agents, the Indian market has the presence of both international and domestic players. Chem-Trend L.P. is the leading company in India, as it caters to a wide range of industries, such as mining, aerospace, construction, and automotive and transportation. It manufactures several types of mold release agents that are used to release rubber, composites, tires, wood composites, polyurethane, thermoplastics, and die casts from various molds. Other producers in India include 3M India Ltd., Fosroc International Ltd., BuildCore Chemicals, Dow Inc., Wacker Chemie AG, TAG Chemicals GmbH, and Chem-Verse Consultants (India) Private Ltd.

Browse full report at: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/indian-mold-release-agents-market

Thus, the widening application of mold release agents in India will generate high-volume demand for mold release agents in coming years.
High-tech hospital wards and advanced medical treatments were not going to save Australia from the ravages of a previously unknown virus, as Associate Professor Kamalini Lokuge well knew.

Three basic things would be key: preventing the virus from entering the community, tracing all cases of the disease, and most importantly of all, ensuring the public understood and trusted the governments health messaging.

In some ways it was a near miss, what happened in Australia, Professor Lokuge said.

ANU Associate Professor Kamalini Lokuge has worked hard behind the scenes on Australias COVID-19 response. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Like almost all developed countries Australia was very confident, given the past track record, that they could manage with technology, with therapeutic intervention: there wasnt a [widespread] understanding that for this, the only intervention was prevention.
March is the International Women's Month, when American women are celebrating their power in sex equality. However, many Iranian female lawyers are in prisons of the Islamic regime and will not celebrate this month. Iranian women were senators and parliamentarians before the Islamic regime was established and institutionalized sex apartheid. Among countless discriminatory laws, many leading clerics continuously describe women as "animals" created by Allah for the pleasure of men.

A distinct majority of Iranian-Americans have been urging President Biden to stand by Iranian women. There is no longer any disregarding or turning a blind eye to those flagrant and glaring transgressions that are daily committed by Tehran's clerics against the Iranian people.

Since 1979, negotiations have only emboldened the ayatollahs and created more aggression against the United States and the Middle East, not to mention their daily blatant crimes against humanity.

One imprisoned woman asked a question that I forward to President Biden: "Isn't it obvious that United States and the world will be safer and more peaceful with a democratic and friendly Iran?"

If the Western democracies seek a peaceful Middle East, safe from nuclear arms, terrorism, death, and destruction, and if they are against sex apartheid, they must stand with the women of Iran who strive for their liberation from the totalitarian political Islamist regime. Allow the people of Iran to take their country back and live as a respected member of the international community.

Forty-two years isolation of a peaceful, progressive people under poverty, child abuse, and sex apartheid should come to an end, and only the United States can be an effective wellspring for this much needed development in our world. With a million Iranian-Americans as a bridge of friendship and cooperation urging to end the problem of the Middle East and nuclear bomb by standing up for Iranian people's God-given human dignity and respect.

On this day of March 8, 2021, we ask the Western democracies to consider the benefits of having a friendly Iran, also run by her independent women. If in the 1980s, democratic governments around the world stood against racial apartheid in South Africa, why not stand against the sex apartheid in Iran in 2021?

Image: Pixabay.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune

Gov. Greg Abbott appeared this week to rebuff help from the federal government to give coronavirus testing to migrants before they are released from federal custody, saying it's a federal responsibility to screen immigrants coming into Texas.

The announcement came after Abbott, a Republican, repeatedly accused the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden of releasing immigrants in South Texas that have been exposing Texans to COVID. The Biden administration denied that Thursday, and CNN reported that Abbott was stalling on a federal offer to pitch in on testing migrants.

Abbott and Biden have been fighting for days over coronavirus safety protocols and whose actions have been putting the health of Texans at risk. After Abbott announced this week that he was lifting Texas' statewide mask mandate and capacity restrictions on businesses, Biden called that decision "Neanderthal thinking." Abbott shot back in multiple interviews and social media posts that Biden's immigration policies were the real threat to Texans and accused the president of releasing migrants with COVID-19 into Texas.

"The Biden Administration is recklessly releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants who have COVID into Texas communities," Abbott wrote in one tweet Wednesday afternoon.

Asked for evidence of that claim, Abbott's office pointed to news reports from NBC News, Fox News and the New York Post earlier this week that 108 migrants had tested positive since Jan. 25 in Brownsville after being released by federal authorities. The city has been conducting the tests since late January. It's unclear from the reports how many of the asylum seekers are staying in Texas. The majority of migrants apprehended by or who surrender to federal authorities usually leave for places farther north.

Migrants released from custody while their asylum cases are pending are given notices to appear for court, a document that, when issued, signals the beginning of removal proceedings for migrants if they cannot convince federal authorities they have the right to stay. The office of Customs and Border Protection in South Texas did not respond to a request for comment seeking more information about the testing process.

The testing in Brownsville was reportedly administered by the city. NBC reported that 6.3% of the migrants tested were confirmed to have the coronavirus. That rate is smaller than the positivity rate statewide, in which an average of 8.3% of tests came back positive over the past seven days. The 108 tests over the past five weeks is a small share of the more than 3,800 confirmed cases in Cameron County reported by the state since Jan. 25.

After Abbott began upbraiding Biden for releasing the migrants, CNN reported that the Department of Homeland Security had tried to use Federal Emergency Management Agency dollars to help local officials test migrants released from federal custody and isolate them if they test positive. The grant money needed state approval to be allocated, CNN reported.

Abbott seemed to make clear Thursday that he was not interested in the federal offer. He argued in a statement that border security is strictly a federal responsibility, and thus the Biden administration alone should test, screen, and quarantine migrants who may have 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, Abbott said. Texas refused.

On Saturday, Abbott announced that the Texas Department of Public Safety would integrate with the Texas National Guard to "deny Mexican Cartels and other smugglers the ability to move drugs and people" into the state in what is being called Operation Lone Star. In a release announcing the operation, Abbott accused the Biden administration of inviting illegal immigration.

"Texas supports legal immigration but will not be an accomplice to the open border policies that cause, rather than prevent, a humanitarian crisis in our state and endanger the lives of Texans," Abbott said in a statement. "We will surge the resources and law enforcement personnel needed to confront this crisis."

Asked about Abbott's statement on testing, the White House referred to comments that press secretary Jen Psaki made Thursday that the federal policy is for coronavirus testing for migrants released from custody "to be done at the state and local level with the help of NGOs [nongovernmental organizations] and local governments." She added that the policy states that migrants should be tested "before they are even moved to go stay with family members or others they may know while their cases are being adjudicated."

Since before the 2020 election, the number of migrants apprehended on the border has increased significantly. From October through January, more than 296,000 undocumented immigrants have been apprehended. That's more than half of the 458,000 apprehended in all of the 2020 federal fiscal year, according to federal statistics.

The Biden administration has also stopped adding migrants to the Trump-era Migrant Protection Protocols, which forced tens of thousands of asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their hearings in American courts. Some of the first MPP arrivals began entering Texas last week at Brownsville and El Paso, but they are tested for COVID-19 before entering, confirmed Ruben Garcia, the director of the Annunciation House shelter network that is temporarily housing the migrants.

The release of asylum seekers from custody with notices to appear has been a lightning rod issue for Republicans who incorrectly claim that most asylum seekers ignore the notices and instead try to live in the shadows unlawfully. A 2019 study from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University, which uses Freedom of Information Act requests to track immigration court cases, found that more than 80% of all migrants show up for their court hearings, and that number increases to nearly 100% if the asylum seekers have representation.

But Abbott said Thursday that Texas will not aid a program that makes our country a magnet for illegal immigration.

Texas has already been sending tests to border communities, however. The Texas Division of Emergency Management confirmed to the Tribune that it has provided testing to "local officials in border communities who have been responding to an influx of individuals crossing the international border."

"Since the end of January, the state has provided 40,000 COVID-19 tests to Brownsville, McAllen, Laredo, and Del Rio to meet the testing need not being fulfilled by the federal government," the division's spokesperson, Seth Christensen, said in a statement.

As for whether the state will provide more tests to border cities, Christensen said TDEM "does not have any outstanding requests from our local partners for testing resources."

bbott's comments about migrants with coronavirus have sparked dismay among many advocates along the border. The governor, along with other Texas politicians, has a history of describing migrants in terms that suggest they are a threat. In 2019, a day before a gunman targeting Mexicans killed 22 people in El Paso, Abbott sent out a campaign mailer calling on supporters to "DEFEND" Texas at the border. He later said "mistakes were made" about the mailer.

Clara Long, the associate director with the U.S. Program at Human Rights Watch, said Abbotts comments this week are disturbing but not surprising as the governor tries to distract from his own executive order, which critics say will put Texans at risk.

That fact that that is just such a political statement seems so revealed by the mask [order], she said. Do you care about peoples health or do you not? But its just clear its not about protecting Texans or protecting migrants. Its about political gain.
Miami Beach mayor Dan Gelber has said he is 'very concerned' that the thousands of Spring Breakers who have descended on Florida will lead to COVID-19 outbreaks.

The Democrat told CNN officials in the city are 'very worried' about a 'real problem in the aftermath' of trips made by college students to the Sunshine State.

His warning comes amid a surge in cases of the U.K. variant, B.1.1.7. Experts predict that is likely to become the dominant strain in the US this month; the strain currently makes up 30 to 40% of what is being seen in communities across the country.

Four weeks ago, the B.1.1.7 variant made up about 1 to 4% of the virus.

Michael Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, told NBC: 'Let me just say we are in the eye of the hurricane right now. What we've seen in Europe, when we hit that 50% mark, you see cases surge.'

Variants that have originated abroad have been circulating throughout the country, including the variants from the UK, South Africa and Brazil, and as well as homegrown variants, such as those from New York and California.

Colleges around the U.S. have scaled spring break or canceled it all together. But that has not stopped thousands of students from flocking to Florida over the weekend.

Gelber told CNN: 'We're very concerned. You know, a lot of things are happening simultaneously. You have the variant down here, and we still are having sometimes dozens of deaths a day in our county.

'And at the same time, we've got incredibly cheap round-trip tickets for 40 bucks from anywhere in the Northeast down here, discounted rooms and people who have been really pent up and wanting to get out with no other place to go than here.

'So we are very worried that there's going to be a convergence of people here and a real problem in the aftermath of that.'

Miami Beach mayor Dan Gelber, pictured, has said he is 'very concerned' that the thousands of Spring Breakers who have descended on Florida will lead to COVID-19 outbreaks

The Democrat told CNN officials in the city are 'very worried' about a 'real problem in the aftermath' of trips made by college students to the Sunshine State, pictured this weekend

Colleges around the U.S. have scaled spring break or canceled it all together. But that has not stopped thousands of students from flocking to Florida over the weekend

Tourism is the Sunshine State's No. 1 industry, generating over $91 billion in 2018, and last year spring break was one of the first big casualties of the pandemic as the U.S. went into strict lockdowns. Beach goers are pictured in Miami over the weekend

Gelber said the concern is that bars might 'become the kinds of super-spreaders we saw a year ago'.

Tourism is the Sunshine State's No. 1 industry, generating over $91 billion in 2018, and last year spring break was one of the first big casualties of the pandemic as the U.S. went into strict lockdowns, shutting down beaches across Florida just as alarming scenes of college students heedlessly drinking, dancing and getting up close without masks were plastered across social media.

Gelber also hit out at Governor Ron DeSantis, who in September declared that all bars and restaurants would be allowed to operate with at least 50 percent capacity.

He added: 'I would love to have the governor's voice urging people to be responsible, but we really don't have that right now.

'Once we pulled back everything and said we're not even going to tell people they have to wear masks, we've had an enormous surge in deaths and hospitalizations. And that's the facts. That's science. That's provable.'

Data shows the number of daily deaths has fallen sharply in the state in recent months

Cases of COVID-19 in Florida; there has been surge in cases of the U.K. variant, B.1.1.7. Experts predict that is likely to become the dominant strain in the US this month; the strain currently makes up 30 to 40% of what is being seen in communities across the country. Four weeks ago, the B.1.1.7 variant made up about 1 to 4% of the virus

On Friday Florida beach hotspot The Wharf said it has banned Spring Breakers from out of state who are under 23 years old n a further effort to curb Spring Break debauchery.

Elsewhere, Fort Lauderdale has vowed to enforce restrictions on alcohol and beach tents, while St. Petersburg and Clearwater launched campaigns to ensure visitors wear masks.

Frank Sousa, Interim Assistant Chief at Fort Lauderdale Police, told WSVN: 'We understand there's a lot of angst to get out and enjoy our beautiful weather and our beautiful beach, but we're just asking for cooperation from our college students that do decide to come to Fort Lauderdale.'

Yet, local officials have been held back by orders from DeSantis, with city authorities losing the ability to bring down the capacity cap or to enforce shutdowns again.

DeSantis has been opposed to lockdowns and restrictions since the very start of the pandemic and has continued to welcome travelers even as new cases refused to drop.

'We could potentially see a truly outsized spring break at a time when the last thing we want are major gatherings,' Gelber had told the Wall Street Journal.

Coronavirus cases and deaths are continuing to plummet across the United States with some of the lowest daily figures recorded in months.

On Sunday, a total of 40,340 new infections were reported, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, which is a 28 percent decline from the 56,044 cases recorded just two weeks ago.

This is the lowest figure seen since October 5.

What's more, the seven-day rolling average of new cases currently sits at 59,479, a 12 percent decline from the average 14 days earlier, a DailyMail.com analysis shows.

In addition, just 669 fatalities were reported on Sunday, the second time since 2021 began that deaths have fallen under 1,000.

It's also the lowest number recorded since November 15

But while daily case numbers are trending downward, there are fears that a fourth wave is imminent as several states end all lockdown restrictions and scores of college students travel to Florida for Spring Break.

Texas A&M University opted for a three-day weekend instead of a whole week off. The University of Alabama and the University of Wisconsin-Madison also did away with spring break but are giving students a day off later in the semester.

Airline travel to Miami is down more than half from last year, said Rolando Adeo, chief operating officer of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors bureau.

But hotel occupancy is expected to reach 70% in Miami Beach this month, he said. While that's down from 85% in 2019 pre-pandemic, it's still a marked improvement from 43% last year.

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis reported: 'Hotel rates are very competitive and occupancy is also very high, so we're excited for that.'

Florida has no statewide mask rules, limits on capacity or other such restrictions, courtesy of DeSantis' pro-business stance. But local governments can impose rules, and they vary widely.

In Miami Beach, tourists are receiving cellphone messages warning, 'Vacation Responsibly or Be Arrested.'

'Spring break in Miami Beach may be one of the great rites of passage, but only if you plan on following the rules. Otherwise, you might as well just stay home and save yourself the court costs,' the message reads.

It's followed by a reminders that alcohol, coolers and tents are banned from its beach, a midnight curfew is in effect countywide, and no alcohol can be sold after 10 p.m.

'If you want to party without restrictions, then go somewhere else. Go to Vegas,' Miami Beach City Manager Raul Aguila said during a recent virtual city meeting.

Former U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb warned that coronavirus variants currently circulating may cause an uptick in new cases, but not a surge.

Gottlieb echoed comments made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and warned that the U.K. variant, B.1.1.7, is likely to become the dominant strain in the U.S. this month.

'There's probably some crossover in the immunity you get from B.1.1.7 and immunity against those other strains. That's going to probably cause infections to tick back up,' Gottlieb told CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday.

'I don't think we're going to see another surge of infection this spring, but we might see a plateauing before we see continued declines again.'

His warnings come on the heels of a new report that revealed 10 U.S. states have seen more than one in 500 of their residents die from COVID-19, a new report has revealed.

That shocking statistic was published by the COVID-19 Tracking Project on Sunday.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 09:06:41|Editor: huaxia

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ADDIS ABABA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia reported 1,109 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 166,138, the Ministry of Health said on Sunday.

Nine new deaths from COVID-19 were reported in the country during the same period, bringing the death toll to 2,429, the ministry said.

With 715 more recoveries registered, the total recoveries rose to 138,500, it added.

Ethiopia, Africa's second-most populous nation, is one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic in Africa, after South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.

The country has so far reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the East African region.

Ethiopian Minister of Health Lia Tadesse urged local people to stay vigilant, noting that the infection rate of COVID-19 has increased from 10 percent to 13 percent in recent weeks.

Latest figures from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that Ethiopia's COVID-19 cases accounted for about 4 percent of the total confirmed cases on the African continent.

The East African nation has so far conducted 2,178,403 COVID-19 medical tests, the ministry said. Enditem
March 08 : In February, the Central government had framed certain rules to make social media and the over-the-top (OTT) platforms accountable for the content they show. However, the Supreme Court found that the Centres February 5 regulations lack teeth as they don't allow pre-screening of content or have a provision to prosecute violators. The apex court, therefore, asked the government to consider framing a law to regulate content on OTT platforms.

Bollywood, which has recently started using the OTT platforms increasingly, has given a mixed response to the regulations.

Actor and director Pooja Bhatt, who is all set to make her OTT debut with the Netflix show Bombay Begums, said in an interview that regulations actually instigate filmmakers to give something more and come up with new ways to tell stories. I think it is going to take a lot more than regulations to stop us from telling our stories the way we want to, the actress said.

Reema Kagti, co-creator of the popular web series, Made In Heaven, had tweeted, It (the decision) puts Indian content creators at a disadvantage when they are competing on the world stage. I don't know what one can do.

Producer Pritish Nandy, who backed the Amazon Prime Video series Four More Shots Please, said the guidelines needed to be treated carefully.

On the other hand, film personalities like Ekta Kapoor, Priyadarshan and Vikram Bhatt welcomed the guidelines for OTT as a great step by the government and said there cannot be creative freedom without responsibility. Vikram Bhatt tweeted and said the regulations are not censorship but merely some guidelines through which the government tells the filmmakers that whatever they make, there should be enough information for the viewers to know what kind of shows they are watching.

Ekta Kapoor tweeted and said, Heartening to see the new guidelines that provide a level playing field for digital news media and OTT platforms. #ResponsibleFreedom.

Last week, the government came up with certain regulations for the OTT platforms and said a code of ethics and three-tier grievance redressal mechanism will be applicable for OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and others, as well as news publishers and digital media. The government said OTT platforms will need to self-classify the content into five age-based categories: U (Universal), U/A 7+ (years), U/A 13+, U/A 16+, and A (Adult). The Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said OTT platforms would require to implement reliable age-verification mechanisms for content classified as 'A', and parental locks for content classified as U/A 13+ or higher.

Meanwhile, Disney + Hotstars web series Kamathipura, a hard hitting story about the infamous red light area of Mumbai, Kamathipura, postponed its release on March 8 to an indefinite date. While actor Tanuj Virwani plays the antagonist, Meerra Chopra essays a tough cop in the show. The decision apparently came in the wake of the recent government guidelines for the digital platforms. Kamathipura reportedly contains unparliamentary language and scenes of extreme violence.
At least 115 people crossed the English Channel to the UK aboard small boats on Monday, the Home Office confirmed.

Seven boats were met by Border Force agents on what has been the busiest day for crossings so far in 2021, according to data from the PA news agency.

The total surpasses the previous high, set on January 9, when 103 people crossed the Dover Strait.

Women and children were among those brought ashore on Monday in Dover, where temperatures overnight dipped below zero.

Pictures showed several people, including a heavily pregnant woman, crammed into a rigid hulled inflatable dinghy.

The crossings were intercepted throughout the night and those onboard were brought to the Dover Marina in Kent for processing.

At least 115 people crossed the English Channel to the UK aboard small boats on Monday, the Home Office confirmed. Seven boats were met by Border Force agents on what has been the busiest day for crossings so far in 2021, according to data from the PA news agency

The crossings were intercepted throughout the night and those onboard were brought to the Dover Marina in Kent for processing. Monday's arrivals came less than a week after a boat is believed to have capsized off the coast of France

PA reported that two people were understood to have made the dangerous 21-mile journey across the world's busiest shipping route in a kayak.

Monday's arrivals came less than a week after a boat is believed to have capsized off the coast of France.

Campaigners fear a man may have died in the accident, in what would be the first death during a Channel crossing this year.

Three people suffering from hypothermia were taken to hospital after the failed crossing, but French authorities said there may have been a fourth person on the vessel.

A search for the fourth man has been called off.

Women and children were among those brought ashore on Monday in Dover, where temperatures overnight dipped below zero

Clare Moseley, founder of refugee charity Care4Calais called the suspected death 'entirely preventable.'

'The people we know in Calais are desperately calling on the UK 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.

Moseley called on the UK to 'create a better way' to assess cases and transfer people safely to the UK 'to make their asylum claims in peace.'

'Ordinary people - farmers, nurses, families - should not have to risk their lives in this way simply for a chance to be free,' she added.

Last month, 308 people were intercepted in 18 incidents, surpassing January's figures of 223 in 15 incidents.

It compares to just 87 people in at least six boats in January 2020, while in February 2020 there were 192 in 12 boats.

In 2020 a record 8,410 arrived last year - dwarfing 2019's total of 1,850.
Luna, medical director for the COVID-19 Initiative at the Chicago Department of Public Health, has worked with the city to address the needs of the Spanish-speaking community. Her work is centered on equity. She also is the executive board director of the Medical Organization for Latino Advancement and a clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
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EU antitrust regulators to charge Apple based on Spotify complaints

European Union regulators are reportedly set to charge Apple with antitrust violations based on a complaint by Spotify.

First reported by Reuters, the charges against Apple could be filed as early as next month,

Spotify has argued that Apples 30% app store fee is excessive as well as that the company to unfairly restricts any competition on the entire iOS platform to its own streaming service Apple Music.

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Six years ago, former Supreme Court Justice Marie Deschamps published a damning report calling sexual misconduct in Canadas military endemic. That landmark 2015 report outlined a hostile and toxic culture complicated by the power imbalances in the militarys strict chain-of-command structure.

Editorial

Six years ago, former Supreme Court Justice Marie Deschamps published a damning report calling sexual misconduct in Canadas military "endemic." That landmark 2015 report outlined a "hostile" and "toxic" culture complicated by the power imbalances in the militarys strict chain-of-command structure.

What has changed since Justice Deschamps sounded the alarm? Apparently, not much. In fact, the evidence of recent weeks suggests the problem of sexual misconduct has only gotten worse and extends to the highest ranks of the military.

The first bombshell dropped on Feb. 2 when news broke that Gen. Jonathan Vance, the architect of the militarys campaign to stamp out rampant sexual misconduct, was himself facing allegations of inappropriate relations with two female subordinates. Mr. Vance, whose first order as Canadas top military commander was to launch an all-out effort against sexual misconduct, had officially stepped down as Canadas chief of defence staff at a low-key ceremony on Jan. 14.

His replacement, Admiral Art McDonald, used his first address as Canadas top soldier to apologize to Forces members who have faced discrimination or harassment while serving. On Feb. 24, Mr. McDonald issued an email to all serving members and civilian workers at the Defence Department to restore the rank and files trust in their senior leaderships ability to eradicate sexual misconduct and racism with the Forces.

The second bombshell dropped within hours of Mr. McDonald pushing the send button, when it was revealed that, like his predecessor, the new commander was now being investigated over allegations of sexual misconduct.

National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan quickly issued a statement that Mr. McDonald would be voluntarily "stepping aside" from his post until the militarys National Investigation Service has completed its probe.

Late last month, in an appearance on CTVs Question Period, the minister said the military needs to start preventing incidents of misconduct, rather than reacting to them, bravely declaring: "The time for patience is over."

Last Wednesday, bombshell No. 3 was detonated in front of a parliamentary committee when Canadas former military ombudsman, Gary Walbourne, revealed that in his final meeting with the minister three years ago, he informed Mr. Sajjan there was a sexual misconduct allegation involving Mr. Vance.

Mr. Walbourne delivered a blistering indictment of Mr. Sajjans handling of the information. "I did tell the minister what the allegation was. I reached into my pocket to show him the evidence I was holding. He pushed back from the table and said, No, and I dont think we exchanged another word," he testified.

Who are Canadians to believe when two top commanders  both of whom deny any wrongdoing  are being investigated for alleged inappropriate conduct? How can they have faith in a defence ministers promises when he himself is accused of refusing to take action when handed evidence against one of the commanders?

In 2015, Justice Deschamps recommended that an organization be established  completely independent of the military chain of command  to handle misconduct complaints. That would be an excellent starting point, because its hard to imagine victims of sexual misconduct in the ranks stepping forward if they fear it will harm their military careers.

But more is needed. At a time when top commanders are facing damning accusations and their political master is accused of inaction, a full-scale public inquiry is in order to restore the publics confidence.

As someone recently observed, "The time for patience is over."
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Piers Morgan blasted Prince Harry as 'shameful' for his 'betrayal of the Queen and the Royal Family' in the Sussexes' bombshell two-hour Oprah interview special last night.

He slammed the no-holes-barred tell-all as 'destructive self-serving nonsense' on Twitter - before dubbing it 'bilge' and a 'two-hour trashathon' in a Good Morning Britain rant.

In the two-hour bombshell Oprah special - which aired in the US overnight - Meghan Markle accused the Royal Family of racism, claiming they had 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born.

Mr Morgan said Meghan 'portraying the Royal Family as a bunch of racists' is 'the most incendiary charge I've seen in my career'.

The duchess did not reveal which Royal Family member had the conversation with the Duke of Sussex about Archie's skin colour.

But she told Oprah it was 'a pretty safe' assumption to suggest that the Royal Family member was 'concerned' that Archie being 'too brown' was 'a problem'.

Mr Morgan took to Twitter to blast the interview as a 'disgraceful betrayal of the Queen and the Royal Family'.

Piers Morgan (pictured) blasted Prince Harry as 'shameful' for his 'betrayal of the Queen and the Royal Family' in the Sussexes' bombshell two-hour Oprah interview (pictured) special last night

In the two-hour bombshell Oprah special (pictured) - which aired in the US overnight - Meghan Markle accused the Royal Family of racism, claiming they had 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born

Mr Morgan slammed the no-holes-barred interview as 'destructive self-serving nonsense' - before dubbing it 'bilge' and a 'two-hour trashathon' in a Good Morning Britain rant

He wrote: 'I expect all this vile destructive self-serving nonsense from Meghan Markle - but for Harry to let her take down his family and the Monarchy like this is shameful.

'Harry wants America and the rest of the world to hate his own family, hate the Monarchy and hate his country.

'I suggest everyone waits for the victims of his wife's rampage to have their say on her outlandish claims before they do so.

'I wouldn't believe Meghan Markle if she gave me a weather report.'

He then added: 'Let's be clear: Prince Harry and his wife just spent two hours trashing everything the Queen stands for and has worked so hard to maintain, whilst pretending to support her.

'And they did it while her 99 year-old husband Philip is seriously ill in hospital.

Mr Morgan said Meghan 'portraying the Royal Family as a bunch of racists' is 'the most incendiary charge I've seen in my career'

'It's contemptible.'

The Duchess of Sussex described her 'pain' that officials had denied Archie the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect him by denying him 24/7 security.

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it.

Meghan Markle has told Oprah Winfrey that she was suicidal when she was part of the Royal Family living in the UK and told her husband: 'I don't want to be alive anymore'

She told Miss Winfrey that it was 'a pretty safe' assumption to suggest that the Royal Family member was 'concerned' that Archie being 'too brown' was 'a problem'.

The Duchess of Sussex also revealed that life in the Firm left her feeling suicidal when she was pregnant and had warned Harry 'I don't want to be alive anymore'.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Mr Morgan continued his rant, saying: 'I'm angry to the point of boiling over. I'm sickened by what I've just seen. This is a two hour trashathon of our monarchy and Royal Family.

'They trash everybody! They basically make out everybody in the Royal Family is a white supremacist. I just don't think that's acceptable.'

He added: 'I could see the way it is already playing out in America and around the world.'

He called the interview 'bilge', asking co-host Susanna Reid if she feels genuine sympathy for the Sussexes.

The couple also chose to reveal that they are having a baby girl to the tens of millions of people watching the CBS show broadcast in the US.

The Queen is not believed to have watched the show, broadcast at 8pm Eastern Time in the US and 1am UK time, but will this morning be briefed by aides on the sensational claims made by her grandson and his wife that could badly damage the reputation of the Royal Family around the globe.

Meghan cited this event at the Royal Albert Hall in January 2019, claiming she was forced to go when struggling with her mental health

The Duchess of Sussex has told Oprah she 'couldn't be left alone' and told her husband she 'didn't want to be alive anymore' before claiming the Buckingham Palace HR department ignored her plea for help because she wasn't a 'paid employee'.

Describing how she considered ending her life believing it 'was better for everyone', Meghan said: 'I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it. I just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. I remember how he just cradled me. I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that 'I've never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere'. And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution'.

She said that after confiding in her husband, she was forced to go to the Royal Albert Hall for a charity event in January 2019, claiming photos from that night 'haunt me'. She told Oprah she later reached out to one of the best friends of Diana, Princess of Wales, because she felt unsupported by the palace.

She said: 'When I joined that family, that was the last time I saw my passport, my driving licence, my keys - all of that gets turned over'. Meghan said Harry had 'saved my life' by agreeing to move to Los Angeles.

Meghan also sensationally claimed that a relative of Harry asked him 'how dark' their unborn child would be with the Duchess claiming Archie being mixed-race was a 'problem' for the royals after Oprah asked her if they were worried their son would be 'too brown'.

The former Suits star said she would not name the person because it would be 'too damaging' for them. But she confirmed that the duke was asked the question  'how dark his skin might be when he's born'  'by family'. She then said Archie may have been denied the title of prince because he is mixed-race, but has never been told. Harry was also asked to identify the culprit but said he didn't feel 'comfortable' discussing it.

Meghan Markle has spoken of 'The Firm' - a mafia-like term used to describe the Royal Family - had tried to smear and silence her

In the most extraordinary royal interview since Diana spoke to the BBC's Martin Bashir in 1995, Meghan said her sister-in-law Kate made her cry in a row over dresses for the flowergirls, including Princess Charlotte, before her Windsor wedding. She said: 'She (Kate) was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologised. And she brought me flowers'.

Harry also laid into his own family, claiming their 'lack of support and understanding', the couple's mental health problems and fears 'history repeating itself' with Meghan like his mother Diana, who died in 1997.

Harry also said he felt 'very let down' by his father Prince Charles, accusing him of refusing to take his calls and and then 'cut him off' financially when they emigrated.

He said: 'My father and brother. They're both trapped' and added that his mother Diana would be 'angry and sad' that he felt he had to leave the Royal Family, but 'she saw it coming'. Harry said: 'All she'd ever want for us is to be happy', adding that his wife had 'saved me', declaring: 'I myself was trapped, as well. I didn't see a way out'.
ATLANTA, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mammoth Holdings, LLC ("Mammoth"), an Atlanta-based conveyor car wash operator, has acquired Lulu's Express ("Lulu's"), a six unit express conveyor car wash operator in Georgia and South Carolina. Lulu's founders, Carlos Marban and Robert Black, made significant equity investments in Mammoth.

Gary Dennis, Mammoth's co-founder and CEO, explained, "Lulu's is a great fit for Mammoth and extends our network of washes across I-20 into South Carolina." He added, "Lulu's is a leading car wash provider in its market, and we are looking forward to continuing to develop this region to better serve our customers."

Robert Black, Lulu's co-founder, stated, "I had heard great things about Mammoth's team which has many former owners like Carlos [Marban] and me." Black continued, "They know what it's like to sell something you've put your heart and soul into, and the wonderful experience they've had being part of Mammoth assured us we were making the right decision."

"We are excited about joining Mammoth," co-founder Carlos Marban added. "We know they'll take great care of our customers and employees and continue to give us pride in what we built."

Amplify Car Wash Advisors advised Lulu's on the transaction. Jeff Pavone, Amplify's founder, stated, "It was a pleasure working with Mammoth. They did everything they promised to do, were flexible when we needed it, and treated our clients and us with respect from start to finish."

Mammoth is the first car wash acquisition platform formed by industry-insiders and is the 8th largest conveyor car wash operator in the United States according to Commercial Plus's Top 100 list. Mammoth is customer-focused operationally and operator-focused in its approach to acquisitions and seeks to be the partner-of-choice for car wash operators who desire liquidity, growth capital, and a tax-deferred equity investment opportunity. Mammoth's multi-brand portfolio includes Marc-1, Wash Me Fast, Swifty, Ultra, Finish Line, Wiggy Wash, Shine On, PitStop, and now Lulu's among others. Mammoth has significant growth capital at its disposal and is actively seeking acquisitions and development opportunities.

In October 2018, Mammoth partnered with Red Dog Equity LLC, an Atlanta-based private equity firm, which, through its partnership with Tom Pritzker's family business interests (advised by The Pritzker Organization), provides the equity for Mammoth's corporate development initiatives. Monroe Capital provides Mammoth's debt financing.

About Mammoth Holdings

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Mammoth Holdings operates 53 conveyor car washes under the Marc-1, QuickWash Express, Ultra, Wash Me Fast, Wiggy Wash, Pals, Finish Line, Shine On, Lulu's, PitStop, and Swifty brands in Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Illinois, Utah, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Indiana, and Tennessee. Mammoth was founded by Gary Dennis and Chip Hackett in 2002. To learn more, please visit one of our locations or see us online at: www.mammothholdings.com.

About Lulu's

Lulu's operates express conveyor car washes in Augusta, Georgia, and Aiken, South Carolina. Lulu's was founded by Carlos Marban and Robert Black in 2005. To learn more, please visit a Lulu's location or see us online at: https://luluscarwash.com/.

About Red Dog Equity LLC

Red Dog Equity LLC is a private equity firm that invests in lower middle-market companies poised for strong growth in partnership with driven, entrepreneurial business leaders ("Red Dogs"). To learn more, please visit: www.reddogequity.com.

About The Pritzker Organization

The Pritzker Organization is the merchant bank for the business interests of the Tom Pritzker family. Additional information can be found at www.pritzkerorg.com.

About Amplify Car Wash Advisors

Amplify Car Wash Advisors is a full-service car wash advisory firm founded by industry veterans, Jeff Pavone and Bill Martin to guide sellers through critical business decisions including mergers and acquisitions & capital advisory. For more information, please visit www.amplifywash.com.

SOURCE Mammoth Holdings

Related Links

https://www.mammothholdings.com


Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 8, 2021) - The Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE" or "the Exchange") marked International Women's Day on March 8, 2021 with a special market open video ceremony featuring the women of the CSE team. They joined together to celebrate the achievements of women and to push for greater gender parity worldwide.

"At the CSE, we know that diversity and inclusion matter. We also recognize that the current environment reinforces that women bring different experience, perspectives and skills to the table, making irreplaceable contributions to decisions and policies that better the workplace for everyone," said Mary Anne Palangio, Chief Financial Officer of the CSE.

The CSE is proud to play an important role in helping women entrepreneurs access the capital markets. The Exchange also benefits greatly from the talented women on its team.

"This is not a one-day or a one-week focus for us. It's part of our DNA," Ms. Palangio said.

Pina De Santis, the CSE's Vice President of Corporate Development, thanked the women on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 in her remarks. She also noted that women deserve tremendous credit for taking on additional responsibilities during the pandemic, including childcare.

"I extend my sincere thanks to women for all their efforts, and wish you all a happy International Women's Day," Ms. De Santis said.

To view the market open, and for the CSE's playlist of women's valuable contributions to ongoing diversity and inclusion conversations head to https://go.thecse.com/diversity-videos.

About the Canadian Securities Exchange:

The Canadian Securities Exchange is a rapidly growing stock exchange focused on working with entrepreneurs to access the public capital markets in Canada and internationally. The Exchange's efficient operating model, advanced technology and low fee structure help companies of all sizes minimize their cost of capital and maximize access to liquidity.

The CSE offers investors in Canada and abroad access to a multi-sector collection of growth companies through a liquid, reliable and highly regulated trading platform. The Exchange is dedicated to entrepreneurship and has established itself as a leading hub for discourse in the entrepreneurial community.

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Following the protests that erupted in Paraguay, President Mario Abdo Benitez sacked three of his ministers over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. These ministers were from education, women's affairs, and civil affairs.

Prior to this, the health minister of the country has submitted his resignation last Friday following his meeting with the president. Health Minister Julio Mazzoleni has been criticized by health care unions.

Abdo has chosen Dr. Julio Borba be the replacement of Mazzoleni following the latter's resignation. Borba was the vice minister before Mazzoleni left his post.

READ MORE: Another Pandemic in Latin America Spikes Amid COVID-19, Domestic Violence

Protests in Paraguay

An angry mob clashed with police on Friday over dismay to the government's handling of the pandemic. During the protests, cars were set on fire and shops were breached in, according to an Al Jazeera report.

Protesters rallied outside the Congress building calling for the resignation of Benitez. This was seconded by opposition parties, even calling for new election.

Police were reported to use tear gas and rubber bullets while clashing with protesters, while rallyists were breaching security barriers, burned down road barricades, and threw stones at police.

Interior Minister Arnaldo Giuzzio said that the protesters are people who only seek to destroy, adding that they have taken it too far.

"This violence does not make sense," Giuzzio was quoted in a report.

Protesters and opposition lawmakers have claimed that the country's health system has further worsened due to continuous corruption in public procurement and spending, according to The New York Times report.

"It's not the fault of Paraguayan people - it's a serious corruption problem," Efrain Alegre, the head of the main opposition party, the Liberal Party, was quoted in a report.

Alegre added that the people of Paraguay have already paid for the drugs and vaccines that have not yet arrived in the country.

COVID-19 Pandemic in Paraguay

Meanwhile, health workers in the country said that hospitals have ran out of medicines to treat patients infected with the virus.

Paraguay has registered more than 165,000 cases of COVID-19, of which 3,200 deaths were registered. The continuous rise in cases in the recent weeks has caused the country's health system to struggle.

The rising cases were further worsened with the slow distribution of the vaccines, with less than 0.1 percent of the population receiving a dose.

"I am sure that the men and women named will do their utmost to confront this moment of crisis that the country is enduring," Abdo was quoted in a report.

Health ministry spokesman Hernan Martinez said that the country is in a critical situation. He advised the public to avoid the crowds as it can save them the collapse of the health care system.

The government announced on Saturday that the 20,000 Coronavac vaccines from China had arrived, which was donated by the Chilean Government of Sebastian Pinera.

The doses were allotted for front-line medical personnel fighting the pandemic.

In addition to the Coronavac vaccines, the country is also waiting for the arrival of four million vaccines by the Convax system of the World Health Organization, as well as a million doses of the Russian Vaccine Sputnik V.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also labeled the COVID-19 pandemic in Paraguay as a Level 4 determination, with a description of "Very High."

The CDC advised travelers to avoid all travels to Paraguay. However, if one must, CDC advised getting tested before the trip.

The CDC also advised travelers to wear a mask during travel, avoid crowds, and stay at least 6 feet from people who are not traveling with them.

READ NEXT: Latin America to Choose COVID-19 Diplomacy Between Two Powerful Countries



WATCH: Paraguay's president asks all ministers to resign after protests -from Al Jazeera English




It's officially 'intimacy week' on Married At First Sight, and things certainly got hot and heavy on Monday's episode.

From erotic massages to 'risque' sex, the couples held absolutely nothing back as their relationships turned physical.

Delivering her instructions over Zoom, sexologist Alessandra Rampolla encouraged Booka Nile and Brett Helling to 'go for it' and showcase their playful side.

Suck it up: It's officially 'intimacy week' on Married At First Sight, and things certainly got hot and heavy between Brett Helling (left) and Booka Nile (right)

The newlyweds were presented with a large red package, which contained a series of sex toys and games.

Brett, 31, decided to choose a box of cards, each of which had a list of instructions.

'Gently kiss and suck on several of your lover's fingers,' Booka read out, prompting Brett to excitedly respond, 'Let's do it!'

Playing games: The newlyweds were presented with a large red package, which contained a series of sex toys and games

'Gently kiss and suck on several of your lover's fingers,' Booka read out, prompting Brett to excitedly respond, 'Let's do it!'

Not willing to let any time go to waste, Booka was then seen playfully sucking one of Brett's fingers.

After a few moments of sucking, Booka commented that Brett's fingers tasted like 'dish soap', before he moaned.

But Booka appeared to be put off by Brett's grunting sounds.

All dressed up: It was then time for Booka to show Brett what she finds attractive in the bedroom. Cuffing Brett in pink handcuffs, Booka walked out wearing racy black lace lingerie

'He's making weird grunting sounds, like, that just makes my hymen reseal. I'm like, let's never do that,' she later told producers.

It was then time for Booka to show Brett what she finds attractive in the bedroom.

Cuffing Brett in pink handcuffs, Booka walked out wearing racy black lace lingerie.

'Massage rule is I am boss, you are maggot. In communist Russia we do things different in communist Russia,' she said with an accent

Taking charge: She then playfully instructed Brett to 'go to bed' in a Russian accent, before she admitted that she had enjoyed tying up her previous partners, leaving them with 'no control'

She then playfully instructed Brett to 'go to bed' in a Russian accent, before she admitted that she had enjoyed tying up her previous partners, leaving them with 'no control'.

'Massage rule is I am boss, you are maggot. In communist Russia we do things different in communist Russia,' she said with an accent.

'It's great to see this fun side of Booka. I feel like we're getting closer,' Brett told producers after filming their date.

Married At First Sight continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine
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.
Ruston Scolds Media Over Porter Coverage

A senior Australian government minister believes comments by Barnaby Joyce urging an independent inquiry into an alleged historic rape by Christian Porter are out of frustration because of the farcical way it is playing out in the media.

Joyce, a Nationals MP and former deputy prime minister, has backed calls for an independent inquiry, saying many of his colleagues want Porters head on a plate.

I think in reading Barnabys comments it was probably as much out of frustration about the way this has played out in almost a farcical way in the media with everybody sort of making comments, Social Services Minister Anne Ruston told Sky News Sunday agenda program.

Porter, the Attorney-General, has strenuously denied that he sexually assaulted a woman in 1988. The woman committed suicide last year.

NSW police are no longer investigating the case because there is no admissible evidence.

Like Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Senator Ruston does not believe there is a need for an independent inquiry with the police unable to proceed further.

None of should be above the law but every should be judged by the same law, Senator Ruston said.

Labor, the Greens, and some crossbench MPs and Senator are calling for an independent inquiry.

I would be pretty disappointed if the crossbench sought to hold up important legislation  I think it would reflect very badly on them, the minister said.

She admits Parliament House has been a very difficult workplace clouded by speculation in the media in the last three weeks, stemming from a separate case of the alleged rape of former Liberal staffer, Brittany Higgins, by a colleague.

As such, she welcomes an inquiry headed by Australias Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins into the culture of parliament.

It is really important that we get some clarity around the processes that are in place in the parliament, Senator Ruston said.

It will only serve to make our workplace a better place.

Jenkins told Sky News the aim is to build on the national sexual harassment inquiry into what drives harassment.

Its more about systemic risk than it is about a few bad blokes misbehaving, she said.

We learnt a lot about how to improve the workplace and I think that opens the door for parliament to look at its own particular circumstances and see how that can improve.

By Colin Brinsden
Syracuse University alumnus Peter Deibler, best known as nationally syndicated radio host Kane, has died at age 43.

Radio Insight and All Access report Deibler died Friday, March 6, after a long illness at the Shady Grove Adventist Medical Center in Maryland. Additional details were not disclosed.

Deibler began his on-air career on SUs student-run radio station Z89 (WJPZ-FM), and was one of the first DJs on HOT 107.9 (WWHT-FM) in Syracuse, hosting late nights on the iHeartRadio station in the late 90s.

He was also known as Sean Kelly on 98Q (WDAQ) in his hometown of Danbury, Connecticut, but became known as Kane when he headed to bigger markets like 93.3 WFLZ in Tampa, Florida, where he hosted the Sunday night program, Open House Party. He also worked at XM Satellite Radio in 2000 and then hosted iHeartMedias The Kane Show, heard on 100 stations nationally, from Hot 99.5 (WIHT) in Washington, D.C.

The Kane Show, known for segments like the War of the Roses, abruptly ended in April 2020 after more than a decade on air. iHeart DC Regional Senior VP of Programming Jeff Kapugi said at the time that Kane would no longer appear on air, but would still be a part of the iHeart family.

Deiblers survivors include two daughters, according to a statement from his representatives at Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, P.A.

Kane routinely discussed being a father to his two daughters, Sam and Sophie, endearing him to his many listeners, the statement said. Although co-hosts came and went, Kane remained a constant, comforting voice for thousands of people driving to work, dropping the kids off at school and running errands.

The family is requesting that their privacy be respected during this difficult time, according to the reps.
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa -- An Okinawa-based Marine accused of assaulting a woman in a Naha parking lot and then shoving a responding police officer back in January has been officially charged by prosecutors.

Pfc. Marvin Earl James Jr., 24, a transmission systems operator with 3rd Marine Division at Camp Courtney, was charged Friday with indecent assault and interfering with the public duties of police, an official from the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday. They declined to elaborate further.

No court date has been set, a Naha District Court spokesman said. It's customary in Japan for government officials to speak to the media on condition of anonymity.

James was arrested shortly after the Jan. 31 incident on suspicion of interfering with public duties, police said at the time. He remained at Naha Police station where he was formally arrested again Feb. 11 on suspicion of indecent assault.

Police alleged that James approached a woman walking home on a Naha street, took her into a parking lot and forcibly tried to kiss her at about 5 a.m. Jan. 31, a spokesman told Stars and Stripes last month.

The woman threatened to call police and James fled, the police spokesman said last month.

A police officer who viewed James as suspicious approached him walking alone an hour later in the Kumoji area of Naha, police said in February. Police said James had been drinking and shoved the officer who attempted to question him.

Neither the officer nor the unidentified woman was injured, according to police.

Police in January said James denied shoving the officer; a report in the Mainchi newspaper last month said he also denied the indecent assault allegation.

If convicted of the interference charge, James faces up to three years in prison, with or without hard labor, or up to $5,000 in fines, according to the Japanese penal code. A conviction of indecent assault brings six months to 10 years with hard labor.

The Marine Corps is cooperating with local authorities on the case, a Marine Corps Installations Pacific spokesman told Stars and Stripes last month.

"We take every instance of misconduct seriously," 1st Lt. Timothy Hayes wrote in an email Feb. 2.

"These actions undermine the core values of the Marine Corps and are not tolerated on or off duty," he said. "The command will address any substantiated misconduct at the appropriate judicial or administrative level."
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A recent article by Ben Zeistloft in the Daily Wire began with these deeply troubling words: Abortion is the leading cause of death in America. The article was titled, 5 Disturbing Findings from Planned Parenthoods Annual Report, but there could have been one more item added: everything listed took place under the Trump administration. That is also deeply troubling (and in saying that, I am not blaming Trump).

Like many of you, one of the main reasons I voted for Donald Trump was because of his pro-life stance, especially in stark contrast with the positions of Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and the Democrats. And in many ways, on that score, Trump delivered.

Even Politifactclaimed that Trump kept his promise to defund Planned Parenthood (at least, in part), noting, After a string of setbacks, opponents of abortion chalked up a significant victory in 2019 with the enactment of a federal regulation to prevent a major type of federal funding from reaching entities that provide abortion services.

Or, as Reuters reported in 2018, U.S. health officials said on Friday they were revoking legal guidance issued by the Obama administration that had sought to discourage states from trying to defund organizations that provide abortion services, such as Planned Parenthood.

On the flip side, as the Daily Wire noted, during Trumps tenure, Planned Parenthood reported record high abortions and record high federal funding. Specifically, Accompanying its record-setting abortion count is Planned Parenthoods record-setting paystub from Uncle Sam.

Taxpayer dollars accounted for $618.1 million of Planned Parenthoods $1.641 billion in revenues, meaning federal funds accounted for nearly 38% of the organizations income.

In last years annual report, Planned Parenthood disclosed $617 million in taxpayer funds for abortion. Therefore, as the United States federal government ran a $3.13 trillion budget deficit, the group received more federal funds than ever before.

Would things have been even worse under the Democrats? When it comes to court appointees, absolutely and unquestionably. I cannot imagine what the Supreme Court or federal courts would look like today had Hillary Clinton been president. Again, that is one of the biggest reasons I voted as I did.

But when it comes to the number of abortions and the amount of federal funding, it is unlikely that the results would have been dramatically different under Clinton rather than Trump.

Thats because, once Roe v. Wade changed everything, opening up the floodgates, most advances in the pro-life movement have taken place on the grassroots level (meaning, on the streets and in the communities) and on the state level. And while we continue to work for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, we must also be realistic.

As I pointed out in a previous article, Babies were slaughtered at a horrific rate through the Republican presidencies of Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump. Thats a total of 24 years and more than 22 million babies, which is far more babies than were aborted during the 16 years of the Democratic presidencies of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

Yet somehow, because we conservatives voted for these presidents, that eased our conscience regarding the slaughter of the unborn. Now that Biden is president, I continually hear sincere Christians shouting out, Biden is killing the babies! The man is a baby killer! He must be stopped!

Where was our cry, then, during the Trump administration, when Planned Parenthood set new records? And where was our cry for the babies in the womb during the administrations of Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush?

My point is simply this. To the baby whose life has been terminated before birth, it matters little whether the person in the White House is Republican or Democrat. Death by abortion is death by abortion.

In that respect, the millions who died when Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were president were not different than the millions who died under Republican presidents. And today, the babies dying under the Biden presidency are no different than the babies dying while Trump was president.

Do I have grave concerns as to where the Democrat policies could lead? Absolutely. Do I think that Roe v. Wade could be enshrined even more deeply under the Biden-Harris administration? Definitely.

But lets not forget that states like Virginia and New York passed the most radical abortion laws in our nations history while Trump was in the White House. (And I commend each of you who spoke out against this wickedness and prayed against this wickedness and worked against this wickedness, even if the bills still passed.)

Again, this is not to blame Trump. Not in the least. But it is to say that our outrage is selective, as if abortion rates dropped dramatically in the Trump years only to skyrocket again during the Biden tenure. Or as if Planned Parenthood lost all of its funding under Trump only to get it back under Biden.

Perhaps, if we felt the same outrage and grief over abortion while a Republican was president as we do while a Democrat is president, we might actually see the tide turn even more.

For those wanting to make a difference, heres a great place to start. This one organization, Love Life, which started in Charlotte, North Carolina, can report that, IN 3 YEARS, 300+ CHURCHES HAVE UNITED & MOBILIZED 65,000+ PEOPLE TO BRING LOVE & LIFE, RESULTING IN:

DROP IN ABORTIONS

BABIES SAVED

SALVATIONS

ORPHANS FOSTERED/ADOPTED

SIDEWALK COUNSELING

ABORTION WORKERS LEAVING

POST ABORTIVE HEALED & RESTORED

MENTORING

So, rather than just hating on the current administration, lets join together to save babies lives. I know thats what matters most to so many of you.
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Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Chennai, March 8 : Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has lashed out against DMK president and chief-ministerial candidate of the party M.K. Stalin for allegedly lifting several programmes from his party's vision document.

Speaking at a public function here on Monday, the Makkal Needhi Maiam( MNM) leader said: "The DMK leader has lifted several ideas from my vision document and this is copying of a party's programme. For instance I had announced honorariums for homemakers and also announced 50 lakh jobs for unemployed youth. All these were announced by Stalin during his speech at Sirungar in Trichy." Haasan also said Dravidian parties were "corrupt conglomerates" and lashed out against the Congress which had fought against the British for the independence of the country, for having joined forces with the corrupt DMK.

The veteran actor said that election day, April 6 is "bhogi day" in Tamil Culture which means getting rid of all old things and called upon the people to get rid of the old corrupt Dravidian parties and to usher in change for all-round development and prosperity of Tamil Nadu by voting out the corrupt forces.
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Read an exclusive of excerpt of John Archibalds memoir Shaking the Gates of Hell here.

People ask me  a lot  why its important to look back. At history, at the failings and flaws of people held in high esteem. At the systems that elevated them.

You cant go back, they say. You cant. You cant put yourself in the shoes of someone from another time and place and know, with any certainty, what youd have done in their stead.

They are right, you cant. But you can revel in the hopes, and mourn the failures. You can use the knowledge of how others dealt with humanity and injustice and all the issues of their times to determine how you will deal with similar issues today. And who you will be.

Will you speak? Or will you remain silent? And safe? And perhaps complicit?

Its not easy to look back. Staring at truth rarely is.

I was born outside Birmingham in the spring of 1963, a white kid in a white world with the kind of blinders that came standard on people like me. The Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. planned the Childrens Crusade as I was born. Known and unknown foot soldiers marched and suffered in the streets of my city, though I didnt understand the full import of it all until I was grown.

Alabama Media Group and Books-A-Million will host a live conversation with John Archibald to celebrate the launch of his new memoir, Shaking the Gates of Hell: A Search for Family and Truth in the Wake of the Civil Rights Revolution.

I was just days old when King was arrested and wrote his glorious Letter from a Birmingham Jail, which not only outlined the need and strategy for civil disobedience, but excoriated the white church for timidity and silence.

In deep disappointment I have wept over the laxity of the church, he wrote. But be assured that my tears have been tears of love. There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love.

Did his words damn my own family? Did my family contribute to his disappointment?

It was only after my fathers death that I really began to search for those answers. I began to read every sermon he ever gave, from the 50s to the 21st century, each of them filed and dated and filled with notes.

I could hear his voice in the words on the page as he talked to his congregation in 1963 about the problems of the world  in Asia and Africa and other continents. But not in Montgomery. Or Birmingham. Or in the shells of homes and churches destroyed by the bombs of violent segregationists.

Because faraway problems were easier to talk about than the people marching outside your own stained glass windows. The disappointment was great. Because the love was great.

I wanted to understand why my father was silent from the pulpit about race and other issues of justice during that critical time. I wanted to know why it was so hard for so many people of seeming good will and strength to speak in decisive voice when their voices were needed most. I learned of what Dr. William Nicholas calls a conspiracy of silence in the Southern white church, a tendency to look at faraway problems as a way to deflect attention from the issues that affect ourselves.

All that became the basis for my book, Shaking the Gates of Hell: A Search for Family and Truth in the Wake of the Civil Rights Revolution. It forced me to look not only at my father, but myself.

Who am I, after all. Who am I to question a man of principle and decency, of faith and goodness? How can I question someone who meant so much to me?

The answer is simple. It is precisely because I am his son, and I will forever hold him in the highest regard. Because seeing the cracks in the most pristine among us allows us to examine the deep fissures in ourselves.

It is a book written in love. And in disappointment. But there is room for hope. Maybe even redemption.

We all have pulpits. Big or small, religious or secular, loud or whispering. The real story comes from finding the voice to go with them.

AL.com and Books-A-Million will host a live Q&A with John Archibald at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, moderated by Alabama icon Wayne Flynt and Reckon Interview hosts John Hammontree and R.L. Nave. The event is open to ticketed guests for a $34 fee, which includes a signed copy of the book shipped to your home. To register, go to https://www.crowdcast.io/e/johnarchibald/register
The Duke of Sussex denied he had blindsided the Queen with the bombshell statement about him and wife Meghan stepping back as senior royals.

Harry said he would never do that as he has too much respect for his grandmother, and suggested that the story probably could have come from within the institution.

He also said his father, the Prince of Wales, stopped taking his calls while he and wife Meghan were in Canada in the build-up to the announcement.

The Queen with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during a group photo at the Queens Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace (John Stillwell/PA)

Asked by Oprah Winfrey during their televised interview about why they left, Harry blamed a lack of support and lack of understanding.

The chat show queen said she wanted clarity and asked Harry: Was the move about getting away from the UK pressbecause the press is, you know, is everywhere, or was the move because you werent getting enough support from the firm?

He replied: It was both.

Winfrey asked did you blindside the Queen? with the announcement they were leaving the family, and Harry replied: No, I would never blindside my grandmother, I have too much respect for her.

Asked where that story came from, Harry said: I hazard a guess that it probably could have come from within the institution.

Meghan said it had been discussed with the Queen several times over the course of two years, adding: But even the night before, days beforethe statement coming out. I remember that conversation.

The Queen with the Prince of Wales, and (rear, left to right) the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at a reception at Buckingham Palace in London to mark the 50th anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Winfrey asked how they knew the Queen was not blindsided, adding that the way it was presented through the press is that suddenly you made this announcement, she didnt know it was coming.

Harry said while in Canada he had three conversations with my grandmother and two conversations with my father, before he stopped taking my calls.

He said Charles asked for him to put his plan in writing, adding: I put all the specifics in there, even the fact that we were planning on putting the announcement out on the 7th of January.

Asked why his father had stopped taking his calls, Harry said: Because I took mattersby that point Id took matters into my own hands.

It was, like, I needed to do this for my family. This is not a surprise to anybody. Its really sad that its got to this point.

But Ive got to do something for my own mental health, my wifes and for Archies as well, because I could see where this was headed.

The royal family, including (left to right) the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth II, the Duchess of Sussex, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cambridge, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace (Victoria Jones/PA)

Speaking about his father, Harry said: I feel really let down because hes been through something similar, he knows what pain feels like, (and) Archies his grandson.

But at the same time  I will always love him  but theres a lot of hurt thats happened and I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship.

But they only know what they know, or what theyre told.

Harry also described how their security detail was removed when they stepped back from being senior members of the royal family.

Gripping Meghans hand, he said: Their justification was a change in status. I pushed back and said is there a change of threat or risk?

Eventually, I got the confirmation that no, the risk hasnt changed but due to our change of status  we would no longer be official members of the royal family.

Harry told Winfrey: My family literally cut me off financially and I had to afford security for usin the first quarter of 2020.

He said he had what Diana left him and without that we would not have been able to do this.
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Is there anything to add to a complication that has reached the peak of perfection? Yes, say a handful of younger brands that are putting...

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Head of Marketing; March 8, 2021 | Picture Together with big pharma companies we have evolved a leading technology solution that enables businesses to make more proactive, faster, and more insightful decisions. Appointing a Head of Marketing is an important step towards raising the general market awareness of this important strategic tool.

Captario, the decision-making simulation software company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Brooke Duffy as Head of Marketing. With operations in Europe, Australia, and the United States, Brookes appointment to the Captario management team demonstrates the organizations commitment to further growth and development across the globe, and, especially, within the U.S.

Brooke will be based in the Boston, Massachusetts area reporting directly to Captarios CEO, Johannes Vanngard. As Johannes stated, Together with big pharma companies we have evolved a leading technology solution that enables businesses to make more proactive, faster, and more insightful decisions. Appointing a Head of Marketing is an important step towards raising the general market awareness of this important strategic tool.

With a background in full-funnel marketing and start-up environments, Brooke will be responsible for setting the global marketing strategy, coordinating day-to-day marketing operations, and elevating the brand awareness of Captario and its primary product, Captario SUM; all while building out the internal marketing teams and functions.

From its inception, Captario SUM has seen significant success within the pharma industry, as a key factor to successful drug development is informed decision making. This includes how to optimize individual drug projects and how to prioritize them in a portfolio setting; but an even greater challenge is how to do this in a timely and efficient manner. Over the last year, this problem has been exacerbated by the unexpected Covid-19 global pandemic. With real-time modelling, simulation, and analysis capability, Captario SUM quickly grew within several of the worlds top pharma companies, further proving its effectiveness for even the most complex business scenarios.

As Captario CFO & US President, Erik Post, explains, this last year has accelerated the need and importance of Captarios solution, making it the right time to invest more in marketing. Brookes role will help Captario to effectively nurture relationships with prospects and clients and better communicate the value that we deliver  not only to our pharma partners, but also across other industries faced with making strategic decisions.

Prior to joining Captario, Brooke has worked in various sales, marketing, and businesses development roles for both B2B and B2C brands. Brooke is also a Founding Member of Chief - Boston, an organization specifically designed for senior women leaders to strengthen their leadership journey, cross-pollinate ideas across industries, and effect change from the top-down.

I am humbled by the opportunity to join the Captario team, Brooke stated. This talented group of individuals has built a best-in-class solution that ultimately helps our clients achieve their missions. Today, that means were speeding up drug development and deployments  or as one of my new colleagues explained, were contributing to saving lives. Being a part of that outcome, and whatever other outcomes we support in the future, is simply inspiring. I am also honored to be a woman entering the world of A.I. and machine learning. Captario is clearly committed to supporting diversity in this industry, and I feel lucky to be in such an environment.

To learn more about Captario visit http://www.captario.com

To connect with Brooke visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookeaduffy
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 20:59:53|Editor: huaxia

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ADDIS ABABA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The Director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) John Nkengasong has commended China's efforts in helping African countries access COVID-19 vaccines.

Speaking to Xinhua on Sunday, Nkengasong said the continent has set a minimum target of at least 60 percent of COVID-19 vaccine immunization.

"We appreciate what China is doing on the continent, and we call on others to join this effort," Nkengasong said.

According to the latest figures from the Africa CDC, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa has reached 3,955,148 as of Sunday, while the death toll related to the pandemic reached 105,490.

The Africa CDC, the specialized healthcare agency of the 55-member African Union, said that some 3,533,574 COVID-19 patients across the continent have recovered from the disease so far.

The countries with the highest number of confirmed positive cases are South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Ethiopia, the agency noted.

Meanwhile, the Africa CDC director stressed that amid the ongoing continental fight against the pandemic, African countries face several challenges, with timely access to vaccines and pandemic fatigue the two most pressing at the moment.

"We know that vaccines are the most important weapon to fight disease outbreaks, including the current COVID-19 pandemic," Nkengasong said.

"Our population have begun to face what is called pandemic fatigue. We have been doing this for one year and people are getting tired," he said, emphasizing the need to strictly adhere to public health precautionary messages. Enditem
MASON CITY, Iowa - A Mason City man is facing a felony drug charge after being arrested on an out-of-county warrant.

Joshua Collings, 22, was arrested Sunday in the 300 block of N. Federal Ave.

Police said a search turned up methamphetamine that weighed 8.4 grams.

He's facing charges of probation violation, a felony controlled substance violation, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while barred.

Collings was arrested in February on a burglary charge.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  For nearly a year, The Goei Center  a 400-person event center on Grand Rapids Southwest Side  has largely sat empty because of state restrictions on indoor gatherings aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19.

The restrictions, which limit indoor gatherings to 25 people, have caused financial pain for owner Bing Goei and his staff. They have also hurt the many wedding and event-related businesses he works with, from caterers to event planners.

On Monday, Goei joined the Grand Rapids Chamber and other wedding and banquet businesses at a press conference, where they called on Gov. Gretchen Whitmers administration to provide guidance and ease restrictions on indoor gatherings so they can be ready for wedding season.

Despite U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cautioning against large events, Goei said hes confident his business can host such gatherings safely.

Were doing everything possible to keep people safe, he said. Does that mean that thats 100 percent? No. We understand that that is not 100 percent. But we certainly are doing everything that is necessary to keep our guests safe.

Goei wants Whitmer to permit event venues such as his to operate at half capacity. For his business, that translates to 200 people. He said his staff would work to keep attendees safe by performing temperature checks on guests, requiring face masks, mandating social distancing and prohibiting food buffets.

The CDC stresses that attending large gatherings and events puts individuals at a greater risk of contracting COVID-19, a disease related to more than 15,600 Michigan deaths since March 2020.

However, if a large gathering is to take place, the agency recommends that staff clean and disinfect high touch surfaces more frequently, require facemasks, encourage staff and attendees to practice proper hygiene, modify seating to encourage social distancing and more.

A host of businesses across the state, from restaurants and casinos to retailers, arenas and gyms, are facing customer-occupancy restrictions as part of the states effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Retail and restaurants, for example, are both limited to 50 percent capacity, while gyms and casinos are operating at 30 percent capacity. Local chambers of commerce and other business organizations have regularly sought to ease these restrictions.

Grand Rapids Chamber President and CEO Rick Baker said wedding and banquet venues need immediate guidance soon.

Many venues have not hosted an event for over 12 months, he said. They have already lost reservations into the summer, some of them losing business to our neighboring states. Without the ability to plan around future potential capacity limits in the coming months, they face a dire prospect of surviving 2021.

While Goei wants the state to permit wedding and banquet venues to operate at 50 percent capacity, the chamber is not recommending a specific occupancy level at this time, Baker said.

Rather, what the chamber wants is guidance.

Give us a target date, Baker said. Give us some direction so that we both can begin planning so that they can get open and get ready for, particularly, the spring season and not lose out on another season.

The chamber sent a letter to Whitmer Monday asking for more reasonable (customer) restrictions based on a capacity formula and other accepted standards similar to other industries.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Lynn Sutfin said in a statement that Michigan continues to make decisions that protect public health based on the best available science and data.

Michigan has made great progress since the late fall peak, however, community spread of the virus continues across the state, which means that protections such as restrictions on the size of gatherings and consistent masking and social distancing remain necessary to protect frontline workers and Michiganders everywhere from COVID-19, she said. If we all follow these rules, Michigan can return to a strong economy and get back to normal safely as soon as possible.

Kim Smith, president of The Catering Company, a Grand Rapids-based business that serves the wedding and banquet industry, said her business saw its revenue drop by 93.6 percent in 2020.

We simply cannot afford to experience this again, she said.

While customer capacity has been boosted for other businesses, Smith said the wedding and banquet sector remains the forgotten industry of the pandemic, and we are eager to return to our craft.

Smith said she doesnt have any business booked until June. She said she would like to see a target date for when businesses like hers can expect to begin serving larger, indoor gatherings.

The process of bringing back staff will be a challenge, she said. But if we know when we can reengage safely, we can follow our plan to rebuild our teams. Recruiting new staff, hiring new staff and training new staff all takes careful time and planning.

Read more:

One Michigan unemployment program ends suddenly, kicking thousands off benefits

Michigan reports 1,960 new coronavirus cases, 4 new deaths between Sunday & Monday, March 7-8

Grand Valley State University will hold a virtual commencement ceremony this spring
Pope Francis encourages Iraqi Christians that "God and HIs Son" and not death has "the last word" during his visit in the Qaraqosh Community on the third day of his Apostolic Journey in Iraq last Sunday.

According to the transcript of his message posted in the Vatican website, Pope Francis acknowledged the great sadness seen in the signs left over by the ISIS militia sweep of 2014 that left the Qaraqosh Community in rubble.

"We look around and see other signs, signs of the destructive power of violence, hatred and war. How much has been torn down! How much needs to be rebuilt! Our gathering here today shows that terrorism and death never have the last word. The last word belongs to God and to his Son, the conqueror of sin and death. Even amid the ravages of terrorism and war, we can see, with the eyes of faith, the triumph of life over death," he said to those gathered a the Immaculate Conception Church in Qaraqosh.

The Pope put on spotlight the example left behind by the "fathers and mothers in faith" of the Iraqi Christians who "persevered with unwavering hope" during their earthly journey and left "a great spiritual legacy" that should as their source of strength to "rebuild and to start afresh" their communities.

"You are not alone! The entire Church is close to you, with prayers and concrete charity. And in this region, so many people opened their doors to you in time of need," he stressed. "This is the time to restore not just buildings but also the bonds of community that unite communities and families, the young and the old together."

He revealed that the "darkest days of the war" are the days "Jesus is by" their side and, as such, further encouraged Iraqi Christians to never stop dreaming and to never give up.

"From heaven the saints are watching over us. Let us pray to them and never tire of begging their intercession. There are also the saints next-door, "who, living in our midst, reflect God's presence," he added, "This land has many of them, because it is a land of many holy men and women. Let them accompany you to a better future, a future of hope."

According to the Pope's itinerary for the Apostolic Journey in Iraq, the visit to the Immaculate Conception Church in Qaraqosh is his third stop for the day before he transferred to Erbil for the Holy Mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium.

The Pope came to Erbil that early morning on Sunday from Baghdad for a welcome ceremony held at the Erbil Airport that was led by the President of the Autonomous Region of Iraqi Kurdistan. He also had a meeting with the President and Prime Minister of the Autonomous Region at the Presidential VIP Lounge of the airport.

From Baghdad, the Pope went via helicopter to Mosul's Hosh al-Bieaa where he led the Prayer of Suffrage for the Victims of War before going by helicopter to Qaraqosh. The Pope introduced the prayer prior to its invocation as a means to "reaffirm" the "conviction that fraternity is more durable than fratricide, that hope is more poweful than hatred, that peace is more powerful than war."

He likened the victims of war in the City of Mosul, in all of Iraq, and in the entire Middle East as a small thread that's torn away from a "richly diverse cultural and religious fabric" that weakens the entire fabric when it is lost.

He called on to the Iraqi Christians in Mosul to appreciate and nurture the fraternal relationship with Muslims there for it is a sign that "hope in reconciliation and new life" is possible. He challenged the Christian community to "return to Mosul and to take up their vital role in the process of healing and renewal."

The Pope arrived in Iraq on March 5 at the Baghadad International Airport where he was met by the Prime Minister and taken to the Presidential Palace for the official welcome ceremony. As per the Christian Post, the Pope's visit included meeting with Iraq's top Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistaniin the holy city of Najaf and a visit to Abraham's birth place in the city of Ur.

The Pope's Apostolic Journey, described as a historical event, is meant to be a "pilgrimage of peace" aimed in restoring hope among Christians in Iraq. The Pope left Iraq on March 8 with a farewell ceremony at the Baghdad Airport.
The husband of a British-Iranian woman detained in Iran since 2016 is to stage a protest outside the countrys embassy with their six-year-old daughter.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 42, has completed a near five-year sentence in the Islamic Republic over widely refuted allegations of plotting to overthrow its government. She strongly denies the charges.

The mother-of-one finished the latter part of her sentence under house arrest due to Covid-19 and had her ankle tag removed on Sunday.

Watch: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has ankle tag removed but faces further court date

But she must still appear before an Iranian court in a weeks time to face new charges. The Guardian reports the new allegations  long threatened by Iranian authorities  concern Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes involvement in propaganda activity against Iran, including attending a 2009 demonstration outside its embassy in London, and speaking to BBC Persian.

Her husband Richard Ratcliffe  who has long campaigned for her freedom  will demonstrate with the couples daughter Gabriella and his wifes brother Mohamed outside the Iranian embassy in Knightsbridge from around midday on Monday.

He will deliver a 60,000-signature Amnesty International petition to the embassy calling for his wifes immediate release.

Mr Ratcliffe called it a watershed moment, saying: If youd asked me when we first started campaigning with Amnesty to bring Nazanin home that five years later wed still be knocking on the door of the Iranian embassy, still waiting for them to ever open it and explain whats going on, then I would have been horrified.

He earlier said he was grateful for the strong words of Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who condemned the cruel and intolerable treatment of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and called for her swift return to the UK.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged Iran to release her permanently, adding her continued confinement remains totally unacceptable.

Story continues

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, of north London, was arrested at Tehrans Imam Khomeini Airport while taking Gabriella to see her parents in April 2016.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe served a near five-year jail term (Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe/PA)

The charity worker, who was employed by the Thomson Reuters Foundation at the time of her arrest, strongly denies the charges and civil rights groups say she was jailed with no evidence and her trial was unfair.

The UK has been locked in a high-profile diplomatic tussle over Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes detention, which has seen her held in solitary confinement and undergo hunger strikes.

Rupert Skilbeck, director of the Redress legal campaigning group, told the PA news agency the cumulative effect of her confinement over the past half decade crosses that threshold into torture and warned over long-term psychological effects.

The UK Government has afforded her diplomatic protection, arguing she is innocent and that her treatment by Iran failed to meet obligations under international law.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been used as a political pawn, according to Nobel Laureate and Iranian human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi.

Commentators have linked a long-standing debt running into hundreds of millions of pounds as central to the case, which has been dubbed hostage diplomacy by former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt.

The UK is thought to owe Iran as much as 400 million over the non-delivery of tanks in 1979, with the shipment stopped because of the Islamic revolution.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes constituency MP Tulip Siddiq (Hampstead and Kilburn) has connected the debt with the case.

She told the PA news agency last month: My constituents life is basically a bargaining chip because shes not being set free because we havent fulfilled our responsibility of paying the debt.

If theres some movement on that I reckon Nazanins chances are increased.

Watch: Sister-in-law of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe - time for Government to recognise it as hostage situation
Union minister on Sunday expressed confidence that India will become self-reliant or Aatmanirbhar in silk production in the next two years.

The Minister for Textiles and Women and Child Development said the government aims to provide employment to over one crore people exclusively in the silk segment through the Krishi Vigyan Kendra programme according to a statement.

She said that India's raw silk production increased by 35 per cent in the last six years.The Minister said that more than 90 lakh people have got employment in raw silk production.

She made the statement while addressing a programme to announce a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Textiles Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry.

On the eve of International Women's Day, the minister also distributed Buniyaad Reeling Machines to women silk reelers with an aim to eradicate unhygienic and obsolete thigh reeling practice.

The Minister informed that 8000 women thigh reelers were identified for providing Buniyaad machines and 5000 women have already been supported under Silk Samagra Phase I. She said that for the remaining 3000 thigh reelers, fund provision has been made in order to eradicate Unhygienic and Obsolete Thigh Reeling Practice from the country.

The Central Silk Board (CSB) under the Ministry of Textiles and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a convergence model for the implementation of Agro-forestry in the silk sector under the ongoing Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme, in the presence of Irani and Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Parshottam Rupala.

The minister further stated that the MoU will increase the agricultural income from 20 to 30 per cent.

Referring to the PPE (Personal protective equipment) kits, in which India has become the second-largest producer in the world, she said that India has the capability of creating history in Agro-Technical Textiles also. She said farmers income has almost increased to 60 per cent by adopting Agro Technical Textile.

The Minister observed that consumption of agriculture-based technical textile will increase by involving Krishi Vigyan Kendra in creating awareness about Agro-tech and Technical textiles. She said this will lead the way for the creation of new products.

(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.)
said some of the worlds most protected oil infrastructure came under missile and drone attack in an escalation of regional hostilities that pushed up crude prices. The attacks on Sunday were intercepted, said, and oil output appeared to be unaffected. But the latest in a spate of assaults claimed by Iran-backed Houthi rebels briefly pushed oil prices above $70 a barrel for the first time since January 2020 and will likely complicate efforts by US President Joe Biden to engage in nuclear diplomacy with Iran. The attacks are the most serious against Saudi oil installations since a key processing facility and two fields came under fire in September 2019, cutting production for about a month and exposing the vulnerability of the kingdoms petroleum industry. Yemens Houthi fighters claimed responsibility for that attack although Riyadh and Washington pointed the finger at arch-rival Iran. The US held back from military confrontation and said at the time it would boost air and missile defenses in the kingdom. On Monday, the US said its commitment to defend is unwavering. In a Twitter post, the U. S. mission in Riyadh condemned the attacks, which it said demonstrated a lack of respect for human life and a lack of interest in the pursuit of peace. An oil storage tank farm at the Ras Tanura export terminal on the Persian Gulf coast was attacked by a drone from the sea, according to the Energy Ministry. Shrapnel from a missile also landed close to a residential compound for employees of national oil company Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, where windows shook and witnesses said they took shelter.

The compound is home to families of Saudi and expat employees, and theres a U. S. consulate nearby. Ras Tanura is about an hour by car up the coast. Both attacks did not result in any injury or loss of life or property, a spokesman for the Saudi Energy Ministry said. Two people familiar with the situation also said oil output was unaffected, and on Monday loading in the Ras Tanura area was continuing, with tankers docking on the north pier and sea islands. Defences Ras Tanuras airspace is heavily defended: it is close to a large Saudi air base and its offshore loading terminals are equipped with protection against undersea attack. The Houthis launched eight ballistic missiles and 14 bomb-laden drones at Saudi Arabia, a spokesman for the group, Yahya Saree, said in a statement to rebel-run Al Masirah television.
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Manitoba is re-examining past positive COVID-19 tests, looking for a concerning variant of the novel coronavirus.

Manitoba is re-examining past positive COVID-19 tests, looking for a concerning variant of the novel coronavirus.

All tests taken since the beginning of February will now be screened for the B.1.3.5.1 variant, first found in South Africa. Last month, the province started screening for the B.1.1.7 variant, first identified in the United Kingdom.

Nine COVID-19 cases have been confirmed thus far in Manitoba with variants of concern, chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said Monday: six of the U.K. variant and three of the South African variant.

Roussin said health officials are trying to find out more about the transmission of B.1.3.5.1 in the province.

"This retrospective work is not a typical approach, but we wanted to ensure we had a good understanding of our variants and the situation here in Manitoba," Roussin said. "At this point, we don't anticipate that there are significant immediate risks right now."

The expanded screening was announced as the province logged another pandemic death and 63 new cases of COVID-19 Monday  one year after the province recorded its first case.

A woman in her 80s from the Northern Health region is the latest fatality linked to the virus. So far, 907 Manitobans have died in the pandemic.

Of the new cases announced Monday, 36 were in Northern Health, 25 in Winnipeg, and two in Southern Health. There are no cases in Interlake-Eastern or Prairie Mountain.

There were 10 COVID-19 patients in intensive care units with active cases of the virus, and 12 deemed no longer infectious.

Public health officials warned of potential public exposure to COVID-19 on March 4 at St. Andrews Ukrainian Church (160 Euclid Ave. in Winnipeg) from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Roussin said he believed the event was a funeral, that had as many as 40 contacts.
'Tugboat, fat, ugly' - these are the cruel slurs which led a plus-sized influencer to attempt to take her own life at the tender age of 13.

But now, having overcome years of relentless bullying, Joanne Phibbs (29), from Kildare, is now on a mission to promote body positivity.

The pre-school worker, who is mum to son Oliver (3), is now using her Instagram platform to reject anti-fat bias and unrealistic beauty standards, and is asking women 'to love the skin they're in'.

"I originally set up my page because I wanted to break the stigma around postnatal depression and mental health. When I got over my postnatal depression I began to love my body for what it was. I went on a self-love journey towards body positivity. I realise now that you can love your body no matter what size you are."

Expand Close Joanne has been working with a personal trainer / Facebook

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Whatsapp Joanne has been working with a personal trainer

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Having recently started on a fitness kick, the activist and curve model, who is a size 24 - 26, regularly posts workout videos and body positive affirmations to her 19,000-plus followers.

"I am not brave for posting the pictures that I do, we are all worthy of love, regardless of our size and shape. You can be thin or plus-size and that doesn't define your worth and you can be my size and be healthy too.

"This year I wanted to up my fitness levels so I started with my trainer James Rafferty on Instagram. I am not worried about my health right now but down the line it could be a concern, which is why I wanted to up my exercise.

"We are not focusing on scales, which is what deterred me before. In the past I would get so hung up on the scales.

"A couple of years ago I would say 'I am going to drop ten stone and get down to a size 12' and I would get derailed. Now I say, 'today is day 29 and I am going to see if I can get to day 60 of my fitness challenge'.

Having already completed 28 days of her get-fit programme, Joanne feels stronger, both mentally and physically.

Expand Close Joanne shows the difference in her body after just a month of working out / Facebook

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Whatsapp Joanne shows the difference in her body after just a month of working out

"I can already see a difference in my fitness. Even doing a sit-up - before I was barely able to lift my head off the ground and now I can lift my shoulders off the ground and that is a huge achievement for me. My little boy is three now and he has so much energy, so I want to keep up with him."

Despite the adoring mum's efforts to spread body positivity, she still courts occasional negativity online.

"I would get the odd troll telling me I need to cover up. If that happens I just block and delete. Now if someone says I am fat and ugly I can deal with that, a couple of years ago I would have broken down and cried.

"Fat is just a descriptive word. When someone calls me fat I know it's just a word. Yes, I am fat but people get too hung up on words.

"I also think people can get too caught up by weight and then you get defined by the girl who lost X amount of weight and I don't want to be that girl. I just want to be Joanne who is fit and healthy and moving."

Expand Close Joanne with her three year old son Oliver / Facebook

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Whatsapp Joanne with her three year old son Oliver

Speaking of her previous battle with her body image, the fitness enthusiast said: "I was always overweight when I was younger. From a very young age I was self-conscious about how I looked.

"I was bullied in school and then when I went home from school I was bullied on Bebo and over text messages. People have said to me in the past, 'you're fat, go kill yourself' or they might have called me a tugboat or told me I've a pretty face for a big girl. These are things that stick in my head from years ago."

Unable to escape the onslaught of abuse, Joanne attempted to take her own life.

"I was only 13 when I took tablets. I had second thoughts and I told my mam and I was brought to Crumlin Hospital. I had that moment, 'what have I done?'

"I love who I am now but ten years ago I would be so conscious, 'what will people think of me and the pictures I post?' As long as my little boy is happy, I am happy."

Expand Close Joanne is sharing her fitness journey at JustJoannesJourney on Instagram / Facebook

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Whatsapp Joanne is sharing her fitness journey at JustJoannesJourney on Instagram

The fashion influencer is also calling for more size inclusivity in the industry.

"There are international brands but not Irish brands that cater for plus size.

"You would go into Penneys and be lucky to get your leg into some of their things. I have messaged Irish brands and they have said they are working on it, but it is not good enough.

"You can be stylish no matter what you weigh. I hope people look at my page and remember to love themselves. You only have one body and you only have one life and once you do that you will be happy in yourself and you will look after yourself."

If you have been affected by any issues raised in this article, you can contact Samaritans helpline 116 123 or Aware helpline 1800 80 48 48 or Pieta House on 1800 247 247.

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" This strategic partnership is in line with our overall logic of relying on key local players to develop market-specific solutions and establish a long-term relationship of trust with end users. Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence, machine translation has become an essential part of the digital economy . We want to share our technology and AI know-how with local experts to develop together disruptive solutions for ever-changing use cases, " said Jean Senellart, CEO of the SYSTRAN Group.

FAPCOTECH's objective in partnering with SYSTRAN is to complement its service offering by introducing to its customers latest automated translation technologies based on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.

"Our partnership with SYSTRAN indicates our commitment to our clients to stay ahead of technology and help increase smart technologies adoption by Kuwaiti companies," said Mazen Bou Diab  General Manager of FAPCOTECH.

Building on its success in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific thanks to its Business Partner Program, which brings together over 50 partners worldwide, SYSTRAN will strengthen its presence in the MENA region with this new agreement.

About SYSTRAN

With more than 50 years of experience in translation technologies, SYSTRAN has pioneered the greatest innovations in the field, including the first web-based translation portals and the first neural translation engines combining artificial intelligence and neural networks for businesses and public organizations.

SYSTRAN provides business users with advanced and secure automated translation solutions in various areas such as: global collaboration, multilingual content production, customer support, electronic investigation, Big Data analysis, e-commerce, etc.

SYSTRAN offers a tailor-made solution with an open and scalable architecture that enables seamless integration into existing third-party applications and IT infrastructures.

For more information, visit https://www.systransoft.com

About FAPCOTECH

FAPCOTECH is a leading integrated business solutions provider specializing in the delivery of customized, end-to-end IT solutions via leading edge technology. Based in Kuwait, at the heart of the Gulf and with easy access to major business centers in the Middle East and beyond, its specialist teams enjoy the experience and expertise to offer the best IT solutions to both public and private organizations.

FAPCOTECH leverages its competencies through vertical industry know-how, and International accreditation to serve its customers across the region.

For more information, visit http://www.fapcotech.com/

SOURCE SYSTRAN

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CBC

As Eloise Morrison prepares to raise the Pride flag at St. John Catholic School in Toronto's east end on Tuesday, she'll be thinking about her father. George Morrison, a well-known Toronto hairstylist who died earlier this year, was openly gay. "He didn't hide," his daughter told CBC Toronto. "He lived authentically." Tuesday's flag raising  part of the Toronto Catholic board's first-ever recognition of Pride month  will bring a feeling of celebration, of things being set right. "He would think it should be this way," said Morrison in an interview with CBC Radio's Ismaila Alfa. "Everybody should be accepted for who they are." But as she stands in front of St. John with her sons, who currently attend the school, there's also a more painful history to look back on. It was in 1987, while she was a 12-year-old student at that same school, that Morrison was introduced to the idea that homosexuality was a sin. "After hearing that message, I just felt so judged, and I felt like my family was literally going to hell," she said. George Morrison, a designer and hairstylist who was born in Guyana, counted K.D. Lang and Patti LaBelle among his clients. This clipping comes from a 1971 Toronto Life article. (Submitted by Eloise Morrison) From freedom to silence The moment that changed everything came during Morrison's confirmation ceremony, when a bishop was addressing her and the other children as their families sat in the church's pews. "He said to us, 'When a man lies with the man, it's an abomination in the eyes of the Lord.' And at that point, I just froze and I started crying and I started shaking, and I didn't hear anything else after that." Before that, Morrison described herself as "living freely"  she knew her father and her uncles were gay, and didn't see anything wrong with that. Eloise Morrison, right, with her mother Carole and her brother Orson.(Submitted by Eloise Morrison) But "from that day forward, I vowed never to tell anybody about my family again." The day after the ceremony, her mother went in to meet with the principal and Morrison's teachers to raise her concerns. The result was a box set up so students could write in any questions they had, but "nothing was ever processed with me directly," she said. An end to regret Morrison never spoke to her father about what they'd heard from the bishop in church that day. "I didn't want to hurt him. I didn't want him to know I was hurting about this," she said. "So we never talked about it." Instead, she went through the next three decades enduring any "nasty comments" that came her way about the issue in silence. "I just thought if I do stand up, I'm going to get all this judgment and shame," she said. "That's what I regret all these years, because in my mind, in my heart, I know there's nothing wrong with being gay." '[Most] children today... they feel free to share who they are,' said Eloise Morrison. In this photo, George Morrison is shown passing on his love of gardening to a few of his grandsons. (Submitted by Eloise Morrison) On Tuesday, which also happens to be her father's birthday, she's hoping to put an end to that regret. "I don't know who else was in that church that night. There could have been children wondering about their sexuality and hearing that message," she said. "But from June 1st on, I just hope that everyone will see this flag and know that they are accepted and loved unconditionally." For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians  from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community  check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here. CBC's Being Black in Canada features stories highlighting Black Canadians.(CBC)
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/08/2021



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

: The Other Way stars Tim Clarkson and Melyza Zeta are officially back together and have announced they're engaged!Tim and Melyza revealed on the early January premiere of : The Other Way Strikes Back! on discovery+ they had split and called it quits on their romance, but the pair apparently got back together and then Tim didn't waste any time proposing marriage!Tim from Dallas, TX, and Melyza from Colombia shocked fans with their engagement news on Sunday's episode of 90 Day Bares All on discovery+.90 Day Bares All host Shaun Robinson was first joined by Melyza, who shared that she was seeing someone after her breakup with Tim."I actually am [dating again] -- and I'm really happy," Melyza said.Shaun asked if she could meet this lucky man, and then Melyza appeared ecstatic to welcome Tim into her videochat."It's so good to see you guys back together again! How is the relationship going?!" Shaun asked."It's going good," Tim replied."It's going great," Melyza said simultaneously."It's going great so far," Tim reiterated.Melyza revealed she and Tim had "reconnected" not long after the couple opted to split and go their separate ways."We started reminiscing about things we had done in the past. We were like, 'I really miss you'... We would talk about the plans that we had for the future and everything, and that's basically how it happened," Melyza shared."We just can't stay away from each other. No matter how hard we try to move on and forget about each other, we can't," Tim added.90 Day Bares All then showed footage of the trip Tim had taken to Medellin, Colombia to reunite with Melyza and solidify their relationship status."We were not doing very well after breaking up and now I can't believe we're back together and he's back here," Melyza gushed in the video clip.The day after Tim's arrival in Colombia, Melyza flashed a diamond ring on her hand, and Tim shouted, "It's official!""We just got engaged!" Melyza gushed while the couple appeared to be at a beach."I pulled the trigger and she actually said 'yes,'" Tim said with a laugh.Tim proposed near a pier and Melyza gushed about loving her gorgeous ring. She said the marriage proposal was "awesome" and she and Tim were "so happy" together.Tim apparently tricked Melyza into thinking they were just going to take some pictures at the pier and so Melyza insisted she was totally surprised by Tim popping the question.Tim said Melyza was "shaking, big time" during the proposal.Both Tim and Melyza also posted photos from the sweet marriage proposal over the weekend on their respective Instagram accounts.Melyza told People that she "loved every second" of Tim's marriage proposal "because it was so us."And Tim recalled of the big moment in Cartagena, "I thought we would get dressed up real nice and go out to dinner at least once; I could not have been more wrong. It was nothing but sandals and shorts the whole time.""I decided to take her out on a pier that felt like it was just us in the middle of nowhere with Cartagena in the background," he said. "I pointed at anything I could to get her to turn around and that is when I dropped to a knee. Best moment of my life."And the proposal clearly turned Melyza's life around as well because she had felt "hopeless and crushed" when she and Tim were apart."I believed that my chance at happily ever after with the man I love was gone. Fortunately, I was wrong," Melyza explained."Our engagement feels right. Putting a ring on it doesn't solve it all, but it's definitely a big step in the right direction, surely one that we wanted to take years ago."Tim, who once cheated on Melyza with a co-worker and lost her trust, gushed that being engaged to Melyza makes him feel "complete.""Before our proposal... I thought the 'right' thing to do was try to move on and the distance was killing me," Tim admitted to People."I now realize how foolish I was -- like always -- and the bottom line is, Melyza is the only woman I am meant to spend my life with. She sees more in me than I do in myself sometimes and I can never find that in anyone; let's be real, I am a pain."Tim acknowledged he and Melyza still need time to repair the damage in their relationship but they are both optimistic about the future."We both know how much we love each other, how comfortable we are with each other, and how positive we are that our life together will be amazing," Tim said.Tim and Melyza previously starred on Season 2 of : The Other Way, and the show's Summer 2020 finale featured Tim, after visiting Melyza in Colombia and trying to work through their issues, moving back to the United States in order to work and save money for their future together.Melyza confessed the idea of Tim moving back to America made her "nervous and uncomfortable," but Tim insisted his goal was to put the pair in a more stable financial position long-term."I can't believe that he's leaving. I think this is bullsh-t. This was definitely not what we were planning on doing. This is not what I expected, and I'm just really disappointed... I did feel true and real love with him," Melyza told the cameras on : The Other Way's second season.And Tim feared Melyza would give up on their relationship or hook up with somebody else while he was away."I'm not moving back to run away from you; I'm moving back so that I can run back to you," Tim assured Melyza when saying goodbye to her.Although the couple subsequently broke up, they left flirty comments on each other's social media pages in late 2020 and Melyza joked on the January premiere of the Strikes Back! spinoff that Tim looked "cute" and she might want to have sex with him again.Many viewers therefore anticipated -- or at least hoped -- the couple may give their love another shot eventually.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
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Kwara on Monday rescinded its decision to reopen 10 schools shut on account of a controversy surrounding the wearing of hijab by their students, citing safety reasons.

The reversal of governments decision came just as one of the affected founders of the schools, the Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Church, ended a seven-day prayer session also on Monday.

Government shut the schools on February 19 as the controversy seemed unending.

It set up a committee of all stakeholders to decide the way forward and it was agreed after consultations that hijab-wearing students be allowed in the schools.

The schools are Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) College, Sabo-Oke, St, Anthonys Secondary School, Offa Road, ECWA School, Oja-Iya, Surulere Baptist Secondary School and Baptist Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam.

Others are CAC Secondary School, Asa Dam Road, St. Barnabas Secondary School, Sabo-Oke, John School, Maraba, St. Williams Secondary School, Taiwo-Isale and St. James Secondary School, Maraba.

Before governments latest decision was announced, the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Sabo-Oke, had started a seven-day prayer session asking for Gods intervention in the hijab crisis.

The Chairman, Council of Prophets of the church, Samuel Olukorode, said that the prayers were to seek Gods intervention for government not to be misguided in taking a decision.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that the prayers were imperative so as to have peace when the schools were eventually reopened.

We are here to pray to God because in every circumstance, we need to pray. So, here we are to round off the prayers we have been having for the last seven days.

We will continue to help the government with prayers because they need Gods direction.

We pray that God should give them the wisdom to do the right thing and not to please man, but to please God.

God will intervene because we have called to our side, His representative, Jesus Christ.

We believe we will laugh at the end of the day, he told NAN at the prayer ground.

(NAN)
Oprah seemed genuinely shocked by the revelation: Meghan offering a secondhand account of conversations Harry had had with his family on the subject of their then-unborn first childs skin tone.

During the two-hour prime-time interview with Oprah that aired on Sunday on CBS, Meghan referred to them as concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be.

Harry had been party to several conversations with family on the topic, said Meghan.

About how dark your baby is going to be? asked Oprah.

Potentially, said Meghan, and what that would mean or look like.

She declined to name anyone on the other side of the conversation: I think that would be very damaging to them.
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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 8, 2021) - Ethos Gold Corp. (TSXV: ECC) (OTCQB: ETHOF) (FSE: 1ET) ("Ethos" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an earn-in agreement under which Ethos may earn a 100% interest in the 4,400 hectare (44 km2) Heaven Lake claim block located 20 km north of Impala Canada's Lac des Iles platinum group elements ("PGE") mine, Ontario.

Highlights

District Scale - 100% ownership of entire Heaven Lake Greenstone Belt (4,400 ha).

Excellent Access - Main Provincial highway cuts through claim block and extensive network of forestry roads. Located 100km north of Thunder Bay and 20km north of Lac des Iles Pd-Pt-Ni-Cu Mine.

Overlooked - No recorded staking activity since early 2000's with only sporadic work for Zn-Cu-Ag (1970's-1990's) and Ni-Cu-PGE (2000-2002). No previously recorded gold exploration despite favorable structural setting.

Multiple Deposit Types - Unique setting for VMS base metal, mafic magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE and lode gold within overlapping rock types and structural sites. There are major zones along a NE trend, that are favorable lithostratigraphic breaks zone for syn-volcanic VMS mineralization, favorable lithologic and structural contrasts for intrusion of MUM intrusions with Ni-Cu-(PGE) sulfides, and favorable zones for development of shear zones hosting lode gold deposits. All three of these possibilities are evident from the mapped geology and aeromagnetics.

Proven Regional Endowment - NW Ontario segment of Superior Province hosts world class examples of precious and base metal deposits and the Heaven Lake Belt exhibits the key geologic criteria needed for the formation of large deposits (i.e., stratigraphy, structure and repeated magmatic activity).

Stated Jo Price, P.Geo., M.Sc., VP Exploration of Ethos: "The Heaven Lake property offers another district scale opportunity in the Superior Province to complement our Savant Lake, Campbell Lake, Fairchild Lake, and Fuchsite Lake projects. Heaven Lake is located within 20 km of Impala's operating Platinum-palladium-nickel-copper mine, and yet the property has seen only sporadic exploration in recent years. Ethos will initiate a VTEM program as soon as possible with the aim of developing drill targets later in 2021."

Story continues





Figure 1. Heaven Lake Project Location and Geology Map

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1564/76389_e264f162e4205a35_002full.jpg

Heaven Lake Project Overview

Principal target is massive magmatic sulphide body (Ni-Cu-Co-PGE) hosted in small volume conduit-style intrusive (peridotite to gabbro) occurring in NE trending fault zones. Repeated magmatism from Archean (komatiite to gabbro) to Proterozoic ca. 1.1 Ga Mid-Continent (diabase sills and dykes) suggests multiple target types may be present. Major Ni-sulphide districts commonly exhibit mineralization in multiple ages of intrusions, of which one age and style tends to be more obviously dominant as exploration progresses.

High-MgO gabbroic, pyroxenitic and peridotitic rocks outcrop along a several km long NE trend extending from the Whitton Lake area suggesting a large-scale sill / dyke system intruding sulphide -rich iron formation and felsic volcanic rocks. Both the sulfidic iron formation or barren to base metal mineralized VMS could provide important local crustal sulphur sources for formation of Ni-sulphide deposits.

Diagnostic blebby magmatic sulphide textures of chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and pentlandite have been reported from gabbroic rocks during a small back-hoe excavation program by Phoenix-Matachewan Mines in 2001. Historical assays from disseminated sulphide samples yielded anomalous Ni-Cu-PGE values up to 0.22% Ni, 0.49% Cu, 55 ppb Pt and 342 ppb Pd. These rocks were not assayed for cobalt. Locations of known anomalous samples don't coincide with magnetic or DIGHEM anomalies, so are just indicators, and are not the ultimate targets.

There is no recorded drilling of Ni-Cu-PGE targets despite the presence of historical DIGHEM anomalies along this intrusive trend, which remains only partially mapped through surficial over burden. Initial geological interpretation of historical EM data suggests presence of serpentinized ultramafic rocks and possible magmatic sulphide sources, since the gabbroic rocks are described as deuterically altered and therefore non-magnetic.

The variety of mafic-ultramafic rock types described includes vari-textured gabbros, suggestive of disequilibrium processes favorable for precipitation of magmatic sulphides. Mafic-ultramafic intrusive rocks range from gabbro to melagabbro to pyroxenite to peridotite, typical of favorable zoned feeder dykes or sills. MgO concentrations in some of the gabbros, which in many cases are up to 9% MgO, and in some cases are further differentiated up to 13% to 18% MgO, are favorable indications of a high-Mg mafic magma.

The presence of low-grade, yet significantly anomalous Ni-Cu-PGE values in rocks with less than 5% total sulphide (disseminated) suggests that rocks with massive sulphide concentrations should yield much higher metal values. Evaluating high-priority EM targets along this intrusive corridor will test these ideas.

Planned Work Program

Following data compilation and creation of a digital database, the Company plans to initiate a tightly spaced VTEM airborne program. Target follow up in the summer of 2021 including intensive prospecting of conductors, trenching/stripping to understand geologic setting, and possible till sampling. Key target areas to develop into drill targets for Q4 2021.

Earn-in Agreement

Ethos can earn a 100% interest in the Heaven Lake claim block from the vendors (Robert Carpenter, Robert Brozdowski, Daniel MacNeil, Alan Wainwright, and Jeff Sundar) by making the following cash and share payments:

Cash payment of $23,300 on signing

2,000,000 shares within 5 days of Exchange acceptance

2,000,000 shares within 12 months of signing

2,000,000 shares within 124 months of signing

There are no work commitments or royalties.

Qualified Person

The technical content disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Jo Price, P.Geo., M.Sc., VP Exploration of Ethos, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101").

About Ethos Gold Corp.

Ethos Gold, a Discovery Group company, has accumulated a portfolio of district scale projects in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, and Nevada that we believe have large scale discovery potential. The Company has a strong technical team led by Dr. Rob Carpenter, formerly the CEO of Kaminak Gold Corporation. Rob led the Kaminak team from initial listing in 2005 through acquisition and discovery of the multiple-million ounce Coffee Gold Project. In Ethos he has assembled a senior geologic team with a strong record of discovery success including Dr. Robert Brozdowski, P.Geo., Dan MacNeil, M.Sc., P.Geo, and Dr. Alan Wainwright, P.Geo. Dr. Quinton Hennigh, an economic geologist with 25 years of exploration experience formerly with Homestake Mining Company, Newcrest Mining and Newmont Mining Corp oversees the Company's work at the Iron Point project in Nevada. With working capital of approximately C$4.5 million, the Company is well funded to advance its projects.

Ethos Gold Corp.

Per: "Alex Heath"

Alex Heath, CFA, President

For further information about Ethos Gold Corp. or this news release, please visit our website at ethosgold.com or contact Alex Heath at 604-354-2491 or by email at alexh@ethosgold.com.

Ethos Gold Corp. is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: discoverygroup.ca

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions:

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to the Company's projects and the timing related thereto. 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 statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances, necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, risks and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

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/76389
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8) Female journalists on Monday thanked those who blazed the trail before them, providing more opportunties for women to shine in the usually male-dominated industry.

In an online forum celebrating Womens Day, Washington Post correspondent Regine Cabato said the newsroom is steadily diversifying with more female workers rising through the ranks.

I think my being hired was a result of that kind of movement and growing awareness in the international newsroom, Cabato said.

Before working for the Washington Post, Cabato was a digital producer for CNN Philippines.

When I worked for a local newsroom, it was a female-dominated place," Cabato shared. "Our main anchors were women, our president was a woman so thankfully Ive been around that kind of positive atmosphere.

Photojournalist Eloisa Lopez said she believes she would not be able to do what she loves if it were not for the women who did it before her.

The doors are closed for a lot of us and it's only because of the women who came before me, thats the only way I got here where I am now, Lopez said.

Veteran Filipina journalist Ces Drilon agreed things have changed for the better for women in the industry.

I think thats the real change I see from the time I started way back in the 80s when women were more pitted against each other, I see more support now amongst women, Drilon said.

While there is still room for improvement, she said it is important for women to celebrate how far they have come.
1. Roads. The citys roads are a mess. Significant resources are needed to fix them.

2. Public safety. The crime rate is too high. Police pay and resources come first.

3. More city programs. The city must invest more in city programs and services.

4. Comprehensive plan. The city needs to focus on rebuilding and rebranding.

5. Cut city spending. City officials must get serious about trimming the budget.

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A house fire at 491 Bicentennial Trail in Rock Spring on Monday morning claimed the lives of two people.

Walker Fire Rescue responded to the structure fire at 9:44 a.m. The first unit to arrive reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the home. When they made entry, firefighters found the bodies of 90-year old Clifford William Cason, Sr. and his 89-year old wife Patricia.

Walker County Fire Marshal Scott Forrest said following a preliminary investigation, the blaze broke out in the attic, but the cause of the fire remains undetermined. Basically, depending on how intricate that investigation gets will depend on the outcome and how long before we can make a determination, said the fire marshal. The Georgia State Fire Marshals office is assisting in the investigation.

This marks the first time in more than two-years someone has died in a fire in Walker County. The last fatal fire claimed the lives of twin brothers on Dec. 26, 2018.

Forrest said there were smoke alarms inside the home on Bicentennial Trail. The fire caused enough damage that the house is considered a total loss.

At the same time firefighters from Walker County, Catoosa County and Walker State Prison worked this incident, another fire occurred at 1322 East Sherry St. just outside of Rossville. Fire Marshal Forrest said the cause of that fire is also undetermined, but there were no injuries.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks during a news conference over planned changes to the electoral system, in Hong Kong, China (Photo : REUTERS/Tyrone Siu)

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Monday China's planned changes to the electoral system, denounced by pro-democracy activists, could further delay a vote for the city's legislature, but she was still uncertain on the timing.



China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), is expected to approve on Thursday a resolution that will reduce democratic representation in Hong Kong institutions and vet any candidates for "patriotism".



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The measures will tweak the size and composition of Hong Kong's legislature and the committee selecting the chief executive further in favour of pro-Beijing figures. The electoral committee will also be given powers to select many legislators.



Critics have decried Beijing's moves as the end of democratic dreams in the former British colony, whose mini-constitution states universal suffrage as its goal.



Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with the promise of wide-ranging autonomy and freedoms that pro-democracy activists, who brought parts of the city to frequent halts in sometimes violent protests in 2019, say are being whittled away by Communist Party rulers in Beijing. China denies interference.



Speaking after attending last week's opening of the NPC in Beijing, Lam said the changes "logically" mean that a vote for the Legislative Council needs to take place after an election for the members of the electoral committee, currently scheduled for December.



"I'm not yet in a position to tell you whether we could adhere to September 5, 2021, as a day for the general election of the Legislative Council," Lam told reporters.



The vote was initially scheduled for September 2020, but delayed for at least a year, with the government citing the coronavirus.



Riding high after the 2019 protests, the pro-democracy opposition had slim hopes for an unprecedented majority in the city's mini-parliament.



But Beijing has since moved swiftly to reassert its control, imposing a sweeping national security law in June and authorities have since arrested most high-profile opposition politicians and activists.



With any public office holders now set to be vetted for their "patriotism", political parties disbanding, democratic politicians either in jail or in exile and institutions stacked with pro-Beijing figures, it is unclear what room there will be left for any opposition.



A bipartisan group of senior U.S. lawmakers said it was "deeply concerned" by the electoral changes and urged the Biden administration to use tools provided for in legislation of the past two years to support Hong Kong people and to work with allies to develop other mechanisms - an apparent call for more sanctions.



"These revisions will only continue to advance Beijing's ever tightening grip on Hong Kongers' autonomy, basic freedoms, and fundamental human rights," said a statement from the lawmakers led by Senator Ed Markey, chairman of the Senate's East Asia Subcommittee.



The Trump administration imposed sanctions on Chinese officials over the Hong Kong crackdown and announced an end to the special economic treatment the territory had long enjoyed under U.S. law.



Last week, the U.S. State Department called China's Hong Kong moves a direct attack on its autonomy and said Washington was working to rally countries with the aim of "galvanizing collective action" against Chinese abuses.


Face masks at the Poteet Strawberry Festival are "strongly encouraged."

Organizers for the festival told MySA.com Monday that its staff and volunteers will be required to wear face masks at its event from April 9-11. Guests, however, will be encouraged to wear them.

"We are all aware there are risks associated with public gatherings, but also know this is a final opportunity for many of us to avoid closing our doors for good," the festival said in its statement. "Working as a team, we can enjoy a safe and fun-filled festival that will bring us together and allow us to continue to provide for our community."

READ ALSO: Gov. Greg Abbott recommends masks days after deeming actual mask mandate unnecessary

Last year, the Poteet Strawberry Festival canceled for the first time in 71 years due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic. The cancellation came after the festival first postponed its plans to take place in October, instead of April.

The festival typically draws 100,000 guests to the small town south of San Antonio and promotes its most famous crop while raising money for scholarships.

In 2021, organizers said their plans for additional sanitizing and distancing remain in place. They will also work with its local officials to provide the safest experience for all in attendance.

Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | priscilla.aguirre@express-news.net | @CillaAguirre
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has warned that more vaccines will be blocked from export, saying that the move against Australia last week 'was not a one-off'.

'AstraZeneca delivered less than ten per cent of the amount ordered to the EU in the period from December to March,' Ms von der Leyen said as she attempted to justify the embargo of 250,000 jabs destined for Sydney.

Italy last Thursday made first use of the controversial export control mechanism which was hastily pushed through by the EU in January when it bitterly accused AstraZeneca of diverting jabs meant for the bloc to Britain.

The UK has now vaccinated 34.37 people per 100, while the EU nations have managed just 9.11 per 100.

As a result, Brussels has been flailing around diplomatically: blaming Britain, blocking Australia and begging the United States for doses of a vaccine which just weeks ago it claimed was 'ineffective' in the elderly.

Britain has now vaccinated 34.37 people per 100, while the EU nations have managed just 9.11 per 100

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a speech for the International Women's day celebration during a plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium

European leaders have been trying to deflect blame onto the Anglo-Swedish jabs manufacturer AstraZeneca for failing to meet its contractual obligations.

But Britain and the US have both managed to secure millions of doses for their populations because they invested more and gave swift approval to the vaccines by cutting red tape.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith told the Mail on Sunday that the EU was now 'scrabbling around to grab hold of anything they can get their hands on'.

'This vaccine debacle exposes what the EU is all about,' he said. 'It's an insular, protectionist organisation that actually believes it is the most important place on earth.

'They simply cannot accept that they have screwed up. First of all, they blame the British. Then they accuse Australia. Now they are going cap in hand to America and essentially saying, "You've got spare vaccines, give them to us." It's absolutely pathetic.'

The EU has turned its attention to Washington who it hopes will give them millions of spare doses of AstraZeneca, the Financial Times reported over the weekend.

Joe Biden and Ms von der Leyen spoke on phone call on Friday to discuss their joint efforts in the pandemic.

Following that conversation, Thierry Breton, the EU's internal market commissioner, was tasked with working with Jeffrey Zients, the US Covid tsar, on vaccine supply chains.

Brussels, which hopes for stronger ties with the White House with Biden in charge, is reliant upon the States for some of the raw materials needed to make jabs.

It's an embarrassing U-turn for the EU after it claimed the AstraZeneca vaccine was ineffective in the over-65s.

Emmanuel Macron sparked outrage when he claimed it was only 'quasi-effective' for elderly people.

But French PM Jean Castex admitted last week that it was 'very efficient' and worked just as well as other jabs.

And German health minister Jens Spahn also conceded that the jab worked 'very well' in over-65s.

AstraZeneca says it remains on track to deliver 40 million doses to the EU by the end of the first quarter - a figure revised down from an original forecast of 90 million.

It has also informed the EU that it is likely to miss its target for the second quarter by 50 per cent.

Referring to vaccines generally, Ms von der Leyen told the Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper that she expected the EU to receive 100 million doses every month from April.

This, she said, had been made possible by higher delivery volumes and the regulatory approval of more vaccines.

The EU would receive 'in the second quarter an average of around 100 million doses a month, in total 300 million by end June', she said.

By February 26, the bloc with a population of 446 million people had received 51.5 million doses, according to official EU data.

The bloc has already approved three vaccines - BioNTech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca/Oxford and Moderna - and the European Medicines Agency is due to decide on Thursday on the Johnson & Johnson single-shot jab.

The regulator last week began a rolling review of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine.
2 Dead, 2 in ICU After 83,400 Receive Sinovac Vaccines in Hong Kong

Two Hong Kong residents are in serious condition after receiving Chinas Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines, the Hong Kong government announced on Sunday, after a 55-year-old woman with chronic illness died four days after receiving her vaccinethe second related death in the city.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus.

On Sunday, 8,100 people were vaccinated with Sinovacs CoronaVac vaccine, which was 82.3 percent of the daily vaccination appointments, according to the citys Health Department.

But two residents were left in serious condition after vaccination on Saturday and had to be transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). According to local media reports, two others were sent to hospitals after suffering a milder adverse reaction to the vaccine.

On Saturday, three people were also admitted to hospital after receiving the vaccine. All patients suffered mild reactions and were discharged being treated. The symptoms included skin rash, heart discomfort, dizziness, high blood pressure, and trembling.

A total of 83,400 people had received CoronaVac vaccinations in the city by Saturday.

The health department has said that the mild conditions were caused by the vaccine, while the cause of the deaths and serious reactions were still unclear.

Hong Kongs Secretary for Health and Food Sophia Chan told a local radio program that Hongkongers can consult their family doctors before booking a COVID-19 vaccination if they have any concerns.

2 Deaths

The Hong Kong Health Department confirmed on Saturday that the second death, the 55-year-old woman, was due to an acute stroke on Friday.

According to the department, the woman had a history of high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and proteinuria, but still could work.

On March 2, the woman received the first dose of CoronaVac at a local community vaccination center. At 7:00 p.m. on Friday, she was working her usual job when she lost control over the left side of her body. She was rushed to hospital by ambulance and diagnosed with a stroke. She passed away at 4:51 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Its unclear whether the vaccine contributed to the womans death. The authorities said they would perform an autopsy and investigate the cause of death.

The first death in Hong Kong was a 63-year-old man with a history of diabetes. He received a Sinovac vaccine on Feb. 26 and died on Feb. 28. The Hong Kong administration has said his death was not caused by the vaccination.

A health worker shows a dose of CoronaVac vaccine during a COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Ankara, Turkey on Jan. 27, 2021. (ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

2 in Serious Condition

The first ICU case is an 80-year-old man who has a history of diabetes, carotid atherosclerosis, hypertension, and stroke. He received the vaccine on Monday and called for an ambulance on Saturday due to chest pain. He was in a very serious condition on Sunday after not responding well to treatment, according to the department.

The second ICU case is a 72-year-old woman, who also has a history of diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. She received the vaccine on Saturday but skipped two doses of insulin that she took every day when she felt unwell after the vaccination. When her condition declined Sunday morning, her family sent her to the hospital where they found she had severe diabetic ketoacidosis.

A medical worker shows a vial of vaccine against the COVID-19 at a healthcare centre in Yantai, in eastern Chinas Shandong Province on Jan. 5, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Sinovac

Chinese authorities have approved three types of COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use, which include CoronaVac and two inactivated virus vaccines from Sinopharm, but only for people aged 18 to 59, saying that other age groups need to wait for the vaccines further clinical trials.

However, the Hong Kong government approved CoronaVac and suggested that seniors be vaccinated.

The efficacy of Sinovacs CoronaVac was found to be 50.4 percent in its last-stage clinical vaccine trials in Braziljust barely passing the WHOs 50 percent threshold for regulatory approval. The rate is also lower than the U.S.-developed vaccines, with Pfizer-BioNTechs at 95 percent, and Modernas at 94.1 percent. Elderly deaths have been reported in those who have received Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. But so far, the U.S. CDC says that investigations have shown no link between deaths and vaccines.

On Feb. 14, a 33-year-old Indonesian nurse died of COVID-19. She had received one shot of the CoronaVac vaccine on Jan. 28. At that time, she was healthy, according to her manager.

Vaccinations in Hong Kong

Hong Kong administrations have only approved three types of vaccines for emergency use: Chinese company Sinovacs CoronaVac, Chinese partner of Pfizer Fosun Pharma and Germany company BioNTechs Comirnaty, and a single-dose Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

Vials of the CoronaVac vaccine, developed by Chinas Sinovac Biotech, are displayed in Bangkok, Thailand on Feb. 24, 2021. (LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)

The government started to vaccinate its people on Feb. 22. Nobody has had the chance to receive their second dose since they need to wait about 28 days.

Due to the shipment schedule, the majority of vaccines that Hongkongers have received are supplied by Sinovac.

The Hong Kong Health Department announced on Sunday night: About 93,000 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19, with 91,800 receiving their first dose of the Sinovac vaccine and about 1,200 their first dose of the Comirnaty vaccine.
Only a short time after the assumption of power by the Democratic Party, it is already displaying its patronizing hypocrisy. The Biden Administration and Democratic Party leaders in Congress and other progressives are attacking Poland for its supposed violations of freedom of the press. What prompted this scolding?

The Polish government proposed to impose a tax on advertisements at the largest media companies. It has already been adopted by Austria, Italy, and France and is under consideration by others. It is a part of a general trend in the European Union and the OECD to make multinational media corporations pay taxes, which many are successfully avoiding. In Poland, the tax would only apply to large media companies, both public and private, some with foreign investors, which pay virtually no income tax despite being some of the most profitable businesses in the country. Piotr Duda, president of the Solidarity trade union, endorsed the new tax and the European Trade Union Congress passed a supportive resolution in 2015. Thus, the media tax is an economic measure that is common in other democratic countries and has nothing to do with violation of freedom of the press.

Yet the outcry from some media companies in Poland in response to this proposed tax asserts that this is the end of independent journalism, the putinization of political life, and comparisons are made with Russia, Byelorussia, and North Korea and assorted other nonsense. This is echoed by the United States Government. The State Department, Gregory Meeks, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Democratic Senator Menendez all denounced Poland for its democratic deficiencies in apocalyptic terms.

But surely they understand that this corporate tax, whose merit can be debated, has nothing to do with freedom of the press but rather efforts to rein in big corporations that pay virtually no taxes in any jurisdiction, so there is an element of disingenuousness in their outcry.

Democratic Senator Menendez is warning that the pandemic cannot be invoked as a reason for such an undemocratic measure as tax. But didnt Democratic Party politicians use this excuse to significantly change US electoral laws? Further, the Wall Street Journal editorial of 17 February states that the Biden Administration hid a $22 billion tax hike in the Covid relief bill. And the Maryland legislature just overrode its governors veto to approve a bill to impose a tax on sale of online advertisements, virtually the same as in Poland. So why the Washington Post attacked Poland for violating press freedom but not Maryland?

Second, is the United States even in a position to criticize other countries for violations of the freedom of the press? Its own recent record is less than exemplary. Democratic Party allies are boasting in a recent Time Magazine expose that they stage managed the media coverage during the last presidential campaign by suppressing information about Hunter Bidens corruption or mail in ballot irregularities, while major social media companies removed President Trump and many of his conservative supporters from their digital platforms. For virtually four years, different US media were flogging the story of Trumps treason and collusion with Russia, even though the Mueller Special Counsel investigation did not find any evidence of that.

Third, the position of the press in the US is no longer as the watchdog of government actions as prescribed by the Western tradition but as a close ally of the leftist establishment, now largely represented by the Democratic Party. This is a phenomenon born of modern ideologies where standards of truth and balance are subordinated to service the interest of only one group. Differences of opinion are no longer tolerated but become views of enemies. Press attacks are a weapon to be used against ideological opponents. They are an instrument of power where only progressives are virtuous, all others are a threat to democracy, freedom of the press and all other political virtues.

What is novel is that this brand of ideological politics, an alliance of the press with the Democratic Party in power, is now being extended to the international arena. The Biden Administration, Democratic Party politicians and the liberal press are intentionally misrepresenting new legislation in Poland as a threat to freedom of the press. But such intentional misuse of slogans of democracy by the Democratic Party in power in alliance with a progressive press risks the discreditation of democracy worldwide. They are not only raising false alarm on this issue but using it in a regressive cause in defense of large corporations abusing their market position to avoid paying taxes virtually at all.

Democrats may be defeated in the next election cycle but damage to the US credibility and prestige abroad will be permanent. The American tradition of promotion of true democracy and freedom is an important part of its historical legacy and its loss will affect not only the United States but the whole world.

Map by TUBS CC BY-SA 3.0 license

Dr. Lucja Swiatkowski Cannon is a strategist, expert and author on Eastern Europe, Russia and US-East European relations.
TNS via ZUMA Wire Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale, FL on Thursday

Some warm-weather cities are worried that spring breakers could lead to new COVID-19 outbreaks, nearly a year after the onset of the pandemic cut 2020's spring break season short.

On Friday, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber appeared on CNN's New Day and said the city is "very concerned" about vacationers, especially as Miami-Dade county averages more than 1,000 new COVID cases a day and different variants of virus continue to crop up.

"A lot of things are happening simultaneously," Gelber said. "You have the variant down here, and we still are having sometimes dozens of deaths a day in our county."

"And at the same time, we've got incredibly cheap round-trip tickets for 40 bucks from anywhere in the Northeast down here, discounted rooms and people who have been really pent up and wanting to get out with no other place to go than here," he continued. "So we are very worried that there's going to be a convergence of people here and a real problem in the aftermath of that."

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RELATED: CDC Director Says U.S. Could 'Completely Lose' Progress with COVID-19 as More Variants Continue to Spread

Despite some colleges canceling spring break, Miami Beach Police told CBS News that students from more than 200 schools are expected to head to the city this season, with the largest crowds taking place right now.

Gelber said on CNN that he is most concerned that gatherings at bars "might become the kinds of super-spreaders that I think we saw a year ago" and noted that police officers are handing out face masks in the absence of a mask mandate from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

"I would love to have the governor's voice urging people to be responsible, but we really don't have that right now," Gelber said. "Since we opened everything up and didn't allow us to impose a mask mandate, there has been a massive amount of suffering."

Story continues

Michele Eve Sandberg/Shutterstock Spring Breakers in Miami on Saturday

RELATED: Biden Says Texas and Mississippi Lifting COVID Restrictions Is 'Neanderthal Thinking'

Michele Eve Sandberg/Shutterstock Spring Breakers in Miami on Saturday

Meanwhile, photos from nearby Fort Lauderdale, first published by the Sun-Sentinel, show people packed into outdoor bars, without a mask in sight.

"I was here two years ago and came back to see what it's like now with COVID," a visitor from Michigan, 21-year-old Jack Gumeinny, told the outlet. "Florida hasn't skipped a beat."

Steve Geller, the mayor of Fort Lauderdale's Broward County, said he "will take action" to curb the partying if the city doesn't.

"We're in the middle of a pandemic," Geller told the Sun Sentinel. "I'm not opposed to college kids having fun  just not in the middle of a pandemic."

As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from the CDC, WHO and local public health departments. PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMe to raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, click here.
A dedicated group of Michigan Tech students is spending the University's Spring Break virtually showing students the benefits of science and technology education.

For the 10th straight year, members of Michigan Technological Universitys National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), student chapter, will spend spring break spreading the message of STEM education to underrepresented middle and high school students in Detroit. While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the dynamics of this years activities, it has brought about a creative way of reaching students.

They call it the Alternative Spring Break, and over the past decade, dozens of Michigan Techs NSBE students have personally visited with hundreds of Detroit-area students. The mission  to encourage students to consider going to college and increase the diversity of those entering the science, technology, engineering and math pipeline.

Doing it differently

Like many activities and events, this years Alternative Spring Break will be conducted virtually. During the week, the 11 MTU students who comprise this years NSBE Pre-College Initiative (PCI), will give presentations to every middle and high school science class at Chandler Park Academy in Detroit, a total of 74 classes and 1,850 students.

Andi Smith is vice president of NSBE and chair of this years PCI. The senior chemical engineering major is participating in PCI for the fourth year. Smith said despite the change in format, the message remains the same. The best thing for me is being able to educate the students on things I wish I wouldve known when I was their age, Smith said, adding that some of the schools they visit may not have all of the resources that schools in higher income areas have. I also think its extremely valuable that they hear this information from someone who looks like them and is close in age. I understand what it was like to be in their position and having some random person come in and school them on different subjects and how that can be extremely boring, so I try to make sure I combat the things I disliked about guest presenters and make it more engaging.

This year I came up with the idea to create a scholarship for one of the students we speak to who decided to come to Michigan Tech. The scholarship will be used for travel, tuition, books or anything else they need in order to come to MTU, explained Smith. She said the efforts of Michigan Tech alumna Erin Richie and other alumni made the scholarship a reality.

A need for innovators

While popular in-person activities, such as family engineering events for K-8 students and their families, will not happen this year, the virtual sessions will reach more students with the important message of STEM. It is extremely important to encourage young people to enter into STEM fields because we need more and diverse innovators to create solutions to everyday problems and global challenges that we face, said Smith.

Joan Chadde, director of Michigan Techs Center for Science and Environmental Outreach, has mentored the group for its alternative Spring Break trip for the past 10 years. Chadde is excited the PCI outreach in Detroit schools will continue despite the pandemic. These presentations are designed to engage and inspire diverse students to learn about and consider careers in engineering and science by interacting with hometown role models, said Chadde, who noted that most of the participating NSBE students are from the Detroit area.

The NSBE student chapters outreach effort is funded by General Motors and Techs Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Smith said COVID-19 did make continuing the Alternative Spring Break program more difficult but solving problems is what being an engineer is all about. Engineering is such a diverse field that it can be intimidating to get started, but anyone can do it and be a part of it. Sometimes students just need to be made aware of the opportunity.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university, home to more than 7,000 students from 54 countries. Founded in 1885, the University offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, and social sciences. Our campus in Michigans Upper Peninsula overlooks the Keweenaw Waterway and is just a few miles from Lake Superior.
WASHINGTON - As the Rev. William J. Barber II pressed his case for a $15 minimum wage recently, the civil rights leader proclaimed that one elected official faced a defining moment straight out of scripture: Vice President Kamala Harris.

Just as the biblical Queen Esther saved her people, Barber argued, Harris was uniquely positioned to rescue struggling Americans by disregarding an arcane Senate ruling that disqualified the wage increase from a sweeping pandemic relief bill. The vice president, he and other activists contended, had extraordinary power as the constitutional president of the Senate to overrule the parliamentarian's ruling on the matter.

"She will be remembered in history one way or the other," Barber, who delivered the homily at the inaugural prayer service for Harris and President Biden in January, warned in an interview. Later he voiced frustration that his call went unheeded, saying, "You know one thing, you're not going to win if you don't fight."

What he proposed was regarded by Democratic leaders and White House officials, including on Harris's team, as an extreme and futile gesture, and most Democrats said it was untenable for the vice president to flout her boss's wishes. As the bill nears the finish line, it is unlikely a wage hike will be in the final version.

But the long-shot push from liberal lawmakers, activists and clergy exposed the conundrum confronting Harris, who is caught between a restive party base crucial to her political future and the more cautious administration in which she serves.

The outside pressure was not lost on senior Harris advisers, and Vincent Evans, a top Harris aide, contacted Barber to say Harris wanted to "have a direct line of communication" with him, Barber said, a prospect he welcomed. "The ball is in their court now," Barber said Friday.

Harris broke dramatic ground when she became the first woman to win a nationally elected office and the first African American and Asian American to serve as vice president. She is widely seen as a future presidential candidate and a potential heir to Biden, particularly if the 78-year-old decides not to seek reelection in 2024.

But in the short term, many young activists and Black leaders want Harris to be their champion inside a White House headed by an elderly White man and his longtime advisers. That puts her in a painfully sensitive position as she seeks to build a bridge to a new, more diverse generation of Democrats.

Liberals warn that Biden and Harris will pay a price if they do not push harder on issues like the minimum wage, a goal they vow to keep pursuing. "We got these folks elected on this, and if they fail to deliver, then it's shameful," said Brittany Ramos DeBarros, a Democratic congressional candidate in Staten Island and Brooklyn. "It's a betrayal of the will of the people and the needs of the people."

Nearly two dozen liberal House members wrote the White House urging Harris to challenge the parliamentarian's authority, citing instances when past vice presidents did so. Activists such as Barber made a similar argument in an open letter published in the Nation, a left-leaning publication.

Some said such a move would not only be good policy but good politics for Harris in particular.

"You think hundreds of millions of Americans won't remember who put money in their pocket if she chooses to run for office in the future?" said radio host Lenard Larry McKelvey, who supported Harris when she ran for president. "It's a no-brainer to me."

McKelvey, who goes by Charlamagne tha God on his show "The Breakfast Club," which is influential in the African American community, supported Harris when she ran for president in 2019.

White House officials argue it wouldn't have mattered what Harris did because a solid majority of senators oppose the minimum-wage hike, as evidenced by a Friday vote. There was no point in tying up passage of the pandemic relief bill for a pointless gesture, they add.

Symone Sanders, senior adviser and chief spokesperson for Harris, stressed that it was not just Harris's call.

"This is not a unilateral decision or a simple decision on the part of the vice president," Sanders said. "This is about the commitment that the administration, the president and vice president have made to get a $15 minimum wage done. And they have reasserted their commitment over the last couple of weeks."

Late last month, Harris's team held a meeting with liberal groups in which the minimum wage was discussed, according to an official with knowledge of the conversation who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive conversations.

Several people close to Harris said challenging the parliamentarian would have squandered political capital - and more important, time - as the country entered its second year of pandemic-induced isolation and was desperate for help.

While pressure comes from outside to act aggressively, inside the White House Harris is obligated to stick with Biden's more methodical approach to combating a pandemic, an economic crisis and a national reckoning on race.

Biden has responded tepidly to a push from his party's left flank to dismantle long-standing institutions and norms, such as the Senate filibuster. Many see Harris, 56, as potentially more receptive, since she is a younger, more liberal woman with ties to the activist community.

Harris's political prospects could depend on how she manages this tug-of-war. And it's likely to come into play repeatedly: Beyond the covid-19 legislation, liberals are gearing up to pressure the administration on immigration, climate change and others issues that animate the Democratic base but which Biden has navigated carefully.

Liberal and Black activists say it was their organizing that put Biden in office and won the Democrats the Senate majority, and they expect results.

"The question is going to be: As we look to enact these policies, how hard will he fight for them?" said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. "This is in many ways a harbinger for other policies that Democrats have committed to enacting if we got the Senate, the House and the White House. And voters are not going to understand procedural arguments."

The latest dispute arose when Democrats decided to push the $1.9 trillion covid relief package through the Senate using "reconciliation," a tactic that allows budget-related bills to avoid a filibuster and pass with a simple majority rather than 60 votes.

The Senate parliamentarian said that meant the minimum-wage hike had to be removed from the bill, since it was not a budget measure. Democrats became highly agitated, fearing many of their other priorities would also fail to qualify for reconciliation, making their passage far less likely.

Activists rallied behind the idea that Harris, in her constitutional role as president of the Senate, could override the parliamentarian.

The White House quickly rejected such a move, signaling that Biden was committed to abiding by Senate rules.

Activists countered that there was value in pressing the fight, since it would show voters the administration was doing all it could to get people help they need and increase pressure on opponents.

Despite dramatically different circumstances, Harris's situation follows pressure from conservative activists on Vice President Mike Mike Pence to use the perceived powers of the vice presidency to overturn the election results, which he was unwilling or unable to do.

Bakari Sellers, a former South Carolina state legislator who endorsed Harris's presidential bid, said that in the early months of Biden's presidency, interest groups and left-leaning lawmakers are probing to see where they can effectively exert pressure to influence the administration. "People are trying to figure out how they can win," he said.

Still, some liberals are trying to give Harris space for now. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., was among those urging Harris to overrule the parliamentarian, but she praised Harris's broader commitment to liberal priorities, saying, "She's done a great job and she's really pushed the envelope on progressive issues."

Beyond her frequent role at Biden's side, Harris has been handed an unusually high profile by political happenstance. Following January's special elections in Georgia, the Senate is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, and the Constitution gives her the tiebreaking vote.

So far, she has made a point of staying in unwavering lockstep with Biden's priorities and messaging. Harris has also served a role rich in symbolism and imagery, swearing in women and minority members of an unusually diverse Cabinet.

What's less clear is how Harris's role will crystallize beyond that in the months to come, as she seeks to notch accomplishments and build support for a potential presidential run. South Carolina state Rep. JA Moore, who also endorsed Harris in the presidential primary, said tackling many issues quickly may be a less effective approach than adopting a more protracted strategy.

"The runway that the vice president has right now is long, as far as the opportunities to address these issues that are important to people that have been in need for a long time," Moore said. "I think she's calculating what makes the most sense and what will be the most effective."

Others, such as Barber, are less patient. The open letter in the Nation that he co-wrote told Harris: "Your actions will determine whether you are remembered alongside Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Sojourner Truth, Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer, and other rebellious, heroic women who have fought for justice and were not stopped by those who cautioned patience, moderation, and gradualism."
Not for Distribution in the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan

Regulatory News:

CARMAT (FR0010907956, ALCAR), the designer and developer of the world's most advanced total artificial heart 1, aiming to fulfill an unmet medical need by providing a therapeutic alternative to people suffering from end-stage biventricular heart failure (the Company"), today announces the results of its capital increase launched on February 26, 2021 which implemented without shareholders' preferential subscription rights by way of a public offering and with a priority subscription period, on an irreducible basis a titre irreductible) only, to its existing shareholders and a global offering (the Offering"), for an amount (including the issue premium) of 55.7 million, after exercise of the increase option (clause d'extension

The net proceeds of the Offering, combined with the Company's current cash position, the 10 million balance of the loan granted by the European Investment Bank (for which drawing conditions are already met), and the 13 million financing from the French Health Authority that the Company announced on October 12, 2020 (but excluding the 16 million Kepler Cheuvreux equity line available until September 27, 2021), should allow CARMAT to fund its activities according to its current business plan until mid-2022.

ODDO BHF SCA and H.C. Wainwright Co., LLC acted as global coordinators, lead managers and joint bookrunners in connection with the Offering (together, the "Placing Agents"). Ladenburg Thalmann Co. Inc. acted as financial advisor to Company in connection with the Offering.

Stephane Piat, Chief Executive Officer of CARMAT, comments: "I would like to thank all of the French, as well as international historical and new investors, who have contributed to the success of this capital increase. Thanks to the 55.7 million raised, CARMAT can now confidently focus on the commercial launch of Aeson1 in Europe, production ramp-up, and the expansion of our clinical plan, particularly in the United States. We now have the resources to make our unique device available to a larger number of patients suffering from end-stage heart failure, which has always been CARMAT's objective."

Use of proceeds

The Company is planning to use the funds raised through this Offering to:

accelerate the ramp-up of its production and start the commercialization of its artificial heart in Europe in Q2 2021 under the brand name Aeson, given the granting of the CE marking on December 22, 2020 for approximately 45% of the net proceeds;

execute its clinical plan for approximately 15% of the net proceeds, notably including: conducting in 2021 the early feasibility study (EFS) involving 10 patients in the United States, with first implants planned as soon as the end of the Q1 2021. This study was approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. health authority) in February 2021 and, if successful, would be followed by a pivotal study in the United States; the initiation of the EFICAS study within the 'Forfait Innovation' framework in France, with first implants expected in Q2 2021. This study is already fully approved and will involve 52 implants;

ensure the continuity of its activities (R&D, regulatory, quality, support functions, etc.), notwithstanding the potential delay the Company's schedule due to Covid-19, for approximately 40% of the net proceeds.

Terms of the Offering

The new shares not subscribed within the priority period as well as the new shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the increase option were subject to a global offering (the "Global Offering") comprised of (a) an open price public offering in France (the "Public Offering") primarily intended for retail investors and (b) an international private placement (the "International Private Placement") (i) in the European Union (including France) and in certain other countries (excluding United States, Canada, Australia and Japan); and (ii) in the United States.

The subscription price of the new shares was set by the Company's board of directors on March 8, 2021 at 24 per share, representing a discount of 13.4% on the 27.70 closing price of March 5, 2021 and of 18.0% on the 29.28 5-trading day volume weighted average price (the "VWAP") preceding March 8, 2021 (included).

The capital increase, of an aggregate amount of 55.7 million, issue premium included, will result in the issuance of 2,320,298 new shares, i.e. 17.8% of the Company's share capital.

In the context of the priority subscription period granted to them, the demand from the Company's existing shareholders amounted to 19.1 million, representing 34.3% of the total capital increase, of which 11.0 million excluding the subscription commitments described below. International leading investors expressed their intention to subscribe for 28.2 million in the framework of the Global Offering, representing 50.7% of the total capital increase, of which 26.3 million, excluding the subscription commitments described below. Finally, retail investors (existing shareholders wishing to subscribe beyond their equity stake within the priority period as well as new shareholders) have expressed their interest in the Offering, their demand amounting to 8.4 million.

Subscriptions within the framework of the capital increase, including those from the Company's existing main shareholders (Lohas SARL (Pierre Bastid), Corely Belgium SPRL (Gaspard Family), Bratya SPRL (Gaspard Family) and Sante Holdings SRL (Dr Antonino Ligresti)), which committed to participate in the Offering for a combined amount of 10 million, were allocated as follows:

Nb. of existing shares (non-diluted basis) of share capital before the Offering Subscription commitments (in euros) Subscriptions received (in euros) o/w on irreducible basis o/w other Subscriptions (number of new shares subscribed) Stake in the capital increase (in euros) share capital after the Offering Matra Defense SAS (Airbus Group) 1,670,640 12.8% 10.9% Lohas SARL (Pierre Bastid) 1,331,479 10.2% 2,000,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 83,333 1,999,992 9.2% Corely Belgium SPRL (Gaspard Family) 790,000 6.1% 1,500,000 1,500,000 1,500,000 62,500 1,500,000 5.6% Bratya SPRL (Gaspard Family) 267,000 2.1% 1,500,000 1,800,000 1,030,000 770,000 75,000 1,800,000 2.2% Sante Holding SRL (Dr Antonino Ligresti) 925,091 7.1% 5,000,000 5,000,000 3,550,000 1,450,000 208,333 4,999,992 7.4% Prof. Alain Carpentier 548,583 4.2% 3.6% Association Recherche Scientifique de la Fondation Alain Carpentier 115,000 0.9% 0.7% BAD 21 SPRL 315,790 2.4% 2.1% Cornovum 458,715 3.5% 3.0% Therabel group 308,640 2.4% 83,333 1,999,992 2.6% Funds managed by Truffle Capital 154,055 1.2% 1.0% Air Liquide 76,982 0.6% 0.5% Treasury shares 4,511 0.0% 0.0% Free float 6,055,998 46.5% 1,807,799 43,387,176 51.3% Total 13,022,484 100.0% 10,000,000 10,300,000 8,080,000 2,220,000 2,320,298 55,687,152 100.0%

To the Company's knowledge, the distribution of the Company's shareholding (on a non-diluted basis) on the date of the AMF's approval on the Prospectus was as follows:

Existing Shares

(non-diluted basis) Theoretical Voting Rights

(non-diluted basis) Number of capital Number of

Voting rights of voting rights Matra Defense SAS (Airbus Group) 1,670,640 12.8% 2,652,040 17.8% Lohas SARL (Pierre Bastid) 1,331,479 10.2% 1,331,479 8.9% Corely Belgium SPRL (Gaspard Family) 790,000 6.1% 790,000 5.3% Bratya SPRL (Gaspard Family) 267,000 2.1% 267,000 1.8% Sante Holding SRL (Dr Antonino Ligresti) 925,091 7.1% 925,091 6.2% Prof. Alain Carpentier 548,583 4.2% 1,097,166 7.4% Association Recherche Scientifique de la Fondation Alain Carpentier 115,000 0.9% 230,000 1.5% BAD 21 SPRL 315,790 2.4% 315,790 2.1% Cornovum 458,715 3.5% 458,715 3.1% Therabel group 308,640 2.4% 308,640 2.1% Funds managed by Truffle Capital 154,055 1.2% 154,055 1.0% Air Liquide 76,982 0.6% 76,982 0.5% Treasury shares 4,511 0.0% 0 0.0% Free float 6,055,998 46.5% 6,291,220 42.2% Total 13,022,484 100.0% 14,898,178 100.0%

To the Company's knowledge, the distribution of the Company's shareholding (on a non-diluted basis) following the completion of the capital increase will be as follows:

Shares (non-diluted basis) Theoretical Voting Rights (non-diluted basis) Total number of shares of capital Total number of voting rights of voting rights Matra Defense SAS (Airbus Group) 1,670,640 10.9% 2,652,040 15.4% Lohas SARL (Pierre Bastid) 1,414,812 9.2% 1,414,812 8.2% Corely Belgium SPRL (Gaspard Family) 852,500 5.6% 852,500 5.0% Bratya SPRL (Gaspard Family) 342,000 2.2% 342,000 2.0% Sante Holding SRL (Dr Antonino Ligresti) 1,133,424 7.4% 1,133,424 6.6% Prof. Alain Carpentier 548,583 3.6% 1,097,166 6.4% Association Recherche Scientifique de la Fondation Alain Carpentier 115,000 0.7% 230,000 1.3% BAD 21 SPRL 315,790 2.1% 315,790 1.8% Cornovum 458,715 3.0% 458,715 2.7% Therabel group 391,973 2.6% 391,973 2.3% Funds managed by Truffle Capital 154,055 1.0% 154,055 0.9% Air Liquide 76,982 0.5% 76,982 0.4% Treasury shares 4,511 0.0% 0 0.0% Free float 7,863,797 51.3% 8,099,019 47.0% Total 15,342,782 100.0% 17,218,476 100.0%

The exercise of all securities giving access to the Company's share capital at the date of the AMF's approval on the Prospectus would result in the issuance of 1,022,285 new ordinary shares, representing 6.7% of the share capital of the Company following the completion of the capital increase.

To the Company's knowledge, no other shareholder owns, directly or indirectly, alone or in concert, more than 5% of the capital and voting rights.

Admission of new shares

The settlement and delivery of the new shares and their admission to the Euronext Growth multilateral trading facility of Euronext in Paris are expected for March 10, 2021. The new shares will be listed on the same line as the Company's existing ordinary shares, will carry dividend rights and will be immediately fungible with the Company's existing shares.

Abstention and lock-up commitments

The Company has agreed on a lock-up period expiring 180 calendar days following the date of settlement of the new shares, subject to certain customary exceptions set out in the note d'operation and to a possible waiver by the Placing Agents.

Certain directors and/or certain shareholders with a significant stake in the Company, holding 44.6% of the Company's share capital collectively, have also signed lock-up commitments taking effect on the date these commitments were signed and continuing for 180 days from the date of settlement of the new shares, subject to certain customary exceptions and, with regard to the investment funds managed by Truffle Capital, any sale of Carmat shares that are necessary in order for such funds to meet their regulatory liquidation obligations.

Availability of the Prospectus

The prospectus, which received the AMF approval n21-047 on February 25, 2021 (the "Prospectus"), consists of (i) the 2020 Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on February 24, 2021 under number D.21-0076 (the "URD"), (ii) a note d'operation (the "Note d'Operation") and (iii) a summary included in the Note d'Operation

The Prospectus is available on the Company's website (www.carmatsa.com) and the AMF's website (www.amf-france.org).

Investors are advised to carefully consider the risk factors described in section 2 of the URD, as well as in section 2 of the Note d'Operation before deciding whether to invest in the new shares. Should all or any part of these risk factors materialize, CARMAT's businesses, financials, results, development or prospects may be negatively affected.

About CARMAT: the world's most advanced total artificial heart project

A credible response to end-stage heart failure: CARMAT aims to eventually provide a response to a major public health issue associated with heart disease, the world's leading cause of death: chronic and acute heart failure. By pursuing the development of its total artificial heart, Aeson, composed of the implantable bioprosthesis and its portable external power supply system to which it is continuously connected, CARMAT intends to overcome the well-known shortfall in heart transplants for the tens of thousands of people suffering from irreversible end-stage heart failure, the most seriously affected of the 20 million patients with this progressive disease in Europe and the United States.

The result of combining two types of unique expertise: the medical expertise of Professor Carpentier, known throughout the world for inventing Carpentier-Edwards heart valves, which are the most used in the world, and the technological expertise of Airbus Group, world aerospace leader.

The first physiologic heart replacement therapy: given the use of highly biocompatible materials, its unique self-regulation system and its pulsatile nature, the CARMAT total artificial heart could, assuming a successful clinical development, potentially save the lives of thousands of patients each year with no risk of rejection and with an enhanced quality of life.

A project leader acknowledged at a European level: with the backing of the European Commission, CARMAT has been granted the largest subsidy ever given to an SME by Bpifrance; a total of 33 million.

Strongly committed, prestigious founders and shareholders: Matra Defense SAS (subsidiary of the Airbus Group), Professor Alain Carpentier, the Centre Chirurgical Marie Lannelongue, Truffle Capital, a leading European venture capital firm, ALIAD (Air Liquide's venture capital investor), CorNovum (an investment holding company held 50-50 by Bpifrance and the French State), the family offices of Pierre Bastid (Lohas), of Dr. Antonino Ligresti (Sante Holdings S.R.L.), of the Gaspard family (Corely Belgium SPRL and Bratya SPRL) and of M. Pierre-Edouard Sterin (BAD 21 SPRL), Groupe Therabel as well as the thousands of institutional and individual shareholders who have placed their trust in CARMAT.

For more information: www.carmatsa.com

Name: CARMAT

ISIN code: FR0010907956

Ticker: ALCAR

DISCLAIMER

With respect to Member States of the European Economic Area other than France, no action has been taken or will be taken to permit a public offering of the securities referred to in this press release requiring the publication of a prospectus in any such Member State. Therefore, such securities will only be offered in any such Member State (i) to qualified investors as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and European Council of 14 June 2017, as amended (the "Prospectus Regulation") or (ii) in accordance with the other exemptions of Article 1(4) of Prospectus Regulation.

This press release and the information it contains are being distributed to and are only intended for persons who are (x) outside the United Kingdom or (y) in the United Kingdom who are qualified investors (as defined in the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018) and are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), (ii) high net worth entities and other such persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order ("high net worth companies", "unincorporated associations", etc.) or (iii) other persons to whom an invitation or inducement to participate in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Market Act 2000) may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons in (y)(i), (y)(ii) and (y)(iii) together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). Any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire securities to which this press release relates will only be engaged with Relevant Persons. Any person who is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this press release or any of its contents.

This press release may not be distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. This press release and the information contained therein does not, and will not, constitute an offer of securities for sale, nor the solicitation of an offer to purchase, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction where restrictions may apply. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The securities of Carmat have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, and Carmat does not intend to conduct a public offering in the United States.

MIFID II Product Governance/Target Market: solely for the purposes of the requirements of Article 9.8 of the Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 relating to the product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the shares of Carmat has led to the conclusion in relation to the type of clients criteria only that: (i) the type of clients to whom the shares are targeted is eligible counterparties and professional clients and retail clients, each as defined in Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended ("MiFID II"); and (ii) all channels for distribution of the shares of Carmat to eligible counterparties and professional clients and retail clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the shares of Carmat (a "distributor") should take into consideration the type of clients assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the shares of Carmat and determining appropriate distribution channels.

UK MIFIR product governance Retail investors, professional investors and ECPs target market Solely for the purposes of each manufacturer's product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the shares of Carmat has led to the conclusion that: (i) the target market for the shares of Carmat is retail clients, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("EUWA"), and eligible counterparties, as defined in the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook ("COBS"), and professional clients, as defined in Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA ("UK MiFIR"); and (ii) all channels for distribution of the shares of Carmat are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the shares of Carmat (a "distributor") should take into consideration the manufacturers' target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the "UK MiFIR Product Governance Rules") is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the shares of Carmat (by either adopting or refining the manufacturers' target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels.

The distribution of this press release may be subject to legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Any person who comes into possession of this press release must inform him or herself of and comply with any such restrictions.

Any decision to subscribe for or purchase the shares or other securities of Carmat must be made solely based on information publicly available about Carmat. Such information is not the responsibility of H.C. Wainwright and Oddo BHF Corporates Markets and has not been independently verified by H.C. Wainwright and Oddo BHF Corporates Markets.

Aeson is an active implantable medical device commercially available in Europe ONLY, CARMAT SA., CE0344. The Aeson TAH is intended to replace ventricles of native heart and is indicated as a bridge to transplant in patients suffering from end-stage biventricular heart failure (INTERMACS classes 1-4) who are not amenable to maximal medical therapy or LVAD and are likely to undergo heart transplant in the 180 days following device implantation. The decision to implant and the surgical procedure must be executed by Health Care professionals trained by the manufacturer. Carefully read the documentation (clinician manual, patient manual alarm booklet) for characteristics and information necessary for patient selection and good use (contraindications, precautions, side effects).

In the USA, Aeson is currently exclusively available within the framework of clinical trials.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that relate to the Company's objectives. Such forward-looking statements are based solely on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management and involve risk and uncertainties. The Company's objectives as mentioned in this press release may not be achieved due to any of these risks and uncertainties. No guarantee can be given as to any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements, which are subject to inherent risks, including those described in its universal registration document filed with the AMF on February 24, 2021 under number D.21-0076, as well as changes in economic conditions, the financial markets or the markets in which Carmat operates.

__________________

1 Aeson is composed of the implantable bioprosthesis and its portable external power supply system to which it is continuously connected.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005886/en/

Contacts:

CARMAT

Stephane Piat

Chief Executive Officer

Pascale d'Arbonneau

Chief Financial Officer

+33 1 39 45 64 50

contact@carmatsas.com

Alize RP

Press Relations

Caroline Carmagnol

+33 6 64 18 99 59

carmat@alizerp.com

NewCap

Investor Relations Strategic Communication

Dusan Oresansky

Quentin Masse

+33 1 44 71 94 94

carmat@newcap.eu
[March 08, 2021] ScoutCam Appoints Seasoned Hi-Tech Executive Yovav Sameah as Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Sameahs appointment is the latest in a series of high-profile new appointments to key positions in the Company OMER, Israel, March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ScoutCam (OTCQB:SCTC), a leading developer and manufacturer of customized micro visual solutions and supplementary technologies, today announced the appointment of Mr. Yovav Sameah as the Companys new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Sameah will replace Dr. Yaron Silberman, who will step down to pursue new opportunities. Mr. Sameah is a senior level executive with extensive hands-on experience in management, business leadership and strategy. He most recently served as CEO of Frontline PCB Solutions, a non-public worldwide leading provider of Pre-Production and Industry 4.0 SW solutions in the PCB industry, presently owned by KLA-Tencor Corp. Prior to Frontline PCB Solutions, he served as Corporate Vice President and Chief Products Officer at Orbotech. Earlier in his career, Mr. Sameah held a wide range of positions from project and product management to senior managerial positions in the electronic components sector as well as the PCB hardware and software components industries. I would like to first thank Dr. Yaron Silberman for his significant contribution to the Company over the years. Dr. Silberman played an essential role in laying the groundwork for the Companys transition from an R&D company to an innovative commercial company, said Prof. Benad Goldwasser, the Executive Chairman of the Board. Prof. Goldwasser added, Im glad to welcome Mr. Sameah as the Companys new CEO. Mr. Sameah has vast experience in leading global hi-tech companies and has a proven ability to generate significant worldwide sales. ScoutCam is now ripe to graduate from its status as an R&D phase company, and we will look to Mr. Sameah to apply his talents and navigate us forward as we transitio to a fully-commercialized international company with sales and customers across various industries. I am confident that he will become a significant addition to our management team. This appointment follows a series of new appointments to the Companys leadership as well as to its board of directors. We are excited to benefit from the expansive network and base of knowledge of our newly established team and believe their contribution to the Company will be invaluable.



About ScoutCam ScoutCam is a leading provider of customized visual solutions for organizations across a variety of industries in the form of highly resistant micro cameras and supplementary technologies. ScoutCam devices are used across the medical, aerospace, industrial, research and defense industries. For more information please visit: https://www.scoutcam.com

Media Contact

Tanya Yosef

info@scoutcam.com

+972 526 511 122 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Companys expectations, beliefs, assumptions and intentions regarding, among other things, its product-development efforts, business, financial condition, results of operations, strategies or prospects, as of the date of this news release. They are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as believe, expect, intend, plan, may, should or anticipate or their negatives or other variations of these words or other comparable words or by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things, the effective transition of our outgoing chief executive officer in place of our new, incoming chief executive officer; our ability to maximize the economic potential and monetize the technology covered in the press release; the material and positive effect our incoming chief executive officer will have on our business and operations; our ability to effectively transition from an R&D phase company to a profitable, commercialized company; risks and uncertainties relating to our reliance on third-party suppliers; market acceptance of our products by prospect markets and industries; our ability to raise sufficient funding in order to meet our business and financial goals; and certain other factors summarized in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.



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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8) The Tourism Department on Monday expressed hope that all tourist destinations in areas under modified general community quarantine can open within the year.

All under MGCQ, DOT Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat told CNN Philippines The Source when asked of other possible landmarks that may open by year-end.

It should all be open because by the mere definition, if youre under MGCQ, it means that your cases are low and leisure is already accepted, she explained.

Puyat said she understands that some local governments are hesitant to accept tourists due to the ongoing virus threat. However, she argued that several tourist spots which earlier opened their doors to visitors have yet to report an outbreak since most local authorities ask for a negative COVID test prior to travel.

Several of the countrys acclaimed destinations have started accepting local tourists in a bid to revive the sector and help restart the economy.

Asked if the country will consider opening its doors to foreign tourists this year, Puyat said its hard to say since protocols  and the COVID-19 situationare always changing.

We are always pushing for more tourists to come in, Puyat said. But of course we have to weigh this in. We have to balance this with what our health sector has to say.

RELATED: Foreign tourist arrivals drop by 83.7% in 2020  DOT

Puyat said the government will focus on strengthening domestic tourism for now.
AUSTIN, Texas, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- VolitionRx Limited (NYSE AMERICAN: VNRX) ("Volition") today announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Cameron Reynolds, and its Executive Vice President, Investor Relations, Scott Powell, are scheduled to present at six conferences in March 2021.

During the conferences, Mr. Reynolds and Dr. Powell will outline Volition's business, clinical, regulatory and operational milestones.

Details of the conference presentations (all virtual) are as follows:

H.C. Wainwright Global Life Sciences Conference - March 9-10, 2021

Presentation: Tuesday March 9 at 7:00 am ET

Register: https://hcwevents.com/globalconference/

Maxim 2021 Emerging Growth Virtual Conference  March 17-19, 2021

Presentation time to be confirmed

https://m-vest.com/events/2021-emerging-growth-virtual-conference

Sidoti & Co. Spring Virtual Investor Conference -Mar 24 25, 2021

Presentation: Wednesday March 24 at 10 am ET

https://sidoticonference.com/events

Life Sciences Investor Forum - March 25, 2021

Presentation: Thursday March 25 at 11:00 am ET

https://www.virtualinvestorconferences.com/events/event-details/life-sciences-investor-forum-0

Benzinga BIOTECH SMALL CAP CONFERENCE -MARCH 24-25, 2021

Presentation March 25 time to be confirmed

https://www.benzinga.com/events/small-cap/biotech/

Lytham Partners Spring 2021 Investor Conference - March 30  April 1, 2021

Presentation time to be confirmed

https://lythampartners.com/virtual/spring2021/

Participants joining any of the above-referenced conferences who would like to schedule a virtual 1-on-1 meeting with Volition management may do so by registering at the links above, or by contacting Scott Powell, Executive Vice President of Investor Relations, at [email protected].

About Volition

Volition is a multi-national epigenetics company developing simple, easy to use, cost effective blood tests to help diagnose a range of cancers and other diseases. Early diagnosis has the potential to not only prolong the life of patients, but also to improve their quality of life. The tests are based on the science of NucleosomicsTM, which is the practice of identifying and measuring nucleosomes in the bloodstream or other bodily fluid - an indication that disease is present. Volition is primarily focused on human diagnostics but also has a subsidiary focused on animal diagnostics.

Volition's research and development activities are centered in Belgium, with additional offices in Texas, London and Singapore, as the company focuses on bringing its diagnostic products to market.

NucleosomicsTM is a trademark and/or service mark of VolitionRx Limited and its subsidiaries.

For more information about Volition, visit Volition's website volition.com or connect with us via:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/volitionrx

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/volitionrx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VolitionRx/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/VolitionRx

The contents found at Volition's website address, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube are not incorporated by reference into this document and should not be considered part of this document. The addresses for Volition's website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube are included in this document as inactive textual references only.

Media / Investor Contacts

SOURCE VolitionRx Ltd

Related Links

http://www.volitionrx.com


Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Over the last twelve months, the NHS has been fundamentally reshaped. Plans and ideas that were bubbling away in the background for years suddenly received the green light by default. 2020 saw a huge increase in the adoption of digital technologies within modern healthcare economies.

Image Credit: Spirit Digital

From the adoption of video-based triage and GP-to-patient consultations within primary care, to remote monitoring for shielding and vulnerable patients, as well as those discharged early from hospital  both within their own homes and a care home setting, digital technologies have driven wide recognition that there is an alternative way to manage clinical caseloads within a primary setting.

While this is unlikely to be a permanent shift, it is a seismic one. Yes, clinicians will  understandably - not want to manage their patients by video alone and there is no replacement for the face-to-face interaction within the privacy of a GP surgery. But, as of April 2021, NHS England will require all parts of our health and care system to work together as Integrated Care Systems (ICS), meaning that primary care is set to take a central role in providing joined-up care. Strategic commissioning will focus on population health outcomes. And digital and data will play an increasing role in placing citizens at the heart of their own care.

From providing educational resource to help empower patients to better manage their own conditions, to identifying and prioritizing the patients that absolutely need to be seen and thereby easing the workforce burden faced by doctors, there is little doubt that digital will underpin primary care services well beyond the COVID pandemic. The adoption of digital solutions has shifted the paradigm about the way we will need to provide a proactive and preventative model of care in the future, as Simon Applebaum, Managing Director, Spirit Digital, outlines.

New mindset

Until March 2020, digital innovation was a consumer expectation that was largely unmet within UK healthcare. The old models of delivering care remained at odds with modern needs and possibilities. Patients wanted better ways of accessing healthcare and were increasingly demanding a voice and a choice in decisions about their care. The technology was there, but the challenge lay in getting innovation out there  and used  more effectively than we had done before.

What COVID-19 did was change innovation at a very local level, rapidly. Making headway during the pandemic relied on local healthcare economies building sensibly on what was already there. In the process, 2020 became the year when local health and care organizations used technology to help existing services work better and more efficiently; applying technological solutions to their current systems and pathways  giving patients and clinicians better access to information and education that would enable care to be delivered to those most vulnerable in the safety of their homes.

One of the major areas of technology adoption at a local and regional level has been in remote monitoring for the vulnerable: be those the frail and elderly within care homes; for those discharged early from hospital to free up COVID-19 beds; or those in the high risk category with long term conditions such as diabetes, heart failure or COPD.

By regularly and consistently monitoring these vulnerable patients, this technology allows GPs to triage their patients and know when to intervene. Extending the concept of care to one akin to a virtual ward, GPs get clinical information on their patients quicker and faster than they would do in the traditional setting which allows them to rapidly assess a patient, and better balance the dual aspects of risk management and time management.

This proactive model, centered around joined-up primary and community care, has allowed for early intervention that has helped keep people out of hospital, increased health system capacity and reduced the risk of cross contamination at a time when our collective focus has been on protecting our vulnerable and our NHS.

Improved collaboration for better outcomes

By connecting patients with their clinical teams from their own homes, patients are given much greater involvement in the management of their health, while healthcare professionals monitor their vital health information.

As a form of preventive care, remote patient monitoring puts everyday wellness at the forefront of patient care. It makes patients active participants in their healthcare by empowering them to willingly take control with the necessary tools and resources in place - from educational resources on their condition, to being aware of positive action they can take to prevent deterioration, and through better understanding of external factors such as air quality. When patients feel more involved in the process, it is more likely that they will become more invested in improving their health with their doctor's guidance, allowing for a more collaborative experience for both parties.

The emerging evidence seems to suggest that patients of all ages are very adaptable to a digital approach, with high patient acceptability demonstrated on patient satisfaction questionnaires and the Family and Friends Test (FFT). It is likely that the need for patients to feel COVID-secure within their homes whilst still having the confidence that they are connected to their clinicians has increased their openness to the adoption of digital solutions. However, there is a balance between letting the technology dictate the digital solution whilst communicating the benefits and usability of the technology for both patients and clinicians.

In parallel, the pandemic has also shown the value of real-time collaboration between GP practices and an entire network of healthcare providers to ensure the right patients are treated at the right time. From the nurse practitioners and pharmacists that play a key role within practices, to the hospital consultants, care homes, opticians and dentists, the concept of working together as a team to look after patients  in addition to how patients themselves can also contribute positively to their own care - is now firmly established.

Looking beyond COVID

There is no doubt that health care has seismically changed during 2020. Yet, gaps remain if we are to reach NHS Englands vision of a truly joined-up, proactive and preventative service with citizens at the heart of their own care.

Firstly, we have to ensure healthcare is more digitally inclusive  and that requires infrastructure and education. The priority for 2021 is to address the technology gaps revealed by the COVID-19 NHS response and to use that knowledge to achieve a wider adoption of a broad, effective community care model within local health economies.

Local health economies have to move from a mindset where we have a portfolio of individual technical projects, to having a strategic, joined-up digital transformation program that is based upon making healthcare accessible for all; easy to navigate; and centered around the individual needs of a patient - or carer - within their own care setting. This means having a system that isnt based on the physical location where patients access care, but extending care into a remote, virtual model, empowered by technology. Nicola Haywood-Alexander, Chief Information Officer, NHS Lincolnshire STP

The second challenge is around harnessing data. With the increased adoption of digital technology comes data that can be analyzed, using machine learning and artificial intelligence, to help us not just identify in real-time those patients who need priority care, but also predict those who are more at risk, from either physical or psycho-social conditions.

It will enable us to look at trends; to better understand the side effects of medication on specific cohorts of patients. It will provide insight to help us better understand mental health, as well as making it much easier to carry out research and develop therapies. And moreover, it will enable us to gain early detection of potential future pandemics through the raising of warning flags in the system.

Conclusion

Under the most strenuous of circumstances, great strides forward have been made in digitalizing healthcare and transforming many care pathways from the traditional, reactive model to one focused on prevention and pro-active care.

This is a once in a generation opportunity for change. As we look ahead beyond COVID-19, it is imperative that policy makers, clinical leaders and front line staff maintain their grasp on the digital opportunity and begin business better than usual today.
Forming an LLC on your own can be time-consuming and stressful. This is why it can be very helpful to find an online incorporation service. But how do you choose the best one? Luckily for you, weve compiled a list of the best online incorporation services available.

All the companies on our list have something unique and special to offer your startupreasonable prices, access to reliable legal professionals, amazing customer service, and many more!

Best Online Incorporation Services 2021

Check bestllcservice.org for better deals and coupons

Pros

User-friendly

Offers a lot of value

Worry-free services

Listed in Best LLC services

Cons

Lacks financial and legal services

Click to Buy the Service

ZenBusiness is considered one of the best online incorporation services on the market. As a business formation service, they offer reasonable rates and provide a lot of value to their customers. And this isnt just our opiniona lot of customer feedback supports this position, as the company has positive ratings from many people.

The ZenBusiness platform is easy to use, and the websites intuitive layout makes it simple to navigate. Also, their customer support team is top-notch, providing quick response times.

The company offers a lot of value on its LLC packages. Expect to receive services bundled in a package, such as a year of registered agent services, business formation services, business registration, name availability search, articles of organization, a good starter plant, operating agreement template, and many more! Its easy to see why ZenBusiness is considered by many to be one of the best LLC services on the market.

Full Review of ZenBusiness

Pros

Legal connections

Fixed prices

Reliable professionals

Cons

Lack of registered agent service

Click to Buy the Service

If youre looking for a reliable business formation process as well as access to legal aid, then BetterLegal is a fantastic choice for new business owners.

As the name implies, BetterLegal is a business incorporation service with a large network of lawyers and legal professionals available to users. The company doesnt technically have lawyers on staff; instead, they can refer you to a reliable one thanks to their connections.

BetterLegal representatives are available on most business days, and the company's starter plan for business formation and business incorporation is very reliable and easy to use. Perhaps the only downside to the company is their lack of registered agent services, but many business owners may consider that a small price to pay in exchange for a highly reliable legal team.

Pros

Experienced business formation service

Free plan

Reasonable rates

Cons

Lots of upselling

Click to Buy the Service

Inc Authority deserves its reputation as one of the best business incorporation services on the market. It may not offer access to a network of legal services like BetterLegal, but it has a lot to offer its customers.

One of the biggest reasons to take advantage of the services offered by this business formation company is that theyve been in business since 1989, and those years of experience mean they have a few tricks up their sleeve. One nice marketing gimmick offered by Inc Authority is instead of just offering affordable LLC services, they have a free Limited Liability Company package.

The package contains services like Articles of Organization, online incorporation service, business filing service, and many more. Other paid packages also help you with getting an employer identification number (EIN), LLC operating agreement, and even a collection of software tools to help you with your business registration and business incorporation.

Pros

Available in all 50 states

Offers special services to NPOs and NGOs

Industry-leading customer service

Cons

Uses third-party registered agents in some states

Registered agent service is not included in the plans

Click to Buy the Service

Harbor Compliance is one of the leading solutions for business corporate and nonprofit organizations throughout the business life cycle established in 2012, in line with government licensing experts and trailblazer technologies. Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, it has helped more than 25,000 consumer companies in the US and abroad navigate entity licensing and control complexity.

This LLC formation carrier offers both formation and compliance packages. Other services include twelve months of registered agent service, a customizable contract template, and a federal tax identification number, but the company is perhaps best known for its compliance services. The compliance package consists of the formation bundle, which is similar to an annual reporting service (one year); one year of help from a compliance specialist; and a C-Corp or S-Corp tax option.

Also, if you are interested in establishing an NPO or NGO, Harbor Compliance is your best bet for online legal consulting. They have tailored a unique portfolio of services for NGOs and nonprofits. These consist of consultations with a third-party team of legal professionals and proprietary software that routinely notifies the consumer of upcoming license renewals. Harbor Compliance ensures that each submitted nonprofit package obtains 501(c)(3) approval.

Pros

Easy-to-use interface

Fast processing and relatively quick turnaround

Refundable order and 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee

No hidden fees or charges

Operates in all 50 states

Cons

Requires cancellation fee

Click to Buy the Service

MyCompanyWork, based in Nevada and formerly known as MyNewCompany, has decades of experience in LLC formation, incorporation services, and DBA, and has been helping various types of businesses since 2001. The company offers three LLC packages with several bonus features that can be purchased differently each year. The simplicity, low cost, and ease of use of the platform are just some of the reasons why it is so popular.

The limited liability company (LLC) service provided by MyCompanyWorks is the most popular, and for a good reason: even if its your first time starting a business, going through the formation process with MyCompanyWorks is very straightforward. On the website, select LLC from the

Entity Type drop-down menu and select your state.

The online form is very simple. MyCompanyWorks only requires key information like:

Purpose of your LLC

Contact information

Company name

Name and address of LLC members

Name and address of a registered agent

Shipping address

They will also provide you with backup worksheets, including a customized company agreement and much more. MyCompanyWorks even provides you with a new LLC checklist and a list of startups with information on issues like business licenses, sales tax permits, and hiring staff.

Pros

Amazing value

Overloaded with features

Cons

Average customer support

Click to Buy the Service

If youre looking for an online incorporation service that wont put a dent in your wallet, then you might be interested in trying out Swyft Filings. Its LLC formation services are top-notch, handled by professionals both as registered agents and as consultants.

Whats even crazier is that their services are very affordable. What business owners tend to like about Swyft Filings is that theyre open on most business days and are overloaded with features like LLC formation services, registered agent services, getting an employer identification number (EIN), articles of organization, and many more!

Full Review of Swyft Filings

7. Legal Zoom

Pros

Comprehensive business legal plan

Money-back guarantee

Served more than 4 million customers







Cons

Operating agreement and EIN registration costs extra

Expensive pricing

Click to Buy the Service

Founded in 2001, LegalZoom was the first prominent online legal business technology company. The companys purpose is to assist clients through a wide range of legal services, most of which do not require hiring a legal professional or law firm. LegalZoom has helped over four million businesses and clients resolve their legal problems.

With LegalZoom, you can do any of the following:

Get business tax advice

Start a business/file business formation paperwork

Consult a lawyer and get legal documents reviewed by an attorney

Register a trademark or apply for a patent or copyright protection

Create custom legal documents with e-signature

The main advantage of LegalZoom is access to a large community of lawyers at a low cost. With the monthly prepaid plan, you get access to thirty minutes of unlimited legal advice on business and personal matters.

Essentially, LegalZoom aims to be a one-stop shop for all your legal needs, and they have succeeded at this mission. They often add new services and features, and they stay on top of any changes in the law or legal changes in the regulatory world.

Full Review of Legalzoom

Pros

Excellent customer service

Free registered agent service for one year

All documents locally scanned

Cons

Limited plan options

A bit expensive

Click to Buy the Service

Northwest Registered Agent, also known as Northwest Agent Services or simply Northwest, is an online business legal services provider. As the name suggests, they are first and foremost a registered agent service, but they provide more than that.

Northwest Registered Agent is the first nationally registered agent provider to scan 100 percent of retrieved files domestically and provide digital copies online.

Their plan includes:

Compliance calendar

Registered agent services

Unlimited cloud storage

Business data protection

Northwest also offers formation services for a variety of entities (S-Corp, C-Corp, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and nonprofits).

Northwest Registered Agent has only one filing option, which includes:

Fast LLC filing

Name availability search

Operating agreement

One year of registered agent services

Filing and preparation of articles of organization

Optional add-ons can only be purchased with the first purchase of Northwest LLC formation services, and these options include full Northwest compliance, affiliate ID number (EIN), annual legal entity, second phone number, IRS election, and company assets.

Northwest Registered Agent is also valued for its exceptional customer service and knowledgeable staff. It certainly offers excellent service and has made a name for itself.

Full Review of Northwest Registered Agent

9. InCorp

Pros

Fast document shipping

Entity Watch antiidentity theft program

Excellent and affordable registered agent service

Cons

Website navigation is somewhat complicated

Click to Buy the Service

InCorp has helped business owners integrate for more than two decades and has worked with more than 125,000 active registered agent customers. Established in 1998, InCorp is America's fourth-largest domestic provider of registered agents.

The brand offers more than LLC formatting, with support for EIN filing and entity dissolution options. Their basic package includes name search and filing services, and the company has several best prices, making them a great choice if you need a provider that balances competitive pricing with excellent client reviews.

In addition, InCorps LLC formation service has numerous additional functions that you can access on an a la carte basis. These consist of Registered Agent Service, certificates of good standing, LLC Package and Seal, Annual Report, Domestic Mail Forwarding, and more.

One of the outstanding features of InCorp is its less expensive registered agent provider. The company has a lot of experience and a large number of active customers of registered agents. InCorp also offers its customers a convenient device to help prevent corporate identity theft.

10. Rocket Lawyer

Pros

Free 30-minute consultations

Excellent refund policy

Unlimited access to the legal documents library

Cons

Free trial converts automatically

Monthly membership required for discounts

Click to Buy the Service

If you are in the market for legal services, you should know that Rocket Lawyer is a direct competitor to BetterLegal. The company offers their subscribers 30 minutes of free consultation during business days, and their system is worry-free thanks to their generous refund policy.

Additionally, youll have free access to their legal document library and database, saving you a lot of time and money paying for legal services in the first place. And if this isnt enough, they also have a pretty good network of lawyers that you can contact as well. Its easy to see why Rocket Lawyer is considered one of the best online incorporation services.

Benefits of Using Online Business Formation Services

Personal Liability Protection and Tax Flexibility

As the name implies, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) can help protect you by keeping your businesss money and your money separate. It lowers your liability for the company, ensuring that youll still have money if worse comes to worst.

Additionally, an LLC is more flexible when it comes to taxes, since it is considered a separate entity, so you could technically save more money in the long run, especially if you play your cards right.

Business Name Protection

One of the most annoying things when starting a business is coming up with and securing a business name. Luckily for you, a lot of business formation services are adept at their jobs and can help secure your business name thanks to their expertise and years of experience.

Growth Potential

Starting a business is hard, and a lack of connections will only make it harder. By using business incorporation services with experience and knowhow, you can redirect your energy into growing your business instead of worrying about paperwork.

Which Incorporation Service Is Right for You?

There is no clear and objective answer here, since the best incorporation service for you is determined by your particular circumstances and preferences. However, we can give you some tips and recommendations.

If youre looking for a reliable business incorporation service with good customer feedback, then

ZenBusiness is the ideal choice. It provides a lot of value, and its well trusted by its

customers, many of whom consider it to be the best LLC service.

Rocket Lawyer and BetterLegal are good choices if youre looking for legal help, as they have robust networks of legal professionals. Also, companies like Swyft Filing can help save you money, as they often offer reasonable prices and good deals.

In the end, the choice is yours. Look for the online incorporation service that suits your needs and your tastes.





Conclusion

Hopefully, after reading this article you can find the best online incorporation service for you. Forming an LLC and growing your business can be hard but with the right company and registered agent backing you up, you wont just survive in the harsh world of businessyoull thrive.

F.A.Q

Q: Can I incorporate on my own?

A: It depends on the business and company you are creating. Incorporating an LLC is impossible without a registered agent to represent your company to a particular state.

Q: When starting a company, should I hire a lawyer?

A: If you want to ensure the future of your company, then hiring a lawyer is advised, since they can help you avoid legal pitfalls that may hinder or even destroy your business.

Q: Do I have to be a US citizen to form a corporation?

A: No. A citizen and a foreigner can both form corporations within the United States.
Michigan Humanities and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs announce the 2021 State Finals for Poetry Out Loud. The competition, presented in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, is part of a national program that encourages high school students to learn about poetry through memorization, performance, and competition.

Twenty high school students from communities across Michigan will compete virtually in the Poetry Out Loud State Finals. Elaiyna Schwartzkopf, of Midland, will be one of the students taking part in the state finals. At 7 p.m. March 11, the student recitations will be showcased through a virtual event on Zoom. Registration is available at MichiganHumanities.org. The 2021 state champion and winner of the original poetry contest will be announced, as well as the runners-up for both competitions.
Green Minister of State Malcolm Noonan TD has launched a public consultation as part of the National Parks and Wildlife Service Review, a key commitment in the Programme for Government.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service works to preserve and protect our Natural Heritage and the review will examine the Services role in nature conservation, biodiversity and the development, management and presentation of our National Parks, Nature Reserves and restored peatlands. The opening stage of the public consultation includes an online survey, which will be followed up with an invitation to give written submissions. Key stakeholders will be invited to participate in online interviews. The Terms of Reference have also been finalised and are available to view on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Minister Noonan welcomed the beginning of the long sought-for review, and encouraged the public to take part in the survey: The protection, conservation and restoration of our biodiversity is of paramount importance and this review is key to ensuring that the NPWS is properly resourced, staffed and equipped to lead Irelands response to the biodiversity emergency. More than ever before, there is a public demand for healthy nature  in our towns and cities, in our forests, bogs and agricultural landscapes, rivers, lakes and coastal waters and I want to encourage everyone with an interest in the future of the NPWS to get involved.

The pandemic has revealed the value and importance of public access to wild places in a new way. For many of us, myself included, spending time in nature has supported our physical and mental health  whether through rediscovering local heritage on walks within our 5kms, taking up new wildlife-spotting hobbies, or simply enjoying the fresh air and peace of the great outdoors.
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 this aspect, Da Nang can offer many favorable conditions and advantages due to its open policies and skilled human resource.

Favorable conditions

Mr. Pham Truong Son, Head of Da Nang Hi-Tech Park and Industrial Zone Authority, said that in such difficult times with the Covid-19 pandemic raging across the globe, attracting investors to large projects is quite challenging. Hence to overcome the tedious process of administrative procedures and access to land funds, it is important to build supportive mechanisms and policies, so as to attract important and lucrative projects. Da Nang has therefore implemented several measures to ease long and lengthy procedures in many related departments and agencies to quickly and smoothly complete all processes and procedures. These could likely be effective within the next six months.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Quang, Director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Da Nang, the City of Da Nang will need to replicate the same good practices it used to speed up implementation of projects such as the Sunshine Aerospace Components Factory, Mikazuki Spa and the Hotel Resort Xuan Thieu. Mr. Quang shared that this was due to streamlining the lengthy process of filing too many applications by going online, which was faster, more transparent, and cut down on costs.

Mr. Lee Sungnyng, General Director of Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Da Nang, said that the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in Da Nang has created many opportunities for the government to listen to the voice of business people and investors, and implement their considerations carefully.

In 2020, the city had conducted hundreds of online meetings concerning exports and future investments, which resulted in many successful commitments made between Korean and Vietnamese companies. Mr. Sungnyng said that Da Nang needs to make stronger efforts towards attracting more investments. The Covid-19 pandemic should be seen as an opportunity for Da Nang to make a breakthrough, and by offering to address post investment concerns of investors, such as resolving difficulties in procedures, and creating more confidence and credibility in the minds of investors.

Skilled human resource

Many large domestic and international enterprises have choosen Da Nang City as the ideal location for hi-tech industrial projects. For recruitment of suitable human resources, almost all businesses prefer to turn towards universities, colleges, and training institutions within Da Nang City area.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thuy Linh, a project coordinator at the Fujikin Danang Production and Research Center, the City of Da Nang has great potential for skilled human resource for scientific research and technology for further development in the field of engineering, science and higher technology. The University of Science and Technology and the University of Da Nang, have helped many enterprises select and recruit graduate students of electronics and information technology, and have also retrained them via intensive training programs to meet their selective job requirements.

Mr. Ikeda Naoatsu, General Director of Daiwa Vietnam Co., Ltd, said that Da Nang has the advantage of better qualified human resource. Mr. Naoatsu said that although the workforce at his company was well qualified and skilled, Da Nang still needs to make more effort to improving the quality of human resource in coming time, when tourism will once again be restored back to normal, and industries will also begin to expand and function in a post pandemic scenario.

According to Mr. Le Minh Duong, Director of the Central Investment Promotion Center, the advantage in the central region is that the human resource has a fairly good cultural background and is also well qualified. Currently, the people in the central region mostly work in FDI enterprises and hold important positions in the southern parts of the country. In the near future, when larger enterprises begin to function in the central region, more and more skilled workers of this region will be willing to return from far off locations. Da Nang can certainly be the training center in the field of human resource.

Mr. Duong feels that Da Nang has many unmatched advantages and enterprises can train the human resource here because the local workers have a thorough understanding and knowledge of the culture and how to promote the strength of their region.

In a post Covid-19 period, the image of a strong and stable country will bring in great benefits and opportunities to attract more investments into Vietnam, and in the central region in particular. Da Nang is well located to offer the advantages of a strategic central location, a dynamic government, a well-trained workforce, competitive investment costs, and very safe living conditions. Da Nang has almost all the requirements for attracting lucrative and creative Foreign Direct Investment projects. On 23 February, the Peoples Committee of Da Nang registered six major FDI projects. These include a semiconductor factory by US investors Ha Vinh Ly and Nhe Thi Le with investment capital of USD 110 mn; the Fujikin Danang Research, Development, and Production Center by Japans Fujikin International Co., Ltd. with investment of USD 35 mn; and the EPE Packaging project by Japan, with investment of USD 300,000. Da Nang has also welcomed Arevo Inc. of USA to invest in a 3D printer factory project, software services, design solutions, and 3D carbon fiber composite products at total investment of USD 135 mn. Since February 2021, Da Nang Hi-Tech Park has attracted 24 projects, including 12 domestic projects with investment of VND 6,291 bn, and 12 FDI projects with investment of USD 545.1 mn. In all, Da Nang Hi-Tech Park and Industrial Zone has attracted 496 projects with total registered capital of over VND 26,561 bn.

Xuan Quynh
A Chinese political advisor introduced a proposal advocating for the revival of a traditional Chinese greeting, the fist-and-palm salute, in the post-COVID era, during the fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

"The coronavirus has forced us to reflect on our existing lifestyles and the ways in which mankind can coexist with nature," Han Fangming, vice chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the CPPCC National Committee and chairman of the Charhar Institute, told China.org.cn.

Han noted, while common types of greeting such as shaking hands, hugging, or cheek kissing are no longer suitable as they may increase the risk of contracting the virus, societies are turning to new methods like footshakes and elbow bumps instead.

"Etiquette has always been emphasized in traditional Chinese culture, and China is therefore known as the 'state of etiquette,'" Han said.

"The oldest and most commonly used greeting in history is the fist-and-palm salute. And it's a better way to greet people in the post-pandemic era."

He continued, "This greeting etiquette greatly helps keep social distancing and reduce the spread of the virus."

He suggested relevant government departments conduct research and undertake the promotion of this ancient greeting. "We need to vigorously promote the etiquette across the whole of China, as it demonstrates a profound social significance not only for its role in pandemic prevention but also for the inheritance of a part of ancient Chinese civilization."
A Birmingham woman has been charged in last weeks slaying of a man found shot to death in a burning apartment.

Iesa Collins, 36, is charged murder, abuse of corpse and first-degree arson in the March 4 death of Terrance Jerome Hardy. Collins was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Saturday and remains held without bond.

Birmingham police East Precinct officers and Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service responded shortly after 9:30 p.m. Thursday to a report of an apartment fire in the 100 block of Wood Station Place. Once the blaze was extinguished, firefighters found the victim unresponsive near a doorway.

Hardy was pronounced dead on the scene. An autopsy showed he had been shot before the fire.

Birmingham police have not disclosed additional details about the case, nor released a possible motive.

Hardy is the citys 17th homicide in 2021. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 27 homicides, including the 17 in Birmingham.
Two cases of infection with the Brazilian version P.1. of SARS-CoV-2 have been confirmed in Romania, informs the National Institute of Public Health (INSP).

"The National Institute of Public Health - National Center for Monitoring and Control of Communicable Diseases was informed by the laboratory of the 'Bals' National Institute of Infectious Diseases that in Romania were confirmed two cases of infection with the Brazilian version P.1. Of SARS- CoV-2", states the quoted source.

According to the same source, it is about a 38-year-old man from Bucharest, symptomatic, with pre-existing medical conditions, no history of travel and no known contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, and the source cannot be specified.The second case is also a man, aged 57, from the Capital, symptomatic, with pre-existing medical conditions and who would come from a community outbreak with 3 cases, the possible source being one of his colleagues.The epidemiological investigation for the 2 cases is ongoing, INSP mentions.
A delegation of the British Armed Forces has visited the zone of the Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation (JFO) in Donbas, the press center of the JFO headquarters said.

"During the visit, representatives of the foreign delegation familiarized themselves with the security situation in eastern Ukraine, and also assessed the effectiveness of the training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel in the framework of Operation Orbital. In particular, foreign representatives visited the Joint Center for Civil-Military Cooperation in Kramatorsk," the press center said on Facebook.

During a press briefing, JFO Deputy Commander Maj. Gen. Eduard Moskalev and representatives of the Joint Center for Civil-Military Cooperation acquainted the delegation of the British Armed Forces with the security situation in the country's east. "Additionally, during the visit, the delegation familiarized themselves with the operation at the Mayorske checkpoint, after which the British military officials held a press briefing with [the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe] OSCE representatives in Kramatorsk. The visit ended with a meeting with representatives of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs," the press center said.

In 2015, the British government, with the support of the House of Lords, decided to set up a training unit of British military instructors as part of Operation Orbital and send military personnel to Ukraine to help enhance the operational and combat capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, it said.

Since March 2015, more than 22,500 servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been trained with the participation of British military instructors.

Former DNI Ratcliffe: Special Counsel Durham Agreed, No Intel Showing TrumpRussia Collusion

Former U.S. Attorney John Durham agreed there was no intelligence showing collusion between former President Donald Trump or his campaign and Russia, according to former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe.

Last summer, we went over the intelligence, and we all unanimously agreed that there was no intelligence from the intelligence community that reflected actual, real Russian collusion with the Trump campaign, but there was intelligence that it was created by the Hillary Clinton campaign, and that there was no proper predicate for Crossfire Hurricane to begin, Ratcliffe, a Trump appointee, said during an appearance on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures.

Durham resigned last month as U.S. attorney for Connecticut but is staying in his role as special counsel as he probes the origins of the counterintelligence investigation into Trump and Russia. Crossfire Hurricane was the code name for the FBI investigation into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russian officials.

Also agreeing with Ratcliffe and Durham was then-Attorney General William Barr, according to Ratcliffe.

Durham is now preparing a report on how the investigation into Trump and Russia started. He has only charged one person, former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith, in the probe. Clinesmith pleaded guilty to altering an email related to Carter Page, a former Trump campaign associate. He avoided jail time.

Durham is making significant progress, Barr said just before he left office around Christmas.

I do expect that the Durham report will be another scathing recounting of abusesabuse of power at the FBI. And I say that because I have reviewed the intelligence with John Durham and Bill Barr, Ratcliffe said on March 7.

I really do expect that the Durham report will talk about that abuse of power because I know that intelligence.

Former U.S. Attorney John Durham, left, and former Attorney General William Barr. (Department of Justice; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz in 2019 concluded that the FBI made at least 17 significant errors or omissions related to the spy warrants obtained against Page. Horowitz also found that the FBI utilized the unsubstantiated dossier compiled by Trump critic Christopher Steele, an ex-British spy.

Ratcliffe said its clear the probe was spurred by politics and that the FBIs senior leadership, in addition to Clinesmith, lied to the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which doled out the spy warrants.

I do think its important for people to have faith in the FBI as an institution, for there to be accountabilityand, hopefully, the Durham report will bring that, he said.

President Joe Bidens choice for attorney general, Merrick Garland, who hasnt been confirmed by the Senate, told senators he couldnt commit to not interfering with Durhams probe.

My view about every investigation is that I have to know the facts before I can make these kinds of decisions or commitments, he said in a written statement after a confirmation hearing. As I said at the hearing, however, I understand Mr. Durham has been permitted to remain in his position and to continue his investigation. And I presently have no reason to think that that was not the correct decision.
The nations health minister said Sunday that his ministry could approve a second COVID-19 vaccine as early as May, as the government sees inoculations as crucial to curbing infections.

There is the possibility of giving pharmaceutical approval as early as May or June, Norihisa Tamura, minister of health, labor and welfare, said during a TV program.

Tamura also said the government would be ready to consider an application by Johnson & Johnson for its single-dose vaccine if one is filed. But it has yet to decide on whether to purchase the vaccine as discussions continue, he said.

U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc.s vaccine was the first to be approved for use in Japan in February. Britains AstraZeneca PLC filed an application for its coronavirus vaccine in early February and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. also applied for approval of U.S. biotechnology company Moderna Inc.s vaccine last Friday.

Takeda, which is handling domestic approval and imports of about 50 million Moderna doses, announced the filing. It had earlier said approval could be given in May.

Japan kicked off its inoculations in the middle of February using Pfizer Inc.s vaccine. But Pfizer doses, imported from European factories, are in short supply.
is set to debut in India its entry-level health and fitness tracker named the Band Style on March 8. Alongside, the Chinese smartphone maker will launch the F19 Pro Plus and OPPO F19 Pro, expanding its camera-centric F-series line-up. While the former is touted by the company as a smartphone, the latter would be a vanilla model sans However, both the are expected to bring new imaging features, including the AI Highlight Portrait video that the company introduced earlier this year in the OPPO Reno 5 Pro (review). As for the OPPO Band Style, it is touted by the company to feature a sensor to monitor blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and 1.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen.

OPPO F19 Pro series launch event: Livestream details

OPPO is hosting a music event on Monday at 7 pm (IST) to officially launch the OPPO F19 Pro series and the OPPO Band Style in India. The virtual event will livestream on Youtube channel and social media handles  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

You can also watch the event livestream through the video embedded below:

OPPO F19 Pro Plus and OPPO F10 Pro: Expected specifications

The OPPO F19 Pro series is expected to feature a thin-and-lightweight design, similar to the predecessor the OPPO F17 Pro (review). The in the series would will feature a single punch-hole screen, which is expected to be an AMOLED unit of fullHD+ resolution. As for the camera, the are expected to sport a quad-camera array on the rear. While the sensors detail are not known, the OPPO F19 Pro and OPPO F19 Pro Plus would get the AI Highlight Portrait Video feature, which is touted by the company as a video recording feature for improved low-light performance. Besides, the smartphones would feature smart 5G with support for 5G network on dual-SIMs. The phones would ship with OPPO 50W flash charge.
While parents have been patient with him and understanding that he is the messenger in cases like this  when he couldnt say who would be teaching their kids in three days because he didnt know  they have much less patience left for Chicago Public Schools, he said.
(Natural News) Fed up with waiting on lawmakers in Washington to act, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced a new bill aimed at prohibiting the big tech behemoths from censoring or throttling conservative viewpoints and comments.

I am joining @SenBryanHughes to announce a bill prohibiting social media companies from censoring viewpoints. Too many social media sites silence conservative speech and ideas and trample free speech. Its un-American, Un-Texan, & soon to be illegal, Abbott, a Republican, wrote on Twitter.

I am joining @SenBryanHughes to announce a bill prohibiting social media companies from censoring viewpoints. Too many social media sites silence conservative speech and ideas and trample free speech. It's un-American, Un-Texan, & soon to be illegal.https://t.co/zSdirRa1pj  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 5, 2021

We see that the First Amendment is under assault by these social media companies, and that is not going to be tolerated in Texas, Hughes said at a press conference with the governor.

There is a dangerous movement spreading across the country trying to silence conservative ideas, religious beliefs, Abbott noted further. We saw that first arise on college campuses.

Abbott is referencing a bill he signed in 2019 called the Campus Free Speech act which protected students First Amendment right to speak and express themselves freely  a law that should have been wholly unnecessary given the Constitutions guarantee. But the left owns college and university campuses and they are authoritarians so Abbott and state Republicans had no choice but to remind them of those fundamental rights.

But now, these social media tech companies are using their tools to silence conservative speech on their platforms, Abbott continued, noting further that Hughes Senate Bill 12 will protect state residents from being wrongfully censored on social media, making sure that their voices are going to be heard and not canceled or silenced.

Continuing, the governor noted that social media giants like Twitter and Facebook have evolved into the modern-day public square, and as such, they are the areas that used to be the courthouse square where people would come and talk.

Now, people are going to Facebook and Twitter to talk about their political ideas, and what Facebook and Twitter are doing  they are controlling the flow of information, and sometimes denying the flow of information.

Texas is taking a stand against big tech political censorship. We are not going to allow it in the Lone Star state, Abbott declared.

He said that Hughes bill is designed to prohibit social media platforms from censoring Texans points of view. And the legislation also gives Texans a legal avenue for redress.

It would also allow any Texan who has been canceled or censored or de-platformed to be able to file a lawsuit against Twitter, Facebook, or any of these other companies, and make sure they are able to get back on, said Abbott.

The United States of America was built on freedom of speech and healthy public debate, added the governor. Big techs efforts to silence conservative viewpoints is un-American, un-Texan, and it is unacceptable. And pretty soon, its going to be against the law in the state of Texas.

Abbott is the second red state governor to introduce legislation to prohibit big tech censorship. Last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also said his administration would be looking at ways to prevent social media leftists from banning or prohibiting certain content based just on point of view.

I think there needs to be protections for people. I dont think we can have a couple of these far-left-wing tech oligarchs control the information in our country. Im not going to accept that and I dont think any of you are going to accept that. So, were thinking through what we can do to provide people some protections, DeSantis said at a luncheon hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

He said the big tech deplatforming of Parler (back online now) and kicking former President Donald Trump off Twitter were the final straws.

Tech firms, he said, were already serving as judge, jury and executioner with no due process and could effectively wipe someones livelihood off the map.

See more reporting like this at YouTubeCensorship.com.

Sources include:

NaturalNews.com

Breitbart.com
Written by Brad Lane

Mar 8, 2021

We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Depoe Bay assumes the correct title of the Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast. A tall sea cliff bounds the entire city along the 101 next to the ocean. This elevated view allows easy spotting of the thousands of migrating whales along the coast in December and March. Depoe Bay even has its own resident pod of gray whales that hang out through the summer.

The ocean aesthetics of Depoe Bay cannot be overstated. Jaw-dropping views of big waves meeting volcanic rock shoreline entertain for hours on end. And public viewpoints and parks line the city from north to south. Plan to spend at least half the time of any visit simply staring from the city's edge out into the dynamic ocean expanse.

Depoe Bay is also home to the world's smallest navigable harbor, where fishing and whale-watching charters are not hard to find. On either side of the Depoe Bay Bridge spanning the harbor's opening, the town's charming commercial district offers a distinct ocean flavor. Here, offerings like saltwater taffy and seafood restaurants complete a coastal vacation.

Find your next reason to visit the Oregon Coast with our list of the top things to do in Depoe Bay.

Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
Benjamin is the first female President in the 74 year history of the Society.

Having served as Vice-President for the past 2 years, Benjamin succeeds David Clark, who after having successfully relaunched the Society has stepped down from the Council.

David has been nominated become the first Honorary Member of the Society.

The announcement came via a press release on Sunday 7 March. Raised in Guernsey, the Channel Islands, Louise graduated from the University of Cambridge (MA Law) and trained as a solicitor in London. She was previously the Chair of STEP Benelux and has been living in Luxembourg since 2002, she is married to a Luxembourger and active mother of 3 children.

Louise holds both British and Luxembourg nationality and is the founder of Benjamin Law Firm. She is an English Solicitor and a Luxembourg Avocat a la Cour practising only Luxembourg law.

Benjamin says of the new role: "I am delighted to have been elected as President of the British-Luxembourg Society, a society that is steeped in history and friendship of two great nations. Now more than ever we will continue to deepen, maintain and develop the bonds of friendship that exist between the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Great Britain at a crucial moment in history."

Louise may be familiar to readers of RTL Today, having featured on our popular podcast In Conversation With Lisa Burke.

Founded in 1947 to foster good relations between Britain and Luxembourg, The British-Luxembourg-Society ASBL has been hosting an annual Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Lecture with speakers including Margaret Thatcher (when in office), Neil Kinnock, Chris Patton, George Robertson, and Lord Hurd and most recently Lord Green.

For more information about the British-Luxembourg Society visit their website.
The Central Bank said there has been a disappointing lack of progress in gender diversity at senior levels of regulated Irish firms.

Of the 3,600 applications for approval to occupy senior roles within regulated firms in Ireland last year, just over one in four were from women with little change from 2019.

The Central Bank also said less than one-sixth of applicants for roles where the holders are responsible for driving strategy or business revenue were female. It is disappointing to see that progress is so slow and has, in some respects, stalled in 2020," Ed Sibley, Deputy Governor at the Central Bank said.

A lack of diversity at senior management and board level is a leading indicator of heightened behaviour, culture and governance risks. As diversity is so interconnected with risk, resilience and financial performance, it will continue to be a priority for the Central Bank.

According to the Demographic Analysis Reports, men hold 85% of current positions that require approval in the asset management sector, 78% in the banking sector and 74% in the insurance sector.

There also continues to be a pronounced gender imbalance at board level across all sectors. Female applications for board positions fell by 2 percentage points from 24% in 2019 to 22% in 2020.

The majority of applicants for approved roles were Irish (64%), with UK nationals holding the second largest portion of applications (16%), falling from 18% in 2019.

Improving diversity and inclusion in order to reduce the likelihood of groupthink, improve decision-making and manage risks is even more important as we strive to deal with the complex and unequal effects of the pandemic," Mr Sibley said.

"It is in times of change and uncertainty when qualities such as resilience and innovative thinking are essential, and the value of diversity of background, thought and experience are all the more important."
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-09 03:55:41|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma al-Assad were tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. Meanwhile, Iraq announced the extension of partial and full curfew due to continued increase in coronavirus infections.

Syrian's official SANA news agency reported that the PCR tests of the Syrian first couple came out as positive but they are still in good and stable health.

Assad and the first lady will be observing a quarantine between two to three weeks while continuing to carry out their work.

The president urged the people to observe safety measures to protect themselves.

This comes at a time when the COVID-19 cases in Syria are heading up amid medical experts' warnings of a strong wave of the pandemic. Syrian Health Ministry said the overall number of infections was 15,981 on Sunday, including 10,374 recoveries and 1,063 deaths.

The Iraqi authorities extended on Monday partial and full curfew for two weeks.

A statement by the General Secretariat for the Council of Ministers said that the health authorities decided to extend the full curfew for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and a partial curfew from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. for the rest of the week, starting from March 9 until March 22.

The decision was based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, as the epidemiological situation indicates a continued increase in COVID-19 infections, according to the statement.

Iraq reported 4,468 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total nationwide number of cases to 731,016. It also reported 24 new deaths, raising the death toll from the infectious virus to 13,596, while the total recoveries in Iraq climbed by 3,920 to 664,461.

Turkey reported 13,215 new COVID-19 cases, including 767 symptomatic patients, as the total number of positive cases in the country reached 2,793,632.

The death toll from the virus in Turkey rose by 64 to 29,094, while the total recoveries climbed to 2,632,030 after 8,106 more cases recovered in the last 24 hours.

Turkey has administered more than 10,121,000 COVID-19 vaccines nationwide, its health ministry announced on Monday.

More than 7,630,000 people have got their first doses of the vaccine, while more than 2,491,000 people have received their second doses.

The country started mass vaccination against COVID-19 on Jan. 14 after the authorities approved the emergency use of the Chinese CoronaVac vaccine.

Israel's Ministry of Health reported 3,130 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, raising the tally of confirmed cases in the country to 804,591.

The death toll from the COVID-19 in Israel reached 5,915 after 26 new fatalities were added. The total recoveries in Israel rose to 761,358, with 3,258 newly recovered cases.

The number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 in Israel has surpassed 5 million, or 53.8 percent of its total population, since the vaccination campaign began on Dec. 20, 2020.

Kuwait reported 1,326 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 201,898.

The country also announced six more deaths, taking the death toll to 1,133. The tally of recoveries nationwide rose by 935 to 187,122, while 13,643 coronavirus-related patients are receiving treatment.

Kuwait started on March 7 to impose a partial curfew, from 5 p.m. local time (1400 GMT) to 5 a.m. until April 8, as part of its efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Jordan reported 7,413 new COVID-19 cases and 52 more deaths, bringing the overall number of cases to 435,130 with 4,987 deaths in the country. And 4,139 recoveries were registered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 371,454.

Lebanon registered 2,283 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number of infections to 397,871. The number of deaths from the virus went up by 43 to 5,089 in the country.

The Qatari Health ministry announced 468 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the Gulf state to 167,417.

Meanwhile, 298 more people recovered from the virus, bringing the overall recoveries to 156,299, while the fatalities increased by one to 263.

The Omani Health Ministry announced 449 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 144,404.

Meanwhile, 370 people recovered during the past 24 hours, taking the overall recoveries to 134,684, while three people reportedly died, pushing the tally up to 1,594. Enditem
The Leader and Founder of Alive Chapel International, Bishop Dr Elisha Salifu Amoako is showering praises on the seven Supreme Court Judges for pronouncing a good judgment on the 2020 election petition.



According to him, the Supreme Court judges deserve to be applauded for passing an unquestionable judgement based on the evidence available to them.



Speaking to the media after the Supreme Court final ruling on the 2020 election petition, Bishop Dr Salifu Amoako said that the seven Justices of the Supreme Court have demonstrated that they are experienced and capable of maintaining the peace the country is enjoying.



He added that the seven Justices of the Supreme Court have done well in the meticulous attention they attached to the 2020 election petition and coming out with a judgment that meets the expectation of about 70 per cent of Ghanaians.



He affirmed the decision of the seven Supreme Court judges to describe the petition of former President John Dramani Mahama as one without merit because the petitioner failed to provide evidence to convince the Justices of the Supreme Court.



He was of the considered view that the petitioner may have a case to pursue in the Supreme Court but due to lack of evidence which is the accepted norm in the court of law, the petition can be dismissed as witnessed last Thursday, 4th March 2021.



We will thank the judges for doing a good job; the time they spent for three months on the petitionthe way they handled the case, they did well because such a case is very sensitive to the extent that if you dont handle it well, the nation can be inflamed, he applauded.



I am happy with the way the judges handled the 2020 election petition and the outcome of the case. The judges said that the NDCs case is not all that strong as well as the evidence; based on that, they dismissed the case. I think that if you had followed the case attentively, the judgment is fair; they did the right thing. The judgment went well, he opined.



He added that even the star witness for the petitioner, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia in the witness box in his calculation affirmed that his Presidential Candidate, Mr John Mahama did not cross the threshold required to win the 2020 Presidential Election and in the same calculation, rather affirmed that Mr Akufo-Addo won the 2020 election.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/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.

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WASHINGTON  U.S. Capitol Police should expand staffing, focus on intelligence gathering and coordinate better with the National Guard to prevent another attack like the riot Jan. 6, according to a security review headed by retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore presented to House members Monday.

The House and Senate will have to consider which recommendations to adopt and how to fund them. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who asked Honore to lead the review, called the report a draft that will require additional funding.

Recommendations in the 15-page report include:

 Better funding for Capitol Police, a force of about 2,000 officers that has 233 vacancies and spent 55% of its overtime for the year during the first five months of the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. The report recommends creating 854 more jobs, including 350 to reduce overtime and 424 to cover duties such as intelligence gathering,

U.S. Capitol Police officers stand at attention as the cremated remains of officer Brian Sicknick arrive at the U.S Capitol to lie in honor in the Rotunda on Feb. 2 in Washington. Sicknick died the day after the riot Jan. 6.

 Hastening the ability of the Capitol Police chief to request support from other law enforcement agencies or the National Guard, which requires a cumbersome process with the Capitol Police Board. Hours-long delays in requesting the Guard occurred Jan. 6.

 Adopting mobile fencing around the Capitol, which would be easily erected and removed during emergencies. Rioters on Jan. 6 quickly overran metal barricades officers stood behind.

 Allowing leaders to bypass cluttered radio channels to communicate without interruption. The report recommends that officers wear body cameras, as District of Columbia Metropolitan Police do.

 Immediately enhancing security for lawmakers in their district offices and homes.

 Considering the use of more bomb-sniffing dogs and perhaps a resumption of horse patrols, which were discontinued in 2005.

"The USCP were understaffed, insufficiently equipped, and inadequately trained to secure the Capitol and Members when violently attacked by a large mob," the report says.

The U.S. Capitol Police issued a statement Monday saying the agency would review the recommendations.

Story continues

"We believe enhancements to the Capitol complexs physical infrastructure are required. We also agree we need to increase our manpower and overall response capabilities," the statement said. "The department will continue to work with our congressional stakeholders and law enforcement partners as we strengthen our security measures at the Capitol.

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During the insurrection Jan. 6, rioters stormed through the Capitol, vandalized offices and delayed the counting of Electoral College votes. About 140 police officers were injured in the attack, including Brian Sicknick, who died from his injuries the next day.

The 16-member review team included former Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer; Maj. Gen. Errol Schwartz, commander of the D.C. National Guard; retired Army Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan; and retired Army Lt. Gen. Karen Gibson, the new Senate sergeant-at-arms.

Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., a member of the Appropriations Committee that decides how much the federal government should spend, said the presentation offered a menu of options that lawmakers will have to compare. He expects to act on extra spending without waiting for the annual appropriations bills.

I think that the recommendations would indicate that we should act on a security supplemental sooner rather than later, he said.

Kevin McCarthy: Pelosi wants to turn 'Capitol into a fortress'

Pelosi said lawmakers would have to review the recommendations and determine how much to spend. Some recommendations, such as the extent of fencing around the building, will be contentious.

It's going to take more money to protect the Capitol in a way that enables people to come here, children to come and see our democracy in action, Pelosi said Thursday.

Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., a member of the Budget Committee, said the plan was comprehensive, including short-term and long-term recommendations.

Being able to maintain public access is a cornerstone of our democracy, Horsford said.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., accused Honore of "notorious partisan bias" and questioned why Pelosi appointed him.

"Its possible that the Speaker desired a certain result: turning the Capitol into a fortress," McCarthy said Sunday in a statement.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Honore's Capitol riot review calls for more police, National Guard
(Natural News) Researchers created the first living, self-healing robots using stem cells from frogs. Named xenobots after the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) from which the stem cells were taken, the machines look like tiny blobs of wiggling pink flesh.

These are novel living machines, said Joshua Bongard, a professor of computer science at the University of Vermont (UVM) and one of the study researchers.

Theyre neither a traditional robot nor a known species of animal. Its a new class of artifact: a living, programmable organism, Bongard added.

How xenobots were made

The xenobots are less than a millimeter wide, which is small enough for them to be able to travel inside human bodies. They can scuttle and swim, survive for weeks without food and work together in groups.

Bongard and Sam Kriegman, a post-doctorate student at UVM and the projects lead researcher, created these biological machines through a supercomputer that churned out designs of new life forms from frog stem cells. The latter are unspecialized frog cells that are capable of developing into different cell types.

The computer assembled hundreds of simulated cells into myriad forms and body shapes, looking for the right configurations that could perform tasks such as moving in one direction. The successful designs were kept and refined while the failed ones were tossed out.

Bongard and Kriegman then sent the most successful designs to biologists at Tufts University. The latter cut and reshaped incubated frog stem cells under a microscope according to those designs. These cells immediately began to work on their own, bonding to form structure.

In a water-filled petri dish, the fully formed xenobots were able to move coherently and some of them even teamed up with others as they moved around. Turned over, they flailed like beetles flipped on their backs. When the researchers wounded one robot, it healed by itself and kept moving.

The xenobots feed on small platelets of yolk inside each of their cells, then die around a week after birth. They cannot reproduce or evolve, but putting them in nutrient-rich environments can extend their lifespan. (Related: Army researchers developing biohybrid combat robots using living tissue.)

In a paper about the organisms, which was published last year in the journal PNAS, the researchers claimed that xenobots are more environmentally friendly and safer for human health compared to traditional robots. The latter, they wrote, degrade over time and can produce harmful ecological and health side effects.

Plus, these programmable organisms can be further refined to perform a variety of tasks. In the future, they can clean up radioactive waste, fish out microplastics in the oceans, transport medicine inside human bodies, even scrape out plaques inside arteries. Additionally, researchers can use xenobots to learn more about cell biology.

If we could make a 3D biological form on demand, we could repair birth defects, reprogram tumors into normal tissue, regenerate after a traumatic injury or degenerative disease and defeat aging, the teams website for project reads.

The legal and ethical questions raised by xenobots

In an article for the Conversation, Simon Coghlan and Kobi Leins, both senior research fellows in digital ethics at the University of Melbourne, outlined the legal and ethical concerns raised by xenobots.

According to the pair, bad personalities can weaponize xenobots to harm people. When used medically, advanced future xenobots can malfunction and go rogue. Such versions may also require sensory and nervous systems, which could potentially lead to sentience and pose ethical considerations in the process.

Giving life to xenobots, Coghland and Leins said, also raises important legal questions. Should xenobots have biological kill-switches in case they go rogue? Who should decide who can access and control them? What if homemade xenobots become possible? the pair wrote.

The researchers acknowledge these concerns. They also noted that while artificial intelligence plays a big role in building xenobots, supercomputers with evil intentions are unlikely at this point.

At the moment though it is difficult to see how an AI could create harmful organisms any easier than a talented biologist with bad intentions could, the teams website read.

Learn more about extreme scientific experiments at Insane.news.

Sources include:

StrangeSounds.org

NYTimes.com

UVM.edu

TheConversation.com
NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Our healthcare ecosystem is widespread with rewards for bias and opportunities for conflicts of interest. There are overt and hidden conflicts, including those driven by monetary reward, political and ideological pressures, and ambition. Importantly, not all conflicts are intentional; they can be a product of unconscious bias or fault lines in the system. On March 10 -11, the New York Academy of Sciences and NYU Grossman School of Medicine will host a virtual bioethics colloquiumConflicts of Interest in Healthcare: Opportunities for Self-Reflection and Actionto explore ways to identify bias and mitigate conflicts of interest to protect individuals and institutions, and to maintain the integrity of medicine and science.

"On a global scale, the healthcare system is rife with rewards for bias, and this can easily affect scientists and physicians, and their employers, who must be held accountable to ensure that quality research and good patient care remain front-and-center," said Arthur Caplan, PhD, Professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics in the Department of Population Health. "There are a number of things we can all do to manage conflict of interest, including putting transparency first, strengthening peer review, being cognizant about the impact of small favors and incentives as well as non-monetary forces that can create conflicts of interest, and educating the medical and scientific communities to be better communicators so they can explain to the general public how science works."

Experts will drill down to the level of individuals, identifying pressure points and recommending ways that scientists, clinicians, pharmaceutical company leaders, and other healthcare industry professionals can navigate bias and conflicts of interest to avoid decisions that put their work and their institutions at risk.

Panelists will also discuss conflicts of interest in sponsored research and the use of advisory panels. They will explore how academia and non-profit institutions can form partnerships with donors and industry, and how they can avoid conflicts in setting up for-profit companies. There will also be discussion of conflicts in media coverage of the pandemic, misinformation, and political pressures placed on scientists and government agency officials.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has focused a great deal of public attention on questions concerning conflicts of interest in our healthcare system," remarked Nicholas Dirks, PhD, President and CEO of the New York Academy of Sciences. "These questions have been heightened by the recent politicization of virtually everything connected to the pandemic, as well as by the public-private partnerships that have characterized vaccine and other related drug development. Scientists, physicians, regulators, public health officials, and leaders in government and industry all have special obligations to carry out their work according to the most stringent ethical and legal standards. In exploring how individuals and institutions navigate potential conflicts of interestreal and perceivedthis symposium will shed important light on the processes upon which we rely to protect our health and safety, with the aim of advancing public trust in the work of science and scientists."

The two-day symposium will explore:

Conflicts in public-private partnerships  can they ethically exist?

Conflicts in biomedical research

Conflicts in clinical care

Conflicts in nutrition science

Non-monetary and unconscious influences

Strengthening peer review

Conflicts of interest in academic and non-profit institutions

Conflicts of interest, bias, political influence, and mistrust of science in the responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This colloquium is supported by funding from Johnson & Johnson.

To view a schedule and a complete list of participants, and to register, visit: www.nyas.org/COI2021.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

The New York of Academy of Sciences is an independent, not-for-profit organization that since 1817 has been committed to advancing science for the benefit of society. With more than 20,000 Members in 100 countries, the Academy advances scientific and technical knowledge, addresses global challenges with science-based solutions, and sponsors a wide variety of educational initiatives at all levels for STEM and STEM related fields. The Academy hosts programs and publishes content in the life and physical sciences, the social sciences, nutrition, artificial intelligence, computer science, and sustainability. The Academy also provides professional and educational resources for researchers across all phases of their careers. Please visit us online at www.nyas.org.

SOURCE The New York Academy of Sciences

Related Links

https://www.nyas.org


Good morning, North State. Here's what you need to know to start your day on March 8.

Red Bluff police investigating Sunday evening plane crash

An investigation is underway after a plane crash in Red Bluff Sunday. Fire crews said a single-engine biplane flipped upside down as it crash-landed at the Red Bluff Airport runway. First responders said no one was hurt. The plane has been cleared from the runway and the cause of the crash is under investigation.

Redding man charged with murder that took place hours after his release from jail

A Redding man is now behind bars, facing murder charges this morning. Police said James Noyes killed Emmanuel Vega in October of last year near Buena-Ventura and Railroad Avenues. Investigators said Noyes was released from the Shasta County Jail just hours before the murder. He is now being held without bail and his arraignment is scheduled for Friday.

Sewer Regionalization Project Advisory Committee to hold first public meeting

The first advisory committee meeting for the Paradise-Chico sewer regionalization project is set for today. The virtual meeting begins at 1 p.m. today's discussion will focus on project procedure and environmental impact. Click here to learn more.

Gold Nugget Days 2021 Parade date set

A date has been set for the Gold Nugget Days Parade in Paradise. It is set for Saturday, April 24. Sign-ups are underway on the Gold Nugget Museum website. Organizers said the parade is set to travel its traditional route from Holiday Market on the Skyway, to Paradise Community Park.

What's next with the Covid relief bill

The $1.9 trillion American rescue plan is headed back to the House of Representatives for one final vote Tuesday. $1,400 payments are still there targeted to individuals making $80,000 or less and couples earning twice that. The bill also includes money to speed up vaccine distribution.

Jury selection set to begin in Derek Chauvin's trial in the death of George Floyd

Jury selection begins in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer charged with killing George Floyd. Chauvin was seen on cellphone video last may kneeling on Floyds neck for more than eight minutes. Chauvin faces charges of second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
on Monday announced a $25 million grant for nonprofits and social enterprises in India and globally that are doing important work to help women and girls reach their full potential.

The grant will be provided under Googles charitable arm org as an Impact Challenge for Women and Girls.

Women are almost twice as likely to lose their jobs during the pandemic and an estimated 20 million girls are at risk of not returning to school. We have the opportunity to build a future that is more equal and more inclusiveand we must take it, said Sundar Pichai, chief executive officer of and its parent company Alphabet.

He was speaking at a Google for India event streamed on YouTube on the occasion of Womens Day, where the firm announced a host of initiatives.

Impact challenges are a way for Google to address specific problems for a particular community or idea.

The deadline to apply for the grant is April 9, with grant recipients getting between $300,000 and $2 million, as well as non-monetary support like mentorship from Google, as part of the challenge.

Over the last five years, Google.org has given more than $55 million to nonprofit organizations that support gender equity and access to opportunity for women and girls around the world. Weve also worked with grantees, such as the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Laboratoria and GiveDirectly, that are dedicated to the same cause. This new Impact Challenge will build on that work, said Jacquelline Fuller

President, Google.org in a blog post on Monday.

Pichai also said the technology major was expanding its ongoing Internet Saathi programme to cover 1 million India women.

The success of the Internet Saathi program has shown how digital access and digital literacy can help women to reach their full potential and improve their livelihoods. When women have equal access to opportunity, we all benefit from their perspectives, creativity and their expertise, and this is true all over the world. Yet, when it comes to accessing opportunity, deep inequalities persist. Building on the Internet Saathi program success, were making a new commitment to help 1 million women in rural villages in India to become entrepreneurs through business tutorials, tools, and mentorship, he said.

Launched in 2015 by Pichai, and with support from Tata Trusts, the programme was designed to impart digital literacy training to women across 300,000 villages in India. Over six years, the pan-India effort has benefitted over 30 million women across India through training provided by over 80,000 Internet Saathis.

Google has also launched the Women Will web platform. This will be complemented by community support, mentorship and accelerator programmes for rural women entrepreneurs.

Initially available in English and Hindi, it will be expanded to other local Indian languages soon. Google will work with 2,000 Internet Saathis to help other women gain from this resource and start on their entrepreneurial journey.

Nasscom Foundation grant

Google.org also committed $500,000 grant to the Nasscom Foundation in order to support women with access to skills they need for the future.

Google Search and Maps

Google will also enable search in English for women-led  women-led restaurants, women-led clothing stores and more  on Google Search and Maps. This is based on an opt-in feature on Google My Business where women-led businesses can identify as such on their Business Profiles.

Google Pay for homepreneurs

Google Pay announced the launch of Business Pages which enables homepreneurs to create easy catalogues of their products and services and direct people to them through a unique URL.
Emmanuel Macron: The Azerbaijani troops must leave Armenias sovereign territory

Armenia 3rd President on authorities and the upcoming elections

Armenia 3rd President reacts to photos of bodies of soldiers in freezer: It felt like the blood froze in my veins

Armenia Ombudsman addresses OSCE officials in regard to Ilham Aliyev's Armenophobic statements

Turkey's Erdogan expresses willingness to support Georgia-Azerbaijan-Armenia trilateral cooperation

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

French-Armenians hold protest against Armenia acting PM's visit to France

Angulo's goal helped Armenia tie score with Croatia

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: I've fallen in love with AS Roma and Rome over the last two years

Roma extend contract with Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Croatia-Armenia 1-0 (after first half)

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Wargonzo: Russian MOD is dealing with settlement of conflict in Armenia's Syunik Province on a daily basis

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

Yerkir.am: ARF-D Bureau member: Armenia acting PM ignored Macron's phone calls on November 9, 2020

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

Oliver Kahn replaces Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as Bayern Munich's manager

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

Arturo Vidal tests positive for COVID-19

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

Thomas Tuchel's contract with Chelsea automatically extended

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

Do pets need to be vaccinated against coronavirus?

Sean Bean stops watching Game of Thrones after his hero's execution

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

Roma, Mkhitaryan reach deal

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Armenia national squad hold last training session before friendly against Croatia

Roland Garros: Naomi Osaka withdraws due to disagreement with organizers

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Scientists offer new approach to overeating treatment

FC West Armenia announce end of career

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

Brazil to host Copa America

Caparros: I think Henrikh Mkhitaryan will help the team during matches in September

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Aguero signs deal with Barcelona

Courtney Cox re-enacts Friends dance with Ed Sheeran

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

Henrikh Mkhitaryan declines Zenit's and Monaco's offers
VICTORIA - Health authorities across British Columbia announced locations for COVID-19 vaccine centres Sunday, the day before some of the province's oldest residents could start booking appointments to get their first shots.

A vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is shown at a UHN COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Toronto on Thursday, January 7, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

VICTORIA - Health authorities across British Columbia announced locations for COVID-19 vaccine centres Sunday, the day before some of the province's oldest residents could start booking appointments to get their first shots.

Vaccine call centres are set to open Monday morning to make COVID-19 vaccine appointments for people 90 and older, and Indigenous people 65 or older, as well as those who identify as Indigenous elders.

Island Health officials said Sunday 19 community sites across Vancouver Island have been identified to administer COVID-19 vaccines and 25 community sites in the Vancouver Coastal Health region will be used as clinic locations.

The Interior, Northern and Fraser health authorities say they will confirm vaccination sites with people when they book a COVID-19 appointment.

"We recognize that there's lots of people that are eager to call in and get going (Monday), so just another reminder that please, unless you are in that category of over 90 or Indigenous over 65 or you identify as an elder, please don't call next week so we can get through this important population,'" said Victoria Schmid, Island Health's pandemic planner.

"Your turn will come," she said at a news conference Sunday. "We just need everyone to be patient right now."

People can contact their health authority and book appointments for themselves or their spouse, and family members or friends are permitted to schedule an appointment on someone else's behalf, Schmid said.

People will be asked to provide the person's first and last name, date of birth, postal code and personal health number and will be asked for an email address or text number to confirm the COVID-19 vaccine appointment, she said..

People born in 1936 or earlier can start calling for appointments on March 15 and those born in 1941 or earlier can start scheduling their shots on March 22.

Schmid said she expected the appointments to last about 30 minutes, which includes a 15-minute waiting period following the administration of the vaccine.

She suggested people wear short sleeves to make it easier to give the vaccine and not to forget a mask.

A support person to can accompany people to the vaccine clinic, she said.

Schmid said sites for the community clinics were chosen for their accessibility and comfort and familiarity for Indigenous people.

"Ease of access was really important to us," she said. "We really tried to keep a travel time to no more than 15 minutes within urban areas. We want to make sure these sites are accessible for individuals with mobility challenges."

Immunization clinics will also be held at Indigenous friendship centres in Victoria, Port Alberni and Port Hardy, Schmid said.

Vancouver Coastal Health said in a news release its clinics will be located cross Metro Vancouver and the Squamish and Whistler areas and the Sunshine Coast. The clinics will be held at community, friendship, senior and cultural centres and other regional sites.

The health authorities plan to have B.C.'s population of elderly people, ranging in age from 80 to more than 90 years and Indigenous people 65 and older and elders, vaccinated against COVID-19 by April 12, Schmid said.

She said a person 90 years and older who calls next week for a COVID-19 vaccination will get their appointment within one week.

"They have a week to register for the following week's vaccination appointment," said Schmid. "After that, we're going to move to register those over 85 and then moving down the week after to those over 80."

Island Health's Dr. Mike Benusic said he's optimistic about the vaccination rollout.

"The announcements we're giving right now provide me with such a sense of hope," he said. "The fact is right now we have 25 times the number of people vaccinated within Island Health than people who have had COVID-19 within Island Health, and we're only going to see that number sky rocket in the next few weeks and months."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 7, 2021.
The Post and Courier Food section since August has been checking in weekly with four downtown Charleston restaurants coping with the coronavirus pandemic and recovering from restrictions designed to contain it. The following three restaurants are still finding their way back to normalcy. For previous installments of the series, as well as more information about the featured restaurants and their chosen strategies for success, click here.

Harold's Cabin: Retrospective mood

Its anniversary season.

March 8 marks one year since the Charleston Wine + Food Festival closed out its final in-person event where much of the small talk concerned the coronavirus and the city of Austins decision two days prior to cancel SXSW.

Butcher & Bee owner Michael Shemtov remembers fellow restaurateur Meherwan Irani telling him hed run a worst-case scenario calculation, projecting what would happen if revenue dipped 30 percent at his restaurants in Asheville, N.C., and Atlanta.

Harolds Cabin didnt involve itself in any Wine + Food goings-on, but on March 15 served its final meal to a guest in its dining room. Two days after that Sunday brunch, it reinvented itself as a takeout operation.

By March 27, Harolds Cabin was closed. Its stayed that way ever since.

Amid the milestones, owner John Schumacher is looking back. Hes looking forward, too.

" Tidal wave was a shortsighted assessment, he says of his March 2020 mindset. The situation now feels more like a tsunami.

As he recollects, Schumacher makes sure not to disregard the losses. He weekly visits NPRs Songs of Remembrance website, memorializing a small fraction of the 500,000 Americans who have died from COVID-19 by sharing the musical selections they loved most.

But to remain and wallow in such a state isnt healthy or productive, Schumacher said, adding that hes also taking stock of the extra miles cycled, books read and dishes cooked over the past year.

And he recently realized that hes spent more time with his mother than during any other 12-month period since he went off to college. Its a trend thats likely to continue as she begins to lean on him for care.

Chasing Sage: Through the tunnel

As soon as Chasing Sage owner Cindy Edward heard last week that South Carolina was progressing to the second phase of its COVID-19 vaccination plan, she called her doctor. She was so quick to call that the doctors office hadnt gotten word of the development yet.

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Youre not 55, the person who answered the phone said.

Edward urged her to check the news, which she did while Edward was still on the phone. She confirmed that front-line workers are eligible to make vaccination appointments as of March 8.

The state defines front-line workers as people who cant work remotely and are frequently within 6 feet of other people while at work.

That means restaurant workers, which means us, chef-owner Forrest Brunton said two days after the announcement that hospitality employees have been anxiously awaiting. Its a light at the end of the tunnel: Its tangible. Its a real thing.

To Edward, its not just real, but massive.

Still, she had to wait until Monday to set up an appointment. When she got off the phone, she was on a waitlist. Many South Carolinians in the first eligibility group havent advanced past that point because of vaccine shortages in some places. Its unclear exactly when restaurant workers will be able to obtain shots now that theyre cleared to register for them.

But for now, what matters most to the Chasing Sage team is having the chance to sign up.

Butcher & Bee: Another shot

Butcher & Bees staff is relatively young, chief of staff Tara Pate said, so most of them arent in the habit of paying attention to vaccination developments. They think about vaccinations in connection with their grandparents and parents but hadnt considered them as a protective measure for food-and-beverage workers on the cusp of the citys busiest tourist season.

No one really knew about the expanded eligibility, said Pate, who last week was tremendously excited to tell employees about the new opportunity.

In addition to verbally alerting employees to vaccination appointments, Butcher & Bee has posted QR codes that lead to more information about the process.

We put a note on there that said, If you have any sort of problems, were here for you. Like, the door is open, Pate said.

In other words, while Pate cant refresh webpages that stubbornly dont display open appointments, shes ready to help employees who arent sure where to get a vaccination or have trouble accessing the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Controls appointment finder.

Theyve been scared the whole time, Pate said, adding that behavior shes recently witnessed by out-of-state guests at other restaurants has only compounded workers worries about infections.

Across Charleston hospitality, everyone last week used the same word to describe the feeling which has finally displaced fear: Relief.
The amended and longer term agreement was recently approved by the Oakland University Board of Trustees on February 15, and by the Beaumont Health Board of Directors on February 17.

Approval means that OUWB students will continue to train at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Beaumont Hospital, Troy, and Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe.

The amended agreement also enhances capabilities for researchers from both organizations, essentially allowing them to share data more easily and expand the amount of research conducted.

"The 20-year extension reaffirms that Oakland University and William Beaumont Hospital are deeply committed to providing a premier educational environment for developing OUWB medical students into compassionate, ethical, and highly skilled physicians," said Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D., president, Oakland University.

Beaumont Health President and CEO John Fox added, "It is critically important to provide exceptional training and education for the next generation of physicians. We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Oakland University, and I know our physicians, nurses, and staff are very pleased to continue working with OUWB's outstanding medical students."

The origins of the affiliation agreement date to the mid-2000s, when exploratory discussions among community leaders and officials at Oakland University (OU) and William Beaumont Hospitals concluded that the combined faculty, staff, and infrastructure resources of their institutions would provide a remarkably strong base on which to build a new medical school.

In January 2007, OU and Beaumont submitted a letter of intent to the Liaison Committee on Medicine Education (LCME) to initiate the formal process of accrediting a new allopathic medical school. The initiative to fund a new medical school was approved by both the Beaumont Health Board of Directors and the Oakland University Board of Trustees on July 31, 2008.

At the time, officials announced the name of the school would be Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and described their vision for the school as "a partnership to lead innovation in patient-center medical education and research."

Officials also said establishment of Oakland County's first medical school and Michigan's first new medical school in nearly 50 years would have an economic impact of up to $1 billion annually and help address a then-projected shortage of physicians in Michigan.

Since OUWB welcomed its first class in 2011, the school has graduated 548 physicians. OUWB currently has about 500 students enrolled. OUWB graduates are recruited to the top residency programs in the country and are a testament to the excellent training environment provided by Oakland University and Beaumont Health.

"The agreement reaffirms that our OUWB medical students will continue to receive exclusive instruction at three of the best training sites in the country," said OUWB Stephan Sharf Dean Duane Mezwa, M.D.

Approval of the amended affiliation agreement comes almost exactly one year after the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine received full reaccreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medicine Education for eight years, the maximum time possible.

SOURCE Beaumont Health; Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

Related Links

http://www.oakland.edu/medicine


(Newser)  While Americans seemed rather sympathetic to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey on Sunday those across the pond aren't being quite as kind. CNN notes the "tumultuous" relationship the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have long had with the UK tabloids, which went to town on the couple with no-holding-back headlines. Details and more:

Examples: The Daily Express called the Sussexes' interview a "self-serving" one, while the Sun predicted that Markle "may never return to Britain after angering Royal Family." The Daily Mail, predictably, went into overkill mode, publishing no fewer than 13 stories about the couple's sit-down on its website. One headline that took a jab at their new life in America: "Back to basics at their $14.5 million mansion."

The Daily Express called the Sussexes' interview a "self-serving" one, while the Sun predicted that Markle "may never return to Britain after angering Royal Family." The Daily Mail, predictably, went into overkill mode, publishing no fewer than 13 stories about the couple's sit-down on its website. One headline that took a jab at their new life in America: "Back to basics at their $14.5 million mansion." New nickname: First there was "Megxit" to describe the couple's exodus from Britain to the United States. Now, in the wake of their revelations, the Sun has come up with a fresh label for Markle's apparently bitter spit with much of the royal family: "Megxile."

story continues below

'Double standard': That's how Markle is describing how the British media treats her versus Kate Middleton, Prince William's wife. "I can see now what layers were at play there," Markle told Oprah. "And again, they really seemed to want a narrative of a hero and a villain." Buzzfeed has chronicled this dual coverage with headline examples.

That's how Markle is describing how the British media treats her versus Kate Middleton, Prince William's wife. "I can see now what layers were at play there," Markle told Oprah. "And again, they really seemed to want a narrative of a hero and a villain." Buzzfeed has chronicled this dual coverage with headline examples. Morgan's musings: UK broadcaster Piers Morgan, who's not known for being shy with his opinions, tweeted Monday that he found the interview "appalling." He penned a Daily Mail column that elaborated on his thoughts of how the couple was trying to "destroy the monarchy." "Salacious. Scandalous. Sanctimonious. Spectacularly self-serving. Those were just my initial thoughts after 10 minutes of the Oprah whine-athon with Meghan and Harry," he writes.

UK broadcaster Piers Morgan, who's not known for being shy with his opinions, tweeted Monday that he found the interview "appalling." He penned a Daily Mail column that elaborated on his thoughts of how the couple was trying to "destroy the monarchy." "Salacious. Scandalous. Sanctimonious. Spectacularly self-serving. Those were just my initial thoughts after 10 minutes of the Oprah whine-athon with Meghan and Harry," he writes. Pushback on Piers: Not everyone took kindly to his assessmentparticularly Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a Black activist who called Morgan "disgusting" on Good Morning Britain. "You're more outraged that Harry and Meghan had the audacity to speak their truth than ... at the actual outrage of racism," she lobbed at the host in what HuffPost calls a "tense exchange."

Not everyone took kindly to his assessmentparticularly Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a Black activist who called Morgan "disgusting" on Good Morning Britain. "You're more outraged that Harry and Meghan had the audacity to speak their truth than ... at the actual outrage of racism," she lobbed at the host in what HuffPost calls a "tense exchange." Did The Crown save the Queen? William Booth thinks so. Despite the outrage machine that's now fired up over the treatment of the Sussexes (particularly Meghan), Booth writes for the Washington Post that he doesn't think any "irreparable harm" has been done to the royal order in Englandmainly because people have been binge-watching Netflix's The Crown and already thought the family was "distant and dysfunctional."

William Booth thinks so. Despite the outrage machine that's now fired up over the treatment of the Sussexes (particularly Meghan), Booth writes for the Washington Post that he doesn't think any "irreparable harm" has been done to the royal order in Englandmainly because people have been binge-watching Netflix's The Crown and already thought the family was "distant and dysfunctional." A little levity: BuzzFeed takes a lighter approach to the commotion, rounding up the "most hilarious tweets" about the interview. This image says it all.

(Read more Meghan Markle stories.)
BOCA RATON, Fla., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix Tower International ("Phoenix") and Monaco Telecom today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to purchase over 815 wireless towers and acquire newly constructed wireless towers over 6 years across Malta and Cyprus through a build-to-suit program. This transaction positions Phoenix as the largest tower infrastructure provider in both markets, materially expands its growing footprint in Europe, and further solidifies the company's leadership position. Closing is subject to customary conditions precedents for this type of transaction. Phoenix and Monaco Telecom have established a long-term partnership whereby Monaco Telecom will occupy the sites for at least twenty years.

"With this latest transaction, PTI continues to expand its presence across Europe and will demonstrate the neutral host independent tower model in two new markets to facilitate increased coverage expansion for all of the wireless operators and ultimately increased connectivity for the population of Malta and Cyprus. As the economies of the world continue to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, Phoenix is proud to be working with the mobile network operators across the world to deploy more coverage solutions and is pleased to partner with Monaco Telecom on this transaction," stated Dagan Kasavana, Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix Tower International.

Martin Peronnet, CEO of Monaco Telecom said, "This transaction allows us to create a strategic partnership in Cyprus and Malta with a leading international firm, which allows us to accelerate our investment plans on 5G and fiber where we are present."

About Phoenix Tower International

Phoenix Tower International ("Phoenix") owns, operates over 10,000 towers, 986 km of fiber and over 80,000 other wireless infrastructure and related sites throughout Europe, the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Phoenix was founded in 2013 with a mission to be a premier site provider to wireless operators across the Americas in high-growth markets. Phoenix's investors include funds managed by Blackstone Tactical Opportunities and John Hancock, as well as various members of the management team. For more information, please visit www.phoenixintnl.com.

Freshfield Bruckhaus Deringer, Georgiades & Pelides LLC and Ganado Advocates acted as legal advisors to PTI.

About Monaco Telecom

Monaco Telecom is the incumbent operator of the Principality of Monaco, delivering fixed, internet, TV, mobile services, as well as international data connectivity, housing and cloud services. In July 2019, Monaco Telecom was the first operator to launch 5G with a nationwide coverage; and in fixed broadband, it provides 1Gbs access to all households. Monaco Telecom owns Epic, leading alternative operator in Cyprus and the leading mobile operator in Malta. Monaco Telecom is owned by the Government of Monaco and by NJJ Holding, a European family of telecoms companies made up of leading operators in the markets of Monaco, Switzerland, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta. NJJ Holding is owned by French Entrepreneur Xavier Niel, who also controls Iliad/Free, a leading telecommunication player in France, Italy and Poland.

Paul Hastings acted as legal advisor and Bank of America served as financial advisor to Monaco Telecom

SOURCE Phoenix Tower International

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http://www.phoenixintnl.com


Nokia smartphones may see a change in the naming scheme starting this year. According to a report coming from a reliable source, the Finnish company is readying to move away from the dot naming convention that it has been using since it re-entered the smartphone market in 2017.

Currently, Nokia uses a numerical naming scheme that includes a dot, such as the Nokia 5.3, Nokia 5.4, and so on. However, with each passing year, the names of Nokia smartphones have now started to appear more cumbersome. Going forward, the company seemingly wants to avoid this unnecessary confusion and make things simpler with a new naming convention.

Nokia smartphones may see a change in the naming scheme soon

From what it appears, the next generation of Nokia smartphones may carry a marketing name similar to Samsung devices. Yes, we are talking about the alpha-numeric naming convention that we also see on Motorola devices. Nokia itself used this system between 2009 to 2011.

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Interestingly, a leaked retail listing from Russia suggests that Nokia is already ready with its first smartphone featuring the new branding. The device may arrive soon as the Nokia G10. Its unclear though how the subsequent models would be named.

A reasonable way would be to increase the number with each subsequent model. The successor to the Nokia G10 could be named Nokia G11, G12, G13, and so on. However, Nokia may also follow the naming pattern it used between 2009 to 2011. Under this system, the follow-up to the Nokia G10 could bear the name Nokia G10-01, followed by Nokia G10-02, and so on.

To be fair, this wouldnt look very different from the current naming system though. It now remains to be seen what Nokia is up to. The company could surely make the names of its phones clearer and we hope it does.

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Talking about the Nokia G10, the listing, which was spotted by Nokiamob, reveals that it is a dual-SIM phone with 4GB of RAM and 64GB internal storage. The device carries the model number TA-1334 and comes in Blue color. No other details were revealed.

The Nokia TA-1334 has already picked up regulatory certifications in Russia as well as in some other regions. The TUV certification reveals that the model numbers TA-1338, TA-1346, and TA-1351 also belong to Nokia G10. It will reportedly have a 5V, 2A (10W) rated charger. So the phone appears to be a budget offering from the Finnish company. We will now have to wait for more details to emerge before we can paint a clearer picture.
South Africa: Arrangements made after Alice Magistrates' Court fire

The Eastern Cape provincial management of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has outlined plans that will see operations uninterrupted at the Alice Magistrates Court after its offices were gutted in a fire on Friday.

In a statement issued on Monday, the department said provincial management at the weekend met affected stakeholders to ensure continued provision of services at the magistrates court.

Stakeholders and the provincial management have, subsequent to the meeting, arrived at a resolution that criminal court trials will be heard in the regional court building in the precinct of the Alice Magistrates Court, said the department.

All documents required for court proceedings and services will be retrieved from the backup system at Middledrift Magistrates Court and the destroyed files will be reconstructed.

Bail payments and pay-outs will also be made at the Middledrift Magistrates Court.

The department said an office has been identified at the regional court to handle matters relating to domestic violence.

Engagements to secure interim office space for childrens court matters at local Department of Social Development offices are at an advanced stage, the department said.

Matters related to the Masters Office services will in the interim be rendered in Bhisho.

All forms of connectivity at the court have been lost and members of the public, as well as other stakeholders, are advised to contact the Magistrates Court on 071 215 0528 for services related enquiries.

"Enquiries related to child maintenance payments can be communicated with court officials on 079 465 2956, the department said.

The department reiterated its commitment to provide access to justice to the public.  SAnews.gov.za



This story has been published on: 2021-03-08. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Mar. 8NEWBURYPORT  The birthplace of one of the city's most famous residents, William Lloyd Garrison, sports new clapboards and windows, Georgian trim details and a reconstructed, historically correct center chimney after a collaboration between a local construction company and preservation advocates.

The two-family home at 3-5 School St., where the abolitionist and journalist was born in 1805, underwent a "sensitive renovation and restoration" by Patrick and Erica Reddy of Newbury, who own Redco Construction Inc. on State Street, Newburyport.

In an email to The Daily News announcing completion of the work on the 18th century house, Erica Reddy said, "It was a collaborative effort by Redco Construction and Scott Brown Architects with much guidance from the Newburyport Preservation Trust to ensure that the exterior features of the front and sides of the house return to its original 1800 form."

Preservationists had voiced concern in recent years that the house had become dilapidated and risked being purchased and demolished by a developer. But the Reddys bought the property in 2020 as 3-5 School Street CBC LLC for just over $562,000 and worked with city officials and the Preservation Trust to bring the exterior back to its historic appearance.

Listing some highlights of the exterior renovation, Erica Reddy cited features that included "wood bevel clapboard best matching that of the 1800 house, wood windows matching the original pattern, size, and configuration of the original house, Georgian trim details, a front entry surround matching what was original constructed on the house, and a reconstruction of the Georgian center chimney which had long since been removed.

"We hope the city can appreciate and be proud of the time and effort that was dedicated to this extremely important historical structure in Newburyport," she wrote. "This was a substantial project that took over a year to complete."

Story continues

Thomas Kolterjahn, co-president of the Preservation Trust, said on Friday he was "pleased with how it turned out."

"For the most part, (Redco Construction) really tried to follow the plan and you can tell (they) worked hard at it," Kolterjahn said. "It has a new look to it, but that is to be expected with new materials that were needed. In a number of years, it will look more 'seasoned.'"

Kolterjahn said the Newburyport Preservation Trust is researching the house with plans to install two interpretive signs in Garrison Gardens, the open area across School Street from the house. One sign will be about Garrison's life and legacy, and the other will focus on the history of the house.

Garrison was a prominent abolitionist, journalist, suffragist and social reformer best known for starting the anti-slavery newspaper The Liberator in 1831. Before that, he began his writing career as an apprentice compositor for The Newburyport Herald at age 13.

When Garrison was born in the house on Dec. 10, 1805, it was a two-family home owned by David Farnham, captain of a vessel in the coasting trade.

Information in the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System says the house could have been built as early as 1750, noting "this building has been altered extensively since its original construction."

In an interview last year before the renovation began, Erica Reddy confirmed that, saying, "Other than the frame of the house, there are no interior or exterior original Georgian features that exist or are worthy of preservation."

She said the house had been extensively altered since it was built. In either the late 19th or early 20th centuries, she said, the house was "completely renovated" and all of its original Georgian features were removed and replaced with Victorian features.

With completion of their work, the Reddys have returned the local landmark to its Georgian design roots.

The two condominiums were listed and sold for $799,000 each, Erica Reddy said.

Richard K. Lodge is editor of The Daily News.


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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 8, 2021 / Michelle Kam is very excited to announce that she has co-authored a new book, Pursuit: 365. The book was released on March 8, International Women's Day. Michelle Kam is a real estate agent and broker from Toronto, Ontario, with more than 15 years of experience.

Pursuit: 365 is an all-inclusive book co-authored by 365 inspirational Canadian women from Vancouver Island to Nova Scotia from all walks of life. The book includes Canadian women such as Jann Arden, Bif Naked, Tosca Reno, Celebrity Stylist Kim Appelt, and so many more, including Michelle Kam, of course.

The book was published by Shelly Lynn Hughes, the founder of Fresh Magazine, a fashion, lifestyle, beauty, and wellness publication based in Canada. Each woman featured in the book will be showcased on Fresh's digital magazine every day of the year.

"I am very honoured and humbled to be a part of this project," says Michelle Kam. "I am proud to have the opportunity to represent Canadian women and to be a part of something that amplifies female voices from coast to coast."

For more information, please visit http://pursuit365.ca/.

About Michelle Kam

With more than 15 years of experience, Michelle Kam is a seasoned real estate agent and broker. After graduating with honours from York University, she started working with Re/Max and specialized in high-end, million-dollar properties in the resale market. With a passion for working in the urban market with a focus on condos, loft, and townhomes, she began to develop a niche for herself in high volume sales, learning the ins and outs of the pre-sale market. After building a large and loyal client base, Michelle opened her own brokerage. In June 2016, after owning and running City Accord Realty Inc., Brokerage for more than 10 years, Michelle Kam was fortunate enough to come across Jamie Johnston, owner of Re/Max Condos Plus, and decided to jump onto the Re/Max brand.

For more information, visit https://michelle-kam.com/.

Contact:

Michelle Kam

Broker of Record

Re/Max City Accord Realty Inc., Brokerage

Office: 416-883-0892

Fax: 416-883-089

17 Capreol Crt

Toronto, ON M5V 3Z6

http://www.michelle-kam.com

SOURCE: Michelle Kam

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/634161/Michelle-Kam-Co-Authors-New-Book-Featuring-Canadian-Women
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8) Tourism workers and employees should be considered as one of the next priority sectors in the countrys vaccination program against COVID-19, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said on Monday.

Of course (they should be prioritized), Puyat said in an interview with CNN Philippines The Source.

Puyat added she was assured by officials that the sector she leads would be next in line for the inoculation drive, after the health frontliners and other vulnerable groups. She did not detail who the concerned parties were.

We were already assured that after all of the priorities, it would be the tourism, she said, citing the sectors immense contributions to economy and employment. So definitely tourism should really be prioritized and we were assured that the tourism workers would be prioritized.

The Philippines launched its much-awaited coronavirus vaccination program last week, with healthcare workers and some government officials getting the first shots of Chinas Sinovac vaccine. The country also received in the past few days vaccines from British-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca, which were supplied by the COVAX facility. COVAX is a global initiative that aims to ensure that low- and middle-income countries get equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

LIST: Priority sectors, subgroups in COVID-19 vaccination program

Government officials earlier expressed hope that inoculation for the general public may begin as early as May, with the government setting its sight on vaccinating 50 to 70 million Filipinos by year-end.
Columbia-Greene Media has recently teamed up with the US Postal Service to provide same-day delivery of your local newspaper with your mail. Our expanded daily delivery of your local news reaches into the following areas:
NEW DELHI - Thousands of female farmers held sit-ins and a hunger strike in India's capital on Monday in protests on International Women's Day against new agricultural laws.

An Indian female farmer activist participates in a protest at the site of ongoing protests by farmers in Ghazipur, Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, near New Delhi, India, Monday, March 8, 2021. Thousands of female farmers have held sit-ins and a hunger strike in India's capital in protests on International Women's Day against new agricultural laws. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

NEW DELHI - Thousands of female farmers held sit-ins and a hunger strike in India's capital on Monday in protests on International Women's Day against new agricultural laws.

The demonstrations were held at multiple sites on the fringes of New Delhi where tens of thousands of farmers have camped for more than three months to protest against the laws they say will leave them poorer and at the mercy of big corporations. Prime Minister Narendra Modis government says the laws are necessary to modernize agriculture.

About 100 women wearing yellow and green scarfs sat cross-legged in front of a makeshift stage in Ghazipur, one of the many protest sites. Holding the flags of farm unions, they listened to female farm leaders speak from the stage and chanted slogans against the laws. At least 17 took part in a day-long hunger strike.

Women are sitting here, out in the open, in protest, but Modi doesnt care. He doesnt care about mothers, sisters, and daughters. He doesnt care about women. Thats clear, said Mandeep Kaur, a female farmer who travelled 1,100 kilometres (680 miles) from Chhattisgarh state to participate in the protests.

Multiple rounds of talks between the government and farmers have failed to end the stalemate. The farmers have rejected an offer from the government to put the laws on hold for 18 months, saying they wont settle for anything less than a complete repeal. They fear the laws will make family-owned farms unviable, eventually leaving them landless.

Women have been at the forefront of the protests, which have posed one of the biggest challenges to Modi since he took office in 2014. Many accompanied thousands of male farmers who arrived at the protest sites in late November and have since organized and led protest marches, run medical camps and massive soup kitchens that feed thousands, and raised demands for gender equality.

Today Modi is sending wishes to women across the country on International Womens Day. Who are these women he is sending wishes to? We are also like his daughters, but he clearly doesnt care about us, said Babli Singh, a farm leader.

International Womens Day, sponsored by the United Nations since 1975, celebrates womens achievements and aims to further their rights.

Women often embody what agricultural experts call an invisible workforce on Indias vast farmlands that often goes unnoticed.

Nearly 75% of rural women in India who work full-time are farmers, according to the anti-poverty group Oxfam India, and the numbers are expected to rise as more men migrate to cities for jobs. Yet, less than 13% of women own the land they till.

Demonstrations were also held at Jantar Mantar, an area of New Delhi near Parliament where about 100 women held placards denouncing the new laws and calling for their withdrawal.

Today we are finding ourselves under attack at all fronts. As women, as peasants, as workers, as youth and students," said women rights activist Sucharita, who uses one name. We are opposed to the laws that have been passed in favour of corporations."

Associated Press video journalist Shonal Ganguly contributed to this report.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
China's top general has called for increased military spending to prepare for a war with the United States.

General Xu Qilian, who is second in command of the country's armed forces after President Xi, said China needs to ready itself for the 'Thucydides Trap'.

The term refers to the inevitability of war when a new global power displaces an existing one.

China's top general Xu Qilian has called for increased military spending to prepare for a war with the United States

General Xu Qilian, who is second in command of the country's armed forces after President Xi, said China needs to ready itself for the 'Thucydides Trap'

Xu said, according to the South China Morning Post: 'In the face of the Thucydides Trap and border problems, the military must speed up increasing its capacity.

'[We] must make breakthroughs in combat methods and ability, and lay a sound foundation for military modernisation.'

Xu is one of the 25 members of the Communist Party's inner circle and wants to increase spending on what is already the world's biggest military.

He believes China will soon overtake the US as an economic power, with its GDP more than 70 per cent that of its rival, he said.

Xu made the comments on Friday in a discussion at the annual gathering of China's National People's Congress.

Joe Biden has said Beijing is Washington's 'most serious competitor', and his administration has indicated it will broadly continue a tough approach

The Thucydides Trap is rarely openly discussed by high-ranking officials in China.

President Xi said in 2015 while on a visit to Seattle: 'There is no such thing as the so-called Thucydides Trap.

The Thucydides Trap Popularised by US political scientist Graham T. Allison, the Thucydides Trap describes the likelihood of war when a new power threatens to displace a current one. It is based on a quote by the Greek historian and general Thucydides, who said it was inevitable that Athens and Sparta would go to war. In his book The History of the Peloponnesian War, he wrote: 'It was the rise of Athens and the fear that this instilled in Sparta that made war inevitable.' The term is most commonly used in reference to China potentially replacing the US as the main global superpower. Some believe Chinese state propaganda has latched on to the idea to further opposition to the US and promote itself with allies. Advertisement

'But should major countries time and again make the mistake of strategic miscalculation, they might create such traps for themselves.'

Xu's comments come amid concern in China about its relationship with the US under President Joe Biden.

Biden has said Beijing is Washington's 'most serious competitor', and his administration has indicated it will broadly continue the tough approach taken by Donald Trump.

China for decades has been considered a growing rival to the US, and its own leaders have designed elaborate strategies to carve out influence in the developing world.

Leaders have focused on expanding Chinese territorial claims, exerting more control of special territories like Hong Kong and continuing its gains as a global military and economic power.

During the Trump administration, the US launched a series of actions against China, including a trade war, sanctions against Chinese officials and firms perceived to be security threats and challenging Beijing's South China Sea territorial claims.

Xi congratulated Biden on his election in a message in November, even though Biden had called him a 'thug' during the campaign and vowed to lead an international effort to 'pressure, isolate and punish China.'

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned Biden not to cross China's 'red lines' such as the disputed territory of Taiwan, where US warships have been patrolling in recent weeks.

Defence ministry spokesman Wu Qia said some of the 6.8 per cent of the increase to the military budget will be spent on trying to catch up with the US to 'fight and win' on the modern battlefield.

The rest of the money will be spent on training, weapons and salaries for China's two million soldiers.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 8 : With just 28 days left for the upcoming Kerala Assembly polls, none of the traditional rival political fronts have been able to keep down the rush of candidates seeking a seat to contest.

Like in all previous elections, the Congress, which leads the present opposition is likely to contest 92 seats and the same can be said of the ruling CPI-M, which leads the LDF. There are 140 Assembly seats in the state and the rest of the seats are up for grabs among the respective allies of the two fronts.

Traditionally in the Congress-led UDF front, not a single election has gone by without the washing of dirty linen in the public when it comes to the final selection of candidates, and this was clearly evident this time also when the screening committee chairman of the Congress party H.K. Patil made a forceful statement that candidate-aspirants need not make a beeline to Delhi, where the top leaders from the state party sit down with the party high command to finalise the list.

Contrary to expectation, this time numerous posters have come up across the state, expressing ire over the selection of some CPI-M candidates and the dropping of some others.

However, things appear to be quiet in the third political front -- the BJP-led NDA, where so far there has been no banter from any quarters.

"What has happened in the CPI-M is something strange. Unlike the Congress, never in the CPI-M, barring a few instances in the past when huge outrage was there after it's veteran V.S. Achuthanandan was denied a seat to contest in 2006 and also in 2011. Later he was allowed to contest. This time it appears a free for all and has come as a shocker for the top brass of the CPI-M, when posters for and against a few names have come out. All are waiting to see how this discontentment is going to be settled," said a top media critic, who did not wish to be identified.

The CPI-M has decided to come with a norm that all those who have contested twice in succession should stand down and this was made by none other than Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a party meet, held here last week, when he said next time it would be applicable to him also.

As a result, five of its senior Cabinet Ministers -- Thomas Issac, E.P. Jayarajan, G.Sudhakaran, C.Raveendranath and A.K. Balan besides another 18 Legislators, including the Speaker P.Sreeramakrishnan -- will be unable to contest this time.

However, posters in favour of Issac, Sudhakaran and Sreeramakrishnan have come up in their respective constituencies and for a change there was stiff opposition against a few names like the wife of Balan -- P.Jameela and also against former minister and speaker -- K.Radhakrishnan, to name a few.

Likewise in the Congress, trouble began after former Legislator and senior Congress leader from Palakkad -- A.V. Gopinath raised a banter, but soon damage control measures were initiated and for the time being he has been kept under check.

Other leaders like T.Sarathchandra Prasad, Vijayan Thomas to name a few have expressed their ire in not being given more importance when it came to the selection of candidates.

"Our final list is expected on Wednesday and it will be announced from Delhi. A list of candidates has been named from each of the constituencies and in Delhi, it would be screened and would be announced," said a top Congress leader.

State Transport Minister A.K. Saseendran is facing stiff opposition from a section of his NCP partymen in his home district -- Kozhikode.

A delegation of the NCP leaders are arriving in Delhi later Monday to express their anguish in deciding to field Saseendran again as they say he has contested seven times and hence others should get a chance.

Another surprise that surfaced was in the Janata Dal (S) when it sat down to select their four candidates, and Jameela Prakashan who had contested the Kovalam seat in the state capital raised her voice after her name was dropped in favour of her husband Neelalohithadasan Nadar, a former State Minister. She claimed that she had a better chance of winning the seat this time, though she lost it in 2016.

Despite the fireworks, all the parties are working fervently to finalise and release their list of candidates, as time is nearing April 6, the day of polling.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi:

National Investigative Agency (NIA) and state security agencies should meet every six months for effective coordination and better exchange of information, said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday.

The Uttar Pradesh CM asked the agencies to meet in regular intervals during the inauguration function of NIA's regional office and residential campus in Lucknow. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was also present during the innaugration program.

We are ready to help at all levels on issues related to national security, said the Adityanath.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister also said, Our country had been at the receiving end of terrorism for long. But now, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a befitting reply is being given to perpetrators of terrorism".

He added that the investigative agency has solved several cases pertaining to terror activities.

Adding further he said, NIA is here and now we will succeed in breaking the backbone of terrorism.

He further added that his major concern was Gorakhpur because of its open border (with Nepal).

Terrorists have been misusing the open borders to bring in fake currency to the country for terror activities, he said.

The Uttar Chief minister further added that he was working to make the state Anti-terrorist Squad (ATS) modern.

We are strengthening our ATS and very soon they will be equipped with modern techniques, added Adityanath.


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The "two sessions," annual meetings of China's top legislature National People's Congress (NPC) and top political advisory body Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) recently kicked off in Beijing.

To build China into a prosperous and happy socialist industrialized country was a grand vision of the 1st NPC held in 1954, which greatly inspired the country's progress. Today, as the country has embarked on a more splendid new journey to fully build a modern socialist China, the Chinese people are looking forward to the "two sessions" and expecting them to further drive the country's development.

The fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is kicked off in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 4.(People's Daily/Zhang Wujun)

Tian Hua, deputy to the 1st NPC, said she was very excited when attending the meeting back in 1954. "When I received the deputy identification card, I felt like it was as heavy as a mountain," she recalled.

The missions of deputies were heavy, because they must establish a new state system ensuring that the people run the country, so as to bring out the infinite energy of the people.

A few years prior to the 1st NPC, the people's political consultative mechanism was established amid the victory of the New Democratic Revolution.

Today, as an important platform that pools wisdom from the people and builds unity, the "two sessions" are putting the proposals of the Communist Party of China (CPC), as well as the will of the people and country into the practice of the socialism with Chinese characteristics. It fully demonstrates the essence of the socialist democracy that the Chinese people run the country, conforms to the national conditions of China, and is of prominent advantages and huge vitality.

People's democracy is the lifeblood of socialism, and a banner that has always been hold high by the CPC. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, under the deployment the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as the core, the NPC Standing Committee proactively explained relevant legal issues related to pandemic control, and advanced legislation and amendments in the public health sector. The CPPCC National Committee also motivated its local committees at all levels, participating groups and special committees to make suggestions on pandemic control and work resumption, making huge contribution to the major strategic achievements in the fight against the COVID-19.

Deputies to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) walk towards the Great Hall of the People, March 5. (People's Daily/Zhang Wujun)

A foreign scholar pointed out when analyzing the pandemic control results of global countries that the competence of a country is of key importance. China's fight against COVID-19 fully indicated that the socialism with Chinese characteristics is a system that is feasible and effective, and China's socialist democracy is the broadest, most genuine, and most effective democracy to safeguard the fundamental interests of the people.

China takes its people as a solid foundation of the country, and considers its people as the CPC's greatest strength in governance. In the eyes of the Party members, people are the creators of history and a source of power for national development. The CPC has always been of the same mind with the people, shared the same destiny with them, and worked together with them. They are a foundation for China's high-profile development.

Walking its own way and doing its own business well, China is set to embrace a bright future. "We must bring a good life to our next generation, even if we have to endure another decade of poverty." The remarks by Mao Xianglin, a role model in China's poverty alleviation fight, were cited by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a grand gathering to mark the nation's poverty alleviation accomplishments and honor model poverty fighters. This proved the original aspiration of the CPC to serve the people, and carried a good wish of the CPC to lead the Chinese people in governing the country and creating a better life.
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The recent winter storm that brought freezing temperatures to most of Texas not only caused deaths and a lot of human suffering, but it also revealed the vulnerability of cross-border trade to the power system.

El Paso, Texas, is on a different grid than the rest of the state and did not suffer the severe outages that struck most of Texas.

However, even though they are not supplied by the Texas electricity grid, residents in northern Mexican states such as Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Nuevo Leon also suffered power outages and rolling blackouts. These anomalies cut off power to Mexican maquiladoras (production plants) and forced them to shut down.

A substantial portion of Mexican electricity generation plants use natural gas as a fuel. While Mexico is a major petroleum-producing country, much of the natural gas it generates contains excessive sulfur. In most cases, purer natural gas can be produced more efficiently and economically in the U.S. Of the total gas the U.S. exported to other countries in 2019, 66% went to Mexico. It is no surprise that Mexico imports a tremendous amount from its northern neighbor, Texas.

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During the crisis, sectors and institutions fell like dominos in northern Mexico. First fell the supply of natural gas, due to its dependency on this commoditys import from Texas. When Texas slipped into the crisis, its first response was to protect its citizens by stopping natural gas exports to Mexico to fire up its own plants. Next, the electricity plants could not operate due to diminishing natural gas supplies that were cut off from large users. The next domino to fall were the water systems, which are powered by electricity. Finally, entire supply chains were disrupted because production plants cant operate without power in the midst of rolling blackouts. Mexico estimates that in the first couple of days of the crisis, billions of dollars were lost due to production being halted.

Some of my plant manager friends in the U.S. had to bring in containers via air freight to make up for supply chain disruptions, because they are dependent on their Mexican sister plants for products or production inputs. Shortages were further exacerbated by the back-up of ocean container vessels at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach due to shortages of personnel brought on by the pandemic. Ultimately, the customer will end up absorbing the extra cost of air freight.

When plants in northern Mexico did have electricity, in many cases the water systems were without power or were temporarily inoperative. One of my friends who has a plant in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and one in Juarez, Chihuahua, faced this issue. In order to maintain the workforce while the power was on, the company had to use swimming pool water to flush the toilets.

In other cases, less-than-load (LTL) carriers that move multiple loads from different customers in their semi-trailers could not operate due to the uncertainty of production schedules. Sometimes when maquiladoras had products ready to be shipped, they simply sat in the plant waiting for the logistics company, which itself was scrambling to address multi-customer needs.

After power was restored, many production plants were forced to make their employees work overtime in order to catch up with the demand from their customers that was not met due to the power outages. This requires a company to pay overtime wages in order to get back on schedule, adding another unforeseen cost to the supply chain.

INDEX, Mexicos maquiladora association, estimated that 2,600 production plants were shut down in northern Mexico, and up to 1.2 million employees had to be sent home during the crisis. Production losses were estimated at $200 million per hour. These outages, the closing of businesses without power, and the disruption to multiple supply chains does not put the border region in the best light when recruiting new industry. Reliable utilities are of critical importance when major manufacturers select a production site. Industry interests are rightfully calling on the Mexican federal government for an explanation.

If there were a time Mexicos recently reformed energy sector could use national and foreign interests to invest in and protect the countrys electrical grid, it is now. Hopefully, Mexicos energy reform will allow it to better manage foreign natural gas supplies. Perhaps northern Mexico could redesign plants to use both natural gas and liquid fuels, thus giving it a backup when a crisis such as this strikes.

At minimum, we should learn from what went wrong and take steps to have Plan B in place next time, and the chances are good that there will be a next time. Scientists are predicting that due to global warmings effect on our atmosphere, erratic weather will become more common in the future. And this is not solely a Mexican problem. Cross-border trade and manufacturing have been staples of the U.S.-Mexico border for more than 50 years. The U.S. and Mexico have succeeded in competing in the global market by integrating their economies. What affects one partner during a crisis also affects the other as has been made apparent again.

Jerry Pacheco is the executive director of the International Business Accelerator, a nonprofit trade counseling program of the New Mexico Small Business Development Centers Network. He can be reached at 575-589-2200 or at jerry@nmiba.com.
John Cartwright, president of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council, will discuss the role of workers in a transition from a carbon economy in Building the Bridge to Recovery: How Workers Can Lead on Climate Justice, a virtual discussion, on Fri., Feb. 26 at 12:30 p.m. EST.

The event, hosted by New York Universitys Gallatin School of Individualized Study, is free and open to the public and marks the launch of the schools Initiative for Critical Disaster Studies. An RSVP is required at the event page.

Cartwright is the president of one of the largest central labor councils in North America and a leader in the labor movement for envisioning and organizing for a transition from a carbon economy to an environmentally sustainable one. He is the author of The Greenprint for Greater Toronto, which outlines action to reduce carbon emissions in every sector of the economy of Canadas largest urban center.

Too often, workers and their communities bear the brunt of the displacement, dislocation, and danger that come from climate change. As the world moves from a carbon economy, how can workers make sure their voices are heard and their needs are met? In this talk, Cartwright will outline how and why he believes workers will need to lead in the fight for climate justice, both in the U.S. and Canada.

Cartwright will be introduced by Gallatin Professor Jacob Remes, author of Disaster Citizenship: Survivors, Solidarity, and Power in the Progressive Era (University of Illinois Press, 2016).

This event is the first of the series New Ideas in Climate Change and Critical Disaster Studies and Climate Change. Critical Disaster Studies is an emergent interdisciplinary field in the social sciences and humanities that, through scholarship, learns from and supports the work of organizers and activists who work to build safer and more resilient communities.

For more information, please call 860.397.5757.
The next generation of OnePlus devices will be unveiled on March 23. The confirmation comes from OnePlus and specifies the unveiling of its 9 series flagships will start at 10AM EDT / 2PM GMT / 7:30PM IST. The launch will mark the first OnePlus phones co-developed with iconic Swedish photography brand Hasselblad.

The new partnership is set for three years with OnePlus committing $150 million in R&D to help take its camera game to the next level for the years to come. The joint venture has resulted in the development of the Hasselblad Camera for Mobile for the OnePlus 9 series. The system includes the Natural Color Calibration with Hasselblad which aims to preserve color accuracy and the natural look of colors in shots from the OnePlus 9 series.

OnePlus has always prioritized a premium user experience over everything else. Beginning in 2021, we are making a concerted effort to significantly improve the smartphone camera experience for our users, with the expertise of a truly legendary partner in Hasselblad. - Pete Lau (OnePlus Founder/CEO)

The Hasselblad Pro Mode aims to trickle down the Swedish camera makers sensor calibration prowess to the smartphone world for more accurate colors and images. The Pro Mode interface will be based on Hasselblads image processing software for professional level controls.

Some of the mentioned tweaks include ISO adjustment, white balance, exposure and focus adjustments. The OnePlus 9 series will support 12-bit RAW format for more true to life colors and dynamic range.

With OnePlus top-of-the-line hardware and computational photography and Hasselblads rich aesthetic knowledge in traditional photography, I am confident that the OnePlus 9 Series will be a major leap forward in our ability to deliver a premium, flagship camera. - Jon Diele (Hasselblad VP)

OnePlus also disclosed it will fund and develop four R&D imaging labs in the US and Japan. In addition, the OnePlus 9 series will debut a custom Sony IMX 789 sensor with dual native ISO, full-pixel omnidirectional focusing, real-time HDR video shooting, and 4K@120fps video capture. The OnePlus 9 series will also bring a freeform lens, panoramic camera with 140 field of view and T-lens technology for fast focus results on the front facing camera.
Canada Invests Millions in Meat Plant Worker Safety

Canada has just announced that it will be investing millions of dollars to mitigate COVID-19 risks at meat processing plants.

Canada has announced a sizable funding plan to ensure the safety of workers and reduce the risk of production bottlenecks at 24 meat processing plant facilities around the country.

The Canadian government will be funding the worker safety initiative with over C$7.8 million dollars divided up between the plants. The money will help mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19, with funds going towards enabling social distancing, purchasing reusable PPE, installing protective barriers, improving sanitation and developing training for employees.

The funding is part of the C$77.5 milling Emergency Processing Fund which aids processors in their journey to protect workers in the meat processing industry. The fund will also support facility upgrades that strengthen Canadas food supply.

The news of Canadas meat plant funding comes as United States Meat Packing Plants report dire conditions and the need for funding when it comes to worker safety and health.

In a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing last week, advocates said meatpacking, poultry and agriculture workers faced devastating conditions during the pandemic due to a lax approach to worker safety by employers and federal regulators.

According to FERNs database on the spread of COVID-19 in the food system, nearly 88,000 food system workers have contracted the virus over the past year.

Debbie Berkowitz, the worker safety and health program director at the National Employment Law Project and a former official at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said the results of the rampant spread of the virus lead to more meatpacking and poultry workers dying of Coronavirus-related illnesses in the last 12 months of the pandemic, than from all work-related causes in the last 15 years.

Workers in the food system are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, but getting the appointment could prove difficult.
Why renewable energy was not to blame for the Texas blackouts

Posted on 8 March 2021 by greenman3610

This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections

This months original This is Not Cool video aggregates segments of breaking news from a variety of Texas-based and national news outlets to provide a one-stop overview of the prolonged mid-February Texas power outage amidst freezing temperatures and heavy snow.

Experts commenting in the video agree that the outages, in the words of one of them, stemmed from thermal power plants, a traditional power plant problem, not a clean energy problem.

One important point emphasized by several of those experts is that severe Texas winter storms are likely to worsen in a warming world. Regardless of Texans personal views on the science of human-caused climate change, energy consultant Alisa Silvestein advises, those storms are demonstrably getting worse. She says Texas is in the gun sights for a whole lot of extreme weather and the state has to do more to winterize its diverse energy resources.

We designed the entire grid for Ozzie and Harriet,' she says, referring to the American television sitcom that aired on ABC from October 1952 to April 1966. We are already getting Mad Max,' she said, invoking a 1980 feature film in a near-future but dystopian Australia with life hard amid rampant deprivation, oppression, and/or terrorism.

Close observers of the Texas blackout, in particular those viewing it from afar via cable or network TV or radio, likely will recall having seen some of these same experts interviewed on the subject. Many Texans, on the other hand, were on the midst of the blackouts, lacking power and access to expert analyses via conventional media. This video has the virtue of putting a wide cross-section of those experts in effect in one place, a six-minute film well suited for group presentations or classroom or distant learning.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Parchment, the industry leader in academic credentials management, announced it has launched Parchment Award - CLR Services, the first product that lets higher education institutions design, implement, and issue Comprehensive Learner Records (CLRs). Parchment CLR Services allows learners to better tell their story to employers in a secure, verifiable way, by expanding an institution's ability to share learner growth and capabilities developed in ways that a traditional transcript can't.

For years, one of the most active conversations about innovation in higher education has been around extending the traditional academic transcript to better convey the learning that happens both inside and outside of the classroom, as well as the skills and competencies developed through learning. Institutions have struggled with the fact that the traditional course and grade format does not have the ability to holistically represent a learner's education for self-reflection, to allow a learner to tell their own story, or for employers to understand workforce ready skills developed during a learner's academic career. In 2016, Elon University conducted a survey to employers and graduate school admissions officers to assess their perceptions of a visual transcript that they had launched the year before. 81.7 percent of respondents said that the visual transcript was easy to understand, 78.9 percent indicated that it painted a different picture of the applicant, and 80.9 percent indicated that it differentiated an Elon applicant from other applicants. At a time where the relevance of higher education is being challenged, CLRs can show the true value of the skills a learner attains during their time at an institution.

In the fall of 2019, Parchment launched a CLR Services Charter Member program to build a CLR technology with leaders in higher education who had prioritized improving learner success through innovating a new credential that the institution can stand behind with the same level of integrity as the traditional transcript. The Charter Members represent a diverse set of student populations, and are made up of the following institutions:

Elon University

Loma Linda University

Penn Foster College

Temple University

University of Maryland Global Campus

This technology is the core of Parchment's CLR Services and allows learners to showcase their in and out of classroom learning, co-curricular engagements, skills, and competencies, while leveraging Parchment's expertise in allowing learners to access, manage, and share their digital credentials.

"Ideally, we wanted our CLR to tell a story that exemplifies our learners' success, illuminates their interests, and fully reflects their cumulative college experience," Bhavesh Bambhrolia, University Registrar at Temple University said.

Parchment Award - CLR Services was built to fit the diverse needs of academic institutions in a consistent way, by aligning institutional data into four types of standardized modules:

Co-curricular records which validate activities, programs, and learning experiences that compliment the learner curriculum

which validate activities, programs, and learning experiences that compliment the learner curriculum Experiential records that certify experiences and accomplishments outside the classroom

that certify experiences and accomplishments outside the classroom Competency records that translate courses and credits into market-relevant skills

that translate courses and credits into market-relevant skills Program data which documents learners progress through their academic curriculum

Parchment CLR Services create beautiful visual transcripts which simplify and contextualize these kinds of data for learners, employers, graduate schools, and other stakeholders.

"Our CLR Services modules offer consistency across institutions so that a learner's accomplishments can be easily interpreted by receiving employers, institutions, and state agencies," said Jason Weaver, VP of Product at Parchment. "Our Charter Member program ensured that we were building a product that not only fit a broad set of institutions' goals, but also would meet the needs of their learners and employers."

As part of the Parchment Award platform, CLRs can be issued on the same easy-to-use interface as their transcripts, diplomas, digital badges, and other learner credentials. Additionally, Parchment Award lets learners store, view, and share their CLRs in their Parchment Learner Profile as well as order verified copies of their credentials for digital and paper delivery.

"Working with Parchment on CLRs was a natural fit for us," said Insiya Bream, Assistant Vice President, Data & Systems, University of Maryland Global Campus. "Our students can now see all of their transcripts, diplomas, and CLRs in one place and that student experience is important to us."

"When students are asked about their academic and co-curricular experiences from a potential employer, CLRs allow them to relay the details of how those experiences transition into skill sets in the workforce," Dr. Rodney Parks, University Registrar, Assistant Vice President and Assistant Professor, Elon University said. "It is fundamental to helping students tell their story in a way that employers can understand and that they have the ability to be successful. Parchment is helping us do that."

Parchment and AACRAO are hosting a webinar on March 11, 2021 at 9am PT/11 am CT/12 pm ET that showcases how institutions are implementing CLRs through Parchment CLR Services today. For more information or to register for this event, visit the AACRAO Webinars page .

Parchment CLR Services is available today. For more information, please visit parchment.com/products/CLRServices .

About Parchment

Parchment believes credentials matter in the lifelong journey of a learner. Offering the most comprehensive academic credential management system, Parchment helps learners, academic institutions and employers request, verify and share transcripts, diplomas, and other credentials in simple and secure ways. Our platform has helped millions of learners, 2,490 districts, 1,690 university registrar offices, 10 state education agencies, and 7,325 receivers (including university admissions offices, background check companies, employers, college application services, OPMs, and certification and licensing boards) exchange more than 100 million transcripts, diplomas, certificates and other credentials globally. Founded in 2003, Parchment is headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, with offices in California and Illinois. We help turn credentials into opportunities. Follow Parchment on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .

SOURCE Parchment

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https://www.parchment.com


Republican Sen. Roy Blunt Wont Seek Reelection in 2022

Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), a member of the Republican Senate leadership, has announced he wont run for reelection in 2022.

After 14 General Election victoriesthree to county office, seven to the United States House of Representatives, and four statewide electionsI wont be a candidate for reelection to the United States Senate next year, Blunt said in a Twitter video message on March 8. He was referring to his previous election victories.

Blunt was elected to the Senate for the first time in 2010. He previously served as the Republican House whip during his seven terms in the lower chamber, and before that, he was the Missouri secretary of state.

Blunt, who is the ranking Republican member of the Senate Rules Committee, added: In every job Missourians have allowed me to have, Ive tried to do my best. In almost 12,000 votes in the Congress, Im sure I wasnt right every time, but you really make that decision based on the information you have at the time.

In a statement, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Blunt leaving will be a loss for the Republican conference and the entire Senate.

Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) also have announced that they will retire at the end of their current terms. They are all ranking members of their respective committees, which could lead to some jockeying among the GOP senators to be tapped to fill those posts.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), 87, previously told reporters he will make a decision in the fall on whether to run for office again in 2022.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump over the weekend vowed to campaign against Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), when shes up for reelection next year.

I dont know where other people will be next year, but I know where I will bein Alaska campaigning against a  senator, he said in a statement via email.

Murkowski, as well as six other GOP senators, voted to convict Trump during his impeachment trial in February. Murkowski has also clashed with Trump on a variety of issues in the past.

The Alaska Republican announced last week she would vote for President Joe Bidens pick for secretary of the interior, Deb Haaland. Trump, in his statement, appeared to take issue with her decision.

Her vote to advance radical left Democrat Deb Haaland for Secretary of the Interior is yet another example of Murkowski not standing up for Alaska, Trump said.

McConnell said on March 1 that hell support Murkowski, coming after Trump called on her and the other Republicans who either voted to convict or impeach him to be voted out of office during his CPAC speech on Feb. 28.

Yeah, absolutely, McConnell answered when he was asked whether the National Republican Senatorial Committee will support her bid in 2022.
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.
DUBLIN, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The Textile Industry in South Africa 2020" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report examines the South African textile industry, from the manufacture and distribution of basic textiles, yarns, and fabrics, to the large retail market for finished textile products like towels and linen. It includes comprehensive information on the state and size of the sector, demand, sales trade and employment statistics, sector trends, corporate actions and major developments.

There are profiles of 23 companies including manufacturers such as Standerton Mills and Aranda Textile Mills, Associate Spinners and The Good Hope Textile Corporation (Da Gama).

The Textile Industry:

Retail trade sales of textiles have continued to expand although the country's protracted struggle with low economic growth and falling incomes, recently exacerbated by the coronavirus outbreak and national lockdown, have restrained consumer spending. In the manufacturing sector, production and employment have stagnated and many producers are uncompetitive relative to the cheap Asian imports. The sector remains largely unable to compete with imports or to generate sustainable growth. Nevertheless, there have been some important recent successes, such as the revitalisation of the cotton sub-sector.



Strategic Priority:

Due to their labour-intensive nature, textiles and apparel have long been identified as a strategic priority for South Africa's industrial policy and support programmes. The industry master plan, released at the end of 2019, aims to buoy local textile procurement by working closely with retailers to combat the high levels of illegal imports, and incentivise new investment into domestic manufacturing capacity.

The performance of the textile industry has been mixed for a number of years, despite government support programmes and support including import duties, local procurement thresholds, subsidies, grants, and direct funding of manufacturers through the clothing and textiles competitiveness programme.



Coronavirus:

The pandemic and global economic lockdowns have had an immediate effect on textile production, sales, and trade. There has been a significant expansion in ecommerce and online shopping as a result of the lockdown. Clothing is a major and rapidly-growing product category for ecommerce, but textiles are a rather niche online segment.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Description of the Industry

2.1. Industry Value Chain

2.2. Geographic Position



3. Size of the Industry



4. State of the Industry

4.1. Local

4.1.1. Trade

4.1.2. Corporate Actions

4.1.3. Regulations

4.1.4. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development

4.2. Continental

4.3. International



5. Influencing Factors

5.1. Coronavirus

5.2. Economic Environment

5.3. Rising Input Costs

5.4. Technology, Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation

5.5. Government Incentives and Support

5.6. Environmental Concerns

5.7. Labour



6. Competition

6.1. Barriers to Entry



7. SWOT Analysis



8. Outlook



9. Industry Associations



10. References



Appendix

Summary of Notable Players

Textile Demand for Key Products by Market and Customer, 2015

Textile Buyers, Agents, Importers, and Wholesalers

Company Profiles

Ahlesa Blankets (Pty) Ltd

Aranda Textile Mills (Pty) Ltd

Associated Spinners (Pty) Ltd

Beier Envirotec (Pty) Ltd

Desleemattex (Pty) Ltd

Gelvenor Consolidated Fabrics (Pty) Ltd

Glodina Towelling (Pty) Ltd

Good Hope Textile Corporation (Pty) Ltd (The)

House of Hemp (Pty) Ltd

Integrated Polypropylene Products (Pty) Ltd

Ivili Loboya (Pty) Ltd

Ninian and Lester (Pty) Ltd

Old Nick Fabrics (Pty) Ltd

Prilla 2000 (Pty) Ltd

Resource Link Coatings (Pty) Ltd

Rotex Fabrics (Pty) Ltd

Samil Natural Fibres (Pty) Ltd

Sesli Textiles (Pty) Ltd

South African Polypropylene Yarns (Pty) Ltd

Standerton Mills (Pty) Ltd

Stucken and Company (Pty) Ltd

Svenmill (Pty) Ltd

Yarntex (Pty) Ltd

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1lyxr

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets

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High school students in the United States should be able to receive COVID-19 vaccinations by the autumn, with younger students likely to be cleared for vaccinations in early 2022, top U.S. infectious disease official Dr. Anthony Fauci said on Sunday.

'We project that high school students will very likely be able to be vaccinated by the fall term, maybe not the very first day, but certainly in the early part of the fall,' Fauci told CBS.

He said elementary school children would likely be ready to receive vaccinations by the first quarter of next year, after studies on safety are finished.

Currently, the vaccines from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are only approved for those 18 and older, while the Pfizer shot is cleared for those as young as 16.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said high school students could be eligible for shots before the fall term, with younger students likely to be cleared for vaccinations in early 2022

A student in Alexandria, Virginia looks at a tablet device beside classmates at a desk surrounded by plastic shielding during an in-person hybrid learning day

As further studies are conducted, it is expected that the vaccines could be cleared for younger children, if they are shown to be safe and effective for kids.

In most states, decisions on whether schools should be open are being made at the local level. Iowa, Arkansas, Texas and Florida have ordered all their schools to remain open, and West Virginia requires elementary schools to hold classes.

Fauci also said he expected the CDC to issue relaxed guidelines for people who have already been vaccinated within 'the next couple of days,' but urged continued vigilance on mitigation measures for the over 80 percent of Americans still awaiting shots.

'We're going in the right direction. We just need to hang in there a bit longer,' Fauci said.

'We want to get those death levels of the virus very, very low, and then we'll have a much, much easier time to safely pull back' on mitigation measures.

The United States is now vaccinating on average 2.1 million people a day -- but gains made against the virus over the past month were showing signs of waning.

Nationwide, the U.S. reported a 3 percent decline in new cases of COVID-19 last week, a much smaller drop than in the previous six weeks.

New cases fell as much as 25 percent in the week ended February 7 and 23 percent in the week ended February 21, before plateauing last week, according to a Reuters analysis.

The decline in cases had begun to plateau at 60,000 to 70,000 new infections per day, which Fauci said was not acceptable.

He pointed to the need to continue mask mandates and other mitigation measures to avoid a resurgence as new variants emerge.

A new variant was spreading in the New York City area and was proving 'rather vigorous' in its ability to spread and eluded somewhat the protection offered by monoclonal antibodies and the vaccines, he said.

Signs calling for Los Angeles schools to reopen are displayed by people in passing vehicles during an "Open Schools Now" rally via car caravan last month

A student raises his hand to ask a question in Alexandria, Virginia on March 2

'One of the things that I think we should point out, every day that goes by that we keep the lid on things will get better and better because we're putting now at least two million vaccinations into the arms of individuals each day,' he said.

'And as the days and weeks go by, you have more and more protection, not only of individuals, but of the community. So we're going in the right direction. We just need to hang in there a bit longer.'

Fauci said that the vaccine supply would be 'dramatically increased' in the coming weeks as production ramps up.

The United States has administered 90,351,750 doses of COVID-19 vaccines as of Sunday morning and distributed 116,363,405 doses, the CDC said.

The agency said 58,873,710 people had received one or more doses while 30,686,881 people have received the second dose as of Sunday.

A total of 7,389,102 vaccine doses have been administered in long-term care facilities, the agency said.
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.
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UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 08th March, 2021) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Monday for a safe release without arrests of 200 protesters cornered by Myanmar's security forces in the city of Yangon, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing.

"The Secretary-General is following the developments in Myanmar very closely, notably in the Sanchaung district of Yangon, where hundreds of peaceful protesters have been barricaded inside residential complexes for hours and calls for maximum restraint and urges for the safe release of all without violence or arrests," Dujarric said.

The spokesman pointed out many of those trapped are women who were peacefully marching in commemoration of International Women's Day.

Since the Myanmar military conducted a coup on February 1, more than 50 people have been killed some 1,700 have been defined and arrested, according to the United Nations.
Highlights Redmi Note 10 series was launched in India last week.

None of the new smartphones support 5G connectivity.

Xiaomi believes the roll out will take few more years.

The Redmi Note 10 series has enough reasons to impress the interested buyers, but the lack of 5G support has become a topic of debate. The Redmi Note 10 series include three smartphones Redmi Note 10, Redmi Note 10 Pro and Redmi Note 10 Pro Max. None of these come with support for 5G. This came as a surprise as India is closer to 5G roll out than before with some telecom operators revealing their plans for the same. Xiaomi India Head Manu Kumar Jain has now come up with an explanation for the decision.

Replying to a Facebook post, Jain explained that the decision to ditch 5G helped Xiaomi reduce the cost of smartphones. He further added that Xiaomi doesn't expect 5G to be available in all parts of the country in next three to four years, by when most Redmi Note 10 series buyers will be switching again.

"We do have 5G phones. And happy to launch more. However, there is no 5G network in India. Even if the network gets auctioned at the end of this year, it will be easily at least 3-4 years by the time 5G comes to all parts of the country. By that time, you would have changed phones 2-3 times," he said in the post.

Jain asked, "However, 5G modem and antenna cost money. Why pay for extra costs when you won't use it?"

Does it make sense?

Absolutely. The 5G smartphones were introduced in India more than a year ago and even now there is no clarity around the network availability. Reliance Jio and Airtel have said that they have started working on 5G but have not given a timeline for its roll out. The Department of Telecom (DoT) did host a spectrum auction this month, but that was for 4G spectrum.

So, anyone who bought a 5G smartphone last year, is basically using 4G connection on it. That is unlikely to change for at least another 12 months. By then, the specs of the smartphone will be outdated and most users will be forced to buy new devices. Also, 5G smartphones are likely to get affordable in coming months. So, it makes sense to buy one when the network roll out is in sight.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

In a study conducted shortly before COVID-19 vaccines became available in the U.S., more than two-thirds of nursing home and assisted living staff in Indiana indicated willingness to receive a vaccine immediately or in the future. The study was led by researchers from Regenstrief Institute, Indiana University and the State of Indiana. Vaccine uptake by front-line staff is important because it will help protect against serious illness and death for the high-risk people who receive care in these facilities.

"The vaccines offer the opportunity to return to a more normal life within the nursing facility, but that cannot be achieved without staff being willing to take the vaccine," said study leader Kathleen Unroe, M.D., MHA, a Regenstrief research scientist, IU School of Medicine associate professor of medicine and a geriatrician. "The rates of willingness found in this survey are a positive sign, and more staff may be amenable to the vaccines if they receive more education and outreach."

Nursing home and assisted living facility staff were included in the first phase of vaccine distribution, so the Indiana State Department of Health sent an anonymous survey to staff in facilities across the state to gain an understanding of willingness to participate. More than 8,000 responded. 45 percent indicated they would be willing to take a vaccine as soon as it was available, and an additional 24 percent said they would take it at some point in the future.

Staff members were surveyed on their reasons for not wanting to receive a vaccine. The most common responses were:

Concern over side effects (70%)

Health concerns (34%)

Questions about effectiveness (20%)

Religious reasons (12%)

"We found significant differences in willingness to take a vaccine among staff sub-groups, for example older employees were more interested in getting it as soon as possible, whereas direct care clinical staff who deal directly with patients were less likely to report willingness to receive the vaccine in the first wave," said Justin Blackburn, Ph.D., associate professor at Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI. "This information can help public health and facility leaders identify which groups may need education and outreach about the vaccines so that these efforts can successfully protect residents." Dr. Blackburn is also a program faculty with the Indiana University National Library of Medicine Public Health Informatics T15 program hosted by Regenstrief Institute and Fairbanks School of Public Health.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

More information: Kathleen T. Unroe et al. Willingness of LongTerm Care Staff to Receive a COVID 19 Vaccine: A Single State Survey, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (2020). Journal information: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society Kathleen T. Unroe et al. Willingness of LongTerm Care Staff to Receive a COVID 19 Vaccine: A Single State Survey,(2020). DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17022
In a closely contested vote yesterday in officially neutral Switzerland, voters narrowly (51.21%) approved a bill stating, "No one shall cover their face in public" and "no one is permitted to force someone to cover their face based on their gender."

No, no, no  the neutral Swiss didn't vote against face masks to keep the Wuhan virus from spreading, although, not explicitly stated, this law forbids Muslim women in Switzerland from covering their faces, with only eye peepholes or even slightly less restrictive face coverings, as is common in various degrees in most Muslim countries. France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark have similar so-called burka ban laws.



Not in Zurich anymore.

Photo credit: Erict19 CC BY-NC 2.0 license.

While reporters at Al Jazeera, the Muslim media conglomerate, whined discrimination about this law, labeling it anti-Muslim, they are quite silent about similar laws that force women, citizens and tourists alike, to cover up in Muslim-dominated countries. For instance, in Iran, according to Trip Savvy:

If you're traveling specifically to Iran, you will want to consult the dress code information from the website Iranian Visa. The Islamic dress code for women takes effect when your airplane crosses into Iranian airspace, according to the site. Islamic codes of behavior and dress are strictly enforced. In a public place, women must cover their heads with a headscarf, wear a long skirt or loose trousers, and a long-sleeved tunic or coat that reaches to the knee.

Diverse, pluralistic, and multi-cultural countries such as the United States and Israel do not have such clothing restrictions aimed at any specific religious or ethnic group.

Officially neutral, Switzerland doesn't approve of minarets on mosques, Muslim buildings of worship, either  so much so that the Swiss passed a law forbidding them over 11 years ago.

However, once again, opposing laws and customs exist in Muslim-dominated countries, as harsher restrictions against (Christian) churches and much harsher restrictions, often to the point of totally forbidden, against (Jewish) synagogues are the norm there.

Once again, diverse, pluralistic, and multi-cultural countries such as the United States or Israel have no such restrictions on any religious places of worship; indeed, in the U.S., religious buildings are tax-exempt and therefore do not pay property taxes.

Ironically, very few Muslim women in Switzerland, either residents or tourists, cover their faces. So why are these laws being passed? Eleven years ago, the British Guardian speculated:

A handful of recent applications for building permits for minarets in Switzerland, the no campaigners said, was proof to many Swiss "of the next step in the strategy of Islamification of our country. The fear is great that the minarets will be followed by the calls to prayer of the muezzin ... sharia is gaining in importance in Switzerland and in Europe. That means honour killings, forced marriages, circumcision, wearing the burka, ignoring school rules, and even stoning." The prohibition also found substantial support on the left and among secularists worried about the status of women in Islamic cultures. Prominent feminists attacked minarets as male power symbols, deplored the oppression of Muslim women, and urged a vote for the ban.

Since then, many more Muslims have immigrated to Europe; many of these issues  and more  happened, and tensions over the newcomers and their failure to integrate remains high.

So, ladies, follow the dress law wherever you go. Men, too. Or else!
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She is busy filming the latest installment of the Thor movie franchise in Sydney.

But Natalie Portman enjoyed some downtime on Sunday as she went out for dinner with her husband, Benjamin Millepied, in Bondi Beach.

The Oscar-winning actress, 39, looked glamorous in a vibrant floral top, which she paired with tailored black pants.

Effortlessly chic: Natalie Portman, who is in Sydney filming Thor: Love and Thunder, enjoyed some downtime on Sunday as she went out for dinner with her husband in Bondi Beach

She completed her evening look with black heels, sunglasses and a Dior handbag, which she slung over her shoulder.

She opted for a glossy makeup palette, and pulled her brunette hair into a low bun at the nape of her neck.

Natalie and Benjamin, 43, who recently filmed the movie adaptation of the opera Carmen in Sydney, were joined by their two children, Aleph, nine, and Amalia, four.

Power couple: The Oscar-winning actress, 39, looked glamorous in a vibrant floral top, while her husband, French choreographer and filmmaker Benjamin Millepied, kept things casual

Benjamin, a French choreographer and filmmaker, dressed casually in a T-shirt from Japanese fashion brand A Bathing Ape.

He finished off his laid-back look with a pair of blue pants and sneakers.

The couple had dinner at upmarket Bondi restaurant Icebergs, which is one of the city's most popular destinations for celebrities.

Natalie has been filming Thor: Love and Thunder in Sydney for the past few months.

Family outing: Natalie and Benjamin, who recently filmed the movie adaptation of the opera Carmen in Sydney, were joined by their two children, Aleph, nine, and Amalia, four

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

Jane will assume the powers of hammer-wielding Norse god Thor (played by Chris Hemsworth) in the fourth movie in the Marvel franchise.

Director Taika Waititi has said the film will be based on Jason Aaron's comic books, which are about Jane taking on Thor's duties in his absence.

Screen return: Natalie's character, Jane Foster, was absent for 2017's Thor: Ragnarok, but was a key player in the first two Thor films, which were released in 2011 and 2013

She will face off against Gorr the God Butcher in the new movie.

The upcoming blockbuster is being filmed in Australia after receiving a $24.1million location incentive grant from the Federal Government.

Thor: Love and Thunder is due for cinematic release in May 2022.
BOSTON, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, antimicrobial technologies are used around the world in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Surfaces and products protected by antimicrobial technology can continuously inactivate and kill harmful microorganisms such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus. IDTechEx have recently published a research report covering the antimicrobial market, examining the technologies, innovations, and opportunities. In this article, IDTechEx highlights three innovative start-ups that are developing next-generation antimicrobial technologies. Please refer to the report, "Antimicrobial Technology Market 20212031", for more information.

The IDTechEx report "Antimicrobial Technology Market 20212031" profiles over 60 companies and their technologies. Source: IDTechEx (PRNewsfoto/IDTechEx)

Applied Silver: Renewing antimicrobial textiles with each wash

Founded in 2012, Applied Silver is a US-based start-up that focuses on preventing the spread of infections through soft surfaces. The company has developed the SilvaClean platform technology, an EPA-approved water-based ionic silver additive for textiles. SilvaClean renders textiles antimicrobial through a smart micro-dosing system that attaches to commercial washing machines and dispenses silver ions during the laundry rinse cycle. Applied Silver have demonstrated through surveillance studies in 3 hospitals that their technology can decrease the rate of healthcare-associated infections by 43% when incorporated as a part of the hospital's infection prevention program.

The Innovation: Textiles are typically embedded or coated with antimicrobial additives during the manufacturing process. As such, their antimicrobial content decreases with each wash. Antimicrobial textiles can last for 50100 washes, usually fewer. In contrast, Applied Silver's SilvaClean renews the antimicrobial silver ions every time the textile is washed.

Parx Materials: Inhibiting biofilm formation through anti-adhesion



Parx Materials is a Dutch and Italian start-up that has commercialized a zinc-based antimicrobial technology. Unlike most other zinc-based technologies, Parx Materials does not use zinc pyritihone but rather ionic zinc. Another aspect that sets Parx Materials apart is that their technology does not rely on zinc ions entering the microorganisms; plastics incorporating Parx Material's masterbatch are antimicrobial through the prevention of adhesion. For bacteria, adhesion is the first step of biofilm formation, and in nutrient-poor environments such as hard surfaces, is required to stimulate growth. However, after 34 hours of being on a Parx Materials surface, the planktonic bacteria simply reach the end of their life.

The Innovation: Most antimicrobial products on the market today rely on microorganisms taking in toxic metal ions. However, this places pressure on microorganisms to develop mechanisms to pump out the ions, mechanisms which can also be used to pump out antibiotics. An antimicrobial technology that is effective through non-interaction decreases the risk of forming antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Dyphox: Non-toxic components create a highly effective product



Dyphox is a German start-up, founded in 2010 as a project with the University Hospital in Regensburg. The goal of the project was to develop an antimicrobial technology that has an impact in a real-life setting, avoids generating antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, and is safe for the environment. Dyphox have modified spice and plant ingredients to identify photocatalysts that absorb light in the visible range and generate singlet oxygen with high efficacy. Dypox have tested their product (also called Dyphox) in 2 hospitals in Germany  the coating maintained high effectiveness in keeping bioburden low even after 9 months.

The Innovation: Individually, Dyphox's 3 components of light, dye, and oxygen are harmless. Singlet oxygen is very unlikely to induce resistance and is less reactive than other reactive oxygen species, which may damage the underlying material. Unlike other photocatalytic antimicrobial technologies, Dyphox does not require UV light for activation.

IDTechEx's latest report on the topic, "Antimicrobial Technology Market 20212031", analyzed over 100 companies in the antimicrobial technology market, including innovative start-ups such as those described in this article. For more information on this report, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/antimicrobial or for the full portfolio of Healthcare research available from IDTechEx please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research/Healthcare.

About IDTechEx



IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

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England's deputy chief medical officer has assured parents that pupils will never be forced to take a Covid-19 test amid concerns that some refused to let their children be checked.

Hundreds of primary and secondary schools reopened today for the first time since January, when rising infection rates prompted England's third national lockdown.

All secondary pupils are to be regularly tested - which involves swabbing the nose and throat - to try to avoid schools becoming so-called 'vectors of transmission'.

But figures released ahead of today's return showed around a third of parents had failed to fill out consent forms for their children to be tested.

One head teacher in Halifax has said only a quarter of parents had agreed for their children to be tested, while in Tower Hamlets, East London, a school has reported that the 'vast majority' have opted out.

Parents accused one school in Hornchurch, Havering, of 'coercion bordering on blackmail,' after a letter from the headteacher said pupils would not return for face-to-face lessons if they did not provide a testing consent form.

Today Dr Jenny Harries said testing would never be compulsory for schoolchildren.

Dr Jenny Harries, England's deputy chief medical officer, today insisted Covid-19 tests at schools are not compulsory, amid concerns that up to a quarter of parents refused to let their children be checked for the virus

Dr Jenny Harries, England's deputy chief medical officer, said it will 'take time' for families to get used to testing children for coronavirus before going to school.

She said: 'Children should always be allowed to come into school and it is their right to have an education and it is important for their long-term health and actually their future families' health.

'I do recognise that for many parents it is quite an unusual ask - before children go off to school to do a swab and a test. It will take time, I think, for families to get used to that.'

And mask critics, including parents and MPs, say the rules will impact students' learning. Ministers have vowed to revisit the face covering policy at the end of this month.

Pupils returning to the classroom today received Covid-19 tests, with the consent of their parents, but some have complained after some schools said students would stay at home if their parents did not agree to testing

All secondary pupils are to be regularly tested - which involves swabbing the nose and throat - to try to avoid schools becoming 'vectors of transmission'

Dr Harries' comments came after The Telegraph revealed Hornchurch High School would not be letting students return without a consent form to be tested.

One parent, who was not named, said: 'The salient point was if you do not provide consent, you will not be allowed to take part in normal lessons.

'This is coercion bordering on blackmail. I have printed off the Government guidance and it very clearly says it should be voluntary.'

A Department for Education spokesperson told the paper: 'Where parents do not consent, schools and colleges should ask those students to return at the same time as their year group and no later than Monday, March 15, and they should not otherwise be denied education.'

Jo Tunnicliffe, headteacher at North Kesteven Academy in Lincolnshire, said up to a quarter of parents had not returned the test consent forms.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme last week, she said: 'There are some families who haven't given consent for those tests carried out.

'So we just don't know at the moment in terms of how that will pan out and what transmission will look like both in school and the community.

'My estimation is about a quarter or a third of students will probably not have the test, or some of them haven't had a test at all at the moment  they don't really know what that looks like.

'So when they come into school it's going to take a little while, I think, to get them reassured to have the test  those that are consenting.

'Of course that's up to us to try and help them to feel calm enough to have those tests, because, let's be honest, they're not particularly pleasant and they're not particularly easy to administer.

Other parents have raised concerns online ahead of the return to school, with one asking if they could sue their school if a child is tested without consent.

They wrote: 'I think if were withdrawing testing consent for our kids its should be officially in writing but the school forms dont have a box to withdraw. School trip blood transfusions req parent consent but not covid test?? How do we make it Official??

'Can you sue if they do test?'

Some parents have asked if they can sue their school if their children are tested, as lawyers offer to contact schools to voice parents concerns

Civil rights group Lawyers for Liberty has offered to send anonymous letters from parents to headteachers, asking for children not to be compulsory.

A statement on its website reads: 'Although the UK Government only recommends face masks and testing in schools, many heads have opted to make these mandatory. If your childs school has a mandatory mask and/or testing policy and you are concerned, we can help.

Speaking at today's coronavirus press briefing, Dr Harries said children would never be forced to have a test but that parents should ask if they are concerned about it.

Earlier, Professor Calum Semple, an expert in child health and outbreak medicine at Liverpool University, warned schools reopening and social contacts increasing meant it was 'inevitable that we will see a rise in cases' but added that people shouldn't panic.
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Market Reports on Saudi Arabia Provides the Trending Market Research Report on Nuts and Seeds (Savory Snacks) Market in the United Arab Emirates - Outlook to 2024; Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics (updated with COVID-19 Impact) under Food category. The Nuts and Seeds (Savory Snacks) Market in the United Arab Emirates is projected to exhibit highest growth rate over report offers a collection of superior market research, market analysis, and competitive intelligence and industry reports.

Summary

Nuts and Seeds (Savory Snacks) Market in United Arab Emirates - Outlook to 2024; Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics (updated with COVID-19 Impact) is a broad level market review of Nuts and Seeds market in United Arab Emirates.

Nuts & Seeds - includes packaged peanuts as well as other nuts and seeds.

Nuts and Seeds market in United Arab Emirates registered a positive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.04% during the period 2014 to 2019 with a sales value of AED 857.82 Million in 2019, an increase of 9.76% over 2018. The market achieved its strongest performance in 2018, when it grew by 11.05% over its previous year and its weakest performance in 2015, when it increased by 9.26% over 2014.

The research handbook provides up-to-date market size data for period 2014-2019 and illustrative forecast to 2024 premised on Covid-19 hit, covering key market aspects like Sales Value and Volume for Nuts and Seeds and its variants Peanuts & Other Nuts and Seeds.

Request a free sample copy of United Arab Emirates Nuts and Seeds Market Report @

http://www.marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com/marketreports/sample/reports/2202178

Furthermore, the research handbook details out Sales Value and Volume for top brands for the year 2016 to 2019 and overall market sales by Distribution Channel (Dollar Stores, Variety Store & General Merchandise Retailers, Cash & Carries and Warehouse Clubs, Convenience Stores & Gas Stations, Department Stores, Drug Stores & Pharmacies, Chemists/Pharmacies, Parapharmacies/Drugstores, eRetailers, Food & Drinks Specialists, Health & Beauty Stores, Hypermarkets & Supermarkets, Direct Sellers, Others, On Trade, Vending Machines, Other Specialist Retailers, Tobacco Specialists) where ever applicable.

Due to on going large scale uncertainties in the market due to COVID-19 pandemic, the research handbook acts as an essential tool for companies active or planning to venture in to United Arab Emirates's Nuts and Seeds (Savory Snacks) market. The comprehensive statistics within the research handbook provides insight into the operating environment of the market and also ensures right business decision making based on historical trends and industry model based forecasting.

Sales Values in the handbook are depicted in USD ($) and local currency of country and Volumes are represented in M Kilograms.

*Note: Certain content / sections in the research handbook may be removed or altered based on the availability and relevance of data.

Scope

- Overall Nuts and Seeds (Savory Snacks) market value and volume analytics with growth analysis from 2014 to 2024.

- Value and Volume terms for the top brands.

- Distribution channel sales analytics from 2016-2019.

Reasons to Buy

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Browse our full report with Table of Contents: http://www.marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com/marketreports/nuts-and-seeds-savory-snacks-market-in-the-united-arab-emirates-outlook-to-2024-market -size-growth-and-forecast-an / 2202178

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The NYPD is asking for the publics help to identify an individual sought for questioning in connection with the theft of $24,000 in rings from a jewelry store at the Staten Island Mall in New Springville.

The grand larceny allegedly occurred on Thursday at about 1 p.m. when an unknown person entered Goff Jewelers in the mall and asked to see two rings, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

An employee allowed the individual to view the gold rings, valued at about $24,000. Shortly thereafter, the individual exited the store without paying for the jewelry, according to the police statement.

The individual fled on foot through a rear exit of the mall, police said.

The NYPD released a photo of the person sought for questioning in the incident, captured by surveillance cameras at the shopping complex.

Police did not provide a detailed description for the person.

People with information are urged to contact the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-8477 (TIPS). For Spanish, dial 1-888-577-4782 (PISTA). The public also can submit tips on the Crime Stoppers website, or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES), then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
kara swisher

Im Kara Swisher, and youre listening to Sway. If you enlist in the American military today you can be a sailor in the Navy, a soldier in the Army, an airman in the Air Force, or you can be a guardian in the Space Force.

archived recording Today space is essential not only to our way of life. Its absolutely critical to the modern way of war.

kara swisher

Space Force is the newest branch of the military charged with defending American interests in space. Its teeny tiny, just 2% of the Pentagons budget. But since Trump started talking it up back in 2018 

archived recording (donald trump) You know, I was saying it the other day because were doing a tremendous amount of work in space. I said maybe we need a new force. Well call it the Space Force.

kara swisher

 the agency has been busy defending itself.

archived recording (stephen colbert) Who are we fighting, satellites? A bunch of frozen monkeys? Elon Musks convertible? archived recording (trevor noah) When Trump talks about Space Force, he makes it sound like were going to be on a rocket riding to the moon, like, Space Force! Riding around and killing aliens, and ban-na-na ban-na-na.

kara swisher

Last month when a reporter asked Biden Press Secretary Jen Psaki about the future of Space Force, her answer wasnt encouraging.

archived recording (jen psaki) Wow, Space Force. Its the plane of today. I am happy to check with our Space Force point of contact. Im not sure who that is. I will find out.

kara swisher

Well, Ill tell you who it is, US Space Force Chief of Space Operations John Jay Raymond, a four-star general and a 35-year Air Force veteran whose family has been in the military going back four generations. I asked the general to come on the show and tell me his plans for Space Force and how he deals with the haters. But first, the question of that awkward press conference. All right, so what did you think of that moment? Because it wasnt rolled out. It was rolled out in a more political way.

john raymond

First of all, let me just say she has a really tough job. I mean, as the press secretary you can get asked any question about anything thats going on in the world or in our country. When I prepare for just doing a podcast with you, for example today, on a subject that I am very, very familiar with, theres things that I have to phone a friend for. So I think I was very pleased that the next day the Biden administration came out and threw their support behind the Space Force. I think its really important for the average American to understand access to space and freedom to maneuver in space is a vital interest. Space underpins our national defense. It underpins our intelligence capabilities. It underpins treaty verification capabilities. It underpins scientific exploration. The challenge that we have today is that that vital national interest cannot be taken for granted anymore. There is a significant threat. Adversaries understand just how important it is, and theyre developing capabilities that keep us from accessing.

kara swisher

Have you planned to meet President Biden yet?

john raymond

I have had the opportunity to meet President Biden. And Vice President Harris came into the Pentagon, met with all the Joint Chiefs. I had an opportunity to talk about the strategic environment that we face today in space, and it was a really good conversation.

kara swisher

Youre having to deal with everyones fictionalized ideas about space, people floating around space and going pew, pew, pew. And even Mark Hamill tweeted at the director of Guardians of the Galaxy that they should sue Space Force. And his quote was So they grab the Guardians from your movies, they use the Force from our movies, then they have the gall to just steal their logo from Star Trek? Lets file a three-way joint lawsuit and really nail those larcenous bastards! He was kidding. So talk about exactly what Space Force does.

john raymond

Right, so first I think its very important to understand that the United States Space Force is a military service just like the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines. We now have a Space Force. Our mission is to organize, train, and equip. Build satellites, train operators to operate those satellites, launch those satellites, and provide those capabilities for our nation and for our joint and coalition partners. So we do everything from procuring satellites to launching those satellites like the Global Positioning System satellite which is probably the best well-known satellite across the world. We built those satellites. We operate those satellites when they get onto orbit. We protect and defend those satellites to make sure that they are always there, and we track thousands and thousands of objects in space.

kara swisher

Many satellites, increasingly.

john raymond

Yes, and those numbers are increasing. If you look at it historically, weve tracked about 22,000 objects here over the last couple of years. And of those 22,000 objects, only about 1,500 were satellites. Everything else was debris. Today those numbers are getting up close to 30,000. We operate missile warning radars around the globe to provide our nation the unblinking eye to be able to protect from missile launches from anywhere on the globe.

kara swisher

So what is the military aspect of it? Protecting satellites makes sense. Is there an element of people being in space like police? People have that in their brain, I think.

john raymond

And I think thats a fair construct to have in your brain. But were not just building a service for today. We didnt build an Air Force back in 1947 for 1947. We built an Air Force that would continue today. As the barriers to entry to space are reduced and costs are reduced, what used to be great power competition between the United States and the Soviet Union has now been diminished to where students in universities and people are launching satellites. And so the strategic environment has completely changed.

kara swisher

Let me go through some myths.

john raymond

Sure.

kara swisher

All right. Is Space Force sending armed military officers into outer space?

john raymond

No.

kara swisher

All right. Is it meant to protect us from aliens?

john raymond

Uh, no.

kara swisher

OK. Will it protect us from giant asteroids that can collide with Earth like in the movie Armageddon?

john raymond

We can help with that. And in fact, weve signed an MOU with NASA. We have some sensors that can help track, and so we are committed to working very closely with the science and exploration folks to add our capabilities to that.

kara swisher

Should someone join Space Force if they want to be an astronaut?

john raymond

They could. In fact, we have two astronauts today that are Space Force astronauts. In fact, Colonel Mike Hopkins whos on the International Space Station right now  hes the commander of the recent SpaceX launch that sent the first operational crew up to the Space Station. All the services  the Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force  provide astronauts to NASA or provide officers that then get trained. And well do the same thing from the Space Force.

kara swisher

OK, working with NASA or training them yourself?

john raymond

Working with NASA. Not only do we provide personnel to become astronauts that are trained by NASA and that work at NASA and do that NASA mission. We also protect the International Space Station. Theres a lot of debris orbiting there. We act as the space traffic control for the world. We will warn folks that are operating satellites if theyre about to potentially collide with another satellite. And we do that in partnership with NASA. So one of the things that were also working with NASA is thinking through norms of behavior. Todays space is really the Wild, Wild West. And we both operate in that domain. They have a different mission set. Theyre exploration and science. Were a military service.

kara swisher

OK, whats the biggest misconception about Space Force?

john raymond

I think you alluded to it up front. Its the  were zooming around outer space with lasers fighting aliens. It gets back to the challenge of understanding something that you cant see. And historically, space has been very classified. We do our business kind of quietly. When you walk in a room and you turn the lights on, the lights always come on? Space is always on. You dont have to think about it. Its always there. We need to make sure thats the case into the future. And thats really what were all about.

kara swisher

All right, is Space Force working on sending a man to the moon or colonizing Mars?

john raymond

Thats not our mission set. We are not NASA. Theres three segments of space. Theres a civil space segment. Thats NASA. Theres a commercial space segment, the most visible today is SpaceX, but theres lots of different companies.

kara swisher

Yeah, we can just call them the billionaires. But go ahead.

john raymond

Yeah. And then theres military, the national security space segment. Theyre completely separate missions.

kara swisher

I want to ask you about the privatization of space. Theres so many billionaires building rockets now. Youve got Rocket Lab, Astra, Virgin Orbit, SpaceX. Does the private participation in space help or hinder US space security? Because they are all in there. Jeff Bezos wants to do a space colony that floats in the air with a giant cylinder. Elon, of course, famously wants to die on Mars, just not on landing which was his phrase. How do you see working with the private sector, and does it help or hinder U.S. space security?

john raymond

Its a huge help. Its a huge help.

kara swisher

Tell me why.

john raymond

Well one, I would bet on US industry any day. If you look at how they are developing capabilities, theyre developing kind of an assembly line approach.

kara swisher

Yeah, the reusable rockets.

john raymond

Yeah, the reusable  autonomy. Ill give you an example of how this is already paying dividends. We rely on commercial launch vehicles to launch our satellites, and we dont build our own rockets anymore. And so SpaceX, their rocket, they have designed it to be autonomous. So typically we have ranges in Florida, and we have our launch range out in California. And we have radars and telemetry dishes and optical telescopes. And we have what we call command destruct antennas that if a rocket were to launch and it were to go astray, then we have trained operators that collect all that data and then make a decision to push a button to blow that rocket up for public safety.

kara swisher

Yeah, Ive seen that movie. Go ahead.

john raymond

So SpaceX came and said, we want to do this all autonomous. And they worked with us, and we certified their ability to destroy their rocket autonomously. So now, every time a SpaceX rocket launches, it takes off, and it can sense itself whether its gone off the flight path. And if it does, it will blow itself up.

kara swisher

So you need their innovation, in other words.

john raymond

We need their innovation. And it has reduced costs. It has allowed us to launch significantly more rockets. Thats just on the launch side. Youll hear this term proliferated LEO. Thats smaller satellites in much greater numbers in low Earth orbit. We think theres great advantage there. All of our satellites today are really big satellites that are very expensive. They take years to build. And so what happens is if you have a satellite thats really nationally critical, thats really expensive, you put a lot of mission assurance on it to make sure it will survive launch and work. And that is a different business model than if youre popping them off an assembly line that says, you know what, if this one doesnt work tomorrow, it doesnt matter because another ones coming off the next day. And so what we see is probably a hybrid architecture developing where therell be a mixture. But we really see significant advantage and innovation and lower costs in distributing our capabilities to be more defendable.

kara swisher

So last year Elon Musks company, SpaceX, launched two crewed space flights. He seems to be a Space Force fan. I asked him about it. Have you spoken with Elon?

john raymond

I speak with him quite frequently. In fact, when I was a young colonel back in the early 2000s, I was in an office in the Secretary of Defense staff called the Office of Force Transformation. And it was really trying to demonstrate new business models. And so I was given a task of trying to build a satellite and launch it for about $10 million and to do it in a year. And so when we got some spare parts and put it together and built a satellite, we needed a launch vehicle. And SpaceX had just started their company. And we gave Elon his contract for a launch of the satellite, and that was back in the early 2000s.

kara swisher

I had no idea.

john raymond

Now Ill also tell you its just not Elon. Ive met several times with Jeff Bezos. Ive met with Richard Branson. I deal very broadly with all of commercial industry.

kara swisher

What did you talk about with Jeff Bezos?

john raymond

Yeah, so the conversations I had with Mr. Bezos early on was  their company had really just started. I visited 

kara swisher

Blue Origin.

john raymond

Blue Origin. Ive visited the companies several times since that time. So we talked about their vision and what theyre going to do. They operate capability off of Cape Canaveral down in Florida. And so Im excited I could not be more excited to have this commercial venture. In fact, when I was a young captain, way long ago, I was the commercial space launch officer for Air Force Space Command. And one of my jobs was to support and encourage commercial industry. And we would give leases or licenses for real properties to allow commercial industry to come in and to allow them to compete. Back then, China was launching a lot of commercial satellites, Russia was launching a lot of commercial satellites. Thats all now largely all come back to the United States in providing a significant economic impact for our nation.

kara swisher

When I interviewed Elon, he told me mankind would evolve into a multi-planet species of a space faring civilization. Have you actually been to outer space?

john raymond

I have not. I have had my feet firmly planted on the ground.

kara swisher

Do you have any plans to go?

john raymond

I do not.

kara swisher

You dont want to be a multi-planet species in a space faring civilization?

john raymond

I would be happy to do that. But Ill tell you, Ive got really important work to do on the ground to serve our country and protect our national interests, and thats really where Im focused.

kara swisher

Do you want to go, even like a vomit comet, that kind of thing? Have you done any of those things or not?

john raymond

I have not.

kara swisher

No. Wow. There obviously was a show called Space Force.

john raymond

Right.

kara swisher

Which is you played by Steve Carell. What did you think about that?

john raymond

I watched the entire series. I guess what I would say is they picked the wrong actor.

kara swisher

OK.

john raymond

They needed to pick Bruce Willis. He had the right hair cut.

kara swisher

Bruce Willis?

john raymond

Yeah. I dont  you cant see me on the podcast, but Im bald.

kara swisher

Hes bald.

john raymond

So one of my daughters texted me and said, hey, you know, your Space Force is going big. I said, what do you mean? Theyre doing a show about you, and Steve Carell is playing you. And I said, at that time I said, the big joke was they picked the wrong guy. They need to have a bald guy. And then there was the big family texting back and forth on all the bald actors. My personal favorite was Bruce Willis.

kara swisher

Bruce Willis. Well hes been in space in Armageddon. I dont know if you know but he saved the world.

john raymond

Thats right. Yeah. He did. [MUSIC PLAYING]

kara swisher

Well be back in a minute. If you like this interview and want to hear others, hit Subscribe. Youll be able to catch up on Sway episodes you may have missed, like my conversation with billionaire-entrepreneur Elon Musk, and youll get new ones delivered directly to you. More with General John Jay Raymond after the break. [MUSIC PLAYING] So Space Force has gotten its share of mockery. The fact that its troops are called guardians hasnt helped. Its just too close to the Marvel Cinematic Universe which, of course, I love. You cant help thinking of Star-Lord. I asked General Raymond for context.

john raymond

Let me talk a little bit about guardians. Let me put some of that to bed.

kara swisher

OK.

john raymond

So in 1982, the Air Force set up a command called Air Force Space Command.

kara swisher

Yes.

john raymond

And in 1983 there was a contest. And the contest was to come up with the official motto of Air Force Space Command. You know what that motto was?

kara swisher

Guardians.

john raymond

Guardians of the high frontier.

kara swisher

Oh, wow.

john raymond

Weve been guardians of the high frontier 

kara swisher

Thats a better movie name.

john raymond

Weve been guardians of the high frontier since 1983. The magazine that we published every month was High Frontier.

kara swisher

OK.

john raymond

And so when we came up with this name  we crowdsourced this  we had 400 or so different names.

kara swisher

Whats another one?

john raymond

Oh, theres a troopers, astro, sentinels.

kara swisher

Yeah.

john raymond

We went out to a linguist and said, hey, come up with  make up a name. And we focus grouped it. And more importantly, we got the input from the folks that are in the service and said, hey, what do you want to be called? The leading choice was guardians, both inside the service and outside the service. There was a link to our history. I know that theyre saying 

kara swisher

I like that youre reclaiming it. Im with you.

john raymond

I mean, I got the fact that theres a movie years later that 

kara swisher

Did you like the movie?

john raymond

I have recently watched the movie.

kara swisher

[LAUGHS] Good. Its funny.

john raymond

Yeah.

kara swisher

Theres a talking fox or whatever that is.

john raymond

But we have been the guardians of the high frontier since 1983.

kara swisher

Im going to give it to you.

john raymond

Thank you.

kara swisher

All right. Well I want to talk about actual threats in space and not the aliens and Martians and things like that. Well its easy to picture the army defending us on land or the Navy defending us on sea or the Air Force in the air, obviously. How do you explain to people who might be asking themselves, what has Space Force done for me lately?

john raymond

Yeah. First of all, let me say that what space has done for you lately is its fueled your way of life. Are you a coffee drinker?

kara swisher

I am.

john raymond

Oh. When you got up this morning, before you had your first cup of coffee, did you check your cell phone?

kara swisher

Yes, indeed.

john raymond

That was enabled by space capabilities. If you did any kind of internet banking, that was enabled by space capabilities. If you went to the gas station and bought gas at the pump and didnt have to walk inside to pay, that was enabled by space station. If you got a weather report, that was enabled by space station. It is fused into everything that we do, and it also fuels the way we conduct our missions in the joint and coalition military operations. Almost my whole career, largely since Desert Storm back in 1991, has all been about integrating space capabilities into theater operations. So if you think back to Desert Storm when the coalition forces did the left hook through the desert at night on a featureless terrain, well, how do you do that? You use a very fledgling GPS system that wasnt even fully capable. When you look at Scud missiles that were launched, and we took strategic missile warning satellites that were designed to detect ICBMs from then Soviet Union, and we innovatively came up with a way to use those to detect very small missiles to provide warning for our forces and to countries in that region. And now you fast forward from there, from 1991 to where we are today, everything that we do is a military. Everything that we do is enabled by space. I was stationed in Japan back in 2011 during what we called Operation Tomodachi. They had an earthquake and a tsunami and a nuclear reactor disaster. And even in operations like that, for humanitarian assistance disaster relief, we integrated space capabilities into that operation. It provides us great advantage.

kara swisher

So youve also called space a warfighting domain, space itself. And you just said Wild West. But there are limits. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty basically says you cant put nukes in space. What do we know about our adversaries and their weapons in space? And do we have weapons in space?

john raymond

Let me walk you through  and Ill use 2007 as a demarcation point, if you will. But in 2007, China launched a missile from the ground and blew up one of their own satellites and blew that satellite into 3,000 pieces of debris.

kara swisher

As a test?

john raymond

As a test. That debris is still largely on orbit today. And we track all of that debris and we provide warning to everybody in the world in a very transparent manner because we want to keep the domain safe for all. So that was kind of a, if you will, maybe a little bit of a wake up call that, hey, that this domain is shifting from a very peaceful domain where all you really had to worry about was launching a satellite, it would survive launch, it would survive what we call infant mortality. It could get on to orbit, and it would work. I will tell you, the threat that were seeing today is very robust. And its everything from reversible jamming of communication satellites and GPS satellites, for example, to directed energy systems. Think lasers that can blind or disrupt our capabilities. Both China and Russia have multiple ground-based laser systems of varying power levels.

kara swisher

This is to shoot assets in space, correct?

john raymond

From the ground to destroy or damage or disrupt our ability to use our satellites. They also  I talked about the capability that China demonstrated in 2007. Russia also has that capability. They have a missile called the Nudol missile. Its the same type of missile that shoots from the ground. Its designed to kinetically destroy satellites in what we call low Earth orbit, the orbit closest to the Earth. And thats where the International Space Station operates in that regime. Both countries have capabilities on orbit that are concerning. And all these threats are here today. Were not talking future.

kara swisher

So let me ask you, General John Hyten, the vice chair of the Joint Chiefs, complained about the overclassification of military space. How do you convince the public theres this threat in space?

john raymond

So Russia has launched a satellite, and I describe it as a nesting doll. Youre familiar with 

kara swisher

Yes.

john raymond

 doll inside of a doll inside of a doll? Well, they launched a satellite and put it very close to one of our satellites in low Earth orbit. And then that satellite opens up and releases another satellite. And then that baby satellite, if you will, has the capability  because we saw them demonstrate this in another part of space  we saw that satellite launch a projectile. And we know that that satellite is designed to kinetically kill or destroy U.S. satellites in low Earth orbit. And so they launched that first satellite, put it up next to one of ours. They opened up and released the second satellite.

kara swisher

Youre essentially describing a gun pointed at our satellites up there.

john raymond

Thats exactly right. And then we came out and said, this is irresponsible behavior. And they moved further away and then released that projectile. Similarly, and something that we have not talked a lot about at all, is that China has a satellite that has a robotic arm. And think about a satellite that has a robotic arm, how it could, in the future, reach out and grab a satellite.

kara swisher

Yeah, that was the plot of a Bond movie, just so you know.

john raymond

Well, thats real today. And then theres cyber threats.

kara swisher

Yes. Lets talk about that. You have 1,300 cybersecurity professionals in Space Force in the next few months, right? Is that enough?

john raymond

Adding civilians to it, were up to about 1,900 both active duty and civilians that are focused on understanding the cyber terrain to be able to protect and defend those capabilities. When youre thinking about space, its not just the satellite. You also have to be able to protect the ground station that sends commands to those satellites and then the link between the ground station and the satellite. So we have put on our operational crews, we have cyber professionals that are embedded with our space operations crews that understand that cyber training and can help us protect and defend those capabilities.

kara swisher

Former President Trump wanted Space Force to be a separate but equal branch of the military, but lets talk numbers. The Navys fiscal 2021 budget was $161 billion, while the Marine Corps wanted $46 billion. The Air Force requested more than $153 billion. Meanwhile, Space Force has the budget of around $15 billion. Thats 2% of the annual Pentagon budget. Elon Musk probably has that in his drawer somewhere. Should you have more?

john raymond

I think every taxpayer dollar is precious. And we have stood up this Space Force largely with the resources that we had. Theres no new personnel here. This is transferring folks from the Air Force. This is largely dollars that were programmed for space and the Air Force then transferred over. We have to compete for dollars like everybody else, and we have competed pretty favorably. I dont need to have hundreds of billions of dollars. I need to do what we need to do to protect and defend these satellites. I think we have great opportunities with partnering with commercial space. I think we have great opportunities with partnering with our allied partners. We had to launch two communication satellites, and Norway was going to launch two satellites. So we went to Norway and said, hey, can we just put a couple of our payloads to the business end of the satellite? Can we just put them on satellites? And we signed an agreement. That saved us almost a billion dollars. We just inked a deal with Japan where were doing the same thing. Were putting another payload on a Japanese satellite that will save dollars, giving us some more capability sooner. And I really believe that as we design this force structure, we are going to do it in a way that we can leverage a new business model thats this commercial business model, and we can leverage international partnerships.

kara swisher

Yeah. This sounds very Star Trekky. So Space Force plans about 16,000 people. Again, the Marine Corps is 186,000. How many more people do you think you need? I mean, theres messaging in military marketing. You put out a 30-second ad that shows Space Force guardian wearing a space helmet. How do you get people to want to join Space Force?

john raymond

I tell you, we had many more people volunteer to come in the service than we had slots for. I visited a few universities since the stand up, and there is an increased interest in space and in STEM degrees. And theyre seeing more people enroll. I think thats going to be of great value. One of our opportunities is to develop a human capital strategy built for the 21st century that leverages talent that might typically not have been interested in joining the military. I dont know how many people have come up to me and said, my son or daughter wouldnt go in the military but, boy, theyll join the Space Force. And I have to remind them, hey, we are the military. We are an armed service. But theres an opportunity there to attract talent that might not have been inclined before.

kara swisher

It was interesting. You sounded for a second like an internet person or a tech person, for a second, leverage that.

john raymond

I was a junior in college before I saw a computer with a mouse on it. So Im a digital dinosaur. But 

kara swisher

You had the words. You must be hanging out with tech people.

john raymond

Im hanging out with the tech folks.

kara swisher

How do you envision a fully functioning, fully mature Space Force operation in, say, 50 years?

john raymond

I would like to drive a discussion on norms of behavior. You talked a little bit about the Outer Space Treaty, that there really are no rules, short of putting weapons of mass destruction in space. I really would like to see some rules of the road, and were working that very closely with our partnerships. I would like to see the economic benefits of space continue to thrive. I would really like to see continued exploration with NASA. And I would like to make sure that the Space Force is capable of protecting and defending those national interests as the domain continues to evolve.

kara swisher

So behind you is a photograph of Lloyd Austin. Hes the new Secretary of Defense for the Biden administration. Do you feel now that the Biden administration is going to continue to push this forward for you?

john raymond

Thats what theyve said. They came out and said it. They fully support the Space Force. Its too critical to our nation. I think its a national imperative.

kara swisher

I really appreciate it. I know Ive given you little jokes about space stuff, but youre going to have to take it.

john raymond

I really, trust me, I 

kara swisher

I think your patches are cool. I think your patches are cool.

john raymond

I do as well.

kara swisher

The problem is, if I join Space Force, Id have to be called Lord Vader. But otherwise  and I dont think I get that title, do I?

john raymond

Uh, no. I tell you, though, wed love to have you. Youre welcome anytime in the Space Force.

kara swisher

OK. Im going to come visit.

john raymond

And I mean this. I would welcome the opportunity. And you have an open invitation. I would love the opportunity to 

kara swisher

Im coming to get patches at the very least. Elon will fly me over in his drone.

john raymond

Id love to host you.

kara swisher

All right. Thank you, General John Jay Raymond. I really appreciate it. He is the head of Space Force.

john raymond

Thank you very much. [MUSIC PLAYING]

kara swisher
National Conference president on Monday said he does not have time to campaign for the Trinamool Congress in the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections.

He also asserted that India should abide by the United Nations charter on refugees in dealing with the Rohingya crisis.

"I do not have time for campaigning," Abdullah told reporters when asked if he would join West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee during the campaigning for the upcoming state polls.

Responding to another question about a major drive launched by the government against illegally settled Rohingya Muslims in Jammu, the NC leader underlined, "We know the situation in their land... India is a signatory to the UN charter on refugees and we should abide by it and work on humanitarian grounds".

The Jammu and Kashmir administration had on Saturday sent 168 Rohingyas to a jail in Kathua district after they were found living illegally in Jammu city during a verification drive.

Speaking at another function at his party headquarters to mark the International Women's Day, Abdullah said nobody can come to the country without the approval of the Government of India.

"Nobody can settle here without the Government of India's permission," he said, urging party workers to remain cautious against any false propaganda on the issue.

His remarks come in the backdrop of the BJP accusing the National Conference (NC) and the Congress of settling foreign refugees, including Rohingyas and Bangladeshi nationals, in Jammu city.

The Rohingyas are a Bengali-dialect speaking Muslim minority in Myanmar. Following persecution in their country, many of them entered India illegally through Bangladesh and took shelter in Jammu and other parts of the country.

Many political parties and social organisations in Jammu have urged the Centre to take immediate steps for the deportation of Rohingyas and Bangladeshi nationals, alleging that their presence is a "conspiracy to alter the demographic character" in the region and a "threat to peace".

More than 13,700 foreigners, including Rohingya Muslims and Bangladeshi nationals, are settled in Jammu and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir, where their population has increased by over 6,000 between 2008 and 2016, according to government data.

(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.)
Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab threatened on Saturday to stop performing his duties to pressure politicians to form a new government, citing an incident in which shoppers fought over milk to illustrate the parlous state of the economy.

Diab's cabinet resigned on the back of the Aug. 4 Beirut port explosion that devastated swathes of the capital. Prime minister-designate Saad al-Hariri was nominated in October but has failed to form a new cabinet since due to political deadlock between him and President Michel Aoun.

An ongoing financial crisis, which erupted in 2019, has wiped out jobs, raised warnings of growing hunger and locked people out of their bank deposits. A new cabinet could implement reforms needed to trigger billions of dollars of international aid.

"If seclusion helps with cabinet formation then I am ready to resort to it, although it goes against my convictions for it disrupts the entire state and is detrimental to the Lebanese," Diab said in a televised speech.

"Doesn't the scramble for milk constitute a sufficient incentive to transcend formalities and roughen out the edges in order to form a government?" Diab said referring to the recent incident at a Beirut supermarket in which shoppers fought over powdered milk.

A video of the squabble went viral on social media, leaving many people shocked at the desperate state of the economy.

(CGTN)
President Bashar al-Assad of Syria and his wife, Asma, have tested positive for the coronavirus after experiencing mild symptoms, Mr. al-Assads office said on Monday. The pair are in good health and will continue work while quarantining at home for at least two weeks, his office added.

Their isolation period comes ahead of the 10-year anniversary of Syrias civil war, as Mr. al-Assad faces an economy that is worse than at any time since the fighting began in 2011. Syrians were already living in ravaged cities with an ill-equipped health care system. As of Monday, the country of about 17 million has officially reported 15,981 infections and 1,063 deaths, according to a New York Times database. But cases are likely to be undercounted, experts have said, given that government data tends to hide the countrys struggles.

The fallout from the conflict, along with sweeping Western sanctions and lockdowns, has also left Syrians struggling to feed themselves. Food prices more than doubled in the last year and the World Food Program warned last month that more than 60 percent of the population, or about 12.4 million people, were at risk of going hungry. Many Syrians have resorted to desperate measures to find fuel and sustenance for themselves and their families.

In a private meeting with pro-government journalists, Mr. al-Assad was asked about Syrias economic meltdown, The New York Times reported in February.
The fall into insolvency of London-based Greensill Capital provides an object lesson in how hype overcomes judgment.

The spread-out structure, with a registered office in Queensland, headquarters in London and ownership of a bank in Germany makes for regulatory chaos.

The most recent accounts, filed at Companies House on January 31, 2020, pose more questions than they answer.

The spread-out structure of Greensill Capital , with a registered office in Queensland, headquarters in London and ownership of a bank in Germany makes for regulatory chaos

Strip away the extravagant rhetoric about a unique group with a vision to make working capital faster, cheaper and easier and there are a number of red flags.

In a year when revenues shot up and operating profits declined, the sums owed to other group companies climbed to 159million from 21million. Management fees charged to group-related enterprises rocketed.

The company received a loan of 8million from a key employee (since repaid) and the rewards to top bosses rocketed to 11million from 1.4million.

A note to the accounts says this was for the outstanding performance of the business. Creditors may question that.

The supplier invoice arrangements which provided 90 per cent of the revenues in 2019 were from just five clients, a figure which dropped to 70 per cent in 2020, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The customers included Sanjeev Guptas steel empire; a West Virginia mining firm, Bluestone Resources; and Vodafone. The general objective of financial groups is to have as broad a client base as is possible to spread the risk.

This doesnt seem to have been part of proprietor Lex Greensills model.

In spite of some fragile foundations, he was able to parlay some great political connections in Downing Street into attracting blue-chip connections.

Credit Suisse had snapped up some $10billion of repackaged Greensill supplier invoices and transferred them into insured investment funds. Japans Softbank injected $1.25billion of funds into the enterprise.

All of this may sound very familiar. Greensill inhabited the strange world of shadow banking occupied by GE Capital, which almost brought Americas biggest industrial group down in the financial crisis.

Rolling up supplier credits into structured, insured securities was part of the poison at the core of the 2007-9 financial crisis.

And the creation of a financial enterprise, where regulation is split among different jurisdictions, was a feature of past banking meltdowns, including BCCI and Barings in the distant past and in the financial crisis.

Mark Carney, as the former chairman of Financial Stability Board, sought to eliminate regulatory arbitrage with common standards.

Many of the new players in finance fall outside traditional models. Having failed so catastrophically with Wirecard, the German financial regulator BaFin has gone in hard with its probe into Greensills German bank.

The European Central Bank is taking an interest in banking exposures to Greensill.

Here on Lex Greensills adopted home territory in London, enforcers look to be caught in the headlights.

The Financial Conduct Authority is passing the buck to Mirabella, a financial hosting group, which has a devolved regulatory role. It does a similar supervisory job to Link for the Woodford empire.

The Bank of England is in the nothing to do with us, guv camp. That looks careless given that the Greensill implosion is causing ripples through finance, industry and government. Financial stability, a core Bank responsibility, is at stake. It is as if Lex has stunned all the UK regulators into submission with kryptonite.

Thats not a good image for the City as it goes more global.

Life story

When insurance repairer Ron Sandler took on the emergency role of chairman of insurer Phoenix in 2009, he had the unenviable task of sorting out the closed life and pensions group which had been loaded up with debt and had an uncertain future after destabilising private equity ownership.

Since then, Phoenix has lived up its name as a default buyer of discarded life enterprises.

Over time it has rid itself of debt, deployed technology and improved the fund management, and is now spewing out cash, piling up profits of 1.2billion in the last financial year.

The group, which can trace its origins back to the foundation of Pearl Life company in 1864, has swelled into the UKs largest long-term savings and pensions firm.

It continues to expand, buying ReAssure, the UK arm of Swiss Re, last year. It is looking to the future by marketing new life and pensions policies under the heritage Standard Life brand. In an income famine, the forward dividend yield of 6.48 per cent is enticing.
(Photo : Screenshot From Unbox Therapy Official YouTube Channel) PS5 Target Restock Leak by Employees Indicates Upcoming Wave of PS5 Disc Edition

Just recently, it was confirmed that some Target employees have actually been preparing for an upcoming PS5 restock which is most likely going to happen some time tomorrow morning. Another Xbox Series X restock is also reportedly said to be ready for the very same online-only ordering process according to certain employees.

PS5 restock Target

It was the TechRadar that was able to confirm the employees preparations and reported the story online. According to the report, they were told in a DM on Twitter by a certain Target employee that wishes to keep their identity private that they will actually be having 8 Xbox consoles along with 22 PS5 consoles up for grabs.

Across three different Target stores, employees reportedly told TechRadar that buyers can expect even more PS5 Disc Edition and that they won't really be able to expect that much PS5 Digital Editions for the upcoming PS5 restock Target. For those that don't have a tracker yet that provides them with notifications regarding when new stock comes up, there's actually a pretty cool technique to do so.

PS5 restock Twitter update

One thing for buyers to do in order to get free PS5 notifications is to follow a PS5 restock tracker on Twitter. While there are many accounts, as of recent, one particularly reliable account to follow is Matt Swider on Twitter that announces whenever new PS5 restock hits the shelves.

I'm getting a lot of photos showing Target is readying the PS5 Disc for sale tomorrow. Moreover, three Target employees have also said they have PS5 and Xbox stock for an online-only purchase (in store pickup).



More info and pics to come on @techradar https://t.co/613oJJyc3I pic.twitter.com/XktFgTaTQN  Matt Swider (tracking PS5 restock) (@mattswider) March 7, 2021

It was also noted by Target customers nationwide that they had actually started to find some PS5 inventory showing up in certain kiosks tonight even ahead of the expected sale. According to a certain Twitch streamer MyGuyMcFly there were actually 18 consoles that have been put up for display at the local Target located in Minnesota. This could be suggesting that it will launch tomorrow.

The three employees that gave the leak were from different parts of the United States so this could note a nationwide restock will supposedly be just specific branches. There was also something quite similar that happened two weeks ago with the PS5 restock and Xbox Series X restock were sold online but only for in-store pickup. The console also reportedly lasted for just a few minutes before the Target PS5 restock was completely gone.

Read Also: Xbox Series X Restock 2021: Microsoft Rolls Out New Stock?

New PS5 restock March 2021

It's important to note that Target actually does online-only orders but will allow for in-store picking. This would mean that some of the stores, particularly those that are in a huge city, will most likely run out of the PS5 restock online. Interested buyers would have to adjust their pickup location towards another store if their nearest store would run out.

It is also important to note that the previous Target PlayStation 5 restock happened at 8AM EST. This means that for those that are interested in buying the console, waking up early might help. However, there is still no guarantee that Target will officially be launching the orders at 8AM EST.

Related Article: PS5 Restock Tracker Announces Monday Stock Update Online: How to Order According to Sony

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Urian Buenconsejo

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE  Pope Francis, lamenting that he felt like he was in prison under lockdown in the Vatican, said on Monday that he had wrestled with his decision to visit Iraq in the midst of a pandemic but ultimately chose to put in Gods hands the fate of the Iraqis who gathered in crowded churches, often without masks, to see him.

This is one of the things that most made me think maybe, maybe, Francis, who is vaccinated, said during a news conference on the papal plane returning from Baghdad. I thought about it a lot, I prayed a lot over this.

The pope, who was not wearing a mask, said he was aware of the risks but after prayer, it came from within and I said the one who allows me to decide this way will look after the people.

The popes comments, in response to a question about whether he worried that his trip could result in the infection, and even death, of the faithful who came to see him, did not address the public health consequences of his decision.
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Meghan and Harry unleashed bombshell after bombshell in their Oprah interview that was sure to send shockwaves pulsing through the heart of the monarchy.

They made jaw-dropping claims of brazen racism and delved into difficult conversations of family rifts.

Although much of the interview was an outpouring of emotion, many of the claims can be stood up - or knocked down - with facts.

Here, MailOnline drills down into some of the central claims of the interview.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have insisted their interview with Oprah Winfrey would be the 'last word' on them quitting as senior royals

Meghan never researched the Royal Family prior to joining

Meghan said: 'I didn't do any research about what that would mean,' she said. 'I never looked up my husband online.'

Fact check: Unlikely

Meghan's claim that she never researched Harry, nor the Royal Family, before entering into the relationship is at odds with claims made in the couple's biography.

Although the Sussexes maintain they did not contribute to Finding Freedom, it was written by friendly journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, who say the book was impeccably well-sourced by those closest to the couple.

Prior to their first date at Dean Street Townhouse in 2016, the authors write: 'Naturally both participants in this blind date did their homework with a thorough Google search. Harry, who scoped out Meghan on social media, was interested.'

A friend is also claimed to have impressed on Meghan the attention she would command for dating Harry, saying: 'This could be crazy...you will be the most wanted woman'.

The duchess said she 'didn't do any research' into the monarchy, 'didn't fully understand what the job was', and did not grow up 'knowing much about the Royal Family'.

Friends of the duchess have painted a different picture, revealing that she was fascinated by the royals in her youth. Ninaki Priddy, who was Meghan's maid of honour at her first wedding to Trevor Engelson, said her friend was 'always fascinated by the Royal Family. She wants to be Princess Diana 2.0'.

She added: 'She had one of Princess Diana's books [Diana: Her True Story] on her bookshelf, and even when she was with Trevor she told me she wanted to go and stay in London for at least a month. I know she used to love The Princess Diaries films.'

The mother of Suzy Ardakani, one of the duchess's high school friends, has described how she taped Diana's wedding and would watch it with her daughter and Meghan years later.

Meghan Markle is seen heading to a hotel to meet up with some friends in Toronto, Canada, in November 2016

Harry and Meghan were actually secretly wed three days before the Windsor ceremony by the Archbishop of Canterbury

Meghan said: 'You know, three days before our wedding, we got married. No one knows that... We called the Archbishop and we just said, 'Look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world but we want our union between us.'

Fact check: Unlikely

Church of England marriages require at least two witnesses and the public must also have unrestricted access to the building during any marriage ceremony to allow for valid objections against the marriage.

At the time the couple were living in the grounds of Kensington Palace, and their residence is off limits to the public.

A couple who are already lawfully married cannot choose to re-marry each other, unless there is some doubt as to the validity of the earlier marriage.

Reverend David Green, Vicar of St Mary's, West Malling and the Rector of St Michael's, Offham, said it was impossible to have had two weddings, adding: 'I think the Archbishop needs to clarify what did or did not happen three days before.'

This means that one of the two ceremonies was more likely just an exchange of vows rather than a legally recognised wedding.

'I was silenced'

Meghan said she was 'silenced' by the institution. 'Everyone in my world was given very clear directive, from the moment the world knew Harry and I were dating, to say 'No comment'.

Fact check: Contested

On the day they announced their engagement, Meghan and Harry gave a lengthy interview to the BBC's Mishal Husain, although the duchess reportedly complained afterwards that the journalist had not been 'warm enough'.

On their tour of South Africa, they granted interviews to ITN's Tom Bradby, when Meghan memorably told him: 'Not many people have asked if I'm OK.'

Royal insiders have stressed that it was very much the case that Harry and Meghan themselves 'called the shots' when it came to publicity, deciding which charities to support, which engagements to go on, and which media to grant interviews to.

Secret: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have revealed that they were married in secret three days before their royal wedding on May 19, 2018

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry shared candid footage of Archie playing on a beach during their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey

Archie has a birthright to be a prince

Meghan said: 'Idea of the first member of colour in this family, not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be... It's not their right to take it away'

Fact check: False

Archie did not have a birthright to be a prince, but could potentially become one when Charles accedes to the throne.

That William and Kate's children have the HRH title and are styled as prince and princesses - and Archie is not - stems from a ruling more than 100 years ago.

In 1917, King George V issued a written order that only royal offspring who are in the direct line of succession could be made a prince and receive HRH titles.

The Letters Patent read: '...the grandchildren of the sons of any such sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of dukes of these our realms.'

Under the rules, only Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge's eldest son Prince George - as a great-grandson of the monarch down the direct line of succession to the throne - was originally entitled to be a prince.

The Queen stepped in ahead of George's birth in 2013 to issue a Letters Patent to ensure all George's siblings - as the children of future monarch William - would have fitting titles, meaning they were extended to Charles and Louis.

Under the George V rules, Archie would be entitled to be an HRH or a prince when his grandfather Charles, the Prince of Wales, accedes to the throne.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex introduce their baby son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor during a photocall in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle in May 2019

Archie wouldn't get 24/7 security because he wasn't a prince

Meghan said: 'In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, so we (had) the conversation of he won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title.'

Fact check: False

Being a prince or princess does not automatically mean royals have police protection.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie's security is no longer paid for by the taxpayer.

Harry and Meghan no longer receive British police protection, and are understood to be paying for private security.

Help for mental anguish

Meghan says she begged in vain for the Palace to help her mental state

Feeling that she 'just didn't want to be alive any more' in January 2019, Meghan said she 'went to the institution, and I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help', but was refused because it 'wouldn't be good for the institution'.

The duchess claimed: 'I went to human resources, and I said, 'I just really  I need help',' but HR could not do anything because she was not a paid member of staff. She longed to check herself into a hospital or similar clinic but 'you can't just do that... I couldn't, you know, call an Uber to the Palace'.

Fact check: Difficult to verify

Meghan was not asked by Miss Winfrey why she went to HR rather than simply ask her GP to make a referral or seek advice from a mental health clinician herself, in the same way she might have done for any other ailment.

One insider pointed out that HR exists for Palace employees while the royals themselves have a private office to help arrange everything from booking a holiday to fixing a medical appointment.

Harry, meanwhile, said he was ashamed of admitting to his family that Meghan needed help, and so he did not talk to them.

The duke, who is passionate about the mental health campaign he launched, called Heads Together, and has himself sought therapy in the past, said that with his wife he 'had no idea what to do'.

The Duchess of Cambridge with Princess Charlotte and other bridesmaids arriving at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan in May 2018

Kate made Meghan cry before her wedding to Harry

Responding to claims that she reduced Kate to tears, Meghan said: 'No, no. The reverse happened'.

Fact check: Contested

Reports of a pre-wedding clash between the duchesses first emerged in November 2018, when sources claimed Meghan had been left displeased with a 'stressful' dress fitting for the flower girls.

Accounts differed as to the source of the row. Some said it was a disagreement on whether the bridesmaids should wear tights - Meghan reportedly believed they should not.

Other reports said it stemmed from Princess Charlotte's dress not fitting, meaning another had to be scheduled.

A source said at the time: 'Kate had only just given birth to her third child, Prince Louis, and was feeling quite emotional.'

But during the Oprah interview Meghan flatly denied the reports and claimed it was Kate that left her upset.

Couple witnessed racism inside the monarchy

Meghan said: [There were] concerns and conversations about how dark his [Archie's] skin might be when he's born'

Fact check: Almost impossible to verify

Harry and Meghan said they will never reveal the person who made these comments.

However Oprah revealed that Harry confirmed it was not the Queen nor Prince Philip.

While currently not commenting on the contents interview, Buckingham Palace are almost certain to push back on suggestions of institutional racism.

They could launch an investigation - as they have done with claims of bullying.

Harry was financially cut off from the royals

Harry said: 'My family literally cut me off financially, and I had to afford security for us'

Fact check: They wanted to be financially independent

When Harry and Meghan announced their intention to step back from being senior royals, they said they wanted to be 'financially independent'.

Before cutting ties, 95 per cent of their money came from Prince Charles's income from the Duchy of Cornwall, and 5 per cent from the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant.

Princes William and Harry received most of a 13million fortune left by their mother Princess Diana. Harry is also thought to have had millions left to him by the Queen mother.

Meghan has not seen Samantha Markle in almost 20 years

Meghan said: 'The last time I saw her must have been at least 18, 19 years.'

Fact check: False

During the interview Meghan distanced herself from her half-sister Samantha, who she said she hardly knows and she grew up 'an only child'.

A photograph from 2008 - 13 years ago - shows Meghan with Samantha at her graduation.

Samantha last night slammed the royal's interview with Oprah Winfrey, saying 'the truth was totally ignored and omitted' while providing photos and documents to disprove each of the Duchess of Sussex's claims about her.

The pregnant Duchess of Sussex told Oprah, 67, that Samantha 'doesn't know' her, claiming she was raised as 'an only child' - but her half-sister has now insisted that couldn't be further from the truth.

'I don't know how she can say I don't know her and she was an only child. We've got photographs over a lifespan of us together. So how can she not know me?' she told Inside Edition, while sharing images of the two women together at different stages throughout their lives - most recently in 2008, just 13 years ago.

The Duchess also claimed that Samantha only changed her surname back to Markle after Meghan struck up a romance with Harry - but Samantha insisted that this claim was wholly inaccurate, and shared further evidence to refute it.

'Lost' father who staged photos

Meghan said the Press 'created' news about Meghan's father 'to create drama'

Fact check: False

Meghan Markle's estranged father Thomas today denied his daughter's claims he had 'betrayed' her before branding his son-in-law 'snotty' and declaring: 'We all make mistakes - but I've never played naked pool or dressed like Hitler like Harry did'.

Mr Markle says that he's apologised '100 times' for doing a deal with a paparazzi photographer before the royal wedding in 2018 and urged the couple to see him now they only live '70 miles away' from his Mexico home in Los Angeles.

He also denied the Royal Family - or Britain - is racist, calling Meghan and Harry's claims 'bulls**t' and saying if it is true a royal asked about how 'dark' Archie's skin would be, it was probably just a 'dumb question'.

Mr Markle spoke to Good Morning Britain in the UK after watching the Oprah interview with his daughter and her husband.

In it Meghan said she cannot fathom hurting her son Archie in the way her own father 'betrayed' her, admitting she 'found it hard to reconcile' with Thomas after he insisted that he had not been speaking to the media. She said: 'I look at Archie, I think about this child, and I genuinely can't imagine doing anything to intentionally cause pain to my child'.

Mr Markle said that while he did let her down, she had 'let me down too' by cutting him off after heart surgery almost three years ago. He said: 'The bottom line is she didn't lose me, she made a statement saying she lost me, she didn't lose me, I would've always been there for her, I'm there for her now if she wants me'. He added: 'We all make mistakes - but I've never played naked pool or dressed like Hitler like Harry did'.

Mr Markle was referencing Harry's trip to Las Vegas where he stripped off in a hotel to play pool and once wearing a Nazi uniform to a party when he was 20.

Describing his last phone call with Harry he said: 'Harry had said to me if you had listened to me, this wouldn't have happened to you. Me, laying in a hospital bed after a having procedure, I had a stint put here and put here and that was kind of snotty so I hung up on him.'

But Mr Markle also used the rare interview to urge his daughter to reach out to him. He said: 'I'd like to say again. I'm sorry for what I've done. This was two years ago. But I've tried to make it up to her. I'm now only 70 miles away. I've never stopped loving her. I don't agree with all the things that my children they do. But I will always love them. And I certainly love Meghan'.

A photograph from 2008 - 13 years ago - shows Meghan with her half-sister Samantha Markle at her graduation

Meghan had to turn over her passport, keys and driving licence to royal aides

Meghan said: 'When I joined that family, that was the last time I saw my passport, my driving licence, my keys - all of that gets turned over.'

Fact check: Difficult to verify

Senior royals are often pictured driving themselves and it is believed there have never been prior claims of a royal having keys and passports held.

Harry and Meghan received police protection, meaning their travel was meticulously planned by officers.

Meghan's press team didn't defend her when 'things weren't true'

Oprah asked Meghan about stories that she made Kate cry, saying: 'So, all the time the stories were out that you had made Kate cry, you knew all along, and people around you knew that that wasn't true.' Meghan replied: 'Everyone in the institution knew it wasn't true.' And Oprah then said: 'So, why didn't somebody just say that?' Meghan said: 'That's a good question.'

Fact check: Contested

Making a wider point, Mail on Sunday royal correspondent Emily Andrews has said that Meghan's press team did in fact defend untrue stories, saying this was 'just not right'.

Ms Andrews said that she interacted with a press team who defended the Sussexes 'again and again and again, told me things were wrong - so didn't publish - and indeed tried to stop me when true.'

Palace lied to protect other members of the Royal Family

Meghan said: 'I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, but they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.'

Fact check: Contested

There was clearly frustration felt by the couple, with some justification, towards the Palace PR machine, which was sometimes reluctant to 'fight every little fire', as one source put it.

But the Palace did robustly stand ground on many other stories that the couple insisted were not true, resulting in the media not running them.

The Palace pursued at least one national newspaper all the way to press regulator IPSO over a story about their Frogmore home, and won a decisive victory for Harry and Meghan.

The duchess complained that she was 'not protected', but Palace sources have hit back at the idea the duchess was left to fend for herself, suggesting it was her own aides who needed protection from her bullying ways  something she strenuously denies.

Meghan was banned from going out for lunch with her friends

Meghan: 'I remember so often people within The Firm would say, 'Well, you can't do this because it'll look like that. You can't'... so, even, 'Can I go and have lunch with my friends?' 'No, no, no. You're oversaturated. You're everywhere. It would be best for you to not go out to lunch with your friends.' I go, 'Well, I haven't left the house in months.'

Fact check: Contested

Meghan appears to be talking about a four-year period, and it is likely the situation varied.

She was spotted enjoying outings on numerous occasions, including a pub lunch with Harry, going for facials near their Kensington Palace home and shopping trips.

Every British newspaper declined to buy photographs of these trips. No member of staff would dare tell Meghan where she could go.

Newspaper held story about Thomas Markle until Sunday before Meghan's wedding

Meghan: 'If we were going to use the word betrayal, it's because when I asked him, when we were told by the comms team, this is a story that was going to be coming out, which, by the way, the tabloids had apparently known for a month or so and decided to hold until the Sunday before our wedding because they wanted to create drama, which is also a really key point in all this.'

Fact check: False

Meghan claimed 'the tabloids had apparently known for a month' that Thomas Markle had staged paparazzi photos before the wedding but 'decided to hold till the Sunday before our wedding... to create drama,' adding: 'They did not report the news, they created the news.' She suggested she had 'lost' her father forever as a result.

In truth, far from sitting on the paparazzi story, the Mail on Sunday, which broke it, published within 24 hours of getting the proof.
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Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 22:27:23|Editor: huaxia

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TRIPOLI, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The newly-elected Prime Minister of Libya Abdul Hamid Dbeibah on Monday called on the House of Representatives to approve the new government.

"I call on the members of the House of Representatives to give priority to the country's interests above all narrow and personal considerations, and enable the government to take on its difficult tasks immediately," Dbeibah said in a speech.

"Obstruction, postponement and extension increased the suffering of our people," he said.

The UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) recently selected a new executive authority for the country, which was welcomed by all the Libyan parties.

The new executive authority's main task is to prepare the country for the upcoming general elections on Dec. 24, 2021, as agreed by the LPDF.

UN Envoy to Libya Jan Kubis on Sunday stressed the importance of holding a session of the House of Representatives to grant confidence to the new Government of National Unity.

For the first time in years, members of the House of Representatives gathered on Monday in the city of Sirte for a session to consider granting confidence to the new government. Enditem
New cases of coronavirus infection in India were recorded above 18,000 for the third consecutive day taking the totaltally of COVID-19 cases to 1,12,29,398, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. The active cases also registered an increase for the sixth consecutive day and the COVID-19 active caseload increased to 1,88,747 which now comprises 1.68 per cent of the total infections.

The recovery rate has dropped further to 96.91 per cent,the data stated. A total of 18,599 new infections were registered in a day, while the death toll increased to 1,57,853 with 97 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

On January 29,18,855 new infections were recorded in a span of 24 hours. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,08,82,798 which translates to a national COVID-19 recovery rate of 96.91 per cent, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.41 per cent.

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7,30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

According to the ICMR, 22,19,68,271 samples have been tested up to March 7 with 5,37,764 samples being tested on Sunday. The 97 new fatalities include 38 from Maharashtra, 17 from Punjab and 13 from Kerala.

A total of 1,57,853 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 52,478 from Maharashtra followed by 12,518 from Tamil Nadu, 12,362 from Karnataka, 10,921 from Delhi, 10,278 from West Bengal, 8,737 from Uttar Pradesh and 7,174 from Andhra Pradesh.

The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on itswebsite, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

Also read: Delhi govt plans to celebrate 75th Independence Day in a big way, say sources
TORONTO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BMO Financial Group (TSX: BMO) (NYSE: BMO) today announced that it has filed its 2021 Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Management Proxy Circular with applicable securities regulators.

BMO's Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held virtually on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. EDT. The Management Proxy Circular contains key information for shareholders on the meeting, including the items to be voted on, which are the election of directors, the appointment of auditors, the advisory vote on the bank's approach to executive compensation, and one shareholder proposal. A detailed description of these items is contained in the circular.

This year, BMO is using notice-and-access to deliver the circular to its shareholders. The circular can be found online: on the BMO Annual Meeting website at www.bmo.com/home/about/banking/investor-relations/annual-general-meeting; on the website of BMO's transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company of Canada at www.envisionreports.com/BMO2021; on SEDAR at www.sedar.com; and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Shareholders can request a paper copy free of charge as described in the circular.

BMO encourages shareholders to vote by proxy as early as possible to ensure their shares are represented at the meeting. Shareholders can join the meeting and ask questions through a live webcast or participate by teleconference. Shareholders can access the webcast platform, related instructions and dial-in information on the Annual Meeting website. Please check the website regularly for updates.

About BMO Financial Group

Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a highly diversified financial services provider - the 8th largest bank, by assets, in North America. With total assets of $973 billion as of January 31, 2021, and a team of diverse and highly engaged employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, BMO Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

For News Media Inquiries: Paul Lehmann, Toronto, paul.lehmann@bmo.com, (416) 867-3996; For Investor Relations Inquiries: Christine Viau, Head, Investor Relations, Toronto, christine.viau@bmo.com, (416) 867-6956; Bill Anderson, Director, Investor Relations, Toronto, Bill2.Anderson@bmo.com, (416) 867-7834, Internet: www.bmo.com, Twitter: @BMOMedia
The pastor of a north Belfast church has told of dirty threats being received, following the churchs decision to restart services on Sunday.

Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle welcomed worshippers back through their doors for what was described as a phased return on Sunday morning.

Last Tuesday the church announced online that they were taking the decision to allow people to attend their 11am morning service taking into account the available data around the virus.

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In a statement posted on their website and social media, they also advised people to abide by the safeguards, including that there was to be no hugging, hand shaking, that a two metre distance was to be enforced and that masks must be worn at all times.

Whitewell to begin a phased return to church beginning Sunday Morning 7th March. Having been closed now for over two... Posted by Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle on Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Before Sundays first service, Senior Pastor David Purse told those attending and those watching the service online, that he had been subject to threats contained in a letter.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph on Monday afternoon, Pastor Purse explained it was not nice to receive a letter at his personal address.

It was just a dirty stinking wee letter telling people that we were disgusting. You get that. It is not going to stop us doing what we do, he said.

It is not nice when someone sends a letter like that. There is this scroll and you cant even make half of it out - saying we were low, didnt care and were a disgrace.

The police came in yesterday morning. The police observed. One of the church stewards went out to them.

They advised they had received a complaint. So the police were invited in. I spoke to the police personally.

They told me it was just a complaint and they were obliged to look into it. The police officer complimented us on how well we are organised for those coming to church.

Directing a message on Sunday specifically to reporters watching, he went on to say he hoped they see we do everything well.

He also mocked those responsible for the letter and told the audience in attendance not to worry about it and that it was good to be here.

While places of worship are allowed to remain open as part of Northern Irelands coronavirus restrictions, a voluntary arrangement was agreed between the four largest denominational churches.

Pastor Purse said the concern over his congregations mental well-being also played a part in the decision to reopen.

We weighed that into our decision making when our oversight met a few weeks ago. We didnt do yesterday flippantly, it was done with much thought, consideration and care, he added.

Former health minister Jim Wells said it was entirely legal for churches to open within the rules if they wished.

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The churches were never prevented from meeting as a result of the regulations, he told BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show.

"They voluntarily stopped services, that was the four main churches.

They said they would keep an eye on the statistics and the vaccine and make a decision later on - in this case ten weeks later.

There was never much evidence to start with that church services caused much impact [on the spread of the virus].

A large proportion of the congregation are likely vaccinated in most cases, they have decided to go back. That is entirely legal.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the PSNI said: Police attended the Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle on Sunday morning and no breaches of the Regulations were noted.
EDITORS NOTE: NJ Cannabis Insider is hosting a two-day business and networking conference March 9-10, featuring some of the states most prominent industry leaders. Tickets are sold out. Sign up for the waitlist.

Legislators are pushing to change a new law preventing police from notifying juveniles parent the first time they are caught with marijuana or alcohol.

And it seems Gov. Phil Murphy is in favor of altering the law he signed just two weeks ago.

I personally think thats a step in the right direction, and so well see where that goes, Murphy said Monday during his press briefing on the coronavirus.

Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have announced three different efforts to send parents notices when police catch their children with weed and booze.

Its got a ways to go, but as a conceptual matterI support that direction, Murphy said.

The law signed late last month removed all criminal penalties and fines for such offenses, replacing them with escalating warnings. Under that, the first warning will goes to the juvenile only, the second to a parent and the third as a referral to drug education or treatment programs.

The law came as an end to a two-month-long debate on penalties for underage marijuana use. Two initial bills  one to launch a legal marijuana industry and the other to end arrests for possession  offered conflicting outcomes for those under 21 caught with weed. The first provided criminal penalties, and the second did away with all repercussions.

Murphy said he would not sign either until lawmakers drafted a cleanup bill to address the issue and remove criminal penalties.

After several stumbles, the final compromise took further steps to include alcohol and remove parents from receiving notification of a first warning. It passed the Legislature just 20 minutes before Murphy had to sign the legalization and decriminalization bills.

A group of Republican senators has introduced a bill that requires written notification to parents on a first offense.

Police shouldnt be prohibited from telling parents that their child was caught engaging in illegal or dangerous activity with drugs or alcohol, Sen. Anthony Bucco, R-Morris, who sponsored the bill, said in a statement released Monday. Thankfully, it appears that both Republicans and Democrats in both houses of the Legislature want to fix this outrageous provision of our law. Governor Murphy apparently is supportive of this fix as well. Given that broad support, theres no reason to delay action on moving this important legislation forward.

A dozen Republican senators have put their names on it as of Monday morning.

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, R-Union, was the first to say he would introduce such a bill, coming out just days after Murphy signed the first law.He has not yet introduced the measure in the Legislature.

A group of Democrats in the Senate and Assembly also have planned a new bill, announcing last week they would introduce a measure requiring parental notification on the first violation.

The importance of parental involvement in every aspect of a childs development has been well documented, Sen. Dawn Addiego, D-Burlington, said in a statement. Removing parents from a moment as pivotal as being caught breaking the law runs contrary to common recommended practice and quite honestly common sense.

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Amanda Hoover may be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj.
It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
Fully vaccinated people can gather with other vaccine recipients without masks or social distancing, according to guidance from federal health officials.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the guidance Monday, also saying vaccinated people can likewise gather with people considered at low-risk for severe disease.

The CDC releases the guidance as more and more people have received the vaccine and are wondering what's next or when things can be back to normal.

With more and more people vaccinated each day, we are starting to turn a corner, said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.

Officials say a person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last required dose of vaccine. About 31 million Americans, about 9% of the U.S. population, have been fully vaccinated with a federally authorized COVID-19 vaccine so far, according to the CDC.

Monday was the first day of phase 1b of COVID-19 vaccine distribution in South Carolina. This phase includes all residents aged 55 or older, residents aged 16-64 with underlying health conditions and frontline workers with increased occupational risk including, but not limited to, school staff and daycare workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers and law enforcement officers.

Approximately 2.7 million South Carolinians are eligible in this phase.

As of March 8, South Carolina has received 1,743,228 total doses of COVID-19 vaccine and has administered 1,271,085. There are currently 565,990 vaccine appointments scheduled throughout the state.

A total of 37,795 COVID-19 vaccines, which includes first and second doses, have been administered in Aiken County.

To find a COVID-19 vaccine provider, residents can visit scdhec.gov/vaxlocator or call DHEC's COVID-19 Vaccine Information Line at 1-866-365-8110.

South Carolina health authorities confirmed 10 COVID-19 cases in Aiken County on Monday.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control confirmed a total of 562 cases and four deaths across the state Monday. None of the deaths were in Aiken County.

The data reported Monday is for the date of March 6.

Monday's report brings the total confirmed number of COVID-19 cases in Aiken County to 12,285, with 171 confirmed coronavirus-related deaths.

Aiken County also has reported a total of 3,802 probable COVID-19 cases and 39 probable coronavirus-related deaths.

In neighboring Barnwell and Edgefield counties, zero and two virus cases were confirmed, respectively, on Monday.

According to DHEC's acute hospital bed occupancy report, Aiken County hospitals are at 81.3% occupancy. There are 126 beds occupied, while there are 29 beds open. Across the entire state, there are 608 COVID-19 patients hospitalized.

The total number of individual test results reported to DHEC statewide Monday was 20,552, and the percent positive was 3.7%.

The total number of cases statewide is now 450,578, with 76,138 probable cases, 7,748 confirmed deaths and 1,012 probable deaths.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.
MOUNT PLEASANT, MI - Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced two new appointments to the Central Michigan Univeristy Board of Trustees* Friday, March 5.

Whitmers choices for the two seats are Regine Beauboeuf of Bloomfield Hills and Sharon L. Heath of Novi, according to a news release from her office. Beaubeouf and Heath replace Tricia Keith and William Weideman on the board, respectively, whose terms both expired Dec. 31.

Beauboeuf is a former supervising engineer with the Michigan Department of Transportation and president of the Michigan Chapter of the Conference of Minority in Transportation Officials, according to the release. She works as senior vice president and director of engineering operations for HNTB Corporation, an infrastructure design firm. She is a licensed engineer and holds an MBA from Davenport University, as well as a bachelors degree in civil engineering from the National University of Haiti.

Heath is a former director of customer experience with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan who recently retired from the organization after 35 years in various positions, according to the release. She holds a masters degree in health services administration from CMU and a bachelors degree from Madonna University.

Both appointees terms expire Dec. 31, 2028, according to the release.

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As of March 8, 23 holes have been completed with a total of 5,125m drilled and 1,907 samples sent to the lab for assaying

Meanwhile, Philippe Cloutier has been named as a new independent director at QC Copper

QC Copper and Gold Inc ( ) (OTCMKTS:QCCUF) said Monday that drilling at its Opemiska project in Quebec was exceeding performance milestones and that it had hired a new independent director.

As of March 8, 23 holes have been completed with a total of 5,125 metres (m) drilled and 1,907 samples sent to the lab for assaying, the company said.

"We are very pleased with this work performance and progress," said Charles Beaudry, director and vice-president of exploration at QC Copper and Gold.

"The results so far attest to the robustness of the digital model of the historic copper deposit mineralization and infrastructure, which goes towards increasing the reliability of the dataset and delivering a maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) and followed, if favourable, by a preliminary economic analysis (PEA)."

Meanwhile, Philippe Cloutier, who has over 35 years' experience in the mining business and is founder, president and CEO of Cartier Resources (Cartier), was named as a new independent director at QC Copper.

Stephen Stewart, CEO of QC Copper and Gold, commented: "We are pleased to welcome Mr Cloutier as the newest member of the board. Philippe brings a wealth of experience in exploring projects in Quebec, along with professional and business relationships within and outside of Quebec. He joins our efforts in advancing the Opemiska Copper Complex to the next level."

Cloutier has previously worked for Noranda Inc, Aur Resources Inc, and Soquem. He played a lead role in discovering and delineating the Bell-Allard South copper-zinc mine in Matagami, Quebec, the company noted.

Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com
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The Defense Department has resumed its diversity training efforts, after the Biden White House acted swiftly to reverse the Trump administration's controversial curtailment of such programs.

The Trump administration moved last September to halt training on subjects including critical race theory and white privilege, and vehemently denounced such training programs as "un-American propaganda training sessions."

In a Sept. 4, 2020, memo, former Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought said executive branch agencies had spent millions of taxpayer dollars "'training' government workers to believe divisive, anti-American propaganda."

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In his memo, Vought ordered agencies to identify and then cancel or defund contracts or agency spending for training on critical race theory, white privilege "or any other training or propaganda effort that teaches or suggests either ... that the United States is an inherently racist or evil country or ... that any race or ethnicity is inherently racist or evil."

Within a week, the Air Force began moving to cancel such contracts, as the OMB memo required. And Trump issued an executive order later in September "to combat offensive and anti-American race and sex stereotyping and scapegoating," which more formally barred federal workplaces, uniformed services and federal contractors from promoting such "divisive concepts."

However, that has now changed.

On his first day in office, President Joe Biden signed an executive order that revoked Trump's order, declaring, "Our diversity is one of our country's greatest strengths."

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin followed with a memo rescinding the Trump administration's restriction on diversity training, and the services followed suit.

Air Force spokeswoman Capt. Leah Brading said in a Feb. 24 email to Military.com that the service followed Austin's instructions. On Jan. 29, the Air Force sent a message to the field allowing units to immediately go back to the kind of training that existed before last September's order, she said.

"The Department of the Air Force is committed to fostering a culture where all our members are free to make their fullest contributions toward mission success without unnecessary barriers," Brading said. "Diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity education and training are essential to cultivate positive values and behaviors, as well as an environment where inclusion and equity for all personnel is achieved."

Any moves the Air Force took last year to suspend contracts could also be reversed. Biden's executive order gives agency heads the power to suspend, revise or rescind any actions taken under the previous administration's order, including agency moves to cancel or restrict contracts or grants.

The Air Force also said the order's revocation removes all requirements related to future contracts and grants.

The Army said in a March 4 email that it ordered its Military Equal Opportunity and Equal Employment Opportunity offices to immediately resume diversity and inclusion training once the Trump administration's guidance was rescinded.

Last December, the Army issued a policy putting a stop to such training. However, that policy said the halt would be effective until the executive order was repealed or otherwise rescinded or superseded. For that reason, the service did not need to issue any written guidance putting diversity training back into place.

And on Feb. 21, the Navy issued an order immediately resuming all diversity and inclusion training, without any requirement that commands submit training for review by a higher authority.

-- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey.

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Filming has begun again in recent weeks for the new series of The Only Way Is Essex.

And two of its biggest stars Amber Turner and Dan Edgar put on a very cosy display as they stepped out to film scenes together in Brentwood on Monday.

The blonde beauty, 27, looked glowing as her beau, 30, leaned in to kiss her on the cheek as they arrived on location alongside a host of other glamorous cast members.

Loved-up: TOWIE's Amber Turner and Dan Edgar put on a cosy display as they headed to filming for the new series on Monday

Amber looked chic in an a black buttoned blazer, black trousers and heels for her day at work.

She accessorised with a quilted black leather bag and wore her blonde tresses in loose waves over her shoulders.

Meanwhile Dan looked more casual in ripped jeans, a beige shirt and white top as he affectionately pecked his girlfriend on the cheek.

Going strong: Amber looked chic in an a black buttoned blazer, black trousers and heels for her day at work

Glam: She accessorised with a quilted black leather bag and wore her blonde tresses in loose waves over her shoulders

Also out and about filming was TOWIE regular Courtney Green, 25, who braved the cold March weather in a skimpy grey mini skirt and matching cropped blazer.

Frankie Sims also put on a very glamorous display in a white suit and shiny silver crop top for the day.

Meanwhile Chloe Brockett, 21, showed off her ample assets in a plunging black dress and added a pop of colour to her look with a bright red lip.

Leggy: Also out and about filming was TOWIE regular Courtney Green, 25, who braved the cold March weather in a skimpy grey mini skirt and matching cropped blazer

Stepping out: Frankie Sims also put on a very glamorous display in a white suit and shiny silver crop top for the day

Wow: Meanwhile Chloe Brockett, 21, showed off her ample assets in a plunging black dress and added a pop of colour to her look with a bright red lip

Casual: Demi Sims opted for a more laid-back look in ripped jeans, a white top and grey padded jacket

ITV confirmed the new series would kick off on ITVBe on Sunday March 14.

Amber recently spoke of her plans to have a baby with her TOWIE beau.

The reality star confirmed she hopes to have a child with the 30-year-old and said their six month break-up in 2018 strengthened the relationship they are in today.

All smiles: Pete Wicks looked happy to be back filming as he arrived for the day despite ongoing drama with Chloe Sims

Chilly? Chloe Meadows also braved the cold in black shorts, a tasseled top and cowboy boots for filming

All dressed up: Kelsey Stratford showed off her toned legs in a tiny patterned mini dress and carried a fur coat upon arrival

Style: The night before Ella Rae Wise stepped out in an all-white ensemble and carried a beige bag with her

Amber told New! Magazine: 'Us breaking up for six months was the best thing thats ever happened, Dan and I are really happy, were living together now.'

Of the future, she said: 'Dan and I are going to buy a place together. We definitely want to have a baby and get married.'

When the couple split in 2018, Amber was left heartbroken to learn the TOWIE star had a fling with Chloe Sims while the two were filming in Thailand.

Bombshell: Chloe went all out with her glamorous outfit, choosing a figure-hugging black dress

Gorgeous: Courtney completed her edgy look with chunky black heels and wore her brunette tresses in a poker straight style

Relaxed: Demi wore her blonde locks in a high pony and opted for a typically glamorous makeup look

But Dan didn't pursue a relationship with Chloe and instead rekindled his flame with Amber.

Speaking about their time apart, Amber said: 'Sometimes relationships need that break for people to really realise whats important.'

Amber has recently returned to the UK after spending time away in Dubai on a work trip with Dan.

The couple returned before a travel corridor to the United Arab Emirates closed on January 29th.

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Glowing: The star still had a hint of her Dubai tan left after travelling there on a work trip earlier this year
By Kiley Russell

Bay City News Foundation

A man accused of illegally repairing a levee and damaging sensitive aquatic habitat in the Suisun Marsh is facing a $2.8 million fine following a California appeals court decision last month.

John Sweeney, who ran a kiteboarding club on Point Buckler Island in Solano County after buying it in 2011, must also abide by a cleanup and abatement order that requires him to restore the marshlands and tidal channels damaged during the levee work.

The 39-acre island in Grizzly Bay had previously been used by duck hunters and was surrounded by a levee that had fallen into disrepair, according to documents filed in California's First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco.

Sweeney wanted to build the earthen berms back up in order to once again promote duck hunting on the island.

Because the levee no longer held back the waters of Grizzly Bay, the island "had long reverted to a tidal marsh due to neglect, abandonment, or the forces of nature," so any work on the levee would have required authorization from the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, according to a court filing.

Both agencies issued multiple violations for the levee work and subsequent environmental damage, including the Water Board's $2.8 million fine and BCDC's $752,000 fine, both issued in 2016.

Sweeney successfully challenged the agencies' actions in Solano County Superior Court.

In ruling on behalf of the agencies last month, however, state appeals court Justice Peter Siggins reversed that decision stating, in part, that the island is "critical habitat for Delta smelt and Chinook salmon, and the drainage and diking of the site risked reductions in food and precluded access to tidal channels for foraging."

Water Board officials said Siggins' ruling is a major victory for Suisun Marsh, the largest contiguous, brackish marsh on the west coast of North America, and could further strengthen wetlands protections across the state.

"This is an enforcement case with the most positive impact to wetlands we've seen in a long, long time, and it stems from the most egregious violation involving a wetland impact we've seen in decades," said Xavier Fernandez, planning division chief with the San Francisco Bay Water Board.

Larry Bazel, Sweeney's lawyer, said they plan to ask the California Supreme Court to review the appeals court decision.

"John Sweeney is being penalized because the previous owners of the duck club did not repair the levee quickly enough. After some unspecified time, according to the (Water Board), a duck club is no longer a duck club and the owner is prohibited from repairing the levee, even when (as in this case) the land has been a duck club since the 1920s," Bazel said in an email.

"Point Buckler Club is being penalized for no good reason at all, since it did not participate in the levee repair," Bazel said.

Neither Sweeney nor the club can afford the fines or the repair work ordered by the Water Board, he said.

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.
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By Carol Edgarian

Scribner. 336 pp. $27

- - -

"For fifteen years I'd been waiting for a catastrophe greater than my birth," says the eponymous protagonist of Carol Edgarian's new novel "Vera." "The quake gave it to me." By "the quake" Vera means the devastating San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Vera, at 15, feels like most things revolve around her experience, including this disaster. She has a flair for the dramatic. Brought up by Swedish widow Morie (a diminutive for "mor," or mother) alongside her stepsister Pie (for Piper), Vera has always known that her biological mother is notorious brothelkeeper Madame Rose, with whom she has intermittent contact.

Vera takes readers on a necessarily brief tour of her prosperous, thriving West Coast city. She and Pie negotiate steep streets to visit their friend Eugenie Schmitz, daughter of the mayor, and to head for open spaces away from their shabby home on Francisco Street. In the early 20th century, the City by the Bay is home to great beauty, great riches - and great crime. On a trip to Chinatown with Rose's major-domo, Tan, Vera gets a close look at the violence the local Tong clans inflict on those who cross them.

Rose summons Vera, Pie and Morie to her grand house at the apex of Pacific Heights one night to gift them gowns and tickets to see the famous Italian tenor Enrico Caruso. She has a reason for this generosity, one that will entangle Vera in citywide corruption. First, though, the earthquake. "It was the sound of the earth breaking," Vera tells us. "Forty-five seconds is an eternity. Time it, if you don't believe me." In a matter of seconds, San Francisco is in ruins, and so is life for Vera and Pie.

Eventually, the girls make their way back to Rose's mansion, a gaudy exemplar of a Painted Lady Victorian. When we're hearing about Vera's experiences, the book races along, even more so when we're meeting other catastrophe survivors. There's Bobby Del Monte, whose enormous horse Monster helps effect a rescue, and Tan's aloof daughter, Lifang, plus "the girls" who camp out at Rose's mansion. Vera's post-disaster education includes plenty of historical characters. We see city residents lining up, trading wine for soup, or some precious water for a teacup. Vera confesses that from then on, "the only folks I could ever care about would be fellow scrappers."

While the history strikes an authentic note, some of the narrative rings hollow. We care about Vera and her companions, but a subplot about urban graft doesn't add much to the story, even when Vera's path crosses with those of real-life pols Abe Ruef and Mayor Eugene Schmitz. Too much happens too near the end in a novel whose spiky, proto-feminist heroine should have been given more space to absorb the one lesson her mother imparts: "I know you because I know me ... you do not fit in. You never will."

Vera doesn't quite fit the usual parameters for a heroine of historical fiction, but perhaps that's why she makes such an arresting narrator. Readers looking for one of those, plus a new perspective on the Great Quake, will find them in this novel.

- - -

Bethanne Patrick is the editor, most recently, of "The Books That Changed My Life: Reflections by 100 Authors, Actors, Musicians and Other Remarkable People."
Pigeon racer Christy O'Toole can be unmasked as a convicted child sex abuser for the first time today - as his victim waives her anonymity following his release from prison.

Our pictures show Sallynoggin man O'Toole (59) leaving Arbour Hill on Friday after he served five years in prison on 42 counts of abusing a young relative in the early 1980s.

Approached by the Sunday World as he exited the Dublin jail he told us: "I know you're not going to believe me and I know everyone says this but I didn't do anything wrong."

O'Toole was sentenced to eight years in prison with one suspended in December of 2015 - but for the first time his victim has given a public account of the ordeal he subjected her to over a three-year period stretching from 1983 to 1986.

Despite waiving her anonymity so O'Toole can be named, the Sunday World still cannot identify the victim due to a separate Court of Appeal ruling blocking the identification of child victims of crime.

"The main thing for me in giving this interview is that people will now know what he is and that he is a danger," O'Toole's victim told the Sunday World.

Expand Close Patrick OConnell talking with Christy OTooles victim / Facebook

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"I was aged between four and six years old when he abused me.

"My mam used to drop me to his mother's for me to be minded when she went to work. He was this woman's son and he lived there."

Recalling the nature of the abuse O'Toole, who was then in his 20s, subjected her to, the woman shudders.

"It was as if he always used to know if I was coming up to the stairs to use the bathroom," she recalled

"In that house, when you walked up the stairs, his bedroom would be to the right.

"And as I'd walk by the bedroom door would be open and he'd be standing in front of the mirror masturbating."

On other occasions, the woman said O'Toole would bring the four-year-old into the bathroom.

"He'd bring me in there," she recalled, "and he'd lie on the ground and he'd pull down his trousers and get me to rub shower gel and stuff into him and then get me to masturbate him  basically.

"I was four years old when this started I didn't have a clue what he was making me do."

The woman said in the years after the abuse she struggled greatly with depression and self-harm.

"It was New Year's Eve 1999," she said, "and I was in the John of God's with depression and self-harm that I spoke to the doctors about it."

It was only after the birth of her daughter that the woman decided to report the abuse.

"I didn't go to the gardai until after I had my daughter and she's nine now," the woman told the Sunday World. "After I had her, I started having horrific nightmares, nightmares about her being abused.

"According to the psychologist, that was my trigger for remembering everything and everything becoming clearer in my head.

"Before that I had kind of pushed it to one side and tried to just get on with life.

"But when she was born, I went into a severe depression and I went into counselling.

Read More

Two years after the birth of her daughter, the woman did make a formal complaint against O'Toole.

"My daughter was about two years old, I decided to go to the gardai," she said. "It was done through the Health Centre in Dun Laoghaire because there are social workers there.

"I went to them first and they reported it to the gardai and then the guards came to my house for a statement.

"And I can honestly say from the moment Detective Kieran Murphy first spoke to me I felt believed and that I would get justice.

"It wasn't ever really about him (O'Toole) getting a sentence.

"I just wanted him to know I remembered what he'd done to me and I wanted other people to know him for what he really is."

Describing the week of the trial, the woman said: "The court case itself was horrific. He denied it all the way through. He never showed any remorse and he never ever apologised.

"In his eyes it just didn't happen  and even after he was convicted, there was never any show of remorse or apology."

In total, O'Toole was charged with 50 counts of sexual assault on the young girl, of which he was convicted on 42 counts and acquitted of eight others.

"When the jury came back, there were 50 charges altogether, and they went through them one by one," the woman said.

"For the first few charges they read out: 'Not guilty; not guilty; not guilty.'

"And I just sank into the bench.  I withered. As they were calling out the not guilty verdicts, he turned around and I could see him grinning.

"His body language just screamed to me: 'I've got away with it.'

"And then they got to count 43 and that was the last not guilty. From 42 down they found him guilty. He literally went from sitting there grinning to holding his head in his hands as if to block it out.

"And I just thought to myself: 'I got you, you f**king b*****d, I got you!'

Asked why she is speaking out now, the woman said she believes the people of Sallynoggin should know of O'Toole's crimes.

"During the court case, he swanned around Sallynoggin like nothing was happening.

"But people who do what he did are dangerous  and people need to know that and be able to protect their children from them."

Sentencing O'Toole in 2015, Judge Gerard O'Brien noted there was no remorse from O'Toole and the only clear mitigating factor was that he had no previous convictions.

He imposed an eight-year sentence and suspended the final year on strict conditions.
While the government is a long way off the $5.5 billion Labor was spending on foreign aid prior to 2013, the strides last year have been welcomed by aid groups. Micah Australia executive director Tim Costello said it was good news for our closest neighbours whose economies and livelihoods are reeling from the pandemic. But there is significant concern the increase in spending comes as DFAT has quietly shut down its key oversight body that scrutinised the aid program, the Office of Development Effectiveness. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video The lack of publicity about the modest increase in the foreign aid budget reflects Australias unease about promoting its soft power abroad in recent years. The federal government spends 10 times more on defence than it does on foreign aid, compared to a defence-to-aid spending ratio of five-to-one in 2013-14. Australias total diplomatic and development spending sits at about 1.3 per cent of the federal budget, well behind comparable countries such as Canada (1.9 per cent) and the Netherlands (4.3 per cent). The new spending over the coming years will include an additional $211 million in COVID-related aid, $500 million in support for vaccine access and $485 million for south-east Asia.

This doesnt take into account the other kinds of support Australia is offering the Pacific, such as concessional loans and grants for infrastructure projects aimed at directly taking on Chinas decade-long lending spree in the region. Loading Australia is not spending more on foreign aid purely out of the goodness of its heart. Theres a hard-headed realisation of its strategic merits amid the growing influence of China across the region. As the Coalition cut aid from 2013, Beijing went on an infrastructure blitz throughout the Pacific. After Australia took money from elsewhere in the aid budget to pay for its Pacific step-up over the past three years, it realised regions such as south-east Asia could not be neglected either. There is no consensus within the government on how to talk about the increase in foreign aid spending. Some officials within DFAT believe a failure to trumpet the increase in spending robs the country of its soft power win. There is also concern it will result in bad budgeting and oversight of the aid dollars being spent.

Australias aid program is still recovering from the significant loss of experience sparked by the 2013 merger between DFAT and AusAID. The justification for the merger was Australia needed to align the aid budget with the governments diplomatic policies  in other words, the aid program needed to be more strategically targeted. Perversely, the opposite happened. Insiders say the merger has resulted in a department that is less strategically minded than ever, with former AusAID officials assuming senior positions in the diplomatic corps. Within the government, some want to start talking about foreign aid and diplomacy in the same kind of language that is used to justify increases in spending on defence and security agencies. Foreign aid, it could be argued, is another arm of Australias national security apparatus. How do you talk about increasing aid at a time when people are suffering because of COVID lockdowns and losing their jobs? Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, who was minister for international development between 2016 and 2018, says she advocated for a greater share of foreign aid to be spent in the region, especially the Pacific, on the basis that it enhanced the nations security. As minister, I frequently stated that the stability, security and prosperity of our region was second only to the defence of Australia, she says.

I also pushed  and was successful  for the Pacific to be one of the five priorities in our foreign policy white paper. Much of the Pacific step-up which I initiated was to affect economic prosperity and in turn, stability and security of our region. Loading But many in the government argue it would be politically dangerous to talk about spending more on developing countries as Australia recovers from the economic damage of the coronavirus. Some say it is easier to talk about foreign aid for the Pacific, but Australians dont like to hear about support for anywhere further afield such as south-east Asia. They also say they dont want to open themselves up to the attack in a few years that they have cut the foreign aid budget after the temporary COVID-related measures expire.

Tamas Wells, a research fellow at the University of Melbourne, is looking into the attitudes of federal MPs about the aid program. Loading After interviewing more than 20 MPs across the political spectrum, Dr Wells says there is a concern about the nothing to see here approach from the government. On the one hand, there is a growing consensus that we need to be active in the region, he says. But the other hand, it was really clear to me was that there is a real concern about the narrative. How do you talk about increasing aid at a time when people are suffering because of COVID lockdowns and losing their jobs?

The way through that dilemma for the government has been to sneak in some increases and find a way to do it in a low-key way. But it has done so at the same time it has stripped back the oversight bodies, and thats really worrying. The politics of foreign aid has changed since the Coalition came to power and slashed the overseas development assistance budget. Last month, the Business Council of Australia  which backed the Abbott governments cuts eight years ago  called for an urgent boost to the nations diplomatic and foreign aid footprint across the Indo-Pacific region to keep up with Chinas growing influence. Allan Gyngell, a former senior diplomat and intelligence chief, says spending on foreign aid should be talked about in the context of shaping outcomes. Loading Aid like the sort weve been giving is a visible sign of an Australian desire to engage with the region, says Gyngell, national president of the Australian Institute of International Affairs. Whenever you have polled Australians, they dont like foreign aid very much. But the same is true of foreign investment.

The point is that no government simply goes along with the immediate uninformed responses to generalised questions like that, and I think that we ought to be able to construct a story which not only plays well overseas but which is accepted more by Australians, but Im not under any illusion that this is going to be the most popular measure a government can announce. Labors foreign affairs spokeswoman, Penny Wong, says the Morrison government doesnt want its political base noticing the increase in spending, but it also doesnt want security analysts to criticise it for cutting aid when the temporary assistance ends. The result is a political fix that doesnt deliver the return on investment that is in Australias interests, she says. This temporary step is a drop in the ocean compared to the resources Australia needs to support our regions pandemic recovery and stability  while other countries are already stepping up to fill the void. It shouldnt come as a surprise Prime Minister Scott Morrisons government has begun increasing the foreign aid budget. In his maiden speech in 2008, Morrison called for an increase in foreign aid, saying it is the Australian thing to do. Since then, not much has been said.
The report Unequal Britain: attitudes to inequalities after COVID-19 by the Policy Institute at King's College London is indicative of the hostility of an upper middle-class layer in academia to the class issues posed starkly by the pandemic.

That COVID-19 is a poor man's disease which has hit the working class hardestdriven into unsafe workplaces under the policy of herd immunityis a verifiable fact.

It led the British Medical Journal to accuse the world's governments of social murder in their response to the pandemic. Its editorial, Covid-19: Social murder, they wroteelected, unaccountable, and unrepentant, drew attention to the phrases origin with Friedrich Engels, the lifelong collaborator of Karl Marx.

The report, "Unequal Britain: attitudes to inequalities after COVID-19" by the Policy Institute at King's College London

Describing the political and social power held by the ruling elite over the working classes in 19th century England, the BMJ wrote, Engels' argument was that the conditions created by privileged classes inevitably led to premature and 'unnatural' death among the poorest classes. Social murder was very real today, exposed and magnified by COVID-19. It cannot be ignored or spun away.

Ignored was exactly the response of the media to the BMJ's damning indictment. Unequal Britain is an attempt to spin away the class causes and implications.

The study was based on an online questionnaire of 2,226 adults who had registered specifically to participate in such surveys. It divides those participating by support for either Conservative or Labour and those voting for Leave or Remain in the 2016 Brexit referendum. This is supposedly to provide balance.

It notes that the pandemic has ruthlessly exposed how our vulnerability to shocks varies hugely, determined by a complex web of existing inequalities, across genders, age groups, races, income levels, social classes and places.

But social classes do not feature in the report. In fact, class only appears once in its 88-pages. Its central thrust is against arguments that Greater action on inequality is a logical progression from the unprecedented state intervention thats been required to weather the COVID-19 crisis. Rather the crisis has, for the most part, not bridged political divides in support for action on inequality, and there is only a limited consensus on what the countrys most pressing inequalities are, it asserts.

Even if one puts to one side such critical matters as the fact that we are not after Covid-19 but still very much in it, and that the unprecedented state intervention has largely consisted of massive bailouts for the super-rich, the authors assertions are not supported by their own findings.

The report begins by noting there is significant agreement that the most serious inequalities are geographical (61 percent) and the outcome of disparities in income and wealth (60 percent).

Six in 10 (62 percent) believe Britain was somewhat or very unequal before the pandemic, with just 12 percent believing it was relatively equal. More than eight in 10 (81 percent) believe the gap between high and low incomes is too large, compared to 1 percent who say its too small.

Questioned as to the impact of the pandemic, 84 percent believed inequality between more and less deprived areas would widen, and 81 percent that this would be the case as regards income and wealth. Three-quarters considered widening geographical/income inequality to be a very big, or fairly big problem.

These are extraordinary majorities. However, the report dismisses the concerns expressed on income inequality specifically, complaining that public perceptions of the extent of economic inequality often diverge from reality. People significantly overestimate the concentration of wealth amongst the rich, showing that the public have only a general, 'ordinal' sense of the extent of wealth inequalities...

Far more time is spent assessing the apparent failure of people to place racial and gender inequalities on a par with income. One result that especially exercised the authors, and the Guardian newspaper, was that 4 percent believe black people earn less or are more likely to be unemployed because they have a less in-born ability to learn.

That the question was posed in this way is extraordinary on its face and, as would have been expected, it solicited a racist response from a tiny minority. But the entire questionnaire is loaded along these lines. Much is also made of the fact that, when asked what role luck played in people losing their jobs during the pandemic, 31 percent said it was very or fairly important. When asked to choose whether individual performance played a role in job losses, 47 percent selected very, or fairly likely.

The report concludes that such answers show the British population have strong meritocratic and individualistic tendencies, which temper calls for action on inequality.

No objective observer, even considering the skewed and limited nature of the survey, could draw such a conclusion. While the authors assert that it proves most people believe hard work and ambition remain key drivers of success, the findings again and again show a majority believe socio-economic factors, in particular wealthfor which read classinequalities, are the major drivers.

With regards to the impact of the pandemic on education, health and income, the overwhelming majority responded that the low-paid and poor, especially those living in deprived areas/conditions, would suffer most.

Racial and gender inequalities were similarly identified with social circumstances/context. 67 percent considered rising income inequality between ethnic minorities and white people a big issue and (65 percent as regards rising income inequality between men and women).

Asked to what extent they agree or disagree that the pandemic proves the need to redistribute income away from the rich, 51 percent agreed (18 percent opposed), while 55 percent supported government measures to reduce differences in income levels, (15 percent against).

Despite this, the report concludes that there is no widespread appetite for change regarding government action on inequality. According to one of the authors, Professor Bobby Duffy, this is because Britain starts from a relatively individualistic worldview and that our perspectives on these issues [inequality] are deeply divided and tied up with our underlying values and identity.

He would make such an assertion. Director of the Policy Institute, he was previously seconded to the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit. At first glance this appears a strange place for an apparent progressive. But then Duffy is part of the Progress Network, launched last year, by its parent, New America.

Headed by Anne-Marie Slaughter, a former high-ranking State Department official and close associate of Hillary Clinton, the New America think tank produces policy papers in line with the interests of the US military and intelligence agencies and the corporate establishment. Its Progress Network spin off is aimed at challenging the inevitability of chaos and collapse by connecting and amplifying prominent voices pointing our world in a more positive direction

The survey is part of the institute for Fiscal Studies Deaton Review of Inequalities, which is studying inequality not just of income, but of health, wealth, political participation, and opportunity; and not just between rich and poor but by gender, ethnicity, geography, age and education.

This will give the UK government, and those in other developed countries, a far clearer and more holistic view of the effectiveness of available policy options, how they can best work alongside each other and the trade-offs between them.

The IFS is a pro-market research foundation, specialising in UK tax and public policy to shape fiscal decisions in the interests of the wealthy. The trade-off means finding academic justifications to oppose any redistributive measures in favour of working people.

True to form, the Guardians Polly Toynbee was on message. Invoking Tony Blairs refusal to talk about inequality, she suggested current Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was justified for his caution on the issue. The report meant those on the left are forced to confront some dismal realities about British public attitudes. Tackling inequality may be a rebarbative word with too many voters, she wrote.
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.
Compounds and Strategies to Get Brain Cells

You can eat your way towards dementiaor a strong and healthy brain

Our brain is subject to aging, just like the rest of our body. It is also subject to disease, which is unique in the sense that it can change the very essence of who we think we are.

Alzheimers can turn a loved one into a stranger. It can claim memories, personality, and relationships, leaving family members of the afflicted with a haunting echo of someone that once knew them.

Fortunately, even as the disease grows in prevalence, researchers are also learning more about factors that put us at risk, and habits we can cultivate to keep our brain healthy.

One recent example comes out of a collaboration between researchers1 from the University of Queensland and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases. They discovered that a phytochemical in apple peels can stimulate the growth of new neurons (neurogenesis).

This phytochemical is called quercetin. While the researchers found this compound did not help the brain grow neurons when used at high concentrations, it was pro-neurogenic at low concentrations, which means it led to the creation of new neurons, specifically in the hippocampus region of the brain.

The brain has a hippocampus within each of the temporal lobes (which are just above the ears). The hippocampus is part of the limbic system.2 This is a part of the brain where behavioral and emotional responses are generated. These responses are central to survival and include reproduction, caring for babies, feeding, and the fight-or-flight response. Other parts of the limbic system include the thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and amygdala.

The hippocampus is a well-studied part of the brain, which takes its name from the shape that resembles a seahorse. This area plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, coding, and learning.3 Another of its major functions is forming a cognitive map, which is related to your ability to acquire new knowledge, store it, and recall it later.

Your behavior is affected by this constant accumulation of knowledge and damage to the thalamus can produce maladaptive behaviors because of its broad effects on emotion and cognition.

The hippocampus is also the area that takes the initial damage when the plaques and tangled fibers of Alzheimers start to destroy brain function.

According to the Alzheimers Association,5 the number of people living in the U.S. who have Alzheimers disease is growing. There were an estimated 5.8 million people diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2020. Nearly two-thirds are women. Experts estimate that as the population of people over 65 continues to grow, the number of people with Alzheimers will also rapidly increase.

By 2050, it is projected 13.8 million Americans will have Alzheimers disease.

Quercetin Stimulates Proneurogenic Activity

The new study looked at how quercetin, a plant flavonol found in the apple peel, spurred neuron growth. Flavonols are a type of flavonoid, a compound with many functions in plants, including being an essential pigment for bright colors in fruit and vegetables.

Flavonoids are also powerful antioxidants, which help the immune system work better by neutralizing free radicals.

The study was published in Stem Cell Reports 6, and was built on past studies that have demonstrated the benefits of phytochemicals found in plant foods.

The researchers noted that plant compounds were vital for maintaining cognitive function by growing new neurons (neurogenesis). Thats what makes the new findings encouraging. This ability of the brain to reshape and grow itself is critical to our cognitive agility. The fact that a compound in apple peeland another in its fleshcan help the brain do that is a testament to the benefits we receive from natural food.

The researchers said they chose apples as they are widely consumed across the globe resulting in a generalized exposure.7 The study began with an in vitro (within glass) examination of quercetin, which is the most abundant flavonoid in the apples peel.

The second half of the study was an in vivo (within the living) study using an animal model. After their data analysis, the researchers ultimately found that apples contained compounds in the peel and the flesh that helped promote neurogenesis. Quercetin from the peel and another active compound from the apple flesh, 3,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA), demonstrated the ability to increase precursor cell proliferation and neurogenesis.

The researchers measured the effect on neural precursor cells, which are stem cells that can generate neural cell types within the brain. They found the effect was like that reported in past studies for other plant compounds such as resveratrol and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is found in green tea.8

During the lab portion of the study, the researchers found that stem cells generated from a mouse brain were protected and exhibited more neurogenesis when quercetin and DHBA were added to the cell cultures.9 During the animal study, they found structures in the brain that were associated with learning and memory had more neurons when the mice were given doses of quercetin or DHBA.

Exercise Also Stimulates Brain Growth

Another thing we can do that promotes neurogenesis is exercise. One study10 from the University of British Columbia discovered that aerobic training could increase the volume of the hippocampus in older women who had mild cognitive impairment.

The scientists engaged 86 women ages 70 to 80 years and assigned them to a twice-weekly program over six months. The women engaged in aerobic activity, resistance training or balance and tone training. Those enrolled in the aerobic training showed significant improvement in hippocampal volume.

As reported in Science magazine,11 neurogenesis without exercise may not be enough to protect memory and learning. One animal model demonstrated that increasing levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were required before the animals could outperform the control mice on testing.

BDNF is a key molecule produced in the brain with exercise and may help to explain the neuroprotective and cognitive benefits people experience with exercise.12 Much less is known about the interaction between exercise, BDNF, and neurogenesis in the human brain as it is all but impossible to study living human brain tissue.

More is known about the benefits from animal models, while indirect measurements of neurogenesis are used in human participants. Senior author of the paper published in Science, Rudolph Tanzi, Ph.D., commented on the results of chemically induced neurogenesis with exercise:13

In our study we showed that exercise is one of the best ways to turn on neurogenesis and then, by figuring out the molecular and genetic events involved, we determined how to mimic the beneficial effects of exercise through gene therapy and pharmacological agents.

Although exercise-induced AHN [adult hippocampal neurogenesis] improved cognition in Alzheimers mice by turning on neurogenesis, trying to achieve that result by using gene therapy and drugs did not help.

That was because newly born neurons, induced by drugs and gene therapy, were not able to survive in brain regions already ravaged by Alzheimers pathology, particularly neuroinflammation. So, we asked how neurogenesis induced by exercise differs.

The lesson learned was that it is not enough just to turn on the birth of new nerve cells, you must simultaneously clean up the neighborhood in which they are being born to make sure the new cells survive and thrive. Exercise can achieve that 

More Strategies to Protect Brain Health

There are additional strategies you can use to help promote brain health. Astaxanthin is one. This powerful antioxidant is a naturally occurring carotenoid responsible for the pink or red color found in salmon, trout, lobster, and other seafood.14

Its often referred to as the king of antioxidants15 and is derived from the microscopic algae haematococcus that produce it as a protective mechanism to shield it from ultraviolet light.16 In your body, it helps protect against reactive oxygen species and oxidation that play a role in heart disease, Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, and aging.

In one review of the literature,17 scientists identified several pathways astaxanthin may take to help slow brain aging. They also found it increases BDNF levels and reduces oxidative damage to DNA, lipids and proteins. Another nutrient found in fatty fish that helps protect your brain health is omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fats are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that include EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).

These nutrients are crucial for cell membranes and play an anti-inflammatory role in the body.18 DHA is especially crucial for brain health as it is an essential structural component that is found in high levels in the neurons.

As I have written before, and covered in my book Superfuel, co-written with James DiNicolantonio, Pharm.D., when there is an inadequate amount of omega-3, the nerve cells become stiff and are prone to inflammation. This reduces proper neurotransmission from cell to cell and the cells become compromised.

Low levels of DHA have been linked to both memory loss and Alzheimers disease, and some studies have suggested degenerative brain diseases may potentially be reversible when sufficient DHA is provided.19,20 However, it is important to choose wild-caught Alaskan salmon, krill oil or other sources of safe fish, such as sardines, to meet these nutritional requirements. There are also many benefits to nutritional ketosis, only one of which is providing adequate fuel to your brain for optimal functioning. Thats an article all on its own. Strategies to Slow Brain Aging

There are strategies you can use to improve brain function and others you should avoid as they can harm your brain.

Avoid Processed Food

To protect your brain, you should avoid processed foods and sugar.

Regular consumption of high-sugar foods is linked to a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes21 and Type 2 diabetes is associated with a 60 percent higher risk for any type of dementia.22

One study23 found that even without a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, participants with higher blood sugar levels had lower hippocampal volume and people with higher hemoglobin A1c and glucose measurements had significantly lower scores on memory testing.

That memory finding could be significant.

In two separate studies, researchers at the Alzheimers Disease Research Center at the Mayo Clinic and the Center for Demographic and Aging Research, found poor memory performance predicted a higher risk of dementia.

Drink Less Alcohol

Chronic excessive alcohol consumption causes dysfunction of neuronal dysfunction and brain damage.24 Yet, even moderate alcohol consumption can reduce brain volume and is associated with neuronal changes.25

In a large study evaluating brain aging and alcohol,26 researchers from the University of Southern California examined 17,308 brain scans of cognitively normal participants.

They found that for every gram of alcohol consumed each day, the participants brain aged 0.02 years, which is equivalent to 7.3 days. To put this in perspective, 12 ounces of regular beer have approximately 14 grams of alcohol.27

Sleep Well

Chronic sleep deprivation is another lifestyle component that can trigger poor brain health. When you dont get enough sleep, your brain cannot do the necessary housekeeping.

One small 2018 study by the National Institutes of Health found even going one night without sleep increased the amount of beta-amyloid protein in the brain. This is the protein that creates the plaque linked to cognitive decline among Alzheimers patients.

Researchers from Marche Polytechnic University in Italy28 show that astrocytes, which are a type of glial cells in the brain that normally get rid of unnecessary nerve connections. Their study of sleep-deprived mice suggests that these astrocytes start to break down healthy nerve synapses when you are chronically sleep-deprived.

Quercetins Other Job

While the new study highlights quercetins role in neurogenesis, the medical literature has highlighted its capacity as a zinc ionophore, helping move zinc into the cells where it can halt viral replication. Research has also found it is a synergistic partner with vitamin C. On its own, quercetin acts as a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory that can also lower your risk for viral illnesses.

The body is an ever-unfolding chain reaction and researchers have found that quercetin can improve one of them by inhibiting the expression of casein kinase II (CK2),34 which down-regulates the ability of the cell to generate type 1 interferon when it is attacked by a virus. This means that by inhibiting the expression of CK2, quercetin may help slow the replication of RNA viruses.

In addition to apple peel, you can find quercetin in foods such as plums, red grapes, green tea, elderflower, and onions.35 Considering its wide-ranging benefits, quercetin may also be a useful supplement, either acutely, for times you feel youre coming down with something, or more long-term, for metabolic health and, potentially, brain health.

If you choose to supplement, I believe that quercetin is best taken at night (with zinc) before you go to bed, and you havent eaten for at least three to four hours. You will sleep for eight hours, and if you are metabolically flexible, this is the time that you will dive into nutritional ketosis.

Another benefit of taking quercetin at night is to take advantage of its senolytic action. This helps to remove senescent cells, which are similar to nonreplicating cancer cells that secrete powerful proinflammatory cytokines. You can optimize quercetins senolytic properties if you take it while you are fasting.

Dr. Joseph Mercola is the founder of Mercola.com. An osteopathic physician, best-selling author, and recipient of multiple awards in the field of natural health, his primary vision is to change the modern health paradigm by providing people with a valuable resource to help them take control of their health. This article was originally published on Mercola.com

Sources and References

The Red & Black spoke with the members of Nix the Scientist to discuss Dark Passenger, how COVID-19 has impacted their music and some of their more general experiences as a band thus far.
We partnered with Phiture because we share common cultural values and principles. Phitures high-quality work aligns very well with our philosophy.

AppTweak and Phiture are pioneers in the App Store Optimization (ASO) industry. Launched in Brussels in 2014, AppTweak was one of the first companies to provide app developers with the necessary tools to get more insights into their app or games performance in the app stores. Today, AppTweak is the leading ASO tool supporting more than 1500+ mobile leaders in various industries worldwide including Jam City, Yelp, Amazon Music and more. Phiture, a Berlin-based mobile growth agency founded in 2016, conceived the industry-leading Mobile Growth Stack and ASO Stack frameworks, helping numerous tier-one brands overcome key growth challenges and crack the mobile arena. Both companies are well-known brands in the mobile marketing industry thanks to their commitment to sharing their knowledge and experience with the community.

Stronger Business Relationship

AppTweak and Phiture will join forces to support mobile leaders in growing their apps and games. AppTweaks best-in-class tool and comprehensive data combined with Phitures leading renowned expertise and creative innovation is the perfect formula for app growth. Through the partnership, AppTweak will help mobile leaders increase their visibility in the app stores with a data-centric approach to keyword optimization and conversion rate optimization. Using the industry-acclaimed Mobile Growth Stack as a strategic framework, Phiture will develop holistic acquisition strategies and refine engagement and retention KPIs.

ASO Book

Phiture, together with Incipia, co-authored Advanced App Store Optimization: The Complete Guide to ASO, a staple in the ASO world. Spanning 370 pages, the book remains the de-facto ASO manual, identifying the big levers that drive app store visibility and downloads. Since the ASO book continues to be a relevant resource, even years later, there was the need to update the book with the ever-moving landscape. With the support of AppTweak as a main contributor, a new edition of the ASO book will be released in the first half of 2021.

ASO Conference

Inspired by the knowledge shared in the ASO Stack Slack channel (a slack community created by Phiture), the App Store Optimization Conference was born. First held in 2019 in Berlin, the ASO conference is an exclusive event focusing on expert ASO discussions. This year, the ASO conference will be co-hosted by Phiture and AppTweak. As industry-recognized leaders, AppTweak and Phiture are the perfect partners to make this event an immense success. Together, they are in a unique position to bring together the brightest minds to educate the ASO community on new and exciting ASO strategies and tactics. This year, the ASO conference will take place virtually on June 3rd.

About AppTweak (https://www.apptweak.com)

AppTweak is the leading ASO tool driven by data science. AppTweak empowers mobile leaders - such as Amazon, Jam City, Yelp, and Adobe - to grow their apps and games with actionable insights in a simple interface. AppTweaks all-in-one platform offers ASO Intelligence, Ad Intelligence, App Intelligence and Market Intelligence.

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Phiture is a multi-award-winning mobile growth consultancy and agency working with the teams behind leading apps. Using the companys industry-acclaimed Mobile Growth Stack as a strategic framework, Phiture offers 5 key services: App Store Optimization, Performance Marketing, User Retention/CRM, Subscription Revenue Optimization services and Growth Consulting.
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Building out its technology and services portfolio with 14 patents or patents pending

Provides rail train inspections with its proprietary Railcar Inspection Portal (RIP) technology

New CEO Charles 'Chuck' Ferry took over in September 2020

What Duos Technologies does:

Duos Technologies Group Inc ( ) offers an array of intelligent technologies and services to support a diverse range of companies' operations and security.

Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Duos specializes in automated systems with a focus on the protection of critical infrastructure, notably the automation of complex mechanical inspections of rail assets. The North American rail market is estimated to be valued at US$60 billion.

Duos proprietary Railcar Inspection Portal (RIP) technology uses an automated process that can be conducted while a train is in motion. It is a 360-degree modular intelligent visualization system that takes detailed, real-time, full-picture images of railcars travelling at speeds of up to 120 miles per hour.

RIP's Linear Panorama Generator "scans the top, bottom and sides and pieces them together like a puzzle, showing a complete picture of the railcar and producing a very high-definition picture of the entire train from end to end (called a consist).

The panoramic view can detect oil leaks, damaged parts, open doors and open and missing hatches, alerting inspectors to the issue and showing them the location of the problem. Sophisticated algorithms also identify more complex issues, and can also spot illegal riders on the side of the train.

The firm's systems are designed to incorporate intelligence, including video analytics, algorithms, and neural networking, in order to address specific needs. All rail solutions utilize the companys xtd Extreme True Definition technology which captures over 200 Megapixel images when the train is moving.

The company says it avoids a one size fits all approach, preferring to individually assess the needs of a system and build a turnkey solution for its customers not just in railroading but other logistics, and intermodal transportation operations and in government, including Correctional Automation Systems.

Duos also operates an artificial intelligence subsidiary, truevue360, or tv360 for short. The AI-based platform supports Duoss underlying software for its rail inspection portal system and advanced logistics information system.

How is it doing:

On the financial front, on March 25, 20312, Duos reported a 195% quarter-over-quarter increase in its 4Q 2020 revenue to $3.8 million, following what the company called strong improvements across all its business segments driven by its ongoing strategic initiatives introduced during the third quarter.

Duos Technologies ended the fourth quarter with cash and equivalents totaling $4 million.

The company also recently completed a $4.5 million capital raise

Duos Technologies started 2021 with news of the appointment of rail industry veteran Edmond L Harris as a director, having been elected to the companys board at the annual meeting of shareholders held on November 19, 2020. It said Harris will serve as the chairman of the company's Nominating and Governance Committees and will also take a position as a member of the Audit Committee.

Before joining Duos, Harris served as executive vice president of Operations for and prior to that he held the same positions with Canadian Pacific and Illinois Central.

With his appointment, and others previously disclosed, the Duos board composition remains at five total directors, four of whom are independent, noted the company.

The biggest boardroom change announcement came at the end of August 2020, when Duos named Charles 'Chuck' Ferry, a defense contracting expert and longtime former US Army service member, as its new CEO.

Ferry brings extensive leadership experience in the energy and defense contracting industries, the company said, and he spent 26 years of active duty service in the US Army. He most recently served as CEO of APR Energy, a global fast-track power company, where he oversaw 800 employees, 17 power plants and $325 million in annual revenue.

He also previously worked as general manager at ARMA Global Corporation, a subsidiary of , the defense contracting company that provides IT services. During his time there, the company grew from $20 million in annual revenue to $200 million and from 80 employees to approximately 1,000. Before that, Ferry served as director of business development and operations at Lockheed-Martin, the aerospace and defense contractor.

His appointment followed news in July 2020 of the retirement of Duos founder Gianni Arcaini as its president and CEO, with effect from September 1, although the company said the 71-year old would continue to serve as chairman of the company's board. Arcaini left his post 30 years after founding the company in 1990..

Inflection points:

New strategy direction from CEO

Improved financial results for 2021 with the potential to become cash-flow positive

More contract news

What the boss says:

Commenting on the companys 4Q 2020 financial results, Duos Technologies Group CEO Chuck Ferry said in a statement: In a short amount of time, our business has improved in terms of operational-technical delivery, customer satisfaction, and financial performance, all of which are core tenants of the plan we laid out following our strategic review late last year.

Ferry added: These positive developments considered and with our current visibility into the next twelve months of orders and deployments on the horizon, we are projecting $18 million in revenue for the year, which, under our current investment rate, would have us at a breakeven level and also cash flow positive.

Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A group of 17 U.S. House of Representatives Democrats introduced legislation on Monday to provide $6 billion to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to buy tens of thousands of additional electric delivery vehicles.

Ohio-based electric-vehicle maker Workhorse Group Inc shares jumped 13% on prospects the company may be able to sell electric postal vehicles. Last month, it lost out when the USPS awarded a $482 million contact to Oshkosh Defense to finalize production for the next-generation postal vehicles.

The bill sponsored by Representative Jared Huffman and seen by Reuters would require at least 75% of the new fleet be electric or zero-emission vehicles. If Congress approves funding, there is no guarantee the USPS would agree to buy vehicles from Workhorse.

Last month, the USPS said it was committed to having electric vehicles make up 10% of its next-generation fleet as part of its multibillion-dollar plan to retire its 30-year-old delivery vehicles. It said it could boost that percentage if it received billions of dollars in government assistance.

"We welcome and are interested in any support from Congress that advances the goal of a Postal Service vehicle fleet with zero emissions, and the necessary infrastructure required to operate it," the USPS said on Monday. "With the right level of support, the majority of the Postal Services fleet can be electric by the end of the decade."

The legislation is backed by some key Democrats, including Representative Peter DeFazio, who chairs the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Representative Carolyn Maloney, who chairs the Oversight and Reform Committee that oversees USPS.

The bill would also require no less than 50% of medium/heavy-duty vehicle purchases be electric or zero-emission through 2029 and all new USPS vehicles to be zero-emission after January 2040.

Some lawmakers have talked about giving the Postal Service additional money to expand EV purchases as part of an infrastructure bill, but the prospects remain uncertain in Congress.

Story continues

In January, President Joe Biden vowed to replace the U.S. governments fleet of roughly 650,000 vehicles with electric models.

Workhorse said it applauds "any efforts that support the Biden administrations goal of expanding the governments fleet of clean, non-combustion engine vehicles."

Democratic Representative Tim Ryan separately wrote the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday asking about "reports of what might be unusual trading of Oshkosh stock" shortly before the contract was announced.

Ryan and two other Ohio lawmakers including Senator Sherrod Brown wrote Biden last week urging the administration to "delay the contract until a thorough review is conducted." Oshkosh and the SEC did not immediately comment.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Additional reporting by Ben Klayman; Editing by David Gregorio and Peter Cooney)
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Schuylkill County schools still will require their students to take standardized tests, although they will have the option of delaying them until the fall, according to Gregory S. Koons, executive director of Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, Mar Lin.

The state has provided leniency on this, giving the districts the option to postpone the Keystone Exams and the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests (PSSAs), Koons said Friday.

At least two local school districts, Mahanoy Area and Minersville Area, decided to give the tests in the spring instead of waiting.

We feel it is too long of a learning gap to wait until the fall, Mahanoy Area Superintendent Joie L. Green said.

Minersville Area Superintendent Carl McBreen agreed, saying the students being home over the summer played a role in the decision.

If we wait until the fall, then we will be facing testing in the beginning of the year, McBreen said. The fact that students will be home for the summer was the major factor. I guess one can call it the summer slide. 

Mahanoy Area and Minersville Area are in line with the majority of local districts, according to Koons.

Most districts plan on keeping assessments as scheduled, Koons said. I think it is best to leave it up to the districts.

McBreen said Minersville Areas decision was not his alone.

My administrative team discussed this in detail, and we all concurred that beginning a school year with testing is not a good practice, he said. Giving assessments in the fall and then again in the spring is too much in our estimation.

However, Green and McBreen each believe the tests should not be given at all this year.

Green said the tests could have potential negative effects on the students.

The entire idea of giving assessments this year will greatly affect the students, she said. The pressure and anxiety these tests put on the students during a normal time is magnified now, which only adds to the already concerning mental health of our students.

McBreen also said that after all the students have gone through this year with the COVID-19 pandemic, the burden of standardized testing could make their anxiety even worse.

I think not having assessments for another year would not be a bad thing with what all of the students in the commonwealth had to endure during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

Green is just as emphatic in her belief that standardized tests should be skipped this year.

I do not feel standardized tests should be given this year. Schools will have a difficult time requiring those students who still choose to learn from home to come to the school to take the tests, she said. Also, the amount of time these tests take becomes more of a learning loss for our students who are already behind with the sudden closure last school year and the way learning is designed this school year. We should be concentrating on lowering the learning gap, not standardized tests.

Not only will testing hurt the students, it will hurt teachers and administrators, she said.

It only puts more stress on administrators trying to determine how we will test the students, the teachers worrying about additional learning loss, and the students who develop anxiety from these tests during normal times, Green said.
Hauliers are diverting UK imports through Northern Irish ports to avoid customs paperwork, the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has said.

Bureaucratic processes in Ireland are costing importers time and money, said IRHA president Eugene Drennan.

Nobody wants to go through the southern ports, Mr Drennan told the Irish Independent. [There is] in effect an easier route through Belfast. Dublin Port is suffering badly. We are protecting the back door to the EU and there is a lot of paperwork.

We must simplify the implications of the rule book. The time lost is very significant.

According to Stena Line, freight levels are up on most routes between Belfast and Britain, whereas volumes are down around 50pc on routes between Ireland and Wales.

That figure was corroborated by the Department of Transport, which said hauliers are still forgoing the UK land bridge for direct ferry routes to France.

The pattern of trade is different to what it was during the first lockdown last March  before the Brexit transition period ended  Stena Line said.

Under the terms of the Brexit trade deal, there is currently unfettered access for goods between Northern Ireland and Britain.

But imports into Dublin and Rosslare ports are subject to extra checks, with animal and plant products requiring pre-notification, health certificates and physical checks.

Mr Drennan said the delays were largely due to outdated systems used by the Department of Agriculture, which conducts the checks and deals with health certificates.

Its too bureaucratic and they are not availing of the electronic system, he said.

The rules put in place 30 years ago were never envisaged for the volume of trade as it is now between Ireland and the UK. They are still tweaking the old system. Its all the time delays and its very, very costly.

He said a shipment of ice pops had been delayed by six hours in Dublin Port recently.

And the driver of a consignment of processed fish, originally finished in Ireland, was asked to go back to the original trawler to prove receipt of the catch. But that fella was already gone back out to sea, said Mr Drennan.

Exporters are set to face similar issues when the UK begins phasing in its full customs code from 1 April.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Speaking to the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Fla. this month, Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri  who offered an encouraging fist-pump to protesters before a some of them stormed the Capitol  confronted an image that has come to define him head-on.

That day, Mr. Hawley said, had underscored the great crisis moment in which Americans currently found themselves. The mob had come that day.

The woke mob, that is.

And guess what? he went on: Im here today, Im not going anywhere, and Im not backing down.

Mr. Hawley, 39, has been denounced by many of his former supporters and faces the biggest political threat of his career. Simon & Schuster dropped plans to publish his book, The Tyranny of Big Tech. Major donors severed ties. Fomer Senator John Danforth, his mentor, called supporting Mr. Hawley the biggest mistake of my life.
Your honour? This is not the Supreme Court of the United States says CJI Bobde

Never asked rapist to marry survivor, remarks misreported: CJI Bobde

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Mar 08: Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde on Monday clarified to the controversy over oral observations made during the bail hearing in a rape case in the court last week.



He asserted that the remarks were misreported and denied asking rapists to marry survivors in the ruling.

"This court has always have given the largest respect to women. Even in that hearing, we never gave a suggestion that you should marry. We had asked, are you going to marry?", the CJI said.

The comments - on International Women's Day - come in the wake of recent criticism against the Supreme Court that it had asked a rape accused in another case whether he would marry the victim, who was a minor when the crime was committed.

The observations by the bench, also comprising Justices V Ramasubramanian and AS Bopanna, were made while it was hearing a case of a 14-year-old pregnant rape victim seeking a nod to abort the foetus of almost 26 weeks.

The bench, also comprising Justices Bopanna and Ramasubramanian, had asked the accused, "Are you willing to marry her?"

"If you are willing to marry her then we can consider it, otherwise you will go to jail," observed the bench. "We are not forcing you to marry," it said.

The man's lawyer said the accused was initially willing to marry the girl but she had refused, and now he was married to someone else.

CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat had written to the chief justice asking him to withdraw his remarks reportedly made during the March 1 hearing on the anticipatory bail plea of the accused.

Several women's rights activists, eminent citizens, intellectuals, writers and artistes had also penned an open letter to the Chief Justice demanding an apology and retraction of the remarks.

Muthoot Finance shares drop as chairman falls to death | Oneindia News

It was stated earlier that the apex court's query asking a rape accused whether he would marry the victim was based on 'judicial records' containing an undertaking from the man that he would marry the minor girl, a relative, after she turns 18 years of age.

Referring to the earlier case, the bench said on Monday: "We do not remember any case of marital rape was before us...We have the highest respect for women."

"Our reputation is always at the hands of bar," the top court observed.

The view was endorsed by lawyers appearing in the case.
[March 08, 2021] WeLab completes initial close of Series C-1 funding, led by Allianz X for US$75 million and announces strategic partnership

WeLab's focus on technology and innovation in building a pan-Asian digital financial services platform complements Allianz's expansion strategy with technology-focused partners in the region

Allianz and WeLab have established a strategic partnership with plans to develop and distribute investment and insurance solutions

WeLab Bank and Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) intend to enter into a strategic cooperation in digital wealth management and financial services. Once implemented, WeLab Bank will be the first digital bank to deploy this wealthtech advisory technology in Asia HONG KONG, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- WeLab, a leading fintech company in Asia, today announced it has completed the initial close of Series C-1 funding, led by Allianz X for US$75 million. Allianz X is the digital investment unit of the Germany-based Allianz Group, one of the world's largest insurers and asset managers. Since inception in 2013, WeLab has raised more than US$600 million of strategic financing from the world's most renowned investors. WeLab and Allianz have also established a strategic partnership to drive fintech collaboration across Asia's financial services landscape. The new funding, together with Allianz partnership, will bolster the acceleration of WeLab's pan-Asian growth strategy and expansion of digital financial services. WeLab operates multiple online financial services with leading positions in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Indonesia including digital banking and consumer finance businesses, with close to 50 million individual users and over 600 enterprise customers. As Asia sails into the digital banking revolution and many countries in the region are in the process of studying or implementing digital banking frameworks. WeLab is ahead of the curve, spearheading the new age of banking operating WeLab Bank in Hong Kong  one of the first fully-licensed digital banks in Asia since obtaining its license in early 2019. With its unique market knowledge and extensive network, WeLab is perfectly positioned in this strategic partnership with Allianz to take advantage of the vast opportunities in Asia where its total addressable market size for financial services is close to US$3 trillion in annual revenue. WeLab has achieved significant milestones in the increasingly digital COVID era In the COVID era, the market is rapidly evolving, with accelerated digital adoption as one of the outcomes. The pandemic has transformed people's money habits across their financial journey. The boom in digital services adoption plays into WeLab's strength in fintech services. WeLab has emerged stronger from the pandemic with multiple businesses achieving significant milestones in the past year. For example: Fueled by increased digital adoption in online financial services, WeLab's user base grew by 20% YoY, adding around 10 million users to the current 50 million user base, the largest user growth in recent years;

Launching a digital-only bank during the third wave of pandemic in Hong Kong proved to be extremely timely, with WeLab Bank garnering strong traction during its first 6 months of operations;

proved to be extremely timely, with WeLab Bank garnering strong traction during its first 6 months of operations; WeLend, Hong Kong's largest pure online lending platform, outperformed the market by 70% during the year to achieve its all-time record high sales volume, at a time where traditional branch operating hours and business model were severely hampered;

largest pure online lending platform, outperformed the market by 70% during the year to achieve its all-time record high sales volume, at a time where traditional branch operating hours and business model were severely hampered; WeLab's B2B enterprise solution platform in Mainland China doubled the number of businss partners from 300 to over 600 as financial institutions move towards online financial services;

In Indonesia , the mobile lending platform Maucash continues to scale with increased brand recognition and popularity of online financial services in Indonesia , achieving over 6x YoY volume growth.



Partnership will accelerate growth of WeLab's pan-Asian financial services footprint With this round of investment and new cooperation, WeLab aims to combine its advanced digital banking technology capabilities and market know-how with Allianz's expertise in insurance and asset management, the two partners aim to holistically improve people's financial wellbeing. The broader strategic cooperation between WeLab and Allianz will continue to develop over time and encompasses two key areas:

The rollout of pioneering digital wealth management in Asia : WeLab Bank and Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) intend to enter into a strategic cooperation in digital wealth management and financial services. WeLab Bank is looking into developing and distributing digital wealth management solutions with AllianzGI, a global asset manager under Allianz, with assets under management of over EUR 582 billion *. These would aim to bridge the significant unmet investment needs in Asia , a region where only 27% of the population use financial advisors, resulting in a sizable under-advised population of over 3.4 billion. Once implemented, WeLab Bank will be the first digital bank to deploy this wealthtech advisory technology in Asia . The plan is to roll out these wealth management services to new digital customers in Hong Kong and later to the Guangdong -Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA), through Wealth Management Connect, reaching the 72 million population in one of the world's wealthiest megalopolis.





New markets and new products: development and distribution of investment and insurance solutions: WeLab recognizes opportunities to widen the regional scope of its financial service offerings to other markets in which Allianz operates. For example, in the booming digital Southeast Asian economies, there are around 400 million active internet users, but over 70% of the total population is either unbanked or underbanked. There is, therefore, a lot of potential to expand the cooperation. The two companies are exploring opportunities to offer new digital investment and insurance products in the region, combining Allianz's expertise in investment and insurance and WeLab's network of customers and technology. Simon Loong, Founder & Group CEO of WeLab, said, "We are thrilled to welcome Allianz as an investor and strategic partner to the WeLab Group. We see this as a first-in-market 4-way partnership where there are abundant synergies between WeLab, as a fintech leader and a pioneer in digital banking, and Allianz, as a global insurer and asset manager. More importantly, both companies share a vision on delivering advanced technology solutions to customers in Asia. Today, we announce both the new round of funding and a strategic partnership in wealthtech and banking at WeLab Bank. We look forward to expanding WeLab's geographical presence and bringing our technology into these new markets with Allianz. We will be expediting our hiring this year, aiming to add around 100 hires, as investing in people and culture will be key to support future growth." Nazim Cetin, CEO of Allianz X, said, "In a relatively short amount of time, WeLab has built up a powerful platform for digital financial services and achieved excellent access to retail and business customers in Asia, a region of strategic importance for Allianz. WeLab's high-performance technology platform, in particular, makes it a unique fintech in the Asian markets. The investment in WeLab is a promising one for Allianz both economically and strategically. We look forward to leveraging our strategic partnership with WeLab and the business potential in the region." Desmond Ng, Head of Asia Pacific at Allianz Global Investors, said, "Asia is home to some of the most dynamic wealth management and banking markets of the world. Hong Kong, in particular, is a significant market for us. With the second-highest bank deposits per capita in the world, it is a very attractive wealth management market. The potential strategic cooperation with WeLab presents an exciting opportunity for Allianz Global Investors as an integral part of our growth strategy in Asia." Existing investors also participated in this round, reflecting their continued conviction and confidence in WeLab. The Series C-1 round remains ongoing, with the final close expected in the coming months. About WeLab WeLab, a leading fintech company in Asia, operates one of the first licensed digital banks in Asia - WeLab Bank, as well as multiple online financial services with leading positions in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Indonesia, with close to 50 million individual users and over 600 enterprise customers. WeLab uses game-changing technology to help customers access credit, save money, and enjoy their financial journey.

Powered by proprietary risk management technology, patented privacy computing techniques, and advanced AI capabilities, WeLab offers mobile-based consumer financing solutions and digital banking services to retail individuals and technology solutions to enterprise customers.

WeLab operates in three markets under seven key brands, including WeLend and WeLab Bank in Hong Kong, WeLab Digital (????), Taoxinji (???), Wallet Gugu (????), and Tianmian Tech (????) in Mainland China and Maucash in Indonesia.

WeLab is backed by the most renowned investors including Allianz, China Construction Bank International, International Finance Corporation (a member of the World Bank Group), Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Berhad, CK Hutchison's TOM Group, and Sequoia Capital. To learn more about WeLab, please visit: www.welab.co, or follow WeLab on LinkedIn and Facebook. About Allianz X Allianz X invests in digital frontrunners in ecosystems relevant to insurance and wealth management. As one of the pillars of Allianz Group's digital transformation strategy, Allianz X provides an interface between Allianz Operating Entities and the broader digital ecosystem, enabling collaborative partnerships in insurtech, fintech, and beyond. For more information, please visit: https://www.allianzx.com/. About Allianz Global Investors Allianz Global Investors is a leading active asset manager with over 700 investment professionals in 25 offices worldwide and managing EUR 582 billion in assets for individuals, families and institutions*. We see investing as a journey and we seek to create value for our clients every step of the way. We invest for the long term, employing our global investment and risk capabilities and sustainable investing expertise to create innovative solutions that anticipate future needs. We believe in solving not selling  our goal is to elevate the investment experience for clients, wherever they are based and whatever their investment objectives. Active is: Allianz Global Investors

*Source: Allianz Global Investors. Data as at 31 December 2020 For media enquiries, please contact:

WeLab:

WeLab Corporate Communications Team

Tel: +852 6214 4734

Email: pr@welab.co

Allianz X:

Gregor Wills

Tel: +49 89 3800 61313

Email: gregor.wills@allianz.com SOURCE WeLab

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In Alaska, where the Indigenous population has been ravaged by global disease outbreaks for generations, the pandemic has killed Alaska Natives at quadruple the rate of white residents.

The virus has taken hold in remote communities, setting up an urgent race between infections and vaccinations during a season in which weather can limit travel, the sun may only wink above the horizon, and large, multigenerational families are crowded indoors.

When the pandemic began a year ago, Alaskas isolation was an asset that provided villages an opportunity to set up lockdowns, testing requirements and controls on travel.

But as the virus has slowly seeped across the state, the rising infections have demonstrated how quickly isolation can turn into a liability. In Pilot Station, a 37-year-old man died after weather prevented a medevac plane from reaching him. The virus has raged in some communities that have minimal sanitation, in some cases infecting more than 60 percent of residents.
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Polaris Bank is set to unveil the second set of winners in its ongoing Save & Win Millionaire promo.

At the maiden draw which took place on February 9, 2021, Lucky Okunzuwa, a customer with the Banks Akpakpava branch, Benin City in Edo State, emerged the first millionaire of the promo.

The Bank, it noted that like the first draw, the second set of winners will be determined through an electronic draw where another millionaire and 60 other Nigerians will emerge winners with N100,000 consolation prize money each.

The Bank also encouraged Nigerians to still save a minimum incremental sum of N10,000 in three consecutive deposits of the remaining promo period, to qualify and be one of the 8 lucky winners to emerge millionaires in the promo.

The nationwide savings promotional campaign, is expected to give away N26,000,000.00 (twenty-six million naira) in total to the Banks existing and who emerge winners. Eight millionaires will emerge altogether alongside 180 lucky customers who will be rewarded with consolation cash gifts of N100,000 per person.

Meanwhile, the month of April will witness the Grand-finale leading to the emergence of sixty winners of N100,000 each across the six geo-political zones and six more Millionaires of N1,000,000.00 (one million naira) each, across the six geo-political zones, bringing the entire draw to a total of 188 winners.

Recall the Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Mr. Innocent C. Ike while kicking off the campaign in November 2020, noted that the essence of the exercise, is to give back to customers and encourage savings amongst Nigerians.

The campaign he further explained, is a reward for traders, artisans, public servants and indeed professionals who in spite of the challenging times, are able to put aside some money as savings. He reiterated that in a not-so pleasant times, there is a compelling need to save  not only to win a prize  but also to plan for the rainy day. He disclosed that both current and new savings account customers of the Bank, are eligible to participate in the promo.

Savings Account accessibility is simple and swift in Polaris Bank. Prospective customers can dial *833*0# on their phones to follow the prompt or simply create or reactivate their own savings account from their devices by visiting https://accounts.polarisbanklimited.com/opening/ or any of the Banks branches across the country.

Winners will emerge through a transparent, electronically generated process that will be supervised by relevant regulatory institutions.

Polaris Bank is a future-determining bank committed to delivering industry-defining products and services across all sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Despite Russian promises of fuel and wheat supplies, Damascus has witnessed lengthy queues at gas stations, writes Sowt Al-Asima.

Fuel shortages have caused unusually long queues at gas stations in Damascus, days after the government assured citizens of long-term Russian supplies.

Sawt Al-Asima correspondents monitored car queues in front of a number of stations in Damascus since last Thursday.

The queues appeared in front of the stations of Hamish, Azbakeya, Moujtahid, and Al-Sham, after they had vanished for some time.

On Sunday, the Al-Watan newspaper reported that the capitals stations are mostly empty of gas.

The queues extended to Ibn Asakir stations and reached the internal transport company, while the Moujtahid queue almost reached the police headquarters.

According to the pro-regime newspaper, the current decline in the quantities of gasoline distributed is estimated at 10 percent, and this situation will continue to exacerbate until more supplies arrive that contribute to finding a solution to the crisis.

The new crisis comes after seven days of statements made by the regimes ambassador to Moscow, Riad Haddad, in which he confirmed that Russian supplies, including oil and wheat, have begun to arrive in Syria, in implementation of recently concluded agreements.

According to Haddads statements, the supplies will continue arriving during March and April, according to a scheduling agreement. He also referred to an agreement with the Russian side on a long-term plan.

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.
Spring is still two weeks away, but the next few days sure will feel like it.

Winter-weary New Jersey is awaiting a big warmup starting Tuesday when the temperature will reach 60 degrees for the first time since Dec. 25, Accu Weather meteorologist Brett Rossio told NJ Advance Media.

Then it gets even better. Temperatures will be in the mid-60s on Wednesday and will be very close to 70 on Thursday, Rossio said on Sunday.

The last time it was that warm in New Jersey was Nov. 11, when 70-degree temperatures were reported in Newark.

Its going to be beautiful. Good grilling weather, Rossio said.

Good news is in store for many fans of warm weather across the central and eastern United States: https://t.co/lArjGcts2t pic.twitter.com/ItpFKC1qja  AccuWeather (@breakingweather) March 7, 2021

No rain is in the forecast until Friday, which Rossio said will minimize the possibility of flooding concerns from melting snow.

Temperatures will reach 45 degrees on Monday after four days of hovering around freezing throughout the state.

It will feel warmer because the suns angle is getting stronger, Rossio said of Mondays forecast.

The warmup does not mean that winter is done with New Jersey. A burst of frigid air is forecast to drop temperatures into the 30s on Friday and Saturday.

Spring begins on March 20.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.
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It's no secret that the United States' $13 billion cannabis industry is big business. Less obvious to many is the environmental toll this booming business is taking, in the form of greenhouse gas emissions from commercial, mostly indoor production.

A new study by Colorado State University researchers provides the most detailed accounting to date of the industry's carbon footprint, a sum around which there is only limited understanding. What is clear, though, is that consumer demand for cannabis is insatiable and shows no signs of stopping as more states sign on to legalization.

The study, published in Nature Sustainability, was led by graduate student Hailey Summers, whose advisor, Jason Quinn, is an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Summers, Quinn and Evan Sproul, a research scientist in mechanical engineering, performed a life-cycle assessment of indoor cannabis operations across the U.S., analyzing the energy and materials required to grow the product, and tallying corresponding greenhouse gas emissions.

They found that greenhouse gas emissions from cannabis production are largely attributed to electricity production and natural gas consumption from indoor environmental controls, high-intensity grow lights, and supplies of carbon dioxide for accelerated plant growth.

"We knew the emissions were going to be large, but because they hadn't been fully quantified previously, we identified this as a big research opportunity space," Summers said. "We just wanted to run with it."

The CSU group's efforts update previous work by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers, which quantified small-scale grow operations in California and predated the cascade of state-by-state legalization since Colorado was first to legalize in 2012. To date, 36 states have legalized medical use of cannabis, and 15 have legalized recreational use.

The CSU team surmised there would be substantial variability in emissions depending on where the product was being grown, due to climate as well as electric grid emissions. Their recently published work captures the potential cross-country spread of large commercial warehouses for growing cannabis, and it models emissions for several high-growth locations around the country. Their results include a map that shows relative emissions anywhere in the U.S., as defined as emissions per kilogram of cannabis flower. They've also developed a GIS map that allows users to enter a county name and find local emissions estimates.

Their research shows that U.S. indoor cannabis cultivation results in life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of between 2,283 and 5,184 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilogram of dried flower. Compare that to emissions from electricity use in outdoor and greenhouse cannabis growth, which is 22.7 and 326.6 kilograms of carbon dioxide, respectively, according to the New Frontier Data 2018 Cannabis Energy Report. Those outdoor and greenhouse numbers only consider electricity, while the CSU researchers' estimate is more comprehensive, but the comparison still highlights the enormously larger footprint of indoor grow operations.

The researchers were surprised to find that heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems held the largest energy demand, with numbers fluctuating depending on the local climate - whether in Florida, which requires excessive dehumidifying, or Colorado, where heating is more important.

The high energy consumption of cannabis is due in part to how the product is regulated, Quinn said. In Colorado, many grow operations are required to be in close proximity to retail storefronts, and this has caused an explosion of energy-hungry indoor warehouses in urban areas like Denver. According to a report from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, electricity use from cannabis cultivation and other products grew from 1% to 4% of Denver's total electricity consumption between 2013 and 2018.

The team is seeking more funding for continuing their modeling work, with hopes of extending it to a comparison between indoor and potential outdoor growth operations. Ultimately, they would like to help the industry tackle environmental concerns while legal cannabis is still relatively new in the U.S.

"We would like to try and improve environmental impacts before they have become built into the way of doing business," Sproul said.

###
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25 years ago: Tensions escalate between US and China after missile tests near Taiwan

Strait of Taiwan

On March 8, 1996, China began missile testing and military exercises for war games off Taiwanese coastal areas in the run-up to presidential elections on the island nation, which Beijing regarded as a renegade province. The Clinton administration responded by sailing two US carrier battle groups, backed by submarines, into the waters surrounding Taiwan.

Washingtons military intervention was the latest in a series of provocations aimed at furthering the interests of US imperialism in relation to China. Over the previous two years, the US carried out sanctions and threats against China over issues ranging from trade policy to nuclear proliferation and human rights.

Within the top circles of the government and big business, there was intense debate over China policy. After the coming to power of Deng Xiaoping in 1979 and the subsequent opening of China to foreign capitalist investment, Washington tended to look upon the country as a vast untapped market and inexhaustible supply of cheap labor. Increasingly, however, it saw Beijing as a potentially powerful economic and military rival in Asia. China at this point had run up a $35 billion annual trade surplus with the US.

The confrontation broke out as the Pentagon was facing a mounting crisis over its military bases in the Pacific. Having lost its bases in the Philippines, the US was under increasing pressure to withdraw also from Okinawa, which was Japanese territory. The conflict with China allowed the US to posture as a defender of smaller nations throughout Asia and strike new military arrangements in the region. At the same time, 1996 was also an election year in the US, and Republican candidates were critical of the Clinton administration for being soft on China, so the Democrats were using nuclear-armed fleets to demonstrate strength.

At the same time, there was nothing progressive about the Beijing bureaucracys belligerent exercises in the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese bureaucracy claimed that was defending the national integrity of China against the rise of a Taiwanese separatist movement seeking official independence for Taiwan. Both major candidates in the 1996 Taiwanese elections, Lee Teng-hui of the Kuomintang and Peng Ming-min of the Democratic Progressive Party, were moving toward advocating independence. Lees position was deliberately vague, while Peng demanded an end to direct trade with the mainland.

The emergence of sentiment in favor of independence was a departure for Taiwan and alarmed Beijing. After the flight of Chiang Kai-Sheks defeated Kuomintang nationalists in the Chinese Civil War, the government of Taiwan maintained the fiction that it was the government-in-exile of mainland China. Beijing rejected this. But the common official position in both Beijing and Taipei was that there existed one indivisible China, including Taiwan.

50 years ago: Military coup in Turkey

US President Richard Nixon with Turkish military front man Nihat Erim at the White House in 1972

On March 12, 1971, the Turkish military forced the resignation of the sitting prime minister, Suleyman Demirel. While the coup removed Demirel, who was the leader of the bourgeois Justice Party, its primary purpose was to initiate a crackdown on the movements of workers and youth that had been growing steadily through the 1960s.

The coup was directly organized and carried out by the leaders of the military brass, including Chief of the General Staff Memduh Tagmac, General Faruk Gluier of the army, General Muhsin Batur of the air force, and Admiral Celal Eyicioglu of the navy. The generals presented Demirel with a memorandum that was in essence an ultimatum to step down or be removed.

The military demanded a strong and credible government, which will neutralize the current anarchical situation. The generals concluded that anarchy, fratricidal strife, and social and economic unrest must be put down. The coup in Turkey, which had been an important strategic ally in the NATO alliance since 1952, enjoyed the strong backing of Washington and the CIA, which established networks of aid to the coup plotters as well as the fascist Grey Wolves movement which carried out violent attacks on left-wing workers and youth.

Within three hours of receiving the memorandum from the military leaders, Demirel resigned as prime minister. He was allowed to maintain his seat as a member of parliament where he did little to oppose the military rule. Unwilling to openly take power in the form of a junta, the military leaders replaced Demirel with Ismail Nihat Erim as a civilian frontman for the militaryand ultimately Washington.

The Nihat Erim military government began a series of repression actions against the trade unions and left-wing organizations. Opposition to the military coup was strong among the militant sections of workers. Following the issuing of the military memorandum, the Workers Party (TIP) called for strikes against the coup. In July, the TIP was declared illegal and its leaders arrested until 1974. Union meetings and left-wing newspapers and youth organizations were banned. Meanwhile, the Gray Wolves and other far-right, anti-communist, and Islamist organizations were allowed to operate with semi-official sanction.

With the socialists and other left-wing leaders arrested, the trade unions were pacified and stacked with anti-communist representatives. In the universities, autonomy was ended and radical students and professors were driven out. Without a revolutionary leadership many left-wing elements increasingly turned to the politics of petty bourgeois nationalism and attempted to replace the construction of a socialist movement in the working class with political kidnappings and assassinations.

75 years ago: UAW ends 113-day General Motors strike

Striking workers at workers GM's 36th Street plant in Wyoming, Michigan

On March 13, 1946, officials of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union agreed to accept a contract offer from General Motors (GM), ending a strike that had lasted some 113 days and involved as many as 320,000 workers at 96 different plants.

The stoppage, which was the longest to that point in the history of both GM and the UAW, was part of a wave of working class struggles in the aftermath of World War II. Throughout Americas participation in the war, the unions, including the UAW and its leader Walter Reuther, had enforced a no-strike pledge. This was in line with their support for the Democratic Party administration and the war aims of US imperialism.

The consequence was minimal wage rises throughout the war that did not keep pace with increases in the cost of living. When this persisted in the wake of the Allied victory, it produced a series of militant struggles aimed at substantial improvements to pay and conditions. The initial demands of the GM strike, which began on November 21, 1945, included a 30 percent increase in hourly wages, paid vacations, and improved overtime provisionsas well as a freeze on auto prices, to prevent the company from imposing the cost of any concessions on consumers.

GM was initially intransigent, declaring that it could not afford any of the demands, despite registering record profits during the war. It warned that any price controls would undermine the very heart of management judgment and discretion, and denounced as socialistic a call from Reuther that the company open its books in order to prove its inability to provide a pay rise. GM was correct, in a way, since the demand to open the books was first raised by Trotskyist autoworkers.

After months out, workers were forced to accept substantially less than their initial claims. The wage rise was just 18.5 cents an hour, amounting to a 17.5 percent increase, while a number of other demands, including for price controls, were also jettisoned.

Throughout the strike, Reuther, and all of the union leaders in the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), sought to prevent the dispute from developing into a broader movement of auto and other sections of the industrial working class.

The consequence of this one-at-a-time strategy was that the strikes would exhaust themselves and workers would be compelled to accept contracts far short of what they had gone out for. The aim of the UAW, and all of the unions, was to prevent the mass industrial struggle from transforming into a political confrontation against the Democratic Party administration of President Harry Truman and the capitalist system that it defended.

100 years ago: 10th Congress of Russian Communist Party opens

Lenin and Trotsky among soldiers and the delegates to the 10th Congress of the Communist Party

On March 8, 1921, the 10th Congress of the Russian Communist Party opened in Moscow with 694 voting and 296 non-voting delegates.

The Congress was one of the most significant since November 1917, when the revolution under the leadership of the Bolsheviks had established the Soviet state. The Civil War was drawing to a close with victories of the Red Army on four fronts. Soviet power had established itself in Ukraine and the Caucasus and Japanese imperialism was preparing to evacuate Siberia. The parties of the Communist International had made significant developments since the founding of the International in 1919, and prospects for the extension of the socialist revolution into Europe remained bright.

At the same time, the young Soviet state face innumerable difficulties. The economy was in a state of collapse, and mass hunger was prevalent in both the cities and the countryside. Sections of the peasantry were in open rebellion and the country was being strangled by a blockade of the imperialist powers.

The 10th Congress, under the leadership of Lenin and Trotsky, took a number of decisions that would shape the Soviet state and economy for years to come.

The Congress launched the New Economic Policy, a temporary loosening of the restraints on capitalist property that aimed to encourage trade, and especially food production. Small businesses were allowed to operate, and a tax was substituted for grain requisitions in the countryside.

The party temporarily banned factions (except during pre-Congress discussion) under the impact of the peasant rebellions and imperialist encirclement. While the Congress was in session, the sailors in the naval fortress of Kronstadt outside of Petrograd rebelled, demanding a purge of Bolsheviks from the soviets and the legalization of anti-Soviet parties. The uprising was suppressed by the Red Army. Over 300 delegates volunteered to participate in the action, and several lost their lives.

Lenin summed up the situation in the following manner in his opening speech to the Congress:

In these last three years, we have learned to understand that placing our stake on the world revolution does not mean relying on a definite date, and that the accelerating pace of development may or may not lead to a revolution in the spring. Therefore, we must be able to bring our work in line with the class balance here and elsewhere, so as to be able to maintain the dictatorship of the proletariat for a long time, and, however gradually, to remedy all our numerous misfortunes and crises. This is the only correct and sober approach.
It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
(Reuters) - Video-conferencing platform Zoom Video Communications Inc founder Eric Yuan transferred about 18 million shares worth over $6 billion last week, according to a regulatory filing.

The transfers were related to Yuan's estate planning practices, a Zoom spokesperson said. "The distributions were made in accordance with the terms of Eric Yuan and his wife's trusts."

Yuan, who is also the chief executive officer of the company, transferred roughly 40% of his stake in the company to unspecified beneficiaries, Zoom disclosed in a filing late on Friday.

The transfers come as Zoom's shares have nearly tripled in the past 12 months, as the COVID-19 pandemic drove an increasing number of students and professionals to connect online.

The transfers were done in two tranches of about 9 million shares each and were shown as gifts, according to the filing.

(Reporting by Ankit Ajmera and Chavi Mehta in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)
The Social Democratic Party will submit, this week, in the Senate, a simple motion against the Minister of Economy, Claudiu Nasui, declared on Monday, the PSD chairman, Marcel Ciolacu, according to AGERPRES.

"We decided within the National Political Bureau to submit, this week, in the Senate, a motion against Minister Nasui, just as we announced. The reasons - blocking measure 3, European funds, 478 million Euro at this time, frozen because of the fact that the Minister has seen fit to create an administrator account in the procedure to selecting companies. Absolutely there could not be any initiation for selling profitable Romanian companies during the period of the pandemic and economic recession, which is inadequate as a member country of the European Union, the other states blocking the sales of shares, and here I am referring to Germany or France, and this could not have been done without the approval of the Minister of Economy," Ciolacu said, in a press conference at the central headquarters of PSD.

He added that the decision of no longer promoting Romanian exports outside Romania's territory is "completely incorrect towards Romanian companies and Romanian products".
MET Eireann is warning of strong winds and gusts in Limerick later this week.

The forecaster has issued a Status Yellow weather warning for Limerick and several other counties including Galway, Clare, Kerry, Cork, Waterford and Wexford.

"Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night, southwest to west winds will reach mean wind speeds of 50km/h to 65 km/h, with gusts ranging 80km/h to 110km/h, higher in exposed location," states the warning which comes into effect at midday on Wednesday.

Status Yellow - Wind warning for Galway, Clare, Limerick, Kerry, Cork, Waterford, Wexford



All current warnings see here https://t.co/Xg3aMJlyuS, please click on tab for active warnings for each day. pic.twitter.com/9HmK8Ijp9a March 8, 2021

The warning, which was issued this afternoon will remain in place until 6am on Thursday.
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Monday questioned the Central government on the 'Vaccine Maitri' programme. Highlighting that the vaccines are all being sent to foreign countries, he said that people of India would not be able to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The central government is sending the vaccines to the foreign countires and not getting the people of India vaccinated. Even if you are battling for your life, you will not be vaccinated as all the vaccines are being sent abroad," he siad.

The statement comes about a week after Abdullah and his wife took the first does of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences.

READ: Farooq Abdullah Moves J&K HC Against Attachment Of Properties In Money Laundering Case

The news of Abdullah and his wife getting vaccinated was communicated by hi son Omar Abdullah through a tweet. In the tweet, he informed that Abdullah being on immunosuppressants for a Kidney transplant has got himself vaccinated. He thanked the doctors and medical staff.

Thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at SKIMS, Srinagar. Today my 85 year old father & my mother had their first COVID jab. My father has a number of health issues including being on immunosuppressants for a kidney transplant. If he can get the vaccine, you should as well. pic.twitter.com/V6yo1zyuGR  Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 2, 2021

READ: Agreement Between India And Pak Sparked Hope For Peace In People Of J&K: Farooq Abdullah

Vaccine Maitri

India's Vaccine Maitri programme that was started around a month ago, aims to help poor countries amid the global pandemic. In this brief period, the country has got delivered around 45.6 million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech's indigenous vaccine, of which 38.47 million doses were commercial supplies and 7.12 million doses were granted to around 45 countries.

Neighbouring Bangladesh, which received 9 million doses of COVID-vaccines- 7 million doses as commercial supplies and 2 million doses as grant assistance, on January 21 and an additional 5 million and 2 million doses of commercial supplies on January 25 and February 22, is the major recipient. Morocco emerged as the second major recipient with commercial supplies of 2 million, 4 million and 1 million doses of the vaccine on January 22, February, 11 and February 24, respectively.

Some other countries that have received India's gift of vaccines include Brazil, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

READ: Guyana Receives 80,000 Doses Of 'Made In India' COVID-19 Vaccines Under 'Vaccine Maitri'

ALSO, READ: Consignment Of Made-in-India COVID-19 Vaccines Reaches Dominican Republic
President of the Apostolic Church-Ghana, Apostle Dr. Apostle Aaron Nartey Ami-Narh, has urged Ghanaians to participate in the ongoing Covid19 vaccination exercise.



According to him, the Apostolic Church - Ghana, recognizes that God is not opposed to scientific research as a means of seeking solutions to human needs. Indeed,



"He is the source of all knowledge and wisdom.



"Furthermore, the vaccines have gone through various scientific tests and examinations and approved by established international regulatory bodies and our own Food and Drugs Authority (FDA)," he added.



Taking his COVID-19 vaccination, he encouraged all members and by extension, all Ghanaians to participate in the on-going Covid19 vaccination exercise.



"The Executive of the Church wishes to inform the entire fellowship that it is not opposed to the vaccination Exercise and position are without denial of any individuals right to a personal decision".



He has thus encouraged all members and by extension, all Ghanaians to participate in the on-going Covid19 vaccination exercise adding that their prayers and love are with all Ghanaians and humanity as a whole as we stand together in faith, believing God Almighty to let this wind pass sooner than later.





Read Communique Below



COMMUNIQUE ON THE ON-GOING COVID-19 VACCINATIONS IN GHANA



The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused considerable social and economic damage to nations, communities, families, and individuals, and has brought grief and pain to many individuals and families.



In this painful devastation, Christians have not been spared. As world leaders and nations turned in various directions, including scientific research, to seek remedy for this virus, Christians additionally sought the Face of God Almighty in prayer.



God answers prayers in diverse ways. The Apostolic Church - Ghana, recognizes that God is not opposed to scientific research as a means of seeking solutions to human needs. Indeed, He is the source of all knowledge and wisdom.



The scientific development of the Covid-19 vaccines by distinguished scientists and their availability in Ghana and to humanity worldwide is a timely intervention that is very commendable.



The Executive of The Apostolic Church - Ghana considers the development and availability of the vaccines particularly to Ghanaians at this point in time, a great relief and a step in the right direction.



Furthermore, the vaccines have gone through various scientific tests and examinations and approved by established international regulatory bodies and our own Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).



The Executive of the Church wishes to inform the entire fellowship that it is not opposed to the vaccination Exercise and position are without denial of any individuals right to a personal decision.



The Church encourages all members and by extension, all Ghanaians to participate in the on-going Covid19 vaccination exercise. Our prayers and love are with all Ghanaians and humanity as a whole as we stand together in faith, believing God Almighty to let this wind pass sooner than later.



Yours In His Love And Fellowship.







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.

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Calling the allegations against her horrendous, a Superior Court judge has ordered that the mother of a child hospitalized with severe brain injuries remain behind bars on charges that she assaulted the 4-year-old girl.

Elinette S. Muniz, 21, of Millville, and her boyfriend brought the unconscious child to Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill on Feb. 24, where doctors found multiple, severe injuries, including bleeding on the brain and damage to her chest.

The child, who had bruises all over her body and cuts to her mouth and nose, was placed on a ventilator and is currently at A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Delaware, where she remains in critical condition.

She was taken off the ventilator Friday, but her condition worsened and she was placed back on the ventilator late Sunday night and has not regained consciousness, Cumberland County Assistant Prosecutor Angelica Carrasco said during a Monday afternoon detention hearing.

The childs biological father is making care decisions, the prosecutor noted.

Muniz told doctors that her child fell from a bunk bed, but the injuries didnt match that explanation, according to investigators.

A search of the couples apartment turned up multiple pieces of bloodied childrens clothing and blood spatter on the walls of the girls bedroom. Muniz admitted disciplining the child by striking her in the mouth and nose hard enough to draw blood. She said no one else had disciplined the child, Carrasco said.

The mother claimed injuries to the girls head and body were the result of slipping in the shower and multiple falls caused by reoccurring seizures. Muniz said she had not sought medical help for the child earlier and had last taken her child to a doctor about a year ago, Carrasco noted.

The boyfriend, who has not been charged, claimed he had seen Muniz pop the child in the mouth and that he had seen the girl fall multiple times and hit her head. The boyfriend is not the childs father.

While Muniz initially told police the injuries occurred in Glassboro, she later admitted they happened in Millville after police seized her cellphone to get GPS location data.

While she lives five miles from a hospital in Vineland, she took the girl to the hospital farther away in Gloucester County to prevent her family from being contacted, Carrasco said.

The couple stopped for gas and visited a liquor store on their way to the hospital with the unconscious girl.

Muniz was charged with second-degree offenses of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

While release was recommended under her public safety assessment  she has no prior criminal record  the state sought pre-trial detention.

The child in this case had no way of defending herself, Carrasco said, noting the severity of the injuries, along with the decision by Muniz not to call 911, making stops on the way to the hospital and taking the child to a hospital farther away.

Her efforts to avoid responsibility leave the state concerned about whether she would show up for her court hearings if released, Carrasco argued.

She also noted that Muniz faces significant time in prison if convicted on the charges and faces the potential for additional charges given the childs uncertain medical status.

When the prosecution reviews additional records, including information about the familys prior involvement with the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency, they will learn details that may have implications on the current case, defense attorney Carlos Andujar Jr. said during Mondays hearing. He didnt elaborate.

Andujar cited his clients family support and her lack of a record as factors counting in her favor for pre-trial release.

I do believe that there are things that we could do to help her and to help with respect to this situation, he said. It is an unfortunate situation thats led this child to be hospitalized in the manner that she is.

Superior Court Judge Robert Malestein concluded that there was no way to safely release the defendant.

The facts of the case are about as horrendous as the court can imagine, he said. Theres an admission by the defendant that she struck her with a ring on her hand that was sufficient to cause blood splatter against a wall ... There is evidence before the court to suggest that this young child has a significant brain injury and was unconscious on the way to the hospital.

He also cited the actions Muniz took in getting the child help.

These are a series of choices that this adult defendant made and, who knows, could have cause further harm to the child 

Malestein acknowledged that child welfare officials have been involved with the family in the past, though not regarding anything as serious as the current allegations. The agency was not involved with the family at the time of the alleged crimes, the judge added.

Muniz will return to court for a pre-indictment hearing on April 8.

Her daughters prognosis remains uncertain.

She showed signs of improvement last week, including opening her eyes, according to her great-aunt, Anita Simms-Doughty. Her condition has since declined.

As of right now, shes not doing too well, she said Monday. We still dont know if shes going to live or not.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
VANCOUVER, BC, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Megawatt Lithium and Battery Metals Corp. (CSE: MEGA) (FSE: WR20) (OTC PINK: WALRF) (the "Company" or "Megawatt") is pleased with the unveiling of the Australian government's new 10-year critical minerals value-add plan. Megawatt recently announced its intention to acquire 1260945 B.C. Ltd. ("TargetCo") on March 3, 2021 and indirectly five properties in Australia prospective for rare earth elements-scandium-cobalt. (See News Release dated March 3, 2021)

Australia's new value-add plan

Addressing wide spread concern that China largely dominantes the global rare earth element (REE) and critical minerals supply chain, the Australian government has outlined a 10-year road map to accelerate the development of down-stream processing capability. Currently, Australia is a fast-growing REE and critical minerals (i.e. scandium & cobalt) supplier, but has only moderate processing infrastructure. As a result, Australia is mostly only capturing the upstream part of the value chain through shipping extracted minerals offshore. The new policy is designed to significantly extend the potential benefits by encouraging the manufacturing of value added products produced from the raw materials.



Critical minerals, including REE-scandium-cobalt, are required in a wide array of technologies ranging from military applications, electric vehicles and smart phones, underscoring the potential opportunity. For its part, the Australian government is set to roll-out a more incentivised environment and create a A$1.3bn fund to aid manufacturers in accelerating the commercialization of high demand products for global supply chains.



With this multi-pronged strategic approach, the Australian government is endeavouring to align with industry, potentially undertake direct investment and encourage businesses to collaborate on key projects to enhance the nation's value-add manufacturing capabilities for critical minerals.

Timely proposed acquisition

For Megawatt, the announcement of this initiative by the Australian government coincides with the strategic decision to acquire the five properties across the Northern Territory (NT) and New South Wales (NSW).

A. Rare Earth Elements (NT) - Arctic Fox and Isbjorn

According to analysts at global investment bank, UBS, demand for key REEs  neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr)  is set to accelerate substantially over the next decade as the green electrification transition gains traction globally.

The primary drivers are: 1) rapidly expanding global electric vehicle (EV) fleet; and 2) increased use of wind turbines to generate electricity. Placing this in context, each EV requires 1-2kg NdPr, while 200kg goes into each wind turbine.



As China currently supplies approxomately 80% of the world's REEs requirements, there is a strategic risk mitigation imperative to diversify global supply chains, with Australia featuring as a prominent alternative.



This initiative provides a more compelling argument for Arctic Fox and Isbjorn Projects in the NT, as both are prospective for REEs. Notably, the Artic Fox Project is contiguous to Arafura Resources' (ASX: ARU) Nolans Bore REE project, which is due to come on stream in 2022 and supports a JORC Complaint Mineral Resource. Meanwhile, the Isbjorn Project is contiguous to the advanced Charley Creek REE project.

B] Nickel-cobalt-scandium-HPA (NSW)  Chinook, Kodiak & Caribou

Accelerating demand for EVs over the next decade is underpinning higher demand for key inputs such as nickel-cobalt-scandium-HPA. Both nickel and cobalt are used in varying types of batteries for EVs. However, strong light-weight scandium-aluminium alloys are essential for reducing EVs weight which in turn delivers longer battery range and improved efficiency.



The three nickel-cobalt-scandium-HPA properties  Chinook, Kodiak and Caribou  are located in central NSW which has the potential to morph into a global supply head for critical minerals, especially scandium-cobalt. The Australian government's new initiative for critical minerals could jump start the development of companion downstream industries focused on supplying key products for EV manufacturers globally.



Within the vicinity of the Chinook, Kodiak and Caribou Project are Alpha HPA's (ASX: A4N) Collerina asset and Scandium International's (TSE: SCY) Nyngan deposit which both support JORC Complaint Mineral Resources.

Chief Executive Officer David Thornley-Hall commented: "The Australian government's new critical minerals policy initiative is a welcome development that will be factored into our exploration strategy. With accelerating demand for electric vehicles and wind turbines, the Board believes the acquisition of five high-quality prospective Australian properties presents a timely opportunity."

Due process ongoing

While this critical minerals initiative out of Australia is encouraging, the Proposed Transaction remains subject to certain closing conditions including, without limitation, (a) entering into the Definitive Agreement; (b) the completion of due diligence; and (c) the receipt by the Company of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange, as applicable. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as contemplated, or at all.

About MegaWatt Lithium and Battery Metals Corp.

MegaWatt is a British Columbia based company involved in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in Canada. The Company holds a 100% undivided interest, subject to a 1.5% NSR on all base, rare earth elements and precious metals, in the Cobalt Hill Property, consisting of eight mineral claims covering an area of approximately 1,727.43 hectares located in the Trail Creek Mining Division in the Province of British Columbia, Canada.

Additionally, the Company has acquired a 60% interest in a company that indirectly holds a 100% interest (subject to a 2% NSR) in two prospective silver-zinc projects in Australia, being the Tyr Silver Project and the Century South Silver-Zinc Project (see press release dated August 13, 2020) and a 100% interest (subject to a 2% NSR) in and to the Route 381 Lithium Property, comprised of 40 mineral claims located in James Bay Territory, north of Matagami in the Province of Quebec, covering 2,126 hectares.

Investors can learn more about the Company and team at https://megawattmetals.com.

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release includes "forward-looking information" that is subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements may include but are not limited to, statements relating to the trading of the Company's common shares on the Exchange and the Company's use of proceeds and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties normally incident to such events. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future events and that actual events or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward- looking statements. Such forward-looking statements represent management's best judgment based on information currently available. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release.

SOURCE MegaWatt Lithium and Battery Metals Corp.

An earlier version of this piece was featured in the Tow Center for Digital Journalisms weekly newsletter.

In March 2019, Craig Forman, then McClatchys president and CEO, announced a new partnership with Google News Local Experiments project. Dubbed the Compass Experiment, its goal was to create three digital-only outlets in communities with little access to local news, with help from Google as a technology and innovation partner. According to Formans announcement, the Compass Experiments local news sites would be wholly owned and operated by McClatchy, a 163-year-old, family-run company that oversees dozens of newspapers. The project was to be funded for three years through the Google News Initiative, a wide-ranging endeavor that the company started in 2018 with a pledge to invest $300 million dollars over the course of three years to aid the ailing news industry, which has seen more than 2,100 newsrooms disappear since 2004.

As of last week, the initiative is splitting up and transitioning to new management, with larger newspaper chainsMcClatchy and Village Media, the latter a longtime partner of the experimentnow separately overseeing each of the local news startups. In an email to the Tow Center, Jeanne Segal, a spokesperson for McClatchy, said this new direction was prompted by the market conditions of the past two yearsnamely, McClatchys bankruptcy and new ownership under Chatham Asset Management, a private hedge fund that had for years been McClatchys creditor and majority shareholder. According to McClatchy, the initiative will continue to be funded by Google. Yet the Compass Experiment, which was intended to help make local news more sustainable in small- to mid-sized communities, is now being dismantled by one of the largest newspaper chains in the country under hedge fund control. The project will continue to share the lessons learned by these startups, per Segals statement, despite its departure from the projects original vision.

The Compass Experiment selected Youngstown, Ohio, for its first pilot news laboratory in July 2019, less than a month after the towns 150-year-old newspaper, the Vindicator, closed. Mark Sweetwood, former managing editor of the paper, wrote in a blog post on the Compass Experiments website that there was fear that, without Compass, Youngstown might become the largest U.S. city isolated in a news desert. (Sweetwood could not be reached for comment.) Only 40 days after the Vindicators closure, McClatchy and Google launched Mahoning Matters, a digital-only news site to fill the local-news void. Mahoning Matters hired three former Vindicator editorial staff, including Sweetwood.

The Compass Experiment was also assigned a management team to spearhead innovation and to develop new potential revenue models for the new sites. Leading this effort at the time was Mandy Jenkins, a self-described local news evangelist and expert in digital news startups. In a post announcing the Youngstown initiative, Jenkins, its general manager, wrote that Mahoning Matters goal was longevity: We cannot ensure local journalism will survive for the long-haul without a focus on sustainability.

The program initially appeared to be a success. In May 2020, as newsrooms across the country faced an explosion of pandemic-related cutbacks, the Compass Experiment was able to launch its second news startup in Longmont, Coloradothe Longmont Leader, which absorbed the Longmont Observer, a community-operated, nonprofit news source that had been run by an all-volunteer force for almost three years. (The Observer was itself a local news fill-in for the Longmont Times-Call, the areas legacy paper, which was acquired by Media News Group and moved to Boulder in 2017.) And despite the economic fallout from the coronavirus, both the Leader and Mahoning Matters were able to discern which stories mattered most to the local community through extensive market researchwith help from Googles funding and collaboration.

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As the Tow Center has extensively documented in its Platforms and Publishers reports, the relationship between tech giants and local news outlets is an uncomfortable union. According to Tow, platforms such as Google enjoy unequal power and influence as they become the de facto policy makers of an information ecosystem not designed with journalism as top of mind. By the end of 2019, Google, along with Facebook and the Knight Foundation, had pledged more than $1 billion in local news investments to be delivered over several years. The Compass Experiment was born out of this initiative.

In a recent interview, Mandy Jenkins told the Tow Center that in spite of a global health crisis that has affected thousands of newsrooms across the US, Mahoning Matters was doing well. Throughout 2020, the news site was not only experiencing growth, according to Jenkins, but also developing what she believed was a real path towards future sustainability. According to Jenkins, reader revenue was up; local sponsored content was growing; a fundraiser for their six-month anniversary raised around $8,000; and an end-of-year drive brought in 80 new first-time donors.

Meanwhile, more than a decade of revenue losses and an industry-wide shift to digital rendered McClatchywhich had spent $4.5 billion to acquire Knight-Ridder, a rival newspaper chain, in 2006an unsustainable operation; the company filed for bankruptcy in February 2020. Last September, Chatham Asset Management, a New Jersey-based hedge fund that manages over $4 billion in assets, purchased McClatchy and its 30 newspapers, along with the Compass Experiment, for $312 million. Weighed down by more than $700 million in debt, McClatchy needed stability more than it needed experimental business models. As part of the sale, McClatchys chairman and board left the chain; so did Forman, who had overseen the Compass Experiments launch.

On February 3 of this year, Jenkins, Compass general manager, abruptly announced in a blog post that Mahoning Matters would be pivoting to further sustainability, and that the Compass central team, including yours truly, will be departing the project and the company in the coming weeks. Going forward, she continued, Mahoning Matters would be directly operated by McClatchys news division; the Longmont Leader would be acquired by Canadian media company, Village Media. As of last week, all three members of the Compass Experiments business team, including Jenkins, were laid off, and the change in management went into effect. Given the reported success of the Compass Experiment, and despite the initiative having Google-backed funding until 2022, the project lasted only 18 months in its original form. Jenkins wrote that the Compass Experiment was now shifting to test the lessons it had learned at the independently-run, local news sites to larger news networks with sizable output, faster growth, and more revenue-building options.

Why new leadership at Chatham Asset Management chose this direction for the initiative is not entirely clear. Back in April 2020, Axios reported that the Compass Experiment would continue on with the many millions of dollars Google had invested to fully fund the project despite the pandemic and McClatchys preexisting financial woes. Market conditions may have technically changed for McClatchy, but funding from Google seemingly had not. (Chatham Asset Management declined to comment on the Compass Experiment for this article.)

Writing about the future of Chathams newspaper holdings last year in Nieman Lab, Ken Doctor described three options for the hedge fund going forward: focusing strictly on revenue, as hedge funds like Alden Global Capital have; merging with other chains like Gannett; or listening to entreaties from civic-minded groups and local philanthropists who hope to save local news efforts, including experiments like Compass.

The Compass newsrooms futures seem uncertain, to say the least. In Ghosting the News, Washington Post media columnist Margaret Sullivan noted that while Chatham Asset Management may be keeping McClatchys 30 newspapers afloat, the hedge funds acquisition of the company could also mean severe cost-cutting and possibly the shuttering of enterprises like Mahoning Matters, whose relative size leaves little room for cuts. (Sullivan published these concerns before the recent changes to the Compass Project.) On the other hand, some journalists working under Chatham have expressed more optimism. During a recent podcast appearance, Mary Ellen Klas, the Miami Heralds Tallahassee Bureau Chief, said that McClatchys acquisition has been stabilizing: Chatham Asset Management bought us, they established a status quo, and we are now operating with little change. (The Herald laid off 12 previously furloughed staffers from its advertising department last July, just before the Chatham deal was finalized.) However, Klas added that she isnt sure what will happen after September, when the agreement Chatham made to guarantee no major cutbacks with McClatchys former owners is up.

Despite its newly announced pivot, the Compass Experiment has been far from a failure. In an email to the Tow Center, Maggie Shiels, a spokesperson for the Google News Initiative, said that Chathams decision to take Mahoning Matters in-house is a mark of success. Local reporters on the ground in Youngstown have forged strong relationships with the community and built up online traffic. Keeping them is the key to the news sites future success, Jenkins says. Youre never going to get them down as long as youve got the people who really made this happen still involved.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Gabby Miller Gabby Miller is a Research Fellow at the Tow Center studying newsroom cutbacks amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
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In 2018 Apple teamed up with the Malala Fund to significantly expand girls education in the Middle East India and Latin America. Then in late 2019 Apple's CEO and Malala Yousafzai paid a surprise visit to San Jose State University to discuss the power for education. Today we're learning that Apple's relationship with Yousafzai is now expanding and extending to Apple TV+.

This morning, Apple unveiled a multiyear programming partnership with womens rights activist and youngest Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai. Building on Malalas longstanding relationship with Apple, her original programming for Apple TV+ will span dramas, comedies, documentaries, animation, and childrens series, and draw on her ability to inspire people around the world.

Statement by Malala Yousafzai: "I believe in the power of stories to bring families together, forge friendships, build movements, and inspire children to dream. And I couldnt ask for a better partner than Apple to help bring these stories to life. Im grateful for the opportunity to support women, young people, writers, and artists in reflecting the world as they see it."

At age 16, Yousafzai published her best-selling memoir, "I Am Malala." Shes since written two more books, starred in a documentary about her early life, and created Assembly, a digital publication for girls and young women available on Apple News. Since launching in 2018, Assembly has published stories from young women in more than 100 countries and in over 20 languages.

Apple also assists with technology, curriculum, and research into policy changes to support girls education. The partnership has since expanded, and in Brazil, Apples 10 Developer Academies have partnered with Malala Fund to advance girls education opportunities there and around the world.

Malala and Ziauddin Yousafzai founded Malala Fund in 2013 to champion every girls right to 12 years of free, safe, quality education. You could visit and make a contribution to the MALALA Fund here.

(Click on image to greatly Enlarge)

Apple's CEO with Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

Archive: Apple TV News
A general view taken from Giarre shows the Mount Etna volcano spewing smoke north of Catania, Sicily, on March 4, 2021. (Giovanni Isolino/AFP via Getty Images)

Etna Keeps up Its Spectacular Explosions; Ash Rains on Towns

ROMEA particularly spectacular blast from Italys Mount Etna volcano belched out a towering cloud of ash and lava stone Sunday onto Sicilian villages, the latest in a series of explosions since mid-February.

Italys national geophysics and volcanology institute INGV said the powerful explosion at 2 a.m. was the 10th such big blast since Feb. 16, when Europes most active volcano started giving off an impressive demonstration of natures fire power, coloring the night sky in shocking hues of orange and red.

Increasing tremors rattled the mountain throughout much of the night. Ash and small lava stones rained down on eight villages on Etnas slopes Sunday morning, while lava flowed from the southeast crater slowly down an uninhabited side, as it has been doing for the last three weeks, the institute said.

The column of ash and lava reached a height of 33,000 feet on Sunday, according to scientists who monitor volcanic activity with specialized instruments from an observatory at Etna in eastern Sicily.

Locals swept ash and lava stones from their front steps and balconies. They have taken to covering cars parked outdoors with carpets, blankets and sheets of cardboard to make cleanup easier after each blast. Winds helped carry the ash eastward, INGV said.

No injuries or serious damage have been reported after the recent blasts. Geologically active, Etna occasionally becomes particularly noisy and explosive as it has been lately.

By mid-morning, Etnas latest display of activity had slowed somewhat with the lava flow ending, although the volcano was still puffing out weak emission of ash from the southeast crater. A few hours later, the volcanic tremors picked up again, INGV said in a statement.

The INGV scientists say there is no way of predicting when this current round of particularly robust volcanic activity might subside.
A $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package nearing final approval in Congress will deliver more than $42 million to local governments in Cayuga County, according to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Auburn will receive $22.18 million in federal aid, while Cayuga County will get $14.85 million. The towns in Cayuga County will get a combined $5.52 million in direct funding.

The assistance is part of $350 billion in funding for state and local governments in the COVID-19 relief bill, which the Senate approved on Saturday. New York state will get more than $12.5 billion in aid. Cities and counties will receive $10 billion, and $825 million has been set aside for small cities, towns and villages. There is also $358 million available for investment in broadband expansion across the state.

The legislation also includes $1,400 stimulus checks for millions of Americans, $300 weekly payments for those on unemployment, additional funding to help businesses affected by the pandemic, plus billions more for vaccine distribution.

Schumer estimated that New York would get about $100 billion of the $1.9 trillion in the COVID-19 relief bill. That includes assistance for schools, restaurant aid, billions for airports and mass transit, and child care funding.
ALBANY  The gravitational pull of Cardonas Market is strong on most of the men in the eponymous family. This spring, as the store celebrates its 75th anniversary, the third generation is officially taking over.

Augusto Cardona founded the food market downtown in 1945, a few years after arriving from his native Italy to New Yorks capital, where his brother already ran a grocery. Though Augustos son Robert worked at his dads store as a young man, he vowed not to make a career of it. But Robert has owned Cardonas Market since the mid-1970s, moving it to the current location, at 340 Delaware Ave., in 1978.

Papa Cardona, as Augusto was known, liked to say he retired at age 62, but he kept coming to the shop most days of the week, usually to make meatballs, for the next 30 years. He died in 2009 at age 93. Robert expects that now, with his 71st birthday imminent, he, too, will retire but continue to work.

I think Ill be able to cut it down to 40 hours a week and have two days off  something Ive never had in my life, says Robert.

Hes able to do so because the pull of Cardonas Market has drawn three of his sons together to buy it from him. (A fourth Cardona son is in media in New York City; their sister is in medicine.)

Two Cardona sons have worked at the store for years: Anthony, 38, runs front-of-house operations, managing customer service, takeout, etc.; the eldest son, Robert Jr., 44, has been the executive chef since 2002, after spending two years cooking in an Albany restaurant. He supervises a culinary operation that now sells three-quarters of a ton of chicken and about 2,500 beef-veal-pork meatballs every week. (The meatball volume doubles during December holidays.)

Their brother August, who turns 43 later this month, had a flurry of success in the hospitality field in New York City, opening seven businesses in 10 years. Three of the restaurants in which August is a partner remain open in Manhattan, where he lives with his wife and two kids (another is due this summer).

While he was building his portfolio in New York City, August returned upstate to see family but admits he failed to recognize how much Cardonas Market had grown and its future potential. When he started looking into the details, he was impressed and wanted to help.

Im a process-oriented, operations-minded person. Thats what Im good at, and I knew it was something I could contribute, says August. First, he needed data. There wasn't much, because Cardonas Market didnt have a fully integrated point-of-sale computer system until three years ago.

Before that it was still just cash registers, says August. He deep-dived into the few years of data available from the POS system, widening his eyes at a series of startling facts it revealed, including this: Although Cardonas is still thought of, by the public and to some degree the family, as a specialty grocery, with products imported from Italy and a full meat counter led by Robert Sr., 80 percent of its revenue comes from items prepared in Robert Jr.s from-scratch kitchen. They include crusty Italian bread, eight varieties of jarred housemade pasta sauce, quart containers of meatballs or sausage in sauce, endless chicken cutlets, pans of lasagna, family-size and individual meals, salads and an irresistibly alluring selection of hot food available to go that on any given day contains at least a dozen rotating items, from roasted meats and vegetables to starches, crab cakes and chicken meatballs.

Its amazing to me that 17 percent of our sales come from a 6-foot steam table, and 9 percent is from a 4-foot cooler, says August, his data-nerd side showing. Citing a takeout surge largely spurred by the pandemic, he says, A year and a half ago they were selling 120 sandwiches a day. Now its 215. Thats unbelievable.

Robert Jr., far from feeling that his younger brother with big-city restaurants was trying to horn back in on the family business after being away for most of his adult life, welcomed Augusts interest in returning as a partner. (Augusts New York City business partner and childhood friend T.J. Conti, who has moved back to Albany, is also investing in Cardonas Market 3.0.)

I was elated to have someone with my brothers experience to help us grow, Robert Jr. says. I think its the dream of any chef to be able to really focus on cooking great food while being confident that someone you really trust, someone who really knows what theyre doing, is going to be running the business and numbers side of things. He adds, Thats a tremendous burden lifted off (Anthony) and me, to have August and his team from New York to help us get to the next level.

While Cardonas thrives in its DelSo location, with some neighbors stopping in every day and regulars from an hour away shopping once a month for $500 worth of food, it faces an undeniable reality.

Some people just wont drive to Delaware Avenue, says August. Translation: A suburban location with a parking lot would be a swell addition to the family.

They dont have firm plans yet, because the formal ownership change is complicated and likely wont be completed until the end of April, according to Robert Sr. But his sons, while firm that the mothership is staying put, are already thinking of adding one or more satellites, to bring Cardonas closer to different population centers. And production of its sauces and other prepared foods could also be ramped up for distribution to supermarkets and other retail outlets. Further, once pandemic restrictions ease and large gatherings are again being scheduled, Cardonas previously thriving catering business can be rebuilt.

The numbers it does out of a 4,500-square-foot space on Delaware Avenue are really impressive, says August. We see opportunity for so much more.
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WASHINGTON  A perfecting amendment the Senate adopted just before final passage of a $1.9 trillion aid package would add billions of dollars for local governments, restaurants and child care grants to states.

The changes came in a 58-page amendment from Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., covering various sections of the wide-ranging relief bill. Further modifications to initial amendment text obtained by CQ Roll Call before it was adopted by voice vote Saturday morning were written into the margins.

The biggest changes involved restoring $10 billion in direct aid to cities and counties, which had been cut from the initial Senate substitute amendment to the House-passed aid bill (HR 1319). The restored funds bring the total for local governments to $130.2 billion, while preserving a $10 billion fund for state broadband infrastructure projects that the earlier amendment made room for.

In addition, the final amendment would create a new $1 billion annual program, championed by Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., for communities and tribal governments that have historically been harmed by federal government policies.

In a statement for the record, Wyden cited communities across the western United States, including his home state, that are situated on federal lands without a substantial local tax base to pay for government services. Federal environmental and wildlife protection laws have sapped rural counties ability to benefit from revenue-sharing arrangements involved in resource extraction, like timber, oil and gas.

Eligible communities include counties, parishes or boroughs, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The fund would presumably benefit communities that have complained of the fiscal impact of Biden administration regulations prohibiting oil and gas exploration.

The money in Wydens program is available so far only for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years, so more would need to be appropriated in subsequent legislation. Of the $2 billion, $500 million would be set aside for tribal governments.

Changes to state, local funds

Restrictions on direct aid to states would change somewhat under Schumers perfecting amendment.

Gone is a requirement that the $195.3 billion be split into two tranches, with the second allotment made available 12 months later; instead, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen would be given the optional authority to withhold 50 percent of the funds up front. The language stipulates that Yellen shall exercise that authority based on each states unemployment rate.

In addition, the prescribed uses of funds for both states and localities would be revised from the earlier substitute amendment. A restriction on the uses of funds based on the need to provide government services would be tightened to stipulate that states and localities could use the money only to replace the amount of revenue lost during the pandemic compared to the prior full fiscal year.

State and local governments would gain the ability to use their allotments to provide premium pay to essential workers of up to $13 per hour, capped at a maximum $25,000. Essential workers are defined as those needed to maintain continuity of operations of essential critical infrastructure sectors or others as designated by state and local officials as critical to health and well-being of their residents.

States would also gain more federal help with Medicaid costs associated with providing home and community-based services. A 7.35 percentage-point boost in the federal matching percentage in the original version would jump to 10 percentage points in Schumers perfecting amendment.

State grants for child care services would increase by $5 billion over a decade from the underlying Senate version.

And as restaurants and bars earlier celebrated on Saturday after the bill passed, an extra $3.6 billion for those hard-hit businesses was freed up in Schumers amendment, bringing total grants to $28.6 billion.

Disabled children, injurious species

It wasnt immediately clear how Democrats fit all the changes into the fiscal 2021 budget resolutions $1.89 trillion ceiling.

But there were changes made tightening eligibility for nonprofits to benefit from forgivable loans under the Paycheck Protection Program, which a source involved in the discussions said was how the restaurant grants grew in size. Both provisions were in the jurisdiction of the Senate Small Business Committee.

The flurry of activity on Friday and Saturday that resulted in trimming added unemployment benefits from $400 to $300 per week, coupled with a one-week extension to Sept. 6, also probably freed up substantial extra funds for Medicaid, child care and state and local funds in the Senate Finance Committees jurisdiction.

Other changes were made in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committees jurisdiction. The final amendment took $3 billion out of funds set aside for K-12 education technology grants primarily for low-income and disabled children, instead creating a new $3 billion pot for grants under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Of that funding, $550 million would be reserved for programs for preschools and infants and toddlers.

Also, a new workers compensation fund for federal workers who came down with COVID-19 between Jan. 27, 2020, and Jan. 27, 2023, removed from the earlier version, would be restored in the final Senate bill. Federal employees who only worked remotely during that time wouldnt be eligible.

Out of $26.1 billion in the bill for urban transit agency grants, a provision that would have allowed some local transit agencies to claim an additional amount was removed, presumably to more evenly distribute the remaining funds.

And it appears the Byrd rule named for former Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., intended to restrict what can be included in filibuster-proof budget reconciliation bills, struck a couple of other provisions in the earlier substitute.

The late amendment removes language that would have restricted access to $10 billion in small-business credit allocations unless states presented plans for how minority-owned and community development financial institutions would participate. A requirement that states draw up plans for how the money would benefit business enterprises owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals was also removed.

The amendment also removes prescriptive language on $10 million appropriated for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The agency was supposed to use the money to identify and track species that would potentially transmit pathogens that could make humans sick, as well as develop regulations to make emergency listings for injurious species.

The preliminary Schumer amendment would have removed only the requirement that the Fish and Wildlife service develop the emergency listings regulations; handwritten changes would strike all of the prescribed uses of the $10 million, however. Instead the money would have to be used under the existing statute governing illegal trafficking in wildlife and plants, known as the Lacey Act.

A final handwritten fix at the end of the 58-page amendment would change the way $280 million for Native American community development block grants are distributed. The underlying bill would have made the money available without competition, but those two words were struck by the perfecting amendment.



Paul M. Krawzak OF CQ-Roll Call wrote this story. Peter Cohn, David Lerman, Jennifer Shutt and Tia Yang contributed to this report.

___

(c)2021 CQ Roll Call

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
The association of doctors and dentists in Luxembourg (AMMD) has expressed concern regarding the development of national health facility services, as well as a medical centre to be constructed in Junglinster.

In a letter addressed to Minister of Health Paulette Lenert and Minister of Social Security Romain Schneider, the AMMD says it is disappointed by a project to establish a multidisciplinary centre for radiology and medical care in Junglinster, an incentive of the commune of Junglinster and a private foundation, Robert Schumann Hospitals Foundation (not to be confused with Societe Anonyme Robert Schuman, which operates the hospitals).

For the AMMD and its president Dr Alain Schmit, it is clear that the initiative for such a medical centre must come from the professional side of doctors, and not by international financiers who see an opportunity in Luxembourg to make money.

The AMMD is in principle open to partnerships between private and public actors. But a private company that does not rely on state aid could work profit-oriented and impose certain conditions on doctors. The association insists that the professional independence of the doctors is maintained, so that the medical quality can be guaranteed.

Radiologists wait for response to tariffs

For a number of years, a group of radiologists have been planning a centre for radiology, which could possibly be erected at the Cloche d'Or. Former Health Minister Lydia Mutsch had rejected the plans in an initial phase. The doctors complained and ultimately got their way.

Now that ministerial authorisations for medical equipment were accepted, the implementation phase of purchasing these devices has come to a halt. This is due to the technical tariff, that is to say the direct and indirect charges that would incur through the use of the machines. To date, radiologists have received no response from the CNS, according to Dr Renzo Del Fabbro, co-initiator of the planned centre.

"We can not buy or rent machines without a fee. So we are stuck. On the other hand, the authorisation of these machines expires at some point. The interested partners also have certain time limits. We are in the dark."

The AMMD had submitted a proposal to the Health Fund a few weeks ago, but neither the CNS, nor the Ministry of Social Affairs nor the Ministry of Health had responded so far, Del Fabbro said.
Friends of the woman who accused Attorney General Christian Porter of rape in 1988 say she checked into a mental institution shortly before she took her own life last year.

Mr Porter was accused of raping the unidentified woman in Sydney after a debating competition when she was 16 and he 17.

Jo Dyer, who was a debater with the woman and Mr Porter in the 1980s, told Four Corners on Monday night 'they did what they could' to help carry the burden of her mental health.

Matthew Deeble, a non-profit executive who was also a fellow debater, said he had offered to accompany his friend to meet with the Sex Crime Squad detectives in Sydney once she had decided to make a formal statement to police.

'She was adamant that she wanted her story heard, and she was particularly keen to make it understood by people in authority,' he told the program.

Jo Dyer, who was a debater with the woman and Mr Porter in the 1980s, told Four Corners on Monday night 'they did what they could' to help carry the burden of her mental health

Former liberal candidate Jeremy Samuel said the woman felt as if she'd been 'well heard, well listened to and taken seriously by police' and travelled back to Adelaide, where she lived.

But those feelings dissipated when the coronavirus pandemic hit Australia in March 2020 and travel restrictions were placed on each state.

Friend of the woman, Jeremy Samuel

It thwarted the woman's plans to make her second formal statement to police in Sydney, and prevented NSW Police from visiting her in South Australia.

'She was nervous about what was going to happen, what the response might be if this went public, and she was struggling,' Mr Samuel said.

'She was on the path to give her statement to the NSW police, I believe, who were going to travel to South Australia to be with her and take that statement and move the matter forward,' Mr Deeble said.

'And I know that she was under enormous stress and distress because of those delays.'

The alleged victim sunk into a depression and checked herself into a psychiatric clinic in Melbourne, understood to be the third time she'd been hospitalised that year, according to friends.

Mr Samuel said that he had tried to visit his friend in the clinic but she had told him she wasn't allowed any visitors because of Covid-19.

Mr Samuel explained the woman was later released in the middle of the lockdown period and isolated from her friends.

The woman returned to Adelaide once again.

riends of the woman who accused attorney-general Christian Porter (pictured) of rape have vowed to fight for justice after NSW Police closed an investigation into the allegations

'From what I can tell, there was no follow-up, there was nobody making sure that she had somebody with her,' he said.

'You know, this was a person who clearly was struggling with mental health issues and, of course, we all know the outcome.'

The woman took her own life on June 24 last year just one day after calling off her plan to issue a formal statement to police, who have since closed their investigation into the rape claims.

'Ultimately of course, we couldn't do everything we hoped, but we did what we could,' Ms Dyer added, fighting back tears in her interview.

During a press conference on Wednesday last week, Mr Porter categorically denied the accusation, insisting 'the things that have been claimed to happen did not happen'.

However he did confirm he attended a debating competition at Sydney University with his accuser.

The South Australian Coroner asked the police to further investigate the woman's death and has not ruled out an inquest.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Scott Morrison has dismissed calls for an independent inquiry into the claims against Mr Porter.

Friends of the Adelaide woman, who would have turned 50 last week, have come out publicly in recent days to push for an independent inquiry alongside her family.

A spokeswoman of the family said 'they are supportive of any inquiry which would potentially shed light on the circumstances surrounding the deceased's passing.'

Do you or anyone you know need help? Call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Photo credit: BBC

From Digital Spy

Bloodlands spoilers follow.

Bloodlands shocked viewers with a genuinely unexpected twist last week, as James Nesbitt's protagonist Detective Tom Brannick revealed himself to be the bad guy and killed an innocent old man in cold blood.

The victim in question was Adam Cory, whose brother David was murdered years ago by Goliath, a mysterious assassin who operated in the 1990s, killing key members on both sides of The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

In last week's closing scene, after questioning why Tom had been blocking the investigation, Adam outright asked the detective: "Are you Goliath?" The detective then responded by shooting the poor chap in the head, seemingly confirming that he is indeed the assassin.

Photo credit: BBC

Related: James Nesbitt's new BBC drama Bloodlands criticised for "cliches"

Following that major reveal, viewers were eager to see the story unfold further tonight (March 7). However, a brand-new twist has left many utterly befuddled, questioning if Tom really is Goliath after all.

After Adam's body was found, all the signs once again pointed to Goliath  and after an impressively brief bit of deduction, the list of suspects was narrowed down to three: Tom, his boss Jackie Twomey (Lorcan Cranitch) and Dinger (Michael Smiley). Bizarrely, they're still allowed to work on the case.

In the closing scenes, Tom arrested Jackie for Adam's murder, after some incriminating evidence had been planted in his caravan.

Photo credit: BBC

Jackie had clearly been framed by Tom, but confused viewers were left uncertain about the identity of Goliath. Is it actually Tom, or is the detective just trying to cover his tracks for something else?

"So is James Nesbitt Goliath? Confused," tweeted one viewer, while another wrote: "Confused, but James Nesbitt is framing his boss with the help of the doctor? Somebody suggested H was Goliath."

Check out more of the reactions below.

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Bloodlands continues next Sunday on BBC One at 9pm.

Story continues

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Corporate Functions, Information Systems & Technology, Early Career Development Program (ECDP) Santa Clara Valley (Cupertino) , California , United States Software and Services Summary

Posted: Mar 3, 2021 Role Number: 200227622 Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming great products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your career and there's no telling what you could accomplish! The Information Systems & Technology organization produces key business and technical infrastructure at Apple handling orders from the online store, building applications that improve the retail store experience, providing network bandwidth for our services around the world, processing every transaction in iTunes, and closing the books. We do it all. If you are a born problem solver who enjoys collaborating on the next big thing, we may just have your dream job! From Apple ID to the Apple website to our data centers around the globe, IS&T manages the massive systems and services that so many rely on. They also build the custom tools that empower our employees to solve problems on their own. And that means these engineers are free to do what engineers do best - explore all of technology's possibilities. Key Qualifications Programming knowledge in at least one of the following areas: Server side development (Java), Web development (JavaScript, HTML, CSS3) or iOS development (Objective- C, Swift)

Excellent quantitative and interpersonal skills

Leadership experience

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Bachelors degree in CS, CE, ECE, EECS, IS, IT and other related fields of study Description EARLY CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The IS&T Early Career Development Program (ECDP) is for people with less than 12 months of relevant experience in their position and provides employees with the opportunity to build community among themselves by attending educational and social events. Within IS&T, there are a variety of positions available across many different teams, ranging from special projects for new business initiatives to operations in a rapidly growing and dynamic setting. Examples of positions: Software Engineer: iOS, front-end, back-end, full-stack Engineering Project Manager DevOps Engineer Machine Learning Engineer Quality Engineer Database Engineer TEAMS THAT ARE HIRING INCLUDE: Online Store Engineering Worldwide Developer Relations Enterprise and Retail Networking Retail Engineering Collaboration and Productivity Global Business Intelligence SAP Global Systems Education & Experience Bachelors degree in CS, CE, ECE, EECS, IS, IT and other related fields of study


Day 2 of the GGPoker Super MILLION$ $10,300 Main Event restarts today at 6 p.m. GMT with 121 players out of 976 entries returning to battle it out for a spot in the money stages as 100 of them will cash. The $10,000,000 guaranteed prize pool will see players rewarded with a min-cash of $31,012 while the eventual winner will walk away with an incredible $1,242,332 once the final table has come to a conclusion on Tuesday, March 9.

Vlad-Stefan "HaiFanFan" Lache (2,818,433) will come back to the battleground with the overall chip lead which he earned on Day 1b. He is followed by Day 1a chip leader Luigi "shadinho94" Shehadeh (2,705,791), Day 1c leader Isaac Baron (2,689,768), Artur Martirosian (2,056,261), and Thomas Muehloecker (1,943,839). Day 1d chip leader Christian Jeppsson will return in 6th place with 1,918,599.

Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts

Place Player Country Chips Day 2 Big Blinds 1 Vlad-Stefan "HaiFanFan" Lache Romania 2,818,433 141 2 Luigi "shadinho94" Shehadeh Italy 2,705,791 135 3 Isaac Baron United States 2,689,768 134 4 Artur Martirosian Russia 2,056,261 103 5 Thomas Muehloecker Austria 1,943,839 97 6 Christian Jeppsson Sweden 1,918,599 96 7 Alex Foxen United States 1,810,137 91 8 Marcelo Asensio Brazil 1,681,740 84 9 Pavlo Veksler Ukraine 1,617,522 81 10 Adrian Mateos Spain 1,563,606 78

Plan for Day 2

When play resumes, the first level of the day will feature a small blind of 10,000, a big blinds of 20,000, and a running ante of 2,500. The level duration will remain at 20-minutes until the final table has been reached which will then signal the end of the day.

GGPoker Commentators Randy "nanonoko" Lew and Kevin "RotterdaM" van der Kooi will be hosting the final table on the at the GGPoker YouTube channel from 6 p.m. GMT on Tuesday, March 9.

The PokerNews live reporting team will be right here to bring you all the action as it happens so make sure to stick around to see who will reach the final table of the Super MILLION$ Main Event.

Super MILLION$ Main Event Payouts
On Women's Day Siddharth Shukla Credits His Sisters' Ideals For Making Him A Batter Man, Calls Them His 'Heroes'

Its Womens Day and actor Siddharth Shukla has only great things to say about growing up with his two sisters and his mother. The Bigg Boss 13 winner whose popularity increased ten folds after he won the controversial reality show hosted by Salman Khan has expressed respect for the women in his life especially his mother.

On the special occasion, the actor while speaking to ETimes spoke about how the ideals he learnt from his sisters made him a better man and said, I have two elder sisters, and they were my heroes while I was growing up. Their definition of an ideal man is how I always wanted to be. I thought their version of an ideal man was the perfect man and I wanted to be like that. However far I may be from that today, I think I am still a better man because of chasing their ideals. Yes, both my sisters have a huge role to play in the way I think. They made me realise the importance of women and respecting them. So, a lot of my understanding of women has come through my sisters apart from, of course, my mother.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sidharth Shukla (@realsidharthshukla)

The actor has always claimed his mother to be his best friend and even credited his career as a model as something his mother pushed him to do. The Balika Vadhu star while talking to Human of Bombay last year revealed how he was always very close to his mother and how shes always managed to keep him grounded.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Humans of Bombay (@officialhumansofbombay)

On the work front the actor has fans impatient about his digital debut with Broken But Beautiful 3 which he is currently shooting for along with newcomer Sonali Rathee.
Astronomers have seen the most distant radio blast from a quasar ever discovered, and it took the light from the energy source 13 billion years to reach the Earth.

The source is what scientists call a radio-loud quasar - a bright object with powerful jets - and it was emitted when the universe was just 780 million years old.

Researchers from the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the Max Planck Institute say the quasar, named P172+18, provides clues about the early universe.

Quasars are very bright objects at the centre of some galaxies, and are powered by supermassive black holes, with energy released from the black hole consuming surrounding gas - making even the most distant of them visible to astronomers.

P172+18 is powered by a supermassive black hole 300 million times more massive than the sun which is 'eating matter at one of the highest rates ever observed.'

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This artist's impression shows how the distant quasar P172+18 and its radio jets may have looked. To date (early 2021), this is the most distant quasar with radio jets ever found and it was studied with the help of ESO's Very Large Telescope

BLACK HOLES HAVE A GRAVITATIONAL PULL SO STRONG NOT EVEN LIGHT CAN ESCAPE Black holes are so dense and their gravitational pull is so strong that no form of radiation can escape them - not even light. They act as intense sources of gravity which hoover up dust and gas around them. Their intense gravitational pull is thought to be what stars in galaxies orbit around. How they are formed is still poorly understood. Astronomers believe they may form when a large cloud of gas up to 100,000 times bigger than the sun, collapses into a black hole. Many of these black hole seeds then merge to form much larger supermassive black holes, which are found at the centre of every known massive galaxy. Alternatively, a supermassive black hole seed could come from a giant star, about 100 times the sun's mass, that ultimately forms into a black hole after it runs out of fuel and collapses. When these giant stars die, they also go 'supernova', a huge explosion that expels the matter from the outer layers of the star into deep space. Advertisement

This is the first time researchers have been able to identify the tell-tale signatures of radio jets in a quasar this early on in the history of the universe.

Only about 10 per cent of quasars  which astronomers classify as radio-loud  have jets, which shine brightly at radio frequencies.

Mazzucchelli discovered P172+18 along with Eduardo Banados of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Germany.

'The black hole is eating up matter very rapidly, growing in mass at one of the highest rates ever observed,' Mazzucchelli explained.

'I find it very exciting to discover 'new' black holes for the first time, and to provide one more building block to understand the primordial Universe, where we come from, and ultimately ourselves.'

The observations are not just for chasing distance records,' Banados explains.

Jan-Torge Schindler, co-author of the study into the findings from the observations by Banados and Mazzucchelli said these objects help point the way for scientists.

'Distant radio-loud quasars at the beginning of the evolution of the cosmos also serve as beacons to study material that lies between Earth and the quasars.'

Because gas at different redshifts will leave its fingerprint on the spectrum of quasars, astronomers can use the pattern to determine the gas density and its distribution in the early universe.

The supermassive black hole in the centre provides the gravity that attracts the surrounding gas and causes it to plunge inside.

An accretion disk forms in the process, over which the gas swirls into the black hole, with the friction causing heating to such high temperatures it glow very bright.

This releases 580 times as much radiant energy per second the entire Milky Way.

Astronomers think there is a link between the rapid growth of supermassive black holes and the powerful radio jets spotted in quasars such as P172+18.

The jets are thought to be capable of disturbing the gas around the black hole, increasing the rate at which gas falls in.

P172+18's black hole mass amounts to about 70 times the mass of its counterpart in the Milky Way centre, Sagittarius A*, and it is still rapidly growing.

'This black hole is enjoying a feast and is accumulating mass very quickly,' Irham Andika, co-author and MPIA PhD student, asserts.

This visible-light, wide-field image of the region around the distant quasar P172+18 was created from images in the Digitized Sky Survey 2. The object itself lies very close to the centre and is not visible in this picture

Astronomers used the Very Large Telescope in Chile to confirm the distant object is a quasar

THE VERY LARGE TELESCOPE IS A POWERFUL GROUND-BASED INSTRUMENT IN CHILE The European Southern Observatory (ESO) built the most powerful telescope ever made in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. It is called the Very Large Telescope (VLT) and is widely regarded as one of the most advanced optical instruments ever made. It consists of four telescopes, whose main mirrors measures 27 feet (8.2 metres) in diameter. There are also four movable six feet (1.8 metre) diameter auxiliary telescopes. The large telescopes are called Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun. The first of the Unit Telescopes, 'Antu', went into routine scientific operations on April 1, 1999. The telescopes can work together to form a giant 'interferometer'. This interferometer allows images to be filtered for any unnecessary obscuring objects and, as a result, astronomers can see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes. It has been involved in spotting the first image of an extrasolar planet as well as tracking individual stars moving around the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way. Advertisement

The resulting radiation emitted by the accretion disk becomes so intense that it counteracts the collapsing gas and gradually slows down the inflow.

P172+18 was first recognised as a far-away quasar, after having been previously identified as a radio source, at the Magellan Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile by Banados and Mazzucchelli.

'As soon as we got the data, we inspected it by eye, and we knew immediately that we had discovered the most distant radio-loud quasar known so far,' says Banados.

Owing to a short observation time, the team did not have enough data to study the object in detail.

A flurry of observations with other telescopes followed, including with the X-shooter instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile.

This allowed them to dig deeper into the characteristics of this quasar, including determining key properties such as the mass of the black hole and how fast it's eating up matter from its surroundings.

Other telescopes that contributed to the study include the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's Very Large Array and the Keck Telescope in the US.

Researchers believe this radio-loud quasar could be the first of many to be found, perhaps at even larger cosmological distances.

While studying the radio data, the researchers discovered another radio source in the vicinity of P172+18 but have yet to confirm its redshift or distance.

Due to the quasars' distribution, the probability of another chance hit in the immediate vicinity is very low, according to the study authors.

The team led by Banados is now trying to confirm whether these two sources are physically associated. If true, it would indicate that this is one of the first galaxy over-densities in the early universe.

'Our measurements show that P172+18's radio properties are rather average compared to other radio-loud quasars,' Banados notes.

'That's why we are optimistic and suspect there are many more radio-loud quasars to be discovered out there, perhaps at even larger cosmological distances. Our search continues.'

Observations with facilities such as ALMA, in which ESO is a partner, and with ESOs upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) could help uncover and study more of these early-Universe objects in detail.

The study appears in The Astrophysical Journal.
Richwood, TX (77531)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds light and variable.
With the sale of its 25% stake in Penguin Random House to Bertelsmann completed in April, Pearson said it is committed to moving forward as a learning company. Our purpose has never been so relevant: we exist to help everyone achieve their potential through learning, said chief executive Andy Bird in a prepared statement upon the release of Pearsons financial results for 2020. Pearson said its strategy is now geared around three global market opportunities: the rise in online and digital learning; addressing the workforce skills gap; and meeting the growing demand for dependable accreditation and certification.

The sale of the PRH stake netted Pearson proceeds of 531 million last year, resulting in a pre-tax profit of 180 million. The gain helped to offset declines in revenue, which were due to the impact of Covid-19 and company divestitures, to boost operating profit to 411 million, from 275 million in 2019. Total revenue fell 12% in the year, to 3.40 billion.

Pearson reported that sales in its North American Courseware division, which is responsible for sales to the higher education market, declined 18%, a drop due in part to the sale of its K-12 operations as well as a decline in print sales. In its US Higher Education Courseware division, sales declined 12%, with total unit sales increasing slightly, and digital registrations, including e-books, growing 9%. In Canada, courseware sales were down significantly due to school and bookstore closures, Pearson reported.

The company said that last year, it continued to see unbundling of premium priced print and digital products for digital only formats. Last year, Pearson said, it sold 2.2 million textbooks to American colleges, compared with 3.7 million in 2019. Sales of standalone e-book units into colleges, however, rose 33% over 2019, to 3.7 million units.

Pearson expects worldwide revenue to be up over 2020 in 2021, but did not specify by how much. It said that, after a slow start in the first quarter because of a strong first quarter in 2020, it expects to see improvement in the second and third quarters, assuming further pandemic recovery.
PSNI officers have been patrolling the student area of Belfast known as the Holylands (Liam McBurney/PA)

A Stormont minister has urged students to stay away from a St Patricks Day party hotspot in Belfast.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey told prospective revellers to use their common sense and avoid the Holylands student area next week.

Large street parties and linked anti-social behaviour have become synonymous with the streets of the Holylands on St Patricks Day.

Local representatives have voiced concern about the consequences for public health if such scenes are repeated on March 17 while Northern Ireland continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.

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House parties in the area have already been a source of concern at various points during the pandemic, with police repeatedly intervening to break up illegal gatherings and issue fines.

Ms Hargey was responding to an Assembly question from South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw, who said the problems in the Holylands were escalating ahead of next Wednesday.

The minister, who is also a constituency representative for the area, replied: People need to adhere to the guidance and the regulations.

Im asking any person who thinks that they want to go to the Holylands next week, not to do so, to use their common sense and ensure that they stay away, not just for the peace of mind of residents and students who live there, but also for the wider public in terms of the pandemic that were trying to deal with, for the health trusts who are trying to reduce cases.

I would echo the calls for calm and for people not to go near the area.

The minister was answering questions about a wider Stormont review of the issue of overcrowding and the high proportion of houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) in the area.

Ms Hargeys department commenced a review of the HMO licensing rules last year.
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.
There were 118,000 known cases of COVID-19 and nearly 4,300 deaths attributed to the coronavirus worldwide when the World Health Organization declared the novel virus a global pandemic March 11, 2020.

Almost a full year later, the state of Michigan alone has reported more than five times as many known infections, and more than three times as many fatalities linked to the novel virus that has altered life for everyone the last 12 months.

Michigan was an early hotspot in the spring as COVID-19 ripped through the Metro Detroit area, and again in the late fall and early winter when an even larger second wave hit the state as temperatures dropped and social gatherings moved indoors.

To date, there have been 596,054 confirmed cases in Michigan, plus an additional 60,018 probable cases. The state health department has reported 15,666 confirmed deaths linked to COVID-19, plus another 992 that were believed to be coronavirus deaths but without a PCR test to prove it.

While Michigan hasnt been spared from the worldwide pain caused by the pandemic, it has fared better than elsewhere. The 10th-most populous state ranks 14th in total (confirmed and probable) cases, but 43rd in cases per 100,000 people.

In the last week, Michigan has averaged 1,191 new cases and 22 new deaths per day. It ranks 25th in the nation in new cases per capita, and 35th in new deaths during that time.

Below is a look back at the highs and lows of Michigans numbers over the past 12 months, and where we stand now entering year No. 2 of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first wave

In March 2020, Michigan had one of the fastest accelerations of coronavirus transmission in the country. While the first two confirmed cases were reported March 10, health officials later determined through case investigation that at least 530 cases were active by that time.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer closed bars and restaurants March 16 and announced a stay-at-home order March 23. During that one-week stretch, Michigans daily average climbed from eight cases per day to 182.

The surge continued two weeks after the shutdown, peaking at 1,626 cases per day on April 7 before reports of new infections began to decline. Health officials believe there were more cases than reported at the time, but testing supplies were limited and thus asymptomatic cases werent likely to be discovered.

(The above chart shows Michigans 7-day rolling average of new confirmed coronavirus cases. You can put your cursor over a bar to see the number. You also can click on the option just below the headline to see the actual number of new cases reported by day.)

Michigans first wave resulted in 145 deaths reported per day at its peak on April 16. That average stayed above 100 per day until May 5, and above 50 per day until May 16.

In total, April 2020 accounted for 3,442 COVID-19 deaths  the worst month of the pandemic to date, and the deadliest month in Michigan of the century. That was due in part to the surge overwhelming hospitals, and the learning curve for health care workers to understand how best to treat the novel virus.

By June, Michigan went from being one of the highest states in coronavirus transmission to one of the lowest.

A bigger second wave

After a relatively quiet summer, the return of the academic year and reopening of more businesses brought an increase in cases to Michigan. Then, as temperatures got colder and gatherings moved indoors, the virus began to spread further.

On Oct. 1, Michigans seven-day average was up to 854 cases per day. Testing supplies were more readily available for this wave, thus health officials had a better grasp on the magnitude of the spread.

By the first days of November, the seven-day average for cases had more than tripled to 3,283, and the positive test rate had entered the double-digits for the first time. It would stay above 10% for 45 consecutive days, peaking at 16% in early December.

With the states average cases per day nearing 7,000, the health department announced a three-week shutdown of indoor dining at bars and restaurants, in-person learning at K-12 schools and colleges, and casinos, movie theaters and group fitness classes in mid-November. The shutdown would later be extended, with varying levels of closures, through the end of the year and into February as new cases, hospitalizations and deaths declined.

The interactive map below shows the cases per capita across Michigans 83 counties. Hover over a county to see its population data, how many COVID-19 cases it has reported and its cases per 100,000 residents. (Cant see the map? Click here.)

Rising case levels put a strain on the states health care system, much like it did back in the spring. Hospitals saw nearly 4,000 patients statewide at one point in the first wave, before that number declined to about 300 during the summer. By Nov. 30, hospitals were treating more than 4,300 COVID-19 patients and feeling further exhaustion than the previous months.

Between Nov. 4 and Dec. 4, Michigans average deaths per day jumped from 19 to 104. Deaths per day stayed above 100 for weeks through the holiday season, before beginning a slow descent in the early months of 2021.

The interactive map below shows the deaths per capita across Michigans 83 counties. Hover over a county to see its population data, how many COVID-19 deaths it has reported and its deaths per 100,000 residents. (Cant see the map? Click here.)

Hardest hit areas

Early in the pandemic, the Metro Detroit area was hardest hit by coronavirus outbreaks. As of April 30, the region of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties -- home to 39% of the states population -- combined for 71% of the states total cases and 81% of its COVID-19 deaths.

The three counties remain the states leaders, but they makeup a lower piece of the pie. Over 12 months, they account for 40% of the states confirmed cases and 52% of the confirmed deaths.

The top five counties for cases per capita were Dickinson, Branch, Iron, Kent and Delta counties. The five lowest were Chippewa, Luce, Mackinac, Schoolcraft and Lake counties.

Below is an online database that allows readers to look up any county to see the number of confirmed coronavirus cases by month. Note the cases for this dataset are recorded by disease onset, which means the numbers for February and March are incomplete because of the lag time between when people get first sick and a positive test result is recorded.

(Note: While Detroits numbers are broken out separately in this database, the Wayne County numbers include Detroit.)

As for the leaders in deaths per capita over 12 months, the top five counties were Baraga, Iron, Ontonagon, Bay and Saginaw. The five lowest were Luce, Alger, Mackinac, Crawford, and Mecosta counties.

Below is an online database that allows readers to look up any county to see the number of confirmed deaths cases by month. Note the cases for this dataset are recorded by disease onset, which means the numbers for February and March are incomplete because of the lag time between when people get first sick and a positive test result is recorded.

A deadly year

Looking at the raw numbers, the COVID-19 pandemic has been the deadliest event in Michigan history. It caused more deaths than the 1918 flu pandemic, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War, the Korean War and the AIDS epidemic.

In 2020 alone, the coronavirus accounted for 11,193 deaths, making it the No. 3 killer behind the usual leading suspects, heart disease and cancer. The outbreak paved the way for a new one-year high for Michigan with 115,334 deaths, which was a 19% increase from the year prior.

Not a single month in 2019 reached 9,000 total deaths. During the following year, there were six months that surpassed the milestone, led by April and December.

(The above chart shows Michigans 7-day rolling average of deaths involving confirmed coronavirus cases. You can put your cursor over a bar to see the number. You also can click on the option just below the headline to see the actual number of new deaths reported by day.)

Related: Running out of body bags. People dying in the hallway. Coronavirus has Michigan hospital workers at a breaking point.

Throughout the pandemic, Michigan has reported 16,658 confirmed and suspected deaths linked to COVID-19. Its the 10th-highest total in the nation.

Not all cases of coronavirus infection are equal. Individuals with underlying health conditions and those 65 years and older have proven to be at higher risk of experiencing severe cases of COVID-19, though there have been exceptions.

Among the COVID-19 deaths, 73% were individuals 70 years or older, and 89% were 60 years or older. Men also accounted for slightly more deaths (53%) than women.

Deaths disproportionately hit the states Black and African American communities, accounting for 2,304 deaths per million people. Thats significantly higher than white residents (1,307 deaths per million), American Indiana/Alaska Native residents (755 per million), and Asian/Pacific Islander residents (465 per million).

Vaccines bring end into sight

Pfizer and Modernas two-shot COVID-19 vaccines provided a light at the end of the tunnel in mid-December when they received emergency use authorization from the FDA to begin administering shots in Michigan and across the country.

Distribution was slow out of the gate, but has ramped up over time. Furthering the effort was the addition of a third vaccine candidate -- a one-dose shot developed by Johnson & Johnson -- in late February.

To date, there have been 1,602,630 Michiganders who have received at least one dose of vaccine. More than 900,000 residents have received their second of two doses.

Residents 65 years and older have received 53% of vaccine doses thus far as one of the highest priority groups, especially those who live in long-term care facilities. The state says its gotten at least one shot to 50% of its 65 to 74-year-old population, and 53% of its 75+ population.

The states demographic data by race is largely incomplete with 37% of shots going to individuals with race unknown, according to state data. Nearly 49% of shots have gone to white residents, compared to about 4% to Black residents.

However, early data shows that largely white communities in Northern Michigan have received more vaccine per capita than areas like Detroit and Genesee County, which have higher minority populations. The state says its working to remove barriers to vaccines, reduce vaccine hesitancy, and provide more complete data.

Below is a chart that depicts the number of COVID-19 vaccines administered per week in Michigan. Each point provides the total shots administered and the week-ending date.

Read more on MLive:

COVID-19 is reshaping Michigan. Its not the first epidemic to do so.

Vaccination updates as Michigan prepares to expand to people age 50 and older

Michigan opens vaccines to more people, but frustration grows for those still struggling to book appointments

Biden, Democrats prevail as Senate passes $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill
Tamil Nadu elections 2021: CPI, CPI-M to contest 6 seats each in DMK alliance

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oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

Chennai, Mar 08: In a recent development, the two Communist parties, CPI-M and the CPI will contest in six seats each in the upcoming State assembly polls as part of the DMK alliance.

While CPI-M had been sulking as the DMK was not ready to part with more than four seats, the alliance was finally sealed after DMK chief MK Stalin had a detailed discussion with the CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

TMC seeks adjournment of Parliament session, cities elections in 5 states

Speaking to a media organisation, CPI-M state secretary K Balakrishnan said, "CPI-M has settled for 6 seats in the DMK alliance as we don't want the secular votes to be split in the Assembly elections and benefit the AIADMK-BJP combine. CPI-M deserves more seats but we are clear in our goal and hence settled for 6 seats."

According to reports, the CPI had earlier settled for 6 seats in the Assembly elections while the CPI-M had walked out of the coalition partners meeting stating that it would not compromise on anything less than 6 seats.

Muthoot Finance shares drop as chairman falls to death | Oneindia News

A top leader of the DMK said, "CPI-M has certain pockets but they don't have much vote strength and we know that. However, for the larger interest of the coalition, we have settled for 6 seats for CPI-M."

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Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 15:53 [IST]
A 91-year-old amputee from Ohio went into shock, collapsed, and nearly died after accidentally receiving the second dose of the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine twice just four hours apart from each other.

Victor Smith of the Cincinnati suburb of Hamilton received the first dose of the Moderna vaccine at Fort Hamilton Hospital in January, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

He went to get the second dose of the vaccine at the Butler County Fairgrounds on February 25th, his daughter, Dawn Smith-Theodore wrote on Facebook.

At the fairgrounds, Smith was given a vaccination card that had his first name written there but an incorrect surname, according to his daughter.

As it turns out, it was a Victor, but it was a different last name, Smith-Theodore said.

After receiving the second dose, he was sent to Jamestowne Rehab facility in Hamilton, which is run by Community First Solutions.

Victor Smith, 91, of the Cincinnati suburb of Hamilton, Ohio was accidentally given two doses of the second shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on February 25th.

Smith received the first dose of the Moderna vaccine at Fort Hamilton Hospital in January

He went to get the second dose of the vaccine at the Butler County Fairgrounds on February 25th, his daughter, Dawn Smith-Theodore (pictured with her dad) wrote on Facebook

Four hours after he received the second shot, a fire department official came into the facility to administer the vaccine to a man with the same first name.

At 3:45, a fire department fireman came in and said they had a shot for Victor, and they said, Victor Smith, and he said yes, Smith-Theodore told WKRC-TV.

And they went into my dad's room. Nobody went with them.

They were in there for nine minutes and administered another vaccine of Moderna.

She added: My dad said I got two vaccines.

Moments later, Smith-Theodore received a telephone call informing her that her father was experiencing respiratory distress and was being rushed to Fort Hamilton Hospital.

She said that she was led to believe that her fathers life was in danger.

After receiving the second dose, he was sent to Jamestowne Rehab facility in Hamilton, which is run by Community First Solutions.

Yesterday when I talked to my dad and he could mutter two words - it was heartbreaking to me because I haven't had my vaccine, so I can't come to see him, Smith-Theodore, who lives in Calabasas, California, said on March 1.

So, I haven't seen my dad in a year.

Fortunately, his condition improved and he is now recovering at hospital.

I want to see my dad get better. I want to see that this doesn't happen to anybody else, said Smith-Theodore.

The City of Hamilton and Community First Solutions released a statement which read: An incident occurred where a City of Hamilton resident inadvertently received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on the same day.

The individual was a patient of Jamestowne Rehabilitation where all vaccinations are completed by outside parties who are trained and appropriately certified, in this case the City of Hamilton Fire Department.

Four hours after he received the second shot, a fire department official came into the facility to administer the vaccine to a man with the same first name

Jamestowne staff recognized the patients signs of distress and responded immediately.

The patient was transported to the hospital and the family was promptly contacted.

Both Jamestowne and the City of Hamilton Fire Department have begun investigations into the incident.

Our thoughts are with the patient and his family as he continues his recovery.
New Delhi, March 8 : The opposition forced second adjournment in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, the first day of the second half of the Budget Session as it pressed for discussion on the fuel price hike.

The House was adjourned till 11 a.m. and when it met again, the Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge repeated the earlier demand. The Deputy Chairman Harivansh said the ruling of the Chairman cannot be reconsidered. Pandemonium soon followed and amid the uproar the House was again adjourned till 1 p.m.

Earlier, the Chairman of the House M.Venkaiah Naidu rejected Leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge's notice of suspension of business under rule 267.

Kharge said, "The petrol price has reached Rs 100 per litre in some parts of the country and the government has earned more than Rs 20 lakh crore in the last six years through taxes and its utmost important to discuss it." But the Chair did not allow it and said that it is against the rules. The House was adjourned till 11 a.m. after the Congress MPs resorted to sloganeering.

"I don't want to take drastic action on the first day," Venkaiah Naidu said.

In the national capital, petrol was sold for Rs 91.17 per litre on Sunday. Similarly, in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, the fuel was priced at Rs 97.57, Rs 93.11 and Rs 91.35 per litre, respectively.

The petrol and diesel prices have been rising continuously since February 9. In the 14 increases since then, prices have gone up by Rs 4.22 per litre for petrol while diesel rate has risen by Rs 4.34 a litre in Delhi. The increase in the previous weeks has taken petrol to cross historic high levels of Rs 100 a litre in several cities across the country.
Six former home secretaries have demanded a fresh inquiry into Scotland Yard's shambolic VIP probe and the watchdogs that controversially cleared detectives of misconduct.

In an unprecedented joint intervention, they said confidence in the police had been seriously damaged by the multi-million-pound investigation into false allegations of an Establishment paedophile ring.

They urged Home Secretary Priti Patel to order an independent inquiry into Operation Midland, the 2.5milion probe into false claims made by Carl Beech, aka 'Nick'.

Six former home secretaries have demanded a fresh inquiry into Scotland Yard's shambolic probe into false false claims by fantasist Carl Beech

Writing to The Times today, three former Tory home secretaries  Lord Baker, Lord Clarke and Lord Howard  and three ex-Labour ones  Jack Straw, Lord Blunkett and Lord Reid of Cardowan  say they are 'acutely conscious of the need to maintain public confidence in the police'.

They say they agree with Sir Richard Henriques, the retired High Court judge who wrote a scathing report into Operation Midland, that 'confidence in the police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been seriously damaged'.

They wrote: 'We concur with Sir Richard's view that confidence in the police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct has been seriously damaged and endorse his call and that of the former chief magistrate for an independent investigation. We urge the home secretary to establish it.'

The demand for an independent criminal investigation will increase pressure on Dame Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, who sanctioned the setting up of Operation Midland in 2014 under the command of Steve Rodhouse, then a deputy assistant commissioner.

Former Home Secretaries from across the political divide - including Tory Michael Howard (left) and Labour's Jack Straw (right) - have joined together to call for an inquiry

It is also a huge blow to the IOPC watchdog, whose inquiry into five Operation Midland detectives was branded 'lamentable' and a 'whitewash' by Sir Richard. According to The Times, a source 'close' to Miss Patel said there were questions that 'need to be answered'.

The letter comes after a former district judge demanded a criminal inquiry into detectives who asked him to sign search warrants in the disastrous inquiry.

Howard Riddle said that if police failed to reveal evidence undermining Nick's credibility, the warrant applications appeared to amount to perverting the course of justice.

Scotland Yard detectives used them to raid the homes of Lord Brittan's widow, former Armed Forces chief Lord Bramall and former Tory MP Harvey Proctor.

The false allegations led to Beech being jailed for 18 years for perverting the course of justice and other offences.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 06:51:13|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on Jan. 20, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

The two sides are pursuing the final steps needed to conclude the agreement for signature and entry into force.



WASHINGTON, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The United States and South Korea reached an agreement on defense cost-sharing with increased contribution from South Korea, U.S. State Department said on Sunday.

"We are pleased that U.S. and Republic of Korea negotiators have reached consensus on a proposed text of a Special Measures Agreement (SMA) that will strengthen our Alliance and our shared defense," said a State Department spokesperson.

The spokesperson said that the proposed agreement contained "a negotiated meaningful increase in host nation support contributions from the Republic of Korea," without providing further details.

The two sides are pursuing the final steps needed to conclude the agreement for signature and entry into force, according to the spokesperson.

The 10th SMA reached in March 2019 expired at the end of that year. The United States and South Korea held multiple rounds of negotiations on the 11th SMA, but they failed to reach an agreement following the former U.S. administration demanded a sharp increase in Seoul's contribution.

Since 1991, South Korea has shared the upkeep cost for U.S. soldiers, including costs for South Korean civilians hired by the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), construction of military installations, and logistics support.

Currently, about 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea. 
Members of the Chongqing Living Fountain Church in Sichuan Province in China published a prayer request letter on February 28 soon after several police in plainclothes raided their church in the morning.

Their service was halted, and attendees were warned against re-assembling citing the church's non-registry to CCP and the potential risk of spreading COVID as reasons. Two of their members were also arrested, and their church computer confiscated.

"The Lord has protected our church since its founding more than 20 years ago. Most of our members are elderly and women. We pray that God gives us the courage and wisdom to testify His name to the kings and rulers, as well as to soldiers of the Earth. May God's peace be with our detained Brothers [in the faith of Jesus Christ]," they wrote in their letter.

According to China Aid, people from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), domestic security bureau, and plainclothes policemen first "'showed up' at the church during the Sunday service" on February 21. They put a stop on the morning service because they are not registered with the religious affairs bureau. The authorities also faulted the church for allowing children to join them.

A week after the raid, police officers tried, through intimidation of the landlord, to get a list of the church members and their financial information. The church firmly refused to give the said information to their landlord.

The Living Fountain Church may be a small house church, but they have been meeting for worship for more than 20 years, long before the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials published their "New Regulations on Religious Affairs." The risk of defying the new regulations did not deter them from their pure allegiance to Christ. They refused to register under the CCP regulated religious affairs bureau and thus suffered consequences.

In 2018, one of the church's leaders, Cheng Hairong, has also signed the petition for religious freedom titled, "A Joint Statement by Pastors: A Declaration for the Sake of the Christian Faith," the International Christian Concern reported

According to the U.S Custom reports on International Religious Freedom, China's 2018 Regulations on Religious Affairs require that religious activity "must not harm national security" through subscription to "religious extremism." To date, the Chinese government only recognizes Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism, and Catholicism as the official state religions provided that they abide to the regulations. Any group under these five religions must register under the CCP directed associations: Buddhist Association of China (BAC), the Chinese Taoist Association, the Islamic Association of China (IAC), the TSPM, and the CCPA. To refuse means to face penalty.

The regulation also states that children under the age of 18 are forbidden from participating in religious activities and "receiving religious education from schools run by religious organizations."

After CCP has enacted the new regulations, several NGOs have received numerous reports of abuses including police brutality, force disappearances, and even deaths of those detained or imprisoned due to their religious affiliations.

The Custom Report states that the "Political Prisoner Database (PPDB), maintained by human rights NGO Dui Hua Foundation, contained the following number of imprisoned religious practitioners at year's end: 121 'non-cult' Protestants, 487 'cult' Protestants, including members of The Church of Almighty God, 114 Muslims, 22 Buddhists, and four Catholics, compared with 119 'non-cult' Protestants, 316 'cult' Protestants, 136 Muslims, 22 Buddhists, and nine Catholics at the end of 2018.'

Dui Hua described the prisoners as "people persecuted for holding religious beliefs that are not officially sanctioned."




HOUSTON, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MRC Global Inc. (NYSE: MRC) will release its first quarter 2021 results on April 27, 2021 after the market closes. In conjunction with the release, the Company will host a conference call, which will be webcast, on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern / 9:00 a.m. Central.

What: MRC Global First Quarter 2021 Earnings Conference Call



When: Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern / 9:00 a.m. Central



How: Via phone -- Dial 412-902-0003 and ask for the MRC Global call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time, or webcast -- at http://www.mrcglobal.com

A replay will be available through May 12, 2021 by dialing 201-612-7415 using passcode 13717293#. An archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at www.mrcglobal.com for 90 days.

About MRC Global Inc.

MRC Global is the largest distributor of pipe, valves and fittings (PVF) and other infrastructure products and services to the energy industry, based on sales. Through approximately 230 service locations worldwide, approximately 2,600 employees and with 100 years of history, MRC Global provides innovative supply chain solutions and technical product expertise to customers globally across diversified end-markets including the upstream production, midstream pipeline, gas utility and downstream and industrial. MRC Global manages a complex network of over 200,000 SKUs and over 10,000 suppliers simplifying the supply chain for approximately 12,000 customers. With a focus on technical products, value-added services, a global network of valve and engineering centers and an unmatched quality assurance program, MRC Global is the trusted PVF expert. Find out more at www.mrcglobal.com.

Contact:

Monica Broughton

Investor Relations

MRC Global Inc.

[email protected]

832-308-2847

SOURCE MRC Global Inc.

Related Links

http://www.mrcglobal.com


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BAYONNE  Just days before March 2, Desirae Mortimer was with her brother, Mathew, catching up on life with breakfast and a cup of coffee.

When she heard that her brother was a victim of a fatal stabbing in Bayonne, she lost it. But on Sunday, she told The Jersey Journal that she remembers her brother as someone who was kind with a heart pure of gold.

So often he didnt have very much to give, but he still would (give), Desirae Mortimer said. ... He was my best friend.

Mathew Mortimer, 29, was identified as the victim by Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez on Wednesday, a day after the fatal stabbing. Police found him in the vestibule of an apartment building on Avenue C near West 54th Street just before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, reports said.

He was taken to the Jersey City Medical Center and was pronounced dead 45 minutes later.

Police are searching for Elvis Santana, who is being accused of the murder.

Desirae Mortimer started a GoFundMe page to help the family with funeral costs etc, which has since surpassed its $6,000 goal.

She told The Jersey Journal that, since a young age, it was just her and her brother.

The two lost their parents when they were kids and, because of this, she had to switch from being a big sister to being her brothers guardian. Their relationship became rocky from arguments and disagreements, but she said they remained close.

Born in Jersey City, the siblings grew up in Bayonne, where they attended Bayonne High School. She said eventually she moved out of Bayonne while her brother stayed.

I talked to him every single day on the phone, she said.

Mathew Mortimer was unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he previously worked at Preferred Freezer, a storage facility in Jersey City. He enjoyed the job, his sister said.

And she added that he said he wanted more for himself.

He did want to have kids someday  family was really important (to him)  and he wanted to learn how to drive trucks, she said.

He previously struggled with alcohol, and was recently becoming sober. She told him that she was proud.

Now, when she looks back on that day they had breakfast together, she said she told him everything that she wanted him to know  that she loved him and was proud of him.

Im glad I have that memory, she said.
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After decades of research, W&M faculty earn national spotlight for Bray School discovery

A discovery on campus: William & Mary and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation jointly announced in a Feb. 25 press release that the building at 524 Prince George St. contains the original structure of the Bray School, where free and enslaved Black children were educated from 1760 to 1765. Illustration of front-page news story Photo - of - Hide Caption

Prince George House is perhaps the most inconspicuous building on a picturesque campus, but for a week or so the structure tucked away near William & Marys Sorority Court basked in the glow of national media.

William & Mary and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation jointly announced in a Feb. 25 press release that the building at 524 Prince George St. contains the original structure of the Bray School, where free and enslaved Black children were educated from 1760 to 1765.

The identification of the structure thats likely the nations oldest standing building used for the education of Black children was the culmination of a decades-long labor of love by Terry Meyers, Chancellor Professor of English Emeritus.

The compelling story of a historic buildings emergence from obscurity was announced at an event featuring remarks by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam. The story was spread by a multidisciplinary team of communications professionals representing William & Mary and Colonial Williamsburg. The result was an international media coup, starting with a front page story in The Washington Post.

Then The New York Times had a story the next day. Coverage began to blossom, as multiple Associated Press outlets around the nation ran the story. Smithsonian Magazine took notice, as did local media, print and electronic.

Meyers was in high demand for interviews, as were other William & Mary scholars who have conducted scholarship on the Bray School, its students and the adults that enrolled them. W&M media sources included Jody Allen, the Robert Francis Engs Director of the universitys Lemon Project, was highlighted, as was Julie Richter, the director of W&Ms National Institute of American History & Democracy.

The press also interviewed Colonial Williamsburg researchers Matthew Webster and Ron Hurst, whose examination of the building connected the final dots of identification. Nicole Brown, a graduate student in William & Marys American Studies Program, was a popular subject. Her research topic is the Bray Schools of the New World, and she also works as a costumed interpreter of Bray School teacher Ann Wager for Colonial Williamsburg.

Media interest continues, as do plans for the research of the buildings structure, followed by its relocation to a site on the Colonial Williamsburg campus.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Donald Trump returned to New York for the first time since the end of his presidency on Sunday night, according to reports.

A motorcade arrived at Trump Tower in Manhattan around 9pm on Sunday, the New York Post reported.

The former president was born in Queens and made his name buying properties in New York, including the 58-floor Trump Tower in downtown Manhattan.

It was the first time in years that the former US president returned to his residence on Fifth Avenue, where he lived primarily before his relocation to the White House in 2017.

A video obtained by FreedomNews.TV appeared to show him waving from inside a car as it turned-up at Trump Tower, while the Post added that he was greeted by a single supporter.

Mr Trump, who left office on 20 January, was staying at his Florida resort of Mar-a-Lago, informally referred to as the summer White House, for the past six weeks, with his wife Melania and their teenage son Barron.

Read more: Trump plans tectonic plate shift return to social media despite being blocked by almost every site

Both Mr and Ms Trump changed their addresses to Florida, from New York, in October 2019  a year before he would be defeated by US president Joe Biden in November 2020s election race.

Reports of Mr Trumps return to Fifth Avenue were first reported by local news station WABC-TV on Saturday, as officers from the New York Police Department prepared for the security arrangements for the former president.

They were escorted by law enforcement and a motorcade, with security appearing to be tight.

Police started removing barriers from in front of Trump Tower in recent weeks, which had been installed for the duration of the Trump presidency, the Post reported.

The tower, which brandishes the former presidents name in gold writing, had attracted protests throughout the four years of Mr Trumps time at the White House.

That included a Black Lives Matter mural that was painted on the street outside Trump Tower in July 2020, as New York City authorities criticised Mr Trumps heavy-handed response to anti-racism protests across the US.

It comes as a close aide to the former president, Jason Miller, told Mediaites The Interview podcast that Were not that far off from seeing President Trump return to social media, following bans by Twitter and Facebook.

The office of Mr Trump has been approached for comment by the Independent.
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UK Daily COVID-19 Deaths Drop Below 100 for First Time Since October

Britains daily death toll from the CCP virus dropped to 82 on March 7, the first time the figure has fallen below 100 since last October.

According to official statistics, on Sunday, 5,177 new CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus cases were reported across the UK, and 82 deaths were reported within 28 days of a positive test.

The last time the figure was below 100 was on Oct. 19, 2020, when 80 deaths were reported across the UK.

The #COVID19 Dashboard has been updated: https://t.co/a0y3StFiss On Sunday 7 March 2021, 5,177 new cases and 82 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were reported across the UK A total of 22,213,112 people have now received the first dose of a #vaccine. pic.twitter.com/jJyGnTh5gE  Public Health England (@PHE_uk) March 7, 2021

On Monday, schools in England reopened to all pupils as the government began easing lockdown measures intended to the curb the spread of the virus.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that this marked the first step towards normality and was only possible because of public efforts to bring COVID-19 infection rates down.

Johnson on Feb. 22 set out his roadmap out of the lockdown, which includes four stages with five weeks in between.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson meets teachers in the library as he visits Sedgehill School in southeast London on Feb. 23, 2021. (Jack Hill  WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Under the government plan, COVID-19 restrictions on social contact will not be completely removed until June 21 at the earliest.

Some backbench MPs in the ruling Conservative Party have expressed opposition to the continuing lockdown rules even as infection rates are dropping rapidly across the country.

Infections have fallen by two-thirds since January, according to new findings from REACT-1, one of the countrys largest studies into COVID-19 infections in England, which was conducted by Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI.

Despite the receding infection rates, the UK government is stepping up its crackdown on illegal foreign trips.

From March 8, passengers travelling abroad from England will need to carry a form proving their trips are essential.

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of Conservative MPs, told NTD last week that the pace of the planned exit is slower than many of us would have liked and slower than the data would suggest is possible.

He said there was some frustration among Tory MPs, who would like to see more progress, more freedom given back to our constituents.

My most fundamental concern about the lockdown approach is that it has interfered with really fundamental human rights, he said.

With reporting by Jane Werrell of NTD.
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ROME  A particularly spectacular blast from Italys Mount Etna volcano belched out a towering cloud of ash and lava stone Sunday onto Sicilian villages, the latest in a series of explosions since mid-February.

Italys national geophysics and volcanology institute INGV said the powerful explosion at 2 a.m. was the 10th such big blast since Feb. 16, when Europes most active volcano started giving off an impressive demonstration of natures fire power, coloring the night sky in shocking hues of orange and red.

Increasing tremors rattled the mountain throughout much of the night. Ash and small lava stones rained down on eight villages on Etnas slopes Sunday morning, while lava flowed from the southeast crater slowly down an uninhabited side, as it has been doing for the last three weeks, the institute said.

The column of ash and lava reached a height of 10,000 meters (33,000 feet) on Sunday, according to scientists who monitor volcanic activity with specialized instruments from an observatory at Etna in eastern Sicily.

Locals swept ash and lava stones from their front steps and balconies. They have taken to covering cars parked outdoors with carpets, blankets and sheets of cardboard to make cleanup easier after each blast. Winds helped carry the ash eastward, INGV said.

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No injuries or serious damage have been reported after the recent blasts. Geologically active, Etna occasionally becomes particularly noisy and explosive as it has been lately.

By mid-morning, Etnas latest display of activity had slowed somewhat with the lava flow ending, although the volcano was still puffing out weak emission of ash from the southeast crater. A few hours later, the volcanic tremors picked up again, INGV said in a statement.

The INGV scientists say there is no way of predicting when this current round of particularly robust volcanic activity might subside.
A sophisticated attack on Microsoft's widely used business email software is morphing into a global cybersecurity crisis, as hackers race to infect as many victims as possible before companies can secure their computer systems. The attack, which Microsoft has said started with a Chinese government-backed hacking group, has so far claimed at least 60,000 known victims globally, according to a former senior U.S. official with knowledge of the investigation. Many of them appear to be businesses caught in a wide net the attackers cast as Microsoft worked to shut down the hack.

The European Banking Authority became one of the latest victims as it said Sunday that access to personal data through emails held on the Microsoft server may have been compromised. Others identified so far include banks and electricity providers, as well as senior citizen homes and an ice cream company, according to Huntress, a Ellicott City, Maryland-based firm that monitors the security of customers, in a blog post Friday. One U.S. cybersecurity company which asked not to be named said its experts alone were working with at least 50 victims, trying to quickly determine what data the hackers may have taken while also trying to eject them. The rapidly escalating attack came months after the SolarWinds breaches by suspected Russian cyberattackers, and drew the concern of U.S. national security officials in part because the latest hackers were able to hit so many victims so quickly. Researchers say in the final phases of the attack, the perpetrators appeared to have automated the process, scooping up tens of thousands of new victims around the world in a matter of days.

Washington is preparing its first major moves in retaliation against foreign intrusions over the next three weeks, the New York Times reported, citing unidentified officials. It plans a series of clandestine actions across Russian networks -- intended to send a message to Vladimir Putin and his intelligence services -- combined with economic sanctions. President Joe Biden could issue an executive order to shore up federal agencies against Russian hacking, the newspaper reported. "We are undertaking a whole of government response to assess and address the impact," a White House official wrote in an email on Saturday. "This is an active threat still developing and we urge network operators to take it very seriously."

The Chinese hacking group, which Microsoft calls Hafnium, appears to have been breaking into private and government computer networks through the company's popular Exchange email software for a number of months, initially targeting only a small number of victims, according to Steven Adair, head of the northern Virginia-based Volexity. The cybersecurity company helped Microsoft identify the flaws being used by the hackers for which the software giant issued a fix on Tuesday.

The result is a second cybersecurity crisis coming just months after suspected Russian hackers breached nine federal agencies and at least 100 companies through tampered updates from IT management software maker SolarWinds. Cybersecurity experts that defend the world's computer systems expressed a growing sense of frustration and exhaustion.

"The good guys are getting tired," said Charles Carmakal, a senior vice president at FireEye, the Milpitas, California-based cybersecurity company.

Asked about Microsoft's attribution of the attack to China, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said Wednesday that the country "firmly opposes and combats cyber attacks and cyber theft in all forms" and suggested that blaming a particular nation was a "highly sensitive political issue."

Both the most recent incident and the SolarWinds attack show the fragility of modern networks and sophistication of state-sponsored hackers to identify hard-to-find vulnerabilities or even create them to conduct espionage. They also involve complex cyberattacks, with an initial blast radius of large numbers of computers which is then narrowed as the attackers focus their efforts, which can take affected organizations weeks or months to resolve.

In the case of the Microsoft bugs, simply applying the company-provided updates won't remove the attackers from a network. A review of affected systems is required, Carmakal said. And the White House emphasized the same thing, including tweets from the National Security Council urging the growing list of victims to carefully comb through their computers for signs of the attackers. Initially, the Chinese hackers appeared to be targeting high value intelligence targets in the U.S., Adair said. About a week ago, everything changed. Other unidentified hacking groups began hitting thousands of victims over a short period, inserting hidden software that could give them access later, he said.

"They went to town and started doing mass exploitation -- indiscriminate attacks compromising exchange servers, literally around the world, with no regard to purpose or size or industry," Adair said. "They were hitting any and every server that they could."

Adair said that other hacking groups may have found the same flaws and began their own attacks -- or that China may have wanted to capture as many victims as possible, then sort out which had intelligence value.

Either way, the attacks were so successful -- and so rapid -- that the hackers appear to have found a way to automate the process. "If you are running an Exchange server, you most likely are a victim," he said.

Data from other security companies suggest that the scope of the attacks may not end up being quite that bad. Researchers from Huntress examined about 3,000 vulnerable servers on its partners' networks and found about 350 infections -- or just over 10%. While the SolarWinds hackers infected organizations of all sizes, many of the latest batch of victims are small-to medium-sized business and local government agencies. Organizations that could be most impacted are those that have an email server that's running the vulnerable software and exposed directly to the internet, a risky setup that larger ones usually avoid.

Smaller organizations are "struggling already due to Covid shutdowns -- this exacerbates an already bad situation," said Jim McMurry, founder of Milton Security Group, a cybersecurity monitoring service in Southern California. "I know from working with a few customers that this is consuming a great deal of time to track down, clean and ensure they were not affected outside of the initial attack vector."

McMurry said the issue is "very bad" but added that the damage should be mitigated somewhat by the fact that "this was patchable, it was fixable."

Microsoft said customers that use its cloud-based email system are not affected. The use of automation to launch very sophisticated attacks may mark a new, frightening era in cybersecurity, one that could overwhelm the limited resources of defenders, several experts said.

Some of the initial infections appear to have been the result of automated scanning and installation of malware, said Alex Stamos, a cybersecurity consultant. Investigators will be looking for infections that led to hackers taking the next step and stealing data -- such as e-mail archives -- and searching them for any valuable information later, he said.

"If I was running one of these teams, I would be pulling down email as quickly as possible indiscriminately and then mining them for gold," Stamos said.
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Two more Manitobans were reported dead on Sunday as a result of COVID-19.

Two more Manitobans were reported dead on Sunday as a result of COVID-19.

A total of 907 Manitobans have now died of the virus.

The additional deaths were again a reminder of how older Manitobans continue to bear the brunt the virus's most deadly effects.

Sunday's deaths were both identified in the Winnipeg region and included a woman in her 80s linked to an outbreak at Actionmarguerite St. Boniface and a woman in her 90s linked to an outbreak at River East Personal Care Home.

On Friday, Health Minister Heather Stefanson announced 17 recommendations to strengthen the long-term care sector in Manitoba, following a review of the spread of COVID-19 at Maples Long Term Care Home  where 56 deaths were linked to an outbreak.

Stefanson said a team has been put in place to develop a response plan within 30 days for implementing changes at all Manitoba personal care homes.

Active COVID-19 case numbers have dropped significantly in recent weeks, but outbreak protocols still remain in place at 10 personal care homes facilities in the province.

Public health officials announced 56 new active cases of the virus on Sunday.

Of the newly identified active cases, 24 are in the Winnipeg region, 27 are in the Northern region, three cases have been reported in Southern Health and a single case has been confirmed in both Interlake-Eastern and Prairie Mountain Health. A total of 159 people are hospitalized with the virus. Twenty-two patients remain in intensive care.

As loosened public health restrictions came into effect this weekend, Sunday's reported test positivity rate remains low. The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 3.3 per cent provincially and 2.3 per cent in Winnipeg.

The loosened restrictions remain in effect until March 26.

Laboratory testing numbers show 1,677 tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 537,369. The province said on Sunday that the total number of cases of concerning COVID-19 variants remains at nine.

Selkirk's vaccination super site opens Monday. Appointments can now be booked at the Selkirk site along with existing super site locations in Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson.

Vaccine eligibility criteria was expanded on Friday to include individuals aged 85 or older or First Nation people aged 65 or older.

The first 18,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are expected to arrive in Manitoba this week and will then be distributed to participating medical clinics and pharmacies.

Health Canada also authorized the use of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine on Friday.

The province expects to be able to provide a single shot of the vaccine to all adult Manitobans as early as May 18.

grant.burr@freepress.mb.ca
The Hollister-owned platform will allow NorCal consumers to participate in the virtual global event

VANCOUVER, BC, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Hollister Biosciences Inc. (CSE: HOLL) (OTC: HSTRF) (FRANKFURT: HOB) (the "Company", "Hollister Cannabis Co." or "Hollister") is pleased to announce that its direct-to-consumer delivery platform, Dreamy Delivery, will be the official delivery platform of the 2021 Emerald Cup Awards. Dreamy Delivery will feature prominently in all Emerald Cup promotions and coverage, and it will help connect Bay Area, Sacramento, Hollister and Central Coast consumers with the brands participating in the virtual awards this April.

"The Emerald Cup Awards have been the premier Cannabis Cup in California for 17 years. It is a huge part of the fabric of cannabis in Northern California. We are excited and honored to be the official delivery platform of The Emerald Cup Awards," says Carl Saling, the Co-Founder, CEO and Director of Hollister Biosciences.

"We're excited to have Dreamy Delivery as our sponsor for this year's Emerald Cup. We share the same values of vetting only the best cannabis products, best business practices, supporting social equity and offering a 5-Star experience. We are honored collaborating together this year." ~Tim Blake, Founder of The Emerald Cup

For the first time in Emerald Cup history, the awards will be a virtual global event streaming on the Social Club TV network. Whether NoCal consumers want to sample the brands taking home the top trophies or try past winners, Dreamy Delivery brings these best-in-class products directly to their front doors utilizing all of the recommended safety protocols. This means virtual participants can experience the 17th-annual event with actual winning products delivered directly and safely to their homes.

As the official delivery platform for the awards, Dreamy Delivery will feature prominently in a six-month promotion that includes social media posts, newsletters, PR statements and brand placement in the title card and afterparty.

The Emerald Cup Awards (described as the "Academy Awards of Cannabis" by Rolling Stone) celebrate the best emerging and established brands, and a slate of hand-picked judges selects winners that are announced daily during Take Over Week ahead of the official awards celebration. The coverage will culminate in the Social Club TV-broadcasted ceremony on Sunday, April 11, 2021 with the top honors given out in the prestigious cannabis flower categories.

About The Emerald Cup



The Emerald Cup is Northern California's premier cannabis destination. While advancing the concept of sustainable, outdoor farming, its reputation is firmly solidified as the largest, most respected, outdoor cannabis competition in the world. As a group, The Emerald Cup prides itself in bringing together experts and educators in the cannabis industry to our fellow farmers, patients, and patrons each year.



It is a community celebration that has grown to become a global movement honoring the year's finest, organic, sun-grown, cannabis harvest.



https://theemeraldcup.com/

About Hollister Biosciences Inc.

Hollister Biosciences Inc. is a multi-state cannabis company with a vision to be the sought-after premium brand portfolio of innovative, high-quality cannabis & hemp products. Hollister uses a high-margin model that controls the whole process from manufacture to sales to distribution for what's best described as seed-to-shelf cannabis. Products from Hollister Biosciences Inc. include HashBone, the brand's premier artisanal hash-infused pre-roll, along with concentrates (shatter, budder, crumble), distillates, solvent-free bubble hash, pre-packaged flower, pre-rolls, tinctures, vape products and full-spectrum high CBD pet tinctures. Hollister Cannabis Co. additionally offers white-labeling manufacturing of cannabis products. Our wholly owned California subsidiary Hollister Cannabis Co is the first state and locally licensed cannabis company in the city of Hollister, California, birthplace of the "American Biker."

Website: www.hollistercannabisco.com, https://dreamydelivery.com/

The CSE, nor its regulation services provider, does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "would", "project", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this News Release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company's disclosure documents which can be found under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com

SOURCE Hollister Biosciences Inc.
[March 08, 2021] The Council on Recovery President & CEO to Retire After 28 Years of Service, National Search for Replacement Underway

Mel Taylor, President and CEO of The Council on Recovery for 28 years, will retire this year after a lifetime of service to Houston's recovery community. Taylor's leadership put The Council on Recovery at the forefront of helping individuals and families impacted by substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. "My greatest gift has been to experience so much passion and dedication by an incredible staff and board who serve a purpose greater than themselves, and who have given back to service in untold ways," says Taylor on his long career with The Council. Under Taylor, The Council moved to its permanent home in the heart of Houston, and later launched the Restoring Hope, Rebuilding Lives campaign, which transformed its campus into a beautiful gathering place for all in recovery and served as an outward and visible symbol for a disease that is too often invisible. He also oversaw several mergers, most notably the acquisition of the Center for Recovering Families, which brought treatment services onsite to The Council and affirmed The Council's focus on supporting the entire family. Taylor also led The Council's response to natural disasters including Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, and Harvey, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his dynamic and visionary leadership, The Council has consistently foged new models for the support and treatment of substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions, changing the landscape of available care in Houston and serving as a model for providers across the country.



"The Council is well positioned for the next 28 years and beyond," says Taylor. "The time is now for me to step aside and make room for the next person to assume leadership as I retire from daily service to The Council." A nationwide search is now underway to identify candidates for Taylor's successor, led by an outside search firm, The Edge Group and The Council Board of Trustees chairman, Dean Quinn. The Council will announce a replacement before Taylor's tenure ends on August 31, 2021. Interested professionals should contact David Seeley (dseeley@edgegroup.cc) with The Edge Group. All inquiries will be kept confidential.

About The Council on Recovery: Founded in 1946, The Council on Recovery is Houston's oldest and largest non-profit organization providing the full spectrum of prevention, education, intervention, treatment, and recovery services for individuals of all ages. The Council on Recovery is committed to helping Houston overcome the addiction epidemic through a focus on family healing and long-term support that is equally accessible to all in need. Directly touching over 50,000 lives each year through prevention programs for children and youth, in-school and clinical counseling for teens, outpatient substance abuse treatment for adults, and more, our mission is to provide the highest quality of care at affordable rates for individuals and their families. Affiliated with the United Way of Greater Houston, The Council receives funding from private contributions and grants, special events, and program fees. For more information, visit www.councilonrecovery.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005842/en/

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CAIRO (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's King Salman approved a range of initiatives aimed at assisting firms and individuals operating in support of Islamic pilgrimages, Saudi state news agency SPA said late on Monday.

The initiatives are aimed at mitigating the financial and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic across the sector that provides support for the haj and umrah pilgrimages, SPA said.

They include exempting accommodation facilities from the annual fees for municipal commercial activities' licenses in the cities of Mecca and Medina, where the Islamic pilgrimages take place.

Facilities working in the sector will also be exempted from working expatriates' fees for six months, and can renew the Ministry of Tourism's licenses for accommodation facilities free of charge in the two cities for a year, which can be extended.

For expatriates working in activities related to haj and umrah, the collection of residency renewal fees will be postponed for six months, provided that the amounts are paid in instalments over a year, SPA said.

Bus licenses operating in facilities transporting pilgrims will remain valid without charge for a year, and the collection of customs duties for new buses will be postponed for the upcoming haj season for three months. They will be paid in instalments over a period of four months from the due date.

(Reporting by Ahmed Tolba, writing by Nayera Abdallah, editing by Richard Pullin)
In Cleveland, parents fear the cost of losing pre-K programs

Adam Armour / Melanie Thortis I Mississippi Today Students play with toys in a pre-kindergarten classroom. In Cleveland, budget shortfalls will likely result in the closure of multiple pre-K classes, which could have long-term ramifications. Superintendent Otha Belcher

CLEVELAND  When it became clear that 384 students unenrolled from the public schools here and werent coming back, the already underfunded district was left with a prospective $1.7 million budget shortfall.

Superintendent Otha Belcher said in a January community meeting that to cover the shortfall, he first considered not filling vacancies in the central office. Then he did the same for the maintenance department, the transportation department and teacher vacancies at the individual schools.

We asked everybody to give up something, Belcher said.

It still wasnt enough.

Now, the districts pre-kindergarten program is likely to be cut from seven classes at four different schools to four classes at two different schools. At maximum capacity, it will be able to serve 80 children, with 20 4-year-olds per class.

The value of pre-K

In an urban setting where early learning options are plentiful, losing three pre-kindergarten classes might not be significant. But in rural areas where educational outcomes already suffer and a strong public school system can make or break a towns viability, parents feel the loss of even three pre-K classes is immense.

(People) will never consider coming to a town that doesnt have a strong foundational elementary school program. If we cannot offer a pre-K program to them that is valid and not overcrowded, were not going to get people to move here. Were going to lose even more students, said Sayward Fortner, a parent at the Cleveland School District, during a Jan. 26 community meeting.

These pre-kindergarten programs are lauded in the community not just because they benefit kids, but because they create more equity within the school system, help combat white flight, and contribute to the overall economic well being of the small Delta town.

As word spread about cuts to the pre-K programs, so did outrage among parents.

While 384 children  or more than 10% of total enrollment  is a staggering amount to lose from a district Clevelands size, its not an issue unique to this Delta district alone. Public schools across Mississippi are experiencing similar trends.

Some parents faced with decisions about where to send their kids to school during the pandemic opted for homeschool, private schools, or other options. Overall, the states public school system lost 23,000 students this year.

The cost of pre-K

This is problematic to the public school system for many reasons, the most immediate being the budget hole it creates. Public schools are funded in large part based on average daily attendance, meaning the more students that are enrolled in a school district, the more funding that district receives. This school year, districts on average receive $10,655 per student, though that number varies by district.

A bill is working its way through the Legislature that could temporarily fix the budget shortfall by funding schools based on 2019-20 enrollment numbers. Even if that bill does pass, there are no promises that it would renew to the 2021-22 school year. The same budget shortfall conundrum could present itself again next year, Belcher has said.

He told parents that the district wont know the final amount theyll be funded from the state until April or May; they need to plan as if theyll have $1.7 million fewer to work with next year.

Its just a tough deal for everybody in the state. So do we know what the budget is going to be exactly? No we do not. Do we need to prepare? Yes we do. Because it is not moral for you to go to (a teacher) in the month of May and tell them that they do not have a job (next year), Belcher said.

The issue is further complicated because some of the pre-kindergarten programs are part of an Early Learning Collaborative  a statewide initiative that helps school districts pre-K programs forge partnerships with private preschools and Head Start programs. Head Start provides low-income, pre-kindergarten age children with kindergarten readiness support. These collaboratives are funded out of a separate pot of money and are also waiting to see how much funding the Legislature gives them.

By the time final funding amounts are settled, it will be too late, community members say. Parents will have already had to make decisions about where to send their children for pre-kindergarten.

Im telling you, you are going to have families that leave the school system. Theyre not coming back, and then youre losing out on those students from kindergarten all the way through (high school), Fortner said.

The color of pre-K

Part of the urgency to maintain as many pre-K programs as possible is to maintain a well integrated school system.

Like most public schools in the south, white families with children enrolled in public schools fled to private segregation academies after Brown v. Board of Education made desegregation law.

Cleveland School District is one of the last in the Delta to maintain a somewhat integrated public school body. The white population has steadily fallen since 2017 when a federal desegregation order mandated that the majority Black high school merge with the other high school that was about 60% Black and 40% white at the time.

Research has repeatedly shown that when white families flee public schools, the school system suffers; they lose out on funding and become less relevant to majority white legislative bodies.

Parents say that the advantage of having numerous thriving pre-K classes in the Cleveland School District is that families enroll their children in the public school system early on and usually keep them there until high school graduation. If they enroll their child in the private schools pre-K because theres not enough room at the public school, theyre likely to stay there.

We have Bayou Academy (a private academy in Cleveland) out there marketing their pre-K program to get students in. And once theyre in those programs, those parents do not want to bring their children out, Fortner said at a February school district meeting.

There are currently 98 children enrolled in Cleveland School Districts pre-K program spread across four schools: Bell Elementary, Hayes Cooper, Nailor Elementary, and Parks Elementary. The year before the pandemic, there were 115 children enrolled in the districts pre-K classes.

Under the new configuration there would be a total of four classes at two schools that could accommodate at most 80 children with 20 per classroom.

Though this is technically allowed under state guidelines, parents take issue with the idea of keeping 20 4-year-olds in one classroom.

(That) is not ideal for anybody, Fortner said.

Aside from that, parents who have been vocal about this say eliminating pre-K programs from two of the schools presents equity issues; the problem is not as much about losing white families as it is about ensuring a supportive school district for all who are enrolled.

Mark Gooden, Columbia professor in education leadership, also asserted that an equitable school system is one that ensures the most vulnerable students have access to the best resources possible.

The most vulnerable populations more often than not, are going to be most likely poor children of color who are of lower socioeconomic status. And so you can say the quality of your school district is really correlated with the success of those kids. So therefore, if you are successful for those kids who normally wouldnt get full access to the curriculum, then you are moving toward equity, he said.

While the enrollment at Parks, Bell, and Hayes Cooper averages at 46% Black, Nailor is 94% Black. The proposed plan would eliminate the pre-K classes at Nailor and Parks; children zoned for these schools wouldnt have the same early learning opportunities at their schools as the other schools would have.

The loss of pre-K

Cutting out these pre-kindergarten classrooms at this school creates three groups of students.

Fortner, the parent, says: You have one group who can afford private school or relocationyou lose them and you lose money that they would be bringing into our system. You have (another group of) students who cant qualify for Head Start, and are depending on this. Youre telling them theyre just out of luck. Or you have students who can qualify for Head Start and youre telling them, you can go there, youre not worth a (pre-K) program.

Belcher has responded that pre-K programs at those two schools were chosen to be cut because the enrollment was already low there. He also said that Head Start programs involved in the Early Learning Collaborative incorporate curriculums that the pre-K classes use.

Parents remain unsatisfied with that answer.

Theres a larger picture at play here and that is the strength of our public school system, said Rori Eddie Herbison, parent of a middle schooler and member or president of several parent committees.

To her, the thought of any child not getting to experience what her child experienced in Clevelands pre-K program is devastating.

I have said from day one, that (my childs pre-K) teacher was the one that sewed the wings on her so lovingly and with so much nurture on her that she was ready to fly, she said. And the thought that someone in this community will not be afforded that experience is heartbreaking. And its beyond the emotion of the heartbreak. Its destructive to the growth of the public school system.

And whatever destructs the school system destructs the community in general. Thats why some feel that as Clevelands population has fallen every year since the 2017 desegregation order, as the Delta continues to not be prioritized by the state for economic incentive plans, and as educational outcomes in the region continue to lag, the school district cannot afford to lose three pre-kindergarten classes.

All of it works hand in hand. I think, here in Mississippi, particularly in the Delta when you look at the plainly stated data-driven statistics of where we are  with poverty lines, median incomes, teenage pregnancies, high school completion that leads to college attendance  those facts directly correlate with the public school system. So the better our public school system can be, the better some of those statistics can be, Eddie Herbison said.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican who has regularly polled as the most popular governor in the country, is facing declining fundraising numbers amid rising criticism for his handling of the coronavirus, stirring questions about whether he'll seek re-election next year or even try to pass the torch early.

Why it matters: Increasingly, the nation's governors are under growing scrutiny for their states' infection and death rates, economic losses and vaccine plans. Democratic governors representing two of the most populous states  Gavin Newsom of California and Andrew Cuomo of New York  are fighting for their political survival.

The departure of Donald Trump as president has removed a foil many governors used to explain problems with their state COVID relief efforts.

Details: In Massachusetts, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito has sharply increased her fundraising while Bakers has declined. They are up for reelection in 2022.

Campaign finance reports show she ended last month with $1.95 million cash on hand; he finished with $590,000. She grew her balance by nearly 10% during 2020; his declined by over 35%.

Seniors in the state are complaining about long lines and confusing vaccination signups.

Lawmakers at every level are angry, too, and there are lingering questions about why a medical mecca has had high case and death rates.

A recent Boston Globe headline questioned the vaunted management skills of Baker, a former health care executive and state budget chief.

A Boston Herald columnist recently raised the specter of Baker taking a golden parachute by heading two newly merged health care companies  Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, where Baker previously served as CEO.

Campaign spokesman Jim Conroy said: Governor Baker's top priority and focus remains managing the Commonwealth through the pandemic, rather than electoral politics.

The intrigue: While Massachusetts is an overwhelmingly blue state, it has a history of electing Republican governors. Two recent ones  Bill Weld and Paul Cellucci  presaged Baker and Polito by running in tandem with their lieutenant governors before passing off the corner office.

Weld left Cellucci as governor in 1997 during a failed quest to become U.S. ambassador to Mexico. Cellucci left Jane Swift as governor in 2001 after winning confirmation as ambassador to Canada.

Baker served both Weld and Cellucci as secretary of Administration and Finance. Polito has been a loyal Baker ally, and Massachusetts has a relatively thin Republican bench.

But, but, but: Local politicos have noted that Baker spent much of the past year coping with COVID-19, impinging on his political activity and making fundraising appear unseemly.

He also raised money during his first two campaigns in large chunks through a political action committee that could accept donations exceeding the $1,000 limit on individual contributions.

One Baker adviser told Axios that once Baker leaves office  almost certainly not before any term ends  the governor is unlikely to assume a CEO role.

Baker's problems could be worse  just look at some of his counterparts. In California, Newsom faces a threatened recall effort. In New York, Cuomo faces the wrath of state lawmakers  and potential legal jeopardy.

Cuomo won rave reviews and an Emmy and wrote a book after his televised omnipresence while the coronavirus ravaged New York last spring. Now he faces federal investigations into his handling of nursing home deaths and accusations of browbeating his medical advisers.

Newsom was criticized for his states COVID resurgence, stringent lockdowns and his personal behavior, including eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant Napa Valley without apparent social distancing.

What we're watching: Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, a Democrat, has been weighing a bid for governor, and a Democratic former state senator has already declared his candidacy.

Another high-profile Democrat, former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III, lost a primary campaign to unseat Democratic Sen. Edward J. Markey last fall. He has said he has no immediate plans to run for any other elective office, but recently launched a grassroots organizing effort.

Editors note: Updates with comment from Baker spokesman, and adjusts speculation about potential next jobs.
ATLANTA, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Builders Insurance Group today announced the appointment of Todd M. Campbell to assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer. He will join the Company effective April 5, 2021. In this position, Mr. Campbell will lead the Company and will provide strategic direction to its operations.

"Todd brings 30 years of leadership and business expertise to our Company, and we are very pleased to welcome him to our team," said Allen Richardson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Builders Insurance Group. "He has a tremendous record of successful leadership of high growth companies, and his strategic, operations, and financial insights will be invaluable as we grow the Company and strengthen our ability to provide outstanding products and services to our agents and policyholders."

Mr. Campbell commented, "I am incredibly excited to lead Builders into the future. A solid team, incredible capital strength, and a platform well-positioned for meaningful, disciplined growth are the foundations for exciting times ahead."

Prior to joining Builders Insurance Group, Mr. Campbell was President and CEO of Accredited Surety and Casualty Company, Inc. His experience also includes four years as CEO of a London based Lloyd's coverholder distributing and underwriting products throughout Europe; a decade as a corporate mergers and acquisitions and insurance attorney in Atlanta, GA; and prior CEO roles leading a US life insurer and a US property and casualty insurer.

More than 17,500 policyholders in residential and light commercial construction as well as a variety of non-construction fields rely on Builders Insurance Group to protect their most important assets  their people and property. Founded in 1992, the company has evolved into a dynamic, financially secure and dedicated partner with a philosophy of providing outstanding products, backed by exceptional customer service and easy-to-use technology solutions. Headquartered in Atlanta, the company delivers innovative Workers' Compensation, General Liability, Property, Umbrella, and Builders Risk insurance through independent agents. Builders Insurance Group and all of its member companies are rated "A" (Excellent) IX by A.M. Best Company. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.bldrs.com.

SOURCE Builders Insurance Group

Related Links

http://www.bldrs.com


The Drunken Canal is one of a handful of downtown media projects that have been sprouting in reaction to the dominance of giant online media, the homogenization of big social media platforms that make community feel global, not local (though theyd like it if youd follow them on Instagram), and the overwhelming sense that nobody in media was having fun in the grim year of 2020. The Dimes Square local media include a pirate radio station, Montez Press Radio, that wont let you listen on demand, and a natural style fashion email newsletter, Opulent Tips, written by a GQ staff writer, with no fancy formatting. Many of the most interesting new products are in print because digital spaces are becoming increasingly more policed, said Richard Turley, 44, the former creative director of Bloomberg Businessweek who founded another downtown newspaper, Civilization, in 2018.

The Dimes Square scene caught my eye because its privileged denizens embody a broader shift toward spaces safe from social media. The new Silicon Valley social audio app Clubhouse shares some of those values. And the choice of print has a political edge. The Canals first issue featured a Sorry to hear youve been canceled column composed of a list of names, with no explanation, to keep you from looking foolish at a woke gathering. (The second issue included an apology to the actor Terry Crews, whose name had been spelled wrong in the first issue and who had, in fact, not been canceled, in the publishers view.) A third recent newsprint project called The New Now, created by a co-founder of the magazine Paper, announces atop its front page that it is Free of Charge Free of Advertising and Free of the internet.

The downtown media rebellion often looks back to the 1990s, when the model and actress Chloe Sevigny embodied an edgy new scene in a New Yorker profile, just before her star turn in the explicit 1995 movie Kids. Ms. Sevigny, now 46, is a running preoccupation  The Drunken Canal has featured her stylist, Haley Wollens. Ms. Sevigny told me shes flattered and hoping the kids rally for all of us. But the more recent seeds of the current scene are in the podcasts that helped put a strain of left-wing populist politics thats as hostile to Hillary Clinton as it is to Donald Trump on the political map  in particular, one called Red Scare, whose co-host, Dasha Nekrasova, lives near Dimes Square. Ms. Nekrasova, 30, said she admired the spirit of The Drunken Canal although, like many of its admirers, she hasnt actually been able to get her hands on a copy. She plays a crisis P.R. person in the upcoming season of Succession and has directed a new feature film rooted in theories about Jeffrey Epsteins death. The new Drunken Canal includes the prediction that DASHA will become the new and better Chloe Sevigny.

The Pandemic

The unsafe sex of Kids scandalized 1990s New York, but the best way to get a reaction from the 2020 New York media was by bragging about having indoor parties. The writer and publicist Kaitlin Phillips, 30, who occupies a spot close to the center of a map of downtown personalities, became mildly notorious on Twitter for advertising a blase attitude through the worst of the pandemic last spring.
[March 08, 2021] UBS declares coupon payments on 5 ETRACS Exchange Traded Notes

UBS Investment Bank today announced coupon payments for 5 ETRACS Exchange Traded Notes (the "ETNs"), all traded on the NYSE Arca (News - Alert) .







NYSE Ticker ETN Name and Prospectus/

Pricing Supplement* Valuation Date Ex-Date Record Date Payment Date Coupon Amount Payment Schedule Current Yield (annualized) HDLB** ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged US High Dividend Low Volatility ETN Series B 3/1/2021 3/11/2021 3/12/2021 3/22/2021 $0.1072 Monthly 8.88% SMHB** ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged US Small Cap High Dividend ETN Series B 3/1/2021 3/11/2021 3/12/2021 3/22/2021 $0.1015 Monthly 9.95% PFFL** ETRACS Monthly Pay 2x Leveraged Preferred Stock ETN 3/1/2021 3/11/2021 3/12/2021 3/22/2021 $0.1472 Monthly 10.65% CEFD** ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5X Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN 3/1/2021 3/11/2021 3/12/2021 3/22/2021 $0.2484 Monthly 10.78% MVRL** ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Mortgage REIT ETN 3/1/2021 3/11/2021 3/12/2021 3/22/2021 $0.0897 Monthly 10.61%

* The table above provides a hyperlink to the relevant prospectus and supplements thereto for each of our ETRACS ETNs, which are identified by their names. For more information on each ETRACS ETN, see "List of ETNs". ** "Current Yield (annualized)" equals the current Coupon Amount and the two immediately preceding Coupon Amounts, multiplied by four (to annualize such coupons), divided by the closing Current Indicative Value of the ETN on its current Coupon Valuation Date rounded to two decimal places for ease of analysis. The Current Yield is not indicative of future coupon payments, if any, on the ETN. You are not guaranteed any coupon or distribution amount under the ETN. Note: HDLB, SMHB and PFFL pay a variable monthly coupon linked to 2 times the cash distributions, if any, on the respective underlying index constituents, less withholding taxes, if any. CEFD and MVRL pay a variable monthly coupon linked to 1.5 times the cash distributions, if any, on the respective underlying index constituents, less withholding taxes, if any. Variations in the amount of monthly distributions will lead to large variations in the Current Yield as calculated above. As such, the Current Yield for each is not indicative of future coupon payments, if any, on these ETNs. About ETRACS ETRACS ETNs are senior unsecured notes issued by UBS AG, are traded on NYSE Arca, and can be bought and sold through a broker or financial advisor. An investment in ETRACS ETNs is subject to a number of risks, including the risk of loss of some or all of the investor's principal, and is subject to the creditworthiness of UBS AG. Investors are not guaranteed any coupon or distribution amount under the ETNs. We urge you to read the more detailed explanation of risks described under "Risk Factors" in the applicable prospectus supplement, or product supplement and pricing supplement, as applicable, for the ETRACS ETN. UBS AG has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus and supplements thereto) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC (News - Alert) , for the offerings of securities to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus, along with the applicable prospectus, pricing, or product supplement to understand fully the terms of the securities and other considerations that are important in making a decision about investing in the ETRACS. The applicable offering document for each ETRACS may be obtained by clicking on the name of each ETRACS identified above. You may also get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. The securities related to the offerings are not deposit liabilities and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, Switzerland or any other jurisdiction. About UBS UBS provides financial advice and solutions to wealthy, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as private clients in Switzerland. UBS's strategy is centered on our leading global wealth management business and our premier universal bank in Switzerland, enhanced by Asset Management and the Investment Bank. The bank focuses on businesses that have a strong competitive position in their targeted markets, are capital efficient, and have an attractive long-term structural growth or profitability outlook. UBS is present in all major financial centers worldwide. It has offices in more than 50 regions and locations, with about 30% of its employees working in the Americas, 31% in Switzerland, 19% in the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa and 20% in Asia Pacific. UBS Group AG employs over 68,000 people around the world. Its shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This material is issued by UBS AG and/or any of its subsidiaries and/or any of its affiliates ("UBS"). Products and services mentioned in this material may not be available for residents of certain jurisdictions. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Please consult the restrictions relating to the product or service in question for further information. Activities with respect to US securities are conducted through UBS Securities LLC, a US broker/dealer. Member of SIPC (http://www.sipc.org/). ETRACS ETNs are sold only in conjunction with the relevant offering materials. UBS has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by the applicable prospectus supplement, or product supplement and pricing supplement, for the offering of the ETRACS ETNs) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read these documents and any other documents that UBS has filed with the SEC for more complete information about UBS and the offering to which this communication relates. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, you can request the applicable prospectus supplement, or product supplement and pricing supplement, by calling toll-free (+1-877-387 2275). In the US, securities underwriting, trading and brokerage activities and M&A advisor activities are provided by UBS Securities LLC, a registered broker/dealer that is a wholly owned subsidiary of UBS AG, a member of the New York Stock Exchange and other principal exchanges, and a member of SIPC. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a registered broker/dealer and affiliate of UBS Securities LLC. The financial instrument is not sponsored, promoted, sold or supported in any other manner by Solactive AG nor does Solactive AG offer any express or implicit guarantee or assurance either with regard to the results of using the Index and/or Index trade mark or the Index Price at any time or in any other respect. Alerian MLP Index, Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, Alerian Midstream Energy Index, Alerian Midstream Energy Dividend Index, AMZ, AMZI, AMNA and AEDW are trademarks of Alerian and their use is granted under a license from Alerian. The ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Mortgage REIT ETN ("ETN") is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Market Vectors Index Solutions GmbH ("Licensor") and Licensor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the ETN or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the ETN particularly or the ability of the Market Vectors US Mortgage REITs Index to track the performance of the US mortgage REIT market. The ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Mortgage REIT ETN ("ETN") is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Market Vectors Index Solutions GmbH ("Licensor") and Licensor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the ETN or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the ETN particularly or the ability of the Market Vectors US Mortgage REITs Index to track the performance of the US mortgage REIT market. Wells Fargo (News - Alert) Securities, Wells Fargo, and Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index are trademarks of Wells Fargo & Company and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by UBS. The ETRACS Exchange Traded Notes traded under the tickers BDCX and BDCZ are based on indices maintained by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and are not issued, sponsored, endorsed or advised by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Wells Fargo & Company or their affiliates ("Wells") and Wells makes no representation regarding whether such Products are suitable for investors generally or the advisability of trading in such Products. Wells does not guarantee that the Indices referenced by the Products have been accurately calculated or that the Indices appropriately represent particular investment strategies. Wells shall not have any liability for any error in the calculation of the Indices or for any infirmity in the Products. The Indices are calculated by third parties, including NYSE Arca, Inc., which are not affiliated with the issuer of the Products or with Wells and they do not approve, endorse, review or recommend the Indices, UBS or the Products. NYSE Arca, Inc. ("NYSE Arca"), which acts as calculation agent for the Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index is not affiliated with UBS AG, Wells Fargo & Company or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (together, "Wells Fargo") and does not approve, endorse, review or recommend the Products. UBS specifically prohibits the redistribution or reproduction of this communication in whole or in part without the prior written permission of UBS and UBS accepts no liability whatsoever for the actions of third parties in this respect.  UBS 2021. The key symbol, UBS and ETRACS are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of UBS. Other marks may be trademarks of their respective owners. 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Dr. Marks, founder and chief equity officer of the National Training Institute on Race and Equity (NTIRE), provides training for institutions and organizations, including police officers, educators, healthcare providers, corporations and public officials. The TV show is essentially an anti-bias training session, a presentation that E.W. Scripps determined is so important to American society, that they are broadcasting it commercial-free to 80 million viewers.

"As America undergoes a reckoning on race, E.W. Scripps is providing a tremendous platform to spur thinking and conversations about the bias occurring unconsciously every single day across this country," Dr. Marks said. "It is an example of genuine corporate responsibility. We hope the show can enhance sensitivities towards implicit bias, making people more aware of their unconscious actions and create more environments where everyone is treated equally."

Brian Lawlor, E.W. Scripps President of Local Media, noted that each American has experiences and backgrounds that shape their world views, as well as their daily interactions.

"As a steward of the public airwaves with a station footprint that reaches into nearly a quarter of U.S. TV households, Scripps has a powerful platform from which we can help facilitate critical conversations about the implicit biases we all carry and what they mean for how we connect with one another," Lawlor said. "We're proud to bring this special with Dr. Marks to our viewers in every market in order to provide a safe space for these discussions  neighbor to neighbor  about identity and bias."

Founded in 2016, NTIRE is affiliated with Morehouse College, where Dr. Marks is an alum and an associated professor of psychology. NTIRE's training principles comprise a unique combination of social and cognitive science and the tenets of Martin Luther King Jr.'s version of the Beloved Community, while engaging the participants in an interactive process. Dr. Marks uses non-judgmental, yet evidence-based approaches to discuss difficult and sensitive topics, penetrating conversations that can enhance interpersonal and intergroup relations.

"Our approach to addressing racial bias is through empathy and humanity, not guilt, blame and shame," explained Dr. Marks. "We believe when compelling information and practical strategies are presented the right way, it can change hearts, minds, and behavior. If people can talk and understand each other, and empathize with each other, then the result can be one of respect and inclusion, even if there is not full agreement on issues and perspectives."

"Hidden Bias of Good People" will air on Scripps-owned television stations in 41 markets this week, including Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Denver, Grand Rapids, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Detroit, Lansing, Las Vegas, Nashville, Phoenix, Tampa, Salt Lake City, San Diego and Richmond. View the trailer and check local listings for specific air times in your market.

Further, NTIRE is launching an interactive social media campaign #ImplicitBias #See ME on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and other channels next week. The campaign #Implicit Bias #SeeME will make people more aware of their biases in hopes of changing them. Today, NTIRE's social media pages will compel people of all races to acknowledge #ImplicitBias and combat it by asking others to #SeeME.

(For broadcast or print interviews with Dr. Marks, please contact Michael K. Frisby 202-625-4328 or [email protected]).

About NTIRE

The National Training Institute on Race and Equity (NTIRE) is a social-educational entity. NTIRE assists individuals and organizations with understanding, identifying and managing the content, skills, and behavior needed to create diverse social and professional communities that are inclusive and equitable. Built on a unique combination of social science, the tenets of Martin Luther King Jr.'s version of the Beloved Community, and engaging and interactive training, NTIRE uses non-judgmental, yet evidence-based approaches to shed light on difficult and sensitive topics to enhance interpersonal and intergroup relations. A portion of all revenue is donated to a scholarship fund at Morehouse College to assist young males with immense potential with reaching their academic and career goals.

Contact:

Michael K. Frisby

[email protected]/202-625-4328

SOURCE NTIRE
Putting patients in control of visitor management in the healthcare setting, IntelliCentrics' BioBytes radically improves safety and security for all while dramatically lowering costs for all locations of care

IntelliCentrics (6819.HK), the innovator of the SECURE Ethos, SECURE Passport, Link GO!, BioBytes and now BioBytes Visitor, serves healthcare facilities across North America, the United Kingdom, and China, announces the creation of another industry first, BioBytes Visitor. BioBytes Visitor delivers value on two concurrent vectors by giving patients control over who can visit them when receiving care while providing locations of care (LOCs) with the ability to apply their safety and COVID-19 policies to visitors. The result is the first-ever technology platform to support the needs of every individual entering an LOC.

"The ability to trust patient visitors is uniquely important for three strategic reasons. Firstly, every year there are literally hundreds of millions of untrusted and unwelcome patient visitors entering our LOCs, compromising everyone's safety and security. Secondly, COVID-19 taught us the most well-intended visits from family and friends can only happen with trust, at the right time and the right way. Thirdly, BioBytes Visitor is the ideal gateway for visitors to learn about our BioBytes telehealth solution which more deeply connects patients with family, friends and physicians," said Michael Sheehan, CEO of IntelliCentrics.

IntelliCentrics' Ethos is the first of its kind technology platform serving both the supply and demand sides of healthcare on a single, integrated, end-to-end technology platform. BioBytes delivers the portfolio of technologies serving the demand side of healthcare and integrates patients with their families and friends with the supply side of healthcare in a safe and trusted way.

"Each of our global markets continues to evolve, but they all demonstrate a large appetite for transformational healthcare technologies. By adding patient-centric visitor management to BioBytes, we believe that we can close the loop, offering a more deeply connected, trusted relationships in the healthcare journey," continued Sheehan.

About IntelliCentrics

With a mission to use trust to make high-quality healthcare as accessible as a good cup of coffee, IntelliCentrics created the SECURE Ethos. Built on three core principles transparency, neutrality, and independence, the SECURE Ethos is relied on by more than 11,000 locations of care worldwide to ensure mutual trust between patients, doctors, vendor representatives and healthcare companies. To learn more about the world's largest trusted healthcare technology platform, visit www.intellicentrics.com. IntelliCentrics is publicly traded on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock code 6819.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210307005029/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Jennifer Xia

972-316-6523

jxia@intellicentrics.com
The test-work has indicated a lithium quality that exceeds commercially available Tier 1 products currently used in the production of high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

The next stage of the testing program is to measure performance in batteries at a larger scale, which is expected to be completed in May 2021.

( ) (FRA:9MY) has been up to 47% higher on positive results from initial test-work by Novonix Limited's ( ) (OTCQX:NVNXF) Novonix Battery Technology Solutions using lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate bulk samples from the companys flagship Paradox Brine Project in Utah.

The results showed that 99.9% purity lithium carbonate electrochemical behaviour performance exceeded commercial battery-grade lithium-ion batteries and lithium hydroxide demonstrated similar performance to existing commercial products.

Anson executive chairman and CEO Bruce Richardson said: These are truly exciting results for Anson that support the commercial grade quality of the lithium products produced from our Paradox Brine.

Investors have warmly welcomed the results with shares as much as 47% higher to 9.8 cents.

Capacity retention results

Novonix sintered commercial NMC622-hydroxide precursor powders with Tier 1 commercial lithium products, Ansons lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide and conducted an electrochemical evaluation of the respective performance in coin half-cells.

Batteries were charged and discharged for up to 10 cycles (cycle testing ongoing) and from coin cells, capacity retention and impedance growth were measured.

Ansons lithium carbonate out-performed the commercial product blend while its lithium hydroxide performed similarly to the market available product.

In particular, the companys lithium carbonate showed improved capacity retention over commercial-grade lithium carbonate.

Capacity retention improvement in batteries is a key objective in the lithium-ion battery industry to extend battery life.

SEM/XRD analysis

Both Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses were conducted to create an understanding of the crystal structure of both of Ansons lithium products and the resultant LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 (NMC622) cathode powders.

It was determined that both of the companys lithium products produced a well-ordered structure showing phase-purity compared to commercial lithium products.

This determination was made to ensure suitability of Ansons lithium products for lithiation prior to the commencement of the comparative performance test work.

Ongoing tests

Due to the success of the initial test-work and its findings, Novonix is proceeding with a larger bulk sample testing program over the next several months which will include hundreds of charge and discharge cycles.

The data collected from this test-work will be used to calculate the comparative fade rate which provides insight of the projected life span of the lithium-ion battery using Ansons lithium products.

In addition, repeatability, homogeneity and cell characterisation and validation will also be conducted in full lithium-ion pouch cells.

Richardson said: This ongoing test work with Novonix is an important step in the commercial development of the Paradox Project and will provide battery makers and potential offtake partners with considerable confidence in our ability to produce a high purity product.

The company expects the final test report will be provided next quarter.
Kuwaits new Cabinet was sworn in on March 3, six weeks after the previous Cabinet had resigned after mounting tensions between the government and the National Assembly and amid a growing sense of urgency in the political and economic challenges facing the country.

The inclusion of four new ministers in the Cabinet lineup, and especially the appointment of a former member of parliament as Minister of Justice and Deputy Prime Minister, is an attempt to bridge the differences between the government and parliament that have so often been the source of political gridlock in Kuwait.

Kuwaits National Assembly, which often challenges the government on a wide range of issues, is illustrative of arguably the most advanced, if sometimes raucous, democracy in the region.

The 50-member National Assembly, founded in 1963, is directly elected by Kuwaits citizens. While some have lamented that the assembly sometimes contributes to gridlock on government initiatives, especially economic and development planning, Kuwaitis generally take pride in a democratic institution now entering its seventh decade.

This latest clash between the government and the National Assembly has its roots in a series of interlocking crises that formed the backdrop to a year featuring the smooth leadership change in Kuwait with the death of Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al Sabah in September 2020.

Allegations of large-scale corruption, including one linked to the explosive fallout from the 1MDB scandal in Malaysia, have, since 2019, roiled the Kuwaiti political and economic elite, including members of the ruling family and senior officials. These allegations emboldened Kuwaits political opposition, which secured 24 of the 50 seats in the most recent election National Assembly election in December 2020.

There had been hopes that Kuwaits smooth leadership transition, in which the new Emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al Sabah, swiftly appointed a Crown Prince without any of the factional infighting and jockeying for position that some had predicted, would herald a new and more consensual approach to politics.

A meeting between Sheikh Nawaf and opposition representatives shortly before Emir Sabahs September 29 passing had kindled some expectation of a detente that might draw a line under the fractious relationship that opposition figures had with Emir Sabah, dating back to political upheaval in 2011-12.

This was evident in requests from the opposition that exiled political figures be allowed to return to Kuwait and an amnesty granted to people convicted of storming the National Assembly in November 2011.

Any initial sense of goodwill largely evaporated in December when the government and parliament locked horns over the re-election of Marzouq al-Ghanem to the Speakership of the National Assembly he has held since 2013. A scion of two of Kuwaits oldest and most influential families, al-Ghanem faced immediate demands from his removal from a majority of MPs but was re-elected amid turbulent scenes with the support of Cabinet members who cast their votes as ex officio members of the National Assembly.

This initial confrontational approach set the tone for what followed as 38 MPs backed a motion to question the Prime Minister over claims of constitutional irregularities in forming the government, leading ultimately to the Cabinet submitting its resignation on January 13.

The latest formation of a government took place after consultations between the Prime Minister and representatives of Kuwaits parliamentary blocs and a one-month suspension of parliamentary sittings.

While only four of the sixteen members of Cabinet were ultimately changed, they included the Minister of Interior, Anas al-Saleh, who had become a lightning rod for opposition criticism, whose secondary role as deputy prime minister was taken by one of the new appointees, Minister of Justice Abdullah al-Roumi.

Bader al-Saif, an assistant professor of history at Kuwait University, observed that, as a former MP and deputy speaker, al-Roumi was well respected by opposition and government and that the composition of the new Cabinet signaled an attempt at reconciliation on the part of the government.

Moving forward, the priority for the new government will be whether they can work with the National Assembly to pass an urgently needed debt law that would enable Kuwait to address a rapidly deteriorating fiscal and balance of payments crisis.

However, a new public debt bill that would allow Kuwait to return to international markets for the first time since 2017 and borrow up to US$65 billion has been stalled for months, in part due to the mistrust between parliament and government over the handling of public finances.

While oil-rich Kuwait remains one of the wealthiest countries in the world, its liquidity crunch has already caused Fitch to downgrade its outlook on Kuwaits sovereign debt from stable to negative and the Ministry of Finance to warn that it could run out of money to pay public sector salaries.

In the absence of progress on the debt law, Kuwait has resorted to short-term measures, such as withdrawals from its General Reserve Fund, to plug immediate gaps, that are poor substitutes for a long-term solution.

The challenge for policymakers in Kuwait is that questions of public finance tend to form the sharpest flashpoints between government and parliament and bring out the populist streak among MPs. The at times raucous politics of the Assembly sometimes thereby inhibits effective economic and development planning for the medium- and longer-term, such as what is needed to address the debt issue, and contributing to gridlock .

The economic challenge has of course been complicated by the coronavirus pandemic.

The more likely scenario for Kuwait may therefore be that the political standoff continues, especially if opposition MPs that already have vowed to file another motion to question the Prime Minister follow through, and that Emir Nawaf eventually calls for fresh elections to break the impasse, especially over the debt law.

Meanwhile, building on the tradition of the late Emir Sabah as one of the most respected and revered elder statesmen in the region, Emir Nawaf and the government have not missed a beat in pressing ahead with the Kuwaits widely admired role in regional security, and in facilitating dialogue and reconciliation among the GCC states.
Blue Air will introduce 15 new routes in the 2021 summer schedule that will connect Cluj with key destinations in Europe, according to a company release sent to AGERPRES on Monday.

The new destinations that will be operated from Cluj are: London Heathrow, Milan Linate, Amsterdam Schiphol, Barcelona, Burgas, Brussels, Constanta, Dublin, Hamburg, Cologne, Larnaca, Madrid, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Rome and Stuttgart.

Flights are already available for booking, and prices start at 15.99 euros / segment, fees and a free change of travel dates included.

On the occasion of March 8, Blue Air carries out the Cluj Flies with Blue Air campaign, offering a 10% discount for all flights to and from Cluj Napoca, to all new destinations included in the Summer Schedule.

The new schedule of regular flights from Cluj Airport will optimise the travel offer of Romanians in the Cluj region, offering them efficient connections with European destinations of major interest for both the leisure and the business segments.
Karnataka Budget: CM Yediyurappa slams Congress for walking out during session

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

Bengaluru, Mar 08: The Congress on Monday staged a walkout in the Karnataka Assembly during the tabling of budget for 2021-22 by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, prompting a strong reaction from the CM who claimed the country never had a history of opposition boycotting the budget.

The Congress members had walked out of the House, claiming that the government in the state had no moral right to continue in power. "Do we have any instance of opposition staging a walkout either in the Centre or the state during the presentation of the budget?" Yediyurappa asked, while speaking to reporters after the budget presentation.

Karnataka Budget: No rise in taxes on Petrol and Diesel

"What morality are they (Congress) talking about? I will explain what morality they were referring to during the debate on the budget," he said.

Yediyurappa said the opposition getting away by giving lame excuses means that they are incapable to face the situation. "Dear Siddaramaiah, your stay in the opposition forever is guaranteed. Dont call me Yediyurappa, if I dont make Siddaramaiah sit in the opposition by winning 130 to 135 seats. This I am giving in writing, an angry Yediyurappa said.

When asked about Siddaramaiah demanding resignation of ministers, Yediyurappa claimed the Congress leader has developed some mental issues recently as he did not know what to speak.

TN elections 2021: MNM chief Kamal Haasan alleges DMK has copied its poll promises

Earlier in the day, former chief minister Siddaramaiah had said "This government carrying a bundle of sins has no moral right to continue in power. So we have decided to protest against the presentation of the budget."

He alleged the Chief Minister, who holds the Finance portfolio and the Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani were out on bail in a criminal case relating to creation of bogus documents to take back Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) land at Devanahalli in Bengaluru.

Siddaramaiah, who is Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, also said six other ministers approached the civil court seeking injunction against the telecast or publication of any defamatory material against them by the media following the sex-for-job allegation against the BJP MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi who had to step down as minister.

"After the telecast of Ramesh Jarkiholi (objectionable video clip), these six ministers including Shivaram Hebbar, MB Patil, Dr Sudhakar are in fear.What's their fear? Shouldn't there be some basis behind the fear?" he said.

West Bengal elections 2021: Mamata Banerjee slams PM Modi, says 'One day country will be named after PM Modi

According to him, there were many more ministers whose objectionable CDs were made. The Congress veteran alleged the injunction sought by the ministers was an attack on the freedom of press. "These ministers had taken oath saying that they would discharge their duties without any fear or favour.

When they have gone to court out of fear what moral right do they have to continue in power including the Chief Minister," Siddaramiaah sought to know. He alleged that the government was steeped in corruption as well.

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Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 18:35 [IST]
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(TNS)  Millions of California workers are staring down the pandemic with no clear access to an economic safety net if they take time off, a situation that is deepening the state's COVID-19 crisis and galvanizing policymakers to extend sick-leave mandates.Federal and state measures that required most businesses to offer two weeks of paid leave to recover from the coronavirus, or to quarantine in case of exposure, expired Jan. 1. Golden State employees have since been left with three days of mandated sick leave for any illness, the state minimum, although employers may choose to give more.With the virus continuing to infect thousands of Californians every week and dangerous variants spreading, the Legislature is set to vote in the coming weeks on whether to reinstate the two-week obligation. That follows weeks of debate in Sacramento that has drawn worker advocates and business groups into unusually broad coalitions, for and against.The expected vote on a pair of bills now being finalized comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom faces a recall vote over his handling of the pandemic, especially on school and business closures, and the state's COVID-19 vaccine rollout remains slow and uneven. For many workers, California's current patchwork of laws and regulations offers little protection beyond the three mandatory days. Some exempt small businesses. Others only cover employees who can prove they caught the virus at work. Several offer leave but with diminished pay or none at all  an option few can afford.Under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, most COVID-19 patients are advised to isolate for at least 10 days after the onset of symptoms, and in severe cases up to 20 days. But workers who can't afford to go without pay will "go to work when they are not feeling well and create outbreaks that affect businesses and customers too," said Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D- San Diego), a proponent of renewing the two-week leave."Community spread can only be kept down if people who are sick stay home," she said.Assemblyman Heath Flora (R- Ripon) calls two weeks an overreach. "We need to focus on getting our businesses back open before we start putting more burdens on them," he said. "We can't keep sticking it to the very people that keep our society moving."Sick-leave advocates had hoped an updated federal law would make a new California measure unnecessary. President Biden's original $1.9-trillion coronavirus relief package contained a generous mandatory family and medical leave plank of up to 14 weeks. That requirement was left out of the bill moving through Congress as it would not pass muster under budget bill rules.Only an extension of existing tax credits for employers who voluntarily offer paid leave is part of the bill now under debate in the Senate. The credit, available to businesses with fewer than 500 employees, would expire Sept. 30.In Sacramento, the paid-leave bills would allow not just time off for a COVID-19 illness or quarantine but also time to get vaccines and care for sick relatives or children whose schools remain closed. Drafted as emergency budget items, the measures would apply retroactively to Jan. 1 and expire Sept. 30.As his aides negotiate with legislators over the bills' language, Newsom has yet to take a public stance. "Giving workers who have contracted or been exposed to COVID time off helps minimize the spread of the disease," spokeswoman Erin Mellon said. "The governor's office is engaged with the Legislature on a workable approach for employees and businesses."The issue heated up in Sacramento in January, when an alliance of 115 unions, community groups and social service nonprofits called on Newsom and the Legislature to immediately expand paid sick days or risk "more pain and suffering, more deaths, and continued economic devastation.""California's economy cannot recover until the spread of COVID-19 is under control, and the spread of COVID-19 cannot be controlled without adequate access to paid sick leave," said Katherine Wutchiett, an attorney with Legal Aid at Work, a San Francisco nonprofit that signed the letter, along with the California Labor Federation, AARP California, ACLU of California, Mi Familia Vota and others.The rebuttal came last month from a coalition of 112 groups led by the California Chamber of Commerce. " California's response to COVID-19 cannot continue to be subsidized by the business community," the group said in a letter to the governor and legislators opposing the bills. The bills offer no California-specific tax credit or funding to employers, although the state "has an approximate $20 billion budget windfall," the letter said.It was signed by the California Business Roundtable, the League of California Cities, state trade associations for manufacturers, farmers, retailers, restaurants and trucking companies, along with local chambers.Chamber spokeswoman Denise Davis said workers already have access to "multiple sources of both paid and unpaid leave," including paid time off under emergency COVID-19 rules adopted in November by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/ OSHA.The Cal/ OSHA rules cover workers who are infected at their workplace and remain available to work, but don't grant them sick leave if they caught it elsewhere. They face a court challenge from the National Retail Federation and the National Federation of Independent Business citing "the absence of a proven nexus between COVID-19 positivity rates and workplaces."A hotly debated California law that took effect in January allows most workers job-protected leave to care for sick family members, but it is unpaid. A longtime family leave insurance program allows partial pay but no job protection.The multiple statutes cause confusion, Wutchiett of Legal Aid at Work said. "Workers shouldn't have to be lawyers to be able to figure out whether or not their job will be safe or if they'll be paid," she said. "Two weeks of emergency paid leave is the simple, straightforward, minimum protection they need."Small businesses are particularly worried about any new paid-leave mandate.When indoor dining first shut down last March, Nicolas Montano, owner of Los Toros Mexican Restaurant in Chatsworth, laid off half of his 70 workers. Now he employs 30 people for takeout and outside dining.Over the last year, about 15 of his workers caught the virus, he said. He paid one employee a full two weeks of COVID-19 leave, a cook he wanted to prevent from leaping to another job.Montano, 60, whose parents founded the restaurant in 1967, said he did not pay most workers who got sick because "who knows where people get it? It's ridiculous to blame the business. How do you know what they do on their day off?"He opposes two-week paid leave, which he said encourages people to stay home. Los Toros has job openings because "people are so scared right now to go back to work."The restaurant took every precaution, Montano said. "We wore face shields. We had social distancing. We had gloves. But it was a big yo-yo," he said of shifting county rules. His business has lost more than half its revenue since the pandemic began.Even before emergency sick leave expired in January, businesses and employees were often locked in conflict over coronavirus-related enforcement. Over the last year, workers have flooded government agencies with thousands of complaints, overwhelmed legal aid hotlines with questions and reached out to labor organizers for help.The Center for WorkLife Law at UC Hastings Law School in San Francisco has seen a sevenfold increase in hotline calls since March, compared with the same period in previous years, all with COVID-19-related legal questions."We've talked to workers who have COVID symptoms or are taking care of sick family members, and they can't get time off work," Deputy Director Liz Hastings said. "Folks living paycheck to paycheck can't afford 10 days with no income. We've talked to workers fired for staying home to protect their co-workers."In Los Angeles County alone, the health department has investigated more than 1,500 complaints over COVID-19 outbreaks at workplaces. Cal/ OSHA has dealt with more than 11,500 pandemic-related cases so far.One has played out in a McDonald's in a small community in the Antelope Valley.Imelda Rosales, a janitor at the fast-food outlet on Pearblossom Highway in Littlerock, was among scores of masked fast-food workers who caravaned last month to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors building on Temple Street, waving American flags, honking horns and displaying signs reading: "Respect us. Pay us. Protect us."On a flatbed truck, Rosales, 53, a broad-shouldered daughter of Mexican immigrants, raised her fist and shouted into a microphone until she was hoarse, pleading for officials to pay attention."In my company, so many people  they get COVID," she cried. "We're in danger.... In my restaurant, they told us they were not going to pay us. Why not?"Rosales has worked at the Littlerock McDonald's for 11 years. She said she reached out to the Service Employees International Union, the protest organizer, after she got sick with COVID-19 in November. She believes she brought the virus home from the restaurant, infecting seven family members."Even my two grandchildren got sick," she said.Rosales was paid two weeks to recover. She said she was not paid for an additional two weeks she took off to care for her sick relatives, and she believes she is owed.Workers at the restaurant have filed eight complaints with the county health department and Cal/ OSHA over alleged COVID-19 violations including unsafe conditions, a failure to report infections, and sick leave denials.According to the complaints, at least 31 employees have caught the virus, half of them at work. Employees were unable to keep six feet apart at the front counter, at the drive-in window or in the kitchen, the complaints alleged. The workers said managers told them to avoid asking customers to wear masks for fear of angering them."People were going missing," Rosales said. "We would ask, 'Where is so-and-so?' The store manager would say, 'I don't know.' Then we would find out the person had told the manager that they had tested positive."Andrew Marroquin, owner of McMarro Family Restaurants, a 1,400-employee chain that runs the McDonald's, said that the complaints are unjustified and that just three workers at his Pearblossom outlet have tested positive for the virus.He has paid "hundreds of employees for leaving for being sick  from mid-management to management to employees," he said. He also pays workers to quarantine and to care for relatives, he said."I can name thousands of retailers and restaurants that have a few people there with COVID. I mean, that's just the nature of the beast right now," Marroquin said. Businesses are doing their best, he said, though "added costs and constantly changing safety regulations can be challenging."The Pearblossom dispute illustrates the challenge of enforcing leave laws, even if the Legislature mandates two weeks of sick pay for COVID-19.County inspectors paid three visits to the McDonald's outlet in December and found just one violation, later corrected, according to its reports: "Vents laden with dust in the men's and women's restrooms."Workers said no inspectors spoke to them about their complaints. Although Los Angeles County is among several California jurisdictions to adopt local paid-leave ordinances since January, a county spokesperson said: "Public Health does not manage complaints against employers related to paid leave. These complaints are managed by the State Labor Commissioner's Office."A spokeswoman for the California Labor Workforce Development Agency, which includes the Labor Commissioner, said Cal/ OSHA is conducting a "letter investigation" of the Pearblossom site  contacting the employer by email or fax to urge the adoption of precautions.The short-staffed agency is using the procedure in 80 percent of its COVID-19 cases as there are "many more than can be investigated in person," she said.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 20:15:08|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) on Monday, also International Women's Day, launched a nationwide publicity and education campaign to mark the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) that will be celebrated this year.

At the launching ceremony, the ACWF presented awards to representatives of female role models as well as organizations and groups honored for the outstanding performance of their female workers.

The ACWF will publicize the stories of the CPC and the deeds of heroic women from the CPC's past, and motivate people to pass on revolutionary traditions during the campaign.

In cooperation with Xinhua News Agency and the Publicity Department of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, the ACWF has launched a publicity campaign to produce short videos, books, movies, and cartoons to encourage women to participate in the construction of a modern socialist country. Enditem
Parents encouraging kids to burn masks on Idaho Capitol steps pic.twitter.com/VOYfOYqwwt  Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) March 6, 2021

COEUR DALENE, Idaho  More than a year into a pandemic that has claimed 523,000 lives in the United States, right-wing protesters in Idaho, including a handful of elected officials, set protective masks aflame, claiming face coverings stifle their personal liberties.

Although local, state and federal health officials are clear that masks are crucial in the fight against COVID-19, helping to prevent the disease from spreading, 70 adults and children  none wearing face coverings  stepped forward on a downtown street corner in Coeur dAlene and dropped masks into a symbolic burn pot containing dry ice. U.S.A, U.S.A, they chanted.

The protesters held mask-burnings Saturday in locations across the state, where masks are strongly recommended but not required by Idaho Gov. Brad Little. At a gathering of more than 100 in the state capital, protesters tossed coverings into a flaming barrel and cheered at supportive remarks by Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, a far-right militia supporter whose relations with Little, a fellow Republican, are strained.

If a woman can kill an unborn child and its her body and her choice, I can decide whether to wear a mask, a man shouted at the rally in Coeur dAlene, a hub of the conservative northern Idaho panhandle.

The protesters appear to inhabit an alternate reality, one in which they claim that the coronavirus is no more dangerous than the flu and that public health directives based on science are dictatorial.

On Saturday, they planned burnings in two dozen Idaho cities, equating their actions to the Boston Tea Party despite the fact that tea dumped into the harbor by colonists to protest British taxes in 1773 did not, like masks, help protect others from a deadly disease. Experts on extremism say that dismissing the rallies simply as antics of a fringe movement would be a mistake, much like overlooking signs of an imminent attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The denial of the reality of the pandemic and the denial of the legitimate results of the election are not too far apart from each other, said Lindsay Schubiner, a program director at Western States Center, an organization that tracks extremist groups. Its hard to have a functioning democracy if we dont live in the same shared reality, and thats one reason why spreading conspiracy theories has been so damaging and such a useful tool for the far right.

The Portland, Ore., organization had been monitoring activists planning Saturdays rallies in private Facebook groups and other online forums that fall below the radar of everyday social media. Such groups include Peoples Rights, an organization founded by Ammon Bundy, who led the 2016 occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and Idaho G-416 Patriots, described as an anti-Muslim hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The main organizer appeared to be Darr Moon, a mining engineer whose wife, Dorothy, serves in the Idaho House of Representatives. She and a fellow Republican lawmaker, Heather Scott, spoke in a YouTube video Thursday to endorse the burnings of masks as well as copies of an emergency declaration that Little issued for authority to take steps to reduce viral spread.

Even if you dont have a mask  because in my district a lot of people dont wear masks  its still symbolic, Scott said. It gets the word out to the governor that its time for this emergency order to end.

In many states, Little might be regarded as a laissez-faire leader regarding the pandemic, but in deep-red Idaho, he gained approval for declining to impose a statewide mask mandate even when COVID-19 cases peaked in mid-December. The disease has claimed nearly 1,900 lives and infected more than 170,000 people in Idaho, where daily new cases have declined to average fewer than 300, on par with last fall.

Responding Friday to plans for the mask burnings, Emily Callihan, the governors communications director, said in an email that the emergency declaration had enabled Idaho to get federal money for expanding vaccinations and testing. He took a measured, balanced approach that has worked to prevent a crisis in our hospitals while keeping our state open longer than almost every other state, she wrote.

Idahos policies are watched especially closely in Spokane, Wash., and other communities west of Coeur dAlene in Washington state, where face coverings are required in public, gatherings are more strictly limited, and restaurants and bars are capped at 25% of capacity. Owners of competing businesses in Washington have complained of losing business to restaurants and bars in Idaho, which are merely required to keep patrons seated.

Dr. Francisco Velazquez, Spokane Regional Health District interim health officer, said in an interview Saturday that his main concern about people holding mask-burning rallies was that they would spread the virus and potentially result in hospitalizations  including in his area. He worries that COVID-19 variants that have yet to be detected in eastern Washington and northern Idaho could contribute to another surge of the disease.

I dont think the intent is to violate anyones rights, the intent is mainly to protect all of us, he said. I do respect their opinion, but the facts are the facts.
The floor in his second cell was wet with urine and had a backed-up drain into which he was told to urinate, leaving him to sleep, naked, on the urine-soaked floor, Judge Jerry E. Smith wrote for a unanimous three-judge panel in summarizing Mr. Taylors account, which the court accepted as true for purposes of his appeal.

Judge Smith, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, wrote that the conditions Mr. Taylor described violated the Eighth Amendments prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. But that was not enough to overcome qualified immunity.

Taylor stayed in his extremely dirty cells for only six days, Judge Smith wrote. Though the law was clear that prisoners couldnt be housed in cells teeming with human waste for months on end, we hadnt previously held that a time period so short violated the Constitution. That dooms Taylors claim.

When the Supreme Court considered Mr. Taylors case, there was every reason to believe the justices would deny review. It had done so in eight qualified-immunity cases in June, dashing the hopes of critics of the doctrine.

Instead, in an unsigned three-page opinion in November, issued without argument or full briefing, the Supreme Court said that it was possible to take qualified immunity too far and that some things were obvious even if there was no precedent on point. Confronted with the particularly egregious facts of this case, any reasonable officer should have realized that Taylors conditions of confinement offended the Constitution, the opinion said.

The case, extreme as it was, might have been an outlier. But last month, the Supreme Court again instructed the Fifth Circuit to reconsider a decision granting qualified immunity.

The case concerned another prisoner in Texas, Prince McCoy, who said a prison guard had sprayed him in the face with a chemical for no reason at all.
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), the market leader in scooters, is seeing a steady recovery after a steep fall in sales volume. This is an indication that the segment, hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, is turning the corner.

Sales in the first 10 months of the financial year for the segment and HMSI remain in a negative territory. This is owing to the Covid-induced lockdown in March and April in 2020. But there is a YoY uptick in numbers, albeit by a small margin, indicating that the worst is over for scooter sales in India.

HMSI sold 690,350 units in the three months to January (November-January). This is a 2 per cent increase from the 672,850 units it sold in the same period last year, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Hondas rivals, too, are seeing a similar trend. Still, the overall segment sales is down 27 per cent YoY in the first 10 months of FY21.

Yadvinder Singh Guleria, director  sales and marketing  HMSI, said that in the months gone by, the decline was due to urban India being under lockdown. Subsequently, a reduction in the number of overall cases in the country, including in urban India, got customers back into the showrooms.

With economic activity picking up further in the metros and smaller towns, are set to make a comeback, said Guleria. Moreover, the trend of schools and colleges starting to resume operations and students coming back to campus will also aid recovery, he added.

The local arm of the Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer accounts for every second scooter sold in India. By virtue of being the market leader, HMSI was one of the worst impacted two-wheeler firms. It also prompted the company to initiate a voluntary retirement scheme at one of its plants in January and restructure its manufacturing operations.

The fact that HMSIs dependence on is very high didnt help  six out of every 10 two-wheelers sold by the company is a scooter. This is set to change with the recent motorcycle launches by the company. An extension into the new segment of motorcycles has really helped, said Guleria, hinting at the CB350. Honda has a waiting of more than a month for the model, he said.
Tara Lane joins FOND Bone Broth as Chief Operations Officer "FOND is at the perfect moment to bring on the powerhouse that is Tara Lane, says Founder and CEO Alysa Seeland. We looked for a COO for a long time and I could not be more excited to continue to navigate our explosive growth with her expertise."

FOND Bone Broth, the worlds finest bone broth crafted for taste, announces it has hired Tara Lane as Chief Operations Officer and is now Whole30 and Certified Organic. The news of the official certification and hiring of a veteran culinary executive further accentuates the brands commitment to providing the highest quality all-natural products that are a shelf staple for their delicious flavorings and health benefits.

In her role at FOND, Lane focuses on growth strategy through product innovation, operations, supply chain management, and partnerships. She draws on her experiences as a decorated chef, food activist, and culinary consultant.

"FOND is at the perfect moment to bring on the powerhouse that is Tara Lane, says Founder and CEO Alysa Seeland. We looked for a COO for a long time and I could not be more excited to continue to navigate our explosive growth with her expertise. Tara and I had deep professional admiration for one another for the past two years and the opportunity to invite her to join me at the helm is absolutely the best way to begin this next chapter for FOND.

Before joining FOND in 2021, Lane was the Vice President of Food Innovation of Snap Kitchen, a healthy, prepared meals startup in Austin, Texas. At SNAP, she led the product pipeline, third-party CPG products, and wholesale distribution partnership with Whole Foods Market.

Prior to that, she was the Executive Pastry Chef of the James Beard award-winning restaurants Blackbird and Avec in Chicago. Lane also served as the first Programming Director for Common Threads, a non-profit dedicated to educating inner-city youth about nutrition and healthy cooking. She has led R&D teams to pioneer product pipelines for large corporations including Starbucks, Quaker Foods, and Naked Brands as well.

Lane has a masters degree in design methods from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a bachelor of fine arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

In Lanes words: I spent the past 5 years of my career selecting, manufacturing, and promoting thousands of healthy CPG and prepared food products. From the moment I experienced Fond in 2018, I knew it was a special product and brand from a great company. When the opportunity arose to work with Alysa to help catalyze their growth, I jumped at it, because I believed I could make an immediate impact in the business and in the lives of its growing customer base.

FOND Bone Broth is a broth for sipping and cooking without chemical preservatives and is sold in grocery stores across the U.S., including Sprouts and HEB. It is brewed similar to beer and infused like tea, creating a flavorful tonic while banning blandness in the process. Its unique flavor combinations make it unlike any other broth on the market.

For more information, visit https://fondbonebroth.com.

About FOND Bone Broth:

FOND Bone Broth is the worlds finest bone broth crafted for taste. Certified Organic, Keto, Paleo, and Whole30, its unlike any other on the market with unique flavorful combinations that make any recipe better. FOND means foundation or base in French. Bone broth is the FOUNDATION of our culinary and nutritional lives. Follow them on Instagram @fondbonebroth.
It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
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What it does

Westmount Energy Limited ( ) has indirect exposure to high impact exploration assets offshore Guyana where ExxonMobil has experienced an impressive run of success.

In the last five years, 18 out of 20 exploration wells drilled on the ExxonMobil-operated Stabroek Block have met with success, contributing to a discovered inventory of 9bn barrels of oil equivalent.

That figure is expected to grow as we move through next year, with stacked petroleum systems, emerging new plays and deeper-lying hydrocarbons confirming the huge potential of this prolific basin.

Westmount owns shares in companies that could benefit directly from those efforts.

It is a shareholder in JHI Associates Inc, a private Canadian company, which in turn has a 17.5% interest in the ExxonMobil operated Canje Block.

Canje is positioned adjacent to Stabroek and it is host to what has been described as a lookalike of the Liza field  the largest and most advanced discovery within Stabroek.

JHIs interest in the Canje drilling is funded by a high premium 2018 Farm-in by Total which yielded up to 4 well carries and significant cash.

How its doing

On March 9:

( ) told investors it is expecting that operations for the next well at the Canje block, offshore Guyana, will start tomorrow.

The company, in a statement, noted an announcement by Guyanas Maritime Administration Department, that the Stena Carron drillship will begin drilling operations at the Jabillo-1 wellsite on 10 March.

Jabillo will be the second of three exploration wells scheduled for the Exxon-led Canje block this year. It is described as a 1bn barrel prospect, in the Late Cretaceous basin fan system.

On March 4:

Westmount Energy relayed the results of the Bulletwood exploration well, on the Canje block offshore Guyana, which encountered quality reservoirs but sub-commercial volumes of hydrocarbons.

JHI, as a result of a 2018 farm-out deal with Total, was carried in the funding of the well, as will be for further wells planned on the Canje Block.

Data collection at Bulletwood-1 confirms the presence of the Guyana-Suriname Basin petroleum system and the potential prospectivity of the Canje Block, Westmount noted.

Bulletwood-1 is the first of three wells scheduled to be drilled on the block in 2021 with drilling of the independent prospects Jabillo-1 and Sapote-1 to follow over the coming months.

On 18 January 2021:

Westmount Energy Limited ( ) has agreed to increase its exposure to high impact exploration drilling presently underway offshore Guyana.

It is increasing its stake in privately owned JHI Associates which owns a 17.5% interest in the ExxonMobil operated Canje block, where the Bulletwood-1 well is being drilled.

Westmount is buying some 287,000 JHI shares for C$718,750.

It increases Westmounts stake in JHI to 7.7%, from 7.2% previously.

Drilling at the first Canje well, Bulletwood-1, kicked off in January and completion of the well is anticipated around mid to late February. Additional Canje drilling will follow-on in the first half of 2021.

5 January 2021

Westmount Energy Limited ( ) has highlighted the start of drilling operations at the Bulletwood-1 well, part of the Canje exploration project offshore Guyana.

The group said it fires the starting pistol on an exciting and potentially game-changing period for the small-cap oil investor.

What management says

"Where the basin is today, this is not the typical junior resource story, said director Dermot Corcoran.

Everything here in Guyana is going to happen in a very compressed timeframe for Westmount investors. Since the Liza discovery was made in 2015 there has been over 30,000 square kilometres of 3D seismic shot in the Guyana sector.

The prospect inventory has been established, five drillships are in the basin and more are coming, and it is now basically about drilling outcomes.

This inventory of drill targets, which are all Upper Cretaceous, are largely independent of each other. As an investor, youre not reliant upon one exploration well. It is going to be a story where the wells are going to come rapid-fire over the next year, and, we will be reliant on the drill-bit results to be either heroes or zeros.

But, we think we can benefit from the portfolio effect, the large number of wells coming in the basin and the track record in terms of success rate achieved by ExxonMobil in this prolific basin.
Michigan reported 1,960 new coronavirus cases and four new deaths between Sunday and Monday, March 7-8.

That means the state averaged 980 new daily cases over the last two days. The state is averaging 1,266 new COVID-19 cases per day and 19 new deaths per day over the last week.

Since the start of the pandemic, Michigan has reported 598,014 confirmed cases and 15,670 deaths related to COVID-19. Additionally, the state has reported 60,341 probable cases and 992 probable deaths, in which a physician and/or antigen test ruled it COVID-19 but no confirmatory PCR test was done.

(The above chart shows Michigans 7-day rolling average of new confirmed coronavirus cases. You can put your cursor over a bar to see the number. You also can click on the option just below the headline to see the actual number of new cases reported by day.)

Sixty-nine of Michigans 83 counties reported new cases on Monday. Wayne County led in new cases with 421, with the next closest being Oakland and Macomb with 222 and 178, respectively.

Other top reporting counties included Kent with 111 additional cases, Genesee with 71, Ottawa with 61, Ingham with 60, Washtenaw with 54, Kalamazoo with 51 and Livingston with 48.

Four counties each reported a new death with Macomb and Saginaw reporting two each, while Calhoun and Clinton each reported one. Kalamazoo and Newaygo each removed a previously reported death.

(The above chart shows Michigans 7-day rolling average of deaths involving confirmed coronavirus cases. You can put your cursor over a bar to see the number. You also can click on the option just below the headline to see the actual number of new deaths reported by day.)

Hospitals statewide were treating 920 patients with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, including 230 patients in the ICU. These totals are a jump from 824 hospitalizations and 195 ICU patients last Monday, March 1.

Of the 29,010 diagnostic tests processed on Monday, 5% came back positive for SARS-CoV-2. The average positivity rate over the last seven days is 4.31%.

As of Monday, Michigan had administered more than 2.76 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. That includes about 1.79 million first doses, and 999,037 second doses. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines recommend two doses administered weeks apart.

Case reporting

First is a chart showing new cases reported to the state each day for the past 30 days. This is based on when a confirmed coronavirus test is reported to the state, which means the patient first became sick days before.

You can call up a chart for any county, and you can put your cursor over a bar to see the date and number of cases.

(In a few instances, a county reported a negative number (decline) in daily new cases, following a retroactive reclassification by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. In those instances, we subtracted cases from the prior date and put 0 in the reported date.)

The next chart below shows new cases for the past 30 days based on onset of symptoms. In this chart, numbers for the most recent days are incomplete because of the lag time between people getting sick and getting a confirmed coronavirus test result, which can take up to a week or more.

You can call up a chart for any county, and you can put your cursor over a bar to see the date and number of cases.

For more statewide data, visit MLives coronavirus data page, here.

To find a testing site near you, check out the states online test finder, here, send an email to COVID19@michigan.gov, or call 888-535-6136 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Read more on MLive:

Monday, March 8, coronavirus data by Michigan county: States positivity rate at 4% for first time in weeks

COVID-19 is reshaping Michigan. Its not the first epidemic to do so.

To wed or not to wed?: How 6 brides are navigating weddings during a pandemic

7 things to know about Michigans expansion of vaccine eligible to ages 50 and older

This 105-year old Michigan woman whos survived 2 pandemics has wise words to share
When Rosemary Kariuki arrived in Sydney in 1999 after fleeing violence in Kenya, a year went by without a single neighbour saying hello to her. Alone and longing for the sense of community she had back home, she decided to take action.

On Christmas Day, 2001, she wrote her contact details and an invitation to have tea or just say hello on Christmas cards and slipped them under the doors of more than a dozen flats in her building.

After that, her neighbours greeted her cheerily, and Rosemary had found her lifes work.

When I came here, nobody gave me information. I know women love to socialize, dress up, gather while eating and dancing, so I decided to use it to bring them together to spread information and raise awareness about domestic violence, said Rosemary, who has a smile that lights up even a Zoom screen.

Today, Rosemary, 60, works as a multicultural liaison officer for the New South Wales Police in Campbelltown on the outskirts of Sydney, helping migrant and refugee women. Many of the women, like Rosemary herself, have experienced gender-based violence and face language, financial and cultural barriers that leave them feeling isolated.

In her free time, Rosemary runs several projects to help new arrivals overcome that isolation, including a cultural exchange programme that introduces refugees and migrants to local families, and an annual social event that brings African refugee and migrant women together.

In January, Rosemary won an Australian of the Year award from the Australian government. She was recognized as the countrys 2021 Local Hero for her commitment to changing lives, especially those of women and children. In her acceptance speech at a ceremony in Canberra, Rosemary urged everyone to open their doors to their neighbours.

Rosemarys work has never been more urgent. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is worsening entrenched gender inequalities and discrimination faced by refugee women and girls, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency warns today.

Lockdowns have also trapped some women with their abusers, leaving them unable to seek help. In November, UNHCR reported steep increases in violence against refugee and displaced women in several countries.

Many of the refugee women Rosemary works with are rebuilding their lives after experiencing trauma, including violence either at the hands of family members or as a result of conflicts or wars back home. Some are still living with their abusers. Since the onset of the pandemic, reaching them has been more difficult.

It has been very challenging, but it hasn't stopped us, said Rosemary. There's a lot of mental health issues happening, and a lot of domestic violence coming out, a lot of helplessness. Most of the women have lost their jobs or they're not doing anything at home and are falling into depression.

Rosemary Kariuki at a surprise party held by friends and colleagues to celebrate her Australian of the Year award.  UNHCR/Brook Mitchell

Pascasie Mudera, a 42-year-old refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, lived in a Ugandan refugee camp for three years before resettling in Australia in 2007. She still hesitates frequently when speaking about her past.

Being a young girl and alone in a refugee camp, you face a lot of challenges, starting with the abuse, she said.

Pascasie met Rosemary on the street when the older woman approached her to ask why she was not wearing a jumper in the cold weather. Rosemary quickly befriended Pascasie and learned she had disabilities from a childhood polio infection that made it difficult for her to find work.

Rosemary introduced her to a disability advocacy organization that provided her with support, including better health care and the two-bedroom home she now lives in with her three children. Pascasie also landed a new job as a caseworker with a local non-profit organization that supports African migrants and refugees.

With Rosemarys help, Pascasie overcame her fear of going out and met people who did not look at her as simply a refugee.

"I start remembering that ... I can build my life again and have a future."

I start remembering that oh, I have to start life again. I can build my life again and have a future, she said.

Rosemarys cultural exchange programme, the subject of a 2020 documentary called Rosemarys Way, has helped newcomers such as Pascasie foster long-lasting relationships between refugees and locals.

Maria Baden, 69, lives on a farm in Gerringong on the New South Wales coast south of Sydney where she breeds cattle for wagyu beef. She met Rosemary in 2007 at a womens event and was immediately impressed by her skill in running the sessions and the way she made everyone laugh. The two became friends and Maria began helping Rosemary with the cultural exchange programme.

The first time Maria hosted an event at her farm to match refugees with locals, more than 36 refugee women shared their native dishes and stories with local families. Maria, who is organized and detail-oriented, marveled at how Rosemary simply improvised and called on the spirit to guide each guest toward the most appropriate local family. It seemed to work. One South Sudanese woman and her daughter quickly struck up a conversation with a local widow and her daughter. The two widows quickly realized they had something in common.

The local woman had lost her husband to a lightning accident while the Sudanese woman had lost her husband to war on the same date, Maria said.

Rosemary also thinks its important for migrant and refugee women to mix with each other. In 2006, she helped start the African Women Group. She invites women to dance, socialize and have meals together with the aim of sharing information on issues from abuse to parenting. The first African Dinner Dance featured a domestic violence survivor as the main speaker. The following Monday, 20 women who had attended the event went to the police station to report their own domestic violence incidents.

I like the fact that we are able to bring all these women together in a safe space, said Edith Ida Nganga, a Kenyan migrant who helps with the group and attended a recent surprise event to celebrate Rosemarys Australian of the Year award.

"When she won, I felt it was me who won."

When she won, I felt like it was me who won. She is the first African to win that big award, said Ida.

Rosemarys dream is to be able pay off her mortgage and devote herself full-time to her projects supporting women.

Her own role model is American talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who has spoken openly about the abuse she experienced as a child and given other survivors a platform to share their own experiences.

I love Oprah, Rosemary said. She inspires me a lot  how she overcame rape, lost her baby, but still kept going and didnt quit. She inspires me to keep going.

Mireille Kayeye is a participant in the UNHCR Journalist Mentorship Programme for Refugees, a project created to support refugees who want to tell the important stories of today.
On Monday, President Biden will sign two executive orders to foster gender equality in the United States and around the world in honor of International Women's Day.

Biden formally established new Gender Policy Council

The orders' aim, according to a senior administration official speaking on the condition of anonymity, is to "restore America as a champion for gender equity and equality." The first executive order would establish a Gender Policy Council within the White House. It will reorganize and strengthen an Obama-era office that former President Donald Trump eventually abolished.

The office was known as the White House Council on Women and Girls under former President Barack Obama, as per NPR. To reflect the fact that gender discrimination will happen to people of all genders, an administration official said, the naming change to the Gender Policy Council was intentional.

There will be an emphasis on women and girls, particularly women and girls of color. Given the historical and disproportionate obstacles they face. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought these disparities to light. With women taking the burden of employment losses and childcare responsibilities.

Read also: Biden on Infrastructure: Can He Accomplish What the Two Former Presidents Failed to Finish?

Biden signs executive orders about gender equity and equality

According to The Hill on MSN, the President will also sign an executive order urging the Department of Education to review the Trump administration's Title IX rule. This is to see if it is compliant with the Biden administration's strategy of "guaranteed education free of sexual harassment." The directives will be signed alongside Vice President Harris, the nation's first female vice president, on International Women's Day.

Before their inauguration in January, Biden and Harris declared their intention to form the Gender Policy Council. An administration official said the council would have a significant role in both foreign and domestic policy development. "We know that the full participation of all people, including women and girls across all aspects of our society, is essential to the economic wellbeing, health and security of our country and of the world."

Jennifer Klein and Julissa Reynoso, first lady Jill Biden's chief of staff, will lead the committee, including four other staff members, including a special assistant to the president on gender-based violence two special assistants on gender policy. Combating gender bias and discrimination, the economic stability and opportunity, meeting the concerns of caregivers in the United States, expanding access to childcare, and combating gender-based abuse will all be addressed by the council.

It is expected to engage with the White House coronavirus task force to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its disproportionate effects on women. According to administration officials, Biden's executive order will sign mandates the council to submit a government-wide plan. To promote gender equity and empowerment in the United States and worldwide and report on its annual results.

Read also: Biden Supports Amazon Workers' Union Drive, Voting Continues Among Strong Workforce

Biden targets Gender Inequality

The council's responsibilities will include health-care issues, equal opportunity in leadership, and fostering gender equity around the world through diplomacy. According to a fact sheet issued by the White House, the executive order would mandate the council's co-chairs to send to the President a government-wide plan to discuss gender in legislation, services, and budgets, as well as an annual report to assess progress on achieving the strategy.

The council's responsibilities will include health-care issues, equal opportunity in leadership, and fostering gender equality around the world through diplomacy. Based on a fact sheet White House issued, the executive order would mandate the co-chairs of the council to send to the President a government-wide plan to discuss gender in legislation, services, and budgets, as well as an annual report to assess progress on achieving the strategy, as per KITV.

Read also: Biden Breaks Promise of Punishing Saudi Officials

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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A mural for International Womens Day at the Equality Ministry in Madrid. Santi Burgos

This year, the big day will not be celebrated on the streets. The coronavirus pandemic has led to International Womens Day, March 8, to be celebrated without the usual crowded demonstrations seen in recent years. In Madrid, the courts have banned even small-scale protests despite there being more than ever for the movement to demonstrate about: wage gaps, gender violence, the lack of work-life balance, the rise of a political far right that denies that gender inequalities and womens precarious work conditions are all being compounded by the other effects of the health crisis.

Women in Spain work more than men today, but they are poorer, the government said in its institutional statement for Womens Day. The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) has warned that 2.2 million womens jobs have been lost in Europe, in particular in Spain, which saw a fall of 9.2% between the second quarter of 2019 and the same period in 2020.

Women in Spain work more than men today, but they are poorer Governments institutional statement for Womens Day

Female workers account for 70% of the healthcare staff and carers who have been on the frontline to combat the virus, according to the United Nations (UN), which has warned that violence against women has become a pandemic in the shadows. One in five women has given up work during this crisis in order to care for someone else, according to a survey by online community MalasMadres (or, Bad Mothers).

The feminist movement is united in demanding solutions for all of these issues, but this year also has divisions in tow  a situation that is not new, but that has led to virulent confrontations in recent months, above all on social media. The controversy has been caused by the debate on the governments draft trans law, and its possible effect on equality policy.

In February, the Equality Ministry  which is run by left-wing Unidas Podemos, the junior partner in the Socialist Party (PSOE)-led coalition government  made its draft legislation public. The text would allow for the free self-determination of gender (i.e. a change of sex on the Spanish DNI identity card with no more requisites than an express desire to do so).

Part of the feminist movement in Spain, including platforms such as Contra el Borrado de las Mujeres (Against the Obliteration of Women), considers the understanding that ones sex can be chosen as putting at risk the achievements and laws related to inequality.

The 2019 Womens Day march in Madrid. Jaime Villanueva / EL PAIS

There is also division within the government. The PSOE has not, for now, permitted the draft to move forward. And there is also disagreement among the parties themselves. A common position is yet to be found among the Socialists nor within Unidas Podemos. Grassroots members and councilors from the latter party launched a manifesto on Sunday in which they demanded there be a public and internal debate about the implications of policies relating to self-determination of gender.

According to Rosa Sansegundo, the president of the University Platform of Feminist and Gender Studies and a professor at Madrids Carlos III University, feminism is the most-attacked theory in history; this has always happened, its nothing new. She argues that dividing the movement is a major patriarchal triumph, and there are attempts to stop its major social advances and convening power. She points to history to play down the most recent disagreements. The better you know the past, the better you can interpret the present, she explains. In the French Revolution women were sent to the guillotine. And in 1931 when [Spanish politician and feminist] Clara Campoamor and many others defended divorce, the movement fractured within the political parties. There is nothing new, just advances and setbacks. After [Spains] Second Republic, women could not have imagined that in the dictatorship they were going to be considered to be minors. Perhaps now we couldnt imagine that we could lose the rights that we have achieved.

There can be a debate about different concepts, but for the rights of trans people to be denied is incomprehensible Feminist activist Justa Montero

The mutual reproaches are unnecessary, argues Soledad Murillo, feminist and former secretary of state for equality in the previous PSOE government (2004-2011). She applauds the positive parts of the draft law, which includes a guarantee that trans people will not be stigmatized. But she is among those who are calling for a calm debate. According to Murillo, it is not transphobic to be against calling biological women CIS or binary people, pregnant or bleeding, as is done to separate their experience from trans women. She explains: In the United Nations, the most-conservative countries talk about people and thus avoid recognizing the gender gap or the existence of discrimination. An analysis of the consequences is needed.

The feminist writer and journalist Nuria Varela is calling for the same thing. The draft of that law puts all of the equality and anti-gender violence laws that have been developed in Spain into question. Varela denounces false debates within the disagreements related to the trans law. There is talk about a fight between two political parties without taking into account that there is a lot of feminism outside of them. Nor is this a generational argument, nor do I believe that it is so big within feminism, but rather among a certain trans militancy and part of the LGTBI [community] against the majority of the movement.

The feminist activist Justa Montero defends the draft and says that she is surprised by so much aggression about an issue that she considered to be already integrated, because trans women form part of feminism. There can be a debate about different concepts, but for the rights of trans people to be denied is incomprehensible. Montero, like the other experts consulted by EL PAIS, does not believe that this clash is weakening feminism. Its a powerful and strong movement, which considers women to be individuals in their fight. But we are doing damage to ourselves. If you voice an opinion, you receive criticism, disqualifications and insults. Its hostile.

English version by Simon Hunter.
Help India!

Social activist Rehana Adeeb, who is fighting for the rights of women in areas such as Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Baghpat and Saharanpur in western Uttar Pradesh, is a symbol of courage. On the occasion of International Womens Day, TwoCircles.net tells her story.

Aas Mohammad Kaif, TwoCircles.net

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Saharanpur: I will not be able to live keeping my mouth shut, just tell everyone. In the area dominated by Khap panchayats, a dozen women sing this folk song. The resonating voice reverberates in the area. Even the noise of the hookah is not able to suppress it.

The creator of this voice Rehana Adeeb is a name for female upliftment. Men of the area call her a rebel woman, but for her daughters, she is a messiah.

Social activist Rehana Adeeb, who is fighting for the rights of women in areas such as Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Baghpat and Saharanpur in western Uttar Pradesh, is a symbol of courage.

When 52-year-old Rehana of Chilkana of Saharanpur was two years old, her mother left the world. And when she turned 14, her feet were shackled by marriage.

In a family of five siblings, Rihanna blew up the bugle against the male-dominated society. She started going from village to village to awaken the women. She began to talk about womens rights and raised her voice against the prevalent silence.

Gradually, Rihannas bold voice and her work became the talk of the town and she became sore in the eyes of the male-dominated society. But I was not afraid, I persevered, she said.

In a conversation with TwoCircles.net, Rihanna tells the story of her struggle. She says that when she lost her mother at the age of 2, her father re-married. The new mother could never replace the old mother. I was then married at the age of 14. My husband Mukhtar Ahmed used to work in a factory. I was the only educated one in my in-laws house. The confrontation increased there. I could not understand them. They could not understand me. As a result, we split up. My husband came to Chilkana with me, she says.

This period of life had left a deep impact on Rihannas mind and she says she would experience frequent anger. I used to feel bad about why I was married so early in life. It would not have happened if my mother was alive, she says.

Rihanna says that she was sent to her in-laws directly from the school. It was too much. Such excesses were happening against most of the girls. I cannot stitch my mouth. The flame inside me started to blaze and I went door-to-door to motivate women to raise their voice against the atrocities happening with them, she says.

The effect of her activism started showing. The women in her started becoming aware of their rights and they expressed opposition to their daughters early marriage. They started demanding to send their daughters to school. Things changed. The women refused to keep their tongues tied, she says.

Rihanna started her activism in the villages of Sandholi block in her town Chilkana, which were backward.

Opposition to my work also became strong. Men banned me from coming to my own house and their women were banned from talking to me. I was abused, she says.

At this point, Rihanna says that she felt people had bad feelings towards her and she felt the need for support. For this, I met the officers and expressed the intention to spread awareness about the rights of women. They understood my feelings and made me a partner in a government scheme, Mahila Samakhya, in which I had to do the same work in ten villages. Now that this work was official, the male society could not stop me from meeting women. I advised women to get organized and gathered them and started meeting. Now a group of men started raising questions about my character. Hearing this gossip about me, my brother would ask me to leave this work, she said.

Rihanna says that a turning point in her life was her joining a social organization called Disha. I got a big platform by joining this organization internationally. I was called to Beijing to discuss womens rights. Gradually, our work started spreading. Now some men came in support of me, she says.

2005 was an important year of my life. During this time, I established my social organization Astitva and the first battle was fought for Imrana. The Imrana scandal was discussed widely. Her father-in-law misbehaved with her, whereas a fatwa was issued against Imrana. But later Imranas father-in-law was sentenced to 10 years for his crime. In the Muzaffarnagar riots in 2013, we kept fighting in favour of women and till now we are fighting, she says.

Rihanna expresses disappointment when a section of society calls them rebels. This is a much bigger problem, especially among Muslims. Take the history of Islam and see that this religion has given women the most entitlements and rights. But it is not known who gives fatwas against women, but would not issue fatwa against the evildoings of men like betting, gambling and other evils, she says.

Rihanna has four daughters and all have completed B.Ed. I want my daughters to inspire women to break the silence, she says.

Thirty-five-year-old Aamna, a resident of Budha Khera village, has only praise for Rihanna.

Rihanna Baji has opened many avenues here. Even if she has become a sore in the eyes of some people, she has our respect. Recently, her Yuvati Mela got a lot of praise. During this mela, the girls unite and do awareness-based programs, she says.

Rihanna is today known by her nickname Netani in Chilkana. Rihanna Ji has brought a great change in our life. Now there is no such girl here who is not going to school, Sabia, a 16-year-old girl from the area says.
After switching to the Republican Party, New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew famously pledged his his undying support to then-President Donald Trump during a December 2019 meeting at the White House.

But in his first year as a Republican, Van Drew opposed Trump more often than all but three members of the GOP conference, according to Congressional Quarterlys annual vote studies.

Van Drew, R-2nd Dist., voted with Trump only 63% of the time last year. Only fellow New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist. (at 56%), and Brian Fitzpatrick, who represents nearby Bucks County, Pennsylvania, (at 50%), were Republicans who voted less often with Trump.

And Van Drew was the third most likely Republican to dissent when a majority of his party voted one way and a majority of Democrats the other way. Van Drews party unity score was 68%, behind only Fitzpatrick, 59%, and Smith, 65% according to CQ.

It is surprising given Congressman Van Drews very public declaration of pledging his undying support to President Trump, said Ben Dworkin, director of Rowan Universitys Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship. It certainly helps the congressmans repeated argument that he is more of an independent.

Van Drew did not respond to several requests for comment.

Smith said the issues that separated he and Van Drew from the rest of the GOP were labor and the environment.

Im glad were jn solidarity, but whether Im alone or with a large number, I vote my conscience, Smith told NJ Advance Media.

In the 2019 AFL-CIO scorecard, Van Drew, then a Democrat, received a 100% score and Smith 76%. Fitzpatrick received 86%. They were the three Republicans with the highest favorable ratings.

Smith received an 81% on the League of Conservation Voters 2020 scorecard and Van Drew 67%. The only Republican who scored higher was  again  Fitzpatrick, with 84%.

Smith has a long history of being one of the most independent Republicans in the state, which helped him survive 2018s blue wave that helped the Democrats capture four GOP-held seats. One switched back when Van Drew changed parties.

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As a Democrat in 2019, Van Drew backed his party 82% of the time, the third lowest then as well. His break with his former party came after was he was one of only two Democrats to vote against both articles of impeachment against Trump.

Even after joining the GOP in January 2020, Van Drew continued to go his own way. He was one of only six Republicans to support outlawing logging and mining in more than 1 million federal wilderness acres in the western United States, and one of only five who supported making it easier for workers to organize.

This year, however, Van Drew joined the majority of his party and voted to reject the certified presidential election results in two battleground states, and then opposed stripping Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who backed the QAnon conspiracy theory and blamed the California wildfires on Jewish-funded space lasers, of her committee assignments.

Smith was in the minority of his party who voted to uphold the results and to punish Greene.

In previous years, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., was among the Democrats who most often broke with their party and most often supported Trump. He even faced a primary against Glen Rock Council member Arati Kreibich, who was endorsed by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and a bevy of progressive organizations.

But not this time. In 2020, Gottheimer appeared on none of CQs lists of the Democrats most likely to break with their party and support Trump.

As Ive always said, the only score that matters for me is always whats best for the 5th District of New Jersey, Gottheimer said.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com.

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It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
Nearly 20 percent of Afghan women journalists have quit or lost their jobs in the past six months, a media watchdog group said Monday, as a wave of murders targeting the press has intensified in the war-torn country.

The Afghan Journalists Safety Committee said that more than 300 women had left the industry in recent months, citing the "wave of targeted killings" as one of the main reasons -- along with financial difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The report comes as the world marks International Women's Day and less than a week after three female media workers from Enikass TV were gunned down by militants in the eastern city of Jalalabad in an attack claimed by the local Islamic State group affiliate.

Another woman working for the station was murdered in December. On Monday, Enikass said it had asked all remaining women staffers to stay home until security improves.

"I love journalism but I also love to live," Nadia Momand, a presenter at Enikass, told AFP.

"I'm not going to go out again unless they send me an armoured vehicle."

"There is no protection for them," said Zalmai Latifi, the broadcaster's director.

"We also decided not to hire any additional women employees," he added.

The watchdog noted in a statement that "Afghanistan is celebrating International Women's Day this year at a time where security threats against journalists and media workers, especially women in the media, have intensified".

Journalists, religious scholars, activists and judges have all been victims of a recent wave of political assassinations across Afghanistan, forcing many into hiding and some to flee the country.

The killings have been acutely felt by women, whose rights were crushed under Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001 -- which included a ban on them working.

Intelligence officials have previously linked the attacks against women to demands at ongoing peace talks in Doha -- between the Kabul government and the Taliban -- for their rights to be protected.

The attacks come as speculation is rife over America's future in Afghanistan, after the administration of President Joe Biden announced plans to review the withdrawal agreement signed with the Taliban last year that paved the way for foreign troops to leave the country by May.

emh-ds/fox/leg
Met Eireann has issued a Status Yellow weather warning for Galway, Clare, Limerick, Kerry, Cork, Waterford, and Wexford.

The wind alert will be in place for 18 hours from 12pm from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night until 6am on Thursday morning.

Southwest to west winds are expected to reach average wind speeds of 50 to 65 km/h, with gusts of up to 110km/h.

Exposed locations are likely to be lashed by even higher wind speeds of over 110km/h with the possibility of damaging impacts.

Met Eireann meteorologist Paul Downes said: Today (Monday 8th) will be the last day of the current spell of settled weather, before conditions turn widely unsettled from tomorrow with spells of wet and windy weather expected through the rest of the week.

Read More

Although tomorrow (Tuesday 9th) will start dry, rain and strong winds will push east across the country from tomorrow afternoon, becoming widespread by early evening.

Further wet and very windy weather is expected on Wednesday as a deep low-pressure system tracks to the northwest of Ireland  bringing very strong south-westerly winds and spells of heavy rain through Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night.

Downes continued: During the early hours of Thursday this low-pressure system will clear away from Ireland, introducing a colder and more unstable airmass.

However, it will remain very windy into the weekend along with blustery showers, these possibly turning wintry over high ground.

Thursday will see strong winds along with heavy rainfall including more hail showers. It will also feel cold with the highest temperatures reaching six to nine degrees.

Friday will bring some sunshine and further showers  most widespread in western areas  with some heavy, though the showers will tend to become isolated later in the day, Met Eireann said.

Wet and windy weather will persist into Mothers Day weekend, with most areas experiencing blustery and unsettled conditions.
Wyoming Governor Removes Statewide Mask Requirement, Except for Schools

Wyomings governor on March 8 announced hes removing his statewide mask requirement because of improving COVID-19-related metrics.

Wyoming, like most states in the country, has seen a declining number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. At the same time, more residents are getting COVID-19 vaccines.

I thank the people of Wyoming for their commitment to keeping one another safe throughout this pandemic, Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, said in a statement. It is through their efforts that we have kept our schools and businesses operating and our economy moving forward. I ask all Wyoming citizens to continue to take personal responsibility for their actions and stay diligent as we look ahead to the warmer months and to the safe resumption of our traditional spring and summer activities.

According to Wyoming health officials, the state had 46,397 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in addition to 8,367 probable cases.

The vast majority of those patientsmore than 53,500have recovered, while another 682 are reported to have died.

The number of cases seen per day has dropped precipitously, reaching a low of eight on March 4, the last day figures are available.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Most patients recover from the illness, which primarily affects the elderly and infirm.

Gordon for now is still requiring students and others in K12 schools to wear masks.

Wyoming is one of the few states in the country that kept students learning in the classroom for the entire school year. We made sacrifices, but the earlier orders saved lives. We persevered, he said. With this approach, we can have graduations, proms, and a great end to the school year by keeping schools open. Especially since our children will not have the chance to be vaccinated this spring.

Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers talk outside the Wyoming State Capitol Building in Cheyenne, Wyo., on Jan. 6, 2021. (Michael Cummo/Wyoming Tribune Eagle via AP)

The Republican is also allowing bars, restaurants, and theaters to fully reopen, in part because of how many residents have received COVID-19 vaccinations. Gordon late last month relaxed protocols for other businesses.

Nearly 100,000 first doses of the vaccine have been administered, with 19 percent of the states residents having received at least one dose, while 59,695 have received a second dose.

Two of the three authorized vaccines require two doses. The most recently approved shot, from Johnson & Johnson, is a single dose.

Wyoming has received 6,000 of the Johnson & Johnson doses. It isnt clear how many have been administered.

Officials say the vaccine is being distributed and administered so efficiently that theyve turned to groups in phase 1c of the vaccine distribution plan. Those groups include college students living in dormitories, the homeless, and people with asthma.

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said on NBCs Meet the Press on March 7 that he feels its time to end lockdowns and get children back in school around the country.

As a doctor, I will tell you I am very optimistic about where we are with Operation Warp Speed. Three vaccines, that were vaccinating 2 million people a day, everybody vaccinated by May. This is dramatic. It is very, very impressive from a medical standpoint, he said.

Also, from a medical standpoint, we know these lockdowns have been terrible for people all around the country in terms of depression, suicide. We need the country open. We need kids back in school every day with a mask, without a mask. We know how to stay safe. We know what we need to do: get vaccinated. Its time to get America fully opened again.

He added that he would continue wearing a mask while out and about.

Gordons removal of restrictions follows other governors, including the governors of Utah, Mississippi, and Texas.

Others have opened the economy but kept mask mandates in place, including the governors of Arkansas and Alabama.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, a top medical adviser to President Joe Biden, has warned against easing restrictions too soon. He said on CBSs Face the Nation on March 7 that hes worried there could be a spike in infections in the near future.

Every day that goes by that we keep the lid on things will get better and better because were putting now at least 2 million vaccinations into the arms of individuals each day, he said. And as the days and weeks go by, you have more and more protection, not only of individuals but of the community. So were going in the right direction. We just need to hang in there a bit longer.
The wife of retired AFL champion Gary Ablett Jr has opened up about their little boy's latest health scare as his brave fight with a rare degenerative disorder.

Two-year-old Levi is on the mend after a recent dash to the hospital emergency department, eight months after his parents first opened up about his debilitating disease.

The former Geelong Cats superstar was forced to flee AFL's Perth quarantine hub and rush home to Melbourne halfway through last season to be with his wife Jordan following Levi's heartbreaking diagnosis.

Ms Ablett says Levi is currently happy and doing very well but conceded his condition is 'very much a wait and see scenario'.

Jordan Ablett (right), pictured with husband Gary and son Levi says her little boy is currently doing very well after a recent dash to hospital

'We did recently have a scare which saw us spontaneously in emergency, but thankfully he is back home with us and overall his health is stable at this point and he is very happy which makes us happy,' she told the Herald Sun.

The couple make the trip to hospital with their son at least several times each month.

'Levi has many specialists overseeing him which means there are lots of appointments for us to attend,' Ms Ablett added.

'Levi has a team of specialists surrounding him who together closely monitor him and his health'

Ms Ablett opened up about her son's latest health scare as an ambassador for the Royal Children's Hospital's Good Friday Appeal.

Little Levi's latest health scare saw him end up in hospital in February

She recently shared a series of touching photos of Levi recovering in hospital while raising awareness for the annual fundraiser.

'My family and I have experienced first hand how important the Good Friday Appeal is to ensuring can continue to provide world class care to our beautiful children,' Ms Ablett wrote.

'Having seen Levi be cared for and loved on by such incredible doctors, nurses and hospital staff, this Appeal holds an extra special place in my heart.'

Levi was diagnosed just weeks before Ms Ablett's mother Trudy Papalia lost her battle with lung cancer in August 2020.

Regarded as one of the greatest champions of the modern era in the AFL with two Brownlow Medals and two premierships, Ablett Jr played his 375th and final game in October last year.

Levi Ablett (pictured) is bravely fighting a rare degenerative disorder

The Abletts first opened up about Levi's condition last July.

'We thank you for your love and support and want to emphasise just how grateful we are to be Levi's parents,' Ablett Jr wrote at the time.

'He is a true blessing to us and our family and we love him so deeply. Anyone who knows him knows how full of joy he is and how he always has a smile on his face.'

Ablett Jr's post was followed with a heartfelt open letter to their little boy uploaded on wife's Instagram account.

'To our dearest Levi, words will never be enough to express just how full our hearts are of love for you,' the post reads.

'You've only been with us for a short while but you've already taught us more than some people learn in a lifetime.'

'Although it has been a difficult journey and start to life, your diagnosis does not take away any ounce of our love for you.

Levi Ablett (pictured) still has a smile on his face, despite countless appointments and trips to hospital

'Your joy is contagious and not even this disease is able to steal it from you. We pray for you every day and we will continue to take each day as it comes.

'You are so loved by all of the people in your world and you are and will continue to be a true miracle.

'We have no doubt that we are your parents for a reason, and we feel a strong sense of privilege to be entrusted with such a great and precious responsibility.

'We don't know what our future holds together but we do know that you'll never have to feel alone.'
She is said to have 'fallen hard' for actor Skeet Ulrich, 51, despite their 20 year age difference.

But on Sunday, Lucy Hale went for her regular hike accompanied by a female pal, not her rumored new boyfriend.

The Pretty Little Liars alum, 31,carried a beverage on one hand as she walked while her companion made sure to keep a face mask on.

Fresh air and exercise: Lucy Hale, 31, set out on a hike in LA with a female friend on Sunday amid reports that she's started up a new romance with actor Skeet Ulrich, 51

Hale stepped out in a gray sweatshirt and skintight pink animal print shorts.

She had on pink trainers and wore her hair tied back from her face.

She was without either of her beloved dogs, Elvis, whom she adopted back in 2016, and Ethel, whom she recently acquired.

Sporty look: Hale stepped out in a gray sweatshirt and skintight pink animal print shorts. She had on pink trainers and wore her hair tied back from her face

Sunday funday: The two chatted away happily as they walked along, with the Pretty Little Liars alum carrying a coffee to go

Her outing comes amid romance rumors with Scream star Ulrich, 51.

An insider confided recently to UsWeekly: 'They've both fallen pretty hard for each other. Lucy and Skeet have been dating for a little over a month now. While it's very new, they spend a lot of time together and try to see each other as much as possible.'

The source added: 'They are both kind and have a funny, but dark sense of humor,'

Hale and Ulrich were first linked romantically after the actor left a flirty comment in one of the actress' Instagram posts.

She had shared a leggy throwback snap of herself in New York, prompting Ulrich to write 'My goodness!!' in the comments section.

The pair have also been seen kissing during an al fresco lunch date in Los Angeles.

Ulrich shares 19-year-old twins Jakob and Naiia with ex-wife Georgina Cates, 46, to whom he was married from 1997 to 2005.

Beau: Her outing comes amid romance rumors with Scream star Ulrich, with an insider claiming to UsWeekly: 'They've both fallen pretty hard for each other' (pictured in 2019)
Dhaka, March 8 : The Bangladesh Law Ministry on Monday recommended extending a freeze on the jail sentences of opposition leader Khaleda Zia by six months in two corruption cases.

The recommendation was sent out to the Home Ministry earlier in the day, bdnews24 quoted the Law Ministry as saying in a statement.

The 76-year-old former Prime Minister and opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief had served 25 months out of 17 years of prison sentences in two graft cases -- Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust -- before she was released last year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On July 3, 2008, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case against the former Prime Minister, her son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and four others accusing them of misappropriating Tk2.1 crore of donations meant for a trust to be formed in her husband's name.

On February 8, 2018, a special court convicted Khaleda and sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the case.

On January 28, 2019, the High Court released the full text of its verdict, raising Zia's prison term in the graft case to 10 years.

Meanwhile, the BNP chief and three others were sentenced to seven years in jail in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case on October 29, 2018.
Huntington, WV (25701)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
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Amaravati, March 8 : Bouquets, discount offers, free medical camps, felicitations, candle light processions and several other forms of celebrations have been employed to commemorate the International Women's Day in Andhra Pradesh.

Especially, the state police department stood out in gleefully commemorating the event.

In Kurnool town, a local hospital offered free medical tests to women police and their family members, commemorating the Women's Day.

A medical camp was organised in the district police office.

In Visakhapatnam's Anakapalle police sub division, women officers were felicitated with gifts and bouquets. They were honoured in the presence of senior officials.

Likewise, Vizianagaram district Superintendent of Police (SP) B. Rajakumari gifted sarees to some women police officers.

"Women should prosper in all realms. Students should accord primacy to education and fulfill the dreams of their parents," said Rajakumari.

Similarly, Visakhapatnam range Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) L.K.V. Ranga Rao also honoured women police officers above the rank of inspector with gifts in his office.

West Godavari district SP Narayan Nayak arranged a tricycle for a specially-abled woman, Gorji Ramatulasi, as part of Women's Day.

Similar events were held across the southern state by the police department.

On Friday, the state government issued directives that the Women's Day should be celebrated on a grand scale, including felicitating two women constables from each wing.

A special day off was declared on Monday for all the women working in the police department.

Likewise, the government has decided to set up 2,000 stands with QR codes to enable women to easily download Disha app.

Short film competitions have been planned to be organised to celebrate the event, along with offering 10 per cent discount on purchase of cell phones at select shopping malls for women who downloaded the Disha app.

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy agreed to give five casual leaves to female employees and also announced Rs 5 lakh on behalf of the government to the non-gazetted women employees union.
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 preliminary investigation, police found that the Honda was heading south when the Ford, which was going northwest, went through the intersection and hit the Honda, according to police. The impact of the crash flipped the Ford.
[March 08, 2021] Prosus launches 'Prosus FLIGHT' education and employment initiative for marginalised women and girls in India in partnership with UN Women

- Announcement made on International Women's Day 2021 NEW DELHI, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Prosus, the global consumer internet group of Naspers, announced today the launch of a new higher education and employment initiative for marginalised women and girls in India in partnership with UN Women. India has one of the largest opportunities in the world to boost GDP by advancing women's equality and participation in the workforce - $770 billion of added GDP by 2025.[1] 67% of all men of working age are employed and only 9% of women are.[2] Barriers to entry for women include poverty, lack of educational opportunities and role models, gender stereotypes and early marriage. Even among those with secondary or higher secondary levels of education, the unemployment rates of women are significantly higher than men.[3] In 2017-18, the overall female labour force participation rate for the age group 15 and above was 23.3%, which was 24.6% in rural areas as compared to 20.4% in urban areas.[4] Prosus FLIGHT aims to alleviate some of these barriers by supporting 750 women and girls to earn a formal degree or certification, as well as helping them to attain employable skills that would allow them to participate in India's digital economy. Fundamental to the initiative is the identification and enrolment of women and girls who have completed middle, high school or senior secondary education, but would otherwise not have the opportunity and/or family support to continue to study. As societal attitudes and family support are important elements in ensuring that female students are motivated and encouraged to finish their courses, the initiative will include gender awareness and sensitisation workshops for approximately 5,000 households in the designated communities, as well as conducting research on attitudes to female education and employment. The programme will focus on young women between the ages of 17 and 25 in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The five districts identified are Greater Mumbai Metropolitan Region-Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Palghar and Raigad. By concentrating efforts and interventions, the initiative aims to create a network of graduate young women who will be role models, as well as creating supportive local communities, thereby increasing support and reducing drop-out rates. The support provided through the FLIGHT initiative includes: Providing annual scholarships to pursue higher education in various institutions including Government College/ITI/Polytechnic.

In line with UN Women's guidance, providing financial support for three years, with the student contributing partially.

Career guidance and counselling along with access to community support and champions to help build the career path.

Access to job fairs, internship opportunities and exposure visits to private companies, along with dedicated sessions by experts and corporate mentors.

Professional, soft and life skills training beneficial for all career streams.

Access to placement opportunitis, support for pursuing entrepreneurship or self-employment.



Aileen O'Toole , Chief People Officer, Prosus, said: "Education is key to achieving equality for women across the world. I am pleased to be able to announce this initiative in collaboration with UN Women on International Women's Day 2021, and to help talented Indian women pursue their educational dreams and career paths that will contribute to India's future." Susan Jane Ferguson, Representative, UN Women India, said: "Societies and communities cannot make strides unless young women have access to quality education. It is one of the most powerful and proven vehicles for sustainable development. Investing in young women's economic empowerment and skills development is one of the most urgent and effective means to drive progress on gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth. I am eagerly looking forward to this collaboration between UN Women and Prosus and the commencement of the FLIGHT initiative that aims to alleviate barriers to education and skill training by supporting 750 women and girls."

The research phase of the three-year partnership commences immediately, with updates to be published on the UN Women and Prosus websites in due course. See here for a three-minute video with comment from Prosus and UN Women. [1]The power of parity: Advancing women's equality in India, McKinsey and Company. [2]Female workforce shrinks in economic shocks, Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy. [3]Information accessed from 'Discussion Paper - The Indian Labour Market: A Gender Perspective' by G. Ravendran and UN Women (Published February 2016); Accessed on 3 March 2021; Available at: https://bit.ly/3kElHEE [4]Information accessed from 'Annual Report 2019-20: Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India; p. 82; Accessed on 3 March 2021; Available at: https://bit.ly/3rg7Oix About Prosus Prosus is a global consumer internet group and one of the largest technology investors in the world. Operating and investing globally in markets with long-term growth potential, Prosus builds leading consumer internet companies that empower people and enrich communities. Prosus FLIGHT is the second flagship social impact initiative of Prosus in India. In 2020, Prosus launched the three-year Prosus Social Impact Challenge for Accessibility (Prosus SICA), in which startups with the most innovative solutions in the assistive technology space compete for an annual grant. For more details of the top startups in 2020 see our media release. The 2021 edition of Prosus SICA will launch in August 2021. For more information, please visit www.prosus.com About UN Women UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. UN Women supports UN Member States as they set global standards for achieving gender equality, and works with governments and civil society to design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to ensure that the standards are effectively implemented and truly benefit women and girls worldwide. It works globally to make the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for women and girls and stands behind women's equal participation in all aspects of life, focusing on four strategic priorities: Women lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems

Women have income security, decent work and economic autonomy

All women and girls live a life free from all forms of violence

Women and girls contribute to and have greater influence in building sustainable peace and resilience, and benefit equally from the prevention of natural disasters and conflicts and humanitarian action UN Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system's work in advancing gender equality, and in all deliberations and agreements linked to the 2030 Agenda. The entity works to position gender equality as fundamental to the Sustainable Development Goals, and a more inclusive world. For more information, please visit: https://www.unwomen.org/en Media contacts: Sumant Rao

Communications Analyst

sumant.rao@unwomen.org Diya Nair

Brunswick Group

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Square Kilometer Array (SKA), the largest radio telescope ever in human history, is expected to be constructed since July this year, said Wu Xiangping, member of the National Committee of the Chinese's People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on March 4.

Wu, also an Academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and chief scientist of China's SKA team, said it is estimated that 10 percent of the SKA will be completed and put into use for observation by 2028.

As a major international science project, the SKA aims to build the world largest and most sensitive telescope, whose receiving area will hit one square kilometer.

China's Five-Hundred Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) is the world's largest single-aperture telescope, while the SKA will eventually consist of thousands of dishes.

The FAST is located in the Northern Hemisphere, while the SKA will be built in the other half of the globe. The two of them will complement each other, and jointly contribute to astronomical

The SKA is another international project joined by China after the country participated in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project.

At the 24th International Union of Radio Science General Assembly held in Tokyo, astronomers from 10 countries including China jointly proposed to build the next generation of large radio telescope. In 2011, the SKA Organization was officially established in Rome, Italy, with China as one of the nine founding members.

Researcher Qin Bo with the National Astronomical Observatories, CAS noted that different from the ITER, the SKA project is the first international science project that China has joined from the very beginning and acted as a major participator through the whole process, including the making of basic rules and regulations, as well as project construction and operation.

In 2012, preparations of the SKA project officially started, and a dual-site solution was unanimously approved. The project will be constructed in Australia and South Africa, while its headquarters is located in the UK. The high-frequency array will be built in South Africa, as well as eight partner countries in southern Africa, and the low-frequency array in Western Australia.

The SKA Organization issued 11 work packages to the globe. The antenna package is the largest among them and of the highest construction cost. After rounds of heated debate, China's antenna solution became the only candidate solution, and China was also the chair of the SKA antenna package alliance. In February 2018, the 54th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation developed the first prototype SKA antenna SKA-P, whose performance is leading the world in multiple areas.

The SKA demonstrates the latest and highest achievements of modern science and technology, and will promote the rapid development of a series of industries, including manufacturing, communication, computing and energy, said Qin. Relevant Chinese industries have acquired certain technical reserve and experience, and are able to join the technical development of the project and apply relevant results in other major sci-tech areas.
To mark International Womens Day (March 8), the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX) joined dozens of exchange houses around the globe to celebrate the 7th annual Ring the Bell for Gender Equality ceremony.



The 2021 theme is Women in leadership, achieving an equal future in a COVID- 19 world.



The initiative is a partnership between the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), the Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) Initiative, UN Women, UN Global Compact, Women in ETFs and International Finance Corporation and highlights the significant role of the private sector in advancing and empowering women in the workplace, marketplace and wider community.



Les Male, CEO of DGCX, said: Equality and diversity are core pillars of our business at the DGCX and we strongly believe it is vital to continue empowering women in the marketplace and the wider national community. Various studies have exhibited the benefits that greater gender diversity brings to organizations, such as more effective decision-making, better service for customers and strong operational performance. The importance of womens leadership at the DGCX and indeed, across the UAE has also been starkly highlighted this year by Covid-19 pandemic and will continue to be a key part of the countrys efforts to recover and come back better than ever before.



Dr Mouza Al Shehhi, Director, UN Women UAE Liaison Office for the GCC, said: We are delighted to see UAE-based companies join Ring the Bell for Gender Equality campaign, show their commitment to gender equality and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 5) and actively promote womens leadership in business. Womens leadership is, more than ever, a pressing priority as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and they must be at the centre of global recovery and reconstruction efforts.



More than 86 exchanges around the world registered for the event, many of whom have made an internal commitment to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve gender equality and empower women at all levels. This includes a pledge to encourage listed companies to publicly report on relevant gender metrics while further promoting gender diversity among their own workforces.



Maggie Mansour, Compliance Director of DGCX, added: We are proud to join the WFE, UN organizations and exchange houses around the globe to recognize women for their contributions. As the regions leading exchange, it is our responsibility to help facilitate the global conversation to support womens empowerment and we are thrilled to be a part of such an important initiative while working towards diminishing the gender equality gaps.



In early 2020, DGCX announced that it became a signatory of the Womens Empowerment Principles (WEPs), another initiative by the UN Women and UN Global Compact dedicated to promoting womens empowerment and advancing gender equality.



As part of its commitment to the UN WEPs, the DGCX has pledged to further foster an inclusive work environment by assessing and evaluating its gender equality performance. Through the WEPs Gender Gap Analysis Tools, the Exchange reviewed its policies and procedures, and reported significant progress by the end of the year, with working females increasing from 19% to 24% - as well as plans to increase this percentage even further this year.  TradeArabia News Service






Master Negotiator: The Role of James A. Baker, III at the End of the Cold War by Diana Villiers Negroponte demonstrates the power democratic leaders have to change the world

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Master Negotiator: The Role of James A. Baker, III at the End of the Cold War by Diana Villiers Negroponte is a refreshing historical account of the actions taken by George H.W. Bush and his Secretary of State, James A. Baker, III, as they managed U.S. relations at a critical time in world history. Before he died, President George H.W. Bush wrote the Foreword, recognizing one of our most respected elder statesmen.

As the Soviet Union disintegrated, its weakness could have encouraged others to take advantage through armed conflict. Instead, the Baker-Bush team assured stability, supported the reformist Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and assured that no Islamic State acquired nuclear material that was stored throughout the Soviet empire. Negroponte argues the Cold War ended peacefully due to Bakers firm hand and hard bargaining with friend and foe.

Negroponte narrates these historical stories with verve and wit. A scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center and adjunct professor at George Washington University, she relies on interviews with the men and women who worked with Baker, as well as his personal papers. With a light touch, she recounts periods of strategic thinking and skillful tactics. The result is an accurate account of U.S. foreign policy at its best.

Focused on the three years that ended the Cold War, the book demonstrates the power of individuals to bring about change, Negroponte said.

Master Negotiator sparks interest in a period of history when the U.S. government worked closely with allies and demonstrated its capacity to persuade other national leaders to work with them. "Master Negotiator" combines elements of history, drama and suspense to deliver a historically accurate account of Baker's work to end the Cold War and bring Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiating table while establishing his influence over U.S. foreign policy.

Story continues

In Master Negotiator Diana Negroponte skillfully explains how James A. Baker III helped President George H.W. Bush unravel the Soviet Union, said John H. Sununu, Chief of Staff to George H.W. Bush and author of The Quiet Man: the Indispensable Presidency of George H.W. Bush. Diana details the power of the personal diplomacy that enabled the Baker-Bush team to achieve the world-changing end of the Cold War, enable the unification of Germany and the assembly of the coalition that expelled Iraq from Kuwait. She has artfully detailed all the small personal interactions with world leaders that made those big diplomatic results possible.

A fascinating account of Secretary of State James Bakers skillful diplomacy in ending the last remnants of the Cold War, said Jack F. Matlock, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to the USSR (1987-91), professor at Duke University and author of Reagan and Gorbachev: How the Cold War Ended. Important reading for anyone wishing to understand how the Cold War ended.

Master Negotiator: The Role of James A. Baker, III at the End of the Cold War

By Diana Villiers Negroponte

ISBN: 9781480897540 (softcover); 9781480897557 (hardcover); 9781480897564 (electronic)

Available at the Archway Publishing Online Bookstore, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Diana Villiers Negroponte has taught Latin American History and U.S. foreign policy at Georgetown University, Fordham University and George Washington University. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from The London School of Economics, a Juris Doctor degree from American University and a Ph.D. from Georgetown University. Before the adoption of their fifth child, she was an international trade lawyer. British by birth and focused on the United Kingdoms contribution to the European Union, she has lived and worked in Belgium and France. She currently resides in Washington D.C. with her husband who served as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer. Before her time in Washington D.C, she delved deep into understanding and working with ordinary people at all levels of society while living in Greece, Central America, Mexico, the Philippines and at the United Nations in New York.

Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the worldwide leader in self-publishing, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit www.archwaypublishing.com or call 888-242-5904.

Attachment

CONTACT: Leslie Standridge LAVIDGE 4809982600 lstandridge@lavidge.com




U.S. Army mobile equipment sits in a field in Yeoncheon, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Wednesday, June 17, 2020. The State Department says the U.S. and South Korea have reached an agreement in principle on a new arrangement for sharing the cost of the American troop presence. AP



South Korea and the United States have reached an agreement on Seoul's share of the burden in maintaining U.S. troops on the Korean Peninsula, Seoul's foreign ministry said Sunday.



The agreement came in their latest negotiations held in Washington.



"In the first in-person meeting to be held in almost a year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, negotiators from South Korea and the United States held talks on the 11th South Korea-U.S. Special Measures Agreement (SMA) based on their discussions so far, and as a result reached an agreement in principle," the ministry said in a press release.



It added the sides plan to initial their agreement after first each going through a process of internal reviews.



The ministry did not provide any other details.



The State Department later confirmed the sides have reached a consensus with a "meaningful increase" in South Korea's contribution.



"We are pleased that U.S. and Republic of Korea negotiators have reached consensus on a proposed text of a Special Measures Agreement that will strengthen our Alliance and our shared defense," a department spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency in an email, asking not to be identified.



"This proposed agreement, containing a negotiated meaningful increase in host nation support contributions from the Republic of Korea, reaffirms that the U.S.-Republic of Korea Alliance is the linchpin of peace, security, and prosperity for Northeast Asia and a free and open Indo-Pacific region," the department official added.



The official said the proposed agreement reflected the Biden administration's commitment to reinvigorating and modernizing the U.S.-South Korea alliance.



"The United States and ROK are now pursuing the final steps needed to conclude the agreement for signature and entry into force that will strengthen our Alliance and our shared defense."



The sides had earlier agreed on a 13 percent increase in Seoul's share of the cost to upkeep some 28,500 U.S. forces in South Korea, but the agreement was rejected by then U.S. President Donald Trump, who had initially demanded South Korea to pay US$5 billion per year, which would have marked more than a fivefold increase from the $870 million Seoul paid in 2019.



The last SMA expired at the end of 2019.



The latest round of SMA negotiations, involving South Korea's Jeong Eun-bo and U.S.' Donna Welton, began Friday.



Jeong was originally set to return home Sunday. (Yonhap)


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Dozens of women in service and women veterans, as well as a handful of civilians, worked together to put up 365 American flags at Edgewater Park Monday to support and show unity for members of the military in Northeast Ohio as well as to celebrate International Womens Day.

The Flags of Unity display, supported by Northeast Ohio Foundation for Patriotism (NEOPAT) and Operation Flags of Freedom, will be displayed through Saturday morning, March 13, and will be lit up at night. Each flag represents a day of the year.

This is just a simple message of Ohio and Cleveland that we know how to unite and overcome problems, said Rick DeChant, NEOPAT executive director. This display represents 365 days of working together in unity as a community to overcome our issues.

One of the civilians who participated was Deborah White, mother of Ashley White. Ashley, was killed on October 22, 2011, during combat operations in Kandahar Province and was honored with the Charles Kirby Wilcox award by NEOPAT.
FAIRFIELD (dpa-AFX) - General Electric (GE) is nearing a deal to sell its aircraft-leasing business to Irish aircraft-leasing group AerCap for more than $30 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported citing people familiar with the matter. Details of how the deal would be structured couldn't be learned, but an announcement is expected Monday, assuming the talks don't fall apart, the Journal reported. The GE unit, known as GE Capital Aviation Services, is the biggest remaining piece of GE Capital, a once-sprawling lending operation that rivaled the biggest U.S. banks but nearly sank the company during the 2008 financial crisis. 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.
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 1.45 am ET Monday, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs is scheduled to release Swiss unemployment data for February. The jobless rate is seen at 3.6 percent, up from 3.5 percent in January. Before the data, the franc traded mixed against its major counterparts. While it fell against the yen, it was steady against the rest of major rivals. The franc was worth 1.1094 against the euro, 116.32 against the yen, 1.2885 against the pound and 0.9323 against the greenback as of 1:40 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.
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 fibers 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.
This photo provided by Chorus Media Group, Skippack Pharmacy owner & Pharmacist Dr. Mayank Amin, dressed in his trademark superhero costume, arrives in the middle of a snowstorm with vials of COVID-19 vaccine for their first vaccination clinic on Feb. 7, 2021, in Skippack, Pa. In communities across the country, local pharmacy owners are among the people administering COVID-19 vaccinations. Being a vaccine provider requires a big investment of time and paperwork, and for some, finding a location for a mass vaccination clinic. (Chorus Media Group via AP)

They're just your regular neighborhood pharmacists, but some now wear superhero capes.

Local pharmacy owners are filling in the gaps as federal, state and county authorities across the country struggle to ramp up vaccinations vital to crushing the COVID-19 pandemic. In some small towns across the U.S., an independent pharmacy is the only local place where residents can get a COVID-19 vaccination.

President Joe Biden recently celebrated the injection of the 50 millionth dose of COVID-19 vaccine since his inauguration. But the huge undertaking has been hampered by vaccine shortages and concerns whether marginalized communities are getting access to shots.

The hope is that local pharmacies will now play a key role in getting more Americans inoculated. They have become vaccine providers by applying to state health officials and the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccination, which has been distributing vaccine to networks of independently owned pharmacies, as well as the big national chains.

The Biden administration's coronavirus coordinator, Jeff Zients, said at the start of the program last month about 6,500 pharmacies would receive a total of 1 million doses, with more pharmacies joining the program as vaccine production increases. The program doesn't fully fill the gaps, howevermore than 400 rural counties lack a retail pharmacy that's included in the partnership.

Giving vaccinations requires long hours and administrative work, and there's little or no money in it for pharmacy owners. They don't have to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine, unlike flu and other vaccines, but they do have administrative costs they may be able to recover when patients have insurance. Still, the money is not their immediate concern.

Adam Bayer and his wife have given out shots at their store, Hillcrest Pharmacy in Vernon, Texas. The work can be intensethe first batch of 100 doses took them a day and a half to administer. Besides giving the vaccine, they must monitor patients for 15 minutes for signs of allergic reactions.

Bayer applied to become a vaccine provider because he believed he was in a position to help fight the pandemic. He's been proactive and reaching out to customers.

"We're calling patients who we know aren't online," he says. "My prayer is that we're not leaving people behind."

This photo provided by Chorus Media Group, Skippack Pharmacy owner and pharmacist Dr. Mayank Amin administers vaccine to Aubrie Cusumano while son, Luca looks on Feb. 11, 2021, in Skippack, Pa. In communities across the country, local pharmacy owners are among the people administering COVID-19 vaccinations. Being a vaccine provider requires a big investment of time and paperwork, and for some, finding a location for a mass vaccination clinic. (Chorus Media Group via AP)

Good Neighbor Pharmacy, one of the networks whose members are participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy program, has so far been allotted 75,000 doses for pharmacies in Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Texas and Guam, says Jenni Zilka, a senior vice president at the network. Those doses began arriving the week of Feb. 11.

All told, the Federal Retail Pharmacy program has 21 companies taking part including big drugstore and grocery chains and mass merchandisers like Costco and Walmart. However, not all the big chains like CVS, Rite-Aid and Walgreen's are giving out vaccinations in every state they're located in.

The program is giving a boost to the independents that have been losing ground to the nationwide retailers for decades. In 2015, independents accounted for 36% of the 61,000 pharmacies across the U.S., according to the National Community Pharmacists Association, a trade group. By 2019, they accounted for 35% as the number of pharmacies overall grew to 61,480.

Pharmacists who get a smile and a nod when customers pick up routine prescriptions are now being greeted by applause and tears from customers, first responders and residents of assisted-living centers in communities across the country.

The pharmacists themselves are equally emotional.

"The opportunity to call someone who's 85 and tell them, 'I'm going to give you a vaccine' is a pretty profound experience," says Chris Antypas, co-owner of Asti's South Hills Pharmacy in Pittsburgh, which has given out several hundred doses.

Besides giving COVID-19 shots in their stores, pharmacists have also set up mass immunization clinics. They're already experienced at giving out shotsfor years they've administered flu, pneumonia, shingles and other vaccinations. But they're required to get additional training before they can give out COVID-19 shots: They must learn how to handle and store the vaccine, and unlike with other immunizations, they must report to health officials who gets the vaccines, and the name of each dose's manufacturer.

Matt Hopp owns what's known as a closed-door pharmacyit specializes in packaging and delivering medication for assisted-living facilities and nursing homes in the Atlanta area. So far, Guardian Pharmacy has administered 1,500 doses to people in assisted living and who have come to drive-through clinics. Hopp says he'll bill Medicare and insurance companies later.

"We're more focused on getting the vaccine out there and into arms," he says.

This photo provided by Chorus Media Group, Skippack Pharmacy owner and pharmacist Dr. Mayank Amin preps a vaccine during a small clinic for pregnant women on Feb. 11, 2021, in Skippack, Pa. In communities across the country, local pharmacy owners are among the people administering COVID-19 vaccinations. Being a vaccine provider requires a big investment of time and paperwork, and for some, finding a location for a mass vaccination clinic. (Chorus Media Group via AP)

Many pharmacists, especially those running mass clinics, are getting help from their communities. School districts, fire departments, landlords with empty stores have been offering the use of their space, Antypas says.

Mayank Amin, who has set up mass clinics in the Philadelphia suburbs, has gotten help from doctors and other health professionals who volunteered to administer shots, sometimes as many as 1,000 over an eight-hour period. Amin, owner of Skippack Pharmacy in Skippack Township, Pennsylvania, has also fielded requests to set up more clinics.

"As soon as word spread that we were doing, this, we started getting calls from different counties and mayors," Amin says.

Like other pharmacists, the owners of Ochoa's Pharmacy had to give Texas health officials detailed information about the population they serve and their physical plant, including how they would store and administer the COVID-19 vaccine. The Ochoa family, which has two pharmacies in the town of Edinburg, even had to tell the state the model number of their refrigerators and how they would log the temperatures the vaccine would be stored at.

"When we received the email saying we were going to receive vaccine, we started to cry," Alessandra Ochoa says. Her family's pharmacies are located in Hidalgo County, an area hard-hit by the virus.

Pharmacists have had to contend with the same uncertain pace of vaccine distribution as hospitals and other medical facilities. They fill out surveys that include estimates of the number of doses they need, but they don't know how many doses they'll getor if they'll get any at all.

"You don't want to get excited and get zero," Amin says. But when the vaccine does arrive, Amin says he has to be quick on his feet, securing a location for a clinic. But despite the stress of getting a clinic together, Amin manages to bring a little levity to vaccine distributionhe'll arrive dressed in a superhero costume, complete with red cape.

People who get their shots are overwhelmed with gratitude. When Guardian Pharmacy's employees arrive with the vaccine, assisted living residents greet them with applause. And Ochoa has seen many deeply emotional moments.

"They're praying as they're receiving itpraying the Hail Mary, the Our Father, and there are tears streaming down their faces," she says.

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.
The expenditure to be incurred as operational cost for COVID-19 vaccination of estimated three crore healthcare and frontline workers is about Rs 480 crore and vaccines' cost is about Rs 1,392 crore, Minister of State for Health Ashwini Choubey told the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

In response to a question on whether the government plans to distribute the vaccine free of cost to any section of population in the country, the minister said, "Presently, the vaccine is being provided free of cost to healthcare workers and frontline workers."



As on February 4, a total of 96.28 lakh healthcare workers and 78.51 lakh frontline workers have been identified for COVID-19 vaccination, he saidin a written reply.

The database offrontline workers is in the process of getting updated on the Co-Win digital platform, he said.

"The expenditure to be incurred as operational cost for vaccination of estimated 3 crore healthcare workers and frontline workers is about Rs 480 crore and vaccines cost is about Rs 1392.82 crore," Choubey said.

Two COVID-19 vaccines -- Covishield manufactured by Serum Institute of India and Covaxin manufactured by Bharat Biotech International Limited -- have been granted permission for restricted use in emergency situation by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) so far.

These two vaccines have been procured for COVID-19 vaccination drive in the country which began on January 16.

Till January 26, a total of 200 lakh doses of Covishield and 28.03 lakh doses of Covaxin have been supplied, Choubey said.

The National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) provides guidance on all aspects of vaccination including prioritisation of population groups for vaccination.

The NEGVAC has prioritised healthcare and frontline workers during the initial phase of COVID-19 vaccination followed by prioritized population groups of persons aged 50 years and above, and those aged less than 50 years with comorbidities.

Presently, the vaccine is being provided free of cost to healthcare and frontline workers, Choubey said.

The budget allocation of Rs 480 crore has been made for meeting the operational cost for COVID-19 vaccination of healthcare and frontline workers, in addition to the cost of the vaccines, Choubey said.

Further, in the Union Budget 2021-22, an outlay of Rs 35,000 crore has been made towards COVID-19 vaccination and a commitment to provide further funds, if required, has also been expressed.

(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 FORUM Royal servants

The constant references to service by royals, incumbent and ex (Before Harry and Meghan interview, Queen speaks of selfless dedication to duty, The Age, 8/3) call for a bit of examination. If it is your well-rewarded job to lend your support, and occasionally your presence, to charities whose staff and volunteers do the real hard work, that looks more like a privilege than service.

Tony Haydon, Springvale Seen it all before

We should not be surprised that the Queen will reportedly not watch the Harry/Meghan interview. Shes seen it all before, when her uncle (who was king, not just a mere prince) married American divorcee Wallis Simpson. Ultimately that couple was exiled to the Riviera. Los Angeles makes a 21st century glitzy replacement, without the glamour. This whole story just emphasises how irrelevant is this monarchy today, save as food for the gossip columns.

Lee Palmer, Albert Park Drama without dignity

Commoners do not air their familys dirty washing in public. The firm and its ex-members are hell-bent on a royal blue to be aired around the world. Why we continuously tug our forelocks to this privileged lot is beyond the dignity of ordinary people. Subjects, we should never be.

Margaret Skeen, Point Lonsdale Room for optimism

Unfortunately, China is continuing to mine and use coal as well as developing renewables (China adds coal plants amid climate pledges, The Age, 8/3). That is just like Australia, but China as well as America are superpowers, and its imperative they agree on climate action when it comes to leading and influencing the world. Without them, we would all suffer catastrophe. Thank goodness we can feel some optimism that Chinas envoy Xie Zhenhua and his US equivalent John Kerry are likely to be able to negotiate the essential climate agreement; and that the world, including Australia, will follow their historic leadership. As Christiana Figueres famously said, lets stay stubbornly optimistic.

Barbara Fraser, Burwood

Vaccine blockade

To those who criticise the actions of Italy, be mindful this is a country that suffered a lot more than Australia, and had many more cases. Wouldnt you think it has a right to ensure its population is immunised first to avoid further crises before it is in a position to supply other countries with the vaccine?

Doug Springall, Yarragon Money for men

Support for women who have lost jobs during the COVID-19 crisis has been minimal (Call to boost equality in economic recovery, The Age, 8/3). The big announcements have been building and construction works. Obviously these are male dominated. Why am I not surprised? Men are making these decisions and they dominate governments and they dont seem to care.

Pauline Ashton, Maribyrnong Real equality

It doesnt surprise me that members of Julie Szegos generation needed to be told that up until 1966, women could not join the Commonwealth public service if they were married (Weve come far, but not enough, The Age, 8/3). Especially considering that, at the time, many men and some women did not realise it either. It was bad enough to fight discrimination to get a job, without having to choose between the job and marriage, and being further victimised if you made a fuss. Lets hope our grandchildrens generation will look back with the same wonder at the barriers to real equality that still underlie the current moves for reform.

Jenifer Nicholls, Armadale Selective data

Data about the impact of the coronavirus on female jobs is very selective. Female-dominated occupations such as teaching, nursing and other healthcare workers, together with those in the aged care sectors had a stimulus. The state education department is employing hundreds of catch-up tutors who will be predominantly female. The public service is predominantly female and the pandemic did not cause them to lose their job. Hospitality, retail and tourism was adversely affected and these industries are predominantly female. But huge job losses in construction and manufacturing occurred and these are predominantly male. The effect of the coronavirus had a detrimental effect on many workers, female, male, young, and old.

Ian Bennett, Jan Juc Privatisation

Your correspondent states that the stuff Jeff Kennett sold off while premier was surplus to requirements (Letters, 8/3). Really? Trains, trams, water, gas, power generation and transmission, the land beneath valuable schools (that are sorely needed now); then theres prisons, roads, ambulance services and hospitals. The list of these surplus to requirements assets goes on. Im not in favour of any asset sell-off, but lets not rewrite history.

Matt McRobbie, Mont Albert

Political sale

Privatisation is the theft and conversion of public assets, with the proceeds usually used for political gain and the resultant profits being taken by private enterprise. And, as all thefts, the loser is the rightful owner.

Gary Sayer, Warrnambool Hotel quarantine

The main problem regarding hotel quarantine contracts with private security companies isnt about probity in how they were let (Hotel security contracts in new spotlight, The Age, 8/3). Its the fact the contracts exist at all. It was irresponsible of the Victorian government to outsource such a critical function, leading to COVID-19 infection and death rates many times higher than the rest of Australia. Quarantine security should have been handled by Victoria Police from the outset.

Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills Christian takeover

Your article on the Christian Right Conference (Inside the Christian Right conference plotting a political takeover, The Age, 7/3) highlights everything thats wrong and bad about religion. Holding beliefs, no matter how illogical, is not good enough; those beliefs need to be thrust upon everyone else in sight. The Christian Right should understand that more than 50 per cent (and increasing) of Australians do not identify with any religion. A good start would be for the people in the electorates of Craig Kelly and George Christensen to show them the door.

Paul Kertes, Park Orchards Charitable exclusions

Your correspondent (Letters, 8/3) cites Jesus comments about only coming to the lost sheep of Israel and not giving the childrens food to dogs, in the Gospel of Matthew, to suggest that Christian charity excludes outsiders. If he had kept reading, he would have seen that Jesus healed this outsider womans child as she asked, and went on, out of compassion, to heal and feed the thousands from everywhere who had come to hear him. He never refused anyone. That is Christian charity.

Caroline Miley, Heidelberg Tax loopholes

Im sure I dont speak for everyone Catherine Gerardson (Letters, 8/3) but I feel people would like everyone to pay their fair share of tax, instead of some paying more. Close the loopholes, get the noses out of the franking credits trough, ensure big earners are not able to pay less tax than those on low wages. Perhaps we will then have enough to look after all, even if the odd luxury car or third investment property will have to wait for some.

Wendy Hinson, Wantirna

Losing interest in saving

I thought it would be best to give my 13-year-old grandson cash for his birthday. I asked him what he was going to do with it and he said he might save it. In the old days I would open a bank account for him. His $100 would increase by $6 a year and get him into a savings habit. Now it increases by 10 a year due to government policy via the Reserve Bank. Now its best I buy him a wallet to keep it in a safe place; under the mattress perhaps. That also avoids an explanation if the RBA interest rate goes negative. But it does not teach him any concept of investing.

Malcolm Cameron, Camberwell Think outside

Our state government appears ignorant of the basic arithmetic inherent in successful decentralisation policies. Billions of dollars are being dedicated to Melbourne while rural employment opportunities and infrastructure waste away. A change of heart would see people descend on these areas in droves. Small country towns would spring to life fed by the rural hubs of larger towns. Rural cities would grow and prosper as they became self-sufficient in the delivery and production of goods and services. In doing so, Melbourne-centric ideas around fast rail and airport links would give way to inter-regional transport connections.

Jaroslaw Kotiw, Strathfieldsaye Confidence in government

In 2018, Barnaby Joyce announced his resignation as Nationals leader and deputy prime minister over his affair with a former staffer and a sexual harassment complaint. Ahead of the 2019 federal election, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton cut millions of dollars of funding from recommended projects and diverted the money to projects of his choosing  most in marginal and government-held electorates. In 2020, Bridget McKenzie resigned as deputy leader of the Nationals and from her portfolio after it was found she had breached ministerial standards in the sports rorts affair. In February this year, backbencher Craig Kelly quit the Liberal Party to sit on the crossbench, and in March, two ministers embroiled in scandals have taken stress leave.

The work facing the government is huge. Its questionable whether it has the capacity to govern. While there is not a case for the Governor-General to do a John Kerr, there is certainly a case for a vote of no confidence, and an early election to hand over the reins.

Ray Peck, Hawthorn AND ANOTHER THING... Politics

Not even the Prime Ministers over-worked Scott-Free rubber stamp of ministerial accountability can resurrect the two missing ministers.

Ken Machin, Grovedale

Illustration: Matt Golding Credit: Our Prime Minister should know that when a void in leadership is created, scoundrels tend to fill it.

Henry Herzog, St Kilda East Privatisation

I can only say to your correspondent (Letters, 8/3) that if the Land Title and Registry office and VicRoads Registry are the good stuff then Id hate to see the bad stuff.

Neale Meagher, Malvern It is to be hoped that the outsourcing of rego and related privacy details under the VicRoads privatisation proposal will not go to a Chinese company under Dans belt and road deal with the CCP.

Martin Newington, Aspendale Furthermore

Lets give Harry and Meghan the privacy they plead for with every endless interview they willingly give. Blimey, theyre just about reaching the saturation mark of Harvey Norman.

John Cain, McCrae

In regard to the lack of female sports statues, can I suggest looking at all the wonderful female swimmers we have had in the past and in the present.

Marie Nash, Balwyn A new journalism? Surely Leunig hasnt forgotten the hounding of a grieving Lindy Chamberlain four decades ago?

Bernd Rieve, Brighton Roadmap appears to be a commonly used buzz word within politics, I just wish politicians would actually follow the map and not take too many detours or side tracks.

Nigel Beresford, Drouin No, I dont shoot ducks for fun (Letters, 6/3), I shoot ducks to eat. Like my father and grandfather before me.

Ian Russell, Queenscliff Finally

Let all opinions, and even bigotry, contend, and be sensibly debated out, and not immediately be vilified and boycotted by puritan guardians. We are easy-going grown-ups and can cope by ourselves. Rod Matthews, Fairfield
Allies should ensure smooth wartime OPCON transfer



South Korea and the United States began a two-day springtime combined military exercise Monday. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the allies decided to scale down the computer-simulated drill, in consideration of the overall circumstances such as the persistent COVID-19 pandemic and appropriate combat readiness. The JCS added they also took into account the need to facilitate President Moon Jae-in's diplomatic efforts for talks with North Korea on denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula. Outdoor maneuvers will not be carried out.



The Joe Biden administration has yet to draw up its North Korea policy, while Pyongyang is still maintaining a wait-and-see attitude. Against this backdrop, there has been concern that the conducting of the combined exercise on a large scale could destabilize the security situation and prompt the North to carry out a provocative act. The coronavirus-haunted U.S., for its part, has had difficulties in mobilizing large numbers of troops.



It seems inevitable and natural for the allies to have minimized the military exercise given the pressing need to tackle the pandemic without causing turbulence on the peninsula. Yet, it is regrettable that the full operational capability (FOC) test essential for the envisioned transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) was also postponed to the latter half of the year.



North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for the suspension of the South Korea-U.S. combined exercise during the eighth congress of the Workers' Party in January. Given this, the decision to hold the joint drill may see the North react provocatively. Yet, Kim should refrain from making any hasty move that will strain the situation, as the allies have attempted to minimize the impact of the combined exercise. It would not be helpful for the North to resort to a military showdown such as test firing missiles.



The Korean Peninsula remains somewhat volatile with the Biden administration embarking on an overall review of the U.S.' North Korea policy. Biden emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution to the North Korea nuclear issue through cooperation with South Korea and Japan. Biden's policy will be different from that of his predecessor Donald Trump, who preferred top-down diplomacy through summit meetings between heads of state.



The Biden administration will likely focus on working-level negotiations rather than seeking a breakthrough via summits. It has been stressing cooperation with Seoul and Tokyo while emphasizing the need to enhance human rights in the impoverished North.



Despite a possible shift in U.S. policy toward Pyongyang, President Moon's peace initiative, featuring the denuclearization of North Korea and improved relations between the U.S. and North Korea, should be pursued relentlessly. Above all, Seoul and Washington need to make more efforts to solidify their alliance. Yet the scaled-down drill should not be an excuse for a further delay in the OPCON transfer. The allies should have in-depth discussions in this regard.


MASON CITY, Iowa  A Belmond man gets probation for a high-speed pursuit through Cerro Gordo County.

Kyle Kenton Cook Jr., 20, pleaded guilty to operating a motor vehicle without the owners consent and eluding for the incident on January 28. Law enforcement says an officer noticed Cook in a stolen vehicle around 3:42 am at the McDonalds parking lot in Clear Lake. Police say when the officer tapped on his window, Cook sped off.

Court documents state that led to a lengthy chase reaching speeds 25 miles per hour over the limit which ended when Cook went out of control and into the ditch.

Cook was sentenced Monday to 39 days in jail.
New Delhi, March 8 : The Delhi government on Monday said that it has so far covered up to 93% households across the national capital under pipeline water supply. The Kejriwal-led AAP government said this while presenting the economic survey for Delhi in the Assembly.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia while reading out the economic survey for 2020-21 claimed that the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has managed the capacity to treat up to 916 MGD of water per day. However, the demand for water in the city has increased to around 1500-1600 MGD, especially in summer months. The capital is totally dependent on neighbouring states for raw water supply and it recycles raw water at 12 Water Treatment Plants (WTP) and supplies the treated water across the city.

The government told the House that the capacity for sewage treatment has increased to 597 MGD per day. "Delhi government is committed to provide free water up to 20 kilolitres to every household having a metered water connection. More than 6 lakh consumers were benefitted under its free water scheme. Delhi government has covered 1571 unauthorised colonies and is providing free water supply, which is around 87% of the total unauthorised colonies in the city," Sisodia said.

The minister said the government has prepared for maintaining the original heritage character and improve the environment in the walled city area through the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation.

The government also told the House that the city generates around 10,650 million ton of waste per day which is transported to three landfill sites -- Ghazipur, Okhla and Bhalswa. It said that out of the total daily waste, up to 55% is being processed through waste to energy and waste to compost plants.
Fort Bend County Judge KP George has announced the countys latest endeavor to ease the financial burden of COVID-19 through funding from the CARES Act.

In a press conference this morning, George stated that families financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can receive a voucher of $500 per child to help offset childcare costs for up to three children.

Families with more than three children may still receive aid on a case-by-case basis.

Related: Fort Bend County judge announces rental and utility assistance programs

Qaisar Imam, childcare voucher program administrator, explained that the voucher can be used to pay off arrears or cover ongoing child care costs or new costs that families may incur.

Families must apply for the vouchers to show proof that they had reduced wages due to COVID-19 in compliance with the mandates of CARES funding allocation, Imam said.

The childcare voucher may only be used at participating licensed childcare facilities in Fort Bend County, Imam said. There are more than 180 facilities that are partnered with the program.

The commissioners court authorized the initiative, which has allocated more than $250,000 to county families.

On HoustonChronicle.com: A tale of two freezes: How the Texas power grid stayed on in the 1989 cold snap

Our children are always a matter of concern, and daycare is an important factor for me and also the commissioners court, George said. We wanted to make sure that we are putting programs in place that are helping our citizens go back to work.

Online applications began on March 1, 2021. To register, visit www.fortbendcountytx.gov or visit any Fort Bend County library for a paper application.

claire.goodman@chron.com
[March 08, 2021] Amazon Canada Celebrates International Women's Day and Female-Founded Small Businesses with Winnie Harlow

Winnie Harlow is joined by Diane Von Furstenberg, Mindy Kaling, Priyanka Chopra, Keke Palmer and others to champion women-owned small businesses thriving with Amazon  one of the many ways Amazon is celebrating International Women's Day and Women's History Month



TORONTO, March 8, 2021 /CNW/ - This International Women's Day (IWD), March 8, Amazon Canada is celebrating the extraordinary women-owned small businesses that use Amazon every day. From the groundbreaking business founders creating jobs in their communities, to the creative handmakers turning their passion into a career, these inspiring entrepreneurs are persevering through both ordinary and unexpected challenges to champion a better future for all.



Amazon provides women around the globe with entrepreneurial opportunities across retail, delivery and transportation, books and publishing, and technology. More than half of the items purchased in Amazon's store are sold by third-party sellers and, during the COVID-19 pandemic from April to January, Amazon sellers have seen a 55% year-over-year growth in sales. We're thrilled to know women business owners have participated in this growth; according to a recent Amazon poll, 46% of businesses selling in our Canadian store are women-owned.



To celebrate these women-owned businesses on International Women's Day, Amazon is teaming up with Winnie Harlow to spotlight Canadian female-founded small businesses. On a global scale, the world-renowned Canadian model will be joined by Diane von Furstenberg (for the second year in a row) and eight other influential women that are all excited to honour thriving female-led businesses from Canada, the U.S., India, Spain, France, Italy, and more.



Support Women-Owned Small Businesses

Customers can check out Amazon Canada's first-ever International Women's Day storefront to discover the stories and products of eight inspiring women who are working with Amazon to grow their businesses  including small business sellers, handmade artisans and AWS customers. Here's a preview of the entrepreneurs featured: Aja Horsley : CEO and "Queen Bee"  Drizzle Honey ( Calgary, Alberta )

: CEO and "Queen Bee"  Drizzle Honey ( ) Drizzle Honey is a Certified B Corp business specializing in health conscious, bee-friendly, superfood-powered honey. Drizzle Honey is not only female-founded, but also female invested.

Amandla Bartholomew: Founder, Maker and Director of Initiative  Bartholomew Sisters Co. ( Pickering, ON )

) Handmade artisan, Amandla, started Bartholomew Sisters Co.  a company focused on natural, gentle, vegan skincare and haircare products such as facial cleansers, hair oils and body butters.

Florence Luo : Founder  Jan & Jul ( Vancouver, BC )

: Founder  Jan & Jul ( ) Jan & Jul is a brand of children's outerwear, clothing and accessories. Florence is on a mission to help families explore and play outside together, no matter the weather.



De Almeida Designs, and toys by Boxiki Kids, to pet genetics kits from DNA my Dog and everything in between! Champion Inspirational Women throughout Women's History Month with Amazon

In addition to our partnership with Winnie Harlow to lift the voices and stories of female-founded companies working with Amazon, there are a variety of ways to celebrate and champion women on International Women's Day and throughout Women's History Month with Amazon.

Amazon Canada x International Women's Week Virtual Event

In collaboration with the Women in Leadership Foundation, Amazon Canada is leading a special event that celebrates Canadian women who have successfully built a business online. Join the virtual event on Thursday, March 11 at 12 p.m. ET to learn from local business owners about how they are thriving on Amazon, reaching customers across the country and around the world. This event is free and you can sign up here. Amazon Alexa

Learn something new and make the most of International Women's Day with the help of Alexa. Try the following on your Alexa-enabled device "Alexa, happy International Women's Day"

"Alexa, who inspires you?"

"Alexa, what are you doing for International Women's Day?"

"Alexa, who is your favourite female author?" Social Platforms

Be sure to follow Amazon Canada on Instagram (@amazonca), Twitter (@amazonca) and Facebook (Amazon Canada) for features all month long celebrating even more inspiring and innovative female-founded small business owners. SOURCE Amazon Canada

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Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Wife Aaliya On Why She Wants To Give Their Marriage A Second Chance, Says 'Kids Are Very Happy Being With Him'

Last year around May, Nawazuddin Siddiqui's wife Aaliya had served a divorce notice to the actor. There had been quite a few accusations that she levelled against the Serious Men star. She claimed she never got respect in the relationship, that the actor's brother harassed her and also accused Nawaz of sexual assault and rape. The actor's family also accused Aaliya, saying she wanted fame and money from all this. But now, it seems like a thing of the past since both Nawaz and Aaliya are trying to give their marriage a second chance. In fact, Nawaz who had so far been tight-lipped about his personal life, said that he wants to reconcile too for the sake of their children. Now, Aaliya has further opened up about why she decided to take this decision.

It seems like children are her priority as well. She was down with COVID some time back and had to send the kids to Nawaz. Talking to TOI, she said, "Nawaz was shooting in Lucknow but I am amazed at the way he's looking after them. They both stay with him in his hotel room. He even engages them in the morning in their online classes so that their studies don't suffer. He then takes them to his shoot. And mind you he's doing all this by himself; he hasn't hired any staff to do all this as he wants minimum people around them in today's times of COVID. I think he realised that unka farz hai yeh karna and I am so happy about it. He's far more indulgent than before. The kids are also very happy being with him."

We hope that they are able to reconcile and give the relationship another shot!
Republicans in Georgia are bickering these days -- about whether Donald Trump cost them their two Senate seats and the GOP majority in the chamber, about President Biden becoming the first Democrat since 1992 to win the state in Novembers election, about who should run for Senate next year and who to side with when the former president tries to defeat their current governor in his primary.

Yet through all the dissent and division, Georgia Republicans -- across the board -- agree on one critical fact. Their biggest threat, their worst problem, is Stacey Abrams.

Even if Abrams is not a candidate next year in a likely rematch with Gov. Brian Kemp, who beat her in 2018, Republicans in the Peach State fear her ability to overpower them in the 2022 elections. Neither Biden nor Georgias two new freshman senators will be able to deliver more Democratic ballots next year than Abrams herself.

Kemp supporters arent being subtle, and have launched a Stop Stacey campaign with a mission statement that reads: Funded by Hollywood and billionaire socialists like George Soros, radical leftist Stacey Abrams is on a mission to destroy our country. She flipped Georgia for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. She delivered two Senate seats for Chuck Schumer. Now, shes aiming for total control. We have to Stop Stacey and Save America before its too late!

Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who may challenge Sen. Rafael Warnock next year to try and win back the seat she had been appointed to but lost in January, recently started Greater Georgia, a Republican response to Abrams project Fair Fight, to register new Republican voters at a pace they hope can compete with or exceed that of Abrams.

Abrams lost to Kemp by 55,000 votes in 2018, insisting votes were suppressed by purges and other obstacles to voting at the hands of Kemp, who was secretary of state and presided over the gubernatorial election he won.

Voter purges like the one that wiped more than 500,000 voters from Georgias rolls in July of 2017 alone, are happening across the country and totaled more than 17 million between 2016 and 2018 alone, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. The purges often remove voters who did not vote in the previous election.

That she never conceded the election made Abrams a lightning rod for Republicans. That she refused to run against Perdue for Senate when Democrats wanted her to, and then openly campaigned to become Bidens running mate, angered some Democrats. But she got to work registering 800,000 new voters in those two years, and, having turned her state blue, is a hero to Democrats nationwide and the Georgia GOPs most formidable foe.

In a recent New York Times piece, Abrams and her former campaign manager, Lauren Groh-Wargo, who founded Fair Fight together in 2018, described the long game that can help Democrats in other states become more competitive. Their efforts began in 2010 and 2011 (with a group called New Georgia Project), and to them Bidens win in November and the runoff results this January were not a miracle or truly a surprise, because of the decade of work that preceded those victories. Years of planning, testing, innovating, sustained investment and organizing yielded the record-breaking results we knew they could and should, they wrote.

Abrams sprawling network has expanded from Fair Fight to include Fair Fight PAC, which amassed $33 million in the 2020 campaign, as well as the Southern Economic Advancement Project, and Fair Count, which is focused on the census.

Last fall Abrams starred in a documentary called All In: The Fight for Democracy, and described attempting to vote in 2018 in her own race but being told at her polling location she had already voted, which wasnt the case. The error was corrected, yet the anecdote speaks to common voting issues many Georgia voters, particularly African Americans, continue to face.

Last week, new voting restrictions passed, with all Republican votes, through the Georgia state House -- changes that will disproportionately affect African American voters. They included new identification requirements for absentee ballots, limits on drop boxes for absentee ballots, limits on weekend and early voting, and a ban on private funding of election operations. Fair Fight Action estimated that black voters, who are 30% of the states electorate, were 36.7% of those voting on Sundays in 2020 and 36.4% of those voting early.

Abrams took to CNN and MSNBC immediately for interviews about the new restrictions, and a group inspired by Abrams efforts, Turnout Democrats, is circulating mobile billboards in Atlanta that read Georgia Republicans Dont Want Black People to Vote, as lawmakers in the state Senate consider the bills.

Abrams visibility, armed with the resources to build on her successes in 2020 and 2021, may alone be enough to drive up enough Democratic votes next year to help reelect Warnock, even with new limits. But Republicans are well aware if Abrams herself is a candidate -- again -- to become the first black woman governor ever in the country, that she will have a much better chance of succeeding this time.

The losses on Jan. 5 for Loeffler and former Sen. David Perdue, even more so than Bidens win in November, underscored for Republicans the progress Abrams had made in cultivating a broader, more energized Democratic electorate.

Non-college whites turned out on Nov. 3 for Trump and Perdue and Loeffler, but a dropoff in their runoff turnout, combined with a surge in black turnout on Jan. 5, brought Jon Ossoff and Warnock to victory. A total of 228,000 voters participated in the January runoffs who had not voted in November.

According to a New York Times analysis, runoff turnout in precincts where black voters make up 80% or more of the voters was at 93% of general election turnout while white, non-college precincts saw turnout fall to 87% of Novembers numbers.

As it turned out, Trump gave Abrams and the Democrats some help. An analysis by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution showed turnout dropped the most in South and Northwest Georgia -- where Trump had held rallies calling his election loss rigged.

Trump last week again tried to blame Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for the losses in January, but as the Wall Street Journal wrote on Friday, Mr. Trump is the main reason Republicans lost two Georgia Senate races in January and thus the Senate majority. Mr. Trump refuses to take responsibility for those defeats, contrary to all evidence.

Its clear Trumps grudges will hang over not only the gubernatorial and Senate race but every election in Georgia next year when Republican candidates will be forced to take a side in the feuds.

Perdue figured out quickly that the situation in 2022 will be untenable. On Feb. 15, he filed candidate paperwork with the Federal Election Commission, but a visit with Trump at Mar a Lago changed his mind and by Feb. 23 he was out.

The New York Times reported that Trump spent most of their visit threatening retribution against Kemp and that trying to navigate a feud between the former president and his states sitting governor for the next two years was deeply unappealing to Mr. Perdue.

The expectation is that Loeffler again will face former Rep. Doug Collins, whom she bested in the primary. Loeffler was chosen by Kemp to replace former Sen. Johnny Isakson when he retired for health reasons. Trump favored Collins and was angry Kemp chose Loeffler without his consultation. Trump may be trying to talk Collins into challenging Kemp instead. And what if the freshman Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, whose belief in conspiracies have cost her committee assignments, decides to run for Senate? Would Trump back Greene, who has spoken with Trump several times, thanked him for his support and said they plan to meet soon?

Its easy to see how Abrams may get another assist from Trump: He seems to have made Georgia ground zero for the GOP civil war. Even with new voting limits and an advantage in redistricting, Republicans will need a united front to compete with the one Georgia Democrats have forged behind Abrams. No matter the outcome next year, the 47-year-old Abrams is in it for the long haul.
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 Flash

China will always support developing countries, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday.

Over the past half century, China has been committed to maintaining an international system with the United Nations (UN) at its core and an international order based on international law, Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress.

Wang made the remarks when asked to comment on the 50th anniversary of restoring the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the UN.

A member of nearly all inter-governmental organizations and a signatory to over 500 international conventions, China is the second-largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget and the largest peacekeeping troop contributing country among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, Wang said.

China champions equity and justice, and stands for equality among all countries regardless of their size, Wang said.
Australia is in the midst of its own #MeToo movement four years after the term was made famous in Hollywood when thousands of women came forward to detail shocking accounts of sexual abuse.

Chanel Contos made the comparison as she revealed her petition demanding better sex education in schools would be presented to New South Wales parliament on Monday to coincide with International Women's Day.

The 22-year-old Kambala School alumni received up to 5,000 responses from women sharing harrowing stories of sexual abuse while attending some of Sydney's most elite private schools.

More than 29,000 people have also signed the petition.

Ms Contos believes earlier education in schools and at home would be beneficial for both boys and girls

Australia is in the midst of its very own #MeToo movement as women reveal shocking details of sexual abuse and make allegations against politicians

In the weeks since it was first shared, federal parliament has been rocked by two separate allegations of sexual misconduct or rape.

The first came when former political staffer Brittany Higgins claimed she was raped by a fellow staffer in defence minister Linda Reynolds' office in 2019.

Just weeks later, attorney general Christian Porter was forced to defend himself against a historic rape allegation which was made public.

The woman accusing him of sexually abusing her after a school debating competition in 1988 died by suicide last year without making a formal complaint against him.

The first came when former political staffer Brittany Higgins claimed she was raped by a fellow staffer in defence minister Linda Reynolds' office in 2019

On Sunday, Ms Contos shared a resource which described the current atmosphere in Australia as the nation's very own #MeToo movement. She has been demanding better education about consent in Australian schools

The allegations - which Mr Porter has publicly denied - along with Ms Contos' petition have sparked heated public debate and intense media scrutiny.

On Sunday, Ms Contos shared a resource which described the current atmosphere in Australia as the nation's very own #MeToo movement.

'This is the start ... this is Australia's #MeToo moment,' Jacqui True, director of Monash University's Centre for Gender, Peace and Security, said.

Former Charmed actress Alyssa Milano first drew attention to the term 'Me Too' back in October 2017 as allegations spread that Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein had sexually assaulted or raped dozens of women over 30 years.

Attorney general Christian Porter was forced to defend himself against a historic rape allegation which was made public

Women are expected to march on parliament house on March 15 in the wake of sexual assault allegations in federal politics

She urged men and women to respond 'me too' to her tweet if they'd ever been sexually abused, and received more than 30,000 responses overnight.

What followed was a remarkable social trend in which women felt empowered to speak up and share their experiences.

Megyn Kelly, Taylor Swift and Selma Blair are among some of the women who spoke publicly about the movement, which dictated conversations, fashions and filmsin Hollywood for the years to follow.

Former Charmed actress Alyssa Milano first drew attention to the term 'Me Too' back in October 2017

Four years on, Australia is experiencing a similar cultural shift in which an increasing amount of women are coming forward to raise awareness about sexual abuse.

It began when Ms Contos simply asked her Instagram followers if they had been abused in high school.

Due to the overwhelming response she received, Ms Contos created a petition encouraging women to anonymously share their experiences and to demand holistic sex education in schools.

So far, 29,500 people have signed the petition and some 5,000 victims have shared their experiences of sexual abuse.

On February 15, former political staffer Brittany Higgins publicly claimed she was raped by a fellow staffer in Parliament House while working under Linda Reynolds.

Three other women have since come forward to make allegations against the same man, who was dismissed from his job for an alleged 'security breach' the night Ms Higgins claims she was raped in March 2019.

Ms Reynolds called her a 'lying cow' after she spoke up, but has since apologised for the 'distressing' outburst.

Milano urged men and women to respond 'me too' to her tweet if they'd ever been sexually abused, and received more than 30,000 responses overnight

'This is the start ... this is Australia's #MeToo moment,' Jacqui True, director of Monash University's Centre for Gender, Peace and Security, said

On February 15, former political staffer Brittany Higgins (centre, clapping) publicly claimed she was raped by a fellow staffer in Parliament House while working under Linda Reynolds (right with her hands in the air)

History of the #MeToo movement The term 'Me Too' was first coined in 2006 by activist Tarana Burke, but wasn't popularised until 2017 when Hollywood actress Alyssa Milano made reference to it on Twitter. The actress made a post asking people to comment 'me too' if they had been sexually assaulted, sparking an international response and movement that has lasted more than three years. Some 30,000 people responded to Milano overnight, and her tweet coincided with an expose written by the New York Times identifying Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein as a sexual predator. The cause gained momentum when the gymnastics Team USA doctor was accused of sexually assaulting a former gymnast. Some 150 other women eventually came forward to reveal he had also sexually assaulted them. Women around the world felt compelled to share their stories and experiences, and rallies and protests were held globally in solidarity with victims. By October 19, 2017, more than 200 celebrities, CEOs, and politicians had been accused of sexual misconduct. During the 2018 Golden Globe awards, actors and actresses wore black outfits to represent a 'black out' and raise awareness about the movement. Some brought activists as their red carpet dates to the awards show. Advertisement

Then, the ABC published allegations against attorney general Christian Porter. A woman had accused Porter of rape back when the pair were still in school and on the debating team together in 1988.

Porter categorically denied he had ever done anything wrong after outing himself as the cabinet minister in question.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison accepted Porter's response and rejected calls for independent inquiry into the allegations, saying it would undermine the rule of law.

But Ms True said Australia's leaders and people in positions of power must take the time to 'learn a little bit more' from victims.

'The current cabinet do not understand, not only the degree of anger, but the degree of violence from men,' she said. 'And I think maybe this is a time where people actually need to learn a little bit more.

'They need to listen to survivors, they need to understand those stories.'
As Pope Francis prayed for peace, forgiveness and rebirth in the ravaged northern Iraqi city of Mosul, the United Nations Education and Culture Organizations director in Iraq speaks of how reconstruction is going ahead in a spirit of fraternity. Following the Pope's visit to Mosul UNESCO Director General and the UAE Minister of Culture signed a joint statement welcoming his powerful gesture of fraternity.

By Linda Bordoni

Amid the rubble of a church destroyed by conflict and fanaticism, Pope Francis on Sunday led prayers for victims of war and terrorism in Iraq's battle-scarred city of Mosul.

Mosul, in the north of the country, is home to many Iraqi Christian communities who suffered at the hands of so-called Islamic State fighters from 2014 to 2017. Before that it was ravaged by the war led by the US-led coalition in 2003.

UNESCO Director in Iraq, Paolo Fontani, heads efforts to implement projects in the archeology and heritage sector, aiming to preserve ancient Iraqi history.

Among the UNESCO projects is the Initiative to Revive the Spirit of Mosul, the restoration of the Old City of Basrah and of the Citadel of Erbil.

Speaking to Vatican News Massimiliano Menichetti who is travelling in Iraq with Pope Francis, Fontani explained UNESCO has been in Mosul for two years and is trying to rebuild after the destruction wreaked by terrorism and war. He said the Popes message of human fraternity is a reality in Mosul where Christians and Muslims are working together:

Listen to the interview with Paolo Fontani

Fontani explained that in the work UNESCO is doing in Iraq and in cities like Mosul there is a strong focus on religious heritage, with many reconstructions projects dedicated to churches, mosques and minarets.

As regards Mosul, he said, These are symbols of the city. For us it is not just a matter of stones: its a matter of people, its a matter of identity, and its a matter of culture.

What we want is to bring back, he added, are those crossroads of civilizations, cultures and religions that were part of Mosuls identity for many hundreds of years.

Fontani said Pope Francis visit to Mosul also has symbolic value as does the reconstruction efforts that are ongoing in Mosul.

He highlighted how the Pope is bringing the hope that everybody can work together in a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood in order to rebuild the city that needs a lot of support.

On our part, he concluded, we are trying to transform the message of human fraternity into a message for people who are working together every day: We have Christians and Muslims working together in the re-construction of the city, of their houses, in the reconstruction of a religious heritage. I think thats the most important message we are working on today.

the Cathedral in Mosul's Old City

UAE Minister of Culture and UNESCO welcome Pope's visit to Mosul

Following the Pope's vist to to the site of Al Tahera Church in Mosul, a United Arab Emirates Minister and the Director of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization signed a joint statement upholding the Holy Father's message of peace and fraternity.

UAE Minister of Culture and Youth, Noura Al Kaabi, and Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, described the Pope's visit to Al Tahera Church, one of the sites of the Revive the Spirit of Mosul initiative, as sending a strong global message, saying that "harmony and cohesion between the followers of all religions is the only way for the advancement and progress of humanity, and the most effective means by which to address the increasing challenges facing the world."

In the statment they "stressed the importance of the Popes visit to the site of the project in spreading the message of peace and fraternity and highlighted the strength and resilience of humanity in countering the divisive message spread by the group responsible for destroying the Al Nouri Mosque, the Al Saaa and Al Tahera Churches."

They added that the Popes visit to the project site was "a source of inspiration to those engaged in the rehabilitation efforts and provides strong impetus to efforts aimed at establishing peace and harmony in Iraq, the region and the world."
Three persons arrested in Sushant Singh drug probe

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Mumbai, Mar 08: The Narcotics Control Bureau said that it has arrested three persons from Mumbai and Goa, including two foreign nationals who provided drugs to Sushant Singh Rajput. The NCB also said that it has seized several kinds of drugs from them.

The NCB teams from Mumbai and Goa carried out two separate operations in which two foreign nationals were held in Mumbai, while another was arrested in Goa. The officials said that Hemant Shah held in Goa had allegedly supplied drugs.

The NCB raid is underway at multiple locations in Goa, according to news agency ANI. "A huge amount of drugs have been recovered and some drug peddlers have been taken into custody," an NCB officer was quoted as saying by ANI.

Sushant Singh Rajput drug case: NCB files chargesheet in NDPS court, names 33 accused

Muthoot Finance shares drop as chairman falls to death | Oneindia News

Sushant Singh allegedly died by suicide and his body was found in his apartment in Bandra in June last year. The case was later handed over to the CBI and Enforcement Directorate.

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Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 15:05 [IST]
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New Delhi, March 8 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday started an investigation into the case related to explosives recovered in an abandoned car found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's house in Mumbai.

The agency took over the probe following orders received from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The case was registered at Gamdevi police station in Mumbai on February 25 after a Mahindra Scorpio was found parked on Carmichael Road near 'Antilia', Ambani's residence. A Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) team reached the spot immediately.

"NIA has received orders from MHA for investigation of the case being probed by Mumbai Police. This case relates to the recovery of explosives from a Mahindra Scorpio parked at Carmichael Road, Mumbai," the NIA said.

The anti-terror agency said it is in the process of re-registering the case.

Image Source: IANS News

The Scorpio with gelatin, an explosive material, was found parked near Ambani's house in South Mumbai on February 25 evening. A letter was also found inside the vehicle. The vehicle was seized by police then. The Crime Branch of Mumbai Police was conducting the probe.

As per reports, the Mumbai Police team had recovered 21 gelatin sticks, each weighing about 125 grams, from the abandoned vehicle. The police then said that the total weight of the explosive was 2.60 kg, which is enough to explode the entire car if gelatin sticks are attached to other explosive components.

The vehicle had a fake number plate. The registration number on the vehicle's number plate was the same as that of an SUV in Ambani's security detail.

Earlier on Monday, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had said that the Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) had registered a murder case and launched investigations into the mystery of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiren's body being recovered from the Thane Creek wetlands on March 5.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Ulster University scientists at the NI Centre for Stratified Medicine at C-TRIC have called on people who contracted Covid-19 to assist them with an ongoing study.

Scientists are currently involved in a project called COVRES with a cross border partner in Trinity College Dublin, which intends to recruit 500 patients from Northern Ireland and 500 patients from Ireland who have tested positive for Covid-19.

This will include 250 patients who had mild symptoms and 250 patients who were hospitalised to determine if the patients genetics has a key role in disease severity and will also examine other factors such as co morbidities and multi morbidities etc.

This is a huge project which involves genomic sequencing of patients DNA to understand why some people experience mild symptoms while others react more severely. But we need more participants in this, the last week of recruitment.

The facts:

Overall, approximately 80% of people who experience mild symptoms recover without any specific treatment.

However, almost 20% exhibit severe disease, rapidly progressing over 7-10 days following symptom onset.

Risk factors for COVID-19 severity include age, male sex, obesity, diabetes, occupational exposure and ethnicity.

The amount of severe (hospitalized) COVID-19 patients in NI who go on to experience longer term health consequences is poorly understood.

Call to action

Are you in the Derry~Londonderry area and have had COVID-19? Ulster University researchers at C-TRIC at Altnagelvin need you this week. We also have test sites at Jordanstown and Coleraine this week.

All welcome but we are particularly interested in those over 65 years old.

We are also interested in anyone who has been hospitalised with COVID-19 regardless of age.

We will ask you to provide a blood and saliva sample. All appropriate health and safety measures are in place.

We ask that only those who have reached the end of their COVID-19 isolation period attend research appointments.

Participants can register at https://redcap.science.ulster.ac.uk/redcap/surveys/?s=FHHK8EHHCM or email: researchplus@westerntrust.hscni.net and phone number 07768600793.
Free Speech Shouldnt Just Be the Domain of Politicians

Commentary

Australian governments have a long history of suppressing speech that is critical of the prevailing values of the ruling elites.

Although the nations highest court has acknowledged an implied, constitutional freedom of political communication in the landmark legal cases of Nationwide News v Wills and Australian Capital Television Pty Ltd v The Commonwealth (1992), free speech remains remarkably unprotected insofar as the systematic suppression of dissenting voices is concerned.

Whilst enjoying free speech due to the privileges of their office, our elected politicians constantly deny the enjoyment of these same freedoms to those who have elect them.

Some Australians have found themselves at the receiving end of expensive legal action, especially if they dare to stand by traditional values, which are no longer accepted by some in the ruling elite.

This is contrary to the notion of popular sovereignty.

Judges referred to popular sovereignty in 1992 cases, which contradicts the notion that politicians have the power to legislate away free speech rights.

Australias implied freedom of communication is not based on parliamentary sovereignty, but rather on the principle of popular sovereignty, which acknowledges that members of Parliament represent the people, and derive power from their consent.

To exercise their sovereign role, Australians must have their freedom of political communication protected against any intrusion by an Act of Parliament or judicial ruling.

In fact, no Parliament should pass laws that prevent the people from freely expressing themselves about political matters, as this is not compatible with our system of representative government.

If Australians really are a sovereign people, then no government has the power to prevent us from freely discussing political matters, even when such discussion might involve controversial issues that those in the privileged minority may regard as offensive or insulting.

Under the Australian Constitution, sovereignty ultimately resides in the Australian people. Since Australian citizens are sovereign, it borders on absurdity to assert that members of Parliament may speak outrageously; but the people in whom sovereignty actually resides, and from whom Parliament, members of Parliament and the executive derive their authority, cannot speak freely.

It is Australian electors who elect representatives to legislate on their behalf. If anything, a sovereign people must be entirely free to speak the unspeakable, especially about government and political matters.

Representative and responsible government, as stated by Justice Brennan in Nationwide News (1992) are, constitutional imperatives intended  to make the legislature and executive branches of the Commonwealth ultimately answerable to the Australian people.

It follows that, as sovereign, the Australian people must also be free to communicate about government and political matters fully and frankly.

This freedom of communication is critical to holding the executive and legislature accountable and to resolving controversial issues democratically at the ballot box. Indeed, such freedom is necessary to hold a representative government fully accountable to the sovereign people.

In our present political environment, however, censorship is rampant and freedom of association regularly abrogated. A proper analysis of free-speech jurisprudence in Australia demonstrates regular attempts by the courts to gradually increase the power of the State at the expense of the ever decreasing powers of the citizen.

This is particularly so over the last two decades, where the High Court has suddenly dropped any reference to democracy in its judicial rulings. In fact, the interpretative approach of the highest court has become more literalistic and detached from the democratic nature of the Australian Constitution.

With a few exceptions, the High Court remains largely uninterested and silent about ongoing legislative attacks on freedom of speech.

Instead of pressing ahead with a jurisprudence of liberty that protects the people against the predispositions of an increasingly illiberal political class, the Court prefers rather to consolidate the status quo and protect the legislative branch at the expense of the Australian Constitution and the people whose sovereignty it nominally protects.

If the High Court truly sought to exercise its constitutional role of protecting the sovereignty of the Australian people, as well as the legitimacy of the Australian Constitution, then it would have to implement changes in its interpretative approach.

These changes can lead to a new model of jurisprudential protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in generalparticularly freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and freedom of association.

In an authentic democracy, of course, all power emanates from the people, who exercise it by means of elected representatives or, more directly, as provided by the law. And since our elected representatives are free to discuss in Parliament the fullest range of political and governmental matters, this freedom should also be extended to all those who have elected them to exercise political power on their behalf.

Dr. Augusto Zimmermann, Ph.D., LLM cum laude, LLB (Hons.) is professor and head of law at Sheridan Institute of Higher Education in Perth, and professor of law (adjunct) at the University of Notre Dame in Sydney, Australia. He is also president of the Western Australian Legal Theory Association, editor-in-chief of the Western Australian Jurist law journal, and a former law reform commissioner in Western Australia.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
So now Facebook blocks some of the worlds largest media sources! Truth is no longer allowed

MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. Russias Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media (Roscomnadzor) has demanded Facebook restore access to TASS, RBC, and Vzglyad materials.

Roscomnadzor has issued a letter to Facebook administration demanding access be restored to information posted on official accounts of the Russian mass media Vzglyad, RBC, and TASS, the watchdog said on its Telegram channel.

It also stressed that Facebooks actions violate key principles of free dissemination of information, unimpeded access to it and can be described as an act of censorship.

The watchdog reminded that infringement on the right to free access to information is punishable by an administrative fine of up to one million rubles (13,450 US dollars) and of up to three million rubles (40,350 US dollars) in case of recurrent offence.

According to earlier reports, Facebook blocked a TASS post about the detention of supporters of a Ukrainian radical youth group in Russias Voronezh as fake news. The post was written on the basis of an official press statement from the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Investigative Committee. TASS insists that it put the information correctly and plans to request Facebook explanations on the matter.

The TASS news item of February 18 says that Russias Federal Security Service nipped the activities of supporters of a Ukrainian radical youth group involved in propaganda of the ideology of neo-Nazism and massacre.

Facebook said the post had been cancelled at a request from the Ukrainian fact-checking service StopFake.

In March 2016, Facebook began to test various engines to combat fake news. Its menu was supplemented with an option of reporting a potentially fake news. Such posts are referred for verification to third-party organizations.

On March 27, 2020, Facebook launched a content fact-checking program in Ukraine. Ukrainian organizations VoxCheck and StopFake were chosen as partners.

TASS said it would demand explanations from Facebook and would ask the Russian mass media watchdog to consider this situation.

RBC, Vedomosti, and NTV reported similar problems with this news on Facebook.
CHICAGO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AeroPay, a Chicago-based digital payments platform powering bank transfer payments for businesses, announced today the closing of a $5+ million Venture Round. The round was led by Chicago Ventures, a firm that leads investments in early-stage startups. The Chicago Ventures portfolio includes online financial services company M1 Finance, celebrity video-sharing website Cameo, digital parking marketplace SpotHero, and peer-to-peer review site G2.

"We've kept an eye on what the team at AeroPay has been building and we're impressed by their ability to execute. They've done it without cutting corners," said Stuart Larkins, Co-Founder and General Partner of Chicago Ventures. "We firmly believe they are changing the way money moves in a manner that will positively impact businesses of all kinds. Their recent growth and base of operations in Chicago made it a great fit for our firm and we're excited to be on the journey with them."

Other investors in the round include FinTech experts Continental Investors, who led AeroPay's seed round, former Google executives, cannabis industry veterans, and seasoned enterprise retail professionals.

The funding will support recruiting new talent, continued growth in the cannabis industry, and building out additional features of the product. AeroPay's API-driven platform currently processes payments for hundreds of brick-and-mortar and eCommerce businesses including non-profits, restaurants, retail, technology, and cannabis.

While AeroPay services all verticals, the company has seen significant success with cannabis businesses since launching into the industry. In 2020, the State of Illinois surpassed $1 billion in legal cannabis sales. The industry as a whole is estimated to contribute $130 billion to the economy by 2024.

AeroPay utilizes strategic partnerships with other ancillary technology providers such as Blackbird, a cannabis software and delivery company, and Olla, an eCommerce platform built for cannabis retailers, to accelerate their growth in the space.

"We're proud that our platform can handle a variety of use cases through our API and frontend technology. Our ability to be flexible and solve many of our customer's pain points allows us to be the long term payments partner they need," said Daniel Muller, CEO & Founder of AeroPay. "We're excited to continue bringing better payment options to underserved markets that have been left behind by traditional providers."

A true digital payments option has been refreshing for operators in the historically cash-reliant cannabis industry.

"Working with AeroPay has been great from the get go," said Mark Passerini, Executive Vice President of Operations at Mission Dispensaries, a multi-state operator. "The onboarding process was quick and easy, the customer experience has been fantastic, and our store managers are thrilled to offer a cashless payment option that eliminates the need to handle cash and keeps both customers and employees safe."

The AeroPay platform is supported by Safe Harbor Private Banking (a division of Partner Colorado Credit Union), the leading banking provider for cannabis businesses. The partnership leverages AeroPay's technology to facilitate payments, with Safe Harbor Private Banking providing a seamless compliance process and additional banking services.

"There is no better place to build a FinTech company than Chicago as it bridges financial services, an industry of historical significance to the city, and technology, a sector of growing prominence in the city's startup community," said Muller. "We're especially motivated being situated in Illinois as it is becoming one of the most successful legal cannabis markets in the U.S. We're just scratching the surface and we can't wait for what comes next."

About AeroPay

AeroPay is a next-generation payments company, reimagining the way money is moved in exchange for goods and services. Since its founding, AeroPay has operated with the goal of simplifying payments for businesses of all sizes in every industry. AeroPay's payments platform provides lower costs, faster settlements, and enhanced security.

For more information, visit www.aeropay.com or email [email protected].

To schedule an interview, contact:

Alex Lipnik, Director of Marketing

Email: [email protected]

248-217-0282

SOURCE AeroPay

Related Links

http://www.aeropay.com


Jerry Lara /Staff photographer

San Antonio's COVID-19 data is trending in the "right direction" according to Mayor Ron Nirenberg.

He tweeted a San Antonio Express-News article on Sunday night, which compared the January case numbers to now. A few months ago, the average was 2,000-plus a day. Now the new case average is 206, the report said.
- TerraPay's global presence now reaches 70 countries.

- The Company is committed towards fostering inclusive digital mobility for all and is building a credible digital payments highway, beyond borders.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TerraPay, a leading global payments infrastructure company, announced its expansion into Bank Account payments in the USA and Canada markets to facilitate digital cross border remittances and speedy money transfers to senders (partners and their customers) from key corridors around the globe. TerraPay's objective is to build global digital payment highways that interconnect financial institutions such as Banks and Mobile Wallets across the world, nurturing inclusivity, independence and empowerment to all in the global ecosystem.

Users across these countries and continents who currently have traditional access to bank transfers directly into the USA and Canada, will now be able to send and receive remittances more efficiently and at global best practice rates directly into their bank accounts through TerraPay's partner networks. With this entry, TerraPay's global footprint reaches 70 countries.

The USA and Canada markets have a largely potential payments ecosystem, including significant Business, Personal, and Education payment requirements. This lends to the markets being the home to millions of students and migrant workers across the world, who immigrate for better education and work opportunities. With TerraPay's expansion into these cashless economies, individuals and businesses across the globe who have to make a small, mid-size or large payment to the USA or Canada can do so through TerraPay's well entrenched global partner network of 4 Bn+ Banks and 500 Mn+ Mobile Wallets. TerraPay's state-of-the-art interoperability engine will enable it's partners' customers to send and receive payments on a scalable, secure, transparent, and efficient platform, and with an assured same day credit notification. All this, at a nominal validation.

"We are proud to announce our expansion into bank account payments in the USA and Canada, expanding our reach to 70 countries, globally. By facilitating same day international money transfers and cross border remittances, we will offer an edge to our partners' customers. The USA and Canada are one of the biggest cashless economies globally, which gives us the right opportunity to scale up our operations going forward. We look forward to paving these two new destinations on our global payments highway," said Ani Sane, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer, TerraPay.

Speaking on the foray into the new marquee geographies, Philip Daniel, Regional Director, TerraPay, said, "Presently, there are more than 5 million students studying and working away from their country of origin. Most of these students and other migrant populations are living in countries such as the USA, UK, Australia, Germany, Canada and others, contributing a cumulative $300 Bn to the economy. For students, these billion dollar spends cater to application fees, tuition fee remittances, spends on debit cards off and on campus, living payments. Therefore, it can be easily ascertained how big the market potential for seamless cross border digital remittance transactions is. Our solution enables P2P and B2B fund transfers on the same day compared to the current 2-3 days delivery as with traditional banking channels. Our partners and end consumers benefit from higher cost efficiencies and increased revenues, transforming the future of efficient digital money transfers."

TerraPay has established itself as a global partner to leading banks, money transfer operators, mobile wallet operators and financial Institutions to facilitate digital transactions without borders. As a B2B company, TerraPay partners with other businesses and helps them leverage its agile, secure, and scalable technology platform to enhance their customer proposition for remittances, payments, and cross border spends. TerraPay is regulated in over 45 countries around the world.

About TerraPay

TerraPay is a licensed digital payments infrastructure and solutions provider, paving the global payments highway. The company's robust foundation and innovative platform technology serve as the digital interoperability engine enabling customers and businesses globally to send and receive payments on a secure, transparent, efficient, and real-time basis. The agile network supports diverse payment instruments and types of payments while adhering to complex regulations and compliance standards in different markets.

For more information, please visit terrapay.com

SOURCE TerraPay
Ever wondered what goes on at the Maldives most luxurious resorts? What its like to enjoy a week (or a year) in absurd atoll perfection? Wonder no more. DMARGE has spoken to guests from The Nautilus Maldives, which has been recognised as one of the top three resorts in the world, to ask what it was like.

Before we get into the heavenly (and potentially hellish) experiences on the cards, run your eyes over a little context: The Nautilus Maldives is one of the island paradises most iconic resorts.

Its also one of its priciest. The place costs AU$1.3 million to book for just four nights (the minimum stay), news.com.au reports. That converts to about $US250,000 ($AU324,000) per night, to get the atoll to yourself.

The unique opportunity is being offered in light of the change and uncertainty the travel industry is facing after nearly a year since the pandemic was declared.

In exchange for such a heady chunk of cash, guests get ultimate seclusion and exclusive use of The Nautilus Maldives, a VIP welcome at Velana International Airport with private lounge access, fast-tracked entry and limousine service that transfers you to a seaplane.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maldives (@officialmaldives)

The Nautilus Maldives has 26 beach and ocean houses, and is located in Baa Atoll  a part of the Maldives that has been labelled a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

With photos like the above, its not hard to see why the place is so sought after.

Other luxurious resorts in the Maldives like Six Senses and Anantara Veli, at the time of writing, are being advertised for around $3,700 per night (for two people). The Nautilus Maldives, on the other hand, for a stay at one of its beach or ocean houses (i.e. a normal stay, not booking out the whole island), starts at $4,700 per night, and tops out at around $6,000 per night.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by  (@sevak01)

DMARGE spoke to various resort guests to understand better what a stay there is like  and to pop the question, Would you stay there for a year if you could? Heres what they told us.

Instagram user @sevak01, who stayed at the Nautilus for the first two weeks of February told DMARGE it was the first time I had visited this resort.

The resort was amazing. There was a very cool policy of no dress code on the island  so you could visit any restaurant for lunch or dinner wearing shorts or whatever attire you wanted, and most people werent even wearing shoes.

Most restaurants [are] based on the beach so shoes are not a requirement.

The no dress code rule is quite a unique feature. In different places [in the Maldives] Ive been too thats usually not the case.

@sevak01 also told us that  even if you dont book out the whole place to yourself, the villas are quite private so you can go for days without seeing other guests if youre not going to restaurants.

This is helped by the private butler service, which means you can have breakfast at the villa every morning if you like instead of going to the restaurant.

As for the airport, @sevak01 told DMARGE he didnt really see any people who were tense or fearful and that it was quite relaxed.

Having said that I was travelling through separately basically  when I arrived and when I travelled back I was in a separate room and I was taken to the plane by a separate car so Im not quite sure what the vibe was like in the main airport.

Its not all mojitos and infinity pools though. Despite resorts like Anantara Veli offering unlimited stays in paradise packages which let guests loll in luxury for up to a year (something which, as Insider reports, some couples have been quick to jump on), @sevak01 told DMARGE, amazing as the resort was, he might get bored if he had to stay there too long.

I think the resort was amazing. If I had to stay for a long time I would be happy to do that obviously on the condition that I could work remotely. If you cant work remotely you probably would get bored  its a very small island  you can walk around it in 15 minutes.

@sevak01 also warned anyone thinking of staying there not to spend all their money on flights and accommodation, telling DMARGE the place had very expensive food.

Standard lunch is a couple of hundred minimum  another thing to keep in mind if youre going there.

Another recent guest, Alexandra Zhdankina, also gave DMARGE a low-key warning about the food.

According to Alexandra, who is Owner of Heaven Life Properties LTD, Managing Partner in Maisson Property Club LTD and a Russian living in Cyprus, the only disadvantage of The Nautilus Maldives was a small variety of restaurants (only two).

If you spend there more than five days you want to eat elsewhere. Other than that everything was just immaculate. It was one of the best resorts we have ever been to. You feel very special and welcome there. We will definetely go there again.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alexandra Zhdankina (@alexandrazhdankina)

Instagram user @tati.afina, who stayed at The Nautilus Maldives in February for 12 days, likewise told DMARGE though she had only good thing to say about the resort, staying in paradise permanently was not an attractive proposition.

If she had to stay there for a whole year @tati.afina told DMARGE she would, Go crazy.

We have a very dynamic life, it was an unforgettable pause.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tatiana (@tati.afina)

Thats not to forget the positives. @tati.afina also shared some of her favourite features of the resort: You may come for breakfast at 3pm, you schedule housekeeping, two times a day if you wish, excellent and free of charge morning yoga classes, you may order meals not from menu, just what you wish, you may get massage not from spa menu.

She also said there was a nice socialisation element to proceedings too. Even though we were yearning for some privacy after a week, @tati.afina told us we acquired new friends and staff was like a family.

RELATED: Let The Envy Wash Over You: What Its Like Working Remotely In Bali Right Now

On privacy, she said when you are in your ocean house you feel like youre the only guest on the island, but the opportunities for socialisation are there should you wish to seek them out.

First days we thought we were alone, but then met other guests, especially at bar in evening.

@jenya_kisseleva made similar comments to DMARGE regarding The Nautilus Maldives privacy:

The island is not big, but of course you can meet guests at breakfast or at dinner, but sometimes there was the impression that you were alone on the whole island.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by   (@jenya_kisseleva)

I have been to Nautilus three times, the last time from February 13 to March 1. All the places are beautiful, but my favourite is the pool bar where you can admire the beautiful sunsets with a glass of champagne. Im also a fan of our private outdoor terrace; the beach.

It was unexpected, but very nice that a personal Butler can fulfil almost any desire.

If I could take my four dogs with me, I would love to spend a year there, @jenya_kisseleva told DMARGE.

RELATED: Couple Stuck In The Maldives May Be Enjoying Worlds Most Luxurious Isolation

DMARGE also spoke to fashion model Mia Romanova. Mia told us she was in the Maldives for 14 days, from February the 5th to February the 19th.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mia Romanova (@mia.romanova_)

It was an unforgettable and magical vacation, we chose one of the best hotels in the Maldives  The Nautilus hotel  and rented our villa. I could live there forever, this is really paradise! In our hotel, service and the food was top notch! We flew in business class and the whole flight was easy and comfortable, we constantly rested in the business lounge and the people who surrounded us were friendly and kind.

I rate it 5 out of 5.

My advice for those who really want to visit the Maldives is to carefully approach the choice of the hotel and spend at least 10 days there, because going to the Maldives and back takes almost 2 days and it takes time to get used to the climate.

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The National Human Rights Commission in Ebonyi State has called for a better treatment of women in the Nigerian society.

Christopher Okorie, the coordinator of the commission in the state, while enumerating the achievements of the commission during a press briefing on Monday in Abakaliki to mark the International Womens Day, said women were still being ill-treated by the society.

You see, most a time, women are being treated as nothing or as an outcast in society and these are caused by the cultural and religious beliefs, and social norms that are already in existence, Mr Okorie said.

We have assisted so many women in the protection of their rights in their homes and communities.

We recovered land property for a lady whose late father left the property for her. The land was seized by her brothers based on traditional law that women do not have the right to inherit property.

We have been assisting the women as a way of reducing the pain they are going through in society. Sometimes, a woman is abandoned in the hospital by the husband, simply because the woman gave birth to a female child, instead of male.

We have also settled a case for a woman in Ugwulangwu community, Ohaozara Local Government Area, over inheritance, the coordinator of the rights commission said.

He said the commission has treated more than 20 cases of gender-based violence in the past two months.

The commission, according to him, was in partnership with organisations like Legal Aid Council, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ministry of Justice in the state, and the Ministry of Women Affairs to protect and enforce human rights in Ebonyi State.

Mr Okorie said the commission would soon embark on a sensitisation campaign in communities in Ebonyi State.

We shall be meeting with the traditional rulers, village heads for them to understand the laws on human rights, Mr Okorie added.

(NAN)

FX has given a pilot order to Kindred, an adaptation of Octavia E. Butlers influential novel.FXs adaptation is centered on Dana, a young Black woman and aspiring writer who has uprooted her life of familial obligation and relocated to Los Angeles, ready to claim a future that, for once, feels all her own. But, before she can get settled into her new home, she finds herself being violently pulled back and forth in time to a nineteenth-century plantation with which she and her family are most surprisingly and intimately linked. An interracial romance threads through her past and present, and the clock is ticking as she struggles to confront the secrets she never knew ran through her blood, in this genre-breaking exploration of the ties that bind.
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QARAQOSH, Iraq  Pope Francis urged Iraqs Christians on Sunday to forgive the injustices against them by Muslim extremists and to rebuild as he visited the wrecked shells of churches and met ecstatic crowds in the communitys historic heartland, which was nearly erased by the Islamic State groups horrific reign.

Fraternity is more durable than fratricide, hope is more powerful than hatred, peace more powerful than war, the pontiff said during prayers for the dead in the city of Mosul, with the call for tolerance that has been the central message of his four-day visit to Iraq.

At each stop in northern Iraq, the remnants of its Christian population turned out, jubilant, ululating and decked out in colorful dress. Heavy security prevented Francis from plunging into the crowd as he would normally. Nonetheless, they simply seemed overjoyed that he had come and that they had not been forgotten.

It was a sign of the desperation for support among an ancient community uncertain whether it can hold on. The traditionally Christian towns dotting the Nineveh Plains of the north emptied out in 2014 as Christians  as well as many Muslims  fled the Islamic State groups onslaught. Only a few have returned to their homes since the defeat of IS in Iraq was declared four years ago, and the rest remain scattered elsewhere in Iraq or abroad.

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

Bells rang out for the popes arrival in the town of Qaraqosh.

The road to a full recovery may still be long, but I ask you, please, not to grow discouraged, Francis told a packed Church of the Immaculate Conception. What is needed is the ability to forgive, but also the courage not to give up.

The Qaraqosh church has been extensively renovated after being vandalized by IS militants during their takeover of the town, making it a symbol of recovery efforts.

Iraqs Christian population, which has existed here since the time of Christ, has dwindled from around 1.5 million before the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that plunged the country into chaos to just a few hundred thousand today.

Franciss visit, on its last day Sunday, aimed to encourage them to stay, rebuild and restore what he called Iraqs intricately designed carpet of faiths and ethnic groups.

Dressed in white, Francis took to a red carpeted stage in Mosul on his first stop of the day, surrounded by the grey hollowed-out shells of four churches  Syriac Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox and Chaldean  nearly destroyed in the war to oust IS fighters from the city.

It was a scene that would have been unimaginable years earlier. Mosul, Iraqs second-largest city, was at the heart of the IS caliphate and witnessed the worst of the groups rule inflicted on Muslims, Christians and others.

BC-MLIraq-Pope

Eds: UPDATES: With AP Photos. EDITS: With minor edits. With AP Photos.

Where IS ruled, pope calls on Christians to forgive, rebuild
The excitement could be felt all across Israel. On March 1, it was reported that US entertainment giant MGM will produce a new miniseries about the life of Golda Meir, the only woman to date to serve as prime minister in Israel. Barbara Streisand, another famous Jewish woman, would produce the series, based on the book Lioness by the American-Jewish author Francine Klagsbrun. Israeli actress Shira Haas would play the role of Golda.

Israelis have good reason to take pride in Golda Meir. She remains an international icon of female political leadership, more than 50 years since she was first sworn in as prime minister in 1969. She was a trailblazer  only the third woman to serve as head of government anywhere, and she presided over a government made up entirely of men, including the three heads of Israels security establishment, the directors of the Mossad and Shin Bet, and the chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces.

It was truly a remarkable achievement, but it did not portend what lay ahead. The situation of women in Israeli politics is hardly promising this year, on International Womens Day, March 8, 2021, just two weeks before the upcoming March 23 election.

True, women have taken enormous strides forward in other fields, filling key positions in the legal system, the economy and even the military. Esther Hayut is president of the Supreme Court, and she is not the first woman to hold that position. Women head banks and major venture capital firms. They are even breaking through barriers in the defense establishment: Katy Perry, for instance, recently became the first woman to head the Israel Prison Service.

All of this is why even a precursory glance at number of women currently running for Knesset and their positions on the various lists is so frustrating. Today, only one party  the Labor party  is headed by a woman, Knesset member Merav Michaeli. True, it is an impressive achievement, but Labor  the party headed by Golda half a century ago  is now a minor party, not even in the running for the office of prime minister.

Actually, the country seems to have taken a step backward. In 2013, for example, three women headed major parties: Tzipi Livni (Hatnua), Shelly Yachimovich (Labor) and Zehava Gal-On (Meretz).

A closer look at the various parties also shows that almost none of them have equal representation for men and women, and that women tend to be underrepresented. So, for instance, there are just seven women in the first 30 slots of the Likud party list. While the Labor party does have equal representation, it is, as noted, a minor party.

Furthermore, there are parties in Israel that have no women whatsoever on their lists for the upcoming elections, apparently because of their religious worldview. These are the two ultra-Orthodox parties  Shas and Yahadut HaTorah  and the Raam party of Mansour Abbas, which has an Islamic religious orientation (though Raam does have one woman currently as Knesset member).

Nor has there been much improvement since Goldas day in the other positions filled by women in the Knesset and government, with women underrepresented in every Israeli government. An extreme example of this is the security Cabinet, which usually includes just one woman, if any. No woman has ever served as finance minister, defense minister or internal defense minister. In fact, the most senior positions held by women in the Cabinet have been foreign minister (Golda Meir and Tzipi Livni) and justice minister (Tzipi Livni and Ayelet Shaked).

The same is true of the most important Knesset committees. No woman has ever served as head of the Foreign Affairs and Defense, Finance, or Constitution, Law, and Justice committees, and only one woman, Dalia Itzik, served as speaker of the Knesset in 2006 (out of 18 speakers since the founding of the state). Furthermore, no woman has ever served as president of Israel.

Israel may be a progressive, high-tech nation, but compared to other advanced democracies, the situation of women in politics is dire, and thats putting it mildly. The most current data concerning the parliamentary representation of women in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development states ranks Israel 26 out of 37. With a sharp decline in womens representation anticipated after the upcoming election, even that number is expected to drop sharply.

If there is one ray of light, it is that the representation of women in the Knesset does seem to be improving. In other words, more women have been elected to the Knesset in the last few elections than at any time in the past. So, for instance, while there were only 11 women in the first Knesset, the current, 23rd Knesset, has 30 women, i.e., 25% of all Knesset members.

But even this achievement could be blocked. Based on an analysis by Asaf Shapira, head of the Program for Political Reform, a sharp decline in the number of women serving in the next Knesset is likely. Based on his analysis, the party with the most women filling realistic slots on its list is the Labor party (57%), followed by Meretz (40%), Yesh Atid (35%), New Hope (35%), Religious Zionist party (30%), Yamina (27%), Arab Joint List (23%), Likud (22%), and Yisrael Beitenu (11%). As mentioned, there are no women on the ultra-Orthodox parties Knesset lists.

Why hasnt Israels political system given rise to another Golda? This question has been asked more frequently over the last few years. No woman has reached that position, and there is no female politician on the horizon who might serve as a future prime minister.

Livni came close to being Goldas heir in 2009. She was a popular foreign minister, who ran as head of the Kadima party against Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud, winning a total of 28 seats  one more than Netanyahu. But Netanyahu was more politically adroit than Livni; In the end, he managed to piece together a coalition. Some people contend that the ultra-Orthodox parties preferred to forge a political alliance with a man, and therefore turned their backs on Livni. While there is no basis for this claim, it has never been disproved either. In a political system in which the ultra-Orthodox parties wield much more power than they did in the days of Golda Meir, the ultra-Orthodox opposition could be an impediment to the rise of women at the highest levels of politics.

Another possible explanation is that Meir left politics battered and bruised as a result of the 1973 Yom Kippur War fiasco. As head of government at the time, she bore responsibility for Israel being taken by surprise in the attack and unprepared, both politically and militarily, for a traumatic event that changed the country forever. It is, therefore, possible, that Meir, a woman, is linked subconsciously with the greatest security fiasco that Israel ever faced.
NEW YORK, March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- There is nothing we love more than giving out shiny trophies recognizing the most innovative and exciting content marketing projects, agencies, and marketers in the industry. The call for entries is officially open for the prestigious 2021 Content Marketing Awards program. Produced by the Content Marketing Institute, the Content Marketing Awards (CMAs) is the largest and longest-running international content marketing program in the world.



You can find the Content Marketing Award entry forms here: ContentMarketingAwards.com

The Content Marketing Awards is open to all agencies, companies, organizations, and institutions involved in producing content marketing, for internal or external audiences. The 2021 CMAs include 87 categories covering every medium from print to video to in-person events, focusing on strategy, distribution, editorial, design and much more. Entries will be judged by an all-star panel of leading industry influencers and experts in content marketing.

We want our community and industry to learn, grow and thrive. The Content Marketing Awards lets us highlight and showcase the best of the best in content marketing around the world, which helps move the whole industry forward in exciting new directions, explains Stephanie Stahl, general manager, Content Marketing Institute. I cant wait to see this years selection of brands and marketers delivering content experiences that are accelerating business growth, driving creative and technical innovation and wowing audiences.

What you need to know to apply:

Submissions will be accepted online only - but print entrants will be required to mail examples.

- but print entrants will be required to mail examples. Open to all companies, organizations & institutions that create content marketing, branded or custom content in print or digital form.

Entries must have been created or expanded in the 2020 calendar year to qualify.

Supply as much data as possible about the success of your project(s).

Share your story - provide a narrative about your strategy & process to help judges evaluate your project.



Important Deadlines:

Early bird deadline - April 9, 2021

Regular deadline - May 14, 2021

Final (late) deadline - May 21, 2021



Individual category finalists and winners will be announced in July 2021. The top 8 overall category winners will be announced live during a special ceremony at Content Marketing World 2021 which is September 28-October 1.

For more information including a list of categories, the rules, FAQs, a list of judges or to see past winners, visit the Content Marketing Awards website: https://www.contentmarketingawards.com/

Watch this video to learn more about the Content Marketing Awards and hear what winners and finalists have to say about it.

About Content Marketing Institute

Content Marketing Institute is the leading global content marketing education and training organization, teaching enterprise brands how to attract and retain customers through compelling, multichannel storytelling. CMIs Content Marketing World event, the largest content marketing-focused event, is held every fall in Cleveland, Ohio, and ContentTECH Summit event is held every spring in San Diego, California. CMI publishes Chief Content Officer for executives and provides strategic consulting and content marketing research for some of the best-known brands in the world. Content Marketing Institute is organized by Informa Connect. Learn more at ContentMarketingInstitute.com

About Informa Connect

Informa Connect is a specialist in content-driven events and digital communities that allow professionals to meet, connect, learn and share knowledge. We operate major branded events in Marketing, Global Finance, Life Sciences and Pharma, Construction & Real Estate, and in a number of other specialist markets and connect communities online year-round.

Press Contact:

Amanda Subler

Amanda.Subler@informa.com




Stepan Movsisyan has been told his house remains in Armenia but half of his cow shed now falls under Azerbaijan's control after a war last year dramatically shifted the boundaries between the ex-Soviet foes.

"Apparently GPS says that the border runs right through here," says the former forest ranger, 71, standing in the mud of his front yard.

"But how can that be?"

A few metres away two young Armenian border guards with Kalashnikov rifles keep constant watch.

Next to them a freshly planted sign says you are entering Azerbaijan, and just beyond that the country's flag flaps over a border control camp.

Stepan Movsisyan's property is now split between two countries /  AFP

Up until a few months ago the nearest Azerbaijani presence east of the village of Shurnukh was dozens of kilometres away.

Between the two sides lay the territory of the self-declared state of Nagorno-Karabakh, that Armenian fighters seized in a war almost 30 years ago after the Soviet Union's collapse.

But the balance of power was upended by six weeks of fighting that exploded last September and saw Armenia bludgeoned into agreeing to handover swathes of territory to Azerbaijan.

An agreement, brokered by Russia, has meant a return to an internationally recognised border between the two countries that for decades had existed only on paper.

- 'Living with the enemy' -

In Shurnukh the border has been staked out more or less along the road that runs through the middle of this impoverished farming village of 28 families.

Across it, Armenian and Azerbaijani forces now eye each other nervously.

In between them stands a small contingent of Russian border troops with an armoured personnel carrier parked up.

On the lower side of the village, a dozen houses have been claimed by Azerbaijan and the Armenian families who lived there forced to leave.

"An Azerbaijani general came and said it was their land," says farmer Khachik Stepanyan.

Khachik Stepanyan outside the houses he and his family are staying in, which is only a few meters away from the home they were forced to abandon /  AFP

Now his family has moved into a neighbour's house just across the road, and look out of their window every day at the abandoned home they left behind metres away.

"Of course it feels painful," Stepanyan says.

"This is Armenian land -- and now we have to live with our enemies nearby."

Delineating to whom each scrap of this land belongs is a bitterly contested task.

Much of the problem dates back a century ago, when Soviet leaders drew lines on the map with little concern for old enmities or historical claims.

Azerbaijani families lived in the disputed homes until the late 1980s, but they left as the USSR frayed and long-suppressed ethnic tensions boiled over across the region.

Now the villagers of Shurnukh point to old Soviet maps they insist show the entire village should be in Armenia.

But the Azerbaijani side have used far more modern techniques of satellite mapping to pinpoint where they say the border should be -- and so far they have got their way.

- 'Suffocates you' -

Village head Hakob Arshakyan cannot contain his bitterness at the sudden reversal in fortunes.

Standing on a frigid outcrop, he lets out a stream of swear words when he spots an Azerbaijani border guard in the near distance below.

Arshakyan also had to leave his home and is currently living with his wife and daughter in his office.

Armenian soldiers stand guard outside houses in Shurnukh village. Up until a few months ago the nearest Azerbaijani presence was dozens of kilometres away /  AFP

"It suffocates you -- we lived there for more than thirty years," he says.

"It was our lives, all our memories."

The Armenian government is building new houses for those displaced further up in the village -- but the villagers insist they want their old land back.

While there has not been any violence reported so far, even the smallest incident requires international mediation and it is difficult to see how the current standoff is sustainable.

"One day someone's pig crossed over onto the other side," explains Arshakyan.

"Our border guards, the Russians and the Azerbaijanis had to agree to watch as the owner was allowed to go and fetch it back."

Even if the residents are allowed back to their homes, having the Azerbaijani troops so close by has put the village on edge.

"Of course it's frightening having them so close -- it's scary for everyone," says Arshakyans wife Nune, a maths teacher at the village school.

The presence of the Russian troops gives some peace of mind but she worries about the situation if they move out.

"I don't know what would happen if they left," Nune said.

"I don't know how life would be then."
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert demanded Monday that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 'tear down this wall' of fencing that has remained around the Capitol complex since after the January 6 attack  even though a review resulted in recommenders for installing a retractable fencing system.

The Republican representative for Colorado released a minute-long video on Twitter where she lauded former President Donald Trump for building a security wall at the southern border but bashed Democrats for keeping a fence up around the Capitol.

'Here's what I know: you protect what you love,' Boebert said as rock music played in the background and she walked directly at the camera from within the security perimeter outside the Capitol striking several power poses.

She continued: 'President Trump built a big, beautiful wall because he loves America and he wanted to secure our country and protect us.'

'And now, welcome to Fort Pelosi,' Boebert said as the scene changed to her standing along the fencing surrounding the entire complex, 'where Democrats decry walls from within their own, heavily guarded, razor wired wall.'

GOP Representative Lauren Boebert demanded in a video posted Monday that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 'tear down this wall' of fencing around the Capitol complex

The fencing has been in place since after the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, and Boebert called it 'Fort Pelosi' as she and other Republicans claim Democrats care more about protecting government than Americans

Boebert's attack toward the House Speaker came after a task force appointed by Pelosi recommended that a mobile, retractable fence be installed around the Capitol complex for a more permanent solution to security concerns

Boebert represents Colorado in the U.S. House. She is known for her pro 2nd Amendment restaurant in her home district where waitresses carry firearms

The fencing has a spool of razor wire atop to discourage climbers and beyond the barriers are National Guard troops

'Democrats don't want to protect you, because they don't care about you. But they'll spare no expense protecting themselves,' she claimed.

The video then played snippets of Pelosi, President Joe Biden and former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton all bashing the idea of building a wall being built at the U.S.-Mexico border.

'It's time to cut the crap and remember, this is the people's house,' Boebert said as she pointed to the Capitol dome. 'Madam Speaker, tear down this wall!'

Boebert's rhetoric is not insignificant as she channeled the words of former President Ronald Reagan when he called for the wall dividing East and West Berlin to be destroyed in 1987. During the speech Berlin, Reagan called for General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, to open the concrete wall separating the two sides of the German.

Famously in the middle of Reagan's speech that day, Reagan said: 'Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!'

The Capitol fencing, which include a spool of razor wire atop, was erected around the entire Capitol complex after the January 6 storming of the building by thousands of pro-Trump rioters attempting to disrupt Congress certifying the election results for Biden.

It has remained in place ever since  as well as a presence of at least 5,000 National Guard troops.

Republicans are denouncing the wall as a symbol of Democrats caring more about protecting government than protecting American citizens from outside threats from the southern border like drug and human trafficking and illegal immigration.

Boebert's comments, however, comes after a review by an independent task force reviewing the preparedness of the Capitol for another such attack found more precautions are needed.

Pelosi established the task force earlier this year and was headed up by Retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore to review Capitol security.

'The breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6 brought into stark relief the need to immediately improve the security of the Capitol Complex and the security of Congressional Members and staff,' the report reads.

After the Capitol breach January 6, approximately 26,000 National Guard troops were called into D.C. as the city prepared for Biden's inauguration. To this day, a few thousand remain in the nation's capital

Boebert is a staunchly pro 2nd Amendment lawmaker and is known for her restaurant in her home district in Rifle, Colorado where waitresses carry firearms

It recommends both infrastructure improvements as well as a standby group of law enforcement who can respond in time of emergency.

Most notably, the task force recommends a mobile fencing system around the Capitol complex.

The report indicates the fencing system 'could enable an open campus while giving security forces better options to protect the complex.'

It also calls for a quick reaction Capitol Police force for when Congress is in session and a complete overhaul of protections for members when they are in their home districts.

According to the acting chief of Capitol Police, most threats toward lawmakers are coming from outside the Washington D.C. metro area and instead are coming from the representatives and senators' home districts.
Patriarch Bartholomew to visit Ukraine on Independence Day  MP

KYIV. March 8 (Interfax-Ukraine)  Deputy head of the Servant of the People faction Yevhenia Kravchuk said Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will visit Ukraine to celebrate the Independence Day of Ukraine.

"At a meeting with a delegation of MPs from the Servant of the People faction, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I confirmed his arrival in Ukraine for the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of Independence, at the invitation of Volodymyr Zelensky [...] It is very symbolic that the Patriarch who played one of the key roles for the independence and recognition of Ukrainian Orthodoxy, will arrive in Ukraine," Kravchuk said on her official Facebook page on Saturday, March 6.

The MP also thanked the Consulate General of Ukraine in Istanbul for organizing the meeting.
A one-week-old baby boy was on Thursday, March 4, 2021, found dead and abandoned at Teshie in Accra.



Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Effia Tenge, Head of Public Affairs Unit of the Accra Regional Police Command, said on Thursday March 4, 2021 at 0900 hours, the Teshie District Police received information to the effect that someone had abandoned a baby between two kiosks at Teshie Muji Park area.



She said the District Commander and some officers proceeded to the scene and found a baby boy, about one week old wrapped in a black polythene bag dead, with no visible marks of violence.



The Police said, the body had been conveyed to the Police Hospital Mortuary pending autopsy.



She said investigations were ongoing to identify the mother of the boy.

Source: GNA









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Agricultural tyre firm Bridgestone has doubled the period of warranty cover on its range of AG radial drive products to 10 years.

For the first time, products such as the VX-TRACTOR and the VT-TRACTOR will be accompanied by the extended cover.

Bridgestone has also announced that it will change the starting point of its cover.

Previously, it was from the date of manufacture and for five years.

But this has been altered to begin from the date the farmer purchases the tyre, meaning he or she will benefit for the full 10 years of ownership.

Bridgestones Technical Manager Gary Powell said the firm was 'delighted' to offer the new extended warranty to farmers.

"From our dashboard data, we have clearly seen a continuing improvement to the reliability of our products operating in the farming environment.

"This has been made possible by advances in production technology and new design features," he said.

We are more than comfortable to double the length of warranty cover, which clearly is a powerful indicator of our confidence, in our products reliability.

"And all this is at no extra cost to the farmer.

Bridgestone tyres are available and supported in the field by their UK network of Bridgestone AG Dealer Partners.
Separate Minneapolis shootings had resulted in at least one individual killed and two injured. The shootings happened near the 'George Floyd Square' and across the city. According to Fox News, a manhunt was underway Sunday after an individual was fatally shot in the area near where George Floyd died last May.

1 Dead, 2 Injured in Separate Minneapolis Shootings

The shooting incident was reportedly near the place now known as the 'George Floyd Square,' which serves as a memorial to Floyd, who died while in police custody and ignited riots and protests across the United States in May of last year.

Based on John Elder's statement, the Minneapolis Police Department spokesman mentioned that the victim of one of the Minneapolis shootings was shot after having a verbal disagreement with the suspect. Despite being brought to a medical facility, the man still died at the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC).

The victim was identified by his friends and colleagues as 30-year-old Inez Wright, a resident of the city, and was previously convicted for domestic abuse and narcotics crimes based on the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Wright was training to be a mental health practitioner. He was also working as a team member under Change Inc., a Twin Cities organization helping as mentors for Black Youth in St. Paul. Quinton Bonds, one of his supervisors shared that Wright was a huge loss for their organization and their team, as they are like a family, and the loss of the 30-year-old mental health practitioner is also like losing a family member for them.

Bonds also shared that Wright always said that he wishes he would have known better. He added that Wright was a very authentic person.

Read also: Trump's Social Media Comeback: A 'Spectacular Return' to SocMed Following Ban on Facebook, Twitter

On Saturday, a man was injured in the uptown area of the city of Minneapolis. He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), where he was initially assessed to have noncritical injuries.

Meanwhile, on the morning of Sunday, officers also responded to another shooting in the string of Minneapolis shootings and found a man who also suffered from noncritical injuries. The victim was also taken to a local area hospital, based on some reports.

The police added that the man was in a vehicle when he was struck by gunfire. The fatal shooting incident was the 12th homicide that was recorded in Minneapolis so far this year.

The Minneapolis shootings happened as jury selection begins Monday in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the ex-officer responsible for George Floyd's death. The former Minneapolis police officer was fired and charged with murder after a video of bystanders circulated online, showing him pressing his knee into Floyd's neck.

But police spokesman Elder said that the recent Minneapolis shootings were not connected to the upcoming trial. He also mentioned that anyone with any information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Minnesota, USA Today reported.

Related article: Colorado Party Turns Violent, Left Responders Assaulted and Injured Officers

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London and Dakar, 8 March 2021  The 2020 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership has been awarded to Mahamadou Issoufou, President of Niger, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation announced today following a meeting of its independent Prize Committee.

President Mahamadou Issoufou served two five-year terms as President of Niger from 2011 to 2020. He is the sixth recipient of the Ibrahim Prize, which recognises and celebrates excellence in African leadership. The Ibrahim Prize aims to distinguish exceptional leaders who, during their time in office, have developed their countries, strengthened democracy and protected rule of law for the shared benefit of their people.

In its citation, the Prize Committee praised President Issoufous exceptional leadership after inheriting one of the worlds poorest economies, facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. Throughout his time in office, he has fostered economic growth, shown unwavering commitment to regional stability and to the constitution, and championed African democracy.

Announcing the decision, Festus Mogae, Chair of the Prize Committee and former President of Botswana said: In the face of the most severe political and economic issues, including violent extremism and increasing desertification, President Mahamadou Issoufou has led his people on a path of progress. Today, the number of Nigeriens living below the poverty line has fallen to 40%, from 48% a decade ago. While challenges remain, Issoufou has kept his promises to the Nigerien people and paved the way for a better future. After careful consideration, the Committee finds President Issoufou a worthy winner of the Ibrahim Prize.

President Issoufou was first democratically elected President in 2011, following many years of military rule in Niger. He was elected for a second term in 2016 and stepped down at the end of this mandate, demonstrating his clear respect for the constitution.

Data from the 2020 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) underline President Issoufous achievements. During his ten years as President, Niger has made progress in multiple areas, including improving in all four sub-categories of Human Development. At the end of the decade, Niger ranked 28 out of 54 countries in the IIAG. It is among the ten most improved African countries in strengthening socioeconomic opportunities for women.

On learning the outcome of the Prize Committees deliberations, Mo Ibrahim said: Im delighted that the Prize Committee has made President Mahamadou Issoufou an Ibrahim Prize Laureate. He is an outstanding leader who has worked tirelessly for the people of Niger, meeting some of the regions toughest challenges with determination and respect. I am proud to see Issoufou recognised as an example of exceptional leadership and I hope his legacy will inspire generations of African leaders.

President Mahamadou Issoufou joins President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia (2017), President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia (2014), President Pedro Pires of Cabo Verde (2011), President Festus Mogae of Botswana (2008) and President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique (2007) as an Ibrahim Prize Laureate. President Nelson Mandela was made the inaugural Honorary Laureate in 2007.

The Ibrahim Prize is a $5 million award paid over ten years. It ensures that the African continent continues to benefit from the experience and wisdom of exceptional leaders once they have left national office, by enabling them to continue their invaluable work in other civic roles on the continent.

The candidates for the Ibrahim Prize are all former African Executive Heads of State or Government who have left office during the last three calendar years, having been democratically elected and served their constitutionally mandated term.

The full citation from the Prize Committee can be read HERE.
The Nature Conservancy, with funding from Open Space Insitute, was able to purchase 410 acres to add to its conserved land on Black Mountain, seen here from Route 30 in Dummerston.
Children arrive at Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary Academy in Shipdham in Norfolk (Joe Giddens/PA)

A mother has said her childrens return to school after the latest lockdown in England was easier than after the first one last year because the family are now used to the new normal.

Office manager Rianne Mills, 33, said her sons school in Shipdham, Norfolk, held virtual tours of the classroom so her boys, Henry Cheetham, eight, and five-year-old Freddie Mills knew what to expect.

Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary Academy, which is part of the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust, said 99% of pupils attended on Monday.

Expand Close Children in class at Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary Academy in Shipdham, Norfolk (Joe Giddens/PA) PA / Facebook

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The school have been fantastic, said Ms Mills.

They did a virtual tour so theyve shown photos and videos of how the classroom is set up, explaining things, explaining procedures.

The boys are quite prepared, I think. They had all different videos of where theyll sit and things like that, how things will go.

The single mother was furloughed during the most recent lockdown as she home-schooled her sons, and said she is looking forward to some normality.

She said the boys were a little bit nervous about returning to school but super-excited to see their friends.

Expand Close A pupil uses hand sanitiser as she arrives at Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary Academy in Shipdham, Norfolk (Joe Giddens/PA) PA / Facebook

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She said it was easier than after the first lockdown last year.

I think the first time we were so anxious, really worried, really scared, but I think knowing all the procedures theyve put in beforehand has made it easier this time, she said.

We know the children are going to be safe, we know exactly what the score is this time, we know what theyve got in place, and I think weve just got used to the new normal, if that makes sense.

The school has almost 200 pupils aged between four and 11, and between 25% and 30% of them attended through lockdown when it was only open to vulnerable and keyworker children.

Headteacher Shannon OSullivan said: We know that some of the children will be slightly nervous.

Expand Close Ninety-nine percent of pupils attended as the school reopened on Monday (Joe Giddens/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Ninety-nine percent of pupils attended as the school reopened on Monday (Joe Giddens/PA)

Weve tried to ease some of those anxieties with some happy balloons and things outside the front, and well just try to take every step as we go today, keeping safety at the forefront.

She said she felt it was absolutely perfect timing for children to return to school.

Weve been tracking the numbers of Covid cases in our community throughout this period and were down so much now that we absolutely know that this is the best place for our children as far as the safety of them and continuing their learning, she said.

Children queued in socially-distanced lines outside and washed their hands at special hygiene stations before going into class, with all staff wearing masks.

Expand Close (left to right) Freddie Bridgman, Jaylen White and Jacob Yeoman in class at Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary Academy in Shipdham, Norfolk (Joe Giddens/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp (left to right) Freddie Bridgman, Jaylen White and Jacob Yeoman in class at Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary Academy in Shipdham, Norfolk (Joe Giddens/PA)

The school operates three staffroom bubbles.

Businesswoman Victoria Proctor, 37, said her two sons, seven-year-old James and Reuben, five, were a little bit nervous about returning to school but were looking forward to seeing their friends.

Last week they wore their uniforms to kind of get back into the swing of things, she added.


With community leads Radio 4 Sunday Worship With community leads Radio 4 Sunday Worship

On Sunday youth worker Jamie Cutteridge and Canon Jutta Brueck from the With Community in Ditchingham led morning worship on Radio 4.

With is a name which reminds us that we live this life with God, with one another, with ourselves, and with the planet, said Jamie, one of the leaders of the With community.



He explained that With had been handed the lease to a large convent in Norfolk called All Hallows, which for 150 years has been a house of prayer, community and service owned by the Sisters of All Hallows.



Over Lent the first few members have moved onto the site, said Jamie, and work is underway for youth groups to come away for rest, fun, and a chance to explore and grow in the Christian faith as well as build resilience.



The community living on site all year round will be committed in prayer and mission to supporting and serving the UKs young people.



Hamish MacQueen, Director of Youth Services from the Catholic Diocese of East Anglia, read the Gospel from St Luke, which described the finding of the boy Jesus in the Temple by his parents.



Canon Jutta Brueck, Dean for With, commented on the passage on her sermon. In this time of pandemic and lockdown, she said, there are sadly not many opportunities for young people to sit among their teachers, listening to them, and asking questions.



She observed that there was a great deal of debate about how to bridge the gap in their learning, how to support young people whose mental health has suffered in this last year, and how to move forward, addressing the huge inequalities in opportunity, access to resources and wealth that have been uncovered.



Could this be a time when. Gods Spirit is speaking through the voices of young people? she asked.



You can listen to the Radio 4 programme here.



Jamie commented: Im delighted that Radio 4 asked With Community to lead Sunday Worship; but whats more exciting is that the service elevates the voices of young people as part of the programme. Throughout Lent we have been asking young people from Norfolk and beyond, from a variety of Christian traditions, what being with means to them, and these quotes and ideas that were central in the service."



With has recently opened up applications for community members at Ditchingham and are looking to create a diverse community of Christians passionate about praying for and with young people.



More information about joining the With community is available on this link.



Pictured above is Jamie Cutteridge





Eldred Willey, 08/03/2021
Abercrombie & Fitch, a large US fashion brand and retailer, has announced its decision not to reopen its Dublin city centre flagship store ahead of its lease expiration this month.

The company, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange with a valuation of $1.73bn, announced its decision not to reopen the Dublin store, which opened in 2012, during its quarter-four earnings call with analysts.

Despite the decision not to reopen the flagship store, located at 34 College Green, Dublin, a spokeswoman for Abercrombie and Fitch said the brand remained committed to Dublin.
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The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted two fake whistleblowers, Dominic Okem and Chukwunonso Igweonu.

A statement by the spokesperson for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren, said on Monday that the trial judge, I.M. Sani, convicted and sentenced each of the two men to two months imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine on March 4.

According to the statement, the judge passed the judgment after the two of them pleaded guilty to the offences of conspiracy and giving misleading and false information to EFCC operatives.

It explained that the convicts got into trouble when they misinformed the EFCC that they saw a huge sum of money in a house, located at Enu-Aqua in Cross River State.

READ ALSO: Whistleblower files lawsuit against tobacco foundation

 However, when operatives of the commission executed a search warrant on the said property, nothing incriminating was found, it added.

READ STATEMENT IN FULL:

EFCC Press Release

Court Jails Two False Whistle Blowers in Port Harcourt

Justice I.M. Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced two false whistle blowers: Dominic Okem and Chukwunonso Igweonu, to two months imprisonment each for conspiracy and giving misleading and false information.

They were convicted on March 4, 2021 after pleading guilty to two- count charges bordering on giving false information, following their arraignment by the Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

One of the charges read: That you Dominic Okem and Chukwunonso Igweonu on or about the 22nd Day of January, 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire between yourselves to give false information to officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to wilt: huge fund were found at Enu/Akwu Street, Federal Housing Estate, in Calabar Cross Rivers State, which information turned out to be false, untrue/misleading and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 39 (2) (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.

Based on their guilty plea, prosecution counsel, F.O. Amama prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. The defence counsel. E. Wanogho however, prayed the court not to raise its hammer too hard as the defendants were actually carrying out their civic responsibilities in line with the whistle blowing policy of the Federal Government. He regretted that the effort to expose the proceeds of crime turned out otherwise

In his judgment, Justice Sani found Okem and Igweonu guilty as charged and convicted and sentenced them to two months imprisonment, with an option of fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira( N100,000) each.

The convicts got into trouble when they misinformed the EFCC that they saw a huge sum of money in a house, located at Enu-Aqua in Cross River State. However, when operatives of the Commission executed a search warrant on the said property, nothing incriminating was found.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

8 March, 2021
Canberra, March 8 : Australia continued the rollout of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine continued on Monday, with the state of Queensland administering it's first doses to frontline hospital and medical staff.

Over the weekend, clinics in Western Australia also commenced administering the vaccine with the program expected to gain pace over the coming weeks, reports Xinhua news agency.

Covid-19 cases remained extremely low across Australia, with an estimated 97 active cases nationally, all of which were in isolation.

On Sunday, Health Minister Greg Hunt announced that more than 4,500 general practitioners would participate in Phase 1b of the rollout, which he described as one of the greatest logistical challenges in the country's history.

"Phase 1b of the rollout includes vulnerable populations, such as older people and people with certain underlying conditions," Hunt said.

"More than 1,000 general practices will commence from the week of March 22, with a rapid scale up over the following four weeks. This will ensure an efficient and equitable distribution of vaccines across the country." Australia's remote communities were told they would also have ready access to the vaccine through more than 130 GP-led respiratory clinics and over 300 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

President of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), Sarah Chalmers acknowledged the importance of including all Australians in the rollout plan regardless of where they live.

"The equitable distribution points across the country means that all our vulnerable patients can access the vaccine," Chalmers said.

"ACRRM acknowledges the enormous amount of work that has been put into planning for the vaccination rollout, including for rural and remote communities."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Patna, March 8 : Many political parties in Bihar are now devising strategies to capture the maximum number of panchayats in the upcoming elections. They are working on ways to boost the chances of their party workers who are in the electoral fray for the panchayat elections.

The two-day state level working committee meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday focused on strengthening the organization at the grassroots level while also supporting their party workers for the panchayat elections.

During the BJP meet, party state president Sanjay Jaiswal announced that eligible candidates will be supported by the party for the elections to the zilla parishads.

The panchayat elections in Bihar are not held on a party basis A BJP leader says that all party workers at the grassroots level will be prepared before these local body elections. The party workers at all levels have been asked to fight the elections at different levels and work hard to win the maximum number of seats.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has also formulated a new strategy. According to an RJD leader, the party is soon going to issue formal instructions on how the cadres of the party should stand together in the electoral fray when they are contesting in the panchayat elections.

The RJD workers should not contest against each other so that the party can consolidate more and more seats.

Sources say that the leader and activists of the panchayat or ward should also support the party candidate, so that the party can have a firm grip on the panchayati raj institutions.

RJD leaders claim that in the last panchayat elections, most of the panchayati raj institutions were under the control of the RJD. However, no official announcement has been made by the RJD in this matter yet.

RJD Spokesman Mrityunjay Tiwari says that the RJD's organizational structure is robust in Bihar. Panchayat elections in Bihar are not held on a party basis but party activists take part in these elections.

The panchayat elections in Bihar are likely to be held in April-May this year.
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Over 10,000 people in Europe use an assistance dog; think of guide dogs for people with a visual impairment, hearing dogs for people with a hearing impairment, medical response service dogs and psychiatric service dogs.

According to a UN-agreement and the Dutch law, these dogs are welcome in stores, hospitals and other public places. However, in practice, many assistance dog users and their dogs are regularly refused entry. In the Netherlands, four out of five assistance dog users indicate that they regularly experience problems with this.

Often, hygiene reasons are given as the main argument for refusing entry to assistance dogs. Research by Utrecht University now shows that the paws of assistance dogs are cleaner than the shoe soles of their users, and thus, paw hygiene is no reason to ban assistance dogs from hospitals.

To investigate this, Jasmijn Vos, Joris Wijnker and Paul Overgaauw of Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine took samples from the paws of 25 assistance dogs and the shoe soles of their users. For comparison, they also investigated an equally large group of pet dogs and their owners. Vos and her colleagues examined the samples for poop bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae), which are very common outdoors, and for an important diarrhoeal bacteria (Clostridium difficile).

"The dogs' paws turned out to be cleaner than the soles of their shoes," says Jasmijn Vos, Masters student at Utrecht University. "This makes the hygiene argument that is often used to ban assistance dogs from public locations invalid." Moreover, the diarrhoeal bacteria did not occur on the dogs' paws whatsoever, and only once on a shoe sole.

81% of assistance dogs are refused

Dutch assistance dog users were also surveyed about their experiences. 81% are still regularly refused entry to public places with their dog, even though this is prohibited by law. This is mainly down to lack of knowledge on the part of the person refusing entry: lack of knowledge on what an assistance dog is, how it can be recognised, and about the rules of law.

The study also shows that assistance dog users constitute only a small fraction of the total number of patients in Dutch hospitals. Should they decide to bring their assistance dog to the hospital, or elsewhere, this should be made possible; assistance dogs are usually well trained and are no more of a hygiene hazard than people!

###

Research publication
Insufficient diplomatic strength to stop Iran By Amb. Dore Gold

There is less access, lets face it. This is how Rafael Mariano Gross, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), summarized the results of his talks with the Iranians during mid-February, just before a new Iranian law mandated by the parliament went into effect, cutting back the monitoring of the Iranian nuclear program. There would be no more snap inspections by the West on Iranian facilities. There was little reason to celebrate the new understanding, for the Iranians followed this latest deal with new statements about their program which were clearly disturbing. The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared that Irans uranium enrichment levels would no longer be limited to 20 percent. We may even increase enrichment to 60 percent. The JCPOA, also known as the 2015 Iran deal, limited enrichment to just 3.67 percent. Enrichment to 90 percent is what the Iranians need to manufacture a nuclear explosive device. Verification of the JCPOA understandings was extremely flawed. Last November, Irans enrichment levels reached 12 times the amount that had been permitted, according to the IAEA. Tehran is now on a path to get closer to an atomic bomb than ever before. The Iran nuclear deal had other serious defects that needed to be fixed, but it did not appear that these changes were going to happen. Take ballistic missiles. When the West created an arrangement with Saddam Hussein at the end of the First Gulf War that sought to address his weapons of mass destruction, they did not limit themselves to dismantling the biological, chemical, and nuclear components that the Iraqis possessed. They included all ballistic missiles above a range of 150 kilometers. But the JCPOA did not touch Irans missile capabilities. It was a huge hole in the agreement. There is no indication that it is now going to be remedied. Another defect in the JCPOA was that it was built around the assumption that if Iran adhered to its terms, Iranian behavior would become more moderate. This was projected in the West to be a possible consequence of the easing of sanctions on the Iranian economy. But now looking back to 2015, the relaxing of sanctions on Iran did not moderate its regional behavior. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) continued to employ Shiite militias sometimes with even greater force. A February 2021 report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change did not mince any words on this point: The number of militias created by the IRGC surged. Iranian expansionism spread in this period to areas that are not thought to be within its sphere of influence. Its support for the Houthi guerrillas in Yemen gave it a strategic presence along the Bab al-Mandeb Strait that connected the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Iran began working with the Polisario in the Western Sahara, basing themselves in Algeria. Iran was operating far away from the Persian Gulf. What was needed was a robust response by the West to these Iranian actions. In the past month alone, Iranian proxies struck at an American facility in Iraqi Kurdistan with rockets as well as a civilian airport in Saudi Arabia. True, the U.S. hit back at an Iraqi militia stationed just over the border in Syria. But without a consistent American policy of striking back, the Iranians will not internalize the U.S. message. Right now, Washington is still determined to re-enter nuclear talks with Tehran. Without a strong reaction, the Iranians are likely to escalate their actions even further across the Middle East. But there was no indication that the U.S. and Europe understood what they were facing. Ambassador Dore Gold has served as President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs since 2000. From June 2015 until October 2016 he served as Director-General of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Previously he served as Foreign Policy Advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels Ambassador to the UN (1997-1999), and as an advisor to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Home
Storm merits probe

Re: Texas power grid cries out for vast overhaul, Metro, Wednesday:

The strong words being leveled at CPS Energy are misdirected. County Judge Nelson Wolff said CPS had enough power to supply San Antonio during the cold weather crisis but was required to divert some of that power to the Texas grid to prevent it from crashing.

So, the harsh criticism should be directed at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and state leaders who are in a position to change how the grid operates. If we dont look at it correctly, we wont get any relief. Finger-pointing doesnt bring results.

The issue with CPS seems to be that the natural gas providers charged exorbitant rates during a crisis and CPS is now trying to figure out how to pay for that. Isnt price-gouging in a crisis supposed to be prohibited?

This deserves investigation from our attorney general.

Barbara Stover

Larson sets example

Re: How lawmakers can fix Texas power grid, Other Views, Thursday:

Bless his heart. State Rep. Lyle Larson stated what we all deserve to hear: an admission as to where the real blame lies in the failure of our states power reliability.

Larson said: There is no question that we in state government are responsible for this colossal failure.

Oh, if our governor had issued that self-rebuke last week.

Larson gave clear-cut information on how to rectify the situation. Thank you, Mr. Larson, for your honesty. Now, lets see our state leaders and Legislature step up to the plate and get to work.

Maxine Junek

Self-reflect on role

The blame game is great. It helps us cope with adversity. We can blame ERCOT; we can blame our city administrators; and we can blame the Legislature.

But the real blame rests in the individual we see in the mirror each morning. We continue to elect the same people even though they have proven many times not to be up to the tasks at hand.

The ultimate blame does indeed lie with us. As Shakespeare so aptly put it: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars / But in ourselves . . . .

Bernie Block, Kerrville
BJP will not announce the chief ministerial candidate before the polls and a decision in this regard will be taken by its Parliamentary Board at the time of forming the next government, the saffron party state unit president Ranjeet Kumar Dass said on Monday.

Incumbent chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and influential minister and convenor of the North East Democratic Front (NEDA) Himanta Biswa Sarma have also said the ultimate decision on selecting a person for the chief minister chair in the new government will be that of the party's Parliamentary board.

This is in contrary to the position in 2016, when BJP had projected the then union minister Sarbananda Sonowal as its chief ministerial face before the elections were held.

"When there is no government, then the CM name is projected. When we are in government, then we do not project any name for the CM post," Dass told PTI in an interview.

He claimed that not a single BJP worker has asked this question about the name of chief ministerial candidate, and only the media is enquiring about it.

"At the time of forming the government, the Parliamentary Board will take a decision on the issue," Dass said without elaborating.

Its not only the BJP-led coalition which is going to the state polls without a chief ministerial face, even the Congress-headed Grand Alliance has not projected anybody for the top post.

When asked if he will be one of the prospects for the top position if the BJP-led alliance returns to power, Dass, who is former Assembly Speaker said, "I am not in the race. Why will I be there? I never spoke of myself in this regard."



On the reports that many loyalists of the state Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma got tickets, Dass accepted the murmuring, but said those close aides of Sarma have been working in the respective constituencies for the last two years.

"Their names naturally cropped up in our survey 'Janata Ki Awaz'... Even before projecting Narendra Modi as Prime Minister, the party spoke to 6.4 lakh people across the country," he added.

When asked about BJP not projecting the chief ministerial face in Assam, Sonowal said it is up to the party and the parliamentary board will decide the name.

On whether the top post will remain with a person from the Upper or somewhere else, the chief minister said, "You should not raise this question. BJP is genuinely a democratic party and we firmly believe in peoples' democracy. That's it."



Sonowal hails from Dibrugarh which is in upper

Sarma's native place is in Nalbari district which is in the lower Assam.

Reacting to the issue of naming a person for the chief minister's post, the NEDA convenor declined to make a direct comment and said the BJP central leadership has clarified about this in New Delhi.

Asked specifically if he is ready to be the next chief minister from the BJP, Sarma said, "It is the prerogative of the parliamentary board to announce a candidate. It can be done tomorrow or day after tomorrow or post-election.

"I think we should patiently wait for an announcement from Delhi."



On the allegations about many of his loyalists getting tickets which hinted at him leading the next government, Sarma dismissed the speculation and said only the BJP loyalists have got ticket.

"I think you should not divide our party on the basis of individuals. All people who got tickets are loyalists of Bharat Mata and loyalists of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he added.

Going without its veteran leader Tarun Gogoi, who died recently, the Congress has formed a Grand Alliance with AIUDF, Bodoland People's front, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML) and Anchalik Gana Morcha (AGM) for the state elections.

The opposition camp has also not named its CM nominee in the event of them winning the election.

The BJP has announced the first list of candidates for 70 seats, while left 26 and eight constituencies for its allies AGP and UPPL respectively.

Of the total 126 seats in Assam Assembly, elections to 47 will be held on March 27, while 39 will go to polls on April 1 and voting in the remaining 40 seats will be held on April 6.

(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.)
Police have released footage of two men as part of investigations into separate alleged assaults of women in Brisbane, including one where a woman was kicked in the face and knocked unconscious on Valentines Day in Brisbanes Fortitude Valley.

That alleged incident unfolded when two women, who were sitting on the footpath at the intersection of Constance and Wickham streets, were approached by a man about 11.40pm on February 14.

Police said the man demanded money from one of the women, a 22-year-old, and threatened her.

She refused and the man kicked her in the face before leaving. The woman lost consciousness and was taken to hospital in a stable condition with facial injuries.
A husband has been arrested after the remains of his newlywed wife were found in his back yard - and after he taunted officers, urging them to 'find the body'.

Roberto Colon, 66, was arrested on Saturday in Florida on suspicion of murdering wife Mary Stella Gomez-Mullet, 45, who he wed back in January.

Police say the marriage was part of a 'quid pro quo' that saw Mullet get citizenship in return for looking after Colon's elderly mother, who has dementia.

But the relationship quickly fell apart after Colon accused Mullet of stealing from him shortly before she went missing last month, investigators allege.

Roberto Colon, 66 (left), was arrested Saturday for the murder of wife Mary Stella Gomez-Mullet, 45 (right), after her body was found buried in his back yard

Mullet was first reported missing on February 20, two days after going to Colon's house to try and resolve the financial argument, the Daily Beast reported.

A friend said that Mullet had gone to return items that Colon claimed she stole, and to cut off ties with him.

During the visit the friend received a call from Mullet, during which she shouted 'no Roberto' before the call cut off and the phone went dead.

The same day, police found Mullet's bloodstained handbag located close to Colon's home with items belonging to her inside.

Police said Mullet (pictured) had married Colon in January in order to get citizenship, but their relationship quickly fell apart

Questioned for the first time by police, Colon said Mullet had come to his house on February 18 but he had left to go to a doctor's appointment, and when he came back she was gone.

At a follow-up interview two days later, police noticed blood markings on the front door of Colon's home, as well as in his workshop.

When challenged, he said the blood on the door had come from a cut he got while working and the blood in the workshop came from a dog that had died in there several years ago.

During a search of his home two days after that, Colon had become aggressive - telling police to 'find the body, find the body' and describing his wife as 'a piece of s*** b***.'

As the detectives were leaving he smirked and told them: 'At least you didn't find a body at my house.'

A source then told detectives that Colon had threatened to strangle Mullet and bury her in the backyard during an argument in January.

On Saturday, cops arrived to arrest Colon for possession of marijuana that they found during the previous sweep of his home.

When the checked the back yard, they found Mullet's remains buried there and charged him with first degree murder.

As he was arrested, Colon allegedly told a friend: 'Theres one thing they cant do, they cant put... Humpty Dumpty back together again.'
Switzerland Votes in Favour of 'Burqa Ban' In the Country:

#BREAKING Swiss voters narrowly back 'burqa ban': official results pic.twitter.com/sthzo7wyjD  AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 7, 2021

Switzerland Outlaws Facial Covering:

Swiss look set to approve ban on facial coverings https://t.co/NWKREG2U91 pic.twitter.com/puP4KnWhkJ  Reuters (@Reuters) March 7, 2021

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
During the earliest years of planet Earth, as our world was still forming, icy comets were essential sources of carbon that may have kick-started life, a new study claims.

University of Minnesota astronomers used infrared observations of Comet Catalina as it ventured to the inner solar system in 2016 in a bid to better understand the make-up of these icy visitors and their role in the development of planet Earth.

The team was able to detect significant amounts of carbon - a chemical essential for life as we know it - within the tail of the comet.

The rocky planets were likely too hot in their earliest days to trap enough carbon for life to begin, so they had to get the building blocks of life from somewhere.

'Carbon-rich comets could have been an important source delivering this essential element that led to life as we know it,' says study author Charles Woodward.

This illustration of a comet from the Oort Cloud as it passes through the inner solar system with dust and gas evaporating into its tail shows how these icy visitors may have delivered carbon to hot, early rocky worlds like Earth

The carbon-rich Comet Catalina was first discovered in 2013 on its final and first journey through the inner solar system

KEY FINDINGS: CARBON COMETS SEEDED THE EARTH In the early days of rocky inner solar system worlds - the planets were too hot for carbon to remain. While carbon is a key ingredient of life, early Earth and other terrestrial planets of the inner solar system were so hot during their formation that elements like carbon were lost or depleted. While the cooler gas giants like Jupiter and Neptune could support carbon in the outer solar system, Jupiter's jumbo size may have gravitationally blocked carbon from mixing back into the inner solar system. Researchers think that a slight change in Jupiter's orbit allowed small, early precursors of comets to mix carbon from the outer regions into the inner regions, where it was incorporated into planets like Earth and Mars. Comet Catalina's carbon-rich composition helps explain how planets that formed in the hot, carbon-poor regions of the early solar system evolved into planets with the life-supporting element. Advertisement

In early 2016, Comet Catalina came into the inner solar system from the Oort cloud, a region at the very edge of the solar system where comets are born.

It briefly became visible to stargazers on Earth before it slingshotted past the sun to disappear forevermore out of the solar system and into interstellar space.

Among the many observatories that captured a view of this comet, which appeared near the Big Dipper, was the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), NASA's telescope on an airplane.

Using one of its unique infrared instruments, SOFIA was able to pick out a familiar fingerprint within the dusty glow of the comet's tail - carbon.

This discovery is helping planetary scientists explain more about the origins of life on Earth as it is 'becoming apparent comets like Catalina could have been an essential source of carbon' during the early formation of the solar system, the team explained.

Using new results from SOFIA, which is a joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center, the US team were able to better understand the impact these comets may have had billions of years ago when planets like Earth and Mars first began to form.

Comet Catalina and others of its type have such long orbits that they arrive on our celestial doorstep relatively unaltered.

This makes them effectively frozen in time - with much the same matter as was found in the earliest days of the solar system when planets were first starting to form into the world's they are today.

This 'time capsule' offers researchers rare opportunities to learn about the early solar system from which they come and how our own planet may have formed.

NASA was able to observe the icy visitor using infrared cameras, allowing astronomers to get a clearer picture of its composition - finding a carbon rich tail

SOFIA's infrared observations were able to capture the composition of the dust and gas as it evaporated off the comet, forming its tail.

The observations showed that Comet Catalina is carbon-rich, suggesting that it formed in the outer regions of the primordial solar system, which held a reservoir of carbon that could have been important for seeding life on Earth, Mars and Venus.

While carbon is a key ingredient of life, it can't survive over time on a very hot world.

Early Earth and other terrestrial planets of the inner solar system were so hot during their formation that elements like carbon were lost or depleted.

Infrared observations of the comet helped researchers see that it was carbon rich, allowing them to theorise these comets helped seed the hot, rocky early Earth

Comet Catalina was visible through small telescopes or binoculars on January 1, 2016 as it made its closest approach to the Earth on its way into interstellar space

COMET CATALINA: AN OORT CLOUD OBJECT LEAVING THE SOLAR SYSTEM FOREVER Comet Catalina made its closest flyby of the Earth on January 1, 2016. Formally known as C/2013 US10, the comet was discovered in 2013. The icy visitor was named for the NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Shortly after its discovery, precise orbit determination showed that Comet Catalina likely originated from the Oort Cloud. This is 'a spherical cloud of many billions of icy objects chaotically and loosely bound to the solar system,' according to NASA. 'The passage of a relatively close star or fluctuations of gravitational tides from within our Milky Way galaxy can send these icy bodies on a journey inward.' In the case of Catalina that inward journey would be its last, as after the flyby it began its long trek out of the solar system forever. Advertisement

While the cooler gas giants like Jupiter and Neptune could support carbon in the outer solar system, Jupiter's jumbo size may have gravitationally blocked carbon from mixing back into the inner solar system.

This prompted the US team to investigate how inner rocky planets evolved into the carbon-rich worlds they are today by examining the data coming from the comet.

Researchers think that a slight change in Jupiter's orbit allowed small, early precursors of comets to mix carbon from the outer regions into the inner regions, where it was incorporated into planets like Earth and Mars.

The comets came from the outer edges of the solar system, rich in carbon, were pulled off their wide orbit by Jupiter's massive gravitational force, and pushed towards the inner, rocky worlds closer to the sun.

Comet Catalina's carbon-rich composition helps explain how planets that formed in the hot, carbon-poor regions of the early solar system evolved into planets with the life-supporting element, the study authors said.

'All terrestrial worlds are subject to impacts by comets and other small bodies, which carry carbon and other elements,' Woodward added.

'We are getting closer to understanding exactly how these impacts on early planets may have catalyzed life.'

Observations of additional new comets are needed to learn if there are many other carbon-rich comets in the Oort Cloud, which would further support that comets delivered carbon and other life-supporting elements to the terrestrial planets.

As the world's largest airborne observatory, SOFIA's mobility allows it to quickly observe newly discovered comets as they make a pass through the solar system.

The findings of this study have been published in the Planetary Science Journal.
More than a quarter of female respondents (26%) believe that the COVID-19 pandemic has elevated the importance of protecting priceless digital assets like photos, videos, e-mails, social media, financial accounts and more. But 65% said they have no idea what happens to their digital accounts when they die--highlighting the need for easy, secure tools to manage digital assets and memories.

"We believe that women play the vital and primary role of protecting the digital assets and memories of most families," said Rikard Steiber , GoodTrust CEO and founder. "Women should be celebrated and empowered to continue protecting the digital legacy of us all."

According to the survey, there is also a notable difference between which documents and digital assets women believe they should have and which ones they actually have. For example, 50% of women responded that they think they should have a last will and testament, but only 29% actually have it.

In addition, 42% of women who responded believe that a list of key accounts, passwords, and other digital documentation is important, but only 26% have created it.

GoodTrust offers all women throughout the month of March, one year of free GoodTrust Premium Plan (by using promotion code IWD2021 at checkout, $70 value), further enabling all women to protect their estate matters and digital assets.

"The vast majority of caregivers are female," said Margo Georgiadis , former CEO for Ancestry.com and GoodTrust investor. "And women are also very much in the position of being the preservers of those memories," said Georgiadis. "The majority of our users [on Ancestry] were also women who are creating and preserving those family stories."

The survey was conducted Feb. 26-Mar. 3, 2021, with 1,200 respondents aged 35-65+ across the U.S. using Google Surveys Publishers Network. Read more about the complete survey here .

Details about the offer and the announcement on CNN's HLN Weekend Express with Susan Hendricks can be found here .

About GoodTrust

GoodTrust provides a secure digital-legacy platform for online accounts, social media, financial accounts, photos and documents. It's like a will for your digital assets. GoodTrust provides an easy way of managing all these assets today as well as designating and sharing access to such data with loved ones and other trusted third parties to protect anyone's 'digital afterlife.'

GoodTrust also help families who lost someone take care of the deceased person's digital assets by memorializing social media pages (e.g. Facebook), secure photos (e.g. Google Photos), stop subscriptions (e.g. Netflix) and close down accounts (e.g. LinkedIn).

You can find GoodTrust at www.MyGoodTrust.com .

Please find graphics from the survey, logos and photos of team, investors and service on the drive:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XGj-ewLwJq458AWAWsv_fnUI7WJF7xaL?usp=sharing

SOURCE GoodTrust

Related Links

https://mygoodtrust.com


Credit unions are a solution for policymakers searching for ways to rebuild their communities. Their success is tied to the development of the communities they serve because credit unions are member-owned and operated. And with 120 million members nationwide, credit unions have a constituency that is representative of the U.S. population. That means the problems you solve for your members are struggles that many Americans are facing.

Our mission-driven approach to make an impact in peoples lives is evident in the data we collect, from the 32.4 million loans made to members of low-income-designated credit unions to the amazing work mobilizing over 204,000 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for small businesses. Those figures make for great talking points in letters and statements, but policymakers need to hear the individual stories behind the data.

Gathering and telling these stories may seem like a daunting task, especially when working around the clock to find ways to secure members financial futures. But as legislatures across the country weigh measures to pay for the pandemics economic recovery, hearing stories from their constituents  rather than a bunch of lobbyists  can help crystalize why those policy asks we make are so important.

Many great credit union stories are overlooked because we arent sharing them broadly. Work with your credit union staff to make sure they understand why these stories are so vital. This is more than just creating a commercial; this is about taking community leaders, reporters, and lawmakers along with you. Lean into the fundamentals of good stories  simplicity and relevancy  to bring those key stakeholders on a journey that takes them to the heart and soul of credit unions. There are many ways that we can master the art of storytelling.

Begin by identifying a critical solution your team provided for a member. Approach your members about sharing their memorable experiences about working with your credit union and ask them if they would be willing to participate in an interview. For example, Skyler Fort, a member of 4Front Credit Union, told CNBC that he chose the credit union over a bank based on the more personal feeling relationship. 4Front approved Fort for a $55,000 PPP loan to help his business keep five full-time employees and 14 contract workers on payroll.

Consider writing, or partner with a member to write, an op-ed or letter to the editor for a local newspaper. This is another effective way to grab the attention of your state lawmakers or member of Congress to urge them to act. Howard Bates of St. Francis X Federal Credit Union penned an op-ed for his local newspaper to emphasize how credit unions employ local community members and encourage them to shop local. Bates describes how credit unions reinvest funds from small business loans back into the community through lower fees, better credit terms and local charity support.

Encourage your team to share the credit union difference through social media. Golden 1 Credit Union used a video and infographic to share their America Saves Week pledge and encourage their audience to commit to financial well-being, starting with a gut-check on their finances and savings habits. Golden 1 leveraged the annual America Saves Week for this call-to-action, asking members to sign the national pledge and to take advantage of their financial wellness program.

Videos are an especially effective way to capture stories. A 30-to-60-second video clip can bring the credit union difference to life. Author and speaker Kevin Carroll credits his credit union, First Tech Federal Credit Union, with being a big part of his success story. The Oregon-based credit union gave him a loan to self-publish his first book  Rules of the Red Rubber Ball.

Advancing Communities is designed to capture and share the individual stories illustrating how credit unions promote financial well-being for all through the voices of credit union members and staff. Upload your credit union story to the Advancing Communities portal and share it with your state League and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA). When we work across the system, the stories intertwine to form a cohesive narrative about how credit unions deliver on our mission to promote thrift and provide access to credit for provident purposes.

With economic uncertainty so high, credit unions across the country are stepping up and making a world of difference for members. Every day, a new credit union story can be written, but if were not telling that story, someone else will. Lets make sure its being told how we want, painting an irresistible picture of a future made better by Americas credit unions.
During Prince Harry and Meghan's tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Duchess of Sussex revealed she felt so unsupported by the Palace during mental health struggles that she reached out to one of Princess Diana's friends in desperation.

While Meghan didn't mention the friend by name, could it be British psychotherapist Julia Samuel, a one-time close associate of the late Princess, and an enduring confidante for Princes William and Harry as they forged out their own adult lives?

Meghan, who's pregnant with a baby girl, told Oprah in the bombshell interview that will air on UK television on Monday, that when she was struggling with serious mental health problems during her pregnancy with the couple's son Archie she 'didn't know who to even turn to'.

The royal revealed that her darkest period, leaving her contemplating suicide, came after the couple had announced they were expecting their first child: 'One of the people that I reached out to, who's continued to be a friend and confidante, was one of my husband's mom's best friends, one of Diana's best friends.'

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Meghan Markle told Oprah Winfrey that she was suicidal when she was part of the Royal Family living in the UK and told her husband: 'I don't want to be alive anymore', She revealed that she reached out to 'my husband's mom's friend' when the Palace couldn't help her

Julia Samuel MBE, a leading British psychotherapist, was a close friend of the late Princess Diana and has remained close to both William and Harry

Julia Samuel and the late Princess of Wales pictured at Wimbledon in 1994; The two women met at a dinner in 1987 and 'instantly clicked'

The Duchess added: 'Because it's, like, who else could understand what's - what it's actually like on the inside?'

A psychotherapist for more than 30 years, Julia Samuel has remained close to both Prince William and Prince Harry following the death of their mother in August 1997.

She is godmother to Prince George and during the early nineties, was regularly seen by Princess Diana's side on trips to the gym and the cinema, offering the royal a chance to do 'normal things'.

MailOnline has contacted Ms Samuel for comment.

Close: Godmother to Prince George, Julia and Prince William are both patrons for the The Child Bereavement Charity, pictured together in 2009

In 2015, Julia Samuel, far left, and Prince William hosted a 21st birthday dinner to celebrate the child bereavement charity founded by the psychotherapist alongside other patrons Gary Barlow (second from right) and Ann Chalmers (far right)

Meghan revealed in the interview that she was told checking into a mental health institution while she was struggling during her first pr 'wouldn't be good for the institution'

The main bombshells from the Oprah interview - Meghan's mental health The Duchess of Sussex revealed she had suicidal thoughts and said: 'I just didn't want to be alive any more.' She said she begged for help, and asked to go somewhere to get help, and approached one of the most senior people in the institution, but was told it would not look good. The duchess said: 'I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that I've never felt this way before and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution.' - Royal family accused of racism Meghan said, when she was pregnant with Archie, an unnamed member of the royal family raised 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'. Asked whether there were concerns that her child would be 'too brown' and that would be a problem, Meghan said: 'If that is the assumption you are making, that is a pretty safe one.' Pushed by Winfrey on who had those conversations, Meghan refused to say, adding: 'I think that would be very damaging to them.' She added: 'That was relayed to me from Harry, those were conversations the family had with him, and I think it was really hard to be able to see those as compartmentalised conversations.' - Archie's title Meghan suggested she and Harry wanted Archie to be a prince so he would have security and be protected. The duchess expressed her shock at 'the idea of our son not being safe', and the idea of the first member of colour in this family, not being titled in the same way as other grandchildren. Archie, who is seventh in line to the throne, is not entitled to be an HRH or a prince due to rules set out more than 100 years ago by King George V. He will be entitled to be an HRH or a prince when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne. As the first born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton - one of Harry's subsidiary titles - or have been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, instead at the time of his birth, a royal source said Harry and Meghan had decided he should a regular Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. - The Prince of Wales The Duke of Sussex said his father the Prince of Wales stopped taking his calls while Harry and Meghan were in Canada 'because I took matters into my own hands. I needed to do this for my family'. He said Charles wanted him to put his plans in writing. - The Queen Harry denied that he had 'blindsided' his grandmother Queen with the bombshell statement about stepping down as senior royal. The duke said he believed the report probably could have come from 'within the institution'. - The Duchess of Cambridge Meghan said Kate made her cry ahead of her wedding. Reports circulated ahead of the Sussexes' nuptials that Meghan left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress fitting. But Meghan told Winfrey the 'reverse happened'. Meghan said she was not sharing the information to be 'disparaging', but added it was 'really important for people to understand the truth'. 'She's a good person,' the duchess added - Baby Sussex is a girl Harry and Meghan revealed they are expecting a baby girl. Asked if they were 'done' with two children, Harry said 'done' and Meghan said: 'Two is it.' She also confirmed the baby is due in the 'summertime'. Advertisement

Speaking about her how her mental health during her pregnancy deteriorated to the point where she 'couldn't be left alone' and told her husband she 'didn't want to be alive anymore', Meghan told Oprah Buckingham Palace's HR department ignored her plea for help because she wasn't a 'paid employee'.

Describing how she considered ending her life believing it 'was better for everyone', Meghan said: 'I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it. I just didn't want to be alive anymore.

'And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. I remember how he just cradled me. I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help.

'I said that "I've never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere". And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution'.

She said that after confiding in her husband, she was forced to go to the Royal Albert Hall for a charity event in January 2019, claiming photos from that night 'haunt me'.

She told Oprah she later reached She said: 'When I joined that family, that was the last time I saw my passport, my driving licence, my keys - all of that gets turned over'.

Meghan said Harry had 'saved my life' by agreeing to move to Los Angeles.

Julia Samuels was born Julia Guinness before marrying into the Hill Samuel banking dynasty.

The leading psychotherapist currently works with grieving parents and holds an NHS post at St Marys Hospital, Paddington, where for more than 20 years she has been maternity and paediatric counsellor  a role she pioneered.

Julia and the late Princess Diana's strong friendship has been well documented. The two women met at a dinner in 1987 and 'instantly clicked', Samuel told You Magazine in 2015.

'We started laughing together. There was something about her and something about me that just worked,' Julia recalled. 'It was a lovely thing.'

The women lived close to each other in Kensington and Diana would sometimes pick up Julias children from school.

The friends were often spotted having lunch, at the gym or going to the cinema together. Diana invited Julia into the Royal Box at Wimbledon and backstage at Elton John concerts.

Samuel said that Diana enjoyed the sense of normality that Julia offered her, saying: 'She loved it when she could do the ordinary stuff like washing up or emptying the dishwasher.

'She was brilliant at moving between these two worlds and whether she was meeting President Reagan or having supper in my kitchen, she was always herself.'

In the sensational interview, in which Meghan Markle offered her version of life in the confines of the royal family, the Duchess of Sussex also described her 'pain' that officials had denied Archie the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect him by denying him 24/7 security.

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it.

She told Miss Winfrey that it was 'a pretty safe' assumption to suggest that the royal family member was 'concerned' that Archie being 'too brown' was 'a problem'.

When asked if it was 'important' for Meghan that Archie be called a prince, she said she doesn't have any attachment to the 'grandeur' of official titles.

But she said it was about 'the idea of our son not being safe, and also the idea of the first member of colour in this family not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be.'

Prince Harry - who later joined his wife and Miss Winfrey for the last part of the interview - described the conversation as 'awkward', saying it left him 'shocked'.

But he declined to reveal anything more about what was said, saying: 'That conversation I'm never going to share.'
"We are excited to be working with the I-Iot Solutions team to implement the ProcessMiner AI platform into the Latin American market," said Karim Pourak, ProcessMiner CEO. "We found I-Iot Solutions was the best fit to our needs, and their team aligned to our long-term objectives."

ProcessMiner, an artificial intelligence platform for manufacturing, and Industrial IoT Solutions, an information technology integrator and solutions distributor focused on delivering proven IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) technology in Brazil, today announced a partnership to deliver ProcessMiner's real-time AI-powered decision automation platform to manufacturing industries across Latin America.

Together, ProcessMiner and I-Iot Solutions will work symbiotically to help manufacturers looking to transform their operations using a fully automated data-driven approach to achieve Industry 4.0 and SMART Factory objectives, including autonomous manufacturing for business operations.

"We are excited to be working with the I-Iot Solutions team to implement the ProcessMiner AI platform into the Latin American market," said Karim Pourak, ProcessMiner CEO. "As we look to expand and provide the best service to our clients in the region, we found I-Iot Solutions was the best fit to our needs, and their team aligned to our long-term objectives."

Organizations in Latin America have increasingly been working toward digital transformation and Industry 4.0. This partnership will help transform manufacturing industries by improving factory floor processes and delivering autonomous, continuous quality improvements to increase efficiency across manufacturing operations.

"We are very excited about the partnership with ProcessMiner because companies in Brazil and Latin America are looking to adopt artificial intelligence solutions to improve their businesses and to be able to compete globally; in partnership with ProcessMiner, we will help them to achieve this goal," highlights Helio Samora, CEO of Industrial IoT Solutions. "When we evaluated AI platforms, we were immediately impressed with the leadership team at ProcessMiner. Their deep domain knowledge, technical expertise, and client-centric approach to managing customers really stood out," continued Samora.

With over 30 years of experience providing technology solutions in Latin America, the company's team has contributed significantly to the implementation of successful IoT and AI strategies for its customers.

"We have a strong network of partners and offer state-of-the-art solutions from a select list of suppliers, including now ProcessMiner and its unique Artificial Intelligence platform," concludes Samora.

ProcessMiner has dedicated Spanish and Portuguese resources on its website.

About ProcessMiner: Founded in 2014, the ProcessMiner platform predicts problems in real-time using AI within the manufacturing process. The platform is being rapidly adopted by the Tissue and Packaging industries, inclusive of manufacturers in the Pulp, Paper and Plastics industries and pilot projects are underway with water treatment and energy sectors of manufacturing. For more information, visit http://www.processminer.com.

About Industrial IoT Solutions: Industrial IoT Solutions is an information technology solutions distributor focused on delivering proven IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) and Artificial Intelligence solutions in Latin America. The company's objective is to distribute solutions for manufacturing, process industries, mining, and oil & gas companies. With over 30 years of success history, the company team works closely with customers to implement innovative Industry 4.0 solutions and deliver the expected ROI. For more information, visit https://i-iotsolutions.com.

ProcessMiner Media Contact:

Kate Hammond, PR & Marketing

khammond@processminer.com
Organizers of the North Wildwood St. Patricks Day parade may have been pushing their luck.

The annual procession, scheduled for March 13, was on for this year despite COVID-19 crowd gathering limits, but officials have walked back on those plans.

In a recent Facebook post, the Anglesea Irish Society announced it will be sponsoring a St. Patricks Day Observance Mass in place of a parade. The mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the St. Ann Church of Notre Dame De La Mar Parish in Wildwood.

After discussions with the City of North Wildwood, our members and the larger community, we felt that this year it was more important than ever to hold an event that reflects the true meaning of St. Patricks Day, said Joe Rullo, president of the Anglesea Irish Society.

According to the states guidelines, indoor gatherings for religious services and celebrations must be limited to 50 percent of a rooms capacity.

The group said the Catholic church in Wildwood  the largest in New Jersey  can accommodate 2,000 people, but under coronavirus restrictions, about 1,000 socially-distanced seats will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Members of numerous Irish organizations will attend the mass, the AIS said. The celebration will include an entrance procession led by the Cape Atlantic Irish Pipe and Drum Brigade.

The Cape May County Division 1 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians is also sponsoring the event, which will educate attendees on the work of St. Patrick, a 5th century Christian missionary and one of the patron saints of Ireland.

North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello said he supports the groups decision to focus this years event on the meaning of St. Patricks Day.

I am proud of both of these organizations for their diligence and dedication to their Irish-Catholic heritage, Rosenello said. We look forward to the time when we can return to our pre-COVID celebration that will include a parade, along with this new tradition of a Mass, but this year I believe that focusing this event on the true meaning of St. Patricks Day is the proper thing to do.

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Avalon Zoppo may be reached at azoppo2@njadvancemedia.com.


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Sickening.

Shameful.

Self-pitying.

Salacious.

Scandalous.

Sanctimonious.

Spectacularly self-serving.

Those were just my initial thoughts after ten minutes of the Oprah whine-athon with Meghan and Harry, and while restricting myself to only using words beginning with the letter 's'.

By the time I'd finished the whole two-hour orgy of pious, self-indulgent, score-settling twaddle, the steam was erupting out of my ears like an exploding geyser, and my lexicon of rageful epithets extended to the full range of the alphabet.

Never have I watched a more repulsively disingenuous interview.

Nor one more horrendously hypocritical or contradictory.

Self-pitying. Shameful. Self-pitying. Those were just my initial thoughts after ten minutes of the Oprah whine-athon with Meghan and Harry

In the middle of a pandemic that has already taken over 2.5 million lives, a staggeringly rich and entitled couple living in a $11 million sun-kissed California mansion wanted us all to know that THEY are the real victims around here

Here we had the Duke and Duchess of Privacy flinging out the filthy family laundry for the delectation of tens of millions of people all over the world, whilst simultaneously bleating about press intrusion.

They moaned about the terrible pain of their royal titles but were also outraged their son Archie wasn't allowed to be a Prince.

They told of their constant trauma from nasty newspaper stories, but repeatedly insisted they never read any of them.

They claimed they were forced to sign gazillion-dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify because Prince Charles cut off their allowance, despite Harry inheriting millions from his late mother Princess Diana and having his entire life bankrolled by the Royal Family.

And so, it went nauseatingly on.

In the middle of a pandemic that has already taken over 2.5 million lives, a staggeringly rich and entitled couple living in a $14 million sun-kissed California mansion wanted us all to know that THEY are the real victims around here.

Meghan even compared her former life living in a palace to the crippling freedom-robbing existence of coronavirus lockdowns, which must have sounded so empathetic to large families living at the top of tower blocks with three kids they're trying to home-school and no job to pay for food.

'I couldn't even meet my friends for lunch!' wailed the Duchess of Delusion, who flew to New York for a $500,000 baby shower with all her new-found celebrity pals, then flew back to London like any good eco-warrior on George Clooney's carbon footprint guzzling private jet.

But amid all the relatively trivial gossipy stuff emerged some incredibly damaging bombshells deliberately detonated to do maximum damage to the British Royal Family and the Monarchy.

Amid all the relatively trivial gossipy stuff emerged some incredibly damaging bombshells deliberately detonated to do maximum damage to the British Royal Family and the Monarchy

The fact he's so willingly taken part in such a despicable public attack on the Royal Family  HIS family - and the Monarchy is utterly shameful. And to have caused so much extra hurt to his 94-year-old grandmother the Queen at a time when her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, lies seriously ill in hospital, is just appalling

Harry gleefully joined in the Sopranos-style whacking too, revealing incredibly intimate secrets about his father Prince Charles of the type that he would scream in fury over if they'd been revealed by the tabloid press. He claimed Charles stopped taking his calls last January after he and Meghan quit their country and the Royal Family and cut off his massive financial allowance too. And Harry's still furious with his Dad, apparently, for letting him down

First, Meghan claimed to have been left suicidal by the pressure of being a Princess and had her requests for help rejected by the cold, heartless Palace.

We weren't told who did the rejecting, or why she couldn't seek her own therapy or treatment if that's what she felt she needed. After all, her husband has spent years talking about mental health and has close connections with all the major mental health charities.

Instead, we're left to believe the Palace spurned a pregnant suicidal woman in her hour of desperate need.

But that wasn't even the most explosive revelation.

No, that came when Meghan told Oprah that a member of the Royal Family had queried what colour her baby would be during a conversation with Harry.

In fact, she said there were several conversations, whereas he said there was only one.

But neither of them would name the offending Royal.

Harry said he would never reveal the name.

So, we're now left to view all the Royals as racists.

Nor were we given any details of exactly what was said, or in what context it was said.

Would an older senior Royal innocently asking Harry what skin colour his baby might have, given that Meghan's mother is black and her father white, constitute racism?

It would if there was any derogatory tone to the question, or any suggestion that it would be a problem how dark the child's skin was. But we don't know the answers to those vital questions, because having let off the racism bomb, the Sussexes won't say any more.

I find that cowardly.

And the racism charge got worse.

Meghan followed up by asserting, without providing any evidence, that the Royal Family decided to change the rules specifically to prevent her son Archie from being a Prince, because of his skin colour.

First, Meghan claimed to have been left suicidal by the pressure of being a Princess and had her requests for help rejected by the cold, heartless Palace. But that wasn't even the most explosive revelation. No, that came when Meghan told Oprah that a member of the Royal Family had queried what colour her baby would be during a conversation with Harry

Again, no name was given for the appalling racist at the Palace responsible for such a disgusting discriminatory decision.

But, as Meghan and Harry both know, the only person who has final say over titles is the Queen.

So, in making this astonishing unproven claim, they're effectively branding Her Majesty, Harry's grandmother, a racist.

It's hard to think of a more disgraceful slur to make against a woman who has devoted her whole life to the service of her country and the Commonwealth.

The Queen is not a racist and has never been a racist.

To even suggest that she might be is disgusting.

But to do so at a time when her 99-year-old husband Prince Philip has spent the past few weeks lying seriously ill in hospital is worse than that, it's contemptible.

Nothing that Meghan Markle said in this interview surprised me.

From the moment Oprah announced her scoop, I predicted to anyone who asked me that Meghan would aggressively play the mental health and race cards to deflect from any criticism of herself and her own behaviour or accountability.

I also cynically suspect it's the reason why she chose to do such a sensational interview when she's five months pregnant. Why would any woman do that after suffering a miscarriage last year, knowing the obvious controversy, media attention, and stress it would provoke? The answer, I fear, is that she thought the pregnancy would afford her another layer of protection against the inevitable furore and criticism that would result from her trashing the Royal Family.

Having had personal experience, on a very small scale, of Meghan Markle's ruthlessness when dispensing of anyone in her life that's ceased to be of use to her, it was no great shock to see her lighting a gigantic bonfire that will surely cause irreparable damage to her husband's family.

After all, she's torched all her own family, along with her ex-husband and most of her old friends.

This was the acting performance of her life, with every word, every facial expression carefully planned and choreographed.

In fact, it it's not late, someone should nominate it for the Oscars.

I mean, this is a woman who was photographed on the railings of Buckingham Palace as a starry-eyed teenager but now wants us to believe she knew nothing about the Royals and never once Googled her handsome Prince when they met.

Given these are both obvious lies, why should we believe anything that comes out of her mouth?

'Nobody told me how to curtsy or sing the British national anthem,' wailed a 39-year-old woman, married to someone who can probably help with both.

Harry even let Meghan chuck his brother William's wife Kate - a woman who has never once said a bad word about Meghan in public - under the bus by saying she made her cry in a row over kids' wedding dresses

That 'space', which is how Harry framed his current fractured relationship with William, will now be the size of 1000 Grand Canyons

But make no mistake, this interview will be a triumph for Meghan in America. Her narrative of a poor, vulnerable, unsuspecting bi-racial woman thrown to the wolves by a white, racist Royal Family and racist British press is already being heralded as 'courageous' and 'brave' and 'iconic' across the United States.

She's got exactly what she wants: her homeland feeling sorry for her.

And woe betide anyone who criticises Meghan, for you will be instantly lambasted as a 'racist bully' towards a woman who stands accused of subjecting her own young female Palace staff to horrendous bullying.

But what about Prince Harry, and his own homeland of Great Britain?

How on earth could he allow his wife to take down his family like this on TV, and attack and belittle the very institution held so dear by his grandmother?

He even let her chuck his brother William's wife Kate - a woman who has never once said a bad word about Meghan in public - under the bus by saying she made her cry in a row over kids' wedding dresses.

That 'space', which is how Harry framed his current fractured relationship with William, will now be the size of 1000 Grand Canyons.

And then Harry gleefully joined in the Sopranos-style whacking too, revealing incredibly intimate secrets about his father Prince Charles of the type that he would scream in fury over if they'd been revealed by the tabloid press.

He claimed Charles stopped taking his calls last January after he and Meghan quit their country and the Royal Family and cut off his massive financial allowance too. And Harry's still furious with his Dad, apparently, for letting him down.

Yet, what has Charles done wrong exactly, other than try to deal with his headstrong younger son's constant self-pitying hunger for drama?

He bankrolled Harry and Meghan for years, and even stepped in to walk her down the aisle when her father pulled out after suffering a heart attack and was disowned by his daughter (where were Oprah 'nothing's off limits' Winfrey questions about that?) - yet they now pay him back with this open back-stabbing treachery.

Harry disloyally says Charles and William are 'trapped' in the institution of the Monarchy because they are the heirs to the throne.

'They don't get to leave, and I have huge compassion for that,' he claimed.

Oh please.

He and Meghan bang on endlessly about their compassion yet show the complete opposite to their own families.

If Charles or William wanted to leave, they could do exactly what Harry's done, and what Edward VIII did when he abdicated the throne.

Any royal can 'leave'.

But only Edward and Harry actually did it, both coincidentally after falling in love with American women.

The only difference is that Edward and Wallis Simpson never spoke badly in public about the Royal Family or trashed the Monarchy.

Within hours of the Oprah interview airing, the hashtag #AbolishTheMonarchy was trending on Twitter.

That's the effect that Meghan and Harry's accusations have had with their shockingly poisonous allegations.

Ms Markle won't care about the damage she's done to an institution she clearly reviles.

But Harry should.

The fact he's so willingly taken part in such a despicable public attack on the Royal Family  HIS family - and the Monarchy is utterly shameful.

And to have caused so much extra hurt to his 94-year-old grandmother the Queen at a time when her husband lies seriously ill in hospital, is just appalling.

When it comes to mental health and having a heart, it appears Meghan and Harry only care about themselves.
New Delhi, March 8 : Every day as the clock strikes 8 a.m. Sunita Meena takes charge of the sentry guard duty at South Delhi's Hauz Khas police station lock-up. It's a duty which is usually considered a man's forte, but Meena has broken the barriers and guards the most crucial spot in a police station.

"Now women are doing every work that men can. Women are at all the responsible positions, heading big offices handling big responsibilities with perfection. I am just doing my part. I feel happy. It feels good to be doing this heavy duty job," she told IANS.

Thirty-year-old Sunita Meena, a native of Alwar in Rajasthan joined Delhi Police in 2018 and her first posting was at the New Police Lines (NPL). She was posted in the Hauz Khas police station in September 2020.

Asked if she was assigned the sentry duty on the occasion of International Women's Day, she says: "No, I have been regular on this duty." Meena's tough job requires sturdiness and good physical and mental agility.

She gets up at 5 a.m. everyday, goes for a brisk one-hour walk, never misses to make breakfast and lunch for her family, and then rushes to the police station to be on the guard.

When asked how it feels to be at the sentry duty outside the lockup, Meena told IANS: "I am happy. It feels good.

"I think that the world is now recognising the power of women. Being in police duty gives a sense of satisfaction, and an extra sense of responsibility which I always try to perform to the best of my abilities," she says.

On the occasion of International Women's day, the Delhi Police have assigned prominent responsibilities to the women police staff.

"Today, on the occasion of International Women's Day, all women staff are performing duty officer, sentry duty, lock-up duty, women facilitation desk duty, emergency officer as well as patrolling in the area of P.S. Hauz Khas," said Atul Thakur, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

Many other police stations and even PCR units in Delhi too have given similar responsibilities to the women staff under their jurisdiction.

(Zafar Abbas can be reached at zafar.a@ians.in )
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The flower or raceme of the critically endangered Macadamia jansenii - one of four macadamia species that are native to Australia. Credit: Bruce Topp, University of Queensland

One of the world's rarest tree species has been transformed into a sophisticated model that University of Queensland researchers say is the future of plant research.

"Macadamia jansenii is a critically endangered species of macadamia which was only described as a new species in 1991," said Robert Henry, Professor of Innovation at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI).

"It grows near Miriam Vale in Queensland and there are only around 100 known trees in existence."

However, with funding from Hort Innovation's Tree Genomics project, and UQ's Genome Innovation Hub Macadamia jansenii has now become the world's most sophisticated plant research model.

Professor Henry said Macadamia jansenii was probably the best studied species on the planet in terms of its genetics.

"Macadamia jansenii has potentially become the model for assembling all future plant genomes," he said.

Professor Henry said the entire jansenii species grows in one small area. "This means we have the potential to study the diversity of the whole species," he said.

"This is unusual, even for rare or endangered plantsit means we can get a lot of information about how rare plant species survive the impact of small population size and the associated genetic bottleneck.

Portrait of Central Queensland farmer and skilled amateur botanist Ray Jansen, who discovered the critically endangered Macadamia jansenii species in 1983. Mr Jansen died before the species formally described as a new species in 1991. The artist is unknown. Credit: Ray Jansen portrait painting_artist unkown_Photo Ian McConachie

Professor Henry said that particular characteristics of Macadamia jansenii made it useful for improving the technology and methodology for sequencing and assembling plant genomes.

"We investigated the different sequencing technologies, all the different software and algorithms that you can use in genomic sequencing, and then applied each of them to the same sample to find out what worked best," he said.

"It's a long, complex and very expensive process, so we wanted to use the latest technology to improve its efficiency."

The Genome Innovation Hub's Ms Valentine Murigneux analyzed the genome sequence and QAAFI researchers then assembled all 14 chromosomes for the species, in collaboration with laboratories in the United States. This work was published in GigaScience.

Professor Henry said the work is of great interest globally.

"High quality genome sequences are proving much more useful than rough draft sequences with less errors and better outcomes for plant breeding," he said.

Macadamia jansenii was first brought to the attention of Western plant scientists in 1983, by Ray Jansen, a canefarmer and skilled amateur botanist from a South Kolan in Central Queensland.

Ms Denise Bond, Executive Officer of the Macadamia Conservation Trust said since 2018 about 60 new mature Macadamia jansenii trees have been located, although a quarter of these were destroyed in the bush fires of 2019.

Different nut sizes from Nuts from Macadamia integrifolia and M. jansenii. Credit: Scott Lamond

"We very much welcome the genomic research on Macadamia jansenii as it will help prioritize future conservation efforts, although right now the most critical thing is to protect the remaining wild trees in their original habitat," Ms Bond said.

She said the remaining three macadamias species - M. ternifolia, M. tetraphylla and M. integrifolawere listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species in 2020.

"This is a wake-up call to Australia to take better care of our native macadamia species."

Professor Henry said all four macadamia speciestetraphylla, integrifolia, ternifolia and jansenii have now undergone the same analysis.

"It is fitting this work has been developed in Queensland using the Macadamia genusone of Australia's few additions to the world's food crops," he said

The macadamia genomic work forms part of a five-year project to develop detailed high quality genome sequencing for five of Australia's key horticultural tree cropsavocado, macadamia, mango, citrus and almondwhich account for 80 percent of Australian horticulture tree crop value.

"The macadamia data we have generated has been fed through to a range of projects including research on sustainably intensifying tree crop production and breeding for key commercial attributes in macadamia production," Professor Henry said.

More information: Valentine Murigneux et al, Comparison of long-read methods for sequencing and assembly of a plant genome, GigaScience (2020). Journal information: GigaScience Valentine Murigneux et al, Comparison of long-read methods for sequencing and assembly of a plant genome,(2020). DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giaa146
Boeing CEO David Calhoun is recognized Jan. 15, 2020, during a ceremony to sign a trade agreement between the U.S. and China in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Calhoun gave up about $3.6 million in 2020 by declining most of his salary and a $2.5 million bonus. But most of Calhouns compensation  valued by Boeing at more than $20 million  came in the form of stock benefits. (Saul Loeb / Getty-AFP)
New Delhi, March 8 : The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) on Monday said it has once again started the Aerial LiDAR survey for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project to capture the data related to the vertical ground profile.

NHSRCL spokesperson Sushma Gaur said: "The Aerial LiDAR survey for capturing the data related to vertical profile of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail (HSR) corridor, for 88 km between Ahmedabad and Vadodara and 237 km from Vadodara to Vapi, all in Gujarat, started on Monday." She said that the study will help to set the vertical ground profile along the alignment, which shall be the basis for subsequent design including the pier design along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR corridor.

Gaur added that the aerial survey, with LiDAR equipment and high-resolution camera mounted on Aircraft can cover 200 km alignment in a day.

"The required data is expected to be captured in two flights over 3-4 days," she said.

According to NHSRCL, the aerial LiDAR survey was first used on the same corridor. It has recently carried out the LiDAR survey for other proposed high speed corridors in the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the then Japan Premier Shinzo Abe on September 14, 2017 laid the foundation stone for the ambitious Rs 1.08 lakh crore ($17 billion) project.

The initial deadline to complete the project is December 2023.

The bullet trains are expected to run at 320 km per hour covering the 508 km stretch in about two hours. In comparison, trains currently plying on the route take over seven hours to travel the distance, whereas flights take about an hour.

According to the NHSRCL officials, the LiDAR survey is being carried out on the 325 km route for two tender packages C-4 and C-6.

Larsen and Toubro has bagged the C6 package for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail project, popularly referred to as the bullet train project from the NHSRCL.

Tender package C-6 is the third longest package of the entire project and connects Vadodara with Ahmedabad through one station and a minor depot at Anand-Nadiad.

It involves the design and construction of civil and building works, including testing and commissioning on design build lump sum price basis for a double line high speed railway involving 87.5 km of viaducts and bridges, 25 crossing bridges, a tunnel, 97.50 km of roads, one station, a maintenance depot, 4 sub-maintenance depots, and a host of other associated structures.

The tender was awarded to L&T in November last year.

The L&T has also bagged the C-4 package of Rs 24,985 crore that constitutes 46.66 per cent of the project last year.

The C-4 tender package between Vapi (Zaroli Village on Maharashtra-Gujarat Border) and Vadodara in the state of Gujarat includes four stations namely Vapi, Billimora, Surat and Bharuch, and Surat Depot. The tender was awarded to L&T in December last year.
BITS Pilani Dubai, UAEs premier engineering institute, has announced merit scholarships worth AED5 million ($1.36 million) for candidates enrolling in the institutes various programmes for the academic year 2021-2022.

The institute is the branch of the internationally reputed Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani, India, and the largest institution exclusively offering engineering programmes in Dubai International Academic City, one of the largest education hub in the MENA region. BITS Pilani is the No.1 private institute of India to find a place among the Top 200 Universities in QS Asia University Rankings 2021. It is also identified as an Institute of Eminence by UGC and Ministry of Education (MoE), Govt. of India. Set up in the year 2000 in Dubai, the institution has since established itself as one of the most sought-after engineering universities in the UAE.

The scholarships are divided under various categories and apply to both Bachelors as well as Masters programmes. Students who are appearing for 12th grade exams from various state, national and international boards have an opportunity to avail scholarships ranging from 10-40% for the bachelors degree programmes, based on the overall aggregate secured. Top position holders will be entitled for a scholarship of 50% of the first year tuition fee.

In addition, candidates with BITSAT 2021 score of 200 and above are eligible for merit scholarships of 25-75% for their first year tuition fee, depending on their respective BITSAT scores. BITSAT is an online test for admissions to first degree programmes of BITS Pilani Campuses in India.

Prof. R N Saha, Director of BITS Pilani Dubai Campus, said: We have designed the scholarships in a way so that 80% of the students can avail of a merit scholarship at least for their first year of study.

Even if a student is unable to score high in their board examination they can still avail of a BITS Pilani Dubai Campus scholarship by achieving a good rank in the Pre-board International Scholarship Examination(PBISE), Prof. Saha mentioned. PBISE is an online exam which can be taken by all 12th grade students on different dates scheduled from home, by logging onto www.pbise.in.

For the institutes higher degree programmes, students who obtain 75% or above in the aggregate of the qualifying examination can receive a merit scholarship.

He added: Our scholarships are not only limited to the tuition fees, but also extend to hostel fee concessions. Now that we have opened admissions for the September 2021 intakes, students can take advantage of this opportunity by securing their place and obtaining appropriate financial support, stated Prof. Saha.

BITS Pilani Dubai Campus is also offering special concessions of up to 75% off on tuition fee to meritorious GCC and Arab nationals enrolling in the Institute. Other categories of scholarships include special provisions for all physically challenged students as well as special grants to BITS Alumni, Siblings of Continuing students and Candidates from Collaborative Organisations / Companies.

BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus has received a 5 Star rating in the KHDA Higher Education Classification (HEC) 2019-2020, based around the four core categories of Teaching, Research, Internationalisation and Employability. The HEC has been developed in partnership with QS and adapted to meet the needs of branch campuses in Dubai. Forbes Middle East has also awarded its Best Technology Programme award to the BITS Pilani Dubai Campus.

Prof Saha confirmed: The institute lays emphasis on the well-rounded personality development of students and inculcates in them values, creativity, leadership, teamwork and integrity. We strive to develop each BITSian to work with all vigour and values, for the betterment of humanity; to be better persons and leaders of tomorrow.

BITS Pilani Dubai Campus offers state-of-the-art infrastructure along with latest education technology and learning tools such as telepresence system, innovation lab, modern classrooms, 30 high-tech labs, campus wide Wi-Fi network, and an environment conducive for students to become top technocrats, professionals, entrepreneurs, leaders, researchers and responsible global citizens.

BITS Pilani Dubai Campus offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes in engineering and technology to UAE and other Middle East-based students, as well as students from India and the rest of the world. -- Tradearabia News Service
Greater Glasgow Police's handling of Rangers fans' title celebrations has been criticised after just 28 people were arrested following the gathering of thousands in Glasgow on Sunday to celebrate winning the Scottish Premiership.

Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, divisional commander for Greater Glasgow, said a further seven people were issued with fixed penalty notices or will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Scotland is currently under tier 4 restrictions, which means mass gatherings are banned and the public are urged not to leave their homes amid the pandemic.

There was also condemnation of Rangers' 'deafening silence' from Scotland's Deputy First Minister John Swinney but the club did break their silence with a statement on Monday afternoon.

Police Scotland have arrested 28 people after thousands of Rangers fans gathered in Glasgow on Sunday to celebrate their Scottish Premiership triumph

Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland said a further seven people were slapped with fines

Sutherland said in a statement released on Monday morning: 'Despite the coronavirus regulations and the prohibition of gatherings, our officers were faced with a very difficult set of circumstances as many thousands of supporters gathered to celebrate across a number of different venues.

'Our priority was public safety and this included reducing the risk of disorder, road safety and effective crowd management among the complexities of a vociferous crowd.

'This included established crowd control measures to prevent serious disorder in multiple areas and protect the public. An appropriate policing response was in place throughout the day and officers continually engaged and encouraged compliance with coronavirus regulations.'

He said a number of minor injuries were sustained by members of the public, some through intoxication.

'Where it was appropriate to do so officers moved to enforcement for a variety of offences including breaches of coronavirus regulations, acts of disorder, pyrotechnic use and a number of arrests for assaulting police officers and sectarian related breach of the peace,' Sutherland added.

The Scottish Government previously condemned fans for gathering outside the stadium

'In total, 28 people were arrested and seven people were issued with fixed penalty notices or will be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

'I am grateful to our officers who showed great commitment and professionalism throughout the course of the day, many of whom put their own health at risk during a challenging set of circumstances.'

Speaking at the Scottish Government's coronavirus briefing on Monday, Mr Swinney congratulated the club on their win and praised those who celebrated at home but said the behaviour of some fans was an 'absolute disgrace'.

He said: 'To see so many people deliberately flouting (coronavirus) rules with no regard for the safety of others is shameful.

'Events like yesterday risk spreading the virus and they show no regard or respect at all for the millions of households across Scotland who have been sticking to the rules, who haven't been able to meet up with friends and families to fully celebrate birthdays and other milestones or, in some cases, to attend funeral services of their loved ones.

Rangers fans light flares as they celebrate their historic 55th Scottish title outside Ibrox

'The Government and Police Scotland reminded Rangers of the need for the club to advise fans to adhere to the current restrictions in discussions on February 26 and March 5.

'It is a matter of profound regret that that did not happen.

'The Scottish Government will be making our extreme disappointment at the lack of leadership clear to the team management.'

He said Rangers had a 'duty' to tell fans not to gather and messages from them on Sunday could have helped disperse the crowds, adding: 'The silence from Rangers was deafening.'

Rangers did issue a club statement on Monday afternoon saying they had liaised with the relevant authorities in preparation for the celebrations.

After criticism from politicians, Rangers did issue a statement in response on Monday

Their statement read: 'During the last number of weeks, Rangers can confirm that we initiated open dialogue with key stakeholders in relation to the possibility of us achieving a historic 55th league title.

'We have proactively engaged with our local MP, the Justice Minister, the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the SPFL in relation to maintaining a cohesive message regarding public safety during the Covid-19 pandemic.

'We understand the jubilance of our support across the world who recognise this has been a historic year for the club.

'Nevertheless, it has been of great frustration for all football fans across the world that they have not been able to watch their team within stadiums, especially for the loyal Rangers season-ticket holders who have stood by this football club through thick and thin in the last decade.

A cardboard cut-out of manager Steven Gerrard is held aloft during the celebrations at Ibrox

'We reiterate the message from our manager, Steven Gerrard, who highlighted that fans should adhere to government guidelines  stay safe, socially distance and look after each other in this difficult time.

'We are aware there is the possibility of more, significant milestones within this season, and we will continue to proactively engage with key stakeholders to maintain a cohesive message in relation to government guidance at this present time.

'We look forward to further open dialogue with the government, police, SPFL and other key stakeholders.'

Users on social media were unimpressed with the police's handling of the weekend celebrations, with one tweeting in response to the statement: 'The public wasn't protected. No doubt most of these 'fans' have children & schools/nurseries have now returned.

Some users on social media were unimpressed with Greater Glasgow Police's statement

'Community transmission is still out there, which can lead to deaths, & they disregarded that threat. That is *criminal*'

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon condemned fans gathered on Sunday, tweeting: 'I congratulate Rangers on the title win & recognise what a moment this is for fans.

'But gathering in crowds just now risks lives, and could delay exit from lockdown for everyone else.

Other social media users labelled the supporters who attended 'embarrassing' and a 'disgrace'

Scotland is under tier 4 restrictions, which bans mass gatherings (pictured: Nicola Sturgeon)

'If those gathering care at all about the safety of others & the country, they will go home...

'I share folks' anger at this. Everyone has made so many sacrifices in the past year & seeing a minority risk our progress is infuriating & disgraceful.

'It is deeply unfair to the entire country, and the police have a hard enough job already. Please ask fans to go home @RangersFC'
After the conduct of coordinated raids in four provinces in the country, the Philippine security forces are now being accused by a left-leaning human rights organization of the activist killings, as their operation resulted in the death of 9 activists.

Philippine Forces Face Backlash for 'Activist Killings'

The leader of the rights group, Karapatan, Cristina Palabay shared that the raids were carried out at the homes and offices of the activists. Two of the victims were the couple that was killed while their 10-year-old son was hiding under a bed, she added.

According to The New York Times, when asked regarding the incident, a spokesman of the government was not immediately able to give any comment, but an official of the security forces has confirmed that nine individuals had been killed in the series of raids that were carried out in the joint operations of the Philippine National Police and the military. Police spokesman, Lt. Col. Chitadel Gaoiran mentioned the confirmation based on the report of GMA News.

In addition, Ms. Palabay stated that the 'activist killings' had happened in the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, which are all located in the southern portion of Luzon island, where the country's capital, Manila is. She also added that the activists who were killed had worked for numerous organizations, which includes a group that is working on behalf of Philippine fishermen and another that is campaigning for the rights of the urban poor.

Moreover, the leader of the rights group, Karapatan, also shared that nothing could be more apt than calling the day a 'Bloody Sunday.' She also claimed that the killings were part of a 'murderous campaign of state terror' by the administration of current Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to stifle legitimate dissent that is why she is urging the independent Commission on Human Rights by the country to investigate the conducted raids, CNN reported.

Meanwhile, aside from those who were dead as a result of the raids, three activists were also arrested. That includes a paralegal expert who is working for Karapatan, Palabay said.

Not only prominent officials of the country and President Duterte but also the military and commanders of the police have accused the rights group Karapatan and other leftist groups of having ties to the long-running communist insurgency in the country. But Karapatan and those groups who were accused have denied their connection to the accused ongoing violence.

Read also: Biden Fires Trump-Appointed Lawyer Who Refused to Step down from Office

On the other hand, the deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, Phil Robertson, shared that his organization was seriously concerned regarding the reports of the raids which were conducted jointly by the police and the military. He claimed that the 'activist killings' were clearly part of the counterinsurgency campaign of the Duterte administration against the communist rebels.

In his statement, Robertson mentioned that the fundamental problem is this campaign no longer makes any distinction between armed rebels and noncombatant activists, rights defenders, and labor leaders. Before the raids on Sunday, President Duterte urged the security forces of the Philippines to kill communists once they will encounter and finish them off if they are alive, Inquirer.Net reported.

Related article: Hundreds Gather in Idaho State Capitol in "Burn the Mask" Rally to Protest Pandemic Restrictions

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The city's heath authority said on Feb. 8, the U.K. variant was found in 21 of the city's 39 wastewater treatment plants. Fourteen days later, that number grew.

Video Transcript

SYLVESTER TURNER: In two days, Texas will lift the requirement to wear masks, and reopen businesses 100%. I want to thank the Houston area restaurants and businesses that are planning a responsible transition in making health and safety for their customers, employees, and the general public a priority.

Many of those businesses are going to continue requiring people to wear masks and keep their current occupancy rate, or require social distancing. Employees and visitors will be required to continue wearing a mask in a city owned facility.

There's been a lot of conversation over businesses planning these mask-off parties. But I want-- I want to provide some good news. And I received an email today from the owner and operator of Concrete Cowboy. And I-- I want to read the email that he sent to me.

He said, "Mayor Turner, first and foremost, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read this email. Mayor Turner, it was never our intention to host a party where we encourage patrons to not wear a mask. I am a business owner of multiple venues in the Washington corridor, and public safety is our top concern. And we will always place health and safety ahead of profits."

"That being said, we are not only canceling the party, but we will also not open Concrete Cowboy Wednesday night to prevent any exposure to COVID-19. I do want to reassure you that all four of my businesses on Washington Avenue will also continue to follow that same policy of safety first."

"I hope that in the future we can work together. You know you can trust me to always put the public first and to work together with you and your office. Thank you for your time. Dan Wierck, owner and operator."

And let me thank Dan and Concrete Cowboy for recognizing the importance of what we're trying to do. And-- and look, we want businesses to open. We want businesses to thrive in our city. And quite frankly, I do believe that two months from now the landscape will be much better than what it is today.

Story continues

I do believe that is too early now to just take off the mask. It's one thing for the businesses to be all the way open, but I do want people to encourage people to wear their masks. I want businesses to encourage people to wear their masks, their customers, their patrons. And I want to thank-- I want to thank Concrete Cowboy for the steps that they are taking, that I believe is in the best interests of health and safety of Houstonians.

And I want to thank all of the owners. I know-- look, these last 12 months have been hard. They've been hard on our medical professionals, our essential workers, our businesses small, medium, and large, on homeowners, families, our children. It's been hard. But I do see a glimmer of hope. I do see the end of this tunnel. I think many of us can see the end of this tunnel.

That's why the two individuals that are standing with me today Director Williams of our Public Health Department, Dr. Persse, are here as we try to do everything we can to ramp up getting these shots in people's arms. So again, let me thank Concrete Cowboy for taking the initiative, stepping up, and canceling that mask-off party.
On this day in 1775, Thomas Paine anonymously published African Slavery in America in the Postscript to the Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser. One of the first articles published to call for the abolition of slavery, it reflected a tradition of anti-slavery in America that far predated the founding of the nation itself. Despite this presence of anti-slavery attitudes there at the nations founding, the American constitution made many concessions to slavery and slave owners, and slavery was not fully abolished until the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865.

You may use this page to discuss the writing and career of Thomas Paine, or to pursue other areas of freewheeling, off-topic discourse. Find previous discussions in the Open Thread archive. Excepting the entreaty that you remain on topic, all of Slates usual commenting policies apply.

If you depend on this community and Slates journalism, please consider joining Slate Plus. We appreciate your support.
A 37-year-old man has been charged with a Section 13 terrorism offence following a police search and arrest operation in Co Antrim on Monday.

He is due to appear at Limavady Magistrates Court sitting in Ballymena on Wednesday.



As is normal procedure all charges will be reviewed by the PPS.

The investigation by the Paramilitary Crime Task Force was in relation to the criminal activities of the North Antrim UDA and involved a significant search and arrest operation in Bushmills.
Shooting: Garda officers at the scene of the attack

Three men from Northern Ireland with suspected dissident republican links were present in the Dublin house of a young mother when a man burst in and shot her.

Detectives are investigating if the attempted murder was carried out by a local drug dealer who was under threat from dissidents.

The victim, who is the sister of a Real IRA killer, is not suspected of involvement in dissident republicanism or criminality herself.

She was last night clinging to her life after being shot in the chest and arm at her Bluebell home.

The shooting happened at the Bernard Curtis House complex on Saturday afternoon while the woman's young daughter was also inside the property.

A number of other people were also in the property at the time, including three men with suspected dissident links from Northern Ireland.

One of the men is the son of a senior IRA figure from Belfast.

Detectives are investigating if a local drug dealer, aged in his 30s and also injured during the shooting, was the gunman who kicked in the front door before letting off five shots over the weekend.

A source told the Irish Independent: "One line of inquiry is that the three men from Northern Ireland were brought down to threaten this drug dealer.

"A short time later a man burst into her house and fired five shots, hitting her twice in the chest as well as shooting himself.

"Her young daughter is not even 10 years old and was in hysterics while paramedics were treating her mother at the scene.

"It is being investigated if the gunman was the drug dealer who had been threatened by the dissidents earlier in the day."

Emergency services were alerted to the shooting and rushed the young woman to hospital, where she remained in a critical condition last night.

The suspected gunman was also driven to hospital by an associate from the north-inner city who has also been arrested as part of the inquiry.

Local gardai are investigating the attempted murder while counter-terror detectives are probing the presence of the IRA associates in Dublin.

They are not suspected of involvement in the gun attack and were in the kitchen when the shooting began, before calling 999.

A number of raids were carried out in the Bluebell area on Saturday night but gardai have not yet recovered the weapon used.

The local drug dealer also remains in a serious condition in hospital and gardai have been posted outside of his room.

They are expected to question him once his condition improves. The are likely to question him on suspicion of ordering a gun and then using it in an attempted murder.

The young mother is the sister of a Real IRA killer who is currently serving a life sentence since he pleaded guilty to the murder of a senior gangland figure.

In total four people, aged in their 20s and 30s, were arrested in relation to Saturday's shooting.

They were brought to different stations in the Irish capital.

Three of the men from Northern Ireland have since been released by gardai without charge while the north-inner city man is still being questioned.

A garda spokesman said investigating detectives are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
Vice President Kamala Harris celebrated the spirit of the late John Lewis in pre-taped remarks shown Sunday as part of ceremonies commemorating the 1965 march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma.

Harris remarks were addressed to people gathered at Brown Chapel AME Church, which on March 7, 1965, was a staging area for the march that ended in the clash known as Bloody Sunday. Her comments were shared by the White House Sunday on YouTube.

Three years ago, I spoke from your pulpit. I was there in the pews last year when I joined Congressman John Lewis on his annual civil rights pilgrimage, Harris said. I was with him on what would be his final walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. And I will hold that memory forever in my heart.

Harris said Harriss spirit lives on today, as does the spirit of Selma. And it is needed in an ongoing fight for voting rights, she said, citing a Supreme Court ruling in an Alabama case.

I way this to remind us -- all of us -- of our own agency, she said. Of our own ability to change the world.

In 2013, the Voting Rights Act was gutted by the Supreme Court decision Shelby County v. Holder. That decision opened the floodgates, she said. Almost immediately, states put in place laws to discriminate and to create barriers to voting  targeted at people of color, targeted at Native Americans, targeted at students. And targeted at Black voters.

When one of these laws in North Carolina was challenged, the court said it targeted Black Americans with almost surgical precision, Harris said. Those were the words of the court: surgical precision. It has now been over 7 years since the Shelby decision, and the efforts to suppress have only increased.

Harris said she and President Joe Biden urged Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to fully restore the Voting Rights Act once and for all.

Biden, for his part, spoke virtually at this years Martin and Coretta King Unity Breakfast. Biden said he was signing an order calling for federal agencies to improve access to voting information and to help states with voter registration.

Harris compared the effort to a relay race begun by Selma marchers. The baton in that relay race is now in our hands, she said. So let us remember, our cause is righteous. Our resolve is strong. Our spirit is mighty. So let us keep on in the tradition of John Lewis.
Channel 4 will hand over its airwaves to seven influential women (Lewis Whyld/PA)

Channel 4 will hand over its airwaves to seven influential women, from scientists to food poverty campaigners, in celebration of International Womens Day.

Figures including Kate Bingham, former chairwoman of the UK vaccine taskforce, and matron May Parsons, the first person to administer a Covid-19 vaccine to a patient outside of clinical trials, will feature as continuity announcers throughout the day.

The British vaccinologist who led the team behind the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, Professor Sarah Gilbert, is among those who will tell their story.

Expand Close Professor Sarah Gilbert (John Cairns/University of Oxford/PA) PA / Facebook

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Sarah White, the headteacher of Coates Lane Primary School in Barnoldswick, whose sympathetic letter to parents about home schooling went viral, will also feature.

Also featured are Alyson Walsh, commercial director of food waste charity FareShare, Dr Nisreen Alwan, who campaigned for more awareness of long Covid, and Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, the UKs first sickle-cell and thalassaemia nurse specialist.

Channel 4 will also feature a special ident throughout the day and will share each womans story on social media using the hashtag #ChampioningWomensVoices.

Zaid Al-Qassab, chief marketing officer and inclusion and diversity director of Channel 4, said: Were hugely proud to be handing over the mic on International Womens Day to such talented and inspiring women, highlighting their incredibly powerful achievements and providing a national platform for their important stories.

Off air Channel 4 will mark the day with a programme of events for its staff and partners.
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The government will seek to have two major COVID-19 class actions that could cost it billions of dollars thrown out by the Supreme Court.

The actions, brought on behalf of businesses and workers, claim the governments mishandling of Victorias hotel quarantine program led to the imposition of restrictions that devastated businesses and led to widespread job losses.

Premier Daniel Andrews enacted the lockdown now the subject of a class action. Credit:Eddie Jim

Lawyers acting for the government confirmed on Monday they intend to file two summary dismissal applications in the coming months asking Supreme Court judge John Dixon to strike out the cases.
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.

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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




Dehradun, March 8 : The BJP high command on Monday called Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat to New Delhi in the face of the serious discontent within a section of the state party MLAs and MPs who are bitterly opposed to his style of functioning, top party sources said here.

"The CM is going to New Delhi on Monday," said a source close to the Chief Minister.

The high command's decision came after it sent former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh to hold an unscheduled meeting of the core committee on Saturday in Dehradun when the Assembly session was discussing the state Budget at Garisain. This raised many eyebrows both in the Chief Minister's camp as well as that of his opponents.

The Chief Minister along with the party MLAs was asked to fly to Dehradun by helicopter in the afternoon on Saturday soon after the Budget Session of the state Assembly was adjourned sine die in a hasty way.

State BJP President Bansidhar Bhagat when contacted had stated that the core committee meeting did not discuss anything related to the change of guard in the state.

"I have made it clear earlier also that there was no discussion on change of guard," he said.

On March 18, Chief Minister Rawat will complete his four years in office, an event which will be celebrated in a big way in the state, Bhagat said.
New Delhi, March 8 : Keeping in few the fast-changing political scenario in Uttarakhand, a high-level meeting of the top BJP leadership group began in the Parliament House complex on Monday evening.

National President J.P. Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah and National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santosh are present in this all-important meeting. Earlier, the meeting was scheduled to be held at the residence of Nadda. But owing to the Budget session, it is now being held in Parliament premises.

Reports suggest a large group of MLAs is upset with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. The MLAs complain the bureaucracy has got a free rein in the state, making it spiral out of control. Even MLAs and ministers have no say in the proceedings.

In such a scenario, the upset MLAs are demanding that the chief minister be changed. The BJP leadership has already sought a report on the situation by sending two central observers to the state. Chief Minister Rawat is already in New Delhi to clarify his position.

In such a scenario, a meeting of the top leadership in the Parliament complex becomes all the more crucial.

Two major alternatives are likely to be discussed in the meeting. The first alternative is attempts at damage-control. The party may find a middle way after listening to all sides. For example, a few dissenting MLAs can be given ministerial berths in the state which are vacant.

Alternatively, if the damage control exercise isn't successful, a change of guard can also be considered, even as Uttarakhand state in-charge Banshidhar Bhagat has dismissed all talk of a change in chief minister.
She welcomed her first child, a son Santiago, with partner Sammy Kimmence, six weeks ago.

And Dani Dyer has told how she and Sammy 'didn't plan' on falling pregnant, admitting that it was a 'shock' when she discovered they were expecting.

The Love Island winner, 24, also told how her actor dad Danny Dyer, 43, gets 'so emotional' around her new arrival.

Unexpected joy: Dani Dyer has told how she and Sammy Kimmence 'didn't plan' on falling pregnant, admitting that it was a 'shock' when she discovered they were expecting

Speaking to OK! magazine about her pregnancy shock, Dani told of the moment she informed beau Sammy she was with child.

She said: 'We didn't plan it. It was more a case of if I fall pregnant then that's fine, so it was a shock really. I remember Sammy was downstairs playing FIFA while I was upstairs and I just thought I'd take a pregnancy test. I remember going "babe I'm pregnant!" He just looked at me like "really?!" with the control still in his hand.'

Danny added that though it was an 'exciting time' for the couple, the prospect of becoming partners was 'so scary'.

New mamma: 'We didn't plan it. It was more a case of if I fall pregnant then that's fine, so it was a shock really'

Despite not expecting to fall pregnant when she did, Dani added that she'd been maternal since she was 16 years old and wanted a child young as she's best friends with her parents, who had her in their teens.

Speaking of her EastEnders star parent, Dani told how despite his hardman persona on TV, Danny is a softy when it comes to baby Santiago.

She explained: 'Dad is so emotional around Santi. The other day he was nearly crying like "I love babies and that, but your baby... I've never felt anything like this". Santi's his first grandchild and I feel like that's hit him more after the birth.'

The reality star also added that her mum Joanne Mas is 'obsessed with him'.

Baby shock: 'I remember Sammy was downstairs playing FIFA while I was upstairs and I just thought I'd take a pregnancy test. I remember going "babe I'm pregnant!" He just looked at me like "really?!" with the control still in his hand'

Dreams: Despite not expecting to fall pregnant when she did, Dani added that she'd been maternal since she was 16 years old and wanted a child young

The beauty also discussed Santiago's difficult birth and told of her disappointment within herself as she had to have an emergency c-section after the umbilical cord became wrapped around Santiago.

She said: 'I felt like my body failed me. I was so upset with myself and really beat myself up about it. Looking at myself for the first week, I hatred myself.'

Dani insisted that she soon moved past her feelings and 'accepted' what was as she realised that her baby being 'healthy and happy' was the important thing.

That's my boy: Speaking of her EastEnders star parent, Dani told how despite his hardman persona on TV, Danny is a softy when it comes to baby Santiago

Sweet: 'Dad is so emotional around Santi. The other day he was nearly crying like "I love babies and that, but your baby... I've never felt anything like this".

It comes after Dani recently revealed she has lost a stone since giving birth to her son Santiago but still has 'a long way to go'.

Taking to her Instagram Stories last Monday, Dani took part in a Q&A with fans and was asked: 'Have you managed to lose any of your pregnancy weight?'

The reality star responded: 'I've lost a stone! But I've got a long way to go. It's horrible when none of your clothes fit, I'm literally living in lounge.

Post-baby: It comes after Dani recently revealed she has lost a stone since giving birth to her son Santiago but still has 'a long way to go'

'But it's all worth it I have my beautiful boy, I am trying to eat more healthier just so I do feel better about myself!'

However, Dani insisted she's trying not to worry too much about her weight while she is still a new mother.

'But I'm not stressing too much about the weight, being a mum is a full time job. My body can wait.'
Hudson County progressives are calling on the local Democratic organization to end the county line endorsement process, which they say disenfranchises voters and strips committee members of power within the party.

In a letter addressed to Hudson County Democratic Organization Chair Amy DeGise, more than 40 Hudson County residents requested that she hold a special meeting before March 22 to propose changes that would allow rank and file committee members to screen and endorse party candidates for primary elections.

The letter states that Hudson County mayors currently choose which candidates secure the endorsement of the HCDO in primary elections, greatly increasing a candidates odds of winning their primary and eventually winning the general election.

Therefore, we propose an amendment to the by-laws that returns power to the committee and to voters, the letter states. Rank and file committee members would exercise their responsibility to screen and vote on candidate endorsements and endorsed candidates should have guaranteed access to fairly distributed campaign resources and support.

DeGise did not respond to a request for comment on the letter.

The letter comes on the heels of media reports that Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis is seeking to pull his support of state Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti, D-Bayonne, and replace him on the Hudson County Democratic ticket with another candidate.

Davis could not be reached for comment Monday. Bayonne spokesman Joe Ryan said the mayor was occupied.

Chiaravalloti was elected to the state Assembly in 2015. He is the majority whip and the vice-chair of the Human Services Committee.

The letter was signed by HCDO members and candidates for the county committee, including Hudson County Progressive Alliance Member and New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice Executive Director Amy Torres, Jersey City Ward E Councilman James Solomon, Ward B Council candidate Joel Brooks and Ron Bautista, president of the Progressive Democrats of Hudson County.

The letter said the replacement of Chiaravalloti has cast daylight on a process that has long operated in the shadows: that in Hudson County, it is the mayors who decide who gets the county line.

It is frankly hard to even call New Jersey state legislative election democratic, Solomon said. They are much more akin to the types of elections that you see in more authoritarian countries, where a sort of set of party elites in smoked-filled rooms pick the peoples representatives and not the people.

Solomon is planning to introduce a City Council resolution that calls for primary election ballots to be reformatted by eliminating rows, columns, and lines. He noted that it has been decades since a Hudson County state legislator won a seat without the endorsement of the county line.

Solomon said he hopes to add the resolution as a late item to the agenda of Wednesdays City Council meeting, but it may be held until the March 24 meeting.

(The county line) undermines the responsibility of committee members and the chair to endorse candidates, the letter to DeGise states. And because of the power of the line itself, this mayoral prerogative disenfranchises voters at large, and ensures that women, people of color, queer, and low-income people will continue to be under-represented in our politics.
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Helping African countries contain the COVID-19 pandemic and bring their economy back on track is the top priority of the China-Africa cooperation, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday.

China has started to provide COVID-19 vaccines to 35 African countries and the African Union Commission, and has provided close to 120 batches of emergency supplies to Africa and sent medical expert teams to 15 African countries to support their fight against the pandemic, Wang told a press conference.

He said a new session of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled later this year in Senegal, will offer new opportunities to help Africa triumph over COVID-19 and strengthen their public health governance capacity.

China will also use the FOCAC to support the Africa's industrialization, integration, and participation in the economic globalization, as well as safeguard peace and stability on the continent, Wang said.

The foreign minister hailed the China-Africa cooperation as a model of South-South cooperation and a fine example of international cooperation with Africa, as two-way trade increased 20 times and China's direct investment in Africa grew 100 times over the past 20 years.

"China and Africa are perpetual good friends and good partners with a shared future," Wang said.
Upcoming political events in the Bay Area. Events take place online unless otherwise noted:

WEDNESDAY

Mental health and equity: A discussion on how the medical community and others can overcome cultural differences and misunderstandings lead to mental heath diagnostic problems and hesitancy to seek treatment among communities of color. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club. 6 p.m. More information is here.

THURSDAY

Anti-Asian American violence: A discussion on how to address anti-Asian American violence, with Russell Jeung, Asian American studies professor at San Francisco State University, and Awaken CEO Michelle Kim. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club. Noon. More information is here.

FRIDAY

Trumpsism: An examination of the political conditions that led to the rise of Donald Trump and the consequences of his presidency, hosted by the Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley. Participants include Ann Keller, associate professor at the School of Public Health; Zeus Leonardo, professor at the Graduate School of Education; and john a. powell, director of the Othering and Belonging Institute. Noon. More information and livestream is here.

SATURDAY

365 Days: A march and rally to commemorate one year of school buildings being closed. Sponsored by Decreasing the Distance: A San Francisco parent collective. 11 a.m. march from Alamo Square Park, Hayes and Steiner streets, to City Hall for noon rally. More information is here.

MONDAY

Commission on Status of Women: The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women NGO Forum holds several days of events and discussions on empowering women and girls and eliminating bias against women, through March 24. More information and agenda are here; registration is here.

TUESDAY

Return to normal: Andy Slavitt, senior adviser to President Bidens COVID-19 response team, on what the country has learned during the yearlong coronavirus pandemic and what it will take to return to normal. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club. 9 a.m. More information is here.

MARCH 17

Vaccinations: A pair of programs on vaccinations in the U.S., hosted by the Commonwealth Club At 9 a.m., Bechara Choucair of President Bidens COVID-19 response team describes the administration's national vaccination campaign. More information is here. At 9:30 a.m., Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, chair of UCSFs Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistic, discusses equity issues in the vaccine rollout. More information is here.

Diversity and entrepreneurship: A summit of small-business owners and advocates on the pandemics effect on small businesses owned by women and people of color and how to support diverse entrepreneurs in California. Hosted by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies. 11 a.m. Register here.

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier: Concord Democrat holds a town hall meeting on small business issues. 11:30 a.m. Submit a question in advance here; join meeting here.

Abolitionist leadership: A discussion on abolitionist leadership with urban education expert Crystal Laura and Muhammad Khalifa, professor of educational administration at Ohio State University. Hosted by the Department of Educational Leadership at Cal State East Bay. 5 p.m. More information is here.

MARCH 18

Nondisclosure agreements: Getting around nondisclosure agreements that can hinder whistleblowers from exposing discrimination in corporations, with Ifeoma Ozoma, founder and principal of Earthseed. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club. Noon. More information is here.

MARCH 19

Don Lemon, Valerie Jarrett: CNN host discusses his new book, This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism, with Jarrett, former senior adviser to President Barack Obama. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club. Noon. More information is here.

MARCH 22

Rep. Ro Khanna: Fremont Democrat holds a town hall meeting. Submit a question in advance here; join meeting here.

To list an event, please email Chronicle politics editor Trapper Byrne at tbyrne@sfchronicle.com
THE Taoiseach must have felt that, of all the State committees he has overseen, the commission into the future of Irelands media was the one least likely to cause him headaches.

But that is exactly what is happening as storm clouds gather over the commission and specifically one of its members, Alan Rusbridger.

Rusbridger, the left-leaning former editor of the Guardian, is more used to setting the news agenda than being in the headlines himself.

Now, however, he is very much in the news, having been the editor who stood by Roy Greenslade  the veteran columnist who last weekend outed himself as a covert and active supporter of the Provisional IRA for decades.

Read More

The problem for Rusbridger is that Greenslade was a prolific writer on Irish affairs. Moreover, the writer never once thought to mention the gaping conflict of interest of being an undercover cheerleader and fanboy of the Provisional IRA and its leadership coterie and pontificating on Irish politics.

In other words, Greenslade was not telling the truth to his readers.

There is probably no greater charge to lay against a professional journalist than that they are in the pocket of a particular interest group.

Greenslade was the Guardians media editor and even lectured journalism students. In his editor role he was infamously waspish and sniffy about other journalists and media competitors.

Little wonder then that his former colleagues in the Sun were scathing this week: So, a man who pontificates on the principles of journalists sacrificed his own principles in order to earn money. What a revolting beast.

Even in the champion of Britains left wing, the New Statesman magazine, there was incredulity at the extent of Greenslades deceit.

Columnist Peter Wilby described how useful Greenslade could have been to the Provisional IRA at a time it was carrying out bomb attacks in Britain.

He could, if he so wished, have suppressed or rewritten stories that embarrassed the IRA; passed on information about security operations that selected newspapers are sometimes given in confidence; leaked details of the movements of Northern Ireland reporters seen as hostile by the IRA.

Wilby writes: There is no evidence whatever that he did any of those things. Greenslade could separate his personal opinions from his work, as many journalists do.

However, in a scathing conclusion, Wilby notes: But Andrew Neil, his editor at the Sunday Times, and the late Chris Ryder, the papers Belfast correspondent until 1988, were both IRA targets. He was at risk of letting information slip unwittingly on social occasions. He was also vulnerable to blackmail. He fails to address these issues, despite holding, from 2003, a university professorship that involved lectures on journalistic ethics.

Rusbridger was a fierce defender of his columnist. Crucially in this whole sorry affair, he even allowed Greenslade to launch a scandalous and withering attack on rape victim Mairia Cahill.

It was an extraordinary article lacking human compassion and any attempt at objectivity or balance. What a reprehensible act to put pen to paper to vilify a young woman  and not even have the decency to declare your conflict of interest.

Rusbridger has now apologised to Ms Cahill, saying Greenslades belated mea culpa was that he kept his sympathy for the Provisional IRA secret from his colleagues and editors. He added that the article would not have been allowed run if he had known.

If Rusbridger cant be trusted to show good judgment on an article maligning a rape victim, how can he possibly have the judgment to decide the future of Irelands media?

The Taoiseach must be scratching his head about all of this.

As a politician from the Rebel County he will only be too well aware of the sorry history of UK-based tabloid coverage of Ireland.

Mr Martin now needs to show good judgment  and decide what type of leaders he wants formulating a plan for the survival of media in Ireland.
WASHINGTON  Some 46,000 Venezuelans living in Texas can breathe easier after the Biden administration announced Monday it will allow them to take shelter in the U.S. temporarily amid political and economic turmoil in their home country.

The Biden administration said it will extend Temporary Protected Status  granted to those in the U.S. from war-torn countries or nations devastated by natural disasters  to Venezuelans. Texas is home to the nations second-largest Venezuelan population, with 21,000 in the Houston area alone, according to 2019 estimates from the Migration Policy Institute.

The status permits asylum seekers to live and work in the U.S. for up to 18 months, though it is often extended. They are also eligible for health care under the Affordable Care Act. Some 200,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. would be eligible, according to federal estimates. Only those who can prove they were living in the U.S. before Mondays announcement are eligible.

EXPLAINER: Heres what the CDC's new guidelines mean if you've been vaccinated for COVID

The living conditions in Venezuela reveal a country in turmoil, unable to protect its own citizens, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. It is in times of extraordinary and temporary circumstances like these that the United States steps forward to support eligible Venezuelan nationals already present here, while their home country seeks to right itself out of the current crises.

The move comes as the Biden administration says it is focused on establishing an orderly and humane immigration system, ending a slew of Trump-era policies that limited legal immigration while proposing a sweeping overhaul in Congress that would offer a pathway to citizenship to up to 1.7 million Texans who are in the country without legal authorization. That proposal  which faces stiff opposition from Republicans in Congress  would extend automatic green cards to those with Temporary Protected Status.

The U.S. currently offers Temporary Protected Status to people from 10 other countries, including El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Houston, meanwhile, has long had strong ties to Venezuela in large part because of the oil industry. Houston is home to the headquarters of Citgo Petroleum Corp., long controlled by the Venezuelan government. Venezuela has the world's richest oil reserves, and many who worked at oil companies there also found jobs with Houston firms.

Jose Chirinos, a legal assistant who moved from Venezuela to Houston in 2001, said the new protections will be especially satisfying for those in the process of seeking asylum. He pointed out many Venezuelans who legally immigrated to Houston in the early 2000s overstayed their visas and will now be able to apply for drivers licenses and car insurance.

Its going to be good, because a lot of Venezuelans have their own business, he said. To be honest, they needed that (temporary protected status) for the last 4 or 5 years and never got it.

Cesar Espinosa, executive director of FIEL Houston, an immigration rights organization, said Houston will benefit from thousands of Venezuelans becoming more active in the community. He noted that El Salvadorans in Houston have prospered under the same protections granted in 2001.

Weve seen a lot of those folks thrive and open up businesses and become hard-working, integrated members of our society, Espinosa said. The problem is, though  these are temporary programs. So even though we see this in a very positive light, this also expresses the need for some sort of immigration reform system, so we dont have to continue to work in a patchwork approach.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Texans in Congress cheered the move.

Today is a great day for all our Venezuelan neighbors in Houston and beyond! U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, a Houston Democrat, tweeted.

I am thrilled to see that the Biden-Harris administration is once again taking steps to improve the lives of immigrants, she said in a statement. Immigrants leave their homes and come to the United States in pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Texas Democrats and Republicans alike tried to persuade former President Donald Trump to offer protections as he declared that the citizens of Venezuela have suffered for too long at the hands of the violent regime of President Nicolas Maduro. But Trump declined until the last day of his presidency, when he issued an executive order halting deportations of Venezuelans  but stopping short of granting full Temporary Protected Status.

Venezuelans are suffering from a criminal socialist dictatorship responsible for crimes against humanity, said U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, a Houston-area Republican who is the top GOP member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. TPS was designed to protect those fleeing extreme circumstances. The Biden Administration is right to expand on recent protections set by the Trump administration to protect Venezuelans and now make TPS available for Venezuelans.

Julian Gill contributed reporting from Houston.

ben.wermund@chron.com
NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GoldenTree Loan Management II ("GLM II") and its affiliated investment manager GoldenTree Asset Management (along with other affiliated investment managers "GoldenTree"), announced the closing of a $698 million collateralized loan obligation ("CLO") to be managed by GLM II. With the closing of this CLO, GoldenTree Loan Management US CLO 9 ("GLM US CLO 9"), GoldenTree has issued 14 CLOs totaling over $8 billion under its GLM CLO strategy. Since its inception in January 2017, the GLM strategy was intended to be compliant with applicable Risk Retention regulations. While a US Court of Appeals ruling on February 9, 2018 led to repeal of risk retention for open market CLOs, GLM CLOs are intended to continue to comply with European Union and United Kingdom Risk Retention regulations.

GLM US CLO 9 will initially be backed by a 100% ramped $700 million portfolio of senior secured loans as of closing and will have a three-year reinvestment period and a one-year non call period. The CLO was arranged by a bank syndicate including BofA Securities as structuring lead, and Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo Securities as co-leads. The syndicate globally distributed the investment grade rated notes issued by the CLO, while GLM II invested in the CLO's equity and lower rated notes.

GLM US CLO 9 issued $455 million of AAA rated senior notes with a coupon of L+1.07%, along with lower rated senior, mezzanine and junior notes, for an overall weighted average coupon of L+1.47%.

Since its inception in 2000, GoldenTree has issued over $18 billion of CLOs/CBOs, with over $10.5 billion currently outstanding. GoldenTree's investment team is comprised of over 60 individuals covering over 20 industries and having, on average, 16 years of experience. In addition, GoldenTree has been an active investor in structured credit since 2007 and currently manages over $6 billion of structured products investments across the firm.

About GoldenTree

GoldenTree is an employee-owned, global asset management firm that specializes in opportunities across the credit universe in sectors such as high yield bonds, leveraged loans, distressed debt, structured products, emerging markets, private equity and credit-themed equities. GoldenTree was founded in 2000 and is one of the largest independent asset managers focused on credit. GoldenTree manages over $40 billion for institutional investors including leading public and corporate pensions, endowments, foundations, insurance companies and sovereign wealth funds. For more information, please visit www.goldentree.com.

For further information contact:

SOURCE GoldenTree Loan Management

Related Links

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The Chinese Communist Party is reported to be preparing for its 100th Anniversary through plans on enforcing more control on Catholics in their country.

ChinaAid reported that Chinese authorities plan to impose its political control on Catholics through the CCP's 100th founding anniversary. AsiaNews added that the anniversary will be on July 23, 2021.

The Chinese Communist Party's founding occurred in Shanghai that was once under the French Concession. To celebrate the event, the Chinese bishops and the leaders of the Chinese Patriotic Association have met early in February and have agreed to come out with a symposium "in memory of the centenary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party."

The Symposium involves a variety of "formation courses in collaboration with the Central Institute of Socialism," preparatory courses on the "construction of the Patriotic Association" and on the national gathering of the "Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference," the study of the Long March, among others.

The said information, AsiaNews revealed, came from a published article in the state-Catholic magazine "The Church In China" by Hui Jing.

ChinaAid said the Central Committee's United Front Work Department Vice Minister Wang Zuoan requested from the Chinese Patriotic Association that the 100th Founding Anniversary celebration be an opportunity for the Catholic Church to adhere o patriotism and the Sinicization of Catholicism so as to nurture faith within the Chinese culture.

The celebration is actually a "facade" for sinicization, which intends to align Catholics to the Chinese Communist Party's program and, in the process, gain more control on the Catholic Church there.

AsiaNews echoed the same sentiments against China in its reporting that the symposium intends to deepen Catholics understanding of the foundations of Mao Zedong's victory over Chiang Kai Shek depicted in the "moving events during the period of the Long March" in China's history.

The media outlet also raised that Catholics are required to deepen their knowledge on the "guidelines of the 19th National Congess of the Chinese Communist Party and the 5th Plenary Session of the 19th National Congress," strengthen awareness on the "need to maintain political integrity, to think in general terms, to follow the heart of the leadership and keep in line with the central Party leadership," and to imbibe "Xi Jinping's thinking on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era."

The report added that Catholics are to become familiar with the Chinese Regulation On Religious Affairs and measures for the administration of religious communities that were laid out by the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association in "Administrative Measures For Religious Clegy" released last February.

This is expected to be carried out by Catholics through the "principles of love for country and love religion the independent and autonomous Church, the democratic management of the Church," AsiaNews pointed out.

AsiaNews raised that China continues to push the Catholic Church there as an "independent and autonomous Church" under a "democratic management" even though the Patriotic Association went into an agreement with the Vatican that the Church in China is to recognize the Pope as head of the Church.

"What a pity that this too is under the supervision and control of the Patriotic Association, an organization linked to the Communist Party which for the most part is made up of atheist officials. And in fact, far from being an attempt to nurture faith within Chinese culture (a fact that has existed for a long time), Sinicization is only a nationalist translation of the Party's political control over the Catholic Church," AsiaNews remarked on the issue.
New Delhi, March 8 : It's a day to celebrate yourself, pick your favourite dram, be it scotch, gin, vodka, or liqueur and curate some lip-smacking cocktails with these recommendations from Diageo India's finest Brand Ambassadors and mixologists.

YES WE CRAN



Image Source: IANS News

45 ml Black and White Scotch Whisky

10 ml Lime Juice

60 ml Cranberry Juice

Garnish: Lime Wedge on each serveMethod:

Build all the ingredients into a highball glass with ice and stir well. Garnish and serve.

Image Source: IANS News

Ingredients:

A glass of wine

Ingredients:



50ml Gordon's London Dry Gin

Fresh Bottled Tonic to topMethod:

Fill a chilled glass with fresh ice cubes. Pour in the gin and top up with chilled tonic. Gently squeeze a wedge of lime into the glass before dropping it in, then give it all a final stir. The definitive G&T, and a great way to begin any occasion.

Image Source: IANS News

KETEL ONE ESPRESSO MARTINI

Ingredients:



50 ml Ketel One

45 ml Espresso (2.5 tsp Instant Coffee Powder mixed with 20 ml warm water)

15 ml Sugar Syrup

Glassware: Martini GlassMethod:

* Shake all ingredients with some ice cubes. Fine strain into chilled glass and garnish with 3 coffee beans

JOHNNIE WALKER PEACH HIGHBALL



Image Source: IANS News

50ml Johnnie Walker Red Label

50ml Peach tea (chilled)

100ml Soda waterMethod:

Ingredients:

* Combine ingredients in an ice-filled highball glass and garnish with slices of peach or a sprig of mint

Image Source: IANS News

NEGRONI RECIPE

Ingredients:



30ml Tanqueray London Dry Gin

30ml Rosso Antico

30ml CampariMethod:

* Add all ingredients to a mixing glass full of ice and stir to dilute. Strain into a chilled rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with an orange slice or twist

Image Source: IANS News

APPLE DOG

Ingredients:



50ml Copper Dog

150ml Green Apple JuiceMethod:

* Combine ingredients in an ice-filled highball glass and garnish with a slice of Green Apple

Image Source: IANS News

SMIRNOFF NO 21 (RED)

Ingredients:



30 ml or 60 ml Smirnoff No 21

Soda to top

1 Wedge of Lime/ Orange/ Sweet lime/ Mandarin/ Kafir LimeMethod:

* In a highball glass filled with ice, pour Smirnoff No 21 and place your preferred fruit slice. Top with soda and gently stir and serve

Image Source: IANS News

THE SINGLETON OLD FASHIONED

Ingredients:



50 ml The Singleton of Glendullan12 YO

10 ml Simple Syrup or Honey

2 dash Angostura BittersMethod:

* Fill Mixing glass with good quality ice cubes and add all ingredients and keep stirring for 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled glass with fresh ice cubes and garnish with an orange twist

Image Source: IANS News

BAILEYS HOT CHOCOLATE

Ingredients:



Baileys Original Irish cream Liquear: 50 ml

Milk: 250 ml

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: 2 tablespoons

Dark Chocolate: 30 grams

Sugar: 1 tablespoon

Whipped Cream

Chocolate Sauce

Dark ChocolateMethod:

In a small saucepan, heat up the milk. Add cocoa powder and chocolate and stir with a whisk until the chocolate has melted.

Turn off the heat and add Baileys. Taste it and add sugar to your taste.

Optional: Top with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, chocolate shavings.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

-- Syndicated from IANS
"The world needs women's leadership now more than ever. As we chart a path forward, women and girls, especially those from historically marginalized communities, must play a critical role in reimagining and rebuilding our world," said Alyse Nelson, President and CEO of Vital Voices. "This month, through innovative partnerships and our own platforms, we will be amplifying changemakers in our network whose bold ideas and innovative solutions are critical to a brighter future. Women, in particular women of color, bear the disproportionate burden of systemic injustices and inequalities, which were on full display this past year. As we tackle some of our toughest challenges we must center their experiences and hold up their leadership."

In the film, Gorman, the 2021 Inaugural Poet and the first National Youth Poet Laureate, recites a poem during the 2019 Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards that highlights the power of women's strength to transform and inspire.

"Today everyone's eyes are on us as we rise in this hour, it is our fine duty to find the beauty in rooting for other women so they too know that we are not victims we are victors," recites Gorman.

Vital Voices Global Partnership invests in women leaders who are solving the world's toughest challenges  from gender-based violence to the climate crisis, economic inequities, and more. As "venture catalysts," they identify those with a daring vision for change and partnering with them to make that vision a reality. The organization scales and accelerates impact through long term investments to expand skills, connections, capacity and visibility. Over the last 24 years, Vital Voices has built a network of 18,000 change makers across 182 countries, each of whom are daring to reimagine a more equitable world for all.

SOURCE Vital Voices Global Partnership
Turkey may normalize relations with Egypt and Gulf countries 'No insolvable problems with any Arab state'

(ANSAmed) - ROME, MARCH 8 - Turkey is ready to open a new page with Egypt and Gulf countries for peace and stability in the region, presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in an interview published Monday by Bloomberg.



"We want to cooperate with Egypt in Eastern Mediterranean, Libya and the Palestine issue, which seems to be forgotten by the world. If we could take bilateral constructive steps, it may help to stabilize the region from North Africa to Eastern Mediterranean," he added.



In recent days, the Turkish foreign affairs and defense ministers had mentioned the possibility of an overture to Cairo and a possible agreement on the dispute over sea borders.



"Having dialogue may develop our bilateral and regional relations. This also applies to the other four Gulf countries.



We don't have insolvable problems with any Arab country," he stressed.(ANSAmed). (ANSA).




New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/08/2021 -- The global EMI Shielding market is expected to reach USD 8.79 billion by 2026, according to a new report by Reports and Data. The principal points of competition in this industry are product performance, reliability and innovation, application expertise, product life cycle cost, timeliness of delivery, proximity of service centers. Maintaining and improving the competitive position will require successful management of these factors, including continued investment by us in manufacturing, research and development, engineering, marketing, customer service and support, and our distribution networks. Germany is the major market in Europe and accounting for more than 35% of market share in in 2016. The presence of large number of end use industries coupled with technological innovation is driving demand in this industry.



This report covers the current COVID-19 effects on the economy. This outbreak has brought along drastic changes in world economic situations. The current scenario of the ever-evolving business sector and present and future appraisal of the effects are covered in the report as well.



Dowload Free Sample at: https://www.reportsanddata.com/discount-enquiry-form/1173



According to the latest report added to the online repository of Reports And Data the EMI Shielding market has witnessed an unprecedented growth till 2020. The extrapolated future growth is expected to continue at higher rates by 2026.



Key participants include Laird PLC, 3M, Chomerics, RTP Company, Marktek Inc., ETS-Lindgren, Tech-Etch Inc., Omega Shielding Products, HEICO Corporation and Schaffner Group. In December 2014, 3M signed an agreement with Desco Industries, Inc. (Desco) for Desco to purchase the assets of 3M's global Static Control business. 3M's Static Control business is a source of products and solutions that help prevent, detect, and protect against Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) events.



Competitive analysis parameters mentioned in the study comprise of:



 Estimated revenue



 Product sales statistics



 Industry analysis of the market majors listed in the report



 An overview of the company



 Product pricing models



 Company profile



 Sales & distribution analysis



Key Issues Addressed by EMI Shielding Market: The EMI Shielding report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments.



Competitive Landscape



The competitive analysis of major market players is another notable feature of the EMI Shielding market report; it identifies direct or indirect competitors in the market.



Access full Report at: https://www.reportsanddata.com/report-detail/emi-shielding-market



Key pointers emphasized in the EMI Shielding market report:



 Estimated Growth rate



 Current industry trends



 Market drivers



 Competitive Analysis



 Market concentration ratio



 Key hindering factors



 Regional contribution



 Predicted Turnover



 Consumption rates



Our exploration specialists acutely ascertain the significant aspects of the global EMI Shielding market report. It also provides an in-depth valuation in regards to the future advancements relying on the past data and present circumstance of EMI Shielding market situation. In this EMI Shielding report, we have investigated the principals, players in the market, geological regions, product type, and market end-client applications. The global EMI Shielding report comprises of primary and secondary data which is exemplified in the form of pie outlines, EMI Shielding tables, analytical figures, and reference diagrams. The EMI Shielding report is presented in an efficient way that involves basic dialect, basic EMI Shielding outline, agreements, and certain facts as per solace and comprehension.



Analysis of Global EMI Shielding Market: By Type



EMI Shielding Tapes & Laminates



Conductive Coatings and Paints



Metal Shielding Products



Conductive Polymers



EMI Filters



Analysis of Global EMI Shielding Market: By Method



Radiation



Conduction



Based on region, the global EMI Shielding market has been segmented into Americas (North America ((the U.S. and Canada),) and Latin Americas), Europe (Western Europe (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK and Rest of Europe) and Eastern Europe), Asia Pacific (Japan, India, China, Australia & South Korea, and Rest of Asia Pacific), and Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa).



Oder Now: https://www.reportsanddata.com/checkout-form/1173



Table Of Contents: Global EMI Shielding Market



Chapter 1.Market Synopsis



1.1. Market Definition



1.2. Research Scope & Premise



1.3. Methodology



1.4. Market Estimation Technique



Chapter 2.Executive Summary



2.1. Summary Snapshot, 2017  2027



Chapter 3.Indicative Metrics



3.1. Macro Indicators



Chapter 4.EMI Shielding Market Segmentation & Impact Analysis



4.1. EMI Shielding Segmentation Analysis



4.2. Industrial Outlook



4.3. Price Trend Analysis



4.4. Regulatory Framework



4.5. Porter's Five Forces Analysis



Chapter 5.Competitive Landscape



5.1. Market Share By Manufacturers



5.2. Strategic Benchmarking



5.2.1. New Product Launches



5.2.2. Investment & Expansion



5.2.3. Acquisitions



5.2.4. Partnerships, Agreement, Mergers, Joint-Ventures



5.3. Vendor Landscape



5.3.1. North American Suppliers



5.3.2. European Suppliers



5.3.3. Asia-Pacific Suppliers



5.3.4. Rest Of The World Suppliers



Continued.
Displacement from ones home country can happen for any number of reasons. And while refugees and asylum-seekers do have immediate logistical concerns, true integration can only be made possible when a persons social and professional needs are also addressed.

It is in this spirit that the community theatre Teatru Salesjan approached a recent round of workshops, inviting eight women from West Africa to participate in interactive  though fully online  sessions whose aim was to improve their personal skills and increase cultural awareness of their new surroundings, all the while preparing them for the job market. As one of the participants of the sessions herself clearly articulates, the sessions certainly filled a very necessary gap.

It was an opportunity to do away with the mental block a lot of us face when it comes to employment, Nadine, one of the workshop participants, said. I think it helped us to believe we can do better. It also created a sense of community between us participants  we would sit together after the training to go through the materials that were shared with us.
Australia has become the new Hollywood during the Covid-19 pandemic as major movie studios relocate their productions Down Under.

And now another production is coming to our shores: romantic comedy Ticket to Paradise, starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney.

The Oscar winners will begin shooting the film on the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland later this year, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Coming Down Under: Julia Roberts and George Clooney will film new rom-com Ticket to Paradise in Australia after receiving a $6.4million location grant from the government

Julia, 53, and George, 59, play a divorced couple who travel to Bali, Indonesia, to save their daughter from making the same mistake they did 25 years ago.

The production has received $6.4million from the Australian government as part of a location incentive program.

'I'm so pleased to support Ticket to Paradise with a $6.4million grant as part of our highly successful Location Incentive Program,' said Paul Fletcher, the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts.

Storyline: Julia, 53, and George, 59, play a divorced couple who travel to Bali, Indonesia, to save their daughter from making the same mistake they did 25 years ago

In return, the film is expected to bring $47million to the local economy and create more than 270 jobs.

George will arrive in Australia later this year, but Julia is believed to already be in the country filming another project.

She is slated to star in political thriller Gaslit, about the Watergate scandal, alongside Sean Penn and Joel Edgerton.

Working: George will arrive in Australia later this year, but Julia is believed to already be in the country filming another project. She is slated to star in political thriller Gaslit, about the Watergate scandal, alongside Sean Penn and Joel Edgerton

The movie is being directed and produced by Joel and his brother, Nash Edgerton.

Meanwhile, Marvel blockbuster Thor: Love and Thunder is being filming in Sydney, starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Christian Bale.

Zac Efron is also in the country shooting a Netflix series, and recently wrapped production on Stan original movie Gold.
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 08, 2021] LG Innotek Joins Hands with Microsoft to Proliferate Cloud-Connected 3D Sensing Camera

LG Innotek develops 3D sensing modules based on Microsoft ToF technology

LG Innotek and Microsoft collaborate to commercialize cloud connected 3D camera.

The collaboration will provide easy access to create 3D vision applications for multiple industries. SEOUL, South Korea, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Innotek (CEO Cheoldong Jeong) announced on 8th that it collaborates with Microsoft to unblock access to 3D vision technology and unleash innovation across multiple industry verticals such as: fitness, healthcare, logistics and retail with LG Innotek's ToF (Time of Flight) technology-based 3D camera modules and Microsoft's Azure Depth Platform. Locating the position of objects is an important aspect of scene analysis. Obtaining this information directly from a 3D ToF camera rather than inferring it from one or more 2D cameras simplifies the analysis and enhances robustness. 3D cameras are suitable for robust computer vision analysis with less computation for many commercial use cases. Yet, 3D camera design and manufacturing require special technology in illumination, strong sensor level understanding and optical design capability which is currently limited to very few camera module makers. LG Innotek has combined its superfine drive techniques and optical technologies to create high performance and ultra-slim multi-camera modules. The company has done so by its renowned product design, production capacity, state of the art quality contro and technologies for core components such as light source and lens. With such capabilities, LG Innotek has secured a leadership position in the camera module and 3D sensing module markets for smartphones.



Microsoft has over 20 years of experience in the 3D sensing field, spanning from pixel to chip, from modules to cameras, from algorithms to software, from characterization to calibration and manufacturing process tunning. This Microsoft 3D sensing knowhow was used to build Microsoft Hololens and Azure Kinect Devkit. The Azure Depth Platform program was created to proliferate Microsoft 3D sensing technology and drive large scale innovation via an ecosystem of Semiconductor, IHVs (Independent Hardware Vendors), ISVs (Independent Software Vendors) and SIs (System Integrators) building cameras, 3D vision software & cloud services and business customers. Combining Microsoft ToF depth sensing technology with the Azure intelligent Edge and Intelligent cloud platforms is disrupting computer vision applications. With this collaboration, the two companies will drive customer value to the Azure ecosystem across multiple industries. For example, LG Innotek's 3D ToF cameras can be used with Azure in fitness to more precisely measure motions. In healthcare, they can be used to measure patients' posture and body shape and conduct robot-assisted surgery. Partners in the retail or logistics industries can use the technology to manage inventory and analyze customer traffic. In factories, these cloud-connected cameras can monitor and analyze production lines to prevent accidents.

Daniel Bar, head of business incubation for the Silicon & Sensor's group at Microsoft, said, "LG Innotek brings world class manufacturing expertise in complex optoelectronic systems. We are excited to welcome LG Innotek to our ecosystem and accelerate time to market for 3D cameras. This is a key step towards providing easy access for computer vision developers to create 3D vision applications." Jongyun Eun, Head of the Optics Solution Product Planning Division at LG Innotek, said, "Microsoft's Azure Depth Platform program has selected LG Innotek as a scaling partner due to its leading-edge technologies and production capability. Our collaboration with Microsoft will enable LG Innotek to help ecosystem partners on new designs and expand the application areas of 3D sensing modules beyond smartphones." Please refer to the website: www.lginnotek.com SOURCE LG Innotek

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Security forces have shot dead two people in northern Myanmar, local media reported, as the military government continued its attempt to stamp out opposition to its February 1 coup.

The Irrawaddy newspaper said the victims were shot in the head during anti-coup protests in Myitkyina in Kachin State.

Graphic video on social media showed protesters in the street backing away from tear gas, responding with rocks, then fleeing after a fusillade of what seemed to be automatic gunfire.

Demonstrators hurriedly carried away a number of casualties, including one apparent fatality, a person who had clearly sustained a severe head wound.

Protesters march with makeshift shields on a main road during a demonstration in Mandalay (AP)

A second body was seen a little later, on a stretcher, his head covered with a cloth.

To date, the governments violent crackdown has left more than 50 protesters dead.

At least 18 people were fatally shot on Sunday last week and 38 on Wednesday, according to the UN Human Rights Office.

Security forces also clamped down on anti-coup protesters elsewhere on Monday, firing tear gas to break up a crowd of around 1,000 people who were demonstrating in the capital Naypyitaw.

The protesters deployed fire extinguishers to create a smoke screen as they fled from authorities.

Meanwhile, thousands of protesters marching in Mandalay, the countrys second-largest city, dispersed on their own amid fears that soldiers and police were planning to use force to break up their demonstration.

Large-scale protests have occurred daily across many cities and towns in Myanmar since the countrys military seized power, and security forces have responded with ever greater use of lethal force and mass arrests.

The coup and its violent aftermath have led foreign governments and international organisations to impose measures against Myanmars military leaders.

Anti-coup protesters flash a three-fingered sign of resistance during a demonstration in Naypyitaw (AP)

In the latest example, Australia suspended its defence co-operation with Myanmar and is redirecting humanitarian aid in the country because of last months military takeover of the government and the ongoing detention of an Australian citizen.

Australian foreign minister Marise Payne said on Monday that diplomats and relatives had only been able to contact economic policy adviser Sean Turnell twice by phone since he was detained in early February.

She described the access as very limited consular support.

Australia announced late on Sunday that it had suspended a defence training programme with Myanmar worth about 1.5 million Australian dollars (830,000) over five years.

The programme had been restricted to non-combat areas such as English-language training.

Australian humanitarian aid will be directed away from Myanmar government and government-related entities.

Instead it will focus on the immediate humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable and poor in Myanmar, including the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities, Ms Payne said.

On Sunday, police occupied hospitals and universities and reportedly arrested hundreds of people involved in protesting against the military takeover.

Protesters are dispersed as police fire tear gas in Yangon (AP)

In Myanmars largest city, Yangon, gunshots from heavy weapons rang out for a second straight night in several neighbourhoods after the start of an 8pm curfew.

The sounds of what apparently were stun grenades could also be heard on videos posted on social media.

The purpose for security forces using such weapons when protesters had left the streets appeared to be part of a strategy to strike fear in anyone who might think about defying the authorities.

In a similar vein, many filmed incidents of police and soldiers in plain view showed them savagely beating protesters they had taken into custody.

Some of the shooting was heard near hospitals, where reports said neighbourhood residents sought to block the entry of police and soldiers.

Security forces have often targeted medical personnel and facilities, attacking ambulances and their crews.

Members of the medical profession launched the Civil Disobedience Movement, which is the nominal co-ordinator of the protests, frequently hailed on demonstrators signs by its CDM initials.

Taking over hospitals would allow the authorities to easily arrest wounded people presumed to be protesters.

Anti-coup protesters during a demonstration in Yangon (AP)

Meanwhile, a Canadian-Israeli lobbyist hired by Myanmars junta has said the ruling generals want to get out of politics and shift the nation away from China after they grabbed power in the widely condemned coup against the nations civilian government.

Ari Ben-Menashe, who previously represented Sudans military leader and Zimbabwes Robert Mugabe, spoke to the Associated Press on Sunday from the US after returning from his second trip in the past month to Myanmar.

He said he was confident he can persuade the Biden administration to lift sanctions imposed on Burmese military leaders who directed the coup last month that deposed and detained Myanmars elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

He said the US and others in the West have reduced Myanmars political conflict to a black and white tale of military repression against pro-democracy activists that ignores the fraudulent exclusion of millions of minorities from voting in last years election.
The city of Charleston planned to redraw its 12 City Council districts this year, shaking up the elected body and potentially influencing its diversity.

But significant delays with the U.S. census are now expected to disrupt the city's plans to recast its voting map to account for the dramatic changes in Charleston's population over the past decade.

The Census Bureau recently informed state leaders that South Carolina may not receive the data needed for the redistricting effort until the end of September.

That schedule could make it impossible for Charleston's elected leaders to reshape the lines for their council seats and adequately inform voters of the changes ahead of the city's Nov. 7 election.

"Not only do you need the data but you also need time to hold public hearings," said Frank Rainwater, director of the S.C. Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office, which is in charge of managing the census data for the state. "It's really impractical to get it done in that timeline."

Even if City Council could agree on how to reconfigure the voting districts in a month, it would cause chaos when it comes to conducting the elections.

Candidates in Charleston are required to file for their council races by early August. That means the people running for six council spots this year could apply to run for one seat and end up living in a different district once the voting lines are reset.

Charleston is not alone in facing that dilemma. Other municipalities in South Carolina that separate their council seats into single member districts will also need to grapple with the issue ahead of their elections in the fall. That includes major cities like Columbia and Rock Hill.

The unprecedented delays with the census leave elected leaders in Charleston and those cities with two options: Proceed with the elections using the current voting maps or try to push back the elections, giving themselves more time to address the lines before voters go to the polls.

The Municipal Association of South Carolina, which represents 271 towns and cities in the state, believes the problems with the census give local officials a "good-faith" reason to set a new election date.

Scott Slatton, a spokesman for the Municipal Association, said the group is already in discussions with Rock Hill's leaders about whether they want to postpone the election there.

An enormous power

Redistricting provides a once-in-a-decade opportunity for elected officials to choose their voters. And in Charleston, that enormous power falls to the incumbents on City Council.

Using the new census data, the council members can slice up the city with surgical precision, separating voters into districts that will be used in elections over the next 10 years. It's the same process that state lawmakers will undertake early next year when they carve out new legislative and congressional seats for South Carolina.

In the past, Charleston's city leaders were given ample time to analyze the census data and rework the voting districts ahead of their off-year elections. In 2011, for instance, Charleston's council received the new census data in March, and they agreed on a new voting map by May.

That provided political candidates with enough time to file for the correct council races. It also gave voters several months to learn which district they live in and get acquainted with who they could cast a ballot for.

Charleston Councilman Mike Seekings, who represents the lower half of the peninsula, took part in the city's last redistricting effort. The process, he said, took several months even with the council working cooperatively.

"If we don't get the data until the end of September, I can't imagine that we can get all of that accomplished," Seekings said.

Seekings, who is up for reelection in November, is unsure what the city should do at this point about the census delays. He wants to hear from the city's attorneys on whether it is even legal for the council to set a new election date.

Even without the new population data in hand, Seekings said the council needs to discuss redistricting soon. The issue, he said, is vital to voters in Charleston where the population has expanded dramatically in recent years.

A changing population

The primary purpose of redrawing voting maps is to make sure that each district includes a similar number of people. In Charleston, the process ensures that voters have an equal voice on the City Council.

It's unclear at this point exactly how much the populations have changed in Charleston's 12 voting districts since they were established a decade ago. But there's reason to believe the council could dramatically reshuffle the district lines moving forward.

Charleston's Planning Department estimates the number of residents in the city increased from roughly 120,000 people in 2010 to over 156,000 people last year.

Thousands of new arrivals moved into West Ashley, James Island and the Charleston peninsula. The populations in those areas of the city, where most of the current council members live, grew 18 percent to 24 percent, according to the city's estimates.

But the rate of growth has been much higher in the outlying areas of the city. The number of city residents on Johns Island, Daniel Island and the Cainhoy peninsula are estimated to have doubled in the past 10 years or come close to that.

As a result, voters living in those areas could push the city's leaders to dedicate two council seats focused almost exclusively on those regions.

The voting district that covers Daniel Island currently includes part of the Charleston peninsula as well. And the council seat for Johns Island incorporates a large chunk of outer West Ashley.

Those potential shifts could change the very makeup of City Council, but geographic considerations are not the only thing the city will need to account for.

A 'pivotal moment' for diversity

The decisions made during redistricting will also help decide whether Charleston's council becomes less diverse in the coming years.

Charleston currently has three Black members on City Council, and all three of them represent districts where Black voters either made up the majority in 2011 or significantly influenced council elections in those areas.

Councilman William Dudley Gregorie represents one of those districts, which covers the West Side of the peninsula and a small part of James Island. He's hopeful that his colleagues will adequately consider how the city's new voting maps will affect Black representation after this year.

Still, it could be hard for council members to set up as many districts where Black voters hold significant sway. The city's overall population in recent years has become whiter and wealthier.

In 2010, Black residents made up 25 percent of the city's overall population, but the most recent census estimates now put that number at 21 percent. It's part of a historical decline since 1960, when Black Charlestonians made up more than half of all city residents.

"It is a very pivotal moment in the city's history, particularly as it relates to African American leadership," said Gregorie, who is also up for reelection this year.

This will also mark the first time in recent history that Charleston's elected leaders will redraw the city's voting districts without federal officials looking over their shoulders.

For decades, the city was required to get its redistricting plans cleared by the U.S. Department of Justice, which was in charge of reviewing changes in cities, counties and states that had a history of suppressing Black votes.

Justice Department officials often used that process to push local governments to create so-called minority-majority districts where Black voters could pick a candidate of their choice. But that oversight role ended in 2013 as a result of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that gutted part of the Voting Rights Act.

Citizens and voting rights groups can still challenge the city's redistricting plan in court if they think it violates that federal law. But Gregorie and others don't think that will be necessary.

Gregorie said he believes Charleston has made big strides toward recognizing its racist past. He noted the City Council's vote to apologize for the city's role in the American slave trade, the decision to remove the John C. Calhoun monument, the funding of the International African American Museum and the creation of a new city commission focused on racial conciliation.

"I think we've got a council that is sensitive and understands," Gregorie said.
The Awards celebrates the range of accomplishments and milestones women in the region have achieved by overcoming challenging circumstances in their personal lives, communities and cultures. Comprising three award categories, namely the Creative Seller Award, Enterprising Seller Award and Inspiring Seller Award . The first-ever six award recipients have demonstrated their different approaches to overcoming and embracing new ideas when building an online business. The winners are:

Creative Seller Award

Anne Ong , Owner of Anne's Secret Recipes, Singapore

, Owner of Anne's Secret Recipes, Pham Thi Xuan Hong , Owner of PinkShopGiayDep, Vietnam

Enterprising Seller Award

Georgianna Carlos , Owner of Fetch, Philippines

, Owner of Fetch, Lalilla Thamnita, Owner of AggieHome, Thailand

Inspiring Seller Award

Hanna Suhardi , Owner of Shopping Shoes, Indonesia

, Owner of Shopping Shoes, Annie Chia , Owner of NLWK Florist, Malaysia

During the awards ceremony, Chun Li, Chief Executive Office of Lazada Group, said, "I am honoured to be amongst such inspirational women today. You found interesting and unique ways to leverage the Lazada platform to not only establish your online business, but also to engage customers and build a niche following while uplifting the lives around you. Lazada is proud to be your partner and have the opportunity to be part of your successful journey."

As part of the Awards presentation ceremony, Chun Li also joined in a lively discussion moderated by Virginia Tan, Founding Partner of Teja Ventures and Co-Founder of She Loves Tech, with panellist Ayesha Khanna, CEO of Addo.ai, on the topic of Growing Women Entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia: Current Challenges and Opportunities.

With the steady acceleration and growth of eCommerce in Southeast Asia, there is an increasing number of women business owners who have turned to the digital economy due to the convenience of starting a home business, the low barriers of entry and ease of registering a store on the Lazada platform, as well as the availability of services, solutions and knowledge to sustain and grow a business.

Held live in Singapore, the Awards was also livestreamed on the Lazada LazLive channel to viewers in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. It also featured guest performers like Malaysia's rap darling, Zamaera and Singapore's very own funny woman, Sharul Channa.

About Lazada Group

Founded in 2012, Lazada Group is the leading eCommerce platform in Southeast Asia. We are accelerating progress in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam through commerce and technology. With the largest logistics and payments networks in the region, Lazada is a part of our consumers' daily lives in the region and we aim to serve 300 million shoppers by 2030. Since 2016, Lazada is the Southeast Asia flagship platform of Alibaba Group powered by its cutting-edge technology infrastructure.

ANNEX

LAZADA FORWARD WOMEN AWARDS 2021 WINNER STORIES

CREATIVE SELLER AWARD

Anne Ong, 56 years old, Singapore

Anne is the owner of Anne's Secret Recipe that sells quality baking premixes on Lazada Singapore's RedMart Specialty Stores platform since 2017. Making a career switch from being an architect, Anne started her business in 2014 stocking the shelves at supermarkets, and ran the company with the motto No Mess, No Fuss, Just Mix, Bake and Serve. She comes from a Nonya family background where cooking runs in her family genes, with a love to preserve heritage recipes.

From happenstance, Anne started baking cupcakes for her son at kindergarten to help add colour and joy to his tea breaks. As her son happily shared the treats with his classmates, many parents started asking Anne for her recipe. Instead of simply sharing the recipe, Anne started packing little packets of premixes to be given out in the school, where parents could easily recreate the cupcakes with their children.

Despite the preconceived perception that only men could be leaders, Anne, with the support of her family, has embraced every obstacle that came her way single-handedly, adopting and learning new technologies and spending time to ensure heritage tastes are not lost. Anne has managed the art of raising her children, research recipes, running a central kitchen while marketing her business offline and online. In 2020, when she learned of some families losing their jobs, she also found time to mentor them how to bake and to sell their products to earn some money. Today, apart from Asia, her business goes all the way out to the Maldives as well. She is still intending to cater more for other communities by having her items certified as halal or kosher.

To sign up as a seller, please visit http://lzd.co/LazadaSGSellerSignUp.

Pham Thi Xuan Hong, 34 years old, Vietnam

Hong started her online store PinkShopGiayDep selling shoes on Lazada Vietnam in 2018 with the initial idea of having a side hobby. After realising that online sales can be quite active and trendy, she decided to make a full-time switch, leaving her job as a software engineer. Subsequently, Hong began to get more involved with livestreaming and started leveraging LazLive to provide her followers a holistic review of her products while introducing ongoing promotions and upcoming deals to drive greater excitement.

Working with her relative who owns a shoe factory, Hong sources for trendy and fashionable designs that she feels consumers will be attracted to. The beginning was hard as Hong's livestream viewership rate was low. However, she persevered by upskilling her knowledge from Lazada University and the LazLive team. Gradually she incorporated her learnings into her daily operations and put into practice various different communication styles to keep her audience engaged. For example, she will plan and curate content in a storytelling format such as "How to pick the right shoes for a first date" or "Choosing the right shoes for yourself". Hong will also strategise her livestreaming content to coincide with special occasions such as Valentine's Day, Teacher's Day, Mother's Day, and more. With a consistent and well-thought-out pipeline of livestream content calendar, Hong also created her own gameshow to keep her followers excited during voucher giveaways that has kept her followers updated of product styles and latest fashion trends. This led to her viewership to grow more than 60% alongside increasing orders.



Coming from the countryside of Vietnam where people are generally camera shy, Hong has grown more confident with her presentation and business skills, with the strong support and encouragement from her husband and mother-in-law. Hong continuously keeps up with new livestream features and proactively signs up for trainings and courses to learn of fun new ways to keep her followers interested in her content.

To sign up as a seller, please visit http://lzd.co/LazadaVNSellerSignUp.

ENTERPRISING SELLER AWARD

Georgianna Carlos, 30 years old, Philippines

A psychology graduate, Georgianna was a children's guidance counselor for almost a year before realising that it wasn't the right job for her. After a brief stint at a PR agency, she later joined the team of MyOffice, a virtual office company founded by her mother.

Around the same time, her family adopted four puppies, and she realised the youngest dog Khal Drogo had super sensitive skin and would get an allergic reaction no matter which pet product she used. Eventually she came across a product all the way from Italy, but it was expensive. She realised the ingredients were widely available in the Philippines, especially the active ingredient Neem.

Partnering with a chemist, they began research to create a new, locally-made product in late 2016. The first batch of Fetch was ready by March 2017. Besides being an effective and safe pet for skin/fur sensitive animals, the product was also registered and approved by the Philippines' Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Leveraging her success with Fetch, George also works with local pet shelter "Pawssion Project" to donate proceeds from some of her sales and even products to help with the upkeep of the local initiative.

To sign up as a seller, please visit http://lzd.co/LazadaPHSellerSignUp.

Lalilla Thamnita, 39 Years Old, Thailand

Lalilla started selling agricultural tools three years ago with her husband. Back then, they were a fully offline store and Lalilla started to look at selling online. She wanted the business to be modern and have the ability to keep records of the prices, inventory etc. she didn't want a customer to walk in and leave empty-handed.

Starting from scratch and within two months, she received her first order on AggieHome that she started on Lazada Thailand, which was for a small item costing just B3,000. With the excitement and encouragement of the first sale, Lalila focused on growing her online store. When she found that such agricultural products were not easily understood and common with consumers, hence she decided to educate her buyers by uploading more videos and product information.

Although agricultural and equipment products are still her primary selling items in her stores, she has also branched out to selling solar panels after discovering that some villages in Thailand only had water but no electricity.

To sign up as a seller, please visit http://lzd.co/LazadaTHSellerSignUp.

INSPIRING SELLER AWARD

Hanna Suhardi, 29 years old, Indonesia

Hanna Suhardi, owner of the online store Shopping Shoes on Lazada Indonesia, sells women's shoes and men's bags. Collaborating with the residents of several villages in West Java and Central Java that have special sewing convection expertise, Hanna has managed to revive the tradition of tailoring villages through continuous flow of orders.

In the beginning, due to limited capital for renting a place to sell, Hanna decided to sell her products through the online marketplace. With her careful reading of trends and understanding of basic designs, Hanna supports more than 100 tailors from two villages in West Java and one village in Central Java to fulfill Shopping Shoes orders which can reach more than 9,000 orders per month.

Currently based in Jakarta, Hanna and her husband work with three local communities to produce her products and enhance the communities' well-being.

To sign up as a seller, please visit http://lzd.co/LazadaIDSellerSignUp.

Annie Chia, 44 years old, Malaysia

In 2017, a portion of Pasar Perambang caught fire, and half of Annie's store, NLWK Florist, that was passed down from her parents was affected, losing almost everything including their family's livelihood. She rented a temporary space for two years and upon recommendation from her friend, she decided to explore new ways of selling through digital means via online marketplace, eventually landing on Lazada Malaysia.

It was a challenging phase for her as she wasn't familiar with technology. She had to learn from scratch things she didn't do before, such as taking pictures, editing and uploading them onto the digital platforms. Not only did she research and learn from online community groups, whenever she came across English terms she was did not understand, she would get her daughter to explain to her as well. Every night, Annie will put in the time and effort to practice her photo taking and editing skills and it took her at least a month before she was confident of setting up her online store.

To sign up as a seller, please visit http://lzd.co/LazadaMYSellerSignUp.

SOURCE Lazada Group
Premier Li Keqiang delivered the Government Work Report at the opening of this year's session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing on March 5, 2021. Here are some highlights.

[ Editor: SRQ ]
mce Systems Ltd. Mobile Electronics Automation and Care Specialists mce Systems today announced further expansion into Europe with the appointment of Josefina Jimenez Martinez

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005754/en/

Josefina Jimenez Martinez, Regional Head, Spain (Photo: Business Wire)

Josefina joins mce as Regional Head for Iberia and brings with her 20+ years' experience in the Telecoms sector, having held previous positions within Vodafone Espana.

The appointment represents a further strengthening of mce's European management team and underlines an increased demand for digital service transformation among Mobile Operators and Logistic providers throughout the region.

Josefina Jimenez commented that: "From a technology and platform perspective, there is no comparative solution available on the market today. Spain is an advanced market with demanding needs. mce's platform is perfectly positioned to help Mobile Operators and Logistic providers improve efficiency, increase sales and drive cost reduction throughout their value chain."

Eitan Linker, mce CCO, commented that: "I am delighted to welcome Josefina to mce. Her experience both from a Telecoms and technology perspective represents the perfect fit for our business. Her contribution will help drive future digital transformation programs for our customers across Spain and surrounding regions."

About mce:

mce Systems is a software solution and integration provider, specializing in digital service solutions for those operating in the mobile device and consumer electronics space. mce enable device lifecycle management, device value optimization, cost reduction and the generation of new business for its customers worldwide. Its solutions deliver Omni-channel device management capability across web, call-center, retail, on-device and reverse/forward logistic channels. Read more at www.mce.systems

Follow mce on Twitter @mce_systems

Visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mceSystems

Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/mce-systems

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005754/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Jason Saunt

mce System Ltd

E: jason.s@mce-sys.com
Syrias first lady is leading marketing operations for a government-sponsored agriculture project, writes Etihad Press.

The Ministry of Agriculture in the Syrian government announced a support program for marketing Syrian agricultural products from the Latakia Governorate. Syria Trust for Development, run by Asma al-Assad, leads the marketing operations.

Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Mohammad Hassan Qatana, said, on Sunday, that the marketing of products in the two districts of Ein al-Bayda and Beit Yashout in Latakia will be through a specialized institution affiliated with the Syria Trust for Development. Qatana explained that the marketing will adhere to the terms and standard specifications required, Al-Watan reported.

As for the marketing of products, Qatana pointed out that it will take place in two ways. The farmer has the option to sell the product to the Syria Trust for Development, which would handle packaging it. The second way is for the farmer to take part in the packaging and marketing of the product, which means they get a commission.

He added that the farmer must commit to adhering to the standard specifications and must coordinate with the agricultural engineers on the project in order to set prices that are based on the actual cost and that account for a profit margin.

Marketing through Syria Trust for Development, as announced by Qatana, aims to elevate the standard of living for rural families in about 82 villages in the governorates of Latakia, Tartous, and Hama, pointing to the possibility of covering other governorates.

Qatana said that the project will be a message from Syria to the world as the products will bear the Made in Syria stamp and products such as Mashqitas Pomegranate Molasses and Beit Yashouts Olive Oil will put Syria on the map.

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.
YEREVAN, MARCH 8, ARMENPRESS. Congressman Frank Pallone says he personally spoke with US President Joe Bidens Administration over the issue of the Armenian captives whom Azerbaijan refuses to return after the Artsakh war.

Azerbaijan committed gross human rights abuses during last year's conflict. They continue to detain hundreds of Armenians in violation of international law. I have personally spoken with the Biden Administration to immediately address these issues, Pallone tweeted.
A Pacific storm system will bring snow to the mountains and upper foothills through Wednesday evening.

The snowfall and travel impacts is forecast to begin today across Californias northernmost mountains, before spreading south into this region on Tuesday into Wednesday.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the Sierra Nevada above 3,000 feet, from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening.

The total snow accumulations above the 3,000 foot elevation, will range from three inches to two feet. The higher you go, the more the snow.

The winds will gust as high as sixty mph over the higher elevations.

Heavy snow is possible at times. Significant reductions in visibility is likely.

Plan on travel delays and slick, snow covered roads, some of which may become impassable or closed. Roads that remain open will require tire chains. If you plan to travel, consider alternate strategies. If you must travel, remember to carry plenty of food, a good deal of water, and warm clothing in your vehicle.

Monitor myMotherLode.com for the latest forecasts and updates on this situation.

A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel.
Dr Vardhan was hailed as a beacon of hope for over a billion people during the world's biggest health crisis in recent memory

Delhi Medical Association (DMA) honoured Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Science and Technology and Earth Sciences for his contribution to the medical fraternity and outstanding service and exemplary work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the occasion of DMA's 62nd Annual Delhi State Medical Conference (MEDICON 2021) in collaboration with Dharamshila Narayana Hospital on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at Hotel The Lalit, New Delhi, Dr Vardhan was hailed as a beacon of hope for over a billion people during the world's biggest health crisis in recent memory.

At the event, Dr Harsh Vardhan said, "It is a proud privilege and honour for me to be present here at MEDICON 2021 and receiving this award. I have several cherished memories of my time in the prestigious Delhi Medical Association (DMA), which has a rich history of some of the most esteemed medical professionals, not only in India but anywhere in the world.

Dr BB Wadhwa, President, Delhi Medical Association (DMA), said, Dr Harsh Vardhan is the pride of medical fraternity. He has been the president of DMA in the past. We acknowledge and appreciate his exemplary missionary zeal in getting India Polio-free. When he was the President of DMA in 1993-1994, he was also the Health Minister of Delhi and he started the novel Pulse Polio Programme which was later taken up by the whole country, and eventually by the SAARC countries.

Dr Ajay Gambhir, Hony State Secretary said that We have worked under the leadership of Dr Harsh Vardhan in the past during the Pulse Polio Programme and DMA is now fully engaged in helping to develop the health care infrastructure across the country as well as in the vaccination programme.
Meadow Walker opened the Givenchy Fall/ Winter 2021 show in Paris on Sunday.

The 22-year-old daughter of late movie star Paul Walker shared a clip of her sashaying down the catwalk at the futuristic showcase during Paris Fashion Week.

In a video she shared to Instagram, Meadow could be seen in an oversize black blazer over a sheer dress, opaque tights and black boots as she walks the runway to electro music.

Dramatic look: Meadow Walker opened the Givenchy Paris show on Sunday and shared a clip of the moment on Instagram

Meadow rocked a blunt bob with white ends and wore a very dramatic cat-eye with contrasting white eyeliner on her lower lid.

'Exclusive Debut. Opening Givenchy FW21. Thank you Matt for your complete support and determination to safely get me to Paris from NY. Congratulations on your first Givenchy show @matthewmwilliams! Grazie mille @pg_dmcasting,' Meadow wrote alongside the video. 'Thank you to everyone involved. Endless gratitude and love for you all Xx #givenchyfw21.'

Because of COVID-19 restrictions there was no audience at the show, something which Meadow admitted would have been intimidating for her.

Futuristic: The 22-year-old wore an oversize blazer and her hair in a blunt bob with white tips

Solo: Meadow walked for the designer in an empty venue but admitted she would have been 'terrified' had there been a large crowd

'I was just thinking if it was completely filled and I was walking on the runway, I'd be absolutely terrified,' she said for Vogue's social media coverage of the event.

Meadow, who is signed by DNA models, was joined by Bella Hadid and Jourdan Dunn at the Givenchy runway.

She launched her fashion career in 2017 and regularly shares stunning shots on Instagram showing off her slender physique.

In November Meadow paid tribute to Paul, calling him her 'best bud', seven years after his death.

Meadow posted a throwback snap of her fast asleep on Paul's lap when she was a child as she remembered her dad.

Striking: She gave a closer look at her hair and makeup in Instagram stories

Backstage: The beauty also gave updates for Vogue's social media coverage

Suited up: Bella shared a snap after the show on Sunday

Meadow captioned the Instagram post: 'a silly day to remember in sadness. todays a celebration of the love and happiness you brought to the world. heres a photo of my best bud & I napping. (sic)'

The Fast and Furious star - who welcomed Meadow with girlfriend Rebecca Soteros - passed away on November 30, 2013, at the age of 40 as a passenger in a single-car crash alongside friend and driver Roger Rodas.

In September, Meadow marked what would have been Paul's 47th birthday by sharing another picture of the pair.

Fresh face: Meadow, who is signed by DNA models, launched her fashion career in 2017

Model behavior: The brunette beauty regularly shares snaps showing off her slender physique

She wrote at the time: 'the moment I realized we are twins. happy birthday to the most beautiful soul. (sic)'

Earlier this year, Meadow posted a never-before-seen video of the late actor, which showed her surprising her father on his birthday.

In the video, Paul can be seen opening a door which Meadow was standing behind, which prompts her to shock him by shouting 'Hi!'.

Gone too soon: In November Meadow paid tribute to Paul, calling him her 'best bud', seven years after his death

The action star then stumbles backwards and begins laughing, before he says: 'What the hell! You just scared the hell out of me!'

Paul then pulls his daughter in for a hug, whilst she wishes him a happy birthday.

The touching post was accompanied by a caption which read: 'I never thought I'd share this. But it felt right. Be good. I love you. Stay safe. xx (sic)'
We want to consolidate this volunteer list to make sure they have a clean history, Chundi said. We have a big group of people who want to help. Theyre trying to figure out a way through it without the old system that was slow and conservative in a time of crisis.
There have been no further deaths of people with Covid-19 and 437 new cases of coronavirus confirmed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) today.

The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Ireland remains at 4,422, while the case count within the State has risen to 223,651..

There were 418 Covid-19 patients in hospital as of 2pm today, of which 103 cases are in ICU.

Read More

There have been 184 confirmed cases in Dublin, 31 in Limerick, 26 in Donegal, 20 in Galway, 18 in Offaly and the remaining 158 cases are spread across all other counties.

Of the cases notified today; 216 are men and 218 are women; 71pc are under 45 years of age and the median age is 34 years old.

The national 14-day incidence of the virus has fallen to 167 cases per 100,000 people.

Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said research data provided by Amarach shows continued compliance with public health measures as washing hands regularly (93 per cent), using hand sanitiser (95pc), social distancing while in a queue (93pc) are all being maintained to a high standard.

While levels of anxiety (36pc) and boredom (38pc) are understandably high, it is encouraging to see that a sense of hope continues to rise across the population with 48pc of people reporting that they feel the worst of the pandemic is behind us.

This hope is justified in the context of the continued improvement in the key indicators of the disease and with the ongoing rollout of the vaccination programme over the coming weeks.

If the progress Ireland is seeing is maintained for the coming weeks and months, Dr Glynn said hes confident the country is heading into a new and brighter phase where the worst of the pandemic is behind us.

We need to keep this up for the next couple of months and we need to maintain the improvement weve seen, he said.

Dr Glynn said it is vital that hope does not give way to complacency as across Europe countries are seeing a deteriorating picture while Irelands incidence is still quite high.

Dr. Cliona Murphy, Chair of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said: We recommend that everyone of reproductive age should take the Covid-19 vaccine as it becomes available.

We are aware of misinformation about risks associated with taking Covid-19 vaccines and an impact on fertility. There is no evidence that taking any of the Covid-19 vaccines affects a womans future ability to conceive, or to continue a pregnancy.

There have been 32 deaths so far in March, in comparison to 731 deaths in February.

Professor Philip Nolan of Nphet said there are indications in the last 10 days that there is accelerated progress in suppressing the virus.

A total of 513,322 vaccines have been administered in Ireland, with 363,601 of these being first doses and 149,721 second doses, according to latest data reported on Friday, March 5.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) has today said it believes people who are infected with Covid-19 should expect to be free from reinfection for up to six months.

The findings were published in a document to Nphet today, upgraded from the previous expected immunity period of three months.

Dr Mairin Ryan, Hiqas Deputy CEO and Director of Health Technology Assessment, said: We have advised Nphet that presumptive immunity should be extended to six months post-infection. The risk of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 is low and no evidence was found to suggest that immunity wanes over this period.

Dr Murphy, speaking about the preliminary reports of four cases of Covid placentitis recently, said: it is the view of the pathologists conducting these investigations that Covid-19 was the significant factor that resulted in the stillbirth of these babies.

Our condolences go to the families of these babies, Dr Murphy said.

Dr Murphy said the findings highlight the importance of stillbirth investigation.

Dr Glynn said Nphet will be in a much better position to project where case numbers and other disease indicators will be in April and May by the end of this month and said he hopes that everything we will be saying over the next couple of weeks will be positive with more certainty.

He said he hopes as the weeks go by, the possibility of another wave is decreasing, but that is contingent on further improvement in the coming weeks.

We can see in the indicators of mobility that there is more mobility and people are returning to workplaces to a certain extent. Overall the compliance is excellent, but it is precarious.

The more improvement we make in the next two weeks will mean the more options we have in April and May, Dr Glynn said.

Dr Glynn says the 36pc figure of people having experienced anxiety is high and said the country has been through an experience that we could not have envisaged.

In terms of its impact on us as a society and on our lives, no one of have ever been through this. So, its no surprise that this has affected peoples mental health and wellbeing.

While it is very early days, Prof Nolan said there are no early signs of an increase in disease in younger people or an increase in wider community transmission as a consequence of school openings in the last week.

Dr Glynn said there were no reported outbreaks in schools in the last week. He said in the overall picture, the incidence of community transmission has improved quite substantially in the last fortnight.

The Deputy CMO said there are no signs of any reason so far to delay the remainder of primary school pupils returning to school as scheduled next Monday.

Prof Nolan said the news that Ireland's third wave began before society was opened in early December served as "an important lesson in precarity".

"We are at about 500 cases per day now, in early December we were at 250 cases per day, half that. From early December to late December, we went from 250 cases per day to 6,500 cases per day with about half the prevalence of the B117 variant that we have now.

"I think when we look back on December, the one thing we should extract from it is even when suppress this virus to moderate levels, you are still in an enormously precarious situation there. Right now, the situation is twice as precarious as it was back then. What before Christmas tells us is when we get to March, April and May, we need to be immensely careful."

When asked about outbreaks in the Midlands, Dr Glynn pointed towards outbreaks in workplaces and within the Traveller community.

The Deputy CMO said there were 30 outbreaks of Covid-19 in the Traveller community. This is a big number of new outbreaks, Dr Glynn said, adding that roughly one third of those 30 outbreaks were old.

Elsewhere, there were two further deaths and 144 new cases of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland 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.
MTN Group has appointed Chika Ekeji as Strategy and Transformation Executive, the company announced in a statement on 8 March 2021.

This appointment is part of the companys plans to further bolster management capacity to accelerate the Groups strategic ambitions, it said.

Ekeji will assume his new role effective from 15 March 2021.

He previously worked at management consultancy McKinsey & Company in Nigeria, where he led the West Africa Digital Practice and served telco, financial services, and public sector clients across Africa.

We are very pleased that Chika is joining us as we work to accelerate our strategic repositioning, said MTN Group Chief Operating Officer Jens Schulte-Bockum.

Ekeji has a Masters of Engineering in Computer Science from Cornell University and an MBA from MIT.

In December 2020, MTN Group announced the completion of a comprehensive strategy review with a focus on accelerating growth, deleveraging the holding company debt and unlocking value, MTN said.

To support the execution of the repositioned strategy, we announced the appointment of a new Group Chief Financial Officer as well as changes to the Groups regional structure and the Group Executive Committee.

It said this revised strategy will be presented in more detail after the release of its full-year results on 10 March.
U.S. officials said the Russians, through intelligence agencies, have launched a campaign to undermine confidence in COVID vaccines, such as Pfizer Inc.'s and other Western vaccines.

The campaign includes the use of online publications that have questioned the vaccines' development and safety in recent months, according to U.S. officials.

One official of the State Department's Global Engagement Center official identified four publications that have served as fronts for Russian intelligence agencies, Wallstreet Journal reported.

The websites pressed the vaccines' risk of side effects, questioned their efficacy, and further claimed that the U.S. had rushed the Pfizer vaccine through the approval process, among other false claims.

U.S. officials said the outlets' readership is small. However, they noted that they insert false narratives that Russian and international media can amplify.

The Global Engagement Center official said they could say that these sites behind the disinformation campaign are directly linked to Russian intelligence services, adding that they are all foreign-owned located outside the U.S.

"They vary a lot in their reach, their tone, their audience, but they're all part of the Russian propaganda and disinformation ecosystem," the official said in the report.

Russian state media and Russian government Twitter accounts have also taken part in raising concerns about the price and safety of the Pfizer vaccine. Experts outside the U.S. government noted that this is an effort to promote Russia's Sputnik V COVID vaccine's sale.

The U.S. officials said the Russian intelligence agencies have been working to undermine public confidence in Western COVID vaccines for months, Daily Mail reported.

READ MORE: Venezuela to Use Russian, Chinese Coronavirus Vaccines

Russian Outlets

Two of the outlets, namely New Eastern Outlook and Oriental Review, are allegedly controlled by Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR.

The U.S. official said these outlets depicted themselves as academic publications and targeted their commentary on the U.S. at audiences in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Another outlet named News Front is reportedly guided by Russia's Federal Security Service, the Soviet-era KGB's successor agency. The said outlet releases content in 10 languages and had about nine million page visits between February and April of last year, according to the official.

Last fall, the U.S. State Department indicated that the News Front had ties to Russian secret services and was funded by the Kremlin.

COVID Vaccine Passports

Meanwhile, the European Union's authority is considering a digital pass that would allow European citizens who have received a COVID vaccine to travel for work or tourism.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said in a tweet that the goal of the "Digital Green Pass" is to provide proof that a person has been vaccinated, as well as information on COVID-19 recovery, according to a Time report.

Several private sectors and non-government digital health passports are already being rolled out, including the International Air Transport Association Travel pass made for IATA travelers. Another one is CommonPass, which The Commons Project Foundation developed.

READ ALSO: US Says No to Russia's Offer to Help With COVID-19 Vaccine

WATCH: Russia Claims Sputnik V COVID Vaccine is 95% Effective - From CBC News: The National




Emmanuel Macron: The Azerbaijani troops must leave Armenias sovereign territory

Armenia 3rd President on authorities and the upcoming elections

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Armenia Ombudsman addresses OSCE officials in regard to Ilham Aliyev's Armenophobic statements

Turkey's Erdogan expresses willingness to support Georgia-Azerbaijan-Armenia trilateral cooperation

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

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Angulo's goal helped Armenia tie score with Croatia

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: I've fallen in love with AS Roma and Rome over the last two years

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Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Croatia-Armenia 1-0 (after first half)

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

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Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

Yerkir.am: ARF-D Bureau member: Armenia acting PM ignored Macron's phone calls on November 9, 2020

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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

Oliver Kahn replaces Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as Bayern Munich's manager

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

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Arturo Vidal tests positive for COVID-19

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

Thomas Tuchel's contract with Chelsea automatically extended

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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

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USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

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While we recognize the inconvenience of a date change, we are confident that this is the best decision for our members, exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees.

The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) is pleased to announce its new event schedule. To deliver the full, in-person experience for NCIAs cannabis business events, they have been rescheduled for the second half of 2021.

The Cannabis Business Summit & Expo, originally scheduled for August 3-5, 2021 in San Francisco, will now take place December 15-17, 2021, and will remain at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

The Midwest Cannabis Business Conference, which was scheduled for August 25-26, 2021 in Detroit, will now take place September 22-23, 2021, and remains at TCF Center.

While we recognize the inconvenience of a date change, we are confident that this is the best decision for our members, exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees, said Aaron Smith, Chief Executive Officer of NCIA. The cannabis industry is a tight-knit community, and were dedicated to providing our members with the highest quality and most enriching experiences in 2021. As we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape and carry on with our cannabis policy reform efforts in Congress, we look forward to making 2021 a pivotal year for NCIA members and our events program.

As NCIA looks forward to its 2021 cannabis business events, their number one priority is the health & safety of all event participants, in addition to providing a reliably unique and enriching experience for the industry. NCIA will implement health & safety protocols that meet or exceed those set forth by federal, state, and local health departments at all events.

Although the 2021 events have been rescheduled, NCIA continues its advocacy efforts on behalf of cannabis businesses and feels the current state of the legal cannabis industry necessitates the importance of bringing the industry together in 2021. NCIA highlights the fact that in 2020, on the heels of voters in four states approving adult use cannabis measures in November, cannabis became an $18.3 billion industry in the United States and the job market saw a 31% increase in full-time legal cannabis jobs. The appetite for federal reform is stronger than ever with public opinion for legalization ringing in at an all-time high of 68% of Americans.

For more information and updates about NCIAs events, please visit https://nciacannabisevents.com/.

ABOUT NCIA

The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) is the largest cannabis trade association in the U.S. and the only organization broadly representing cannabis-related businesses at the national level. NCIA promotes the growth of a responsible and legitimate cannabis industry and works toward a favorable social, economic, and legal environment for that industry in the United States.
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Professor Okello Oculi, I salute you on this International Day for Women. Thank you, teacher, humanist, Ugandan, Nigerian and friend of women and girls. A poet and Pan-Africanist, first and always. May a thousand suns brighten your path and the many you have opened.

Real enduring strength lies in the ability to do small but essential things consistently and for a long time. For then, they become tremendous things in their impact.

Prof., with your vision of creating a mock summit of the Organisation of African Unity (OOAU) in the 1970s/ 80s, you prepared me and many of my cohorts in the Political Science Department of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) for the world better than any textbook learning could have done. Before gender equity and social inclusion (GGESI) was defined, you found a creative way to use research, drama and public speaking to push back on the shape of curriculum by bringing feminist pedagogy into a rigid and conservative space via the Mock Summit. Your friends and co-travellers supported your mission to re-imagine the classroom. Professor A. D. Yahaya, our then Head of Department (H.O.D), was your hero-ally.



The significance of what you did can best be understood against the ecosystem then and sadly even now. When girls were told to only aspire for an assistant class captain position, you made us Presidents of African countries. At a time in herstory when girls were told they could only be heard when spoken to and not seen, you made us media celebrities. Hauwa Yusuf, now a professor of Criminology and Gender Studies, was President of Zaire, Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banda, with male students as Her Excellencys security attache. Funke Adeleye (wearing a hat in the photo) was President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. I was the voice of the renowned Pan African News Agency (PANA), reporting the presidential proceeding to the continent and the world via a land phone. If we had any public speaking confidence, to begin with, the Mock Summit honed it. That was in the 1980s.

Fast-forward to the 2000s, Prof., you founded Africa Vision 525 and showed us the university was not the only place where we could or should learn to be leaders; it should start much earlier than that. Vision 525 works with secondary school girls to nurture their research, public speaking, and people skills

Fast-track to the late 1990s, the OAU is now the African Union (AU), you had retired from ABU, and some of us your students were now teachers in the University and mentors to a new generation of AU Summit simulators. Your work and your spirit echoed through us. I had the most learning fun, teaching a 300 level public policy class through a feminist pedagogy, where voice, ideas and participation were democratised. After all, what is a public policy class without an awareness of the impact of decision-making on communities? The students called me gender, and the class swelled every week beyond the number that registered for the course. Many came from other faculties to listen to the POLS 304 Public Policy debates. It reminded me of how students were drawn to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FFASS) from Industrial Design, Law, Medicine, Sciences, and more faculties because of the OAU Summit. Professors R. Ayo Dunmoye, Ohwona, and Unobe, HODs and mentors, were my hero-allies, enabling me to bring feminist innovation to my classes.

Fast-forward to the 2000s, Prof., you founded Africa Vision 525 and showed us the university was not the only place where we could or should learn to be leaders; it should start much earlier than that. Vision 525 works with secondary school girls to nurture their research, public speaking, and people skills, as you did for us over 30 years earlier, without any funding or a fee. I recall my first encounter with girls from the Anglican Girls Grammar School, 10 to 20 of who came into the hall at the Nigeria Electoral Institute, Abuja, smartly dressed for the occasion in school uniform, watching the adult proceedings with doe-like eyes, measuring everything, sizing up everyone. You would think they were feeling swallowed by the room until they took the stage and became giants speaking the words of African icons, some of whom they will never meet but whose ideals transformed them just the same.

It never ceases to amaze me why the African Union has not adopted the Mock Summit as a means to communicate its values and work through a successor generation of young women and men, despite your efforts.

Remembering ABU and the continuing blessings of the AU Mock Summit club throws into relief the danger of an unfinished curriculum, where students go through school, but the school does not go through them because they do not learn the essentials of life: How to be innovative, strong, daring and to think on the balls of ones feet. Prof., your work challenges us to think about gender equity and social inclusion and life learning, wherever we get the chance to impart knowledge. It never ceases to amaze me why the African Union has not adopted the Mock Summit as a means to communicate its values and work through a successor generation of young women and men, despite your efforts.

Professor Okello Oculi, I salute you on this International Day for Women. Thank you, teacher, humanist, Ugandan, Nigerian and friend of women and girls. A poet and Pan-Africanist, first and always. May a thousand suns brighten your path and the many you have opened.

Amina Salihu is a Senior Program Officer with the MacArthur Foundation Nigeria office in Abuja.
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Anti-coup protesters discharge fire extinguishers to counter the impact of the tear gas fired by police during a demonstration in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 8, 2021. The escalation of violence in Myanmar as authorities crack down on protests against the Feb. 1 coup is raising pressure for more sanctions against the junta, even as countries struggle over how to best sway military leaders inured to global condemnation. (AP Photo)

Demonstrators in Myanmars biggest city came out on Monday night for their first mass protests in defiance of an 8pm curfew, backing about 200 students trapped by security forces in a small area of one neighbourhood.

The students and other civilians earlier took part in one of many daily protests across the country against the militarys seizure of power last month that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The military government also placed a major curb on media coverage of the crisis, announcing that the licences of five local media outlets  Mizzima, DVB, Khit Thit Media, Myanmar Now and 7Day News  had been cancelled.

These media companies are no longer allowed to broadcast or write or give information by using any kind of media platform or using any media technology, it said on state broadcaster MRTV.

All five had been offering extensive coverage of the protests, often with live steaming video online. The offices of Myanmar Now were raided by the authorities on Monday before the measure was announced.

Expand Close Protesters flee as riot police fire tear gas in Yangon (AP) / Facebook

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The government has detained dozens of journalists since the coup, including a Myanmar Now reporter and Thein Zaw of the Associated Press, both of whom have been charged under a public order law that carries a penalty of up to three years in prison.

The nights street protests began after police cordoned off part of Yangons Sanchaung neighbourhood and were believed to be conducting door-to-door searches for those who fled attacks by security forces to seek shelter in the homes of sympathetic strangers.

News of their plight spread quickly on social media, and people poured into the streets in neighbourhoods all over the city to show solidarity and in hopes of drawing some of the pressure off the hunted protesters. On some streets, they constructed makeshift barricades with whatever was at hand.

In the Insein district, they spread across road junctions, singing songs, chanting pro-democracy slogans and banging objects together.

The diplomatic missions of the US, Britain, Canada and the European Union issued statements urging the security forces to allow the trapped people to return safely to their homes.

Although all have been sharply critical of the February 1 coup and police violence, it is unusual for such diplomatic statements to be issued in connection with a specific, ongoing incident.

Expand Close Anti-coup protesters flash a three-fingered sign of resistance in Naypyitaw (AP) / Facebook

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By midnight Myanmar time, there had been no reports of clashes between police and protesters, although security forces chased crowds, harassed residents watching from windows, and fired stun grenades. They also were some reports of injuries from rubber bullets.

The night-time hours have become increasingly dangerous in Myanmar. Police and army units routinely range through neighbourhoods, shooting randomly to intimidate residents and disrupt their sleep, and making targeted arrests.

Security forces shot and killed two people in northern Myanmar during the day, local media reported.

The Irrawaddy online newspaper said the victims were shot in the head during anti-coup protests in Myitkyina in Kachin state. Graphic video on social media showed protesters backing away from tear gas, responding with rocks and then fleeing after a fusillade of what seemed to be automatic gunfire.

Demonstrators hurriedly carried away the injured, including one apparent fatality, a person with a severe head wound. A second body was seen later on a stretcher, his head covered with a cloth.

Another shooting death took place in Pyapon, a city about 75 miles south of Yangon.

To date, the governments crackdown has left more than 50 protesters dead.
Around 3 p.m. on Saturday in Minneapolis, a small group gathered near George Floyd Square for a barbecue to celebrate a mans birthday. Many were regulars at the square, at Chicago Avenue and E. 38th Street, the intersection where Floyd was killed. The area, once sealed off in all directions with refrigerators, pallets, and other debris, now has city barricades. Its entrances are guarded by volunteers who staff the square at all hoursmostly as greeters but also as a ragtag defense force to prevent police from entering.

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At the backyard celebration, the momentous trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin that begins on Monday was not front of mind. When I brought it up to one woman, she said, Oh yeah? No wonder theres been more cameras around here lately. The mood was light. There was a cake that read FUCK 12, a reference to the police. It was chilly; people gathered around a firepit.

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Then the gunshots began. First one. Then two more. Then a burst of five. Someones dumping! someone yelled. People rushed out to help: Is that coming from the north? Do we have medics? Probably.

There was a short pause, then more gunfire. At least seven more shots rang out in quick succession. A truck sped down the alleyway right behind the barbecue. About a dozen people started barreling down the street, shouting at people to get out of the way. I took cover behind a parked car. On the street, several young people appeared to be out for vengeance for the shots just fired. I heard mention of a local gang.

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When the gunshots rang out, people at the barbecue acted out of muscle memory. Violent crime has gone up since the intersection closed. In 2019, there was a total of three fatal and nonfatal shootings in the area. In 2020, there were 19. One person I spoke to told me that sometimes, people simply shoot guns in the air, not at anything in particular.

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Eventually, I walked toward the street. One woman was in tears; she witnessed the shooting. I saw blood. It looked like red jelly was spilled, she said. I think I saw guts. One of her friends gave her a hug. An older man, shuffling as he tried to walk as quickly as he could, mumbled under his breath, two people just got shot over there. I learned later that one man died.

Youve got to keep your head on a swivel. Its basically the Thunderdome right now.  Toussaint Morrison

On Sunday, as the trial inched closer, the air was noticeably different. The trial heightened the tension at the square, Toussaint Morrison, a Minneapolis activist and organizer, told me. It has people in a liminal space. It feels like the environment is holding its breath. The gravity is a little heavier. The sun is a little brighter. The wind blows a little bit harder. The cars move a little bit faster. Theres a sense of urgency for something that nobody can control. The trial is weighing on the entire city, and especially the square.

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Morrison was also nearby when shots rang out on Saturday. He told me he saw a car speed away, hit a street light, and leave its bumper behind in a wreck. Youve got to keep your head on a swivel, he told me about being in the area. Its basically the Thunderdome right now.

The city has already announced that it will be reopening George Floyd Square after the trial. Some activists I talked to in the area believe that if that happens, theyll lose their ability to keep momentum for reform. One of the big reasons people still show up is because we can meet in the street. We wont be able to do that anymore with cars coming in through here, one person in the square lamented to me.

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Morrison said the success of the trial is only one step of many among the local movements goals. Justice is several things happening at the same time: Derek Chauvin going to prison. The Philando Castile omnibus bill being passed.* The Jamar Clark bill being passed.* The end of qualified immunity. The end of arbitration. And the end to the statute of limitations. The fact that you and I are held to a higher standard that cops are is crazy, he said.

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Over the phone, Alicia Smith, a community organizer who lives near the intersection, wondered what relief the trial would bring. The trial is here, and it still doesnt feel real. We still have so long to go, she said. Were battling our recodification for a lot of people, and you have a lot of people whose trauma has never subsided. Weve all been working from that space. We want justice, and we want it swiftly, but also under the assumption that we might not get it. If history is any indication, we may not get justice.

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While I spoke to Smith on the phone on Sunday, I suddenly heard at least 20 rounds fired. I could hear her talking to her sons, calmly instructing them to get down. I was nearby, too, closer to Smith than I had realized and could hear the gunfire coming from a block away. I got on the ground too and laid flat on my belly, and we continued the interview. She told me she hadnt yet mourned the man who had died the day before. She said she knew the victim well: Anyone that spends any significant time in the square, everyone knows everyone. You interact, you laugh, you joke; early on, you didnt know half the peoples names. You know them by their hair, or by their shoes, or by their laugh.

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She knew that man by his smile. You know people who are the energy for everybody? The bright spot that seems to lighten up the space when they come in? He had a bright smile, long dreads, chocolate skin, just  happy. When he smiles, it changes your whole mood. And he was that for his whole family.

Smith told me that its not unusual to hear gunfire like this in the neighborhood, and that she believes its a symptom of poverty, just as in any major city in America. But she conceded that things have been getting worse as the trial looms. Its all intricately entangled. Its like weve been sentenced to death because were poor, she said. We havent been allowed to process and to cry and to say things like Im scared without being labeled a punk, or soft or whatever. These people are not monsters. Theyre in pain.

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Smith has struggled with whether George Floyd Square has contributed to the violence. No one in that square wants to see anyone hurt or go without. But you have people on both sides saying, Open it yesterday, and you have folks saying, Dont open it until we get justice. Without justice you dont get no street. Its a fine line to walk, and were all challenged with that question: Are we doing the right thing? Were doing something weve never done before.

Were all challenged with that question: Are we doing the right thing?   Alicia Smith

She doesnt know the answer. Its hard because we lose great people, people that we see growing in their fight for justice. That makes it hard, because you have to wonder, Was there something we could have done to prevent that? I dont know. Ive asked myself a million times. I dont know. Heres another young man thats not here for his family.

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The tension inside George Floyd Square is unbearable right now. On Sunday, young people stood by, suspicious of others. Vehicles lingered, despite the intersection still being closed. CUP Foods, the store where Floyd had been before a teenage clerk called the police, was open, but only in the morning and only to sell necessities through a window in the shops vestibule. I asked if the mosque downstairs, where I had prayed last summer, was still open. Not today. Nobody is allowed inside, one of the cashiers told me. As I exited the vestibule, I heard another round go off, so close it sounded like it came from right above me. A man who had just bought cigarettes turned and said, Theyre still shooting? Cant believe this shit. We waited inside for just another moment before we both quickly walked away.

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Nearby, I saw a church deacon setting up chairs for a weekly Sunday service. I felt safe enough to linger on the intersection and give him a hand setting up chairs. I asked the deacon if this type of gunfire in the daylight is typical now. He shrugged and said, Yeah. But yesterday was especially bad. We havent seen something like that in a while, he said. When I asked him about the trial, he politely ignored me.

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Back across the street, in front of CUP Foods, a small memorial was being set up for the man who lost his life the night before. There was police tape sectioning off the exact spot where the man was shot. It was up against the wall of CUP Foods, just steps from where George Floyd was killed. Mourners left flowers and spelled out his name in candles. There had been an event set to take place in the square later that day, but it was canceled to give room to the people who knew Saturdays victim to mourn.

Nearby, I noticed one of the brothers who owns CUP Foods, who I had interviewed several times in the past. I went to speak to him, but this time, he respectfully but firmly told me it wasnt safe, and that I should leave. I listened.
Warning: graphic detail.

Minneapolis: The trial of the police officer accused of killing George Floyd in Minneapolis last year is set to begin on Monday (Tuesday AEDT), as a late court ruling added another charge to the indictment.

On Friday, the Minnesota Appeals Court decreed that the jury must also consider whether Derek Chauvin should be convicted of third-degree murder, which carries a maximum 25-year jail term.

Chauvin was initially charged with third-degree murder, but following a public outcry, prosecutors substituted it for the more serious offence of second-degree murder, which carries a 40-year maximum jail term, and second-degree manslaughter.
The death has occurred of James (Jimmy) CURRAN

Market Green, Balbriggan, Dublin / Naas, Kildare



The death has occurred of James (Jimmy) Curran late of Market Green, Balbriggan Co. Dublin and formerly Nass, Co Kildare.

(Peacefully) in Hamilton Park Nursing Home.

(Predeceased by his wife Bridie and grand-daughter Davinia). Sadly missed by his loving family, daughter Mary, sons James and Derek, son-in-law Stephen, daughters-in-law Lynda and Ann, sister Angela, grandchildren Andrew, Edmund, Damien, Greg, Philip, Rebecca, Roisin, Graham, Daniel and Kathryn, great-grandchildren Holly, Kyle, Shauna, Eabha, Emma, Anna, Sam, Lily, Marius, Ida, Nathan, Reece, Lela, Adam and Layla-Rose, brothers-in-law Liam and Danny, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

May his gentle soul rest in eternal peace

Reposing privately. Removal to S.S. Peter and Paul's Church Balbriggan on Monday morning for Funeral Mass at 11 o'clock. Followed by burial in S.S. Peter and Paul's Cemetery. (Only 10 people may attend and masks must be worn). Jimmy's Funeral Mass will be live streamed though the following link: www.balbrigganparish.com

For those who would have liked to attend, but due to current restrictions are unable, please leave a personal message for the family in the condolence section below. We thank you for your understanding and co-operation at this difficult time.

The death has occurred of Derek KIELY

Orchard Park, The Curragh, Kildare / Ballyfermot, Dublin



KIELY Derek (Orchard Park, The Curragh, Co. Kildare and late of Ballyfermot, Dublin) - 6th March 2021 (peacefully) at Tallaght Hospital. Derek, husband of the late Antoinette; sadly missed by his children Sarah, Darren and Katie, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives and friends.

May Derek rest in peace

A private family funeral will take place due to advice on public gatherings.





Funeral Arrangements Later

The death has occurred of Susan HORGAN (nee Molloy)

Morristown Estate, Newbridge, Kildare



HORGAN (nee Molloy) Susan (Morristown Estate, Newbridge, Co. Kildare) - 4th March 2021 (peacefully) in the wonderful care of the nurses and staff of Naas Hosptial. Sadly missed by her loving husband Frank, son Keith, daughters Karen and Ciara, mother Esther, sister Caroline, brother Eamon, grandchildren Lara, Chloe, Harry, Connor and George, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, extended family, relatives and friends.

May Susan Rest in Peace

A private Funeral Mass will take place due to Government advice and HSE restrictions on public gatherings. Removal from her residence on Monday morning to arrive at Cill Mhuire, Ballymany for 10 am Mass. Susan's Funeral can be viewed on the webcam at

https://newbridgeparish.ie/cill-mhuire-church

Burial afterwards in St. Conleths Cemetery, Newbridge.Those who would have liked to attend but due to current restrictions cannot, can leave their condolences on the condolence section below.

The death has occurred of Elizabeth CAHOON (nee Morrissey)

Ballaghmoon, Carlow / Kildare



Elizabeth Cahoon, nee Morrissey, late of Ballaghmoon, Co Kildare, passed away, peacefully, on March 6th, 2021. She will be sadly missed by her loving sisters Josephine (Carlow) and Kathleen (Co. Down) and her extended family, relatives and friends.

May Elizabeth Rest In Peace

The death has occurred of Patricia (Patty) Dunne (nee Blaney)

Kilcullen, Kildare



Patricia (Patty) Dunne (nee Blaney), Hilside, Kilcullen, Co Kildare, who died 6th March 2021 at Naas Hospital. Deeply regretted by her loving husband John, daughter Linda, son-in-law Willie, sisters Angela and May, sisters-in-law nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives and friends.

The death has occurred of Frederick Hack

Balkinstown, Nurney, Kildare



Peacefully, at his home. Sadly missed by his stepfather Noel, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends.

May Frederick Rest in Peace

Due to current government guidelines regarding public gatherings, a private family funeral will take place. Those who would have liked to attend the funeral, but due to current restrictions cannot, please feel free to leave a message in the condolence page below.

Removal on Tuesday morning for funeral service in Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold's Cross at 11.30am.

Frederick's cremation service will be available to view from 11.30am at the following link https://vimeo.com/event/153499

Funeral private. Please feel free to leave a message in the condolence page below.

May Patty Rest In Peace

The death has occurred of John BLESSING

Celbridge, Kildare / Newtownforbes, Longford



BLESSING (Celbridge, Co. Kildare and formerly of Newtownforbes, Co. Longford) March 6th, 2021 (peacefully) at the Mater Hospital and surrounded by his family. John, beloved husband of the recently deceased Martina, dear father to Peter, Neill and Ann-Marie and a devoted grandfather to Keri, James and Abigail. Sadly missed by his loving sons, daughter, sister Mary Ross (Drumlish), daughter-in-law Rachel, Keris Mum Siobhan, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, relatives and a very large circle of friends.

R.I.P.

Due to Government advice and restrictions regarding public gatherings and to protect our most vulnerable family members and our friends, a private family funeral will take place.

We look forward to meeting everyone at a Celebration of John and Martinas Life at a later date.

Those who would have liked to attend Johns funeral, but due to current restrictions cannot, can leave your personal messages for the family below Condolences or on www.cunninghamsfunerals.com/death-notices

Johns Funeral cortege will leave his home on Tuesday (9th March 2021) morning at 10.30 am and the Mass may be view by following the link below on Tuesday at 11.00 am.

https://www.celstra.ie/live-feed/

Family flowers only, please. Donations, if desired, to the Heart and Lung Transplant Ward, The Mater Hospital.

The death has occurred of Kathleen Dunne (nee Donohoe)

Kilkeaskin, Carbury, Kildare



Peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. Predeceased by her husband Patrick and sister Maureen. Deeply mourned by her son John, daughters Caitriona, Aileen and Mary, son-in-law Stephen, her adored grandchildren Andrew and Cami-lee, relatives, wonderful neighbours and a large circle of friends.

May Kathleen Rest in Peace.

Due to current Covid-19 restrictions there will be a family funeral on Monday at 2pm in The Holy Trinity Church, Derrinturn followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. You can take part in Kathleen's funeral on the Carbury Parish live web-cam via the following link: https://www.carburyparish.ie/our-parish/webcam-derrinturn/

Condolences can be left on this page using the link below. The Dunne family would like to thank you for your support at this difficult time.

People can line the route from the house to the church with social distancing. In respecting the government guidelines and regulations the family would like the house private please.
New Delhi: Washington is keen on a six-country meet, including India, on Afghanistan even as it reviews its strategy for the country. In a letter to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, the US secretary of state Antony Blinken has outlined several ways "to move matter more fundamentally and quickly towards a settlement".

The letter, which surfaced in Afghan media on Sunday (March 7) said, "We intend to ask the United Nations to convene foreign ministers and envoys from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India, and US to discuss a unified approach to supporting peace in Afghanistan".

In the letter, Blinken explained, "it is my belief that these countries share an abiding common interest in a stable Afghanistan and must work together if we are to succeed".

Sunday also witnessed talks between US Special Representative to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar. A tweet from Jaishankar's account said, "discussed the latest developments pertaining to peace talks".

India has been seen as a close partner of the Afghan government and has built a number of mega infrastructure projects in the country, from the Afghan Parliament to the India Afghan friendship dam in western Herat province. Last month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ghani held a virtual summit and also announced the start of Shahtoot dam project, which will be built by India and provide clean drinking water to residents of Kabul.

The letter by Blinken also includes a written proposal that will be shared by Khalilzad with President Ghani and Taliban leaders and is "aimed at accelerating discussions on a negotiated settlement and ceasefire" with the Turkish government hosting a meet between the two sides, reduction in violence proposal to "prevent a spring offensive by the Taliban" and eventual full withdrawal of American forces by May 1st.

It has been 20 years since the fall of the Taliban and US presence in Afghanistan with Washington keen to leave the country. Last year saw, US-Taliban pact, followed by the start of talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. While these two developments have been seen as positive, the violence level continues to increase in the country.
New Delhi, March 8 : The scene at Tikri border on Monday was refreshingly different from other days as the stage was exclusively reserved for the women agitators to mark International Women's Day.

The move was to celebrate the spirit of womanhood and show symbolic solidarity with equality for women. The dias was managed and used to address the crowd by women only. The farm leaders even refrained from speaking off-stage.

"It's their (women) day, focus on them only," said Sanam Singh, the state coordinator of Punjab Kisan Manch.

The celebration started at around 9 am and went on till 5 pm. Women, who arrived at the Tikri from far-off places in Punjab and Haryana gave fiery speeches, recited poems of revolution and shared their opinions on farm laws while addressing the crowd.

"The speeches were never this interesting. Our sisters are rocking it," said Kiranjit Panna who was sitting among the audience.

35-year-old Sandeep Kaur, who is an Assistant Professor in a college, came along with her younger sister from Mansa, Punjab to attend the celebration.

Her whole family is participating in the agitation at Tikri for over two months. Sandeep remarked the move as a welcome change.

"It was in-waiting. For months, our women are supporting the men from the background. The momentum is building that we should now be allowed to lead from the front," she said.

"If we have to break the arrogance of the government which is hell-bent on imposing the farm laws that we don't need at all, women should be allowed equal participation in the movement," Sandeep commented "So far, we have been largely limited to spectators. Now is the time to share the leadership," she said.

Akin to Sandeep, many women arrive at the border to share the celebration of the day which comes once in a year. 26-year-old Parminder Gill, who is pursuing her career in poetry, recited poems about various agitations and struggles which demanded extreme sacrifice but eventually evolved into a catalyst of change across the world.

"Even our very own freedom struggle from the British colonialism was full of sacrifice and hardship. Men and women equally participated there. We need to shed-off the burden of patriarchy and reclaim our spaces whether in our homes or in a social movement like this," she said.

The eagerness to get heard was such that the stage managers had to decline many requests.

"It seemed that they have not been listen to for ages. It's natural since most of the communication and agenda is set by men. We were bound by time otherwise each one of them would have received a chance to speak," said Jasbir Kaur, state committee member of Punjab Kisan Union.

The women also saw this event as a ray of hope in the community, especially falling in Haryana where in remote towns, women do not even step outside without permission from male members of their family.

"It took us generations to break the shackles of Sati tradition to reach this stage. It may take us many more years but we will be leading the world one day," said Jagroop Kaur, president, Kheti-Kisan Union.

"And as far as this protest is concerned, we will not budge down, we will not turn away, till the black laws are scrapped," she added.
In late November, an urgent email popped up in the inbox of Hindustan Syringes & Medical Devices, one of the worlds largest syringe makers.

It was from UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, and it was desperately seeking syringes. Not just any would do. These syringes must be smaller than usual. They had to break if used a second time, to prevent spreading disease through accidental recycling.

Workers at the Hindustan Syringes & Medical Devices factory in Ballabgarh, India Credit:Rebecca Conway/The New York Times

Most important, UNICEF needed them in vast quantities. Now.

I thought, No issues, said Rajiv Nath, the companys managing director, who has sunk millions of dollars into preparing his syringe factories for the vaccination onslaught. We could deliver it possibly faster than anybody else.
A woman who stole more than 20,000 from her company social club and company credit card and spent the money on luxury holidays and shopping trips has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment.

Nicola Henry (32) was the secretary of the Johnson & Johnson social club when she wrote 37 cheques to herself, forging her colleagues' signatures.

She received a total of 17,326 from 27 of these cheques, which she spent on luxury holidays to Australia, Sri Lanka and Dubai, as well as restaurants, shopping trips and beauty treatments, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. The other 10 cheques bounced as there wasn't enough money in the account.

Henry, an office manager with the Tallaght-based company, was suspended when the thefts came to light. She then went on to spend a further 3,233 using the company credit card, Detective Garda Kevin Bowen told the court.

After she was charged, Henry buried her head in the sand and missed several court appearances, leading to warrants being issued for her arrest, defence counsel said. She was arrested in November last year and placed in custody.

Sentencing her on Monday, Judge Pauline Codd said she accepted Henry's thefts were a result of her ongoing depression and was a method of escapism in dealing with that. She took into account a psychological report which found Henry was at a low risk of re-offending and would benefit from therapy.

The judge handed down a two-year sentence but suspended the final 18 months on a number of conditions. She backdated it to last November, when Henry went into custody.

Henry, of Carrownegh, Kiltoom, Co Roscommon, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and two counts of attempted theft from Johnson & Johnson social club and company between April 2014 and September 2015. She also pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false instrument between those dates.

A further 65 counts on the indictment were taken into consideration. Henry has no previous convictions.

Det Gda Bowen told Gerardine Small BL, prosecuting, that Henry joined the company in 2011 as an accounts assistant and went on to have several different roles within the company, including office manager. She joined the company social club in 2012 and became secretary of the club.

The court heard employees who were members of the social club paid a contribution from their salaries every month for social gatherings, with the company also regularly adding funds.

Although Henry was on the club committee and had a cheque book, she did not have authorisation to sign cheques on behalf of the club. As a result, she forged the signatures of two of her colleagues who were authorised to do this and cashed cheques which she made out to herself.

Ten of the 37 cheques - with a value of 35,340 - bounced as there wasn't enough money in the account. Henry's offending came to light when the bank contacted the company controller about the bounced cheques in August 2015.

She was immediately suspended and her company credit card was blocked. However, the company noticed in November of that year that further sums of money had been spent using the blocked card.

It emerged the bank had contacted Henry about the card being blocked and she authorised them to unblock it before continuing to spend company money, the court heard.

Det Gda Bowen said Henry did not spend any money on day-to-day expenses. It was all luxury items, he said.

As well as the holidays, the court heard Henry spent money on restaurants, hairdressers, nail treatments and a shopping trip to Northern Ireland.

Defence barrister, Kieran Kelly BL, said his client had a normal upbringing, a good education and came from a good family. The court heard her mother became ill with cancer when she was a teenager and Henry took on a caring role in the home. She suffered from depression in the wake of her mother's death in 2008.

Mr Kelly said his client, who was tearful during the sentence hearing, was extremely remorseful for her actions.

He said she had taken on a number of accounting roles since the incident, but had been let go when her offending in Johnson & Johnson came to light. She was unable to repay any of the money she stole, he said.

Mr Kelly said his client is a very private person.

She has buried her head in the sand very much in relation to this matter, he said. She is a person who should follow through on counselling available to her.
BELGRADE - Ten years after the start of talks between Belgrade and Pristina, an agreement on Kosovo still seems far away.



Serbia remains firm in its position against any progress in dialogue with Pristina until commitments previously made are implemented that had been part of agreements drawn up in Brussels as part of EU-facilitated negotiations.



This was said by Serbian parliamentary speaker Iviva Dacic in underscoring that the first and most significant agreement to be implemented is the creation of a community of Serbian municipalities in Kosovo, which Pristina is staunchly against as it claims it would go against its constitution.



In statements reported by local media on Monday on the tenth anniversary of the official beginning of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Dacic - who in recent years in his role as head of government had taken part in the dialogue on Kosovo - noted that Belgrade's position had been reiterated repeatedly in speaking to EU officials, most recently in President Aleksandar Vucic's meeting in recent days with EU Special Envoy Miroslav Laicak.



At the same time, Dacic criticized the European Union for what he called its double standard, which he said was evident on the electoral issue.



While the EU and the European Parliament concern themselves with mediating in dialogue between the government and the opposition in Serbia as concerns rule of law, democracy, and electoral law, in Kosovo - he said - for the first time neither international observers nor OSCE had been sent for its recent elections.



''Perhaps Kosovo is considered an ideal democracy? Perhaps there is no talk about dialogue between its various internal political forces for Kosovo? Perhaps there are double standards?," Dacic asked.



Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina began exactly ten years ago, on March 8, 2011, with the first meeting in Brussels between the two delegations.



The first phase was at the technical and experts level and later the negotiations were raised to the political level, with participation of both prime ministers and then presidents. The EU high representative for foreign policy and security was designated mediator - first Britain's Catherine Ashton, then the Italian Federica Mogherini, and then Spain's Josep Borrell.



In late 2018, after Pristina raised customs duties on Serbian goods by 100%, the dialogue was interrupted and remained frozen for over 20 months.



Talks resumed in July 2020, in part due to international pressure put on Pristina to abolish the customs duties.



Shortly before, Brussels had nominated the Slovak Miroslav Laicak as special envoy for dialogue on Kosovo. He visited Belgrade and Pristina last week.



The formation of the new government in Kosovo will have to happen before talks resume and Vucic said that he believed that dialogue would continue starting in May.



An agreement on normalization of relations remains distant, with Belgrade asking for a compromise in which both parties would give up something, while Pristina is standing firm on demanding that Serbia recognize its independence with mutual recognition.
London: We were expecting fireworks from their tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey but Harry and Meghan instead lit a raging bonfire that threatens to engulf the royal family.

Not even Princess Diana went this nuclear during her own infamous confessional with the BBCs Panorama program in 1995. That interview has long been regarded as the most-jaw dropping in royal history, but after today ranks second.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex talk to Oprah Winfrey.

Against the backdrop of the terrible suffering of the British people during the coronavirus pandemic, complaints about being denied taxpayer-funded security, debates about whether their son Archie should be called a prince, and revelations about a tiff between Meghan and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge over a flower girls dress are at best tone-deaf and at worst insensitive.

But three key revelations blow away those more trivial moments.
A freshman congresswoman who has previously expressed support for the false and fringe QAnon conspiracy theory attacked Democrats during a recent Fox News appearance and claimed they were obsessed with conspiracies following the Capitol insurrection.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Co) joined Fox News Jeanine Pirro on Saturday night to lambast House leadership and security officials over continued safety measures at the Capitol building in the wake of the attacks on 6 January, when pro-Trump extremists stormed the building. Intelligence agencies and local officials have warned of continued threats to the area from groups behind the Capitol insurrection, including the far-right Proud Boys and supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory.

No one on the outside can get into the Capitol, the lawmaker said. It is only staffers and members of Congress who are allowed at the peoples house  at our nations Capitol.

Judge Jeanine, this is complete bonkers that we are keeping people out the United States Capitol, she continued. There is clearly not a threat, there was nothing that happened on March 4th, the Democrats are obsessed with conspiracy theories  and they wont let them go.

Ms Boebert did not discuss her own connection to baseless conspiracies like QAnon, the debunked and imaginative theory that former President Donald Trump was saving the world from an evil ring of child sex predators.

The congresswoman faced calls to resign after the Capitol insurrection, with a local Colorado activist group releasing a statement saying she betrayed the American people as she tweeted about where Speaker Nancy Pelosi was amid the riots.

Several who stormed the Capitol could be heard searching for the Democratic leader, as Ms Boebert tweeted out messages that read: Speaker has been removed from the chambers.

The group wrote in its statement: As the citizens she represents in Congress, we cannot recall her and we cannot impeach her, but we do not accept that she is fit to represent the people of Colorado District 3 in Congress. We can only hope that her colleagues in Congress expel her.

However, Ms Boebert continued to slam the Democratic Party during her Fox News interview, as critics noted the irony in her comments.

We have a border fence around the peoples house, with miles of razor wire, she said. And Speaker Pelosi wants to keep it up.

Ms Pelosi has in fact expressed support for taking down the security measures around the Capitol, saying it should be done at the appropriate time in news conferences and when officials believe they are prepared.

The Speaker does not have ultimate authority on what security measures can go up around the building, as the US Capitol Police and other various agencies also have a say in the matter.
A missing Australian woman accused of fraud may have severed her own foot to trick police into thinking she is dead, police have claimed.

Melissa Caddick, 49, from Sydney vanished on November 11 last year, the day after the country's corporate watchdog ASIC executed a search warrant for her luxury 3million (AUD $6.1 million) home.

She is accused of swindled more than 14 million (AUD $25million) worth of investors' funds, and leaving 68 victims of fraud in her wake.

Her disappearance is under investigation and has led officers to discover her decomposing foot in a rare Asics shoe 248 miles away from her home on South Coast of New South Wales on February 21. No more of her remains have been found.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said authorities were still unable to say whether she killed herself or if there was foul play involved.

He also raised the outlandish possibility Ms Caddick could have severed her own foot to throw police off the scent - and that she could still be alive.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said he doubted Caddick jumped from the Dover Heights clifftops because of how far away her remains were found from Sydney

Caddick's decomposed foot was found on the New South Wales South Coast in a rare Asics shoe 248 miles away from her home. Mr Fuller said it was possible the conwoman severed her own foot

'There's always a chance she cut her foot off and is still alive, though it's pretty fanciful,' he told the country's 2GB radio station on Monday morning

However, he was satisfied the 49-year-old millionaire was dead.

'We're still trying to recover funds [for defrauded investors] and that investigation continues. But we haven't closed this case.'

One theory to explain her disappearance has been that Caddick jumped from the clifftops of Dover Heights, a luxury suburb in Sydney's east, after making the short 300m walk from her home.

The route is not covered by CCTV cameras and led police to initially suspect she had taken her own life.

But Mr Fuller said many people jumped from those cliffs without their remains washing up several hundred kilometers away.

'[It's not common to see] body parts wash up so far south of Sydney and in such good condition given she went missing on or about November 11,' he said.

'Not to say it can't happen. The coroner will make further determinations.'

He said the limited decomposition of the shoe would indicate it had not been out in the ocean for the entire three-month period since she went missing.

Pictured: Melissa Caddick and her husband Anthony Koletti before she went missing on November 11

Mr Fuller said many people had jumped from those cliffs without their remains washing up several hundred kilometers away

'While it's not my area of expertise, if that's the case a possible scenario is that she has been murdered recently or murdered and kept on ice for a while,' he said.

'A severed foot is a great throw off.'

He said though the chance of her being murdered was 'slim'.

The search for the 49-year-old was called off last week, but Mr Fuller said the foot could have been planted to end public and police interest in the case.

'Of all the beaches and feet in the world, to find hers what is the probability of that?' he said.

Caddick with her husband Anthony Koletti. She is estimated to have swindled more than $25million worth of investors' funds

The radio interview follows Rodo Koletti, the father of Caddick's husband Anthony, breaking his silence on Australia's 60 Minutes on Sunday night to clear his name of any wrongdoing.

Mr Koletti, appearing with only part of his face shown to hide his identity, said he has been the target of defamation in the wake of Caddick's deception.

'I think the whole Melissa Caddick thing has taken on a life of its own,' he said.

'It would appear that some people have taken it upon themselves to throw assertions, fraudulent statements, lies... you know, defamation of all sorts against myself, my character and my profession, which is just what I could not stand for.

Mr Koletti, who believes his son is in denial, denied claims he killed Caddick or had any involvement in masterminding her financial fraud.

He also said he didn't think his hairdresser son was capable of helping Caddick rip off her family and friends, who had invested their nest eggs in her business Maliver.

'Anthony's a damn good hairdresser, but I don't believe he has the capacity to know what a financial scheme is,' he said.

'I don't think he could have been in it at all, or known what was going on.

'When I spoke with him he certainly didn't [know of Caddick's fraudulence]. He believed everything she told him.'

Rodo Koletti, the father of Caddick's husband Anthony, appeared with only part of his face shown to hide his identity. He said he has been the target of defamation in the wake of Caddick's deception

Mr Koletti was unwittingly implicated in Caddick's scheme by his signature being forged to verify bogus documents.

He also knocked back claims he had ever done any work with Maliver.

When presented with a document purporting to show his signature, Mr Koletti revealed it had been forged.

'That is not my signature... if you see my signature, it's very distinctive, and that is not it. Not mine,' he said.

In January, Mr Koletti said his 39-year-old son believes the businesswoman had done 'nothing wrong'.

'It's very traumatic for him, he stopped seeing his family when they got together, it has divided us,' Rodo Kolleti told Australia's Daily Telegraph.

Mr Koletti was unwittingly implicated in Caddick's scheme by his signature being forged to verify bogus documents

Her decomposed foot in a rare Asics shoe was found 248 miles away from her home on Bournda Beach on February 21

Caddick's father in law was unwittingly implicated in Caddick's scheme by his signature being forged to verify bogus documents. Pictured with her husband Anthony

'I've seen her four or five times in eight years, she didn't want anything to do with us.'

The smear campaign against Caddick's father-in-law comes after a woman, who nearly invested money with the businesswoman, revealed she decided against it after meeting up with her and feeling something was 'a little off'.

The Sydney woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said after discussing finances over lunch with the conwoman, she was given a 'very odd response' when she asked about her trading approach.

Divers have 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

Authorities raided her $6.2million Dover Heights mansion on November 11 (pictured is bodycam footage of the raid)

Caddick vanished the day after Australia's corporate watchdog ASIC executed a search warrant at her luxury Dover Heights home on November 11.

Her decomposed foot in a rare Asics shoe was found 248 miles away from her home on Bournda Beach on February 21 and police confirmed over the weekend they had now called off the search for the 49-year-old.

While detectives say the fraudster may have taken her own life, the woman who had lunch with Caddick believes something more sinister may have been at play.

She told The Daily Telegraph she had a theory that Caddick had been 'influenced by a larger criminal cartel that operated' and suggested she may have been 'abducted'.
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has lashed out against DMK president and chief-ministerial candidate of the party M.K. Stalin for allegedly lifting several programmes from his party's vision document.

Speaking at a public function here on Monday, the Makkal Needhi Maiam( MNM) leader said: "The DMK leader has lifted several ideas from my vision document and this is copying of a party's programme. For instance I had announced honorariums for homemakers and also announced 50 lakh jobs for unemployed youth. All these were announced by Stalin during his speech at Sirungar in Trichy."

Haasan also said Dravidian parties were "corrupt conglomerates" and lashed out against the Congress which had fought against the British for the independence of the country, for having joined forces with the corrupt DMK.

The veteran actor said that election day, April 6 is "bhogi day" in Tamil Culture which means getting rid of all old things and called upon the people to get rid of the old corrupt Dravidian parties and to usher in change for all-round development and prosperity of Tamil Nadu by voting out the corrupt forces.

(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 staff member demonstrates 5G-based remote control of a robot during the 2019 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in east China's Shanghai, Aug. 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature will move promptly to conduct research on laws and regulations related to new technologies and applications, according to a work report.

These technologies and applications include digital economy, internet finance, artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing, said the annual work report of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

The report was submitted Monday to the ongoing fourth session of the 13th NPC for deliberation.
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WESTMINSTER, Colo.  A man and woman are dead following a shooting outside a bar in the Denver area, police said Saturday.

The Westminster Police Department said officers responded to a reported shooting early Saturday morning and found two people lying in the parking lot.

Police said they were transported to a hospital where they died from their injuries.

Police said witnesses reported that a fight took place at the bar and escalated, but released few other details.

Police are investigating, but said there is no danger to the public. Police didnt release the names or ages of the dead.

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J. Mark Ramseyer, Mitsubishi Professor of Japanese Legal Studies at Harvard, said women willingly entered into contracts

A Harvard University professor has sparked international fury after he claimed in an academic paper that Korean women who were kept as sex slaves in wartime Japan had actually chosen to work as prostitutes.

J. Mark Ramseyer, the Mitsubishi Professor of Japanese Legal Studies at the Ivy League school, has angered people worldwide after news of his article 'Contracting for sex in the Pacific War' was scheduled to be published this month.

The International Review of Law and Economics, where the article was expected to be published, has since issued an 'Expression of Concern' to inform readers his claims are currently being investigated.

The term 'comfort women' is a loose translation of a Japanese euphemism for 'prostitute,' according to the Harvard Crimson - the school's student newspaper.

Ramseyer's paper rejected a wide body of research finding that as many as 410,000 of Japan's so-called 'comfort women' were forced to work at military brothels during World War II.

Lee Yong-soo, who was forced to serve for the Japanese troops as a sex slave during World War II, touches the face of a statue of a girl symbolizing the issue of wartime 'comfort women'

Former South Korean 'comfort woman' Lee Yong-soo, who was forced to serve as a sex slave for Japanese troops during World War II, weeps during a press conference

Former comfort woman YongA-Soo Lee's one wish is that the government of Japan officially apologize to women who were conscripted as sex slaves during World War II

Japanese women hold portraits of Chinese, Philippine, South Korean and Taiwanese former comfort women who were sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during World War II

The professor argued the women willingly entered into contracts as sex workers.

'The economic logic to the contractual arrangements reflects the fact that brothels could not  and did not  trap or imprison all or even most of the women,' Ramseyer wrote in the paper.

Ramseyer argued that 'young women understood that prostitution was dangerous and harsh, and imposed a large upfront hit to their reputations.'

'As a result, before a young woman agreed to work at a brothel she needed credible assurance that she would earn wages high enough to compensate her for the negative characteristics associated with the job,' Ramseyer wrote in the paper.

He continued: 'The women forced recruiters to overcome this problem of promissory credibility by paying each prostitute a large fraction of her earnings upfront, and capping the number of years she would have to work.'

'In turn, the brothel needed a way to create an incentive for its prostitutes to please their customers ... By coupling a maximum six-year term with the ability to quit early, the brothel gave a prostitute an incentive to please her customers.'

The Crimson revealed an exchange between Ramseyer and Twitter user @tukiyoni_saraba, which often posts pro-Japan nationalist news, earlier this week.

The @tukiyoni_saraba account reportedly posted a screenshot showing email correspondence with Ramseyer in Japanese, according to the Crimson.

'It seems like the Koreans are continuing their relentless attacks,' the Twitter user allegedly wrote to Ramseyer.

'Over there, they have an unusual national character of attacking you to the very end if you display weakness.'

Ramseyer was urged not 'lose to' Korean people by @tukiyoni_saraba, who allegedly told him to 'keep at it,' the Crimson reported.

'Thank you very much for sending me the kind and heartening letter. I will do the best I can!' Ramseyer responded, according to the outlet.

According to the Crimson, Korean media outlets and scholars suspect Ramseyer may be sponsored by the Japanese corporation Mitsubishi - and his paper has since intensified a political dispute between Japan.

Ramseyer told the outlet that there is now money from the Japanese company tied to his endowed professorship today.

Japanese leaders have denied that the women were coerced, and South Korea, which has long pressed Japan to provide apologies and compensation to women who have shared accounts of rape and abuse.

Decades of research has explored the abuses inflicted on comfort women from Korea and other nations previously occupied by Japan. In the 1990s, women began sharing accounts detailing how they were taken to comfort stations and forced to provide sexual services for the Japanese military.

Hundreds of scholars have signed letters condemning Ramseyer's article.

'Analytically, Professor Ramseyer takes these contracts as a given. He suggests comfort women 'negotiated' their contractual terms. Such value-neutral language erases important historical context of coercive sexual violence,' a letter from the Korean Association of Harvard Law School reads.

Last Tuesday, North Koreas state-run DPRK Today published an article calling Ramseyer a 'repulsive money grubber' and a 'pseudo scholar.'

Ramseyer declined to comment to the Associated Press.

High school students hold up banners to protest a recent academic paper by Harvard University professor J. Mark Ramseyer

Former 'comfort woman' Lee Yong-soo, left, who was forced to serve for the Japanese troops as a sex slave during World War II, shouts slogans during a rally

The students of the Gyeongseong High School and Lee Seung-ro, the head of Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, condemned Harvard law school professor John Mark Ramseyer of Harvard University

Who were the 'comfort women'? 200,000 sex slaves were forced to serve the Japanese troops in WWII Most historians agree that as many as 200,000 women, mostly from Korea, were forced to work in Japanese military brothels during WWII. The plight of the women is a hugely emotional issue which continues to strain relations between South Korea and Japan today. For many South Koreans, the issue symbolises the abuses of Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula. Korean women were forced by the Japanese to pack up and become sex slaves The term 'comfort woman' comes from the Japanese euphemism 'jugun ianfu' which refers to women, of various ethnic and social circumstances, who became sex slaves for the Japanese troops before and during WWII. Military brothels existed across the Asia Pacific region in areas occupied by the Japanese forces, including China, the Korean Peninsula and a large part of South-east Asia. The women were forced to have sex with up to 50 Japanese soldiers a day as they were raped and sexually assaulted. Though around 80 per cent were Korean, women from China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Burma and the Pacific islands were also used as comfort women, according to a San Francisco State University report. The authorities believed the comfort system would enhance the morale of the military and help prevent soldiers from committing sexual violence toward women of occupied territories, which became a real concern after the infamous Nanjing Massacre in China in 1937. They were also concerned with the health of the troops, which prompted close supervision of the hygienic conditions in the comfort stations to help keep STDs under control. Meanwhile many of the women who worked in 'comfort stations' during WWII were given repeated injections of the syphilis treatment compound 606, which left many of them unable to have children. Up to 200,000 women were forced to work in Japanese military brothels during WWII After the war, many of the women were brutally slaughtered and their story was untold until 1991. The only military tribunal concerning the sexual abuse of comfort women took place in Batavia - now Indonesian capital Jakarta - in 1948. Several Japanese military officers were convicted for having forced 35 Dutch women involved in the case into comfort stations. The issue only began to emerge in Korea only in the late 1980s. The Japanese government admitted deception, coercion and official involvement in the recruitment of comfort women in August 1993, but critics said they needed to go much further. Advertisement

Most alarming to historians is what they say is a lack of evidence in the paper: Scholars at Harvard and other institutions have combed though Ramseyer's sources and say there is no historical evidence of the contracts he describes.

In a statement calling for the article to be retracted, Harvard historians Andrew Gordon and Carter Eckert said Ramseyer 'has not consulted a single actual contract' dealing with comfort women.

'We do not see how Ramseyer can make credible claims, in extremely emphatic wording, about contracts he has not read,' they wrote.

When Eckert and Gordon examined one cited source from 1938 in Ramseyer's article they believed may lead to data about relevant contracts - the found it simply provided sample contracts for employment as a 'shakufu' - a Japanese word for 'barmaid' understood to involve sex work, according to an article in The New Yorker.

Alexis Dudden, a historian of modern Japan and Korea at the University of Connecticut, called the article a 'total fabrication' that disregards decades of research.

Although some have invoked academic freedom to defend Ramseyer, Dudden counters that the article 'does not meet the requirements of academic integrity.'

'These are assertions out of thin air,' she said. 'Its very clear from his writing and his sources that he has never seen a contract.'

More than 1,000 economists have signed a separate letter condemning the article, saying it misuses economic theory 'as a cover to legitimize horrific atrocities.'

A separate group of historians of Japan issued a 30-page article explaining why the article should be retracted 'on grounds of academic misconduct.'

At Harvard, hundreds of students signed a petition demanding an apology from Ramseyer and a university response to the complaints against him. Harvard Law School declined to comment.

A United Nations report from 1996 concluded that the comfort women were sex slaves taken through 'violence and outright coercion.'

A statement from Japan in 1993 acknowledged that women were taken 'against their own will,' although the nations leaders later denied it.

Lee Yong-soo, a victim of the Japanese military's sexual slavery during World War II, arrives at the foreign ministry in Seoul, South Korea, on March 3

Lee Yong-soo, a victim of the Japanese military's sexual slavery during World War II, calls for the National Assembly to bring the 'comfort women' issue to the International Court of Justice

A young 'comfort woman' to comfort the troops in Vietnam is pictured in a historical photo

Tensions flared again in January when a South Korean court ruled that the Japanese government must give 100 million won ($90,000) to each of 12 women who sued in 2013 over their wartime sufferings. Japan insists all wartime compensation issues were settled under a 1965 treaty normalizing relations with South Korea.

In South Korea, activists have denounced Ramseyer and called for his resignation from Harvard. Chung Young-ai, South Koreas minister of gender equality and family, expressed dismay over the article last week.

'There is an attempt to distort (the facts about) the Japanese militarys `comfort women issue and tarnish the honors and dignity of victims,' Chung said, according to comments provided by her ministry.

Lee Yong-soo, a 92-year-old South Korean and survivor, described Ramseyers assertion as 'ludicrous' and demanded he apologize.

An influential activist, Lee is campaigning for South Korea and Japan to settle their decadeslong impasse by seeking judgment from the International Court of Justice.

When asked about Ramseyer last Wednesday, Lee said: 'That professor should be dragged to (the ICJ) too.'

The controversy, amplified by its source at an Ivy League university, has yielded new scrutiny of Ramseyer's other work.

In response to new concerns raised by scholars, The European Journal of Law and Economics added an editor's note saying it's investigating a recent piece by Ramseyer - this one studying Koreans living in early 20th century Japan.

Cambridge University Press said a forthcoming book chapter by Ramseyer is 'being revised by the author after consultation between the author and the editors of the book.'

Ramseyer repeated his claims about comfort women in a submission to a Japanese news site in January. In it, he alleged the women entered into contracts similar to those used under a separate, licensed system of prostitution in Japan.

He rejected accounts of forced labor as 'pure fiction,' saying the Japanese army 'did not dragoon Korean women to work in its brothels.'

'Expressing sympathy to elderly women who have had a rough life is fine,' he wrote. 'Paying money to an ally in order to rebuild a stable relationship is fine. But the claims about enslaved Korean comfort women are historically untrue.'

Opponents counter that many of the women were so young they would have been unable to consent to sex even if there was evidence of contracts.

'We're really talking about 15-year-olds,' said Dudden, at the University of Connecticut. 'This article further victimizes the very few number of survivors by asserting claims that even the author knows cannot be substantiated.'
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Its the second in Simple Lifes build-to-rent portfolio to come to London, with an 80-unit development thats part of a whopping 1bn regeneration project led by the Greater London Authority, giving the old industrial Rainham a regenerating makeover, which will include a new train station, primary school, gym, shops and other community hubs.

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Both Fresh Wharf and Beam Park represent Simple Life Londons groundbreaking new deal for the capitals renters.

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Young professionals, couples and growing families looking for beautifully designed, high-quality apartments with fully fitted kitchens, and furnishings from the experts at the David Phillips Group need look no further.
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The U.S. Air Force is looking to outsource solutions to boost its yearly pilot output and improve its training curriculum.

During a two-day industry event last week hosted by Air Education and Training Command's 19th Air Force, the service outlined its priorities under five request for information, or RFI, solicitations. If all five are enacted, they could collectively produce 200 additional pilots per year over a five-year period.

"The idea is to reach out to industry and see how you all might be able to support, provide ideas, and provide information that will help us as we formulate our plans moving forward," Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, 19th Air Force commander, said in a news release.

The RFIs the Air Force proposed include:

-Contract Undergraduate Pilot Training (CUPT), which would partially outsource the service's UPT program to a company capable of providing multi-engine commercial aircraft

-Government Owned Contractor Operated (GOCO) UPT using the Air Force's T-6A Texan aircraft, which would act as a supplemental option to CUPT using commercial instructors and personnel to operate the service's T-6 trainers

-Contractor Instructor Pilot (CIP)/Contractor Simulator Instructor (CSI), which adds instructors to training pipeline programs to augment the service's instructor pilot force

-Initial Flight Training (IFT) 2.5, which would increase training hours for pilot candidates prior to more advanced training such as UPT or Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT)

-Introductory Flight Training-Rotary Wing (IFT-R), which would partially outsource fundamental skills training for rotary aircraft through the use of additional simulators. The training would also require companies to use a Bell 206 helicopter or an equivalent platform.

In 2018, leaders at Air Education and Training Command, or AETC, and Air Combat Command told Military.com the service as a whole wasn't interested in outsourcing UPT or other training curriculums. In the March 1 release, Wills said the Air Force is now looking at fresh options on how it can fix its chronic pilot shortage, which has become "a worldwide phenomenon."

"We have a different mentality that says, 'Why don't we teach folks as much as possible so, at the end of their training program, they are as proficient as possible?'" he said.

The problem is "not strictly limited to the U.S. Air Force," he added. "All of our joint partners face many of the same challenges and so our hope with these RFIs is that we can get information from you that will help inform the plans that we have."

For a sixth consecutive year, the service has not been able to close its pilot manning gap.

In fiscal 2020, the Air Force came up 1,925 pilots short of the roughly 21,000 it needs to conduct worldwide operations, spokeswoman Lt. Col. Malinda Singleton told Military.com on Thursday. The service could not provide a breakdown of types of pilot communities -- such as mobility and fighter -- still experiencing manning gaps.

The service first sounded the alarm in 2016, stating that its pilot shortfall had grown by more than 700 from the previous year; it ended up 1,555 pilots short at the end of fiscal 2016, the service said at the time.

The gap then grew to a whopping 2,000 pilots in fiscal 2017. The Air Force ended fiscal 2018 with a total force pilot shortage of 1,937, and it was 2,100 pilots short in fiscal 2019, officials said.

In February 2020, the service predicted it would also fall short of its goal to produce 1,480 new pilots across the force by the end of that fiscal year. Singleton confirmed Thursday that the service did not meet that goal.

"Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Air Force was able to produce 1,263 pilots in fiscal 2020," she said.

An Air Force official said there were some retention gains, which can be partially attributed to pilots wanting to stay in service longer due to the economic downturn related to the pandemic.

Officials observed a higher take rate in retention bonuses, but the service could not provide a specific audit of how many or what types of pilots opted into the bonus program.

In 2017, the service introduced a tiered bonus system to combat its shortfall, with monetary incentives of up to $455,000 over 13 years for its fighter pilots.

The following year, the Air Force launched a first-of-its-kind study: Pilot Training Next, or PTN.

The initiative, which emphasizes training in a virtual environment, assessed not only students' learning methods and ability to retain information, but also ways the Air Force can adapt and use futuristic technologies such as virtual reality and simulator training in its day-to-day training routine.

Last year, the service introduced "Undergraduate Pilot Training 2.5" at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, which advances the PTN experiment.

While UPT 2.5 is an offshoot of PTN, pilots begin their lessons faster. Instead of waiting to collect textbooks on the first day of training, students go online to access their curriculum -- months ahead of their first classroom experience. Other changes include how the Air Force gathers data on a student's progress, Wills said at the time.

AETC launched UPT 2.5 at Randolph on July 15, 2020. Wills told Military.com the program will initially apply to the mobility community and help the service phase out the T-1 Jayhawk at Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training locations between fiscal 2023 and 2025. SUPT teaches basic fundamentals of flying, airmanship, instrument knowledge, rules and regulations.

Last year, the service also introduced Helicopter Training Next, or HTN, with the same principles as PTN but geared toward helicopters.

The Air Force has not indicated whether the PTN and HTN programs, or its goal to phase out the T-1, will be altered because of the new RFIs.

More than 40 companies participated in last week's virtual event, according to the news release. AETC declined to name those taking part in the discussions.

When asked about AETC's potential outsource solutions, Gen. Mark Kelly, who as head of Air Combat Command oversees the fighter pilot community, said he is confident pilots will receive the same standard of training regardless of who conducts it.

"I know that AETC is going to proceed down a smart route," Kelly said during the annual Air Force Association Aerospace Warfare Symposium. "And they're going to maintain the quality of our aviators as they go through that."

The service previously cited ambitious goals to ramp up pilot training in order to produce 1,500 pilots a year by fiscal 2022. That number includes active-duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and international students, AETC officials said in 2018.

Some experts noted the 1,500-pilot goal was out of reach, especially in such a short timeframe.

"It's a system issue," Gene Colabatistto, then the group president for defense and security at CAE, a company that provides worldwide training and integration for civil and military aviation, told Military.com in 2019. He is now the president and CEO of General Aerospace Company.

"You have to attract people, and they want to become pilots in general," he said. "Otherwise ... you'll never succeed."

Wills said that fiscal responsibility is also playing a role in the Air Force's decision.

"Your United States government is very much interested in coming up with solutions that are advantageous to the taxpayer," he said in the release. "It is our goal to bring the very best that American industry brings to the table, and we are not convinced that we are the only people that have good ideas."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct how many pilots could be produced over a five-year period.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

Related: The Air Force Wants to Overhaul Pilot Training. But It Has to Win Over the Skeptics First
Keeping Up with the Kardashians star Kim Kardashian publicly wished her BFF La La Anthony's son Kiyan a happy 14th birthday on Sunday.

The 40-year-old reality star - who boasts 313.1M social media followers - gushed: 'Happy birthday Kiyan. We love you!'

Kim Instastoried two candid snaps of little Kiyan hanging out with her eldest child daughter North West.

'Til the wheels fall off': Keeping Up with the Kardashians star Kim Kardashian (R, pictured Thursday) publicly wished her BFF La La Anthony's (L) son Kiyan a happy 14th birthday on Sunday

Kardashian shared a funny snap of the seven-year-old aspiring rapper silencing Kiyan in a ball pit alongside her three-year-old sister Chicago.

The KKW Beauty/SKIMS CEO also posted pictures of Kiyan bonding with her five-year-old son Saint and 22-month-old son Psalm.

After staying up all night, Kiyan kicked off his special day cuddling with his dad, Portland Trail Blazers power forward Carmelo Anthony.

The not-so-typical teenager received a custom BCakeNY cake shaped like his Nike Air Jordan sneaker collaboration with his famous 36-year-old father.

'Happy birthday Kiyan. We love you!' The 40-year-old reality star Instastoried two candid snaps of little Kiyan hanging out with her eldest child daughter North West

Playing nicely: Kim shared a funny snap of the seven-year-old aspiring rapper silencing Kiyan in a ball pit alongside her three-year-old sister Chicago

'These two!' Kardashian also posted pictures of Kiyan bonding with her five-year-old son Saint (L) and 22-month-old son Psalm (R)

The future baller also got well wishes from his 'Auntie' Grammy-nominated rapper Foxy Brown, Grammy-winning R&B belter Ciara, and the late Kobe Bryant's widow Vanessa.

Meanwhile, Kim will likely keep their $60M Hidden Hills mansion in her third divorce from 21-time Grammy winner Kanye West, according to TMZ.

Kardashian filed for divorce from the 43-year-old rapper-designer on February 22 and she's seeking seeking joint and legal custody of their four children.

NBA family: After staying up all night, Kiyan kicked off his special day cuddling with his dad, Portland Trail Blazers power forward Carmelo Anthony

Custom: The not-so-typical teenager received a BCakeNY cake shaped like his Nike Air Jordan sneaker collaboration with his famous 36-year-old father

'Irreconcilable differences': Meanwhile, the KKW Beauty/SKIMS CEO will likely keep their $60M Hidden Hills mansion in her third divorce from 21-time Grammy winner Kanye West (pictured in late October)

For his record Jesus is King, Kanye will compete for the best contemporary christian music album trophy at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, which air March 14 on CBS.

The aspiring lawyer and her famous family will host the 20th (and final) season premiere of E! series Keeping Up with the Kardashians this Saturday at a Los Angeles drive-in.

On December 10, Kim and her fam signed a new multi-year global content deal with Hulu/Star, which starts streaming in late 2021.

'Reserve your ticket!' Kim and her famous family will host the 20th (and final) season premiere of E! series Keeping Up with the Kardashians this Saturday at a Los Angeles drive-in
This International Womens Day, the Think Before You Flush Campaign is celebrating women who are leading the fight against sewage-related litter that pollutes our oceans and damages our wastewater systems.

The Think Before You Flush campaign aims to highlight the impact of sanitary waste has on our natural and marine environment. It is run by Clean Coasts, a charity programme, run through the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce, which engages communities in the protection of Irelands beaches, seas and marine life, in partnership with Irish Water.

Today a series of interviews will be launched on the Clean Coasts social media channels, featuring interviews with four trailblazing Irish women who are tackling the problem of sewage-related litter and the single-use products that cause it. Theyll be sharing their journeys to date, what inspires them in their work, and sharing their advice for other women who want to take action.

Featuring Corkwoman Eileen Greene, Company Director at Mooncup. Eileen, originally from County Cork, is a true sustainability pioneer. Driven by her passion for environmental issues, she joined Mooncup Ltd in 2004.

As one of the founding members of the team she has contributed to the success of the worlds first silicone menstrual cup and the positive shift in the conversation around periods and re-usable products. Mooncup have seen an 165% increase in Irish sales over the past year, predominantly in the 18-24 year-old demographic.

Sheelin Conlon is an Entrepreneur who set up sustainable lifestyle store The Kind in 2018, after seeing first-hand the environmental devastation caused by plastic pollution while living in Asia.

The Kind curates beautifully designed, sustainable and ethically made goods that are both kind to you and kind to the planet and have recently opened a store on Dublins Fade St (which is closed under Level 5 restrictions). Sheelin stocks a huge range of reusable and plastic-free alternatives to some of the most commonly flushed single-use items.

Jean Hobbs is Project Manager for the Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade with Irish Water. Every single month, Irish Water clear in the region of 2,000 blockages from our wastewater systems. About 75 percent of these blockages are caused by inappropriate items such as wipes and sanitary products being flushed down the toilet.

Jean sees first-hand the impact of this at the Ringsend plant, which sees over 60 tonnes of wipes, sanitary products and other non-flushable items removed from the screens at the plant every month. Jean is project managing the upgrade of the plant which will be completed in 2025.

Elaine Doyle is Think Before You Flush Campaign Officer at Clean Coasts. Elaine has been working in the environmental sector for over 15 years, with experience ranging from manufacturing engineering to waste management to environmental education. Elaine has been the driving force behind Clean Coasts Think Before You Flush campaign since 2016, a behavioural change campaign educating people on what they can and cant flush down the toilet.

Speaking about the importance of the Think Before You Flush campaign and the Ringsend project, Jean Hobbs said: Having adequate wastewater treatment infrastructure is essential to safeguard the environment and to facilitate housing and commercial development.

"Irish Water is investing over 500 million in the upgrade of Ringsend wastewater treatment plant, the largest treatment plant in Ireland, treating 40% of Irelands wastewater load. The plant is operating over capacity; with average daily loads in the region of 1.9 million population. The upgrade will expand the capacity of plant to 2.4 million and is scheduled to be completed in 2025."

Jean continued: We all have a role to play in safeguarding our environment and wastewater infrastructure. In Ringsend we remove approximately 60 tonnes of wipes, sanitary products and other items from the screens at the inlet to the wastewater treatment plant every month. It is important to Think Before You Flush, only the 3 Ps; pee; poo and paper should be flushed down the toilet and everything else should go in the bin!

More information about the Think Before You Flush campaign can be found at www.thinkbeforeyouflush.org.
protesters marched in some of the countrys biggest cities, part of another nationwide strike to pressure the military to relinquish power after a February 1 coup.

Thousands of demonstrators hit the streets in Yangon and Mandalay, Myanmars biggest cities, as well as other cities to keep up momentum for the pro-democracy movement. In the southeastern city of Dawei, the Karen National Union Myanmars longest standing ethnic armed group  stood guard protecting protesters.

At least three deaths were reported by witnesses and local media outlets across the Southeast Asian nation Monday taking the death toll in the harsh crackdown on protesters to at least 64 since the coup. Two protesters died of bullet wounds in Myitkyina city in Kachin State and a 30-year-old man was shot dead in Pyapon of Ayeyarwady Region, news reports said. Police also cracked down on protests in Yangon and Mandalay.

Eighteen labour organisations working in jointly called for a nationwide work stoppage Monday in a bid to restore democracy after the military failed to recognize the November election win by detained leader Aung San Suu Kyis party.
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A Montgomery man has been sentenced to federal prison after he was found with drugs hidden in a 5-year-olds book bag.

Tawasaki Leonarda Williams, 35, was sentenced to more than six years for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to Middle District of Alabama Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. He pleaded guilty to the crimes in November and will have to serve three years of supervised release once his six-year sentence is up.

According to court documents, Montgomery police in February 2020 stopped a vehicle being driven by Williams after they saw him commit a traffic infraction. Once Williams was stopped, he was removed from the vehicle along with a 5-year-old girl who was sitting in the back seat.

During the stop, a K9 unit conducted a search around the vehicle and gave a positive alert, indicating narcotics were present in the car. Officers searched the vehicle and located a .45 caliber pistol under the drivers seat and a substantial quantity of drugs, including powder cocaine and numerous hydrocodone pills. The cocaine, pills and approximately $2,400.00 in cash were found in the little girls book bag, which had been sitting next to her on the seat. During a pat down of Williams, methamphetamine was found in his pocket.

During a subsequent search of his home in July 2020, authorities said, Williams was slow to answer the door. Officers could hear the sound of flushing or running water inside the home.

Once inside, they found more guns and drugs. Multiple children were also present in the home. Williams has multiple previous felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Charleston, WV (25301)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
The touring production of Hairspray will kick off its run in June 2021, it has been revealed.

Opening at Theatre Royal Plymouth (subject to the easing of restrictions) on 24 June 2021, the much-loved musical will head out to theatres across the UK.

Featuring music and lyrics by the Academy Award-winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, this production is directed by Paul Kerryson and have choreography by Drew McOnie. The full creative team and cast are still to be announced.

Hairspray the Musical is based on the 1988 film by John Waters and starred Divine and Ricki Lake. It tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a Baltimore schoolgirl in 1962 who is determined to follow her dreams and perform on national TV.

After Plymouth, the production will visit the following venues in 2021: Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, Manchester Palace Theatre, Sheffield Lyceum, Ipswich Regent Theatre, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Edinburgh Playhouse, The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, Brighton Theatre Royal, Birmingham Hippodrome, Leicester Curve, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Bord Gais Energy Theatre Dublin, Grand Opera House Belfast, New Victoria Theatre, Woking, Milton Keynes Theatre and Blackpool Grand Theatre. More dates are to be announced for 2022.

The show is not associated with the West End production, set to run at The London Coliseum.

Producer Mark Goucher said: "As the manager of Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham I am acutely aware that venues up and down the UK are crying out for shows. It is vital that we take the necessary steps to get performances going again. It is therefore a delight to be able to announce that two of my shows, under the guise of Mark Goucher Productions will be coming to a theatre near you from this summer. We will, of course, closely monitor all advice coming from the Government and if the start dates need to be delayed we have contingency plans in place to be able to move the starting venue for each show to one later in the tour schedule."

Plans for Priscilla have also been unveiled.
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A man alleged by residents of Ibarapa in Oyo State to be responsible for a series of kidnappings and killings in the area has been arrested.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Iskilu Wakili was arrested on Sunday by men of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and other local security groups.

The OPC said the arrest was carried out after several attempts resulting in a gun battle on Sunday morning.

Mr Wakili and his clan have been repeatedly blamed for various kidnappings and killings in the past.

But PREMIUM TIMES has been unable to independently verify their culpability in the crimes for which they are accused.

Details of Mr Wakilis identity is also sketchy. A PREMIUM TIMES reporter who visited the area in February was unable to access his enclave due to security concerns.

Confirming the arrest, the OPC leader, Gani Adams, said in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, that Mr Wakili has been handed to the police in Igbo Ora, Oyo State.

I am happy that the notorious kidnapper had been captured alongside three others, he said.

It is a good development and a positive signal to other criminal elements that the South-West is no longer an abode for bandits, kidnappers, and criminal herders.

I commend all the members of the joint security team that has made this possible because with the video at my disposal, it was purely a neat job.

With this development, I think the whole world will agree with me that the fight against insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry needs native intelligence, information gathering, and grassroots support from local securities and operatives.

As I have said earlier that the effort to rid the South-West of bandits and kidnappers was to complement the efforts of the police and in doing that, it is also very important for the police to support the local security operatives because they are always at the grassroots and they have their ears to the ground on local security matters.

In reaction to the development, a socio-political group, Afenifere, in a statement by its publicity secretary, Yinka Odumakin, said it gives tremendous commendation to OPC under Iba Gani Adams for the arrest of Iskilu Wakili, a Fulani bandit who has been spreading terror on our people in Igboho area and the Nigerian police and other security agencies unable to do anything about him.

We were not shocked that but for the intervention by the leadership in Oyo state, the police would have gone after the OPC boys instead of taking the criminal from them and do the needful. Nigeria is going nowhere with a security network that shuns federalism.

Olugbenga Fadeyi, the Oyo Police spokesperson, did not respond to calls and text messages as of the time of filing this report.

Mr Wakili or any family member could not be reached to comment for this report.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department said on Monday that it is too early to say how Afghan peace talks are going, but the United States believes this is a moment when progress is possible.

State Department spokesman Ned Price also told a regular news briefing that the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, would be based in Doha for some time.

"We have continued to encourage all sides to take part constructively and with a degree of alacrity, knowing that this is a moment in time where progress is possible," Price said. "We want to do everything we can to facilitate that progress, to support dialogue, the inter-Afghan dialogue between the various parties. Thats precisely why were there."

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Leslie Adler)
FutureOn, the global software company specialising in the energy sector has joined forces with McDermott to discuss how transformative digital twin technology will accelerate the energy transition. This will be presented at the 2021 Australasian Oil & Gas (AOG) Exhibition and Conference, taking place March 10-11 in Perth, WA.

A case study, which will be presented by Dr Subrata Bhowmik, a Senior Data Scientist at McDermott and Suba Rohrman, FutureOns Vice President of Asia Pacific, on March 10 at 11:30am, will form part of the highly anticipated Subsea Forum taking place at AOG.

The Subsea Forum, which is jointly hosted by the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT), Subsea Energy Australia (SEA) and Subsea UK, will see FutureOn and McDermott joined by Woodside, Chevron and Wood who will deliver presentations focused on the future of subsea, including digitisation, innovation and renewable energy.

Now in its 40th year, AOG connects the oil and gas supply chain with the worlds major operators by creating a platform for idea sharing and innovation. This year, AOG focuses on the future of clean energy with an emphasis on the latest technologies across renewables, hydrogen and emissions reduction.

FutureOn and McDermott will come together to present best practice and real-life examples of how digital field twin technology can support offshore hydrogen projects, allowing operators to visualise and compare different conceptual designs using either new or existing infrastructures.

This includes providing realistic cost assessments, infrastructure re-use feasibility assessments and wind farm design optimization, helping them identify the most appropriate concept.

As part of the presentation, McDermott will showcase a case study which highlights how FutureOns award-winning SaaS field design application, FieldAP, was used to support the development of a digital hydrogen cluster concept, which features various transportation options using green hydrogen. The concept marks a world-first when it comes to developing digital hydrogen clusters in a digital field twin, and is expected to play a significant role in accelerating the energy transition.

Rohrman, Vice President of Asia Pacific at FutureOn, said: Green hydrogen is an integral part of any nations roadmap for the net zero journey, and this must be underpinned by innovation if we are to truly capitalize on the opportunities on offer. Digital twin technologies can unlock significant value throughout the entire hydrogen chain from identifying areas for cost savings to reducing the environmental impact of the development.

We are very proud that McDermott has chosen to use FutureOns FieldAP technology solution to support the planning stage of a major green hydrogen project, and we are looking forward to sharing our insights and learnings with our peers at this years AOG, which is one of the most well attended energy events in the calendar each year.

By collaborating on pioneering solutions and low carbon projects, we can accelerate the energy transition as part of a future global industry worth trillions.

According to the Hydrogen Council, hydrogen could meet almost one-fifth of the worlds energy demands by 2050, if deployed at scale. That would reduce annual carbon emissions by roughly six gigatons compared to todays levels. Overall, it predicts the annual demand for hydrogen could increase ten-fold by 2050.

Last year, McDermott joined the Hydrogen Council, a CEO-led global initiative which brings together leading energy, transport and industrial companies with a united vision and long-term ambition for hydrogen to foster the energy transition. This saw McDermott form part of the councils Investor Group, which focuses on supporting major investment into large-scale commercialization of hydrogen solutions across industries world-wide. -- Tradearabia News Service
San Francisco, March 8 : Facebook-owned WhatsApp is working on a new password protection feature that will encrypt chat backups in Cloud, making them accessible only to the users.

WhatsApp chats are end-to-end encrypted but this protection currently doesn't apply to online backups stored on Google Drive and Apple iCloud.

WABetaInfo, a website that closely tracks WhatsApp updates in Beta, said on Monday that WhatsApp is working on cloud backups encryption.

"The chat database and media will be safe from unauthorised access when using a password. The password is private and it's not sent to WhatsApp. It will be available in a future build for iOS and Android," WABetaInfo said in a tweet.

The feature was spotted last year and now, it has been shared via screenshots.

"To prevent unauthorised access to your iCloud Drive backup, you can set a password that will be used to encrypt future backups. This password will be required when you restore from the backup," read the screenshots.

"The chat database is already encrypted now (excluding media), but the algorithm is reversible and it's not end-to-end encrypted. Local Android backups will be compatible with this feature," the report said.

The chat DB and media will be encrypted using a password that only you know.

The feature is being reported as WhatsApp is set to enforce a new privacy policy from May 15, which has alarmed people and the governments about data-sharing fears with the parent company Facebook.

WhatsApp was yet to make an official comment on the report.
BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty has revealed that she has tried to 'hide' her Asian heritage in the past in a bid to fit in.

The presenter, 46, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, has admitted she tried to distance herself from her Asian background during her younger years.

She told the BBC: 'I know what it's like to hide parts of my whole self, to play down my Asian heritage - it's difficult to acknowledge that I've done it, and hard to admit. Since I was young, I felt I needed to, so that I fitted-in more easily.'

BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty has revealed that she has tried to 'hide' her Asian heritage in the past in a bid to fit in. Pictured in 2019

Naga discussed how she first encountered racism as a seven-year-old, with the experience sticking with her ever since.

'I have experienced racism,' she said. 'You never forget the first time you hear that painful and distressing word. I was seven, when someone I thought was a friend at school, told me we could no longer hang out.

'They used the p-word, making clear the reason was because of the colour of my skin. The sense of shame was overwhelming.

'I was told I didn't belong when up until then I assumed I did. From that moment I knew I was seen as different. That first hurt never goes away.'

Hard to admit: She told the BBC, 'I know what it's like to hide parts of my whole self, to play down my Asian heritage - it's difficult to acknowledge that I've done it, and hard to admit'

Naga also revealed that her parents have experienced racism in the UK, saying: 'I grew up in south London.

'My dad was from Mauritius and my mum was from India. Both were nurses. They too received racial insults at work, including the p-word.'

And Naga can still vividly remember trying to hide her life at home from her classmates, as she said: 'I remember being paranoid about smelling of the curries my mum cooked when I was at school.'

Since becoming a prominent face of BBC Breakfast, Naga has also spoken about the abuse she's received online from viewers.

In 2016, Naga said she was 'not there to be abused' as she spoke out about the horrendous racial and sexist abuse she was bombarded with on Twitter.

Early experiences: Naga discussed how she first encountered racism as a seven-year-old, with the experience sticking with her ever since. Pictured in 2019

She said she accepted that criticism is part of her role in the public eye but will always call out those who are simply abusive.

Previous tweets have claimed the award-winning journalist is only employed at the BBC for her ethnicity, but have also criticised her hair, glasses and even made distasteful sexual remarks.

She previously told the Daily Mirror: 'Im on telly, Im in your home, so if you want to criticise me, fine. But Im not there to be abused. Nobody is there to be abused.

'You dont abuse someone while theyre doing their job, and you dont make racist, sexist or bigoted comments.

'If someone says, "She did a bad job of that interview, Ive come away and not understood anything", I would go back and re-examine that interview. Racist and sexist stuff, I just think, "Youre an idiot."'

Naga is the second longest-serving member of the current presenting team, having joined the show in 2009, before becoming a main presenter in 2014.
Hyderabad, March 8 : With campaigning on at full swing for the two graduate MLC constituencies that go to polls on March 8, the opposition Congress party has accused the ruling TRS of intimdating voters.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Monday, Telangana Congress president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that TRS leaders are forcing voters to swear that they will vote only for the ruling party candidates.

Stating that such tactics are illegal, Reddy said that they would submit video evidence to the election commission, and demand stern action. "Failure to act would raise suspicions," he said.

Reddy claimed that a Congress victory in the two constituencies would force the TRS government in the state, and BJP-led government at the centre, to solve problems faced by Telangana's graduates.

Recalling the horrific daylight murder of a lawyer couple recently in the state, the Congress leader demanded to know why Brahmins should vote for the ruling party.
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PHOENIX  An Arizona state trooper shot and wounded a woman who intentionally struck the trooper with her SUV while he chased another person on foot, the Department of Public Safety said Saturday.

The incident occurred at about 3 a.m. near an exit from Interstate 17 where the trooper attempted to stop a sedan traveling at over 100 mph (171 kph), a DPS statement said.

The sedans driver got out and ran after getting off the freeway, speeding through a traffic light, losing control and spinning out, the DPS said.

After an SUV then struck the trooper as he ran after the cars driver, that person got into the SUV and it began driving away, the DPS said.

The DPS said the trooper was in fear for his life when he shot the SUV driver.

Phoenix police located the SUV and its wounded driver nearby but the car driver remained at large, the DPS said.

The woman was hospitalized for treatment of serious gunshot injuries and the trooper was being treated for injuries not considered life-threatening, the DPS said.

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The Nabdam Deputy District Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the Upper East Region, Mr Dominic Kulkong, has been shot dead when a group of three armed men carried a robbery operation at the Pelungu market.



The incident occurred on Saturday, February 27, 2021. The Director, 31, had reportedly gone with another person on a motorbike to transact business around a Mobile Money outlet in the area when the incident occurred.



The Public Affairs Officer of the Upper East Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr David Fianko-Okyere, who confirmed the incident to Graphic Online at Bolgatanga on Friday, March 5, 2021, said the deceased, together with another man were on a motorbike when one of the suspected robbers ordered them to turn off the motorbike engine and lie on the ground but when the deceased attempted to flee the scene with the motorbike, the robbers shot him dead.



Incident



ASP Fianko-Okyere explained that at about 7:00pm on that fateful day, police received a call that there had been a robbery incident at around the Pelungu market.



The robbers who were using an unregistered Apsonic motorbike for their robbery allegedly attacked a Mobile money shop and Mobile phone dealership shop in the same vicinity both owned by a teacher whose name has been withheld for security reasons.



A police patrol team which has been deployed to mount surveillance on the area was then returning to the area after depositing a body at the mortuary of the Regional Hospital at Bolgatanga.



The Public Affairs Officer stated that the body deposited at the morgue was in connection with a case of unnatural death which the police were investigating and so after that assignment the patrol team proceeded to the Pelungu crime scene.



At the scene, the patrol team were informed that the robbers had fled the scene after they succeeded in attacking the two shops and made away with 10 assorted mobile phones and a cash amount of GH750.



PEGAS RANA MOTTORS

Modus Operandi



ASP Fianko-Okyere revealed that when the robbers stormed the two shops they told the vendor(the teacher) that they wanted to withdraw an amount of GH3,000 but the vendor, sensing danger told the robbers he did not have such an amount in his wallet to withdraw for them.



The Vendor then told the robbers he was calling another mobile money vendor to help by sending the money to his wallet. The robbers agreed and they sat down waiting patiently for the transaction to be completed so that they can have their money.



However, the vendor decided to use an exit door and escaped home while the unsuspecting robbers were still waiting for their money.



When the vendor got to his house, his neighbours told him that a group of suspected robbers had come looking for him in his house.



The vendor then asked his children to lock all the doors to the house and he left but on his way he met the robbers going back to look for him at his house but the robbers could not identify him.



When the robbers saw that going to the vendor's house had become a wild goose chase, they returned to the vendor's shops again and a short while after, two unsuspecting customers, one of them the deceased, came to transact business at the mobile money vendor's shops.



They met the robbers waiting at the two shops they had earlier attacked and they ordered the customers including the deceased to turn off their engine and lie on the ground but the deceased refused to take the order while the other customer obeyed.As the deceased decided to flee on the motor bike they were using the robbers shot him and he died instantly.



The body of the deceased has since been released to the family for burial.





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.

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60 million EBRD loan to support one of Turkeys leading food retailers, Migros

Greening stores and hiring more women part of existing growth strategy

Migros is a long-standing EBRD client in Turkey and Kazakhstan

One of Turkeys leading food retailers, Migros, will expand its operations using a 60 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The company is aiming to increase efforts to employ a gender-balanced workforce and further enhance the energy efficiency of its store network with the new EBRD financing.

Migros operates in 81 Turkish provinces, through a network of 2,286 food retail stores under the Migros, Migros Jet, 5M and Macrocenter banners. The company has been committed to creating more career prospects for women and has fully integrated sustainability into its operations.

The EBRD loan will support Migros to develop and implement an equal opportunities action plan, which will set out gender-responsible recruitment strategies and open up more job opportunities for women. The retailer is planning to hire over 2,000 women to fill new positions created as a result of burgeoning demand for grocery shopping.

In order to meet customer demand boosted by the coronavirus pandemic, and in line with its sustainability strategy, the company aims to open new stores and refurbish others, to embed renewable energy systems and energy-saving technologies. Migros will also work with the EBRD to reduce the environmental footprint of its private label products.

Greening the local economy is one of the Banks main goals in Turkey. The EBRD is committed to providing funds and policy support that will help Turkey cope with the coronavirus crisis and use the current situation to tilt to green decisively.

Migros is a long-standing client of the EBRD in Turkey and Kazakhstan.

The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Turkey and to date has invested almost 13 billion in the country through 334 projects, with 95 per cent of these in the private sector. In 2020 the Bank responded to the Covid-19 pandemic by stepping up its financing in the country to 1.7 billion from 1.0 billion in 35 projects in 2019.
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New Delhi, March 9 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a jibe at his once close friend and former party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, saying "who earlier was counted among 'decision makers' in his former party, now only gets to enjoy from the back seat as a spectator ever since he crossed over to saffron pastures and will never be able to become the Chief Minister there".

The former Congress chief's remarks came during the two-day national executive meeting of the Indian Youth Congress here.

According to party sources, Rahul Gandhi said that he used to tell Scindia "to work hard, so that he could be a Chief Minister one day. But now he is a backbencher in BJP".

"He (Scindia) had decision making powers in our party and he always remained with me. But he left the party and joined the BJP, and look where he is sitting today. He is sitting among the backbenchers," a source quoted Gandhi as saying.

The source added that Rahul Gandhi also said that Scindia will never be able to become a Chief Minister while staying in BJP.

"Accept the fact that he will never be made the Chief Minister in the BJP. He will have to come back to Congress to become a Chief Minister," Gandhi was quoted by the source.

Scindia was one of the Congress leaders who could call on Rahul Gandhi at any point of time. He had a free pass to the former Congress President's home. However, Scindia left the party in March last year, orchestrating the collapse of the Kamal Nath-led government in Madhya Pradesh.

Scindia has been made a Rajya Sabha member by the BJP. He had lost the 2019 Lok Sabha polls to K.P. Singh Yadav despite contesting from his traditional seat of Guna, which was considered a family bastion of the Scindias in Madhya Pradesh.

In his resignation letter to the party on March 9 last year, Scindia had said that he was unable to work in the party and Sonia Gandhi had the knowledge of the same.

To a question by a youth leader about turncoats who have returned to the party fold, the source quoted Gandhi as saying, "The Congress is like a sea. Here everyone following the ideology of the party are welcome. And those who do not follow the ideology of the party can leave anytime." When pressed hard on how turncoats returned to top posts in the party, Rahul Gandhi asserted that they had to work really hard to return to the high posts.

After the Youth Congress meet, Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "Met with IYC colleagues and discussed national issues. At every step, we have to wage a non-violent struggle against the RSS mentality - so that India's diversity and culture does not come under fire."

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
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Accident forgiveness will prevent premiums get expensive after the first at fault accident, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that explains how drivers can keep their car insurance rates low by accessing accident forgiveness plans.

For more info and free car insurance quotes online, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/accident-forgiveness-can-help-you-save-money-on-your-car-insurance/

Drivers can prevent their premium rates to increase following an at-fault accident by purchasing accident forgiveness.

Accident forgiveness is an optional coverage that will help drivers to keep their car insurance rates low if they caused an accident. Not every car insurance company offers this coverage, so its important for drivers to check if their insurer offers this option.

Depending on the severity of the accident and their driving record, causing an accident can make policyholder's premium rates go up by as much as 50%. In order to avoid this thing to happen, some insurance companies offer the accident forgiveness option. Usually, this coverage will make sure policyholder's premium rates stay the same after their first at-fault accident.

Accident forgiveness programs vary a lot from one insurance company to another. Also, accident forgiveness is not offered in every state. Some companies will offer accident forgiveness automatically when policyholders renew their auto policy, while others will offer accident forgiveness as an option for drivers to purchase. There are several insurance companies that will offer accident forgiveness for free for those loyal customers that maintained a cleaned driving record for several years.

Depending on the insurer, the accident forgiveness policy will forgive the policyholder for a single at-fault accident that happened once in a period that ranges from one year to three years, or for multiple at-fault accidents that happened in the same period. Also, if it happens that the policyholder gets involved in an accident while he is covered by accident forgiveness, and he does not follow up that that accident with other accidents, the policyholder premium rates can drop by as much as $100 every year if he maintains a clean driving record.

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.
Apple is expected to announce the AirTags, the 2021 iPad Pro lineup, third-gen AirPods, and new M1 iMacs this month. The latest rumors suggest the company could be holding an event on March 23 to unveil these products.

Apple does tend to hold press events in March to announce new products. Last year was an exception as the company simply launched the 2020 iPad Pro lineup via a press release due to the coronavirus outbreak. Like all the other events that Apple held in 2020, though, the one in March will also likely be a virtual one with no physical press briefings and product interaction planned.

Incidentally, OnePlus is also holding an event on March 23 to announce its OnePlus 9 series of smartphones.

23  Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) March 8, 2021

Apple is heavily rumored to announce the third-gen. AirPods sooner than later. The iPad Pro lineup is also expected to get a refresh featuring a mini-LED display and 5G connectivity, among other improvements. Apple has discontinued selling the iMac Pro, and most variants of the 21.5-inch iMac are not in stock, which hints at an impending iMac refresh as well. Rumors, however, suggest Apple will launch new iMacs towards the second half of this year.

AirTags are rumored to launch every time Apple is expected to hold a press event. Reports have suggested that Apple has pushed back the release of the AirTags as it believes the time is not right to launch the product. Thus, the AirTags may end up being a no-show in Apples March event and are announced later this year alongside the iPhone 12s series.

If Apple is indeed planning on holding an event on March 23, the company should send out virtual invites to the media out within the next few days.

We Want to Hear From You

Are you looking forward to Apple announcing the third-gen. AirPods and the 2021 iPad Pro lineup? Drop a comment and let us know!
Private enterprises do not need money but institutional support to enjoy a stable and safe business environment, bringing them equality and respect.

Experts discuss solutions to promote private sector development.  VNS Photo

Vu Tien Loc, Chairman of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), made the statement at a conference held in the northern province of Quang Ninh on Friday.

Creating a transparent and equal investment environment among business sectors is always an important issue when discussing the disadvantages of the private sector, especially in accessing important resources such as the labour market, business rights and information.

After more than three years of implementation of Resolution 10, private businesses have become more protected. At the same time, there is also a better playing field for the sector when participating in economic fields. The private firms therefore have contributed to the economy as they attract about 85 per cent of the countrys total workforce while contribution to GDP is always over 43 per cent. Meanwhile, the contribution to GDP of the State economic sector and foreign direct investment (FDI) sector are 29 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively.

However, Loc said that domestic companies in many localities are not as highly appreciated as foreign firms despite creating value and jobs.

Many private businesses also said that when localities called for FDI, they commit to provide site clearance and are ready to be fined if they fail to meet the schedule as foreign investors often have high requirements. However, for domestic enterprises with even larger size than foreign companies, there is no such commitment, he added.

The chairman added that the private economic sector in Vietnam has not only 8,000 businesses, but over 6 million, including business households. The first priority should be improving their quality, scale, efficiency and competitiveness not quantity. The entrepreneurs desire is to have an environment for domestic businesses for their self-relianance and development.

Sharing the idea, Tran Dinh Thien, former director of the Vietnam Economics Institute, said the FDI sector contributes 20 per cent of GDP but accounts for 70 per cent of the total import-export turnover. This could be an issue as FDI firms could enjoy most trade benefits from the countrys efforts in international integration.

Vietnams approach to business development must be revised. We need to rely on domestic capacity, based on domestic economic forces and consider the private economy as an important driving force. Private enterprises must be Vietnamese enterprises. If we follow the spirit of the Party and consider the private economy as an important driving force, the economy will grow even more, he said.

By studying economic development in some countries, we realise that the large corporations of South Korea account for about 50-60 per cent of GDP. If Vietnam could build such businesses, they could lead strong economic development, being the wings for Vietnam to take off, said Vu Thanh Thang, Vice Chairman of Bkav Group.

He also proposed to choose outstanding enterprises with good competitiveness in technology; creating an environment for businesses to boom, in which capital, human resources, markets and policies are particularly important. Once there are products with a high localisation rate, the Government needs to create a springboard for this product to be popular and strongly developed in Vietnam before reaching the global market.

Pham Dinh Doan, chairman of Phu Thai Group agreed, saying that there is a large proportion of small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam, but a lack of leading enterprises. The reason is that many units cannot be transparent and share their business activities, and it is difficult to accompany development.

The Government needs to have a coherent plan for businesses to thrive in the next five to 20 years. In particular, there should be a policy to limit the number of units participating in some professions to avoid wasting resources, he said.

Huong Tran Kieu Dung, vice chairwoman of FLC Group, said in addition to construction planning, infrastructure and human resources, the prerequisite factor to attract eagles as well as promote the strong development of investors is the behaviour and interaction between local authorities and businesses.

If businesses receive a sincere welcome from the local government, they will feel sympathetic and secure when making investment. Investors always want to invest in a locality in the long term. Therefore, businesses are interested in how the investment process will be handled by the locality. This depends on the transparency in the direction of each province, Dung said. VNS

Vietnam lacks large private corporations Vietnam has a number of large private corporations of international stature over the last 30 years of development. But the number of these enterprises is very modest.
MANSFIELD  State police ticketed three people after officials say they violated COVID-19 restrictions when they hosted a party with over 100 people near the University of Connecticut campus.

Troopers were sent to a home on the 100 block of Birch Road around 11:24 p.m. on a complaint of a large, loud party, state police said.

When troopers arrived, they found a party and later saw 150 to 200 students leave the home, according to state police. No PPE, such as mask wearing, or social distancing were adhered to during this large party, state police said.

The three people who got the tickets  which were for violating an executive order prohibiting holding gatherings of that size  were renters who said they held the gathering, state police said.

Under current restrictions from the state, private gatherings in homes are capped at 10 people.

The home is about a mile away from UConns Storrs campus.

The University has not yet received information about this incident from the Connecticut State Police, including names of those individuals who were issued the infractions, wrote Eleanor JB Daugherty, UConns dean of students and student affairs associate vice president, in a statement sent by a university spokesperson Sunday.

Receiving this information will enable the University to determine whether or not those cited are UConn students, the statement continued. If they are, the University will address this incident through the student conduct process.
Shares of oil & gas companies were in focus on Monday after Brent crude prices hit their highest level since January, 2020. Besides, amid improved outlook and expectation of higher crude oil prices going forward, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and (India) surged up to 7 per cent and hit their respective 52-week highs on the BSE in the intra-day trade.

The oil prices were at their highest levels in more than a year after Yemen's Houthi forces fired drones and missiles at the heart of Saudi Arabia's oil industry on Sunday, raising concerns about production. Brent climbed $1.09 a barrel to $70.45, while US crude rose $1.08 to $67.17 per barrel. The crude oil price also jumped on optimism about the demand outlook as the global economy recovers.

"The recent rebound in crude oil prices has been driven by gradual recovery in global economy and thereby, improving demand for crude oil even as it remains below pre-Covid levels," analysts at Kotak Securities said in sector report.

A stringent compliance to the targeted curtailment in production by OPEC+ cartel OPEC countries has been more than fully compliant in recent months as select nations compensated for the earlier under-compliance.

Moreover, compliance by non-OPEC countries has also remained just under 100 per cent, while temporary reduction in US oil production by around 1 mn b/d in the recent weeks due to the deep freeze conditions, and general optimism on world economic environment post encouraging progress on vaccination programs are contributing towards gains in oil prices, the brokerage firm said.

Among the individual stocks, (India) surged 7 per cent to Rs 157.95 in the intra-day trade on the back of heavy volumes. Analysts prefer as a hedge against higher crude prices as the company benefits from an increase in profitability of LPG production and LNG marketing segments.

That apart, shares of rallied 6 per cent to Rs 122.30, while Oil India gained 5 per cent to Rs 133.50 on the BSE. According to a CNBC TV18 report, foreign brokerage firm JP Morgan maintains 'overweight' rating on with target price of Rs 190 per share. The brokerage firm builds in $60/bbl Brent price v/s $50/bbl earlier. EPS estimates raised by 46 per cent/32 per cent for FY22/23.
During a March 2 news conference on the covid-19 pandemic, President Joe Biden claimed that former President Donald Trump's administration did not ensure there would be enough vaccines for the American public.

"When I came into office, the prior administration had contracted for not nearly enough vaccine to cover adults in America," said Biden. "We rectified that."

Biden then announced he was using the Defense Production Act to facilitate a partnership between two competing drug companies: Merck had agreed to help manufacture the recently authorized Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The move, he said, would accelerate the timeline for the availability of vaccines: "We're now on track to have enough vaccine supply for every adult in America by the end of May," he said, two months earlier than he had previously projected.

It's been a common political message since the Biden administration took office that the initial vaccine rollout under Trump was "chaotic." PolitiFact previously rated a claim by Biden's chief of staff, Ron Klain, that the Trump administration left no vaccine plan behind as Mostly False.

So, we thought it was important to check whether Biden was going too far in alleging that the Trump administration hadn't contracted for enough vaccines to cover the American public. Let's see what the contracts, which are public documents, say.

The Operation Warp Speed contracts and FDA's process

As part of Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration entered into contracts with multiple drugmakers. The contracts were generally signed while potential vaccines were still in clinical trials.

Experts told us this was smart because the Trump administration didn't know which vaccines from which drugmakers would work, how effective they would be or how quickly they could be produced.

"That was the whole approach of Operation Warp Speed," said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. "Not knowing which one would cross the finish line, the Trump administration took a portfolio approach and invested in multiple vaccines."

Here's what the Trump team's contracts called for drugmakers to supply to the U.S. government:

Pfizer-BioNTech: 100 million doses (two-dose regimen)

Moderna: 100 million doses (two-dose regimen)

Johnson & Johnson: 100 million doses (one-dose regimen)

AstraZeneca: 300 million doses (two-dose regimen)

Novavax: 100 million doses (two-dose regimen)

Sanofi-GlaxoSmithKline: 100 million doses (one- or two-dose regimen)

In all, the amounts agreed to under these contracts total about 800 million vaccine doses, or enough for more than 400 million people.

The U.S., based on U.S. Census estimates, has around 328 million people, of whom about 255 million are 18 or older. (Vaccines are not yet authorized for children.)

So, it appears that the Trump administration's contracts with drugmakers did cover enough doses to vaccinate the entire U.S. adult population  and then some. By that measure, Biden's statement is inaccurate.

An important point to remember, though, is that these contract numbers don't necessarily represent deliverable vaccines. The contracts represent early promises. There were still important hurdles to be cleared before these possible vaccine candidates could be a reality.

Kevin Gilligan, a senior consultant with Biologics Consulting, a firm focused on pharmaceuticals, said that once drugmakers develop a vaccine they must test it through clinical trials with humans and amass enough data to show the vaccines are safe and effective and cause minimal side effects.

The data is then presented to the Food and Drug Administration, which decides whether the vaccine should be authorized for emergency use. Granting an emergency use authorization means the vaccine can then be distributed to the public.

Until recently, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were the only two that had reached that point, gaining authorization on Dec. 11 and 18 respectively.

The Trump administration announced Dec. 23 that it would buy an additional 200 million doses in total of both companies' vaccines.

A caveat worth noting: The real numbers were lower

A Biden administration press official told KHN that the president was referring only to orders for the authorized vaccines: "When the Trump administration was in office, there were only two approved vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) and the Trump administration had not contracted for enough of them to vaccinate all Americans. They only had 400 million doses of these authorized vaccines, which is only enough for 200 million Americans. Upon coming into office, one of our first steps was to ensure that we had enough supply secured for every American. We were prepared from Day One."

On this point, the Biden White House is correct. The U.S. government had in place agreements to buy 400 million doses of the authorized vaccines, which were both two-dose vaccines  not enough for the entire U.S. adult population.

It's also true that five days after Biden became president, he announced his administration had reached agreements with Moderna and Pfizer to buy a combined additional 200 million doses. That purchase was finalized on Feb. 11 and brought the total U.S. supply to 600 million, or enough to vaccinate 300 million people.

In addition, on Feb. 27, Johnson & Johnson's vaccine was authorized for emergency use. Under the Operation Warp Speed contract, J&J is supposed to provide 100 million doses to the U.S. by the end of May, but the company is reportedly behind on production. The Biden administration's move to get J&J to team up with Merck to achieve its production goal will increase vaccine supply.

But, is it fair for Biden to blame the Trump administration for not buying more of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines once they became authorized for emergency use?

The answer to that isn't clear-cut, said the experts.

"It's not totally fair to say the prior administration didn't purchase enough, since they did move to purchase more doses after the vaccine was authorized," said Jennifer Kates, senior vice president and director of global health and HIV policy at KFF. "I think the question is should they have purchased it earlier?"

The New York Times reported on Dec. 7 that before Pfizer's covid vaccine was shown to be highly effective in clinical trials, the company had offered the U.S. government the option to buy additional doses, but the Trump administration declined. Former Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar disputed the news report, saying during a TV interview that Pfizer hadn't agreed to a production amount or delivery time for the additional vaccine, so he couldn't agree to the deal: "Im certainly not going to sign a deal with Pfizer giving them $10 billion to buy vaccine that they could deliver to us five, 10 years hence. That doesnt make any sense."

James Love, director of Knowledge Ecology International, a nongovernmental organization that obtained copies of covid government contracts, agreed that once it was clear the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were likely to receive FDA authorization, the Trump administration could have taken action to make competing drug companies increase their vaccine manufacturing capacity in the way Biden did with Merck and J&J.

"The U.S. could have forced technology transfer between companies, which meant they would have been assured of additional vaccine manufacturing capacity," said Love. "The agreements we have now about scaling manufacturing are coming pretty late actually. It takes several months to get stuff up and running."

But Gilligan noted that the Biden administration had the advantage of hindsight. "Biden inherited the success of vaccine development done under Trump and then expanded on it," said Gilligan. "And the Biden administration has the benefit of looking back at what was done well and what wasn't and making the appropriate corrective changes. Hindsight is 20/20."

Overall, there are questions around whether the Trump administration could have acted more quickly to buy doses or increase vaccine manufacturing capacity. And the Biden administration has certainly taken significant measures to expand supplies.

But it's stretching the truth to say the Trump administration hadn't contracted for enough covid vaccines to inoculate the U.S. adult population.

Our ruling

Biden said the Trump administration "had contracted for not nearly enough vaccine to cover adults in America."

While Trump was still in office, his administration had agreements in place to buy 400 million doses of authorized vaccine, or enough to inoculate about 200 million people. That wouldn't cover the U.S. adult population.

However, KHN-PolitiFact reviewed the Trump administrations Operation Warp Speed contracts and found those included enough vaccine doses that, once cleared for use by the FDA, would inoculate about 550 million people  more than double the U.S. adult population.

Biden's statement contains an element of truth but ignores facts that would give a different impression.

We rate this claim Mostly False.
NOVI SAD, Serbia (Reuters) - Almost a year after they admitted Serbia's first COVID-19 patient, women doctors and nurses at the Clinical Center hospital in the northern city of Novi Sad are still at the frontline in the fight against the disease.

Instead of a traditional International Women's Day party, a legacy from the decades of communist rule, they spent most of their working day on Monday treating severely ill people.

The risk of catching the disease which has killed 150 doctors and nurses in Serbia is great and their work is physically and psychologically demanding.

"Emotions are involved in treating patients, especially when they are fully conscious and scared," nurse Maja Cvjetkovic told Reuters. "Sometimes we sing to them."

In Serbia, which has a population of 7 million and a nationwide vaccination programme, 4,562 people have died from COVID-19 and 485,439 have tested positive for the virus, according to official data.

Despite the inoculations, case numbers in Serbia are rising again, with around 4,000 new infections daily.

Long hours among very sick people have affected the private lives of medical staff and the hospital walls are decorated with drawings of their children.

"It affected my private life and private lives of others, we sometimes comment that we have became anti-social," said Natasa Gocic Peric, a doctor.

Although the rights of women in traditionally patriarchal Serbia have improved since the country sought to join the EU in the early 2000s, they are still fighting discrimination, home violence, a gender pay gap, sexism and misogyny.

"The burden of this pandemic fell on ... women. We are just as capable, hardworking and ready to share the burden of the development of Serbia," Gordana Comic, Serbia's Minister for Minority Rights, told reporters in Belgrade.

(Reporting by Fedja Grulovic and Marko Djurica in Novi Sad; Writing by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Ed Osmond)
The second edition of India- joint military exercise "Dustlik-2" started on Monday at Chaubatia in Uttarakhand, the Defence Ministry said.

The first edition of the joint military exercise had taken place in Tashkent in November 2019.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's office said on Twitter, "The 2nd edition of India- military Exercise starts from today at Chaubatia, This Exercise is an important milestone in growing cooperation between the armies of both the countries."



Singh "extends his best wishes for the success of 'Dustlik-2'," it added.

Around 45 military personnel of armies of both the countries are participating in Dustlik-2, said senior Indian military officials.

The focus of this joint exercise would be on counter-terrorism, they noted.

(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.)
Jammu, Mar 8 (UNI) In the wake of drive launched by the government against illegal immigrants (Rohingyas) settled in Jammu, National Conference president and Member Parliament, Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday said that India must abide by the United Nation charter to deal with the crisis.

We know the situation in their land and India is a signatory to the UN charter on refugees and we should abide by it and work on humanitarian grounds, Dr Abdullah said while speaking at a function organized on International Womens Day here at the party headquarters.

Nobody can settle here without the permission of the Government of India, he said and urged the party workers to remain cautious against any false propaganda on the issue.
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TUSCOLA COUNTY  As coronavirus vaccination efforts continue to ramp up in the Upper Thumb and across the state, the Tuscola County Health Department announced a case of the "UK variant" was identified in Tuscola County recently.

According to a press release from the health department, the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7, which is thought to have emerged from the United Kingdom, was detected in the 48723 zip code, which includes Caro and several other communities in Tuscola County. The zip code has a combined population of approximately 12,000 people.

"The case is associated with the zip code of 48723 no other information can be released due to the privacy of the individual," the press release reads. "In this case there was no identified travel."

Health officials across the country have expressed concerns regarding coronavirus variants, which have shown an increased ability to be transmitted.

"This variant is concerning because it is associated with increased transmissibility," the release reads. "Compared to the wild-type virus, the B.1.1.7 variant is approximately 50 percent more transmissible, leading to faster spread of the virus and potentially increasing numbers of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Therefore, additional levels of public health intervention are required once the variant has been identified."

According to the health department, public health officials are in a race against the virus in an attempt to vaccinate the population before the numbers surge and spiral out of control.

"Public health mitigation measures aimed to minimize the impact of this variant strain in our communities include the following recommendations," the release reads. "When evaluating a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case or a contact with any possible epidemiologic links to a confirmed variant case, variant infection is assumed -- an assumption that requires immediate and decisive action involving case isolation, identification of all possible contacts, and quarantine."



 The collection of all travel, exposure, and contact information during case investigations is critical in evaluating risk of variant infection.

 Strictly enforce isolation and quarantine protocols

 During the isolation of B.1.1.7 variant infections and the quarantine of associated contacts, enhanced monitoring, including twice daily check-ins, is strongly advised. Cases and close contacts are educated about the increased risk of transmission with the variant strain.

 There is strict enforcement and assurance of full 14-day quarantine period with monitoring, regardless of the symptom status of any close contacts of possible variant infections.

According to the health department, as with all coronavirus cases, health officials use active efforts to identify all possible contacts of the cases and includes the consideration to expand the infectious period based on symptoms and testing. Public health officials utilize the following infectious spread mitigation practices:

 Emphasize testing in affected areas

 Expand testing capacity in areas where the variant has been detected.

 Work closely with affected communities on messaging around testing.

 Actively work to obtain testing for exposed individuals, particularly those that are known to have been exposed to the variant strain.

 Promote submission of isolates for genetic sequencing

 Promote testing of individuals who have traveled out of Michigan in last 14 days, especially to areas in which the new variants are widely circulating. This should be emphasized in all regions, even those in which the variant has not yet been identified. (Spring break is upon us please consider testing when you return from your vacation)

"As always please remain diligent in your wearing of masks, social distancing of the six feet, and frequent hand washing," the release reads. "If you have any cold or sinus like symptoms please seek testing, even the mild symptoms can be COVID-19. Please helps us stop the spread of this infection."
T

he XTC gang used sex workers as young as 19 as scapegoats to evade tough wildlife-hunting laws, and potato sacks to smuggle their pangolin scales, while running an enormous poaching ring which earned them enough to live a comfortable life, according to The Independents charity partner Freeland.

Beyond the lurid killings of already-endangered animals, they claim vulnerable women were also lured into a scheme which cost them their freedom and enabled corruption to take place at all levels of enforcement.

According to Freeland, the gang started their trade in the 1990s, creating companies under the guise of legitimate businesses.

Tucked away in Laos and Vietnam, the set of companies were created under a conglomerate with powerful political connections, and helped feed the brisk demand for exotic creatures in southeast Asia.

Most of them traded species from South Africa, Mozambique, Uganda and nearby countries.

Stop the Illegal Wildlife Trade We are working with conservation charities Space for Giants and Freeland to protect wildlife at risk from poachers due to the conservation funding crisis caused by Covid-19. Help is desperately needed to support wildlife rangers, local communities and law enforcement personnel to prevent wildlife crime. Donate to help Stop the Illegal Wildlife Trade HERE

Although some of these companies conducted some level of lawful business related to their publicly advertised registration, such as agriculture production, sales and food services, Freeland claims the bulk of their operations were in fact illegal.

It was the industrial-scale harvest of the pangolin for its meat and scales, and the murder of the Rhino for its horns and their supposed medicinal benefits, that allegedly funded the lifestyles of the syndicate.

Each Rhino horn can yield roughly 35,000, and Freeland says the kingpins, including Boonchai Bach, Chumlong Lemtongthai and Vixay Keosavang, earned millions from operations.

Some members of the gang also ran trades in Vietnam, in units just across the border from the impoverished city of Laos, where the illegal wildlife trade has thrived as a result of corruption and a lack of regulations, according to conservation organisation Globalteer.

Speaking to The Independent from his London home, private investigator Paul OSullivan, who helped take down wildlife trafficker Lemtongthai and investigated claims of trafficking, said many of the women involved were simply victims.

OSullivan believes that the women were hired by Lemtongthai to pose as trophy hunters, obtain legal export certificates from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and ship the horns to Laos via Thailand, where a set would eventually fetch up to $250,000 (180,000) when sold to major dealers and collectors.

These people, they look for other loopholes. Its like a moving target. Theyre continuously looking for ways of exploiting the weaknesses in the system and thats what they did there. They exploited the weaknesses.

( )

They bribed officials to issue the hunting permits. Those bribed officials, for reasons best known to the northwest provincial government, were never taken to task and got away with it, he claimed.

South African hunting laws permit a hunter to shoot only one rhino per year, and investigators believe this is what led the network to seek out the women.

Once permits were issued, it is claimed Lemtongthai and his team drove women to a game farm where the shooting would take place; the woman would then be made to stand with the dead rhino and a rifle for an official photograph.

A nature conservation official would be present for the hunt to measure the horns once removed and place the relevant details in the register.

Lemtongthai was at first believed by many to be the kingpin of an international rhino-horn smuggling ring, and investigators were tracking his intensive smuggling operations out of South Africa in the general direction of Asia.

But on the other side of the ocean, countertrafficking NGO Freeland had been tracking the real kingpin, the man they believe Lemtongthai was working for: Vixay Keosavang, a former Lao military intelligence officer-cum-businessman.

The Independent has been unable to reach Vixay Keosavang to verify their claims.

Claims of sex workers trafficked to South Africa

The Independent has been given exclusive access to the transcripts of interviews with the sex workers rescued during the investigations that led to Lemtongthais arrest.

One woman who grew up in Thailand, who weve named as Kaoi to protect her identity, detailed her experience in a series of notes.

She wrote: The reason I have to be in South Africa is because it is difficult to get a job and earn enough money, however coming to South Africa is worse. I met a Thai mamasan [a female brothel-operator] in South Africa who treats Thai women badly.

The young woman wrote this letter in 2012 to warn others flying to South Africa of the dangers they may come across.

She said when she refused to work in a Thai brothel she was sold to a foreign man for R19,000 (900), who shipped her to South Africa and had her passport confiscated.

The mamasan added that every single Thai baht we earn from her [we] must give her if we still want to go home. The mamasan said she had been doing this for a long time and no woman dare to report to the police.

These people are a human trafficking network, they traffic Thai women to be sold to foreign men [but] if the women meet bad guys they dont care about it.

Another woman, who grew up in the Nakhon Sawan province of Thailand, was introduced to a woman who promised her work in South Africa.

At the time, Nong says she had worked for two years at a laundry shop which typically paid very little, but she was paid a commission of R20,000 (950) to fly to South Africa which was later deducted from the salary she earned when working in the country.

Nong told investigators that because she was not attractive she struggled to get sex work, and so they encouraged her to lend her passport to Lemtongthai.

She says she was promised a hefty payment but she never saw the money as it was all taken by the mamasan.

A sex-trafficking victim being instructed on how to pose next to a fallen rhino (Paul OSullivan)

Nong says she was then sold to men who wanted to exploit her body; she slept with many before she met her foreigner husband.

In notes made by investigators at the time of interviewing Nong, they wrote: Some women were tricked to come here to work as maids and were forced to work as prostitutes until they got foreign husbands.

It is not known yet why it was important for the women to find foreign husbands.

Arresting the kingpins

South Africa is home to the majority of the worlds rhinos and has been the country hit hardest by poaching criminals, with more than 1,000 rhinos killed each year between 2013 and 2017.

The poaching of rhinos in the country was partly fuelled by growing demand for their horns in Vietnam and other southeast Asian countries, where the horns are believed to have medicinal uses.

Hitting the black market in China or Vietnam, the horns would either be shaved into a powder and packaged into tiny vials, and then sold to those who believed the powder could heal, or stockpiled.

Asked whether sex workers being trafficked into South Africa or other neighbouring countries for the use of permits is still a problem, Charles van Nierkerk, a former specialist at the South African Revenue Service, said: No, that stopped; when we encountered Lemtongthai physically the first time at Oliver Tambo airport, all the hunters with him were men.

Its because they had heard that everyone was now talking about the women who were hunters. People had been enquiring why all these hunters were women. This doesnt make sense, they used to say.

So I think they kind of caught on to that, and thought: this is growing and attracting too much attention.

One by one members of the gang, including those higher up the ranks, are being confronted by dedicated conservation charities.

A handful of the networks members have been arrested or jailed thanks to the efforts of The Independents charity partner, Freeland, whose team, made up of former military and law enforcement agents, has spent years collecting evidence, tailing networks and going undercover.

The organisation has previously exposed key players in this trafficking network.

Freeland did not know about Lemtongthai, until he showed up at the Thai Customs Enforcement office in Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi Airport one day in February 2011, after officers seized horns which were accompanied by suspicious looking CITES permits.

The permits listed young women from an impoverished part of Thailand to have hunted the rhinos and imported the horns. It didnt make sense, founder of Freeland, Steve Galster, told The Independent.

Customs called Freeland for advice to see if the shipment was legal, and two of our investigators raced to the scene and bumped into Lemtongthai, who appeared with two South African men, all ready to answer any questions Customs had.

We videotaped the entire scene, and got especially excited when Lemtongthai presented a document to prove his bona fides, showing he was the official importer for Vixay Keosavang, head of Xaysavang Trading Corporation, Galster added.

He believed Lemtongthais import was just the link Freeland was looking for in relation to the elusive Keosavang, whom they had been tracking for a decade.

But the imported horn was allowed to pass to Keosavang by Thai wildlife officials, in spite of the investigation by Thai Customs and Freeland.

The lack of action taken in relation to the incident led to a collaboration between Freeland and Van Niekerk, who at the time was the lead investigator for the South African Revenue Service.

Both the South African and Thai governments used the combined intel packages to build cases against Lemtongthai in South Africa and Thailand, and to establish new leads.

Although Freeland appealed to the South Africans to bring Keosavang for trial, they had no extradition treaty with Laos.

Freeland helped get information from South Africa to Lao authorities, who doorstepped Keosavang and got an statement from him in which he said that he did not know Lemtongthai, but let slip he was importing the horns as a favour to buyers in Vietnam, said Galster.

Imports of sport-hunted rhinos are not supposed to cross borders for commercial use.

The Thailand-South Africa cooperation paid off to a large degree as prosecutors had a stronger case, and in November 2012 Lemtongthai was sentenced to 40 years behind bars  making him one of the most prominent wildlife criminals ever convicted in South Africa.

This was after he confessed to ordering as many as 50 rhinos for hunting, and actively participating in the illegal killing of at least 26, while acting as a director of the notorious wildlife-trafficking network operating out of Laos.

Although his sentence was shortened on appeal, first to just 13 years, and then again to 6.5 years  and despite his eventual release  it was a victory for those who had longed to see him go down.

Freeland tried unsuccessfully to get Keosavang arrested, but made a statement about him to the international media on the opening day of the 13th CITES Conference of the Parties the following year.

Within days of that press conference in March 2013, Thai police issued an arrest warrant for Keosavang, which remains open to this day.

Seven months later, the US State Department offered a $1m reward for information leading to the dismantlement of XTC, which encouraged Freeland to collect more intelligence on this syndicate.

Challenges faced

Inside a building in central Bangkok, Freelands founder, Steve Galster, started his operation with his 50-person team of investigators to take down the gang.

The team had been made aware of the networks activity in the early 2000s, and garnered evidence and intel by teaming up with and being embedded with local law enforcement agencies to support undercover surveillance, infiltration operations, and online detective work.

They used modern analytics software, supplied by IBM and the Israeli firm Cellebrite, to connect the intel dots that came flooding in.

They attributed many of the poaching incidents across different countries to XTC, including the rise in the number of rhinos butchered in South Africa in the past two decades, from 13 in 2007, to 83 in 2008, to 1,028 in 2017  an average of nearly three a day. Galster attributes this spike to the gang.

In short, I was made aware of their operations in 2004, but I had no idea how big it was. I Thought we were chasing different people and companies who had nothing to do with one another, Galster said.

He added: There were four hurdles that we faced when trying to tackle this operation. The first one was corruption.

There are big people, as were showing here, involved in this trade, and all the other officers may be good or perhaps neutral, but they may not know who the corrupt officers are.

Galster said that the next hurdle faced by his team was the attitude officers had towards the illegal wildlife trade.

They dont associate it [the killing of species] as slaughter, he said, adding, Theyll see these things [horns, tusks, pangolin scales] coming through and theyll want their picture taken with these seizures and say were stopping the trade but theres no real passion or connection to it.

Weve been trying to get more of these officers over to Africa, meet their African counterparts, go out in the bush, see what theyre up against, see the animals walking around on, you know, living legs. So thats another thing.

He added: Thirdly, weve got what I say is old-style bureaucracy that simply does not see this as a priority crime.

Fourthly, its really a lack of resources, not just money, but access to technology  inability to buy the technology. That is, the basic digital intelligence  so thats where were starting to catch up, to make and get some ground.

But actually, now, with technology, its not so much about money. Its about having the right technology and the skills to use it. Because now you can sit in your office and not even get in a car to go investigate these people if you know what youre doing.

Van Nierkerk said: The agency gave us unflinching support when the attorneys attempted to attack our professional reputations in court. We also had consistent support from the South African Revenue Service spokesperson.

But a consistent challenge is to ensure that you build anti-corruption countermeasures into a project like this, and focus on the main and in-principle issues, and not to be sidetracked by unnecessary distractions. We limited the volume of quality criminal charges, as opposed to a numerical volume of redundant charges, to ensure focus on winnable cases to ensure successful conviction.
Alexis Podesta adds a wealth of management and cannabis experience

VANCOUVER, BC, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Body and Mind Inc. (CSE: BAMM) (OTCQB: BMMJ) (the "Company" or "BaM"), a multi-state operator focused on limited license markets is please to report that Alexis Podesta, who was instrumental in California's transition from medical to adult use cannabis, has been appointed as a director of the Company.

Alexis Podesta has served in senior roles in both the public and private sector. Known for her talent to skillfully navigate complex policy and political issues, her broad portfolio has included problem-solving on high-profile policies in both government and the corporate world.

Alexis was entrusted by both Governor Gavin Newsom and Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. to manage the sprawling California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency. As Secretary of the Cabinet-level Agency, she directed its $4.75 billion budget and nearly 6,100 employees. Alexis oversaw twelve departments, boards, a commission, a panel and a council whose job is to license and regulate professionals and businesses in California to protect consumers; regulate businesses engaged in financial transactions; preserve, expand and fund safe and affordable housing opportunities; to provide solutions to address homelessness in California; to investigate and research earthquake related issues to advise on ways to reduce earthquake risk; and to protect the civil rights of all Californians from acts of hate violence and unlawful discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.

Additionally, the departments under the agency provided $1.9 billion in funding for affordable housing; made $3.5 billion annually in loans for first-time homebuyers; made $600 million annually in loans for affordable multi-family properties; and provided $650 million in assistance to local jurisdictions to combat homelessness. Additionally, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed more than 22,500 civil rights cases.

Prior to being appointed to lead the Agency, Alexis served as the Director of External and International Affairs for Governor Brown. She directed outreach, communication and partnerships with stakeholder groups, and provided key support for the Governor's special projects. In addition, Alexis was the Governor's lead representative on international affairs and served as Chief of Protocol.

Before joining the Brown Administration, Alexis worked for Pacific Gas & Electric in Government Affairs. Prior to joining that utility, she spent nearly a decade in Washington, D.C., working first as the Director of Scheduling for U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California), and then as the Manager of Government Relations for The Walt Disney Company.

Most recently, Alexis was appointed by Governor Newsom to serve on the State Compensation Insurance Fund Board of Directors. Established in 1914 by the state legislature, the State Fund provides workers' compensation insurance for approximately 110,000 policyholders and has nearly $21 billion in assets.

"Alexis brings a wealth of board, management and cannabis experience to Body and Mind and we look forward to increasing the depth and experience of our board," stated Michael Mills, CEO of Body and Mind. "This past quarter was transformative as the Company achieved record revenues. We continue to expand operations and construction is progressing well at the NMG Ohio production facility. I look forward to working with Alexis and our team to continue the growth of Body and Mind as a trusted cannabis brand."

The Company has granted an aggregate of 1,250,000 stock options (the "Options") in accordance with the Company's stock option plan at an exercise price of CDN$ 0.68 per share for a term of five years expiring on March 6, 2026. The Options were granted to current directors and officers of the Company.

The Options are subject to vesting provisions such that 25% of the Options vest six (6) months from the date of grant, 25% of the Options vest twelve (12) months from the date of grant, 25% of the Options vest eighteen (18) months from the date of grant and 25% of the Options vest twenty-four (24) months from the date of grant.

About Body and Mind Inc.

BaM is an operations focused multi-state operator investing in high quality medical and recreational cannabis cultivation, production and retail. Our wholly owned Nevada subsidiary was awarded one of the first medical marijuana cultivation licenses and holds cultivation and production licenses. BaM products include dried flower, edibles, oils and extracts as well as GPEN Gio cartridges. BaM cannabis strains have won numerous awards including the 2019 Las Vegas Weekly Bud Bracket, Las Vegas Hempfest Cup 2016, High Times Top Ten, the NorCal Secret Cup and the Emerald Cup.

BaM continues to expand operations in Nevada, California, Arkansas and Ohio and is dedicated to increasing shareholder value by focusing resources on improving operational efficiencies, facility expansions, state licensing opportunities as well as mergers and acquisitions.

Please visit www.bodyandmind.com for more information.

Instagram: @bodyandmindBaM

Twitter: @bodyandmindBaM

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.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans, "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, 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. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation of activities, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks. 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 such 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 contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release.

Certain matters discussed in this news release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may constitute forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.

SOURCE Body and Mind Inc.

Related Links

https://bamcannabis.com/


NHS staff in Wales deserve a pay rise, says Health Minister after criticising UK Governments artificial ceiling for English workers

This article is old - Published: Monday, Mar 8th, 2021

Health Minister Vaughan Gething has said Wales will not be setting an artificial ceiling on NHS pay in the same way the UK Government is proposing for health workers in England.

Mr Gething said he understood why NHS staff will be feeling hurt, upset and a little angry at the UK government plans to increase pay in England by just one per cent.

It has led to criticism that the uplift amounts to a real-terms pay cut for frontline staff.

Mr Gething said NHS workers in Wales deserve a pay rise.





The NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) advises on the pay of NHS staff across all UK nations and the Welsh Government has made suggestions to the body.

During Fridays Welsh Government press conference, Mr Gething said he was waiting to see the outcome of their review in the near future.

He said: We certainly have not done what the UK Government has done and tried to set an artificial ceiling on the payroll that should be provided.

We think that our staff do deserve a pay rise and were asking pay review bodies for evidence for determination and advice on what there should be.

We want to make sure that the UK government are in a position to properly fund that pay rise.

I understand why so many staff across our NHS will be feeling hurt and upset and a little angry at the evidence that the Department of Health and Social Care at the UK level have provided.

As I say, when our evidence is published, youll see we have not taken that approach.

Responding to the Health Ministers comments, British Medical Association Welsh Council, Dr David Bailey said they had made it clear to him that the UK Governments recommendation of a one per cent pay rise for doctors was nothing short of an insult to a profession which has gone above and beyond during the pandemic.

Dr Bailey said: The Health Minister has publicly recognised that doctors deserve a pay rise, and we implore him to ensure that it is fair, given that doctors have given their all during the last year  their sacrifices deserve to be recognised.

We welcome confirmation from the minister that the Welsh Governments DDRB submission will be published imminently, and we look forward to discussing the DDRB outcome with Welsh Government prior to its implementation.
New Delhi: Iran's mission to India on Monday (March 8) issued a statement dismissing media reports of its involvement in a blast near the Israel mission. It said that the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as flag bearers of peace and security in the world, have been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, warmongering and violence globally.

The statement comes more than a month after a suspicious blast took place near the Israel Embassy in New Delhi on January 29, 2021. The embassy said that the event has triggered an unfair onslaught and unsubstantiated defamatory accusations against Iran and that they strongly condemn any act which ensues intimidation and fear, disruption of order and security, and jeopardizing the lives and property of innocent people.

The Iranian Embassy stated:

1. While respecting the honourable government and authorities of India in their endeavour to thoroughly investigate and probe into the above-mentioned incident in order to identify the orchestrators of such actions and to bring them to justice, this embassy strongly repudiates any unsubstantiated allegations or irresponsible comments in this regard and considers them as steps towards realizing the sinister intentions of the enemies of Iran- India relations. Meanwhile, the Iranian authorities have always expressed their readiness to cooperate with the Indian friends in order to unravel the wicked intentions of the spoilers of bilateral relations.

2. In the current juncture in which the long-standing and cordial relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Republic of India is further being boosted and developed in all domains, including in the form of exchange of the two countries high rankings political, economic, security and defense delegations, this question deems serious attention whether the said suspicious blast has any benefit for bilateral relations or who would indeed gain from this action?! Is the presumption that this act must have been conducted by third parties who are angry and dissatisfied with the progress in the relations between the governments of Iran and India illogical?

3. The culture, civilization, history and also the national and religious beliefs of the government and people of I. R. Iran would never allow conduct of any actions which are inhumane, terrorist, barbaric and in contravention with human and divine values and which are done in order to cause fear and destruction to the lives of innocent people and even animals and plants.

4. The government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as flag bearers of peace and security in the world, have been on the forefront of fighting against terrorism, warmongering and violence globally and have been themselves victim to terrorism waged by some terrorist governments and their agents. The assassination of thousands of ordinary people, authorities and scientists of the country in the past several decades the last case of which was the recent dastardly assassination of the noted Iranian scientist, Martyr Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, deems attention.

5. The Iranian government and nation has never started a war; however, they are courageous defenders who have always made aggressors, warmongers, terrorists and their supporters remorseful by following the principle of legitimate defense and in an honorable manner, not by taking recourse to the cowardly and dastardly methods used by some notorious groups and governments who have founded their survival on the basis of terrorism and killing of innocent and defenseless people.

We expect all the media and commentators not to fall into the traps and thereby unknowingly enforce the scenarios conspired by third parties whose intention and interest is nothing but to deteriorate the growing Iran India relations.
Cole Sprouse has a new lady in his life by the name of Ari Fournier.

The 28-year-old Riverdale actor has been getting close to the Montreal-based model 22, in recent weeks, and they continued to prove that things are still going strong during a PDA-packed coffee date on Saturday.

This is the second model Cole has been linked to since his split from Lili Reinhart last year, first spotted cozying up to Reina Silva in the fall.

Love interest: Cole Sprouse, 28, goes on a coffee date with his new love interest model Ari Fournier, 22, in Vancouver as they steal a sneaky kiss

For an overcast Vancouver day the Disney channel vet wore light washed jeans and a grey crew neck sweatshirt with white converse.

Fournier also followed suit with jeans and high-tops, layering a stylish black leather trench coat over a white hoodie.

Both brought their black face coverings down to their chin as they sipped on coffee from a local spot.

Seemingly shy about making their affection towards each other too public, the pair stole a kiss behind a dumpster as Fournier nuzzled her head in his neck.

Got a type! The Disney channel vet has been linked to two Canada-based models since he began shooting there in the fall

Sneaking around? Seemingly shy about making their affection towards each other too public, the pair stole a kiss behind a dumpster as Fournier nuzzled her head in his neck

Earlier this week the rumored new couple were seen holding hands as they took in the sights.

Sprouse has been in Canada since the fall shooting the fifth season of Riverdale, and has seemed to take a liking to the city and some of its pretty residents.

His split from Reinhart, 24, was devastating to superfans of their hit CW show, calling it quits after nearly three years together just before the pandemic.

In the spring fans suspected that the two were no longer an item, but in May Page Six reported that they they were indeed over.

Smitten kitten: Sprouse has found love with another pretty blonde who bears a similar resemblance to Reinhart who he separated from last January

Final days: Lili still has photos of Cole up on her Instagram but her last grid post of them as a couple came in the form of a selfie in November 2019

Sprouse clarified over the summer that they had initially separated in January but decided to permanently split in March.

In June, Reinhart came out publicly as bisexual on Instagram. 'Although I've never announced it publicly before, I am a proud bisexual woman,' she shared.

She waited to come out until after their split, detailing on the LGBTQ&A podcast in September: 'I didn't want to put my ex [Sprouse] in a position, it seems like it would have been a little strange to come out when I was in a hetero relationship.'

Sprouse has called their relationship an 'incredible experience,' adding that he was 'lucky' he had the 'chance to fall in love,' while wishing her 'the utmost love and happiness.'
Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer facing murder charges in the death of George Floyd (Photo : REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg)

The trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd was delayed until at least Tuesday morning as the judge contended with a last-minute order by a higher court to reconsider adding an additional murder charge.



The trial had been scheduled to begin on Monday with the screening of jurors to weigh murder and manslaughter charges in a case seen as a referendum on police violence against Black Americans. Chauvin appeared in court dressed in a navy blue suit and tie, a white shirt and a black face mask, jotting notes in a yellow legal pad on the table before him.



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Judge Peter Cahill of the Hennepin County district court set aside three weeks for jury selection alone, mindful of the difficulties finding impartial Minneapolitans in a case that has convulsed a nation and in which an image of the victim - a selfie of Floyd faintly smiling - has become an international icon of racial justice.



But that was delayed at the urging of prosecutors after the Minnesota Court of Appeals told Cahill in an order issued on Friday he must reconsider prosecutors' request to also reinstate a third charge, third-degree murder, over the defendant's objections.



Eric Nelson, Chauvin's lead lawyer, told the court on Monday morning that Chauvin would soon ask the Minnesota Supreme Court to overturn Friday's order, a process that could take weeks, although he saw no reason for that to delay jury selection.



But prosecutors from the Minnesota attorney general's office urged the court to delay jury selection until the appeal was resolved.



"We're not doing this to interfere, to slow this down, but it is a very important matter," Matthew Frank, an assistant attorney general, told the court. Prosecutors feared picking a jury when the number of charges was still unresolved could make it easier for Chauvin to appeal a verdict later, Frank said.



Cahill declined, repeatedly saying he believed he was entitled to at least begin seating jurors unless a higher court ordered him not to. Prosecutors then said they would ask the Appeals Court to intervene to delay the trial. Cahill suspended jury selection until at least Tuesday.



Chauvin, 44, is charged with second-degree murder, which carries a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, and manslaughter.



He was released from jail on a $1 million bond last October and will be tried in a courtroom in the Hennepin County Government Center, a tower in downtown Minneapolis now ringed with fencing and concrete barricades for fear of disruption by protesters.



Hundreds of anti-racism protesters chanted in the streets around the courthouse, blocking traffic. They scattered flowers on the tarmac, along with mirrors smeared with fake blood and daubed with slogans asking passers-by to "reflect" on Floyd's death. A few volunteers set up tables, handing out donated coffee and donuts. A small number of soldiers called in from the Minnesota National Guard watched from a distance.



The courtroom has been adapted to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, and Cahill has sharply limited attendance inside: the families of Chauvin and Floyd have each been allocated a single seat inside the courtroom.



Bridgett Floyd, George Floyd's sister and founder of the George Floyd Memorial Foundation, went inside for the first day. No one took the seat reserved for Chauvin's family, according to a pool reporter inside the courtroom.



Most reporters attending must watch a video stream in a building across the street.



Lawyers for Chauvin, who was fired from the police force the day after Floyd's death, have argued that he correctly followed his training in helping colleagues arrest Floyd on suspicion of using a counterfeit $20 bill at the Cup Foods grocery store. A handcuffed Floyd can be seen in videos struggling against being placed in a police vehicle complaining he has claustrophobia.



The medical examiner ruled that Floyd's death was a homicide caused partly by police restraint holds. But the autopsy report also noted that Floyd had recently ingested the opioid fentanyl, and Chauvin's lawyers contend that an overdose was the main cause of death.


As of Sunday, more than 81,000 Australians had been vaccinated against Covid

Australia has gone 10 consecutive days without a single locally-acquired case of Covid-19.

New South Wales enjoyed 51 consecutive days without a local case on Monday, while Victoria extended its run to 11 days on Tuesday.

Western Australia also recorded two new cases in hotel quarantine, bringing the number of active cases in the state up to seven.

South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory were all virus-free.

New South Wales enjoyed 50 consecutive days without a local case on Monday (pictured: beachgoers at Coogee in Sydney)

Pictured: Melburnians coming out of lockdown on February 18. Victoria has now gone 10 days without a local case

There were nine new cases in hotel quarantine, but Australia continues to outperform most of the world as more people are vaccinated against the respiratory illness.

Australia's top public servant will face the Senate's coronavirus response committee on Tuesday, with many still frustrated about the potential for snap state border closures.

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Phil Gaetjens is expected to face questions about his efforts to better coordinate restrictions between states.

Mr Gaetjens is working with his state and territory counterparts on analysing changing risk profiles as vaccinations boost Australia efforts to remain on top of coronavirus.

Pictured: A woman receiving a Covid-19 vaccination in Melbourne on February 22

Pictured: People walking in Melbourne CBD on February 18 after coming out of lockdown

The largest immunisation program in the nation's history has fuelled hopes state border closures and snap lockdowns could be relegated to history.

As of Sunday, more than 81,000 Australians had been vaccinated, but the number is below the federal government's target.

Complicated logistics have hampered the initial speed of the rollout, which has started with frontline workers and aged care residents.

General practitioners will be part of the rollout from March 22, when older and vulnerable Australians will be able to get the virus jab from their local doctor.

Victoria has extended its run of zero Covid cases to 10 days - which is also the national mark (Pictured: People in Melbourne during the height of the pandemic in July 2020)

The staggered rollout is expected to eventually include more than 4000 clinics.

Vaccines are free and voluntary for Australians, with GPs to get $55 if patients get their two doses from the same clinic.

The government is also taking steps to ensure communications are targeted to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who have an increased risk of serious cases.

Coronavirus vaccines will start arriving on the Torres Strait islands within the next few days before Cape York joins the rollout soon after.

The islands closest to Papua New Guinea will receive the first vaccinations given the risk the disease could spread from Australia's close neighbour.
First I want to correct the dangerous myth that President Joe Biden, the cancel culture and 'leftist' are at it again. Now targeting Dr. Seuss. None which is true. The real truth is so simple. The company that handles Dr. Seuss estate, Dr. Seuss Enterprise, decided to discontinue printing six books originally in print over 50 years ago. None of those six Dr. Seuss books were banned. Neither President Biden nor the 'cancel culture' (whatever that is) or those 'horrible-lefties' had anything to do with that decision.

Now, back to 'granny's library'.

My granddaughter, like her dad, uncle and auntie, began reading as young as the age of two. Their favorite books, first books, were Dr. Seuss. There's something about the rhyming and the rhythm of the words that seems to ignite something in the brains of young children, and they easily catch on and began recognizing and reading the words on their own, sometimes within hours or only a few days.

When my granddaughter was in grade school, same as her uncle when he was in grade school, she was scolded and given a tough book report assignment when during a discussion about the importance of reading she excitedly raised her hand a shouted "Miss___ My Granny Has A Library In Her House!" If you ever saw my granddaughter getting excited at that age, it would make you laugh with tears rolling down your face and the sheer energy from her excitement could light up a totally darken room. But that day, it was like "yer right! Black folks don't read. So prove it!"

Her uncle was shamed before much of the entire elementary school he attended when there was a reading contest for students. The student who read the most books would receive the prize. My son, her uncle, read the most books. Many came from our home library, later 'granny's library'. During the ceremony to accept the prize for reading the most books, my son was called to the front of the school library only to be shamed before the students, teachers and many staff. He was in third grade at the time. He never entered another school contest after that. Not even in high school.

Now 'granny's library' isn't in any specific order. In fact, it's very disorganized to this day. However, my granddaughter was able to go right to the book she'd need for her report and eagerly get started on the assignment. She also had to bring the book to school as proof of 'granny's library at home.' The book was an old well worn library book from when her dad, uncle and auntie were in grade school, purchased at one of those library book sales.

Most every weekend my children would get excited about going to flea markets, or when libraries had their annual or bi-annual book sales. They saved their allowance pay for the used books themselves. They graduated from Dr. Seuss to Goose Bumps. Authors like Walter Mosley, Stephen King, Black Voices by Abraham Chapman (book of quotes by famous well known black authors and poets such as Langston Hughes, Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglas, W. E. B. DuBois). Authors Toni Morrison, A Mercy. Song Of Solomon, Paradise. Dunbar, Bebe More Campbell. Books by other authors, some white some other, Jeannine Cummins-Lost Boy, "The Trial Of Patrolman Thomas Shea" by Thomas Hauser.

There's John Grisham, Sycamore Row and The Innocent Man. Pat Conway, now deceased, Prince of Tides. Far too many books and authors to name here. Some books had historical significance. With languages in them of the time and period they were either printed in or referring to. I still have most of the, several children, tween and teen books, such as the Hardy Boy, Nancy Drew mystery series. Some really favorites such as Remembering Slavery. Mainly because it came with two tapes with the voices of actual slaves recorded during the Works Project by Congress and then president to record the voices and experiences of some of the last living slaves. So many books, authors of various races. Some authors no longer alive. Many of their books might be controversial today. However, they were written in a time or about a time that reflected the mood and language of the people and places being written about.

All in all, their love for reading began with Dr. Seuss at a very young age. Again, there's been absolutely no banning of Dr. Seuss books. These dangerous and false lies aren't just hurting their targets. They're hurting the people who buy into them. In a hideous and morbid way, we're all victims and are being permanently harmed by them. The damage is lasting.

The devil must be having a field day with a big belly laugh at us all. The striking thing about the Tulsa Riot of the 1920s is that people who couldn't live together in harmony, or at least respect of one another, ended up being buried together in mass graves. Forever entombed together. Don't allow the powers to play you for fools.

Brenda Washington

----

This is a "Tizzle-Topped-Tufted-Mazurka from the African island of Yurka."





I honestly don't think America is falling to the commies if we, of our own volition, quit printing stuff like this. Good Lordy!



Savage Glascock, Sr.




LOS ANGELES  In a wide-ranging interview aired Sunday, Harry and Meghan described painful discussions about the color of their sons skin, losing royal protection and the intense pressures that led the Duchess of Sussex to contemplate suicide.

The interview with Oprah Winfrey was the couples first since they stepped down from royal duties and the two-hour special included numerous revelations.

Harry told Winfrey that he felt trapped by royal life and was surprised that he was cut off financially and lost his security last year. He also said he felt his family did not support Meghan, who acknowledged her naivete about royal life before marrying Harry, as she endured media attacks and false stories.

Meghan, who is biracial, described that when she was first pregnant with son Archie, there were concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when hes born. The statement led Winfrey to ask What, incredulously and sit in silence for a moment.

In a rare positive moment in the interview, Harry and Meghan revealed their second would be a girl. The interview opened with Winfrey gushing over Meghans pregnancy and lamenting that COVID-19 protocols kept them from hugging.

The interview aired Sunday night in the United States, a full day before it will air in Britain. The revelations arent over: Winfrey teased additional bits of the interview would be shown Monday morning on CBS.

In response to a question from Winfrey, Harry said he wouldnt have left royal life if he hadnt married Meghan, but that it was their relationship that revealed the strictures of royal life.

I wouldnt have been able to, because I myself was trapped, Harry said. I didnt see a way out.

I was trapped, but I didnt know I was trapped, Harry said, before adding, My father and my brother, they are trapped.

Harry acknowledged that he does not have a close relationship presently with his brother William, who is heir to the throne after their father, Prince Charles.

The prince disputed rumors that he intentionally blindsided his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, with his decision to split. He suspects the rumors came from the institution.

Daily Mail gets it all in one headline. pic.twitter.com/RRay6IirMV  Claire Atkinson (@claireatki) March 8, 2021

Ive never blindsided my grandmother, he said. I have too much respect for her.

Meghan, too, was complimentary toward the queen, despite saying at one point she realized some in the palace were willing to lie to protect other members of the family.

The queen has always been wonderful to me, Meghan said.

Winfrey at various points in the interview ran through headlines about Meghan and at one point asked about the mental health impact. Meghan responded that she experienced suicidal thoughts and had sought help through the palaces human resources department, but was told there was nothing they could do.

Meghan said she grew concerned about her son not having a royal title because it meant he wouldnt be provided security.

Meghan said digesting everything during while pregnant was very hard. More than the prince title, she was the most concerned about her sons safety and protection.

He needs to be safe, a teary-eyed Meghan recalled. Were not saying dont make him a prince or princess, whatever its going to be. But if youre saying the title is going to affect their protection, we havent created this monster machine around us in terms of click bait and tabloid fodder. Youve allowed that to happen, which means our son needs to be safe.

Meghan said it was hard for her to understand why there were concerns within the royal family about her sons skin color. She said it was hard for her to compartmentalize those conversations.

Sundays interview special opened with Meghan describing how naive she was about the ground rules of royal life before she married her husband, Harry, nearly three years ago. I didnt fully understand what the job was, she said. She also noted that she did not know how to curtsy before meeting Queen Elizabeth II for the first time, and didnt realize it would be necessary.

I will say I went into it naively because I didnt grow up knowing much about the royal family, Meghan said. It wasnt something that was part of conversation at home. It wasnt something that we followed.

Meghan said she and Harry were aligned during their courtship because of their cause-driven work. But she did not fully comprehend the pressure of being linked the prestigious royal family.

Its easy to have an image of it that is so far from reality, she said. And thats what was really tricky over those past few years, is when the perception and the reality are two very different things. And youre being judged on the perception, but youre living the reality of it. Theres a complete misalignment and theres no way to explain that to people.

At the top of the interview, Winfrey ran through several key points: that the production was following strict COVID-19 protocols, no topic was off limits and that Meghan and Harry were not being paid for the special.

Royal interviews that arent tied to a specific topic are rare, and prior televised sessions have often proved problematic. Prince Andrews 2019 BBC interview about his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein led to his own departure from royal duties after he failed to show empathy for Epsteins victims.

This image provided by Harpo Productions shows Prince Harry, from left, and Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, in conversation with Oprah Winfrey. (Joe Pugliese/Harpo Productions via AP)AP

Harry and Meghans departure from royal duties began in March 2020 over what they described as the intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media toward the duchess.

In Britain, the interview is seen as poorly timed. It will air while Harrys 99-year-old grandfather Prince Philip remains hospitalized in London after undergoing a heart procedure.

It is unclear what public reaction, if any, the queen and other royal family members will have to Sundays interview. The U.K.s Sunday Times newspaper, citing an anonymous source, reported that the queen would not watch it.

On Wednesday, the palace said it was launching a human resources investigation after a London newspaper reported that a former aide had accused Meghan of bullying staff in 2018.

A spokesman for the duchess said she was saddened by the latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself.

Meghan, who is pregnant with the couples second child, wore an empire-style black dress with embroidery. Harry wore a light gray suit and white dress shirt, minus a tie.

As Meghan Markle, the actor starred in the TV legal drama Suits. She married Harry at Windsor Castle in May 2018, and their son, Archie, was born a year later.

Harry and Meghans departure from royal life was supposed to be reviewed after a year. On Feb. 19, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the couple would not return to royal duties and Harry would relinquish his honorary military titles  a decision that made formal, and final, the couples split from the royal family.

___

Jonathan Landru,m Jr. of The Associated Press wrote this story. Kelvin Chan in London contributed to this report.
A woman takes a photo of her ice cream along a street in Shanghai on March 5, 2021. AFP




Bern: Switzerland on Sunday narrowly voted in favour of banning full facial coverings including the niqab and burqa in almost all public places. As many as 51.21 per cent of voters voted in support of the controversial proposal in the referendum.

According to reports, the approval by voters means that facial covering will be banned in all publicly accessible places, including on the streets, in public offices, on public transport, in restaurants, shops and in the countryside.

The places where the full facial coverings will be allowed include places of worship and other sacred sites. Besides, it will be allowed for health and safety reasons and also in situations where it is "local custom" such as carnivals.

There will be no additional exceptions, for example for tourists, according to the proposal by the Swiss federal government. The proposal, put forward by several groups including the right-wing Swiss People`s Party, does not mention Islam specifically but has been widely referred to as the "burqa ban" in Swiss media.

The proposal has been widely criticised, especially by the Swiss religious organizations, human rights and civic groups and the federal government.

According to the Swiss Council of Religions, which represents all major religious communities in Switzerland, has stated the human right to religious freedom also protects religious practices such as dress codes.

The Swiss Federal Council, which serves as the country`s federal government, and the Swiss Parliament also rejected the initiative as going too far and advised people to vote against it, CNN reported.

France was the first country in Europe to ban burqas and niqabs in public places in 2011 and the European Court of Human Rights upheld the ban in 2014.

In Switzerland, the referendum has come after years of debates. Twelve years ago another referendum had come that outlawed the construction of minarets in Switzerland.

Live TV
(Newser)  It was a banner weekend for coronavirus vaccinations in America, with the CDC administering a record number of shots. Per an agency data tracker, those numbers include 2.9 million vaccinations on Saturday and 2.4 million on Sunday, reports CNBC. That comes after nearly 2.5 million people were vaccinated in Friday's count, per Forbes. Both outlets note that, on average, more than 2 million people are getting vaccinated dailythree times as many as at the beginning of the year. All together, 23% of US adults 18 and over have gotten at least one jab so far, while just over 10% have received two. Meanwhile, President Biden has said there should be enough vaccine doses to go around for all American adults by the end of May.

story continues below

But despite the good news on this front, health officials are issuing a warning. "We need to make sure that we do not let down our guard," Jeff Zients, who heads up the White House's coronavirus task force, said Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press, noting that citizens should keep wearing face masks, adhering to social distancing, and signing up for the vaccine as soon as they're eligible. "We need to stay on this path and beat this pandemic." Zients' caution comes as at least half a dozen statesincluding Texas, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, Arizona, and Alabamastarted easing up on restrictions for businesses and announcing plans to drop mask mandates. One of the reasons experts are nervous about such actions is the emergence of virus variants that could throw a wrench in progress so far. We're "in the eye of the hurricane right now," was the analogy offered by a CDC rep on the NBC program. (Read more coronavirus vaccine stories.)
France has ramped up its military presence in the Indo-Pacific over the last few weeks and it will reportedly also take part in the large-scale joint naval exercises with India, Australia, Japan and the United States as a part of its annual Jeanne d'Arc mission. Collin Koh, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, told the Daily Telegraph that French President Emmanuel Macron was trying to position the European country as an alternative power to both Beijing and Washington.

In February this year, the French navy has ordered its nuclear attack submarine, reportedly named Emeraude to the Indo-Pacific region. Recently, it has also deployed more vessels including the amphibious assault ship, called the Tonnerre, and the frigate Surcouf will sail through waters that are claimed by China in the coming days. On the heightened military presence by France, Koh told the media outlet that its clear France wants to posit itself as an alternative country to go apart from China and the United States.

He suggested that France is touting its own narrative when it comes to Sino-US rivalry. Koh argued that France is proposing if you are sick and tired of all the Sino-US rivalry and who to choose between China and the US, there is France. Kohs remarks came after Macron had previously spoken about developing a Paris-Delhi-Canberra axis. However, the researcher at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies thinks that Japan is in s better position to offer itself as a regional alternative to the US and China.

Read - Italian Baroque Artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Rare Painting To Go On Sale In France

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UK and Germany to deploy their naives

As per Express.co.uk report, Frances advancements in the South China Sea came as both the United Kingdom and Germany are readying their naives to deploy to the Indo-Pacific in late 2021. Due to unprecedented tensions budding from the region, there have previously been discussions about a large-scale conflict. Earlier, on February 18, Japans foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi in a statement reiterated the importance of promoting the vision of a Free & Open Indo-Pacific together with more countries for the realization of the vision of Quad foreign ministers meeting.

Read - France Tries To Speed Up Vaccination Programme

Read - France Supports Italy's Decision To Block COVID-19 Vaccines Export To Australia
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The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board have released the full findings of last Friday's hearing into the Gordon Elliott disciplinary case.

The IHRB refers to an "avalanche" of complaints they received after a picture of Elliott sitting on a dead horse went public on the weekend before last.

The full referral is published below and contains details of when the horse died, Elliott's insistence that he was not aware a picture of him sitting on the horse existed and "his shame over the image and accepted that he had let his family, his staff and the sport of horseracing down."

The IHRB said the photograph "shows the most appalling bad taste on the part of Mr. Elliott insofar as it demonstrates a complete absence of respect for the horse at a time when he still remains in his charge."

The board also concluded that the punishment meted out to Elliott was "merited."

The full IHRB statement reads as follows:

Gordon Elliott (Trainer)  Referral  5 th March 2021

The Referrals Committee, Mr. Justice Raymond Groarke, Mr. N.B. Wachman and The Hon. Mrs. Justice Siobhan Keegan convened at Naas Racecourse on Friday 5th March 2021 to consider the referral of Mr. Gordon Elliott (Trainer) following an Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) investigation into an image circulating on social media which first came to the attention of the IHRB on Saturday 27th February 2021.

Mr. Ronan C. Kennedy, SC, outlined to the Referrals Committee the details of the IHRB investigation report which included a number of interviews, statements and details of an unannounced stable inspection at Cullentra House on Tuesday 2nd March 2021.

Evidence was heard from Mr. Elliott, Mr. Jim Fitzgerald, accountant, Mr. Gerard Kelly, veterinary surgeon, Ms. Henrietta Knight, owner representative, Mr. Michael OLeary, owner, Mr. Noel Meade, Trainer, Dr. Jennifer Pugh, doctor and Mrs. Denise Foster, Trainer. Written submissions from An Garda Siochana and Ms. Sharon Power, co-founder of Irish Horse Welfare Trust.

In his evidence, Mr. Elliott stated that he first became aware of an image circulating on social media prior to the last race at Fairyhouse on Saturday, 27th February. He said that he never knew such an image existed and was shocked by it and could not explain it as he was unaware that such a photograph was taken. Following internal discussions with his staff, Mr. Elliott said he was able to identify the horse as Morgan who died of a heart aneurysm on his gallops in 2019 and he informed the IHRB of this on Monday, 1st March. He described his shame over the image and accepted that he had let his family, his staff and the sport of horseracing down and it was a moment he will regret for the rest of his life. He explained how he had no family background in horseracing or upbringing around animals but it was the love of animals and horses that got him to where he is today. He stated that anybody who knows him would confirm his love of horses. He added that in building his current facilities, he did so with the best interest of the horses in mind, building specific stables for horses with different needs, including outdoor paddocks and a horse swimming pool. He also outlined how he used three different veterinary surgeons, depending on the needs of the horses. Mr. Elliott recalled how he had to work hard for everything he has since leaving school at 16 and that over time he had purchased and developed his current base at Cullentra, where he now employs over 80 people and had 220 horses. He said that he prides himself on the care he provides for the horses in his care and that his staff, facilities and equipment are always presented immaculately. Mr. Elliott described his current situation as horrific and as the worst week of his life. He outlined some details of abuse that himself and his staff had received. He also provided some background to a number of false accounts of stories which had been circulating on social media relating to him and his personal life and other information that led to the involvement of An Garda Siochana both prior to 27th February 2021 and since.

In his evidence, Mr. Fitzgerald informed the panel of his work with Mr. Elliott as his accountant over the past eight years and furnished details of the financial situation of both Mr. Elliott and his business. He also outlined the financial benefit Mr. Elliotts yard has on the local rural economy in surrounding areas such as Longwood and to local suppliers.

In his evidence, Mr. Kelly said that he began treating horses trained by Mr. Elliott in 2008 and described the horses that present to him as being extremely well looked after. He added that he never had any concerns for their welfare. He said that Mr. Elliott was a client who always considered the best interest of the horse and that their appearance would always be immaculate. He said that in 13 years working with Mr. Elliott he never saw any evidence of a lack of respect to horses under his care and he went beyond expectations by writing to thank the people who had looked after the horses while they were being treated. Mr. Kelly concluded that the person he saw in the image was at odds with the person he had dealt with for 13 years.

In her evidence, Ms. Knight stated that her experience of bringing owners to Cullentra on numerous occasions was excellent. She explained that she had written a book about attention to detail and horse husbandry and that Mr. Elliotts attention to detail is as good as she has witnessed. Ms. Knight said that this image was not true to character, he is not a man that makes fun of his horses and that there is always a wonderful atmosphere in his yard. In her opinion, Mr. Elliott is a person that has a great passion for his horses with a massive attention to detail.

In his evidence, Mr. OLeary described his 15 year association with Mr. Elliott as an owner. He stated that Irish racing has suffered reputational damage as a result of the image. He described his experience of the exemplary care that his horses were provided with by Mr. Elliott. He added that in his opinion, he could confidently say it is a level of care and attention unmatched by any other National Hunt trainer in the country. Mr. OLeary admitted to being shocked and surprised by the unacceptable behaviour in the image which he believed was out of character from a man who usually has to be consoled when informing owners of injuries or fatalities.

In his evidence, Mr. Meade said that in a moment of madness and stupidity Mr. Elliott made the most catastrophic mistake for which he could not turn back the clock. He said Mr. Elliott was a man who brought honour and glory to Ireland by winning races such as the Grand National and the Gold Cup in the same manner in which Vincent OBrien, Dermot Weld, Aidan OBrien and Willie Mullins had also done. He stated that Mr. Elliott was aware that he had let down the whole racing world and had already paid an enormous price for that.

In her evidence, Dr. Pugh outlined the background to her professional appointments with Mr. Elliott prior to and subsequent to 27th February 2021.

In her evidence, Mrs. Foster described her long term friendship with Mr. Elliott and how much of a boost he is to the local economy. She referenced the care and attention she has witnessed his horses get from both himself and his staff and his facilities would make any trainer jealous.

Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee found Mr. Elliott in breach of Rules 272(i) in that he acted in a manner which was prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation.

The decision read out by Mr. Justice Groarke is set out below.

A photograph was published on social media this past weekend showing licensed trainer Gordon Elliott sitting astride a horse who appeared to be dead. This photograph caused considerable public dismay and anger given not only what was depicted but also the jovial demeanour and gesticulations of Mr Elliott.

In short order the IHRB received an avalanche of complaints and the matter was rightly and fully scrutinised on the media.

This Referrals Committee sits to consider Mr Elliotts conduct in the context of Rules 272 and 273(xiii) of The Rules of Racing and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Rules.

Rule 272 states:

Any person involved in horseracing who, within the jurisdiction of the Irish Horse Racing Board:

(i) Whether verbally or by conduct or behaviour, acts in a manner which is prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing (whether or not such behaviour or conduct, verbal, or otherwise is associated directly with horseracing) shall be in breach of these Rules and liable to sanction.

Rule 273(xiii) states:

It shall be a breach of these Rules for any person to do any act which in the opinion of the Referrals Committee or the Appeals Body is likely to be prejudicial to the interests of the IHRB or which is likely to cause serious damage to the interests of horseracing in Ireland whether or not such an act shall otherwise amount to a breach of these Rules or any Regulation or instruction made thereunder.

Mr Elliott has not contested the fact of the photograph and says that it was taken in 2019 on the gallops following the death of the Horse Morgan. He admits that he is in breach of Rule 272(i) and so in our view Rule 273(xiii) is redundant in those circumstances.

We have considered all of the written and oral evidence provided by the IHRB and Mr Elliott. Much of the evidence is uncontroversial as Mr Elliott has accepted that his conduct was disgraceful horrific and wholly inappropriate and distasteful. He also accepts that his conduct was indefensible and inimical to the reputation of horse racing and he recognises the damage he has caused to the reputation of horse racing. We proceed on that basis.

Discussion

1. This Committee is of the view that the photograph shows the most appalling bad taste on the part of Mr. Elliott insofar as it demonstrates a complete absence of respect for the horse at a time when he still remains in his charge. We believe that respect is an integral and essential part of the duty owing by those in charge of animals alive or dead.

2. It is undoubtedly and most regrettably the case that the reputation and integrity of horseracing has consequently been brought into disrepute and has been prejudiced and serious damage has been caused to a sport enjoyed and loved by so many.

3. There can be no doubt but that the production of the subject photograph has been a cause of enormous distress to all those who appreciate the enjoyment that horses brings to their lives.

4. The photograph, on any reasonable objective interpretation, suggests that Mr Elliott:

(a) is heedless to the fact that a horse in his charge has just died;

(b) that he, by sitting on the horse and by his demeanour, is treating the dead animal as an object of amusement;

(c) fails to maintain the degree of respect to which an animal in his charge is entitled and to protect the integrity of the animal be it alive or dead;

(d) callously participated in posing for a photograph which, given all the circumstances, was entirely inappropriate.

5. Mr Elliott participated in the photographic exercise when he knew or ought to have known that the result might well end up in public which shows an extraordinary lack of judgment on his part.

6. Mr Elliott has offered no credible explanation to us.

However, it is important to note that this incident is not one of cruelty to animals in the strict sense nor on the basis of the evidence we have received from the An Garda Siochana and from Sharon Power CEO and Co- Founder of the Irish Horse Welfare Trust is it an animal welfare issue. Also, it has not been suggested to the Committee that the horses in Mr Elliotts care are maintained and looked after other than to the highest standards. This is confirmed by the witnesses we have heard from including the veterinary evidence and in our view Mr Elliotts success is testament to the care and attention he has provided to his horses.

In the view of the Committee there is also a sinister aspect to this case. The Committee are satisfied that the publication of this photograph is part of a concerted attack upon Mr Elliott, the full circumstances of which are unknown. This has been canvassed not for the purpose of defence or absolution but in order to explain the publication at this time of a photograph which has existed since 2019.

Sanction considerations

The committee recognises that the sanction must be arrived at taking into account all of the circumstances, and the aggravating and mitigating factors including Mr Elliotts personal circumstances, in order to achieve a proportionate result.

In particular, the following matters have been taken into account by the Committee:

(1) Outrage has been expressed by the racing and non-racing public that a horse, albeit deceased, could be treated in this manner. This Committee shares the public disquiet and believes and insists that animals, either alive or dead, must receive proper respect most especially from those in whose charge they happen to be.

(2) The consequences of Mr Elliotts actions have damaged the reputation of the Irish racing and the thoroughbred industry.

(3) Mr Elliott has expressed what we believe to be a genuine remorse and accepts that he is unlikely to forget this episode in his life. We believe that he genuinely accepts that he was extraordinarily foolish to participate in the way he did.

(4) Mr Elliott fully cooperated with the investigated carried out by IHRB, he put his hands up at the earliest opportunity and fully accepted that his actions had offended many people; that what he did was wrong and unforgiveable and indefensible.

(5) Whilst the incident in question was unforgivable, it was, nonetheless, an event which took place without deliberation or forethought over a time period of some seconds. There was a pointed absence of common sense.

The sanction to be visited upon Mr Elliott by this Committee is but one of a plethora of punishments which he is already suffering and will likely continue to suffer. These include serious damage to his reputation and, anecdotally, substantial economic loss through loss of business contracts and departure of horses from his yard to be trained

(1) elsewhere. The committee also bears in mind the evidence from Dr Pugh of the effect on his health.

(2) There is also a community of people either working for Mr Elliott or dependent on the business in the locality which will suffer considerable adverse consequences.

(3) The Committee believes that the sanction to be imposed must deter this type of behaviour.

Conclusion

We consider that a suspension of Mr Elliotts training licence is merited. In all of the circumstances of this case, 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 6 months and we accept that helpful course.

We also accede to the application for costs by the IHRB in the sum of 15,000

The commencement date for sanction will by agreement be 9th March 2021.

The case was presented by Ronan C. Kennedy, SC, and Ms. Caoimhe Daly, BL, instructed by Ms, Cliodhna Guy, IHRB Head of Licensing, Legal and Compliance. Mr. Elliott was represented by Mr. Martin Hayden, SC, and Mr. Frank Crean, BL, instructed by Mr. Andrew Coonan of Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, County Kildare.
Chinas Bravest Female Lawyer Wins US Women of Courage Award

A woman known as the bravest female lawyer in China has been honored by the United States with an International Women of Courage Award.

Wang Yu, one of Chinas most prominent human rights lawyers, was arrested and imprisoned amid an infamous nationwide round-up of hundreds of lawyers and rights advocates known as the 709 crackdown in 2015. She has since been released and is now under an exit ban.

The lawyer has defended activists, scholars, Falun Gong practitioners, farmers, and petitioners in cases involving a range of issues from womens and childrens rights to religious liberty to freedom of expression.

Wang didnt attend the virtual ceremony hosted by the U.S. State Department on March 8. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a speech said the department hadnt been in regular communication with Wang over the past two days.

Were concerned because we know that she wanted to attend todays ceremony, Blinken said. Well be following up and if necessary, speaking out on her case.

She was among 14 recipients from around the globe honored by the State Department on International Womens Day, with its annual award that recognizes the courageous accomplishments of women.

In a video message played at the awards ceremony, Wang said she felt an obligation to push for the rule of law in communist-ruled China after witnessing its judicial corruption and degeneration.

I would also like to see more people stand up and speak out for the rule of law, fairness, and justice in China, she said.

Staunch Defender

Wang, 50, wasnt always a human rights defender. Originally a business lawyer in Beijing, her course of life was changed after an incident at a train station in Tianjin City in 2008. Wang got into an intense argument with several railway employees who kept her from boarding a train even though she had a ticket. She later filed a lawsuit against local authorities.

As a result, she was arrested and sentenced to two and a half years in prison on the charge of intentional assault.

That experience made Wang realize the darkness of justice and arrogance of power in China, she told The Epoch Times in a 2018 interview, prompting her to find her calling in representing dissidents and minority groups. She started taking rights abuses cases in 2011, a role that made Wang herself a target by police for harassment, threats, surveillance, and assaults.

In July 2015, Wang was the first lawyer to be detained during the Chinese regimes 709 crackdown. Wang, like other arrestees, was forced to make confessions that were aired on Chinas state broadcaster CCTV, supposedly admitting her wrongdoing as a human rights lawyer.

She was imprisoned for more than a year and then put under house arrest for over a year, before being released in August 2018. In a 2019 interview with The Epoch Times, Wang described the various torture methods inflicted on her in prison.

On one occasion, Wang was forced to wear handcuffs and shackles made of pig iron for seven days and nights. The restraints were very heavy, making it difficult for her to move around, raise her arms, eat meals, sleep, or use the restroom. The pig iron was extremely coarse and caused severe bruising on her wrists and ankles.

Prison guards also put Wang on a torture device called a tiger bench. Guards would use belts to bind the victims arms and legs tightly to a bench. They then add layers of bricks or some other hard object under the victims feet, which further pulls the binding, sometimes to the point that the belts break. Victims endure extreme pain from the pressure of the belts and often pass out.

In another torture session, Wang said she was deprived of sleep for five consecutive days. She thought she would die but eventually managed to pull through.

It was truly a miracle. I feel that God was with me, protecting me, Wang said in the interview.

While imprisoned, Wang earned international recognition for her work. In 2016, she received the Ludovic-Trarieux International Human Rights Prize, an annual award given to a lawyer in recognition of his or her work in defending human rights. The same year, the American Bar Association awarded Wang its inaugural International Human Rights Award for her dedication to human rights, justice, and the rule of law in China.

Wangs husband and then-teenage son were also detained, harassed, and assaulted by police while Wang was incarcerated.

After Wang was released in 2018, the family of three was sent to Ulanhot City in Inner Mongolia, where they were put under constant surveillance. Sending dissidents off to a remote area to silence them is a common tactic used by the regime.

Last December, Wang told The Epoch Times that authorities had canceled her lawyers license. She said Beijing authorities had imposed very harsh conditions, including that she couldnt take on cases, for her license to be restored, which she could not agree to.

Wang said the human rights situation in the country had deteriorated to its lowest level. Lawyers were finding it hard to take on certain cases as they came under heavy pressure and attacks from authorities, lawyers associations, and law firms, according to Wang.

Its now very hard to find a lawyer to represent you in human rights matters, she said.

Despite Wang being barred from practicing, she still holds out hope that things will change in the future.

I dont know when it will be, but we should still carry a bit of hope, she said. When the country develops in the direction of rule of law, lawyers will play a big role.

Yang Yuqiong, Hong Ning, and Olivia Li contributed to this report.
Tech giant Google is launching a global Google.org Impact Challenge for Women and Girls. Under this effort, it will provide $25 million in overall funding to nonprofits and social organizations in India and around the world that are working to advance women and girls' economic empowerment and create pathways to prosperity.

Google also announced supporting 1 million in rural India. Based on learnings from the Internet Saathi programme, Google is introducing a new Women Will web platform. The aim is to continue to support women in rural India to pursue their ambitions and improve their livelihoods through entrepreneurship. This will be complemented by community support, mentorship, and accelerator programs for rural

The success of the Internet Saathi programme has shown how digital literacy and access can help women to reach their full potential and improve their livelihoods, said Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google and Alphabet at the virtual edition of Google for India event called Women Will. Based on this success, we are announcing to help 1 million women in rural villages become entrepreneurs through business tutorials, tools and mentorship.

Available in English and Hindi, the Women Will platform is designed especially for women aspiring to explore entrepreneurship. Through a how to curriculum on turning an interest into a business, managing an enterprise, and promoting it for growth, the platform will provide guidance and support to women who want to convert an existing hobby or talent such as tailoring, beauty services, home tuition and food processing into some income. To begin with, the platform would work with 2,000 Internet Saathis to help other women gain from this resource and start on their entrepreneurial journey.

We always believe the best ways to expand opportunity for everyone is to get technology into the hands of women, said Pichai. Not only will they use it to make their lives better but (also) for their families and their communities.

An alumnus of IIT-Kharagpur and a native of Tamil Nadu, Pichai observed this firsthand when his mother would invite neighbours to use the rotary phone.

Sometimes it felt like the whole neighbourhood was in our living room, swapping stories and connecting with the loved ones, who lived far away, said Pichai.

Many years later, in 2017, he met other women in a small rural village outside, Kharagpur making an impact. This time with mobile phones. He was there on a visit as part of the Internet Saathi programme, which trained women living in rural Indian villages to use the Internet.

These women, then travelled to other villages to train more women. He asked them to tell him one thing that could make the biggest difference in their village and their response was Wi-Fi. They showed him different searches they were doing, using their phones, from finding YouTube videos on stitching to using pesticide to improve crop yields. Another person shared how her life had changed by being able to video call her son, who was a migrant worker.





Google is introducing a Women Will web platform, based on learnings from its digital literacy plan, Internet Saathi

These stories were powerful reminders about how technology can help transform lives for the better. And in turn, these women helped to make our products better, said Pichai. For example, they showed how the voice search confused Puri, the food with a place, which inspired us to make improvements.

Internet Saathi is helping narrow the digital gender divide in India. In its six-year journey, this joint effort with Tata Trusts has had a cascading impact benefitting over 30 million women across rural India and contributed to narrowing the digital gender gap in India. The programme was designed to impart digital literacy training to women across 300,000 villages in India. Google said it took the courage and non-stop efforts of over 80,000 women trainers called Internet Saathis to make this possible.

Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Trusts said it gives him great satisfaction when he sees the success of the joint effort between Google and Tata Trusts in providing education and livelihood to women in rural India. I appreciate Mr Pichai for acknowledging what we have achieved. I wish to thank him for recognising the tremendous outreach and faith that Google has displayed in this initiative with Tata Trusts.

Pichai said empowering could create hundreds of millions of jobs and help more people benefit from Indias growing digital economy. Because when women have equal access to opportunity, everyone benefits from their perspectives, creativity and expertise. This is true all over the world. Yet, when it comes to accessing opportunity, deep inequalities persist, said Pichai.

For example, Pichai said women are almost twice as likely to lose their jobs during the pandemic and millions of girls are at the risk of not returning to school. We have the opportunity to build a future that is more equal and inclusive and we must take it.

The $25 million Google.org Global Impact Challenge for Women & Girls, would support such efforts. Google said it is very conscious that the disruption of 2020 has widened the gender equity gap globally. Post-Covid-19, a future of all-round prosperity is anchored in the guarantee of gender equity, and this requires concerted but bold efforts.

We would provide $25 million in grants to non-profits and social enterprises doing important work to help women and girls address systemic barriers, the economic inequality, pursue entrepreneurship and build financial independence, said Pichai.
With three children at home already, Lisa Condie Barlow headed to the hospital in 2008 to give birth to her twin boys. But she says this time around, things were different. The Utah mom suffered from postpartum depression and OCD following the birth of her twins. "I felt so inadequate, embarrassed, and ungrateful", she said. "How could I be struggling, when so many of my friends and family were struggling with infertility?" She hid her pain from everyone, except for her doctor, who prescribed medication. But, Condie Barlow says she didn't know where to find a therapist, and was too embarrassed to ask for recommendations. Instead, she suffered.

Advocates say it's a common theme, a mother expecting to be blissfully happy following the birth of their child, but then finding themselves isolated in the stigma of suffering from a disease they don't understand. They say Utah has come a long way, raising awareness for postpartum mental health and increasing screening for new mothers. The state has also developed a referral and resource network for parents and caregivers seeking help for a number of issues, including depression, anxiety, infertility, miscarriage, birth trauma. "Speaking to the de-stigmatization of this issue has been breathtaking", says Rep. Jen Dailey Provost. "Women throughout our country have borne the burden of this, and have had to suffer for far too long."

Governor Spencer Cox recently declared February as Utah Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, writing in the declaration that the social isolation and increased fears from the Covid-19 pandemic has worsened an already difficult time for new mothers. His wife speaking at the announcement says she too struggled when she had her third child, sharing "frankly, I didn't know what it was. We didn't have the language for it." Moving forward, Utah First Lady Abby Cox says "we need to recognize it for what it is and help people in our state who are suffering."

There's still work to be done. A new study from the Utah Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System showed 43% of Utah residents with a recent live birth were affected by depression and anxiety. That same report found only 44% of participants had been screened before pregnancy.

One of those continuing to push for change is Megan Johnson, the co-founder of the Emily Effect, honoring her late sister Emily Cook Dyches. Emily lost her battle to postpartum anxiety in 2016, and Megan says so many moms reached out to her afterwards to say they saw Emily's story, and got help themselves. "Five years ago these issues were not discussed in our homes", Johnson says. "Five years ago we struggled to find Emily the right resources to address her needs." Her goal is to end the stigma, effect change, and ultimately, create an inpatient facility for struggling moms to get nurturing treatment after birth.

Survivor Evi Hayhurst-Figgat says she sees the changes, and they are helping. Following her first pregnancy five years ago she experienced such depression, anxiety, and psychosis that she delayed having a second child until she and her husband felt prepared to face it again. In 2019 she welcomed her second child, and things went well, until the pandemic hit. Her daughter was hospitalized right around the same time and "things started to spiral for me, but I was prepared this time", says Hayhurst-Figgat. Within a week of noticing symptoms she was in a psychiatrist office. "Instead of suffering quietly for months i was able to feel empowered, and I can't thank this state and resources enough for helping me feel that success", says Hayhurst-Figgat.

A nation-wide Maternal Mental Health Month is coming up in May. Utah advocates say they hope other states will follow their initiative to focus local efforts on helping mothers, and bring more awareness to postpartum health issues and resources. "We may not be able to stop Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders from happening", says Hayhurst-Figgat. "But, we may be able to greatly reduce the harmful effects they have on families through consistent support and networking tools."
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs

Neuchatel, 08.03.2021 - In 2018, there were around 900 commodity traders in raw materials in Switzerland, employing some 9800 persons. These traders were assisted by related activities such as certification, transport and financing. A survey has provided a first, partial estimate of the number of jobs involved in these related activities, underlining in particular the importance of financing activities. These are the first official figures for the trade in raw materials sector from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

This press release and further information on this topic can be found on the FSO website (see link below).

Address for enquiries

For the core: Philippe Stauffer, FSO, Economic Structure and Analyses,

tel.: +41 58 463 60 75, e-mail: philippe.stauffer@bfs.admin.ch



For the cluster: Daniel Zulauf, SECO, General Management, tel. +41 58 483 93 80,

e-mail: daniel.zulauf@seco.admin.ch

Publisher

State Secretariat for Economic Affairs

http://www.seco.admin.ch



Federal Statistical Office

http://www.statistics.admin.ch




Syria's president Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma have tested positive for Covid-19 after showing mild symptoms, the government in Damascus said today.

Assad's office said the president, 55, and his wife, 45, were in good health and would continue to work while isolating at home for up to three weeks.

It makes him the latest in a lengthening line of world leaders to be infected with the virus after Boris Johnson and Donald Trump were both hospitalised with Covid-19 and others including Emmanuel Macron and Jair Bolsonaro had milder cases.

Syria has officially recorded around 16,000 cases and 1,000 deaths, but the true numbers are likely to be far higher because of scarce testing, the dire economic situation and the government's limited control over the country.

Syria's president Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma, pictured casting their votes at a parliamentary election last year, have both tested positive for Covid-19

Details about Assad's health are sketchy, but last year he was forced to interrupt a speech to the Syrian parliament after suffering low blood pressure.

In 2017 Assad's office denied swirling rumours that he had suffered a stroke or even been shot, saying the president was 'in excellent health'.

Assad has ruled since the death of his strongman father Hafez al-Assad in 2000, the same year that he married British-educated banker Asma.

In 2018 it emerged that Asma was being treated for breast cancer, but she told state TV the following year that she had fully recovered.

'My journey is over, with all its pain and weariness, its drawbacks and even its positives. Praise God, it's over. I have fully triumphed over cancer,' she said.

But she also lashed out at opposition figures who had shown her little sympathy, saying they had 'carried arms against their Syrian brothers under foreign orders'.

Asma is accused by the opposition of complicity in Syrian government atrocities and has been sanctioned by the US government for her alleged role in the regime.

Washington said last year that she had 'spearheaded efforts on behalf of the regime to consolidate economic and political power, including by using her so-called charities and civil society organisations'.

The war has killed hundreds of thousands of people, uprooted at least 11million, and created one of the world's worst refugee crises.

Little is known about the health of President Assad, left, but his British-educated wife Asma, right, recovered from breast cancer in 2019

That has left Syria poorly-placed to handle a major Covid-19 outbreak because of its fragile health sector and lack of resources, humanitarian workers say.

As well as the 16,000 cases officially counted by the Syrian government, there have been at least 8,600 infections in the Kurdish-held northeast and another 21,200 in rebel-held areas.

A member of Syria's coronavirus advisory committee said last week that Syria had seen a sharp rise in virus infections since mid-February.

'Starting February 10th or around that time we started seeing a spike in cases,' Dr Nabough al-Awa said, adding that he was seeing more patients in his clinic.

Another relief worker said the number of people seeking oxygen tanks had spiked around the beginning of March, but said it was now stabilising again.

The government imposed a nationwide curfew when the pandemic first hit last year but restaurants, shops and schools re-opened from May onwards.

Covid-19 patients receive treatment at a health centre in Idlib in north-west Syria last month

Mask-wearing is required in government offices and on crowded public transport, while several schools in Damascus have had to shut classrooms recently.

Remote learning and working from home are particularly difficult in a war-torn country where electricity supply and internet access are not stable.

In addition, many schools do not have access to functional bathrooms or supplies of soap and hand sanitiser, which could reduce the risk of infections.

Still, Syria's health ministry said last Monday it had obtained a supply of vaccines and started administering them to frontline healthcare workers.

Syria had said last month that it had received a supply of vaccine doses from a 'friendly country' that it did not name.

Reports claimed that Israel had paid Russia $1.2million to provide Syria with Sputnik V vaccines under a deal to secure the release of an Israeli hostage.

Moscow, which supports Assad's government in the Syrian civil war, was said to have negotiated the trade-off but details were murky and Damascus denied its existence.
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OSCODA COUNTY, MI  One man died and another was airlifted to a hospital after an ATV collided with a commercial vehicle over the weekend, WWTV reports.

A 32-year-old man and a 29-year-old man, both of Mio, were riding in a side-by-side Saturday when it crashed with a commercial vehicle, police said.

The 32-year-old died at the scene while the other man was airlifted to a hospital, police said. The driver of the other vehicle was treated and released.

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[March 08, 2021] HandsFree Health's Platform Now Integrates With Smart Home And Smart Medical Devices For More Accessible Healthcare

WAYNE, Pa., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- HandsFree Health, provider of WellBe, a secure, HIPAA compliant, voice-enabled virtual health assistant platform, today announced its integration with leading smart home and smart medical devices, fitness and activity trackers to make remote care and patient monitoring more accessible. HandsFree Health devices, including the WellBe smart speaker, smartwatch and mobile apps, now operate hundreds of smart home and medical devices using simple voice commands. HandsFree Health devices now operate hundreds of smart home and medical devices using simple voice commands. Bluetooth-enabled smart medical devices including blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximeters, and smart scales can now upload vital information into the secure HandsFree Health platform instantly. Users can then track trends through voice recall or in the WellBe Virtual Assistant and HFH Go apps. The expanded ecosystem will include popular medical devices from top manufacturers like iHealth, Accu-Chek, Strava, Omron, Dexcom, Withings and more. "WellBe is the perfect virtual assistant to help users manage readings from smart medical devices like blood pressure cuffs and glucometers because it meets HIPAA compliance standards to protect sensitive health information," said Mike Cardillo, CEO, HandsFree Health. "With these new integrations, HandsFree Health helps users better manage their health by pulling information from home health devices into one easy-to-use platform controlled by their voice." HandsFree Health makes it easier to manage your home as well as your health. The expanded integrations also include smart home devices such as outlets, lights, small appliances, and door locks. Offering users, their family, and care team unmatched access to key aspects of the home. Integrations include industry leading brands like Tp-link, Schlage, Lutron, Kasa Home, HomeLink, Genie, Ecobee, Wink, Logitech, iRobot and more. "We want to create an environment that is not only convenient but also safe, allowing family and caretakers to turn off an appliance, close a garage, or even unlock doors for first responders in the event of an emergency," said Kelly Johnston, EVP, HandsFree Health. HandsFree Health will be releasing their new integrations along with future integration through OTA(over the air) updates allowing new and current customers to access the technology. Expansions are planned to begin rolling out in the 2nd Quarter of 2021 with additional integration to follow.



Media contact: media@handsfreehealth.com

Sales contact: contactus@handsfreehealth.com About HandsFree Health

HandsFree Health offers a suite of products for consumers and businesses to move individuals closer to compliance and optimal health. HandsFree Health makes intelligently designed, fully integrated health and wellness platforms. HandsFree Health has quickly become the benchmark for voice technology in healthcare. HandsFree Health is the creator of WellBe, the premier voice enabled virtual health AI assistant platform. WellBe is a secure voice-activated assistant, built on a trusted, HIPAA compliant platform. Products are sold online at HandsFree Health, as well as other online retailers including Walmart.com, Amazon.com, eBay.com, Sears.com, Kmart.com, Alibaba,com, and Newegg.com.

Learn more at handsfreehealth.com, and follow along with @handsfreehealth on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/handsfree-healths-platform-now-integrates-with-smart-home-and-smart-medical-devices-for-more-accessible-healthcare-301241160.html SOURCE HandsFree Health

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NSU swim coach Monanian moving on after four seasons

Monanian moves on to Purdue after accepting an assistant position at their program.
People older than age 85 have led Greece's vaccination campaign, including senior government officials, health workers, police, coast guard personnel and the military. Jabs for those 60 and older have followed in recent weeks in a second and third wave of inoculation against the deadly virus that causes the COVID-19 disease.

As of Feb. 1, only the Netherlands and Spain have included migrants into their vaccination programs, according to the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM). Britain also offers free coronavirus testing and vaccinations for undocumented migrants. And Germany, most recently, said migrants would be second in line in its ongoing vaccination drive.

But Aristotelia Peloni, a government spokesperson, said this past week that thousands of migrants and refugees stuck in some 30 camps across the country or left adrift without proper accommodation, waiting for years to have their asylum requests heard, were not a priority. "There is a provision for [migrant] inoculations to take place in closed areas, but for the time being others have priority, mainly elders and vulnerable groups that will soon be added into the program regardless of age," she told a news conference.

In rolling out the vaccine program last month, the center-right government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis vowed to make asylum-seekers eligible for the jab.

Illegal migrants and refugees in Greece will take a back seat in the nation's coronavirus vaccination drive, the government in Athens has said, stoking concerns that more than 70,000 asylum-seekers, stuck in squalid living conditions, may become more vulnerable, according to aid workers and the United Nations.

But the government's "Greeks first" vaccination policy has critics here fearing it echoes strong anti-immigrant sentiment and rhetoric once trumpeted by the leaders of Golden Dawn, one of Europe's most violent neo-Nazi groups.

Humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations' refugee agency, UNHCR, are urging the government to clarify its policy regarding migrants. "No one is safe until everyone is safe," said Peter Kessler, the senior communications officer for the UN's agency in Greece. "Ensuring that refugees and other non-nationals are included in the vaccine rollout and have access to vaccinations is key to protecting everyone and ending the pandemic."

At least 70 percent of the population worldwide needs immunity to "sustainably slow the transmission of the virus." And key to ending the pandemic, experts say, is ensuring that refugees are included in the vaccine rollout.

Since taking power in 2019, Mitsotakis's center-right government has adopted a tougher stance on illegal migration, coming under increasing fire by aid organizations and the UNHCR for mistreating migrants and refugees, and by orchestrating covert operations to forcibly evict asylum-seekers.

In a report issued last month, aid group Aegean Boat Report documented the cases of 13 men, women and children it says were beaten, robbed and forced onto a life raft by Greek authorities on the island of Lesbos, only hours after illegally entering the country from Turkey. The report said uniformed operatives removed the refugees from a camp on the island, claiming the refugees were being taken for COVID-19 testing. "Instead," the report said, "they were forced into an isobox, repeatedly beaten with batons, stripped of their possessions and forced into seas on an inflatable raft."

Greece has grappled with accusations of forced migrant returns and abuse since 2015, when about a million refugees, mainly from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, arrived in Europe to escape violence at home. Forcing migrants to turn around is a serious breach of international law, violating asylum-seekers' right to safe passage and protection. Croatia, France, Spain, and Italy -- all European Union member states that face similar migration challenges -- also have been accused of engaging in unlawful, sometimes violent pushbacks.

Officials contacted by VOA on Sunday did not respond to requests for comment. Still, the government in Athens has repeatedly denied the allegations, claiming humanitarian groups have been aiding and abetting asylum-seekers in their quest to illegally enter Greece from Turkey and seek passage to the heart of Europe. Athens has also alleged that several of the non-governmental organizations have been working with human smugglers, allegedly facilitating illegal migration to Europe.

In February, NGO Mare Liberum said it alone had documented "close to 10,000 people" who were pushed back in 320 cases last year. The group said the alleged pushbacks represented an "unprecedented escalation in human rights violations in the Aegean."
Kabul, March 8 : Five people were killed and five others injured in the latest targeted attack in Afghanistan, according to an independent war monitoring group.

In Herat province, Jowzi Alizai, a tribal elder and his son and nephew were killed by gunmen in Ghoryan district, the Reduction in Violence (RiV) group reported on its website on Sunday.

A policewoman was wounded and her husband killed in a shooting attack in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, Xinhua news agency reported citing RiV as saying.

In Kabul, a civilian was killed and four others wounded after the minibus they took was struck by a bomb in Police District 19, said the war monitoring group.

About 60 people were killed in the increasing targeted attacks in Afghanistan in February, according to the group.

Taliban and Islamic State (IS) terrorists have conducted scores of targeted attacks against civilians and military officials in recent years.

They consider anyone working for the government, NATO and the US-led troops as a target.

Over 50 people were killed in targeted attacks in January this year.
SAO PAULO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CSU (CARD3:BZ), a leading company in the Brazilian market in state-of-the-art technological solutions for payment means, customer experience and clients' loyalty and incentives, discloses the results of the year 2020, following the good moment started in the 1st quarter of 2019, with growth in the main indicators: net revenue of R$456.9 million, gross profit of R$135.8 million, record EBITDA of R$130.8 million and record net income of R$46.8 million. Such figures are higher by 7.8%, 24.3%, 25.7% and 74.3%, respectively, over 2019.

Even in the months with the greatest challenges in confronting Covid-19, when the economy slowed and the pandemic crisis affected all sectors, the company advanced, and in an accelerated way, on the digital path - which has been making a difference in winning new clients, in the supply of digital products in the most diverse areas and, especially, in the expansion of its profitability in the two business units.

Mr. Ricardo Leite, Investor Relations Officer, details that "CSU meets the needs of consumers for solutions such as virtual cards, digital wallets compatible with Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Apple Pay, invoice scanning, wearables - devices that carry out payment, robotic technology in customer service and, recently, approval for the issuance of cards with the Elo flag".

Regarding the highlights per unit, at CSU.CardSystem, which has state-of-the-art technological solutions for payment means, there was efficiency in the delivery of digital products with an 18.7% growth in EBITDA compared to 2019, a record of R$100.1 million. At CSU.Contact, which offers complete customer experience solutions, operations with the working from home solution were expanded to serve customers via remote work of most CSU employees, with a 55.4% expansion in EBITDA over 2019, a record of R$30.7 million.

CSU also increased its investment in technological solutions, with the purpose of promoting even more assertive tools and to maintain the pace of expansion in its economic and financial results. Between January and December 2020, the company invested R$51.7 million, representing an increase of 1.9% in relation to the previous year. To meet the growth in demand for its services, CSU maintained its workforce ending 2020 with approximately 6,000 employees.

Thus, "in the face of such a challenging year affected by the pandemic, we were able to assist many companies, our clients and their consumers with cutting-edge solutions based on innovation, presenting a high level of quality throughout the period in all our operations. As a victory for the company, during a year with several obstacles, we proposed the distribution to shareholders of R$18.5 million, of which R$12.5 million in interest on own capital already paid and R$6.0 million in complementary dividends to be approved at the general meeting, representing 40% of the year's net income, which demonstrates our resilience and ability to get out of crises better than we entered", concludes the executive.

About CSU

Created in 1992, CSU is a leading company in the Brazilian market in state-of-the-art technological solutions for payment means, customer experience and clients' loyalty and incentives. CSU has about 6,000 employees, in the offices of Sao Paulo, Barueri, Recife and Belo Horizonte. Acting in a pioneering way, in 2006 CSU was the first company in its segment to go public on B3, becoming part of the highest corporate governance level, the Novo Mercado segment, under the ticker CARD3.

SOURCE CSU
A southern sea otter with a purple sea urchin in Monterey Bay, California. Credit: Morgan Rector

Sea otters have long been recognized as a classic example of a keystone species, a dominant predator that maintains the balance of kelp forest ecosystems by controlling populations of sea urchins, which are voracious kelp grazers.

Since 2014, however, California's kelp forests have declined dramatically, and vast areas of the coast where kelp once thrived are now "urchin barrens," the seafloor carpeted with purple sea urchins and little else. This has occurred even in Monterey Bay, which hosts a large population of sea otters.

In 2017, UC Santa Cruz graduate student Joshua Smith set out to understand why. "Here in Monterey Bay, we now have a patchy mosaic, with urchin barrens devoid of kelp directly adjacent to patches of kelp forest that seem pretty healthy," Smith said. "We wanted to know how did this sea urchin outbreak happen where there are so many otters, how did the otters respond, and what does that mean for the fate of kelp forests here on the Central Coast?"

Working with a team of sea otter researchers at UCSC, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Smith conducted intensive underwater surveys along the Monterey Peninsula over a span of three years. The study built on decades of long-term monitoring of sea otter populations and kelp forest ecosystems along the California coast.

Smith's findings, published March 8 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, tell a fascinating story of how the behavioral responses of predators and prey to changing conditions can determine the fate of an entire ecosystem.

It began in 2013 with the outbreak of a mysterious disease called sea star wasting syndrome, which decimated sea stars all along the West Coast. Among the hardest hit species was the sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides), a major sea urchin predator. But according to Smith, that was just one factor leading to a massive outbreak of sea urchins.

"We believe several factors initiated the urchin outbreak," he said. "The loss of a major urchin predator was soon followed by a decline in kelp productivity due to climatic stressors."

In kelp forests, sea urchins mostly occupy crevices in rocky reefs on the seafloor where they are protected from predators. Pieces of kelp drift down onto the reef like falling leaves in a forest, delivering food directly to the urchins in their shelters.

In this urchin barren in Monterey Bay, grazing by purple sea urchins has removed kelp and other algae from the rocky reef. Credit: Michael Langhans

Kelp thrives where cold, nutrient-rich water wells up along the coast from the ocean depths, and giant kelp (the dominant species on the Central Coast) can grow more than a foot per day in good conditions. In 2014, however, an unprecedented marine heatwave hit the Northeast Pacific. Known as "the blob," it spread over the West Coast from Alaska to Central California. Around the same time, a major El Nino event brought warm water up the coast from the south.

With all that warm water bathing the coast, kelp growth rates dropped dramatically. That meant less kelp detritus drifting into the crevices of the reefs, and sea urchins began to emerge in search of food. With no sea stars around to attack them, the urchins mowed down the living kelp fronds, turning kelp forests into urchin barrens.

"It happened so fast, before we knew it we had lost over 80 percent of the historic kelp forest cover in Northern California," Smith said. "We also had an urchin outbreak on the Central Coast, but not to the same extent as in the areas north of San Francisco."

Smith and his colleagues found that sea otters on the Central Coast responded to the urchin outbreak by increasing their urchin consumption dramatically, eating about three times as many sea urchins as they had prior to 2014. Thanks to an abundance of prey (including an increase in mussels as well as urchins), the sea otter population increased substantially after 2014, from about 270 to about 432 sea otters in the Monterey region at the southern end of Monterey Bay.

Yet the urchin barrens remained. A close look at sea otter foraging behavior explained why. Smith's team found that the otters were feeding on urchins in the remaining patches of kelp forest, but not in the urchin barrens.

"It's easy to see from shore where they are diving repeatedly and coming up with sea urchins," he said.

The dive team surveyed those places, as well as areas not being targeted by otters, and collected urchins to examine in the lab. The researchers found that urchins from the kelp beds had much higher nutritional value than those from the urchin barrens, with large, energy-rich gonads. In the barrens, however, the urchins are starved and not worth the effort to a hungry otter.

"Some people call them zombie urchins," Smith said. "You open them up, and they're empty. So the otters are ignoring the urchin barrens and going after the nutritionally profitable urchins in the kelp forest."

A healthy purple sea urchin from a kelp forest has large yellow gonads (top image), whereas one from an urchin barren is starved (bottom), with little nutritional value for a sea otter. Credit: Michael Langhans

By doing this, the sea otters are helping to maintain those patches of healthy kelp forest, which are now crucially important for the persistence of giant kelp along the coast. Spores produced from those remaining patches could eventually reseed the barren areas and restore the kelp beds.

Sea otters alone, however, won't disrupt the urchin barrens. Some other factor is needed to clear enough urchins from the barrens to enable new kelp plants to grow there. Smith said another predator could help knock down the urchin population, or a disease, or even a major storm bringing large, bottom-scouring waves. Some groups are even exploring human interventions, sending teams of volunteer divers out to remove sea urchins in an effort to restore the kelp forests.

Mark Carr, professor and chair of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz, said the differences between kelp forests on the southern, central, and northern coasts of California are striking. Carr, who is Smith's adviser but not a coauthor of the PNAS paper, has been studying kelp forests all along the West Coast for years. He said Southern California's kelp beds did not decline to the extent seen on the central and northern coasts.

"The difference in Southern California is that even though they lost the sea stars, they have other predators like the spiny lobster and California sheephead that are able to control urchin populations and allow the kelp forests to persist," Carr said.

Northern California's kelp beds, in contrast, have fared much worse. The absence of sea otters north of San Francisco may be a factor, but it's hard to say because the dominant species of canopy-forming kelp is different, with bull kelp (Nereocystis leutkeana) dominant in the north and giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) dominant on the central and southern coasts.

"It is possible that the presence of a healthy sea otter population in the north might have made those kelp forests more resilient, but it's hard to speculate," Carr said. "The role of a predator can be very different depending on where you are."

The pioneering studies of sea otters and kelp forests conducted in the Aleutian Islands by James Estes, now a professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at UCSC, showed that as the sea otter population in the Aleutians recovered from near extinction, the otters transformed urchin barrens into kelp forests as they recolonized islands. But those interactions are playing out differently on the Central Coast, and could have yet another outcome in Northern California.

"This study not only fine tunes our understanding of the role of sea otters in kelp forests, it also emphasizes the importance of animal behavior," Smith said. "So much of this is driven by behaviorthe urchins shifting their behavior to active foraging, and the otters choosing to prey on healthy urchins in the kelp forestand these behavioral interactions have implications for the overall fate of the ecosystem."

Explore further The collapse of Northern California kelp forests will be hard to reverse

More information: Joshua G. Smith el al., "Behavioral responses across a mosaic of ecosystem states restructure a sea otterurchin trophic cascade," PNAS (2021). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Joshua G. Smith el al., "Behavioral responses across a mosaic of ecosystem states restructure a sea otterurchin trophic cascade,"(2021). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.2012493118
Haitians took to the streets of Port-au-Prince on Sunday to demand President Jovenel Moise resign and call attention to insecurity in the Caribbean nation. The march was led by Haitian medical workers who are denouncing the killing of a doctor by kidnappers last Sunday. Moise's administration has faced an increase in violence and kidnappings and deepening poverty.

Opposition leaders claim the president's five-year term ended on February 7, but Moise has asserted it ends in February 2022 since he wasn't sworn in until 2017.

Prior to his inauguration, a provisional president ruled Haiti for one year following chaotic elections marred by allegations of fraud. Moise has been ruling by presidential decree for more than a year after dissolving a majority of Parliament in January 2020 amid a delay in legislative elections given political gridlock and protests that paralyzed the country in 2019.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Saab has received an order for deliveries of Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons and ammunition to the Estonian Armed Forces. The order value is approximitly 100 MSEK and deliveries will take place in 2021-2022.

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SAAB Carl-Gustaf M4 system is able to fire a wide range of 84mm caliber ammunition including anti-armor, anti-structure, multi-role, anti-personnel and support rounds. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The order was placed within a joint-framework agreement signed with Estonia, together with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and Latvia. The framework agreement allows the Estonian customer to place orders for Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons and ammunition during a ten- year period. The Estonian Armed Forces has been a user of the Carl-Gustaf weapon system for more than two decades.

With this order the Estonian customer will strengthen their capabilities further. Its a great achievement to see further investments in our Carl-Gustaf system, and it is proof of the customers satisfaction with the solution, says Gorgen Johansson, head of Saab business area Dynamics.

The cooperation between the Estonian and Swedish company Saab has been highly appreciated by both parties and we are satisfied that, despite the severe effects of the pandemic, we received last year's order on time, considering how many companies had supply problems. We have now also placed a second order with a capacity of approximately 250 Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons to replace the previously used Carl-Gustaf M2. We are particularly pleased that Saab has further increased its production capacity, and that the first deliveries will be reaching us already by the end of this year, says Ramil Lipp, Strategic Category Manager of weaponry for the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment.

Carl-Gustaf M4 is the latest version of the portable, shoulder-launched, multi-role weapon system. It gives users a wide range of engagement options and allows troops to remain agile and effective in any scenario. It builds on the system's formidable capabilities, offering a higher degree of accuracy, lighter construction and compatibility with future innovations. The M4 is also compatible with intelligent sighting systems and future technology developments, such as programmable ammunition.
Rapper T.I. and his wife Tiny have been accused of sexual assault by six more women, including a member of the military and a stripper.

The couple are already fighting claims they abused eight women who they say were drugged, kidnapped and forced into sex with the pair or someone in their circle. They deny those allegations, and claims from three men who also say the couple made 'terrorist threats' against them.

On Monday, The Daily Beast revealed that the attorney representing those eight women and three men who had heard from six additional accusers.

They include a stripper, a member of the military, and a high school student who once interned at one of the rapper's studios.

The women claim that T.I. and Tiny, whose real names are Clifford and Tameka, that the pair or someone in their circle date raped them then sexually abused them. No criminal charges have been brought against the pair.

The women claim that T.I. and Tiny, whose real names are Clifford and Tameka, that the pair or someone in their circle date raped them then sexually abused them. They have previously denied similar allegations but haven't yet addressed these

The claims started in January on social media. Multiple women claimed to have been abused by the pair in some way, which prompted them to deny the allegations in a statement.

Then, lawyer Tyrone A. Blackburn approached some of the women to hear their stories. He then went to the authorities in Georgia and California, asking them to launch an investigation.

At the time, he said he had claims from 11 different people; the original eight women and three men.

Now, Blackburn says he has heard from an additional six women who have similar allegations.

He has written again to the authorities in Georgia and California, demanding that a criminal investigation be launched.

'If I was a prosecutor, Id have brought charges already.

'These women are unaware of each other, and without any leading on my part, they recount eerily similar events of sexual abuse, forced ingestion of illegal narcotics, kidnapping, terroristic threats and false imprisonment, the letter from Blackburn states.

'It concludes by imploring law enforcement officials to tackle and end the stream depravity being committed by the celebrity couple,' he told the Beast on Monday.

'These women have come forward because theres a void that has been left in their lives and the people that created the void are Clifford and Tameka Harris.

'Granted, the void can never be fully filled, but at least it can be put back together if these cases are handled with care, are thoroughly investigated, indictments are executed, and the Harrises are prosecuted,' he said, adding that the women are not seeking money.

Their allegations include claims from a 22-year-old who once worked as an intern at one of the rapper's studios when she was in high school.

Lawyer Tyrone A. Blackburn is making the allegations public in the hopes that police will investigate

She described an alleged incident when she was 17 and working for the couple, on T.I.'s tour bus, when she claims his wife gave her a drink and two pills that made her 'hot and and sweaty [and she] began hallucinating and felt like she was floating.'

She claims that Tiny took her to the back of the tour bus to 'cool off' and that T.I. came over next and started commenting on her appearance.

She says she then blacked out and woke up 'naked on a bed bleeding from her vagina. She also felt discomfort in her anus.'

The next day, she claims she was taken home by one of the couple's employees who said 'she needs to learn to keep her mouth shut' and 'if she did not that bad things could happen to her and her family.'

She claims that she started losing control of her bowels in her sleep and was taken to the hospital where she was told she'd suffered 'trauma to her anal cavity due to intense anal penetration.'

The member of the military said she was 22 in 2005 when she met the pair in a club in L.A.

She described going back to a hotel with them but said she started feeling 'dizzy and light-headed' after taking just one sip of Tiny's drink.

She claims that three of them got into the shower where Tiny washed both her and T.I. Afterwards, she said Tiny tried to give her a 'back butt massage'.

The woman, who was in the US Air Force, said T.I. then told her he wanted to put his vagina in her foot.

The woman said no but then apparently passed out and woke up 'with a very sore vagina and a towel covering her.'

Steve Sadow, a lawyer for the pair, told DailyMail.com on Monday: 'The Harrises continue to deny in the strongest possible terms these groundless and unjustified allegations.

'When Blackburn finally exposes his anonymous accusers to the light of day by revealing their names, we will be in a position to confront his allegations. Hiding their identities makes it impossible for me to do so now.

'We fully expect if the claims are fairly investigated, no charges will be brought.'

The couple previously sparked controversy when T.I. admitted to going to the gynecologist with his teenage daughter to ensure she was still a virgin.

'Not only have we had the conversation. We have yearly trips to the gynecologist to check her hymen.

'So well go and sit down and the doctor will come and talk, and the doctors maintaining a high level of professionalism.

'Hes like, 'Well, you know, sir, I have to, in order to share information'  Im like, 'Deyjah, they want you to sign this, so we can share information. Is there anything you would not want me to know? Oh OK. See, doc? Ain't no problem,'" he said during a podcast interview.
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NASA Hubble telescope was able to find the reason why this super-red hypergiant star suddenly dimmed. What makes this scenario unusual is that this space body is 300,000 times brighter and has more violent radioactivity compared to the solar system's Sun.

According to NASA's latest report, the star that NASA is currently focusing on is called VY Canis Majoris, which is one of the colossal stars in the universe. It is also enshrouded in huge clouds of dust.

The VY Canis Majoris is also larger, more aggressive, and has a higher density compared to the Betelgeuse star, which also puzzled the international space agency way back in 2020.

NASA explains why VY Canis Majoris faded

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration said that this hypergiant space body experiences longer, dimmer periods compared to Betelguese. But now, NASA was able to find the reason behind the mysterious space event, thanks to its Hubble Telescope, which also helped solve other space mysteries.

Also Read: Apollo 11 Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, Quarantined for 21-Days; Documentary Explains Why

"VY Canis Majoris is behaving a lot like Betelgeuse on steroids," explained Roberta Humphreys, an astrophysicist of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, via NASA Gov's official website.

Previously, NASA Hubble Telescope suggested that Betelguese sudden dimming was caused by its gaseous outflow that may have formed dust. The space agency's scientists and researchers claimed that VY Canis Majoris also has the same activity.

"In VY Canis Majoris we see something similar, but on a much larger scale. Massive ejections of material which correspond to its very deep fading, which is probably due to dust that temporarily blocks light from the star," added Humphreys.

The astrophysicist said that NASA wants to find out why it suddenly dimmed because it is one of the largest stars that the space agency has ever recorded.

Other reasons why it fades

VY Canis Majoris sheds 100 times as much as Betelguese. This means that it is losing more mass compared to the other supergiant star. On the other hand, this massive heavenly body's mass is sometimes twice the size of Jupiter, which is quite small compared to the Sun and other stars. You can click here of you want to know more details.

For more news updates about NASA and its other space discoveries, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Perseverance Rover in Mars Updates NASA With a New Photo of the Red Planet

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Written by: Giuliano de Leon.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Another Day of Elevated Fire Risk

By National Weather Service

PADUCAH - For the third straight day, the National Weather Service has issued a warning of an elevated risk for outdoor fires today.Low humidity under 30 percent, wind gusts over 25 miles per hour, and still-brown vegetation and leaves will make it risky for outdoor burning today.It will be even windier on Wednesday, but the humidity will be much higher, eventually bringing in rain chances for Thursday through the weekend.
Mumbai, March 8 : Shareholders of Tata Motors have approved the hiving off of its passenger vehicles business into a separate entity.

The shareholders on March 5, resolution for approving the scheme of arrangement between Tata Motors Limited (transferor company') and TML Business Analytics Services Limited (transferee company) and their respective shareholders under Section 230-232 of the Companies Act, 2013.

In a regulatory filing on Monday, Tata Motors said that over 99.96 per cent of the total votes came in support of the resolution.

In August last year, the board of directors of the company had approved the proposal as per which Tata Motors would transfer its "PV Undertaking" as a going concern, on a slump sale basis to TML Business Analytics Services, the transferee company for a lump sum consideration of Rs 9,417 crore.

On the completion of the deal, TML Business Analytics Services Limited will be changed to 'Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited'.

Through this reorganisation of business, Tata Motors board believes will help providing a differentiated focus for the said passenger vehicle business and commercial vehicle business and help each of them realise their potential, and unlocking business value and enhanced management focus and operational flexibility in each of the businesses.

Further, this restructuring would facilitate mutually beneficial strategic alliances for the PV undertaking in the future.

Last month, Tata Motors' overall sales in the domestic and international market for February 2021 stood at 61,365 units from an off-take of 40,619 units sold during February 2020.

Additionally, the passenger vehicle segment recorded a nearly 9-year high in terms of sales last month.
HARTFORD, Conn., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With nearly a third of the U.S. population admitting they may not, or simply won't, get the vaccine, Starling Physicians has teamed up with physicians across the nation in a viral video initiative inciting Americans to "roll up our sleeves together" and help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Feeling a duty to their patients and fellow Americans, Starling Physicians has joined forces with doctors from Wilmington, NC, to Honolulu, Hawaii, to create the "Roll up Our Sleeves" website and video campaign. The goal is to educate those who are expressing doubt or opposition and urge everyone that "it's time" to get vaccinated and help save lives.

Already, COVID-19 has taken the lives of over 500,000 Americans, and over two million worldwide. Despite this staggeringand growingnumber, a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Research shows about one in three Americans definitely or probably will not get a vaccine.

"We are seeing a lot of hesitancy about the vaccine," says Sarit Patel, M.D., Chairman of the Executive Board at Starling Physicians, who appeared in the national video. "That's why we wanted to participate in the national campaign -- to help send a message to Americans about the need for everyone to get vaccinated, which will help create herd immunity."

'Herd immunity,' or 'population immunity,' happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through the previous infection. The World Health Organization recommends creating herd immunity by vaccination. Anthony D. Fauci, M.D., Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Advisor to the Biden Administration, reports that 70 to 85 percent of the U.S. population would have to be vaccinated in order to obtain herd immunity.

Reasons for the opposition are varied, ranging from concerns about safety and effectiveness to the belief that the vaccine has not been thoroughly tested. For people of color, who have made up nearly 60 percent of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S., the message is especially urgent. According to research released by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 35 percent of Black Americans are reluctant to get vaccinated.

Story continues

The public service initiative is a combined effort between agilon health, an organization that champions the roles of independent physicians, and primary care doctors representing more than 50 independent physician practices across the country. Their goal is to combat the doubt felt by an alarming percentage of Americans who say they have no plans to get vaccinated.

The "Roll Up Our Sleeves" video highlights the effectiveness of vaccinations over the past century, such as polio, mumps, and measle vaccines, which have wiped out infections and drastically reduced mortality rates. Thewebsite contains information about the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, side effects, phases of eligibility, tips about how to sign up for vaccines, and resources for healthcare professionals.

If you are a Starling patient, you can call the vaccine hotline at 860-368-2271 for more information. For details and locations available for receiving the vaccine, visit www.starlingphysicians.com.

View the national video here.

View the local video here





Cision

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/central-connecticut-physicians-appear-in-national-video-urging-patients-to-get-vaccinated-for-covid-19-301241283.html

SOURCE Starling Physicians
Lucknow, March 8 : To mark the International Women's Day on Monday, the state health department of the Uttar Pradesh government is planning to prioritise women for its vaccination drive against Covid-19, even reserving some facilities for them.

Women over 60 years and those above 45 with comorbidities would be given first preference while administering Covid-19 vaccine.

Those who have not registered for the drive, too, would be allowed to get the shots at any government centre.

In Agra, the drive would be a women-only affair at three facilities -- district hospital, Lady Lyall hospital and Etmadpur community health centre.

Men would be given the vaccination at other centres.

Agra Chief Medical Officer Dr. R.C. Pandey said, "On Women's Day, we have made arrangements to give priority to women for vaccination. At three centres, only women staffers will be administering the vaccine and that too only to women. Men will not be allowed at those facilities." At other centres in various districts, medical officials have directed the concerned officials to give priority to women for Covid vaccination.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The United States has identified three online publications directed by Russia's intelligence services that it says are seeking to undermine COVID-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna, a State Department spokeswoman said on Sunday. The outlets "spread many types of disinformation, including about both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, as well as international organizations, military conflicts, protests, and any divisive issue that they can exploit," the spokeswoman said.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) first reported on the identification of the alleged campaign on Sunday. A Kremlin spokesman denied the US claim Russia was spreading false information about vaccines to the WSJ.

Russia's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Russia approved its Sputnik V vaccine in August, before a large-scale trial had begun, saying it was the first country to do so for a COVID-19 shot. Peer-reviewed trials months later proved it was almost 92% effective in fighting the virus.

Pfizer, headquartered in New York, and Germany's BioNTech, produced the first vaccine that was authorized in the United States, which regulators approved in December. The second, made by Moderna, headquartered in Massachusetts, was authorized later that month.

The State Department's Global Engagement Center, set up to counter propaganda and disinformation campaigns, identified the three outlets, the spokeswoman said. News Front is controlled by Russia's federal security service, the center found. New Eastern Outlook and Oriental Review are directed and controlled by the Russian foreign intelligence service.

A fourth outlet, Rebel Inside, controlled by the Russian army, was also named by the center but is largely dormant, the spokeswoman said. "The Department will continue to expose Russia's nefarious activities online," she added. "We will also continue to work closely with our allies and partners to provide a global response to countering disinformation."

Also read: Rollout of COVID-19 vaccine is 'India's gift' to the world: Top US scientist

Also read: COVID-19 vaccine: EU regulator urges caution on Sputnik V; cites lack of data
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ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan  The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, arrived in the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq just after 8 a.m. on March 7, on the last full day of his three-day visit to the country, touching down not far from where rockets had hit some three weeks before.

Awaiting him were top Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officials and representatives of several religious denominations as well as many women and children, mostly in brightly colored traditional clothing, singing songs with baba (pope) featuring prominently.

Even though the country is safer now than it has been in many years, it is still subject to violent attacks by both Islamic State (IS) cells and outlawed armed groups often presumed to be acting at least partially out of sectarian motives.

Iraq as a whole is also still battling the coronavirus pandemic, as is most of the world. This was the popes first international trip since the beginning of the pandemic a year ago. The apostolic trip had been awaited by Iraq's Christians for decades, and he did not want to postpone it. In 2000, his predecessor had expressed the desire to visit Iraq, but in the end decided not to out of security concerns.

During the first two days of the trip, Pope Francis visited the Iraqi capital; the Shiite holy city of Najaf, where he met with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the highest religious authority in the Shiite sect in the country; and the ancient biblical city of Ur in the southern Dhi Qar province, as part of his consistent push for interreligious dialogue and peace in general.

The last day of this papal pilgrimage was set aside for areas from which many of his own faith have fled, as well as Erbil, a city that many Christians fled to.

On March 4, Vatican News published an article that stated, The Archdiocese of Erbil hosts the largest community of displaced Iraqi Christians. The communities have ancient roots going back almost two thousand years.

Shortly after meeting with KRG officials at the Erbil airport, Pope Francis left by helicopter to go to Mosul to pray in a church in the still heavily damaged city center, which contains churches of various denominations. Though Christians are a minority in the country, they are represented by the Syriac Catholic, Syriac Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox and Chaldean Catholic communities.

He then went to Qaraqosh in the Ninevah Plains, parts of which have been long disputed between Baghdad and Erbil and which are home to a variety of minority groups, prior to returning in the afternoon for a mass in a large stadium in the city.

No reliable census figures exist for Iraq as a whole and relative percentages of the various sects present in the country has long been a source of heated dispute. Most agree, nonetheless, that Shiite Muslims account for the largest portion followed by Sunni Muslims and then Christians and other minority groups.

There has been a significant exodus of Christians from their home areas as well as from Iraq in general in recent decades. Many were displaced from the Ninevah Plains and the city of Mosul during the years that part of the country was under IS occupation; they have yet to return to their native areas.

In August 2017, the Global Public Policy Institute wrote in a report that IS had completely looted and destroyed Qaraqosh and that it was one of the more extreme examples of the groups deliberate destruction of the communities they captured.

Though Muslims have long experienced the highest casualty counts in sheer numbers from attacks by IS cells and other nominally Muslim extremist groups worldwide as well as in Iraq, some say IS treatment of the Christian community in Iraq can be considered genocide.

Christian and Shabak militias from the Ninevah Plains were involved in fighting IS in their home areas, which were overrun by IS in the months following their taking of Mosul in June 2014. These areas were retaken in late 2016 through the efforts of federal forces, the peshmerga and these militias.

The Ninevah Plains Protection Unit (NPU), for example, an Assyrian Democratic Union-sponsored force officially part of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), was for a period tasked with holding the southern Ninevah Plains around Qaraqosh and were reportedly the only Christian armed force to receive US-led Tribal Mobilization Force training.

When this journalist visited Qaraqosh in 2016 shortly after it had been liberated, the militias NPU had been scrawled across many walls, as was the habit of many PMUs at that time in towns they had helped to liberate from IS.

Other Christian forces involved in the fighting and holding of terrain received support from the KRG, including the Ninevah Plains Guards Forces, which apparently existed in some form initially in the post-2003 period as a neighborhood watch force, and Dwekh Nawsha, which included several international volunteers. This journalist visited the latter during a reporting trip to the Tel Skuf frontline in 2016, when peshmerga officers were working in close proximity with them.

Thus, the KRG forces and the Christian communities that had been living in parts of the Ninevah Plains have longstanding ties and many decided to stay in the KRG even after IS was pushed out, due both to a lack of services and fears of a return of extremist groups.

Meanwhile, territorial and other disputes between the central government and the KRG have often been fractious but attempts to bridge the gaps between them are ongoing. Some hope that Pope Francis visit will work toward this end as well.

On March 6, KRG President Nechirvan Barzani tweeted, I welcome Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimis declaration of March 6 as the National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence in honor of the popes visit.

Pope Francis words on March 7 in Qaraqosh seem an attempt to point out a direction of how Christians should seek to achieve this coexistence: Forgiveness is necessary to remain in love, to remain Christian. The road to recovery may be long but I ask you to not give up.
Washington, March 7 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Mar, 2021 ) :The United States will "do what's necessary" to defend itself, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said Sunday, days after rockets hit an Iraqi base hosting coalition troops, further escalating US-Iran tensions on Iraqi soil.

Austin told ABC news that the US was still "developing intelligence" on who was behind the attack, which saw around 10 rockets slam into the sprawling Ain al-Assad military base in Iraq's western desert on March 3.

No US service members were injured, but an American civilian contractor suffered a cardiac episode while sheltering and died shortly after, the Pentagon has said.

Austin said Washington was urging Iraqi authorities to move quickly to investigate who was behind the attack, the fourth in recent weeks targeting locations where US forces operate.

"We want to make sure that again, we understand who's responsible for this. The message to those who would carry out such an attack is you know expect us to do what's necessary to defend ourselves," he said on ABC News' "This Week." "We'll strike if that's what we think we need to do at a time and place of our own choosing." Wednesday's attack came five days after the US retaliated to earlier assaults, bombing a border depot in Syria which the Pentagon said was used by an Iraqi armed militia that have been tied to the rocket attacks.

Biden also said the United States is working to identify those responsible, and "will make judgements from that point." Austin was asked if Iran had been given the message that any further retaliation was not an escalation.

"I think Iran is -- is fully capable of assessing, you know, the strike and our activities and they'll draw their own conclusions," he said.

"But what they should draw from this again is that we're going to defend our troops and our response will be thoughtful, it will be appropriate. We would hope that they would choose to do the right things." Ain al-Assad hosts Iraqi forces and US-led coalition troops helping fight the Islamic State group.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran 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.

The attacks came to a near-complete halt in October following a truce with the hardliners, but they have resumed over the past three weeks.
Denton, TX (76205)

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New Delhi, March 8 : Studies have shown that even today, 2.3 crore girls drop out of school at the onset of their periods and 71 per cent of adolescent girls in India remain unaware of menstruation till they get their first period. Adding to the challenges, the global pandemic has impacted 74 crore school girls, and could severely affect their return to school, according to UNESCO.

Professional athlete and a true leader in her field, Dutee Chand told IANSlife, "Imagine if you start talking about periods openly with your children and your family! You can play a change maker in society just by starting the conversation. In my hometown many young girls still do not know what periods are until they reach puberty and I have been trying to change that through my interactions with them. I believe period education is the key to empowering young girls and giving them the confidence to achieve their dreams. I encourage everyone to talk about periods openly and look at period education as an important inclusion in schools. Every single one of our girls is a leader waiting to happen!" Bhumi Pednekar shares,"I wanted to be a doctor when I grow up. For me being a doctor was by far one of the most noble professions ever, giving me the opportunity to save lives. But, this is not my story. This is Rhea's story and her dream which she could not fulfill once her period started. Because of the lack of education, knowledge and protection Rhea's dreams were completely shattered and she is not alone. Every year 2.3 crore girls go through this. This is something that needs our support, join Whisper and UNESCO in #KeepGirlsInSchool. Every time you buy Whisper Ultra, Whisper and UNESCO will educate one girl on menstrual hygiene and will provide her with free menstrual products only because she deserves to be in school." While the Covid-19 pandemic affected people from all walks of life, it had an adverse impact on girls and women, further making it hard to achieve a social balance.

In order for us to recover from the ramifications of the pandemic, we need to amplify women's voices to further align with human rights. Education is not just a pathway towards a job and a career, but a powerful tool which can create ripples of confidence, zeal and influence within society.

Says Eric Falt, Director and UNESCO Representative to Bhutan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka:"To achieve a sustainable and equal future, we can't afford to have girls drop out of school, which unfortunately still is the reality for many young women when they hit puberty. This is not a woman's issue -- it needs to involve everyone in order to change attitudes and perceptions about menstruation. UNESCO is proud to partner with Whisper in a joint effort to #KeepGirlsInSchool. Investing in girls' education is an investment for society as a whole." This year Whisper launched the second edition of its flagship #KeepGirlsInSchool campaign and partnered with UNESCO to shed light on the impact of 2.3 crore girls dropping out of school -- leading to 2.3 crore unfulfilled dreams -- due to lack of period education and protection.

With education, a woman can be more self-dependent and less dependent on her family or other support systems. This helps enhance her well-being by supporting not just her mental freedom but also financially. An educated girl child contributes to economic growth nationally, bringing up the country's literacy level as well.

This Women's Day, here's to girls who strive to go to school despite strong barriers, and build an inclusive system one day at a time.

(Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)
Nursing home visits and greater freedoms for fully vaccinated people are being considered as part of a vaccine bonus.

It is likely that Nphet will this week agree to allow nursing home visits as the vast majority of nursing home residents and staff will be vaccinated.

Nphet will consider the issue on Thursday, with visits being resumed as soon as a week or 10 days later.

Read More

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US released advice today, saying that fully vaccinated people can gather indoors together without masks or physical distancing.

Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said Nphet will also prepare similar advice for people who have been fully vaccinated as a vaccine bonus in its advice to Government ahead of April 5 when the current Level 5 lockdown will be reviewed.

Im hopeful over the next few weeks that we can start to tell people what the bonus from vaccination is and what it means, what vaccination means that you can or cant do, he told Independent.ie.

But equally again, we have to balance that because not everyone in society will be vaccinated, vaccines arent 100pc protective.

He also said there needs to be further data on how the vaccine affects transmissibility, although it is likely that it has significant impact.

Nursing home visits will be looked at specifically this week, as even without the vaccine roll-out, community transmission has been falling steadily.

Its appropriate even in that context, of looking at the issue of nursing home visitation given the really significant impact this pandemic has had on people living in those settings over the past year, said Dr Glynn.

Of course on top of that, we have vaccines, the vast majority of nursing homes now have been vaccinated so hopefully there will be a vaccine bonus for people over the next while.

He said that while it may not be normality, the vaccine bonuses may prove to make life a little bit easier.

It wont be normality but something a little bit easier versus the really tough time that people have gone through in the past year.

He was speaking as no deaths and 437 new cases were confirmed on Monday night.

Professor Philip Nolan said the reproductive R number has stabilised at 0.7 to 0.8, showing sustained progress in suppressing transmission.

A new Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) report published on Monday showed that the devastating third wave of Covid-19 began as early as November 22 before the country opened up in early December for Christmas.

Prof Nolan warned that we are in an enormously precarious situation in reopening so that the virus does not bite us.

All pre-Christmas tells us is that when we get to March, April and May, we need to be immensely careful that the level that we have succeeded in suppressing the disease to, doesn't bite us in this space of a few very short weeks, he said.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

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Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low 47F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low 47F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Meghan Markle today used her bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview to accuse the Royal Family of having 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white.

The Duchess of Sussex also described her 'pain' that officials had denied Archie the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect him by denying him 24/7 security.

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it.

She told Miss Winfrey that it was 'a pretty safe' assumption to suggest that the royal family member was 'concerned' that Archie being 'too brown' was 'a problem'.

When asked if it was 'important' for Meghan that Archie be called a prince, she said she doesn't have any attachment to the 'grandeur' of official titles.

But she said it was about 'the idea of our son not being safe, and also the idea of the first member of colour in this family not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be.'

Prince Harry - who later joined his wife and Miss Winfrey for the last part of the interview - described the conversation as 'awkward', saying it left him 'shocked'.

But he declined to reveal anything more about what was said, saying: 'That conversation I'm never going to share.'

In the most anticipated royal interview in decades, Meghan and Harry also revealed:

Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, made Meghan cry ahead of the royal wedding - but 'owned it' and apologised;

She described meeting the Queen for the first time and having to learn to curtsy

Meghan claims she was 'naive' when she joined the Royal Family - and never researched what it would be like, or Harry. She said that she was initially welcomed by the royals, but was later 'silenced' and felt trapped;

She described being cradled by Harry after feeling that she no longer wanted to live; Meghan claimed she begged for help from Palace but denied it because she wasn't a 'paid employee';

The Sussexes choose to reveal the gender of their baby to Oprah;

Meghan Markle today used her bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview to accuse the Royal Family of having 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white. Pictured: Archie with his parents in South Africa in 2019

The Duchess of Sussex also described her 'pain' that officials had denied him the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect their son Archie by denying him 24/7 security. Pictured: Harry and Meghan in an earlier-released trailer for the interview

Oprah, when she learned about the bombshell revelation regarding Archie, was visibly shocked

Oprah asked Meghan if Archie was denied the title of Prince because he is of mixed-race, asking if the palace had concerns Archie would be 'too brown'.

Meghan said: 'In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, we have in tandem, the conversation of "He won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title," and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born.'

Oprah then interrupted and said: 'Hold on. Hold up. Stop right now. There's a conversation... about how dark your baby is going to be?'

Meghan replied: 'Potentially, and what that would mean or look like'.

'And you're not going to tell me who had the conversation?', Oprah asked.

Meghan replied: 'I think that would be very damaging to them. That was relayed to me from Harry. Those were conversations that family had with him'.

Oprah asked: 'Because they were concerned that if he were too brown, that that would be a problem? Are you saying that?'

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it. Pictured: The Queen and Prince Philip meeting Archie

Meghan (pictured while pregnant with Archie) told Miss Winfrey that it was 'a pretty safe' assumption to suggest that the royal family member was 'concerned' that Archie being 'too brown' was 'a problem'

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it

Meghan replied: 'I wasn't able to follow up with why, but if that's the assumption you're making, I think that feels like a pretty safe one, which was really hard to understand, right?'

Oprah then asked Prince Harry about the conversation, saying: 'Well, what is particularly striking is what Meghan shared with us earlier, is that no one wants to admit that there's anything about race or that race has played a role in the trolling and the vitriol, and yet Meghan shared with us that there was a conversation with you about Archie's skin tone.

'What was that conversation?'

Prince Harry replied: 'That conversation I'm never going to share, but at the time, it was awkward.

'I was a bit shocked.'

Oprah asked him if he can reveal what the conversation was about. Harry refused to divulge, saying: 'I'm not comfortable with sharing that.'

He added: 'But that was right at the beginning, when she wasn't going to get security, when members of my family were suggesting that she carries on acting, because there was not enough money to pay for her, and all this sort of stuff.

'Like, there was some real obvious signs before we even got married that this was going to be really hard.'

Kate made ME cry: Meghan denies making Duchess of Cambridge cry and says bust-up with her sister-in-law over flowergirls made HER cry in the run-up to her wedding but she has forgiven her Meghan Markle today claimed in her interview with Oprah Winfrey that the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry before she married Prince Harry. But the Duchess of Sussex also insisted that she has now forgiven Kate Middleton and said she bought her flowers to apologise about the incident. Meghan, 39, was asked about a row with Prince William's wife that made headlines around the world after a falling out over dresses for the flowergirls. Meghan then denied making Kate, also 39, cry before her wedding, which took place at Windsor Castle in May 2018, and said the opposite had happened. Oprah asked Meghan: 'Was there a situation where she (Kate) might have cried? Or she could have cried?' But the Duchess of Sussex replied: 'No, no. The reverse happened. And I don't say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding. And she was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologised. 'And she brought me flowers and a note, apologising. And she did what I would do if I knew that I hurt someone, right, to just take accountability for it.' Meghan added that it was 'shocking' that the 'reverse of that would be out in the world'. She continued: 'A few days before the wedding, she was upset about something pertaining - yes, the issue was correct - about flower girl dresses, and it made me cry, and it really hurt my feelings. 'And I thought, in the context of everything else that was going on in those days leading to the wedding, that it didn't make sense to not be just doing whatever everyone else was doing, which was trying to be supportive, knowing what was going on with my dad and whatnot.' Advertisement

Meghan said Archie becoming a Prince was neither her nor Harry's 'decision to make' and said it was palace officials who revealed Archie 'wasn't going to receive security'.

When asked if it was 'important' for Meghan that Archie be called a prince, she said she doesn't have any attachment to the 'grandeur' of official titles.

But she said it was about 'the idea of our son not being safe, and also the idea of the first member of color in this family not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be.'

Oprah pointed out that Meghan 'came in' as an actress, a divorcee, an independent woman and 'as the first mixed- race person to marry into the family' and asked if 'being able to fit in' concerned her, and if she thought about it.

Meghan replied: 'Well, I thought about it because they made me think about it.

'But I think, at the same time now, upon reflection, thank god all of those things were true. Thank god I had that life experience. Thank god I had known the value of working.'

She added: 'I've always worked. I've always valued independence. I've always been outspoken, especially about women's rights.

'I mean, that's the sad irony of the last four years is I've advocated for so long for women to use their voice, and then I was silent.'

Oprah asked: 'Were you silent? Or were you silenced?'

Meghan replied: 'The latter.'

She added: 'Everyone in my world was given very clear directive from the moment the world knew Harry and I were dating to always say "No comment."

'That's my friends, my mom and dad.

'And we did. I did anything they told me to do. Of course I did, because it was also through the lens of "And we'll protect you."

'So, even as things started to roll out in the media that I didn't see but my friends would call me and say, "Meg, this is really bad," because I didn't see it, I'd go, "Don't worry. I'm being protected."

'I believed that. And I think that was really hard to reconcile because it was only... it was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, but they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.'

Harry also mentioned race as a factor when explaining what he and Meghan needed a 'breath' from when they decided to step back from work as senior royals.

He said: 'From this... this constant barrage.

'My biggest concern was history repeating itself, and I've said that before on numerous occasions, very publicly.

'And what I was seeing was history repeating itself, but more, perhaps... or definitely far more dangerous, because then you add race in and you add social media in.

'And when I'm talking about history repeating itself, I'm talking about my mother.

'When you can see something happening in the same kind of way, anybody would ask for help, ask the system of which you are a part of, especially when you know there's a relationship there, that they could help and share some truth or call...call the dogs off, whatever you want to call it.

'So, to receive no help at all and to be told continuously, "This is how it is. This is just how it is. We've all been through it."

'And I think the biggest turning point for me was... and it didn't take very long. It was actually right at the beginning.

'This union - us, me having a girlfriend was going to be a thing. Of course it was. But I - I never expected, or I never thought...'

Oprah asked: 'Because she was a mixed race?'

Prince Harry said: 'No, just... just the two of us to start with.

'I hadn't really thought about the mixed race piece, because I thought, well, well, firstly, you know, I've spent many years doing the work and doing my own learning.

'But my upbringing in the system, of which I was brought up in and what I've been exposed to, it wasn't... I wasn't aware of it, to start with.

'But, my god, it doesn't take very long to suddenly become aware of it.'

Oprah replied: 'Yeah, because you said you really weren't aware of unconscious bias and all that that represents until you met Meghan.'

Prince Harry said: 'Yeah. You know, as sad as it is to say, it takes living in her shoes, in this instance, for a day or those first eight days, to see where it was going to go and how far they were going to take it.

'And get away with it and be so blatant about it. That's the bit that shocked me.'

When Oprah asked Harry about how he handled Meghan's suicidal thoughts, Harry said he 'didn't have anyone to turn to'.

He said the family 'have this mentality of: "This is just how it is. This is how it's meant to be. You can't change it. We've all been through it".'

But he added: 'What was different for me was the race element, because now it wasn't just about her, but it is about what she represents.

'And, therefore, it wasn't just affecting my wife. It was affecting so many other people, as well. And that's... that was the trigger for me to really engage in those conversations with senior palace staff and with my family to say, "Guys, this is not going to end well".'

Oprah asked: 'And when you say "end well," what did you mean?', to which Harry replied: 'For anyone it's not going to end well, because the way that I saw it was there was a way of doing things, but for us, for this union and the specifics around her race, there was an opportunity, many opportunities, for my family to show some public support.'

He said 'one of the most telling' and 'saddest' parts of the Megxit saga was the fact that no royal family members called out 'the colonial undertones' of Meghan's coverage in the media.

He added: 'And that, that hurts.'

Meghan accused the press of 'attacking and inciting so much racism'.

She said: 'It changed our risk level, because it went... it wasn't just catty gossip.

'It was bringing out a part of people that was racist in how it was charged.

'And that changed the threat. That changed the level of death threats.

'That changed everything.'

In the most extraordinary royal interview in decades, Meghan also revealed that the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry before she married Harry - but insists she has forgiven Kate who bought her flowers to apologise.

Ms Markle, who said she was 'silenced' by Buckingham Palace officials and felt lonely in London, she was asked about a row with Kate that made headlines around the world after a falling out over dresses for the flowergirls.

Harry and Meghan's TV interview with Oprah Winfrey started in the US and began with Meghan Markle showing her growing 'baby bump' and revealed she and her husband will tell Oprah its gender on the show. The Sussexes also showed Oprah around their new mansion in LA, which has chickens.

Speaking hours before the couples tell all with chat show legend Oprah Winfrey was aired in the US, Her Majesty and senior royals - including Charles, Camilla, William and Kate - put on a show of unity as they took part in a pre-recorded Commonwealth Day service.

'The Palace lied about me to protect other royals': Meghan tells Oprah she was 'silenced' and says officials failed to protect her and 'were willing to lie to protect other members of the family' By Amie Gordon For MailOnline Meghan Markle today told Oprah Winfrey that Palace officials failed to protect her and 'were willing to lie to protect other members of the Royal family.' Harry and Meghan's TV interview with Oprah Winfrey has started in the US and began with Meghan Markle showing her growing baby bump. In the historic interview, the mother-to-be opened up about life in 'The Firm' and the struggles she faced adjusting to life in the Royal family. The Duchess of Sussex has already accused The Firm of 'perpetuating falsehoods' about her and Harry and said they refused to be 'silenced' any more. But she revealed she was 'silenced' by Buckingham Palace officials, who told her to always answer 'no comment', adding, 'because it was also through the lens of 'And we'll protect you.' Meghan added: 'It was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, but they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.' The Duchess of Sussex also described her 'pain' that officials had denied her first born son the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect Archie by denying him 24/7 security. A 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.' Oprah asked, 'Were you silent? Or were you silenced?' Meghan replied: 'The latter.' Oprah said: 'So, how does that work? Were you told by the comms people or the-- I don't know-- the institution, the-- were-- were you told to keep silent? Were you-- were you told to say nothing?' Meghan told her: 'Everyone from-- everyone in my world was given very clear directive from the moment the world knew Harry and I were dating to always say 'No comment.' 'That's my friends, my mom and dad. And we did. I did anything they told me to do. 'Of course I did, because it was also through the lens of 'And we'll protect you.' 'So, even as things started to roll out in the media that I didn't see but my friends would call me and say, 'Meg, this is really bad,' because I didn't see it, I'd go, 'Don't worry. I'm being protected. 'I believed that. And-- and I think that was-- that was really hard to reconcile because it was only-- it was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, but they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.' Advertisement

Meghan then denied making Kate cry before her wedding in 2018  and said the opposite had happened. Oprah asked the Duchess: Was there a situation where she (Kate) might have cried? Or she could have cried?

But the Duchess of Sussex replied: No, no. The reverse happened. And I don't say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding. And she was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologised.

And she brought me flowers and a note, apologising. And she did what I would do if I knew that I hurt someone, right, to just take accountability for it. Meghan added that it was shocking that the reverse of that would be out in the world.

She continued: A few days before the wedding, she was upset about something pertaining - yes, the issue was correct - about flower girl dresses, and it made me cry, and it really hurt my feelings.

And I thought, in the context of everything else that was going on in those days leading to the wedding, that it didn't make sense to not be just doing whatever-- what everyone else was doing, which was trying to be supportive, knowing what was going on with my dad and whatnot.

Meghan also said: It wasn't a confrontation, and I actually think it's I don't think it's fair to her to get into the details of that, because she apologised.

What was hard to get over was being blamed for something that not only I didn't do but that happened to me. And the people who were part of our wedding were going to our comms team and saying: "I know this didn't happen. I don't have to tell them what actually happened".

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's TV interview with Oprah Winfrey has started in the US and began with Meghan Markle showing her growing 'baby bump' and revealed she and her husband will reveal its gender on the show.

The Duchess of Sussex had claimed she entered the Royal Family 'naively' and didn't do any research about her husband or the institution before entering it.

Describing meeting the Queen for the first time at Windsor and that she was shocked when she was told by Harry would need to curtsy to Her Majesty.

Meghan said: 'That was when the penny dropped. We just practiced and then walked in. We went in and i met her and apparently I did a very deep curtsy, I don't remember it. then we just sat there and chatted. I grew up in LA, I see celebrities all the time. it's not the same. This is a completely different ball game'.

Ms Markle said she was welcomed by the royals, but then claimed it became more difficult in the run up to the wedding.

She said: 'Everyone in my world was given very clear directive from the moment the world knew Harry and I were dating to always say "No comment." That's my friends, my mom and dad.

'I did anything they told me to do. Of course I did, because it was also through the lens of "And we'll protect you." So, even as things started to roll out in the media that I didn't see but my friends would call me and say, "Meg, this is really bad," because I didn't see it, I'd go, "Don't worry. I'm being protected."

'And everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, but they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.'

The couple's decision to speak to the queen of US interviewers on CBS has caused a transatlantic row with Buckingham Palace after Meghan accused the royals of smearing them.

The Duchess of Sussex, who brokered the interview, has already accused The Firm of perpetuating falsehoods about her and Harry and said they refused to be silenced any more.

The Sussexes have been branded 'selfish' and 'disrespectful' to go ahead with the shown when Harry's 99-year-old grandfather Prince Philip is in hospital recovering from heart surgery.

The interview, expected to be viewed by tens of millions of people in the US and millions more around the globe, is considered the most important piece of royal TV since Harry's mother spoke to the BBC's Martin Bashir in 1995 after she separated from Prince Charles.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have today insisted that their Oprah interview would be the 'last word' on their rift with the Royal Family. The couple, who will have their second child later this year, said they felt they 'needed to have their say' but now want to 'move on'.

Hours before the broadcast the Queen spoke to the UK in a TV address to mark Commonwealth Day, where Her Majesty stressed the importance of staying in touch with family and friends during the 'testing times' caused by coronavirus. In her speech, the Queen said: 'We can all live a life of service. Service is universal'.

In audio, played over new footage of the 94-year-old sovereign walking past the flags of the family of nations at Windsor Castle, the head of state referred to friendship and a spirit of unity - all qualities currently absent from her relationship with her grandson.

She said the Commonwealth - which she had keenly hoped Harry and Meghan would play a significant role in before they quit - had shown throughout the pandemic courage, commitment and selfless dedication to duty.
When I was a young woman attending my now husbands church, I attended the ladies' fellowship meetings each month. One such meeting introduced me to the prayer shawl. There was a lady in our church that was having a rough time and the group wanted to gift her a prayer shawl.

This prayer shawl was to be crocheted in beautiful colors and prayed over before giving it to her. I had no idea what a prayer shawl was, and I certainly didnt know what this lady was going to do with it. Years later, I still didnt understand the purpose of a prayer shawl.

From my curiosity sprang a desire to know all about the sacred garment called a prayer shawl and what the significance of this garment was. What I found was a piece of cloth steeped in Jewish tradition with a beautiful purpose.

What Is a Prayer Shawl?

A prayer shawl, also called a tallit, is a special garment worn by Jewish men. The garment signifies the nobility that comes from being Gods chosen people. The tallit is a sign of obedience to Gods law.

Jewish women are not required to wear them, but some do during prayer time. Jewish children are often given the tallit at their bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah. Some Christians today use a prayer shawl during their prayer time.

Origin and History of Prayer Shawls

Prayer shawls go by many names, but the most accepted name is Tallit. Historically, prayer shawls or tallits were worn by Jewish men. After Moses led the Hebrew people from the land of Egypt and God spoke His commands, men began the practice of wearing a prayer shawl. These shawls were not only worn at times of prayer, but they were also worn throughout the day. Men would place them around their necks or under their outer garments.

It is believed the prayer shawl was designed similar to the outer garments Bedouins wore to protect their skin from the desert sun. That would explain the white shawl with black stripes. The shawls would have been made from a mixture of silk and wool. The Israelites would have used wool to show the connection to the sacrificial lamb.

The design included tassels placed at the four corners of the garment. Each tassel was to have eight threads and five knots on each corner of the garment. The total number of tassels equals 613, signifying the number of commandments God gave in the Torah.

Historically, only men were required to wear the tallit but today some women choose to wear them too. The color of the tallit is traditionally white with a blue thread running through the tassels. When the Jews were dispersed, blue thread was difficult to obtain, therefore it was accepted that other colors would be used.

Today, prayer shawls are designed and used much like they were historically. The Jewish people continue to use the prayer shawl to connect to God faster and more intimately.

Where Are Prayer Shawls Mentioned in the Bible?

Prayer shawls are not specifically mentioned in the Bible, but the garment is derived from Scripture references in the Torah. In Numbers 15:38-41, the Lord is speaking to Moses and says, Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garment, with a blue cord on each tassel. Deuteronomy 22:12 also says to make tassels on the four corners of the cloak you wear.

The purpose of the tassels was for the Israelite people to have a reminder of all Gods commands.

What Is the Significance of This Garment?

Throughout history, we find fringe garments, but the tallit is one of special significance. It gave Gods people a sense of power and authority.

Tassels, or fringe, were located at the hem of a garment. This was to signify the authority that the one wearing it had. For example, David cut a corner of Sauls robe off and later felt guilty because of it. Saul was the king, and it was a great dishonor to cut his robe.

The colors for the shawl pointed to nobility. Blue, white, and purple are the colors used because of their significance. God mentions being clothed in purple in Ezekiel and Mordecai being clothed in royal apparel of blue and white, and a garment of purple in Esther. God is our King; therefore, His children are of noble lineage.

Wearing a prayer shawl during times of prayer is like having a tent meeting with the Lord.

How Is a Prayer Shawl Worn?

The prayer shawl is a sacred garment to the Jewish people. The shawl is worn not just on special occasions, but every day. It is often worn under the outer garment, but not touching the skin. The tassels hang from under the outer garment, in sight of others.

When the prayer shawl is put on each morning, a special blessing is said. The shawl would be placed in front of you as you say these words:

Blessed are you, Adonai our God,

Sovereign of all,

who hallows us with mitzvot,

commanding us to wrap ourselves in the fringes.

Once the blessing is said, then you would wrap the shawl around your shoulders. Some choose to place the shawl on their head for a moment before wrapping their shoulders.

For the Jewish people, wearing a prayer shawl is a sign of obedience to Gods commands. The shawl represents a sense of personal space. It can feel like you are wrapped in the arms of God.

Although the prayer shawl does not hold as much significance for Christians, it is still an item that is special to us. When we read Scripture or spend time in prayer and meditation, a prayer shawl can be comforting. It can help us feel closer to God. Our time spent with the Father can feel more personal.

Why Do Christians Not Wear These Today?

Jesus was a Jew and would have worn a cloak with fringe. There are stories in the Bible about the sick touching the hem of Jesus' cloak. Your cloak with tassels was a holy piece. It signified your beliefs and love for the one true God. Before Jesus came to Earth, the prayer shawl was a requirement for His people.

Once Jesus died on the cross for us, we no longer had that requirement. We were free from the law.

Often, Christians will purchase a prayer shawl while on a trip to the Holy Land or online markets. They are a reminder for us of what God did for His chosen people and what He did when He sent His son to die for us.

Christians dont wear prayer shawls because of our belief that the Messiah has come, and we live under the new covenant. Today we find ladies groups crocheting shawls for other ladies. They are given as gifts during a time of grief or sickness.

A prayer shawl for Christians can have intricate designs and colorful themes. Even though we are not required to wear them, they are nonetheless special.

Prayer shawls have a rich history within the Jewish community. They are a beautiful and sacred garment always worn during daylight hours. Today, a prayer shawl is still precious and sacred for the Christian. It is usually given as a gift to a person who is facing difficult circumstances. They dont look like the tallit Jesus wore, but they serve as a reminder that we are carried through this life wrapped in the arms of our Father.

Photo Credit: GettyImages/tomertu

Ashley Hooker is a freelance writer who spends her time homeschooling her two children, ministering alongside her husband as he pastors a rural church in West Virginia, and writing about her faith. Currently, she is a contributing author for Journey Christian magazine. She has taken part in mission trips with the NC Baptist Men during the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey in Mississippi and Texas. In her local church, she has served on various committees focusing in the area of evangelism along with traveling to West Virginia and Vermont to share the Gospel. Her dream is to spend her time writing and sharing the love of Christ with all she meets.
Ann Arbor, Michigan--(Newsfile Corp. - March 8, 2021) - TransGlobal Assets, Inc. (OTC Pink: TMSH) is proud to announce the addition of Larry Gotcher in the position of Real Estate Acquisition Consultant. Gotcher joins Transglobal Assets from his role as Founding Partner of Keller Williams of Michigan, the largest Real Estate franchise in the state.

TransGlobal Assets has partially purchased 60+ acres in South Haven, MI. for the development of a Hemp Ranch, where it will manufacture all-natural CBD products to be sold through Monster Elixir, a wholly owned subsidiary of TransGlobal Assets. Larry Gotcher will head up development of this project and will consult on other real estate investment ventures.

He is a top-producing realtor with more than $500 Million in sales and 4,000 closings over his 30-year career. Current projects include, but are not limited to, a private partnership real estate office construction project, developing 60+ acres currently under construction and developing 60+acres in Chelsea, MI. Total retail value of the project is estimated to exceed $100 Million.

Additionally, he has extensive 15+ years experience in the lending space, where he managed 7 bank branches and a team of 30 loan officers with more than 2,500 closings on record. He has owned more than 100 properties as principal over the last 30 years, and currently manages 20-40 properties with his team. He will oversee the Company's real estate expansions, and will report directly to Curtis Philpot, CEO.

For further inquiries please contact:

Curtis Philpot, Chief Executive Officer

TransGlobal Assets Inc. (TMSH)

Email: CPhilpot360@TransGlobalAssets.net

About TransGlobal Assest:

TransGlobal Assets Inc. is a publicly traded Hemp/CBD holdings company. Our business model is a self-sustaining Hemp Ranch. Each hemp ranch will be vertically integrated from acres allocated, to outdoor cultivation and indoor greenhouses, to warehouses for processing farm grown hemp into textiles, hempcrete & plastics. The Hemp Ranch will provide raw products for processing the all-natural products line to be sold through Monster Elixir, a wholly owned subsidiary of TransGlobal Assets Inc. Monster Elixir products include but not limited to, Green Essence Beverages; an all-natural CBD infused lemonade, and Crown Care; an all-natural Hemp infused hair care line.

Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and jut uncertainties. That includes the possibility that the business outlined in this press release cannot be concluded for some reason. That could be as a result of technical, installation, permitting or other problems that were not anticipated. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of TransGlobal Assets, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein. Except for any obligation under the U.S. federal securities laws, TransGlobal Assets, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76198
SCHENECTADY  A civilian-advised panel has completed its review of proposed changes to the Schenectady Police Department and have sent their recommendations to City Council.

A public hearing is scheduled for Monday.

The package finalized on Friday contains nearly two-dozen recommendations designed to make the department more responsive, including the creation of new mental health and community policing units.

Over time, police also aim to phase out responding to calls involving distressed minors.

These things arent happening as common as they used to, but it does happen, Chief Eric Clifford said.

Those calls often result in disproportionate responses, including in Rochester, where police are under scrutiny for pepper-spraying a nine-year-old girl.

Rethinking their response to those calls, as well as those by neighbors seeking to mediate non-violent disputes, are part of the department's broader efforts to reduce weaponizing the police, or when private citizens and community agencies attempt to leverage police to do their bidding.

Such action often carries racial undercurrents  including when a white woman called the police on a Black man in Central Park last summer, falsely claiming he was threatening her safety  and can result in fatal outcomes.

New York is requiring all police departments to have reform plans filed by April 1 to be eligible for future state funding.

City Council is expected to vote on the final package of reforms on March 22.

The process was not a glide path, and negotiations to settle upon a consensus document during last week's final stretch were nearly derailed when activists and clergy members questioned the validity of the reforms if they were not approved in a straight up-or-down vote by the steering committee guiding the process.

That gives us a very limited role, said the Rev. Phil Grigsby. Youve made it perfectly clear the way you want it to succeed.

Clifford countered the city has been unique in its inclusivity statewide, including facilitating the series of panel discussions last fall that drew nearly 200 participants to glean input that formed the bedrock for recommendations.

The role of the steering committee is not to direct how the police department is to be managed, Clifford said. Thats my job.

Clifford and Black Lives Matter activists have had a hot-cold relationship throughout the process.

Schenectady-based activists from All of Us have said only immediate, sweeping change can counter decades of systemic racism and police brutality.

While members were initially dismissive of the panel, they gradually increased their participation and ramped up pressure, and were given the floor last month to go into their demands for change in detail, a measure both parties described as productive.

But tensions resurfaced when members accused the process of being undemocratic. Panelist Mikayla Foster said while the talks have led to progress and have been fairly inclusive, she criticized the decision not to hold a vote.

Whats the point of this task force if its not actually democratic and two people are taking what they want from it and calling it successful? Foster said.

The task force is led by Clifford and Mayor Gary McCarthy, with City Council tasked with ultimate oversight of the final reform package.

We do have a democratic process in place here, and thats the City Council, Clifford said.

Imam Genghis Khan said integrating council members into the meetings was important in itself, and will hopefully give lawmakers a better understanding of police issues.

Conversations and raising awareness was the key part, Khan said.

Another last-minute dust-up was over the review by a Union College professor of the preliminary report by the John F. Finn Institute for Public Safety used to form the basis of the final recommendations.

That review claimed the report failed to address racial bias and disproportionate policing, and said while some implications for reform are promising, others were scattershot.

The Finn Institute shot back that the review mischaracterized their role in the process, and the fact that policing produces racial and ethnic disparities is well-established and is the entire premise for the state mandate issued by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo last June.

As conversations spiraled, tensions flared and the deadline loomed, Clifford gave panelists an ultimatum: Either they could discuss the recommendations in an attempt to reach broad consensus, or he would terminate the talks and participants could submit their comments in writing for consideration.

We cannot allow for what can be perceived as filibusters here, Clifford said. Yet the sparring resulted in some modifications.

While hogties are not used by the department and fall under a de facto ban, pressure by Foster and Grigsby resulted in Clifford reworking the plan on Friday to explicitly eliminate their usage.

Discussion on Friday largely centered on training; how residents would be consulted when it comes to shifts in community policing strategy; whether or not to boost foot patrols, and facilitating cross-cultural training to mitigate tensions on police calls.

Clifford said the department will explore creating advisory task forces to inform how city police roll out the reforms, and dialogue will be ongoing.

McCarthy said the process has always been geared towards building consensus and a roadmap for change, and the infrastructure for ongoing dialogue will remain in place once City Council adopts a package into law.

I dont expect 110 percent agreement on any one of these topics, McCarthy said. And even when it goes to City Council, I expect some modifications or shifts based on the individual thinking of council members.

Other changes include a police substation and anti-racism training for officers, including a 21-week equity challenge. Police will be given more resources to aid with well-being, and normalize the practice of officers seeking mental health.

City police also pledged to recruit a more diverse force. Yet officials said attracting more candidates of color is hampered by Civil Service Exam requirements, a complaint echoed by departments across the Capital Region.

And to chip away at racial disparities, the department will lean on technological advances to tighten up how it collects use of force and traffic stop demographics, perhaps spurring future reforms in the process.

Community activist William Rivas called the months-long process an emotional roller coaster.

But, he said: Im very hopeful in how this process plays out.

Reforms to the citys Civilian Police Review Board are running on a parallel track, with a vote scheduled on Monday to pass the package out of committee.
By Danish Siddiqui and Zeba Siddiqui

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Thousands of women joined protests by farmers on the outskirts of Delhi on Monday to mark International Women's Day, demanding the scrapping of new laws that open up agriculture produce markets to private buyers.

Since December, many farmers accompanied by their families have camped at three sites on the outskirts of the Indian capital to oppose the biggest farm reforms in decades, which they say hurt them.

Wearing bright yellow scarves representing the colour of mustard fields, the women took centrestage at one key site, chanting slogans, holding small marches, and making speeches through loudspeakers to target the laws.

"This is an important day as it represents women's strength," said Veena, a 37-year-old from a farming family, who gave only one name in order to protect her identity.

"I believe if us women are united, then we can achieve our target much quicker," added Veena, who travelled from the northern state of Punjab to the sprawling Tikri protest spot.

More than 20,000 women gathered at the site near Delhi's border with the state of Haryana, police and event organisers said.

"This is a day that will be managed and controlled by women, the speakers will be women, there will be a lot of feminist perspectives brought in, and discussions on what these laws mean for women farmers," said farm activist Kavitha Kuruganti.

"It is one more occasion to showcase and highlight the contribution of women farmers both in agriculture in India as well as to this movement."

India says the reforms will bring private investment into a vast and antiquated farm sector, improve supply chains and cut colossal waste.

Faced with the protests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government offered to suspend the laws for 18 months, but the farmers have refused to back down, demanding their repeal.

Agriculture accounts for nearly 15% of India's $2.9 trillion economy and employs about half its workforce.

Story continues

Women farmers have as much at stake as men from the new laws, Kuruganti added.

"Markets that are distant as well as exploitative make single women farmers more vulnerable, and in any case a patriarchal society has discriminated and made them vulnerable."

(Reporting by Zeba Siddiqui and Danish Siddiqui in NEW DELHI; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani and Clarence Fernandez)
Slough Flooring in Harrisburg installed herringbone wooden floors at the state Capitol in the early 1900s that remain to this day. The company weathered world wars, Spanish Flu, the Great Depression and the 2008 financial crash.

Yet COVID-19 has posed some of the most unique and difficult challenges in the history of the company.
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The 12th batch of coronavirus vaccine doses developed by Pfizer and BioNTech the largest one so far has arrived in Lithuania, the country's health ministry said on Monday

VILNIUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 08th March, 2021) The 12th batch of coronavirus vaccine doses developed by Pfizer and BioNTech the largest one so far has arrived in Lithuania, the country's health ministry said on Monday.

"The 12th and the largest batch of the coronavirus vaccine from the BioNTech/Pfizer developer arrived at the warehouse of the health ministry's emergency center on Monday.

It includes 31,590 doses of the vaccine," the ministry said in a press release.

To date, 210,000 people across the Baltic state, or 7.5 percent of the entire population, have received COVID-19 shots, the ministry said, adding that nearly one third of citizens over 80 years old already inoculated.

Lithuania started its mass vaccination campaign along with other EU states in late December. Like many other countries, it has given priority to medical staffers working in COVID-19 wards, emergency departments and intensive care units.
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RTHK: Concern as Myanmar protesters cordoned off

Hundreds of peaceful anti-coup protesters were cordoned by Myanmar security forces in Yangon on Monday, the UN said, warning they were "deeply concerned" about their fate.

The country has been in turmoil since a February 1 coup ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and triggered mass protests against the new military junta.

The police and military have responded with an increasingly brutal crackdown on demonstrators, with more than 50 people killed and nearly 1,800 arrested.

As demonstrators across the country sought to paralyse the economy with strike action following a weekend of night raids and arrests, security forces blocked around 200 protesters in San Chaung township in the commercial hub of Yangon from leaving.

Sharp loud bangs could be heard coming from the area, according to a reporter, although it's unclear if the sounds were caused by gunfire or stun grenades.

Repeated screaming was audible in a live Facebook stream.

The UN and embassies in Yangon  including the US and former colonial power Britain  urged security forces to free the demonstrators, many of whom had taken shelter in the homes of local residents.

The statement came after three protesters were shot dead on Monday.

It was also a dark day for independent media in the country, as security forces raided the office of Myanmar Now in Yangon.

The outlet later had its publishing licence revoked, as did independent media Mizzima, DVB, Khit Thit and 7 Day, following an information ministry order, state broadcaster MRTV said.

That followed the closure of banks, stores, shopping malls and some clothing factories Monday after an appeal by trade unions for a general strike to bring the economy to a standstill. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2021-03-08. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The organizer of the protest against mandatory vaccination, which took place on Sunday, in front of the Palace of Parliament, was fined 7,000 RON (over EUR 1,434) for not taking the necessary measures for limiting the number of participants to a hundred people and also for not respecting the other sanitary protection measures, according to a specification made by the Capital Gendarmerie sent to AGERPRES.

The manifestation was organized by the Alliance of Parents along with four other associations, namely Pro Consumers, Doctors for Informed Consent, United People and Pro Informed Decisions.

"Until now, the organizer of the activity was sanctioned with a fine worth 7,000 RON for not taking the necessary measures, so that the maximum number of 100 participants will not be passed, and also for not ensuring the sanitary protection measures, in accordance with the HG 35 provisions of 2021 regarding the extension of the state of alert throughout Romania's territory, emitted based on Law nr. 55/2020 regarding some measures for preventing and combating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the subsequent modifications and amendments," the Bucharest Gendarmerie General Directorate mentioned.

Hundreds of participants came Sunday afternoon, at the downtown Izvor Park, to a protest action regarding the draft of mandatory vaccination, which is currently in parliamentary debate, which was followed by a march around the Palace of Parliament. Some of the participants did not wear protection masks, according to the current regulations.
Arizona car shoppers in the Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert area may qualify for great savings at Earnhardt Toyota during the annual Ready Set Go! Sales Event.

Arizona car shoppers who are looking forward to a fresh start in March 2021 may find the perfect automotive fit at Earnhardt Toyota during the Toyota Ready Set Go! Sales Event. The annual spring sales event will provide budget-minded savings for qualified buyers through March 31. Toyota Ready Set Go! sales incentives can be applied to many Toyota-brand favorites that include the Toyota Tacoma, RAV4 and 4Runner.

To qualify for Toyota Ready Set Go! sales incentives, potential consumers must be approved via Toyota Financial Services. Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert area drivers interested in the 2021 Toyota Tacoma may be eligible for a 1.9% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for 60 months. Additional Toyota Tacoma lease incentives include a 36-month lease with $2,999 down and $279 per month for the Tacoma Double Cab TRD Off-Road with 4WD.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is a fan favorite at Earnhardt Toyota that is perfect for the family on the go with room for five passengers and 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space. Qualified car shoppers can finance the Toyota RAV4 for 60 months with 0.9% APR and $500 Bonus Cash. Those individuals who prefer to lease the Toyota RAV4 may be eligible for a 36-month lease with $2,999 down, $239 per month and $500 Bonus Cash.

Drivers who love to hit the trail on the weekends will love what the 2021 Toyota 4Runner brings to the table at Earnhardt Toyota. The trail-rated Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD is available for lease during the Toyota Ready Set Go! Sales Event with an affordable 36-month lease offer that includes $3,299 due at signing and $349 per month. To sweeten the pot, the Toyota 4Runner is available with $500 Customer Cash.

Potential owners can learn more about the Toyota Ready Set Go! Sales Event savings available at Earnhardt Toyota online at http://www.earnhardttoyota.com. Consumers who prefer a more personal interaction can contact a member of the Earnhardt Toyota sales team directly by calling 480-807-9700.
A fire destroyed a barn this weekend in Reedsville, Mifflin County that had been decorated with a message of support for President Joe Biden. And that fire is now being investigated for suspected arson, according to police.

The fire began overnight into the early morning of March 6, destroying the barn owned by Robin and Lawrence Herst. They had painted the barn with a message supporting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris prior to the 2020 presidential election, as well as a message that read unity over division.

The Mifflin County Regional Police did not have details on any investigation that had begun over the weekend, but by Monday morning, police chief Andre French was able to confirm that the department was looking into the fire for evidence of a crime.

The investigation is ongoing, French said in a voicemail message. Our in-house fire investigator, directly from his report, [said] the cause of the fire is most likely arson. Again, were very early in the investigation so thats about all Im going to be able to release at this time.

Within minutes of meeting, Robin and Lawrence welcomed me into their hearts and their home.

Around 1am this morning in an apparent arson, their famed Biden Barn was burned to the ground. If you can contribute anything please do so here : https://t.co/Lrd03epz5f  Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (@malcolmkenyatta) March 6, 2021

The Mifflin County Regional Police had confirmed over the weekend that they had been previously called to the barn to investigate criminal mischief, such as the barn being shot with paintball guns.

Many on social media, including Pennsylvania State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, had shared posts over the weekend about the destruction of the barn and sharing links to a GoFundMe page to raise money for its rebuilding. After two days, the fundraiser has raised nearly $20,000 dollars.
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.
March 08 : Streaming giant Netflix India just shared an epic picture featuring almost 44 celebrities on social media.

The official handle of Netflix India dropped a picture with three part note, featuring 44 leading ladies of Bollywood  including Director, Producers, Writers and actors.

Celebrities such as Alankrita Shrivastava, Renuka Shahane, Pooja Bhatt, Neena Gupta, Amala Paul, Divya Dutta, Inayat Verma, Ashwin Yardi, Guneet Monga, Tahira Kashyap Khurrana, Prajakta Kohli, Kriti Kulhari, Masaba Gupta, Zoya Hussian and more features on the picture.

The note read, Raise your hands if youve grown up watching films where women needed macho heroes to rescue them from the bad guys, ran around trees singing songs, and only dreamt about falling in love. But the women we see around us, women like you and me, are simply so much more.

Actor Amala Paul remembers watching Bollywood films as a kid. They were all about the perfect woman with a great marriage, happy husband and children. She says, I want to see stories that explore the grey sidethe insecurities, fears, and traumas we develop from our relationships or childhood. I wish there were more movies that taught us to love ourselves; to put ourselves first.

The changing narratives of today are paving the way for a tomorrow where the ambitions, desires and dreams of women are boundless. Eight-year-old Inayat Verma who recently starred in Ludo, says in her adorable manner, Mein badi ho kar working girl ka role karna chahungi. Kyunki tab hum pyaar bhi kar sakte hain, aur independent bhi rahenge.

Stories have now become bolder, sharper and more inclusive. I think things have changed over the last 3-4 years, says veteran actor, Neena Gupta. Actresses my age are getting more interesting roles. I recently met young girls at an airport who told me that they loved Pinni -- a story about an older woman and her husband. I never thought young girls would like something like this. This goes on to show that our audiences are evolving. Women dont need to shy away from telling their stories or owning their spaces anymore.

Today, badass, feisty women-centric stories are finding their way into our homes. There are more female characters who go through real-life experiences and are unafraid to take up space. Take Pooja Bhatt for instance, who returns to play a no-nonsense, career woman in Bombay Begums. Diverse roles such as this helps women from across the age spectrum reclaim their voice.

Why do we feel that once women have crossed a certain threshold in terms of age, somehow they stop being women? asks director Alankrita Shrivastava, popularly known for her film Lipstick Under My Burkha. Why do we forget that they're full-bodied human beings with ambitions and desires; that they also experience love, heartbreak and betrayal?

While we might have managed to nudge the status quo slightly, actor-turned director, Renuka Shahane feels we need to fling the doors right open. I think, I want real. I want people to look at women in a very human, non-judgmental way. Women need to have their own character arc and should be well-defined. I still see the saviour man syndrome even in women-centric films, which needs to stop.

The digital era has elbowed out space for more diverse stories that are centered on spunky women who arent mere cardboard cut-outs. Renuka Shahane says she wouldn't have been able to release Tribhanga 10 years ago without brutally editing it. I wouldve probably had to make my characters nicer, more womanly, more acceptable. Kajols character for instance, is rude. She's in-your-face.

While films like Super Deluxe are being appreciated for their progressive scripts, when we think about diversity in storytelling, we still have a long way to go. We need more stories of women who exist across ages, classes, and the LGBTQI+ spectrum.

The problem comes with films that have any kind of alternative point-of-view or arent star-driven, says acclaimed director Alankrita Shrivastava. She notes that even today it is difficult to make films about homosexual characters and really dig deeper into their intimate lives because you don't know whether the film will get passed or not.

We must celebrate small wins though. If you look at behind-the-scenes, more women are steering the ship. There are more female directors, editors and stylists on sets calling the shots. Back in 2003, when I was an assistant director, there were over 200 men and only three women on set, says Alankrita.

Today, you can find an increasing number of women both on and behind the screen. However, more seats still need to be filled in departments like cinematography and sound. I think we just have to proactively hire more women, she says, because the moment you have more women in powerful positions, automatically youll find those sets having more women.

It really takes just one story to make a change. So, heres to all the women making a difference with their stories. Together, we make a brighter, more colourful, more free tomorrow.

#IWD2021 #NowStreeming @ashviniyardi, @thesaranfiles, @smwhtlatelatif, @shefalishahofficial, @rasikadugal, @sonirazdan, @ashidua, @srishtibehlarya, @renukash710, @chinxter, @kaachua, @tahirakashyap, #AyeshaSood, @plabita.manu, @mostlysane, @itsmonikapanwar @surveenchawla, @kalkikanmani, @shwetabasuprasad11, @amrutasubhash, @sayanigupta, @neena_gupta,@divyadutta25, @inayatverma22, @mipalkarofficial, @monika_shergill, @guneetmonga, @masabagupta, @iamkirtikulhari, @madhubhojwani @aadhya_anand, @zyhssn, @zaynmarie, @bhavanapandey, @aneeshabaig, #TanyaBami, @seemakhan76, @maheepkapoor, @dattanaomi, @sumairashaikh__, @dollysingh, @kaneezsurka, @mallikadua, @prashastisingh read the full note.
MASON CITY, Iowa - New data from the Alzheimer's Association is showing disparities when it comes to Alzheimer's and dementia care.

According to the Alzheimer's Associations 2021 Alzheimers Disease Facts and Figures report, about 66,000 Iowans 65 and older are living with the disease. That number is expected to grow to 73,000 in just 4 years. In addition, 1,344 statewide deaths were reported from the disease in 2019. Also, about 73,000 Iowa residents are serving as unpaid family caregivers.

The report also found that discrimination is a barrier to care. Roughly 36% of African Americans and nearly 18% of Hispanic Americans and 19% of Asian Americans who responded to two national surveys believe that discrimination would be a barrier to receiving care. In addition, half or more of non-White caregivers say they have experienced discrimination when navigating health care settings for their care recipient.

Darshini Jayawardena's father served as a diplomat in the foreign service, always thinking on his feet and was well read. He retired at the age of 60, but before that, Jayawardena said that he started repeating himself, which was a warning sign.

"There was still a stigma attached. When my father started repeating himself, that continued for 5-6 years, where it would get progressively worse. We thought it was because he retired and was getting old, normal aging. It became so severe that when he would travel to see us from Sri Lanka, it became so noticeable that my husband had him go through a cognitive test. That's when it was identified as Alzheimer's."

At first, her mother was in denial about her husband's condition, but ultimately stopped going out to protect him.

"That's what a lot of caregivers do because they want to protect their loved one. They want to make sure people don't see him as some foolish person that's repeating himself. She tried to protect him as best she could."

Over the next 12 years, her father's condition got worse, and her mother would continue to take care of him until his passing 10 years ago. Jayawardena has continued to be a vocal advocate for Alzheimer's awareness, participating in the yearly walk, and has also served on the state Alzheimers Association board. Shes networked with many families that have been in similar situations.

Its so heartbreaking when you first hear the news, and you know what youre going to expect, whats going to happen to your loved one. My Mother said that Alzheimers is the worst disease anyone can have because it affects the persons mind. After thats gone, when youre taking care of someone who doesnt know who you are, its so sad.

With the ongoing pandemic, she feels it would be devastating for families who are going through this at the moment, not being able to see loved ones.

"Alzheimer's is all about touching and recognizing old songs and things like that. For that patient, it's a comfort. I don't know how Alzheimer's patients in those units were able to cope because they didn't have the human touch and those memories."

Shes also aware of how much taking care of a family member with Alzheimers can take a toll on a caregivers well-being.

Caregivers need that space to take care of themselves. A lot of health care issues impact caregivers because an Alzheimers patient is being taken care of. The caregiver has the worry and the burden, especially if the patient starts exhibiting the signs of wandering or they have to make sure the doors are locked so they dont wander off and get lost.

She encourages families to reach out and seek help, especially through the Alzheimer's Association.

They have so many resources out there. Videos on how to care take of a patient, or the 10 warning signs of Alzheimers. Even how to talk to a patient thats been diagnosed.
Mumbai, March 8 : Actress Janhvi Kapoor plays a character that is possessed by a ghost in the upcoming film "Roohi", and she had to undergo "multiple look tests" to perfect her appearance for the role.

Director Hardik Mehta says she adapted to the role well. "We did multiple look tests to arrive at a combination of prosthetics and VFX to create the look for Janhvi. What really surprised me was the switch that Janhvi would make as soon as prosthetics would come into play, and her whole body language and voice would change to that of her witch character," he says.

In fact, sources from the sets say that Janhvi tried out 10 different options before the final one was decided.

Produced by Dinesh Vijan and Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, the horror comedy also stars Rajkummar Rao and Varun Sharma. The film will hit the screens on March 11.
[March 08, 2021] Spring Sales March Expo Lets Buyers Meet Chinese Suppliers In Real-Time Without Travel

NANJING, China, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Made-in-China.com, China's leading comprehensive third-party B2B e-commerce platform, is hosting a massive virtual sourcing event, the Spring Sales, from March 1 to March 31, 2021 accessible via its website and mobile app. With global travel still restricted, the Spring Sales provides buyers worldwide the timely opportunity to meet 50,000 registered suppliers in real-time. During the free month-long event, registered members of Made-in-China.com are offered special filter functions, live showroom tours and exclusive discounts. Orders can be placed both on the platform and directly with suppliers. No matter your product offering, chances are you'll find them this month on Made-in-China.com. You can choose from 300,000 new products, covering almost every category, including consumer electronics, tools and machinery, clothing, accessories, jewelry, home decor and other specialty merchadise.



Rest assured regarding the quality of products with over 15,000 free samples available before placing an order. Moreover, there are more than 22,000 Rapid Dispatch products available shipped within 15 workdays after placing your order. Newly integrated smart "Tags" makes filtering through the products easier than ever. Every product is tagged with various labels such as 'Special Discount', 'Free Samples', 'Sold 10000+' and others.

The grand expo, China International Export Fair, will also be held from March 15 to March 24 alongside the Spring Sales. Multiple advanced technologies of VR, 360 virtual tour, face-to-face online meetings, real-time language translation, and AR special features will provide a reassuringly real participation experience and support negotiations with suppliers. Spring Sales is more than just deals, important as that is. It is a month of discovery giving you access to more than 600 selected showrooms round-the-clock livestreams. Attendees will witness more than 200 new product launches, visit more than 100 factories, and watch more than 300 out-of-box reviews. Made-in-China.com will also showcase how leading factories cooperate with the world's leading companies and also equip you with free professional trend analysis on the machinery industry. So, before you jump in, please create a plan of action. What products are you looking for? What industry news do you want to get? Do you sell seasonal goods to take advantage of the Rapid Dispatch Tag? Planning what you need ahead of time will make the ordering process much quicker, smoother and more efficient. For more information about Made-in-China.com's Spring Sales, please visit: website: https://sourcing.made-in-china.com/2021-spring-sales/?utm_source=overnews&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=PR mobile version: https://m.made-in-china.com/buyer/pf/index?utm_source=overnews&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=PR SOURCE Made-in-China.com

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Almost a third of Barcelona's members see Lionel Messi as dispensable.

As well as conducting a poll asking members who they had voted for, TV3 enquired about the members' opinions on their captain.

Of those asked, 65.7 percent said that Messi's renewal is essential for the club, while 30.7 percent disagree.

Asked about renovation work at the Camp Nou, 64 percent of members said that they'd happily see Barcelona play away from their usual home stadium to speed up work, much like Real Madrid have done by playing at Valdebebas during the coronavirus pandemic.
Tragic Saved By The Bell star Dustin Diamond was never legally married to ex Jennifer Misner, according to a newly obtained death certificate.

The actor, best known for his role as Screech in the teen high-school comedy, passed away aged 44 at home in Florida on February 1st after a short battle with lung cancer.

But a death certificate obtained by TMZ states Diamond 'never married' - despite many fans believing he had exchanged vows with Misner in 2009 before divorcing in 2013.

Didn't happen: Tragic Saved By The Bell star Dustin Diamond was never legally married to ex Jennifer Misner, according to a newly obtained death certificate

The actor had also worn a wedding ring prior to his death, but close friend Dan Block, President of Insurance Kings, has insisted the ring was merely a way of showing his dedication to Misner during their relationship.

Block also told the publication that Diamond was increasingly frustrated with Wikipedia for incorrectly stating he had married Misner.

The actor died just three weeks after being diagnosed with stage four small-cell lung carcinoma.

Not applicable: A death certificate obtained by TMZ states Diamond 'never married' - despite many fans believing he had exchanged vows with Misner in 2009 before divorcing in 2013

Speaking to in 2012, Diamond had referred to Misner as his wife as he talked about marriage during an interview with CityTV in October 2012.

Holding his wedding finger aloft, he said: 'Happy wife, happy life my friend! Thats the way to do it!'

The former couple, who met in Pennsylvania, had previously suffered heartbreak after Misner suffered a miscarriage in 2004.

Diamond's last girlfriend, known as Tash, 39, exclusively told DailyMail.com: 'He was the love of my life. We planned on a future together and spoke often about having kids. I'm heartbroken.'

Old times: The actor was best known for his role as Screech in teen high-school comedy Saved By The Bell

She also shared exclusive photos with DailyMail.com of his mini-Yorkie named Fin visiting him in the hospital and of the couple holding hands.

Tash, a certified pharmacy technician, said she is devastated and her entire world has been turned upside down. But she said she will cherish the last time he was able to speak to her - just one day before he died.

'Even though he was struggling to breathe and had difficulty speaking he was able to get out the words to me, ''I love you,'' I told him I loved him back.'

Tash said: 'Dustin died at our friend Jules' house in the Fort Meyers, Florida area.'

Tragic: The actor died on February 1st just three weeks after being diagnosed with stage four small-cell lung carcinoma

He had been hospitalized since January and had just been released around noon on Monday and was being taken to their friend's house by medical personal for hospice care.

Diamond was still on the gurney in the front room of the house while the hospice worker and their friend Jules were preparing his bedroom, when Tash found him not breathing.

He was pronounced dead a short time after by emergency personnel.

Aspen, CO (81611)

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Hundreds of thousands of care home residents in England will be able to receive indoor visits from a nominated friend or relative from today.

Every resident will be able to nominate a person to visit them indoors, while residents with the highest care needs can receive more frequent visits from a loved one who will provide essential care and support.

Visitors will be tested prior to visits, wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and be asked to keep physical contact to a minimum.

Handholding is permitted but hugs and kissing are not, to help reduce the chance of spreading the virus, the Government has said in its latest visiting guidance.

Visiting is not conditional on the resident or visitor having been vaccinated, but this is strongly recommended, it says.

Outdoor visits, window visits and those in pods should continue so residents can see other loved ones, it adds.

(PA Graphics)

In care homes where there are coronavirus outbreaks, nominated visitors will not be able to come into the care home.

But visitors providing essential care, and visits when the resident is at the end of their life, can continue.

According to the latest Public Health England surveillance data, there were 230 suspected respiratory outbreaks in care homes reported in the week ending February 28, 167 of which involved at least one confirmed cases of Covid-19.

It is around a year since some care homes first closed their doors, several weeks ahead of the first lockdown on March 23.

Over this time, visiting guidance has changed several times and visiting opportunities have varied across the country, with some areas in local lockdowns.

Some indoor visits resumed in December as rapid-result tests were rolled out to care homes, but this was not permitted during the current lockdown.

Opening up care homes forms part of the first step of the Governments road map which sets out how restrictions could be eased over the coming months.

The Government will decide whether to extend the number of visitors to two per resident at step two of its road map and no earlier than April 12.

Campaigners have welcomed the resumption of visits, but some said the new guidance does not go far enough.

The guidance is advisory and notes that care home managers are best placed to decide how to best enable visiting.

Just over a week ago, the care regulator intervened after it emerged that blanket visiting bans were in operation in England contrary to the guidance in place at the time.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said this was unacceptable and warned that providers should not wait until the vaccination programme is complete before allowing loved ones to visit residents.

It said it may inspect homes if it receives reports of blanket visiting bans and will take regulatory action if appropriate.

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The Relatives & Residents Association (R&RA) wants the CQC to go further and proactively monitor how care homes are complying with guidance.

Director Helen Wildbore said: The new guidance lacks the teeth necessary to ensure the Prime Ministers promise to reunite older people with their families becomes a reality.

Instead the Government continue to pass the buck on to care providers without providing the clarity and direction needed to make sure this happens.

The Alzheimers Society said the resumptions of visits couldnt have come soon enough following months of families watching their loved ones through windows and screens.

James White, head of public affairs and campaigns, said: Close contact indoor visits must be the default position  so its good the Government has been clear that blanket bans on visiting are not acceptable.

Weve campaigned for many months to ensure family carers are recognised as essential to the care of people with dementia.

Well be monitoring the situation very carefully to ensure all types of permitted visits are happening, and look for them to be extended to more family members at the earliest possible opportunity.

We hope, at last, further anguish and loss of life can be ended for people with dementia, who have been worst hit by the pandemic and endured months of isolation.
New Delhi, March 8 : Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Monday said the Delhi's economy is estimated to have contracted by 5.68% in the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in the current financial year.

Addressing the Budget session of the seventh legislative assembly of Delhi, Baijal said, "The year gone by has been unprecedented. Covid-19 has adversely affected every aspect of the life of Delhi's citizens. The pandemic created the greatest threat to human life and health, ever witnessed in the 21st Century," the Lieutenant Governor said.

He also talked about various initiatives taken by Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government in order to mitigate the impact of the contraction of the economy on people. "Delhi government continued its commitment on electricity subsidy, free water supply to domestic households and confessional ride for students and free ride for women in DTC buses," he said.

Baijal asserted that though the economy of the Delhi government got affected due to Covid-19 pandemic in the current financial year, the government has taken all possible measures to improve and is committed to bringing it back on track.

The Lieutenant Government also outlined the measures taken by the Delhi government in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, such as providing food to the distressed, increasing the number of beds in government hospitals, setting up of the first plasma bank, home isolation with better facilities among many others.

"During lockdown Mukhyamantri Corona Sahayta scheme was launched to provide ration to all needy persons. Accordingly, provision of 5 kg of food grains per beneficiary was made. This also accounted for around 71 lakh people who were not covered under the regular Public Distribution System (PDS) category between April and May last year." Baijal told the house that the Delhi government has enforced as many as 44 labour laws to ensure that all welfare schemes of the government reach them. Speaking about the Yamuna river water, he said that Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) are being set up with modern technology to ensure higher treatment quality of water.

"Under the Yamuna action plan phase-3, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has taken up reconstruction work of sewage treatment plants at Rithala, Kondli and Okhla.

Among many other steps taken by the Delhi government, Baijal mentioned about the launch of a dedicated web portal Rozgar Bazar to help job seekers to find employment and reduction of circle rate by 20 per cent till September 30 this year in order to activate the realty sector.
The "The Construction Industry in Kenya 2020" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report focuses on the construction industry in Kenya and includes comprehensive information on the state and size of the sector, country information, notable developments and corporate actions and various influencing factors.

There are profiles of 20 companies including Chinese companies that dominate the civil construction market such as China Wu Yi, Fubeco (China Fushun) and China Jiangxi Corporation. Local companies profiled include Hayer Bishan Singh & Sons, which is part of the Hayer Group, Intex Construction, Laxmanbhai Construction, Parbat Siyani Construction, Landmark Holdings and Cementers.

The Construction Industry in Kenya:

The Kenyan construction industry contributed 5.6% to GDP in 2019 and provided employment to almost 222,000 people. With economic growth averaging over 5% per annum over the past ten years and oil production underway, the Kenyan government was on the cusp of rolling out an expansive infrastructure development programme comprising 80 public-private partnership projects. Since the outbreak of coronavirus, government's infrastructure development plan hangs in the balance.

Foreign Players:

Kenya is largely reliant on external funding for public infrastructure projects and as at 1 June 2019, China accounted for 20.9% of East African project funding, with government funding at 13.7%, international finance institutions 13.2% and regional development finance institutions 12.6%. In the past decade, over 70% of Kenya's large public sector infrastructure projects have been awarded to Chinese civil engineering and construction companies.

Industry Performance:

Construction activity has slowed since 2015, when the sector expanded by 13.6%, with the slowdown attributed to the winding down of construction work on the standard gauge railway. Projects underway include the second phase of Mombasa's second container terminal and the Kipevu oil terminal. In 2019, the construction sector was largely supported by the construction of private residential and non-residential buildings.

Story continues

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction

2. Country Profile

2.1. Geographic Position

3. Description of the Industry

3.1. Industry Value Chain

4. Size of the Industry

5. State of the Industry

5.1. Local

5.1.1. Corporate Actions

5.1.2. Regulations

5.2. Continental

5.3. International

6. Influencing Factors

6.1. Economic Environment

6.2. Socio-Political and Socio-Economic Environment

6.3. Infrastructure Development

6.4. Urbanisation

6.5. Local Content

6.6. Corruption

6.7. Construction Equipment and Materials: Capacity, Quality and Security of Supply

6.8. Input Costs

6.9. Cyclicality

6.10. Health and Safety Concerns

6.11. Technology, Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation

6.12. Labour

6.13. Environmental Concerns

7. Competition

7.1. Barriers to Entry

8. SWOT Analysis

9. Outlook

10. Industry Associations

11. References

11.1. Publications

11.2. Websites

Appendix

Summary of Notable Indigenous and Foreign Players

The 2019 Global Competitiveness Index: Kenya

Company Profiles

Cementers Ltd

China Jiangxi International Kenya Ltd

China Overseas Engineering Group Company Ltd

China Wu Yi Company Ltd

China Zhongxing Construction Company Ltd

Eco-Homes Ltd

Epco Builders Ltd

Fubeco (China Fushun) Ltd

Hayer Bishan Singh & Sons Ltd

Intex Construction Ltd

Kenya Railways Corporation

Koto Housing Kenya Ltd

Landmark Holdings Ltd

Laxmanbhai Construction Ltd

Lee Construction Ltd

Meinhardt (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Moha Kenya Ltd

Mulji Devraj & Brothers Ltd

National Housing Corporation

Njuca Consolidated Company Ltd

Oriental Construction Kenya Ltd

Parbat Siyani Construction Ltd

Prism Construction Company Ltd

Stamford Ltd

Transcentury plc

Victory Construction Company Ltd

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/g4eif0

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005442/en/

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After a rocky start, Californias vaccine distribution efforts are so expansive that they rival a whole lot of countries worldwide.

California has doled out 10.6 million vaccines, according to Johns Hopkins' COVID-19 dashboard. (Thats more than 20% of the states population over 16.)

Gov. Gavin Newsom cited that statistic in a tweet Sunday where he compared Californias vaccine rollout to that of the most populated nations in the world, including China and India.

If the state were its own nation, it would rank sixth in distribution, behind the United States, China, India, the United Kingdom and the entirety of the European Union, the tweet says. California only recently surpassed all of Brazil.

Given Californias population, 39.5 million people, more than Canada, for example, of course it makes sense that California would have given out so many vaccines.

But the fact that California has vaccinated more people than a country like Germany  despite Germany having nearly double Californias population  is impressive.

It puts into perspective the myriad challenges of vaccinating the nations most populous state.

California is no longer last in distributing the vaccine based on supply used, but it is still in the lower rungs of Bloombergs tracker  which puts the state above Texas and New York, but well below Wisconsin, the state that has used 92% of its doses on its population.

California also ranks below average, according to Johns Hopkins, in terms of the percentage of residents who are fully vaccinated. (Three million people have received both shots, but that's only an eighth of the population.)

Nevertheless, it seems Newsom remains optimistic that Californias vaccine rollout remains one of the most powerful in the world: Hope is here, he wrote in another tweet.
Proof of that is Lockheed Martin s latest announcement. At the end of last week, at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, one of the U.S. Armys High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) fired an extended range version of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (ER GMLRS). The test saw the missile covering a distance of 50 miles (80 km), about 7 miles (11.2 km) further than the GMLRS with an alternative warhead. The increase in range was achieved by giving the missile a large motor and tail-driven control.Our new Extended-Range GMLRS significantly increases the range of the current system, offering the choice of munitions for longer distances and improving options with the same reliability and accuracy our customers have come to expect, said in a statement Gaylia Campbell, vice president of Precision Fires and Combat Maneuver Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.Our team is dedicated to conducting extensive developmental testing as part of our discipline to assure mission success for the U.S. Army with more flexibility for multi-domain operations."As its name says, the ER GMLRS is part of a family of precision-strike missiles that can guide itself to a designated target using GPS . According to the company-provided information, the missile has a reliability rating exceeding 98 percent, making it as unavoidable as death and taxes.There are now three variants of the GMLRS. The first is the Unitary, which integrates a 200-pound unitary warhead (filled with a single explosive charge, not cluster munitions), the Alternative packing a 200-pound class fragmenting warhead, and the newly tested Extended Range.So far, Lockheed Martin made over 50,000 GMLRS rounds, but its unclear how many of them have been fired in actual combat.
Mar. 8A few days after Dr. Joneigh Khaldun took over leading the Detroit Health Department in 2017, Detroit experienced its first cases of what would become the state's largest Hepatitis A outbreak in modern history.

The Michigan native, recently returned from Baltimore, set up a vaccination clinic within 24 hours, worked to increase public messaging and community outreach on the sickness, and recruited primary care physicians to help in the effort.

The outbreak of the highly contagious liver infection virus  contracted through close contact with an infected individual, or contaminated food or water  was a small foreshadowing of what would come three years later, when the coronavirus pandemic gripped the state about a year into Khaldun's tenure as Michigan's chief medical executive.

In the past year, the 40-year-old Metro Detroit emergency medicine doctor and mother of three has been an integral part of contentious policy decisions aimed to curb the pandemic. She's participated in dozens of televised media briefings. She's been a witness to political battles, endless workdays and threats to herself and family.

"When you're in medicine and public health, you just do what's best based on science and data," Khaldun said. "You don't let other things judge how you act."

Khaldun has relied on her experience in local public health, her work in emergency medicine and her experience as an African American woman to navigate the pandemic and advocate for policies. Her work at the state level has in turn benefited each of those areas, advocates said.

Supporters say Khaldun has been a trusted voice during the pandemic for Michigan's African American community, which was hit harder by the virus than other groups during the early months of the pandemic. Blacks accounted for about 40% of deaths at the beginning of the pandemic while accounting for 14% of Michigan's population. African American COVID deaths had fallen to 22% Friday after a task force that included Khaldun and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist sought to address the disparity.

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Khaldun and Gilchrist have reassured minority communities during the unprecedented pandemic that they have "an advocate at the table," said Kamilia Landrum, executive director for Detroit Branch NAACP. Their presence was critical to address African Americans' longstanding distrust of the medical system based on historic discrimination and even abuse from the medical profession.

"People needed to see themselves in the coalition of folks that are leading the response to COVID-19," Landrum said.

For Khaldun, assessing data was an essential first step in identifying and addressing long-existent health disparities that were brought to bear during the pandemic. But she also brought with her the experience of her family and extended family, who are largely from Detroit.

"That lens is what I bring to my work," she said. "... It is not lost on me what I represent and the impact I can have as a Black female physician in this particular role."

Khaldun, believed by the state Department of Health and Human Services to be the first Black chief medical executive in Michigan, was one of the first medical experts in the country to "recognize and react to the disproportionately high number of COVID-19 deaths in communities of color" and helped to establish a task force to address those issues, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement to The Detroit News. Her influence in that arena peaked in February, when Khaldun was appointed to a task force that will advise President Joe Biden on equitable response to the pandemic.

"Dr. Joneigh Khaldun is an extraordinary public servant who has helped our state navigate the pandemic through her confident leadership and unparalleled expertise," Whitmer said.

"Thanks to Dr. Khaldun, Michigan is a national leader in the fight against COVID-19, spearheading an equitable vaccine plan that is currently administering an average of 50,000 doses a day."

Advocate at the table

For Detroit residents, their first major interactions with Khaldun came as she took lead on the city's Hepatitis A outbreak, which sickened more than 900 people in southeast Michigan, with 729 hospitalizations and 28 deaths, between 2016 and 2018. But Khaldun's impact didn't end there, Landrum said. Khaldun was "accessible" to the community throughout her time at the department, she said.

The experience gave her credibility with city residents at the outset of the 2020 pandemic, when cases skyrocketed in the Detroit area and Khaldun became the face of the state's response, Landrum said. Culturally, Khaldun knew of the family reunions, church gatherings and celebrations that were prime areas for the spread the virus in Detroit, the NAACP executive director said.

"She's not making decisions only on theory, but also based on reality," Landrum said. "Having that experience at the forefront of some of these plans has helped to implement them within Black communities."

As the state transitioned to its COVID-19 vaccination program, Khaldun again was influential in encouraging people about the safety of the vaccine and ensuring the medication is equitably distributed, Landrum said. In early February, the state began to increasingly rely on a "social vulnerability index" to distribute vaccine, a new allocation formula that takes into account vulnerable populations, population numbers for people older than age 65 and outreach to minority communities.

"To have an advocate at the table while these policies are being created, it's so important," Landrum said. "You have to have someone who has the heart of the community with them and the knowledge of the health issues there."

Firsthand taste of pandemic

At the start of the pandemic, before the virus took root in Michigan, Khaldun was entering a patient's room at Henry Ford Hospital System when she stopped to sanitize her hands. The sanitizer was empty and she hunted in several rooms before she found a working one. She'd heard it was a problem in other hospitals, too.

"That's when it occurred to me, we've got a supply chain issue," Khaldun recalled. "We're running out of masks and hand sanitizers. This is a whole other ball game that I don't think the health system has experienced before.

"Seeing that unfold in front of me did help me to be more in tune with the reality on the ground as the pandemic unfolded."

It was a precursor of a problem that would define the early months of the pandemic, when physicians needed more personal protection equipment and sanitizing tools than there was supply. But it was also a taste of the front-line experience that Khaldun received during her twice-a-month shifts at Henry Ford's emergency department.

"She definitely still leads two lives: One mostly in the public eye, but, on the side, she still works on the front lines in the emergency department," said John Deledda, chairman for emergency medicine at the Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System.

Khaldun's time at the hospital gave her an idea of the changing circumstances and understanding of the virus in the early days, when Henry Ford, Beaumont Health and other Detroit-area hospital systems were reaching capacity, Deledda said. In her public comments, Deledda said, Khaldun was able to "engender a confidence around that changing of mind."

"Those things had to change on a daily or weekly basis as testing supply and demand changed, as PPE supply and demand changed," he said.

For Khaldun, time spent in the emergency department is "somewhat relaxing," a little like home.

It also lends perspective to the political infighting that has surrounded so much of the past 11 months. If someone walks into the hospital needing help, it doesn't matter what insurance they have, whom they voted for or what their past is, she said. The same goes for public health.

"In my heart, I'm an ER doctor," she said.

eleblanc@detroitnews.com
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Lawmakers are trying to give Alabamas four-year institutions and community colleges a slight bump in state funding after a difficult year.

Higher education has been particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Rep. Bill Poole, R-Tuscaloosa, who leads the Ways and Means Committee in the House. State appropriations are just a fraction of the revenue that fund operations for the universities. As students stayed home, events got postponed and hospitals canceled procedures, state funding became more important to fund colleges bottom line and keep people employed.

We had to change on a dime and go to a distance learning formula, said Boone Kinard, executive director of external affairs for the state community college system, recalling costs associated when schools canceled in-person classes last year.

Gov. Kay Ivey has proposed $7.66 billion from the Education Trust Fund for use in the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. The proposal would add $441 million, or about 6%, to the budgets for K-12 and higher education. The budget recommended by the governor includes an additional $86.2 million for the states four-year colleges and universities and $40.5 million for community colleges.

Last year, the allocation for higher education remained relatively flat as the state braced for the impact of the pandemic. The increase proposed this year is meant to help make up for the conservative strategy last year, said Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, who chairs the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee.

Proposed increases for individual institutions range from 6%-15% over the current budget.

Officials with the Alabama Community College system, Auburn University and the University of Alabama System said the institutions were grateful for the additional state support.

The budget would add approximately $20 million to the appropriation for Auburn University. The proposed fiscal year 2022 appropriation is for $308.3 million.

We are grateful for the governors and legislatures support, especially as we begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, said Auburn Assistant Vice President for Communications and Marketing Mike Clardy in an emailed statement.

The appropriation for community colleges for the upcoming fiscal year is $468.7 million, which includes $362.5 million for operations, an additional $2 million for prison education programs, $10 million for short-term certification/credential programs and an increase to of $3 million for dual enrollment programs.

We are actually very thrilled with the budget put forward, Kinard said.

Tuition rates for the two-year college campuses are scheduled for discussion during a work session for the systems board of trustees on March 10, Kinard said.

The University of Alabama System would receive $581.1 million, an increase of $36.3 million from the current budget.

Clay Ryan, vice chancellor of government affairs and economic/workforce, said the UA system would begin developing its budgets later in the spring. Tuition rates have yet to be set for the upcoming academic year.

I expect our leaders will be mindful of (the financial strain for students and their families) as we evaluate tuition rates in the future, Ryan said.

Lawmakers said they were hopeful additional revenues could be available, based on the states economy and businesses outperforming projections in the least year. Tax revenues funding the Education Trust Fund grew by 2.9%, according to a February presentation to lawmakers by the Legislative Service Agency.

We are certainly more optimistic as we emerge from the pandemic, but we are still cautious, said Rep. Bill Poole, R-Tuscaloosa, chair of the House Education Policy Committee.

Ryan noted the pandemics financial impact at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and UAB Medicine, citing the cost of additional personal protective equipment and the elimination of elective procedures, an important part of the hospitals revenue stream, for months.

System-wide, Ryan said, schools tried to cut costs through hiring freezes, furloughs, cuts, positions left unfilled, consolidations, travel limits and service sharing between campuses.

We worked real hard with our (chief financial officers) and others to find ways to be leaner and more efficient in all areas, Ryan said.

Federal aid was an important resource last year to limit the economic impact from being even worse, Ryan said.

As the lawmakers craft the education budget for the upcoming year, they are trying to get a sense of the federal aid available to colleges and universities to address the impacts of the virus, Poole and Orr said.

We are trying to get our arms around the federal dollars that will be coming in for fiscal 2022. Some of it is fiscal year 2021 money and some of it is (available) out to fiscal year 2023, Orr said.

The Senate committee on March 3 heard a presentation by the Legislative Service Agency about federal aid related to the pandemic. The bulk of the federal CARES ACT funds for education sent through state offices in 2020 went toward K-12 education. So far, the state has been allocated $612.3 million for its colleges and universities to provide emergency financial aid to students, offset revenue losses, and defray other COVID-19 related expenses.

The pending American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, if passed in its current form, could bring as much as three times the funding received so far, said Kirk Fulford, deputy director of the Fiscal Division of the Legislative Service Agency.

The lawmakers plans for state funding allocations will likely continue to focus on the regular operational needs of the states colleges and universities while allowing the federal funding to offset the impacts of the pandemic, Poole and Orr said.

Ryan said he was optimistic that the final federal package would provide sufficient funds for higher education institutions to address the expenses associated with COVID-19.

There are no plans right now to earmark state funding for colleges and universities for COVID-19 related impacts, Poole said.

Generally, we are hesitant to do that. We want the institutions to make the decisions that are best for the institutions, Poole said.

Ed Enoch is a freelance higher education writer based in Tuscaloosa. For questions or concerns about this article, or suggestions for future coverage, please reach out to Education Editor Ruth Serven Smith at rserven@al.com.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and foreign relations via video link on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi started a press conference Sunday afternoon on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress.

Wang is expected to answer questions of journalists from home and abroad on China's foreign policy and foreign relations. Enditem

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[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]

Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Leading child protection expert Dr Geoffrey Shannon is to head an independent probe of how St John Ambulance handled child sex abuse allegations in the past, Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman announced this evening.

Dr Shannon, the former Special Rapporteur for Child Protection, and an expert on child and family law, will review how St John Ambulance Ireland handled historical allegations of child sex abuse concerning a former volunteer with the organisation as well as its current standard of child safeguarding.

The decision to appoint Dr Shannon was made by the board of St. John Ambulance Ireland which wrote to the Childrens Minister today to confirm the law professors appointment.

The move was welcomed by Mr OGorman who said: I met with the Board of St John Ambulance last December in relation to this matter and I am very glad to learn that they have arranged for an independent review into historical allegations of child sexual abuse and current safeguarding practices.

"I welcome the appointment of Dr Shannon to conduct this important review and note his extensive experience and expertise in this area. I look forward to St John Ambulance providing me with his report on the matter at the earliest possible time.

He also praised individuals who have, at immense personal cost in some cases, had the courage to share their experiences.

"I would like to encourage anybody who has knowledge of these matters to come forward and speak with Dr Shannon. I would also support any person who has experienced abuse themselves, or has reason to believe that a child is at risk of abuse, to speak to Tusla, or the gardai, he said.

The establishment of the independent review comes after a number of people have come forward in recent months with retrospective disclosures of abuse by a former volunteer with the community ambulance service prior to leaving the organisation between 2000 and 2001.

Files have been prepared for the DPP after gardai investigated a number of previous allegations.

St John Ambulance, meanwhile, said it will provide details on its website within the next days for anyone who wishes to contact Dr Shannon.

It said: St. John Ambulance Ireland (SJAI) is aware of a number of complaints of sexual abuse of members under the age of 18 years relating to one former volunteer member who ceased volunteering with SJAI circa 2000/1.
The Giving Pledge was started by the software mogul Bill Gates, his wife, Melinda, and the billionaire investor Warren Buffett in 2010. Signatories agree to give away the majority of their wealth.

For Ms. Scott, her remarriage is the latest twist in a life where she has quietly but firmly set the limits of her own privacy. Rather than remaining anonymous in her giving, she chose to announce nearly $6 billion in grants and gifts last year in a pair of posts to the site Medium.

Ive been calling this discreet transparency. Its basically transparency but entirely on the givers own terms, said Benjamin Soskis, a senior research associate in the Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy at the Urban Institute. It gives a simulacrum of transparency but its still entirely discretionary.

Ms. Scott occupies a unique place in the world of mega-philanthropy. She does not have the decades of experience that Mr. Gates or former Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York have built up. But through the sheer speed and scale of her donations, and the way that she has given her gifts with few of the highly restrictive conditions and onerous reporting requirements that had become common, Ms. Scott managed to help shift the debate about the direction of the field.

She gave extensively to Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A. chapters around the country, to food banks and historically Black colleges and universities. She made donations to organizations that support womens rights, L.G.B.T.Q. equality, and efforts to fight climate change and racial inequities.
Banksy is hoping to raise more than 3 million for the NHS with the auction of a painting offering an image of hope.

Game Changer appeared at Southampton Hospital during the first wave of the pandemic.

Now the anonymous graffiti artist is auctioning the original canvas to raise funds for the NHS, with the reproduction of the work remaining in the hospital.

The hand-painted image shows a young boy playing with superhero dolls.

While Batman and Spiderman are discarded in a bin, the child clutches a figure of a masked nurse wearing a cape.

Christies said that the image offers an image of hope and represents a personal tribute to those who continue to turn the tide of the pandemic.

Banksys Game Changer was a beacon of light for the staff and patients at Southampton General Hospital and it was the artists wish to then auction it with proceeds benefiting the NHS Katharine Arnold, Christie's

Katharine Arnold, co-head, post-war and contemporary art, Europe, at Christies, said: Game Changer is a universal tribute to all those fighting worldwide on the front line of this crisis.

At a time when we can dare to hope once more, and look at life beyond the pandemic, it is important to reflect on the many symbols of strength and hope we have seen internationally since the beginning of 2020.

Banksys Game Changer was a beacon of light for the staff and patients at Southampton General Hospital and it was the artists wish to then auction it with proceeds benefiting the NHS.

The work pays tribute to the strength and resilience of those who have demonstrated true leadership throughout the pandemic, the staff of our vital NHS.

When first unveiled, the picture was accompanied by a note: Thanks for all youre doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if its only black and white.

Game Changer will be seen outside the hospital for the first time, from the window at Christies headquarters in London, from March 8 to 15.

Game Changer will be offered at auction in Christies 20th Century Art Evening Sale on March 23, with a pre-sale estimate of 2.5 to 3.5 million.
My mother, Joan Murphy, did not die of COVID, but she died on April 7, 2020, during the early days of the pandemic. Here is my story of our familys grieving during COVID.

In February 2020, we knew Mom was in her final days of her long journey with Alzheimers Disease. Actually, they had told us that Mom would probably pass in November  in fact, we even gave her an early birthday party. But she was a fighter and had no intention of dying then.

We visited her nearly every day, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren often in tow throughout the Christmas holidays and into the New Year. Then, suddenly in late February, the early signs of the world-wide pandemic appeared in Napa.

I remember getting that awful call from her care home that visitation was suspended. The home care staff was caring and concerned and tried to help with online FaceTime calls. However, in the late stages of Alzheimers, my mother had little ability to speak nor understand that we were trying to talk with her virtually. The home care aids assured us that Mom touched the screen with some sense of recognition when we were on FaceTime. But that was hardly the same as holding her hand and talking, singing, or praying with her.
ROME, MAR 8 - President Sergio Mattarella issued an appeal against femicide on International Women's Day Monday. Listing the names of the 11 women who have died at the hands of their partners or exes in the first two months of the year, Mattarella said femicide was a "staggering phenomenon which shakes and questions the conscience of our country". "It's March 8. Sharon, Victoria, Roberta, Teodora, Sonia, Piera, Luljeta, Lidia, Clara, Deborah, Rossella are the 11 women killed in Italy in the first two months of this year, at the hands of those who had led them to believe they loved them," the president said. "At the hands, perhaps, of those would should have devoted themselves to mutual protection. Mattarella then cited the latest and 12th femicide, Ilenia Fabbri, murdered in her home in Faenza on February 6 by a hitman paid by her ex-husband after he got fed up of paying her alimony. Some 73 women were killed in Italy last year, Mattarella said. The president said that respecting women was a matter that "closely" involved the political world. "Respect is at the foundation of democracy and the culture of rights, domestic and international," he said. "You learn respect, or you should learn it, from an early age. In School. In the family. In places of work and leisure". Noting that COVID had hit disproportionately the weak and women, causing "huge" economic damage, Mattarella said women should be respected "also in language". He said "we must reject words of arrogance, hatred and contempt towards women, words that generate and fuel stereotypes and obtuse and wild prejudices, causing unacceptable attitudes and behaviour. In one prime example of discrimination in the workplace, Mattarella called for an end to the "odious" practice of forcing women into the so-called 'blank signature' meaning they promise to give up their jobs if they get pregnant. "Defence of women must be implemented in a concrete way." he said. Mattarella was addressing a ceremony featuring, among others, Premier Mario Draghi and Equal Opportunities Minister Elena Bonetti with poet Matilde Gioli presenting and a tribute to Sicilian musical icon Rosa Balestrieri. Before the ceremony the president gave out awards to the schools that won a competition titled "With Respect, Educating" on female education. (ANSA).
Small businesses like restaurants and mini-stores have been hardly hit by the coronavirus pandemic since last year. As a result, many owners are forced to transition to online selling, and by that means using personalized ads.

There is no assurance that small businesses would be able to survive for the next months, but Facebook decided to create Facebook Newsroom to help them thrive amid the most difficult problem at the moment.

Small Businesses Suffered the Most During COVID-19 Pandemic

In a 2020 report of Facebook entitled "A Challenging Year for SMBS - Facebook & Small Business Roundtable," over 47% of owners who have small businesses said that they have no idea if they can survive the next six months.

This is because restrictions in selling have strayed far this time, and lockdown consequences only continue to blow which only force the owners to adjust according to the situation.

Truly, what happened to them is only one of the harsh realities that everyone has been dealing with at the moment. To alleviate the struggle of small business owners, Facebook came up with the idea of introducing personalized ads for all people, especially those who manage franchises and services.

"Good Ideas Deserve To Be Found," a national campaign of the company which aims to raise awareness and global solutions in the looming collapse of many businesses, said that the presence of personalized ads is highly important to acknowledge the struggling owners.

Andrew Stirk, the Facebook Company Marketing Head and Facebook App Monetization Director Helen Ma, spearheaded the small press roundtable for the Newsroom discussion last Feb. 24.

Several owners of small businesses have shared their stories, including the co-founder Brent Leary of CRM Essentials. His company is focused on improving the sales, customer service, and marketing of small businesses.

Read Also: 'Hey Facebook' Voice Recognition to be Added in Oculus Quest; Could Match Apple's Siri

According to Leary, people have so much more to learn during the conference. The meeting, however, has only become more challenging due to the noise. In the end, he reminded the listeners that the personalized ads can catch the interest of the small business owners for sure.

The Importance of Personalized Ads for Small Businesses

In a report by Small Business Trends, Leary spoke to the business owners that Facebook Newsroom's ads will give them the upper-hand to turn the problem into an opportunity. He added that Facebook's campaign is only the start since the company is reportedly adding the Recovery Race, the simpler version of Ads Manager.

In this dashboard, business owners will have a big understanding of optimizing their campaigns. In addition, the said tool is also used on generating ads from Instagram, Messenger, and other social media messaging apps.

Through Checkout on Shops, owners are able to buy it by paying a small fee when they want to sell goods and services on Facebook. The said feature will be available until June.

On the other hand, it will also cater to the demands of the owners to launch paid online events. It will end in August this year.

Facebook also devised a way for owners, especially those who have restaurants to upload their menu to their respective pages. The type of dining experience will also be added to the feature.

Meanwhile, Leary said that the personalized ads are 'green lights' for small business owners. He believed that what Facebook thought is something that will not only help the struggling businesses to survive. They could also benefit from its small cost using simple tools to extend their service to their customers.

Related Article: Facebook, Australia Agree to Lift News Ban in the Next Days

This article is owned by Tech Times.

Written by Joen Coronel

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Nine months later, experts forecasts are coming true: the coronavirus pandemic is causing a sharp decline in Spains birth rate. Between the beginning of December and the end of January, births fell by 22.6% from the same period a year earlier.

While the definitive data is not in yet, this is the first indicator of the effects of the strict home confinement during March and April of last year, when the babies born in December and January were conceived.

Civil records show that 45,054 newborns were registered during the last month of 2020 and the the first month of 2021, representing 13,141 fewer births than over the same period a year earlier. The figure is based on information from 3,929 registries offering online records, representing 93% of the population.

In the month of January alone, there were 6,889 fewer newborns registered in civil registries across Spain than in January 2020, a drop of 23%. By comparison, between January 2019 and January 2020 the decline was just 1.7%.

This trend is backed by available data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), which shows a sharp decline in births in early 2020 within a larger downward tendency. The year 2019 had already set a record with 360,617 births, the lowest annual number in the historical series that the INE began in 1941. But the first half of 2020 set a whole new record with 168,047 births, a 4.2% decline from the first half of 2019. Full figures for 2020 are not available yet.

The decline in births will add to the overall drop in Spains fertility rate, which has been falling for years and is now an average of 1.23 children per woman, compared with 2.8 in 1975. Women are having fewer children than ever, and having them later in life. And now, with the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus, experts expect the rate to drop even further. Nobody will venture to say by exactly how much, but everyone agrees that the crisis will last beyond a few months.

The INE will provide the real figure, but the numbers coincide with what wed been expecting and what were seeing in other countries, explains Diego Ramiro, director of the Institute of Economics, Geography and Demographics at the National Research Council (CSIC). In December, births declined by 21.6% in Italy. In January, they dropped by 13% in France. In some US states such as Florida, California or Hawaii, theyve seen drops ranging from 5% to nearly 20%, he adds.

Ramiro believes the decline will also be felt in the May 2020 figures, as people were still under a strict home lockdown. We can expect that more children were conceived when the state of alarm ended. But with the second wave [of the coronavirus] there will probably be another delay, and again with the third wave, he says. Its not a good idea to extrapolate the data from the two months of confinement to the rest of the year, but the drop will likely be sharp.

Large hospitals such as Vall dHebron or Sant Pau in Barcelona saw a 10% decline in pregnant patients last year, while deliveries fell by the same rate in January and February of this year. At La Paz hospital in Madrid, there was a 14% drop in first-trimester visits by pregnant women. Other medical centers did not notice a trend change because the birthrate had already been falling before this: Sergio Castan, the head of obstetrics at Miguel Servet hospital in Zaragoza, talks about an annual drop of 5%, while Guillermo Antinolo of Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville says they have seen a 40% decline in baby deliveries over the last 12 years, from 9,000 in 2008 to just over 5,000 in 2020.

The 1918 flu

The 1918 flu pandemic led to plummeting birth rates in Spain. Coleccion Frias / Archivo Municipal de Alicante

In terms of the fertility rate, the effects of the pandemic cannot be compared with the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). Alberto Sanz, who teaches political science and sociology at Madrids Complutense University, notes that the number of children per woman dropped dramatically at the time due to a series of factors, including men being sent to the front, numerous deaths, hunger and disease. But that generation had another chance to have kids, since women began bearing children at a young age. Even after the 1918 flu pandemic, the fertility rate rose quickly again at a time when contraception was not common.

But these days, Ramiro of the CSIC is not expecting the rate to spike after the pandemic ends. Besides the epidemic crisis, we will have an economic crisis and weve already seen the effects of the 2008 crisis, which caused a sustained drop, he notes. Now we are heading into a year of slowdown and we will see the lowest fertility rates Spain has ever had.

Teresa Castro, a demographer at CSIC, talks about a survey from March-April 2020 where half of respondents said they were delaying their plans to have children while 29% said they were dropping them altogether. The greatest fear is job insecurity, she notes. Even if you dont lose your job, youre afraid of losing it and you decide to wait, because of the expected rise in unemployment and temporary jobs. But the young adults caught by the 2008 crisis already delayed life decisions such as moving out of their parents house and forming their own family. We havent yet gotten over that crisis, and now weve been hit by this one.

Experts note that if there is a fourth wave of the coronavirus and more adverse economic conditions, youths may take even longer to move out. Improved fertility rates will depend on how the economy performs, but nobody is expecting a V-shaped recovery, notes Ramiro. The baby bust is here to stay for a while.

English version by Susana Urra.
The United StatesMexico border wall in Organ Pipe National Park south of Ajo, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2020. (Sandy Huffaker/AFP via Getty Images)

Arizona Border Chief Warns Illegal Immigration on Track to Top Past 3 Years Combined

A U.S. Border Patrol official in Arizona is warning that illegal immigration is on track to overtake the past three years combined because of a surge of migrants at the U.S.Mexico border.

So right now, were about a hundred percent over where we were this time this last fiscal year, John Modlin, interim chief in charge of the Border Patrols Tucson sector, told independent journalist Sharyl Attkisson.

Weve already surpassed in the first four months of this fiscal year; weve already surpassed all of 2018. If the flow continues at the rate it is here, by the end of this fiscal year, we will have surpassed 18, 19, and 20, all combined.

Modlin said the uptick can be blamed on the reversal by the Biden administration of President Donald Trumps immigration orders, including halting construction of the border wall, ending Trumps Remain in Mexico policy, and others.

At the end of 2018, 2,000 immigrants a day were being intercepted at the Southern border, prompting security concerns and a humanitarian crisis. In early 2019, the Trump administration invoked Migrant Protection Protocols [Remain in Mexico], forcing those seeking asylum to wait in Mexico, he said.

Then, in 2020, Title 42an emergency health orderlet border officials immediately turn back illegal immigrants because of COVID-19.

Modlin said those orders had a significant impact, and as of May 2020, about 90 percent of illegal immigrants caught within the Southwest border were expelled.

The number intercepted dropped from about a million in 2019, to roughly half that in 2020, he said.

In recent days, a number of officials who represent or oversee areas along the border have sounded the alarm, saying a crisis is looming.

Among them, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), issued a statement about the surge, saying, In the last 7 days in the valley, they have stopped 10,000 individuals, and 2,500 individuals in the last two days, and many are being released into the United States.

Meanwhile, Cuellar urged the Biden administration to listen and work with communities on the border that are facing an illegal immigrant surge.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters last week that there is no crisis at the border. President Joe Biden also issued a similar statement about a week ago, telling reporters theres no crisis.

The men and women of the Department of Homeland Security are working around the clock seven days a week to ensure that we do not have a crisis at the borderthat we manage the challenge, as acute as the challenge is, Mayorkas said.

Homeland Security officials didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
Gov. Andy Beshear reiterated his promise to seek federal disaster relief on Friday while touring several flooded counties in Eastern Kentucky, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.

What I saw was the worst flash-flooding that Ive seen in my lifetime, Beshear said after touching down in Beattyville in a National Guard helicopter to talk with local officials.

Beshear spoke at a community center there piled with donated good, clothing and cleaning supplies. He estimated that 200 homes were affected in Lee and Breathitt counties but said it could take weeks to get a full assessment of the damage.

Beshear went to Western Kentucky earlier in the week, but Friday was his first flight over the areas of Eastern Kentucky hit by the worst flooding in decades.

Beshear and Michael Dossett, head of Kentucky Emergency Management, said the state will request public assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help cities, counties and the state deal with damage to roads and other infrastructure. They will also seek individual assistance to homeowners. The individual assistance is more difficult to get approved, but if the state qualifies, homeowners with damage could get up to $35,000 from FEMA, Dossett said.

The initial focus of the damage assessment will be on eight of the hardest hit counties  Estill, Lee, Owsley, Breathitt, Powell, Jackson, Clay and Johnson. Officials urged people to document the damage to their homes and businesses to aid that process.

A total of 71 cities or counties in Kentucky made local disaster declarations in addition to the state declaration, Dossett said.

In Clay County, where flooding broke waterlines, some people were still without service on Friday, Emergency Manager David Watson said.

Breathitt County Emergency Management Director Chris Friley said a damaged dam there is estimated to need $10 million in repairs.

Beshear said FEMA officials will arrive Monday. They were initially coming to assess damage from the February ice and snow storms that wrecked electric lines and left tens of thousands of people without power, causing $30 million in damage to the electric infrastructure.

Some counties were still clearing away downed trees from the ice storm when the flood hit.

It has been a tough year, Beshear said.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Trends Flood Kentucky
The moment the Associated Press declared Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 presidential race, I tapped on the window of the doctors room and pointed out the headline on my computer screen to my resident. We shared a high-five through the glass, then he went on to see his next patient.

Now that Biden has been inaugurated, and is several weeks into his term, I cant say that much for me, in my life as a doctor who treats COVID-19 patients, has changed. Certainly, waking up every morning and knowing theres someone at the helm who takes the pandemic seriously is an enormous morale improvement. The country has rejoined the World Health Organization; it is absurd that we ever left. The staff at the hospital where I work has had the opportunity to be vaccinated, but this happened during (if perhaps in spite of) the Trump presidency. Even as COVID-19 numbers go down worldwide, and in my ER, much of the damage done by Donald Trump will be hard, if not impossible, to undo. We are still experiencing Trumps mishandling of the pandemic. Biden cannot reverse unwillingness to wear masks, distrust in public health authorities, or national exhaustion from stay-at-home orders that were not effectively used to get ahead of the virus.

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Every single day at work, one key drug or another that I use in the ER has been in short supply or unavailable.

People have spent the past year highly attuned to my profession, and our current lack of resources, but the truth is things have always run on a shoestring. Ive been an emergency physician for 15 years, and now under four presidents. Sometimes I cannot believe the conditions under which we function. Not for lack of promises. Health care has often been front and center of the political conversation, from the opioid epidemic to universal health care, to exorbitant prescription drug pricing. But there has been little significant reform that improves working conditions of doctors and therefore the quality of care we can deliver. There hasnt been a shift in support for a public health infrastructure that helps patients not need that care in the first place. Some of the major problems that plague usincluding those that set us up to have such a disastrous time in a pandemicseem unlikely to be fixed by the new administration.

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A normal start to the workday for me involves walking through a very crowded waiting room. I often worry that a sick patient will wait out there for hours and then die. Even before the pandemic, our ER was sometimes too full (often because the hospital was overcrowded) to see patients in a timely manner, let alone to spend time carefully considering their needs and treatment plans. Were all now familiar with the burnout doctors and nurses are experiencing from the pandemic. Before the coronavirus, we were discussing the moral injurya term borrowed from warthat comes with rushing to move through patients too quickly. While Im glad that the Affordable Care Act is likely to be safe now, it has had little impact on the number of visits to emergency departments, even though at the outset we hoped that it would give people better access to primary care and thus reduce emergencies. Health care costs continue to be prohibitive for many even with insurance. Unless there are more drastic changes in the way health care is delivered and financed in this country, the constant awareness that I am part of an industry that bankrupts half a million people a year is unlikely to be mitigated by Biden.

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Every single day at work throughout my career, one key drug or another that I use in the ER has been in short supply or unavailable. In the richest country in the world, with the most complicated health care system, we cannot pass legislation to ensure that there is enough salt water available in hospitals to hydrate the dehydrated and resuscitate the critically ill (this shortage is a surprisingly complicated and long-standing problem). Americans are now hypertuned to the lack of medical masks available during an ongoing emergency. Trump tried to cover up the shortages by calling them fake news, but he didnt create the complicated manufacturing and supply chain issues that are at the root of our lack of drugs, salt water, and now masks. If we couldnt solve the drug shortage problem in the first 15 years of my career, Im also not hopeful that we will solve the PPE issue anytime soon. My hospital has enough PPE, but we are still reusing N95s designed for single use and running low on some supplies. A year into this, and 250 years since the Industrial Revolution, and we have not been able to organize a steady supply chain for essential supplies.

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Over the course of my career, the gun violence crisis has only gotten worse. While the victims of gun violence make up a very small part of my practice, they take up a large part of my brain, emotionally. The most memorable moments of my career in a negative way, prior to the pandemic, have often involved gun violence. It was during Trumps presidency that I declared dead a toddler shot by his slightly older sibling; but will that become less likely under Biden? No federal law governs keeping guns locked up, and only one state, Massachusetts, has a law whose enforcement would have prevented that death. Two pieces of gun legislation passed during President Barack Obamas two terms, and both relaxed, not tightened gun control. I fear that the American political process makes it likely that Bidens presidency will not be very different. Political compromise could not be wrought to make the world just a tiny bit safer for children, even after Sandy Hook, at the expense of gun owners Second Amendment rights.

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I remain a cynicbut a hopeful one. I think we could see the effects of the Biden administration on health care in the twilight of my career. The restoration of National Institutes of Health and other scientific grant funding, something that Trump made cuts to during every one of his four years in office, will hopefully result in cures for some diseases we already contend with, as well as quicker responses to future pandemics. The restoration of funding for global health initiativesand a general recognition that America is not its own isolated planetwill make us more prepared for future pandemics, which I am certain are lurking. (Although this is dependent on securing funding from Congress, it seems more attainable and less polarized than gun control). Climate change could have catastrophic effects on our health; Biden seems set to make climate change a priority and I have hope that this will mitigate the damage. We have rejoined the Paris Agreement, and Bidens agenda on climate change promises to both blunt its effects as well as make us more resilient against them. To me, as an emergency physician, this means many thingsfewer emerging infectious diseases, fewer victims of climate catastrophe, and hopefully a cleaner, healthier, safer world. Im taking the long view. In the meantime, while my workdays might be the same, Ill continue to feel a sense of relief that the person in charge wears a mask as he goes about his.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom gives a briefing at the Governor's Office of Emergency Services in Rancho Cordova, Calif., on April 9, 2020. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP Photo)

Newsom Recall Organizers Say They Have Enough Signatures to Trigger Election

Organizers of the campaign to recall California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on March 7 that they have accumulated enough signatures to trigger a special election later this year.

Officials say theyve gathered 1.95 million signatures, with about 10 days until the March 17 deadline.

That is more than enough to be able to have this initiative qualified for a special election later this year, to let the people finally decide who and what is going to happen with the fate in the future of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, one recall official told reporters in Sacramento.

The momentum is building. Californians are consistently becoming more disgruntled with how their state is run, added Mike Netter, a co-proponent of Recall Gavin 2020.

Organizers, who told The Epoch Times theyre aiming for 2 million signatures, must present 1,495,709 verified signatures to state officials. If they do, voters will be asked later this year whether Newsom should be removed from office. Theyll also be asked who should replace the governor if a majority of respondents say he should be removed.

Several people have begun or said theyre exploring gubernatorial bids, including former Facebook executive Chamath Palihapitiya, a Democrat, and former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, a Republican.

Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer campaigns in front of Abraham Lincoln High School in San Francisco, on Feb. 17, 2021. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Faulconer said in a statement on March 7 that the recall movement is becoming a reality because millions of Californians are ready for change and making their voices heard.

Its time to turn the page on the failures of Gavin Newsoms incompetent administration. When I am governor we will begin the California comeback to reopen schools, tackle homelessness, and empower businesses to create good-paying jobs across our state, he added.

Residents want to remove Newsom because of the harsh restrictions hes imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the rising numbers of homeless people in the state, the way the state is distributing COVID-19 vaccines, and other concerns.

The governmental monopoly and the one-party rule over California is over, and politics as usual and business as you once knew in California is over and done with, Orrin Heatlie, another co-proponent of Recall Gavin 2020, told the briefing on March 7.

About 31 percent of an internal sample of signatures examined came from people who arent Republicans, organizers said, stressing the effort goes beyond the GOP.

Californians recalled Democrat Gov. Gray Davis in 2003, choosing Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger to replace him.

Newsom told The Epoch Times during a recent briefing when asked about the recall movement that he is focused on vaccines, focusing on bringing down case rates, focused on safely reopening our economy.

The pace of signature gathering quickened when photographs emerged showing Newsom eating dinner in close quarters at a three-star restaurant with about a dozen other people late last year, Cole Patterson, who worked as the Republican National Committees state data director in the 2020 election and has been tracking the campaign, told The Epoch Times.

The pace jumped again when Newsom extended stay-at-home orders indefinitely on Dec. 29, 2020.

Brad Jones and Drew Van Voorhis contributed to this report.
Prime Minister Florin Citu declared on Monday that the Government will approve an Emergency Ordinance regarding the number of members in the Board of Directors (B of D) and a draft regarding the automated contribution for unions, according to AGERPRES.

"Some will be drafts, others will be emergency ordinances. The one with 109 will be an emergency ordinance, the other will be a draft law (OUG 109/2011 regarding the corporate governance of public enterprises, ed. n). I have a form which I am looking at along with 109. If it has all opinions, it will enter the Government sitting on Wednesday," Citu said, in Parliament, before the Executive Bureau meeting of the National Liberal Party (PNL).

On February 18, the Prime Minister Florin Citu announced that at a Government level there is a project on limiting the number of members in the boards of directors, but also the number of boards a person can be part of.
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A senior European Medicines Agency (EMA) official urged European Union members on Sunday to refrain from granting national approvals for Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V while the agency reviews its safety and effectiveness.

"We need documents that we can review. We also don't at the moment have data...about vaccinated people. It is unknown. That's why I would urgently advise against giving a national emergency authorisation," EMA managing board head Christa Wirthumer-Hoche told a talk show on Austrian broadcaster ORF.

"We can have Sputnik V on the market here in future when the appropriate data have been reviewed. The rolling review has begun now at EMA," she added after the agency said last week it had launched such a review.

"Data packages are coming from Russian manufacturers and of course they will be reviewed according to European standards for quality, safety and efficacy. When everything is proven then it will also be authorised in the European Union," she added.

Sputnik V has already been approved or is being assessed for approval in three EU member states - Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic - and EU officials have said Brussels could start negotiations with a vaccine maker if at least four member countries request it.

Wirthumer-Hoche said EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) would hold an extraordinary meeting on March 11 to review Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine for use in the EU.

"We expect a positive assessment and that the (European) Commission will quickly grant authorisation," she added.

Also read: Second part of Parliament's Budget session to begin on Monday
[March 08, 2021] UK-wide Cyber Schools Programme extended for 3 months to support catch-up education

LONDON, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cyber Discovery, the UK government's flagship cyber security training programme for young people, will remain open to participants until June 30th this year. Previously scheduled to end in March, an extension agreement has been reached between the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and SANS Institute, the programme delivery partner. The agreement means that SANS will continue to provide access to Cyber Discovery's online gamified learning environment and SANS Foundations training course for thousands of 13 to 18-year-olds and their teachers across the UK. Cyber Discovery was created to help close a critical UK skills gap by encouraging more young people to pursue a career in cyber security. Now in its fourth year, the programme has seen more than 80,000 young people take part, developing their technical, real-world cyber skills and gaining career advice and insight from industry professionals. DCMS and SANS are keen to ensure that current participants are able to continue their learning journeys at a time when online, extracurricular youth training is of such importance. Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman said: "We are levelling up the nation by opening up access to digital skills training so everyone can thrive in the modern workplace. By keeping the Cyber Discovery programme open long into the summer term, teachers and students will have more time to take up the online challenges, labs and other activities it has to offer. This is good news and will hep to set young people up for an exciting career as one of the UK's digital defenders."



About SANS Institute

The SANS Institute was established in 1989 as a cooperative research and education organization. Today, SANS is the most trusted and, by far, the largest provider of cyber security training and certification to professionals in government and commercial institutions world-wide. Renowned SANS instructors teach more than 60 courses at in-person and virtual cyber security training events and on demand. GIAC, an affiliate of the SANS Institute, validates practitioner skills through more than 35 hands-on, technical certifications in cyber security. The SANS Technology Institute, a regionally accredited independent subsidiary, offers a master's degree, graduate certificates, and an undergraduate certificate in cyber security. SANS Security Awareness, a division of SANS, provides organizations with a complete and comprehensive security awareness solution, enabling them to easily and effectively manage their "human" cybersecurity risk. SANS also delivers a wide variety of free resources to the InfoSec community, including consensus projects, research reports, webcasts, podcasts, and newsletters; it also operates the internet's early warning systemthe Internet Storm Center. At the heart of SANS are the many security practitioners, representing varied global organizations from corporations to universities, working together to support and educate the global information security community. (https://www.sans.org) https://joincyberdiscovery.com/

www.sans.org



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As tragedies go, few match the poetic dimensions of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, Good Friday, 1865. Coming just five days after General Robert E. Lee surrendered Confederate armies to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox, and four years and three days after the attack on Fort Sumter opened the conflict, Lincolns killing was, symbolically, the last act in the carnage of the Civil War that had taken the lives of some 700,000 Americans, made 4 million slaves henceforth and forever free, and secured for the United States a new birth of freedom.

Walt Whitman captured in verse the mood of grief at the moment of triumph in his poem O Captain! My Captain!, which begins,

O Captain! My Captain! our fearful trip is done;

The ship has weather d every rack, the prize we sought is won;

The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,

While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:

But O heart! heart! heart!

O the bleeding drops of red,

Where on the deck my Captain lies,

Fallen cold and dead.

More than 7 million peopleover one-third of the population of the northern statesobserved Lincolns funeral train along its 1,654-mile rail journey from Washington D.C. to Springfield, Illinois. Men, women and childrenpeople who knew firsthand the suffering and loss of Americas bloodiest warlined the track, often waiting for hours in the elements. He was crucified for us! an elderly African American was quoted as saying at the trains passing in York, Pennsylvania, during a steady rain. The old man was right. Booth, the assassin, was a white supremacist who murdered Lincoln in vengeance for the freeing of the slaves.

The train retraced backward the route Lincoln had taken in February 1861, when he left Illinois for his March 4 inauguration in Washington D.C. Seven of the 13 southern states that would form the Confederacy had by then already seceded to form a slave republic, and the US stood on the brink of war. Lincoln had been forced to disguise himself to pass through Maryland lest he fall into the hands of pro-slavery mobs. But in the return through Baltimore, thousands paid their respects. The world only discovered him a hero after he had fallen a martyr, Marx observed.

President Lincolns Funeral Procession in Chicago on May 1, 1865, from Harpers Weekly Magazine. May 27, 1865

Chicago was the funeral trains last stop before Lincolns entombment at Springfield. The Chicago Tribune estimated that four-fifths of the citys population turned out, among them native and foreign born, white and black, old and young, male and female. The New York Times thought that so many had come to Chicago from neighboring cities and towns, swelling the masses which everywhere throng the streets including large delegations from Waukegan, Kenosha, Milwaukee and other towns in Wisconsin, that there must have been 250,000 present that day to say goodbye. But Lincoln had already bid farewell to his home state four years earlier when, on February 11, 1861, he had departed Springfield:

My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington.

Killed at the moment of victory and at the height of his popularityand before the brutal capitalism of the Gilded Age laid its grip on the American republicit is little wonder that Lincoln has been, alongside Washington, the most memorialized president. It is less surprising that Chicago, on behalf of Illinois noblest son  surpassed all others in the proofs of her devotion in death as in life, as the Tribune put it.

It is true that much of the official mythologizing long sought to turn Lincoln into a harmless icon of capitalist self-improvement. Curiously, those most taken in by this legend have always been Americas cynical and embittered middle-class radicals. But such efforts have never gained much ground in breaking Lincolns hold on the sentiments of the working class, nor in washing away the memory of his leadership of Americas second revolution. This has been nowhere truer than in Chicago, and especially among generations of black workers. In February 1913, a half century after the Emancipation Proclamation, some 135,000 African Americans turned out in Chicago on Lincolns birthday.

But now Chicagos Democratic mayor, Lori Lightfoot, is aiming to remove five statues of the Great Emancipator. She has appointed a committee tasked with the review of 41 public monuments and works of art, culled from a list of hundreds in the city. Among them are those to Lincoln, as well as monuments to founding fathers George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, and to Grant, who rose in the course of the Civil War from a tannery in Galena, Illinois, to the command of all Union armies.

Chicagos Monuments Project Committee was announced in August of 2020 following the nationwide protests in response to the police murder of George Floyd. It was part and parcel of a concerted effort, directed by the Democratic Party, to reorient these mass, multi-racial demonstrations against police violence and social inequality in a racialist direction. City officials and school boards in Washington D.C., Boston and San Francisco formed commissions and announced studies that would propose to redress objectionable art and place names. As Lightfoots office described it, the Monuments Project would be a racial healing and historical reckoning.

This historical reckoning is aimed at the American Revolution and Civil War, and Lincoln is the central target.

In Boston, a famous statue that metaphorically depicts Lincoln freeing the slaves has already been removed, based on the claim that the symbol of the kneeling slavethe central iconographic image of the abolitionist movementis degrading. The original version, which sits in Lincoln Park in Washington D.C., has also been targeted for removal.

According to the racialists, such imagery denies the slaves their agency in freeing themselves. Yet they also insist that slavery in the American South was equivalent to the Holocaust, in the telling of New York Times staff writer Nikole Hannah-Jones, and that it exercised an innermost control over the bodies of [the] enslaved work force, as Matthew Desmond put it in the 1619 Project. How this system of sheer brutality was overcome by the slaves themselves, and why it happened only during the Civil War after 250 years of American slavery, was evidently not discussed in the removal of Bostons monument. Racial mythmaking is as unencumbered by logic as it is history.

Emancipation Memorial (Thomas Ball, 1876) in Washington D.C. was paid for by subscriptions from freed slaves. The replica stood in Boston since 1879 before its removal three months ago

As was the case in Boston, in Chicago the Monuments Project is attempting to fob off the campaign to remove Lincoln as a public discussion. This is a lie. The committee will host a handful of meetings closed to just 20 participants before it makes a final decision. Far from being any kind of democratic initiative, the decision to remove the artwork sits solely with the mayor and her committee. Lightfoots lieutenant, Christine Carrino, has since announced that because the Chicago Monuments Project advisory committee is not a public body disclosure rules do not apply to it. Deliberations are secret, in other words.

In the mayors star chamber the statues to Lincoln and the others face charges of whether or not they promote narratives of white supremacy, have connections to racist acts, slavery and genocide, or are not sufficiently inclusive of other stories. Sitting in judgment is a 30-member committee, selected by Lightfoot, that includes not a single historian of the Civil War or the American Revolution.

Many of the statues are works of genuine artistic achievement. The Standing Lincoln sculpture (also known as Lincoln: The Man ) is the centerpiece of Chicagos Lincoln Park and is, according to the Lincoln Park Conservancy, considered the most important sculpture of Abraham Lincoln from the nineteenth century, designed by Irish sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907) who became one of the foremost sculptors of his time. The other targeted Lincoln statues include Seated Lincoln (1908), also by Saint-Gaudens and famed architect Stanford White, Lincoln Rail Splitter (1905) by Charles Mulligan, Young Lincoln (1951) by Charles Keck, and Lincoln (1956) by Lloyd Ostendorf and Avard Fairbanks.

Standing Lincoln sculpture (also know as Lincoln: The Man) Credit: Chicago Park District

Two monuments to Washington make the list. One of these, called the Robert Morris-George Washington-Haym Salomon Monument, quotes on its base from a speech Washington gave to a synagogue in Rhode Island in 1790. It begins: The government of United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.  An accompanying bronze plaque states: Symbol of American tolerance and unity and of the cooperation of people of all races and creeds in the building of the United States. One assumes that the irony of removing such a monument is lost on Lightfoots committee.

Historical ironies abound. Lincoln would surely not recognize todays Republican Party as his own. The attempted fascist coup of January 6, and the Republicans refusal to recognize the outcome of the election, finds a parallel instead in the actions of the southern Democrats in 1860, who made war rather than let the nation survive in response to his own election, as Lincoln put it in his Second Inaugural.

But Lincoln would recognize something of todays Democratic Party. In his own time, he tangled with the periods foremost Democrat, Stephen A. Douglaswhose statue in Chicago is not on Lightfoots listin their famous series of debates in small Illinois towns in 1858 and going forward to the election of 1860, in which Douglas stood for a Democratic Party that had been split, North and South.

Lincolns struggle against Douglas followed a pattern. Lincoln wanted to talk about slavery. Douglas wanted to talk about race. Lincoln wished to mobilize the electorate against the further expansion of slavery, a system of extreme labor exploitation that denied the most fundamental right to self-ownership and offended the founding American principle of equality. Douglas, in turn, sought to obscure slavery through the promotion of the idea of permanent racial differences.

When Douglas said, for example, that Lincoln wanted to end slavery so that he could amalgamate the races and take a black wife, Lincoln understood Douglas method as an appeal to racism. But Lincoln nonetheless insisted, of the hypothetical black woman, that in her natural right to eat the bread she earns with her own hands without asking leave of any one else, she is my equal, and the equal of all others.

One-hundred-and-sixty-three years later, a black woman is mayor of Chicago and heads up its Democratic Party, an outcome made possible by the Civil Warand one which Douglas in his most fevered rhetoric never could have imagined. But in a more fundamental sense Lightfoot is Douglas direct political descendant.

Like Douglas in the 1850s, Lightfoot does not want any discussion of labor exploitation. The mayor has just sent tens of thousands of workersteachers and staffback into unsafe classrooms in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, which scientists warn is on the verge of its deadliest explosion yet. There are 500,000 Chicagoans who live below the official poverty line, and, according to one food charity, the city is experiencing its biggest hunger crisis ever, with 800,000 people not having enough to eat. Meanwhile, some $60 billion in wealth is hoarded by Illinois billionaires, a group headlined by Lightfoots Chicago allies Sam Zell and the Pritzker family. Naturally enough, just as Douglas did before her, Lightfoot wants to talk about race, not class. This is the real aim of her Monuments Project.

The Democratic Party oversees conditions of explosive inequality in cities across the country. That they once again target Abraham Lincoln reflects the degree to which the entire ruling class lives in mortal fear of a third American revolution. No other figure in American history is so synonymous with the struggle for equality, and the use of revolutionary means to achieve it, as Lincoln.
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Secret Birria, a taco spot which opened in November in Uptown, isnt on a main drag. You have to know its there, because it would be easy to pass right by the storefront windows looking in on a kitchen and service counter. Secret Birria offers counter service and outside seating in the adjacent driveway, with food delivered through a side window.

The compact menu hangs its hat on birria tacos, the now-trending traditional tacos that are typically made with slow-stewed beef, simmered with guajillo and ancho chiles into an oily, fragrant pool of flavorful shredded meat. Super popular in cities including Los Angeles, San Antonio and Houston, birria tacos have been blowing up on social media. A quick check on Instagram has more than 244,000 #birria posts, with 115,000 birria-based videos running rampant on TikTok.

Yes, they are that good. Super juicy, a scoop of the chili-infused meat is griddled with plenty of cheese in between corn tortillas, and they are served with a bowl of broth for dipping. There are many versions of the specialty, which hails from Jalisco, in western Mexico. The family-style stew is made with beef, goat or lamb. They have been popularized locally at places like chef Will Avelars Mawi Tortillas.

Alex Caluda manages Secret Birria, whose owner prefers to stay out of the spotlight  though the building is owned by Darryl Reginelli, the local restaurateur who founded Reginellis Pizzeria in 1996. According to Caluda, the owner fell in love with birria tacos in Mexico, and with a help of a friend there, came up with the idea of having his own birria taco joint in New Orleans.

The people behind this like the idea of a secret masked luchador (wrestler) being the restaurants face, Caluda says. One of the trademark wrestling masks is on the counter where walk-in customers place their orders.

Caluda wasnt familiar with birria tacos before he opened the restaurant, but hes learned fast.

We use Angus chuck beef and marinate it overnight in a base of fresh peppers and seasoning, he says. The next day we cook it for at least five hours, which makes it so flavorful.

Tacos are grilled in flour, not corn tortillas, filled with the shredded beef mix, onion and cilantro. Tacos are available in trios for $12, or solo for $4. A birriarito is a burrito made with birria beef, rice, beans, pepper sauce, white queso, fresh onion and cilantro, and dipping sauce is served on the side.

Birria ramen is another specialty, and it is exactly what it sounds like: a soupy bowl of ramen noodles swimming in the birria jus with meat, onion and cilantro for $8.75 a bowl. Its reminiscent of yakamein but not as spicy.

Talitha 'Tali' Smith and Derek Smith created the Polish food pop-up PoLa New Orleans PoLa New Orleans is at Broad Street Cider every Friday and offers precooked, packaged meals on the second and fourth Sunday of the month.

If beef isnt your thing, there are a few other options. A chicken burrito is made with shredded chicken, rice, beans and slaw tossed with salsa negra, shredded mozzarella, fresh onion and cilantro. The fried fish tacos are stellar. Crispy battered Gulf fish  usually sheepshead, which comes in fresh most days  is garnished with shredded cabbage, drizzled with chipotle relish and served on a flour tortilla. House-fried Cajun cracklings are served with queso for dipping. Sides include queso, roasted shishito peppers and rice and beans.

The restaurant doesnt have a liquor license or a plan to get one. Instead, the options are strawberry-, pineapple- and orange-flavored Fantas and Mexican Cokes made with Mexican cane sugar.

Secret Birria is a casual neighborhood place, with a bench out front for customers waiting for take-out orders and a smattering of outside tables on the side of the building.

Were definitely catching on, Caluda says. The neighborhood crowd is growing.

323 Octavia St., (504) 899-2961

4 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Sunday

Limited outdoor seating and takeout

Rosalita's Backyard Tacos serves Mexican favorites in Bywater Rosalitas Backyard Tacos may be the only taco joint named for an alley.
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Permalok  , a wholly owned subsidiary of Northwest Pipe Company (NASDAQ: NWPX ), manufactures steel casing pipe, which is commonly used in trenchless construction. The proprietary press-fit interlocking connections eliminate field welding and install quicker than any other system on the market today. Often used in microtunneling, pipe jacking, auger boring, and pipe ramming construction applications, these methods minimize environmental and community impact. Located in St. Louis, Permalok  has been manufacturing quality steel casing pipe since 1995 and joined Northwest Pipe Company in 2014.

The video highlights the manufacturing process and quick field installation of Permalok, which keeps field teams moving forward while avoiding costly delays and field welds. With over four million feet successfully installed and 25 years of manufacturing experience, Permalok continues to collaborate with customers to develop new products and advance the steel pipe industry.

"We look forward to seeing the Permalok segment air on national television to showcase our St. Louis team's workmanship," said Scott Montross, President and CEO of Northwest Pipe Company. "We hope this segment entertains as well as educates the public on our quality product and the hard work that goes into every piece of Permalok pipe."

Manufacturing Marvels airs on FBN five nights a week at approximately 7:30pm PT. The two-minute segments spotlight North American manufacturers, their products, and the markets they serve. Last month, the filming crew spent a full day at the St. Louis manufacturing plant to film the upcoming segment. Learn more about Manufacturing Marvels on their website http://manufacturingmarvels.com.

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A Roman Catholic deacon from Metairie was arrested Monday on accusations that he sexually molested a pre-teen boy 20 years ago, before he was ordained as a member of the clergy, according to officials.

Virgil Maxey V.M. Wheeler III, 62, faces one count of sexual battery and two counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile, said Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office spokesman Capt. Jason Rivarde. Wheeler is suspected of taking a shower with the boy and performing oral sex on him, Rivarde said.

The arrest comes seven months after the allegations at the center of the case prompted New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond to suspend Wheeler from his role as a deacon at St. Francis Xavier Church in Old Metairie.

Wheeler is the second cleric under Aymonds command to be arrested in connection with claims of child molestation since the fall.

In October, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office booked the Rev. Patrick Wattigny after he allegedly confessed to molesting a teen boy several times beginning in 2013. Wattigny is currently out on bond and is awaiting word on whether prosecutors intend to file charges against him.

Jefferson Parish deputies have released few other details about the alleged crimes committed by Wheeler. An initial report states that an unidentified man told Sheriffs Office detectives last year that Wheeler had sexually abused him between January 2000 and December 2001, when the accuser was less than 13 years old.

The abuse purportedly occurred at a home on Hector Avenue which Wheeler owned at the time but sold in 2019. That home is just two blocks from St. Francis Xavier, where Wheeler served as a deacon from his ordination in 2018 until his suspension from public ministry on Aug. 3.

The report listed the alleged offense as first-degree rape of a victim under the age of 13. The crime carries mandatory life imprisonment upon conviction. Investigators ultimately booked Wheeler with two less serious offenses, though each is still a felony.

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Sexual battery is defined in part as the intentional touching of the anus or genitals of a child by an adult. It calls for between 25 and 99 years in prison when a victim is younger than 13. Indecent behavior with a juvenile is any lewd act inflicted on a child which is meant to sexually arouse either the offender or the victim. That crime can carry between two and 25 years if the victim is under age 13.

An attorney for Wheeler, David Courcelle, said his client turned himself over to Sheriff's Office detectives at the agency's investigations bureau on Maple Avenue in Harvey on Monday. Courcelle said Wheeler maintains his innocence but declined further comment.

Wheeler's bail was not immediately set.

Suspended deacon V.M. Wheeler is focus of criminal child rape investigation, JPSO confirms A Roman Catholic deacon from Metairie, suspended from public ministry this summer, is now under criminal investigation over accusations that h

As of Monday, Wheeler had not been added to the Archdiocese of New Orleans roster of priests and deacons who are considered credibly accused of sexually molesting children. There are more than 70 names on that list, which Aymond first released in November 2018.

Attorneys for the man accusing Wheeler declined comment. The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate does not name sex abuse victims without their permission.

In addition to losing his post at St. Francis Xavier, Wheeler took a leave of absence from his job as an attorney at Chaffe McCall, and he left the firm permanently on Dec. 31, 2020.

The firm has said Wheeler began working there as a contract attorney in 2016, though Chaffe McCalls website labeled him as a partner in a biographical page that was taken down in the aftermath of his clerical suspension.

Prior to his ordination as a deacon, Wheeler served on the boards governing the archdioceses fundraising arm and some of its senior housing facilities. He had also worked as an acolyte at St. Francis Xavier, assisting priests and deacons when they said Mass.
RTHK: Trial begins for George Floyd police officer

The trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd was due to begin on Monday with the screening of jurors to weigh murder and manslaughter charges in a case seen as a referendum on police violence against Black Americans.

The judge has set aside three weeks for jury selection alone, mindful of the difficulties finding impartial Minneapolitans in a case that has convulsed a nation and in which an image of the victim  a selfie of Floyd faintly smiling  has become an international icon of racial justice.

The court mailed prospective jurors an unusually detailed 16-page questionnaire last year asking them what they know about Floyd's death on May 25 on the street after his arrest outside a Minneapolis grocery store.

Among the questions: Have they seen video of his death? Recorded on bystanders' cellphones and police body-worn cameras, they show Chauvin, who is white, with his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes as Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man in handcuffs, pleads for his life before fading into stillness.

Have they taken part in the protests that followed? Video of Floyd's dying words  "I can't breathe"  spread online within hours, causing one of the largest protest movements ever seen in the United States, with daily marches in cities around the country decrying police brutality and racism.

And what do they think of Black Lives Matter? Chauvin's lawyers are expected to challenge the seating of jurors who show support for the movement against racism in the justice system.

Chauvin's lawyers have up to 15 peremptory challenges by which they can exclude a juror without having to cite a reason, while the prosecutors from the Minnesota attorney general's office have nine. If one side suspects the other is challenging a juror on the basis of race, ethnicity or sex, it can ask the judge to overrule.

Some criminal justice experts fear the resulting 12 jurors and four alternates may not include any Black people and that this could undermine public perception of the validity of any eventual verdict.

"In an ideal world you want somebody who hasn't formed an opinion," Aviva Orenstein, a law professor at Indiana University Maurer School, said in an interview. "Do you know a Black person who has not formed an opinion about George Floyd?"

About a fifth of Minneapolis residents are Black.

Chauvin, 44, is charged with second-degree murder, which carries a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, and manslaughter. On Friday, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ordered the lower court to reconsider prosecutors' request to also reinstate a third charge, third-degree murder. It was unclear whether that order might delay proceedings.

Chauvin was released from jail on a $1 million bond last October and will be tried in a courtroom in the Hennepin County Government Centre, a tower in downtown Minneapolis now ringed with fencing and concrete barricades for fear of disruption by protesters. (Reuters)

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Market Research Future has published a Half-Cooked Research Report on the Global Sodium Chlorate Market.

Market Synopsis

Sodium chlorate is an industrial salt produced from table salt and water in reaction with electricity. Sodium chlorate is largely used in the pulp and paper industry to produce chlorine dioxide, which is an environmentally friendly bleaching agent used to manufacture white paper products. It is also used for the synthesis of potassium chlorates, which are extensively used in explosives. In addition, it acts as a chemical intermediate in processing perchlorates and chlorite, an oxidizing mineral compound, and in the metal finishing sector.

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The top five importers of the sodium chlorate, as of 2018, were the US, Japan, Sweden, Russia, and Portugal, whereas the major exporters were China, the US, Canada, Italy, and Spain. The market witnessed a supply-demand gap in the past and trade flow can be seen disrupted as it is a hazardous material.

Trade and Regulatory Analysis

According to the MRFR analysis, the Sodium Chlorate Market Outlook was valued at more than USD 2.1 Billion in 2018 and is expected to reach over USD 2.8 Billion by the end of 2025 at a CAGR of 4.6%.

Some of the international associations, e.g., the US Environmental Protection Agency and Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), have banned products (herbicides) containing chlorate in the agricultural industry. This has fetched some significant regulations for its use in agricultural and commercial sites, for instance, in 2010, the REACH had set the permissible residue limit of 0.01 mg/kg sodium chlorate in food products. In addition, around 2.8 million pounds of sodium chlorate is used in the residential and commercial sectors annually in the US.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the drinking water standard for chlorate is set for 0.03 mg/kg/day.

SEGMENTATION

By Grade

Crystalline: The crystalline grade segment held the largest share of over 70% in 2018. This is primarily attributed to the extensive demand for crystalline sodium chlorate in the production of chlorine dioxide. Additionally, its use in uranium mining due to increasing focus on the development of nuclear weapons and submarines is projected to boost the demand for crystalline form of sodium chlorate. Moreover, the increasing expenditure in the defense industry in emerging economies such as India, China, South Korea, and Brazil is expected to increase uranium mining activities and consequently favor the growth of the segment.

Solution: This segment is expected to witness healthy growth during the forecast period. Sodium chlorate solution is a clear odorless liquid available in 2050% solution. The healthy growth of the segment is mainly attributed to the growing demand for concentrated solution also known as dry salt in explosives and oxidizable materials, which are extensively used in the nuclear and defense industries.

By Application

Pulp & Paper: The segment accounted for more than 80% share in 2018. The primary factor responsible for the dominance of the pulp and paper segment is the high use of sodium chlorate in the synthesis of chlorine dioxide, an excellent key bleaching agent. The growth of paper board packaging due to the increase in e-commerce and trading activities across the globe is likely to drive the demand for pulp and paper in the coming years. The increase in the demand for tissues, wipes and toilet papers in restaurants, hotels, and office spaces is anticipated to drive the market growth.

Chemical Intermediate: Sodium chlorate is preferred intermediate in potassium chlorate and sodium perchlorates due to its high oxidizing property, which allows the ignition at a faster rate. The segment accounted for the second-largest market share in 2018 owing to the high demand for potassium chlorate in the manufacturing of explosives, flares, and pyrotechnics. It is expected to witness significant growth during the review period.

Uranium Mining: Sodium chlorate finds substantial application in ore processing particularly uranium mining, an essential material used in nuclear weapons. Nuclear power generation is major contributor to sustainable development as it has low environmental impact and does not generate greenhouse gases. The rapidly increasing demand for fuel in nuclear power plants and increasing environmental concerns related to mining on the backdrop of surging urbanization across globe is likely favor the growth the segment. Also, uranium is widely used as a ballast in aircraft and boats and as gamma sterilization in the medical industry.

Water Treatment: Sodium chlorate has high oxidizing potential and functions as a powerful oxidizing agent through its application chlorine dioxide. Widespread use of chlorine dioxide in water treatment as it can oxidize mineral compounds of sulfur, iodide, and bisulfite, which are highly toxic are likely to drive the product demand. Thus, the growing demand for treatment of industrial wastewater is expected to result in an increased demand for sodium chlorate in the coming years.

Leather Tanning: The growing demand for sodium chlorate in tanning and finishing leather are likely to drive market growth. Moreover, the rise in standard of living and increase in consumer spending is expected to bolster the growth of the market.

Others: Additional uses of sodium chlorate such as surface treatment of metal, manufacturing dyes, pharmaceuticals, herbicide, and vanadium mining are anticipated to drive the market growth during the forecast period.

Browse Full Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/sodium-chlorate-market-8606

By Region

North America: The market growth is driven by the well-established paper and paperboard industry and stringent regulations pertaining to greenhouse emission through plastic usage. Canada has one of the largest deposits of uranium, which is expected to create high demand for sodium chlorate.

Europe: Germany is the largest contributor to the regional market growth owing to the established leather tanning and finishing sectors.

Asia-Pacific: The largest and fastest-growing regional market for sodium chlorate. This is primarily attributed to the high demand for the product in applications such as chlorine dioxide for bleaching pulp, explosives, ore processing, dyes, and leather tanning.

Latin America: A small but growing mining and water treatment industry is likely to fuel the demand for sodium chlorate in the coming years.

Middle East & Africa: High growth potential of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries is projected to drive the regional market growth during the forecast period.
Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) announced today that Stork, a Fluor company, was awarded a 2-year contract extension by Chrysaor Holdings Limited to deliver offshore integrated specialist asset integrity services in the UK.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005610/en/

A Stork professional performs an offshore inspection in the North Sea. (Photo: Business Wire)

Stork will continue to deliver an inclusive range of asset management solutions and capabilities to extend the offshore assets' life cycle through this contract for the Armada, Everest and Lomond platforms in the central North Sea.

"Stork has provided specialist asset integrity solutions for these platforms since 2014, and Stork is pleased to build upon this business relationship," said Taco de Haan, president of Stork. "By using Stork's full portfolio of innovative solutions, the company will support its client's objectives of achieving safe, reliable and efficient operations across their North Sea portfolio."

About Stork

Stork, a Fluor company, continually improves the performance of its clients' assets through a wide range of integrated, innovative and data-driven solutions, from operations and maintenance to turnarounds and modifications. We are committed to growing our clients' business sustainably and successfully by setting new standards of excellence in asset management. Underpinned with our core values-Safety, Integrity, Teamwork, Client Focus and Excellence-we aim to be the industry reference, every day, everywhere. For more information, please visit www.stork.com or follow us on Twitter @StorkTS, LinkedIn.

About Fluor Corporation

Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) is building a better future by applying world-class expertise to solve its clients' greatest challenges. Fluor's 44,000 employees provide professional and technical solutions that deliver safe, well-executed, capital-efficient projects to clients around the world. Fluor had revenue of $15.7 billion in 2020 and is ranked 181 among the Fortune 500 companies. With headquarters in Irving, Texas, Fluor has provided engineering, procurement and construction services for more than 100 years. For more information, please visit www.fluor.com or follow Fluor on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

stork

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005610/en/

Contacts:

Brian Mershon

Media Relations

469.398.7621

Jason Landkamer

Investor Relations

469.398.7222

Beatrijs van de Ven

Stork Media Relations

+316.515.66.513
A two-minute explainer on what it means when Goldman Sachs and others say Saudi is pursuing a tight oil market strategy

If you want to win a game of Monopoly owning Mayfair and Park Lane really helps, controlling most of the board is even better.

So it is in the market for crude oil, which is among very few markets in where a cartel not only exists but actually has its own flag and holds press conferences.

Saudi Arabia with the highest volumes of crude production and the lowest costs holds the premium spots on the board.

It also leads the OPEC group and along with Russia, for as long as they agree, the Kingdom steers crude price trends.

The United States meanwhile finds itself occupying all the orange and red spaces on the Monopoly board - as it is the high frequency, low return play.

But, lets wrap up this analogy quickly, before we all find ourselves on the hook for licensing.

OPEC+ vs America

The emergence of North American shale resources as a plentiful source of hydrocarbons rebalanced the crude market in recent decades but, typically, such operations have more onerous costs because of higher engineering demands.

At a high enough crude price America can produce enough low margin crude to sustain its own domestic demand and even export some excess.

Soaring crude prices of US$100 or more of course balloon margins for Saudi operations, which as a rule of thumb are below US$3 per barrel.

Strategically, however, there are diminishing returns for the Kingdom as oil wells spring up everywhere to mop up marginal returns. It massively dilutes market share for Saudi and other OPEC members such as Iraq, UAE, Iran, Kuwait, and Nigeria.

Russia finds itself with a similar proposition as crude prices climb which consequently sees them allied over oil policy.

Quotas

Managing production volumes is the main lever that Saudi, OPEC and Russia (a collective commonly referred to as OPEC+) can pull to exert some control of crude prices.

By keeping capacity reduced it can put the brakes on price trends and retain market share.

The OPEC+ strategy proved successful in the wake of 2014s crude market slump and was again the driver in oils recovery from the early doldrums of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has largely seen industrial and transport demand wiped out.

Saudi production cuts

Quotas and cuts in 2020 saw the OPEC+ group not produce nearly 10mln barrels of oil per day in order to keep a floor under oil prices.

In January, the cartel agreed they would release another 500,000 barrels per day to unwind curbs as they eyed rising demand as various countries began phased recoveries from pandemic restrictions.

The continued management of the crude supply is expected to underpin crude prices.

last week upgraded its target for crude after OPEC+ kept quotas unchanged through April.

Moreover, analysts at Goldman, in a note, said that Saudi is guiding for only a gradual ramp-up of volumes as economies re-open.

At the same time, the American bank highlighted that with crude oil prices up 25% since January and excess inventories reduced by an estimated 56% the cut in volumes is working in Saudis favour.

Goldman highlighted that OPECs strategy is in contrast with the pre-2020 strategy in which the bank says OPEC viewed itself as the central bank of the oil market.

We believe it is now clear that OPEC+ is in fact pursuing a tight oil market strategy.

A tight-market strategy leaves crude somewhat vulnerable to higher volatility, triggered by outside forces.

Brent crude starts this week on at around US$70 per barrel, for the first time early 2020, after a drone attack on the Saudi port of Ras Tanura, which is among the largest oil shipping locations in the world.

The attack was claimed by Yemens Houthi fighters, which said they had fired 14 bomb-laden drones and eight missiles in Saudi.

Saudi, meanwhile, said that the attack did not result in any injury or loss of life or property and no oil production had been affected.

Brent crude was up around 3%, trading up to a high of US$71.38, whilst West Texas Intermediary crude gained 1.6% to US$67.17.


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The Willows Inn, a nationally acclaimed restaurant on Lummi Island in Washington that has been accused of underpaying its employees, has agreed to pay $600,000 to settle a class-action lawsuit over wage theft accusations.

As part of the preliminary settlement, management at The Willows Inn has not admitted to any wrongdoing, The Seattle Times reported. The two employees who filed the lawsuit are bound by a non-disclosure agreement from discussing the dispute.

But in the lawsuit filed in Whatcom County Superior Court in 2017, the plaintiffs attorneys alleged that The Willows Inn had violated state labor and wage laws including the withholding of tips and overtime pay, and in some cases, that it did not pay employees at all for shifts worked.

For some employees, including those who cook, clean and service The Willows Inn, all the hours worked amounted to less than minimum wage, according to the suit.

Under the settlement, the 99 non-supervisory employees identified as members of the class-action suit will recover about 75% of the unpaid wage claims, which the parties estimate will total $600,000.

In a phone interview with the newspaper, restaurant chef and owner Blaine Wetzel denied the allegations, but said his attorneys advised him to settle or risk a long court battle that would ultimately cost much more than $600,000 in legal fees.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs declined to comment.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Washington Restaurant
Naga Munchetty has said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should be free to talk about their situation following the broadcast of their candid television interview.

The broadcaster told the BBCs Morning Live the revelations made during their discussion with Oprah Winfrey will be a talking point for days on end.

She said she wishes the couple luck.

Harry and Meghan during their TV interview (Joe Pugliese/Harpo Productions/PA)

Discussing the interview, she said: I think if people feel they need to speak up about their situation, all power to them and I think the scrutiny around them, you have to just, in any of those situations, you have to just be aware of whats important.

It is your family and obviously what they have made clear is they want to protect their family and protect their mental health and wellbeing.

I wish them all the luck.

Harry and Meghan criticised the royal family during their interview as they discussed their experiences of racism and living in the public eye.

Munchetty added: It is going to get a lot of interest. I mean, it is what everyones talking about all morning and will be talking about for days on end.

The BBC Breakfast host also discussed her upcoming Panorama programme Lets Talk About Race.

She said she spoke to two black fathers while making the documentary.

Both of them had to tell their children, their sons, you need to be small, you need to be less loud, you need to think about how youre perceived, she said.

Dont walk around in a group because you will be seen as a gang, dont give the police any excuse to stop and search you, dont bring your true self to work because you will always be seen as loud and as aggressive.

She added: Having that conversation with a child when they are nine, can you imagine that? Telling you child not to bring their true self to school?

That shocked me.

Munchetty said conversations about race can often be uncomfortable but people should feel they are able to express themselves on the topic.

Lets Talk About Race airs on BBC One at 7pm on Monday.
03/07/2021

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu and Christine Gillette, 978-758-4664, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu





LOWELL, Mass.  Civil rights leader Fania Davis, UMass Lowells 2021 Greeley Scholar for Peace Studies, will be in virtual residence at the university next month, when she will lead the annual Day Without Violence and other free events for the campus and community.





Davis, who came of age amid the social and political turbulence of the 1960s, pursued her path as a justice-seeker and healer after the murder of two of her childhood friends. She will deliver the Day Without Violence keynote address Restorative Justice, Racial Justice and Peace Building, online on Tuesday, April 6 at 12:30 p.m.





Davis will also lead The Spiritual Roots of Restorative Justice: Resources for Cultivating Peace in Our Communities, a virtual event presented by UMass Lowell and the Greater Lowell Interfaith Leadership Alliance on Thursday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m.





Members of the public who would like to register to attend these free virtual programs should visit the Greeley Scholar website





Dr. Davis work to address racial inequality and to break the endless cycle of harm and violence is unique and is more urgently needed than ever. I believe her visit will open a productive and healthy dialogue across people with different political beliefs and make a meaningful and positive impact on the university community, as well as local policymakers, service providers and law enforcement agencies, said UMass Lowell Prof. Ardeth Thawnghmung, chair of the Political Science Department and co-chair of the Greeley Scholar Board.





Davis virtual residency at UMass Lowell will cap the universitys yearlong Greeley Peace Scholar Speaker Series on Race and Social Justice, which unites scholars, students and the community in free, remote discussions that illuminate the Black experience and the history and struggle for racial equality. Upcoming programs include:

The 2020 Presidential Election and Race in America, with Jane Junn, an expert in political participation, and Christina Greer, an authority on Black and urban politics. UMass Lowells Mona Kleinberg, assistant professor of political science, will moderate the event, which will be held on Thursday, March 18 at 2 p.m. Members of the public who would like to register to attend should visit the Greeley Scholar Race and Social Justice website.

We are excited to have Dr. Fania Davis as UMass Lowells 2021 Greeley Peace Scholar. Given how much the Black Lives Matter movement has raised consciousness about systemic racism and what we need to do to make change, Dr. Davis residency is particularly timely in showing us what restorative and racial justice and true peace can look like, said Sue Kim, associate dean of undergraduate studies of UMass Lowells College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and member of the Greeley Scholar Board.





Greeley Scholars are selected for their achievements as humanitarians and their efforts promoting peace and conflict resolution at the local, regional, national or international level. With the honor, Davis joins distinguished past recipients who include Nobel Peace Prize winners Tawakkol Karman and Leymah Gbowee. A list of past scholars is available on the Greeley Scholar website.





The honor is named for the late Rev. Dana McLean Greeley, who was a longtime Unitarian Universalist minister in Concord. The Greeley Scholar Program is funded by the Greeley Endowment for Peace Studies, established with a gift from the Dana McLean Greeley Foundation for Peace and Justice and a contribution from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts via the UMass Foundation. In addition, this years programs are sponsored by UMass Lowells College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.




Ukrainian ceasefire monitors have reported on all violations to the OSCE.

In Donbas, since day-start on Monday, the enemy has violated the ceasefire five times, with no combat losses reported among Ukrainian servicemen.

That's according to a morning report of the Joint Forces Operation HQ press service.

"On March 7, five violations of the ceasefire were recorded," the update says.

Near Avdiyivka, Russian-led armed formations fired 120mm and 82mm mortars, while Ukrainian defenders delivered an adequate rebuff.

Read alsoOSCE SMM records 47 violations in DonbasEnemy fire was recorded near the village of Lebedynske, where the Russian-occupation troops opened aimed fire at the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces using an 82-caliber mortar and an anti-tank grenade launcher.

Near the settlement of Opytne, Russian-controlled armed groups opened non-targeted fire towards the Ukrainian positions, using a grenade launcher, and near the settlement of Pivdenne the enemy resorted to targeted attacks, employing an anti-tank missile launcher and small arms.

No combat losses were reported among Ukrainian soldiers.

The Ukrainian side to the Joint Ceasefire Control and Coordination Center has informed OSCE monitors about all violations by the Russian occupation forces.

It is also recalled that over the past day, demining teams of the State Emergency Service have cleared almost 5 hectares and handed 61 explosive items for further destruction.

Donbas: Other reports

Reporting by UNIAN
FASTag Wrong Deductions: Why Complaints Are Not Getting Resolved Sooner?

While the Union government enforced FASTag on vehicle users on national highways, as happens with 'everything government', the number of complaints, especially about wrong deduction from the user's account, are steadily increasing. No doubt, technologies like FASTag will help reduce corruption and ease lives of commuters, it just need support from the government authorities as well as at the ground level, especially from people who are implementing this. At present, many vehicle users are blaming the FASTag infrastructure, or rather the lack of it to an adequate degree being in place at toll plazas. The government, on the other hand is busy mopping up higher toll collections after the mandatory use of FASTag. Separately, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has warned people about the selling of fake FASTag online.

The number of cases where toll was wrongly deducted from the user's account is increasing rapidly. For example, last month, Paytm Payments Bank Ltd informed that it has facilitated refunds for 2.6 lakh FASTag users, who were charged incorrectly by toll plazas in 2020. This is before FASTag became mandatory, so one can imagine the number of cases afterwards.

"While FASTags ensure automatic payment of toll charges, sometimes issues with systems and processes present at the toll plaza result in the deduction of more than the applicable charges," Paytm Payments Bank says in a release, adding, "Ensuring that users are not inconvenienced, we diligently pursued all such disputes through multiple stages, winning 82% of cases on behalf of its FASTag users."

According to Advocate Pravin Wategaonkar, a Mumbai-based activist, who has filed several cases against the tolls on highways, the dispute of wrong deduction at toll plazas arises due to delay in receiving transaction SMS.

"In my personal experience though, FASTag toll deducted SMS is received about 20-30 minutes after crossing the toll booth. If it is instantly received, it could be shown to booth operator as proof of deduction. This would pre-empt any dispute in the first place," he says.

The lawyer-activist, however, shares his experience of getting notified for two FASTags. He says, "I personally have a strange case though. After I applied, received, and installed FASTag from Kotak Mahindra Bank, about a month later I got another SMS from the same bank about another FASTag delivered to me, something which I had not ordered at all."

Abhishek A Gupta, honorary joint secretary of All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA), says while there are a number of cases on wrong deduction at toll plazas, it is a herculean task to collect and share the actual numbers of transporters who are facing this issue.

"But the procedure for refunds is not as quick as claimed for all banks. There are many cases of wrong deduction from user accounts for FASTags issued by ICICI Bank. Even for FASTag users of the State Bank of India (SBI), many a times, our truckers have to pay double money at the toll plaza despite having sufficient balance in their valid accounts. We do not receive any response from SBI," Mr Gupta told Moneylife.

Many vehicle users have been voicing their concern on wrong deductions from their valid FASTag accounts on social media. While there are many complaints from the period before FASTag was made mandatory, the concern expressed shows it is still work in progress as far as the infrastructure at toll plazas is concerned.

I have same problem. Multiple chargebacks, a negative balance due to wrong deduction at some toll outside my state (havent even taken the trip). ICICI customer care is just fooling around in the name of resolution. #ICICI #Fastag #Fraud  gnlogic (@gnlogic) March 4, 2021 @NHAI_Official What to do if wrong deduction occurred with fastag. Both toll plaza as well as ICICI fastag customer care has replied that this particular transactionit's issue is from NHAI and contact 1033. As I tried to contact but listened that it's incorrect number.  Dhruv (@Dhruv55275604) January 3, 2021 @FASTag_NETC UP32JK7165 has a wrong deduction and talking to SBI via several means this wrong charge has not be removed. This has now put our Fastag in blacklist and we can not even recharge this tag now because @NICTAnNGO is not completing out KYC even after all the efforts pic.twitter.com/SiYvv7ku7N  Saurabh (@saurabg12) December 31, 2020 Tried reaching out the Fastag Customer Care & instead of lodging a complaint ticket, they were more interested in blaming other parties involved in payment process. Not an acceptable behaviour, consistent system to comply with.  Piyush Surana (@suranapiyush19) March 8, 2021 @nitin_gadkari your fastag intiative is excellent but in case of wrong deduction the redressal system is very poor. Some tolls are manipulating software and charging excess which is almost impossible to recover back. @FASTag_NETC  Vipin ?????? ??????? (@vipinvashista) September 18, 2020

As per data shared by ministry of road transport & highways (MoRTH) for the week between 25th to 31 January 2021, there were 8,324 complaints received on its 1033 toll free number about FASTag and toll plaza. Out of this, nearly 25% or 2,006 complaints were related with FASTag getting blacklisted and 811 complaints were resolved or in other words as many as 60% of the complaints could not be resolved.

It was followed by 996 complaints received about FASTag deduction without consent or travel, and about 30% or 322 complaints were closed. Interestingly, there were 1,349 complaints about physical (cash) payment as well as deduction from the FASTag account, and almost 50% of such complaints remained unresolved.

One vehicle user even shared a shocking experience. While he has been raising a query about incorrect debits and charge backs from his FASTag account with the ICICI Bank, someone sent him a 'collection request' under the pretext of refunding money. He even received calls from the person, who sent the SMS.

Dear @ICICIBank_Care. On a twitter conversation concerning my incorrect fastag debits n chargebacks. Your support team doesnt seem to care. But an interesting fraudster picked up that thread trying hard to con me into refunding fastag amount via a collect request. #upifraud. pic.twitter.com/MDgwOx8LPD  gnlogic (@gnlogic) March 8, 2021 Anyway i request @UPI_NCPI @CyberDost @ICICIBank_Care to deal with this fraudster ID so that they can never try to dupe another citizen of their hard earned money. #UPI #Fraud #BarodaEGateway. Calls came from this number +918670898820. pic.twitter.com/76MdgU0wlK  gnlogic (@gnlogic) March 8, 2021

While FASTag users are raising their voices against wrong deductions and charge backs, the government is busy sharing big numbers, as usual. Earlier this month, Nitin Gadkari, union minister for road transport and highways stated FASTag issues are initial problems, and they are being resolved gradually.

Launching a live monitoring system to assess the live condition at toll plazas pan India and releasing a rating system for highways, the minister claimed mandatory FASTag for highways will help save Rs20,000 crore per annum on fuel and boost the revenues at toll plazas by at least Rs10,000 crore.

Citing the example of how FASTag has resulted in seamless traffic, the minister showed how delays at a Jaipur plaza were reduced to five minutes from the earlier 30 minutes.

"There is zero waiting time at 80% of the total toll plazas and toll collection through electronic tolling has reached 93% from 80% during the last fortnight after the FASTag was made mandatory," Mr Gadkari says.

Separately, the NHAI has cautioned vehicle users from buying FASTag online from unauthorised sellers. In a statement, it says, "Some fraudsters are selling FASTags online, making them appear to be as those of NHAI or Indian Highway Management Co Ltd (IHMCL). They are selling fake FASTags which are not valid to cross toll plazas."

Last month, NHAI had said that toll collection through FASTag has seen consistent growth following the mandatory payment of user fee through FASTag at the toll plazas from 16 February 2021. "On 25 February 2021, the toll collection through FASTag reached the highest ever mark of Rs103.94 crore with over 64.5 lakh daily transactions. The smooth implementation of FASTag has witnessed growth of 20% in terms of electronic toll collection transactions and 27% in terms of collection of user fee through FASTag," it says.

As on 26 February 2021, NHAI says, about 20 lakh new FASTag users have been added during the past two weeks, taking total FASTag issuance to 2.8 crore.

However, there is no word from the minister on issues being faced at toll plazas by vehicle users.

Last month, the MoRTH had made FASTag mandatory on all lanes in the fee plazas on national highways. "...as per NH Fee Rules 2008, any vehicle not fitted with FASTag or vehicle without valid, functional FASTag entering into the FASTag lane of the fee plaza shall pay a fee equivalent to two times of the fee applicable to that category," the minister had said in a release.

As reported by Moneylife ), many vehicle users face a common technical issue when the RFID scanners at the toll plaza fail to read the FASTag. In some cases, money also gets deducted from the user's account.

Read: FASTag: If Scanner Fails to Read RFID, then Vehicle User is Exempted from Toll Fee, says 2018 GR Notification ) The notification published on 7 May 2018, in the gazette says, "...if a vehicle user with a valid, functional FASTag or any such device with sufficient balance in the linked account crossing a fee plaza installed with electronic toll collection infrastructure, is not able to pay user fee through FASTag or any such device owing to malfunctioning of electronic toll collection infrastructure, the vehicle user shall be permitted to pass the fee plaza without payment of any user fee. An appropriate zero transaction receipt shall be issued mandatorily for all such transactions. (

Since 1 December 2017, FASTag has been made mandatory for all registrations of new four wheeled vehicles and is being supplied by the manufacturers or dealers. It has been further mandated that a valid FASTag is mandatory while getting a new third-party insurance. This provision is applicable from 1 April 2021.

You may also want to read...
Even though vaccinations in the United States are increasing, the risk of a new wave of COVID-19 infections still exists, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the countrys top infectious disease expert, warned on Sunday. Experts have long warned that a more contagious variant of the coronavirus that was first detected in Britain is spreading rapidly in the United States and that could lead to a new wave of infections. And that is likely to arrive more quickly if more places decide to roll back public health measures that have been proven to slow the spread of the virus.

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The United States had been seeing steady declines in the number of cases and deaths, but now that has stalled. And that is something thats particularly concerning for Fauci. The decline is starting to plateau, Fauci said on CBS Face the Nation. And that is happening at a very high level, plateauing at a level of sixty to seventy thousand new cases per day is not an acceptable level. Looking at Europe, which is usually a couple of weeks ahead of us in these patterns, there was also sharp declines and then a plateau that was followed by a 9 percent increase in cases over the last week.

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Another infection spike? A fourth wave? Dr. Anthony Fauci reiterates his concern that COVID-19 cases have declined and plateaued around 60k or 70k cases -- he says that's unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/bzbcEh0AJ3  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) March 7, 2021

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As some states are nixing their mask mandates and limits to indoor activities, Fauci warned that getting rid of measures too early could help a surge become a reality. We do want to come back carefully and slowly about pulling back on mitigation methods. But dont turn its switch on and off because it really would be risky to have yet again another surge, Fauci said. Speaking on NBCs Meet the Press epidemiologist Michael Osterholm said that the United States was in the eye of the hurricane.

NEW: @Mtosterholm says we are in the eye of the hurricane right now on the spread of the coronavirus. #MTP



Osterholm: It appears things are going really well, we even see blue skies ... but we know what is about to come upon us is the situation with this B117 [UK] variant. pic.twitter.com/kQbYxdL6gS  Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) March 7, 2021

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Speaking on CNN, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves defended the decision to not have a mask mandate in the state. When you look at the numbers in Mississippi, it doesnt justify government intervention, he said. Our number one tool against the virus is putting shots in arms.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves on CNN defends his decision to rescind his state's mask mandate even as public health officials insist it's a bad idea pic.twitter.com/5wmXKLQr0E  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 7, 2021
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 07:52:00|Editor: huaxia

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After China's first-ever UFC world champion Zhang Weili retained her strawweight title in the United States on March 7, 2020, a group of people have been battling against themselves and fighting to be heard - female boxers and mixed martial artists. If men can do something, so can women. The faith that women can't be easily defined is probably what keeps them going. This video shows how Meng Bo and Long Sixiu fight their way toward their dreams and to show the strength of women. Produced by Xinhua Global Service
San Antonio is rallying around Comfort Cafe after the pay-what-you-can restaurant posted an example of the "rough" weekend staff experienced.

Comfort Cafe, launched in 2019, is the second location of the concept founded in Smithville, Texas. All proceeds benefit SerenityStar Recovery Center, also in Smithville, which is a community of recovering addicts supporting each other through a 12-step program. Employees at the Leon Valley restaurant are volunteers who are in the SerenityStar program or recently graduated from it.

Restaurant co-founder Teri Lopez said one of the volunteers, who she described as "young kid" learning the process and is one year sober, was the subject of a note left behind by a customer over the weekend. It starkly contrasts the level of support and encouragement customers typically have for Comfort Cafe.

RELATED: Meet the Oklahoma woman who spent February helping San Antonio restaurants

The restaurant offers suggested amounts, like $10 a meal or $5 for desserts or specialty drinks. The suggested total for the bill on Sunday was $26. Lopez said many people often pay more than the suggested amount.

A photo shared by the restaurant shows a note scribbled on a receipt by a customer saying: "I left $25. The food was wonderful. If my server would have been average, I would have left $40 or $50."

Co-founder Teri Lopez told MySA.com that the customer left before staff was able to chat with him or her about the mission or the efforts being made by employees to better their lives.

"So we just spent time processing with the server, who felt bad about it," she added. "People may not realize we have spent years in sessions, meetings and classes helping our clients heal from low self worth, so a comment like this just hits hard against our mission."

The receipt was conflated with "rough experiences" the eatery dealt with over brunch confusion. She said recent promotions by influencers touted the brunch, leading some who were unaware of the mission to assume alcohol was served.

READ ALSO: San Antonio mourns William Garner of Mr. and Mrs. G's Home Cooking

That wasn't the case with the customer who left the receipt though, she said. The waiter explained to Lopez that he told the two-person party alcohol was not served at the restaurant.

Lopez said Comfort Cafe doesn't typically receive requests for alcohol.

Fans of the restaurant defended the eatery online. Many remembered employees by name and complimented the hospitality and food. Others who have never been to the restaurant requested information for a money transferring app in order to tip the waiter.

"People are in training, learning all the back of the menu stuff that make a place work! Give them credit for taking control of their lives, learning the difficult business of pleasing the public, serving great and generous portions of delicious food," another Facebook user named Bea Wilkinson said. "You never know the story till you have walked in someone else's shoes."

Comfort Cafe is located at 5616 Bandera Road and is open Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Madalyn Mendoza covers news and puro pop culture for MySA.com | mmendoza@mysa.com | @maddyskye
APM Terminals Bahrain has announced the appointment of Maureen Bannerman as its new Managing Director following the earlier announcement that Susan Hunter will leave the company at the end of April 2021.

Bannerman will assume the role in early April, a statement said.

Bannerman will join APM Terminals from Dubai Airports, where she has held the position of Vice President, Commercial since 2016, directly responsible for the commercial vision and strategy of the worlds busiest airport. Prior to that, Bannerman held executive positions in Serco Dubai Metro (company managing Dubais metro and tram systems), Abu Dhabi Airports, as well as UKs Network Rail and High Speed Rail System.

With vast experience in the transport and logistics sector, Maureen will be a great asset to APM Terminals and will play a key role in strengthening our footprint in the Middle East, shared David Skov, Head of Africa and Middle East Portfolio at APM Terminals.

APM Terminals Bahrain is a key maritime gateway into the Middle East and I look forward to working with Maureen on further developing its position and service offering.

Bannerman replaces Susan Hunter, who has been managing APM Terminals Bahrain since January 2019, advancing the strategic and transformational agenda of the company and improving its operational and commercial performance.

I am very excited to be joining APM Terminals and continuing its exciting journey of continuous improvement and operational excellence, especially in a year when it celebrates its 20th anniversary as independent business and brand. I look forward to working jointly with our partners in the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain, our key stakeholders, customers and partners on developing the transport and logistics sector further in the country, Bannerman commented.TradeArabia News Service
COLUMBIA  A federal judge said March 8 that she would decide "shortly" on whether to grant a longer block of South Carolina's abortion ban, saying she first needs to determine whether the governor and state House speaker should be allowed to intervene in the case.

While U.S. District Court Judge Mary Geiger Lewis decides whether to grant a preliminary injunction blocking the law, her restraining order that temporarily suspended the ban in February and was extended on March 5 remains in effect until March 19.

The preliminary injunction would provide a more lasting halt to the ban than the temporary restraining order, which was granted one day after Republican Gov. Henry McMaster signed the bill into law.

McMaster and House Speaker Jay Lucas, R-Hartsville, recently filed requests to intervene and make their own arguments supporting the law in addition to South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who is representing the state in the case.

If Lewis decides that McMaster and Lucas are allowed to intervene, she said she should first need to review their arguments before issuing her ruling on the preliminary injunction.

Though Lewis did not immediately rule on the preliminary injunction, she continued to express skepticism about the law's constitutionality.

"I don't believe there's been any change in the law in the last two weeks that would change the situation," Lewis said.

The South Carolina law would prohibit abortions after a fetal or embryonic "heartbeat" is detected, which typically occurs around 6 to 8 weeks into a pregnancy. Most abortions in the state are conducted after six weeks of pregnancy, and opponents of the ban note that many women may not even realize they are pregnant by that point.

If Lewis grants the preliminary injunction, as expected, it will kickstart what is likely to become a years-long legal process.

Supporters of the abortion ban say their ultimate goal is to get the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case and reverse or substantially amend their precedent that women have a constitutional right to abortion access before a fetus is viable outside the womb.

A fetus is generally not considered viable outside of the womb until around 24 weeks into a pregnancy.

Planned Parenthood immediately filed the lawsuit hours before McMaster signed the bill into law. Wilson said he believes the law is constitutional and "deserves a vigorous defense to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary."

Close to a dozen other conservative states have recently passed similar bills, all of which have been held up in the courts. The U.S. Supreme Court has still not decided whether to consider a Mississippi law that would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

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If Lewis grants the preliminary injunction, Wilson could either appeal to the higher Fourth Circuit or proceed to more extensive arguments in Lewis' courtroom.

In addition to disputes about the constitutionality of the ban, arguments on March 8 centered around "severability"  whether other parts of the new South Carolina law could remain in effect if the ban is struck down.

That includes a section of the bill the requires physicians to conduct an ultrasound and let the pregnant woman know she is allowed to view it before performing an abortion.

Julie Murray, an attorney representing Planned Parenthood, argued that the rest of the law is inextricably linked to the section that bans abortions after six weeks and that the judge should strike down the entire law.

"It's not for this court to do the Legislature's job of crafting legislation that complies with the Constitution," Murray said.

Deputy Solicitor General Emory Smith, arguing in court on behalf of Wilson and South Carolina's Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins, countered that those other sections of the law could be upheld as constitutional separate from the ban and so should remain in place.

Lewis indicated that she sided with Planned Parenthood on that dispute, saying the ultrasound requirement is "not independent of the abortion ban" and she could not see how those two parts of the bill are not "inextricably linked."

Asked after the hearing about Lewis' questions and comments that seemed to suggest she did not buy his arguments, Smith said he would not predict an outcome in the case.

"All I'll say is that we made the arguments, developed them based upon our filings in court and made them as best as we could," Smith said. "We believe that they're sound, but it's in the judge's hands now and up to her to decide how she wants to rule."

Three local solicitors were initially named as defendants in the lawsuit because they represent the cities that have the only three abortion clinics in the state: Wilkins of Greenville, Fifth Circuit Solicitor Byron Gipson of Columbia and Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson of Charleston.

Gipson announced in court last month that he would not be opposing the preliminary injunction and would not defend the abortion ban. He recently entered into an agreement with Planned Parenthood not to investigate or prosecute any abortions that happen while the court cases continue.

Smith revealed on March 8 that Solicitor Wilson has not yet taken a position on the case and may soon enter into a similar agreement with Planned Parenthood.

Malissa Burnette, another attorney representing Planned Parenthood, said after the hearing that she has no problem with Lewis' decision to take some more time to rule on the preliminary injunction and expects an order will come sometime this week.

"She is very thorough," Burnette said. "I respect her taking it under advisement and I know that she will study everything. Everybody had a chance to have their say."
Buck will be a great addition to our team. His fresh approach will add additional perspective to our sophisticated strategies, said Jeff Kelly, owner of The Kelly Legal Group, PLLC.

The Kelly Legal Group, PLLC is known for its expertise and high level of service in real estate and business matters. As the practice has grown, so too has its need to add talented attorneys to its roster. Mr. Buck will continue to further the firms long-standing goals as an Associate Attorney by fully committing to excellence for his clients. He will focus his practice primarily on real estate and business legal issues.

Mr. Buck earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Baylor University School of Law; he was on the deans list, executive editor of the Baylor Law Review, and a member of the Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity. He was admitted to the Texas bar in 2018 and practiced civil litigation, family law, and transactional law prior to joining The Kelly Legal Group, PLLC.

Buck will be a great addition to our team. His fresh approach will add additional perspective to our sophisticated strategies, said Jeff Kelly, owner of The Kelly Legal Group, PLLC.

About The Kelly Legal Group, PLLC

The Kelly Legal Group, PLLC is a boutique real estate and corporate law firm located in Austin, Texas. Founded by attorney Jeffrey S. Kelly, KLG strives to provide its clients with competent legal advice, first-class service, and rapid matter resolution. Over the years, KLG has expanded its practice areas beyond business and real estate to include wills & estates, personal injury, aviation, and criminal law.

To learn more, visit https://www.kellylegalgroup.com, call 512-505-0053 to schedule a free consultation, or stop by The Kelly Legal Group, PLLC office at 4934 West US Highway 290 Sunset Valley, Austin, TX 78735.
Prince Harry today said he was 'hurt' by the Queen's decision to remove his royal patronages and honorary titles, but insisted he 'completely respects' her decision.

The Duke of Sussex told Oprah Winfrey that he would 'still love for us to be able to continue to support those associations, albeit without the title or the role'.

The interview was filmed before Buckingham Palace announced on February 19 that Harry and his wife Meghan Markle would lose all their remaining royal titles.

Oprah asked Harry about the decision which was 'coming up at the end of this month', and the Duke told her it would be that 'they will be removing everything'.

Harry and Meghan attend the Royal Albert Hall in March 2020, which the Duke of Sussex attended as, Captain General Royal Marines and the ceremonial head of the Royal Marines

The Queen during the Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London last November

Harry inspects a parade at RAF Honington in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, in July 2017 while wearing ceremonial uniform. He had been honorary air commandant of RAF Honington

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex speak to Oprah Winfrey in their bombshell interview

The chat show host asked Harry: 'Are you hurt by that decision?'

Harry replied: 'I am hurt. But at the same time, I completely respect my grandmother's decision.

Meghan says she called the Queen to check in on Prince Philip Meghan revealed she had called the Queen to check in on the Duke of Edinburgh's health after learning he had gone to hospital. The Duchess of Sussex said she woke up earlier than Harry one morning and saw a note from someone on their team in the UK saying Prince Philip had been admitted to hospital. She added: 'I just picked up the phone, and I called the Queen just to check in.' Philip was taken to King Edward VII Hospital in London on February 16 for treatment for an infection, before having heart surgery at St Bartholomew's Hospital last week. He was transferred back to King Edward VII Hospital last Friday and remains there this morning. There had been calls over the past week for Harry and Meghan to postpone their interview out of respect for Philip and his ill health. Advertisement

'I would still love for us to be able to continue to support those associations, albeit without the title or the role.'

Oprah also asked the couple: 'Could you be as satisfied now, doing this through your own organisation, Archewell?'

And Meghan replied: 'Well, we this is what we're doing, right? We're still doing it. We're still going to always do the work.

'But I also think it's important for you or everyone to know this decision that was made about patronages and all of that was before anyone knew that we were sitting down with you.'

Oprah added: 'I heard a story that you're getting punished now. Those were being taken away because you did sit down with me.'

But Meghan said: 'Those letters, those conversations, that was finalised before anyone even knew that we were going to sit down. So, that's just not true.'

Last month Buckingham Palace revealed the Sussexes had lost of string of patronages, although the Queen does not plan to strip the official titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex from them.

The pair remain His and Her Royal Highness, although they are not permitted to use those titles on a day-to-day basis as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.

A spokesman for the Sussexes previously said there was 'absolutely no question' they had wanted to retain the positions they had lost, adding: 'They do respect the decision but they always made clear they were committed to doing the roles.'

Palace sources told the Daily Mail last month that official positions were 'simply incompatible' with the couple's new commercial careers in the US.

In addition to his military roles, Harry had to relinquish his presidency of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, as well as the role of patron at the Rugby Football Union, the Rugby Football League and the London Marathon Charitable Trust.

Meghan attends a workshop with children at the National Theatre in 2018. She lost her role as patron of the organisation when Buckingham Palace announced the changes last month

Prince Harry lost his role as Captain General of the Royal Marines, His is pictured meeting 42 Commando Royal Marines at their base in Bickleigh, Devon, in February 2019

Harry, or Captain Wales as he was known in the Army, wears camouflage makes his early morning pre-flight checks in the cockpit at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan in December 2012

The Queen handed Meghan two royal patronages in 2019 - at the Royal National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities - but these were also lost.

In addition, Meghan has had to give up her role as vice-president of the Commonwealth Trust.

She did, however, retain her two private patronages at the employment charity Smart Works and animal welfare group Mayhew.

Her husband also kept private roles with African Parks, Dolen Cymru, the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, MapAction, Rhino Conservation Botswana, Sentebale, WellChild and the Invictus Games for wounded soldiers.
Homebuyers in nearly half of the states including hurricane-prone Florida can be left in the dark about the flood risks to their new house.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has released an updated scorecard that shows which states have the best and worst disclosure requirements to protect home buyers.

Louisiana, which also suffers more than its share of storms, has one of the stronger disclosure laws.

More than 41 million Americans live in flood zones and climate change is increasing flood risks for millions more.

The deck is stacked against homebuyers, leaving millions of people investing their life savings in risky properties without knowing it, says Joel Scata, an attorney with NRDC. With flood risks rising throughout the country, we need to strengthen these disclosure rules across the board.

The updated scorecard details each states provisions, including:

Florida and Virginia, where tens of thousands of properties are flood prone, have no statutory or regulatory requirement that a seller disclose past flood damages;

In New York, sellers can pay $500 to not disclose previous flooding;

Texas, on the other hand, put in place a top-notch disclosure requirement after Hurricane Harvey;

South Carolina improved its rules following a series of stories detailing the problem in the Charleston Post and Courier.

Disclosure doesnt affect federal flood insurance requirements or rates; it just alerts a buyer to the risks.

NRDC said it is working with states to strengthen these requirements.

In addition, lawmakers in Congress have proposed including a nationwide standard in legislation to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program.

NRDC supports a homeowners a right to know about their propertys past history of flood insurance coverage, damage claims paid, and whether there is a legal requirement to purchase flood insurance because of past owners receipt of federal disaster aid.

Topics Flood
JERSEYVILLE  A Jerseyville man was charged in a sex assault against a teen-aged victim, and an Elsah man was charged with possession of firearms after having his Firearm Owners Identification Card card revoked in separate felony cases filed by the Jersey County States Attorneys Office.

Christopher M. Quinn, 42, of Jerseyville, was charged March 5 with criminal sexual assault, a Class 1 felony.

According to court documents, on Feb. 23 Quinn allegedly sexually assaulted a 13-year-old minor.

Bail was set at $300,000.

In a separate case, Joshua T. McEuen, 34, of Elsah, was charged March 1 with possession of firearm with FOID revoked, a Class 3 felony.

According to court documents, on Feb. 11 McEuen, who had his FOID Card revoked by the Illinois State Police, allegedly was found to be in possession of a Springfield Armory XP-40 and XP-45 handguns, both with loaded magazines.

Bail was set at $25,000.

Other felony charges recently filed by the Jersey County States Attorneys Office include:

 Sarah E. Delp, 37, of Brighton, was charged with aggravated battery, a Class 2 felony; and resisting a peace officer and obstructing a peace officer, both Class A misdemeanors. According to court documents, on March 3 Delp allegedly kicked a police officer in the right hand, resisted a Jersey County sheriffs deputy, and obstructed a third officer. Bail was set at $25,000.

 Dustin M. Kraushaar, 29, of Brighton, was charged March 1 with domestic battery, a Class 4 felony. On Feb. 27 Kraushaar allegedly pushed a family or household member, into a wall, injuring her right arm. It was noted Kraushaar has a prior conviction for a related crime in 2018 out of Jersey County. Bail was set at $50,000.

 Brandy L. Thompson, 40, of Jerseyville, was charged March 2 with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 Felony. O March 1 Thompson allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $10,000.

 Sandy A. Lafferty, 44, of Jerseyville, was charged March 3 with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor. On March 2 Lafferty allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine and a glass pipe. Bail was set at $15,000.

 William R. Desherlia, 47, of Jerseyville, was charged March 4 with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. On March 3 Desherlia allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine.

 Tyler M. Buckingham, 19, of Wood River, was charged March 1 with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. On Feb. 28 Buckingham allegedly was found to be in possession of less than 15 grams of Alprazolam. Bail was set at $15,000.
Back in the 1990s, TV viewers fell in love with Dervla Kirwan when her feisty character Assumpta Fitzgerald and her doomed relationship with Father Peter Clifford in Ballykissangel became a Sunday evening mainstay - not just in Ireland but in the UK.

Nearly a quarter of a century later, Dubliner Dervla is again set to take centre stage for must-see Sunday night TV in riveting new RTE drama Smother. She stars as domineering Val Ahern, a mother who is estranged from her millionaire husband Denis.

The six-part series is set among beautiful scenery in Co Clare and most of the action in tonight's dramatic opening episode revolves around Val's 50th birthday party in the family's jaw-dropping coastal mansion.

Val and Denis share one daughter from their own marriage, a daughter each from previous relationships, and the storyline revolves around their interactions.

"They are a blended family which is interesting," Dervla, the silky voiceover of M&S for six years, tells us.

"Here was this wonderfully sculpted family dynamic.

Expand Close Niamh Walsh (Jenny), Seana Kerslake (Grace), Stuart Graham (Denis) and Gemma-Leah Devereux (Anna) all star in RTEs Smother. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Niamh Walsh (Jenny), Seana Kerslake (Grace), Stuart Graham (Denis) and Gemma-Leah Devereux (Anna) all star in RTEs Smother.

"A really interesting matriarchal, domineering, privileged wealthy family who use that wealth and privilege to basically bend the truth to service their own needs, and we see that throughout the whole story and how that has poisoned the family."

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Smother is a far cry from sweet and sugary BallyK.

"It's a really gritty side of contemporary Ireland that I don't think that people have seen," she adds.

"We have had Love/Hate, RTE has made some fantastic shows, but I think this might just burst the bubble on that very outmoded, old-fashioned idea of Ireland.

"We are European and we are Irish, that's very important."

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Dervla began shooting the series in February of last year, just before lockdown began, and had to spend three months in west Clare amid restrictions as the world was turned upside down.

"I had never been to that part of Ireland," she recalls.

"When we arrived, we were shooting in February and it was like shooting in a tumble drier, the storms were coming in night after night, proper climate change, battering the coast and where we were filming.

"I remember thinking, 'how am I going to do this for 12 weeks?' But I loved it. I hope that this show will encourage people to visit the Wild Atlantic Way."

She had to spend much of early last year away from her family home in Hampshire, England, isolated from her husband, actor Rupert Penry-Jones, and their two children, Florence (16) and Peter (14).

"I had gone from extreme family to nothing, to literally being in a little apartment on my own, in the middle of nowhere in west Clare, Lahinch, which is great, but it was a bit of a shock," she says.

"Then of course there was no night-life, no restaurants, no bars, no hanging out, no camaraderie, as you couldn't.

"Everyone was in a bubble. Everyone was very caring and nurturing about that.

"We were very observant about the rules, it was very grown up. Everyone was in it together."

It's ironic that viewers will see Val celebrate her 50th birthday tonight as Dervla herself reaches that milestone later this year.

"I was beginning to think that as I reached my 50s, 'oh so it's kind of over now, is it?'

"But no, not until I go completely grey haired and pop up as the granny in a decade's time," she jokes of her return to TV screens, having also recently won over a new army of fans in The Stranger, where she starred as a mother who fakes pregnancy to gain friends and sympathy.

"I had always dreamed about having a very long-running career, but that wasn't the case 30 or 40 years ago when I started. It certainly is the case now and that's really exciting," she adds.

Dervla is also vocal in admitting she has suffered in the past from bulimia for 16 long years, starting during her Ballykissangel days.

"I can't get to the root of it and it's very private, possibly why I exhibited my fear or went down that road," she reflects, revealing she got help for her eating disorder.

"There's a wonderful book I read, Letting It Go, which is all about really trying to identify the problems and to release them.

"It could have been alcoholism, it could have gambling, it could have been sex addiction. All of us throughout our lives, if you have to find something which is a form of pain relief.

"There is help and there are so many great charities out there for people to get help, and there are so many books on the subject. I just felt compelled.

"It is good to talk about these things and not to be so hypocritical. It's just being in the public eye. I don't know, I just hope people will be compassionate towards themselves and to everyone."

Dervla can still laugh about the lockdown look though.

"In real life now, I haven't been to a hairdresser in the last six months," she says. "I was talking to the hubby the other day, 'my god, just look at us, what happened?' And everyone must be feeling it, the pandemic, elasticated band, sweat suit.

"He said to me, 'you know Dervla, it's lovely to see you getting into your training gear, but you do know you have to take some exercise?' So that's how we are."

 Smother starts tonight on RTE One at 9.30pm
A 28-year-old Lehigh University graduate student acting erratically Sunday night in the Comfort Suites in the 100 block of West Third Street in Bethlehem assaulted three police officers and a sergeant who were escorting him to a voluntary mental health evaluation, court papers say.

Kendra Beazer, of the 800 block of Wyandotte Street, was arraigned early Monday before District Judge Nancy Matos Gonzalez on charges of aggravated assault, disarming a law enforcement officer, flight to avoid apprehension, resisting arrest, simple assault and harassment, city police said.

Bethlehem and Lehigh University police were dispatched at 8:29 p.m. to the hotel and they were bringing Beazer down an elevator into the lobby but, as the doors opened, Beazer began to strip off his clothes, court papers say.

A university police sergeant tried to stop Beazer and Beazer pushed the sergeant to the ground and then punched a city police officer who stepped in, knocking her down, police said. Beazer then began to punch another city officer in the head and upper body before running out of the hotel, police said.

A city officer who was outside in a patrol vehicle chased Beazer on foot and warned he would fire his Taser, court papers say. Beazer turned and punched the officer several times in the head and upper body, police said. They went down to the ground, with the officer on top, but during the struggle, Beazer grabbed onto the Taser and it fired into the ground before Beazer was arrested, police said.

The three Bethlehem officers were hurt during the incident, police said.

Beazer was ordered housed in Northampton County Prison in lieu of $500,000 bail, records show. His preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled 9 a.m. March 22 before Gonzalez in South Bethlehem.

Beazer would have to undergo a mental health evaluation and take all psychotropic medications as prescribed if he were to be released on bail, court records say.

Paperwork did not show an attorney for Beazer.

The university confirmed his status as a graduate student.

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.
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO (dpa-AFX) - Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (RHHBY), said Monday that it will voluntarily withdraw the U.S. indication for Tecentriq or atezolizumab in prior-platinum treated metastatic urothelial carcinoma or mUC, bladder cancer. The company said it has taken the decision as part of an industry-wide review of accelerated approvals with confirmatory trials that have not met their primary endpoint(s) and have yet to gain regular approvals. 'While the withdrawal of Tecentriq for prior-platinum treated bladder cancer is disappointing, Tecentriq continues to demonstrate benefits across multiple cancer types and therefore remains a meaningful treatment option for many patients,' said Levi Garraway, chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. The company noted that it will work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over the coming weeks to complete the withdrawal process. But, the decision will not affect other approved indications for Tecentriq. Tecentriq was granted accelerated approval in 2016 for the treatment of prior-platinum treated mUC based on the results from the IMvigor210 study. The study did not meet its primary endpoint of overall survival in the PD-L1 high patient population. 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.
San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera remains displeased with city schools, even after the city school district announced progress in its reopening plan late last week.

San Franciscos teachers union announced Friday that they had finally reached an agreement with the San Francisco Unified School District on reopening its schools. Beginning April 12, students at some schools in pre-K to second grade will return to class  with the intention of up to five days of in-person instruction a week. But there doesn't appear to be a concrete plan to return students in 3rd grade, 4th grade and 5th grade. According to the District's website, "More students will be offered in-person options before the end of April."

The agreement, said the union, focuses on how hybrid learning will work through the remainder of the school year. Its unclear when middle and high schoolers will return to in-person learning, too.

It also stipulated that all students  whether distanced or in-person  will stay with their current teacher.

But John Cote, a spokesman for Herrera, told SFGATE that the city has yet to see "a written agreement" from schools over reopening. He also told SFGATE that the citys lawsuit against the school district will proceed unless and until the district offers in-person instruction to the greatest extent possible.

"We are concerned that the school districts statements do not provide all of the information necessary for parents to know when their children will be offered in-person instruction," Cote told SFGATE in a statement. "We eagerly await additional information from the school district."

"Health experts at every level say schools can be open right now with basic safety precautions, like masks, physical distance and good ventilation. More than 15,000 private and parochial students have been attending school in San Francisco for months.

That's in addition to comments from a representative to KRON that the school districts statements on reopening were vague and ambiguous.

There are instances of public schools in 7 of the 9 Bay Area counties  but also including more than 15,000 students at more than 100 private and charter schools in San Francisco  that are already working under a hybrid or even in-person model, some of which have been doing so for months.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story stated that Pre-K to 5th grade will return to class on April 12, when in fact the District's site doesn't actually appear to have any concrete details on 3rd through 5th graders returning to class. Additionally a note about the number of kids already back in school in other districts was added for clarity.
Two extraordinary things recently happened back to back in South Texas: It snowed twice in the same week, and President Joe Biden promised to halt migrant family detention.

Of the approximately 200 Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, detention facilities, only three imprison families. Two of these lie just south of San Antonio in Dilley and Karnes City.

Allegedly, these former prisons will now function as temporary processing centers. Many asylum-seekers detained in Karnes and Dilley have sponsors  friends or relatives  who are ready to receive them. But others fled to the United States with only the hope of finding shelter. To be released, they need a place to go. San Antonians who sheltered neighbors and friends without power now have the chance to shelter strangers.

I live on the second floor of a migrant shelter operated by San Antonio Mennonite Church. Wealthy German immigrants built this house nearly 100 years ago. Now, families from countries as far-flung as Tajikistan and the Congo live in a community here with members of our church.

One Angolan woman came to us after two years in ICE detention  just in time for the ice storm. When the shelter lost power for 36 hours, neighbors and church members filled every need, firing up an outdoor grill, delivering blankets, and offering to donate water and cellphone chargers.

Here at the shelter, we pray together every night in a patchwork of English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. These prayers take on a certain urgency as ICE releases more detainees under the Biden administration.

Shelters like ours can help several people at once, but the needs always seem to outpace the resources. Our pastor is organizing an immigrant response team through which church members can help sponsor asylum-seekers.

Together, our time and resources go further, and we can support each other in work that is often emotionally demanding. This model of community sponsorship has become, worldwide, one of the most effective ways to help refugee families thrive in a new country. It also requires a spirit that many of us witnessed during Texas winter storms: radical hospitality.

During the blackouts, I watched people don masks and welcome other families into their homes. One dear friend wore a footpath in her side yard by carrying soup and water to her next-door neighbor. The principle behind all this giving is simple: Those who have share with those who do not. And while the Texas winter storm has passed, thousands of asylum-seekers are still weathering their personal storms. As ICE releases more people from detention under the Biden administration, we have the opportunity to become their shelter.

Once, a colleague told me that the best way to get rid of something is to make it obsolete. While federal and state governments should act to protect asylum-seekers, citizens do not have to wait on bureaucracy to see real change.

In 2019, ICE detained approximately 500,000 migrants in 200 detention centers. The 197 that are not family detention centers will continue to hold immigrants and asylum-seekers. If communities across the United States would provide legal, economic and social support for one or two migrants each, we could empty these detention centers.

Of course, the process is not linear or straightforward. Locating people in ICE custody is difficult, and not every detainee is eligible for bond or parole. Still, communities that engage in the process can share experiences and best practices, while also putting pressure on ICE to release migrants rather than write checks to private prison companies. Radical hospitality makes detention obsolete.

You can support asylum-seekers in South Texas by contacting these agencies: the San Antonio Mennonite Church Immigrant Response, Casa Marianella in Austin, RAICES, the Suenos Sin Fronteras Emergency Fund and the Interfaith Welcome Coalition.

You can learn more about community sponsorship by reaching out to Amnesty Internationals Longer Table program or Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative.

Aubrey Parke is a graduate student, oral historian and immigration advocate in San Antonio.
Previously we have seen how iPhone survived a drop from a plane and more than a year in extreme Icelandic weather. Apple doesnt exactly marker the iPhone as a rugged smartphone. However, these events have become the testimony. The latest video shows an iPhone 11 that survived six months on a lake bed and was fished out from the lake bed.

The iPhone 11 was discovered by diver couple Clay and Heather Helkenberg. The duo helps clean the lake bed of garbage and also helps people recover their expensive items. Helkenberg uploaded a video of finding the phone in Harisson Lake in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Here is how Helkenberg describes his job.

I dive in various lakes and rivers in British Columbia Canada, finding peoples lost treasures and cleaning up any trash I find. I do this for fun and have found all sorts of items including phones, GoPros, and other valuables, and I am often able to return them to their rightful owners.

The couple has put up two videos and recovered a total of 3 phones and 11 pairs of sunglasses. Heather found the iPhone 11 and was surprised to see it in working condition. Typically, they put phones in a box of silica to dry them out. However, the iPhone 11 switched on without any fuss.

Clayton Helkenberg said he usually puts phones in a container of silica to dry them out, but hes had good luck with iPhone 11s. I took it home, cleaned the dirt off of it, and it just turned right on, so it was pretty amazing, he said. He pulled out the SIM card, put it in another phone to figure out the phone number, and got in touch with Fatemeh Ghodsi.

iPhone 11 Owner Got her lost data

The owner thought it to be a prank by one of her friends. However, she soon realized that it is the iPhone 11 that she had dropped in September last year while on a boat ride. The worst part is that she had not backed up the data. Thanks to the diver duo, the lady finally got her iPhone 11 back, and kudos to iPhone 11s water resistance.

[via CBC
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(Bloomberg) -- Amazon.com Inc. has scooped up a minority stake in a cargo airline that operates a portion of its fast-growing air-cargo division, the latest sign of the retailers long-term ambitions to expand its air-freight operations.

Amazon spent $131 million to acquire about 13.5 million shares of Air Transport Services Group Inc., the air cargo operator said in a securities filing on Monday, exercising warrants Amazon had previously acquired. Amazon also acquired roughly 865,000 additional shares through an agreement in which no cash changed hands. The purchases are contingent upon approval by the U.S. Department of Transportation, ATSG said.

Following that approval, Amazon will own about 19.5% of ATSG, said Quint Turner, chief financial officer of the Wilmington, Ohio, company, a stake that gives Amazon the right to appoint one member of ATSGs board of directors. If Amazon leases more aircraft and exercises all its warrants, the company could own as much as 39.9% of the cargo carrier, ATSG said in its annual report.

ATSG shares rose almost 5% at 12:21 p.m. in New York. Amazon was mostly unchanged.

The online retail giant first received warrants to purchase ATSG shares in 2016, as part of an agreement that saw ATSG begin flying aircraft for Amazons then-new air cargo unit.

Earlier this year, Amazon announced its first aircraft purchases, buying 11 Boeing Co. 767-300 jets to join a fleet of leased planes. The company is also set to complete work later this year on an air-cargo hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Amazon uses the air operation to speed goods from its warehouses to shoppers, reducing its reliance on logistics partners like United Parcel Service Inc.

Amazon has also acquired warrants to purchase shares in Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc. and Sun Country Airlines Holdings Inc., two other carriers that operate Amazon Air jets.

ATSG Chief Executive Officer Rich Corrado said on a conference call last month that the company anticipated operating 46 aircraft for Amazon by the end of this year, up from 33 at the end of 2020.

Story continues

I think its an acknowledgment that we have a very strategic relationship with them, Turner said of Amazons decision to exercise the warrants. Its clearly a very important relationship for both companies.

(Updates with Amazon stake, CFO comment, beginning in the third paragraph.)

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

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In brief: PayPal late last year started allowing users in the US to buy, sell and hold select cryptocurrencies for the first time. Now, the financial services company is doing more to bolster the security of digital assets on its platform through an acquisition of crypto security startup Curv.

Shoring up rumors last week on the subject, PayPal on Monday formally announced that it has agreed to acquire Curv, a Tel Aviv-based security infrastructure firm that specializes in digital assets. Curv will join a newly formed PayPal business unit that was created to focus on blockchain, crypto and digital currencies.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed although when rumors first broke of the acquisition last week, sources told CoinDesk that the purchase price could be anywhere between $200 million and $300 million although one person put the figure as high as $500 million.

Curv is more geared for large institutions and enterprise clients, rather than a wallet for end-users. Jose Fernandez da Ponte, VP and GM of PayPals blockchain, crypto and digital currencies business, said the acquisition is part of their effort to invest in the talent and technology to realize our vision for a more inclusive financial system.

The integration could also ease concerns that some players have about PayPal serving as a middleman when dealing in crypto.

PayPal is still planning to let users use crypto to fund purchases at its 26 million merchant partners sometime later this year. As it stands today, theres not a whole lot you can do with crypto on PayPal outside of using it as a store of value.

PayPal said it expects the deal to close sometime in the first half of 2021.

Masthead courtesy Maxx-Studio
Presented by the Wild Project in association with Princeton Universitys Fund for Irish Studies, Krells Happy Days doesnt find the ache in all that, or the leavening humor. Its Winnie, with her rictus grin, reads more as a symbol than as a human being.

There is, of course, a case to be made that we are all Winnie now, trapped inside endless days of soul-crushing sameness, straining to keep up the facade. Like someone on a video call angling the camera just so, she looks into her mirror and tries to pass for normal. In the meantime, her other (which is not to say better) half, Willie, is going feral just out of view.

This production doesnt make that case, and thats OK. The problem is that it doesnt make any other discernible argument, either, for doing this play in this way at this moment.

There is no sense in clinging to tradition for its own sake, but the same is true of tossing out fundamental elements of a play in a quest to  as the films website suggests  revitalize it. Happy Days, though, never lost its vitality in the first place.

Akalaitiss First Love, whose brief online run ended last week, proved far more successful. A short story delivered verbatim as a monologue, it is told by a man quite at home with his solitude.

A hard-core eccentric embodied by Bill Camp, he is at his most comically unsettling when he speaks of the smell of corpses, and takes a long, savoring sniff.

Humans are truly strange, he observes a while later, by which point we can hardly disagree.

In the creepy, funny, dun-colored streaming production Akalaitis made for Theater for a New Audience, this grizzled disaster of a man is the kind of weird that makes you lean in to watch.

Connecticut lawmakers have proposed a tax on social media ads sold by Facebook, Twitter and other industry giants, with one lawmaker saying it could create a $250 million windfall.

Under a bill sponsored by state Rep. Holly Cheeseman, R-East Lyme, a portion of tax revenue collected by Connecticut on digital ads would underwrite programs to reduce online bullying, which a number of studies have blamed for creating a sense of isolation for teens and tweens, and in some instances contributing to substance abuse and thoughts of suicide.

Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, who co-chairs the Connecticut General Assemblys Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, floated the possibility of the tax adding potentially as much as $250 to $300 million, with the bills language not specifying a target amount.

Connecticut generated $4.7 billion from sales and use taxes in the fiscal year ending last June, with taxes on cable and satellite TV companies totaling only about $50 million.

A lobbyist for the Internet Association said Monday that any such law in Connecticut would likely violate the federal Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act, which limits state taxation of digital revenue, and implied the trade association could sue if Connecticut enacts a law.

Asked by a lawmaker how much digital ad revenue is generated in Connecticut annually, he said he could not say, but acknowledged big annual gains by many in the industry, including during the pandemic.

Cheeseman filed the bill in January, a few weeks in advance of the Internet Association, NetChoice and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce requesting a court injunction against a similar law that Maryland lawmakers enacted over a gubernatorial veto. The Maryland bill would tax online ads sold by companies with $100 million or more in overall revenue. The Internet Associations 40-plus members include Amazon, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Twitter.

When the states attempt to try to do something its actually a clear violation of the federal statute, said John Olsen, director of Northeast state government affairs for the Internet Association, at a public hearing on Monday. If youre attempting to tax digital platforms  solely  then you are running afoul of PITFA. ... Overall, are we philosophically opposed to some kind of [tax] collection? I dont think so.

Sen. John Fonfara, D-Hartford, had sharp words on the subject of federal law overriding state policy objectives.

This is a classic move by your industry, where you get Congress to preempt something, Fonfara said Monday. Then, when a state tries to do something, you come to the state and you say, ... oh, this is preempted and its better that we work with Congress to move something forward  when you know that you have no intention of doing that.

A lobbyist with NetChoice said that Connecticut could avoid an accusation of discriminatory taxation against social media companies by broadening the tax to cover all types of media, including newspaper, TV and radio advertising.

There are a multitude of reasons to not do this  the easiest is that this is clearly unconstitutional, said Carl Szabo, vice president and general counsel for NetChoice. At the end of the day, youre going to see no revenue from this bill. ... It will lose in court.

Olsen said he was not aware of any current bill in Congress to create a tax on digital ad revenue. He added that digital ad platforms would likely push the cost of any tax on to the businesses that purchase ads. A new bill in Maryland would prohibit that practice, with Olsen shrugging off the applicability.

Obviously if youre contracted with a platform and their costs go up, they may just raise the price of doing business, Olsen said. I dont think you can legally say, Theres no way to pass the cost on  because you simply assess a different rate.

On the heels of a landmark 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed states to tax online purchases, Connecticut implemented a sales tax for some 600 websites that deliver at least $250,000 in merchandise annually to addresses inside the state. Under a separate agreement with the state Department of Revenue Services, Amazon has been collecting sales taxes on purchased in Connecticut since 2013.

During the Monday hearing, Cheeseman rejected any contention that businesses large or small would be harmed by a tax on social media advertising, saying it would amount to a very tiny percentage on a huge and increasingly growing pot in her words.

In a survey from two years ago posted by the Cyberbullying Research Center, 29 percent of Connecticut teens polled indicated they had been on the receiving end of cyberbullying at least once in their life, with 14 percent indicating they had taken abuse online in the past month.

Rep. Steve Meskers, D-Greenwich, backed up Cheeseman on the cost-benefit analysis.

We may be talking about fractions of a penny per digital ad, so the impact on each of the advertisers is de minimus, Meskers said. We suffer a lot, the more we aggregate economic activity on the internet  and while it benefits [through] a lower cost to consumers, its at a cost of the [tax] revenue to support services those consumers demand for most municipalities in the state. So I think this is a big question.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
UPDATE: Police say six people were injured in the explosion.

NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI  Students at Newaygo High School have been sent home Monday, March 8, after a student exploded a firework in class, authorities said.

It has been reported that this was not an attack or designed to be something malicious, but a serious lack of judgment, school Superintendent Peggy Mathis wrote on Facebook.

The student was believed to be the only one injured, she said.

She said that the student brought some type of firework device to school. He lit it in class which caused an explosion.

Because of the odor and smoke caused by the explosion, high-school students will be sent home for the day, she said.

In a follow-up Facebook post, she urged others against making comments about the intentions of the student or the situation.

In describing the incident as not a malicious act, school officials wanted to let parents know that this was not somebody planting an explosive device in order to hurt our students. Those directly involved with the situation determined that was not the intent.

Newaygo County Emergency Services said parents and guardians can pick up high-school students at the bus garage at 70 East Street in Newaygo.

The high school has 483 students, according to the most recent state data.

Read more:

One dead in shooting on Grand Rapids northwest side

COVID-19 is reshaping Michigan. Its not the first epidemic to do so.

Michigan woman is current Jeopardy champion on Katie Courics first show
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Minneapolis, March 8 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Mar, 2021 ) :Minneapolis residents braced for the opening on Monday of what is sure to be one of the nation's most closely watched trials in years -- that of the white policeman charged with killing George Floyd, a Black man whose dying struggles were captured on a video seen around the world.

Jury selection begins at 8:00 am (1400 GMT), though final debates over the exact charges against Derek Chauvin -- the now former city officer who used his knee to pin a pleading, gasping Floyd by the neck to the pavement for nearly nine minutes -- could yet delay the proceedings.

For now, Chauvin is facing second-degree murder and manslaughter charges. He has been released on bail and will appear in court.

Floyd's death laid bare already sore racial wounds in the United States, sparking months of sometimes violent protests against racial injustice and police brutality, both in the US and abroad.

Lawyers for both sides face the difficult task of finding jurors who, in the intensely publicized case, have not already made up their minds about Chauvin's guilt.

The process is expected to take up to three weeks, with arguments slated to begin on March 29.

But protesters already gathered near the courthouse on Sunday, with many holding up "Black Lives Matter" placards and demanding "justice for George Floyd." Chauvin's case promises to be extraordinary: it will feature star attorneys, be held under tight security and be livestreamed.

It will also be watched as a potential marker of change in a country that recently elected its first Black vice president, but where police officers historically have often escaped punishment for abusive acts.

It will feature gripping testimony, as foreshadowed Sunday by Benjamin Crump, a prominent civil rights attorney representing the Floyd family.

"You look at the video, and you hear him say 28 times, 'I can't breathe,'" Crump told ABC's "This Week." "The public is begging the police to take the knee off his neck. They say his nose is bleeding; he can't breathe; he is going unconscious -- you're going to kill him." Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, social distancing rules mean seating will be limited, with the Floyd and Chauvin families given only one seat a day.

Despite intense global interest, only two reporters will be allowed in each day.

The Minnesota attorney general's office brought in Neal Katyal, a former US acting solicitor general who has argued cases before the Supreme Court, to help with the prosecution.

Ashley Heiberger, a former police officer who now works as an advisor on police practices, said: "The fact that a police officer has been charged criminally for an abusive use of force, that in and of itself is an outlier." "It's even rarer for them to be convicted." The circumstances surrounding 44-year-old Chauvin's case, however, are so troubling that "to the best of my knowledge, no police officers or police organizations came out and defended his action," Heiberger said.

Three other police officers involved in Floyd's arrest -- Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao -- face lesser charges and will be tried separately.

All four officers were fired by the Minneapolis Police Department.

Floyd's arrest was prompted by accusations that he tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill in a nearby store.

Chauvin, a 19-year veteran of the force, was released from prison on bail in the fall and is expected to plead not guilty to the murder and manslaughter charges.

"Mr. Chauvin acted according to MPD policy, his training and within his duties as a licensed peace officer of the State of Minnesota," according to his lawyer, Eric Nelson. "He did exactly as he was trained to do." According to Nelson, Floyd died of an overdose of fentanyl.

An autopsy did find traces of the drug in Floyd's system but said the cause of death was "neck compression." It will take a unanimous verdict by the 12-member jury to put Chauvin behind bars for what could be a long prison sentence.

A hung jury could give rise to another wave of anti-racism demonstrations.

The authorities have mobilized thousands of police officers and members of the National Guard to provide security and the courthouse has been surrounded by concrete barriers and barbed-wire fencing.

Outside, thousands of protesters marched around the courthouse on Sunday, bearing a replica coffin covered in roses and a banner printed with Floyd's last words: "I can't breathe." Several told AFP they worry Chauvin will walk free.

"I hope that our legal system allows all evidence to be presented and that we get a conviction, but I don't expect it," said Billie Jean Vanknight, a 43-year-old Black woman.

Prospective jurors have been presented with a 16-page questionnaire.

"How favorable or unfavorable are you about Black Lives Matter?" is one of the questions.

"Have you ever watched video of George Floyd's death?" is another. "If yes, how many times?"
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA)  The Seychelles on Monday said it will reopen its borders to international travellers on 25 March, but visitors from South Africa will still be barred to protect the European market
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.
Police in Derry are appealing to the public to be vigilant to cold callers following a number of suspicious reports across Northern Ireland in recent days.

Crime Prevention Officer Mitch Freedman explains: These incidents have involved males calling to houses asking about motorhomes for sale or offering to carry out home repair work. While some of these callers may be genuine we are asking residents to follow some simple steps.

 Do not feel pressurised into opening your door. Tell the person to go away or point to the No Cold Callers sticker on your door. If you dont have one please contact your local station on 101.

 Always ask for identification, especially if the person claims to represent a business or public service organisation. By using QuickCheck, people can phone 101 to check the identity of callers to their home who claim to represent an energy or water network company.

 Be sure your back door is locked before attempting to open your front door or vice versa. Sometimes a rogue caller can distract you while their accomplice tries to gain entry via other means.

 The Nominated Neighbour Scheme allows householders to nominate a person who will deal with callers to their home. If a caller arrives when you are alone in the house, they can be shown a card instructing them to contact your Nominated Neighbour, who will then try and check the callers identity avoiding the need for you to open your front door at all.

I am appealing for anyone who has had similar calls to their home recently, and who is unsure as to whether the caller was genuine, to contact the non-emergency number 101 and report the matter.

I am also making a direct appeal to friends and loved ones of older people, or those who are vulnerable in our communities to please, take a few minutes and have a conversation with them about what they can do to help protect themselves and their homes.
COVID-19 takes a toll on rock n roll

"The pandemic hit the busiest months, starting in the early spring, and it meant a year of no income for artists, crews, promoters, agents, says Dave Brooks, Billboard's senior director of touring. The question was, can you make it for a year without money? A lot couldn't. A large contingency of people left the business and won't be coming back."

"The concert business was more conservative than a lot of industries, he says. There was no push to have concerts while the pandemic was raging. They knew that not guaranteeing safety would have long-term negative consequences. They've done a good job of patiently waiting. While many venues, mostly clubs and theaters, closed across the country, others were rescued by funding through the federal government's Paycheck Protection Program and Save Our Stages Act.

"It could have been a lot worse, Brooks says. At the beginning of the pandemic, 90 percent of venue [operators] thought they would have to close. That number is actually under 10 percent. People found ways to generate some income, through streaming shows, by renegotiating leases. They did whatever they had to do."

Vaccines to the rescue

The biggest booster shot? Vaccines. Anthony Fauci, M.D., chief medical adviser to President Biden and longtime infectious disease expert, told the New York Times he expects a return to concerts in the fall, once herd immunity is achieved through extensive vaccinations.

"By the time we get to the early-to-mid fall, Fauci said, you can have people feeling safe performing onstage, as well as people in the audience."

Concert schedules suggest an earlier return, in part because of confidence in the safer conditions of summer shed and stadium shows over enclosed events. The virus spreads less efficiently outdoors and in warm weather.

"In January and February, we were thinking concerts wouldn't come back until the end of the year, Brooks says. But with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine out and the news that everyone who wants to be vaccinated should be by the end of May, it's looking good for the summer. There's a lot of cautious optimism that we can turn the volume back up."

In fact, promoters anticipate a run on bookings as artists scramble for available slots.

"If you don't see your favorite act booked in the next month or two, just wait, Brooks says. Every artist is going to want to hit the road and get back in front of fans."

15 great tours and shows on sale now

Note that dates are subject to change. For details, updates and ticket information, check artists websites, Ticketmaster.com or Pollstar.com. Initially, capacity at venues may be limited and concertgoers may be required to wear masks and to social distance.

The Beach Boys Catch the wave on stops starting March 27 in Wichita, Kansas, through Sept. 24 in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Buddy Guy The blues legend sets out May 7 in Austin, Texas, and winds down Nov. 7 in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

James Taylor Sweet Baby James brings Jackson Browne along from May 14 in New Orleans through July 10 in Wantagh, New York. Taylor enlists Bonnie Raitt for dates in Canada in September and October.

Jimmy Buffett The idol of Parrotheads worldwide has booked scattered dates throughout the year from May 18 in Nashville, Tennessee, to Dec. 11 in Orlando, Florida.

Foreigner The British-American hitmakers open with a pair of shows on May 19-20 in Orlando, Florida, and has dates confirmed through Aug. 28 in Hyannis, Massachusetts.

Steely Dan Carried on by cofounder Donald Fagen after Walter Becker's death in 2017, Steely Dan and opener Steve Winwood launch a tour June 2 in Portland, Oregon, with dates through July 11 in Wantagh, New York.

Dave Matthews Band The perennial road trippers have booked 50 dates beginning June 8-9 in Uncasville, Connecticut, through Oct. 8-9 in Durant, Oklahoma.

Chicago The brass-fueled rock band, in its 54th consecutive year on the road, will launch a tour June 11 in Concord, California, that runs until Dec. 17 in Robinsonville, Mississippi.

Carlos Santana The Latin- rock fusion guitarist, with opening act Earth, Wind & Fire, sets out on a 31-date tour June 18 in Chula Vista, California, wrapping up Aug. 28 in Tampa, Florida.

Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Poison The hard rock/heavy metal acts have teamed up for a stadium tour from June 19 in Nashville, Tennessee, to Sept. 12 in San Diego.

Rod Stewart Joined by Cheap Trick on most dates, Rod Stewart performs stateside from July 15 in Cincinnati to Aug. 24 in Nashville, Tennessee, and then heads overseas.

The Doobie Brothers The band's 50th anniversary tour, postponed last year, has been rescheduled to start July 17 in West Palm Beach, Florida, and close Oct. 23 in New Orleans.

Hall & Oates Pop duo Daryl Hall and John Oates hit the road Aug. 5 in Mansfield, Massachusetts, and play shows through Oct. 7 in Portland, Oregon, with Squeeze and KT Tunstall sharing the bill.

Kiss The U.S. leg of the band's End of the Road world tour starts Aug. 18 in Mansfield, Massachusetts, and wraps up Oct. 6 in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Eagles After two August dates at London's Wembley Stadium, the Eagles start a U.S. tour on Sept. 16 in Denver, booked through Oct. 23 in San Francisco.
This partnership with a very distinguished and widely peer respected physician such as Dr. Ibrahimi provides Lutronic with an advantage for its continued efforts in R&D and clinical development, says Larry Laber, Chief Commercial Officer.

Lutronic, a leading developer of energy-based medical devices, announces a strong 2020 U.S. performance. The Company has had a double-digit growth year-over-year despite the challenge of the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic. Lutronics success was supported by implementing a company-wide COVID-19 safety protocol for its employees that allowed it to operate in this challenging environment and provide uncompromised support for its customers.

Lutronic Introduces Hollywood Spectra

Central to the Companys 2020 success was the introduction of Lutronic Hollywood Spectra, an advancement in Spectra's technology and design, the Companys existing leading laser platform (over 8000 installs) for the reduction of unwanted pigmentation and the restoration of glowing skin.

Unique to Hollywood Spectra, and unmatched by others, are the HyperSurge Resonator and IntelliBeam technologies that combine to enhance energy consistency across the entire beam, and create higher peak spatial intensity in the skin, resulting in a collagen-boosting vibration effect. This skin undulation effect and benefit is unique to Hollywood Spectra and has not been replicated by other nanosecond and picosecond laser devices. The innovative PTP+ mode provides more effective multi-pulse techniques for 1064nm energy delivery to patients with sensitive skin conditions, reducing the risk of pigmentation side effects caused by older short pulse devices. Additional design features create a comfortable, seamless experience for both practitioners and patients.

Lutronic Appoints Omar Ibrahimi, MD, Ph.D.

The Company is excited to announce the appointment of Omar Ibrahimi, MD, Ph.D., as its Medical Director. Dr. Omar A. Ibrahimi is the founding and medical director of the Connecticut Skin Institute. A board-certified Dermatologist who has completed advanced fellowship training in Skin Cancer, Laser, and Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Ibrahimi has trained at the country's most prestigious medical institutions. He is one of the foremost physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of skin cancer and medical and cosmetic issues involving the skin. He has been honored as a Castle-Connolly Top Doctor for his outstanding patient care.

Its a pleasure to serve as Lutronics Medical Director, Dr. Ibrahimi says. Ive been a longtime investigator and user of their technology. In the 9 years that Ive used Lutronics devices, I have always been impressed with their continued investment in innovation, bringing novel and trust-worthy technology to the market. I look forward to being part of the Lutronic team as they expand their clinical development program in the years to come.

Dr. Ibrahimi attended New York University for both his undergraduate and medical school education. He is a graduate of the rigorous MD-PhD program and was honored with the Sulzberger award given to the top graduating medical student in dermatology. He then completed his Dermatology training at Harvard Medical School, working at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Womens Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Childrens Hospital of Boston, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and the Boston Veterans Hospital. Omar then completed a fellowship program in Mohs and Reconstructive Surgery, Laser and Cosmetic Surgery at the University of California  Davis.

Dr. Omar Ibrahimi is accredited by the American College of Mohs Surgery, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the American Society for Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, and the American Academy of Dermatology. He is well-known nationally, having been an invited speaker at numerous national meetings, and has written extensively about Mohs Surgery, Laser, and Cosmetic Procedures. Dr. Ibrahimi has published many articles on skin cancer surgery, laser and cosmetic procedures in leading medical journals. He has also performed thousands of cases of Mohs Surgery and Laser and Cosmetic procedures.

Dr. Ibrahimi has served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School in the Wellman Center for Photomedicine. He is an active participant in many clinical trials of new technologies.

This partnership with a very distinguished and widely peer respected physician such as Dr. Ibrahimi provides Lutronic with an advantage for its continued efforts in R&D and clinical development. Dr. Ibrahim will be able to provide Lutronic with guidance to studies that are relevant and efficacious to the market, says Larry Laber, Chief Commercial Officer.

For more information on Lutronic, visit https://us.aesthetic.lutronic.com

About LUTRONIC

Effective. Innovative. Intuitive. Dependable. These four core tenants fuel Lutronics development of intelligent laser and energy-based systems. Lutronics robust products include proprietary features to help optimize care in aesthetic, ophthalmic, spinal, and surgical procedures. Committed to this mission, Lutronic partners with key opinion leaders to advance the science and efficacy of Lutronics systems. To develop unrivaled systems with smart features, Lutronic devotes as much as four times what competitors invest in research and development, resulting in more than 535 patents and patent applications worldwide.

In addition to operations and manufacturing in the Boston area, Lutronic has a major manufacturing and research center in South Korea, offices in Germany, China, and Japan, and a worldwide network of ever-expanding direct sales teams and distributors.

Contacts

Jina Kim

VP, Marketing

jkim@lutronic-USA.com

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Hi tech is the cool kid of investment sectors, offering an unbeatable combination of cutting edge chic and long-term stock market returns. Its understandable; our digital world has clearly passed a point of no return in the integration of tech with our daily lives. Tech companies, whether large or small, are clearly in a position to gain from this trend, offering the products and innovations that will facilitate and expand the growth of our high-tech footprint.

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is at the forefront the tech wave. AI systems, which allow machines to learn from experience, adapt to change, and process more information faster than ever before, are powering the evolution of tech. New AI systems are making possible autonomous vehicles, personalizing sales and marketing, and speeding up the networked systems that hold the digital universe together.

From an investor standpoint, the companies that are building and using AI systems now are in position for gains in the near future. AI is here, and its only going to expand its presence.

With this in mind, weve opened up the TipRanks database to get the scoop on three "Strong Buy" stocks, according to the analyst community, which are making profitable use of AI technology, and jockeying for position out of the gate.

iCAD, Inc. (ICAD)

Well start in the medtech segment, where iCAD produces solutions, including advanced image analysis, radiation therapy, and workflow to facilitate early identification and treatments for cancer. iCAD offers a comprehensive platform of hardware and software. The companys ProFound AI Risk tool is an integrated platform that streamlines the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer; the VeraLook platform uses similar advanced technology to improve image processing in the detection of colon polyps.

Medical technology is in high demand, and iCADs AI-powered platforms take common diagnostic tools and improve their accuracy. Its part of a natural trend in medtech, of greater integration of tools and treatments. The field, like much of the medical industry, is growth, and iCAD reported $10.5 million in revenues for 4Q20, a sequential gain of 47%, which was powered by a 70% sequential gain in product revenue from ProFound AI. Year-over-year, quarterly revenue was up 11%, and the ProFound AI sales, in particular, gained 21%.

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Covering this stock for Oppenheimer, analyst Francois Brisebois sees ProFound AI as powerful gainer for the company.

"We believe growth investors will be rewarded over the years as ICAD gains further share in a growing TAM by providing transformative AI-driven breast cancer detection products as well as targeted, efficient, cancer therapy solutions (quality over quantity). We believe ICAD represents an attractive vehicle for investors looking for exposure to biotech innovation themes and AI data growth waves. Ultimately, while ProFound AI Risk is in its very early stages of launch, we believe it represents a great example of AI's potential in changing treatment paradigms," Brisebois opined.

Unsurprisingly, Brisebois rates ICAD an Outperform (i.e. Buy) along with a $27 price target. This figure implies a 63% one-year upside. (To watch Brisebois track record, click here)

The unanimous Strong Buy consensus rating on ICAD shares shows that Wall Street is in broad agreement with Oppenheimers analyst; there are 7 Buy-side ratings on ICAD shares. The $21.57 average price target implies an upside of 30% from the $16.55 trading price. (See ICAD stock analysis on TipRanks)

Baidu, Inc. (BIDU)

Not every high-end AI stock is based in the US. Shifting our view to China, well take a look at Baidu, the Asian giants largest search engine. In fact, Baidu is the largest internet search platform in the worlds largest language, used daily by well over 1.3 billion people. Baidu has a massive userbase, and just because Western and Chinese internet systems arent interconnected doesnt mean that Western investors should overlook BIDU stock.

Baidus gains are driven by a series of initiatives. The company benefits, like Google, from placing targeted ads on the search platform, ads that are powered by AI software. In addition, Baidu has been expanding the potentialities of its AI, moving into cloud computing and autonomous vehicles. In the past year, the company has even begun launching an autonomous vehicle system, the 14-passenger Apolong bus, in Guangzhou.

In February, Baidu reported 4Q20 earnings and revenues, with slightly mixed results. The top line revenues came in at $4.6 billion, just below the forecast of $4.7 billion, but was still up 12% year-over-year; EPS on the other hand, at $3.08, slipped 25% yoy despite beating the forecast by over 10%.

Among BIDU's bulls is Fawne Jiang, a 5-star analyst with Benchmark, who writes: BIDU is making great strides monetizing new AI initiatives including smart transportation and intelligent driving, which should fuel the Companys longer-term growth. We believe BIDU is well positioned to grow into a meaningfully expanded TAM capitalizing on growth opportunities in cloud, smart transportation, intelligent driving and other AI initiatives.

In line with these upbeat comments, Jiang rates BIDU as a Buy, and sets a $385 price target that indicates confidence in a 65% upside potential. (To watch Jiangs track record, click here)

With 14 recent Buy ratings, opposed to only 4 Holds, the BIDU shares have earned a Strong Buy from the analyst consensus. The stock is selling for $232.68, and its $343.44 average price target implies ~48% upside from that level. (See BIDU stock analysis on TipRanks)

Five9 (FIVN)

Lets look into the cloud now, where Five9 offers a scalable contact center platform using an AI cloud technology. Contact centers have been a successful growth segment in the past couple of decades, and cloud computing has changed the way we use software. AI, by making computers smarter and data analysis faster, more efficient, and more accurate, has revolutionized both; contact centers using AI smart clouds can track and route calls, process information, and direct callers and service agents to each other faster for better results.

In 4Q20, the most recent reported, the company showed 39% year-over-year growth in revenue, to $127.9 million  a company record. EPS, however, was negative, with the loss hitting 11 cents per share. This was an unfortunate turnaround from the 1-cent EPS profit posted in the year-ago quarter. On a more positive note, the company finished 2020 with $67.3 million in operating cash flow, up 31% from the prior year.

Also of interest to investors, Five9 on March 4 announced that it has been selected as the cloud computing vendor for CANCOM, a leading UK IT company. The partnership makes Five9 the platform that CANCOM will use to expand its call center services, and gives Five9 a strong foothold in the European market.

Weighing in for Craig-Hallum, 5-star analyst Jeff Van Rhee noted, Digital transformations have been kicked into high gear by COVID and the genie is not going back in the bottle. In addition, FIVN has been very aggressive over the past few years moving to public cloud for the entire stack and layering in outstanding AI capabilities. Demand for AI was noted to be playing an extremely important role in many of the largest deals theres little doubt about the momentum, performance, and remaining opportunity for FIVN.

Van Rhee puts a Buy rating on the stock, along with a $215 price target implying a 40% one-year upside. (To watch Van Rhees track record, click here)

Once again, we are looking at a Strong Buy stock. The analyst consensus rating here is based on 17 recent reviews, including 15 Buys and 2 Holds. Shares are trading for $153.81 and have a $202.31 average price target, making the 12-month upside ~32%. (See FIVN stock analysis on TipRanks)

To find good ideas for AI stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.
UW in the News

State, national and international media frequently feature the University of Wyoming and members of its community in stories. Here is a summary of some of the recent coverage:

UW was among public flagship and research universities revealing their plans to resume something approximating normal in-person operations for fall. Forbes noted that more colleges are moving toward in-person classes for the coming semester.

Sheridan Media, Buckrail, KGAB Radio and Laramie Live were among media outlets publishing UWs release noting that university students and employees are playing a key role in Albany Countys COVID-19 vaccination efforts. They are scheduling appointments via telephone, providing facilities and administering the vaccine shots.

In his State of the State address, Gov. Mark Gordon touted the Wyoming Innovation Network (WIN), a collaboration between the states community colleges and UW, according to Oil City News. While in its early stages, WIN will help strengthen the states workforce and promote economic growth. The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T), The Gillette News Record, SweetwaterNOW and WyoToday.com also published related reports pertaining to UW in the governors annual address.

Cowboy State Daily, Laramie Live and Sheridan Media were among media outlets publishing UWs release citing the Enhanced Oil Recovery Institutes report indicating that Wyoming could lose $12.9 billion in tax revenue if the energy moratorium implemented by President Joe Biden is not lifted in a timely manner.

A research paper on the net benefits of social distancing policies during the pandemic -- produced by a UW economics team -- was named the best article for 2020 by the Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis, which published the original study last April. Oil City News published UWs announcement.

The Laramie Boomerang reported that 9H Energy plans to develop a solar energy facility west of Laramie that will serve as a research hub for UW College of Engineering and Applied Science students. The Gillette News Record and Oil City News published UWs release about the project.

UW Associate Professor Christine Porter, a public health expert, was featured in a Wyoming Public Radio program to discuss the discrepancies of the COVID-19 vaccine administered among Western states. Porter said the discrepancy is largely a function of the countrys underfunded public health system.

Wyo4News, Powell Tribune, Sheridan Media and County 10 published UWs release announcing that some 101 Wyoming high school seniors have received the Trustees Scholars Award, the universitys top academic scholarship.

UW Extension entomologist Scott Schell recently received the Wyoming Crop Improvement Association Excellence in Service Award for his contributions to the Wyoming seed industry. KNEB published UWs release.

Wyoming Public Radio spoke with UW Associate Professor Amy Banic about her Interactive Realities Lab that is developing new tools to make virtual reality more lifelike, and more useful for training simulations and for educational purposes.

A candlelight vigil for four UW students who died this semester will be held today (Monday) at the Always a Cowboy Memorial Plaza on Prexys Pasture. Laramie Live and The CS-T published UWs release.

Oil City News published UWs release noting that the College of Business is among sponsors hosting a virtual presentation this week that details Operation Varsity Blues, the seminal case widely known as the college admissions scandal.

The Rocket Miner and Sheridan Media published UWs release announcing the College of Educations virtual teaching competition that is open to high school students.

Laramie Live published UWs release noting that the universitys Service, Leadership and Community Engagement (SLCE) office will host a food drive for Laramie Interfaith Saturday, March 13.

Lars Kotthoff, an assistant professor in the UW Department of Computer Science, and Austin Stephen, a UW senior from Cheyenne, contributed to the 2021 AI Index. Sheridan Media published UWs release on the announcement.

The Boomerang published UWs release noting that Professor David Fay, a molecular biologist, received the Andrew Vanvig Distinguished Faculty Lifetime Achievement Award from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Mar. 8Howard County Executive Calvin Ball on Monday pushed for increased equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine as the number of residents receiving vaccinations ramps up.

Ball, along with other government officials, held a news conference at St. John Baptist Church in Columbia, which is set to host an upcoming vaccination clinic to help increase awareness of vaccine efficacy.

"Now, with expanded eligibility and increasing supply, we must do more of the hard work of ensuring that communities of color, our more vulnerable residents and people who have limited access to online registration can get their vaccine," Ball said.

At the event, Ball shared updated data on how the coronavirus is affecting key demographics in the county. Black residents currently make up about 25% of Howard's COVID-19 fatalities and 18% of cases, while the county's Asian American population represents almost 12% of fatalities and nearly 9% of the cases.

Howard's Latino/Hispanic population, which makes up 6% of the county's total population, represents 10.5% of COVID-19 cases. Ball on Monday did not provide the percentage of COVID-19 deaths Latino/Hispanic residents represent in the county, but according to data from the Howard County Health Department, they make up about 8.1% of fatalities.

White residents, meanwhile, make up 55% of the COVID-19 deaths in the county and 27.3% of the cases, according to health department data.

Those numbers also translate to vaccine distribution within the county: Of the 63,000 doses administered in Howard as of Monday, Ball said 13% have been given to Black residents, though they represent 20% of the county's total population. White residents have received about 60% of the doses, according to health department data, while Asian Americans  representing about 19% of the county's total population  have received about 12% and Latino/Hispanic residents 3%.

"This virus has exacerbated the cracks and ruptures already present in Howard County, our state and our nation," Ball said.

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To attempt to close some of the access barriers, the Howard County Health Department announced it would be providing $1 million in grant funding to community organizations for vaccine outreach and organization.

"These grants will be critical to our census-like approach of building community partnerships and ensuring vaccine information is embedded in all corners of Howard County," Ball said.

He also said as supply increases, the county will bring vaccines to targeted areas.

Additional demographics will now be included on the county's online COVID-19 dashboard, Ball said, so the county can publicly monitor who has received the vaccine so far.

According to county Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman, the health department has administered 41,414 vaccine doses so far, 59% of which are first doses. Nearly 21% of county residents have received one dose of the vaccine. Ball is among those residents now, as he received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the news conference Monday, administered by Rossman.

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As of Monday, the weekly positivity rate in Howard  which measures the percent at which tests return positive over a seven-day period  is 2.81% with a seven-day rolling new-case rate of 12.59 per 100,000 residents, according to the Maryland Department of Health

"In the coming weeks, we hope more vaccine will become available, making it possible for everyone to be vaccinated hopefully by summertime," Rossman said Monday.

Howard County Public School System Superintendent Michael Martirano also spoke at the event, announcing the school system started vaccinating the fourth and final tier of employees on Friday.

Martirano had previously split school system staff into four tiers for vaccine distribution, with school nurses and health assistants in the first. Staff who were already working in person, such as custodians and food and nutrition staff, were in the second tier, while all school-based staff, including current substitute teachers, were third and all other nonschool-based staff were in the final tier.

Martirano said the district would be sending out another staff survey Monday so the school system can have a more accurate assessment of how many vaccine doses are still needed.

"Our schools are open and vaccinations continue to lower the rates of infection, but that does not mean that we can let our guard down. We still have many vulnerable people in our community, and we must continue to exercise caution even if we are fully vaccinated," Martirano said.
Australia has vowed to continue criticising shocking human rights abuses in China after Beijing suggested the treatment of Aboriginal people made Canberra's position hypocritical.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne on Monday signalled she would keep speaking out on China's treatment of Uighur people in Xinjiang.

In a media conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi took aim at western nations critical of Beijing.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said she would continue to speak out on China's treatment of Uighur people in Xinjiang

Detainees listening to speeches in a camp in Lop County, Xinjiang, China

'Speaking of genocide, many people would have in their minds the native Americans of the 16th century, African slaves of the 19th century, the Jewish people of the 20th century, and the Aboriginal Australians who are still struggling even today,' he said.

'The claim that there is genocide in Xinjiang couldn't be more preposterous. It is just a rumour fabricated with ulterior motives and a lie through and through.'

Senator Payne said Australia stood by its statements to the Human Rights Council and other international bodies.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi suggested Australia's comments about China's treatment of the Uigher minority were hypocritical

'Evidence that points to the use of forced labour, the use of forced sterilisation, the systemic, systematic abuse of and torture of women and a range of other actions are severe breaches of human rights,' she said.

'I do not believe in any way that they can be equated in the way that the foreign minister did.'

The Chinese Foreign Minister compared Australia's treatment of Aboriginals in response to claims to genocide in China

Tursunay Ziyawudun (pictured) spent nine months inside China's vast and secretive system of internment camps in the Xinjiang region

Mr Wang said some western politicians chose to believe 'lies' about Xinjiang instead of acknowledging what he claimed was progress in the region.

'They are only interested in political manoeuvring and creating the so-called Xinjiang issue to undermine security and stability in Xinjiang and hold back China's development.'

Australia has repeatedly raised concerns over human rights with the issue a key sticking point in fraught diplomatic relations with China.
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[March 08, 2021] Arrivalist Provides Independent Measurement for Samsung Ads Smart TV Travel and Tourism Advertising Campaigns

Arrivalist announced today that it has partnered with Samsung (News - Alert) Ads, the advertising arm of Samsung Electronics and global leader in advanced TV, to provide its travel vertical advertising clients with independent, incremental measurement of advanced TV. "As a leader in advanced and connected TV it's critical that we help our clients understand how their video spend correlates to sales. This first-of-its kind partnership for travel with Arrivalist enables us to do just that. We are looking forward to providing powerful insights for Samsung Ads travel and tourism clients, and will ultimately enable them to utilize CTV and OTT more effectively," said Michael Scott, Head of Sales - Brand, North America. Samsung Ads joins a growing list of media companies such as Clear Channel (News - Alert) , Sojern and Trip Advisor who have tapped the leading location intelligence platform as a means of validating and optimizing their marketing programs. "Samsung Ad's device footprint is creating new opportunities to reach customers through Smart TV, OTT and their new DSP," said Arrivalist Founder & CEO Cree (News - Alert) Lawson. "We're excited to independently measure the real-world impact these new programs are having on visitation to its advertiser's locations." "The keyword for u is incremental visitation from media exposures," said Lawson. "Samsung Ads has embraced and enabled that measurement and we're looking forward to adding them to our incremental measurement of digital, mobile, search and Out of Home marketing measurement services."



Arrivalist Methodology Arrivalist analyzes multiple location signals in a privacy-compliant manner to create mission critical business intelligence for marketers who promote destinations. The company combines aggregated movement data from a balanced panel of 120 million smartphones with other datasets to yield calibrated data - insights that remove the biases inherent in smartphone location data and result in population-balanced insights which are representative of all travelers.

About Samsung Samsung Ads is an advertising ecosystem spanning hundreds of millions of devices across smart TV, mobile, and desktop. Our brand-safe inventory, fueled by exclusive Samsung data and insights, provides advertisers with unmatched power to engage consumers across the Samsung household as they discover new content, new products, and new experiences. With Samsung Ads, advertisers can achieve reach, scale and precision in every connected moment. About Arrivalist Arrivalist is the leading location intelligence platform in the travel industry. The company uses multiple location datasets to provide actionable insights on consumer behavior, competitive share, media effectiveness, and market trends. Over 200 travel marketers, including 100 cities, 40 U.S. states, and four of the top 10 U.S. theme parks use these insights to inform media strategy, operations, and destination development. Arrivalist is headquartered in New York City, with offices in San Francisco and Toronto. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005763/en/

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Russian intelligence agencies have been working to undermine public confidence in Western coronavirus vaccines for months, according to a new report citing US officials.

The Wall Street Journal report published Sunday describes how the Russian intelligence agencies mounted a disinformation campaign through online publications that posted numerous articles questioning the development, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, including those from Pfizer and Moderna.

The US State Department's Global Engagement Center (GEC) identified at least four outlets that have served as fronts for Russian intelligence, an official leading the probe told WSJ.

The articles published by the outlets injected 'false narratives' about the vaccines, the newspaper reported, in part by highlighting the speed of Pfizer's development process and playing up the risk of side effects.

While the outlets' readership is small, the official said the articles helped amplify those false narratives in Russian and international media.

Russian intelligence agencies have been working to undermine public confidence in Western coronavirus vaccines for months, according to a new report citing US officials (file photo)

'We can say these outlets are directly linked to Russian intelligence services,' the GEC official said.

'They're all foreign-owned, based outside of the United States. They vary a lot in their reach, their tone, their audience, but they're all part of the Russian propaganda and disinformation ecosystem.'

The outlets have been used by the Russian government to spread disinformation on a range of international issues, not just vaccines, the official said.

Two of the outlets - New Eastern Outlook and Oriental Review - are controlled by Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, the official said.

They portray themselves as academic publications and target their commentary on the US at audiences in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Another outlet, News Front, is 'guided' by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) - the successor agency to the Soviet-era KGB.

News Front produces content in 10 languages and had nearly nine million page visits between February and April of last year, the official said.

The State Department indicated last fall that News Front had ties to Russian security services and was funded by the Kremlin, but did not explicitly say that it was directed by the Russian government.

The fourth publication, Rebel Inside, is controlled by the GRU, the intelligence arm of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff. That site now appears to be dormant, the GEC official said.

The State Department's Global Engagement Center identified at least four outlets that have served as fronts for Russian intelligence, an official told WSJ. Two of the outlets - New Eastern Outlook and Oriental Review - are controlled by Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR. Pictured: Vladimir Putin is outside the SVR headquarters in December

News of the alleged vaccine disinformation campaign comes as the US and other countries continue rushing to get jabs into arms amid significant public distrust.

Polls show that concerns about the speed of the development process and potential side effects are among the most common reasons that people are wary about getting vaccinated.

US officials say Russian intelligence agencies sought to exploit and stoke the distrust by presenting support for common concerns.

The WSJ report also described how Russian state media and Kremlin Twitter accounts have been sowing doubt about Pfizer's vaccine in an apparent effort to promote the sale of Russia's rival Sputnik V vaccine.

'The emphasis on denigrating Pfizer is likely due to its status as the first vaccine besides Sputnik V to see mass use, resulting in a greater potential threat to Sputnik's market dominance,' the Alliance for Securing Democracy (ASD) wrote in a forthcoming report quoted by WSJ.

ASD, a nongovernmental organization within the US think tank German Marshall fund, focuses on the danger that authoritarian governments pose to democracies.

Russian state media and Kremlin Twitter accounts have allegedly been sowing doubt about Pfizer's vaccine in an apparent effort to promote the sale of Russia's rival Sputnik V vaccine (above in a file photo)

A spokesperson for the Kremlin denied the disinformation campaign when approached by WSJ and accused US officials of 'mischaracterizing the broad international debate over vaccines as a Russian plot', the newspaper said.

'It's nonsense. Russian special services have nothing to do with any criticism against vaccines,' spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

'If we treat every negative publication against the Sputnik V vaccine as a result of efforts by American special services, then we will go crazy because we see it every day, every hour and in every Anglo-Saxon media.'

A State Department spokesperson said the four outlets were linked to Russian intelligence through an assessment by multiple US agencies - but did not provide specific evidence.

'Russian intelligence services bear direct responsibility for using these four platforms to spread propaganda and lies,' the spokesperson told WSJ.

'From the very beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, we have seen Russia's disinformation ecosystem develop and spread false narratives around the crisis.'
(@FahadShabbir)

London, March 7 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Mar, 2021 ) :Britain's royal family on Sunday braced for further revelations from Prince Harry and his American wife, Meghan, as a week of transatlantic claim and counter-claim reaches a climax with the broadcast of their interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The two-hour interview with the US chat show queen is the biggest royal tell-all since Harry's mother princess Diana detailed her crumbling marriage to his father Prince Charles in 1995.

Diana's admission of an affair with former cavalry officer James Hewitt and her complaint that "there were three of us in this marriage" -- after Charles earlier admitted being unfaithful in a separate interview -- was watched by more than 22 million people in Britain.

But that could be eclipsed by Harry and Meghan's tell-all with Winfrey, who has reportedly sold it to US broadcaster CBS for $7-9 million (5.1 million to 6.5 million, 5.9 million to 7.6 million Euros).

Winfrey also retains the international rights, which will feed an appetite of interest about Britain's centuries-old monarchy -- and their troubles -- across the globe.

"Tin hats on," one royal aide was quoted as telling the Sunday Times, after a drip feed of excerpts in which Meghan complained about the strictures of royal life from her gated Californian mansion.

Viewers will tune in to see if she and Harry have scores to settle with Buckingham Palace since leaving the royal frontline -- and if so, how far will they go? - Smear campaign? - Close attention will be paid to any suggestion by Meghan, who is mixed race, that racism played a part in their shock decision to move to North America.

The former television actress, 39, has been portrayed in some British newspapers as headstrong, calculating and spoiled, and the couple reckless and selfish for quitting royal life.

But in her defence, Meghan's supporters, particularly in the US, have seen hints of racism, claiming the monarchy could not deal with a "strong black woman".

In one excerpt, Meghan, who is pregnant with the couple's second child, accused the royals of orchestrating a calculated smear campaign and "perpetuating falsehoods" about them.

That came hours after revelations she was facing an internal palace investigation into claims that she bullied royal household staff after she and Harry married in a fairytale wedding in 2018.

Further reports the couple are facing a probe into their charitable foundation have been seen as a counter-offensive by the embattled royals in a bitter battle for public support and sympathy.

- 'Dedication to duty' - Just hours before the broadcast, Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and other senior royals, including his father and older brother William, made their own tv appearance.

The Commonwealth Day celebration normally passes with little fanfare in Britain, but this year was watched closely for signs of implied criticism of Harry and Meghan.

In a televised pre-recorded speech, the queen spoke of the importance of "dedication to duty" after issues of duty and service became an issue of contention when Harry and Meghan permanently stepped back from their roles as senior royals.

"Whilst experiences of the last year have been different across the commonwealth, stirring examples of courage, commitment and selfless dedication to duty have been demonstrated in every commonwealth nation and territory," she said.

Last month, when Buckingham Palace confirmed the couple would not return to their senior roles it said they would not "continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service".

Excerpts released Saturday showed William and his wife Kate -- with whom Harry and Meghan have reportedly fallen out -- praising global health workers for their work during the coronavirus pandemic.

That is likely to fuel unfavourable comparisons with Harry and Meghan who have been criticised by some media for complaining about their life, even after signing lucrative deals in the last year.

The couple, known formally as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are likely to get more public sympathy -- and a greater profile -- in the US.

- 'Come out swinging' - The Sunday Times said the queen, 94, would not watch the interview, which is due to air in full on Sunday night in the United States and Monday night in Britain.

The weekly quoted unnamed courtiers as calling the situation a "circus", and the palace would "come out swinging" if individuals are attacked.

Viewers will also watch to see if Harry sheds light on his rift with William, after reports he and his wife Kate were lukewarm towards Meghan.

They are also likely to expand on their attitudes to the media, which they said prompted their departure, and against whom they have launched a slew of legal claims.
Gardai have thanked rescue teams and volunteers who participated in the search for a dad who died tragically on the River Barrow on what should have been a fun day of kayaking with his young son.

Declan Reid, 34, who will be laid to rest this week, was kayaking with his eight-year-old son Aaron on Sunday, February 28 when their kayak capsized near Ardleigh Lock on the Barrow on the Laois Kildare border near Athy.

The boy was rescued from the water by a passerby who spotted them in trouble.

A search for Declan was carried out by garda divers who were later joined by local gardai and over 80 members of the Civil Defence from Kildare, Laois, Dublin, Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford.

Search and rescue teams from Meath, Mallow, and Dublin were also involved in the search operation along with local kayakers.

Mr Reid, late of Moorefield Drive, Neilstown, Clondalkin is predeceased by his mother Patricia.

The Laois Offaly Kildare Division Gardai paid tribute to all who helped with the search.

"This last week in Athy has been a difficult one for our community. An Garda Siochana in Kildare would like to thank all those who joined in the search efforts for Declan Reid RIP.

"To the Garda Water Units in Athlone and Dublin, the Garda Air Support Unit, Kildare Civil Defence led by Patrica McNeela aided by Laois, Dublin, Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford units. Local kayakers from Athy. Local people and their boats. Mallow search and rescue Meath search and rescue. The Irish underwater search and rescue based in Dublin. To the countless volunteer's who walked many miles searching," they said.

The gardai said Mr Reid's family was grateful for all the help.

"The Reid family have expressed so much gratitude and thanks for finding Declan. May we send our deepest sympathy to all Declan's family and friends," said a statement.

Mr Reid, of Neilstown, Clondalkin in Dublin, will be sadly missed by his son Aaron, his partner Fiona, his father Paul, sister Roisin and extended family, neighbours and friends.

The funeral cortege will pass along the Carlow Road, Emily Square and Leinster Street areas at 9.20am on Wednesday morning en route to the Funeral Mass in Clondalkin.

People are welcome to stand along the route with social distancing being observed at all times.
Stella O'Malley is one of Ireland's leading voices on what's influencing people's behaviour in Ireland today. Making it her life's work to help people to live a life of their own choosing instead of letting life happen to them, she has become a successful psychotherapist, best-selling author and public speaker.

Stella was born in Dublin but now calls Birr home where she lives with her husband and two children and runs her private practice. It was much of her counselling and teaching work with parents and young people, which culminated in the publication of her two bestselling books 'Cotton Wool Kids' in 2015 and 'Bully-Proof Kids' in 2017. Her latest book 'Fragile' was released in 2019 and focuses on overcoming anxiety and stress.

Both in her talks and lectures, Stella lends her voice to a range of topical issues, communication skills, mental well-being and mindfulness while providing motivational talks on parenting issues relating to adolescents and children. Forging a career in the national and local media as a regular contributor, she writes, talks and focuses on the many topical issues we face as a society today.

She has worked as the resident psychotherapist for the popular RTE series 'Raised by the Village' where under her guidance, rural communities help city teenagers to get their lives back on track. She was also the presenter of the highly acclaimed Channel 4's 'Trans Kids: It's time to talk' in 2018 as well as contributing to a myriad of other podcasts, television programmes, interviews and projects.

So, the Birr based psychotherapist was a natural choice to chat to as part of our 'Inspiring Women' series, which we are putting together to celebrate International Women's Day (IWD) on March 8.

Stella herself is taking part in the 'Speak Up for Women's Rights' event, an online conference being presented by the Irish Women's Lobby on International Women's Day. And recently, she chatted to me about this event and told me how proud she's to be part of its Irish panel.

The 'Speak Up for Women's Rights' includes renowned speakers, who will discuss issues women routinely face, from Irish and international perspectives and Stella's delighted to be on the Irish panel at this virtual conference to celebrate IWD. It has an extraordinary cast of people that I will be with, she explained.

Some of the speakers include Kathleen Stock OBE (professor of philosophy and author of 'Material Girls'), Julie Bindel, who is an author, journalist and co-founder of Justice for Women, Gail Dines, an author and anti porn activist and speaker and founder of Culture Reframed, and also Hibo Wardere, a campaigner against female genital mutilation, author and public speaker.

Stella will feature on the Irish panel along with Ruth Breslin, lead researcher with the Sexual Exploitation Research Programme (SERP) at UCD and author, journalist and feminist campaigner, Rachael Moran, who led the 'Turn off the Red Light' campaign. Stella herself will speak about gender issues and gender roles and how they impact on girls, especially teenage girls because it is something that she is most interested in in her work. It is a really big honour to be amongst these people, she added.

According to Stella, it's great we are celebrating IWD in Ireland with this conference. There is also another conference going on earlier in the day. So in Ireland this year, we are making a very good push on IWD, which is great.

Commenting on the importance of IWD, the best selling author outlined how people presume that all the women's rights have been won. They think it has all been done and that it's over. Yet even when you look at Helen McEntee only a couple of weeks ago, it turns out there's no maternity leave in the Dail. Even that!

We all know that for example Olwyn Enright was a great politician and she backed out of politics as far as I can tell because it isn't friendly to rearing children.

Continuing, Stella pointed out that it's women, who are in their 30s and 40s, biologically, are most often definitely raising children. And with this in mind, Stella said: I think we have to re-arrange the workplace. It is not friendly, and I think, thankfully, Covid-19, the theme of this year's IWD being 'Women in Leadership during the Covid pandemic, has been a good mirror up to that.

They say an awful lot of people divided the work and it became obvious that a lot of the women were doing the lion's share of homeschooling and yet we are still bringing in half the income. And, this was happening in families all over the country. And, lots of women noticed it, commented on it and have been talking about it. I think Covid-19, when we all had to stay at home. The man was working. The woman was working. The reality of the woman doing significantly more came out. In fact, Stella commented how it revealed the iniquity. Well that's what it seemed to do, she added.
The youngest woman to row solo across an ocean has told the Duchess of Cambridge she hopes her feat changes perspectives about what women can achieve.

Jasmine Harrison, 21, completed the 3,000-mile Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in 70 days, three hours and 48 minutes.

In a phone conversation with Kate released to coincide with International Womens Day, the Yorkshirewoman expressed hope her efforts would shift perceptions for people that think that something cant be done and it can be.

I would like to change male perspectives on females, Ms Harrison added.

Its not about women believing they can do something because we can, we kind of know that (we can) already.

The fundraiser said it was time that she was able to change the opinion of a 50-year-old man regarding the strength of women.

Jasmine Harrison said the highs of her epic journey outweighed the lows (Penny Bird/Atlantic Campaigns/PA)

The duchess commended her, saying: Your achievement has made massive progress in helping to change that perception, so if nothing else its given a huge door opener to so many other young women with that idea (that) with determination, with bravery and confidence so much is really achievable, so a huge well done.

The royal wished Ms Harrison well for a safe flight back and drew a laugh when she said she hoped you enjoy seeing your doggies back in Yorkshire.

Ms Harrison was on her own for the whole trip although she did receive occasional visits from support boats.

Jasmine Harrison arriving in Antigua (Atlantic Campaigns/Penny Bird/PA)

The entire journey was powered only by her own strength and the wind, with an average of 12 to 15 hours of rowing a day.

She told the PA news agency in an interview after her arrival in Antigua on February 27 her biggest challenges were an aching body and being blown backwards by the wind.

But she added: The highs way outweighed it, I forget about all the bad things.

The Ministry of Justice is set to raise the retirement age for judges in England and Wales to 75 to combat recruitment issues and mounting legal backlogs.

At present, the mandatory retirement age for judges in the two countries is 70, but this would see more than 6,500 magistrates in their 60s leave their roles in the next decade.

The rule change has also been prompted by the number of people continuing their careers into their 70s doubling over the last decade, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told the paper: 'Raising the retirement age will mean we can retain their invaluable experience, while ensuring that judicial roles are open to a wider pool of talent.

The Ministry of Justice is set to raise the retirement age for judges in England and Wales to 75 to combat recruitment issues and mounting legal backlogs, with Justice Secretary Robert Buckland (pictured) saying the rule change will allow the MoJ to keep hold of the judges' experience

'It will also make sure our courts and tribunals can continue to benefit from a world-class judiciary, as we emerge from the pandemic and beyond.'

The change to the retirement age will be the first seen for judges in 27 years and will help limit any increases to the 1,000 vacancies already needing filling across England and Wales.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a major backlog in cases, with 54,000 needing to be processed in the crown court at the peak of delays.

The extra five years added to judges' retirement age would help retain more than 2,100 magistrates, the Ministry of Justice claims.

The Judicial Pensions Act 1959 originally set the retirement age for judges at 75, but the Judicial pensions and Retirement Act 1993 reduced this limit to 70.

Any magistrates aged above 70 who retired before the increase comes into force will be able to return to the bench if needed to.

At present, the mandatory retirement age for judges in the two countries is 70, but this would see more than 6,500 magistrates in their 60s leave their roles in the next decade. The rule change has also been prompted by the number of people continuing their careers into their 70s doubling over the last decade (file image of the Scales of Justice on top of the Old Bailey, London)

It comes as judges are set to be handed increased sentencing powers for crimes involving the murders of children.

From next week The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will allow judges to impose whole life sentences for the crimes - as well as allowing them to hand out extended punishments for sexual and violent offenders.

Until now judges could only impose whole life sentences, where criminals can expect to die in prison, on crimes where there is a sadistic or sexual motive.

But from next week new powers mean they can be applied to anyone who murders a child, including offenders aged 18 to 20 for the first time, the Times reports.

About 70 criminals in the UK are currently serving whole life sentences.

Among those are notorious killers Rose West, Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright, Levi Bellfield, Dale Cregan and Lee Rigby killer Michael Adebolajo.
Back in the 1960s and 1970s, when the said machines were born, carmakers had to leave behind the concepts that had kept them going after World War II. Since both of the brands we're discussing were looking to lure customers into showrooms with a more dramatic performance approach, the resulting designs had quite a few common aspects.And it's interesting to track down the genes introduced by these classic vehicles when analyzing the DNA of current models, from the retro styling of the contemporary Challenger to the Hoffmeister kink, which was born with the help of the New Class family that helped BMW achieve the said transformation back in the day.Now, as mentioned above, this pixel exercise, which was delivered by aptly named Instagram label carfrontswaps, brings a stable mix of early 1970s machines. However, in the quest to find a closer match, one might wish to swap the Bavarian model for another member of the New Class family, namely one belonging to the E9 coupe series.These German two-doors were slightly smaller than the American two-door in question, although the main design difference came from their taller greenhouse.Of course, the E9 series and the Challenger had completely different ways of delivering thrills. So, while the latter relied on the iconic V8 muscle, the first mixed a six-cylinder approach with motorsport-bred handling and lightweight assets, the kind that led to the birth of the legend that is the 3.0 CSL Batmobile In fact, here's a rendering that seems to bring the BMW E9 and classic American muscle cars together.
[March 08, 2021]

Central Connecticut Physicians Appear in National Video Urging Patients to Get Vaccinated for COVID-19

HARTFORD, Conn., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With nearly a third of the U.S. population admitting they may not, or simply won't, get the vaccine, Starling Physicians has teamed up with physicians across the nation in a viral video initiative inciting Americans to "roll up our sleeves together" and help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Feeling a duty to their patients and fellow Americans, Starling Physicians has joined forces with doctors from Wilmington, NC, to Honolulu, Hawaii, to create the "Roll up Our Sleeves" website and video campaign. The goal is to educate those who are expressing doubt or opposition and urge everyone that "it's time" to get vaccinated and help save lives.

Already, COVID-19 has taken the lives of over 500,000 Americans, and over two million worldwide. Despite this staggeringand growingnumber, a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Research shows about one in three Americans definitely or probably will not get a vaccine.

"We are seeing a lot of hesitancy about the vaccine," says Sarit Patel, M.D., Chairman of the Executive Board at Starlin Physicians, who appeared in the national video. "That's why we wanted to participate in the national campaign -- to help send a message to Americans about the need for everyone to get vaccinated, which will help create herd immunity."







'Herd immunity,' or 'population immunity,' happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through the previous infection. The World Health Organization recommends creating herd immunity by vaccination. Anthony D. Fauci, M.D., Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Advisor to the Biden Administration, reports that 70 to 85 percent of the U.S. population would have to be vaccinated in order to obtain herd immunity.

Reasons for the opposition are varied, ranging from concerns about safety and effectiveness to the belief that the vaccine has not been thoroughly tested. For people of color, who have made up nearly 60 percent of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S., the message is especially urgent. According to research released by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 35 percent of Black Americans are reluctant to get vaccinated.

The public service initiative is a combined effort between agilon health, an organization that champions the roles of independent physicians, and primary care doctors representing more than 50 independent physician practices across the country. Their goal is to combat the doubt felt by an alarming percentage of Americans who say they have no plans to get vaccinated.

The "Roll Up Our Sleeves" video highlights the effectiveness of vaccinations over the past century, such as polio, mumps, and measle vaccines, which have wiped out infections and drastically reduced mortality rates. Thewebsite contains information about the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, side effects, phases of eligibility, tips about how to sign up for vaccines, and resources for healthcare professionals.

If you are a Starling patient, you can call the vaccine hotline at 860-368-2271 for more information. For details and locations available for receiving the vaccine, visit www.starlingphysicians.com.

View the national video here.

View the local video here

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/central-connecticut-physicians-appear-in-national-video-urging-patients-to-get-vaccinated-for-covid-19-301241283.html

SOURCE Starling Physicians
More than 30 female police officers and other members of staff patrol along the South Bank (Victoria Jones/PA)

The Metropolitan Police has held its first ever all-female operation to help tackle robbery and violent crime.

Every callout regarding robbery or violent crime in the south London boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark on Saturdays late shift was dealt with by members of an all-female team to mark International Womens Day.

Acting Inspector Becky Perkins said: It was important for me to bring together lots of different women from various departments to truly showcase our capabilities.

We have women of all ages, backgrounds and cultures working at the Met who have come together for this operation to further highlight the diversity within our service.

Expand Close Female police officers and special constables talk to a suspect following a stop and search in Walworth, Southwark (Victoria Jones/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Female police officers and special constables talk to a suspect following a stop and search in Walworth, Southwark (Victoria Jones/PA)

Every role during the shift from driver to prisoner processing, evidence review, undercover plain clothes officers and staff who went on patrols in the robbery hotspots was carried out by a woman.

A number of stop and searches led to an arrest for possession with intent to supply a Class B drug during the shift.

It also included the arrests of a man for a violent offence and a woman for criminal damage, a spokesman said.

Acting Inspector Perkins said the all-female operation allowed officers to not only feel empowered in their current roles but to feel inspired to advance their careers further.

She added: What I have found personally is that those that have taken part were really excited to do so and are proud of being a pivotal part of helping keep London safe.

Expand Close Female police officers and special constables sit in their vehicle after a stop in London Bridge (Victoria Jones/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Female police officers and special constables sit in their vehicle after a stop in London Bridge (Victoria Jones/PA)

The Met, which has been led by Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick since 2017, currently has 32,455 police officers  of whom 9,096 are female.

Acting Inspector Perkins hopes that more women from ethnic minorities will think about joining.

All operational policing roles ranging from responding to emergency calls, running complex investigations, tackling serious and organised crime, armed operations, supervising surveillance teams, or supporting victims of crime and abuse are open to women, the spokesman said.
Vodafone Hungary has confirmed that it now has 200 5G base stations live in Budapest, marking the completion of the expansion plan it announced in October 2020.

The operator confirmed that its non-standalone (NSA) 5G network was accessible in most of Budapest, noting that by the end of March it plans to have activated a total of 300 5G base stations across Hungarys major towns and cities.

TeleGeography notes that throughout 2020, Vodafone Hungary extended the reach of its 5G network to new settlements including Miskolc, Siofok and Szekesfehervar.

In a statement, Vodafone noted that its network would enable teleworking and distance learning as well as supporting businesses  be it the largest manufacturing companies or small and medium-sized enterprises.
The site in the Andes where the researchers processed bird specimens and took the blood samples used in this study. Credit: John Bates, Field Museum

Malaria is the deadliest pathogen in human history. Nearly half the people on Earth are at risk of contracting the disease from the parasites that cause it. But humans aren't the only ones who can get these parasitesdifferent forms are found in other animals, including birds. By studying the DNA of those strains, scientists can get a better picture of how malarial parasites live, which may give clues on how to stop the disease. In a new paper in PNAS, researchers analyzed blood samples of more than 1,000 species of birds from the Andes looking for malaria; they found that the strains of malaria present in a local area don't always neatly align with the types of birds living there.

"Traditionally, we thought that there's kind of a one-to-one relationship between hosts and parasites, that the evolutionary relationship between the parasites will mirror the evolutionary relationships of the host," says Heather Skeen, a Ph.D. student at the University of Chicago and the Field Museum and one of the study's co-authors. "And what we found is that with birds and malaria, this is largely not true."

"This study was an opportunity to ask the question, 'What does a community of malarial parasites actually look like?'" says John Bates, curator of birds at the Field Museum and a co-author of the paper, which was led by Cornell University's Sabrina McNew and University of New Mexico's Christopher Witt. "It involved changing the way we do fieldwork to collect the relevant data. This research is an attempt to figure out how the ecological and evolutionary relationships of parasites compare to those of bird communities. We found that it's not simple."

He's right, it's not simple, but here's the background: malaria is a single-celled organism that lives as a parasite inside multiple host organisms during its life cycle, including the blood of birds and mammals and the guts of insects like mosquitoes. When humans are infected with malaria, it can kill us, but other animals, including most birds, often survive malaria infection. . And while humans can't catch bird malaria, getting a better understanding of malaria in birds might help us treat or prevent human malaria in the future.

Co-author Heather Skeen in the field with a bird specimen. Credit: John Bates, Field Museum

To learn about malaria in birds, the researchers collected blood samples from thousands of birds in different parts of the Andes Mountains in Peru. These blood samples were then transported back to the Field Museum in Chicago and genetically sequenced at the museum's Pritzker DNA Laboratory.

The researchers then compared the DNA from the different birds as well as the different malaria parasites present in their blood. "There are hypothesized to be as many malarial strains as species of birdsabout 10,000," explains Skeen.

To better understand how the ecological and evolutionary relationships of birds and their malaria pathogens, the team sampled 18 different biological communities in the Peruvian Andes, and when they analyzed the DNA of the birds and malaria present, they found around 1,350 bird species but only about 400 strains of malaria. They demonstrate that the kinds of birds in a community were good predictors for the strains of malaria in a community, but not vice versathose same malaria strains might turn up in a different community of birds.

Lawrence's Thrush (Turdus lawrencii), one of the birds studied in this project. Credit: John Bates, Field Museum

Instead, the researchers learned that the weather in different areas made a bigger difference to the strains of malaria present than the kinds of birds in the community. "Microclimate, or the climate in very specific habitats, appears to be the main driver of pathogen prevalence in communities," says Skeen. "Rainfall is one of the most significant predictors of community turnover, and I think that's because the insects that spread these parasites are more affected by variations in precipitation than birds are." For instance, extra rain might create stagnant puddles that mosquitoes lay their eggs in, and these mosquitoes help spread malaria throughout a community of birds.

The researchers, who along with Skeen, Bates, McNew, and Witt included Shannon Hackett and Shane DuBay from the Field Museum, analyzed the community patterns they found and mapped the biodiversity of both the birds and the parasites. These analyses could help scientists attempting to protect areas of extreme biodiversity within the Andes and give biologists a better understanding of how malaria strains evolve and change.

"It's a whole other research area for multiple people to potentially work on. There's a lot to do, there are literally people that have spent their graduate career pulling out salivary glands from mosquitoes and squashing them on the microscope slides in order to get access to the malaria in the salivary glands of mosquitoes," says Bates. "It highlights how far we've come and how far we have to go."

Explore further Study reveals evolution of malaria

More information: Sabrina M. McNew el al., "Contrasting drivers of diversity in hosts and parasites across the tropical Andes," PNAS (2021). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Sabrina M. McNew el al., "Contrasting drivers of diversity in hosts and parasites across the tropical Andes,"(2021). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.2010714118
FELTON, Calif., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As per the published report, the global COVID-19 detection kits market is estimated to arrive at USD 4.63 billion by 2027. It is anticipated to record 5.05% CAGR in the period of the forecast.

What are the Driving Factors for the COVID-19 Detection Kits Market?

The pandemic has caused, quite a lot of challenges to the universal healthcare systems. The diagnostics area is familiar, as one of the principal fundamentals of the efforts to control the spread and avoid its unfavorable global influences. Accordingly, companies are speeding up their production procedures to encounter the requirement for the reagents and kits, in addition to domestic tests kits, in this manner pouring the revenue in the market.

In spite of the cost and time associated challenges, molecular test remains the important technique of the revealing due to elevated specificity and sensitivity. Consequently, the kits for RT-PCR centered molecular analyze are observing a massive augmentation in demand, through the world. The constant growth in the delivery of the molecular test kits describes the towering demand for the COVID-19 detection kits

Please click here to get the sample pdf and find more details on "COVID-19 Detection Kits Market" Report 2027.

Key Questions Answered in The Report:

Which product/services to hold the largest market share?

In 2020, RT-PCR assay kits were expected to form the highest share of revenue .The majority of the commercially offered COVID-19 detection kits, depend on the reverse transcription-PCR method, due to its high-pitched sensitivity as well as specificity.

Which sample type is leading the market share?

As a result of the greater utilization of nasopharyngeal swabs, used for molecular testing, nasopharyngeal swabs (NP) were anticipated to lead the COVID-19 detection kits market, by holding above 45% revenue share; in 2020. The service givers are increasing their testing capacities, through signing an accord with swab manufacturers, for a mass delivery of the swabs.

Which end-use sector to dominate the market?

In 2020, the laboratories sector was expected to make up a 40% revenue share, resulting in its domination above further equivalent sectors. A steady rise in laboratory capability, by means of the growth in the range of testing in existing centers, in addition to the organization of new-fangled, high-powered laboratories, increases the acceptance of COVID-19 detection kits. Tactical coalition between the governments, manufacturing companies of the equipment, private laboratories as well as the public-health institutions, are able to step up such type of efforts.

Which region is anticipated to dictate the market?

North America is projected to observe the highest rate of enlargement, throughout the forecast period. Globally, the U.S. is the most terribly affected nation state, by means of the maximum number of COVID-19 cases, accounting for above 6 million cases, during the initial week of September 2020. As a result of this, regulatory organizations, like Health Canada and the U.S. FDA, are constantly giving way for the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) to corona virus test kits, to increase the testing capability. This powers the development of the regional COVID-19 detection kits market.

In 2020, by way of a 36.88% revenue share, Asia Pacific is anticipated to dictate the market. This is credited to the incessant rise in the cases of corona virus in Asian nations like India, a growth in the figure of diagnostic services, in addition to the achievement of mass testing programs, within the region. Chinese region Wuhan concluded the bulk testing of its 11 million persons and finished up with 206 sure asymptomatic cases of COVID-19, within the region, since June 2020.

Browse 150 page research report with TOC on "Global COVID-19 Detection Kits Market" at: https://www.millioninsights.com/industry-reports/global-covid-19-detection-kits-market

Million Insights segmented the global COVID-19 detection kits market based on End Use, Mode, Sample Type, Product, and Region:

COVID-19 Detection Kits Products Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 - 2027)

RT-PCR Assay Kits



Immunoassay Test Strips/Cassettes

COVID-19 Detection Kits Sample Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 - 2027)

Nasopharyngeal (NP) Swab



Oropharyngeal (OP) Swab



Nasal Swab



Others

COVID-19 Detection Kits Mode Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 - 2027)

Decentralized or Point-of-Care (PoC) Testing



Centralized Testing (Non-PoC)

COVID-19 Detection Kits End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 - 2027)

Laboratories



Hospitals



Diagnostic Centers and Clinics



Others (Research Institutes & Direct-to-Consumers)

COVID-19 Detection Kits Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 - 2027)

North America



The U.S.





Canada



Europe



Germany





The U.K.





France





Italy





Spain





Austria





Portugal





Sweden





Norway





Russia





Denmark





Poland





Switzerland





Turkey





Belgium





Netherlands



Asia Pacific



Japan





China





India





Australia





South Korea





Malaysia





Philippines





Indonesia





Thailand





Singapore



Latin America



Brazil





Chile





Peru





Mexico



The Middle East & Africa (MEA)

& (MEA)

South Africa





Iran





Israel





UAE





Qatar





Iraq

Companies

Various companies for COVID-19 detection kits market are:



Becton, Dickinson and Company



Luminex Corporation



My lab Discovery Solutions Pvt Ltd.



DiaSorin



Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.



F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG



Quidel Corporation



Abbott



Altona Diagnostics GmbH



Veredus Laboratories



Perkin Elmer, Inc.

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until 2025. It is also expected to register a CAGR of 4.5% over the forecasted years, 2019 to 2025. Rapid industrialization coupled with development across the food and beverage industry is projected to drive the market growth for industrial boilers in the upcoming years. Power Air Purifying Respirator Market - The global power air purifying respirator market is projected to reach USD 2.8 billion by 2025 with a CAGR of 6.8%. The market growth is attributed to the rising number of petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, and oil & gas industries in the emerging economies such as India , Saudi Arabia , Brazil and UAE, which, in turn, is expected to drive the demand for respiratory protection equipment, in order to protect individual from various hazards gases.

by 2025 with a CAGR of 6.8%. The market growth is attributed to the rising number of petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, and oil & gas industries in the emerging economies such as , , and UAE, which, in turn, is expected to drive the demand for respiratory protection equipment, in order to protect individual from various hazards gases. Vibration Control System Market - The global vibration control system market size is estimated to touch USD 6.7 billion by 2027. It is projected that the market would expand with 6.0% CAGR from 2020 to 2027. Increasing VCS adoption in end-use industries such as healthcare, defense, aerospace and electronics is attributing to the growth of the segment.

by 2027. It is projected that the market would expand with 6.0% CAGR from 2020 to 2027. Increasing VCS adoption in end-use industries such as healthcare, defense, aerospace and electronics is attributing to the growth of the segment. Digital Experience Platform Market - The global digital experience platform market size is anticipated to value USD 15.80 billion until 2025. It is also expected to register a CAGR of 10.9% over the forecasted years, 2019 to 2025. The shifting trend of various companies over the adoption of digital platforms for developing marketing strategies is projected to drive the demand for DXPs across the globe.

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Former City Councilman Greg Brockhouse  Mayor Ron Nirenbergs chief challenger in the May election  called Monday for San Antonio to set up a one-stop coronavirus vaccine waiting list and for the establishment of a mayoral task force on policing.

Brockhouse made the proclamations as part of a seven-part public safety plan he released Monday tackling issues of pandemic response as well as policing.

To me, pandemic response and preparedness for future issues is on par now with police and fire, Brockhouse said in an interview.

On ExpressNews.com: Repealing discipline for San Antonio police officers accused of misconduct takes center stage in contract negotiations

For weeks, Brockhouse has tried to force Nirenberg to publicly debate him by issuing lengthy policy declarations on jobs and reforming CPS Energy in the wake of a record winter freeze that knocked the power out for hundreds of thousands of residents and left them huddling in their homes for warmth.

Nirenberg has so far refused one-on-one debates with the former city councilman, who nearly ousted the mayor two years ago in a contentious runoff, instead preferring to appear in non-confrontational candidate forums.

Brockhouse accused Nirenberg of simply trying to run out the clock and hide from accountability.

Hes in the bunker, Brockhouse said. Hes not talking about ideas. Hes not talking about the future.

That got a laugh from Gilberto Ocanas, Nirenbergs campaign chairman and chief political consultant.

Thats what you say when youre 20 points behind with two minutes left in the last quarter, Ocanas said. Come back here where Im at so I can get attention because nobodys paying attention to me.

Nirenbergs team was largely dismissive of Brockhouses public safety proposals.

Its just his ideas with no track record to back it up, Ocanas said.

Addressing the pandemic

The public safety proposals released Monday run the gamut from enacting the COVID-19 vaccine waiting list to taking steps to repair the citys fractious relationship with the police and fire unions after nearly a decade of disputes over their contract.

Metro Health leaders have sharply resisted setting up a vaccine waiting list. Other major Texas cities including Austin, Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth have their own registries.

Assistant City Manager Colleen Bridger, the citys coronavirus czar, has argued that people frustrated with being unable to schedule an appointment would then become anxious about when that appointment would take place.

In a 7-4 vote last month, a majority of City Council members, including Nirenberg, shot down a measure to create such a registry  though a council committee is expected to eventually take up the issue. At the time, Nirenberg argued theres no guarantee when appointments would surface given that the city is at the mercy of state and federal authorities when it comes to receiving doses.

Brockhouse doesnt buy that argument. The former councilman believes San Antonio residents understand that registering for an appointment doesnt guarantee when it will become available.

Its sad that the rest of the council cowers at giving citizens hope, Brockhouse said.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio City Council shoots down idea of one-stop COVID-19 vaccine registry - for now

Another aspect of his plan: Brockhouse as mayor would lead the conversation on respectful disagreement on mask usage. Gov. Greg Abbotts statewide mandate to wear face coverings ends Wednesday.

Throughout the pandemic, health officials and experts have consistently said that the scientific consensus is clear: wearing masks around other people reduces the spread of COVID-19. In the wake of Abbotts order, health experts have fretted that the state could see a substantial uptick in cases, deaths and hospitalizations, especially given the proliferation of more contagious strains of the virus.

For his part, Brockhouse said he will continue to wear a mask, but that for the broader public wearing one is a matter of personal choice.

I believe in the science, Brockhouse said. This isnt an anti-science thing.  I think, at some point, we have to trust people.

Thats not good enough, Ocanas said.

The scientists have told us that the virus has its own timeline, Ocanas said. Not encouraging people to wear a mask at all times is putting others at risk. Too many Texans have died not to take this seriously.

On policing

Brockhouse is an unapologetic supporter of the police and fire unions who staunchly opposes a proposed charter amendment to repeal collective bargaining for police that voters will get a say on at the May ballot box. After all, he was a former consultant for both unions, who heavily backed him in his 2019 race.

But Brockhouse sees a seat at the table for activists behind the measure, pushed by the organization Fix SAPD, as well as other reformers should he become mayor and the ballot measure fail. His plan calls for the creation of a mayoral advisory board on policing that includes activists and officials with the San Antonio Police Officers Association that would meet monthly with the mayor.

I think I am the candidate that brings all sides back together, Brockhouse said.

Fix SAPDs focus is on taking away collective bargaining for the police union so it wont have as much sway over how its officers are disciplined. Brockhouse thinks the organization is too focused on the contract, while Fix SAPD officials shot back that hes minimizing their efforts.

Its great that he recognizes that the community does not have a seat at the table or a strong enough voice in policing, said Ananda Tomas, the organizations deputy director. But we do not see true accountability without changing our contract as it stands now.

On ExpressNews.com: Explore the Express-News database of fired SAPD officers

Brockhouse sees at least some room for change in the contract. For example, he thinks the police chief should be able to consider past misconduct by an officer when determining punishment for that officer when they are accused of new misbehavior.

Nobody wants a bad cop gone more than a good cop, Brockhouse said. If a cop is showing a long and storied history of negative behavior, we should find that out and get rid of him.

In Brockhouses view, the number of police officers fired for misconduct but then returned to the force is relatively few.

In the past decade, arbitrators have allowed 10 fired officers back on the force, reversing Police Chief William McManus decisions in about 14 percent of 71 terminations in that period, city records show. McManus himself allowed 20 officers he fired to return to the force  under the threat of arbitration.
8 March 2021

ALTONA RARE EARTHS PLC

("Altona" or "the Company")

ISSUE OF EQUITY

Further to the RNS of 29 January 2021, Altona (AQSE: ANR.PL), a mining exploration company with a focus on Rare Earth Elements ("REE") mining projects in Africa, announces it closed its Placing at 541,000 (before expenses).

The Company has now issued a further 4,852,313 new ordinary shares ("the Placing Shares") at 6.5 pence, in respect of a further 315,400 received, in addition to the 2,587,909 Placing Shares issued on 29 January.

The Company is still waiting on a final receipt of funds from the Placing, of around 57,500, which it has received signed subscription letters for and expects before the end of March.

Further, as a correction to the RNS of 29 January with regards to the issue of shares in lieu of payment for services provided to the Company, it has in fact issued 1,669,385 new ordinary shares at 6.5 pence instead of the previously reported figure of 1,814,385 shares.

In conjunction to the Placing, the Company has issued 4,537,315 half warrants at a price of 12p, which carry an expiry date of 31 March 2023.

Admission and Total Voting Rights

Following this issue of 4,852,313 Placing Shares, which will rank pari passu with the Company's existing Ordinary Shares, and the adjustment in respect of the shares issued in lieu of payment for services, the Company's enlarged share capital and total voting rights in the Company will comprise 14,413,040. The Company has no shares held in Treasury. This figure of 14,413,040 ordinary shares may be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change in their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules. The new Placing Shares will be admitted to trading on Aquis Stock Exchange ("AQSE") on or around 10 March 2021.

-ends-

For further information, please visit www.altonaenergy.com or contact:

Altona Energy Plc

Christian Taylor-Wilkinson, Chief Executive +44 (0) 7795 168 157

Martin Wood, Non-Executive Chairman +44 (0) 7880 787 080

Alfred Henry Corporate Finance Ltd (AQSE Corporate Adviser )

Jon Isaacs / Nick Michaels +44 (0) 20 3772 0021

Company Information

Altona is a mining exploration company focused on the evaluation, rapid development and extraction of Rare Earth Element (REE) metals in Africa.

The Company was admitted to trading on AIM on 10 March 2005 and was subsequently admitted to Aquis Stock Exchange (previously NEX) on 1 February 2019. A copy of its Admission documents dated 4 March 2005 can be accessed on its website, www.altonaenergy.com. This website is where items can be inspected under Rule 75 of the Aquis Rules for Issuers, from 1 February 2019.
Staff volunteering to work extra shifts was helping, they said. Mr Olsons warning came after a senior emergency department physician spoke out about emergency departments overflowing with patients waiting to be seen. Dr Peter Allely wrote an exclusive piece for WAtoday, saying hospitals operating in dangerous ways was now the norm. There are not enough beds in our WA hospitals and EDs to accommodate all the sick and injured people who come to us for help every day, Dr Allely wrote.

Loading Other emergency department doctors backed up his warning, saying the staffing ratios accepted in major emergency departments were outrageous and would never be accepted in hospital wards. Mr Olson said management were trying to squeeze their budgets. The hospital executives are not doing nursing a service. Move out of the way to allow people in who are prepared to make decisions. That will be a bit of work, but it will deliver hundreds more positions for the future, Mr Olson said. He said after the COVID-19 shutdown, the government announced hospitals would catch up on elective surgery, but this was being pushed too hard.

They should have said we cant catch up as quickly as you would like, he said. He said nurses who were not involved in patient care bolstered the nursing ratio numbers. Executives are not brave enough to be looking after the patients and speak out, Mr Olsen said. People are going to die if they keep this up. A Health Department spokeswoman said health service providers monitored and managed staffing on a shift by shift basis to address shortages and ensure safe care.

With increased absenteeism and reduced access to agency staff this has sometimes meant nurses volunteering to work double-shifts or overtime or nurses from non-clinical areas or supplementary staff, for example, education going to the wards to assist, she said. There is pressure on beds across the system but the Department and health service providers are supporting nurses to deliver safe care. The spokeswoman said staff who called in sick were replaced and critical care areas were always prioritised. Executives are not brave enough to be looking after the patients and speak out. People are going to die if they keep this up. Mark Olson, Australian Nursing Federation Despite unseasonably high demand staffing has been safely managed by utilising casual staff and additional shifts by part-time staff, she said.

Premier Mark McGowan said were doing a lot of things to try and deal with the situation when pressed on ambulance ramping figures and bed block. He said enhanced cleaning of hospitals was impacting on waiting times and pointed to an additional 77 emergency department beds and a liaison officer in EDs working between St John Ambulance officers and the emergency rooms as measures being taken. He would increase bed capacity by 300 across the system if re-elected. On the weekend he announced a Labor government would expand the nursing graduates program to create 400 additional nurse placements over two years. Australian Medical Association WA president Andrew Miller said blaming cleaning and more mental health patients was just lies now. The hospitals are blocked because of a lack of beds, Dr Miller said.

Im seeing for the first time senior doctors that want to get out because the system is distressingly overcrowded and they are not giving the level of care they should be. Sometimes the reason more beds couldnt be opened was there were not enough nurses. And paramedics are sitting there watching people deteriorate in their ambulances, Dr Miller said. The bureacracy is good at shifting the blame. Everyone points at each other and says its a terrible problem  and we need another meeting. The AMA WA is calling on the state to make use of many more of the nurses graduating by committing to 500 additional nurses each year, rather than leaving them unemployed.
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ZURICH : A far-right proposal to ban facial coverings in Switzerland won a narrow victory in a binding referendum on Sunday instigated by the same group that organised a 2009 ban on new minarets.

The measure to amend the Swiss constitution passed by a 51.2-48.8% margin, provisional official results showed.

The proposal under the Swiss system of direct democracy does not mention Islam directly and also aims to stop violent street protesters from wearing masks, yet local politicians, media and campaigners have dubbed it the burqa ban.

"In Switzerland, our tradition is that you show your face. That is a sign of our basic freedoms," Walter Wobmann, chairman of the referendum committee and a member of parliament for the Swiss People's Party, had said before the vote.

Facial covering is "a symbol for this extreme, political Islam which has become increasingly prominent in Europe and which has no place in Switzerland," he said.

Muslim groups condemned the vote and said they would challenge it.

"Today's decision opens old wounds, further expands the principle of legal inequality, and sends a clear signal of exclusion to the Muslim minority," the Central Council of Muslims in Switzerland said.

It promised legal challenges to laws implementing the ban and a fundraising drive to help women who are fined.

"Anchoring dress codes in the constitution is not a liberation struggle for women but a step back into the past," the Federation of Islamic Organisations in Switzerland said, adding Swiss values of neutrality, tolerance and peacemaking had suffered in the debate.

France banned wearing a full face veil in public in 2011 and Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands and Bulgaria have full or partial bans on wearing face coverings in public.

Two Swiss cantons already have local bans on face coverings, although almost no one in Switzerland wears a burqa and only around 30 women wear the niqab, the University of Lucerne estimates. Muslims make up 5% of the Swiss population of 8.6 million people, most with roots in Turkey, Bosnia and Kosovo.

The government had urged people to vote against a ban.

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KYODO NEWS - Mar 8, 2021 - 15:24 | All, Japan, 3/11 Fukushima

The president of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc., the operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, has vowed to responsibly scrap the crippled reactors and revitalize the economies of its host communities ahead of the 10th anniversary of the accident.

In a recent online interview with Kyodo News, Tomoaki Kobayakawa said the utility is "making all-out efforts" in the decommissioning work and to achieve economic revitalization for the local communities. He also said radiation levels at the crisis-hit plant remain relatively stable.

Inside three of the Fukushima Daiichi's six nuclear reactors, however, melted fuel debris remains highly radioactive, leaving decommissioning a challenging task even 10 years after the world's worst nuclear disaster since the 1986 Chernobyl accident.

"I feel very sorry" for the fact that the nuclear crisis has left some land around the plant uninhabitable to this day and forced residents in the contaminated areas to evacuate, said Kobayakawa.

The president said he hopes work related to the Fukushima plant's decommissioning will become a major industry in the region and prompt local companies to join it.

The utility will place high priority on developing local human resources to engage in the scrapping of the plant, while promoting Fukushima products in the Tokyo metropolitan area to help expand their sales, Kobayakawa said.

He also said the company will thoroughly teach young employees who were not working at the utility at the time of the nuclear crisis about the lessons from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

"It is important to learn why we failed to prevent the nuclear accident and what happened in the plant," Kobayakawa said.

The president said educating young employees about the issue will involve visits to the TEPCO Decommissioning Archive Center, which was set up in 2018 in Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture, and catalogues how the nuclear accident unfolded as well as the latest status of decommissioning work.

Kobayakawa said he is aware that it will take a long time to regain public confidence in nuclear power generation in Japan and that TEPCO needs to show its commitment through its actions.

"Ultimately, it is we, the operators, who ensure the safety" of nuclear plants, he said. Trust will be retrieved "only after (Japanese) society recognizes what we have achieved."
Seeing her speak so openly about it is really liberating, she said, which is why I think a lot of young people, particularly a lot of Black people, care so much.

The reaction illustrated divisions between those who view Harry and Meghan as victims and those who disapprove of their behavior and of their willingness to attack the monarchy in public. Critics argued that by refusing to name the person who questioned the skin color of their son, they had made it impossible for the royal family to try to rebut the allegation.

In the Daily Telegraph, Camilla Tominey wrote that the conclusion the couple seemed to want the public to draw was that since we are never likely to know, we may as well consider them all white supremacists, along with any journalist who has ever written anything vaguely negative about them.

In the beginning, when her engagement to Harry was announced, Meghan was acclaimed as an international beacon of a more inclusive royal family  until then a profoundly white institution. But that moment quickly passed, and she soon found herself under frequent attack in the British tabloids, often the subject of articles laced with overtly racist language or undertones of bigotry.

Before the wedding, articles appeared in the tabloids about her driving her sister-in-law Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, to tears in a disagreement over the flower girls dresses  the exact opposite of what actually occurred, Meghan said in the interview Sunday. Then came accusations in the tabloid press of her bullying the staff, of being so demanding as to be impossible to satisfy.

Some noted that the tabloids would sometimes criticize her for doing almost the same things that earned Kate lavish compliments.

Not that Kate escaped criticism entirely. While her parents are highly successful professionals, the tabloids made much of the fact that her mother began her career as a flight attendant and is more likely to trace her lineage to a coal miner than an aristocrat.

Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Sign up for the New Economy Daily newsletter, follow us @economics and subscribe to our podcast.Turkeys economy has continued to grow at a strong pace so far this year, but that doesnt necessarily mean its citizens are getting richer.The $717 billion economy likely outperformed all Group of 20 nations except for China in the first quarter after nearly stalling a year ago when the pandemic struck. Its been bolstered by robust consumption on the back of last years government-led credit push, an expansion that came at the expense of price and currency stability.Data on Monday is likely to show gross domestic product rose 6.3% from a year earlier and 1.3% from the fourth quarter, according to the medians of forecasts in Bloomberg surveys. Treasury and Finance Minister Lutfi Elvan said Thursday that data point to 6% growth in the first quarter.There is an exchange rate illusion in Turkeys economic growth data, according to Enver Erkan, chief economist at Istanbul-based Tera Yatirim, whos ranked by Bloomberg as the most accurate forecaster on Turkish GDP data.Noting that the GDP per capita in U.S. dollar terms dropped nearly 40% since 2013 to around $7,700 last year, Erkan said Turkeys recent economic model isnt sustainable as the growth is mainly driven by consumption supported by government spending and loan campaigns.This comes at the expense of lira and price stability, he said.The government pushed banks to ramp up lending to help businesses and consumers ride out last years Covid-19 emergency. The credit boom was coupled with a front-loaded easing cycle that helped prime the economy. That growth push weakened the currency by 20% last year and kept headline inflation in double digits. The size of the economy dropped to $717 billion last year from $760.8 billion a year earlier.The currency further lost 10% against the dollar in the first quarter, especially after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fired the central banks former hawkish governor Naci Agbal in March. The decision to fire Agbal, who had sought to restore the central banks credibility, set off a swift reversal of investor enthusiasm, sending Turkish markets into a nosedive.The data expose the challenge facing new central bank Governor Sahap Kavcioglu as he looks to restore price stability without cooling the economy ahead of the general elections in 2023.Kavcioglu has pledged policy continuity after his appointment and kept benchmark interest rate unchanged at 19% for a second meeting this month, saying the pace of price gains had peaked in April. Consumer inflation quickened for a seventh month to 17.14% in April.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.
New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/08/2021 -- The Global Propylene Market is forecast to reach USD 137.02 Billion by 2027, according to a new report by Reports and Data. Propylene, also known as methyl ethylene, is an organic compound on which the plastic and chemical sector is highly dependent. It has a wide range of applications, which contributes to the growth of the market. It is widely used in industrial & consumer products. Methyl Ethylene witnesses high demand from the automotive sector wherein polypropylene (PP), one of its major derivate and its alloys, is widely used over other types of plastics. It is also used in building insulation.



Top Players Covered in the Report Include:

ExxonMobil

Dow Chemicals

LyondellBasell Industries

INEOS

BASF

LyondellBasell Industries

Sumitomo Chemical

SABIC

Chevron Phillips

Formosa Plastics Group.

Others



Request a sample of the Propylene Market report @ https://www.reportsanddata.com/sample-enquiry-form/2920



The COVID-19 Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic is acting as an opportunity for growth of the sector. Plastics Industry Association, in its effort of reducing the outbreak, has requested to endorse the concept of single-use plastics, which can be considered as the safest option during the pandemic. It paves the path for polypropylene bags that are generally not recyclable and on carrying goods like dairy & meat products may leaks. It results in reducing the scope for reuse and further spreading the virus.



In regards to region, North America can be seen to occupy a considerable share of the sector. The market share held by the region is attributed to the well-established automotive industry and continuous expansion of the packaging industry that is supporting the growth of the market in this region. However, due to the global COVID-19 epidemic, the demand for methyl ethylene from the automotive sector may be negatively impacted. However, the fact that this region has a high number of COVID-19 positive cases just U.S. having 245,442 cases as of April 3, would result in increasing demand for packaging products for the medical and other associated services that would support the growth of the market in this region.



Further key findings from the report suggest:

In context to Derivatives, the Polypropylene segment held more than 50.0% of the market in 2019. The market share held by the Polypropylene segment is attributed to its wide range of applications ranging from manufacturing containers, packaging, among others. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the emphasis on using single-use plastics and focus on developing a mask with a replaceable meltblown polypropylene N95-level filter would also contribute to the market share held by the Polypropylene segment.



In regards to End-user, the Construction segment is projected to witness a considerable growth rate of 6.9% during the forecast period. Continuous emphasis on infrastructural development across the globe, like King Abdulaziz Airport Expansion and emergency constructions like Leishenshan Hospital in China, to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak wherein it is used in paints, coatings and rigid foams for building insulation contributes to the growth rate witnessed by this segment.



Initiatives taken by market players like Dow, which focused on low capital intensity, high-return incremental growth investments, announced on 20 August 2019, that the company will retrofit proprietary (FCDh) technology with Louisiana cracker to produce on-purpose propylene. Such initiatives by market players would support the market growth.



The presence of well-established automotive sector and growing e-commerce industry would support the growth of the sector in Europe. The high number of coronavirus positive cases in European regions like Italy, which had 115,242 cases as of April 3, would also result in its increasing demand for packaging & various other applications for medical uses.



Request a discount on the report @ https://www.reportsanddata.com/discount-enquiry-form/2920



For the purpose of this report, Reports and Data have segmented the global Propylene market according to Grade, Derivative, End-user, and Region:



Grade Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Billion; 2017-2027)

Polymer grade

Refinery grade

Chemical grade



Derivative Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Billion; 2017-2027)

Polypropylene

Cumene

Propylene oxide

Alcohols

Acrylonitrile

Acrylates

Others



End-user Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Billion; 2017-2027)

Packaging

Automotive

Textiles

Construction

Others



To know more about the report, visit @ https://www.reportsanddata.com/report-detail/propylene-market



Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Billion; 2017-2027)

North America

U.S

Europe

U.K

France

Asia Pacific

China

India

Japan

MEA

Latin America

Brazil



Key Questions Answered:

What are the key strategies used by prominent players and service providers that are predicted to impact the growth of the Propylene Solutions market?

What are the resources that exist in respective regions that attract the major players in the Propylene Solutions market?

What are the latest technologies that are being used by the market?

How are the recent trends affecting the growth in the global Propylene Solutions market?

What will be the estimated value of the Propylene Solutions market in the forecast period?



Request customization of the report @ https://www.reportsanddata.com/request-customization-form/2920



In conclusion, the Propylene Solutions Market report is a reliable source for accessing the Market data that will exponentially accelerate your business. The report provides the principal locale, economic scenarios with the item value, benefit, supply, limit, generation, request, Market development rate, and figure and so on. Besides, the report presents a new task SWOT analysis, speculation attainability investigation, and venture return investigation.



Table of contents:

Chapter 1. Market Synopsis

1.1. Market Definition

1.2. Research Scope & Premise

1.3. Methodology

1.4. Market Estimation Technology



Chapter 2. Executive Summary

2.1. Summary Snapshot, 2019-2027



Chapter 3. Indicative Metrics



Chapter 4. Propylene Market Segmentation & Impact Analysis

4.1. Propylene Market Segmentation Analysis

4.2. Industrial Outlook

4.2.1. Market indicators analysis

4.2.2. Market drivers analysis

4.2.2.1. The increasing demand for Propylene in end-user industries like the construction sector

4.2.2.2. The growth of the e-commerce and logistics industry, resulting in expansion of the packaging sector

4.2.2.3. Increasing demand for N-95 masks

4.2.3. Market restraints analysis

4.2.3.1. The fluctuating price of raw materials

4.2.3.2. Reduced demand from the automotive industry due to COVID-19 pandemic

4.3. Technological Insights

4.4. Regulatory Framework

4.5. ETOP Analysis

4.6. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

4.7. Competitive Metric Space Analysis

4.8. Price Trend Analysis

4.9. Customer Mapping

4.10. Covid-19 Impact Analysis

4.11. Global Recession Influence



Chapter 5. Propylene Market By Grade Insights & Trends



Continued..
SEOUL, South Korea, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Korean startup Real Water has come up with a unique solution to filter out microplastics from bottled water to reduce synthetic polymer contamination, a major health concern bothering experts since 2019 when it was first researched.

Real Water bottle cap

A study done by the State University of New York in 2018 found that tiny pieces of plastics exist in more than 90% of the samples collected from the world's most popular bottled water brands. Real Water's simple yet unique design of a water bottle cap that fits on almost all plastic bottles can save millions of people from health issues arising from this contamination.

To conduct the study, 259 bottles of packaged drinking water of 11 different brands were collected as samples from nine countries involving China, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Lebanon, Kenya, Thailand, and the U.S.

After the results of the study were made public, the World Health Organization (WHO) sought a review of the potential risks arising from plastic particles in drinking water. The study revealed that, on average, a person can consume 2,000 microplastics amounting to around 5 grams of plastic in a week.

Real Water's uniquely designed lid is capable of filtering up to 0.005mm of fine plastic particles and can save people from consuming microplastics, which is being pitted as the next big health hazard.

Launch story

Real Water was started by Kwon Hyeok Jae, who developed the product with the goal to help make drinking water safe for human consumption. Kwon and his team came out with the final product after 10 months of intense research. The team studied microscopic plastics' size, investigated available filters in the market, studied the characteristics, pore sizes, and principles of each filter before finally introducing the Real Water filter cap.

"It took us more than 10 months to develop the product. I kept repeating the experiments by changing the shape and size of the filter frame. I designed the prototype after numerous trial and error, using a 3D printer. Eventually, I had to find a factory for mass production of this product," said Kwon Hyeok Jae.

Real Water's filter cap can filter around 120 litres of water. If, on average, a person drinks two litres of water a day, the cap will last for two months. However, it should be cleaned by rinsing it under running water for achieving better life of the product and stored in a dry place when not in use. The company will also provide a case for storing the filter.

The company released its first product in June 2020 and received good reviews. Real Water also launched its crowdfunding in the same month for mass production and received funding.

Safety certificates & overseas expansion

Real Water's product has received the 'Hazardous Substances Non-Detection Certification' after undergoing the Korea Testing and Research Institute's test. Also, it has been confirmed as 'Bisphenol A non-detection' as a result of the Korea Institute of Construction Living Environment Test and received 'BPA FREE' certification.

After its successful launch facilitated by a crowdfunding drive, Real Water got several customer inquiries from the overseas market as well. The startup is currently preparing to export its unique bottle cap filters to Japan and Taiwan.

"Our company's motto is 'Make water that can be drunk with real peace of mind.' In addition, the issue of microplastics in bottled water is more serious overseas than in Korea. Some brands abroad have up to 10,000 microplastics per litre of water. As the demand is high, we are preparing to enter the overseas market in earnest," said Kwon Hyeok Jae.

Press contact: [email protected]

Related Images

real-water.png

Real Water

Real Water bottle cap

Related Links

Real Water website

SOURCE Real Water
People from across the globe have taken to social media to reveal how they're marking International Women's Day - including Palestinians taking part in a walk across Gaza city, flash mobs in Russia and protests for equal rights in France.

International Women's Day, which takes place on 8 March, celebrates women's achievements in social, economical, cultural and political fields and is also an invitation for all elements of society to accelerate gender equality.

This year's theme is 'Choose to Challenge' - with thousands taking to social media to share a snap with one hand in the air alongside a detailed caption explaining the bias and inequalities they're championing.

Elsewhere, the hashtag has given people a platform to share the protests taking place around the world - including two topless protesters kissing and letting off purple smoke canons in the streets of Lyon, France as they join those calling for equal rights and feminicides.

In another snap, activists of the Non una di Meno (Not One Less) stand in front of the Ministry of Economy in Rome, Italy with pink umbrellas and messages pinned to their fronts as they protest against male violence against women.

Several thousand people wearing the colour purple demonstrated in the streets of Lyon following the call of the Women's Rights Collective in France. Through this march, protesters were calling for equal rights and protesting against sexual violence against women, sexist crimes and feminicides.

A demonstrator takes part in a march to call for gender equality and protest against gender discrimination, marking the International Women's Day in Tokyo, Japan

Activists of the Non una di Meno (Not One Less) protesting against male violence against women and violence in general movement demonstrate against structural violence and for economic independence in front of the Ministry of Economy on the occasion of International Women's Day, in Rome, Italy

Women take part in a demonstration after arriving from neighbouring states to join the farmers who are continuing to protest against the central government's recent agricultural reforms at the Haryana-Rajasthan border in Shahjahanpur

Another snap shows a demonstrator from Tokyo, Japan, holding a stop sign which reads: 'Don't stop us' as she takes part in a march to call for gender equality and protest against gender discrimination.

Elsewhere, women farmers crowd together to protest against farm laws at Bahadurgar near Haryana-Delhi border, India, while Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, can be seen waving as she and her party supporters attend a protest march against the rise in fuel prices.

International Women's Fay was marked in Russia with the military staging flash mobs all around the country.

In the UK, virtual panels have been organised to celebrate women who have campaigned for positive change, while 20 female traffic signals are seen being installed across the capital - including high streets in Clapham, Brixton and Lewisham, at Hyde Park Corner and outside King's Cross St Pancras Tube station.

Indonesian women rally during International Women's Day on March 8, 2021 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

One of 20 female traffic signals being installed across the capital, in Bow, east London. The change was made on International Women's Day at 20 locations in the capital, such as high streets in Clapham, Brixton and Lewisham, at Hyde Park Corner and outside King's Cross St Pancras Tube station

Palestinians take part in a walking sport on International Women's Day, in Gaza city on March 8, 2021

Young people take part in a flashmob on the occasion of International Women's Day as it is celebraed in Moscow, Russia

Women attend a protest march against the rise in fuel prices on the occasion of International Women's Day in Kolkata, India

It comes after people started marking the occasion 24 hours early yesterday - with some spotted in China and Russia arranging flowers, and women in Israel laying in mock coffins to represent those who've been killed as a result of domestic violence.

International Women's Day has taken place since the early 1900s - with over 15,000 women campaigning in New York for shorter hours, better pay and voting right in 1908.

It has continuously risen in significance since Clara Zetkin suggested that it should become a global movement during a conference of Working Women in Copenhagen in 1910.

The International Women's Day website is calling for people to continue campaigning for gender equality and celebrate the achievements of women. Speaking about this year's theme, organisers wrote: 'A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day.

'We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements.

'Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge.'

Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez (left), stands next to Minister for Equality, Irene Montero (right), as he arrives to the Ministry's headquarters in Madrid, Spain

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, waves as she and her party supporters attend a protest march against the rise in fuel prices

Women farmers attend a protest against farm laws on the occasion of International Women's Day at Bahadurgar near Haryana-Delhi border, India

La Manif Pour Tous mobilised to demand action against surrogacy, fatherless PMA and the bioethics bill in Paris, France

Female members of the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) organisation take part in a celebration to mark the International Women's Day celebrations, in Bangalore, India

A woman raises her arms as she takes part in a rally to mark the International Women's Day in the city of Santiago de Compostela, northwestern Spain
Joan Laporta is optimistic that Lionel Messi will stay put at Barcelona.

The newly elected president is back in office after 11 years, and he is already focusing on finding a way to keep the Argentine at the club.

"Today marks 20 years since a boy named Leo Messi debuted with Barcelona's Infantil B [U12-13] team," Laporta said after his win. "Seeing the best player in the world come to vote with his son is an example of what we've said.

"Leo loves Barcelona. That's the reflection of it. The best player in the world loves Barcelona.

"Hopefully that will help him to stay at Barcelona. That's what we want."

The president spoke shortly after his win was announced, and had started by thanking all of the club's members.

Laporta also thanked his campaign team and volunteers for their part in his success, as well as thanking the media for their coverage of the election.
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So much for Chicagos Big Ten team.

Seventy-five years ago  on March 8, 1946  the University of Chicago announced its intention to leave the conference.

While no ones idea of an intercollegiate athletics powerhouse today, or even then, the school was a founding member of the conference 50 years earlier, and the Maroons for a time were force.

Quitting the Big Ten was the coup de grace of university President Robert Hutchins, who viewed sports as a distraction to education rather than an enhancement to campus life and way to boost the schools profile.

Hutchins had for years shifted resources away from athletics. He handicapped the once-proud football program before shutting it down completely in 1939. The Maroons quit Big Ten basketball in 1944-45 but returned for a curtain call in 45-46.

The departure from the Big Ten was given pro forma approval in May. By early June, big-time college sports would be nothing but a memory for the U. of C.

Here are five things about the University of Chicagos big-time college sports history.

1. The University of Chicago sports program was in shambles.

How bad were the Maroons by the time they exited the Big Ten?

The mens basketball team hadnt won a Big Ten game since a single conference victory in 1939-40. The squad sat out the 1944-45 conference schedule before returning for a typically hapless finish in 1945-46.

A Tribune sports reporter, apparently amused by the schools floundering fortunes, cast a first-round singles match victory in the Big Ten tennis tournament  its final conference event  as spoiling the U. of C.s otherwise consistent status as a doormat. The schools player was ousted in his next match.

2. Win or lose, the University of Chicago proved invaluable in that final Big Ten event.

It should be noted the university was vital in 1946 conference tennis tournament.

Rain had washed out play in the final two rounds at Northwestern, forcing matches to be moved inside to U. of C.s fieldhouse.

Story continues

President Robert Hutchins has decided that his University of Chicago can get along without the Western Conference, but can the Western Conference get along without the University of Chicago? the Tribunes William Fay wrote. Not, it would appear, on a rainy day, or even on two successive rainy days.

3. Chicagos exit opened a slot for Michigan State.

While other schools the press immediately deemed possibilities  Notre Dame, Nebraska, Pittsburgh  were noncommittal at best, the Spartans made no secret they wanted in.

Michigan State would be very happy to accept such an invitation if one is extended, athletic director Ralph H. Young said almost immediately after Chicagos announcement.

It turned out the Big Nine (as the Big Ten was called in the interim) was in no hurry. Speculation pointed to resistance in Ann Arbor, Mich.

In any case, Michigan States entry wasnt approved until May 20, 1949, with its competition in some conference sports beginning with the 1950-51 academic year. The Spartans football team didnt start Big Ten play until 1953 because schedules already were set for the next few years.

4. Yes, the Maroons once were a football powerhouse.

William Rainey Harper, the scholar benefactor John D. Rockefeller brought in to launch the school, believed sports could play an important role in establishing the University of Chicago. Among Harpers early hires was Amos Alonzo Stagg, who served as football coach and was credited with innovations such as the reverse, man in motion, lateral pass, tackling dummy and numbered jerseys.

Staggs team, considered the college football national champion in 1905 and 1913, won a dozen Big Ten titles.

The Maroons Jay Berwanger won the first Heisman Trophy in 1935 and was the first pick in the first NFL draft, though he couldnt agree on contract terms so he never played as a pro. (The trophy is on display in the lobby of the Ratner Athletics Center.)

Other important figures to pass through the program included Fritz Crisler, Tiny Maxwell, Walter Steffen, Hugo Bezdek, Paul Des Jardien, Andy Polyphemus Wyant, Clark Shaughessy, Walter Eckersall and Clarence Herschberger.

5. The University of Chicago football programs most important historic legacy has nothing to do with football.

At the original Stagg Field in 1942, three years after Hutchins ended the football program, the worlds first nuclear reactor was operated under the stands under the direction of Enrico Fermi.

It was a critical step in building the first atomic bomb, ushering in a new age for mankind.

That iteration of Stagg Field was razed 15 years later. Henry Moores Nuclear Energy sculpture marks the location.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle emerge from Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 after their wedding ceremony. BEN BIRCHALL/AFP via Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spoke with Oprah about life as members of Britain's royal family.

Soon after the interview aired Sunday, the hashtag #AbolishTheMonarchy began trending on Twitter.

This isn't the first time calls to abolish the monarchy have been made.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey on Sunday night, #AbolishTheMonarchy trended on Twitter.

The interview contained numerous revelations that left many viewers stunned. One of the biggest moments was when Markle said during the interview that before her son Archie was born, members of the royal family had "concerns and conversations" about "how dark his skin would be." Winfrey later said on "CBS This Morning" that the family members that had this conversation were neither Prince Phillip nor Queen Elizabeth.

Markle also told Winfrey that she felt she was not being protected by the monarchy, especially when Markle vocalized concerns for her mental health. She explained to Winfrey that she went to a senior official in the palace and was denied help.

"Nothing was ever done," Markle told Winfrey during the interview. "So we had to find a solution." She said this led them to step down as senior members of the royal family in January 2020.

As the interview took place, social media users took to Twitter to decry Markle and Harry's experiences and say that the problematic way the couple was treated was the reason why the monarchy should no longer be an institution within the United Kingdom.

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The idea may seem like an extreme reaction to a single media moment, but it's been a popular thought for years.

Calls to abolish the monarchy aren't new

This call to abolish the monarchy isn't new. It's happened multiple times on and off social media. Just two years ago, in 2019, the same hashtag trended as Queen Elizabeth agreed to shut down Parliament during Brexit deals.

Story continues

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Republic, a grassroots movement in the United Kingdom, has also been making these calls for years. The group "is a membership-based pressure group calling for the monarchy to be replaced with an elected head of state and for the adoption of a new republican constitution. It was founded in 1983 and has been active ever since. In 2016, the Independent reported that the group claimed: "the British monarchy is not the 'harmless tourist attraction some people think' - rather, it has a history of abusing public money and meddling in politics."

According to a 2020 YouGov poll, 22% of Britons agreed with the idea of abolishing the monarchy.

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Insider's Mikhaila Friel spoke with royal expert Marlene Koenig in 2020, however, who told Insider, "the republican movement is small" and "the political system is stable."

It would not be an easy process to abolish the monarchy

The royal family has existed in the UK for over 1,200 years, so getting rid of the monarchy would not exactly be an easy process.

"Historically, bloody revolutions are how monarchs tend to meet their demise," VICE reporter Aaron Drapkin wrote, "But military coups and civil wars aren't really our thing anymore."

Because the monarchy has no political power, according to the official royal website, any major legislation to make changes, including abolishing the monarchy, would be put forth by Parliament. The abolition of the monarchy would need to come from a referendum or a vote to make said change.

"It would take legislation, an act of Parliament, signed by the Sovereign to end the monarchy," Koenig previously told Insider. "The monarchy is not going anywhere anytime soon."

Even if the movement grew stronger, it would most likely have to wait until after the death of Queen Elizabeth, Graham Smith, the chief executive of the Republic, told the Independent in 2016. Smith told the Independent, "it needs to be a straight-forward constitutional reform referendum. We may win or we may lose but the succession would change public opinion, it will change the nature of the debate."

Read the original article on Insider
The state House has passed a bill advocated by state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, that would create a foster parents bill of rights. The measure now heads to the Senate.
The domestic equity benchmarks firmed up once again in mid-afternoon trade. At 14:23 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 269.36 points or 0.53% to 50,674.68. The Nifty 50 index rose 89.55 points or 0.60% to 15,027.65.

The broader market was trading higher. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index advanced 0.48%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index gained 1.03%.

Buyers outnumbered sellers. On the BSE, 1782 shares rose and 1258 shares fell. A total of 218 shares were unchanged.

Numbers to Track:

In the commodities market, Brent crude for May 2021 settlement rose 49 cents to $69.85 a barrel. The contract gained 3.92% or $2.62 to settle at $69.36 a barrel in the previous session.

The yield on 10-year benchmark federal paper rose to 6.218% as compared to its previous close of 6.232%.

In the foreign exchange market, the partially convertible rupee fell to 73.19, compared with its previous closing of 73.02.

MCX Gold futures for 5 April 2021 settlement fell 0.50% to Rs 44,458.

The US Dollar index (DXY), which tracks the greenback's value against a basket of currencies, rose 0.33% to 91.942.

Buzzing Index:

The Nifty Metal index rose 1.16% to 3,914.45. The index had declined by 4.66% in the past two sessions.

NMDC (up 4.14%), Welspun Corp (up 3.97%), APL Apollo Tubes (up 2.73%), National Aluminum Co. (up 2.68%), SAIL (up 2.43%), Hindustan Copper (up 2.39%), Coal India (up 1.89%), Tata Steel (up 1.32%), Jindal Steel & Power (up 1.27%), Mishra Dhatu Nigam (up 0.90%), JSW Steel (up 0.82%) and MOIL (up 0.69%) advanced.

Stocks in Spotlight:

Happiest Minds Technologies (HMTL) rose 0.52% to currently trade at Rs 538.65. India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) had upgraded the company's long-term issuer rating to 'IND A-' from 'IND BBB+' and maintained 'positive' outlook on the same. The upgrade reflects a substantial increase in HMTL's operating EBITDA margins in 9MFY21, coupled with a healthy cash flow from operations and initial public offering (IPO) proceeds, leading to a significant improvement in the credit metrics and liquidity position.

SBI Cards and Payment Services rose 1.2% to Rs 1071.15. The company's board will meet on 12 March 2021, to consider raising funds by issuing Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs), aggregating to Rs 2,000 crore in one or more tranches over a period of time.

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Senate President Anca Dragu said that the number of abused women has increased in the pandemic, therefore measures must be taken at the level of public policies.

"During the pandemic we see a worrying increase in the number of abused women. Domestic violence is a very serious problem in Romania. (...) A study by the Faculty of Medicine shows that in the first three months of the pandemic, in 2020, the number of women who arrived with polytraumas at the hospital is four times higher than before the pandemic. These figures worry us. (...) This is an alarm signal that something needs to be don at the public policy level," Anca Dragu told a debate on "Woman's transformation, from social inclusion to leadership," organised by the French Institute.

According to the President of the Senate, public policies mean awareness, a continuous effort to bring up the issue of gender difference, violence against women, to create mentalities."We need state institutions to act, civil society, NGOs, we need the law, but it somehow comes in the end. We can write an article of law, 'From tomorrow women are equal to men', but it cannot be applied, we have to create a whole mechanism," explained Anca Dragu.According to her, women were more affected than men in the pandemic from other points of view as well. Anca Dragu mentioned that more than 80% of the doctors and nurses in Romania are women, and they "carried the burden" of the pandemic.She specified that Romania ranks 26th out of 28 in the EU in terms of the gender equality index."The gender equality index places us in a not very honorable place, in 26th place out of 28 EU member states. We are better at issues related to the pay gap between women and men, here we have a difference of only 3%, but I looked a little deeper into these figures and it is a little misleading situation, because we have the public sector dominant there, where we have a lot of women and as such somehow blur these figures, but if we look at specific areas, like the political one, then the gender difference is very accentuated," said Anca Dragu.In her turn, French Ambassador to Romania Laurence Auer brought to mind that in 2015 the EU Council called on member states to adopt measures for equality between women and men and to increase women's representation in political and economic decision-making.Laurence Auer believes that the issue of equality between women and men cannot be addressed only by an article of law, but must take into account the prejudice, training, education ensemble.She stressed that France needed an "arsenal of measures" to implement the Strategy for Feminist Diplomacy and Equality, and that prejudice had to be prevented."I think this point is very, very important today. We need to reflect systematically on what prejudice at work means and (...) all forms of violence mean," Laurence Auer added.
Hydrogen has been hailed as the 'fuel of the future' owing to several reasons. First, compared to the conventionally used hydrocarbons, hydrogen exhibits higher energy yield. Second, the commercial use of hydrogen fuel, which yields only water as a byproduct product, would help mitigate the imminent global warming crisis by reducing the use of exhaustible and polluting fossil fuels. Thus, ongoing research has been focusing on efficient and environment-friendly ways to produce of hydrogen fuel.

Solar hydrogen production through photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting reaction is an attractive "green" method of hydrogen fuel production, owing to its potential for high conversion efficiency, low operating temperatures, and cost-effectiveness. However, efficient separation of hydrogen gas from a mixture of gases (called "syngas") under different environmental conditions, has proven to be a challenge. A recent paper published in the journal Separation and Purification Technology seeks to address this challenge. In this study, a group of researchers from Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan, led by Professor Yuji Iwamoto, in collaboration with researchers in France, successfully characterized a novel membrane that allows highly selective separation of hydrogen gas generated from the PEC reaction. Prof. Iwamoto says, "Membrane separation is attractive as a low-cost hydrogen gas purification technology. However, current techniques face several challenges, for example, water-induced swelling with polymer membranes and lower hydrogen permeance with metal, polymer, and supported liquid membranes. "

The researchers first developed an organic-inorganic hybrid polymeric membrane, primarily consisting of a polymer called "polycarbosilane" (PCS) formed on an aluminium oxide (Al2O3)-based porous support. Prof. Iwamoto further explains, "By using high-molecular-weight PCSs with a melting point above 200C, we showed that a superhydrophobic PCS membrane could be deposited on a mesoporous -Al2O3-modified macroporous -Al2O3 tubular support. "

After successfully developing the PCS membrane, the researchers tested it under PEC reaction conditions. As hypothesized, the PCS membrane showed high hydrophobicity. Moreover, under the flow of a simulated highly humid gas mixture at 50C, the PCS membrane exhibited excellent hydrogen selectivity. Further analysis revealed that the preferential hydrogen permeation through the PCS membrane was governed by the "solid state diffusion" mechanism. Overall, irrespective of the ambient environmental conditions provided, the PCS membrane exhibited efficient hydrogen gas separation.

With the development and characterization of this new PCS membrane, it is inevitable that its commercial adoption will not just facilitate the use of hydrogen fuel for energy needs but also curb the use of non-renewable fossil fuels. Prof. Iwamoto concludes, "With this technological development, we expect great progress in environmental-friendly and sustainable hydrogen production ."

Let's hope that the use of PCS membrane is a step towards a hydrogen-based society!

###

About Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan

Nagoya Institute of Technology (NITech) is a respected engineering institute located in Nagoya, Japan. Established in 1949, the university aims to create a better society by providing global education and conducting cutting-edge research in various fields of science and technology. To this end, NITech provides a nurturing environment for students, teachers, and academicians to help them convert scientific skills into practical applications. Having recently established new departments and the "Creative Engineering Program," a 6-year integrated undergraduate and graduate course, NITech strives to continually grow as a university. With a mission to "conduct education and research with pride and sincerity, in order to contribute to society," NITech actively undertakes a wide range of research from basic to applied science.

About Professor Yuji Iwamoto from Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan

Dr. Yuji Iwamoto is a Professor at Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan. Prof. Iwamoto's expertise lies in the field of inorganic material and their physical properties. He was the recipient of the prestigious Richard M. Fulrath Award in 2006. Some of his ongoing research projects are in gas separation membranes and functional ceramics. His academic affiliations include the Ceramic Society of Japan and Materials Research Society. He has published over 200 articles in reputed journals.
A top German doctor who was jailed after his lover died when he put cocaine on his penis has been ordered to pay compensation to her husband and son and also to pay her funeral costs.

Surgeon Dr Andreas David Niederbichler, 45, was jailed for nine years for aggravated rape and bodily harm leading to death after making his blonde lover, identified as Yvonne M., 38, take an overdose of cocaine that he had placed on his private parts.

But once the criminal case was completed, her family then pursued him in a civil case and now three years after the tragic incident, the court in the German city of Magdeburg in the state of Saxony-Anhalt has convicted him once again.

Surgeon Dr Andreas David Niederbichler, 45, was jailed for nine years for aggravated rape and bodily harm leading to death

He has been ordered to pay a total of 25,000 to the family of the deceased, with 9,000 each going to the dead woman's husband and son, and a further 7,000 going to her family to cover funeral costs.

The woman, 38, was not his only victim. The former head physician at the Halberstadt Clinic in Saxony-Anhalt drugged and sexually assaulted three other women between September 2015 and February 2018.

According to the investigation, he also secretly put cocaine in their champagne glasses, their lipstick, and their toothpaste.

The surgeon was charged in February 2018 when Yvonne M. died of an overdose after he put cocaine on his private parts during sex.

Niederbichler was sentenced in 2019 to nine years imprisonment and subsequent preventive detention. He is currently undergoing drug therapy.

Yvonne's widowed husband and son sued the surgeon when he refused to pay financial compensation and also refused to cover the funeral costs.

The higher regional court has now agreed with the family and the man dubbed the German Christian Grey because of his perverted sexual fantasies has been ordered to pay for the funeral costs.

Judge Steffi Ewald said: 'The defendant is sentenced to pay the funeral costs in the amount of 7,337, as well as survivor benefits to the deceased's husband and the son in the amount of 8,581 each.'

Yvonne M, 38 (left), died of an accidental overdose after her lover Andreas Niederbichler (right) laced his penis with cocaine without telling her

Niederbichler stayed silent during his trial but, faced with the new wrongful death lawsuit brought by Yvonne's widower and son, he decided to break his silence to deny being responsible for her death.

He also denied drugging three other women, after the court was told he had again laced his penis with cocaine during oral, vagina and anal sex with the three women between 2015 and 2018.

Speaking to German newspaper Bild last month, he said: 'Yes, there were drugs. But I didn't drug any of the women without her knowledge.

'I was looking for a special kick and they took part.'

Niederbichler also described Yvonne as an 'experienced' cocaine user, who knew what she was getting into.

Speaking about his original criminal trial, he said it was a 'mistake' to stay silent - a move he had taken on the advice of his lawyers - because it meant the judge only heard the women's account of events.

He told Bild he wanted to prove that he was not criminally guilty of causing Yvonne's death.

The court of appeal has already thrown out the case, and Niederbichler has not presented any new evidence that would force it to look at the case again.

Niederbichler (pictured centre during his trial) is attempting to prove he is not criminally responsible for Yvonne's death, but has already had his case thrown out on appeal

Before being jailed, Niederbichler had worked as the top plastic surgeon at Ameos hospital in the city of Halberstadt, 60 miles outside Hanover.

The court heard that Yvonne had been a patient of his before the pair started an affair, which ultimately led to her death in February 2018.

Niederbichler also used the internet to meet other women for sex, judges were told during his trial.

Three other woman who had sex with the doctor reported feeling light-headed after meeting with him, while one was involved in two car crashes after a date.

Another reported passing out and suffering nervous twitches.

Niederbichler was ultimately found guilty of aggravated rape and bodily harm resulting in death and sentenced to nine years in jail.

He appealed the sentence but it was rejected.
Since then, the rise of digital media and its infinite screen-time options has cut deeply into the might of the big broadcasters. As the viewing audience fractured, opportunities for must-see prime-time interviews became vanishingly rare. Even the biggest one-on-ones of recent years have lacked the drawing power of the specials from two decades ago and more. The audience of 17.1 million for Ms. Winfreys interview of Meghan and Harry matched the number of viewers who tuned in when Caitlyn Jenner revealed that she was transgender to Ms. Sawyer on a 2015 episode of ABCs 20/20.

The Sunday night special was unusual in that it was not overseen by a network news division. Ms. Winfreys company, Harpo Productions, produced it, and CBS paid at least $7 million to license the show, according to a person with knowledge of the arrangement. (The Wall Street Journal previously reported the figure.) The deal was also a gamble: It was taped after the network had bought the rights, according to two people with knowledge of how the show was made. During the interview, Ms. Winfrey said she had been trying to land the exclusive with the couple for about three years.

CBS emerged the winning bidder despite Ms. Winfreys rocky experience at 60 Minutes, where she was a special contributor in 2017 and 2018. In a 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ms. Winfrey revealed that the shows producers had criticized her delivery, saying she had too much emotion in her voice, even when she said her own name. (Ms. Winfrey has maintained a connection to the network through her good friend Gayle King, an anchor of CBS This Morning, and appeared on that show Monday.)

Further complicating CBSs attempt to get the big get was the thicket of media companies surrounding Ms. Winfrey and the former royal couple. Ms. Winfrey has her own cable network, OWN, and is a major part of the streaming platform AppleTV+. Recent episodes of Apples The Oprah Conversation have featured her interviews of Barack Obama, Dolly Parton and Mariah Carey.

Meghan and Harry, for their part, signed a multiyear deal with Netflix last year to make documentaries and other shows. They also signed on to make podcasts for Spotify and released the first installment on Dec. 29. It included guest appearances by Elton John, Tyler Perry and other celebrities, as well as the first public utterance from their son, Archie.

The pact between CBS and Harpo Productions was largely focused on TV rights. The interview ran live on ViacomCBSs newly rebranded streaming service, Paramount+ but at least for now will not be available on Paramount+ for on-demand viewing. Instead, the special will be available on CBS.com and the CBS app for 30 days, a CBS spokesman said.

Originally slotted for 90 minutes, it ended up a two-hour show. Before the broadcast, CBS released teaser clips, and British tabloids that have been unfriendly to Meghan shot back with anonymously sourced items on her apparent misdeeds.

The estimate of 17.1 million viewers will only grow after Nielsen tabulates some viewers who streamed the special, as well as out-of-home viewing.
A sexual harassment complaint against a top aide for Attorney General Jeff Landry alleges that Pat Magee insisted that one woman should be deployed as co-counsel at a trial because male jurors would want to have sex with her and that another was not currently as pretty as she was in law school at age 20.

Magee declined to promote a third woman while citing how attractive she was, saying her good looks might cause him problems, according to the newly released document.

The complaint, filed Nov. 20 against Magee, the head of the offices criminal division, has been shielded from public view since then. Landrys office filed a lawsuit against an Advocate reporter who requested a copy of it, but a Baton Rouge judge ruled last week that the complaint was a public record.

Read the complaint against a top aide that Jeff Landry fought to keep from the public After Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry sued a reporter for The Advocate to conceal a sexual harassment complaint against a top deputy, a

The Advocate received a lightly redacted version of the complaint Monday; the redactions were made by 19th Judicial District Judge Tim Kelley, who ruled against Landry in the lawsuit. Magee, who was sidelined while the matter was under investigation, returned to work in January when the probe was complete. He was suspended for 38 days, docked $20,559 in pay and ordered to attend training sessions on emotional intelligence, professionalism in the workplace and conflict management.

While the complainant said Magee was engaging in sexual harassment, the investigation concluded otherwise. In a summary of her findings, attorney Vicki Crochet of the Taylor Porter law firm wrote that Magees remarks were joking in nature and that there were no allegations nor findings of any requests for sexual favors; inappropriate workplace touching; nor sexual overtures.

Landrys office has yet to release the report detailing Crochets investigation into Magee, and whether it will be made public will be at issue in an upcoming court hearing with The Advocate. The debate over its release is closely linked to another recent sexual harassment probe that Crochet performed in 2013 into former LSU football head coach Les Miles. That fight also escalated over the last month amid a lawsuit from USA Today, and LSU and Miles agreed to release Crochets investigation into Miles with some redactions.

Taylor Porter is frequently hired by government agencies for legal work. One of the firms partners, John Murrill, is married to Liz Murrill, who serves as a top official in Landrys office.

Replay: Reporter Andrea Gallo discusses Jeff Landry records, LSU sexual misconduct Attorney General Jeff Landry was ordered last week to release public records related to a sexual harassment investigation of one of his top ai

The complaint into Magee appears to have been written by a witness to much of the alleged harassment. The names of the various people described in it are redacted, a remedy The Advocate agreed to as a way to protect victims of the alleged harassment and whistleblowers.

Scott Sternberg, the attorney who represented The Advocate reporter in the court proceedings, said the minor nature of the redactions undercut the attorney generals argument that protecting the innocent would require blacking out nearly the entire letter.

Everyone looking at this letter can now see that minimal redaction would protect the privacy of the victim and witnesses to this concerning event, Sternberg said. The attorney general originally claimed that redaction was impossible, and the judge has found otherwise. Why the AG chose to use taxpayer funds to sue a reporter and set such a dangerous precedent instead of pulling out a Sharpie is a question for another day.

The complaint describes several instances in which the complainant said Magee invoked the appearance of women around him when making decisions that affected the trajectory of their careers.

Jeff Landry must release records on aide, as judge rules in favor of Advocate reporter A Baton Rouge judge has ordered Attorney General Jeff Landry to release public records related to a sexual harassment investigation of one of 

Magee did not immediately return messages Monday. Landrys office released a statement from Sandra Schober, deputy director of the offices administrative services division.

Schober said in the statement that she has vast experience working on human resources issues, and that she oversaw Taylor Porters investigation into Magee.

It also concluded that his conduct did not rise to the level of sexual harassment, Schober said. What was released today are the accusations. Accusations get investigated and decisions concerning discipline are made based on our ability to validate the accusations.

The person writing the complaint against Magee said they tried to bring a seasoned trial attorney in as co-counsel a sexual assault case. But Magee disagreed with the decision, calling the lawyer, a woman, old and ugly, and suggesting a younger and more attractive attorney instead, the complaint says.

He indicated she was very f---able, the complainant wrote.

Our Views: A judge refuses to allow Jeff Landry to use his powers against open government The stakes were high Thursday in the courtroom of Judge Tim Kelley of Baton Rouge, where the powerful attorney general of Louisiana was trying

In another instance, Magee allegedly declined to promote a female attorney who he had repeatedly described as beautiful.

He would later express concern to me privately that he would not be able to control himself sexually if she worked that closely with him, the complainant wrote.

Soon afterward, that same woman tried to switch offices, but the person writing the complaint said Magee berated her for doing so. The complainant described encouraging the woman to contact HR.

The complainant assumed she did report it to HR because Pat brought it up with me, according to the complaint. Magee said he could no longer trust the woman, the complaint said.

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

Our Views: Jeff Landry's attack on open government should be exposed in courts A Baton Rouge judge will hear arguments today about whether a powerful elected official can use the might of the state against a single Louisi

Another interaction between Magee and an unnamed woman employee prompted the person who wrote the complaint to come forward, they wrote. In early October, the woman recounted to the person who filed the complaint that he had also been touching her and making inappropriate remarks, the complaint said.

The location of the touching was nothing that would be considered criminal in my opinion but I could tell it was making her uncomfortable, the complaint said. The woman had also been asking the witness if Magee had indicated he was considering firing her, citing ugly emails about her performance and inappropriate comments.

She mentioned wanting to quit the office on more than one occasion, the report said.

The person writing the complaint also detailed several exchanges between Magee and an attorney in the office whom he knew from law school; Magee frequently reminded her she was no longer as pretty as she used to be as a law student, the complaint says.

Leading Louisiana good-government group slams AG Jeff Landry's lawsuit against reporter Attorney General Jeff Landrys lawsuit targeting a reporter for The Times-Picayune and The Advocate who filed a public-records request seeking

The complainant called HR last October to report those exchanges, before filing the formal letter. But Magee then confronted the woman, according to the document.

He proceeded to swear her to secrecy and then tried to get her to say that she was not offended by his comments, the complainant wrote, adding that the woman was very disturbed by the confrontation. She also stated how Pat remarked about how he liked the pants she was wearing yesterday.

Landry and Magee, who are both from the Lafayette area, met in the early 2000s at Southern University Law School, where they both attended after serving in the Louisiana National Guard. In 2018, Landry tapped Magee to head the agencys criminal division. The former director of the criminal division was Brandon Fremin, whom President Donald Trump appointed as U.S. Attorney in the Middle District of Louisiana.

The division handles Medicaid fraud and some high-profile criminal cases. Before Magee came on board, the division was tasked with reviewing the 2016 fatal shooting of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, which set off massive protests over police brutality

+2 Top deputy to AG Jeff Landry, subject of sexual harassment probe, suspended without pay A top deputy to Attorney General Jeff Landry returned to work Tuesday after an investigation that found he "engaged in inappropriate verbal co

Magee is also a former member of the Southern University Board of Supervisors.

State Sen. Sharon Hewitt  who, like Landry, is a Republican who has expressed interest in running for governor  said the behavior outlined in the complaint should not be tolerated.

Everyone deserves a safe workplace and it's past time to raise our expectations and start holding government leaders to the highest standards, Hewitt said. If these complaints are accurate, I don't see how Mr. Magee should be allowed to function in any leadership position."

Jill Craft, an attorney who has represented victims alleging sexual harassment of high-profile government officials including the states disgraced former Secretary of State Tom Schedler, called the allegations appalling.

Top official in Jeff Landry's office put on leave amid investigation into violation of office policy A top official in Attorney General Jeff Landrys office is on leave while the agency investigates an office policy violation after a complai

The words speak volumes. You cant talk about employees as being sexual objects and not expect it to be labeled sexual harassment, Craft said. I find it personally discouraging given the fact that the attorney general is supposed to be on the side of the citizens of Louisiana. And if we cannot count on our attorney general to stand up for victimized people, then where are we?

Schober insisted that the AGs office has acted and will continue to act in a way that encourages people to speak up.

Craft, however, said it seems unreasonable to conclude the allegations detailed did not constitute sexual harassment.

Whether you specifically demand somebody have sex with you or you believe their sexuality somehow impairs their ability to move forward, it is equally illegal, she said.

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Two Ukrainians who were part of an international organized cybercrime network were extradited to the United States on Sunday, March 7, on charges of money laundering, the press service of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv said.

"Two Ukraine nationals alleged members of an international organized cybercrime network  extradited to U.S. on money laundering charges," the embassy said.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 47 Master's in Homeland Security Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 167 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 167 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 47 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 Homeland Security Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-homeland-security-degree-programs/

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

American Public University System

American University

Angelo State University

Anna Maria College

Arizona State University

Arkansas Tech University

Auburn University, Montgomery

Bellevue University

California University of Pennsylvania

Colorado Technical University

Endicott College

Excelsior College

Fairleigh Dickinson University

George Mason University

George Washington University

Grand Canyon University

John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Liberty University

Mississippi College

Monmouth University

National University

Northcentral University

Northeastern University

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Nova Southeastern University

Pace University

Pennsylvania State University

Purdue University Global

Saint Johns University

Saint Joseph's University

Salve Regina University

Sam Houston State University

Southern Illinois University

Southern New Hampshire University

Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Jefferson University

Tiffin University

Towson University

Trident University

Tulane University

University of Alaska, Fairbanks

University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Massachusetts, Lowell

University of the District of Columbia

Upper Iowa University

Virginia Commonwealth University

Wilmington 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/.
Syracuse, N.Y.  The family of Judson Albahm has hired a Syracuse lawyer to conduct an independent investigation into the events that led to the 17-year-olds death Thursday in a police shooting.

Judsons family met with a lawyer Monday afternoon seeking answers about how a call for help to deal with a mental health crisis Thursday afternoon ended in his death.

A terrible thing has happened, and there are questions about why it happened, lawyer David Zukher told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. Were going to start an investigation, and try to shine some light on why this tragedy occurred. On its face, theres some question about what happened, whether proper procedures were followed, why this occurred.

Four different police officers from three agencies fired at Judson after authorities say he pointed a replica handgun at them. Judsons gun turned out to be a BB gun, made to look like a Glock handgun.

The incident transpired over the course of more than an hour Thursday, with Judsons mom first calling psychiatric workers to help her son at their Apulia Road residence. Once Judson left the residence, she called 911 for help from police.

Eventually, officers from the sheriffs office, state police and DeWitt police responded.

Police were at the scene for an hour before Judson was reported shot. Authorities have not described what happened in that hour, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Zukher said that he hasnt had a chance yet to investigate what led to the fatal shooting, including what happened in the hour that police were at the scene. He noted that hed only talked to the family moments before an interview with Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard.

Its a brand new case for us, he said.

The joint investigation by the sheriffs office, state police and DeWitt police is just starting, Zukher said. In addition, he said all agencies are believed to be conducting investigations into their involvement in the case.

An autopsy on Judsons body was completed Monday, Zukher said. A memorial service will be held Wednesday.

The family is devastated at the loss of their child, Zukher said. Sheer and utter devastation.

First responders blocked off Apulia Road at Coye Road in Jamesville as police responded to a report of a shooting. (Samantha House | shouse@syracuse.com)

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070.

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Leading jewellery designer Samantha Wills has recalled the devastating moment she found out her boyfriend Jasper* was having eight affairs, and when she knew it was over for good.

The Australian designer, 39, founded her eponymous jewellery empire after starting the business on her kitchen table in Sydney's Bondi Beach at 21, before she turned over her first million at the age of 26.

Samantha went on to turn over $10million through her celebrity-loved designs, before she famously shut down the business two years ago.

In her new memoir Of Gold and Dust, Samantha documents both the professional and personal highs and lows over the years, including the moment she found out about the affairs.

*Names have been changed

Leading jewellery designer Samantha Wills (pictured) recalled the moment she found out her boyfriend Jasper* was having eight affairs, and when she knew it was over for good

I was used to Jasper checking his phone a lot for work but over dinner at a nearby restaurant that night he was checking more often than usual.

'Who are you texting?' I asked, getting frustrated as I was trying to tell him about the conference.

'Oh, it's just Derek,' he replied quickly. 'He and Ashley are in the area and want to catch up with us.'

Derek was a good friend of ours and he and Ashley had just started dating, but I had caught a glimpse of Jasper's phone screen when he'd picked it up and Derek's name hadn't been on the screen.

I didn't say anything. We finished our dessert and as we walked out of the restaurant, Jasper turned to walk towards my apartment.

The Australian designer (pictured), 39, founded her eponymous jewellery empire after starting the business on her kitchen table in Sydney's Bondi Beach at 21, before turning over millions

'Aren't we going to catch up with Derek?' I asked. A look of confusion appeared on Jasper's face.

'Oh yeah, um, sorry, I forgot to tell you, he said they've called it a night,' he replied after a beat, turning to face me.

'Can you show me your phone?' I asked quietly.

'Huh?' Jasper replied, shocked. I was shocked I had asked to see it too.

'Your phone. Can I please see it?'

'Why?'

'Because I don't think you were texting Derek,' I said, my voice calm and my gaze direct, but my heart beating furiously.

Samantha (pictured) found out her partner Jasper* was cheating on her after finding out he was texting someone

'You're being ridiculous,' Jasper said, looking me straight in the eyes.

We never hid our phones from one another.

We knew each other's passcodes, and we would use whoever's phone wasn't streaming Spotify for Google Maps or to browse restaurant reviews or look things up, that kind of thing.

But that night, his unwillingness to allow me to see his phone made me feel sick to the stomach.

'If you don't let me see your phone, then it's probably best if you stay at your place tonight,' I threatened, assuming he would hand the phone to me and this would all just be a big misunderstanding.

'But I haven't seen you for two weeks,' Jasper said, now unable to look at me.

'Well, it's up to you,' I said softly as I started walking towards my apartment.

He didn't follow me.

In her new memoir Of Gold and Dust, Samantha (pictured) documents both the professional and personal highs and lows over the years

That night, I lay staring at my ceiling for what felt like a hundred hours.

The suitcase I had collected from the baggage carousel at the airport only a few hours before sat untouched on the floor.

My jetlag mixed with this anxiety was a terrible concoction. The shadows from the headlights of the late-night traffic danced across my bedroom ceiling as unwanted thoughts invaded my mind.

Out of nowhere, I had an image of the bottom drawer of my desk and in that moment I remembered that Jasper and I had upgraded our phones at the same time only a few months earlier and that our old phones were still in my desk.

Wearing just a pair of undies and one of his old T-shirts, I walked over to my desk.

The cold surface of the chair pressed against the back of my thighs as I sat down and slowly pulled the bottom drawer open.

It was like a mini-electrical cemetery, a mass of orphaned cords tangled around each other having long lost their mates, along with phones, international adaptors and an old external hard drive. I started to pull things out of the drawer and there it sat, face down in the clutter. Even his phone couldn't look at me.

The few minutes it took for the phone to get enough charge to turn on felt like months. It was as though the universe was giving me one last opportunity to abort the mission but, in reality, I think it was the universe that had sent me the mental reminder of where his old phone was resting.

The Apple logo finally appeared on the screen and my hands began to shake as I entered Jasper's passcode. I took a sharp inhalation of breath as I started reading the messages. I don't remember breathing out.

Samantha (pictured) said when she found out it felt like 'everything was crumbling around me' after she found out

Everything felt like it was crumbling around me, and the only strength I had at this point was a bottle of prescription-grade sleeping tablets.

We had agreed to meet that Sunday afternoon. His all-too-familiar knock echoed down my hallway. For the last three years, the sound of that arrival would have had me running towards the door. Today, my feet moved slowly and silently towards it.

The large hall mirror reflected back the frame of a woman I didn't even recognise. The anxiety of the last three weeks was evident in my body  my shoulder bones protruded and my once-tight jeans hung loosely on my hips. I opened the door.

'Hi,' he said. His eyes were as sad as I had ever seen them. 'Come in,' I replied.

We sat on my couch and, like strangers, made polite small talk until the small talk turned to silence. Unable to sit in it any longer and gathering every ounce of courage that I could muster, I finally turned towards him.

'I need to ask you,' I said, quietly, 'how long has this affair been going on?'

He was quiet for a while. I didn't try to say anything. He looked up at me, then back down to the floor.

'Which one?' he said.

I took a sharp, short breath. 'How... how many have there been?' I asked.

Silence.

'At least eight,' he finally replied. I couldn't breathe.

'Please,' I begged, 'please don't leave me,' my eyes desperately pleading with him. He stood up without looking at me and said he had to go.

As the door closed behind him, the darkness flooded into my apartment.

Without standing, I found my way from the couch to the floor. I curled up in the tightest ball I could, hugging my knees to my chest and just sobbed. I had finally reached the bottom.

This is an edited extract from Of Gold And Dust by Samantha Wills (Allen & Unwin, $32.99), on sale now.
ISTANBUL (AP)  Thousands of people joined a Womens Day march in central Istanbul on Monday to denounce violence against women in Turkey, where more than 400 women were killed last year.

As in previous years, riot police put up barricades and blocked demonstrators from marching to the citys main square, Taksim, citing security concerns. Unable to reach Taksim, the demonstrators walked in the opposite direction toward the shores of the Bosporus, where the march ended peacefully.

The demonstrators are demanding strong measures to stop attacks on women by former partners or family members as well as government commitment to a European treaty on combating violence against women.

Some officials from President Recep Tayyip Erdogans Islam-oriented party have advocated a review of the agreement, claiming it encourages divorce and promotes LGBT culture which they say are contrary to the country's conservative values.

A total of 68 women were killed in the country since the start of the year, according to the We Will Stop Femicide Platform. At least 408 women were killed in 2020, according to the group.

Earlier on Monday, Erdogan pledged to form a new parliamentary committee to look into ways to prevent attacks on women, saying we just cannot allow it to happen.
Announcing a range of programs, Googles boss Sundar Pichai had given a grant of USD 25 million to nonprofits and social enterprises working on empowering girls and women.

"We are today launching a global http://Google.org Impact Challenge for women and girls. We will provide USD 25 million in grants to non-profits and social enterprises doing important work to help women address systemic barriers, economic equality and more," said Sundar Pichai.

Google.org`s new Impact Challenge, a philanthropic initiative was unveiled on International Women's Day by Pichai.

Google.org -- the philanthropic arm of the technology giant, is aimed at addressing systemic barriers and inequities so that women have access to economic equality, the opportunity to build financial independence, and pursue entrepreneurism, said Google chief executive Sundar Pichai at a virtual event."

We are announcing a new commitment to allow 1 million women in the rural villages to become entrepreneurs, through business tutorials, tools, and mentorship," he added."Whatever these teams need, we are going to be alongside them and help carry out their vision," said Jacquelline Fuller, President of Google.org, at the event.

The company said it will accept applications from teams worldwide until April 9. Fuller also announced that Google.org is going to invest an additional USD 1 million to help underserved women in India. Even as India is the world`s second-largest internet market, women make up a small percentage of online users in the country.

Five years ago, Google launched a program called `Internet Saathi` to bring internet literacy to women in rural parts of India. The company said the program, for which it collaborated with Indian conglomerate Tata, significantly helped improve women's participation on the Indian internet.Four of 10 internet users in rural India are now women, said Google, up from one in 10 in 2015.

The company, citing its own research, said the Internet Saathi program benefited more than 30 million women in India -- and that it's now concluding the program to focus on other efforts to continue this mission."This program created a cascading effect," said Sanjay Gupta, the head of Google India, at the event.
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Skal International World President Bill Rheaume and the first woman CEO of Skal International, Daniela Otero, have released statements to celebrate International Women's Day.

MALAGA, Spain, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 1932, Skal International has been hosting all the travel and tourism industry branches and its executives as members of the global organization. Until 1976, the organization was mainly a male-dominated organization. During the Skal World Congress in Florence, Italy, in November 1976, Skal International Executive Committee proposed a change in the statutes to accept Women executives as members of the organization.

Since then, the organization has had six women World Presidents in the last twenty years. First, female World President was Mary Bennett from SI Galway, representing Ireland elected in 2002. Before her election, she served four years on the Skal International Executive Committee. Bennett was followed by five women leaders who were elected to serve as World President after four years of service on the SI Executive Committee. Litsa Papathanassi from SI Athens representing Greece was elected in 2006; Hulya Aslantas from SI Istanbul representing Turkey was elected in 2008; Karine Coulanges from Skal Paris representing France was elected in 2013; Susanna Saari from Skal Turku representing Finland was elected in 2017. The sixth Women World President, Lavonne Wittmann from SI Pretoria, representing South Africa, was elected in 2018.

In his statement, Skal International World President Bill Rheaume said, 'March 8th is International Women's Day, and Skal International takes the opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the tremendous impact the women in Skal have contributed to this organization.'

This year's theme, 'Choose to Challenge - from challenge comes change,' is a testament to the work the female leaders within Skal have accomplished. We salute the past female International Presidents, the female leaders at every level of Skal, our CEO, and the dedicated ladies of the Secretariat.' added Bill Rheaume.

Skal International's CEO Daniela Otero is the first CEO of the organization appointed in 2016 by the Skal International Executive Committee. Otero leads the Skal Headquarters located in Malaga, Spain.

In celebration of International Women's Day, Daniela Otero issued the following statement: 'International Women's Day, a date established by the United Nations' decisions and celebrated in many countries worldwide. The issues of an equitable future, non-violence, a sustainable and peaceful future with equal rights and opportunities for all people will continue to be the topics of debates during these days. But the question is: how to achieve a greater presence of women at all decision-making tables? And this is a great challenge. For example, in the tourism industry, it is estimated that 54% of the people working in the sector are women, but only 5% occupy decision-making roles. So female leadership as an agent of change to achieve a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable sector is still a pending issue. And we must change it together, men and women. At the end of the day, what we all aspire to is to create a fairer and more equal world...'

The next Skal International World President is expected to be the 7th women President in the organization as the current two Vice Presidents on the Skal International Executive Board are both women executives: Burcin Turkkan, Senior VP from Skal Atlanta representing the U.S.A., and Fiona Nicholl, VP from Skal Cairns representing Australia. Both will stand for election at the upcoming Skal International World Congress that will take place in Quebec City in October 2021.

Skal International continues to be the world's largest global network of Tourism Professionals promoting Tourism, Business, and Friendship worldwide since 1932. For more information about Skal International and membership, please visit skal.org.

Press Release Contact:Burcin Turkkan, Senior Vice President Skal Internationalburcin.turkkan@skal.org

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1451560/Skal_International_International_Womens_Day_2021.jpg
CORK hotelier Michael Magner has called on the government to deliver further reforms and legislation to help bring down insurance premium costs.

Mr Magner, who owns the Vienna Woods Hotel in Glanmire, was commenting in the wake of the Judicial Council vote this morning to reduce awards for minor personal injuries.

In his role as chairman of the Irish Hotel Federations insurance committee, Mr Magner said: The Government must now fast track the reform of the Personal Injuries Insurance Board (PIAB) and enact duty of care and perjury legislation.

"They must also provide the necessary resources for An Garda Siochana so they can address the serious issue of insurance fraud.

He said reductions of up to 80% reductions are required to bring Ireland back to international norms.

Insurers have to play their part now and reduce insurance premiums in line with cuts in levels of awards," Mr Magner continued. "They must also adopt a more robust and concerted approach in defending exaggerated and spurious claims in court, rather than settling as continues to happen. This has been to the detriment of businesses including hotels in recent years, resulting in excessive and unjustifiable insurance premiums.

"The exorbitant levels of awards and lack of consistency have also made Ireland less attractive for insurers.

"This must be addressed as it has reduced competition in the insurance market and driven up costs, diminishing our competitiveness, which is ultimately borne by the consumer.

Todays Judicial Council decision has been welcomed by the government.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said: The overriding concern is to address with urgency the economic impacts on businesses and consumers of high insurance costs, while ensuring fair compensation when someone is injured through no fault of their own. It is my hope that the new Guidelines will bring consistency, reduce litigation and reduce awards, which are a major driver of insurance costs.

She continued: The guidelines will of course require further consideration in the coming days and I will report on the implementation of the guidelines and the initial impact they have by the end of the year. I want to commend the Personal Injuries Committee, and the Judicial Council, for progressing this important matter in the area of insurance reform. This is an important part of our Action Plan for Insurance Reform, which we published in December.
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Press Release

March 8, 2021 Senate celebrates women's contributions in battle against COVID-19 The Senate in its plenary session held on International Women's Day, adopted a resolution to commemorate the occasion and the role of women in nation building and to celebrate women's indispensable contributions to the Filipino home and in the workforce, particularly in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Proposed Senate Resolution No. 673, sponsored by Sen. Joel Villanueva, stressed that this year's celebration of International Women's Day with the theme "Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world," celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. "... while recognizing that across the world women are facing increased domestic violence, unpaid care duties, unemployment and poverty, and despite women making up a majority of front-line workers, there is disproportionate and inadequate representation of women in national and global COVID-19 policy spaces," the resolution further read. Also according to the resolution, "In order to uphold women's rights and fully leverage the potential of women's leadership in pandemic preparedness and response, this year's celebration also recognizes that the perspectives of women and girls in all of their diversity must be integrated in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes in all spheres and at all stages of pandemic response and recovery." The resolution also cited that "the Philippines has always recognized the role of women in nation-building and the need to ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men, as enshrined in Article II, Section 14 of the Constitution." "Pursuant to this state policy, Republic Act No. 9710, or the Magna Carta for Women, tasked the Philippine Commission on Women to act as a catalyst for gender mainstreaming, as well as the authority on women's concerns and lead advocate of women's empowerment, gender equity, and gender equality," the resolution said. Pursuant to its mandate, the Philippine Commission on Women has organized a series of activities for International Women's Day designed to highlight women's participation in battling the pandemic and discuss gender issues exacerbated by the pandemic. "With more than 53 million women in the country, almost 50 percent of whom form part of the workforce, including health care workers and other front-liners, ensuring women's effective participation in policy and decision-making processes is an ongoing yet indispensable effort requiring the full support of all sectors of society. At the same time, celebrating women's unique and essential contributions in the home and in the workforce serves as a timely reminder of both the progress the Philippines has achieved, as well as the work still needed to secure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men," the resolution said. In 1975, the United Nations began celebrating March 8 as International Women's Day, and in 1977, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions In 1988, President Corazon C. Aquino proclaimed March 8 as Women's Rights and International Peace Day, and in 1990, Republic Act No. 6949 established the eighth day of March every year as a working special holiday to be known as National Women's Day.
Temecula, CA, March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Warming Solutions Inc., (OTC MARKETS: GWSO), worldwide developer of technologies that help mitigate Global Warming and its effect on the planet announced today the signing of a lease agreement for new central offices and R&D (Research and Development) space located in Temecula, CA.

Centrally located between Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego, Temecula boasts a designation in Californias Innovation hub (IHub) and the San Diego Foreign Trade Zone. Rated one of the top 20 least expensive cities to do business in California by the Kosmont-Rose Institute, Temecula remains the ideal city for relocating, expanding, and developing new projects in Southern California.

We are excited to establish a new corporate office for Global Warming Solutions, said Vladimir Vasilenko, CEO of GWSO. The new space better accommodates our growing team. We view the move as a company milestone, reflecting our success as a firm and validating our corporate and investment strategies. The consolidation of our headquarters has given us the opportunity to organize interacting departments together for improved collaboration. We also took this opportunity to update our labs and engineering spaces to improve development productivity. The openness and expansion of the facilities provides a unifying feel, concluded Dr. Vasilenko.

The Company studied office design trends planning for a Post-COVID World, while envisioning a new normal, prioritizing additional space, sanitation, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) together with flexibility to add employees, planning to return to the office environment.

GWSO Management reported that key office design changes include antimicrobial materials, cleaner and purer air filtration, temperature and infectious bioaerosol monitoring at entry points and inside the facility, desks spaced farther apart. The Company adopted the six-feet- office concept, developed by commercial real estate company Cushman & Wakefield which has helped 10,000 organizations in China move nearly 1 million people back to work after that country reopened its economy. GWSO relied on Cushman & Wakefield which manages 800 million sq. ft. of office buildings in China, along with World Health Organization data and the advice of medical specialists. Once completed, GWSO offices will be CDC and OSHA compliant.

Global Warming Solutions has chosen Kronos Advanced Technologies, Inc (OTC: KNOS) to design and install Kronos patented air purification systems with recent tests showing a 99.02% COVID-19 Virus Reduction Rate. Kronos will also implement smart proximity sensors enabling OSHA and CDC compliant covid-19 workplace by utilizing KRONOS Canario2b smart social distancing platform and deploy the ecosystem, solutions, and applications to monitor social distancing at GWSOs Headquarters which will be included in all subsequent regional offices nationwide.

To learn more about Global Warming Solutions, Inc. Visit: http://www.gwsogroup.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include predictions, estimates or other information that might be considered forward-looking within the meaning of applicable securities laws. While these forward-looking statements represent the Companys current judgments, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the Companys management only as of the date of this release. Please keep in mind that the Company is not obligating itself to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events. When used herein, words such as: potential, expect, look forward, believe, dedicated, building, or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements made by the Company herein are often discussed in filings the Company makes with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at www.sec.gov and on the Companys website at https://www.gwsogroup.com .

Contact:
Some 344 servicemen have been quarantined (including self-isolation).

The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine rose by 63 as of the morning of March 7.

Read alsoOver 17,000 Ukrainians vaccinated against COVID-19 since launch of campaign"As of 10:00 Kyiv time on March 7, some 1,269 people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine had acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. In total, 16,218 people have recovered and 49 have died during the pandemic," the press service of the Medical Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote on Facebook on Sunday. "Some 63 new COVID-19 cases were registered in the past 24 hours."

Of those newly-infected, 17 have been hospitalized, while the rest are self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision. Currently, their state of health is satisfactory.

Some 344 servicemen are now isolated (including self-isolation).

COVID-19 in Ukraine: Latest developments

Ukraine said 7,167 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of March 7, 2021.

The total number of confirmed cases has reached 1,401,228.

Reporting by UNIAN
"There is no way I resign." This is New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo's response amid calls from the New York legislature's call for his resignation. Independent Tribune reported that the top two Democrats in the New York legislature withdrew their support to the governor, due to factors that are clouding the head of state.

Andrew Cuomo on Factors of Resignation

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins is the first senior Democrat in the state to call for Cuomo's resignation. Bloomberg noted in MSN that Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, also a Democrat, called for the governor's resignation because of the allegations the governor has gotten into. This contradicts their original plan to wait for the investigation and reserve judgment on the governor whether he needs to step down from his post.

ALSO READ: Kamala Harris Remains Mum on Mounting Cuomo Sexual Harassment Allegations

Andrew Cuomo was reported by her female associate due to allegedly inappropriate behavior the governor has shown them and the uncomfortable atmosphere whenever they are reporting for duty. The coming out of the associates sharing that the governor made them feel violated surprised some of the authorities, and look at the situation in an alarming state.

Bloomberg mentioned Stewart-Cousins saying "For the good of the State, Governor Cuomo must resign" noting that the state is still amid the pandemic and is still facing the effects of the toll of the pandemic in domains like society, economy, and health of their constituents. Leading the state without distraction should be a priority, according to Stewart-Cousins.

"It is the time for the governor to seriously consider whether he can effectively meet the needs of the people of New York," the legislator said.

Another factor why he is forced to resign is his alteration of reports of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes. Reuters shared that 6,432 COVID-related in nursing homess were reported by the state health officials in July. The data is much lower than the more than 9,000 actual deaths in nursing homes. Allegedly, Cuomo's Senior Aids did not want to make that public so they stirred state health officials to publish the July report.

Andrew Cuomo won't resign

Independent Tribune noted that the majority leader's public push for Cuomo's resignation came after a Sunday Press conference where the governor noted that he's stepping down will be anti-democratic. However, the governor of New York does not want to give up his post just like what the top Democrats wanted him to do. He noted that he will not resign because the people of the state have mounted him in the office and not by the politicians.

Moreover, Bloomberg noted in MSN that Cuomo has defended himself in the allegation of sexual harassment because he often has this friendly banter and he never meant those women feel uncomfortable.

Independent Tribune noted that the state attorney general is in the process of investigation on the women that publicly share their feeling of being violated, Yet, Andre Cuomo urged the people to wait for the conclusion of the investigation before they judge him and ask him of his resignation.

RELATED ARTICLE: COVID Variant in New York State Traverses Other States, Upticks Cases to 735

WATCH: Cuomo facing calls to resign after another former aide accuses him of sexual harassment - from CBS News
Vietnam has 13 preferential trade agreements in force, significantly liberalising trade

According to the index, Vietnams economic freedom score is 61.7, making it the 90th freest on the index.

Its overall score has increased by 2.9 points, primarily because of an improvement in fiscal health. Vietnam scored 82.8 in fiscal health, higher than the world average of 74.2. The score is up 24.8 against last year and is the highest growth rate over the last four years.

Vietnam ranks 17th among 40 countries in the Asia-Pacific, and its overall score is above the regional and world averages.

Vietnams economy broke into the moderately free category this year for the first time. According to the Heritage Foundation, Vietnams ranking could increase further if the government took additional action to liberalise investment rules and the financial sector.

Business freedom has declined slightly in comparison to other countries. However, Vietnams new 2019 labour code has added flexibility to labour contracts. The government funds a variety of subsidies for fuel, energy and water utilities, food, natural resources, and pharmaceuticals.

Vietnam has 13 preferential trade agreements in force. The trade-weighted average tariff rate is 5.5 per cent, and 83 non-tariff measures are in effect. The overall investment framework continues to improve, and several amendments related to foreign direct investment have been adopted.

However, there are ownership limits in various sectors. The state remains involved in the financial sector, and only about 30 per cent of adult Vietnamese use formal banking services.

The Heritage Foundation measures these indicators based on data from 184 economies. This is the 27th year in a row the organisation has conducted this survey.

The ranking is based on rule of law (property rights, judicial effectiveness, government integrity), government size (tax burden, government spending, fiscal health), regulatory efficiency (business freedom, labour freedom, monetary freedom), and open market (trade freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom).

Countries in the top list of the free economy index include Singapore (89.7 points), New Zealand (83.9), Australia (82.4), Switzerland (81.9), and Ireland (81.4).
BOSTON, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the LearnLaunch Accelerator team announced a new initiative to expand the edtech support community and create additional resources for early stage edtech founders.

Meet EdInno , a learning community for edtech innovators.

Across 2020 and into 2021, the edtech ecosystem experienced the largest surge in new edtech companies, ideas, and innovations it had ever seen. This surge was thrilling, inspiring, and highlighted the energy positioned to solve the world's most pressing educational challenges using technology and innovation. It also highlighted the critical need for additional support from the edtech ecosystem.

EdInno was born out of the emerging market need to empower a new generation of diverse edtech entrepreneurs and solutions. It will focus on providing support to companies as early as idea stage and feature a digital space to convene, connect, learn, and build relationships. The team, Tetyana Astashkina, Ben Bungert, Jean Hammond, and Colin Magee, having accelerated a wide range of edtech startups at LearnLaunch Accelerator, knows how challenging it is to persist in the education market and has experienced firsthand the need for new support.

EdInno will add capacity to the education innovation support ecosystem and lead with its explicit mission to democratize access to information and social capital, making founding an edtech company more possible and accessible to all. In addition to community-led activities like interest groups, open discussions, and forums, EdInno will provide a roadmap to success for companies using models, mentorship, curriculum, and resources.

"We need to continue improving to support the founders of tomorrow, today and are thrilled to begin democratizing the expertise and resources we've acquired working with hundreds of edtech startups to formalize and enhance our support of an even broader, earlier stage audience of edtech companies," said Ben Bungert, EdInno, Co-Founder "The market need, catalyzed by an influx of new edtech innovators, has been stimulating and gave us the push to get going. We expect to spend the next few months improving and expanding our resources, testing new programs, and exploring new fruitful partnerships."

The team is currently running a beta with a group of early stage founders and expects to roll out open access to the platform, programming, and experts throughout spring and early summer. In the meantime, EdInno is connecting with founders to continue understanding the market need and engaging with experts and partners to support the new initiative. To learn more, visit our Medium announcement .

For more information, please visit: edinno.com

EdInno is a learning community for edtech innovators. The community is designed to support edtech innovators with the network, people, resources, and information critical to starting up in edtech. EdInno is founded by the LearnLaunch Accelerator team. Learn more here: https://edinno.com

LearnLaunch Accelerator is the market leader in revenue stage edtech acceleration and investment. Our unique mix of milestone-based funding, venture partner & mentor support, helps impact-driven entrepreneurs scale. For more information, visit https://learnlaunch.com/accelerator/

SOURCE EdInno
A Middlesex County man who retired as a police officer in 2019 admitted Monday to operating a scheme that defrauded state healthcare systems of millions via medically-unneeded prescriptions.

Daniel Passafiume, 45, of Monroe, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit health care fraud during a virtual hearing of U.S. District Court in Newark, the U.S. Attorneys Office for New Jersey announced.

The allegations against Passafiume covered a period from January 2014 to November 2016, when he was a police officer in North Brunswick. He retired in 2019 as a sergeant, records show.

Passafiume admitted to orchestrating a pipeline of payments through the marketing and prescribing of vitamins and pain creams that were compound medications, according to federal officials. Such medications are not approved by the federal government, but an ingredient in them is. Physicians and pharmacists can alter them to make them easier for a patient to consume, for example creating a liquid form of a pill that a child or elderly person could easily swallow.

Passafiume owned and operated One Stop Medical Supplies LLC, and with an unnamed co-conspirator, set up agreements with pharmacies to collect large commission payments for each compound prescription they obtained for the pharmacy, authorities said. They particularly used one, unnamed pharmacy in Louisiana.

They did this by recruiting patients who had medical benefits through systems for public employees in New Jersey, like the State Health Benefits Program, or SHBP, and the School Employees Health Benefits Program, or SEHBP, and connecting them to doctors willing to sign prescriptions without an examination, or a medical reason for needing a compound medication.

The recruited patients included, employees of a New Jersey police department, family members of these employees, and Passafiumes own family members, authorities wrote in in court papers.

Passafiume and his conspirator completed the prescription forms themselves and wrote them for high quantities and refills to ramp up reimbursements they knew would be coming.

After the prescriptions were fulfilled, and the medications shipped to New Jersey, the pharmacies were paid by a pharmacy benefits manager, who was contracted by the state to work for the state healthcare systems and settle prescription claims.

The systems, the SHBP and SEHBP, then reimbursed the pharmacy benefits manager for the payments.

When the payments were finalized, Passafiume and the conspirator received a portion of the pharmacy payments.

In all, the scheme generated $3,273,301 in fraudulent claim money for medically unnecessary compound medications, and Passafiume himself pocketed approximately $284,659 for his role.

As part of his plea agreement, Passafiume must forfeit the $284,659 and pay restitution of $3.27 million. His official sentencing is scheduled for July in front of U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp, who could send him to prison as well.

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Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com.

[March 08, 2021] Puppet's Sixth Annual DevOps Salary Report Finds IT Salaries Continue to Climb Despite Global Upheaval

PORTLAND, Ore., March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Puppet , the industry standard for infrastructure automation, today revealed the findings of its 2020 DevOps Salary Report. For this report, Puppet surveyed more than 2,200 technology professionals globally and found that salaries increased across every region, despite widespread economic slowdowns and cross-industry layoffs.

Many organizations have accelerated their digital transformation initiatives by as much as three or four years during the pandemic, according to a late-2020 survey by McKinsey & Co . This phenomenon translated into higher salaries across industries, among both IT and engineering practitioners and managers. The report also found that organizations that have already reached a higher level of DevOps evolution compensate their employees at a higher rate than those whose DevOps evolution is less advanced. Among respondents working at companies with highly evolved DevOps practices, 80 percent earn at least $75,000 per year while only 57 percent of respondents at companies with less evolved DevOps practices earn that much. The pandemic brought into sharp relief the necessity of digital transformation and thereby the value of the skilled practitioners and managers who make that evolution possible, said Alanna Brown, co-author of the State of DevOps Report. We're seeing higher compensation as a result of the increase in demand for these skills, with the most dramatic rise in salaries for engineers and practitioners working within the life sciences, pharmaceuticals and healthcare industries who, for the first time, are earning more tan their counterparts in tech and financial services."



Key findings revealed in the DevOps Salary Report also include: With the rise of platform teams, platform engineers have quickly become the best-paid job title. According to Gartner, platform teams are here to stay, with the majority of large organizations adopting a platform team strategy to scale DevOps by 2025. This rise of platform teams is reflected in salaries, with platform engineers the most likely to earn more than $150,000 per year. They are also the most likely to earn over $100,000 and over $75,000.

 Respondents working in life sciences, pharmaceuticals and healthcare (LSPH) were the top earners worldwide. In previous years, practitioners and managers in the financial services and technology spaces were the top earners. In fact, 64 percent of LSPH respondents earn more than $100,000. Behind LSPH was the financial services industry where 53 percent of respondents earned over $100,000, while those at technology companies trailed at 45 percent.

According to Gartner, platform teams are here to stay, with the majority of large organizations adopting a platform team strategy to scale DevOps by 2025. This rise of platform teams is reflected in salaries, with platform engineers the most likely to earn more than $150,000 per year. They are also the most likely to earn over $100,000 and over $75,000.  In previous years, practitioners and managers in the financial services and technology spaces were the top earners. In fact, 64 percent of LSPH respondents earn more than $100,000. Behind LSPH was the financial services industry where 53 percent of respondents earned over $100,000, while those at technology companies trailed at 45 percent. More women earn mid-range salaries than men, but men still earn more of the top salaries than women. 25 percent of female respondents earn between $100,000 and $125,000, while 18 percent of male respondents are earning in the same range. However, fewer women earn above $125,000 women compared to their male counterparts.

 For instance, twelve percent of men who answered the survey earn $125,000 to $150,000, compared to nine percent of women. Additionally, three percent of men earn over $250,000 per year compared to just one percent of women.

25 percent of female respondents earn between $100,000 and $125,000, while 18 percent of male respondents are earning in the same range. However, fewer women earn above $125,000 women compared to their male counterparts.  For instance, twelve percent of men who answered the survey earn $125,000 to $150,000, compared to nine percent of women. Additionally, three percent of men earn over $250,000 per year compared to just one percent of women. Salaries rose worldwide, and rose most steeply for upper-income respondents in Japan and the United Kingdom. Japanese respondents saw the steepest gains in salaries, with 67 percent of respondents moving into the $75,000-plus range, compared with only 24 percent last year. The next-biggest increase in those earning $75,000 or more was in the United Kingdom, where 74 percent reported being in this salary bracket, up from 57 percent in 2019. U.S. respondents continue to earn more compared to their global peers, with 84 percent making $100,000 or more, and 42 percent earning over $150,000 per year.

Puppets sixth annual DevOps Salary Report, which includes a more extensive look at the data, is available for download here .

Additional Resources Learn more about Puppet

Follow Puppet on Twitter and LinkedIn

and Read our blog

About Puppet

Puppet makes infrastructure actionable, scalable and intelligent. From the data center to the cloud, Puppet helps enterprises modernize and manage their infrastructure to deliver innovation and efficiency through continuous automation. More than 40,000 organizations  including more than 80 percent of the Global 5000  have benefited from Puppets open source and commercial solutions to ensure business continuity, optimize costs, boost compliance and ensure security  all while accelerating the adoption of DevOps practices and delivery of self-service. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Puppet is a privately held company with offices in London, Belfast, Singapore, and Sydney. Learn more at puppet.com. Media Contact

Zibby Keaton

Public Relations Manager @ Puppet

pr@puppet.com



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'For now, P1 to P3 pupils will be able to resume lessons, even though the DUP Education Minister, Peter Weir, had favoured all pupils returning to classes immediately, describing home-schooling as "second best".' (Ben Birchall/PA)

Today's phased return of primary school children to the classroom marks a significant milestone in the Executive's pathway to recovery.

For now, P1 to P3 pupils will be able to resume lessons, even though the DUP Education Minister, Peter Weir, had favoured all pupils returning to classes immediately, describing home-schooling as "second best".

In that, Mr Weir is undoubtedly correct: home-schooling was a necessary compromise when the only alternative was for children to forego their education entirely.

No one - school governors, teachers and parents - were under any illusion that it would be a panacea. Experience can only have compounded that belief. But there is an iron logic to lockdown which no amount of special pleading can gainsay: Covid-19 spreads, largely, by human contact; reduce human contact and you reduce the spread of the virus.

That is as true of leaving children to school and picking them up again as it is of non-essential trips to the shops, or meeting up with friends on the pretext of taking exercise.

Whatever that primary school-age children are unlikely to contract, and hence spread, Covid; their parents and guardians are, as our their teachers and other school staff. So, any return to school, phased or otherwise, carries risk.

So much for the minus column of the ledger. What are the pluses?

The positives include, but are not limited to, the resumption of face-to-face learning.

Not even the greatest proselytiser for online learning would claim it can replace the classroom experience.

And school, particularly at such a young age, is about so much more than what is learnt in the classroom; it is the time at which children become socialised; when they learn to engage with other non-sibling children and adults other than parents and relatives.

This is the great regret of enforced home-schooling: losing the chance to be four, five or six years old. That opportunity will not come again.

Reducing the transmission of the virus is about playing the odds; anything that cuts the gross tally of potential infection events is worth doing.

Governments have long traded 'carbon credits' to allow them to emit greenhouse gases while remaining within international limits. If parents observed their own 'Covid credits', reducing the number of their inessential journeys in line with the number of school drop-offs and pick-ups, the 'R' rate (currently 0.65-0.75) could be successfully managed.

And then all our children could return to school.
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Thirteen years ago, Californians voted to build the first high-speed rail line in the nation, connecting San Francisco to Los Angeles. This essential transit project is a critical way to bring California into the future.

However, the journey since voters approved high-speed rail has been long and challenging. Mistakes were made, as they often are with first-of-its-kind infrastructure projects. And the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more challenges, including a temporary cratering of the largest pot of ongoing money for the project  cap-and-trade funds. Despite these setbacks, there are 119 miles of track under construction, thousands of people working on the project in the Central Valley (where unemployment is highest in the state), and over 50 structures built with new oversight mechanisms and hard-won knowledge of how to complete the project.

We are at a critical juncture for high-speed rail in California. President Amtrak Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are looking to pass an infrastructure package as quickly as April to put people back to work as part of our economic recovery. They are looking for transformative projects, like high-speed rail, ones that will not only provide benefits today, but will have ongoing benefits for future generations. And California has the only high-speed rail project under construction in the nation.

In its recently released business plan, the California High Speed Rail Authority set a clear path to a 21st Century California. The plan calls for finishing construction from Merced to Bakersfield, while continuing to advance the project toward construction across the rest of the state  starting with the Silicon Valley-to-Central Valley connection and then San Francisco.

To implement this plan, the state Legislature must allocate the remaining voter-approved Proposition 1A funds to finish construction in the Central Valley, so that high-speed trains will begin running in California this decade. The voters down payment of Proposition 1A funds positions California for the next major investment of imminent federal funding, enabling a robust expansion in partnership with a new administration and leaders across the state.

San Franciscans have gotten high-speed rail since 2008, when 78% voted for Proposition 1A to build high-speed rail in California. We get that high-speed rail ushers in a more environmentally and economically just future, not only for us, but for our inland sister counties that suffer from severe poverty and rates of childhood asthma and other health issues due to carbon emissions.

We get that the entire state will benefit from drastically reduced travel times that take hours off the trip from Merced to Bakersfield, and that this faster way of getting around California is a game changer for Californias climate change goals.

But were not just altruistic. We also know that it is only once the high-speed rail segment in the Central Valley is complete that we can get the trains into Salesforce Transit Center, making our 13-year dream of San Francisco and Los Angeles high-speed rail lines closer to a reality.

This is the time for us to pull together, and look at high-speed rail as what it is  a way to get people around our great state, to help our economy grow, to move toward our climate goals, and toward real inland-coastal equity. Lets be ready to take advantage of any infrastructure bill President Biden proposes and get this first high-speed rail in America built. Lets pull together and get it done.

Scott Wiener is the state senator for San Francisco and northern San Mateo County..
New Delhi:

The Gujarat High Court is expected to pronounce its order on Monday on a petition by Zakia Jafri, widow of slain Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, challenging a lower courts order upholding a clean chit to the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and others in the 2002 riots cases.

Following is the chronology of events related to the case:

February 28, 2002: A violent mob of 400 people attacked Muslim dominated Gulbarg society that killed 69 people, including former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri.

June 8, 2006: Ehsan Jafri's widow, Zakia Jafri, wanted to register a case against the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, along with 62 ministers and others for their alleged involvement in the Gulbarg Society massacre, but the police refused to do so.

November 2, 2007: Gujarat High Court rejects Zakia Jafri's plea for registration of FIR against CM Modi.

March 26, 2008: Supreme Court appoints a four-member Special Investigating Team (SIT) headed by former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director R K Raghavan to conduct investigation into 14 Godhra and post-Godhra communal riots cases.

August 2009: SIT files charge sheet in the Gulbarg society massacre case.

August 2010: The Supreme Court permits the Special Investigation Team to conduct further probe on the complaint filed by Zakia Jafri alleging that Chief Minister Narendra Modi and 62 others orchestrated the 2002 riots in Gujarat.

March 11, 2011: Supreme Court instructs SIT to cross check the arguments presented by Raju Ramchandran, who has been helping in the investigation.

June 18, 2011: Raju Ramchandran visits Ahmedabad to submit his report in response to SIT's report and meets the witnesses.

July 25, 2011: Raju Ramchandran submit his report to SC which contained evidence he obtained on his own (not of SIT) and recommends that case be filed against CM Modi.

July 28, 2011: Raju Ramchandran's report is kept a secret by SC and even refuses to share with SIT and Gujarat government.

September 12, 2011: Supreme Court asks the local magistrate whether a probe can be conducted against CM Modi. It was before the submission of final report of SIT.

Februrary 8, 2012: SIT submits a brief report to the Supreme Court before Ahmedabad's magistrate court.

February 9, 2012: Zakia Jafri and social worker Teesta Setalvad approach the court to get a copy of SIT report. SIT had refused to share its complete report with Zakia Jafri.

February 15, 2012: Metropolitan court magistrate directs the SIT to submit its complete report.

March 15, 2012: SIT submits its complete report and case papers.

April 10, 2012: Magistrate court goes through the report that demanded the case be dismissed. The report had said the case in which CM Modi has been indicted does not contain any evidence against him. The local court instructs SIT to give a copy of its report to Zakia Jafri.

April, 2013: Zakia Jafri challenges the SIT report and files a petition in the metropolitan court.

December, 2013: Metropolitan court dismisses Jafris and others petition to file criminal case against CM Modi and others, following which Zakia Jafri approached the Gujarat HC in 2014.

High Court completed its proceedings on July 3. The court heard the petitions filed by Jafri and social worker Teesta Setalvad from the NGO Citizen for Justice and Peace.

The verdict on this case was scheduled to be pronounced on August 9, 2017, but Justice Sonia Gokani who was hearing the case reserved the order till August 21, 2017.

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Mia Farrow and Woody Allen are pictured in 1988. Farrow holds baby Ronan (who was then called Satchel) while Allen holds adopted daughter Dylan. David Mcgough/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images

Directors Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick are pushing back on Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn.

The disgraced director and his wife panned "Allen v. Farrow" in a scatching statement.

"Woody is welcome to talk to us," Amy Ziering said. "It's an open invitation."

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Filmmakers Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick are pushing back on Woody Allen and his wife, Soon-Yi Previn, who claimed in a scathing statement last month that their four-part HBO docuseries, "Allen v. Farrow," was "a hatchet job riddled with falsehoods."

The series has led many people to reexamine the allegations that the disgraced filmmaker sexually abused his former adopted daughter, Dylan, when she was 7 years old.

In a statement, first obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Allen and Previn denounced the series and denied the allegations.

The statement added: "These documentarians had no interest in the truth. Instead, they spent years surreptitiously collaborating with the Farrows and their enablers."

Ziering told Insider last week in response, "It's precocious to make that statement if you haven't seen all four parts."

Allen and Previn also claimed in a statement that they "were approached less than two months ago and given only a matter of days 'to respond.' Of course, they declined to do so."

"Allen v. Farrow" directors Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering. Charley Gallay/Getty

The filmmakers said that is untrue.

"We gave them a window of time to just respond and then we would set up a time and it could have been months later," Ziering said. "They are not accurately presenting things."

Dick added: "Keep in mind, this is in the era of COVID-19, so this would have been the easiest interview ever because they would have been sitting in front of their computer. They wouldn't have had to leave their apartment."

The filmmakers said their requests for an interview with Allen or Previn were met with silence.

Story continues

"But it's an open invitation," Ziering said. "I'm sure HBO would do a fifth episode so Woody is welcome to talk to us."

Insider contacted Allen's rep for comment, but did not get a response.

"Allen v. Farrow" examines the relationship Allen had with his ex-girlfriend, actress Mia Farrow, through the 1990s and the accusations by the child they adopted, Dylan, that she was sexually abused by the filmmaker in the attic of Farrow's Connecticut home. It also features excerpts from a home video Farrow shot of then 7-year-old Dylan saying what Allen did to her.

Dylan Farrow. HBO

The accusation led to a tabloid-fueled custody battle between Allen and Farrow. (Allen was never charged for a crime in connection the accusations and for years has denied them).

With decades of conflicting stories on the subject, do Ziering and Dick believe their docuseries can sway anyone's opinion on what actually happened?

"There will always be some people out there that will not be persuaded no matter how much evidence they are given," Dick added. "But we have seen in the past with our films that actually it really helps change the way people look at the issue generally and the cases we looked into specifically."

Ziering and Dick have built a career looking at sexual abuse as they also made documentaries "The Invisible War," about sexual abuse in the military; "The Hunting Ground," about sexual assault on US college campuses; and "On the Record," about the sexual abuse allegations against hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons from former record executive Drew Dixon.

"What we hope is by people seeing this series, they will come to understand the issue of sexual abuse better and then they will be less susceptible to those kinds of distractions or distortions," Dick said.

The final episode of "Allen v. Farrow" airs Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.

Read the original article on Insider
Foreign nationals who are coming to Canada to support critical infrastructure, or are essential for health and safety reasons, may be exempt from travel restrictions.

Some essential workers exempt from work permits and quarantine Foreign nationals who are coming to Canada to support critical infrastructure, or are essential for health and safety reasons, may be exempt from travel restrictions.

Some essential workers exempt from work permits and quarantine Foreign nationals who are coming to Canada to support critical infrastructure, or are essential for health and safety reasons, may be exempt from travel restrictions.

Some essential workers exempt from work permits and quarantine Foreign nationals who are coming to Canada to support critical infrastructure, or are essential for health and safety reasons, may be exempt from travel restrictions. Mohanad Moetaz Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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Certain foreign workers who are looking to work in essential occupations may only need a temporary resident visa (TRV) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to work in Canada, rather than a work permit.

Foreign workers who are coming to Canada to support critical infrastructure and who are exempt from the travel restrictions, may not need a work permit to work legally in Canada.

In addition, certain workers may also be exempt from the mandatory 14-day quarantine period. This also means that they would not have to stay at a government-approved hotel for three days when they arrive in Canada. These workers include the following:

Emergency and medical services providers;

Individuals allowed to work as a student in a health field, such as a medical elective or a clinical clerk;

Workers in the marine transportation sector;

Individuals who are delivering, maintaining or repairing medically necessary equipment or devices;

Individuals who are making medical deliveries of cells, blood and blood products, tissues, organs and other body parts;

Individuals providing an essential service while in Canada, as determined by the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO).

Get assistance with your temporary resident visa application

The CPHO has decided that the certain workers are also providing an essential service in Canada.

These include technicians or specialists that are needed in Canada to install, inspect, maintain or repair equipment that is necessary to support critical infrastructure. If they will be carrying out their work as part of a current agreement, they can come to Canada as business visitors. If their work is not part of a current agreement, they may need to get a work permit.

The CPHO also determined that workers that are supporting certain open water aquaculture-related activities such as fishing, transporting fish, treating fish for pests and repairs.

These foreign workers may be allowed to enter Canada. If they do not show symptoms of COVID-19, they will also be exempt from the 14-day quarantine requirement.

Apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV)

If you are an essential foreign worker who is looking to come to Canada for the reasons highlighted in this article, you may need to apply for a TRV.

If you come from a visa-exempt country, you may be able to come to Canada without applying for a TRV, but may require an eTA document.

Get assistance with your temporary resident visa application

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping said Sunday that to comprehensively promote China's rule of law and advance the modernization of the country's system and capacity of governance, the foundation of the work lies in the primary level.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when joining lawmakers from Qinghai Province in a deliberation during the country's annual legislative session.

Speaking after hearing a lawmaker's report on advancing primary-level social governance, Xi called for consolidating the foundation and strengthening Party leadership at the primary level.

He also stressed more public participation to help people understand, respect and observe the law.
Women have reached a major milestone in senior leadership roles

Nguyen Thi Vinh Ha, deputy general director, country head of Advisory Services at Grant Thornton Vietnam said, Passing the 30 per cent of women in senior roles globally is an important milestone for businesses, but is not the end goal. Those businesses that want to reap the benefits of a better gender balance must continue to take action to enable women to realise their ambitions.

In fact, Vietnam exceeded the global average with 39 per cent and ranked third amongst the 29 countries surveyed, behind the Philippines and South Africa (up 6 per cent over 2020), on a par with Brazil and India and ranked second in the Asia-Pacific behind the Philippines with 48 per cent.

Seeing the proportion of women leaders rise to 31 per cent is encouraging, given the global figure was stubbornly stuck at 29 per cent for the previous two years (2019 and 2020). It also passes the important 30 per cent threshold, which research shows is the minimum representation needed to change decision-making processes. All regions surveyed except for the Asia-Pacific (28 per cent) have now surpassed the crucial 30 per cent milestone.

Another encouraging finding is the types of leadership roles women are occupying. Grant Thornton Internationals research reveals higher numbers of women across operational C-suite roles compared to last year, with the proportion of female CEOs up 6 percentage points (pp) to 26 per cent, female CFOs also up 6pp to 36 per cent, and female COOs up 4pp to 22 per cent. The proportion of women in more traditional senior HR roles was down slightly at 38 per cent (-2pp against 2020), and has trended downwards since 2019.

The most popular position for women in Vietnam in 2021 was CFO at 60 per cent (up from 32 per cent in 2020), putting Vietnam No.1 in the Asia-Pacific. The position of human resources director ranked second with 59 per cent, which was also a very common position in the rest of the Asia-Pacific. Vietnam made significant strides in the number of women holding the position of CEO with an increase from 7 to 20 per cent in 2021 (ranking seventh in the Asia-Pacific).

Additionally, over two-thirds (69 per cent) of respondents agree that in their organisations, new working practices as a result of COVID-19 will benefit womens career trajectories in the long-term, despite potentially hindering factors which may be down to the flexibility that remote working offers. The percentage of businesses agreeing with this statement in Vietnam was above the global average, with a majority of 83 per cent of respondents in agreement.

While the number of women in leadership roles has grown, questions remain over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women, particularly working mothers. UN data shows that before the pandemic, women did three times as much unpaid housework as men, and mounting evidence indicates that COVID-19 is only increasing this disparity  as well as adding the extra responsibilities of childcare and homeschooling while schools are closed.

Valerie Teo, deputy general director, Tax Partner at Grant Thornton Vietnam said that, Breaking the 30 per cent barrier certainly does represent progress  having grown from 19 per cent 17 years ago when we first started tracking this  but these gains can easily be lost. Reassuringly, 92 per cent of businesses globally say they are taking action to ensure the engagement and inclusion of their employees against the negative backdrop of the pandemic and with the normalisation of remote working, employers are becoming ever more flexible about how, where, and when employees do their job."

Now more than ever, businesses need to stay focused on what is enabling women to progress to leadership positions, so that women move forward rather than back as a result of the global pandemic.
Coastal populations are experiencing relative sea-level rise up to four times faster than the global average - according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

A new study published today in Nature Climate Change is the first to analyse global sea-level rise combined with measurements of sinking land.

The impact of subsidence combined with sea-level rise has until now been considered a local issue rather than a global one.

But the new study shows that coastal inhabitants are living with an average sea level rise of 7.8 mm - 9.9 mm per year over the past twenty years, compared with a global average rise of 2.6mm a year.

And the impacts are far larger than the global numbers reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Lead researcher Prof Robert Nicholls, Director of the UK's Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and Chair of Climate Adaptation at the University of East Anglia, said: "Climate induced sea-level rise is caused by melting glaciers and thermal expansion of water due to rising global temperatures.

"Rapid rates of subsidence in deltas and especially cities on deltas are also human-caused, mostly due to groundwater pumping, also oil and gas extraction, and sediment resupply prevented by upstream dams, flood defences, sand extraction or mining.

"About 58 per cent of the world's coastal population lives on deltas where land is subsiding. Less than 1 per cent of global coastal population lives where land is uplifting.

"We wanted to look at the big picture globally, to better understand the impact of global sea-level rise combined with measurements of sinking land.

"We found that coastal populations live with sea-level rise at three and four times the global average and that the impacts of sea-level rise being experienced today are much larger than the global numbers being reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

"Addressing human-induced subsidence is important in the short term, as it is an essential coastal adaptation to protect people and economies," he added.

The research team assessed four components of relative sea-level change - climate induced sea-level change, the effects of glacier weight removal causing land uplift or sinking, estimates of river delta subsidence and subsidence in cities.

Sea-level measurements were taken from satellite data. The team then weighted their results by population to show their importance to people.

The overall analysis used the Dynamic Interactive Vulnerability Assessment (DIVA) model which is designed for understanding coastal management needs.

They found that high rates of relative sea-level rise are most urgent in South, South East and East Asia as the area has many subsiding deltas and coastal flood plains, growing coastal megacities and more than 70 per cent of the world's coastal population.

They also found that over the 20th Century, the city of Tokyo experienced net subsidence of 4m, while Shanghai, Bangkok, New Orleans, and Jakarta, have experienced between 2m and 3m subsidence.

In Tokyo, Shanghai and Bangkok the subsidence has been stopped or greatly reduced by reduced groundwater extraction, while in other cities there has been little direct response to reduce subsidence.

Prof Robert Nicholls said: "One of the main reasons that Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, is being moved to Borneo is because the city is sinking due to groundwater extraction from shallow wells.

"We hope that our analysis improves the understanding of how sea-level rise and subsidence are hand-in hand for science and coastal management policy worldwide. Jakarta might be just the beginning."

###

The research was led by the University of East Anglia (UK) in collaboration with the Global Climate Forum, Berlin (Germany), Humboldt-University, Berlin (Germany), Bournemouth University (UK), Kiel University (Germany), Universite de Toulouse (France), the University of Southampton (UK) and East China Normal University, Shanghai (China).

It was funded by the EC Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, IDRCEC Seventh Framework Programme, and EC Seventh Framework Programme.

'A global analysis of subsidence, relative sea-level change and coastal flood exposure' is published in Nature Climate Change on March 8. 2021.
By Ivan Ssenabulya

African Union Mission in Somalia, has mourned the death of their first Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ambassador Nicolas Bwakira.

In a statement, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, Head of the Mission described Ambassador Bwakira as a true African who strategically positioned the Mission for tasks in every trying moments.

He said that AMISOM will always remember Ambassador Bwakira for his mediatory role between the Federal Government of Somalia and other Somali stakeholders.

Ambassador Nicolas Bwakira, from Burundi died suddenly of a yet to be known cause.
New Delhi:

One of the arrested accused in Bhagalpur Srijan scam, Mahesh Mandal, on Monday succumbed to cancer in a hospital. The doctors informed that his kidneys were damaged.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav wrote on Twitter that the deceased, Mahesh Mandal, was father of a rich leader of Janata Dal (United).

On August 18, the members of a parliamentary panel had raised the issue of an alleged scam involving an NGO in Bihar and had asked the officials of a bank to look into the matter.

During a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance at Udaipur, Rajasthan, BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey and Ajay Sancheti had raised the issue of the alleged scam, involving the NGO, Srijan, a member of the panel, who was present at the meeting, said on the condition of anonymity.

The members of the committee had also asked the officials of a bank to investigate the matter, he had added.

The panel had raised the issue a day after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had recommended a CBI probe into the alleged swindling of government funds to the tune of over Rs 950 crore by the NGO at Bhagalpur in Bihar.

Bihar's #SrijanScam: One of the arrested accused Mahesh Mandal dies in Bhagalpur hospital, was suffering from cancer, his kidney was damaged  ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017

The NGO has also allegedly siphoned off the money of certain nationalised banks. The cases lodged in this regard had been investigated by the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar police.

The Bihar police had issued a lookout notice against the secretary of the NGO and her husband.

Also Read: Cash-for-question scam: Special court orders framing of charges against 11 former MPs

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
FORMER First Lady Grace Mugabe and a group of her associates are coming under investigation from anti-corruption authorities following complaints that they grabbed residential stands worth US$10 million without paying from an upmarket development on State land in Borrowdale.

Arosume Property Development (Pvt) Limited were appointed as developers for the land on Carrick Creagh Estate allocated to Sally Mugabe Housing Cooperative in 2005 and have now lodged complaints with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and the Special Anti-Corruption Unit in the Presidents Office.

They allege that the former First Lady Grace Mugabe and then Local Government, Public Works and Urban Development Minister Ignatious Chombo used their political clout to transfer stands from the development to companies they controlled without paying for that land.

Zacc spokesperson, Commissioner John Makamure said the commission would investigate all reported cases of corruption without fear or favour, including the Carrick Creagh Estate.

We are dealing with all suspected cases of corruption that have either been reported to us, that have appeared in the media or even on social media. We are determined to allow the law to take its course, he said.

According to a letter filed with Zacc, Grace Mugabe and Dr Chombo are accused of using undue influence.

A tripartite agreement was thus entered into between the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and Urban Development, Arosume Property Development (Pvt) Ltd and the Sally Mugabe Housing Cooperative. The object of the tripartite agreement is the development of upmarket residential stands of varying sizes at Carrick Creagh Estate, Borrowdale, Harare. To this end the ministry contributed land owned by the state whilst Arosume Property Development was tasked with the development of the area, read the papers.

The agreement came with some regulatory and policy arrangements, such as the standard 20 percent of the land to be reserved as Government commonage as required on all developments where State land is privately developed.

The developer negotiated that 50 undeveloped stands be transferred to Arosume before work started, due the risks involved in the scheme. But the bulk of development costs and profits would come when the stands were sold.

But Arosume now alleges that some with political clout unprocedurally grabbed land from original beneficiaries and transferred the properties into companies and individual names without paying for them, reads the complaint, naming former First Lady Grace Mugabe and former Minister Ignatius Chombo.

It is alleged that former First Lady Grace Mugabe transferred to companies under the directorship of two of her children, Bona and Robert Mugabe Jnr, seven stands totalling just under 10,2ha.

Companies and individuals associated with the First family that benefited include Farai Olivia Mushonganyika who obtained land worth US$364 000 without paying, Junior Gumbochuma for land worth US$544 000 (1,2ha), Penking Investment for land of US$812 000 and Montshow Investments for land of US$1,9 million.

One of the names appearing on the list is former MDC legislator Timothy Mubhawu, who is alleged to have received land worth US$432 000.

Former Cabinet minister Chombo is alleged to have grabbed land worth almost US$1 million with three stands totalling 2,2ha allocated to three firms including Comverol Enterprises and Cavford Trading. Herald
The trial of the police officer accused of killing George Floyd in Minneapolis last year is set to begin today , as a late court ruling added another charge to the indictment.

On Friday, the Minnesota Appeals Court decreed that the jury must also consider whether Derek Chauvin should be convicted of third-degree murder, which carries a maximum 25-year jail term.

Mr Chauvin was initially charged with third-degree murder, but following a public outcry, prosecutors substituted the more serious offence of second-degree murder, which carries a 40-year maximum jail term, and second-degree manslaughter.

Prosecutors decision to reinstate the third-degree murder charge was to ensure jurors had every option to hold Mr Chauvin liable for Mr Floyds death, said Ben Crump, a civil rights lawyer who has been advising the family.

Mr Chauvin is one of four officers facing trial in connection with Mr Floyds death. The others are accused of aiding and abetting Mr Chauvin.

The death of Mr Floyd (46) triggered rioting across the US after mobile phone footage emerged showing Mr Chauvin, a white police officer, kneeling on his neck.

Mr Floyds plea I cant breathe was taken up by protesters as a symbol of the brutality inflicted by some police officers on African-Americans.

His death became a pivotal issue in the presidential election, with Joe Biden offering condolences to his grieving family and appealing for racial justice, while Donald Trump focused on the destruction at some protests.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which, among other things, would ban the use of chokeholds.





Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
[March 08, 2021] Infiniti Dealers Ranked #1 for Responding to Website Customers Reports Pied Piper PSI

Infiniti dealerships ranked highest in the 2021 Pied Piper PSI Internet Lead Effectiveness Benchmarking Study, which answers the question, "What happens when customers visit a dealer website and inquire about a vehicle?" Dealerships selling Subaru vehicles were ranked second, followed by dealerships selling Acura. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210307005005/en/ 2021 Pied Piper PSI Internet Lead Effectiveness Auto Industry Study www.piedpiperpsi.com (Graphic: Business Wire) Brands with the greatest improvement from 2020 to 2021 were Infiniti, Subaru, Acura, BMW and Land Rover. Twelve brands improved their performance from 2020 to 2021, while the performance for eighteen brands, and the industry overall, declined. Pied Piper submitted customer inquiries through the individual websites of 4,356 dealerships, asking a question about a vehicle in inventory, and providing a customer name, email address and local telephone number. Pied Piper then evaluated how the dealerships responded by email, telephone and text message over the next 24 hours. Response to customer web inquiries varied by brand and dealership, and the following are examples of performance variation by brand: How often did the brand's dealerships email or text an answer to a website customer's question within 30 minutes? More than 45% of the time on average: Infiniti, Volvo, Subaru, Acura, Jaguar Less than 25% of the time on average: Buick, Genesis, Ford (News - Alert) , Mitsubishi, GMC

How often did the brand's dealerships send a text message reply to a website customer's inquiry? More than 57% of the time on average: Kia, Toyota, Nissan, Ram, Hyundi, Mitsubishi (News - Alert) Less than 35% of the time on average: Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, MINI, Porsche, Alfa Romeo

How often did the brand's dealership reply emails land in the customer's junk/spam folder? Less than 16% of the time on average: Porsche, Lincoln, Volkswagen, Ford, Mercedes-Benz More than 33% of the time on average: Mitsubishi, Fiat, Kia, Genesis





Did the website have a "buy now" or "buy from home" button? More than 40% of the websites on average: Cadillac, Buick, GMC, Genesis Less than 12% of the websites on average: Fiat, Porsche, Mitsubishi, Ford

Did the website offer to provide a trade-in value? More than 95% of the websites on average: Ram, BMW, Kia, Chrysler, Dodge, Lincoln Less than 75% of the websites on average: Cadillac, Mitsubishi, GMC, Buick, Porsche

Did the website provide a financing/payment estimator, and/or credit application? More than 95% of the websites on average: Ram, Dodge, Jeep, Ford, Lincoln Less than 82% of the websites on average: Land Rover, GMC, MINI, Porsche, Lexus

The appearance of COVID 19 has generated much more interest in digital retail tools, which allow website customers to complete more of their purchase path from home. Feedback from most dealers suggests that customers using the digital retail process still benefit from "assisted selling," where dealership personnel are easy to reach throughout the process. However, the 2021 ILE study results show that dealers whose websites featured a "buy now" button failed to quickly respond to customer attempts to "chat" 44% of the time on average. "Digital retail technology promises to improve the car shopping experience," said Fran O'Hagan, President & CEO of Pied Piper, "On the other hand, we can't allow the presence of digital retail tools to excuse ignoring website customers who reach out for help."

PSI Internet Lead Effectiveness (ILE) Benchmarking Studies have been conducted annually since 2011. The 2021 Pied Piper PSI-ILE Benchmarking Study (U.S.A. Auto) was conducted between April 2020 and January 2021 by submitting website inquiries directly to a sample of 4,356 dealerships nationwide representing all major brands. Examples of other recent Pied Piper PSI studies are the 2020 PSI-ILE U.S. Motorcycle/UTV Industry Study (Harley-Davidson brand was ranked first), and the 2019 "PSI for EVs" U.S. Auto Industry Study (Tesla brand was ranked first for selling EVs in-person). Complete Pied Piper PSI industry study results are provided to vehicle manufacturers and national dealer groups. Manufacturers, national dealer groups and individual dealerships also order PSI evaluations-in-person, internet or telephone-as tools to measure and improve the omnichannel sales effectiveness of their dealerships. For more information about the Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index, and the fact-based PSI process, go to www.piedpiperpsi.com. About Pied Piper Management Company, LLC Founded in 2003, Pied Piper Management Company, LLC is a Monterey, California, USA company that helps brands & manufacturers improve the omnichannel performance of their retail networks. Go to www.piedpipermc.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210307005005/en/

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A Washington Avenue bar that had planned a maskless party to celebrate the end of Texas coronavirus restrictions has called off the event after receiving criticism from local officials, including Mayor Sylvester Turner, who announced the news Monday.

Dan Wierck, the owner of Concrete Cowboy, told Turner in an email he would not open the bar at all Wednesday night, when the party initially was planned. The event was labeled as a Mask Off party on social media, coinciding with the day Gov. Greg Abbott is lifting all COVID restrictions across the state, including occupancy limits and face covering requirements.

Let me thank Dan and Concrete Cowboy for recognizing the importance of what were trying to do, Turner said at a news conference. And, look, we want businesses to reopen. We want businesses to thrive in our city. And quite frankly, I do believe two months from now the landscape will be much better than what it is today.

For now, however, Turner said he wants businesses to encourage customers to wear masks as they fully reopen.

The news came a day after Turner and state Rep. Ann Johnson, D-Houston, slammed Concrete Cowboy ownership for planning the event, which they said could contribute to a COVID surge in Houston.

Johnson said Monday she was relieved by the decision, though she noted it only came after pressure from herself, Turner, health care professionals and other officials.

The only prudent response to Gov. Abbotts reckless reopening orders is to double down on the public health measures we know keep us safe, Johnson said.

In Wiercks email to Turner, which the mayor read aloud at the news conference, the bar owner said it was never our intention to host a party where we encouraged patrons to not wear a mask. Wierck, who owns three other businesses on Washington Avenue including Clutch Bar, also wrote that he will always place health and safety ahead of profit.

jasper.scherer@chron.com
GREENWICH, Conn., March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fieldpoint Private, the fast-growing wealth advisory and private banking boutique serving families and institutions, announced it has surpassed the $1 billion threshold in total bank assets, and $5 billion in total wealth management assets.



The 12-year-old firm now ranks within the top 20 percent of U.S. banks by assets, and was recently named among Americas top 100 independent investment firms by Barrons magazine. Since its 2008 founding in Greenwich, Connecticut, Fieldpoint Private has grown its presence to include New York City, Georgia and Florida, earning the business of families, entrepreneurs, businesses and charitable institutions in 46 states. It has attracted leadership, advisors and bankers from Bank of America, BNY Mellon, Brown Brothers Harriman, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Neuberger Berman, Wells Fargo and others, as well as deeply rooted community banks.

Chairman and CEO Tim Tully said that while it is important to take a moment to recognize these milestones, growth - by itself - was never the firms mandate. Our goal has always been to create a new standard of service for clients, to maintain independence of thought and protect our commitment to do whats right for the client, wherever that takes us. He added, Its clearly taking us to a pretty good place, and Im grateful to our colleagues for all they have done to get us here, and to our clients for their trust and enthusiasm along the way.

Russell Holland, President and CEO of Fieldpoint Privates banking unit, said that when Fieldpoint was founded, clients could get commercial and personal banking, along with investment advice at any number of the giant global firms. But clients felt the advice and experience was disconnected and too often met the interests of the firm more than themselves and their families, he said.

Christopher DeLaura, President and CEO of the firms wealth management unit added, Delivering all of this, in a boutique experience, with fully integrated advice and world-class intellectual capital, was something no one had tried before. These milestones tell us it was an important idea at the right time, and we feel like we are just getting started.

About Fieldpoint Private

Headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, Fieldpoint Private (www.fieldpointprivate.com) is a boutique financial firm providing the highest degree of personalized, confidential wealth planning and private banking services. Catering to highly successful individuals, families, businesses and institutions, Fieldpoint Private offers a powerful combination of wealth management and strategy, family office, private banking and business banking services addressing every financial need for each of our clients including: wealth transfer advice, tax planning, aggregation and performance reporting, risk management, goals-based investing strategies, sophisticated investment selection, discreet and personalized banking, highly customized credit solutions, custom custody and trust solutions, highly attentive and responsive service, and concierge services.

Fieldpoint Private was established in 2008 by 31 Founders with a specific vision and purpose. These extraordinary leaders of industry and community recognized the opportunity to create a financial firm totally attuned to peoples individual circumstances. Our firm is built on a philosophy of exclusive membership and client-centricity. Working with a limited number of relationships gives every person the experience of belonging to an extremely selective group. The result is a new breed of institution established on the basis of personalization, responsiveness, and exclusivity, and an ensured commitment to impeccable service and consistently flawless execution. Our service approach offers a unique client experience custom crafted to each clients financial needs.

Banking Services: Fieldpoint Private Bank & Trust

Registered Investment Advisors: Fieldpoint Private Securities, LLC, is a SEC Registered Investment Advisor and Broker Dealer. Member FINRA, MSRB, SIPC.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Tom Perez was a guest on a Spanish-language talk radio show in Las Vegas last year when a caller launched into baseless complaints about both parties, urging Latino listeners to not cast votes at all.

Perez, then chairman of the Democratic Party, recognized many of the claims as talking points for #WalkAway, a group promoted by a conservative activist, Brandon Straka, who was later arrested for participating in the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

In the run-up to the November election, that call was part of a broader, largely undetected movement to depress turnout and spread disinformation about Democrat Joe Biden among Latinos, promoted on social media and often fueled by automated accounts.

The effort showed how social media and other technology can be leveraged to spread misinformation so quickly that those trying to stop it cannot keep up. There were signs that it worked as Donald Trump swung large numbers of Latino votes in the 2020 presidential race in some areas that had been Democratic strongholds.

Videos and pictures were doctored. Quotes were taken out of context. Conspiracy theories were fanned, including that voting by mail was rigged, that the Black Lives Matter movement had ties to witchcraft and that Biden was beholden to a cabal of socialists.

That flow of misinformation has only intensified since Election Day, researchers and political analysts say, stoking Trump's baseless claims that the election was stolen and false narratives around the mob that overran the Capitol.

More recently, it has morphed into efforts to undermine vaccination efforts against the coronavirus.

The volume and sources of Spanish language information are exceedingly wide-ranging and that should scare everyone," Perez said.

The funding and the organizational structure of this effort is not clear, although the messages show a fealty to Trump and opposition to Democrats.

A nonpartisan academic report released this past week said most false narratives in the Spanish-language community were translated from English and circulated via prominent platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, as well as in closed group chat platforms like WhatsApp, and efforts often appeared coordinated across platforms.

The most prominent narratives and those shared were either closely aligned with or completely repurposed from right-wing media outlets, said the report by researchers from Stanford University, the University of Washington, the social network analysis firm Graphika and Atlantic Councils DFRLab, which studies disinformation online around the world.

Straka said via email that nothing from the #WalkAway Campaign "encourages people not to vote. He declined further comment.

While much of the material is coming from domestic sources such as Spanish-speaking social media influencers, it increasingly originating on online sites in Latin America, those studying it closely say.

Misinformation originally promoted in English is translated in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Nicaragua and elsewhere, then reaches Hispanic voters in the U.S. via communications from their relatives in those countries. That is often shared via private WhatsApp and Facebook chats and text chains.

Theres this growing concern that this is very much part of the immigrant and first-generation information environment for a lot of Latinos in the United States, said Dan Restrepo, former senior director for Western Hemisphere affairs at the National Security Council. A lot of it is seemingly coming through family and other group chats, whose origins are in-region rather than the United States.

WhatsApp and similar services are popular among Hispanics in the U.S. because the services allow for communicating with family and friends in Latin America free over the internet, avoiding costly long-distance charges. While those originating such campaigns in Latin America often cannot vote in the U.S., they can influence family in this country who do.

YouTube, Facebook and other social media companies have cracked down on false claims since before the election and intensified such efforts after online conspiracy theories helped incite the Trump loyalists who attacked the Capitol.

We are running the largest online vaccine information campaign in history on our apps in dozens of languages, including Spanish," said Kevin McAlister, a spokesman for Facebook which owns WhatsApp and Instagram. Weve removed millions of pieces of content on Facebook and Instagram that violate our COVID-19 and vaccine misinformation policies, and labeled more than 167 million pieces of COVID-19 content, including Spanish-language content.

WhatsApp now limits users ability to send highly forwarded messages to more than one chat at a time; that led to a 70% reduction in the number of such messages. The company also partnered with Google to provide a feature allowing users to search the internet for the contents of forwarded messages to better check the veracity.

Still, those who monitor Spanish-language content online describe an information void, or dearth of reliable sources with large enough followings to consistently debunk falsehoods.

The Spanish-language space has been a bit of a blind spot for researchers for awhile now," said Bret Schafer, a disinformation expert at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, which works to combat online efforts to weaken democratic institutions. "This field exploded after 2016 and, the vast majority of us who are in it, more of us speak Russian than Spanish.

With the election behind them, the proponents of these campaigns are now trying to spread chaos more broadly, notably by trying to create doubt about vaccines. That push is especially dangerous because Latinos have higher chances of being infected by, hospitalized from and dying of COVID-19 than do whites and African Americans or Asian Americans.

Maria Teresa Kumar, president and CEO of Voto Latino, which works to promote Hispanic voting and political engagement nationwide, has personal experience.

Her mother, Mercedes Vegvary, runs an elderly care facility in Northern California and spent weeks planning to forgo getting vaccinated against COVID-19 because a friend at a gym had showed her a video circulating on social media. In it, a woman wearing a lab coat and claiming to be a pharmacist in El Salvador says in Spanish that such vaccines aren't safe for use in humans.

A video with a similar message appears to have originated in Panama, and another came from the Middle East but had been translated into Spanish. All moved into the U.S. via text chains or internet messaging from people with family and friends in Latin America, Kumar said.

One chain features doctored video of the late, Nobel Prize-winning chemist Kary Mullis purportedly dismissing Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, as a phony who knows nothing about virology. Another shows a crowded street that it claims is full of Italians flaunting social distancing and mask-wearing rules over the hashtag in Spanish #yonomevacuno or I wont be vaccinated.

The vaccine disinformation may revert to more election related falsehoods as the 2022 midterm elections come more clearly into view. Voto Latino and Perez have partnered with the liberal online watchdog group Media Matters for America on a $22 million Latino Anti-Disinformation Lab that will seek to counter online falsehoods about the coronavirus vaccine and upcoming elections.

You dont stop sowing chaos and misinformation in off years, said Restrepo, who was President Barack Obamas former principal advisor on Latin America. You continue the steady drumbeat so that youre building your reach, youre building your capacity youre moving into a space that is amenable to further dis- and misinformation."

Democrats blame misinformation efforts for helping Trump win larger-than-expected shares of Latino support in normally reliably blue areas. But quantifying that is difficult.

Trump won about 35% support from Latino voters, according to VoteCast, an Associated Press survey of the national electorate. That helped him prevail in Florida and Texas, even as he became just the second Republican since 1948 to lose Arizona.

Kumar said that during the presidential race, misinformation in Spanish with Latin American roots would usually first hit Florida and whatever sticks, spills over. By mid-September, narratives had spread to Texas, popping up in Houston, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley, along the U.S.-Mexico border. By the week before the election, much had reached Arizona and New Mexico, she said.

Now researchers will be watching to see if misinformation  especially that meant to discredit COVID-19 vaccines  spreads among congressional districts. That could serve to ultimately discourage Latino turnout in the midterms.

Misinformation may have helped fuel significant gains in Latino support for Trump in some Venezuelan American and Colombian American areas, where voters were especially wary of claims that Biden was soft on socialism.

Biden won Floridas heavily Hispanic, most populous county of Miami-Dade by only 7 percentage points compared with Hillary Clintons about 30-point victory in 2016, and precincts with large Colombian American and Venezuelan American populations were part of the reason why.

Biden prevailed about 25 miles to the north in Weston, Florida, which is part of Broward County and affectionately is known as Westonzuela because of its sizable Venezuelan immigrant population, but saw Trump narrow the gap in some precincts.

In Texas, Trump became the first Republican to carry sparsely populated Zapata County, on the U.S.-Mexico border, in a century and won 41% of the vote in Hidalgo County, the largest in the fast-growing Rio Grande Valley area, in 2020, compared with 28% in 2016.

That bump might be attributable to the heavy concentration of energy and law enforcement jobs in South Texas, and Trumps promises to secure the border and promote fossil fuels. But misinformation also deeply penetrated the area, Perez said.

Evelyn Perez-Verdia a Florida Democratic strategist who has been monitoring disinformation groups in Spanish, said that since the election, those spreading it have been watching the Biden administration daily and building false narratives around current events.

The people who are making it have to understand the sub-cultures and cultures of the community, Perez-Verdia said.

Brazilian Americans, for instance, have gotten manipulated video from a Democratic presidential primary debate when Biden suggested he would raise $20 billion to help Brazil battle Amazon deforestation that makes it sound like Biden is ready to send U.S. troops into that country.

Misinformation has continued at such a furious pace post-election that 20-plus Latino progressive groups drafted a January letter declaring No Mas Lies, Disinformation and White Supremacy that urged Spanish-language radio stations and other outlets in Florida to crack down on spreading it. Perez-Verdia, one of the signees, said afterward that it hasn't dropped off. I consider now that it's actually doubled down.

In response to Russian meddling in the 2016 election, Congress approved $160 million for the State Department to lead efforts across the federal government to identify and counter foreign propaganda. Still, a 2018 report by the Senate Intelligence Committee found that such efforts had only increased following Election Day 2016  a postelection pattern that is consistent with the one experts have tracked in Spanish after 2020's vote.

So far, Congress isn't investigating Spanish-language misinformation to see if its origins spread beyond Latin America.

Was this a deliberate effort to suppress the votes of specific demographic groups? Was this orchestrated and funded by dark money groups or other organized actors?," said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. "These are all legitimate questions.
Few countries exemplify the tragedy of the Arab Spring like Libya. The fall of the 42-year dictatorship of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi brought a decade of anarchy as competing governments, militias and foreign powers struggled to seize control of the oil-rich country. The United States and NATO allies that had backed the anti-Qaddafi uprising with a bombing campaign largely turned their backs after he fell, and past United Nations efforts to forge a government foundered in the chaos.

Today, however, against all odds, Libyans have a chance to clamber out of the mess. A cease-fire of sorts has been holding since October, and a broad-based political forum convened by the United Nations in November managed to appoint a prime minister and a three-member presidential council charged with leading the country to elections this coming December.

The process is fragile, to say the least. The interim prime minister, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, a billionaire who was a close associate of Colonel el-Qaddafi, stands accused of buying the votes that gave him the job. The interim team and the cabinet it proposes need to survive a vote of confidence in a House of Representatives that is also split in two, one side based in Tobruk and the other in Tripoli. The vote is expected to be held on Tuesday, at the earliest.

But if theres to be any chance for peace, the foreign powers that have flooded Libya with weapons, drones and mercenaries  primarily Russia, Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates  must be persuaded to let the political process play out. In theory, a U.N. arms embargo is in force, but according to a still secret U.N. report that has been viewed by The New York Times and other news outlets, weapons are nonetheless arriving by the planeload.
Johnny Milano /Bloomberg

Good news is always welcome, but unexpected good news in the fight against COVID-19 is even sweeter. During this past year as COVID-19 held the United States and the rest of the world hostage, good news has been scarce and usually centered around the development, rollout and distribution of vaccines  but even this bright spot has been exceedingly frustrating.

The unexpected good news delivered by President Joe Biden last week was the historic partnership between pharmaceutical companies Merck and Johnson & Johnson to manufacture the latters COVID-19 vaccine. This will help make it possible to have enough shots for every adult in the country by the end of May. The Biden administration previously set this goal for the end of July.
Police have warned that the activity of 'bottle digging' has rendered a farmer's field in Cheshire 'useless'.

Cheshire Police has appealed for information following the bottle digging incident, which is the act of unearthing historical bottles from old dump sites.

The force said on social media that the damage left by the group of men covered a 'large area' and had left the land 'useless'.

And despite the farmer's best efforts to fill the holes in, and to stop entry to the field, police said the problem was still continuing.

Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team shared photos of the holes left behind, but added they 'don't do the sheer size of it justice.'

"Now this activity quite clearly causes a lot of damage and is normally done in the hours of darkness," the team said on Sunday (7 March).

"On this occasion the suspects had left prior to our arrival.

"Some of the holes that have been dug, you could easily stand in and not be seen, and all together they cover a large area.

"As you can see, the activity does in fact render the field useless.

"We're supporting the local beat officers who are looking at the problem, with trying to identify those involved and prevent further criminal damage from taking place."
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WSJ Editorial Board Suggests Revising Section 230 Protections for Big Tech

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) editorial board came out this week to express support for curtailing broad legal protections for technology companies after one of the newspapers opinion articles was fact-checked by Facebook.

Weve been leery of proposals in Congress to modify Section 230 protections that shield internet platforms from liability. But social-media giants are increasingly adding phony fact checks and removing articles flagged by left-leaning users without explanation, the board wrote in an op-ed title Fact-Checking Facebooks Fact-Checkers.

In short, they are acting like publishers in vetting and stigmatizing the content of reputable publishers. The legal privileges that enable these companies to dominate public discourse need to be debated and perhaps revised.

The op-ed was a response to Facebooks move to flag a WSJ op-ed Well Have Herd Immunity by April published in February and flagged with Missing Context. Independent fact-checkers say this information could mislead people, according to the WSJ board. The article, written by Johns Hopkins surgeon Marty Makary, makes the argument that natural immunity from prior infection is possibly reducing the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic.

The fact-check was conducted by the third-party site Health Feedback, an affiliate of the not-for-profit organization Science Feedback that invites scientists to review and comment on scientific claims in the media. The organization claimed that Makarys piece was misleading because it makes an unsubstantiated claim that the U.S. will have herd immunity by April 2021.

Three scientists analysed the article and estimate its overall scientific credibility to be very low, the organization wrote.

The WSJ board defended Makarys piece, arguing that the surgeon didnt present his opinion as a factual claim and was only making an argument and projection based on studies and other evidence.

But the progressive health clerisy dont like his projection because they worry it could lead to fewer virus restrictions. The horror! the board wrote.

Health Feedbacks fact-checkers disagree with the evidence Dr. Makary cites as well as how he interprets it. Fine. Scientists disagree all the time. Much of conventional health wisdom about red meat, sodium and cardiovascular risk is still fiercely debated.

Scientists often disagree over how to interpret evidence. Debate is how ideas are tested and arguments are refined. But Facebooks fact-checkers are presenting their opinions as fact and seeking to silence other scientists whose views challenge their own.

Facebook didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

The public debate of how information online should be moderated has reached a crescendo in recent months. Progressives have launched campaigns and fact-checking measures to combat misinformation and conspiracy theories from social media, traditional media, and public spaces.

Critics have accused the fact-checking bodies of taking their views as fact, and labeling dissenting views as misinformation under the guise of fact-checks.

Meanwhile, conservatives and others are trying to combat the rise of cancel culture. Many conservatives say their views appear to be the target of greater censorship on social media platforms. This phenomenon, in which an individual is ostracized or canceled from social or professional circles for expressing certain political views, is drawing significant concern among those who have fallen outside the prevailing politically correct views. Those who have been censored or have witnessed the censorship say its a dangerous move for these powerful tech companies to be able to shut down public dissent.

Trump and conservatives have also taken issue with what they say is unbalanced moderation of user content on many social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. During the lead-up to the Nov. 3 election and after the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol, these big tech companies ramped up their policing of content, which saw Trumps account permanently suspended from Twitter and indefinitely banned on Facebook and Instagram.

Section 230 largely exempts online platforms from liability for content posted by their users, although they can be held liable for content that violates anti-sex-trafficking or intellectual property laws.

The law allows companies to block or screen content in good faith if they consider it obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, harassing, or otherwise objectionable. The protections, however, werent intended to apply to services that act more like publishers than online platforms, former Attorney General William Barr said in a speech in May 2020.

Trumps Justice Department previously submitted legislative proposals to Congress that would update the outdated immunity for online platforms under Section 230. The department wanted online platforms to be tough on illicit material while policing user content fairly.

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have expressed an eagerness to modify Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act but for differing reasons. They have yet to reach a consensus on how to reconcile the two sides of this debate.

Meanwhile, the push to remove Section 230 protections has received pushback from technology groups.
A Microsoft logo is seen on an office building in New York City on July 28, 2015. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

More Than 20,000 US Organizations Compromised Through Microsoft Flaw

WASHINGTONMore than 20,000 U.S. organizations have been compromised through a back door installed via recently patched flaws in Microsoft Corp.s email software, a person familiar with the U.S. governments response said on March 5.

The hacking has already reached more places than all of the tainted code downloaded from SolarWinds Corp., the company at the heart of another massive hacking spree uncovered in December.

The latest hack has left channels for remote access spread among credit unions, town governments, and small businesses, according to records from the U.S. investigation.

Tens of thousands of organizations in Asia and Europe are also affected, the records show.

The hacks are continuing despite emergency patches issued by Microsoft.

Microsoft, which had initially said the hacks consisted of limited and targeted attacks, declined to comment on the scale of the problem on March 5, but said it was working with government agencies and security companies to provide help to customers.

It added, impacted customers should contact our support teams for additional help and resources.

One scan of connected devices showed only 10 percent of those vulnerable had installed the patches by March 5, although the number was rising.

Because installing the patch doesnt get rid of the back doors, U.S. officials are racing to figure out how to notify all the victims and guide them in their hunt.

All of those affected appear to run Web versions of email client Outlook and host them on their own machines, instead of relying on cloud providers. That may have spared many of the biggest companies and federal government agencies, the records suggest.

The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency didnt respond to a request for comment.

Earlier on March 5, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that the vulnerabilities found in Microsofts widely used Exchange servers were significant, and could have far-reaching impacts.

Were concerned that there are a large number of victims, Psaki said.

Microsoft and the person working with the U.S. response blamed the initial wave of attacks on a Chinese government-backed actor. A Chinese government spokesman said the country wasnt behind the intrusions.

What started as a controlled attack late last year against a few classic espionage targets grew last month to a widespread campaign. Security officials said that implied that unless China had changed tactics, a second group may have become involved.

More attacks are expected from other hackers as the code used to take control of the mail servers spreads.

The hackers have only used the back doors to reenter and move around the infected networks in a small percentage of cases, probably less than one in 10, the person working with the government said.

A couple hundred guys are exploiting them as fast as they can, stealing data and installing other ways to return later, he said.

The initial avenue of attack was discovered by prominent Taiwanese cyber researcher Cheng-Da Tsai, who said he reported the flaw to Microsoft in January. He said in a blog post that he was investigating whether the information leaked.

He didnt respond to requests for further comment.

By Joseph Menn, Raphael Satter, and Trevor Hunnicutt
Dublin, March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ?"The Top European Stainless & Special Steel Event in 2021" conference has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

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Jurgen Pilarsky, CEO, Cronimet Holding GmbH, Germany

Angel Ramirez, Global Commodity Director - Steel, Tubes & Welding Wire, Faurecia Clean Mobility, Germany

Sheraz Neffati, Executive Director, ICDA - International Chromium Development Association, France

Antonio Marcegaglia, Chairman and CEO, Marcegaglia Specialties S.p.A., Italy

Christoph Pawlowski, Director, Manufacturing Industries - Western Europe, Microsoft, Germany

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Minneapolis Shootings Leave One Dead Ahead of Jury Selection in Trial of Ex-Cop Charged Over George Floyds Death

Multiple shootings in Minneapolis this weekend claimed one life and left others injured, according to multiple reports.

Police said a man was shot and killed near the Minneapolis intersection known as George Floyd Square, where Floyd died in police custody last May, The Associated Press reported.

Minneapolis Police Department spokesman John Elder told the outlet that shortly before 6 p.m. on Saturday, two people had been shot following an argument.

This appeared to be a very directed attack or assault. And were unaware of this being a threat to the community, Elder said, according to the report. They had an argument. And so, it appears that there may have been some previous knowledge of one another.

The victim was transported to an area hospital, where he later succumbed to his wounds. The second shooting victim was not located, Elder said.

Friends identified the victim as 30-year-old Imez Wright, who worked as a team member for Change Inc., a local organization that helps mentor black youth in St. Paul, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

It is a huge loss for our organization, our team, Quinton Bonds, one of Wrights supervisors told the outlet. Our team is like family. We lost a family member.

According to local outlet KSTP, the victim had already been taken to the hospital by the time officers arrived at the scene, with Elder saying the responding officers were met with interference when they got to George Floyd Square, a barricaded area where a memorial to Floyd has been erected.

Activists have treated George Floyd Square as a so-called autonomous zone where police are not always welcome, according to local media.

Another person was shot shortly before 11 p.m. on Saturday, with police saying the man suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital, according to CBSN Minnesota.

The shootings took place less than 48 hours before jury selection was set to begin Monday in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer charged in Floyds death. Chauvin was fired and criminally charged after a bystander video showed him restraining Floyd with a knee to the neck.

Jury selection, which local outlets reported has been delayed until at least Tuesday, is expected to take at least three weeks, as prosecutors and defense attorneys try to weed out people for bias.

Chauvins attorney, Eric Nelson, has argued that pretrial publicity and the subsequent violent unrest in Minneapolis would make it impossible to find an impartial jury in Hennepin County.

Judge Peter Cahill said last year that moving the trial probably wouldnt cure the problem of a potentially tainted jury pool, however, because no corner of the state of Minnesota has been shielded from pretrial publicity.

Update: This article has been updated with recent reporting on the postponement of jury selection.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrives for a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sept. 8, 2020. (Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters)

Xis Political Moves Aimed at CCPs Party Congress Next Year: Experts

Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinpings recent political moves may reveal his ambition to become the totalitarian leader of China for three consecutive terms, or even for life, experts say.

Members of the Chinese regimes Central Committee, Politburo, and Politburo Standing Committee may be replaced at the 20th National Party Congress, to be held next year. Xi could also be reappointed by Party members for a third term.

Xi previously amended Chinas constitution to remove the previous limit of two consecutive terms for the chairman, and he is now seeking to eliminate obstacles to a possible third term, according to experts.

3 Major Political Moves

On March 1, Xi gave a speech at a training class for young and middle-aged cadres at the Central Party School of the CCP in Beijing. It was widely reported by all major Chinese state-run media and is now required study material for all Party members.

Xis short talk focused on struggle, mentioning the word 14 times and emphasizing that struggle is the essence of the CCP. He asked young CCP officials to dare to fight and be good at fighting.

He also demanded that the officials must be loyal to the Party, must be wholehearted and consistent.

On Feb. 24, the CCP History Study and Education Leading Group issued a notice to study a speech by Xi at a Party history conference a few days earlier, requesting all CCP members integrate their thoughts and actions into the spirit of Xis speech, and to achieve two safeguarding, which aims at preserving Xi as the core of the CCP.

Soldiers of the Peoples Liberation Armys Honor Guard Battalion wear protective masks as they stand at attention in front of a photo of Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping at their barracks outside the Forbidden City, near Tiananmen Square, in Beijing, on May 20, 2020. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

On Feb. 20, CCP authorities held an unusually high-profile symposium on the 100th anniversary of Hua Guofengs birth in Beijing. Hua, who was the short-term successor to Mao Zedong as the CCPs leader from 1976 to 1978, was removed and replaced by Deng Xiaoping, who overturned Maos hardcore communist policies and started the reform and open up movement.

High-ranking CCP officials, including two members of the CCPs Politburo Standing Committee and three Politburo members, attended the meeting. In his speech, Standing Committee member Wang Huning, who is Xis top adviser, spoke highly of Hua, saying that he was loyal to the Party. Wang cited Maos comments on Hua as telling the truth and called Mao an honest man, while praising Hua for being the presiding officer who overthrew the Gang of Four.

The Gang of Four were four major CCP leaders, including Maos wife, who enacted the violent Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976 that caused the deaths of tens of millions of people.

Aim of Xis Political Moves

Xis three major actions were all about maintaining Xi as the core of the CCP and paving the way for his continued power at the 20th National Congress in 2022, U.S.-based current affairs commentator Li Yilin told The Epoch Times. Li said that when Xi emphasized loyal to the Party, it meant loyal to Xi himself.

He requires CCP officials to be good at fighting, indicating that the CCPs high-level power struggle is extremely fierce, and he must train those young Party members to fight for him, to struggle for him, Li said.

Li Hengqing, a scholar at the Washington Institute for Information and Strategy in the United States, told The Epoch Times that it is a life and death battle for Xi Jinping.

Either he may be able to achieve his dictator-for-life status, or it may be his Battle of Waterloo,' Li said, adding that Xis political achievements are few, and his means of ensuring that the Party supports him rely on his anti-corruption campaign to suppress a large number of Party members who oppose him and to deter his rivals.

A video clip of Chinese leader Xi Jinping is seen on the outside of a police patrol station in Beijing on Nov. 2, 2020. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

Xis initiative of learning the CCPs history actually expresses a need to control the narrative of the Partys history, eliminate different voices, and unite the Party around Xi Thought, consolidating his position as sole leader, according to Hu Ping, a political commentator and honorary editor-in-chief of U.S.-based popular Chinese-language political magazine Beijing Spring, told VOA on March 4.

Wang Juntao, U.S.-based chairman of the China Democracy Party, told VOA that this campaign-style education on CCP history is ideological brainwashing.

After the previous period of power struggle, now Xi has begun to unify their thinking. Its just like what Mao Zedong did to establish his dictatorship. Mao first launched a series of power struggles in Yanan, and then started the Yanan Rectification movement to brainwash them with his ideas, Wang said.

Wang says the Xi regime may have staged the high-profile commemoration of Hua out of Xis desire to reinterpret some of the events in CCP history for his own use. The ideological education and rectification movements may actually be related to a large-scale purge that hes planning, according to Wang.

Zhang Dun contributed to this report.
The Mission Bay headquarters complex leased by Dropbox is being sold for $1.08 billion, the second-highest price in San Francisco history for a single property.

Owner Kilroy Realty said Monday it has agreed to sell the 750,000-square-foot property for around $1,440 per square foot, the highest price per square foot in city history. The four-building complex at 1800 Owens St. is branded as the Exchange.

The deal would eclipse all previous transactions aside from Boston Properties $1.2 billion purchase in 1998 of Embarcadero Center, which is about four times the size of the Exchange. It is expected to close at the end of this month.

Kilroy Realty declined to name the buyer. A source with knowledge of the deal who wasnt authorized to speak publicly said it was KKR, the private equity giant. KKR declined to comment.

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted San Franciscos real estate boom, with almost no major leases signed last year and numerous companies including Dropbox adopting a permanent remote work policy. But the Exchange remains appealing to tenants, including in the growing biotech sector, because it can be configured as lab space. After Dropbox listed around half of the building for sublease, Vir Biotechnology took 133,896 square feet late last year.

This transaction demonstrates that quality assets in quality locations remain highly attractive to buyers and in this case generated a record price, said John Kilroy, CEO of Kilroy Realty, in a statement.

Kilroy spent around $585 million building the Exchange and leased all of the office space to Dropbox in 2017, in what was the citys biggest lease at the time. Facebooks lease for all of Park Tower in the Transbay district set a new record in 2018.

The Exchange sale follows the $650 million sale of the Transamerica Pyramid during the pandemic and a roughly $420 million deal last week for Uptown Station in Oakland, which is leased by Square.

This is a resounding sign that people are still excited to be a part of San Francisco and its future, Mayor London Breed said in a statement.

Interactive Vaccine Tracker: Latest developments Detailed information about the coronavirus vaccines as it becomes available.

The sale will be a windfall for the city, generating $64.8 million in real estate transfer taxes. The tax bill is twice as high as it would have been in 2020, after voters passed Proposition I in November to double the transfer tax on sales over $25 million to 6% starting this year. Kilroy gave $225,000 to oppose the measure.

The Exchanges annual property tax bill assessed at around 1.2% will also increase to almost $13 million. It was assessed at $789 milllion in 2019, generating almost $9.5 million, and making it the ninth most valuable property in the Bay Area.

KKR is one of the largest U.S. private equity firms with net income of $1.94 billion last year. It has invested in hundreds of companies and owns the San Francisco fitness operator Bay Club. Its tech investments include Lyft and TikTok app maker ByteDance.

Kilroy is one of the largest landlords on the West Coast and owns buildings leased by tech companies including Adobe, Salesforce and Netflix. Stripe is moving out of San Francisco into Kilroys Oyster Point project in South San Francisco, which also includes biotech space.

Roland Li is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf
Conservative commentator Candace Owens took to Twitter on Sunday to mock liberals who think Trump fans are a 'non-stop threat' to Washington DC - calling them 'BlueAnon' believers - and hit out at 'Moaning Markle' before her Oprah interview.

'If you believe: DC is under military occupation because there are non-stop threats from Trump supporters, Joe Biden is the most popular American President of all time. Russia, Russia, Russia. You might be #BlueAnon,' Owens tweeted.

The term BlueAnon plays on QAnon, the wacky alt-right conspiracy theory that claims Satan-worshipping, cannibalistic pedophiles in the 'deep state' plotted against Donald Trump and falsely predicted he would become president again.

Candace Owens took to Twitter on Sunday to mock liberals who think Trump fans are a 'non-stop threat' to Washington DC

Owens also criticized liberals who think 'Joe Biden is the most popular American President of all time'

Trump supporter Jack Posobiec, known for promoting false conspiracy theories such as 'Pizzagate,' celebrated when the term BlueAnon was added to Urban Dictionary - a crowdsourced site that defines slang words and phrases and usually used by the parents of Millennials and Gen Z to understand them.

'Ladies and gentlemen, we did it,' Posobiec posted on Twitter with a screenshot of the entry, which has since been removed from Urban Dictionary.

Owens has posted her own share of false and misleading information such as that the 2020 election was a 'sham' and Donald Trump beat Biden.

'Whats everyone planning for the our upcoming one year anniversary of two weeks to flatten the curve"?' Owens also posted on Sunday.

'Liberals. They really do fall for anything. Its kinda sweet.'

Owens, a conservative commentator, has previously spread her own inaccurate claims such as that the election was a 'sham' and Donald Trump beat Biden in the election

Conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec tweeted 'we did it' after BlueAnon was added to Urban Dictionary - which has since deleted the entry

Earlier in the day, Owens criticized Meghan Markle while responding to former The Apprentice contestant Bethenny Frankel who ahd tweeted her own criticism ahead of the Sussexes interview with Oprah.

Frankel had said: 'Cry me a river ... the plight of being a game show host, fairly unknown actress, to suffering in a palace, with tiaras and seven-figure weddings for TWO WHOLE YEARS to being a household name with Oprah on speed dial, fetching 7m for interviews, hundreds of millions in media deals.'

Owens responded: 'Couldnt agree more. Moaning Markle needs to stop playing the part of victim. Shes remains an unconvincing, d-list actress.'

Candace Owens, 31, sent out a series of Tweets on Sunday mocking liberals as 'BlueAnon' and criticizing 'Moaning Markle' ahead of her interview with Oprah

The right-wing blogger had also slammed the Suits actress on Saturday while mocking Chrissy Teigen for her miscarriage.

'LOL to Chrissy Teigen claiming that public scrutiny is going to cause to Meghan Markle to have a miscarriage,' Owens wrote.

'Meghan set up an interview, while pregnant, with the worlds most reknown (sic) talk show host of all time because she WANTED maximum publicity.'

She added: 'Typical Hollywood narcissist.'
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Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis cop accused of killing George Floyd, appeared in court Monday morning, but a judge delayed his case to consider adding an extra charge.

County District Judge Peter Cahill ruled that jury selection would start on Tuesday after he had considered whether to add third-degree murder to the charges Chauvin faces.

Currently, Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Appeals court judges ruled Friday that the judge must consider reinstating a third-degree murder charge, which carries a maximum 25 years sentence, that he dismissed last fall.

Prosecutors are fearful that Chauvin will escape conviction for second-degree murder, that carries a maximum 40 year sentence, and will instead only be convicted of second-degree manslaughter, which carries a ten year maximum sentence. State's guidelines recommend 12 years for a conviction on the murder charge and just four years for manslaughter.

The second-degree murder charge requires prosecutors to prove Chauvin caused Floyds death while committing or trying to commit a felony. They will argue he committed third-degree assault. The manslaughter charge simply requires proof that Chauvin caused Floyds death through negligence.

Chauvins attorney, Eric Nelson, will argue that Floyd most likely died from taking fentanyl and underlying health conditions.

Chauvin, as a police officer, is authorized to use force and experts say it may be hard for prosecutors to prove that he committed an offense that is necessary for the second-degree murder charge.

The third degree murder charge could be simpler for prosecutors to prove because they dont need to show that he committed assault  instead they must show his actions were reckless and without regard for human life.

The second degree manslaughter count alleges Chauvin took a risk that a reasonable person would have known could cause death. But his lawyer is expected to argue that Chauvin used the same hold in the past with no problems.

Jury selection begins Monday in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter in the May 25 death of George Floyd. Chauvin is seen in court on Monday morning in Minneapolis

Chauvin looked on as Judge Peter Cahill (pictured) ruled that jury selection would start as scheduled on Monday after prosecutors sought to reinstate a third-degree murder charge against the former police officer

Protesters carrying a fake casket take a knee and raise their fists during a silent march in memory of George Floyd on Sunday

Minneapolis' downtown area is being turned into a fortress as the city braces for the commencement of Chauvin's trial. The image above shows members of the National Guard standing behind a barbed wire fence perimeter surrounding Hennepin County Government Center early on Monday morning in Minneapolis

How will the jury in the trial of Derek Chauvin be picked? In Minnesota - as in the rest of the United States - jurors are selected from a pool of eligible citizens whose identities are gleaned from state lists of licensed drivers and other ID holders. A US citizen who is 18 years of age or older and is able to communicate in English is called at random to serve on a jury in their home county. If a prospective juror receives a summons, they are then put through a process known in the legal profession as voir dire in which prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges choose whether to empanel them onto the jury. If either the prosecution or defense suspects a potential juror is biased, they can ask the judge to dismiss the juror. The prosecution is permitted to dismiss nine potential jurors without giving a reason while the defense team is allowed to object to 15 without giving any reason. Both sides can dismiss an unlimited number of potential jurors so long as they provide an explanation as to why they are unfit to serve. Once 16 jurors have been approved by all sides, the jury can be empaneled. Each potential juror is required to fill out a 16-page questionnaire about the case. The questionnaire requires potential jurors to answer questions that include: How many times did you see the video of George Floyds death? Did you participate in marches against police brutality and, if so, did you carry a sign? What are your views of the group Blue Lives Matter (the movement supporting police) - favorable or unfavorable? Do you believe our criminal justice system works? The answer that potential jurors give will impact whether the defense or the prosecution deems them fit to sit on the jury. After the jury is picked, they will be sequestered during the proceedings and be escorted to the courthouse every day. Jury selection is expected to wrap up by March 29, when opening arguments are scheduled to be made. Advertisement

Initially, Cahill decided that jury selection would proceed as usual on Monday morning, but after a brief recess he sent the prospective jurors home, asking them to return on Tuesday morning.

Some 2,000 National Guard soldiers have been deployed in Minneapolis and the area surrounding the courthouse is on virtual lockdown early on Monday morning as the highly anticipated court proceedings get underway.

The fate of the former Minneapolis police officer will be decided by 12 Hennepin County residents picked after extensive grilling about their views on police and the justice system.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Friday said Cahill should have followed the precedent set by the appeals court last month when it affirmed the third-degree murder conviction of former officer Mohamed Noor in the 2017 shooting death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond.

The unarmed Australian woman had called 911 to report a possible sexual assault.

The appeals court sent the case back to Cahill for a ruling consistent with its ruling in the Noor case, giving the judge some leeway to consider other arguments that the defense might make against reinstating the charge.

'This court's precedential opinion in Noor became binding authority on the date it was filed. The district court therefore erred by concluding that it was not bound by the principles of law set forth in Noor and by denying the state's motion to reinstate the charge of third-degree murder on that basis,' the appeals court wrote.

A reinstated third-degree murder count could increase the prosecutions odds of getting a murder conviction.

Jury selection, which is expected to be a drawn-out process lasting up to a month, begins Tuesday.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys will have to agree on a panel of jurors who are impartial - a difficult task given the publicity surrounding the case - so as to allow Chauvin to have a fair trial as is guaranteed to all Americans under the Constitution.

The start of the highly anticipated trial comes against the backdrop of a city on edge.

On the eve of Chauvin's trial, thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Minneapolis on Sunday.

The protesters followed behind a replica coffin covered in red roses as chants of 'No Justice, No Peace' rang through the city where Chauvin pressed his knee into the neck of Floyd for nearly nine minutes as he gasped for breath and pleaded for relief during an arrest on May 25, 2020.

Many protesters Sunday said they worry that Chauvin will walk free, but warned that this would not come without consequences.

'I hope that our legal system allows all evidence to be presented and that we get a conviction, but I don't expect it,' Billie Jean Vanknight, a 43-year-old Black woman, told AFP.

'If he walks free, I want even more people on the streets,' she added, saying his acquittal would have to serve as a 'wake-up call' and advocating non-violent responses.

'I hope to get to justice, but I don't know what to expect,' said Allie Jacox, 36.

'People are afraid of changes,' said Jacox, who is African-American.

Minneapolis police on Saturday night were searching for a gunman involved in a fatal shooting of a man in his 30s near George Floyd Square - an intersection that was converted into a makeshift memorial for the slain black man.

A spokesperson for Minneapolis police told USA TODAY on Sunday that police were alerted of the shooting at around 5:45pm local time on Saturday.

According to police, the victim of the shooting was in the autonomous zone that lies at the edge of the intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue.

Police arrived at the scene and were met with some interference, according to a spokesperson.

The victim, a man in his 30s, is believed to have gotten into an argument with the suspect, police said. After the shooting, the victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

DESPITE GEORGE FLOYD VIDEO, DEREK CHAUVIN'S CONVICTION IS NO SLAM DUNK, LEGAL EXPERTS SAY Derek Chauvin, 46, faces the prospect of decades in prison if he is convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter Jury selection begins Tuesday in Derek Chauvins trial, which is expected to come down to two key questions: Did Chauvins actions cause Floyds death, and were his actions reasonable? 'It's hard not to watch the video and conclude that the prosecutors will not have any trouble with this case,' said Susan Gaertner, the former head prosecutor in neighboring Ramsey County. 'But it's not that simple.' Floyd died May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee against Floyd's neck for about nine minutes, holding his position even after Floyd went limp as he was handcuffed and lying on his stomach. Floyds death sparked sometimes violent protests in Minneapolis and beyond, and led to a nationwide reckoning on race. Chauvin is charged with second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter, and a panel of appeals court judges ruled Friday that the judge must consider reinstating a third-degree murder charge that he dismissed last fall. Three other officers, all of whom also were fired, face trial in August on charges of aiding and abetting the second-degree murder and manslaughter counts. The second-degree murder charge requires prosecutors to prove Chauvin caused Floyds death while committing or trying to commit a felony  in this case, third-degree assault. The manslaughter charge has a lower bar, requiring proof that Chauvin caused Floyds death through negligence that created an unreasonable risk, and consciously took the chance of causing severe injury or death. Exactly how Floyd died is shaping up as a major flashpoint of the trial. Chauvin's attorney, Eric Nelson, argues in court documents that Floyd likely died from fentanyl he consumed, or a combination of fentanyl, methamphetamine and underlying health conditions  not as a result of Chauvins knee on his neck. Chauvin's attorney will argue that his client's actions didn't cause the death of George Floyd But Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill wrote last fall that for the second-degree murder charge, prosecutors don't have to prove that Chauvin was the sole cause of Floyd's death  only that his conduct was a 'substantial causal factor.' Still, defense attorneys who arent connected to the case say all Nelson has to do is raise reasonable doubt in a single jurors mind. 'Although he had him pinned under his knee and he's yelling "I can't breathe! I can't breathe!" there's an argument that (Chauvin) wasn't exerting pressure and his inability to breathe was due to the drugs in his system or something to that effect, or his anxiety,' said F. Clayton Tyler, a prominent local defense attorney. Defense attorneys say it also may not be easy to establish that Chauvin was committing the felony of assault  as required for the second-degree murder charge in this case. That's because Chauvin is authorized to use force as a police officer, and his attorneys will argue that his use of force against Floyd was reasonable. Gaertner said the defense will face a challenge of trying to move the jury's focus off of the video and the strong emotion it generates. They'll instead try to focus on the medical evidence and Floyd's underlying conditions while trying to portray the circumstances of the arrest as 'justifiable consistent with police norms,' she said. Brandt and Tyler said Chauvin will likely have to take the stand to explain why he felt he had to hold Floyd down for so long. Brandt said he'll likely say he followed his training, and that it was necessary because his experience with other suspects under the influence of drugs shows that things can suddenly become erratic and dangerous. Prosecutors, however, have submitted a list of previous instances in which Chauvin used chokeholds or similar restraints on the job. Cahill ruled they can admit only one as evidence: a 2017 arrest in which Chauvin restrained a female by placing his knee on her neck while she was prone on the ground. Cahill also ruled that prosecutors can tell jurors about a 2015 incident in which Chauvin saw other officers place a suicidal, intoxicated male in a side-recovery position after using a stun gun on him. Cahill said prosecutors can introduce that if they can show Chauvin was present when a medical professional said that the male could have died if officers had prolonged the detention. Brandt said telling the jury about those events will allow prosecutors to show that Chauvin knew the proper way to restrain someone and provide relief, and that he has done it in wrong before. Brandt said the third-degree murder charge could be easier for prosecutors to prove if it's reinstated because they wouldnt have to show Chauvin intended to commit assault. Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank wants to impose a third-degree murder charge against Chauvin Instead, they must prove his actions caused Floyd's death, and that they were reckless and without regard for human life. The second-degree manslaughter count alleges Chauvin took a risk that a reasonable person would have known could cause death. To defend against that, Brandt said, Chauvin could argue that he had used the same hold in the past and didn't think it would cause a problem. However, Brandt said 'the whole case' against Chauvin is the video capturing the amount of time he restrained Floyd. 'You hear on the video the passersby, the onlookers saying, "Dude, he can't breathe. Let him up. What are you doing? You are killing him",' Brandt said. 'I mean, it's almost like they are giving a play-by-play.' Tyler said if he were a prosecutor, he'd use a still shot of Chauvin's expressionless face from that video and keep it in view for the jury to see. 'I mean, the look on his face,' Tyler said. 'If I was prosecuting this case, I have to say, I'd have that picture up there. "You want to show indifference? Just look at him".' It is rare for police officers to face criminal charges for police-involved deaths of suspects. Between 2005 and 2014, there have been 10,278 criminal arrests involving 8,495 non-federal sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. Of those, just 110 law enforcement officers have been charged with murder or manslaughter in an on-duty shooting - this despite the fact that around 1,000 people are fatally shot by police annually, according to The Washington Post. Of the 110 officers who were charged, just 42 were convicted, according to the Henry A. Wallace Police Crime Database. Why is it so difficult to bring charges - let alone a conviction - against a police officer involved in the death of a suspect? 'If a civilian is displaying a weapon, its very hard to charge [the police officer] with murder for taking action against that civilian,' Kate Levin, a professor of law at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, said. 'And even if a civilian doesnt have a weapon, it's hard to charge a police officer if [the officer] can credibly say they feared for their life.' Source: FiveThirtyEight, The Associated Press Advertisement

The gunman is then reported to have sped off in a cream-colored Chevrolet Suburban, which was believed to have suffered gunshot damage.

Earlier reports suggested that two people were shot, but no second victim was ever found.

Police said that the suspect in the shooting should be considered armed and dangerous.

Sunday's protest marked the first of many anticipated in the coming weeks at the courthouse, which has been adorned with concrete barriers and barbed-wire fencing.

People hold signs as they march on the first day of jury selection for the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on murder charges in the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis

Demonstrators are seen above marching in Minneapolis on Monday during the first day of Chauvin's murder trial

Hundreds of demonstrators are seen marching by Hennepin County Government Center on Monday

The trial will be conducted under harsh scrutiny from the public. Demonstrators are seen above in Minneapolis on Monday

Demonstrators hold a sign that reads 'This is what community looks like' in Minneapolis on Monday

Two National Guardsmen look on as they stand next to a military vehicle in front of the courthouse in Minneapolis on Monday

Jury selection is scheduled to begin at 9am Eastern Time - or 8am local time in Minneapolis

Local authorities spent about $1million fortifying the area around the courthouse (seen above on Monday)

Two armed National Guardsmen look on just hours before the scheduled start of Derek Chauvin's trial in Minneapolis on Monday

Traffic is rerouted and barricades are put up near the courthouse in Minneapolis on Monday

Picking a jury is expected to take at least three weeks, as prosecutors and defense attorneys try to weed out people who may be biased against them.

'You don't want jurors who are completely blank slates, because that would mean they're not in tune at all with the world,' Susan Gaertner, a former prosecutor, said.

'But what you want is jurors who can set aside opinions that have formed prior to walking into the courtroom and give both sides a fair hearing.'

Floyd was declared dead May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee against Floyd's neck for about nine minutes, holding his position even after Floyd went limp as he was handcuffed and lying on his stomach.

Floyd's death sparked sometimes violent protests in Minneapolis and beyond, and led to a nationwide reckoning on race.

Chauvin and three other officers were fired; the others face an August trial on aiding and abetting charges.

Chauvin's attorney, Eric Nelson, argued that pretrial publicity of the case and the subsequent violent unrest in Minneapolis would make it impossible to find an impartial jury in Hennepin County.

Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Minneapolis on Sunday - the eve of the start of ex-cop Derek Chauvin's trial over the death of George Floyd

The protesters followed behind a replica coffin covered in red roses as chants of 'No Justice, No Peace' rang out

Protesters carried a banner with the words: 'I can't breathe' - the same statement George Floyd made over and over as Chauvin pressed his knee into the black man's neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest on May 25, 2020

Protesters raise their fists and chant during the 'I Can?t Breathe' Silent March for Justice on Sunday in Minneapolis

But Judge Peter Cahill said last year that moving the trial probably wouldn't cure the problem of a potentially tainted jury pool because 'no corner of the State of Minnesota' has been shielded from pretrial publicity.

The potential jurors - who must be at least 18, US citizens and residents of Hennepin County - were sent questionnaires to determine how much they have heard about the case and whether they've formed any opinions.

Crews work to board up a business as demonstrators march in downtown Minneapolis on Sunday

A child places a flower on a fence near a Black Lives Matter placard during Sunday's rally in Minneapolis

Many protesters Sunday said they worry Chauvin will walk free, but warned that this would not come without consequences

People carry a casket covered in roses during a march in honor of George Floyd on Sunday in Minneapolis

Minneapolis has been preparing for unrest surrounding the trial for weeks, calling in up to 2,000 National Guard members and 1,100 other law enforcement officers to patrol the streets. Pictured: Protesters at Sunday's rally

Besides biographical and demographic information, jurors were asked about prior contacts with police, whether they have protested against police brutality and whether they believe the justice system is fair.

Some of the questions get specific, such as how often a potential juror has watched the bystander video of Floyd's arrest, or whether they carried a sign at a protest and what that sign said.

Mike Brandt, a local defense attorney, said prosecutors will likely seek out jurors who have favorable opinions on the Black Lives Matter movement or might have more outrage over Floyd's death, while Chauvin's attorneys would likely favor jurors who support the police.

Unlike typical jury selection proceedings, this jury pool will be questioned one by one instead of in a group.

The judge, defense attorney and prosecutors will all get to ask questions.

The defense can object to up to 15 potential jurors without giving a reason; prosecutors can block up to nine with no reason given.

The other side can object to these so-called peremptory challenges if they believe the sole reason for disqualifying a juror is race or gender.

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'

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

Both sides can also argue to dismiss an unlimited number of jurors 'for cause,' meaning they must provide a reason why they believe that juror shouldn't serve.

Those situations can get into some detailed machinations, Brandt said, and it's up to the judge to decide whether a juror stays or goes.

'Sometimes there is some tortured questioning,' Brandt said.

He said that even if a juror says they have had a negative interaction with the police, or a negative opinion about Black Lives Matter, the key will be trying to find out whether they can put those past experiences or opinions aside and be fair.

'We all walk into these with biases. The question is, can you put those biases aside and be fair in this case,' he said.

Jury selection will end after 14 people are picked - 12 jurors who will deliberate the case and two alternates who won't be part of deliberations unless needed.

The jurors will be escorted to the courthouse daily and sequestered during deliberations.

Their names will be kept confidential until further order of the court.

The number of seats in the courtroom has been limited to maintain social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and seats for jurors have been spaced out.

Like others in the courtroom, jurors will be required to wear masks.

The earliest opening statements will begin is March 29.
 Stories highlight that the west is no longer so wild about the death penalty | Main | Curious spitting over COVID prison data as Sixth Circuit panel ultimately affirms rejection of compasionate release motion 

The title of this post is the title of this short new document from The Sentencing Project, which gets started this way:

In order to strengthen democracy and address significant racial disparities, states must pass reforms establishing universal voting for people impacted by the criminal legal system.

5.2 million people in the United States are currently denied access to the vote because of a felony conviction. The number of people disenfranchised has grown, from 1.2 million in 1976, as a product of mass incarceration and supervision. Of people denied the vote, one in four (1,240,000) are currently incarcerated. While many states have expanded access to the vote for people who have completed their sentences, only DC has joined Maine, Vermont, and Puerto Rico by granting full voting rights to people in prison. In order to strengthen democracy and address significant racial disparities, states must pass reforms establishing universal voting for people impacted by the criminal legal system.

The United States maintains far greater restrictions on voting while in prison than any other democratic country in the world. The Supreme Court of Canada has twice ruled in favor of protecting voting rights for people in prison, stating that the denial of the right to vote on the basis of attributed moral unworthiness is inconsistent with the respect for the dignity of every person that lies at the heart of Canadian democracy. Five years after the fall of Apartheid, the Constitutional Court of South Africa ensured voting rights for people in prison.
On the International Women's Day, over 2,600 women across Big Bazaar outlets in India appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to save the livelihood of over 2,00,000 women working for the Future Group's retail chain, here on Monday.

The 'Women of Big Bazaar SOS (Save Our Sustenance)', serving with the Future Group narrated the plight of women whose jobs are jeopardised -- comprising 10,000 direct employees and another 2,00,000 indirectly earning their livelihood by supplying products to the company's brands.

A total of 2,677 women working in various positions with Future Group from Assam to Rajasthan, Kashmir to Kerala and all other states, have petitioned the PM to "urgently intervene" and save their livelihoods from "certain ruin in the wake of the ongoing crisis precipitated by Amazon".

"Future Retail and Reliance had entered into an arrangement through which Future's retail stores will continue to be operated by Reliance. Reliance has also committed to clear all debts and dues owed by Future Retail to suppliers and vendors," the Group's appeal said.

Owing to the tough times during the pandemic, this deal kindled hopes and confidence for their continued livelihoods, but Amazon has tried to stop this tie-up and consequently the future of the women and their families hangs precariously, implored the women.

Seeking the PM's priority attention, they pointed out how "India's daughters continue to live in fear and under the looming threat of cruel uncertainty to our livelihoods and lives".

They stressed that owing to close family links, leaving the towns where they currently reside was not an option, even if they stopped earning or losing their current sources of livelihood.

"Without our jobs and sources of income, we would be left at the mercy of the cruel world. We shall all suffer deeply, and our families will undergo untold and unimaginable hardships. Just to think of this, shatters our hearts," they appealed.

They said that in the wake of the Amazon-Reliance face-off for control over India's retail, the Future Group's vast and vibrant service and socio-economic ecosystem is under severe duress.

"For women, retail offers the unique advantage of it being the only industry where they are readily employed in blue-collar jobs particularly in smaller towns and cities across the country," they said.

Invoking the PM's philosophy of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' Mission, the Group urged him to "extend to us a little support so that we may live with dignity and be able to provide succour to our families".

The group's members are convinced that if the contentious Amazon interference in the FG-Reliance deal is permitted to proceed, the most severely hit will be the small-town retail women employees and those women of the extended support ecosystem set-ups where the impact of the impediment will be far greater and deeper than can be imagined, said the appeal to PM.
NAIROBI, Kenya, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Azuri Technologies, a pioneer in pay-as-you-go solar home solutions for off-grid Africa, has announced its inaugural Inspiring Women's Awards to celebrate women's empowerment and influence in rural communities.

Based on peer feedback, the 10 most inspirational female staff, including field agents and customer care representatives of the solar company's Kenyan network, have been recognised for their outstanding contributions. The award is part of Azuri's Brighter Lives initiative which works to empower rural women in Sub-Saharan Africa through access to technology, in-depth commercial and technical training and equal opportunities employment.

One of the winners, Dynnah Pesa, said: "I am so grateful to hear that I am inspiring to my peers. I was the first one to begin selling the items in Kakamega and so happy to now be a team leader. I strive to encourage my team so that they can succeed and in turn provide for their families. I am so happy to see that they voted for me. This has given me a push to keep on encouraging my team."

Nominations for the awards included recommendations from agents inspired to join Azuri from seeing female role models in their jobs, team leaders impressed by their colleagues' work ethic and appreciative new-starters looking to celebrate their female mentors.

Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Hon. Charles Keter, said: "On this International Women's day, I would like to offer my congratulations to the winners of the Inspiring Women's Awards. I trust this public recognition will inspire even more women to join the renewable energy industry and support Kenya's transition to clean energy for all."

Jane Marriott, the British High Commissioner, said: "Congratulations to the wonderful women recognised by this award on International Women's Day, a chance to celebrate those women who deserve our recognition and gratitude all year round. Businesses for the future need diverse workforces at their heart, so I'm delighted to see this initiative from Azuri. The UK is proud to support gender equality in Kenya and across the world, which is more vital than ever as we build cleaner, greener societies for future generations."

Simon Bransfield-Garth, CEO of Azuri said: "Brighter Lives was created to encourage full and active participation of women in the Azuri workforce. On this first anniversary of the launch of the program, I am delighted to see the impact that has been achieved and its effect on encouraging more women into the workplace."

Azuri's Brighter Lives initiative was launched in February 2020 and features a program of tailored recruitment, training and mentoring specifically targeting rural women who are largely under-represented in the workplace. The programme is designed to help women build success together, learning from role models and creating powerful bonds to improve business success.

Media contact:

Miriam Hackett

Azuri Technologies Ltd.

[email protected]

+44 (0)1223 420252

For more information, please visit: www.azuri-technologies.com

About Azuri Technologies Ltd.

Azuri Technologies is a leading provider of affordable pay-as-you-go solar home systems to off-grid consumers across Africa. Combining the latest solar innovation and mobile payment technology, Azuri delivers reliable, renewable and distributed power to the millions who have no access to modern powered services. Azuri operates in five key territories; Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda with East Africa Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and West Africa Headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria.

For more information, please visit: www.azuri-technologies.com

SOURCE Azuri Technologies

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(Newser)  A Church of England vicar wants to know more about one of the many revelations in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Oprah interview. The couple disclosed that they were married in a private ceremony in their "backyard" by the Archbishop of Canterbury three days before the official royal wedding in May 2018, but Rev. David Green says they can't have had two legally binding weddings. "Ive no idea what they mean," he said in a tweet Monday, per Fox News. "You cant get married twice. So what was the thing three days before? And if it was a marriage, what on earth are we doing playing at prayer/holy matrimony for cameras."

story continues below

"We called the archbishop and we just said 'look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world but we want our union between us,'" Markle told Winfrey, per the Telegraph. Harry described the private ceremony as "just the three of us," but Green notes that a wedding requires two witnesses, so they would have been one short even if the archbishop, who performed both ceremonies. was counted as a witness. He suggests that either the archbishop misled the couple or the duke and duchess are being dishonest. The archbishop, Justin Welby, has declined to comment. The interview aired in the US Sunday night and will air in Britain Monday. British tabloids have already gone on the attack against the couple. (Read more Duke and Duchess of Sussex stories.)
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder again is facing accusations of wrongdoing.

You can listen online here.

Householder, who is at the center of the bribery scandal involving the nuclear bailout House Bill 6, is now being accused by Secretary of State Frank LaRose of accepting campaign contributions from five different donors in 2019 and 2020 that exceeded per-donor limits. Despite his legal troubles, Householder is still serving in the Ohio legislature, although not as speaker. In Cleveland, a mass vaccination center for the coronavirus will be set up next week in the Wolstein Center on the Cleveland State University campus. And Ohios budget is in better shape than expected.

Hear cleveland.com editor Chris Quinn discuss these stories and more in The Wake Up podcast.

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International Women's Day is being celebrated throughout social media as many have paid tribute to the most important women in their lives.

And Brian Austin Green not only paid tribute to the ladies who are currently in his life but also the ones he has been in romantic entanglements with in the past.

The 47-year-old actor took to his Instagram Story on Monday to share several posts dedicated to the important women in his life including exes Megan Fox, Vanessa Marcil, and Tiffani Amber Theissen.

No hard feelings? Brian Austin Green took to his Instagram Story on Monday to share several posts dedicated to the important women in his life including ex Megan Fox

Gentleman: The 47-year-old actor also honored current girlfriend Sharna Burgess in the social media posts

He also honored his mother Joyce and current girlfriend Sharna Burgess in the social media posts.

Brian shares three children with Fox, 34, and a fourth son with 52-year-old Marcil.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 star shared a snap of himself cuddled up on the beach with ex Megan on their family vacation in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii back in April 2018.

Better days: Brian and Megan, 34, (seen together in December 2019) have been married since 2010 and are the proud parents of three sons - Noah, eight, Bodhi, seven, and Journey, four

New beau: In May of 2020, Megan was seen out with rapper Machine Gun Kelly as days later Brian announced on his podcast that Megan had left him. She officially filed for divorce in November

Brian and Megan have been married since 2010 and are the proud parents of three sons - Noah, eight, Bodhi, seven, and Journey, four.

Megan filed for divorce from Brian in 2015 citing irreconcilable differences, but she was back with him and pregnant with Journey the following year.

Three years after they got back together, Megan took the legal step of filing to dismiss the divorce petition in April 2019.

Blended family: Brian was with Beverly Hills, 90210 castmate Vanessa Marcil from 1999 to 2003 as they share an 18-year-old son named Kassius Lijah Marcil-Green together (pictured in June 2001)

Lots of love: He also shared a tribute to Tiffani Amber Thiesen, now 47, whom he dated from 1992 and 1995 who also starred on the drama series

In May of 2020, Megan was seen out with rapper Machine Gun Kelly as days later Brian announced on his podcast that Megan had left him. She officially filed for divorce in November.

Brian was with Beverly Hills, 90210 castmate Vanessa Marcil from 1999 to 2003 as they share an 18-year-old son named Kassius Lijah Marcil-Green together.

He also shared a tribute to Tiffani Amber Thiesen, now 47, whom he dated from 1992 and 1995 who also starred on the drama series.

Sweet: He also paid tribute to his mother Joyce

One notable absence from the tributes who also happened to star in Bevely Hills, 90210 was Tori Spelling whom he dated from 1990 to 1991.

However the last tribute Brian paid was to his latest ladylove, Dancing With The Stars pro Sharna Burgess, as he shared a sweet snap of them kissing on a recent vacation in Hawaii.

The two have been romantically linked since December as 35-year-old Sharna went public with their relationship the next month in January.
Christian Student Sues Georgia College for Restricting Right to Preach on Campus

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A Christian student is suing a college in Georgia for allegedly violating his free speech rights by severely limiting his preaching on campus.

Chike Uzuegbunam filed a complaint on Monday against officials with Georgia Gwinnett College in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division.

In the complaint, Uzuegbunam took issue with GGC's "Freedom of Expression Policy," which the suit says "restricts all types of student speech to two small speech zones that occupy less than 0.0015 percent of campus."

"To use these speech zones, students must submit a 'free speech area request' form three days in advance and submit any publicity materials and literature they want to distribute to administrators for review," read the suit.

"If students want to speak  whether through oral or written communication  anywhere else on campus, then they must obtain a permit from college officials. Thus, students may not speak spontaneously anywhere on campus. If students violate this policy, they ... expose themselves to a variety of sanctions, including expulsion."

Uzuegbunam is being represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative law firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

ADF Legal Counsel Travis Barham said in a statement released Tuesday that the suit was a matter of First Amendment rights.

"Every public school  and especially a state college that is supposed to be the 'marketplace of ideas'  has the duty to protect and promote those freedoms," said Barham.

"Students don't check their constitutionally protected free speech at the campus gate. While touting commitments to 'diversity' and 'open communications,' Georgia Gwinnett College confines the speech of students to two ridiculously small speech zones and then censors the speech that occurs in those areas."

This is not the first time that people have expressed objections to the free speech policies of GGC. In 2012, the nonpartisan Foundation for Individual Rights in Education released a memorandum outlining their issues with the school's policies.

"As a public college, Georgia Gwinnett College is legally bound by the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech. Protecting students' right to free speech is essential to the ability of GGC to fulfill its mission as a quintessential 'marketplace of ideas,'" stated FIRE in the memorandum.

"Yet in contravention of these principles, GGC currently maintains seven policies restricting students' expressive rights in violation of the First Amendment."

The policies FIRE objected to include the limited free speech zone at the center of the ADF suit, a "verbal abuse" ban, a "dignity and respect" mandate, a housing policy on "Acts of Intolerance," and three other harassment policies FIRE labeled "problematic."

Neither Georgia Gwinnett College nor the Alliance Defending Freedom returned comment to The Christian Post by press time.
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Critics Say House-Passed George Floyd Act Hobbles Police, Exposes Them to New Dangers

When Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) claimed during the March 3 debate in the House of Representatives on H.R. 1280, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, that there is no defunding the police in the measure, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) responded with a barrage of data.

The gentle lady just said there is no defunding of the police, but I would just point out in Democratic-controlled cities around the country: Austin, Texas, $150 million, Baltimore, Maryland, $22 million, Boston, $12 million, Columbus, $23 million, Eureka, California, $1.2 million, Hartford, $2 million, Jordan said.

Continuing, Jordan said Madison, Wisconsin, $2 million, Minneapolis, $8 million, New York, $1 billion, Norman [Okla.], $865,000, Oklahoma City, $1.5 million, Philadelphia, $33 million, Portland, Oregon, $3 million, San Francisco, $120 million, Seattle, $69 million, Washington, D.C., $15 million. Thats what Democrats have done over the last year.

The exchange between the Texas Democrat and Ohio Republican was indicative of one of the most heated debates to date in the 117th Congress.

Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), one of two principal co-sponsors of the measure this year and when an identical version of it was approved by the Democratic House in 2020, said during last weeks debate that a profession where you have the power to kill should be a profession that requires highly trained officers who are accountable. That is what this bill accomplishes.

The current proposal required a mere 10 days to go from introduction on Feb. 21 by Bass and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) to passage in the lower chamber on March 3.

According to the co-sponsors, the measure would if it becomes law mean that for the first time ever federal law would: 1) ban chokeholds; 2) end racial and religious profiling; 3) eliminate qualified immunity for law enforcement; 4) establish national standard for the operation of police departments; 5) mandate data collection on police encounters; 6) reprogram existing funds to invest in transformative community-based policing programs; and 7) streamline federal law to prosecute excessive force and establish independent prosecutors for police investigations.

The House approved the bill on a 219-213 tally, with two Democrats opposing it and no Republican supporting it. Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) was initially scored as voting for the bill, but he claimed he did so by mistake and changed his vote to oppose it.

Approval in the Senate is far from certain as the upper chamber is evenly split between 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans. Its not likely that 10 Republican senators will vote with Democrats to reach the required 60 votes to break a filibuster against the proposal. President Joe Biden will sign the measure if it makes it to his desk.

Following the vote, the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) condemned House passage, saying, it is the exact same bill the House passed on June 25, 2020, which NAPO strongly opposed. There has been no outreach over the past nine months since the bill initially passed the House to address our concerns and the concerns of the larger law enforcement community.

It seems as if this is a political move to check off a box rather than an honest attempt to develop polices to change policing practices for the better in this country.

The group, which represents a national coalition of law enforcement unions and associations, said its main worries about the bill include the practical elimination of qualified immunitythe legal doctrine that protects government officials for personal liability in situations where they acted in good faith, the change of the Graham v Connor legal standard of objective reasonableness for the use of force to only when necessary, and the clear disdain for officer due process, which runs throughout the bill.

These provisions are incredibly concerning taken together as they remove any legal protections for officers, while making it easier to prosecute them for mistakes on the job, not just criminal acts.

Asked if H.R. 1280 would defund the police, Zack Smith, Legal Fellow in the Heritage Foundations Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, told The Epoch Times Monday that it would certainly make their jobs more difficult or dangerous, and it seems to have a lot of unfunded mandates it is imposing on the police.

The unfunded mandates when you combine that with the other things that it does, like restricting the transfer of military equipment to police that a lot of departments rely on for things like their SWAT teams, I can certainly envision a strain on a lot of departments budgets.

Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), whose father and brother are in law enforcement, told The Epoch Times Monday he is especially concerned that nobody will want to enter the profession if qualified immunity is removed.

Youre not going to find a law enforcement officer, even people who are in now, that are going to be willing to say okay, I want to protect the country, given everything thats going on, and then put my family, my property, my livelihood at risk if I make a decision thats within my training protocol, and somebody gets hurt and they sue me personally.

Steube also noted that Members of Congress who voted to remove qualified immunity protection from law enforcement will continue to have it for themselves in their work.
LOS ANGELES, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Native Americans Matter, an indigenous and tribal communities' rights organization, announce their release last Friday of an Open Letter addressed to French model Jeanne Cadieu regarding what they feel is deeply disturbing behavior in offense to their culture. Calls for Cadieu to apologize erupted on social media last year in backlash and have been ongoing. As of this writing, Cadieu has made no attempt to acknowledge the uproar or show any contrition.

The outrage sparked approximately one year ago after video footage surfaced online showing Cadieu dancing at a music festival. A spokesperson for Native Americans Matter commented full rebuke of actions displayed on this video with grave condemnation, saying:

"We face an uphill battle in our fight for equality as indigenous tribes suffer from societal invisibility. We cannot allow the fostering of a new precedent to be set in the diminishment of our ethnicity that opens deep wounds rooted in generations of ancestry. We wrote this letter because had we allowed ourselves to be silenced in this matter, it would make us complicit in our own bonds of oppression. We hope as Native Americans merge with movements such as Black Lives Matter things will finally begin to change, and our people will be recognized as equal and valued members of American society rather than subjects of mockery, disdain, and trivialization. It is a new day where our culture must no longer be subject to derision, silencing, and cultural appropriation from anyone. Native Americans Matter too."

The Open Letter is available for full read and review on the organization's website together with additional documentation. For more on this visit the Native American Matters website at www.nativeamericansmatter.com where the open letter penned to Jeanne Cadieu is also available for full review.

Contact:

Native Americans Matter

James Callahan

541-705-5809

[email protected]

www.nativeamericansmatter.com

SOURCE Native Americans Matter
These words are important concepts featured in China's latest development blueprint  the draft Outline for the 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP) (2021-2025) for Economic and Social Development and Long-Range Objectives through the Year 2035, which is under review at the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

New development paradigm

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to serve and integrate into the country's new development paradigm on Friday.

Joining discussions with fellow lawmakers from the region, he 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.

Green transformation

Inner Mongolia should strive to step up green transformation of key industries and areas, foster cleaner production and accelerate green and low-carbon development, President Xi said, urging efforts to promote the smart and green development of related sectors toward the higher end.

Green development was also a main topic during Xi's discussion with lawmakers from northwest China's Qinghai Province on Sunday. He said Qinghai should prioritize ecological protection, promote high-quality development and create high-quality life for the people, calling on the province to make new achievements in protecting the ecology in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and advancing sustainable development.

Xi encouraged Qinghai to intensify efforts to build a world-class salt lake industrial base and foster an economic system featuring green, low-carbon and circular development.

Qinghai has great responsibilities for China's ecological security and the sustainable development of the nation, he said, urging the province to protect Sanjiangyuan  the "source of three rivers," including the Yangtze, the Yellow and the Lancang rivers.

China has pledge to have carbon dioxide emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

People-centered philosophy

A people-centered philosophy of development has been emphasized in the CPC Central Committee's proposals for formulating the 14th FYP and long-range goals. The country will promote common prosperity for everyone and make sure that its development is for the people and by the people, and its fruits shared by the people.

President Xi reiterated the concept during the panel discussion with deputies from Qinghai, saying that regions across China should adhere to a people-centered philosophy of development and pursue innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development.

He urged the Qinghai provincial government to boost employment and improve public services such as education, social security, healthcare, nursing and housing.

He also called on Inner Mongolia and Qinghai to consolidate achievements in the fight against poverty and advance the strategy of rural vitalization.

At a joint group meeting of national political advisors from the education, medical and health sectors on Saturday, Xi stressed giving "strategic priority" to safeguarding people's health and building a high-quality and balanced basic public education service system.

The meeting was held during the fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body.

Xi commended health workers for "putting up an iron wall" against COVID-19 at a critical time and called for reforming and improving the disease prevention and control system.

High-quality development

On Saturday, President Xi mentioned the word "high-quality" several times during his discussion with the national political advisors.

China's public health protection network should be fortified and efforts should be made to promote the high-quality development of public hospitals, he said, demanding comprehensive healthcare for the people at all stages of life.

On education, he said the country must strive to build a high-quality and balanced basic public education service system. He also called for efforts to train more talents who can contribute to China's high-quality development and high-level self-reliance.

Xi summarized the importance of high-quality development on Sunday, describing it as the theme of China's economic and social development in the 14th FYP period and beyond.

Different regions should find paths of high-quality development suited to their conditions and take concrete actions to improve people's livelihood, he added.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-03-07/China-gears-up-for-people-centered-green-high-quality-development-YrttpZd5pm/index.html

SOURCE CGTN

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Oprah said Harry asked her to make clear it wasn't Queen or Prince Philip

The couple refused to identify person as it would be 'too damaging to them'

Harry asked by relative 'how dark' their baby would be

Harry asked by relative 'how dark' their baby would be

Meghan and Harry sparked an extraordinary guessing game yesterday after accusing an unnamed member of the Royal Family of racism.

In one of the most shocking sections of the Oprah Winfrey interview, the duchess claimed that Harry was asked by a close relative 'how dark' their unborn baby would be.

She added that the unnamed Royal had raised 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'.

The couple refused to identify the person concerned as it would be 'too damaging to them'.

Speaking yesterday after the interview had aired in the US, Miss Winfrey revealed that Harry had asked her to make clear it wasn't the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh  leaving only a handful of people it could be, including the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as the Duchess of Cornwall.

Meghan and Harry accused an unnamed member of the Royal Family of racism during their interview with Oprah Winfrey

Palace insiders reacted with horror at the accusation last night, saying it was deeply unfair to throw around such a damaging accusation, potentially libelling a number of senior royals who are unable to defend themselves.

It was also pointed out that there was no context to the alleged comment, which might shed more light on why it was said. And there appeared to be a contradiction about when it was said, with Meghan saying it was while she was pregnant, while Harry said it had happened before their wedding.

The bombshell claim came as the duchess was asked about why she believed the Royal Family were trying to stop her unborn son being made a prince and prevent him from receiving official security.

Miss Winfrey remarked that Meghan and Harry must have had their own 'suspicions', asking flatly: 'Do you think it's because of his race?'

Meghan said she would answer 'honestly', before going on to claim there were 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'.

Reacting with exaggerated horror, Miss Winfrey asked who said that. Meghan sighed and said there were 'several' conversations about it with Harry.

'About how dark your baby is going to be?' asked Miss Winfrey.

Meghan replied: 'Potentially, and what that would mean or look like.' When pushed to reveal that person's identity, Meghan refused.

Significantly, she revealed that the question was asked during conversations 'family had with him'.

When Harry joined the conversation, Miss Winfrey quickly took up the issue with him, saying Meghan had revealed there was a 'conversation about Archie's skin tone'.

He nodded, clearly uncomfortable, admitted that it was 'awkward' and he was 'a bit shocked', but said he did not want to discuss it further.

The couple refused to identify the person concerned as it would be 'too damaging to them'. Pictured: Prince Charles poses for an official portrait to mark his 70th birthday in 2018 with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis

The claim came as the duchess was asked about why she believed the Royal Family were trying to stop her unborn son being made a prince

The Duchess of Sussex said she would answer 'honestly' before going on to claim there were 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'

Miss Winfrey said yesterday she had been 'shocked' at the alleged comment regarding Archie's skin tone, but although she had tried to ask Harry for more information, both on and off-camera, he had refused to divest more.

However, he told her he wanted it made clear that the person concerned was 'not his grandmother nor his grandfather'.

There was no comment from Buckingham Palace, but Charles's biographer, Jonathan Dimbleby, told BBC Radio 4 he could not believe it would have been the heir to the throne.

'He is someone whose professional personal life has been dedicated to bringing people together, not pulling them apart,' he said. As predicted, race was a defining feature of the interview, threading through much of the interview.

Harry claimed that a 'large part' of the reason he and his family quit the UK was down to racism.

In an extra interview clip, posted on Twitter by US broadcaster CBS yesterday, the couple were asked by Miss Winfrey: 'Did you leave the country because of racism?'

After a pause, Harry admitted it was a 'large part' of their reasoning, before launching an attack on the 'bigoted' press in the UK. The duke said it would have made a 'huge difference' if the Royal Family had acknowledged the couple's concerns.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex outside Windsor Castle on their wedding day in 2018

'There's a lot of people that have seen it for what it was,' he said. 'A lot of people. Like, it's talked about across the world.

'Yet, the very people that don't want to see it or can't see it choose not to see it.'

He said he has tried to 'help them' see what was happening to his wife and warned them that it was 'not going to end well'.

Harry failed to reference his own indiscretions, including dressing up in a Nazi uniform and being filmed as a Sandhurst cadet using offensive and racist language to describe a colleague.

Instead, he obliquely referred to 'doing my own learning', blaming 'the system of which I was brought up in' for his ignorance.

He added: 'One of the most telling parts and the saddest parts, I guess, was over 70 Members of Parliament... came out and called out the colonial undertones of articles and headlines written about Meghan.

'Yet no one from my family ever said anything over those three years. That hurts.'

The duchess claimed the situation was made worse because royal press teams failed to come to their defence and correct inaccurate reports  as they had done for other family members.

r.english@dailymail.co.uk
An expert's claim that Melissa Caddick's shoe should have had more barnacles has fuelled speculation the conwoman could have been alive long after she vanished.

According to an international expert in aquatic forensics Caddick's Asic shoe would have had barnacles and marine growth on it within two weeks of being in the water.

The shoe was found three months after the conwoman's disappearance in November, 400km from her home on Bournda Beach on the NSW South Coast.

A expert in aquatic forensics has said he expected Melissa Caddick's Asic shoe to have more barnacles and marine growth

The shoe, which was found in relatively good condition, will undergo considerable testing to pinpoint exactly how long it remained in the water for.

'If the shoe had been floating that long I would expect barnacles,' Dr Paolo Magni from Murdoch University told The Daily Telegraph.

'November to now is summer time so the water is pretty warm with a lot of plankton, full of little creatures that are extremely active because of the warm water.

'I would have expected something on the shoe  based on my experience.'

Caddick's decomposed foot was found on Bournda Beach on the NSW South Coast in a rare Asics shoe 400km away from her home

Dr Magni said if the shoe had been protected by a plastic bag or submerged in a car, there would be a lesser chance of marine growth appearing on the shoe.

The expert in aquatic forensics said in his experience, barnacles can attach on a shoe in less than 15 days.

New South Wales police are currently compiling a team of experts to analyse the shoe, with their findings to be sent to the Coroner.

'An anthropologist would work on the bones and any flesh, someone like me would work on the shoe, and experts on tides and currents and water temperatures would also have to be consulted,' Dr Magni said.

Pictured: Melissa Caddick and her husband Anthony Koletti before she went missing on November 11

Caddick, 49, vanished the day after corporate watchdog ASIC executed a search warrant at her luxury $6.1million home in Dover Heights in the city's eastern suburbs on November 11.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has said authorities were still unable to say whether she killed herself or if there was foul play involved.

Pictured: NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller

He noted the limited decomposition of the shoe would indicate it had not been out in the ocean for the entire three-month period since she went missing.

'While it's not my area of expertise, if that's the case a possible scenario is that she has been murdered recently or murdered and kept on ice for a while,' he said.

He also raised the outlandish possibility Ms Caddick could have severed her own foot to throw police off the scent - and that she could still be alive.

'There's always a chance she cut her foot off and is still alive, though it's pretty fanciful,' he told 2GB on March 8.

However, the Police Commissioner is satisfied the 49-year-old millionaire is dead.

Mick Fuller said the limited decomposition of the shoe would indicate it had not been out in the ocean for the entire three-month period since the conwoman went missing

'We're still trying to recover funds [for defrauded investors] and that investigation continues. But we haven't closed this case.'

Mr Fuller said many people jumped from the Dover Heights cliffs without their remains washing up several hundred kilometres away.

'[It's not common to see] body parts wash up so far south of Sydney and in such good condition given she went missing on or about November 11,' he said.

'Not to say it can't happen. The coroner will make further determinations.'
The Lincoln Project has found itself mired in a series of scandals, the latest of which involving claims that its founders were seeking to build a billion-dollar media juggernaut and enrich themselves in the process through seven-figure management fees.

According to an in-depth expose published by the New York Times on Monday, the organization that was launched by current and former Republicans to lead the so-called Never Trump movement has fallen victim to vicious in-fighting over multi-million-dollar side deals and sexual harassment allegations involving co-founder John Weaver.

George Conway, one of the group's high-profile co-founders and the husband of Kellyanne Conway, Trump's former senior aide, called for the political action committee that billed itself as a protector of democracy in the age of Donald Trump, to disband after learning of the revelations contained in the Times report.

New revelations allege co-founders of the Lincoln Project were seeking to build a billion-dollar media company while earning millions of dollars in management fees

Co-founder George Conway on Twitter called for the group's disbandment on Monday

'@ProjectLincoln should shut down, absent full disclosure of its finances,' Conway tweeted. 'As this detailed story shows, there's simply too much money that hasn't been accounted for, and, I fear, never will be.'

According to the story, the organization has drawn some $87million in donations from billionaire businessmen, as well as from small-time supporters, of which $27million went to co-founder Reed Galen's consulting firm alone.

The Associated Press previously reported that more than $50million has gone to firms controlled by the groups leaders.

The article contends that a few days before the presidential election in November 2020, Lincoln Project co-founder Steven Schmidt met with other leaders of the organization and outlined for them his vision for the future after Trump's anticipated defeat.

'Five years from now, there will be a dozen billion-dollar media companies that dont exist today,' he told the group, according to two people who were said to be present. 'I would like to build one, and would invite all of you to be part of that.'

The Times reported that in the run-up to the meeting, Schmidt and his three fellow co-founders - Weaver, Reed Galen and Rick Wilson - had already filed paperwork to form TLP Media.

But even long before that, shortly after they launched of the Lincoln Project in 2019, the four original co-founders reportedly had drafted a pact agreeing to pay themselves millions of dollars in management fees - a claim a Lincoln Project spokesperson denied.

Federal records reveal that a consulting firm operated by co-founder Reed Galen (pictured) took $27million of Lincoln Project's $87million fundraising

Federal records cited by The Times reveal that a third of the group's fundraising poured into Galen's firm, Summit Strategic Communications, from which he and the three other co-founders were lavishly paid, although the article does not specify how much, noting that each man had made private financial arrangements not subject to public disclosure.

Spokesman Ryan Wiggins told the Times that Summit was one of the main contractors that performed work for the Lincoln Project, including voter outreach and advertisement placement, and was paid 'in accordance with industry standards.'

At the height of its activity, the group was drawing donations from Democrats and Never Trump Republicans alike. Billionaire investor Stephen Mandel donated $1million in June, and movie mogul David Geffen has contributed $500,000 through his charity foundation over time.

But within the seemingly flourishing and rapidly expanding organization, a crisis was brewing.

In June 2020, members of the organizations leadership were informed in writing and in subsequent phone calls of at least 10 specific allegations of harassment against Weaver, including two involving Lincoln Project employees, according to multiple people with direct knowledge of the situation.

Since January, nearly two dozen young men, including two minors, have come forward to accuse Weaver, 61, who is married to a woman with two children, of sexually harassing them online over the past five years.

Among the accusers was Cole Trickle Miele, who was 14 when he first followed Weaver on Twitter in 2015.

Miele, now 19, said Weaver asked him questions about his body while he was still in High School, before his messages became more pointed after he turned 18.

Co-founder John Weaver is being investigated for allegedly sexually harassing nearly two dozen young men, including two minors

In February, Sarah Lenti, a managing partner at the Lincoln Project who previously served as its executive director, came forward, claiming that several of the PAC's leaders knew about the sexual harassment allegations as early as last March.

The email, phone calls and Lenti's statement raised questions about the Lincoln Projects assertion in January that it was 'shocked' when accusations surfaced publicly.

Multiple sources specifically said Galen and Schmidt were among those who knew about the allegations against Weaver last spring.

Several members of the Lincoln Project, including Schmidt and co-founder Jennifer Horn, have resigned amid the fallout over Weaver.

The organization announced last month that its board had decided to 'retain a best-in-class outside professional' to review Weaver's tenure 'to establish both accountability and best practices going forward for The Lincoln Project.'

The group also encouraged anyone bound by a nondisclosure agreement 'to contact the Lincoln Project for a release.'

Despite the initial warning in June, the group took no action against Weaver and pressed forward with its high-profile work, reported the Associated Press.

There is no evidence that the Lincoln Project buried the allegations against Weaver for business reasons. But taken together, the harassment allegations and new revelations about spending practices raise significant questions about the management of one of the highest-profile antagonists of Trump.

Co-founder Steven Schmidt (left) and Jennifer Horn (right) have resigned over Weaver's case

Schmidt insisted that he and the rest of the groups leadership were not aware of any internal allegations of wrongdoing involving Weaver.

'No Lincoln Project employee, intern, or contractors ever made an allegation of inappropriate communication about John Weaver that would have triggered an investigation by HR or by an outside employment counsel,' Schmidt said in a recent interview. 'In other words, no human being ever made an allegation about any inappropriate sexualized communications about John Weaver ever.'

Weaver declined to comment for this story, but in a statement released in January to Axios he came out as gay and generally acknowledged misconduct and apologized.

'To the men I made uncomfortable through my messages that I viewed as consensual mutual conversations at the time: I am truly sorry,' he wrote. 'They were inappropriate and it was because of my failings that this discomfort was brought on you.'

Sarah Lenti, a managing partner at the Lincoln Project, came forward last month, claiming that several of the PAC's leaders knew about the sexual harassment allegations as early as last March

The Lincoln Project launched in November 2019 as a super PAC that allowed its leaders to raise and spend unlimited sums of money.

Its founders represent a whos who of prominent Republican strategists on cable television, including Schmidt and Reed Galen, both former advisers to John McCain; conservative attorney George Conway; former New Hampshire GOP chair Jennifer Horn; Florida-based veteran political ad maker Rick Wilson; and Weaver, who has long advised former Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Backed by its founders commanding social media presence, the organization quickly attracted a massive following of Trump critics in both parties that exceeded even its own founders expectations.

Since its creation, the Lincoln Project has raised close to $90million. But only about a third of the money, roughly $27million, directly paid for advertisements that aired on broadcast and cable, or appeared online, during the 2020 campaign, according to an analysis of campaign finance disclosures and data from the ad tracking firm Kantar/CMAG.

That leaves tens of millions of dollars that went toward expenses like production costs, overhead  and exorbitant consulting fees collected by members of the group.

'It raises questions about where the rest of the money ultimately went,' said Brendan Fischer, an attorney with the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center in Washington. 'Generally speaking, youd expect to see a major super PAC spend a majority or more of their money on advertisements and thats not what happened here.'

The vast majority of the cash was split among consulting firms controlled by its founders, including about $27million paid to Galen's firm and another $21million paid to a boutique firm run by former Lincoln Project member Ron Steslow, campaign finance disclosures show.

In a statement released last month, the Lincoln Project said they are investigating the claims against Weaver as part of a 'comprehensive review' of the company's operations and culture

But in many cases its difficult to tell how much members of the group were paid. Thats because the Lincoln Project adopted a strategy, much like the Trump campaign they criticized, to mask how much money they earned.

While several firms did collect payments, Weaver and Wilson are not listed in publicly available records. They were likely paid as subcontractors to those firms, an arrangement that avoids disclosure. Schmidt collected a $1.5million payment in December but quickly returned it.

'We fully comply with the law,' Schmidt said. 'The Lincoln Project will be delighted to open its books for audit immediately after the Trump campaign and all affiliated super PACs do so, explaining the cash flow of the nearly $700million that flowed through their organizations controlled by Brad Parscale and Jared Kushner.'

The Lincoln Project parted with Horn, claiming in an unusual public statement that she was seeking a $250,000 signing bonus and a $40,000-a-month consulting contract. Horn said that she left following revelations of Weavers 'grotesque' behavior and divergent views with existing leadership about how to move forward.

Public records reveal that the unexpected success of the Lincoln Project has extended a lifeline to some founders who have spent much of the past decade under financial distress.

Over the past decade, Weaver has repeatedly failed to pay taxes, defaulted on loans and faced lawsuits from creditors seeking to collect. In October, he paid off $313,000 in back taxes owed to the IRS dating back to 2011, records show. A separate case in Texas is still pending over $340,000 back rent his family owes after shuttering a childrens boutique they operated, records show.

Others used the money earned during their time with Lincoln Project to refinance homes, or purchase a new one. Schmidt purchased a $1.4million 'Mountain Modern' custom home in Kamas, Utah, with five bedrooms, seven baths and a 'stunning' view of the Uinta Mountains, according to property records and real estate listings. He is currently trying to resell the home for $2.9million.

But as money flowed into the group, multiple people with direct knowledge said allegations against Weaver were repeatedly raised inside the organization, long before leaders acknowledged them publicly in late January. Those with knowledge spoke on condition of anonymity in order to disclose private communications.

Last June, someone working for the Lincoln Project payroll sent an email to Steslow, one of the organizations co-founders, detailing numerous cases of sexual harassment involving Weaver that spanned several years. While the AP has not seen the email, its contents were confirmed by four people who had directly seen it.

Schmidt did not confirm the existence of the email, saying only that if one existed, it was not shared with anyone on the organizations board or leadership.

But multiple people familiar with the situation say that Steslow immediately raised the email with Galen, who helped manage day-to-day operations at the time, and the Lincoln Projects corporate counsel Matthew Sanderson. Steslow also encouraged his colleagues to remove Weaver from the organization.

Those allegations and others were discussed on subsequent phone calls with organization leaders in June and August, and employees were assured that the alleged incidents would be investigated. Weaver went out on medical leave in August, but as the presidential campaign moved into the summer and fall, there was no formal resolution.

The Washington Blade reported details of another set of internal communications over the summer indicating that Lincoln Project leaders were aware of allegations against Weaver and preparing to respond to media reports.

Only three of the Lincoln Project board's eight co-founders now remain at the organization

The allegations against Weaver followed a similar pattern in which the married father of two would allegedly send private messages to young gay men on Twitter. They often began with references to work before shifting to things like their personal appearance, workout routines and favorite sexual positions, it is alleged.

At least two Lincoln Project employees were reportedly targeted last year, including an intern who was finishing law school, and a communications staffer. There is no allegation of physical contact.

Conway, one of the groups co-founders, said that he had not received anything of value for his Lincoln Project work, and he denied knowledge of last summers internal discussions.

'No one ever told me of these complaints being made to the Lincoln project, and the first I ever heard that Weaver may have done anything questionable were rumors I heard well after the election, and long after I ceased active involvement with the organization,' Conway wrote on Twitter.

The Times' reporting that Conway was among members of the Lincoln Project that reaped no financial benefits from its work.

He stepped away from the Lincoln Prokect in August last year.
Low-interest loans and cash grants targeted directly at tourism-related businesses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic will feature in a sector rescue package to be unveiled by the Morrison government within days.

Ahead of the end of the $90 billion JobKeeper wage subsidy program in three weeks time, the government has almost finalised elements of a special package that will include support for airlines, mum-and-dad tourist service operators and accommodation outlets.

Tourist centres such as Cairns, a jumping off point for the Great Barrier Reef, have suffered heavily due to the coronavirus pandemic. A special assistance package is due to be released within days.

The package, which is being driven by new Tourism Minister Dan Tehan and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, is being pulled together because the sector has so badly affected by the pandemic.

There has been a drop of 41 million domestic passenger airline flights over the past 12 months with tourist operators hard hit by rolling state border closures. The closure of the international border has also affected parts of the country heavily dependent on overseas visitors.
Latest Kellogg interview questions compilation for 2021 intake

The detailed interview debriefs can found at this link http://gmatclub.com/forum/kellogg-191/i ... brief.html

Kellogg Full-time 1-year MBA questions are here https://gmatclub.com/forum/compilation- ... l#p2738944

Kellogg Full-time Evening/Weekend MBA questions are here https://gmatclub.com/forum/compilation- ... l#p2738949

Kellogg Full-time MBA Interview questions

1. Walk me through your resume2. Questions on my choice of education2. Questions on my choice of work4. Questions on my responsibilities at work5. Why MBA? And why now?6. Why Kellogg?7. What is your Plan B?8. Tell me about a time you had to lead a team?9. Anything you want to talk about that we couldn't?10. Any questions for me?(1) Walk me through your upbringing, college, professional experience, Why MBA, and Why Kellogg. > yes, all in one question!(2) What do you consider as your biggest professional achievement?(3) What kind of team member are you?(4) What kind of leader are you? Give me a time when you showcased your leadership style.(5) Is there anything else about Kellogg that convinced you to apply?(6) If I ask one of your Kellogg classmates, what do you think they'd tell me about your strengths?1. Walk me through your various roles, with emphasis on how your has experience changed.2. How has your leadership style evolved?3. Most significant challenged faced at work?4. Why MBA?5. What are your goals post MBA?6. What is your plan B in case you can't achieve your immediate post MBA goals?7. Why Kellogg? What courses would you be interested in? What clubs? What extracurriculars would you want to partake in? (Significant grilling on this part)Walk me through your resume?Typical day at work?What do you enjoy the most at work?Most significant achievement?Your leadership style?Your weaknesses?Tell me about a time you had to deal with diverse perspectives?Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult person at work.Tell me about a time you had to navigate through ambiguity?Tell me about a time you had to pick yourself up and try again?What is the thing you will struggle with while pursuing your MBA?Why MBA?Why Kellogg?Why now?Any questions for me?1. Walk my through your CV2. Two follow-on questions from my CV Walkthrough:3. Tell me about a time when you worked in a diverse team, what you enjoyed, what was challenging4. What is your leadership style5. What are your goals?6. Why MBA7. Why NOW8. Why KelloggWalk me through your resume and the path you took after college (some follow ups)Why MBA?Short and Long term goals follow up questionsTell me about working with a diverse teamHow would others describe you as a leaderTell me about yourself?Short/Long Term Goals?Most significant career achievement?Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership.Tell me about a time youWhy MBA?Why MBA now?Why Kellogg?What if Kellogg/MBA doesn't pan out?What do you think will be most challenging for you at Kellogg?Questions for me?1. Walk me through your resume. Quite a few follow up questions about my previous jobs.2. Walk me through your decision making during company switches3. Talk an example when you demonstrated teamwork4. Talk an example when you demonstrated leadership5. Why Kellogg?6. Why an MBA now?7. Any questions for me?1. Can you take me through your resume, and focus on the transition points between each role?2. What do you like most about your current firm/job? What do you not like?3. Can you tell me about a typical day at your job?4. What would your colleagues say are your 3 major strengths?5. Now on the flipside, what would they say you could improve on?6. Whats your leadership style and what makes you a good leader?7. Can you tell me about your greatest career achievement?8. Can you tell me about a time you worked with a diverse team? What did you learn from it and what were the challenges?9. What do you want to do in your short term?10. What do you want to do in your long term?11. Can you tell me about a time you lead a team to achieve substantial impact?12. Why MBA?13. Why Kellogg?14. What clubs would you want to join at Kellogg?15. What would be your biggest challenge as a student at Kellogg?16. Anything else youd like to mention?17. Any questions for me?-Could you walk me through your resume? A bunch of follow-up questions about my previous work experience. It turns out his wife used to work at my last company. He made me go into detail about my life post my COVID-Lay off.-Why do you want to get an MBA now?-Why Kellogg? Follow-up question: What clubs and activities do you plan to join?-What is your dream post MBA, and how will Kellogg help you achieve it?-What are your immediate goals post, Kellogg? Follow-up: do those companies recruit Kellogg students?-What was your GRE/GMAT score? Why did you get that score?-Please give me an example where you made a mistake.-Please give me an example of a time when you demonstrated leadership.-Any questions for me? I asked him 3-4 questions about the Kellog culture, life as an alum, and what he considers a "successful" student. He barely answered them and then...He said, listen, I will do my best, but frankly, there is not much I can do with what you gave me today. He asked if he could be acid with his comments, and I obviously agreed. For the following 45min, he started lecturing me on how I was not the right candidate for Kellogg:-How I lacked confidence in my untraditional background.-How he hoped my essays were better than my resume.-How He had to study for two years for the GMAT before he got the score he wanted.-How he doesn't care to understand ADHD or dyslexia, but on how she was sure if I made a little bit more of an effort, I could get a higher score and overcome MY disabilities.-He commented on my appearance and said I looked terrific.-He said that my resume did not display my wholeness as a person/applicant.-He recommended that I withdrew my application and retook the GRE/GMAT so that I had a better chance of getting in next year.-How he thought that I should work on my start-ups more before going to business school (bruh, that's why I am trying to go to business school)-He told me that I had wasted my time applying. He said if you want to go to Kellogg, withdraw, give me a call next year, and I can help you with your essays. I hope you will have something more to show by then.-He flexed that out of the 18 applicants he interviews per year, at least seven get in.- Walk me through your resume?- What does your day-to-day work look like?- What do you enjoy the most about your job?- What has been your most significant achievement?- (Leadership) Tell me about a time when you led a team that had people with different opinions. What was rewarding, what was challenging.- (Leadership) How did you overcome those challenges, as a leader.- (Leadership) What would your colleagues on that project say were your strengths as a leader?- (Leadership) What are your other strengths as a leader, in addition to the ones mentioned above? (elaborated on the previous question)- (Leadership) What has been your most significant achievement as a leader?- Tell me about a time when you received constructive feedback.- What are your short-term and long-term goals?- Why MBA?- Why Kellogg?- Why now?- What clubs will you join?- Whats your Plan B? (Answered with a plan B and Plan C which she seemed to have liked)- What has changed since the last time you applied (I was reapplying)?- Is there anything else youd want us to know?- Questions for me (I ask 3 or 4 questions, don't remember exactly.)1. Tell me about your undergrad.2. Tell me about your work history.3. Goals & why MBA/4. What if you don't get your post-MBA goal?5. Why Kellogg?6. Tell me about a time when you worked in teams.7. How would you describe your leadership style?8. Help me understand what you do in your job.9. Anything you want me to discuss (I mentioned 3)10. Any questions for me?- Tell me about yourself- Questions around specific roles in my resume - promos etc.- What does your everyday job look like?- Significant accomplishment at work- Teamwork experience where people in the team were different from you - opportunities and challenges- 3 strengths that your colleagues would attribute to you- 2 weaknesses- What is your leadership style and example of that style- ST and LT goals- Why MBA? Why now?- Why Kellogg?- Apart from professional clubs, what are you interested in?- What do you think will be a challenge for you at Kellogg?- Any questions for the adcom from meRun me through the resume.My role and responsibilities in current job.Best achievement in this job.How would your employees describe you (3 things)?2 areas you think you can improve on on.Short term and long term goalsWhy mba?Why Kellogg?How would you involve yourself at Kellogg?What will be your biggest challenge at Kellogg?Anything else you would you like me to ask you?What would you like to ask me?- Why MBA- Why Kellogg- ST/LT goals1. Tell me about yourself2. Why Kellogg?3. ST/LT goals4. What company do you hope to work for?5. What three words would a colleague use to describe you?6. Follow up on examples for the above.7. Walk me through a challenge that you have come across when working on a team? (Looking back, I think I answered with a personal challenge vs team-based, ugh).8. Questions for me?1. Tell me about yourself2. Reason to leave jobs3. ST/LT Goal4. Why Kellogg5. Strength & weaknesses6. Plan B if plan A cannot be achieved"1) Walk me through your resume, starting with your choice of specialization during undergrad2) What does your current role entail and current team look like?3) If I were to ask your colleagues, what would they say they like about you?4) What is a piece of constructive feedback you've received?5) How has your leadership style evolved from the time you were in undergrad to now? (this was caught me off guard)6) What are your goals and why MBA?7) Why Kellogg?8) How will you get involved within the community?9) What do you like to do outside of your work?10) Is there anything else you'd like me to know?11) Any questions for me?1) Walk me through your resume2) Why MBA3) Why Kellogg4) Goals5) How will you differentiate yourself at Kellogg6) A few specific questions about a previous job I held7) Tell me about a time when you led a team8) How will you contribute at Kellogg9) Which other schools have you applied toSome of the questions (Not sure of the flow):Walk me through your resume?What exactly are your responsibilities in your current role?Can you explain a little more about the project X? (from resume)What do you like most about your work at Firm X?Goals?Why MBA?Why Kellogg?What is the one thing you think youll bring to the Kellogg classroom?What are the three adjectives your friend would use to describe you?Experience you worked with diverse people?What do you think will be your biggest challenge at Kellogg?How does your side venture function without you there?Anything you wished we asked?Any questions?- Tell me about your current role- How do you think you work in teams- Tell me about an instance you worked "different" (as defined by you) people? How did you tackle it? What was the outcome?- What are your Short-term and Long-term Goals?- What kind of a leader are you?- As a leader what has been your great accomplishments- What is one strength as a leader that you will bring to Kellogg- Why an MBA?- Why Kellogg?- Any other interests/activities that your are planning to be a part of at Kellogg- How would you contribute in the classroom compared to others?- What do you think might be the difficult thing for you at Kellogg?- Anything else which we have not touched upon yet that you would like to discuss.- So, do you have any questions for me?1. Walk me through your resume2. Which was your favorite work experience among all the jobs you held3. Best achievement at work?4. The time when you led a team and things did not go well5. Time when you worked with a diverse team6. Tell me about the constructive feedback you have received7. Strengths8. If you could redo, will you choose a different career path?9. What do you think your weakness is in the whole application?10. What type of leader are you?11. How would your colleagues describe you? in three words?12. What's your leadership style?13. Time when you were not a designated team lead but had to lead the team? What were the reasons?14. Why Kellogg?15. Short and long term goals?16. What clubs will you join in Kellogg?17. How do you see yourself contributing to the class?18. Do you want to add anything else?19. Questions for me?Why Kellogg?Why MBA?What are your short/long term career goals?The interviewer was a second year student. It was pretty conversational from the get-go. The questions were also pretty standard.-He commented on the diversity of jobs I've held and asked me to help him understand my thought process behind each of those decisions-one or two behavioural questions: accomplishment you're most proud of, three strengths-Three different questions on leadership style. This was a little perplexing for me because it felt like he wanted me to give a certain specific answer except I wasn't able to figure out what it might have been. Or maybe I over-analysing this.-A little bit on short term goals, though he was kind enough to say that he'd got a sense of what I want to do based on my responses to previous questions-Alternare career- Tell me about your education and then walk me through your resume.- Tell me more about your team and work at your current job.- If I were to ask your team, what are the things they would say about you?- What was your leadership style during your undergraduate and postgraduate, and what is your leadership style now and how do you think it has evolved?- Give me an example of when you took a bold decision as a leader? (This one was a follow-up question from my previous response)- Tell me about a time when you worked with people who were different (she was kind to include that different could be in any sense I wanted to define) than you, and how did it challenge you, and how did you grow from it?Piece of advice: in case you get a question which is made up of sub-questions, please listen well and remember to answer all of those)- What are your short-term and long-term goals, and how will an MBA help you?(I wasn't sure if she expected me to answer "Why Kellogg" along with or not, but either way, I did)- What are the clubs you are interested in at Kellogg?- Is there something I havent asked you that you thought I should have asked?(This one got me a bit by surprise, maybe because I was expecting further probing around my goals and was mentally ready to respond to something along those lines. Anyway, I told her that she hadn't asked me about my weaknesses/areas of improvement, to which she smiled and asked me to go on and elaborate. I'd personally recommend responding with something (you can choose not to self-inflict pain like me and list out your weaknesses) rather than telling the interviewer something like "you were pretty comprehensive" or simply going into a prolonged limbo)- Do you have any questions for me?(Standard advice that goes around is to have three, or at most four questions. Her questions ended around the 45-minute mark, and by the time she answered my first two questions, we were past the 55-minute mark. Since she had been quite elaborate and forthcoming with her responses (including sharing her personal stories from the time when she attended Kellogg), I instead chose to converse more about her responses than asking a third question just for the heck of it.)1. INTRODUCTION (approx. 5-6 mins)-> She didn't really introduce herself but introduced the entire process - how it was a blind interview and how they will proceed.-> Walk me through your Resume/ Tell me about yourself route2. RESUME IN DEPTH - chronological order (approx. 10-12 mins)-> Why under-graduation from University of Delhi ? Why that specific College?-> Why that course ? Why that stream/ Major ?Questions related to both my Work Experiences :-> Describe your role ?-> Why this organization and this Industry ?-> Why a startup after under-graduation ?-> What was the difference in terms of role & responsibilities in the promotions I got? (since I got really quick promotions in both the startups).-> She would occasionally also pick up a few projects I had mentioned and ask Why did I decide to work on that project and What did I exactly do ? How was it leading a team ?3. BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS - following up with my work-ex, but she mentioned that the answers do not need to be limited to my professional experience (approx. 15 mins)-> Tell me about an impact that you made in your surroundings, industry or on people ?-> Tell me about a time you failed?-> Tell me about a time you worked in a team that was truly diverse ? What was the outcome ?-> Tell me about a time in your life when the situation(s) really tested your resilience and how did you overcome it ?-> What's your biggest growth opportunity at this moment ?-> What would you say is your biggest strength ?4. TRADITIONAL QUESTIONS (approx. 7-8 mins):-> Why MBA ? (Since I hadn't encountered a Goals question yet, I started my answer with my LT goals and transitioned to why MBA)-> Why these Long-term Goals ?-> What if these Long-term Goals did not come to force ? What was my Plan B?-> What were my immediate post-MBA goals ?-> Why right now ? (she still wanted to know why now was the best time ?)-> Why Kellogg ?5. Any questions you have for me ?_________________
Meghan Markle today claimed in her interview with Oprah Winfrey that the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry before she married Prince Harry.

But the Duchess of Sussex also insisted that she has now forgiven Kate Middleton and said she bought her flowers to apologise about the incident.

The infamous row with Prince William's wife made headlines around the world after a supposed falling out over dresses for the flower girls.

Reports of the clash between the duchesses first emerged in November 2018, when sources claimed Meghan had been left displeased with the 'stressful' fitting.

Accounts differ as to whether the cause of the row was a disagreement on whether the bridesmaids should wear tights - Meghan reportedly believed they should not - or whether it stemmed from Princess Charlotte's dress not fitting.

A source said at the time: 'Kate had only just given birth to her third child, Prince Louis, and was feeling quite emotional.'

Meghan was also asked about a memorable joint-outing to Wimbledon, where the pair put on a united front and were pictured laughing together.

During the interview she appeared to cast doubt on the authenticity of that seemingly affable appearance, saying: 'Nothing is what it looks like'.

The Duchess of Cambridge with Princess Charlotte and other bridesmaids arriving at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan in May 2018

Harry and Meghan claim they secretly got married three days BEFORE their royal wedding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle claimed they were secretly married three days before they tied the knot in front of the world. In their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey on Sunday night, Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36, revealed they held a private 'union' in their backyard with the Archbishop of Canterbury and no other guests. Meghan said 'no one knew' about the secret ceremony, in which the pair shared personal vows for 'just the two of us'. The couple say the private union took place three days before their much publicized royal wedding on May 19, which Meghan described as a 'spectacle for the world'. However rules on Church of England weddings are strict. They require at least two witnesses. And, according to the church's own rulebook, the public must have 'unrestricted access' to the building during any marriage ceremony to allow for 'valid objections against the marriage'. Meanwhile, a couple who are already lawfully married cannot choose to re-marry each other, unless there is some doubt as to the validity of the earlier marriage. It is not clear if the Archbishop of Canterbury - the head of the Church of England - can override any of the rules. Speaking about the secret union, Meghan said: 'You know, three days before our wedding, we got married. No one knows that.' Meghan went on to reveal that she and Harry phoned the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby - who performed the ceremony at their official wedding - and asked him to marry them in private days before the event that was watched by millions around the world. 'We called the Archbishop and we just said, "Look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world but we want our union between us,' she said. Advertisement

Oprah asked Meghan: 'Was there a situation where she (Kate) might have cried? Or she could have cried?'

But the Duchess of Sussex replied: 'No, no. The reverse happened.

'And I don't say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding.

'And she was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologised.

'And she brought me flowers and a note, apologising. And she did what I would do if I knew that I hurt someone, right, to just take accountability for it.'

Meghan added that it was 'shocking' that the 'reverse of that would be out in the world'.

She continued: 'A few days before the wedding, she was upset about something pertaining - yes, the issue was correct - about flower girl dresses, and it made me cry, and it really hurt my feelings.

'And I thought, in the context of everything else that was going on in those days leading to the wedding, that it didn't make sense to not be just doing whatever everyone else was doing, which was trying to be supportive, knowing what was going on with my dad and whatnot.'

Meghan also said: 'It wasn't a confrontation, and I actually think it's I don't think it's fair to her to get into the details of that, because she apologised.

'What was hard to get over was being blamed for something that not only I didn't do but that happened to me.

'And the people who were part of our wedding were going to our comms team and saying: 'I know this didn't happen. I don't have to tell them what actually happened'.'

Meghan also said reports she had reduced the Duchess of Cambridge to tears were a 'turning point.

The Duchess said 'everyone in the institution knew that wasn't true' and she hoped Kate 'would have wanted that to be corrected', adding 'she is a good person'.

Meghan was also asked whether a trip to watch tennis at Wimbledon with the Duchess of Cambridge was 'what it looked like ... helping you adjust'.

But the Duchess replied: 'My understanding of the past four years is it's nothing like what it looks like.'

Oprah then attempted to further probe into their relationship.

Referring to a day the pair spent together at Wimbledon at 2019, she asked: 'Did you feel welcomed by everyone? It seemed like you and Kate at the Wimbledon game where you were going to watch a friend play tennis?'

The Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex in the Royal Box on Centre Court at Wimbledon in July 2019

'Was it what it looked like? You are two sisters-in-law out there in the world, getting to know each other. Was she helping you, embracing you into the family, helping you?'

However Meghan appeared to dodge the question, saying: 'My understanding and my experience of the past four years is it's nothing like what it looks like.

'It's nothing like what it looks like. And I remember so often people within the firm would say, "Well, you can't do this because it'll look like that. You can't" so, even, "Can I go and have lunch with my friends?". No, no, no. You're oversaturated. You're everywhere. It would be best for you to not go out to lunch with your friends."

Meghan also revealed she and Harry were married by the Archbishop of Canterbury three days before the formal ceremony.

The interview also saw Harry reveal that Charles 'stopped taking my calls' during the build-up to the announcement that he and Meghan were leaving the Royal Family.

Oprah asked 'did you blindside the Queen?' with the announcement they were leaving the family, but Harry replied: 'No, I would never blindside my grandmother, I have too much respect for her.'

Asked where that story came from, Harry said he could 'hazard a guess' that it may have come 'from within the institution'.

Asked by Oprah how they knew the Queen was not blindsided, Harry said while in Canada he had 'three conversations with my grandmother and two conversations with my father, before he stopped taking my calls'.

He said Charles asked for him to put his plan 'in writing'. Harry said he had to act for the wellbeing of himself, Meghan and Archie.

(From left) The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of Sussex arriving to attend the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, in December 2018

Speaking about his father, Harry added: 'I feel really let down because he's been through something similar, he knows what pain feels like, (and) Archie's his grandson.

'But at the same time - I will always love him - but there's a lot of hurt that's happened and I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship.

'But they only know what they know, or what they're told.'

Asked about his relationship with his older brother, Harry said: 'I love William to bits, he's my brother, we've been through hell together, we have a shared experience, but we were on different paths.'

Harry also said he felt 'trapped' while in the royal family, and his father and brother are also 'trapped'.

The duchesses at war? How row over flowergirls led to claims of rift between Meghan and Kate before THAT day-out at Wimbledon

By Jack Elsom for MailOnline

Beaming beside each other before the gaze of the world's media, it was a joint trip to Wimbledon in the summer of 2018 that appeared to all-but confirmed Kate and Meghan were becoming fast friends.

To the crowds on central court that sweltering July day, the picture in the royal box was one of two sisters-in-law kindling a blossoming friendship.

That rosy perception has now been shattered after Meghan - asked by Oprah about the outing to SW19 with Kate - said that 'nothing is what it looks like'.

Her comments reignited long-standing rumours of a tension between the duchesses that mirror their husband's strained brotherhood.

Meghan Markle revealed that 'nothing is what it looks like' when probed about her seemingly affable Wimbledon outing with Kate Middleton in 2018

Signs that relations were beginning to fray came months after the royal wedding, when in November 2018 Harry and Meghan announced they would be uprooting from Kensington Palace and moving to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

Blame for the move - which also separated the Sussexes household - was quickly laid at the feet of the duchesses.

It raised eyebrows among royal watchers as the two couples had appeared to be firm friends, earning themselves the nickname the Fab Four after joint appearances.

A year earlier, Meghan had also paid tribute to Kate for welcoming her into the family.

'Catherine has been absolutely amazing, as has William as well, you know, fantastic support,' Meghan said in an interview to mark her engagement to Harry.

But reports of a rift between the duchesses persisted, including a bombshell article claiming Meghan had made Kate cry before the 2018 wedding.

Sources claimed that Kate was left in tears after Meghan was displeased with the bridesmaid dress fitting.

Accounts differed as to whether the row was about whether the flowergirls should wear tights, or if it was that Princess Charlotte's dress did not fit.

But during the Oprah interview Meghan rubbished the reports - claiming instead it was Kate that made her cry.

'The reverse happened,' Meghan said. 'I don't say that to be disparaging to anyone.

'She was upset about something, she owned it, she brought me flowers and brought a note apologising.'

Meghan described the episode as a 'turning point' in her relationship with Kate.

But speculation of a feud reignited in December when rumours were abound the Cambridges would not be hosting the Sussexes at Anmer Hall over Christmas, after a 'ghastly row' the previous year.

Sources claimed that Kate had a quiet word with Meghan for reprimanding one of her staff, leading to the Duchess of Sussex complaining to Harry that she'd been 'told off'.

However, a Kensington Palace spokesperson shot down the story saying: 'This never happened.'

On Christmas Day, Kate and Meghan put on a united front as they chatted and smiled on the way to church.

Harry and Meghan were hosted by the Queen at Sandringham, while Kate and William stayed at their own home, Anmer Hall.

In June further cracks appeared to open up as Harry and Meghan split from The Royal Foundation they had with the Cambridges to set up their own charitable organisation.

The following month saw Meghan and Kate's memorable Wimbledon appearance, where they were also joined by Pippa Middleton, to watch Meghan's friend Serena Williams lose the ladies singles final.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  The Water and Environmental Quality Authority in the Gaza Strip announced March 3 that the oil spill that appeared in the Mediterranean Sea in early February has been washing up on the Gaza beaches, days after it reached the Israeli shores.

It remains unclear what exactly caused the oil spill that has polluted more than 170 kilometers (106 miles) of the Israeli beaches, reached the shores of the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, and harmed marine life in the area. Israel believes it was caused by a leak of 200 tons of oil from an oil tanker sailing 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the shores of Israel, Gaza and Lebanon.

The head of the Water and Environmental Quality Authority in Gaza, Yasser al-Shanti, told Al-Monitor that the oil spill started appearing on the shores of the Gaza Strip in early March, More oil is on its way to the shores of Gaza in the coming days, he warned.

He said, More tar is expected to blacken and pollute the shores of the Gaza Strip, killing a large number of fish. This environmental [catastrophe] coincides with the beach and swimming season that will kick off at the end of next month [April]. Cleaning up the oil tar takes a long time, a government plan and specialized [equipment] that is not available in the Gaza Strip.

According to the authoritys March 3 announcement, cleaning workers in the Gaza municipality had discovered the pollution and reported it to the authority, which in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program, took samples for tests. The samples appeared to be oil tar, and the authority began the clean-up process.

The strong winds and depressions that hit the Middle East over the past few days threw the oil leaks onto the beaches of Israel, Lebanon and Gaza, amid expectations that pollution will impact the marine environment for years.

Nizar Ayyash, head of the Palestinian Fishermen Syndicate in Gaza, told Al-Monitor that the continued flow of tar toward the shores of the Gaza Strip had temporarily halted fishing activities. He called on the competent authorities in Gaza to quickly develop plans to reduce pollution and clean up the oil slick along the Gaza shores.

Ayyash explained that there are around 4,300 fishermen who rely on fishing to survive and provide for their families. The halt of their activities due to the oil spill will render them unable to secure their daily food. The fish in the [Israeli-] permitted fishing zones for fishermen in the Gaza Strip  which ranges from 12 to 15 nautical miles  will be either dead or contaminated by the oil spill, which will subsequently harm the citizens health.

Government authorities in the Gaza Strip fear they will not be able to deal with the flow of more oil spills, in light of the lack of the right equipment. The head of the emergency committee at the municipality of Gaza, Abdul-Rahim Abu al-Qumbuz, told Al-Monitor, Dealing with any pollution in the sea requires special equipment to collect and trap oil spills in the middle of the sea, and transport them to the shore for disposal.

He said that such equipment is not available in the Gaza Strip. So the committee, in cooperation with the Water and Environmental Quality Authority, waits for the oil spills to be thrown by the waves onto the beaches, before collecting them and disposing of them.

Abu al-Qumbuz said his committee is continuously monitoring and following up on this issue to accurately determine the extent of the pollution, noting that the decision to close the beaches in the Gaza Strip has not been discussed so far.

On March 3, Israeli Minister of Environmental Protection Gila Gamliel accused Iran of being behind the oil spill. She said that the spill was deliberately caused by a Libyan-owned ship dubbed Emerald. The ship was smuggling a shipment of oil from Iran to Syria, and when it approached the Israeli economic zone, it deliberately contaminated the sea water by tons of tar, according to Gamliel.

Mohammed Wadi, a surfer in Gaza City, told Al-Monitor that he had been seeing black lumps, believed to be oil, close to the shore of Gaza City. He said he took one in his hand to the shore for examination, and he was certain that it was a lump of tar.

Palestinian fisherman Wael Bakr told Al-Monitor that the oil stains that started appearing off the shores of the Gaza Strip are not large, noting that he saw several small dead fish floating on the surface of the water while fishing on March 4.
A 97-year-old woman is among those who fear they will be deported from New Zealand to countries ravaged by coronavirus.

Others are in their 70s and 80s and say they face a life of fear and isolation if they have to return to their homelands.

They're among thousands of people affected by the government freeze on Immigration New Zealand's parent category.

The policy allowed immigrants whose adult children already had residence or citizenship, to join them - but it was suspended in 2016. It officially restarted last year under different rules, but it was stopped when the pandemic hit without anyone being able to apply.

Molly Hartmann, 76, suffered a violent home invasion in South Africa and is scared about her future if she has to go back.

She has been on temporary visas for five years and is living with her now New Zealand-citizen daughter in Lower Hutt.

Crime is out of control in South Africa and "even the police are part of the problem", she says.

"So if I go back to South Africa on my own because I'm not allowed to live in New Zealand anymore, I'm going to be a sitting duck.

"I've got no family there, my oldest daughter and her husband are living in Palmerston North, they've got permanent residence, my younger daughter Samantha is a New Zealand citizen, the only family I've got is my brother who's South African but he works in Sudan. So, there's actually no prospect for me to live in South Africa. It's going to be a life of fear."

Part of that fear is also how widespread Covid-19 is there, she says.

"It's absolutely rampant. It's something like 8000 new cases per day in South Africa. But if I haven't got a choice, what can I do? I have to go and live with Covid and at my age, I'm probably very susceptible to it."

Her daughter Samantha Hartmann, head chef at Petone's Faith & Co, is worried for her mother, who was robbed at gunpoint in her home in South Africa.

"I've seen my Mum age so much in these five years from stress and worry - you know, will she have to go back? And I keep saying I will fight for you, fight for you."

Three months before she would have been eligible to sponsor her mother for residence under the parent category, the programme was shelved pending a review.

More than 8500 parents have filed 5294 expressions of interest, but no-one is being selected to apply.

'I'd die'

Alice Jones is 97 and worried about being deported to England when her temporary visa expires in July.

"I'd die," she says simply, about what would happen if she was sent back. "I've got nothing to go back to. I should have to buy a property. It would be a great big upheaval, and I don't think I could cope with that journey."

It depresses her when she finds herself alone thinking about it: "Peace of mind is what I want."

Her daughter, son-in-law, grandson and two great-grandchildren are all in New Zealand. She moved out in anticipation of getting residence through the parent category, but now just wants an indefinite visitor visa.

Daughter Pam Smith says her mother pays for her own medical insurance, and should not be put through any more stress and a repetition of tests done two years ago.

"My Mum had two medicals, two blood tests, a chest X ray, urine tests, cardiologist visit and the geriatrician," she says.

"We did it all and Mum kept ticking all the boxes, but immigration still kept trying to say well go and do this and that. We got into see the heart specialist, and they did the ECG and the ultrasound and all that, then we got into see the specialist, and we sat down and he looked across across the desk and he said, 'Mrs Jones, I don't know why you are here. I don't know what immigration are thinking of. For a lady your age you are absolutely fantastic, you've ticked all the boxes and you should not be put through this stress. I'm going to write and tell immigration that'."

Other parents have been waiting overseas for their visa to be approved, leaving families isolated and feeling the strain.

Immigration adviser June Ranson says it's inhumane and not compatible with the prime minister's mantra of kindness.

"These people came to New Zealand in good faith. The Parent Retirement Category pathway closed long before Covid. The policy changed increasing the salary requirements for family sponsoring to an extremely high level."

Future of the parent category

Immigration New Zealand says in a statement the first selection of expressions of interest (EOIs) in the newly re-opened parent category were due in May last year but that was deferred in response to the pandemic.

The government is continuing to assess when selections can take place, and no decisions have been made.

Only people whose resident children earn more than $106,000 will be eligible under the criteria negotiated with New Zealand First when Labour was in coalition.

The policy has a 1000-a-year cap, which means there could be a wait of five years for a decision.

Labour's election manifesto last year, however, said it would revisit the policy and earnings threshold, which has been criticised as unfair and illogical.

Among those who have tried to appeal their parents' cases to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, there have been mixed results.

An 85-year-old woman who faced deportation to India at the height of the coronavirus pandemic last year was granted residence.

But a 97-year-old woman failed to gain residence in 2019 - with the tribunal concluding however it was confident she was "most unlikely" to face deportation, given her age.

-RNZ/Gill Bonnett
A view from Wrexhams Member of Parliament

This article is old - Published: Monday, Mar 8th, 2021

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Members of Parliament and Assembly Members to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home  you can find them all here.

Today, Wrexhams MP Sarah Atherton writes



The last month has seen a big focus on economic issues, with The Budget announced, trade deals secured, and tariffs reduced with some of our biggest trading partners. My office and I have also spent a lot of time in the last month dealing with issues experienced by local businesses exporting into the European Union, and I would encourage any businesses in Wrexham that are experiencing difficulties to make contact with me so that I can represent you in conversations with the UK Government.

Earlier in February, it was announced that the UK and India had agreed an Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) which, aside from boosting trade more generally, will provide a specific boost to Wockhardt, where the UK-made Covid vaccine is being finished by creating an additional 40 jobs. It also included the extension of the contract with the UK Government for the fill and finish of the Covid vaccine by six months, taking Wockhardts involvement to August 2022.

The UK-India ETP will bring an additional 40 jobs to @WockhardtUk and will see the 'fill and finish' contract for the COVID-19 vaccine extended. For more information, see the below#Globalbritain https://t.co/ojHS6wo1JD  Sarah Atherton MP (@AthertonNWales) March 1, 2021

This positive news was further bolstered last week when it was announced that retaliatory tariffs imposed by the US on EU goods would now be suspended pending a free trade agreement. This means that goods manufactured here will be cheaper for consumers in the United States, thereby increasing sales. The tariffs, imposed a couple of years ago, led to a drop of several billion pounds worth of goods sales, meaning that manufacturers here became poorer. This is why free trade is so important  it reduced prices for everybody thereby giving us more money in our pockets.

In Wrexham, the announcement will be of particular importance to several businesses. Trade in manufacturing goods had been hit by the tariffs, impacting the 61 million (in 2018) worth of exports from the UK to the USA in this sector. For JCB Transmissions here in Wrexham, for example, this announcement on UK-USA trade therefore bodes well for the future and will hopefully allow for further growth. The de-escalation of the aerospace dispute will also be of great benefit to Airbus in Broughton, which I am sure will be felt here in Wrexham.

 We've agreed with the US to remove retaliatory tariffs on a range of UK goods as well as a joint de-escalation of the Boeing-Airbus dispute. This will:

 Safeguard the jobs of those in Wrexham employed by Airbus

 Remove tariffs on Scotch

 Remove many more tariffs pic.twitter.com/WgqCBhmkZZ  Sarah Atherton MP (@AthertonNWales) March 5, 2021

Then came to UK Governments Budget. I know that businesses and individuals alike watched with interest to see how things such as furlough, self employed income support scheme and stamp duty holidays would be handled. I was pleased to see all of them extended until the summer, giving people here some deal of certainty for the remaining period of lockdown. I was particularly delighted with the freezing of beer duty. As a former brewer, I have seen first-hand the difference a small variation in this tax can have on your business. I worked with the Campaign for Real Ale and the Long Live The Local Campaign to lobby the Government and make sure that this duty didnt increase, so this was a fantastic result.

 Fantastic news for pubs throughout Wrexham as beer duty will be frozen for the next financial year. #Budget2021  pic.twitter.com/9eK6NIko6T  Sarah Atherton MP (@AthertonNWales) March 3, 2021

On a far more local note, it was a huge privilege to attend the Marjorie Dykins OBE Volunteer Memorial Awards, hosted by local charity AVOW. My congratulations go to Anna Buckley, for her work with the Polish Integrated Support Sector, and the Wrexham Prostate Cancer Support Group for their awards. A huge well done and thank you should go to all the other nominees, all of whom have made Wrexham a better place

As always, if there is anything I can do to support Wrexham residents please dont hesitate to contact me on the details below:

Email: sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk Phone: 020 2719 4885 | 01978 291742 Post: Office of Sarah Atherton MP, 65 Regent Street, Wrexham, LL11 1PF



Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Welsh and UK Parliament representatives to write a monthly article with updates on their work and closer to home  you can find them all here.
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Lets face it, few believe that the PM and A-G havent read, or dont know the content of, the dossier relating to the alleged rape in 1988. Their lack of curiosity is implausible. - Bruce Guthrie, Cowra Our Prime Minister refers to the mob. Does he not know that the mob he refers to are the people of Australia? It is we, the people of Australia, who employ him and his fellow parliamentarians. - Michelle McDonald, Lilyfield Broken system is failing to deliver justice Amanda Vanstone (Political witch-hunt is not justice, March 8) says the criminal justice system is being destroyed. She says its ironic that people saying they want justice are, in fact, undermining the judicial system. Rather, Id say instead there is an irony in Vanstones acknowledgement that the system is in fact broken, when she noted that as a sexual assault victim your past, your use of alcohol, drugs and psychiatrists are all paraded out in court. Why should a victims past with regards to any of these have any relevance aside from on the dates of assault, where they may reflect a victim having a changed mental state to the point of an inability to consent. After all, as Vanstone would have us remember, evidence, not opinion is what enables the administration of justice. To Vanstone I say: We need to rebuild the system, not maintain a system that is failing its duty to administer true justice. - Amelia Pitney, Pymble The rules Vanstone holds dear have been subjected to amendments to embrace changes in, amongst other things, societal conditions. The greatest of these is the emergence of women. Addressing the allegations of a now dead woman, Vanstone argues that, weve come very close to treating allegations as facts, to allow managed public opinion to take the place of a fair trial in court  people saying they want justice are in fact undermining the judicial system. Or, Ms Vanstone, are they are heralding a new era of law where the quiet voice is heard over the clamouring of a male-dominated legal system and Parliament? - Annette Johnson, Brighton Le Sands

I wonder whether Vanstone would be so vocal in defence if the Attorney-General was a Labor minister. The rest of us just want to be assured that Porter is fit to hold high office. - Susan Connelly, Lakemba There is a nasty smell of politics surrounding the allegations against Porter and the proposed independent inquiry, but not quite as Vanstone means. Under the guise of defending justice and a system of rules, Vanstone, as usual, showcases her deep political bias by intimating that Porters accuser would have been an unreliable witness in court. To add to this hurtful, unpleasant tone, she further suggests that the woman in question may have committed suicide because she just couldnt face the rigours of a criminal trial. Not only is a nasty smell apparent in Vanstones article, it also leaves one with very bad taste! - Ross A Butler, Rodd Point Wow, Leunig (Letters, March 8)! That is a vitriolic and extreme reaction to the media finally giving some time and space to womens and girls voices and experiences. I guess it is what we should expect from rocking the boat. Speak a little louder, sisters! - Fiona Cameron, Summer Hill If the identity of the alleged rapist of the now deceased South Australian woman was Joe Blow from Bondi Junction, we would be none the wiser that this sad tale might have ever happened. Leunig and Vanstone are correct that this unprecedented news event is all about Christian Porter - and not the poor, unfortunate victim of an alleged crime, or justice for her. - Peter Bower, Naremburn Like Susan Newman (Letters, March 8), I too am so horrified I must speak out. My horror, however, is directed at the attitudes espoused by Ms Newman; attitudes which perpetuate the myth that women must act as guardians to protect men from their sexual urges. Where is the plea to young men to stand up for yourselves and not drink to excess? Where is the exhortation that a woman, drunk or sober, should not be assaulted? Attitudes such as Ms Newmans do nothing to help eradicate our societys rape culture, which suggests that men are powerless against their own base inclinations. - Toni Fatherley, Taree

Susan Newman (Letters, March 8), surely the aim is that women have the same right as men to make bad decisions without being assaulted? - Phil Armour, Yass Gamblers digital wallet an empty threat The lobby group representing clubs and hotels is being disingenuous in its push for a digital wallet (Clubs dig for digital wallet as dirty cash is exposed, March 8), knowing full well that voluntary use of a digital wallet will address neither money laundering nor problem gambling. I think its a national disgrace, more so that NSW should be second only to Nevada as the state with the most poker machines in the world. - Jack Dikian, Mosman The NSW Liquor & Gambling Authoritys central monitoring of the states poker machines has unsurprisingly revealed substantial amounts of suspicious criminal activity: aka money laundering. But what have the Coalition government, Labor and the liquor and gambling authority ever seriously done about these reports? Digital wallets? Seriously? With both major parties reliant on federal and/or state political donations from the powerful alcohol/gambling lobby and a well-worn revolving door between political/industry jobs, the spectre of regulatory capture and possible systemic corruption looms ominously upon the horizon. - Tony Brown, Newcastle Build for all

Meritons development Pagewood Green envisages 4000 units, of which just 45 are dedicated to affordable housing (Next-door council objects to impact of Triguboff towers, March 8). Outrageous! Development approval should be dependent on any residential plan of more than 20 units allocating one in every 20 for social use. - Sarah Seldon, Northbridge Status quo must go Jan Kent opines (Letters, March 8) that the day of reckoning approaches to hold them all to account at the ballot box. If only that were true. The Liberal/National Coalition government has ascended to the summit of venality previously occupied by the former Labor government. At neither state nor federal levels are there any competent, or at least viable, alternatives. The Labor-Liberal/Coalition flip-flop is hopeless and no longer serves us well. Perhaps what is needed is a major recalibration of the whole process. New Zealand has shown that this is possible. - Graham Cochrane, Balmain Its a super rort As correspondent Barry OConnell points out; superannuation is a long-term plan (Letters, March 8). There is no instant gratification. I am sure that the wealthy politicians who are campaigning for workers to access their super savings now are au fait with all the tax deductibility advantages. These benefits are available to everyone in the know or who will be in a situation to have extra funds to utilise the benefit. Superannuation and all its perks definitely benefit those with money. - Bernadette Scadden, Earlwood

Very old school ties Returning to the Class of 1980 (Letters, March 8). When, in 1981, I arrived in Australia from Scotland to take up a post as a junior doctor in the then new Westmead Hospital, some of my Australian colleagues were particularly interested in where I lived, what sort of car I drove and where I had gone to school. I failed the first two questions; I lived in Parramatta and I drove a $1000 second-hand Valiant. On the subject of my education, however, I did somewhat better. I was able to tell them I went to Inverness Royal Academy (founded by royal charter in 1792). As far as my medical education was concerned, they learnt that I went to the University of Aberdeen, which had been teaching medicine since its foundation in 1494. We never discussed that again. - David MacKintosh, Berkeley Vale Helen Wright (Letters, March 8), I remember before 1960 applying for a position as an articled clerk with a small city law firm. I, too, was asked where did you go to school? . I later found out the real reason for this question. If I went to a public school, it was a good bet I was not of a certain religious faith. I went to a public school and got the position. - Geoffrey Williamson, Woollahra Wrights story reminded me of my introduction to my chosen career. In 1971, at the Melbourne University School of Architecture, I was one of the 10 young women out of 100 freshers being welcomed into the course with a speech by the Dean. His advice for progressing through the profession? Marry the boss daughter. Almost needless to say that I eventually hit the glass ceiling. - Phyllis Agam, Vincentia Back in the 1950s, having left the great but now closed North Sydney Technical High School, all I wanted to be was a jackeroo. I door-knocked at all of the great traditional pastoral companies  Dalgety, AML & F, Winchombe Carson, Pitt Sons, Country Producers  and the first question I was asked at every interview was, which school did you go to?. My public school response resulted in a hasty exit and disillusionment as to why this precluded me from employment in my chosen career. By other means I went on to have a successful career in the wool industry. It is interesting to note that over the decades, all of those great pastoral company names have fallen by the wayside. - Tony Blake, Gunnedah

Gus Platers lament about the sole public school representative in a team of aspiring lawyers (Letters, March 6-7) caused me to reflect on the observation of a university vice-chancellor some 36 years ago: The person on either side of you will not be here in three years. Those words were truly prophetic and from observation, those two-thirds were overwhelmingly from private schools.

Sometimes, the universe demonstrates a little balance. - Wayne Eade, Mudgee Pay gap nothing new I am 84 years old and am shocked , but not surprised, to read that nothing has changed since I was a young high school teacher 60 years ago (Pay equity fatigue stalling pace of change, March 8). I realised then that the young men, with whom I had studied and who had not received higher grades, were receiving considerably higher wages. Surely it is time for this to be addressed in all sectors. - Susie Klein, Bellevue Hill Say what? Regarding being corrected on pronunciation, many years ago a senior manager in the CBA put me right when I said that a person was being obstropoulos. (Wasnt that Greek for angry? Apparently not.) He said you mean obstreperous?. I appreciated his correcting me for my ignorance. And have never forgotten it. - Stewart Copper, Maroubra

Losing streak So far this year, an under-strength India beat us in the Test match series, New Zealand beat us in the netball and T20, and the Waratahs havent won a game. I cant see any relief in the coming months as I follow Manly in the NRL. - John Truman, St Leonards Write priority International Womens Day, and letters from women outnumber those from men by 23 to 7 (Letters, March 8). Is this a record? Also, 17 of the 30 are about men behaving badly. Is this also a record? Im asking for a friend. - Steve Cornelius, Brookvale Real data, fake news
Montreal, March 8, 2021  VoIP.ms, the Most Feature-Rich VoIP Provider, announced today that TMC, a global, integrated media company, has named VoIP.ms as a recipient of a 2021 INTERNET TELEPHONY Product of the Year Award.

We are very glad to receive the 2021 INTERNET TELEPHONY Product of the Year Award. commented David Rouleau, Chief Operating Officer at VoIP.ms. Bringing the best communication solutions to our customers is more than a priority for us it is with this in mind that we released multiple new features and new services in the past few years! Remaining the Most Feature-Rich VoIP Provider in the market is why all the team at VoIP.ms work with dedication and passion every day. We cant thank enough our customers for their trust in our service.

I am honored to recognize VoIP.ms with a 2021 Product of the Year Award for its commitment to excellence and innovation, said Rich Tehrani, CEO, TMC (News - Alert) . In the opinion of our judges and editorial team, VoIP.ms has proven to be among the best communications and technology solutions available on the market. I look forward to continued leadership from VoIP.ms.

The winners of the 2021 INTERNET TELEPHONY Product of the Year will be featured in INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine online and on TMCnet.

For more information about TMC, please visit www.tmcnet.com.



About VoIP.ms

Founded in 2007, VoIP.ms is a Canadian voice over internet protocol (VoIP) bring-your-own-device provider headquartered in Montreal, Canada with over 80,000 happily satisfied customers namely cPanel, ICON Health & Fitness, ToysRus and others. VoIP.ms provides a vast range of standard telephony features, as well as enhanced communication features to simplify both business and residential communications such as local, DID numbers in 60+ countries. It also offers Free Porting across U.S. and Canada for local & toll-free DIDs, termination (outgoing calls) in over 125 countries across the globe, toll-free numbers, and services such as E911, SMS, virtual fax and virtual PRIs. For more information on VoIP.ms, please visit https://voip.ms.

About INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine

INTERNET TELEPHONY has been the IP Communications Authority since 1998. Beginning with the first issue, INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine has been providing unbiased views of the complicated converged communications space. For more information, please visit www.itmag.com. Follow INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine on Twitter or join our Linked In group.

About TMC

Through education, industry news, live events and social influence, global buyers rely on TMC's content-driven marketplaces to make purchase decisions and navigate markets. As a result, leading technology vendors turn to TMC for unparalleled branding, thought leadership and lead generation opportunities. Our in-person and online events deliver unmatched visibility and sales prospects for all participants. Through our custom lead generation programs, we provide clients with an ongoing stream of leads that turn into sales opportunities and build databases. Additionally, we bolster brand reputations with the millions of impressions from display advertising on our news sites and newsletters. Making TMC a 360-degree marketing solution, we offer comprehensive event and road show management services and custom content creation with expertly ghost-crafted blogs, press releases, articles and marketing collateral to help with SEO, branding, and overall marketing efforts. For more information about TMC and to learn how we can help you reach your marketing goals, please visit www.tmcnet.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, @tmcnet .

For more information about TMC, visit www.tmcnet.com.

VoIP.ms Contact:

Amin Djema

Marketing Manager

888-686-4767

marketing@voip.ms

TMC Contact

Michelle Connolly

Marketing Manager

203-852-6800, ext. 170

mconnolly@tmcnet.com

Edited by Maurice Nagle




South Korea and the European Union (EU) on Monday agreed to step up cooperation on COVID-19 vaccine supplies, with the EU pledging to smoothly supply vaccines to Seoul.







The agreement was made in a telephone conversation between South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, Seoul's foreign ministry said in a statement.







South Korea and the EU agreed to maintain their partnership in trade, investment, the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, according to the statement.







Borrell also expressed his support for South Korea's efforts for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and improvement of relations with North Korea, the ministry said. (Yonhap)


STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Income-eligible New Yorkers will soon see relief from a third stimulus check, and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York) said Monday that residents could receive the aid in as little as two weeks.

More than $22 billion in federal funds will be given to New Yorkers who are eligible for the $1,400 stimulus check, Schumer said in a press release.

The checks are part of a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package  dubbed the American Rescue Plan  that was signed by the Senate on Saturday.

The legislation will be sent back to the House Tuesday for anticipated approval -- arriving on President Joe Bidens desk this week.

Nearly 9 million New York households will receive this latest round of stimulus checks, or Economic Impact Payments, to help cover essential expenses like food, rent, mortgage, and even medical bills, according to Schumer, who said the stimulus checks could reach bank accounts in about two weeks.

For millions of New Yorkers and their families, this much-needed and new round of economic stimulus payments will come just in time to help cover the costs of essential expenses like food, rent, the mortgage, even medical bills, said Schumer in a press release. And today, I can tell each and every New Yorker that more than $22 billion dollars is on the way and will be in their bank accounts in approximately two weeks, because as soon as the president can sign the American Rescue Plan into law, the work will begin to get the checks out.

*** CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK***

Of the $22 billion in federal funds statewide, approximately 220,612 Staten Island households will benefit from the stimulus checks, receiving $550.7 million in direct payments, according to Schumer.

This third round of stimulus checks means $1,400 for individuals making up to $75,000 per year and $2,800 for couples making up to $150,000 per year.

Eligible families will also receive an additional $1,400 payment per child and adult dependent, amounting to $5,600 for an average family of four.

To New York families who have scraped and clawed their way through the past year in dealing with this horrible crisis in so many ways, I am here today to say: help in the form of these checks is soon to be on the way, Schumer said.

WHAT ELSE TO KNOW

Heres what you need to know about getting your stimulus check:

If you are eligible, you dont have to do anything to receive your stimulus check.

The check will be distributed by the IRS , likely by direct deposit if the agency has your banking information.

Individuals with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less are eligible for the full $1,400.

Eligibility is capped at yearly income of up to $112,500 for individuals filing as head of household and $150,000 for couples who file jointly.

Eligible Americans will receive $1,400 for each eligible dependent.

The American Rescue Plan, the first COVID-19 relief bill under Biden, is being touted as the biggest relief package in American history.

To prove income eligibility, IRS will likely issue payments based on your last tax return filed. So thats either a 2019 federal return or your 2020 return if youve already filed.

Financial experts have advised that if you missed the first two stimulus check due to too high adjusted gross income for 2019, you may meet the income eligibility based on reduced pay circumstances during 2020. In that case, you should file your tax return soon.

FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.
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In-Room VDO
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
MANILA (Reuters) - Hundreds of mostly women demonstrators rallied in the Philippine capital on Monday to mark International Women's Day, and took aim at the country's president Rodrigo Duterte for alleged rights abuses against women.

Protesters smashed an effigy of Duterte with sledgehammers during a demonstration near his residence in Manila during which womens activists denounced him for what they called abusive security policies.

"We are facing a virus far deadlier than COVID and it is the rotten, anti-people, pro-foreign interest, and macho-fascist presidency," said Joms Salvador, Secretary General of Gabriela, a prominent women's organisation in the Philippines.

Duterte is known for his informal speeches and often uses profanity and threats of violence, offending some Filipinos, but also endearing him to many, including women.

Since taking office in 2016, Duterte has infuriated women's groups, who call him a misogynist after he made jokes about rape on several occasions.

Duterte recently said he had told his politician daughter not to run for president to succeed him, because it was no job for a woman.

But in a statement on Monday, Duterte said his government could "proudly claim that concrete, sustainable, and inclusive actions" had been taken to create a better environment where women's rights are respected.

"Let us elevate women to their rightful place in society by empowering every Filipina to break not only the barriers that have long hindered them ... but also the backward mindset that fuelled a culture of gender oppression and inequality," he said.

(Reporting by Jay Ereno and Adrian Portugal; Writing by Martin Petty, editing by Ed Osmond)
The Education Minister has urged schools to 'go easy' on pupils who might not be adhering to uniform policy as the return to the classrooms begins across Northern Ireland.

Though Peter Weir does not have any say in uniform policy, which is set by boards of governors, he has asked individual schools to avoid creating additional pressure or expense for parents as the country takes the first steps to move out of lockdown.

There have been fears many parents will have been unable to afford to update uniforms for pupils over the past year, with some families struggling financially.
The Nigerian government on Monday said it has started distributing the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to various states across the country.

The Executive Director of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, made this known at the weekly briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

He said adequate provision had been made to deploy the vaccines to all states and vaccination sites where people would be vaccinated according to set priorities, beginning with the health workers and other support staff.

All things being equal, the delivery of the vaccines will be completed tomorrow, Mr Shuaib said.

He explained that the delivery of the vaccines to the states is predicated on satisfactorily meeting the conditions to keep them safe and potent.

We are designating Vaccine Accountability Officers in the states and LGAs to closely monitor the management and utilisation of the vaccines.

He said state launch of the COVID-19 vaccination for health workers is slated for March 9 at the state treatment centres, barring any prevailing local conditions.

Most governors have agreed to flag off on March 10 while the statewide rollout of COVID-19 vaccine will commence from the 12 of March, he said.

Nigeria on Friday commenced the vaccination of its citizens against COVID-19, beginning with healthcare workers.

About four million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines were delivered to Nigeria through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Assess Facility (COVAX) on Tuesday.

Cyprian Ngong, a medical doctor, became the first person to receive a jab of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines in Nigeria. Three other health workers also received jabs during the flag-off event.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo received jabs of the COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday to drive vaccine acceptance.

Members of the PTF also received jabs of the vaccines on Monday.

A report published by the Punch newspapers on Friday had disclosed that the government earmarked N10.6 billion to transport COVID-19 vaccines to the 36 states and the 774 Local Government Areas as well as the Federal Capital Territory and its five area councils. That amount, if true, would be considered highly inflated in a country battling with official corruption.

The report quoting a document titled, Estimated Budget for States Rollout of COVID-19 Vaccines (end-to-end), stated that N1.4 billion was also set aside for the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while N373 million was earmarked for the purchase of Adverse Events Immunisation kits (AEFI).

According the Punch, the document was presented to the 36 governors during a meeting between representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Governors Forum on Thursday.

But Mr Shuaib while addressing journalists on Saturday said there is no truth in the report.

Im hearing this from you for the first time. It doesnt make any sense that on one hand, we have communicated clearly to Nigerians that CACOVID has provided a cargo plane that will help deliver the vaccines from Abuja to all states that have functional airports, he said.

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For those with no airport, there is a delivery van that will convene the vaccines from the airport to those states with no functional airport.
Pope Francis, a pilgrim of peace to Iraq, has made history by becoming the first pontiff to meet a grand ayatollah: Ali al-Sistani, whose hawza (seminary) in Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad, is considered the foremost center of learning in Shiite Islam.

Two years ago, the pope met the grand imam of Egypts al-Azhar, considered the foremost center of learning in Sunni Islam. With Ahmed al-Tayyeb, Francis signed the Declaration of Human Fraternity, calling on both Christians and Muslims to embrace religious diversity with freedom and respect.

This weekend, Francis came to Iraq to support and encourage the nations beleaguered Christians, whose numbers have decreased from 1.4 million in 2003 to about 250,000 today.

But he also wished to sign a similar document with the reclusive leading figure in Shiite Islam, which represents 1 in 10 of the worlds Muslimsand 6 in 10 Iraqis.

The result with Sistani was more modest than with Tayyeb, but Francis did secure a very important fatwa (religious ruling).

[Christians should] live like all Iraqis, in security and peace and with full constitutional rights, said Sistani in an official statement. The religious authority plays [a role] in protecting them, and others who have also suffered injustice and harm in the events of past years.

Francis removed his shoes upon entering Sistanis modest home. And while the ayatollah usually sits to receive visitors, he stood to welcome the pope.

Will the ruling make a difference? Will it have any impact in Iran, the neighboring theocratic Shiite state? And what really drives the regional conflict: religion or politics?

In Muslim history, the answer is both.

While differences exist in rituals and theology, Shiism emerged in a dispute over succession to Muhammad, in both his religious and political roles.

Sunnis believe that Muslims chose Abu Bakr to serve as the first caliphwhich means successor in Arabicafter Muhammads death. This process continued for the three leaders who followed his rule, who were selected from among the pious in the community.

But Shiites believe that the fourth caliph, Ali, Muhammads cousin and son-in-law, was the prophets original choice, passed over by conspiring Muslims.

When Ali was assassinated in A.D. 661, a usurper took his role and established the family-based Umayyad dynasty. Alis two sons chose different paths of resistance, trying to reclaim their rightful place of leadership. Hassan, the older, was eventually poisoned. Hussein was killed in battle and heralded as a martyr.

Alis shrine is located in Najaf, the site of Sistanis hawza.

Sunnis hold that the caliphs were simple political leaders. But Shiites hold that Ali was an imam, possessing spiritual authority that passed on to those who succeeded him. Shiites divided into many sects disputing this line of succession. But the majority hold that the 12th imam disappeared mysteriously in A.D. 874 and one day will reappear from occultation as a messiah figure alongside Jesus to establish the true Islamic state.

Yet ever since the death of Hussein, Shiiteswhich means party of Ali in Arabicwere on the losing side of Islams political struggles. And when the 12th imam vanished, they had no formal leader.

About 170 years later, clerics coalesced in Najaf to chart the course for the Shiite sect. Though not a formal institution like the Vatican, the office of the Grand Ayatollah emerges from the consensual esteem of Shiite colleagues acclaiming their top religious scholar.

Every scholar is known as a mujtahid (legist, or legal expert), who can risk declaring himself a marja (reference, or source to follow) in hope of attracting followers. Among their authority is collecting the khoms (fifth), and distributing this 20 percent tithe on profits for the good of the community.

But their main duty is to issue fatwas advising on right conduct in real-life circumstances, which Shiite Muslims who claim a given scholar as a reference are duty-bound to follow.

The political philosophy Shiites developed was to accommodate with the ruling power. Yet they never accepted the caliphs legitimacy, believing only the hidden successor to Ali rightly bore the title of imam. But to keep the peace and protect the Shiite community, the grand ayatollah did not foment rebellion.

In 2004, after the fall of Saddam Hussein, Sistanis fatwa legitimized democratic elections. And in 2019, he forbade violence against peaceful mass demonstrations, backing participants rights as citizens to protest government corruption.

But historically, accommodation did not spare the Shiites from persecution by Sunnis, as they failed to signal complete allegiance to the political inheritors of Muhammad. In response, they developed the practice of taqiya (dissimulation), in which hiding their religious identity and heterodox practices became a permissible response under duress.

Concentrated in Persia and Mesopotamia, Shiite communities emerged elsewhere in the Levant, Arabian Peninsula, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, and for a while even held power in North Africa, where they founded Cairos al-Azhar. But it was not until the 16th-century Safavid Empire established by the Kurds that Shiites ruled over a majority Shiite population.

The ruling kings looked to emulate Sunni practice and establish a recognized religious authority. But the majority of Najaf clerics resisted, holding to the tenet that joining a regime would impinge upon the legitimacy due only to the hidden imam.

Yet a seed was planted, which eventually blossomed in the Ayatollah Khomeini.

While the Arab scholars in Najaf kept to their medieval traditions, the non-Arab Persian Shiites began to assert an independent path. With origins in the 10th century, the hawza of Qom, 90 miles south of Tehran, became favored by the Safavids. But it was not until 1922 that the seminary was re-established, to struggle with the modern world.

Clerics in Qom grew conversant with Marx. They sided with the people against the ruling shah. And when the Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran from exile in France in 1979, he brought with him a marginal Shiite theory called Wilayat al-Faqih.

Translated as Guardianship of the Jurist, it posited that the hidden 12th imam had delegated his full authority to the top cleric to rule in his stead. Mobilizing politically, Khomeini seized control of Irans revolution and marginalized all others to establish this theocratic legitimacy. And the clerics of Qom, willingly or otherwise, produced the scholarship necessary for the new regime.

So while marja exist throughout the Shiite world, only Najaf and Qomnow symbolized by Irans supreme leader Ali Khameneicompete for community leadership. Some have interpreted the popes visit to Sistani as an implicit backing of the Najaf hawza. While possible, it is more likely Francis main concern was simply to honor his local religious equal, and to secure cooperation in defense of Iraqi Christians.

Do they need it from the Shiites? ISIS, the main persecutor of Christians, was a fanatical Sunni movement.

Throughout Middle East history, minority Christians and Shiites have often developed empathy as fellow victims of majority Sunni persecution. But it was Sistanis fatwa in 2014 that legitimized the development of Shiite militias in defense against the ISIS threat. Today, some of these militias have encroached upon Christian territory, impeding the return home of displaced Christians.

Sistanis fatwa during Francis visit will resonate broadly with the Shiite majority in Iraq. It is a high-profile endorsement that Christians share the nation, with equal rights and responsibilities. All who follow Sistani as marja must act accordingly.

Several militias within Iraq, however, are backed by Iran. Whether they follow Qom in religion, or Tehran in politics, these may well ignore Sistani. As a product of Najaf, Iraqs grand ayatollah neither claims nor possesses political authority to enforce his ruling.

Yet the Chaldean Catholic patriarch in Iraq was satisfied.

It was a turning point in Christian-Muslim relations, said Cardinal Louis Sako of Sistanis fatwa.

And while the visit did not result in a grand declaration like with al-Azhars Tayyeb, Francis made sure to lay his Christian intention before Sistani and the Shiites.

The pope thanked the grand ayatollah for speaking up  in defense of those most vulnerable and persecuted, stated the Vatican.

He continues to pray that God, the Creator of all, will grant a future of peace and fraternity, for the beloved land of Iraq.

Wajih Kanso, a Shiite professor of philosophy at the Lebanese University, and Salah Ali, a Sunni consultant at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Iraqi Kurdistan, were consulted for this article.

Correction: The Najaf shrine cited belongs to Ali. Husseins shrine is in Karbala, not Najaf.
A LIMERICK man who was seriously injured when he was shot in the head over a decade ago has been jailed for possession of an improvised firearm and ammunition.

Daniel Philips, 31, who has an address at Crecora Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston had pleaded guilty to possession of the gun and 88 rounds of ammunition on March 26, 2020.

They were located at Shelbourne Park, Ennis Road after gardai retrieved a package which was thrown from a car during a high speed pursuit.

Imposing a four year prison sentence, Judge Tom ODonnell said what happened was very serious and said the nature of the pursuit was an aggravating factor.

Garda Michael Moloney told Limerick Circuit Court a Volkswagen Passat being driven by Mr Philips was first encountered in the Ballynanty area of the city at around midnight and that it was eventually stopped in the Parteen area.

Members of the Armed Support Unit were deployed during the pursuit and after the Passat was stopped, gardai became aware that a package had been thrown from the car as it passed through a residential area.

The package was recovered and ballistics experts confirmed the .22 calibre firearm was capable of being used.

Garda Moloney said the defendant denied any knowledge of the firearm when questioned and insisted he had driven off as he was not insured. He denied throwing anything, he said.

John OSullivan BL, prosecuting, said there was a feud between two families on the northside of the city at the time and that Mr Philips was aligned with one particular group.

However, he said there was no evidence that he intended using the firearm and he said the DPP regards the offence as being within the mid-range of the scale.

Barrister Antoinette Simon submitted her client was moving the package to repay a drug debt and that he didnt know it contained a gun and ammunition.

She said Mr Philips still experiences some short-term memory issues arising from him being shot twice in 2010 and that he has no trappings of wealth.

Judge ODonnell accepted Mr Philips has cognitive issued and that he is easily prevailed upon.

He imposed a five and-a-half year prison sentence, suspending the final 18 months.

A five year disqualification was also imposed and he ordered the destruction of the firearm and ammunition.
FLINT, MI -- The perjury case against former Gov. Rick Snyders chief of staff will continue despite protests from his attorney that the charge against him isnt specific enough, that a one-man grand jury wasnt authorized to indict him and that the indictment was made in the wrong county.

Genesee Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth A. Kelly denied a motion to dismiss the charge brought by Flint water prosecutors against Jarrod Agen, who served at different times as chief of staff and communications director for Snyder during the citys water crisis.

I believe theres sufficient specificity at this time for the case to proceed, Kelly said in addressing one of the three claims related to the dismissal request Monday.

The judge said two other arguments to dismiss the charge against Agen -- that the grand jury acted outside his authority in issuing the indictment and that the charge should have been issued if at all in Ingham County, where Agen gave testimony as part of an investigative subpoena interview, could be reconsidered after documents related to the case are reviewed and released by Duncan Beagle, the countys chief Circuit Court judge.

This motion (to dismiss) is not ripe ... Today is just not the day, Kelly said.

Agen, 43, was among nine current and former city of Flint and state of Michigan employees charged with crimes related to the water crisis in January and pleaded not guilty of willfully making a false statement or statements under oath during his investigative subpoena interview in early 2017.

Like the other seven Flint water cases that involve felonies and are pending before Kelly in Circuit Court, Agens case has been slowed by a review of grand jury documents by Beagle related to their cases.

Beagle has set a June 14 review date to give him time to inspect and decide what grand jury records should be turned over for discovery in the cases, resulting in a delay of preliminary hearings until late June.

In addition to the felony Flint water cases, Snyder and former Flint Department of Public Works Director Howard Croft are facing misdemeanor water charges in Genesee District Court before Judge William H. Crawford.

Seth Waxman, who represented Agen at Mondays hearing, has argued that the charges against his client must contain more information so that his attorneys can prepare to defend him.

Although the indictment names the date and circumstances in which Agen is accused to have lied under oath, the charge doesnt indicate what prosecutors believe he lied about.

Youve got to tell a person what theyve done wrong ...  Waxman said Monday. Were at least two months into this case and my client, Mr. Agen, sits here today still not knowing what hes alleged to have done wrong.

Eric Jenkins, an assistant attorney general prosecuting the Agen case, said Monday that the language in the grand jury indictment is valid and adheres to the statute for perjury.

Jenkins suggested Kelly could later require a bill of particulars after Beagle releases relevant grand jury records, to give Agen further explanation of the perjury charge, which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Read more on MLive:

Perjury case against former Snyder chief of staff smacks of prosecutorial misconduct, attorney says

Flint water crisis criminal hearings delayed until June as grand jury records reviewed

Former Gov. Snyder, 8 others criminally charged, accused of trampling trust of Flint people
TORONTO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tutor Doctor, the leader in one-to-one private tutoring, is proud to announce they have acquired Massachusetts-based Code Wiz, an award-winning company that teaches students how to code. Through this alliance, Code Wiz will enjoy accelerated growth by utilizing the growth strategy and support structure that has propelled Tutor Doctor into becoming one of the nation's leading tutoring franchises. Clear Summit Group, the parent company of Tutor Doctor, also brings over 25 years' experience in helping brands scale  supporting Tutor Doctor in its expansion to 700-plus territories spanning 15 countries.

With a natural alignment in mission and values, the Tutor Doctor  Code Wiz partnership will allow both companies to take quantum leaps forward in achieving brand goals and reaching more students.

Founded in 2017, Code Wiz follows a customized student-driven style for teaching computer coding and robotics, combining top-tier technology with students' individual creativity. The afterschool STEM program caters to children ages 7-17, helping them unlock their inner genius by learning to express their creativity through coding. Ruth Agbaji is the CEO, Founder, and Nerd-In-Chief who knows first-hand the power of learning to code. Born in Nigeria, Agbaji hacked her way into the world of computer science by teaching herself to code. After receiving her Masters in Computer Science from Tufts University, she worked as a software engineer for tech giants like Microsoft and Kronos before her entrepreneurial spirit kicked in. It was her desire to impact kids' lives by sparking their interest in STEM that led Agbaji to quit her day job and launch the Code Wiz franchise system.

"With Tutor Doctor's extensive experience in educational franchise management, Code Wiz will be able to plug-in to a proven business model and established structure that will propel the brand further into the world of franchising," said Agbaji. "This partnership just made senseCode Wiz's goal is to support the next generation of geniuses, raising them up to be the next [Steve] Jobs. It's not impossible in today's society with all of the resources available. Tutor Doctor will be the fuel that helps Code Wiz launch to new heights."

With five open locations and three in development, Code Wiz has established a reputation as the premier learn-to-code children's education franchise, creating a center where an interactive and project-driven approach to technology inspires kids to unleash their imagination and reach their full-potential.

"When we heard about Ruth's incredible story, saw what she had created in Code Wiz, and understood her passion in creating a purpose-driven business, our intentions became very clear," said Frank Milner, President of Tutor Doctor. "This acquisition provides us the opportunity to add rocket fuel to our mission of changing the trajectory of students' lives by bringing more diverse education to students around the world. There is a huge opportunity to fill a niche in the rapidly growing segment of the supplemental education market  and we've found an absolute perfect match with Ruth and the Code Wiz team."

Tutor Doctor is an internationally renowned franchise with franchisees that have backgrounds spanning from education to business and more. In the past year, the franchise has welcomed 46 new franchisees, and awarded more than 70 new units, bringing the brand footprint to over 700 units across 15 countries  most recently opening its first territory in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This growth is expected to continue as the brand looks to sign 80 units in 2021.

For more information on Tutor Doctor and its franchise opportunity, visit www.tutordoctor.com or www.tutordoctoropportunity.com.

For more information on Code Wiz and its franchise opportunity, visit www.thecodewiz.com or www.codewizfranchise.com.

About Tutor Doctor

With more than 700 territories in 15 countries, Tutor Doctor was named the No. 1 In-Home Tutoring Franchise by Entrepreneur.com in 2016. Founded as an alternative to the "one-to-many" teaching model most extra-curricular learning centers offer, Tutor Doctor provides a personalized one-to-one, in-home and online tutoring service to students of all ages. Now with offices internationally, the Tutor Doctor vision is becoming a reality, positively impacting students and their families worldwide. With the belief that all students can achieve academic success through two components  academic foundation building and academic discipline  Tutor Doctor will continue to lead the private tutoring industry. For more information on Tutor Doctor, please visit www.tutordoctor.com. To find out about franchise opportunities, please visit, www.tutordoctoropportunity.com.

About Code Wiz

Code Wiz is a children's enrichment educational service franchise that teaches computer coding and robotics with a Montessori-style approach to learning. Based in Massachusetts, the emerging franchise has five locations open and three more East Coast locations in development. Founder and CEO Ruth Agbaji was named the 2020 Woman Small Business Owner of the Year in Massachusetts by The Small Business Administration (SBA) and has a Masters in Computer Science from Tufts University, with past software engineering experience at Microsoft. Founded with a student-driven mindset, Code Wiz uses cutting edge technology, including AI, AR and VR, transforming the learning experience with a customized kid-friendly curriculum that can be tailored to appeal to every learning style. The award-winning STEM afterschool learning center is designed to inspire the next generation of coding wizards and is seeking franchisees to expand its nationwide footprint. For more information about Cod Wiz and its franchise opportunity, please visit https://codewizfranchise.com/.

SOURCE Tutor Doctor
The family of a woman who vanished after getting into a mysterious car outside a nightclub nearly 20 years ago believe she knew her killer.

Janine Vaughan, 31, was last seen getting into a red car after leaving a Bathurst nightclub called Metro Tavern, known locally as 'The Dirty Tav', in the early hours of December 7, 2001.

A New South Wales coroner concluded in 2009 that Ms Vaughan was murdered - but the circumstances remain a mystery that has plagued the small country town ever since.

CCTV footage which has never been shown in its entirety until now captured Ms Vaughan getting into a red car and vanishing outside the Metro Tavern at 3.52am.

Ms Vaughan, who had been partying with her friends Jordan and Wonita, was never seen again and her body has never been found.

Janine Vaughan, 31, was last seen getting into a red car after leaving a Bathurst nightclub called Metro Tavern, known locally as 'The Dirty Tav', in the early hours of December 7, 2001

CCTV footage which has never been shown in its entirety until now captured Ms Vaughan getting into a red car and vanishing outside the Metro Tavern at 3.52am

Ms Vaughan's family and friends have always maintained she knows her killer, and never would have stepped into a stranger's car

On Channel Nine's Under Investigation, former detective Gary Jubelin, Nick Kaldas, who has worked for Scotland Yard and the United Nations, and forensic expert Professor Richard Kemp went through over 20 years worth of evidence.

Police tried to piece together Janine's final moments from the bar's CCTV footage, which showed a car pulling up to Ms Vaughan.

'You see a little light go left to right and appear to do a U-turn and then come back and then pull up behind her. The door opens and she gets in,' former Metro Tavern owner Mal Pollard said.

Ms Vaughan's family and friends maintain she knows her killer, and never would have stepped into a stranger's car.

But the grainy CCTV footage suggests it's possible a stranger did convince Ms Vaughan to get in the sedan given they were talking for 26 seconds.

'She doesn't stagger or stumble when she does walk off, she sets off at quite a good pace,' Mr Kaldas said.

Before Ms Vaughan got into the mystery car, at about 3.40am, she was seen on CCTV kissing a man. He then got into a taxi and was heard saying to Ms Vaughan "promise?".

'We don't know what was said beforehand but he says "promise?" So the assumption is "promise you're coming back",' Mr Pollard said.

She then told friends she was going to continue drinking at the nearby Ox Hotel which was only a five minute walk away.

At 3.30am - 20 minutes before Ms Vaughan went missing - Lynette Boreland, 41, was approached by a man who allegedly tried to lure her into his vehicle.

Ms Boreland ran to a nearby service station and reported the incident to police.

The red car that Ms Vaughan was seen getting into matched the description of the car being driven by that man.

A New South Wales coroner concluded in 2009 that Ms Vaughan (pictured) was murdered - but the circumstances remain a mystery

Former Metro Tavern owner Mal Pollard told the program's panel that the pub had a 'terrible reputation' among locals.

'I personally know of four rapes (in Bathurst) in the late 90s and early 2000s,' he said.

The panel also revealed that a bloodied knife was found on the driveway of a nearby nursing home a few days after Ms Vaughan went missing.

But the knife - which could have potentially have been the murder weapon - was later lost by police.

Mr Jubelin admitted investigators made a grave mistake by misplacing the knife.

'I think it's a breakdown of a system,' he said.

The panel also revealed that a bloodied knife was found on the driveway of a nearby nursing home a few days after Ms Vaughan went missing

'A crime like that in a town like Bathurst is going to leave a lasting effect on that town, and all of the community will I'm sure share that pain. That's an unsolved crime.'

Local pharmacist Andrew Jones, 38, and Denis Briggs, a man who had a history of mental illness, were the police's two main persons of interest.

Briggs told his friends he was responsible for Ms Vaughan's death, but later admitted he lied because he was 'unhinged', drinking excessively, and suffering delusions of grandeur.

Mr Jones has always vehemently denied any involvement in Ms Vaughan's disappearance.

Police officers search the area on the Bathurst outskirts, Sunday, May 27, 2007, looking for the body of Janine Vaughan

In March 2019, police revealed they would be offering a $1million reward to help solve the suspected murder.

Detectives who re-opened the case in 2013 announced a $1million NSW government reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Homicide Squad Commander Scott Cook said the reward is supposed to encourage people to come forward.

'Our investigators have been meticulously working through what happened to Janine in the moments leading up to and after she got into the red car that morning,' Det Supt Cook said.

'We know about 10 minutes before Janine was seen getting into the car, another woman was approached about 750m away by a man in what we believe is the same vehicle,' he said, referring to Ms Boreland.
LONDON, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Ambassador to Barbados, Eastern Caribbean and OECS, Linda Taglialatela, said her government is committed to strengthening relations with the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis. After a virtual presentation of an ambulance and a passenger bus arriving at the islands last week, she said that the US would continue to assist in the nation's fight against COVID-19. St Kitts and Nevis holds the title of one of the most successful countries in the Hemisphere that has limited the disease's spread.

Throughout the pandemic, the US has worked with Red Cross and the United Nations International Children's Fund to provide much-needed aid for pandemic responses to St Kitts and Nevis and the region, the Ambassador said. She also commended St Kitts and Nevis' government and hailed the continued success of ensuring citizens and residents stay safe during this difficult time.

"In this battle, the United States remains your committed partner. I am proud that our partnership is as strong as ever. By strengthening collaboration with each other, we will continue to address this moment of challenge to our healthcare systems," Taglialatela added.

According to the US Department of State, the diplomacy between the two countries has historically been "friendly". The US established diplomatic relations with the Caribbean nation in 1983, the same year St Kitts and Nevis established the world's first Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. International partnerships like that with the US, in parallel with CBI Programme, prioritise strengthening St Kitts and Nevis' healthcare sector and economy.

The CBI Programme provides investors and their families a safe and stable route to second citizenship once they invest in the nation's economy. The investment doubles as a win-win solution because the funds generated are channelled into uplifting hospitals, clinics, schools and the tourism sector.

After investors pass the necessary security checks, they gain a wealth of opportunities. These include increased travel freedom, the right to live and work in the country and the option to pass down citizenship for generations to come, thus establishing a family legacy. Currently, St Kitts and Nevis has an extended limited-time offer that presents citizenship to a family of up to four for $150,000 rather than the previous US$195,000.

St Kitts and Nevis' CBI Programme is the world's longest-standing and enjoys over three decades of experience within the industry, culminating in its recognition as a 'Platinum Standard' brand.

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Laurie Wallmarks acclaimed Women in STEM biography picture books include Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine, Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code, Hedy Lamarr's Double Life, and Numbers in Motion: Sophie Kowalevski, Queen of Mathematics. Her fifth book in the series, Code Breaker, Spy Hunter, about cryptanalyst Elizebeth Friedman, is out this month from Abrams. Sandra Nickels debut picture book, Nacho's Nachos: The Story Behind the World's Favorite Snack, published in August 2020. Her first Women in STEM picture book biography released this month, The Stuff Between the Stars: How Vera Rubin Discovered Most of the Universe. In honor of Womens History Month, we asked Nickel and Wallmark to interview each other about why theyre drawn to telling the stories of remarkable women, how they find their subjects, and the most interesting facts theyve discovered in their research.

Sandra Nickel: Youre known as the queen of picture book biographies about women in STEM. Youve written about code makers and code breakers, mathematicians, and women who led double lives. Did you know you wanted to take on this theme from the beginning? Or did it happen book by book?

Laurie Wallmark: Ive always loved math and science, and I knew I wanted to share this love with children through my writing. Did I know I would have five published picture book biographies of women in STEM, another one coming out next year, and more on the way? Absolutely not. I feel fortunate Ive had the opportunity to tell the stories of the many unsung women scientists and mathematicians. I keep an ever-growing, ever-changing list of possible subjects for future biographies. In fact, since Im known for writing about dead women in STEM, after Vera Rubin died, many friends sent me a copy of her obituary.

Sandra, how did you discover Vera?

Nickel: Exactly like that. The New York Times put out a beautiful eulogy to Vera the day after she died. Kate Hosford, a fellow alum of ours from Vermont College of Fine Arts, told me about it. When I read the article, I was immediately captivated by Vera. I was also heartbroken. She showed what no other scientist had been able to provethat dark matter makes up 80% of the universe. Yet, she was passed over for the Nobel Prize in Physics, as it was given to man after man, and never a woman. Forty years of being passed over! It was so immensely unjust that I started researching Veras story that very day. I couldnt make up for the missed Nobel, but I could write a story that kids all over America might read.

Your heroine from Code Breaker, Spy HunterElizebeth Friedmanalso went unrecognized, didnt she?

Wallmark: Yes, but for a different reason at first. Her work was classified Top Secret. When it was finally declassified, people still didnt appreciate her contributions. Her husband, on the other hand, who was also a cryptanalyst, became well-known. I wanted to make sure Elizebeth got the recognition she so rightly deserved. As a computer scientist, I know even today, women in STEM do not always receive the proper credit for their achievements.

Are you also a scientist?

Nickel: Who was it that said, Science is curiosity? Sally Ride, I think. In that sense, yes, Im a scientist! Im curious about almost everything. But in the way that I think you mean it, no. Although I do have a Bachelor of Science, but in the social sciences.

Wallmark: Even though I have degrees in biochemistry and information systems, Ive now also written about astronomers and physicists, inventors and mathematicians. No matter the field, I have to do the research to make sure I get all the details absolutely correct. We dont want kids to be led astray. Once I have the facts, I need to explain them in a way kids can understand.

Do you have trouble doing the research?

Nickel: Since I love learning, I love research. Im definitely a believer that no topic is too complicated for kids. You just have to find the right way to tell it. And for me to tell it, I have to learn it first.

Wallmark: Agreed. I actually wrote my MFA graduate thesis at VCFA on how to explain scientific facts and concepts in picture books. I knew I ran the risk that what might seem easy or obvious to me, wasnt to children and non-scientists. I wanted to make sure any kid could understand what I was saying. And speaking of any kid, just because our books are about women scientists, that doesnt make them girl books. Both boys and girls need to appreciate that, yes, women can be scientists.

Nickel: Absolutely. All childrenparents and librarians and teachers, tooare going to be fascinated by Elizebeth Friedman.

Wallmark: As they will about Vera. One of the most interesting things about Elizebeths story is, unlike most other people who grow up to be scientists, she wasnt interested in math and science as a kid. She loved books and languages, and she majored in English in college. Shes a great example for kids who might feel a little less confident about their math or science abilities. But when an opportunity arose, Elizebeth took it, and set out on a new path.

Nickel: Vera also forged her own path. Other astronomers were racing against each other so they could be the first to pull ahead of the pack with new theories and observations in other areas of astronomy. Vera couldnt join in that race because she was dedicating time to her children. Instead, she chose to look at questions no one else was looking at. By doing this, she made immense discoveries relating to dark matter. I love that both of our stories plant seeds in kids minds that their paths can take twists and turns that differ from everyone elses.

How did you discover Elizebeths path, since her work was hidden for so long?

Wallmark: A book about her, The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted Americas Enemies by Jason Fagone, came out in 2017. After reading it, I knew I had to learn more about this amazing woman. Luckily for me, her papers are archived at the Marshall Foundation in Lexington, Va. Even more luckily, one of their amazing librarians, Melissa Davis, was able to help me with my research. (Thank you, librarians everywhere!)

How did you check your research?

Nickel: Once I finished the manuscript for The Stuff Between the Stars, I contacted Dr. Megan Donahue, the president of the American Astronomical Society, and asked if she could read it and make sure I got things right. She generously did, and then the story went off to [illustrator] Aimee Sicuro to do her magic and create the wonderful illustrations.

Wallmark: I love how throughout the book Aimee manages to keep that look of curiosity on Veras face, whether as a child or an adult. Her curiosity is what drove her science, and that comes through so clearly in the illustrations.

Nickel: One of the many things I love about Brooke Smarts illustrations for Code Breaker, Spy Hunter is how she weaved ribbons of code through several of the pages.

Wallmark: Im so happy we were able to do that. Originally, the ribbons had random letters on them. I suggested they contain coded messages, which I then provided. Brooke then had the incredibly difficult task of hand-lettering them. After that, it was back to me to check all those random letters. I checked and double-checked, because Im so afraid a 10-year-old reader will find a mistake I made. I know in your book, Aimee also had to interweave information, such as Veras graphs and equations, into her illustrations.

Nickel: And she did it in a beautiful, dreamy way that welcomes readers in. Do you ever worry that kids might be frightened off by the math and science in your stories?

Wallmark: Thats one of the reasons I write about women in STEMso kids can see that scientists and mathematicians are regular people just like they are. By making the facts and concepts accessible to children, it makes them less scary. When I do presentations about encouraging childrens interest in STEM, I mention that sometimes children are afraid, whether because they think its too hard or theyre afraid of failing. I think when STEM is presented in an inviting way, many children will embrace it.

Nickel: I couldn't agree more. Its one of the reasons picture books are such fantastic vehicles for talking about STEM. The combination of illustrations and inviting text goes a long way in demystifying things. The biographies also show the excitement the protagonists have for their fields. And as we all know, excitement is infectious.

So, Queen of Women in STEM biographies, do you have another picture book in the works?

Wallmark: Indeed, I do. I have a picture book biography coming out in fall 2022 about the astronomer Maria Mitchell. She was the first American to discover a comet, one of the first paid astronomers in the United States, and the first female astronomy professor. In addition, she worked to convince others of the need for women in the sciences.

How about you? Do you have another book on the way?

Nickel: I doBreaking Through the Clouds. Its about Joanne Simpson, the first female meteorologist in the world. In the 1940s and 50s, meteorology was a real boys club. One professor at the University of Chicago even told Joanne, No woman ever got a doctorate in meteorology. And no woman ever will. The male meteorologists also ridiculed Joanne for being interested in clouds, which they thought didnt affect weather in any real way. Well, Joanne was stubborn, and she proved them all wrong. She not only earned her doctorate in meteorology, her work with clouds sparked an entire branch of science. Like Vera Rubin, Joanne was also a huge supporter of other women. A young female meteorologist, who flourished in the wake of Joanne and her work, said Joanne Simpson didnt simply blaze a trail for women, she blazed a road. Just think of all those female meteorologists we see on TV now. Isnt that fabulous?!

Wallmark: Absolutely! Diverse scientists bring diverse ideas, which leads to greater scientific progress.

Nickel: Yet another reason to celebrate Womens History Month. Heres to all the incredible women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics!

Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars by Laurie Wallmark, illus. by Brooke Smart. Abrams, $18.99 Mar. ISBN 978-1-4197-3963-7

The Stuff Between the Stars: How Vera Rubin Discovered Most of the Universe by Sandra Nickel, illus. by Aimee Sicuro. Abrams, $18.99 Mar. ISBN 978-1-4197-3626-1
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A zoo faced scrutiny after pulling a very eyebrow-raising act.

When visitors of the Xiangwushan Zoo in Xianning, China, decided to take a look at the wolf enclosure, they were in for a surprise, one not many liked, when instead of a wolf, there was a Rottweiler in the cage.

From Wolf to Rottweiler

The zoo claimed that the wolf naturally passed away due to old age.

Mr. Xu, the man who filmed the dog, told Beijing News that the wolf "died of old age," according to the zoo.



According to the Global Times, the puppy, who happens to be a Rottweiler, was only in the cage for a short time and serves as the zoo's watchdog.

He did, however, imply that the zoo was financially failing, claiming that it "didn't have enough guests to keep the zoo up and running smoothly," according to the Shine.cn news website.

The local forestry bureau has now ordered the park to delete the sign leading to the enclosure, which costs 15 yuan ($2.30; 1.70) and still houses lions and tigers.

Online Response

The event has caused a great deal of debate on the internet. Many users on the famous Sina Weibo microblog say it made them laugh, while others say it made them "shocked" and "a little sad."

"At the very least, get a husky," one Weibo user suggests, adding that the breed is more wolf-like. More than 6,000 people liked their message.

Many users said they were relieved just to learn that the dog was not the wolf's dinner.

Some are talking about their own experiences as kids visiting "poorly run" zoos, saying that reality never quite meets up to expectations.

There have been a number of well-publicized instances of zoos providing poor substitutes for wild animals.

A Sign of a Bigger Problem

In 2019, similar video footage showed a domestic dog in a wolf enclosure at the Jiufengshan Forest Park in the nearby city of Wuhan.

In 2017, a zoo in southern Guangxi promised penguins, but they were greeted by inflatable penguins when tourists visited.

A Tibetan mastiff was misidentified as an African cat at a zoo in Henan in 2013.

Donkeys have also been decorated to look like zebras in a number of situations around the world.

In 2017, a zoo in southern Guangxi promised penguins, but they were greeted by inflatable penguins when tourists visited.

In January, a popular zoo in Nanjing, China's eastern capital, requested donations after announcing that it could not pay its employees' wages due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last year, the local economy of Xianning suffered greatly as Hubei province bore the brunt of China's Covid-19 epidemic. The city was one of those in Hubei that went into tight lockdown between January and March 2020 and is not far from Wuhan, the original Covid-19 epicenter.

Related Article: 205 China Dogs, Meant for Meat Trade, Rescued to Arrive in US for Adoption

Chinese Animal Rights

Over the years, animal rights groups have consistently criticized China's zoos. The South China Morning Post reported in 2017 that reports of bad conditions and animal mistreatment at Chinese zoos have persisted.

In China, animal protection laws are restricted. Still, they have been increasingly strengthened over the last year due to Covid-19, which has resulted in crackdowns on practices such as hunting, selling, or consuming wild animals that could spread disease.

ALSO READ: Exotic Pets are Dying In Transit and Authorities Are Failing to Do Something About it

For the most recent updates from the animal kingdom, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) Health care and frontline workers who were not registered on CoWIN portal for vaccination can now avail it offline after procuring proof of employment from their workplaces. The government has outlined a standard operating procedure in this regard, mentioned in an order issued by Delhi Health Department, officials said.

The order issued on March 5, and circulated late evening on Saturday, stated that "the government of India has issued detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs), frontline workers (FLWs) not registered on CoWIN".

The order cited "the state has been receiving requests for HCWs and FLWs who could not be registered" as a reason behind the latest SOP drawn by the Centre.

As per the order, those unregistered on CoWIN will have to certify themselves from relevant authorities (employer, councils) to receive the vaccine shots. Such beneficiaries would be registered on-site for the vaccination, officials added.

"The healthcare workers (HCWs) of a health facility where the Covid-19 vaccination centre (CVC) is located can be vaccinated at the centre itself after certification of them being HCWs by the medical superintendent or facility in-charge. They shall be entertained after completion of vaccination of beneficiaries with scheduled appointments," the order said.

However, HCWs of public or private health facilities where the CVC is not located, can be vaccinated at the designated CVCs, upon furnishing proof of their being a healthcare worker in a prescribed format duly signed and stamped by the health facility in-charge, it added.

In case of unregistered FLWs, vaccination can be done at the designated CVCs upon furnishing proof of their being an FLW in the prescribed format duly signed and stamped by the senior officer deputed by the FLW authority for issuing the certificate.

"Further, the FLW group shall designate an officer to be present at these dedicated sites for verification of the FLW status. These beneficiaries shall be registered on-site," the order read.

Meanwhile, standalone medical practitioners and paramedics can show their MCI/DMCI relevant council registrations and get vaccinated whereas support staff of the private establishments, hospitals, clinic in-charge will have to certify them being HCWs in the prescribed format, the order said.

The national capital achieved the highest single-day inoculation so far on Saturday where over 33,000 beneficiaries received shots of Covid-19 vaccines. The figure is the highest achieved in a single day since the start of the inoculation exercise on January 16.

Meanwhile, second doses were given to 7,132 people, officials said, adding that 3,769 frontline workers and 2,274 healthcare workers were also vaccinated.

--IANS

asr/kr
A chieftain of Nigerias governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasiru Danu, has denied a report linking him to an alleged N51 billion fraud against the Nigerian government.

Mr Danu, in a report published by SaharaReporters on Friday, was named among other top officials to have siphoned money meant to improve the Nigeria Customs Service, a part of which was allegedly transferred to a foundation owned by President Muhammadu Buharis daughter, Zahra.

But reacting to the report, Mr Danu, through a March 6, 2021 letter to SaharaReporters by his lawyer, Bode Olanipekun of Wole Olanipekun & Co., described the publication as false, baseless and malicious.

With particular reference to the Nigeria Customs Service, our client has informed us that he is not in any business relationship whatsoever with the Nigeria Customs Service and reference to him as part of a Revenue Assurance Fraud, or any scheme by which money was allegedly siphoned from the Nigeria Customs Service is deficient in any factual basis whatsoever. Emphatically, our client denies being part of any fraud including that alleged in your publication as involving N51 billion, Mr Danu said in his rebuttal.

In the same vein, our client asserts, in the most vehement manner possible, that he did not transfer, or know about any transfer of N2.5 billion to any foundation, which he is purportedly a signatory to.

From the content of your publication under issue, the undisguised import, aim, purport and intention it set out to achieve was/is to injure our clients reputation and name, as well as deflate his estimation in the eyes of well-meaning people. With all respect, what is discernible from your publication under reference is acute malice, spite, viciousness and predetermination to lower and diminish the esteem of our client.

You might wish to note that our client is involved in legitimate business enterprises that are widely acclaimed, both in Nigeria and within international business circles. He is the Chairman and Chief Executive of several companies, some of which he founded, and others, which, as a result of his reputation for being honest and fair handed, he was invited to chair. These companies, apart from providing unique solutions to societal problems, provide jobs and means of livelihood to at least 2000 Nigerians, as well as contribute their quota to Nigerias Gross Domestic Product. These, amongst other leadership qualities, earned him the conferment of the revered traditional title of the Dan Amana of Dutse.

Our clients position is that your publication was made, either with actual or constructive knowledge of the falsity of its content or without any effort to verify the authenticity of such damaging stories which any media outlet should be loath to publish. This is obvious, for instance, from the paucity of details as to time, place, account details, etc, in the publication. Such action is clearly indicative of bad faith and/or, recklessness, with respect.

Mr Danu then demanded the retraction of the publication from SaharaReporters official website and Twitter account.

He also wants the news platform to publicly apologise to him on its website as well as in at least three other newspapers with online and physical presence for seven days.

BELOW IS THE FULL TEXT OF MR DANUS LETTER TO SAHARAREPORTERS.

===============================================================

6th March, 2021

Sahara Reporters Media Group Inc

146 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001,

United States

RE: LIBELOUS AND DEFAMATORY PUBLICATION AGAINST ALHAJI NASIRU HALADU DANU

We act as counsel to Alhaji Nasiru Haladu Danu, hereinafter referred to as our client, and we write you this letter on his instruction as well as on the basis of information he has provided to us.

Particularly, we write you in relation to your publication of yesterday, 5th March 2021, with the headline How APC Chieftain, Danu, Customs Boss Defrauded Nigerian Government Of N51 Billion, Wired N2.5 Billion To Buharis Daughter which was published on your website vide the link: http://saharareporters.com/2021/03/05/how-apc-chieftain-danu customs-boss-defrauded-nigerian-government-n51-billion-wired-n25.

The said publication was further disseminated through your Twitter account (@Sahara Reporters) at 9:00 pm. The content of the publication expressly made mention of our client in the following terms:

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Nasiru Haladu Danu and some top officials of the Nigeria Customs Service recently defrauded the Nigerian government of N51 billion

ADVERTISEMENT

 Danu is an arrowhead in what is now known in some quarters as President Muhammadu Buharis oil mafia group

A source said the fraud, which implicates the Comptroller General of the NCS, Col Hameed Ali (rtd), was named Revenue Assurance Fraud by some officials of the agency,

Another source said N2.5 billion was also transferred to a foundation owned by Buharis daughter, Zahra, for which Danu is a signatory.

Some top Customs operatives and one Alhaji Nasiru Haladu Danu shared N51 billion. N2.5 billion out of the fund was transferred to a foundation owned by President Muhammadu Buharis daughter.

. In 2019, Danu made headlines when he was arrested at Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom, for an alleged passport scam and money laundering.

Sahara Reporters gathered that the Dan Amana Dutse was caught with fake Malta Passport and in his possession, more than 200,000.00 in cash.

Sources said the 200,000.00 which Danu was carrying to give someone in the UK, according to him, was likely meant for Aisha Buhari who was then in London.

The above-reproduced portions, as well as the e-publication, were circulated to your over 3, 500, 000 (Three Million Five Hundred Thousand) followers on the said 5th March 2021.

As against the said allegations, it is our clients position that he is a law-abiding citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with interests in legitimate business enterprises as is characteristic of his family which has been renowned for trading for at least seven decades. Whilst it is correct that our client is a member of the All Progressives Congress (in the exercise of his constitutional rights to freedom of association  see Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) (as amended)), he has never defrauded Nigeria in any way, shape, form or manner whatsoever.

Our client categorically states that he is not a member of any oil mafia group, and your publications reference to him as a member of such organisation is flawed and untrue.

With particular reference to the Nigeria Customs Service, our client has informed us that he is not in any business relationship whatsoever with the Nigeria Customs Service and reference to him as part of a Revenue Assurance Fraud, or any scheme by which money was allegedly siphoned from the Nigeria Customs Service is deficient in any factual basis whatsoever.

Emphatically, our client denies being part of any fraud including that alleged in your publication as involving N51 billion. In the same vein, our client asserts, in the most vehement manner possible, that he did not transfer, or know about any transfer of N2.5 billion to any foundation, which he is purportedly a signatory to.

Put differently and/or further, our client states that he is not a signatory to any account belonging to a foundation owned by President Muhammadu Buharis daughter.

In sum, our client knows nothing about any fraud in respect of the revenue of the Nigeria Customs Service; neither does he have any knowledge, latent or otherwise, of any transfer to any foundation owned by any of President Muhammad Buharis daughters.

The allegations in your publication also project, without any empirical evidence, that our client was caught with fake Malta Passport and in his possession, more than 200,000.00 in cash which he was conveying to the First lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari. Our client unequivocally avers that these allegations are false and ought not to have been published by your communication outlets if representations are to be made within altruistic journalistic limits especially, based on information easily accessible from official records.

For instance, Charge No. CR/126/126/19  Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Rabbi Opara & Anor is currently pending before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with regards to the Maltese passport issued to our client. A glean through the Court papers in the said suit would have given your company a fair view of the truth behind the issuance of the Maltese Passport to our client.

Furthermore, in demonstration of the fact that our client was not in possession of illegitimate funds in the United Kingdom, the Uxbridge Magistrates Court, coram McAllister J., on 7th September 2020, ordered a refund, with interest, of money held by our client; and which said money was not in the sum of 200,000.00 as wrongly represented in your publication.

From the content of your publication under issue, the undisguised import, aim, purport and intention it set out to achieve was/is to injure our clients reputation and name, as well as deflate his estimation in the eyes of well-meaning people. With all respect, what is discernible from your publication under reference is acute malice, spite, viciousness and predetermination to lower and diminish the esteem of our client.

You might wish to note that our client is involved in legitimate business enterprises that are widely acclaimed, both in Nigeria and within international business circles. He is the Chairman and Chief Executive of several companies, some of which he founded, and others, which, as a result of his reputation for being honest and fair handed, he was invited to chair. These companies, apart from providing unique solutions to societal problems, provide jobs and means of livelihood to at least 2000 Nigerians, as well as contribute their quota to Nigerias Gross Domestic Product. These, amongst other leadership qualities, earned him the conferment of the revered traditional title of the Dan Amana of Dutse.

Our clients position is that your publication was made, either with actual or constructive knowledge of the falsity of its content or without any effort to verify the authenticity of such damaging stories which any media outlet should be loath to publish. This is obvious, for instance, from the paucity of details as to time, place, account details, etc, in the publication. Such action is clearly indicative of bad faith and/or, recklessness, with respect. Arising from the foregoing, we have further instruction of our client to demand the following from you:

1. A retraction of the said defamatory publication.

2. A retraction of @SaharaReporters tweet in respect of the publication under reference.

3. A public apology to our client to be issued vide your website and Twitter account @Sahara Reporters to be published for seven (7) consecutive days from the date of first publication.

4. Public apologies to be published in at least 3 newspapers with online and physical presence across Nigeria for seven (7) consecutive days.

Kindly note that, in the event that the legitimate demands of our client, as communicated herewith are not met within seven (7) days from the date of this letter, our client will be left with no option but to use all avenues available to him under the law to seek redress and halt a reoccurrence of the events complained of herein.

Yours faithfully,

PP: Wole Olanipekun & Co.

Bode Olanipekun, SAN
After its first season became one of the bigger hits of 2020 on the streamer, Netflix is looking forward to the next season of Down To Earth With Zac Efron as production has begun on the second season in Australia. The second season is expected to premiere sometime in 2022.

In this new season, actor Zac Efron travels around Australia with wellness expert Darin Olien in search of healthy, sustainable ways to live. The hosts bring viewers to beautiful locales where they seek out sustainable practices in a way that is both educational and enlightening, embracing local food, culture and customs throughout their journey.

More from Deadline

Efron Michael Simkin, Jason Barrett will exec produce through their banner Ninjas Runnin Wild and Brian Volk-Weiss, Cisco Henson and Darin Olien will also exec produce throughThe Nacelle Company.

While numbers havent been released, the first season of the reality series became a surprise hit as it premiered as people were forced into the locked down as the COVID-19 pandemic hit the globe. Not only did strong reviews and good word of mouth help build a fanbase but the show also quickly became a big winner across social media upon its release on Netflix.

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Famed theologian and Pastor, Tim Keller in the opening chapter of his book Walking with God through pain and suffering made the following statement, suffering is everywhere, unavoidable and its scope often overwhelms. This statement is an evident truth that we all know and have experienced.

Even as I write this article, the global outbreak of the Covid-19 Virus continues to spread and continues to take lives. Even as such suffering and hurt are pervasive and universal, thoughts like, where is God in the midst of this, or if God is so good, why would He allow things like this to exist, begin to occupy our minds.

The presence of suffering and evil along with the existence of a good and loving God seem to collide. The seemingly irreconcilable nature of Gods goodness in light of suffering rises triumphantly from the collision. After all, isnt this a major idea that has shipwrecked the faith of many, and turned them away from the idea of Gods existence?

In the midst of these circumstances, I felt motivated to write and to provide some food for thought. While it may be true that people who professed to be Christians have turned aside from their belief in light of suffering, Tim Keller makes an astute point that is equally true.

He says, at the same time, I learned that just as many people find God through affliction and suffering. They find that adversity moves them toward God rather than away, troubled times awaken them out of their haunted sleep of spiritual self-sufficiency into a serious search for the divine. In the book King Solomons Mines H. Rider Haggards character, Allan Quatermain, makes a similar point: I think the unknown and the awful always bring a man nearer to his maker.

Suffering does not necessarily lead to disbelief, yet many seem to struggle with disbelief. How did we get to the point where people publicly dismiss the existence of a good and loving God in light of suffering, and deny the possibility of believing in Him as well? I want to suggest that the main issue lies not necessarily with our understanding of good, or even how good comes about, but more so the end or purpose good serves and the fact that God, is involved. Let me share a story to illustrate my point.

A few years ago, President Barrack Obama visited Jamaica. He spoke at a scheduled Town Hall meeting at the University Of The West Indies to students and faculty. At the meeting, he asked a young woman to stand and invited the audience to applaud her as a brave and resilient young woman. It was recounted that a group of young men raped this young woman because she was attracted to other women.

In the aftermath of such a heinous crime, this young woman used this tragic circumstance to reach and encourage other girls. We have all heard of other instances in which, people have overcome and have used their struggle, suffering and pain as a platform to do good in the world.

It is in light of examples like this that I argue that we have no problem with the idea that good can come from bad, or with the fact that without hardships and suffering, we would not get stronger or attain the full measure of who we are to be. After all, as the saying attributed to Franklin Roosevelt goes, a smooth sea never made a good sailor.

The dilemma that arises is when we say, if God exists, He should be powerful and good enough to stop it. Lets be frank, none of us want suffering or hardship. It is here and we make lemonade out of lemons as it were. If we could we would do away with it, so why wouldnt a God who is creator and sustainer of all do the same?

David Hume amplifies the essence of the dilemma by quoting what he calls, Epicuruss old questions in his book Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion: Is he willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he able and willing? Whence then is evil?

I admit I have struggled with these thoughts, but I have had to think about this as well: if He doesnt exist then fine, but if He does exist and He exists as God- the one who sustains all things- what exactly does being God look like? Is acting by His own will and purposes part of the package? I would argue yes it is. If He cant act by His own will then He ceases to be God. I think that in light of His existence, we are better served by understanding how God operates through the suffering that exists in this world.

Let us turn to the scriptures to see what it says about His actions. According to Ephesians 1 verse 11, In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will. (English Standard Version) We see that God orchestrates and operates according to His will and His purposes, whatever He wants to accomplish.

2 Thessalonians 1 verse 11 says, To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfil every resolve for good. (English Standard Version) Romans 8 verse 28 says, And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (English Standard Version) These passages of scripture tell us that God works to ensure our good. I am suggesting that the specific good He seeks to accomplish comes to us through all things and that all factors in (though not entirely) painful things and hard things- essentially, suffering.

Admittedly the our refers to believers, but the intent is still for good. The question remains then is, what is this good that God talks about? In part 2 of this article, I will be sharing what I believe this good to be and three ways God uses or allows suffering in this world to bring it about.
Building on its longstanding commitment to bring the benefits of the internet to everyone, Google announced a series of efforts to support the economic empowerment of women at a virtual edition of Google for India event called Women Will on the occasion of International Womens Day.

The event also marked the completion of the joint effort with Tata Trusts to empower women across rural India with digital literacy skills and bridge the digital gender divide with the Internet Saathi program. Launched in 2015 by Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, the program was designed to impart digital literacy training to women across 300,000 villages in India. Over six years, this pan-India effort has benefitted over 30 million women across India through training provided by over 80,000 Internet Saathis.

Speaking at the event, Sundar Pichai said, The success of the Internet Saathi program has shown how digital access and digital literacy can help women to reach their full potential and improve their livelihoods. When women have equal access to opportunity, we all benefit from their perspectives, creativity and their expertise, and this is true all over the world. Yet, when it comes to accessing opportunity, deep inequalities persist. Building on the Internet Saathi program success, were making a new commitment to help 1 million women in rural villages in India to become entrepreneurs through business tutorials, tools, and mentorship.

He also announced a global Google.org Impact Challenge for Women and Girls, under which Google.org will provide $25 million in grants to nonprofits and social enterprises in India and around the world that are doing important work to help women and girls reach their full potential. Women are almost twice as likely to lose their jobs during the pandemic and an estimated 20 million girls are at risk of not returning to school. We have the opportunity to build a future that is more equal and more inclusiveand we must take it, he added.

Commenting on Tata Trusts partnership with Google, Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts, said, We look upon the success of the Internet Saathis partnership we have had with Google with great satisfaction. Together, we embarked on training women trainers to familiarize other women on how to utilize the internet, all in the rural environment, that would otherwise never take place. In bringing today's technology, and perhaps tomorrow's technology, to bear for the benefit of rural women is a great move forward. Over time, these efforts will ensure that the true value of the internet can come into the fore. I would like to congratulate the two teams that have worked together to help make this happen.

In a special address at the event, Union Minister Smriti Zubin Irani, Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of India, said, I am of the firm belief, as is our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, that women can act as great enablers of our growth story, creating tectonic shifts in society. Over the last few years, under Jan Dhan Yojana, we have supported 220 million women to become financially independent. Under the Mudra Yojana, we have dedicated 27 crore worth of funds, accessed by 70% women. The time now, especially with such great leaps in technology, is ripe for India and other emerging economies to ensure that a level playing field is created for the economic advancement of women. I am happy to learn about Googles efforts and commitment to enable women entrepreneurs in India as these will create pathways for the socio-economic advancement of women.

Calling for bold, innovative ideas from India and around the world to advance the economic empowerment of women and girls, Jacquelline Fuller, VP, Google and President of Google.org, said, The progress on gender has been uneven, fragile, frustratingly slow, and equality is a long way off. Post COVID-19, it is both a moral, societal and economic imperative to take immediate action to counter the pandemics gender-regressive effects. It is estimated that doing so would result in $13 trillion in global GDP gains by 2030. Job cuts, income loss, and lack of access to education will prevent women and girls' economic advancement, particularly those from underserved communities, for generations to come. These alarming realities require swift and decisive action.

Emphasizing the need for an enabling ecosystem for efforts towards gender equity, Sanjay Gupta, Vice President & Country Head, Google India, In the past few decades, we have witnessed some of the traditional barriers against womens access to education, health, politics, and the economy weakening. But more needs to be done by everyone, and urgently. The Internet Saathi program demonstrated the close relationship between gender equity, economic participation, and digital inclusion, and therefore, I am very pleased that we are taking on this new challenge of enabling 1 Million women entrepreneurs in rural India. We are excited to build this new ecosystem of entrepreneurship enablers to help narrow the gender gap.

New Commitments and Program Details

Supporting 1 million women entrepreneurs in rural India

Based on learnings from the Internet Saathi program, and to continue to support women in rural India to pursue their ambitions and improve their livelihoods through entrepreneurship, Google has launched the Women Will web platform. This will be complemented by community support, mentorship and accelerator programs for rural women entrepreneurs.

Available in English and Hindi, the Women Will platform is designed especially for women aspiring to explore entrepreneurship. Through a how to curriculum on turning an interest into a business, managing an enterprise, and promoting it for growth, the platform will provide guidance and support to women who want to convert an existing hobby or talent such as tailoring, beauty services, home tuition, food processing, etc. into some income. To begin with, Google will work with 2,000 Internet Saathis to help other women gain from this resource and start on their entrepreneurial journey.

Supporting 100,000 women agri-workers with NASSCOM Foundation

To support women with access to skills they need for the future, Google.org is committing a $500K grant to NASSCOM Foundation. WIth this grant support, NASSCOM Foundation will reach 100,000 women agri workers with digital and financial literacy training in the six states of Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. NASSCOM Foundation will also set up a helpline where the women agri workers will be able to call and receive further counselling on their entrepreneurship related queries.

US$25 million Google.org Global Impact Challenge for Women & Girls

Google.org will provide $25 million in overall funding to nonprofits and social organizations in India and around the world that are working to advance women and girls' economic empowerment and create pathways to prosperity. Selected Impact Challenge grantees will also receive mentoring from Googlers, Ad Grants, and additional support to bring their ideas to life. Visit g.co/womenandgirlschallenge to learn more about the Challenge and apply before the April 10th deadline.

Feature enablements on Search and Maps for women entrepreneurs

For many entrepreneurs, Search and Maps are their storefront. In order to make it easier for people to support women-led businesses, Google will enable search in English for women-led  women-led restaurants, women-led clothing stores and more  on Google Search and Maps. This is based on an opt-in feature on Google My Business where women-led businesses can identify as such on their Business Profiles. This will not only enhance the online presence of hundreds of women-owned businesses but customers can easily extend their support by purchasing from them, leaving a great review, and sharing their Business Profile.

GPay Business Pages for Homepreneurs

To empower homepreneurs, the vast majority of whom are women, Google Pay announced the launch of Business Pages which enables them to create easy catalogues of their products and services and direct people to them through a unique URL. Interested buyers can chat with the homepreneur about their order and pay within the chat based interface on Google Pay.
Emmanuel Macron: The Azerbaijani troops must leave Armenias sovereign territory

Armenia 3rd President on authorities and the upcoming elections

Armenia 3rd President reacts to photos of bodies of soldiers in freezer: It felt like the blood froze in my veins

Armenia Ombudsman addresses OSCE officials in regard to Ilham Aliyev's Armenophobic statements

Turkey's Erdogan expresses willingness to support Georgia-Azerbaijan-Armenia trilateral cooperation

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

French-Armenians hold protest against Armenia acting PM's visit to France

Angulo's goal helped Armenia tie score with Croatia

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: I've fallen in love with AS Roma and Rome over the last two years

Roma extend contract with Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Croatia-Armenia 1-0 (after first half)

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Wargonzo: Russian MOD is dealing with settlement of conflict in Armenia's Syunik Province on a daily basis

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

Yerkir.am: ARF-D Bureau member: Armenia acting PM ignored Macron's phone calls on November 9, 2020

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

Oliver Kahn replaces Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as Bayern Munich's manager

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

Arturo Vidal tests positive for COVID-19

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

Thomas Tuchel's contract with Chelsea automatically extended

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

Do pets need to be vaccinated against coronavirus?

Sean Bean stops watching Game of Thrones after his hero's execution

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

Roma, Mkhitaryan reach deal

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Armenia national squad hold last training session before friendly against Croatia

Roland Garros: Naomi Osaka withdraws due to disagreement with organizers

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Scientists offer new approach to overeating treatment

FC West Armenia announce end of career

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

Brazil to host Copa America

Caparros: I think Henrikh Mkhitaryan will help the team during matches in September

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Aguero signs deal with Barcelona

Courtney Cox re-enacts Friends dance with Ed Sheeran

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

Henrikh Mkhitaryan declines Zenit's and Monaco's offers
Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand opens portals after winter break, no pilgrims allowed due to Covid

Uttarakhand: CM Trivendra Singh Rawat leaves for New Delhi, to meet Central BJP leaders

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Mar 08: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Monday leaves from Dehradun for New Delhi. "He will meet Central BJP leaders in Delhi," according to the chief minister's office.

Earlier, a sudden meeting of the Uttarakhand BJP's core committee has fuelled speculations about some major changes in the government.

The meeting, held on Saturday evening, was presided over by BJ''s national vice president and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh, who arrived here on Saturday afternoon. Singh was accompanied by state BJP in-charge Dushyant Kumar Gautam.

The unscheduled meeting with the members of the core group came at a time when the budget session of the state assembly was underway in Gairsain.

The BJP MLAs were called back from Gairsain to the state capital in view of the core committee meeting held amid ongoing speculations in the media about a cabinet expansion.

The sudden meeting of the core committee for which Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat had to fly back to Dehradun in a hurry from Gairsain assumed significance.

Uttarakhand: Sudden meeting of BJP core group fuels speculation about major change in govt

Core group members -- Rajya Sabha member Naresh Bansal, Tehri MP Mala Rajya Lakshmi Shah, former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna, Nainital MP Ajay Bhatt, cabinet minister Madan Kaushik, minister of state Dhan Singh Rawat, state BJP general secretary Ajeya Kumar, among others -- attended the meeting, which went on for over two hours.

Raman Singh talked separately to each member of the core group to get a feedback from them. He also went to the chief minister''s official residence where around 40 party MLAs had gathered. He also visited the RSS office here after the core committee meeting.

Another member of the core group Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank also met Singh at Jollygrant airport late in the evening.

The urgency with which the developments took place gave rise to speculations that a leadership change was likely in the state.

Muthoot Finance shares drop as chairman falls to death | Oneindia News

However, state BJP president Bansidhar Bhagat said the core group meeting discussed celebrations to be held in 70 assembly constituencies in the state on March 18 to mark the completion of the BJP government''s four years in office.

Riding on pro-Modi sentiments, the BJP had won 57 seats in the 2017 elections to the 70-member state assembly. Rawat was named as its chief ministerial choice after the polls.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 10:51 [IST]


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 "Natural Punishment" | Main | "Taking Restorative Justice Seriously" 

Back in 2019, I was pleased to be able to blog here about a legialative effort to prohibit judicial reliance on "acquitted conduct" in the federal sentencing system. I am now pleased to now be able to again highlight that Senators Dick Durbin and Chuck Grassley are again the bipartisan sponsors of the latest version of the "Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act." This March 4 press release from Senator Durbin's office provides these details:

U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the lead sponsors of the landmark First Step Act, [on March 4] introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act of 2021. This legislation would end the unjust practice of judges increasing sentences based on conduct for which a defendant has been acquitted by a jury. U.S. Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) plan to introduce House companion legislation next week.

Under our Constitution, defendants can only be convicted of a crime if a jury of their peers finds they are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. However, federal law inexplicably allows judges to override a jury verdict of not guilty by sentencing defendants for acquitted conduct. This practice is inconsistent with the Constitutions guarantees of due process and the right to a jury trial, Durbin said. Our bipartisan, bicameral bill would make it clear that this unjust practice is prohibited under federal law.

If any American was acquitted of past charges by a jury of their peers, then some sentencing judge down the line shouldnt be able to find them guilty anyway and add to their punishment. A bedrock principle of our criminal justice system is that defendants are innocent until proven guilty. The use of acquitted conduct in sentencing punishes people for what they havent been convicted of. Thats not acceptable and its not American. Back in 2014, Justices Scalia, Thomas and Ginsburg all agreed, but werent able to hear the case and stop the practice. Our bill will finally prohibit under federal law what many already find patently unconstitutional, Grassley said....

Our criminal justice system rests on the Fifth and Sixth Amendment guarantees of due process and the right to a jury trial for the criminally accused. These principles require the government to prove a defendants guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury. Under the Constitution, defendants may be convicted only for conduct proven beyond a reasonable doubt. However, at sentencing, courts may enhance sentences if they find, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a defendant committed other crimes. The difference in those standards of proof means that a sentencing court can effectively nullify a jurys verdict by considering acquitted conduct....

The Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act would end this practice by:

Amending 18 U.S.C.  3661 to preclude a court of the United States from considering, except for purposes of mitigating a sentence, acquitted conduct at sentencing, and

Defining acquitted conduct to include acts for which a person was criminally charged and adjudicated not guilty after trial in a Federal, State, Tribal, or Juvenile court, or acts underlying a criminal charge or juvenile information dismissed upon a motion for acquittal.

Along with Durbin and Grassley, the legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).

The Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act is endorsed by the following organizations: National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Due Process Institute, ALEC Action, American Civil Liberties Union, Americans for Prosperity, Americans for Tax Reform, Black Public Defenders Association, Digital Liberty, Dream Corps JUSTICE, Drug Policy Alliance, Fair Trials, Faith and Freedom Coalition, FAMM, Federal Public and Community Defenders, FreedomWorks, The Innocence Project, Justice Action Network, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Legal Aid & Defender Association, Prison Fellowship, R Street Institute, Right on Crime, The Sentencing Project, Texas Public Policy Foundation, and Tzedek Association.

Bill text is available here.
MIAMI, March, 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

imic research logo

WHAT: The ACTIV-2clinical trial, which is investigating treatments for early COVID-19, announces the addition of new agents to the study. Developed by Brii Biosciences, BRII-196 and BRII-198 are monoclonal antibodies that each target a different part of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Researchers hope that the combination of the two therapeutics will improve efficacy and reduce the likelihood that the virus will develop resistance to the treatment. Study participants in phase 3 will be receiving the combination agent, no placebo. Also available treatment with Astra Zeneca monoclonal antibodies AZD7442 (IV) or (IM), which is a combination of 2 human monoclonal antibodies, or Camostat, a protease inhibitor for oral administration.

ACTIV-2 is part of the National Institute of Health's Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines (ACTIV) public-private partnership, sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and is designed and led by the AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG). ACTIV-2 also receives support from Operation Warp Speed.

WHY: COVID-19 treatments that can speed recovery and prevent people from progressing to advanced disease, requiring hospitalization, and transmitting SARS-CoV-2 are desperately needed. While effective vaccines are essential to prevent COVID-19, treatments also play a vital role in ending the pandemic. Vaccine roll-out will take time and not everyone will want or be able to get one in the near term. Clinical trials are vital to discovering such treatments and only work when enough people volunteer to participate.

WHERE: IMIC Research Center, 18320 Franjo Rd, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157

WHO: To qualify for ACTIV-2, individuals in Miami-Dade and Monroe county must have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the outpatient setting and started experiencing symptoms within 10 days of enrolling or can be tested at the clinic. The trial is committed to enrolling individuals most impacted by COVID-19. The ACTG has launched initiatives to increase inclusion of patients of different ethnic origin.

HOW: To learn more or enroll, visit IMIC Inc. Media Research Center at 18320 Franjo Rd, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157, online at www.imicinc.com or call 786-600-7005 or 786-310-7477.

MORE: Dr. Boris Nikolov, CCRC and Dr. Ramon Leon, MD are available to interview in person, via video conference and/or phone to discuss:

The ACTIV-2 clinical trial, its goals, and study design

The urgency of enrolling in this study after diagnosis

The importance of enrolling different patients populations

How to learn more, qualify, and enroll in the study

Media Contact: Megan Harris, [email protected] , Dr Boris Nikolov [email protected]

Related Images

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SOURCE IMIC Research


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Olivier Dassault, France

08 Mar 2021: Olivier Dassault, France's billionaire politician, dies in helicopter crash

Olivier Dassault, a French politician and billionaire, died on Sunday around 6 pm (local time) due to a helicopter crash near Deauville in northern France, multiple reports said.

The death of the 69-year-old conservative politician was mourned by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Sources close to the investigation told AFP that the pilot also died in the crash. The helicopter didn't have any other occupants.

Profile: Who was Olivier Dassault?

Olivier Dassault was the eldest son of Serge Dassault, an industrialist whose group manufactures the Rafale fighter jets and owns the Le Figaro newspaper.

His grandfather Marcel Dassault had founded Dassault Aviation and it initially made aircraft propellers during World War I. The Dassault family is one of the richest families in France.

Olivier Dassault is believed to have amassed a personal wealth of $7.3 billion.

Politician: He was elected to the Lower House in 2002

Olivier Dassault was elected to the Lower House of French Parliament in 2002 from Oise area and remained its representative since then.

He had quit his role on the Dassault board after joining politics to avoid conflict of interest.

It was reported that he might succeed his father as the head of family holdings, but the position later went to Dassault Aviation's ex-CEO Charles Edelstenne.

What happened: Helicopter crashed on take-off: French agency

The helicopter which was carrying Olivier Dassault was an AS350 Ecureuil. The French Air Accident Investigation Bureau (BEA) said the aircraft met with the fateful crash "on take-off from the private land."

Five investigators from the agency were sent to the site.

Expressing grief over the incident, Macron said, "Olivier Dassault loved France." His death is a great loss, the President added.

Fact: He never ceased to serve our country: Macron

Messages: Politicians remembered his contributions, extended condolences to family

Story continues

Justice Minister, Eric Dupond-Moretti, tweeted, "The Republic has lost one of its great servants," he wrote.

Remembering Olivier Dassault, Valerie Pecresse, a conservative politician, tweeted, "A businessman, but also a renowned photographer, he had a passion for politics in his blood."

"I am thinking of his family and loved ones who must feel terrible pain," said President of National Assembly, Richard Ferrand.
Cahill planned to go ahead with the trial anyway and initially ruled jury selection would begin as scheduled on Monday. But after prosecutors filed a request with the Court of Appeals to put the case on hold, the judge sent the potential jurors home for the day. With no ruling from the Court of Appeals by midday, Cahill proceeded with other pretrial matters, most of which were routine. Cahill said he would proceed with the trial unless the higher courts told him to stop.
Shares of Just Dial, on Monday, were locked in 10 per cent upper circuit at Rs 963.60 on the BSE after the company said it has entered into an advertising agreement for IPL. The stock of Indias leading local search engine company was trading close to its 52-week high of Rs 1,063, hit on March 3.

In the past month, Just Dial's stock outperformed the market by surging 50 per cent, as compared to 1.6 per cent decline in the S&P BSE Sensex. Till 02:23 pm, a combined 3.5 million equity shares had changed hands on the counter on the NSE and BSE.

The company has signed an advertising agreement with broadcaster Star India Private Limited "Star" for advertising as Co-Presenting Sponsor in Indian Premier League - 14 (IPL 2021), to be held in April-May 2021, said in a exchange filing.

provides local search related services to users in India through multiple platforms such as Desktop/ PC website, mobile site, mobile apps (Android & iOS), over the telephone (Voice, pan India number 88888-88888) and text (SMS).

On February 24, had launched its B2B portal, Jd Mart, across various platforms for users. B2B buyers can discover quality vendors offering a wide selection of products to choose from, spread across various categories to suit all their B2B needs.
Chennai: The Indian Coast Guard has thwarted an attempt by Sri Lankan boats to smuggle narcotic drugs worth Rs. 2100 crore into India via the Lakshadweep region, off the country's West Coast, over the weekend. As per the Coast Guard, the boats had dumped five bags of contraband weighing nearly 260 kgs in the water, after having been sure of no escape from the ICG aircraft and ships that were conducting surveillance in the region.

Based on the initial investigation, the Coast guard has said that the SLFB Akarsha Duwa was at sea for over a fortnight.

After being intercepted, as the crew have misleading statements and behaved abnormally, the Coast Guard interrogated them tactfully, following which the crew admitted to having been involved in narcotics smuggling.

Owing to rough sea conditions off Minicoy Islands, the boats were brought to Vizhinjam near Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, 7th March for further interrogation by the security agencies.

Post rummaging and joint investigation at Vizhinjam, SLFB Akarsha Duwa along with 6 Sri Lankan crew were detained. Two other Sri Lankan boats with the crew were released for handing over to Sri Lankan authorities for further investigation, due to a considerable quantity of fish stock onboard.

A similar attempt was thwarted in November last year, when ICG apprehended Sri Lankan fishing boat Shenaya Duwa off Kanyakumari, carrying narcotics worth around Rs.1000cr in the International market.

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One of the petroleum tank farms at the Ras Tanura Port in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia, one of the largest oil shipping ports in the world, was attacked yesterday by a drone, coming from the sea, an official spokesman at the Ministry of Energy said.

The spokesman added that another deliberate attempt was also made in the evening to attack Saudi Aramcos facilities, said a Saudi Press Agency report.

Shrapnel from a ballistic missile fell near Saudi Aramcos residential area in the city of Dhahran, where thousands of the companys employees and their families from different nationalities live.

The spokesman said that both attacks did not result in any injury or loss of life or property.

The latest in a spate of assaults on Saudi oil installations pushed oil prices beyond $70 per barrel for the first time since January 2020.

In his statement, the spokesman stressed that the Kingdom condemns and criminalises such repeated acts of sabotage and hostility. The kingdom calls on nations and organisations of the world to stand together against these attacks, which are aimed at civilian objects and vital installations.

Such acts of sabotage do not only target the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but also the security and stability of energy supplies to the world, and therefore, the global economy. They affect the security of petroleum exports, freedom of world trade, and maritime traffic, it said.

They also expose coasts and territorial waters to grave environmental catastrophes due to potential leakage of petroleum or petroleum products, it added.
A petition has been launched calling on Bank of Ireland (BoI) to reverse its decision to close its Strand Road branch in Derry.

BoI announced last week it was to shut 15 of its branches in the North and a further 88 in the Republic.

As well as the Derry office, branches in Limavady, Strabane and Moville are among those to be shut, with the closures to take place later this year.

The other Northern branches are Ballymena, Banbridge, Belfast (Lisburn Road), Belfast (Ormeau Road), Belfast (University Road), Crossmaglen, Downpatrick, Dungannon, Keady, Lisburn, Lisnaskea and Portadown.

Urging people to sign the petition, Sinn Fein Foyle MLA Martina Anderson said local bank branches needed to stay open for 'our town and community to thrive'.

She added: In the middle of a pandemic when customers and businesses are under severe pressure, Bank of Ireland should not be closing local bank branches in Derry or anywhere else.

Keeping our local branch in Derry open is crucial for our community and I would urge people to make their voices heard to keep this branch open by signing the online petition.

Sinn Fein will continue to challenge the rationale for these closures and highlight the impact the loss of services will have on towns and villages.

The petition will be delivered directly to the Republic's Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, and by post to the chief executive and board of Bank of Ireland and the bank's largest shareholder,

In announcing the closures, BoI said there would be no compulsory redundancies, with affected staff to be offered relocation.

It is not known if all of those at the Strand Road branch will be moved to its office on Culmore Road which opened in May 2014, with BoI declining to give the number of staff who would be affected. The bank said the changes were being made in response to 'significant and accelerating' trends in how people are banking.

To sign the petition, go to my.uplift.ie and search for 'Keep our bank branch open'.
A school superintendent in Sussex County has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Lenape Valley Regional Board of Education, claiming his contract was not renewed because they want someone younger to fill his shoes.

Paul DiRupo, 64, claims in court papers the boards president, Richard Kuncken, told him in December that his contract would not be renewed because the board was going younger. DiRupo is still listed as the districts superintendent.

The comment was made following a board meeting in which the members voted not to renew DiRupos contract, according to the suit filed last month in Superior Court of Sussex County.

The lawsuit also claims Kuncken continually harassed and treated (DiRupo) in a disparate manner because hes has multiple sclerosis, a disease of the central nervous system.

The lawsuit names the board of education, Kuncken and others.

DiRupo was hired in 2013 as superintendent of Lenape Valley Regional High School and has worked for the district in various capacities for 32 years, according to the suit.

The four-year public school district serves students in Stanhope and Byram Township in Sussex County and Netcong in Morris County. The high school is located in Stanhope.

DiRupos attorneys claim board members violated New Jerseys laws against discrimination by terminating him and failing to renew his contract.

The five-count lawsuit seeks money for lost income, pension contributions, pain, suffering and humiliation.

Kuncken and board members did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The boards attorney, John John B. Comegno II, said in an email on Monday that the district does not comment on pending litigation.

In 2019, the Lenape district agreed to pay a $55,000 settlement to a former assistant principal who claims DiRupo and another administrator mistreated him before he was fired in 2014.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
* Freight Charges are $1,185.

The Tucson offers new equipment beyond the previous generation, including standard technology features, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, Pedestrian Detection added to Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), LED headlights and daytime running lights, High Beam Assist, Downhill Brake Control and Trailer Sway Control. On the inside, the standard display increases from seven to eight inches and HD Radio is now standard. A new, more powerful 2.5-liter engine coupled with an eight-speed transmission offers both dependable power and superb efficiency, with towing capacity increasing from 1,500 lbs. to 2,000 lbs.

Also for 2022, Tucson adds an eco-focused hybrid model with a balanced combination of fun-to-drive performance coupled with excellent economy. Hybrid models have standard HTRAC AWD capability to meet the needs of eco-focused buyers, with specialized modes for greater adaptability to terrain and weather conditions, including Snow mode. Hyundai also developed an N Line version of the Tucson to appeal to enthusiast buyers, with a more aggressive exterior and interior appearance, combining dynamic design elements with motorsport-inspired details.

Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance and America's Best Warranty

Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance is the latest addition to the Hyundai Assurance program, which promises to create a better experience for shoppers and owners of Hyundai vehicles. Hyundai Assurance is made up of Owner Assurance, now including complimentary maintenance, and Shopper Assurance, which together offer customers a variety of ways to simplify the buying process and improve the owning and service experience. Details on these promises include:

America's Best Warranty: 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and 7-year anti-perforation warranty

Complimentary Maintenance: 3 years/36,000 miles of normal oil changes and tire rotations

Hyundai Motor America

At Hyundai Motor America, we believe everyone deserves better. From the way we design and build our cars to the way we treat the people who drive them, making things better is at the heart of everything we do. Hyundai's technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assuranceour promise to create a better experience for customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide and nearly half of those sold in the U.S. are built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.

Please visit our media website at www.HyundaiNews.com

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America

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Government-run (BEL) on Monday paid Rs 174.43 crore interim for 2020-21 to the defence ministry, according to an official statement.

BEL chairman and managing director M V Gowtama on Monday handed over the interim cheque to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi, the ministry said in its statement.

BEL has declared 140 per cent as interim (Rs 1.40 per share) to its shareholders for the financial year, it said.

"This is the 18th consecutive year that BEL is paying interim dividend. It had paid a total dividend of 280 per cent on its paid-up capital for 2019-20," the statement mentioned.

(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.)
NPP Deputy Communications Director, Mame Yaa Aboagye has thrown shade at the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) over complaints by the partys Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfi against the leadership.



Sammy Gyamfi expressed disappointment and bitter feelings over the actions of the Minority in Parliament as well as the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, claiming they have let the NDC down and called for an overhaul in the partys leadership.



Mame Yaa mocked the NDC stressing the law of Karma has caught up with them.



She took to her Facebook page to ridicule the NDC saying "NDC paaaa when you get to taste your own medicine you start throwing tantrums. 7th January de3 it was ok for you to get your Speaker. You have no idea what we went through but for us, in the NPP we always take consolation in Karma. Yes, Karma!!



Today you only got to taste 2 of your own syrups and the whole of Ghana has to come to a standstill. Anyway, wait till we break the 8years chain. Thanks for voting massively for my Girlfriend, Uncle, and Brother, she added.

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.

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Amid the political storm brewing in the Capital triggered by dissenting MLAs in Uttarakhand, chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat met Anil Baluni, Rajya Sabha MP from the state and National media in-charge of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here on Monday evening.

Beginning at 8.15 pm, Rawat and Baluni met at the latter's residence for about 30 minutes. After the meeting, without responding to questions posed by journalists, CM Rawat headed directly to BJP President J.P. Nadda's residence for another meeting.

Before this, the top leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party had a meeting in the Parliament House complex for about 40 minutes to discuss the rapidly changing political climate of the state of Uttarakhand.

Sources say National President J.P. Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah and National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santosh participated in this meeting in a bid to resolve the grievances of the dissenting MLAs as well as consider a change in guard in the state.

Rawat's meeting with Baluni at his residence, soon after the meeting of the top BJP leadership, has heightened speculation in the Capital's political circles.

Reports say a large group of MLAs is upset with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. The MLAs complain the bureaucracy has got a free rein in the state, making it spiral out of control. Even MLAs and ministers have no say in the proceedings. In such a scenario, the upset MLAs are demanding that the chief minister be changed.

The BJP top leadership had rushed national vice president Raman Singh and national general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam to Dehradun on Saturday. Singh and Gautam held a meeting of the Uttarakhand core committee and submitted a report to the party leadership. The party leadership is now acting on the basis of this report.

Amid all the tumult in Uttarakhand, four ministers and more than 15 MLAs are camping in the national Capital.
Rinco Chiu/Getty

The coronavirus pandemic has brought with it outbreaks of racial harassment, abuse, and physical violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities across the United Statesa spike that President Joe Biden has vocally condemned since his earliest days in office. But community leaders, fearful that the fast and furious increase in incidents could continue long after the pandemic has retreated, say that a change in rhetoric from the Oval Office is just a first step to addressing the root causes of anti-Asian hostility.

Asian Americans have felt so invisible when it comes to these issues, that its not acknowledged, said Cynthia Choi, co-executive director of Chinese for Affirmative Action, a longtime civil rights organization based in San Francisco. Ive heard from so many community members and leaders say what a world of difference it makes, to have the president of the United States actually acknowledge and to see us.

It does matter and I think it is importantof course, following that up with real action.

Anti-Asian harassment is not new to the pandemic, and the recent upswing comes on the heels of deteriorating relations with China and years of anti-immigrant policies by the previous administration, both of which have contributed to the scapegoating of Asian Americans for any number of national ills. But the novel coronavirus, which was first discovered in Wuhan, China, has sparked the biggest wave of anti-Asian harassment in decades, from major cities with vibrant Asian American neighborhoods to suburbs and rural communities.

Most people had little information to go on during the first weeks of the pandemic, but even during the earliest days, community leaders knew enough about the virus and its origins to know who would be blamed.

I was visiting my sister in Massachusetts, and I heard this story that theres this virus that was discovered in Wuhan, and I said, oh, my God, here we go, said Jo-Ann Yoo, executive director of the Asian American Federation, which coordinates the work of more than 60 nonprofit organizations that support Asian communities in the United States. I knew exactly what this was going to be.

Story continues

Yoos early concerns were justified swiftly, and often brutally. According to Stop AAPI Hate, which has tracked incidents of discrimination, harassment and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during the pandemic, the group received more than 2,800 reports of racism and harassment between March 19 and Dec. 31 of last year alone.

When the group first began tracking incidents of harassment and violence against AAPI communities, President Donald Trump and his administration had already been using his platform to make racist jokes about the kung flu or Chinese virus for weeks. As the death toll from the virus climbed into the hundreds of thousands and as the nations economy veered on collapse, Trump steadfastly blamed the ravages of the pandemic on China and its government, rather than his own governments mishandling of the crisis at nearly every turn.

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That rhetoric, advocates told The Daily Beast, had a direct effect on the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and abuse that would follow.

Racist tropes really fueled this resentment, this animus towards Asians, said Choi. Look at where we are with the pandemicpeople are really trusting our national leaders and hanging onto their every word, even the most ridiculous.

Biden has, since the early days of the coronavirus, urged Americans not to scapegoat vulnerable communities for the pandemic, and one of his first acts in office was to sign an executive order condemning Trumps xenophobic language and ordering the Department of Justice to track hate crimes against AAPI people in the United States. Asked last month what the president might do in addition to that executive order, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that of course Biden would support additional action on the local and federal level to strengthen the law enforcement response to the growing crisis, but the White House has not yet specified what that might look like.

Early warnings that Trumps language could get people hurt had decades of historical evidence in their favor. The anti-Asian racism perpetuated by the White House was part of a long American tradition of pinning culpability for infectious diseases on members of politically, racially or economically disadvantaged and unpopular groups, particularly immigrant communities. Smallpox and leprosy outbreaks in the 1940s were blamed on Chinese immigrant communities by officials who accused them of unclean lifestyles; between 1982 and 1985, reported hate crimes against gay men tripled in the United States as they were blamed for the spread of HIV/AIDS.

That history, community leaders say, means that a simple change in rhetoric from the Oval Office isnt enough to end the rise in attacks on Asian American people and communities.

Donald Trump is absolutely responsible for increasing hatred against Asian Americans, said Quyen Dinh, executive director of Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, a civil rights organization that works on behalf of Cambodian, Laotian, and Vietnamese American communities. But Trumps attacks, which Dinh called a calculated tactic to distract Americans from a public health crisis and Trumps failed response, were only the most recent episode in a long history of fearmongering against Asian American communities.

Hate and xenophobia against Asian American communities isnt new, Dinh said, citing the Chinese Exclusion Act, Japanese internment during World War II, and current hostilities against Chinese academics and scientists at U.S. universities. Law enforcement and the U.S. government have been some of the worst agitators of hate.

In many ways, Choi echoed, that long history of hostility defines the contemporary Asian American experience, particularly during the pandemic.

The demonization and dehumanization of an entire group is essentially history repeating itself, Choi said.

In a statement late last month, the Department of Justice indicated that the additional action will include increased training for federal prosecutors and law enforcement officers on investigating and prosecuting hate crimes, with hundreds having received the training in recent months.

Hate crimes cannot be tolerated in our country, and the Department of Justice will continue to put all necessary resources toward protecting our neighbors and our communities from these heinous acts, said Pamela Karlan, the principal deputy assistant attorney general in DOJs Civil Rights Division, which Karlan said is in frequent communication with the FBI and the United States Attorneys Offices as they support local law enforcement investigations.

Some leading advocates for a federal response to growing violence against Asian Americans have applauded the Biden administrations willingness to coordinate the law enforcement response.

While Donald Trump stoked violence and hatred using racist language, President Biden has condemned anti-Asian racism and I have every confidence that DOJ will vigorously investigate and prosecute these acts of hate and violence against the AAPI community, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) told The Daily Beast. Focusing resources to expedite the review and prosecution of these cases will help alleviate the fear and trauma that AAPIs have suffered as a result of these attacks.

Multiple community leaders told The Daily Beast that the order was a good first step, but cautioned against solely relying on the Department of Justice to address the problem. On a roundtable call last Thursday with more than a dozen AAPI organizations, leaders from various communities told Susan Rice, the presidents top domestic policy advisor, and White House senior advisor Cedric Richmond that the climate of fear needs to be combated with a multi-front approach to structural racism, rather than just a change in rhetoric and an increase in prosecutions for hate crimes.

Law enforcement sometimes isnt the answer, said Yoo, who participated in the listening session. Some of our immigrants come from countries where police interaction isnt necessarily a positive, and so I think people are much more cautious.

L.A. Attack Against Korean-American Vet Under Investigation as Hate Crime

Dinh, who also participated in the call, cautioned that a response focusing entirely on the Justice Departments role risks further fanning the flames of division between minority communities, at the expense of all of them.

We cannot combat hate and misinformation through the very systems that hurt usthrough policing, through enforcement, and through the criminal legal system, Dinh said, warning that a response thats overly reliant on law enforcement could further stoke tensions. These systems criminalize our people and our Black and brown allies. They wreak havoc in our neighborhoods. They subject generations of our families to harm, to pain, to trauma. We can combat hate and misinformation through community, through compassion, and through education.

Advocates say additional resources to ensure that Asian Americans in immigrant communities are fully appraised of their rights as crime victims could actually help as well as more cooperation between community leaders and civic leaders to ensure that those resources include language access.

Victims often dont know what their rights are. Whats the language access? What's the language capacity for some of the law enforcement officers? I mean, if somebody is a victim, can the police take a report in-language? said Yoo. Can you offer assistance and explain fully what their rights are as victims and what help is available, in-language? And is that help offered in a culturally competent and relevant manner? Those are the things that I think about.

Choi, who also participated in the call with White House advisors, said that community leaders called for additional resources for victims of crimes beyond the scope of law enforcement, including access to mental health services, as well as prevention-based programs that focus on the underlying causes of violence, crime and racial bias, particularly in low-income and working class communities.

When community members and entire communities dont have the resources to be able to have their basic needs met, thats where you will see violence and crime, and communities hurting each other, Choi said.

Still, much of the problem was incited by the racist language of Bidens predecessorwhich means that public commitment to fighting anti-Asian racism is still a powerful tool.

Words matter, especially words said from the highest office, Dinh said. President Biden must affirm the pain that our communities have experienced for so long. Beyond an address, our communities are looking for action and leadership to show the path forward toward healing and justice.

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RM OF MINTO-ODANAH  Some things are irreplaceable  a tragic reality Renee Melanson and Glen Mozdzen have been left grappling with.

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RM OF MINTO-ODANAH  Some things are irreplaceable  a tragic reality Renee Melanson and Glen Mozdzen have been left grappling with.

Three of their cats were killed in a fire that ripped through their rural house, located midway between Brandon and Minnedosa, on Feb. 22.

Touring the property on Saturday, Melanson limited what she said about cats Hope, Gretel and Cocotte because she feared becoming overcome with emotion if she thought about them too much.

She kept the doors open for the cats to escape during the fire, but the smoke was so black and thick she said there was nothing else to be done.

"I did firefighter training while I was overseas, so Im quite familiar with the way things are and I knew not to go back in," said Melanson, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran.

"You want to try, but I could see nothing."

Five of their eight cats did, however, make it safely outside and are now hunkering down in a boarding kennel they have on the property.

This includes Hansel, Gretels brother.

Their elderly dog, Lucky Blue, was found sunning himself outside on Saturday.

"You can tell hes pretty shook up, so we just let him lay in the sun," Mozdzen said. "He doesnt have to see all this."

It has been a stressful time, and Mozdzen said the animals can pick up on their moods.

"Were trying to joke about certain things and lighten up the mood, but it hits us later when were not around other people.  Its a lot to take in," Melanson said.

TYLER CLARKE/THE BRANDON SUN Smoke and fire damage is everywhere in Mozdzen and Melanson's kitchen.

The fire broke out at approximately 5 a.m. on Feb. 22 at the corner of their garage, where an industrial heaters electrical hookup proved faulty.

The fire spread quickly through the garage, beginning with winter clothing and spreading through the rafters.

Melanson and Mozdzen were sleeping in separate rooms at the time due to Mozdzens snoring. This, Melanson said, is why the fires outcome wasnt as tragic as it might have otherwise been, since she kept her rooms door open. When the smoke began creeping through the house, cats came in to wake her up.

After being woken up by Melanson, Mozdzen ran to the garage with a fire extinguisher, spraying its contents onto the blaze until nothing else would come out before throwing it in frustration.

From there, the fire ripped through the house quickly, despite the efforts of the Minnedosa Fire Department, whose members the property owners credit with arriving quickly.

"All this was in a matter of 20 minutes," Mozdzen said, waving his arm at his now gutted house, adding everything was a smouldering wreck within an hour.

Some items were salvaged, including a few heirlooms and Melansons military medals, but much of what they owned was lost.

They have insurance, but that takes a while to come through and the couple left with pretty much just the clothes they were wearing.

To help out, friend Vesna Mijic set up a GoFundMe fundraiser online at bit.ly/2N0K5Ek, which as of Sunday afternoon had raised $1,295 of its $20,000 goal.

The Minnedosa business community, where Mozdzen works as a mechanic, also came together by helping the couple in various ways outlined on the Facebook page "Community & Local Home Based Business Fundraiser to Assist Renee & Glen."

A friend in Minnedosa also gave them temporary lodgings.

Once the dust settles and their insurance comes in, the couple said they plan to rebuild the house on the property.

 tclarke@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 16:01:41|Editor: yan

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The second plenary meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, started its second plenary meeting Monday.

Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, delivered a work report of the NPC Standing Committee to the meeting.

Lawmakers also heard the work report of the Supreme People's Court delivered by its president Zhou Qiang and the work report of the Supreme People's Procuratorate delivered by Procurator-General Zhang Jun. Enditem
CARGOTEC CORPORATION, PRESS RELEASE, 8 MARCH 2021 AT 9 AM (EET)

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has concluded an agreement with the transportation operator Sitthi Logistics (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (Sitthi) to supply two rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs), three reachstackers, two empty container handlers and six terminal tractors for its greenfield inland terminal development in Laos. The order was booked in Cargotec's 2021 Q1 order intake with delivery of all units scheduled to be completed by Q4 2021.

Sitthi Logistics and the Lao Government are developing Vientiane Logistics Park (VLP) & Thanaleng Dry Port in Vientiane Capital under a joint venture. The Vientiane Logistics Park is one of the priority actions plans, which the Lao Government had formulated in the Logistics Development Strategy plan. The VLP project will drastically turn Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) into the land-linked country of Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), since this strategic location will serve as the distribution hub between ASEAN and China after the Lao-China railways project is completed in December 2021.

The Kalmar equipment selected by Sitthi comprises three different equipment types from the cost-efficient Kalmar Essential Range - three reachstackers, two empty container handlers and six terminal tractors. In addition, Kalmar will supply Sitthi with two Kalmar SmartPower RTGs, which can reduce annual fuel consumption by up to 50 per cent compared to traditional diesel machines.

Viengkhone Sitthixay, Vice President - Dry Port, Vientiane Logistic Park: "To operate the dry port terminal smoothly is our duty. We trust only Kalmar's cargo-handling equipment. Their machinery is reliable and meets our standards, not to mention their fuel saving capabilities that would make our work not only cost-effective, but also efficient."

Tee Chee Seng, Vice President - Property Development, Vientiane Logistic Park: "As a leading global player in the cargo-handling equipment industry, Kalmar was able to provide proven and cost-efficient solutions that met all our business requirements. We are excited to begin this collaboration with Kalmar and look forward to developing our partnership further as we ramp up operations at Thanaleng."

Daniel Ho, VP, Sales, Asia-Pacific, Kalmar: "We are delighted to enter a new market in Laos, and that Sitthi chose us to equip its new terminal with a diverse fleet of Kalmar machines. This order demonstrates the strength and depth of our offering and our capability to provide a comprehensive range of fuel and cost-efficient choices for customers who are developing greenfield sites.

Elvina Chua, VP, South and Southeast Asia Market Area at Kalmar: "The fuel-efficient Kalmar SmartPower RTGs as well as reliable and robust equipment from the Kalmar Essential range of mobile equipment, built on our tested and proven G-Generation platform will bring a complete solution for Sitthi's intermodal operations. We are honoured to be given the chance to be involved in this project with our wide product portfolio. On behalf of the management, we wish Thanaleng Port the best of success for their opening in 2021."

Further information for the press:

Daniel Ho, VP, Sales, Asia-Pacific, Kalmar, daniel.ho@kalmarglobal.com



Maija Eklof, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Kalmar, tel. +358 20 777 4096, maija.eklof@kalmarglobal.com



Kalmar offers the widest range of cargo handling solutions and services to ports, terminals, distribution centres and to heavy industry. Kalmar is the industry forerunner in terminal automation and in energy efficient container handling, with one in four container movements around the globe being handled by a Kalmar solution. Through its extensive product portfolio, global service network and ability to enable a seamless integration of different terminal processes, Kalmar improves the efficiency of every move. www.kalmarglobal.com

Kalmar is part of Cargotec. Cargotec's

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Broadband internet access is an issue for perhaps 90 percent of those serving in Congress, one member of Alabamas congressional delegation said last week.

Another said an effort similar to President Franklin Roosevelts New Deal during the Depression is needed to address the issue.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said she supports eliminating whats described as the digital divide, saying broadband access is one of the greatest challenges in our state.

The consensus is clear: Access is a problem. That was the focus of a weeklong series of online forums last week by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama with the revealing title Alabama Online: Failure to Connect. There is no consensus, however, on how best to solve the problem.

Its kind of like being at a 10-year-long fiddlers convention where everybody was just tuning up and nobody wanted to start playing, former Sen. Doug Jones said. I think everybody recognizes and understands the problem.

Related: Why Alabama ranks among worst nationally for broadband internet access

Related: With limited Internet, rural Alabama grows more remote in pandemic

Like other infrastructure issues, it comes down to money. Ivey said that to eliminate digital gaps in Alabama would cost as much as $6 billion. And as U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, said, its something about 90 percent of representatives in Washington have to deal with.

In addressing the bipartisan nature of the issue, Aderholt gave the anecdote of a self-described liberal congressman from Wisconsin facing the same problems with broadband as Aderholt himself, a conservative from Alabama, faces with his constituents.

Its about lack of money and lack of resources, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, said. To close the digital divide, we have to pay intentional attention to underserved urban as well as rural communities in order to make sure we level the playing field, after all, telephones were rolled out to every hamlet and village. We can definitely roll out high-speed internet. It is that important for the future of this nation.

So in order for us to be competitive, for our children to be competitive, for our industries to be competitive, for our state to be competitive, we have to leave no person behind when it comes to broadband.

Sewell made the comparison to the New Deal, which, in part, led to the creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority that provides electricity in north Alabama and throughout a seven-state footprint.

Again, though, it goes back to money. Jones, speaking on the webinar after Aderholt and Sewell, made note of their description of the issue as a bipartisan one. Most problems are bipartisan, Jones said, but funding solutions are not.

Almost every issue is a bipartisan issue in Congress, Jones said. Voting is a bipartisan issue, healthcare is a bipartisan issue, education is a bipartisan issue. How you get there, though, is a whole different story. And its the same when it comes to broadband. Youve got big tech, communications companies, youve got individual communities, youve got urban vs. rural. This is not just a rural problem. So getting there and the use of federal dollars and how they are going to be used is a partisan issue  make no mistake about it.

There have been intermittent spurts of funding in recent years, including in the CARES Act last year. That yielded $100 million for broadband expansion in Alabama in a public-private partnership targeted to distance learning for students during the pandemic. Ivey in 2018 also signed into law the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Act in another effort to funnel resources to expanding high-speed internet.

A stimulus package signed into law in December by former President Donald Trump set aside $3.2 billion in internet subsidies for low-income Americans.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn has pushed for a $100 billion spending package dedicated to broadband, a proposal last year that was cosponsored by, among others, then-Sen. and now-Vice President Kamala Harris. Sewell said she has supported Clyburns efforts in the past as well.

Weve pried the door open in terms of funding and now its about kicking down the door and leveraging state resources and really trying to make sure we get access to all areas, Sewell said.

Aderholt noted that beyond funding, more efficiency in government bureaucracy would lead to more efficient broadband coverage. He spoke from his experience as Agriculture subcommittee chair in the House Appropriations Committee that addressed rural issues beyond what its subcommittee name might suggest.

Making sure everyone is working off the same page, making sure everyone is working together and not duplicating agencies, we need to make sure were not stovepipe in different agencies doing their own thing and working together, Aderholt said.

Still, it ultimately goes back to money and therein lies the inevitable friction, Jones said.

I dont think anybody can think this is an issue everybody is singing kumbaya in Washington D.C. and its going to happen. If that was the case, it would have already happened and we know it has not, Jones said. The same is true in Montgomery. It could have happened in Montgomery but weve got some real partisan hurdles weve got to get over, I believe.
The Revival of the Iran Nuclear Deal and the Day After

A Conversation with Gary Samore

Organized and edited by David Siddhartha Patel, Associate Director for Research



In the nuclear deal reached in July 2015 between Iran, the U.S., and other global powersformally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)Iran agreed to limit production of nuclear fuel and move the vast majority of its existing stockpile out of the country in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.[i] These steps were designed to increase the time it would take Iran to produce enough material for a nuclear weapon.



Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 and imposed a series of unilateral sanctions on Iran; in response, Iran began a year later to exceed production limits outlined in the deal. During the 2020 presidential campaign and since entering the White House, President Joe Biden has said that if Iran returns to strict compliance with the original 2015 deal, then the U.S. will do the same. His administration will then seek to extend and strengthen the nuclear deal as well as reach agreements on limits to Irans missile program and regional activities, such as its support of armed groups in Iraq and Lebanon and involvement in the Syrian and Yemeni conflicts.



In this Crown Conversation, we spoke with Gary Samore, Crown Family Director of the Crown Center for Middle East Studies and Professor of the Practice of Politics at Brandeis, about the continued relevance of the original 2015 deal and the prospects for successful follow-up negotiations. Samore served in the U.S. government for over twenty years, focusing on nuclear arms control and preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, especially in the Middle East and Asia. In that capacity, he served both Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama as the senior official in the National Security Council responsible for nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction.



How far has the Iranian nuclear program advanced since Iran began exceeding limits imposed by the JCPOA in mid-2019? Is the 2015 deal now moot?

Since the U.S. withdrew from the deal in May 2018, Iran has gradually exceeded many of the nuclear limits in the original deal. Iran has increased enrichment levels, most recently resuming 20% enrichment, and increased its stockpiles of low-enriched (under 5%) uranium. It has also resumed enrichment at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, started enriching with advanced centrifuges, and begun production of uranium metal. Iran has also reduced cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), although inspectors still have access to Irans enrichment facilities.



There are three important points about the current status of Irans nuclear program:



First, Irans current enrichment capacity today is actually less than it was before the 2015 nuclear deal went into effect. For example, in 2015, Iran had roughly 18,000 operating centrifuges and around 7,000 kilograms of low-enriched uranium. Today, Iran has roughly 6,000 operating centrifuges and about 4,000 kilograms of low-enriched uranium. In other words, Iran has been cautious about exceeding the limits of the JCPOA. Of course, if Iran keeps doing what it is now doing, it will eventually surpass its 2015 numbers before the end of this year.



Second, Iran currently does not have a safe pathway for producing weapons-grade uranium (around 90%) without detection. So-called break out timewhich is defined as the time required to produce 25 kilograms of 90% enriched uranium, or enough for a single bombmay be a couple of months. But any attempt to produce 90% enriched uranium would be quickly detected by the IAEA inspectors who continue to monitor Irans enrichment facilities. So far, Iran has not been willing to take that risk.



The third point is that Iran can easily reverse the steps it has taken and restore compliance with the nuclear limits of the original deal within a matter of weeks, which could be verified by the IAEA inspectors. This would require Iran to reduce enrichment levels, ship out surplus stocks of low-enriched uranium, and shut down or dismantle a certain number and types of operating centrifuges to restore compliance with the nuclear limits of the JCPOA. The one activity that cannot be reversed is the experience Iran has gained by moving from research and development on advanced centrifuges (which is permitted under the JCPOA) to installing and operating entire cascades of advanced centrifuges.



Beyond Iran, what is the general state of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East? Israels program is an open secret. But Saudi Arabia and China recently announced several joint nuclear projects in the Kingdom, and the UAEs first nuclear power station went online last year. Are these nuclear projects in Gulf states partly a hedge against Irans program?



Saudi leaders, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, have said that Saudi Arabia will pursue nuclear weapons if Iran acquires them. In practice, however, Saudi Arabias nuclear capabilities are extremely rudimentary, and the nuclear facilities that Saudi Arabia is seeking to purchase from China and other countriessuch as uranium mining, small research reactors and power reactorsdo not have direct military applications.



Just as Irans nuclear weapons program is based on enrichment technology and nuclear weapons designs it secretly acquired from Pakistan in the mid-1980s, Saudi Arabia would require very substantial foreign assistance to begin an indigenous nuclear weapons program. Even then, it would take many years for Saudi Arabia to produce nuclear weapons, with a high risk that the program would be detected before it reached fruition. Similarly, the UAEs Barakah Nuclear Power Plant does not provide a nuclear weapons option because the UAE does not have a reprocessing plant necessary to separate plutonium from the spent fuel of that plant. It is extremely unlikely that anyone will sell the UAE such a reprocessing plant or that the UAE could build one itself.



Since leaders in both Iran and the U.S. now seem to want to restore the original 2015 deal on the basis of compliance for compliance, do you see any obstacles to that occurring in the near term?



Yes, the immediate obstacle is agreeing on a sequence of graduated and reciprocal steps that the U.S. and Iran would take in parallel to restore mutual compliance with the JCPOA. The current position of the Biden administration is that Iran must restore compliance with the nuclear limits before the U.S. lifts any sanctions. Naturally, the Iranian position is that the U.S. must first lift sanctions to Irans satisfaction before it will reverse its nuclear steps. Partly because of domestic politics in both Washington and Tehran, and partly because of mistrust and bargaining tactics, neither side is willing to take the first step without confidence that the other side will reciprocate.



To break the impasse, the U.S. offered on February 18 to meet informally with the remaining parties to the nuclear deal, including Iran, to begin discussions on a pathway back to compliance for compliance. The European Union, which would host the meeting, is working to advance an interim agreement in which the U.S. would partially waive sanctions on Irans oil exports and Iran would freeze some of its nuclear activities prohibited by the JCPOA. On February 28, however, Iran rejected this offer to meet informally with the U.S., saying that the time was not right for such a meeting. In particular, Iran is upset that the IAEA Board of Governors, meeting this week in Vienna, is threatening to pass a resolution sponsored by the U.S. and Western European countries that would criticize Iran for limiting cooperation with the IAEA.



Eventually, I think, Iran will agree to hold informal talks with the JCPOA parties and the U.S., but this episode illustrates the fragility of even getting negotiations started. With respect to the substance of a deal to restore the JCPOA, reversing Irans nuclear steps is relatively straightforward and easy to verify, but reversing sanctions by the U.S. is more complicated. In addition to the nuclear sanctions that the Trump administration re-imposed when it withdrew from the JCPOA, it imposed a number of additional sanctions under statutes for counter-terrorism, human rights, and missile proliferation that effectively impede the economic benefits that Iran received under the nuclear dealsuch as its ability to sell, ship, and insure oil exports and gain access to oil revenues. So any restoration of the status quo ante would presumably require the Biden administration to lift some of these non-nuclear sanctions in addition to the sanctions relief that is already embedded in the JCPOA. President Biden has the authority to lift these sanctions by executive action, but, of course, there would be strong opposition from Congress. Under the 2015 Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (INARA), Congress has the right to review any new nuclear agreement with Iran, but it is unlikely that Congress can muster the necessary two-thirds majority in both chambers to override a presidential veto if Congress disapproves of a U.S.-Iran agreement to revive the JCPOA.



Finally, any nuclear negotiations would take place in the context of continuing hostilities between the U.S. and Iran in the wider region, especially in Iraq. On February 15, an Iraqi Shia militia launched a rocket attack against a military facility in Erbil that houses U.S. troops and contractors, and the U.S. retaliated on February 25 by bombing facilities inside Syria associated with Iranian-backed Iraqi militia groups believed by the U.S. to be responsible for the Erbil attacks. On March 3, more rockets targeted U.S. forces in Iraq, this time at Al Asad Airbase in al-Anbar Governate. Whether these recent exchanges will lead to a temporary pause in hostilities or a new round of escalation remains to be seen. Adding to tensions, an Israeli-owned cargo ship was attacked in the Gulf of Oman on February 26, most likely by limpet mines. Israel has blamed Iran for the attack and may look to retaliate against Iranian shipping or other targets. Given this backdrop of potential violence, the nuclear negotiations to revive the JCPOA could easily be delayed or blown off course by fighting in the region.



Iran is scheduled to hold a presidential election on June 18. Does this timing matter for efforts to revive the nuclear deal?



Supporters of the current Iranian government of President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif are saying privately that the timeline for restoring the JCPOA is short because a hardliner is expected to win the June presidential election. However, Im not sure the election matters very much because the decision on whether or not to rejoin the JCPOAjust like the decision to accept the JCPOA in the first placerests with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and not with the president.



Some Iran experts speculate that Khamenei would prefer to wait until after the presidential election in June to avoid allowing Rouhani (who is ineligible to run for reelection) and the moderate camp to take credit for obtaining sanctions relief. Other experts think that Khamenei prefers near-term sanctions relief to avoid public unrest and facilitate support for his preferred presidential candidate, whoever that turns out to be.



I do not know the answer, but the only way to find out is through negotiations to determine whether the U.S. and Iran are able to reach agreement on a pathway to restore the JCPOA, mostly likely based on reciprocal actions: sanctions relief for nuclear constraints. I believe the Biden administration intends to test that proposition in the coming months, before the scheduled election in Iran.



The Biden administration has repeatedly stated its intention to enter into negotiations to both extend the nuclear deal (e.g., address sunset clauses) and also address other issues of concern, such as Irans missile program and support of armed groups throughout the region. What are the principal challenges to reaching agreements on these issues, and is the Biden administration most likely to tackle them one at a time or push for a grand bargain with Iran?



Assuming that the JCPOA is restored, the Biden administration says they intend to begin follow-on negotiations with Iran to strengthen and extend constraints on Irans nuclear program and address other issues, like Irans missile program and regional activities. And the Biden team has suggested that regional parties might be included in some of these follow-on negotiations.



I think its unlikely that these follow-on negotiations will make much progress anytime soon. Under the JCPOA, the physical limits on Irans enrichment program will begin to ease in 2025 and are completely removed in 2030. So far, Iran has rejected any extension of these sunset clauses, so it will take a very powerful combination of threats and inducements to convince Iran to accept new nuclear constraints. In any event, the deadline for the expiration of the JCPOA is still years away, so negotiations are likely to drag on for some time before it becomes clear whether a new nuclear deal is possible.



With respect to missiles, Iran deploys hundreds of mobile, medium-range, liquid-fueled ballistic missiles (mostly based on North Korean technology) as its primary long-range strike capability. Irans current focus in its missile program is to develop solid-fuel ballistic missiles, which provide significant military advantages over liquid-fueled systems. In theory, one could imagine an agreement to limit Irans missile development and deployment in terms of numbers of missiles, ranges, and testing, although verification would be challenging. In practice, however, Iran has already indicated that it will not accept limits on its missile program as long as its regional enemies and rivals acquire advanced military aircraft, including from the U.S.



Negotiations on Irans regional activitiesits support for armed groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemenare especially challenging, given the deep hostility and mistrust between Iran and other countries in the region, including Israel and the Sunni Arab bloc led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Since each regional conflict is unique, a grand bargain seems implausible. I expect the Biden administration will try to tackle each problem one at a time, beginning with Yemen. At some point, the Biden administration will probably try to orchestrate a Persian Gulf security dialogue among Iraq, Iran, and the GCC, which may reduce tensions, but it is unlikely to resolve underlying conflicts.

[i] For a concise description and assessment of the JCPOA at the time of its signing, see Gary Samore, et al.,The Iran Nuclear Deal: A Definitive Guide, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School, August 3, 2015, https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/iran-nuclear-deal-definitive-guide.



The opinions and findings expressed in this Conversation belong to the author exclusively and do not reflect those of the Crown Center or Brandeis University.
We know its tough asking students to commit to us without ever having come here, says Andy Borst, the director of undergraduate admissions at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school has asked prospective students, even those with acceptances, not to come in person this spring. (The deadline for committing to an offer from most schools, including U. of I., is May 1.) The policy aims to keep current students safe and healthy, he said, and hopefully we are demonstrating that we prioritize our students.
A government pledge of close to half a billion dollars to launch an overhaul of the aged care sector has failed to rally the share prices of ASX-listed operators, with analysts warning future funding remains murky after the royal commission revelations.

Shares in Japara Healthcare, Estia Health and Regis Health Care all slid last week after the aged care royal commissions final 2000 page report was released. The three companies opened lower on Monday before recovering slightly as the broader market rallied. Japara finished the session down 3.9 per cent to 74, while Estia gained 1.5 per cent to $1.99 and Regis was up 3.3 per cent to $2.02.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a press conference about Royal Commission into Aged care quality and safety, Final report: Care, Dignity and Respect, at Kirribilli House. Credit:Edwina Pickles

Shares in Japara are down 75 per cent over the past five years, while Regis and Estia have both dropped more than 60 per cent since 2016.

The listed providers had told investors at their half-year results in February they were eagerly awaiting the final report of the royal commission into aged care and the governments response to it, hoping its contents would help overhaul funding and focus on the viability of the sector.
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Gangubai Kathiawadi: Political Leader Wants The Alia Bhatt Starrer's Name Changed, Feels It Maligns The Area

Maharashtra Congress MLA Amin Patel on Monday demanded that the title of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming movie "Gangubai Kathiawadi" be changed, claiming it maligns the name of Kathiawad city. The film features Alia Bhatt as Gangubai, one of the most powerful, loved and respected madams from Kamathipura, Mumbai's red-light area, during the 1960s.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alia Bhatt  (@aliaabhatt)

Speaking in the state Assembly, Patel, who represents the Mumbadevi constituency in south Mumbai, said the Kamathipura area has changed.

"It is not the same like it was in 1950s. Women there are excelling in different professions. The film's title also maligns the name of Kathiawad city. The name of the film should be changed," said the MLA, whose party is an ally of the Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government.Patel urged the state government to intervene into the matter.

The film, which will open in theatres countrywide on July 30, has been adapted from one of the chapters of noted author Hussain Zaidi's book "Mafia Queens of Mumbai". Bhansali is co-producing the film with producer Jayantilal Gada's Pen India Limited.
Image: ShutterstockJob flexibility is more appealing, and potentially more necessary, than ever. It is important that we understand and plan for how the world of work and the gig economy will fundamentally change post-budget 2021. The term freelancing is nothing new, but it is something that has been growing steadily and quickly over the past several years. But being your own boss doesnt mean a continual struggle to scrape up work. There so many job boards designed for freelancers that finding new opportunities are just a few clicks away. While theres always a large supply of available workers during economic slumps, your talent will help you stand out. As they say, the cream always rises to the top.Here are five freelancing websites that can help you pivot your career in 2021.
Much needed guidance on how vaccinated Americans should navigate social distancing restrictions is expected from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week.

"Those guidelines are coming out from the CDC really imminently," Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday on the CBS program "Face the Nation."

More than 30 million people in the United Statesover 8 percent of the populationare now fully vaccinated, The New York Times reported, and many wonder if they can see friends and family, start to travel or stop wearing masks.

Fauci, the nation's top infectious diseases expert, suggested that the CDC recommendations could be issued within the next couple of days, the Times reported.

The need for federal guidance comes as some states have already started to lift social distancing restrictions. Last week, Texas and Mississippi lifted statewide mask mandates. Restaurants have reopened for limited indoor dining in New York City, while Connecticut officials plan to end capacity limits at restaurants, gyms and offices this month, the Times reported. In at least a half-dozen states, officials are insisting that schools offer in-person instruction for at least some grades.

Which behaviors are safe for people who have been vaccinated is still unclear: While the vaccines prevent serious illness and death, there is not yet enough evidence on whether vaccinated people can infect others, the Times said.

Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, said Sunday on "Meet the Press" that it was important that the CDC issue guidelines that recognize the dilemmas faced by Americans trying to navigate a society in which some people are vaccinated while others are not.

"If we just tell people that they've got to stay cocooned, that they've got to stay in their homes, that they've got to continue to wear their masks, even though they're fully vaccinatedthey're not going to do that," Osterholm said. "They're going to disregard the public health recommendations, so we have to get real."

The guidelines should address questions like whether grandparents who are vaccinated can see their grandchildren, he said. And the recommendations should distinguish between activities that might be reasonable for vaccinated people and those that should still be off-limits.

"We just need to hang in there a bit longer," Fauci said. "We will be pulling back on these mitigation measures. It's not going to be this way indefinitely, for sure."

Restrictions should stay until daily cases are below 10,000: Fauci

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 last week.

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, 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.

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 49 U.S. states, as well as in Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. As of Monday, there were 3,037 cases of the variant in this country, according to the CDC.

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 (IDSA) 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.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said last week 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 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 524,000 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.

A global scourge

By Monday, the U.S. coronavirus case count passed 29 million while the death toll passed 524,600, according to a Times tally. On Monday, 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 more than 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 over 11.2 million by Monday, a Johns Hopkins University tally showed. Brazil had over 11 million cases and more than 265,000 deaths as of Monday, the Hopkins tally showed.

Worldwide, the number of reported infections passed 116.9 million on Monday, with nearly 2.6 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.

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Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images of one of the Ge/SiGe heterostructures at different magnifications. The SiGe layers appear darker. Credit: Universita Roma Tre, De Seta Group

When it comes to microelectronics, there is one chemical element like no other: silicon, the workhorse of the transistor technology that drives our information society. The countless electronic devices we use in everyday life are a testament to how today very high volumes of silicon-based components can be produced at very low cost. It seems natural, then, to use silicon also in other areas where the properties of semiconductorsas silicon is oneare exploited technologically, and to explore ways to integrate different functionalities. Of particular interest in this context are diode lasers, such as those employed in barcode scanners or laser pointers, which are typically based on gallium arsenide (GaAs). Unfortunately though, the physical processes that create light in GaAs do not work so well in silicon. It therefore remains an outstanding, and long-standing, goal to find an alternative route to realizing a 'laser on silicon.'

Writing today in Applied Physics Letters, an international team led by Professors Giacomo Scalari and Jerome Faist from the Institute for Quantum Electronics present an important step towards such a device. They report electroluminescenceelectrical light generationfrom a semiconductor structure based on silicon-germanium (SiGe), a material that is compatible with standard fabrication processes used for silicon devices. Moreover, the emission they observed is in the terahertz frequency band, which sits between those of microwave electronics and infrared optics, and is of high current interest with a view to a variety of applications.

Make silicon shine

The main reason why silicon cannot be used directly for building a laser following to the GaAs template has to do with the different nature of their band gaps, which is direct in the latter but indirect in the former. In a nutshell, in GaAs electrons recombine with holes across the bandgap producing light; in silicon, they produce heat. Laser action in silicon therefore requires another path. And exploring a fresh approach is what ETH doctoral researcher David Stark and his colleagues are doing. They work towards a silicon-based quantum cascade laser (QCL). QCLs achieve light emission not by electron-hole recombination across the bandgap, but by letting electrons tunnel through repeated stacks of precisely engineered semiconductor structures, during which process photons are emitted.

The QCL paradigm has been demonstrated in a number of materialsfor the first time in 1994 by a team including Jerome Faist, then working at Bell Laboratories in the USbut never in silicon-based ones, despite promising predictions. Turning these predictions into reality is the focus of an interdisciplinary project funded by the European Commission, bringing together a team of leading experts in growing highest-quality semiconductor materials (at the Universita Roma Tre), characterizing them (at the Leibniz-Institut fur innovative Mikroelektronik in Frankfurt an der Oder) and fabricating them into devices (at the University of Glasgow). The ETH group of Scalari and Faist is responsible for performing the measurements on the devices, but also for the design of the laser, with numerical and theoretical support from partners in the company nextnano in Munich and at the Universities of Pisa and Rome.

As electrons tunnel through the Ge/SiGe heterostructure, they emit light, currently at two slightly different frequencies, due to suboptimal injection in the upper state of the radiative transition. Credit: ETH Zurich/David Stark

From electroluminescence to lasing

With this bundled knowledge and expertise, the team designed and built devices with a unit structure made of SiGe and pure germanium (Ge), less than 100 nanometres in height, which repeats 51 times. From these heterostructures, fabricated with essentially atomically precision, Stark and co-workers detected electroluminescence, as predicted, with the spectral features of the emerging light agreeing well with calculations. Further confidence that the devices work as intended came from a comparison with a GaAs-based structure that was fabricated with identical device geometry. Whereas the emission from the Ge/SiGe structure is still significantly lower than for its GaAs-based counterpart, these results clearly signal that the team is on the right track. The next step will be now to assemble similar Ge/SiGe structures according to a laser design that the team developed. The ultimate goal is to reach room-temperature operation of a silicon-based QCL.

Such an achievement would be significant in several respects. Not only would it, at long last, realize a laser on a silicon substrate, thereby bringing a boost to silicon photonics. The emission of the structure created by Stark et al. is in the terahertz region, for which currently compact light sources are widely missing. Silicon-based QCLs, with their potential versatility and reduced fabrication cost, could be a boon for the large-scale use of terahertz radiation in existing and new fields of application, from medical imaging to wireless communication.

More information: David Stark et al, THz intersubband electroluminescence from n-type Ge/SiGe quantum cascade structures, Applied Physics Letters (2021). Journal information: Applied Physics Letters David Stark et al, THz intersubband electroluminescence from n-type Ge/SiGe quantum cascade structures,(2021). DOI: 10.1063/5.0041327
National Interstate Insurance Company Promotes Shawn Los to Executive Vice President

National Interstate Insurance Company (National Interstate) is pleased to announce the promotion of Shawn Los to Executive Vice President. With this promotion, Mr. Los will assume responsibility for National Interstate's Truck, Passenger Transportation and National Accounts Divisions, while continuing to lead the Specialty Division.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005612/en/

Shawn Los has been promoted to Executive Vice President at National Interstate Insurance Company (Photo: Business Wire)

Mr. Los joined National Interstate in 2001 as an underwriter traine and has held various positions of increasing responsibility during his tenure with the Company. Through his role with the Alternative Products Division, he was instrumental in the formation and management of National Interstate's alternative risk transfer (captive) programs and also led the underwriting efforts when National Interstate acquired Vanliner Insurance Company in 2010. Since 2013, he has directed the growth of the Specialty Division and currently oversees the Company's underwriting and compliance functions. Mr. Los earned a bachelor's degree from Miami University of Ohio and a Master of Business Administration from Baldwin Wallace University.







"Shawn has been a major contributor to our success over the years and I am thrilled to announce his significant increase in responsibilities," commented Tony Mercurio, President and CEO of National Interstate and Executive Vice President of Great American Insurance Group.

About National Interstate

An Insurance Experience Built Around You

National Interstate Insurance Company offers insurance products and services, including alternative risk transfer programs, focused on the transportation industry. National Interstate and its insurance subsidiaries, Vanliner Insurance Company, National Interstate Insurance Company of Hawaii, Inc., and Triumphe Casualty Company are rated "A+" (Superior) by A.M. Best (rating affirmed October 28, 2020).

National Interstate is a member of Great American Insurance Group. The member companies of Great American Insurance Group are subsidiaries of American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG). AFG's common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFG.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005612/en/
Like most cities, Washington, D.C. is plagued by an increase in homicides and other violent crimes. Nonetheless, the city council seems determined to keep cutting D.C.s police force.

Last year, the size of that force fell to around 3,500, well below the number once considered the minimum needed to enforce the law in the city. This year, some on the city council seek further cuts as they reimagine policing.

But the storming of the Capitol on January 6 may cause a rethink about the reimagining. That, at least, is the hope of D.C. officials still interested in fighting crime.

The citys new acting police chief claims that the alleged growing and persistent threat of domestic terrorism warrants a strengthening of the police force. He says that a force of 4,000 officers is required in light of the things we need to contend with now.

Actually, thats the number of officers needed to deal with the things the D.C. police has always had to contend with. D.Cs mayor sought a force of 4,000 back in 2019, before the loose talk about an insurrection commenced.

Domestic terrorism is not something the D.C. police force will have to contend with going forward. But by invoking the specter of it, the police chief hopes to force anti-police politicians to acknowledge that the city might need more police.

The trap proved easy for at least one police defunder to avoid. Council member Charles Allen said that the January 6 event shouldnt influence the size of the police force because its not likely to be replicated. Allen gets high marks for honestly to go with low marks for concern about public safety.

Radical activist Christy Lopez, who led the DOJs investigation of the Ferguson, Missouri police force, took a shrewder approach to dealing with arguments based on January 6. She claimed that the policing failures of that day werent caused by lack of available officers or restrictions on what they could do. Instead, they were caused by lack of leadership, training, and  wait for it  unconscious bias that resulted in a failure to anticipate and prepare for White terrorists.

Clever as she is, Lopez still didnt explain how a shrinking police force will be able to cope with a rise in violent crime and future White terrorism.

The reality is that a shrinking police force wont be able to cope with traditional crime. The other reality is that D.C.s left-wing politicians and activists dont care.
Spruce Forest opens for season through a new door

With the crashing of the trees, three of the cabins were destroyed, along with damaging the village church and other buildings as well.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a shower late. Low 58F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a shower late. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.
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Meghan Markle considered taking her own life and received no support from the royal family in her moments of deepest pain, she told Oprah Winfrey in her blockbuster Sunday night interview.

In another bombshell, Meghan revealed the racism she faced at Buckingham Palace, telling Oprah that an unnamed royal household member had raised concerns when she was pregnant about how dark her sons skin might be, and she was told that he wouldnt be given security or made a prince.

Meghan told Oprah, In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, so we have in tandem the conversation of He wont be given security. Hes not going to be given a title, and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when hes born.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys War With the Palace May Get More Vicious

Meghan said: They were saying they didnt want him to be a prince or a princessnot knowing what the gender would be, which would be different from protocoland that he wasnt going to receive security.

Meghan said her suicidal feelings became so bad she felt she could not be left alone. The duchess wiped away tears as she recalled the trauma of having to be on at a public event, when she was feeling so traumatized and low.

In deciding to leave the royal family, with her and Archie, for a new life in California, Harry made a decision that saved my life and saved all of us. But you need to want to be saved, Meghan said.

Harry said Meghan had also saved himwithout question. His mother Princess Diana would feel very angry about how the events of him and Meghan quitting the royal family had panned out, Harry said, and would ultimately want his family to be happy.

He revealed that the royal family had cut him and Meghan off financially, and that the family had been living off money from Diana, whose presence Harry said he had felt during the process of leaving the royal family. She [Diana] saw it coming, Harry said.

Story continues

Meghan and Harry also revealed the sex of their expected baby to Oprahit is a girl, and her birth date will be in the summertime.

Harry broke the news, saying it was amazing. He added: Im just grateful to have any child, any one or any two would have been amazing. But to have a boy and then a girl, you know, what more can you ask for? But now, you know, now weweve got our family. Weve got, you know, the four of us and our two dogs, and its great.

Harry said he felt trapped within the royal family and that Prince Charles and Prince William feel the same.

Meghan came close to tears as she told Oprah she contemplated suicide under the pressure of being a member of the royal family.

Asked if there was a breaking point, Meghan said, I just didnt, I just didnt want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. And I remember, I remember how he (Harry) just cradled me. I went to the institution, and I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that Ive never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldnt, that it wouldnt be good for the institution.

Meghan said she was told by palace officials theres nothing we can do to protect you, because youre not a paid employee of the institution. Meghan said she sent emails and was begging for help but nothing was ever done.

Meghan said she thought that taking her own life would have solved everything for everyone.

Meghan said her suicidal thoughts were very clear and very scary. And, you know, I didnt know who to even turn to in that. And one of the people that I reached out to, whos continued to be a friend and confidant, was one of my husbands moms best friends, one of Dianas best friends. Because its, like, who else could understand what, what its actually like on the inside?

Meghan also claimed she had been silenced, and that she and Harry also married in secret three days before her public wedding ceremony.

Meghan told Oprah: It was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they (the royal family) were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, but they werent willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.

Kate Middleton May Give Evidence in Meghan Bullying Inquiry as Royals Retaliate Before Oprah Interview

Meghan said that she was told Archie would not receive official royal protection when he was born, and that Archie would not be titled in equal terms to other members of the family. Why? Meghan said. She never received a response.

Oprah asked Meghan why she thought convention would be changed for Archie, but Meghan said she was never given an explanation.

Oprah asked: You certainly must have had some conversations with Harry about it and have your own suspicions as to why they didnt want to make Archie a prince. What arewhat are those thoughts? Why do you think that is? Do you think its because of his race?

Meghan replied: In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same timeso we have in tandem the conversation of, He wont be given security, hes not going to be given a title, and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when hes born.

A visibly stunned Oprah said, What?

Meghan said: There werethere were several conversations about it. Oprah said: Theres a conversation with you about how dark your baby is going to be? Meghan replied: Potentially, and what that would mean or look like.

Meghan said the concerns about her babys skin color expressed by the monarchy were relayed to me from Harry. Those were conversations that family had with him. Oprah said: Because they were concerned that if he were too brown, that that would be a problem? Are you saying that? Meghan said: I wasnt able to follow up with why, but that, if thats the assumption youre making, I think that feels like a pretty safe one, which was really hard to understand, right?

Prince Harry said he was asked what the kids would look like by an unnamed person within the palace in discussions which took place about their skin color.

Asked about the details of the conversation on the subject, Harry said, That conversation Im never going to share, but at the time, at the time, it was awkward. I was a bit shocked. Oprah suggested someone had asked him, What will the baby look like and Harry agreed, Yeah, what will the kids look like?

Harry said the conversation happened right at the beginning, when she wasnt going to get security, when members of my family were suggesting that she carries on acting, because there was not enough money to pay for her, and all this sort of stuff. Like, there was some real obvious signs before we even got married that this was going to be really hard.

Harry said it hurt that nobody in his family acknowledged the racism that Meghan was subjected to in the U.K.

Harry said: There was an opportunity, many opportunities, for my family to show some public support. And I guess one of the most telling parts and the saddest parts was over 70 members of parliament, female members of parliament, both Conservative and Labor, came out and called out the colonial undertones of articles and headlines written about Meghan.

Yet no one from my family ever said anything over those three years. And that, that hurts. But I also am acutely aware of where my family stand and how scared they are of the tabloids turning on them.

Harry said he felt trapped as a royal and said he would not have left the family were it not for Meghan. Asked directly if he would have left without Meghan by his side, he said: No. The answer to your question is noI wouldnt have been able to. Harry said, I myself was trapped, as well. I didnt see a way out.

Oprah said: Please explain how you, Prince Harry, raised in a palace and a life of privilege, literally, a prince, how you were trapped?

Harry replied: Trapped within the system, like the rest of my family are. My father and my brother, they are trapped. They dont get to leave. And I have huge compassion for that.

Harry said there is a lot to work though there in regards to his relationship with father Prince Charles. I will always love him but theres a lot of hurt that's happened.

He said his family were initially really welcoming. But it really changed after the Australia tour, after our South Pacific tour it was the first time that the family got to see how incredible she is at the job. And that brought back memories.

He also said he was cut off financially by the palace, and that in order to afford their security they had made big-money deals with Netflix and Spotify, but that it was never their plan.

Harry said the deals made with Spotify and Netflix were suggested by somebody else at the point of where my family literally cut me off financially, and I had to afford, afford, security for, for us. Oprah said: Wait. Hold, hold up. Wait a minute. Your family cut you off?

Prince Harry said: Yeah, in the first half, the first quarter of 2020. But Ive got what my mum left me, and, without that, we would not have been able to do this.

Harrys strongest and most direct criticism of any family member was reserved for his father. Theres a lot to work through there, you know? I feel really let down, because hes been through something similar. He knows what pain feels like and Archies his grandson.

Harry added: Of course I will always love him, but theres a lot of hurt thats happened. And I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship. But they only know what they know, and thats the thing.

Asked about his relationship with William, Harry said: As Ive said before, I love William to bits. Hes my brother. Weve been through hell together. I mean, we have a shared experience. But we, you know, were on different paths... The relationship is space, at the moment. And, you know, time heals all things, hopefully.

Meghan also revealed that Kate Middleton had made her cry before her wedding, not the other way round as has been previously reported.

Meghan said Kate apologized and sent her flowers, and she did not believe Kate would want a false version of the story put out.

Meghan was responding to a question by Oprah about a report which emerged six months after the wedding, which said Meghan had left Kate in tears over an argument.

Meghan was asked by Oprah: Did you make Kate cry? Meghan replied, No. Oprah then asked: Was there a situation where she might have cried? Or she could have cried? Meghan responded, No, no. The reverse happened. And I don't say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding. And she was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologized. And she brought me flowers and a note, apologizing. And she did what I would do if I knew that I hurt someone, right, to just take accountability for it. What was shocking waswhat was that, six, seven months after our wedding that the reverse of that would be out in the world?

Meghan said: A few days before the wedding, she was upset about something pertainingyes, the issue was correctabout flower girl dresses, and it made me cry, and it really hurt my feelings.

Meghan added: I would have never wanted that to come out about her ever, even though it had happened. I protected that from ever being out in the world.

The interview comes after a fevered few days of claim and counter-claim, as Buckingham Palace and royal aides sought to fight back against the inference of clips released by CBS in advance of Sundays broadcast, and what they anticipated would be a thorough trashing by Meghan and Harry.

Kate Middleton May Give Evidence in Meghan Bullying Inquiry as Royals Retaliate Before Oprah Interview

The palace has launched an investigation into claims Meghan bullied palace staffers, first reported by The Times of London. About a dozen staffers are reportedly queuing up to contribute testimony to the investigation. It was reported Sunday that Kate Middleton, Prince Williams wife, may be asked to give evidence as she had witnessed staff being berated by Meghan. The Times reported that Meghans treatment of staff had left some in tears or traumatized, and others driven from their posts.

Meghan and Harry have denied the bullying claims, and said they were part of a calculated smear campaign in advance of Sundays highly anticipated broadcast. Their many supporters see Meghan as a victim of racism, and a wilful lack of understanding from an antic palace old-guard administration. A senior royal source told the U.K. Sunday Times that the royal family had bent over backwards to be inclusive. It is absolutely wrong to say the Palace is institutionally racist. It really isnt.

Just before the interview aired, a source close to Prince Harry told the Telegraph that he was determined to stand shoulder to shoulder with brother Prince William at the unveiling of a statue of their mother Princess Diana on July 1, whatever the fallout from his interview... in an attempt to move past their rift.

Having wanted to explain why they left the royal family, Harry and Meghan Harry and Meghan want to move on from the Oprah interview and consider the matter closed, sources told the Telegraph.

One friend said: It was something they felt they wanted and needed to do but now they have done it, they feel a line has been drawn under that chapter of their lives and they want to move on.

Hours before the interview, the Queen, in a BBC special program to celebrate Commonwealth Day, emphasized friendship and a spirit of unity in her address, praising examples of courage, commitment, and selfless dedication to duty in Commonwealth nations and territories, notably by those working on the frontline, whether in healthcare or other public services.

The testing times experienced by so many have led to a deeper appreciation of the mutual support and spiritual sustenance we enjoy by being connected to others, the queen said in the gentle program, which was in marked dramatic contrast to the Harry and Meghan interview. Post-pandemic, she looked towards a common future that is sustainable and more secure.

The broadcasta showcase of top royals, excluding Meghan and Harryalso featured Prince Charles talking about the importance of fighting to preserve the natural world; his wife Camilla speaking about child literacy, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex (Prince Edwards wife), and Prince William and his wife Kate talking to Commonwealth activists and campaigners about their work.

The question is, how quickly and honestly can the royals and Sussexes move on from any bad feeling and tensions.

In one advance clip of the Oprah interview, Meghan accused the Firma colloquial name for the royal familyof perpetuating falsehoods about her and Harry, after Oprah asked her, How do you feel about the palace hearing you speak your truth today?

Markle responded, 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, there is a lot that has been lost already.

In another clip, Harry said he had decided to step back from the British royal family because he was fearful of history repeating itself, apparently referring to the tragic story of his mother, Diana. Im just really relieved and happy to be sitting here talking to you with my wife by my side, Harry said. Because I cant imagine what it must have been like for her [Diana], going through this process by herself all those years ago. Its been unbelievably tough for the two of us, but at least we had each other.

In another clip, Oprah said to Meghan that no subject was off-limits and told the couple, You have said some pretty shocking things here. Oprah also asks Meghan if she was silent or silenced. Winfrey appeared to reference a comment made by Meghan when she said that the trolling she received was almost unsurvivable.

Hours before the interview, the British press on Sunday unleashed a dizzying array of stories, mostly aimed at further discrediting Harry and Meghan before the interview was broadcast. The Sunday Mirror reported that Kate Middleton and Camilla Parker Bowles could be called to give evidence in the palace investigation into Meghans alleged bullying of staff.

The Sun on Sunday reported that palace aides were concerned Meghan would talk about her rift with Kate Middleton, and the infamous story that they had an argument, pre-Harry and Meghans wedding, over the fit of Princess Charlottes bridesmaid dress.

However, the New York Post said that CBS insiders indicated Harry and Meghan would have only kind words for Kate and William in the interview.

If that remains true, it corresponds with the Sunday Telegraph reporting that William and Kate privately remain hopeful of a reconciliation with Harry and Meghanwhatever they say in the documentary tonight. A friend of Meghans told the Sunday Times that she would accuse courtiers in the Oprah interview of not noticing she was suffering from poor mental health. Given thiswhile accepting Meghan was difficult to work forit was incredibly dangerous of the palace to attack Meghan, the friend said.

The Sunday Times also reported that Meghan had gone mental at an assistant over a shade of red of some blankets ordered as gifts for friends. Before the couples wedding, half of the staff threatened to quit, a former aide to one of the most senior members of the royal family claimed. Another palace source said, the entire household was on the verge of quitting... it was drama, drama, drama with those two.

According to the Telegraph, staff began to call Harry The Hostage before the wedding, after the infamous, much-written-about clash over the tiara the Queen loaned Meghan, which Meghan wanted to wear for a pre-wedding hair appointment. This request was refused as it was made on short notice, leading Harry to allegedly shout, What Meghan wants, Meghan gets.

The Sunday Times reported that the Queen would not stay up to watch the interview, which courtiers have called a circus. I dont think anyone should expect Her Majesty to stay up and watch the interview. She wont, an aide said. The mood in the family is: can everyone just shut the hell up, and can we get on with the day job? one aide saidan ironic attempt at lofty contempt given the amount of effort aides had put into trashing Harry and Meghan in the media on the day of the interview itself.

Harry had previously told James Corden in an interview for The Late, Late Show that the British press created a difficult environment that was destroying his mental health, but insisted he didnt walk away from the royal family. It was stepping back rather than stepping down.

I did what any husband, what any father would do, Harry told Corden. Its like, I need to get my family out of here. But we never walked away. He added, I will never walk away. I will always be contributing.

If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741

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BISHKEK -- A ballet performance in Kyrgyzstan with the participation of two prominent Russian ballet dancers, Sergei Manuilov and Yekaterina Pervushina, has been canceled after local dancers refused to take part.

The Swan Lake performance was due to take place in Bishkek over the weekend, but a group of dancers from the Abdylas Maldybaev National Opera and Ballet Theater refused to perform at the last moment.

A member of the Kyrgyz ballet troupe, Dosmat Sadyrkulov, told RFE/RL on March 8 that the dancers refused to participate because they hadn't been paid.

Sagida Jumabekova of the Rainbow Foundation, the organizer of the event, said that it had been agreed that the foundation would pay the Russian dancers while the local artists would receive money from the Bishkek ballet theater.

"The local [dancers] started asking for money from us. We agreed to do so, although [we were not legally bound to do so], just to try to save the performance. But even when we brought the cash to pay them, they still refused to perform," Jumabekova told RFE/RL.

Sadyrkulov explained that the March 6 scheduled performance was "a commercial project with commercial ticket prices."

Ticket prices ranged from 1,000 to 2,000 soms (between $12 and $24) -- a significant sum of money in the former Soviet republic.

"The prices are very high for Bishkek, but our dancers do not receive anything for their performance. This is a long-standing issue. Our performers have asked both the theater's administration and the Culture Ministry to solve the problem," Sadyrkulov said.

According to him, the theater received a double rental fee for the one-day Swan Lake performance, but refused to pay the Kyrgyz dancers, arguing that they already received monthly salaries.

"When [the Kyrgyz dancers] refused to put on the costumes 30 minutes before the performance, they started promising money...and then they threatened to fire them or sue them," Sadyrkulov said.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-07 20:38:54|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on March 5, 2021 shows Olga Kosmopoulou, an infectious disease physician, posing at the General Hospital of Nikaia, a Piraeus port suburb, Greece. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

by Maria Spiliopoulou, Valentini Anagnostopoulou

ATHENS, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities between women and men in almost all areas of life, according to a European Commission report on gender equality in the EU released ahead of the International Women's Day marked on Monday.

Olga Kosmopoulou, an infectious disease physician at the General Hospital of Nikaia, a Piraeus port suburb, witnesses this every day inside and outside the hospital, as she has told Xinhua in a recent interview.

As the only infectious disease expert in a public hospital under enormous pressure, she still sees sexism in the hospital's corridors, in the representation of women in experts' committees set up to monitor the course of the pandemic, in news reports on increasing unemployment rates for women and domestic violence.

Kosmopoulou is in charge of the unit for COVID-19 patients at the Nikaia hospital. Despite the increase in numbers of beds in intensive care units (ICUs) and the hiring of thousands of health personnel since the pandemic reached Greece a year ago, there is still huge pressure on the healthcare system.

Greece has been in a nationwide lockdown since Nov. 7, 2020, but the numbers of daily new infections, deaths and patients in ICUs remain high.

"We started with 35 beds (in August) and now we have 100 beds for COVID-19 patients and there is a discussion to further increase the number," Kosmopoulou said.

"The greatest cost now is the fear that somebody will be at risk and I will not be able to help, because I don't have all the necessary means or because there are so many patients to treat," she added.

On Friday all beds for COVID-19 cases at the General Hospital of Nikaia were occupied. There is no ICU for COVID-19 patients. The most severe cases are transferred to other hospitals.

There is still a shortage of personnel and technological means and risk of further spread of the virus as the same doctors and nurses are treating COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients and vaccinate people, she said.

"It is a war and we are fighting without thinking about tomorrow, and of course women are very good fighters. They always were," the doctor said.

Many women are at the frontline of the pandemic and shoulder an uneven load. Kosmopoulou sees colleagues, nurses, working women around her trying even harder to do their work, and take care of their husbands, kids and houses.

She still sees gender-based discrimination rising in the hierarchy as well as lower payment for women compared to men in the private sector.

"Regardless of the existing legal framework, sexism and the patriarchal perception that prevail in Greek society have not been eradicated and there is a need for a consistent, daily struggle of both women and men," the doctor said.

"Inequalities are not overthrown overnight. Equality is a challenge that concerns not only women, but all," Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the first woman elected last year in the post in the Greek state's history, said as the keynote speaker during a debate hosted in the European Parliament last week on the role of women in the fight against COVID-19, according to an e-mailed press statement issued by her office.

According to the European Commission report, the pandemic has proven to be a major challenge for gender equality. Member states recorded a surge in domestic violence.

In Greece during the first quarantine in springtime last year, calls to a special hotline quadrupled within a month from 325 in March to 1,769 in April, Maria Syrengela, Secretary General for Family Policy and Gender Equality at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Furthermore, women in the labor market were hit hard by the pandemic. In Greece, according to the latest data provided by the Hellenic Statistical Authority, in November 2020 unemployment stood at 16.2 percent of the workforce. Based on gender, 13.2 percent of men and 20 percent of women were jobless.

Finally, work-life balance pressures have increased for women due to teleworking and online schooling. Women spent, on average, 62 hours per week caring for children (compared to 36 hours for men) and 23 hours per week doing housework (15 hours for men), according to the EU report.
Harry and Meghans explosive tell-all interview has raised a lot of issues. What are the questions that need answering?

 How will the royal family respond and how will they restore their damaged reputation?

The royal family and their aides have some challenging questions to answer about why a suicidal Meghan was not supported and given help, and about the accusations of racism.

The Queen has not watched the Oprah Winfrey interview (Steve Parsons/PA)

The Queen, known for her calm approach, is never reactive or rash during challenging times, but the allegations mark a crisis point for the monarchy and its future.

Prince William and his wife Kate have long been vocal campaigners on the issue of mental health so questions remain about their involvement and what their response will be.

 Who made the racist comment about how dark their babys skin would be?

The couple refused to say which member of the royal family had this conversation with Harry while Meghan was pregnant with Archie.

The Sussexes and baby Archie (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Meghan said: That was relayed to me from Harry, those were conversations the family had with him, and I think it was really hard to be able to see those as compartmentalised conversations.

Harry said he will never reveal who said it and what was said, but this will not stop the speculation.

 What damage has been done to Harry and Meghans relationship with the royal family?

At this stage, the damage could be irreparable.

Prince Harry has vowed to try to restore his relationship with his father, Prince Charles, and said he hopes he can heal his rift with William in time.

Charles with his sons Harry and William (Barry Batchelor/PA)

The interview is likely to be seen  either by the press or the royals or both  as an attack on the whole family, and how will William react to Meghan singling out Kate?

Harry has, however, spoken of his closeness to the Queen.

 What did Kate say to Meghan to make her cry?

Meghan said it was Kate who left her in tears over the flower girl dresses, not the other way round as was reported.

Kate with Charlotte at the royal wedding (Jane Barlow/PA)

It was a really hard week of the wedding, and she was upset about some things, she said.

Kate apologised and sent flowers and a note. But Meghan said it was a turning point when the false story was not put straight.

 Who did Meghan approach in the Palace for help when feeling suicidal?

Meghan said she went to one of the most senior people.

She sent emails and begged for help and people said Yes, yes, its disproportionately terrible but nothing was ever done, she claimed.

 Why was Meghan not supported  especially after Diana's experience?

Meghan said: There was no guidance theres no class on how to speak, how to cross your legs, how to be royal, theres none of that training.

Meghan with Harry on a royal engagement before their wedding (Yui Mok/PA)

She added: That might exist for other members of the family but said it was not offered to her.

If that was the case, why was Meghan not given help and support?

 Who was jealous of Meghan?

Harry indicated that members of the royal family were jealous of Meghan because of the ease with which she carried out royal duties on their tour of Australia and New Zealand.

 What about Meghans father?

Meghan has been estranged from Thomas Markle since her wedding, but Winfrey was not seen questioning Meghan about their relationship.

Does she intend to reach out to her father, and he will ever meet Harry or their children?

 Why did Meghan think Archie should be a prince?

Meghan said she wanted Archie to be a prince so he could have police protection, and expressed her shock at the idea of the first member of colour in the family not being titled in the same way as other grandchildren.

The Sussexes (Toby Melville/PA)

But seventh in line Archie is not at this stage entitled to be a prince because of rules established more than 100 years ago by King George V.

 Why didnt the Queen make Archie a prince?

The Queen stepped in ahead of Prince Georges birth to issue a Letters Patent to ensure all of William and Kates children, not just George, would have fitting titles.

Their children are the offspring of a future monarch whereas Archie is not.

He will be entitled to be an HRH or a prince however when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne.

 What about the alleged bullying Meghan is accused of?

The interview was filmed before the Times revealed that a senior aide raised concerns over bullying and that Meghan allegedly drove out two personal assistants and humiliated another, which the duchess denies.

Meghan and Harry (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Questions still remain as to what exactly went on and how Meghan treated her staff.

Buckingham Palace has launched an investigation.

 What will Harry and Meghan name their daughter?

With the couple set to have a baby girl, the bookmakers will be predicting Diana as the frontrunner. Or perhaps even Elizabeth in honour of the Queen.
Detectives are investigating if the attempted murder of a young mother was carried out by a local drug dealer who was under threat from dissident republicans.

The victim, who is the sister of a Real IRA killer, is not suspected of involvement in dissident republicanism or criminality herself.

She was last night clinging to life after being shot in the chest and arm at her home in Bluebell, south west Dublin.

The shooting happened at the Bernard Curtis House flat complex on Saturday afternoon while the womans young daughter was also inside the property.

A number of other people were also in the property at the time, including three men from Northern Ireland with suspected dissident republican links.

One of the men is the son of a senior IRA figure from Belfast.

Detectives are investigating if a local drug dealer, aged in his 30s and also injured during the shooting, was the gunman who kicked in the front door before letting off five shots over the weekend.

A source told the Irish Independent: One line of inquiry is that the three men from Northern Ireland were brought down to threaten this drug dealer.

A short time later a man burst into her house and fired five shots, hitting her twice in the chest as well as shooting himself.

Her young daughter is not even 10 years old and was in hysterics while paramedics were treating her mother at the scene.

It is being investigated if the gunman was the drug dealer who had been threatened by the dissidents earlier in the day.

Emergency services were alerted to the shooting and rushed the young woman to hospital, where she remained in a critical condition last night.

The suspected gunman was also driven to hospital by an associate from the south inner-city who has also been arrested as part of the inquiry.

Local gardai are investigating the attempted murder, while counter-terror detectives are probing the presence of the three IRA associates in Dublin.

They are not suspected of involvement in the gun attack and were in the kitchen when the shooting began, before calling 999.

A number of raids were carried out in the Bluebell area on Saturday night but gardai have not yet recovered the weapon used.

The local drug dealer also remains in a serious condition in hospital and gardai have been posted outside of his room.

They are expected to question him once his condition improves.

They are likely to question him on suspicion of ordering a gun and then using it in an attempted murder.

The young mother is the sister of Real IRA killer who is currently serving a life sentence after he pleaded guilty to the murder of a senior gangland figure.

In total four people, aged in their 20s and 30s, were arrested in relation to Saturdays shooting. They were brought to different stations in the capital.

Three of the men from Northern Ireland have since been released by gardai without charge, while the south inner-city man was still being questioned.

A Garda spokesman said investigating detectives at Kevin Street garda station are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
Kanpur, March 8 : Neeraj Singh, one of the directors of the upcoming film based on the life of late gangster Vikas Dubey of Kanpur, says they were not given permission to shoot in the city.

Titled "Bikroo Kanpur Gangster", is co-directed by Singh and Shraddha Shrivastavm and stars actor Nimai Bali in the lead role.

"We have shot the film in Agra and Mathura. We also went to Kanpur to shoot but did not get permission. They said it is controversial content, so won't allow. Conflicts could arise Kanpur being Vikas Dubey's place. That's the reason we decided to shoot elsewhere," Neeraj Singh informed.

"We have also got threats call from some unknown person, but I can't make out whether it was a joke or the gangster's goons. I can't say, but we did receive the calls. However, we could complete the shoot with our producers' help," he added.

The biopic is slated to hit theatres on April 16.
A FORMER childcare worker was jailed for nine months for distributing vile child abuse images including a video involving the abuse of a small baby.

Cork District Court heard that gardai were alerted to the offensive images forwarded by grandmother and mother-of-four Evelyn Ajie (51) by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and IT giants Google.

Ajie - of Clifton Terrace, Summerhill North Cork and formerly from Nigeria - received the images as part of a WhatsApp group with members across Europe and Africa including Italy, Spain and Nigeria.

She pleaded guilty to three charges before Judge Olann Kelleher at Cork District Court.

Two charges included that she knowingly distributed child abuse images whereby she knowingly showed it or facilitated any activity for the purpose of distribution, publication, exportation or show on September 1, 2019 and October 5, 2019.

The third charge was that she knowingly had in her possession three videos described as child abuse images and which were stored on an electronic device.

Garda Sergeant Pat Lyons said it was a very unusual case.

Ajie received the child abuse videos, which involved the sexual abuse of a baby and a pre-pubescent boy of 12, as part of the WhatsApp group and then forwarded them on to others.

The matter was brought to Garda attention last year by NCMEC and Google. Gardai acted immediately and seized Ajies Samsung Galaxy phone.

Defence solicitor Pat Horan explained that his client, who was born in Nigeria, had lived in Ireland for 18 years.

She is a grandmother and had worked in a creche between 2012 and 2015 before having to quit the work on health grounds.

He told the court she is now housebound because of chronic ill health. She has severe arthritis which makes any movement difficult and also suffers from cataracts.

Mr Horan said his client was terribly upset by what had occurred.

He stressed that she made voluntary statements to gardai and fully accepted her culpability.

Mr Horan pointed out that Ajie has no previous convictions and deeply regretted what had happened.

(She is) accepting responsibility and not making any excuse, he said.

However, Judge Kelleher warned that the matter was extremely serious and pointed out that the defendant knew exactly what she was doing.

He noted that the matter involved was not a simple mistake or a once-off incident.

Judge Kelleher warned that it was not a victimless crime and that the court had a duty of care to the unfortunate victims in the matter.

He said the serious nature of the offences involved had to be marked by a custodial sentence.

Ajie - who has four children and eight grandchildren - was jailed for nine months.

Judge Kelleher refused to suspend any portion of the sentence.

It had previously been indicated by the Director of Public Prosecutions that Cork District Court could only accept jurisdiction in the matter on the basis of a guilty plea - otherwise the matter would refer to Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Ajie has lodged an appeal against her nine month sentence.

She lodged 500 in a bond and was released on bail pending the hearing of the appeal.

Judge Kelleher adjourned the matter until March 15 next.
Tel Aviv, March 8 : Israel's annual budget deficit reached a record of 173.9 billion new shekels ($52 billion), according to a report issued by the Ministry of Finance.

The deficit figure, between March 2020 and February 2021, accounts for 12.4 per cent of Israel's GDP, much higher than the government's target of 3 per cent, Xinhua news agency quoted the report issued on Sunday as saying.

For the first two months of 2021, the Israeli budget deficit reached 11 billion shekels, compared with a surplus of 2.9 billion shekels in the same months last year.

In February alone, the deficit amounted to 10.9 billion shekels, compared with 3.3 billion shekels a year ago.

Since the beginning of 2021, the government revenues hit 62.4 billion shekels, up by 6.2 per cent year on year, while the expenditures totalled 73.4 billion shekels, a sharp an increase of 30.7 per cent.
Few new details emerged Sunday from a Saturday night shooting on Bourbon Street that left two young teenagers wounded.

A spokeswoman for the New Orleans Police Department said there were no updates or arrests in the case. A police log released Sunday morning said that the shots were fired by a woman, and the victims, 14 and 15, were taken to a hospital.

But one bar manager, who asked not to name the establishment for fear of repercussions from the city, said that fistfights break out regularly among crowds that gather in the 500 block of Bourbon to listen to a band made up of young people playing percussion instruments that has been out there every weekend for months.

On Saturday, a crowd of more than about 200 people had gathered on Bourbon when the shots rang out, said Shaun Frenchie French, who has worked in the French Quarter for 15 years.

French said he heard gunshots from inside and then saw panic-stricken people pressing up against his establishments big wrought-iron gates, which he opened to allow them to get away from the commotion.

French said musicians, who arrive in the evenings, draw crowds of people  most of them not wearing masks  who block the sidewalks on both sides of Bourbon Street.

NOPD officials could not be immediately reached for comment. But LaTonya Norton, press secretary for the Cantrell administration, said that the French Quarter has a police presence and officers keep the drumline, as she called the group, moving. The NOPD also uses its mounted patrol to break up crowds when they start forming, she said.

According to the city's coronavirus mitigation guidelines, street performers are allowed to perform but need to be masked and "are encouraged to maintain small audiences that are wearing face coverings and social distancing."

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It has not been uncommon for videos of large crowds in the French Quarter to surface on social media during weekends in the pandemic. The city has responded with harshly worded statements against those who flout rules against packing in tightly with people not part of your household while not wearing masks.

Will New Orleans control Mardi Gras crowds? Some residents want 'punitive measures' Once again, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrells administration found itself castigating revelers partying on Bourbon Street in violation of co

In the lead-up to Mardi Gras weekend, several bars were shut down for violating capacity limits, and some public gathering spots were fenced off to prevent crowds.

Beside the musicians, French said that people are pulling wagons and are selling food and alcohol.

Ive worked on Bourbon nearly 15 years at this point and have never seen it this bad. Its like the Wild West," French said, noting Saturday looked like the days before the pandemic on his block.

French said that established businesses still can't have live music, and musicians who work in them are suffering. Bars also have to comply with limitations on crowd size, but none of those rules are being applied to what's happening on the street.

He said his establishment has sought help from NOPD, and officers have responded a couple of times. But he said that hes been told officers have instructions not to interfere with street performers.

I dont know if the entire city is turning a blind eye to this or if people honestly dont know that its going on, he said.
The way people work is changing. Employees are finding themselves working from more locations around the office as the financial industry transitions from task-based roles to more complex and collaborative project-based work. Yet workplaces are struggling to keep up with this transition and adequately support their employees.

Leesman, our workplace data partner and the leading tool for measuring the employee workplace experience, has proposed segmenting employees into four mobility profiles to develop a better understanding of how employees work and quantify their needs. Together, weve gathered workplace data from over 1,200 credit union employees that can be used as a benchmark to compare your organization with the industry at large.
There have been nine instances of US troops stopping overnight at Shannon Airport with around one military flight landing per day this year.

The issue was brought into focus last month when the Irish Examiner revealed that US authorities apologised to the Government for an incident in which US military personnel breached Irish Covid-19 regulations.

The troops stayed overnight in a Limerick hotel after landing at Shannon Airport without the legally required evidence of negative PCR tests or passenger locator forms.

Two further planeloads were reported to have stayed overnight in the days after the January 9 incident, including one which occurred on February 8, four days after the US apology.

All flights which land in Ireland require clearance from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney for the number of flights that had been granted this clearance this year.

The response reads: "Between 1 January and 17 February 2021, diplomatic clearance has been provided for landings of forty-four foreign military aircraft in Ireland."

While there is no breakdown of the nationality of these flights, Mr Coveney answered another parliamentary question from independent TD Catherine Connolly which showed that 28 of the landings were in January  25 from the US, two from the Netherlands and one from Switzerland.

In response to subsequent questions from the Irish Examiner, the Department said that nine of the flights, all American, had stayed overnight up to the end of February.

Since 1 January 2021, there have been nine instances of landings at Shannon of foreign military aircraft which involved stopovers. All were US military flights.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs informs all embassies accredited to Ireland of changes to public health requirements, including with regard to landings of foreign military aircraft.

"This Department has no function in relation to oversight of compliance with public health regulations.

"The Department has also emphasised to US authorities that crew and passengers of military flights are bound to observe public health regulations in exactly the same way as those on civilian flights.

"The US authorities apologised on 4 February for breaches which had occurred, and committed to full compliance."

Mr Murphy said that the figures showed the strategic importance of the airport to the US.

"I think all US military flights through Shannon should be banned but the very least they need to do is enforce the Covid rules that are there, rather than just them asking nicely to follow the rules."

An earlier response from the department said that the February 8 landing did not breach Covid guidelines because those on board were flight crew.

However, the Department said that it does not monitor compliance of those staying overnight in local accommodation.
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A UFC fighter has been caught on camera accusing his opponent of being a 'little woman beater' and telling him: 'I heard you choked your girl in 2018.'

Tim Elliott hurled the allegation at Jordan Espinosa during the UFC 259 in Las Vegas Saturday.

Elliott - who won the flyweight battle - could be heard accusing Espinosa of domestic violence as the pair grapple on the floor during the fight's second round.

He tells him: 'I heard you choked your girl in 2018, Little woman beater. Little f***ing woman beater.'

Espinosa can be heard telling him: 'You don't know the whole story,' to which Elliott replies: 'I know enough.' Espinosa adds: 'You don't know s***.'

Elliott later said he had been sent a Facebook message which showed a woman 'with choke marks on her neck' along with messages between her and Espinosa.

But no court or police records link Espinosa, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, to any such crime, Yahoo reports.

His spokesman called the claims 'reckless slander'.

Tim Elliott has been caught on camera accusing his opponent Jordan Espinosa of being a 'little woman beater' and telling: 'I heard you choked your girl in 2018'

Espinosa's spokesman, Bryan Hamper, said: 'We will not be commenting on Tim Elliott's accusations.

'It is extremely unfortunate that an athlete who has no information of the situation is given a platform to recklessly slander another athlete with no credible information other than a (Facebook) message.

'It sets a dangerous precedent allowing this type of behavior to make headlines. Words matter.'

Tim Elliott hurled the allegation at Jordan Espinosa during the UFC 259 in Las Vegas Saturday. Elliott - who won the flyweight battle - could be heard accusing Espinosa of domestic violence as the pair grapple on the floor during the fight's second round

The sound had been muted by broadcaster ESPN after Elliott began to use foul language.

But those courtside later revealed exactly what was said and UFC commentator Daniel Cormier said at the time: 'Wow, that's ugly. 'There were some ugly words being spoken down there between these two.'

Elliott later told reporters: 'I didn't say that for anybody else to hear, because I don't know the whole story. It wasn't something I wanted the whole world to hear. That was supposed to be between he and I.'

He added: 'I was trying to have a personal conversation with him which isnt something I should be doing anyway. I should focus on winning the fight.'
Supreme Court sides with Christian student barred from preaching on Ga. college campus

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A former student at a Georgia college prohibited from preaching on campus can seek compensation, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday.

In an 8-1 decision in Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski, the high court concluded that Chike Uzuegbunam can seek nominal damages from Georgia Gwinnett College.

The opinion reversed a decision from the 11th U.S. Court of Appeals and remanded the case for additional proceedings following the Supreme Court opinion's reasoning.

Justice Clarence Thomas authored the majority opinion and. Justices Samuel Alito, Stephen Breyer, Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh and Sonia Sotomayor also sided with the majority.

For purposes of this appeal, it is undisputed that Uzuegbunam experienced a completed violation of his constitutional rights when respondents enforced their speech policies against him, concluded Thomas.

Because every violation [of a right] imports damage  nominal damages can redress Uzuegbunams injury even if he cannot or chooses not to quantify that harm in economic terms.

Chief Justice John Roberts authored a dissent opinion, arguing that Uzuegbunam and fellow plaintiff Joseph Bradford have many problems with their litigation. Roberts said those problems include the fact that they have graduated, the policies of the college were changed and the petitioners have not alleged actual damages.

In the Courts view, nominal damages can save a case from mootness because any amount of money  no matter how trivial  can redress a past injury, wrote Roberts.

But an award of nominal damages does not alleviate the harms suffered by a plaintiff, and is not intended to. If nominal damages can preserve a live controversy, then federal courts will be required to give advisory opinions whenever a plaintiff tacks on a request for a dollar.

An evangelical Christian, Uzuegbunam was restricted in 2016 by school officials from preaching and handing out literature at an outdoor plaza on the public college's campus. He was told that student free speech exercises were restricted to two areas of the college's campus.

He later reserved a designated free speech zone so he could distribute religious literature and speak about his beliefs. But he was approached by campus police and asked to stop because the police had received "some calls" about his preaching. The student was informed that the free speech zone was not reserved for "open-air speaking" and he was in violation of the "Student Code of Conduct."

Uzuegbunam pursued legal action against Gwinnett, with fellow student Bradford joining the litigation because the restrictions hindered him from preaching on campus.

Although the school changed its policy on free speech and expression since stopping Uzuegbunam from preaching, they refused to accept a penalty for their past actions.

In July 2019, a three-judge 11th Circuit panel issued a per curiam decision against the students, affirming an earlier lower court decision labeling the case moot.

Represented by Kristen Waggoner of the Alliance Defending Freedom, the students appealed to the Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments in January.

During the arguments, Waggoner argued that the students lost forever the chance to get those days back and speak their message to their peers.

The Supreme Court has rightly affirmed that government officials should be held accountable for the injuries they cause. When public officials violate constitutional rights, it causes serious harm to the victims," Waggoner said in a statement Monday. "Groups representing diverse ideological viewpoints supported our clients because the threat to our constitutionally protected freedoms doesnt stop with free speech rights or a college campus."

Waggoner contended during the oral arguments English and U.S. courts have for centuries "awarded nominal damages when no future threat exists, even after a plaintiff waives compensatory damages.

"Officials within our public institutions shouldnt get a free pass for violating constitutional rights on campus or anywhere else," she added. "When such officials engage in misconduct but face no consequences, it leaves victims without recourse, undermines the nations commitment to protecting constitutional rights, and emboldens the government to engage in future violations. We are pleased that the Supreme Court weighed in on the side of justice for those victims.

Andrew Pinson, representing the college, said at oral arguments that nominal damages can't serve as independent redress for purely past injuries, like those experienced by the students.

Petitioners haven't cited a single common law case that decided the merits of a legal claim where a plaintiff had sought only nominal damages and awarding them couldn't affect the plaintiff's ongoing legal rights or interests, Pinson said at the time.

Without a working theory for how nominal damages can actually redress past injuries or historical evidence for that claim, the conclusion has to be that they aren't retrospective relief that saves the case from mootness when there's no longer a threat of continuing injury.
A US Congressman has hailed Meghan Markle for 'bringing down an empire' with her bombshell Oprah interview.

Democrat Mondaire Jones tweeted: 'Meghan Markle is bringing down an entire empire tonight, and I'm here for it.'

Last night, the 39-year-old American who married Prince Harry made a series of sensational claims about the British royals, including that her son Archie was denied the title of prince because he is mixed-race.

Jones was not alone in celebrating the interview, in which Harry claimed that the heirs to the throne, his father Charles and brother William, were 'trapped' by the monarchy.

Meghan McCain, daughter of late Republican statesman, tweeted: 'Monarchy has been an archaic and toxic concept since 1776.'

Democrat Congressman Mondaire Jones claimed that Meghan Markle brought down 'an entire empire' last night in her interview with Oprah (pictured: Jones, left, the Queen with Meghan in July 2018)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have insisted their interview with Oprah Winfrey would be the 'last word' on them quitting as senior royals

She is among critics of the monarchy who are today feasting on the allegations made by Meghan and Harry during their prime-time slot with Oprah.

The hashtag 'AbolishTheMonarchy' is even trending in the United Kingdom.

Joe Biden's inauguration poet Amanda Gorman wrote: 'Meghan was the Crown's greatest opportunity for change, regeneration, and reconciliation in a new era. They didn't just maltreat her light--they missed out on it.'

She added: 'Unclear if this will change the Royal family, but Meghan's strength will certainly redefine family everywhere. Think of the women who will be inspired to stand up for their lives, the partners who will be kinder & more courageous than the kin they were born into.'

Meghan's close friend Serena Williams also released a lengthy statement to Twitter after the interview aired.

Williams described the Duchess as a 'selfless friend' who 'teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble'.

'Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she's experienced,' Williams wrote.

'I know first hand the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of color to minimize us, to break us down and demonize us. We must recognize our obligation to decry malicious, unfounded gossip and tabloid journalism.'

Meghan cited this event at the Royal Albert Hall in January 2019, claiming she was forced to go when struggling with her mental health

The Queen is not believed to have watched the show, broadcast at 8pm Eastern Time in the US and 1am UK time, but will this morning be briefed by aides on the sensational claims made by her grandson and his wife that could badly damage the reputation of the Royal Family around the globe.

The Duchess of Sussex told Oprah she 'couldn't be left alone' and told her husband she 'didn't want to be alive anymore' before claiming the Palace HR department ignored her plea for help because she wasn't a 'paid employee'.

Describing how she considered ending her life believing it 'was better for everyone', Meghan said: 'I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it. I just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. I remember how he just cradled me. I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that 'I've never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere'. And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution'.

She said that after confiding in her husband, she was forced to go to the Royal Albert Hall for a charity event in January 2019, claiming photos from that night 'haunt me'. She told Oprah she later reached out to one of the best friends of Diana, Princess of Wales, because she felt unsupported by the palace.

She said: 'When I joined that family, that was the last time I saw my passport, my driving licence, my keys - all of that gets turned over'. Meghan said Harry had 'saved my life' by agreeing to move to Los Angeles.

Meghan also sensationally claimed that a relative of Harry asked him 'how dark' their unborn child would be with the Duchess claiming Archie being mixed-race was a 'problem' for the royals after Oprah asked her if they were worried their son would be 'too brown'.

The former Suits star said she would not name the person because it would be 'too damaging' for them.

Star supporters: Meghan McCain, Amanda Gorman and Serena Williams praised the Duchess

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry revealed their second child is a girl during their interview

But she confirmed that the duke was asked the question  'how dark his skin might be when he's born'  'by family'.

She then said Archie may have been denied the title of prince because he is mixed-race, but has never been told.

Harry was also asked to identify the culprit but said he didn't feel 'comfortable' discussing it.

In the most extraordinary royal interview since Diana spoke to the BBC's Martin Bashir in 1995, Meghan said her sister-in-law Kate made her cry in a row over dresses for the flowergirls, including Princess Charlotte, before her Windsor wedding.

She said: 'She (Kate) was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologised. And she brought me flowers'.

Harry also laid into his own family, claiming their 'lack of support and understanding', the couple's mental health problems and fears 'history repeating itself' with Meghan like his mother Diana, who died in 1997.

Harry also said he felt 'very let down' by his father Prince Charles, accusing him of refusing to take his calls and and then 'cut him off' financially when they emigrated.

He said: 'My father and brother. They're both trapped' and added that his mother Diana would be 'angry and sad' that he felt he had to leave the royal family, but 'she saw it coming'. Harry said: 'All she'd ever want for us is to be happy', adding that his wife had 'saved me', declaring: 'I myself was trapped, as well. I didn't see a way out'.
Opposition Lelo and European Georgia parties demand PM Garibashvilis resignation

By Veronika Malinboym

Leader of the opposition Lelo for Georgia party and co-founder of the TBC Bank Mamuka Khazaradze recently released a statement in which he called for the immediate resignation of the newly appointed Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili as well as the head of the Special Service of the State Security, Anzor Chubinidze.The statement came shortly after the Pirveli TV Channel has claimed to have acquired a secret audio tape in which one can, allegedly, hear Bera Ivanishvili and PM Garibashvili (son of the former prime minister and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili) discussing the possible punishments of the individuals who criticized the current government.Lelo demands an immediate investigation of the facts mentioned in the audio tape and ensure that the investigation is conducted in partnership with the relevant, reputable international investigation agencies. In order to make sure that the investigation is put under no external pressure, we demand an immediate resignation of the Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, as well as the Head of the Special Service of State Security, Anzor Chubinidze. As of right now, Lelo is not going to participate in any negotiations that the PM Garibashvili will be joining, read Mamuka Khazaradezes statement.Similarly, shortly after the TV Pirveli aired its coverage of the secret tape, leader of the opposition European Georgia party posted on his social media and called for an immediate resignation of the acting prime minister:Before the early elections are finally held, this [unpleasant] person who calls himself a prime minister, must leave, Ugulava posted.One of the members of the opposition United National Movement party, Zaal Udumashvili, also commented on the TV Pirveli investigation. He said that the only thing that the tape shows is that the people who are currently in power are no better than the members of street mafia gangs.Those tapes contain some signs indicating a serious crime. I believe that the investigation into them must be launched as soon as possible. Meanwhile, those individuals who appear on the tapes should resign before the investigation results are released, said Zaal Udumashvili.Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria also addressed the issue of released tapes. On her Facebook page she posted that for many years now, Georgian public has been calling for the timely and efficient investigation of some of the illegally obtained and released tapes:For many years now, it has become a normal practice in Georgia to illegally obtain, or even fabricate various tapes for the purpose of discrediting or harming the political opponents on various levels. For many years now, the general public has been calling for the timely investigation to be launched by the countrys judicial institutions, and for the adequate treatment of those responsible for obtaining or producing such tapes. Unfortunately, none of such cases have been investigated properly, which makes every citizen of this country vulnerable to such practices, Lomjaria wrote.
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An armed force from one of Myanmar's ethnic groups deployed to protect anti-coup marchers, on Monday, in the wake of a brutal junta crackdown on demonstrations that has left more than 50 people dead. The unit from the Karen National Police Force arrived shortly after dawn to accompany about 2,000 protesters near Myitta in Tanintharyi Region, southeastern Myanmar.

They carried an assortment of firearms including assault rifles as they marched ahead of the column down dusty, rural roads. The KNPF are under the control of the Karen National Union, one of many ethnic organisations in the country that have been fighting for greater autonomy from central government for decades.

The KNU employs both political and, through its armed wing, military means to achieve its aims. The area of Monday's march falls within territory claimed by the KNU as part of their homeland, even though, according to the UN's refugee agency, Karen people are in the minority there.

After almost continuous warfare with the Myanmar army since the end of World War II, the KNU signed a national ceasefire agreement with the government in 2015. But its leaders have condemned the February 1 coup that brought the military back to power. Numerous breaches of the ceasefire have also put strain on the accord. There is an ongoing Myanmar army offensive in one part of Karen State that has so far displaced about 6,000 people, according to several aid organisations.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
After release of 279 schoolgirls, Leah Sharibus parents renew pressure on Nigerian Pres. Buhari

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On International Womens Day, Leah Sharibus parents are renewing pressure on Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to secure their daughters release from Islamic extremists after nearly 300 recently kidnapped schoolgirls were released last week.

Rebecca and Nathan Sharibu released an open letter to Buhari published by Nigerian media Monday morning. Their daughter has been held captive for three years after being abducted by Boko Haram terrorists from her school in northeast Nigeria in 2018.

Mr. President, you have promised me on the phone that my daughter will soon be [released] because negotiations are going on and not long Leah will be returned home but it has been over two years since you made that promise and Leah is now three years in captivity, the Sharibus wrote.

The Christian Post obtained a copy of the open letter from Dede Laugesen of Save the Persecuted Christians. The letter was released by Gloria Puldu, executive director of the Leah Foundation.

The letter commended the president for the prompt rescue of the 344 Katsina state schoolboys abducted in December 2020 and the release of 279 kidnapped schoolgirls in Zamfara state last week.

A Nigerian pastor kidnapped by Boko Haram in December 2020 was also released last Wednesday after negotiations, just hours before he was to be executed.

The letter questioned why other captives were rescued in less than a week, while Leah has remained in captivity for over three years.

Sir we plead with you to put yourself in our position and assume that Leah is your daughter how would you [feel] knowing that she is in captivity just because she was courageous to refuse to renounce her faith? the letter asks. Leah is denied her freedom for three years just for that reason. Now that you are able to find [solutions] to rescue those in captivity, we believe that you should be able to bring Leah and others in captivity home if you choose to do so.

Feb. 19 marked three years since insurgents affiliated with Boko Haram splinter group Islamic State West Africa Province abducted Leah Sharibu and over 100 other classmates from a government boarding school in Dapchi. While five of the girls were killed, the rest of Sharibus classmates were released to their families after negotiations with the government.

Because the then-14-year-old Sharibu refused to renounce her faith in Jesus Christ and convert to Islam, insurgents pledged to enslave her for life.

Leahs parents, Christians in Nigeria and rights advocates worldwide have not stopped advocating for her release. Her mother came to Washington, D.C. in June 2019 to call on President Donald Trump to assist in the release of her daughter in captivity.

The Sharibus argued the whole world is waiting on Buhari to fulfill his promise to rescue Leah.

In a translated voice recording of Rebecca Sharibu obtained by CP, Sharibu said she is still appealing to the government on my daughter's plight now that [279] Zamfara girls that were abducted have been released.

Negotiations were made, and all of [them] were released, my daughter is only one person, and now it is three years that she is still in captivity, the mother said.

Why won't the government use the same means they used to secure the release of [the other captives] to secure the release of my daughter and the others like the remaining Chibok girls, she continued, referencing schoolgirls captured by Boko Haram in 2014 from a school in Chibok.

Please help us the same way you helped to secure the release of these girls so that our girls who are in captivity will regain their freedom.

On the second anniversary of Sharibus abduction in Feb. 2020, the Muslim Nigerian president said in a statement that the government is going to redouble our efforts for Leahs return but stressed, we can never allow the terrorists to divide us  Christian against Muslim, Muslim against Christian.

We are all sons of Abraham, Buhari said. And all Nigerians have the same worth and rights before the law, and before God.

Despite this claim, many international human rights advocates criticize the Nigerian government for neglecting to thwart violence against civilian communities committed by Islamic extremists in the northeast and radical herdsmen in the Middle Belt of Nigeria.

Extremists reportedly demanded $275 million for Sharibus release in October 2018. Reports in January 2020 claimed Sharibu had given birth to the son of a Boko Haram commander.

Nigeria has experienced a wave of mass kidnappings for ransom in the past months, which has become a lucrative industry for militants.

Open Doors World Watch List ranks Nigeria as the ninth-worst country for Christian persecution, stating that Islamic oppression toward believers is rampant and often runs unchecked.

Despite the overwhelming threat to Nigerian Christians, just under half of the country is Christian. According to Open Doors, over 95 million believers are in Nigeria, Africas most populous nation.

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.

The Global Terrorism Index ranks Nigeria as the country third most affected by terrorism in the world. More Christians were killed for their faith in Nigeria than any other country in 2020, Open Doors reports.

The Leah Foundation continues to advocate for Leah's freedom, as well as empower Nigerian women.
Community News Editor / Librarian

Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989. She can be reached at jmaschino@berkshireeagle.com.
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An independent analysis of the medical trials which formed the final basis of approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly suggests the drug bremelanotide has very limited effectiveness as a treatment for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in women, and that trial participants preferred a placebo.

The analysis, published today in the peer-reviewed Journal of Sex Research, also highlights issues with the validity of HSDD as a diagnosis. The condition was removed from the American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in 2013.

Professor Glen Spielmans, of Metropolitan State University, USA, examined data from bremelanotide's FDA New Drug Application, the clinicaltrials.gov protocol entries for the two 24-week Phase III trials, and the journal article (Kingsberg et al., published in Obstetrics and Gynecology) that reported both trials. He also conducted a meta-analysis of efficacy and dropout data appearing in the FDA application and compared these outcomes to those reported in the journal paper.

Spielmans, a Professor in Psychology, found that 42.1% of trial participants given bremelanotide did not complete the study compared to 20.48% of participants given the placebo, with dropout rates due to adverse events much higher for those on bremelanotide. Among participants who reached the end of the trials' acute phase, 87.22% on the placebo wanted to continue treatment in the open-label phase that followed, compared to 69.97% on bremelanotide.

However, the Kingsberg article did not report that adverse event-induced discontinuation was substantially higher for bremelanotide or that participants preferred taking placebo, measured by the combination of both completing a clinical trial and choosing to participate in the follow-up open-label study.

A number of other problems with the article were found including incomplete data reporting, changed efficacy outcomes and conflicts of interest, with four of the authors working for either the company that conducted the trials (Palatin Technologies) or the company which was licensed to market bremelanotide in North America (AMAG Pharmaceuticals) before the license was transferred back to Palatin.

Professor Spielmans said: "My findings strongly suggest that bremelanotide has very limited treatment efficacy, that the protocol-specified outcomes of bremelanotide are mostly unreported in the main journal article reporting the clinical trial outcomes, and that trial participants would rather take a placebo than bremelanotide."

However, focusing solely on problems with the clinical trials runs the risk of unintentionally reifying the validity of HSDD, he warned. "The lack of specifying symptom duration, questionable validity for the lack of sexual fantasies as a diagnostic criterion, difficulty in disentangling individual sexual problems from relational problems, and the failure to consider cultural influence - including the pressure on women to satisfy the sexual desires of their male partners - in the experience of sexuality all render HSDD as a problematic entity," Professor Spielmans added.

###
Islamabad, March 8 : Two police personnel were shot dead and two others injured in separate attacks in Pakistan, authorities said.

Deputy Inspector General of Islamabad police Afzaal Kausar said in a statement that some unknown gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons at a police party in Islamabad's Sector G-13 area on Sunday night, reports Xinhua news agency.

A sub-inspector and two constables sustained injuries in the attack, Kausar said.

Police and rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the injured to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad, where one of the police constables succumbed to the injuries during treatment, local media reported.

The officer said that police personnel were on their routine patrolling duty when they came under the attack.

"They tried to stop a motorcycle for search, but the gunmen opened fire (at) the personnel," said the police officer, adding that the area has been cordoned off and search operation is in progress.

Earlier in the day, a police inspector was shot dead in Rawalpindi's Mall Road area, according to an official statement.
The "Terra Blue" team of the "Gheorghe Lazar" National College won the first place at the BeSafeNet Olympiad organized by the Council of Europe.

"The BeSafeNet Olympiad is organized by the Council of Europe every year. It is basically about the European Mediterranean agreement on major risks, with the main area being prevention and preparation for natural and technological hazards. It is an Olympiad held throughout Europe. As many as 131 teams from all over Europe participated. The Terra Blue team from the 'Gheorghe Lazar' National College took the first place, obtaining the maximum score of 100 points", the coordinator of the team, who is also a geography teacher, Dorina Nedelea, told AGERPRES on Monday.

According to her, the team consisted of pupils Svenja Popirowski, Mara Nedelcu, Ionut Dutu."The contest consisted of a test that took place online. We logged on online, the children answered questions that focused on this content related to natural and technological hazards. They also had to write an original essay and the topic we chose was related to the floods, because Romania has faced such catastrophes over the years and this essay was marked. The score they obtained following the competition - 100 points - ranked them first among the 131 teams", said the team coordinator.She added that the team is the first to participate in this Olympiad.
The Amarinder Singh-led government in Punjab on Monday presented its last budget with a total size of Rs 1,68,015 crore for 2021-22, making bulk of its provisions for agriculture, urban development, water resources, health and other sectors.

Dedicating the state budget to the farmers who are protesting against the Centre's three farm laws, Finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal decided against levying any fresh taxes in the state which will go to the Assembly polls early next year.

Announcing the next phase of the Congress-led government's flagship programme 'crop loan waiver scheme', Badal announced an allocation of Rs 1,712 crore in which Rs 1,186 crore of 1.13 lakh farmers and Rs 526 crore of landless farm workers will be waived.

Already, the state government has given a debt relief of Rs 4,624 crore to 5.83 lakh small and marginal growers.

Among major Budget proposals, Badal announced implementation of sixth Pay Commission's recommendations for the government employees from July and a Rs 3,780 crore scheme --'Kamyaab Kisan Khushaal Punjab' for farmers.

The Budget also proposed another dose of crop loan waiver, Rs 200 crore for crop diversification programme, doubling of old-age pension and raising the amount under the Ashirwad scheme and employment for youth.

With a speech laced with some couplets, Badal also announced a free travel facility for women in th state-owned undertaking buses in a please-all Budget.

During the Budget speech, two Akali Dal legislators Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal and Dilraj Singh Bhundar staged a walkout from the House for not proposing anything for farmers who commit suicide.

After sometime, AAP legislators also stormed into the well of the House and staged a walkout over the rising state debt.

In an announcement for the state government employees who have been seeking payment of their arrears, Badal said a provision of Rs 9,000 crore has been made in the Budget for the sixth Punjab Pay Commission.

Expecting the submission of the report of the Pay Commission soon, Badal said the recommendations of the pay panel will be implemented from July 1 this year.

I also announce to pay the arrears, if any, in a staggered manner of which the first installment shall be paid in October 2021 and second installment in January 2022, said Badal in his speech.

Stating that the well-being and prosperity of the farmers was the central theme of the Congress-led government, Badal announced a new scheme 'Kamyaab Kisan Khushaal Punjab' worth Rs 3,780 crore, aimed to improve the income of farmers.

Under this scheme, some key initiatives are proposed like fixing base price for horticulture crops and payment of deficiency price as compensation, two new schemes to mitigate the risk of producers, agricultural marketing innovation research and intelligence centre to assist the farmers in fetching better return through marketing intelligence reports etc, said Badal.

With this scheme to be implemented in next three years, an outlay of Rs 1,104 crore has been proposed for 2021-22.

An amount of Rs 7,180 crore was provided towards free subsidy to farmers. The state government in the last four years had given free power worth Rs 23,851 crore, said Badal.

The minister also announced to raise old age pension from Rs 750 per month to Rs 1,500 per month and increase the amount under the Ashirwad scheme from Rs 21,000 to Rs 51,000 and will be implemented from July.

Under Ashirwad scheme, financial assistance is provided for the wedding of Scheduled Caste women, daughters of widows of any caste and SC widows.

Both these were part of the poll promises of the Congress before coming to power in 2017.

In the budget, Badal said the state government intended to recruit against one lakh vacancies in a phased manner. The government will fill 48,989 posts in the first phase and complete the remaining recruitments as per available vacancy position during 2021-22, he stated.

So far, the state government was able to facilitate employment to 16.29 lakh youth till date and aims at facilitating employment to another 10 lakh youth in next year for which the budgetary allocation of Rs 428 crore has been made, he said.

To promote Punjabi language, Badal also proposed doubling award money from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh for the Punjabi Sahit Ratan Award and from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for the Shiromani Award given to various writers, poets, musicians, journalists, etc.

As a tribute to freedom fighters, the FM also proposed increasing the monthly pension from Rs 7,500 to Rs 9,400.

Giving a push to urban development, a hike of 68 per cent in allocation for urban infrastructure at Rs 7,192 crore was made for next fiscal.

A sum of Rs 3,822 crore has been set aside for strengthening the health infrastructure, said Badal adding the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has only underscored the importance of health infrastructure and related services.

A 40 per cent increase in the allocation for water resources at Rs 3,214 crore has been made as the state government is committed to raise the canal water facility.

Badal proposed a revenue deficit of Rs 8,622 crore and fiscal deficit of Rs 24,240 crore for the next fiscal.

On outstanding debt position, Badal said the debt is likely to be Rs 2,73,703 crore by the end of March 2022 as against Rs 252,880 crore for March 2021.

He said he attempted to limit borrowings to the extent of 4 per cent of the gross state domestic product.

Badal slammed the Centre over the farm laws and said he dedicated this budget to the farmers of India and salute their inspirational struggle that is already on its way to acquiring a legendary status.

(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.)
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Palmdale, CA (93550)

Today

Windy with mainly clear skies. Low near 70F. SW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Windy with mainly clear skies. Low near 70F. SW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph.
New Head of Teagasc Animal and Bioscience Research Department

Teagasc has appointed Professor David Kenny as head of its Animal and Bioscience Research Department. He takes over from Michael Diskin who retired last year. The Teagasc Animal and Bioscience Research Department (ABRD) was founded in 2008.

It rapidly expanded, linking Animal Bioscience with previously existing animal science research areas in Teagasc. The main animal bioscience facilities are located at the Teagasc research centre, Grange in County Meath from where Professor Kenny will lead the Department. The Department also comprises facilities and staff spread across two other Teagasc research centres; Teagasc Moorepark in County Cork, and Teagasc Athenry in County Galway.

Professor Kenny qualified with a first class honours B.Agr.Sc. (Animal Science) from University College Dublin, followed by a PhD. in nutrition and reproductive physiology of cattle, also at UCD. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Statistics and a Postgraduate Diploma in Molecular Medicine from Trinity College Dublin, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership Development from Irish Management Institute/University College Cork.

Professor Kenny has worked as a Principal Research Officer in Teagasc since November 2011. Prior to that he was a Lecturer at the School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin. In his early career he worked for the Department of agriculture and as an adviser with Teagasc.

Speaking following his appointment, Professor David Kenny said; I look forward to working with colleagues in Teagasc and in partner research organisations, to effectively tackle the many biologically based issues that face the livestock sector, in an integrated and focussed manner. 

Head of the Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation programme, Professor Pat Dillon said; During his time in Teagasc Professor Kenny has demonstrated strong leadership, having mentored 17 PhD and 8 Masters degree postgraduate students to completion, as primary supervisor and a further 13 PhD students as co-supervisor. He also has a strong publication record, having published 176 full length peer reviewed scientific manuscripts, four book chapters and more than 250 abstracts at national and international conferences.
At a time when traveling far entails serious risk, the Webb County Heritage Foundation is holding a raffle for four getaways to nearby locations.

The raffle will have four winners out of the 200 tickets sold. At $50 per ticket, the $10,000 raised will go towards the programs and activities the foundation holds.There is one trip into Mexico and three at locations around the county.

This is brand new, the first time we do it, Webb County Heritage Foundation executive director Margarita Araiza said. I would tell them that its a great opportunity to visit any of those historic sights and have a wonderful vacation at the same time. I think that nobody else and the other raffles around town, even though they are very worthwhile, they are just offering objects and stuff like that, which is great, but ours is entirely a vacation package.

The first prize for the raffle is a 7-10 day stay in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. The house comfortably sleeps seven to eight people, and the package includes one complimentary breakfast and one evening of margaritas on the roof terrace. The package is valued at $6,200.

According to Araiza, San Miguel de Allende is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its ties to the movement for Mexican independence from Spain as well as its vibrant arts and cultural attractions.

The second prize includes a stay at the Oryx Scimitar Hunt at Las Lajas Ranch in Zapata as part of a hunting package. The prize includes a two-night lodging stay, two morning hunts and two afternoon hunts with the right to get a magnificent Oryx Scimitar or an Axis Deer within a two-day hunt including. The total value of the prize is $3,670.

The third prize is the Casita San Ygnacio Weekend which includes a three-day weekend retreat in San Ygnacio. The historic residence accommodates up to five adults and is located two blocks from the landmark of Our Lady of Refuge Mission and the town plaza. The location is within walking distance of the Trevino Fort, the Bird Sanctuary and the banks of the Rio Grande. The total value of the prize is $600.

Many people have not been to San Ygnacio, and it is definitely a beautiful and cozy place to be, Araiza said. Its definitely a walk back in time going there.

The fourth prize is a staycation in the Gateway City. This includes a weekend stay for two at La Posada Hotel in downtown Laredo. The total value of the prize is $300.

We are hoping to offer it every year but at least see first how this one goes, Araiza said.

Araiza said the museum was quieter than usual this past year due to the pandemic. She hopes it will become a bit more normalized by the summer.

Its quieter than normal, but things are coming back to normal, Araiza said. People are coming back as people are coming in, and we have had recently out-of-town visitors, and we are fully open. The Republic of Rio Grande Museum and the Border Heritage Museum are open Tuesday to Saturday. These are very great times to visit the museum as it is very quiet, and you can enjoy everything peacefully. And we do a lot of cleaning and sanitation after every visit.

Araiza said the museum is looking ahead to events such as presentations by authors and other events for Founders Day.

The raffle will be held virtually once all 200 tickets have been sold. To purchase a ticket, visit webbheritage.org or visit the organizations Facebook page.

jorge.vela@lmtonline.com
Resentment is tough, especially when youve been hurt by someone deeply. We all struggle with resentment at some point in our lives. Yet, when we hold on to anger and resentment, it only causes us to suffer more. What you may not realize is that resentment can greatly impact your physical and mental health. Angela Buttimer, a licensed psychotherapist at Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness at Piedmont, says that holding grudges causes us to carry negative, tense energy in our biology.

When we hold onto grudges and resentment, its like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick, Buttimer says. You must pay attention to your levels of resentment. Leaving it unchecked can damage you in more ways than you know. Here are four ways resentment affects your health.

It puts you in fight or flight mode.

Karen Swartz, M.D., director of the Mood Disorders Adult Consultation Clinic at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, says there is an incredible physical burden to being hurt and disappointed. When youre chronically angry and hold onto resentment, it can put you into fight-or-flight mode. This can cause big changes in your blood pressure, heart rate, and immune response. When these things occur, it can increase the risk of depression, diabetes, heart disease, and other condition. Forgiving can turn this around, as forgiveness improves stress levels and leads to better health overall.

It causes psychological damage.

When we carry resentment and negative emotions like bitterness and anger, it can cause psychological damage. When we dwell on these feelings, it can begin to destroy our mindset and look at other people. You will begin to look at everything through a negative lens. Resentment also keeps us mentally stuck in the past, which prevents us from moving forward. This can significantly inhibit your ability to see the opportunities in front of you. You may even begin to see yourself in a negative light. This is not only unhealthy but also destructive.

It destroys relationships.

Resentment can destroy your personality, which will impact your friendships and relationships with loved ones. You begin to become the person that nobody wants to spend time around, and you end up feeling even more alone.

Steven Stosny, Ph.D., author of Empowered Love and Soar Above: How to Use the Most Profound Part of Your Brain Under Any Kind of Stress, says that angry and resentful people get into trouble, particularly in intimate relationships, even when they arent doing anything wrong. This is because their bodies and facial expression generally express frustration and hostility outside of their awareness. Being around angry and resentful people makes us resentful, even when they say nothing offensive, Stosny says. When youre hanging onto resentment, the people around you notice, even if you dont realize it.

It causes us to have more negative emotions.

If youre holding onto anger and resentment, youll find yourself experiencing many negative emotions. Laura Kubzansky, Ph.D., MPH, an associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health in Cambridge, Mass, talks about the importance of letting go of anger because of the damage it causes to our health. People who are angry a lot tend to have other chronic negative emotions as well, Kubzansky says. Letting go of resentment can help enhance your health without you even noticing. The best way to move forward from resentment is to find true happiness. One of the best things you can do to break free from the chains of resentment is to forgive. It is done for our own happiness and growth. When we hold onto our pain, it causes more harm to the person holding onto it than anyone else. When we forgive, we can move on without feeling the need to seek revenge or hate the person that inflicted our pain.

When we choose to forgive, that doesnt mean that we are justifying the harmful behavior. It also doesnt mean that we will continue to relate to the person that hurt us in the same way. However, it does mean that we are freeing ourselves from a huge burden that impacts our health and our state of mind.

When we choose not to forgive a person who harmed us or wronged us, we begin to take on so many negative emotions that can damage us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Studies have found that forgiveness has huge health benefits. Research also points out that this can increase with age. Forgiveness is a choice, Dr. Swartz says. You are choosing to offer compassion and empathy to the person who wronged you. If you resent someone, you must begin to take steps to change your attitude so your physical and mental health can improve.

You can begin to do this through the act of reflection. Look back at the events that have taken place in your life that cause you to struggle with anger and resentment. Think about the ways youve felt and reacted to those situations. Ask yourself how these situations are impacting you now.

Also, take the time to empathize with the person you are angry with or resenting. If you want to forgive and begin the healing process, it may be time to talk with that person. You shouldnt walk into these situations with any expectations. Remember, an apology may not come from that person. Getting an apology shouldnt be the goal. Your healing should. When you dont come into situations with expectations, you will never be disappointed.

When you decide to forgive, you are turning your feelings into actions. Forgiveness is a process that takes time. Its not something you do for the person who hurt you, but for you. Its also important that you take the time to forgive yourself. People often forget that the act of forgiving also includes the forgiveness of self. Any pain you felt as a result of someones actions is not a reflection of your worth.
Emmanuel Macron: The Azerbaijani troops must leave Armenias sovereign territory

Armenia 3rd President on authorities and the upcoming elections

Armenia 3rd President reacts to photos of bodies of soldiers in freezer: It felt like the blood froze in my veins

Armenia Ombudsman addresses OSCE officials in regard to Ilham Aliyev's Armenophobic statements

Turkey's Erdogan expresses willingness to support Georgia-Azerbaijan-Armenia trilateral cooperation

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

French-Armenians hold protest against Armenia acting PM's visit to France

Angulo's goal helped Armenia tie score with Croatia

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: I've fallen in love with AS Roma and Rome over the last two years

Roma extend contract with Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Croatia-Armenia 1-0 (after first half)

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Wargonzo: Russian MOD is dealing with settlement of conflict in Armenia's Syunik Province on a daily basis

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

Yerkir.am: ARF-D Bureau member: Armenia acting PM ignored Macron's phone calls on November 9, 2020

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

Oliver Kahn replaces Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as Bayern Munich's manager

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

Arturo Vidal tests positive for COVID-19

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

Thomas Tuchel's contract with Chelsea automatically extended

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

Do pets need to be vaccinated against coronavirus?

Sean Bean stops watching Game of Thrones after his hero's execution

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

Roma, Mkhitaryan reach deal

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Armenia national squad hold last training session before friendly against Croatia

Roland Garros: Naomi Osaka withdraws due to disagreement with organizers

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Scientists offer new approach to overeating treatment

FC West Armenia announce end of career

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

Brazil to host Copa America

Caparros: I think Henrikh Mkhitaryan will help the team during matches in September

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Aguero signs deal with Barcelona

Courtney Cox re-enacts Friends dance with Ed Sheeran

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

Henrikh Mkhitaryan declines Zenit's and Monaco's offers
Britain took in almost 900 asylum seekers from the European Unions member states last year  but removed just 100 in exchange.

Official data showed 882 claimants were transferred to this country from the Continent under rules set by Brussels.

But only 105 asylum seekers were transferred out of Britain to EU countries under the same measures.

The so-called Dublin regulation  which the UK ceased to be part of at the end of the transition period  set out how asylum seekers could be returned to another member state if they had previously claimed refugee status there.

Official data showed 882 claimants were transferred to this country but only 105 asylum seekers were transferred out

There was a huge discrepancy in the figures even though the UK made record numbers of requests under the measures last year.

In what appeared to be a ramping-up of requests by the Home Office ahead of December 31, there were just over 8,502 made to other EU nations urging them to take back asylum seekers.

It can also be disclosed that more than 7,000 failed asylum seekers made fresh claims in the UK last year.

The astonishing figure, disclosed to Parliament by immigration minister Chris Philp, showed the scale of the asylum reform faced by Home Secretary Priti Patel.

The figure was revealed to Parliament by MP Chris Philp

She has vowed to fix Britains broken asylum system, including streamlining the application process so all legal grounds are submitted at the start of a case.

Mr Philp said in a parliamentary answer that 7,341 submissions were made last year by people who had previously been refused asylum.

More than 60 migrants were intercepted trying to cross the Channel to reach the UK yesterday.

Britains authorities dealt with three boats carrying a total of 50 people, while the French halted one attempted overnight crossing involving 17 people and returned another boat to France.

The crossings come after a migrant went missing at sea when a boat got into difficulty in the Channel and three others were taken to hospital in France suffering from hypothermia on Tuesday night.
A Sunday-evening shooting at a Center Point area apartment complex seriously injured a young man.

Jefferson County sheriffs deputies were dispatched at 6 p.m. to the 1800 block of Martinique Drive. Sgt. Joni Money said they arrived to find a 21-year-old male suffering from gunshot wounds.

The victim, whose name has not been released, was taken to UAB Hospital. He is in critical condition.

Money said detectives are investigating the circumstances. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriffs office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

Updated at 7:56 p.m. with a corrected address from the sheriffs office.
When you type Mary Barnards name into Google, the auto-fill function tantalizes before you even get to the last syllable:

Mary Barnard Sappho.

Sappho, of course, is the ancient Greek lyric poet whose charged words turned her name and homeland into adjectives for forbidden love.

And it was Barnard, a Vancouver, Wash., native and Reed College graduate, who finally gave those words life in the English language, in the process remaking both the work and how it was popularly viewed.

Her Sappho: A New Translation, published in 1958, was a big deal, because it was so beautiful, Sappho scholar Diane Rayor says. It brought Sappho to people who never would have read her, in this handy little affordable book. It allowed people to fall in love with Sappho.

Mary Barnard, second from right, during her Reed College days. (Courtesy of Reed College)

To be sure, Sapphos fame -- and infamy -- long predated Barnards Eisenhower-era volume. Plato called her The Tenth Muse. In the early days of Christianity, she became reviled; she was labeled a prostitute who sings of her own wantonness.

Sappho would be rediscovered many times over the generations that followed, but she never really caught on in the English language until Barnard.

The reason for this, journalist and Scriven Arts Colony founder Bill Donahue wrote in 2009, is that nearly every English translation that preceded Barnards was a dog -- a bona fide clunker that endeavored to twist Sapphos clean Greek into bouncy rhymes.

But Barnard saw a real woman, one who was riding the crest of her own wave, she wrote. Her Sappho expounded in staccato bursts.

The new translation swept across the United States at the same time that gay-rights activism and second-wave feminism were beginning to take hold, and both movements embraced this mysterious poet from the sixth century BCE.

"The Warrior Empress," in which Tina Louise played Sappho, appeared two years after Mary Barnard's popular English translation was published. (AP Photo/Jim Pringle)ASSOCIATED PRESS

As a result, Barnard also received persistent attention.

She would get fan letters that would begin, Like you, Im a lesbian. I read your book every night before going to sleep, a friend of Barnards told Reed magazine. She was a very open-minded person, but it perturbed her.

It perturbed her because Barnard, who died in 2001 at 91, was intensely private. The never-married translator of lusty Greek poetry -- tall and buttoned-up, with round glasses over a typically inscrutable expression -- kept her passions to herself, whatever they were. Barnard appears to have approached Sapphos writing as she approached most everything in her life: at a remove, as a challenge to be overcome.

And it was a forbidding challenge. Sapphos surviving work is a collection of fragments. It not only had to be translated, it had to be reconstructed -- imagined. Heres where Barnards genius fully flowered. From Fragment No. 31 in her translation, we get:

This was thrilling stuff to classics scholars and poetry lovers alike. What Miss Barnard perceives, and what no one would have guessed from the general run of talk about Sappho, the noted translator Dudley Fitts wrote in the foreword to A New Translation, is the pungent downright plain style.  stripped and hard, awkward with the fine awkwardness of truth.

He described Barnards achievement as high art.

The cover image of a recent edition of Mary Barnard's "Sappho: A New Translation."

That it was, but the problem is that it became the standard, says Rayor, the author of 2014s lauded Sappho: A New Translation of the Complete Works. Barnard popularized Sappho in the U.S. and beyond -- no small thing, Rayor adds -- but her translation was a product of its time, and thus it has its drawbacks.

Barnard was highly influenced by imagist poets like Ezra Pound and H.D. (Hilda Doolittle), Rayor points out. So she made the poems very slender, creating her own abbreviated line structure rather than exactly reproducing Sapphos stanzas. She also added and subtracted where needed to make wholes where there were only partials.

Rayor notes that part of the long Fragment 31, for example, doesnt exist in the Greek at all.

She makes clear she isnt criticizing Barnard.

I dont want to downplay what she accomplished, Rayor says. Its so beautiful. This is a style of translation. In earlier translations, they wanted to not show the gaps.

Scholar Sarah Barnsley argues that Mary Barnard is an important figure in American poetic modernism.

Barnards translation inarguably is modernist, infused with her own creative biases. Indeed, one of the key reasons she had the confidence to tackle the job in the first place, she admitted, was that she was a poet in her own right, encouraged for years by the legendary Pound himself.

Barnards relationship with Pound began shortly after she graduated from Reed in 1932. She sent him a letter, along with a handful of her student poems, and asked for his advice.

Pound, who lived in Italy, wrote back, offering a veiled challenge. Nice gal, he closed, likely to get married and give up writing or what -- oh?

Barnard responded that she was a nice gal, yes, but that he shouldnt take that the wrong way.

That I should give up writing is inconceivable, she wrote.

In the years that followed, Pound, warming to the role of mentor, coaxed Barnard to study Greek lyrics and transform them into poems in English, starting her on the path to translating Sappho.

Mary Barnard in her later years received increasing acclaim for her own poetry. (The Oregonian)LC- THE OREGONIAN

With Pounds encouragement, Barnard relocated to New York City in the depths of the Great Depression, finding temporary work as Aldous Huxleys bibliographer.

Slowly, she wormed her way into the citys literary scene. But Barnard, the shy daughter of a Pacific Northwest timber wholesaler, never felt a part of it. She would note that practically everyone was a political radical, while politics meant very little to her. (Shed feel justified in steering clear of politics when Pound became a World War II propagandist for Italys fascist regime.)

Barnard ultimately did find success with her own poetry, bringing scenes from her Northwest childhood to a national audience in publications such as The New Yorker and The Kenyon Review.

Consider a stanza from Crossroads at AllPoetry.com:

This homegrown sensibility also played an important role in her translation of Sappho, argues Sarah Barnsley, author of the 2013 academic volume Mary Barnard: American Imagist.

Barnards experiences of Washingtons spare sawmill settlements, pointed firs, and desolate beaches informed the remarkable verbal austerity and cutting clarity with which she managed Sapphos fragments, she wrote in an encyclopedia entry.

Barnards Sappho: A New Translation was an immediate success when the University of California Press published it in 1958. The work sold tens of thousands of copies and even would be set to music. As Googles auto-fill shows, it remains her best-known achievement.

The poet William Carlos Williams, a longtime friend of Barnards, told her the translation was one of the most remarkable and informative and most satisfying and most beautiful books I have ever read.

With the Sappho behind her, Barnard focused once again on her own poetry. This work would receive increasing acclaim in her later years -- even though, now back in Vancouver, she had retreated from the literary worlds bright lights. In the 1980s, she won the Western States Book Award and the May Sarton Award for Poetry.

Shes an important figure in American poetic modernism, Barnsley told The Oregonian/OregonLive in an email.

Not that Mary Barnard spent much time seeking attention for her work. She avoided doing readings, and she rarely gave interviews. Poetry, whether Sapphos or her own, was something she created chiefly for herself and her small circle of artistic friends.

If I have my way, she once told Williams in a personal letter recently excerpted in an academic paper, well circulate things privately; no reviews, no bookstore sales, no advertising.

-- Douglas Perry

dperry@oregonian.com

@douglasmperry
An Arkansas woman who allegedly had a year-long sexual relationship with a 14-year-old boy and is now pregnant with his child has been arrested for sex abuse.

Brittni Gray, 23, was arrested on March 1 in the city of Paragould after two witnesses reported that she had been in a sexual relationship with the boy going back at least as far as February last year when he was aged just 13.

Police said the first witness contacted them in February 2020 to say Gray and the boy were dating, and that they had seen her taking the boy home from her house.

Brittni Gray, 23, was arrested last week in the city of Paragould, Arkansas, after two witnesses reported that she was involved in a year-long sexual relationship with a now-14-year-old boy

A second witness then contacted officers in September last year to say the boy had now moved in to Gray's home, and had actually seen the pair having sex.

In January, officers interviewed one of the witnesses who alleged that Gray and the victim had been sexually involved for about a year.

They told investigators that Gray was pregnant with the boy's child, and that the pair were thinking of leaving the state.

Police later tracked down CCTV from a local hospital that they say shows Gray and the boy visiting for one of her check-ups.

Medical records have also confirmed the pregnancy, though did not explicitly state who the father was.

Police have not released any further details about the nature of Gray's relationship with the boy, including how she knew him.

Gray has now been charged with one count of sexual assault in the 4th degree, a Class D felony which carries a maximum penalty of six years in jail.

She was released on $5,000 bail last week, and is due to appear in court on April 23.
North Carolina State University engineers continue to improve the efficiency of a flexible device worn on the wrist that harvests heat energy from the human body to monitor health.

In a paper published in npj Flexible Electronics, the NC State researchers report significant enhancements in preventing heat leakage in the flexible body heat harvester they first reported in 2017 and updated in 2020. The harvesters use heat energy from the human body to power wearable technologies - think of smart watches that measure your heart rate, blood oxygen, glucose and other health parameters - that never need to have their batteries recharged. The technology relies on the same principles governing rigid thermoelectric harvesters that convert heat to electrical energy.

Flexible harvesters that conform to the human body are highly desired for use with wearable technologies. Mehmet Ozturk, an NC State professor of electrical and computer engineering and the corresponding author of the paper, mentioned superior skin contact with flexible devices, as well as the ergonomic and comfort considerations to the device wearer, as the core reasons behind building flexible thermoelectric generators, or TEGs.

The performance and efficiency of flexible harvesters, however, historically trail well behind rigid devices, which have been superior in their ability to convert body heat into usable energy.

The NC State proof-of-concept TEG originally reported in 2017 employed semiconductor elements that were connected electrically in series using liquid-metal interconnects made of EGaIn - a non-toxic alloy of gallium and indium. EGaIn provided both metal-like electrical conductivity and stretchability. The entire device was embedded in a stretchable silicone elastomer.

The upgraded device reported in 2020 employed the same architecture but significantly improved the thermal engineering of the previous version, while increasing the density of the semiconductor elements responsible for converting heat into electricity. One of the improvements was a high thermal conductivity silicone elastomer - essentially a type of rubber - that encapsulated the EGaIn interconnects.

The newest iteration adds aerogel flakes to the silicone elastomer to reduce the elastomer's thermal conductivity. Experimental results showed that this innovation reduced the heat leakage through the elastomer by half.

"The addition of aerogel stops the heat from leaking between the device's thermoelectric 'legs,'" Ozturk said. "The higher the heat leakage, the lower the temperature that develops across the device, which translates to lower output power.

"The flexible device reported in this paper is performing an order of magnitude better than the device we reported in 2017 and continues to approach the performance of rigid devices," Ozturk added.

Ozturk said that one of the strengths of the NC State-patented technology is that it employs the very same semiconductor elements used in rigid devices perfected after decades of research. The approach also provides a low-cost opportunity to existing rigid thermoelectric module manufacturers to enter the flexible thermoelectric market.

He added that his lab will continue to focus on improving the efficiency of these flexible devices.

###

NC State colleagues Viswanath P. Ramesh, Yasaman Sargolzaeiaval, Taylor V. Neumann, Veena Misra, Michael Dickey and Daryoosh Vashaee co-authored the paper.

Funding for the work comes from the NC State's National Science Foundation-funded Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST) Center under grant EEC1160483. The mission of the ASSIST Center is to create self-powered wearables capable of long-term multi-modal sensing without having to replace or charge the batteries.

- kulikowski -

Additional Contact: Mick Kulikowski, News Services, 919/218-5937 or mjkuliko@ncsu.edu

Note to editors: An abstract of the paper follows.

"Flexible Thermoelectric Generator with Liquid Metal Interconnects and Low Thermal Conductivity Silicone Filler"

Authors: Viswanath P. Ramesh, Yasaman Sargolzaeiaval, Taylor V. Neumann, Veena Misra, Daryoosh Vashaee, Michael D. Dickey and Mehmet C. Ozturk, North Carolina State University

Published: March 8, 2021, online in npj Flexible Electronics

DOI: 10.1038/s41528-021-00101-3

Abstract: Harvesting body heat using thermoelectricity provides a promising path to realizing self-powered, wearable electronics that can achieve continuous, long-term, uninterrupted health monitoring. This paper reports a flexible thermoelectric generator (TEG) that provides best-in-class performance in converting body heat to electrical energy. The device relies on a low thermal conductivity aerogel-silicone composite that secures and thermally isolates the individual semiconductor elements that are connected in series using stretchable eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) liquid metal interconnects. The composite consists of aerogel particulates mixed into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) providing as much as 50% reduction in the thermal conductivity of the silicone elastomer. Worn on the wrist, the flexible TEGs present output power density figures approaching 35Wcm-2 at an air velocity of 1.2 ms-1, equivalent to walking speed. The results suggest that these flexible TEGs can serve as the main energy source for low-power wearable electronics.
What is safe for newly vaccinated Americans and their unvaccinated neighbors and family members has been uncertain in large part because scientists do not yet understand whether and how often immunized people may still transmit the virus. If they can, then masking and other precautions are still needed in certain settings to contain the virus, researchers have said.

The C.D.C. said on Monday that research indicated that people who are fully vaccinated are less likely to have asymptomatic infections and potentially less likely to transmit the virus that causes Covid-19 to other people. Still, the agency did not rule out the possibility that they may inadvertently transmit the virus.

There is also uncertainty about how well vaccines protect against new variants of the virus that are more transmissible and possibly more virulent, as well as about how long the vaccine protection lasts. Some of the variants carry mutations that seem to blunt the bodys immune response.

The C.D.C. advised that vaccinated Americans do not need to quarantine or get tested if they are exposed to the virus, unless they develop symptoms of infection. If they do so, they should isolate themselves, get tested if possible and speak with their doctors.

Vaccinated Americans should not gather with unvaccinated people from more than one household, and should continue avoiding large and medium-size gatherings. (The agency did not specify what size constitutes a large or medium-size gathering.)

The guidance is slightly different for fully vaccinated residents of group homes and incarcerated individuals, who should continue to quarantine for 14 days and be tested if they are exposed to the virus, because of the higher risk of transmission in such settings.
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Texas Gov. Abbott deploys National Guard to Mexico border in 'Operation Lone Star,' slams Biden policies

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the states Department of Public Safety will deploy the Texas National Guard to the United States-Mexico border as part of Operation Lone Star to prevent Mexican cartels and traffickers from smuggling people and drugs into the state.

Describing the situation as a border crisis, the Republican governor made the announcement on Twitter Saturday. He said the operation involves the deployment of the Texas National Guard as well as air, ground, marine and tactical border security assets to deny Mexican Cartels & smugglers the ability to move drugs & people into Texas.

In a statement, the governor was critical of the Biden administration, which has pledged to reverse the Trump administrations strict immigration policies that aimed to thwart smuggling and illegal immigration through the southern border.

The crisis at our southern border continues to escalate because of Biden Administration policies that refuse to secure the border and invite illegal immigration, Abbott was quoted as saying by local news outlet KFOX14.

Texas supports legal immigration but will not be an accomplice to the open border policies that cause, rather than prevent, a humanitarian crisis in our state and endanger the lives of Texans. We will surge the resources and law enforcement personnel needed to confront this crisis.

The operation was launched as the Department of Homeland Security has warned that the largest immigration wave in two decades could arrive in the next few months.

As The Washington Post notes, U.S. agents took nearly double the number of migrants into custody on several days last week than they did in January. Additionally, almost 350 teens and children have crossed the border without their parents each day, four times as many as last fall. According to the newspaper, many immigrants have been held for days in detention cells waiting for shelter openings.

Last month, Abbott met with DPS Director Col. Steve McCraw to discuss strategies to ensure safety and security along the border.

Around 300 South Carolina National Guard members are also deployed at points along the 2,000-mile stretch dividing the U.S. border and Mexico as they help understaffed federal law enforcement amid the recent surge in migrant crossings, according to The Post and Courier.

As Biden vowed during the 2020 campaign to reverse many of former President Trumps policies, the Trump administration sought to ensure that migrant asylum-seekers would remain in Mexico while their cases were processed in the U.S.

Last week, The Washington Post reported that the Biden administration is planning to convert immigrant family detention centers in South Texas into rapid-processing hubs to screen migrant parents and children and release them within 72 hours.

Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, recently criticized the Biden administration. Last Thursday, the Democrat said that Border Patrol agents had apprehended as many as 10,000 migrants within the previous seven days.

You just cant say, Yeah, yeah, let everybody in  because then were affected down there at the border. The bad guys know how to market this, he said in a recent interview with Axios.

According to The Houston Chronicle, Cuellar warned that we are weeks, maybe even days away from a crisis on the southern border.

Inaction is simply not an option, Cuellar said. Our country is currently unprepared to handle a surge in migrants in the middle of the pandemic.

Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano, in a video last month, called on Biden to halt any measures regarding the release of immigrants awaiting court dates into Del Rio and the surrounding areas.

We do not have the resources available to house and accommodate these migrants within our communities, the mayor argued. I will have no choice but to use the extreme measure under the declaration as the mayor of the city of Del Rio, Texas to refuse the entry of migrants awaiting court dates into the city of Del Rio.

If you do send these individuals into our community, we will be forced to make a decision to leave them without resources under these dire circumstances, he added. I am asking to please stop. Please make another plan for this federal issue.
The donation provides tablets to 16 treatment centers that are supporting clients suffering from addictions. The centers will use the tablets to provide services to clients, families, and communities at a time when many are delaying medical attention because of concerns about COVID-19.

"Substance abuse treatment providers are doing such valuable work during the pandemic, and they have had to figure out how to provide services for those who are unable to come into their buildings for face-to-face treatment," said Carole Matyas, Vice President of Operations for Staywell Health Plan. "We recognize this need and stepped in to help."

Each treatment center has wide latitude in deciding how to use the tablets to strengthen their communications with clients to improve community health. For example, Operation Par in Pinellas County, is using its 50 tablets to safely communicate with clients during this challenging time.

"We have seen firsthand the increases in substance use disorders and behavioral health issues during the pandemic, and the needs of our clients have equally increased," said Michele Russell, Chief Information Officer for Boley Centers/Operation Par. "Having this wonderful donation will continue to enhance the services we are able to provide."

The following substance abuse treatment centers received donated tablets:

Provider City Better Way of Miami Miami Bridges International Orlando Broward Addiction Recovery Center BARC Fort Lauderdale DACCO Behavioral Health, Inc. Tampa DISC Village, Inc. Tallahassee Drug Abuse Foundation of Palm Beach County Delray Beach Drug Abuse Treatment Association Jupiter First Step of Sarasota, Inc. Sarasota Gateway Community Services Jacksonville Operation PAR Largo Phoenix House of Florida Brandon Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare Yulee Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare St. Cloud WestCare Florida/ The Village South Pembroke Pines The Grove Orlando Central Florida Recovery Center Orlando

Sunshine Health strongly believes in supporting local organizations that provide healthcare, education, food assistance, and other programs to improve social determinants of health.

To learn more about Sunshine Health, visit https://www.sunshinehealth.com/.

About Sunshine Health

Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale and with offices across the state, Sunshine Health is among the largest healthcare plans in Florida. Offering coordinated care and a network of support for our members, Sunshine Health is transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. Sunshine Health is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a diversified, multi-national healthcare enterprise. We offer government-sponsored managed care through Medicaid, Long Term Care, the Health Insurance Marketplace (Ambetter) and Medicare (Allwell). Sunshine Health is now affiliated with WellCare Health Plan's Florida health plans, including Staywell Health Plan and WellCare of Florida Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans. Our specialty plans include the Child Welfare Specialty Plan serving children in or adopted from the state's Child Welfare system; and the Staywell Specialty Health Plan for people living with serious mental illness. Additionally, WellCare operates Children's Medical Services Health Plan on behalf of the Florida Department of Health, serving children and adolescents with special healthcare needs.

For more information, visit SunshineHealth.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SunHealthFL.

SOURCE Sunshine Health

Related Links

http://www.sunshinehealth.com


Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
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Jean Todt has defended his decision to stay out of the Nikita Mazepin 'groping' affair.

Social media users have been applying intense pressure on Haas and Formula 1 to act on the alleged wrongdoing of the 21-year-old Russian rookie driver.

But FIA president Todt said it wouldn't be fair to take Mazepin's super license away.

"It's not easy to get the 40 points for the super license," the Frenchman Cambridge Union Society.

"Anyone who gets those points can be in the series, so to stop him would be discrimination."

However, Todt admitted that Mazepin needs to be careful about his conduct going forwards.

"Frankly I'm not happy about the situation," he said. "He has been warned that if the same thing happens again, the consequences will be serious.

"At the same time, it was something that happened in his private life. Unfortunately, he did not pay enough attention so I hope he learns from this."

Meanwhile, the FIA has reiterated that Haas' new 2021 livery, featuring the colours of the Russian flag, is legal despite Russia's world anti-doping agency (WADA) ban.

"We are aware of this case and are looking at it with the responsible authorities," WADA told Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

SID news agency quoted a FIA spokesperson as responding: "The CAS (court of arbitration for sport) ruling does not prohibit the use of the colours of the Russian flag."

(GMM)
A drone has been found in the search for elderly campers who mysteriously disappeared while having a decades-long affair.

Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, went camping in secret on March 19 in the rugged bushland of the Wonnangatta Valley in Victoria's East Gippsland region.

Authorities found the couple's campsite burned to the ground near Mr Hill's car days later, before it was discovered their their sleeping bags, phones, and a $2,000 drone were also missing.

Over the weekend, a drone that could belong to Mr Hill was handed in to police - just days shy of the one-year anniversary of their disappearance.

Russell Hill (pictured, left) had been friendly with Carol Clay (right) for decades before they ad an affair

Mr Hill's $2,000 drone was missing the scorched scene, along with phones, car keys and bank cards. A drone was found in the area over the weekend, but it is not known whether it was Mr Hill's

Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia experts are examining the drone to determine whether it belonged to the missing 74-year-old.

Mr Hill owned a DJI Mavic drone, but it was not yet clear whether the one found was the same model.

Theories about what happened to the pair include that the drone witnessed illegal activity, which led to them being murdered.

On Friday, detectives from Victoria Police's missing persons squad made an 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.

The vehicle has remained a mystery despite almost 12 months of meticulous checks by the squad.

'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,' Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said.

'We cannot leave any "what ifs" when it comes to an investigation like this.'

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

Victorian detectives have released a new map of an area where a mystery white ute was spotted on the day the campers went missing

Last Monday, the bushman's best friend Rob Ashlin claimed the pair could have been slain by illegal hunters after the drone - which Mr Hill was flying that day - captured footage it shouldn't have.

'The fact that it's been reported that those sleeping bags were missing, makes me feel that those sleeping bags were carted out of there and... used as body bags,' Mr Ashlin told Liz Hayes on Channel Nine's Under Investigation.

'There are a lot of places - the country is very rugged - where they can be got rid of, never to be found again.'

High country musterer Lachlan Culican, who helped police during the search, also believes the pair may have accidentally captured footage of illegal hunters in the area.

He was shocked by the the sheer quantity of dead deer in the area where their scorched campsite was found, explaining he saw a new carcass every '200m or 300m'.

Pictured: The destroyed campsite where Mr Hill and Ms Clay were staying before they disappeared

Mr Hill's friend Rob Ashlin (pictured) believes the couple were murdered in their sleeping bags

The drone was missing by the time police arrived on the scene, along with their phones that likely had cameras attached - suggesting the couple may have accidentally filmed the armed hunters.

If the couple were murdered in their sleeping bags, Mick Ott - who is paid to eradicate dangerous wild dogs in the region - said it was likely bodies would have been discovered by the hounds before police arrived.

'If I was lost and potentially injured, I'd be very concerned about what the dogs could do,' he said, adding that they will 'completely devour' their prey.

Mr Ashlin, who was friends with Mr Hill for 30 years, also suggested there might be someone sinister lurking in the mountains.

He had a friend who was hunting deer in the region and set up camp for the night with someone else.

Russell Hill and Carol Clay were last heard from on March 20, with Mr Hill's wife unaware he was travelling with another woman

The pair went missing in the Wonnangatta Valley, more than 200km north east of Melbourne

As they sat around the fire, they saw a person standing at the edge of the light, staring at them.

'One of them shot over to his vehicle and this person who was standing there just wandered behind the shadow of a tree and was gone,' he said.

'They were being stalked without knowing about it for some time.'

Mr Ashlin said the idea that there could be a suspect hiding in the mountains is 'what's driving me' to search for answers.

He also found the image of their burnt campsite, taken by two passers-by a week later, startling because the site was not set up the way Mr Hill arranged his campsites.

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 charred scene was a pile of blackened chairs, tent material and gas bottles, but Mr Hill was an experienced camper and would never have made a campfire close to the tend or anything flammable.

Mr Ashlin went camping with Mr Hill on many occasions, and described his friend as 'cautious'.

When he saw the jumble of burnt equipment, he knew something was amiss.

'I knew straight away in my own mind that something really unforgiving had happened,' he said.

Fire forensics expert Greg Kelly experimented with tent fibers and ropes to see if an accidental fire could have started, but said the materials burned too slowly and extinguished themselves before a blaze could have started.

Carol Clay, 73, who was once the President of the Country Women's Association of Victoria, had been in a relationship with Russell Hill for many years in the lead up to their disappearance

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

There were also no burn marks across the car doors, which were nearby, the tyres weren't melted, and the esky - which was underneath the car - was intact.

Mr Kelly said the scene suggested the fire was short and hot, which was likely caused by an accelerant - such as the gas canisters inside the tent.

Detectives have believed since December that the potential attackers may have torched their campsite to destroy forensic evidence of a crime.

The pair were in a secret relationship and didn't tell anyone where they were going. Ms Clay just told friends she would be gone for a few days.

Mr Hill's wife Robyn knew of the affair for decades, the program revealed for the first time.

Police are confident the pair did not fake their own deaths and do not believe it is case of murder suicide.

That the car was locked likely indicated the pair left the campsite voluntarily, probably to go for a walk or fly the drone.

Mr Hill (pictured) had left his Drouin home on March 19 for a camping trip along the Dargo River in Victoria's northeast and planned to leave the region on March 26

The drone remains missing despite an extensive search that ended on April 6 without anyone finding a trace of them.

Mr Hill had left his Drouin home on March 19 for a camping trip along the Dargo River in Victoria's northeast and planned to leave the region on March 26.

Ms Clay, meanwhile, had told friends she was going away for a few days and expected to be home by March 28 or 29.

Mr Hill had been a keen amateur radio enthusiast and made his last broadcast from the bush on March 20.

'This place is in the middle of nowhere,' the source said. 'It's just problematic in the extreme.'

Police are now certain the couple died within 18 hours after Mr Hill's last message, as a passing hiker saw the burned-out campsite about 2pm the next day.

Because the pair weren't due back until up to a week later, the alarm wasn't raised for days and precious time was lost.

The police source said despite the delay in the missing person squad being brought into investigate the case, the fire ravaged camp site was thoroughly investigated at the time.

In May, bizarre details emerged of an 'oddball loner' living in the Victorian Alps, who has been questioned over a number of mysterious disappearances.

Known as 'Buttons' or ominously, 'the Button Man', the expert bushman became a person of interest after concerns about his odd behaviour was raised by locals.

Personal belongings (circled) were left in Russell Hill's vehicle, which sustained fire damage when his tent went up in flames

He is understood to have earned his nickname due to his hobby of using deer antlers to make buttons - which he then uses as large ear piercings.

'Being creepy is not illegal,' a police source has told Daily Mail Australia.

A police source confirmed there was nothing to indicate the mysterious loner had killed the couple, but what happened to them remains unknown.

'We don't think they're in Queensland living (a secret) life. They're too old really to drop off the grid and why would they?' the source said.

Police believe it is more likely than not that the pair met with foul play while out in the remote wilderness.

The area itself is considered an ideal spot to commit murder.

Phone reception is practically nil and unlike some other areas popular with hikers, the remote Wonnangatta Valley does not see a lot of foot or road traffic.

While cold-blooded murder was an avenue of investigation, detectives remain open to all kinds of scenarios.

'There are a lot of people who go up there and do illegal stuff. Like people who go hunting in the national park and ride motorcycles. Has he had a dispute with one of them that turned bad?' the source said.

Months of searches have found no trace of the pair. Detective Stamper believes if the pair were still in the valley, searchers would have found some evidence

The pair had been carrying out a secret affair for years behind the back of Mr Hill's wife Robyn, who has described Ms Clay as a 'long time family friend'.

While the relationship was largely hidden from Mr Hill's devastated wife, it has been well known to police since the pair were reported missing by Mrs Hill days after her husband last made contact via radio.

When questioned about the couple's relationship in April, Victoria Police Missing Persons Squad Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper skirted around the question.

'It is delicate and we are being very respectful of both families wishes and concerns here,' he said at the time.

'Both of these people have large and loving families who are grieving at the moment, and they want answers about where their loved ones are.'

While detectives probed the couple's relationship, it was quickly ruled out as a likely reason for their mysterious disappearance.

Police are desperate for people who may have been in the area at the time to let them know so that they can be ruled out of the investigation.

Detectives are also keen to learn if anyone may be hanging onto dash cam footage that could help identify other leads.

It is understood the case remained 'very wide open'.

'It's a genuine mystery,' the source said.
Twenty-year-old Rukhaiya, travels for close to two hours to get to her place of work. She is among the few woman painters who works at a construction site in Chhatarpur in Delhi. A school drop-out, Rukhiaya, loved to paint. When she got to know about paint company AkzoNobel's initiative to train women as commercial painters, it instantly appealed to her. However, it wasn't too easy for her to convince her family as painting is a male-dominated profession and there are hardly any women who would take up this profession.

"My family was initially against it, but when the AkzoNobel contractor reached out to my father, he was convinced. Moreover, my father is the only earning member and we needed an additional source of income," she said. On completion of her 24-day training at AkzoNobel's paint academy six months ago, Rukhaiya joined a construction site in Chhatarpur as an assistant painter and has now been elevated to a supervisor. She earns anywhere between Rs 11,000-Rs 13,000 per month and is able to contribute to her family income.

AkzoNobel in the last two years has trained 200 women painters and the plan in the next one year is to train another 1,000 women. Rajiv Rajgopal, MD, AkzoNobel, says that though the company's agenda is to increase diversity and inclusion in the blue-collared workforce, it has been a challenge to convince not just the families of the women but also the paint contractors to rope in women into their workforce. "We had to counsel the male painters to be more sensitive. Also, a painter's job is equated with men. We had to convince our contractors to take care of the safety and hygiene needs of the women employees," said Rajgopal.

The contractors who got women into their workforce say that the entry of women has brought in discipline. Paint contractor, Chandrapal, says that six out of his 15-member workforce are women and the women painters are far more sincere and punctual. "Earlier the male painters always reported to work late, but ever since we have women, even the men are coming on time," said the contractor.

AkzoNobel is currently training women painters in Delhi and Kolkata, but it plans to roll out this initiative in the north-eastern states as well as in coastal Karnataka and Maharashtra. "These are markets where we have a considerable number of women dealers, therefore, we are also hoping to onboard a considerable number of women painters," explains Rajgopal.

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Amerhart is pleased to announce that Rick Jolly has joined its team as Branch Manager of the companys Traverse City and Grand Rapids, Michigan locations.

Prior to joining Amerhart, Rick spent eight years serving as General Manager at Northville Lumber Company in Northville, Michigan. There he was instrumental in increasing sales revenue fivefold. He accomplished this through a philosophy of selling projects, not quoting items. Rick prepares his team for success by leading them to be project focused, while providing excellent customer service.

Rick brings a wealth of talent and industry knowledge to our Michigan locations. I am looking forward to the growth and success AmerhartMichigan will experience under his leadership, said Erik Gustafson, Vice President of Sales.

About Amerhart

Based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and operating out of ten locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and Missouri, Amerhart (http://www.amerhart.com) employs over 300 team members and serves a wide variety of customers throughout the building industry.

Founded in 1940, Amerhart supplements its traditional building materials warehouse and distribution business with advanced, value-added manufacturing capabilities via its Wind Mill Slatwall Products division.
Pace University is fully committed to being a supportive and inclusive community for all of our hard-working and ambitious students. S. Brian Jones brings the ideal background to ensure we live up to that commitment as our first-ever assistant dean for diversity and equity in the arts.

Pace University has named S. Brian Jones, an award-winning and well-respected artist, writer and arts educator, as its new assistant dean for diversity and equity in the arts.

In announcing the appointment of Jones to this newly created position at the Dyson College of Arts and Science, President Marvin Krislov cited Jones unique background as an artist, educator, and advocate for diversity, equity and social justice.

Pace University is fully committed to being a supportive and inclusive community for all of our hard-working and ambitious students," said Krislov. "S. Brian Jones brings the ideal background to ensure we live up to that commitment as our first-ever assistant dean for diversity and equity in the arts. I'm excited to see what he does at Pace, and I thank The Edmond de Rothschild Foundations for supporting this new role.

The position has a number of responsibilities including administrative oversight of programming; supervising the Pace Storytelling for Equity and Inclusion Fellowship; and fundraising for diversity, equity and inclusion in the arts, among other responsibilities. The position is made possible through a grant from The Edmond de Rothschild Foundations.

Jones began his professional career at Delaware Theatre Company, where he worked as teacher-in-residence and summer arts program director. While there, Jones was instrumental in starting the Playwriting in Prison program at Ferris School for Boys and New Castle County Detention Center for youth, a program that received Bravos Excellence in Arts Education Award.

Prior to DTC, Jones worked at La Jolla Playhouse where he served as an instructor for the Teen Summer Program and was the teacher-in-residence at The Place a high school for homeless, runaway and transitional teens. He has also worked at a number of other widely respected theater programs in New York and California. Jones holds a masters degree in Applied Theater from the City University of New York and a Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations with a minor in Theatre and Business Management from Rhode Island College.

We are delighted to welcome S. Brian Jones to Dyson College and the Pace University community and we are grateful for the generous support from The Edmond de Rothschild Foundations for helping to make that happen, said Tresmaine R. Grimes, dean, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education. He brings a wealth of experience to this newly created position that will serve him well as he embarks upon coordinating the many diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives already on campus, as well as those that will be developed by Pace Universitys newly established Barry M. and Jackie Gosin Center for Equity and Inclusion.

Pace University in February established the Gosin Center, which was made possible by a donation from the Gosins, that supports ongoing efforts at Pace in anti-racism and equity; expands work to elevate job placement and entrepreneurship among Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) students; and enhances academic scholarship in these areas.

The new Gosin Center, which complements many other initiatives including the creation of this news assistant dean position, will advance Paces ability to continue fulfilling its core mission of creating opportunities for young people.

Pace has always been a beacon for historically underrepresented and first-generation college students as they seek a brighter future. It is also ranked the number one private, four-year college in the United States for driving upward economic mobility, according to the Opportunity Insights research project at Harvard University, because Pace uplifts its students academically and professionally with relevant, focused and forward-looking degrees and programs. The Pace community is vibrantly diverse and inclusive, with ethnic, gender, and economic diversity that sets it apart from most other institutions in higher education. A majority of Paces student body identify as BIPOC, close to 30% of Pace students are from low-income families eligible for Pell grants, and close to 40% identify as the first in their family to go to college.

At Pace, we are always striving to create opportunities for students that will pay dividends over a lifetime, said Pace Provost Vanya Quinones. The appointment of S. Brian Jones complements so many of our other diversity and equity initiatives; all aimed to help us envision a more inclusive future and ultimately serve our students for the better. Were pleased to welcome S. Brian to the Pace community and look forward to furthering our mission of Opportunitas together.

Regarding his appointment at Pace, Jones said: I am privileged and honored to be joining Pace University, an institution committed to being on the forefront of providing opportunities for underserved and underrepresented communities, with a sound understanding that diversity and equity not only have a place in our society, they are, in fact, the seeds which one day will save it.

About Pace University

Pace University has a proud history of preparing its diverse student body for a lifetime of professional success as a result of its unique program that combines rigorous academics and real-world experiences. Pace is ranked the #1 private, four-year college in the nation for upward economic mobility by Harvard Universitys Opportunity Insights, evidence of the transformative education the University provides. From its beginnings as an accounting school in 1906, Pace has grown to three campuses, enrolling 13,000 students in bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs in more than 150 majors and programs, across a range of disciplines: arts, sciences, business, health care, technology, law, education, and more. The university also has one of the most competitive performing arts programs in the country. Pace has a signature, newly renovated campus in New York City, located in the heart of vibrant Lower Manhattan, next to Wall Street and City Hall, and two campuses in Westchester County, New York: a 200-acre picturesque Pleasantville Campus and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains. Follow us on Twitter or on the Pace News website.

About Dyson College of Arts and Sciences: Pace Universitys liberal arts college, Dyson College, offers more than 50 programs, spanning the arts and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and pre-professional programs (including pre-medicine, pre-veterinary, and pre-law), as well as many courses that fulfill core curriculum requirements. The College offers access to numerous opportunities for internships, cooperative education and other hands-on learning experiences that complement in-class learning in preparing graduates for career and graduate/professional education choices. http://www.pace.edu/dyson.
The UAE is keen and ready to participate actively in any international effort that will contribute to the betterment of humanity, said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

In a message ahead of the World Government Summit Dialogues, a virtual event that will take place on March 9 to March 10, he said the world is passing through a critical and crucial stage that has not been seen before which requires an increase in global cooperation. It also requires collective decision making to strengthen government agility against future challenges, a WAM report said.

His Highness also added that the UAE is keen on promoting open dialogue based on cooperation and partnership to design future directions and trends, that will affect human lives and that will reflect the societys hopes and dreams.

The World Government Summit will host thought leaders, thinkers, experts, and specialists from around the world.

His Highness also added: "The future of human life is the fundamental pillar in our plans; we must review the challenges we faced, and think of innovative solutions to create resilient societies and agile governments. The world is facing historical challenges that require us to rethink and redevelop economic and social systems that will better serve people. And the comprehensive dialogue is the basis of humanitys success in designing a promising future."

He also emphasised that the World Government Summit is the ideal platform for world leaders, policy makers, and experts to come together and have such discussions, and it is a platform for governments to collaborate and innovate together.

The world Government Summit Dialogues will bring together thought leaders, experts, and specialists to have an open conversation about the challenges we faced, and discuss key trends that will come about in the year ahead; the year 2021. The Dialogues will include keynote speeches and panel discussions virtually with speakers from around the world.

The first day of the event will focus on a range of topics such as the future of Africa post pandemic, decentralising finance in order to build an integrated economy, digital currencies in 2021, the future of Asia, reimagining the next decade, better decision making in times of crisis, innovation in bridging peace. While the second day will focus on global efforts towards vaccine development and distribution, global digital infrastructure, the use of data to foresight the future, redesigning entrepreneurship, challenges and opportunities of renewable energy, biomimicry for the future of humanity, and the race towards space and what it holds for humanitys future.

The World Government Summit, which was launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed in 2013, is a global platform that brings together an elite group of world leaders, ministers, senior officials and decision-makers to share experiences and ideas that contribute to the development of future governments, and discuss the latest trends and innovative solutions for global challenges. -- Tradearabia News Service
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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 York, March 8 : Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt is urging the government of US President Joe Biden to crank up its 5G game, warning that "China is about 10 times ahead of us" and that the "dire situation" is already an "emergency".

"I estimate that China is about 10 times ahead of us in the 5G space. This is a national emergency. The United States needs to get the necessary bandwidth and funding to the telcos to get that built out, we may have already lost that one, that's how dire the situation is," Schmidt told CNN on Sunday.

Schmidt's remarks segue into the raging debate over China's Huawei, the world's leading peddler of 5G technology which came in for peak skewering during the former Donald Trump presidency.

The Trump administration spearheaded the campaign against Chinese 5G vendors Huawei and ZTE, unleashing a steady string of escalations against these companies before the coronavirus pandemic took hold in early 2020.

The US has described Huawei as Beijing's backdoor access to foreign markets and an "unacceptable" risk to national security, critical infrastructure, privacy, and human rights.

"If these technologies are built in China, for example, they are not necessarily going to follow our privacy rules or our ethics... We have to be careful to win this battle," Schmidt said, pointing to the Chinese government's plan to lead the global market for AI by 2030.

Schmidt's remarks come at a time when Huawei sealed its latest deal, in India.

The Economic Times, quoting "multiple people aware of the development", reported that Bharti Airtel handed Huawei an infrastructure expansion contract worth "around Rs 300 crore".

For months, US cybersecurity officials have been warning that allowing "high-risk" vendors such as Huawei and ZTE into any part of 5G networks (edge or core) makes critical systems "vulnerable to disruption, manipulation, and espionage while putting sensitive government, commercial, and personal information at risk".

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Bianca Ahlemeier (32), a childminder in home daycare with five children, is vaccinated with AstraZeneca's vaccine by a doctor at the vaccination centre in Koelnmesse, Cologne, Germany, Monday, March 8, 2021. From today on nursery school teachers, child minders, some teachers and police officers, as well as people in workshops for disabled people, will be vaccinated with AstraZeneca's preparation. (Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa/ via AP)

Eager to deliver hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses that have been piling up, Germany has begun ramping up its use of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine after authorities said it could be safely given to people age 65 and over.

The doses have been gathering dust in storage in recent weeks because of German restrictions on who could get the vaccine and misgivings among some who were eligible. Germany has received 2.1 million doses of the AstraZeneca shot so far, but administered just 721,000, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

Last week, Germany's independent vaccine committee said new data showed the AstraZeneca vaccine was effective in older people too, prompting a swift change of rules by the government, which has come under criticism for its slow vaccination rollout compared to Britain and the United States.

Authorities in Berlin opened a sixth large vaccination center at the disused Tempelhof Airport in the heart of the capital Monday that will administer only the AstraZeneca vaccine. Starting with 200 appointments, operators hope to rapidly scale up to as many as 3,300 shots a day beginning March 23.

Some general practitioners in Berlin will also begin vaccinating people with chronic conditions this week, according to the city's top health official, Dilek Kalayci.

A health worker holds a syringe with the AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19 at a new vaccination centre at the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, Germany, on Monday, March 8, 2021 (Tobias Schwarz / Pool via AP)

Finance Minister Olaf Scholz told public broadcaster ZDF that he expects Germany to be able to administer up to 10 million doses a week by the end of the month. That would be twice as many as the roughly 5 million shots Germany has managed since vaccination started at the end of December.

Around 2.5 million people in Germanyabout 3% of the populationhave so far received the two shots needed for the Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines.

The push to vaccinate faster comes as Germany takes further steps out of lockdown this week, with more students returning to school and some businesses, museums and zoos reopening, albeit only for those who booked appointments in advance.

Among the first to get the vaccine at the new Tempelhof site were many health workers, teachers and police officers.

Silvia Firat, who works in elderly care, said she had initial misgivings about the AstraZeneca vaccine after hearing that some had strong reactions to it. But when Firat got an invitation, she chose to go ahead with it, partly to set an example.

A pharmacist takes a swab from a woman's nose in an adjoining room in Hagen, Germany, Monday, March 8, 2021. The free Corona rapid tests for all citizens were initially only offered by a few pharmacies in North Rhine-Westphalia on the launch day because of many unanswered questions. ( Oliver Berg/dpa via AP)

"I can only recommend doing it," the 40-year-old said. "Every injection we get has some side effects, some more, some less."

Germany has seen over 72,000 deaths from COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Its disease control agency reported 5,011 newly confirmed cases overnight and 34 more deaths.

Thomas Mertens, who heads Germany's independent vaccine advisory panel STIKO, insisted that any suggestions the age limit for the AstraZeneca vaccine had been revised due to political pressure were "not correct, absolutely not correct."

Mertens told The Associated Press that his panel had never meant to cast doubt on the vaccine, but rather considered the data that AstraZeneca had originally submitted for people over 65 to be "insufficient."

Additional analyses provided by the company and released by health authorities in England and Scotland prompted STIKO to lift the age limit for the vaccine last week, he said, noting that other countries in Europe had taken a similar approach.

A soldier of the German Armed Forces Bundeswehr stands inside a new vaccination centre at the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, Germany, before its opening on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Tobias Schwarz / Pool via AP)

The AstraZeneca vaccine has yet to be authorized for use by U.S. regulators.

Germany's minister for families said she was optimistic that the rate of vaccinations in the country will increase steeply soon.

"We will have a completely different discussion in a few weeks," the minister, Franziska Giffey, told the AP. "Not a discussion about a lack of vaccines, but instead the discussion will be about how we can ensure that all available vaccines are actually used."

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.
OMAHA, Neb., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP; and "Union Pacific" or the "Corporation") today announced the commencement of private offers to exchange (1) certain of its outstanding notes and debentures as set forth in the first table below for a combination of new notes due 2036 (the "New 2036 Notes") and cash (the "2036 Offers"), and (2) certain other of its outstanding notes as set forth in the second table below for a combination of new notes due 2071 (the "New 2071 Notes" and, together with the New 2036 Notes, the "New Notes") and cash (the "2071 Offers" and, together with the 2036 Offers, the "Exchange Offers"). The outstanding notes and debentures to be exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offers are collectively referred to as the "Existing Notes."

The Exchange Offers are being conducted upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in an offering memorandum dated March 8, 2021 (the "Offering Memorandum"), and the related letter of transmittal. The Exchange Offers are only made, and copies of the offering documents will only be made available, to a holder of the Existing Notes that has certified its status as (1) a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") or (2) a person who is not a "U.S. person" as defined under Regulation S under the Securities Act (each, an "Eligible Holder").

The following table sets forth the Existing Notes that are subject to the 2036 Offers:

CUSIP Number Title of Series Reference U.S. Treasury Security Bloomberg Reference Page Fixed Spread (basis points) Aggregate Principal

Amount

Outstanding 2036 Offers Acceptance

Priority

Level Maximum Acceptance Sublimit4 Hypothetical Total Exchange Price1,2,3 New Notes Amount Hypothetical Cash Payment 907818EY0 3.950% Notes due 2028 1.125% UST due February 15, 2031 FIT1 20 $1,500,000,000 1 $550,000,000 $1,000.00 $144.75 907818FB9 3.700% Notes due 2029 1.125% UST due February 15, 2031 FIT1 30 $1,000,000,000 2 $400,000,000 $1,000.00 $128.25 907818CU0 6.250% Debentures due 2034 1.125% UST due February 15, 2031 FIT1 105 $160,068,000 3 N/A $1,000.00 $396.54 907818CS5 5.375% Debentures due 2033 1.125% UST due February 15, 2031 FIT1 95 $149,687,000 4 N/A $1,000.00 $294.56 907818BY3 7.125% Debentures due 2028 1.125% UST due February 15, 2031 FIT1 50 $175,560,000 5 N/A $1,000.00 $318.28 907818CF3 6.625% Debentures due 2029 1.125% UST due February 15, 2031 FIT1 60 $398,276,000 6 N/A $1,000.00 $316.92





1. To be paid in New 2036 Notes and cash per $1,000 principal amount of Existing Notes accepted for exchange in the 2036 Offers, subject to adjustment as described in the section entitled "Determination of the Total Exchange Price and Exchange Price" in the Offering Memorandum. Hypotheticals shown for illustrative purposes only. Prices will be determined at 11:00 a.m., New York City Time, on March 22, 2021 (unless the Early Exchange Date (as defined below) is extended by more than two full business days, in which case a new date and time may be established with respect to the Exchange Offers) (such date and time, as they may be extended, the "Price Determination Date"). Cash payment includes $50.00 early exchange premium. Cash payment excludes accrued and unpaid interest, which will be paid in cash in addition to the Total Exchange Price (as defined in the Offering Memorandum) or the Exchange Price (as defined in the Offering Memorandum), as applicable.



2. See page B-2 of the Offering Memorandum for illustrative examples of the Total Exchange Prices and Exchange Prices for the Existing Notes exchanged pursuant to the 2036 Offers, including the portions thereof payable in New 2036 Notes and cash.



3. For purposes of determining the principal amount of each series of Existing Notes that will be exchanged pursuant to the 2036 Offers, see the section entitled "The 2036 Offers" in the Offering Memorandum.



4. Subject to adjustment as described in the section in the Offering Memorandum entitled "The Exchange Offers".

The following table sets forth the Existing Notes that are subject to the 2071 Offers:

CUSIP Number Title of Series Reference U.S. Treasury Security Bloomberg Reference Page Fixed Spread (basis points) Aggregate Principal

Amount

Outstanding 2071 Offers Acceptance

Priority

Level Maximum Acceptance Sublimit Hypothetical Total Exchange Price 5,6,7 New Notes Amount Hypothetical Cash Payment 907818EX2 4.800% Notes due 2058 1.625% UST due November 15, 2050 FIT1 115 $76,570,000 1 N/A $1,000.00 $279.89 907818DT2

907818DS4 4.821% Notes due 2044 1.625% UST due November 15, 2050 FIT1 105 $189,119,000 2 N/A $1,000.00 $229.33 907818EG9 4.375% Notes due 2065 1.625% UST due November 15, 2050 FIT1 125 $600,000,000 3 N/A $1,000.00 $182.38 907818DL9 4.300% Notes due 2042 1.625% UST due November 15, 2050 FIT1 90 $222,179,000 4 N/A $1,000.00 $164.99 907818EW4 4.500% Notes due 2048 1.625% UST due November 15, 2050 FIT1 95 $453,374,000 5 N/A $1,000.00 $222.54 907818DP0 4.250% Notes due 2043 1.625% UST due November 15, 2050 FIT1 90 $212,708,000 6 N/A $1,000.00 $161.93 907818DZ8 4.150% Notes due 2045 1.625% UST due November 15, 2050 FIT1 90 $350,000,000 7 N/A $1,000.00 $154.50 907818FC7 4.300% Notes due 2049 1.625% UST due November 15, 2050 FIT1 95 $688,037,000 8 N/A $1,000.00 $188.89 907818EV6 4.375% Notes due 2038 1.625% UST due November 15, 2050 FIT1 70 $328,249,000 9 N/A $1,000.00 $181.01 907818EF1 4.050% Notes due 2045 1.625% UST due November 15, 2050 FIT1 98 $499,715,000 10 N/A $1,000.00 $127.04 907818EJ3 4.050% Notes due 2046 1.625% UST due November 15, 2050 FIT1 100 $600,000,000 11 N/A $1,000.00 $124.46 907818EN4 4.000% Notes due 2047 1.625% UST due November 15, 2050 FIT1 100 $500,000,000 12 N/A $1,000.00 $119.57





5. To be paid in New 2071 Notes and cash per $1,000 principal amount of Existing Notes accepted for exchange in the 2071 Offers, subject to adjustment as described in the section entitled "Determination of the Total Exchange Price and Exchange Price" in the Offering Memorandum. Hypotheticals shown for illustrative purposes only. Prices will be determined on the Price Determination Date. Cash payment includes $50.00 early exchange premium. Cash payment excludes accrued and unpaid interest, which will be paid in cash in addition to the Total Exchange Price (as defined in the Offering Memorandum) or the Exchange Price (as defined in the Offering Memorandum), as applicable.



6. See pages B-3 and B-4 of the Offering Memorandum for illustrative examples of the Total Exchange Prices and Exchange Prices for the Existing Notes exchanged pursuant to the 2071 Offers, including the portions thereof payable in New 2071 Notes and cash.



7. For purposes of determining the principal amount of each series of Existing Notes that will be exchanged pursuant to the 2071 Offers, see the section entitled "The 2071 Offers" in the Offering Memorandum.

Union Pacific will make six separate 2036 Offers to Eligible Holders in an amount that requires no more than an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000,000 of New 2036 Notes be issued pursuant to the 2036 Offers (the "2036 Offers Limit"). In addition, Union Pacific will make twelve separate 2071 Offers to Eligible Holders in an amount that requires no more than an aggregate principal amount of $750,000,000 of New 2071 Notes be issued pursuant to the 2071 Offers (the "2071 Offers Limit"). The amounts of each series of Existing Notes that are exchanged in the Exchange Offers will be determined in accordance with the 2036 Offers Limit, in the case of the 2036 Offers, and the 2071 Offers Limit, in the case of the 2071 Offers, and the priorities set forth in the "Acceptance Priority Level" column in the applicable table above and as further detailed in the Offering Memorandum. Union Pacific reserves the right to increase the Exchange Offers Limit and any Maximum Acceptance Sublimit (as defined in the Offering Memorandum) as provided in the Offering Memorandum.

The Exchange Offers are also subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, including (i) the condition that, in the case of the 2036 Offers, the amount of Existing Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn by the Expiration Date be an amount that requires the issuance of at least $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of New 2036 Notes in accordance with the terms of the 2036 Offers and, in the case of the 2071 Offers, the amount of Existing Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn by the Expiration Date be an amount that requires the issuance of at least $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of New 2071 Notes in accordance with the terms of the 2071 Offers; (ii) the condition that, in the case of the 2036 Offers, at the Price Determination Date, the yield on the applicable Reference U.S. Treasury Security for a series of Existing Notes tendered pursuant to the 2036 Offers is no greater than 1.95%; (iii) the condition that, in the case of the 2071 Offers, at the Price Determination Date, the yield on the applicable Reference U.S. Treasury Security for a series of Existing Notes tendered pursuant to the 2071 Offers is no greater than 2.65%; and (iv) the condition that, at the Price Determination Date, the combination of the yield of the New Notes that would be issued pursuant to an Exchange Offer and the Total Exchange Price or Exchange Price for the applicable series of Existing Notes would result in such New Notes issued in exchange for such series of Existing Notes and such Existing Notes not being considered "substantially different" under FASB Accounting Standards Codification 470-50. Further, notwithstanding any other provisions of the Exchange Offers, Union Pacific will not be required to accept any Existing Notes, issue New Notes or pay any cash amounts if, at the Price Determination Date, Union Pacific believes, in its reasonable judgment, that it is highly likely that the exchange of such series of Existing Notes for the Total Exchange Price or the Exchange Price applicable to such series of Existing Notes should not result in a "significant modification" of such series of Existing Notes under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. Union Pacific's ability to consummate the 2036 Offers is not contingent on the consummation of, or the satisfaction of any condition required solely with respect to, the 2071 Offers, and its ability to consummate the 2071 Offers is not contingent on the consummation of, or the satisfaction of any condition required solely with respect to, the 2036 Offers.

Eligible Holders of Existing Notes that tender their Existing Notes prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 19, 2021, subject to any extension by Union Pacific (the "Early Exchange Date"), and are accepted will receive the Total Exchange Price, which will include an early exchange premium. Eligible Holders of Existing Notes that tender their Existing Notes after the Early Exchange Date and are accepted will receive the Exchange Price, which will not include any early exchange premium.

The Exchange Offers will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on April 2, 2021, unless extended or earlier terminated by Union Pacific (the "Expiration Date"). Tenders of Existing Notes in the Exchange Offers may be validly withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 19, 2021, subject to extension by Union Pacific, but not thereafter, except in certain limited circumstances where additional withdrawal rights are required by law.

The New 2036 Notes will mature on April 6, 2036, and will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (i) the bid-side yield on the 1.125% U.S. Treasury Note due February 15, 2031 on the Price Determination Date (based on the bid-side price indicated on the Bloomberg Screen page FIT1 at such date and time), and (ii) 1.20% (120 basis points). The New 2071 Notes will mature on April 6, 2071, and will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (i) the bid-side yield on the 1.625% U.S. Treasury Note due November 15, 2050 on the Price Determination Date (based on the bid-side price indicated on the Bloomberg Screen page FIT1 at such date and time), and (ii) 1.40% (140 basis points).

The New Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws. Therefore, the New Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

This press release is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. The Exchange Offers are being made solely by the Offering Memorandum and related letter of transmittal and only to such persons and in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law.

Documents relating to the Exchange Offers will only be distributed to holders of Existing Notes that complete and return a letter of eligibility confirming that they are eligible investors for the Exchange Offers. Holders of Existing Notes that desire to review the eligibility letter may visit the website for this purpose at http://www.dfking.com/unp or contact D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information agent for the Exchange Offers, at (212) 269-5550 or (800) 676-7437 (toll free) or by email at [email protected].

ABOUT UNION PACIFIC

Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release and related materials (including information in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by us), contain statements about the Corporation's future that are not statements of historical fact, including specifically the statements regarding the Corporation's expectations with respect to economic conditions and demand levels, its ability to improve network performance, its results of operations, and potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These statements are, or will be, forwardlooking statements as defined by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forwardlooking statements also generally include, without limitation, information or statements regarding: projections, predictions, expectations, estimates or forecasts as to the Corporation's and its subsidiaries' business, financial, and operational results, and future economic performance; and management's beliefs, expectations, goals and objectives and other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times that, or by which, such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking information, including expectations regarding operational and financial improvements and the Corporation's future performance or results are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. Important factors, including risk factors, could affect the Corporation's and its subsidiaries' future results and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Information regarding risk factors and other cautionary information are available in the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2020, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 5, 2021. The Corporation updates information regarding risk factors if circumstances require such updates in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q and its subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K (or such other reports that may be filed with the SEC).

Forwardlooking statements speak only as of, and are based only upon information available on, the date the statements were made. The Corporation assumes no obligation to update forwardlooking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forwardlooking information. If the Corporation does update one or more forwardlooking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Corporation will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forwardlooking statements. References to our website are provided for convenience and, therefore, information on or available through the website is not, and should not be deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein.

SOURCE Union Pacific Corporation

Related Links

http://www.up.com


Meanwhile, the greenback climbed to a three-month peak, while the US 10-year Treasury yield held close to a more than one-year high, increasing the opportunity cost of holding gold, which pays no interest.

We have an economy that is recovering and inflation is materializing; that ultimately means that yields have room to move higher, Bart Melek, head of commodity strategies at TD Securities told Reuters in a note, adding that gold could fall further towards $1,660 as a result.

Even US Congressional approval of President Joe Bidens $1.9 trillion covid-19 relief package, which would have raised inflation expectations, failed to keep the precious metal afloat.

Gold is widely considered a hedge against inflation that is likely to stem from widespread stimulus, but higher bond yields this year have threatened that status as they translate into a higher opportunity cost of holding bullion.

Analysts also said US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powells failure to address the recent surge in yields last week further pressured gold.

By Mining.com

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Thunderstorms, some locally heavy early will become more isolated after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms, some locally heavy early will become more isolated after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Good morning, Bay Area. Its Monday, March 8, and Laguna Honda nursing home in San Francisco is again open to visitors of loved ones living in the huge facility. Heres what you need to know to start your day.

Antioch, Contra Costa Countys second-largest city, has seen a significant demographic transition in recent years: The city grew from a 10% Black population in 2010 to 22% in 2019. And now, the Antioch City Council reflects that change with three Black council members out of five total, including Council Member Tamisha Torres-Walker.

There is a new City Council, Torres-Walker said at a recent gathering on police oversight. There is new political will in this city. She and Mayor Lamar Thorpe are pushing for modest police reforms including adding body cameras to the force and a civilian-led oversight commission, bolstered by the December death of Angelo Quinto, who was restrained by police.

Reporter Rachel Swan writes about the council members rocky childhood in Richmond, where she spent the early part of her life in and out of foster care, and was arrested more than 20 times for minor offenses.

For better, for worse

Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle

Last year, Modesto couple Gina Pallotta and Michael Neky set off on a five-day, highly anticipated cruise to celebrate their 16th wedding anniversary. But soon, their dream vacation aboard the Grand Princess turned into a nightmare.

At first, the couple noticed some protocols such as hand sanitizer bottles around the ship. But then, shared food items disappeared and staff members, gloved, kept their distance. Soon, one by one, passengers started to fall ill.

Lizzie Johnson writes about the couples experience on the ship that made headlines as a floating containment zone at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus Updates

 For the latest coronavirus news, visit the Chronicles live updates page.

 California will allot 40% of vaccine doses to residents who live in the states lowest-income ZIP codes, but its unclear whether this strategy will help break down those barriers.

 Racist encounters against Asian American medical professionals have risen since the beginning of the pandemic, according to anecdotal reports, and workers say the discrimination continues a year later.

 A San Francisco janitors union is pushing for greater safety protections and higher wages as its members continue to sanitize hundreds of buildings during the pandemic.

 San Franciscos largest nursing home, which has reported no recent coronavirus cases, is allowing visitors again after a three-month lockdown during the winter surge.

 Urban design critic John King discusses how San Franciscos Ferry Building is a perfect example of how the pandemic has affected the civic landscape.

Around the Bay

Stephen Lam / The Chronicle

 More bang for their buck: Home sales in the Central Valley have skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic, with former Bay Area residents seeking bigger homes at cheaper prices.

 Justin Phillips: A real estate movement is happening across the country, in which Black Millennials accounted for 5% of home buyers in the first six months of the pandemic.

 Heather Knight: Two parents of San Francisco public school children are on a mission to switch the selection of the citys Board of Education members from a public vote to an appointment process controlled by City Hall.

 Order and dash: Bay Area restaurants are seeing an increase in diner fraud, which has gotten easier amid the pandemic because of contactless payments and online preorders.

 Joe Garofoli: While it appears the recall campaign against Gov. Gavin Newsom will successfully lead to a ballot measure, there are a several reasons the governor may escape being booted out of office.

Finally revealed

Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

On March 8, 1971, as many eyes were on the Fight of the Century between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, a group of anti-war activists were in a Pennsylvania FBI office stealing documents.

This act exposed J. Edgar Hoovers secret FBI program that spied on and violated the First Amendment rights of citizens. And now, one of the participants who stayed silent for 50 years is sharing his story.

Im extremely proud of what we did as a small group of people, said Ralph Daniel, 76, who now lives in San Rafael with his girlfriend.

Matthias Gafni takes readers on an enthralling journey through the operation that uncovered documents revealing the FBIs illegal and self-incriminating activities. It tarnished the legacy of Hoover, who died the next year.

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.
Maharashtra: Tigress Avni's offspring retrieved post injuries in forest fight

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

Nagpur, Mar 08: An offspring of tigress Avni, which had been put down earlier after killing several people, had to be retrieved from the jungle following injuries in an internecine fight on Monday, having been released in the wild on Friday, forest officials from Pench Tiger Reserve said.

The tigress, now two-and-half years old and officially called PTRF 84, was released from the Titralmangi enclosure into the wild but had to be rescued from the jungle in the afternoon as she got injured in a fight, Ravikiran Govekar, Chief Conservator of Forest and Field Director of Pench Tiger Reserve, said in a statement.

Tamil Nadu elections 2021: CPI, CPI-M to contest 6 seats each in DMK alliance

The fight with another tigress took place in the morning, and a veterinary examination revealed that the injuries would be an obstacle to her living in the wild, it said.

The statement added that such interactions are expected in the wild and the retrieval mechanism was already provided in the original plan submitted to the NTCA. The tigress' health is being monitored currently, it said.

The tigress was brought to Pench reserve as a cub on the night of December 22, 2018 from Pandharkawada division. Her mother Avni was shot dead on November 2 that year in Borati area of Yavatmal following an official order as she had killed 13 people.

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Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 23:13 [IST]
Denise Beckson started lifeguarding at Moreys Piers in Wildwood while in high school. It was her first job, back in 1985.

Beckson watched swimmers at the park through college and even worked summers there after she began her career as a teacher. After graduate school, another amusement park made her an offer, but she first had to call Moreys Piers to see if they had anything for her. They called back the next day with a job, and Beckson has worked there ever since, rising to director of waterparks operations and human resources.

But during the truncated summer of 2020, Beckson found herself again working outside at the park, serving food and back in the lifeguard stand, as the coronavirus slashed both the number of visitors and the available employees. Beckson said even the parks CFO had to sell tickets.

Ive never seen anything like 2020, she said. Its not even something you could plan for. You kind of go through scenarios operationally but we didnt plan for a pandemic.

Moreys Piers, with its beachfront water parks, roller-coastered boardwalks, restaurants and hotels, is like a New Jersey summer packed into one place. And, like many tourist attractions in the state, it got walloped by COVID-19. Moreys kept one of its two waterparks closed last year, as well as one of its three piers. Beckson said that 2020 revenue was down 60% from 2019, though she wouldnt disclose specific dollar amounts.

But with summer 2021 on the horizon and more optimistic coronavirus news coming daily, Beckson, along with others in the states hospitality industry and even public health experts, are predicting a summer season that looks more like normal than the strange and restricted summer of 2020.

I am one of those people that thinks we are actually turning the corner, said Perry Halkitis, the dean of Rutgers University School of Public Health, about the falling number of cases and the rising number of vaccinations. It could get us to a place that we could have herd immunity by the end of the summer.

Yes (summer) will look a little more like it has in the past, but it wont be totally back to normal.

That optimism largely comes from the data Halkitis is seeing in New Jersey and across the country. On Sunday, the state reported 2,077 new COVID-19 cases, down sharply from a peak of 6,922 new cases on Jan. 13.

On top of that, vaccines are getting stuck in more arms and distribution is on the cusp on expanding. As of Sunday, 1.6 million people in New Jersey had gotten at least their first dose and more than 833,000 people had been fully vaccinated.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden said New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company Merck was teaming up with Johnson & Johnson, another in-state company, to help produce and distribute the latters one-shot vaccine, which was approved last month. Biden also said that he expects the U.S. to have enough vaccine doses for all adults in the country by the end of May, a huge boost to the coronavirus fight.

That would align with warming weather in New Jersey, when in normal times people would start pulling out their beach badges and flooding the boardwalks down the Shore. Those in the tourism industry expect to see more of that this summer.

Part of that prediction is based on how popular New Jersey beaches were in 2020. Jeff Vasser, executive director of the states Division of Travel and Tourism said beaches in the state did well last summer, despite the pandemic restrictions.

Other outdoor attractions also saw a flow of visitors. Joann Delvescio, executive director of New Jerseys campground association, said that even though campgrounds opened late and had some coronavirus restrictions, their visitor numbers were pretty close to a regular year.

The campgrounds in New Jersey had a very, very good season, Delvescio said. People wanted to be outdoors and people felt comfortable being outside. From speaking to all the campground owners, (2021) reservations are way up over where theyve been last year.

But, as much as wed like it to be, not everything is outdoors in the summer, and just about all indoor activities suffered. Adventure Aquarium in Camden struggled, Vasser said. So did casinos. Reports made to the states Division of Gaming Enforcement show that casino revenue in 2020 was $1.4 billion, barely half of the $2.7 billion generated the year before.

Marilou Halvorsen, president and CEO of the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association, said outdoor dining has not done nearly enough to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on restaurants in the state. In fact, based on numbers from the National Restaurant Association, Halvorsen said that more that 30% of New Jersey restaurants have closed, either temporarily or permanently.

But fewer coronavirus cases and more vaccinations are giving hope to even the industry most hard hit by the pandemic ahead of this summer. Halvorsen said she expects Murphy to expand restaurant capacity in the coming weeks, as the governor has recently done with religious services and sporting events.

Im hoping in the next week or so were gonna hear another increase, up to 50%, Halvorsen said. I think well have a healthy rebound. Unfortunately, those that have gone out of business permanently are gone forever.

The losses are significant. Theres no way around that and it will take the state years to fully bounce back.

New Jersey set a tourism record in 2019 with 116 million visitors and the state was on pace to attract 150 million tourists by 2025, Vasser said.

Theyre not projecting us to get back to back to 2019 (levels) until 2023, Vasser said. The states tourism division doesnt have official tourist numbers from 2020 yet, but theyre estimated to be down at least 25% from 2019.

But reason for optimism remains. While we likely wont see the dancing-in-the-street revelry suggested recently by The Atlantic, this summer will be another step in the direction of normal. Restaurants are expected to be fuller, as are casinos and other indoor attractions, and the Shore is projected to have another strong year.

Moreys Piers plans to have all three piers and both waterparks open, Beckson said, including attractions like the Runaway Tram ride that was expected to have its first full season in 2020.

Just expect to wear your mask.

We want to make sure people dont go back to their old ways yet, Vasser said. We still need to remind people to be safe and not be careless. Youre going to be on the boardwalk and the beach and you might forget to get your mask.

Before they get back to that real summer experience, its going to be another year.

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Payton Guion may be reached at pguion@njadvancemedia.com.

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The claim: The voting bill known as HR 1 would force states to adopt universal mail-in ballots.  Mike Pence, former vice president.

Pence, the Republican who was Donald Trumps vice president, raised multiple objections to the bill in a column that appeared in the Daily Signal, a publication of the conservative Heritage Foundation.

PolitiFact rating: False. This is incorrect. HR 1 would not force every state to conduct elections almost entirely by mail, as several do now by sending ballots automatically to every registered voter.

Rather, the bill would ease the process of voting by mail for those who want to use it, by lifting rules that require an excuse to vote absentee and mandating proof of identification beyond a signature. It would not require anyone to stop using either early in-person voting or in-person voting on Election Day.

Discussion

The bills focus is on lifting state restrictions on voters who voluntarily choose to cast their ballot by mail. Put simply, it merely requires states to give everyone access to voting by mail if they want to use it.

Every state already uses some form of mail-in ballot, said Matthew Weil, director of the elections project at the Bipartisan Policy Center. The differences among states right now revolve around how many voters qualify to use them.

About PolitiFact PolitiFact is a fact-checking project to help you sort out fact from fiction in politics. Truth-O-Meter ratings are determined by a panel of three editors. The burden of proof is on the speaker, and PolitiFact rates statements based on the information known at the time the statement is made. See More Collapse

Voting experts say Pences phrase, universal mail-in balloting, isnt a commonly used term.

The term all-mail elections is more common. This system is currently used in Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington state, and Utah. California recently moved to extend this policy temporarily. Other states that used this process for 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic have not extended it permanently.

In all-mail elections, ballots are automatically mailed to every registered voter. The voter marks the ballot, puts it in a secrecy envelope or sleeve and then into a separate mailing envelope, signs an affidavit on the exterior of the mailing envelope, and returns the package via mail or by dropping it off, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Some of the all-mail election states offer an in-person alternative for voting as well, but they are used far less frequently than the mail ballots.

This isnt the only way to conduct mail voting. In many states, any qualified voter may vote absentee without offering an excuse. In the remaining states, including Texas, an excuse is required. Some states offer a permanent absentee-ballot list: voters who ask to be added to the list automatically receive an absentee ballot for future elections.

Nothing in H.R. 1 or the amendments that passed the House forces states to adopt universal mail-in ballots.

The law says that states cannot impose any additional conditions or requirements on an eligible voters ability to cast an absentee ballot by mail in federal elections. In addition, the bill nixes state laws requiring identification for mail ballots beyond a voters signature, including notarized statements.

The bill allows states to set a reasonable deadline for requesting a mail ballot and returning it to elections officials. And it requires states to treat a mail-in ballot application for one election to stand as an application for all subsequent federal elections.

The Heritage Foundation, where Pence is a distinguished visiting fellow, said the bill would enact the essential equivalent of all-mail voting by requiring states to send applications to receive an absentee ballot by mail to all registered voters and by setting a preference for absentee ballot as the permanent default for voters who choose to do so.

Experts disagree.

Nothing in H.R. 1 requires universal mail-in ballots, under the definition used in Oregon, Washington, and the other states, Weil said.

Theres no question that these H.R. 1 provisions do make demands on some states  those that require an excuse to vote absentee, those that mandate voter identification beyond signatures for mail ballots, and those that dont have the option of choosing permanent mail voting.

But none of these provisions amount to universal mail-in voting. Under H.R. 1, states are not required to send everyone a mail ballot. Instead, the bill makes voting by mail an option, not compulsory.

One section of the bill  Methods for Requesting Ballot  makes clear that such ballots arent required to be sent automatically to voters.

In addition, voting in person wont be eliminated under H.R. 1, either early voting or on Election Day. The phrase polling place appears 82 times in the bill, and it includes a section that would require each state to offer in-person early voting.

H.R. 1 requires early in-person and Election Day voting access, said Danielle Lang, co-director for voting rights and redistricting at the Campaign Legal Center. It merely requires all Americans to have access to a vote by mail option if they want to use it.

PolitiFact reporter Amy Sherman contributed to this report.
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(Newser)  Roy Blunt on Monday became the fifth Republican senator to announce that he's calling it quits. The 71-year-old Missouri lawmaker said in a tweeted video that he will not seek reelection in 2022. Axios notes that Blunt is the fourth-ranking Republican in the Senate, and it ticks off the previous four GOP senators to announce their pending retirement: Richard Shelby of Alabama, Rob Portman of Ohio, Richard Burr of North Carolina, and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. Blunt was elected to the Senate in 2010, and prior to that he served as House GOP whip, notes Politico.

story continues below

"After 14 general election victoriesthree to county office, seven to the United States House of Representatives, and four statewide electionsI won't be a candidate for reelection to the United States Senate next year," Blunt said in his statement, per the Washington Post. He vowed to his constituents that he would "finish strong." The Post notes that Blunt didn't explicitly state his reason for stepping down. (Read more Roy Blunt stories.)
Efforts will be made to turn the city of Hefei into a new pacesetter for opening-up, said Ling Yun, mayor of Hefei and a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature.



Hefei will promote the construction of platforms that facilitate opening up, including the Hefei Area of the China (Anhui) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ), explained Ling during an interview with China.org.cn at the ongoing fourth session of the 13th NPC.

Hefei, the capital and largest city of Anhui province in east China, is a sub-center of the Yangtze River Delta city cluster and a comprehensive national scientific center.

According to Ling, in line with the national development strategy, Hefei has improved its work mechanisms to promote the construction of the Anhui FTZ's Hefei Area as well as carried out many institutional innovations.

In addition, centering on the functional positioning of the Anhui FTZ's Hefei Area, Hefei has supported the development of ten key industries, including AI and new energy vehicles in an attempt to attract foreign businesses and investment.

Initial progress has been made since the FTZ's Hefei Area was officially inaugurated on Sept. 24, 2020.

As of the end of January 2021, 232 projects have been signed with a total investment of 107 billion yuan. Meanwhile, the number of newly established enterprises stood at 2,656 and the registered capital of domestic-funded enterprises increased by 51.3 billion yuan.

Speaking of the next plans for Hefei to promote a higher level of opening up and high-quality economic development during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) period, Ling mentioned making greater efforts in various areas, including scientific research and innovation.

In the 2021 draft plan for national economic and social development delivered on March 5, 2021, the development of Hefei comprehensive national science center is listed as an important task in strengthening China's capacity for scientific and technological innovation.

In order to strengthen science and technology sectors as strategic support for national development, Ling suggested further construction of Hefei comprehensive national science center, building the city into a national hub for big data centers.

Besides emphasizing scientific research and innovation, Ling also highlighted the development of strategic emerging industries, including those related to the manufacture of computer chips, flat-panel displays, industrial robots, and various electronic equipment, as well as the integration of the AI and manufacturing industries.

Boosting investment, import and export trade, and promoting the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta will also be key tasks for Hefei to achieve a high-standard opening up.

In 2020, the city's total import and export volume stood at $37.487 billion, 1.8 times that of 2015, with an average annual growth rate of 12.1%, ranking 8th among provincial capital cities in China. As of the end of 2020, a total of 49 overseas Fortune Global 500 companies have invested in Hefei and established 67 corporate companies in the city.

"Hefei will scale up efforts to build itself into a national-level China-Europe freight train distribution hub, an international air freight distribution center, and the shipping center in the Yangtze and Huaihe river basins, giving greater play to its role as a comprehensive bonded zone and a cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zone, and stimulating the high-quality development of foreign trade," Ling said.

"Efforts will be put into accelerating the development of a group of leading foreign trade enterprises and encouraging more enterprises with competitive advantages to go global," Ling added. "We will transform government functions at a faster pace and carry out reform in various areas including the provision of efficient government services to make it easier for companies to get things done and to foster a world-class business environment."
The military regime in Myanmar is escalating its use of lethal force and unrestrained violence against protesters, after launching a deadly crackdown last Wednesday that killed at least 38 people and wounded many more, according to the United Nations. Implementing a variety of methods, the juntas repression is aimed at intimidating protesters and halting the nationwide movement against the February 1 military coup.

Mass arrests, night time raids, and brutal assaults on protests have become more frequent over recent days in the lead-up to a planned general strike today. An alliance of nine major trade unions called on members and all Myanmar people to participate in a full extended shutdown of economic activity, the Straits Times reported.

Wednesdays bloodshed surpassed the vicious crackdown on February 28, only three days earlier, which resulted in the deaths of at least 18 protesters. As previously, riot police and combat troops armed with assault rifles mounted a coordinated offensive early Wednesday morning in towns and cities across the country, firing live rounds on peaceful demonstrators with little warning.

Protesters shout slogans during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay, Myanmar, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Police fired tear gas and water cannons and there were reports of gunfire Sunday in Myanmar's largest city Yangon where another anti-coup protest was underway with scores of students and other demonstrators hauled away in police trucks. (AP Photo)

In Mandalay, the second-largest city, three protesters were shot dead as police and soldiers broke up a rally of around 1,000 teachers and students. One of the victims, Ma Kyal Sin, 19, was reportedly shot in the head by a rooftop sniper after she busted a water pipe so that protesters affected by tear gas could wash their eyes. Before attending Wednesdays demonstration, Kyal Sin posted on Facebook her blood type, a contact number, and a request to donate her body for medical science, prepared to risk possible death at the hands of the military.

According to data compiled by an analyst who spoke anonymously to Associated Press, two deaths were also reported in the town of Salin, Magwe Region, while Mawlamyine, Myingyan, and Kalay each had one death. In the central city of Monywa, the scene of several large protests, eight protesters were killed and at least 30 injured. Moreover, multiple medics claimed to have seen two other bodies dragged away by security forces, but could not confirm if they had died.

Yangon, the countrys largest city and centre of anti-coup protests and strikes, saw the worst of the violence with an estimated 18 people killed. In response to a recent wave of state crackdowns across the city, protesters have erected barricades from tyres and barbed wire to block major roads.

In Yangons North Okkalapa Township, a morning march of over 1,000 people was quickly targeted by security forces, who chased and detained hundreds. Protesters hiding in nearby residences could hear continuous gunfire. Myanmar Now news agency reported that one protester heard conversations between soldiers and police outside: We heard them saying, Cant you shoot? What are you afraid of? Shoot them all! Kill them all!

Social media footage showed lines of young men, hands on heads, filing into army trucks as soldiers stood guard. Video taken by North Okkalapa locals, observing from above, showed a man who was pulled out of a building by police and executed on the spot before his body being dragged away.

That afternoon, residents gathered together and urged police to release the numerous wounded detainees inside prison trucks. Soldiers armed with semi-automatic machine guns turned on the crowd and fired non-stop for around five minutes, witnesses said. Stun grenades and tear gas were also used amid the chaos before the trucks finally left.

Outrage erupted on social media after a widely circulated video taken from CCTV footage was published by Radio Free Asia, showing a mob of police officers brutally kicking and thrashing three ambulance crew members with rifle buttsin retaliation for providing medical aid to injured protesters. In general, police appear to be singling out medical workers for arrest because the healthcare sector was among the first to resist the military junta and establish the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) of strikes and work stoppages over a month ago.

Later that night, soldiers continued to terrorise residents as 20 military trucks entered the township and started firing indiscriminately. Eight people were confirmed dead from the North Okkalapa crackdown, while another 73 sustained serious injuries, some of them life-threatening.

Its horrific, its a massacre. No words can describe the situation and our feelings, young protester Thinzar Shunlei Yi told Reuters of the militarys assault in Yangon.

Aid agency Save the Children said that four children were among Wednesdays fatalities, including a 14-year-old boy who was reportedly shot dead by a soldier on a passing military convoy. The troops loaded his body onto a truck and left the scene.

Nearly 1,700 people have been arrested since the coup, according to UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, among them 29 journalists. In reality, the number is far higher, as state-run media previously said 1,300 people had been detained on February 28 alone.

Despite the dramatic intensification of the militarys crackdown on protesters, continued have continued undeterred around Myanmar every day since Wednesday.

On Thursday, police dispersed gatherings with tear gas and gunfire in several cities, but their repression was more restrained than the day before. More protesters came equipped with hard hats, motorbike helmets, facemasks, and makeshift shields. The CDMs Twitter account released a video of young protesters conducting drills with shields, in anticipation of future military onslaughts.

A crowd of thousands of engineering students marched through Mandalay on Friday, the day after Kyal Sins funeral drew tens of thousands from around the city. The crowd chanted, Were not scared because you threaten us. Police opened fire on the protesters and then on nearby houses with guns and slingshots.

One resident, Ko Zaw Myo, 26, who attempted with fellow neighbours to block a road and protect protesters from police, was shot in the throat and died, leaving behind his pregnant wife and son. His death brings the number of those killed by security forcesas currently indicated by domestic media outletsto at least 60, although this figure likely underestimates the real death toll.

The situation in North Okkalapa remains tense, as internet connections were shut down Saturday night and police set barricades and residences on fire. Meanwhile, police are regularly making late night arrests around Yangon, raiding homes and using stun grenades.

Ahead of Mondays general strike, some of the biggest protests in recent weeks were held on Sunday. Tens of thousands joined mass sit-in protests in Yangons Thanlyin Township and in Mandalay, where thousands of doctors, engineers, and teachers went on a joint strike. Military repression continued as live ammunition was fired on protests in the ancient temple city of Bagan, leaving a young man badly wounded.

According to reports and witness accounts on social media, police and soldiers performed a raid on Monywa University, arresting lecturers and students and causing a large crowd of concerned locals to assemble around the campus in protest. Similar operations are being undertaken to occupy 52 universities across Myanmar with the aim of both repressing studentsa key component of the protest movementand establishing temporary bases for security personnel. Soldiers have currently set up camp at five universities and two public hospitals.
Photo: Jon Cherry/Getty Images

One of the most predictable developments of the post-Trump era was that the small band of anti-Trump conservative intellectuals and Republican officials would quickly melt away. They had been repulsed by Donald Trumps combination of grotesque character and ideological heterodoxy  opposing American alliances, free trade, and so on  but when given the chance to support Republicans who believed in traditional Reaganite principles and werent career criminals, politics would go back to normal and they would return to the fold.

Instead, something surprising has happened. Anti-Trump Republicans are refashioning their identity as pro-democracy conservatives.

Here are a few examples to give a flavor of their thinking. Its not close to an exhaustive list:

David Frum, the former Bush speechwriter who was one of the first conservatives to recognize the partys collapse into revanchism, wrote a column for The Atlantic arguing that Trumps rise reflects not the tendency of a demagogue to inflame the majority, as the Founders feared, but the power of a minority. Frum called for democratic reforms to stop the conservative minority, given disproportionate representation by the House, Senate, and Electoral College, from exercising control. The retreat from majority rule has not only weakened the American systems fairness, it has also wobbled that systems stability, he argued. The path back to constitutional normality depends upon a reinvigoration of the majoritarian principle.

Anne Applebaum has argued for granting statehood to the District of Columbia. The Bulwark, a magazine that has become a hub of anti-Trump conservatism, has crusaded in favor of protecting and expanding voting rights. Its editor, Jonathan Last, argues that Democrats should prioritize pro-democracy reforms:

The GOP is a revanchist minority, which is why their only paths forward are geographic leverage and voter suppression. Which is why the Ds first priority should be expanding voting rights. Thats the cornerstone of the pro-democracy movement.https://t.co/pD8M6IrRcX  Jonathan V. Last (@JVLast) March 2, 2021

Any bill to expand voting rights would be subject to a filibuster and stand no chance of enactment in any form. Therefore, democratization requires eliminating or at least scaling back the filibuster, which is itself an impediment to democracy. Several anti-Trump conservatives, like Max Boot and David Brooks, have already endorsed this step.

Gary Schmitt, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and the former executive director of the neoconservative Project for the New American Century, has argued that the Senate filibuster prevents rather than enables deliberation and debate. Schmitt made this case four years ago and reiterated it last month.

Why have a group of conservatives who not many years ago were prepared to happily vote for the likes of Ted Cruz come to embrace a cause that few of them displayed any interest in? For political elites, Trumps unconcealed desire to follow the path of figures like Orban, Erdogan, and Putin became the primary stakes of the eras political conflict. Their activism put them in touch with scholars of authoritarianism and democracy who studied democratic backsliding, and the insights of those thinkers became increasingly evident in the Never Trumpers polemics.

The denouement of the Trump presidency was a series of hyperbolic lies that Democrats had stolen the election via systematic voter fraud. That idea, in turn, merely echoes claims that were circulating on the right long before Trump came along. But Trumps exploitation of Republican voter-fraud paranoia made it perfectly clear to anybody not in his thrall that the entire Republican agenda of restricting ballot access is part and parcel of Trumps authoritarian ambition. The connection has grown more obvious still, as Republicans seized on Trumps vote-fraud propaganda as a pretext to enact vote-suppression measures across the country.

Anti-Trump conservatives have a second motive for embracing democratization. Many of them hope to reclaim and reform the Republican Party as a sane vehicle for center-right governing. They wont have an opportunity to do so until the party realizes Trumpism is a political dead end. The tilted field of American government, however, allows Republicans to cater to their Trumpist base without needing to win a majority of the electorate. Democratization, and its promise of forcing Republicans to compete for a majority or something close to it, is the most potent tool to force the party to the center.

Obviously, anti-Trump conservatives correspond to a small sliver of the voting public. None of these people has a vote in the Senate, which is the body that will ultimately decide whether or not to implement pro-democracy reform.

But their influence is not negligible. The main argument against curtailing the filibuster and implementing reforms like automatic voter registration, nonpartisan redistricting, and statehood for D.C. and Puerto Rico is that it would be a Democratic Party power grab. The Never Trumpers can supply a high-profile media voice to credibly articulate nonpartisan reasons to bolster the democratic character of the electoral system.

As Trumps clumsy effort to cancel the election and seize an unelected second term sputtered to its end, a realization settled on all parties that we are merely living in a temporary armistice. Trump was elected because most Republicans refuse to accept the legitimate right of a majority of democratic voters to govern. He launched  or more precisely, escalated  a war against democracy. Everybody can see the stakes. There is no going back to normal now.
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A recent patent filed by Google provides us with a closer look at one such idea, though we must warn you from the very beginning that youre not going to like this.Called Valuing advertisements on a map, the new Google patent describes a way to put more ads in a service like Google Maps, possibly even based on the location of the user.Depending on a user's view of a map, different combinations of locations can be shown. Similarly, different combinations of advertisements associated with those locations can also be shown depending on the user's view of the map and the amount of display space available for advertisements, Google explains in the patent.Advertisers can advertise on a map to promote businesses that may satisfy a user's intent, such as to identify a navigational route, to explore a geographical area, or locate desired products or services. These advertisers may also find value in differentiating themselves from other advertisers, and/or from being unique in their local area.A drawing included in the patent application also provides us with a closer look at how everything could work. It essentially confirms that Google Maps could at one point determine your location and then be able to display ads in those places where buildings are typically located.These buildings can be businesses or places advertisers would want to highlight on the map, and Google says the whole thing can actually have a positive impact on the user.Of course, its important to keep in mind the whole thing is still in the patent stage. That means were far from the moment it goes live (if this ever happens), so fingers crossed for Google Maps to remain as clean as possible despite such ideas.
Just 2 percent of producers of the top 100 songs last year were women, down from 5 percent the year before. Minority women have been almost totally excluded in this category: Of the 1,291 producer credits for the most popular songs in a 600-song subset since 2012, only nine of them were for women of color.

The takeaway of the report is that there has been no meaningful improvement in nearly a decade for women creators at the top of the music industry.

The charts are far more diverse when it comes to the ethnic backgrounds of performing artists. Last year, 59 percent of the artists behind the top 100 songs were people of color  a likely reflection of the dominance of hip-hop and the way that streaming has driven a globalization of the pop charts. This ratio has generally been climbing for both men and women over the course of the Annenberg study, although the upward trend is more pronounced among men.

In another announcement, PRS for Music, a major British copyright society, said that 81.7 percent of its members were men, although the pace at which women have been joining the organization  which handles licensing and royalty payments for songs  has been picking up.

The data collected by Dr. Smith and her colleagues, including Katherine Pieper, Marc Choueiti, Karla Hernandez and Kevin Yao, is publicly available. But their first study, in 2018  coming in the midst of the #MeToo movement, and after Dr. Smiths high-profile criticisms of diversity in Hollywood  still shocked the music industry.

Since then, a number of initiatives have been undertaken to address the industrys underlying problems, among them She Is the Music, a group co-founded by Alicia Keys to promote women through efforts like mentorship and an employment database. In 2019, the Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammys, asked record companies, producers and artists to promise to consider at least two female candidates for production and engineering jobs; at least 650 people and companies have signed on since.

Dr. Smith praised such efforts but said they are not enough.

The industry has to move from expressing concern over the numbers, she said, to taking real and concrete steps to address bias and ensure access for the talented women who are already in this industry to the positions and spaces that remain closed to them. When this happens, the numbers will reflect this change.
QUITO, March 6 (Reuters) - Ecuador's state-owned oil company

Petroecuador said on Saturday that it had awarded a tender to

export some 1.44 million barrels of Oriente-grade crude to a

unit of Royal Dutch Shell PLC.

Shell Western Supply and Trading presented the best offer of

six companies that submitted bids, offering to pay a discount of

$1.39 to West Texas Intermediate crude prices.

Shell beat out offers by Norway's Equinor ASA,

China's Petrochina International Co Ltd, U.S. refiner Phillips

66, trading company Trafigura Pte Ltd and Unipec America

Inc, a unit of China's Sinopec, Petroecuador said.

Shell will export the oil through for shipments of around

360,000 barrels each during the month of March, Petroecuador

said.

(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia

Writing by Luc Cohen; editing by Diane Craft)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a number of shocking claims in a new interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired Sunday night, including suicidal thoughts for the Duchess of Sussex and alleged racism in the royal family over what their babys skin color would be.

The two-hour special was the first for Harry and Meghan, an American actress who is biracial, since they stepped down from royal duties last year. Harry said he felt like his family did not support Meghan, who said that while she was pregnant with their son Archie, there were concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when hes born.

What? Winfrey asked, taken aback.

But not everyone was sympathetic to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Daily Mail reports Syracuse native and Syracuse University alumna Megyn Kelly appeared on ITVs Good Morning Britain Monday morning to criticize the couple.

What I saw tonight was somebody who is totally un-self-aware, I mean, completely unaware of how she sounded, Kelly said. Like, I wasnt planning on saying anything shocking except for my husbands racist family almost drove me to suicidal thoughts while I was pregnant with my baby. And by the way, I had no idea what the internet said about Harry. Nobody believes that.

Kelly also claimed conservatives in the U.S. view the celebrity couple less favorably than liberals, and criticized Markles claims that she was not interested in the grandeur of the royal family.

Theres an article already up on the New York Post here in the States thats saying this is the person who had (George) Clooney and Oprah at her wedding even though she didnt even know them, and then covered herself in blood diamonds from a Saudi Prince, so like, spare us that youre not into any of the grandeur, Kelly added.

The former Fox News and NBC anchor was referring to a Post opinion piece by Maureen Callahan and reports that diamond earrings worn by Markle were a wedding gift from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, whom the U.S. implicated in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

ITV host Piers Morgan agreed with Kellys comments about Markle, but said he was staggered by Prince Harrys comments about the royal family as his 99-year-old grandfather, Prince Philip, is in the hospital after undergoing a heart procedure.

Harry said the royal family cut him off financially at the beginning of 2020 after he and Meghan announced they were stepping down from royal duties. He said he was able to afford security for his family because of money his late mother, Princess Diana, left behind and credited Meghan with helping him see how restricting royal life was.

I wouldnt have been able to, because I myself was trapped, he told Winfrey. I didnt see a way out.

I was trapped, but I didnt know I was trapped, Harry added, My father and my brother (Prince William), they are trapped.

Morgan and Kelly accused Markle of being tone-deaf when she compared feeling trapped in the palace to less privileged people stuck in smaller homes during coronavirus lockdowns.

Yeah, she was very lonely in her palace, Kelly said sarcastically. And then she compared herself to The Little Mermaid. The little mermaid, who married a prince and lost her voice. Its like, so it wasnt predictable at all to you that when you moved into the palace someone else was going to control the press? My 6-year-old daughter knew that before I went off to cover the royal wedding. Everyone knew that.

Prince Harry married Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle in May 2018, and their son, Archie, was born a year later. Theyre expecting a second child, a baby girl, this summer. The couple moved to California signed a multi-year deal with Netflix in 2020 thats reportedly worth over $100 million.

Buckingham Palace has not commented on the interview, which will air later Monday in the UK. Winfrey is also sharing unaired segments with CBS on Monday morning.

Omg. Meghan says she felt like the Little Mermaid who fell in love with a prince and lost her voice. Im sure it was indeed a shock to learn someone else would be in charge IN THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY. This is why Harrys ex girlfriends wanted nothing to do with this life.  Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) March 8, 2021

Basically she is saying: I was suicidal, no one would help me, they let the press eat me alive, and the Royal family was racist against my baby.  Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) March 8, 2021
As part of a strategic means to reach out to the people for effective participation in development, Mr Alexandar Akwasi Acquah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Akim Oda Constituency, has inaugurated seven committees in the area.



The committees, among other things, are to help the lawmaker successfully execute his duties and regularly touch base with the grassroots for effective decision-making.



They include; Finance, Project and Infrastructure, Education, Employment and Social Welfare, Health, Institutional and Public Relations, and Special Development Committee.



Speaking at the committees inauguration at Akim Oda in the Eastern Region, Mr Acquah said he would create an office space for the committees to operate and also receive concerns of constituents irrespective of their political affiliations.



He assured the people of his commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises of ensuring a Comprehensive Health Insurance for Constituency Executives of the New Patriotic Party and provision of 30 taxi cabs for drivers on a work and pay basis.



He also said he would work to incorporate the needs of the 18 electoral areas in the sharing of the District Assembly Common Fund to ensure equity.



Madam Victoria Adu, Birim Central Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), lauded the MP for what she described as a strategic move in bringing governance to the doorsteps of constituents.



She advised the public to observe the COVID-19 protocols and also take part in the national vaccination exercise that had already been rolled out in several parts of the country.

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.

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Joe Biden will sign two executive orders on Monday, International Women's Day, that will help combat sexual harassment but the president has yet to publicly comment on the allegations against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Biden will sign an executive order requiring the Department of Education to review a controversial policy from Betsy DeVos on how colleges and universities handle sexual assault cases. And he will sign an order creating a Gender Policy Council, which among its charges, will look at combating harassment and discrimination.

But Biden hasn't spoken about Cuomo. The New York governor is facing allegations from five women of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior. On Sunday, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the powerful Democratic leader of the New York state Senate, called on Cuomo to resign.

President Biden will sign executive orders to combat sexual harassment of women but has yet to publicly comment on Andrew Cuomo

White House press secretary Jen Psaki has said Biden supports a review into the allegations but the president, who touts himself as an ally of women and courted them heavily in his successful 2020 presidential bide, has not spoken about the issue himself.

Cuomo has resisted calls to resign and he has urged the public to withhold their judgment until an inquiry overseen by the state attorney general, Letitia James, is complete.

Biden will speak about International Women's Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, in remarks later Monday at the White House.

His administration announced two new executive orders Monday to help issues facing women.

One will examine the regulation from DeVos, who was Donald Trump's Education secretary. Her policy spelled out due process rights for those accused of harassment or assault on college campuses and gave the schools more latitude in deciding whether to report accusations to the Title IX office. It was heavily criticized by women's groups and Democratic groups.

As a presidential candidate, Biden said he change how investigate sexual harassment and assault under the federal civil rights law known as Title IX.

He will sign an executive order directing the Education Department to evaluate whether the DeVos regulation is 'consistent with the policies' of the Biden administration, an administration official said.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona will consider suspending, revising or rescinding DeVos' actions if they are found to be inconsistent with the Biden administration's policies, the administration official told reporters on a briefing call Sunday night.

President Biden will sign an executive order requiring the Department of Education to review a controversial policy from Betsy DeVos

Betsy DeVos, who was Donald Trump's Education secretary, changed an Obama-era policy and her action reduced the liability of schools for investigating sexual misconduct claims

DeVos, in 2018 rescinded an Obama-era policy in regards to reports of sexual harassment on campuses that required a 'preponderance of evidence' - meaning it is more likely than not that sexual harassment occurred - to 'clear and convincing evidence.'

Her changes reduced the liability of schools for investigating sexual misconduct claims and bolstered the due process rights of the accused. It gave the accused the right to cross-examine their accusers through a third-party advocate at campus hearings.

Biden also will sign a second order that will create a Gender Policy Council.

The Council will focus on advancing gender equity, combating discrimination, building female participation, and transgender rights.

It is similar to the White House Council on Women and Girls that existed under Barack Obama but an administration official said the name was purposely changed to 'Gender' to indicate transgender people would be included.

Gender discrimination can happen to 'people of all genders,' the official said. 'There will be a focus on women and girls, but the choice of the name of the council is really intentional.'

The Gender Policy Council will be led by Julissa Reynoso, chief of staff to first lady Jill Biden, and Jennifer Klein, the chief strategy and policy officer for the anti-sexual-harassment group TIME'S UP.

Attorney Wendy Murphy, center, speaks through a bullhorn as she and a small group of other women protest the Trump administration's rollback of sexual assault rules in Title IX in 2017

Almost every cabinet secretary will be required to participate with the council and the council will report directly to the president.

The coronavirus pandemic has hit women the hardest with 2.5 million leaving the work force compared to 2.1 million men. Black and Hispanic women show the greatest decline in employment, according to statistics from the Labor Department.
On International Women's Day, Google has announced that it will support 1 million entrepreneurs in rural India. It has also announced a $25 million fund for projects that address systemic barriers towards economic equality globally. "Today at #GoogleForIndia #WomenWill we announced a commitment to support 1M women entrepreneurs in rural India, and a $25M Google Org Impact Challenge for Women & Girls to fund projects addressing systemic barriers to economic equality globally," said CEO Sundar Pichai.

Jacqueline Fuller, President of Google Org said in a blog post that was shared by Pichai on Twitter, that if women and girls are given the resources and opportunities to turn their potential to power, it changes the trajectory of their lives as well as strengthens communities. "I've seen this play out first hand while living in India, where public health programs that put resources and decision-making in the hands of women drove much stronger outcomes for their families and villages. I've seen this in my own life, when bosses - both male and female - gave me stretch opportunities and bet on my leadership," she said.

Fuller said she was excited to join CEO Pichai to launch their Impact Challenge for Women and Girls at a Google for India Women Will event on Monday morning. Google is calling on ideas from non-profits and social organisations that are working towards economic empowerment of women and girls to create pathways to prosperity. The tech giant will provide $25 million in funding overall. Impact Challenge grantees will receive mentoring from Googlers, Ad Grants and additional support.

Today at #GoogleForIndia#WomenWill we announced a commitment to support 1M women entrepreneurs in rural India, and a $25M @Googleorg Impact Challenge for Women & Girls to fund projects addressing systemic barriers to economic equality globally. #IWD2021https://t.co/eNhgvWGzPB a Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) March 8, 2021

Even after United Nations made 'gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls' one of its Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, women and men are still on unequal footing, said Fuller, adding that these inequalities have become worse due to COVID-19. Women are almost two times more likely to lose their jobs due to COVID-19, said Fuller. In the US alone, women have lost over 5.4 million jobs, accounting to 55 per cent of the 2020 net job losses. An estimated 20 million girls are at the risk of not returning to school, she said. "Job cuts, income loss and lack of access to education will prevent the economic advancement of women and girls, particularly those from underserved communities, for generations to come. These alarming realities require swift and powerful action. We have a collective responsibility to make sure that generations of women and girls from all walks of life can live in a world where they are treated equally and reach their full potential," she said.

Google.org has given more than $55 million to non-profit organisations to support gender equity and access to opportunity. "I'm honored to stand alongside our partners from Vital Voices and Project Everyone, as well as our phenomenal panel of experts, to elevate the critical work that is happening around the world," she said.

The panel is composed of women leaders from over 15 countries with expertise in global public policy, advocacy, research, business, technology and more.

Projects that support women and girls and have bold ideas on how to transform economic opportunities for women and girls can submit ideas till April 9. The grant recipients will be announced later in the year.

Also read: Google names executive to monitor responsible AI research after staff unrest

Also read: Women's day 2021: Google doodle celebrates women trailblazers
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday said he believes 'more information' about the sexual harassment allegations against embattled Gov. Andrew Cuomo will come out that will make it 'harder' for him to govern.

De Blasio made the comments during his daily press briefing this morning, but declined to directly state whether he believed Cuomo should resign.

'Ill say it my own way,' he said in response to question. 'I just dont see how he can govern effectively when fewer and fewer people believe him. I think theres more information thats going to come out that makes it harder and harder.'

De Blasio's remarks come in the wake of a statement issued by State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) on Sunday, who urged Cuomo to step down as governor 'for the good of the state.'

Cuomo remains adamant he will not resign on the basis of the allegations and said he will wait until a full investigation into the claims is concluded by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

However, amid Cuomo's mounting woes, de Blasio is already said to be eyeing an ambitious run to replace him as governor - and is growing increasingly confident he can win, the NY Post reported.

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De Blasio made the comments during his daily press briefing this morning, but declined to directly state whether Cuomo should resign amid a torrent of sexual harassment allegations

De Blasio (above with Cuomo) is said to be eyeing a run for Governor amid Cuomo's recent woes

De Blasio has routinely skirted around the subject of Cuomo's potential resignation during his press briefings since the allegations against the Governor came to light in recent weeks.

During a conference on Friday, Hizzoner failed to address Cuomo directly, simply stating the the 'situation in Albany is sad.'

'Its gotten to be worse by the day and fewer and fewer people believe in the governor and thats a very sad state of affairs for our state,' he said. 'But were going to overcome it and were going to move forward.'

Five women have now publicly accused Cuomo of either sexually harassing behavior or inappropriate conduct in the workplace  after two more, Karen Hinton, 62, and Ana Liss, 35, came forward with allegations of their own late Saturday.

Liss, who previously served as Cuomo's policy and operations aide between 2013 and 2015, told the Wall Street Journal that during her time in his administration, the governor had subjected her to unsolicited advances, including touching her lower back, kissing her hand and quizzing her about her love life.

Her claims were followed by Hinton, who recalled for the Washington Post about an incident in which Cuomo summoned her to his 'dimly lit' hotel room and embraced her after a work event in 2000. Hinton said she tried to pull away from Cuomo, but claims he pulled her back and held her before she managed to escape the room.

Similar to Liss, Cuomo's former executive assistant, Charlotte Bennett, 25, revealed last week that the governor had quizzed her about her sex life and asked whether she had relationships with older men.

Lindsey Boylan also revealed in a February Medium post that the governor had tried to kiss her on the lips in his office and suggested they play strip poker during a 2017 flight. Cuomo's office has said these claims are false.

A third accuser, Anna Ruch, 33, then came forward telling the New York Times that Cuomo put his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her after meeting her at a September 2019 wedding.

Ana Liss, 35, (pictured left) previously served as Cuomo's policy and operations aide between 2013 and 2015 but claims he subjected her to sexual misconduct during her time in his administration. Karen Hinton (right) claims the governor summoned her to his 'dimly lit' hotel room and embraced her after a work event in 2000 before she managed to escape

Charlotte Bennett (above), 25, worked as an aide for Cuomo. She claims he sexually harassed her and left her 'terrified'

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 leg

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

After Ruch's claims came to light, State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said should a fourth accuser come forward against Cuomo then he should resign.

Following news of Liss and Hinton's allegations, Stewart-Cousins, the second most powerful elected official in Albany, penned a statement on Sunday calling for Cuomo to step down.

'For the good of the state Governor Cuomo must resign,' said Stewart-Cousins, 'Every day there is another account that is drawing away from the business of government.

'We have allegations about sexual harassment, a toxic work environment, the loss of credibility surrounding the COVID-19 nursing home data and questions about the construction of a major infrastructure project.'

Stewart-Cousins continued: 'New York is still in the midst of this pandemic and is still facing the societal, health and economic impacts of it. We need to govern without daily distraction. For the good of the state Governor Cuomo must resign.'

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie issued a similar statement regarding the allegations against Cuomo without the call for his resignation.

Although, last week Heastie led the charge to reclaim emergency powers granted to Cuomo at the beginning of the pandemic, timing it with the allegations but attributing the reason for the health crisis being in retreat.

De Blasio applauded the move Monday, saying, 'Its time to restore the democratic process fully, its time to restore local governance. Theres a reason for hundreds of years weve had an approach to governance that gave such ability of local governments to control their own affairs and protect the lives of our own people, because were closest to the ground.

'So we really need to get back to that, especially while Albany is going through some turbulence. Its especially important to re empower localities, were strong, were stable, were moving forward.'

Stewart-Cousins, the second most powerful elected official in Albany, penned a statement on Sunday calling for Cuomo to step down 'for the good of the state'

An electronic billboard in Albany displays a message that reads 'Resign Now' for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the wake of allegations that he sexually harassed young women

Cuomo apologized for making his accusers feel uncomfortable during a press conference last week and claimed that the actions were a result of his general behavior with everyone.

In a statement to the Journal, Cuomo's senior adviser Rich Azzopardi claimed that Cuomo has acted in the same way that Liss described with hundreds of people during his time as governor.

'Reporters and photographers have covered the governor for 14 years watching him kiss men and women and posing for pictures,' he said.

'At the public open-house mansion reception, there are hundreds of people, and he poses for hundreds of pictures. That's what people in politics do.'

However, on the allegations made by Hinton, Cuomo vehemently denied her claims, with his director of communications telling The Post, 'This did not happen.'

'Karen Hinton is a known antagonist of the Governor's who is attempting to take advantage of this moment to score cheap points with made up allegations from 21 years ago,' Peter Ajemian continued.

In a conference call with reporters on Sunday, Cuomo struck a defiant tone, saying demands by politicians that he resign are 'anti-democratic.'

Cuomo said his administration's work helping the state recover from the pandemic is too important for him to step aside now.

'There is no way I resign,' he said.

It is unclear what steps leaders in the legislature will take next if the governor does not take them up on the call for his resignation letter.

However, the term 'impeachment' has been adopted by some of his most vocal opponents in recent weeks.

Five women come forward with allegations of inappropriate conduct by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (pictured above), who said one accuser's claims were 'not true'

Already seeking to triumph from Cuomo's dwindling popularity is De Blasio, who is reportedly talking to his inner circle and union allies about running for governor.

De Blasio played coy on the matter last week when he was asked on Thursday whether he was eyeing his embattled rival's job.

'The future will take care of itself,' Hizzoner said with a grin.

Behind closed doors, the NY Post reports that de Blaiso is openly talking with advisers about running against him in a 2022 Democratic primary, multiple insiders said.

De Blasio is term-limited and leaves office at the end of this year, while Cuomo can seek re-election to a fourth term in November 2022.

According to the Post, the mayors team has reached out to the big labor unions to gauge support, including District Council 37, which represents public employees; the Local 1199 SEIU healthcare workers union; and the 32BJ Local SEIU, which reps building workers.

'Hes calling his labor friends,' said one source. 'Hes interested. I think that no matter what  even if the governor runs for a fourth term  de Blasio will primary him.

Another insider insisted talk about a 'de Blasio for governor' run was gaining steam in Albany.

'Ive heard it raised in more than a joking manner,' they said. 'It doesnt shock me. This is a guy with a huge ego, an inflated sense of self importance. Hes someone who ran for president even though it was clear he was never going to gain traction.'

One current City Hall official, who wished also to remain anonymous, also told The Post that they full expect de Blasio to run.

'He ran for president. It fits a pattern of delusion of grandeur. Sure hed love to be a political commentator, but if theres a route to run for elected office, he will pursue it.'

All ready seeking to triumph in the wake of Cuomo's potential political demise is De Blasio, who is reportedly talking to his inner circle and union allies about running for governor

Also Monday, de Blasio announced that public high schools in New York City will welcome students back for in-person instruction on March 22.

'We have all the pieces we need to bring high school back and bring it back strong, and, of course, bring it back safely,' he said. 'We are bringing our schools back fully in September, period.'

The move comes at a time when the number of new COVID-19 cases has sharply declined from a post-holiday surge.

The number of hospitalized patients fell below 40,000 on Sunday for the first time since Oct 20, compared with an all-time high of more than 132,000 recorded on Jan 6.

The improvement in part reflects an acceleration of U.S. inoculation programs, with three highly effective vaccines now available. But public health experts caution that the emergence of multiple variants of the virus could easily reverse any progress in staunching the spread.

New York City shut down schools in mid-November due to an increasing COVID-19 infection rate and has gradually brought students back to classrooms, starting with the youngest students and followed by middle school students last month.

New York Citys school system is the largest in the United States with 1.1 million students and 1,800 buildings.
CHICOPEE  The owners of the Koffee Kup officially sold their first cannolis and cakes from their new bakery in Chicopee Falls almost a year to the date that they bought closed former bike shop.

The much-anticipated opening on Thursday was a quiet one. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, owner Dino Facente said he wasnt ready for a large gathering at his new location but did enjoy neighbors who welcomed him to the 520 East St. shop.

We had one cute boy who came in with his grandmother, I guess he has been waiting for us to open for months, Facente said. He saw our open sign and he used his own money to buy a cupcake.

Plenty of other people stopped in as well. So many bought the fresh-filled cannolis that the case had to be refilled several times. Cakes and whoopie pies were popular and many wanted to try the bakerys Boston cream pie cupcakes, which are a favorite of Gov. Charlie Baker, he said.

Koffee Kup Bake Shop had been located in a rented spot in Springfield Plaza on Liberty Street for at least 25 years, but Facente said he always wanted to own his place and was looking for something that was a little bigger.

I had been looking for a building for years and found this almost by accident, I saw the for lease sign when going by one day, he said.

The building was available after the owners of Mickeys Bike Shop, Hank and Jeanne Herchel, decided to close a few months earlier to retire after 63 years in business.

It is about 40% bigger than his old shop, has plenty of parking and Facente said he and his wife Lisa Facente liked the idea of being located in a neighborhood where homeowners can walk to his bakery.

They closed on the building in early March, a week before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and businesses and schools were shuttered for months.

We feel fortunate to be in business, said Facente, who has between eight and 10 employees.

The original plan was to open quickly but extensive renovations were needed to convert the bike shop into a bakery and the pandemic meant construction took longer than expected, he said.

Koffee Kup closed in the Springfield Plaza on Saturday and then they moved on Sunday, they moved on Monday and they moved on Tuesday. On Wednesday the final inspections were completed allowing them to open on Thursday, Facente said.

He said he left on good terms with the plaza owners and is happy to only be moving a short distance away for his regular customers.

About 90% of Facentes business is takeout, but the new bakery has three tables for people who want to stop in and have a coffee and muffin, but one is currently closed off to allow social distancing, he said.

We play it safe and try to do all the right things, he said, adding the bakery has not had any problems with COVID-19 a year into the pandemic.

Facente said he has talked with Mayor John L. Vieau, but said he isnt sure when he will have an official ribbon cutting. He said he wants his parents to attend the opening so he will wait until they can be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Koffee Kup is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 7:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

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Authorities have released the names of two men killed in separate incidents in Birmingham and unincorporated Jefferson County.

Terrance Jerome Hardy, 39, was found dead Thursday night when Birmingham police and firefighters responded to an apartment in the 100 block of Wood Station Place. Hardy was pronounced dead on the scene at 9:40 p.m.

An autopsy showed that Hardy was shot to death. No additional information has yet been publicly released. Birmingham police are investigating.

Christopher Ray Mann, 58, was killed in a Saturday shooting following an argument with another family member. The shooting happened at 1:12 p.m. in the 7700 block of Dolly Drive in Dora. Mann was pronounced dead at Walker Baptist Medical Center at 2:16 p.m.

The alleged shooter was detained for questioning but no charges have been announced.
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DALLAS, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- After seven years of litigation, TriMax has triumphed over Wickfire.

On February 26, 2021, an Appellate Court issued a paramount ruling that Wickfire lacked any evidence to support its claims against TriMax. The decision was made in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Case Number 17-3043040. The Appellate Court's ruling reversed all monetary damages previously awarded to Wickfire.

The lawsuit, originally before the Western District of Texas, Case No. 14-CV-34, centered around Google AdWords Auctions, an online-auction platform where companies like TriMax and Wickfire compete for advertising space. Wickfire asserted innumerable claims against TriMax, but as to each one, Wickfire ultimately failed:

Wickfire alleged TriMax intentionally interfered with Wickfire's contracts, intentionally interfered with Wickfire's prospective business, and committed civil conspiracy. The Appellate Court, however, disagreed fully, finding "Wickfire offered no such proof" and declaring that each of these claims failed "as a matter of law."

Wickfire also alleged TriMax violated trademark law under the Lanham Act. The jury, however, awarded Wickfire no damages on the claim. Furthermore, the Appellate Court found Wickfire not to be the "prevailing party" on that claim, and in doing so, rejected Wickfire's improper attempt to seek attorneys' fees under the trademark statute.

Finally, Wickfire brought claims against TriMax for injury to business reputation, business disparagement, defamation, unfair competition, and misappropriation. However, Wickfire retracted each of those claims before the trial, and therefore, these claims did not even reach the appellate level.

TriMax filed its successful appeal in the wake of a lower court's judgment, in which the court erroneously awarded $2.3 million to Wickfire. Because Wickfire lacked any evidence whatsoever to support its claims, the Appellate Court reversed the judgment, overturned the award, and ordered the trial court to issue a new judgment. Based on the Appellate Court decision, the new judgment should award Wickfire nothing.

In the same lawsuit, the jury previously found Wickfire LLC and its co-owners, Chet Hall and Jon Brown, to have intentionally interfered with TriMax Media's business. TriMax argued that Wickfire intentionally interfered with TriMax's contracts by (1) paying kickbacks to merchant representatives in exchange for exclusivity agreements; (2) impersonating TriMax by placing unauthorized ads that plagiarized TriMax's ad copy and contained other identifying information of TriMax; (3) repeatedly clicking on TriMax ads in order to artificially increase TriMax's costs (known as "click fraud"); and (4) using an automated software program to manipulate the Google auction system (known as "bid jamming").

TriMax presented evidence to the jury that Wickfire had been suspended from over 200 Google accounts, violated merchant terms, and employed fake user agents and proxies to conceal its identity. The jury also saw evidence that Google referred to Wickfire as "Known Fraudsters" and that Wickfire registered the domain name "GoogleClickFraud.com".

TriMax also presented evidence regarding Wickfire's destruction of evidence. TriMax learned that during the litigation, Wickfire wiped all the data from its Chief Technology Officer Jon Brown's laptop and then failed to disclose that information to TriMax or the court. Once TriMax uncovered the destruction, Wickfire claimed it was necessary, since the laptop had been stolen during a home burglary. However, the police reportwhich TriMax obtained independently after Wickfire failed to produce a copycontradicted Wickfire's story because it mentioned nothing about an allegedly stolen laptop.

While the jury heard extensive evidence about Wickfire's conduct comprising Wickfire's intentional interference against TriMax (which the jury found to have occurred), some of the most devastating evidence was excluded. For example, the jury was not permitted to see:

The police report from the burglary;

Registration documents showing Wickfire as the owner of "BitchesOfFacebook.com" and "PokeBitches.com";

An e-mail from a merchant representative who, after refusing to accept the alleged kickbacks, referred to Wickfire as "criminals";

Screenshots of Wickfire's ads impersonating TriMax's;

An e-mail from a merchant terminating TriMax after wrongly believing TriMax was the source of the impersonating ads;

An e-mail from a merchant complaining that Wickfire violated trademark terms and plagiarized TriMax's ads;

A lengthy technical report that, according to a world-renowned computer expert, proves conclusively that Wickfire committed extensive click fraud against TriMax;

A real-time video demonstrating the bid-jamming TriMax experienced;

A summary of hundreds of TriMax's merchant contracts interfered with by bid-jamming; and

E-mails from other competitors of Wickfire complaining about Wickfire's bidding tactics.

Despite the jury's finding against Wickfire, Chet Hall and Jon Brown for intentional interference with TriMax's business, no damages against Wickfire were awarded. The Appellate Court's ruling, however, did not disturb the jury's finding that Wickfire, Hall, and Brown committed the intentional interference in the first place.

and for intentional interference with TriMax's business, no damages against Wickfire were awarded. The Appellate Court's ruling, however, did not disturb the jury's finding that Wickfire, Hall, and Brown committed the intentional interference in the first place. The Appellate Court's ruling was comprised of a 21-page opinion, unanimously decided by three Circuit Judges and authored by Chief Judge Priscilla Owen of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Representing TriMax were attorneys Sidney K. Powell of the law firm of Sidney Powell PC and Barry M. Golden of the law firm of Egan Nelson LLP.

of Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Representing TriMax were attorneys of the law firm of and of the law firm of Egan Nelson LLP. Ms. Powell was formerly an Assistant United States Attorney and is author of the groundbreaking book Licensed to Lie, an expose on unethical attorney conduct and improper concealment of evidence. Ms. Powell is known most recently for representing General Michael Flynn , filing third-party election lawsuits, and launching a Super PAC dedicated to a range of aims, including freedom of speech, Constitutional rights, and the right of free and fair elections.

, filing third-party election lawsuits, and launching a Super PAC dedicated to a range of aims, including freedom of speech, Constitutional rights, and the right of free and fair elections. Mr. Golden is a litigator and the Co-Chair of Egan Nelson's Commercial Litigation Group. Throughout his 23-year career spanning four decades, Mr. Golden has regularly handled high-stakes litigation, often including bet-the-company matters.

TriMax's CEO, Laura Woodruff, commented: "After so many years of litigation, TriMax has received complete exoneration. We are thrilled but certainly unsurprised by the outcome. We only hope this ruling will prevent Wickfire from bringing any more baseless claims against a legitimate competitor. We do, however, remain disappointed that Google and the Networks allowed Wickfire to intentionally interfere with our business in the first place. Nevertheless, based on the jury's finding that Wickfire interfered with TriMax's businessa finding that was not reversedwe now hope tactics like kickbacks, impersonation of competitors, click fraud, and bid jamming will no longer be tolerated in the online-advertising industry."

About TriMax Media:

Founded in 2003, TriMax Media is a digital marketing agency specializing in performance-based search engine marketing. TriMax served on the first Google Advertiser Research Council and was one of the first companies to generate over one million leads for its clients utilizing Google AdWords. The agency focuses on creating highly effective search marketing campaigns and developing successful long-term relationships with its clients.

Company Contact:



For questions, please contact:

Barry M. Golden

Egan Nelson LLP

214.893.9034

[email protected]

SOURCE Egan Nelson LLP
New Delhi:

US President Donald Trump on Monday spoke his mind on various issues pertaining to India-Pakistan relationship, Afghanistan, terrorism. Trump said that Pakistani people have suffered from terror, but at same time Pakistan has been safe haven for terrorists.

Trump emphasised that it is time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to fight terror. He added that terrorists are nothing but thugs and criminals and predators and that's right, losers.

Speaking on the issue of Afghanistan, Trump said that US will develop a deeper strategic partnership with India, but we want them to help us more in Afghanistan. He added that India makes billions of dollars with the United States in trade, want them to help us more in Afghanistan.

On the talks of troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, Trump said that US cannot repeat the mistake our leaders made in withdrawing from Iraq. He said that a hasty exit would create vacuum which ISIS and Al Qaeda would instantly fill, just as it happened before Sep 11.

Demanding Pakistans involvement in Afghanistan, US President said that the country has much to gain from partnering in our effort in Afghanistan, it has much to lose in continuing to harbour terrorists and criminals.

"India will be important partner in effort to ensure peace, stability, welcome its role in supporting Afghanistan. We look to Pakistan to take decisive action against militant groups based in Pakistan that are a threat to region," said R Tillerson, US Secretary of State.

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K2flys SaaS total contract value has increased by 42% in the quarter to date to A$8.7 million.

K2F is in negotiations for further multi-year contracts for its software solutions.

( ) has signed a five-year resource inventory management software as a service (SaaS) contract with New York Stock Exchange-listed precious metals mining company Inc ( ) (FRA:CDM1) to roll out to five of its sites.

This contract for RCubed means that K2flys SaaS total contract value has increased by 42% in the quarter to date to A$8.7 million.

Validates RCubed software solution

K2Fly chief commercial officer Nic Pollock said: We are delighted to add another US-based, NYSE-listed company and yet another gold producer to the growing list of companies using our governance and reporting software.

Additionally, it further validates that K2Fs RCubed software solution is the leading solution in the mining technical assurance space globally for resource and reserve governance and reporting in all commodities and especially gold, where we service five of the top 10 global gold miners by market capitalisation.

Global demand

Annual recurring revenue (ARR) is A$115,000 over five years and the total contract value is A$718,000.

This multi-year contract from a new customer demonstrates the continued global demand for K2Fs software solutions, particularly in North America, where K2fly opened an office in Denver, Colorado in 2020.

Talks for further multi-year contracts

K2fly is in negotiations for further multi-year contracts for its software solutions.

While the company is confident that these negotiations will be successful, it should be noted that the discussions are in the negotiation phase and until complete, there are no guarantees.

The company will update the market in due course.

K2fly Ltd provides enterprise-level technical assurance and reporting solutions across all aspects of the environmental, social and governance functions, servicing the mining, oil & gas, utilities and agriculture sectors.

Underpinning K2flys SaaS offering are its proprietary technologies: RCubed, Infoscope and the SATEVA Suite.
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.
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The governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has said says the All Progressives Congress (APC) has so far registered about 2.5 million members in the ongoing membership registration/revalidation in Kano State.

This is contained in a statement by the chief press secretary to the governor, Abba Anwar, on Monday in Kano.

Mr Anwar said the governor disclosed this during the sixth APC stakeholders meeting in Kano.

We are all aware that the first set of 100 registers sent to polling units were exhausted. And the second set of 200 per polling units has also been exhausted.

The registration is heading towards three or four million members in the state. Just look at the trend since we started, he said.

The governor also urged those in charge of the registration to ensure fairness.

There should be no marginalisation. Register all those who wish to be registered as bonafide members of our great party and that is part of the wisdom why we have been succeeding as a party, he said.

The states Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Murtala Garo, said the APC national headquarters gave the state 100 bundles of registers for each of the 8, 090 polling units in the state.

Mr Garo said all the bundles had been exhausted.

The state demanded additional 200 bundles per polling unit.

The additional 200 membership cards per polling unit, have already been collected by members in almost 7,000 units. So there is need for more from the national headquarters, he said.

(NAN)
PRINCETON, Ky., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Marc A. Wells, Esq. is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Featured Top Attorney 2021 in acknowledgement of his successes as the Owner and Sole operator of Marc Wells Attorney At Law.

Located at 209 West Main Street, Marc Wells Attorney At Law specializes primarily in criminal defense and offers legal expertise and services in areas related to trusts, wills and estates, real estate law, family law, insurance defense, and personal injury.

Leading an impressive career for more than for forty-six years, Mr. Wells has earned a laudable reputation for being erudite and skillful. In 1981, he partnered with other attorneys to establish Wells, Baker & Wetzel. Later on, he decided to practice individually at Marc Wells Attorney At Law.

As an acclaimed attorney offering sterling work, Mr. Wells offers clients a personable and compassionate experience. Driven by his work, he intends to continue learning and practicing law for the foreseeable future.

To prepare for his career, Mr. Wells attended the University of Kentucky, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He remained at the University of Kentucky for higher education, receiving a Juris Doctorate. He was recognized for having an excellent academic record and graduated cum laude.

After graduating from the University of Kentucky, Mr. Wells was admitted to the Kentucky Bar Association. He is a current member of the National Trial Lawyers Association and the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

A man of many accomplishments, Mr. Wells has been twice awarded the designation of Top 10 Lawyers from the National Trial Lawyers Association on account of his work in the field of criminal defense law. His extensive track record of achievements in the courtroom has landed Mr. Wells in newspapers more than one hundred times.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who

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Police are asking for help from members of the public to find a missing 16-year-old girl who has not been seen since Thursday.

Ella Clancy went missing in Ealing, West London, and has not been seen for four days.

The teenager was last seen on Thursday March 4 wearing a red jacket, black jeans and trainers.

Ella Clancy, 16, (pictured) went missing in Ealing, west London, and has not been seen since Thursday. Police say she was wearing a red jacket, black jeans and trainers

She is known to spend time in the Ickenham or Hillingdon areas of London.

Ealing police tweeted a photo of Ella asking the public for help finding her.

Police have asked for anyone who has any information to come forward and call 1010 quoting 5836/04MAR.

Missing person charity Missing People posted an appeal to find Ella.

They said: 'Ella we are here for you whenever you are ready; we can listen, talk you through what help you need, pass a message for you and help you to be safe.

'Call. Text. Anytime. Free. Confidential. 116000 '
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DALLAS  The FBI did not ask Dallas police to keep an officer now charged with two counts of murder on duty investigated for two slayings on the job, according to Special Agent Michael DeSarno.

We did not at any time and would not make recommendations about pulling him off or leaving him on duty, DeSarno, in charge of the Dallas FBI office, said Friday. We at no time asked them to leave him on duty.

Police have said that Officer Bryan Riser, who was arrested Thursday on suspicion of ordering two people be killed, remained an active patrol officer for more than a year after being implicated in the killings.

Former Dallas Police Chief U. Renee Hall, who left the department at the end of 2020, said Thursday on Twitter that police, collaborating with the FBI, recommended not placing Riser on leave. Hall wrote that taking the action would alert Riser that he was a person-of-interest and compromise the investigation.

Following DeSarnos statements, Hall wrote on Twitter that she was being careful and concise with her words to protect the investigation, and that the recommendation to not place Riser on leave came from Dallas police.

I said detectives were working in collaboration with the FBI, but I should have stated that the recommendation came from the lead organization, DPD, not the FBI, Hall wrote.

Current Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia, who became chief last month, said that someone told police in 2019 and said he kidnapped and killed 31-year-old Liza Saenz and 61-year-old Albert Douglas, on Risers instructions in separate 2017 attacks. Garcia said neither killing was connected to Risers police work, but that investigators were still trying to determine the motives.

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Garcia has offered no explanation why Riser was arrested nearly 20 months after the witness came forward, and police declined to answer subsequent questions about the timing.

Both victims were shot and their bodies were dumped in the Trinity River, according to investigators. Saenzs body was recovered, but Douglas wasnt.

Riser is now on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation. Garcia said his department would expedite the process of firing him.

Riser remained jailed Saturday on $5 million bond after a court appearance Thursday night.

Court records dont list an attorney for Riser, who told the court he would hire one.
I tend to be one of those people who dont celebrate stuff. Why do we choose one day per year to focus on something that should be important every day? It just gives us an excuse to de-prioritise important things 364 days out of 365. Like people who go all out on Valentines Day with chocolates and flowers and then neglect their partners the rest of the time. Or the people who only go to church on Christmas Day. You wont be surprised to hear Im not big on birthdays either, much to the chagrin of my friends and family. Today, however, I may be forced to admit that having dedicated days of awareness and celebration is important. Because its International Womens Day. And Ive come to realise (sad face emoji) that the most efficient way to make people shun the issue of womens rights is to talk about it every day.

Switzerland was one of the first countries to celebrate International Womens Day, actually, along with Austria, Denmark and Germany. This was back in 1911, one year after the International Socialist Womans Conference in Copenhagen, where 100 women from 17 countries voted unanimously to designate March 8 a day to celebrate womens socio-politico-economic progress and to raise awareness of continued inequality.

Last week, our own Roberta Naas, the grande dame of horological journalism who was virtually the only female watch writer around when she started, penned a breakdown of feminine watches that are as mechanically powerful as they are decorative. Beauty and brains in the same package, was the central theme of the article, which also included an analysis of why our industry as a whole has not succeeded in engaging fully with the female buyer.

Another industry veteran who just joined our ranks, the always-perspicacious Sophie Furley, observed that women often buy watches that are designed for men, because in general brands just dont put as much effort or innovation into the watches that they create for people with two X chromosomes.

This turns into a vicious circle of sorts  women buy mens watches because the selection of womens watches isnt interesting for them. Brands see that their mens collections vastly outperform their womens collections and so they invest fewer resources into female-targeted timepieces. Its a never-ending and self-perpetuating cycle, and Im not sure why brands arent bored of it yet, because I am, and Ive only been in this industry for 10 years.

A few weeks ago, a friend and I started an online discussion group for women in the watch world, called Watch Femme. Its an open and inclusive group that embraces all subjects that affect women in this industry, whether its hiring inclusivity at companies, female leadership in watchmaking, or how gender-targeted advertising affects market perception and purchasing. Since then, our little discussion group has grown to include participants from every continent and every industry sector: brands, institutions, start-ups, agencies, media, not to mention consumers and enthusiasts. We started our discussions in English, we recently had our first French-speaking session, and have received requests and volunteers to host German-speaking sessions. This all happened within a month. That is how much women care about engaging with the watch world.

International Womens Day is one of the official observances listed on the United Nations website, and their focus for 2021 is on women in leadership, highlighting how women (particularly healthcare workers and national leaders) have exemplified positive action in a world gripped by a health crisis. Two years ago, at Watches & Wonders Miami, I helped to coordinate and plan a series of discussion panels that centred on the role played by women in watchmaking. One of the panels was entitled Can Women Save The Watch World? (spoiler alert: the answer was Yes). Well be coming back to you with more articles this month about how essential women are in every aspect of the watch industry. Stay tuned.

Before I go, let me tell you a secret  you know who gets really tired of talking about womens rights every day? Women. Women are tired of having this conversation; but we are happy to keep talking about it until things change significantly and permanently. We make up half the worlds population, you know. Well get it done.
Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh takes over as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff 01 Jun 2021 | 10:39 PM New Delhi, Jun1 (UNI) Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh on Tuesday assumed charge as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff after relieving Vice Admiral MS Pawar who superannuated on May 31. see more..

BRICS to set up vaccine R&D centre, commits to counter terrorism 01 Jun 2021 | 10:34 PM New Delhi, Jun 1 (UNI) Foreign Ministers of five BRICS countries on Tuesday called for timely establishment and operationalisation of a BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Center. see more..

CBSE Class XII board exams cancelled 01 Jun 2021 | 9:21 PM New Delhi, Jun 1 (UNI) The government on Tuesday decided to cancel the CBSE Class 12th board exams for the year 2021 over the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country and keeping the safety of students in mind. see more..

Kejriwal welcomes cancellation of CBSE class 12th board exams 01 Jun 2021 | 9:02 PM New Delhi, Jun 1 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday welcomed the Union government's decision to cancel the CBSE class 12th board exams for the year 2021 over the current COVID-19 situation in the country. see more..
A member of the Oath Keepers militia group seen flanking Roger Stone on the morning of the 6 January Capitol riot has been arrested, according to ABC News.

Quoting an anonymous law enforcement official, the outlet said Roberto Minuta, of New York, would appear in court on Monday after he was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigations on the weekend.

Mr Minuta was first seen on video with Mr Stone, a Donald Trump adviser and pardon recipient, in Washington DC just hours before the Capitol was breached by rioters.

In the video, posted by ABC News, Mr Stone is talking to a woman as men wearing Oath Keeper insignia stand in the background.

In a comment to ABC, Mr Stone said: "I had no advance knowledge of the riot at the Capitol. I could not even tell you the names of those who volunteered to provide security for me, required because of the many threats against me and my family."

The Oath Keepers reportedly provided security for Stone while in Washington DC, although ABC does not suggest the men seen in the video were part of the mob that stormed the Capitol building.

At least five people associated with the Oath Keepers have been arrested on charges related to events at the Capitol, with three charged with conspiracy.

Mr Minuta, a 36-year-old tattoo artist, was arrested at a business in the Newburgh area of New York on Sunday, according to NBC News 4 New York.

Another man, 32-year-old Isaac Sturgeon, of Montana, was arrested in New York at JFK Airport after returning from Kenya on Saturday, the outlet reported.

He allegedly flew to Kenya on 24 January after his photo was added to the FBI's wanted page, but was ordered deported by Kenyan officials, according to court documents cited by the outlet.

Quoting law enforcement officials, Mr Sturgeon was allegedly seen on bodycam footage shoving barricades at police. He was expected to appear in Brooklyn federal court on Monday.
By: Arika Kim

This International Womens Day, were honouring 10 incredibly creative female filmmakers and photographers who are all leading the charge in doing groundbreaking work  serving as inspiration for fellow female creatives around the world.

From photographing marginalized communities to directing films that touch on sensitive subject matters, this influential collective of women in Southeast Asia has all pushed boundaries in some form or way. Through Instagram, these women share more of their life and provide everyone with a more in-depth look into their upcoming projects.

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1. Chayanee Chomsaengchun, (@peduckk)

Photographer, Thailand

Chomsaengchuns Instagram grid offers major solace in a world where leisure travel is but a pipe dream.

While she might throw in an occasional product shot from campaigns shes done, Chomsaengchuns grid generally features images of the most gorgeous and dreamiest beaches in Asia. Trust us when we say that her photos will make you want to pack your bags and book yourself a nice holiday stat!

Its no wonder Thai luxury resort Sri Panwa has tapped her as its official photographer.

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2. Tan Chui Mui, (@tanchuimui)

Filmmaker, Malaysia

For the uninitiated, Tan is a Malaysian filmmaker whose feature debut, Love Conquers All, won a Tiger Award from the 36th International Film Festival Rotterdam.

A huge supporter and advocate for Malaysias independent film scene, Tan started her own production company with fellow independent film directors Amir Muhammad, James Lee, and Liew Seng Tat, a huge supporter and advocate for Malaysias independent film scene.

Much like her directorial debut, Tans Instagram account gives a raw and unfiltered glimpse into her life as a mum. Despite the sporadic nature of each post, each caption and photo is carefully thought out.

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3. Yu Yu Myint Than, (@yuyumt_burma)

Photographer, Myanmar

An award-winning documentary photographer, Yu Yus work highlights women and religious issues. Her most prolific work to date focused on San Kay Khine, a 17-year-old girl who was kidnapped and tortured for five years while being held in a tailor shop in Yangon.

Story continues

On Instagram, Yu Yu shows off her analog skills with her beautifully composed film photos, proving once again that #FilmIsNotDead. Were not entirely sure if she processes the images herself, but were loving the results and the rawness of each photograph.

Yu Yu is also part of Thuma Collective, an all-female photography club in Myanmar that aims to inspire and encourage fellow female photographers in Myanmar.

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4. Amanda Nell Eu, (@nelleu)

Filmmaker, Malaysia

A self-professed filmmaker cat lady, Nell Eus Instagram is consistently updated with photographs of her two furkids, Edie and Kupo. Shes also got a wicked sense of humour and isnt afraid to look a little silly  which makes following her an absolute joy.

The Malaysian filmmaker rose to fame when her short film, Lagi Senang Jaga Sekandang Lembu, was shortlisted for the Orizzonti Short Films Competition at the Venice International Film Festival. Nell Eus work has also been shown at various film festivals around the world.

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5. Wong Maye-E, (@w0ngmayee)

Photographer, Singapore

A former Straits Times photojournalist, Wong eventually became The Associated Presss lead photographer for North Korea in 2014. Through her work, Wong gave us a glimpse into what living in the hermit kingdom is like.

Currently, Wong resides in New York with her family. Her Instagram feed proved particularly interesting at the time of the U.S. elections and during the Capitol insurrection. While these seem like heavy topics, it also helps that Wong has an adorable puppy named Kaya, who we get to see every once in a while.

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6. Maika Elan, (@maikaelan)

Photographer, Vietnam

Originally an editorial and fashion photographer, Elan moved on to documentary photography. Her most notable work, The Pink Choice, shed light on the lives of LGBTQ couples in Vietnam. The Pink Choice went on to win several photography awards in Asia.

Often captionless, Elans photos on Instagram show daily life in Vietnam. Most of her images are shot in natural sunlight and with minimal editing, which gives it a lovely charm of its own. We especially love the dreaminess of specific pictures and how she showcases different perspectives.

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7. Nia Dinata, (@ibunia)

Filmmaker, Indonesia

Considered one of the most controversial filmmakers in Indonesia, Dinatas Instagram is surprisingly tame. Scattered throughout her feed are travel photos, film inspiration and an authentic look into her life in Indonesia. Her thoughtful and insightful captions further add to the appeal of each photograph.

Dinatas films explore topics such as homosexuality, relationships and polygamy and is said to face heavy censorship from the Indonesian government. Two of the films shes directed have also been submitted to the Academy Awards for the best foreign-language film categories.

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8. Sandi Tan, (@_sanditan_)

Filmmaker, Singapore

An accomplished film critic, director, and writer, Tans Instagram feed is nothing short of interesting and artsy. She frequently switches between posting content of her cat, her favourite paintings, and films she loves.

Tans short films, Moveable Feast and Gourmet Baby, have seen significant plays at various international film festivals, including the New York Film Festival. Its no wonder then that Variety magazine named Tan one of its 10 documentary filmmakers to watch in 2018.

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9. Lyka Gonzalez, (@lykagonzalez)

Filmmaker, Philippines

Gonzalez is a filmmaker and photographer from the Philippines whose most notable work, Agos: the Manila Dream, premiered at the 68th Festival De Cannes. Gonzalez is also a UN Youth Representative and uses her platform to advocate for gender equality, womens rights, and migration.

On Instagram, Gonzalez frequently shares beautiful photos of her travels and personal anecdotes of her life. We especially love her portrait photography.

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10. Datin Tiara Jacquelina

Actress, director, and entrepreneur, Malaysia

Jacquelina rose to fame for playing the lead character in one of Malaysias biggest films, Puteri Gunung Ledang.

Besides acting, Jacquelina is also the managing director of Enfiniti Vision Media, a production company championing Malaysian arts, entertainment, and television.

On Instagram, the talented actress and director shares snippets of her life with family, friends, and the work shes up to. It also helps that shes consistently posting photos of her 12 pets  including her pet horse!

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11. Sim Chi Yin, ( @chiyin_sim )

Photographer, Singapore

Sim is a Singaporean photographer who splits her time between Beijing, London, and Singapore.

Sim started her journey as a journalist with The Straits Times before eventually being a photojournalist for various publications, including The New York Times.

An accomplished photographer, Sim was commissioned as the Nobel Peace Prizes photographer in 2017 for its International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Sims photos were exhibited at the Nobel Peace Center in Norway.

On Instagram, followers get a behind-the-scenes look into her photo exhibitions, personal life, and unreleased photos from her exhibitions.

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13. Siti Kamaluddin, (@sitikamaluddin)

Filmmaker, Brunei

The first female director in Brunei, Kamaluddin, made Bruneis first international feature film, Yasmine. This is a huge feat, considering how Brunei doesnt actually have a thriving film industry or an association for filmmakers.

Following Kamaluddin on Instagram, we get a peek into life in Brunei and some of the projects shes currently working on.

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Photographer in Singapore launches project to showcase local artists and creatives in their own unique light amidst pandemic

Meet the woman behind Its Raining Raincoats, a charity making a difference for migrant workers

Teaching STEAM subjects to children of all abilities: Meet the woman behind Discovering Without Borders
Government to Restructure Gibraltar Tourist Board

In assessing the impact and lasting consequences for the tourism industry from the global COVID-19 pandemic, Her Majestys Government of Gibraltar says it has taken the view that, "as we emerge from a very difficult year for the leisure sector, it is essential to embark on a fresh drive to rebuild this vital part of our economy."

The decision has therefore been taken that the Gibraltar Tourist Board is to be restructured.

As one of the most important contributors to the local economy, Gibraltars tourism industry has been affected in many ways. Not only has the pandemic had a devastating effect on visitor numbers but it will undoubtedly change the way in which tourism evolves in a changed global market.

Nicky Guerrero, the current Chief Executive is retiring towards the end of 2021 and as first step a new Chief Executive Officer will be recruited. However, in order to maximise established relationships within the industry and to concentrate on Gibraltars largest target market, Govt has stated that this individual will be based in London.

'The Government is seeking a strong candidate well placed in the tourism, transport and maritime sector with the contacts and initiative. It has engaged the services of a prestigious UK recruitment company for this task and the post will be advertised both in Gibraltar and in the UK.'

'The Chief Executive Officer will be tasked with leading and raising the profile of Gibraltars tourism industry. The CEOs remit will focus in particular on the development of commercial air services and the growth of the cruise ship business. In addition, the CEO will be tasked with the development of port and maritime related business.'

Minister for Business, Tourism, Transport and the Port the Hon Vijay Daryanani MP said, In my time as Minister for Tourism the industry has faced one of the most trying periods in its history. We have had to learn many new lessons as to how to promote our wonderful destination. Going forward, this poses new challenges but at the same time creates new opportunities for Gibraltar as a destination.

As the current Chief Executive of the Gibraltar Tourist Board has decided to retire towards the end of this year, I am taking this opportunity to restructure how we manage the GTB at a senior level. The Cabinet has decided that the individual that takes over the post should be based in London, with access to our largest source market and to the global capital that London is.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nicky Guerrero the current Chief Executive of the Gibraltar Tourist Board for all the guidance he has given me in the time that he has worked alongside me. His years of experience and dedication to the local hospitality and tourism industry have been an asset to Gibraltar.
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has granted a line of credit of 10 million euro to Vista Bank Guinea to support the financing and promotion of SMEs and SMIs in the Republic of Guinea. The facility agreement was signed by Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EBID and Mrs Yassin BAYO, Managing Director of Vista Bank Guinea.



The line of credit will assist Vista Bank Guinea in strengthening its capacity to finance medium-term loans for SMEs and SMIs in Guinea. Vista Bank Guinea currently receives technical assistance from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and grants loans for the development of the Guinean private sector while offering services including financial advisory, financing extensions, diversification, modernisation, and rehabilitation projects.



Over the years, Vista Bank Guinea has focused on the deployment of a new growth strategy that aims to gradually diversify its portfolio towards Guinean SMEs and SMIs, serving around 2,000 corporate clients, 80% of which are SMEs.



The granting of this line of credit exemplifies EBIDs commitment to supporting the government of Guinea with the implementation of its 2020-2025 Development Plan- a plan which focuses on the critical role of private sector development and Guineas overall economic transformation.



In light of this, the government of Guinea has placed particular emphasis on reforms to improve the business environment and competitiveness as well as developing a dynamic local financial system that is more accessible and better suited to the market, particularly for SMEs and SMIs.



This credit facility will boost business activities for SMEs and SMIs in Guinea by giving them access to medium-term financing previously inaccessible due to a lack of suitable resources.



Overall, the extension of this line of credit to Vista Bank Guinea will promote progress in the countrys industrialization efforts by increasing value chains and strengthening the capacities of local SMEs and SMIs, among others.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The clamour for gender equality has been on for years with many women and civic groups advocating change, parity, an end to negative stereotypes and gender-based violence.

The Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill captures the objectives of that advocacy and of the International Womens Day being marked across the world on Monday.

The bill was first introduced in the eighth Senate in March 2016 by former minority leader, Biodun Olujimi (PDP, Ekiti South).

It seeks to guarantee the rights of women to equal opportunities in employment; equal rights to inheritance for both male and female children; equal rights for women in marriage and divorce, equal access to education, property/land ownership and inheritance; protect the rights of widows; guarantee appropriate measures against gender discrimination in political and public life and prohibit violence against women.

The bill was rejected by some male lawmakers who argued that the Nigerian Constitution was clear on rights of citizens, including women.

Mrs Olujimi, however, reworked the bill and represented it to the Senate.

She again stressed that the bill seeks to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and will guarantee equal opportunity, development advancement for all Nigerian citizens irrespective of gender.

She said it will also promote girls access to education, freedom for women to participate in any economic activity and their right to freedom from sexual abuse, and violence in public and domestic spaces, she assured her colleagues.

This time, no senator spoke against the bill and the Senate referred it to its committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters headed by David Umaru (APC-Niger).

There was, however, no public hearing on the bill till the end of the eighth Senate.

She again reintroduced the bill in November 2019 but it is yet to be deliberated upon.

International Womens Day

The International Womens Day (IWD), an annual global event marked on March 8, celebrates women around the world, promotes gender quality and seeks to eliminate gender stereotypes.

The theme for this years IWD is #ChoosetoChallenge.

In addition to eliminating gender bias and promoting gender equality, this years event seeks to celebrate womens achievements in all sectors.

To celebrate this years #IWD, this piece looks at the poor representation of women in governance and the provisions of the Gender Equality Bill.

Poor representation of women

Women make up about 49 per cent of Nigerias population but as much as this number presents potential human resources that can be channelled to improve the system of governance as well as economic productivity, the disparities between men and women especially in politics have never been starker.

Nigeria is recorded to be one of the countries with the lowest number of female lawmakers/politicians in Sub-Saharan Africa and ranks 180th in the world, according to the International Parliamentary Union.

Since the Fourth Republic, all the presidents and vice presidents have been men. There have been female aspirants who contest for such offices in general elections but they lost to the eventual male winners.

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In the same vein, no woman has ever been elected governor. The deputy governorship is the highest executive level position women have been elected into since 1999; although a former Anambra deputy governor, Virginia Etiaba, served as governor of the state for three months when the then governor, Peter Obi, was controversially impeached and removed from office. She returned back to deputy governor when the appeal court reversed Mr Obis impeachment.

As of today, there are only four states with female deputy governors  Enugu, Kaduna, Ogun and Rivers  while no state is governed by a woman.

In the Senate, women occupy only eight of the 109 seats and only 11 of the 360 seats in the House of Representatives.

Provisions of the Gender Equality Bill

Purpose of the bill

The purpose of this Bill is to give effect to:

*Chapters II and IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the lnternational Covenants on Human Rights, which affirm the principle of non-discrimination and proclaims that all humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and that everyone is entitled to all the rights set out without distinction of any kind, including distinction based on sex.

*Certain provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the protocol of the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa.

*No person, organ or agency of government, public and private institution, commercial or corporate body shall either through words spoken, acts, inactions, omissions, laws, regulations, administrative procedures, policies, guidelines, rules, customs or practices discriminate against any person on the ground of gender, age or disability;

*Any law, regulation, custom or practice, which constitutes discrimination, shall be null and void and of no effect and shall not be enforceable against any person and no rule or directive of an organ or agency of government, public or private insurance, corporate, social or communal entity which is a violation of the Provisions of this bill shall be enforced against any person.

Promotion of Equality, full development and advancement of the persons

*The bill mandates every organ or agency of government, public and private institution or commercial or corporate body in Nigeria to take all appropriate measures, including regulatory policy, fiscal and administrative measures, to ensure the full development and advancement of all persons, especially young women and girl children.

This, it says, is for the purpose of guaranteeing to them the exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms on a basis of non-discrimination and equality of all persons.

Women, children, and other persons are to be accorded equality before the law  to conclude contracts, administer property, in all stages of proceedings in courts and tribunals etc.

35 per cent affirmative action for women in offices, appointments, etc.

The bill directs all organs of government, public or private institutions and corporate bodies to ensure: in the case of political and public sphere, that a minimum of 35 per cent of all offices, positions, or appointments is reserved for women.

In the case of employment, credit or other economic sphere in the public or private sector, a minimum of 35 per cent of all offices, facilities, positions or appointments should be reserved for women.

In the case of educational placement and school enrollment, including award of scholarships, bursaries, or such allocations, that parity is ensured for boys and girls, men and women.

In the case of primary school enrollment, mechanisms should be put in place to ensure parity in enrollment and retention of boys and girls.

Elimination of stereotypes, changes to socio-cultural practices

The bill seeks to eliminate gender stereotyping, prejudices and customary practices based on the idea of inferiority or superiority of either sexes, or the roles for men and women.

Educational institutions, private and public will ensure the adoption of appropriate teaching methods and curriculum including facilities to emphasize the promotion of equality of all sexes.

Families are charged with the responsibility of ensuring values, practices of upbringing of children are not discriminatory.

A widow must not be subjected to inhuman treatment while she is entitled to the custody of her children after the death of her husband, unless this is contrary to the welfare and interests of the children.

She also has the freedom, right and choice to remarry, have fair share in the inheritance of her husbands property and continue to live in the matrimonial house.

It further states that women and men shall have the right to inherit in equitable shares, their parents properties.

Elimination of discrimination in political and public life

The bill mandates all organs of government, public or private institutions and corporate bodies to take appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country such that both men and women have the right to participate in all political activities.

Both genders shall be allowed to participate in formulation and implementation of government policy and represent any organ of government, public or private institutions, corporate bodies and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Elimination of discrimination in employment

The bill instructs all organs of government, public or private institutions and corporate bodies to take appropriate measures to grant equal remuneration of persons of equal skill, competence, expertise and knowledge including benefits while there is equal treatment in respect of work or equal value.

It wants the provision of social security for all gender, particularly in cases of unemployment, sickness, physical challenges, old age and others that cause an incapacity to work.

It gives women in employment the right to maternity leave or any such leave concession relating to her maternity needs with pay or comparable social benefits.

Elimination of discrimination on grounds of marital status

The bill proposes that all organs of government, public or private institutions and corporate bodies should take appropriate measures to prevent discrimination against women on the grounds of marriage, marital status or maternity, establishment and development of child care facilities in the work premises.

Elimination of discrimination in Health

Every organ of government, public or private institutions and corporate bodies should ensure all women who are pregnant, within two years of delivery and all children under the age of 12 are given free and quality health care services, including provision of all necessary medical, surgical, diagnostic and pharmaceutical supplies.

Offences, Penalties and Compensations

Any person, organ of government, public or private institutions and corporate bodies that fail to neglect the duties imposed in the bill commits an offence and shall be liable in conviction to such term of imprisonment not less than one year, or such fine not less than N500,000 or both.

Any person whose rights have been violated shall be entitled to fair and adequate compensation as may be deemed by the court.

Details of the bill are yet to be deliberated and efforts to speak with the sponsor of the bill, Ms Olujimi, with regards to the delay, were unsuccessful. During the second reading, lawmakers will speak either for or against the bill before it is referred to the relevant committee for public hearing and further legislative work.

With many, including men, calling for equal rights in all spheres, it is hoped that the bill will be passed by lawmakers and possibly assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.
While Hurricane Harvey dumped 60 inches of rain on the Houston area in August 2017, the authority that operates the Lake Conroe Dam opened the floodgates to release water at a rate almost equal to the flow over Niagara Falls.

Water in the lake flowed counterclockwise as if draining from a sink, causing fallen trees, unmoored boats and other debris to slam into 22 boat dock slips owned by the Playa Vista Conroe condominium association. The association filed a claim seeking $208.177.44 to repair hurricane damage to the complex, including replacement of the boat docks. Insurance Co. of the West denied the claim, saying hurricane damage was excluded by the associations policy.

A panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday affirmed a trial court ruling that requires ICW to pay $190,827.50 for the damage to the boat docks plus $50,000 for the associations legal fees. In an opinion written by Circuit Judge Andrew S. Oldham, the court chided ICWs lawyers for making an absurd argument in an effort to undo its litigation mistakes.

ICW first argues that it creatively drafted its insurance contracts to avoid any burden to prove anything, the court said. Texas law establishes a burden-shifting framework under which the insured must establish coverage, but then the insurer must prove an applicable exception.

The opinion says ICW sold Playa Vista a policy that excludes flood damages arising out of a hurricane or tropical storm, but also defines flood as an inundation of normally dry land. ICW paid extra for an endorsement to cover flood damage, but the policy included a separate exclusion for any flood damage to the boat slip/docks (BSE) on the property.

It is unclear why ICW drafted its BSE to exclude flood damage to property that normally appears on water rather than dry land, the panel said. But it was ICWs policy to draft, so ICW must assume the perils of its chosen language.

After Playa Vista filed suit in state court, ICW removed the case to the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas in Houston. The condo associations president, Robert G. Copes, testified in an affidavit that the boat slips survived the rainfall from Hurricane Harvey, but when the San Jacinto River Authority released water from Lake Conroe a super-powerful suction effect pulled debris from all around the lake and destroyed the boat slips.

ICW did not challenge Copes testimony. Instead, it entered into a stipulation with the condo association stating the loss was caused by the release of water from the lake.

After the district court granted summary judgment in favor of the condominium association, ICW filed a new motion for summary judgment. The insurer argued that the case should be dismissed because the association had admitted that the damage was caused by the actions of a governmental body, which was excluded from coverage.

The 5th Circuit panel refused to accept that ICW had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat through a legal gotcha.

That is far too little too late, the opinion says. If ICW wanted to rely on the governmental-body exclusion, it was obligated to raise it (at the latest) at summary judgment.

About the photo: Water is released from Lake Conroe Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Conroe, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Indian nationals have been advised against travelling to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait via the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi announced Monday.

The Indian mission in its tweets, stated that due to Covid-19-enforced restrictions on incoming passengers, it would not be possible for Indian nationals to transit via Dubai and Abu Dhabi to neighbouring Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Hence, all travellers, who are stranded in the UAE, are advised to consider their return to India and make further travel plans only after restrictions in the final destination countries are lifted, the advisory stated.

Since December 2020, at least 600 Indians, who wanted to travel to Saudi Arabia, are stranded in the UAE, according to an Indian Consulate in Dubai official. The official said: Due to the fast-evolving international travel protocols, the missions strongly advise all travellers to avoid going to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait using transit routes to avoid the inconvenience of being stranded in the UAE.

Earlier, these passengers were provided special travel arrangements by the missions with assistance from the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) and other social organisations. The official said such facilities wouldn't be provided any longer. The missions advisory also stated: All Indian nationals are advised to ascertain the latest Covid-19-related travel guidelines of their final destination country before embarking on an onward journey from India.

New travel rules in Tamil Nadu: E-pass compulsory for in-bound intl and domestic travellers

Safe Travel: Indonesia travellers can now enter UAE

Promote domestic tourism, Kerala Governor urges stakeholders
More than 20,000 U.S. organizations have been compromised through a back door installed via recently patched flaws in Microsoft Corp.s email software, a person familiar with the U.S. governments response said on Friday.

The hacking has already reached more places than all of the tainted code downloaded from SolarWinds Corp, the company at the heart of another massive hacking spree uncovered in December.

The latest hack has left channels for remote access spread among credit unions, town governments and small businesses, according to records from the U.S. investigation.

Tens of thousands of organizations in Asia and Europe are also affected, the records show.

The hacks are continuing despite emergency patches issued by Microsoft on Tuesday.

Microsoft, which had initially said the hacks consisted of limited and targeted attacks, declined to comment on the scale of the problem on Friday but said it was working with government agencies and security companies to provide help to customers.

It added, impacted customers should contact our support teams for additional help and resources.

One scan of connected devices showed only 10% of those vulnerable had installed the patches by Friday, though the number was rising.

Because installing the patch does not get rid of the back doors, U.S. officials are racing to figure out how to notify all the victims and guide them in their hunt.

All of those affected appear to run Web versions of email client Outlook and host them on their own machines, instead of relying on cloud providers. That may have spared many of the biggest companies and federal government agencies, the records suggest.

The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency did not respond to a request for comment.

Earlier on Friday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that the vulnerabilities found in Microsofts widely used Exchange servers were significant, and could have far-reaching impacts.

Were concerned that there are a large number of victims, Psaki said.

Microsoft and the person working with the U.S. response blamed the initial wave of attacks on a Chinese government-backed actor. A Chinese government spokesman said the country was not behind the intrusions.

What started as a controlled attack late last year against a few classic espionage targets grew last month to a widespread campaign. Security officials said that implied that unless China had changed tactics, a second group may have become involved.

More attacks are expected from other hackers as the code used to take control of the mail servers spreads.

The hackers have only used the back doors to re-enter and move around the infected networks in a small percentage of cases, probably less than 1 in 10, the person working with the government said.

A couple hundred guys are exploiting them as fast as they can, stealing data and installing other ways to return later, he said.

The initial avenue of attack was discovered by prominent Taiwanese cyber researcher Cheng-Da Tsai, who said he reported the flaw to Microsoft in January. He said in a blog post that he was investigating whether the information leaked.

He did not respond to requests for further comment.

(Reporting by Raphael Satter and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington and Joseph Menn in San Francisco Editing by Matthew Lewis and Rosalba OBrien)

Topics Trends
'The Word on Fire Vatican II Collection' Aims to Help Catholics Reclaim the Second Vatican Council New book offers a robust and readable journey into the core texts of Vatican II, battling false narratives about the council's history and purpose



NEWS PROVIDED BY

Word on Fire Catholic Ministries

March 8, 2021



IRVING, Texas, March 8, 2021 /



"The Word on Fire Vatican II Collection," a groundbreaking new book from Word on Fire, is designed to address that problem. This elegant hardcover volume, with beautifully carved linocut art, features the four central documents that most fully articulate the vision of the council: Dei Verbum, Lumen Gentium, Sacrosanctum Concilium, and Gaudium et Spes. In the style of The Word on Fire Bible, it also includes illuminating commentary from the postconciliar popes and Bishop Robert Barron interspersed throughout, so that readers will understand how the Church authoritatively interprets different passages.



"Many years ago," Bishop Barron writes in the foreword, "I heard a speaker remark that far too many people in the Church seem to want either Vatican I or Vatican III! That traditionalists and progressives still dominate much of the conversation today proves that his observation still has validity. I believe that the documents of Vatican II are still widely unread, and if they are read, often misunderstood. The needful thing, I am convinced, is a robust and enthusiastic reappropriation of the texts of Vatican II. I hope that this book represents a contribution to that project."



Word on Fire Catholic Ministries (wordonfire.org) exists to draw people into the Body of Christ, which is the Church, and thereby give them access to all the gifts that Jesus wants his people to enjoy. To be most effective in this mission, Word on Fire places an emphasis and urgency on the use of contemporary forms of media and innovative communication technologies.



"The Word on Fire Vatican II Collection"

Foreword by Bishop Robert Barron

with commentary by the postconciliar popes

March 8, 2021

Hardcover | 388 pages

Word on Fire Institute

wordonfire.org/vatican2



SOURCE Word on Fire Catholic Ministries



CONTACT: William Sipling, Communications Director,

866-928-1237,



Related Links



https://www.wordonfire.org/



Share Tweet NEWS PROVIDED BYMarch 8, 2021IRVING, Texas, March 8, 2021 / Christian Newswire / -- The Second Vatican Council (19621965), a gathering of Catholic bishops from around the world, was one of the most significant cultural and religious events of the twentieth century. Though practically everyone acknowledges its importance, Catholics have been debating its precise meaning and application for the past sixty years. On the one hand are "radical traditionalists" who claim that Vatican II betrayed authentic Catholicism and produced disastrous consequences in the life of the Church; on the other, "progressives" who saw the council documents as a first step toward more substantial changes in the Church. But even as debate over the council rages on, not enough Catholics have actually read or properly understood its texts."The Word on Fire Vatican II Collection," a groundbreaking new book from Word on Fire, is designed to address that problem. This elegant hardcover volume, with beautifully carved linocut art, features the four central documents that most fully articulate the vision of the council: Dei Verbum, Lumen Gentium, Sacrosanctum Concilium, and Gaudium et Spes. In the style of The Word on Fire Bible, it also includes illuminating commentary from the postconciliar popes and Bishop Robert Barron interspersed throughout, so that readers will understand how the Church authoritatively interprets different passages."Many years ago," Bishop Barron writes in the foreword, "I heard a speaker remark that far too many people in the Church seem to want either Vatican I or Vatican III! That traditionalists and progressives still dominate much of the conversation today proves that his observation still has validity. I believe that the documents of Vatican II are still widely unread, and if they are read, often misunderstood. The needful thing, I am convinced, is a robust and enthusiastic reappropriation of the texts of Vatican II. I hope that this book represents a contribution to that project."Word on Fire Catholic Ministries (wordonfire.org) exists to draw people into the Body of Christ, which is the Church, and thereby give them access to all the gifts that Jesus wants his people to enjoy. To be most effective in this mission, Word on Fire places an emphasis and urgency on the use of contemporary forms of media and innovative communication technologies."The Word on Fire Vatican II Collection"Foreword by Bishop Robert Barronwith commentary by the postconciliar popesMarch 8, 2021Hardcover | 388 pagesWord on Fire InstituteSOURCE Word on Fire Catholic MinistriesCONTACT: William Sipling, Communications Director,866-928-1237, communications@wordonfire.org Related Links
Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., heads to the chamber as the Senate holds a voting marathon on the Democrats' $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill that's expected to end with the chamber's approval of the measure, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, March 5, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Glory of Sanatan Bharat, the glow of modern India should mark the celebrations: PM Modi

India

pti-Deepika S

New Delhi, Mar 08: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the celebrations for India''s 75 years of independence should reflect the spirit of the country''s freedom movement and showcase its achievements to the world since 1947.

Speaking after the first meeting of the 259-member high-level national committee headed by the prime minister to commemorate 75 years of India''s independence, Modi said public participation should be the basis of the celebrations.

The Prime Minister said that the country will celebrate the occasion of 75 years of Independence with grandeur and enthusiasm befitting the historic nature, glory and importance of the occasion.

He lauded the new ideas and diverse thoughts coming from the members of the committee. He dedicated the Mahotsav of 75 year of Independence for the people of India.

Muthoot Finance shares drop as chairman falls to death | Oneindia News

The Prime Minister said the festival of 75 years of independence should be one such festival, in which the spirit of freedom struggle, tribute to the martyrs and their pledge to create India, could be experienced. He added that this festival should embody the glimpse of the glory of Sanatan Bharat and also the glow of modern India.

He said that this festival should reflect the light of the spirituality of the sages and also the talent and strength of our scientists. He said this event will also showcase our achievements of these 75 years to the world and also give a framework for resolution to us for the next 25 years.

The Prime Minister said that no sankalp is successful without celebration. He said that when a sankalp takes the form of celebration, pledges and energy of million is added.

The Prime Minister said that the celebration of 75 years is to be done with the participation of 130 crore Indians and this people's participation is at the core of this celebration. This participation involves the feelings, suggestions and dreams of 130 crore countrymen.

The Prime Minister informed that 5 pillars have been decided for the celebration of the 75 years. These are Freedom Struggle, Ideas at 75, Achievements at 75, Actions at 75 and Resolve at 75. All these should include the ideas and feelings of the 130 crore indians.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the need to honour and take the stories of lesser known freedom fighters to people. He said every nook and corner of the country is replete with the sacrifice of sons and daughters of the country and their stories will be an eternal source of inspiration for the nation.

He said we have to bring the contribution of every section to the fore. There are people who are performing some great work for the country for generations, their contribution, thinking and ideas need to be integrated with the national efforts.

The Prime Minister said this historial festival is about fulfilling the dreams of the freedom fighters, an attempt to elevate India to the height which they had wished. He asserted that the country is achieving things which were unthinkable a few years ago. He said that the celebration will be in accordance with the historical glory of India.

The members of the committee include former president Pratibha Patil, Chief Justice of India S A Bobde, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, 28 chief ministers, artistes like Lata Mangeshkar, A R Rahman, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, senior BJP leader L K 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 panel.
Warranty Deeds

Week of Jan. 25-29

Glenn William and Catherine Zajac Kay to Christopher and Robin Hudson-Ferzo; parcel of land located in Caseville Township

Nancy R. Roth to Robert J. and Susan Lynch; parcel of land located in City of Harbor Beach Bad Axe Homes LLC to Philip and Diane Peyerk; parcel of land located in City of Bad Axe Donna J. Reckker to Scott E. Blanchard; parcel of land located in Village of Ubly

Alfred M. Halasz to Henry R. Tannenbaum Trust; parcel of land located in City of Bad Axe

Karen M. Gough-Rice to Chad Lee McMaster; parcel of land located in Port Austin Township

Mary K. Barnes to John Kyle and Trisha Joyce Mozdzierz; parcel of land located in Port Austin Township

Catherine E. Shubitowski Estate to Michael R. Lee and Britt Mattys; parcel of land located in City Harbor Beach

Mara Paljusevic to Christopher T. and Shannon L. Phillips; parcel of land located in Port Austin Township

TCF National Bank to Mark Clark; parcel of land located in City of Bad Axe

Bad Axe Homes LLC to Roger and Mona Erard; parcel of land located in City of Bad Axe

Margaret M. Watson to John Orvis and Valerie Rushing; parcel of land located in Caseville Township

William King, Jr., Christian King, Elizabeth (Betsy) King and Ira King to Robert F. Munck, Jr.; parcel of land located in Caseville Township

Sally Pearl to Evangelista 401K Trust; parcel of land located in City of Bad Axe

Evangelista 401K Trust to Michael D. Kozlowski; parcel of land located in City of Bad Axe

Maxine A. Wolfe to Dennis A. and Wendy Sue Hanson; parcel of land located in Verona Township

Probate Court

Week of Jan. 21-27

Estate of David L. Metzger, Deceased, of Owendale, File #20-42,081-DE - Informal Probate, Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative filed, Last Will and Testament filed, Testimony to Identify Heirs filed, Renunciation of Right to Appointment, Nomination of Personal Representative, and Waiver of Notice filed, Notice of Hearing filed, Proof of Service filed

Estate of Orville Bailey Jr., Deceased, of Bad Axe, File #17-40,951-DE - Informal Probate, Petition to Withdraw as Attorney of Record filed, Notice of Hearing filed, Proof of Service filed

Estate of Michael J. Gast, Deceased, of Elkton, File #18-41,345-DE - Informal Probate, Petition to Withdraw as Attorney of Record filed, Notice of Hearing filed, Proof of Service filed, Amended Proof of Service filed

Estate of Patricia M. Tabereaux, Deceased, of Millersburg, OH, File #20-41,936-DE - Informal Probate, Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration filed, Proof of Service filed

Estate of Elsie M. Richardson, Deceased, of Bad Axe, File #03-35,580-DE - Informal Probate, Certificate of Completion filed

Estate of Delores E. Collison, Deceased, of Bad Axe, File #20-41,943-DE - Informal Probate, Certificate of Completion filed

Estate of William G. Pettit, Deceased, of Port Austin, File #20-41,900-DE - Informal Probate, Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration filed, Proof of Mailing filed

Estate of Michael E. Beachy, Deceased, of Bay Port, File #19-41,552-DE - Informal Probate, Notice of Continued Administration filed

Estate of Sharon L. Moore, Deceased, of Port Austin, File #20-42,084-DE - Informal Probate, Will filed, Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative filed, Testimony to Identify Heirs filed, Registers Statement filed, Acceptance of Appointment filed, Acceptance of Appointment filed, Letters of Authority for Personal Representative filed, Notice of Creditors filed, Affidavit of Publication filed

Estate of Barbara J. Werth, Deceased, of Sebewaing, File #18-41,533-DE - Informal Probate, Notice of Continued Administration filed , Proof of Service filed

Estate of Ulrich Renner, Deceased, of Bad Axe, File #01-34,571-DE - Informal Probate, Notice of Continued Administration filed

Estate of Louis E. Raeuber, Deceased, of Port Austin, File #20-41,948-DE - Informal Probate, Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration filed, Proof of Mailing filed

Estate of Susan M. Rick, Deceased, of Harbor Beach, File #20-41,879-DE - Informal Probate, Notice of Continued Administration filed , Proof of Service filed

Estate of Rebecca A. Baker-Olson, Deceased, of Harbor Beach, File #20-42,025-DE - Informal Probate, Inventory filed

Estate of Charles W. Hewlett, Jr., Deceased, of Pigeon, File #20-41,897-DE - Informal Probate, Amended Inventory filed, Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration filed, Proof of Service filed

Estate of Wallace H. Ranke, Deceased, of Sebewaing, File #19-41,814-DE - Informal Probate, Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration filed, Proof of Service filed

Estate of Charles E. Halbert, Deceased, of Caseville, File #19-41,692-DA - Formal Probate, Objection to Accounting filed, Proof of Service filed, Notice of Hearing with Remote Participation filed, Proof of Service filed

Probate Court

Week of Jan. 28-Feb. 3

Estate of Richard D. Bastuba, Deceased, of Bad Axe, File #13-39,547-DE - Informal Probate, Certificate of Completion filed

Estate of Sally E. Pullen, Deceased, of Harbor Beach, File #19-41,802-DE - Informal Probate, Certificate of Completion filed

Estate of Charles E. Halbert, Deceased, of Caseville, File #19-41,692-DA - Formal Probate, Appearance filed, Proof of Service filed

Estate of Eldon Knoblock, Deceased, of Port Austin, File #20-41,973-DE - Informal Probate, Order Transferring Interest in Real Property filed, Notice of Presentment filed, Proof of Service filed

Estate of Joseph W. Ayotte, Deceased, of Hampton, Virginia, File #20-41,870-DE - Informal Probate, Amended Inventory filed, Proof of Mailing filed

Estate of Clemens Ulfig, Deceased, of Ruth, File #13(2)-39,293-DE - Informal Probate, Certificate of Completion filed

Estate of Arlene J. Kanaski, Deceased, of Bad Axe, File #20-42,086-DE - Informal Probate, Notice of Duties for Personal Representative filed

Estate of Kristine E. Kalis, Deceased, of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, File #20-42,045-DE - Informal Probate, Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative filed, Notice of Hearing filed, Notice of Duties for Personal Representative filed, Proof of Service filed

Estate of Kay Kessel, Deceased, of Bad Axe, File #20-42,091-DE - Informal Probate, Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative filed, Testimony to Identify Heirs filed, Order of Formal Proceedings filed, Acceptance of Appointment filed, Letters of Authority for Personal Representative filed, Notice of Duties of Personal Representative filed

Estate of Mary E. Armstead-Forbing, Deceased, of Elkton, File #20-42,082-DE - Informal Probate, Notice of Duties for Personal Representative filed

Estate of Sharon L. Moore, Deceased, of Port Austin, File #20-42,084-DE - Informal Probate, Notice of Duties for Personal Representative filed, Notice of Duties for Personal Representative filed

Estate of Sandra Kay Rose, Deceased, of Caseville, File #21-42,114-DE - Informal Probate, Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative filed, Renunciation of Right to Appointment Nomination of Personal Representative and Waiver of Notice filed, Testimony to Identify Heirs filed, Registers Statement filed, Acceptance of Appointment filed, Letters of Authority for Personal Representative filed, Notice of Appointment and Duties of Personal Representative filed, Notice Regarding Attorney Fees filed, Fee agreement filed, Notice to Creditors filed

Estate of Carol M. Wahl, Deceased, of Bad Axe, File #19-41,594-DE - Informal Probate, Certificate of Completion filed

Estate of Robert B. Sopczynski, Deceased, of Harbor Beach, File #20-42,070-DE - Informal Probate, Affidavit of Publication filed

Estate of Michael T. Yob, Deceased, of Caseville, File #18-41,256-DE - Informal Probate, Sworn Closing Statement filed

Estate of Adele Schreiner, Deceased, of Port Austin, File #20-42,069-DE - Informal Probate, Personal Representative Notice to the Friend of the Court filed

Estate of Keith W. Wurst, Deceased, of Pigeon, File #20-41,983-DE - Informal Probate, Inventory filed

Estate of Donald E. Hydorn, Deceased, of Kinde, File #20-41,978-DE - Informal Probate, Notice of Withdrawal of Statement and Proof of Claim filed

Estate of Colleen E. McGee, Deceased, of Bad Axe, File #17(1)-41,073-DE - Informal Probate, Certificate of Completion filed

Estate of Virginia A. Moore, Deceased, of Kinde, File #20-42,054-DE - Informal Probate, Order of Formal Proceedings filed

Estate of David J. DeCourval, Deceased, of Bad Axe, File #14(1)-39,674-DE - Informal Probate, Consent and Waiver of Right to Assert Claim filed (x7), Order Approving Settlement, Determining Distribution of Proceeds of Wrongful Death Claim and for Authority to Distribute the Proceeds filed
Those who support the measure cite not only that it will help with the countys infrastructure projects, but the broader impact it could have on the economy and residents. Job creation, safer roads and a lower carbon footprint for the countys populous have all been cited as reasons to support the measure. Officials have also said Lake Countys infrastructure is lacking compared to other counties.
During the 2021 Rural Health Symposium, speakers discussed how their programs shifted to help people across the region adapt to COVID-19 pandemic, including farmers and farm workers. | Photo: Cliff Hollis

During the Rural Health Symposium Feb. 25, Kay Craven, ECU Physicians nutrition and patient education section head, outlined programs for patients that had shifted to online and other innovative methods, such as a drive-through grocery pick-up for a healthy living class. | Photo: Rob Spahr

Dr. Anokhi Patel, left, Fellow in the Division of Hematology/Oncology in the Brody School of Medicine, and Kay Craven, center, ECU Physicians nutrition and patient education section head, participate in the Rural Health Care Symposium at Eastern AHEC as Mary Stuart Peaks of Eastern AHEC facilitates. | Photo: Rhett Butler

This post appears here courtesy of ECU News Services . The author of this post is Spaine Stephens During the 4th annual Rural Health Symposium, health care providers tuned in for a live webinar to share ideas that could translate to better health outcomes for rural patients.The annual event, sponsored by Eastern AHEC , offered interprofessional sessions, panels and presentations that focus on collaborative efforts to provide better access to health care for rural North Carolinians.The event was also sponsored by the Office of Continuing Medical Education of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, ECU Medical & Health Sciences Foundation , ECU Department of Public Health and the Triangle Healthcare Executives' Forum of North Carolina The panel discussions and breakout sessions featured a variety of health care providers and students in medicine and public health, who shared insights and experiences for treating patients in the field  before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.Before kicking off the day's events on Thursday, Feb. 25, Dr. Lorrie Basnight, executive director of Eastern AHEC and associate dean for continuing medical education at Brody, welcomed participants and shared the vision of the event as "the idea of a symposium that would cross all health professions" and bring people together to assess the region's unique health challenges.During the session, "NC Crossing Boundaries Together," speakers highlighted the potential across North Carolina for a collaborative approach to health care. Maggie Sauer of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Rural Health and Patrick Woodie of the N.C. Rural Center discussed keeping an eye to the future for opportunities to launch partnerships.Sauer said.They encouraged participants to look for solutions beyond what they think is attainable.Woodie said, adding that health care providers should keep in mind the characteristics of rural North Carolinians including the challenges that factor into pursuing health care.Before the pandemic, Woodie said, about 600,000 North Carolinians were without health care coverage. That number has jumped to nearly 1.2 million in the wake of job losses and other factors spurred by the pandemic.Community health workers have helped ease the burdens on rural health care providers through training, earning the trust of communities and working to link resources with the people who need them. That system is an example of what can come from partnerships among state and community agencies as well as providers.Woodie emphasized the need for broadband in rural communities for telehealth connections and for a network of leaders and partners that facilitate collaborative work toward health for rural areas.During the COVID-19 Innovations Session , presenters explained how their programs, offices and agencies pivoted during the pandemic to meet constituents' needs in new ways.Anna Beth Robertson, a medical student at Brody, talked about her work with the Greenville Community Shelter Clinic, which had limited patient care options pandemic set in. Robertson said telehealth visits were the key to keeping the clinic running and caring for homeless patients  a vulnerable population particularly susceptible to chronic conditions.With the help of community and ECU partners, telehealth was able to see patients and prescribe much-needed medications.she said.Shantell Cheek of Access East and Vidant Health talked about working to ensure that farmworkers had access to information on COVID-19 and how to protect themselves  enlisting bilingual employees to help ease communication and transportation barriers in the process.Among other speakers, Kay Craven, director of nutrition services at ECU Physicians, gave an overview of how programming geared toward nutrition education shifted online when the pandemic hit, resulting in creative solutions like a drive-through grocery pick-up for program participants to use for healthy recipes.ECU nutrition sciences student Brandon Stroud outlined the benefits of a "produce prescription" program that partners with local clinics and other partners to provide fresh produce to patients living with chronic illnesses.Other symposium topics included climate equity, agromedicine, dementia and rural living, health advocacy and stress and anxiety during COVID-19.During the Feb. 26 breakout session, "Dentistry in Remote Locations: Lessons from the Armed Forces," dentists serving in the U.S. Armed Forces outlined how their experiences and resources could translate to better access to dental care for rural North Carolinians.The session's speakers included Army Maj. Gamal Baker, a comprehensive dentist at Fort Bragg; Navy Lt. Cmdr. Megan R. Carter and Air Force Maj. John R. Mallya, both in their services' Dental Corps as well. The discussion was facilitated by Dr. T. Rob Tempel, associate dean for extramural clinical practices for the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine.Baker highlighted the Army's efforts to transform dental care through technology and access in remote locations and a variety of situations  and the importance of having fast and mobile resources that mimic dental office set-ups as closely as possible.he said.Carter described a routine dental office on a Navy ship, stressing that most dental areas on ships are not equipped to treat civilians during humanitarian missions or disasters but can set up in alternate sites to meet needs in those situations. The offices instead focus on routine and as-needed care for sailors.Navy dentists, she added, also focus on providing care to unitsMallya, a comprehensive dentist at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, said the theme in any situation is "readiness."he said,The innovative readiness training Mallya described could help dentists in rural areas adapt to the resources they have available, assess situations and reach out to other professionals for additional input.All three speakers emphasized the opportunities that exist in the advancement of teledentistry  the use of information technology and telecommunications for dental care, consultation and education.Mallya said,All three also voiced optimism in overcoming challenges like connectivity issues or time zone differences that can hinder teledentistry consultations in real time. When the processes come together, however, the results can improve patient outcomes and make dentists feel less isolated in the field by making experts accessible through technology.Carter said.Tempel said rural dentists can feel isolated as well, a problem that the ECU dental school's teledentistry network on campus and at its community service learning centers across the state are working to address  in part through collaborations with community and state partners.he said.
MONROE COUNTY, MI  A Monroe County man was killed early Saturday morning when his car left the road and hit a utility pole in Bedford Township.

Nathan James Mahrt died March 6, in the single-vehicle crash on Summerfield Road east of Douglas Road in Bedford Township, north of the Ohio boarder, according to the Monroe County Sheriffs Office.

Mahrt, 35, of Lambertville, was driving a silver 2020 Nissan 370Z at 3:46 a.m. south on Douglas Road when he lost control of his vehicle while turning on to Summerfield Road, police said. His car crashed into the utility pole and tree before coming to a stop, police said.

Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash, and Mahrt was not wearing a seatbelt, police said.

The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Monroe County Sheriffs Office at 734-240-7756.

Monroe Community Ambulance and the Bedford Township Fire Department assisted at the scene.

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Some House lawmakers on Monday urged the quick adoption of recommendations by a task force examining security shortcomings on Capitol Hill after the Jan. 6 attack on the complex by a mob of Trump supporters.

Clearly, a need to act soon is upon us, Representative Pete Aguilar, Democrat of California, told reporters after a briefing by the task force, endorsing quick authorization of funding for security updates at the Capitol. I think that the recommendations would indicate that we should act on a security supplemental sooner rather than later.

Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore, a retired Army officer whom Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California chose to lead the task force, and other members briefed lawmakers on Monday on the conclusions of their six-week review.

The task force is recommending the hiring of more than 800 Capitol Police officers, the construction of mobile fencing around the complex, and changes to Capitol Police Board procedures to allow the chief of the agency to quickly summon the National Guard during an emergency.
Flowers sent by supporters of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl are seen in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap



By Do Je-hae



Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, who resigned from his post last week amid conflicts with the ruling bloc over prosecutorial reform measures, has topped the latest favorability survey for possible presidential candidates.



A survey released Monday by the Korea Society Opinion Institute had the former chief prosecutor in first place with a 32.4 percent support rate from 1,023 respondents.



He is more popular than other potential presidential contenders such as Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung at 24.1 percent and ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Nak-yon at 14.9 percent. Former conservative presidential candidate Hong Joon-pyo, now an independent lawmaker, came in fourth place with 7.6 percent, followed by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun at 2.6 percent and former Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae at 2.5 percent.









In a similar survey published Jan. 22 by the same poll agency, Yoon had recorded 14.6 percent, so his rating has shown an increase of 17.8 percentage points since then.



Supporters of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) and people in their 50s and older showed strong support for Yoon, according to the report.



Also, many people showed support for his March 4 statement made before stepping down from his post, with 56.6 percent agreeing with his remarks "The spirit of the Constitution and system of rule of law are crumbling." Some 37 percent said they do not agree.





Then-Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl leaves the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul, Thursday, after announcing his resignation. Yonhap
All-New 2022 Hyundai Tucson Pricing

New, Eco-focused Tucson Hybrid Variant Joins Internal-combustion Models with Advanced e-Handling Technologies

Hybrid Boasts more than 500 Miles of Range

New, Consumer-focused N Line Model for Enthusiasts with Motorsport-inspired Design



FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Mar. 8, 2021  Hyundai has released pricing for its all-new 2022 Tucson SUV. The new Tucson design boldly expresses its evolving Sensuous Sportiness global design identity.

2022 TUCSON PRICING

Model Engine Transmission Drive MSRP* SE 2.5L GDI + MPI 4-Cyl. 8-Speed Automatic w/ SHIFTRONIC FWD $24,950 SEL 2.5L GDI + MPI 4-Cyl. 8-Speed Automatic w/ SHIFTRONIC FWD $26,500 SEL Conv 2.5L GDI + MPI 4-Cyl. 8-Speed Automatic w/ SHIFTRONIC FWD $29,100 SEL Premium 2.5L GDI + MPI 4-Cyl. 8-Speed Automatic w/ SHIFTRONIC FWD $30,800 N Line 2.5L GDI + MPI 4-Cyl. 8-Speed Automatic w/ SHIFTRONIC FWD $30,600 Limited 2.5L GDI + MPI 4-Cyl. 8-Speed Automatic w/ SHIFTRONIC FWD $34,700 SE 2.5L GDI + MPI 4-Cyl. 8-Speed Automatic w/ SHIFTRONIC AWD $26,350 SEL 2.5L GDI + MPI 4-Cyl. 8-Speed Automatic w/ SHIFTRONIC AWD $27,900 SEL Conv 2.5L GDI + MPI 4-Cyl. 8-Speed Automatic w/ SHIFTRONIC AWD $30,500 SEL Premium 2.5L GDI + MPI 4-Cyl. 8-Speed Automatic w/ SHIFTRONIC AWD $32,200 N Line 2.5L GDI + MPI 4-Cyl. 8-Speed Automatic w/ SHIFTRONIC AWD $32,000 Limited 2.5L GDI + MPI 4-Cyl. 8-Speed Automatic w/ SHIFTRONIC AWD $36,100 Blue HEV 1.6L GDI Turbo 4-cyl. 6-Speed Automatic w/ SHIFTRONIC AWD $29,050 SEL Convenience HEV 1.6L GDI Turbo 4-cyl. 6-Speed Automatic w/ SHIFTRONIC AWD $31,650 Limited HEV 1.6L GDI Turbo 4-cyl. 6-Speed Automatic w/ SHIFTRONIC AWD $37,350

* Freight Charges are $1,185.

The Tucson offers new equipment beyond the previous generation, including standard technology features, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, Pedestrian Detection added to Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), LED headlights and daytime running lights, High Beam Assist, Downhill Brake Control and Trailer Sway Control. On the inside, the standard display increases from seven to eight inches and HD Radio is now standard. A new, more powerful 2.5-liter engine coupled with an eight-speed transmission offers both dependable power and superb efficiency, with towing capacity increasing from 1,500 lbs. to 2,000 lbs.

Also for 2022, Tucson adds an eco-focused hybrid model with a balanced combination of fun-to-drive performance coupled with excellent economy. Hybrid models have standard HTRAC AWD capability to meet the needs of eco-focused buyers, with specialized modes for greater adaptability to terrain and weather conditions, including Snow mode. Hyundai also developed an N Line version of the Tucson to appeal to enthusiast buyers, with a more aggressive exterior and interior appearance, combining dynamic design elements with motorsport-inspired details.

Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance and Americas Best Warranty

Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance is the latest addition to the Hyundai Assurance program, which promises to create a better experience for shoppers and owners of Hyundai vehicles. Hyundai Assurance is made up of Owner Assurance, now including complimentary maintenance, and Shopper Assurance, which together offer customers a variety of ways to simplify the buying process and improve the owning and service experience. Details on these promises include:

Americas Best Warranty: 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and 7-year anti-perforation warranty

Complimentary Maintenance: 3 years/36,000 miles of normal oil changes and tire rotations

Hyundai Motor America

At Hyundai Motor America, we believe everyone deserves better. From the way we design and build our cars to the way we treat the people who drive them, making things better is at the heart of everything we do. Hyundais technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assuranceour promise to create a better experience for customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide and nearly half of those sold in the U.S. are built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in honouring a constitutional obligation, will deliver a State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.



Though he delivered a SONA last January 5, to end his first term, Tuesdays address will signify the start of his second term, having won the presidential election held on December 7, 2020.



The SONA will also be the first of the Eighth Parliament.



A correspondence from the Public Affairs Unit of Parliament who confirmed the event said the time had changed to 2p.m. on March 9.



This change has been necessitated by the Business of the House for the week, the notice said.



The notice also indicated that the event would be held under the observance and compliance of all the COVID-19 protocols, thus only invited guests would be admitted.



COVID-19 protocols



The event will be held at the Dome within the precincts of Parliament in accordance to the COVID-19 protocols. Also, in observing the protocols, the event will be strictly by invitation and only accredited media will be allowed to cover in person.



Parliament resumed sitting on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, after a three-week closure.



The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin, suspended activities of the House after 17 Members of Parliament (MPs) and over 150 staff tested positive for the virus.



Members and staff have been tested once again ahead of the resumption of activities in the house.



The SONA



The SONA is a constitutional obligation as stipulated in Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution, which says: the President shall, at the beginning of each session of Parliament and before a dissolution of Parliament, deliver to Parliament a message on the state of the nation.



President Akufo-Addos address is expected to talk about Ghanas fight against the coronavirus pandemic, the arrival of the vaccine and the vaccination exercise currently ongoing.



Also, the address will talk about how the President intends to conduct business during his second term.





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.

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, joins the Jiangsu delegation in deliberation at the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese leaders Sunday attended deliberations at the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), the national legislature.

The leaders -- Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng -- are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Premier Li Keqiang joined the Jiangsu delegation in deliberation. Noting that the country will still face risks and challenges in its development this year, he expressed the hope for Jiangsu to better play its role as a province with strong economic performance in cementing the foundation for national economic stability and recovery and in promoting high-quality development.

While joining the Gansu delegation for deliberation, Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, called for efforts to consolidate the achievements made in eradicating poverty and advance the rural vitalization strategy.

Wang Yang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, urged efforts to resolutely deter any attempt seeking "Taiwan independence" and interference by external forces and stressed advancing the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations when attending deliberation with lawmakers from Taiwan.

While participating in the deliberation of the Yunnan delegation, Wang Huning, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, underscored the importance of deepening the education on ethnic unity and progress, enhancing the capacity of ethnic minority areas to achieve self-development, and building robust, stable and prosperous border areas.

Zhao Leji, secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, demanded continuous efforts to improve the conduct and guide Party members to pass on the glorious traditions and fine conduct of the Party when joining in the deliberation with deputies from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Vice Premier Han Zheng called on the lawmakers from Hong Kong and Macao to fully support the legislative exercises of the NPC and its standing committee to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and resolutely support chief executives and governments of the SARs in administering the regions in accordance with the law, making new contributions to the sound and sustained implementation of "one country, two systems." Enditem

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[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
A new trailer has been unveiled for an upcoming South Park vaccination special.

Cartman can be seen at the beginning of the 30-second clip, released on Wednesday by Comedy Central, getting into an argument with Butterss father, Stephen Stotch, who is inside this house.

When Cartman taunts Stotch, telling him to come out and do something about their disagreement, Stotch replies: Why dont you come say that to my face?

Cartman, in typical inflammatory fashion, removes his face mask and responds: Yeah? Can I come say it to your face? Ill come say it to your face!  prompting a panicked Stotch to exclaim: No, no, no!

Guidance counselor Mr Mackey is then seen encouraging students to get all the vaccines you can and bring them here to school as part of an unclear scheme. Shortly afterward, Cartman gets a strange $2,000 offer in exchange for a vaccination.

The trailer briefly cuts to the song Shots by Lil Jon feat LMFAO  which is originally about liquor shots but is repurposed in the trailer to allude to Covid vaccine shots.

Toward the end of the clip, Butters is seen having joined a group called Lil QTies, in an apparent riff on QAnon, the real-life far-right conspiracy theory.

I just wanted to believe in something that would get me out of the house, says Butters.

Read more: All the times South Park has predicted the future

For the occasion, South Park  the fictional Colorado town where the programme is set  has been renamed South ParQ. The full title of the special is South ParQ Vaccination Special. Even the name of the South Park YouTube channel has been changed to South ParQ Studios.

The one-hour episode will air on Wednesday (10 March) at 8pm ET/PT on Comedy Central and MTV2, followed by two more broadcasts at 9pm ET/PT and 10pm ET/PT.

A previously unveiled special, The Pandemic Special, will air at 7pm ET/PT. It originally aired in September 2020 and, according to Comedy Central, became the shows most watched episode in seven years.
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A view from in front of Castaways Resort in Mission Beach. Three skydivers died in the area when a solo jumper collided with two tandem jumpers mid-air. (Paul Toogood/Wikimedia Commons)

Aid For Struggling Aussie Tourism Sector Is Days Away : Treasurer

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has said the federal government will be announcing a new plan to support the tourism and travel industry in the coming days.

Frydenberg, who arrived in Cairns on March. 7 for a listening tour in the region, said the government was in the process of figuring out a plan to keep supporting the hardest-hit industry after the government JobKeeper package ends on March. 28.

Were still finalising those details, but its a matter of days, said Frydenberg. What Ive heard from some businesses that Ive met is that some are doing well and others are finding it a bit more challenging  so its about targeting that support but also providing opportunities for those who are doing OK to even take on more workers.

The treasurer said that the economic recovery plan would encompass tax cuts, business incentives, the JobMaker hiring credit, new infrastructure spending and a record investment in skills and training. He also noted that the Morrison Government had already spent $251 billion on supporting businesses, with another $100 billion to be rolled out soon.

The Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) has released a heat map analysis, which shows that over 34 percent of Australias tourism hotspots had suffered at least a 40 percent decrease in visitors during the past year.

Almost every corner of Australia from Inner Melbourne to Broome and from South Australia to North Queensland is still reeling from the pain of this sharp and sustained visitor drop off, chief executive of TTF, Margy Osmond, said.

Osmond also called the states and territories to keep borders open, as domestic tourism is filling some of the gaps felt by the sector.

Opposition Spokesperson Jim Chalmers has lambasted the federal government over the proposed end to Jobkeeper and called on his counterpart to take immediate actions.

Josh Frydenberg is cutting JobKeeper for thousands of workers and small businesses in Cairns and far north Queensland, which is still struggling, and now hes come here empty-handed when the region is crying out for help, Chalmers said on March. 8.

What Ive heard loud and clear from workers and small businesses during my five visits to Cairns is that any support is welcome, but theres no substitute for an extension of JobKeeper, he said.
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The use of QR codes for payment services is quite beneficial though. Setting it up is quick and does not require any heavy investment on the part of retailers. It actually reduces the pressure on Point of Sales (POS) machines (some retailers may do away with them entirely). The technology can also work with smart phones, as well as dumb, sorry, feature phones.

Sometime in 2019  in those heady days of travel innocence  I went with a group of friends to Buka Restaurant in Osu, Accra, Ghana. Amidst much jollification, one thing quickly struck me; the black and white Quick Recognition (QR) codes affixed on the top of every drink (canned or bottled) that was served. I asked a waiter what that was for and was told that it was a way of knowing that taxes had been paid on each drink; excise taxes that is. Well, I know that Ghana does not joke with her taxes and so we werent surprised later to see listed on our bill, education tax, health insurance, and so on. I wrote a long article about my journey and urged that Nigeria learns some lessons in revenue generation from the Ghanaians.

But on the aspect of financial market development and innovations in banking, I would have given it to Nigeria. We are known to have some of the best bankers in the world. That has its downsides, though, as we economists always fret about the wars between financialisation and industrialisation We would rather encourage industries than banks. We also complain about why our banks profitability cannot translate to buoyancy for industries and other sectors. That aside, of late even our Central Bank has been very activist in action, churning out innovation after innovation, especially in the payment systems space. We, therefore, not only have strong banks with reach in and out of Africa, but our banking publics have access to some technologies that are not otherwise available in some of the developed economies. The transfer of funds through USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data), which Nigerians now take for granted, is not available to the banking public in many a developed economy that I know. This makes me look at the Nigerian economy from a different angle. Perhaps we have a higher velocity of peer-to-peer small fund movements than other countries. Abroad, people may not send monies around to their friends and family as we do here. Life is structured and most salary earners have direct debit orders to established service providers wiping off their balances each month-end.

Apart from the use of USSD codes, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have licensed a handful of FinTech (financial Technology) companies, and notably in the payment services space, we have the Payment Services Solution Providers (PSSPs), the Payment Service Banks (PSBs), the Mobile Money Operators (MMOs), among others. Many smart Nigerian youths are involved in this growth space presently, making their marks. There are transactions, which ease the average bank account holders life, that are possible in Nigeria and not present elsewhere. However, on learning about Ghanas introduction of QR Codes into the payment service space, I had to take notice. If Ghana as a country does not have the smorgasbord of payment service options that Nigeria parades, on this one, it has trumped Africa. As a fact, only two other countries in the world have standardised QR Codes for tax payment (Singapores SGQR and Indias Bharat QR). Ghana has earned her bragging rights today as perhaps the only country in the world to have deployed QR Codes for payment services. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic provided a good reason for that country to push ahead with the project, as it became another way of ensuring contactless payments, even as economies begin to open up after very costly lockdowns. Ghana debuted in November 2020.

Users do not even need bank accounts. Mobile money will do as users are able to make payments from mobile wallets. This idea is smart, as it has the ability to integrate the financial system across board, with all banks seeing themselves seamlessly, while banks and mobile phone companies also become interoperable.

Advantages of QR Codes

The use of QR codes for payment services is quite beneficial though. Setting it up is quick and does not require any heavy investment on the part of retailers. It actually reduces the pressure on Point of Sales (POS) machines (some retailers may do away with them entirely). The technology can also work with smart phones, as well as dumb, sorry, feature phones. I have also heard someone call them yam phones. I am navigating hard not to sound offensive to those brands that were indispensable in the early 2000s. Oh my, they saved so many lives! So, this technology needs no new investment in any dedicated hardware. The down-to-earthedness of it all means that this could even drive more financial inclusion because it does not require much literacy, so people who have been unbanked can see opportunities to engage. Traders and shoppers in Katamanto, Agbogbolshie, or Makola markets in Accra, as well as their counterparts in Oshodi, Mile 12, Okrika and Kano here in Nigeria, can set up in a jiffy and be ready to collect and make their payments using this technology. What is more? Users do not even need bank accounts. Mobile money will do as users are able to make payments from mobile wallets. This idea is smart, as it has the ability to integrate the financial system across board, with all banks seeing themselves seamlessly, while banks and mobile phone companies also become interoperable. Well, so much for the big grammar

How Does This Work?

I did some research. For Ghanaians who are already used to seeing QR Codes (that black and white dotted square) on every excisable good (cigarette packs, canned or bottled non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, and even bottled water), the transition is seamless. For Nigerians, the way it will work is that a buyer can scan the displayed QR Code of the merchant (seller)  who is obliged to display this  enter the amount to be paid and confirms this, and bingo! an alert is received. The processes are simple but quite secure, such as to prevent one paying into the wrong account. The merchant is also saved the trouble of shop attendants receiving money into their personal or other accounts. The payer (shopper) is sure that by scanning the QR Code, he/she is paying into the real account of the shop. The government is also surer that more transactions are passing through accounts, rather than through cash. This enables government to be able to collect more taxes and also have a better handle on money laundering activities. This governmental advantage should be added to what Ghana has been doing for three years now; using smart phone-readable QR Codes to drive excise duties and thus ramping up compliance in a big way. Nigeria could borrow from this approach. It is a win-win.

there are tech people who are making this approach more and more efficient and secure. Many restaurants in Nigeria have already saved their menus in QR Codes, which takes a customer to their websites and shows all the prices and displays. They say its a new world out there. Let us engage it!

And oh! Lest I forget, if smart phones will only scan to see details of which account they intend to pay to, how does it work for other less-smart phones? In Ghana, the dumb phones have to dial a USSD in order to get on the same QR platform.

The Downsides

Like every innovation, constant updates and rule-tightening is required because some chaps have made it their business to crack and hack any innovation. A band of people exist whose generational career is to defraud other people of their hard-earned money. In China, a few instances came up where people set up QR Codes to try and get into peoples phones and steal information. They had to reduce how much could be engaged using this platform. But there are tech people who are making this approach more and more efficient and secure. Many restaurants in Nigeria have already saved their menus in QR Codes, which takes a customer to their websites and shows all the prices and displays. They say its a new world out there. Let us engage it!

Tope Fasua, an economist, author, blogger, entrepreneur, and recent presidential candidate of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), can be reached through topsyfash@yahoo.com.
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NALCHIK, Russia -- Balkars in Russia's North Caucasus region of Kabardino-Balkaria are marking the 77th anniversary of their mass deportation to Central Asia by Soviet leader Josef Stalin.

Balkars are a Turkic-speaking and predominantly Muslim ethnic group that numbers an estimated 110,000 people.

Prayers in the region's mosques on March 8 were dedicated to those who died during their deportation to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan between 1944 and 1957.

The head of Kabardino-Balkaria, Kazbek Kokov, Prime Minister Ali Musukov, parliament speaker Tatyana Yegorova, and other top officials took part in a commemoration ceremony for deportation victims in the regional capital, Nalchik, on March 8.

In a statement, Kokov called the deportation "a monstrous crime" and "blatant injustice."

"We all share the pain of that day, remembering the victims of arbitrariness and lawlessness. We express compassion to the relatives and loved ones of those who did not make it back to their homeland," Kokov said.

About 38,000 Balkars, more than half of whom were women and children, were deported on March 8, 1944, to Central Asia by Stalin's regime, which accused them of collaborating with Nazi Germany.

Those who survived deportation were able to return to the North Caucasus in 1957, after the Soviet Union's Supreme Council restored the Kabardino-Balkar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic within the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR).

With reporting by Kabardino-Balkaria News Agency
Thirteen years after the Batla House Encounter, a Delhi court on Monday, convicted alleged Indian Mujahideen terrorist Ariz Khan for killing Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma and injuring Head Constables Balwant Singh and Rajbir Singh. Khan has been charged under IPC sections 186 (voluntarily obstructs any public servant), 333 (causes grievous hurt to public servant), 353 (uses criminal force on public servant), 302 (murder), 307 (intention to murder), 174A (non-appearance in court) and 34 of IPC and 27 of arms act (use contravention). The court will pronounce the quantum of his sentence on March 15.

Cattle smuggling case: CBI summons IG and SP-rank officers from Kolkata Police

Batla House encounter: Accused convicted

As per reports, Khan had been arrested by Delhi Police's Special Cell in February 2018 from Nepal - a decade after he fled the encounter site in Delhi. In July 2013, a trial court had sentenced Indian Mujahideen terrorist Shahzad Ahmed to life imprisonment in connection with the case. His appeal against the trial courts verdict has been pending in the high court, as per reports.

Delhi police join 'Pawri' trend with hilarious post after raid on a restaurant

What is the Batla House encounter?

On 13 September 2008, five serial bomb blasts had rocked the national capital killing 30 and injuring 90, with similar blasts occurring in Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Bangalore. Indian Mujahideen had reportedly taken responsibility for the blast, ten minutes after the first bomb blast in Delhi's Ghaffar Market, as per reports. A week later, Delhi police received intelligence from Gujarat police regarding the location of Mujahideen operatives in Delhi, which led to an armed raid at Batla House on 19 September 2008.

As per reports, the Delhi Police Special Cell team reached Delhi's Batla House in Jamia Nagar and surrounded the location. The police planned to send its lead officer Mohan Chand Sharma to extract details of the residents posing as a telecom consultant, as his team would secure the sole entry/exit gate and the back lane of the house, state reports. But, when Sharma approached the flat, bereft of his bullet-proof vest, a 20-minute encounter followed with several rounds being fired from both sides.

In the encounter - two Batla House occupants were killed - Mohammad Sajid and Atif Amin, while Shahzad and Junaid (a.k.a) escaped and Mohammad Saif was arrested. Moreover, Encounter specialist Mohan Chand Sharma was martyred and head constables Balwinder and Rajbir Singh were injured. Police claim that Junaid (Ariz Khan) was present at Batla House, along with four others, but managed to escape.

On International Women's Day, Mamata attacks Centre over Womens Reservation Bill
A new systematic review led by UNSW Sydney has found that treating low back pain with antidepressant medicines provides no important benefits and has the potential to cause harm.

Low back pain affects millions of Australians each year and is responsible for the most years lived with disability worldwide.

The most commonly used treatments for low back pain are medicines that aim to reduce this pain.

Often, antidepressants are prescribed to people with low back pain when other medicines such as ibuprofen or paracetamol fail to provide relief.

The new study, published in Systematic Reviews recently, consolidated the results of 17 studies involving more than 2500 adult participants.

The researchers compared the results of five different antidepressant medicine classes to the use of placebos.

Antidepressants are commonly prescribed to treat the symptoms of low back pain. However, prescription rates for antidepressants to manage low back pain are increasing worldwide, despite unclear evidence to support their efficacy and safety and conflicting advice in clinical guidelines. Michael Ferraro, Lead author, doctoral candidate at UNSW Medicine & Health and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA)

The research team investigated the differences in outcomes for pain, safety, function and depressive symptoms between people taking antidepressants and placebos.

Mr Ferraro said: We found that treating low back pain with antidepressants failed to lead to reductions in what patients might consider important benefits for pain or function.

We also discovered that people taking antidepressants for low back pain are more likely to stop treatment and experience side effects and might even experience more serious side effects.

If people are taking antidepressants for low back pain and have any concerns about their treatment, they should consult their medical physician for advice.

Findings challenge clinical guidelines

The results of the study challenge six international guidelines that recommend the use of antidepressant medicines for chronic low back pain.

In particular, the United States clinical guideline endorses duloxetine, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, for the treatment of chronic low back pain.

Mr Ferraro and colleagues, however, found no important pain-relieving effects from the use of duloxetine or, any other class or dose of antidepressant medicines.

We believe the US recommendation for duloxetine could be reconsidered in light of our findings, he said.

Ongoing recommendations for the use of antidepressants to treat low back pain are concerning, particularly given the increased risk of side effects.

Further research needed

Although the researchers found no important benefits for low back pain treatment with antidepressants, they acknowledged the low quality of studies examined in their systematic review limited the certainty of their findings.

It is difficult to estimate the true effects of such medicines being used to treat low back pain. The majority of the studies were considered to be at high risk of bias and interestingly, the studies which showed the most promise were industry-sponsored. We recommend future research focuses on other types of medicines that may provide benefit to adults with low back pain, as well as non-pharmacological treatments, such as physiotherapy and exercise. Michael Ferraro
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 18:28:59|Editor: huaxia

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People visit an exhibition entitled "Mu'anath" in Cairo, Egypt, on March 6, 2021. Entitled "Mu'anath" (Feminine), the exhibition held ahead of International Women's Day (IWD) is organized by Art D'Egypte, a renowned Egyptian platform of art and heritage, and features the unique works of 20 talented painters, photographers and sculptors. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)



by Mahmoud Fouly

CAIRO, March 8 (Xinhua) -- "My paintings here express nature. For me, feminine means nature, because Mother Earth combines strength, tenderness, movement, change and patience," said Reham el-Adl, an abstract painter, on Saturday during the opening ceremony of an exhibition held in downtown Cairo to mark International Women's Day (IWD).

Entitled "Mu'anath" (Feminine), the exhibition held ahead of IWD is organized by Art D'Egypte, a renowned Egyptian platform of art and heritage, and features the unique works of 20 talented painters, photographers and sculptors.

The event will last until the beginning of April, according to Nadine Abdel-Ghaffar, founder of Art D'Egypte.

"As the Egyptian government supports the empowerment of women, we try to support the empowerment of women through art, for art is a soft power, just like women," the lady said.

Displayed in several rooms, the art works of the participating 13 female and seven male artists include oil and acrylic paintings, photographic prints and copper, iron and stainless steel sculptures.

On one of the walls, Alia el-Goan, a 25-year-old photographer who was born in California and raised in Cairo, displayed six photos of a tree, which she said symbolizes the freedom, fruitfulness, care and shelter of women.

"On the IWD, I encourage all women to express themselves, talk about their social problems and never be silenced, for women have the right to have their voice heard," the photographer told Xinhua.

Dozens of distinguished guests attended the exhibition's opening reception, including Egyptian business tycoon Naguib Sawiris, former Egyptian Investment Minister Sahar Nasr and the ambassadors of the United States, France, Ireland and Colombia.

"As Chairman Mao said, women hold up half the sky," said Ireland's Ambassador to Egypt Sean O'Regan, referring to late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, while expressing his support for the political, economic and social empowerment of women.

"It is a fact that when women are involved in decision-making, you get better decisions, and when women are involved in peacemaking, you get better peace processes and agreements," the Irish ambassador said.

Colombia's Ambassador to Egypt Ana Milena Munoz de Gaviria noted that the vice president of Colombia is a woman and in line with Colombian law requiring that 50 percent of the cabinet to be women, "yet we need to work more on the empowerment of women at the low-income level."

UN Women, a United Nations body dedicated to gender equality and women's empowerment, said that the theme of this year's IWD is "Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world."

"International Women's Day this year comes at a difficult time for the world and for gender equality, but at a perfect moment to fight for transformative action and to salute women and young people for their relentless drive for gender equality and human rights," Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, executive director of UN Women, said in a statement on Monday.

In an interview with Xinhua on the eve of the IWD, Nehad Abol El-Komsan, chairwoman of the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights, said Egypt has made plenty of progress regarding the political and economic empowerment of women, adding that women constitute 25 percent of the government and parliament, with "women holding key posts in the state and in the private sector too." However, "the social empowerment of women is still lacking and needs more efforts to be achieved," she said.

She noted that Egyptian women have become braver in reporting violence and harassment.

"I tell women on their international day to speak up, express themselves freely and let no one oppress or blackmail them under any justification." Enditem
Next phase of drilling at Gidji will involve aircore and diamond drilling to test the potential for an extension to the neighbouring 314,000-ounce Runway deposit.

Miramar is a WA-focused exploration company with prospective projects in the Eastern Goldfields, Murchison and Gascoyne regions.

Miramar Resources Ltd (ASX:M2R) is completing final preparations to recommence drilling at its 80%-owned Gidji joint venture gold project north of Kalgoorlie in Western Australias Goldfields region and is making plans for initial drilling of the 100%-owned Glandore Gold Project.

At Gidji, field personnel have mobilised to site and are pegging and clearing drill sites in advance of the arrival of the respective drill rigs.

This next phase of drilling will comprise aircore drilling to follow-up results from a phase-I campaign completed in December 2020, which intersected high-grade gold up to 2 metres at 7.7 g/t as well as diamond drilling to test for an extension to the neighbouring 314,000-ounce Runway deposit.

Historical geophysical datasets

To date, Miramar has acquired several historical geophysical datasets, including for the Gidji project, and has reprocessed the data.

This data highlighted several important geological features which will assist in refining drill targets within both the granted and pending areas of the project.

Firstly, the Boorara Shear Zone demonstrates an obvious linear gravity high as a result of the relatively dense mafic and ultramafic rocks present within this important regional structure.

A discrete, higher amplitude gravity anomaly is observed within the interpreted dilational jog at the southeast end of the Boorara Shear Zone.

This is a high priority target and will be drill tested once the relevant tenements are granted.

Railway, 8-Mile and the 'New Target' all appear to be associated with lower magnitude gravity anomalies within sediments of the Black Flag Group which may represent previously unrecognised mafic intermediate porphyry units, similar to that which hosts the bulk of the gold mineralisation at Runway.

The Lake and Claypan targets, within an application pending grant, are both on major regional structures observed in the newly obtained gravity and corresponding magnetic data.

Glandore plans

Miramar recently received heritage approvals which allow for the commencement of exploration work on the 100%-owned Glandore Project, around 40 kilometres east of Kalgoorlie.

The company has also acquired historical gravity data for the project which, when combined with the existing magnetic data, highlights a number of important geological features and will be used to assist in planning the first drill programs.

A survey to infill the historical gravity data within the south-western part of the project and to collect first pass gravity data over the exploration licence is planned, with the aim of testing for repetition of the granite dome and the potential for gold mineralisation similar to the deposits further south.

Data "adds to excitement"

Miramars executive chairman Allan Kelly said the company had been busy working up data for several projects in preparation for upcoming drilling programs.

Weve managed to acquire some key historical geophysical datasets, at minimal cost to the company, which will enable us to more effectively plan our next drilling programs, including the first campaign at Glandore.

In particular, the gravity data we have obtained for the Gidji JV has highlighted and confirmed a number of key geological features which add to our excitement about the potential of that project, he added.

Lang Well

Miramar also completed a first pass gravity survey over the 100%-owned Lang Well project, in the Murchison region of WA.

The Lang Well project has previously been interpreted to consist mostly of granite and gneiss with small areas of outcropping greenstone lithologies, which are more prospective for gold mineralisation.

This gravity survey, which covered most of the project at a spacing of 800 x 400 metres, has highlighted several areas of higher gravity that are interpreted to represent unmapped greenstone.

The company has planned a first pass aircore program to test the auger anomalies at a spacing of 800 x 200 metres and has applied for funding under the current Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) round.

Mt Vernon (Bangemall Nickel-Copper-PGE Project)

In early 2021, Miramar received the grant of the first of several exploration licence applications in the Bangemall region, which are prospective for nickel-copper-PGE mineralisation.

The company is obtaining quotes for an airborne EM survey to cover the project at a more suitable line spacing.
The first Human Rights Defender (Ombudsperson) of Armenia, Larisa Alaverdyan, has made an appeal to President Armen Sarkissian.

"I insist and call on President Armen Sarkissian to fulfill his constitutional obligations and not to participate in excesses in the country," Alaverdyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

According to Article 123 of the Constitution of Armenia, the President is the head of state and oversees the implementation of the Constitution.

On February 25, the General Staff of the Armed Forces issued a statement calling on the governmentled by PM Nikol Pashinyanto resign.

Subsequently, the PM twice sent to the President the draft decree on the dismissal of the chief of the General Staff, Onik Gasparyan, but the President did not sign it twice.

In the second time, however, the President announced that he was going to petition to the Constitutional Court, but not regarding the draft decree, but to determine the constitutionality of the law on military service.

Lawyers interpret this situation differently, but they agree on one issue: the situation needs to be clarified in connection with the expiry of this petitions deadline on Tuesday.

The serving and retired officers of the armed forces of both Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) have expressed support to the General Staff.
The reality is that no society, institution or organisation can presently function effectively without womens substantial participation in leadership activities. Many statistics show that companies led by women have better financial results. Leadership by women is vital to increase the pace of societal transformation at home and in the workplace.

In the year 2008, I co-edited a book, African Women Can Lead, published by Kachifo Limited under its prestige imprint. The book is a collection of essays and presentations made for three editions of the Development and Leadership Institute (DLI)s Women in Politics and Leadership programme. We chose the books title after a rigorous debate by the advisory board of the programme. The thrust of the debate then was that more African women should be given chances to lead, as this would help address the prevalent inequalities and empower women to contribute more to advancing society. Recent events in which many Nigerian women are playing critical leadership roles globally, on the basis of merit, have made the books title a prophetic choice.

Particularly noteworthy is the recent assumption of the role of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by the former Nigerian Finance minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. This epochal event has again put Nigerian women in the spotlight, alongside their impacts on society and how they can excel when given the opportunity. To be clear, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala did not become the DG of WTO because she is a woman.

The fact that she and South Korean Trade minister, Yoo Myung-hee, who were the last two remaining candidates for the WTO top job, happened to be women, was merely incidental. The world was looking for a capable hand to lead global trade negotiations, and two women came up tops. As such, the Nigerian economist and international development expert, who was a two-time Nigerian Finance minister, Managing Director of World Bank, and a board member of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and Twitter, got the exalted position of DG of WTO wholly on merit.

Nigeria is a typical patriarchal society. Ours is a country that has never found a single woman competent enough to be elected as the chief executive of a State. The under-representation of women in political participation, particularly at the topmost levels, gained hold due to the deep-rooted cultural practices inherent in our society, which have existed from the pre-colonial era till date.

However, the return to democratic rule in 1999 has witnessed an increase in womens political participation in elective and appointive offices in the country. By 2015, the national average of womens political participation in Nigeria was 6.7 per cent, which was far below the global average of 22.5 per cent, the African regional average of 23.4 per cent, and West African sub regional average of 15 per cent.

Nigerian men hold the primary power and predominate in political leadership roles, moral authority, social privilege, and property control. Most Nigerian traditional societies are also patrilineal, meaning that the male lineage inherits property and titles.

Nigerian women face several challenges, the most critical of which is the cultural bias favouring male children, and leading to parents giving more support to male children above the female ones. There is also the problem of domestic violence. In some cultures, it is acceptable for a man to maltreat his wife, purportedly as discipline, in Nigeria. Some Nigerian women are equally traumatised mentally, sexually, physically and emotionally by their husbands, male counterparts, or partners. Our women have faced all manners of violence, from molestation, battery, physical attacks, wife-beating, corporal punishment to rape.

Women are great leaders because studies and experience have shown that they bring unique perspectives from different emotional, cultural, and structural dimensions to drive effective solutions to societys challenges. They are better than men in balancing professional and personal leadership skills. They exhibit high emotional intelligence

There are also female child labour, abortion, prostitution, and female genital mutilation problems confronting and potentially limiting the Nigerian woman. There is the hydra-headed problem of child marriage. According to official statistics, 43 per cent of Nigerian girls become married before their 18th birthday and 17 per cent before turning 15. This problem is most prevalent in the northern part of the country, even though these challenges have not stopped women from playing frontline roles or making impact as leaders.

There are certain primary attributes of women, which are essential in leadership. These are what Nigeria loses, as we have refused to give our women ample opportunity to thrive and contribute their quotas to national development. The likes of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, Amina J. Mohammed, Folorunsho Alakija, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Agbani Darego, Genevieve Nnaji and Funke Akindele demonstrate visionary leadership and steadfast dedication to work and the achievement of great results that enabled them to rise to the pinnacle of their professions. Activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Professor Dora Akunyili, Mathematician Professor Grace Alele-Williams and committed physician, Ameyo Adadevoh, all had these qualities before they left for the great beyond.

It has been said that women handle crises better than men. One may argue that childbearing makes them compassionate and patient, as it requires patience to carry a pregnancy for nine months and compassion to deal with little children. A crisis-torn country like Nigeria needs these attributes. Women also show greater empathy than men. Insouciance is not gendered specific, but one can argue that we have more hard-hearted men in our society than women.

Women are great leaders because studies and experience have shown that they bring unique perspectives from different emotional, cultural, and structural dimensions to drive effective solutions to societys challenges. They are better than men in balancing professional and personal leadership skills. They exhibit high emotional intelligence, are often flexible and lead by example  essential qualities needed in todays Nigeria. They listen well, and dealing with children probably makes them better at communicating and nurturing people than the menfolk.

Handling the complications of the home makes our women good at multitasking, an attribute needed in Nigerias complex socio-economic environment. Women work better in teams, and they prove this by the seamless manner in which they organise events, as we have more women than men as event planners in Nigeria. In Nigerias political, social, and economic environment, teamwork is a sine qua non for success.

Our women dream big. They are motivated by challenges. A woman who can defy the odds and rise to the top of her profession in our patriarchal society with its inherent anti-women biases, is capable of being a great leader.

Nigeria can make better progress if the extant National Gender Policy (NGP), which recommends that at least 35 per cent of both elective political and appointive public service positions be reserved for women, is implemented. There should be social reorientation which would emphasise the crucial role that women play in leadership.

In todays Nigeria, women are grossly underrepresented in politics and other sectors of our body polity. Just three per cent of people elected to public office in 2003 were women. By 2007, that figure increased to about seven per cent, but in 2015, the numbers declined to 5.6 per cent. Before the 2019 elections, womens representation in the House of Representatives was 5.5 per cent; and 5.8 per cent in the Senate.

The statistics in more developed societies tell better stories of the womenfolk. In the United Kingdom, 19.4 per cent of Members of Parliament and 30.8 per cent of local councillors, are women. Simultaneously, in the United States of America, 12 per cent of governors and 17 per cent of the mayors of the 100 largest American cities are women. America just elected a female Vice President. These numbers may not be ideal, but they are at least encouraging. These results reflect two important facts: A conscious and deliberate programme to have more women play leadership role, as seen in countries like Rwanda, New Zealand and Iceland, or political evolution, leading to the appreciation of the value women can bring to leadership, as seen in the United States of America.

In other sectors of America, women fare a lot better: They constitute 50.8 per cent of the total population, but earn almost 60 per cent of undergraduate degrees and 60 per cent of all masters degrees. They do reasonably well in law, medical sciences, business administration and management. Women account for 47 per cent of the U.S. labour force and 49 per cent of the college-educated workforce. They account for 52 per cent of the professional-level and middle-management jobs, 45 per cent of associates in the legal field and the medical sector, and comprise 35.5 per cent of all physicians.

The reality is that no society, institution or organisation can presently function effectively without womens substantial participation in leadership activities. Many statistics show that companies led by women have better financial results. Leadership by women is vital to increase the pace of societal transformation at home and in the workplace. Women create a perspective that brings competition and collaboration to organisations and teams.

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Gender realignment in leadership is crucial because more remarkable progress is only made with a diversity of leadership roles. Concerted efforts should be made by the government and non-governmental organisations to increase womens participation in all facets of our life, in line with the declaration made at the fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, which advocated 30 per cent affirmative action for women in all roles.

Nigeria can make better progress if the extant National Gender Policy (NGP), which recommends that at least 35 per cent of both elective political and appointive public service positions be reserved for women, is implemented. There should be social reorientation which would emphasise the crucial role that women play in leadership. All policies and practices, which limit womens ability to reach a peak in politics and business, should be discarded. It is only in this way that we can give more Ngozi Okonjo-Iwealas to the world.

Dakuku Peterside is a policy and leadership expert.
"The 'sheroes' of XCMG spark in-depth discussions and resonance on topics such as female career development, emotional pursuit, personal ability and value as well as dreams in the new era. At XCMG we emphasize diversity and are committed to building an inclusive culture that treats every employee equally, and we're honored to have so many talented and aspiring women confronting the gender gap and working in the construction machinery industry," said Li Ge, Deputy Secretary of XCMG Construction Machinery Co. Ltd.

Song Yu: Women Know Mechanics

Song Yu, a researcher with XCMG Mining and Tunneling Machinery, led the E-series high-end intelligent excavator and monorail crane R&D projects in 2020. Her team solved several bottleneck problems and applied for over 10 patents. The monorail crane marked a new milestone in XCMG's mining and tunneling sector.

"One capable person is not enough. Only by building a great team can we unleash tremendous strength," said Song.

Wang Xinyao: Girls Don't Just Play with Dolls

Wang Xinyao entered an XCMG coating factory nine years ago and devoted countless days and nights to perfect her skills. Now a technical backbone in machine finishing, Wang has a 100 percent first inspection pass rate and has been exempted from inspection by the factory.

"Cool girls don't cry and we get things done. Our cranes are not only easy to use, but also have beautiful designs," said Wang.

Amanda Machado: Self-motivation and Challenging Boundaries

Amanda joined XCMG Brazil in 2011 when she learned about XCMG's building a factory in her hometown Pouso Alegre. She is the first local employee and has worked her way up from the reception desk to key account manager. In 2018, the sales team tendering and bidding business accounted for 60 percent of the total sales income, and she has been named Top 10 employee for seven consecutive years.

For more information, please visit www.xcmg.com, or XCMG pages on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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A student from Uzbekistan has been ordered to leave Russia for taking part in a January 23 rally in Kazan, the capital of Russia's Tatarstan region, in support of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.

Nineteen-year-old Andrei Lagunin said over the weekend that he was ordered to pay 10,000 rubles ($135) for taking part in an unsanctioned rally and ordered to leave Russia before March 9, even though he insists that he did not take part in the pro-Navalny rally but was walking along the street where police dispersed the demonstrators.

His lawyer, Viktor Shabanov, told the newspaper Vechernyaya Kazan that the motion to deport his client from Russia will be appealed, as the decision was unlawful.

Several nationwide demonstrations were held in January and February 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 being poisoned with what several European laboratories concluded was a military-grade chemical nerve agent.

Navalny has insisted that his poisoning in August while he was traveling in Siberia 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 his parole in an old embezzlement case that was widely considered to be politically motivated.

His 3 1/2-year suspended sentence from the case was converted into a jail term, though the court said he will serve 2 1/2 years in prison given time already served in detention.

More than 10,000 supporters of Navalny were detained across Russia during and after the January rallies.

Many people were either fined or handed several-day jail terms, while at least 90 were charged with crimes and several have been fired by their employers.

With reporting by Vechernyaya Kazan
On Saturday, the United States Senate approved the third major coronavirus stimulus package after a long day of debate. Aimed at saving the countrys economy from the ravages of the pandemic, the Covid-19 relief bill is the first major legislative victory of President Joe Biden. The $1.9 trillion (1.59 trillion) package was passed with 50 Democratic votes in favor, and 49 Republican votes against. It includes direct stimulus check payments to citizens and funds to speed up the Covid-19 vaccination program, among another long list of measures.

On its passage through Congress, it has been subject to a series of changes, with some amendments demanded by the Republicans being rejected by the Democrats, and others accepted. Here is a summary of whats been included and what fell by the wayside.

The stimulus check recipients

In its first version, the House of Representatives approved direct stimulus checks of $1,400 (1,175, more than double the $600 approved as part of the previous congressional aid program). These were to be sent to people earning under $75,000 a year (62,900) or married couples who earned up to $150,000 (126,300). The value of the checks would gradually fall until reaching zero for individuals earning about $100,000 a year (84,000) and couples who earn between $150,000 and $200,000 (168,000).

However, the Senate reduced the earnings ceilings for individuals to $80,000 a year (67,300), and for couples to $160,000 (134,000). In any case, the majority of Americans will benefit, given that the average annual family income is $68,703 (57,655). The reduction leaves out around eight million households who, in the draft from the House of Representatives, did have the right to the checks, according to an analysis by the Center for Fiscal Policy. Adults with special needs and college students will be able to receive the checks, unlike in the first round.

Unemployment payments

Jobless benefits of $300 a week (250) that were approved in the last rescue package will run out on March 14. The House of Representatives had agreed that the payment would be $400 (336) this time around, but the Senate has once again reduced it to $300. Another modification by the senators is the last payment of the benefits: the scheme will be extended from August 29  the date agreed by congressmen  to September 6, 2021. Democratic senators wanted it to be extended to October. There will also be tax relief for those who earn less than $150,000 a year. This extra help will be added to the benefits that the states regularly grant to the unemployed.

A rise in the minimum wage

The Senate eliminated lawmakers proposal to gradually increase the federal minimum wage from $7.25 (6.11) to $15 per hour (12.63) for 2025. Seven Democrats and one independent voted together with the Republican bloc, representing a major defeat for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, led by Senator Bernie Sanders. The exclusion of this measure was no surprise, given that Elizabeth MacDonough  the Parliamentarian of the United States Senate, i.e the official advisor on the interpretation of Standing Rules of the United States Senate and parliamentary procedure  had determined that it violated the rules of the budget reconciliation process.

Help for rural hospitals

The Senate included a package of extra aid of $8.5 billion (7.13 billion) in the aid fund for certain rural suppliers and hospitals, well below the $35 billion (29 billion) requested by the interested parties. The draft law does not define who these possible rural suppliers are, but it is assumed that the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will apply the same definition that it used to implement specific funds for rural suppliers last year.

Healthcare plans for the unemployed

Workers who lose their jobs in the United States can stay on their companys health plan for 18 months under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), but will have to pay the full monthly premium. The House of Representatives approved a temporary subsidy of 85% of the insurance premiums. The Senate raised the subsidy to 100% to guarantee that fired workers can stay on their employer health plans at no cost until the end of September.

As the provisions contained in the last two sections were not in the draft law approved by the House of Representatives, the Senate will have to send them back to the lower house so that lawmakers can vote on them before President Biden signs the package into law.

What was not changed

Bidens plan includes $350 billion (294 billion) in emergency funds for state, local and territorial governments destined for frontline workers. Schools will receive $130 billion (109 billion) for their safe reopening plan, including the purchase of personal protective equipment, modernization of ventilation systems and staff for infirmaries. More than a million small businesses will be able to count on a fund with $15 billion (13 billion) in subsidies. The aid package also includes a national program of $20 billion (16.8 billion) to set up community vaccination centers in the country and another $50 billion (42 billion) to ramp up testing, allowing schools and local governments to implement routine testing, among other measures aimed at palliating the effects of the pandemic.

English version by Simon Hunter.
By Francesco Guarascio, John Chalmers and Giselda Vagnoni

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - 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.

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.

Story continues

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.

In January, AstraZeneca cut its supplies to the EU in the first quarter to 40 million doses from 90 million foreseen in the contract, and later told EU states it would cut deliveries by another 50% in the second quarter. AstraZeneca later said it was striving to supply missing doses for the second quarter from outside Europe.

Until the decision to bloc the shipment to Australia, the EU had authorised all requests for export since the scheme's debut on Jan. 30 to Feb. 26, which amounted to 150 requests for millions of shots to 29 countries, including Britain, the United Arab Emirates and Canada, an EU Commission spokeswoman said.

She added, however, that at least one other request was withdrawn by an exporting company. She declined to elaborate.

Export requests mostly concern the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine which is manufactured in Belgium. AstraZeneca and Moderna shots have also been exported from the EU.

Since Jan. 30 more than 8 million vaccines were shipped from the EU to Britain, a third EU source said.

Britain has so far prevented the export of AstraZeneca vaccines to the EU, using a UK-first clause in its supply contract with the Anglo-Swedish firm, EU officials have said.

The United States also has regulations that effectively ban vaccine exports, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, told a news conference last week.

(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio, John Chalmers and Giselda Vagnoni, with additional reporting by Byron Kaye in Sydney; Editing by Toby Chopra and Sonya Hepinstall)
HONG KONG, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Data Exchange (BDx) , a pan-Asian carrier-neutral data center cluster, is celebrating women in tech in a big way by launching its #BDxTheGap challenge on International Women's Day . The week-long initiative that begins on Monday, March 8 will showcase the company's commitment to closing the gender gap across technology and data centers in the Asia Pacific region, where BDx operates data centers, and throughout the world.

The Asia Pacific region is home to some of the fastest-growing data center markets, but the region has a larger gender gap than other markets. Research from McKinsey & Company finds that on average, Asia Pacific has one woman in leadership positions for every four men. Globally, approximately four women hold leadership positions for every 10 men in business and politics. #BDxTheGap will demonstrate how BDx embraces the advancement of women both internally and at partnered companies.

"Globally, the data center and technology industries have experienced notable growth with the representation of women, and we want to continue on this path to encourage more women to pursue a career in these sectors," said Jennifer Spano, Director of Marketing for BDx. "In what has historically been a male-dominated field, we feel it is vital to celebrate the women at BDx and that we work with on International Women's Day. We're excited to launch our #BDxTheGap campaign to inspire women and empower them to lead the next generation in these essential industries."

#BDxTheGap will highlight the accomplishments of the hard-working women across the BDx ecosystem. Leaders at BDx and the companies they work with will offer input on social media and in an inspirational special video on how they're closing the gender gap. #BDxTheGap will continue throughout the year and will include a special roundtable discussion featuring an all-female perspective on how digital transformation is changing the APAC region. Over the past year, BDx has highlighted the achievements of women in leadership positions in its Women Behind BDx blog series.

"The women we've placed in key leadership roles have played a tremendous part in making our business a success," said Braham Singh, CEO for BDx. "We're happy to be a part of the conversation to bring more women into leadership roles in the data center and technology industries. We look forward to the positive transformation that will arise as the industry continues to evolve."

Follow the #BDxTheGap challenge on LinkedIn . To learn more about BDx, visit www.bdxworld.com .

About BDx

Big Data Exchange (BDx) is a Pan Asian data center cluster with sites throughout Hong Kong, mainland China and Singapore. Its unique hybrid cloud, connectivity and colocation solutions offer unparalleled security and reliability for the IT infrastructure of its global clientele. As a carrier-neutral provider, BDx creates a secure hybrid ecosystem with its BDx SoftConnect, BDx Armour, and BDx Single Pane offerings, providing connectivity solutions across Asia. By using BDx automated modules, BDx is able to provide customers with a level of customization that rivals competitors in efficiency and cost, offering them the ability to manage physical racks with the same ease as working in public clouds. To learn more, visit www.bdxworld.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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[email protected]

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BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai prosecutor on Monday indicted 18 activists for their roles in anti-government rallies last year by a protest movement that has brought unprecedented challenges to the royal palace and military-dominated establishment.

The youth-led movement sprang up last year calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta leader, and reform of the powerful Thai monarchy, breaking a longstanding taboo under the country's lese majeste law.

Those indicted included three prominent leaders charged with sedition and lese majeste during rallies in September, where tens of thousands escalated calls for monarchy reforms.

The other 15 protesters face trial for sedition and breaching a ban on public assembly.

"There is sufficient evidence that the accused have committed wrongdoing," Chanchai Chalanonniwat, deputy spokesman for the Office of the Attorney General told reporters.

If the court rejects their bail requests, all 18 could be jailed later on Monday until their trials.

Thailand's lese majeste law prohibits criticism or insults against the king, and each offense is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Panupong Jadnok, one those charged with lese majeste, said his group was unfazed by the prospect of jail.

"I am not too worried," Panupong said.

"The activities we have done are only the beginning, and it will go ahead even without us."

Thailand's youth movement has posed the biggest challenge so far to former army chief Prayuth, who they say engineered the rules of the 2019 election to keep himself in power.

Protesters also say the constitution gives the king too much power and demand that some of it be curbed.

Four other activist leaders are in jail awaiting trial over the same protests having been denied bail five times.

At least 63 people have been charged under lese majeste laws since November, according to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights group.

(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat, Panu Wongcha-um, Panarat Thegumpanat; Editing by Martin Petty and Michael Perry)
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HADDAM  The RSD17 School District has completed the process of formalizing its Vision of the Graduate.

It is vital that our school community is clear in what it believes to be essential in a comprehensive educational experience and define what it desires as traits in its graduates through a Vision of the Graduate document, according to a press release. It is our hope that as our students, educators and families become more immersed in the power and aspiration captured in our Vision of the Graduate, and we will leverage our collective will to empower each one of our students to achieve their goals and improve our world.

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Former President Donald Trump's adviser Stephen Miller weighed in on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's blockbuster interview with Oprah Winfrey.

'Heres the question Oprah should have asked Harry & Meghan: isnt the whole point of the Royal Family that it's *not* about you but about your country? It's about service to the UK and the Commonwealth,' Miller tweeted Monday.

Miller added that he had met members of the royal family during Trump's head of state visit to the United Kingdom in June 2019.

'They were unfailingly gracious & deeply committed to preserving the traditions and heritage of the UK,' the immigration hard-liner recalled.

Former President Donald Trump's adviser Stephen Miller weighed in on Oprah Winfrey's interview with Meghan and Harry, suggesting that royal couple was selfish to leave

Stephen Miller sent out two tweets on the royal interview, suggesting Oprah Winfrey should have asked Meghan and Harry 'isn't the whole point of the Royal Family that it's *not* about you but about your country?'

Prince Harry (left) and Meghan Markle (right) in their sit-down with Oprah Winfrey that aired in the United States Sunday night

Stephen Miller (third from right) said he met members of the royal family during former President Donald Trump's state visit to the United Kingdom in June 2019

Miller's dig at the royal couple was in line with comments Trump made about Markle in September, after she and Prince Harry made the unprecedented decision to comment on the upcoming U.S. election, interpreted by many as an endorsement of now President Joe Biden.

'I'm not a fan of hers,' Trump said of Markle.

'I would say this - and she has probably has heard that - I wish a lot of luck to Harry because he's going to need it,' the then-president added.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked about Harry and Meghan's blockbuster interview with Oprah Winfrey and Monday's press briefing

White House press secretary Jen Psaki had a much kinder assessment of the Winfrey interview praising the 'courage' of Meghan and Harry.

'For anyone to come forward and speak about their own struggles with mental health and tell their own personal story, that takes courage and that's certainly something the president believes,' Psaki replied when asked if President Joe Biden had any reaction to the interview.

Psaki also pointed out that both Meghan and Harry are private citizens.

'We aren't going to provide additional commentary from here on behalf of the president or others given these are private citizens, sharing their own story and their own struggles,' the press secretary said.

'And let me just reiterate that we have a strong and abiding relationship with the British people and a special partnership with the government of the United Kingdom on a range of issues and that will continue,' she added.

Prince Harry (left) sits with Dr. Jill Biden (right), who was then the second lady, at an Invictus Games event in 2014

President Joe Biden (left) and first lady Jill Biden (center left) appear alongside Prince Harry (right) at the Invicus Games in Toronto in 2017

Both the president and first lady have known Prince Harry for years and have been supportive of his Invictus Games for wounded warriors.

Psaki didn't get into detail but said that Biden has 'talked about the importance of investing in a lot of these areas that they are committed in.'

Psaki was specifically asked about the racism that the royal couple talked about experiencing, though she addressed Meghan and Harry opening up about mental health struggles instead.

In the interview, Markle describes having thoughts of suicide when she was pregnant with the couple's son, Archie.

'I just didn't want to be alive anymore,' she told Winfrey. 'And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.'

Markle also said she tried to seek help including inpatient care, but was rebuffed by a senior royal because 'wouldnt be good for the institution.'

The Duchess of Sussex also revealed that someone in the royal orbit had a conversation with Harry about the color of Archie's skin before he was born.

There were 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he is born,' Markle told Winfrey.

Winfrey was floored, uttering, 'What?'

'There are several conversations,' Markle continued. 'Potentially and what that would mean or look like.'
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Meghan Markle, the wife of Prince Harry, said in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that the U.K. Royals refused to make their son Archie a prince or receive a title partly due to issues concerning his skin color.

"They didn't want him to be a prince or princess, not knowing what the gender would be, which would be different from protocol, and that he wasn't going to receive security," Meghan told Oprah Winfrey in an interview aired on CBS on Sunday.

Meghan Markle noted that there were conversations within the Royal family about his son's security, not going to be given a title, and concerns about how dark Archie's skin might be when he's born, Reuters reported.

She said these conversations, which went on in those months that she was pregnant, were conversations between Prince Harry and his family that was relayed to him by her husband. But when asked who the conversation was with, the former "Suits" actress declined to answer, saying it "would be very damaging to them."

With a Black mother and white father, Meghan admitted that she was "a bit shocked" on concerns within the Royal family about her son's skin color.

ALSO READ: Meghan Markle Reveals She Had a Miscarriage in July, Sparks Heartless Reactions

Meghan Markle's Concern

In her interview with Oprah Winfrey, the famous talk show host was left in awe when Meghan shared how the British Royal family denied the prince's title to her son Archie because of his skin color, WRAL.Com reported.

The report added that more than the prince title for her one-year-old son Archie, she is more concerned about his safety and protection. Teary-eyed, Meghan Markle noted that "he needs to be safe."

The Royal couple stepped down last year from their duties as members of the Royal family, and they had started a new life in the U.S. Prince Harry reportedly said that he left due to a lack of understanding, and he was worried about history repeating itself, just like what happened to Princess Diana back in 1997.

Meghan Markle on Considering Suicide

The 39-year-old former actress admitted that she ended up having suicidal thoughts and even considering self-harm after pleading for help but ended getting none.

"I just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. And I remember how he (Prince Harry) just cradled me," she said, adding that she went to senior people in the institution to ask for help but ended up with nothing.

She noted that she was told that she could not go somewhere to get help since it would not be "good for the institution," and she was not a paid employee of the institution.

Meghan Markle and the Royal Family

Before marrying Prince Harry, Reuters reported that Meghan said that she was naive before her wedding and did not realize what she was marrying into as she joined the British Royal family. Meghan noted that she did not grow up knowing much about the Royal family.

According to Star Tribune, Meghan still expressed her gratitude towards the Queen, saying that "the Queen has always been wonderful to me." Meghan further noted that some in the Royal palace are willing to lie to protect the other family members.

Reuters also mentioned a spokesperson for Meghan Markle, saying the news about Archie, his skin color, and other issues saddened Meghan because it was "an attack on her character" as someone who was already a victim bullying herself.

RELATED ARTICLE: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Are Expecting Their Second Baby

WATCH: Prince Harry' Deeply Sad' After Royal Family REFUSES to Remember Him - From Clevver News
Right up until its implosion, Greensill still counted former prime minister David Cameron (pictured) as an adviser

Greensill's collapse will come as an embarrassment to former leading officials who allowed its founder access to the heart of the establishment.

Right up until its implosion yesterday, Greensill still counted former prime minister David Cameron as an adviser, and former Government chief commercial officer Bill Crothers as its vice-chairman.

Cameron's fortunes following his premiership, which ended in 2016, are a stark contrast with those of George Osborne, his former chancellor, who now holds a lucrative role at London-based boutique investment bank Robey Warshaw.

Lex Greensill, who launched his business in 2011, found his key to the upper echelons of Government in Jeremy Heywood, who was head of the Civil Service from 2014 to 2018.

The two met at investment bank Morgan Stanley in the 2000s, where Greensill  then a young banker who had only recently emigrated from Australia in 2001  was taken under Heywood's wing.

When Greensill later founded his eponymous business, Heywood  who had by then returned to the Civil Service  helped his former protege to build an enviable list of contacts.

Greensill offered to advise the Cameron government on supply-chain finance, and in 2018 he handed the former prime minister a job.

For several years, Greensill's was a familiar face in the Cabinet Office where he regularly attended meetings with the likes of Heywood, senior civil servant John Manzoni  who was Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary from 2015 to 2020  and then-Cabinet Office minister Matt Hancock.
New Delhi: In a bid to support the economic empowerment of women in India, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai on Monday announced $25 million in grants to non-profits and social enterprises in India and around the world.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, Pichai also committed to help 1 million women in rural villages in India to become entrepreneurs through business tutorials, tools and mentorship, as part of the Google Internet Saathi programme.

"Women are almost twice as likely to lose their jobs during the pandemic and an estimated 20 million girls are at risk of not returning to school. We have the opportunity to build a future that is more equal and more inclusive - and we must take it," Pichai said during the virtual 'Google for India' event.

The company also announced $500,000 Google.org grant to Nasscom Foundation to support 100,000 women agriculture workers with digital and financial literacy.

The virtual event also marked the completion of Google's joint effort with Tata Trusts to empower women across rural India with digital literacy skills via the Internet Saathi programme that was launched in 2015.

"In bringing today's technology, and perhaps tomorrow's technology, to bear for the benefit of rural women is a great move forward. Over time, these efforts will ensure that the true value of the internet can come into the fore,"said Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts.

Over six years, the Internet Saathi programme has benefitted over 30 million women across India through training provided by over 80,000 "Internet Saathis".

In a special address, Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said that women can act as great enablers of India's growth story, creating tectonic shifts in society.

"Over the last few years, under Jan Dhan Yojana, we have supported 220 million women to become financially independent. Under the Mudra Yojana, we have dedicated 27 crore worth of funds, accessed by 70 per cent women," she said during the event.

"I am happy to learn about Google's efforts and commitment to enable women entrepreneurs in India as these will create pathways for the socio-economic advancement of women," she added.

Google said it has launched the 'Women Will' web platform that will be complemented by community support, mentorship and accelerator programmes for rural women entrepreneurs.

Available in English and Hindi, the platform is designed especially for women aspiring to explore entrepreneurship.

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To begin with, Google will work with 2,000 Internet Saathis to help other women gain from this resource and start on their entrepreneurial journey.
An unnamed aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo has detailed an alleged sexual assault at the Executive Mansion in November. It was not just what he did, she told the Times Union this week, but how he did it. You can never tell anyone about anything, she says the governor told her a month after the incident. I know how intimidating he can be. He wanted to get a message across to me.

While her allegations carry the most serious potential legal implications for the governor, who has denied he assaulted her, she is not the only person saying that sexual misconduct of one form or another took place.

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins  and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, sort of  have asked that Cuomo step down. But other Democrats in the state Legislature, such as Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, urged that an investigation overseen by state Attorney General Letitia James be allowed to be completed before such steps are taken.

The Assembly launched an impeachment investigation in early March, though several accusers have refused to cooperate, citing questions about the validity of the probe.

Cuomo has apologized for causing his accusers discomfort  which has no bearing on the legal standards of sexual harassment  but continues to say he will not be resigning from office, despite bipartisan calls for him to do so.

With so many accusers, it can be hard to keep track of each one, so here are the details on all of the women who have alleged Cuomo sexually harassed them thus far, in order from most recent to least recent.

Unnamed female aide

The most serious accusation against the governor has come from an unidentified gubernatorial aide who said he allegedly groped her at the Executive Mansion in November. She gave a detailed account to the Times Union of being beckoned to the residence to ostensibly help Cuomo with a cellphone problem. When she entered his office on the second floor, he reportedly slammed the door, slipped his hand under her shirt and touched her breast over her bra. She has said the alleged groping followed roughly two years of unwanted attention from the governor. One of Cuomos other accusers said it sounded a lot like her own experience.

The governor said he has never done anything like this after the Times Union first reported her accusations a month ago. All allegations that we learn of directly or indirectly are going promptly to the investigators appointed by the attorney general, Beth Garvey, acting counsel to Cuomo, said in a March statement.

Sherry Vill

During a tour of flood-torn homes in Rochester, Gov. Andrew Cuomo allegedly grabbed Vill's face and kissed her on both cheeks inside her home in the Rochester suburb of Greece, outside her home, and in front of family. Vill stated the accusations in a press conference with her lawyer, Gloria Allred, saying the encounter happened in 2017. The governor excused his actions at the time as being an "Italian greeting. Vill said that before leaving her home, Cuomo said she was "beautiful." Following the governor's trip, Vill stated that neighbors began to call her "the governor's new girlfriend." Cuomos attorney said the governor greeted many people with similar gestures.

Alyssa McGrath

Current aide McGrath accused Gov. Andrew Cuomo of continued sexual harassment during interactions at work and in the Governors mansion. As reported by The New York Times, Cuomo allegedly inquired if McGrath and another colleague were going to "mingle" with the single men on a trip to Florida and proceeded to call them "mingle mamas. In one episode, McGrath described being in Cuomos office to complete a dictation session when McGrath said that Cuomo was looking down her shirt. As reported in the Times, I put my head down waiting for him to start speaking, and he didnt start speaking, she said. So I looked up to see what was going on. And he was blatantly looking down my shirt. Additionally, Cuomo reportedly grabbed McGrath's and another colleague's waist for photos and kissed McGrath on the forehead. McGrath's lawyer, Mariann Wang, told the Times "this would be unacceptable behavior from any boss, much less the governor.

Cuomo's lawyer, Rita Galvin, responded to the accusation stating that the governor has greeted men and women with hugs and a kiss on the cheek, forehead, or hand. Yes, he has posed for photographs with his arm around them. Yes, he uses Italian phrases like ciao bella.

Jessica Bakeman

Bakeman, who was a reporter for Politico New York and the USA Today Network, alleged in an op-ed for New York magazine that Cuomo had repeatedly touched her unnecessarily, a habit she said was about showing power. The first incident was allegedly in 2012, when he kept her pinned next to him with an arm around her shoulder, at an event where she was the only woman present in the room. The second incident described was in 2014, where Cuomo allegedly similarly pulled her into him and kept his arm around her, posing for pictures and saying Im sorry. Am I making you uncomfortable? I thought we were going steady.

Bakeman also described other events, not physical in nature, where she felt Cuomo never let me forget I was a woman, including him making fun of her purple phone case instead of answering a question and implying he took a question at another event because she had spoken over a man.

She noted that she never thought he wanted to have sex with her: He wanted me to know that I was powerless.

Valerie Bauman

In a tweeted statement, the then-Associated Press reporter alleged Cuomo did appear to take an interest in her, first staring at her and beelining towards her at an event, and then flirting with her over the phone. Fellow reporters allegedly also noticed, one loudly commenting that Cuomo seemed very into Bauman.

Bauman also clarified that Cuomo never touched her or did anything she felt could be reported to her management, but did make (her) uncomfortable. Speaking on the culture in Albany more generally, she said she wore a fake wedding ring to stave off unwanted attention from much older men there.

Karen Hinton

Hinton, a staffer for Cuomo while he was head of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, alleged in an interview with the Washington Post that while she was with Cuomo on a work trip in 2000, he held her very long, too long, too tight, too intimate in a hotel room.

The governor quickly fired back at Hinton, refuting her allegations and suggesting that her motivations were politically motivated as a longtime political adversary. (Hinton worked for Cuomos rival, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and has criticized the governor before.)

Truth is the longtime adversary that Cuomo fears the most, Hinton replied in a statement.

Ana Liss

A former policy and operations aide to Cuomo, who worked for him between 2013 and 2015, alleged that within her first year of working for the governor he asked if she had a boyfriend, called her sweetheart, touched her lower back in a way that made her uncomfortable and kissed her hands while she rose from her desk.

While Liss told The Wall Street Journal that she initially found these instances to be fairly harmless, she soon felt she was treated as just a skirt rather than an intelligent professional. She, in addition to other former and current members of the administration, also told the Journal that the governor regularly inquired about their dating lives and made comments about their appearances.

Last Wednesday, the governor apologized for ever unintentionally making anyone uncomfortable with his comments and actions. The people of this state elected the governor to represent them four times during the last 14 years, and they know he works day and night for them. There is no secret these are tough jobs, and the work is demanding, but we have a top-tier team with many employees who have been here for years, and many others who have left and returned, Cuomos senior spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi said in a statement, when asked about the criticisms leveraged against the governor.

Anna Ruch

In September, 2019, Ruch and Cuomo attended a wedding, where she said he placed his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her after she complimented a toast he made for the just-married couple. A photo taken by a friend of Ruchs captured the incident. I was so confused and shocked and embarrassed, Ruch told The New York Times. I turned my head away and didnt have words in that moment.

The governor responded to Ruchs allegation last Sunday, in a statement where he said his behavior has been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation and apologized. To the extent anyone felt that way, I am truly sorry about that, he said.

While Ruch had only met Cuomo on that one occasion and never worked for him, her experience was reminiscent of the behavior described by some of his former employees.

Gareth Rhodes, a longtime Cuomo aide who was the groom at the wedding, stepped down from the states COVID-19 task force, following Ruchs allegations, though he denied that there was any connection between the allegations and his reassignment to a different role in the state government.

Charlotte Bennett

On Feb. 27, the Times revealed allegations against the governor made by Bennett, an executive assistant and health policy adviser in the Cuomo administration until she departed in November, were revealed. Bennett told the Times that while working with Cuomo he asked her about her sex life and made it apparent that he was interested in having a sexual relationship with her.

In early June, Bennett said that Cuomo aggressively asked her about her personal life and whether or not she would be interested in being with older men and said that he was open to being with women in their 20s  Bennett is 25 and Cuomo is 63. I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared, Bennett said. And was wondering how I was going to get out of it and assumed it was the end of my job.

Cuomo responded to Bennetts allegations saying, The last thing I would ever have wanted was to make her feel any of the things that are being reported.

Lindsey Boylan

Boylan first alleged that Cuomo sexually harassed her in a series of tweets on Dec. 13, but did not elaborate on her claims further and stated that she would not be talking to the press on Twitter.

Look, I fought for and I believe a woman has the right to come forward and express her opinion and express issues and concerns that she has, Cuomo said, following her initial allegation. But its just not true.

On Feb. 24, Boylan published an essay on Medium, where she claimed the governor asked her to play strip poker, forcibly kissed her and inappropriately commented on her looks, while she worked for him as a top adviser, between 2015 and 2018.

Ms. Boylans claims of inappropriate behavior are quite simply false, Caitlin Girouard, a press secretary for the governor, said in a statement regarding the claims made in Boylans essay.

Cheering parents watched as children tossed surgical masks into a fire outside the Idaho Capitol in Boise on Saturday as more than 100 people gathered to protest mask mandates as an affront to their civil liberties.

The rally was one of several held statewide in opposition to the coronavirus-related requirements, which health experts have said remain crucial even as vaccines are distributed and the number of new reported cases has dropped.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little, a Republican, has never implemented a statewide mask requirement, though nearly a dozen areas of the state have local restrictions, including Boise. For months, Little has been at odds with Lt. Gov Janice McGeachin, a Republican, over pandemic restrictions (in Idaho, the governor and lieutenant governor run on separate tickets); the state's current guidelines "strongly" recommend face coverings but require them only in long-term care facilities. McGeachin vehemently opposes any mask mandates.

McGeachin, who appeared in a video last fall that suggested that the pandemic "may or may not be occurring," was photographed speaking at the Boise protest Saturday.

More than 500,000 people in the United States have died of covid-19, the disease the novel coronavirus can cause.

Republican state Reps. Dorothy Moon and Heather Scott appeared in a video on Friday, giving their support to the "Burn the Mask" rallies.

"At 10 a.m., people are going to be lighting up burn barrels to throw masks in, mandates, emergency orders and replications thereof, because I think everyone is ready for these emergency orders to be lifted," Moon said in the video.

In a video from the scene in Boise recorded by Oregon Public Broadcasting reporter Sergio Olmos, six children grab handfuls of blue surgical masks and drop them into the fire as adults warn them not to go too fast.

In the video, a boy shouts, "Destroy them!"

Organizers for the Boise rally had a permit, but the event is being investigated after the fire was set in a barrel, the Idaho State Police said in a statement.

"Those involved with the event were informed both before and during the event that open flames are not allowed on State Capitol grounds," according to the police.

Saturday's anti-mask rallies are part of the polarized response to the pandemic across the United States, with some conservatives viewing business restrictions and mask mandates not as public health guidance but a form of government overreach.

"We're standing here today to rein back government, to reestablish our republican form of government . . . that has balance between the branches," Darr Moon, who helped to organize Saturday's demonstration, said in a video interview with Olmos, the Oregon reporter. "That's not what we have today," Moon added, saying Little and other governors nationwide have been "running the show."

Moon, who is married to Dorothy Moon, serves on the national council for the John Birch Society, an ultraconservative group that organized anti-shutdown events throughout the country, including earlier ones in Idaho.

In August, maskless protesters led by anti-government activist Ammon Bundy stormed a special legislative session at the Idaho Capitol, where lawmakers were discussing pandemic measures, breaking down the gallery door and ripping up signs about social distancing. The protests have since come under criticism as dry runs for the extremist violence seen during the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Last week, the Republican governors of Texas and Mississippi announced that they were dropping statewide mask requirements, much to the concern of health officials who said it was too soon to rescind such measures. That Idaho never had a statewide mask requirement to begin with is not enough for some of the state's Republican lawmakers. On Tuesday, a House committee took up legislation that would ban mask mandates by any government entity in the state. Under the proposed legislation, private businesses could still require masks.

Idaho has tallied more than 173,000 cases of the coronavirus and at least 1,800 deaths of covid-19 since the start of the pandemic.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Monday announced the results for the February session of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main on its official website- jeemain.nta.nic.in. Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank took to his official Twitter handle to communicate the news and give further details.

Dear students, #JEE(Main) February session 2021 results are out. @DG_NTA

For more details, see below : pic.twitter.com/iT39f1EcJk  Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) March 8, 2021

JEE Main February exam 2021 was conducted from February 23 to 26 in a computer-based test mode. A total of 6.52 lakh candidates were registered for paper 1, and paper 1 had been conducted in 331 cities, including 9 foreign cities- Columbia, Doha, Dubai, Kathmandu, Muscat, Riyadh, Sharjah, Singapore and Kuwait.

The result has been declared within 10 days this time. In the year 2020, JEE Main Result was declared five days from the completion of the exam. JEE Main 2020 was held from September 1 to 6 and the result was declared on September 11.

READ: JEE Main Result 2021 Declared, Check Scorecard In 5 Simple Steps; Direct Link Here

ALSO, READ: JEE Main Result 2021 Declared In 10 Days; Union Education Minister Appreciates NTA

Six candidates scored 100 NTA

A total of six candidates scored 100 NTA scores in JEE paper-1. Among the people who achieved this great feat are Saket Jha of Rajasthan, Pravar Kataria and Ranjim Prabal Das of Delhi, Guramrit Singh of Chandigarh, Siddhant Mukherjee of Maharashtra and Ananth Krishna Kidambi of Gujarat.

What are NTA scores?

NTA scores are scores based on the relative performance of all those who appeared for the examination in one session. The marks obtained are converted into a scale ranging from 100 to 0 for each session of examinees.

Based on the NTA scores, the candidates are allotted seats. There will be certain reservations of seats for reserved category candidates. In the case of Institutes run by the Central Government, the reservation would be applicable as mentioned below:

15 per cent of the seats Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates

7.5 per cent seats for Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates

27 per cent seats for Other Backward Classes (OBC) Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) candidates as per the Central List

10 per cent of the seats for General Economically Weaker Sections (General - EWS) candidates

Persons with Disability (PwD) with 40% or more disability

READ: JEE Main Result 2021 Shortly, Here Are 5 Key Points To Know Ahead Of JEE Mains Feb Results

JEE Main to be held three more times this year

JEE Main will be held three more times this year. The first session of the exam was held in February whose result is awaited by over 6 lakh candidates. The next three sessions will be held in March, April and May.

READ: JEE Main Result 2021 LIVE Updates| 6 Candidates Secure Perfect 100 NTA Score
Derek Chauvin, 46, faces the prospect of decades in prison if he is convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter

Jury selection begins Tuesday in Derek Chauvins trial, which is expected to come down to two key questions: Did Chauvins actions cause Floyds death, and were his actions reasonable?

'It's hard not to watch the video and conclude that the prosecutors will not have any trouble with this case,' said Susan Gaertner, the former head prosecutor in neighboring Ramsey County.

'But it's not that simple.'

Floyd died May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee against Floyd's neck for about nine minutes, holding his position even after Floyd went limp as he was handcuffed and lying on his stomach. Floyds death sparked sometimes violent protests in Minneapolis and beyond, and led to a nationwide reckoning on race.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter, and a panel of appeals court judges ruled Friday that the judge must consider reinstating a third-degree murder charge that he dismissed last fall.

Three other officers, all of whom also were fired, face trial in August on charges of aiding and abetting the second-degree murder and manslaughter counts.

The second-degree murder charge requires prosecutors to prove Chauvin caused Floyds death while committing or trying to commit a felony  in this case, third-degree assault.

The manslaughter charge has a lower bar, requiring proof that Chauvin caused Floyds death through negligence that created an unreasonable risk, and consciously took the chance of causing severe injury or death.

Exactly how Floyd died is shaping up as a major flashpoint of the trial.

Chauvin's attorney, Eric Nelson, argues in court documents that Floyd likely died from fentanyl he consumed, or a combination of fentanyl, methamphetamine and underlying health conditions  not as a result of Chauvins knee on his neck.

Chauvin's attorney will argue that his client's actions didn't cause the death of George Floyd

But Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill wrote last fall that for the second-degree murder charge, prosecutors don't have to prove that Chauvin was the sole cause of Floyd's death  only that his conduct was a 'substantial causal factor.'

Still, defense attorneys who arent connected to the case say all Nelson has to do is raise reasonable doubt in a single jurors mind.

'Although he had him pinned under his knee and he's yelling "I can't breathe! I can't breathe!" there's an argument that (Chauvin) wasn't exerting pressure and his inability to breathe was due to the drugs in his system or something to that effect, or his anxiety,' said F. Clayton Tyler, a prominent local defense attorney.

Defense attorneys say it also may not be easy to establish that Chauvin was committing the felony of assault  as required for the second-degree murder charge in this case.

That's because Chauvin is authorized to use force as a police officer, and his attorneys will argue that his use of force against Floyd was reasonable.

Gaertner said the defense will face a challenge of trying to move the jury's focus off of the video and the strong emotion it generates.

They'll instead try to focus on the medical evidence and Floyd's underlying conditions while trying to portray the circumstances of the arrest as 'justifiable consistent with police norms,' she said.

Brandt and Tyler said Chauvin will likely have to take the stand to explain why he felt he had to hold Floyd down for so long.

Brandt said he'll likely say he followed his training, and that it was necessary because his experience with other suspects under the influence of drugs shows that things can suddenly become erratic and dangerous.

Prosecutors, however, have submitted a list of previous instances in which Chauvin used chokeholds or similar restraints on the job. Cahill ruled they can admit only one as evidence: a 2017 arrest in which Chauvin restrained a female by placing his knee on her neck while she was prone on the ground.

Cahill also ruled that prosecutors can tell jurors about a 2015 incident in which Chauvin saw other officers place a suicidal, intoxicated male in a side-recovery position after using a stun gun on him.

Cahill said prosecutors can introduce that if they can show Chauvin was present when a medical professional said that the male could have died if officers had prolonged the detention.

Brandt said telling the jury about those events will allow prosecutors to show that Chauvin knew the proper way to restrain someone and provide relief, and that he has done it in wrong before.

Brandt said the third-degree murder charge could be easier for prosecutors to prove if it's reinstated because they wouldnt have to show Chauvin intended to commit assault.

Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank wants to impose a third-degree murder charge against Chauvin

Instead, they must prove his actions caused Floyd's death, and that they were reckless and without regard for human life.

The second-degree manslaughter count alleges Chauvin took a risk that a reasonable person would have known could cause death. To defend against that, Brandt said, Chauvin could argue that he had used the same hold in the past and didn't think it would cause a problem.

However, Brandt said 'the whole case' against Chauvin is the video capturing the amount of time he restrained Floyd.

'You hear on the video the passersby, the onlookers saying, "Dude, he can't breathe. Let him up. What are you doing? You are killing him",' Brandt said.

'I mean, it's almost like they are giving a play-by-play.'

Tyler said if he were a prosecutor, he'd use a still shot of Chauvin's expressionless face from that video and keep it in view for the jury to see.

'I mean, the look on his face,' Tyler said. 'If I was prosecuting this case, I have to say, I'd have that picture up there. "You want to show indifference? Just look at him".'

It is rare for police officers to face criminal charges for police-involved deaths of suspects.

Between 2005 and 2014, there have been 10,278 criminal arrests involving 8,495 non-federal sworn law enforcement officers in the United States.

Of those, just 110 law enforcement officers have been charged with murder or manslaughter in an on-duty shooting - this despite the fact that around 1,000 people are fatally shot by police annually, according to The Washington Post.

Of the 110 officers who were charged, just 42 were convicted, according to the Henry A. Wallace Police Crime Database.

Why is it so difficult to bring charges - let alone a conviction - against a police officer involved in the death of a suspect?

'If a civilian is displaying a weapon, its very hard to charge [the police officer] with murder for taking action against that civilian,' Kate Levin, a professor of law at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, said.

'And even if a civilian doesnt have a weapon, it's hard to charge a police officer if [the officer] can credibly say they feared for their life.'

Source: FiveThirtyEight, The Associated Press
As springtime approaches, more and more people can be found walking around the University of Georgias campus and in downtown Athens enjoying the warmer weather. However, for women on campus, walking more often can bring unwanted attention in the form of catcalling.
 Flash

China and Japan should remain focused without being distracted by any single event to make the bilateral relations more mature and stable, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday.

Noting the recent progresses in China-Japan relations, such as important consensus reached between leaders of the two countries and the growth of bilateral trade and investment despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Wang said the hard-won improvement serves the interests of both peoples, as well as regional peace and stability.

Any issues arising from exchanges between the two countries can always be addressed through dialogues and communication to enhance understanding and mutual trust, Wang told a press conference on the sidelines of the national legislature's annual session.

He mentioned the newly-adopted coast guard law of China, saying that it was only a piece of domestic legislation and does not target at any specific country, which is totally in line with international law and practice.

Settling maritime disputes through friendly consultation and without the use or threat of force is the consistent position of the Chinese government, as well as a long-established common understanding between China and its neighbors, Wang said.

China hopes the Japanese society would truly embrace an objective and rational perception of China, so as to solidify public support for long-term progress in China-Japan relations, he said.

Speaking of the upcoming Olympic Games this year and next year, Wang said China and Japan should support each other in hosting the two grand events, and make the Olympics a platform for deepening friendship between the two peoples and an opportunity for furthering the bilateral relations.

"Let's focus our eyes on Tokyo this summer and meet in Beijing next year," he said.
By Michael Holden and Guy Faulconbridge

LONDON (Reuters) - Meghan, the wife of Prince Harry, accused Britain's royal family of raising concerns about how dark their son's skin might be and pushing her to the brink of suicide, in a tell-all television interview that will send shockwaves through the monarchy.

The 39-year-old, whose mother is Black and father is white, said she had been naive before she married into royalty in 2018, but that she ended up having suicidal thoughts and considering self harm after pleading for help but getting none.

Meghan said her son Archie, now aged one, had been denied the title of prince because there were concerns within the royal family "about how dark his skin might be when he's born".

"That was relayed to me from Harry, those were conversations that family had with him," Meghan recounted in an interview with Oprah Winfrey aired on CBS late on Sunday.

Meghan declined to say who had aired such concerns, as did Harry. Winfrey later told CBS that Harry had said it was not Queen Elizabeth or her husband Philip.

Harry said his family had cut them off financially and his father Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, had let him down and refused to take his calls at one point.

Buckingham Palace was not expected to give an immediate response to the interview, which aired in the early hours of Monday morning in Britain.

The two-hour broadcast was the most anticipated royal interview since Harry's late mother Princess Diana shared intimate details of her failed marriage to Charles in 1995, denting the heir's reputation and the family's standing in the eyes of the British public.

Nearly three years since her star-studded wedding in Windsor Castle, Meghan described some unidentified members of the royal household as brutal, mendacious and guilty of racist remarks.

She also accused Kate, wife of her husband's elder brother Prince William, of making her cry before her wedding.

Story continues

While the family came in for open criticism, neither Harry nor Meghan attacked the 94-year-old queen directly.

Still, Meghan said she had been silenced by "the Firm" - which Elizabeth heads - and that her pleas for help while in distress at racist reporting and her predicament had fallen on deaf ears.

"I just didn't want to be alive any more. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. And I remember how he (Harry) just cradled me," Meghan said, wiping away tears.

'REALLY LET DOWN'

Harry and Meghan's announcement in January 2020 that they intended to step down from their royal roles plunged the family into crisis. Last month, Buckingham Palace confirmed the split would be permanent, as the couple looks to forge an independent life in the United States.

Harry, 36, said they had stepped back from royal duties because of a lack of understanding, and he was worried about history repeating itself - a reference to the death of his mother Diana who was killed in a 1997 crash as her car sped away from chasing photographers.

Asked what his mother would say about events, he answered: "I think she would feel very angry with how this has panned out and very sad." He felt "really let down" by his father.

Harry denied blindsiding Queen Elizabeth, his grandmother, with his decision to shun life within the monarchy, but said Prince Charles stopped taking his calls at one point.

"I had three conversations with my grandmother, and two conversations with my father before he stopped taking my calls. And then he said, can you put this all in writing?"

Detractors say the couple, whose official title is the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, wanted the limelight, but were not willing to live with the attention and scrutiny it brought.

To supporters, their treatment shows how an outdated British institution lashed out against a modern, independent biracial woman.

"I know first-hand the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of color to minimize us, to break us down and to demonize us," Serena Williams, one of the world's most successful tennis players and friend of Meghan's, said on Twitter.

Amanda Gorman, the poet who wowed viewers at the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden, said on Twitter Meghan had been the "Crown's greatest opportunity for change, regeneration, and reconciliation in a new era. They didn't just maltreat her light - they missed out on it."

LIES AND TEARS

There have also been allegations of bullying against Meghan which appeared in The Times newspaper in the buildup to the couple's appearance. Buckingham Palace said it would investigate the claims, adding it was "very concerned".

Meghan told Winfrey people within the royal institution not only failed to protect her against malicious claims but lied to protect others.

"It was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family," Meghan said.

Meghan denied a newspaper story that she had made Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, cry before the wedding and said it was a turning point in her relations with the media and the palace.

"The reverse happened," Meghan said. "A few days before the wedding she (Kate) was upset about something, pertaining to yes the issue was correct about the flower girl dresses, and it made me cry. And it really hurt my feelings."

Meghan, who said they were not paid for the interview, conceded she had not realised what she was marrying into when she joined the British monarchy and "went into it naively".

The couple also revealed that Meghan, who is pregnant with their second child, was expecting a girl.

Harry said Meghan had "saved" him from his trapped royal life. "I would disagree, I think he saved all of us. You made a decision that certainly saved my life," Meghan said.

"This is in some ways just the beginning for us."

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge and Michael Holden; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Janet Lawrence)
Kathmandu, March 4

Five companies have been shortlisted for carrying out the study required for placing Nepals own satellite in orbit.

Out of the nine companies that submitted letters of intent for that purpose, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has selected the five, NTA Spokesperson Meen Prasad Aryal says.

According to Aryal, the selected companies include Euro Consult of France, S3Tel Inc of Dubai, the Space Partnership International of America, the Economix Limited, UK and KPMG Assurances and Consultant Service of India.

Meanwhile, the NTA cancelled the previous proposals and called for new proposals for drawing up the regulation and safety, trade and operation modality and policy regarding placing the satellite in orbit.

The NTA had on December 20, 2020, had called for applications and set the deadline for submitting the letter of intent by January 11, 2021. Now, the NTA will select one of the five shortlisted companies through competition.

The major criteria for selection include the companys qualifications (40 per cent), experience (50 per cent) and the capability of the companies (10 per cent).

Aryal shares the technical and financial proposal would be called for from the selected company in the first phase and the NTA will assign the basic works on installation of the satellite after studying the proposals received from them.

The government has set the target of operating the countrys own satellite within 2022 and also released a policy on this in July last year.
It was in September 2020 that India had engaged in talks with the Taliban at the first Intra- Afghan negotiations. Mr Khalizad had welcomed the participation of India in the Intra-Afghan negotiations which was held in Doha on September 12, 2020.

Anthony J. Blinken has written a letter to the Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani whereby he has proposed an UN-convened meeting of representatives of six countries which includes India to talk about promoting peace in Afghanistan. TOLO News which is the exclusive broadcaster, the USA intends to ask the United Nations to convene envoys as well as foreign ministers from China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran and India which is described as the first move towards designing a four-step strategy that would work towards a settlement and a permanent ceasefire.

It was in September 2020 that India had engaged in talks with the Taliban at the first Intra- Afghan negotiations. Mr Khalizad had welcomed the participation of India in the Intra-Afghan negotiations which was held in Doha on September 12, 2020. External Affair Minister of India, S. Jaishankar and U.S. Special envoy of Pakistan spoke over the phone on 7th March 2021 discussing the latest developments which pertained to Afghan peace talks. Last November the former had visited to be a part of the historic peace negotiations between the Afghan government and Taliban. It is no doubt that India has played a pivotal role in the development of the country when it had lent $3 billion to her. India by participating in the IAN at Doha has already engaged in talks with all parties, commented a senior government official.

However, Blinken commented that the Joe Biden administration has not yet completed reviewing the strategy of moving ahead in Afghanistan, but reached a preliminary conclusion that the best way to advance our shared interests is to do all we can to accelerate peace talks and to bring all parties into compliance with their commitments. Not only that, Mr Blinken calls for a meeting between the Afghan government and the Taliban in a senior-level meeting which in Turkey to design a proposal for a 90-day reduction in violence.

Also Read: Myanmar coup: Scores of protestors back on streets after night raids by security forces

Also Read: Xi Jinping calls for promoting Mandarin in Inner Mongolia

This letter comes to the forefront as the Joe Biden administration has been designing a strategy in Afghanistan. It was under Donald Trump that the US had negotiated a peace deal with the Taliban in February 2020 with the aim of US withdrawal from the country, two decades after it had sent troops to Afghanistan.

Also Read: Turkey slams Arab league for baseless claims
Lawmakers at the Massachusetts Statehouse are working on a relief package that includes paid leave, exemption from taxes for forgiven Paycheck Protection Program loans and unemployment insurance rate relief.
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The emotional and aggressive tone of Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev in the last days is not typical of a leader of a state that has won a war. Artur Ghazinyan, the chairman of opposition One Armenia party, wrote about this on Facebook.

By waving his finger irregularly in the air and insulting Armenia and the Armenian people, he inadvertently betrays himself, admits that Azerbaijan did not win this war in the true sense of the word, but, as a result of a special operation called velvet revolution [in Armenia], he managed to bring its agents to power in Armenia, who opened the gates of the fortress before him at the right moment.

Now the situation is changing, and Aliyev is in a hurry to record his successes, which Aliyev does not succeed in for two reasons.

1. His agency network, headed by [Armenian PM] Nikol Pashinyan, does not control the situation in Armenia, and is losing power;

2. The time is approaching for the fulfillment of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's promise to [have Azerbaijan] join the Eurasian Union.

With the revelation of Pashinyan's treacherous horrendous plan, it becomes clear that the more than 10,000 casualties and the handover of Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] were arranged in advance, which breaks the made-up myth of the Azerbaijani iron arm and, on the other hand, makes the return of ex-President] Robert Kocharyan to power in Armenia inevitable. I believe there is no need to present what mental state the person of Kocharyan causes to Aliyev amid the advice passed from father to son.

And even the loud statement about his decision for Azerbaijan to join the Eurasian Union is enough to remind in Azerbaijanat the British and Turkish recallthat they remember that Azerbaijan actually lost this war, losing Artsakh forever by the stationing of the most combat-ready contingents of the Russian army, which will no longer come out of Artsakh.

One can imagine what will happen to Aliyev's rule and the Azerbaijani state when they will have to withdraw their troops from Shushi and Hadrut.

The only way for Aliyev to preventor at least postpone for nowthis catastrophe is to extend Pashinyan's rule in Armenia, through whose hands he will have the opportunity to establish a military and diplomatic positional advantage which will be several times more difficult to act against in the future," Ghazinyan added in particular.
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Rule of law, social security and rural vitalization are the top three topics of public concern for Chinese citizens during this year's "two sessions", according to an online survey conducted by People's Daily Online among 5.2 million people between Feb. 4 and 28.

The rule of law became the hottest topic among Chinese internet users for the first time in the survey, which has been conducted by People's Daily Online for the 20th time.

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/Pang Xinglei)

According to this year's survey, 66.3 percent of the respondents said what left the deepest impression on them was the promulgation and implementation of China's Civil Code. With regard to the newly-revised Law on the Protection of Minors, 53.4 percent of them were most concerned about the improvement of standards of kindergartens and schools.

Social security, one of the top three topics of public concern for three consecutive years, ranked second on the list this year. Some 55.9 percent of the respondents showed great concern over the increase in basic pensions for retirees and the minimum basic old-age pension for rural and non-working urban residents, while 62.4 percent expressed concern over the cost of raising children after China fully adopted the two-child policy in 2016.

The survey showed that Chinese people clearly paid attention to rural vitalization, which gained 3.13 million votes by netizens, or 60.2 percent of the respondents.

Anti-corruption work, ecological protection, financial risks, education reform, housing, digital life, and social governance ranked fourth to tenth in terms of public attention.

Among the respondents, 14.5 percent were below 18 years of age, 21.4 percent were aged between 18 and 29, 15.8 percent between 40 and 49, 9.4 percent between 50 and 59, and 6.2 percent above 60.

The survey revealed that 32.7 percent of the respondents were aged between 30 and 39, and expressed concern over rule of law, rural vitalization, and social security.

Meanwhile, 71 percent of male respondents paid more attention to financial risks, while 62 percent of female netizens focused more on education reform.

The fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) and the fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opened on March 5 and 4, respectively.
[March 08, 2021] Aker ASA launches Seetee to invest in Bitcoin and blockchain technology

OSLO, Norway, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aker ASA ("Aker") today announced that it has established Seetee AS ("Seetee"), a new company dedicated to investing in projects and companies throughout the Bitcoin ecosystem and which will keep all its liquid investable assets in bitcoin. Seetee is initially capitalized with NOK 500 million. Seetee will initially focus on 1) investing in and owning bitcoin, 2) joining the Bitcoin and broader blockchain community and establishing partnerships with leading players, 3) launching Bitcoin verification operations, and 4) building and investing in innovation projects and companies in the Bitcoin and blockchain ecosystem. Seetee will pursue these opportunities by building on the capabilities that have been developed in the Aker Group through the efforts in industrial software, fintech and green energy value chains. This gives Seetee an opportunity to pursue innovations in the Bitcoin and broader ecosystem, e.g. in the areas of cyber security, financial transactions and emissions-free verification operations. To accelerate its initiatives, Seetee will actively partner with other companies. For this purpose, Seetee has entered into a collaboration agreement with Blockstream, a global leader in Bitcoin and blockchain technology. Blockstream provides companies access to the most mature, well tested, and secure blockchain technology in production - the Bitcoin protocol extended via interoperable sidechains to support new applications - along with the most experienced teams in the industry. The collaboration will initially focus on mining operations and be further developed by building on Blockstream's unique strengths in blockchain technology and Aker's industrial legacy and capability set. "With the launch of Seetee, the Aker Group makes another move into software and fintech. We are very excited about the industrial opporunities that will be unlocked by Bitcoin and blockchain technology, and want to contribute forcefully to that effort. These technologies have the potential to reduce frictions in our day to day lives, enhance the security of our digitally driven economies, and unlock new business models for innovation. We look forward to addressing these and other applications together with Blockstream and other partners," said yvind Eriksen, President and CEO of Aker ASA.



"It's exciting to see Aker dive into the Bitcoin ecosystem with enthusiasm. We will be working closely with Seetee on Bitcoin mining and sidechain projects that benefit Aker's group of companies and we expect that their rich experience in leveraging global power infrastructure will prove to be a valuable asset to the Bitcoin industry," said Adam Back, Co-founder and CEO of Blockstream. Magnus Granath, Snorre Lorgen and Sverke Lorgen make up the management team that will initiate Seetee's Bitcoin investments, Bitcoin verification operations and innovation projects. Ola Snve is the company's Executive Chairman.

"I'm excited to invest in Seetee and I am looking forward to being the Executive Chairman, continuing to work closely with Snorre Lorgen, Sverke Lorgen, and Magnus Granath. Our conversations with Blockstream have been truly inspiring and I can't wait to be part of the team, turning opportunity into reality," said Ola Snve, Executive Chairman of Seetee. Kjell Inge Rkke, Chairman of Aker ASA, has offered his reflections about the investment in Bitcoin and establishment of Seetee in a Letter to Shareholders available at www.seetee.io Seetee is owned by Seetee TopCo AS, which again is owned 90.01% by Aker Capital AS (Aker ASA) and 9.99% by Storbrea AS. For further information, please contact:

Snorre Lorgen, CEO, Seetee

snorre@seetee.io Christina Chappell Glenn, Head of Communications and Investor Relations, Aker ASA

christina.glenn@akerasa.com

+47 905 32 774

This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange announcement was published by Christina Chappell Glenn, Head of Communications at Aker ASA, on March 8, 2021 at 07:25 CET. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/aker-asa/r/aker-asa-launches-seetee-to-invest-in-bitcoin-and-blockchain-technology,c3301475

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President Muhammadu Buhari has described Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as a reliable and dedicated deputy.

Presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu quoted the president as saying Mr Osinbajo was not only admirably competent, but also exudes confidence and passion in the performance of his job.

The president showered the praises on Mr Osinbajo to mark his 64th birthday.

Mr Buhari, who picked Mr Osinbajo as his running mate in 2014, said he does not regret his action as the vice president has proven himself to be a patient politician who has not failed in the discharge of his duties.

Im proud to have selected Osinbajo as my running mate and he has given a good account of himself since our journey began in 2015.

The Vice President is a cool-headed gentleman who puts the interest of Nigeria above other narrow considerations.

Vice President Osinbajo is an incredibly patient politician who demonstrates remarkable intellectual and mental energy in the discharge of his duties, the president was quoted to have said.

He wished him many more prosperous years and Gods continued guidance.

Patriot, Democrat

Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, described the vice president as a patriot and democrat, whose services to his fatherland have been commendable, particularly since he became the Vice President in 2015.

In a statement he personally signed, the speaker noted that the vice president has for many decades dedicated himself to serving humanity, serving variously as a teacher (lecturer), pastor and a politician of repute.

As a lawyer, Prof. Osinbajo has distinguished himself and rose to become not only a professor of law but also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), which is the pinnacle of law practice in the country.

The speaker recalled the Mr Osinbajos laudable contributions to the development of Lagos State when he served as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for eight years  from 1999 to 2007.

He said the younger generations of Nigerians have a lot to learn from the life of Mr Osinbajo.

His Excellency, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is one Nigerian that should be celebrated at every point in time, but the occasion of his 64th birthday calls for more celebration.

I, therefore, wish to join millions of Nigerians to celebrate the Vice President on this memorable occasion.

On this memorable day, I wish the Vice President continuous good health and Gods protection, Mr Gbajabiamila said.

Okowa congratulates Osinbajo at 64

Also, the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, congratulated Mr Osinbajo on his 64th birth anniversary.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, Mr Okowa lauded Mr Osinbajo for his astute contributions toward good governance in the country.

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He said that in spite of challenges, the vice president had continued to make quality contributions to the stability and growth of Nigerias economy.

Mr Okowa particularly recalled Osinbajos invaluable role in the enthronement of peace in the Niger Delta, saying that his efforts helped in halting agitations and destruction of oil facilities in the region.

According to him, the vice president deserves some accolades for his leadership role in improving the nations economy, especially as Chairman of National Economic Council (NEC).

The governor added that Mr Osinbajos selfless service to the nation and his numerous accomplishments in personal and public life readily came to mind at a time like this.

As Chairman of the National Economic Council, you have made remarkable contributions to the growth and development of the nations economy with the support of governors and other stakeholders.

On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate His Excellency, the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, as he celebrates his 64th birth anniversary.

Your Excellency, we are proud of your sterling accomplishments, uncommon patriotism and humility which have remained the hallmark of your leadership since you became the Vice President of our great country.

These qualities that you epitomise are some of the worthy traits that inspires us in our quest to build a Stronger Delta for our people.

As people of the Niger Delta, we must thank you for your diplomatic shuttles that led to the resolution of agitations and destruction of oil assets in the region.

On this occasion of your 64th birth anniversary, it is my prayer and that of all Deltans that God will continue to bless you with good health, wisdom and many more years in His service and country, he stated.
Chula Vistas top cop, a man known throughout the state and nation for his dedication to law enforcement, is retiring this month after 35 years of service.

I love doing what Im doing but it just feels right that after a long and fortunate career to move on and do something else, said Chula Vista Police Chief David Bejarano. I have mixed feelings, but Im looking forward to it.

While Bejarano is leaving public service to travel and spend more time with his wife and three grandchildren, hell keep many of his volunteer positions and consulting work.

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Bejarano, 60, was born and raised in El Paso, Texas.

It was a tough neighborhood, he said. I frequently saw a lot of police cars and firefighters in my neighborhood, and the positive contributions they were making early on.

Bejarano likened his neighborhood El Segundo Barrio or the second ward, to Logan Heights  a mostly Hispanic, low-income community.

He said many of his friends ended up in gangs and prison.

Bejarano said he didnt because his older sisters kept him out of trouble.

After graduating from high school he joined the U.S. Marine Corps with a good friend and served three years.

He maintained a cross-country relationship with his girlfriend, and the two married after he left the Marine Corps in 1978.

Bejarano later joined the San Diego Police Department where he would work for the next 25 years, leaving as police chief.

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I worked a lot of special assignments, gang investigations, internal affairs, he said. He was one of the original members of the Border Crime Prevention Unit, a task force of U.S. Border Patrol agents and San Diego officers. They patrolled the U.S./Mexican border looking for undocumented adults and children who were being victimized.

He also served with the criminal intelligence unit in San Diego as a commander.

That involved in a lot of protective details involving President Clinton and presidents from Mexico and working real closely with the Secret Service.

He said career highlights include:

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Serving as president of the California Police Chiefs Association

Becoming police chief in San Diego in 1999 and Chula Vista in 2009

Shaking hands with then President Bush in the Oval Office after being appointed to the U.S. Marshals Service in 2003.

In more than three decades, Bejarano has worked with many distinguished leaders, including District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and Jerry Sanders, former San Diego police chief and later mayor.

When he worked for me, Dave was an excellent assistant chief and then a great chief, Sanders said.

Dumanis said Bejarano has a keen ability to engage the community and work with diverging viewpoints. Thats why he has been so successful as the police chief in Chula Vista, she said.

During his tenure, Chula Vista was ranked the 10th safest in the U.S. with a population above 200,000, according to a report based on FBI crime statistics from 2012.

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Thats based on the quality of people we have in our department, Bejarano said.

Bejarano had stepped down as president of Presidential Security Services when he became police chief. He also curtailed his duties at the firm and wanted his name removed from advertising, marketing and other public material.

The following year he was in the spotlight again. Veritas Worldwide Solutions, which listed him on its website as the executive vice president for law enforcement training, was linked to a failed plot to smuggle Moammar Gadhafis son to a resort near Puerto Vallarta. Saadi Gadhafi was wanted by Interpol for alleged brutality in suppressing the Libyan uprising.

Bejarano said the relationship with the company was that of arms-length, and he cut ties to it as well.

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Under his leadership, the Chula Vista Police Department became one of the first police agencies in the nation to begin to use body-worn cameras in the field.

When you talk about being transparent, building the trust of our community, posting on a national website, officer-involved shootings, citizen complaints, we really embraced community policing, he said.

Bejarano leaves the second largest city in the county to his second in command, Capt. Roxana Kennedy, who was appointed to the position earlier this month.

She said following in his footsteps is a big responsibility and challenge. Basically I call him a rock star chief  hes like a celebrity.

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For Bejarano, the career has been about service.

For the community at large, I thank them for the opportunity to serve San Diego, federally and here in Chula Vista, he said.

Chula Vista Police Chief David Bejarano at his desk (Chadd Cady )
Editor's note: If you are in need of mental health support, please call the 24/7 National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline at (0917) 899-8727 or (02)7-989-8727 or 1553 (Landline-to-landline only)

(CNN)  Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, said in a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey that her life as a British royal was so isolating and lonely at one point she "didn't want to be alive anymore" a stunning admission likely to rock the foundations of the centuries-old institution.

In her first public comments since she and her husband Prince Harry announced their plans to step back from senior roles in the British royal family, Meghan described herself as the victim of an image-obsessed Buckingham Palace, which weighed in on everything from how dark her son Archie's skin color would be to how often she went to lunch with friends.

The TV special was highly anticipated because Harry and Meghan are now allowed to speak more freely about the royal family due to their effective split from the palace.

And the couple did not hold back.

Meghan began the interview speaking with Winfrey one-on-one outdoors in sun-drenched Southern California, where she and Harry now live. Meghan made several revelations about the royal couple's private lives, including that the two were married three days before their official wedding and the second child they are expecting is a girl.

But the most powerful portions of the two-hour interview came when Meghan discussed the difficulties of her life as a working royal. Meghan, an American former actress, said she was forced to suppress her outspoken nature and give up her personal freedom. She said she did not have access to her passport, driver's license or keys after she joined the royal family, and they were only returned when the couple moved away.

Meghan said the situation was exacerbated by often racist and "outdated, colonial undertones" that repeatedly appeared in coverage of the couple in Britain's notoriously vitriolic press.

Fighting back tears at one point, Meghan said the thoughts of suicide were incredibly difficult to bear, and she was reticent to share them with her husband  who lost his mother, Princess Diana, when he was a boy.

"I was really ashamed to say it at the time, and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry especially, because I know how much loss he has suffered. But I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it -- and I just didn't want to be alive anymore," she said.

Harry said he was "terrified" by his wife's admission.

"I had no idea what to do, I went to a very dark place as well, but I wanted to be there for her," he added.

The prince, who is sixth in line to the throne, said there is a culture of suffering in silence in the royal family. However, Meghan's race -- she is half Black -- and the abuse she endured made the situation even more difficult for the couple than it had been for other royals.

Harry said that pushed him to discuss the issue with the royal family. He told Winfrey he believed there were many opportunities for the palace to "show some public support" in the face of continued racial abuse in the press, "yet no one from my family ever said anything. That hurts."

Harry said the issue was bigger than just the couple, because of what Meghan represented as an influential Black woman in a public position.

"It was affecting so many other people as well," he said. "That was the trigger for me to really engage those conversation with the palace, senior palace staff and my family to say, guys, this is not going to end well."

The interview is likely to have lasting consequences for the royal family. It aired at an already fraught time for the royals, with Prince Philip, the Queen's 99-year-old husband, spending a third week in hospital following a heart procedure Thursday.

Members of the royal family conduct tell-all TV interviews roughly once a generation. A 1970 interview with the abdicated King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson posed problems for the palace. Twenty-five years later, Princess Diana's "Panorama" confessional was watched by tens of millions in Britain. Meghan wore Diana's diamond bracelet during the Winfrey special.

Harry and Meghan's interview may have reached an even larger audience. It aired on prime-time television in the United States and was relentlessly promoted by CBS in the days ahead, with the network saying it would peel back the curtain on why Meghan and Harry split from the Windsors last year.

The Sussexes painted a picture of an institution so stuck in its ways that it forced a young, biracial couple to simply live with racist abuse at a time when much of the world is coming to terms with the lasting legacy of institutional racism.

"It has been unbelievably tough for the two of us," Harry said as he sat beside his wife. "But at least we had each other."

'I didn't see a way out'

Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal duties in early 2020, but the formal agreement they struck with the palace was only reached in February.

The deal allows them to both keep the royal titles bestowed by the Queen, but they will give up their royal patronages, which are to be redistributed among working members of the royal family.

Harry said the decision to step back boiled down to "a lack of understanding" between the two sides. He said he would not have stepped back from his family if it was not for Meghan, who helped him realize the couple was trapped.

"I myself was trapped as well. I didn't see a way out. I was trapped but I didn't know I was trapped," he said.

Meghan said she felt she was victim of a "character assassination" in the British media and the machinations of the palace, which valued how it is perceived more than her, her husband and her child's well-being.

She also said that when she was pregnant with her son, Archie, she was told he wouldn't be made a prince and thus wouldn't receive security.

"I regret believing them when they said I would be protected," she said.

Meghan specifically complained of how lonely and isolated life became after her marriage. She said she wasn't even allowed to go out for lunch with friends at times because she was too heavily covered in the media.

"Everyone was concerned with optics," she said.

When the burden became too much to bear, on her own, Meghan said she sought help from human resources at Buckingham Palace. Meghan said she was told she was not a paid employee and would need to seek help elsewhere -- which she was told she couldn't.

Meghan said it was particularly difficult putting on a happy face while suffering in silence. She recounted one particular evening at Royal Albert Hall with her husband, while the two were sitting together in the royal box.

"Every time that those lights went down," she said," I was just weeping, and he was gripping my hand."

When the lights went back on, Meghan said "you just have to be on again."

The interview has sparked something of a public relations battle between the Sussexes and allies of Buckingham Palace. On Tuesday, following the release of promotional clips in advance of the interview, The Times of London published an article that alleged Meghan bullied several staff members. The story cited unnamed royal aides saying a complaint in 2018 claimed the duchess drove out two personal assistants from her Kensington Palace household and undermined the confidence of a third staff member. CNN has been unable to corroborate the claims.

The sources said they approached The Times because they felt the version of Meghan that had publicly emerged was only partially true, and they were concerned about how matters of bullying had been dealt with. The report said the sources believed the public "should have insight into their side of the story" ahead of the couple's interview with Winfrey.

Buckingham Palace said it was "very concerned" about the allegations outlined in the report and would investigate. A spokesperson for the Sussexes dismissed the Times report as "a calculated smear campaign" ahead of the interview.

Meghan told Winfrey that despite the ordeal, it was important to differentiate the royal family from "the people running the institution."

The Duchess of Sussex said she had been welcomed into the family itself and Queen Elizabeth II, Harry's grandmother, had always been wonderful, warm and welcoming.

Meghan discussed rumors of a dispute with Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, the wife of Prince William. Meghan said reports she made Kate cry over the dresses of flower girls at her wedding were untrue, and it was in fact the Duchess of Sussex who cried.

"There was no confrontation," Meghan said.

She declined to discuss the incident further because Kate had apologized to her. "I don't think it's fair to her to get into the details of that," Meghan added.

Harry said the decision to step back has had financial consequences -- they were cut off by the palace in early 2020 -- and affected his relationship with his family. He said his father, Prince Charles, who is next in line to the throne, briefly stopped taking his calls. He described his relationship with his older brother, William, as "space," but added "time heals all things, hopefully."

Meghan also struck a positive tone at the end of the interview. She said life after the royal family is "just the beginning" for their family.

When asked by Winfrey if her story with the prince has a happy ending, Meghan answered unequivocally.

"(It's) greater than any fairytale you've ever read," she said.
Police officers search for hiding demonstrators during a protest in Yangon, Myanmar Monday. / EPA-Yonhap



Security forces shot dead two people in northern Myanmar on Monday, local media reported, as the military government continued its attempt to stamp out opposition to its Feb. 1 coup.



The Irrawaddy newspaper said the victims were shot in the head during anti-coup protests in Myitkyina in Kachin State. Graphic video on social media showed protesters in the street backing away from tear gas, responding with rocks, then fleeing after a fusillade of what seemed to be automatic gunfire.



Demonstrators hurriedly carried away a number of injured people, including one apparent fatality, a person who had sustained a severe head wound. A second body was seen later on a stretcher, his head covered with a cloth.



To date, the government's violent crackdown has left more than 50 protesters dead. At least 18 people were fatally shot on Sunday last week and 38 on Wednesday, according to the U.N. Human Rights Office.



Security forces also clamped down on anti-coup protesters elsewhere Monday, firing tear gas to break up a crowd of about 1,000 people who were demonstrating in the capital, Naypyitaw. The protesters deployed fire extinguishers to create a smoke screen as they fled from authorities.



Thousands of protesters who marched in Mandalay, the country's second-largest city, dispersed on their own amid fears that soldiers and police were planning to use force to break up their demonstration.



Meanwhile, an armed force from one of Myanmar's ethnic groups deployed to protect anti-coup marchers in the wake of a brutal junta crackdown.



The unit from the Karen National Police Force (KNPF) arrived shortly after dawn to accompany about 2,000 protestors near Myitta in Tanintharyi Region in south-eastern Myanmar. They carried an assortment of firearms including assault rifles as they marched ahead of the column down dusty rural roads.



The KNPF are under the control of the Karen National Union (KNU), one of many ethnic organizations that have been fighting for greater autonomy from the central government for decades. The KNU employs both political and, through its armed wing, military means to achieve its aims.



Large-scale protests have occurred daily across many cities and towns in Myanmar since the country's military seized power, and security forces have responded with ever greater use of lethal force and mass arrests.



The coup and its violent aftermath have led foreign governments and international organizations to impose measures against Myanmar's military leaders.



In the latest case, Australia suspended its defense cooperation with Myanmar and is redirecting humanitarian aid in the country because of the military takeover and detention of an Australian citizen.



Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Monday that diplomats and relatives had only been able to contact economic policy adviser Sean Turnell twice by phone since he was detained in early February. She described the access as ''very limited consular support.''



Australia announced late Sunday that it had suspended a defense training program with Myanmar worth about 1.5 million Australian dollars ($1.2 million) over five years. The program had been restricted to noncombat areas such as English-language training.



Australian humanitarian aid will be directed away from the Myanmar government and government-related entities. Instead it will focus on the immediate humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable and poor in Myanmar, including the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities, Payne said.



On Sunday, police occupied hospitals and universities and reportedly arrested hundreds of people involved in protesting the military takeover.



In Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, gun shots from heavy weapons rang out for a second straight night in several neighborhoods after the start of an 8 p.m. curfew. The sounds of what apparently were stun grenades could also be heard on videos posted on social media.



The use of such weapons after protesters had left the streets appeared to be part of a strategy to strike fear in anyone who might think about defying the authorities. In a similar vein, many filmed incidents of police and soldiers show them savagely beating protesters they had taken into custody.



Some of the shooting was heard near hospitals, where reports said neighborhood residents sought to block the entry of police and soldiers.



Security forces have often targeted medical personnel and facilities, including ambulances and their crews. Members of the medical profession launched the Civil Disobedience Movement, which is the nominal coordinator of the protests, frequently hailed on demonstrators' signs by its initials CDM. Taking over hospitals would allow the authorities to easily arrest wounded people presumed to be protesters.



Meanwhile, a Canadian-Israeli lobbyist hired by Myanmar's junta said the ruling generals want to get out of politics and shift the nation away from China.



Ari Ben-Menashe, who previously represented Sudan's military leader and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday from the U.S. after returning from his second trip in the past month to Myanmar.



He said he was confident he can persuade the Biden administration to lift sanctions imposed on military leaders who directed the coup last month that deposed and detained Myanmar's elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.



He said the U.S. and others in the West have reduced Myanmar's political conflict to a black and white tale of military repression against pro-democracy activists and ignore the exclusion of millions of minority members from voting in last year's election.

(AP)
ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jennifer R. Santiago, MD is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Top Physician in the field of Obstetrics & Gynecology and acknowledgment of her exceptional contributions at GW Medical Faculty Associates.

Deeply rooted in academics and research, The GW Medical Faculty Associates is the first medical school in the nation's capital and the 11th oldest in the United States. The highly trusted physicians teach and mentor medical students, residents, and researchers at The GW University School of Medicine & Health Sciences. Additionally, The GW Medical Faculty Associates is committed to building a lasting relationship with their patients and has maintained its reputation for clinical excellence and quality care.

Board-Certified OB/GYN Dr. Jennifer R. Santiago began practicing in Virginia in 2004 and has established her reputation as one of the most trusted and distinguished in her field. She is currently providing quality and compassionate services in general medicine and obstetrics and gynecology at GW Medical Faculty Associates. Prior to her current role, she joined the staff at Perfectly Female Women's Healthcare in Reston, Virginia until 2007 and then went on to OBGYN Associates of N. VA Ltd. Until 2014, she treated a multitude of patients, demonstrating the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and compassion.

In light of her academic achievements, Dr. Santiago attended Bryn Mawr College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biology in 1995. She went on to obtain her Medical Degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Her career began as a resident physician at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She remains a member of the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

In her spare time, Dr. Santiago enjoys reading, running, hiking, and performing.

For further information, please visit https://www.gwdocs.com/.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who

Related Links

http://www.continentalwhoswho.com


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Our social life with friends and family is completely virtual, said Errol Crook, the Abraham A. Mitchell Professor and chair of internal medicine at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine.

No kidding: Crook said that at one point in 2020 he had to make arrangements to isolate from the rest of his family, because he was seeing patients while his daughters had to return back home from graduate and undergraduate school. He and his wife also have struggled to maintain relationships with parents in skilled nursing facilities.

I have had more down days than before the pandemic, said Crook, 59. The inability to interact with people with whom I regularly interacted has been a bother. I dont just bump into people when out and about because I am rarely out and about. I go to work every day, but many, like my wife, work from home and really get cabin fever.

But inconvenience is mostly a private concern. One of his biggest professional concerns during the pandemic has been inequity, and the need to grapple with it in real time. Crook is co-author of a 2020 study addressing the pandemics impacts on an underserved community.

The pandemic has provided a unique moment for me and my colleagues across the nation and at the University of South Alabama who work to create an environment of health equity, Crook said. The highlighting of the inequities in health, educational attainment, income and wealth by the pandemic combined with the highlighting of social justice issues has provided motivation and opportunity to further understand the underpinning of those issues and to share that information via a variety of venues.

There is a sense of urgency that comes with that as history tells us those moments can often pass by relatively quickly, said Crook. That urgency and the urgency of providing the highest quality patient care as we train health care providers to do so for generations to come has been a driver for me.

This is part of a series of stories by AL.com to reflect on the 1-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic reaching Alabama. Each day leading up to March 13 we will elevate the voices of those impacted.
Hong Kong: SMS test result discrepancy handled

The Hospital Authority today said it was notified by the COVID-19 test service vendor that some members of the public received the wrong specimen bottle number in the SMS messages concerning their test results.

As a result, these people could not log in to the governments electronic testing record system to download their test results.

To tie in with the Centre for Health Protections Enhanced Laboratory Surveillance Programme, the authority contracted a test service vendor to arrange COVID-19 tests and provide the negative result notifications via SMS.

The authority said the incident was caused by a specimen bottle number discrepancy during the test result information handling process.

The 103 people who were affected returned their specimen bottles to general outpatient clinics on March 2. All the test results came back negative.

The vendor confirmed that neither personal data nor privacy was involved in the discrepancy and no test result was affected.

Upon receiving the notification yesterday, the authority requested the vendor to inform those affected and send an amendment SMS immediately.

It also tasked the vendor with reviewing the system and fixing the error.

The incident was reported to the Food & Health Bureau and the Department of Health.

This story has been published on: 2021-03-08. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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There are hundreds of BIPOC-owned and women-owned brands you can support nowadays; however, there is still a general lack of visibility for many Indigenous brands. Thus, a brand you should get to know is Bush Medijina.

Bush Medijina came from a group of Waringakalina Elders. They wanted to teach their communities the secrets of self-care, health and female empowerment. The program operates from Groote Eylandt, governed by an all-female team who all speak Anindilyakwa.

Most important to us is the wellbeing of Warningakalina women, it says on the site. As Indigenous women, we face many challenges. With high rates of crime and violence in our communities we dont always feel safe, impacting our mental health, and that of our children. School attendance rates are low; jobs are scarce. Our life expectancy is reduced due to systemic and genetic health issues, exacerbated by our remote location and limited access to services.

Of the team, 80 percent are Indigenous Australians and harvest native botanicals and herbs were passed down from generation to generation. These herbs become body butter, balms, soaps and more for sale.

When you buy from this brand, not only are you directly investing in Aboriginal culture, but youre also investing in a women-owned brand and its cultural preservation. Shop some of the brands best sellers down below.

Credit: Bush Medijina

Credit: Bush Medijina

Credit: Bush Medijina

Credit: Bush Medijina

If you liked this post, check out 18 Asian-founded brands to support today, tomorrow and forever.

If you love beauty and want to be part of In The Knows top-secret beauty announcement in 2021, be sure to cast your vote for your favorite beauty products here.

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The post Bush Medijina is a female-led Indigenous beauty brand you should know appeared first on In The Know.
March 8, 1946

Scranton Plan to take over Murray plant

Gerard Williams, president of the Scranton Plan Corp., presented an $800,000 check to Harry Batchelder, acting regional director of the War Assets Corp., as a large down payment on the purchase of the Murray Corp. plant in South Scranton.

The $400,000 balance on the factory would be paid for by the Scranton Plan through the sale of bonds.

The Murray Corp. would stay at the plant and convert it over to make bathtubs, sinks, electric and gas ranges and sanitary plumbing supplies. Murray said it would employ 1,500 people at first, and later increase to 4,000 employees.

Murray Corp. agreed to sign a five-year lease on its former factory with the Scranton Plan with a lease payment of $130,000. If Murray elected to purchase the factory back from the Scranton Plan, $50,000 of the lease payment would be applied to the purchase price.

The Scranton Plan Corp. was chartered on Jan. 21. The corporation had already raised more than $1.2 million through the public subscription of 4%, 15-year first mortgage bonds.

City paving project postponed

Bernard Harding, regional engineer with the state Highway Department, announced that the planned North Scranton paving project had been postponed for at least a year.

The postponement was being caused by a Scranton Transit Co. delay in converting the area from streetcar service to bus service. H.H. Dartt, president of Scranton Transit, said it would have been impossible to convert from streetcar to bus service at that time due to recent strikes that affected the automotive industry.

Scranton Transit also had to remove the street tracks along North Main Avenue between Bulls Head and Providence Square before the state could start to repave the road.

Sale at Scranton Talk

Breakfast table set for $49.95, three-piece living room set (couch and two chairs) for $229.95, sofa bed for $69.95, lounge chair with ottoman for $29.95, Maple of Walnut chest of drawers for $23.95 and a pair of boudoir lamps for $7.95.
Toyota has confirmed that it will produce an A-segment city car based on its TNGA-B architecture for European buyers. It will be the third compact TNGA-B model after the B-segment Yaris launched in 2020 and similar Yaris Cross SUV due later in 2021. The new model could get a new name, but it will probably keep the Aygo nameplate thats been on sale in Europe for two generations alongside the badge-engineered Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108.

This commitment from Toyota is notable because the A-segment has been under pressure in Europe. GlobalData figures show A-segment vehicles accounted for 6.3% of production in Europe in 2012 but this had dropped to 4.5% by 2020. In comparison, SUV share of vehicle production grew from 16.7% to 33.5% over the same period. The predominant challenge for A-segment vehicles is profitability  they are typically the lowest priced models on sale with the smallest per-unit margin, so strong sales figures are needed for a meaningful return.

In addition, A-segment vehicles as an affordable form of transport faced pressure from the pre-COVID growth of the ride-hail and car-sharing industry, along with the demotorization trend seen among younger people who are increasingly working from home and opting for home delivery over in-person retail. Plus, from a consumer perspective, A-segment vehicles lack the kind of utility offered by the increasing number of compact SUV options on sale.

The COVID-19 pandemic could present an opportunity for the A-segment.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic could present an opportunity for the A-segment. Consumers have become increasingly aware of the infection risk posed by shared vehicles used by ride-hail and car-sharing networks, with usership of those services declining significantly throughout 2020  Uber noted in its 2020 results that gross bookings for its ride-hail mobility products dropped 47% compared with 2019. As fewer people make use of shared mobility, some may opt for cheap, no-frills personal transportation as a safer alternative  a market that could be served by Toyotas A-segment offering.

The new model is due to be built at Toyotas existing Kolin facility in the Czech Republic. This was previously a joint site for manufacturing the Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 108 and Citroen C1 however, in 2018, Toyota took sole ownership over the facility. With production of the second-generation badge-engineered Toyota/Citroen/Peugeot trio coming to an end, Toyota now has capacity at the plant to devote to a new model based on the TNGA-B platform. Labour and manufacturing costs in the Czech Republic are somewhat lower than West European nations, improving the profitability of the new A-segment model.



Toyota is well placed to take advantage of the gap in the European A-segment. Rivals including Renault, Ford and Opel/Vauxhall have all abandoned the A segment due to the lower profit potential and the pressure to meet weight-adjusted fleet CO2 targets. A-segment cars are typically lightweight so face the strictest CO2 targets but, with tight profit margins, arent suitable for the greater per-unit cost of an emissions-free electrified powertrain. Toyotas mostly hybridised lineup means it could address the A-segment niche with a combustion-powered model without straying above its fleet CO2 target.

See also: Toyota commits to new A-seg city car for Europe
Porsche has invested an additional 70 million ($83.3 million) in Rimac, boosting its stake in the hypercar manufacturer and EV component supplier from 15 to 24 percent, Rimac has announced. Porsche joins Hyundai as a major investor in Rimac, after the Korean automaker recently put in 80 million ($95 million).

Why all the interest in Rimac, ostensibly a niche manufacturer of luxury electric supercars? As Porsche notes, the Croatian company is also a major manufacturer of high-performance EV parts, including batteries and drivetrains. "Porsche has already placed its first orders with Rimac for the development of highly innovative series components," said Porsche deputy chairman Lutz Meschke in a statement.

In an interview last year, CEO Mate Rimac said that his company was also working with Hyundai, Aston Martin, Koenigsegg, Renault and Pininfarina. He noted that Porsche asked his company to work on an (unnamed) car in development at the time, challenging Rimac to "make it better" in three months. "We managed to surprise them with the timing and performance of what we did," he said. In the same interview, he added that Rimac was building "the battery and powertrain" for a performance-oriented Hyundai EV.

Porsche first invested in Rimac back in 2018 when it acquired a 10 percent stake. The company has said that it's interested in Rimac's focus on performance, particularly for prototypes and limited series cars. "Rimac is well on its way to becoming a Tier 1 supplier for Porsche and other manufacturers in the high-tech segment," said Meschke. The company has certainly proved that with its own EVs like the Rimac Concept 2, a 1,900 horsepower electric hypercar that can hit 250 MPH and go from 0-60 in around 1.8 seconds.


Air Serbia has said it is optimistic and hopeful it will overcome upcoming challenges by adapting and evolving its business. The carriers CEO, Duncan Naysmith, noted, Since the gradual restoration of air traffic in May last year, we have monitored all changes in travel restrictions on a daily basis and adapted our network accordingly. We are re-establishing flights to all destinations where possible and are increasing frequencies in accordance to demand. Our strategic planning, flexible and agile approach, as well as quick adaption to changes in the market, have yielded results. During the previous year, we have managed to accomplish a good passenger load factor on a large number of routes. Not only have we recommenced and reinforced flights to many existing destinations, we have even introduced new ones during the most challenging period for our industry. At our home base, Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, we have significantly increased our market share, transporting more than half of all passengers in January. Air Serbia has said it is optimistic and hopeful it will overcome upcoming challenges by adapting and evolving its business. The carriers CEO, Duncan Naysmith, noted, Since the gradual restoration of air traffic in May last year, we have monitored all changes in travel restrictions on a daily basis and adapted our network accordingly. We are re-establishing flights to all destinations where possible and are increasing frequencies in accordance to demand. Our strategic planning, flexible and agile approach, as well as quick adaption to changes in the market, have yielded results. During the previous year, we have managed to accomplish a good passenger load factor on a large number of routes. Not only have we recommenced and reinforced flights to many existing destinations, we have even introduced new ones during the most challenging period for our industry. At our home base, Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, we have significantly increased our market share, transporting more than half of all passengers in January.





Air Serbia recently removed eleven routes previously planned to operate this coming summer, although some may be reintroduced if circumstances permit. Furthermore, the airline has reduced its fleet over the past year, with its Boeing jets recently retired. On the other hand, it added a new destination to its network last week and plans to substitute its existing Airbus A330-200 jet with another of the same type, reinforcing its commitment to its sole long haul route. Now, exactly a year after the changes that shook even the largest giants in the global aviation industry, we will continue to adapt, evolve and ensure we are agile to market demands and customer needs. We have proven that we can deal with challenges and turn them into opportunities. That gives us the right to be optimistic and have faith that we will successfully adapt and overcome everything ahead of us, Mr Naysmith noted.





As part of its plan to better adapt to new market conditions, Air Serbias General Manager for Commercial and Strategy, Jiri Marek, said the airline is seeking new commercial partnerships. We recently renewed our codeshare agreement with Etihad and basically we are maintaining connectivity via the main, lets say, Etihad gateways in Europe. Being a smaller regional player, any codeshare agreement is important to us because it gives us access to a more global network and also gives us extra feed for our regional network. So, we are maintaining strong cooperation with Etihad. The codeshare has been expanded but, of course, there will most likely be less demand since the nonstop Etihad flights are, lets say, currently suspended. We are developing other codeshare partnerships to cover that part of the world. Last year, during the pandemic, we signed the codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines, we fly daily to Istanbul and we have wide access to their network. We will further be expanding that codeshare cooperation as well. Basically, we are open to working with any airline partner that is helping us add additional feed to our network to enlarge our footprint.








Jobs boom: A Sydney construction worker

Thousands more apprentices will be helped to get jobs this year as Scott Morrison extends a 50 per cent wage subsidy for new trainees while the economy recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The prime minister has removed the 100,000-person cap on the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements scheme after the places filled up in just five months.

The policy was due to stop on September 30 but now any apprentice hired before then will have their wages subsidised for a whole year from the day they start.

Mr Morrison expects the extension will help another 70,000 apprentices get jobs at a cost of $1.2billion to taxpayers.

Government figures seen by Daily Mail Australia show 39,753 employers have already applied for the scheme.

Forty percent are small businesses and 30 per cent are medium-sized companies.

The industries benefiting the most are construction and food and beverage while the most popular jobs include bricklayers, electricians and sales workers.

The scheme has mostly helped young Australians, with 55 per cent of recipients under 25, but some 8,000 Aussies over 45 have also benefited.

Mr Morrison will announce the expansion in a speech at the The Australian Financial Review Business Summit in Sydney on Tuesday.

The industries benefiting the most from the policy are construction and food and beverage (pictured)

TOP FIVE INDUSTRIES USING WAGE SUBSIDY SCHEME Industry Employers Apprentices Proportion Construction services 14,116 20,414 20% Food and beverage 3,166 12,634 13% Administrative services 458 8,899 9% Repair and maintenance 3,274 5,638 6% Building construction 2,968 4,598 5%

TOP FIVE JOBS USING WAGE SUBSIDY SCHEME Job Employers Apprentices Proportion Bricklayers, carpenters and joiners 6,078 8,295 8% Electricians 4,283 6,912 7% Automotive electricians and mechanics 3,267 5,980 6% Sales assistants and salespersons 1,441 5,761 6% Hospitality workers 1,187 4,997 5%

'I am pleased to announce that the Government is removing the cap on eligible places and extending the duration of support to 12 months from the date the apprentice commences with their employer,' he will say.

'This will ensure an apprenticeship place is there for any Australian and every business who wants one as our economy recovers.'

The prime minister will say the scheme's popularity 'highlights the confidence businesses have in the future of the Australian economy.'

He will also declare that helping young Australians has been one of his priorities during the pandemic after they were hit hardest in previous recessions.

'We also recognise that, while the labour market is strengthening, there are still Australians out there looking for work and needing to upskill. We have never forgotten them,' he will say.

Electricians have benefitted from the policy with 6,912 new apprentices on the wage subsidy

Sales assistants and salespersons have also benefitted with 5,761 new apprentices getting jobs

The announcement will be welcomed by business leaders who have been calling for the extension in recent weeks.

Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group, said the scheme 'supported many young people in gaining meaningful employment, often their first job.'

The policy pays businesses half of the wages of a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee up to $7,000 a quarter.

A further 122,000 existing apprentices were also helped with a 50 per cent wage subsidy under the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees Programme which finishes at the end of March.

It comes as the government considers further targeted support including aviation grants and interest-free loans to struggling companies when JobKeeper runs out in three weeks.

Treasurer Josh Frydenber said on Monday he will announce his policies in the 'coming days'.

December quarter national accounts figures last week showed the economy grew by a bigger-than-expected 3.1 per cent as the virus remained largely under control and restrictions were eased.
The outside of the Supreme Court of New South Wales building is seen in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 9, 2013. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

Chief Judge Defends Contentious Australian Family Court Merger

The chief judge of the newly created Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCA) has issued a statement reaffirming the court is more than capable of handling sensitive divorce and child custody matters, as it faces a barrage of criticism from stakeholders in the former family law system.

Each year, Australians file over 106,000 new family law cases in the court system covering divorces, child custody, and property disputes, according to a PwC report (pdf).

The merger of the Family Court and Federal Court into one entity, the FCFCA, is an attempt by the government to speed up the processing of family law cases which has seen some judges attempt to juggle over 600 cases at one time.

The government estimates an additional 8,000 cases will be resolved per year once the merger is set.

However, the move has sparked negative media coverage and criticism, culminating in an open letter signed by 155 lawyers, former judges, and social workers opposing the merger.

Many argued that the new FCFCA was too generalist and would put those suffering from family violence and child abuse at risk.

The increasing number of cases in which issues of family violence and child abuse are raised has led to an even greater need today for family law jurisdiction to be vested exclusively in specialised judges who can give their full attention to the needs of family law clients, former Family Court Justice Elizabeth Evatt said in a statement just days after the merger was approved by Parliament.

Womens Legal Services Australia spokesperson, Angela Lynch said, Our opposition to the proposed merger of the family courts is centred on ensuring the safety and best interests of the child and the safety of adult victim-survivors of family violence in family law proceedings. Safety must come first in family law.

Current Justice William Alstergren issued a statement a few days later saying the rights of children was a key obligation under the new court, and that the FCFCA was well-equipped to deal with these issues.

Both Courts already have specialist family law judges, with 33 family law judges in the Family Court of Australia and 40 specialist judges that deal exclusively with family law cases in the Federal Circuit Court, he said.

The public may not be aware that the Federal Circuit Court (FCC) currently hears approximately 90 percent of all family law cases and 92 percent of all parenting cases, he added.

Alstergren also noted that FCC judges have an average of 25 years experience in family law, and many were former registrars, lawyers, and academics and would continue to serve on the court going forward. The number of judges in the new FCFCA was also due for an increase under the merger.

The Family Court system can only improve with this decision, according to Professor Augusto Zimmermann, head of law at Sheridan College and Epoch Times contributor.

The backlog is appalling and even emergency cases take up to four months to be heard, and even then, often no decision is made, he told The Epoch Times.

The cost of our legal system in Australia amounts to a denial of access to justice in far too many situations. Of course, lawyers dont want the rules of this golden gravy train to be changed.

The Family Court of Australia came into existence in 1975 under the Gough Whitlam government.

Along with establishing a new court system, the Act also saw the introduction in Australia of no-fault divorce.

No-fault divorce lowered the bar for couples to separate, with the law requiring couples to live separately for one year before being granted a divorce.

Previously, under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1959, couples had to satisfy one of 14 grounds for divorce including adultery, habitual drunkenness, or rape.
Ahead of assembly elections in both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, the political drama has also intensified as Didi's close aide Sonali Guha threatened to join the BJP if she does not get a ticket. In Tamil Nadu, BJP and AIADMK have agreed to share seats and DMK has signed a seat-sharing agreement with Congress.

From West Bengal to Tamil Nadu, the race to win the assembly elections has begun. In the upcoming West Bengal elections, BJP and TMC are trying every possible way to convince the public of West Bengal to vote for them. On the other hand, Tamil Nadu is seeing some alliances and agreements between national and regional parties.

In West Bengal, the Congress-Left coalition, in collaboration with other groups, has made plans to make the case moot. Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui and his Indian Secular Front (ISF), which is linked to Furfura Sharif Dargah and close to Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee, are also part of this alliance. The coalition is negotiating for seats with the front.

Also, The Trinamool Congress (TMC) requested on Monday that the second phase of Parliaments Budget Session be postponed, citing the ongoing assembly elections in four states and the Union Territory of Puducherry as justification. Trinamool Congress member and spokesperson Derek OBrien wrote to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, saying that his partys representatives would be unable to attend the Parliament session due to the elections. I am writing this letter to you as the chairman (Rajya Sabha) of the Trinamool Congress, he said. I encourage you to consider postponing the new Parliament session due to the declaration of elections in five states.

After Dinesh Trivedi, Sonali Guha, a close aide of TMC leader Mamata Banerjee and a four-time MLA from the party, said on Sunday that if she did not get a ticket for the West Bengal assembly elections, she would join the BJP. Guha told reporters that BJP national vice-president Mukul Roy had invited him to join the saffron party at the partys Hastings headquarters.

Also Read: After France, Switzerland votes to outlaw face coverings including Burqa in public

Whereas in Tamil Nadu, The Bharatiya Janata Party and the AIADMK have agreed to share seats in the assembly elections. The BJP will run for a total of 20 assembly seats in this state. Aside from that, his sole candidate would contest the Kanyakumari Lok Sabha seat in a by-election.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to contest 20 seats in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly election and also Kanyakumari seat for Lok Sabha bye-election, in alliance with All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).  ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2021

Also, there will be a clash between the DMK and the AIADM alliance in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections. The Congress was given 41 seats in the 2016 elections, but only 7 seats were won by the DMK. According to reports, the DMK is in favour of granting Congress 25 seats this time. This was verified to NDTV by sources. According to reports, the DMK is also willing to allocate a Rajya Sabha seat to Congress.

It is a win for AIADMK as Sasikala, who has been dubbed a greedy person in influence, has said that she sees Amma (Jayalalithaas) hope of keeping the AIADMK in power, whether it be for her own political interests or for his familys, in her statement (nephew Dinakaran).

Also Read: China plans to connect Tibet with high speed bullet trains; strategic concern for India
EV

If you remember what its like to fly around streets on a gas-powered scooter with nothing but your own finger strength to hold on, then you too have had a very awesome childhood. These days, it seems everyone is pushing for electric power; not that this is a problem, but some downsides do exist. The two major factors that are present in all this e-business are range and speed.Recently, Voro Motors , an e-scooter company that has seen its beginnings in Singapore, released an electric scooter that brings back the good ol days. Its called the Wolf King, and frankly, it seems to be just what some adrenaline junkies are asking for.To kick things off, have a look at the overall vehicle. Starting from the ground up, the first feature to pop into view are the massive tires. A pair of tubeless racing tires are standard when you spend the $2,999 asking price for this hungry beast. But, if youre more the rough rider, you can opt for a pair of off-road tires and go beyond city limits.I understand that the last paragraph may bring up several questions like, Why racing tires? or Three grand for a scooter!? Sure, those are all valid questions, but before you disregard this mini monster, know that the top speed on this sucker is 60 mph (96 kph), and it can hit 50 mph (80 kph) in under 5 seconds, 4.8 to be exact. Whens the last time you owned a vehicle, no matter what size, that was able to buck like a Countach in the quarter-mile?How is all this possible? Well, the first thing to look at is the motor system . The Wolf doesnt include just one motor to give you all this speed, but rather two 1500-watt motors found in each wheel. Two 72-volt, 40-amp controllers will be handling the flow of power to the motors.Powering everything is a 72-volt 28-amp hour battery from Samsung. Even though the specifics of who manufactures these motors arent really clear, at least you wont have to worry about the energy to power components. Don't stress about riding around puddles or other slightly wet terrain either, as an IP4X rating will protect electrical components against splashing from any direction. Overall, the juice on thiswill last you for a good 50 miles (80 kilometers) and, once drained, will be fully charged in five hours.Because of this scooters ability to hit some insane speeds and to do it off-road as well, the team at Voro equipped a suspension system to handle just about anything your riding will throw at you. At the front, youll find a hydraulic suspension, while two spring shocks support the rear. Those are more than enough to take care of any vibrations, quick banks, and even lack of traction that happens when you hit a big turn.This suspension, in turn, lifts the footboard high off the ground offering the necessary clearance to ride over obstacles and terrain. If you do happen to run into any debris, the 6061-aluminum frame construction is sure to keep going smoothly. One thing Voro included in the frame construction is a folding system that helps you store the Wolf easily in the trunk of your car, back seat, or even under your work desk.Overall, the Wolf comes in with a weight of 105 lb (46.5 kg), making it nice and heavy . When dealing with such high speeds on such a small vehicle, the weight helps keep you glued to the ground. Adding more weight to your ride is, of course, you. A max rider capacity of 400 lb (181.4 kg) makes this one of the most capable scooters I've ever run across.One thing is for sure: as powerful as the Wolf King is, its only going to remain alpha until the next generation of scooters can run rampant. These days, that moment may come sooner than expected.
George Clooney and Julia Roberts are joining the list of Hollywood talents shooting in Australia with a romantic comedy that will film in Queensland later this year.

Called Ticket to Paradise, the movie will be directed by Ol Parker, who is best known as the writer of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and director of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

The shoot is scheduled for the Whitsundays, which will double for Bali, and southern Queensland in November.

Shooting a romantic comedy in Queensland: Julie Roberts and George Clooney in Oceans Twelve. Credit:Warner Bros.

Clooney and Roberts have worked together before in the Oceans movies and the Jodie Foster-directed Money Monster. This time they will play a divorced couple who travel to Bali to stop their daughter getting married.
Libya's Prime Minister-designate Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh arrived in the coastal city of Sirte on Monday to present his unity government lineup to the House of Representatives (parliament), a government spokesman told Anadolu Agency

TRIPOLI (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Mar, 2021 ) :Libya's Prime Minister-designate Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh arrived in the coastal city of Sirte on Monday to present his unity government lineup to the House of Representatives (parliament), a government spokesman told Anadolu Agency.

"Dbeibeh arrived in Sirte to present his cabinet formation to the members of the House of Representatives during a parliamentary session that will be held later today," Mohamed Hammouda said.

On Saturday, Dbeibeh proposed a unity government of 27 members, promising that the government will prioritize "improving services, unifying state institutions and ending the transitional period by holding elections".The parliament will debate giving confidence to Dbeibeh's government during today's session.

Muhammad al-Raidh, a member of the House of Representatives, told Anadolu Agency that some 90 deputies from both Tobruk and Tripoli assemblies already arrived in Sirte for Monday's parliamentary session.

Al-Raidh said a group of 35 deputies are expected to arrive in the city from Tripoli shortly. "They will strongly endorse the new government," he expected. The total number of Libyan parliamentarians is 200.

On Feb. 5, Libya's rival political groups agreed during UN-mediated talks to form an interim unity government to lead the country to elections this December in which Dbeibeh was designated as prime minister and to form a new government.

Libyans hope that this step will end years of civil war between various Libyan factions that engulfed the country since the toppling of strongman Muammar Al-Qaddafi.

The war has been exacerbated when warlord Khalifa Haftar, supported by the UAE, Egypt, Russia and France among others, carried out a military onslaught to topple the Tripoli-based internationally recognized Libyan government for control of the North African country.
Married At First Sight couple Booka Nile and Brett Helling finally consummated their marriage following a successful 'Post-It note' challenge on the show last week.

And after waking up in bed together on October 7, the couple couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces as they headed out for a romantic lunch date.

Booka and Brett, both 31, appeared to be on cloud nine as they left their Sydney hotel to grab a bite to eat at a nearby Nando's.

She's glowing! Married At First Sight's Booka Nile (right) couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she stepped out with her husband Brett (left) for a Nando's lunch date on October 7

While the couple didn't hold hands, the Perth-based musician and her electrician 'husband' were similarly dressed casually for their brief outing.

Booka opted for a pair of dark stonewash grey cropped pants, which tapered in towards the ankle.

She also donned a long-sleeve black T-shirt, which was printed with a red and white logo and lettering.

Smitten: Booka and Brett, both 31, appeared to on cloud nine as they left their Sydney hotel to grab a bite to eat

Matching! While the couple didn't hold hands, the Perth-based musician and her electrician 'husband' were similarly dressed casually for their brief outing

Her long blonde hair was worn loose under a red beret, and she rounded out her casual ensemble with a pair of white sneakers.

Meanwhile, Brett stepped out in a pair of faded black Nike tracksuit pants and camouflage sneakers.

He also wore a black T-shirt emblazoned with a version of the Australian Aboriginal flag, which read: 'Always was, always will be'.

Suddenly shy! Booka appeared to be camera shy, and at one stage was seen covering her face while getting photographed

No wonder! The romantic sighting comes after it was revealed the couple had consummated their relationship after moving into a Sydney apartment together

They made their way into their local Nando's restaurant, where they perused a menu before placing their order.

The sighting comes just days after Brett and Booka revealed they've had a romantic breakthrough.

'We made some progress with our physical affection,' Brett gushed to producers on the show last week.

Milestone! Last week, the newlyweds revealed admitted to finally having consummated their their marriage after fears they weren't to each other

'Yeah it's happened. It's good,' Brett said. '[The Post-it note] task was good for us...' he added.

Brett said he was happy to have waited for the timing to be right and said that it was much more romantic rather than diving straight into it.

Booka previously expressed concerns Brett may not be attracted to her.

'I'm starting to wonder a little bit about whether he's physically attracted to me or not,' she told producers during Wednesday's episode.

Happy: 'We made some progress with our physical affection,' Brett gushed to producers on the show last week. 'Yeah it's happened. It's good,' Brett said of the Post-it note task

Success! Brett said he was happy to have waited for the timing to be right and said that it was much more romantic rather than diving straight into it

But to her surprise, Brett said: 'I like that you are comfortable being yourself, and you don't try to be anyone else. It's very admirable .'

'I struggled to find five things I don't like about her,' he told producers.

'I'm much more excited about telling her all the positives, 'cause that's something that'll help create a positive relationship,' he added.

Married At First Sight continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 15:27:36|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Dried persimmon is a local specialty in Fuping County of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. When combined with local walnuts, it becomes a glimmer of hope for the county to leave poverty behind.

But the locally produced walnut "sandwiches" -- walnuts sandwiched between layers of dried persimmon -- were unable to tempt the country's far-flung consumers amid the COVID-19 epidemic, when almost all produce was delayed in transport.

Huang Wei, better known as Viya, is a wildly popular livestreamer in China. She saw the problem and came to the locals' aid.

A total of 10,000 orders for the creative delicacy were placed during Viya's livestreaming. But the business miracle was not simply down to empathy.

In 2016, when a raging typhoon scythed through east China's Zhejiang Province, mountains of waxberries languished in the flooded coastal towns awaiting orders. The civic-minded Viya traveled to Zhejiang, hoping to do something for the local farmers.

She remembers that it was a cold and rainy day. With her feet in the mud, she struggled to pick waxberries and display the local houses in front of her cameras.

"It was my first attempt to promote sales for farm produce, but I never expected such a barrage of criticism from netizens," said Viya.

Against all her expectations, hostile questions about her true intentions arose. Comments such as "Is this all only for show?" and "You should make donations rather than calling on us to buy their products!" almost brought her to tears.

After the livestreaming, Viya gave out 200 boxes of waxberries to her fans at her own expense. She felt deeply wronged and firmly believed that she was doing the right thing, but in the wrong way.

She researched the waxberries and found that their price was higher than the market average. The need for long-distance transport also spoiled their taste.

"Aiding the impoverished does not mean any trade-off in product standards," Viya concluded.

In 2018, with Viya's help and guidance, local pear farmers in Dangshan County, east China's Anhui Province, began to build a pear cough syrup brand.

She helped to introduce standardized production lines and marketing skills in the town. The local government soon established an industrial park for the cough syrup.

In a single livestreaming session hosted by Viya, a total revenue topping 724,500 yuan (about 111,814 U.S. dollars) was earned for the farmers.

And this time, the purchasing frenzy was not a one-off for the locals, as the recently established industrial chain continues to fare well and the pear syrup now boasts the lion's share of its market.

Over the past four years, Viya has helped poverty-stricken households sell agricultural products worth nearly 600 million yuan in total.

In 2020, Viya was honored with a national award for her efforts in poverty alleviation and the title of March 8th Red-Banner Individual Holder, one of the highest honors given to the country's outstanding women by the All-China Women's Federation.

"The old saying goes 'Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for life,'" Viya said, adding that farmers are being taught how to integrate with the current e-commerce boom. Enditem
Thief arrested in Patong for slashing German expats arm

PHUKET: Police have arrested a man in Patong for robbing a German expats home in Karon last month, and slashing the German mans arm with a knife after being confronted over the robbery.

crimeviolencepatongpolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Monday 8 March 2021, 11:01AM

Maj Pitchayut Srinak of the Karon Police reported that the suspect, Sompong Chaichana, 28, originally from Phang Nga, was arrested at a house in Patong yesterday (Mar 7).

Sompong faces charges of theft causing others to be seriously harmed and using a vehicle to flee the scene of the crime, attempted manslaughter, trespass and carrying a weapon in a public area, Maj Pitchayut noted in his report.

In placing Sompong under arrest, police also seized his black Krabi-registered Mitsubishi Cyclone pickup truck as evidence, he added.

Maj Pitchayut explained that the arrest came after Saritrat Hiranwanthanadet, 42, filed a complaint at Karon Police Station on Feb 26.

Ms Saritrat explained that her husband, German national Ralph Jaiser, 58, had his left arm slashed by a man in front of their house in Soi Patak 24, Karon.

After being discharged from hospital that same day, Mr Jaiser told police that he was standing in front of his house when he saw a man walk past carrying a green basket filled with some items.

Mr Jaiser noticed that some of his belongings were in the basket, and whistled to call his son to see. The man, Sompong, heard the whistle and quickly ran to his black pickup truck, which was parked in front of a construction site nearby.

Mr Jaiser ran in front of the pickup to prevent Sompong from escaping.

Sompong got out of the pickup with a knife and proceeded to attack Mr Jaiser, who used his left arm to protect himself. In doing so, he suffered a large slash wound to his arm.

Fearing for his safety, Mr Jaiser fled, and Sompong got back in his pickup and drove off, said Maj Pitchayut in his report.

Mr Jaiser returned home and his wife, Ms Saritrat, took him to Bangkok Hospital Phuket for treatment.

Through CCTV, police managed to track down Sompong to the house where he was staying in Patong and take him into custody, Maj Pitchayut concluded.
China is on the verge of waging a technology and innovations return against the United States, as revealed on its five-year plan that would focus on improving artificial intelligence and quantum computing tech. The country is planning to return to the scene with its five-year innovation plan to "get back in the scene" with the country.

The Asian country has been a long-running rival and partner of the United States in producing massive technologies from various companies like Apple, Intel, Microsoft, and the like. Most components are made via China's factories and plants which offer less of the production costs compared to the country, essentially cutting costs and saving up.

However, the tension between the two countries has tightened in the past years, as the United States has enforced a Trade Ban on several Chinese companies including Huawei because of military connections. This issue was repeatedly denied by Huawei but has been banned from using components and tech from Google and Qualcomm, which it heavily relies upon.

Read Also: Apple's Kuo Suggests a Helmet Mixed Reality Headset in 2022, AR Glasses in 2025-Having Same Price as iPhones!

China's Five-Year Plan in Technology: AI, Quantum Computing

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, China's yearly party meeting to discuss the next moves of the company, detailing a five-year plan of innovations and tech development to catch up to the US. Moreover, the country aims to focus its development on massive enterprises such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

Before this news, China is known to have been developing a hack-proof quantum computer that could send messages like electronic mail and video calls using next-generation technology. The tech heavily relies on satellites to boost its power and quantum computing which has been the focus of most researchers to develop.

Artificial Intelligence is also a significant thing in China, as it aims to assign ZTE in creating the country's native AI that could power most of its technology and end its reliance on the United States. Huawei would also join the five-year plan's timeline, helping the country develop and advance in various technologies such as smartphones and computers.

China's Present Tech Innovations

The Asian country has been developing a collection of impressive innovations in the past years, and it includes robotics, artificial intelligence, and now, 5G connections. The move by the country is to move away from its heavy reliance on partner countries such as the US and be a self-sustainable entity in the current era of technology.

Moreover, the company has also ventured into various industries in which the US excels, and this includes electric vehicles, AI, and the smartphone technology which Huawei has initially dominated. Technology is one of the largest industries in the world, and China is aiming its sights on developing in this aspect to establish its supremacy.

Related Article: FCC Program Set to Assist Low-Income American Households with Poor Internet Connections

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Written by Isaiah Alonzo

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 23:55:52|Editor: yan

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The second plenary meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, convened its second plenary meeting Monday.

Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders -- Li Keqiang, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan -- attended the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Nearly 2,900 national lawmakers heard and reviewed the work reports of the NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People's Court (SPC) and the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP).

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, delivered the work report of the committee to the meeting.

In the past year, the NPC Standing Committee has effectively performed the duties and functions as the state organ of power, offering legal guarantee for advancing the implementation of major work plans, tackling major risks and challenges and safeguarding national security, Li said in the report.

Since last year's NPC annual session, the NPC Standing Committee has adopted nine laws, including the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and revised 13 laws, including the National Flag Law and the National Emblem Law, said the top legislator.

The NPC Standing Committee has strengthened the implementation of the Constitution, stepped up legislation in key areas and conducted oversight of legal compliance and work performance in accordance with the law, according to Li.

The main tasks for the coming year include working to ensure greater observance of the Constitution and enhance constitutionality reviews and strengthening legislative work in key areas, emerging areas and areas relating to external affairs, he said.

Chief Justice Zhou Qiang delivered the SPC work report. The SPC accepted 39,347 cases in total and concluded 35,773 cases in 2020.

Summarizing the top court's work in 2020, Zhou said it safeguarded national security and social stability, actively contributed to high-quality development, protected people's legitimate rights and interests and deepened reform.

For 2021 and beyond, Zhou vowed to strengthen impartial administration of justice, deepen reform, and fully leverage the courts' trial function.

Procurator-General Zhang Jun delivered the SPP work report. Prosecutors across the country handled over 3 million cases over the past year, down 19.4 percent from last year, according to the report.

In 2021, prosecutors should work to provide strong legal guarantee for a good start in the drive to fully build a modern socialist country, Zhang said.
Revisiting data from the 2018 crumpling experiments, the team initially tried to tease out more information from the creases. Did creases tend to align with one another? Was there a correlation between the orientation of creases and the direction along which a sheet was crumpled? This line of investigation didnt yield much insight.

Instead, they focused on the facets  the areas outlined by the creases. This approach seemed unlikely to succeed; it was simply too hard. Creases can be messy and irregular, making the contours they define tricky to isolate and identify. In turn, the noisy data made it particularly difficult for automated methods to accurately catalog the facets.

Ms. Andrejevic solved this problem, Dr. Rycroft said, in spectacular style, by tracing the facets all out by hand. Shmuel Rubinstein, also a principal investigator, now based at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said it was a herculean effort, really, requiring a ton of work, and a ton of conviction.

On average, the sheets of elastoplastic Mylar (about four-by-four inches square) possessed 880 facets; one specimen contained 3,810. As children in Serbia, Ms. Andrejevic and her sister loved drawing. These days, their artistic focus is communicating science through graphic design and data visualization. (They are very close, and often discuss ideas with each other.) Ms. Andrejevic used some of her drawing tools  not paper and colored pencils, but her tablet, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop  to wrangle the contours of the creases. She hand-traced crease patterns for 24 scanned sheets, 21,110 facets in total.

By the end, she felt as if she were seeing fragmentation everywhere, and in the most unexpected places  walking home from the lab one day, she saw a resemblance in a tiling pattern decorating a trash can.
The Week in Photos takes a deep dive into one story from the previous week of Missourian reporting. This week, we're looking at Hudson Heidger's coverage of True/False's Rites of Spring, held when the fest would've occurred if not for the pandemic. Irina Matchavariani wrote the accompanying story; Grace Noteboom was the photo editor.

The theme of True/False 2020 was Foresight  an ironically prescient outlook.

The annual festival, a storied tradition in Columbia, brought in nearly 15,000 attendees last year. Three days after the 2020 festival ended, MU canceled in-person classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, the festival has moved from March to May, and from crowded downtown venues to Stephens Lake Park. But the hallowed first weekend in March still featured a True/False celebration: a Rites of Spring event. And when Missourian photographer Hudson Heidger arrived at the Boone County Courthouse Ampitheater on Saturday, things felt a little more like they did last year.

"All the arranged, socially-distanced seating was pretty much filled with people having fun," Heidger said. "The rest of it was slower-going, which was nice because you could stop and talk to people."

Heidger brought some foresight of his own to this story through his interviews. Talking to strangers can be a challenge at any time, especially during a pandemic, but it's absolutely necessary for thorough reporting. Saturday's event gave Heidger a chance to stretch his interviewing skills, as he's been learning to do all semester.

"I thought I was comfortable talking to people before," Heidger said. "The real challenge was figuring out how to both take photos of them, and engage them in conversation and ask meaningful questions on the spot."

He returned to the newsroom and started working with photo editor Grace Noteboom. The two went through Heidger's photos, determining the balance between photos that created a mood and photos that provided information.

Putting the photos in an order that made sense, both as its own work and in conjunction with reporter Irina Matchavariani's story, required forethought from the photo team. Luckily, Heidger's reporting skills made these conversations easier.

"I've gotten a lot better at knowing what needs to be collected beforehand, information-wise, for captions," Heidger said. "Captioning was my biggest struggle, and now I have a better handle on it. Having it out of the way made it more meaningful for us to actually interact on (making the edit)."

Ultimately, Noteboom said, the photos ended up reflecting the importance of this event to the Columbia community.

I think anyone whos been here a long time has a really special place in their heart for what the city turns into during True/False weekends, Noteboom said. Seeing a little bit of that pop up for a short period of time was like seeing the sun for the first time in a couple of months. It was like spring coming.

The Week in Photos also highlights some of the visual team's best work that you may have missed throughout the week. This week, we traveled all over mid-Missouri, from Jefferson City to Ashland to Glasgow, to cover news, sports and everything in between.

The Method is the Columbia Missourian's photography and multimedia blog. In writing about pictures, it seeks to demystify how our journalists cover their community and place their work in the context of a larger visual world.
President Joe Bidens executive orders on energy include admirable initiatives: halting new oil and natural gas leasing on public lands and offshore waters, a review of federal oil and gas programs, and expanding jobs in clean energy.

This is a case where conscious and convenience cross paths, where dealing with this existential threat to the planet and increasing our economic growth and prosperity are one (and) the same, he said at a news briefing last week.

But his pitch said little about the future of oil and gas workers. Our state lost nearly 60,000 jobs in the industry during the pandemics early months, according to the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers. Biden also didnt mention more opportunities for people of color, who are grossly underrepresented throughout the industry.

There certainly are oil and gas industry workers who are watching you both right now, a person at the briefing told Biden and climate czar John Kerry. The takeaway to them is that they are seeing an end to their livelihoods.

Kerry responded that those folks have better choices in jobs that pay better, that are cleaner.

Whats happening to them is happening because of other market forces taking place, Kerry said.

The two fastest-growing jobs before the COVID-19 pandemic were solar power and wind turbine technicians, he added. Regarding unemployed oil and gas workers, Kerry said, they can be the people who go to work to make the solar panels.

Thats dismissive rhetoric for oil and gas workers who see the end of their careers.

On ExpressNews.com: Gov. Abbott calls Biden's energy plan a 'hostile attack,' vows to sue

Kerrys notion of a simple transformation is hopelessly out of touch, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, responded in a statement. This whole idea that we are going to immediately transition to the Green New Deal, put millions of people out of work, is just fantasy.

Hes not alone. The Natural Resources Defense Council issued a report in 2019 concluding clean energy jobs are indeed in demand  but its extremely challenging to fill jobs in energy efficiency construction, manufacturing, and professional services mainly due to lack of experience, training, or technical skills.

Training for solar and wind energy jobs is beyond reach for people barely surviving the COVID-19 economy. Even if unemployed people secure loans or grants, theyre likely to forgo earning income for months or years.

In Texas, training for wind turbine technicians requires mastery of hydraulics, welding and electrical science  plus rescue agility  in a seven-month program at MIAT College of Technology in Houston. An associate degree in applied science for solar technology is a four-semester program at Texas State Technical College in Waco, which says it is one of two schools in the state to offer that degree.

Biden is also failing to address diversity and inclusion concerns in the U.S. clean energy industry. Twenty-one percent of the wind power workforce is Latino and 6 percent is Black. For solar power, 17 percent is Latino and 6 percent is Black, according to a 2020 Department of Energy report.

The nations oil industry is also mostly white: 14 percent of employees are Latino and 8 percent are Black. In June, civil rights leaders cited that disparity when urging the industry to diversify its workforce amid national protests over the death of Houston-born George Floyd.

Those figures might change. The American Petroleum Institute, banking on the high concentration of Hispanic workers in the Gulf and Mountain areas, reported it foresees Latinos and Blacks becoming 32 percent of the oil and gas workforce by 2030.

At least the petroleum industry is aware of its shortcomings. Bidens Cabinet takes it for granted that clean energy companies would value diversity and inclusion without any prodding.

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 jobs in these sectors, Kerry said at the briefing.

Lets hope Biden and Co. forgot to emphasize  but realize nonetheless  that a respectable clean energy workforce should reflect the cultural dynamics of our population, as well as the importance of creating accessible job training and support. Market forces alone wont fix inequality.

Ricardo Lopez Jr. is op-ed and letters editor. Email him at ricardo.lopez@express-news.net.
Camila Mendes says she suffered panic attacks amid the isolation of lockdown last year.

The Riverdale actress began filming season five of the CW show in September and had to uproot from Los Angeles to Vancouver where the cast and crew have been living ever since.

Talking to Health for its April issue, Camila, 26, explained: 'When we first started shooting season 5, I started having panic attacks, which was strange for me.

Camila Mendes talks about suffering panic attacks in recent months. The actress stuns in the April issue of Health which hits newsstands March 12

'I think it was because I was in Vancouver and borders were closedno one could visit us. You start to miss your home and your life, and you dont have your friends or community with you.'

The Virginia-born star insisted that she was happy to be working but still had to learn self care remedies to manage the panic attacks.

'I want to say, I am so grateful to be working and would never want this to come off that I am not. Taking baths helped with the panic attacks.

'I think it was because I was in Vancouver and borders were closedno one could visit us. You start to miss your home and your life, and you dont have your friends or community with you.' the 26-year-old opened up about the impact working away from friends and family has had

Working hard: The CW star has been living in Vancouver since September 2020 when production season five began. She is pictured here in Vancouver in October

'I also learned in those moments to put down my phone and take a break from technology and get in the tub with some music on and a book. I never did that before the pandemic, and now I love that Ive learned to do that for myself.'

Camila added that while she's always been a social butterfly, the pandemic has taught her that she actually likes to spend time along.

'When this all started, I was in a place in my life that was go, go, go. I never imagined Id have time to just sit and be by myself. It has really made me reevaluate priorities.'

The has played Veronica Lodge on the drama since 2017 and told Health that it was a 'dream' to land the role straight out of college.

'I never expected as an actress studying theater at NYU that my first gig would be so transformative.' Camila said it was a dream to land the Riverdale role straight after college

'I never expected as an actress studying theater at NYU that my first gig would be so transformative.

'Then, theres the other side of it. When you have such a massive fan base, there are haters that come along with it. But that has actually been a good learning experience, too. It forces you to accept and get comfortable with the fact that not everyone is going to like youand thats OK. Thats a very valuable lesson to have learned early in my career.'

Camila graces the cover of Health's April issue hitting newsstands March 12th.
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Capio, one of the largest healthcare asset management companies in the country, today makes two significant announcements: 1) the creation of an internal Innovation Team; and 2) the promotions of Steve Wright to Chief Innovation Officer and Dan Kutchel to Chief Revenue Officer. The announcements were made by Mark Detrick, Chief Executive Officer for Capio.

Capio has always been on the leading edge of creating a positive and respectful experience for our clients patients, said Detrick. The creation of our Innovation Team will ensure that we continue our focus on new and unique methods to help patients resolve their healthcare accounts with understanding and compassion. The Innovation Team will specifically work to develop novel products, consumer tools, and unique strategies to help make healthcare affordable for our consumers."

Leading Capios Innovation Team will be Steve Wright, who has been promoted from Chief Revenue Officer to Chief Innovation Officer. I am grateful for Steves past contributions and I believe he is well qualified to lead this new team of innovators, added Detrick. Prior to joining Capio, Wright was the founder of Card Capture Services, CarePayment, and PatientCard.

Dan Kutchel will assume the role of Chief Revenue Officer. Kutchel previously served as the companys Chief Sales Officer. Under Kutchels direction, Capio has experienced exponential growth. He will now oversee all of Capios sales and marketing efforts, with a focus on providing financial solutions to healthcare providers and successfully resolving challenging patient accounts.

Since Dan joined Capio, he has built a best in industry sales team focused on addressing our clients cash needs while providing a positive patient experience, noted Detrick. I am thrilled to announce Dans new role and am confident that under his leadership we will continue to meet the demands and expectations of our clients.

Prior to joining Capio, Kutchel served in sales and marketing leadership positions with increasing responsibility for OSI, Ernst & Young, and CarePayment.

About Capio

Capio assists healthcare providers and physician organizations increase cashflow, while also lowering their bad debt expense. To date, Capio has acquired and provided consumer services to over $32B in patient accounts receivable via partnerships alongside more than 750 provider clients across the United States. To learn more about Capio, please visit our website.
On Sunday, March 7, the World Socialist Web Site held an online meeting to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Rosa Luxemburg, the great revolutionary leader. The meeting examined Luxemburgs role as a Marxist theoretician and political leader, and discussed the significance of her immense historical legacy to the contemporary struggle to build a Marxist leadership of the international working class.

The speakers were Peter Schwarz and Ulrich Rippert, and the event was co-moderated by David North and Johannes Stern.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 is needed to maintain and revive the 2015 nuclear agreement.

" is committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and is the only party that has paid a price for it, but this situation can not continue in this way," Rouhani said during a meeting here on Sunday with visiting Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney.

The best way to solve problems with European partners is "negotiations at bilateral, regional and levels, on the basis of mutual respect and away from any threat or pressure", Xinhua news agency quoted the President as saying.

Rouhani also called for the development and deepening of Tehran-Dublin relations in all fields, especially economic and trade relations.

For his part, Coveney described former US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the JCPOA or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as a "historic mistake".

He added that the current Joe Biden administration is "determined" to return to the agreement.

Ireland is ready to play any role that would help improve situation and resume talks among all participants, the top diplomat noted.

As a result of the US' unilateral 2018 exit from the nuclear agreement, has surpassed JCPOA-stipulated limits on its uranium enrichment level and on its stockpiles of heavy water and low-enriched uranium.

The Islamic Republic has also lifted JCPOA limitations on its nuclear research and development activities.

In December 2020, the country's Parliament passed the law of "Iran's Strategic Action Plan to Counter Sanctions" which obliges the government to further reduce the obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal unless the US lifts sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

--IANS

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.)
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, on Monday met women parliamentarians and journalists in Parliament House complex on International Women's Day.

The event was also attended by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani.

Birla greeted them and lauded their contributions towards the society.

Acknowledging that women have held the highest positions in the socio-political and economic fields with distinction and have made outstanding contributions, the Speaker said women have led from the forefront while holding important positions such as the president, the prime minister and

Birla said apart from holding positions of power and contributing towards positive societal change, women are also playing the role of catalysts in the field of social welfare, according to an official statement.

He noted that women have the ability, patience, self-confidence and will power, and with these qualities, they are serving the nation from panchayat to Parliament.

Recalling the contributions of women freedom fighters and their role in the post-Independence nation-building, Birla said development and progress of the country could be possible because of the participation of women in each and every stage of nation-building, the statement said.

He noted that the present Lok Sabha has the highest number of women parliamentarians. He also appreciated the performance of women parliamentarians in the House and the intensity and substance of their debates.

Speaking about women journalists, Birla said journalism is a challenging and tough task and women are becoming successful in this challenge because of their competence and courage on the one hand and empathy and compassion towards public cause on the other.

(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.)
Spring ushers in a seasonal cycle of new rituals March 20 including Very Hungry Caterpillar Day in honor of storyteller and illustrator Eric Carles classic childrens book of the same name.

This years celebration, which dates to the 52nd anniversary of the beloved global best-seller about transformation and healthy eating, will be marked by the release of an updated edition of The Art of Eric Carle as well as two new interactive board books from the Penguin Young Readers imprint, the World of Eric Carle.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, which reopens Thursday, March 11, and was founded by Carle and his late wife Barbara, will hold an online bookshop sale the weekend of March 20 that will also be in-store on Sunday, March 21, as well as host a free, on-line event that day for members that does require registration.

The updated retrospective Art of Eric Carle, originally published in 1996, is being released Tuesday, March 9. It features a re-illustrated cover by Carle, an updated autobiographical account as well as eight pages of what is described as his experimental fine art works presented for the first time outside of museum galleries in addition to the more than 60 full-color images from Carles stories.

It includes new essays on Carles fine art by H. Nichols B. Clark, founding executive director and chief curator emeritus of the Carle museum, and on the founding of the 40,000-square-foot museum by Alexandra Kennedy, the museums executive director.

Carle and his wife, an educator who died in 2015 and who was affectionately known as Bobbie, opened the museum on her 64th birthday, Nov. 22, 2002. It houses more than 12,000 objects, including 8,500 permanent collection illustrations, and has shown countless exhibits featuring the work of many beloved childrens book illustrators besides Carle including Maurice Sendak, Jerry Pinkney, and Beatrix Potter.

Other essays include ones by Ann Beneduce, the first editor to publish books with Carles stories and illustrations; Leonard S. Marcus, a leading authority and writer on childrens books and a Carle museum trustee, and Takeshi Matsumoto, a Carle museum honorary trustee and curator and managing director of Tokyos Chihiro Iwaskai Art Museum that is named for his mother.

The museum, known until 1997 as the Chihiro Iwaskai Museum of Picture Book Art, was visited by Carle and his wife and helped inspire them in founding their own museum.

A poignant highlight of the book is the inclusion of Where Do Ideas Come From? Carles 1990 speech at the Library of Congress for a group of educators and librarians gathered in celebration of International Childrens Book Day.

In it, Carle, whose career in childrens books was launched with the 1969 publication of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, quotes from letters he received from children, parents and teachers about his books, as well as how various experiences and encounters in his life - he was born in the United States but raised in Germany - came to shaped his thought process in creating his stories and signature collage illustrations.

Carle, now 91, has illustrated more than 70 books, most of which he also wrote, and more than 169 million copies of his books have sold around the world. The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been translated into more than 70 languages and sold more than 54 million copies worldwide.

Suggestions from Penguin Random House for celebrating Very Hungry Caterpillar Day include:

The Can You Say Caterpillar? Challenge: Parents are invited to celebrate the day from home by asking their young children Can you say Caterpillar? and sharing the silly results on social media using #CanYouSayCaterpillarChallenge! Featured videos will be shared on @PenguinKids Instagram and Tiktok.

Printable Activities: Parents and teachers can print free themed activity sheets at Parents and teachers can print free themed activity sheets at https://pin.it/7eh7xdV

A Video Readaloud with Eric Carle: Kids can watch a special reading of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by author and artist Eric Carle at Kids can watch a special reading of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by author and artist Eric Carle at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkYmvxP0AJI

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Meghan Markle's bombshell suggestion that her son Archie was banned from being a prince amid concerns over how 'dark' he would be appear to be refuted by rules laid down by King George V.

In her interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired last night and was watched by 17million Americans, the Duchess of Sussex sensationally claimed that a relative of Harry asked him 'how dark' their unborn child would be and alleged that Archie being mixed-race was a 'problem' for the royals.

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it.

She also described her 'pain' that officials had denied Archie the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect him by denying him 24/7 security.

Meghan said Archie becoming a Prince was neither her nor Harry's 'decision to make' and said it was palace officials who revealed Archie 'wasn't going to receive security'.

When asked if it was 'important' for Meghan that Archie be called a prince, she said she doesn't have any attachment to the 'grandeur' of official titles.

But she said it was about 'the idea of our son not being safe, and also the idea of the first member of colour in this family not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be.'

However, in 1917, King George V - the Queen's grandfather - issued a written order ruling that only royal offspring who are in the direct line of succession could be made a prince or princess and receive titles of His or Her Royal Highness (HRH).

The Letters Patent read: '...the grandchildren of the sons of any such sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of dukes of these our realms.'

Under the rules, only Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge's eldest son Prince George - as a great-grandson of the monarch down the direct line of succession to the throne - was originally entitled to be a prince.

The Queen stepped in ahead of George's birth in 2013 to issue a Letters Patent to ensure all George's siblings - as the children of future monarch William - would have fitting titles.

Under the George V rules, Archie would still be entitled to be an HRH or a prince when his grandfather Charles, the Prince of Wales, accedes to the throne.

Prince Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, have royal titles because their father is a son of the monarch, constitutional expert Craig Prescott told MailOnline.

Meghan Markle's bombshell claim that her son Archie was banned from being a prince because of concerns over how 'dark' he would be appear to be refuted by rules laid down by King George V

In 1917, the then King issued a written order ruling that only grandchildren of the monarch who are in the direct line of succession could be made a prince

Meghan had told Miss Winfrey that it was 'a pretty safe' assumption to suggest that the royal family member was 'concerned' that Archie being 'too brown' was 'a problem'.

Prince Harry - who later joined his wife and Miss Winfrey for the last part of the interview - described the conversation with his family member about Archie as 'awkward', saying it left him 'shocked'.

But he declined to reveal anything more about what was said, saying: 'That conversation I'm never going to share.'

What is the George V convention? In 1917, the Queen's grandfather issued new letters patent that limited the number of royal family members with an HRH title. These stated that 'the children of any Sovereign of these Realms and the children of the sons of any such Sovereign and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales shall have and at all times hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness with their titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective Christian names or with their other titles of honour'. In 1917, the Queen's grandfather issued new letters patent that limited the number of royal family members with an HRH title This means that when Prince Charles become King, his grandchildren - including Archie - will all automatically become princes or princesses. It was also decreed that 'grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line ... shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes of these Our Realms' (i.e., Lord or Lady before their Christian name).' In addition the letters stated 'save as aforesaid the style title or attribute of Royal Highness, Highness or Serene Highness and the titular dignity of Prince or Princess shall not henceforth be assumed or borne by any descendant of any Sovereign of these Realms. Advertisement

Oprah had asked Meghan if Archie was denied the title of Prince because he is of mixed-race, asking if the palace had concerns Archie would be 'too brown'.

Meghan said: 'In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, we have in tandem, the conversation of "He won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title," and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born.'

Oprah then interrupted and said: 'Hold on. Hold up. Stop right now. There's a conversation... about how dark your baby is going to be?'

Meghan replied: 'Potentially, and what that would mean or look like'.

'And you're not going to tell me who had the conversation?', Oprah asked.

Meghan replied: 'I think that would be very damaging to them. That was relayed to me from Harry. Those were conversations that family had with him'.

Oprah asked: 'Because they were concerned that if he were too brown, that that would be a problem? Are you saying that?'

Meghan replied: 'I wasn't able to follow up with why, but if that's the assumption you're making, I think that feels like a pretty safe one, which was really hard to understand, right?'

Oprah then asked Prince Harry about the conversation, saying: 'Well, what is particularly striking is what Meghan shared with us earlier, is that no one wants to admit that there's anything about race or that race has played a role in the trolling and the vitriol, and yet Meghan shared with us that there was a conversation with you about Archie's skin tone.

'What was that conversation?'

Prince Harry replied: 'That conversation I'm never going to share, but at the time, it was awkward.

'I was a bit shocked.'

Oprah asked him if he can reveal what the conversation was about. Harry refused to divulge, saying: 'I'm not comfortable with sharing that.'

He added: 'But that was right at the beginning, when she wasn't going to get security, when members of my family were suggesting that she carries on acting, because there was not enough money to pay for her, and all this sort of stuff.

'Like, there was some real obvious signs before we even got married that this was going to be really hard.'

Constitutional expert Craig Prescott today outlined the George V convention to MailOnline.

He said: 'The Letters Patent of 1917 established the practice that sons and daughters of the monarch, and those whose father is a son of the monarch are entitled to be called Prince.

'The Queen issued further Letters Patent in 2012 so that all children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would become Princes or Princesses, because one day, they will be children of a future monarch.

'The Queen could have made the same decision for the children of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.'

Prince Charles is said to have long had a desire to have a 'slimmed-down' Royal Family, with a greater focus on the direct line of succession.

Mr Prescott added that it was this that made it 'always' unlikely that Archie would have a major role as a royal.

He added: 'It's notable that the Sussexes have decided not to use the title Earl of Dumbarton, for Archie, which they could have done.

'However, once Charles becomes King, Archie, if he wished could then be given the title of HRH and Prince.'

The George V rules also explain why Zara Tindall and her brother Peter Phillips, as the children of the Queen's only daughter Princess Anne, do not have royal titles - because their father Mark Phillips is not the son of a monarch.

Zara's children, Mia Grace, seven, and Lena Elizabeth, two, also do not have royal titles.

The convention should mean that the children of Prince Edward, the Queen's youngest son, should also have HRH titles and be called prince and princess.

However, Lady Louise Windsor, 17, and James, Viscount Severn, do not have them.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have insisted their interview with Oprah Winfrey would be the 'last word' on them quitting as senior royals

Meghan Markle has told Oprah Winfrey that she was suicidal when she was part of the Royal Family living in the UK and told her husband: 'I don't want to be alive anymore'

This is because the Queen decided, with the consent of Edward and his wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, that their children would not be given HRH titles.

Instead, they would be styled as children of an Earl.

The main bombshells from the Oprah interview - Meghan's mental health The Duchess of Sussex revealed she had suicidal thoughts and said: 'I just didn't want to be alive any more.' She said she begged for help, and asked to go somewhere to get help, and approached one of the most senior people in the institution, but was told it would not look good. The duchess said: 'I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that I've never felt this way before and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution.' - Baby Sussex is a girl Harry and Meghan revealed they are expecting a baby girl. The duke joined his wife in the second half of the interview, and told the chat show host: 'It's a girl.' He said his first thought was 'amazing' when he discovered they were having a girl, adding: 'Just grateful. To have any child, any one or any two, would have been amazing. 'But to have a boy and then a girl, I mean what more can you ask for? Now we've got our family, we got the four of us and our two dogs.' Asked if they were 'done' with two children, Harry said 'done' and Meghan said: 'Two is it.' She also confirmed the baby is due in the 'summertime'. - Royal family accused of racism Meghan said, when she was pregnant with Archie, an unnamed member of the royal family raised 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'. Asked whether there were concerns that her child would be 'too brown' and that would be a problem, Meghan said: 'If that is the assumption you are making, that is a pretty safe one.' Pushed by Winfrey on who had those conversations, Meghan refused to say, adding: 'I think that would be very damaging to them.' She added: 'That was relayed to me from Harry, those were conversations the family had with him, and I think it was really hard to be able to see those as compartmentalised conversations.' - Archie's title Meghan suggested she and Harry wanted Archie to be a prince so he would have security and be protected. The duchess expressed her shock at 'the idea of our son not being safe', and the idea of the first member of colour in this family, not being titled in the same way as other grandchildren. Archie, who is seventh in line to the throne, is not entitled to be an HRH or a prince due to rules set out more than 100 years ago by King George V. He will be entitled to be an HRH or a prince when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne. As the first born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton - one of Harry's subsidiary titles - or have been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, instead at the time of his birth, a royal source said Harry and Meghan had decided he should a regular Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. - The Prince of Wales The Duke of Sussex said his father the Prince of Wales stopped taking his calls while Harry and Meghan were in Canada 'because I took matters into my own hands. I needed to do this for my family'. He said Charles wanted him to put his plans in writing. - The Queen Harry denied that he had 'blindsided' his grandmother Queen with the bombshell statement about stepping down as senior royal. The duke said he believed the report probably could have come from 'within the institution'. - The Duchess of Cambridge Meghan said Kate made her cry ahead of her wedding. Reports circulated ahead of the Sussexes' nuptials that Meghan left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress fitting. But Meghan told Winfrey the 'reverse happened'. Meghan said she was not sharing the information to be 'disparaging', but added it was 'really important for people to understand the truth'. 'She's a good person,' the duchess added Advertisement

This makes Lady Louise and Viscount Severn the first male-line descendants of the Queen the first to not have royal titles.

The move by the Queen to issue new letters patent in 2012 meant that Prince William's other children, Princess Charlotte, aged five, and Prince Louis, two, received titles.

Princess Charlotte would have been a Lady and Prince Louis a Lord had the Queen not intervened, and they would have not been HRHs.

But they are the children of a future monarch, whereas Archie is not, and he will move down the line of succession if the Cambridge children have their own families.

Other title options were open to Harry and Meghan.

As the first-born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton - one of Harry's subsidiary titles - or Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

Eventually Archie will also be entitled to succeed Harry as the Duke of Sussex.

The claim made by Meghan also differs from comments made by a royal source at the time of Archie's birth that the couple had decided he should be a regular Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

Harry had always stressed the importance of wanting to be seen as normal, and he was thought to have wanted to give his baby the opportunities of an ordinary life that he never had, without the burden of being a prince.

But Meghan said in her interview with Ms Winfrey this was not correct, adding: 'It was not our decision to make.'

She said titles can lead to 'from my experience, a lot of pain'.

But added: 'I wouldn't wish pain on my child but that is their birthright to then make a choice about.'

Asked if Archie being a prince was important to her, she replied: 'If it meant he was going to be safe then of course.'

She said she was not interested in the grandeur and she had been a waitress, an actress, a princess, a duchess, but added 'I've always just told them Meghan.'

'The most important title I will ever have is Mom,' she added.

In last night's interview, Meghan also tearfully revealed that the stress of royal life made her suicidal and said Kate Middleton made her cry before she married Harry.

The couple also chose to reveal that they are having a baby girl to the tens of millions of people watching the CBS show broadcast in the US.

The Queen is not believed to have watched the show, broadcast at 8pm Eastern Time in the US and 1am UK time, but was briefed by aides this morning on the sensational claims made by her grandson and his wife that could badly damage the reputation of the Royal Family around the globe.

The Duchess of Sussex told Oprah she 'couldn't be left alone' and told her husband she 'didn't want to be alive anymore' before claiming the Buckingham Palace HR department ignored her plea for help because she wasn't a 'paid employee'.

Describing how she considered ending her life believing it 'was better for everyone', Meghan said: 'I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it. I just didn't want to be alive anymore.

'And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. I remember how he just cradled me. I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help.

'I said that "I've never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere". And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution'.

She said that after confiding in her husband, she was forced to go to the Royal Albert Hall for a charity event in January 2019, claiming photos from that night 'haunt me'.

She told Oprah she later reached out to one of the best friends of Diana, Princess of Wales, because she felt unsupported by the palace.

She said: 'When I joined that family, that was the last time I saw my passport, my driving licence, my keys - all of that gets turned over'. Meghan said Harry had 'saved my life' by agreeing to move to Los Angeles.

In the most extraordinary royal interview since Diana spoke to the BBC's Martin Bashir in 1995, Meghan said her sister-in-law Kate made her cry in a row over dresses for the flowergirls, including Princess Charlotte, before her Windsor wedding.

She said: 'She (Kate) was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologised. And she brought me flowers'.

Harry also laid into his own family, claiming their 'lack of support and understanding', the couple's mental health problems and fears 'history repeating itself' with Meghan like his mother Diana, who died in 1997.

Harry also said he felt 'very let down' by his father Prince Charles, accusing him of refusing to take his calls and and then 'cut him off' financially when they emigrated.

He said: 'My father and brother. They're both trapped' and added that his mother Diana would be 'angry and sad' that he felt he had to leave the royal family, but 'she saw it coming'. Harry said: 'All she'd ever want for us is to be happy', adding that his wife had 'saved me', declaring: 'I myself was trapped, as well. I didn't see a way out'.
Panaji, March 8 : Three persons, including one Maharaj Shah, who is allegedly linked to the drug probe following the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput last year, have been arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau officials in Goa, an official said on Monday.

Two foreign nationals, residing in the North Goa coastal belt have also been arrested, the NCB official said.

"We have arrested one Maharaj Shah from Miramar in Panaji and two foreign nationals as part of our raids," the official said, adding that large quantities of drugs have also been seized as part of the Bureau's operation.

The NCB is expected to issue a formal statement, later in the day, on the simultaneous raids which have been conducted by the central agency since Sunday.

The NCB has been tasked with probing the allegations of drug abuse, linked to the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, who hanged himself in June 2020 in his rented Bandra flat in Mumbai.

Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Seoul, March 8 : Samsung Electronics on Monday said it will release a new 5G budget smartphone in South Korea this week to expand its dominant status on home turf.

Samsung said the Galaxy A42 5G smartphone will be launched here on Friday with a price tag of $400, the cheapest among 5G smartphone models sold in South Korea.

The A42 5G was already released in select markets in Europe and Southeast Asia last year.

The latest smartphone, equipped with a 6.6-inch display, comes with a rear quad-camera setup offering a 48MP main camera, 8MP ultra wide lens, 5MP depth sensor and 5MP macro camera. It also has a 20MP selfie camera on the front.

The handset, which packs a 5,000mAh battery, has 4-gigabyte (GB) RAM and 128GB internal storage, which can be expanded up to 1 terabyte via a micro SD card, reports Yonhap news agency.

According to market researcher Counterpoint Research, Samsung was the dominant player in the South Korean smartphone market last year with a share of 65 percent, followed by Apple Inc. with 20 per cent and LG Electronics Inc. with 13 per cent.

Globally, Samsung hopes it can further expand its market share with affordable 5G smartphones as its Chinese rival Huawei Technologies Co. is struggling with US sanctions.

Samsung defended its leading status in the 2020 global smartphone market, but its market share dropped from 20 per cent to 19 per cent as its shipments declined from 296.8 million units to 255.7 million units, Counterpoint Research data showed.

The South Korean tech giant is expected to release more 5G-supporting models in the Galaxy A series this year, which will include the A32, the A52 and the A72.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mobile Grooming and Pet Services Franchise Ramps Up Nationwide Expansion Amid Loyalty Brands Partnership

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Umbrella franchise concept, Loyalty Brands, recently announced its partnership with Zoomin Groomin, a mobile grooming and pet services business. Loyalty Brands plans to utilize its years of expertise to help grow the brand to new markets across the nation through strategic franchise partnerships.

Founded in 2004, Zoomin Groomin launched as a convenient and eco-friendly grooming solution for busy pet owners. The brand is committed to the safety and comfort of pets, which is why groomers meet with each pet one-on-one without the use of cages. And, as part of its mission of sustainability, Zoomin Groomin offers an eco-friendly waterless cleansing system, which is great for pets that are afraid of water or owners looking to make more sustainable grooming choices. However, for pets that need a good scrubbing, Zoomin Groomin technicians are well-equipped to shampoo and condition pets via a traditional bath.

The up-and-coming mobile franchise currently serves territories in Massachusetts and Florida, with plans to expand nationwide through its strategic partnership with Loyalty Brands.

"We're confident that joining forces with Loyalty Brands will help us bring structure and strategy to our growth," said Donna Sheehey, founder of Zoomin Groomin. "And, as we continue to expand and meet our growth projections, Loyalty Brands' expertise and guidance will no doubt prove to be invaluable to our team and our partners for years to come."

The pet services industry continues to experience steady growth, especially amid the pandemic as many people found themselves with more flexibility and time to dedicate to owning a pet. Loyalty Brands will help Zoomin Groomin capitalize on this market growth as the industry is poised to surpass $99 Billion in 2021.

"When we were introduced to the team over at Zoomin Groomin, we were incredibly impressed by not only their eco-friendly practices, but their passion for pets and their owners," said John Hewitt, CEO of Loyalty Brands. "We're happy to welcome this budding franchise concept to the Loyalty Brand family. And  as with all of the concepts we partner with  our experienced team of industry professionals will help Zoomin Groomin grow into new corners of the country, helping to bring this clever concept to even more communities."

Story continues

Loyalty Brands has built an impressive portfolio of franchisor partnerships, setting the stage for rapid expansion in 2021. The business services parent company partnered with a number of emerging franchise concepts that have grown in demand as a result of the pandemic  such as home care concepts, pet grooming, and tax firms  with the promise of helping these brands scale their businesses quickly and efficiently to better meet the needs of their consumer base.

For more information on Zoomin Groomin or other franchise opportunities, please visit https://loyaltybrands.com/ .

About Zoomin Groomin

Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA Zoomin Groomin is a convenient solution for busy pet owners  a mobile grooming and pet services company. Zoomin Groomin is not only focused on keeping pets comfortable with its one-on-one grooming service  no cages used to hold animals  but also committed to sustainability, which is reflected in its technology, top-of-the-line equipment and eco-friendly services, like the waterless cleansing system. To learn more about Zoomin Groomin, visit https://www.zoomingroomin.com/

About Loyalty Brands

Headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Loyalty Brands is an umbrella franchise company founded in 2018 by serial entrepreneur John Hewitt. The Loyalty Brands consist of business brokerage, small business accounting, tax preparation and added services, networking and bartering. The company maintains a community first outlook, meaning that involvement in local communities and giving back is a core value. The multi-brand concept involves businesses that are synergistic and compatible, so potential franchisees could possibly own one or more of the brands for additional customer acquisition and co-marketing opportunities. To learn more about Loyalty Brands, please visit https://loyaltybrands.com/.

Media Contact: Kelly McNamara, Fishman Public Relations, 847-945-1300 or KMcNamara@fishmanpr.com

Cision

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SOURCE Loyalty Brands
Firmenich Takes Action Beyond Gender Focusing on Ethnic Minorities, LGBTIQ+ & Differently-abled Workforce

GENEVA, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Firmenich, the world's largest privately-owned fragrance and taste company, today became the first company in the world to successfully upgrade its global EDGE Certification for gender equality in the workplace to the next level: "Move" status. Recognizing the Group's ever more inclusive culture, the leading business certification standard for gender equality awarded Firmenich Move status for its progress in expanding diverse representation at all levels and a strong sense of belonging among its diverse workforce. Firmenich continues to lead in workplace equality, having been the 7th company in the world and the first in its industry to achieve global certification in 2018 at Assess level.

"I am very proud that Firmenich is one of only two companies that have achieved Global EDGE MOVE certification, raising the bar for gender equality under EDGE's demanding benchmarks for continuous improvement," said Gilbert Ghostine, CEO Firmenich. "EDGE recognizes our concrete achievements in embedding equality worldwide, as an employer of choice and a trusted and reliable partner for our customers. I am particularly pleased that we set the standard at the very top of the organization with gender parity on our world-class executive team."

"The remarkable leap forward Firmenich has made in two years at the global level from the first level to the second level of EDGE Certification, EDGE Move, demonstrates that intentional, prioritized and measured actions undeniably accelerate progress towards gender balance, diversity and inclusion," said Aniela Unguresan, Co-founder of EDGE Certified Foundation. "Specifically, Firmenich's global EDGE Move certification illustrates the company's progress in terms of gender representation and proactive management of pay equity across its main countries of operation."

"Firmenich continues to set the standard for excellence as the best place to work in our industry. Since our first global EDGE certification in 2018, we have achieved significant milestones, from no gender pay gap worldwide to systematically implementing diverse talent pools," said Mieke Van de Capelle, Chief Human Resources Officer at Firmenich. "While I am very proud of our achievements, we are focusing on new frontiers with targeted action that goes beyond gender. It's about embracing the power of inclusion of minority groups, securing effective representation and engagement of people with different abilities, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds and sexual orientation."

Building on its achievements, the Group's new Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy sets ambitious 2030 people goals, including commitments on human rights, ethnic pay equity, creating 5,000 job opportunities for youth and continuing to raise the representation of differently-abled people in its workforce to 10%.

Since 2018, Firmenich has raised women's representation in its global workforce to 41% and eliminated gender pay gaps. Expanded flexible working opportunities worldwide, effective recruitment and promotion practices, as well as continuous training and mentoring, have enhanced equal representation at all levels including critical pathways to senior management. Half of Firmenich's Executive Committee is female.

EDGE Certification at the global level entails a global evaluation of Firmenich data and processes, as well as a comprehensive survey of its employees worldwide. Firmenich emerged from the rigorous assessment as an employer that is clearly meeting and exceeding core certification criteria around hiring, pay, retention, development and engagement of its employees.

About Firmenich

Firmenich, the world's largest privately-owned fragrance and taste company, was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1895, and has been family-owned for 125 years. Firmenich is a leading business-to-business company specialized in the research, creation, manufacture and sale of perfumes, flavors and ingredients. Renowned for its world-class research and creativity, as well as its leadership in sustainability, Firmenich offers its customers superior innovation in formulation, a broad and high-quality palette of ingredients, and proprietary technologies including biotechnology, encapsulation, olfactory science and taste modulation. Firmenich had an annual turnover of 3.9 billion Swiss Francs at end June 2020. More information about Firmenich is available atwww.firmenich.com

About EDGE Certification

EDGE is the leading global assessment methodology and business certification standard for gender equality. It measures where organizations stand in terms of gender balance across their pipeline, pay equity, effectiveness of policies and practices to ensure equitable career flows as well as inclusiveness of their culture. Launched at the World Economic Forum in 2011, EDGE has been designed to help companies not only create an optimal workplace for women and men, but also benefit from it. EDGE stands for Economic Dividends for Gender Equality and is distinguished by its rigor and focus on business impact. EDGE assessment methodology was developed by the EDGE Certified Foundation, which continues to act as the guardian of EDGE methodology and certification standards. Its commercial arm, EDGE Strategy, works with companies to prepare them for the EDGE Certification. EDGE Certification's diverse customer base consists of 200 large organizations in 44 countries across five continents, representing 29 different industries and employing globally more than 2.4 million employees.

For more information, visit edge-cert.org

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Artificial intelligence can already scan images of the eye to assess patients for diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of vision loss, and find evidence of strokes on brain CT scans. But what does the future hold for this emerging technology? How will it change how doctors diagnose disease, and how will it improve the care patients receive?

Artificial intelligence will have a dramatic impact on the field of pathology, a team of top experts predicts. Image Credit: UVA Health

A team of doctors led by UVA Healths James H. Harrison Jr., MD, PhD, has given us a glimpse of tomorrow in a new article on the current state and future use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of pathology. Harrison and other members of the College of American Pathologists Machine Learning Workgroup have spent the last two years evaluating the potential of AI and machine learning, assessing its current role in diagnostic testing and outlining what is needed to meet its potential in the not-too-distant future. And that potential is huge, they report.

In their article, the authors describe some amazing possibilities  from an augmented reality microscope that automatically identifies and labels important aspects in the field of view in real time to complete diagnostic image classification systems. That type of thing has, until recently, been the domain of Tony Stark and others in sci-fi movies.

In addition to predicting what the future may hold, the authors describe potential obstacles and make important recommendations for how the health-care field can best capitalize on the technologys awesome potential.

AI and especially machine-learning algorithms introduce a fundamentally new kind of data analysis into the health-care workflow, the authors write. By virtue of their influence on pathologists and other physicians in selection of diagnoses and treatments, the outputs of these algorithms will critically impact patient care.

Artificial intelligence in pathology

Right now, pathology and other health-care applications of artificial intelligence are in their infancy. The federal Food and Drug Administration has approved only a few AI devices for pathology use, mostly for classifying cells in blood and body fluids and for screening cervical tissue, the authors report. But in research labs, scientists are using machine learning to classify and grade lung and prostate cancer, predict outcomes in lung and brain cancers, measure breast cancer proliferation, predict bladder cancer reoccurrence and much more. The authors describe what theyre seeing in research publications and early prototypes as tantalizing.

Artificial intelligence systems, especially machine learning systems that perform complex image classification, are expected to have significant impact in two areas in which images particularly important, pathology and radiology. Pathologists will likely need to choose, verify, deploy, use and monitor AI systems in the future, and therefore they need to learn the strengths and weaknesses of these types of systems and techniques for their effective management. Harrison, Director of Clinical Laboratory Informatics at UVA Health and a member of UVAs Department of Pathology

In addition to projections of future applications, Harrison and his colleagues provide an overview of existing AI algorithms and discuss the development and validation of systems that use AI. Their review also discusses potential concerns about clinical implementation of the technologies, emphasizing the importance of careful validation and performance monitoring to ensure AI is used safely and effectively. The article suggests potential regulations that may be needed along the way. Creation of a regulatory framework with defined best practices for accomplishing these goals is a necessary step for successful dissemination of machine learning in pathology and medicine, the authors write.

The article does not suggest well be receiving care solely from robot doctors anytime soon. Instead, it predicts that the best outcomes in the near future will come from a careful combination of human and machine capabilities. The authors agree with the American Medical Association in describing the goal as augmented intelligence that supplements and enhances, rather than replaces, human doctors judgment and wisdom.

Our article was written to introduce pathologists and other clinicians to the basics of machine learning and artificial intelligence, including how the systems work and what will be needed to manage them successfully. As we begin to apply these tools more broadly, doctors will need a practical understanding of when to rely on them, when to question them and how to keep them working well. Harrison

Findings published

The article has been published in the Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, the official journal of the College of American Pathologists. The article was written by Harrison, John R. Gilbertson, Matthew G. Hanna, Niels H. Olson, Jansen N. Seheult, James M. Sorace and Michelle N. Stram. All are members of the Machine Learning Workgroup of the College of American Pathologists Informatics Committee.
China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) said it has completed the main infrastructure work for the Al Mutlaa Residential City Project and handed it over to the Kuwaiti authorities.

CGGC is a subsidiary of China Energy Engineering Group Company, a state-owned energy conglomerate with headquarters in Beijing.

Once completed, the Al Mutlaa Residential City, a vital project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, will accommodate 400,000 people.

CGGC's scope of work includes completion of 30 sq km infrastructure network out of the 120-sq-km residential city development. The Chinese group had started the construction work in April 2017.

CGGC had handed over the first batch of its housing infrastructure project to the authorities last October.-TradeArabia News Service
The Government is committed to finding a way to allow Justice Minister Helen McEntee to take maternity leave without having to resign, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said yesterday.

Ms McEntee has announced she will take six months leave when her baby, due in May, is born. However, there is currently no provision for a politician to take maternity leave.

We are committed to facilitating Helen McEntee to take maternity leave and not to resign, said Mr Martin. I do believe we can accommodate Helen. Were going to facilitate that through a range of mechanisms.

He said the minister taking maternity leave would be a catalyst for wider change.

The Taoiseach hopes a Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality, which is due to make its recommendations in the coming months, may make recommendations around politicians taking maternity leave.

He was speaking to broadcaster and journalist Dearbhail McDonald, as part of a Women for Election International Womens Day event on women in politics. The independent charity provides training and support for women considering election.

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When asked to comment on reports concerning social media hate towards female politicians, Mr Martin said it worried him.

I worry deeply about it. Social media is having a very destructive impact on politics and on decision making, he said. Impact on individuals is very oppressive, particularly online, and to throw in the abuse that is going on is very, very detrimental to our body politic.

He said the abuse was a deterrent to those looking to stay in politics which can be very damaging in terms of false stories which can affect psychological well-being.

He also said that the riots in the US, which saw the violent storming of Capitol Hill and five people die, could happen in Ireland. Of course it could, it could easily happen anywhere at this stage, he said.

If you read a misleading narrative on an ongoing basis, people will get a different, wrong perception of an individual in the public life and then could go to harm them.

Mr Martin said half of all members in Dail Eireann and the Seanad could be women by 2030.

We need more women in politics, he said. Women bring in different perspective and different politics.
The new river tour of the 10th China Flower Expo will set sail in May

By:Liu Xutong | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-03-05 13:57

The 10th China Flower Expo will open in Chongming in May,and the Pujiang River Tour will add a new route for the event, announced the Shanghai Jiushi Tourism Group aboard the cruise ship "Shencheng Light".

The 10th China Flower Expo will be held from May 21st to July 2nd for 42 days.The Pujiang Tour - Flower Expo route will depart from Shiliupu Wharf, carrying tourists to Chongming to enjoy this flower event. This water and land Flower Expo route is one of the new products to be launched by Pujiang Tour.

"The products of the China Flower Expo are expected to be launched in May this year. The cruise ship will prepare a buffet breakfast for tourists. It will take about three and a half hours to reach Chongming. After experiencing the East and West venues of the China Flower Expo, while returning in the evening tourists can enjoy a buffet dinner while visiting Pujiang at night, Dong Luo, executive director and general manager of Shanghai Jiushi Tourism (Group) Co., Ltd., said.
PORTLAND, Ore., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Solar Farm Market by Type (Utility-scale, Distributed Generation, Microgrids, and Others) and End User Industry (Residential, Commercial, and Industrial): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202027." According to the report, the global solar farm industry generated $61.4 billion in 2019, and is estimated to generate $261.0 billion by 2027, witnessing a CAGR of 19.8% from 2020 to 2027.

Prime determinants of growth

Supportive government regulations for usage of photovoltaic technology drive the global solar farm market. However, high cost associated with installation hinders the market growth. Contrarily, increase in demand for renewable energy presents new opportunities in the coming years.

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Covid-19 Scenario

Manufacturing activities for solar farms have been stopped due to the lockdown imposed in many countries. In addition, raw material shortage has occurred.

China is the major supplier of solar panels across the world and the stoppage of production activity in the country impacted the global market, especially the U.S and South-East Asia .

is the major supplier of solar panels across the world and the stoppage of production activity in the country impacted the global market, especially the U.S and . Owing to economic uncertainty caused because of prolonged pandemic, some solar farm projects have been postponed or canceled.

The utility-scale segment to maintain its lead position throughout the forecast period

Based on type, the utility-scale segment contributed to around half of the global solar farm market in 2019, and is expected to maintain its lead position throughout the forecast period. This is due to surge in investments in grid expansion and integration technologies such as storage and UV connectivity. However, the distributed generation segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR of 20.3% from 2020 to 2027.

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The commercial segment to maintain its leadership status by 2027

Based on end-use industry, the commercial segment held the highest market share in 2019, accounting for around three-fifths of the global solar power plant market in 2019, and is expected to maintain its leadership status by 2027. Moreover, this segment is projected to portray the fastest CAGR of 20.3% from 2020 to 2027. This is due to increase in economies around the world, rise in urbanization, and adoption of solar energy by commercial buildings such as offices, malls, airports, and others to decrease the carbon footprint. The research also analyzes the industrial segment.

Asia-Pacific, followed by North America, to maintain its dominant position by 2027

Based on region, Asia-Pacific, followed by North America, accounted for the largest market share in 2019, contributing to more than two-thirds of the global solar farm market, and is expected to maintain its dominant position in terms of revenue by 2027. This is due to increase in government initiatives that raise the demand for PV energy and distribution of solar lighting systems in rural areas. However, Europe is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 21.1% from 2020 to 2027, owing to rise in production of solar energy, increase in construction activities that led to installation of BIPV systems to generate electricity, and implementation of stringent environmental regulations to reduce carbon emission.

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Leading market players

Trina Solar

Sharp Corporation

TATA Power Solar Systems Ltd.

First Solar, Inc.

BrightSource Energy, Inc.

Shenzhen Topray Solar Co. Ltd.

JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd.

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Similar Reports We Have:

Solar Energy Market is projected to reach $223.3 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 20.5% from 2019 to 2026.

Photovoltaic Market is projected to reach $333,725.1 million by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 25.1% from 2019 to 2026.

Concentrated Solar Power Market is projected to reach $ 8,046.7 million by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 10.3% from 2019 to 2026.

Solar Photovoltaic Glass Market is projected to reach $37.6 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 30.3% from 2019 to 2026.

Solar Tracker Installation Market is projected to reach $379.2 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 11.1% from 2019 to 2026.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels Market is expected to reach $307,204 million by 2023, registering a CAGR of 15.0% from 2017 to 2023.

Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installation Market is expected to reach $64,671 million by 2023, registering a CAGR of 11.2% from 2017 to 2023.

Solar Water Heater Market is projected to reach $6.7 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2020 to 2027.

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Solar Power in Petrol Pump Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2028

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Smart Solar Power Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021 - 2028

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Japan's COVID-19 inoculation campaign is moving at a glacial pace, hampered by a lack of supply and a shortage of specialty syringes that underscore the enormous challenge it faces in its aim to vaccinate every adult by the year's end. Since the campaign began three weeks ago, just under 46,500 doses had been administered to frontline medical workers as of Friday.

At the current rate, it would take 126 years to vaccinate Japan's population of 126 million. Supplies are, however, expected to increase in the coming months. By contrast, South Korea, which began its vaccinations a week later than Japan, had administered nearly seven times more shots as of Sunday.

Unlike many other countries, Japan requires clinical trials for new medicines, including vaccines, to be conducted with Japanese patients, slowing down the approval process. So far, only the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech has been approved. Clinical trials in Japan for AstraZeneca and Moderna's vaccines have been conducted and the vaccines are now awaiting regulatory approval.

"The sense of urgency among the government is not, I think, similar to other G7 countries," said Haruka Sakamoto, a physician and researcher at Keio University, noting Japan's comparatively low case numbers and death toll. Japan has had about 438,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 8,251 deaths. Cases in Tokyo, which is still under a state of emergency, have subsided from a daily peak of 2,520 on Jan. 7 to 237 on March 7.

Sakamoto said the health ministry's conservative stance stems from previous examples of a new medicine gaining approval relatively quickly only for the ministry to be criticised by the public and media for going too fast and endangering safety. The health ministry did not immediately reply with comment on the pace of the inoculation rollout.

Japan is focusing on vaccinating about 4.8 million medical workers first before moving on to its elderly population of 36 million. Vaccine Minister Taro Kono has said that while shots for those over 65 will start next month, supplies will be extremely limited.

Unlike South Korea, which has been using low dead space syringes to extract six or even seven doses of Pfizer vaccine from a vial instead of five, and 12 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine per vial instead of 10, Japan has fallen short on readying sufficient supply of the specialty syringes.

That shortage will mean that some doses will go to waste when shots for the elderly start, Kono said on Friday. Japan is continuing to negotiate with Pfizer on supplies, Kono said, and imports are expected to increase four-fold in April from March to about 1.7 million vials. Each shipment must be approved by the European Union, which introduced the mechanism in late January to monitor vaccine exports after drug makers announced delays in their supplies to the bloc.

Japan has secured rights to at least 564 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, the largest volume in Asia, and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has pledged to have enough for the whole population by June, before the July 23 start of the Tokyo Olympics.

Also read: COVID-19 vaccine: EU regulator urges caution on Sputnik V; cites lack of data
Investors will remain a significant player in the housing market as the LVR speed limits imposed by the Reserve Bank kick in this month.

This is according to the latest release from QV.

The LVR speed limits returned at the start of March, but it might be quite some time before we see these significantly impacting the market.

Most investors are now required to stump up a 30 per cent deposit to grow their portfolio.

Owner occupiers now require a 20 per cent deposit from the start of March.

With capital gains averaging over 15 per cent for the past 12 months, were still seeing many investors restructuring their finances to get around these restrictions, says QV general manager David Nagel.

Investors will need a 40 per cent deposit from May 2021, which could finally dampen their ability to compete with the first-home buyers for the very limited affordable housing stock.

The average value increased 6.8 per cent nationally over the past three-month period, up slightly from the 6.3 per cent quarterly growth we saw in January, with the average value now sitting at $856,835.

This represents an increase of 15.9 per cent year-on-year, an increase from annual growth of 15.1 per cent last month.

The residential property market cooled in Tauranga last month.

The citys average house price increased by just 0.7 per cent to $927,022  but it remains a staggering 17.8 per cent higher than it was 12 months ago.

QV property consultant Derek Turnwald says theres a real sense that the market may be nearing its peak, which could cause some investors to sell the properties they had been holding onto while the market was rising.

Agents are receiving less enquiries from New Zealanders living overseas now, possibly as a consequence of vaccine rollouts and increased confidence that there is finally an end in sight to the worst effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, he says.

Recent indications that the Government wants to reduce investor activity  particularly speculator activity  and restrictions on lending to investors could help to curb investor interest and activity, and therefore slow value growth across Tauranga.

The average value in the Auckland region sits at $1,233,385, up 6.4 per cent over the last quarter, with annual growth at 14.2 per cent, up from Januarys year-on-year growth of 13.4 per cent.

All the major urban centres are showing strong gains in value with Palmerston North continuing to lead the way with 9.4 per cent growth over the past three months.

The twin Hawkes Bay cities of Napier and Hastings arent far behind with both cities showing quarterly growth of 8.9 per cent.

The larger centres were generally the first parts of the country to experience the very rapid value growth weve seen over the past 12-18 months, and this was primarily driven by both first-home buyers and investors competing for the very limited supply of entry-level housing stock," says David.

"But the market strength has now spread to the higher-value locations in the major centres as confidence returns in the post-lockdown economic recovery.

We may see a gradual cooling of the market in the second and third quarters of 2021, particularly in the entry-level locations as property investors reach their credit limits and first-home buyers struggle to raise a big enough deposit.

"But with the long-term forecast for housing demand in New Zealand looking positive, it is difficult to see the market take a significant turn for the worse any time soon.
NEW DELHI: Popular television actress Rubina Dilaik is back to work after taking the Bigg Boss trophy home and shes got exciting news for fans! The actress is all set to feature in a music video alongside Bigg Boss 13 contestant Paras Chhabra. Paras, who had entered the Bigg Boss 14 as Devoleena's family but was seen supporting Rubina throughout.

Now, the former contestants of popular reality show Bigg Boss are all set to team up together for a music video and their fans are super excited with the news.

Earlier, the makers of the song VYRL Originals had announced the songs release with a music video poster on their Twitter handle. They wrote, #Exclusive something super-special is coming up with @RubiDilaik, #ParasChhabra & @AseesKaur real soon! Stay Tuned. The upcoming romantic song will be sung by Asees Kaur and will feature Rubina and Paras as a married couple as in the photo, the duo is seen posing as newly-weds.

Sharing a Behind The Scenes (BTS) picture from the shooting of the music video, Rubina wrote, "Happy to be back...something #special coming your way.." Rubina carried a chic look donning a white camisole top, a floral pleated skirt and a statement necklace with those lovely curls resting on her shoulders. Paras too appeared dapper in black shirt and denim as he stood behind the BB14 winner. Take a look at her Instagram post below:

Paras two shared two stills from his upcoming video song on Instagram, writing, "Nobel we are not but our habits (Sharif hum nahi hamari aadatein hain).

Recently, Rubina was put in a tough spot by fans after a video emerged showing her encounter with a paparazzi at the Mumbai Airport. After watching the video, many netizens called her 'arrogant' and criticised her for showing 'attitude'.

The actress is best known for her roles in TV soaps 'Chotti Bahu' and 'Shakti - Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki'. She is married to Abhinav Shukla who was also a contestant in Bigg Boss 14. Meanwhile, Paras Chhabra is rumoured to be dating Bigg Boss 13 fellow contestant Mahira Sharma, however there is no confirmation from his end.
Since January 20, the Liberal-National Coalition government has released into the community approximately 120 refugees who were imprisoned in cramped hotels across Australia. Around 100 remain detained.

After years of incarceration in the governments offshore detention camps on remote Nauru and Papua New Guineas Manus Island, these asylum seekers were transferred to Australia for urgent medical treatment under the later-repealed February 2019 medevac bill. They had been locked in the hotels for up to two years.

Those released have not been granted permanent visas. Instead, they have been placed on six-month bridging visas, so the threat of deportation looms over their heads. The government has provided virtually no support for those released, only in some cases paying for three or six weeks of temporary accommodation.

Balcony protest by refugees detained at Kangaroo Point Central Hotel (Credit: Facebook - Refugee Solidarity Meanjin)

The refugees now have to rely on volunteer groups and charities for accommodation, food and clothing. They are expected to find work in order to survive. Under conditions of ongoing mass unemployment due the coronavirus pandemic, many face the risk of homelessness, extreme poverty and/or exploitation by ruthless employers.

While the releases end the immediate suffering of incarceration, they constitute a temporary manoeuvre that maintains the political establishments bipartisan border protection regime, under which no asylum seeker who tries to reach Australia by boat is permitted to settle in the country.

There are also still more than 1,500 refugees in onshore immigration prisons and approximately 300 in offshore detention.

The opposition Labor Party and the Greens hailed the medevac bill as permitting a more humane treatment of refugees, but it did nothing to stop their indefinite imprisonment. Instead, it allowed for doctors to apply for their transfer to Australia for medical treatment under narrow and specific circumstances.

The bill was repealed in December 2019, leaving about 200 refugees stranded. In February 2020, Prime Minister Scott Morrisons government began forcing them into hotels. Photos soon emerged of the squalid conditions they faced, including dirty rooms and bedbugs.

Typical of those released is a family of four who were imprisoned for more than a year in a hotel in Darwin, the Northern Territory capital. Originally fleeing from Iran, the family was first imprisoned on Nauru for more than seven years.

Reza Golmohamadian and his family were recently accepted for resettlement in Canada but had been waiting in Darwin as Rezas wife and daughter both needed medical treatment. The room in which they were imprisoned was roughly 3x3 metres with bunk beds. Rezas wife, due to her medical conditions, could not climb up the bunk bed and so had to sleep on the floor.

With their release the refugees face a new form of detention. The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) interviewed Ethiopian refugee Betelhem Tebubu, who has been living on six-month bridging visas for four years. She told SBS that every six months the immigration department would remind her of the visas limitation by temporarily detaining her.

They used to send us a message saying bring your medication, food, and water because you are [going to be] detained all day. She would be forced into the office for eight hours, because they locked the door. Even if we wanted to go to the toilet, we had to go with security.

Tebubu commented: We are free, but we are in a big detention on a bridging visa. I can walk, but my mind is not free... I never ever buy something for my house, because I dont know what theyre going to do tomorrow. My mind never settles.

The limited releases cut across several court cases filed by the refugees alleging that their detention is unlawful and that instead of receiving adequate medical treatment, their health has worsened. In many cases, they are seeking immediate release and damages for the months of unlawful detention.

The asylum seekers incarceration has been so traumatic that some have applied to be flown back to Nauru or Papua New Guinea, despite the poor conditions there.

A federal court judge, Geoffrey Flick, said the situation was disturbing. A picture was emerging in which Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton was not taking any steps at all to give effect to a request made by someone in detention for removal until this court intervenes. Flick said the government should consider compensation.

Dutton has declared that the releases are for financial reasons. Speaking to 2GB radio in January, Dutton said: Its cheaper for people to be in the community than it is to be at a hotel or for us to be paying for them to be in detention.

Various Labor and Greens politicians have made statements welcoming the releases, while criticising the Coalition government. Queensland state Labor Multicultural Affairs Minister Leanne Linard said releasing people into the community with the current lack of support verges on cruelty.

Such posturing by Labor and the Greens cannot hide their own roles in the criminal persecution of refugees. It was the Keating Labor government that, in 1992, first introduced the regime of mandatory detention for all asylum seekers arriving by boat.

In 2012, the Gillard Labor government, which was propped up in office by the Greens, reopened the offshore facilities on Nauru and Manus, thus creating the conditions for the cruelty inflicted on tens of thousands of refugees ever since.

All refugees and workers internationally should have the basic right to live and work wherever they want. They should be provided with the highest possible medical treatment. This is an essential part of the fight for a unified struggle by the working class worldwide against capitalism and for the socialist reorganisation of society. Those refugees still imprisoned, in Australia, in offshore detention or on temporary bridging visas in community detention, should be released immediately and afforded full citizenship rights.
NGC 1453, a giant elliptical galaxy in the constellation Eridanus, was one of 63 galaxies used to calculate the expansion rate of the local universe. Last year, the MASSIVE survey team determined that the galaxy is located 166 million light years from Earth and has a black hole at its center with a mass nearly 3 billion times that of the sun. Credit: the Carnegie-Irvine Galaxy Survey

Determining how rapidly the universe is expanding is key to understanding our cosmic fate, but with more precise data has come a conundrum: Estimates based on measurements within our local universe don't agree with extrapolations from the era shortly after the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago.

A new estimate of the local expansion ratethe Hubble constant, or H0 (H-naught)reinforces that discrepancy.

Using a relatively new and potentially more precise technique for measuring cosmic distances, which employs the average stellar brightness within giant elliptical galaxies as a rung on the distance ladder, astronomers calculate a rate73.3 kilometers per second per megaparsec, give or take 2.5 km/sec/Mpcthat lies in the middle of three other good estimates, including the gold standard estimate from Type Ia supernovae. This means that for every megaparsec3.3 million light years, or 3 billion trillion kilometersfrom Earth, the universe is expanding an extra 73.3 2.5 kilometers per second. The average from the three other techniques is 73.5 1.4 km/sec/Mpc.

Perplexingly, estimates of the local expansion rate based on measured fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background and, independently, fluctuations in the density of normal matter in the early universe (baryon acoustic oscillations), give a very different answer: 67.4 0.5 km/sec/Mpc.

Astronomers are understandably concerned about this mismatch, because the expansion rate is a critical parameter in understanding the physics and evolution of the universe and is key to understanding dark energywhich accelerates the rate of expansion of the universe and thus causes the Hubble constant to change more rapidly than expected with increasing distance from Earth. Dark energy comprises about two-thirds of the mass and energy in the universe, but is still a mystery.

For the new estimate, astronomers measured fluctuations in the surface brightness of 63 giant elliptical galaxies to determine the distance and plotted distance against velocity for each to obtain H0. The surface brightness fluctuation (SBF) technique is independent of other techniques and has the potential to provide more precise distance estimates than other methods within about 100 Mpc of Earth, or 330 million light years. The 63 galaxies in the sample are at distances ranging from 15 to 99 Mpc, looking back in time a mere fraction of the age of the universe.

"For measuring distances to galaxies out to 100 megaparsecs, this is a fantastic method," said cosmologist Chung-Pei Ma, the Judy Chandler Webb Professor in the Physical Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley, and professor of astronomy and physics. "This is the first paper that assembles a large, homogeneous set of data, on 63 galaxies, for the goal of studying H-naught using the SBF method."

Ma leads the MASSIVE survey of local galaxies, which provided data for 43 of the galaxiestwo-thirds of those employed in the new analysis.

The data on these 63 galaxies was assembled and analyzed by John Blakeslee, an astronomer with the National Science Foundation's NOIRLab. He is first author of a paper now accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal that he co-authored with colleague Joseph Jensen of Utah Valley University in Orem. Blakeslee, who heads the science staff that support NSF's optical and infrared observatories, is a pioneer in using SBF to measure distances to galaxies, and Jensen was one of the first to apply the method at infrared wavelengths. The two worked closely with Ma on the analysis.

"The whole story of astronomy is, in a sense, the effort to understand the absolute scale of the universe, which then tells us about the physics," Blakeslee said, harkening back to James Cook's voyage to Tahiti in 1769 to measure a transit of Venus so that scientists could calculate the true size of the solar system. "The SBF method is more broadly applicable to the general population of evolved galaxies in the local universe, and certainly if we get enough galaxies with the James Webb Space Telescope, this method has the potential to give the best local measurement of the Hubble constant."

The James Webb Space Telescope, 100 times more powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope, is scheduled for launch in October.

Giant elliptical galaxies

The Hubble constant has been a bone of contention for decades, ever since Edwin Hubble first measured the local expansion rate and came up with an answer seven times too big, implying that the universe was actually younger than its oldest stars. The problem, then and now, lies in pinning down the location of objects in space that give few clues about how far away they are.

Astronomers over the years have laddered up to greater distances, starting with calculating the distance to objects close enough that they seem to move slightly, because of parallax, as the Earth orbits the sun. Variable stars called Cepheids get you farther, because their brightness is linked to their period of variability, and Type Ia supernovae get you even farther, because they are extremely powerful explosions that, at their peak, shine as bright as a whole galaxy. For both Cepheids and Type Ia supernovae, it's possible to figure out the absolute brightness from the way they change over time, and then the distance can be calculated from their apparent brightness as seen from Earth.

The best current estimate of H0 comes from distances determined by Type Ia supernova explosions in distant galaxies, though newer methodstime delays caused by gravitational lensing of distant quasars and the brightness of water masers orbiting black holesall give around the same number.

The technique using surface brightness fluctuations is one of the newest and relies on the fact that giant elliptical galaxies are old and have a consistent population of old starsmostly red giant starsthat can be modeled to give an average infrared brightness across their surface. The researchers obtained high-resolution infrared images of each galaxy with the Wide Field Camera 3 on the Hubble Space Telescope and determined how much each pixel in the image differed from the "average"the smoother the fluctuations over the entire image, the farther the galaxy, once corrections are made for blemishes like bright star-forming regions, which the authors exclude from the analysis.

Neither Blakeslee nor Ma was surprised that the expansion rate came out close to that of the other local measurements. But they are equally confounded by the glaring conflict with estimates from the early universea conflict that many astronomers say means that our current cosmological theories are wrong, or at least incomplete.

The extrapolations from the early universe are based on the simplest cosmological theorycalled lambda cold dark matter, or CDMwhich employs just a few parameters to describe the evolution of the universe. Does the new estimate drive a stake into the heart of CDM?

"I think it pushes that stake in a bit more," Blakeslee said. "But it (CDM) is still alive. Some people think, regarding all these local measurements, (that) the observers are wrong. But it is getting harder and harder to make that claimit would require there to be systematic errors in the same direction for several different methods: supernovae, SBF, gravitational lensing, water masers. So, as we get more independent measurements, that stake goes a little deeper."

Ma wonders whether the uncertainties astronomers ascribe to their measurements, which reflect both systematic errors and statistical errors, are too optimistic, and that perhaps the two ranges of estimates can still be reconciled.

"The jury is out," she said. "I think it really is in the error bars. But assuming everyone's error bars are not underestimated, the tension is getting uncomfortable."

In fact, one of the giants of the field, astronomer Wendy Freedman, recently published a study pegging the Hubble constant at 69.8 1.9 km/sec/Mpc, roiling the waters even further. The latest result from Adam Riess, an astronomer who shared the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics for discovering dark energy, reports 73.2 1.3 km/sec/Mpc. Riess was a Miller Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley when he performed this research, and he shared the prize with UC Berkeley and Berkeley Lab physicist Saul Perlmutter.

MASSIVE galaxies

The new value of H0 is a byproduct of two other surveys of nearby galaxiesin particular, Ma's MASSIVE survey, which uses space and ground-based telescopes to exhaustively study the 100 most massive galaxies within about 100 Mpc of Earth. A major goal is to weigh the supermassive black holes at the centers of each one.

To do that, precise distances are needed, and the SBF method is the best to date, she said. The MASSIVE survey team used this method last year to determine the distance to a giant elliptical galaxy, NGC 1453, in the southern sky constellation of Eridanus. Combining that distance, 166 million light years, with extensive spectroscopic data from the Gemini and McDonald telescopeswhich allowed Ma's graduate students Chris Liepold and Matthew Quenneville to measure the velocities of the stars near the center of the galaxythey concluded that NGC 1453 has a central black hole with a mass nearly 3 billion times that of the sun.

To determine H0, Blakeslee calculated SBF distances to 43 of the galaxies in the MASSIVE survey, based on 45 to 90 minutes of HST observing time for each galaxy. The other 20 came from another survey that employed HST to image large galaxies, specifically ones in which Type Ia supernovae have been detected.

Most of the 63 galaxies are between 8 and 12 billion years old, which means that they contain a large population of old red stars, which are key to the SBF method and can also be used to improve the precision of distance calculations. In the paper, Blakeslee employed both Cepheid variable stars and a technique that uses the brightest red giant stars in a galaxyreferred to as the tip of the red giant branch, or TRGB techniqueto ladder up to galaxies at large distances. They produced consistent results. The TRGB technique takes account of the fact that the brightest red giants in galaxies have about the same absolute brightness.

"The goal is to make this SBF method completely independent of the Cepheid-calibrated Type Ia supernova method by using the James Webb Space Telescope to get a red giant branch calibration for SBFs," he said.

"The James Webb telescope has the potential to really decrease the error bars for SBF," Ma added. But for now, the two discordant measures of the Hubble constant will have to learn to live with one another.

"I was not setting out to measure H0; it was a great product of our survey," she said. "But I am a cosmologist and am watching this with great interest."

Explore further Aging stars provide a new cosmological yardstick
Entry and exit gates of stations on the Tikri Kalan-Brigadier Hoshiar Singh section of the Delhi Metro's Green Line have been closed for security reasons, the DMRC said.

Tikri border is one of the epicentres of the farmers' protest against the new agriculture laws.

"Security update Entry/exit gates of stations from Tikri Kalan to Brigadier Hoshiar Singh on green line are closed," the DMRC tweeted.

The stations that fall between these two stations are -- Tikri Border, Pandit Shree Ram Sharma (Modern Industrial Estate) and Bahadurgarh City.

Further details are awaited.

(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 2014, Albany County Surrogate Court Judge Cathryn Doyle was removed from the bench for her failure to disclose conflicts of interest with attorneys.

On Thursday, Doyle was removed from a civil case for a similar reason  this time because she represented a party in connection with the same case she presided over as a judge 10 years earlier.

Appellate justices with the Third Department in Albany booted Doyle from the case, which involves the will of the late Susan M. Gordon, who died in 2006.

After the womans death, Doyle admitted Gordons will to probate and issued letters to Carol Beebe, the executor and trustee. The will directed that Gordons fiance, David Baglione, receive life use in all of Gordons property and that a remainder of Gordons estate be put into a trust for his benefit.

In June 2014, Beebe and Baglione became entangled in a legal battle in connection with the will. Doyle, off the bench, began to represent Baglione.

Beebe asked acting Surrogate Court Judge Gerard Maney to remove Doyle on the grounds that she had previously served as the judge in the probate proceeding. Maney rejected Beebes motion. Which prompted her to appeal to the Third Department.



On Nov. 17, Beebes attorney, Brian Quinn, made it clear for the Appellate Division he believed Doyle had no business in the case.

The rule in this case is simple, Quinn told the appellate justices. A former judge may not act as an advocate in a matter that was before her. The judicial system clearly distinguishes the role of the judge and the role of the attorney. Judges are supposed to be neutral.

If judges start taking on the role as advocates, he said, it undermines publics confidence in the judicial system.

In this case there is confusion based on Judge Doyles transformation into attorney Doyle, Quinn argued.

Paul Connolly, the lawyer for Baglione, argued that the facts in the legal battle between Baglione and Beebe, which involve accounting, had essentially nothing to do with the proceedings which Doyle presided over.

At the time, he said, Doyle was only looking at whether Beebe fit the legal definitions of an executor and trustee and decided she did. Connolly said he believed the public was well able to understand the proceedings are 10 years apart.

I dont believe that it does create confusion, he told the justices.

The Third Department reversed Maneys 2019 decision in Surrogates Court, Doyles old judicial stomping grounds.

In a 3-2 decision: Presiding Justice Elizabeth Garry and Justices Stanley Pritzker and John Egan voted to remove Doyle from the case.

"Just as a judge may not preside over a case that he or she was previously involved in as an attorney, an attorney may not

appear for a client in a case that he or she previously presided over as a judge," Egan said in the majority opinion.

State judiciary law states that a "former judge or surrogate shall not act as attorney or counsellor in any action, claim, matter, motion or proceeding, which has been before him [or her] in his [or her] official character," Egan noted.

"This prohibition is absolute and establishes a bright-line disqualification rule," Egan stated. "By our reading, this statute clearly

operates to disqualify petitioner's counsel  who previously presided as the Surrogate over the probate of decedent's will and the issuance of letters testamentary and letters of trusteeship to respondent  from now representing petitioner in his claims against respondent involving the same estate and the same trust."

Justices John Colangelo and Molly Reynolds Fitzgerald voted that Doyle should have been allowed to stay on.

"The necessary parties to a probate proceeding are different than the parties to a proceeding to compel an accounting, and the

facts underlying a probate proceeding are distinct from those at issue in an accounting," Colangelo said in the dissent. "Further, over 10 years has elapsed between the two matters."

The tight vote means the case could end up at the Court of Appeals, the states top court, which in 2014 upheld a state Commission on Judicial Conduct ruling to remove Doyle from the bench. She was removed because she did not recuse herself from cases involving former state Supreme Court Justice Thomas J. Spargo, who was also removed from the bench, her former campaign manager, Matthew J. Kelly, and her personal attorney, William Cade.

Reached for comment Sunday on the ruling, Doyle told Law Beat: Hey, you know what? Its Sunday. Have a nice day and try going to church. Bye bye.
Intersex and Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) are two terms used to describe those born with sex characteristics (i.e., chromosomes, gonads, genitals) that do not fit the typical definitions of male or female bodies. It is estimated that one out of every 2 000 people is born with invisible or visible intersex/DSD traits.

But for many, intersex/DSD is less about anatomy and more about experience. For me, intersex refers to the lived experience of the sociocultural consequences of being born with a body that does not fit within the normative definitions of man and woman, says noted human rights activist Miriam van der Have.

Unfortunately, for many intersex people, this experience is one full of potentially harmful surgical procedures, stigmatisation, discrimination and social exclusion.

There is a pressing need for research that highlights the experiences, understandings and views of intersex and DSD people within a European context. Surya Monro, Professor of sociology and Social Policy, University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom

With the support of the EUICIT project, undertaken through funding from the Marie Skodowska-Curie Actions programme, Monro, along with Daniela Crocetti and Tray Yeadon-Lee, conducted innovative research on the intersex experience  research that could help decision makers protect this long-marginalised population better.

The research was conducted in partnership with Zwischengeschlecht, an intersex activist organisation, which contributed important expertise on well-being and human rights.

Fact-based information on the intersex experience

One of the projects most alarming findings was the number of irreversible, medically unnecessary surgeries still being done on intersex infants and children. We were surprised at the extent to which these problematic medical practices were still taking place, notes Monro. This motivated us to work as hard as possible to provide policymakers, politicians and healthcare professionals with fact-based information on the intersex experience.

According to Monro, outdated ideas about gender are at the root of this medical abuse. Because sex variations are often framed as abnormalities, many parents choose to fix their abnormal children, explains Monro. Families may feel pressured to have these surgeries done in order to protect their child from social stigma or to conform with what they perceive as gender norms.

Although some intersex people may need or want genital or other medical procedures, Monro stresses that such a decision should be theirs and theirs alone. The intersex people who contributed to our research clearly indicated that legal changes should be made to stop intersex children from having cosmetic procedures done until they are old enough to make their own decisions about their bodies, adds Monro.

An opportunity to enhance diversity

Despite there being differences of opinion between parent groups, patient advocates and intersex people, Monro says there is widespread agreement on the need to provide intersex people with better care and support. One of the key takeaways from this work is the importance of involving people with sex variations in planning the policies and services that are provided for them, says Monro.

According to Monro, this includes providing better psychological support to intersex children and their families and ensuring that all care is tailored to the individual needs of the intersex person. Perhaps most importantly, we need our policymakers to start seeing sex variations not as a medical problem but as an opportunity to enhance our diversity, concludes Monro.

As to this last point, the project has produced a detailed report to help guide United Kingdom policymakers on the topic. This report appears to have influenced the countrys National Health Service (NHS) to propose withdrawing public funding for childhood surgeries carried out for gender-normalising purposes.

Researchers also published numerous articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, two of which were co-authored by intersex people. An article published in the renowned American Journal of Bioethics ranks among the top 10 most downloaded papers in the journals history.

Furthermore, the project has conducted over 26 presentations and four stakeholder workshops, along with organising a major international conference on intersex studies.

Much of the projects work is now being extended under the auspices of the INIA project, which aims to support the next generation of scholars working in the field of intersex and sex variations.
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When the Sans Souci community weighed in more than two years ago on what it wanted to see most, creative redevelopment of the former Union Bleachery mill site was at the top of the list.

The challenge then, as now, is that the location is the largest and most prominent Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site in Greenville County. Significant work is required to neutralize existing health and environmental issues that exist to ensure the safe re-use of the property. Until those health risks can be mitigated, the EPA wont declassify it as a contaminated site.

Enter Dean Warhaft, a Miami-based developer who has previously worked with the EPA to redevelop similarly contaminated properties, known as brownfields, and who has for the last year prepared a plan to pay for and expedite the cleanup of sections of the former factory.

In exchange, he would be allowed to develop one of the largest pieces of open space in the immediate Greenville vicinity  240 acres at the intersection of Old Buncombe Road and West Blue Ridge Drive, also known as State Highway 253, less than three miles from the city's center.

Warhaft would act as the overall master developer for what would be a planned development that, as proposed, would include a mix of office, retail, restaurant, hotel, townhouses and apartments. It would also include 55 acres of open space and up to 10 miles of new multiuse trails surrounding the project and connecting to the nearby Swamp Rabbit Trail.

The plan would extend a street network from the existing Union Bleachery mill village through the new development to reconnect to the rest of the Sans Souci community.

Warhafts initial plans call for up to 3.5 million square-feet of office space, a 200-room hotel and up to 2,000 new apartment and townhouse units. He said he is in discussion with a major life sciences company that may locate on up to 500,000 square-feet within the development.

The site itself would have its own high-density urban core and a secondary town-center style section with a proposed grocery store and ground-level retail.

Buildings closest to the edge of the development would be limited to 55 feet in height and step up closer to the developments core, similar to how the Greenville County Square redevelopment project is designed.

It would include at least five main entrances on Brooks Avenue, Old Buncombe Road and State Highway 253, with at least two secondary entrances. The entire development would be constructed as a transit oriented development with bike and pedestrian access in mind. A boulevard would run throughout, creating another main thoroughfare for drivers to bypass the intersection of Old Buncombe Road and Highway 253 if needed.

But those plans are preliminary. At an initial public hearing in February, Warhaft told council members they would get multiple bites of the apple when it came to design approvals. Due to its massive scope, the project timeline could be as long as 20 years and include six to eight different phases, according to an initial site plan.

Its about patience, Warhaft said.

Site cleanup

The timeline is complicated due to uncertainty about what mitigation the EPA will require, particularly to a 33-acre portion of land where the shell of the former U.S. Finishing/Cone Mills building still stands.

A heavy metal  chromium  leached into the groundwater beneath that land and is still there, sitting in a plume beneath the site, according to the EPA and Warhaft. Its a known carcinogen that if inhaled or ingested can cause lung cancer, birth defects and respiratory issues, according to the EPA.

The EPA hasnt yet determined whats needed to eliminate health risks from the chromium, but Warhaft said the usual treatment involves injecting material into the groundwater that oxidizes the chromium and makes it inert.

The EPA initially listed it as a Superfund site in 2011 due to contaminated surface water, groundwater and sediment resulting from facility operations. By 2012 the EPA had fenced off the site, demolished buildings that contained asbestos and hauled away containers filled with contaminated materials that were stored there.

Its investigation of the soil and groundwater on the bleachery site itself is expected to last until December 2022 or February 2023, and a cleanup plan will be developed by late 2023. Only then will the developers know what is required to declassify the site from the Superfund list.

Multiple developers have tried and failed to redevelop the site in the past due to the difficulty of declassifying a Superfund site and the expensive cleanup work that will be required. Complicating that, much of the site is in receivership and owned by the state of South Carolina. Its last owner, American Fast Print, abandoned the site after a fire in 2003 destroyed the main building and the company went bankrupt.

Ultimately when we close on the property well be buying it from the state, Warhaft said.

It is in the care of the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, which asked the EPA for help due to the unknown contamination and high costs to monitor and clean up the site.

Youve got to make sure youre working with both of them collectively to get them both on the same page, Warhaft said.

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Before the site can be removed from the EPAs National Priorities List of Superfund sites, the contamination must be studied and mitigated. Under the EPAs timeline and without a developer interest, those studies and any cleanup may not have happened for another 20 years, Warhaft said.

But since he showed interest it kick-started the process. It may not be long until hes able to start developing parts of the site.

Flexible timeline

The EPA has divided the site into three sections and each one can be studied separately with separate mitigation plans. That way, Warhaft said, the EPA may clear some of the unaffected areas of land more quickly and he can start to develop those sections while continuing to work on the most significant part of the site, where the mill once stood. The EPA has issued a notice of no further action needed for 150 acres on either side of the mill site, which would allow those sections to be delisted as soon as this summer, Warhaft said.

Warhaft also decided not to include any single family houses in his plan in order to limit the amount of digging that would be done by residents, further limiting the risk of health issues.

From our standpoint, even though the testing of the land met single family, our thought was 'let's play it safe across the board. Let's not even have those discussions,'" he said.

Warhaft said he received approval from both DHEC and the EPA for the proposed uses for the site before submitting site plans to the county.

Warhaft and his partner, Florida attorney Warren Zinn, would close on the purchase when those 150 acres are no longer listed as a Superfund site and are listed instead as part of the EPAs brownfield program, which allows certain types of development. They would build on those sections first while still cleaning up the other, which would allow them to recoup some costs while they continued to spend on cleanup, he said.

Community response

Rachel Rossman has lived in Sans Souci for the past eight years and serves as president of the Sans Souci Neighborhood Alliance. She was part of the community when residents banded together to draft a Sans Souci Area Plan in 2018, with help from Greenville County planners, to guide how the area develops.

In that plan, the community sought creative redevelopment of the bleachery site with innovative ways to connect the community to the nearby Swamp Rabbit Trail while using some of the land as community open space. Rossman sees the potential for all of that in the developers plans.

Its a huge space and its right on the Swamp Rabbit Trail so I think the potential for it is great, Rossman said.

She said there would be community concerns to keep in mind, such as the increase in home values that could increase property taxes for some on fixed income.

And traffic, of course.

We are going to have issues with traffic but then maybe having some local retail nearby would be good, she said.

She said they would welcome more working class affordable housing. Warhaft said he plans to set aside both affordable and market rate housing in his plan.

The developer so far has made himself accessible. He held a virtual meeting with the neighborhood alliance before presenting his rezoning request to the county, she said, and he has scheduled a visit in April to discuss the plan with locals. He also has answered phone calls from a number of residents who wanted more information, she said.

Overall, she said, having a development like that in place probably is good for the county and Sans Souci.

While the EPAs initial plan was to demolish whats left of the mill building, Warhaft said he hopes to save what he can, including the iconic smokestacks and parts of the brick walls.

I think preserving some of that is important, Rossman said. Even if its just the smokestacks and a plaque could go up to acknowledge what was there. That was a huge mill and bleachery. Theres a lot of history there. I dont want that to just be bulldozed over.

The residents main concern, of course, is that the contamination is cleaned up properly, she said.

Warhaft said his team is ready for that task.

Ultimately somebody needed to do it, and we were happy to do it.
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)

White House Calls on Texas Governor to Accept Federal Funds for CCP Virus Testing of Illegal Immigrants

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declined an offer of federal funds to pay for CCP virus testing for illegal immigrants, adding that the administration hopes hell reconsider.

The governor has complained about testing at the border, Psaki said in an interview on MSNBC on Sunday. FEMA, DHS has worked with local authorities, has worked with local NGOs [nongovernmental organizations] to come up with a plan that would cover 100 percent of testing costs for migrants who cross the border.

He has declined that funding, she said. That is something that doesnt help the people of Texas, and were certainly hopeful that hell reconsider.

Federal officials have asked Texas to assist with this issue, Abbott said Thursday, but he declined, saying testing and quarantining migrants is the federal governments job.

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.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told CNN on Friday that the department has been working with local officials in Texas to provide CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus testing and its agreement with partners called for federal funds to cover expenses related to testing, isolation, and quarantine.

We hope that Gov. Abbott will reconsider his decision to reject DHSs agreement with the Texan local authorities that would enable the very testing of migrant families that Gov. Abbott says he wants, the spokesperson said.

A Texas Division of Emergency Management spokesperson told Forbes that Abbott has sent some 40,000 virus tests to four border towns since late January, to help those communities deal with an influx of people crossing the border.

It comes as President Joe Biden and Abbott have been sparring over CCP virus protocols and measures in Texas. After Abbott announced last week that he was lifting restrictions on businesses in Texas and doing away with mask mandates, Biden denounced that decision as Neanderthal thinking.

Abbott alleged in interviews and social media posts that Bidens immigration policies were the real threat and accused the president of releasing migrants with the CCP virus into Texas.

The Biden administration has been releasing immigrants in south Texas that have been exposing Texans to COVID, Abbott, a Republican, said in a CNBC interview Thursday.

U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended two large groups of illegal aliens within an hour of each other near Mission, Texas, on Feb. 4, 2021. (Courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

That followed a March 3 tweet in which Abbott said, 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.

The dispute between Biden and Abbott follows reports that over 100 virus-positive illegal immigrants were released by U.S. Border Patrol since January, according to Fox News.

Meanwhile, Abbott launched a program on March 6 that will deploy state National Guard troops and personnel from other agencies to respond to the burgeoning crisis at the southern border.

Texas supports legal immigration but will not be an accomplice to the open border policies that cause, rather than prevent, a humanitarian crisis in our state and endanger the lives of Texans, Abbott said in a statement to media outlets on March 6.

Abbott said Operation Lone Star will deploy air, ground, marine, and tactical border security assets to prevent Mexican criminal organizations from smuggling drugs and people into Texas.
As we fairly recently celebrated Presidents Day weekend, we were able to compare and contrast two presidents. One fought to establish this country, upheld the constitution, and relinquished power at the end of his terms in office.

George Washington did this even though many would have liked him to remain as a king or a dictator. He declined, stating in so many words that he had fought his whole life for truth, liberty and justice. Why would he betray all of that now. He established the first peaceful transition of power.

In contrast, we have Donald Trump, he did not serve his country during the Viet Nam War by means of a fake medical deferment for heal spurs. As president, I doubt he has ever read the constitution, much less tried to uphold it. Who at the end of his term, after being voted out of office by over seven million votes, tried to cling to power by sending a mob of supporters on an insurrection to the Capitol to stop the certification of our next president.

A shameful event that will be a stain on our republic forever.

A stain that will cling to those who participated, supported and condoned it. This includes many in our state and national legislatures who lack the moral courage to speak truth over falsehood, who vote for power over conscience and who chose party over country. They then castigate those who do have the moral fiber to speak the truth and vote their conscience. I pray that more in the legislator will start to choose the republic over party so that the government can function.

Brian Howard Robertson, Mt Holly Springs, Pa.
The Schuylkill River Trail, which runs for more than 75 miles through Schuylkill, Berks, Montgomery, Chester and Philadelphia counties, has been voted one of the top 10 riverwalks in the U.S. in a public poll by USA TODAY.

The newspaper explained, In recent decades, cities across the United States have been revitalizing their river fronts, transforming them into vibrant spaces for outdoor recreation, nightlife, cultural activity and scenic views.

A panel of experts partnered with USA TODAYs 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, with the top 10 then determined by popular vote.

The top 10 are Detroit International RiverWalk in Detroit, Michigan; Wilmington Riverwalk in Wilmington, North Carolina; Schuylkill River Trail; San Antonio River Walk in San Antonio, Texas; Smale Riverfront Park in Cincinnati, Ohio; Waterfront Park in Louisville, Kentucky; Bricktown in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Mississippi Riverwalk in Dubuque, Iowa; Chicago Riverwalk in Chicago, Illinois; and Charles River Esplanade in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Schuylkill River Trail previously took first place as the Best Urban Trail in USA TODAYS 10 Best Readers Choice Contest and was selected as a top trail to visit in Pennsylvania on the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy blog.

The Schuylkill River Trail is a major spine trail in the Circuit Trails network, a developing regional network of trails in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.

The mission of the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area is to connect residents, visitors and communities to the Schuylkill River and the Schuylkill River Trail. The trail is owned and managed by several partners. Schuylkill River Greenways manages and constructs the trail in Berks and Schuylkill Counties.

Learn more at schuylkillriver.org.
Twelve new COVID-19 infections were recorded in the past 12 hours to 6:00 pm on March 8, including 11 imported cases, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

The imported patients were sent to quarantine establishments right upon arrival in Binh Duong province, Ho Chi Minh City and Ninh Thuan province. The remaining case was detected in a quarantine area in Hai Duong province.

So far, the country has seen 1,586 domestically-transmitted cases, including 893 infections found since January 27 when the new wave of COVID-19 broke out.

As many as 45,219 people who came in close contact with COVID-19 patients or entered Vietnam from pandemic-hit areas are under quarantine nationwide, including 506 in hospitals, 14,266 in other quarantine sites, and 30,446 at home.

Among the patients under treatment, 65 have tested negative for coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 once, 57 twice, and 137 thrice.

According to the Ministry of Health, 377 medical staff who directly give treatment to COVID-19 patients received COVID-19 vaccine shots on March 8.

Of the total, 66 are working at the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases in Hanois Dong Anh district, 104 in the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital Of Tropical Diseases, and 207 in the medical centres of Hai Duong city and Kim Thanh district of Hai Duong province.

The vaccinationu took place in a safe manner in all four locations, according to the National Expanded Programme on Immunization.

Prof. Dr. Dang Duc Anh, Director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and head of the Management Board of the National Expanded Immunization Project, said that vaccination activities were carried out in line with the regulations of the Ministry of Health, ensuring safety.

The vaccinations will be continued in the locations on March 9, and will be started in the capital city of Hanoi and the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai. Residents in other localities will receive COVID-19 vaccine shots in the time to come, he said./.VNA
MIDDLETOWN  The criminal case against a state trooper charged in a driving under the influence crash that hurt a woman and her daughter in September 2019 is nearing a resolution, a prosecutor said.

In a brief hearing Monday before Superior Court Judge Kevin J. Murphy, Supervisory Assistant States Attorney Jeffrey Doskos said the case was nearing a resolution but he asked for a continuance at the request of an attorney for the victims in the crash.

John McDonald, a state police sergeant, has not entered a plea to charges of driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, reckless driving and failure to obey a stop sign.

McDonald has been free on a promise to appear in court, records show. The charges stemmed from a Sept. 25, 2019, crash in Southbury.

Murphy continued the case until May 6 after hearing no argument from McDonalds attorney, Robert J.T. Britt. Doskos did not say in court what the proposed resolution was in the case.

Attorney Joseph Foti, who represents the victims in the crash, expressed confidence Monday in both the states attorney and the judicial system.

We have the upmost faith in the Connecticut judicial system that the court will do the right thing in this case, Foti said.

McDonald was accused of running a stop sign at the intersection of Airport Road and Route 188 after leaving a colleagues retirement party, police said. His arrest warrant indicated McDonald had at least eight drinks at Oxfords Black Hog Brewery in about three hours.

The warrant indicated the state police sergeant appeared hammered later that night after crashing into a woman and her daughter. Witnesses to the crash said McDonald was also swaying back and forth in the middle of the road, the warrant said.

Police said Lisa Conroy, 52, suffered an injury to her eye, and her 19-year-old daughter, Madison, suffered injuries to her arm and wrist.

A lawsuit was filed on behalf of the women that alleges McDonald had been drinking at the Black Hog Brewery shortly before the collision. The Oxford brewery agreed to pay $225,000 for the settlement, said Garrett Moore, the personal injury lawyer representing Conroy and her daughter. The civil suit is still pending against McDonald and the state of Connecticut, Moore said.

According to court records, the Conroys attorney filed a motion for default in the case Monday because the state has not entered a response to the claims in the lawsuit.

While they have settled with the brewery, Foti said his clients are nowhere near settling in the civil case against McDonald and the state.

Its in the very early stages, Foti said Monday.

McDonald was not given a Breathalyzer test at the scene, because he claimed to be hurt and was taken to a Waterbury hospital, police said. He left the hospital before staff could take blood tests.

McDonald, who serves with the Western District Major Crimes Division out of Troop A in Southbury, was suspended from his state police duties as of Nov. 14, 2019.

There is an ongoing state police internal affairs investigation into the party to see if any other troopers who attended violated department policies. Details of the internal affairs investigation, including video from the brewery, have not been released, nor has McDonalds personnel file.
Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle claimed she felt alone fighting constant media speculation and "falsehoods perpetuated" by "the firm", her description for the British royal family, ever since her marriage to the Prince Harry in 2018, in an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.

In the hotly-anticipated interview which aired on CBS on Sunday at 8 p.m., Meghan also accused the Royal family of being cold and racist, especially towards her and their son Archie, which pushed the couple away.

Meghan said the fear for their child, for whom no security was offered by the Royal family, and the growing scrutiny also had a damaging effect on her mental health, and she claimed going through suicidal thoughts while she was pregnant.

"I was ashamed to say it at the time I just didn't want to be alive any more. And that was a very real and clear, and frightening and constant thought," she said in the two-hour pre-recorded interview, adding that the Palace refused to protect her.

"My regret is believing them when they said I would be protected," a teary-eyed Meghan said at the end of the interview she gave along with Harry.

Meghan spoke at length about the issue of Archie's skin colour.

"In those months when I was pregnant, we have in tandem the conversation of, 'He won't be given security. He's not going to be given a title', and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born," she said, revealing that while the couple didn't refuse for the official photo when Archie was born, Markle was scared for his safety.

"There was a lot of fear surrounding it. I was very scared of having to offer up our baby, knowing they weren't going to be kept safe," she said, adding that the information was relayed to her by Harry, who later in the interview, refused to share the details of the conversation, or with whom he had the conversation, since he felt it would be "very damaging to them".

"I went to human resources and asked for help and the person told me this. My heart goes out to you because we see how bad it is. But we can't help you because you're not a paid employee of the institution'," recalled Meghan.

Harry later in the interview expressed how helpless and ashamed he felt around at that time, and later realised how he had been "trapped" all along just like the "rest of his family".

Harry revealed that while he loves his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his brother, Prince William, despite the "space" between their relationship, he hopes "time will heal" it.

Yet, he is not sure about his relationship with his father, Prince Charles, and feels "let down" by him, since Harry felt that the family had the opportunities to be there for them.

Harry referenced how his father stopped taking calls after the couple informed the Palace of stepping back as active members of the Royal family, before they had made the formal announcement. The media, too, then had accused the couple of blindsiding the Queen, with their decision.

Harry refuted the rumours and claimed that he spoke with the Queen and his father, before making the formal announcement on January 7, 2020.

He also claimed that the family cut him off financially, and took away the security, which is what forced them to make deals with platforms such as Netflix and Spotify, to pay for the security for his family, including their upcoming baby, a girl.

Harry added that the couple survived on the money left to them by his late mother, Princess Diana.

Talking about Diana, Harry revealed that while she would have been "angry" at their decision to step back as Royals, she would have understood their decision, since it made them "happy".
If you're planning on heading to Corpus Christi for Spring Break, there are few things you should know.

On Friday, the Coastal Bend COVID-19 Task Force reminded residents and visitors that Nueces County is still at "Extreme Risk" on its COVID-19 dashboard during a Facebook live video. The reminder comes days after Gov. Greg Abbott announced plans to open Texas at 100 percent and to forgo his mask policy starting Wednesday.

In the county dashboard, attending outdoor and indoor events is not recommended.

RELATED: 15 best beaches in Texas, according to Lone Star travel guide

According to the task force, there has been an uptick of new cases per day in Nueces County. On Sunday, Corpus Christi officials reported 105 new cases in Nueces County. The task force is asking others to continue to wear face masks and social distance. If that doesn't happen, a large peak is possible, according to a projected model.

"It's not time to go back to normal. It's not time to throw big celebrations," Dr. Chris Bird of the Nueces County Task Force said in the Facebook Live video. "You're encouraged to stay vigilant. The more adherent we are to these principles, the faster this pandemic is going to be over."

Last week, the Corpus Christi Police Department announced that there will be additional patrol officers on the beach starting Friday. There will also be extra DWI and traffic units, the department wrote in its Thursday Facebook post.

The police department also shared the following rules for the beach:

No dogs are allowed on the beach from Access Road 3 to Zahn Road on the north side of the Packery Channel.

No glass bottles on the beach

Fire pits must be 3x3x3

No wooden pallets

The speed limit is 15 mph.

If you need to purchase a parking permit for the beach, police say you can buy one at a nearby convenience store and the entrances to the beach.

Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | priscilla.aguirre@express-news.net | @CillaAguirre.
Kainantu has a highly prospective gold project in Papua New Guinea and the regional expertise to make a success of it

Its an early stage exploration play, says Matthew Salthouse of ( ).

What were looking to do is create a platform for a cornerstone business that brings together expertise in the highly prospective Asia-Pacific region.

The immediate focus in question is in Papua New Guinea, where Kainantu is leveraging two high-quality gold exploration projects. KRL North lies on the boundary of (TSE:KNT), a five million ounce gold mine with some of the highest head-grade being recovered in the world at the moment. KRL South also lies in close proximity to K92s acreage, about 25 km to the south-west.

The K92 project continues to produce interesting drill hits, and in 2019 accounted for the fourth richest drill hit of the year, according to a survey conducted by the Mining Journal, and this year it was awarded the 2021 PDAC award for best gold discovery in the world.

So, this is a prime region to be looking to develop, alongside the fact that both of the nearby projects controlled by Kainantu Resources sit on the same mineralised field that hosts the K92 mine.

KRL North and KRL South are both highly prospective, says Salthouse.

KRL North is a relatively small tenement, but sits adjacent to K92 and shares a similar aero-magnetic heat map to K92 itself. As with K92, KRL South sits on the world renowned Kainantu fault line and we believe it also shares a lot of similar geological cross structures.

The immediate focus will be on K92 South, where studies to date indicate mineralisation hosting a range of structures, including skarns, epithermal, and porphyrys. For now, the potential epithermal systems are getting the attention, and recent fieldwork, has, says Salthouse, been highly encouraging.

All the data weve seen so far, he says, makes us more confident in working there. The focus is on the apparent epithermal system at KRL South around the Tirokave area, which we anticipate will yield encouraging early-stage results.

In addition to petrology and geochemical work, trenching is ongoing, and when the results are compiled Kainantu will move onto geophysics, after which it expects to progress with a drilling programme.

As with many junior miners, the precise timing has been impacted by the coronavirus crisis, but its fair to say that the focus is on preparing for a significant drilling programme in coming months, rather than years.

We expect a consistent flow of news from KRL South as we progress through the year, says Salthouse.

The company currently has C$4.1mln in the bank, following a raising that took place at the end of last year. It also enjoys the support of a strong base of high-net-worth individuals in Vancouver, as well as some boutique institutions and backing from PI Financial and Haywood.

On that basis, Salthouse has been able to pace the company well.

We are looking to build momentum and newflow as our company grows, he says, a statement which hints not only at further positive developments at KRL South, but also at the wider vision of the company.

Because one of the key strengths of Kainantu Resources is its regional expertise, the plan over the medium and longer term is to build up the company with assets in and around Papua New Guinea, as a broader regional play.

Chairman Marcus Engelbrecht has plenty of regional know-how gleaned during his tenure at Archipelago Resources, while Salthouse himself is based out of Singapore and has also held executive roles at , Archipelago and at (LON:RE), a commodities house with Indonesian interests.

Ive worked in the mining sector in south-east Asia for a number of years, says Salthouse, and Ive worked with a number of clever people in region in corporate strategy, finance, geology and mine engineering. Over the past two or three years as a grouping, we took the view that the gold price would accelerate, and opportunities would present themselves in region for teams with strong social licence credentials.

In Papua New Guinea, Kainantu Resources is working with a strong local partner in Asia Pacific Energy Ventures, a successful PNG focused EPC business; with a track record of delivering outcomes for government and institutions.

But is Papua New Guinea as a mining destination really viable?

Salthouse notes a couple of factors on that score. The first is that Kainantu Resources has received the public backing of the Papua New Guinea Minister for Mining, Johnson Tuke. And the second is that despite some ESG issues, Papua New Guinea remains one of the key gold producers in the world and plays host to some of the worlds biggest miners; with many well-trained national gold mining professionals enthusiastic to further their careers.

True, with a country like Papua New Guinea you need people who know their way around. But Kainantu Resources has that expertise and the ground, the funds for exploration, and the ambition to grow rapidly maximising shareholder value.

Watch this space.
Deputy President William Ruto says his only rival for the presidency in 2022 is Raila Odinga while the rest are opportunists.

Speaking in Meru, Ruto said all his political rivals are dishonest leaders who cant be entrusted with the countrys leadership. He described Odinga as thankless to his friends, saying the ODM leader turned against him and President Uhuru Kenyatta after the 2007 elections.

Ruto added that Kalonzo Musyoka also celebrated their predicament with the International Criminal Court, which he(Kalonzo) saw a clear path to the presidency.

The DP further derided Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi describing him as an opportunist waiting for an endorsement to inherit the top seat.

Our rivals in 2017 have invaded our house to pose as our greatest friends. They have laid an elaborate plan to finish me but I also have my plans, Ruto said in Igembe North, Tigania West.

He added: On the contrary, you know I am a go-getter. I dont wait for paths to be cleared for me; I go out and get it. There will be fireworks. This will be a very difficult race but my main rival is Raila. The rest are pure opportunists.

Ruto reiterated he is best suited to take over from Uhuru Kenyatta. He said a United Democratic Alliance government would address the problem of joblessness among young people by creating an enabling business environment and employment opportunities in small and medium enterprises.

We want to see the youth as the solution rather than the problem of Kenya, he said.
FAIRFIELD  Members of the Chabad of Fairfield community describe the center as a warm, welcoming place. Now theyre undertaking a project to have that inner atmosphere match the outside.

The project  Chabad is hoping to raise $400,000 to pay for it  includes a new plaza that will serve as an outdoor gathering spot, repaving, sidewalks, improved access, safety features, beautification and landscaping.

Its something that will benefit not only the Jewish community, but the larger Lake Hills community, said Rabbi Shlame Landa.

Though the improvement project has been planned since the group bought the old Elks Lodge on Brookside Drive in 2015, the burgeoning interest in Chabad of Fairfield makes the timing even more important, Landa said.

One-on-one experiences and building connections have always been an important part of Chabad, but the pandemic showed the need even more and so they really focused on it, he said.

Everybody wants personal interaction, he said. Thats what were missing.

He said people turned to Chabad as a way to find that personal interaction, either through online programs and services or in person safely outside, especially around the high holy days last fall and Hanukkah in December.

Most recently, Landa said they delivered about 300 baskets for Purim, up from the 200 they normally would have delivered pre-pandemic.

Landa credits the growth to personal interactions, coupled with more families moving to the area.

At one point during the pandemic, Chabad was getting about 10 calls a week from people moving to the area looking to get involved, he said.

Thats a lot more than we had in the past, he said.

Landa said he doesnt expect the interest to go away once the pandemic is over. People are looking to the light at the end of the tunnel  when they can gather again as they used to.

The future is bright and were only going to get brighter, Landa said.

The project is expected to be completed by June, hopefully as the state continues to open up.

It also coincides with the expiration of the zoning approval Chabad got in 2016.

The equipment is ready to go as soon as the money is raised.

Were not wasting any time, Landa said.

Chabad is currently collecting donations to get to the $400,000 goal. A matching campaign will kickoff on Rallybound.com, with several community members matching up to $200,000 in donations from Monday through Thursday.

Its an exciting opportunity, Landa said.

People will still be able to donate after that, he said.

Jon Slavin, who is co-chairing the campaign and lives in the neighborhood, said the project will help show the community what Chabad is about.

Chabad is a warm, inclusive, nonjudgmental place, Slavin said. Our message is really to get people to understand the real face of Chabad. If we can have the exterior of the building and landscaping match the interior, its a win-win for everyone.

He and Landa said they expect the project to be welcomed by the rest of the neighborhood.

We love this community and we look forward to take it one step further with the beautification, Landa said.

kkoerting@newstimes.com
Two more women claim former OHSU Dr. Jason Campbell came up from behind them and forced his body against theirs at work, similar to the conduct a social worker has alleged in a federal lawsuit.

A third woman said Campbell followed her around during his rotation in her unit in 2019, asking her for free hugs.

Their declarations were filed Sunday night in U.S. District Court in Portland by the social workers lawyers in support of her sexual harassment and assault suit against Campbell and Oregon Health & Science University.

The three nurses paint a disturbing picture of Campbell, an anesthesiology resident who gained national attention as the so-called TikTok Doc for the viral videos he posted on social media of him dancing in his hospital scrubs.

Once Jason Campbell became popular through social media, leaders at OHSU seemed protective of him, one of the nurses said in her declaration.

The latest accusations come amid ongoing national fallout from the suit that also alleged Dr. Esther Choo was among OHSU officials who failed to report the social workers misconduct complaint against Campbell.

Choo, an emergency medicine physician, helped start the national group TIMES UP Healthcare to combat sexual harassment in the medical field. More than a dozen co-founders have resigned in recent days, dissatisfied with TIMES UP Healthcares response.

Choo, through a spokeswoman, on Sunday defended her actions on behalf of the social worker and disputed the lawsuits allegations about her.

If this litigation moves forward, documentary evidence will demonstrate conclusively that Dr. Choos conduct could not have been more different from what has been erroneously suggested about Dr. Choo in the past few days, according to the statement released by Choos spokeswoman Molly Levinson.

The three nurses arent named in the court documents. They arent suing Campbell but offered details of what they said was harassment by Campbell and their own fears of reporting the doctors alleged misconduct.

One of the nurses said Campbell came into a utility room and waited for the automatic door to close before he stepped behind her, grabbed her hips and pushed his penis into her backside, according to her sworn statement. The encounter occurred in fall 2019, she said.

She said Campbell asked her something like Do you like that? or What do you think of that? She said she shoved him away and yelled at him and he went back to work, according to the declaration.

She told another nurse and a nursing assistant about the alleged encounter but didnt report it to university officials until this past December because she thought they wouldnt believe her, she said.

She feels guilty for not having reported it sooner, her declaration said.

Jason Campbell walked around OHSU as if he was a celebrity, and everyone treated him as such. This only solidified my fear that OHSU would not believe me if I came forward and reported the assault, her declaration said.

Another nurse alleged Campbell assaulted her in a supply room, also in fall 2019.

After the door closed, he grabbed her thighs from behind and ground his crotch and erection into her backside, she said in her declaration.

She quickly spun around and yelled, Oh my God! and he responded, Dont worry, nobody saw. I made sure, she said. Then he walked out, she said.

He also sent her a disappearing photo via social media of an erection through his hospital scrubs and sent her photos of him holding his erect penis in his hand in a FaceTime call as he talked about having a relationship with her, according to her declaration. Despite his repeated invites for her to come to his apartment and requests to visit her at her home, she declined.

A third woman said in a declaration that Campbell followed her around her unit at OHSU asking her for free hugs and she told him it was inappropriate but he didnt stop the behavior. She said he also walked up to her from behind and touched her shoulders a few times, her declaration said.

OHSU is expected to urge the court to strike the declarations from the unnamed women and argue against the social worker being allowed to remain unidentified through a pseudonym in her case pending trial, according to court documents.

OHSU officials could not immediately be reached for comment about the latest allegations.

The new filings are in support of a lawsuit filed Feb. 28 by the unnamed social worker who works at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center next to the OHSU campus.

It alleges Campbell repeatedly sexually harassed her through texts and other social media messages and forced his body against hers in her office at the VA hospital last March.

An attorney for Campbell last week said Campbell intended to challenge the allegations.

The social workers complaint to OHSU in April led to an internal investigation that found in August that Campbell had violated the schools harassment policy and code of conduct.

According to the social workers suit, she confided in a number of medical school professors about Campbell, including Choo.

Choo failed to report the information to the medical schools Title IX coordinator and instead offered to have a sit down with Campbell or have his manager do so, the suit said.

Choo, who isnt named as a defendant in the lawsuit, said through her spokeswoman that the social worker didnt initially disclose that Campbell had forced his body against her.

As a result Dr. Choo was not aware of the full scope of Dr. Campbells wrongdoing, the statement said.

Until now, according to the statement, Choo didnt challenge the social workers allegations against her because (1) Dr. Choo believes in her heart that the focus should be on survivors, (2) Dr. Campbell clearly engaged in serious wrongdoing, and (3) Plaintiff and Dr. Choo were friends.

Choo responded in a way that was completely consistent with her values, offering to do everything she could to support Plaintiff, while respecting her friends agency in making decisions about what to do, the statement said.

The social worker said she planned to report him herself, and so Dr. Choo respected the survivors wishes, the statement said.

Molly Levinson, a spokeswoman for OHSU Dr. Esther Choo, on Sunday issued this statement on Choo's behalf.

The social workers lawyers Michael Fuller and Kim Sordyl provided to The Oregonian/OregonLive a text exchange between Choo and the social worker from last March 31.

The social worker wrote to Choo that Campbell had come into her office and shoved himself into me after Ive already lectured him about boundaries and Choo responded, Im giving him feedback, according to the texts.

According to Choos spokeswoman, the text exchange shows a few lines cherry picked from a longer exchange that reveals Choos ongoing attempt to support the plaintiff. Only a few days after this, in the same text exchange, the plaintiff told Dr. Choo she was going to report the wrongdoing herself. Dr. Choo respected the plaintiffs right to report herself.

Choos spokeswoman also maintained that Choo wasnt a mandatory reporter because the social worker was not a university student and Campbell didnt directly report to her.

Under OHSUs Title IX policy, all supervisors, managers, department heads, faculty members, executives and administrators who receive a report of discrimination, harassment or retaliation  including sexual misconduct, sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence and interpersonal violence  are expected to promptly notify the equal employment opportunity office, the Title IX coordinator or a human resources official.

Tina Tchen, president and CEO of TIMEs UP Foundation, last week issued a statement saying TIMES UP is in solidarity with the survivor in her decision to share her story but also noting that while Choo is mentioned in the complaint, it is important to clarify that she is neither a defendant nor a party to the case.

Because Dr. Choo is at most a witness to these events and may have to testify about them, it is not appropriate for Dr. Choo or TIMES UP to comment further on matters in litigation, Tchen wrote.

The groups website lists 44 founding members, including Choo and Laura Stadum, OHSUs Title IX coordinator and affirmative action and equal opportunity director who took the social workers complaint against Campbell last year.

At least 15 of the groups founding members have resigned. Among those who have resigned from TIMEs UP are Dr. Angela Lawson, a clinical and forensic psychologist and assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and psychiatry at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine.

I disagree with the narrative that making no meaningful statements helps to center the story on survivors. Instead, it only generates more distractions from her story. I remain passionate and committed to the fight to end harassment, Lawson wrote on Twitter.

Dr. Joannie Yeh, a pediatrician and clinical assistant professor in Pennsylvania, said via Twitter that she couldnt stay with an organization that chose to tweet about an initiative related to the Golden Globes rather than about supporting survivors in the wake of the Campbell case.

As such, I could not stay with an organization that chose to tweet about an initiative related to the glitzy Golden Globes (3/1) rather than about supporting survivors in the wake of the TikTokDoc report (broke 2/28). 8/ pic.twitter.com/yjlKMUv2jT  Joannie Yeh MD (she/her) (@BetaMomma) March 5, 2021

Others who resigned from TIMES UP Healthcare include Dr. Jessi Gold, assistant professor of psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis; Dr. Vinny Arora, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine; Dr. Lynn E. Fiellin, professor of medicine at the Yale School of Medicine; Dr. Arghavan Salles, a scholar-in-residence at Stanford University School of Medicine; Dr. Sarah Diekman, who is in residency at John Hopkins University and a graduate from Florida A&M University College of Law; Dr. Pringl Miller, an emergency surgeon and founder and president of Physician Just Equity; Dr. Mary Sun, an emergency physician in Torrance, California; Dr. Christine Mangurian, professor of clinical psychiatry at University of California-San Francisco Weil Institute for Neurosciences; Dr. Kali Cyrus, a psychiatrist in Washington, D.C.; Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Dr. Hansa Bhargava, a senior medical director at WebMD in Atlanta; Monica McLemore, a nurse and associate professor of nursing at University of California, San Francisco; and Dr. Jasmine R. Marcelin, an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Campbells medical license in Oregon expired last July. He quietly resigned and was hired as a resident at University of Florida Health. But the Florida university placed Campbell on paid leave last week after learning of the OHSU allegations.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian
Interview with Dr. John Pascarella, 2018-2019 Hayek Visiting Scholar

We are excited to announce the appointment of our 2018-2019 Hayek Visiting Scholar, Dr. John Pascarella. We sat down with Dr. Pascarella and asked him about his background and what he is working on here at the Institute.

CISC: Where are you from?

JP: I'm from an Air Force family, so this is always a tough question. I was born in Italy but grew up mostly in Georgia.

CISC: What did you study and where?

JP: I did my undergraduate work at Mercer University, where I majored in Political Science and Philosophy, and I was a student in their Great Books program. I did my graduate work at the University of North Texas where I studied Political Theory and International Relations.

CISC: What did you write your dissertation on?

JP: My dissertation is on the centrality of friendship in Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. Specifically, I looked at how the account of friendship in Books VIII and IX shows politics' need to be guided by an idea of the good and the limits of politics in advancing the good.

CISC: What did you find fascinating about the topic?

JP: Ever since I read Aristotle's account of friendship as a freshman at Mercer, I couldnt stop digging into the Nicomachean Ethics. We're all naturally drawn to friendship, and it's impossible to form friendships without thinking about what good we expect from them. Aristotle recognizes and appeals to this natural desire for friendship to help us think seriously about what the best human life is.

While Aristotle's inquiry into friendship is fascinating in its own right, I also wanted to study it more closely because friendship is a central theme in ancient political thought that is almost entirely absent from modern political thought. I think this absence is deliberate, especially if you look at Thomas Hobbes, Aristotle's harshest modern critic. Hobbes goes to great lengths to conceal his fundamental moral teaching that pleasure is the good. Aristotle, on the other hand, uses friendship to help us see how pleasure - while still a good thing - is not the good itself. If we want to understand what sets the Ancients apart from the Moderns, their disparate moral teachings are a good place to look.

CISC: What are you working on now?

JP: I'm currently working on two projects. The first is a book on Aristotle's economic teaching titled "Economics and the Public Good: The End of Desire." While the amount of text Aristotle dedicates to what we today call "economics" is quite small, if you look closely at his account of the money-making art in Book I of the Politics, he points to moral questions that he addresses in the Nicomachean Ethics and the Politics. "Economics" is not a self-sufficient science for Aristotle. Like all things in his political philosophy, it must answer a question about the good at which it aims, and this good necessarily interacts with the good of political communities. This raises questions about justice and how economics affects politics, particularly with regards to the distribution of wealth in a regime. With the human good as the central focus of his political philosophy, the problem of desire and the need to direct it towards better ends in politics and economics is a persistent theme, one that raises questions about the limits of legal or market forces to rein in human beings' natural tendencies.

The second project is a book chapter I'm preparing for a forthcoming edited volume on Classical Liberalism. The chapter's title is "The Assault on Speech in Hobbes's Leviathan," and it explores the logic for restricting speech in that work. I became interested in the topic given recent debates about "hate speech" and the harm it poses. While it seems like this is a new debate, the rationale for restricting speech today is no different than Hobbes's approach to it in his most famous work, which is one of the foundational texts in Classical Liberalism. Ironically, his teaching is ultimately illiberal, and I argue this is because he misunderstands the inherently free role of speech in political life by making all things dependent upon a Leviathan for the sake of peace.

CISC: What are you teaching this semester?

JP: I'm teaching two sections of Introduction to Political Theory.

CISC: What has your experience thus far been teaching Clemson students?

JP: We've been working on Plato for the past couple of weeks and are about to start Aristotle. For most of my students, this is their first encounter with Political Theory, so it's all Greek to them (pun always intended). So far, they've been eager to dig into the moral questions these texts offer.
[March 08, 2021] American Industrial Partners Announces Best and Final Offer for the Acquisition of SEACOR Holdings Inc.

American Industrial Partners ("AIP") is reinforcing its commitment to the offer to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of SEACOR Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CKH) ("SEACOR") at the tender offer price of $41.50 per share. AIP must make clear that $41.50 is its best and final offer and it believes that there is significant downside to shareholders if the transaction does not close on these terms. The tender offer currently expires at 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 12, 2021. As shareholders make their decision, they should be aware that: The current transaction was not initiated by AIP. In fact, it resulted from a full and multi-stage auction process, comprising both strategic and financial investors. As described in the proxy, the process was initiated by SEACOR's board of directors when it engaged an investment bank in June 2020 to assist SEACOR in assessing its strategic positioning and plan. AIP was contacted by SEACOR's representatives in early August, not the other way around.

On November 18, 2020, AIP submitted a final bid of $41.00 per share, which was above its initial first round bid of $40.00 per share. In final negotiations, AIP was persuaded to increase its bid to $41.50. Given the full auction process and that AIP's transaction was announced 13 weeks ago, it strikes AIP as unlikely in the extreme that another bidder is going to emerge offering more.

AIP's offer price represents an approximately 31% premium over SEACOR's 90-day volume weighted average price prior to announcing the take-private transaction. AIP believes if the transaction doesn't close, SEACOR's share price will likely return to its pre-announcement context. The fundamental overcapacity and demand headwinds facing SEACOR's petroleum transportation end-markets are well known, evident in the trading prices of single name comparables and relevant indices, and further confirmed in the extensive due diligence AIP performed.

SEACOR's board, management and all other insiders (none of whom are affiliated in any way with AIP) are all selling 100% of their equity in the context of this transaction.

AIP offered Charles Fabrikant and Eric Fabrikant the opportunity to "roll over" a portion or all of their equity, and the opportunity was declined. Charles Fabrkant, Seacor's founder and longtime CEO, chose to approve this transaction and fully exit in the context of this transaction, and intends to step down from all roles with the company effective upon the closing. He would not be maintaining any further exposure to SEACOR's equity.



About American Industrial Partners

American Industrial Partners is an operationally oriented private equity firm that makes control investments in industrial businesses serving domestic and global markets. The firm has deep roots in the industrial economy and has been active in private equity investing since 1989. To date, American Industrial Partners has completed over 100 transactions and currently has more than $7 billion of assets under management on behalf of leading pension, endowment and financial institutions. For more information on American Industrial Partners, visit www.americanindustrial.com. Additional Information and Where to Find It The tender offer described in this communication commenced on December 18, 2020. This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of SEACOR. On December 18, 2020, the bidders filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC (News - Alert) ") a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO, and SEACOR filed with the SEC a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9. SEACOR'S STOCKHOLDERS AND OTHER INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE TENDER OFFER MATERIALS (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, A RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTAIN OTHER TENDER OFFER DOCUMENTS) AND THE SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHICH SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER. The Tender Offer Statement and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement are available for free at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. Additional copies may be obtained for free by contacting SEACOR. Free copies of these materials and certain other offering documents will be made available by SEACOR upon request by mail to SEACOR Holdings Inc., 2200 Eller Drive, P.O. Box (News - Alert) 13038, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, attention: Investor Relations, or by phone at 1-954-523-2200, or by directing requests for such materials to the information agent for the offer named in the Tender Offer Statement. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by SEACOR will be available free of charge under the "Investors" section of SEACOR's internet website at seacorholdings.com. In addition to the Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and certain other tender offer documents, as well as the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, SEACOR files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. SEACOR's filings with the SEC are also available for free to the public from commercial document-retrieval services and at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005265/en/

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A 25-year-old Pennsylvania driver was killed in a fiery crash near an Interstate 295 exit ramp early Monday, authorities said.

Samantha Gregor was driving south around 4:20 a.m. in Burlington Township when her vehicle veered off the road to the right and across the ramp to exit 47B, State Police said. The car hit hit several trees before catching fire, officials said.

Gregor, of Folcroft Township, was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no passengers in the car.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGoldmanNJ.

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The Korean Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) will be opening its latest virtual exhibition and artist talk with "K-Art at Home: Robin Ha," featuring the prominent Korean American visual artist.

Robin Ha is set to discuss art from two of her illustrated graphic novels, offering a unique insight into her cultural heritage and the process of adaptation in a journey of finding and earning her own identity. The scenes that will help guide the virtual exhibition are from her original graphic novels "Cook Korean!" and "Almost American Girl."

The "K-Art at Home: Robin Ha" program is set to begin with her exclusive this Friday, March 5, at 6:00 PM EST. Her exhibit will be available up until March 22. Fans can watch the exhibit from the KCCDC Official Website, while the exclusive Robin Ha talk will be available on the KCCDC social media channels on YouTube and Instagram TV.

ALSO READ: KCCDC Offers Virtual Tour Focused on Korean Art in the US

About Robin Ha

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Robin Ha grew up loving and drawing her own comics up until her family moved to the United States when she was 14 years old. After finishing her studies at the Rhode Island School of Design, Robin moved to New York City to pursue a career in the fashion industry before following her passion for creating comics. Her illustrations have made their way to the pages of the Heavy Metal Magazine and Marvel Comics. A quick view of her works and contacts are available at the Robin Ha Wixsite page.

Her work "Cook Korean!," first released in 2016, is a unique and engaging fusion between the conventional cookbook and a light graphic novel. The 64 traditional Korean recipes featured in the book are woven into colorful and playful background. The New York Times bestseller brings famous Korean dishes such as kimchi (fermented vegetables), bulgogi (grilled meat), and gimbap (rolled seaweed sheets with rice fillings) to a new generation of global audiences through visually riveting and wit-infused storytelling.

On the other hand, "Almost American Girl" was released just last 2020 and is the author's memoir in a graphic novel format. It tells the story of a young Robin Ha and her single mother. Growing up as a mother-daughter duo in Seoul, the two of them faced challenges together. But when a friendly visit to Huntsville, Alabama turned out to be a permanent relocation move - on top of the shocking news that her mom is getting married - Robin has to navigate through these surprises in a landscape she has never been in before. With no access to her comics, no friends to talk to in Korean, she finds an unexpected refuge when her mom enrolls her in a comics drawing class.

About KCCDC

The Korean Cultural Center at Washington, D.C. is situated within the Embassy of the Republic of Korea right at the American seat of power. KCCDC is dedicated to promoting the Korean culture and strengthing the ties between the US and South Korea through a series of public programs that help raise awareness - such as art exhibitions, performances, educational drives and outreach efforts, institutional partnerships, and support for local Korean events, especially in Washington.

RELATED ARTICLE: Five Webtoons To Discover This Weekend
Chief Minister on Monday honoured women for their contribution in various fields and inaugurated various schemes as part of 'Mission Shakti' in the state capital.

A special program was organised on the occasion of International Women's Day in the Jupiter Hall of Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Gomti Nagar here. On the occasion, the chief minister gave the Mission Shakti Awards to many women.

During the event, he launched the second phase of the ongoing Safe City project to provide an environment free of fear to women.

"When we formed the government, there was a lack of awareness regarding crimes against women. We began by expanding Women Power Line to 75 districts from four districts. Helpline number 181 for domestic violence was also integrated with other helpline numbers to make it effective," said Adityanath.

"Today, 20 per cent of women are inducted in 3 PAC Battalion in Gorakhpur, Lucknow and Badaun. For girl education, we launched 'Kanya Sumangla Yojana' with Rs 15,000 benefit for a maximum of five times," he added.

The government had launched the 'Mission Shakti' program on October 17 last year for the security of women 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.)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told "Axios on HBO" that he plans to "lean into" climate change and that he has already spoken with President Biden's special climate envoy, John Kerry, about possible common ground.

Interview with Axios

Kerry contacted Graham in November. According to a follow-up interview with Axios, Kerry's new job was revealed to see if there were any opportunities to work together.

The State Department did not react to Graham's account of the conversation.

Related Article: Biden To Overhaul Offices to Promote Environmental Justice

Graham's Climate Change History

Graham has a history of working with Kerry on environment issues, but it hasn't been fruitful.

He spent months negotiating a comprehensive climate bill with then-Democratic senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman over a decade ago.

Bipartisan Grounds

The bipartisan senators were nicknamed "The Three Amigos" at the time, after a Steve Martin comedy in which silent film actors from Los Angeles inadvertently rescue a Mexican village from a group of robbers.

On the other hand, Graham suddenly walked away from the two Democrats in April 2010, delivering a fatal blow to the bill, which died months later.

If the senior South Carolina Republican prioritizes climate change and lobbies his Republican peers, it could help break down major obstacles to bipartisan cooperation.

"I'm trying to get the Republican Party to at least consider a modern economy," Graham said on HBO's "Axios."

Goals

Graham, who supports imposing a carbon tax, claims that changes in the attitudes of dominant sectors, such as oil and gas producers and automakers, provide new opportunities.

He emphasized GM's (General Motors) recent commitment to market only electric vehicles and SUVs by 2035, as well as oil companies' efforts to diversify into renewable fuels.

Graham is particularly interested in finding ways to speed up electric cars' introduction while also bolstering the Highway Trust Fund.

It's subsidized by diesel taxes that haven't changed in three decades, but it's running out of money as vehicles get more fuel-efficient and electric vehicle sales rise.

Graham had shown interest in climate change on many occasions in recent years, including last year when he co-sponsored a bill with two Democrats to help farmers participate in carbon credit markets.

Graham vs Other Republicans

However, after leaving the 2010 campaign, he hasn't made it a high priority in his Senate career, and his latest remarks cover the common ground for the South Carolina Republican.

Graham's cause was hampered by the fact that the most influential Republican, former President Donald Trump, publicly ridiculed the idea of combating climate change over the last four years.

Republicans, in general, continue to oppose the kind of ambitious emissions-reduction measures sought by Democrats and environmentalists.

Carbon taxation is therefore no longer a focal point of Democratic climate policy. Instead of focusing on deep carbon reduction, lawmakers and Biden administration officials focus on large-scale investments and strict regulatory rules to reduce emissions from coal plants, vehicles, and other sources.

ALSO READ: Who is Gina McCarthy? Meet The Woman Behind POTUS Biden's Climate Agenda

For more news update about Climate Change and similar topics, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
by Bernardo Cervellera

On his trip to Iraq, Pope Francis signalled the buds of rebirth, unthinkable even just a few years ago. The power of hope, which pushes the population to collaborate, overcomes the obstacles of the state and politics, still prey to divisions. Iraq's message of hope relayed to Myanmar, Hong Kong, Cambodia, the whole Middle East, a large part of Africa. Wherever power and control becomes an idol. Even in a world in the grips of Covid and an economic crisis, hope comes from the coexistence of identities, from mutual help, from faith.

Rome (AsiaNews)  An elderly Pope Francis bowing and asking God's forgiveness for the violence unleashed in the square of the four churches in Mosul; the choral participation of Muslims, Christians, Yazidis and Sabeans, all in traditional costume, survivors of a violent uprooting; the crumbling walls of the churches under reconstruction, where the monument to the martyrs and to those who died under the murderous fury of bloodthirsty hired men is blessed ... I was moved to see all these buds of rebirth in a country and especially in a people that risked crumbling away like dust on the wind to disappear.

Iraq, like Iran, influenced by the Zoroastrian tradition, celebrates the new year in spring, on March 21. This year, the new spring came a few weeks earlier, with the pontiff who revealed the resurrection of a people who seemed destined to be swallowed up by terrorism, emigration, division to the eyes of the whole world.

I underline "people" and not "state": The Iraqi state is still crippled by division, laying mutual blame, yet to rebuild harmony within, but the people show us examples of hope in coexistence and the future. Young Muslims and Christians rebuilding mosques and churches in Mosul is something that has been going on for some time. The Pope highlighted this by showing the power of hope that overcomes oppression; the resurrection that overcomes death.

What Francis showed has the flavour of the unconceivable. Years ago (in 2014), when we launched the Adopt a Christian from Mosul campaign, we met defeated, impoverished, hungry, thirsty, homeless, desperate people. Today, however, we see them brimming with enthusiasm for the reconstruction that has begun and for the common tenacity, stronger than the political divisions that still taste of partisan politics and corruption.

This hope rising from the ruins is not just for Mosul and Iraq. Yesterday the Pope said: Today, however, we reaffirm our conviction that fraternity is more durable than fratricide, that hope is more powerful than hatred, that peace more powerful than war. This conviction speaks with greater eloquence than the passing voices of hatred and violence, and it can never be silenced by the blood spilled by those who pervert the name of God to pursue paths of destruction.

As I followed the words of Pope Francis, messages came from Myanmar, where a desperate military junta is trying to stop, the population's desire for freedom, peace and coexistence even by killing.

In the previous days, in Hong Kong, the trial was held against 47 democratic personalities, accused by China of being "subversives" and thrown into prison as criminals. We could add Thailand, Cambodia, the whole Middle East, a large part of Africa to this list: in all these places, the States (or the oligarchies that dominate them) follow their projects of power and violence without any heed to the needs and demands of the population. "Perverting the name of God" does not only regard the terror of ISIS, but any project that makes power and control its idol.

Yesterday in Qaraqosh, Pope Francis said at a certain point: Surely, there will be moments when faith can waver, when it seems that God does not see or act. This was true for you in the darkest days of the war, and it is true too in these days of global health crisis and great insecurity. At times like these, remember that Jesus is by your side. The reference to the crisis generated by Covid and the increasingly evident desperation of so many people affected by disease and misery, says that the hope of the reconstructed ruins of Mosul is a pledge for them too. As for the population in Iraq, what is important is the coexistence of identities, mutual help, together with faith that in history, "the last word belongs to God and to his Son, the conqueror of sin and death." .
It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion

Former CNN broadcaster and television personality, Piers Morgan has described the recent interview by Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Mar...

Former CNN broadcaster and television personality, Piers Morgan has described the recent interview by Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle with Oprah Winfrey as a disgraceful betrayal of the royal family.

Meghan in the interview revealed that she contemplated committing suicide after joining the royal family.

She accused the royal family of being racist, claiming that their official concern was about the skin color of her unborn son.

Meghan was supported by Prince Harry who did not deny the allegations.

Reacting, Piers Morgan who has been a critic of Meghan on his Twitter page, said her comments were expected but that Harrys support to take down his family with Meghan was shameful.

According to him, Harry wants America and the world to hate the monarchy with his recent interview.

His tweets read: This interview is an absolutely disgraceful betrayal of the Queen and the Royal Family. I expect all this vile destructive self-serving nonsense from Meghan Markle  but for Harry to let her take down his family and the Monarchy like this is shameful.

Harry wants America and the rest of the world to hate his own family, hate the Monarchy and hate his country. 

Piers Morgan urged those crucifying the royal family to await the stories of Meghans victims in the coming days, even as he described her claims as false

I suggest everyone waits for the victims of his wifes rampage to have their say on her outlandish claims before they do so.

I would not believe Meghan Markle if she gave me a weather report, his tweet added.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Master's in K-12 Education Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 179 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 179 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 K-12 Education Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-k-12-education-degree-programs/

2021 Master's in K-12 Education Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Alfred University

Appalachian State University

Auburn University

Baker College

Ball State University

Black Hills State University

Boston University

California University of Pennsylvania

Capella University

Chicago State University

City College of New York

City University of New York, Brooklyn College

City University of New York, Hunter College

City University of New York, Queens College

Clemson University

Colorado State University, Global Campus

East Carolina University

Emporia State University

Hamline University

Harding University

Iowa State University

James Madison University

LeTourneau University

Michigan State University

Michigan Technological University

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Mississippi State University

Missouri State University

Morehead State University

Northwest Missouri State University

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Old Dominion University

Oregon State University

Slippery Rock University

Southeast Missouri State University

Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia

Southern Oregon University

State University of New York, Buffalo

State University of New York, Oneonta

State University Of New York, Oswego

Stevenson University

Texas A & M University, College Station

University of Central Missouri

University of Georgia

University of Hawaii

University of South Carolina

University Of Texas, El Paso

University of the Cumberlands

Wayne State College

Western Oregon 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/.








A favorite when it comes to twists at the Oscars

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This is the best thing that has happened at the Oscars ever! That and Parasites winning BP last year, but the nothing can top that twist!

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I was so glad I didn't turn my tv off. The ONTD post that night was glorious

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At the time, I thought it was a real disrespect to Moonlight because of everything Moonlight represented. But as time passes, what won and when can sometimes slip from your mind, with only the most eventful wins being remembered, but the insanity of the whole thing will mean that it gets brought up again and again and again

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Yeah. In the end, Moonlight will forever be the more memorable film but ALSO this is probably the single most iconic moment in Oscars history.





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the most incredible thing to ever happen tbh

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The best moment of live TV ever, and still a huge emotional high for me.

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I remember watching the Oscars that year with my sister and her bf and they audibly groaned anytime La La Land won anything but we all lost our shit over this.

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I watched those Oscars at a friend and the time difference had us stay up from 2-6am from Sunday to Monday and after being slightly sleep deprived this moment had us wide awake. I remember going home like around 7 I think and I felt like telling all the people going to work and kids going to school on the tram what epic shit just went down at the Oscars XD

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I will never forget watching this live on tv, it was the best.

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Daniel Bruhl generally deserves so much more, what a talented guy.

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YES this still pisses me off! He WAS Niki Lauda!

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I didnt really think Jennifer Lopez was snubbed for Hustlers. She was good but it wasnt anything special. I wouldnt call it dynamic.

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AMPAS were never going for that movie, it was always a long longshot

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She was the best part of a lackluster movie, but that didn't mean she deserved a nomination for it.

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I started watching Hustlers last night and was like... this is what people were hyping up? I didn't finish but lord it was just boring.

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Agreed. It's not like the Oscars are known to actually nominate talent, however, so odd choice to snub her nonetheless.

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ia, she's very charismatic in it but it doesn't go deeper than that. and i feel like the academy loves it when stars make themselves uglier, they were never gonna go for her being the hottest possible version of herself lol

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Are all of the acting nominations at the Oscars given to special, dynamic performances?



You guys always commented this last year as if the academy hasn't rewarded worst shit.



Her performance was one of her career bests and if it were Julia Roberts or Margot Robbie in that role they would have gotten a nomination.

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I agree. Julia won an Oscar for Erin Brokovich and that was about on par with JLo in Hustlers

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I think the role was perfect for her and she put a ton of work into it. I wasn't necessarily upset she wasn't nominated but there was no reason NOT to nominate her when someone like Sandra Bullock can win for the Blind Side.

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She deserved it for the "fuck rich assholes" speech alone.

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while I agree, I have to note performances by Marisa Tomei and Mira Sorvino won Oscars.

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how does Clayton Davis still have that gig

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Shocking snub: Bradley Cooper, A Star is Born (best director)



even a broken clock and all that... what's shocking is him thinking he should've been nominated, even though it's not shocking because men

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The only time Bradley Cooper ought've been acknowledged awards-wise was Silver Linings Playbook. Ole fella took what should've by all rights been a TV movie and gave a stellar performance, only to be overlooked in favour of Jennifer Lawrence.

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tf weirdo downvoted me for this harmless comment?

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I agree, I thought she and the movie were fine but I was really impressed by him.

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I still can't believe Lupita got snubbed for Us. She was the movie, her portrayals were amazing. Same with Andrew Garfield and his iconic fuck you flip-flops scene.

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I agree with both, especially Lupita for Us. But you know how the Academy is, they usually don't take horror movies seriously, and Lupita being a WOC, she has fewer chances of being nominated, depending on the year (sometimes they nominate no POC at all, and the next year they try to compensate for the previous year).

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she was FANTASTIC. such a demanding role. I can't believe she wasn't at least nominated.

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Her performance in that film is a master class in acting. I love Us.

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Yes to all of this. I don't know if I could watch Us again (I'm bad with horror and I was so tense when I watched it with a friend at the moviesxD), but she was everything in it.

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the farewells complete and total absence! I want lulu and barry to have matching couples oscars one day 

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Zhao and Awkwafina deserved nominations. And honestly I want Tzi Ma to get an honorary Oscar or something.

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This! I can't believe it got ZERO nominations whatsoever.

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Both Felicity Jones and Rosamund Pike in 2015

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Shocking snub: Bradley Cooper, A Star is Born (best director)

Lmao i hate him so I'm glad he got snubbed. He deserves to always get snubbed.

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i also loved when Three 6 Mafia won an Oscar and all the white ppl lost their shit that they had an Oscar but their beloved Martin Scorcese or whatever boring white fave didn't.

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La La Land winning anything was zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz



Rosamund Pike should've won for Gone Girl. Fincher should've won for a number of his movies

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La La Land winning anything was zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz



You don't understand! It was so hard for them to make that movie!!!!!!!!!!

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IT WAS A LOVE LETTER TO THE OLD WHITE MUSICALS 0F HOLLYWOOD'S PAST HOW FUCKING DARE YOU



on the bright side we got to see faye Dunaway sink her career even further while bette cackles from beyond the grave

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I think of Rosamund's performance often.

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Rosamund should've hands down won for Gone Girl. She was iconic.

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RP was perfect casting.... even just her face, how it was described in the book. idk how to explain it really, she just has this prettiness that can also be a bit chilling which is what I envisioned for the character



Edited at 2021-03-08 04:00 pm (UTC)

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rosamund not getting even a nomination for gone girl was criminal!!!!!

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Gone Girl should have been nominated for Best Picture that year, period!

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Rosamund Pike deserved at least a nom! I'd only seen her as Jane in P&P so I was so surprised she could act as Amy so well! I really liked the Gone Girl book and she didn't disappoint!

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There are three things that will always piss me off:

Gwyneth Paltrow winning over Cate Blanchet (I was in awe when I saw Elizabeth).

Jake Gyllenhaal's snub for Nightcrawler (I'm not a fan of his, but his performance was brilliant).

Tommy Lee Jones winning for The Futigitive over Ralph Fiennes for The Schindler's List and Di Caprio for What's Eating Gilbert Grape (seriously?!)



I'll never get over it

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Sorry but I think you meant Fernanda Montenegro

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Yes, either of them should've won over Goop's bland performance.

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I like Goop as an actress but hated her win. I just want to believe she won for The Royal Tenenbaums instead.

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iirc, the Shakespeare in Love wins were the first sign that Harvey Weinstein's bullying campaigns were a *thing*, right?

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I love TLJ in The Fugitive though! Iconic role. "What I want out of each and every one of you is a hard target search of every gas station, residence, warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, outhouse and doghouse in that area. Checkpoints go up at 15 miles! Our fugitive's name is Dr. Richard Kimble. Go get him."

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Amy Adams not receiving a nomination for Arrival will forever be my villain origin story. One day she will win, and I hope her standing ovation lasts 40 minutes

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This. Not even nominated? It's a fucking travesty is what that is.

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Yep, not even nominated. It was an absolute travesty.

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I was hoping someone would mention her! She was phenomenal in Arrival and I am forever bitter than she didn't get a nom

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Omfg same. She was incredible, and that movie is a masterpiece. Criminally underrated.

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Same, she was amazing in that.

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THIS

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Also this

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I was gonna mention her too, she was so good in that movie.

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It's been 15 years but I still can't believe Joaquin Phoenix didn't win but Reese Witherspoon did for Walk the Line



Also Crash winning best picture??



Edited at 2021-03-08 01:33 pm (UTC)

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Reese is gonna keep shilling her white feminism schitck (seriously tho I want her stupid book club stickers off of my covers goddammit)

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I think Phoenix should have won for Walk the Line and not The Joker. I know a lot of people liked him in it but for me it was a bit too performative whereas as Johnny Cash he just disappeared into the character.





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omg right? i think they both deserved them tbh

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Omg I will never forget jack nicholsons face when he opened it. Disbelief

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I would have liked Joaquin to win for The Master or You Were Never Really Here over Joker. Joker is one of his least impressive performances imo.

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Reese shouldve nominated/won for legally blonde

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same for Joaquin Phoenix losing supporting actor for gladiator but russell crowe winning best actor

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 Flash

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and foreign relations via video link on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday said China is ready to work with the United States to bring bilateral relations back on the right track.

While meeting the press on the sidelines of the annual "two sessions" of the country's top legislature and political advisory body, Wang said the two sides should follow through on the outcomes of the phone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joseph R. Biden on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year last month, and set bilateral relations on a new path of healthy and steady growth.

Healthy competition

As two countries with different social systems, China and the United States naturally have differences and disagreements, Wang said at the press conference.

"What matters most is to manage them effectively through candid communication to prevent strategic miscalculation and avoid conflict and confrontation," he said.

It is not surprising that there is competition between China and the United States as their interests are intertwined, but the two sides should have healthy competition on the basis of fairness and equity, Wang said.

China hopes that the United States will meet China halfway and remove all its unreasonable restrictions on bilateral cooperation as early as possible, and not create new obstacles, he said.

At the press conference, Wang gave examples of fields where the two countries can pursue collaboration, including anti-pandemic fight, economic recovery and climate change.

China welcomes U.S. return to the Paris Agreement and expects that the United States will shoulder its responsibility and make its due contribution.

"We hope that renewed China-U.S. cooperation on climate change will bring positive 'climate change' to the bilateral relations," Wang said.

Red line

The one-China principle is a "red line" that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations, Wang said, adding that the Chinese government will never compromise on the Taiwan question.

China hopes that the new U.S. administration will make a "clear departure" from its predecessor's "dangerous practice" on Taiwan.

"We hope the new U.S. administration will appreciate the great sensitivity of the Taiwan question, and will abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques," Wang said.

Wang said China will never accept groundless allegation and vilification and will never allow its core interests to be violated.

"The Chinese people are in the best position to tell whether China is doing a good job. The Chinese people can best decide what is the right thing for China to do," he said.

Iran nuclear deal

China urges the United States to demonstrate good faith and return to the Iran nuclear deal at an early date, Wang said.

The U.S. unilateral withdrawal from the deal and its continued maximum pressure on Iran led to the growing tensions in the region, he said.

Given that the new U.S. administration has expressed willingness to return to the deal, China calls on the U.S. side to demonstrate sincerity and promptly take actions, including lifting illegal unilateral sanctions and the long-arm jurisdiction over third-party entities and individuals, Wang said.
[March 08, 2021] Alexander Group and Chief Executive Group Announce Findings from CEO Survey on Revenue Growth Strategies for 2021

Alexander Group, a leading revenue growth management consulting firm, recently partnered with Chief Executive Group, a leading community for business leaders worldwide, to survey more than 250 U.S. CEOs on their revenue growth strategy for the year ahead. Overall, 73% of CEOs expect their revenues to increase in 2021?and 65% also indicate higher profitability. To capture this growth, CEOs are pivoting their commercial models to take advantage of pent-up demand caused by the pandemic. Two-thirds of all respondents plan an intense focus on acquiring new customers. Most tech and manufacturing organizations intend to meet customer's results-based solutions through new products and increased Anything as a Service (XaaS) offerings. To facilitate this growth, a greater proportion of CEOs are planning to invest resources in virtual sales (40%). 59% of surveyed business leaders say their sales team's face-to-face time will be lower and become more virtual in a post-vaccine environment. "While face-to-face selling will continue to be necessary in many cases, the past year has taught us all how successful a virtual selling environment can be," states Kyle Uebelhor, principal and Manufacturing practice lead for Alexander Group. "We are clearly seeing manufacturing and tech firms increase digital investments to meet the customer where and how they want to interact." Additionally, the survey indicates that 56% of CEOs will add to their headcount?the highest proportion of record by Chief Executive Group's CEO Confidence Index since December 2018. Per Melanie Nolan, director of research for Chief Executive Group, "As CEOs are spending more to enable virtual selling, 43% of those surveyed plan to increase inside sales roles as they are more cost-effective and proven growth drivers. 40% also plan to add sales specialists to capture new customers for innovative solutions and high-growth segments." These findings coincide with the conclusions derived from the recent Manufacturing & Distribution Industry Trends Study conducted by Alexander Group. With over 80 participants, the results showed that firms that invest 2x more in digital tools and roles are averaging a 45% higher revenue growth than peers.



Interested parties can access the full survey findings by downloading the whitepaper, Succeeding in 2021 and Beyond. For additional insights and leading practices on revenue management priorities, please contact Alexander Group. About Alexander Group

Alexander Group provides revenue growth consulting services to the world's leading sales, marketing and service organizations. Founded in 1985, Alexander Group combines deep experience, proven methodologies and data-driven insights to help revenue leaders anticipate change, align their go-to-customer resources with company goals and make better informed decisions with one goal in mind-to grow revenue. Alexander Group has offices in Atlanta, Chicago, London, New York, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Scottsdale and Vero Beach. About Chief Executive Group Chief Executive Group, a leading community for business leaders worldwide, exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, CFOs and corporate directors. We publish Chief Executive magazine (since 1977), ChiefExecutive.net, Corporate Board Member magazine (since 1998), BoardMember.com, StrategicCFO360.com and RemoteWork360.com, as well as produce research, conferences and roundtables that enable CEOs, CFOs, Board Members and other members of the C-Suite to share experiences with their peers to grow companies, build communities and strengthen society. Learn more at ChiefExecutiveGroup.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005761/en/

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1. Roads. The citys roads are a mess. Significant resources are needed to fix them.

2. Public safety. The crime rate is too high. Police pay and resources come first.

3. More city programs. The city must invest more in city programs and services.

4. Comprehensive plan. The city needs to focus on rebuilding and rebranding.

5. Cut city spending. City officials must get serious about trimming the budget.

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Chennai:

Government-owned Air India's regional arm Alliance Air will add four more cities in its route network with daily return flights to Trichy, Coimbatore, Madurai and Vijayawada from Chennai, later this month.

The airline will also make Chennai as its seventh base, by stationing one ATR aircraft to operate these services, after Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Jaipur, a senior Alliance Air official said.

It currently operated 55 daily flights to 36 destinations across the country with a fleet of 13 ATR planes.

"We are enhancing air connectivity within the southern region with daily return flight services to Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy and Vijayawda from Chennai. All these flights have been already put into the system and will commence from August 30," the official said.

The addition of new flights will take the total number of services operated by Alliance Air to 59 flights per day. The new services are up for bookings, the official added.

Alliance Air is one of the five airlines that has been awarded 128 routes by the government under its regional connectivity scheme.

It began the first flight under the scheme with a flight to Shimla from New Delhi in April this year.

For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
American and British viewers were split over Meghan Markle's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey last night, as those in the UK called on The Duke and Duchess of Sussex to be stripped of their royal titles while Americans praised the couple's 'honesty' and 'bravery'.

In the biggest royal interview for decades, Meghan made racism claims about Harry's family whom she claims were worried about how 'dark' their child's skin would be.

The Duchess of Sussex also claimed Kate Middleton made her cry before she married Harry in a row over flowergirl dresses, while Harry said his father Charles stopped taking his calls after he began 'taking matters into his own hands'.

Harry also branded the institution a 'trapping' environment and claimed he felt he had 'no where to turn to' when Meghan admitted she was struggling and having suicidal thoughts while pregnant.

Several viewers took to Twitter calling on the couple to be stripped of their Duke and Duchess rank - while Piers Morgan branded the interview an 'absolutely disgraceful betrayal of the Queen'.

British viewers called on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to be stripped of their royal titles following their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, with some accusing the couple of being disrespectful to the Queen (pictured in a teaser clip from the interview)

Piers tweeted: 'This interview is an absolutely disgraceful betrayal of the Queen and the Royal Family. I expect all this vile destructive self-serving nonsense from Meghan Markle - but for Harry to let her take down his family and the Monarchy like this is shameful.'

He followed it up with: 'Harry wants America and the rest of the world to hate his own family, hate the Monarchy and hate his country. I suggest everyone waits for the victims of his wife's rampage to have their say on her outlandish claims before they do so,' - citing the bullying claims made against the Duchess last week was prompted Buckingham Palace to reveal it is launching an investigation.

However, many of Meghan's American friends rallied behind her, with Serena Williams and make-up artist Daniel Martin are leading the support for the former actress.

In a statement on Twitter after the interview aired, Williams - who was among those to attend Meghan's wedding to Prince Harry - described her as a 'selfless friend' who 'teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble'.

Piers Morgan branded the interview an 'absolutely disgraceful betrayal of the Queen' in a series of tweets

Susanna Reid, Piers' co-host on Good Morning Britain, tweeted: 'Well this is pretty devastating - the way Meghan & Harry describe their experience, and the impact their interview will have on the Royal Family'

'Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she's experienced,' Williams wrote.

'I know first hand the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of color to minimize us, to break us down and demonize us. We must recognize our obligation to decry malicious, unfounded gossip and tabloid journalism.

Meanwhile, US poet Amanda Gorman said: 'Meghan is living the life Diana should have, if only those around her had been as brave as she was. Meghan isnt living a life without pain, but a life without a prison'.

Daniel Martin - who did Meghan's make-up on her wedding day - shared a picture of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Instagram.

In a statement on Twitter after the interview aired, Williams - who was among those to attend Meghan's wedding to Prince Harry - described her as a 'selfless friend' who 'teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble'

Meanwhile, Daniel Martin - who did Meghan's make-up on her wedding day - shared a picture of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Instagram alongside a poem from Maya Angelou that said: 'You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt. But still, like dust, I'll rise'

He posted the photo alongside a poem from Maya Angelou that said: 'You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt. But still, like dust, I'll rise.'

'Very sickening what Meghan had to go through. Abolish this racist, incompetent monarchy,' one viewer wrote.

'Im SO PROUD of Meghan. To come out and speak her truth about the monarchy being racist towards her OWN BABY is incredibly brave,' said another.

While US viewers praised Meghan for 'calling out racism,' those in the in the UK accused her of 'disrespecting the Queen'.

While US viewers praised Meghan for 'calling out racism,' those in the in the UK accused her of 'disrespecting the Queen'

In response to the tell-all Oprah interview, another outraged royal fan wrote: 'Has Meghan just basically called the Royal Family racist? She's proper trying to stir the pot in this interview isn't she, that's Harry's family. Personally, I think Harry and Meghan's titles need to be removed. They have gone too far with this.'

Another commented: 'The Queen needs to strip Harry & Meghan of their titles, remove Harry from the succession, ban them from all State events and deny them any financial support. The family should cut them off. Harry doesn't care about his family at all. Meghan only cares about attention and money.'

And one remarked: 'I also feel that both Harry and Meghan should indeed be stripped of their Royal Titles and all benefits associated therewith. End.'

'Meghan and Harry are an affront to this country, Her Majesty and should have titles stripped immediately,' tweeted another.

Several viewers took to Twitter calling on the couple to be stripped of the Duke and Duchess titles, accusing them of being 'disrespectful' to the Queen

Yesterday it emerged royal aides have discussed whether the Sussexes should lose their titles  with officials warning 'nothing is off the table' after their interview with Oprah.

While the subject is yet to be raised with the Queen, whose approval would be required for such a move, Her Majesty was 'pretty cheesed off' by Harry and Meghan's decision to take part in the chat, reports The Times.

Courtiers have decided Harry retains the right to be addressed as HRH because it was conveyed on him at birth, and acknowledged stripping his mother Diana, Princess of Wales of hers was 'a mistake'.

During the interview the couple were full of praise for the Queen, whom Meghan said has 'always been wonderful' to her. She revealed she called Her Majesty when she found out Prince Philip was in hospital to 'check in'.

Several viewers tweeted their surprise that the former actress found an ally in the monarch, with one commenting: 'The Queen being the nicest person to Meghan was a twist I never saw coming'

Users also took to social media Sunday night to ask 'who is Ursula the evil sea witch' after the Duchess of Sussex compared herself to The Little Mermaid.

Meghan, who revealed she is expecting a girl in the summer, told the talk show host she had an epiphany when she watched the Disney movie and saw parallels between the character Ariel and her own life since meeting her real-life prince.

In the tale, mermaid Ariel meets a human prince and falls in love but, in order to be with him on land, she makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula to give up her life in the sea and her voice in exchange for three days as a human.

In the end, the sea witch is defeated, Ariel gets her voice back and is changed into a human permanently so she can live happily ever after with her prince.

People took to social media reacting to her comments with some asking who the villain is in the real-life saga

People took to social media reacting to her comments with some asking if Meghan was calling the Queen the villain in the real-life saga while others mulled a future acting role for the former Suits star.

'I am the adult woman who watches The Little Mermaid, Meghan,' one person wrote, in reference to Meghan laughing at adults watching Disney films.

'But point made. Who is Ursula the evil sea witch in that analogy, though?'

'If Meghan was the lil mermaid, who is the Ursula who took her voice? There is a specific name and I want it!' another added.

'Meghan lowkey just compared the Queen to Ursula,' joined in another.

Others mulled a potential future acting role for the former Suits star

Another person added: 'Yeah, interesting analogy. Meghan may not have intended it, but now I cant help but picture the Queen as Ursula.'

One person wrote that they were 'rooting' for the Disney villain: 'Lmaooo that was so f**kin embarrassing. You a grown ass woman, Meghan. Never mind that we were all rooting for Ursula, goofy ass.'

Others suggested Meghan could be a good fit for a future remake of the movie.

Several viewers tweeted their surprise that the former actress found an ally in the monarch, with one commenting: 'The Queen being the nicest person to Meghan was a twist I never saw coming.'

Another admitted: 'I look at the Queen different now. In a good light. She welcomed Meghan with open arms.'

Meanwhile several social media users expressed contempt for Charles when Harry claims he stopped taking his calls when he and Meghan were in Canada over the Christmas period after he 'took matters into his own hands'.

One tweeted: 'Yoooo Prince Charles stopping taking Harry's calls... that's just petty. That's your son man!'

Several social media users expressed contempt for Charles when Harry claims he stopped taking his calls when he and Meghan were in Canada over the Christmas period after he 'took matters into his own hands'

Social media users also expressed delight when Harry and Meghan revealed they are expecting a baby girl in the summer - and called for them to name her after Princess Diana.

Several viewers remarked they expect the Sussexes will have their titles removed following the sensational interview in which Meghan accused the Royal Family of having 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white.

Other commentators questioned why the couple would want to retain them. The Duchess of Sussex described her 'pain' that officials had denied him the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect their son Archie by denying him 24/7 security.

Social media users also expressed delight when Harry and Meghan revealed they are expecting a baby girl in the summer - and called for them to name her after Princess Diana

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it.

The Duchess was on the verge of tears when she admitted having suicidal thoughts and told Oprah: 'I don't want to be alive anymore.'

When Oprah asked if she was denied the title because he is mixed-race, Meghan replied: 'In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, we have in tandem, the conversation of "He won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title," and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born.'

In the sensational interview Meghan accused the Royal Family of having 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white (pictured in a teaser clip from the interview)

Oprah then interrupted and said: 'Hold on. Hold up. Stop right now. There's a conversation... about how dark your baby is going to be?' Meghan replied: 'Potentially, and what that would mean or look like.'

'And you're not going to tell me who had the conversation?', Oprah asked. To which Meghan replied: 'I think that would be very damaging to them. That was relayed to me from Harry. Those were conversations that family had with him.'

Meghan also said she was 'silenced' by Buckingham Palace officials and felt lonely in London. She added that she was welcomed by the royals, but then claimed it became more difficult in the run up to the wedding.

Several viewers remarked they expect the Sussexes will have their titles removed following the sensational interview in which Meghan accused the Royal Family of having 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white. Others questioned why they would want to retain them

In the extraordinary two-hour tell-all watched by tens of millions of people around the world, the Sussexes also revealed they were already planning 'Megxit' just six months after they married in May 2018 - and Meghan compared life in Kensington Palace to lockdown in the Covid world today.

The Duke of Sussex also said his family had 'cut him off' financially in early 2020, claiming that they had to sign multi-million dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify because he was relying on spending his inheritance from Princess Diana.

Harry also said the couple left because of the media in Britain and because of a 'lack of support and lack of understanding' from his family, and revealed that his father refused to speak to him after they left for Vancouver. And in a sign that his relationship with his brother William is strained, claiming he 'didn't have anyone to turn to' and was 'ashamed' to admit his wife struggling.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 22:13:20|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- A draft budget report submitted to China's top legislature has unveiled the country's planned military spending for this year. In 2021, China's defense budget will be around 1.35 trillion yuan (about 200 billion U.S. dollars), up 6.8 percent from last year.

Is China's military spending too hefty? Is the figure growing too fast? Is the so-called "Chinese military threat," as hyped by some Western politicians and media outlets, well grounded?

The answer is no.

QUARTER OF U.S. DEFENSE BUDGET

A country's defense expenditure is determined by various factors, including the demands of national defense, the size of its economy and its defense policy.

China is the world's second-largest economy and the most populous country with a vast land area. It has a great length of land border and complex maritime security environment. And yet, China's defense budget is around one quarter of the U.S. figure.

Factoring in the country's vast population of 1.4 billion, China's planned defense expenditure per capita in 2021 will be about 140 U.S. dollars.

In sharp contrast, the defense budget of the United States for the 2021 fiscal year is 740.5 billion U.S. dollars, which makes for a per capita expenditure of about 2,230 U.S. dollars, around 15 times the Chinese figure.

When measured in terms of the proportion of GDP spent on the defense budget, China's military spending is undoubtedly at a low level.

A Chinese government white paper compared the average defense expenditures of various countries. As a percentage of GDP, from 2012 to 2017, China's average defense expenditure was about 1.3 percent. The figures for other major countries were: the United States about 3.5 percent; India 2.5 percent; the United Kingdom 2.0 percent; France 2.3 percent.

When calculated based on other standards, including as a ratio of spending to government expenditure, China's military spending is at a lower level than other major countries, according to the white paper.

DOWNWARD TREND

Since dropping to 7.6 percent in 2016, China's annual defense budget growth rate has remained under 10 percent for six consecutive years.

Observed over a longer period, China's defense expenditure as a percentage of GDP has been falling from a peak of 5.43 percent in 1979, and has remained below 2 percent for the past three decades. Also on a clear downward trend is its share of government expenditure.

In terms of usage, China's defense input is assigned to sectors mainly including personnel, training and sustainment, and equipment.

This year's increase in budget will be mainly spent on supporting major projects included in the military's five-year development plan, upgrading weaponry and equipment, stepping up the transformation of military training, improving the wellbeing of service personnel and supporting small-unit level development, according to Wu Qian, a Chinese military spokesperson.

"China's defense expenditure is reasonable and appropriate. In fact, it is barely enough for meeting the needs of safeguarding the country's sovereignty, security and development interests," He Lei, a national lawmaker and former deputy head of the Academy of Military Sciences, told Xinhua.

NEVER SEEKING HEGEMONY, EXPANSION, SPHERES OF INFLUENCE

Never seeking hegemony, expansion or spheres of influence is the distinctive feature of China's national defense in the new era.

The country has never initiated a war or taken an inch of foreign land since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

By contrast, during its 240-plus years of history, the United States has only experienced less than 20 years when it was not at war. The country owns hundreds of military bases around the world, and has sent ships and planes across the world to flex its muscles.

Since 2001, the United States has illegally launched wars and military operations against Iraq, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan and several other countries, at a cost of more than 6.4 trillion U.S. dollars, resulting in over 800,000 deaths and tens of millions displaced.

A new research by anti-war group CODEPINK reveals that the United States and its allies have dropped at least 326,000 bombs and missiles on countries across the globe since 2001.

The real threat to world peace is quite evident.

"For quite some time, the United States has been willfully interfering in other countries' internal affairs in the name of democracy and human rights," said State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a press conference on Sunday. "This has created lots of trouble in the world and, in some cases, turbulence and conflict."

The U.S. side has repeatedly sent warships and aircraft to the South China Sea for all kinds of military drills and close-in reconnaissance, posing serious challenges to the Chinese military in safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and maritime rights and interests.

Given such facts, the increase of China's defense expenditure is based on practical considerations.

China's homeland security risks and challenges should not be overlooked, said Wu Qian, adding that land territorial disputes are yet to be completely resolved and disputes still exist over the territorial sovereignty of some islands and reefs, as well as maritime demarcation.

"The world is not entirely a peaceful one, so national defense must be strong," said Wu.

Committed to peaceful development, China has also actively assumed the responsibilities of a major country and has safeguarded world peace with concrete actions. It is the second-largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget and the largest troop contributing country among the permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Since 1990, China's armed forces have sent more than 40,000 peacekeepers on UN peacekeeping missions. They have faithfully performed their duties and made a positive contribution to world peace and common development.

"China's moderate and steady growth of defense spending poses no threat to any other country and is an anchor of stability for world peace," said He Lei. Enditem
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8)  The Philippine General Hospital has temporarily stopped accepting patients in its outpatient departments to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in the facility.

PGH spokesperson Jonas del Rosario on Monday said an online appointment is necessary before patients are allowed to have a face-to-face consultation with their physicians.

PGH is also halting the clinical rotations of 4th year and 5th year medical students to avoid unduly exposing them to the virus that is spreading fast.

RELATED: Hospital admissions due to COVID-19 rising

These are only some of the precautionary measures taken by the state-owned tertiary hospital after one case of the more transmissible variant first detected in South Africa was found in one of its COVID-19 patients. The hospital is also seeing a "significant increase" in new coronavirus infections, that has even affected its own staff.

This month, around 25 healthcare workers in PGH got infected with COVID-19. At least 88 medical personnel were placed on quarantine after contact tracing, majority of them from the anesthesia department so other elective procedures are postponed for the meantime.

Del Rosario said hospital admissions, including in the intensive care unit, are going up due to COVID-19 cases. The official said they are ready to allot 200 beds for COVID-19 patients if necessary.

"Our limit is 200. Probably we can (handle) a little bit more, but really, the increasing number is a red flag," he told CNN Philippines.

The National Kidney and Transplant Institute, meanwhile, is limiting the number of outpatient face-to-face consultations following a surge in COVID-19 cases in the region. It said in an advisory that patients may also be required to take a swab test before consultation subject to the discretion of the attending physician. It encouraged the use of telehealth services.

The OCTA Research Group is forecasting that Metro Manila could see a daily increase of up to 3,000 cases by end of the month.
Dakota Johnson looked like she had a sweet tooth while filming her new project Am I OK? in Los Angeles on Monday.

The Fifty Shades Of Grey star, 31, enjoyed a lollipop as she waited to shoot a scene with co-star Sonoya Mizuno.

It appeared like the treat might have been a prop, as Johnson carried the candy into a nearby car to shoot a scene.

Sucker! Dakota Johnson held on to a lollipop while shooting her new movie Am I OK? in Los Angeles on Monday

The daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith was in costume, donning a blue pullover sweatshirt with mid-rise denim and a knit beanie.

Well-loved Vans sneakers covered in marker doodles completed her look on a quirky note.

Though her look was casual as can be, Dakota wore full makeup for the cameras, playing up her natural glow with some blush and a bit of deep nude lipstick.

In between scenes the star protected herself from the threat of the ongoing pandemic with a clear face shield. Johnson carried a giant bottle of water, demonstrating her commitment to hydration.

Scene-stealer: It appeared like the treat might have been a prop, as Johnson carried the candy into a nearby car to shoot a scene

Movie magic: The 31-year-old actress filmed a scene in a car with co-star Sonoya Mizuno

Eye see you: As soon as she heard 'Action!' Dakota got into character, offering up her signature smile for the crew

Ready for her close up: Though the star's costumer was casual as can be, she wore full makeup for the cameras, playing up her natural glow with some blush and a bit of deep nude lipstick

Casual costume: The daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith was in costume, donning a blue pullover sweatshirt with mid-rise denim and a knit beanie

But when she heard 'Action!' Dakota got into character, pulling off her shield and offering up her signature smile for the crew.

Johnson plays one half of best friend duo Lucy and Jane in the film, which sees how the relationship is tested after Lucy (Johnson) 'embarks on a personal journey... on a path she may not be entirely ready to take.'

The film, which is being directed by Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne from a screenplay by Lauren Pomerantz, began shooting last month but paused production after a crew member tested positive for COVID-19.

Sources with Deadline reported that it was actually Johnson's own assistant who tested positive.

Protect yourself! In between scenes the star protected herself from the threat of the ongoing pandemic with a clear face shield

Plot line: Johnson plays one half of best friend duo Lucy and Jane in the film, which sees how the relationship is tested after Lucy (Johnson) 'embarks on a personal journey... on a path she may not be entirely ready to take'

H2O: Johnson carried a giant bottle of water, demonstrating her commitment to hydration

Creators: Am I OK? is being directed by Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne from a screenplay by Lauren Pomerantz

Am I OK? is being produced by Jessica Elbaum and Will Ferrell through Gloria Sanchez Productions.

Johnson and Ro Donnelly are producing via TeaTime Pictures, while Notaro and Allynne are working under the banner of their Something Fierce label.

Erik Feig and Lucy Kitada will produce via Picturestart, with screenwriter producing solo Pomerantz.

Executive producers include Royce Reeves-Darby for Picturestart and Alex Brown for Gloria Sanchez.

Pause: The movie began shooting last month but paused production after a crew member tested positive for COVID-19
Dong-A Pharmaceutical CEO Choi Ho-jin appears on the YouTube channel, "Nego(tiation) King," on which the firm's feminine hygiene products were featured. After the episode was aired Friday, however, the firm has been embroiled in a controversy over sexism during its recruitment practices following accusations made by a former job applicant. Captured from YouTube



By Jun Ji-hye



Dong-A Pharmaceutical is facing criticism online over allegations that its human resources staff asked female applicants sexist questions during job interviews last year. The CEO has made a public apology, but criticism has not abated, with the company even facing the threat of a boycott.



The public uproar over the alleged gender-discriminative acts is especially high because the company is known for its feminine hygiene products.



The accusations were made after an episode on the YouTube channel, "Nego(tiation) King," was aired Friday featuring the firm's feminine hygiene products.



In the video, popular presenter Jang Yeong-ran met Dong-A Pharmaceutical CEO Choi Ho-jin to negotiate a discount on the products. Choi vowed to give various discounts and donate part of the company's earnings to those in need, attracting public attention  the video has generated more than 1.58 million views in four days as of Monday afternoon.



But a response from a viewer who identified herself as a former job applicant to the company sparked the unexpected criticism.



"I was the only female applicant during Dong-A's job interviews last year. At the time, one of the interviewers asked me if I agreed that women should receive a lower salary than men because women do not serve in the military," she wrote. "He also asked me whether I was willing to serve in the military."



All able-bodied men here must undertake military service for 18 to 22 months by law because South and North Korea are still technically at war. The issue of military duty is a highly sensitive subject here and often triggers gender conflict.



Her comments were followed by similar ones from other former applicants to the company, leading viewers to write comments criticizing the firm, such as "I cannot believe the company that sells feminine hygiene products discriminates against women" and "You don't want to recruit women, but want to sell feminine hygiene products."



Amid the growing controversy, CEO Choi wrote an apology.



"We confirmed that one of our interviewers asked unpleasant questions, which were not in line with our standardized procedures, during a job interview last November," Choi wrote. "We sincerely apologize to the applicant and our customers. We will take disciplinary action against the official in question and enhance relevant training."



The CEO's apology, however, failed to ease the controversy, with some online commentaters even calling for a boycott of the firm's products.



The Korean Women Workers Association claimed that the company attempted to paint the incident as a case of an individual's misbehavior, rather than a problem of the organization.



"The Ministry of Employment and Labor should launch an investigation to find out whether there have been other cases of discrimination against women during the firm's recruitment procedures," said Bae Jin-kyung, the head of the association.


Tado Ahoga, Yawo Mensah, Djamillatou Abassa and Aboudel-Kahr Adam arrived in Edmundston this weekend, where they will quarantine before heading to Haut-Madawaska with their families. (Submitted - image credit)

Haut-Madawaska's newest families have arrived after a long journey from Togo.

The rural community in northwestern New Brunswick welcomed 43 new residents from the west African nation this weekend.

The newcomers stepped off a plane in Moncton late Saturday night, before travelling by bus to an Edmundston hotel. After two weeks in self-isolation, they'll begin moving into their new apartments.

Mayor Jean-Pierre Ouellet said the aging community is excited to welcome the 13 families and help them settle in. He's briefly spoken to some of the new families over the phone.

"They're a little bit stressed but they're very happy to move to our area," he said. "For them it's a real challenge and they're ready to accept that challenge."

Ouellet said the newcomers were recruited to work at one of the region's largest employers, the Nadeau Poultry Farm Ltd. The company travelled to Togo to find and interview prospective employees before the start of the pandemic.

The rural community  with a declining population of about 3,700  has seen more than 100 newcomers arrive in the past two years. It's located about 20 kilometres southwest of Edmundston.

More jobs than people

Haut-Madawaska's declining population has created challenges for large employers in the area.

The area is home to three poultry processing companies, a buckwheat flour plant, and several facilities that manufacture cedar shingles and other wood products. Saint-Francois-de-Madawaska, one of the villages within the municipality, is referred to as the province's "chicken capital."

Jean-Pierre Ouellet is the mayor of Haut-Madawaska, a rural community in northwestern New Brunswick. (Bernard LeBel/Radio-Canada)

Ouellet said young people are leaving to study or find different employment opportunities, then parents follow to be closer to their children.

"We have more jobs available than we have people available to fill those jobs," he said.

The City of Edmundston and Haut-Madawaska were chosen by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for a three-year pilot project. The region is trying to develop a model for integration and retention for minority francophone communities.

Story continues

A representative for Nadeau Poultry travelled to Togo before the start of the pandemic to recruit employees. (Bernard LeBel/Radio-Canada)

"They want to make sure that by recruiting young families that this population growth helps to keep our school open," Ouellet said. "And it will ensure the sustainability of our community."

Nadeau Poultry, where some of the Togo newcomers were hired, has about 300 employees. The plant has up to 30 newcomers.

A focus on families

Haut-Madawska's goal is to improve newcomer retention.

Ouellet said many immigrants have come to work for the companies in the region in the past and decided to leave for larger Canadian cities after a few years.

But they were mostly hiring single people.

Newcomers each brought two suitcases with them. So the community rallied together and collected household goods to help families start their new lives. (Submitted by Jean-Pierre Ouellet)

Now, recruitment efforts are targeting families.

"When the children will be in school, when they have friends, when they have a role to play in the community, it will be harder for the families  to go live in Quebec, Montreal, Toronto," Ouellet said.

The families were supposed to arrive in Canada about six months ago, but the COVID-19 pandemic postponed their resettlement.

Residents gathering donations

Newcomers could only bring two suitcases on their more than 7,000 km journey between continents. So the town stepped in to help.

Donations for the newcomers' apartments quickly filled the basement of a local church. Hundreds of items now await the newest residents of Haut-Madawaska once they begin moving into their apartments.

"We have no more place to stock them," he said. "The community's contribution was just incredible."

The mayor said people in the community are accepting of the change.

"It just brings another point of view and it brings a cultural diversity in our area," he said.
MCLA MBA Program Presents 'Friday Focus' Panel Series

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  MCLA's Master of Business Administration Program is presenting a free series of virtual panels examining leadership, entrepreneurship, and finance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Held monthly in March, April, and May and moderated by MCLA Director of Corporate Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Dr. Joshua Mendel, this series will feature local business leaders, MBA program alumni, and faculty from MCLA's Business Department. The first event, "Leadership in the time of COVID" will be held March 12 and will feature MCLA alumni Thomas Adjei and Veronica Torres Martin as well as MCLA Professor of Business Tom Whalen.

Each monthly event will begin at noon. To register, visit mcla.edu/mba . All events will take place virtually, and are free and open to the public. These events will also be streamed to the MCLA Facebook page and will be archived on the MCLA YouTube channel for later viewing.

Friday Focus Lunchtime Series Events:

March 12  Leadership in the Time of COVID

April 9  Entrepreneurship and Small Business in the Time of COVID

May 7  Financials in the time of COVID
The French Embassy in Romania is launching a communication campaign on Monday aimed at increasing awareness of gender equality, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES.

The campaign, which will start on 8 March and end on 25 November - International Day for the Elimination of Violence on Women, will give the floor to personalities from different fields of activity, from politics and media to civil society and sport, to discuss what gender equality means at the moment.

"To me, equality means access, without barriers, without discrimination, to everything society proposes to men and women," France's Ambassador to Romania Laurence Auer said in the first message of this campaign, published on the diplomatic mission's Facebook page.

Each message in favour of this case will be promoted on the website and social networks of the French Embassy in Romania.

The campaign takes place on the margins of the Equality Generation / Generation Egalite.
South Korea and the U.S. started a joint military exercise on Monday that mostly consists of computer simulations.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff here said that the drill will last until March 18. The command post exercise will have to be carried out without actually mobilizing much equipment and troops. The two countries have not conducted field training exercise since then-U.S. President Donald Trump suspended them in 2018.

In January, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un again demanded a halt to joint South Korea-U.S. drills, and the ruling party and government here are keen to oblige since they still seem to entertain hopes of rapprochement with the North. That means the two allies will downplay a counterattack drill simulating against any North Korean invasion.

U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Robert Abrams recently warned that the joint exercises should not degenerate into mere "computer games," and other U.S. officials have also complained that combat readiness is being weakened by the lack of field exercises.

Meanwhile, the two allies agreed not to test South Korea's ability to assume full wartime operational control of combined forces during the upcoming drill.

This more or less scotches President Moon Jae-in's hopes to fulfill his campaign promise to take over operational control before he leaves office in May 2022.

proceedings were adjourned till 11 am on Monday amid uproar by members seeking a debate on the issue of frequent increase in

Leader of the Mallikarjuna Kharge gave a notice for suspension of business to discuss "huge and frequent increase in prices of petrol, diesel and LPG even when global prices are ruling low."



However, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu did not allow the discussion, saying the issue can be debated "during the course of discussion on the Appropriation bill."



As the Chair decided to continue the scheduled Question Hour, parties began shouting slogans seeking a debate on the issue.

The Chair kept on asking members to go back to their seats and not deprive members from the Question Hour.

However, Opposition members kept on shouting.

"If you don't want the Question Hour to continue, if you want to deprive people of Question Hour, I can adjourn the House. .... Please go to your seat. Loktantra ka majak nahi karna hai... (Don't make a joke of democracy," the Chairman said.

As members continued to shout, the Chairman adjourned the House till 11 am.

The second part of the Budget session of Parliament began Monday and is scheduled to conclude on April 8.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  A new executive order from President Joe Biden directs federal agencies to take a series of steps to promote voting access, a move that comes as congressional Democrats press for a sweeping voting and elections bill to counter efforts to restrict voting access.

His plan was announced during a recorded address on the 56th commemoration of Bloody Sunday, the 1965 incident in which some 600 civil rights activists were viciously beaten by state troopers as they tried to march for voting rights in Selma, Alabama.

VOTING IN TEXAS: A bill filed in the Texas legislature is targeting Harris County's overnight voting

Every eligible voter should be able to vote and have it counted, Biden said in his remarks to Sundays Martin and Coretta King Unity Breakfast before signing the order. If you have the best ideas, you have nothing to hide. Let the people vote.

Bidens order includes several modest provisions. It directs federal agencies to expand access to voter registration and election information, calls on the heads of agencies to come up with plans to give federal employees time off to vote or volunteer as nonpartisan poll workers, and pushes an overhaul of the governments Vote.gov website.

Democrats are attempting to solidify support for House Resolution 1, which touches on virtually every aspect of the electoral process. It was approved Wednesday on a near party-line vote, 220-210.

The voting rights bill includes provisions to restrict partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts, strike down hurdles to voting and bring transparency to a murky campaign finance system that allows wealthy donors to anonymously bankroll political causes.

Democrats say the bill will help stifle voter suppression attempts, while Republicans have cast the bill as unwanted federal interference in states authority to conduct their own elections.

LGBTQ RIGHTS: Al Green had harsh words for Republicans who voted against the Equality Act

The bill's fate is far from certain in the closely divided Senate. Conservative groups have undertaken a $5 million campaign to try persuade moderate Senate Democrats to oppose rule changes needed to pass the measure.

With his executive order, Biden is looking to turn the spotlight on the issue and is using the somber commemoration of Bloody Sunday to make the case that much is at stake.

Bloody Sunday proved to be a turning point in the civil rights movement that led to passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Similarly, Biden is hoping the Jan. 6 sacking of the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Donald Trump mob will prove to be a clarion call for Congress to take action to improve voter protections.

In 2020  with our very democracy on the line  even in the midst of a pandemic  more Americans voted than ever before, Biden said. Yet instead of celebrating this powerful demonstration of voting  we saw an unprecedented insurrection on our Capitol and a brutal attack on our democracy on January 6th. A never-before-seen effort to ignore, undermine and undo the will of the people.

Biden's also paid tribute to the late civil rights giants Rev. C.T. Vivian, Rev. Joseph Lowery and Rep. John Lewis. All played critical roles in the 1965 organizing efforts in Selma and all died in within the past year.
At least seven people were killed



in an inferno in a multi-storeyed New Koilaghat building here on Strand Road which houses the zonal offices of Eastern and South Eastern Railways on Monday, Chief Minister said.

Out of them, four were firefighters, one assistant sub-inspector posted at the Hare Street police station and one RPF personnel, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Basu said.

The seventh victim is yet to be identified, he said.

The fire is now under control and the cooling process is on, he said.

Banerjee, who rushed to the spot in the city's central business district, announced the state government will pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of those killed in the blaze and government job to a kin of each victim.

The fire broke out in the 13th floor of the sprawling building at around 6.10 pm. It also has a computerised ticket booking centre on its ground floor.

(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.)
Career: Vodafone CEO Anne O'Leary said the firm wants to support its people through every life stage. Photo: Naoise Culhane

Vodafone is to train all staff on the effects and impact of menopause, and offer those going through menopause the options of medical treatment and flexible working.

The move comes as the operator released results of a survey showing that nearly two-thirds of working women who experience menopause say it affected their work.

Half of the 5,000-strong survey respondents said they felt stigma around the issue and a third hid it from colleagues. The issue is most acute among women under 45, two-thirds of whom said they were too embarrassed to ask for support around menopause.

Vodafone says that 15pc of its 100,000 global employees are currently affected by menopause.

So the operator says it will introduce a training programme to all 100,000 employees, including a toolkit about understanding the menopause and guidance on how to support employees and colleagues who may be going through it.

Vodafone Ireland employees experiencing the menopause will now also be able to avail of leave for sickness and medical treatment, as well as flexible working and additional care through Vodafones Employee Assistance supports.

With menopause impacting women for a significant period of their working life, its important to us that our environment supports and normalises these life stages by openly talking about and supporting menopause in the workplace, said Anne OLeary, CEO of Vodafone Ireland.

We want to support our people through every life stage. Todays announcement highlights our desire for women to see Vodafone as the place to be for their career through all stages of their life.

According to research cited by Vodafone, one in four women will experience serious menopause symptoms which can include depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation and cognitive impairment. It can last between seven and 14 years and occurs typically between the ages of 45 and 55.

This is typically the age women are coming into management and top leadership roles, the operator says.

The median age for reaching menopause is 51 but research shows that for Black women this can be two years earlier at age 49.
Fair to say, I think, that the Meghan and Harry interview with Oprah Winfrey raises so many more questions than it answers.

Which member of the Royal Family was it who allegedly expressed 'concerns' about Archie's skin colour? Which sister-in-law actually made the other one cry? And did Prince Charles really stop returning his son's calls?

The truth about all these, and many other allegations made by the couple, may never be known.

However, there is one thing that emerges quite clearly: the Duke and Duchess are plainly caught up in their very own Disney fairy tale fantasy.

It's not just the general soapiness of their demeanour towards each other, present in every look and every gesture throughout the two-hour long confessional. It's the fact that she even says it, in so many words.

Towards the end of their audience with Oprah, Meghan recalls sitting with Harry in their cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace when Disney animated film The Little Mermaid came on the TV.

There is one thing that emerges quite clearly from Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview: the Duke and Duchess are plainly caught up in their very own Disney fairy tale fantasy

'And I went, 'Oh, my God, she falls in love with the prince',' she says. 'And because of that, she has to lose her voice. But by the end, she gets back her voice'.'

Oh my God indeed, what wonderful serendipity. 'Silence  or silenced.' Geddit? Almost as though someone had scripted it. Indeed, Peter Morgan (writer of The Crown) could not have put it better himself.

For those readers unfamiliar with the canon, The Little Mermaid tells the story of beautiful Princess Ariel, daughter of Triton, who falls in love with a human prince, somewhat implausibly called Eric, after she saves him from a shipwreck.

In order to win his heart, she makes a deal with the evil sea-witch Ursula: in return for the beautiful mermaid's voice, Ursula will give her legs so she can do dancing and go to balls and do other princess stuff.

Much drama ensues, a lot of it involving crustaceans; but in the end true love triumphs, Ariel gets her voice back  and the pair live happily ever after.

I must admit it's a long time since I saw the 1989 film, so perhaps I missed the part where she and Eric trash his entire family's reputation before selling off his crown jewels to Netflix, but you get the drift.

In Sunday's interview, Meghan compared herself to Disney's The Little Mermaid (pictured) - who falls in love with a prince and loses her voice

And in many ways it's a useful comparison because it speaks volumes about how Harry and Meghan see themselves, and probably explains far more about the couple's behaviour than any of the rather vague accusations of maltreatment by 'The Firm'.

So much of their anger and resentment seems to be directed towards those people  from Prince William, who famously questioned the speed of their romance, to the courtiers and Palace advisers who fell foul of them  who dared introduce the tiniest element of reality into their perfect fantasy.

A fantasy scripted as follows. Harry, the handsome, tortured Prince searching for that one true love; Meghan the wide-eyed innocent, noble not by birth but in spirit.

He, her protector, determined to shield her from the casual snobbery of his stuffy family  even at the cost of his own crown; she his emotional saviour, his one true path, cruelly traduced by the savage forces of convention but determined, through her diamond tears, to free him from the straitjacket of the past.

Everything they do  from the studious black and white shots of them cradling each other in an assortment of bucolic settings, to the homilies they post on social media  is intended to perpetrate this notion of theirs as The Greatest Love Story Of All Time, a triumph of good over evil, a stirring, heartwarming tale of love against the odds.

The image they seek to project is so aggressively perfect it's actually a little bit scary.

And anyone who doesn't buy into their 'story', or who dares question that precise narrative is, basically, a cartoon villain.

The Duchess of Cambridge is cast as one of the Ugly Sisters for making poor Cinders cry over the bridesmaids' dresses.

Mean old father-in-law Charles cuts off his son and leaves them barely able to scrape together the millions to buy their Santa Barbara mansion.

The British newspapers are beastly because they don't think it's a terribly clever idea to pontificate about climate change and then fly half way around the world for a baby shower. And so on.

So why are Harry and Meghan so defensively in love with their own love story?

Why are they seemingly so determined to cast themselves as heroes of their own Disney romance? And why do they seem to think their love for each other gives them a right to ride roughshod over everyone else in their lives?

Why are Harry and Meghan so defensively in love with their own love story? Why are they seemingly so determined to cast themselves as heroes of their own Disney romance? And why do they seem to think their love for each other gives them a right to ride roughshod over everyone else in their lives?

In Harry's case, it seems abundantly clear. His mother was a romantic whose dreams of being the perfect princess were cruelly dashed by the bitter realities of her marriage to Prince Charles.

He sees his father in large part as the architect of her agonies, and is determined not to let the same things happen to the woman he clearly adores.

Meghan is perhaps a little different. Like most little girls, she harboured dreams of princessdom. But hers went a little further than most.

The mother of one of Meghan's closest childhood friends from school, Sonia Ardakani, once revealed that her daughter and Meghan were captivated by the life of Harry's late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and used to watch a video of her wedding to Prince Charles over and over.

On a trip to London in 1996, the then 15-year-old Meghan was photographed smiling excitedly with a friend in front of Buckingham Palace  just as hundreds of tourists do every day because this is where the Queen lives.

And yet this contrasts with her assertion, in this interview, that she wasn't much interested in the whole royal circus when she first met Harry.

'I went into it naively,' she says, 'because I didn't grow up knowing much about the Royal Family. It wasn't something that was part of conversation at home. It wasn't something that we followed.'

One final thought. In a now long-deleted post from her blog, The Tig, Meghan wrote: 'Little girls dream of being princesses  and grown women seem to retain this childhood fantasy . . . just look at the pomp and circumstance surrounding the royal wedding and endless conversation about [sic] Princess Kate.'

Just look indeed.
Patna, March 8 : In Bihar's political circles, the merger of Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) with the Janata Dal-United has been discussed for a long time.

The buzz became stronger on Monday when RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha and senior JD(U) leader Vasistha Narayan Singh were seen taking the anti-Corona vaccine together.

Former union minister Kushwaha and former JD (U) President Singh arrived at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Patna on Monday together and got the first dose of the vaccine.

After the vaccination, when journalists asked questions about the potential merger of JDU with the RLSP, Kushwaha said: "Since the time I have come to politics, I am with Dada (Vasistha Narayan Singh) and will continue to be with him." Asked about the likely date of the merger, Singh said, "Leave the date alone. Kushwaha was close and is close to us. He has carved a niche in the politics of the country through his work. This is nothing new." Speculation has been growing about Kushwaha mending fences with CM Nitish Kumar and the party's likely merger with the JD(U). However, it has not been officially confirmed so far.
The Duchess of Sussex during her interview of with Oprah Winfrey (Harpo Productions /Joe Pugliese)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have accused the royal family of racism in shocking claims made during their Oprah Winfrey interview.

Meghan said that, when she was pregnant with Archie, an unnamed member of the royal family raised concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when hes born.

She suggested her son was not made a prince because of his race  although rules set by George V meant he was not entitled to be one.

The American duchess is the first mixed race person to marry a British senior royal in modern history.

A stunned Winfrey asked of the comments on Archies skin tone: What? Who is having that conversation?

Meghan paused and said there were several conversations with Harry about Archies skin tone, and what that would mean or look like.

Asked whether there were concerns that her child would be too brown and that would be a problem, Meghan said: If that is the assumption you are making, that is a pretty safe one.

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Pushed by Winfrey on who had those conversations, Meghan refused to say, adding: I think that would be very damaging to them.

Harry refused to give further details, adding: That conversation, I am never going to share. At the time it was awkward, I was a bit shocked.

The duke said that none of his relatives spoke out in support of Meghan following the racism he said she faced in the media.

No-one from my family ever said anything over those three years. That hurts, Harry said.

But I also am acutely aware of where my family stand, and how scared they are of the tabloids turning on them.

Winfrey asked of Archies lack of title: Do you think its because of his race? I know thats a loaded question.

Meghan replied: I can give you an honest answer. In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, so we (had) the conversation of he wont be given security, hes not going to be given a title.

And also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when hes born.

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The duchess shared her upset at the idea of the first member of colour in this family, not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be, and said she wanted him to have the title so he could have police protection.

Meghan spoke of her distress at the alleged racism, particularly with the Commonwealth being such an important factor for the monarchy.

The duchess said: I could never understand how it wouldnt be seen as an added benefit and a reflection of the world today at all times, but especially right now, to go how inclusive is that you can see someone who looks like you in this family, much less one whos born into it.

The Sussexes have been vocal supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Meghan previously delivered an impassioned Black Lives Matter speech to her old high school following the death of George Floyd in the US, sharing her absolute devastation at racial divisions.

Harry has also outlined his personal commitment to tackling institutional racism in a message to children and young adults at The Diana Awards ceremony.

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But he admitted in the past that his privileged upbringing as a member of the royal family meant he had no understanding of unconscious racial bias.

Harry said it took him many years  and the experience of living in wife Meghans shoes  to recognise the issue.

The duke has himself been accused of racism in the past.

He was widely condemned in 2009 after being caught on film calling a former Army colleague our little Paki friend, and in 2005 he caused outrage when he donned a Nazi soldiers uniform complete with swastika for a fancy dress party.

Because of the Queens long reign and extended family  her great-grandchildren  Archie is too far removed from the throne to be a prince, due to a Letters Patent set by George V to limit the number of titles within the royal family.

But Archie will be entitled to be an HRH or a prince when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne.
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The Kwara State Ministry of Education has reversed its decision to reopen the 10 grant-aided schools, where the use of hijab is disputed.

According to the Ministrys permanent secretary, Kemi Adeosun, the schools earlier told to reopen on Monday, will remain shut.

She said the decision was taken for safety reasons.

The government therefore directs schoolchildren and teachers in the affected schools to remain at home until the contrary is announced.

The government remains committed to fairness, pluralism, and respect for the law and rights of every citizen at all times, the statement read.

Background

The government, in February , ordered the temporary closure of 10 grant-aided secondary schools in Ilorin, the state capital, pending the resolution of the controversy in the schools.

The schools are C&S 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 missions, who built the schools.

However, after several peace meetings, the state government approved the use of hijab in all public schools in the state and ordered the reopening of the affected schools schools on March 8.

The state government said it had considered the submissions of all the major interest groups on the matter.

But the decision did not go down well with the Christian leaders who kicked against it openly, insisting that they will not allow such in their mission schools.

They have also urged Christians to occupy the schools when they reopen today in protest of the governments resolution.

The military government, in the 1970s, took over these schools from the missions who founded them.

These schools, now grant-aided, had their names changed afterwards but 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 and appellate courts.

Undaunted, the missions comprising different Christian denominations, have appealled to the Supreme Court.
Conservationists, Labor and the Greens say a new koala protection deal in NSW struck between the Liberals and Nationals will 'set koalas up for extinction'.

Conservationists say a new deal struck between the NSW Liberal and Nationals parties will minimise koala protections in rural areas will push the species to the brink.

NSW National leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro, who threatened to 'blow up' the Berejiklian government over koala conservation planning laws six months ago, said the deal struck the right balance and would prevent farmers from being 'strangled by red tape'.

Conservationists say a new deal struck between the NSW Liberal and Nationals parties will minimise koala protections in rural areas will push the species to the brink

But the Greens say the regulatory changes 'set koalas up for extinction' and say they are a victory for the logging industry.

The government on Monday announced rural NSW land zoned for farming or forestry - labelled 'core rural zones' - won't be subject to the new Koala State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) 2021.

Nature Conservation Council Chief Executive Chris Gambian said excising farming and forestry zones from the koala SEPP was 'a catastrophic setback for the species'.

'These are where most of the koalas live and where most koala habitat destruction is happening right now,' he said in a statement.

'If you remove protections from these areas, you have basically given up on the species and signed its death warrant.'

He said logging and land-clearing on forestry and agricultural land accounted for 90 per cent of all koala habitat destruction.

'Planning Minister Rob Stokes' policy of appeasement has given Nationals Leader John Barilaro everything he wanted,' Mr Gambian said.

NSW National leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the deal struck the right balance and would prevent farmers from being 'strangled by red tape'

The government argued the new SEPP would enhance koala protection in areas such as Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast, where more than 95 per cent of development takes place.

Mr Barilaro argued the solution would protect farmers and koalas.

Environment Minister Matt Kean said the new SEPP would facilitate the government's push to double the NSW koala population by 2050.

Labor labelled the policy 'the chaotic koala capitulation', saying the Liberals had 'buckled to the demands of John Barilaro'.

'No wonder koalas are going extinct in NSW,' Labor environment spokeswoman Kate Washington said on Tuesday.

'Large swathes of land across the state will be excluded from strengthened koala protections, while the government confusingly tries to juggle multiple koala SEPPs.'

NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann said the policy favoured logging over koalas. She also criticised the government's plan to strip councils of their ability to rezone land used for primary production in an attempt to protect koalas.

Mr Barilaro threatened to 'blow up' the Berejiklian government over koala conservation planning laws six months ago

'Two thirds of koalas live on private land yet this government has weakened land clearing laws so almost none of it is protected,' Ms Faehrmann said.

The Koala SEPP 2020 came into effect a year ago and sought to simplify the process by which koala habitats are recognised and protected and extended the number of protected tree species from 10 to 65.

But the Nationals were concerned the policy would restrict land clearing, as more trees would be classed as koala habitat.

Operations ultimately reverted to the former SEPP.

A NSW parliamentary inquiry found in July that koalas would lose their habitat and become extinct in NSW before 2050 without urgent intervention.

The government in January committed to only 11 of the 42 recommendations made by the inquiry and supported 17 of the recommendations in principle.
Meghan on the secret wedding

Meghan: 'Even at our wedding, you know, three days before our wedding, we got married. No one knows that.

'But we called the archbishop, and we just said, "Look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world, but we want our union between us."

Prince Harry: 'Just the three of us.'

Meghan and Kate argument

Meghan: 'The narrative with Kate which didn't happen was really, really difficult and something that I think that's when everything changed, really.

'The reverse happened. And I don't say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding.

'And she was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologised. And she brought me flowers and a note, apologising.'

On press narrative:

Oprah: So, do you think there was a standard for Kate in general and a separate one for you? And if so, why?'

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are interviewed by Oprah Winfrey

Meghan: I don't know why. I can see now what layers were at play there. And, again, they really seemed to want a narrative of a hero and a villain.'

On being silent or being silenced

Meghan: The latter. Everyone in my world was given very clear directive from the moment the world knew Harry and I were dating to always say "No comment."

'That's my friends, my mum and dad. I did anything they told me to do. Of course I did, because it was also through the lens of "And we'll protect you."

'So, even as things started to roll out in the media that I didn't see but my friends would call me and say, "Meg, this is really bad," because I didn't see it, I'd go, "Don't worry. I'm being protected."

On 'not being protected'

Meghan: 'I think that was really hard to reconcile because it was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, but they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.

On meeting the Queen

Meghan: We had breakfast together that morning, and she'd given me a beautiful gift, and I just really loved being in her company. And I remember we were in the car.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II pose for a picture during the Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London in 2018

'She gave me some beautiful pearl earrings and a matching necklace. And we were in the car going between engagements, and she has a blanket that sits across her knees for warmth.

And it was chilly, and she was like, "Meghan, come on," and put it over my knees, as well. I think everyone welcomed me.

On 'character assassination'

Meghan: I'm talking about things that are super artificial and inconsequential. But the narrative about, you know, making Kate cry I think was the beginning of a real character assassination.

And they knew it wasn't true. And I thought, well, if they're not going to kill things like that, then what are we going to do?

On claims Archie was to be denied security

Meghan: And that was when they were saying they didn't want him to be a prince or a princess not knowing what the gender would be, which would be different from protocol and that he wasn't going to receive security.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex with their baby Archie

But if you're saying the title is what's going to affect their protection, we haven't created this monster machine around us in terms of clickbait and tabloid fodder.

'You've allowed that to happen, which means our son needs to be safe.'

On if the titles are important to her?

Meghan: 'All the grandeur surrounding this stuff is an attachment that I don't personally have, right?

I've been a waitress, an actress, a princess, a duchess. I've always just still been Meghan, right?

So, for me, I'm clear on who I am, independent of all that stuff. And the most important title I will ever have is "Mum." I know that.'

Meghan on race and the royal family

Meghan: 'I can give you an honest answer. In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time so we have in tandem the conversation of "He won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title," and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born.'

Oprah: 'Who is having that conversation with you? What?'

Meghan: There were several conversations about it.'

Oprah: 'About how dark your baby is going to be?'

Meghan: 'Potentially, and what that would mean or look like.'

Oprah: 'And you're not going to tell me who had the conversation?'

Meghan: 'I think that would be very damaging to them.'

On UK Press and mental health

Meghan: I just didn't see a solution. I just didn't see a solution. I would sit up at night, and I was just, like, I don't understand how all of this is being churned out.

And, look, I was really ashamed to say it at the time and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry, especially, because I know how much loss he's suffered.

But I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it. And I just didn't I just didn't want to be alive anymore.

'And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. And I remember I remember how he just cradled me.

Meghan Markle discussed mental health during her conversation with Oprah Winfrey on CBS

And I was I went to the institution, and I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that "I've never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere."

And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution.

Oprah: 'So, were you thinking of harming yourself? Were you having suicidal thoughts? Meghan: Yes. This was very, very clear.

On telling her truth

Meghan: 'I think I'm not going to live my life in fear. You know, I think so much of it is said with an understanding of just truth.

But I think, to answer your question, 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.

That at a certain point, you're going to go, "But, you guys, someone just tell the truth." And if that comes with risk of losing things, I mean, I've lost there's a lot that's been lost already.'

On the latest royal baby

Oprah: 'For the new addition to your family.

'Meghan said she wanted to wait until you were here to tell us, is it a boy or is it a girl?

Harry: 'It's a girl.'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were having a girl for their second child - which is due in the summer

Meghan: 'It's a girl.'

Harry: 'Yes! I'm just grateful, like any to have any child, any one or any two would have been amazing. But to have a boy and then a girl, you know, what more can you ask for?'

'But now, you know, now we've got our family. We've got, you know, the four of us and our two dogs, and it's great.'

Oprah: 'Done? Two is it?'

Harry: 'Done.'

On leaving the UK

Meghan: 'We didn't have a plan. We needed a house, and he (Tyler Perry) offered security, as well, so it gave us breathing room to try to figure out what we are going to do.

'It's been so spun in the wrong direction, as though we quit, we walked away, all the conversations of the two years before we finally announced it.'

On Megxit

Harry: Yeah, it was desperate. I went to all the places which I thought I should go to, to ask for help. We both did... Separately and together.'

Oprah: 'So, you left because you were asking for help and couldn't get it?'

Harry: 'Yeah, basically. But we never left.'

Meghan: We never left the family, and we only wanted to have the same type of role that exists, right?'

So, we weren't reinventing the wheel here. We were saying, "Okay, if this isn't working for everyone, we're in a lot of pain, you can't provide us with the help that we need, we can just take a step back. We can do it in a commonwealth country." We suggested New Zealand, South Africa.'

On history repeating itself

Harry: (We wanted to) Take a breath. From this constant barrage. My biggest concern was history repeating itself, and I've said that before on numerous occasions, very publicly.

And what I was seeing was history repeating itself, but more, perhaps or definitely far more dangerous, because then you add race in and you add social media in.

And when I'm talking about history repeating itself, I'm talking about my my mother.'

Harry on the press

Harry: 'You know, as sad as it is to say, it takes living in her shoes in this instance, for a day or those first eight days to see where it was going to go and how far they were going to take it.

And get away with it and be so blatant about it. That's the bit that shocked me.

'This - the UK is my home. That is where I was brought up. So, yes, I've got my own relationship that goes back a long way with the media.

'I asked for calm from the British tabloids once as a boyfriend, once as a husband, and once as a father.'

Why did Harry and Meghan leave?

Harry: Lack of support and lack of understanding.'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, in a conversation with US television host Oprah Winfrey

Oprah: 'So, I want clarity. Was the move about getting away from the UK press? Or was the move because you weren't getting enough support from the firm?

Prince Harry: It was both.

Harry and blindsiding the Queen

Oprah: 'Did you blindside the queen?'

Harry: 'No. I've never blindsided my grandmother. I have too much respect for her.'

My grandmother has been amazing throughout. You know, my father, my brother, Kate and all the rest of the family, they were.

'They were really welcoming. But it really changed after the Australia tour, after our south pacific tour.

Harry on his relationship with Prince Charles

Harry: When we were in Canada, I had three conversations with my grandmother and two conversations with my father and before he stopped taking my calls and then said, "Can you put this all in writing what your plan is?"

'I put all the specifics in there, even the fact that we were planning on putting the announcement out on the 7th of January.

Oprah: 'So, you just said that your dad stopped taking your calls. Why did he stop taking your calls?'

Harry: 'Because... I took matters into my own hands. It was like I need to do this for my family. This is not a surprise to anybody.

'It's really sad that it's gotten to this point, but I've got to do something for my own mental health, my wife's, and for Archie's, as well, because I could see where this was headed.'

Harrys claim that his family is scared of the press

Harry: No from my family ever said anything over those three years. And that hurts. But I also am acutely aware of where my family stand and how scared they are of the tabloids turning on them.

Prince Harry claimed members of the royal family were 'scared' of the press

'Yes, but it's there is this invisible what's termed or referred to as the "Invisible contract" behind closed doors between the institution and the tabloids, the UK. Tabloids.

On being trapped in royal life

Oprah: 'How were you trapped?

Harry: Trapped within the system, like the rest of my family are. My father and my brother, they are trapped.

'They don't get to leave. And I have huge compassion for that.'

On Netflix and Spotify

Harry: 'Yeah, it exists. But, also, the Netflix and the Spotify, they're all that was never part of the plan.'

Meghan: 'We didn't have a plan.'

Harry: 'We didn't have a plan. That was suggested by somebody else by the point of where my family literally cut me off financially, and I had to afford security for us.'

Oprah: 'Wait. 'Hold up. Wait a minute. Your family cut you off?'

Harry: 'Yeah, in the first half, the first quarter of 2020. But I've got what my mum left me, and, without that, we would not have been able to do this.'

Harrys relationship with his family

Harry: 'I've spoken more to my grandmother in the last year than I have done for many, many years. We did a couple of zoom calls with Archie.

'My grandmother and I have a really good relationship...'

Oprah: 'Your relationship with your father? Is he taking your calls now?'

Harry: 'Yeah. Yeah, he is. There's a lot to work through there, you know? I feel really let down, because he's been through something similar.

He knows what pain feels like, and this is and Archie's his grandson. But, at the same time, you know, I of course I will always love him, but there's a lot of hurt that's happened.

And I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship.

Oprah: 'Yeah. And your brother? Relationship? Much has been said about that?'

Harry: 'Yeah, and much will continue to be said about that. You know, as I've said before, I love William to bits. He's my brother.

'We've been through hell together. I mean, we have a shared experience. But you know, we're on we're on different paths.

On the future

Harry: I'm sad that what's happened has happened, but I know, and I'm comfortable in knowing that we did everything that we could to make it work.

'And we did everything on the exit process the way that-- the way that it should have been done.'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said they were 'thriving' in their new life in the United States

On taking away his patronages

Harry: I am hurt. But at the same time, I completely respect my grandmother's decision.

'I would still love for us to be able to continue to support those associations, albeit without the title or the role.'

Meghans one regret

Meghan: I have one. My regret is believing them when they said I would be protected. I believed that.

'And I regret believing that because I think, had I really seen that that wasn't happening, I would have been able to do more.

But I think I wasn't supposed to see it. I wasn't supposed to know.

And now, because we're actually on the other side, we've actually not just survived but are thriving.
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FORMER MDC Alliance deputy treasurer-general Lillian Timveos, who recently defected to Zanu PF, has confirmed long-held fears that the ruling party was plotting to decimate the opposition party ahead of the 2023 elections after she claimed at the weekend that President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who she described as my father, had given her a special task.

The former MDC Alliance top executive was unveiled together with former MDC-T secretary for local government, Blessing Chebundo at State House in Harare recently.

I saw it fit to come to Zanu PF. It doesnt make sense that the President (Mnangagwa) is from here (Zvishavane) and yet he has never won in this area, said Timveos, a former member of the late MDC founder Morgan Tsvangirais infamous kitchen Cabinet.

That must change in 2023. Dont be afraid that I am here for positions. My father, the President, gave me a task to do, so dont be afraid that I am here for positions. I am here to work for the party, dont worry, she told Zanu PF supporters in Zvishavane on Saturday.

Timveos, however, could not disclose the nature of the task given to her, but Zanu PF sources said she had been tasked to divulge opposition party secrets and lure more top MDC Alliance officials to the ruling party ahead of the 2023 elections.

The former MDC Alliance Zvishavane senator, who until recently was part of Nelson Chamisas inner circle, added: I say he (Mnangagwa) is the peoples President because of the way I was welcomed in Zanu PF. You all know me and I am one of the people who thought Zanu PF was bad and I was very afraid, but it only took phone call, phone call after phone call for me to be where I am today. I cant say much, but there are people I came with from the MDC Alliance.

Her remarks came shortly after former MDC Alliance Masvingo Central MP Jeffreyson Chitando last week claimed that Zanu PF was planning to launch Operation Armageddon that would see it taking over service delivery tasks in all urban areas from the MDC Alliance councils as part of efforts to lure votes.

Zanu PF national commissar Victor Matemadanda last week disclosed that they were targeting over five million votes for Mnangagwa in 2023.

This, he said, would be achieved by fishing from the MDC Alliance pond, whose leader Chamisa got over 2,1 million votes against the Zanu PF leaders 2,4 million in the 2018 presidential poll.

Matemadanda said they were expecting more defections from MDC Alliance in the coming few days.

At that rate, we will reach 2023 with only five people or no one from the MDC Alliance. We are mobilising people even from MDC Alliance and all their formations, Mthwakazi and other parties, Matemadanda told NewsDay.

Zanu PFs Operation Armageddon, according to Chitando, would see line ministries superintend over key services such as waste collection and water distribution in urban centres to portray the opposition as failures.

Zanu PF is in panic mode as the urban voter population is rapidly increasing, while the rural population is drastically decreasing, Chitando told NewsDay.

Operation Armageddon will see Zanu PF taking over the service delivery of urban areas from the MDC Alliance councillors. The President (Mnangagwa) has instructed every ministry to identify areas of intervention in line with their ministries line of operation.

Roads, housing, sewage, refuse collections, education and health will be taken from city councils and placed under line ministries, he said.

Chitando further alleged that to ensure that the operation succeeded, the Zanu PF plan was that Mnangagwa and various high-ranking officials would literally camp in urban areas where they would officially commission various projects in a bid to lure urban voters.

Zanu PF is coming to cities armed with Zinara (Zimbabwe National Road Administration)s millions of dollars to repair roads and then they will blame MDC Alliance councillors for failing to maintain the roads, Chitando said.

But Zanu PF provincial political commissar for Masvingo Jevas Masosota rubbished Chitandos assertions saying: He is just hallucinating. Its not Zanu PF that neglected service delivery for decades. Since the MDC took over councils in 2000 they proved that they were only good in talking. They only got into councils for self-aggrandisement  nothing else, Masosota said.

MDC Alliance officials said they were aware of the ruling partys machinations to destabilise the opposition party through blackmail and sponsored defections.

Zanu PF is desperate and is using all sorts of tactics to derail the peoples project, but this will not work. They have tried everything they can to destroy us, but our power rests in the people not in those renegades they are parading as defectors. Zanu PF has nothing to offer the people, hence they are engaging in these archaic tactics, MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson Clifford Hlatywayo said. Newsday
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Inflammation in the body has been linked to the intensity of tobacco smoking among people with HIV, according to a team of University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers.

Krishna Poudel, associate professor of community health education in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences, and colleagues reported positive linear relationships between intensity, duration and pack-years of smoking and inflammation in HIV-positive people. They believe it to be the first, more thorough examination of specific smoking-related variables with the levels of inflammation in this group, while also taking into account highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and other important factors.

The study's findings suggest that people living with HIV would benefit not just from quitting smoking but from smoking less, says Poudel, co-director of the UMass Amherst Institute for Global Health. Poudel is lead author of the paper published in the March issue of the journal AIDS and Behavior.

"While it is important to support and encourage people living with HIV to ultimately quit smoking, it is also important to suggest they reduce the frequency of smoking until they can fully quit. That would also help their health status by reducing inflammation," says Poudel, noting that a high level of inflammation is linked to a greater risk of disease and death in people living with HIV.

Significantly, HIV-positive people who are receiving HAART have a greater risk of death from tobacco than from HIV-related factors.

In 2010, Poudel and co-author Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar, a UMass Amherst assistant professor of nursing, established the study cohort known as Positive Living with HIV (POLH). The public health researchers collaborated with five non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to recruit 322 HIV-positive people living in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. Their goal was to gather behavioral, health and biologic information from participants to learn ways to improve the health and well-being of HIV-positive people, especially those in low- and middle-income countries.

The smoking and inflammation paper, whose UMass Amherst co-authors also include epidemiologist Elizabeth Bertone-Johnson and biostatistician Penelope Pekow, is the 18th publication in a peer-reviewed journal related to the POLH cohort study.

For the latest investigation, the researchers interviewed 284 study participants, gathering details about their smoking and medical history and other relevant information, such as whether they were receiving HAART. They asked about how many cigarettes were smoked per day (intensity) and for how many years (duration). Lifetime smoking exposure was gauged in pack-years, which is determined by multiplying the number of packs smoked daily by the number of years the person has smoked.

The team then measured serum C-reactive protein (CRP), a pro-inflammatory biomarker, and several strong predictors of inflammation in the participants. They adjusted for these variables while examining the relationships between smoking and inflammation, using both linear and logistic regression statistical analyses.

"We adjusted for zinc levels and hepatitis C. We adjusted for HAART status and CD4 cell counts. We adjusted for depression and the history of injected drug use," Poudel says. "We adjusted a total of 16 HIV-related symptoms, as well."

In each of the dose-response categories, researchers found a positive relationship between smoking and inflammation, although Poudel points out that the study's cross-sectional design cannot determine causality.

"A significantly higher proportion of the participants with high intensity of smoking (number of cigarettes smoked per day) had high levels of CRP concentrations compared to those with low intensity of smoking status," the paper states.

The researchers found similar results for smoking duration and pack-years of smoking; that is, participants who had smoked for longer periods and those who had greater pack-years were more likely to have high levels of CRP than those who had smoked for shorter periods and had fewer pack-years.

The important next step is to develop effective smoking reduction and cessation programs for HIV-positive people, whose tobacco use rate is two to three times higher than that of the general population. This is especially important in low- and middle-income countries, where such education and support are rarely available, Poudel says.

"Many HIV-positive people in low- and middle-income countries are willing to quit smoking and need support," Poudel says. "Our findings highlight an urgent need for providing smoking cessation support to HIV-positive people. While supporting HIV-positive people for quitting smoking is a critical public health priority, HIV care providers should encourage their patients at least to reduce the frequency of smoking, as this would be a positive step toward ultimately quitting smoking."

###
Doctor Who marked International Women's Day by sharing a new image of the show's leads Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill.

In the photo, the 13th incarnation of The Doctor, 38, flashed a smile as she gazed at companion Yasmin Khan, 33, after making history by becoming the first female Time Lord.

The BBC released the campaign to 'celebrate the creative and talented women on and off-screen who are inspiring the next generation of fans.'

Powerful aim: Doctor Who marked International Women's Day by sharing a new image of the show's leads Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill

Sporting her regular look, screen star Jodie wore a pale jacket with a blue T-shirt, complete with vibrant stripes.

Meanwhile, the former Hollyoaks thespian teamed a black leather jacket with a yellow and black blouse.

Marked annually, International Women's Day is held to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, while raising awareness regarding gender equality and parity across the globe.

This year's theme 'Choose to Challenge' has racked up thousands of posts across social media, with many posting selfies on Instagram with one hand in the air alongside a detailed caption.

Great cause: The BBC released the campaign to 'celebrate the creative and talented women on and off-screen' (pictured wit Bradley Walsh and Tosin Cole)

What's going on? Earlier this year, the BBC refused to comment on speculation of the 13th incarnation of The Doctor, 38, leaving her role after series 13 (pictured in 2020)

On Twitter, the hashtag has become a way of spreading awareness of protests taking place in over 40 countries including China, Russia, Israel and the United Kingdom.

Earlier this year, the BBC refused to comment on speculation of Jodie leaving her role after series 13.

Doctor Who fans have since called for Jo Martin's iteration of the character to become the 14th Time Lord.

The Holby City star's character appeared in two episodes of the show's 12th season alongside Jodie as an unknown Doctor, and viewers claimed this meant she would be an 'obvious' successor for the part.

Taking over? Doctor Who fans have since called for Jo Martin's iteration of the character to become the 14th Time Lord (pictured together)

Michaela Coel and Richard Ayoade have also emerged as the bookies' favourites to replace the thespian, while Sister Act's Whoopi Goldberg recently admitted she's set her sights on stepping into the TARDIS as the next Doctor.

Following reports by The Mirror about Jodie's departure, a BBC spokesman told Digital Spy: 'We won't be commenting on any speculation around Jodie's future on the show.'

Jodie reportedly told BBC bosses that she won't be returning to the popular series following the conclusion of the upcoming series 13.

That will mark a three-year run for the actress, which is about average for recent actors playing the time-traveling alien.

Matt Smith, David Tennant and Peter Capaldi also appeared on Doctor Who for three series each, while Christopher Eccleston only appeared on one series after the show was revived in 2005.

According to a source for The Mirror, the show is already at work on figuring out how Whittaker will be replaced by the 14th Doctor.

'Its all very hush-hush but it is known on set that Jodie is leaving and they are gearing up for a regeneration,' a source said.

'Her departure is top secret but at some point over the coming months the arrival of the 14th Doctor will need to be filmed. Its very exciting.'

As with previous Doctors, at the end of Whittaker's tenure her character will 'regenerate' into a new form, at which point the next actor will take over the role.
These past 12 months have been a witness to countless awe-inspiring stories of women who have come out of the shadows, and made a mark for themselves while contributing to their community. Committed to celebrating journeys of this incredible fighting spirit of womanhood, Femina, Indias leading womens magazine, begins a new chapter in its 61-year-old history of empowering women by introducing a novel initiative,. With the mission to, Femina, in the first edition of its initiative, has joined hands with theto shine the spotlight on theThealso aims to spread awareness about womens safety and dignity, which dovetails with thedriven by the state government. Through these initiatives, Femina, as a flag bearer of positive change in society, provides women with a platform to come forward and tell the world their inspiring stories.

Ahead of International Womens Day, Femina Spark collaborated with Grameen Foundation India and Abhishek Yadav, Special Commando Trainer and world record holder, to curate special workshops for women. The first workshop was held in Varanasi on March 4, 2021, and the second in Gorakhpur the next day. The workshops were on the topics of Financial Literacy and Self Defence, and witnessed the enthusiastic participation of several women from these two cities.

Led by Isha Sharma of the Grameen Foundation, the Financial Literacy Workshop offered women learnings about the benefits of using digital financial services, financial planning, and tips on how to invest and save their earnings for the future.

In the Self Defence Workshop, Special Commando Trainer Abhishek Yadav taught women practical ways to defend themselves, thereby empowering them to handle difficult situations in their day-to-day life.



With both these workshops aiming to make women independent, secure, and empowered in every way possible, Femina Spark has taken another step towards making a difference for the better.

While the workshops concluded amid rave reviews from the participants, Femina Spark is all set to launch many such activities for women across the state. The initiative will continue to amplify its underlying message of womens empowerment, the very crux of the, on ground, by travelling across the state and visiting schools, universities, public and government offices, commercial establishments, anganwadis and hospitals. By having inspirational leaders highlight their vision for a better future, along with reaching out to as extensive and diverse an audience as possible, the purpose-drivenwill leave no stone unturned to instil the change we all want to see.
MOSCOW - The well-tended brick house in Moscow's outskirts may be among the most exclusive addresses for those exhausted from fighting President Vladimir Putin's government.

First, you apply to be a guest - open to women and other activists within the LGBTQ community.

Then, if accepted, you receive the location through the "secret chat" function on the Telegram messaging app. It's not to be shared with anyone.

At the start of your stay, there will be an introductory seminar in the living room, where a rainbow flag is hanging on one wall and slightly deflated pink and blue balloons are dangling from the lighting fixtures. The lone identifying marker is its official name as a pink neon sign by the fireplace: Femdacha.

Dachas are staples in Russian society: country homes varying in size and grandeur that serve as year-round family escapes on weekends. The founders of Femdacha adopted the concept to create a retreat for activists, specifically pro-feminist and LGBTQ advocates, battling increasingly harsh crackdowns by Putin's government as it tries to crush and intimidate dissent.

The repression has worsened for women, activists said, as their causes have garnered more support and, consequently, more attention from authorities.

The house can accommodate up to five guests at a time for a stay no shorter than one week but no longer than one month. Discussing work is discouraged - except for that first day. That's when the new residents are asked to list their main fears and frustrations as activists.

"Other than Putin," co-founder Daria Serenko clarified with a chuckle, because that issue is both too obvious and too big to tackle from the Femdacha couches.

Guests have listed police heavy-handedness, such as sudden apartment searches or arrest. Some have said they feel alone. Others have complained that activism isn't recognized as hard work in Russia - and it's still so stigmatized that it can lead to losing a paying day job.

But the most common concern was the feeling that their efforts aren't making a difference as the Kremlin's pressures have grown more intense.

"It seems to me that from the moment a segment of activists start to be taken seriously, the repressive measures begin," Serenko said. "That's what you're seeing now."

- - -

Serenko and Sonia Sno, a fellow activist, were both so burned out that they just wanted somewhere quiet to sit in silence and recharge. Last year, day trips that took them three hours outside of Moscow to do just that became more frequent. They needed a place to rest.

The idea for Femdacha was born. What if, they thought, instead of seeking retreat alone, they created one for activists feeling the same emotional exhaustion? Thanks to some funding help from foundations and individual activists, Femdacha was founded last year and has been fully booked since opening in November.

Each guest gets their own room, and the stay is free. A family that liked the idea for the project agreed to rent the house at a discount. So Serenko and Sno didn't change the interior much - the personal touches are in the funky couches, the two Baby Yoda figurines on the fireplace and the projector screen in the living room.

"Many people have told us that just the fact that we're here feels like support," Serenko said. "They know there's a place for them."

In recent years, Russian women's rights defenders have largely focused their efforts on strengthening the country's domestic violence legislation, as it's still not considered a criminal offense. Sno said that all-women picket lines and similar demonstrations for that cause and others used to take place without incident just two years ago.

"Now, you'll get detained for any peaceful protest. We were detained," she said, referring to herself and Serenko.

A chilling turning point for activists came in June, when 27-year-old Yulia Tsvetkova was charged with distributing online pornography after she posted artwork based on female anatomy on her social media page as part of a project on positive body image. The charges carry a prison sentence of up to six years.

Tsvetkova's case garnered international condemnation. Amnesty International decried the "absurd charges." She was also fined under Russia's law banning "gay propaganda" toward minors after directing a children's play that criticized gender stereotypes and shared drawings of families with same-sex parents on social media.

To show support for Tsvetkova, Daria Apakhonchich organized a "vulva ballet" performance outside of St. Petersburg's famed Mariinsky Theatre in August. She now thinks that demonstration led to the government labeling her a "foreign agent" late last year. Previously, the tag applied only to organizations.

Apakhonchich is suing the Russian Justice Ministry over the decision. After police raided her apartment on Jan. 31, confiscating her laptop and frightening her two children, Apakhonchich decided the family needed a break, leaving St. Petersburg for what she's referring to as a vacation.

"Of course, I want to return to my beloved St. Petersburg and have fun there and engage in feminist projects," said Apakhonchich, who planned to publish a third book of feminist fairy-tales for children. "But I felt my kids need a break because they were definitely not ready for this. It shocked them.

"And I've asked myself what I did that was so wrong that I landed on this list as an enemy of the state. I only ever tried to do good."

- - -

It's unease over stories like Tsvetkova's and Apakhonchich's that often leads activists to Femdacha.

The house's rules are taped to a brick wall on the first floor, warning guests not to reveal Femdacha's address nor bring any visitors there and to make sure that the location tag on their social media accounts is switched off.

The whereabouts are kept secret to keep the house a safe space.

Just last month, Serenko's home address and photos of her was published on a Telegram app channel belonging to a group identifying as "anti-feminists." Thousands of threats to her social media accounts followed.

"Every time I stepped outside, I was afraid to find some kind of dangerous man waiting by the door because I knew that there wouldn't be any punishment for him over this," Serenko said. "There's this kind of pressure and this kind of threat to us, too."

At Femdacha, reading the news or social media is discouraged. So is networking with other guests. Instead, downtime is urged.

On a Sunday afternoon in February, two women sitting in the kitchen discussed what they should have for a midday snack and when the new guests would be arriving. A corgi - he's also called "an activist" - belonging to one of the house's temporary residents lounged in the living room, chewing on a toy.

Femdacha's schedule for the week is handwritten on a large easel in the living room. Lunch is prepared together at 1 p.m., tea is served at 4:30 p.m. and from 9 p.m. guests can watch a movie together, have a therapy session or just "chill." Group therapy and two individual sessions with psychologists over video link are provided free. Other planned activities include making apple jam together and painting.

Femdacha's visitors aren't required to strictly follow the agenda. It's a guide. Just staying in bed all day is OK, too.

Serenko and Sno, who sleep on mattresses in an office upstairs, just ask that everyone at least have breakfast and dinner together as a way of checking in.

At every Femdacha introductory seminar, guests are asked to list their goals. That usually leads into a conversation about keeping their objectives realistic - and how everyone needs to keep up their energy for what's likely to be a very long battle with the Kremlin.

"I just can't stand this phrase of the opposition about a 'wonderful Russia of the future,' even though I consider myself a member of the opposition," Serenko said. "But the problem is that people feel themselves responsible to every second that this wonderful Russia of the future arrives.

"People give themselves these huge, impossible goals and then feel like nothing is changing," she added. "Part of our goal at the seminar and at the retreat in general is to show them the short-term results and the small steps."

- - -

The Washington Post's Svetlana Kovalenko contributed to this report.
Goshen Standardbred Horse Sales has announced that their 2021 yearling sale will be held on Monday, Sept. 13 at 12 p.m. (EST) at the Mark Ford Training Center in Middletown, NY. That is the Monday after the New York Sire Stake finals, which will be held at Yonkers Raceway on Friday, Sept. 10.

The deadline for all consignments is Monday (June 15).

Given our close proximity to Yonkers, we felt this sale date worked best for owners and trainers competing there to easily attend, as many will be in the area that weekend, said Mark Ford. We look forward to a more normal sale this year, but are ready to deal with any situation.

The 2020 sale had to operate under the constraints of a global pandemic, but with many on-site enhancements and new remote bidding options, still experienced a very successful session. The difficult set of circumstances last year actually produced systems that will better suit GYSs customers for years to come.

We partnered with Cattle In Motion for the first time last year for online bidding and video services and that couldnt have gone better. They were very efficient, very professional and they made the entire sale better than it has ever been. I believe this was the first Standardbred sale to take online bids and I felt it went very smoothly considering its never been done before, said Ford.

And it was also the first year for the Flippingbook version of our catalog which is particularly formatted for cell phone and tablet use. We received a lot of positive feedback about both of these improvements after last years sale and look forward to bringing them both back in 2021.

This promises to be a deep and quality sale, anchored by a tremendous consignment from sale regulars Cameo Hills Farm, Winbak Farm, Blue Chip Farm, Vieux Carre Farm and the Silver Tradition Stable, who will be bringing an enhanced consignment this year. The Goshen Yearling Sale is also welcoming a consignment from Millstream Farm.

With the improving Covid climate across the state, our hope is to operate as normally as possible this year. However we are ready to make accommodations for anything that may arise and will ensure a healthy and safe environment in which to purchase your next stake winner, Ford said.

Since 2015, the Goshen Yearling Sale has brought quality New York-bred stock to the sales arena from the industrys top breeders and have seen a host high speed, quality stake winners hit the track as a result. The sale has grown exponentially in both size and popularity each year and has become a favorite yearling venue for both the buyer and consignor.

The sales facility is located at 90 Slaughter Road, Middletown, NY, which is within a ninety-minute drive of many major race tracks and training centers in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, making it a very convenient location. And its also only three miles away from the Harness Racing Museum and the Goshen Historic Track.

For any other inquiries please contact Mark Ford directly at 973-568-3253 (cell) or by email at [email protected].

(Goshen Standardbred Horse Sales)
LANE COUNTY, Ore. --- With COVID-19 transmission falling in Lane County, PeaceHealth will ease its temporary no-visitor policy at all four Oregon hospitals to allow one visitor per day, per patient, with some limited exceptions. For patients suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, the no-visitor policy remains, with limited exceptions.

This change is effective at 8 a.m. Monday, March 8, and applies only to our hospitals: PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend; PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center, University District; PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center; and PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center.

PeaceHealth Medical Group clinics will continue to limit visitors to only those accompanying patients needing assistance.

PeaceHealth will continue to diligently monitor the local prevalence of COVID-19 and will tighten these rules again if necessary, as the health and safety of our caregivers, patients and community remains our top priority.

While most patients will be allowed only one designated visitor per day, two may be allowed for patients at end-of-life as well as minors, including infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Patients with disabilities may be allowed up to three support persons.

Most hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 are not allowed visitors. Minors, Labor & Delivery and end-of-life patients may have one visitor.

Any exceptions to the policy will be made at the discretion of PeaceHealth clinical care leadership.

Also effective on March 8, PeaceHealth will no longer actively take the temperature of caregivers and visitors upon entry to any PeaceHealth Oregon facility, in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention infection prevention recommendations. However, anyone entering a PeaceHealth facility will still be asked to confirm that they do not have a fever or other common symptoms of COVID-19. There will still be thermometers available at screening stations for those who request a check.

Visitors must wear a mask at all times and will be asked to limit their movement throughout the hospitals. They will be issued a dated bracelet identifying them as a visitor. While they can purchase food in the cafeterias, they must return to eat in the room of the patient they are visiting. All gift shops will remain closed to visitors. Visitors will be instructed to clean their hands frequently, avoid touching surfaces and practice physical distancing by remaining at least six feet away from caregivers and others whenever possible.

With the virus still circulating in our community, we encourage everyone to remain vigilant about mask wearing, social distancing and limiting gatherings.
Vega is the fifth brightest star, excluding the sun, that can be seen from Earth. Credit: CC image by Stephen Rahn via Wikimedia Commons

Astronomers have discovered new hints of a giant, scorching-hot planet orbiting Vega, one of the brightest stars in the night sky.

The research, published this month in The Astrophysical Journal, was led by University of Colorado Boulder student Spencer Hurt, an undergraduate in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences.

It focuses on an iconic and relatively young star, Vega, which is part of the constellation Lyra and has a mass twice that of our own sun. This celestial body sits just 25 light-years, or about 150 trillion miles, from Earthpretty close, astronomically speaking.

Scientists can also see Vega with telescopes even when it's light out, which makes it a prime candidate for research, said study coauthor Samuel Quinn.

"It's bright enough that you can observe it at twilight when other stars are getting washed out by sunlight," said Quinn, an astronomer at the Harvard and Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA).

Despite the star's fame, researchers have yet to find a single planet in orbit around Vega. That might be about to change: Drawing on a decade of observations from the ground, Hurt, Quinn and their colleagues unearthed a curious signal that could be the star's first-known world.

If the team's findings bear out, the alien planet would orbit so close to Vega that its years would last less than two-and-a-half Earth days. (Mercury, in contrast, takes 88 days to circle the sun). This candidate planet could also rank as the second hottest world known to sciencewith surface temperatures averaging a searing 5,390 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hurt said the group's research also helps to narrow down where other, exotic worlds might be hiding in Vega's neighborhood.

"This is a massive system, much larger than our own solar system," Hurt said. "There could be other planets throughout that system. It's just a matter of whether we can detect them."

Artist's depiction of a planet named KELT-9b, currently the hottest known exoplanet, which may resemble a candidate world in orbit around Vega. Credit:NASA/JPL-Caltech

Youthful energy

Quinn would like to try. Scientists have discovered more than 4,000 exoplanets, or planets beyond Earth's solar system, to date. Few of those, however, circle stars that are as bright or as close to Earth as Vega. That means that, if there are planets around the star, scientists could get a really detailed look at them.

"It would be really exciting to find a planet around Vega because it offers possibilities for future characterization in ways that planets around fainter stars wouldn't," Quinn said.

There's just one catch: Vega is what scientists call an A-type star, the name for objects that tend to be bigger, younger and much faster-spinning than our own sun. Vega, for example, rotates around its axis once every 16 hoursmuch faster than the sun with a rotational period that clocks in at 27 Earth days. Such a lightning-fast pace, Quinn said, can make it difficult for scientists to collect precise data on the star's motion and, by extension, any planets in orbit around it.

To take on that game of celestial hide-and-seek, he and colleagues pored through roughly 10 years of data on Vega collected by the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory in Arizona. In particular, the team was looking for a tell-tale signal of an alien planeta slight jiggle in the star's velocity.

"If you have a planet around a star, it can tug on the star, causing it to wobble back and forth," Quinn said.

Hot and puffy

The search may have paid off, said Hurt, who began the study as a summer research fellow working for Quinn at the CfA. The team discovered a signal that indicates that Vega might host what astronomers call a "hot Neptune" or maybe a "hot Jupiter."

"It would be at least the size of Neptune, potentially as big as Jupiter and would be closer to Vega than Mercury is to the sun," Hurt said.

That close to Vega, he added, the candidate world might puff up like a balloon, and even iron would melt into gas in its atmosphere.

The researchers have a lot more work to do before they can definitively say that they've discovered this sizzling planet. Hurt noted that the easiest way to look for it might be to scan the stellar system directly to look for light emitted from the hot, bright planet.

For now, the student is excited to see his hard work reflected in the constellations: "Whenever I get to go outside and look at the night sky and see Vega, I say 'Hey, I know that star."

Explore further Astronomers measure enormous planet lurking far from its star

More information: Spencer A. Hurt et al, A Decade of Radial-velocity Monitoring of Vega and New Limits on the Presence of Planets, The Astronomical Journal (2021). Journal information: Astronomical Journal , Astrophysical Journal Spencer A. Hurt et al, A Decade of Radial-velocity Monitoring of Vega and New Limits on the Presence of Planets,(2021). DOI: 10.3847/1538-3881/abdec8
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Another country has suspended the use of Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine adding to a growing concern about the vaccine Nigeria received almost four million doses of last Tuesday.

Authorities in Austria on Tuesday said vaccination with the Oxford vaccines in the country were halted as a precaution while investigating the death of one person and the illness of another after taking the shots, according to Reuters.

The Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (BASG) has received two reports in a temporal connection with vaccination from the same batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the district clinic of Zwettl.

One woman (49) died as a result of severe coagulation disorders, while another woman (35) developed a pulmonary embolism and is recovering, BASG, Austrias health and safety agency, said.

A pulmonary embolism is an acute lung disease caused by a dislodged blood clot. Currently there is no evidence of a causal relationship with the vaccination

As a precautionary measure, the remaining stocks of the affected vaccine batch are no longer being issued or vaccinated, BASG noted.

The APA news agency quoted AstraZeneca as saying the company was in contact with Austrian authorities and would fully support the investigation, tReuters reported.

The company noted the vaccine had been approved by the European Medicines Agency and the World Health Organisation based on a global clinical programme involving 23,000 participants.

This is coming about two months after South Africa rejected about 1.5 million doses of the same vaccine after evidence emerged that the vaccine did not protect clinical-trial participants from mild or moderate illness caused by the more contagious virus variant that was first seen in the country.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is important especially to the COVAX arrangement, the UN-backed effort that promises access to vaccines for up to 20 per cent of participating countries population.

Nigerias subscription to the arrangement has started paying off with the West African nation receiving 3.94 million doses of the vaccine, making it the biggest benefactor of the programme yet.

Because it is relatively cheap, easy to make, and store, the AstraZeneca vaccine is regarded as the most suitable for developing countries like Nigeria.

But there has been growing concern about the vaccine. Apart from the concerns raised in Austria and South Africa, preliminary results from a trial of the vaccines are not clear and did not reflect data from older people, the NewYork Times reported.

Nigeria commenced vaccination with the Oxford vaccines on Friday with Cyprian Ngong, a medical doctor becoming the first person to receive a jab in Nigeria. The rollout started with healthcare workers who are often at the risk of exposure to infections being the first responders to patients.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osibanjo were vaccinated on Saturday in Abuja.

The presidency later released a statement saying Mr Buhari felt no negative side effect from the vaccine. He urged Nigerians to allow themselves to be vaccinated.
MECENCANI, Croatia  After the deadly earthquake came the sinkholes.

A central Croatian region about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of the capital, Zagreb, is pocked with round holes of all sizes, which appeared after Decembers 6.4-magnitude quake that killed seven people and caused widespread destruction.

Scientists have been flocking to Mecencani and other villages in the sparsely inhabited region for observation and study.

Read more: Croatian Residents Rush to Buy Earthquake Cover After Destructive Quakes in 2020

These are so-called dropout sinkholes, and they appeared because of the specific geological composition of this area, as the soil rests on limestone rocks heavily saturated with groundwater, said geologist Josip Terzic of the Croatian Geological Survey.

While the appearance of sinkholes is not unusual following strong seismic activity, residents have been baffled by their number  about 100 have been spotted over the past two months  and the speed at which they emerged after the main earthquake on Dec. 29, which was followed by a series of aftershocks. Geologists have said that the temblor accelerated the process of sinkhole formation that would normally have taken years, if not decades.

Terzic said scientists are planning various exploration methods to determine the underwater morphology and other characteristics. He spoke to The Associated Press as he stood beside a large sinkhole that he said was up to 15 meters (yards) deep and equally wide.

Some sinkholes have appeared by peoples houses or on their farmland, prompting the authorities to advise caution. Nenad Tomasevic, a teacher from Mecencani, said it all seemed too much.

The earthquake itself felt pretty unpleasant to say the least. And after that, these holes started popping up, said Tomasevic, who had to move to a neighbors house after an expanding hole appeared in his backyard.

Experts say that these sinkholes would have formed naturally anyway over time, but the earthquake acted as sort of a catalyst which sped up the whole process, unfortunately, he added.

Some three months after the earthquake, the hardest-hit area is still struggling with its devastation, with many houses still in rubble and the regions main town, Petrinja, semi-abandoned. Occasional earthquakes, including those of magnitude 4 or more, can still be felt, further upsetting residents and adding to the coronavirus pandemic woes.

Photograph: This aerial photo shows a sinkhole in the village of Mecencani, in central Croatia, on Thursday, March 4, 2021. A central Croatian region about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of the capital Zagreb is pocked with round holes of all sizes, which appeared after Decembers 6.4-magnitude quake that killed seven people and caused widespread destruction. Scientists have been flocking to Mecencani and other villages in the sparsely-inhabited region for observation and study. Photo credit: AP Photo/Darko Bandic.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Earthquake
The troubles of Sanjeev Gupta, once hailed as the saviour of steel, risk creating a crisis right across the UK industry.

His Liberty operation is one of the big six producers, behind Indian-owned Tata and British Steel, owned by Chinese giant Jingye. Gupta spent hundreds of millions buying up assets in locations including Scotland and Hartlepool along with the biggest site, at Rotherham, where he makes speciality steels using electric arc furnaces.

But these grand ambitions have been shaken by the downfall of Greensill Capital, which he relied upon for much of the funding for his family business empire. The fear is that Greensill and Gupta are on a spiral of mutually assured destruction.

Feeling the heat: Worries over Liberty Steel, which employs 3,000 in the UK, come at a time when the wider industry is facing big challenges

Worries over Liberty Steel, which employs 3,000 in the UK  along with another 2,000 in Gupta engineering businesses  come at a time when the wider industry is facing big challenges.

Liberty is not the only one with problems. Tata Steel UK, which employs 8,000, said in the autumn that the pandemic had cast significant doubt on its ability to continue.

Hardly a good moment, then, for Gupta to have to embark on a fire sale, as has been mooted, for his British operations. Alarm bells will be ringing in Westminster, which has a recovery agenda led by infrastructure spending and a green industrial revolution.

That may explain the way British Steel was parcelled off to Jingye around the time of the 2019 election, despite wider unease in the Tory party over China. Jingye's investment has not panned out as hoped. It wants to invest up to 1.2billion in blast furnace technology but the spending has been put on hold because of possible future green legislation which could outlaw blast furnace steel in the UK by 2035.

Gupta's electric arc furnaces are a greener alternative though producers in the UK have much higher electricity costs than competitors in France and Germany. Apart from energy and climate considerations, there is the thorny issue of tariffs. A wide range of steel produced in the UK is subject to a 25 per cent export tariff to the US imposed by former president Donald Trump, which remains in place.

The industry is also subject to 25 per cent tariffs on exports to the EU once quota limits are breached. Insiders say quotas are not being filled  though some will be  and in any case post-Brexit customs bureaucracy is adding 10 per cent to prices. Steel in the UK has lurched from crisis to crisis since the 1970s. Even so, the idea it is a sunset industry that ought to be allowed to die off is a myth.

It still employs around 32,000 plus another 73,700 in the supply chain, and contributes more than 9billion to the economy. Government and the rest of industry need to commit to steel. Britishvolt, for example, which is setting up a Gigafactory in Northumberland to make lithium ion batteries, has promised to use UK manufactured steel.

Others should follow its example. There is a proud saying on Teesside, referring to the area's heritage in iron and steel, that 'We built the world'.

Steel is a strategic industry, important to our security and the foundation of any economy. It will form part of the basis of our recovery. We need it to build the infrastructure promised to drive the green revolution, to renew water and sewage systems, for hospitals and medical equipment.
Local authorities in the city issued a notice on the evening of Tuesday March 2 to say that it was embarking on a strict crackdown over March on industries that lag behind in terms of measures to lower emissions, with some actions possibly lasting months if the situation does not improve.The crackdown consists of 10 measures, which include the phasing out of outdated equipment and capacity, the implementation of strict emissions-reduction controls, cutting down the use of heavy-duty trucks and intensifying inspections.Seven 450-cubic-meter blast furnaces have been ordered to shut down by March 10, but these are not new requirements. The shutdowns are part of a capacity swap program that involves bigger blast furnaces replacing them.Affected mills include Yanshan Iron & Steel, Tangshan Stainless Steel, Huaxi Iron & Steel and Rongxing Iron & Steel. Xinbaotai Iron & Steel will also shut down all of its production facilities.The shutdown of certain blast furnaces in Tangshan was priced in by the market long ago, so the impact is not expected to be significant.But the ongoing restrictions on emissions will weaken demand for iron ore in Tangshan. Demand is not likely to recover soon considering the twin sessions will take place [this week], a buyer source in Tangshan said.Chinas legislative body, the National Peoples Congress, and its top-ranking political advisory body, the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, are holding their annual meetings - also known as the twin sessions - in Beijing on Thursday and Friday.Larger blast furnaces that will replace these smaller ones are also expected to start up in the first half of 2021, which would mitigate any drop in steel output, the source added.Iron ore prices could still get support from rising prices for finished steel, so the shutdown of these blast furnaces may not necessarily equate to a definite fall in prices for the steelmaking raw material, a steel mill source told Fastmarkets.In fact, Fastmarkets iron ore indices cfr Qingdao rose on Wednesday amid bullish steel prices The iron ore 62% Fe fines, cfr Qingdao index was at $176.40 per tonne on Wednesday, up $0.85 day on day and compared with $172.71 per tonne a week ago.While the official notice did not mention that the crackdown is related to the two top-level annual meetings taking place in neighboring Beijing this week, the timing is very close.The twin sessions have been raised as triggers for environmental controls in past years, but several market sources said the current crackdown is merely a continuation of the restrictions on sintering and coking activity which is already taking place in Tangshan.Officially, local authorities in Tangshan have cited the citys poor air quality as being the basis for the crackdown.Tangshan is already experiencing the effects of Chinas annual heating season, which stretches over autumn and winter. During this period, measures to lower emissions are intensified in northern China to offset the coal-fired heating systems that come online to deal with falling temperatures.The actual effect of the latest crackdown on steelmaking raw materials such as coking coal will depend on steel mills and coking plants adherence to the prescribed restrictions, a coking coal trader in Tangshan told Fastmarkets.Not all companies in the ferrous supply chain carried out production curbs fully in 2020, according to a source at a Tangshan coking coal plant. We are waiting for the specifics from local authorities in Tangshan and will follow other companies lead in curbing production, he said.Tangshans billet price surged by 140 yuan ($21) per tonne on Wednesday morning to 4,410 yuan per tonne due to market participants expectations of tighter steel supply and steady downstream demand in the wake of the crackdown.Billet prices have reached a nine-and-a-half-year high, an industry analyst pointed out.But end users may not make purchases straight away because they are unable to preserve their margins, sources said.This is especially since domestic billet prices may see some corrections after the sudden large increase, so billet importers are not willing to risk paying high prices for imports, a trader in eastern China said.He estimates workable prices for imported billet at no higher than $600 per tonne cfr China, though he said he had heard about offers of around $610 per tonne cfr.A Shanghai-based trader said hot-rolled coil prices were surging in eastern China on Wednesday morning after news of the crackdown in Tangshan led market participants to restock.Spot prices for HRC in Shanghai have already increased by more than 150 yuan per tonne to around 5,020 yuan per tonne since yesterday, he said.Fastmarkets assessed the price of steel hot-rolled coil domestic, ex-whs Eastern China at 4,980-5,030 yuan per tonne on Wednesday, up by 140-170 yuan per tonne day on day and from 4,830-4,840 yuan per tonne a week earlier.Most market participants believe that there is more upside than downside for prices in the rest of March.The upgrading of steelmaking facilities by major mills in past years to fit national pollution standards also mean steelmaking and steel output will be affected more than iron ore demand.This is because the market has already taken into account the blast furnace shutdowns and the quantity needed for iron ore, with prices moving accordingly, iron ore market participants said.Prices for iron ore rose to decade-high levels in December and January year despite steelmaking restrictions being in place to cut emissions, a Singapore-based trader said. Steel production cuts will be the key factor. Falling steel inventories will most likely push up prices for various steel products.Another restriction is that industrial companies in Tangshan that use vehicles for logistics are not allowed to use heavy-duty trucks with emission standards below that of National IV standards. This includes gas-powered trucks. Vehicles which adhere to National IV standards typically face stricter emission standards, typically capped at 4 g/kWh of carbon monoxide, 0.55 g/kWh of non-methane hydrocarbons and 3.5 g/kWh of nitrogen oxide.They can also only use National V standards or higher, or new energy vehicles.They also need to reduce the number of transportation vehicles operating within their factories by 50% for the duration of the crackdown.
When the coronavirus pandemic hit and restaurant owners faced difficult decisions, the Richards family that owns Picos, a Mexican restaurant in Houston, quickly adapted to continue sharing their Latin cuisine - from selling to-go margarita kits to stationing a mariachi band at curbside pickup.

This week, after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, said Tuesday that he would rescind the statewide mask mandate while the vast majority of residents remain unvaccinated, the tough choice to enforce public health guidance fell to business owners, and Picos announced it would continue requiring masks. But, after such a challenging year, the reaction to their decision was disheartening, co-owner Monica Richards said: Several people sent hateful messages through social media and called the restaurant, threatening to report staff to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

MASK UP: Here's where you still have to wear a mask in Houston

"It was just horrific," Richards said. "People don't understand unless you're in our business what it felt like, how hard it was to go through everything we went through during covid. For people to be negative toward us for trying to remain safe, so that this doesn't continue to happen, just makes zero sense to us."

Abbott's decision to lift the mandate will make Texas the largest state to not require masks, which has not come easily for many businesses that are navigating enforcement mask rules to protect employees and customers while facing backlash. Masks, which health experts say are among the most effective ways to curb the spread of the coronavirus, have become a partisan symbol, with one conservative group planning a mask burning party for March 10, the day the order is lifted.

When the mandate is rescinded, Texas restaurant owners say, the businesses are more likely to continue requiring staff to wear masks, but they are split on making the same demands of customers, according to the Texas Restaurant Association, which informally surveyed its members this week. The association's updated guidance recommends restaurants mandate employees wear masks and encourages guests to do the same, spokeswoman Anna Tauzin said.

If a restaurant requires masks, it is unfair to argue the choice infringes on business, Tauzin said.

"This is a decision business owners are making, and it's right for them," Tauzin said. "For a group that touts personal responsibility is something key to good stewardship of your business, it seems strange that they might criticize or throw insults at people who are trying to do just that. It's alarming."

There have not been many instances reported to the association of harmful fallout for businesses that are continuing to require masks since Abbott's announcement, as Picos faced. Yet, restaurants have endured a share of violence and harassment this year as other businesses have remained closed.

Another Houston Mexican restaurant, Cantina Barba, received similar intimidating messages, and staff have been bullied by some screaming customers who refused to wear masks while it was required statewide, co-owner Steven O'Sullivan said.

"This has been ongoing through covid," O'Sullivan said. "We've had threats of calling ICE. I had one guy just stand there and berate one of my bartenders and tell her 'you're an absolute idiot, you don't know what you're doing. If you think these masks are going to save your life, you're stupid' blah, blah, blah. Nobody wants to deal with that stuff."

One employee of Grand Prize Bar in December had to get stitches after he was hit in the head with a glass by a maskless customer he approached, Houston Police said.

Reacting to the potential violence that could ensue from confusion or disagreements over mask rules, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo reminded residents this week that businesses have the right to implement their own mandates. Acevedo also encouraged "common decency," saying in a video that wearing a mask can save lives.

"Forget what the governor says, forget what the law says. What does our own humanity call upon us to do?" he said on MSNBC. "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 expressed faith that most Texans will continue to wear masks once the mandate is lifted - a hope shared by Richards. After the threats to her restaurant staff were reported by the Houston Chronicle, she said, a wave of support followed, as people thanked her and her family for keeping people safe. Many customers who reached out told Richards that they favored masks, she said.

"That other side has been wonderful," she said. "We had a wonderful day yesterday. Our staff was thrilled and thankful."

But Richards, whose family has served Mexican food in Houston for over three decades, says she has also seen a less predictable - and in this case, a hateful - side of people in the pandemic that she had not before.

"Being Hispanic, and going through that immigration process, and finally receiving your papers, and then for somebody to start threatening you after you've been through all that, that's crazy," she said. "It's just heartbreaking."
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Today

Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low 47F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low 47F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
OAKLAND (BCN)

An Oakland man will be sentenced later this month after a jury found him guilty Feb. 18 of robbery, identity theft and firearms possession, among other charges, stemming from attacks on two women in July 2020, the Alameda County District Attorney announced.

Witness descriptions, cellphone data, public safety cameras and license plate readers helped investigators identify Christopher Ware as the suspect in the attacks.

Ware and his girlfriend, Dashantay Walker, followed a 76-year-old Filipino woman as she drove to her home in Piedmont from the In-n-Out burger location in East Oakland on July 10, 2020.

"When the victim parked in front of her house, the defendant forced her driver's door open and robbed her at gunpoint. The defendant fled the area in his white Lexus RX300, and within an hour the victim's credit card was used at a Target in San Leandro," Nancy O'Malley said in a news release. "Although the victim was unable to identify the defendant because he was wearing a COVID-19 mask, she was she was able to describe some of his physical characteristics, his clothing, his vehicle, and several distinctive red markings on the handgun he used."

License plate readers and cameras in Piedmont documented Ware's vehicle following the victim before the robbery and surveillance cameras at In-n-Out and Target recorded his car and girlfriend at those locations.

On July 25, 2020, a 43-year-old Filipino woman was robbed in the parking lot of a San Lorenzo grocery by a man who knocked her down and ripped away her purse as she was getting in her car. The victim told Alameda County Sheriff's deputies about a distinctive facial tattoo on the attacker and said he a sped away in white Lexus RX300.

Oakland police officers spotted Ware and Walker on Douglas Avenue in Oakland on July 31, 2020, and detained then as Ware got into the white Lexus RX300. Walker was wearing the same distinctive clothing from the In-N-Out and Target surveillance, the District Attorney's Office said.

"Officers found an unregistered and loaded black Smith & Wesson .45 caliber handgun next to the driver's seat. The handgun had multiple distinctive red markings on it consistent with what the Piedmont victim described," according to the District Attorney's Office.

Data from Ware's cellphone, which was seized by investigators, placed it on the route to the home in Piedmont, as well as the grocery in San Lorenzo.

Ware was found guilty by a jury on Feb. 18 and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 18. A case against Walker is pending, the District Attorney's Office said.

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Lucknow, March 8 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) which confronted former Uttar Pradesh minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati with the bank accounts linked to him and his sons Anurag Prajapati and Anil Prajapati has said it led to revelation of several "suspicious transactions".

Prajapati is currently lodged in a prison in connection with a rape case.

The ED had registered a case of money laundering in 2019 against Prajapati and others on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI into alleged irregularities in the renewal of sand mining leases in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur district between 2012 and 2016.

It has been alleged that Prajapati in collusion with other government officials and private persons, had got the mining leases renewed without following proper process of e-tendering and thereby aiding and abetting illegal mining in the district.

An ED official related to the probe told IANS, "Bank accounts related to companies of Prajapati and his sons were confronted with him, wherein a lot of suspicious transactions were noticed." The documents of the benami properties as well as the bank transactions were seized by the ED team in December last year. The ED had carried out searches at several locations in Uttar Pradesh against the former minister in December last year.

The ED had seized incriminating documents including computers and electronic records relating to transactions of immovable properties acquired by Prajapati, his family and associated companies.

The ED had searched seven premises including residences of Prajapati in Lucknow and Amethi, company offices in Lucknow, residence of a Chartered Accountant in Kanpur and houses of two benami holders of Prajapati in Lucknow and Amethi.

According to an ED official, during searches more than 100 registries of different properties spread across Lucknow, Kanpur, Amethi, Sitapur, etc. were unearthed.

The official said that the agency had also recovered allotment letters of four villas in Mumbai, valued at Rs 2.5 crore each, belonging to the family members of Prajapati.

During the searches last year, the properties of Prajapati identified by the ED included nine properties of MGA Hospitality in Faizabad and Sitapur valued at Rs 5.78 crore, five properties of MAGS Enterprises in Kanpur and Lucknow valued at Rs 95 lakh, 11 properties of Anil Prajapati (a son of Prajapati) in Lucknow, Kanpur, Amethi and Mumbai valued at Rs 7.54 crore, eight properties in the name of Anurag Prajapati (another son of Prajapati) in Mumbai, Lucknow, Amethi, Rae Bareli, Sultanpur valued at Rs 3.6 crore, one property of Shilpa Prajapati in Mumbai valued at Rs 2.1 crore, two properties of MGA Colonizers in Lucknow valued at Rs 79 lakh and 44 benami properties worth Rs 17.15 crore in Lucknow.

The official said besides these properties, the agency sleuths also recovered documents of 23 properties ranging between Rs 3 lakh to Rs 36 lakh in the name of a single benami, whose residence has also been searched.

The official said that during the ED probe it was revealed that the cash deposits in the bank accounts of Prajapati's family members and companies were found to be non-commensurate with their income tax filings.

The official said that it was also revealed that during the period, Prajapati remained Minister in the UP government, his company rose exponentially in net worth which he could not explain satisfactorily during his examination.

The ED official said: "The agency also recorded the statement of three Chartered Accountants associated with companies of Prajapati and his son and it also collected several Income Tax returns (ITRs) and balance sheets of these companies." The official said that the "ITRs and bank balance sheets" of Prajapati and his family members were also submitted by the three CAs to the ED sleuths.

The official said that the ED recorded the statements of several people including Prajapati's driver, peon and cook.

"All the three people were also confronted with him," he added.

(Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in)
Aditya Birla Group plans to take its asset management business public through a 5,000 crore initial public offering to raise funds for expansion, three people with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Aditya Birla Sun Life Asset Management has started talks with potential merchant bankers for the IPO, which is likely to be launched in the June quarter, said the people cited above.

The AMC (asset management company) is planning to offer around 20% to the public in the proposed IPO," said one of the three people cited above. The value of the business is pegged at around 26,000 crore as per recent discussions between potential merchant bankers and the AMCs promoters."

Birla Sun Life AMC is Indias fourth-largest asset management firm with around 3 trillion of assets under management. The company is 51% owned by Aditya Birla Capital Ltd (ABCL) and the rest by Canadas Sun Life Financial Inc.

Aditya Birla Capital, whose current market cap is  30,000 crore, derives a majority of its market value ( 13,000-14,000 crore) from the AMC business alone.

For some of the subsidiaries of ABCL, capital raising routes such as QIP (qualified institutional placement) and preferential allotment are also being planned. Multiple capital raising routes are being planned," the second person said.

Capital market rules require every company to have a minimum of 25% in public shareholding within three years of listing though companies typically offer 10-15% in an IPO. However, since the equity market is buoyant at present, the promoters of Birla Sun Life AMC are planning to mop up as much money as possible through the IPO," the person said.

Spokespeople for Aditya Birla Capital and Sun Life Financial said they do not comment on market speculation.

Equity market investors currently do not have many options in the listed AMC space. Only four AMCs are listed currently, of which only twoHDFC AMC Ltd and Nippon Life India Asset Management Ltd  have a large AUM base.

The other two are IL&FS Investment Managers Ltd and Shriram AMC Ltd.

A listing of Birla Sun Life AMC will make it the first public issue by an Indian AMC in four years. Nippon Life Asset Management listed in 2017.

In the planned IPO by Birla Sun Life AMC, both the JV partners will sell their stakes on a proportionate basis, the third person said. Birla Sun Life AMCs IPO is most likely to be done through the offer-for-sale (OFS) route as per the ongoing discussions."

For the December quarter, the AMCs overall mutual fund assets grew 14% sequentially to 2.6 trillion. Equity mutual fund assets grew 14% to 93,279 crore.

This will play a key factor in the price discovery of Birla Sun Life AMC and its valuation for its proposed IPO. AMC businesses are valued on the basis of their asset mix (equity and debt), profitability, the scale of business, distribution capacities and financial strength of the parent company or the sponsors.

Birla Sun Life AMCs equity MF comprised 34% of its total AUM at the end of December. Systematic investment plans (SIP) contributed 43% to its total equity AUM, the company said in a 5 February investor presentation. The company has 7.1 million MF investor folios, and over the past five years, its folio count has grown at an average rate of 21%, more than the industry average of 16%.

The company manages 1.23 trillion worth of retail plus HNI assets as of December-end, of which retail assets were at 55,635 crore, up 13% sequentially.

For April-December 2020, Birla Sun Life AMC recorded a net profit of 370 crore.

Birla Sun Life AMC forecast in the February presentation of a 12-15% growth in three years and to grow its equity mix to 40% in the same period. It also outlined its focus on unlocking value, given the scale of its businesses.

Birla Sun Life AMC has a 9.35% market share in terms of average assets currently.

The companys equity MF assets grew at 21.8% in the past five years, the highest among all Indian AMCs. Also, the AMC has grown its investor folio count at the fastest rate in the mutual fund industry at 24.3% in the same period.

For the April-December period, the company showed a 33% return on equity, which it is aiming to increase to 40% in the next three years.

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ISLAMABAD, Mar 7 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Mar, 2021 ) :Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser and Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri said that protection of the rights of women was imperative for the formation of a progressive society.

They expressed these views in their message on the occasion of International Women's Day being commemorated on March 8 across the world.

The Speaker said that protection of women's rights is essential for the formation of a progressive society, which is the top priority of the incumbent government. Highlighting the positive role of women for the development of the society, the Speaker said that women needed to be brought forward and encouraged through providing them a safe environment. He said the international community should make joint efforts to protect women's rights and take practical steps to legislate on the issue of discrimination and violence against women around the world.

The Speaker said that islam gives equal rights and respect to women and strictly prohibits gender discrimination. "Through mutual partnership, women can be given their rightful place in society by changing negative attitudes and attitudes towards women's rights and bringing them into the national mainstream," he said. He said that in order to empower women financially, women need to be brought forward and encouraged in the economic spheres.

"We intend to make Pakistan a place where women have the opportunity to participate in all walks of life with dignity and self-confidence," he said.

Speaker Asad Qaiser said that COVID-19 pandemic had effected the entire world population but it had been more devastating for disabled women. He said that it was right time to join hands for forging common strategy to achieve a common future in a modern world. Paying tribute to the disabled women, Speaker Asad Qaiser said that "Differently disabled women face a double challenge because they face the challenges of society along with their disabilities".

On this occasion, the Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri said that more than half of the population of Pakistan is women and the provision conducive environment and protection of their rights was necessary for national development. He said that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees women fundamental rights and financial security, job, business, education and freedom of choice in their profession, participation in political and social activities. He extended his all out support for achieving the desired objectives in this regard.
Dr. Jie Zheng, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and the Cecil H. and Ida Green Professor in Systems Biology Science at UT Dallas, and his team of researchers have been using gold particles to help develop nanomedicines for cancer, kidney disease and liver damage. Credit: University of Texas at Dallas

University of Texas at Dallas chemist Dr. Jie Zheng has spent much of his career investigating gold nanoparticles for their potential impact in the field of nanomedicine. In new research, he and his colleagues show how these nanoparticles could play a key role in a simple blood test to detect acute liver damage earlier than current methods.

The study, published online Feb. 19 in the journal Science Advances, expands on corresponding author Zheng's work, which has previously demonstrated the use of nanoparticles for targeted delivery of cancer drugs and better understanding of kidney disease.

"Our goal is to make it simple for family doctors to easily catch liver injury earlier. If they can detect and treat such injury earlier, the patient has a better chance of faster recovery," said Zheng, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and the Cecil H. and Ida Green Professor in Systems Biology Science in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

The gold standard for monitoring and diagnosing liver disease is a liver biopsy, which is invasive and can be painful or cause complications. In a clinical setting, physicians also can monitor liver function noninvasively with tests that record levels of certain enzymes and proteins in the blood, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), which are released by liver cells, or hepatocytes, when the organ is damaged.

"Conventional blood biomarkers like ALT and AST are released when hepatocytes diethe damage has already been done," Zheng said. "Another drawback to these tests is that other factors, such as inflammation, can cause these biomarkers to be abnormally high. Because of this, in many cases, clinicians may not intervene right away. That creates a problem because it can delay detection and treatment of liver injury."

Targeting Key Antioxidant

In the study, which was conducted in mice, Zheng and his colleagues focused on a chemical called glutathione, which is the master antioxidant produced by the liver. The constant release, or efflux, of glutathione by hepatocytes helps maintain the detoxification function of a healthy liver. When the liver is damaged, however, glutathione production is blocked.

"Glutathione depletion has been found to strongly correlate with an increased risk of many liver diseases, including drug-induced liver injury, alcohol-related and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis," Zheng said. "People have been studying glutathione for decades, but it's not easy to monitor noninvasively."

Noninvasive monitoring of glutathione has proved difficult because the biomolecule is diluted nearly three orders of magnitude once it enters the bloodstream, and it is rapidly consumed by other organs and cleared quickly by the kidneys.

Zheng and his colleagues combined their expertise with gold nanoparticles with the behavior of glutathione to develop their nanoprobe for acute liver injury, which they then tested in mice. They began by chemically connectingor conjugatingonto gold nanoparticles an organic fluorescent dye called indocyanine green (ICG), which has widespread clinical use.

"Because of this conjugation, the ICG molecules do not fluoresce. The gold nanoparticles carry the dye specifically to the liver. The beauty of this work is that the probe can be selectively activated in the liver at high specificity," Zheng said.

The researchers injected conjugated gold nanoparticles into mice that had been given an excessive dose of acetaminophen (APAP). Overdose of acetaminophen, also known by the brand name Tylenol, is one of the most common causes of drug-induced liver injury and the most common cause of acute liver failure in the U.S.

Tracking Toxicity

Once the nanoparticles reached a part of the liver called the sinusoid, glutathione molecules knocked ICG molecules off the gold nanoparticles and took their place.

"Remember, when liver cells are injured, glutathione efflux is significantly reduced; therefore, you have fewer glutathione and more ICG molecules remaining on the gold particles' surfaces," Zheng said.

The gold nanoparticles returned to the bloodstream fairly quickly. Within about half an hour, the researchers were able to detect glutathione depletion in a small amount of blood.

"A simple blood test shows how much ICG is left on the surface of the gold particles," Zheng said. "The more ICG that remains, the less glutathione in the liver, which directly correlates to liver damage. Our particle was able to detect APAP overdose with 93% accuracy, which is very high. And it's at a stage that is much earlier than traditional biomarkers can detect."

Dr. William Lee, professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center, is a co-author of the study and one of the world's leading experts on acute liver failure and acetaminophen toxicity in the liver. Lee has been site investigator for four networks sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) Trial, the Acute Liver Failure Study Group, the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network and the Hepatitis B Research Network.

"Glutathione flux is at the heart of acetaminophen metabolism, and Dr. Zheng's new method of tracking glutathione is a big step forward in our ability to understand and prevent acetaminophen toxicity," Lee said.

Dr. Neil Kaplowitz, professor of medicine and chief of the gastroenterology and liver diseases at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, who was not involved in the study, said: "The study authors developed a novel approach to dynamic assessment of the status of glutathione in the liver sinusoids. Their technological advance shows that they can image sinusoidal blood glutathione or measure this indicator of sinusoidal plasma glutathione specifically in collected peripheral blood, which accurately reflects the amount of glutathione in liver cells."

While the current study was focused on drug-induced, acute liver injury, Zheng said future work will further deepen fundamental understanding of liver-nanoparticle interactions, continue improving the test's sensitivity and accuracy, and extend the technology to help detect chronic liver injury as well. He said the research is an exciting extension of his previous efforts to develop nanomedicines that are easily cleared from the body.

"I spent much of my career developing clearable nanomedicines for treating conditions like cancer or kidney disease, and this new research is a big breakthrough," Zheng said. "We think our new work could lead to a clearable nanomedicine that can help detect liver injury much earlier with a simple blood test, and that could help a lot of people."

Explore further Chemists close gap in making nanomedicines safer, more efficient

More information: Xingya Jiang et al. Noninvasive monitoring of hepatic glutathione depletion through fluorescence imaging and blood testing, Science Advances (2021). Journal information: Science Advances Xingya Jiang et al. Noninvasive monitoring of hepatic glutathione depletion through fluorescence imaging and blood testing,(2021). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd9847
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As the saying goes, age is just a number. Plenty of couples including celebrities and royals have age differences. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are among them. Husband and wife since 2018, they are not the same age.

Sparks flew between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle immediately

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage

RELATED: What Did Meghan Markle Wear on Her First Date with Prince Harry?

Harry and Meghan met in July 2016. A mutual friend set them up on a date. Although the couples kept their identity private, some royal fans believe Harrys childhood friend, Violet von Westenholz, played matchmaker. Others think the credit goes to fashion designer Misha Nonoo.

Introductions aside, Meghan and Harry hit it off right away. We met for a drink, Meghan told BBC News when she and Harry sat down for a post-engagement interview. And then I think very quickly into that we said, Well what are we doing tomorrow? We should meet again.'

She continued, saying they initially bonded over their passion for seeing change. By the end of their second date, they were ready to spend more than just a few hours together.

Harry asked Meghan to go to Botswana with him. She agreed and they spent five days camped out with each other under the stars, where they could get to know each other, Harry said.

RELATED: Did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Lie During Their Engagement Interview? They Got Secretly Engaged Months Earlier, Book Claims

As Meghan recalled, it was serious almost from the get-go.

I think that very early on, when we realized we were going to commit to each other, that we knew we had to invest in the time and the energy and whatever it took to make that happen, she said.

They embarked on a long-distance relationship, going back and forth between Canada, where Meghan filmed Suits, and England. Despite the long flights and sometimes sleepless nights, they never went more than two weeks without seeing each other.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are 3 years apart

The age difference between Harry and Meghan is three years. Harry was born to Prince Charles and Princess Diana on Sept. 15, 1984. He joined his older brother, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, as a high-ranking member of the royal family.

Harry grew up in the public eye while behind the scenes, Diana did what she could to provide him and William with a sense of normalcy. Even though they attended royal events, William and Harry also experienced life outside of palace walls.

As for Meghan, she was three years old when Harry was born. Her parents, Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland, welcomed her on Aug. 4, 1981. She grew up in Los Angeles and attended an all-girls Catholic school. After school, shed often hang out on the set of Marriedwith Children  her dad worked as the shows lighting director  helping to prepare food in craft services.

Age gaps arent uncommon among royal couples

Meghan and Harry have an age difference of three years but its not unusual for British royals. Plenty of other royal couples have age gaps too. Harrys grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh are five years apart. His mother, Diana, was 13 years younger than Charles.

Harrys cousins, Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie of York, didnt marry people their own age either. Beatrices husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, is five years her senior. As for Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, they are four years apart. On the flipside, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is only a few months older than William.

Age really is just a number for royal couples.
MEDFORD, Ore.  Medford's Italian sister city helped raise money for a donation of nearly $5,000 to the Phoenix-Talent Schools Fire Relief Fund, the Medford-Alba Sister City Association announced on Monday.

"Our friends in Alba were devastated to hear of the Southern Oregon fires that affected our community," the Association said in a statement. "They immediately sent their love and support to show they were with us in solidarity. Albas Sister City Committee went one step further and started a fundraiser to raise money for the Phoenix-Talent School District fire victims."

All told, the Sister City Committee raised 4,000 Euros, or roughly $4,870. The fund included a donation from the City of Alba.

The donation is earmarked for a scholarship fund established by the Phoenix-Talent Alumni Association that will offer scholarships for students who lost their homes in the Almeda Fire.

"The hope is that the scholarships will be available to graduating seniors this year and that the fund will persist so that even current kindergartners will be able to receive a scholarship when they graduate," the Association said.

Delegations from Medford and Alba were set to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the sister city relationship in 2020, but the pandemic derailed those events. In 2019, a group of students from North Medford, South Medford, and Phoenix High School visited Alba during a three-week cultural exchange trip.

"Even though Alba and Medford are sister cities, there are many connections between Alba and the Phoenix-Talent School District. For example, a pen pal program existed for several years between students at Orchard Hill Elementary School and the Umberto Sacco Elementary School in Alba," the Association said. "Additionally, several Medford-Alba cultural exchange students have lived in Medford, but attended Phoenix High School. Phoenix-Talents School Superintendent, Brent Barry, is a former President of the Medford Alba Sister City Association. When the Italians heard of the Almeda fires destruction in Phoenix and Talent, they took action."

Northern Italy saw some of the most devastating impacts from COVID-19 early in the pandemic. Alba lies in Italy's northwestern Piedmont region, roughly between Genoa and Turin.

"In spite of continued restrictions and the economic aftermath of the pandemic, the people and city of Alba pulled together to support fire recovery on the other side of the world," the Association wrote.
We all know that the COVID-19 pandemic has far-reaching consequences. But the one with perhaps the biggest impact is the semiconductor industry. Recently, Qualcomm's next CEO was available to talk about the impact of the chip shortage.

In a recent interview with CNET, Christiano Amon (Qualcomm's CEO-elect) confirmed that the shortage has also affected Qualcomm. Amon said that the shortage was "impacting everything, and of course impacting phones." This is why Qualcomm hasn't been able to secure enough processors to meet the market demand, which led to a decline in the total number of smartphones sold in 2020 by 12.5%.

That's not about to change anytime soon, as Amon believes that the shortage will continue late into 2021. However, things can and will get better as the year goes on, so Qualcomm has no plans to build its own chip factories. Instead, the company will continue to rely on Samsung and TSMC to manufacture chipsets for a range of different industries. He also mentioned that Qualcomm's current developments will be focused on 5G.

It's interesting to get some industry insights like this once in a while, and at least we get a projection on when the wide-ranging shortage could end. Hopefully, the prices of devices will also be reduced once things go back to normal. What are your thoughts on the topic? Share it with us in the comments below, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden on Sunday signed an executive order aimed at promoting voting rights amid a push by Republican-led state legislatures to roll back voting access in the wake of former president Donald Trump's 2020 loss and his baseless effort to cast doubt on the integrity of U.S. elections.

The order comes on the 56th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday," the day on which state troopers violently beat hundreds of marchers, including John Lewis, the late civil rights icon and Democratic congressman from Georgia, on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala.

"Today, on the anniversary of Bloody Sunday, I am signing an executive order to make it easier for eligible voters to register to vote and improve access to voting," Biden said Sunday in a videotaped address to the Martin and Coretta Scott King Unity Breakfast. "Every eligible voter should be able to vote and have that vote counted. If you have the best ideas, you have nothing to hide. Let the people vote."

The order directs federal agencies to develop a strategic plan for promoting voter registration and participation, including potentially applying to be a state-designated voter registration agency and providing recommendations on leave for federal employees to vote or to serve as poll workers.

Some states have programs to automatically register eligible Americans to vote, unless they opt out, when they interact with DMVs as well as state agencies that administer federal programs such as military recruitment, Medicaid and food stamps. Under the Trump administration, however, some federal agencies refused to share the data that would allow states to automatically register voters this way, citing concerns about the privacy of health data. Biden's executive order instructs federal agencies to relax that policy.

The order also aims to expand access to voting among active-duty members of the military as well as to all eligible federally incarcerated people.

And it establishes a steering group on Native American voting rights tasked with producing recommendations by next year on expanding voter outreach and turnout among Native American communities.

Biden's move comes days after the House passed expansive legislation to create uniform national voting standards, overhaul campaign finance laws and outlaw partisan redistricting. The measure, H.R. 1, largely mirrors a bill passed by the chamber two years ago. But it has faced fierce Republican attacks that threaten to stop it cold in the Senate.

The bill's voting provisions would guarantee no-excuse mail voting and at least 15 days of early voting for federal elections; require states to use their government records to automatically register citizens to vote; restore voting rights to felons who have completed their prison sentences; and mandate the use of paper ballots.

During his remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference last month, Trump blasted H.R. 1, accusing Democrats of wanting to register all welfare recipients to vote.

No Republicans voted for the bill in 2019 or last week, when it was approved 220 to 210.

John Ratcliffe, Trump's former director of national intelligence, quickly accused Biden and Democrats of "trying to fix a problem that didn't exist."

"For all the complaints that you heard about the election in 2020, the complaint that no one said was, 'It was too difficult to vote,'" Ratcliffe said on Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures." "And yet, what (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi and President Biden say is, 'Well, we have got to remove obstacles from people voting,' when, in fact, that really was not a problem."

Dozens of Republican-controlled state legislatures, meanwhile, are considering sweeping new laws that would restrict voting options ahead of the 2022 midterms.

Some of the measures would restrict absentee balloting, while others would limit early voting and other aspects of election administration.

One bill in Georgia would block early voting on Sundays, which critics consider a flagrant attempt to thwart Souls to the Polls, the Democratic turnout effort focused on Black churchgoers on the final Sunday before an election.

In his remarks Sunday, Biden noted that in 2020, even with the obstacles presented by the coronavirus pandemic, "more Americans voted than ever before."

But he also warned that the country is witnessing a "never-before-seen effort to ignore, undermine and undo the will of the people." He cited both the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob as well as the 250 bills introduced by lawmakers in 43 states this legislative session aimed at making it more difficult to vote.

"We cannot let them succeed," he said.

- - -

The Washington Post's Mike DeBonis contributed to this report.
A senior Russian lawmaker has blasted Facebook after the social-media giant said it had blocked articles by Russian news agencies claiming police last month arrested Ukrainian nationalists after experts concluded the radicals were Russian.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of parliament's lower chamber, the State Duma, said on March 8 that Facebook had violated the rights of Russian citizens through a move that was tantamount to "digital lawlessness."

Volodin was responding to news that Facebook blocked articles by RBK and Kommersant in February that Russian law enforcement had arrested alleged members of MKU, a Ukrainian nationalistic youth organization, in the southwestern city of Voronezh.

Police reportedly discovered extremist literature, symbols of nationalist organizations, knives, and an object resembling on old military mine inside their apartments.

Citing Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) press service, the news agencies reported their connection to a Ukrainian extremist organization.

However, Russia's Investigative Committee published a release at the time saying simply that three individuals aged 18, 19, and 33 had been arrested for stirring up racial animosity in Voronezh, which lies near the border with Ukraine.

It made no claim that they were members of a Ukrainian nationalist group.

Russia has tried to play up the actions of Ukrainian nationalist groups to justify its hostile actions toward its neighbor. Russia annexed Crimea seven years ago and continues to back separatists in eastern Ukraine in a war that has killed more than 13,200 people since April 2014.

StopFake, a Ukrainian agency that works with Facebook to find and block Russian disinformation on its platform, said its research concluded the three people arrested in Voronezh all belong to a Russian nationalist organization.

Russia's media watchdog, Roskomnadzor, has already accused Facebook of censorship and threatened the U.S. company with a minimum 1 million-ruble ($13,440) fine for its actions. It also demanded the company restore access to content posted by TASS, RBK and Vzglyad.

"Instagram and Twitter have done the same in the past. I think this is unacceptable. It violates our national legislation. We will propose legislative solution that would prevent anything like that against Russian media," Volodin said on March 8.

With reporting by RBC, Reuters, TASS, and Interfax
The Boston Red Sox are borrowing a page from the New York Yankees playbook.

The Boston Globe reports top Red Sox pitching prospect Bryan Mata has been shut down with a slight tear in his ulnar collateral ligament.

If that sounds familiar, well, it should. Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka spent most of his seven-year career in the Bronx pitching with a partial tear in his UCL.

Like Tanaka, the 21-year-old Mata has been prescribed rest and rehab rather than Tommy John surgery.

Its small enough that I think with treatment he should be fine, (Red Sox manager Alex) Cora said. Obviously its going to take some time. Theres no timetable. ... Hes very important for us. Its a tough one. But at the same time we do believe that hes going to bounce back and hes going to be OK.

Introducing Yankees Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers

Tanaka, as you may remember, was injured midway through 2014, which was his rookie season.

Per NJ Advance Medias Randy Miller, Tanaka missed just 2  months before returning to make two September starts in 2014, then made it through six full seasons pitching with this tear while seeing many other pitchers with similar injuries get Tommy John surgery and then not pitch again for about a year.

Tanaka admitted two years ago to feeling fortunate that hes bucked the odds.

Somewhat, but for me when I was talking to the doctors, the decision was lets not go with (Tommy John surgery), Tanaka said. Just rehab it and get back. For other guys, it wasnt like that obviously. The decision was, Lets go ahead and do the surgery. So its that Im following what the doctors told me and so far its been good.

(NJ Advance Medias Randy Miller contributed to this report.)

Get Yankees text messages: Cut through the clutter of social media and text during games with beat writers and columnists. Plus, exclusive news and analysis every day. Sign up now.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
A friend alerted me to what looks like outright racial discrimination and a political payoff contained in the pork-barrel "stimulus" bill that is 90%+ unrelated to the pandemic. My friend spotted a small part of the bill (full text here) that raises a lot of questions and writes:

This provision exclusively benefits specific minority groups solely by virtue of their membership in these groups, and therefore excludes anyone else, regardless of their individual circumstances. It provides payments of 120% of outstanding indebtedness to each "socially disadvantaged farmer and rancher."

https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr1319/BILLS-117hr1319eh.pdf

SEC. 1005. FARM LOAN ASSISTANCE FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS. (a) PAYMENTS.

(1) APPROPRIATION.In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Secretary for fiscal year 2021, out of amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary, to remain available until expended, for the cost of loan modifications and payments under this section. (2) PAYMENTS.The Secretary shall provide a payment in an amount equal to 120 percent of the outstanding indebtedness of each socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher as of January 1, 2021, to pay off the loan directly or to the socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher (or a combination of both), on each (A) direct farm loan made by the Secretary to the socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher; and (B) farm loan guaranteed by the Secretary the borrower of which is the socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher. (b) DEFINITIONS.In this section: (1) FARM LOAN.The term ''farm loan''means (A) a loan administered by the Farm Service Agency under subtitle A, B, or C of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1922 et seq.); and (B) a Commodity Credit Corporation Farm Storage Facility Loan. (2) SECRETARY.The term ''Secretary'' means the Secretary of Agriculture. (3) SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMER OR RANCHER.The term ''socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher'' has the meaning given the term in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).

Here is the definition of "socially disadvantaged" in this context:

Definition of Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher or Agricultural Producer According to Section 2501(e)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 USC 2279(e)(2)), a Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher (SDA) is defined as a farmer or rancher who is a member of a "Socially Disadvantaged Group". Therefore a "Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher" is defined as: "Socially disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher- a farmer or rancher who has been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudices because of their identity as a member of a group without regard to their individual qualities. This term means a farmer or rancher who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group. Specifically, a group whose members have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities. Those groups include African Americans, American Indians or Alaskan natives, Hispanics, and Asians or Pacific Islanders."

But the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause included in Amendment XIV, Section 1 reads:

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

Isn't this racial targeting of a huge benefit  not just paying off loans, but adding a 20% profit bonus  unconstitutional?
Officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government have said the National People's Congress (NPC) improving the electoral system of the HKSAR at the constitutional level will ensure the steady development of "one country, two systems" and long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.

A draft decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR was submitted last Friday to the fourth session of the 13th NPC for deliberation.

Officials of the HKSAR government said the improvement of the electoral system in the HKSAR fully reflects the central authorities' determination to safeguard national security, its unswerving adherence to the principle of "one country, two systems," and its care for the overall interests of Hong Kong and Hong Kong residents' well-being.

Matthew Cheung, chief secretary for administration of the HKSAR government, said it is a matter of course for "patriots administering Hong Kong" and there is an urgent need to improve the electoral system.

Cheung said opposition lawmakers in Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo) used to filibuster and cause the house committee of the LegCo unable to function properly for months.

In order to hinder the administration of the HKSAR government and achieve their political goals, the opposition lawmakers did all they could, even at the cost of the well-being of Hong Kong residents. These disputes and internal conflicts will not arise if the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" is fully implemented, Cheung said, adding that the LegCo can focus on improving people's livelihood and promoting economic development, which allows Hong Kong to move forward and ensures the steady development of "one country, two systems."

Paul Chan, financial secretary of the HKSAR government, said Hong Kong is a part of the country. If "one country" is endangered, the operation of "two systems," the development of Hong Kong and even its status as an international financial center will be out of the question.

Plugging the loopholes in the electoral system at the legal and systematic levels not only solves the problem that Hong Kong cannot handle by itself, but also addresses the shortcomings of Hong Kong in safeguarding national security, Chan said, adding that only in this way can Hong Kong focus on its development and sort out deep-seated economic and livelihood issues.

Teresa Cheng, secretary for justice of the HKSAR government, said governance power should be in the hands of patriots anywhere in the world. Patriot administration is therefore a basic requirement.

Cheng said when formulating the concept of "one country, two systems," the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping had stated that patriots must be the mainstay of the idea of "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong." Therefore, the criterion of "patriots administering Hong Kong" has already been included in the "one country, two systems" principle.

Cheng said according to the Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR, the power of the HKSAR comes from the central authorities and the HKSAR enjoys a high degree of autonomy. However, some matters including national security and constitutional order in relation to the HKSAR are still within the purview of the central authorities. As the highest organ of state power in China, the NPC has the power to introduce laws and other legal instruments including making decisions under the Constitution.

Patrick Nip, secretary for the civil service of the HKSAR government, also expressed support for improving the electoral system of the HKSAR. He said that "patriots administering Hong Kong" is not a new thing and fully meets the constitutional requirements of the HKSAR.

To ensure the steady development of "one country, two systems," Hong Kong must always adhere to the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," which is the fundamental principle that concerns the country's sovereignty, security, and development interests, and Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, Nip said.

John Lee Ka-chiu, secretary for security of the HKSAR government, said improving the electoral system is an important measure to ensure the well-being of the more than 7 million people in Hong Kong.

Lee said after the implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR, Hong Kong gradually regained stability. Loopholes and defects in the electoral system, however, still exist, posing risks to the social stability in Hong Kong as well as national security.

This should be thoroughly resolved to ensure the steady development of "one country, two systems" and the lasting security and stability of Hong Kong, Lee said.

Since March 5, many organizations and political figures in Hong Kong have set up street counters to collect signatures, supporting the improvement of the HKSAR's electoral system and the implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong."

Secretary for home affairs of the HKSAR government Caspar Tsui Ying-wai and secretary for innovation and technology of the HKSAR government Alfred Sit Wing-hang also signed up for support.
Eckerd initiated its COVID-19 surveillance program in Fall 2020 and ramped up testing the week of January 4, 2021 in conjunction with the start of the Winter Term. Under the first phase of the Winter program, Eckerd began by testing 50% of its 1,800 students and 400 staff and faculty each week on an alternating basis. In mid-February, Eckerd's COVID-19 program transitioned to the current testing regimen whereby students, faculty and staff are divided into four groups with each group tested once a month. Eckerd College also uses the tests to investigate potential clusters of cases in specific segments of the campus population.

Rather than run each COVID-19 test separately, a time and cost-intensive process, saliva samples from up to 24 individuals are combined, or pooled, and then analyzed in a single test at Mirimus' laboratory. Since Eckerd's testing program began, a total of 5095 tests comprising 218 pools have been performed with 25 positive cases reported. The resulting data has helped the college's health administrators guide and adjust the school's response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

"Eckerd College is proud of our partnership with Mirimus and encouraged by the success we have had with its saliva-based, pooled testing program," said Robbyn Hopewall, Director of Media and Public Relations at Eckerd College. "We have developed a best-in-class testing model that has informed our decision making and allowed us to take swift action when needed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This flexibility has enabled us to maintain a robust learning environment, inspire confidence in our community, and ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff."

Saliva-based sampling is simple, safe and noninvasive. As detailed in a recently published scientific paper, entitled, " Pooled Surveillance Testing Program for Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infections in K-12 Schools and Universities ," SalivaClear has been shown to substantially reduce the cost associated with PCR testing and allow schools to rapidly assess transmission and make data-driven decisions to adjust prevention protocols.

At Eckerd, the college uses an outdoor facility where students, faculty and staff are provided the SalivaClear collection test kits and asked to give a saliva sample. The individual samples are then shipped to Mirimus' lab where they are pooled into groups of 24 and analyzed using the FDA Emergency Use Authorized ThermoFisherScientific TaqPathCOVID-19 Combo RT-PCR Kit. The pooled test results are typically reported to Eckerd within 24 hours of sample receipt at the laboratory. If a pool tests positive, it is split into 12 pools of two, which are re-tested at the laboratory. If a positive signal emerges from a two-sample pool, the two individuals are asked to provide consent for a final test to determine individual positivity.

"We are pleased to be working with Eckerd College to provide a solution to COVID-19 surveillance testing that is effective, efficient and affordable," said Prem Premsrirut, M.D., Ph.D., Co-founder and CEO of Mirimus. "Colleges and universities have, unfortunately, been associated with a substantial number of COVID-19 cases across the country, with a recent report from The New York Times suggesting that more than 120,000 COVID-19 cases have been linked to American colleges and universities since January 1st. Given this, the robust surveillance testing that SalivaClear provides is essential to ensuring a safe on-campus learning environment by enabling campus health administrators to quickly isolate hotspots before they can become outbreaks."

About SalivaClear

SalivaClear, developed by Mirimus, Inc., is a pioneering COVID-19 testing platform that combines saliva-based sampling, pooled testing and PCR diagnostics to enable high-quality, high-throughput, low-cost detection of SARS-CoV-2. SalivaClear is designed to accomplish what other COVID-19 testing approaches have thus far been unable to achieve  providing a SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic system that can be easily and repeatedly utilized by myriad organizations, from schools to businesses to government organizations, to test (and retest) groups of individuals in order to quickly isolate COVID-19 hotspots before they can become outbreaks. For more information, please visit www.salivaclear.com.

About Mirimus, Inc.

Since its founding 10 years ago, Mirimus, Inc. has established itself as a leader in conducting high-volume, complex and highly effective PCR testing. This unique skillset led Mirimus to develop SalivaClear, a COVID-19 testing platform that combines saliva-based sampling, pooled testing and PCR diagnostics to improve the scalability, efficiency, cost-effectiveness and accuracy of COVID-19 testing. For more information, please visit www.mirimus.com and www.salivaclear.com.

About Eckerd College

Eckerd College invites students to ThinkOutside. Located on 188 acres of waterfront property in St. Petersburg, Florida, Eckerd is a pioneer of innovationdeveloping programs that have been adopted nationwide and earning the College an international reputation for academic excellence.

A private, coeducational college of liberal arts and sciences related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Eckerd College has a diverse student body with 1,800+ students from 48 states and territories and 36 countries and is one of only 40 schools listed in Loren Pope's Colleges That Change Lives. In 2003, Eckerd became one of the youngest colleges to receive a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. In addition, Eckerd's Leadership Development Institute, Academy of Senior Professionals, and offerings through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute identify the College as a national leader in continuing education. Every year (when not in a pandemic), students and faculty travel outside the U.S. to some 40 countries for research and cultural learning. And we venture together in the Eckerd experience to think outside the conventional questions, methods and solutions, seeking to build a better world.

Eckerd College's first priority is to teach students how to learn. And the best education is one that prepares you for the how, as well as the what, an education that teaches you to ThinkOutside.

Media Contacts:

Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.

Johanna Bennett & Ingrid Mezo

[email protected] / 1-212-375-2686

[email protected] / 1-646-604-5150

SOURCE Mirimus, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.mirimus.com



It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
State Police Recruiters At Murray State Today

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MURRAY - Kentucky State Police recruiters will come to Murray State University Monday to find candidates for its upcoming Cadet Class #101.Troopers will be on campus between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Recruiters are scheduled to speak to two different groups of students in the Carr Health Building, first from 12:30 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. and again from 1:30 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.Troopers from Kentucky State Police Post 1 will also be set up in the Carr Health Building to speak with anyone interested in a career with the Kentucky State Police.The Carr Health Building on Murray State's campus is situated between the Curris Center and Waterfield Library.
Cheering parents watched as children tossed surgical masks into a fire outside the Idaho Capitol in Boise on Saturday as more than 100 people gathered to protest mask mandates as an affront to their civil liberties.

The rally was one of several held statewide in opposition to the coronavirus-related requirements, which health experts have said remain crucial even as vaccines are distributed and the number of new reported cases has dropped.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little, a Republican, has never implemented a statewide mask requirement, though nearly a dozen areas of the state have local restrictions, including Boise. For months, Little has been at odds with Lt. Gov Janice McGeachin, a Republican, over pandemic restrictions (in Idaho, the governor and lieutenant governor run on separate tickets); the state's current guidelines "strongly" recommend face coverings but require them only in long-term care facilities. McGeachin vehemently opposes any mask mandates.

McGeachin, who appeared in a video last fall that suggested that the pandemic "may or may not be occurring," was photographed speaking at the Boise protest Saturday.

More than 500,000 people in the United States have died of covid-19, the disease the novel coronavirus can cause.

Republican state Reps. Dorothy Moon and Heather Scott appeared in a video on Friday, giving their support to the "Burn the Mask" rallies.

"At 10 a.m., people are going to be lighting up burn barrels to throw masks in, mandates, emergency orders and replications thereof, because I think everyone is ready for these emergency orders to be lifted," Moon said in the video.

In a video from the scene in Boise recorded by Oregon Public Broadcasting reporter Sergio Olmos, six children grab handfuls of blue surgical masks and drop them into the fire as adults warn them not to go too fast.

In the video, a boy shouts, "Destroy them!"

Organizers for the Boise rally had a permit, but the event is being investigated after the fire was set in a barrel, the Idaho State Police said in a statement.

"Those involved with the event were informed both before and during the event that open flames are not allowed on State Capitol grounds," according to the police.

Saturday's anti-mask rallies are part of the polarized response to the pandemic across the United States, with some conservatives viewing business restrictions and mask mandates not as public health guidance but a form of government overreach.

"We're standing here today to rein back government, to reestablish our republican form of government . . . that has balance between the branches," Darr Moon, who helped to organize Saturday's demonstration, said in a video interview with Olmos, the Oregon reporter. "That's not what we have today," Moon added, saying Little and other governors nationwide have been "running the show."

Moon, who is married to Dorothy Moon, serves on the national council for the John Birch Society, an ultraconservative group that organized anti-shutdown events throughout the country, including earlier ones in Idaho.

In August, maskless protesters led by anti-government activist Ammon Bundy stormed a special legislative session at the Idaho Capitol, where lawmakers were discussing pandemic measures, breaking down the gallery door and ripping up signs about social distancing. The protests have since come under criticism as dry runs for the extremist violence seen during the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Last week, the Republican governors of Texas and Mississippi announced that they were dropping statewide mask requirements, much to the concern of health officials who said it was too soon to rescind such measures. That Idaho never had a statewide mask requirement to begin with is not enough for some of the state's Republican lawmakers. On Tuesday, a House committee took up legislation that would ban mask mandates by any government entity in the state. Under the proposed legislation, private businesses could still require masks.

Idaho has tallied more than 173,000 cases of the coronavirus and at least 1,800 deaths of covid-19 since the start of the pandemic.
The Maryville community spent time Saturday celebrating Rev. John Q. Owens 95th birthday with a drive-by parade and small gathering.

Over the years, Rev. John Owens has served the U.S. Army in World War II and is a retired pastor from Bethel AME Church in Madison.

It is an honor to have a citizen in the village who has reached such a milestone, said Mayor Craig Short. The village set up a parade to include a fire truck, ambulance and police car to drive from Anderson Hospital to Rev. Owens home in Maryville, where he and his wife Dr. Dorothy Owens have lived since 1997.

The socially-distanced celebration included balloon decorations, a large happy birthday sign and refreshments for neighbors who decided to socialize with the family following the parade. Rev. Owens made a 10-minute speech, during which he spoke about taking so many lives in battle and remembering feeling happy about it. Now, many years later, he said cares about all lives.

Rev. Owens was accompanied by his wife as well as Gary McCants, presiding elder of the South District of AME Church, who referred to Rev. Owens as a mentor.

Family and friends helped make the celebration idea a reality, under the direction of Ruth Hibbler, who has been the Owens neighbor for 24 years.

We are just going to see if we can celebrate his day, its a big day and everything, she said.

The families have been close-knit for years. The Hibblers six-year-old daughter, at the time, welcomed Rev. Owens and his family to the community and the Rev. Owens used to play chess with the Hibblers son.

Our two kids have always been dear to their [Owens] hearts. There is a long history, says Hibbler.

Serving the public for the past year 40 years, Rev. Owens has always helped those in need. Hibbler recalled when her husband, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served his 20 years, become sick and disabled.

I remember when that all came about, Mr. Owens and the whole neighborhood donated a flagpole to our yard and. Owens came down and dedicated the flagpole, said Hibbler.

As a young man, Rev. Owens did not have a desire to follow his father into service with the church. However, following his service in WWII, he did just that through the Pentecostal faith. He was the pastor at three different churches before starting his 20-year tenure at Bethel AME Church.
Mumbai, March 8 : With a strong focus on 'women-power', the Maha Vikas Aghadi government gifted a slew of benefits and schemes for girls and women coinciding with the International Women's Day being celebrated globally, in the state Budget 2021-2022, here on Monday.

Presenting the budget, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar announced an outlay of Rs 2,247 crore for executing various schemes through the Women & Child Development Department.

The Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress MVA government has given a concession of 1 percent in Stamp Duty over the prevailing rates exclusively for women, provided the transfer of house/property or registration of sale deed is in the name of a woman/women only.

"The scheme will be known as 'Rajmata Jijau Griha-Swamini Yojana' The woman gives meaning to the house and it is not wrong for her to expect ownership in the property. It's part of the women's empowerment process," said Pawar, tabling the budget.

However, this would entail a revenue loss of around Rs 1,000 crore to the state exchequer which he balanced by slapping additional VAT and State Excise Duty on different types of liquors.

Pawar said Maharashtra has always led in policy-making for women and has taken many progressive steps for girls education, making it free till Class 12.

He announced a new scheme for free travel for girls in rural areas, from their village homes to schools/colleges via Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation buses.

The scheme is launched as 'Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule' and the state will also provide 1,500 eco-friendly CNG and Hybrid buses to the MSRTC on priority, Pawar said.

Another scheme, 'Tejasvini Yojana' will provide special buses for women in urban/metro centres for safe and easy commute.

Under the 'Nav-Tejaswini Maharashtra Gramin Mahila Udyam Vikas' a 6-year project funded by International Funds for Agriculture Development to the tune of Rs 523 crore, women and self-help groups will get opportunities to improve livelihood and result in value additions to their enterprises.

To empower women and children, the state has already reserved 3 percent from the District Annual Plans through which around Rs 300 crore would be available each year, said Pawar.

He announced the formation of the India's first women's battalion of the State Reserve Police Force in the country which is expected to come up soon.
Artist's impression of the Camlin Quarter Regeneration Project for Longford town.

The Government is investing 25.8m in the second round of a stimulus plan to encourage more compact and sustainable development around the country.

Local councils in four Project Ireland 2040 invesment regions will administer the funds, issued under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF), and the goal is to revitalise the areas.

The largest portion of the funding under the second phase of the plan, which focusses on the midlands, has been set aside for Longford Towns Camlin Quarter Regeneration project.

It has been granted more than 10m, the Government announced today.

The three other projects granted funding today include:

 A project for a low carbon town centre, in Portlaoise, under Laois County Council, which was allocated 9m.

 The Tullamore urban regeneration development 2020 plan, under Offaly County Council, which was allocated 2.25m.

 Athlone town centre regeneration and enhancement, under Westmeath County Council, which was awarded 4.13m.

The projects will add to an existing portfolio of 87 URDF-supported initiatives across the country for which almost 300m has been allocated.

The 10.4m in funding earmarked for Longford represents the single biggest capital led investment to ever come to the midlands town.

Under the plans, local authority bosses want to develop a number of streets at the lower end of the town alongside developing a state of the art digital hub and carrying out a major overhaul of the former Connolly Barracks site.

Housing Minister Darragh 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.

These four projects will deliver improvements to commercial areas and civic spaces and will help transition towns to low-carbon living, one of the National Planning Frameworks national strategic outcomes.

He said funding will be a catalyst for regeneration, development and growth.

It will also provide much-needed economic stimulus and job creation in Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath as our economy emerges from the depths of the pandemic.

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Paul Ross, branded the announcement as Longfords day in the sun and one which would leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

This part of town which historically was an economic driver of the town with the army barracks and the ABP meat factory had become run down in recent years and this will make Longford an attractive proposition to investors and business, he said.

Mark Cunningham, managing director of engineering provider Cunningham Design and Planning said the injection of large scale capital investment could not be understated.

Longford town, because of its location in the heart of the midlands and with its excellent infrastructure and rail network make it ideally placed for economic activity, he said.

Business representative groups, fronted by its local Chamber of Commerce and President Fiona Fenelon likewise gave a warm welcome to the government backed investment package.

The Department of Local Government said details of the provisional funding allocations for URDF projects in other Project Ireland 2040 investment regions not already announced will be announced in the coming weeks.
As the video began to play, a face known to Worcester displayed on the screen. A face that embodies the bravery and commitment firefighters in the Heart of the Commonwealth are known for.

The face also represents the ultimate sacrifice firefighters make to keep others safe.

Fallen Worcester Fire Lt. Jason Menard was posthumously given the medal of honor during Massachusetts Firefighter of the Year awards Monday. The awards, usually done in a live ceremony, were virtual for the 31st annual event.

To his family and members of the Worcester Fire Department, all we can say is youve suffered a loss that no one can understand, Gov. Charlie Baker said. Lt. Menard left behind children, a wife, and his sisters and brothers in the fire department when he gave his life to save a fellow firefighter before becoming trapped himself. To Tina and your family, we can never say thank you enough for all that youve sacrificed.

31st Annual Firefighter of the Year Awards 31st Annual Firefighter of the Year Awards Posted by Massachusetts Department of Fire Services on Monday, March 8, 2021

On Nov. 13, 2019, just before 1 a.m., Worcester firefighters rushed to a burning three-decker at 7 Stockholm St. The wind gusts made the cold temperatures even more frigid that morning.

Menard was on Ladder 5, Group 2 out of the McKeon Road Fire Station and led a primary search of the second and third floors.

After changing air bottles, Lt. Menard and four firefighters re-entered the structure to clear the second and third floor rear exits of debris, authorities said. As the group climbed the stairwell, tremendous heat from below trapped them between the second and third floors.

Three of the firefighters escaped through the rising fire. All of them had first-and-second degree burns.

Still trapped above the fire, Menard and Firefighter Chris Pace started to move to the roof to escape. Menard pushed Pace out a window to safety before losing his own life in the blaze.

Hired on Oct. 25, 2010 and promoted to lieutenant almost eight years later, Menard died at age 39. He leaves behind his wife Tina and three children, Joshua, Hailee, and Morgan.

We love Jay. We talk about him, we laugh, we remember him fondly. And every day in our firehouses, all across Worcester, we honor him for his actions a year ago, Michael Papagni, the president of Worcester Fire Fighters Local 1009, said during a ceremony a year after Menard made the ultimate sacrifice.

Firefighters in the city will forever remember Menards selfless act of saving Pace during the fire.

On the day of the blaze, Menard planned to leave work and head to Disney with Tina and their children. Instead, a time of celebration turned into one of immense loss.

Tenants told investigators that the blaze appeared to have started in a heater on the second floor. When firefighters got to the scene, they saw heavy fire coming out a second-floor window, according to a search warrant affidavit filed in Worcester District Court.

Initially, there were reports that a mother and baby were trapped in the building. The mother and child got out before firefighters went in, officials later said.

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito reflected on Worcesters history of loss associated with fire service, commenting, We will always remember those who perished. And this year, you have a special honor to bestow upon Lieutenant Jason Menard.

I will never forget, Polito said, as tears welled in her eyes. Touring that building after the fire in Worcester. And I will always cherish the time when visiting Tina and her children at her home. This family is spotlighted today because theyve shown what a firefighter family is all about. Its about service. Its about dedication. Its about courage and bravery. Its about selflessness. Thats what Lt. Jason Menard will always be remembered for. For that, we will always remember you, Tina, and your beautiful children, your daughters and your son, for your support to Jason, in his pursuit of serving the people of this commonwealth.

Menards death only made winter harder for the Worcester Fire Department, as the city has a long history of losing firefighters to brutal fires in the years coldest months.

The Dec. 3, 1999 blaze at the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. claimed the lives of six firefighters, who became known as the Worcester 6.

Firefighter Christopher Roy was killed battling a blaze on Lowell Street on Dec. 9, 2018. In July 2019, Lt. John Kennedy died several days after fighting a fire. And in 2011, Firefighter Jon D. Davies Sr. died on Dec. 8 while battling flames inside an Arlington Street three-decker.

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Celebrities have been left divided by Oprah's bombshell interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, with some stars heaping praise on the Royal couple as others slam the Duchess as a 'liar' and a 'gross disaster'.

Former Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel caused controversy prior to the interview's airing on Sunday night, mocking Meghan for attempting to attract sympathy even though she had been 'suffering in a palace with tiaras and a seven-figure wedding'.

But the reality star backflipped after watching the intimate interview, during which Meghan confessed to contemplating suicide amid pressures of Royal life.

'I watched Meghan & Harry sit down,' Frankel wrote.

'Emotional distress & racism must feel suffocating & powerless. I'm a polarizing, unfiltered (often to a fault) flawed person with a voice. When I heard of the interview,during a pandemic, it felt like a surprising choice. I'm sorry if it hurt or offended you.'

Celebrities have been left divided by Oprah's bombshell interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, with some stars heaping praise on the Royal couple as others slam the Duchess as a 'liar' and a 'gross disaster'

Bethenny's back flip: Frankel caused controversy prior to the interview's airing, mocking Meghan for attempting to garner sympathy. She changed her tune after watching the sit-down

Earlier on Sunday, Frankel said she had no sympathy for Meghan because she was 'suffering in a palace'

However, not everyone was sympathetic to the story Meghan and Harry told about being 'trapped' in the Royal Family.

Former FOX star Megyn Kelly appeared less than impressed by the interview, initially expressing skepticism at Meghan's claim that she wasn't too familiar with the Royals prior to meeting her now-husband.

'Meghan Markle had no idea the Queen was different than a Hollywood celebrity? And she never googled Harry? Umm... ?' Kelly tweeted out in apparent disbelief.

She concluded by criticizing Oprah's interview style, claiming the talk show queen failed to follow up properly on a series of stunning revelations made by Harry and Meghan.

During the chat the couple claimed that there some members of the Royal Family were 'jealous' of Meghan's popularity during a trip to Australia and that there had been racist discussions about the 'skin tone' of their son, Archie.

Kelly tweeted: 'Oprah stayed too broad-I wanted more. Be specific. Who was jealous of Meghan after Australia? How did you know that? What do you mean your family haven't 'educated themselves' the way you have? They're racists? WHO?'

Elsewhere, Harry and Meghan repeatedly stated that racism played a major part in the negative press they garnered.

African-American commentator Terrence K. Williams appeared skeptical that race was a major reason for Meghan's negative publicity.

He told his 1 million followers: 'This royal family drama is so stupid. Meghan Markle is a gold digger & super liberal. She's accusing the Royal Family of racism. She's wants us to believe she was a slave in the U.K. Well she is one wealthy slave. The race card is getting pretty old.'

While much of the criticism was reserved for Harry, FOX News star Kennedy took aim at Prince Harry, claiming that he 'comes off like a big dumb baby'.

Meanwhile, conservative commentator Ben Domenech - who is married to The View's Meghan McCain - called Meghan Markle a 'liar' and bluntly wrote: 'Meghan Markle is a gross disaster and she will absolutely divorce Harry within the next year. '

But there were plenty of stars who voiced their support for the Royal couple - including Meghan McCain herself.

'Monarchy has been an archaic and toxic concept since 1776,' McCain wrote, including a clip from the musical Hamilton, which is set during the Revolutionary War.

Amanda Gorman and Meghan McCain came out in support of Harry and Meghan following their bombshell interview

Star supporters: Meghan McCain, Amanda Gorman and Serena Williams praised the Duchess

Serena Williams led the support for her friend Meghan Markle in the wake of her bombshell Oprah interview

Joe Biden's inauguration poet Amanda Gorman wrote: 'Meghan was the Crown's greatest opportunity for change, regeneration, and reconciliation in a new era. They didn't just maltreat her light--they missed out on it.'

She added: 'Unclear if this will change the Royal family, but Meghan's strength will certainly redefine family everywhere. Think of the women who will be inspired to stand up for their lives, the partners who will be kinder & more courageous than the kin they were born into.'

Meghan's close friend Serena Williams also released a lengthy statement to Twitter after the interview aired.

Williams described the Duchess as a 'selfless friend' who 'teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble'.

'Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she's experienced,' Williams wrote.

'I know first hand the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of color to minimize us, to break us down and demonize us. We must recognize our obligation to decry malicious, unfounded gossip and tabloid journalism. '

Meanwhile, New Yorker writer Jelani Cobb tweeted out: ' These people really didn't realize they were dealing with a grown-ass woman. I'm pretty sure they do now. #MeghanMarkle'

MSNBC's Chris Lansing wrote: 'What's shocking is that even after all Harry and Meghan have said..the blatant racism, cruelty, lies, abandonment, jealousy -- you still get the feeling they could say MUCH more.'
A man who raped and murdered a Gold Coast woman snatched from a shopping centre almost 40 years ago killed again less than two years later, a court has heard.

Troy James O'Meara pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court to murdering and raping Linda Reed, who was never seen alive again after taking a lunch break from her retail job in Pacific Fair shopping centre at Broadbeach on December 13, 1983.

She was 21 and building her first home with her husband.

Linda Reed (pictured) was murdered on December 13, 1983 by Troy James O'Meara while taking a lunch break from her retail job in Pacific Fair shopping centre at Broadbeach

51-year-old Troy James O'Meara (pictured centre) has been charged with the murders of Linda Reed and Vanessa Joy O'Brien

Ms Reed was eating lunch in her car when O'Meara forced his way into the vehicle.

He made her drive to isolated bushland where she was raped, dragged from the car and her face forced into a dry creek bed where she was drowned or smothered to death.

Ms Reed's partly clothed and bound body was found three days later.

Her hands were tied behind her back with a cotton bikini top with the post-mortem examination finding dirt and mud from her last breath in her lungs.

Ms Reed (pictured) was eating lunch in her car when O'Meara forced his way into the vehicle and forced her to drive to isolated bushland where he murdered her

O'Meara sat expressionless in the dock as the details of his crimes were outlined to the court.

Just 17 at the time of the killing, the now 54-year-old appeared wearing thongs and a striped shit with his grey hair tied in a ponytail.

O'Meara is being prosecuted as an adult in line with legislation at the time of the murder.

Chilling details of O'Meara's criminal history revealed that less than two years after Ms Reed was killed, he brutally murdered a second woman.

In July 1985, Vanessa Joy O'Brien was collecting wedding rings for her upcoming marriage when she was forced at knifepoint into her car and made to drive to bushland, where she was raped and murdered.

Newly-married Linda Reed disappeared during her lunch break while working at the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre on December 13, almost 35 years ago

During that trial, the court was told Ms O'Brien died because O'Meara felt like 'killing a woman' - the same motive he later claimed for Ms Reed's death.

O'Meara served 13 years in jail for her murder, and despite the 'striking similarities', continued to deny involvement in Ms Reed's death.

In 2015, cold case detectives sent DNA material to a New Zealand facility which gave police solid evidence that O'Meara murdered Ms Reed.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Ms Reed's husband Robert addressed his wife's killer directly.

Nancy Fein, mother of murder victim Linda Reed is seen leaving the Brisbane Supreme Court in (pictured)

Nancy Fein (centre), mother of murder victim Linda Reed is seen with family members leaving the Brisbane Supreme Court after O'Meara pleaded guilty over Ms Reed's death

'Troy James O'Meara murdered my wife, my future children and my chances of being a father,' he wrote.

'After Linda's murder. I vowed never to have children with anyone else.'

Ms Reed's mother, Nancy Fein, described her as a 'beautiful and loving daughter'.

'What can I say after 37 years, a thousand tears and many prayers wondering what my daughter went through in the last minutes of her life,' her statement read.

'Linda was a wonderful daughter, sister, and for a short time, also a wonderful wife.

'My only regret is that Linda's father never lived to see this day'.

Justice Glenn Martin has reserved sentence.
A few years ago, Sayaka Mitoh, a Ph.D. candidate at Nara Womens University in Japan, was perusing her labs vast collection of sea slugs when she stumbled upon a gruesome sight. One of the labs captive-raised sea slugs, an Elysia marginata, had somehow been decapitated.

When Ms. Mitoh peered into its tank to get a better look, she noticed something even more shocking: The severed head of the creature was moving around the tank, munching algae as if there was nothing unusual about being a bodiless slug.

Ms. Mitoh also saw signs that the sea slugs wound was self-inflicted: It was as if the sea slug had dissolved the tissue around its neck and ripped its own head off. Self-amputation, known as autotomy, isnt uncommon in the animal kingdom. Having the ability to jettison a body part, such as a tail, helps many animals avoid predation. However, no animal had ever been observed ditching its entire body.

I was really surprised and shocked to see the head moving, said Ms. Mitoh, who studies the life history traits of sea slugs. She added that she expected the slug would die quickly without a heart and other important organs. But it not only continued to live, it also regenerated the entirety of its lost body within three weeks.
There are two kinds of politicians in Washington  those who want to make a point, and those who want to make a difference. Senator Blunt always worked to make a difference, said Antonia Ferrier, a former longtime Republican aide who worked for Mr. Blunt in the House and later for Mr. McConnell. There is no question that his departure, on top of those like Senators Alexander and Shelby, leaves a hole of those who know how to forge bipartisan legislative deals.

In a fawning statement, Mr. McConnell called Mr. Blunt a policy heavyweight who had helped bring home legislative victories for Republicans and the Senate as a whole. Among Mr. Blunts proudest were billions of dollars in new funding he helped secure as an appropriator for medical research, including for cancer, Alzheimers disease and mental health. He was also a savvy political tactician who was talked about both as a possible successor to Mr. McConnell and as a sought-after negotiating partner for Democrats.

Those qualities, once prized in government, have slowly become political liabilities among Republican primary voters whose loyalty to Mr. Trump and distrust of official Washington have reshaped the party. Mr. Blunt had not formally drawn a primary challenger, but his close alliance with Mr. McConnell, who has openly sought to purge Mr. Trump from the party, and his status as a consummate Washington insider put him at risk.

Eric Greitens, a Republican who resigned as Missouris governor in a cloud of scandal in 2018, said last week that he was evaluating whether to challenge Mr. Blunt in a primary. Mr. Greitens, a decorated member of the Navy SEALs, has sought to position himself as an heir to Mr. Trump and accused Mr. Blunt of inadequately backing him.

Its not enough to have an R behind their name. We have to have people who are willing to take on the establishment to actually fight against the swamp, Mr. Greitens told a St. Louis radio station.

Mr. Blunt had only occasionally criticized Mr. Trump during his four years in office, careful not to anger the former president who helped him secure a narrow victory in 2016.

The Capitol riot proved a more difficult path to walk. Afterward, Mr. Blunt broke with most of Missouris Republican delegation and voted to confirm Mr. Bidens election victory after the attack. He called Mr. Trumps actions clearly reckless and said Jan. 6 had been a sad and terrible day in the history of the country. But he vocally opposed Mr. Trumps impeachment.
Photo taken on March 6, 2021 shows a container of the second batch of COVID-19 vaccines from Chinese company Sinovac at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, Colombia. The second batch of COVID-19 vaccines from Chinese company Sinovac arrived at Bogota on Saturday. (Colombian Presidential Office/Handout via Xinhua)

MEXICO CITY, March 6 (Xinhua) -- After the second batch of Sinovac vaccines arrived in Colombia on Saturday afternoon, 11 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region have received Chinese vaccines, which are nicknamed by some regional countries as "doses of hope."

The vaccines came at a time when new waves of COVID-19 outbreaks and more contagious variants are emerging in the region while the deliveries of doses the LAC countries ordered from the West are delayed.

Meeting the utmost need of the LAC countries in the anti-pandemic fight, China's helping hand not only demonstrates its long-term friendship and solidarity with the region, but also embodies its commitment of making the vaccines a global public good.

So far, the region's total caseload has surpassed 22 million with daily cases and deaths still surging. More worrying is the virus mutation reported in Brazil, a populous country that has already recorded the most infections on the continent.

As medical systems in many LAC countries are under unprecedented stress, the earlier and the more people are vaccinated, the safer people will be and the sooner a country is expected to return to normal.

Therefore, since January, Chinese vaccines have been granted emergency use approval in several LAC countries. And upon arrival, they were immediately distributed across countries as part of mass vaccination drives for prioritized groups.

From the hardest-hit city Ecatepec in Mexico to Easter Island in Chile and from the jungle in Brazil's Amazon region to Buenos Aires in Argentina, hundreds of thousands of frontline healthcare workers, teachers, indigenous people and seniors who are more vulnerable to the virus have received the doses from China.

A year after the world was jolted by the sudden outbreak of COVID-19, humanity faces a new test: establishing global immunity.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, during a virtual meeting in February, described "vaccine equity" as "the biggest moral test before the global community," saying the distribution has been "wildly uneven and unfair."

Developing countries, including those in Latin America, are obviously at a disadvantage. Deputy Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean Mario Cimoli has said that of the 6.5 billion doses of the vaccine produced worldwide, Latin America has only 11 percent under contract and Africa, 4 percent.

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard has called for stopping the "monopolization of vaccines" and urged to give priority to countries with limited resources.

As a country with limited resources in the past and now the biggest developing one, China values its pledge to build a community with a shared future for humanity and strive for a better world.

In the anti-pandemic fight, China has walked its talk not only by helping other countries, including those in Latin America and the Caribbean, with medical supplies and expert teams at the early stage of the fight, but also by providing vaccines to countries in need.

Demonstrating the long-term friendship between Beijing and its LAC peers, the arrival of Chinese vaccines also demonstrates that countries with vastly different cultures and political systems can trust each other and enjoy cooperation despite the geographic distance as long as they seek consensus on priorities, for example putting people's lives first.
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STOCKHOLM, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- RhoVac AB ("RhoVac"), a Swedish cancer immunotherapy company, announces today, March 8th , 2021, that its clinical phase IIb study, "BRaVac", in prostate cancer, will be somewhat further delayed as Covid-19 vaccinations are rolled out to the study population.

As Covid-19 vaccinations are presently being rolled out in the age brackets of our study, some patients will have their RV001 treatment initiation deferred until after vaccination. The delay caused by these deferrals is difficult to estimate presently. However, the previous target of having full recruitment by Q2 no longer seems realistic. This tentatively pushes the target for full recruitment to Q3 and the company will communicate a more precise recruitment forecast later in the spring when more data on the handling of the vaccinations is available. RhoVac does not anticipate that his delay will necessitate the need for further financing. The company is doing all it can to ensure that the study progresses as fast as possible, while obviously respecting public health concerns related to the pandemic as a first priority. The first out of four new US clinics in the study was just initiated, further increasing recruitment capacity, compensating to the extent possible for delays related to the pandemic.

RhoVac CEO, Anders Mansson, comments: "The unexpectedly speedy roll-out of highly effective Covid-19-vaccines is a great win for health and a blessing in that it will significantly reduce the devastating impacts of the pandemic. The fact that the vaccination roll-out causes a delay to our study, must be seen in this light. Our focus is to make sure that each patient in our study is handled professionally and with respect, allowing for individual circumstances to be considered when ensuring optimal planning of both RV001 and Covid-19 vaccinations. Our first loyalty is always to patient safety."

This disclosure contains information that RhoVac is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (EU nr 596/2014). The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person, on 08-03-2021 19:00 CET.

CONTACT:

For further information, please contact:

Anders Mansson - CEO, RhoVac AB

Phone number: +46 73-751 72 78

E-mail: [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/rhovac/r/global-covid-19-vaccination-roll-out-causes-delay-to-rhovac-s-phase-iib-study,c3302208

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE RhoVac
SEATTLE, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Milliman, Inc., the premier global consulting and actuarial firm, today announced the acquisition of McHugh Consulting Resources, Inc., a leading provider of outsourced insurance compliance and regulatory services. The addition of the McHugh team solidifies Milliman's position as the country's leading life and health insurance compliance service provider, capable of helping clients navigate federal and state insurance regulations as well as providing a full range of compliance and regulatory support.

"We are excited to join forces with Milliman," said McHugh President Ginny McHugh. "Milliman and McHugh share a commitment to quality and excellence. Our combined compliance team has a depth and breadth that is unsurpassed in the insurance industry."

Milliman's compliance experts work with insurers to draft and develop contracts, complete rate filings, ensure compliance in advertising, and provide customized compliance solutions. The team also tracks changing insurance regulations in all 50 states, working with clients to remain current and compliant.

"McHugh is a clear leader in compliance consulting and a natural fit for Milliman," says Milliman Principal Darrell D. Spell. "Our combined capabilities are unmatched and will give Milliman's many insurance clients a wealth of compliance expertise."

"The integration of compliance, actuarial, and product design strategy services dramatically improves the quality of a consultant's advice in all three areas," says Milliman Principal Ashlee Borcan. "Milliman's depth in these areas positions us to provide unparalleled guidance to our clients."

About Milliman

Milliman is among the world's largest providers of actuarial and related products and services. The firm has consulting practices in healthcare, property & casualty insurance, life insurance and financial services, and employee benefits. Founded in 1947, Milliman is an independent firm with offices in major cities around the globe. For further information, visit milliman.com.

SOURCE Milliman, Inc.

Related Links

www.milliman.com


Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told "Axios on HBO" he intends to "lean into" climate change and that he has already discussed potential common ground with President Biden's special climate envoy John Kerry.

Behind the scenes: In a follow-up interview with Axios, Graham said Kerry called him in November, around the time Kerry's new position was announced, to see if there were openings to work together.

The State Department did not comment on the discussion Graham described.

The intrigue: Graham has a history on climate with Kerry  but not a successful one.

Over a decade ago, he negotiated for months on a sweeping climate bill with then-Democratic senators Kerry and Joe Lieberman.

Back then, the bipartisan senators were dubbed "The Three Amigos," after the Steve Martin comedy in which silent film actors from Los Angeles accidentally protect a Mexican village from a gang of bandits.

But Graham abruptly walked away from the two Democrats in April 2010, dealing a mortal blow to the legislation that collapsed entirely months later.

Why it matters: If the senior South Carolina Republican makes climate a priority and lobbies his GOP colleagues, it could help chip away at big barriers to bipartisan efforts.

"I'm trying to get the Republican Party to be thinking about a new economy," Graham told "Axios on HBO."

The big picture: Graham, who has endorsed putting a fee on carbon emissions, argues that shifts in the posture of powerful industries, including oil-and-gas companies and automakers, create new openings.

He repeatedly brought up General Motors' recent pledge to sell only electric cars and SUVs by 2035, and noted oil company moves to diversify into cleaner products.

His comments also come as the powerful American Petroleum Institute, in a shift, appears poised to endorse carbon pricing.

"There is a coalition to put together that didn't exist two years ago," Graham said.

What we're watching: One focus for Graham is that he wants to find ways to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles while bolstering the Highway Trust Fund.

It's funded by gasoline taxes  which haven't changed in three decades  but faces revenue shortfalls as cars get more efficient and electric vehicle sales grow.

Reality check: Graham has signaled interest in climate several times in recent years, such as co-sponsoring a bill with two Democrats last year to help farmers take part in carbon credit markets.

But overall, he hasn't made it a big priority during his Senate tenure since abandoning the 2010 effort, and his new comments cover familiar terrain for the South Carolina Republican.

It didn't help Graham's cause that during the past four years, the most powerful Republican, former President Donald Trump, openly mocked the concept of combatting climate change.

Between the lines: More broadly, Republicans remain resistant to the kind of aggressive emissions-cutting policies that Democrats and environmentalists are seeking.
Sima Samar has been fighting for women's rights in Afghanistan for the past 40 years.

The activist and physician believes her struggle is far from over, especially at a time when violence is on the rise, peace talks between rival Afghan groups are stuck and the US mulls its departure.

Samar, 64, worries about the future, noting that insecurity and instability in Afghanistan have reached frightening levels.

Her home in the Afghan capital of Kabul is protected by blast walls, guards and a German Shepherd, who races to his vantage point overlooking the street when a car even slows as it passes.

Yet there is a lot at stake and "a lot of sacrifices have been made in these 20 years," she said, reflecting the anxiety among civil society leaders as the US searches for the best exit from its longest war.

Under a 2020 deal between the Taliban and Trump administration, all US troops are to leave Afghanistan by May 1.

The Biden administration says it is reviewing the deal, suggesting it may not meet the deadline.

Last week, Samar and other civil society representatives participated in a Zoom call with the US peace envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad.

The envoy assured the group that Washington stands with Afghanistan's civil society to protect the gains made in the past 20 years.

The call seemed last-minute to Samar, coming as Khalilzad was leaving Kabul for Doha to meet with Taliban negotiators.

It followed two days of face-to-face meetings by the envoy with political leaders and warlords-turned-politicians.

"I feel a little like history is repeating itself," said Samar, questioning the prominence given again to warlords and a political leadership that struggles to win over the trust of Afghans.

When the Taliban regime was ousted in 2001 by the US-led coalition, she pressed for justice, that those who had committed crimes in previous regimes should be punished, that accountability, equality and justice should be given a priority.

At that time she warned in vain against having warlords - who had participated in the 1990s civil war and who had destroyed much of Kabul - in prominent roles in a post-Taliban administration.

She received death threats and was targeted in a slander campaign as "Sima Samar, the Salman Rushdie of Afghanistan."

Samar said Afghanistan needs involvement by international community going forward, to make sure that promises made are kept and that cease-fires are monitored independently.

The immediate question on the minds of many is who is systematically targeting and killing members of civil society.

Islamic State has claimed several attacks and the Taliban have denied involvement in most incidents.

The government and the Taliban often blame each other.

The number of targeted killings tripled last year, according to Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission, which Samar launched and headed from 2002 to 2019.

Commission spokesman Zabihullah Farhang said 65 women were killed and 95 injured in targeted killings in 2020.

Attackers hit a maternity hospital and twice they struck educational institutions, killing 50 people most of them students.

Samar said much has been gained in the 20 years since the Taliban were ousted, including the opening of schools for girls.

Women entered the workforce, in politics, as judges, even at the negotiation table where the Taliban and the Afghan government are struggling to find a way to end war.

But the gains are fragile and human rights activists have many enemies in Afghanistan, from militants and warlords to those who want to stifle criticism or challenges to their power.

Afghanistan is second only to Yemen, as the worst place in the world to be a woman, according to the 2019 Women, Peace and Security Index, compiled by the Georgetown Institute for Women Peace and Security and the Peace Research Institute in Oslo.

The illiteracy rate among Afghan women is 82% and most of the women in prison in Afghanistan are jailed for so-called "moral" crimes like seeking a divorce.

The road to justice and equality remains long, said Samar who became an activist as a 23-year-old medical student with an infant son.

At the time, the then-communist government arrested her activist husband, and she never saw him again.

Samar, who says discrimination based on ethnicity and gender is still widespread, is a member of Afghanistan's minority Hazaras, who have faced discrimination for centuries.

They are mostly Shiite Muslims in a majority Sunni Muslim Afghanistan and most often the target of Islamic State attacks in recent years.

Despite the persistent challenges, Afghanistan of 2021 is different, said Samar, a recipient of numerous awards.

Human rights, women's rights and the rights of minorities are now at least being discussed.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Holly Willoughby shared a rare photo with her daughter Belle on Monday to mark International Women's Day.

Posting a touching snap to Instagram of the mother-of-three, 40, hugging Belle, nine, she captioned the snap: 'There is a magic in her... there is a magic in all women...

'A wild and strong magic... can you feel it...  #internationalwomensday [sic]'

Mother and daughter: Holly Willoughby shared a rare photo with her daughter Belle on Monday to mark International Women's Day

Posting a touching snap to Instagram of the mother-of-three, 40, hugging Belle, nine, she captioned the snap: 'There is a magic in her... there is a magic in all women... a wild and strong magic... can you feel it...  #internationalwomensday [sic]'

Holly shares Belle with husband Daniel Baldwin, 46, as well as son's Harry, 11, and Chester, six.

Earlier in the day - which celebrates all women around the world - Holly defended Meghan Markle on This Morning regarding her and Prince Harry's groundbreaking Oprah interview.

Holly hit back at broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer, who said: 'I do think multi-millionaires sitting with a billionaire in their multi-million pound mansion complaining about how terrible their life is is tone deaf.

'In this day and age when so many people are struggling!'

But Holly insisted that even the wealthy can struggle with their mental health.

'Mental health doesn't discriminate on how wealthy you are': Holly defended Meghan Markle against a critic on This Morning on Monday ahead of divisive Oprah interview

In a teaser shown from the interview, Meghan, 39, breaks down in tears as she admits to having suicidal feelings over her treatment in the UK.

She revealed she told her husband she 'didn't want to be alive anymore' when feeling at an all-time low.

Holly said: 'Mental health doesn't discriminate on how wealthy you are. Haven't we got past that thought process by now?'

Harrowing interview: Meghan has told Oprah Winfrey that she was suicidal when she was part of the Royal Family living in the UK and told her husband: 'I don't want to be alive anymore'

Holly said: 'Mental health doesn't discriminate on how wealthy you are. Haven't we got past that thought process by now?'

Julia then said: 'I get it, especially being a mum-to-be in a foreign country and not feeling support from her new in-laws and the palace staff.

That would have been incredibly difficult... and the fact they weren't offering her help. I don't understand why she was not able to get help herself.'

Fellow guest Matthew Wright praised Holly for her comments, saying: 'I'm very glad that Holly's pointed out that the wealthy can be affected by negative mental health.

'History books are filled with the rich and famous killing themselves, either deliberately through suicide, or by default through drugs and alcohol abuse.'

Meghan tearfully revealed that the stress of royal life made her suicidal when she was five months pregnant, claimed Archie was denied the title of prince because he is mixed-race and said Kate Middleton made her cry before she married Harry in her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey which has already aired in the US.

She accused the Royal Family of having 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white.

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it.

But Oprah has since revealed Prince Harry asked her to make clear that neither the Queen nor Prince Philip made the remark.

Divisive: Julia Hartley-Brewer had said: 'I do think multi-millionaires sitting with a billionaire in their multi-million pound mansion complaining about how terrible their life is is tone deaf'

The Duchess of Sussex also told Oprah she 'couldn't be left alone' and told her husband she 'didn't want to be alive anymore' before claiming the Buckingham Palace HR department ignored her plea for help because she wasn't a 'paid employee'.

Describing how she considered ending her life believing it 'was better for everyone', Meghan said: 'I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it. I just didn't want to be alive anymore.

'And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. I remember how he just cradled me. I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help.

Tough time: Meghan cited this event at the Royal Albert Hall in January 2019, claiming she was forced to go when struggling with her mental health

'I said that "I've never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere". And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution'.

She said that after confiding in her husband, she was forced to go to the Royal Albert Hall for a charity event in January 2019, claiming photos from that night 'haunt me'.

She told Oprah she later reached out to one of the best friends of Diana, Princess of Wales, because she felt unsupported by the palace.

She said: 'When I joined that family, that was the last time I saw my passport, my driving licence, my keys - all of that gets turned over'. Meghan said Harry had 'saved my life' by agreeing to move to Los Angeles.

Harry also laid into his own family, claiming their 'lack of support and understanding', the couple's mental health problems and fears 'history repeating itself' with Meghan like his mother Diana, who died in 1997.

For confidential support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit www.samaritans.org for details; In the US call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Trader Joe's Charles Shaw wines, known as "Two-Buck Chuck," recently dropped back down to their original $1.99 price tag. (DJSinop/shutterstock)

Buying Good-Quality, Inexpensive Wines Has Never Been Easier

The late wine author Leon Adams once said that in a best-of-all-worlds situation, dry wine should be as cheap as milk.

We may be reaching a point where thats true. The overwhelming volume of wine in the United States today has kept prices for much of it very fair. The evidence is everywhere.

Three of the last four wine-grape crops in California were huge. The 2019 harvest was so large that about 10 percent of the grapes grown were never harvested! There were no buyers.

Wineries report they have more wine in inventory than at any time in their history.

Young millennials, who had been expected to buy a lot of wine in 2019 and 2020, seem more smitten with alternative beverages, from craft beer to ciders, hard lemonade to upscale whiskies, flavored hard seltzers to super-premium tequila.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a shutdown of most restaurants and bars, devastated on-premise wine sales, creating large unsold inventories of older vintages.

Meanwhile, two of the nations most popular wine brands are continuing to grow in the under-$7 price niche.

The famed Charles Shaw wines at the Trader Joes grocery chain in many states has spawned a number of other ultra-bargain wines, including a decent dry wine, at prices we havent seen in years. The Charles Shaw brand (Two-Buck Chuck) had been selling for $2.49 a bottle, but the chain recently dropped its price back to its original $1.99.

And E. & J. Gallos line of excellent Barefoot wines (most sell for about $7!) doubled in sales in the last six years to nearly 19 million cases!

E. & J. Gallos affordable line of Barefoot wines doubled in sales in the past six years. (Sheila Fitzgerald/shutterstock)

This has put downward pressure on all wines priced in the $10-and-under brackets. Wine consumers, hard-hit economically by the pandemic, are now happy to trade down.

Fred Franzia, president of Bronco Wine Co., the man who developed the idea of the $2 wine bottle for Trader Joes, has long believed, as did Adams, that a bottle of wine should be on every table in America.

Moreover, the deep-discount Grocery Outlet chain, with 350 locations in six states, now carries more overstocked and private label wines than it ever has. Every bottle is sold at a huge discount.

As if that werent enough evidence, a significant trade dispute between Australia and China has led to China instituting tariffs on Aussie wines. That created a glut of Australian wine, some of which now is headed for the United States and England at discounted prices.

Additionally, many of the nations retail wine shops have so much inventory that they have reduced their costs for shipping wine direct to consumers. Many consumers can have their wines delivered for the equivalent of $1 to $2 per bottle, which easily covers the discount they get by ordering online.

In order to compete, many large grocery chains are increasing discounts for six-bottle purchases.

All this has led many wineries to reduce their shipping costs for direct-to-consumer sales, in many cases waiving shipping costs completely. One large Sonoma County winery even hired two additional web designers to retool their websites and then added additional employees to handle increased direct-to-consumer sales.

Buying good-quality wine today for a lot less than $10 a bottle has never been easier.

To find out more about Dan Berger and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at Creators.com. Copyright 2021 Creators.com
TEL AVIV, Israel, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation has issued a Call for Proposals to promote and fund U.S.-Israel joint development projects for the development of advanced technologies in Homeland Security. This program was initiated and funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Israel Ministry of Public Security.

The objective of this program is to support project collaborations demonstrating innovative research and development between U.S. and Israeli companies or between a company and a university or research institute (one from the U.S. and one from Israel). Projects should also demonstrate considerable commercial potential.

Project submissions should relate to technologies being developed in the following areas: Cyber Crime; Secure Critical Infrastructure and Public Facilities; Safe and Secure Cities; Border Protection, including Maritime Security; Unmanned Aerial Systems; Technologies for First Responder including Command & Control, Video Analytics, Communication, Personal Protective Equipment and others.

The program funds up to 50% of the combined project budget, up to $1 million per project, and is repaid only if the project achieves revenue.

A full description of submission requirements can be found on the BIRD Foundation website: https://www.birdf.com/hls-call-for-proposals/.

The deadline for submission of Executive Summaries for the Homeland Security Program is April 27, 2021. Projects will be approved in August 2021.

Dr. Eitan Yudilevich, Executive Director of BIRD said: "This is the sixth year of BIRD HLS - we are proud of our partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Israeli Ministry of Public Security to support the development of cutting-edge technology solutions for homeland security needs."

Further information on the program can be found at www.birdf.com.

Contact:

U.S.:

Ms. Andrea Yonah

Director of BD, East Coast and Midwest

[email protected]

+1-609-356-0305

Israel:

Mr. Tal Kelem

Director of BD

[email protected]

+972-3-6988304

SOURCE The BIRD Foundation

Related Links

https://www.birdf.com


NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Altana AI, a supply chain artificial intelligence provider working with governments and global enterprises to de-risk global supply chains, is announcing the launch of new features in its Altana Atlas platform to automatically map multi-tier global supply chain networks and pinpoint resiliency risks through artificial intelligence. This capability helps federal agencies and U.S. government contractors to meet the requirements of President Biden's February 24th executive order calling for the review and assessment of critical U.S. supply chains.

"This executive order puts pressure on the public and private sectors alike to do the impossible: see deep into opaque global supply chain networks, then pinpoint security vulnerabilities and resiliency concerns across these massive networks, and do so in a very short period of time to comply with the executive order," said Evan Smith, CEO of Altana AI. "With the new features launched in our Atlas platform, we can automatically generate multi-tier maps of global value chain relationships on a product-by-product, industry-by-industry basis. Other data solutions offer sprawling, messy networks of business relationships and force their customers to sift through the noise; these new capabilities in the Atlas take you straight to what matters. We're excited to help the U.S. government meet the demands of the executive order through our unique supply chain mapping capability."

The Altana Atlas platform can now automatically map an organization's multi-tier supply chain networks across first, second, third, and n-tier suppliers, locate them on a map, and track the flows of goods between them through multiple stages of transformation. This capability is powered by the world's most comprehensive supply chain knowledge graph of data. On top of this graph, the Altana Atlas employs artificial intelligence to identify production outages, single points of failure, supply shortages, demand spikes, concentrations of risk exposure, labor rights concerns, and security vulnerabilities.

Government agencies and large multinational enterprises alike are using the Altana Atlas to see across borders and reveal supply chain risks and vulnerabilities. "The Covid supply chain shocks and the increased national security focus over supply chain vulnerabilities are forcing global enterprises to see beyond their direct supplier relationships. Supply chain resiliency is now a C-Suite concern," said Jack Sullivan, the Chief Security and Resiliency Officer of Boston Scientific. "After surveying the market for solutions, the Altana Atlas was the only solution for generating risk and resiliency intelligence across our extended supply chain."

About Altana AI

Altana AI helps governments, enterprises, and financial institutions build safe, lawful, inclusive, and resilient supply chains. Without pooling sensitive data, Altana's customers gain global supply chain visibility and shared risk intelligence through the Altana Atlas - a shared artificial intelligence model of the global supply chain.

Learn more at Altana.ai and follow @Altana_AI on Twitter.

Contact:

Amy Morgan

[email protected]

SOURCE Altana AI

Related Links

https://altana.ai/


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(Natural News) There is a new pandemic sweeping the country and its cause is persistent mask wearing.

Mask mouth, a play on meth mouth, is spreading like wildfire and dentists are warning that it could have serious consequences, including death.

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, will eventually lead to strokes and an increased risk of heart attacks, warns Marc Sclafani, a dentist and co-founder of One Manhattan Dental.

Wearing a mask on a regular basis is causing many to experience severe mouth inflammation, the complications of which can be extremely severe.

Were seeing inflammation in peoples gums that have been healthy forever, and cavities in people who have never had them before, adds Rob Ramondi, another dentist and One Manhattan Dental co-founder.

According to Ramondi, roughly half of his patients are suffering from health problems due to wearing a mask.

About 50 percent of our patients are being impacted by this, [so] we decided to name it mask mouth  after meth mouth.'

Wearing a face covering breeds bacteria in front of the mouth and nose, where pathogens flourish in a warm, moist environment. These pathogens then enter the mouth and body, creating disease.

Another problem is mouth dryness, as people who wear a mask tend to breathe through the mouth while it is on rather than through the nose.

People tend to breathe through their mouth instead of through their nose while wearing a mask, Sclafani says.

The mouth breathing is causing the dry mouth, which leads to a decrease in saliva  and saliva is what fights the bacteria and cleanses your teeth.

Humans arent supposed to wear masks

It is almost as if the human body was not designed to wear a mask. When someone does is when the problems begin.

It is simply not healthy, no matter what the government or large corporations say, to block ones breathing passages with fabric or plastic, especially the kind that is made in China.

There is no scientific evidence to show that wearing a mask does anything beneficial. In fact, the latest research shows that wearing a mask does pretty much nothing.

Why, then, are many politicians, big corporations, and media talking-heads still pushing them? The answer is anyones guess.

Those who are forced to wear a mask at work can try to drink more water and cut down on caffeine to help protect themselves against mask mouth. Sclafani also recommends that mask wearers use a humidifier, refrain from smoking, use an alcohol-free mouthwash, and scrape their tongue to further decrease their risk of complications.

Until a critical mass of Americans says enough is enough and take off the mask, the problem will only continue. In the coming months and years, expect to see a pandemic of oral health problems, heart problems, and early death caused by mask mouth.

The establishment will blame it all on the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19), of course, but do not be fooled: masks are the culprit.

Patients are coming into us like, Wow, my breath smells, I need a cleaning. [But] when you smell the bad breath, you either already have periodontal disease or you have a lot of bacteria thats sitting on your tongue because of dry mouth, Sclafani further explains.

Sclafani encourages his patients to breathe through the nose whenever possible, but this is difficult for many mask wearers due to lack of oxygen and excess recycled carbon dioxide waste inside the mask.

Masks are unhealthy, one Fox News commenter wrote. It increases the amount of carbon dioxide you breathe in. It is also a germ catcher that absorbs all the germs your hands touch.

To learn more about how masks and other Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) mandates are destroying peoples health, visit Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

WashingtonExaminer.com

NaturalNews.com

FoxNews.com
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(Reuters) - Spain's calendar-adjusted industrial output declined a wider than expected 2.2% year-on-year in January as the country's factories still struggle with the effects of the COVID-19 restrictions, data from the National Statistics Institute showed on Monday.

The contraction is wider than the 0.7% analysts polled by Reuters had expected as the country's economic activity had yet to recover from the consequences of the pandemic.

The Statistics Institute revised the December output contraction to 1.5% from a previous decline of 0.6%.

(Reporting by Joao Manuel Mauricio in Gdansk, Editing by Inti Landauro)
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One construction worker was killed and a second was critically injured in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Wednesday morning when a section of the concrete stairwell in a city-owned parking garage collapsed, authorities said.

At least a ton of steel and concrete fell during the collapse of the second-story stairwell, which was undergoing repairs, acting Fire Chief Gerard Mahoney said during a news conference.

No names were released but the man who died at the scene was 56, while a 41-year-old man was taken to the hospital with critical injuries, according to a statement from the Middlesex district attorney. Mahoney described it as a chest injury.

No one else was in the stairwell at the time, but the garage has remained open during the work.

The fire department reported that it responded to the scene at about 8:30 a.m. for a structure building collapse.

Both men were employed by a subcontractor.

State and local authorities as well as the federal Occupational and Safety Health Administration are investigating.

The accident occurred a week after two construction workers were killed in downtown Boston when they were struck by a truck during sewer work.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Massachusetts Construction
Photo: Contributed B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix.

More than 1.7 million British Columbians called the provinces vaccination appointment line on Monday, despite the fact less than 100,000 residents are so far eligible to book.

The province opened the lines at 7 a.m. on Monday for residents aged 90 and above, and Indigenous peoples 65 and older  a group making up about 82,000 people in the province.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Health Minister Adrian Dix said the response reflects B.C.s enthusiasm for immunization.

I very much appreciate the enthusiasm of everybody calling in, but Id ask those calling in to book appointments to have priority, he said, noting the province is working with Telus to make sure its phone lines can handle the crush of calls.

There are lots of appointments. We have five days to book these appointments. The opportunity is there. Its an enormous response.

Dix urged those who are not yet eligible to book vaccination shots to wait their turn.

We really need this to be a time when people over 90 are booking their appointments, he said.

We expected this to be a big start and it has been. We appreciate the enthusiasm. But, if you arent eligible to call in today, please dont call in.
Associate Professor Truong Thanh Huong, senior lecturer at the Hanoi Medical University and expert at the Vietnam National Heart Institute under Bach Mai Hospital, has been given Vietnams 2020 Kovalevskaya Award

for her contribution to helping thousands of people with cardiovascular diseases over many years.

Associate Professor Truong Thanh Huong speak with a foreign colleague at work.  Photo suckhoedoisong.vn

Huong is one of the country's leading medical experts, with many scientific works published.

Huong has conducted many studies related to congenital and genetic cardiovascular diseases, genetic pharmacology in individualising treatment of cardiovascular disease and development of new technologies in echocardiography. She has also chaired 19 scientific studies and published 75 scientific articles in domestic and international journals so far.

Huong is also the editor of 20 medical textbooks and documents.

Her two most outstanding scientific studies consist of the project "Building genetic mutation map of familial hypercholesterolaemia and proposing a disease management model in Vietnam" and the project "Surveying some common polymorphisms of CYP2C19 gene related to Clopidogrel medicines response in people with coronary artery disease in Vietnam.

According to medical experts, the first project is a process of screening, diagnosis, genetic testing, genetic counselling and setting up a managing model of familial hypercholesterolaemia in Vietnam. The projects results have been transferred to medical facilities to serve healthcare.

Associate Professor Pham Manh Hung, president of Vietnam National Heart Institute, said familial hypercholesterolaemia was a hereditary disease, affecting generations of a family and causing dangerous complications such as heart attacks and strokes in young people.

Worryingly, there were nearly 500,000 patients in the country contracting the disease. In the past, very few patients were detected and treated early, he said.

Hung said they received many children with familial hypercholesterolaemia with dangerous complications. The study by Huong had assisted medical experts to detect the disease, quickly intervene and screen family members that had yet to suffer complications for early treatment.

The other project has already been transferred to producers to make a chip that could quickly diagnose the polymorphism of the CYP2C19 gene, he said.

It had helped hundreds of thousands of patients with coronary artery disease minimise complications and the risk of death as well as save annual medical expenses for the country, he said.

He also said that statistics showed that cardiovascular diseases were believed to cause the highest number of deaths, leading to the death of 18.6 million people worldwide; about four times higher than HIV, malaria and tuberculosis.

Hung said data revealed that over 32 per cent of patients died of cardiovascular diseases in Vietnam.

Therefore, cardiovascular-disease studies by Huong were very meaningful, contributing to improving treatment efficiency and reducing risks of death for patients with cardiovascular diseases, he said.

Also thanks to Huongs studies, patients and their families had the opportunity to access optimal diagnosis and treatment, limiting the occurrence of cardiovascular complications, especially in adolescents, thereby helping to protect people's health, he said.

Doctor, teacher

Huong's father and mother worked for the military. When she was a child, she went with her father and saw many soldiers with injuries treated in poor conditions.

"The image stuck with me, inspiring my dream to become a doctor in the future," she said.

She studied hard and became one of the first two cardiologists to graduate from Hanoi Medical University with excellent results. After graduation in 1987, she started to work as a lecturer at the university and a doctor at the Vietnam National Heart Institute.

She was soon sent to Paris, France, to study Clinical Cardiology and Doppler echocardiography at the University of Paris and the Saint-Antoine Hospital and learn about congenital heart disease at the Robert Debre Hospital.

She returned to Vietnam in 1997 and continued working at the institute and the university. Huong was given the Vietnams Scientific and Technological Innovation Award in 2012 for her tireless efforts in scientific research.

As a senior lecturer at the university, she always renews her teaching methods. She applied modern teaching methods such as the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) for medical students, contributing to improve the quality of teaching and learning at the university.

She also actively participated in training high-quality human resources for the national health sector. She has directly trained more than 40 Ph.D, MBA and resident doctors and instructed and transferred advanced technologies to hundreds of doctors and medical staff at medical facilities across the country.

Huong works as a bridge for many young doctors and scientists to have the opportunity to access international scientific environments to study and improve their capacity, contributing to raising the quality of scientific research of Vietnam.

She was given the title of Excellent Teacher in 2014.

Kim Ngoc Thanh, a lecturer at the university and one of Huongs students, said: Huong is an honourable teacher for many generations of students.

"Not only enthusiastic about the profession and ready to teach all she knows to the next generation, she also helps young doctors have the opportunity to participate in major medical forums around the world.

She gives us all her knowledge and experiences and always says she hopes we will teach all we know to the next generations as well, he said.

Huong said: Knowledge must be spread to really have great value and power.

Hung, president of Vietnam National Heart Institute, said Huong completely deserved Vietnams 2020 Kovalevskaya Award. The award is the driving force and a great encouragement for female scientists, who have devoted their whole life to contributing to society. VNS
Greensill Capital filed for insolvency on Monday in London, its administrators said, days after losing investor funding and insurance coverage for its supply chain financing business.

Grant Thornton said in a statement that three members of its restructuring team had been appointed as joint administrators of Greensill Capital (UK) Limited and Greensill Capital Management Company.

Greensill, founded in 2011 in Bundaberg by Lex Greensill, helped companies manage their finances by paying suppliers on their behalf and collecting the money later on. Credit:Peter Braig

Greensill, founded in 2011 in Bundaberg by Lex Greensill, helped companies manage their finances by paying suppliers on their behalf and collecting the money later on.

However, its business unravelled rapidly after Credit Suisse said it was winding down $US10 billion of funds mostly invested in notes backed by Greensill due to concerns about how some underlying assets were valued.
Medics urge people to prevent further spread by wearing face masks and following social distancing rules.

Chief doctors at Zakarpattia hospitals treating corona patients are ringing the alarm over a rapid increase of the hospital load in the region.

At a joint briefing with the head of the Zakarpattia Regional State Administration, they reported a significant increase in infection and mortality rate, reports lb.ua.

Chief Physician at the Uzhgorod Central City Clinical Hospital, Ivan Kurakh, said an additional 190 beds have already been deployed, while patients are being hospitalized in serious condition. Ninety-six patients remain in the hospital on oxygen support, while for 11 inpatients this is the second time they contracted corona.

Chief Physician ay the Novak Regional Clinical Hospital, Yuriy Yatsyna noted that by the end of the week the region's healthcare system could face a collapse.

"Today in our institution, there are 120 patients in need of oxygen therapy. Sixty of them must be treated in intensive care. Meanwhile, our intensive care unit has only six beds, and it is impossible to expand it. Every day our institution employs 25-30 oxygen cylinders, and this morning there were only five left," he said.

Yatsyna urged people to "come to their senses" and stop spreading the disease.

"Just put on a mask and keep your distance  it's not that difficult! Help us, because at the end of the week we will have a collapse!" said Yatsyna.

Read alsoKyiv to remain in orange quarantine zone two months, official saysChief Physician of the Regional Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital, Mykhailo Polyak said 12 local residents die from the coronavirus every day. At the same time, over the past week, the number of new cases increased by 24%.

According to Polyak, the incidence among children has increased by 5%. All intensive care wards in the facility are fully occupied.

The Ministry of Health says the hospitalization rate per 100,000 population in Zakarpattia as of March 7 stood at 96.1. At the same time, 71.3% of beds with oxygen supply are occupied  the highest share across country.

On March 7, 307 new infected were found in Transcarpathia. The region is one of the "leaders" in terms of bed occupancy, since March 8 it was transferred to the red zone of quarantine restrictions.

Coronavirus in Ukraine: Latest stats

In Ukraine, 5,572 new cases were confirmed over the past day, March 7, while 106 lethal cases were reported.

Over the entire time of the pandemic, 1,406,800 people contracted COVID-19 in Ukraine, while 27,128 died.

Reporting by UNIAN
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Grant Thornton has been appointed as administrator

British lenders have been told to quantify their exposure to Greensill Capital to the after the trade finance lender went into administration today.

Grant Thornton has been appointed as administrator, with US private equity firm Apollo Global expected to buy some of the best assets in a pre-pack deal.

Reports ahead of confirmation suggested that loans to GFG Alliance, the owner of British Steel through its Liberty Steel arm, were not part of this deal, increasing the uncertainty over its future and 5,000 direct and indirect employees.

It was the size of the loans to GFG that apparently prompted insurer Tokio Marine, and the Swiss finance house GAM Holding to withdraw their financial support to Greensill.

Credit Suisse suspended around US$10bn of funds linked to Greensill, saying on Monday it had doubts over the true value of the funds, while the following day Swiss asset manager GAM Holdings announced it would close its US$842mln Greensill supply chain finance fund.

The apparent collapse of Greensill will set alarm bells ringing as its business has echoes of the collateralised debt obligations (CDOs) that were said to be behind the financial crash in the first decade of the current century, except in this case instead of parcelling up mortgages and selling them on Greensill buys up invoices and securitises them.

From a suppliers perspective, the practice of accepting a small haircut on the money it is owed by a customer in return for immediate payment makes sense in terms of alleviating cash flow problems; however, it can also disguise rising levels of debt, as happened with collapsed contractor , because accountants do not treat supply chain finance deals as debt.

Greensills current problems came to light after the German banking regulator, which has a representative placed inside Greensill Bank, a Bremen-based subsidiary of Greensill, took over day-to-day control of the bank, according to reports from news agency Bloomberg and the financial daily, The Financial Times.

Apollos rescue deal, if it pulls it off, should see it take a chunk of the supply chain financing contracts while insurance cover is likely to offset losses for others caught out by Greensills decline.
The third installment of HBO's explosive series Allen v. Farrow, which aired Sunday night, features Mia Farrow confronting her ex-boyfriend Woody Allen in a taped phone call about Dylan Farrow's sexual assault allegations.

In the call, taped from around the time of the abuse allegations, Farrow accuses Allen of abusing Dylan, who was then 7, asking him: 'How could you do that to her?'

Allen's response is inaudible. 'I know what Dylan tells me. You've told me nothing but lies. Dylan tells the truth and consistently,' Mia continued.

Allen is heard saying: 'But you know that I didn't....'

'No, I don't know that, Woody,' Farrow said, cutting him off. 'I've always, always been worried about you and Dylan.'

The third installment of HBO's explosive series Allen v. Farrow, which aired Sunday night, features Mia Farrow confronting her ex-boyfriend Woody Allen about Dylan Farrow's sexual assault allegations in a taped phone call

During Sunday night's episode, Mia confronted Allen in a taped phone call. 'What you've done to Soon-Yi, what you've done to Dylan,' Farrow says. 'Dylan's a baby. How could you do that to her?'

At one point, Mia tells Allen that Dylan (pictured as a young girl) is 'not all right'. 'She walks around the house holding her vagina. She sleeps with me. She's scared of you, and you hurt her,' Mia told Allen

HBO debuted the first episode of the four-part documentary series Allen v. Farrow in February. The series includes extensive interviews with Allen's former partner, Mia, and with Dylan, Mia's adopted daughter that Woody also eventually adopted.

In the series, Mia and Dylan repeat their accusations that Allen sexually assaulted Dylan in 1992 when she was seven years old.

Allen, who has denied being inappropriate with Dylan, and his wife, Soon-Yi Previn, have attacked the series that re-examines the decades-old allegation that the Oscar-winning filmmaker molested his adopted daughter, calling the television series a 'hatchet job'.

Allen married Soon-Yi, who Mia had adopted when she was around 7 and whom he helped raise; he began an affair with her when she was 22.

'What you've done to Soon-Yi, what you've done to Dylan,' Farrow says in the phone call aired on Sunday's episode. 'Dylan's a baby. How could you do that to her?'

Meanwhile, Mia tells Allen that she was unaware a doctor she took Dylan to following the alleged assault reported suspected abuse to the authorities.

Nine days after the alleged abuse, Allen sued Mia for custody of their three children, Dylan (left, being held by Allen), Moses and Ronan Farrow (right as a baby)

She said she only took Dylan to the doctor for an examination to make sure she was okay.

'And she's not all right, Woody,' Mia is heard saying. 'She walks around the house holding her vagina. She sleeps with me. She's scared of you, and you hurt her,' Mia continued.

Mia then says she's heartbroken for not being able to save her daughter.

'She said, "Mommy, you didn't help me." She said, "Daddy shouldn't have done that. He shouldn't have hurt me like that."

'If you heard her, you would weep inside, and you would just want to be dead, because I don't know how you can live with what you did,' Mia said during the call.

Nine days after the alleged abuse, Allen sued Mia for custody of their three children, Dylan, Moses and Ronan Farrow.

In a second taped phone call, Mia is heard saying: 'You brought charges against me as an unfit mother'

'And Im going to make them stick,' Allen said as Mia begged him to drop the case

In other parts of the conversation, Mia begs Allen to drop the case, saying: 'Don't try this, don't do this'

'I don't deserve it,' Mia tells Woody during the taped phone call

Sunday night's episode shows another taped phone call in which Mia confronts Allen again but this time about his accusations that she was an unfit mother.

'And Im going to make them stick,' Allen said of the charges as Mia begged him to drop the case.

The lawsuit was filed after the filmmaker admitted a love affair with Previn, who was 22 years old at the time.

Mia learned of the affair between Allen and her daughter when she found revealing photographs of Previn that had been taken in Allens apartment. Allen and Previn, who have a 35-year age gap, have been married since 1997.

At the time of the custody battle, Mia had 11 children, four of whom were hers by birth. She and Allen adopted Moses, Dylan, and had Satchel (now Ronan) together.

After Allen lost his custody case, Mia adopted five more children between 1992 and 1995. One of them, Tam Farrow, died of heart failure in 2000. He was 21 years old.

Shortly after the first episode of the series aired, a spokesperson for Allen and Previn issued a statement saying the documentary makers 'had no interest in the truth'.

'Instead, they spent years surreptitiously collaborating with the Farrows and their enablers to put together a hatchet job riddled with falsehoods,' the statement said.

'As has been known for decades, these allegations are categorically false,' it added.

Allen, who has denied being inappropriate with Dylan (pictured in the documentary), and his wife Soon-Yi Previn immediately attacked the series that re-examines Dylan's decades-old allegation that Allen molested her when she was seven

Allen admitted to Mia that he was having an affair with her then-22-year-old adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn. The two have been married since 1997. The couple blasted the HBO film as a 'hatchet job' that was 'riddled with falsehoods'

Allen, the four-time Oscar-winning director of Annie Hall and other comedies, has repeatedly denied molesting Dylan. He did not take part in the documentary.

The filmmaker, 85, has long asserted that Mia fabricated the molestation claim against him and planted them in Dylan's mind after learning that Allen was having an affair with Previn.

Allen has never been arrested or prosecuted over the allegation of sexual abuse, which was first made in 1993. It was investigated by state police in Connecticut, where Mia and her children lived.

Allen refused to take a polygraph with a police officer and offered up his own, privately done one instead.

Prosecutors found there was probable cause to issue an arrest warrant for 1st and 4th degree sexual assault of a minor.

But they decided not to move forward with the case because of Dylan's mental fragility and her young age.

The statement from Allen and Previn's spokesperson said 'multiple agencies' had investigated the allegation at the time 'and found that, whatever Dylan Farrow may have been led to believe, absolutely no abuse had ever taken place'.

'While this shoddy hit piece may gain attention, it does not change the facts,' the statement said.
NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Taboola , a global leader in powering recommendations for the open web, helping people discover things they may like, today announced the launch of #RecommendHER, a new global initiative to run during March 2021, that will provide $500,000 of free advertising on its network to women-owned businesses.

This initiative empowers women-owned businesses to make a larger impact during Women's History Month and International Women's Day  two moments that celebrate women trailblazers across many categories, including business. It also comes at a critical time when there continues to be a disparity between female and male-owned businesses and their support structures:

Women own fewer businesses than men : Globally , 6.2% of women own long term businesses (those that have been in operation for more than 3 years), compared to 9.5% of men.

: , 6.2% of women own long term businesses (those that have been in operation for more than 3 years), compared to 9.5% of men. Women receive less business support : Women receive an average of $5,000 less when applying for business loans compared to men.

: Women receive an average of when applying for business loans compared to men. Women are more vulnerable to COVID-19related economic effects : Female job loss rates due to COVID-19 are about 1.8 times higher than male job loss rates.

The #RecommendHER initiative will provide $500,000 in free advertising to selected women-owned businesses to use across Taboola's network of more than 9,000 digital properties. These businesses will join more than 13,000 advertisers that are already tapping Taboola to reach 516 million daily active users on the Taboola network in a brand safe environment.

"International Women's Day and Women's History Month place an important spotlight on the challenges and inequality that exists in the business world for women," said Adam Singolda, Founder and CEO, Taboola. "It is important for all of us to do more to help women-owned businesses thrive, especially at a time when over 4.6M women in the U.S. alone have become unemployed and been more negatively affected by the pandemic overall. At Taboola, we can play a small part by providing the platform, large reach and free advertising that can help accelerate the visions of these passionate and exciting businesses. We encourage others to take action in any way they can."

About Taboola

Taboola powers recommendations for the open web, helping people discover things they may like. The company's platform, powered by artificial intelligence, is used by digital properties, including websites, devices and mobile apps, to drive monetization and user engagement. Taboola has long-term partnerships with some of the top digital properties in the world, including CNBC, NBC News, Business Insider, The Independent and El Mundo. More than 13,000 advertisers use Taboola to reach over 500 million daily active users in a brand-safe environment. The company has offices in 18 cities worldwide, including New York and Tel Aviv.

Learn more at www.taboola.com and follow @taboola on Twitter.

SOURCE Taboola

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Reprise RecordsThe "Retail Edition" of Neil Young's expansive Archives Volume II: 1972-1976 box set was released Friday, offering a less-pricey alternative to the "Deluxe Edition" that first was issued in November 2020.

As previously reported, Archives Volume II features 10 CDs with a total of 131 tracks, 12 of which never appeared on any previous Young release, plus 50 unheard versions of previously issued songs.

Frank "Poncho" Sampedro, who played with Young's longtime backing band Crazy Horse from 1975 to 2014, contributed to over 20 tracks. He tells ABC Audio that among the highlights for him is an early version of Neil's classic 1979 song "Powderfinger" that was recorded during sessions for 1975's Zuma album.

"It's when we first were learning the song," Sampedro recalls. "Neil doesn't even sing all the same words. He doesn't play the [guitar line] all the time. And it's moving really slow and groovyIt was almost a dirge, but I loved it[I]f you want to hear the birth of a song, that's it."

Archives Volume II's last disc includes performances from two March 1976 concerts that Young & Crazy Horse played at Tokyo's famed Budokan venue.

Sampedro admits that the second show was memorable for him because he and bassist Billy Talbot were high on LSD.

Poncho tells ABC Audio that he kept his eyes closed for most of the concert, but one of the times he did open them, "I looked, and Billy and Neil were at the micssinging, and giant mandalas were coming out of their heads...And it was so beautiful."



Archives Volume II's "Retail Edition" is available now at Young's online store and retail outlets. In addition, a second run of the "Deluxe Edition" also was released Friday, and can be purchased exclusively at Neil's store.

By Matt Friedlander

Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
A rush to ban gay conversion therapy in Northern Ireland could lead to ineffective laws that enable the practice to continue, a minister has warned.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said she would like to bring forward draft legislation immediately, but told MLAs she had received expert advice that more time was needed to ensure the law was watertight.

She said administrations elsewhere in the UK and Ireland had encountered problems implementing prohibitions.

Ms Hargey said she was working with an expert panel to put together Stormonts sexual orientation strategy.

Obviously it is a cruel treatment that has to be banned and ended as soon as possible. But I have to make sure that we don't make the same mistakes as other jurisdictions Deirdre Hargey

The minister said it was important to establish the scale of gay conversion treatment in Northern Ireland and the different names the practice is given.

I dont want to leave any loophole in the legislation that this practice may continue and therefore the legislation would be meaningless, she told MLAs.

The minister said she was starting the process of drafting legislation at the same time the expert panel carried out its examination of the issue.

She said that would enable her to move quickly to table the proposed law change when the panel reported.

Ms Hargey said she was confident she would be able to table the legislation before the end of the Assembly mandate next spring.

The issue had been raised during Assembly question time by SDLP MLA Colin McGrath, who expressed concern that legislation could be delayed.

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This is a harsh and cruel practice and it does seriously impact the mental health of members of our community, he said.

I welcome the announcement of strategies and impending legislation, but sometimes the executive is good at announcing strategies and legislation but not just so good on delivering them.

Could I take this opportunity to encourage the minister to move as quickly as possible to deliver this whilst at the same time undertaking all of the loopholes that she has mentioned.

We are the last place in these islands to deliver this so there should be plenty of experience out there on what to do and get it right.

Ms Hargey added: People have been completely affected by this, that has completely changed their life, their family dynamics as well, and obviously it is a cruel treatment that has to be banned and ended as soon as possible.

But I have to make sure that we dont make the same mistakes as other jurisdictions.
US President Joe Bidens climate envoy has visited London for talks with Boris Johnson in a sign that the Special Relationship could be warming up again.

Former secretary of state John Kerry met with Mr Johnson this morning ahead of the UK hosting the United Nations Cop26 climate change summit in Glasgow in November this year.

Mr Kerry's decision to fly to the UK for face-to-face talks highlights the extent to which the US approach on the issue has changed under the Biden administration.

Donald Trump pulled the US out of the landmark Paris climate change agreement when he was president.

Rejoining the accord was one of Mr Biden's first acts when he moved into the White House.

John Kerry, Joe Biden's climate envoy, held talks with Boris Johnson and Alok Sharma in London this morning. He is pictured leaving Downing Street

The visit of Mr Kelly is likely to boost optimism in Whitehall that Mr Johnson and Mr Biden will be able to strike a close relationship

The visit of Mr Kerry is likely to boost optimism in Whitehall that Mr Johnson and Mr Biden will be able to strike a close relationship after fears were raised they may not get along.

Mr Kerry is visiting European capitals to strengthen global ambition to tackle climate change.

He met with Cop26 President Alok Sharma and Mr Johnson dropped into the meeting which took place in the Locarno Room at the Foreign Office.

The former US presidential candidate who failed in his bid for the White House back in 2004 will also meet European Union leaders in Brussels and the French government in Paris during his visit.

On April 22, Mr Biden is due to host his own leaders summit on climate change.

Mr Kerry's visit is likely to increase hopes of the Special Relationship between the US and the UK being strengthened.

Since Mr Biden's election last November there have been concerns that he and Mr Johnson could clash.

The two leaders have never met before but Mr Biden has previously likened the Prime Minister to a 'physical and emotional clone' of Mr Trump.

Meanwhile, Democratic sources had questioned whether Mr Johnson was an ally of Mr Biden given his warm relationship with Mr Trump.

Mr Johnson faced fierce domestic criticism from his political opponents for his relationship with Mr Biden's predecessor.

But the PM previously insisted the British premier should always have the 'best possible' ties with the sitting US president.

He told the Liaison Committee in January this year: 'I am in favour of the Prime Minister of the UK having the best possible relationship with the President of the United States and I had an excellent conversation very recently with president-elect Joe Biden.'
Marilynne Wall taught for Beaumont ISD for more than four decades, until November when she said she was asked to cease all communication with her students unless she agreed to return to campus.

Thats when I got an email that said you may not support the kids in any way, contact them, post lessons  no transactions that have to do with your classes, Wall told The Enterprise in January. Ive gone through a gamut of emotions, but I was in shock.

Wall, who was a key figure in the foreign language department at Beaumont United and other BISD schools, is one of an estimated 1.5 million teachers across the U.S. with a medical condition that puts them at high risk for contracting and dying from the coronavirus, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The long-time educator asked the district if she could continue to work from home as an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act given her COPD, a chronic inflammatory lung disease, and included a letter from her physician in her request.

But the district, grappling with a state mandate to maintain and increase in-person attendance, denied her request.

Permitting you to conduct your classes virtually will necessitate the district to hire additional personnel to monitor your students, creating an undue financial burden, Derwin Samuels, the executive director of human resources for the district, said in a letter to Wall.

Under federal law, an employer does not have to provide a reasonable accommodation that would cause an undue hardship to the employer once they have gone through an individualized assessment of the circumstances, which Samuels detailed in the letter.

But Wall said she successfully taught her 175 students remotely for the first few months of the year, the first four weeks of which were strictly virtual.

They tried putting me on disability leave as of August, but it didnt make sense to me, and I didnt understand what they really wanted from me, she said. So I just kept teaching until November.

In a statement to The Enterprise, Samuels said the district has worked to meet the health needs of teachers and staff, but that in-person presence is necessary.

In order to provide all course offerings at an adequately rigorous instructional level to all students  both virtual and face to face  all BISD teachers are assigned to teach students on campus, Samuels said. Therefore, the teachers physical presence at school is essential, as the teacher is the adult responsible for the supervision and instruction of students present in the classroom.

According to the district, only two teachers applied for virtual learning as an accommodation this school year.

Overall, the district has filled more vacancies this year than anytime in the past 5 years, recruiting more than 230 teachers.

The district did not comment on Walls circumstance explicitly, citing a policy not to comment on personnel matters.

Wall said that while she was originally taken aback and confused by the districts handling of the matter, she is mostly upset for her 175 students, including the Advanced Placement students at Beaumont United.

Im not fatalistic, but maybe it is time for me to retire. I do have COPD, my husband has high-risk conditions, so maybe this is the universes way of telling me that I need to be home to take care of yourself, and spend time with him. I am okay with it, she said. I do feel a lot of sorrow for the 175 kids.

Career-altering pandemic

For younger teachers facing similar circumstances as Wall, retirement is not an option.

When the virus first arrived, I was thinking the same things as everyone else: Why is this happening? How long are we going to be at home quarantining? How is it going to be enforced?, Samuel Burgueno, who recently left his job as a math teacher at Conroe ISD, said. Then when I found out I was at higher risk, I realized I needed to take care of myself.

Burgueno and his wife, Fatima, both started their teaching careers at Beaumont ISD, where they worked with Wall before moving to Conroe when the state took over the district in 2014 amid a number of financial scandals.

Since I was a kid, teaching is what I wanted to do, Burgueno told The Enterprise in February. I studied to become an engineer and then got a teaching certification that way.

Both Fatima and Sam breathed a sigh of relief when Conroe ISD joined schools across the state in transitioning online in March 2020, just as the virus began to spread in Texas.

Even though people were complaining about being stuck at home and being bored and everything, I was counting my blessings that we were able to stay at home and do what we could from home to teach distance learning is what they called it, he said.

As the school year came to a close and planning began during the summer, teachers were asked to return to campus, even as the start of school was virtual for all students.

At the time I asked the principal what our options were, he said. I told her I was worried about how my body would react to it; and then in the worst case scenario, where my body cant handle it and I die ... I kept thinking about my kids and my wife and how that is not fair to them you know?

According to Fatima, the district said the remote-teaching request was deemed not a reasonable accommodation.

In lieu of teaching from home, Burgueno was offered a small plexiglass window, which did not arrive until the week he was to leave, along with a bottle of disinfectant and hand sanitizer for his classroom.

I was very transparent on a phone call whenever they called me to offer that stuff, he said. I told them, You know what? That might be an accommodation that is acceptable for you, but that is not acceptable for me. We are talking about my life here, and it is really unfortunate and frustrating in my case that I was being asked to choose between my career and my life.

Conroe ISD officials were unable to answer questions before press time, including how many people at the district requested virtual learning as an accommodation.

With the concerns about his own health and that of a new young child in his family, Burgueno made the decision to leave the district a week before students were scheduled to return to class, never having met his last group of students in person.

I came to the realization that I had to make this choice after the school year had already started, so I had already seen my students, he said. I couldnt even get on a Zoom live, I had to record a video of myself and send it to them and their parents. It was just very hard.

In the weeks between his return to campus and departure, several teachers contracted the virus, he said; and at least one other teacher left the district after failing to secure accommodations.

We as teachers are held accountable for providing accommodations for our students every single day in any given year for all types of medical issues, he said. But whenever something like this happens that is out of our control and we are asking for accommodations from the district, that is very doable because we had already proven the fact that we could teach from home. It is unacceptable.

Shortly after leaving his job as an educator, Burgueno returned to the engineering field, a career he was in before he found his true passion of teaching.

I miss the kids, he said on the phone while driving the hour-long commute from College Station, where his now works, to Conroe. I miss the conversations and helping the students. I miss having those relationships with them and seeing them smile.

Shortly after the interview, the family moved out of their Conroe home to be closer to the job in College Station.

Virtual learning as an accommodation

One of the largest teacher organizations in the state has criticized districts for the practice of requiring teachers with health concerns to return to campus, regardless of their claims of undue hardship.

The Texas Classroom Teachers Association repeatedly takes the position that the state and districts should not force teachers to choose between doing what they love, teaching, and risking their and their loved ones health, Dohn Larson, the director of legal services for TCTA said in an email to The Enterprise. Undue hardship is not simply a card an employer can play to deny an accommodation.

Larson said districts should consider the nature of each disability, the school and the requested accommodation before making a determination.

At BISD, Walls application came just as the district was making a push to get more students back to campus, making the on-campus element more important.

In the letter, Samuels detailed the high school transition plan, which included a period of hybrid classes that ended around the same time Wall was placed on long-term disability shortly before retiring.

For high school students, the district designed a hybrid schedule to better support enhanced safety protocols, create cohesiveness and maintain stability in special programs, Samuels said. High school students were split into two separate groups and were assigned specific days of in-person and remote instruction.

The hybrid option ended mid-January, around the same time Wall was placed on long-term disability leave.

Around 1,000 members have contacted the TCTA legal department and discussed accommodations under the ADA with varying levels of assistance, according to Larson.

Some districts boards and administrators were willing to help. They responded favorably to members requests. Sometimes members received a good outcome after TCTA attorneys guided the member to frame the request properly and include the right kind of documentation, he said. Other districts were responsive after receiving multiple communications, including grievances from TCTA attorneys. Some districts took hardline positions and offered few or limited accommodations.

But some teachers, like Wall and Burgueno, have left contracts because they could not safely return to schools.

According to Burgueno, Conroe ISD allowed teachers to take on-campus virtual teaching responsibilities just weeks after he asked if that was an option for him.

It was pretty much the same thing I requested, but it was forced on another teacher that did not want it, he said. And a few weeks earlier, when I asked for it, it wasnt even an option.

With educators now prioritized for the vaccine, the need for extraordinary health measures may soon come to an end, but until then  Larson said virtual options should be open to those with health concerns.

There is no question that districts should make all reasonable efforts to accommodate educators with health conditions that make them vulnerable to transmission and severe health impacts, he said. That should include the right to teach remotely, especially until we have sufficient vaccination.

But even then, the possible threat of exposure will not go away for years to come.

We look at vaccines and see relief, but the coronavirus is not going away, Larson said. Education (as we knew it before the pandemic) meant a lot of people spending time, close together, and in closed rooms and buildings. With vaccine efficacy questions still unresolved, some educators will have to choose between family safety and their careers.

Legacy

Beaumont and Conroe ISDs are not alone in their decision to require teachers to be on campus amid the pandemic.

Few districts in Texas have offered virtual teaching as an option during the current school year as the strains of teaching both in-person and virtually have underscored a need for teachers in the classroom.

At districts like Hardin-Jefferson ISD, teachers are only permitted to teach from home while in quarantine due to contracting or coming in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Not all jobs can be done from home, so this is a rare occurrence, Mandy Fortenberry, a spokesperson for the district, said.

In Port Arthur ISD, four teachers with medical conditions took advantage of the Family Medical Leave Act instead of asking for accommodations.

There were a few people who had concerns about being exposed and we made accommodations on campus for those individuals, Kathy Londow, the executive director for human resources at PAISD, said. For example, we gave them alternative times to come in, we allowed some individuals to use back entrances instead of front entrances to make sure they limited the number of people they came into contact with.

Londow said the requests for accommodations were made informally, and not through the ADA process.

But for districts like Conroe and Beaumont ISD, the loss of teachers is not insignificant.

Marilynne Wall, who was once recognized on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for her work advancing equality during Black History Month at Beaumont ISD, had a noticable impact in her almost 45 years serving as a teacher, which started in South Park ISD before it merged to form the current district. She also taught in Mexico for a number of years.

As a Spanish teacher, she took a particular interest in establishing programs to uplift and inspire bilingual students, like Ines Alavidres, who had Wall as a teacher when she attended Central High School.

She gave me all the trust in these big projects when she knew I liked painting and I love art, so she gave me all these opportunities, Alvidres said. It was the first time I felt like a real artist.

At the time, Alvidres said the support from Wall and others in the ESL department gave her confidence as she was learning English.

She now has an art studio in Beaumont.

Another former student, Marcelino Rodriguez, said students at BISD are the ones losing the most.

They lost a really good teacher, he told The Enterprise. Not so much that BISD lost a good teacher, but BISD just robbed its young students. She was a leader that molded our future leaders.

Rodriguez also came from Mexico and learned English as a second language, adding that the support of Wall and other teachers was essential for his success.

As educators begin to receive the vaccine, and public health experts gain a better understanding of the coronavirus, there is hope for a return to some sort of normal in the near future. But impacts from the career-altering year will last.

Me and my wife have a garage full of two classrooms that we dont want to get rid of, Burgueno said. If we go back one day to teach, we can pull it back out and not start from zero. But at this point, knowing what our teacher friends are doing and remembering the pressure that we used to have, it is really hard to imagine going back.

isaac.windes@hearstnp.com

twitter.com/isaacdwindes
Admin gears up as Hisar farmers get set to protest today

Punjab MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu hoists black flag at his residence in support of protesting farmers

Women farmers key for making Indian agriculture self-reliant: Govt

India

pti-Deepika S

New Delhi, Mar 08: Women are the backbone of the Indian agriculture sector and their contribution is pivotal in making the sector self-reliant, according to the government.

Addressing a virtual event organised by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to commemorate the International Women's Day on Monday, two union ministers of state for agriculture -- Parshottam Rupala and Kailash Choudhary -- spoke about women's contribution in every sector including agriculture.

Rupala highlighted the central government's various schemes that are aimed at empowering women in every aspect of life, while Choudhary lauded women's contribution in agriculture and farming sectors. Choudhary emphasized that "the role of women is pivotal in realising the aim of doubling farmers' income," a ICAR statement said.

Stating that women are the backbone of Indian agriculture, ICAR Director General Trilochan Mohapatra said womens contributions are significant in helping the agricultural sector to prosper.

The Council is committed to build-up women leadership in the farming and agricultural sectors, he added. Madhya Pradesh MLA Archana Chitnis stressed on ensuring nutritional security and quality education to the women involved in agriculture.
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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 the 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. 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." Dr. Joel Zindel, MD, University of Bern
Saudi Officials say that Houthi rebels claimed a failed drone attack. The facility is one of the biggest oil shipping ports that was saved by the foiled attack.

Just barely more than a month or less after the Trump administration, the Middle East situation has changed. Allies in the middle east don't have the same confidence in the new administration.

According to an official in the Ministry of Energy of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the failed attempt to attack an oil facility. One of their oil tanks was targeted by a drone in the Ras Tanura Port, but was intercepted before doing any damage, reported Epoch Times.

The Houthi rebels were taken out of the list of terrorist organizations on Washington's blacklist. However, this move was opposed by Mike Pompeo, who said they had Iran links and attacked Aden. Biden chooses to ignore that Iran is one of the adversary nations where diplomacy never won over.

Saudi Arabia is one of the most important oil producers globally, and its facilities have been the target of terrorists. The Trump administration had headway to middle eastern diplomacy and sponsored the Abraham accords.

According to a Ministry of Energy spokesman, the petroleum tank farm in Ras Tanura Port is one of the world's largest. This makes them definite targets for the Houthis, who are intent on mayhem and terror. Sources say the armed drone attack came from the direction of the sea, said the state-run SPA. More terroristic organizations are taking advantage of the fact the United States has a different leader.

Also read: the US Thinks of Establishing New Bases in Saudi Arabia to Counter Iran

Last Sunday, the Yemeni Houthi rebels declared they conducted the failed drone attack on the Saudi oil facility with other KSA attacks. Claims of the rebels were not verified yet, but the threat exists on Saudi oil. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea mentioned that the attack involved 14 armed drones and eight ballistic missiles. The Yemen rebels called it an operation in the heart of Saudi Arabia.

The Saudis called the attack an attempt to disrupt the supply of global oil and assault on its trade-an official statement from the KSA Ministry of Defense, Brig. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki confirmed the Houthis claim.

Al-Maliki said that the Ministry of Energy's statement about the thwarted attack on the Petroleum Tank Farms in Ras Tanura Port in the eastern province was confirmed. He also verified the drone's claimed launched from the sea, which targeted Aramco facilities in Dhahran.

He condemned the rebels for attacking the security of oil supplies for the world and global economy. He added that the terrorist doesn't only want to compromise Saudi Arabia but the world too. Al-Malikim said the rebels' drone was destroyed before it reached its intended target.

For good measure, the Houthis decided to fire a ballistic missile at the Aramco oil facility in Dhahran. Anti-missile defenses blocked it before it hit the facility. Defenses shot down the rocket before it hit, but the debris fell close to civilians and civilian objects, according to the US embassy, that informed Americans of possible missile and drone attack in the vicinity of Dhahran, Dammam, and Khobar in KSA's Eastern Province.

Related article: Bases Housing Coalition Forces Struck by Suspected Iraq Rocket Attack, One Civilian Dead

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
AWD

CVT

SUV

DCT

Although AWD systems usually add a premium to a car's sticker, there are plenty of options that won't break the bank. There are at least tencars and crossovers you can buy for less than $25,000, but the 2021 model year also brings a couple of vehicles that cost less than $20,000 to the table. Chevrolet doesn't offer the Trax with AWD as standard, but you can add it as an option on the base LS trim for only $720. The Trax LS AWD would normally set you back $23,015, but Chevy is now giving away a $4,500 cash allowance that brings the sticker down to only $18,515. It includes the destination freight charge and makes the Trax LS the most affordable AWD model you can buy as of March 2021.This trim comes standard with the 1.4-liter four-cylinder EcoTec engine (155 horsepower), a six-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and StabiliTrak. It's also fitted with 16-inch wheels and body-colored door handles and mirrors.The front seats are only manually adjustable, but you get ten airbags, 4G LTE hotspot, a seven-inch display, rear-view camera, and keyless entry.Not surprisingly, the only car (in the traditional sense of the word) on this list comes from Subaru . If you want AWD but don't want it on a high-riding model, the Impreza is your most affordable option at $18,795. The next sedan with AWD, the Subaru Legacy, comes in at $23,645, so you're saving almost $5,000 (which could go into Impreza options).On top of the Symmetrical AWD system, the base Impreza is also equipped with vehicle dynamics control and traction control. The 152-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine mates to a five-speed manual transmission, and you have to pay extra for theExterior highlights include 16-inch wheels, black mirror caps, and roof crossbar mounting points. As is the case with entry-level models, the Impreza comes with manually adjustable front seats and cloth upholstery.Of course, Ford had to be on this list. FoMoCo has been providing affordable cars for the masses since the early days of the Model T, so it's not surprising that the EcoSport has made it into the Top 3. Just like the Chevy Trax, the EcoSport doesn't come standard with AWD, but you can add it to the entry-level 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine (rated at 123 horsepower).The EcoSport S is technically a sub-$20K trim at $19,995, but once you add AWD and the destination fee, it will set you back $22,835. It comes standard with basic features such as cloth upholstery, AM/FM stereo, Ford SYNC, and 16-inch wheels.Ford also throws in an equipment group with AdvanceTrac with roll stability control and second-row seats with 60/40 split, flip-up and fold-flat layout. Hyundai 's most affordable, the Venue, retails from under $20K but is not available with AWD. To get that four-wheel traction, you need to go with the slightly bigger Kona. Luckily, Hyundai offers an AWD system on the entry-level SE trim, fitted with the 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.The Kona starts from $20,500, but the optional AWD system will add an extra $1,400. Once you add delivery fees, it will set you back $23,085.It comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, but you can't order the seven-speedas it's restricted to the range-topping model. Inside you'll find cloth upholstery, a six-way adjustable driver seat, and a seven-inch infotainment display.Hyundai's Korean sister brand, Kia , also offers an affordable AWD model. The Seltos is a bit more expensive at $23,165, including destination, but it comes standard with an all-wheel-drive system. It's also the largest crossover on this list.On top of that, it's loaded with more standard features than any of the models listed above. It looks more premium thanks to the black front grille and metal-look skid plates, and it features power-adjustable side mirrors and bigger 17-inch wheels.It also comes with an eight-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and cruise control. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that motivates the Seltos generates 146 horsepower.If your budget can take up to $25,000, AWD options include five more vehicles. There's the Subaru Crosstrek from $23,295 and the Legacy from $23,645. The Honda HR-V is next at $23,895. Mazda also offers the CX-3 Sport AWD from $23,960 and the CX-30 AWD from $24,625.
The first minister of Wales branded Boris Johnson really, really awful over his response to the more aggressive variant of Covid-19 being found in December.

Mark Drakeford said he felt a sense of despair and was wringing his hands after a crisis meeting with the prime minister, following Frances travel ban on crossing the Channel.

On the Zoom call, Mr Johnson said he wanted to urgently look at the implications of the travel bans that some of our European friends have imposed.

A TV documentary cuts away from most of the meeting  which cannot be recorded for security reasons  but Mr Drakeford is then heard to say: Dear me, he really, really is awful.

Imagine that some deadly new variant of the virus had been discovered in France and they were trying to persuade us that there was no need to take any action to stop French lorry drivers from driving across the continent.

The pre-Christmas ban on passengers and freight entering from the UK sparked chaos in Kent, triggering many miles of queues for lorries and travellers.

France later eased the crackdown after an agreement was struck to have lorry drivers tested and allowed to cross if they returned negative results.

Asked by an adviser whether he wanted any minutes from the meeting, Mr Drakeford said: No, I dont think there is anything at all, other than wringing our hands, a sense of despair. Difficult to understand.

The comments are revealed after Mr Drakeford lashed out at Mr Johnson for putting the Union at threat by failing to create effective working by the devolved administrations.

The Union, as it is, is over, he told a committee of MPs last week. There is no institutional architecture to make the United Kingdom work. It is all ad-hoc, random and made up as we go along.

In the S4C documentary, the first minister said he and Mr Johnson are very different people  despite both studying Latin  adding: Its hard to find anything else thats common between us as people.

The world through Boris Johnsons eyes is so different to the world that people in Wales see. Its difficult sometimes to understand where hes coming from and why hes doing what hes doing.

The programme also shows the decision-making that led to Wales to allow only two households to mix over Christmas  not the three originally agreed across the UK.

Amid confusion over whether that would be guidance or law, Mr Drakeford said of the media: Lets hope nobody is bright enough to ask, is that should as in regulation or should as in advice?

They are asking already, an official tells him  prompting the first minister to say shit in response.

A later cabinet meeting shows ministers were split over whether to make the rule legally enforceable, but Mr Drakeford decided to go ahead, putting the guidance into law.
(Alliance News) - Sound Energy PLC on Monday said it had received EUR182,535 net of fees from the sale of area one of the Badile Land from an unnamed buyer.

The Morocco-focused upstream gas company said its former Italian subsidiary Apennine Energy SPA entered into a pre-sale agreement in August 2020 to sell the land, which was where the Badile exploration well was drilled in 2017.

In 2018, Sound Energy sold its former Italian portfolio Sound Energy Holdings Italy Ltd to Coro Energy PLC. Apennine is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coro. As part of the sale, Coro agreed to restore and sell the Badile Land, and to give any net proceeds from the sale back to Sound Energy.

Back in August, Sound Energy said the two areas of the Badile land will be sold for a total amount of EUR650,000, adding that it will receive total net proceeds of EUR600,000.

"Under the terms of the pre-sale agreement, it was agreed that the sale of the Badile Land would proceed in two independent stages, being an initial sale of area one, on which no restoration works were required to be undertaken and the subsequent sale of area two, which remains subject to the requirement for restoration works to be carried out and certified as complete. The restoration works on area two are pending a decision of the Italian local authorities as to the proposed scope of the restorative actions," said Sound Energy.

It is anticipated that conclusion of the sale of area two for a consideration of EUR350,000 will be completed later this year.

Shares in Sound Energy were up 3.6% at 1.45 pence in London on Monday.

By Zoe Wickens; zoewickens@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
He also conducted a meta-analysis of efficacy and dropout data appearing in the FDA application and compared these outcomes to those reported in the journal paper.Spielmans, a Professor in Psychology, found that 42.1% of trial participants given bremelanotide did not complete the study compared to 20.48% of participants given the placebo, with dropout rates due to adverse events much higher for those on bremelanotide.Among participants who reached the end of the trials' acute phase, 87.22% on the placebo wanted to continue treatment in the open-label phase that followed, compared to 69.97% on bremelanotide.However, the Kingsberg article did not report that adverse event-induced discontinuation was substantially higher for bremelanotide or that participants preferred taking placebo, measured by the combination of both completing a clinical trial and choosing to participate in the follow-up open-label study. A number of other problems with the article were found including incomplete data reporting, changed efficacy outcomes and conflicts of interest, with four of the authors working for either the company that conducted the trials (Palatin Technologies) or the company which was licensed to market bremelanotide in North America (AMAG Pharmaceuticals) before the license was transferred back to Palatin.Professor Spielmans said: "My findings strongly suggest that bremelanotide has very limited treatment efficacy, that the protocol-specified outcomes of bremelanotide are mostly unreported in the main journal article reporting the clinical trial outcomes, and that trial participants would rather take a placebo than bremelanotide."However, focusing solely on problems with the clinical trials runs the risk of unintentionally reifying the validity of HSDD, he warned."The lack of specifying symptom duration, questionable validity for the lack of sexual fantasies as a diagnostic criterion, difficulty in disentangling individual sexual problems from relational problems, and the failure to consider cultural influence - including the pressure on women to satisfy the sexual desires of their male partners - in the experience of sexuality all render HSDD as a problematic entity," Professor Spielmans added.Source: Eurekalert
Benon Tumusiime had only a few months of pandemic-free life in Winnipeg after arriving as a refugee from Uganda in November 2019.

Benon Tumusiime had only a few months of pandemic-free life in Winnipeg after arriving as a refugee from Uganda in November 2019.

Hed already started to hear news about COVID-19, but he was skeptical the virus would affect his life.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Karin Gordon, the executive director of Hospitality House Refugee Ministry, with (from left): Kelly Uwintwari, Abdoulhi Muhammad and Benon Tumusiime. Newcomers to Manitoba and their support groups have encountered increasing difficulties due to COVID-19.

"I wasnt even sure about the virus, at first. For a while I thought it would be easy, but then seeing how people were staying at home, and how it was harder to even take the bus," he said. "But I ended up understanding the pandemic was serious."

He found it impossible to get a job as a welder after completing his certification in January and was forced to halt his pursuit of a Grade 12 equivalency program.

Tumusiime, who was privately sponsored, was one of the last refugees to make it to Canada before it enacted border restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19. Canada had promised to take in 30,000 refugees in 2020, including those sponsored by the government and private groups. Only 9,000 made it here.

That number comes as no surprise to Karin Gordon, the executive director of Hospitality House Refugee Ministry.

Gordon has spent her retirement supporting hundreds of refugees a year, but has met with a "tiny fraction" of the people sponsored by the non-profit organization.

Currently, Hospitality House can sponsor 100 refugees a year, along with 10 nominated for sponsorship by the federal government. In 2020, it was only able to sponsor 25 people. Even so, the pandemic has made it increasingly difficult to budget for its sponsors because donations have dropped.

"Were not seeing as much funding coming in. I have to be very, very careful how I spend any money on groceries and rent and anything not essential," she said. "Were not government-funded, we rely on donations, so that has been a point of difficulty, as it is for most charitable organizations. Hopefully, this is temporary."

Its difficult to find your way in a new country during normal times, but the pandemic has made it more of a struggle for refugees because they cannot socialize and learn about their new home.

Gordon said many of the people she helps feel isolated.

"It has made it much more difficult in terms of connecting our newcomers to opportunities for integration into the city. There are very few in-person... English learning classes. Places where we used to take people to meet and learn about Winnipeg are no longer available. Churches have closed their doors to service, and many people come here with very strong faith."

Tumusiime echoes that sentiment as he talks about what he most misses from the brief time before restrictions took effect.

"I hope that things will be better when we come to normal, because from the time I came, there was some mild COVID here, I couldnt even go out or socialize, I didnt get out to places. Since Ive come, you dont know exactly where you are. I used to go out, I used to connect with friends  no one wants to increase their bubble of who they are meeting."

The pandemic has affected the way organizations provide support to refugees, and the quality of the programming has taken an inevitable hit, said Aurora Family Therapy Centre executive director Abdikheir Ahmed.

"Were used to supporting people first-hand, in person, face-to-face, providing support around the clock. This has been severely affected," he said.

At Aurora, therapy, community development, youth and mental health programs have all been made virtual. Ahmed said they often work with people who are not used to relying on technology. As a result, some programs that may have taken days to complete, stretch into weeks due to technical issues.

"There are a lot of people who are not used to using technology to access services, and they dont know, or dont even trust how," he said. "To be able to support someone, you have to develop trust. You can only develop trust if you work with the person in-person."

Aurora usually provides therapy services on a sliding scale based on income. But in the last year, theyve been offered them for free. Ahmed said many of the clients are distrustful and afraid because they endured traumatic experiences in their home country.

The lack of face-to-face support has been a concern.

"Our hope is that many of the people we work with are resilient," he said. "Theyve been through worse circumstances and worse situations, and come out like everybody else in this country who hasnt had to deal with the kind of challenges theyve dealt with."

In the meantime, Ahmed said, Aurora tries to ensure virtual meetings are set up in the recipients first language, that it provided socially distant support, and advocates on the communitys behalf. It wants the province to consider data that shows racialized communities are most affected by COVID-19, as it rolls out its vaccine plan.

"The data shows there are certain communities that are disproportionately affected. We need to look into these communities and why they are affected the government needs to look at this and pay attention to how they dole out the vaccine," he said.

Tumusiime wants to finish his Grade 12 equivalency as soon as possible to increase his chance of getting a job once the pandemic winds down.

"My first goal was to go to school, because back home I had to stop before I finished my studying," he said.

Gordon said she cant wait to get back to the in-person support that defined much of her pre-pandemic life  and the many events that come with her work.

"One of the great pleasures of this work is being invited to graduations  high school, university  marriages, store openings  we are very, very happy to add to the fabric of Canada," she said.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: malakabas_
Pope Francis meets with representatives of the three Abrahamic religions at Ur of the Chaldeans in Iraq, and urges Christians, Muslims, and Jews to journey along a path of peace under the stars of the promise God made to Abraham.

By Devin Watkins

On the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Iraq, Pope Francis traveled to Ur of the Chaldeans, the birthplace of the three major religionsIslam, Christianity, and Judaism.

His meeting there was billed as the highpoint of his efforts to promote interreligious dialogue and fraternity in the Middle Eastern nation.

This blessed place brings us back to our origins, to the sources of Gods work, to the birth of our religions, the Pope said in his speech to representatives of the three Abrahamic religions .

Journey home

Returning to Ur, the birthplace of Abraham, we seem to have returned home, added the Pope. He was speaking at a venue set up next to what tradition holds was Abrahams house, near the Great Ziggurat of Ur.

It was here that Abraham heard Gods call; it was from here that he set out on a journey that would change history. We are the fruits of that call and that journey.

The Pope went on to note that God asked Abraham to count the stars and promised the patriarch that his descendants would be as numerous. He saw us.

As representatives of those descendants gathered in his birthplace, the Pope urged everyone to look up to heaven as we journey upon earth.

Listen to our report

We look up to heaven

Pope Francis reflected first on the lessons we can learn from stargazing.

He said those same stars which our father Abraham looked upon still illumine our darkest nights because they shine together.

Heaven thus imparts a message of unity, said the Pope, the Almighty above invites us never to separate ourselves from our neighbours. The otherness of God points us towards others, towards our brothers and sisters.

The Holy Father also urged the faithful of all religions to preserve fraternity through love while lifting our eyes toward heaven and worshiping God.

This is true religiosity: to worship God and to love our neighbour, he said. In todays world, which often forgets or presents distorted images of the Most High, believers are called to bear witness to his goodness, to show his paternity through our fraternity.

Iraqi Christians presents the Pope with a wreath of flowers

Clouds of terrorism, hatred

The Pope then recalled that God is merciful and that the greatest blasphemy is to profane His name by hating our brothers and sisters.

He said believers cannot be silent when terrorism abuses religion, since violence and extremism are not born of a religious heart.

Lamenting the dark clouds of terrorism, war, and violence that have overshadowed Iraq, Pope Francis recalled that all ethnic and religious communities have suffered. He especially lifted his voice in defense of the Yazidi community, many of whom have been murdered, sold as slaves and forced to convert.

And the Pope prayed for those who have fled Iraq or been abducted, asking God that they may soon return home.

Let us pray that freedom of conscience and freedom of religion will everywhere be recognized and respected; these are fundamental rights, because they make us free to contemplate the heaven for which we were created.

Stars shining in darkness

Pope Francis went on to recall the destruction and death wreaked by the so-called Islamic State in the north of Iraq.

Despite the devastation, some stars kept shining, he said, pointing to the many examples of joint efforts to rebuild churches and mosques.

As these places of worship are rebuilt, he urged everyone to make pilgrimages to holy places, for it is the most beautiful sign on earth of our yearning for heaven.

He recalled that Abraham build altars to the Lord in various places, and prayed that all might find in the patriarch the inspiration to make our houses of worship oases of peace and encounter for all.

By his fidelity to God, Abraham became a blessing for all peoples, said the Pope. May our presence here today, in his footsteps, be a sign of blessing and hope for Iraq, for the Middle East and for the whole world. Heaven has not grown weary of the earth: God loves every people, every one of his daughters and sons!

Pope Francis speaks to Iraq's religious leaders

Journey together on earth

The Pope then considered Abrahams example of journeying in this world while keeping his eyes fixed on heaven.

For Abraham, looking up to heaven, rather than being a distraction, was an incentive to journey on earth, to set out on a path that, through his descendants, would lead to every time and place.

The patriarchs journey involved sacrifices, said Pope Francis, yet reminds us that we need one another.

On our own journey, we are called to leave behind those ties and attachments that, by keeping us enclosed in our own groups, prevent us from welcoming Gods boundless love and from seeing others as our brothers and sisters.

Path of peace

Pope Francis said our stargazing also pushes us along the way of peace.

The Covid-19 pandemic, he noted, has shown us that no one can ignore the suffering of others, especially the most vulnerable.

Peace, he added, requires alliances that do not pit us against them, but ones that unite us by overcoming division.

The Pope added that hatred is the true enemy. Anyone with the courage to look at the stars, anyone who believes in God, has no enemies to fight, he said. He or she has only one enemy to face, an enemy that stands at the door of the heart and knocks to enter. That enemy is hatred.

Steps toward fraternity

Finally, Pope Francis encouraged the faithful of the three Abrahamic religions to find inspiration in our common father, and turn our weapons into instruments of peace.

It is up to us to remind the world that human life has value for what it is and not for what it has. That the lives of the unborn, the elderly, migrants and men and women, whatever the colour of their skin or their nationality, are always sacred and count as much as the lives of everyone else!

Abrahams journey, he concluded, was a blessing of peace. In our own day, our journey toward peace requires concrete steps of fraternity, working together to achieve something good.

Brothers and sisters of different religions, here we find ourselves at home, and from here, together, we wish to commit ourselves to fulfilling Gods dream that the human family may become hospitable and welcoming to all his children; that looking up to the same heaven, it will journey in peace on the same earth.
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Hundreds of mostly female workers gathered outside government buildings in Sydney to condemn violence against women and call for greater gender equality in workplaces, amid growing scrutiny over the treatment of women in Australian politics.

Celebrating International Women's Day, a young woman stood outside the New South Wales state parliament, with the message "My body, my business" written across her body, while another held a placard reading "Equal work deserves equal pay!".

A variety of workers - from nurses and teachers to hairdressers and transport workers - took part in the gathering. It comes as the government launched a A$19 million ($14.57 million) campaign urging people to speak up when they witness disrespect against women.

"Let us all work together ... so that we finally move to a world where sexual violence and sexual assault and sexual harassment is a thing of the past," Jenny Leong, a parliamentary representative from the Greens party told the crowd.

Australia's parliament is under increased scrutiny over sexual assault allegations.

Three female employees of Prime Minister Scott Morrison's Liberal party last month said they had been raped by the same man in 2019 and 2020. One of the alleged victims has lodged a complaint with police.

Last week, Attorney-General Christian Porter, the country's chief law officer, identified himself as the subject of a separate historical rape allegation, declared his innocence and strongly denied the claim.

($1 = 1.3045 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Paulina Duran in Sydney; Editing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa)


In 2019, Vicky Kaushal was on an incredible high thanks to the success of his Uri: The Surgical Strike. Yesterday, Vicky Kaushal visited the Uri Base Camp in Kashmir and spent his time our jawans. The actor had an incredible time with them as he even took to his Instagram and shared pictures from his outing.



The actor captioned it saying, My heartfelt thanks to the Indian Army for inviting me to the Uri Base Camp, Kashmir. Thank You for giving me an opportunity to spend a lovely day with the locals who were so full of warmth and amazingly talented. It is the biggest honour for me to be in the company of our great armed forces. Thank You. Jai Hind! In the pictures we see Vicky Kaushal is all smiles and is surely having a gala time with the real-life heroes.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09)

Vicky Kaushal recently shared in one of his interviews at a film festival that when he read the script of Uri for the first time, his first answer was no. Apparently he was shooting for Meghna Gulzars Raazi and the actor had a very heavy day at shoot as he was shooting for an emotional sequence. When the actor went back home and read the script, he couldnt connect with the subject. Its only after his father and veteran action director Sham Kaushal read the script and told his son that he should definitely do the film that Vicky consented. As they say  whats meant to happen, will happen.
New Delhi, March 8 : A Seychelles-based financial partner has proven to be the weak link in the bid made by a group of Air India employees for the divestment of the national carrier.

The transaction advisor to the government, Ernst & Young, informed the employees of Air India that they have been unsuccessful in qualifying for the next phase of the 'disinvestment acquisition process' on account of inadequate details of the Seychelles-based fund.

The Seychelles-based fund did not give proper financial statements, and is not even a properly regulated foreign regulated fund.

In a mail to Meenakshi Malik, an Air India board member who led the bid, the transaction advisor said, "The EOI and the supporting documents submitted by you have been duly evaluated and have been found to not fulfil the eligibility requirements set out in the Preliminary Information Memorandum (as amended) issued in respect of the strategic disinvestment of Air India Limited and is liable for disqualification, including on account of: (A) non-submission of required three years audited financial statements for foreign consortium member; (B) non-submission of information or details by IB for investments in offshore companies, which form substantial part of the net worth of foreign consortium member; and (C) the foreign consortium member not being an appropriately regulated foreign investment fund as defined in the PIM. Accordingly, we hereby inform you that, you have been disqualified from proceeding to Stage II of the strategic disinvestment of AI." Malik told the other employees in a mail, "The employees were in fact so formidable a unit that many outsiders and funds unconnected to us made tall claims of supporting and partnering with the employees of Air India. I have been made aware of one such US-based fund which went so far as to represent itself as being the financial partner of the employees of Air India, despite having no such arrangement with the employees.

"While it is flattering to note that many wanted to associate themselves with us, we were in fact partnered with a financial fund based out of the Republic of Seychelles and dealt exclusively with them through the disinvestment process. I accordingly, also expressed, on behalf of the employees, my sincerest thanks to our financial partner for having believed in us and agreeing to invest in us."
International Women's Day: Women to take centre stage at farmers protest sites at Delhis borders

Meet IG Laxmi Singh, the incredible IPS officer who puts duty before self

International Women's Day: PM Modi buys products to celebrate women enterprise, creativity

India

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New Delhi, Mar 08: On International Women's Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi went on a shopping spree and purchased textiles and paintings from states like Tamil Nadu, Assam and West Bengal.

Women are playing a leading role in India''s quest to become ''aatmanirbhar'', he tweeted, urging people to commit themselves to encouraging entrepreneurship among women.

Sharing details of the products he bought, Modi noted that the exquisite hand embroidered shawl made by artisans of the Toda tribe of Tamil Nadu looked wonderful and added that he bought one. This product is marketed by Tribes India, he said.

He also bought a handcrafted Gond Paper Painting and said art by tribal communities is spectacular and the painting merges colours and creativity.

The prime minister bought a traditional Naga shawl, and said India is proud of the Naga culture which is synonymous with bravery, compassion and creativity.

"Khadi is closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi and India''s rich history. Bought a Khadi Cotton Madhubani Painted Stole. This is a top quality product and is closely associated with the creativity of citizens," he said.

Khadi is closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi and Indias rich history. Bought a Khadi Cotton Madhubani Painted Stole. This is a top quality product and is closely associated with the creativity of our citizens. #NariShakti https://t.co/iKv0tIYIq3 pic.twitter.com/806mUC9rJK  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2021

"I am surely going to use this handmade Jute file folder from West Bengal. Made by tribal communities of the state, you all must have a jute product from West Bengal in your homes," Modi tweeted.

The prime minister said that people have seen him wear a Gamusa very often and added that it is extremely comfortable.

He said that he bought a Gamusa made by various self-help groups of Kakatipapung Development Block.

"I am eagerly awaiting to receive Classic Palm Craft Nilavilakku made by women based in Kerala. It is commendable how our Nari Shakti has preserved and popularised local crafts and products," he added.

Modi used the hashtag of "Nari Shakti" (woman power) in his tweets.

Earlier, he had greeted women on the International Women''s Day, saying India takes pride in their many accomplishments.

"It is our government''s honour to be getting the opportunity to work towards furthering women empowerment across a wide range of sectors," he said.

Last year too, the prime minister took an innovative approach to mark the day as he had handed over his social media accounts to women who inspire to share their stories, messages, life and work .

Muthoot Finance shares drop as chairman falls to death | Oneindia News

The prime minister has often highlighted his government''s schemes like free cooking gas cylinders, opening of bank accounts, building toilets, to underscore that woman empowerment has been a central theme of these programmes.

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Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 15:52 [IST]
Downing Street has suggested MPs may not be given a vote on the cut to the foreign aid budget, as Tories threaten to rebel against the controversial move.

Conservative former minister Andrew Mitchell urged the Government on Monday not to shy away from a vote because it is rightly scared that it may be defeated.

No 10 argued that the cut from the legally-binding target of 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) to 0.5% is compatible with existing law.

And with rebel sources confident the Government would be defeated, the Prime Ministers spokesman declined to commit to giving MPs a vote on the plan.

Instead, the spokesman argued a vote was not necessary by arguing the move is compatible with the 2015 law that sets the aid target.

Pressed if No 10 is for or against a Commons vote, Boris Johnsons spokesman said: The Government is acting compatibly with the International Development Act which explicitly envisages there may be a circumstance where the 0.7% target is not met.

He added that Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab would set out the next steps in due course.

Mr Mitchell, a former development secretary, said the law only provides for reductions in unintended and retrospective circumstances, not premeditation.

He told the PA news agency: Clearly the Government cannot deliberately break the law on 0.7% without parliamentary consent.

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The Government needs to have the courage of its convictions on this matter and not shy away from a vote because it is rightly scared that it may be defeated.

We are a generous country and the 0.7% is not just a promise to the poorest, it was also a manifesto commitment from every single member of the House of Commons elected just over a year ago.

Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP who chairs the Commons Defence Committee, also urged the Government to allow a vote, or face a defeat through other means, such as through related amendments or opposition day debates.

He told PA: If there is no Government vote on this matter the view of the House will be tested through another legislative instrument, for which I hope the Government will play close attention to.

By pulling programmes in places like Libya, the Russians will be delighted to see were stepping back, Boko Haram benefits from us withdrawing interest in Nigeria, Al-Shabab will celebrate us reducing funds for Somalia and ultimately when threats are diversifying and becoming more complex, not least with the rise of authoritarianism, brought about by extremism, this sends the wrong message for a country trying to re-establish its global credentials.

In November, the Government announced the plan to temporarily slash the aid budget to help repair damage to public finances caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Raab has said he wants to restore it to 0.7% of GNI as soon as possible.

But Conservatives have joined charities, opposition MPs and former prime ministers David Cameron and Tony Blair in being angered by the move.

The development came as the United Nations top humanitarian affairs official condemned the Government for slashing aid to Yemen.

Mark Lowcock, the head of the UNs humanitarian affairs office, said the UKs move was an act of medium and longer term self-harm, and all for saving what is actually  in the great scheme of things at the moment  a relatively small amount of money.

The decision, in other words, to balance the books on the backs of the starving people of Yemen, has consequences not just for Yemenis now, but for the world in the long term, Mr Lowcock, a former Department for International Development permanent secretary, told the Guardian.

The UK has pledged at least 87 million in aid to the Middle Eastern country, down from a promise of 160 million in 2020 and 200 million in 2019.

The Prime Ministers spokesman responded: We would reject that characterisation. We continue to play a leading role in fighting famine and hunger around the world.
(TNS)  The U.S. House of Representatives passed a sweeping voting rights bill this week, and while much of it won't affect Washington, Secretary of State Kim Wyman still has some concerns.HR 1 would expand voting rights and overhaul campaign finance and redistricting laws. House Democrats passed the legislation Wednesday, a move to stop some Republican efforts nationwide to restrict voter access.When the bill passed the House in 2019, Wyman testified against it, sharing concerns that it was too partisan, sweeping and expensive for many states, and didn't include enough input from election officials. Her concerns this time are the same.While the ideas in the bill are good, Wyman said, her biggest concerns are its lack of Republican input and its sweeping nature. The bill is "completely written by Democrats without substantive input from their Republican counterparts." Both sides are guilty of it with election legislation, Wyman said. "It's the problem I have with any election legislation," she said. "When either party is writing election law and not consulting election administrators and election officials, it doesn't matter how good the ideas are."Much of what's in HR 1 is already being done in Washington.It would create a nationwide voter-registration system that would require state election officials to automatically register eligible individuals unless they opt out. It would also keep all voter information in one place. While there is no nationwide system, Washington does have a statewide database that keeps all voter information in one place, called VoteWA.gov.The bill would also require states to offer same-day voter registration, as well as at least 15 days of early voting for federal elections. Washington implemented same-day voter registration during a general election for the first time last year. Because of Washington's mail-in voting system, voters have 18 days to return their ballots or vote in person if they need assistance.It also makes some changes in campaign finance law, requiring super PACs to disclose donors publicly and establishing a public funding match for small-dollar donations.One change that might affect Washington is the creation of an independent redistricting commission, not made up of lawmakers, to approve congressional districts. Currently, Washington has a bipartisan commission of four members appointed by the Legislature. It includes two Republican appointees, two Democratic appointees and a fifth, nonvoting, nonpartisan chairperson.HR 1's plan would create a 15-person commission, split evenly between Democrats, Republicans and independents.Still, the change wouldn't affect Washington that much, Wyman said, as the state's commission is already a bipartisan mix of nonlawmakers.Along with the partisan nature of HR 1, Wyman said her other main concern is how sweeping the legislation is with little funding attached to it to help states make the changes.Wyman would like to see Congress tackle election funding across the country. Some counties don't have enough funds for updated technology, voting centers or good cybersecurity."It's very patchwork with uneven access to voting," she said.If Congress passes sweeping legislation such as HR 1 but doesn't provide adequate funding for it, it could be very difficult for states across the country to implement the changes.Increased access to mail-in voting or creating a database like VoteWA.org takes time and money, Wyman said, and not every state has that.Idaho Secretary of State Lawerence Denney joined 15 other lawmakers in sending a letter to party leaders in both the House and the Senate expressing their opposition to HR 1.In the letter, election officials called it "a dangerous overreach by the federal government into the administration of elections." The letter went on to say each state legislature should have the freedom to determine best election practices for their state.It reads: "These bills intrude upon our constitutional rights, and further sacrifice the security and integrity of the elections process. We firmly believe the authority to legislate and regulate these changes should be left with the states."Wyman said she did not sign this letter because HR 1 wouldn't affect Washington as much as it would a lot of the other states. She also knows how many of her constituents support HR 1, which she doesn't think is "a black and white issue."In a similar move, 20 Republican attorneys general, including Idaho's Lawrence Wasden, sent a letter calling the bill "unconstitutional."HR 1 is likely to face challenges in the Senate, where Democrats only hold a slim majority, not enough to pass the bill without the Senate filibuster. The bill passed in the House in 2019 but never made it to the Senate floor.
Yorkville resident Lisa Wolancevich, who joined the Kendall County Historical Society board in the past year, said the mission of the society is to preserve the past for the future and that the school will hopefully continue to be a destination for people.
Sometimes when I order two sides of guac and drive home feeling extra-extra, I remember that Goop is still a thing that exists. Gwyneth Paltrow's well-curated "modern lifestyle brand" is a go-to spot for $425 sweatpants, a $1,995 ouija board, and a $35,000 pyramid-shaped cabinet that "creates a spatial vortex in whatever room it's placed in."

And, starting on Monday, March 8, Goop's own gluten-free food will be available to people in the Los Angeles area who gets excited when they see the word "clean" on a menu. The Goop Kitchen is a "delivery concept" that, at the time of its launch, has five menu items that include a pair of bowls, two salads, and build-your-own lettuce wraps.

"Driven by a core belief that clean, nutrient-dense, delicious food leads to greater well-being, goop has covered countless detoxes and interviewed legions of experts on the food-to-happiness connection," the company said in a statement. "Goop Kitchen's mission is to accelerate the clean food movement by proving, just as Paltrow did years ago, that whole, unprocessed meals can be both satisfying and convenient, this time brought right to your door with just a few clicks."

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The meals will be prepared in a virtual kitchen in Santa Monica and will be available for delivery in parts of Los Angeles, including Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades, and Venicea few neighborhoods where you might expect to overhear a conversation about the "food-to-happiness connection."

Chef Kim Floresca has been tapped to lead Goop Kitchen's actual-but-virtual kitchen, which is her latest stop after stints at Per Se, El Bulli, and The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley. (Floresca and her husband, chef Daniel Ryan, were also back-to-back regional winners of The People's Best New Chef during their time at [One] Restaurant in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.)

"Taking cues from each season's bounty has always been at the core of my approach to food," Floresca said. "Honoring the integrity of ingredients is also at the heart of Goop Kitchen. I am thrilled to lead a team of chefs who are equally passionate about what we are creating. Not only are Goop Kitchen meals healthy; they are also delicioussomething we are so proud of [...] I'm excited for our guests to experience it for themselves."

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The five available meals range in price from $12.25 to $15.95, and include a Goop Teriyaki Bowl with organic chicken; a Spring Salmon Bowl; the Suprema Chopped Salad; the Miso Salmon Salad; and the Mushroom "Al Pastor" Lettuce Wraps. The sauces and dressings for each entree are Goop Certified Clean, which the company says means that they are free from "processed sugars, processed foods, gluten, soy, dairy, peanuts, or preservatives."

Goop Kitchen is accepting orders through its website. From Monday, March 8 through Sunday, March 21, every customer will receive free delivery. Just try not to drip any Goop Certified Clean sauce on your pyramid-shaped furniture. You know that'll wreck the spatial vortex.
Mexico City: Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says his government is studying what to do about growers of opium poppies who have been hit by competition from synthetic opioids, suggesting that some sort of legalisation scheme might be possible.

Asked about legalising marijuana production  a bill for which is now before Congress  Lopez Obrador on Monday (Tuesday AEDT) said the question also involved opium poppies grown illegally in some parts of the country to make heroin.

A soldier stands on a poppy field during eradication supervised by the Mexican Army on the outskirts of Morelia, Mexico. Credit:AP

As far as commercialising marijuana and opium poppies, the decision has been made to undertake a thorough study of these crops, Obrador said.

The government has tried introducing alternative crops, like timber and fruit orchards, in poppy-growing areas, but Obrador clearly suggested the new study was in addition to those efforts.
On International Women's Day, Google has announced that it will support 1 million entrepreneurs in rural India. It has also announced a $25 million fund for projects that address systemic barriers towards economic equality globally. "Today at #GoogleForIndia #WomenWill we announced a commitment to support 1M women entrepreneurs in rural India, and a $25M Google Org Impact Challenge for Women & Girls to fund projects addressing systemic barriers to economic equality globally," said CEO Sundar Pichai.

Jacqueline Fuller, President of Google Org said in a blog post that was shared by Pichai on Twitter, that if women and girls are given the resources and opportunities to turn their potential to power, it changes the trajectory of their lives as well as strengthens communities. "I've seen this play out first hand while living in India, where public health programs that put resources and decision-making in the hands of women drove much stronger outcomes for their families and villages. I've seen this in my own life, when bosses - both male and female - gave me stretch opportunities and bet on my leadership," she said.

Fuller said she was excited to join CEO Pichai to launch their Impact Challenge for Women and Girls at a Google for India Women Will event on Monday morning. Google is calling on ideas from non-profits and social organisations that are working towards economic empowerment of women and girls to create pathways to prosperity. The tech giant will provide $25 million in funding overall. Impact Challenge grantees will receive mentoring from Googlers, Ad Grants and additional support.

Today at #GoogleForIndia#WomenWill we announced a commitment to support 1M women entrepreneurs in rural India, and a $25M @Googleorg Impact Challenge for Women & Girls to fund projects addressing systemic barriers to economic equality globally. #IWD2021https://t.co/eNhgvWGzPB a Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) March 8, 2021

Even after United Nations made 'gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls' one of its Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, women and men are still on unequal footing, said Fuller, adding that these inequalities have become worse due to COVID-19. Women are almost two times more likely to lose their jobs due to COVID-19, said Fuller. In the US alone, women have lost over 5.4 million jobs, accounting to 55 per cent of the 2020 net job losses. An estimated 20 million girls are at the risk of not returning to school, she said. "Job cuts, income loss and lack of access to education will prevent the economic advancement of women and girls, particularly those from underserved communities, for generations to come. These alarming realities require swift and powerful action. We have a collective responsibility to make sure that generations of women and girls from all walks of life can live in a world where they are treated equally and reach their full potential," she said.

Google.org has given more than $55 million to non-profit organisations to support gender equity and access to opportunity. "I'm honored to stand alongside our partners from Vital Voices and Project Everyone, as well as our phenomenal panel of experts, to elevate the critical work that is happening around the world," she said.

The panel is composed of women leaders from over 15 countries with expertise in global public policy, advocacy, research, business, technology and more.

Projects that support women and girls and have bold ideas on how to transform economic opportunities for women and girls can submit ideas till April 9. The grant recipients will be announced later in the year.

Also read: Google names executive to monitor responsible AI research after staff unrest

Also read: Women's day 2021: Google doodle celebrates women trailblazers
Little Compton

Chinese Communist Party

China

China

China

Liberation Army

U.S.

(TNS)  Former Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorf II, of, lays out the threat posed by thein his recent book, "The Great Nightfall."With the emerging priority of artificial intelligence (AI),is shifting away from a strategy of neutralizing or destroying an enemys conventional military assets  its planes, ships and army units. AI strategy is now evolving into dominating what are termed adversaries systems-of-systems  the combinations of all their intelligence and conventional military assets.Whatwould attempt first is to disable all of its adversaries information networks that bind their military systems and assets. It would destroy individual elements of these now-disaggregated forces, probably with missiles and naval strikes.Now, everything from submarines to satellites, tanks to jets, destroyers to drones, are AI connected by. The Peoplesis developing autonomous vehicles that scout ahead of manned machines or provide supporting fire alongside them. These machines would be smart enough that a single human could supervise a whole pack of them. By replacing humans with electronics, combat vehicles will be more fuel-efficient, harder to hit and cheaper to build and operate. With AI at the helm, a central command could launch a multi-pronged attack from land, air and water simultaneously without any humans at the warfront.All combat decisions, such as targets and how much to fire to minimize collateral damage, would be made by robots. It could come to humans just monitoring the battlefield situation while sitting away safely in a central command center taking corrective action as needed. AI vastly increases the speed at which tactical and even strategic decisions will be made.The rise in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles  commonly known as drones  in both military and commercial settings has been accompanied by a heated debate as to whether there should be an outright ban on what some label killer robots. Such robots, which could be in the air, on the ground, or in and under water, theoretically incorporate AI that would make them capable of executing missions on their own. The debate concerns whether AI machines should be allowed to execute military missions, especially if there is a possibility that human life is at stake.To understand AI, it is important first to understand the difference between an automated and an autonomous system. An automated system is one in which a computer reasons by a rule-based system, and the output will always be the same. An autonomous system (AI) is one that reasons probabilistically given a set of inputs, meaning it will produce a range of behavior. AI means the human faculties of judgment; feelings and belief may no longer be taken into consideration.AI technologies are now widely used in tactical warfare situations, such as target acquisition for missiles launched from drones. But the actual command to fire the missile is reserved for the human operator. What might happen if the decision time is reduced from minutes to seconds, removing the human operator from the process entirely? And might that scenario be adopted by one of our less responsible adversaries? Or might it just happen accidentally  an accident far more plausible than ever before. A global leader in AI will emerge in the near future, achieving enormous international clout and the power to dictate the rules governing AI. The world will be safer and more peaceful with strongleadership in AI.
Some House lawmakers on Monday urged the quick adoption of recommendations by a task force examining security shortcomings on Capitol Hill after the Jan. 6 attack on the complex by a mob of Trump supporters.

Clearly, a need to act soon is upon us, Representative Pete Aguilar, Democrat of California, told reporters after a briefing by the task force, endorsing quick authorization of funding for security updates at the Capitol. I think that the recommendations would indicate that we should act on a security supplemental sooner rather than later.

Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore, a retired Army officer whom Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California chose to lead the task force, and other members briefed lawmakers on Monday on the conclusions of their six-week review.

The task force is recommending the hiring of more than 800 Capitol Police officers, the construction of mobile fencing around the complex, and changes to Capitol Police Board procedures to allow the chief of the agency to quickly summon the National Guard during an emergency.
This map of wildlife management units in the state of Pennsylvania shows the five areas where deer were captured for this study. Values in parentheses indicate the percentage of forest cover for each unit. Previous research at Penn State revealed that the amount of forest cover on the landscape greatly influenced how far deer that disperse travel. Credit: Diefenbach Lab, Penn State

Juvenile white-tailed deer that strike out to find new home rangesdespite facing more riskssurvive at about the same rate as those that stay home, according to a team of researchers who conducted the first mortality study of male and female dispersal where deer were exposed to threats such as hunting throughout their entire range.

Dispersal occurs when a juvenile leaves the area where it was born and moves to a new location where the young animal establishes its adult home range, explained Duane Diefenbach, Penn State adjunct professor of wildlife ecology. The instinctual dispersal of young deer from the area where they were born to a new home range protects the species' gene pool from inbreeding with close relatives.

Diefenbach's research group in the College of Agricultural Sciences has radio-collared hundreds of Pennsylvania deer over the last 20 years, monitoring their survival, movement and behavior. Earlier research done by his lab, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, revealed that about three of every four young, male white-tailed deer disperse, with yearling female dispersal rates much lower.

Dispersal distances depend on forested cover, Diefenbach and colleagues demonstrated in previous research. But on average in Pennsylvania, males travel more than three miles, typically in direct, straight-line fashion; females that disperse often seemingly wander around before settling down an average of about nine miles from where they started.

Lead researcher Eric Long, as a Penn State graduate student more than 15 years ago, untangles a doe caught in a net during deer dispersal research. For this study, 381 juvenile males and 245 juvenile females were equipped with either VHF radio transmitters or GPS transmitters to track their dispersal movement. Credit: Diefenbach Lab, Penn State

"We wanted to know how risky dispersal is," said lead researcher Eric Long, now a professor of biology at Seattle Pacific University, who was a doctoral degree student at Penn State advised by Diefenbach when early stages of the research unfolded. He was surprised to find no detectable increase in death among dispersing deer.

"We expected to find that dispersal results in added mortality because deer are traveling across unfamiliar territory and are more likely to encounter predators or vehicles," Long said. "Going into this research, I expected to have a lot of our dispersers killed by vehicles as they were making the movement. We were surprised at how effective deer are at dispersing, especially when they have to deal with relatively modern risks like roads and hunting."

For this study, researchers captured 398 juvenile male and 276 juvenile female white-tailed deer and compared survival rates of dispersers and nondispersers.

Field technicians Greg Huchko (front) and Jason Kougher (back) are shown with a young buck waking up after being captured in a drop net, sedated and processed. The device on the deer is a VHF ear-tag transmitter. Credit: Diefenbach Lab, Penn State

Over three years, 381 males were equipped with very high frequencyor VHFradio-transmitters and were located with telemetry at least weekly; 17 were equipped with global positioning system, or GPS, radio-transmitters that recorded positions at least twice daily. Over six years, 245 females were equipped with VHF transmitters and located at least weekly; 32 were equipped with GPS transmitters that recorded position at least daily.

Juvenile deer were captured in the winter through early spring. At the time of capture, they were seven to 10 months old. For both male and female white-tailed deer, natal dispersal prior to 11 months of age is rare, Long noted, so capture between December and April decreased the likelihood of capturing juveniles that had already dispersed.

Results of the research, recently published in Ecology and Evolution, indicate that for both male and female yearlings, survival rates of dispersersmales 49.9%, females 64.0%did not differ appreciably from those of nondispersersmales 51.6%, females 70.7%. Only two individuals, both female, were killed by vehicular collision during dispersal movement.

The convoluted path of a Pennsylvania female white-tailed deer dispersing. This video is of a female whose dispersal path was 146 miles, but she ended up establishing an adult home range only 17 miles from her birth site. It took her 55 days. She was still alive when the researchers stopped monitoring her.

So, why do dispersing juvenile deer fare as well as nondispersers despite facing more risk? Researchers are not sure, but Long suspects that deer with the predisposition to be more adventurous might have a genetic makeup that helps them to avoid threats. Also, he said, there is some evidence to suggest that yearlings in better condition, with bigger bodies, are more likely to disperse than deer in poorer condition.

"It may be that only those deer that are up to the challenge of dispersal even try it," he said. "Bucks, which are more likely to disperse, seem much more efficient at dispersal than females. They don't mess around and wander all over the place like doesand that likely decreases their risk."

More information: Eric S. Long et al, Risky movements? Natal dispersal does not decrease survival of a large herbivore, Ecology and Evolution (2021). Journal information: Ecology and Evolution Eric S. Long et al, Risky movements? Natal dispersal does not decrease survival of a large herbivore,(2021). DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7227
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 02:36:06|Editor: huaxia

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BEIRUT, March 5 (Xinhua) -- 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.

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said that the EU will continue to do all it can to support the Syrian people, civil society, refugees and their host communities in neighboring countries.

He also noted that the EU will host the fifth Brussels Conference on "Supporting the future of Syria and the region" on March 29-30 to reaffirm international support for the UN efforts for a negotiated political solution to the Syrian conflict. Enditem
Frazer Harrison/Getty Golden Globe statuettes

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has unveiled plans for "transformational change" within the organization after years of backlash for a lack of diversity  but Time's Up says the new plans are "not enough."

The HFPA, a group of 87 international journalists that determine the nominees and winners of the Golden Globe Awards each year, came under fire last month when the Los Angeles Times reported that the group has no Black members.

A second report from the LA Times, published the same day, claimed that the HFPA members receive lavish perks from the studios and networks whose projects HFPA members later write about and vote on.

Late Saturday evening, the HFPA shared a statement across their social media pages laying out their plans for change, including "hiring an independent expert in organizational diversity, equity and inclusion."

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RELATED: Golden Globes' HFPA Has Zero Black Members, Report Reveals  Globes Say They're 'Committed to Addressing' Issue

"Among other important tasks, this expert will audit our bylaws and membership requirements to help us guard against any exclusionary practices and achieve a more diverse membership. We are also mandating annual anti-racism and unconscious bias education and sexual harassment training for every member of the HFPA," the statement said.

The other plans include focusing on "adding Black and other underrepresented professionals" to the organization, hiring a law firm to review the HFPA policies and increasing "support of internship, mentorship, and scholarship programs for Black and other underrepresented students."

In response, the Time's Up organization, which has been vocal about enacting change in how the Golden Globes are run, released a statement casting doubt on the new measures.

"So NBCUniversal, Dick Clark Productions and the HFPA just declared that they have a plan to fix problems they've ignored for decades. We're not so sure," the statement began.

Story continues

"On behalf of the many artists who look to us to hold the HFPA's feet to the fire on the racism, disrespect, misogyny and alleged corrupt financial dealings of the Golden Globes, we need to see specific details, timetables for change and firm commitments," the statement continued. "The right words are not enough. The clock is ticking."

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RELATED: Amy Poehler and Tina Fey Call Out HFPA for Having 'No Black Journalists' in Golden Globes Opener

After the 2021 Golden Globe nominees were announced in February, many Black-led projects were viewed as snubs, including Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods and the hit HBO series I May Destroy You created by Micaela Coel. Both were critically acclaimed projects that received no nominations.

Jonathan Majors and Jurnee Smollett, stars of HBO's Lovecraft Country, were both excluded from the honors, as was Uzo Aduba for FX's Mrs. America, despite winning best supporting actress in a limited series category at the Emmy Awards last September.

The LA Times report also revealed that in 2019, over 30 HFPA members flew to France to visit the set of Netflix's Emily In Paris. While there, the members were treated by Paramount Network to a two-night stay at the five-star Peninsula Paris hotel and a news conference and lunch at the Musee des Arts Forains.

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Despite receiving mostly negative reviews from critics, Emily in Paris scored two Golden Globe nominations, one for the series itself and the second for star Lily Collins.

Various stars referenced the controversy during the Feb. 28 awards ceremony itself, including hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who called out the fact that there are no Black members in the HFPA.

RELATED: Jane Fonda Highlights I May Destroy You and Calls for More Diversity During Golden Globes Speech

Schitt's Creek star Dan Levy said during his acceptance speech that he hopes next year's Globes reflect "the true breadth and diversity of the film and television being made today," while Sacha Baron Cohen thanked the "all-white Hollywood Foreign Press."

Jane Fonda, while receiving the Cecil B. DeMille Award, specifically gave a shout-out to I May Destroy You and spoke about the importance of diversity in storytelling.

"Stories, they really can change people," she said. "But there's a story that we've been afraid to see and hear about ourselves in this industry: a story about which voices we respect and elevate and which we tune out. A story about who's offered a seat at the table and who is kept out of the rooms where decisions are made."
Oprah Winfrey's interview with the Sussexes may have led to a series of explosive revelations, but the tell-all has left a number of questions unanswered.

In the most anticipated royal interview in decades, Meghan and Harry steered clear of criticising the Queen or talking about the Markle family.

The royal family and their aides now have challenging questions to answer about why a suicidal Meghan was not supported and given help, and about accusations of racism.

The couple also made bombshell claims about how a relative of Harry asked him 'how dark' their unborn child would be - but refused to say which member of the royal family had this conversation with Harry while Meghan was pregnant with Archie.

Harry said he will never reveal who said it and what was said, leading to fevered speculation.

It also remains unclear what harm has been done to Harry and Meghan's relationship with the royal family. At this stage, the damage could be irreparable.

From the words uttered by the Duchess of Cambridge which made Meghan cry, to the 'jealousy' of her popularity, here we look at the questions left unanswered after that historic interview.

Oprah Winfrey grilled Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their rift with the Royals in Sunday's bombshell interview - but made no mention of drama within the duchess's family

How will the royal family respond and how will they restore their damaged reputation?

The royal family and their aides have some challenging questions to answer about why a suicidal Meghan was not supported and given help, and about the accusations of racism.

The Queen, known for her calm approach, is never reactive or rash during challenging times, but the allegations mark a crisis point for the monarchy and its future.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have long been vocal campaigners on the issue of mental health so questions remain about their involvement and what their response will be.

Who made the racist comment about how dark their baby's skin would be?

The duke and duchess refused to say which member of the royal family had this conversation with Harry while Meghan was pregnant with Archie.

Meghan said: 'That was relayed to me from Harry, those were conversations the family had with him, and I think it was really hard to be able to see those as compartmentalised conversations.'

Harry said he will never reveal who said it and what was said, but this will not stop the speculation.

What damage has been done to Harry and Meghan's relationship with the royal family?

At this stage, the damage could be irreparable.

The duke has vowed to try to restore his relationship with his father, the Prince of Wales, and said he hopes he can heal his rift with William in time.

The interview is likely to be seen - either by the press or the royals or both - as an attack on the whole family, and how will William react to Meghan singling out Kate?

Harry has, however, spoken of his closeness to the Queen.

What did Kate say to Meghan to make her cry?

Meghan said it was Kate who left her in tears over the flower girl dresses, not the other way round as was reported.

'It was a really hard week of the wedding, and she was upset about some things,' the duchess said.

Kate apologised and sent flowers and a note. But Meghan said it was a turning point when the false story was not put straight.

Who did Meghan approach in the Palace for help when feeling suicidal?

Meghan said she went to 'one of the most senior people'.

The duchess sent emails and begged for help and people said 'Yes, yes, it's disproportionately terrible... but nothing was ever done', she claimed.

Why was Meghan not supported - especially after Diana, Princess of Wales's experience?

Meghan said: 'There was no guidance... there's no class on how to speak, how to cross your legs, how to be royal, there's none of that training.'

She added: 'That might exist for other members of the family' but said it was not offered to her.

If that was the case, why was Meghan not given help and support?

Who was jealous of Meghan?

Harry indicated that members of the royal family were jealous of Meghan because of the ease with which she carried out royal duties on their tour of Australia and New Zealand.

What about Meghan's father?

The duchess has been estranged from Thomas Markle since her wedding, but Winfrey was not seen questioning Meghan about their relationship.

Does she intend to reach out to her father, and he will ever meet Harry or their children?

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have insisted their interview with Oprah Winfrey would be the 'last word' on them quitting as senior royals

Why did Meghan think Archie should be a prince?

Meghan said she wanted Archie to be a prince so he could have police protection, and expressed her shock at the idea of the first member of colour in the family not being titled in the same way as other grandchildren.

But seventh in line Archie is not at this stage entitled to be a prince because of rules established more than 100 years ago by King George V.

Why didn't the Queen make Archie a prince?

The Queen stepped in ahead of Prince George's birth to issue a Letters Patent to ensure all the Cambridges' children, not just George, would have fitting titles.

But the Cambridges' children are the offspring of a future monarch whereas Archie is not.

He will be entitled to be an HRH or a prince however when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne.

What about the alleged bullying Meghan is accused of?

The interview was filmed before the Times revealed that a senior aide raised concerns over bullying and that Meghan allegedly drove out two personal assistants and humiliated another, which the duchess denies.

Questions still remain as to what exactly went on and how Meghan treated her staff.

Buckingham Palace has launched an investigation.

What will Harry and Meghan name their daughter?

With the couple set to have a baby girl, the bookmakers will be predicting Diana as the frontrunner. Or perhaps even Elizabeth in honour of the Queen.

Meghan has been open about her contentious relationship with her father, Thomas Markle (pictured together) in the past - but was not asked to address it in the Oprah interview

The long-awaited interview produced a bevy of revelations about Meghan and Harry's struggles with his family - including how she felt 'silenced', became suicidal during her pregnancy with their baby Archie and how an unnamed member of the Royal 'Firm' questioned how dark the boy's skin would be.

Oprah kept true to her promise to ask the tough questions, repeatedly pressing the couple to clarify their claims and offer specifics.

But the talk show legend left one rather large stone un-turned as she failed to ask Meghan about her relationship with her own family, which has long been contentious.

Meghan did bring up her estranged father Thomas Markle at one point and appeared to suggest that they still aren't speaking.

'I grieve a lot,' she said as she reflected on the turmoil of the past few years.

'I mean, I've lost my father. I lost a baby. I nearly lost my name. I mean, there's the loss of identity.

'But I'm still standing, and my hope for people in the takeaway from this is to know that there's another side.'

Oprah declined to press Meghan on the bit about Thomas, who has railed against his daughter in the press on multiple occasions.

At the end of the two-hour program Oprah noted that it was impossible to fit everything in and said that more content would air Monday on CBS This Morning.

Oprah is slated to join her pal Gayle King on the show, which begins at 7am.

It's possible that discussions of Meghan's family could be included in the footage yet to air.

Meghan's relationship with her father made headlines ahead of her wedding to Harry in 2018 when Thomas was accused of staging paparazzi photos in return for payment after claiming he was being 'harassed' by photographers.

Thomas ultimately did not attend the wedding, citing health reasons.

But in the weeks that followed he made a number of media appearances where he opined the rift with his daughter and attacked her decision to marry into the Royal family.

Thomas, who lives in a coastal town in Mexico, has kept a low profile in recent months but emerged in February to congratulate his daughter after she announced that she and Harry are pregnant with their second child.

The Sun newspaper reported the duchess's father as saying: 'I wish Meghan and Harry a successful and healthy birth.

'And I hope some day I get to see my grandchildren. They're all royal grandchildren.'

Meghan did bring up her estranged father Thomas at one point and indicated that they still aren't speaking. 'I grieve a lot,' she said as she reflected on the turmoil of the past few years. 'I mean, I've lost my father. I lost a baby. I nearly lost my name. I mean, there's the loss of identity'

It came after Meghan won her High Court privacy claim against the Mail On Sunday over the publication of a 'personal and private' handwritten letter to Thomas.

Thomas had said he was prepared to give evidence against his daughter.

He told the Sun: 'I don't know how you can judge a case without getting testimony from witnesses.

'Witnesses that want to speak. I'm not the only one who wants to speak.'

Meghan's half-sister Samantha Markle has also served as one of her loudest critics, repeatedly attacking the duchess for 'turning her back' on the family.

Samantha launched a fresh attack on Meghan in her autobiography released last month, titled: 'The Diary of Princess Pushy's Sister: A Memoir, Part One'.

The book heavily criticized Meghan for shunning her American relatives and cutting off their father Thomas.

It laid bare details of the Markle siblings' upbringing, including the rivalry between Meghan and Samantha when their father was still married to the actress's mother Doria Ragland.

She branded Prince Harry's comment in an interview that the royals were the 'family that Meghan never had' as the 'ultimate insult'.

Meghan was said to be 'sick to her stomach' when she first heard Samantha was writing the book.

Palace braces for MORE bombshell revelations from MIDDAY when Oprah Winfrey will unveil UNSEEN clips from Harry and Meghan interview on CBS This Morning

Buckingham Palace is bracing for yet more dramatic revelations from Oprah Winfrey's interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from midday today.

Oprah will appear live on CBS This Morning in New York from 12pm UK time (7am Eastern Time) to reveal 'never-before-seen clips' from her chat with the Sussexes.

Royal watchers will be waiting with baited breath for what more could be revealed by the US chat show queen today, given the dramatic nature of the first instalment.

In a preview for the programme tweeted last night, CBS host Gayle King, who is also Oprah's friend, said there had been a 'whole lotta chatter' about the interview.

And a tweet from the show said: 'Oprah Winfrey will join us live with never-before-seen clips from her interview with Duchess of Sussex, Meghan and Prince Harry.'

CBS This Morning host Gayle King (left) and Oprah Winfrey (right, in 2016) are good friends

Gayle King said Oprah Winfrey will appear live on CBS This Morning in New York today

It comes after Oprah promised at the end of the interview that 'this conversation doesn't end here' and there was 'so much more that we couldn't fit into this special'.

One topic which Oprah did not discuss - and could therefore be spoken about today - is Meghan's lack of relationship with her estranged father Thomas Markle.

KJ Matthews, an entertainment journalist based in Los Angeles, told BBC Breakfast today: 'I'm hearing now Oprah will appear live on the CBS Morning Show to reveal and show clips of the interview that we have not seen, so there's even more.

'There could be more bombshells that we see. It's just the gift that keeps on giving, and it's quite shocking. So I will be surprised to see what else she can drop on us.'

It comes after the couple accused an un-named royal of racism, suggested the Royal Family were jealous of Meghan and said she contemplated taking her own life.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's interview with Oprah Winfrey aired on US channel CBS

Meghan and Harry hit out at the institution and members of the royal family in a series of astonishing admissions during their candid interview with Oprah on CBS.

Meghan revealed that working for the Royal Family ultimately left her feeling that ending her life was an option, and how she had not been protected by the monarchy.

A member of the royal family - who the couple refused to identify - was allegedly worried about how dark their son Archie's skin tone might be before he was born.

Meghan also said the Duchess of Cambridge had made her cry ahead of her wedding - the opposite of reports circulating ahead of the Sussexes' nuptials.

The Queen, Meghan and Harry stand together at Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018

In a lighter moment the couple, who announced last month that they are expecting their second child, said they are due to have a baby girl in the summer.

As the dust settles on the chat, attention will turn to what the revelations mean for the couple, and the senior royals they have chosen to leave behind.

Since leaving the UK last year, the pair have signed lucrative deals with Spotify and Netflix to give them the capital to pursue their new lifestyle and public goals.

They have also bought an 11million home in the celebrity enclave of Montecito in California, and also launched a non-profit foundation called Archewell.

British viewers can watch the interview when it airs on ITV at 9pm tonight.
MIAMI, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN and LEN.B), one of the nation's largest homebuilders, announced today that the Company will release earnings for the first quarter ended February 28, 2021 after the market closes on March 16, 2021. Additionally, the Company will hold a conference call on March 17, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

The call will be broadcast live on the Internet and can be accessed through Lennar's website at www.lennar.com. If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be archived at www.lennar.com for 90 days.

In order to listen to the live event, a participant must have a multimedia computer with speakers and Windows Media Player. To download the software prior to the event, please visit www.lennar.com, click the conference call link on the home page and follow the pre-event instructions.

Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation's leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar's Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title and closing services primarily for buyers of Lennar's homes and, through LMF Commercial, originates mortgage loans secured primarily by commercial real estate properties throughout the United States. Lennar's Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. LENX drives Lennar's technology, innovation and strategic investments. For more information about Lennar, please visit www.lennar.com.

SOURCE Lennar Corporation

Related Links

http://www.lennar.com


Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8)  Three years after the government launched its search for a new telco player, the Philippines now has DITO Telecommunity to challenge industry giants PLDT and Globe Telecom.

Executives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the National Telecommunications Commission, and DITO Telecommunity attended the virtual press launch on Monday, marking the third telco player's commercial entry.

DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II said the presence of DITO Telecommunity would provide a "big boost" in the local telco industry.

"The people are expecting unhampered services and quality internet to move past this pandemic," he said.

The new playerspearheaded by its chairman and CEO Dennis Uy and state-run China Telecommunicationsvowed to provide an average broadband speed of 27 megabits per second, covering 37 percent of the country's population for its first year of operations.

For its initial launch, DITO's mobile services will be commercially available in select areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.

READ: Dito reveals areas for VisMin rollout on March 8

Uy, a business tycoon from Davao, said the group is not only here for business, but "as a partner in nation building".

"DITO is more than just a telco," he said. "We are here to serve in this manner. We want the country to know na DITO na kami, DITO na tayo and magkita-kita tayo very soon."

DITO chief administrative officer Adel Tamano, meanwhile, said frontliners would be the group's "endorsers".

"Our first customers will be our frontliners," Tamano said. "We are giving 3,000 SIMs to our frontliners. We are starting with Davao."

Asked about the group's timeline to expand services to the capital region, Tamano said Filipinos residing in Metro Manila will "very soon" experience DITO.

"We're coming to NCR soon. Give us a couple of weeks," Tamano told CNN Philippines' News Night.

In the virtual presser, Tamano, however, refused to answer a question if the 199 promo, providing unlimited mobile services, will still run after the end of March. Price points of DITO were also not disclosed.

READ: DITO Telecommunity to offer 'unlimited' mobile services for initial launch

"One of the things we have seen [when we announce our plans], our competitors react... I think in a good way, they lower their prices," he said. "Plans yet are confidential."

Tamano also boasted that DITO offers "better" connectivity versus PLDT and Globe.

"For those areas we're available now, we have done our tests. Although we are just starting, we are comparable, if not better, in those 15 cities where we are now commercially available," he said.

"We're so confident that what we're offering is so much better. We're going to be leaps and bounds ahead of our competition. That's why we entered the telco space, because it really needed to be shaken up," Tamano added.
Protests erupted outside Trump Tower demanding the ex-presidents arrest after he returned to New York for the first time since leaving office.

Anti-Trump protesters gathered outside his Manhattan skyscraper after he jetted into the city without wife Melania from Florida on Sunday.

Mr Trump is expected to stay in the city until Tuesday, although it is not known the reason for his visit.

The crowd outside the Fifth Avenue building where Mr Trump has a penthouse apartment, carried signs that read Arrest Trump, Indict Trump, and Florida Man Go Home.

Since leaving the White House on 20 January Mr Trump has been staying at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, but he lived in the 58-floor Trump Tower until he was sworn in as president in 2017.

Mr Trump, who was born and raised in the Queens borough of New York, changed his permanent residence to the state of Florida in 2019, and voted there in the 2020 election.

He was accompanied by secret service agents and NYPD officers as he arrived back in the city in a motorcade at 9pm on Sunday.

His trip comes as the Manhattan district attorneys office has stepped up its criminal investigation into Mr Trump and the financial dealings at his company.

Former prosecutor Mark Pomerantz, who is known for investigating organised crime cases, has been brought in by district attorney Cyrus Vance to look at the Trump Organization, according to reports.

The investigation is focused on possible bank-related and tax fraud, and the Supreme Court has allowed Mr Vance access to the ex-presidents tax returns, which he fought to keep away from prosecutors.

The tower, which brandishes the former presidents name in gold writing, attracted protests throughout the four years of Mr Trumps time at the White House.

That included a Black Lives Matter mural that was painted on the street outside Trump Tower in July 2020, as New York City authorities criticised Mr Trumps heavy-handed response to anti-racism protests across the US.

Mr Trumps return to New York comes a week after he gave his first major speech since leaving office, at the CPAC event in Orlando, Florida.

And it also comes just days after it was reported that both Mr Trump and Melania Trump had received the Covid-19 vaccination in January, but had chosen to remain silent on doing so.
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Joan Laporta is back in office at Barcelona, after beating Victor Font and Toni Freixa to become president at the club again.

In celebration, Laporta was seen dancing, singing, and hugging those around him in an outpouring of emotion on Sunday night.

Laporta was previously president at the Camp Nou between 2003 and 2010.
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Matika Wilbur, acclaimed Tulalip & Swinomish Pacific Northwest photographer and social documentarian, has produced a stunning visual narrative of Tribal sovereignties in the US, Project 562 , to "change the way we see Native America". Wilbur has visited over 400 Tribal Nations in all 50 states by car, RV, plane, train, boat, horseback, and on foot. She has exhibited her work and presented at scores of leading galleries, universities, and other venues while hosting her groundbreaking podcast, All My Relations , ranked at the top of feminist and race & society categories. She is currently completing a 500-page book for Ten Speed Press of Project 562 photographs and oral narratives and is curating a massive career retrospective exhibition and is a National Geographic Explorer for her Alaskan Tribal series. Matika's extraordinary creative initiative and singular body of work began after a dream with her grandmother, who asked her to photograph their own peoples. Matika honors her ancestor by portraying the richness and diversity of lived experiences of Indian Country with bold and inspired creativity.

New York-based photographer Karen Zusman began her journalism career documenting human trafficking in Malaysia and over the past several years has made over 20 trips to Cuba for a photo book project. When travel came to a stop during the pandemic, Zusman was spending more time in New York and the inspiration for her winning project, The Super Power of Me Project was born. Growing out of her involvement with a Black Lives Matter bicycle protest group, her latest portrait series documents the strength and spirit of children of color in New York City, which the photographer says, "Shows who they are before the world tells them otherwise." With the assistance of the Leica Women Foto Project Award, Zusman plans to expand the project to an outdoor exhibit and workshops that foster creativity and self-esteem building for children to express, protect and expand their vision of who they are.

Anna Boyiazis is a documentary photographer whose areas of focus include human rights, public health, and women and girls' issues. Based between Southern California and East Africa, Boyiazis has been working on her project Finding Freedom in the Water since 2016. The winning series bears witness to women and girls in Zanzibar who are learning to swim, which she describes as, "an act of emancipation in an ultraconservative region where such an act conflicts with patriarchal, religious norms." Boyiazis' work focuses on an in-depth, visual narrative of these women and girls, revealing the intimate context of their daily lives. With the support of the Leica Women Foto Project Award, she will be able to resume her work on the project later this year by returning to Zanzibar during the dry season and continuing to document the women and girls she has built relationships with so far.

"The second annual Leica Women Foto Project Award underscores our ongoing commitment to diversity in visual storytelling," says Kiran Karnani, Director of Marketing for Leica Camera North America. "With the Award and the overarching initiative, we aim to empower, inspire and amplify underrepresented voices in photography. Our commitment continues with a virtual summit in April and a call for entries for the next iteration of the Leica Women Foto Project Award this summer."

The projects submitted by Matika Wilbur, Karen Zusman and Anna Boyiazis were carefully selected by nine influential women in photography, art and journalism, which include:

Karin Rehn-Kaufmann , Art Director & Chief Representative, Leica Galleries International

Art Director & Chief Representative, Leica Galleries International Amanda de Cadenet , Entrepreneur, journalist, author, photographer, activist and found of Girlgaze & The Conversation

, Entrepreneur, journalist, author, photographer, activist and found of Girlgaze & The Conversation Laura Roumanos , Executive producer and co-founder, United Photo Industries and Photoville

, Executive producer and co-founder, United Photo Industries and Photoville Sheila Pree Bright , Fine-art photographer and visual cultural producer

, Fine-art photographer and visual cultural producer Elizabeth Avedon , Independent curator, photo consultant, designer and writer

, Independent curator, photo consultant, designer and writer Elizabeth Krist , National Geographic photo editor and founding member of the Visual Thinking Collective

, photo editor and founding member of the Visual Thinking Collective Lynn Johnson , Photographer and National Geographic contributor

, Photographer and contributor Maggie Steber , VII Agency photographer and Guggenheim Grant Fellow

, VII Agency photographer and Guggenheim Grant Fellow Sandra Stevenson , Assistant Editor in the photography department at The New York Times

In addition to the $10,000 award, recipients will each receive a Leica Q2, a fixed-lens compact camera with a rangefinder-style electronic viewfinder that produces unparalleled high-quality images. Designed with a weather-sealed body and crafted to last a lifetime, the Leica Q2 cameras will be gifted to this year's award recipients: Matika Wilbur, Karen Zusman and Anna Boyiazis so they can continue their groundbreaking work for years to come. To further elevate the voices of these female award recipients and their diverse photographic subjects, the new awardees will also be offered opportunities to participate in Leica Gallery exhibitions and Leica Akademie workshops as well as receive mentorship from notable photographers in the industry.

As part of the brand's campaign to celebrate the power of photography and continued dedication to amplifying diverse voices in photography, Leica Camera will also be holding a virtual Summit in April. The Summit will be open to the public and those who submitted for the Leica Women Foto Project Award will have access to exclusive programming, including panels, opportunities to meet with photographers and more. For additional details on timing and how to sign up, please be sure to visit the Leica Camera website and follow @leicacamerausa on social media.

To learn more about the Leica Women Foto Project Award and the award recipients, visit http://bit.ly/Leica_Women and @leicacamerausa on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter .

About Leica Camera

Leica represents a union of craftsmanship, design and experience. It is a beautiful collision of art and engineering, and the future of form and functionality. Leica Camera, headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany, is an internationally operating, premium-segment manufacturer of cameras and sport optics products. The legendary status of the Leica brand is founded on a long tradition of excellence in the supreme quality and performance of cameras and lenses, and the iconic images that artists and photojournalists everywhere captured with them. For more information about Leica visit www.leicacamerausa.com , or follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Press Contact

M Booth PR: [email protected] / 212-481-7000

SOURCE Leica
Despite worldwide condemnation of for altering Hong Kong's electoral reforms, Beijing has justified its moves as "totally constitutional, lawful and justified".

Addressing a press conference on Sunday on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the move to "improve" Hong Kong's electoral system and ensuring "patriots administering Hong Kong" is justified.

"The reform is needed to implement 'patriots governing Hong Kong', and for advancing 'one country, two systems'...it is entirely constitutional, lawful and justified for the National People's Congress (NPC) to improve Hong Kong's electoral system and ensure "patriots administering Hong Kong," he said.

He further said, "If a person does not love the country, how can he or she love Loving and loving the country are entirely consistent...Hong Kong's transformation from chaos to peace is in the interest of all sides, and will offer stronger safeguards to protect residents' various rights and foreign investor's legal interests."

On March 4, the National People's Congress in announced that it would deliberate on amending the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, according to a statement from the bloc dated Friday. A decision can be expected by March 11.

Less than a year after imposing the draconian National Security Law, has launched a legislative process for drastic electoral system reform in Hong Kong, which could benefit the pro-establishment camp and further smother the political opposition in the city.

China has planned a fundamental overhaul of the city's normally contentious politics, the New York Times reported.

Zhang Yesui, a senior Communist Party official, announced on Thursday that China's national legislature planned to rewrite election rules in Hong Kong to ensure that the territory was run by patriots, which Beijing defines as people loyal to the national government and the Communist Party.

Zhang did not release the details of the proposal. But Lau Siu-kai, a senior adviser to the Chinese leadership on Hong Kong policy, has said the new approach is likely to call for the creation of a government agency to vet every candidate running not only for chief executive but for the legislature and other levels of office, including neighbourhood representatives.

NYT also reported that the strategy will further concentrate power in the hands of the Communist Party in Hong Kong and decimate the political hopes of the territory's already beleaguered opposition for years to come.

The new reforms come months after China passed the national security law to quash the resistance to its rule in Hong Kong.

(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.)
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The Kano State government has designated 509 health facilities for administering COVID-19 vaccines.

The leader of the state Technical Response Team on COVID-19, Tijjani Hussaini, disclosed this on Monday at a sensitisation meeting with security agencies held at Government House, Kano.

In a presentation, titled COVID-19 Vaccine : Roll Out Plan in Kano State Mr Hussaini said: In Kano, we have identified 509 health facilities that will be used as COVID-19 vaccination centres.

We will use Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital and Dala Orthopedic Hospital.

Mr Hussaini said there would be four phases for the vaccination exercise in the state.

The first phase will focus on frontline health workers, the second phase focuses on the remaining health workers and people above 50 years, the third phase will focus on people with underlying health issues and the fourth phase will focus on other target population.

He urged people to register for COVID-19 vaccine online, so that yhe federal government could allocate enough doses to the state.

In his address, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said the government decided to kick off the sensitisation campaign with the security agencies, being one of the categories of the frontline population.

COVID-19 vaccine will follow the same pattern on how to reach the public, with what was obtained during polio vaccine. We also need to follow the same pattern with that of our effort during the first wave of the COVID-19.

Our health workers are well trained for that.m as they are recognised to be some of the best in the country. They performed wonderfully well before and during the first wave of the pandemic. They are still sustaining the tempo, the governor said.

During this last lap of the fight against COVID-19, we will win the fight again. In fact, we are ready for this stage, the final stage.

Mr Ganduje said all categories of people would be involved in the sensitisation programmes designed to be implemented in phases.

He said the second category for the sensitisation meeting after security agencies are health related professionals.

In a presentation titled COVID-19 vaccine: facts, misconception and myths, a professor of Public Health from Bayero University, Kano, Mukhtar Gandanya, assured that the vaccine is not harmful and debunked all misconceptions surrounding its safety.

The sensitisation meeting was attended by representatives of the police, Army, Air force, Nigerian Civil Defense, Immigration Services, Correctional Service, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, State Security Service, and State Hisbah Board, among others.
Agreement enables Biohaven to exercise option on up to three of Artizans candidates for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease



Series A-2 led by Hatteras Venture Partners and Biohaven

Donnie McGrath, M.D., and Seth Rudnick, M.D., join Artizans board of directors

NEW HAVEN, Conn., March 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artizan Biosciences, Inc. (Artizan), a biotechnology company focused on addressing inflammatory diseases involving the human intestinal microbiota, today announced the company has raised $11 million in a Series A-2 financing led by existing investor Hatteras Venture Partners and new investor Biohaven Therapeutics Ltd. (Biohaven). Additional new investor CT Innovations and existing investors Elm Street Ventures and Osage University Partners also participated in the round. Artizan will use the proceeds to continue advancing the preclinical research and development of its lead program for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is anticipated to enter the clinic in 2022, as well as to explore additional disease targets.

Artizan has also entered into an option and license agreement with Biohaven aimed at developing and commercializing Artizans novel treatments for IBD in the U.S. Under the terms of the agreement, Biohaven has the rights to exercise an option on up to three IBD product candidates. Artizan is eligible to receive option exercise payments and milestone payments, which are based on the market potential of each product candidate, as well as tiered royalties.

In addition, the agreement provides an opportunity for a collaboration combining Artizans proprietary IgA-SEQ platform with Biohavens expertise in drug development and commercialization to discover and develop novel treatments for neurological diseases. Artizan and Biohaven have established financial terms as a basis for the collaboration and are working towards execution of a definitive agreement.

We are thrilled that Biohaven recognizes the potential of our proprietary discovery platform to identify and characterize disease-driving bacteria and develop therapies for unmet medical needs, said James Rosen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Artizan Biosciences. This adds to our positive momentum as we continue driving our lead IBD program toward the clinic. In addition to our ongoing preclinical research, we are proud that our world-class biobanking program has now collected approximately 1,500 proprietary samples and clinical data from nearly 300 IBD patients and 200 healthy controls. We look forward to leveraging these insights to better understand the mechanism of the disease and develop potentially curative new treatments.

Artizan also has a collaboration agreement with Brii Biosciences (Brii Bio) to develop and commercialize up to two programs in Artizans portfolio in China upon achievement of clinical proof of concept.

In connection with the financing, Donnie McGrath, M.D., and Seth Rudnick, M.D., have joined Artizans board of directors.

Dr. McGrath has more than 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, and currently serves as Chief of Corporate Strategy and Business Development for Biohaven, and Executive Chairman of BioShin Ltd. He joined Biohaven in 2017 from Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), where he was Vice President of Business Development and Head of Search & Evaluation.

I am pleased to join Artizans board of directors as the company enters an agreement with Biohaven for IBD treatments, and to discover novel targets and treatments for neurological diseases, both therapeutic areas where significant unmet needs still exist, said Dr. McGrath. Artizans approach holds promise to develop potentially curative treatments for patients with IBD, as well as treatments for a variety of neurological diseases.

Dr. Rudnick has extensive expertise in drug discovery and development and healthcare investments. He currently serves on the boards of directors of G1 Therapeutics and Liquidia Technologies. Dr. Rudnick spent nearly 15 years building the biopharmaceutical investing capability for Canaan Partners. Prior to joining Canaan, he was the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of CytoTherapeutics and served in leadership roles at Ortho Biotech and Biogen N.V.

Through its work to revolutionize the understanding of the underlying causes of disease, Artizan is redefining potential therapeutic options for inflammatory diseases, said Dr. Rudnick. I look forward to working with the board as Artizan initially seeks to address the unmet needs of the 1.6 million Americans suffering with IBD.

About Artizan Biosciences, Inc.

Artizan Biosciences, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded by renowned immunologists Richard Flavell, PhD, Noah Palm, PhD, and Marcel R. de Zoete, PhD, to address inflammatory diseases involving the human intestinal microbiota. The company is leveraging its proprietary discovery technology platform to identify and characterize disease-driving bacteria from the intestinal microbiota with the goal of developing new and potentially curative treatments for unmet medical needs. Artizans lead program is focused on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a group of inflammatory conditions of the small intestine and colon including ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease. The company has a therapeutic strategy to target specific pathogens as treatment for IBD and potentially for a variety of microbiota-driven diseases such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disease and a variety of skin, lung, liver and central nervous system diseases. Artizan Biosciences is located in New Haven, CT. For more information, please visit www.artizanbiosciences.com.

About Biohaven

Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. (NYSE: BHVN), parent company of Biohaven Therapeutics Ltd., is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of innovative, best-in-class therapies to improve the lives of patients with debilitating neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases, including rare disorders. Biohaven's neuroinnovation portfolio includes FDA-approved NURTEC ODT (rimegepant) for the acute treatment of migraine and a broad pipeline of late-stage product candidates across three distinct mechanistic platforms: CGRP receptor antagonism for the acute and preventive treatment of migraine; glutamate modulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and spinocerebellar ataxia; and MPO inhibition for multiple system atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. More information about Biohaven is available at www.biohavenpharma.com.

NURTEC and NURTEC ODT are registered trademarks of Biohaven Pharmaceutical Ireland DAC.

Investor Contact:

James H. Rosen

President & Chief Executive Officer

Artizan Biosciences, Inc.

info@artizanbiosciences.com

Media Contact:

Gina Cestari

6 Degrees

(917) 797-7904

gcestari@6degreespr.com
Microsoft on Friday warned of active attacks exploiting unpatched Exchange Servers carried out by multiple threat actors, as the hacking campaign is believed to have infected tens of thousands of businesses, government entities in the U.S., Asia, and Europe.

The company said "it continues to see increased use of these vulnerabilities in attacks targeting unpatched systems by multiple malicious actors beyond HAFNIUM," signaling an escalation that the breaches are no longer "limited and targeted" as was previously deemed.

According to independent cybersecurity journalist Brian Krebs, at least 30,000 entities across the U.S.  mainly small businesses, towns, cities, and local governments  have been compromised by an "unusually aggressive" Chinese group that has set its sights on stealing emails from victim organizations by exploiting previously undisclosed flaws in Exchange Server.

Victims are also being reported from outside the U.S., with email systems belonging to businesses in Norway, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands impacted in a series of hacking incidents abusing the vulnerabilities. The Norwegian National Security Authority said it has implemented a vulnerability scan of IP addresses in the country to identify vulnerable Exchange servers and "continuously notify these companies."

The colossal scale of the ongoing offensive against Microsoft's email servers also eclipses the SolarWinds hacking spree that came to light last December, which is said to have targeted as many as 18,000 customers of the IT management tools provider. But as it was with the SolarWinds hack, the attackers are likely to have only gone after high-value targets based on an initial reconnaissance of the victim machines.

Unpatched Exchange Servers at Risk of Exploitation

A successful exploitation of the flaws allows the adversaries to break into Microsoft Exchange Servers in target environments and subsequently allow the installation of unauthorized web-based backdoors to facilitate long-term access. With multiple threat actors leveraging these zero-day vulnerabilities, the post-exploitation activities are expected to differ from one group to the other based on their motives.

Chief among the vulnerabilities is CVE-2021-26855, also called "ProxyLogon" (no connection to ZeroLogon), which permits an attacker to bypass the authentication of an on-premises Microsoft Exchange Server that's able to receive untrusted connections from an external source on port 443. This is followed by the exploitation of CVE-2021-26857, CVE-2021-26858, and CVE-2021-27065 post-authentication, allowing the malicious party to gain remote access.

Taiwanese cybersecurity firm Devcore, which began an internal audit of Exchange Server security in October last year, noted in a timeline that it discovered both CVE-2021-26855 and CVE-2021-27065 within a 10-day period between December 10-20, 2020. After chaining these bugs into a workable pre-authentication RCE exploit, the company said it reported the issue to Microsoft on January 5, 2021, suggesting that Microsoft had almost two months to release a fix.

The four security issues in question were eventually patched by Microsoft as part of an emergency out-of-band security update last Tuesday, while warning that "many nation-state actors and criminal groups will move quickly to take advantage of any unpatched systems."

The fact that Microsoft also patched Exchange Server 2010 suggests that the vulnerabilities have been lurking in the code for more than ten years.

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which released an emergency directive warning of "active exploitation" of the vulnerabilities, urged government agencies running vulnerable versions of Exchange Server to either update the software or disconnect the products from their networks.

"CISA is aware of widespread domestic and international exploitation of Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerabilities and urges scanning Exchange Server logs with Microsoft's IoC detection tool to help determine compromise," the agency tweeted on March 6.

It's worth noting that merely installing the patches issued by Microsoft would have no effect on servers that have already been backdoored. Organizations that have been breached to deploy the web shell and other post-exploitation tools continue to remain at risk of future compromise until the artifacts are completely rooted out from their networks.

Multiple Clusters Spotted

FireEye's Mandiant threat intelligence team said it "observed multiple instances of abuse of Microsoft Exchange Server within at least one client environment" since the start of the year. Cybersecurity firm Volexity, one of the firms credited with discovering the flaws, said the intrusion campaigns appeared to have started around January 6, 2021.

Not much is known about the identities of the attackers, except that Microsoft has primarily attributed the exploits with high confidence to a group it calls Hafnium, a skilled government-backed group operating out of China. Mandiant is tracking the intrusion activity in three clusters, UNC2639, UNC2640, and UNC2643, adding it expects the number to increase as more attacks are detected.

In a statement to Reuters, a Chinese government spokesman denied the country was behind the intrusions.

"There are at least five different clusters of activity that appear to be exploiting the vulnerabilities," said Katie Nickels, director of threat intelligence at Red Canary, while noting the differences in the techniques and infrastructure from that of the Hafnium actor.

In one particular instance, the cybersecurity firm observed that some of the customers compromised Exchange servers had been deployed with a crypto-mining software called DLTminer, a malware documented by Carbon Black in 2019.

"One possibility is that Hafnium adversaries shared or sold exploit code, resulting in other groups being able to exploit these vulnerabilities," Nickels said. "Another is that adversaries could have reverse engineered the patches released by Microsoft to independently figure out how to exploit the vulnerabilities."

Microsoft Issues Mitigation Guidance

Aside from rolling out fixes, Microsoft has published new alternative mitigation guidance to help Exchange customers who need more time to patch their deployments, in addition to pushing out a new update for the Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT) tool to detect web shells and releasing a script for checking HAFNIUM indicators of compromise. They can be found here.

"These vulnerabilities are significant and need to be taken seriously," Mat Gangwer, senior director of managed threat response at Sophos said. "They allow attackers to remotely execute commands on these servers without the need for credentials, and any threat actor could potentially abuse them."

"The broad installation of Exchange and its exposure to the internet mean that many organizations running an on-premises Exchange server could be at risk," Gangwer added.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) warned the Biden administration that they should control the flooding migrants in record numbers. This will be a grave concern, said ICE, when criminals on the other side would capitalize on this.

Flooding Migrants Might be Exploited by Criminals

One top ICE official said the reversal of Trump's immigration policy by Biden is a recipe for disaster. The sheer number will open opportunities for criminality as crime cartels profit from it.

Many agree that Biden's dismantling of Trump's policies was done swiftly and was called unconstitutional. Not keeping most alleged promises, but he went and allowed too many immigrants in, reported The Blaze. Now his press secretary is busy defending his decisions without sufficient answers.

One of the trashed policies that brought order was that asylum seekers stay in Mexico until their hearing. This process kept the immigration orderly and control, but Biden's order gave problems instead. Trump left tools to use for the next administration, but they choose to leave them aside.

Axios, another outlet, said that shelters could not hold any more people. Caravans of people are getting more and increasing in record number. The border patrol is breaking at the seams instead of arresting violators. Worse is the administration has no idea what to do, as they are getting shredded by the right and left.

According to the Washington Post this week, the administration is stumbling from its border policies. They will try something that will release a wave of immigrants into the continental U.S. in 72-hours. This may not be accepted as the processing is fast, and many might have criminal records.

Also read: Migrants at the US-Mexico Border Wear Shirts Pleading Biden to Allow Entry into US

Proponents of the administration are getting heat for justifying the conversion of family detention centers into processing stations. The Democrats are allegedly intent on letting them in for humanitarian causes, but others alleged other conclusions.

The Washington Post said that Russell Hott, a senior official at Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the staff about the express processing plan in a Thursday email. He added that the bulk would be minors with no guardians and families in 2021, to the most in many years.

U.S. border officials admit 500 families a day, and conversion to family detention centers cannot hold all of them. Hott pointed in his emails seen by the Washington Post that hotels may be needed to hold the excess in express processing centers.

Is there really a crisis that should alarm the Biden administration? Texas Democrats say the U.S.-Mexico border is reaching on that is courtesy of Biden's ill advise removal of Trump's policies. The former administration had it in control, but DEMS was advised by border officials it would lead to this.

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) told the Houston Chronicle that a crisis is coming in the U.S. Southern borders. Biden should not sit by and allow the crisis to get uncontrolled. The US cannot take them in when there is a pandemic.

Cuellar said that flooding migrants would take advantage of Biden's ill-advised decisions. In contrast to Donald Trump's policy, it was America first. He added the cartels and crime syndicates have the welcome mat via Biden.

Related article: Dr. Seuss: Trump Endorses it; Biden Calls it Bad for Children

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
What's on March 8-14 (Daily updated)

EXHIBITION

Hanoi-Exhibition: Those who do not move, do not notice their chains









Opening (online launching): Mar 5

Exhibition: Mar 6  Apr 12

8C, 76 To Ngoc Van Street



From the organizer:



The idea of this exhibition is built upon Rosas inspiration and her revolutionary theory, to keep the link between people whose are always trying to contribute their life for humanity and whose always act to make society be better.



This special showcase brings 5 thoughtful, sensitive, revolutionary, powerful female voices, who have been contributed greatly to our society and our culture by their arts and activities.



The 5 artists come from different back-grounds, different societies, and different generations. They will be creating a dialogue to discover different aspects of our lives and constantly Reform to follow the changes of life. To Reform is to question what our history is presenting about, to question to those powers which exist in our society through politics, social hierarchies, classes, and to search for the better society or suitable environments.



Hanoi-Online exhibition featuring shared culture of Vietnam, Australia







Until March 12, 2021



An online exhibition, the "Skilled Hands, Shared Culture" featuring 20 contemporary Vietnamese and Australian designers, artists and artisans whose work contributes to supporting vibrant and sustainable communities.



The Vietnamese artists joining the exhibition comprise Le Giang, Nguyen Tan Phat, Nguyen Thi Dung, Nguyen Van Loi, Pham Thi Ngoc Tram, Vu Kim Thu and Van Ngo Trong, while their Australian counterparts consist of Claire Tracey, Grace Lilian Lee, Lindy de Wijn, Michelle Hamer, Muhubo Salieman, Slow Art Collective, Vermin, Vicki Couzens, Vipoo Srivilasa, Yu Fang Chi and Kieren Karritpul.



The exhibition runs until March 12, 2021, at https://rmitgallery.com/exhibitions/skilled-hands-shared-cultures.

HCMC-Exhibitions: Within / Between / Beneath / Upon & Home: Looking inwards to the outer world







Mar 13  Jun 6, 10 am  07 pm

The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre, 15 Nguyen U Di, Thao ien Ward, D 2,



From the organizer:



The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre proudly presents two exhibitions: Within / Between / Beneath / Upon and Home: Looking inwards to the outer world.

HCMC-Exhibition: Art and Peace









Opening: Mar 10, 6 pm

Exhibition: Mar 10  19

Vietnam Watercolor Art, 187 Le Van Sy, Ward 14, Phu Nhuan District,



From the organizer:



Featuring 60 paintings of artists from 17 countries around the world: France, Japan, Holland, Iran, Bulgaria, Spain, Mexico, Italy, Thailand, Vietnam has participated. These are the paintings that were selected among more than 300 paintings exhibited in Albi, France in October 2020.

HCMC-Saigon Interplay Exhibition









Until Mar 21, 8 am  5 pm

Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, 65 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1,



From the organizer:



A 3-month project work of 26 design students at RMIT University about the potential transformation of Ho Chi Minh City through the collaboration of the city, Museum of Ho Chi Minh City and a variety of unique communities in Ho Chi Minh City together.

The exhibition offers 22 different ideas presenting through different mediums including conceptual models, videos, photographs that provide a unique experience for visitors. Come and explore with us!

___________________________________________________________________________________

CINEMA

Screening of seven French movies

Mar 1-Dec 31

Featuring seven classic and modern French movies.

The films will be screened in 10 cities and provinces nationwide, including Hanoi, Hai Phong, Thai Nguyen, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Lao Cai, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat, and Can Tho.Screenings will only take place once the COVID-19 pandemic has fully been brought under control in localities.
Two female former executives have filed a lawsuit alleging sex/gender discrimination and retaliation against the entities that own and operate The Langham and Eaton hotel chains, including Hong-Kong based Great Eagle Holdings Limited and Langham Hotels International Limited. (Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 21STCV08897). The filing was announced today by the Los Angeles law firm of Helmer Friedman LLP.

Plaintiffs Zoe Wolff and Alexandra Johnes allege that, after being recruited to join the company as vice presidents, they were abandoned to a doghouse of misogyny, drug use, and hostility toward women. The complaint alleges that men were promoted and allowed to fail up while Ms. Wolff and Ms. Johnes were stripped of their vice president titles and authority.

The complaint further alleges that, at a June 2019 employee retreat in Joshua Tree, California, a high-level executive distributed LSD to the employees in attendance. According to the complaint, the executive encouraged employees to trip on LSD (as well as alcohol and psilocybin mushrooms) and then led them on a walk through the desert in the middle of the night, putting them at risk of overdose, death, injury, snake bite, and hypothermia. One employee got lost in the desert, according to the civil complaint. Ms. Wolff and Ms. Johnes refused to participate and allege that they were shunned and ostracized.

Following the retreat, the complaint alleges that Ms. Wolff and Ms. Johnes (who had, for months, complained of the discriminatory work environment), attempted to register additional concerns about the dangerous conditions that had placed employees lives at risk at Joshua Tree.

Rather than address their concerns, however, Ms. Wolff and Ms. Johnes allege that the company reacted punitively and fired them. Commenting on California law, Gregory Helmer of Helmer Friedman LLP said, It is illegal to discriminate against employees based on gender, and its certainly illegal to fire employees for raising those concerns to their employer. Helmer added, Likewise, employers simply cannot fire employees who refuse to engage in unlawful activities."
This new location, led by pediatric cardiologist and medical director, James C. Nielsen, MD, accommodates outpatient care for physician visits, diagnostic testing, pre- and post-surgical procedure appointments, and patient and family education. Congenital heart patients will still be able to receive outpatient care at Fink Ambulatory Care Center, while the new Congenital Heart Center will serve as an important specialty expansion for ambulatory services.

"Our center will leverage the expertise of our congenital cardiothoracic surgeons and pediatric cardiologists, while providing seamless care to patients with complex congenital heart defects and disease that require a constellation of well-coordinated care from fetal life to adulthood," said Ralph S. Mosca, MD, the George E. Reed Professor of Cardiac Surgery and chief of the Division of Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiac Surgery. "The center will bring these services under one roof to ensure lifelong surveillance and specialized care."

Congenital heart disease is the number one birth defect in the United States, and every year nearly one out of 100 babies is born with some form of this condition. Advances in medical and surgical technology have made it possible for people with congenital heart defects to live longer, fuller lives than ever before. Nationwide, 2.4 million people are living with congenital heart disease, but 90 percent of them aren't getting the care needed to avoid sudden and severe health issues. The Center aims to change this.

"The new center provides patients and families with the ability to have a pre-op visit in the same location where they are going to have surgery, making this challenging time easier for our patients and their families," said Frank Cecchin, MD, the Andrall E. Pearson Professor of Pediatric Cardiology, and director of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology. "It further enhances our already robust Pediatric Congenital Heart Program with the advanced expertise to care for children with the most complex cardiac conditions."

"Our vision for the design of the new Congenital Heart Center was of a welcoming, child-friendly and family-centered space," said Vicki Match Suna, AIA, executive vice president and vice dean for Real Estate Development and Facilities. "The playful artwork depicts New York City life as seen through a child's eyes, an engaging design theme carried through on all pediatric floors of the Hassenfeld Children's Hospital, which helps to create a comfortable, cheerful and healing environment for our young patients and their families."

A national leader in pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery, the Pediatric Congenital Heart Program at NYU Langone has a 99 percent survival rate, exceeding those of the largest programs in the northeast region and the national average, according to statistics from the most recently validated Society of Thoracic Surgeons data. Experts at the Pediatric Congenital Heart Program diagnose and treat the most complex and rare congenital and acquired heart defects in patients from fetal period to adulthood. The multidisciplinary team includes pediatric cardiologists, pediatric cardiac surgeons, pediatricians, nurses, nurse practitioners, perfusionists, social workers and child life specialists, to ensure the unique social and emotional needs of every patient and their families are met.

"To optimize the health of patients with congenital heart disease, we have designed a center to ensure expert coordination across specialty areas within pediatric cardiology, pediatric cardiac surgery, and adult congenital cardiology," said Catherine S. Manno, MD, the Pat and John Rosenwald Professor of Pediatrics and chair of the Department of Pediatrics. "The new center will also support the changing needs of patients as they grow from adolescence to adulthood, transitioning from pediatric to adult care, allowing Hassenfeld Children's Hospital's Congenital Heart Center to seamlessly provide care to children and adults."

Media Inquiries



Katie Ullman

Phone: 212-404-3511

[email protected]

SOURCE NYU Langone Health
Vietnamese tourism authorities are devising a phased road map to welcome foreign tourists of certain nationalities back to the country.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, deputy director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said the country would not reopen completely during a conference in coastal Quang Ninh Province on Friday.

Speaking of Vietnam's stance on reopening its borders to foreign tourists, Huong stated that selected foreign markets, more specifically those with high demand and preference for all-inclusive tour packages to the Southeast Asian country, would be welcomed back to certain resorts that can ensure apt isolation and air connection.

Echoing Huongs ideas, Nguyen Manh Tien, deputy chairman of the National Assembly Committee for External Relations, urged relevant ministries and agencies to devise regulations and standards to reintroduce foreign tourists back in certain provinces, considering many secluded tourism complexes have been prepared in the country.

Manh pointed to Vietnams fellow ASEAN country Thailand, which is considering border reopening for foreign entrants who can provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Since March 2020, Vietnam has locked foreign tourists out of the country as part of its bid against COVID-19 infections.

This decision, while proving effective against the epidemic spread in the country, took a huge toll on the nation's tourism sector, which consists of roughly 2,300 tourism companies and 3,000 lodging facilities.

Vietnam has recorded 2,512 coronavirus cases as of Monday morning, including 1,585 local infections and 35 virus-related fatalities, according to the Ministry of Healths data.

It already started vaccinating frontline workers, diplomats, military and police officers, and teachers on Monday.

The country currently has 117,600 AstraZeneca vaccine doses it received on February 24.

Vietnam aims to obtain 90 million COVID-19 vaccine doses by the end of the year, including 30 million through the COVAX scheme co-led by WHO, 30 million through AstraZeneca, and the rest through negotiations with U.S. producers.

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A New Jersey Superior Court judge ruled Monday that a Hudson County corrections officer charged with killing his girlfriend and another woman last month in Newark will remain in jail until his trial.

John Menendez, 23, of West New York, is charged with fatally shooting Anna Shpilberg and her friend Luiza Shinkarevskaya, both 40, after they landed at Newark Liberty International Airport from a vacation in Cancun the night of Feb. 16.

At this point in time, the state, by all accounts, does seem to have a very strong case. Even the gun that was used was your registered service revolver, Essex County Judge Ronald Wigler said during the videoconference.

Based on the very serious charges that youre facing there is a presumption for detention, the judge said, noting that if convicted Menendez faces up to 75 years in prison on each murder count.

Luiza Shinkarevskaya, John Menendez and Anna Shpilberg.Photo courtesy of Mishel Chan-Min

Menendez appeared calm on camera in a green jail jump suit, standing in a locked booth at the county jail and speaking in a firm voice. He kept his head bowed for most of the hearing, answering yes, sir several times in response to the judges questions.

Assistant Prosecutor Austin Edwards told Wigler the facts in this case are strong, revealing that the police officers who arrested the suspect told him several times to stop making admissions.

Its clear from those body-camera videos that the defendant, who was covered in the victims blood at that point in time, is just making confession after confession, Edwards said.

Edwards said the officers who encountered Menendez after the shootings advised him of his Miranda rights multiple times, telling him repeatedly that he did not have to speak to them.

Theyre going frankly further than that and telling him to be quiet, telling him to shut up and encouraging him to just sit in the car and not talk, Edwards said.

But Mr. Menendez again and again keeps telling essentially any officer that will listen that he did this, that he is responsible for the deaths of both of those women, Edwards said.

Defense Attorney Raoul Bustillo said Menendez does not plan to fight allegations that he fatally shot Shpilberg and Shinkarevskaya. Rather, Menendez will argue that the crimes were committed in the heat of the moment, Bustillo said.

I believe that there is a very viable passion-provocation argument to be made in this case, Bustillo said.

In New Jersey, the defense of passion-provocation can be used to drop a murder charge down to a lesser crime, such as manslaughter. A conviction on a reduced crime can mean as little as five to 10 years in prison, according to legal experts.

The judge rejected defense arguments that Menendezs exposure to COVID-19 might make him a candidate for release. Wigler said some jail inmates have already received a vaccine and noted that the Essex County Jail has taken precautions to prevent the spread behind bars.

John Menendez, charged with two murders in Newark, appears Monday during his detention hearing with Judge Ronald Wigler, along with his defense attorney and a prosecutor.New Jersey Courts

Legal experts in New Jersey say the passion-provocation defense is a challenge for both the prosecution and the defense, but that when its successful, can result in a significant reduction of prison time.

The biggest difficulty that defense lawyers have in passion provocation is proving the defendant was in fact provoked and did not have an opportunity to cool off, said Robert Bianchi, former Morris County Prosecutor.

In other words, they were not thinking rationally. They were reacting to a reasonable provocation (and) did not have the ability to cool off or deliberate on their actions, Bianchi said.

Bianchi said a jury might have a problem with such a defense in the Menendez case due to the fact that he appeared to have been aware of the situation he was in with Shpilberg and Shinkarevskaya as it evolved.

Police and witnesses have said that Menendez was furious his girlfriend went on vacation with Shinkarevskaya and three other women, even telling a witness Anna was going to hear it from him when she got off the plane.

Shpilbergs friends have described Menendez as controlling and said he demanded she send him images when they were apart proving where she was.

Its not an easy defense to sell to a jury, because there has to be something really bad happening right at that moment, said Remi Spencer, a criminal defense attorney based in West Orange. Its difficult to convince a jury of passion provocation if theres a long buildup, which this seems to be.

Another challenge defense lawyers will face is trying not to alienate jurors while blaming the killing on the actions of the victim.

Most of the time, its necessary to say the victim is in some way responsible for creating the circumstances that led to the death, Spencer said. Its hard to imagine a passion provocation defense that doesnt include blaming the victim.

Shpilberg, a dental hygienist who lived in Randolph, was laid to rest Feb. 25 at a cemetery on Long Island following a service in Brooklyn.

Services for Shinkarevskaya, an ultrasound technician, were held in New York on Feb. 21 and she was interred at Mt. Moriah Cemetery Jewish Cemetery in Fairview, Bergen County.

GoFundMe pages were created to help the families of both Shpilberg and Shinkarevskaya pay for expenses.

Menendez was remanded to the Essex County Jail. Bustillo told NJ Advance Media his clients detention hearing was rescheduled from an earlier date because Menendez had been under psychiatric observation.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Top Democrats Push IRS to Extend Tax-Filing Deadline, Citing Pandemic

Two top Democrats in the House of Representatives on Monday urged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to mimic what was done last year and extend the tax filing deadline, citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.) said in a statement that the pandemic is putting a titanic strain on both the IRS and taxpayers.

They supported the claim by noting that the number of returns filed by the end of February was down 25 percent from last year at the same time, with the number of returns processed by the IRS down by 31 percent.

The lawmakers also said that internal data showed only about one in four calls to the IRS are being answered. At the same time, according to publicly available figures, the IRS has seen a 75 percent increase in visits to its website this year when compared to 2020, as of Feb. 21.

We stand in the midst of the most important tax filing season in recent memory, and taxpayers cannot get the help they need from the IRS. Returns received by the IRS have fallen significantly behind last years numbers. On top of all that, once it is signed into law, the American Rescue Plan will change the tax laws applicable to unemployment benefits received in 2020 and reported on returns filed during this filing season. Taxpayers need more time to file accurate returns and get their questions answered by the IRS, the Democrats said in a joint statement.

Last year, the tax filing season was extended by three months to July 15, 2020. We want to remind the IRS that many Americans continue to face the same health and economic challenges that necessitated an extension last year. Facing enormous strain and anxiety, taxpayers need flexibility now. We demand that the IRS announce an extension as soon as possible, they added.

The IRS didnt return a voicemail.

Charles Rettig, the tax agencys commissioner, told members of Congress last month that there were no plans to extend the tax filing season.

Keep in mind, it creates a lot of confusion for taxpayers. It also backs up the Internal Revenue Service. As many of you know, for over a month, we actually shut down our systems to import stuff from the prior year so we can have a smooth filing season in the succeeding year, he said during a hearing on Capitol Hill.

Rettig noted that under normal rules, taxpayers can file for extensions on a case-by-case basis. If they do, theyll have until Oct. 15 to file. The deadline for others as of now is April 15.
A violent knife attack at a Chinese restaurant in the village of Ynyswen in Wales left a 16-year-old girl dead. Despite attempts by paramedics to save her, Wenjing Xu died at the Blue Sky Chinese, her family's takeaway restaurant in Baglan Street on Friday, reports the BBC. While still under investigation, police are treating Wenjings death as murder following a post mortem examination of her body. Police have arrested a 31-year-old man known to the victim on suspicion of murder and also brought into custody a 38-year-old man in connection with the incident, the Standard reported. The men, both believed to be Chinese, are being treated at the hospital where armed cops are keeping a close watch. They will be interviewed as soon as doctors indicate that they can be spoken to, according to the Sun. Wenjing, a Grade A student, lived in the apartment above the family-owned restaurant, where she worked part-time. She had just recently been accepted at a sixth form college where she was to study math and psychology. According to the victims best friend, she was about to attend a socially-distance birthday get-together with her friends before she was killed. "We were texting her about meeting up and then the messages suddenly stopped, the friend shared. We thought shed fallen asleep then we heard what happened. Friends and family mourned her passing, with many paying tribute in her memory. "I am devastated at what has happened - she was lovely, an A-grade student who could have achieved anything in life," one friend said. Wenjing had a very gentle soul, she was a very quiet person, her family said in a statement. "Wenjing helped the whole family, working in the family takeaway. She enjoyed school and worked very hard. She was loved by her family. Feature Image via MP's Newswatch

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A study released by Wheelhouse at UC Davis identified the population of student-parents applying for financial aid, which is over 200,000. The study did not include student parents who did not apply for financial assistance.

Among the student population who parent while in college, the researchers also determined the challenges these parents face.

Student Parents Choose College Over University

About 72 percent of student-parents seeking financial aid intended to enroll in a community college instead of a private university. Student moms, in particular, are more partial to colleges.

Financial Insufficiency Hinders Completion of their Degree

Amid the pandemic, student parents are welcoming digital learning or remote work as a means to complete their academic requirements faster. But, they also have full-time jobs yet still struggle with rent, bills, and medical expenses. Because of more significant financial needs, these student-parents are also less likely to enroll full-time.

They may accumulate fewer credits per term. Despite this, student-parents have slightly higher grades in the first year than non-parents, SF Chronicle reported. However, student parents greatly need support as they are likely to leave college without a degree within five years than those without children.

ALSO READ: 96-Year-Old Dad Is Italy's Oldest College Graduate [He Also Survived WWII]

Obstacles to Earning a Degree while Parenting

One student-parent noted the challenges of studying while raising kids. The student-parent cited "lack of childcare" as a significant factor that impacts productivity. Mainly, it is the lack of quality yet affordable childcare options that these parents struggle with. They struggle to concentrate on their studies and feel that a full course load is impossible.

Despite these challenges, many student-parents in California continue to seek college credentials and their children's prosperity. Given that two generations can benefit from supporting these busy parents, college leaders and policymakers are encouraged to better support this student population.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Single Parents: 6 myths that [absolutely] need to go away

Many Student Parents are Also Single Parents

It is no coincidence that a more significant portion of the student parent population are women, as more than half of this population are single parents. Further, most single mothers in college are of color, with only 1 in 7 white single mothers in college. These parents are facing insurmountable odds to finish their degrees, Study International noted.

CHECK THIS OUT: 10 Ways To Balance Your Life As A Single Parent

How to Support Student Parents

Generation Hope, a nonprofit organization for student parents, recommends ways to best support this student population, Inside Highered reported. Given the many barriers to completing a degree-finances, lack of time, lack of childcare, lower incomes-student parents can be helped in various ways like:
Meghan and Harrys bombshell interview

Hours after the interview was broadcast in the U.S. on Sunday, Britain was already grappling with the shock wave rippling out across the Atlantic, exposing a deep royal rift.

For many Black Britons, in particular, the interview offered a scathing assessment of the royal family and resurfaced barely submerged tensions over entrenched racism.

Recap: Meghan Markle made dramatic disclosures, including that there were concerns and conversations about how dark her son Archies skin might be when she was pregnant with him. (Harry later said neither Queen Elizabeth II nor Prince Philip was the source of that comment.) Meghan also disclosed that her life as a member of the royal family had become so emotionally desolate that she contemplated suicide. When she asked for help, she said, palace officials rebuffed her. Heres what else we learned.

Reactions: The interview left the country divided, with major news outlets publishing biting commentary. On social media, some denounced the couples infidelity to the family, while others firmly defended them. The palace has not yet responded, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he wanted to stay out of royal matters.
London, March 8 : The UK's Queen Elizabeth II has praised those across the Commonwealth working on the frontlines during the coronavirus pandemic.

She also highlighted the importance of staying in touch with friends and families during the pandemic in her annual Commonwealth Day speech on Sunday.

"Over the coming week, as we celebrate the friendship, spirit of unity and achievements of the Commonwealth, we have an opportunity to reflect on a time like no other.

"Whilst experiences of the last year have been different across the Commonwealth, stirring examples of courage, commitment and selfless dedication to duty have been demonstrated in every Commonwealth nation and territory, notably by those working on the frontline who have been delivering healthcare and other public services in their communities.

"We have also taken encouragement from remarkable advances in developing new vaccines and treatments," she noted.

The British monarch said the testing times experienced by so many have led to a deeper appreciation of the mutual support and spiritual sustenance "we enjoy by being connected to others".

"The need to maintain greater physical distance, or to live and work largely in isolation, has, for many people across the Commonwealth, been an unusual experience.

"In our everyday lives, we have had to become more accustomed to connecting and communicating via innovative technology -- which has been new to some of us -- with conversations and communal gatherings, including Commonwealth meetings, conducted online, enabling people to stay in touch with friends, family, colleagues and counterparts, who they have not been able to meet in person.

"Increasingly, we have found ourselves able to enjoy such communication, as it offers an immediacy that transcends boundaries or division, helping any sense of distance to disappear." "We have all continued to appreciate the support, breadth of experiences and knowledge that working together brings, and I hope we shall maintain this renewed sense of closeness and community.

"Looking forward, relationships with others across the Commonwealth will remain important, as we strive to deliver a common future that is sustainable and more secure, so that the nations and neighbourhoods in which we live, wherever they are located, become healthier and happier places for us all," she concluded in her audio message.
Auburn Enlarged City School District Superintendent Jeffrey Pirozzolo is scheduled to appear on "Inside Government with Guy Cosentino" Tuesday.

Pirozzolo will be discussing potential for the district to return to five days per week of in-classroom instruction. The show first airs at 7 p.m. on Spectrum channel 12 on Tuesday, March 9, and again at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 11, on the same channel. It will replay on Spectrum channels 12 and 98 and Verizon FiOS channel 31 on Saturday, March 13, and Sunday, March 14, at 5 p.m. from the Auburn Regional Media Access feed.

On Thursday, March 11, an episode of "Beyond the Front Page with Guy Cosentino" will feature East Hill Medical Center Executive Director Keith Cutler, who will discuss the 50th anniversary of the organization's founding and the services it provides. The show airs at 7 p.m. Thursday on Spectrum channel 12 and at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, on the same channel. It will replay on Spectrum channels 12 and 98 and Verizon FiOS channel 31 on March 13 and March 14 at 5:30 p.m. from ARMA.

Both shows rebroadcast starting at 10 a.m. each Saturday on CCCs radio station, WDWN89.1 FM.
Farmers Insurance looks to sell policies again in Louisiana after a seven-year hiatus.

The Louisiana Department of Insurance approved the California-based insurance giant's recent application to sell auto, homeowners, condo and renters insurance this year.

Farmers began selling homeowners insurance policies in Louisiana in 1999. Its market share in the state was largest in 2007, when it had $56.2 million in direct written premiums, about 4.1% of the market. After Hurricane Katrina, the company began to shed policies until 2014 when it left the market, citing substantial losses. At the time, Farmer's Insurance had 23,000 homeowner and 7,000 auto policies, or about 2.5% of the state's homeowner market.

Before it left the market, the company attempted to raise rates on homeowners by between 18% and 39%, which was not approved by the state.

Foremost Insurance Co., a subsidiary of Farmer's Insurance was still selling residential property insurance in Louisiana. Foremost had 7,200 mobile home policies alongside 5,000 auto policies at the time.

The insurance company was among those recruited by the state agency to return; it was undergoing a nationwide expansion plan.

Recruiting more insurers  large and small  to write policies in Louisiana is part of our strategy to increase competition and put downward pressure on rates," said Jim Donelon, Louisiana Insurance Commissioner.

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Donelon noted changes to tort laws has created a more competitive business climate for insurers.

Farmers Insurance is selling policies directly to consumers online instead of a local agent who would typically broker the deal. The company has been looking to expand its marketshare across the South and along the East Coast in recent years.

"Our recognition amongst consumers continues to grow, with our advertising resonating with consumers and increasing demand for our presence in more markets, including Louisiana," according to a statement from Farmers Insurance.

+2 John Bel Edwards signs the tort reform bill Though debate and negotiations had gone on for years, a deal on legislation to limit civil trials in hopes of lowering auto insurance rates di
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Bilateral defense cooperation between Vietnam and India maintained a positive momentum in 2020 despite impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, said Pranay Verma, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam.

"Both sides prudently adapted to the new situation and maintained the momentum of engagements, including high-level engagements, through virtual platforms," he told VnExpress.

India and Vietnam also maintained close communication on controlling the Covid-19 pandemic, he said.

The Military Medical Departments of both countries held on-line interactions to exchange valuable experiences and discuss responses including diagnosis, preventive measures and treatment. India also conducted an online Covid-19 management course for military officials of Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.

Thanks to strict quarantine and tracking measures, Vietnam has managed to contain its Covid-19 outbreaks with fewer than 3,000 infections and just 35 deaths in a population of 98 million; while India has reported a significant drop in the number of Covid-19 cases for several months.

"Our Navies and Coast Guards are engaged in regular exchange of ship visits and port calls. Cooperation in the United Nations Peace Keeping Operations is another key area of our cooperation," Verma said.

The Indian Navys anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kiltan arrived in HCMC for a three-day visit last December to strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation and deliver humanitarian assistance, including relief goods for flood-affected people in central Vietnam.

Bilateral defense industry collaboration also made significant progress in 2020 through continued implementation of credit lines to strengthen Vietnam's defense manufacturing capability, Verma added.

In addition, important bilateral agreements were signed last year for cooperation in the fields of Hydrography and U.N. Peace Keeping Operations.

As part of the project for building 12 high-speed patrol vessels for Vietnam Border Guard under India's $100 million line of credit, five vessels are being built at the Larsen & Toubro shipyard in Chennai, with the rest to be built at Hong Ha shipyard in northern port city Hai Phong under the Indian firms supervision.

Verma stressed that defense partnership between the two countries has developed in recent times thanks to a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation signed in 2009 and the India-Vietnam Joint Vision on Defense Cooperation signed in 2015.

"Defense and security cooperation between India and Vietnam is an important pillar of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and reflects the deep levels of mutual trust and understanding between our two countries," he added.

During a virtual summit last December, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc reaffirmed their joint vision for peace, prosperity and development of the India-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership.

Both leaders also expressed their resolve to step up bilateral defense exchanges and affirmed that enhanced defense and security partnership between India and Vietnam will be an important factor of stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

"As a close partner of India with multifaceted political, economic and security cooperation and as a key link in Indias engagement with ASEAN, Vietnam is clearly an indispensable partner in our Indo-Pacific Vision, based on our shared values and interests in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region," Verma said.

Vietnam and India established diplomatic relations in 1972 and their relationship has developed strongly in recent years.
The city of La Crosse, Wisconsin, has filed a lawsuit against a host of chemical manufacturers that produced firefighting foam linked to groundwater contamination around the citys airport.

Tests have revealed at least 40 wells around the airport on French Island are contaminated with man-made chemicals known as PFAS. The chemicals are believed to have originated from firefighting foam used during training and crashes at the airport.

The lawsuit alleges the manufacturers knew since the 1960s that PFAS could be released from their foam and seep into groundwater, posing a risk to human health, yet continued to produce and sell it without warning their customers. The defendants include 3M Company, AGC Chemicals Americas and Tyco Fire Products.

The city is seeking an unspecified amount of damages to cover investigating the extent of the contamination and treating it.

Online court records didnt list attorneys for any of the companies.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Pollution Wisconsin Manufacturing
LANSING, MI -- A 15-year-old boy has died after an accidental shooting in Lansing.

The Associated Press reports that the shooting occurred around 7 p.m. on March 6. Another 15-year-old male was arrested and is being held at the Ingham County Youth Home.

Lansing police characterized the incident as an accidental shooting, according to the Associated Press. Officers found the 15-year-old with a gunshot wound. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The incident is being investigated as a homicide. Further details, including the names of the teens involved, were not released.
IF you have absolutely no urgent or emergency need to be outdoors today, then remain at home.

Should you take a chance and decide to tempt fate, then it may most likely result in you being stopped and questioned by police officers and members of the Defence Force, or even find yourself charged and taken before a court.
#VacunarEsSalud ?? | La senora Maria Eudocia Araya de 104 anos, paciente de #Padomi fue la primera adulta mayor en recibir la dosis de la vacuna contra la #COVID-19. Hasta su domicilio, en Lince, llego el #VacunaMovilPADOMI.#SeguimosEnGuardia ?? pic.twitter.com/UCdaKtKjfw
As a first step, starting in April 2021, Catalina will provide a wide variety of micro-targeted brand coupon content to retailers, including supermarkets, general merchandise stores and drugstores across Japan, via Toshiba Tec's cloud-based, coupon issuing platform.

Toshiba Tec first launched "Tec Coupon Deli" in 2020 as a service for retail stores using its "PrimeStore" Point Of Sale (POS) system. Depending on the details of the consumer's purchase, the cloud determines in real time whether the consumer is eligible for a coupon and issues it immediately along with the receipt. Via the latest version of "PrimeStore," brand coupons can be issued together with receipts from existing POS systems and instantly provided to consumers.

Benefits for Retailers

Through its revolutionary "Tec Coupon Deli", Toshiba Tec will be responsible for the dedicated cloud connection, and a wide range of retailers will be able to issue coupons from Catalina's expansive collection of major brand-names spanning many categories, with no basic monthly fee.

Benefits for Brands

In addition to connecting with Catalina's broad retail network of over 6,000 stores in Japan, brands will be able to reach new retailers via Toshiba Tec's "Tec Coupon Deli" network, enabling a wider direct reach to targeted consumers and delivering more effective sales promotion messages.

"In the retail industry in Japan, which is facing a serious shortage of labor, it is necessary to maintain consumer-oriented promotions while implementing labor-saving measures. In the past, retailers would develop their own promotions after meeting with each consumer goods brand and wholesaler, which placed a very heavy burden on them, and made it difficult for all but a few major retailers to implement such promotions. Our exciting alliance with Catalina Japan streamlines that process. Our making more promotional offers available to more consumers will greatly benefit retailers and brands alike," said Kohji Taira, Vice President of Toshiba Tec.

"Through this alliance, we are excited to provide new solutions in the retail marketing area by combining and leveraging the strengths of Toshiba Tec's large retail network with Catalina's brand network and digital marketing know-how," said Brett Wayn, President & CEO of Catalina Japan. "In the future, we look forward to continuing to work closely with Toshiba to expand data-driven marketing solutions for brands and retailers in the rapidly expanding in-store marketing domain, and to develop DX services compatible with various retail technologies."

Added Wayne Powers, global president and CEO of Catalina, "We continue to be impressed with how our Japanese colleagues effectively drive innovation in Japan and across our network. We will be closely tracking the effectiveness of 'Tec Coupon Deli' and its potential to expand into other markets."

About Catalina

Catalina is the market leader in shopper intelligence and highly targeted in-store, TV, and digital media that personalizes the shopper journey. Powered by the world's richest real-time shopper database, Catalina helps CPG brands, retailers and agencies optimize every stage of media planning, execution and measurement to deliver $6.1 billion in consumer value annually. Catalina has no higher priority than ensuring the privacy and security of the data entrusted to the company and maintaining consumer trust. Catalina has operations in the United States, Costa Rica, Europe and Japan. To learn more, please visit www.catalina.com or follow us on Twitter @Catalina.

About Catalina Marketing Japan K.K.

A subsidiary of Catalina, Tokyo-based Catalina Marketing Japan improves the business of consumer goods brands and retail chains. The company has a network capable of directly distributing checkout coupons to over 100 million checkout customers every week for retail chains, mainly SM/GMS in Japan, and has built the "CATALINA 360 Platform" that seamlessly integrates online and offline touch points and data. By grasping consumer preferences, needs, and purchasing trends through Catalina's proprietary network, Catalina Marketing Japan supports the development of targeted marketing that delivers the right message to the right consumer at the right time. http://www.catalina-jp.com

SOURCE Catalina
It seems that a statement by OnePluss CEO has officially confirmed on the OnePlus forum that the OnePlus 9 series will definitely come with a fast charger out of the box. While not much is known in regards to the exact tech specs regarding the fast charger, it will most likely be capable of outputting 65W or higher.

This is extremely good news, due to the fact that major smartphone manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung have already started to exclude chargers from their flagship smartphones. Other than what was mentioned, there is no exact information regarding the tech specs, Malaysia release date, and local pricing.

With all that said, what are your thoughts on OnePlus 9 coming with a charger out of the box? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.
Mumbai, March 8 : Actor Neil Bhoopalam has been part of many youth-oriented, mass-inclined shows that have garnered good response, be it "24", "Four More Shots Please" or "Masaba Masaba". He has become a familiar name in the OTT space, he is also aware of the criticism that comes with it, and he has an interesting take on it.

What does he feel about the controversies and ensuing censure shows such as "Four More Shots Please" often garner? "It's fiction, borrowed from stories that real people live and lead. I feel the audience is always entitled to their own opinion. Perhaps the person tuning in was looking for something else. It's a mix of everything," he told IANS.

The actor added: "Sometimes one takes creative liberty and show certain lifestyles that the makers are totally entitled to do, and I believe it is okay if you don't like the content. You don't have to get upset about it and write a whole rant letter on how you dislike the show. Whenever I read something like that, I think, 'wow! whoever has done this has copious amount of time to be able to strip down the show to such a great extent." The actor, who appeared in films such as "Shaitan", "No One Killed Jessica" and "NH10", has mostly been seen in projects that are not run-of-the-mill.

"I have been fortunate to be part of an entire decade of content, cinema and storytelling in India which wasn't there in the previous decade. Because those people didn't make unconventional stories, the number of stories being told unconventionally in my decade increased. I feel that is how, being an actor, I was able to enjoy these stories," he said Having done features films and OTT shows, the actor has exposed himself to different platforms to showcase his talent. Does he have different parameters to judge the script of a feature film and that of a web show? "I don't think too hard about it," said Neil, adding: " I love performing as an actor. Theatre is my passion and film, shows and mass media work is my trade. Starting with '24' -- which was not only a fantastic break into the mass media, it was also an amazing training ground for me -- to 'Masaba Masaba', which was my recent release, these particular shows have been an amazing process. In a feature film, whenever the opportunity comes by, I like to get my creative satisfaction and kicks. There is no real deciding process. It's intuitive, and always has been. The more I try to reason I just procrastinate."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
In 2002, David Koffman was a graduate student at New York University and planning to pursue a doctorate on two famous Jewish American anthropologists when the leader of an indigenous people in Canada made hateful comments about Jews that prompted Koffman to rethink his work.

David Ahenakew, a leader of the Canadian First Nations, told a Canadian newspaper:

The Jews damn near owned all of Germany prior to the war. Thats why Hitler came in. He was going to make damn sure that the Jews didnt take over Germany, or even Europe. Thats why he fried six million of those guys, you know. Jews would have owned the goddamned world. And look what theyre doing now, theyre killing people in Arab countries.

Koffman had been examining anthropologists Franz Boas and Edward Sapir, who studied American Indian tribes and concluded that race didnt explain the differences between people.

If that was the case, Koffman wondered, why was there racism? Why was there anti-Semitism? Why had Ahenakew tried to justify the Holocaust?

Those questions drove Koffman to spend years researching relations between Jews and American Indians. In 2019, he published The Jews Indian: Colonialism, Pluralism, and Belonging in America.

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Koffman writes that Jews treatment of indigenous people, both their role in the colonial expansion that displaced and killed Native Americans and their later work to secure rights for those people, demands that Jewish immigrant history be recast in the context into which all American ethnic immigration properly fits but within which it is rarely cast  namely, settler colonial expansion. This reframing contests the celebratory narrative of Jews establishing themselves in America.

The historian will deliver a lecture titled American Jews & Native Americans: Myths, Encounters and Perceptions, sponsored by Kol Rinah over Zoom on Sunday, March 7, at 11:30 a.m. To register, visit bit.ly/3jTD83G.

Koffman spends the first half of the book exploring Jews relations with Native Americans in the 19th century during the American Indian Wars and the removal of indigenous people from their land in the western United States.

Jews played a role in establishing towns and trade routes and American institutions in the West, Koffman told the Light during a Zoom interview. They served in those early decades in the Chamber of Commerce or as postmasters or mayors of towns.

Underneath that productivity is the reality that everyone was basically racist, he said. The Allotment Act of 1887, also called the Dawes Act, resulted in the loss of more than 86 million acres of Native American land and made 100,000 people landless, Koffman writes.

They assumed that the land was underproductive, that the people who lived on those lands had only a notional claim to them, and it was a part of a general  colonial attitude about claiming the land through right, through power and through a sense of destiny to make new lives for themselves and build new societies, Koffman said.

But in 1934, the federal government passed the Indian Reorganization Act, which began restoring land to tribes, and Jews fought for economic improvement, tolerance and pluralism for disenfranchised minorities in general. Their work for, with and on behalf of African Americans is well known. Almost unknown is that Jewish advocates also rallied with, and on behalf of, Native Americans, Koffman writes.

How does the author square Jews treatment of Native Americans in the 19th century with their treatment of them in the 20th? Koffman writes:

The Jews discussed in this book shared no essential and unchanging singular Jewish identity. This book, instead, assumes that Jewishness is a dynamic, situational and contextual notion.

In short, Jews, like other groups, acted in their own self-interest, first by trying to establish themselves in the West and later to promote societal tolerance of cultural differences, including their own.

Koffman hopes the book inspires people to consider Jews historic relations with Native Americans.

Most Jews havent ever thought about having their own ancestral or historical connection to Native Americans, he said. When Jews think about native-newcomer relations, whites and colonials and Indians, they just dont see Jews in that story, so at its very crudest, just locating Jews in that part of American history is important.

Koffman also sees an opening for a reckoning between Native Americans and American Jews in the present day.

I think if lots of different groups of settler populations did the work of seeing that they have a history that is connected in some way to Native American history, then they may be in better shape to do some of that reconciliatory work through the terms that are organic to their own identities, Koffman said.

At Kol Rinah, Rabbi Noah Arnow has for the past two years before and after Thanksgiving discussed connections between Jews and Native Americans.

Arnow wanted to host Koffman, he said, because this is a topic that no one else is talking about. The list of books about Jews and Native Americans is very short.

Arnow sees Koffmans work as valuable to the ongoing conversation at Kol Rinah and elsewhere in which Jews are considering their own whiteness or lack of whiteness, he said.

I think a lot of the trends that David writes about are really current and relevant for a Jewish audience, Arnow said.

American Jews & Native Americans: Myths, Encounters and Perceptions

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. Sunday, March 7

WHERE: Via Zoom

HOW MUCH: Free

MORE INFO:To register, visit http://bit.ly/3jTD83G
Pennsylvanias rate of positive tests for COVID-19 continues to drop, Gov. Tom Wolfs administration said Monday.

The states positive test rate fell to 5.7% for the week of Feb. 26-March 4, down from 6.3% the previous week. The positive test rate has now dropped for 12 consecutive weeks after reaching a high of 16.2% in December. The declining positive test rate is an encouraging sign; health officials have said a positive test rate higher than 5% is a source of concern.

Statewide, 29 of Pennsylvanias 67 counties are considered to have substantial spread of COVID-19, a slight uptick over the previous week. Last week, the Wolf administration said there was substantial spread in 26 counties. The Wolf administration uses three categories to gauge the transmission of COVID-19: low, moderate and substantial.

Still, the number of counties with high spread of the virus has dropped steadily in recent weeks and there is high spread of COVID-19 in less than half of the states counties. There had been substantial transmission in every county of the state through much of December and January.

We continue to ask all Pennsylvanians to stay the course to unite against this virus, Wolf said in a statement. As we have passed one year since the first case of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania and are rolling out our vaccination plan, practicing the proven health practices such as social distancing, washing hands frequently and wearing a mask continue to be important steps to mitigating the spread of the virus.

The number of cases and hospitalizations have both dropped sharply over the past several weeks. Less than 1,600 people are being treated in hospitals for COVID-19, down from a high of more than 6,300 in December.

A closer look

State officials have urged school officials to evaluate the extent of community spread of COVID-19 in determining whether students should be in school or educated remotely. Local school leaders retain the authority to decide if schools should hold classes in person, remotely or with a mix of distance learning and face-to-face instruction.

Five counties in Pennsylvania have low transmission of the virus, while 33 counties are seeking moderate spread of COVID-19, according to the Wolf administration.

Philadelphia, which had been designated as having moderate transmission last week, is again seeing substantial spread. Allegheny, the states second most populous county, is seeing moderate spread.

Cumberland County moved from moderate to substantial transmission over the past week, according to the Wolf administration. The county has seen a COVID-19 outbreak at the State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill, where hundreds have been infected.

Low: Cameron, Forest, Fulton, Potter and Sullivan

Moderate: Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lawrence, Lebanon, McKean, Montgomery, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Susquehanna, Tioga, Venango, Warren, Washington, Westmoreland and Wyoming

Substantial: Beaver, Berks, Bradford, Bucks, Carbon, Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Huntingdon, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Pike, Union, Wayne and York

Vaccine rollout

To date, a little more than 2 million Pennsylvanians have received their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccines and more than 950,000 have received their second dose and are fully vaccinated, according to the state Health Department. (The state data doesnt include Philadelphia, which is doing its own distribution.)

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines both require two shots but the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one dose.

Last week, Gov. Wolf said the first batch of the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine would be reserved for teachers, school employees and child care workers. Wolf said the goal is to get teachers and school staff vaccinated by the end of the month to reopen more schools.

Unions representing state police and corrections officers have urged the Wolf administration to give them greater priority in vaccinations.

Since the emergence of the pandemic in Pennsylvania a year ago, more than 948,000 people have contracted the coronavirus and more than 24,000 deaths have been tied to COVID-19. Most of those who are infected deal with relatively mild symptoms and many dont even get sick, but doctors say the virus poses risks to everyone, particularly seniors and those with health issues.

On Monday, Wolf said he has nominated Dr. Denise A. Johnson to serve as Pennsylvanias physician general. Johnson will succeed Dr. Wendy Braund, who served as interim physician general after Dr. Rachel Levine left to join President Joe Bidens administration.

More from PennLive

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LONE TREE, Colo., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, announces the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of the new Cochlear Baha 6 Max Sound Processor, designed to improve hearing outcomes for people with SSD (single-sided deafness), conductive or mixed hearing loss.

Cochlear receives FDA clearance of Baha 6 Max, industry's smallest 55 dB sound processor with Apple, Android streaming Tweet this Meet the Baha 6 Max Sound Processor; it is the first of its kind: a premium-power bone conduction sound processor designed for powerful hearing performance. The Baha 6 Max is for individuals with SSD (single-sided deafness), conductive or mixed hearing loss. The new Baha 6 Max Sound Processor provides additional power in the smallest form and is designed to provide the most clear, rich and natural sound possiblereducing the need to choose between hearing performance and size. Cochlear receives FDA clearance of the Baha 6 Max Sound Processor, which has a fitting range of up to 55 dB SNHL in the same small size as the industrys current 45 dB devices. It is also the first bone conduction sound processor to offer direct streaming from Apple and Android devices.

With a fitting range of up to 55 dB SNHL (sensorineural hearing level) in the same small size as current 45 dB devices1, the Baha 6 Max is the first of its kind: a premium-power bone conduction sound processor designed for powerful hearing performance. The Baha 6 Max is also the first bone conduction sound processor to offer direct streaming from Apple and Android devices.2 Direct streaming from Apple devices has been available in the Baha 5 Sound Processor since 2015. The new processor provides additional power in the smallest form1,3 and is designed to provide the most clear, rich and natural sound possiblereducing the need to choose between hearing performance and size.

Learn more about the Baha 6 Max Sound Processor: www.Cochlear.us/Baha6Max.

Additional improvements of the Baha 6 Max over the previous generation Baha 5 Sound Processor include:

New noise and feedback reduction features

Frequency range up to 9.7 kHz

Streamlined profile by up to 2 mm 1

IP68-rating dust and water protection*

50 percent longer battery life 4

Baha Smart App compatibility with Apple Watch 5

Child-friendly features, including LED indicator

New mint color option for sound processor front

"We at Cochlear continue to be inspired by all our recipients who get to experience fulfilling, active lives full of connection, and we innovate new products to help enable their success," said Tony Manna, President, Cochlear Americas. "As such with the Baha 6 Max, we have delivered a leap forward in bone conduction hearing technology, providing more power in the industry's smallest bone conduction sound processor with greater connectivity and hearing features. Our goal with this new device is to continue bringing a hearing experience full of clear, rich and natural sound, while introducing new elements that aim to make great hearing an even more seamless part of everyday life."

Further feature highlights

Improved hearing in noise: Cochlear has more than 40 years of experience in bone conduction hearing solutions, and its market research shows most recipients want to improve their ability to hear in noisy environments.6

Research suggests extended bandwidth can improve recognition of high-frequency consonants in quiet and in noise7, so the new, high-powered Xidium platform in the Baha 6 Max features a frequency range of up to 9.7 kHz. In a study, participants using the Baha 6 Max showed a significant improvement in understanding speech in both quiet and noisy environments compared to the Baha 5 Sound Processor.8

Cochlear's SmartSound iQ signal processing suite boasts new impulse noise reduction and improved feedback management. Along with other features such as the scene classifier and active gain adjustment, this advanced signal processing technology aims to deliver a clear signal, helping the user fully take in their surroundings. The Baha 6 Max showed a significant difference in terms of sound clarity (more than 35 percent improvement) and sound quality (more than 25 percent improvement) when compared with the Baha 5 Sound Processor.8

More power: Usage data from market research suggests many users of bone conduction devices may be underfit, and therefore may benefit from additional dynamic hearing range 6 , which provides capacity should a person's hearing loss worsen over time. The new BC Drive II transducer, which powers the Baha 6 Max, is twice as efficient than the BC Drive on the Baha 5 Sound Processor, delivering 7 dB more average maximum power. 9





Usage data from market research suggests many users of bone conduction devices may be underfit, and therefore may benefit from additional dynamic hearing range , which provides capacity should a person's hearing loss worsen over time. The new BC Drive II transducer, which powers the Baha 6 Max, is twice as efficient than the BC Drive on the Baha 5 Sound Processor, delivering 7 dB more average maximum power. Greater connectivity: In addition to being the first bone conduction sound processor with direct audio streaming from Android and Apple devices, the Baha 6 Max is compatible with the Baha Smart App and allows users to connect to an Apple Watch, so they can discreetly fine-tune their sound processor settings. The Smart App also offers additional options to personalize hearing, including the expanded three-band equalizer and settings to customize noise reduction.





In addition to being the first bone conduction sound processor with direct audio streaming from Android and Apple devices, the Baha 6 Max is compatible with the Baha Smart App and allows users to connect to an Apple Watch, so they can discreetly fine-tune their sound processor settings. The Smart App also offers additional options to personalize hearing, including the expanded three-band equalizer and settings to customize noise reduction. System readiness: The Baha 6 Max Sound Processor introduces system readiness for our expanding connected care portfolio.





The Baha 6 Max Sound Processor introduces system readiness for our expanding connected care portfolio. Designed with children in mind**: An LED indicator allows parents, clinicians and carers to be sure the processor is turned on and connected. The small size of the Baha 6 Max makes it a discreet solution for children and adults, and the new LowPro snap coupling even brings the device 2 mm closer to the head1, so it sits closer to the head than other bone conduction devices. The Baha 6 Max is also designed to keep up with active children, with its IP68 dust- and water-protection rating. For clinicians, the new Baha Fitting Software 6.0 introduces new workflows to guide fittings, as well as options to customize settings to the child's specific needs.

"The Baha 6 Max was designed as a direct response to the needs of patients who are looking for improved hearing performance in their hearing device but want the smallest device possible," said Anna Anderstrom, Group Lead Bone Conduction Solutions, Cochlear Americas. "With an all-new transducer, we were able to increase the power output while keeping the size down. This is also a benefit to our pediatric population where early access to hearing is so important for language development."

The Baha 6 Max Sound Processor, Baha Fitting Software 6.0 and Baha Smart App are already approved in Canada. The Baha 6 Max Sound Processor will be commercially available across the United States and Canada in the first half of 2021.

About Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH)

Cochlear is the global leader in implantable hearing solutions. The company has a global workforce of more than 4,000 people and invests more than AUD$180 million each year in research and development. Products include cochlear implants, bone conduction implants and acoustic implants, which healthcare professionals use to treat a range of moderate to profound types of hearing loss.

Since 1981, Cochlear has provided more than 600,000 implantable devices, helping people of all ages, in more than 180 countries, to hear. www.cochlear.com/us

References



Land J. Comparison tech data Baha 6 Max, legacy and competition. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden . 2020; D1762475. The Cochlear Baha 6 Max Sound Processor is compatible with Apple and Android devices. For compatibility information, visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility. Hoffman J. Subjective evaluation of clear rich and natural sound. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden . 2020; D1788013. In an average use case at similar prescriptions. Davidsson B. Technical Report: Battery autonomy in Baha 6 Max vs Baha 5. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden . 2020; D1770958. The Cochlear Baha Smart App is available on App Store and Google Play. Leung B. Technical Report: Baha 6 Max data analysis and correlation report. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden . 2020; D1772435. Van Eeckhoutte M, Folkeard P, Glista D, Scollie S. Speech recognition, loudness, and preference with extended bandwidth hearing aids for adult hearing aid users. Int J Audiol. 2020;1-12. Hua H. Baha 6 Max Home test CIR CBAS5779. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden . 2021; D1801512. Bergs T. Technical Report: Performance comparison A1 vs A2 actuators. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden . 2020; D1770991.

* The Cochlear Baha 6 Max Sound Processor, with battery compartment excluded, is dust and water resistant to level IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529. Refer to the relevant user guide for more information. Tested by the RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB.

** In the United States and Canada, the Baha Implant System is contraindicated in children below the age of 5.

Android, Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

Apple, the Apple logo, Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad and iPod are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

 Cochlear Limited 2021. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Cochlear Limited

Related Links

http://www.Cochlear.com/US


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The Ghana Prisons Service (GPS) and the Volta River Authority (VRA) have taken their turns to immunize against the contagious and deadly COVID-19.



The exercise to vaccinate personnel of the GPS was held at the Prisons Headquarters in Accra yesterday with about 8,000 prison officers across the country expected to take part.



For the VRA, the exercise is targeted at its staff in the Accra and Tema offices, with about 900 workers expected to be vaccinated.



Advice



The Director-General of the GPS, Mr Patrick Darko Missah, took the first jab to signify the vaccines safety and to also raise the morale of the personnel.



Other prison directors and senior officers of the service followed subsequently.



Mr Missah told journalists after receiving his shot that the vaccine was safe.



Impact of the pandemic



He said last year the service was hit hard by the pandemic which affected 45 officers and 54 inmates.



As a result, he said strict measures had to be put in place to prevent any spread, adding that the vaccination exercise would help to relieve the service of such a burden.



He said despite being vaccinated, the service was not going to take any chances and would continue to ensure that all the safety protocols were adhered to in all prison yards across the country.



He said it was good to have prison officers as first recipients in the exercise as it would ensure that the inmates were kept safe from the disease.



The inmates are already quarantined so there is no way they can be infected. It is the officers rather who may contract the virus and spread it among them and that is why I think the vaccination is good for both, officers and inmates, Mr Missah said.



VRA



The staff turned up in their numbers at the VRA Head Office to get vaccinated.



The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the authority, Mr Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, who was present, explained that the exercise was important and as such all staff must consider their unique role as electricity providers.



We are giving our workers opportunity to get vaccinated with the view of ensuring business continuity in the face of the pandemic, he said.



Mr Antwi-Darkwa, who has taken his jab, said per the governments directive, the exercise was beginning in the Accra, Tema, Kumasi areas and some hotspots around the country after which all other VRA staff would be vaccinated to ensure there was no disruption to electricity supply.



Today is the first day of the exercise in Accra and information reaching me from Tema indicate that people are enthusiastic. Most of the workers say it is the right way to fight the disease, he said.









Source: Graphiconline.com









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Vera Mazhirina, a Russian journalist and photographer (Photo: VNA)

Moscow  Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) brings out the elegance and strength of Vietnamese women, and it always leaves a strong impression on Russians, said Vera Mazhirina, a Russian journalist and photographer.

Vera told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) that Ao Dai has demonstrated the tradition and culture of Vietnam.

The ongoing Ao Dai Week 2021 has attracted the attention of the international community, especially Russian friends, helping them to adore the beauty of the traditional dress, she said.

The journalist said she was impressed by the Ao Dai show featuring designs by Minh Hanh at the Tsaritsyno Museum in Moscow in late 2019. Since then, she began to further study the dress.

The 80 dresses on the show were then presented to the Russian museum.

After the programme, Vera had the idea of implementing a photo project on Vietnams fashion, saying it will mirror the beauty and the harmony in the characteristics of Vietnamese women through Ao Dai.
Chandigarh: A budget of one lakh 68 thousand 15 crore was presented for the financial year 2021-22 in the Punjab Legislative Assembly today, in which a provision has been made to waive loans of Rs. Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal has also announced to increase the pension of the elderly from Rs 750 to Rs 1,500 a month while presenting the budget of 2021-22 in the Vidhan Sabha.

Along with this, he has also proposed to increase the amount given under the Shagun scheme from Rs 21 thousand to Rs 51,000. Badal said that in the next phase of crop loan waiver scheme, the state government will waive crop loans of 1.13 lakh farmers for Rs. 1,186 crore and landless farmers for Rs. 526 crore. This is the last budget of the current tenure of the Amarinder Singh government of the state. Assembly elections are proposed in the state in the early months of next year.

Let us know that the budget of the Punjab Government has been presented at a time when the farmers of Punjab and Haryana have been sitting on the agitation for more than 100 days against the new agricultural laws brought by the Central Government. The Amarinder government has termed the three laws as black to the Center and demanded that they be withdrawn immediately.

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Chef Zoe Schor and general manager Michelle Szot really put customers needs first in every aspect of this Jewish and LGBTQ-owned restaurant. Along with being nut-free and crafting first-rate vegan and gluten-free renditions of their superb fried chicken, the team at Split-Rail has also put together a pantry stocked with dry biscuit mix, barbecue sauce and chicken dredge so home cooks can unlock the secrets of what the West Town restaurant does so well. 2500 W. Chicago Ave., 773-697-4413, splitrailchicago.com
Togbui Zewouto and his Disciples thrown in prison

Since last week, questions have been raised about the purpose of the summons sent to Witch Doctor Wodedzou Kossi Edem alias "Togbui Zewouto" and nine of his Disciples, by the SCRIC (Central Research and Investigation Service). Well, the wine is drawn this Friday. They are thrown in jail.

According to our colleagues from Gapola, "the Witch Doctor Wodedzou Kossi Edem alias" Togbui Zewouto "and his Disciples deposited on Friday at the Lome Civil Prison are accused of grouping criminals, deterioration and threats. Indeed, the Voodoo Priest used to post videos on social networks where he attacked imported religions with a barley point on the Christian religion. For "Togbui Zewouto", animism is the only true religion and the Bible would be the misfortune of the African continent. According to Jehovah and Jesus never existed. And the only god according to him is "Togbui knowledge" or the human being himself. Lately, he has allowed himself to burn the Bible under the pretext that it is a dangerous book. "

This was the act which ultimately led Evangelist Dodzi Noumonvi to launch a spiritual challenge on Togbui Zewouto which ultimately did not take place.

T228
I want to help everybody in any way I can, and I dont want people to go through pain and suffering in my facility, he said. Were going to avoid that at all costs. But there also have to be constraints to where a doctor doesnt tell me something bad can happen (with the medication). Im not going to override a doctor.
The Frankfurt Book Fair has recommitted to running a hybrid meeting in 2021, one which will feature in-person and virtual elements, and has opened registration for exhibitors. The in-person event is scheduled for October 20-24 and has been given the theme of re:connect." Canada will be the 2021 fair's guest of honor.

Last year, fair organizers had hoped to conduct a hybrid event but travel restrictions forced them to turn to a virtual-only meeting.

Many of the plans for last year's in-person fair have been transferred to the 2021 event, including using a smaller footprint at the fair grounds. The book fair will cover three main halls, including using halls 3, 4 and 6, as well as the Forum and the Festhalle. The Literary Agents & Scouts Centre (LitAg) will be moved to Hall 6.2 from the Festhalle, where it was most recently hosted in 2019. The fair will also begin a new hot desk program called Frankfurt Workstations, that will allow attendees to rent tables in the halls for meetings on a daily basis.

The fair expects approximately two-thirds the number of exhibitors as they did in 2019. In another change, the first two full days will be allotted exclusively for professional attendees; the public will be admitted starting on the Friday of the fair.

When it comes to the virtual side of the fair, Frankfurt promises an evolution of its virtual platforms, including the fair's matchmaking took for meetings and it's virtual rights platform, Frankfurt Rights, as well as a robust online conference programs. Virtual social programs, such "The Hof," the fair's casual meet-up on Zoom, have been held monthly since last year.

Safety remains a top priority for the fair, which promises adequate room for social distancing, with more open floor plans and the smallest exhibition stand will be 8 sq. meters, instead of 4 sq.-meters. The number of overall visitors will be monitored and limited according to regulations and restrictions put in place at the time.

The various changes to fair are being supported and underwritten by funds from the German governments Neustart Kultur program, which the fair says will result in "significantly lower fees for exhibition stands," according to a press release.

In 2021, Frankfurter Buchmesse will again be an important meeting place - for the book industry, for authors and readers, said Juergen Boos, director of Frankfurt Book Fair, in a press release. The industry needs an exchange and visibility more than ever. In recent months weve held in-depth discussions with our customers and created a plan tailored to the needs of our exhibitors. With our updated conditions for participating in the fair, and our generous cancellation policy and flexible program, we want to make it easy for our exhibitors in Germany and around the world to decide in favor of coming to Frankfurt. As always, protecting the health of our exhibitors and visitors has top priority. Our planning processes are therefore flexible, allowing us to quickly adapt to changing requirements.

The deadline for registering is May 31. The fair is offering what they describe as a generous cancellation policy should a surge in Covid infections or travel restrictions necessitate a shut down.

Oh, and don't forget to make your hotel reservations now too!
The companys reprocessing and modelling of the historical IP survey confirms a strong association exists between the IP chargeability anomaly and historical drill intercepts.

TAR conducted a review of historical IP data collected by CAMS Leases Pty Ltd in the 1960s.

( ) has completed a reconnaissance field exploration program including rock chip sampling and mapping over the Wyacca Prospect on the Mt Craig Copper Project (MCCP) in South Australia.

The company has also conducted a review of historical IP data (collected by CAMS Leases Pty Ltd (CAMS) in the 1960s) which was remodelled at the Wyacca Prospect, highlighting:

An open-ended IP anomaly was defined over a distance of at least 1.7 kilometres;

Mapped and sampled breccias coincide with the anomaly at the surface;

Historic RC holes drilled in the 1960s did not intersect the core of the anomaly  reported up to 58 metres of copper mineralisation along the anomaly margins; and

Recent breccia sampling results at Wyacca include.

A well-defined IP anomaly with an associated low resistivity anomaly has been defined over a distance of at least 1.7 kilometres by the IP survey and is coincident with three historic copper workings, which reported rock chip results of up to 21.6% copper and 11.4 g/t silver.

Strong association between anomaly, rock chip samples and historical intercepts

Taruga CEO Thomas Line said: The reprocessing and modelling of the historical IP survey has confirmed a strong association exists between the IP chargeability anomaly, high-grade rock chip samples and significant historical drill intercepts.

This further highlights the copper and silver potential at Wyacca.

The survey shows that only two of the historical holes, which also contained the best historical intercepts at Wyacca (CAMS W2 and CAMS W3), were drilled in close proximity to the IP anomaly and were stopped short of intersecting the main body of the anomaly at depth.

Taruga will plan a number of angled holes across the IP anomaly which will show the grade potential and true width which is expected to exceed 50 metres from historical drilling.

Highlighting Wyacca potential

Line said the field mapping and sampling have further highlighted the potential at Wyacca where a number of east-west striking parallel, mineralised breccias were identified for follow up with drilling.

He said: We understand and respect that we seek to explore on the traditional lands of Aboriginal people and are committed to good faith engagement with identified Aboriginal stakeholders wherever we operate.

This includes seeking to maximise the benefits for Aboriginal people from our drilling program and any future mining activity.

Good engagement with identified Aboriginal stakeholder groups continues to ensure land access at Mt Craig and the management of obligations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988.

The Wyacca Prospect is in the northern portion of the Mt Craig Copper Project (MCCP) and was the first operational small-scale mine in the MCCP area, with copper being first discovered and developed in 1863.

Recent breccia sampling results at Wyacca also include

17.8% copper and 6.4 g/t silver; and

11.6% copper and 23.2g/t silver.

MCCP Project Outline showing Priority Exploration Targets, Historical Copper and Gold Mineral Occurrences & Mines, and the Main Structural Feature being the Worrumba Anticline.

Taruga and Strikeline prospect

Taruga and Strikeline are progressing all relevant approvals toward drilling in non-native title ground at Wyacca, in consultation with Traditional owners.

Negotiations are underway for a Native Title Mining Agreement (NTMA) with traditional owners for exploration on the portion of the MCCP where Native Title is determined.

A ministerial authorisation will be sought under Section 23 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 (SA) to resolve uncertainty in areas where Native Title has not been determined at the Flinders project.

This will support the restart of drilling activities at the Woolshed and Jenkins Prospect.

Future Work

The company has started with prioritising drill targets at Wyacca and in conjunction with Strikeline Resources Pty Ltd, is progressing well with all relevant drilling approvals.

Reconnaissance soil sampling and geological mapping programs are ongoing on the remainder of the MCCP in areas where Native Title is not determined.

Strikeline continues to consult with Aboriginal stakeholders regarding the ongoing exploration program and negotiations are advancing on an access agreement for exploration on the portions of the MCCP where Native Title has been determined.
The issue received bids for 3.51 crore shares as against 1.50 crore shares on offer.

The initial public offer (IPO) of Easy Trip Planners received bids for 3.51 crore shares as against 1.50 crore shares on offer, according to the stock exchange data at 17:00 IST on Monday (8 March 2021). The issue was subscribed 2.33 times.

The issue opened for bidding on Monday, 8 March 2021, and it will close on Wednesday, 10 March 2021. The price band for the IPO is set at Rs 186-187 per share. An investor can bid for a minimum lot of 80 equity shares and in multiples thereof.

The IPO comprises an offer for sale (OFS) of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 510 crore (including anchor portion of 1,22,72,727 equity shares). The post issue promoters shareholding in the company would decline to 74.9% from 100%.

The company expects that listing of the equity shares will enhance visibility and brand image and provide liquidity to shareholders and will also provide a public market for the equity shares in India.

Ahead of the IPO, the company on 5 March 2021 allotted 1,22,72,727 shares to anchor investors at Rs 187 per share, aggregating to Rs 229.49 crore.

Easy Trip Planners is second ranking online travel company in India in terms of booking volume in the nine months ended December 2020 and third in terms of gross booking revenues in FY2020. It is also the only profitable online travel agency among the Key Online Travel Agencies in India and its consistently profitable since incorporation.

The company's three distinct distribution channels, namely Business to Customers (B2C), Business to Enterprises (B2E) and Business to Business to Customers (B2B2C) channels, provides it with a diversified customer base and wide distribution network. The company offers a comprehensive range of travel-related products and services for end-to-end travel solutions, including airline tickets, hotels and holiday packages, rail tickets, bus tickets and taxis as well as ancillary value added services such as travel insurance, visa processing and tickets for activities and attractions.

On a consolidated basis, the company reported a net profit of Rs 30.54 crore and sales of Rs 49.27 crore in the nine months ended on 31 December 2020.

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One of the most important and influential political figures in the history of Jefferson Parish  many would say the state  was born 100 years ago this week. Lawrence A. Chehardy was Jefferson Parish assessor for 11 years but wielded considerable influence beyond that as a champion of the states homestead exemption.

Born March 10, 1921, in New Orleans, Chehardy entered Jefferson Parish politics in 1960 when he was appointed parish attorney. In 1965, Gov. John McKeithen named Chehardy to succeed parish assessor Vernon Wilty Jr., who had died in office.

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Chehardy became known as a crusader for the homestead exemption. The measure is enshrined in the 1974 state constitution largely because of his efforts. It exempts the first $75,000 of an owner-occupied home's value from parish property taxes, and voters loved Chehardy for that. He wanted to go even further, saying no one should pay property taxes.

The assessor relished his role as political kingmaker. A Chehardy endorsement  delivered in a letter to voters  was prized by candidates who secured it and feared by those who were its targets. His most legendary maneuver came in 1975, when the powerful incumbent signed up to run for re-election and drew no challengers until the last day of qualifying. With three minutes to spare, his 22-year-old son, Lawrence E. Chehardy (his chief deputy), signed up to run. In what came to be known as pulling a Chehardy, the father withdrew, leaving the son to take office. The younger Chehardy held the post for 34 years.

In 1980, Lawrence A. Chehardy was elected to the states 4th Circuit Court of Appeal in Gretna, which later became part of the 5th Circuit. He served for 12 years. In 1998, he swore in his daughter Susan when she was elected the courts first female judge.

Chehardy died in 1999. In 2000, the state Legislature voted to rename the Fifth Circuit courthouse in his honor. In 2016, the Chehardy family was inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame.
New Delhi, March 8 : A Delhi court will pronounce it's verdict in a case related to the 2008 Batla House encounter at 2 p.m. on Monday.

On September 19 in 2008, the Special Cell of Delhi Police carried out an encounter in Jamia Nagar's Batla House, in which two suspected Indian Mujahideen terrorists died.

The suspected IM operatives were said to have been involved in the serial bomb blasts that took place in Delhi six days before the encounter.

Encounter specialist and Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who spearheaded the police action, was also killed during the operation.

Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Yadav will pass the judgment in the case of Ariz Khan, who was arrested in February 2018, a decade after allegedly being on the run.

Ariz is allegedly associated with the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen. Police claimed that he was present at Batla House, along with four others, and managed to give police a slip during the encounter.

On the last date of hearing, the judge had issued a production warrant against Ariz Khan alias Junaid for his presence during the pronouncement of judgment.

Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) A.T. Ansari represented the Delhi Police, while advocate M.S. Khan represented Ariz Khan during trial proceedings in the matter.

Of the five men residing in the apartment in Batla House, Mohammed Sajid and Atif Amin were killed during the encounter, Junaid and Shahzad Ahmad fled and were caught years later, while Mohammad Saif surrendered to the police.

A trial court had, in July, 2013, sentenced Indian Mujahideen terrorist Shahzad Ahmed to life imprisonment in connection with the case.
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In his first State of the State address two years ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom pointed to Donald Trump as the enemy of the nation-state of California, casting the state as the hub of the resistance to a president fundamentally at odds with California values.

But Newsom wont be able to invoke Trump as a bogeyman when he delivers this years State of the State at 6 p.m. Tuesday from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The governor has his own problems, some of them self-inflicted  from how hes handled the pandemic to a campaign to recall him that could go before voters this fall. And hes got to fix them fast, as his poll numbers are wobbly.

For Newsom, Tuesdays speech is an inflection point for the future, said David McCuan, a professor of political science at Sonoma State University. His term has been uneven so far.

The governor needs to show competence that he can deliver on policy and not just make promises, McCuan said.

The speech has to do several things. First, Newsom has to outline  in simple terms, not the complex jargon that the governor defaults to  his vision for how California emerges from the pandemic. He will likely tout the recent deal he cut with the Legislature to encourage public schools to reopen and the states improved distribution of the coronavirus vaccines.

Then he has to give a realistic update on the audacious goals he set early in his term, when the state had a $21 billion budget surplus. Those included creating a single-payer health care plan and developing 3.5 million new housing units by 2025. Many of those goals wont fly now.

Finally, he has to deliver a strong opening statement against the recall. March 17 is the deadline for recall organizers to turn in the 1.5 million valid signatures necessary to put Newsoms future on the ballot. Organizers say theyve gathered nearly 2 million signatures and contend they have already changed the way Newsom governs.

Hes making recall decisions now, said recall organizer Anne Dunsmore, pointing to the schools deal in particular. I think we did (influence Newsom). The movement should feel proud  weve made a difference before election day.

What will be telling Tuesday is whether Newsom addresses the recall or brushes it off as a distraction.

Newsom said Monday that this is not going to be a State of the State laden with a lot of policy announcements. Instead, he plans to highlight the quiet heroes in this pandemic, which will likely give the speech the upbeat feeling of a State of the Union address  and allow Newsom to enjoy the reflected glow of public support for first responders.

I see light, not just light, but bright light, at the end of this tunnel, Newsom said recently on a video posted on social media.

He will likely tout how California, the nations most populous state, has delivered more than 10 million vaccine doses. Only six nations in the world have delivered more, Newsom said on that video.

One sign Newsom recognizes his challenges: He will give the speech not from the Legislature in Sacramento, but from an empty stadium in Los Angeles, the states largest media market. While Newsom said the switch is due to coronavirus protocols  under which packing 120 lawmakers into one chamber would be ill-advised  he could have opted to deliver it from a TV station closer to home.

Newsom chose Dodger Stadium because it represents Californias spirit of service as one of the nations largest community vaccination sites, said spokesperson Sahar Robertson. The venue will also represent the near 55,000 Californians who have been lost to COVID-19  nearly the same number of empty seats in the stadium, Robertson said. It is a nod to how President Biden recently took time to acknowledge those who have died from the virus, something Trump largely did not.

It all adds up to a speech that will be heavier on imagery than the typical State of the State, an event usually watched only by reporters and the political insider crowd.

This is the most heavily managed and imaged State of the State that weve seen in a long time, McCuan said. This isnt Jerry Brown coming out and dropping obscure quotes from the middle Renaissance period.

It is also a sign that Newsom is in recall campaign mode. Over the past two weeks, he has held events around the state to tout Californias improved response to the pandemic, often at the opening of new vaccination sites. At one in Stockton last week, Newsom seemed to acknowledge his challenges when he said, My word of the year is humility.

Newsom received a dose of support Monday from Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent and progressive leader who tweeted that right-wing Republicans in CA are trying to recall @GavinNewsom for the crime of telling people to wear masks and for listening to scientists during COVID.

Even though many on the left are frustrated with the pace of change under Newsom, Sanders plea that we must all unite to oppose the recall in California could help the governor by discouraging a progressive from running as a possible replacement candidate. That would have the effect of uniting progressive and moderate Democrats behind Newsom, as they share a mutual fear of a Republican becoming governor.

Gavin needs to win and we need to keep the pressure on Gavin on our issues, tweeted longtime union leader and Sanders supporter RoseAnn DeMoro in response to the senator. We can not let the Republican Party have any success in California. This nation is deteriorating very quickly.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
The Pfizer logo is seen at the company's U.K. commercial headquarters in Walton Oaks, Britain, Feb. 1. Reuters-Yonhap



By Nam Hyun-woo



There is growing concern about Pfizer's possible exit from Korea as its local unit, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Korea (Pfizer Korea), has begun a series of moves, including a capital reduction and office selloff, amid ballooning operating losses.



According to a Pfizer Korea audit, the company held a shareholder meeting Dec. 21 last year which voted for the capital reduction.



Unlike most troubled companies in Korea that lower their capital without refunding shareholders  known as a nominal capital reduction  Pfizer Korea stated that it compensated its shareholders, meaning a certain percentage of the capital was given to them based on the reduction rate.



Pfizer Korea's largest shareholder is PF OFG South Korea 1 B.V., having a 99.74 percent stake at the end of last year. PF OFG South Korea 1 B.V. is a Dutch-based company controlled by Pfizer.



Though the company did not reveal the amount, the company's capital is said to have declined significantly from the 12 billion won reported in the audit, because the shareholder meeting took place after the audited period  Nov. 30, 2019 to Nov. 30, 2020.



Along with the capital reduction, Pfizer Korea stated that it sold its headquarters building and land in Jung-gu, Seoul, to an investment trust operated by GRE Partners, an asset management firm, Dec. 1, reportedly for 112 billion won. Pfizer Korea will lease back the office after the sale is completed.



Pfizer Korea's business has been scaled down in recent years.



In 2019, Pfizer headquarters announced a plan to divest itself from its off-patent drug franchise Upjohn. Consistent with this move, Pfizer Korea then spun off its off-patent drug business and set up Pfizer Korea Upjohn in May that year. As Upjohn merged with global generic drug maker Mylan and become Viatris, Pfizer Korea Upjohn was renamed Viatris Korea.



In March last year, Pfizer Korea also sold the assets and debts of its consumer healthcare business to GSK Korea.



The moves came amid Pfizer Korea's increasing operating losses.



According to the audit, Pfizer Korea's sales increased to 391.9 billion won last year, up 12 percent from 349.9 billion won in 2019. However, its operating loss expanded to 7.19 billion won from 2.83 billion won during the same period. Following this, the company swung to a net loss of 21.16 billion won in 2020.



Due to weakening profitability, Pfizer Korea's lowered the dividend sent to its headquarters. In 2017, the company paid 79.79 billion won in dividends, a 168.65 percent payout ratio, but reduced this to 12.48 million won in 2018, and has maintained that amount since then.



Pfizer Korea was unavailable for immediate comment.


Lines of trees shading Hanoi roads have become an impressive image of the capital city in the eyes of many tourists.

Hanoi is actually known as the largest green space of all Vietnamese cities, including many old trees, which have attached with the life of local people for hundreds of years, becoming a special heritage of the capital city.

Trees have been an important part of Vietnamese life, the same as their spiritual and religious ones because pagodas and temples always stand besides or under large old trees.

The tree of Loc vung or Indian Oak in Hang Dau Water Tower, Hanoi. Photo: Dung Dang

Hundreds of pagodas and temples in Hanoi are shaded with hundreds of trees. Banyan is the most popular tree for spiritual and religious places.

Right in the city center, hundreds-year-old banyans, also Hanois oldest trees can be found at Ngoc Son Temple, Ba Kieu Temple, Nam Huong Temple, among others.

Diverse trees with hundreds of years old are also surrounding large and small lakes in the city, creating typical images of Hanois lakes and poetic view to them, like lakes of Hoan Kiem, Tay (West Lake), Truc Bach, Bay Mau, Thien Quang, Thanh Cong and Thu Le.

The Bang Lang or Lagertroemia speciosa tree on the bank of Hoan Kiem Lake. Photo: Hoang Anh Tu

When the French came to Hanoi, another generation of trees was planted on the pavements of streets, following the Western architecture and urban view, diversifying the flora in the city such as Xa cu or African mahogany (scientific name Khaya senegalensis) in main streets such as Hoang Dieu, Le Hong Phong, Chu Van An, Hoang Hoa Tham, Lang, Tran Thanh Tong, among others;

Cay sau or Indochina dragonplum in Phan Dinh Phung, Tran Phu, Dien Bien Phu streets; Sao den or Hopea odorata in Lo Duc; Cay bang or Country almond in Hang Bong, Hang Chieu, Phung Hung, Trang Thi, Cua Nam, Nguyen Thai Hoc streets; or Hoa sua or Blackboard in Nguyen Du, Quan Thanh, Cua Bac, Thuy Khue, Dao Tan streets.

Trees have been an important part of Vietnamese life. The trees in Hanoi pedestrian street. Photo: Duong Hong Trang

All of these trees are more than a hundred-year-old. After the war with the French ended, President Ho Chi Minh showed his appreciation to the role of green trees in the country's construction and encouraged everyone to plant trees when spring arrived, with his famous phrase To reap a return in ten years, plant trees. To reap a return in 100, cultivate the people.

Accordingly, new kinds of trees have been added to the urban space in Vietnam in general, and in Hanoi in particular like royal poinciana, giant crape-myrtle, freshwater mangrove, and so on.

With various colors of flowers blooming in different time, they contribute to embellish the beauty of the city.

The trees also adorn the newly established residence areas. Photo: Le Hung

These trees, like a family with different generations from the old to the young, besides contributing the clean air to the people, have lived and seen many changes of Hanoi yesterday and today.

They become an important member of the whole Hanois great family. Particularly, many people call streets by the name of the trees planted there to show their affection to them.

In recent years, Hanoi has paid more attention to tree development with the aim of building the capital as a Green- Civilized- Modern city. Tree-planting and tending urban greenery system is one of the important tasks in the city's annual socio-economic development plans.

Trees contribute to embellish the beauty of the city. Photo: Nguyen Ngoc Tu

Tree planting is held annually by Hanoi capital in spring, usually after the Lunar New Year Festival with the active participation of the entire political system including Hanoi authority and people from all walks of life. It targets to plant more than 300,000 trees by 2021 and for each Hanoian to plant at least one tree by 2030.

New trees will then become the future heritage, which is not a specific tree or some in a few streets but the connection between the tree and the people as one of Hanoi identities, according to cultural researcher Huu Ngoc.

Hanoitimes

The heritage banyan at a sacred temple The ancient banyan at the temple dedicated to Tan Vien Son Thanh in Quyt Hamlet, Ba Vi, Hanoi, is the green "treasure" of Doai - the cloud-covered land. It is believed that the tree has witnessed the history of a thousand years.
Bikers with the RedLiners Motorcycle Club from Atlanta gathered in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on Sunday to commemorate a pivotal day in the civil rights struggle that became known as Bloody Sunday.

The bikers gathered in front of the Welcome to Historic Selma sign for the annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee - which marks the 56th anniversary of the day law enforcement officers brutally beat civil rights marchers on the bridge.

This year's event was the first without civil rights icons Rep. John Lewis, the Rev. Joseph Lowery, the Rev. C.T. Vivian and attorney Bruce Boynton, who all died in 2020 and were honored during the commemoration.

Scroll down for video

Bikers with the RedLiners Motorcycle Club from Atlanta gathered in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama

The bikers gathered in front of the Welcome to Historic Selma sign for the annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee

RedLiners Motorcycle Club from Atlanta gathered in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on Sunday

Activists gathered virtually and in person to continue the fight for voting rights. President Joe Biden spoke virtually from a large screen during the annual Martin and Coretta King Beloved Community Unity Breakfast, which was attended by Martin Luther King III.

President Biden also signed a new executive order that was announced during a recorded address during the 56th commemoration of Bloody Sunday.

'Every eligible voter should be able to vote and have it counted,' Biden said during the unity breakfast.

'If you have the best ideas, you have nothing to hide. Let the people vote.'

Rep. Terri A. Sewell, left, and Martin Luther King III listen to President Joe Biden on Sunday

The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks virtually during the annual Martin and Coretta King Beloved Community Unity Breakfast

Sen. Raphael Warnock and Sen. Jon Ossoff speak virtually during the annual Martin and Coretta King Beloved Community Unity Breakfast

Black veterans hold signs during the Edmund Pettus Bridge Crossing Jubilee in Selma, Alabama

The new executive order directs federal agencies to take a series of steps to promote voting access, a move that comes as congressional Democrats press for a sweeping voting and elections bill to counter efforts to restrict voting access.

In 1965, about 600 civil rights protesters led by Lewis and Reverend Hosea Williams marched out of Selma on U.S. Highway 80 until they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge and encountered a wall of law enforcement officers.

Cops began beat protesters with batons, fired tear gas and charged the protesters on horseback, leaving them bloody, unconscious and severely injured - creating national support for the Selma Voting Rights Campaign.

Bloody Sunday became a turning point in the fight for voting rights. Footage of the beatings helped galvanize support for passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn hopes to enact the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to protect against racial discrimination and voter suppression, PBS reported. It would strengthen protections granted under the Voting Rights Act.

Footage of the Bloody Sunday beatings helped galvanize support for passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965

People walk across the histroric Edmond Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on Sunday

U.S. Rep. John Lewis, center, talks with those gathered on the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge during the 19th annual reenactment of 'Bloody Sunday' in 2012

Many speakers throughout the day's events emphasized the need for continued activism to protect voting access.

'Voter suppression is still alive and well,' said U.S. Rep. Teri Sewell, a Democrat who represents the 7th Congressional District which includes Selma. 'It reminds us that progress is elusive and every generation must fight and fight again.'

Sewell spoke during a video that featured comments from activists, mayors, members of Congress and others about the historic anniversary.

Later, organizers played video footage of activists, many who had been part of the original Blood Sunday events in 1965, crossing the bridge once again.

They wore masks and in keeping with social distancing requirements designed to stop the coronavirus, spread out across the bridge as they walked.

The event typically brings thousands of people to Selma. However, most of the events were held virtually this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The annual Martin & Coretta King Unity Breakfast was held as a drive-in event. The outdoor event included some in-person speakers such as Rev. Bernard LaFayette, and the founders of the group Black Voters Matter. Cliff Albright, one of the group's founders, spoke about the continued need to fight for voter access.

'The movement is not over,' he said as people in their cars honked in support. 'What we are asking folks today is for us to commit to that moment, for us to commit to this movement.'

Former state Senator Hank Sanders, one of the founders of the annual celebration, said: 'Those of us who are still living, particularly the young, need to take up the challenge and go forward because there is still so much to be done.'

Lowery, a charismatic and fiery preacher, is often considered the dean of the civil rights veterans and led the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Vivian began organizing sit-ins against segregation in the 1940s and later joined forces with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1965, Vivian led dozens of marchers to a courthouse in Selma, confronting the local sheriff on the courthouse steps and telling him the marchers should be allowed to register to vote. The sheriff responded by punching Vivian in the head.

Boynton was arrested for entering the white part of a racially segregated bus station in Virginia, launching a chain reaction that ultimately helped to bring about the abolition of Jim Crow laws in the South.

Boynton contested his conviction, and his appeal resulted in a U.S. Supreme Court decision that prohibited bus station segregation.

His case inspired the Freedom Riders of 1961 - a group of young activists who went on bus rides throughout the South to test whether court-ruled desegregation was actually being enforced. They faced violence from white mobs and arrest by local authorities.

Organizers acknowledged the fallen civil rights leaders and planned to lay wreaths at the bridge in their honor.

The march across the Selma bridge was sparked by events in nearby Marion, where a black man had been killed by a white Alabama state trooper during peaceful protests for voting rights.

Jimmie Lee Jackson, a 26-year-old church deacon, was shot while trying to protect his mother from being hurt and died eight days later. In response, activists in Marion and Selma gathered for a march on March 7, their goal the state capital in Montgomery.

Although the Jackson case occurred in 1965, it has particular resonance in 2021 as the state of Minnesota prepares to try former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death George Floyd, an African American.

Floyd died after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee onto Floyds neck while Floyd was held face-down on the ground in handcuffs, saying he couldnt breathe.

Body camera footage indicates Chauvins knee was on Floyds neck for about nine minutes. Floyd was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Jury selection begins Monday.

Barack Obama, center, walks as he holds hands with Amelia Boynton Robinson, who was beaten during 'Bloody Sunday'

Civil rights activist C.T. Vivian, who was honored on Sunday, sits at his home in Atlanta in 2012. Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee will be the first without the towering presence of John Lewis, as well as the Rev. Joseph Lowery, Vivian and attorney Bruce Boynton, who all died in 2020

Civil rights figures lead marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge during the recreation of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march in Selma, Alabama in 1990

Civil rights activists and Southern Christian Leadership Conference members from left, Ralph Worrell, Dr. Bernard Lafayette Jr., C.T. Vivian and Frederick Moore

A state trooper swings a billy club at John Lewis, right foreground, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee

Civil rights leader Dolores Huerta speaks during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in 2016

Coretta Scott King walks arm-in-arm with Southern Christian Leadership Conference President Joseph Lowery, second from right, in Selma, Ala.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn, pictured, shields his eyes from a television light during a news conference about COVID-19

President Joe Biden speaks virtually at the breakfast in Selma, Alabama, and announced a new executive order

Biden's order announced on Sunday includes several modest provisions.

It directs federal agencies to expand access to voter registration and election information, calls on the heads of agencies to come up with plans to give federal employees time off to vote or volunteer as nonpartisan poll workers, and pushes an overhaul of the governments Vote.gov website.

Democrats are attempting to solidify support for House Resolution 1, which touches on virtually every aspect of the electoral process. It was approved Wednesday on a near party-line vote, 220-210.

The voting rights bill includes provisions to restrict partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts, strike down hurdles to voting and bring transparency to a murky campaign finance system that allows wealthy donors to anonymously bankroll political causes.

Democrats say the bill will help stifle voter suppression attempts, while Republicans have cast the bill as unwanted federal interference in states authority to conduct their own elections.

The bill's fate is far from certain in the closely divided Senate. Conservative groups have undertaken a $5 million campaign to try persuade moderate Senate Democrats to oppose rule changes needed to pass the measure.

With his executive order, Biden is looking to turn the spotlight on the issue and is using the somber commemoration of Bloody Sunday to make the case that much is at stake.

'In 2020 - with our very democracy on the line - even in the midst of a pandemic - more Americans voted than ever before,' Biden said.

'Yet instead of celebrating this powerful demonstration of voting - we saw an unprecedented insurrection on our Capitol and a brutal attack on our democracy on January 6th. A never-before-seen effort to ignore, undermine and undo the will of the people.'
Mumbai, March 8 : While it is okay to celebrate International Womens' Day by posting pictures on social media, respect for women can be actually shown by making our country a safer place for them, feels actor Varun Dhawan.

Varun took to Instagram on Monday evening to share photographs with wife Natasha Dalal, his mother and sister-in-law. In one of the photos, Varun can be seen lying on his chest on a bed with wife Natasha climbing on his back.

"Happy women's day. Bharatiya naari sab pe bhaari. It's great that we all post pictures on social media and make this day special but the real job will be done when we actually make our country safe for women because each woman is someone's wife, mother or sister," Varun wrote in the post.

The actor is currently shooting in Arunachal Pradesh for his upcoming horror comedy film "Bhediya".

The Amar Kaushik directorial also features Kriti Sanon, Abhishek Banerjee and Deepak Dobriyal. "Bhediya" written by National Award-winner Niren Bhatt is slated to release in cinemas on April 14 next year.
Staff at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams have filed a petition with the federal government to unionize, citing what they term job insecurity and inequitable conditions.
You may have missed the furore engulfing the former editor and journalist Roy Greenslade last week. That would be understandable, because despite most of the British and Northern Ireland Press running the story since last Sunday, few from the Irish media, until yesterday, reported it.

Greenslade, in a column for the British Journalism Review, disclosed that he lived a secret double life as an IRA supporter and wrote articles under a pseudonym for the republican paper An Phoblacht while simultaneously working for the British and Irish media.

He has now become a member of Sinn Fein.

In a rambling, misty-eyed piece, he said he wished to explain to his grandchildren why he was a republican, while also writing about his support for "use of physical force".

He didn't declare it throughout his long career because he "needed a wage because I was on the verge of taking on a mortgage".

Principled, eh?

This was newsworthy stuff. Even the British prime minister "condemned" this revelation. However, given the Irish connection, involving a former senator who writes occasionally for this paper and who has had the public support of three former and one current taoisigh when discussing her abuse, it should have been reported from the outset - you would think.

In short, Greenslade is the reason I have been answering calls from journalists all week. Because, two weeks after I went public on BBC Northern Ireland's Spotlight programme, Greenslade decided to attack my motivation for waiving my anonymity as a child abuse victim. You don't get much lower than that.

In 2014, a few weeks after I waived my lifetime right to anonymity, I became aware of a Sinn Fein briefing campaign to some journalists and to its wider membership to attempt to discredit me in the hope the issue would go away.

Sinn Fein at this point was still trying to fudge it, and most of the journalists who covered the story at the time will remember this. Indeed, the public were appalled by the Sinn Fein reaction, which accused me - a child abuse victim - of casting a "slur" on the Sinn Fein party (since retracted).

So, my previous political history was raised by some online as a reason why I had decided to speak publicly, rather than deal with the substantive issue of just how wrong it was that the IRA had taken it upon themselves to hold kangaroo courts into abuse, and how appalling it was that the Sinn Fein party had a child abuser in its ranks for three years while some senior members in Belfast knew he was abusing children.

That was the issue, and I was entitled to speak about it. I did so for two reasons: to stop it happening to other children and because I became very upset about learning of the Liam Adams situation.

That is what happens to abuse victims - disclosure triggers them, and it is what influenced Paudie McGahon to waive anonymity, again on Spotlight, five months after I did.

Despite this briefing campaign, I continued to take calls from journalists, and I appeared on countless occasions on live television and radio. Sinn Fein, meanwhile, has yet to answer - six years on - in any detailed manner the specific questions the BBC put to it. And then, two weeks after I had gone public, Greenslade wrote a column in The Guardian, which questioned my credibility and criticised the BBC Spotlight team.

He was careful to say he wasn't disputing my rape or, indeed, that I might have had a problem with how the IRA dealt with my abuse; instead, he insinuated that I had a credibility problem when talking about Sinn Fein because of my previous political history.

"Critics suggest that Spotlight's presenter and producer were too willing to accept Cahill's story and did not point to countervailing evidence," he wrote.

Well, here was one hell of a problem, because the critics Greenslade was referring to, presumably, were Sinn Fein members - the very party I had accused of a cover-up of abuse and the very party Greenslade failed to mention in the same article had his support.

I was devastated and traumatised by his piece, but I was also enraged - and I had every right to be. Here was a man with a powerful platform who had just told his paper's wide circulation that a rape victim's claims of how she was treated as a young woman should be weighed against her political history. So, I contacted The Guardian through a solicitor. It doubled down. In the same week, shortly after The Guardian article appeared, former IRA director of intelligence and now deceased Sinn Fein Northern chair Bobby Storey sent what was reported as a "diktat" to Sinn Fein activists, which referred to my campaign to seek justice as "political opposition to Sinn Fein".

There is no suggestion Greenslade knew of this memo; however, I would like to know now, given his revelations, if he did so. Regardless, trolling of me significantly increased after his article, and one month later, graffiti appeared on the walls in the area where I was raped.

At the time, several journalists complained about the Greenslade piece. Ed Moloney and Anthony McIntyre denounced him. Eamonn McCann described it as "ignorant, contemptible, a disgrace to journalism". Malachi O'Doherty wrote on The Guardian website: "Roy, this is low. Lower still for being so transparently done in the service of the party. Apparently the only qualification for being a rape victim who deserves sympathy is to be a supporter of Sinn Fein."

Ruth Dudley Edwards pointed out that he had been a "long-term supporter of Sinn Fein" and ended with: "Is there any hope Rusbridger may remember that he's supposed to care about journalistic ethics?" Which brings me to Alan Rusbridger, who was Greenslade's editor at the time, but who now claims not to have known about his support for the IRA. He could not fail to be aware, though, that Greenslade had previously written for An Phoblacht under a pseudonym - because it had been reported widely since 2008.

Indeed, these allegations had been made about Greenslade before, and O'Doherty's comment was directly under the piece he wrote about me on The Guardian website. This evidence would suggest Rusbridger should have known there was an issue, but if he didn't, he certainly should have when my solicitor's letter went to the newspaper in 2014.

Indeed, The Guardian has confirmed to me that a reader complaint was received about Greenslade's lack of transparency on his political affiliations. Rusbridger, as editor, was ultimately responsible for Greenslade riding roughshod over ethics in relation to this, but there was no insistence of retrospective disclosure or, indeed, a right of reply offered to me. This is inexplicable and, therefore, Rusbridger's public utterances on the whole disgusting episode fall far short from where I'm sitting.

Last week, I wrote to An Taoiseach and Minister Catherine Martin, because Mr Rusbridger was appointed by the Irish government to sit on Ireland's Future of Media Commission in 2020. I think this should be reviewed, and I have received correspondence in return, and spoken to Micheal Martin. I am assured the government is taking the matter seriously.

I also complained to The Guardian, which is conducting a review of all Greenslade's articles on Ireland. Editor-in-chief Kath Viner stated: "If they wish to retain the trust of readers, journalists should always be open about their personal affiliations, as is made clear in The Guardian's editorial guidelines on conflict of interest. It is regrettable that this was not done by Greenslade in this instance. I can only apologise again that Roy Greenslade's article was not handled appropriately in the first place."

I am not in a position to reply fully to The Guardian's response at present, but intend to do so after I have taken advice, as any sensible person would do.

The Guardian has long held itself up as the bastion of women's rights and, indeed, championed previous sexual abuse victims. It is ironic, therefore, that it finds its reputation tarnished on this very issue by the actions of Greenslade, now retired.

The Guardian response joins a queue of apologies: from former DPP Barra McGrory on failings of the Northern Ireland Prosecution Service, the former Northern Ireland Chief Constable and even Sinn Fein, although it has now accepted a man who wrote a hatchet job on a rape victim as a member.

For Greenslade, who by now must be ruing the day he ever wrote about me, I have only one thing to say. Me too, Roy. #metoo.

Full disclosure: I am a rape victim who is not defined by her politics, either past or present. I also don't like Roy Greenslade. Understandably.
[March 08, 2021] Skye Bioscience Appoints Cannabinoid Science Experts Giovanni Appendino, PhD and Eduardo Munoz, MD, PhD to Scientific Advisory Board

San Diego, Calif., March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skye Bioscience, Inc. (OTCQB: SKYE) (SKYE or the Company), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing proprietary, synthetic cannabinoid-derived molecules to treat glaucoma and other diseases with significant unmet need, announced today the appointment of scientific innovators and cannabinoid experts, Giovanni Appendino, PhD and Eduardo Munoz, MD, PhD to its scientific advisory board. We are honored to welcome two of the worlds most influential thought leaders in cannabinoid science, Drs. Appendino and Munoz, to our scientific advisory board as we continue to advance our research and deepen our understanding of cannabinoid-based medicines, said Punit Dhillon, Chief Executive Officer of Skye Bioscience. Their combined expertise, insights, and experience in developing cannabinoid-derived clinical candidates will be invaluable as we advance and broaden our pipeline. Dr. Appendino has researched natural products for over 40 years, leading to the discovery and isolation of over 200 novel compounds, including novel phytocannabinoids and chemistry for cannabinoid-derived molecules. He is a Professor of Organic Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy, where his research activities focus on isolation, chemical modification, and bioactive natural products synthesis. In recognition of his research, he was awarded the Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Award of the Phytochemical Society of Europe in 1991, the Quilico Medal of the Italian Chemical Society in 2009 the Bruker Prize of the Phytochemical Society of Europe in 2014. In 2018, he was elected to the Italian Academy of Sciences for his achievements in chemistry. Dr. Appendino has authored over 400 peer-reviewed articles, 15 book chapters, and 32 patents on natural products chemistry and bioactivity. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal Fitoterapia and editorial board member of the journals Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, Pharma Nutrition, Natural Products Research, Chinese Herbal Medicines, and the book series Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products. Dr. Munoz has over 35 years of experience in biomedical research, focused on cannabinoids, pharmacology, and inflammation, providing deep expertse in the mechanism of actions of cannabinoids and the development of new cannabinoid-based chemical entities. He is a Professor of Immunology, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology of the University of Cordoba, Spain, and Director of the inflammation and cancer research group at the Institute Maimonides for Biomedical Research Cordoba.



Dr. Munoz has authored of over 300 articles, book chapters, patents, and is an editorial board member of journals Planta Medica, and Fitoterapia. He is also the co-founder of two biotech companies, VivaCell Biotechnology (now Emerald Biotechnology) and InnoHealth Group (now part of Evonik Industries GmbH). Dr's. Appendino & Munoz will serve alongside Skyes world-class ophthalmology advisory board, comprised of Jeffrey Goldberg, MD, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University; Louis Pasquale, MD, FARVO, Professor of Ophthalmology at the Icahn School of Medicine, Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Vice-Chair of Translational Ophthalmology Research, Mount Sinai; and Robert Ritch, MD, Shelley, and Steven Einhorn Distinguished Chair, Surgeon Director Emeritus and Chief of Glaucoma Services at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai.

About Skye Bioscience, Inc.

Skye Bioscience Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company unlocking the pharmaceutical potential of cannabinoids through the development of its proprietary, cannabinoid-derived molecules to treat diseases with significant unmet needs. The companys lead molecule, in preclinical studies, has demonstrated potential as a new class of therapy to lower intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma or elevated intraocular pressure that is superior to currently available drugs. For more information, please visit: www.skyebioscience.com. CONTACT

Karam Takhar

VP, Corporate Development & Investor Relations

Email: ir@skyebioscience.com

Phone: (858) 410-0266 FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our product development, business strategy, timing of clinical trials and commercialization of cannabinoid-based therapeutics. Such statements and other statements in this press release that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking statements that are based on managements current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, our business, operating results, financial condition, and stock price could be materially negatively affected. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology including anticipated, contemplates, goal, focus, aims, intends, believes, can, could, challenge, predictable, will, would, may or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. We operate in a rapidly changing environment and new risks emerge from time to time. As a result, it is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements the Company may make. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, our capital resources, uncertainty regarding the results of future testing and development efforts and other risks that are described in the Risk Factors section of Skyes most recent annual or quarterly report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as expressly required by law, Skye disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.



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The Ministry of Health will mobilise all resources to carry out COVID-19 vaccinations to ensure absolute safety for people, Minister Nguyen Thanh Long has said.

A medical worker takes a sample of a man in northern Hai Duong Province for COVID-19 testing. COVID-19 vaccination priority will be given to the province - Vietnams largest outbreak at present.  VNA/VNS Photo

Long chaired a teleconference on Saturday connecting 700 places across Vietnam to launch the vaccination plan and provide related training for medical workers nationwide in the use and storage of the vaccine, as well as the treatment of post-injection complications.

He said the vaccination programme will start on Monday (March 8), although the first batch of vaccine had arrived in Vietnam on February 24.

As the vaccine is new, we need to carry out thorough checks, Long said, adding that Vietnam had to obtained an accreditation certificate from the producer and reassess the safety index of the batch.

Because of the limited number of vaccines, the ministry cannot allocate to all 63 provinces and cities, but for 13 pandemic-hit localities, with priority given to northern Hai Duong Province  Vietnams largest outbreak at present, he added.

The minister asked localities which have yet to receive the vaccine to prepare training programmes as the ministry will allocate vaccines to them when more arrive in March.

COVAC and AstraZeneca have agreed to provide 30 million doses each for Vietnam this year, the minister said, adding the ministry asked the producers to hand over the vaccines to Vietnam before September and is negotiating with Pfizer to buy an additional 30 million doses from this producer.

The ministry has assigned three deputy ministers to be responsible for directing the vaccinations as this kind of vaccine is injected for the first time and injected for adults.

Vietnam will conduct screening check-ups before injections to ensure safety, although the process takes more time. The first injections will be given to people working on the front line including health staff, army, police, customs and immigration personnel.

People getting the shots will be monitored via digital health records and receive e-certificates for their completion of inoculation.

Priority list for receiving vaccine

According to HCM City Department of Health, frontline health workers, non-medical personnel who are potentially exposed to COVID-19 patients and samples and police and military personnel will be the first to get vaccines in the city.

Last Friday it submitted to the Ministry of Healths general department of preventive medicine its COVID-19 vaccination priority list.

More than 44,000 people will be vaccinated now, including 2,270 health workers, 388 contact tracing personnel and 1,362 people in COVID-19 surveillance groups.

The rest include 600 army personnel, 1,042 police officers, 513 personnel at government-designated quarantine facilities, 38,000 individuals in community groups for COVID-19 monitoring, prevention, and control. VNS
She's a former supermodel who was among the top earning catwalk queens several years over during her career.

And on Sunday Alessandra Ambrosio showed she can turns heads in one of her many casual wear ensembles during an afternoon excursion with her two children.

While out enjoying a family lunch, the Brazilian-born beauty donned peach-colored sweatpants and matching long-sleeve top.

Sunday mood: Alessandra Ambrosio, 39, stepped out for a casual Sunday lunch with her two kids near her home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood in Los Angeles

The former Victoria's Secret Angel, 39, was spotted hopping out of her SUV after parking it near a restaurant in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood in Los Angeles.

Her sweatsuit had a slightly baggy fit and was paired with white sneakers.

She styled her brown tresses long and flowing to about the middle of her back with a partial part on the slight right.

Trying to avoid any mishaps, she had her phone attached to a long strap that was flung over her left shoulder.

Casual cool: The former supermodel was seen getting out of her SUV with daughter Anja, 12, just behind her, and son Noah, eight, dressed in a peach-colored sweatsuit and sneakers

After lunch the family enjoyed a little fun in the sun, which included Anja and Noah getting some playtime on a trampoline.

Ambrosio shared a quick video of the pair hopping up and down on the device with a couple of friends.

'It's a fun weekend,' the Brazilian native wrote along the bottom of the clip.

Playtime: The former Victoria's Secret Angel pronounced, 'It's a fun weekend,' in a video clip of her daughter Anja, 12, and son Noach, eight, jumping on a trampoline with two friends

The family had only recently returned to her adopted home of Los Angeles after an extended stay in her native Brazil since before the Christmas holidays.

The founder of the swimwear line Gal Floripa shares her two children with ex-fiance Jamie Mazur. She announced their split in March 2018 after 10 years together.

Ambrosio has been in a relationship with Italian-born fashion designer Nicolo Oddi, but they haven't been seen together since late last year, which sparked rumors of a split.
Xiaomi has revealed that it plans to launch The XL Experience on March 17 in India, hinting it could be the first smart TV under the Redmi brand. While Xiaomi has not confirmed that it is launching a smart TV under the Redmi brand, the teasers it has shared largely hints at a television. Xiaomi first teased the launch of The XL Experience towards the end of the Redmi Note 10 series launch in India.

Xiaomi has confirmed that it will launch a Redmi product on March 17 at 12:00 PM in India. It remains to be seen whether Xiaomi is planning to launch the Redmi Max 86-inch TV which recently launched in China or will it unveil a new product altogether.

Bigger, better? Nah, we're going straight to XL!



Brace yourselves for the #XLExperience! #Redmi's 1st Smart _ _ is coming your way on 17th March at 12 noon.



RT and help us share this XL news. pic.twitter.com/udMANrsTrY  Redmi India - #RedmiNote10 Series (@RedmiIndia) March 8, 2021

Additionally, Xiaomi could also launch a 65-inch smart TV in India since the Mi TV 4X 65-inches is no longer listed on the Xiaomi website. The Mi TV 4X was launched back in 2019 so it's already due for an upgrade. Having said that, Xiaomi is yet to confirm the exact television that it is bringing to India next week.

Xiaomi currently offers multiple smart TVs ranging from 32-inch to 55-inches and starting from as low as Rs 14,999 going up to Rs 54,999.

Xiaomi Redmi XL Experience smart TV expected features

Xiaomi Redmi XL Experience smart TV has also been listed on Amazon, indicating that it will be available to purchase from Amazon India after its launch. While the listing does not reveal the features of the upcoming products, the company could launch new TVs under the Redmi X or Redmi Max series as it does in China.

Then again, there is a possibility that we may get an entirely new product range under the Redmi brand, and we expect Xiaomi to reveal key details in the heads-up to the launch on March 17.
Biden Admin Officials Had Roles in Probes, Surveillance of Trump Campaign

News Analysis

As President Joe Biden constructs his new administration, individuals from the Obama administration are quietly resurfacing in positions of power. Some of these people are well-known, others lesser so. But they all played critical roles at various times during the Obama administration.

Susan Rice, Obamas national security adviser and now the top adviser to the president on domestic policy and related decisions, has admitted to participating in the unmasking of members of the Trump transition team. Unmasking is the process in which a U.S. citizens identity is revealed from collected surveillance.

Initially, Rice publicly denied the allegations, claiming that I know nothing about this. I was surprised to see reports from [House Intelligence Committee] Chairman [Devin] Nunes on that count today. Two weeks later, Rice stated that she hadnt done so for for any political purposes. It was later reported that Rice told House investigators that she unmasked the identities of senior Trump officials to understand why the crown prince of the United Arab Emirates was in New York.

Rice was also a participant in an early January 2017 meeting with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, FBI Director James Comey, and Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, during which President-elect Donald Trumps incoming national security adviser Michael Flynns call with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak was discussed.

According to a filing in the Flynn legal case, notes from FBI Agent Peter Strzok revealed that former President Obama, James Comey, Sally Yates, Joe Biden, and apparently Susan Rice discussed the transcripts of Flynns calls and how to proceed against him. Mr. Obama himself directed that the right people investigate General Flynn. According to Strzoks notes, it also appears that Biden personally raised the idea of the Logan Act that would initially be used to pursue Flynn.

Rice, whose level of participation in the spying on the Trump 2016 campaign still isnt fully known, sent herself an email on Obamas last day in office detailing events that took place during that meeting. In addition to Flynn, Rice also noted that Obama asked his team to be mindful to ascertain if there is any reason that we cannot share information fully [with the incoming Trump team] as it relates to Russia.

Samantha Power, President Barack Obamas choice to replace Susan Rice as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 17, 2013. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Samantha Power, who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in the Obama administration, has been named nominated to lead the U.S. Agency for International Development. She hasnt yet been confirmed.

According to a July 27, 2017, letter to then-Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, Rep. Nunes (R-Calif.) noted that one official, whose position had no apparent intelligence-related function, made hundreds of unmasking requests during the final year of the Obama administration. That official was later identified in the media as Power. For her part, Power has denied that she was the person making the unmasking requests.

In addition to the better-known names from the Obama administration, there are other lesser-known members of the new Biden administration who had played roles, sometimes crucial ones, in the surveillance of the Trump transition team.

Acting Deputy AG John Carlin

John Carlin, currently the acting deputy attorney general, is involved in the Justice Department (DOJ) investigation into the events of Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol. He recently confirmed that more than 300 people have been charged in connection with the events of that day and more than 280 have been arrested. Carlin told reporters on Feb. 26 that the investigation is moving at a speed and scale that is unprecedented.

Earlier in his career, Carlin was the deputy chief of staff and counselor to then-FBI Director Robert Mueller, who would later be appointed as special counsel during the Trump administration.

During the Obama administration, Carlin was the assistant attorney general for national security and head of the DOJs National Security Division (NSD) from April 2014 through October 2016 and was involved in the FBIs Crossfire Hurricane investigation of the Trump campaign.

According to testimony by FBI lawyer Lisa Page, Carlin was receiving briefings on both the Clinton and the Trump investigations directly from FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. Page testified that Carlin was kept abreast of the sort of investigative activity that was going on and said that Carlin might call over to Andy McCabe, and sort of make his teams pitch.

As part of this process, Carlin was receiving briefings on the progress of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) application on Trump campaign aide Carter Page.

This likely wasnt the first time that Carlin heard about Page. In March 11, 2016, Carlin and Preet Bharara, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, released a joint statement noting the guilty plea of Evgeny Buryakov, a Russian intelligence officer convicted of spying.

Carter Page had assisted in this investigation and had met with the FBI on the matter on March 2, 2016. Carlins knowledge of Pages previous assistance to the FBI suggests he would have known that Page wasnt a Russian agent. This, however, didnt impede FBI efforts to obtain a FISA warrant on Page on Oct. 21, 2016.

Despite Carlins involvement in the Page FISA and the earlier espionage case in which Page had assisted, Carlin stated that his recollection of Carter Page and the FBIs FISA application on Page was limited when he was interviewed in July 2017 by the House Select Committee on Intelligence.

When asked by then-Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) if he had participated in any FISA application related to Page, Carlin stated, I believeI believe I did. Theres been so much public reporting since I left, but I remember being involved in the preparation of the FISA application for an individual that was related to the Trump campaign.

Carlin told Gowdy that I remember there was one application. I dont remember whether or not I actually signed it.

As head of the DOJs NSD, Carlin also maintained oversight of the intelligence agencies use of Section 702 authority. The NSD and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) jointly conduct reviews of the Section 702 activities every 60 days and the NSD is required to report any incidents of agency noncompliance or misconduct to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC).

Additionally, the attorney general and the director of national intelligence (DNI) are required by Section 702 to provide the FISC with annual certifications and show that intelligence community agencies are following targeting and minimization procedures that are approved by the FISC. These annual certifications are filed by the NSD.

A Jan. 7, 2016, report by National Security Agency (NSA) Inspector General George Ellard disclosed a fundamental issue that appeared to cause issues with oversight of Section 702 data. Ellard noted that the methodology that the DOJ and NSD have agreed on does not include providing all records of queries performed. Furthermore, the IG report also found that controls for monitoring query compliance have not been completely developed and there was no process to reliably identify queries being performed.

The Jan. 7, 2016, IG report notes that the NSAs Office of General Counsel (OGC) notified DOJ NSD of the FISA incidents. However, it doesnt appear that the NSD ever disclosed the IG report to the FISC.

In addition to the IG findings, on March 9, 2016, DOJ oversight personnel conducting a minimization review at the FBIs [redacted] learned that the FBI had disclosed raw FISA information to an undisclosed entity. In an April 2017 ruling, the FISC noted that this unknown division or center was largely staffed by private contractors and that these contractors had access to raw FISA information on FBI storage systems.

The court also stated that the contractors access to raw FISA data appears to have been the result of deliberate decision making and the access to FBI systems was the subject of an interagency memorandum of understanding that had been prepared or reviewed by FBI lawyers. Despite this preexisting multi-agency agreement, no notice of this practice was given to the FISC until 2016.

The NSAs IG report combined with the discoveries on March 9, 2016, prompted an internal compliance review instigated by then-NSA Director Adm. Mike Rogers. On Oct. 24, 2016, Rogers verbally informed the FISA court of the findings from his investigation, which the FISC found to include significant noncompliance with the NSAs minimization procedures involving queries of data acquired under Section 702 using U.S. person identifiers.

The court noted that the full scope of non-compliant querying practices had not been previously disclosed to the Court and that preliminary results from additional reviews suggested that the problem was widespread during all periods under review.

Carlin had filed the governments proposed 2016 Section 702 certifications on Sept. 26, 2016, but didnt disclose the Jan. 7, 2016, IG report to the FISA court. Additionally, it appears that the court was again not notified of the IG report during an Oct. 4, 2016, follow-up hearing.

In its April 2017 ruling, the Court ascribed the governments failure to disclose those IG and OCO reviews at the October 4, 2016, hearing to an institutional lack of candor.

On Sept. 27, 2016, the day after he filed the annual certifications, Carlin announced his resignation from the DOJ, which would become effective on Oct. 15, 2016. At this time, the FBIs application of the Page FISA was nearing completion. On Oct. 21, 2016, the DOJ and FBI obtained a FISA warrant on Page. At this point, the FISA court still was unaware of the Section 702 violations.

Victoria Nuland

Biden recently announced that he nominated Victoria Nuland as undersecretary of state for political affairsthe third-highest ranking post at the State Department. Nuland has a lengthy history in the State Department and played several roles during the FBIs investigation of the Trump campaign.

Sometime in the latter half of 2014, Christopher Steele, author of the infamous dossier at the center of the Russia probe, began to informally provide reports he had prepared for a private client to the State Department. One of the recipients of the reports was Nuland, who was then the assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs.

On July 5, 2016, FBI agent Michael Gaeta traveled to London and met with Steele at the offices of Steeles firm, Orbis. At some point in early July, Steeles early dossier reports were passed to Nuland and the State Departmentpossibly through Jonathan Winer, then a State Department official who was friends with Steele, perhaps through Gaeta or possibly through Steele himself.

During an interview, Nuland said that in the middle of July, when he [Steele] was doing this other work and became concerned  he passed two to four pages of short points of what he was finding and our immediate reaction to that was, this is not in our purview. This needs to go to the FBI if there is any concern here that one candidate or the election as a whole might be influenced by the Russian Federation.

She later said these documents were passed on at some point to both the FBI and Secretary of State John Kerry.

Nuland was later briefed on the larger Steele dossier during a meeting with an associate of Sen. John McCain, David Kramer, in December 2016. Kramer said that McCain instructed him to meet with Nuland and Russian Affairs Director Celeste Wallander. The purpose of the meeting was to verify whether the dossier was being taken seriously.

Kramer said he didnt physically share the dossier with them at this point, but met again with Wallander, a National Security Council member, around New Years and gave her a copy of the document.
Activist charged B6m for removing plants at Democracy Monument

THAILAND: What is the price for removing decorative plants at Democracy Monument? Student activist Panusaya Rung Sithijirawattanakul found out yesterday (Mar 7) in a police charge.

police

By Bangkok Post

Monday 8 March 2021, 08:42AM

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officials examine plants used to decorate Democracy Monument, which were removed by protesters on Feb 13, 2021. Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb.

The Thammasat University student said she was ordered by Samran Rat police station to pay B5.9 million in compensation for damage caused by taking out plants placed to decorate the monument.

Ms Panusya said she was also charged for violating the emergency decree and sanitary and disease control acts in relation to the rally at the Bangkok landmark on Feb 13.

Ms Panusaya and other protest leaders under the Peoples Movement banner led the rally to press for the release of four detained activists on Feb 13. The protesters removed the plants from the monument to clear the way for the protest.

Panupong Jadnok, also known as Mike Rayong, on Feb 13 accused the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration of intentionally placing the trees there to obstruct the rally.

The demonstration ended with a scuffle with police outside the Supreme Court near Sanam Luang after authorities blocked them from going to pay their respects at the Bangkok Pillar Shrine following a march along Ratchadamnoen Avenue from the monument.

Ms Panusaya is among about six people to be charged in the same incident.

She faces more serious charges, including lese majeste, following a rally on Sept 19 at Sanam Luang. The Criminal Court will inform her about the prosecution today.
Ecuadorian-born Jose Torres-Tama speaks so fast when discussing his artwork that he sometimes has to stop and start over.

I get a little bit too excited, said Torres-Tama, a published poet and playwright, arts educator, cultural activist and touring visual and performance artist.

The St. Roch resident keeps the listener's attention with his stream-of-consciousness conversation style  and his always-evolving career. After all, he has a lot to say.

Torres-Tama, who grew up in New York City and has lived in New Orleans for more than three decades, has experienced a slew of hardships  including the economic and emotional toll brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

Best known for his sci-fi performance in "Aliens, Immigrants & Other Evildoers" and the mobile Taco Truck Theater, a year ago Torres-Tama had big plans to travel the country and possibly overseas to showcase his work. But when the pandemic began, his tours were canceled.

Things got wiped out, Torres-Tama said. Hes been hanging by a thin thread since.

The artist said 90% of his livelihood comes from performing in national touring projects, so he is now in the process of declaring personal bankruptcy. He has suffered economic anxiety and bouts of insomnia, but hes finally catching a break.

The New Orleans-based Joan Mitchell Center, which is affiliated with the national Joan Mitchell Foundation, granted Torres-Tama an artist-in-residency award that lasted from mid-October through early February.

The award included an art studio, a stipend totaling $2,100 and meals. The experience connected Torres-Tama to art curators across the country and it signaled his return to painting on canvas.

I tell my boys, no matter what happens, I work through the trauma," said Torres-Tama, the father of Darius, 14, and Diego, 11. "Making art saves me.

Torres-Tama is now hosting a virtual studio event, highlighting work created during his residency. It takes place Thursday and March 18 at 7 p.m., at torrestama.com.

Torres-Tama also received the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Documentary Award, a $3,000 grant that will help him develop a bilingual photo book called "Hard Living in the Big Easy: Immigrants & Photographs of Post-Katrina Protests 2010-2019." The tome will include radio commentaries he wrote for NPR's "Latino USA" program from 2006 to 2011.

And, he's hosting a virtual exhibition, PhotoNOLA 2020, with 20 images from the book. That's on Thursdays and March 18 at 7 p.m., at torrestama.com. (Yes, that's the same time as his virtual studio. "The Open Studio for the JMC art works begins at 7 p.m., and I engage the Zoom audiences some 15 minutes," he explained. "Then I switch to discussing the photos.")

For this years Tennessee Williams Festival, he's curating a live Zoom called "Teatro Sin Fronteras/Theater without Borders" March 25 at 7 p.m., featuring Latin poets, performers and musicians.

But in addition to projects that stem from recent awards, Torres-Tama is still performing his older works on Zoom.

When I perform, I'm unleashed, he said.

His his online productions come complete with many voices, costume changes and a staging area. They are often followed by a discussion with the audience.

Torres-Tama has written books and poems and contributed commentary to national media outlets, detailing the struggles of Latino immigrants  from being locked in what he described as COVID-laden detention centers to giving their blood, labor and love to rebuild the city after Katrina, with scant recognition.

It's brutal to document your communities and realize how easily White scholars just erase you and exclude you from history, he said.

He hopes "Hard Living in the Big Easy" brings awareness to the immigrants story, because its painful to see his people made invisible by a deeply segregated arts community.

He specifically points a finger at Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and its tricentennial publication, "New Orleans & the World: 1718-2018."

Their post-Katrina chapter entitled 'Renewal' has no mention of us and how immigrants have done the heavy lifting of the epic rebirth, Torres-Tama said.

Although Torres-Tama is fiercely passionate when speaking about his work, his tone softens when he talks about his children. On a recent Saturday afternoon, he was preparing to join them for a bike ride to the Mississippi River.

Spending time with my boys has kept me sane, he said.

Even though I've been dealing with economic challenges, they have been my saving light, he said. These are the moments of joy that we have to steal and embrace during this time.

+11 Is gentrification the afterlife of slavery? A New Orleans artist/activist sees a connection Shana M. griffins art exhibition on the second floor of the Contemporary Arts Center isnt the sort of show you can rush through.

+14 House float becomes a permanent tribute to the women of New Orleans music Mardi Gras may have passed, but Tricia Diamonds house float isnt going anywhere. The design, titled New Orleans Queens of Sound and Soul, 
[March 07, 2021] DoctorOnCall Partners with Industry Stalwarts to Provide Malaysians Access to Digital Healthcare Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DoctorOnCall, Malaysia's first and largest digital health platform today announced partnerships with insurance companies and health industry stalwarts in ensuring that Malaysians are given digital access to healthcare amidst the rising COVID-19 cases in Malaysia. Great Eastern Life Malaysia and Great Eastern Takaful Berhad are the first insurer and takaful operator respectively, in Malaysia to partner with DoctorOnCall to include telemedicine as an optional benefit in their medical suite of products. With this partnership, their customers will not only be able to seek medical advice with a general practitioner, but also purchase medication through prescription online with free delivery. Customers are able to book an appointment with a specialist for online or in-clinic consultation, and also book a slot for home screening such as COVID-19 test and health screening, among others. Dato Koh Yaw Hui, CEO of Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad said, "We are delighted to announce our very timely strategic partnership with DoctorOnCall, allowing us to provide our customers access to healthcare in a safe and convenient manner. We constantly strive to go the extra mile to help support our customers during times hen healthcare is of utmost importance to them. Additionally, our customers can also look forward to exclusive offers on health related items through this partnership."



"Accelerating the adoption of digital health cards will enhance healthcare accessibility amongst the underserved communities especially in areas where healthcare facilities are lacking. With this telemedicine service, we are able to provide immediate and seamless healthcare benefits to meet our customers' needs beyond hospitalisation," added Shahrul Azlan Shahriman, CEO of Great Eastern Takaful Berhad. Digital Health as a business model is shifting the paradigm within the healthcare industry. Medical institutions play a major role in both the social and economic vitality of the community they are in and have an increased role to sustain themselves while giving their patients top notch medical services. For them to continuously stay in touch with the rapid growth of technology, serving patients and answering to their stakeholders, hospitals are jumping on the bandwagon in offering Telehealth in their quest to serve their patients better by ensuring access to medical care at all times. Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara and Columbia Asia have inked a partnership agreement with DoctorOnCall in pursuit of providing immediate access to patients via DoctorOnCall's Digital Health Platform.

Nadiah Wan, CEO of Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara said that, "With DoctorOnCall powering our Thomson Hospital Online telehealth platform, we are able to integrate our healthcare services from consultation and counselling services to prescription and product sales. We believe that the pandemic has accelerated the pace of digital transformation in healthcare. With DoctorOnCall and other partners, we will continue to innovate and build on Thomson Hospital Online to expand access and provide more on-demand, personalised healthcare to our customers." "The biggest benefit of Online Healthcare is the ability to provide immediate access to care that otherwise would be difficult to obtain. Often, Telehealth creates an alternative way for patients and practitioners to remain in contact between appointments or for patients to have visits with specialists that they would ordinarily not be able to have," said Maran Virumandi, Managing Director & Co-Founder of DoctorOnCall. Hazwan Najib, Co-Founder & Director also commented that, "Malaysia is 5 to 10 years behind in telemedicine as compared to countries like the United States, India and China, but we are working closely with our stakeholders, such as Great Eastern, Columbia Asia and Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara to close that gap and become a leader in digital healthcare. As an online platform, we put the safety of our users first by collaborating with hospitals and medical professionals including doctors and pharmacists, to ensure adherence to strict Standard Operating Procedures and to provide the highest standard of care possible." DoctorOnCall is currently looking forward to more partnerships in 2021, targeting to garner more market share. About DoctorOnCall DoctorOnCall is Malaysia's first and leading digital health platform with 2 million Malaysians visiting our website for telehealth consultation, online pharmacy, medication delivery, health content, doctors and specialist booking services. Since its establishment in 2016, DoctorOnCall has established partnerships with top insurers, third-party agencies, hospitals, pharmacies and corporations. These include Prudential, Zurich, Allianz, Great Eastern, Caring Pharmacy, TMC Life Sciences and Columbia Asia Hospitals amongst others. For more information, visit us at https://www.doctoroncall.com.my/ SOURCE DoctorOnCall

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It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
RTE Nationwide reporter and Monasterevin resident, Mary Fanning has forged her own path in the world of media.

Although Covid has impacted how programmes are put together, she has learned to adapt to working in a pandemic.

My day to day job involves reporting on the positive stories around Ireland for RTE Nationwide programme. I've produced, directed and reported with the flagship programme for 26 years.

It's such a joy to travel around the country meeting the real people of Ireland who make us who we are. I love rural Ireland and it never ceases to amaze me how resilient communities are. I especially love programmes of the horse industry, such a cornerstone of employment, she says.

She explains how the restrictions have impacted her work.

Yes we can travel but we cannot under the present circumstances go inside houses, so all of our filming is outside in fields, farms and other spaces. I have, with the help of my children, upskilled on technology, to be honest I keep pressing buttons until it works!

A filming day requires huge planning now  pack water, pack food, bring masks, wipes, gloves and hand sanitizer  so everything is packed the night before.

So with the vaccination programme underway and hopes of an end to lockdown, what are Mary's aspirations for the times ahead.

My plans for the coming year are to keep me and my family and loved ones safe and continue to produce good TV.

When asked about the role of women in the media, she replies: The role of women has changed hugely when I started in journalism in the early eighties, there were only 20% of women working as journalists.

It was a very misogynistic profession. We even had a woman journalist of the year award which I won in 1985! RTE has always been very forward-thinking and inclusive and our present Deputy Head of News and Current Affairs is a woman, Hilary McGouran.

"I think us early women journalists paved the way for the next generation, we fought hard, took no crap and my biggest influence was my dearest friend former News Anchor, Anne Doyle, she was a warrior and still is, concludes Mary.
WINNIPEG - Police have identified a woman whose remains were found near the Red River in Winnipeg last week.

WINNIPEG - Police have identified a woman whose remains were found near the Red River in Winnipeg last week.

The body of Jana Noella Williams was found on Thursday, the day before her 29th birthday, in the area of Main Street and Alfred Avenue.

Winnipeg police have identified the woman whose body was found discarded near the Red River last week.Jana Noella Williams, shown in a Winnipeg Police handout photo, who was 29, was found in the area of Main Street and Alfred Avenue last Thursday in the citys north end. THE CANADIAN PRSS/HO-Winnipeg Police MANDATORY CREDIT

Const. Jay Murray said police are investigating it as a homicide.

"This is somebody that was loved by the community, by members of her family, Murray said Monday.

Police do not believe Williams died where she was found. Murray described the remains as "discarded" but could not provide more details about how they were discovered.

"When the facts of this case come out, I feel its the most accurate word to use unfortunately," he said.

Investigators have asked the public to provide any information about Williams's whereabouts over the last two weeks.

Murray said police believe she was transient during that period and that people within the homeless community may have information.

He said her family deserves answers.

Nahanni Fontaine, an NDP member of the legislature, said family members told her office that Williams was pregnant and due to give birth in July.

"Jana is loved. Jana is sacred. Jana deserved to be safe," Fontaine posted on Twitter. "Rest in Power Jana."

Fontaine joined community members and family for a vigil Sunday night. They prayed and sang near the spot where the young woman's body was found.

Fontaine said it was "brutal" to gather in grief after the death of another Indigenous woman.

The body of Tina Fontaine, a 15-year-old Indigenous girl, was found in the river a few blocks away in 2014. It's also not far from where the remains of Felicia Solomon, a 16-year-old Indigenous girl, were found in 2003.

Shawenim Abinoojii Inc., a First Nations organization that provides resources for children and families, recently acquired the property where a memorial for Williams has been growing.

"We intend to work with the family in a respectful manner to preserve the memorial that has been created in her honour," said a statement from the organization.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 8, 2021

Note to readers: This is a corrected story; a previous version said Williams was 29.
Workforce

Biden looks to expand time off for feds to vote

In future election cycles, feds may have expanded time off to vote or work as non-partisan poll workers or observers.

On Sunday, President Joe Biden issued an executive order to "make it easier for eligible voters to register to vote and improve access to voting," as well as modernize the federal Vote.gov website and extend time off benefits for federal employees to cover voting.

The Office of Personnel Management issued guidance in 2020 noting that that agencies do have discretionary authority to give excused absences to employees for voting, but that "excused absence should rarely be needed" because "polling places throughout the United States are open for extended periods of time, and an increasing number of jurisdictions are offering early voting operations."

Biden's executive order, however, asks for recommendations on how to expand the practice of giving feds time off for voting, including access to early voting.

"It is a priority of my administration to ensure that the federal Government, as the nation's largest employer, serves as a model employer by encouraging and facilitating federal employees' civic participation," the executive order states.

Under the order, the OPM director will work with heads of executive agencies to give recommendations within 200 days on how the federal government can expand time off policies for voting. The executive order also asks agency heads for suggestions for how to support feds who want to work as non-partisan poll workers or voting observers, especially during early or extended voting sessions.

In addition to seeking recommendations on giving feds time off for voting, the executive order also directs agencies to expand voter registration and election information through existing federal websites and social media accounts. It also targets voting rights for two other populations: incarcerated people in federal prisons and active duty military members.
Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Ho Iat Seng in Beijing, capital of China, March 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

MACAO, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) is set to hold the Legislative Assembly election on Sept. 12 this year, according to an executive order published Monday at the Macao SAR Gazette.

A separate executive order, also published on Monday, set the spending cap for each campaigning team for the election at 3,549,622 patacas.

In line with the Macao SAR Basic Law, Macao's Legislative Assembly is composed of 33 seats, including 14 directly-elected seats, 12 indirectly-elected seats and seven others appointed by the SAR chief executive. (1 U.S. dollar equals 8 patacas)
New Delhi:

Three Kashmiri students booked on Saturday for allegedly not standing during national anthem at a cinema hall in Hyderabad.

The students were released on bail on Sunday after spending a night at the police station. The students belonged to Al Habib Engineering College.

Kashmiri students were booked under Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The case was registered at the Rajendra Nagar police station under Cyberabad Police Commissionerate.

The three had gone to watch the movie Bareilly ki Barfi at Mantra Mall at Upparpally. There are different version of the story coming from the student.

The students told police that when they entered cinema hall, they found it difficult to sight anything as it was dark inside and due to which they reacted late to the national anthem. The students added that they were prompted by someone behind to stand up which they did afterwards.

As per the students, there was someone behind of them who asked their names and place where they belong. The three told that they suspected the man to be from police and thought that they had informed about the incident.

However, the police refuted the claims of student by saying that several people had complained against the students to the cinema hall manager, who filed a written complaint at 9 pm.

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NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernstein Liebhard, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, announces that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Range Resources Corporation ("Range Resources" or the "Company") (NYSE: RRC) from April 29, 2016 through February 10, 2021 (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If you purchased Range Resources securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Range Resources Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Matthew E. Guarnero toll free at (877) 779-1414 or [email protected]

The complaint alleges that during the Class Period, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Range Resources had improperly designated the status of its wells in Pennsylvania since at least 2013; (ii) the foregoing conduct subjected the Company to a heightened risk of regulatory investigation and enforcement, as well as artificially decreased the Company's periodically reported cost estimates to plug and abandon its wells; (iii) the Company was the subject of a DEP investigation from sometime between September 2017 to January 2021 for improperly designating the status of its wells; (iv) the DEP investigation foreseeably would and ultimately did lead to the Company incurring regulatory fines; and (v) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On February 10, 2021, prior to the close of the trading session, the DEP issued a press release announcing the payment of a $294,000 civil penalty by Range Resources to the agency for the Company's violations of the 2012 Oil and Gas Act. The DEP had launched an investigation of the Company after finding conflicting and inaccurate information regarding the status of a Company well in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. After subpoenaing the Company for information about its wells, DEP found that "between Tuesday, July 16, 2013, and Monday, October 11, 2017, 42 of Range Resources' conventional wells were placed on inactive status but were never used again" and that several of the Company's wells had not been used for "12 months at the time Range Resources submitted its applications for inactive status, even though "after 12 consecutive months of no productive, the well would be classified as abandoned and must be plugged." The Company ultimately had to plug the wells identified by DEP as having no viable future use to remediate the issue.

On this news, Range Resources' stock price fell $0.62 per share, or 6.08%, to close at $9.57 per share on February 11, 2020.

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. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.

If you purchased Range Resources securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit https://www.bernlieb.com/cases/rangeresourcescorporation-rrc-shareholder-class-action-lawsuit-fraud-stock-374/apply/ or contact Matthew E. Guarnero toll free at (877) 779-1414 or [email protected]

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2021 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Michael S. Bigin. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information

Matthew E. Guarnero

Bernstein Liebhard LLP

https://www.bernlieb.com

(877) 779-1414

[email protected]

SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP

Related Links

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Jake Gyllenhaal came out with all guns blazing on the set of his new movie Ambulance, as production continued.

The 40-year-old actor was spotted aiming a gun at an unseen nemesis as filming continued in Los Angeles on Sunday.

He was also seen hanging out of a moving ambulance, firing shots at an LAPD police helicopter that chased the stolen vehicle.

Guns blazing: Jake Gyllenhaal came out with all guns blazing on the set of his new movie Ambulance, as production continued

Gyllenhall rocked a form-fitting dark grey t-shirt with matching grey slacks and black sneakers.

The bearded actor was seen holding his machine gun in one hand and a satellite phone in the other between takes.

The Nightcrawler star wasn't seen with any of his co-stars, such as Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Garret Dillahunt and Eiza Gonzalez on the set.

Jake's look: Gyllenhall rocked a form-fitting dark grey t-shirt with matching grey slacks and black sneakers

Ambulance follows a pair of brothers (Gyllenhaal and Mateen II) who steal an ambulance after their planned heist goes sour.

They soon realize there is an EMT (Eiza Gonzalez) and a patient in critical condition in the ambulance.

The cast also includes A Martinez, Keir O'Donnell, Moses Ingram, Wale Folarin, Cedric Sanders, Jackson White, Colin Woodell, Olivia Stambouliah, Jesse Garcia, Victor Gojcaj and Remi Adeleke.

Brothers: Ambulance follows a pair of brothers (Gyllenhaal and Mateen II) who steal an ambulance after their planned heist goes sour

The film made headlines last month when director Michael Bay shared an explosive video from the set that appeared quite dangerous, though Bay insisted it was safe.

'Filming my new movie. Im the guy in black on the dolly. We do these controlled but dangerous looking shots,' Bay began.

'It takes a great crew to make these shots possible. Knowing the physics involved and catch cars. At the end, everyone was safe. This phone video makes it look scarier that it was in person,' he concluded.

Explosive: The film made headlines last month when director Michael Bay shared an explosive video from the set that appeared quite dangerous, though Bay insisted it was safe

Ambulance is based on the 2005 Danish film of the same name, with Universal Pictures already setting a February 18, 2022 release date.

Gyllenhaal will next be seen in The Guilty with Ethan Hawke, Riley Keough and Bill Burr for director Antoine Fuqua.

He is also attached to star in a video game adaptation of The Division, starring alongside Jessica Chastain.
New Delhi:

IndiGo on Sunday debunked the rumours of 84 flight cancellations by the airlines alleging that the news was result of a corporate conspiracy.

In the last few days, there have been misinformed media reports suggesting that IndiGo is cancelling eighty-five daily flights.



"We believe that this misleading information about the alleged spurt in cancellations has been spread by one of our competitors within a few hours of the release by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of the latest On Time Performance data for the month of July," the official release said.



The DGCA data showed that IndiGo was once again Number One at the top in On Time Performance at 84.5% while all other airlines were a distant second, claimed statement.



The official statemnt, whoever, did include information about grounding of four aircraft, which company says was due to 'pare engines that are awaiting customs clearance for as much as three weeks'.



"We are waiting clarification on certain provisions affecting the entire airline industry post the implementation of GST. Our understanding is that the GST was not intended to create an additional fiscal burden on the airline industry. This unpredictable situation did lead to some unplanned short-term flight cancellations and we have made every effort to inform our affected customers and provide them with alternative arrangements. We are engaged in ongoing discussions with the relevant authorities and hope to receive the GST clarification soon," they said.

Also read | IndiGo denies reports over 84 flights cancellation, 13 NEO planes being grounded

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Lakes District Health Board is going to have a second CT scanner that will be located at Taupo Hospital.

The whole initiative has a capital cost of about $1.4 million, according to a statement from the Lakes DHB.

Demand for CT scans has increased steadily in the last five years as predicted, and the siting of the second CT scanner at Taupo Hospital will provide a valuable diagnostic resource to the southern part of Lakes DHB.

Radiology Department service manager Roger Lysaght says CT examinations can help health professionals in rural areas in making clinical decisions, by providing access to radiological clinical reports.

He says Taupo Hospital now has an excellent stable medical workforce of rural health specialists supported by visiting medical teams from Rotorua Hospital.

"Placement of a CT scanner in Taupo will improve access to high technology imaging to our vulnerable Maori and rural populations. Currently many of these people are unable to or simply can not make the long journey to Rotorua.

"A CT scanner in Taupo Hospital will support equity of outcomes for Maori and rural populations."

A second CT scanner will also ensure that the majority of residents in the southern Lakes communities can have their CTs done at Taupo hospital, rather than needing to go through to Rotorua.

This will also reduce the demand on the scanner at Rotorua Hospital.

Chief Executive Nick Saville-Wood says work is proceeding to order and make arrangements to install the Taupo scanner in time for a start up in September.

The Board expressed strong support for the proposal at its February meeting and gave approval to management to progress with the initiative which has a capital cost of about $1.4 million.

Together with new staff being recruited at Taupo, the Rotorua Radiology team will provide the support to ensure that the scanner is made operational as soon as it is commissioned.

Nick Saville-Wood says the DHBs clinical services are provided across the two hospitals  in line with its principle of one service, two sites, and once the second scanner is in place some patients in Rotorua needing a CT scan may elect to go to Taupo to have their scan as wait times are likely to be shorter than being experienced in Rotorua.
By Juliet Nalwooga

As Uganda today joins the rest of the world to celebrate womens day the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Paul Lokech has encouraged more women to join the force.

In his message to women across the country, Major General Lokecg noted that as Police they pride themselves on their values of leadership, strong willpower and determination.

He has as such called on more women to join the force and contribute to the key role of maintaining law and order.

The National theme for this years Womens day is Building on Womens Strength for a Better Future in a COVID-19 World.
Polar Beverages looked to the sky for inspiration as it worked on creating its milestone 100th seltzer recipe.

The Worcester company found answers within the stars. This new blend, aptly named 100, is what Polar calls an ode to dreamers everywhere.

We really, really appreciate creativity and the ambition it takes to follow your dreams. Thats exactly what founded Polar Beverages, said Polar Beverages Director of Marketing Lisbet Crowley. Our great-great-grandfather was an Irish immigrant who was trying to find his way while prohibition was clamping down on his bartending business. He had a dream and followed it with a lot of hard work and a touch of luck.

Polar describes 100 as having sunny citrus and strawberry flavor notes in orbit around starfruit dancing in a galaxy of the brands signature effervescence.

Breaking from its traditional label, the design on 100 is a nod to the companys namesake Polaris, also known as the North Star. A polar bear is seen passing a star atop a swath of watercolor paint.

The label also offers a hint: enjoy the bubbles in the dark. Polar says that with all the lights out, the label will reveal the companys mascot in the stars  the UrsaMajor constellation.

Polar Beverages says that with all the lights out, the label on "100" will reveal the companys mascot in the stars  the UrsaMajor constellation. Photo courtesy of Polar.

To get a bottle, you may need to wish on your lucky stars. Polar has described this launch as a very limited release and did not reveal exactly how many bottles will hit store shelves.

Polar has amassed a cult following for its array of seltzer flavors, ranging from staples like lemon and cranberry lime to limited seasonal releases and to truly unique offerings, like its mythic menagerie inspired by unicorns, mermaids and other fantasy creatures.

As seltzers have exploded in popularity recently, Polar has worked to keep up its creativity, adding to its line of lemonade-inspired seltzers and introducing hard seltzers.

The company has been in Worcester for more than 138 years and has been family-owned and operated for five generations. Last year, Polar announced a long-term franchise agreement with Keurig Dr Pepper, allowing for nationwide distribution of all 35 varieties of seltzer.

Polar has a store locator to find which retailers carry your favorite bubbles.

Polar Beverages describes 100 as having sunny citrus and strawberry flavor notes in orbit around starfruit dancing in a galaxy of the brands signature effervescence. Photo courtesy of Polar.

Related Content:
Maybe youve heard of the credit union awareness campaign spearheaded by CUNA, Open Your Eyes to a Credit Union, and perhaps youve wondered how its going. After all, if youre a credit union leader of a certain age, youd probably never see the ads in their natural habitat  youre not the target. But where the campaign is running, the campaign is working!

That points directly to the research-based approach taken with this campaign and to the strength of the team running it. More than anything, though, it should be the impetus that any bystander credit unions need to get off the sidelines, get onboard and help us bring the campaign to more states.

In Minnesota and the Carolinas  areas where the campaign has run the longest and most consistently  credit union ad recall and consumer consideration have already started trending in the right direction. Between 2019 and 2020, both saw a 5% increase in ad recall and a 5% increase in consideration. And since the campaign launched in January 2019, (initially in only 25 states) its driven five million consumers to the YourMoneyFurther.com website in search of information about credit unions, three million of those in the seven months of July 2020 through January 2021. As one who rose through the marketing side of our business, I can tell you thats a pretty impressive start for this type of category-building effort.

Now, having served on the Board of Directors for CUNA since 2018, I have an even clearer perspective on credit unions potential and power when we act as a unified group, which we can and should do with this campaign. Nearly 1,200 credit unions are currently supporting the campaign, and their leaders are to be applauded for their strategic vision. Building on our solid foundation, we launched in Montana in February and are carrying that momentum forward with fundraising now taking place for 2021 launches planned for Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Colorado, Wyoming, New York and Louisiana.

But remember, our movement includes 5,000 credit unions in the United States. Its just a travesty that we arent taking full advantage of our collective power in all 50 states to ensure our own futures and to safeguard the financial cooperative model for our members.

Lets revisit some inconvenient truths. Credit union market share has remained stagnant at 7% for more than two decades. Todays credit union members are older, somewhere between 47 and 55 years old, and they dont borrow as frequently. The credit union category (thats all of us) has a consideration problem  while most consumers have heard of a credit union, most wont consider using us because they either think they cant join or that it would be hard to access their money or do business with us. And one more statistic: a May 2020 Google survey of credit union members with children found that 60% of those children elected not to bank with their parents credit union.

Meanwhile, fintechs like Marcus, SoFi, and N26 created market share. In 2019 alone, they made over 36% of the personal loans in the U.S. Any guesses who theyre targeting? Yep, Millennials. Those younger consumers (aka, our members children) who could become credit union members instead have FinTechs selling to them directly via digital advertising on their mobile devices.

We dont have to let those competitors continue to eat our lunch.

Open Your Eyes is a strategic and cost-effective way to deploy the collective power of credit unions to fight back and reverse our stagnant market share, because it engages with young people on their terms, with marketing and messaging that speaks specifically to their needs and aligns with their values. Unlike most credit unions day-to-day marketing, it doesnt promote loans, services or products. Rather, it builds the credit union brand  debunking the myths that keep people from considering credit unions.

The timing right now couldnt be better. The pandemic has consumers across the board evaluating everything from how they eat to how they save. Millennials, in particular, have shown a clear preference for the bespoke and entrepreneurial enterprise, and our mission over margin and people helping people principles are major differentiators that make credit unions the obvious choice for young people.

But theyll only make that choice if we can overcome the myths that hold us back. The Open Your Eyes campaign is our industrys best shot at breaking through, growing market share for all of us, and ultimately securing the future of the credit union movement for generations to come. Now, with the campaign research were doing and the results were seeing, there are no viable excuses left. Its time for every credit union leader to get off the sidelines and join this fight for our future. We can do this!
A British university has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) based in Pune to identify joint research interests in the fields of management, alternative fuels, power train and electric vehicle technology.

The partnership will see British and Indian air pollution experts working together to create a blueprint to tackle the challenge of particulate emissions in India, looking to develop and deliver solutions identified in the plan.

"ARAI is happy to be associated with University of Birmingham for promoting joint research in upcoming areas such as alternative fuels, e-mobility and air quality," said Dr Reji Mathai, ARAI Director.

The agreement was signed recently between N B Dhande, Senior Deputy Director for Business Development & Corporate Planning at ARAI, and Professor Tim Jones, Provost at the University of Birmingham.

"Signing this MoU further strengthens our commitment to India and, through this partnership, we are pleased to contribute to the development of impactful transport and environmental research. The University of Birmingham has a number of significant partnerships in India, underpinned by its India Institute which aims to increase the visibility, impact and coherence of Birmingham's engagement in the country, said Prof. Jones.

The Vehicle and Engine Technology Research Centre at the university's School of Mechanical Engineering claims to have a world-leading research profile in combustion engines and low-carbon vehicle technology. It works closely with industry in engine architecture and advanced engine technologies, helping to design the engines and fuels for the future; including hybrid powertrains.

ARAI, India's leading automotive research and development institute set up by the automotive industry with the government of India, is an autonomous body affiliated to the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and is recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. It undertakes multidisciplinary and collaborative applied research in the field of vehicular exhaust and ambient management.

A comprehensive India-specific database of vehicular emissions and source profiles has been developed at ARAI and is being extensively used by Indian researchers for conducting their studies at various locations.

The organisation undertakes projects on development and evaluation of alternate fuel engines and projects to understand the challenges with the use of alternate fuels, emissions and performance. ARAI also supports the automotive and component industry through developmental and certification testing at its Centre of Excellence in E-mobility.

Together, the university and its Indian partners also plan to support the development of education programmes that will help produce future transport leaders and world-leading research.

"The wants to be at the cutting edge of green and EV-transport systems and we see a real opportunity to partner with India on this critical agenda including through this new agreement between the University of Birmingham and ARAI, said Alan Gemmell, UK Trade Commissioner for South Asia and British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, who was instrumental in bringing the two organisations together for the MoU.

"Last month COP26 President Alok Sharma MP visited India to strengthen our partnership on climate change in advance of the summit in Glasgow this year. The UK was the first major economy to commit to cut emissions to net zero by 2050, he added.

(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.)
Care home residents were hit hardest when the NHS cut back on non-Covid care during the pandemic, a review has revealed.

Emergency admissions plunged by a third and planned care by two thirds among those in the homes  more than among the general population.

Thousands were denied life-saving treatment for such things as heart attacks, strokes and cancer.

Others have been left in pain or with severe disabilities after missing out on cataract surgery and hip replacements.

Family bond: Ruthie Henshall, right, with mother Gloria and sister Abigail before the pandemic

Ruthies tears as shes told: You CAN visit your mum again Ruthie Henshall wept with joy on hearing the wonderful news that she can finally visit her mother again. The West End star hasnt seen 87-year-old Gloria for a year and feared she would have to watch her die through a care home window. From today, care homes will open up to indoor visitors after a year of draconian restrictions. It is one of the first steps in the Governments easing of lockdown. However, each resident will only be allowed to choose one friend or relative as a named visitor. Hugging will remain banned, although they can hold hands. Miss Henshall, 54, who starred in last years Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, believed she would not benefit from the new guidance as her sister Abigail was designated the key visitor. But her mothers care home rang this weekend to say she would also be able to come as the new rules allow a second visitor as long as they provide essential care to the resident. Miss Henshall hasnt touched her mother  who has Alzhiemers disease  for a year. I wept when the woman told me, the star said. I just sat there weeping on the phone. Im going to become part of my mothers care team. Isnt that wonderful, I get to see my mummy. I can feed my mum, bathe her, change her, love on her, which is just incredible. Miss Henshall urged other relatives who were still banned from visiting loved ones to keep fighting. The new guidance allows indoor visits without a screen, as long as the visitor tests negative for Covid-19 and wears PPE. It follows a major Daily Mail campaign against cruel visiting bans which have torn families apart for the past year. Campaigners say the new guidance should be backed up with a change in the law so they cannot continue to ban visitors. Last night deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said: Its a heartless fact that this virus thrives on us being together. There is a very delicate balance between the clear benefits of visits for the physical and mental wellbeing of care home residents and their families, and the infection risk that close contact poses  not just to the individuals themselves but to other residents too. Advertisement

Campaigners say care homes were abandoned by the NHS and their residents treated like second-class citizens.

Last night, they branded the findings a national disgrace and called for an inquiry into the neglect of care homes by the Government and the Health Service.

The Health Foundation charity analysed hospital admissions in England from March to May last year  the peak of the first wave  and compared them with the same months in 2019.

Emergency admissions for non-Covid reasons fell by 28 per cent over this period. But there was an even greater fall of 36 per cent among care home residents, including nursing homes and residential care.

Planned admissions fell by 56 per cent as the NHS cancelled most non-urgent operations to free staff and beds for virus patients. However, those in care homes were again disproportionately affected, with a 63 per cent fall in admissions among residents, the study found.

The charity said: Those in care homes, who often have complex health needs and require high levels of hospital care, were particularly hard hit.

It appears to substantiate concerns that care home residents may have faced barriers to accessing hospital treatment as the NHS rapidly reorganised to free up hospital capacity for Covid patients.

Dr Sarah Deeny, of the Health Foundation, said: That fewer care home residents received hospital treatment  including for life-threatening conditions such as strokes and heart attacks  may have contributed to the high number of excess deaths in homes that werent attributed to Covid.

And with such a large decrease in levels of routine care, some people will have seen their conditions deteriorate.

In the case of conditions such as cataracts and cancers, ongoing delays in treatment are likely to have had a significant and irreparable impact on peoples quality of life.

Admissions for cataract procedures fell by 81 per cent, those for cancer were down 49 per cent and those for strokes were 16 per cent lower. Emergency admissions for acute coronary syndromes, such as heart attacks, fell by 37 per cent.

Dr Deeny said hospitals were still struggling to provide care for non-Covid patients, despite a fall in infections, adding: That the majority of care home residents have now been vaccinated is a very positive development.

But there is now an urgent need for a strategy to address the substantial backlog of care among residents. It is vital we ensure that those in care homes are receiving appropriate hospital treatment and not suffering avoidable harm.

The researchers admitted that some hospital admissions may have been avoided by increased provision of care in the community, and some residents may have been reluctant to go to hospital for fear of contracting the virus.

But Professor Martin Green, of the trade body Care England, claimed care homes were abandoned by the NHS in the first wave, adding: The NHS completely withdrew from care homes.

Abandoned by the NHS

Residents did not get support for ongoing issues, such as diabetes and arthritis, and their planned operations were cancelled.

It means people with cataracts have seen their sight deteriorate and those needing hip replacements have been left with reduced mobility and in pain.

Pandemic leaves half a million waiting for crucial heart care Around half a million patients have missed out on vital heart medication, data suggests. During the pandemic, prescriptions for drugs including statins and blood thinners, which prevent strokes and heart attacks, fell by 25 per cent. Experts believe this will lead to at least 12,000 more deaths. Between March and October, doctors issued 1.42million prescriptions for preventative heart drugs, down 470,000 on the same period last year, The Sunday Times reported. And 23,000 cases of heart failure and up to 90,000 coronary heart disease cases have been missed, according to research from the Institute for Public Policy Research and consultancy Carnall Farrar. Dr Parth Patel, lead author, said: The pandemic now means almost half a million chances to prevent have been missed. Many have avoided visiting their GP due to the Governments stay at home message. When those with heart disease wait longer for medication, their condition is likely to worsen, which increases their risk of preventable death. Advertisement

When homes phoned for an ambulance they were told they were too busy to attend.

Jayne Connery, of the support group Care Campaign for the Vulnerable, said care home residents were victims of discrimination and seen as surplus to requirements, adding: The way care home residents have been treated during the pandemic is a national disgrace. Time and again they have been treated as second-class citizens  deprived of healthcare and family visits and left exposed to staff without adequate PPE.

The result has been thousands of excess deaths and many more left in pain and with disabilities that could have been avoided.

Many of the victims of this pandemic have not been killed by the virus itself. Families are coming to us bereft, saying elderly loved ones passed away due to the decline in health conditions and a delay in receiving medical attention.

We need an urgent inquiry into these failings so lessons can be learned and vulnerable people in society are never neglected and left to suffer like this again.

NHS England said: The NHS had beds available in the first wave and anyone who needed urgent or emergency care was able to get the support they needed in an NHS setting. Throughout the pandemic the NHS has encouraged anyone with concerns about their health to come forward, and that remains the case.

The Department of Health and Social Care said: The safety of care home residents has been one of the Governments top priorities throughout the pandemic.

The NHS works closely with care homes to prevent avoidable admissions and support safe and timely discharge from hospitals.

To support the sector during the pandemic we invested over 1.4billion in adult social care, on top of 4.6billion for local authorities to address pressures on public services, provided free PPE and increased staff testing.

Fury as top chain puts up fees for elderly by thousands

By Susie Coen Assistant Investigations Editor for the Daily Mail

Outraged families have said they are disgusted after one of Britains biggest care providers increased its fees by thousands of pounds per year.

Barchester Healthcare told relatives already crippled by high fees they will face extra costs to pay for higher staff wages, utility bills and rent.

Families who have hardly seen their loved ones over the past year have even been asked to pay for visiting rooms where they can often only look at their relatives through a sheet of Perspex.

The rise in fees comes weeks after the Daily Mail revealed that the pay of chief executive Dr Pete Calveley more than doubled to an astonishing 2.02million in 2019. In the same year, the firm made a profit after tax of 16million.

Last night, campaigners branded the 6 per cent fee increase at a time when many relatives are also struggling with the impact of the pandemic absolutely disgraceful.

Dr Pete Calveley is CEO of Barchester Healthcare. The company told relatives already crippled by high fees they will face extra costs to pay for higher staff wages, utility bills and rent

One relative, who wished to remain anonymous, said she fears she will have to move her father, who suffers with dementia, to another home as they will not be able to afford the increases. The cost of his care in the Bristol home is going up by more than 4,000, bringing the total to around 80,000 a year.

I feel so distraught and angry because well have to move him because of these increases and hes settled, she said. The level of stress on top of not being able to care for him and visit last year is almost unbearable.

It is more than a year since the Mail delivered a petition to Downing Street calling on the Prime Minister to honour his pledge to fix the broken care system, which forces countless pensioners to sell their homes to fund crippling care costs.

Another relative said the fees for her mothers care at a Barchester home in Hertfordshire are rising by more than 100 per week to bring the annual bill to almost 90,000.

I dont understand where this money is going, she said. Im furious. Another relative said the rise was borderline immoral and disgusting. Letters sent by Barchester to relatives set out the same reasons for the increase in fees. These include cost pressures in relation to gas, electric and water, landlords increasing rent and refurbishment of the homes.

Barchester also cited an increase in the National Living Wage, and the costs incurred by deciding to pay staff above the minimum wage and to amend holiday pay. Other reasons given included PPE costs, to pay staff to test, installing Covid-safe visiting rooms and a 300 per cent increase in insurance costs.

The Government has arranged for social care providers to be given free PPE until June this year and set aside 149million in December to help homes pay for extra testing.

Diane Mayhew, co-founder of campaign group Rights for Residents, said the fee increases are an insult. She added: This company is well aware of the risks of moving residents  even more so in the midst of a pandemic  and relatives feel theyre left with no option but to pay these extortionate fees.

The CEO and senior management team rightly feel that hard working staff should be rewarded, but it would be more fitting to reduce their own obscene salaries to cover these increases.

Dr Calveley, 60, who joined Barchester in 2014, lives in a 1.2million home in Northamptonshire.

A Barchester spokesman said: Our most recent resident contract outlines an annual uplift of 5.9 per cent, which is less than the increase in our cost base.

Needless to say there are always cost pressures, and this year more than most, and we have been grateful for the Government support towards this, but it has by no means covered our overall cost increases.
Researchers from City, University London, supported by Allergan Pharmaceuticals and Glaucoma UK, have today released the latest edition of an app to help people newly diagnosed with glaucoma.

The launch coincides with World Glaucoma Week (7-13 March 2021), a global initiative of the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) to raise awareness of the world's leading cause of irreversible blindness.

Glaucoma describes a group of chronic conditions that result in progressive damage to the optic nerve which connects the retina of the eye to the brain, causing people to gradually lose vision.

Early vision loss from glaucoma can go undetected, and irreversible sight loss may only become apparent when a person's compensatory perceptive mechanisms unravel. In some cases, glaucoma leads to visual impairment and blindness, with the condition responsible for 1 in 10 cases of serious sight impairment in the UK.

It is estimated that more than 700,000 people in the UK and around 78 million worldwide have glaucoma, half of whom are unaware they have the condition. Between 2015 and 2035, the number of people in the UK living with glaucoma is expected to increase by 44 per cent to in excess of 1 million.

The Glaucoma in Perspective app provides glaucoma education in a simple, visual, jargon-free, easy to use format, which helps patients and their families better understand the potential impact of the condition on their lives. It covers topics such as how a visual field test works, why eye pressure is important, as well as the correct use of eyedrops to reduce the risk of the condition progressing, and the consequent vision loss.

One of the main features of the app is a series of interactive demonstrations that highlight the subtle sight loss that can occur with glaucoma, especially in the early stages of the disease. The app technology allows the user to experience the impact of glaucoma on everyday situations such as driving, cooking, walking down the stairs or shopping. Users are also provided with up-to-date information about their condition and the treatments available via a series of novel animations.

The app is available for free on iTunes (IOS) and Google Play (Android). This latest edition has been further optimised for usability and targeted for use on mobile phone and tablet devices, with increased font size for text and an improved interface to make the app easier to navigate.

The development of the app has been supported by Glaucoma UK, the charity for people with glaucoma, to ensure it is accessible to a wide audience. The app includes information about Glaucoma UK and the many ways the charity can support people with glaucoma and their loved ones.

Led by Professor David Crabb, the development team based the interactive app on findings from their research into patients' perception of sight loss with glaucoma.

App user, Carol, shared her thoughts on the app:

"I love the App and found it extremely useful on all levels.

After 30 years with glaucoma, there were still things on the App I didn't know! Meanwhile, it's wonderful to be able to share the App with family and friends, so they understand more about glaucoma - it can be a lonely place without that support. The graphics and interactive elements take some of the sting out of having to deal with the disease alone. For long sufferers, as well as people suddenly discovering they have this condition can be a real blow. Having an App like this helps you work through all the ramifications slowly, and in your own time, to fully digest what's involved and how you can work with your doctor to make the best of it. A very positive experience."

David Crabb, Professor of Statistics and Vision Research and lead of the Crabb Lab at City, University of London, commented:

"If you have glaucoma, or someone you know has glaucoma, this app has been developed for you. Patient information for glaucoma suffers from being complicated, poorly presented, or inaccurate. We think Glaucoma in Perspective offers a fresh look. We hope it will help people understand how and why their vision could worsen if they don't adhere to treatment."

Karen Osborn, Glaucoma UK Chief Executive said:

"The Glaucoma in Perspective App is a great tool that brings information about glaucoma to a digital audience. We've worked in partnership with City, University of London and Allergan to review and improve the information it contains and the design of the app, making it accessible to a wider audience. We hope that the re-launch of the app will help raise awareness of glaucoma and Glaucoma UK, so that people living with the disease and their loved ones know we are here to support them."

Andrew Stewart, Allergan, an AbbVie company, General Manager, GMCO Eyecare, commented:

"Glaucoma is among the leading causes of preventable vision loss worldwide. Our commitment at Allergan is to drive positive impact and remarkable outcomes in preserving sight in the face of this insidious eye disease. The Glaucoma in Perspective app project is an expression of that commitment and brings the best of our partnership with renowned glaucoma experts, our support of innovative technology and our strong heritage in advancing the cause of eye care."

###

Notes to editors

Contact details:

To speak to Professor David Crabb contact Senior Communications Officer, School of Health Sciences, Shamim Quadir: Tel: 0207 040 8782 email: shamim.quadir@city.ac.uk.

Alternatively, contact the City, University of London Press Office at pressoffice@city.ac.uk or on 020 7040 8788.

World Glaucoma Week:

https:/ / www. worldglaucomaweek. org/

Download the Glaucoma in Perspective app:

App Store (IOS)

https:/ / apps. apple. com/ gb/ app/ glaucoma-in-perspective/ id1550191857#?platform= iphone

Google Play (Android)

https:/ / play. google. com/ store/ apps/ details?id= com. allergan. gipuk2021

Glaucoma in Perspective app - Images:

Image 1_Glaucoma_in_perspective_app_logo:

https:/ / www. dropbox. com/ s/ 2g0xoyp8ixi1itq/ Glaucoma%20in%20perspective%20logo. png?dl= 0

Image 2_Glaucoma_kitchen:

https:/ / www. dropbox. com/ s/ zvrrytafbf669af/ glaucoma_kitchen. png?dl= 0

Image 3_Glaucoma_shopping:

https:/ / www. dropbox. com/ s/ 9fo6nqav2pc27xv/ glaucoma_shopping. png?dl= 0

Image 4_Glaucoma_stairwell:

https:/ / www. dropbox. com/ s/ wj1xwkhjetr0eh9/ glaucoma_stairs. png?dl= 0

More about the Glaucoma in Perspective app

Slide show (pdf):

https:/ / www. dropbox. com/ s/ pel2x28grj5id6j/ Glaucoma%20in%20perspective%20slide%20kit. pdf?dl= 0

Leaflet (pdf):

https:/ / www. dropbox. com/ s/ uwlo4zd2eacyiet/ ALG_Glaucoma%20leaflet%20v2. 4_Global_WB. pdf?dl= 0

Visit the Crabb Lab

http://www. staff. city. ac. uk/ crabblab/ #/

About City, University of London

City, University of London is a global higher education institution committed to academic excellence, with a focus on business and the professions and an enviable central London location.

City's academic range is broadly-based with world-leading strengths in business; law; health sciences; mathematics; computer science; engineering; social sciences; and the arts including journalism and music.

City has around 20,000 students (46% at postgraduate level) from more than 160 countries and staff from over 75 countries.

In the last REF, City doubled the proportion of its total academic staff producing world-leading or internationally excellent research.

More than 140,000 former students from over 180 countries are members of the City Alumni Network.

The University's history dates from 1894, with the foundation of the Northampton Institute on what is now the main part of City's campus. In 1966, City was granted University status by Royal Charter and the Lord Mayor of London became its Chancellor. In September 2016, City joined the University of London and HRH the Princess Royal became City's Chancellor.

Led by President, Professor Sir Paul Curran since 2010, City has made significant investments in its academic staff, its estate and its infrastructure and continues to work towards realising its vision of being a leading global university: it has recently agreed a new Vision & Strategy 2026.

About Allergan Eye Care

As a leader in eye care, Allergan has discovered, developed, and delivered some of the most innovative products in the industry for more than 70 years. Allergan has launched over 125 eye care products and invested billions of dollars in new treatments for the most prevalent eye conditions, including glaucoma, ocular surface disease, and retinal diseases such as diabetic macular edema and retinal vein occlusion.

About Glaucoma UK

Glaucoma UK is the charity for people with glaucoma. We're here for people with glaucoma and their loved ones. We campaign to raise awareness so glaucoma is detected early and can be treated, we support people to live well with glaucoma and we fund sight-saving research.

We are a membership organisation, and those living with glaucoma are at the very heart of all we do. We support people to live well with glaucoma by providing a telephone helpline, glaucoma support groups, peer support services and widely acclaimed information booklets.

For more information, please visit our website

http://www. glaucoma. uk

Glaucoma helpline: 01233 64 81 70 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am-5.00pm)
In a two-day blitz, more than $84 million worth of illegal tobacco has been seized along the NSW and Victorian border.

More than $84 million worth of tobacco has been seized in a two-day blitz that's disrupted three illicit tobacco growing operations in regional Victoria and NSW.

Last Wednesday, the Illicit Tobacco Taskforce, a multi-agency task force led by the Australian Border Force, uncovered 26 hectares of tobacco crops in Kyalite, NSW.

The ITTF seized and destroyed more than 183 tonnes of illicit tobacco, which had a potential excise value of $36 million.

The bust that occurred over three different properties covered 43 hectares of illicit tobacco crops

The NSW Natural Resources Access Regulator is also investigating possible water theft offences at the property.

On the same day, ATO officers and Victoria Police, found 12 hectares of illicit tobacco crops in Beverford, Victoria, as part of an ITTF operation, seizing and destroying 183 tonnes of illicit tobacco crops and 140kg of processed tobacco bales, which had a potential excise value of more than $36.3 million.

On Thursday, the ATO and Victoria Police raided a property in Vinifera, Victoria, and found five hectares of illicit tobacco crops with a potential excise value of $12 million. ATO officers seized and destroyed over 60.7 tonnes of illicit tobacco.

ATO Assistant Commissioner Ian Read said the joint operation was one of the biggest busts of illicit tobacco growing operations in Australia.

ATO Assistant Commissioner Ian Read said the joint operation was one of the biggest busts of illicit tobacco growing operations in Australia

"Tobacco growing operations are not run by small producers or farmers," he said in a statement on Monday.

"They are run by organised crime syndicates who deliberately engage in illegal activities to fund their extravagant lifestyles and other criminal activity.

"It significantly deprives the community of taxes that are required to fund essential community services such as roads, schools and hospitals."

The illicit tobacco market in Australia is worth about $822 million a year in evaded revenue. Growing tobacco has been illegal in Australia for more than a decade and carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment.
It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
Unions in Northern Ireland have responded with dismay and anger to the news that the UK Government is only prepared to fund a pay uplift of 1% for health workers.

In London, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the Government has tried to give NHS staff "as much as we possibly can" after recommending the 1% pay rise.

The proposal has sparked talk of industrial action and demonstrations were planned across England yesterday, with senior Conservatives also speaking out.

Four health sector trade unions in Northern Ireland - Unison, Unite, the Royal College of Nurses and Nipsa - have pledged to continue to campaign for a better pay increase for all health and social care workers, and said they would work together to ensure their members voices are not ignored.

"Our members will be outraged at this. They know their worth and value, as does the public and all those who have been cared for by them over the last year," union negotiators said in a joint statement issued yesterday.

"This UK Government position cannot stand and must be challenged. This is a time for political leaders in all parts of the UK to stand up and be counted," the trade unionists said.

Unison spokeswoman Anne Speed told the Belfast Telegraph that the most important thing was for pressure to be put on the Prime Minster and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, as it is their decisions on pay levels for NHS England that set the framework for wage negotiations with the UK's devolved nations and regions.

"We have to start at Treasury level. We have to convince the British Treasury to put more money out there," Ms Speed said.

"I think the reaction is the same across the whole NHS, from the medical consultants right down to the hospital porters, cooks and cleaners who deliver the service - everybody is dismayed."

Even when the settlement for England is reached, it could take up to another year before local negotiations for NHS workers in Northern Ireland are completed, a union source said last night.

Pat Cullen, Director of the Royal College of Nursing in Northern Ireland, said: "Nursing staff will be feeling insulted by the suggestion from the government that they are only worth a 1% pay rise.

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"It is clear that they are dangerously out of touch with nursing staff, other health care workers and the public."

The nursing leader also revealed that the Royal College of Nursing has established a strike fund for the first time in its history.

An Opinium poll carried out on Friday and Saturday suggested 72% of the population think the wage recommendation is too low, including 58% of Tory voters.

Mr Johnson defended the decision, however, during a visit to a vaccination centre in Brent in north London.

The Prime Minister told broadcasters: "I'm massively grateful to all NHS staff and indeed to social care workers who have been heroic throughout the pandemic.

"What we have done is try to give them as much as we can at the present time.

"The independent pay review body will obviously look at what we've proposed and come back.

"Don't forget that there has been a public sector pay freeze, we're in pretty tough times."
[March 08, 2021] Itiviti's Linda Middleditch wins Gender Equality / Diversity Award from WatersTechnology

LONDON, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Itiviti, a leading trading technology and service provider to financial institutions worldwide, today announced that Linda Middleditch, Chief of Product Strategy and Engineering at Itiviti, has won the Gender Equality/Diversity Professional of the Year Award (vendor) in the Women in Technology & Data Awards 2021. Organized by WatersTechnology, this award recognizes a person who has made a significant effort to improve equality and diversity in their organization. Linda has been a proponent of cognitive diversity through her wide range of career experiences. With more than 20 years' experience within the financial services industry, Linda held senior leadership positions at UBS, Citi, Morgan Stanley, and Bloomberg in trading, operations, technology and product management roles. She has successfully driven innovation and change in both fintech and banking organizations. Upon joining Itiviti in June 2019, Linda has helped shape the hiring and employee evaluation processes to ensure they both embraced the importance of diversity and gender equality and created a more inclusive workplace in Itiviti. Linda also redefined Itiviti's goal setting and evaluation processes to ensure attributes such as creative problem solving and innovative solutionisation were rewarded. "Cognitive diversity strengthens our ability to deliver pioneering solutions that address the challenges our clients face today," says Linda Middleditch, Chief of Product Strategy and Engineering at Itiviti. "I see cognitive diversity - as well as other forms of diversity - as an important quality that enables us to create and innovate, which ultimately benefits our clients. For example, another way in which we nurture cognitive diversity is through our partnership program with best-of-breed FinTech experts to deliver solutions for the essential and emerging use cases our clients have." Linda is also a passionate advocate for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and has also participated in return-to-work schemes that help women who are returning from a career break make full use of their valuable experiences and unique skill sets. "This is the second award that Linda has recently won that has acknowledged the importance of diversity," says Rob Mackay, Chief Executive Officer at Itiviti. "Diversity is enriching the way we build software, our engagement with our clients, and the relationships we have with our partners. We congratulate Linda on this new award win." In November 2020, Linda won the Markets Choice Awards - European Women in Finance Awards in the category for Excellence in FinTech.. For further information, please contact:Mireille Adebiyi, Chief Marketing Officer, Itiviti Group, Email: mireille.adebiyi@itiviti.com About Itiviti Itiviti provides nearly 2,000 financial institutions worldwide with flexible, cross-asset trading solutions that cover the full trade lifecycle. Through its commitment to technology innovation, relentless pursuit of workflow efficiency and an entrepreneurial culture, Itiviti is disrupting the industry with highly-scalable solutions that deliver unprecedented cost savings for clients. For more information, please visit www.itiviti.com . Follow Itiviti on social media on Twitter @Itiviti_AB, on Facebook @ItivitiAB, and on LinkedIn. Itiviti is owned by Nordic Capital. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/itiviti-group-ab/r/itiviti-s-linda-middleditch-wins-gender-equality---diversity-award-from-waterstechnology,c3301000 The following files are available for download:







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New Delhi, March 8 : Vedanta is one of the world's leading natural resources companies and its Aluminium and Power business is by far India's largest producer of Aluminium and also one of the largest private power producers.

Its value-added aluminium products are leaders the world-over catering to key industry sectors, from aerospace to electrification. The company's markets, customers and businesses are diverse and complex and thus the business needs people having diverse points of view, experiences, skills, and education so that their business strategies are correspondingly well-rounded. The employees of Vedanta Limited's Aluminium and Power business exemplify the fundamental pillars of diversity and inclusion of the business.

Traditionally, there are very few women in the manufacturing and heavy engineering segment and even less in the metals and mining industries. Many skilled women at Vedanta's Aluminium & Power business, are successfully handling myriad core operations and technical roles, ranging from metal production, logistics, civil work and railway infrastructure to finance, security, and commodities procurement. In fact, its plant in Odisha also has an all-women fire-fighting team.

So how has the business succeeded in creating a healthy mix of highly trained women employees in a sector that is unconventional for women, and that too in some of the remotest parts of the country? Rahul Sharma, Dy. CEO -- Aluminium Business, Vedanta Ltd. says, "At Vedanta, we look at every role, no matter how traditional, as absolutely gender-agnostic. This means women can and do take up and lead any role in any function, from operations & maintenance, security, R&D, marketing, finance and HR, public relations, right up to operating cranes and smelter pot tending machines. As India's largest aluminium producer, we strive to foster a culture that nurtures merit, excellence, healthy competition and above all, an innovative spirit." Adding to this, in a nutshell the company's approach is to:

Women, like all employees, are hired for their attitude and willingness to learn, and sound educational and technical qualifications. They are then provided with the best possible training from global experts and an ecosystem designed to ensure they are supported at various life stages. They are set up to succeed.

The company's secret sauce seems to be the job content and meaningful responsibilities that employees have when they work for Vedanta. That really is what attracts them here and goes a long way towards talent retention. Roles are designed to be empowering. In addition, the Aluminium Business is at a remarkable inflection point which allows for a lot of innovation, new ways of working -- and a truly diverse and inclusive workplace that allows for unprecedented learning and a ringside view of global best practices. Since the company is constantly growing, developing new products and expanding its operations, Vedanta's work-culture offers the excitement of a start-up and the stability of a large global conglomerate, both at the same time.

While their production plants are located in the hinterlands of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the women who work there are talented, ambitious, and driven. They have levelled the playing field by undertaking critical roles in core operations and take pride in the contribution they are making to the growth of the business.

With over 14 years of experience in the management of Civil Projects, Jyothi R. Krishna is the Manager, Civil Work Infrastructure and Railway Projects, at Vedanta's aluminium complex at Jharsuguda in Odisha. Jyothi is of the firm belief that, "In our business, we are driven by the fact that we produce one of the country's most crucial and strategic metals -- aluminium -- that is necessary for India's self-reliance in manufacturing. My colleagues and I are motivated by this desire to serve the country by ensuring our nation never sees a shortfall of this critical raw material. This mission fulfills me and spurs me on, both personally and professionally." Incidentally, Vedanta's Jharsuguda plant is one of the world's largest aluminium smelters, producing more than a third of India's aluminium.

In the course of her work, Aancy Kujur, Security Officer at Vedanta's Jharsuguda plant, is bold and does not back down from the multiple challenges she faces at work. Aancy Kujur often has the unpleasant task of dealing face-to-face with anti-social elements, material theft attempts, weapon bearing intruders and several other challenges. However, staying calm, she remains undaunted and as she counters each problem. She is one who always has a smile on her face, an indication of the joy she feels when working at Vedanta.

Vasudha Singhal, Head -- Coal Procurement and Contracts, at Vedanta's Aluminium business remembers how after completing her engineering degree in Electronics Instrumentation and Control, several manufacturing companies refused to let her even appear for any of the campus placement exams and interviews citing that most job opportunities were reserved for men. Not only did Vedanta Aluminium and Power encourage her to go through the placement process, realizing her potential, they recruited her as a Maintenance Engineer. With the zeal to learn different aspects of the manufacturing process, she then moved to the Safety Department. Safety is Vedanta's number one priority and Vasudha could make significant contributions to the culture of safety in the organization.

With a strong impetus on "Make in India" by the government, numerous opportunities are opening in core operations in the manufacturing sector, and it is high time that we close the talent gap with women employees.

The organization believes that its women employees, apart from being professionally qualified and experienced for their roles, also bring in different perspectives, technical prowess, empathy, compassion, and attention to detail into the industry. Each of them signifies the environment of inclusion and respect fostered by changing mindsets and behaviour in an industry traditionally dominated by men.
Grace Mooneys farm in Athens will be the focus of a special Zoom program hosted by Rockingham Library.
A 12-year-old boy was arrested Thursday evening after a series of attempted armed carjackings and one successful one in Washington, DC.

All four incidents happened in the span of one hour, according to a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) news release.

The boy was arrested by the MPD on the same day and charged with four counts of armed carjacking, the news release said. Police are still searching for a second suspect who was seen on a surveillance camera.

The incidents began around 6:30 p.m., when a rideshare driver was picking up a customer and was approached by the two suspects. One of the suspects pointed a gun at him from the driver's side door and ordered him to get out of the vehicle, according to an incident report. The other suspect grabbed the victim's phone.

The driver refused to exit the car and was able to drive away.

About 45 minutes later, the suspects approached another rideshare driver, according to an incident report. One suspect opened the front passenger door and waved a handgun at the driver, demanding his car keys. The driver managed to drive away, and the suspects once again fled the scene, according to the incident report.

At around 7:20 p.m., the two suspects approached a man who was walking toward his car. One suspect pointed a handgun at the man and demanded the car keys. The other suspect pulled out a bag from the car and took a laptop before the pair fled the scene, according to an incident report.

Less than 10 minutes after the third carjacking, the suspects approached a woman who was sitting in her car. One suspect opened the driver's side of the car, pointed a handgun at the woman and ordered her to get out of her car, according to police.

The woman said she was unable to understand due to a language barrier, an incident report said. A suspect then motioned to the woman to exit her car. The suspects drove away in the car, which was eventually recovered, police said.
(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 8 - Around two-thirds of Italy's school pupils, some 5.7 million students, were having class via distance learning on Monday after a new package of COVID-19 containment measures came into force.

The government has decided that all schools in high-contagion-risk red zones must stop giving lessons on site, while regions that are not red have the option to do the same in specific areas where COVID rates are high.

It is feared that as many as nine in 10 Italian pupils will be on distance learning shortly, with more regions in danger of being classed as red zones with contagion on the up.

Family Minister Elena Bonetti told Radio Capital on Monday that a "retroactive measure" has been inserted into a new decree featuring COVID aid to help parents cope with having children at home rather than in school.

She said this included paid leave of up to 50% of full pay, the right to work from home and vouchers to pay for babysitters for the self-employed.

The decision to close schools was not an easy one, Education Minister Patrizio Bianchi said, but stressed that it had to be done, particularly because of the way the British variant was "hitting the youngest ones". (ANSA).


Mar. 8Nearly a year ago, with COVID-19 cases surging nationwide, Honolulu bankruptcy attorney Greg Dunn forewarned that Hawaii should brace itself for "the mother of all recessions."

This week Dunn said he's going to get out of the prediction business.

Statewide bankruptcies in February fell below 100 for the second month in a row and plunged 32.4 % from the same time a year ago, according to new data released by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Hawaii. There were only 92 cases last month, compared with 136 in February 2020. In January there were just 91 filings. The last time bankruptcy cases dropped below 100 prior to this year was in 2017 when there were three months when filings were in the 90s.

"It's difficult to say what's going to happen the rest of the year, because I thought last year would be the 'mother of all recessions, '" Dunn said. "I was wrong and that's fine, and I don't want to predict again what's going to happen. I'm not making any predictions this year."

Dunn said that in April when he made the prediction, he didn't factor in the abundance of financial aid.

"I didn't know that the government would provide so much financial support for people, and so it didn't work out the way I predicted, " he said. "So in a way it's good that people didn't have to file for bankruptcy. But the debt still accumulated, and the creditors gave people a break and didn't pursue people that much. There was a foreclosure moratorium and a rental moratorium to keep the creditors off the people's backs. We don't know how far it's going to go this year. I think they're still going to provide substantial support for people, but I don't know how much. So that may definitely play a part on how bankruptcies go this year."

Dunn said despite financial stimulus, unemployment compensation and payment deferrals, there are many people still struggling.

Story continues

"I still see the same problems, " he said. "People aren't making that much money these days. A lot of them are underemployed or unemployed, and they haven't been able to get as much money as they need from the government. So these people have to turn to bankruptcy if they're working and trying to protect their checks from getting garnished."

In February, Chapter 7 liquidation filingsthe most common type of bankruptcyfell 28.4 % to 63 from 88 in the year-earlier period.

Chapter 13 filings, which allow individuals with regular sources of income to set up plans to make installment payments to creditors over three to five years, plunged 56.3 % to 21 from 48.

There were eight Chapter 11 filings last monthcompared with none a year earlierwhich all came from Pacific Links US Holdings Inc. and seven affiliates. Chapter 11 filings are primarily for business reorganization.

The affiliates collectively owned 644 acres of development property in Makaha Valley andwith help from golf legend Tiger Woodswas trying to establish a new resort in Makaha Valley as part of a joint venture with local real estate developer Stanford Carr.

But the company, which has leadership ties to China and a Canadian parent that sells memberships for play at over 500 participating golf courses worldwide to customers largely in China, said it experienced geopolitical troubles in recent years getting money out of China to realize its plan for Makaha Valley.

Then the coronavirus pandemic hit last year and exacerbated difficulties for parent Pacific Links International.

Two foreclosure lawsuits involving Makaha Valley were pending against Pacific Links US when it filed bankruptcy in Honolulu.

Around the state, bankruptcies fell in two of the four major counties last month. Honolulu County filings decreased to 69 from 99, and Hawaii County filings declined to three from 22. Maui County filings rose to 15 from 12, and Kauai County filings edged up to five from three.

SEEKING RELIEF Bankruptcy filings in February fell from a year ago.

2020 2019 PCT. CHANGE Chapter 7 63 88-28.4 %

Liquidation Chapter 11 8 0Business reorganization Chapter 13 21 48-56.3 %

Individuals with regular sources of income set up plans to pay creditors over time Total 92 136-32.4 %

Source : U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Hawaii
KYODO NEWS - Mar 9, 2021 - 00:57 | All, Japan

Japan's welfare ministry will tighten guidelines for listing babysitter matching site operators on its website following recent alleged illegal behavior by some sitters who were introduced on the site, a person familiar with the matter said Monday.

Operators will be banned from the ministry's online list of babysitting sites for at least six months if they fail to follow the guidelines, the person said.

The stricter directives come after the discovery in 2020 that Kidsline Inc., one of the site operators listed on the ministry's website, did not notify users that two of its registered babysitters had allegedly sexually assaulted children in their care last year.

The ministry also found in January that some of the sitters introduced by the Tokyo-based company failed to register with local authorities despite being required to do so by law.

The ministry currently lists on its website operators which are required to comply with directives crafted in 2015 including submitting child-care providers' identifications and preparing measures to resolve problems swiftly.

Demand for babysitters is on the rise in Japan as more women enter the workforce, while nurseries are struggling to meet swelling need for child care.

Under the new guidelines, site operators will also be asked to immediately notify users of misconduct by babysitters and submit documents proving their registered sitters all completed proper legal registration with authorities.

The guidelines will also request site operators to interview guardians who post favorable reviews about babysitters to ensure there is no false information.

The ministry will conduct periodic audits and bar those not in compliance from the ministry's website for at least six months or until the situation is rectified.
A former Apprentice contestant has won a sex discrimination case after her boss banned women from coming on a work trip to Las Vegas because he was worried about 'hanky panky'.

Elle Stevenson, who appeared in series 11 of the BBC show, and her female colleagues complained that the 'male dominated' office was almost 'Dickensian'.

Colleagues who went on the US break 'rubbed it in the faces' of the women employees who had been left behind, a tribunal heard.

Ms Stevenson, who was just 23 at the time, was also subjected to 'blatantly sexist and offensive language' on a daily basis as well as being expected to clean up after her boss's dog, the hearing was told.

Elle Stevenson, who appeared in series 11 of The Apprentice, has won a sex discrimination case after she and her female colleagues complained that the 'male dominated' office was almost 'Dickensian'

She was also mocked by colleagues who said 'her life was a car crash and no bloke would want to touch her'.

Now she is line for compensation after the company was found to have sexually discriminated against her.

At the time of the incidents, Ms Stevenson, who described herself on the Apprentice as a 'geezer bird', was working as a personal assistant for environmental services company Eden Beck Ltd in London.

The employment tribunal, held in Watford, heard that in 2017 company director Stuart Mayall took ten male staff members on a 7,000 holiday to Las Vegas to reward them for their performance.

Ms Stevenson, who was just 23 at the time, was also subjected to 'blatantly sexist and offensive language' on a daily basis as well as being expected to clean up after her boss's dog, the hearing was told

None of the female staff members were invited on the trip because Mr Mayall claimed he was worried about 'hanky panky'.

Shocked by this, three of the women wrote a letter complaining to Mr Mayall about the culture in the office.

The letter said: 'Fortunately, as women, we don't live in the Dickensian times, but very occasionally in the office, it comes across as we do.

'And when I say this, I mean that we feel we are not treated as equals to the men in the work environment.'

The women complained it had been 'rubbed into their faces' time and again by male staff members that they had been banned from going to Vegas.

They also said they were concerned about the way the men talked to 'Elle in particular' and accused them of making her pick up the bosses dog's mess 'on a daily basis'.

She was nicknamed 'Elle at fat club', and in WhatsApp messages the men called her a 's*** employee' and said her 'life was a car crash and no bloke would touch her'.

When she had an allergic reaction and sent a picture of her swollen face they told her 'the swelling was an improvement' as she now 'looked like the elephant man'.

Sitting in Watford, employment Judge Stephen Bedeau found her claims of sex discrimination, disability discrimination and constructive unfair dismissal were well founded

The tribunal heard Ms Stevenson - who is now 27 - once offered to collect pizza for the office and when she returned one man commented: 'No wonder you were shit on the Apprentice'.

On another occasion she had a 'hard dog ball thrown at her head' which caused her to burst into tears.

The tribunal was also shown a video of Ms Stevenson being 'wrestled to the ground' by a male employee while another man slapped his hand on the floor simulating a referee counting her out.

The tribunal heard Mr Mayall 'noted the women's concerns' and offered them a 3,000 spa break - but this never took place.

He told the tribunal that there were two different 'factions' in the office 'the girls and the boys' but said a lot of the behaviour was just 'horseplay'.

In December 2018 the company held a Christmas work party in London but on the way home Ms Stevenson was attacked by two strangers.

Ms Stevenson, who was fired by Lord Sugar in week six of the hit BBC show in 2015, suffered lacerations to her face and a hairline fracture to her left cheek.

She went off on sick leave but in March 2019 she was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder as she felt terrified that another stranger would attack her.

After initially being supportive Mr Mayall eventually sent her an email stating that she had 'persistent, unexplained absences' from work and would face a disciplinary hearing.

In June, she wrote a letter and said: 'Eden Beck have breached my trust and confidence beyond repair by treatment I have and continue to receive.

'Instead of offering me support as is your duty as an employer, you send me bullying emails inviting me, a post-traumatic stress sufferer, to a disciplinary hearing on accounts of an expired sick note.'

Employment Judge Stephen Bedeau concluded: 'What happened to [Ms Stevenson] was much more than banter, and in relation to the video recording, more than horseplay.

'This was the [company] allowing its male employees to take advantage of the few female employees.'

He added: 'Her case was that the work environment was sexist, and she was the victim of sexist and violent behaviour.

'Little regard was given to her suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, following an unprovoked attack, and without prior consultation or warning, [the company] wanted to make her redundant.

'We further find that the work environment was male dominated with the use of blatantly sexist and offensive language.

'[Ms Stevenson] was comparatively young, and we find that she felt she had to put up with the behaviour of her male colleagues.'

He found her claims of sex discrimination, disability discrimination and constructive unfair dismissal were well founded.

However he decided her claims of harassment related to sex and disability were not well founded.

He arranged for a remedy hearing to be held in due course.
The discovery of Melissa Caddick's foot on a remote beach means it is unlikely she jumped to her death from cliffs near her Sydney mansion, a top policeman has claimed.

Caddick, 49, vanished the day after corporate watchdog ASIC executed a search warrant at her luxury $6.1million home in Dover Heights in the city's eastern suburbs on November 11.

Her decomposing foot was found in a rare Asics shoe 400km away from her home on Bournda Beach on the NSW South Coast on February 21 but no more of her remains have been discovered.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said authorities were still unable to say whether she killed herself or if there was foul play involved.

He also raised the outlandish possibility Ms Caddick could have severed her own foot to throw police off the scent - and that she could still be alive.

Pictured: Melissa Caddick and her husband Anthony Koletti before she went missing on November 11

'There's always a chance she cut her foot off and is still alive, though it's pretty fanciful,' he told 2GB on Monday morning

However, he was satisfied the 49-year-old millionaire was dead.

'We're still trying to recover funds [for defrauded investors] and that investigation continues. But we haven't closed this case.'

One theory to explain her disappearance has been that Caddick jumped from the Dover Heights clifftops after making the short 300m walk from her home.

The route is not covered by CCTV cameras and led police to initially suspect she had taken her own life.

But Mr Fuller said many people jumped from those cliffs without their remains washing up several hundred kilometers away.

'[It's not common to see] body parts wash up so far south of Sydney and in such good condition given she went missing on or about November 11,' he said.

'Not to say it can't happen. The coroner will make further determinations.'

He said the limited decomposition of the shoe would indicate it had not been out in the ocean for the entire three-month period since she went missing.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said he doubted Caddick jumped from the Dover Heights clifftops because of how far away her remains were found from Sydney

Mr Fuller said many people had jumped from those cliffs without their remains washing up several hundred kilometers away

Caddick's decomposed foot was found on the New South Wales South Coast in a rare Asics shoe 400km away from her home. Mr Fuller said it was possible the conwoman severed her own foot

'While it's not my area of expertise, if that's the case a possible scenario is that she has been murdered recently or murdered and kept on ice for a while,' he said.

'A severed foot is a great throw off.'

He said though the chance of her being murdered was 'slim'.

The search for the 49-year-old was called off last week, but Mr Fuller said the foot could have been planted to end public and police interest in the case.

'Of all the beaches and feet in the world, to find hers what is the probability of that?' he said.

Caddick is estimated to have swindled more than $25million worth of investors' funds - with Mr Fuller saying she left 68 victims of fraud in her wake.

Caddick with her husband Anthony Koletti. She is estimated to have swindled more than $25million worth of investors' funds

The radio interview follows Rodo Koletti, the father of Caddick's husband Anthony, breaking his silence on 60 Minutes on Sunday night to clear his name of any wrongdoing.

Mr Koletti, appearing with only part of his face shown to hide his identity, said he has been the target of defamation in the wake of Caddick's deception.

'I think the whole Melissa Caddick thing has taken on a life of its own,' he said.

'It would appear that some people have taken it upon themselves to throw assertions, fraudulent statements, lies... you know, defamation of all sorts against myself, my character and my profession, which is just what I could not stand for.

Mr Koletti, who believes his son is in denial, denied claims he killed Caddick or had any involvement in masterminding her financial fraud.

He also said he didn't think his hairdresser son was capable of helping Caddick rip off her family and friends, who had invested their nest eggs in her business Maliver.

'Anthony's a damn good hairdresser, but I don't believe he has the capacity to know what a financial scheme is,' he said.

'I don't think he could have been in it at all, or known what was going on.

'When I spoke with him he certainly didn't [know of Caddick's fraudulence]. He believed everything she told him.'

Rodo Koletti, the father of Caddick's husband Anthony, appeared with only part of his face shown to hide his identity. He said he has been the target of defamation in the wake of Caddick's deception

Mr Koletti was unwittingly implicated in Caddick's scheme by his signature being forged to verify bogus documents.

He also knocked back claims he had ever done any work with Maliver.

When presented with a document purporting to show his signature, Mr Koletti revealed it had been forged.

'That is not my signature... if you see my signature, it's very distinctive, and that is not it. Not mine,' he said.

In January, Mr Koletti said his 39-year-old son believes the businesswoman had done 'nothing wrong'.

'It's very traumatic for him, he stopped seeing his family when they got together, it has divided us,' Rodo Kolleti told the Daily Telegraph.

Mr Koletti was unwittingly implicated in Caddick's scheme by his signature being forged to verify bogus documents

Her decomposed foot in a rare Asics shoe was found 400km away from her home on Bournda Beach on February 21

Caddick's father in law was unwittingly implicated in Caddick's scheme by his signature being forged to verify bogus documents. Pictured with her husband Anthony

'I've seen her four or five times in eight years, she didn't want anything to do with us.'

The smear campaign against Caddick's father-in-law comes after a woman, who nearly invested money with the businesswoman, revealed she decided against it after meeting up with her and feeling something was 'a little off'.

The Sydney woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said after discussing finances over lunch with the conwoman, she was given a 'very odd response' when she asked about her trading approach.

Divers have 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

Authorities raided her $6.2million Dover Heights mansion on November 11 (pictured is bodycam footage of the raid)

Caddick vanished the day after corporate watchdog ASIC executed a search warrant at her luxury Dover Heights home on November 11.

Her decomposed foot in a rare Asics shoe was found 400km away from her home on Bournda Beach on February 21 and police confirmed over the weekend they had now called off the search for the 49-year-old.

While detectives say the fraudster may have taken her own life, the woman who had lunch with Caddick believes something more sinister may have been at play.

She told The Daily Telegraph she had a theory that Caddick had been 'influenced by a larger criminal cartel that operated' and suggested she may have been 'abducted'.

Oil and other commodity trading have a much larger share in the gross domestic product (GDP) of Switzerland than its tourism sector, according to data from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs cited by Bloomberg.

Some of the biggest independent commodity traders in the world, including Vitol, Glencore, Trafigura, and Gunvor, have either their headquarters or large offices in Switzerland, also because some Swiss cantons have low-tax regimes.

According to the data from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, commodity trading accounted for 4.8 percent of the Swiss GDP in 2018, much more than the tourism sector, which represented 2.9 percent of GDP in that year. This 4.8-percent contribution of the commodity trading industry is higher than previous estimates of around 4 percent.

Back in 2018, the commodity trading industry in Switzerland generated combined revenues of US$33 billion, according to the data quoted by Bloomberg.

In the past year, the extreme volatility in the oil market helped some of the biggest oil trading groups based in Switzerland to generate record revenues and profits.

Trafigura, for example, delivered record core earnings in what became its strongest trading year ever due to the extreme oil market swings earlier in 2020.

In its annual report for 2020, covering the financial year ended on September 30, Trafigura booked exceptionally strong financial results, mostly thanks to its core oil and petroleum trading business. The commodity traders net profit was the highest since 2013, while the gross profit and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) were the highest on record.

The biggest commodity traders typically profit from a glut in oil markets as they store oil to sell at higher prices in the future. In the second quarter of 2020, the oversupply on the market reached record highs as global oil demand crashed in the pandemic, and Saudi Arabia and Russia briefly fought a price war for market share, which also contributed to the glut and to the oil price collapse.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
New Delhi: The Budget Session of Parliament is likely to be cut short and may conclude before the first phase of elections on March 27, while the two Houses will resume their normal timing of 11 am onwards from Tuesday (March 9), sources said.

Several parties had requested that the session, which was originally scheduled to continue till April 8, be curtailed due to the assembly elections in four states and one union territory being held between March 27 and April 29.

Rajya Sabha Chairperson M Venkaiah Naidu announced the new timings for the Upper House this morning on the first day of the second part of the Budget Session. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla made a similar announcement later in the day.

Birla said Lok Sabha members would also sit in galleries, apparently to maintain distancing norms. Birla made the announcement when the House met at 5 pm after an hour-long adjournment after paying tributes to two sitting and seven former members who died recently.

A final decision on curtailment of the session would also be taken by Birla who met floor leaders of various parties on the matter earlier in the day. Keeping in mind the distancing norms due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both Houses were meeting in two shifts since the Monson Session, with Rajya Sabha meeting in the first half of the day and Lok Sabha in the second half.

There was no Winter Session of Parliament due to the pandemic.

Some Rajya Sabha members were sitting in Lok Sabha chambers to adhere to distancing norms. Similar was the case with Lok Sabha members. Some Lok Sabha members were also seated in the visitors' gallery above the House chamber.

The move to return to normal timings was taken a day before the COVID-19 vaccination drive for members of Parliament begins from Tuesday (March 9). Floor leaders of various political parties on Monday urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to curtail the Budget Session to allow them to focus on the assembly polls in four states and one union territory.

At a meeting of Lok Sabha's Business Advisory Committee (BAC), Birla spoke with various floor leaders on a one-on-one basis to take a sense on curtailing the session which began on Monday (March 8). Members of the Trinamool Congress and the DMK did not attend the meeting.

Parliamentary sources said the Biju Janata Dal was of the view that assembly elections keep taking place every few months and the session should not be curtailed on this ground. YSR Congress Party member P V Midhun Reddy said if the current session is curtailed, the next session should be longer.

Some members said nearly 145 members have written to the Speaker seeking curtailment of the session. In a letter to the Rajya Sabha chairperson, TMC national spokesperson and RS member Derek O'Brien said due to the polls, MPs of his party would not be able to attend the Parliament session.

"I am writing to you as the parliamentary party leader (Rajya Sabha) for the All India Trinamool Congress. Sir, we urge you to consider the adjournment of the ensuing Parliament session, because of the declaration of elections in five states," he said.

"The Election Commission of India, on 26th February 2021, has announced an election for five states, including Bengal. Due to the ongoing intensive election preparations in the State, the members of Parliament from the All India Trinamool Congress would find it difficult to attend the second part of the Budget Session beginning from 8th March 2021," he wrote in the letter.

TMC MP Sudeep Bandyopadhyay has also written to the Lok Sabha Speaker on the same issue, requesting that Parliament be adjourned due to the polls. While O'Brien's letter is dated March 8, Bandyopadhyay had written to the LS Speaker on February 6.

O'Brien, in his letter, mentioned two precedents when Parliament sessions were adjourned due to polls in states. He cited the example of the 222nd session which commenced on February 21, 2011, and was scheduled to conclude on April 21, 2011. However, due to state assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, the House was adjourned sine die on March 25, 2011, he said.

The second instance he provided was of the 214th session which commenced on October 17, 2008, and was adjourned early on October 24, 2008, to meet again on 10 December 2008. The session, as per the original schedule, was to continue up to November 21, 2008. However, due to state assembly elections in some states, the House was adjourned till December 10, 2008.

Live TV
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Senator Charles Schumer said help is on the way for New York as $100 billion has been earmarked to assist in the states recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The influx of money is part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which just passed in the U.S. Senate on Saturday.

The deal includes an additional round of direct stimulus checks, extends enhanced unemployment insurance benefits, and will help solve the city and states budget woes, said Schumer.

As part of the deal, more than $23.8 billion flows directly to New York state government on top of increased education funding, transit funding and highways, vaccine distribution, COVID health funding, emergency rental and housing assistance and more, said Schumer.

Back in November, the American people and New Yorkers sent a crystal clear message to the previous administration: deliver the robust COVID relief this country needs or get out of the way, said Schumer. The deal we reached with the help of a new president, and a new democratic Senate marks real relief to the tune of $100 billion for workers, families, healthcare, small businesses, including our hard-hit industries like restaurants, and New Yorkthe things we need to support in order to weather this crisis and then work to recover.

STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RELIEF

A total of $23.8 billion has been allocated through the state and local fiscal relief fund to keep first responders, frontline health workers, and other providers of services safely on the job as states and local governments roll out vaccines and fight to rebuild Main Street economies. Funding can be used for assistance to households, small businesses, nonprofits, and aid to impacted industries, such as tourism, travel, and hospitality. It can also be used for investments in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, and to provide premium pay to frontline workers.

Local governments of every size, including all counties, cities, towns, and villages, receive dedicated federal aid awards. A new $10 billion capital projects program also supports state broadband deployment efforts.

Funds are allocated in New York are as follows:

$12.569 billion for New York state government

$6.141 billion for New York City

$3.907 billion for New Yorks counties

$825 million for New Yorks small cities, towns, and villages

$358 million for a New York State broadband investment program

ADDITIONAL AID TO NEW YORK

Schumer said the additional aid is earmarked for the Empire State:

$2.7 billion: Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage increase

More than $7 billion: The New York State Department of Transportation ($6.5B to MTA) will receive $12 million directly to support rural transit systems. The remainder will support county bus services, and upstate transit agencies.

$418 million: This will help New Yorks hard-hit airports continue operating safely during the pandemic. Port Authority Airports will receive: $218 million for JFK; $107 million for Laguardia; $4 million for Stewart; and $164 million for Newark International Liberty Airport. This includes $60 million in relief at the four airports for large and small concessionaire businesses that have been hard-hit by the pandemic and unable to pay minimum guarantees to airports.

$1.7 billion  Relief for Amtrak to help maintain operations and other expenditures during the pandemic, especially in New York.

$15 billion  The CARES Act Airline Payroll Support Program which will save thousands of New York airline and airline contractor jobs by keeping workers on payroll without furloughs or reducing pay rates and benefits until March 31, 2021. New York will receive sizable share of these funds, Schumer said.

EDUCATION  K-12 SCHOOLS & INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER ED

Heres the breakdown for education, according to Schumer:

$9 billion  K-12 Schools  These flexible funds will support school districts in reopening safely for in-person instruction and addressing the many needs that students are facing due to the pandemic. A portion of the funds are targeted towards addressing learning loss, providing resources through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and implementing summer enrichment and afterschool programs.

$2.6 billion  Colleges and Universities  Institutions must distribute half of their allocation to students in the form of financial aid awards to address hardships caused by COVID-19. The remaining portion of the funds can be used on reopening costs, revenue losses, classroom retrofits, PPE, and other expenses.

$257 million  Private K-12 schools  these funds are administered by the state educational agency to provide public health and related assistance and services to private K-12 schools.

CHILD CARE & HELP FOR N.Y. FAMILIES

$1.8 billion  Child Care  Through the Child Care Stabilization Fund and the Child Care Community Development Block Grants (CCDBG), these funds ensure that the child care sector will continue to assist working families, and to support child care providers in meeting their increased operation costs during the pandemic.

$59 million  Head Start  This is emergency funding that will continue to provide access to services for children and their families.

$7.03 billion: Child Tax Credit payment to New York families

 $786 million: Earned Income Tax Credit payment to New York families

More than $1 billion in additional Emergency Rental Assistance and assistance for preventing homelessness

$575 million in mortgage and utility assistance for homeowners

$1.07 billion: Nutrition Assistance ($810 million for Pandemic EBT Benefits, $227 million for SNAP)

UI AND DIRECT CHECKS TO NEW YORKERS

Many Americans will receive direct payments:

An estimated $21.7 billion for N.Y. in Enhanced Unemployment Insurance Benefits. This bill provides billions in additional federal relief for struggling New Yorkers  who are out of work through no fault of their own  by extending the unemployment insurance reforms established in the CARES Act, through Sept. 6, 2021.

It continues the enhanced unemployment assistance, providing an additional $300 per week on top of all state and federal unemployment benefits.

More than $22 billion in direct payments for N.Y.  The American Rescue Plan includes an additional round of Economic Impact Payments of $1,400 for individuals making up to $75,000 per year and $2,800 for couples making up to $150,000 per year. Eligible families will also receive an additional $1,400 payment per child and adult dependent, amounting to $5,600 for an average family of four. Nearly nine million New York households will receive another round of direct payments, helping them to cover essential expenses like food, rent or mortgages, and medical bills during this crisis, said Schumer.

COVID VAX, TESTING EFFORT ACROSS N.Y.

Roughly $4 billion is earmarked to support more vaccines, testing and healthcare in New York, said Schumer.

RELIEF FOR BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS, NONPROFITS, ARTS AND CULTURE VENUES, TOURISM

There will also be aid earmarked for the thousands of businesses and other organizations that have suffered greatly throughout the pandemic. This includes:

$28.6 Billion for restaurants  A new restaurant relief fund, modeled on the widely support, bipartisan RESTAURANTS Act, which will provide flexible grants through the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a lifeline for New Yorks restaurant industry, one of the hardest hit by the economic effects of the COVID pandemic. Food service or drinking establishments, including caterers, brewpubs, taprooms, and tasting rooms, that are not part of an affiliated group with more than 20 locations will be eligible. The new restaurants relief fund will be designed to provide flexible grants of up to $10 million per restaurant group, $5 million per individual restaurant, that can be used to cover payroll, mortgages or rent, setup for outdoor seating, PPE, paid leave, food and other supplies, or debt and other expenses.

$1.25B and a Key Fix for Save Our Stages  The bill provides an additional $1.25 billion for hard-hit independent live venues, performing arts organizations, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions. The bill also includes a critical fix that allows venues to access a PPP loan and a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, deducting the PPP loan amount from the grant amount.

$15 Billion for SBA Targeted EIDL [Economic Injury Disaster Loans] Grants -- This funding will provide hard-hit, underserved small businesses with increased flexible grant relief. These grants will be particularly helpful for very small businesses and sole proprietors, which include more than 90% of minority-owned businesses that have been devastated by this crisis.

Expanded PPP [Paycheck Protection Program] Eligibility for Nonprofits  This bill makes additional 501(c) nonprofits eligible for PPP. It also makes local offices of larger nonprofits eligible for PPP assistance as long as those locations are not larger than 500 employees for first PPP loans or 300 employees for second PPP loans, expanding access to vital relief for nonprofit organizations that are critical to local services and the economy.

Community Navigator Program for Underserved Businesses  $100 million is included to fund community organizations and community financial institutions with a focus on and experience working in minority, immigrant, and rural communities to serve as community navigators to help connect small business owners in these communities to critical resources, including small business loans, business licenses, and federal, state, and local business assistance programs.

$10 Billion for Small Business Opportunity Fund  This funding available through the Treasury Department is modeled on the State Small Business Credit Initiative and will support state and local capital and technical assistance initiatives for small businesses responding to and recovering from the pandemic, which will be particularly beneficial to minority-owned and other underserved small businesses.

$3 Billion for Economic Development Grants, Including for Tourism and Travel -- $3 billion is included for the Economic Development Administration to provide flexible grants for rebuilding the local economies of communities that have experienced significant job loss from COVID-19. A $750 million set-aside is included for assistance to states and communities that have suffered from job and GDP loss in the tourism, travel, and outdoor recreation sectors.

Extended Employee Retention Tax Credit  The bill extends through the end of 2021 the refundable payroll tax credit designed to help employers keep more of their valued workers on payroll during this economic crisis. This tax credit is available to struggling New York companies and nonprofits of all sizes, and is equal to 70% of qualified wages up to $10,000 per employee per quarter.

CONNECTING MORE NY FAMILIES TO BROADBAND

The American Rescue Plan includes $7.172 billion nationally to close the homework gap by providing internet and connected devices to vulnerable students and educators. New York is estimated to receive around $632 million in funding to help students and educators.

REDUCING POVERTY FOR NEW YORKERS

The American Rescue Plan includes a significant expansion of the Child Tax Credit CTC)and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)  for 2021:

Makes the CTC fully refundable and increases the credit amount from $2,000 to $3,000 per child age 6 to 17 (and $3,600 per child below the age of 6). An estimated 3.56 million children across New York will benefit from this expanded tax credit, and it will lift 680,000 children in the state above or closer to the poverty line.

Strengthens the EITC for childless workers, many of whom are in lower-paid but essential jobs on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic response, benefitting 910,000 of these workers in New York.

PROVIDING FINANCIAL STABILITY FOR N.Y. WORKERS AND RETIREES

The American Rescue Plan importantly delivers critical relief for ailing multi-employer pension plans  which have experienced significant additional challenges as a result of this economic crisis  without cutting the hard-earned benefits of retirees. In New York State alone, there are more than 1.3 million participants in multi-employer pension plans, and around 624,600 New Yorkers are participants in plans that are expected to receive relief directly through this legislation.

*** CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK***

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TORONTO, March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Silo Wellness Inc. (Silo Wellness or the Company) (CSE: SILO), a wellness company in the psychedelics and functional mushroom marketplaces, is pleased to announce that on Saturday, March 6, Silo launched its second ketamine-assisted psychedelic wellness retreat on the iconic McKenzie River in Oregon and third psychedelic retreat in 2021.



Silo Wellness is intent on helping people heal right now, said Chief Executive Officer, Douglas K. Gordon. We have carefully crafted our Oregon retreat design in light of COVID-19 restrictions to permit participants to enjoy the healing power of nature in conjunction with their physician-led ketamine sessions.

This weeks retreat has participants from Florida, Colorado, California, and Oregon. The retreat is designed to focus on nature and the most beautiful product of nature: the mind. During the five-day, six-night retreat, participants will explore waterfalls and experience the exhilarating, refreshing experience of whitewater rafting.The retreat agenda is focused on looking inward at the self during ketamine sessions and on teasing out personal growth through interactive group sessions. The remainder of the retreat is focused on communing with nature. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting potential mental health benefits associated with direct exposure to natural environments. There is also research and anecdotal support suggesting ketamines potential benefit in addressing mental health issues. It is with these two bodies of research in mind that Silo Wellness has married nature to ketamine therapy in this first-of-its-kind retreat system and North Americas first legal psychedelic retreat.

In essence, our retreats facilitate and integrate the potential epiphanies and insights that are gleaned while using psychedelics, stated Mr. Gordon. In the case of both our Oregon and Jamaica retreats, nature is a vital component of that integration.

In the United States, ketamine is a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substance Act, meaning it has a low to moderate potential for physical and psychological dependence. Other examples of Schedule III substances include products containing less than 90 mg of codeine per dosage unit (Tylenol with codeine), anabolic steroids, and testosterone. To obtain ketamine, the prescribing physician must have an active DEA license. The use of ketamine for psychotherapy is a permitted off-label use by a prescribing physician.

All ketamine-assisted retreats of the Company are conducted by a physician that is independent of the Company. The physician qualifies and screens applicants for final acceptance, including any telephone or video consultations deemed necessary by the provider. The physician also provides consultations with each participant to screen for contraindications, appropriate diagnosis (if any), and mental preparedness for the retreat according to his own professional judgment. The physician, if the participant is deemed suitable for ketamine-assisted therapy, will prescribe ketamine to be administered under his medical supervision at the retreat location. The physician also provides pre-event information to attendees. There are individual meetings held virtually and with the group in preparation for the retreat.

Ketamine sessions and related therapy are provided solely by a physician and/or licensed counselor. Those services conducted at the retreat location are provided by the related practitioners and are not provided by or supervised by the Company. The Company does not practice medicine and is not involved with directing any medical care.

ABOUT SILO WELLNESS

The mission of Silo Wellness is to improve health and wellness by developing and introducing psychedelic medicine to reduce trauma and increase performance by destigmatizing the active compounds in psychedelics and innovating ease of administration and ingestion. Silo Wellness intends to introduce new, safe, and affordable alternatives to current medicines by facilitating entry into new and emerging markets where psychedelics are legal by conducting ketamine and psilocybin wellness retreats and elsewhere by manufacturing and distributing functional mushrooms.

Since inception, Silo Wellness activities have focused on: (1) development of psilocybin-free functional mushroom tinctures; (2) the development of the formulation of a psilocybin nasal spray in Jamaica; and (3) offering of Jamaican and Oregon psychedelic wellness retreats as well as the cultivation of psychedelic mushrooms in Jamaica. None of Silo Wellness products claim to cure or mitigate any physical or mental disease, symptoms, disorders or abnormalities.

Further Information: www.silowellness.com

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations:

David Gdanski

(604) 343-2724

IR@silowellness.com



Media Relations:

Stuart Kirby, VP of Marketing and Communications

press@silowellness.com

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as expects, or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate, plans, budget, scheduled, forecasts, estimates, believes or intends or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results may or could, would, might or will be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the operations and efficacy of the Companys Oregon and Jamaican retreats and the business plans of Silo Wellness. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and the potential impact of COVID-19. 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.

Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Silo Wellness assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.




By Lee Kyung-min







Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) President Lee Kwang-hyung was sworn in Monday, beginning his four-year term, according to the university.







Lee is a futurologist who pioneered multidisciplinary studies and research, with his work best summarized by continued efforts toward convergence of information, biology and nanotechnology.







He said he will spare no efforts in tackling new challenges head-on to transform KAIST into the most relevant research university in the world, fostering talented students who can work with emerging technologies while pushing for innovative research and development initiatives that will benefit all of humanity.







"KAIST should focus on finding, defining and solving problems and creating value for the sustainable development and prosperity of the country. Our new vision will help mapping out the growth strategy post-artificial intelligence over the next 50 years," he said at the inauguration ceremony streamed online.







The top five priorities will be education that encourages critical thinking over rote learning, advanced research, internationalization, startups and trust.







KAIST said Lee is an ardent champion of entrepreneurship and startups, helping the so-called "first generation" of KAIST startup entrepreneurs such as leading online game developers Neowiz and Nexon, security technology firm Idis and facial recognition technology developer Olaworks.







Firms set up and run by Lee's former students report a combined 2.5 trillion won ($2.2 billion) in annual sales, and are the creators of around 7,000 jobs







Lee earned his MS in industrial engineering at KAIST in 1980 after completing his undergraduate studies at Seoul National University.







Lee joined the KAIST faculty in 1985 after receiving his Ph.D. in computer science from INSA de Lyon in France.







He has published more than 70 papers in international journals and textbooks on system programming, fuzzy set theory and 3D creativity.







A fellow at the Korea Academy of Science and Technology and the National Academy of Engineering of Korea, he was decorated by the Korean and French governments in recognition of the innovative education and research initiatives he has pursued.














As home buyers pick through Connecticuts limited selection of properties heading into the spring market of 2021, the ugly underbelly of supply could come to bear on the market this year and next  lenders seizing properties from borrowers who, due to evaporating income, health bills or other reasons, cannot keep up with payments on their mortgages.

With little interest in carrying real estate that can be a headache to maintain, banks usually will take what they can get at auction, absorb any loss looming on a mortgage contract and move on. That creates a bargain-bin effect for the larger market, as buyers mull as-is properties under foreclosure versus those that have been spruced up in advance of sales.

John Minchillo / Associated Press

As of Friday, the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch listed less than 200 homes and commercial properties statewide with pending foreclosure auctions. Bridgeport had the most with 16, with Norwalk and Stratford next with seven apiece and no other city having more than a half dozen.

There is a federal foreclosure moratorium in place, currently through June 30 ... that impacts foreclosures involving federally-backed mortgages, so those cases are not being filed or proceeding at this time, stated Rhonda Hebert, a spokesperson for the Connecticut Judicial Branch, in an email response to a query. Foreclosures are being filed and are proceeding in cases where the mortgage is not federally backed.

Asked this week about any federal measures he foresees to forestall foreclosures further, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal cited as immediate priorities rent assistance and general relief payments that people can use to pay down amounts due on mortgages. Connecticut banks and credit unions have offered forbearance on payments, but they can only kick the can down the road for so long.

All of these different pieces are linked together  if you put more money in peoples pockets, they can pay their rent or their mortgages, Blumenthal said. It addresses the eviction and the foreclosure crises we are facing in our economy.

A booming market for now

Connecticut home sales continued to boom last month, with transactions up 15 percent statewide from February 2020 to nearly 2,900 properties sold, according to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties. Prices are rocketing even higher, with the median home sold for 24 percent more than its equivalent a year ago. Average prices are up 44 percent as many owners of upscale properties take advantage of the hot market to cash out.

Fairfield and Middlesex counties were particularly heated, with sales up roughly 35 percent in each.

The question becomes whether prices will drop in any rise in foreclosures, denting the sellers market that mushroomed last year as New York City residents scour Connecticut towns for new homes outside the city. At the outset of the pandemic, Connecticut banks agreed to hold off any foreclosure actions to forestall any additional shock on families and the economy, but the clock is ticking on the problem loans they are carrying on the books.

Connecticut foreclosures peaked in 2009 with more than 27,000 actions that year, three times as many as in 2019 prior to pandemic moratoriums taking effect on foreclosures. The 2009 total equates to more than half of all homes sold in Connecticut last year.

In a 2010 study published in American Economic Review of the impact of Massachusetts foreclosures, researchers pegged at 27 percent the average discount on foreclosure properties compared to normal listings in their neighborhoods.

While more than enough new listings came on the market in February to replace the sold homes, Connecticut is not seeing nearly as many hit the market as in early 2020. But at some point, a fresh source of listings will emerge as lenders resume auctions, with the possibility of the state shunting some struggling borrowers into what is known today as the Ezequiel Santiago Foreclosure Mediation Program, set up during the Great Recession in an effort to keep people in their homes.

Auctions swept the state after 2008, including in Connecticuts most affluent towns like Greenwich, Madison, Avon and Stonington. That dynamic could emerge again in 2021  in February, the Connecticut Judicial Branch posted auction details for a Field Point Drive mansion in Greenwich, after its owner snagged in the depths of the 2009 crisis for $8.5 million, then listed it for sale three years ago at more than $15 million without finding a buyer.

Millions of delinquent mortgages

As of February, foreclosures seizures were down 80 percent nationally according to Attom Data Solutions, which described millions of mortgages nationally as seriously delinquent. Individual states will have to deal with the issue at the expiration of any moratorium.

Connecticut General Assembly members dove into the issue this week, analyzing a bill that would make permanent the mortgage mediation program created after the Great Recession and naming it for Ezequiel Santiago, the late state senator from Bridgeport who advocated for homeowner rights. According to Connecticut Judiciary Branch data, more than 32,000 people have gone into the Foreclosure Mediation Program since 2008, with about seven in 10 being able to stay in their homes.

While the volume of the need will change from year to year, the crisis for individual homeowners does not  and never will  go away, stated Raphael Podolsky, an attorney and policy advocate with Connecticut Legal Services, in formal testimony supporting the bill. Even in cases where the homeowner must leave, the FMP has increased the likelihood of sales in lieu of foreclosure  or in the worst cases, a more reasonable departure of the homeowner from the home.

Regardless of the outcome of the legislative bill, the Greenwich-based Berkshire Hathaway broker Mark Pruner indicated the existing mediation program will extend many foreclosure auctions out in time, dampening any mass effect on the market immediately.

It is common for the process to take two years, Pruner stated in an email response to a query. Ive seen it stretched out to five years.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
WASHINGTON, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of International Women's Day and the upcoming Gender Equality Forum, technology company Fraym is releasing findings from two initiatives that used cutting-edge data and AI/ML models to better understand complex issues central to gender equality. For both projects, one funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the other a pilot program with Facebook's Project 17 , ML-generated data addressed a pre-existing knowledge gap and delivered critical sub-national insights.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant

Globally, there are more than 650 million women and girls that were wed as children. Two years ago, the global community made a clear call for localized data to help map and understand this massive barrier to gender equality across the world. Fraym responded to this call and has partnered with leading actors like UNICEF, Girls Not Brides, and the Population Council as part of a Gates Foundation supported learning consortium. Through the initiative, Fraym: (1) estimated and mapped child marriage prevalence down to the 1km2 level across time and space; (2) analyzed community contexts; and (3) explored whether and how several risk factors might be associated with higher child marriage prevalence. This was done for seven countries. Access detailed findings and the complete reports to help your organization.



Facebook

In collaboration with Facebook's Project 17, Fraym explored the use of the Facebook Survey on Gender Equality at Home and high-resolution population data to test the hypothesis that spatial gender disparities existand that they are not being captured by traditional data collection and analysis methods. To do this, Fraym analysts reviewed a database of over 100 spatially precise community level indicators produced from secondary data sources like the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) to identify the most comparable measure of food security that could be sex-disaggregated and selected child undernutrition to weight Facebook's national statistics on food security. The findings unearthed subnational differences in male and female food security in Nigeria, and can be used to consider how we measure outcomes in the future. View the hotspot maps and read the full brief .

About Facebook's Project 17

Project 17 is Facebook's partnerships-first approach to accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its current area of focus is increasing the availability and use of gender data.

About Fraym

Fraym uses advanced machine-learning to generate insights on communities around the globe. The company's location-based data about population characteristics and behaviors is employed by governments and organizations tackling some of the world's most pressing challenges like inequity and insecurity, climate impact and vulnerability, and pandemic preparedness and response. Using proprietary algorithms, Fraym produces datasets that cover a wide range of indicators including socio-economics, attitudes, media consumption, health, education, and access to services for places with data gaps. Their geospatial data and analysis is available for 100+ countries at one square kilometer resolutioneven in remote areas.

Fraym.io | [email protected]

Media Contact

Rachael Mandell

Director of Marketing & Communications at Fraym

[email protected]

SOURCE Fraym

Related Links

https://fraym.io/


The Anhui delegation to the fourth session of the 13th National Peoples Congress (NPC) holds a panel discussion on March 5, 2021 to deliberate on the annual government work report delivered by Chinese premier Li Keqiang. (Photo by Xu Guokang)



The Anhui delegation to the fourth session of the 13th National Peoples Congress (NPC) held a panel discussion on March 5 to deliberate on the annual government work report delivered by Chinese premier Li Keqiang.

You Quan, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, took part in the discussion.

The panel discussion was chaired by Li Jinbin, Party chief of Anhui province and head of the delegation. Deputy heads - Wang Qingxian, Deng Xiangyang, Liu Hui, Shen Suli, Xie Guangxiang and Wang Cuifeng - were also present.

The government work report sums up achievements objectively and concretely, analyzes the situation deeply and thoroughly, outlines effective measures and looks forward to the future inspiringly, the delegation agreed.

China achieved major strategic success in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic and was the worlds only major economy to achieve growth during the past year. The nation also attained a complete victory in the fight against poverty and scored decisive achievements in securing a full victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, the deputies said.

The year of 2021 marks the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, with the China embarking on a new journey of fully building a modern socialist country. Under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China will strive to keep its major economic indicators within an appropriate range, expand domestic demand as a strategy, strengthen science and technology to provide strategic support for the national development, pursue high-level opening-up, and safeguard social harmony and stability, according to the deputies.




[March 07, 2021] Cle De Peau Beaute Announces 2021 'Power of Radiance' Awardee

TOKYO, March 7, 2021 /CNW/ -- Cle de Peau Beaute, the luxury skincare and makeup brand, is proud to announce the third 'Power of Radiance Awards' which are a part of their long-term philanthropic commitment to advocate for girls' STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education as a key for empowering a brighter tomorrow. In the past year, due to COVID-19, Education has been disrupted. Our increased reliance on technology has also made it clear that the future will demand a greater focus on STEM fields for the next generation of girls to succeed and thrive  which is why Cle de Peau Beaute is proud to be able to take meaningful action to deliver tangible results through championing STEM related Education. Cle de Peau Beaute's long-term philanthropic commitment includes the 'Power of Radiance Awards' and a multi-year partnership with UNICEF to support the Gender Equality Program. The 2021 'Power of Radiance Awards' will honor Alyona Tkachenko from Kazakhstan, who has made incredible contributions advocating for and providing access to quality STEM education for girls and young women in her country. Through this program, Cle de Peau Beaute aims to empower girls and women to take a proactive stance in igniting a positive difference to the world. Unfortunately, access to opportunities often depend on individual's socio-economic, social, and community backgrounds. However, increasing the advancement of girls and women in STEM fields can help equip them with the skills to secure higher earning jobs of the future and in turn spur socio-economic advancement for their communities*. Education is the key to unlocking the potential of girls  it opens up infinite possibilities and can inspire positive contributions to the global community. However, many young girls around the world are denied the opportunity to advance to secondary school due to barriers such as early marriage, poverty, discrimination and gender bias. Access to STEM education can help combat these barriers and enable girls to claim the future that they choose. "Since March 2019, Cle de Peau Beaute celebrates women who have taken action to drive positive change in their communities through education and empowerment with the Power of Radiance Awards. This is the third year that we have had the privilege to recognize such exceptional women, and I am honored to celebrate this year's awardee, Ms. Alyona Tkachenko. Her advocacy for STEM education to be incorporated into the curriculum in Kazakhstan has touched over 500,000 girls. Her achievements are testament to our belief that each person has the power to transform not only the world for herself, but also for those around her," said Ms. Yukari Suzuki, Chief Brand Officer of Cle de Peau Beaute. Ms. Alyona Tkachenko is the initiator of the Hour of Code in Kazakhstan, bringing the program to her country in 2014 to inspire students to learn programming, especially young girls. Alyona has pushed to make Hour of Code accessible to girls in both urban and rural environments by working with the national and regional government to roll the program out in schools across Kazakhstan. Outside of her educational work, Alyona has tapped into her own STEM background to co-found Nommi, a Kazakhstan-run mobile hotspot startup. Lack of connectivity can worsen education gaps, Nommi was founded to solve this problem by providing internet everywhere, especially in rural areas. Alyona strongly believes that STEM is a crucial tool for innovation and wants to encourage other young women to pursue it as a field of study. "Being involved in STEM and learning different sides of computer science has opened many doors and enabled me to grasp exciting opportunities that have come my way. Through my work and advocacy, I hope to give young people a clearer understanding of the possibilities that STEM education can provide. My dream is to help provide the tools for young girls to make the most of their potential and not accept the limits imposed on them, no matter their background. Receiving the Power of Radiance Award will help me transform Hour of Code Kazakhstan and ultimately ensure more equal representation of girls in STEM," said Ms. Tkachenko. As the 2021 recipient of the 'Power of Radiance Award', Alyona will be awarded a grant that can be donated to a cause of her choosing to further her impactful work in STEM. The 'Power of Radiance Awards' are funded by a percentage of global sales of Cle de Peau Beaute's The Serum. Designed to awaken Skin Intelligence  skin's ability to distinguish between good and bad stimuli, The Serum also activates the source of vitality and radiance. Cle de Peau Beaute's journey as advocates for education began with a dream for a better world. This is why they selected one of their most iconic first-step products, The Serum, and pledged a share of its sales towards this mission. The power to light up the world is within every individual, and through the 'Power of Radiance Awards', Cle de Peau Beaute is standing with girls and women globally as they transform the world for themselves, their families and their communities.







*Information Source: Stepping Up Women's STEM Careers in Infrastructure (http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/192291594659003586/pdf/An-Overview-of-Promising-Approaches.pdf)

About Alyona Tkachenko Ms. Tkachenko became interested in STEM through studying physics and math, as well as working with tech companies early in her career. She wanted to spread awareness and expand access to STEM education in her home country so she co-founded, Love to Code, a programming training center for children. While advocating for Love to Code's mission to give every kid in Almaty and eventually in all of Kazakhstan an opportunity to learn coding, Alyona launched a social initiative called Kazakhstan's Hour of Code to bring more attention to the subject of coding and Computer Science. Since it first launched, Kazakhstan's Hour of Code program grew from 60,000 students to 350,000 by 2019. The Hour of Code program has quickly become the largest STEM initiative in Kazakhstan  introducing over 500,000 Kazakhstani girls to STEM and training more than 200 female teachers on STEM curriculum. Alyona also co-founded Nommi, a Kazakhstan-run secure connectivity startup, that provides fast LTE data for remote workers across the globe. Nommi has expanded and signed corporate agreements with some Fortune 500 Companies. She is the first female tech-founder from Central Asia to make the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia List (2019). A bout Cle de Peau Beaute Cle de Peau Beaute, the global luxury brand from Shiseido Cosmetics, was founded in 1982 as the ultimate expression of elegance and science. Cle de Peau Beaute means the key to skin's beauty. The philosophy of the brand is to unlock the power of a woman's radiance by harnessing makeup technologies and advanced skincare from around the world. Forever guided by an exquisite aesthetic sensibility and intelligence, Cle de Peau Beaute has instilled its products with modernity, enchantment, and dynamism to emerge as an industry leader in delivering radiance so remarkable, it emanates from within. Available in 20 countries and regions worldwide. Cle de Peau Beaute Official Website: www.cledepeau-beaute.com Cle de Peau Beaute Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cledepeaubeaute/ View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cle-de-peau-beaute-announces-2021-power-of-radiance-awardee-301238049.html SOURCE Cle de Peau Beaute

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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.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
HOUSTON, March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- C-Bond Systems (the Company or C-Bond) (OTC: CBNT), a nanotechnology solutions company, today announced that a large metropolitan housing authority in the U.S. has purchased samples of C-Bond Secure and C-Bond BRS (ballistic-resistant system) for evaluation to reinforce building glass to protect its residents against forced entry and gun violence.



C-Bond Secure is a multi-purpose glass strengthening primer and window film mounting solution. It was developed in partnership with one of the industrys largest film suppliers to increase glass strength and glass flexibility. The product is compatible with any film manufacturers products in all film market segments including solar, safety, decorative, automotive, and marine. C-Bond Secure has thwarted break-in attempts and is proven to deter forced entry.

C-Bond BRS is a ballistic-resistant film system that consists of the patented C-Bond glass strengthening technology and security film. The C-Bond technology chemically bonds to the defects randomly distributed on the glass surface to increase impact resistance and prevent breakage. C-Bond BRS is validated by an independent third-party laboratory to provide National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Level I, Level IIA, Level II, and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 752 ballistic-resistant protection. Video demonstrations of the products effectiveness can be found on the Companys website.

Our patented glass strengthening products are an important component of building security, stated Scott R. Silverman, Chairman and CEO of C-Bond. Reinforcing windows and glass doors to protect people where they live provides peace of mind and helps to minimize damage and harm to residents.

C-Bond BRS has been installed in more than 80 schools, government buildings, media sites, and other high-security facilities around the country. C-Bonds glass strengthening technology is protected by 22 patents and patent pending applications.

About C-Bond

C-Bond Systems, Inc. (OTC: CBNT) is a Houston-based advanced nanotechnology company and marketer of the patented and patent-pending C-Bond technology, developed in conjunction with Rice University and independently proven to significantly strengthen glass in key automotive and structural applications. The Companys Transportation Solutions Group sells C-Bond nanoShield, a liquid solution applied directly to automotive windshields, sold through distributors. The Companys Safety Solutions Group sells ballistic-resistant glass solutions directly to private enterprises, schools, hospitals, and government agencies. The Company also sells disinfection products, including MB-10 Tablets. For more information, please visit our website: www.cbondsystems.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbondsys/ and Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBondSys.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release about our future expectations constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and our actual results could differ materially from expected results. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, C-Bonds ability to raise capital; the Companys ability to successfully commercialize its products; the effect of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the Companys and its customers ability to operate; the Companys ability to source materials; the Companys ability to retain key employees and consultants; as well as other risks. Additional information about these and other factors may be described in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) including its Form 10-K filed on March 25, 2020, its Forms 10-Q filed on November 16, 2020, August 14, 2020, and May 15, 2020, and in future filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
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Q: Last year I did a single consulting job for a company that I used to work for (I have been retired for five years). I received $3,200 and the work was completed within a week. With retirement pay I am in a 22% tax bracket and as I was working on my return the software asked me about the qualified business income deduction. I had not heard about this deduction but I would be interested in deducting 20% of my consulting pay. I had planned to report the income as other income not subject to self-employment tax. It seems that by claiming the 20% deduction I also have to report the consulting as self-employment income. Is that right? It would more than offset the benefit of the deduction.

A: Self-employment (SE) tax is owed on income from a trade or business carried out in a non-employee status. The tax is 14.13% of your net business income after allowing for the way net earnings are computed. You can deduct one-half of the tax paid for income tax purposes.

It is sometimes possible to successfully argue that a one-time consulting job is not subject to SE tax because it does not rise to the level of a trade or business. You have a reasonable argument provided there are no plans to continue this type of work.

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The 20% QBID is also available only for net income from a trade or business. I do not see how you can claim this one-time activity as a business to benefit from the 20% QBID but also say it is not a business for the SE tax.

The tax law does have several definitions of a business. I do not think there is any distinction in definition for QBID and SE. Therefore, I think you are all-in or all-out on this one.

Q: I have used one room of my house for an office for 11 years. I am now under contract to sell the house for a substantial gain that will fall within the allowed $500,000 tax exclusion for married people. However, I assume that I will have to account for the office in this sale. The office space is 340 square feet and the house is 3,254 square feet. Would I have to pay tax on 10.45% of the gain? Can I just use the office for personal purposes this year and not claim business use to solve this problem?

A: The tax law does allow a married couple to exclude as much as $500,000 of gain from the sale of a property owned and used as a principal residence for two of the five years before sale.

This provision was added to the law in August 1997. The law did not make clear how the exclusion would apply to situations like yours. It did make clear that the exclusion could not apply to the portion of the gain caused by claiming depreciation on the property. The taint applies only for depreciation claimed after May 6, 1997.

The Treasury Department had to interpret the law by regulation. Treasury first said that 10.45% of the gain, which is the share allocated to the office space, could not be excluded (in addition to any depreciation claimed).

Regulations have a comment period to allow the public, which really means tax practitioners, to weigh in on the Treasury proposals. Treasury issues the regulations in final form after the comment period.

Tax practitioners said there was no authority for an allocation to business space to compute a taxable gain from sale of the property. Commentators provided specific examples to prior law to support this argument.

Treasury finally agreed with the tax people. The final regulations do not require you to report the 10.45% office percentage as gain. You must report all depreciation claimed after May 6, 1997, as gain since that is in the statute.

There is one exception to this conclusion. If the office is a physically separate facility with its own entrance then an allocation by space usage may be required. This does not appear to be your situation. Therefore, I see no reason for you to worry about how the office is used in 2021.

James R. Hamill is the Director of Tax Practice at Reynolds, Hix & Co. in Albuquerque. He can be reached at jimhamill@rhcocpa.com.
Candles are a popular product many love to have in their homes. Thing is, some candles contain toxins. Linden McKenzie wanted to find one that did not.

In 2015, during the holiday season, with only a few dollars to her name, she created an entirely natural cooked candle on her kitchen stove utilizing organic apples and herbs right from her backyard in upstate New York.

She opened her website shortly after.

McKenzie has made organic coffee candles for the Death Wish Coffee Company in Saratoga Springs. Her candles were also featured on E! as a "best gift set" during the holidays.

Most recently, she gained a spot on the Amazon handmade sellers platform as an organic crafted brand.

You can follow McKenzie, who is today's 20 things, on Facebook.
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President Muhammadu Buhari has described Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as a reliable and dedicated deputy.

The president showered the praises on Mr Osinbajo to mark his 64th birthday.

Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, quoted the president as saying Mr Osinbajo was not only admirably competent, but also exudes confidence and passion in the performance of his job.

The vice president was born on March 8, 1957.

Mr Buhari, who picked Mr Osinbajo as his runing mate in 2014, said he still does not regret his action as the vice president had proven himself to be a patient politician who had not failed in discharging his duties.

Im proud to have selected Osinbajo as my running mate and he has given a good account of himself since our journey began in 2015.

The Vice President is a cool-headed gentleman who puts the interest of Nigeria above other narrow considerations.

Vice President Osinbajo is an incredibly patient politician who demonstrates remarkable intellectual and mental energy in the discharge of his duties, the President was quoted to have said.

He wished him many more prosperous years and Almighty Gods continued guidance.
NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Holle, one of the leading global manufacturers of the highest quality and holistic nutrition for babies and children announced today its nationwide retail expansion to Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S. Holle products only use the finest ingredients from biodynamic and sustainable farms, allowing children to grow up with nature's best.

"We've recognized the Holle phenomenon and consumer demand in the United States for many years. As innovators and an industry leader in bringing top of the line products to parents for raising kids, we made it our mission to bring Holle stateside," said Ron Blitzer, CEO of JSG Organics, exclusive importer of Holle brands into the United States. "We're passionate about these products and are thrilled to welcome this iconic brand to the states, expanding the Holle footprint and giving families access the highest quality essentials."

The Holle Cow and Goat Toddler Milk Drinks support growing children with a complete nutrient profile that is easily digestible. The Holle Toddler Milk Drinks are non-GMO, pesticide free and contain no added sugar, hormones or corn syrup. With DHA and a full range of micronutrients including calcium, iron, Vitamins A, C, and D, Holle Toddler Milk Drinks are one way to make sure your child gets the vitamins and minerals they need to support rapid growth and development.

"We are honored to be the first grocer in the U.S. to introduce our customers to Holle Cow and Goat Toddler Milk Drinks," said Caleb Hulsey, Category Manager at Whole Foods Market. "At Whole Foods Market, we are always looking for high-quality products and are excited to expand our baby and toddler category with Holle's Toddler Milk Drinks."

The Holle Cow and Goat Toddler Milk Drinks are available now at Whole Foods Market, Amazon and HolleUSA.com. Holle Organic Puree Pouches and A2 Powder Milk will be available in May on Amazon.

For more information on Holle, visit HolleUSA.com or follow on Instagram and Facebook at Holle.usa .

About Holle

For more than 85 years, Holle has stood for organic baby food of the highest quality. As the first Demeter manufacturer for baby food, the company dedicates itself to balanced nutrition for babies and toddlers with a comprehensive range of products: toddler milk drinks, cereals and snacks as well as fruit and vegetable pouches. Holle products are sold in over 50 countries worldwide. The company, founded in Switzerland, is the market leader in the specialist German organic segment and, since 2017, has been continually growing its sales network in the food retail trade and drugstore market. Holle retains the company locations in Riehen (Switzerland) and in Grunsfeld (Germany).

About JSG Organics

JSG Organics imports and distributes natural food products in the United States. Our team is managed by an experienced team of triple bottom line entrepreneurs  people, profits, planet. We are the exclusive U.S. distributors of Holle, one of the leading global manufacturers of the highest quality and holistic nutrition for babies and children. JSG Organics is a pending B Corp company.

Media Inquiries:

[email protected]

SOURCE JSG Organics
Gov. Phil Murphy will hold a 1 p.m. press conference on Monday to provide updates on the coronavirus pandemic and the states vaccination efforts.

It will be held at the Trenton War Memorials George Washington Ballroom and be streamed live on Murphys YouTube.com channel.

State Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli, state epidemiologist Dr. Christina Tan and State Police Superintendent Colonel Pat Callahan will join Murphy at the briefing.

At least 2,453,289 vaccine doses have been administered in New Jersey of 9 a.m. Sunday. At least 833,532 have received two doses, though the number of people fully vaccinated is higher because the Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires a single shot.

Thats out of more than 3.07 million doses the state has received, according to a running tally by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The states goal is to vaccinate 70% of its adult population  about 4.7 million people  within the next few months.

The statewide rate of transmission stayed steady at 1.06 for the second day in a row. Any number over 1 indicates that the outbreak is growing, with each new case leading to at least one other case. The rate had been below 1 for weeks before pushing above that mark Thursday.

New Jerseys 71 hospitals had 1,786 patients with the coronavirus or a case under investigation as of 10 p.m. Sunday, down from 1,804 in the previous 24-hour period. Officials said 237 were on ventilators and 393 were receiving intensive care, according to the states dashboard.

Hospitalizations are down about 49% since Jan. 1.

Murphy on Sunday disclosed 2,077 more cases of the coronavirus and 17 additional deaths.

The governor has no other scheduled public appearances on Monday.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Katie Kausch contributed to this report.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGoldmanNJ.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Monthly deliveries of NIO, Li Auto and Xpeng recorded three-digit or even four-digit year-on-year growth in February.

Last month, NIO remained the most popular brand among three startups with deliveries more than the total of the other two companies. And its month-on-month decrease was also the smallest while monthly deliveries of Li Auto and Xpeng were more than halved when compared with those of January.

Sales are always low in February. According to the China Passenger Car Association, last month, only the first 6 days average retail sales managed to see slight increase compared with those of January and the daily retail sales of the entire month decreased 44% month on month.

Yanan Shen, president of Li Auto, attributed the delivery performance to seasonal factors related to the Chinese New Year holiday, as well as the localized COVID-19 outbreaks in northern China. Xpeng also said the first quarter is often the low season and it didnt deliver vehicles during the Chinese New Year holiday. Thanks to the retooling of its Zhaoqing plant in Februray, Xpeng has been well prepared for ramping up production and expects its deliveries will rebound in March.

Yanan Shen is also confident of Li Autos growth momentum going forward. His company expects the deliveries in the first quarter will be between 10,500 and 11,500 vehicles, representing an increasing of 262.6 to 297.1% from the same period of last year. NIO predicted its current quarter deliveries will be in the range from 20,000 and 20,500 units, soaring approximately 421% to 434% compared with the same quarter of 2020.

Even though local market is still their primary focus, the three Chinese EV startups are also stepping up efforts for overseas market. By the end of February, Xpeng has shipped two batches of vehicles, a total of 309 G3s to Norway. The Guangzhou-based automaker is confident of strengthening its presence in European markets where demands for smart electric vehicles are increasing as a result of policy support.

NIO will start its sales and service in Europe this year and Norway may be the first destination for the startup. In December, 2020, Marius Klixbull Iversen, former Senior Regional Service Manager, Northern EMEA, Iceland and Middle East at Tesla, joined NIO as the head of Service Operations Europe, according to his LinkedIn information.

As to the U.S. market, William Li, NIOs founder and CEO, said at the latest earnings call that the company has kicked off the research about the U.S. market entry at a very early stage and has been exploring the possibility in business models, strategies, and different approaches. But it is a long way to go and the company would like to achieve the target step by step.

Li Auto is ambitious to become NO.1 player in the global smart electric vehicle market, so it will definitely enter into overseas market to compete with other players. Yanan Shen revealed on an earnings call that Li Auto will continue the efforts for overseas market and initiate product planning and sales channels this year, including establishing overseas offices.
Chris Johnson, a junior accounting major, helps tally the results of the 23rd annual Accounting Challenge. (Photo provided)

Students win scholarships, prizes at SIUs Accounting Challenge

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill.  High school and community college students from around the region competed virtually for scholarships, trophies and bragging rights at Southern Illinois University Carbondales 23rd annual Accounting Challenge recently.

The School of Accountancy in SIUs College of Business and Analytics sponsored the Feb. 26 event for about 140 participants who tested their skills in both an individual and team competition.

A unique twist

Typically, the event takes place on campus and includes a written accounting skills test followed by a creative team challenge that involves imaginative problem-solving contests that vary from year to year. This years goal was to make the online event special and incorporate a fun, team element.

Chancellor Austin Lane spoke to all of the participants as they gathered at schools and homes across the region, via computers, cellphones and tablets.

Participants answered accounting questions such as What is the cost of goods sold equation? Then, they took part in an entertaining pop culture quiz. They had 30 seconds to respond to questions like Put these apps in order from newest to oldest: Reddit, Roblox, Facetime, Kik Messenger.

In case youre wondering, the beginning inventory plus purchase minus ending inventory equals the cost of goods sold, and the apps, from newest to oldest, are Kik, FaceTime, Roblox and Reddit.

Winners earn prizes

When the competition wrapped up, the scores were all tallied. The individuals with the highest scores in each of the three divisions were announced as the winners of certificates and scholarships worth up to $500 if they attend SIU and major in accounting.

Meanwhile, the winning teams will receive trophies.

Since the winners werent able to pick up their awards in person, representatives of the College of Business and Analytics hope to travel to the school and present the prizes to the recipients in the near future, according to Marcus Odom, professor of accountancy and Deloitte & Touche Faculty Fellow. In addition, all participants will receive special event T-shirts via mail.

Top individual honors

Individual winners listed by event, school, and potential scholarship earnings, were:

Accounting I  High School

First place  (tie) Madison Heil, Maggie Reed and Lucas Gibbons, all from OFallon Township High School, $500.

Second place  (tie) Alexa Prouhet and Alexa Montante, both of OFallon Township High School, $300.

Third place  (tie) Connor Sorgea, OFallon Township High School and Elle Moore, Anna-Jonesboro Community High School, $200.

Advanced Accounting (Accounting II)  High School

First place  (tie) Raniyah Shannon and Ryan Krell, both of OFallon Township High School, $500.

Second place  Nikhil Ahuja of Flora High School, $300.

Third place  Aine Dixon, OFallon Township High School.

Community College

First place  Kaitlyn May, Shawnee Community College, $500.

Second place  Jaiden Sanders, Shawnee Community College, $300.

Team honors

Team winners listed by event along with team members, were:

Accounting I  High School Team

First place  Woodlawn High School: Ashtyn Barton, Joel Hayse, Sam Moore, Macy Williams.

Second place  O Fallon Township High School: Alexa Prouhet, Maggie Reed, Gabi Schram, Kaylee Shull.

Third place  Anna-Jonesboro Community High School: Breckstin Schaefer, Keri Rendleman, Carson Pengress, Nate Baggott.

Accounting II  High School Team

First place  Flora High School: Nikhil Ahuja, Eliza Herdes, Ty Landreth.

Second place  OFallon Township High School: Aine Dixon, Ryan Krell, Raniyah Shannon.

Third place  Steeleville High School: Jenny Wedemeyer, Jesus Xoca, Tanner Allison.

SIU students make event happen

Continuing a tradition that dates back more than two decades requires imagination, dedication and hard work by the events student organizers, according to Odom and Marc Morris, associate professor and director of the School of Accountancy.

Coordinators for this years competition were:

Emily Hillis, a masters student in accountancy from Jacksonville, Illinois.

Brandon Lynn, a senior accounting major from Marion, Illinois.

Rachel Perez, a senior accounting major from Carpentersville, Illinois.

Other students, faculty and staff assisted with the event as well.

JP Palmeira, a sophomore majoring in accounting, is among the numerous students, faculty and staff who volunteered to help with the event. (Photo provided)
William Pitt - Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty's Presentation 360

William Pitt  Julia B. Fee Sothebys International Realty today announced the launch of a new comparative market analysis and listing presentation tool, Presentation 360. The new product allows agents to create a custom comparative market analysis (CMA) for clients more efficiently, complete with interactive data sets that automatically update when consulted. Presentation 360 additionally provides a complete marketing presentation for sales associates to demonstrate the firms value proposition and unique offerings to prospective clients.

Presentation 360 is powered by Cloud CMA, a real estate software company that is partnering with a growing number of Sothebys International Realty affiliated firms across the premier real estate brands global network. William Pitt  Julia B. Fee Sothebys International Realty said that the collaboration serves as another example of how the company continues to lead the way in technology through its association with the luxury brand.

The ability to create custom marketing presentations has been significantly streamlined and simplified with the arrival of Presentation 360, by eliminating the previously more cumbersome aspects of gathering data on comparable properties, images and market statistics. Now CMAs are delivered virtually and include data that auto updates when connected to the internet, even when clients choose to review the digital presentation at a future date.

Completely mobile friendly in navigation as well as display, Presentation 360 allows agents to both create and present a CMA from their phone, tablet or laptop. Clients can also access the mobile friendly presentation on the go, whenever they want.

Among the many functionalities included in Presentation 360, agents and clients can utilize a new geo search tool that filters listed and sold properties within proximity of clients homes. Once an area on the map has been selected and criteria filters applied, visual graphs of comparable sales data immediately populate the report, allowing users to better make and understand property pricing recommendations and decisions.

Presentation 360 delivers a compelling showcase of our agents expertise and the companys unrivaled marketing strategy, said Vincent Socci, Chief Operating Officer with William Pitt  Julia B. Fee Sothebys International Realty. Every detail from how a CMA is created to how a presentation is viewed and even printed has been reengineered in Presentation 360. The products masterful use of data and analytics will provide agents and clients unparalleled support in devising a strategy for listing and marketing a property.

About William Pitt - Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty

Founded in 1949, William Pitt - Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty manages a $5.9 billion portfolio with more than 1,100 sales associates in 26 brokerages spanning Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Westchester County, New York. William Pitt - Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty is one of the largest Sotheby's International Realty(R) affiliates globally and the 37th-largest real estate company by sales volume in the United States. For more information, visit the website at https://www.williampitt.com.

Sotheby's International Realty's worldwide network includes nearly 1,000 offices throughout 72 countries and territories on six continents.
Although the order sets the stage for a major policy shift, change is unlikely to come quickly. Any effort to rewrite DeVos rules would have to go through a federal rulemaking process that can take years to complete. It took three years, for example, for DeVos to reverse the Obama guidance and complete her own set of rules.
EV

While Microsoft was at one point in pole-position to purchase certain TikTok operations, ByteDance eventually formed a partnership with Oracle, thus retaining the ownership of the service whose userbase is continuously on the rise these days.Now ByteDance can once again focus on its long-term business plan. According to a recent Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the matter, the Chinese company even considers stepping into the car business.Most recently, TikTok's owner has invested at least $25 million in a company called QCraft, which builds self-driving technology already powering minibusses currently in operation in several Chinese cities.QCraft, however, is a small company, though its backed by other big investors, including IDG Capital and Lenovo Capital. It was founded by executives with solid experience in theand self-driving market, including former high-profile employees of Tesla , Uber, and Waymo.So what is ByteDance planning to do in the automotive business?Very little is known at this point, especially because the investments in the Chinese startup are still secret. But at first glance, ByteDance is currently sticking with a simple plan of backing other companies. However, it wouldnt necessarily be a surprise if at one point in the future it decides to join forces with a traditional carmaker for an expansion in the EV market.Several tech giants are already working on EV-related plans, including Apple, Xiaomi , and Huawei. Out of these three, Apples project is currently in the most advanced phase, with a so-called Apple Car expected to hit the roads by 2024 or 2025. Apple is looking for a partner to manufacture its vehicle, as negotiations with Hyundai, Nissan, and possibly other parties have already failed.
Prince Harry told Oprah Winfrey in a bombshell interview on Sunday that he and Meghan are using what his mother left him to live on, after stepping back from royal duties.

Harrys late mother, the Princess of Wales, had a famously strained relationship with the royal family. I think she saw it coming, said Harry, 36, speaking about Dianas foresight in him stepping back from his duties, and giving him financial security for the future.

In January 2020, the Sussexes announced that they would be stepping back as senior members of the royal family. Announcing the decision via a statement on their Instagram page, the couple wrote: After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year into starting to carve out a progressive role within this institution. We intend to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing the full support Her Majesty the Queen.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex now live in Santa Barbara, California.

I have what my mum left me and without that we wouldnt have been able to do this, he said of their move to the US and relinquishing their duties as senior royals.

Both William and Harry were left sums of 6.5 million each by their mother the princess of Wales in her will, following her death in a car crash in 1997.

The princes were left other valuable items from their mother including numerous dresses and her David and Elizabeth Emanuel wedding gown, ornamented with pearls and silk.

"My biggest concern was history repeating itself, said the Duke on why he and his wife chose to move to the US.

In a similar interview, the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, was interviewed by Oprah in 1996, and commented on Dianas struggles behind closed doors.

When I was there, living there, I sort of got to know more and more.

The pain [Diana] was in. It is very cruel and painful when you are going to try and find the feelings within, to be on such a public stage.

Twenty-six years ago, Princess Diana was interviewed by BBC journalist Martin Bashir, after her divorce from Charles in 1992, he asked her if she thought Camilla Parker Bowles was a factor in the breakdown of her marriage to Prince Charles, she replied: Well there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.

On Sunday, Harry opened up about the struggles his mother must have faced on her own. I can't begin to imagine what it must've been like for [my mother] going through this process by herself all those years ago, he said to Oprah.

Parallels have been made between the Duchess of Sussex and the Princess of Wales. Meghan, 39, admitted to Oprah that she had felt suicidal at the palace, and alleged that her keys and passport had been taken away from her. I did not know who to turn to. One of the people I reached out to, who has been a friend and a confidante, was one of Dianas best friends. Who else could understand what it is actually like on the inside, said Meghan.

Harry said he couldnt stand by and see Meghan suffering like his mother. "I've seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person, said Harry. I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces."

Meghan and Harry met through a mutual friend in 2016, the couple got married in 2018 at St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle.

You can contact the following organisations for support with your mental health in the UK: Mind, NHS, Samaritans. In the US, Mental Health America has useful resources.
[March 08, 2021] Yamagata Prefectural Government to Promote Tourism via Taiwan's LINE Travel

YAMAGATA, Japan, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Yamagata Prefectural Government will hold a live-streaming event on "LINE Travel" of Taiwan on March 10, 2021, to let Taiwanese people know more about the charms of Yamagata Prefecture during the coronavirus pandemic. The event will feature peipeini, a popular Taiwanese YouTuber who has been posting travel and cosmetics information online, and a travel writer 3a, who has introduced his travel experiences in foreign countries, centering on Japan, and who was appointed extraordinary ambassador in 2018 in charge of promoting tourism and the "Tsuyahime" (a type of rice, which took Yamagata Prefecture 10 years to develop). During the live-streaming event, there will also be a lottery event for wonderful gifts from Yamagata Prefecture such as an accommodation voucher for Yamagata Kaku Hotel & Spa and "Tsuyahime" rice. Profiles of influencers expected to appear in the event: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106218/202103021699/_prw_PI2fl_yW7CxehM.jpg Details of the live-streaming event

- Event date: March 10, 2021, from 20:00 to 21:00







20:00 - 20:05 Live-streaming begins, participants to be introduced

20:05 - 20:15 Basic information on Yamagata Prefecture (geography, climate, access, etc.)

20:15 - 20:23 Recommended sightseeing spots in Yamagata Prefecture (Murayama region: Ginzan Onsen, "Snow monsters" (trees that covered in snow and ice) of Mount Zao, etc.)

20:23 - 20:31 Recommended sightseeing spots in Yamagata Prefecture (Mogami and Okitama regions: Mogami River Boat Ride, Uesugi Shrine, etc.)

20:31 - 20:38 1st round of the lottery event

20:38 - 20:46 Introducing cuisines from Yamagata Prefecture (Rice "Tsuyahime", Beef "Yonezawa Gyu", etc.)

20:46 - 20:54 Recommended sightseeing spots in Yamagata Prefecture (Shonai region: Kamo Aquarium, Mount Haguro)

20:54 - 21:02 2nd round of the lottery event, live-streaming ends *LINE Travel, operated by LINE Corporation, is the online travel media that has the highest usage rate among online users in Taiwan.

*The live-streaming time could change depending on the internet environment.

How to take part in the event 1. Register in advance the official LINE Travel account in the LINE application as a friend.

2. Watch and listen to the event in the "Chatroom" of the official LINE Travel account during the live-streaming. Furthermore, on the following day, March 11, there will be an interactive gaming event which is the most popular among those who have registered with the official LINE Travel account. Participants who give correct answers to quiz questions about Yamagata Prefecture will be presented with goods (LINE points, etc.). Details of the gaming event - Event date: March 11, 2021, from 16:00 to 20:00

- How to participate: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106218/202103021699/_prw_PI1fl_2gDwvQ27.jpg For more information, visit:

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202103021699-O1-CD34B4fe.pdf SOURCE Yamagata Prefectural Government

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Police in Lancaster County have identified the man charged in connection with an hours-long standoff Friday night.

William A. Evans, 53, is facing charges of reckless endangerment, terroristic threats, simple assault and discharging a firearm in an occupied building.

The incident started as a domestic dispute that escalated to the point of an assault and threats on the 500 block of Creekside Lane in Warwick Township, according to the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department.

Two occupants of the home fled and called the police around 10:25 p.m., telling them Evans was armed with several firearms and would start shooting if he saw the police, investigators say.

Police called in a response team to de-escalate the situation, and eventually brought in the Lancaster County SERT team.

Officers along the perimeter reported several shots fired inside the home, police say. While negotiations were underway, police evacuated nearby homes. After more than five hours, negotiators convinced Evans to surrender, which he did without further incident, police say.

After the standoff, police say they recovered numerous weapons and related items from his home, including two handguns, a shotgun, binoculars, a camouflage knife and more than 400 rounds of ammunition.

He remains under medical observation and has not yet been released for a preliminary arraignment, according to police.
Menachem Kaisers Plunder: A Memoir of Family Property and Nazi Treasure tells a twisting and reverberant and consistently enthralling story. Its a weird story that gets weirder.

Kaiser, the descendant of Polish Jews, is a young writer who grew up in Toronto. Plunder is about what happens after he takes up his Holocaust-survivor grandfathers battle to reclaim an apartment building in Sosnowiec, Poland, that the family owned before the war. The author has no great hope of success. His father and grandfather made inquiries over decades but got nowhere.

Kaiser hires a Polish lawyer known as The Killer. She wears pink velour tracksuits under her black judicial garments. The Killer starts a process that has Kafkaesque hurdles. For example, Kaiser needs to prove that his ancestors, who were killed in the Holocaust and who would be 130 or 140 if still alive, are actually dead.

At one point he has to hire a second lawyer to explain the actions of his first one.

Court cases percolate in the background while Kaiser visits the property, where he finds good people with real lives. The building housed residents connected with a theater. They threw wonderful parties, and gathered for large social events. Whats he going to do, evict everyone?
Tunisian-Libyan forum March 11 in Sfax Calls for reactivating contracts with Libyan businesses

(ANSAmed) - TUNIS. MARCH 8 -The Libyan government has asked Tunisian businesses that had signed contracts as part of the Libya of Tomorrow program, which was suspended in 2010, to reactivate them and start talks with their counterparts to get back to working together, according to the vice president of the Tunisian-African Business Council (TABC) Issam Ben Youssef.



He made this statement in announcing that the third session of the Tunisian-Libyan Economic Forum would be held March 11 in Sfax. Over 200 Tunisian businessmen and 100 Libyan ones operating in the commerce, industry, and services will be taking part, as well as ministers, high-ranking government officials, and leaders in public and private institutions.



The forum will be held under the slogan, "The Forum of Hope and Challenge to Build an Integrated Economy" and it will look at the difficulties company leaders have to deal with in both countries with a focus on issues linked to transportation and logistics, banking sector support to enterprises, and assistance to government institutions.



"Tunisia is still a strategic partner of Libya and neither Turkey nor Italy could take its place in this market," Ben Youssef said on his return from a visit to Libya, during which he met with several people operating in the aforementioned sectors.



He claimed that what is needed to identify solutions for the present difficulties and reinvigorate bilateral cooperation. Ben Youssef also asked for the creation of joint border industrial areas on the Libyan side to make the best possible use of low energy costs in the country, which in turn would influence the cost of manufactured goods for the benefit of consumers.



Tunisia should allow the transit of Libyan imports from Europe through its ports, as foreseen by a convention on international transportation (CMR), Ben Youssef said.



"Despite the current situation, Libya would prefer to collaborate with Tunisia in view of its geographical vicinity as as recognition of Tunisia's position, which welcomed Libyans at a time in which other countries imposed restrictions on their entrance," Ben Youssef said.(ANSAmed). (ANSA).




Juan Escobar was 12 and skinny when he first went to a Y.M.C.A. summer camp. He weighed only 65 pounds, often didnt get enough to eat and had chronic asthma.

For much of his childhood, he lived with his mother and grandmother in a public-housing complex in the South Bronx, where, he said, he was in constant fear of robbers and bullies.

But at the camp, in upstate New York, I didnt have to worry about dodging bullets, Mr. Escobar, who is now 29, said. Instead, he was surrounded by trees.

Wholesome food and fresh air improved his health, he said, and the welcoming environment helped him gain confidence and relate to people from different backgrounds. The Y.M.C.A. gave him financial aid so he could afford to attend the camp, which he did throughout his teenage years before becoming a counselor. He is now a police officer in the Bronx.
Photo-imaging is one of the biggest determiners for a smartphone purchase as of 2021.

Selfies and picture-taking are something most people have come to appreciate, especially these last few years. Both front and back cameras need to be exceptional in their jobs.

Some of the high-demand specifications are front cameras capable of taking wide-angle shots and back cameras operating on a high sensor. They also need to have a good zoom function, high-resolution pixel density, light-filtering, and night-mode features.

Recently, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau has released a lot of space-themed teasers. Could this be referring to their partnership with the camera company?

OnePlus is potentially taking the next step of their upgrades in smartphone imaging and devoted camera systems. Today, they announce a three-year partnership with Hasselblad, the DJI-owned Swedish camera maker.

Hasselblad is entering the Mobile Market

The 180-year-old camera company is making big decisions for their future. Both Hasselblad and Moto Z attachment have already created cameras for DJI drones, so it's interesting to see how far they can contribute to mobile devices.

According to some news, the duo OnePlus and Hasselblad plan to invest $150 million in mobile-photography.

This partnership's first result is expected to arrive with the OnePlus 9, a new handset package set to be revealed on Mar. 23.

It is rumored to promise a "revamp camera system." The phone will feature an amazing Sony IMX789 sensor capable of capturing 12-bit RAW images at 64-times more color than the previous sensors used. It also has HDR video and the ability to capture 4K at 120FPS and 8k at 30FPS.

Hasselblad might also make improvements mentioning a panoramic camera with a 140-degree view of the field.

Hasselblad Pro cameras will fine-tune the OnePlus' sensor calibration and color tuning, aiming to develop Natural Color Calibration that delivers natural-looking images in the new smartphone.

The company also plans to improve ISO, exposure time, focus, white balance, and other processors to capture images that deliver rich colors and higher dynamic range.

Read Also: OnePlus to Launch New Nord 2 Series With MediaTek Dimensity 1200 Chipset In Q2 2021

Exciting Leaks in Social Media

OnePlus 9 Pro, the next flagship phone to be released, is a hot topic on the internet.

This flagship phone's latest details were also revealed when a random fan dropped pictures in the YouTuber Dave2D Discord server.

More leaks indicate that the OnePlus 9 Pro's camera has a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, 11GB of ram, and 256GB of storage.

Another data miner, Max Jambor, mentions how the OnePlus 9 Pro might feature 45-watt wireless charging,

There have been no official announcements whether these leaks are true since Pete Lau made his statement via public post.

However, with OnePlus top-of-the-line hardware and the photographic rich aesthetic knowledge of Hasselblad, the OnePlus 9 Series will make a major leap in creating premium flagship smartphones.

Android Central claims that this will be in the form of an event in March.

The wait is not long as OnePlus's new batch of premiere smartphones might be released later this Mar. 23 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

This article is owned by Tech Times.

Written by Czarina Grace Del Valle

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
6238287598001

On Friday, the European Union and the United States announced a four-month suspension on tariffs stemming from the World Trade Organization (WTO) Aircraft disputes between Boeing and Airbus. It's welcome news for many folks, especially wine importers, distributors, and retailers in the U.S. who have been bearing the brunt of the taxes.

Back in October of 2019, the Trump administration levied a 25 percent tax on many wines (and other delicious things) from Germany, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom, a decision that was followed by further hand-wringing over a potential additional tax of up to 100 percent on goods like Champagne and French cheese. Even though the latter didn't come to fruition, the 25 percent tariff from last October through March of this yearroughly 15 monthshas impacted virtually everyone who has touched a bottle of European wine in the United States.

"A small business like ours has absolutely no place in the middle of an international dispute between large aircraft companies," says Ben Aneff, president of the United States Wine Trade Alliance and owner of Tribeca Wine Merchants. For Aneff, the four-month suspension is cause for celebration and hope, not just for his industry, but for the democratic process overall. "Every person at the USTR [the office of the United States Trade Representative] is fully aware of the massive outcry from U.S. consumers, and that made a huge impact," he says. "The USTR received what we understand are record-breaking submissions to their comment portal asking for the repeal of these tariffs, with 25,624 submissions received through the January 2020 comment portal, and 30,367 submissions received in July 2020. The vast majority were asking for repeal of the tariffs on food and wine." The numbers are extraordinary, given that the USTR typically sees hundreds of comments every month.

Aneff says that regular patrons at his shop were absolutely aware of the tariffs, chiefly because they applied to everyday wines like Cote du Rhone, Sancerre, Red Burgundy, and German Riesling. Harry Root, president of Grassroots Wine, an importer based in Charleston, South Carolina, estimates that because of the way in which tariffs are leviedimporters and distributors have to pay 100 percent of the tariff the day the product enters the U.S.a tremendous amount of capital ends up coming into play before a single bottle is sold. As a result, Root estimates that roughly 12 percent of his company's working capital has, for the past 15 months or so, been tied up in tariff costs alone.

Story continues

The tariffs also made selling wine less profitable at restaurants, as if the hospitality industry needed more challenges in the midst of a global pandemic that has led to thousands of places shuttering. "The tariffs make restaurants less profitable they really are harming the most vulnerable industries in the pandemic world that we live in. Their suspension is common sense, and is hopefully the first step towards a long-term solution," Root says.

But before you rush out and stock up on all the Burgundy your heart can handle, it's important to know that it's unlikely this will immediately affect prices at store or restaurants. Most wine currently on the market in the United States has already been hit by tariffs, meaning importers still need to recuperate those costs. Furthermore, the United States Wine Alliance is lobbying to have the tariffs for what was "on the water" refunded to importers. This means wine that was already purchased and in transit before the 25 percent tax was announced. And of course, restaurants are still hurting from all of the pandemic-related financial hardship they've had to shoulder, meaning it's unlikely that serious wine list price reductions are top of mind at the moment.

"This is an incredibly complicated case that impacts a huge number of people around the world but we're going to push both sides to ensure a final settlement of the case comes to a fruition quickly," Aneff says. "It's incredibly heartening that the Biden administration heard the voices of so many American businesses around the country and got an understanding of the incredible damage these tariffs were causing.  It's rare in this day and age that your voice is heard, but without a doubt, in this case, it was."
FAQ: When and where to can vaccinated in San Antonio

Sign up for our breaking newsletter or download the Express-News app to receive alerts.

San Antonio will add 10,000 first-dose vaccination appointment slots at the Alamodome starting Monday evening, officials said.

Bexar County residents will be able to register for an appointment starting at 6 p.m. Monday on the Metropolitan Health Districts vaccine registration website. Registration is also available by calling 311 and choosing option 8.

Individuals should be in vaccination priority groups 1A or 1B to register. Those groups include health care workers, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, school staff and childcare providers, anyone older than 65 and anyone older than 16 with a chronic health condition.

Vaccines have been in short supply since they first became available in December, and many people have waited anxiously for more doses to arrive each week, clogging phone lines and crashing websites in their bid to find appointments.

Last week, the city added 10,000 vaccination appointments at the Alamodome, and all of them were taken within 15 minutes.

Bexar County is expected to receive more than 48,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines this week, according to the Department of State Health Services. The appointments to be made available Monday will be for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

WellMed, which operates two vaccination clinics in San Antonio  the Elvira Cisneros Senior Community Center and the Alicia Trevino Lopez Senior One-Stop Center  will reopen its appointment hotline Monday after shutting it down Sunday for maintenance.

There are about 4,600 appointments available and individuals can call 833-968-1745 to register. The hotline will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day until the clinics run out of doses.

Residents can sign up to receive a text message when additional vaccination appointments become available by texting VACCINE or VACUNA to 55000.

The Express-News vaccine FAQ page has detailed information  updated daily  on vaccination locations, vaccine supplies and how to make appointments.

andy.picon@hearst.com | Twitter: @andpicon
Fire crews tackled a large fire in the Slieve Bloom mountains on the Laois-Offaly border on Sunday March 7.

Crews from Mountrath, Portlaoise, Mountmellick and Rathdowney stations spent the Sunday dealing with a large fire on Conlawn Hill near Ballyfin on the Laois side of the mountains.

See more photographs of the fire here.

"Despite the early time of year, weather conditions today meant extremely rapid fire spread rates," the Laois Fire Service said.

Below: Laois fire crews fighting the fire.

"The legal season for burning of vegetation has ended."

An Garda Siochana and National Parks & Wildlife Service will be investigating the source of Sundays fire.

Laois Offaly Wildlife Trust has urged people to report illegal fires immediately.

"Uncontrolled and illegal fires are now an annual occurance in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. These fires are illegal when set within the closed grubbing and burning season/bird nesting season. They are harmful to wildlife, destroy habitats and are a risk to human life. The Slieve Blooms are a stronghold for breeding Hen Harriers and Red Grouse two of Ireland's rarest breeding upland birds. Both these species are extremely vulnerable at the best of times without the extra risk created by these illegal fires. Please report illegal fires to the National Parks and Wildlife Service or the Gardai. Call 999 immediately if you see large plumes of smoke on the mountains in the coming weeks and don't assume somebody else has called the fire in."

Below: This dramatic photo of the fire was taken by Jim Osborne.
Commissioners, Vaux discuss shortage in affordable housing

Codington County commissioners and Mark Vaux, new executive director of the Watertown Development Company, discussed issues Tuesday.
Monks shout slogans during a protest against the coup in Myanmar. Photo: AP

Thousands of anti-coup demonstrators defied an ongoing military crackdown in Myanmar yesterday after an official from Aung San Suu Kyis party died in overnight raids in Yangon.

In the ancient former capital of Bagan, at least five people were wounded as police attempted to break up a protest with live rounds and rubber bullets, according to reports.

One of the biggest protests was in the city of Mandalay, where police fired tear gas to break up a sit-in demonstration involving tens of thousands of people.

In Yangon, the biggest city in the South-east Asian nation, officers fired tear gas and stun grenades on people taking part in at least three protests.

People have taken to the streets daily in many cities and towns since February 1, when the army seized control in a coup and Ms Suu Kyi, the countrys leader since 2015, and members of her elected government were detained and placed under house arrest.

The United Nations human rights office says at least 56 people have been killed in the unrest. More than 1,700 have been detained.

On Saturday night, security forces carried out raids in Yangon against protest leaders and opposition activists.

One of those arrested, Khin Maung Latt, a local campaign manager for Ms Suu Kyis ousted National League for Democracy party, died in custody, according to a legislator from the now-dissolved parliament.

Sithu Maung said in a Facebook post that Mr Maung Latt (58) was found dead in a military hospital yesterday morning by residents of his neighbourhood.

He was beaten and taken in a raid last night and it seems he underwent a harsh interrogation, Tun Kyi, of the Former Political Prisoners Society, told AFP, adding that his body had been taken to a cemetery.

The cause of death had not been announced, but Reuters reported that a photograph of his body showed a bloodstained cloth around his head.

Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, said yesterday that Beijing was ready to engage with relevant parties to ease the situation in Myanmar.

Yesterday, several thousand people rallied outside the regional office of the United Nations in Bangkok to call for the global community to act to stop the crisis.

The countrys major trade unions called on members to shut down the economy from today to back the campaign against last months coup, raising pressure on the junta.

Read More

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"This accomplishment is the result of a massive, coordinated team effort between Manitoba Hydro, our Keeyask Cree Nation partners, contractors, trade unions, and every person that has worked on our project. We should all be proud of what we have achieved on our Keeyask Project. It has taken hard work, perseverance and overcoming multiple challenges from all involved to reach this milestone," said Manitoba Hydro.

The Keeyask mega-project has been running ahead of its control schedule by working year-round through sub-arctic winters (down to -40 C), and more recently the pandemic. The Bechtel, Barnard and EllisDon Joint Venture team have been employing innovative logistics measures and tools, including placing extreme cold weather concrete during the winter months. The electricity generated at Keeyask will not only power homes and businesses in Manitoba, but also allow Manitoba Hydro to meet its export commitments in both Canada and the United States.

"This is a significant milestone in this iconic renewable project. Producing electricity six-months ahead of schedule whilst navigating the challenges of COVID-19 is a tremendous accomplishment and testament to the dedication of each and every member of the Keeyask team," said Kelvin Sims, Bechtel's Infrastructure general manager, Americas.

The Keeyask Generation Project is a collaborative effort being undertaken by the Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership - a partnership between Manitoba Hydro and four partner First Nations: Tataskweyak Cree Nation, War Lake First Nation; York Factory First Nation and Fox Lake Cree Nation. The generating station is located on the Nelson River approximately 30 kilometers west of Gillam, in the Split Lake Resource Management Area and within the ancestral homeland of the four partner First Nations.

Keeyask is one of several renewable and clean power projects that Bechtel is supporting to help customers on their path to net-zero emissions. Recently, Bechtel was selected to support construction of Black Rock wind farm in West Virginia.

About Bechtel:

Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.

Bechtel serves the Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Oil, Gas & Chemicals; and Mining & Metals markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com

Media contact:



WHITNEY WINN

[email protected]

tel. +1 703 8266430

SOURCE Bechtel

Related Links

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Tripadvisor has launched a new Amazon Prime-style membership program for travellers called Tripadvisor Plus, which gives those who pay a $99 annual fee a range of benefits.

These include the ability to unlock 'insider savings' and perks such as a welcome gift, free bottle of wine upon check-in, room upgrades and spa credits.

There was a soft launch for Tripadvisor Plus in December 2020 for a small slice of Tripadvisor's traffic in the United States, but it will soon become available to all U.S travellers, then holidaymakers in other markets including those in the UK - though UK hotels can sign up now.

Tripadvisor has launched a new Amazon Prime-style membership program for travellers called Tripadvisor Plus, which gives those who pay a $99 annual fee a range of benefits

Tripadvisor explained in a statement that the Plus program is free for hotels and B&Bs to join, with no upfront costs and zero commission rates  and that the benefits are numerous.

The travel guidance platform said that Plus hotels receive special badging, and increased visibility and reach to 'a traveller audience who book further in advance, stay longer, and spend more overall'.

It said: 'Tripadvisor Plus offers an innovative alternative to the traditional online model of room distribution for hotels. Rather than spend as much as 30 per cent per booking on commission fees, hotels can now significantly reduce their third party costs and pass on some of those savings to their guests via discounts and perks, increasing room demand and enhancing the guest experience at the same time.

'By offering these savings and perks to Tripadvisor Plus subscribers, hotels increase their visibility on the world's largest travel platform, among both subscribers and non-subscribers alike.

'Discounted room rates available via Tripadvisor Plus can only be viewed by Tripadvisor members and can only be booked by Tripadvisor Plus subscribers, ensuring those rates are not widely available on the open internet, thereby preserving a hotel's rate integrity.'

Tripadvisor said that as well as the Plus badge, hotels that offered a strong range of perks would receive enhanced placement.

Tripadvisor explained in a statement that the Plus program is free for hotels and B&Bs to join, with no upfront costs and zero commission rates  and that the benefits are numerous

There is a minimum discount of 10 per cent plus perks for a hotel offer to be eligible, but where that offer ranks in the search results a user sees when searching for a hotel is dependent on the strength of the offer - so the better the offer the higher the hotel is likely to rank.

The offers won't impact the 'traveller ranking', though, which is based on review ratings. And all participating hotels get extra visibility regardless of whether a traveller books through Tripadvisor Plus or not.

Furthermore, by participating in the program, Plus hotels get full access to all customer information from each reservation and can market directly to guests after their stay.

Tripadvisor added: 'There are no annual commitments and participating hotels can opt-in and out of discounting at any time as occupancy levels change.'

Kanika Soni, Tripadvisor's chief commercial officer, said: 'Tripadvisor Plus is a game-changer for both travellers and hoteliers. Travellers get to enjoy a memorable experience thanks to special perks and discounts - and hotels have a brand new way to attract valuable guests while avoiding hefty third-party commissions.'

For more information visit www.tripadvisor.com/business/plus.
2021-03-05

Maeci

Following a conversation between European Commissions President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Joe Biden, the EU and the USA have agreed to suspend their respective tariffs imposed in the Airbus-Boeing disputes, both on aircraft and other products, for an initial period of 4 months. The EU and the USA have also committed to working together towards a final resolution of this dispute.

Italy expresses great satisfaction for this positive development, towards which it has consistently strived, both within the EU and in its contacts with the USA, also considering the fact that, although not a partner in the Airbus consortium, it has nevertheless been negatively affected by the tariffs, in terms of exports of the companies operating in key Made in Italy brand sectors.
UPDATE (Tuesday, April 13, 2021) -- SUSPECT ARRESTED IN FLORIDA

Photos of suspect Nistasha Rose Tate: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]

On Monday, April 12, 2021, at a Florida Greyhound station, a U.S. Marshals Service task force arrested the prime suspect in the early-March murder of Jimmy Alan Pearson.

Suspect Nistasha Rose Tate, 23, is currently being held in the Hillsborough County Orient Road Jail, where she awaits extradition to Clackamas County. She is being held without bail on a Clackamas County warrant for Murder II and Robbery.

Jimmy Alan Pearson was shot and killed at his Milwaukie home on March 1. His body was discovered two days later, on March 3.

Authorities had developed Nistasha Tate as a possible suspect in Pearson's murder shortly after the discovery of Pearson's body in his home. Thanks to forensic analysis, detectives learned Tate visited Pearson on the date of the murder, March 1. A routine Milwaukie PD traffic stop of Tate's vehicle in the vicinity of the crime, before the discovery of Pearson's body, further confirmed her presence in the area on the night of the murder. Inside her vehicle during the traffic stop were items later determined to belong to Pearson.

Over the following weeks, detectives worked with partner agencies including the U.S. Marshals Service to quietly continue their investigation of Tate. Authorities learned she had traveled to North Carolina and then to Florida.

On April 12, working with Tampa PD, members of the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force (FRFTF) arrested Tate as she was about to board a Greyhound bus in Hillsborough County.

On April 12, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office detectives traveled to Florida to interview Tate at the Hillsborough County Orient Road Jail. Her booking photo and a photo of her at the arrest scene are attached. Her complete booking info is here:

https://webapps.hcso.tampa.fl.us/ArrestInquiry/Home/ViewArrest?id=2021-9165&k1=8d8feb42c998653&k2=Z2FQbU5QYjN0R0t6RjRETkJybnl1VnJsZjFXTDF6V3krVnJRUXd0aGdxYW9aN1Z3REVuVnNzT1AvWFA2dlV0SThFY0dTbzVEMEZFRzVuRHNYTnZvVkFXTHZJQmc4YWRX

The Sheriff's Office would like to thank the many partners who worked together to bring Nistasha Rose Tate to justice, including the Tampa Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Milwaukie Police.

ADDITIONAL TIPS SOUGHT: Anyone with additional information on Nistasha Tate and the murder of Jimmy Pearson is urged to contact the Sheriffs Office Tip Line -- by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form at https://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip . Please reference CCSO Case # 21-004502.

[END UPDATE]

_____

EARLIER (March 8, 2021): Sheriff's Office investigating homicide on Oak Shore Lane; tips sought

Please reference CCSO Case # 21-004502

At 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, Clackamas County Sheriffs Office deputies responded to a report of a deceased adult male at a single-family residence on the 1700 block of Oak Shore Lane.

Deputies arrived at the residence. The deceased -- identified as Jimmy Alan Pearson, 63, of Milwaukie -- had lived alone at the house. One of the man's employees found the body when the employee went to the residence to check on Pearson after he hadn't been seen at work.

Deputies investigated and found the death scene to be suspicious.

A Clackamas County Deputy Medical Examiner and Sheriffs Office detectives responded to the scene to continue the investigation.

Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) also responded to document the scene and collect evidence.

An autopsy performed by the Oregon State Medical Examiners Office determined the cause of death as homicidal violence.

A homicide investigation is currently underway. Detectives and forensics experts are following up on leads, conducting interviews, and processing evidence.

At this writing, the crime appears to be an isolated incident, and authorities do not believe there is a larger danger to the general public.

Detectives cannot release any further information at this time. Updates will be posted as the case develops.

TIPS SOUGHT: Anyone with information on Jimmy Pearson's death is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office Tip Line -- by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form at https://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip . Please reference CCSO Case # 21-004502.

[END]

Sgt. Marcus Mendoza

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

Public Information Unit
DALLAS, March 8, 2021 - While most people think of strokes affecting the brain, they can also affect the eye. Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a rare form of acute ischemic stroke that occurs when blood flow is blocked to the main artery of the eye. It typically causes painless, immediate vision loss in the impacted eye, with fewer than 20% of people regaining functional vision in that eye.

Today, the American Heart Association published a new scientific statement, "Management of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion," in Stroke, an American Heart Association journal. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Cerebrovascular Section affirms the educational benefit of the scientific statement, and it has been endorsed by the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology Quality of Care Secretariat and the American Academy of Optometry.

"Central retinal artery occlusion is a cardiovascular problem disguised as an eye problem. It is less common than stroke affecting the brain but is a critical sign of ill health and requires immediate medical attention," said Chair of the statement writing committee Brian C. Mac Grory, M.B.B.Ch., B.A.O., M.R.C.P., an assistant professor of neurology and staff neurologist at the Duke Comprehensive Stroke Center at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. "Unfortunately, a CRAO is a warning sign of other vascular issues, so ongoing follow-up is critical to prevent a future stroke or heart attack."

In a comprehensive review of the world literature, committee members from the specialties of neurology, ophthalmology, cardiology, interventional neuroradiology, neurosurgery and vitreoretinal surgery summarized the state of the science in this condition. They found indications that this type of stroke can be caused by problems with carotid arteries, the blood vessels in the neck. However, there is also evidence CRAOs could be caused by problems with the heart, such as atrial fibrillation, which is the most common irregular heart rhythm. The risk of having a CRAO increases with age and in the presence of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, Type 2 diabetes, smoking and obesity.

The new scientific statement notes the lack of large clinical trials on CRAOs leads to uncertainty within the medical community of exactly what causes them or the best way to treat them. As a result, there is wide variability in diagnosis and treatment methods. Most concerning, according to Mac Grory, is that many practitioners may not recognize CRAO as a form of stroke resulting in patients receiving delayed testing and treatment, often in the outpatient clinic instead of the emergency department.

"We know acute CRAO is a medical emergency requiring early recognition and triage to emergency medical treatment," Mac Grory said. "There is a narrow time window for effective treatment of CRAO and a high rate of serious related illness. So, if a person is diagnosed in a doctor's office or other outpatient clinic, they should be immediately sent to a hospital emergency department for further evaluation and treatment."

Current literature suggests that treatment with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a "clot buster" that is also used to treat brain strokes, may be effective. But tPA must be administered within 4.5 hours of the first sign of symptoms to be most effective and safe.

The writing committee also noted that emerging treatments, such as hyperbaric oxygen and intra-arterial alteplase, show promise but require further study. Other potential treatments that require further research and evaluation include novel thrombolytics to break up clots and novel neuroprotectants (substances capable of preserving brain function and structure) for use in tandem with other therapies to restore blood flow in the blocked artery.

Because of the potential for future strokes or even heart attacks, patients should undergo urgent screening and treatment of vascular risk factors. The writing committee notes that the complexities of diagnosing and treating CRAOs require a team of specialists working together. Secondary prevention (including monitoring for complications) must be a collaborative effort between neurologists, ophthalmologists, cardiologists and primary care clinicians. Risk factor modification includes lifestyle and pharmacological interventions.

###

The Writing Committee of the new scientific statement included members of the American Heart Association's Stroke Council; the Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology; the Council on Hypertension; and the Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease.

Additional writing committee members are Matthew Schrag, M.D., Ph.D., Vice-Chair; Valerie Biousse, M.D.; Karen L. Furie, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA; Marie Gerhard-Herman, M.D.; Patrick J. Lavin, M.B.B.Ch., B.A.O., M.R.C.P.I.; Lucia Sobrin, M.D., M.P.H.; Stavropoula I. Tjoumakaris, M.D.; Cornelia Weyand, M.D., Ph.D.; and Shadi Yaghi, M.D., FAHA. Author disclosures are available on the manuscript.

The work of the Writing Committee was supported exclusively by the American Heart Association without commercial support, and members of the Writing Committee volunteered their time.

Additional Resources:

Multimedia is available on the right column of the release link:

https:/ / newsroom. heart. org/ news/ stroke-affecting-the-eye-requires-immediate-treatment-can-signal-future-vascular-events?preview= 9a0bfec0859d258eacaf5fb146569f77

After March 8, view the manuscript online.

Follow AHA/ASA news on Twitter @HeartNews

Follow news from Stroke, the ASA/AHA journal @StrokeAHA_ASA

Statements and conclusions of studies published in the American Heart Association's scientific journals are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association's policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers are available here, and the Association's overall financial information is available here.

About the American Heart Association

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We are launching a series on Critical Race Theory. Its an important conversation today, since many are using the description and meaning different things. At the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center, we are committed to help Christians know and engage the culture with biblical discernment, so we are launching a conversation with, well, different views. As Christians, we want to think through these things together, and the series will include not just one opinion, but several. We started with a positive framing, and will include others who are more negative, and some in the middle. All will come from evangelicals. And, it is important that we hear from people of color, and, in this series, not all people of color will agree. Its a conversation mature, Christ-like, and God-honoring. We hope it serves you and your church well. To start it off, I asked Sitara Roden from my team to give us a framing article. Now, we are dropping articles, pro, con, and others on a continuum, modeling Christian dialogue and learning. Our first contributor, who will be sharing a three-part article, was Dr. Pat Sawyer, with references to be shared at the conclusion. You can read part one here, part two here, and part three here. Now, we will be hearing from D.A. Horton, as he shares a four-part article of his examination of CRT. Pastor Horton is a latino missiologist, academic and author, and his latest book Intensional, delves into ethnic reconciliation. I will share my thoughts at the endof the series. -Ed Stetzer

An intense and complex tension pervades American Evangelicalism regarding Critical Race Theory.[1] As a missiologist, I filtered CRTs primary voices through a missiological method [2] and provide analysis in this four-part series. In part-one I share a brief history and basic heart (or themes) of CRT. In parts two and three I bring CRTs themes to Scripture for an objective measurement of its claims. In part-four I answer questions I receive about CRT and categorize as blessings and burdens. I pray my work gives clarity, challenge, and a greater conviction for the Body of Christ to move forward in living on Jesus mission together in gospel community and through gospel proclamation.

A Brief History of CRT

Some current voices tether CRT to Marxism [3] since Max Horkheimers formation of Critical Theory (CT) emphasized Marxist thought. However, second generation CT scholar Jurgen Habermas expanded research beyond Marxism to assess how claims to truth, but also moral and political goodness, are justified.[4] Habermas pivot of CT away from Marxism exposed how secularism kept religious thought out of spaces of law and politics, thus preventing a better model of society.

In Religion in the Public Sphere, Habermas says religious voices can impact society for good if they communicate their ideas in understandable language for the irreligious.[5] Habermas appeals to the Biblical social vision that every human is made in Gods image (Gen 1:26-27), and provides a possible translation that identifies the inviolable dignity every human has.[6] I will revisit Habermas work in part four.

For now, it must be understood CRT directly grew out from Critical Legal Studies (CLS) which focuses on the relationship of legal scholarship & the struggle to create a more humane, egalitarian, and democratic society.[7] CLS contains legal insights from the SCOTUS rulings of Scott v Sandford (1857) and Plessy v Ferguson (1896) since they provide context for understanding legal debates surrounding the flawed separate but equal and the color blindness or neutrality of American law.[8]

Richard Delgado, another architect of CRT, says CRT became necessary with the realization that the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s had stalled and that many of the gains, in fact, were being rolled back.[9] The cornerstone of CRTs foundation is Bell whose Serving Two Masters: Integration Ideals and Client Interests in School Desegregation (1976) and Brown v. Board of Education and the Interest Convergence Dilemma (1980).[10]

Bell and Delgado alongside legal scholars as; Kimberle Crenshaw, Alan Freeman, Cheryl Harris, Charles Lawrence III, Mari Matsuda, and Patricia Williams, are seen as primary voices of CRT.[11] Dr. Tommy Curry allowed Bell to distance his views from Marxism to prevent his work from being interpreted through the lens of Derrida, Foucault, and even Marx.[12] It is important to see how a central figure in CRTs formation did not desire to seek counsel from those outside of the American context of race for assessments or solutions.

The Basic Heart of CRT

In this final section themes of CRT are identified.[13] Dr. Nathan Cartagena has written how CRTs initial primary voices didnt desire to create a universally accepted cannon of tenets, which presents challenges with identifying what exactly CRT teaches.[14] Below are themes I identified from the work of CRTs primary voices, in their words alongside scholars from realted disciplines that help frame the historic context for CRTs claims.

1. Race is Man-Made, and it Created Privilege for Whiteness

First, the term White according to historian David Roediger conveys a created American identity in which immigrants from eastern and southern Europe could assimilate. To be White insured privileges in spaces such as citizenship, employment, housing, and even religion.[15]

Second, Bell asserts, Whiteness is constructed in this society as the absence of the contaminating influence of blackness. Thus the one drop of black blood constructs one as black, regardless of phenotypic markers.[16] Harris adds, the laws construction of whiteness defined and affirmed critical aspects of identity (who is white); of privilege (what benefits accrue to that status); and of property (what legal entitlements arise from that status).[17]

2. Racism is Permanent

Senior Policy Advisory Janel George says, CRT does not define racism in the traditional manner as solely the consequence of discrete irrational bad acts perpetrated by individuals but is usually the unintended (but often foreseeable) consequence of choices. It exposes the ways that racism is often cloaked in terminology regarding mainstream, normal, or traditional values or neutral policies, principles, or practices.[18]

Delgado and Jean Stefancic contend the permanence of racism derives from the necessity to control the economic, political, and social spaces in America and appears in society from the top (institutions) to the bottom (individuals).[19] Of this concept Bell said, many people will find it difficult to embrace my assumption that racism is a permanent component of American life. Mesmerized by the racial equality syndrome, they are too easily reassured by simple admonitions to stay on course, which come far too easily from thoseblack and whitewho are not on the deprived end of the economic chasm between blacks and whites.[20]

3. Counterstories of the Marginalized are Needed

Mari Matsuda says, Those who have experienced discrimination speak with a special voice to which we should listenlooking to the bottomadopting the perspective of those who have seen and felt the falsity of the liberal promisecan assist critical scholars in the task of fathoming the phenomenology of law and defining the elements of justicethose who lack material wealth or political power still have access to thought and language, and their development of those tools will differ from that of the more privileged.[21] Delgado and Stefancic add, Members of this countrys dominant racial group cannot easily grasp what it is like to be nonwhitestories can name a type of discrimination (e.g. microaggressions, unconscious discrimination or structural racism); once named, it can be combatedpowerfully written stories and narratives may begin a process of correction in our system of beliefs and categories by calling attention to neglected evidence and reminding readers of our common humanity.[22]

4. Being Colorblind is Not Being Truthful

Crenshaw, Neil Gotanda, Gary Peller and Kendall Thomas said, Liberals and conservatives seem to see issues of race and law from within the same structure of analysisnamely, a policy that legal rationality could identify and eradicate the biases of race-consciousness in social decision-makingThe respective visions of the two factions differed only in scope: they defined and constructed racism the same way, as the opposite of color-blindness.[23] CRT Educational Professors DeCuir and Dixson say CRT scholars are critical of three basic notions that have been embraced by liberal legal ideology: the notion of color blindness, the neutrality of the law, and incremental change.[24]

5. Racial Progress is Made When White People Benefit

Bell calls this point interest convergence and says, translated from judicial activity in racial cases both before and after Brown, this principle of interest convergence provides: the interest of blacks in achieving racial equality will be accommodated only when it converges with the interest of whites.[25] Professor H. Richard Milner IV adds, Interest convergence stresses the racial equality and equity for people of color will be pursued and advanced when they converge with the interests, needs, expectations, and ideologies of Whites.[26]

D.A. Horton is the author of eight books and currently serves as an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Intercultural Studies program at California Baptist University. He is also blessed to serve as an Associate Teaching Pastor at The Grove Community Church. He earned his B.S. in Biblical Studies from Calvary Bible College, his Masters Degree in Christian Studies from Calvary Theological Seminary and is working on his Ph.D. in Applied Theology with a North American Missions emphasis at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

[1] Mainline Divinity Schools such as Duke, Princeton, Union, Yale, etc have courses and professors utilizing CRT as a standard in their scholarly contributions. In 2019 the Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution framing both CRT and Intersectionality as tools that should only be employed in subordination to Scripture and not as transcendent ideological frameworks. CRT is also addressed with a level of nuance, respect or is categorically rejected.

[2] D.A. Horton, Defining a Missiological Method, Send Institute, June 6, 2018.

[3] Caleb Yarbrough, CRT and intersectionality: just analytical tools?, Arkansas Baptist News, January 17, 2020, https://arkansasbaptist.org/post/crt-and-intersectionality-just-analytical-tools/.

[4] Adam Edgar, Habermas: Key Concepts, (London: Routledge, 2006), 3136.

[5] Jurgen Habermas, Religion in the Public Sphere, Philosophia Africana 8, no. 2 (2005); 99-110.

[6] Jurgen Habermas, Pre-political Foundations of the Democratic Constitutional State? in Jurgen Habermas and Joseph Ratzinger, The Dialectics of Secularization. On Reason and Religion, ed. Florian Schuller (San Francisco: Ignatius, 2006), 45.

[7] Duncan Kennedy and Karl E. Klare, A Bibliography of Critical Legal Studies, The Yale Law Journal, Vol 94 (1984), 461.

[8]William F. Tate, Critical Race Theory and Education History, Theory, and Implications, Review of Research in Education, Vol 22 (1997), 195-247.

[9] Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic, Critical Race Theory: An Annotated Bibliography, Virginia Law Review, Vol. 79, No. 2, March 1993 461-516.

[10] H. Richard Milner IV, Critical Race Theory and Interest Convergence as Analytic Tools in Teacher Education Policies and Practices, Journal of Teacher Education, Vol. 59, No. 4, Sept-Oct 2008, 332-346.

[11] Edward Taylor, A Primer on Critical Race Theory: Who are the critical race theorists and what are they saying?, The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education; New York, No. 19, (Spring 1998), 122. It should also be noted CRTs scholars have built on insights from CLS and radical feminism, while some of its scholars branched out to drawn from European philosophers and theorists as Gramsci, Foucault and Derrida in addition to the American radical tradition figures Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Black Power and Chicano movements of the 1960s and early 1970s from Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic, Critical Race Theory: An Introduction, (New York: New York University Press, 2017), 4-5.

[12] Tommy Curry, Saved by the Bell: Derrick Bells Racial Realism as Pedagogy, Philosophical Studies in Education, Vol 39 (2008), 35-46.

[13] Some of CRTs earliest detected themes were: Critique of Liberalism (or colorblindness), storytelling/counter storytelling, revisionists interpretations of American civil rights law and progress, a greater understanding of the underpinnings of race and racism, structural determinism, etc in Delgado and Stefancic, Critical Race Theory: An Annotated Bibliography, 462-463.

[14] See What is Critical Race Theory? A Meditation on Several Answers, Parts 1-4 at https://www.nathancartagena.com

[15] In Working Towards Whiteness: How Americas Immigrants Became White, Roediger refutes the belief eastern and southern European immigrants were white on arrival but instead affiliated with the demography of their homeland (e.g. Italian, Jewish, Polish, et al). Through the process of assimilation of immigrant parents under the term white, the U.S. born children being classified as white, the ethnic in-between purgatory dissolved by the third generation brought about an understanding that 100% whiteness equated with being 100% American.

[16] Derrick A. Bell, Jr, Brown v. Board of Education and the Interest-Convergence Dilemma, Harvard Law Review, Vol. 93, No. 3, (Jan. 1980), 518-533.

[17] Cheryl I. Harris, Whiteness as Property, Harvard Law Review, Vol. 106, No. 8 (June 1993), 1707-1791.

[18] Janel George, A Lesson on Critical Race Theory, Human Rights Magazine, Vol. 46, No. 2 (January 12, 2021), https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/civil-rights-reimagining-policing/a-lesson-on-critical-race-theory/

[19] Delgado and Stefancic define a Microaggression as a stunning small encounter with racism, usually unnoticed by members of the majority race, Critical Race Theory, 177.

[20] Derrick Bell, Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism, (New York: Basic Books, 1992), 13.

[21] Mari J. Matsuda, Looking to the Bottom: Critical Legal Studies and Reparations reprinted in Critical Race Theory: The Key Writings that Formed the Movement, (New York: The New Press, 1995), 6365.

[22] Delgado and Stefancic, Critical Race Theory, 46-51.

[23] Kimberle Crenshaw, Neil Gotanda, Gary Peller, and Kendall Thomas, Critical Race Theory: The Key Writings that Formed the Movement, (New York: The New Press, 1995), xvii.

[24] Jessica T. DeCuir and Adrienne D. Dixson, So When It Comes out, They Arent Surprised That It Is There: Using Critical Race Theory as a Tool of Analysis of Race and Racism in Education, Educational Researcher, Vol 33. No. 5, Theme Issue: Disciplinary Knowledge and Quality Education (Jun.-Jul. 2004), pp. 26-31

[25] Bell, Brown v. Board of Education

[26] H. Richard Milner IV, Critical Race Theory and Interest Convergence as Analytic Tools in Teacher Education Policies and Practices, Journal of Teacher Education, Vol. 59, No. 4, Sept-Oct 2008, 332-346.
As India prepares to participate in the first-ever meeting of the QUAD leaders, which is likely to be held on March 12, an embattled China on Sunday said that Beijing and New Delhi should stop undercutting each other, shed mutual suspicion and create enabling conditions by expanding bilateral cooperation to resolve the border issue.

The remarks were made by Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, at his annual press conference in Beijing. The statement is seen as a signal to India as it plans to join the Quad meeting this week between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Japan PM Yoshihide Suga and Australian PM Scott Morrison. Beijing views the Quad with suspicion as the four leaders strongly oppose Chinas advances and attempts at altering the status quo in the Indo-Pacific region by coercion.

READ | Quad Leaders Summit With PM Modi, Suga, Biden And Morrison To Take Place Soon

Three years ago, Wang had dismissed revival of Quad as a headline-grabbing idea that would get attention but soon dissipate like foam in the sea. He had called for the the Dragon and Elephant to not fight but dance.

Since then, quite some actions have taken place under the bilateral bridge between the two nations. These include the prolonged standoff along the LAC and a clash in Galwan, and the first de-escalation last month.

Wang's recent remark also comes after his 75-minute phone conversation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on February 26, when they agreed to establish a hotline  for timely communication and exchange of views.

READ | Australia Reiterates Commitment To Deepen QUAD Cooperation, Calls For A 'resilient Region'

'Friend, not foe': China to India

On Sunday, Wang said the boundary dispute was an issue apart from the long-standing history of the China-India relationship. He stressed that both countries were friends and partners who should shed mutual suspicion, manage disputes properly, and expand cooperation to create enabling conditions for the settlement of the issue.

Wang stressed, China and India are each others friends and partners, not threats or rivalsThe two sides need to help each other to succeed instead of undercutting each other. We should intensify cooperation instead of harbouring suspicion at each other.

READ | Beijing Listening? US' New Biden Govt Plans To Bring QUAD Leaders Together, Circle China

Referring to the Ladakh standoff, Wang said, We are committed to settling the boundary dispute through dialogue and consultation. At the same time we are resolved to safeguarding our sovereign rights, he said.

Wang added that the onus was on both sides to solidify the existing consensus, strengthen dialogue and communication and improve the various management mechanisms to jointly safeguard peace in the border areas.

On Friday, Indias Ambassador to China Vikram Misri met Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui and called for completing the disengagement from all areas in eastern Ladakh.

READ | QUAD Opposes Chinese Attempts To Alter Status Quo In Indo-Pacific; EAM Attends Meet
The EU grants multi-million dollar aid packages to refugee host countries, an elderly man is tortured to death in Afrin, four die in a Russian airstrike on oil refineries, and Yazidi women survive sex slavery by ISIS. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

The EU has approved an aid package of 130 million euros (155 million dollars) for Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon, the bloc said on Friday. The aid, according to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, is expected to enable host countries to provide social protection, healthcare, education, and sanitation to Syrian refugees, the EU said. Lebanon is set to receive 98 million euros (116 million dollars), while Jordan will get 32 million euros (38 million dollars), the Anadolu News Agency reported. The support is also expected to aid Lebanon in its vaccination drive, as well as in its efforts to rebuild Beiruts port, following the August blast which devastated the area and affected both host communities and Syrian refugees.

On Saturday, an old man from the Afrin region, northwest Syria, was killed under torture after he was arrested four days ago, North Press reported. The old man, Sheikhmous Qasem, 73, from the village of Midan Ekbas, Rajo district, was arrested by the Turkish-backed Sham Legion armed group four days ago, according to Afrin Post website. Qasem was murdered under torture after four days of his arrest. In addition to Qasem, Said Qanbar (Merjan) was also kidnapped, and his fate is still unknown, Afrin Post added.

Syria strongly condemned illegitimate coercive measures adopted by the US and EU against the Russian Federation, which in principle contradict international law and form a flagrant violation of Russian domestic affairs, SANA reported. Syria reiterates that pressures exerted by the West through those measures, and the continuous attempts to impose its policies on other countries, are doomed to failure and will lead to nothing, but to the escalation of tension and the spread of instability at the international arena, an official source at Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said on Saturday. The source added that Syria renews its full solidarity with the Russian Federation in the face of arrogance and the hegemony methods that govern the US policy and its agents.

Missile strikes on makeshift oil refineries in northern Syria killed four people and injured more than 20 others, a war monitor said on Saturday, Arab News reported. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a series of strikes launched from Russian warships and by allied Syrian regime forces hit the makeshift refineries in Aleppo province on Friday night, causing a massive blaze as dozens of tankers caught fire in the area controlled by Turkey and its Syrian rebel proxies. The Britain-based monitor documented the deaths of four people, while 24 others sustained various injuries and burns in the attacks near the towns of Jarablus and Al-Bab. At least one Syrian rebel was among the dead.

Dozens of Yazidi women and girls survived sex slavery at the hands of IS jihadists in Syria and have since returned to Iraq, but many were forced to leave their children behind or risk being shunned by their community. According to Agence France-Presse, the children, aged between two and five, were all born to Yazidi mothers and fathered by IS members. They were handed over to their mothers on Thursday.

Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo said that his country has intended to repatriate its citizens of the Islamic State (ISIS) children and some women from camps run by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). Belgiums decision to repatriate its citizens from Syria followed a court ruling issued in 2019 to repatriate ten children born to Belgian ISIS fighters in Syria, according to Reuters.
Griffin Dalrymple is an energetic 7-year-old who loves going to school in Eureka, Montana. But two years ago, the boy described by his mother, Jayci, as a "ball of fire" was suddenly knocked back by severe bacterial pneumonia that hospitalized him for two weeks.

As her son lay in the intensive care unit with a tube in his tiny lungs, Jayci began imagining worst-case scenarios. She worried that if Griffin ended up needing a lung transplant, he might be refused because he has Down syndrome.

"It was terrifying knowing that they could deny him certain lifesaving services," she said.

Denying organ transplants to people with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities like Down syndrome or autism is common in the United States, even though it is illegal under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

According to one widely cited 2008 study, 44% of organ transplant centers said they would not add a child with some level of neurodevelopmental disability to the organ transplant list. Eighty-five percent might consider the disability as a factor in deciding whether to list the person.

After Griffin recovered, Jayci brought Montana lawmakers' attention to the issue. Largely as a result of her campaigning, the state is considering a bill that would ban physicians from denying an organ transplant based solely on a patient's disability. Last month, the bill  nicknamed "Griffin's Law"  passed the Montana Senate 50-0.

Although Montana has no transplant centers of its own, advocates hope this bill and others like it will draw attention to the issue and pressure physicians to examine why they are making certain decisions. Andres Gallegos, chairman of the National Council on Disability, said he hopes such legislation will inspire "a change of heart so people understand that they are discriminating."

If the bill passes the state House and is signed by the governor, Montana would become the 17th state to ban such discrimination. Seven other states and the federal government have similar bills pending, although some experts doubt such laws will be enforceable enough to eliminate discrimination.

With more than 100,000 people on the waiting list for organs nationwide, and average wait times extending three to five years for some organs, physicians have to frequently make heart-rending decisions about which patients are likely to benefit most.

According to a 2019 report from the NCD, many physicians and organ transplant centers worry that patients with intellectual or neurodevelopmental disabilities are more likely to have co-occurring conditions that would make a transplant dangerous, or that these patients' quality of life is unlikely to improve with a transplant. Others believe that these patients may not be able to comply with post-transplant requirements, such as taking immunosuppressive drugs.

But the report, which scoured research papers and medical reports, found that none of these concerns is universally true. Rather, disabled patients can benefit as much as any other patient, according to the NCD, an independent federal agency.

"If a determination is made to not include a person on the list only because that individual has a disability, that's blatant discrimination," said Gallegos.

Many intellectually disabled patients and their families see this firsthand. When Joe Eitl was born in 1983 with a congenital heart defect, his mother, Peg, was told that Joe would never be a candidate for a new heart because of his Down syndrome. So, when his heart failed in 2019, eight hospitals refused to even consider a transplant for Joe, who lives with his mother in Philadelphia.

Peg Eitl conceded that Joe's case was difficult, given he'd had prior reconstructive heart surgery that would complicate a transplant. She pleaded with transplant centers for more than a year and even considered suing them. Last October, Vanderbilt University agreed to perform the procedure. Joe came home Feb. 10 and is recovering.

"I think my greatest frustration was the value placed on someone with special needs," Peg Eitl said. "It pains me that theyre discounted as being less than and not as worthy."

Bioethicist David Magnus of Stanford University, who authored the 2008 study on the extent of transplant discrimination, said people like Peg Eitl shouldn't have to prove that Joe would benefit from a transplant. Because people with disabilities are a protected class in the United States, he said, "the burden is on people who want to discriminate."

But that doesn't appear to be the case in practice. In September, Magnus published a follow-up survey of more than 300 transplant programs. Of these, 71% said they would automatically disqualify an adult with an IQ under 35, which is considered severe intellectual disability, while 12% would disqualify a child at that level. Only about 20% of the institutions had formal guidelines regarding child patients.

Magnus suspects these numbers are low given that some physicians may be unwilling to admit to discrimination. He has not yet studied whether new state laws have affected physicians' likelihood to discriminate against disabled patients.

But Magnus doubts that laws like Montana's bill will be enforceable. Part of determining any patient's eligibility for a transplant, he said, is whether they or a caretaker can comply with post-transplant requirements such as remembering to take immunosuppressant drugs. If a person with a disability can't meet these criteria, that person might not be a good candidate.

"All of these are terribly difficult judgments," Magnus said.

Transplant surgeons need to maximize the limited supply of organs and ensure they survive in the patients who receive them. If they don't, "it's taking an organ from someone who could have benefited from it," said Dr. Marwan Abouljoud, president of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

Abouljoud said institutions have differing standards for weighing the importance of an intellectual disability in a transplant decision. Ideally, he said, the committee that determines whether to list someone for a transplant will include social workers and behavioral psychologists, as well as program leadership, who can find ways to help the person comply.

On Feb. 12, the transplant surgeons' society adopted a new statement supporting nondiscrimination and encouraging transplant centers to find ways to support these patients. "We will be urging states to adopt local policies on this," Abouljoud said.

Sam Crane, legal director at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, which has written model legislation adopted by several states, said that some bills  including Montana's  address the concern about post-transplant care. They ban transplant centers from basing their decision solely on a person's ability to carry out post-transplant requirements and require an investigation into sources of support to help the patient comply.

But Crane said physicians could still come up with a pretext to avoid adding a disabled person to the transplant list if they believe a person without a disability would benefit more from receiving an organ.

"It's very difficult to prove discrimination in that sort of situation," she said.

Although a similar nondiscrimination bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, Crane said advocates prefer to focus on state laws. Organizations like the autism group have taken the position that the ADA and other federal laws already prohibit this kind of discrimination, making federal legislation unnecessary. Gallegos added that states can also enact stricter requirements than the federal government and fit them to their specific medical systems.

Under state laws, patients can appeal to local courts for an emergency injunction or restraining order. These hearings can be conducted quickly, allowing a judge to decide whether to compel an institution to add a person to the transplant list.

That speed is what Jayci Dalrymple hopes Griffin's Law will achieve. "When you're needing to stop discrimination, youre racing the clock," she said.
Two New Appointments, Two Reappointed to UW Board of Trustees

An attorney from Sublette County and a businesswoman and former educator from Teton County have been named to the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees.

Elizabeth Greenwood, of Pinedale, and Carol Linton, of Jackson, were appointed by Gov. Mark Gordon and approved by the Wyoming Senate. They succeed Mel Baldwin, of Afton, and Dick Scarlett, of Jackson.

Reappointed to the board were Vice Chairman John McKinley, of Cheyenne, and Secretary Michelle Sullivan, of Sheridan. Their terms, and those of Greenwood and Linton, extend through 2027.

Were grateful for the service of Trustees Baldwin and Scarlett, and we look forward to working with our new board members and the great team at UW to advance our beloved university, says Board of Trustees Chairman Jeff Marsh, of Torrington.

Greenwood, a fourth-generation Wyoming native who grew up in Sublette County, earned a degree in economics from Grinnell College in Iowa and graduated from UWs College of Law in 1982. She also studied law for a year at the University of Western Australia, and she worked in law in Australia for five years. Shevreturned with her husband to Wyoming in 1995 and has predominantly been a sole practitioner in the state, concentrating on litigation of all types.

I am very honored and feel blessed to be appointed by Governor Gordon to the UW Board of Trustees during these extremely challenging times, both economically and philosophically, Greenwood says. My family, immediate and distant, have mostly attended the University of Wyoming and realized the numerous benefits that are available to all individuals attending the university. I am excited at the prospect of contributing my energy and commitment to the university and am grateful for the opportunity.

Greenwood also worked for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in 1982-84 and for U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson on the Subcommittee of Immigration and Refugee Policy.

She has a daughter, two stepsons and five grandchildren.

Linton is an associate broker with JH Real Estate Associates in Jackson, and she and her husband, Jim, own Big R Ranch & Home, also in Jackson. After graduating with a bachelors degree in chemistry from Salve Regina University in Rhode Island, she moved to Laramie in 1980 and enrolled in UWs College of Education, where she received her secondary education certification after student teaching at Cheyenne Central High School. Her first job as a high school chemistry teacher was in Powell, where she met and married her husband. They have raised three children.

I was deeply honored to receive Governor Gordons appointment as a trustee for the University of Wyoming. It is a remarkable institution that truly reflects the pride and spirit of our state, Linton says. As a strong advocate for education and a lifelong learner, I am looking forward to the challenges facing our board and to collaborate effectively to achieve its goals.

Linton is a trustee of the National Museum of Wildlife Art and president of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Teton Area. Her past volunteer work includes serving as co-chair of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West Patrons Ball; as treasurer of the Teton Board of Realtors; and on the First Western Trust Advisory Board.

Appointed by the governor with consent of the Wyoming State Senate, the UW Board of Trustees consists of 12 members appointed to six-year, staggered terms. As the institutions governing body, the trustees have a broad range of responsibilities, including major policy and budgetary matters affecting the university.
Despite an economic downturn due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the placement process of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore got completed with the highest annual package touching Rs 56.8 lakh, an official said on Monday.

Refusing to divulge details of the student or employer, the official said the top offer was for a position abroad, while the highest salary offered during placements for a job in the country was Rs 41.5 lakh per annum.

The average package offered by 210 firms that took part was Rs 23.6 lakh per annum, which was 3 per cent more than the salaries on offer last year, he added.

Indian Institute of Management Indore Director Prof. Himanshu Rai expressed delight in the faith recruiters were showing in his students.

"Placing the largest number of students across all IIMs for the final placements during the ongoing pandemic was a challenging task but the commendable efforts in setting up the virtual placement drive ensured hassle-free completion," he said.

As per information from the institute, all 579 students, from both two-year-PGP (Post-Graduate Programme) and five-year IPM (Integrated Programme in Management) courses, were successful in getting placement.

Among the offers, 24 per cent were from finance, 23 per cent from sales and marketing, 22 per cent in consulting, 20 per cent in general management and operations, and 11 per cent from the IT and Analytics sectors.
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ExpressVPN Super-fast, reliable & secure. Great for HD/4K streaming. Chrome, Firefox & Edge extensions. 24/7 live chat support. For a long time, ExpressVPN seems to be at the peak of the best free VPN list, and it's simple to see why. In every test ExpressVPN faced, it impressed VPN-Experts. It starts right from the start, as the user can instantly see that ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers throughout 94 countries and 160 sites, which they can choose from.

ExpressVPN already surged ahead of the VPN pack by 2020, boasting fast speeds and a good reputation for security and reliability. Its user-friendly interface makes it an ideal choice for beginners learning about VPNs. And its multiplatform usability broadens its appeal to a broader audience. Its slightly higher-than-average costs, beginning at $6.67 every month, are more than justified by these factors.

These five synchronous connections should be more than enough for many other users, even though many of the other VPNs on this listing enable more. That may be one reason they became more associated with the level of speed loss, which is usually half or less for several VPNs. ExpressVPN is also available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, PlayStation, smart TVs, Xbox, and routers, and also great applications for Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and customized Chrome and Firefox extensions.

Try ExpressVPN 30 Days Risk-Free - Start Your Trial Today

ExpressVPN has used industry-standard authentication and a number of other standards, namely IKEv2, OpenVPN, and L2TP/IPsec, to keep data protected. But perhaps the most appealing thing is that it has now started carrying out its Lightway protocol, which strives to improve speed and reliability.

Over the course of three days, VPN experts conducted their ExpressVPN speed checks, using both wireless and Ethernet connections. In the US, Internet speeds differ widely by state and supplier. And the results of every speed test were going to be based on their local networks, with hyperfast internet access yielding faster test results. That's one explanation why they were more concerned about the rate of speed reduced, which is generally half or so for many Vpn services.

In ExpressVPN's case, the 2020 studies indicated a 52 percent speed loss compared to its unsurpassed 2% speed loss in 2019. There is no doubt ExpressVPN is crowned with the speediest network. However, during the 2020 testing, their non-VPN speeds averaged 193 Mbps, and ExpressVPN's global overall average speed was 93 Mbps. Peak speeds of around 122 Mbps were registered between Frankfurt, Paris, and Berlin when it came to European connections.

With high speeds of 101 Mbps for Australia and 86 Mbps for the UK, Australia outperformed the UK. However, with such a single win of the UK's 157 Mbps especially in comparison to the best individual performance of 136 Mbps in Australia, the UK has this better overall high score of the two. At 89 Mbps, Singapore's scores also outperformed the UK's by just three points. US scores were where the ExpressVPN rates were taken down: despite a single test round of up to 134 Mbps, United States speeds ranged just 66 Mbps.

VPN Expert's results appeared to be consistent. ExpressVPN was contacted to find out why this is causing the recent speed drops. The company looked into it and said some of its in-house experiments used OpenVPN protocol to see speeds between 200 and 275 Mbps.

Try ExpressVPN 30 Days Risk-Free: Click Here to Start Your Trial Today

An ExpressVPN agent had said broadband failure was caused by network saturation between the ISP and the network infrastructure when asked about the cause. According to the spokesperson, the results were typical.

For newcomers, ExpressVPN is easy to handle and is simple and intuitive. It's easy, kudos to fast connections between servers in different countries. And, in the OpenVPN tests, the aforementioned Lightway option could make things even better.

ExpressVPN is easy to use for both experts and novice users to set up and run, from desktop and tablet to TV streamers and browser extensions.

For many people looking for such a VPN, everything narrows back to how efficient the vendor is at unblocking blocked websites/services and getting around TV streaming barriers. Without a hitch, ExpressVPN enabled international streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney.

Take ExpressVPN for a Free Test Drive  Right Here

Key ExpressVPN features include effective DNS leak security, radar jammers (both application-specific and system-wide), and browser proxy extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Bitcoin, PayPal, even credit cards too are approved as methods of payment. And it is also robust in unblocking Netflix and other services, although to access iPlayer, Brits overseas have to resort to a workaround.

In terms of extra functions, ExpressVPN reaches over and above. Bitcoin transactions, peer-to-peer (P2P) support, a kill switch, DNS breach security, good and reliable performance, and independent auditors have all verified a transparent no-logging policy.

It's also worth hearing about the outstanding levels of customer service from ExpressVPN providers. Their help website has comprehensive guides and tutorials. And if the client has any issues, to answer the client's questions, live chat support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

ExpressVPN excels at sheer server number, boasting a whopping 5,000 servers. that is approximately 60 countries, and allowing one more connection at six at the same time. ExpressVPN has become a fast VPN service. This is the fastest Vpn available in almost every scenario. ExpressVPN's 1 monthly money-back policy allows consumers to take advantage of the free offer.

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Surfshark  Best VPN for PC And Windows

Fast VPN streamlined for beginners. Strong encryption & privacy features. Chrome & Firefox extensions. 24/7 live chat support. Relative virtual private network newbie Surfshark hit the market in 2018. It moved quickly to establish itself against its older and more readily known peers as a competitive VPN alternative. Despite having a smaller server fleet than NordVPN or ExpressVPN, the up-and-comer VPN boasts impressive speeds at a lower cost. It also has more add-ons for configurable privacy than trustworthy providers like IPVanish.

VPN Experts suggest Surfshark because of its robust security features, privacy-friendly jurisdiction, and fast speeds.

Although Surfshark's network is smaller than others, their functionality and speed of the VPN service make up for it. Let's start with the biggest win that it offers- unlimited support for smartphones. The user does not have to think about how many computers they have on or connected to if they want to run their whole home or office on Surfshark's best VPN service. As part of its applications, it also provides antimalware, ad-blocking, and tracker-blocking.

Surfshark VPN  7 Days Free Trial  Visit Surfshark Official Website

There is no getting away from the fact that Surfshark's barely probable pricing is the key draw here. Sign up for the annual plan and pay less than $2.50 USD / 2 GBP / $3.50 AUD for the effective monthly rate.

But this British Virgin Islands-based VPN's success is not solely based on cost. VPN Experts also gave credit to Surfshark's laid-back and playful branding. It helped make a potentially scary-sounding piece of software seem like a very user-friendly product.

And it's swift. During VPN Expert's most recent speed checks, they lost less than 17 percent of average internet speeds with more than 3,200 servers in 65 nations. That is faster than the 27 percent speed loss VPN Expert saw in previous tests and drives it in their speed comparisons ahead of ExpressVPN to be the new front-runner.

On US connections, Surfshark averaged 204Mbps. During the UK and European testing, it outperformed its peers, averaging 165Mbps and 171Mbps in each, respectively. The average speed in Australia was 126Mbps, followed by 142Mbps in Singapore. According to VPN experts, they haven't seen these speeds from any VPN they've tested so far.

Surfshark - like ExpressVPN above - may be the perfect VPN for the user if they are someone who is easily confused and, eventually, put off by complicated menus and endless options. It keeps its interface free of complications and completely stripped back. All the users that they will actually see are 'Fast attach' and 'All locations' options, followed by a Settings icon, and really nothing else at all. Whether that degree of detail (or lack of it) is a boon or a detriment depends entirely on the user's viewpoint.

Looking for a free VPN? Take Surfshark for a test drive instead: Right Here

All told, Surfshark is all business when it gets to keep the user and their online identity secure. The new Town WireGuard protocol has now been applied to its OpenVPN UDP and TCP and IKEv2 options. In addition, with a double VPN jump, Surfshark features a private DNS and an extra security blanket. VPN Experts found that it successfully unblocks geo-restricted access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and others.

The two-year subscription plan for the company costs $3.71 a month, $89 billed at once. That price is lower than most contenders, but for the six-month program, i.e., $9 a month or $64 total, and $11.95 per month, as the monthly plan builds up. But it does have a full 30-day policy on refunds. Surfshark's 30-day money-back guarantee will allow the user plenty of time to give it a shot for a longer duration before committing.

Surfshark has no data limits and enables torrenting and unlimited server switching. I had no trouble accessing Netflix with it as well. It provides unregulated simultaneous connections in a rare step for a VPN. In an intuitive, easy-to-use guide that has recently undergone a revamp, this feature is wrapped up.

Users can pay via PayPal, Alipay, or Bitcoin along with credit or debit and be assured of a 30-day money-back guarantee. The platform provides live chat support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as well as a large range of support articles and tutorials.

But where does Surfshark lose points? These days ExpressVPN and NordVPN have managed to dramatically increase their server speeds while Surfshark's having remained just fine. Surfshark is also falling behind when it comes to auditing its no-logging policy. Back in 2018, it had a partial one done.

Visit Surfshark Official Website

NordVPN  Best VPN for iPhone

Fast speeds, solid privacy & security features. Ad-blocker included. Chrome & Firefox extensions. 24/7 live chat support. NordVPN is among the most excellent VPN brands in the industry. It has a large number of simultaneous connections, with six available on its network, relative to virtually all other providers' five or fewer. NordVPN always offers a dedicated IP option for some who are looking for a higher level of VPN connectivity. NordVPN has a kill switch and the ability to link to torrent via VPN. During VPN Expert's checks, they found no proof of privacy violations.

In just about every area, NordVPN's current product matches or beats almost all of the competition. In the most recent round of testing, it has improved dramatically again. It is not far behind ExpressVPN in its pursuit of the award for best VPN service.

The jump up in the rankings is chiefly due to the provider's launch of the custom NordLynx protocol. It has helped to make the link speeds of NordVPN much faster and more stable, even from more distant servers.

Try NordVPN 30 Days Risk-Free - Start Your Trial Today

It's no wonder that NordVPN has over 59,000 ratings on the App Store, with a 4.6-star rating, and 132,871 reviews on the Google Play Store, with a 4.4-star rating.

The server speed might be new and enhanced, but VPN Experts have been impressed for some time now by the levels of security NordVPN has to offer. When the user is on public Wi-Fi or, perhaps, torrenting, it's handy to know where the user's internet anonymity is essential.

During VPN Expert's research, NordVPN's overall average pace was 91Mbps in a dataset with 194Mbps as an average speed of non-VPN. A VPN is known to reduce a user's connection speed by half or even more. However, the unique background here is that NordVPN never falls below 85Mbps across the averages of VPN Expert's five test zones. It's still one of the most reliable, secure VPNs.

At 98Mbps, Singapore took the lead in the research averages, while UK speeds edged out Europe by a narrow breadth. UK connections spiked at 99.93Mbps, ahead of German and French bonds, which averaged 91.90Mbps. NordVPN had another close call, with Australia edging out the United States, 88Mbps to 86Mbps.

NordVPN - Start Your 30 days Trial Today Right Here

In one of NordVPN's endless blogs, the measures to be followed are all outlined in the helpdesk blogs. Not only are they abundant, but these guides are also helpful. And if the clients still struggle, there is a bot available, as well as excellent live customer care services 24X7.

If VPN Experts have one complaint, it is with the user interface that NordVPN supplies. VPN experts questioned whether NordVPN had done adequate user research because cities were not listed or did not appear when searched for. That's particularly the case when it comes to its otherwise productive mobile applications. These are, however, pretty small minus points.

NordVPN has no data limits and enables torrenting and an infinite number of server switches. We had no trouble accessing Netflix with it. However, unlike other rivals, the user can only run six devices on a single subscription.

There are also no data constraints with NordVPN, so the user can freely swap servers and torrents. Netflix was available to them without difficulty. However, unlike other rivals, a single subscription only enables the user to cover six devices at once.

Premium services and an exclusive two-year deal are among the choices offered by NordVPN in excellent value. NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if the user wants to give the service a spin before they plan to commit.

Since the world of VPNs is moving at a rapid rate, to report better overall buying value, we would like to see NordVPN's steep discounts extended laterally to all its contracts. If NordVPN were not already a long-standing market pioneer with a long history, this would be a critique. As it stands, the best rate is at $3.71 a month, a 68% discount, billed for $89 once every two years, via its two-year contract. However, NordVPN does offer a money-back guarantee of 30 days.

NordVPN no longer supports PayPal. However, the user can still pay with a credit card or a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, AliPay, WeChat Payments, iTunes, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, or UnionPay.

Visit NordVPN Official Website

CyberGhost  Best VPN For Android

Fast speeds & strong privacy features. Anonymous dedicated IP addresses. Ad-blocker included. Chrome & Firefox extensions. 24/7 live chat support.

VPN Experts also lauded CyberGhost in its list of competitive features in CNET's prior coverage of virtual private networks. Last year, VPN Experts' in-depth review of CyberGhost included speed checking, verification of security, and an overview of its full suite of privacy tools. Since then, CyberGhost has expanded its number of servers. It is ready to introduce new privacy tools, all while staying one of the cheapest VPNs. VPN Experts have reviewed CyberGhost that turned out to be a three-year plan of $2.25 per month.

Try CyberGhost 45 Days Risk-Free - Start Your Trial Today

Support with VPN For some time now, CyberGhost has been a firm favorite of ours, and it is no wonder that it has a user base of more than ten million subscribers. With more than 6,500 servers spread across 90-odd countries, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android apps, torrents allowed, and speedy live chat support, the company covers the basics well.

If the user is one who uses the VPN on a Windows desktop or laptop to a large degree, that is where CyberGhost really shines. A sea of incredible characteristics and features lies underneath its tidy, easy-to-follow interface. If the user is explicitly searching for a stream or torrent, it will link them to the right server.

VPN Experts have improved their method for giving VPN feedback in recent months. However, several red flags have been raised by CyberGhost. The history of its parent company warrants skepticism. VPN Expert's earlier studies have shown that CyberGhost exposes ISP clients to their use of VPNs. Its trackers for websites and apps are more numerous than needed. Its ad-blocker employs an unreliable form of traffic management that no VPN can even imagine. Previously, its low price made it worth considering whether the user had to adjust the appearance of the user's position online, but not if they wanted best-in-class protection.

And additional touches, such as its Smart Rules screen, indicate that CyberGhost engineers have really put some thought into the user interface. It allows the user to automatically connect a specific app, such as the user's default browser in incognito mode, to the user's favorite server when the user's device starts up. It is actually a considerate added bonus.

That's not to say that there are inadequate smartphone apps - they just don't quite hit the same degree of wow-factor. In particular, the iOS app feels a little too stripped down to make inroads on the VPN Expert's strongest countdown on free VPN for iPhone.

CyberGhost - Start Your 45 days Free Trial Today Right Here

The link speed and security of CyberGhost seem to be improving. However, if the user is in a country where VPNs are illegal, VPN Experts currently do not recommend using CyberGhost. VPN Experts also recommend that everyone in the US check the parent company of CyberGhost before deciding whether to pay for a subscription.

Unblocking the website is actually successful here, with Netflix, Hulu, the userTube causing VPN Experts no unlocking problems overall. But VPN Experts only needed to spend a bit of time mentioning the speeds shown by CyberGhost in their most recent tests. They had seen some link speeds that give NordVPN and ExpressVPN a run for their cash even before they jumped on the WireGuard protocol. While further away, such as in New Zealand, CyberGhost started to lag a little behind.

However, on the plus side, CyberGhost is still faster than Norton Safe VPN. It was less taxing during testing on the processing power of the VPN Expert's computer. In its Windows client, it also provides split-tunneling and has its servers neatly grouped into user-friendly categories: NoSpy servers, torrent-oriented servers, streaming servers, and static IP address servers. No data limits are enforced by CyberGhost and allow unlimited server switching.



Visit CyberGhost Official Website

About VPN-Experts.Org

VPN Experts is a forum for analysis that provides better picks for users throughout a broad spectrum of VPN services. While guiding their readers to choose among some best VPN services available, they have made it their mission to make decisions simpler. Their team of experts spends hours updating the best VPN services, analyzing features, and exploring details. That way, they impart top-notch lists and feedback to their readers, saving them time, money, and headaches.

https://vpn-experts.org/

SOURCE VPN Experts
Snow on Middle Camp Road View Photo

The Winter Storm Warning will continue for the Sierra Nevada and the Central Sierra Nevada foothills through 10 PM tonight.

Through this evening, an additional two to ten inches of snow accumulation is likely above 3,000 feet and there may be some light snow accumulation at the 2,500 foot elevation.

Mountain travel impacts will likely continue throughout the evening.

A Winter Storm Warning means there will be snow covered roads and limited visibilities. Travel is not recommended while the Warning is in effect. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.


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In a bombshell interview, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, sat down with Oprah Winfrey to discuss their departure from royal life. During the tell-all, which aired on March 7, the duchess spoke about the hurdles theyd faced before then and the effects it had on her life. Following Meghan Markles Oprah interview, Serena Williams penned a supportive note to her friend, saying shes proud of her for sharing her truth regardless of the adversity and obstacles shes faced.

Serena Williams at an event | Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Apartment List

A recap of Meghan Markles Oprah Winfrey interview

Over the course of two hours, Meghan discussed how she was affected by British tabloid reports about her, which seemed to be overwhelmingly negative, often included racist headlines, and were rarely ever addressed by the palace. As her mental health wavered, she sought support from the royal family, but she said her concerns were brushed off.

From there, Meghan said, she continued to spiral to the point that suicidal thoughts started to take over. She wanted to get help, only to allegedly be told that it wouldnt be a good look for the royal family.

I just didnt see a solution, Meghan told Oprah Winfrey. I just didnt want to be alive anymore.

With that lack of support and lack of understanding, as Prince Harry explained, the two eventually made the hard decision to leave the United Kingdom, which they announced in January 2020.

RELATED: The 1 Thing That Would Have Stopped Prince Harry and Meghan Markle From Stepping Down

At first, the couple planned to move to Canada while continuing to support Queen Elizabeth II. But after they were cut off financially and stripped of their security, they moved to California in March, where Tyler Perry opened up his Los Angeles home to them and provided them with security.

Now, the Sussexes, who have since inked lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify, reside in Santa Barbara, California with their 1-year-old son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. They are also expecting their second child, who they revealed to Oprah is a girl.

Serena Williams has offered her support to Meghan Markle

After the interview aired, Williams  who attended Meghans wedding in 2018 and threw her a baby shower for Archie  took to Instagram to offer warm words to her friend.

Meghan Markle, my selfless friend, lives her life  and leads by example with empathy and compassion, she began. She teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble. Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty shes experienced.

Williams continued on to discuss her own experiences with the media as a fellow woman and person of color. I know first hand the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of color to minimize us, to break us down and demonize us, she wrote.

We must recognize our obligation to decry malicious, unfounded gossip and tabloid journalism. The mental health consequences of systemic oppression and victimization are devastating, isolating, and all too often lethal, Williams continued.

Captioning the post, she added that she was so proud of Meghan for speaking out. I am so proud of you for being so brave, she went on. I know it is never easy. You are strong- both you and harry. I love you. I adore you. Your friend S.

How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor at the free Crisis Text Line.
SALEM, Ore.  Governor Kate Brown and leading Democrats in the state legislature unveiled on Monday a $250 million package intended to supplement education and childcare programs burdened by the coronavirus pandemic over the past year.

The package would be matched by an estimated $75 million in federal funds. Much of the funding is earmarked for summer programs  both academic and extra-curricular. Governor Brown's office said that the funding would be made available "equitably" for Oregon's Black, Indigenous, Tribal, Latino, Latina, and Latinx, Pacific Islander, and children of color populations disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

The past year has been hard on Oregon kids and their caregiversespecially working mothersin so many ways, said Governor Brown. As COVID-19 recedes from our communities, its time to bring back the summer enrichment programs that spark joy, foster creativity, and encourage healing for our children, who have persevered through adversities few generations have faced at their age. And, we must make sure families and children have equitable access to these programs, as we work to eliminate historic disparities that have been exacerbated during the pandemic.

$90 million would go toward school districts and partner organizations to invest in summer enrichment activities for K-8 students  outdoor activities, performing arts, robotics, and other activities. Schools are encouraged to partner with culturally-specific organizations where possible.

Another $72 million is set aside for summer academic programs supporting high school students who fell behind with distance learning.

$40 million is earmarked directly for community organizations that provide enrichment activities, including day camps and park programs.

For childcare and early learning, $30 million is set aside for Title I elementary schools and Tribes to partner with childcare providers on "wraparound" services for K-8 students who are participating in summer programs, with funding prioritized for low-income, working families. $13 million goes to bolster the state's early learning programs.

With students getting back into the classroom this spring, we have to facilitate a fulfilling summer for kids and their parents, said House Speaker Tina Kotek. They are ready for it and theyll need more available activities. We are stepping up to encourage schools and community groups to meet the need. The summer is coming, lets get ready.

The proposal would draw from Oregon's General Fund, itself largely sourced from taxpayer revenue. It is being presented to the Education Subcommittee of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, and would ultimately be included in the 2019-21 budget rebalance bill.
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(Israel Hayom) Prestigious American magazine Food and Travel has chosen Tel Aviv among six of its most recommended culinary destinations around the globe. Other cities on the list are Palermo, Sicily; Chania, Crete; Vienna, Austria, San Sebastian, Spain; and Marseille, France.

Israeli food culture, reliant on local produce, is so tasty that even the Italians are envious of Israeli tomatoes, the magazine said. The difference between Tel Aviv and the other cities is the seriousness and depth with which the chefs treat the dishes and the richness of the local flavors.

Specifically, the magazine recommends chef Eyal Shanis restaurant North Abraxas and also highlights Haim Cohen as one chef who still serves simple dishes that are so good it hurts.

The magazine also mentions the restaurants Taizu, Claro, Alena, Saluf and Sons and the original Yemenite foods one can find on Nahalat Binyamin Street.

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Tel Aviv is full of confusing cultural richness  and is a wonderful place to wander and eat, the magazine said.

Though the entry of tourists into Israel is still forbidden due to the coronavirus pandemic, the reopening of restaurants in the country, which began on Sunday, will enable citizens to enjoy the culinary experience marked by the magazine.
Mumbai, March 8 : In an unique gesture to mark the International Women's Day being celebrated globally on Monday, Maharashtra government has set up 189 special vaccination centres exclusively for females, an official said here.

"To mark this significant day, we have set up an average of 5 vaccination dedicated only for women in each of the 36 districts in the state," a health department official told IANS.

At all these special centres, elaborate arrangements have been made to welcome women trooping in for the vaccination doses along with other facilities and presence of female staff, he added.

Of the 189 centres spread across the state, Thane district has been allotted the maximum - 19 - special women vaccination sites.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The Redding grand list experienced a slight bump in value despite overall real estate value dropping slightly.

The towns grand list saw an overall gain of approximately $2.6 million.

Town Assessor John Ford said the small increase was mostly driven by personal property and motor vehicles.

Although real estate revenue shrunk by $824,560, the car-buying jump raked in over $2.5 million for the town. Personal property also provided the town an extra $836,469.

There were less new constructions and we had some open space applications that reduced the assessment on some properties, Ford said.

There were people buying new cars, which increased that portion of the grand list, he later added.

Ford said the rise in vehicle purchases and additional money from personal properties declaring more equipment for their business will provide some slight benefits to the town.

Since the number of exempt properties has remained steady, he doesnt expect there to be much of an impact on the grand lists overall value and although the tax rate hasnt yet been determined, he expects there to be a modest increase for Redding residents.

The grand list update comes as town officials request a 1.2 percent increase overall to the town and schools budgets. The increase would increase the town budget by about $613,100 to $51.3 million.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8)  The Philippine National Police reported that nine people were killed in separate operations in Calabarzon provinces on Sunday. At least seven of the dead were identified by human rights group Karapatan as members of progressive and indigenous groups.

The crackdown took place two days after President Rodrigo Duterte said he told the military and police who encounter armed communist rebels "to make sure they kill them."

The PNP said Monday that of the fatalities, six were recorded in Rizal, two in Batangas, and one in Cavite. Meanwhile, six people were arrested, three each in Laguna and Rizal.

Nine people are still at large: eight in Rizal and one in Batangas, it added.

No names and other details about the operations were released apart from saying these were "search warrant operations." Police added explosives and assorted firearms were also seized.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' New Day on Monday, Laguna Police Spokesperson PltCol. Chitadel Gaoira said 24 search warrant operations were conducted over the weekend but maintained that all of them were "legitimate."

"As far as the PNP is concerned, this is a legitimate operation. We have the search warrant, the order from the court. We just implemented the search warrant," she said.

However, she admitted that they have not yet properly established whether the suspects can be linked to previous crimes and if they are affiliated with any groups.

"Based on our records, a crime is usually committed with these firearms, with these instruments so we have these operations. We don't want to wait for the suspects to use these explosives and loose firearms in criminal or illegal activities," Gaoira said.

Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay condemned the operations, calling them Gestapo-esque police raids" that turned the day into a "Bloody Sunday."

Among those killed were Chai Lemita-Evangelista, Ariel Evangelista, and Michael Dasigao, Karapatan said on its Facebook page.

The Evangelistas were part of the staff of Ugnayan ng Mamamayan Laban sa Pagwawasak ng Kalikasan at Kalupaan (UMALPAS KA). Karapatan Timog Katagalugan said their bodies were found at a funeral home in Nasugbu.

Dasigao was a member of SIKKAD K3 in Montalban, the group said. Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas identified Mark Lee Bacasno, another SIKKAD K3 member who was shot dead in the operation.

Fishers group PAMALAKAYA identified Emmanuel "Manny" Asuncion as among the fatalities. He was the secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Cavite.

Karapatan also identified indigenous group leaders Puroy dela Cruz and Randy dela Cruz as among those killed in the Rizal operation.

The group added that those arrested included Courage-Rizal member Eugene Eugenio; Esteban Mendoza, executive vice president of Olalia KMU; Elizabeth Camoral, BAYAN Laguna Spokesperson; and Nimfa Lanzanas, paralegal aide to political prisoners.

"All of those who were arrested and killed in Calabarzon starting Thursday up to Sunday, all of them were legal activists," Renato Reyes, Secretary General of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or Bayan said in virtual news conference. "They were unarmed, they were legal activists known by their communities...they are not personalities of alleged terrorists groups as the PNP claims."

Meanwhile, in separate statements, progressive groups slammed the crackdown, calling them a result of President Rodrigo Duterte's statements.

"After Duterte pronounced in a gathering his desire to kill all communists, state forces launched coordinated attacks against unionists and activists in Southern Tagalog," read a statement from labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno.

KMU described the events as a "human rights emergency that merits the attention of the entire Filipino people and the international community."

PAMALAKAYA said, "The bloody crackdown against Southern Tagalog activists which led to killing of prominent leaders came at the heels of President Duterte's marching order to his forces to kill all the rebels, and disregard the human rights. What's worse is those who have been killed were all legal democratic activists involved in various cause-oriented issues."

The Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women, and the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines also released statements condemning what happened.

In his briefing on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said authorities will conduct an investigation on the matter. However, he maintained that Duterte's order to shoot and kill armed rebels is "legal" and in line with the International Humanitarian Law.

READ: Malacanang vows probe on deaths of activists in Calabarzon

Presiding over a meeting of national and regional officials of the governments anti-communist task force on Friday in Cagayan de Oro City, Duterte offered free housing and jobs to communist rebels who will surrender.

But for rebels who will not surrender, Duterte said he ordered the police and military to "make sure to kill them during encounters if they see them with firearms.

CNN Philippines' Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report.
Royal experts today blasted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as 'self-indulgent and selfish' and said the Queen would be 'absolutely devastated' by their interview.

Commentators have been giving their views following the bombshell two-hour chat Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gave to Oprah Winfrey, shown on CBS.

The interview saw Meghan make of a series of astonishing claims, including that conversations were held about how dark the skin colour of their son might be.

The Duchess also confessed she had suicidal thoughts at the height of her crisis in the monarchy and asked the palace to seek professional help for her.

During their televised chat, which will also air on ITV tonight, Meghan also claimed that the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry ahead of her wedding.

Among those giving their views were Angela Levin, author of Harry: Conversations with the Prince, Robert Jobson, who wrote Diana: Closely Guarded Secret.

Russell Myers, Daily Mirror royal editor and a commentator on ITV's Lorraine editor, also gave his views on a Facebook live event hosted by True Royalty TV.

Speaking on the Facebook live event hosted by True Royalty TV, this is the verdict of the three royal experts:

ROBERT JOBSON

Robert Jobson

This was a performance from beginning to the end. Self-indulgent and selfish. They have disrespected to our country.

They have both made some very serious allegations and know they Monarchy can't fight back. The entire interview did not respect the Queen. They have attacking the institution of the monarchy. It is not showbiz. This is a gross insult to the British people.

They have thrown a big hand grenade into the Royal Family and the monarchy.

They have accused the Royal Family of being racist, but they have not said who. That is cowardice. You cannot make that slur. They are saying the British Press are racist. Where is the evidence?

It is just appalling that they have been allowed to say those things without singling out who it was. They should never have raised this.

So much of what she said is astonishing and I am not sure I believe it.

They have said duty does not mean anything and that they were not able to leave and if they had the option to leave, they would.

The Queen has been devoted to service. It is just outrageous.

He is saying they are trapped and basically saying Prince Charles does not want to be King. That is just wrong. You cannot say that. They have become slightly deluded.

The only winner here is Oprah Winfrey.

RUSSELL MYERS

Russell Myers

That was the most extraordinary piece of television I have ever watched. The number of bombshells were extraordinary.

They will come a cropper, but there are elements of what they said that need to be taken seriously. Meghan was a young, vulnerable woman and what she said she went through is distressing and there are questions that need to be answered.

On the backdrop of a global pandemic their lack of awareness is breath-taking.

They have just bought a 10million home. There is no correlations to their experience of most normal people who were watching. They will be absolutely staggered.

When the Queen wakes up reads what has been said she will be absolutely devastated.

They have slammed almost every single member of the Royal Family.

They have said duty does not mean anything and that they were not able to leave and if they had the option to leave, they would.

The Queen has been devoted to service. It is just outrageous.

ANGELA LEVIN

Angela Levin

I was just so absorbed by all the attacks. It was quite astonishing.

Meghan made it sound as if she was in prison. That was her narrative. She said there was no one there for her, but Harry was by her side. One of the Queen's most trusted assistants was given to her. It is hard to say there was no one.

People care about the Queen and the Royal Family and to her someone come in and smash the lot of them, and they are so forceful in their comments, that it made me feel very easy.

She says they were furious about losing their security, but they were out of the country.

It is distressing to hear her say she was suicidal and traumatic that she asked for help. Prince Harry sought help after his mother died. I can hardly believe that Harry did not help. That is a catastrophic thing to say.

I am sure in a few years' time Harry will very much regret doing this interview. They have no emotional intelligence.

The Palace will say the minimum. It is too much to take on.

Other commentators gave their views elsewhere.

KJ MATTHEWS

Entertainment journalist based in Los Angeles, speaking on BBC Breakfast.

I'm still processing all that I heard. I expected to hear some revelations, but i never imagined I would hear that many revelations.

KJ Matthews

I mean there were so many bombshells, I don't know which one to focus on. Surprising, shocking, it really didn't go over well here in terms of the monarchy and the image that we had of them.

It really made us look somewhat differently at the monarchy, but when it comes to Prince Harry and Meghan, we feel much more sympathetic to them now. I think we have a better understanding of just why they felt they had to cut ties with the British Royal Family.

And I think some people here really feel sorry for her, especially the issue about her feeling suicidal. The fact that she brought up the possibility that they were talking about the skin colour of her unborn son.

I think that in a million years we would have never thought she was experiencing that, and so it will be hard, I think, for us to change now from what weve heard and see the monarchy in a positive light.

I think that from the moment that she was engaged to Prince Harry, we all thought very flattering things about the British monarchy, we were happy to see her introduced and welcomed into the family.

But now with all these allegations and these bombshells, its just hard to see them in the same way. I do believe their image has been tarnished and from what Im even seeing on social media, especially here in America, I havent seen one sympathetic viewpoint siding with the Royal Family.

'I'm hearing now Oprah will appear live on the CBS Morning Show to reveal and show clips of the interview that we have not seen, so there's even more. There could be more bombshells that we see. It's just the gift that keeps on giving, and it's quite shocking. So I will be surprised to see what else she can drop on us.'

CHRIS SHIP

Chris Ship

ITV's royal correspondent spoke on Good Morning Britain about Meghan Markle's claim that someone in the Royal Family had 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white.

Mr Ship said:

I should be clear here. Now I have been told it is not Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, or the Queen.

We are left with two family members.

You are left with either his father Prince Charles, or his brother Prince William, or their wives.

They have protected the Queen throughout this.

They have Zoom calls with the Queen, but equally, they are being very critical of the organisation of which she is the head of. Therefore you ARE criticising the Queen.
Commissioners, Vaux discuss shortage in affordable housing

Codington County commissioners and Mark Vaux, new executive director of the Watertown Development Company, discussed issues Tuesday.
The owner of a jeans manufacturer in Bangladesh is warning of a grave humanitarian crisis in the country if fashion stores in key export markets do not reopen for business soon.

In an open letter to governments in the EU, UK and US, Mostafiz Uddin says ongoing lockdowns in Western markets are killing Bangladeshs ready-made garment industry.

The managing director of manufacturer Denim Expert Limited, and founder and CEO of Bangladesh Denim Expo and Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE), is imploring them to consider the impact the action is having on the millions of workers in their supply chains.

Here is his plea:

I am writing this open letter to flag certain aspects relating to Bangladesh and its trading partners in Europe, UK, and the US  and beyond. This letter is aimed at government ministers in the key trading partners of Bangladesh.



We are all aware of the ways the coronavirus has significantly altered the trading landscape and consequently orders have inevitably been reduced to Asian garment manufacturing hubs, such as our own in Bangladesh.

Yet, for apparel manufacturers in Bangladesh, the situation has now reached a critical stage. The continuing lockdowns in Europe, UK, and the US  our main trading partners  are killing industry in Bangladesh, leading to hundreds of thousands of job losses, sharp rises in poverty, and destitution for young women who rely on this industry as a lifeline. Literally, hundreds of factories in the industry are dying; and most of those may never come back to operation.

Many countries in Europe, UK, as well as the US, closed fashion stores before Christmas. Those are yet to re-open. Meanwhile, I understand, many other stores remain open  even some that might be deemed non-essential.

While it is absolutely a matter of sovereign choice of any Government and State, I wonder if the consequences in a far-away place called Bangladesh impacting the existence of millions of poor people who form an essential part of the supply chain ending would merit consideration?

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Given the complexity and seriousness, I may most humbly urge governments in the UK, US, and Europe to reconsider the current stance on the closure of fashion stores, as a matter of urgency. Many stores, I am told, have implemented major safety changes, including one-way systems for customers. As suppliers, we are confused as to why they remain closed in these circumstances.

While I do understand the urgency to fully contain the impact of the deadly virus, I may humbly underline that, in Bangladesh, the impact of the virus is deadlier in its own way. For certain, so many of our workers, largely female, stand to slide rapidly to a complex web of poverty  inequality  vulnerability. These young women are hugely dependent on apparel exports to stores in Europe and beyond.

If things slide further for Bangladesh, I have grave concerns about a humanitarian crisis. Ready-made garments is our major export  we are more than 80% dependent on garment exports. We have had 12-months of the tap being turned on and off for this export and it is, quite literally, ruining us. I have grave fears if apparel stores remain closed through spring and beyond.

Uddin has been hugely critical of the actions of Western brands and retailers during the Covid-19 crisis, the damage likely to be inflicted on future buyer-supplier relationships, and the impact on millions of garment workers around the world.
LUSAKA, Zambia, Feb. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Government of Zambia and African Parks have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will see the implementation of a Priority Support Plan for the protection of Kafue National Park. Signed on Thursday 4th February, the Priority Support Plan will increase technical and financial support for Kafue worth US$3 million over a period of 12 months.

Minister of Tourism and Arts Honourable, Hon. Ronald K. Chitotela, said the MoU would help Zambia to realize the potential of the Kafue National Park which is Zambia's prime tourist destination and an internationally renowned wildlife sanctuary.

"It is essential that we invest in the protection of our wildlife and enhance the infrastructure for tourism. Having worked together for 18 years, we believe that African Parks is a partner who can help us to actualize the park's potential in contributing to the economy and the wellbeing of our people," the Minister said.

The Priority Support Plan will see the collaboration between Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and African Parks implement activities in key priority areas over the ensuing 12 months, while the parties negotiate for a long-term agreement. The primary objectives include improving critical infrastructure, supporting the DNPW's law enforcement efforts and conducting conservation baseline studies.

African Parks' CEO Peter Fearnhead said "Kafue National Park is one of Africa's best known protected areas and one of the ten largest on the African continent. We look forward to supporting the Zambian Government's vision to conserve this extremely precious resource and to optimise its long-term social, economic and ecological benefits".

Kafue National Park is situated in the world's largest transfrontier conservation area, the Kavango Zambezi (KAZA TFCA), which straddles the boundaries of five countries, forming one cross-border ecosystem the size of France. Kafue's Priority Support Plan will be funded through Dutch Postcode Lottery's dreamfund grant, a 16.9 million Euro contribution awarded to the World Wide Fund for Nature, African Parks and Peace Parks Foundation to assist KAZA partner states in securing the TFCA through integrated initiatives.

Kafue is Zambia's largest wildlife sanctuary, covering 22,400km2 of intact savannah and a network of water channels dominated by the Kafue River. It represents one of the last expansive tracts of the iconic Zambezian ecoregion, providing a singular opportunity to conserve significant populations of savannah wildlife, including elephants, large predators and 21 species of antelope  the highest diversity of antelope on the continent.

Related Links

african-parks.org



SOURCE African Parks
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry gave differing accounts of when a mystery member of the Royal Family raised concerns about how dark their baby's son skin might be.

The Duchess of Sussex said 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born' happened 'in those months when [I] was pregnant' with Archie.

But later when Prince Harry was asked about the exchange he appeared to suggest he heard the alleged slur from a royal figure earlier, before he and Meghan got married.

He said: 'That was right at the beginning, when she wasn't going to get security, when members of my family were suggesting that she carries on acting, because there was not enough money to pay for her, and all this sort of stuff.

'Like, there was some real obvious signs before we even got married that this was going to be really hard.'

Today he doubled down on accusations of racism and said there was a lot of it in the UK in a clip aired on CBS.

The couple married on May 19, 2018, while Meghan revealed the news of her first pregnancy on October 15, 2018.

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it.

She told Miss Winfrey that it was 'a pretty safe' assumption to suggest that the royal family member was 'concerned' that Archie being 'too brown' was 'a problem'.

When asked if it was 'important' for Meghan that Archie be called a prince, she said she doesn't have any attachment to the 'grandeur' of official titles.

But she said it was about 'the idea of our son not being safe, and also the idea of the first member of colour in this family not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be.'

Prince Harry - who later joined his wife and Miss Winfrey for the last part of the interview - described the conversation as 'awkward', saying it left him 'shocked'.

But he declined to reveal anything more about what was said, saying: 'That conversation I'm never going to share.'

In the most anticipated royal interview in decades, Meghan and Harry also revealed:

The gender of their baby - a girl due this summer;

Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, made Meghan cry ahead of the royal wedding - but 'owned it' and apologised;

She described meeting the Queen for the first time and having to learn to curtsy

Meghan claims she was 'naive' when she joined the Royal Family - and never researched what it would be like, or Harry. She said that she was initially welcomed by the royals, but was later 'silenced' and felt trapped;

She described being cradled by Harry after feeling that she no longer wanted to live; Meghan claimed she begged for help from Palace but denied it because she wasn't a 'paid employee';

The Sussexes choose to reveal the gender of their baby to Oprah;

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex last night insisted their interview with Oprah Winfrey would be the 'last word' on them quitting as senior royals

Oprah, when she learned about the bombshell revelation regarding Archie, was visibly shocked

Oprah asked Meghan if Archie was denied the title of Prince because he is of mixed-race, asking if the palace had concerns Archie would be 'too brown'.

Meghan said: 'In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, we have in tandem, the conversation of 'He won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title,' and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born.'

Who gets to become a prince or a princess? In 1917, the Queen's grandfather issued new letters patent that limited the number of royal family members with an HRH title. These stated that 'the children of any Sovereign of these Realms and the children of the sons of any such Sovereign and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales shall have and at all times hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness with their titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective Christian names or with their other titles of honour'. This means that all the Queen's children are styled as a prince or princess, as is Prince George - as William's first son. Princess Charlotte is also entitled to the title because Queen Elizabeth II issued a letter patent that removed the first-child-only decree in 2013. Archie could technically become a prince when Charles becomes king, as he would be the monarch's grandchild, but this may be unlikely due to recent events. Advertisement

Oprah then interrupted and said: 'Hold on. Hold up. Stop right now. There's a conversation... about how dark your baby is going to be?'

Meghan replied: 'Potentially, and what that would mean or look like'.

'And you're not going to tell me who had the conversation?', Oprah asked.

Meghan replied: 'I think that would be very damaging to them. That was relayed to me from Harry. Those were conversations that family had with him'.

Oprah asked: 'Because they were concerned that if he were too brown, that that would be a problem? Are you saying that?'

Meghan replied: 'I wasn't able to follow up with why, but if that's the assumption you're making, I think that feels like a pretty safe one, which was really hard to understand, right?'

Oprah then asked Prince Harry about the conversation, saying: 'Well, what is particularly striking is what Meghan shared with us earlier, is that no one wants to admit that there's anything about race or that race has played a role in the trolling and the vitriol, and yet Meghan shared with us that there was a conversation with you about Archie's skin tone.

'What was that conversation?'

Prince Harry replied: 'That conversation I'm never going to share, but at the time, it was awkward.

'I was a bit shocked.'

Oprah asked him if he can reveal what the conversation was about. Harry refused to divulge, saying: 'I'm not comfortable with sharing that.'

Harry continued: 'But that was right at the beginning, when she wasn't going to get security, when members of my family were suggesting that she carries on acting, because there was not enough money to pay for her, and all this sort of stuff.

'Like, there was some real obvious signs before we even got married that this was going to be really hard.'

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it. Pictured: The Queen and Prince Philip meeting Archie

Meghan said Archie becoming a Prince was neither her nor Harry's 'decision to make' and said it was palace officials who revealed Archie 'wasn't going to receive security'.

When asked if it was 'important' for Meghan that Archie be called a prince, she said she doesn't have any attachment to the 'grandeur' of official titles.

But she said it was about 'the idea of our son not being safe, and also the idea of the first member of color in this family not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be.'

Oprah pointed out that Meghan 'came in' as an actress, a divorcee, an independent woman and 'as the first mixed- race person to marry into the family' and asked if 'being able to fit in' concerned her, and if she thought about it.

Meghan replied: 'Well, I thought about it because they made me think about it.

Kate made ME cry: Meghan denies making Duchess of Cambridge cry and says bust-up with her sister-in-law over flowergirls made HER cry in the run-up to her wedding but she has forgiven her Meghan Markle today claimed in her interview with Oprah Winfrey that the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry before she married Prince Harry. But the Duchess of Sussex also insisted that she has now forgiven Kate Middleton and said she bought her flowers to apologise about the incident. Meghan, 39, was asked about a row with Prince William's wife that made headlines around the world after a falling out over dresses for the flowergirls. Meghan then denied making Kate, also 39, cry before her wedding, which took place at Windsor Castle in May 2018, and said the opposite had happened. Oprah asked Meghan: 'Was there a situation where she (Kate) might have cried? Or she could have cried?' But the Duchess of Sussex replied: 'No, no. The reverse happened. And I don't say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding. And she was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologised. 'And she brought me flowers and a note, apologising. And she did what I would do if I knew that I hurt someone, right, to just take accountability for it.' Meghan added that it was 'shocking' that the 'reverse of that would be out in the world'. She continued: 'A few days before the wedding, she was upset about something pertaining - yes, the issue was correct - about flower girl dresses, and it made me cry, and it really hurt my feelings. 'And I thought, in the context of everything else that was going on in those days leading to the wedding, that it didn't make sense to not be just doing whatever everyone else was doing, which was trying to be supportive, knowing what was going on with my dad and whatnot.' Advertisement

'But I think, at the same time now, upon reflection, thank god all of those things were true. Thank god I had that life experience. Thank god I had known the value of working.'

She added: 'I've always worked. I've always valued independence. I've always been outspoken, especially about women's rights.

'I mean, that's the sad irony of the last four years is I've advocated for so long for women to use their voice, and then I was silent.'

Oprah asked: 'Were you silent? Or were you silenced?'

Meghan replied: 'The latter.'

She added: 'Everyone in my world was given very clear directive from the moment the world knew Harry and I were dating to always say 'No comment.'

'That's my friends, my mom and dad.

'And we did. I did anything they told me to do. Of course I did, because it was also through the lens of 'And we'll protect you.'

'So, even as things started to roll out in the media that I didn't see but my friends would call me and say, 'Meg, this is really bad,' because I didn't see it, I'd go, 'Don't worry. I'm being protected.'

'I believed that. And I think that was really hard to reconcile because it was only... it was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, but they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.'

Harry also mentioned race as a factor when explaining what he and Meghan needed a 'breath' from when they decided to step back from work as senior royals.

He said: 'From this... this constant barrage.

'My biggest concern was history repeating itself, and I've said that before on numerous occasions, very publicly.

'And what I was seeing was history repeating itself, but more, perhaps... or definitely far more dangerous, because then you add race in and you add social media in.

'And when I'm talking about history repeating itself, I'm talking about my mother.

'When you can see something happening in the same kind of way, anybody would ask for help, ask the system of which you are a part of, especially when you know there's a relationship there, that they could help and share some truth or call...call the dogs off, whatever you want to call it.

'So, to receive no help at all and to be told continuously, 'This is how it is. This is just how it is. We've all been through it.'

'And I think the biggest turning point for me was... and it didn't take very long. It was actually right at the beginning.

'This union - us, me having a girlfriend was going to be a thing. Of course it was. But I - I never expected, or I never thought...'

Oprah asked: 'Because she was a mixed race?'

Prince Harry said: 'No, just... just the two of us to start with.

'I hadn't really thought about the mixed race piece, because I thought, well, well, firstly, you know, I've spent many years doing the work and doing my own learning.

'But my upbringing in the system, of which I was brought up in and what I've been exposed to, it wasn't... I wasn't aware of it, to start with.

'But, my god, it doesn't take very long to suddenly become aware of it.'

Oprah replied: 'Yeah, because you said you really weren't aware of unconscious bias and all that that represents until you met Meghan.'

Prince Harry said: 'Yeah. You know, as sad as it is to say, it takes living in her shoes, in this instance, for a day or those first eight days, to see where it was going to go and how far they were going to take it.

'And get away with it and be so blatant about it. That's the bit that shocked me.'

When Oprah asked Harry about how he handled Meghan's suicidal thoughts, Harry said he 'didn't have anyone to turn to'.

He said the family 'have this mentality of: 'This is just how it is. This is how it's meant to be. You can't change it. We've all been through it'.'

But he added: 'What was different for me was the race element, because now it wasn't just about her, but it is about what she represents.

'And, therefore, it wasn't just affecting my wife. It was affecting so many other people, as well. And that's... that was the trigger for me to really engage in those conversations with senior palace staff and with my family to say, 'Guys, this is not going to end well'.'

Oprah asked: 'And when you say 'end well,' what did you mean?', to which Harry replied: 'For anyone it's not going to end well, because the way that I saw it was there was a way of doing things, but for us, for this union and the specifics around her race, there was an opportunity, many opportunities, for my family to show some public support.'

He said 'one of the most telling' and 'saddest' parts of the Megxit saga was the fact that no royal family members called out 'the colonial undertones' of Meghan's coverage in the media.

He added: 'And that, that hurts.'

Meghan accused the press of 'attacking and inciting so much racism'.

She said: 'It changed our risk level, because it went... it wasn't just catty gossip.

'It was bringing out a part of people that was racist in how it was charged.

'And that changed the threat. That changed the level of death threats.

'That changed everything.'

In the most extraordinary royal interview in decades, Meghan also revealed that the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry before she married Harry - but insists she has forgiven Kate who bought her flowers to apologise.

Ms Markle, who said she was 'silenced' by Buckingham Palace officials and felt lonely in London, she was asked about a row with Kate that made headlines around the world after a falling out over dresses for the flowergirls.

Harry and Meghan's TV interview with Oprah Winfrey started in the US and began with Meghan Markle showing her growing 'baby bump' and revealed she and her husband will tell Oprah its gender on the show. The Sussexes also showed Oprah around their new mansion in LA, which has chickens.

Speaking hours before the couple's 'tell all' with chat show legend Oprah Winfrey was aired in the US, Her Majesty and senior royals - including Charles, Camilla, William and Kate - put on a show of unity as they took part in a pre-recorded Commonwealth Day service.

'The Palace lied about me to protect other royals': Meghan tells Oprah she was 'silenced' and says officials failed to protect her and 'were willing to lie to protect other members of the family' By Amie Gordon For MailOnline Meghan Markle today told Oprah Winfrey that Palace officials failed to protect her and 'were willing to lie to protect other members of the Royal family.' Harry and Meghan's TV interview with Oprah Winfrey has started in the US and began with Meghan Markle showing her growing baby bump. In the historic interview, the mother-to-be opened up about life in 'The Firm' and the struggles she faced adjusting to life in the Royal family. The Duchess of Sussex has already accused The Firm of 'perpetuating falsehoods' about her and Harry and said they refused to be 'silenced' any more. But she revealed she was 'silenced' by Buckingham Palace officials, who told her to always answer 'no comment', adding, 'because it was also through the lens of 'And we'll protect you.' Meghan added: 'It was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, but they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.' The Duchess of Sussex also described her 'pain' that officials had denied her first born son the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect Archie by denying him 24/7 security. A 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.' Oprah asked, 'Were you silent? Or were you silenced?' Meghan replied: 'The latter.' Oprah said: 'So, how does that work? Were you told by the comms people or the-- I don't know-- the institution, the-- were-- were you told to keep silent? Were you-- were you told to say nothing?' Meghan told her: 'Everyone from-- everyone in my world was given very clear directive from the moment the world knew Harry and I were dating to always say 'No comment.' 'That's my friends, my mom and dad. And we did. I did anything they told me to do. 'Of course I did, because it was also through the lens of 'And we'll protect you.' 'So, even as things started to roll out in the media that I didn't see but my friends would call me and say, 'Meg, this is really bad,' because I didn't see it, I'd go, 'Don't worry. I'm being protected. 'I believed that. And-- and I think that was-- that was really hard to reconcile because it was only-- it was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, but they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.' Advertisement

Meghan then denied making Kate cry before her wedding in 2018  and said the opposite had happened. Oprah asked the Duchess: 'Was there a situation where she (Kate) might have cried? Or she could have cried?'

But the Duchess of Sussex replied: 'No, no. The reverse happened. And I don't say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding. And she was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologised.

'And she brought me flowers and a note, apologising. And she did what I would do if I knew that I hurt someone, right, to just take accountability for it.' Meghan added that it was 'shocking' that the 'reverse of that would be out in the world'.

She continued: 'A few days before the wedding, she was upset about something pertaining - yes, the issue was correct - about flower girl dresses, and it made me cry, and it really hurt my feelings.

'And I thought, in the context of everything else that was going on in those days leading to the wedding, that it didn't make sense to not be just doing whatever-- what everyone else was doing, which was trying to be supportive, knowing what was going on with my dad and whatnot.'

Meghan also said: 'It wasn't a confrontation, and I actually think it's I don't think it's fair to her to get into the details of that, because she apologised.

'What was hard to get over was being blamed for something that not only I didn't do but that happened to me. And the people who were part of our wedding were going to our comms team and saying: 'I know this didn't happen. I don't have to tell them what actually happened'.'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's TV interview with Oprah Winfrey has started in the US and began with Meghan Markle showing her growing 'baby bump' and revealed she and her husband will reveal its gender on the show.

The Duchess of Sussex had claimed she entered the Royal Family 'naively' and didn't do any research about her husband or the institution before entering it.

Describing meeting the Queen for the first time at Windsor and that she was shocked when she was told by Harry would need to curtsy to Her Majesty.

Meghan said: 'That was when the penny dropped. We just practiced and then walked in. We went in and i met her and apparently I did a very deep curtsy, I don't remember it. then we just sat there and chatted. I grew up in LA, I see celebrities all the time. it's not the same. This is a completely different ball game'.

Ms Markle said she was welcomed by the royals, but then claimed it became more difficult in the run up to the wedding.

She said: 'Everyone in my world was given very clear directive from the moment the world knew Harry and I were dating to always say 'No comment.' That's my friends, my mom and dad.

'I did anything they told me to do. Of course I did, because it was also through the lens of 'And we'll protect you.' So, even as things started to roll out in the media that I didn't see but my friends would call me and say, 'Meg, this is really bad,' because I didn't see it, I'd go, 'Don't worry. I'm being protected.'

'And everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, but they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.'

The couple's decision to speak to the queen of US interviewers on CBS has caused a transatlantic row with Buckingham Palace after Meghan accused the royals of smearing them.

The Duchess of Sussex, who brokered the interview, has already accused 'The Firm' of 'perpetuating falsehoods' about her and Harry and said they refused to be 'silenced' any more.

The Sussexes have been branded 'selfish' and 'disrespectful' to go ahead with the shown when Harry's 99-year-old grandfather Prince Philip is in hospital recovering from heart surgery.

The interview, expected to be viewed by tens of millions of people in the US and millions more around the globe, is considered the most important piece of royal TV since Harry's mother spoke to the BBC's Martin Bashir in 1995 after she separated from Prince Charles.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have today insisted that their Oprah interview would be the 'last word' on their rift with the Royal Family. The couple, who will have their second child later this year, said they felt they 'needed to have their say' but now want to 'move on'.

Hours before the broadcast the Queen spoke to the UK in a TV address to mark Commonwealth Day, where Her Majesty stressed the importance of staying in touch with family and friends during the 'testing times' caused by coronavirus. In her speech, the Queen said: 'We can all live a life of service. Service is universal'.

In audio, played over new footage of the 94-year-old sovereign walking past the flags of the 'family of nations' at Windsor Castle, the head of state referred to 'friendship and a spirit of unity' - all qualities currently absent from her relationship with her grandson.

She said the Commonwealth - which she had keenly hoped Harry and Meghan would play a significant role in before they quit - had shown throughout the pandemic 'courage, commitment and selfless dedication to duty'.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's revelations in their interview with Oprah Winfrey were are 'damning' and 'damaging' to the monarchy, but the institution will ultimately be strong enough to withstand the controversy, royal experts have predicted.

Harry and Meghan's comments during the two-hour sit-down have 'lobbed a hand grenade into the family home' and represent a 'very serious attack' on the institution, royal author Penny Junor said.

She said it was 'absolutely fine' that Harry and Meghan had wanted to 'walk away' from royal life, but questioned: 'Why destroy the reputation of the family in the course of that?'

Ms Junor said: 'I do not know why they've done this. This is Harry's family, his flesh and blood, and this seems to have lobbed a hand grenade into the family home.

'I worry that there will be no coming back from that.'

She said she feels the Duke of Cambridge will 'probably take a very dim view' of the comment by Meghan that his wife the Duchess of Cambridge had reduced her to tears.

Ms Junor said while she, with 40 years' experience in writing about the royal family, treats the interview's contents with a 'little bit of scepticism', that is 'immaterial because the interview is out there now, it's around the world and there will be a lot of people who will believe every last word'.

There is a 'bank of love for the Queen and for the monarchy around the world', she added, but said nonetheless the interview 'is damaging'.

The author said: 'It is a very serious attack on an age-old institution that has served this country extremely well for centuries - and why? Why damage it?'

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, said the interview 'seems very personal against members of the royal family'.

She told PA: 'It's a real downer on everyone in the royal family apart from the Queen.

'It's probably the most damning condemnation of the royal family and how they operate that I've ever heard.'

On comments from Harry about royal family members feeling 'trapped within the system', she said: 'It struck me that he (Harry) wasn't completely comfortable with what he was saying.'

Asked if she thought he would regret the interview: 'I think he should regret the interview but I don't think he will regret the interview.'

Despite the controversy, both commentators think the monarchy can survive the latest scandal.

Meghan (pictured while pregnant with Archie) told Miss Winfrey that it was 'a pretty safe' assumption to suggest that the royal family member was 'concerned' that Archie being 'too brown' was 'a problem'

Ms Seward said: 'I think the monarchy is definitely strong enough to withstand it. They have withstood so many scandals and so many difficulties over the years. This will - I know it doesn't seem like it now - but this will pass over.

'The majority of British people do not like to see the institution of the monarchy attacked in this way.'

Ms Junor said: 'I think we have just to wait and see what the ultimate fallout of this interview is.

'It may that it's today's sensational news but that by next week, next month, it has faded.

'I think overall the monarchy is strong enough to withstand it.'

On the Palace's response, she said: 'If they say anything my guess is they would express sorrow rather than anger.

'Traditionally they have kept their mouths closed and kept a dignified silence.

'I'm sure they are having discussions about how they do respond, but a dignified silence is maybe the best route.'

Anti-monarchy group Republic has called for an honest debate about the future of the monarchy and said the institution 'needs to go'.

An Ipsos Mori poll of 1,065 adults in Great Britain carried out earlier this month, ahead of the interview, suggested 43% of people asked said the abolition of the monarchy would make Britain's future worse, 17% said it would make it better and a third (34%) thought it would make little difference.
Mr. Dong is a young musician from Jilin Province in northeast China.

His family is also good at singing, and he often performs family concerts with them.

In the year of the Ox, Dong's family plans to send New Year greetings to their online followers by singing a song.

They want to record their happy moments through songs.
In response to claims from former aide Ana Liss, who says the governor at different times asked her if she had a boyfriend, touched her on her lower back when posing for a photo and kissed her hand as she rose from her desk, Cuomo said he takes photos at hundreds of events, but he never meant to make anyone feel uncomfortable in any way. If customs change, Ill change my customs and behavior.
AUGUSTA, Ga., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Peach State Health Plan (PSHP) and the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) at Augusta University announced an official partnership to address the state's critical rural physician shortage, which is leaving thousands of Georgia families without access to consistent, quality, and affordable healthcare. PSHP presented a $5.2 million grant to help fund MCG 3+, an accelerated medical school curriculum that has been developed to recruit, train, and place more primary care physicians in underserved communities around Georgia.

Georgia currently ranks among the 10 lowest states for many of the country's most prevalent medical conditions, averaging some of the highest incidents of stroke, heart disease and cancer in the nation. Additionally, there are many underserved and rural areas of the state that lack access to primary care physicians and basic healthcare services.

Georgia's physician shortage is a serious public health crisis. According to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, 60 of the state's 159 counties have no pediatrician; 76 are without an obstetrician or gynecologist; 18 have no family medicine physician; 32 with no internist; 74 do not have a general surgeon; and sadly 9 counties have no doctor at all. The trend may only get worse as the state's population continues to age and more doctors, specifically family practitioners, transition into retirement.

The MCG 3+ program seeks to redesign the four-year core MD curriculum to three years to enable students to better tailor-make their fourth-year learning experience. The redesign provides a more efficient pathway into primary care for a percentage of students. The majority of students will spend the fourth year of medical school honing clinical and research skills or completing a dual degree.

The MCG 3+ Primary Care Pathway would see a percentage of students who commit to primary care practice in rural or underserved Georgia, graduate in three years and immediately enter a residency in either family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology or general surgery. Dependent on future funding, those students would receive a scholarship. Another option for students with the new curriculum will be to use their fourth year to earn a dual degree, like the university's MD/MBA or MD/MPH. The final option would enable students to use their fourth year for advanced clinical training and/or research in their chosen future career specialty.

"As the state's only public medical school, it is our duty to ensure that we have the physicians needed to keep Georgia healthy," said MCG Dean Dr. David Hess. "The physician shortage, especially in rural and underserved areas, is a huge problem and will only worsen with time. Primary care physicians not only improve a community's overall health by preventing and managing chronic conditions on an outpatient basis, but they bring more jobs, attract new businesses, and strengthen economic health. By placing more of these physicians in underserved areas, we'll be ensuring a healthy future for every corner of our state."

"In October, 2020 Peach State Health Plan launched the Office of Rural Health and Strategic Initiatives to develop programs and partnerships with organizations like Augusta University," said Wade Rakes, CEO Peach State Health Plan. "By partnering with the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, we are doing our part to ensure that all Georgians have access to highly-trained physicians and quality healthcare."

"We are grateful for Peach State Health Plan and their shared vision for a healthier Georgia," said Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel, PhD. "Through this partnership, we will train more primary care physicians, enhance access to quality care in more communities, and ultimately improve health outcomes in every corner of Georgia."

About Medical College of Georgia (MCG)

The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University is one of the nation's largest medical schools by class size, with 240 students per class. The educational experience is anchored by the main campus in Augusta, regional clinical campuses for third- and fourth-year students across the state and a second four-year campus in Athens in partnership with the University of Georgia. MCG's expanding partnerships with physicians and hospitals across Georgia currently provides about 350 sites where students can experience the full spectrum of medicine, from complex care hospitals to small-town solo practices. MCG and its teaching hospitals also provide postgraduate education to more than 500 residents and fellows in 50 different Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-approved programs.

About Peach State Health Plan (PSHP)

Peach State Health Plan is a Care Management Organization that serves the needs of Georgians through a range of health insurance solutions. Peach State Health Plan serves the Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids population in partnership with Georgia Families. The organization also focuses on under-insured and uninsured individuals through its federal insurance marketplace plan, Ambetter, and its Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan. Peach State Health Plan is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise. For more information visit www.pshp.com.

SOURCE Peach State Health Plan

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SAN FRANCISCO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Inkling , a global leader in digital learning platform solutions, today introduced Inkling Connect, an Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) solution that effortlessly integrates Inkling with popular learning management systems (LMS), learning experience platforms (LXP), human capital management (HCM) solutions, customer relationship management (CRM) applications, and other core operational systems of record. Inkling Connect provides dozens of pre-built connectors that enable companies to deliver both Inkling digital content and information from other preferred provider applications, and offers micro apps for enhanced learning, operations and knowledge management functionality.

"Businesses rely on a wide variety of tools and data sources for developing their workforces and managing enterprise-wide learning and operational knowledge, but until now, this has required employees to toggle between applications. Not only does reliance on these disparate tools make it difficult for employees to learn or find information they need, it also creates silos that prevent managers from understanding the effectiveness of their learning and development programs," said Inkling CEO Jeff Carr. "Inkling Connect is the first learning enablement solution to eliminate the need for integration customization, with built-in capabilities that automatically map data flowing through various LMS, LXP, HCM and content libraries. Inkling Connect supports a wide range of integrations, enabling our customers to amplify the value of their data and achieve real-time visibility into all aspects of their workforce development."

Enterprises rely on an average of 23 different technology tools or platforms for learning and training, according to analyst Josh Bersin's Insights on Corporate Talent, Learning, and HR Technology report. The confluence of these different solutions takes a toll on employees, not to mention IT support staff, with almost 40 percent indicating that the learner experience needs to improve significantly for them to get the most out of their LMS.

With its powerful API framework, Inkling Connect solves these problems by enabling Inkling's modern learning solution to seamlessly integrate into existing learning and corporate ecosystems with pre-built connectors, and drag-and-drop data mapping. No custom coding is required and future maintenance or enhancements are quick and easy. Once integrated, employees no longer have to move between various content management, learning and operational systems. Instead, with advanced single sign-on (SSO) capabilities, Inkling Connect improves the user experience by giving users access to Inkling digital content and information in other core systems from a single source.

Inkling Connect offers a variety of connectors that allow companies to leverage content created in Inkling with LMS, LXP and operational systems, or use content from other partners directly in Inkling Learning Pathways. Data can be exported via a Data Connector from Inkling into other business intelligence tools to deliver deeper insights.

Inkling Connect also makes learning environments more robust with the availability of micro apps developed with Inkling partners, such as a new Field User Management app developed by Educe for extended enterprise and franchise user management. These apps enable companies to benefit from tools such as learning gamification, authoring widgets, and other functionality extensions to core Inkling products.

Inkling Connect also helps save managers hours of reentering data into several different apps through automatic data transfers among platforms. By having all data in one place - instead of siloed in a variety of different applications - companies can be more agile, supporting quick, informed decision making that is required in today's competitive business environment.

"Inkling is an essential tool...an amazing platform to give your team this high-velocity infrastructure to do things fast," Bersin said. "If something is broken, you can go ahead and fix it within five seconds. That is very hard for other learning systems to do."

About Inkling

Inkling is a leading, global, modern learning platform designed for today's learners and today's work. The company delivers your most critical knowledge to your people in the flow of work, anytime, anywhere, and on any device. With easy content authoring, simplified learning paths, a modern learning experience, and meaningful insights, Inkling's modern operational learning platform delivers learning flawlessly and with simplicity. Named a Hot Vendor and Leader in Strategy for Learning by Aragon Research and a Training Industry Top 20 Training Delivery Company, Inkling also has earned several Excellence in Technology and Human Capital Management and Innovation awards from Brandon Hall Group. Leading brands trust Inkling to help them efficiently onboard employees, ensure continued performance enablement, and successfully execute corporate initiatives while providing new levels of visibility into critical operating metrics. Founded in 2009, Inkling is based in San Francisco.

For more information about Inkling, visit www.inkling.com .

SOURCE Inkling

Related Links

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From Hudson Countys waterfront, you cant miss the helicopters.

The aircraft are out every day, cruising low over the Hudson or circling the Statue of Liberty so tourists can snap photos. Some choppers also ferry the wealthy to and from New York City and to area airports.

Now, two pieces of proposed federal legislation could put an end to those flights.

The Safe and Quiet Skies Act and the Improving Helicopter Safety Act, both of which were first introduced into the House of Representatives in 2019 and reintroduced within the past two months, aim to put an end to commercial helicopter flights and give municipalities more control over their airspace.

Its a reflection of the gathering momentum, both locally and nationally, behind regulating the industry.

U.S. Rep. Albio Sires, who represents most of Hudson County in Congress and is a co-sponsor of both bills, said in a press release that the helicopter tours pose a threat not only to the residents of the surrounding communities, but to the tourists themselves.

The residents of New Jerseys 8th District should not be subject to the constant noise and environmental pollution caused by commercial helicopter tours, he said.

If enacted, the Safe and Quiet Skies Act would force helicopters to fly above 1,500 feet except during during takeoff and landing or an emergency. (For comparison, the Statue of Liberty is 305 feet tall; One World Trade Center is 1,776 feet tall, including its spire.) The bill would also impose a noise limit for tourist helicopters and would give municipalities authority to regulate helicopter travel in their airspace.

The Improving Helicopter Safety Act would place an outright ban on all non-essential helicopter travel over the New York City area.

During lockdowns, low-flying helicopters have aggravated residents on both sides of the Hudson River.

With (the) pandemic forcing people to work from home this has become a larger quality-of-life issue we hear more and more complaints on around the clock, said Jersey City spokeswoman Kim Wallace-Scalcione. They are experiencing the same issue in NYC, so (Manhattan Borough President) Gale Brewer and (Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop) are working toward a solution that would include the Port Authority and our federal representatives to limit the tourism helicopters that hover over our cities.

New York City reported a 130% uptick in noise complaints about choppers between October 2019 and October 2020, according to the sponsors of the Improving Helicopter Safety Act.

Hoboken Fifth Ward Councilman Phil Cohen, who attended a press conference Sunday to announce the reintroduction of the bill, said helicopters over Hoboken are just something you put up with.

When the weather gets warm, you go out to Maxwell Place Park, you go out to Pier A, you go out to Pier 13  any of the waterfront that weve fought so passionately to preserve  every few minutes, you will hear a helicopter over your head, Cohen said.

You just assume it has to be that way, he added. And the truth is, it doesnt.

But critics of the helicopter tourism industry are concerned about more than just noise. A spate of recent helicopter accidents crashes across the country, including the Los Angeles crash last year that killed Kobe Bryant, have raised questions about the safety of the industry.

According to the office of U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-New York, a sponsor of both pieces of legislation, there have been 30 crashes and 25 deaths in the New York metropolitan area since 1982.

Nine people were killed in 2009 when a sightseeing helicopter collided with a small airplane near the Hoboken waterfront. And in 2018, a helicopter operated by tour operator FlyNYON crashed into the Hudson River, killing five passengers. That led New York City to adopt a rule banning open-door flights from taking off from the citys Lower Manhattan heliport.

But many tourist charters, including FlyNYON, operate out of heliports in Kearny and continue to allow tourists to ride in door-free choppers. The tour companys website advertises a 30-minute doors off flight for $220 a seat. The company could not be reached for comment Monday.

Efforts to rein in helicopter flights have not stopped sightseeing flights over the densely populated region, in part because the Federal Aviation Administration has broad control over air travel.

But the renewed momentum behind the issue during the pandemic has some in Hudson County holding out hope for quieter skies.

This isnt Disneyland, Cohen said. This is where people live. This is peoples homes.

Charleston, WV (25301)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
A 54-year old Uyghur textile trader and entrepreneur by the name of Kurbanjan Abdukerim died just four days after he was released from one of communist China's concentration camps.

According to Radio Free Asia, Abdukerim was released from one of the concentration facilities in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), where he spent three years in detention.

The imprisoned Uyghur textile merchant was released from one of many concentration camps, where it is believed over 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities are being held since 2018.

The story of the imprisoned Uyghur textile merchant was told to Radio free Asia's Uyghur Service by his former neighbor, who went by the name of Zibibulla and was "speaking from exile in an undisclosed location in Europe." Zibibulla said that Abdukerim was released from the communist China concentration camp on February 23 this year, but died just four days later.

Zibibulla said that the imprisoned Uyghur textile merchant "died as soon as he got out."

Abdukerim was a "well-known businessman" who in 2018 was detained from his home in Azaq, Atush, the capital of the Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture, the primary cotton and grape-growing region of southwestern XUAR. The county-level city has a population of about 270,000 people.

Before he was captured and placed in the Chinese concentration camp, the imprisoned Uyghur textile merchant was reportedly healthy and was about 220 pounds or 100 kg, as per Zibibulla. However, when he was released from the concentration camp in February, Abdukerim weighed only 117 pounds or 53 kg.

The imprisoned Uyghur textile merchant was the first to build a factory in Atush in the 1990s. According to Zibibulla, Abdukerim frequently sold Chinese fabrics in Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia.

However, Zibibulla believes that he was captured by Chinese authorities for participating in the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Abdukerim left behind his wife and four children. The wake of the late Uyghur textile merchant was said to have been highly restricted by communist China authorities, who ensured that there were no more than 20 visitors during the event. He was also reportedly "buried under the supervision of local police."

The health condition of the imprisoned Uyghur textile merchant upon his release from the communist China concentration camp is unclear, as well as his cause of death, which may have been from a disease that he got from the concentration camp or due to malnutrition.

Communist China's concentration camps are often reported to have dire conditions and unsanitary facilities. According to The Organization for World Peace, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been using these concentration camps for venues to "systemically oppress" Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, subjecting them to human rights violations such as "torture, forced labour, and religious 're-education.'"

The imprisoned Uyghur textile merchant is just one of the millions who have fallen victim to communist China's unrelenting human rights violations.
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A head-on collision on State Route 1 near Devil's Slide Trail, between Montara and Pacifica, sent both drivers to the hospital and closed the highway in both directions for about an hour Sunday night, said a spokesman for California Highway Patrol San Francisco.

A driver headed northbound on Highway 1 lost control for unknown reasons just south of Tom Lantos Tunnels in San Mateo County, said CHP Officer Mark Andrews. The vehicle veered up the rocks and then back across all lanes of traffic until colliding head-on with another vehicle going southbound on the highway, he said.
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Mahindra Logistics (MLL), the logistics and people transport subsidiary of Mahindra Group, has appointed Anish Shah as the Chairman of its board of directors. The appointment will be effective from April 2, 2021. Shah will join the board on the same date.

VS Parthasarathy, the current Chairman and Non-Executive Director of the board, has decided to leave the Mahindra Group to pursue personal interests, Mahindra Logistics said in a statement. He desires to consult, mentor, build and scale businesses and initiatives across business, education and society in the next phase of his career, it further added.

Parthasarathy will step down from the board of Mahindra Logistics with effect from April 2, 2021.

ALSO READ: BEML disinvestment: Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, M&M in fray for buying govt stake

"We would like to thank VS Parthasarathy for his contributions as the Chairman of the Board and welcome Anish Shah as the incoming Chairman. MLL is well poised to continue its growth strategy under the leadership of Rampraveen Swaminathan and the management team. We are confident that this will be further accelerated under Anish's Chairmanship of the Board," on Darius Pandole, Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board, on the leadership change.

Shah currently holds the office of Deputy Managing Director and Group CFO at Mahindra & Mahindra. He is designated to take over as the Managing Director and CEO of the company from April 2, 2021. His prior role was Group President (Strategy), where he led strategy development, built capabilities such as digitisation and data sciences, enabled synergies across group companies, and managed the risk and performance review organisations.

Shah has worked with GE Capital India, Bank of America, Bain & Company, Citibank in the past. He also holds a PhD from Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business where his doctoral thesis was in the field of Corporate Governance. He also received a Master's degree from Carnegie Mellon and has a post-graduate diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

ALSO READ: Mahindra total sales fall 11% in Feb to 29,000 units
By Luis Felipe Castilleja and Emma Pinedo

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Holding signs such as "Respect my existence or expect my resistance," thousands of women on Monday protested across Spain against gender violence and in support of equal rights at International Women's Day rallies.

In a country where women's rights have been at the political forefront in recent years, the largest demonstration was in the city centre of Barcelona, where mostly women protesters wearing purple held up banners saying: "It will be a happy day when none of us is missing."

The peaceful and festive rally was marred by an attack by a man who pepper-sprayed five women on the street where the protest was being held, said a municipality spokeswoman. The motive of the attack was being investigated, she said.

The man was detained by local police and the women were attended by emergency medics, the spokeswoman added.

The Barcelona protest was authorized but attendance was capped at 3,500 people, who had to maintain social distance due to the pandemic.

In Madrid, authorities banned Women's Day marches after criticism that last year's rallies helped spread the coronavirus.

But defying the ban, around 50 women protested at the city's famous Puerta del Sol square, with some carrying placards that read: "Male violence is also a pandemic."

Police stood by as protesters walked around the square and lit a purple smoke flare.

"We are here to claim the right of women to demonstrate ... It's outrageous that the self-proclaimed most feminist government in history is banning women's marches on March 8," said Josefina Martinez, 42, spokeswoman of a feminist association.

A group of women also staged a protest after vandals defaced a mural portraying famous women such as U.S. civil rights activist Rosa Parks and Mexican artist Frida Kahlo on the outskirts of Madrid.

(Reporting by Emma Pinedo, Luis Felipe Castilleja and Joan Faus; Editing by Giles Elgood and Sonya Hepinstall)

Victoria has recorded 11 days without a locally-acquired COVID-19 case as it readies to administer the first of the state's AstraZeneca vaccines.

Despite the impressive milestone, Victorians are still unable to travel to Western Australia without entering two weeks of mandatory quarantine.

All other states' residents are allowed to enter notoriously cautious WA without quarantine - with officials insisting there must be no community transmission for 28 days before being allowed in.

A Victorian airline worker in hotel quarantine tested positive to the virus on Monday, with another case recorded in quarantine on Tuesday.

Victoria's Deputy Chief Health Officer Allan Cheng receives the Pfizer vaccine on March 5 - as the state enjoys 11 days with no new cases

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

It brings the number of active cases in the state to five.

Victoria is set to begin administering the first of its 50,800 AstraZeneca doses this week.

On Sunday, 844 vaccines were administered.

That brings the total number of doses administered in Victoria to 14,222, since the start of the Pfizer vaccine rollout from February 22.

Last week the European Union was accused of 'bullying' and blasted as a 'total disgrace' after blocking a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines to Australia.

The European Union was accused of 'bullying' and blasted as a 'total disgrace' after blocking a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines to Australia

Australia's first 142,000 does of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine arrived last month (pictured at Sydney Airport)

Authorities in Italy drew on controversial export laws for the first time, refusing to grant a licence for 250,000 doses manufactured in the country to be exported.

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.

Victorian Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng said the move demonstrates how lucky Australia is have onshore vaccine production.

Mr Cheng was not concerned it would 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 last week.

Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration was only the second regulator in the world - after the European Medicines Agency - to give the jab full approval after dozens of countries such as the UK rolled out the jab early under emergency approval.

Australians will be given two doses of the vaccine, which was produced at Oxford University, three months apart.

Health workers in Berlin prepare syringes with the new AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid this month

The vaccine will stop everyone who gets it from dying of Covid and will stop 82 per cent of people from getting ill due to the disease.

It is not yet clear if it will stop asymptomatic transmission, which could be crucial to re-opening the country's border.

'The vaccine has met requirements for standards, for safety, quality, and efficacy, and will be provided free to Australians,' Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

Australia has ordered the vaccine from overseas and it will arrive in early March.

The government is also making one million doses per week at the CSL factory in Melbourne, with the first local batch due in late March.

Officials aim to vaccinate four million people by April and everyone by October.
COVID-19 reduced this years Berlin Film Festival, normally attended by hundreds of thousands of film fans, to a virtual event attended only by the jurors, industry members and the press.

The pandemic not only did away with a huge public festival, it must have skewed the selection process as well.

Over the years, the festival has developed a reputation for presenting films with a political agenda. That did not seem to be a strong factor this year.

Fifteen film streamed in competition, and the jury focused on personal encounters, rewarding movies that dealt with the behavior of individuals in extraordinary circumstances.

The Golden Bear for best film went to the Romanian movie Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn, about a young teacher (Katia Pascariu) who has to defends herself in front of a very upset group of parents afer she films herself having sex with her husband and it ends up on the internet. The movie is sexually explicit but quite funny, with three possible endings presented to the viewer.

Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, by Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, revealed personal suffering in its many facets and took home second prize, the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize. In several independent episodes, the movie depicts people looking for a purpose in life or a soulmate. One centers on two women, Natsuko (Fasako Urabe) and Nozomi (Aoba Kawai), who meet by chance at an elevator. Both are lonely, each thinking of an old schoolmate. As they discuss this over tea, a tenuous friendship arises between these strangers.

Maren Eggert won the Silver Bear for best leading performance for Im Your Man from German director Maria Schrader. In the lighthearted tour de force, Eggert plays Alma, a scientist tasked with taking a robot named Tom (Dan Stevens) home to see how human he can behave. She ends up falling in love with him.

Hungarian director Denes Nagys heart-wrenching Into the Light earned him the Silver Bear for best director. It depicts atrocities committed by Hungarian soldiers in the Ukraine during World War II, all seen through the eyes of a sergeant named Semetka (Ferenc Szabo). He suffers quietly and stoically without any relief or resolution in this dark film, surrounded by the ever-present accusations of a gloomy forest.

One film in competition did take a big-picture approach rather than reflecting on world affairs from an intimate or personal point of view. The docudrama A Cop Movie, directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios, unveiled widespread corruption within the Mexico City police force, and the dire consequences for a police couple who did not want to play along. It won a Silver Bear for outstanding artistic contribution for editing.

Angelika Jansen is a freelance writer in San Antonio.
A man in prison for murdering a young woman more than three decades ago has admitted to the rape and murder of a second woman, Linda Reed, on the Gold Coast in 1983.

Troy James OMeara forced 21-year-old Mrs Reed to leave her work on December 13 while she was on her lunch break, drove her 30 minutes to bushland, before binding, raping and killing her.

Troy James OMeara (left) when he was arrested in August 2018 for the rape and murder of Linda Reed. Credit:Nine News Queensland

In Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday, OMeara, 54, pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of Mrs Reed. He was 17 years old at the time of the crimes. His sentence has not been decided.

Mrs Reed was last seen at her workplace, a jewellery store in Pacific Fair Shopping Centre in Broadbeach, and never returned from her lunch break.
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Streaming and distribution company Audiomack, is continuing on their streak of supporting Jamaican talent with their newly launched Sounds of Jamaica campaign.

This campaign is a series of playlists curated by local DJs across the 14 parishes.

Since were a discovery platform we wanted DJs from various parts of Jamaica to highlight artists from that area, Tanya Lawson, Director of Afrobeats and Caribbean at Audiomack said. Were going to be pushing the playlists periodically throughout our platform and it will run from now until June. The DJs with the most plays, were going to do something special for them and their community!

The first 3 playlists went live on Thursday and will continue in that same fashion  three playlists each Thursday- until June. The first three DJs are: ZJ Nova (St. Elizabeth), DJ Zen (St. Catherine) and DJ Absolute (Westmoreland).

Two of the playlists are available now and can be found below.
(Natural News) Over the past three years, the Chinese Communist Party sentenced more than 50 people for questioning its rule, criticizing state leaders and allegedly disrupting public order on Twitter. This is despite the fact that the popular social media platform is banned in the country.

Chinese dissidents and human rights activists claim that the use of prison sentences marks an escalation of Beijings efforts to shut down any criticism made about its rule outside of the slice of the internet it controls. This is a marked escalation of its past actions, which only involved harassment and detention. (Related: The United Nations is now partners with the Chinese Communist Party; turned over names of Chinese dissidents to the regime.)

In the past they only made threats and took statements, said Huang Genbao, a member of the online dissident group known as Rose China. This time they were doing things for real, I didnt expect it.

Huang was detained in May 2019 and spent 16 months in detention for criticizing the CCP and party leaders on Twitter.

The offensive speech regularly cited by Chinese court records involves criticism of the Communist Party, President Xi Jinping and other high-ranking state leaders. Records also cite discussions revolving around areas where China is attempting to exert more control and influence over a population hostile to its presence. These areas include Hong Kong and Xinjiang, as well as Taiwan, the democratically-ruled island nation that Beijing claims as its own territory.

What is more surprising about these Chinese citizens who have been sentenced is the reach of their Twitter accounts or lack of it. Their followers typically numbered in the hundreds or the low thousands. One person even had less than 30 followers upon his detention.

Chinese diplomats and state media accounts have flooded Twitter in recent years as the CCP expands its propaganda drive to social media, where it hopes it can boost its influence and global image. Cyber-policy analysts have even recorded instances of China financing trolling campaigns to trumpet Chinese government viewpoints and attack anybody on the website critical of the communist regime.

Multiple people arrested in recent months for criticizing China

Zhao Shaoqing, a 31-year-old resident of Tianjin, a city less than 100 miles to the southeast of Beijing, was arrested a month after he tweeted a mild criticism of the way China was handling the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Chinese Communist Party system regards stability as its principle, and in the face of big problems, everyone protects themselves, said Zhou in Feb. 2020. He said hospital and health officials were intentionally or otherwise, [reducing] the number of confirmed cases.

Zhou was accused of publishing and retweeting more than 120 posts that tarnished the reputations of state leaders, the party, the countrys communist political system and its response to the coronavirus pandemic. He only had around 200 followers on his Twitter account.

A former employee of Chinese tech firm ByteDance, Zhao used to scrub politically sensitive material from Chinese social media websites, including the video-sharing platform TikTok.

Back in November, a local court sentenced Zhou to nine months in prison. He pled guilty and confessed to his crimes during the trial to secure a lighter sentence. Zhou said this experience has only deepened his disdain for the CCP.

Sun Jiadong, a 41-year-old resident of Zhengzhou, a city in the province of Henan in Central China, was detained in late 2019 for allegedly spreading lies about the CCP, the situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong and the status of Taiwan.

Court records highlighted the fact that Suns posts drew 168 likes as well as retweets from 10 users, and comments from 95 others. The records failed to mention that Sun only had 27 followers at the time of his detention.

Glory to Hong Kong, shame on Communist bandits, tweeted Sun in Oct. 2019 in reply to a post by a Chinese state media account. He was sentenced to 13 months in prison in Dec. 2020, which he completed that same month as time served.

Even Chinese citizens living overseas are being arrested for posting critical statements online

In late February, China bestowed posthumous honors on four members of the Chinese military  the Peoples Liberation Army  who died during the border clashes with Indian forces in the disputed regions of the Himalayas. A week after these honors were given to the dead soldiers, Chinese authorities arrested at least six people for posts and tweets regarding the clashes.

The six individuals, all men, were detained under a 2018 law that made it illegal to defame heroes and martyrs.

Furthermore, Chinese authorities are pursuing a seventh man, a 19-year-old who has been living overseas since July 2019, on suspicion of causing trouble on the internet.

The man, known only by his surname of Wang, allegedly slandered and belittled the soldiers.

Public security organs will crack down on acts that openly insult the deeds and spirit of heroes and martyrs in accordance with the law, read a statement released by the Chongqing police.

According to Yaqui Wang, the China researcher for Human Rights Watch, the CCP using the legal route concurrently with its harassment campaign shows an escalation in the states attempt to suppress free speech.

Authorities used to harass overseas-based critics or their China-based families without resorting to the formal prosecution mechanism or leaving a paper trail, said Wang during an interview with The Guardian. Now, they dont feel they need to be discreet about it, or maybe they even want to be conspicuous about it.

Americans are not the only ones dealing with censorship issues. Learn more about the state of free speech in other parts of the world, such as in China, by reading the latest articles at Censorship.news.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

TheGuardian.com
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Allganize announces that it has completed a $10 million financing led by Atinum Investment, with participation from Stonebridge Ventures, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and existing investors. This brings the total funds raised by Allganize to $15 million since its founding in July 2017.

Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Allganize uses natural language processing (NLP) to extract answers to users' natural-language questions directly from millions of unstructured text documents without any manual preparation of training data. The technology is also able to automatically generate questions and answers from unstructured data.

Allganize has grown rapidly since its launch in 2017 and has acquired over 100 enterprise customers in the US, Japan, and Korea, including SMBC, Persol, Kao, JPower, KB Securities, Hyundai Card, and Smilegate. Allganize plans to use the investment to accelerate its research and development, global expansion, and increase headcount in 2021.

Enterprises are looking for faster and more efficient ways to solve their business challenges. Our technologies are capable of extracting intelligent information at a speed and quality that not only meets our partners needs but helps them reimagine whats possible, states Allganize founder and CEO Changsu Lee. The support from our investors allows us to move faster to meet the increasing demand for NLP -- especially at a time of unprecedented growth.

Demand for NLP-enabled automation will continue to see rapid growth in the coming years, said Kim Je-wook, Managing Director of Atinum Investment. Allganizes AI technologies are integrated within many enterprise customers with proven results. We are incredibly excited about the transformations Allganize will bring to businesses worldwide.

About Allganize

Allganizes NLP technology allows enterprises to automate answering questions from a myriad of unstructured text documents. It empowers customer support representatives, speeds up resolution time, enhances cross-platform search experience, and extracts named entities from contracts for underwriters and agents. Unlike other AI providers, Allganizes technology does not require manual data tagging, making it faster and easier to implement while providing best-in-class results and accuracy. Allganizes Answer Bot and Cognitive Search can automatically resolve 50~80% of customers questions and free up agents time to handle four to five times the volume of high priority issues.

Visit https://allganize.ai to learn more.
Former President Donald Trump demanded GOP Bodies to stop using him to raise funds. He is prohibiting the rest of the GOP unless they have his endorsement.

Trump Demands GOP Bodies to Stop Using Him

These developments come as the Republicans have lost the confidence in Trump with the convict votes. Another is the division of those for and against Trump, who needs his endorsement for funds and even votes in the midterms.

Reports say that he sent many cease-and-desist letters that asked several GOP bodies to pullout his name and image for fundraising, said a Trump adviser to the Epoch Times. The specific Republican organizations are the RNC (Republican National Committee), NRSC (National Republican Senatorial Committee), and the NRCC (National Republican Congressional Committee) who need his support for funding activities.

This signals a major break from the mainstream GOP after it has caused the ex-president to support whom he sees fit to carry on his political agenda. During the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Florida on March 28, he took the stage and told supporters to donate only to the Save America political action committee (PAC). This is the only body that he endorses to receive funds in his name, nothing else.

This is a crucial blow to most Republicans who have been spurned with 2022 just around the corner. Attempts to get a comment from officers of these to affect the GOP organization has no reply. As of March 7, the NRCC is still using the Trump brand in messaging for more new email list registrations.

Also read: Trump Says He Won't Support Sen. Murkowski in 2022 Midterm Elections

There are still shirts on the NRSC home page using Trump's image for sale against the cease-and-desist letters. Messages encouraged supporters to stand up for President Trump and House Conservatives. Another one mentioned that it supports the president against the radical DEMS, with a gift today.

An analysis by Rich Baris, director of Big Data Poll, says that diverting funds to his website and PAC will negatively affect GOP fundraising. For the RNC, this will not be good as Trump makes good on his threat.

Baris said that Trump was generous because he can bankrupt the GOP and make it worse for them. He added that many are angry that the GOP had made much money and never used it for election integrity. Having all that money would have been used for the better, but it was not.

Money is a big factor for these GOP organizations, and for elections, that will be critical. The National Republican Senatorial Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee, is in deep trouble if Donald Trump plays hardball. Many of the Rhinos need the money to run for office; without making it harder than ever.

Trump is the 'IT" factor for the GOP, and they benefitted in four years. The loss of the GOP is that Trump made a difference, but they did otherwise. When Trump demanded GOP bodies stop using his image and message, it will bite back financially. Republicans need Trump more than he does them, and the Rhinos know it.



Related article: Donald Trump Endorses Senator Tim Scott for Reelection in the 2022 Midterms.

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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The body of a 19-year-old woman who was shot dead wearing a T-shirt that read 'Everything will be OK' has been exhumed by Myanmar officials in a bid to prove she was not killed by police.

Authorities claimed the fresh autopsy exonerated police - just hours before security forces shot dead two more people today when police fired on protesters in Myitkyina.

Kyal Sin, widely known as Angel, died on Wednesday from a shot to the head as protesters came under fire from security forces trying to end demonstrations against the February 1 coup.

Kyal Sin (bottom right), seen before she was shot and killed. The body of the 19-year-old woman who was shot dead wearing a T-shirt that read 'Everything will be OK' has been exhumed

Tear gas and fire extinguisher gas float around demonstrators as they run away from police during a protest against the military coup in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 8

Demonstrators throw stones as they clash with police during a protest in Myitkyina, Myanmar March 8

She has become an icon of the protest movement.

The exhumation of Kyal Sin has brought fresh outrage from opponents of the coup, who accuse the junta of trying to conceal the fact she was killed by their forces.

State television said police, a judge and doctors had exhumed the body and carried out a surgical investigation.

Anti-coup protesters flash a three-fingered sign of resistance during a demonstration in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 8

Anti-coup protesters discharge fire extinguishers to counter the impact of the tear gas fired by police during a demonstration in Naypyitaw, Myanmar on Monday

Anti-coup protesters flash a three-fingered sign of resistance during a demonstration in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 8. The escalation of violence in Myanmar as authorities crack down on protests against the February 1 coup is raising pressure for more sanctions against the junta, even as countries struggle over how to best sway military leaders inured to global condemnation

They found a penetration wound in the back of the head and a piece of lead measuring 1.2 cm by 0.7 cm in the brain and said that it was different from the tips of bullets used by the police.

State television said police had been face-to-face with the protesters and the wound was at the back of the head and that the object which killed Kyal Sin could be fired from a gun able to shoot .38 caliber bullets.

'Therefore, it can be assumed that those who do not want stability conducted the assassination,' MRTV said.

Grabs: CCTV footage shows Myanmar police storming Mandalay university. Witnesses say that two more people were killed today when Myanmar police fired on protesters in the northern town of Myitkyina

CCTV footage shows Myanmar police storming Mandalay university. The exhumation of Kyal Sin has brought fresh outrage from opponents of the coup, who accuse the junta of trying to conceal the fact she was killed by their forces

: CCTV footage shows Myanmar police storming Mandalay university. The army says it has been restrained in the use of force, but that it will not allow protests to threaten stability

Anti-coup protesters discharge fire extinguishers to counter the impact of the tear gas fired by police during a demonstration in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 8

Protesters hold up three finger salute during a demonstration against the military coup in Naypyidaw on March 8

On social media, coup opponents described the exhumation as a further insult to Kyal Sin and her family, with the intention of giving a false account of what happened.

A military spokesman did not answer calls seeking comment. Reuters was unable to contact police for comment.

State television said authorities had asked for the family's permission to exhume the body, but did not say whether it was granted. Reuters was unable to contact the family.

Protesters at the scene of the demonstration in Mandalay on Wednesday said they had come under fire from live bullets at the time Kyal Sin was killed.

Pictures published by Reuters show that Kyal Sin had the back of her head turned towards the line of security forces in the moments before she was killed.

Demonstrators shout slogans during a protest in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Monday. Major trade unions in Myanmar called on members to go on strike to shut the economy amid intensifying violent crackdowns on demonstrators by security force

Protesters react after tear gas was fired during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on March 8

Protesters hold homemade shields as they face off with police during a demonstration against the military coup in Naypyidaw on March 8

Anti-coup protesters flash a three-fingered sign of resistance during a demonstration in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 8. The escalation of violence in Myanmar as authorities crack down on protests against the February 1 coup is raising pressure for more sanctions against the junta

People evacuate an injured demonstrator during a protest in Myitkyina, Mynamar March, in this still image taken from a social media video

Residents said Kyal Sin's body had been exhumed on Friday by a team who arrived under police and military guard and kept people away from the grave site.

The tomb was sealed with fresh cement and discarded rubber boots and gloves and plastic surgical gowns littered the site on Saturday.

Kyal Sin was among at least 38 people killed on Wednesday, the bloodiest day so far in attempts by security forces to stop protests against the coup that has prompted daily demonstrations for over a month.

Protesters make the three-finger salute during a demonstration against the military coup in Naypyidaw on March 8

Protesters react after tear gas was fired by police during a demonstration against the military coup in Naypyidaw on March 8

Anti-coup protesters stay behind a makeshift barricade during a demonstration as police prepare to fire tear gas in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 8, 2021. Myanmar security forces are continuing to clamp down on anti-coup protesters, firing tear gas to break up a crowd of around 1,000 people who were demonstrating in the capital, Naypyitaw

The army says it has been restrained in the use of force, but that it will not allow protests to threaten stability.

The army said it overthrew and detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi after the electoral commission rejected its allegations of fraud in an election in November that her party had won by a landslide.

Protesters reject the army's promise of new elections and demand the release of Suu Kyi and other detainees.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU)



leader Rakesh Singh Tikait on Monday said that lakhs of farmers in their tractors wouldreach to seek repeal of the three new farm laws if needed.

Tikait, one of the prominent leaders of farmer unions which are protesting against the Centre's new laws on Delhi borders, addressed a huge rally here.

"If needed, we, on lakhs of tractors will reach to press for the repeal of the three black laws. 3,500 tractors entered Delhi on Republic Day. These were not hired tractors," he said.

Without naming local BJP leader and Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Tikait said he was powerless.

"The leader you all have chosen has no power. He can't reply to us on his own. He gets back with files and returns with replies," the BKU leader said at Sheopur Krishi Mandi.

Tikait would be addressing rallies at Rewa and Jabalpur in the state on March 14 and March 15, respectively, MP BKU general secretary Anil Yadav had said earlier.

(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.)
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Social media can be a nasty place as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) officer whose viral video made national headlines would know by now. The clip sent tongues wagging in high and low places last week, and it wasnt long before a Dancehall act made a single about the weekly scoop.

Gold Gad entered the chat with the instantly successful, Squaddie that blew to the top of trending in YouTube Jamaica after its release on Friday. The outlandish deejay who has a popular anti-cop scamming anthem, F You MOCA, may just have scored his biggest hit at the hands of the police.

Both the track and the music video are in Youtube Jamaicas Top 10 trending videos and to say he capitalized on the momentum would be an understatement. He might have broken Skillibengs record after he tapped the Rocky Point plane crash for the song Coke within days, but Gold Gads new video on the bite of the week takes place far from the wet shores of Clarendon.

The popular emcee opted for a parody of the damning viral clip, where a community converges on an ice cream eater in the backseat of a vehicle. While we cant tell whether he has rum and raisin, pistachio, or another flavor, the songs lyrics confirm that Gold Gad condemns the fetish.

Hear me nuh Squaddie yuh betta change up yuh habit/ Bredda yuh nuh sorry/ Ah weh dat yuh put pon yuh lip an den ah seh fi video it, he spits on the track.

Its a sentiment heard throughout the scenes, which also includes a few of the voice notes making the rounds about the situation. Gold Gad shares the spotlight with his gold Benz and bling plus a few local talents who add their vibe to the skit.

Popular social media comedian Cuz stars as the keen community lookout who spots the indulgent Squaddie at first and YouTube/TikTok sensation FoodChange steps in to chant his signature tagline, no eating off the buff, earning an on-screen forward from the Convo deejay for his comical jabs, thats a debate and a illustration about the buff.

At nearly 200K views and rising, the fans are convinced their deejay must have hidden powers for putting the production together so quickly.

Dj uh style just unique less than few days u can make a song /video and everything just well put together rate the chune @goldgadmusic bredda uh to craven , wrote one Youtube fan while another wrote, Rayyy squaddie tek ova di media all song a mek off a him..

Still, others shed light on the gravity of the matter, now involving a full JCF investigation, Even the youth weh act as the squaddie reputation mash up, him cyah touch road again .
A man wearing a face mask as a precaution against the coronavirus walks past a banner at a park in Seoul, Friday, March 5, 2021. AP



South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases fell back below 400 on Monday apparently due to less testing over the weekend, but health authorities remained wary of a potential resurgence as outdoor activity increases due to warmer weather.



The country reported 346 more COVID-19 cases, including 335 local infections, raising the total caseload to 92,817, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.



Daily infections had been above 400 for two consecutive days, with 418 cases Saturday and 416 on Sunday.



The country added eight more deaths from COVID-19, raising the total to 1,642. The fatality rate was 1.77 percent, the KDCA said.



After peaking around late last year, the country's daily infections have steadily declined since then on the back of tougher virus curbs.



The daily tally, however, has recently remained at around 300 and 400 amid continued cluster infections that center around the greater Seoul area, home to about half of the nation's 52 million population.



Authorities have repeatedly warned that people should abide by social distancing and stay home as more and more are expected to enjoy outdoor activities during the spring season.



The greater Seoul area is currently under the Level 2 social distancing scheme, the third highest in the country's five-tier system, while other regions are placed under Level 1.5.






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Former justice minister Nora Owen has said she does not believe the public would be "thankful" if a new minister were to be appointed to replace the current Justice Minister when she has her baby.

The former Fine Gael politician said Helen McEntee will face criticism from the public for taking leave, despite being entitled to take time to take care of her child.

She added that Ms McEntee's upcoming absence would be "giving somebody, somewhere, a lot of headaches".

Mrs Owen also said it was "extraordinary" that it appeared a constitutional amendment is needed to ensure public representatives, including Ms McEntee, are permitted to take maternity leave.

Ms McEntee will become the first Cabinet minister to give birth while in office. The baby is due in May and Ms McEntee intends on taking six months' leave.

At present, public office holders have to claim sick leave when they take time off to have and look after their newborn baby.

Mrs Owen, who was justice minister between 1994 and 1997, told the PA news agency: "It does raise the whole issue of what happens when somebody like Helen [McEntee] goes and says she's going to take her full six months.

"She will have to be paid because she's entitled to be paid. But do you put another person in and is there another full ministerial salary paid out?

"Do you raise the profile of a junior minister and put them into a senior ministry? Do they get the extra money because they are on less pay? And then do you appointment a temporary Junior minister?"

She added: "I don't think the public would be thankful, I think, for kind of a full new minister to be appointed on the full salary at a time when people are really struggling.

"I'd imagine that is an area that is giving somebody, somewhere, a lot of headaches."

She added: "I admire her [Ms McEntee] because she will get criticism.

"Someone will say: 'Oh, she's getting her salary, she should be in there'. She will get her salary the same as anybody else on leave when they're out."

Mrs Owen said it was a "pity" that a referendum may be needed before women TDs, senators and councillors are given maternity rights, and that it "worries" her that more women are not entering political life.

She admitted she had been targeted for being a woman during her two-decade-long career in the Dail and described the online abuse of female politicians as "disgraceful", saying it "shouldn't be happening".

"Very often, depending on what ministry you have, as a woman there can be an element of targeting," she added.

"I remember one journalist. He's dead now, so I'm not maligning him. It was a particularly difficult time and there was lot of crime and drugs were growing.

"He wrote an article saying: 'We probably wouldn't be going through this now if Michael Noonan had been made Minister for Justice as opposed to Nora Owen'.

"A man in other words. When someone used to raise it with me I used to joke and say: 'Oh yeah, the criminals are all sitting around saying: 'Come on, lads, let's do the crime now because there's a woman in there and we won't get caught'.

"It was such a stupid thing to say, and to be honest, a very misogynistic thing to say because, I mean, crime is crime.

"Up until Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, every minister of justice before that was a man. And our prisons didn't empty. Our crime didn't stop ... That kind of thing really angered me but you learn how to cope with it."

Mrs Owen features in Proud to Serve: The Voices of the Women of Cumann na nGaedheal and Fine Gael 1922-1992.

Fine Gael is marking International Women's Day by launching a reprint of the book by Maria Hegarty and Martina Murray.

A grandniece of Michael Collins, Mrs Owen was elected to Dail Eireann in 1981 and served as a TD for Dublin North for two decades.

When she was first elected to the Dail she had three small children and was one of only a handful of female TDs.

In the book she recounts how after winning her first seat in 1981 a journalist was overheard reading out his article as he called his newspaper: "An anonymous suburban housewife has just had a surprise victory in Dublin North."

She said she had to deal with men referring to her as a housewife throughout her career, using it as a "way to put people down or put them back in their box".

She also said she had been left "seething" on numerous occasions as male TDs passed off her ideas as their own.
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NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Considering the growing rate of environmental degradation, governments around the world are offering tax concessions and purchase subsidies on electric vehicles (EV). As a result, the global electric scooter and motorcycle market size will increase from $5,913.9 million in 2019 to $10,529.7 million by 2025, at a 14.4% CAGR between 2020 and 2025, according to the market research study published by P&S Intelligence. Since these automobiles do not have an internal combustion engine (ICE), they are gaining widespread public support.

These supportive measures are key for the growth of the electric scooter and motorcycle market, as these vehicles are presently more expensive than their gasoline counterparts. Therefore, making them cost-effective is imperative to increase their adoption among the masses, especially in developing countries, such as India and China.

Key Findings of Global Electric Scooter and Motorcycle Market Report

Demand for electric motorcycles to rise faster than for scooters

Financial support important for market growth

Last-mile delivery and ride-hailing services key opportunity areas

Electric two-wheelers being increasingly bought via online channels

Automakers launching new electric two-wheeler models

Europe most-lucrative region for market players

Get the sample copy of this report at @ https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/electric-scooter-and-motorcycle-market/report-sample

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the electric scooter and motorcycle market has been affected negatively, as the lockdowns and restrictions on non-essential movement have led to low or no production of automobiles around the world. Moreover, with the widespread economic distress because of salary cuts and unemployment, people are not spending on unimportant things, such as automobiles.

In the coming years, the scooter bifurcation is expected to continue dominating the electric scooter and motorcycle market, on the basis of product. Scooters are already cheaper than motorcycles, and more models of the former are available in the market.

The lithium-ion (Li-ion) bifurcation will witness the higher value CAGR in the electric scooter and motorcycle market, of 23.2%, based on battery type, in the near future. Compared to a sealed leadacid (SLA) battery, Li-ion variants can carry more charge, therefore offer a longer driving range. In addition, these batteries are lightweight, smaller, and safe to dispose of, and they are also witnessing a fall in their prices.

Browse detailed report with COVID-19 impact analysis on Electric Scooter and Motorcycle Market Research Report: By Product (Scooter, Motorcycle), Battery Type (SLA, Li-ion), Voltage (36 V, 48 V, 60 V), Technology (Plug-in, Battery)  Global Industry Analysis and Growth Forecast to 2025 @ https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/electric-scooter-and-motorcycle-market

In the past, the 48 V category held the largest share in the electric scooter and motorcycle market, under segmentation by voltage. Compared to two-wheelers with batteries of other voltage ratings, those with 48-V batteries offer the highest benefit relative to their cost, which leads to the strongest preference for them.

Plug-in has been the larger category under the technology segment of the electric scooter and motorcycle market till now. Such two-wheelers are cost-effective and easy to charge, requiring to be simply plugged into a domestic electricity socket.

Asia-Pacific (APAC) is the most-productive electric scooter and motorcycle market, on account of the rising per capita income, rapid urbanization, and strong government support for EVs. In the years to come, the fastest growth in the market is projected to be witnessed by Europe, due to the rising environmental concerns forcing the regional governments to focus on a carbon-free economy.

Make enquiry about this report at @ https://www.psmarketresearch.com/send-enquiry?enquiry-url=electric-scooter-and-motorcycle-market

Major players in the global electric scooter and motorcycle market are Yadea Technology Group Co. Ltd., Zero Motorcycles Inc., BMW AG, Terra Motors Co. Ltd., AIMA Technology Group Co. Ltd., GOVECS Group, Energica Motor Company S.p.A., Mahindra GenZe, Hero Electric Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., Vmoto Ltd., TORROT ELECTRIC EUROPA S.A., Gogoro Inc., Kwang Yang Motor Co. Ltd., Niu Technologies, unu GmbH, Askoll EVA SpA, cutum Logistic S.L., Lightning Motors Corp., and Piaggio & C. SpA.

Browse Other Related Reports

North America Electric Scooters and Motorcycles Market -

https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/north-america-electric-scooters-and-motorcycles-market

Asia-Pacific Electric Scooters and Motorcycles Market -

https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/apac-electric-scooters-and-motorcycles-market

About P&S Intelligence

P&S Intelligence is a provider of market research and consulting services catering to the market information needs of burgeoning industries across the world. Providing the plinth of market intelligence, P&S as an enterprising research and consulting company, believes in providing thorough landscape analyses on the ever-changing market scenario, to empower companies to make informed decisions and base their business strategies with astuteness.

Contact:

Prajneesh Kumar

P&S Intelligence

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SOURCE P&S Intelligence
WASHINGTON, March 9, 2021  In a landmark agreement, the Publications Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and Tokyo University of Science (TUS) proudly announce their collaboration to usher in a new era of open access publishing in Japan. Over the next five years, this agreement will bring the possibility for all publications by TUS researchers in ACS journals to be made available completely open access, bringing greater visibility to the scientific contributions of the universitys researchers.

Our mission is to transform TUS into a university acknowledged by the world, becoming a research base which leads the world from basic to applied research disciplines, says Tokyo University of Sciences vice president, Hiroki Fujishiro, Ph.D. We are confident this read and publish agreement with ACS will create more opportunities for our researchers achievements to be shared with and to broaden the global scientific community, resulting in a positive scientific contribution to the world."

In addition to the possibility to make their articles available open access, scientists from TUS will benefit from access to ACS more than 75 premier journals in all areas of chemistry, as well as the newsmagazine Chemical & Engineering News.

We are delighted to be embarking upon this partnership with TUS, says James Milne, Ph.D., president, ACS Publications Division. The universitys researchers are performing world-class science, and this agreement will help to speed that research to the rest of the global chemistry community.

This partnership is a deepening of ACS commitment to supporting the transition to open science in a way that best serves the needs of authors. Read and publish agreements like these allow academic and research institutions to lead that change, finding an innovative way of meeting both the research and publishing needs of their scientists.

More institutions are pursuing read and publish agreements, recognizing that publishing open access brings benefits for their scientists, says Peter Hoving, regional sales director for the Asia-Pacific region at ACS Publications. Im proud to see TUS leading the way for other institutions in the region and look forward to the publications that this collaboration will bring forth. Both Kinokuniya Company and SmartEd were instrumental in securing this partnership between TUS and ACS Publications.

Tokyo University of Science (TUS) is a well-known and respected university, and the largest science-specialized private research university in Japan. Established in 1881, the university has continually contributed to Japan's development in science through inculcating the love for science in researchers, technicians and educators. With a mission of "Creating science and technology for the harmonious development of nature, human beings, and society," TUS has undertaken a wide range of research from basic to applied science. TUS has embraced a multidisciplinary approach to research and undertaken intensive study in some of today's most vital fields. TUS is the only private university in Japan that has produced a Nobel Prize winner and the only private university in Asia to produce Nobel Prize winners within the natural sciences field. For more information, please visit https://www.tus.ac.jp/en/.
A Canadian pastor is being kept behind bars for another 60 days by a local court for violating COVID-19 restrictions.

The Christian Post reported that Canada's Edmonton Court of Queens Bench through Justice Peter Michalyshyn has decided last Friday to keep Grace Life Church Pastor James Coates in prison until his scheduled trial in May 3 to 5 in Alberta Provincial Court of Stony Plain.

"QB Justice Peter Michalyshyn dismissed an application for a review of a bail order release condition for an #yeg-area pastor charged following complaints against his church of non-compliance with COVID-19 measures," the Court of Queens Bench of Alberta tweeted on Saturday together with a link to the court decision.

The Court Decision said that Coates was charged thrice, two being a violation of the Public Health Act of Alberta and a third for violation of the Criminal Code since he failed to comply with the conditions of his undertaking that he agreed to when released for his first imprisonment last December.

It narrated that the first imprisonment was due to being over 15 percent of the allowed capacity for mass gatherings and the second was due to non-compliance to social distancing and masking guidelines.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Coates turned himself in last February 16 to the Parkland Detachment after local authorities charged him a second time for violating his initial undertaking release conditions under the Criminal Code.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police with other local authorities actually attended the GraceLife Church worship service on February 14 to observe and assess the Public Health Order compliance undertaking that Coates made during his first arrest. The authorities discovered he continued to violate the Public Health Order then charged him a second time, the news release said.

"We've been consistent in our approach of escalated levels of enforcement with this pastor, and we were hopeful to resolve this issue in a different manner. The Pastor's actions, and the subsequent effects those actions could have on the health and safety of citizens, dictated our response in this situation," Parkland Royal Canadian Mounted Police Inspector Mike Lokken pointed out in the news release.

Coates was put in trial for his bail after his second arrest. As per the Release Order issued by the Province of Alberta, his bail conditions included paying a fee of $5,000 along with agreeing not to conduct worship services at GraceLife Church "unless it complies with any existing orders of the chief medical officer of health, Alberta Health Services executive officers, or roders of the Court Of Queens Bench."

However, he refused his release conditions since it violated his "conscience" to stop holding services following Public Health guidelines for the coronavirus pandemic, alleging his rights for religious freedom is being suppressed, making him the latest victim of "lockdownism", reports said.

Justice Center For Constitutional Freedoms, which represents Coates and the GraceLife Church, appealed for the pastor's release prior to his trial but Queens Bench Edmonton Court Justice Peter Michalyshyn kept firm on his decision.

"A trial set eight weeks down the road was too long for an innocent Pastor to be in jail," stressed Justice Center For Constitutional Freedoms President Joh Carpay in a news article posted in their website.

"In every way this was a violation of Pastor Coates' Charter rights and freedoms," states lawyer John Carpay, president of the Justice Centre," he pointed out. "Charter freedoms do not disappear because the government declares regular church services to be outlawed while allowing hundreds of people to fill their local Walmarts."

Carpay defended that Coates is a "peaceful Christian minister" who should never have been required to "violate his conscience" by being asked to "stop pastoring his church" as per his bail conditions. But Michalyshyn, as told by the Edmonton Journal, raised that the court's decision was right and there were no legal errors with it. He highlighted that Coates' religious beliefs and convictions "do not overcome valid and enforceable laws" and that Coates himself was "subject to the rule of law."
The TECH Projects estimated carbon dioxide emission is 36% lower than the industry average calculated by the Nickel Institute for nickel sulphate production.

There is also potential for the carbon dioxide emissions to be further reduced and even have net-negative emissions.

( ) (FRA:4EA) has added another feather to its cap after the findings of an interim report into greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of its TECH Project confirmed low carbon dioxide emissions.

Minviro, an international company specialising in life cycle assessment of mining and mineral processing projects, estimated the TECH Projects carbon dioxide emission will be 36% lower than the industry average calculated by the Nickel Institute for nickel sulphate production.

There is potential for the carbon dioxide emissions to be further reduced and even have net-negative emissions, if its gas supply is derived from vented/flared gas at existing Queensland coal mines.

QPM is positioning the TECH Project to be a world-leader in sustainable nickel production as the exceptional greenhouse gas life cycle data makes it even more attractive to investors.

Another feather in the cap

QPM chief executive officer Stephen Grocott said: We have been positioning the TECH Project to be a world-leader in sustainable nickel production, with our zero liquids discharge, potential to be zero-solids discharge and no requirement for a tailings dam.

The Minviro report adds another feather in the cap for the TECH Project, positioning it as a low GHG emissions project with the potential to be net-negative.

We are pleased that not only are we leading the way, we have further opportunities for improvement, which will be pursued in our feasibility study.

The exceptional greenhouse gas life cycle analysis data makes the TECH project even more attractive to investors who supply the European, North Asian and North American battery supply chain.

Interim report

Minviro, which was commissioned by QPM to prepare an interim report on the GHG emissions for the TECH Project, calculated the projects CO2 emission level to be 3.4 kilograms carbon dioxide per kilograms nickel sulphate.

The industry average calculated by the Nickel Institute stands at 5.4 kilograms carbon dioxide per kilograms nickel sulphate but the calculations do not consider any production from China.

If China production was included, the industry average would likely be higher.

Carbon dioxide reduction potential

In its report, Minviro has identified the potential for the TECH Project to receive further carbon dioxide credits, which would reduce the level of its emissions.

QPM has been assessing a number of gas supply options for the project, some of which include utilising gas, which is either flared or vented ahead of mining, at existing coal operations in Queensland.

Coal mines de-gas areas for safety ahead of mining.

Gas largely consists of methane, which is 34 times worse for the atmosphere in terms of global warming than carbon dioxide.

Flaring of gas is the process of burning it so that carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere rather than methane while the venting of gas is the direct release of gas into the atmosphere.

When in operation, the TECH Project could utilise gas that would otherwise be flared or vented and receive carbon dioxide credits.

The level of gas consumption for the TECH Project is significant and as a result, there is potential for the TECH Project to be a net-negative carbon dioxide emitter, depending on the proportion of flared/vented gas and the credits which can be applied to QPM under international standards for life cycle assessment.

As QPM firms up its gas supply and more information on the production of this gas supply becomes available, Minviro will update its assessment of GHG emissions for the TECH Project.

Nickel matte

QPM also noted the recent announcement by Tsingshan Holding Group to sell 100,000 tonnes of nickel matte, an intermediate product that contains 70-75% nickel.

While nickel matte can be produced from nickel pig iron or ferronickel as a higher nickel content product, nickel pig iron is produced from pyrometallurgical processing, which is the highest carbon dioxide emitter of all nickel production.

The industry average for the production of nickel pig iron is 45 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilograms contained nickel in nickel pig iron.

Further processing into nickel matte and ultimately into nickel sulfate will further increase carbon dioxide emissions, making this a highly carbon-intensive option for batteries, which goes against the principles of the western electric vehicle industry.

Furthermore, the processing of nickel matte into nickel sulfate or firstly nickel metal (prior to conversion into nickel sulfate) is a complex, capital intensive process that is undertaken at very few places in the world, including Sumitomo Metal Minings Nihama refinery in Japan and Jinchuans refinery in China.

Therefore, even if nickel matte became an accepted and mainstream intermediate to produce nickel sulfate, significant capital investment would be required to increase downstream refining capacity.
James Argent has thanked his rehab team for their support with his ongoing addiction issues and encouraged others who are struggling to get help.

The former TOWIE star, 33, took to Instagram on Sunday to update fans on his recovery and thanked his followers for their messages during a 'difficult time'.

Arg has battled drink and drug addiction since finding fame on TOWIE and in 2014 he was suspended from the show after he failed a routine drugs test.

Honest: James Argent has thanked his rehab team for their support with his ongoing addiction issues and encouraged others who are struggling to get help

Speaking in the video he said: 'Hey guys, I just want to thank each and every single one of you who have shown me nothing but love and support with all your messages over what's been quite a difficult time for me.

'I know you're worried but I can honestly say I feel so much more positive about the future and I feel so much better in myself and that's because I have had day to day help from Dad in Recovery.

'Nick is a leading addiction expert and alongside his team at Verve Health they've really helped me on what's hopefully going to be a really special journey for me.

Hopeful: The former TOWIE star, 33, took to Instagram on Sunday to update fans on his recovery and thanked fans for their messages during a 'difficult time'

Recovery: Alongside the post he wrote: 'Thank you to Everyone for your continued support, It means so much'

'If you're indoors at home and seeing this video message, please if you are struggling please do not suffer in silence, please reach out to Nick, Dad in Recovery and the whole team at Verve health and they will help you along your journey just like they've done with me.'

Alongside the post he wrote: 'Thank you to Everyone for your continued support, It means so much.

'A special shout out to Nick @dadinrecovery & his team at @vervehealthrehabs for helping me on this path of my recovery journey.

'Dont forget to ask for help, Its out there. Dont suffer alone!   #dadinrecovery #recoveryjourney #getsupport #help4addiction'.

Journey: Along with his addiction issues, James revealed last month that he is have life-saving gastric surgery after reaching 27 stone during lockdown

Along with his addiction issues, James revealed last month that he is having life-saving gastric surgery after reaching 27 stone during lockdown.

Arg received his first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine last month after he was placed in the 'high-risk category' because of his weight.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain, he said: 'They've [doctors] basically been saying, the size I am at the moment, it could be fatal. If I was to catch Covid, I could be a goner.'

Speaking to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid, James added: 'It has been worrying. It's been difficult putting on so much weight and obviously the fact I've got so big.

Weight battle: Arg will have life-saving gastric surgery in the near future and described doctors' warnings as 'very worrying' (left, last month and right, in 2015)

'It kind of shows I haven't been in the greatest of places. But I'm sitting here this morning, I'm feeling super positive...

'I've got life-changing surgery, which is going to be taking place in the near future, it's all booked up.

'I really feel like I'm making positive steps and I can't wait to get back to my very best.'

James went on to explain how doctors have warned him he is in danger territory due to his weight and how if he were to catch Covid, it could be fatal.

Arg has battled drink and drug addiction for much of his adult life.

The TV star spent three months in a facility in Thailand over the festive season in 2016 in a bid to curb his addiction and revealed he checked himself in to a programme in order to get the 'ongoing support' he needed.

In August 2019, Arg returned to rehab following a split from Gemma Collins in a bid to tackle his demons.

Grateful: Speaking in the video on Sunday he said: 'Hey guys, I just want to thanks each and every single one of you who have shown me nothing but love and support'

For help, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
Prince Philip began his 21st day in hospital this morning as he recovers from heart surgery as Meghan Markle said she phoned the Queen to check his condition in she and Prince Harry's bombshell Oprah chat.

The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, has now spent three weeks away from Her Majesty unwell and receiving treatment.

Police were this morning still on guard outside King Edward VII Hospital as his stay continued hours after his grandson and wife's interview with Oprah Winfrey.

In the televised chat the Duchess of Sussex revealed she had called the Queen to check in on his health after he had gone to hospital in London last month.

She told Winfrey: 'I just pick up the phone and I call the Queen - just to check in.

Thats what we do, its like being able to default to not having to every moment go "Is that appropriate?".'

The Duke of Edinburgh (pictured in July) , 99, is in his 21st day away from the Queen

Prince Harry and wife Meghan during the Oprah Winfrey interview, which aired this morning

Police on guard outside King Edward VII Hospital where Prince Philip is currently staying

This is the third week of Prince Philip's hospital treatment and is 21 days away from the Queen

Philip was first admitted to King Edward on February 16 where he was being treated for an infection for 14 days last month before going to St Bart's for an operation a week ago.

He was transferred back last week in a move widely seen to be a positive sign.

It came after the Sussexes' interview where Meghan revealed she had suicidal thoughts at the height of her crisis in the monarchy.

She also asked the palace to seek professional help, and said she no longer had access to personal effects such as her passport.

Meghan also said a member of the Royal family had asked about how dark her son Archie's skin would be.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace told MailOnline there were no further announcements on the Prince's health.

A flag flutters outside King Edward VII's Hospital, where Prince Philip was admitted, in London

From a blocked coronary artery to a urinary infection, Prince Philip's ailments in past 10 years Despite enjoying an active lifestyle and carrying out Royal engagements until 2017, Prince Philip has suffered with an undisclosed heart condition for 30 years, which was only made public in 2007. The 99-year-old and still enjoys an active lifestyle. But in recent years he has struggled a little more with illness, suffering from a number of ailments over the past decade, including: December 2011, four days in hospital : Prince Philip is airlifted to Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire from Sandringham two days before Christmas after suffering chest pains, and undergoes surgery for a blocked coronary artery

: Prince Philip is airlifted to Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire from Sandringham two days before Christmas after suffering chest pains, and undergoes surgery for a blocked coronary artery June 2012, six days : Philip is taken to hospital after developing a urinary infection during the river pageant to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee

: Philip is taken to hospital after developing a urinary infection during the river pageant to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee June 2013, 11 days : He has abdominal surgery for an undisclosed condition and spends his 92nd birthday in hospital

: He has abdominal surgery for an undisclosed condition and spends his 92nd birthday in hospital December 2016 : Both the Queen and Philip suddenly cancel plans to leave London for their festive break in Norfolk after they both come down with heavy colds

: Both the Queen and Philip suddenly cancel plans to leave London for their festive break in Norfolk after they both come down with heavy colds June 2016 : The Duke pulls out of a Battle of Jutland anniversary event citing a minor ailment

: The Duke pulls out of a Battle of Jutland anniversary event citing a minor ailment June 2017, three days : Philip is admitted to hospital as 'a precautionary measure' for an infection arising from a pre-existing condition

: Philip is admitted to hospital as 'a precautionary measure' for an infection arising from a pre-existing condition April 2018, 11 days : The Duke spends nearly a fortnight in hospital following his successful hip replacement

: The Duke spends nearly a fortnight in hospital following his successful hip replacement December 2019, five days : He is treated at King Edward Hospital in London for a 'pre-existing condition'

: He is treated at King Edward Hospital in London for a 'pre-existing condition' February/March 2021, 21 days (so far): Prince Philip is admitted to King Edward VII Hospital for treatment for an infection on Feb 16, before being transferred to St Bartholomew's Hospital 14 days later because of a pre-existing heart condition. He underwent a 'successful' procedure on March 3 Advertisement

The Palace said in a statement last week: 'Following The Duke of Edinburgh's successful procedure at St Bartholomew's Hospital on Wednesday, His Royal Highness has been transferred to King Edward VII's Hospital this morning.

'The Duke is expected to remain in hospital for continuing treatment for a number of days.'

Phil Dampier, author of Prince Philip: A Lifetime of Wit and Wisdom, said the update was 'hopefully good news - he's taking it slowly.'

Philip has already had a 'successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition' and is expected to remain in hospital for 'treatment, rest and recuperation.

The Duke had the operation on Wednesday at St Bartholomew's Hospital in the City of London - Britain's top heart hospital - after being transferred there on Monday.

On Thursday, the Duchess of Cornwall said the Duke was 'slightly improving' and that everyone in the Royal Family was 'keeping our fingers crossed'.

Giving an update on his condition after his operation, 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.'

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said the update on Philip's health was 'good news'.

He added: 'The Iron Duke is fighting back. Wonderful.'

Royal biographer Angela Levin added: 'That is very good news.'

ITV royal correspondent Chris Ship said it was possible Philip has had a stent fitted, which medical experts had predicted when he was moved on Monday.

The Duke had a stent fitted in 2011 after a blocked coronary artery.

Philip was rushed to Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire by helicopter from Sandringham in Norfolk after chest pains as the Royal Family prepared for Christmas.

The Queen, who is being kept updated about her husband's condition, will not get to visit Philip and is thought to be unlikely to see him until he leaves.

This is because visitors are currently excluded at the hospital apart from a handful of 'exceptional' circumstances, including end of life.

She did not visit him at King Edward VII Hospital during his first stint there because she is always reluctant to cause disruption to any hospital's vital work.

She is understood to know her presence would place unnecessary pressure on staff at the best of times.

It means the Queen will have been parted from her husband of 73 years for at least three weeks.

His current condition is not known, but a move away from one of the UK's biggest critical care hospitals is likely to be a positive sign

Philip was moved from the rear of the private King Edward VII Hospital in London in a cloak and dagger operation when he was moved to the nearby NHS hospital St Barth's yesterday

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace today told MailOnline there were no further announcements on the Prince's health
UPDATE: State officials clarified in April that Marchs change only cut seven weeks from the Extended Benefits program, while the program was cut entirely in mid-April. This story has been updated to reflect that.

Thousands of jobless Michigan workers will lose their unemployment benefits this week as the state is halting a portion of its Extended Benefits program, the Unemployment Insurance Agency announced Monday, March 8.

The program offered 20 extra weeks of unemployment to people who used up their other benefits. It was triggered by high unemployment levels  but declining unemployment rates have triggered an end to the 20 weeks, now limiting it to 13 weeks.

Not only are the extra seven weeks of Extended Benefits gone, but the trigger also hits the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. The maximum number of weeks of eligibility shrinks from 57 weeks to 50 weeks.

Many claimants received a notice of the change this weekend.

The high unemployment period (HUP) is triggered based on the unemployment rate in Michigan, a state news release said. Under federal law, when a state is in the HUP, there are seven additional weeks added to PUA and additional weeks added to EB. When the state is no longer in a HUP, the additional weeks cannot be paid, and claimants must be notified.

As of Feb. 13, Michigan had 96,000 people getting benefits through the Extended Benefits program.

To trigger 20 weeks of Extended Benefits, Michigans total unemployment rate must be above 8% for the past three months and exceed 110% of the rate from the past two years, during the same span.

State officials didnt say which piece fell below the trigger mark, causing this weeks change.

Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Michigan had a 7.5% unemployment rate in December. The January number will be announced later this week. This estimate comes from a monthly survey of households and only counts people as unemployed if theyre searching for work or waiting to be recalled by their employer.

The insured unemployment rate in Michigan, as of Feb. 13, was 4.1%  meaning 4.1% of the labor force was receiving state unemployment benefits. But there are also hundreds of thousands of Michigan workers getting federal pandemic unemployment benefits, because they dont qualify for state benefits.

Combining state and federal numbers, there are 1 million people in Michigan getting benefits  meaning more than 20% of Michigans labor force is on unemployment.

Other changes to unemployment coming?

This is the second time pandemic unemployment benefits have been reduced in Michigan. The state allowed people to get 26 weeks of regular benefits instead of 20 weeks through most of 2020, but that wasnt extended for 2021 after a disagreement between Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature.

Whitmer has pushed to reinstate the 26-week timeframe  which is the benchmark for most other states. Michigan offered 26 weeks of unemployment until the 2011, when officials during Gov. Rick Snyders administration cut six weeks out.

RELATED: Despite draining 89% of unemployment funds, Michigan says it wont run out in 2021

Republicans have said theyll only raise it to 26 weeks if the state agrees to pay $150 million into the states unemployment trust fund, which is normally funded by employers, not the state.

All other federal pandemic unemployment programs hang in the balance, as Congress continues to negotiate an extension of them in its $1.9 trillion stimulus package. The current benefits expire March 14.

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Michigan tops 1 million unemployment claims for first time since October

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Biden allows people to decline unsafe work and still get unemployment  but it changes little in Michigan
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The former President John Mahama reacting to the Supreme Court decision to dismiss his case said he "disagrees with the process of the trial and the ruling of the court"

He bemoaned the fact that the court processes prevented the EC chairperson, Madam Jean Mensa from testifying and accounting to the people of Ghana.



"The vital part of the process to establish the truth and hold Mrs Mensa accountable was blocked time and againthe refusal of the chairperson from testifying in this election petition leaves a bad precedence for the future" he intimated



Reacting to this on Peace FM morning show 'Kokrokoo', the National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B said the 2020 presidential candidate of the NDC missed a golden opportunity to "replicate what President Akufo-Addo did in 2013 and even do better".



Listen to his explanation in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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MONTEVIDEO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th March, 2021) Russia's "important role" in Latin America is balancing out the influences pursued by the United States in the region, Bolivian Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta said in an interview with Sputnik on Monday.

"Russia plays an important role. It can maintain the necessary balance [in the region]. Latin America used to be under certain influences which led to the weakening of integration processes, such as UNASUR [Union of South American Nations] or CELAC [Community of Latin American and Caribbean States] under foreign interests," Mayta said.

The diplomat noted that while "certain powers" seized the disunity of Latin American nations as an opportunity to obtain resources, the Russian presence "creates a tendency to create new balances," that is to say a restraint of the United States' excessive influence in the region.

Mayta expressed hope that the new US administration would "reconsider" its policies towards Latin America overall and Bolivia in particular.

"In relation to the United States, we are looking for something very simple and at the same time very complex - we are looking for mutual respect, respect for our sovereignty so that there is no interference in our affairs. On this basis, we can develop productive and positive relations," the minister said.

At the same time, he pointed to history as showing that the United States has in the past proved troubled to engage in a format of dialogue with Latin American countries that would also be acceptable for them.
Ive rarely heard white friends discuss their parallel experiences of first realizing their privilege. In fact, this summer was unprecedented in the sheer number of public figures and predominantly white organizations that released statements or tweets acknowledging their role in perpetuating systemic racism. In private, I and many of my Black friends received more sympathetic emails or Black Lives Matter solidarity texts from our white colleagues than ever before. It seemed, suddenly, white people too were having their own version of The Talk.

And in popular culture, these awakenings are appearing with more frequency. In this season of NBCs This Is Us, Randalls white siblings, Kate and Kevin, are, as a result of the Black Lives Matter protests this summer, slowly coming to terms with how much their own white household, and their ongoing refusal to deal with racism, has harmed their African-American brother, who was adopted.

Without such recognition by our white family members and friends, racial inferiority is merely thrust onto Black people as a unique burden that we must bear, disprove of and reject. This innocence is at the core of white privilege, and by extension, white power.

Back in 2005, when Harry wore a Nazi uniform to a costume party, it would have been impossible to predict his trajectory. By last fall, however, his awakening was well underway, with him talking about how his marriage to Markle immediately changed his understanding of race. I had no idea it existed, he said of unconscious bias in British GQ. And then, sad as it is to say, it took me many, many years to realize it, especially then living a day or a week in my wifes shoes.

Last night, he took it a step further. First, he noted how the race element distinguished the tabloid frenzy surrounding Markle from others in the past. It wasnt just about her, it was about what she represents, he said. Next, he indicted his family for not taking on the racist attacks hurled at their own, and then linked their institutionalized reticence or refusal to intervene in Britains much longer history of imperialism.

For us, for this union and the specifics around her race, there was an opportunity  many opportunities  for my family to show some public support, he told Winfrey. And I guess one of the most telling parts and the saddest parts, I guess, was over 70 female members of Parliament, both Conservative and Labour, came out and called out the colonial undertones of articles and headlines written about Meghan. Yet no one from my family ever said anything. That hurts.
Moodys Analytics is pleased to announce that Louise Green has won Reference Data Professional of the Year in the WatersTechnology Women in Technology and Data Awards 2021. It is the third straight year that Ms. Green has won this award.

Ms. Green was recently promoted to General Manager of Marketing. In her new role she has responsibility for the central marketing function serving all of Moodys Analytics. She was previously Head of Marketing and Communications for Bureau van Dijk, which became a Moodys Analytics company in 2017.

Joining Bureau van Dijk shortly after its founding, Ms. Green led the companys brand strategy, demand generation, knowledge enablement, and other core functions. Much of her focus was on growing market awareness for Orbis, the companys flagship offering, which has become the worlds leading database on private companies and entity data.

Orbis initially offered information on around three million private companies. Today customers can use it to learn about 400 millioncompanies and more than one billionownership links.

Orbis data is also a foundational piece of Moodys DataHub, the new cloud-based platform that integrates vast datasets from across Moodys and our affiliates. Decision-makers can access billions of data points in DataHub to help guide their investment decisions and risk management.

Being recognized again as Reference Data Professional of the Year is really gratifying, said Ms. Green. Use cases for reference data are constantly evolving. Its been a great pleasure to help customers understand how Bureau van Dijks and now Moodys data offerings are the resource of choice for understanding those use cases and can help them make better decisions.

Learn more about diversity and inclusion at Moodys.

Learn more about the Women in Technology and Data Awards.

About Moodys Analytics

Moodys Analytics provides financial intelligence and analytical tools to help business leaders make better, faster decisions. Our deep risk expertise, expansive information resources, and innovative application of technology help our clients confidently navigate an evolving marketplace. We are known for our industry-leading and award-winning solutions, made up of research, data, software, and professional services, assembled to deliver a seamless customer experience. We create confidence in thousands of organizations worldwide, with our commitment to excellence, open mindset approach, and focus on meeting customer needs. For more information about Moodys Analytics, visit our website or connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Moody's Analytics, Inc. is a subsidiary of Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO). Moodys Corporation reported revenue of $5.4 billion in 2020, employs approximately 11,400 people worldwide and maintains a presence in more than 40 countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210307005052/en/
Operating in mining friendly Nevada

Led by resource sector professionals

Global copper demand continues to rise

What Corp does:

Corp ( ) (OTCPINK:NPEZD) (FRA:4NPB) is focused on advancing its flagship Majuba Hill project in Nevada, USA, on which it has a lease deal, towards becoming a world-class copper deposit.

The exploration focus on copper is as a direct result of the growing electric vehicle (EV) industry, the group has said, which uses the red metal throughout the motor and electrical system in every vehicle. Notably, Majuba Hill sits 120 miles northeast of the Tesla (NADSAQ:TSLA) Gigafactory.

The project spans around 34 square kilometres (sq km) after the company increased its ground by 75% earlier this year. It is accessed via 23 miles of well-maintained dirt roads leading from US Interstate 80. Historic data from the project suggests an economically feasible oxide deposit near-surface with the potential for a larger sulphide formation below.

The asset's previous production credentials are in no doubt. Between 1907 and 1960, Majuba Hill produced 2.8 million pounds of copper, 184,000 ounces of silver, over 885,000 pounds of lead and 5,800 ounces of lode gold.

Bam Bam says the total potential for the project is between 350 and 500 million tons of sulfide/oxide mineralization at grades of 0.4% copper, 12 parts per million (ppm) silver and 0.175 parts per million (ppm) gold.

How is it doing:

In February this year, the company revealed that highly experienced mining professional Larry Segerstrom had joined the advisory board as it updated on last year's exploration highlights.

Segerstrom, who led teams that discovered new resources of more than 750,000 ounces of gold and 60 million ounces of silver with Paramount Gold and Silver and new ore reserves totaling 3.4 billion pounds of copper and 3.6 million ounces of gold with Freeport- McMoRan, was said to be very encouraged by the 'strong porphyry signature' shown at Majuba Hill.

In 2020, Bam Bam drilled 8,706 feet (2,654 metres) in five core and four reverse circulation (RC) holes. Highlight results included 146 feet (ft) of 2.5% copper-equivalent.

Last year's exploration was a staged program applying all available drilling, geochemistry, and geophysical data to the copper porphyry mineralization..

It meant the company was able to expand and enlarge the known copper oxide zone and expand and extend the hypogene sulfide copper mineralization. Meanwhile, an 43-101 technical report was initiated in 2020 to provide an initial resource for Majuba and this is earmarked for completion early in Q2 pending receipt of all 2020 assay results.

On March 8, 2021 Bam Bam said recent and historic drill findings had shown the potential to "significantly" expand the known mineralization at the property as it pointed to holes which had "bottomed in significant copper grades below the copper oxide zones".

That came just weeks after assay results for 399 soil samples collected from the eastern side of the intrusive complex at the asset, which showed anomalous copper, silver, molybdenum, zinc, and gold correlated with intrusive centers identified from exploration in 2020.

"The discovery of the newly recognized intrusive centers highlights the potential for high grade enrichment and a large copper mineralization system," the company said.

Inflection points:

A resource estimate for Majuba Hill

More assays and start of drilling for 2021

Copper metal price moves

What the boss says:

In its latest statement, Bam Bam advisory board member and geologist Larry Segerstrom told investors: "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."

Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com
With the Senates passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan over the weekend, millions of Americans are expected to become eligible to receive stimulus checks worth $1,400 or more depending on their tax-filing status and number of dependents.

By a slim, party-line vote of 50 to 49, Democrats in the Senate on Saturday passed their version of the coronavirus aid package. The bill is expected to return to the House of Representatives for a second vote this week. The congressional measure has received overwhelming support from Americans, regardless of their political affiliation, numerous polls have showed.

Checks worth $1,400 will be on the way soon, Democratic President Joe Biden promised Saturday, noting the federal funds could hit Americans bank accounts this month.

This plan puts us on a path to beating the virus, Biden told reporters at the White House. This plan gives those families who are struggling the most the help and the breathing room they need to get through this moment.

Ahead of the expected passage of the relief bill, Omni Calculator, an online finance company, has published a virtual tool allowing people to calculate how much money they are slated to receive from the newest stimulus package, as direct payments to Americans will differ based on their income, marital status and number of dependents.

All Americans with a Social Security number will be considered for the relief checks. Even if you didnt file taxes in 2019 or 2020, the bill text states that you could still be considered for a relief check based on information available to the Secretary,  Omni Calculator noted on its website. Not everyone will get financial support, since the amount given depends heavily on your yearly income.

Use the calculator below:

Third Stimulus Check Calculator - American Rescue Plan

As part of the American Rescue Plan, direct payments of $1,400 will go to adults earning less than $75,000 a year. Checks worth $2,800 should hit the pockets of married couples who make less than $150,000 and file their taxes jointly.

Another $1,400 will be allocated per dependent for individuals who make up to $75,000 and couples who earn up to $150,000.

Americans checks will be reduced on a sliding scale so that aid will be completely phased out for individuals who earn $80,000 or more and couples who make $160,000 or more, regardless of their number of dependents.

Most Americans will receive the full amount from the American Rescue Plan, as the median household income in the United States was $68,703 in 2019, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Omni Calculator estimates the payment someone is likely to receive based on the version of the bill most recently passed by the Senate. To qualify for a relief check, individuals or couples must be U.S. residents with Social Security numbers. Certain people who didnt file taxes recently may still get direct payments.

To see how much federal money a person is eligible for, they need to fill out a couple of fields on Omni Calculators website, including their filing status, the number of dependents of any age they have and their adjusted gross income.

You need to have filed your tax return in 2019 or 2020, Omni Calculator noted. Your most recent tax return will be used for the relief check calculation.

This is not the first time Omni Calculator has put together an online tool for Americans to see how much money they would receive from a COVID-19 stimulus bill.

Last December, Republican President Donald Trump signed off on a $908 billion relief package. At the time, the finance company published a similar virtual calculator for Americans to calculate the amount they would get from their stimulus checks. The legislation provided $600 stimulus checks to all individuals who make $75,000 a year or less and $1,200 for married couples who make up to $150,000.

The passage of the bill in December came nine months after the first coronavirus stimulus package - the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act - was signed into law on March 27, allowing for $1,200 checks to be sent to tens of millions of Americans. Omni Calculator posted another virtual tool for calculating estimated direct payments from the CARES Act too.

Related Content:
Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs that vaccinations do appear to be 'weakening' the link between cases and serious illness, and she hoped that in future the virus can be dealt with in a 'less restrictive' way. But she warned that we are 'still not quite there yet' and must 'err on the caution' until more of the population has had both jabs - saying that some areas of Scotland will not go down to the lowest level of restrictions next week as planned. Ms Sturgeon insisted that a tentative approach now would mean there is more chance of 'staying' on the path to a full unlocking. The intervention came as the PM was assailed by a queue of experts warning against the full unlocking - with Prof Adam Finn among those entreating him to recognise that the UK is still 'vulnerable' and the 'job is not done'. Prof Ravi Gupta, a member of the government's Nervtag advisory panel, suggested the timetable should be pushed back 'at least a few weeks, probably a month' so more data are available and schools have started summer holidays. The British Medical Association insisted the battle against the disease is at a 'pivotal moment' and Mr Johnson must stick to his promise of being guided by 'data not dates'. One consultant respiratory physician referred to 'mini Covid volcanoes' erupting at hospitals around the country, which are threatening to 'explode'.
PITTSFIELD  As they open a new court fight over plans to bury toxic material in Lee, lawyers for two local environmental groups are finding an ally, of sorts, in the Environmental Protection Agency.

At least the EPA of 2016.

In a brief filed with the nations top environmental court, lawyers representing the Housatonic River Initiative and the Housatonic Environmental Action League contend that the federal agency failed to show why it is backing a dump it refused to endorse in a 2016 permit.

The Regions decision to require onsite disposal is based upon a complete reversal of its prior factual findings without any new investigation or change of circumstances, the lawyers write in their brief to the Environmental Appeals Board. That is the very definition of arbitrary and capricious agency conduct.

The 67-page filing, which arrived on the courts docket Monday, kicks off a new legal phase in the 20-year effort to more fully address the General Electric Co.s history of polluting the Housatonic River from its former Pittsfield transformer plant. The litigation now stands in the way of the settlement that GE reached with the EPA and other parties a year ago, after more than a year of secret talks.

'Upland Disposal Facility' in Lee named landfill for low-level PCB dirt (copy) A diagram of the location and design of the proposed Upland Disposal Facility in Lee, which would be used to bury up to 1 million cubic yards 

The full-throated brief comes in at 13,993 words, just seven words short of the maximum allowed for this type of filing. The lawyers representing the environmental groups on a pro bono basis are Stephanie R. Parker of the firm OConnor, Carnathan & Mack, LLC, of Burlington; Katy T. Garrison, of the firm Murphy & Riley, PC, of Boston; and Andrew Rainer, of the firm Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten, LLP, of Boston.

The other side hasnt been heard from yet. A request for comment from the EPA is pending. The court has set an April 5 deadline for a response by the EPA. Lawyers for GE notified the court that they will provide the companys response by April 5 as well.

The court wants to see friend of the court briefs by March 26; one group, the five-town municipal committee that embraced the settlement, has indicated that it will weigh in.

Opponents of the Lee dump have said that if their arguments fail at the Environmental Appeals Board, they will take their objections to other federal courts. It remains to be seen when a cleanup could begin. The current permit calls for GE to engage in about $576 million worth of work over 13 years. Officials with the EPAs Boston office have said PCBs can be safely buried at the quarry and hailed the settlement reached a year ago as an improvement in the overall cleanup.

Landfill in crosshairs

What the groups want FINDING RELIEF: In their newly filed brief with the Environmental Appeals Board, the Housatonic River Initiative and the Housatonic Environmental Action League seek the following remedies from the court:  Given the balance of risks and costs and the lack of support for onsite disposal, the Region [the EPA's regional office] should be directed to select an offsite disposal option for all untreated PCB waste.  The Region should be directed to fully and fairly evaluate bioremediation and thermal desorption and to select a remedy which utilizes these proven technologies to the maximum extent practicable.  The Region should be directed to conduct a detailed analysis of whether MNR [Monitored Natural Recovery] can achieve long-term protection within a reasonable timeframe. If the Region determines that MNR can achieve long-term protection within a reasonable timeframe, then performance standards, the reasonable timeframe, and provisions for a contingent response should be included in the permit. Otherwise, the Region should select a remedy that will be effective.

The brief asks that the court order the EPA to upend the February 2020 settlement, and its December permit, by compelling GE to ship polychlorinated biphenyls to licensed disposal sites out of state  not to the planned Upland Disposal Facility in a former Lee quarry. More broadly, it faults the current Rest of River cleanup permit, released in December, for not embracing alternative means of attacking the presence of PCBs in the river flood plain.

The groups also object to what they see as an inadequate scope for the cleanup, one that would leave at least half of the PCBs in place, and what they view as a failure to set binding performance standards for GEs cleanup along many stretches of the River.

The brief argues that the current permits steps, and the secret process used to reach them, violate the 2000 Consent Decree that governs GEs cleanup obligations and various federal laws.

The brief asks the justices who sit with the Washington court, who heard an earlier appeal of the EPAs 2016 permit, to allow oral arguments.

As the Board knows from the prior appeal, this is a case in which there is enormous public interest and concern and a case that will impact many communities in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut, the lawyers write. Many members of the public, and the Petitioners specifically, feel that their voices have not been a meaningful part of the Regions decision-making process, which occurred most recently in closed door settlement negotiations.  The public was not privy to any proposals that were considered or the positions of the parties during the negotiation, and no administrative record of the proceeding was made.

Though the Housatonic River Initiative and the Housatonic Environmental Action League were candidates to join the secret mediation, HEAL refused to sign a confidentiality agreement, the brief says, and HRI, led by Tim Gray, of Lee, was kept at a distance after making clear its opposition to local burial of PCBs.

Separately, opponents of the Lee dump pressed the towns Select Board to overturn its decision early last year to endorse the settlement. Lee expects to receive a $25 million payment from GE under that deal. The board is standing by its support for the current permit.

Core argument

Several times, the brief returns to a core argument: Before the EPA was in favor of the disposal of lower levels of PCB-tainted soils and sediment in a local landfill, it was against it.

Prior to the secret settlement negotiations in 2020, the Region concluded that onsite disposal was inappropriate because it was less protective of human health and the environment than offsite disposal, the lawyers write.

Why an oral argument The brief opposing the current cleanup permit for the Rest of River project gives these reasons for seeking an oral argument before the Environmental Appeals Board: Petitioners respectfully request oral argument on this appeal. As the Board knows from the prior appeal, this is a case in which there is enormous public interest and concern and a case that will impact many communities in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut. Many members of the public, and the Petitioners specifically, feel that their voices have not been a meaningful part of the Regions decision-making process, which occurred most recently in closed door settlement negotiations. It is thus critically important to the Petitioners that they now be heard. The Petitioners have made extensive, persistent, and diligent efforts over the last two decades to participate in the Rest of River cleanup process. For these reasons, oral argument would serve the interests of a full and fair adjudication of the issues raised in this appeal.

The agencys earlier opposition, the brief argues, was based on hard evidence that the Lee quarry site was unsuitable for a PCB repository. The EPA felt that way, in part, because of the nature of the quarrys soils and underlying bedrock, as well as its nearness to the river. The agency also had objected because the proposed dump is located on a stretch of river that has been classified as an area of environmental concern.

The EPA also had opposed local PCB disposal because people in the Berkshires were so firmly against it.

However, after its secret Settlement negotiations, the Region completely abandoned its prior determinations regarding the risks of onsite disposal and suddenly decided that such disposal was now the best option, the lawyers write.
European Medicines Agency (EMA) managing board chief on Sunday cautioned against the efficacy and safety of Russias Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine. In a statement to Austrian broadcaster ORF on March 7, the chair of the EMA warned the European Union (EU) nations about giving the emergency approval to the Russian manufactured jab questioning the data from the vaccines clinical trials. Suggesting that no emergency use authorisation should be given to Sputnik V unless the EMA completes the safety review, Christa Wirthumer-Hoche said that the jabs safety was unknown. That's why I would urgently advise against giving a national emergency authorization," she said in a televised statement.

Further, the EMA managing board chief said that the EMA has sought documents that it can review in order to feel more confident about the vaccines approval. She said, that at the moment, EMA had no data about the vaccinated population and the side effects that they may have suffered after the shot was administered. "We can have Sputnik V on the market here in the future when the appropriate data have been reviewed. The rolling review has begun now at EMA," Wirthumer-Hoche added. Stressing that the vaccines safety must be monitored basis the European standards for quality, safety, and efficacy, the EMA chief said that the data packages received from the Russian health authorities will be critically reviewed of course, adding that it was a key step towards vaccines approval across the 27-nation European Union.

BREAKING:#SputnikV phase 3 clinical trials results in @TheLancet. Its 91.6% efficacy overall & 100% for severe cases have been validated by internationally peer reviewed data. With logistics at +2 +8C and <$10/shot, Sputnik V is a vaccine for all humankind.https://t.co/Fk5CHHkqIv  Sputnik V (@sputnikvaccine) February 2, 2021

EMA has started a rolling review of Sputnik V, a #COVID19vaccine developed by Russias Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology.

 https://t.co/pHVqmSMAuW pic.twitter.com/Bff87qJwOV  EU Medicines Agency (@EMA_News) March 4, 2021

Read: Russia Imports Millions Of Flowers For Women's Day

Read: North Macedonia Gets First Batch Of Russia Vaccine Sputnik V

EMA sounds skepiticism

EMA has repeatedly made claims about Russias Sputnik V being unsafe as even earlier, the medicinal agency issued a statement saying that there was uncertainty surrounding any scientific evidence that the jab was safe for public use. European Medicines Agency has to date not received an application for a rolling review or a marketing authorization for the vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Russia, the Sputnik V vaccine (Gam-COVID-Vac), despite reports stating the opposite, the European agency said. It added that the EMAs Human Medicines Committee (CHMP) and the COVID-19 EMA pandemic Task Force (COVID-ETF) needs to give their agreement after the rolling review process in order to authorize the vaccine. Sputnik V has been approved in Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic and Brussels might also start negotiations if at least 4 more EU nations demanded the purchase.

Sputnik V arrives in North Macedonia. pic.twitter.com/WumHt7ASkl  Sputnik V (@sputnikvaccine) March 7, 2021

Read: Hackers From Russia, China Targeted European Medicines Agency Last Year: Report

Read: Russia Scores Points With Vaccine Diplomacy, But Snags Arise
A woman who stole more than 20,000 from her company social club and company credit card and spent the money on luxury holidays and shopping trips has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment.

Nicola Henry (32) was the secretary of the Johnson & Johnson social club when she wrote 37 cheques to herself, forging her colleagues' signatures.

She received a total of 17,326 from 27 of these cheques, which she spent on luxury holidays to Australia, Sri Lanka and Dubai, as well as restaurants, shopping trips and beauty treatments, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. The other 10 cheques bounced as there wasn't enough money in the account.

Henry, an office manager with the Tallaght-based company, was suspended when the thefts came to light. She then went on to spend a further 3,233 using the company credit card, Detective Garda Kevin Bowen told the court.

After she was charged, Henry buried her head in the sand and missed several court appearances, leading to warrants being issued for her arrest, defence counsel said. She was arrested in November last year and placed in custody.

Sentencing her today, Judge Pauline Codd said she accepted Henry's thefts were a result of her ongoing depression and was a method of escapism in dealing with that. She took into account a psychological report which found Henry was at a low risk of re-offending and would benefit from therapy.

The judge handed down a two-year sentence but suspended the final 18 months on a number of conditions. She backdated it to last November, when Henry went into custody.

Henry, of Carrownegh, Kiltoom, Co Roscommon, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and two counts of attempted theft from Johnson & Johnson social club and company between April 2014 and September 2015. She also pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false instrument between those dates.

A further 65 counts on the indictment were taken into consideration. Henry has no previous convictions.

Det Gda Bowen told Gerardine Small BL, prosecuting, that Henry joined the company in 2011 as an accounts assistant and went on to have several different roles within the company, including office manager. She joined the company social club in 2012 and became secretary of the club.

The court heard employees who were members of the social club paid a contribution from their salaries every month for social gatherings, with the company also regularly adding funds.

Although Henry was on the club committee and had a cheque book, she did not have authorisation to sign cheques on behalf of the club. As a result, she forged the signatures of two of her colleagues who were authorised to do this and cashed cheques which she made out to herself.

Ten of the 37 cheques - with a value of 35,340 - bounced as there wasn't enough money in the account. Henry's offending came to light when the bank contacted the company controller about the bounced cheques in August 2015.

She was immediately suspended and her company credit card was blocked. However, the company noticed in November of that year that further sums of money had been spent using the blocked card.

It emerged the bank had contacted Henry about the card being blocked and she authorised them to unblock it before continuing to spend company money, the court heard.

Det Gda Bowen said Henry did not spend any money on day-to-day expenses. It was all luxury items, he said.

As well as the holidays, the court heard Henry spent money on restaurants, hairdressers, nail treatments and a shopping trip to Northern Ireland.

Defence barrister, Kieran Kelly BL, said his client had a normal upbringing, a good education and came from a good family. The court heard her mother became ill with cancer when she was a teenager and Henry took on a caring role in the home. She suffered from depression in the wake of her mother's death in 2008.

Mr Kelly said his client, who was tearful during the sentence hearing, was extremely remorseful for her actions.

He said she had taken on a number of accounting roles since the incident, but had been let go when her offending in Johnson & Johnson came to light. She was unable to repay any of the money she stole, he said.

Mr Kelly said his client is a very private person.

She has buried her head in the sand very much in relation to this matter, he said. She is a person who should follow through on counselling available to her.
MONROE, La., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Louisiana Small Business Development Center network announces its SBDC CARES Act initiative. SBDC CARES is a program that allows the Louisiana SBDC to expand its small business technical assistance service to specialty consulting for existing small business owners and entrepreneurs who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

SBDC CARES stems from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was passed by Congress with bipartisan support and signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act economic relief package allows the Louisiana SBDC to provide no-cost specialty consulting in the areas of financial management, e-commerce, web development, Cybersecurity, and HR management.

Louisiana SBDC State Director Carla Holland said they've spent the better part of 2020 assisting entrepreneurs with their core services, but the CARES Act funding allows them to work even closer with clients in specialized areas.

"We know COVID-19 has forced so many entrepreneurs to change how they do business, and change is often a challenge in itself," Holland said. "We're glad to be able to look at specific areas of the business operations and provide a specialty consultant to help overcome the challenges that came with the change."

Since 1983, Louisiana SBDC has broadened economic opportunities in Louisiana and fostered successful entrepreneurs by offering high-quality consulting to existing and new small business owners at no cost. The organization also specializes in market research, growth acceleration, international trade, government contracting, and emergency preparedness.

The SBDC CARES Act initiative is designed to serve only existing small business owners in the state of Louisiana who were in business prior to March 2020. As part of the initiative, the Louisiana Small Business Development Center launched a statewide marketing campaign to bring awareness to the no-cost services provided.

"It's so important that small business owners know that there is help available to them," said DeRon Talley, LSBDC Director of Marketing & Communications. "We've strategically distributed information to increase our chances of being found by those entrepreneurs who need our services. They need to know help is here and it doesn't cost them."

The no-cost confidential consultation will be conducted virtually.

For more information call 1-866-782-4159, email [email protected] or visit www.louisianasbdc.org .

SOURCE The Louisiana Small Business Development Center

Related Links

https://www.louisianasbdc.org/


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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  In an effort to comply with a White House directive, the New Mexico Department of Health announced Monday that teachers are now qualified to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The health department is planning on making first shots of vaccine available beginning today to teachers and other types of early childhood professionals who work outside the Albuquerque area. Those types of workers within Albuquerque will be scheduled to get their shots beginning next Monday and remaining educators will receive their initial dose beginning March 22, according to a Department of Health news release.

Dr. Tracie Collins, the DOH secretary, said that New Mexico has already vaccinated about 15,000 teachers throughout the state. Most of those teachers qualified for a vaccine because of other criteria.

New Mexico had been offering COVID vaccines to health-care workers, people 75 years or older and folks with health conditions.

Last week, President Joe Biden issued a directive calling on every educator, childcare worker and other professionals who work with children to receive at least their first shot of vaccine by the end of March.

Two of the three vaccines currently being delivered in America require two shots for a person to receive maximum immunity.

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All UW Employees Can Schedule Vaccination Appointments Starting Today

Retired UW staff member Lee Kempert receives the COVID-19 vaccine from UW pharmacy student Kristyn McKnight, of Dallas, Texas, during last weeks rapid clinic at the former National Guard Armory now owned by UW. (UW Photo)

Albany Countys COVID-19 vaccination program today (Monday) enters Phase 1c, priority groups 1-3, of the Wyoming Department of Health priority tiers, meaning all University of Wyoming employees are eligible to make appointments.

The list of those who qualify under groups 1-3 of Phase 1c includes people between the ages of 50 and 64; individuals with moderate to severe asthma, hypertension, high blood pressure, liver disease and those who are overweight; and essential critical infrastructure workers. UW faculty and staff members qualify under the essential critical infrastructure workers category.

This is a great development for the entire campus community, and we so appreciate the hard work of the state Department of Health and the Albany County vaccination team to make the vaccines available, UW President Ed Seidel says. With this step, were that much closer to achieving our objective of having a more traditional semester in the fall. We encourage everyone to sign up and be vaccinated as soon as possible.

There are several options individuals who are eligible to receive their vaccine can choose to schedule appointments:

-- Ivinson Memorial Hospital My Health Connection -- Individuals who qualify based on age and are currently signed up for My Health Connection may receive a self-scheduling link via email to book appointments. If youve already signed up on My Health Connection, you are on Albany Countys vaccination list, even though the language on the site references Colorado and UC Health.

-- Albany County Vaccine Call Center -- Individuals who are eligible in Phase 1a, 1b or 1c can call (307) 766-8222 to schedule their vaccination appointments. Due to high call volumes, individuals should remain patient and try again later if their calls do not go through initially.

-- Approved Primary Care Clinics -- Albany County Public Health received a limited number of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and has distributed the doses equally among approved sites. Eligible patients of Laramie Pediatrics, Albany County Community Health Clinic, the Downtown Clinic, Family Physicians of Laramie or Ivinson Medical Group can contact their providers to learn about vaccine availability.

-- Walmart Pharmacy -- Walmart has received a federal allotment of the COVID-19 vaccine. Eligible individuals can visit the Walmart website to schedule appointments.

-- Walgreens Pharmacy -- Walgreens has received a federal allotment of the COVID-19 vaccine. Eligible individuals can visit the Walgreens website to schedule appointments.

-- Pole Mountain Pharmacy -- Pole Mountain has received a county allotment for the COVID-19 vaccine. Eligible individuals can visit the Pole Mountain website to schedule appointments.

Those who need assistance to travel for their vaccinations may request rides by calling UW Transit and Parking Services at (307) 766-7433. Requests should be scheduled in advance, if possible. Callers should indicate if the transportation is vaccination related and if any special accommodations are needed.

While vaccinations are not required for UW employees, theyre strongly encouraged. And, to allow the university to track overall vaccination numbers to inform plans for the fall semester, employees must report their vaccinations once theyve received them. To report receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, employees will click on Career and Performance under My Profile in HCM. From the Career and Performance page, click Skills and Qualifications. The section of this page containing the opt-in to COVID-19 testing has been updated to include the ability to report receiving the vaccine. Under COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Status, click Add, then select the vaccine provider received as well as date(s) received. Employees can edit this section multiple times, allowing for entering of an initial dose, then returning to enter the date of the second dose. Completing the opt-in to COVID-19 testing contained in the same block is not required.

As Albany County continues to receive increased vaccine supply, rapid vaccine events will be scheduled. Eligible individuals will be able to schedule appointments at the rapid events through the Vaccine Call Center or My Health Connection.

As of Friday, Albany County vaccine clinics had administered 5,174 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Its expected that the clinics will administer 1,800 vaccinations this week.

Questions specifically about the vaccine should be emailed to COVIDVX@uwyo.edu. Additional information is available on UWs COVID vaccine webpage.
In celebration of Womens History Month, the Upper Thumb community can look to its history and find hometown examples of women breaking glass ceilings and paving the way for generations to follow.

That of Catherine Shook might be one of the best historical stories the Upper Thumb has to share. As the first women lighthouse keeper in Michigan, Catherine was a pioneer for women across the state.

Although the events leading to her taking over the lightkeeper position were unfortunate ones, it was unheard of at the time for a women to be officially appointed to the position of lightkeeper. At the time, the government-appointed positions were few and far between, often requiring a working relationship with state officials.

Jeff Shook, president of the Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy and descendent of Catherine Shook, enjoys sharing his familys history and only came to know of Catherines story after perusing his interest in Michigan lighthouses.

There were family stories about a lightkeeper that would be told at reunions and parties, but the story became convoluted over the years, Jeff said. After one particular family reunion, I decided to find the lighthouse and learn the real story.

My father and I visited the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse, but it was before the Lighthouse Preservation Association, meaning information there was limited, he added. One thing lead to another and we ended up finding information in Huron County on Peter and Catherine Shook.

After the information was discovered and additional research was done at the National Archives, Jeff was able to decipher his family history and permanently secure the Shook lightkeeper history on record.

Peter Shook, Catherines husband, was appointed first keeper of the lighthouse on March 3, 1848. The couple had eight children and the family helped in maintaining the lighthouse.

Lighthouse keeping was a family affair, Jeff said. If Peter were to get sick or travel for supplies, wives and daughters had to know how to keep the light on.

It was not uncommon for the lightkeeper's wife to maintain the lighthouse in his absence, but a women had never been previously appointed as the official lightkeeper, he added.

At the time, the Upper Thumb was a desolate place, meaning to gather supplies, Peter would have to sail south to Detroit. On March 31, 1849, he did just that  sailing on a small boat with two masts, when the boat capsized and he and three others presumably drowned.

Jeff cited an article published on April 23, 1849 by the Buffalo Daily Republic, in which it was reported that the drowned body of Dr. John Heath was discovered. According to his biography, John Heath was an American physician and politician who served two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives.

In 1836, Heath had moved to Port Huron, owning mills and manufacturing lumber at Pointe Aux Barques. He had drowned returning from his mills to Port Huron in 1849. Two of Heaths employees and Peter Shook, who was on his way to Detroit for supplies, also drowned.

The small boat was later found washed ashore around 10 miles north of Lexington with one of its masts missing. Heaths body was the only one to be recovered.

It was reported that the boat was found to have holes cut in the bottom with a pocketknife, most likely allowing the men to hold on to the capsized vessel, Jeff said. The wreck was determined to have been caused by a spring storm.

At that time, there were no towns along the lake to seek shelter, he added. Peter reportedly left home in the early part of the month and soon after the weather shifted.

After the shipwreck, the Shook family instinctively kept the light on. When the lighthouse inspector visited, he found the light to be in good order and Catherine was deemed competent to continue to maintain the lighthouse. She was officially appointed keeper on May 15, 1849.

Shortly after, on June 11, a fire broke out in the keepers dwelling. It reportedly started in the kitchen and spread through the house. Despite Catherines attempts to extinguish the fire, during which her arms were badly burned, the entire contents of the dwelling were lost.

At that time, your possessions were really the only things you had, Jeff said. I can imagine it would have been devastating to lose all of the familys possessions and furniture.

After the fire, they would end up living in an 8-by-10 area off the side of the house, which was essentially a woodshed, he said.

Henry Miller, inspector of lights for the northwest lakes, arrived the day after the fire to find the light still on, operating as usual. He inspected the damage to the dwelling and reported faulty construction in the kitchen above the stovetop ultimately caused the fire.

In turn, Catherine was exonerated from fault in the fire and the inspector recommended she continue as keeper, as the lighthouse was in perfect condition and she was able to maintain the light despite the challenges. This was an accomplishment, due to the use of the Lewis lamp, which was a type of light fixture in lighthouses.

The Lewis lamp was comprised of nine to 14 individual lamps. The group of lamps was positioned with a reflector behind each lamp and a magnifying lens made from green bottle glass in front. Each lamp had to be maintained individually in a labor-intensive process that included trimming each wick every 4 hours.

The original Pointe Aux Barques lighthouse, which was built in 1847, was a 65-foot tower constructed using stone from the Lake Huron shoreline. The tower was equipped with nine lamps set in 14-inch reflectors to produce a fixed white light.

The Lewis lamp was later replaced by lenses, which used only one wick, providing better and more focused light.

Catherine would later resign from her position on March 19, 1851. According to the Pointe Aux Barques lighthouse history, she passed away nine years later and was buried next to her husband in New Baltimore.

A new lighthouse was built in 1857. The new 79-foot tower, linked to a dwelling by a covered passageway, still stands today and is accompanied by a Michigan Historical Marker paying homage to the first lighthouse keepers, Peter and Catherine.

I am proud to have this history in my family and I enjoy sharing it with others, Jeff said. Im happy I was able to dig into Catherines history and give her the recognition she deserves.

In the early days of researching the National Archives, we were able to find a book dedicated to women lightkeepers but there was no mention of Catherine, he added. Since then, we have been able to advocate for her story and get her story added to the record books.
[March 08, 2021] Transact Celebrates International Women's Day

More than 480 team members at Transact, the leader in innovative payment solutions for a connected campus, celebrated International Women's Day today as the company reinforced its commitment to equality and inclusion. In a company-wide memorandum, CEO David Marr and VP of Human Resources Jill Clark called on team members to renew their commitment as One Transact. "As One Transact, each of us plays a critical role in creating an environment where all team members can achieve their potential, without prejudice," said David Marr, CEO. "Although today is a day we join the celebration of women's achievements and raise awareness about women's equality, doing our part to create and nurture an inclusive world is a priority for us every day." International Women's Day celebrations date back to 1911 and mark the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Transact encouraged team members to participate in this year's conversation by wearing purple, green, and white, colors of the Day signifying justice, dignity, hope, and purity. In addition, Transact invited team members to join the "Choose to Challenge" conversation on social media and posted advice from senior women leaders around the organization. The company's executive women shared with team members their reflections about the day, their inspirations, and their advice, including: "When I think of Choose to Challenge, I think of challenging ourselves to support women around us," said Transact Vice President of Human Resources Jill Clark. "I'm inspired by the women leaders in my network who are dynamic leaders in their organizations and find time for family and giving back in their community, as well. They are driven to make all they touch better." "My advice to my former professional self? If an opportunity is available, and you think you're not ready, do it anyway," said Transact Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis Maria Aguirre. "You'll learn more from the stretch than you imagine." "We still need greater awareness of opportunities for young women in STEM fields," said Transact Vice President of Product Management Erica Bass "Getting girls interested in technology at an early age is key. Young girls need to see - and believe - it is possible to succeed in this arena."



"There are many people who inspire me. My mom had a career in banking and also had the overwhelming majority of all the household responsibilities, but in her day, that was the price a woman often paid to have a career," said Transact Chief Marketing Officer Kelly Christiano. "I am also inspired by people like actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who now refuses to sign on to a project unless his female costar is paid the same." "My advice to my younger professional self would be to compromise less, respectfully vocalize opinions, and challenge those who present adversity," said Transact Chief of Staff Laura Newell-McLaughlin. "I am inspired by many things, particularly the everyday acts of friends and colleagues who give their time to assist others."

"The #ChooseToChallenge theme for International Women's Day this year reminds me, 'If you don't challenge yourself, you will never realize what you can become,'" said Senior Developer Sunitha Muthurajan. "COVID-19 has had a big impact on women not only economically, but also broadly in all aspects of life from managing work, family, taking care of kids with no day care facilities, supporting them for their on-line classes, playing role of teachers, etc. Hoping that this year is going to be bit smoother, let's challenge ourselves to regain the purpose of our life and achieve the levels we truly deserve. From now on, let's challenge ourselves to march steadfastly to reach our goals. And most of all, let's challenge ourselves to be brave and express our thoughts." "I'm really excited about the theme this year because it reminds us all that we are responsible for our own thoughts and actions," said Senior Product Owner Eithne O'Grady. "It's important to remind ourselves that change can only be implemented by a culture of willingness to embrace challenges and make a difference." "One of the ways men can do their part for women's equality in the workplace is to be a sponsor," said Transact Vice President Rachael Sepcic. "A sponsor is different than a mentor. A sponsor has faith in your potential, is willing to take a bet on you, recognizes your abilities and contributions as an individual, actively advocates for your next position, encourages you to take risks, and always has your back. I've been blessed with amazing male sponsors in my career." Follow Transact on Twitter and LinkedIn and join the conversation. For more information, visit www.TransactCampus.com. *** About Transact Transact is the leader in innovative payment solutions for a connected campus. Its highly configurable, mobile-centric campus technology ecosystem simplifies the student experience across the full spectrum of student life. Transact's offerings include integrated solutions for tuition and other student expense payments, multi-purpose campus IDs, and campus commerce. With a long-standing reputation of serving the higher education community, Transact proudly assists millions of students each year with its innovative products and solutions. For more information, visit www.transactcampus.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005084/en/

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Prince Harry said his father Prince Charles has 'made peace' with being in the 'toxic environment' of the royal family in another bombshell claim which has emerged from his and his wife Meghan Markle's interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Reigniting his war with the press, Harry said the Prince of Wales had come to accept the 'control' and 'fear' which he alleged members of the royal family are subjected to 'by the UK tabloids'.

He claimed that while he had tried to help members of his family 'see what has happened', he was 'very aware' that his brother Prince William cannot 'leave the system'.

The prince then added, 'but I have' - a reference to his and Meghan's decision to move to California last year.

However, Harry insisted that he would 'always be there' for both his brother and his family.

Meghan also claimed in the clip that she was treated differently to Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge by the press, saying that 'rude' comments made about William's wife did not compare to the 'racist' treatment she said she received.

It comes after Prince Harry claimed in a clip released earlier that racism drove him and Meghan out of Britain and the Queen was too busy to meet him.

The Duke of Sussex accused the Queen of snubbing him after she was allegedly overruled by royal aides when she tried to invite him and Meghan on a trip to Sandringham after they announced they were stepping down.

Harry said he received a message from the Queen saying he wanted them to visit 'the moment you land', but he later got a message from his private secretary at the time saying the trip had been cancelled.

Harry said he then rang the Queen from Frogmore cottage and she said: 'Yes, there's something in my diary that I didn't know that I had.'

The prince claimed the exchange showed that even the Queen could be overruled by aides, despite them giving her 'very bad' advice.

Meghan also spoke about her family for the first time, claiming that she 'didn't have a relationship' with her sister, Samantha, and that she only changed her surname to Markle after she married Harry.

It came as Tory MPs today led the backlash against Prince Harry and Meghan's 'appalling' accusations of racism against the Royal Family as they accused the couple of 'detonating a nuclear weapon' with the allegations.

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson refused to comment on Meghan's claims of racism in the Royal Family, saying it was a 'matter for the palace'.

In both broadcasts, Meghan and Harry steered clear of criticising the Queen or talking about the Markle family but revealed:

Harry claimed racism was 'a large part' of why he and Meghan had decided to leave Britain;

Prince said Queen was 'overruled' by royal aides when she tried to organised a visit to Sandringham;

Oprah has since said it was not the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh who made the racist comment about how dark their baby's skin would be;

Meghan said she and Kate's experiences dealing with the press were different, saying 'rude and racist are not the same';

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the allegations made by the Duchess of Sussex in her television interview must be taken seriously - while PM declined to comment on slurs to queen;

In the main interview, couple revealed the gender of their baby - a girl due this summer;

Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, made Meghan cry ahead of the royal wedding - but 'owned it' and apologised;

Meghan described meeting the Queen for the first time and having to learn to curtsy from Fergie. Sussexes say they speak to Her Majesty regularly on Zoom and called last week when Philip became ill;

Duchess claims she was 'naive' when she joined the Royal Family - and never researched what it would be like or anything about Harry. She said that she was initially welcomed by the royals, but was later 'silenced' and felt trapped. She said officials had 'lied' to protect other royals instead of them and took her 'passport, my driving licence, my keys';

Meghan claims a member of Harry's family was 'worried' about Archie's skin colour when asked if he was 'too brown'. Harry was asked about it and refused to say who it was;

Duchess described being cradled by Harry after feeling that she no longer wanted to live; Meghan claimed she begged for help from Palace but denied it because she wasn't a 'paid employee';

Harry says his family failed to 'support' and 'understand' them and reveals Charles stopped speaking to him and 'cut me off financially', leaving him to use Diana's inheritance;

Couple show of the hens they rescued from a factory farm for 'Archie's Chick Inn' as Meghan says they want to 'live authentically' in their LA mansion. Couple also shared unseen picture of Archie at the beach;

Harry says he is 'hurt' but 'completely respects' Queen's decision to strip couple of all their patronages, but says he has 'no regrets' about their decision saying: 'I'm really proud of us'.

But Meghan said: 'My regret is believing them when they said I'd be protected.'

Prince Harry said his father Prince Charles has 'made peace' with being in the 'toxic environment' of the royal family in another bombshell claim which has emerged from his and his wife Meghan Markle's interview with Oprah Winfrey

He claimed that while he had tried to help members of his family 'see what has happened', he was 'very aware' that his brother Prince William cannot 'leave the system'

In the new clip, Harry and Meghan were asked by Miss Winfrey if any members of the royal family had asked if they felt they had to move to the US because they were not receiving support from them.

Harry replied: 'No, sadly not. The feeling is that this was this was our decision therefore the consequences were on us. And despite three years of asking for help and visualising how this might end, it's been really hard.

'Because I am part of the system with them, I always have been. I am very aware that my brother can't leave that system, but I have.'

Asked if William wants to leave, Harry said: 'I don't know, I can't speak for him. But with that relationship and that control and the fear by the UK tabloids, it's a toxic environment.

'But I will always be there for him and I will always be there for my family. And as I've said, I've tried to help them to see what has happened.'

And when asked if Prince Charles agrees that it is a 'toxic environment', Harry added: 'He's had to make peace with it.'

Miss Winfrey then asked the pair why they hadn't 'made peace' as the Prince of Wales had done.

Meghan immediately interjected to say, 'because this was different' and claimed the presence of social media made the situation 'like the wild west'.

Reigniting his war with the press, Harry said the Prince of Wales had come to accept the 'control' and 'fear' which he alleged members of the royal family are subjected to 'by the UK tabloids'

She said Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge's previous experience of being called 'waitey Katey' before William proposed to her was 'not the same' as what she went through.

'Plus, my being American. It translated in a different way across the pond. So you had a noise level that was very different but if they can't see that it's different

'I think the volume of what was coming in and the interest was greater because of social media, because of the fact that I was not just British.

'And that unfortunately if members of his family say "well this is what's happened to all of us".

'If they can compare what the experience I went through was similar to what has been shared with us Kate was called "waitey Katey" while waiting to marry William.

'While I imagine that was really hard and I do, I can't picture what that felt like, this is not the same,' she said.

Meghan went on to say that members of the royal family would 'comfortably' say 'we've all had to deal with things that are rude' but then added, 'rude and racist are not the same'.

Asked if it would make a difference if members of his family would make an 'acknowledgement' that treatment of Meghan was different because of her mixed-race heritage, Harry replied, 'it would make a huge difference'.

He added: 'As I said, there's a lot of people that have seen it for what it was, a lot of people. It's talked about across the world. Yet the very people that don't want to see it or can't see it, choose not to see it.'

US breakfast show CBS This Morning aired unseen footage from Oprah Winfrey's bombshell interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex this morning.

Among the new claims:

'Harry and Meghan 'left UK because of racism'

Asked by Winfrey if the couple left the UK because of racism, Harry replied: 'It was a large part of it.'

Recalling a conversation he had at a Sentebale fundraiser, he said he was urged by someone who is 'friends with a lot of the editors': 'Please don't do this with the media, they will destroy your life.'

However, he did not identify who the person was.

Harry said: 'One of the people at that dinner said to me, ''please don't please don't do this with the media. They will destroy your life. This person is friends with a lot of the editors. I said, so I just elaborate, what do you mean?

'He said ''you need to understand that the UK is very bigoted. I stopped and said, ''the UK is not bigoted, the press is bigoted, the tabloids. Is that what you mean?''

Harry claimed the person replied, 'No, the UK is bigoted'.

He continued: 'I said I disagree. If the source of information is corrupt or racist or biased, then that filters out to the rest of society.'

Harry and Meghan were 'uninvited' to Sandringham trip

In another exclusive clip, Harry said he had been suddenly told he was no longer invited to spend time with the Queen at Sandringham in January 2020.

Harry claimed the conversation with the Queen happened after he and Meghan announced on January 8 that they were going to step down as senior royals.

He said: 'My grandmother had said 'the moment you land, come up to Sandringham, we'd love to have a chat, come for tea, why don't you stay for dinner because it's going to be a long drive and you're going to be exhausted?''

He said 'the moment we landed in the UK' he got a message from his private secretary at the time, passing on a message from the Queen's private secretary.

Explaining the terminology, Meghan said: 'A private secretary is sort of like a CEO role in the institution.'

Harry continued: 'The private secretary had cut and pasted a message from the queen's secretary saying, ''please passes on to the duke and duchess of Sussex that he cannot come to Norfolk. The queen is busy, she's busy all week''.'

Oprah asked: 'After she just invited you?'

Harry continued: 'Yeah... so I rang her, and that night I said I was thinking about coming, but I hear you're busy. She said, ''Yes, there's something in my diary that I didn't know I had''.

'I said, ''Well, what about the rest of the week?' She says, 'That's busy now, as well'. Okay. I didn't want to push because I knew what was going on.'

Oprah asked: 'Doesn't the Queen get to do what the queen wants to do?'

The prince replied: 'No, when you're head of the firm, there is people around you that give you advice.

'And what has made me sad is some of that advice has been really bad.'

Oprah concluded: 'That was tough. It's the type of thing when someone says, I'm busy, I'm busy all week, that's a big sign.

'When it's your mother, your grandmother. That's tough.'

Harry and Meghan felt 'unsupported' by palace

Winfrey asked if anyone in the family had said they were sorry the couple felt they had to make the move out of royal life because they felt unsupported.

Harry said: 'No, sadly not. The feeling is that this was our decision, therefore the consequences are on us.'

He said it was 'really hard because I am part of the system with them, I always have been'.

He added: 'But I guess, and I am very aware of this, that my brother can't leave that system but I have.'

Asked if William wanted to leave the system, he replied: 'I don't know, I can't speak for him.'

Philip 'was not the royal who had concerns over Archie's skin tone'

Oprah revealed on Monday morning that behind the scenes, Prince Harry told her it was neither The Queen nor Prince Philip who had concerns over Archie's skin color before he was born, but he would not reveal the identity of who it did.

Harry and Meghan revealed on Sunday night in their bombshell interview with Oprah that there was a 'conversation', before Archie's birth, about his skin and how 'dark' it would be.

It was a stunning claim that prompted Oprah and the millions watching to ask who it was who had said it.

Harry refused to reveal that person's identity on Sunday night as did Meghan. They said they wanted to protect whoever it was.

On Monday morning, Oprah said on CBS This Morning that when the cameras were down, Harry made it clear to her it was neither of 'his grandparents.'

'He did not share the identity with me but he wanted to make sure that I knew and if I had an opportunity to share it, that it was not his grandmother nor his grandfather that were a part of those conversations.

'Neither his grandmother nor grandfather were a part of those conversations. He did not tell me who were a part of those conversations, as you can see I tried to get that answer. On camera and off. '

Meghan Markle has told Oprah Winfrey that she was suicidal when she was part of the Royal Family living in the UK and told her husband: 'I don't want to be alive anymore'

Today, Tory MPs led the backlash against Prince Harry and Meghan's 'appalling' accusations of racism against the Royal Family as they accused the couple of 'detonating a nuclear weapon' with the allegations.

The Duchess of Sussex said 'concerns' were raised about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white, but refused to say who made the alleged comments.

One Tory MP, who did not want to be named, suggested that the couple appeared to be 'telling the Royal Family I've got this nuclear weapon and I'm going to detonate it'.

Conservative MP Andrea Jenkins tweeted: 'Today's Commonwealth Day gives us all another reminder of Her Majesty's long life of service and duty, continuing to work for us all despite her husband being in hospital. Britain stands with our Queen.'

Meanwhile, Fellow MP Michael Fabricant said: 'Every family is dysfunctional one way or another. The holder of every high position will have personal little secrets they want hidden. We are all human. Only HM Queen seems to float selflessly above it all.'

In the first interview last night, The Duchess of Sussex told Oprah she 'couldn't be left alone' and told her husband she 'didn't want to be alive anymore' before claiming the Buckingham Palace HR department ignored her plea for help because she wasn't a 'paid employee'.

In the first broadcast, the Duchess of Sussex said 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born' happened 'in those months when [I] was pregnant' with Archie.

However, when Prince Harry was asked about the exchange later he appeared to suggest he heard the alleged slur from a royal figure earlier, before he and Meghan got married.

The main bombshells from the Oprah interview - Harry and Meghan 'left UK because of racism' Asked by Winfrey if the couple left the UK because of racism, Harry replied: 'It was a large part of it.' Recalling a conversation he had at a Sentebale fundraiser, he said he was urged by someone who is 'friends with a lot of the editors': 'Please don't do this with the media, they will destroy your life.' He said he was told: 'You need to understand that the UK is very bigoted,' to which he replied: 'The UK is not bigoted, the UK press is bigoted, specifically the tabloids.' He added: 'But unfortunately if the source of info is inherently corrupt or racist or biased then that filters out to the rest of society.' - 'Uninvited' to Sandringham trip In another exclusive clip, Harry said he had been suddenly told he was no longer invited to spend time with the Queen at Sandringham in January 2020. Harry said the Queen had told him to come and see her there after he and Meghan arrived back in the UK from Canada. He said: 'My grandmother had said 'the moment you land, come up to Sandringham, we'd love to have a chat, come for tea, why don't you stay for dinner because it's going to be a long drive and you're going to be exhausted?'' He said 'the moment we landed in the UK' he got a message from his private secretary at the time, passing on a message from the Queen's private secretary. He said it was 'basically saying 'please pass on to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that he cannot come to Norfolk. The Queen is busy, she's busy all week'.' Oprah said: 'After she'd just invited to you?' Harry replied: 'She'd just invited me.'The Queen is busy, she's busy all week, do not come up here'.' - Press 'rude not racist' to Kate Meghan said she and Kate's experiences dealing with the press were different, saying 'rude and racist are not the same'. She said: 'Kate was called 'Waity Katie' waiting to marry William. While I imagine that was really hard - and I do, I can't picture what that felt like - this is not the same. 'And if a member of his family would comfortably say 'we've all had to deal with things that are rude', rude and racist are not the same. 'And equally you've also had a press team that goes on the record to defend you, especially when they know something's not true, and that didn't happen for us.' - Sister 'changed surname to Markle' after Meghan married Harry In one of the new clips, Meghan spoke about her family for the first time, claiming that she 'didn't have a relationship' with her sister, Samantha, and that she only changed her surname to Markle after she married Harry. - Meghan's mental health The Duchess of Sussex revealed she had suicidal thoughts and said: 'I just didn't want to be alive any more.' She said she begged for help, and asked to go somewhere to get help, and approached one of the most senior people in the institution, but was told it would not look good. The duchess said: 'I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that I've never felt this way before and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution.' - Baby Sussex is a girl Harry and Meghan revealed they are expecting a baby girl. The duke joined his wife in the second half of the interview, and told the chat show host: 'It's a girl.' He said his first thought was 'amazing' when he discovered they were having a girl, adding: 'Just grateful. To have any child, any one or any two, would have been amazing. 'But to have a boy and then a girl, I mean what more can you ask for? Now we've got our family, we got the four of us and our two dogs.' Asked if they were 'done' with two children, Harry said 'done' and Meghan said: 'Two is it.' She also confirmed the baby is due in the 'summertime'. - Royal family accused of racism Meghan said, when she was pregnant with Archie, an unnamed member of the royal family raised 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'. Asked whether there were concerns that her child would be 'too brown' and that would be a problem, Meghan said: 'If that is the assumption you are making, that is a pretty safe one.' Pushed by Winfrey on who had those conversations, Meghan refused to say, adding: 'I think that would be very damaging to them.' She added: 'That was relayed to me from Harry, those were conversations the family had with him, and I think it was really hard to be able to see those as compartmentalised conversations.' - Archie's title Meghan suggested she and Harry wanted Archie to be a prince so he would have security and be protected. The duchess expressed her shock at 'the idea of our son not being safe', and the idea of the first member of colour in this family, not being titled in the same way as other grandchildren. Archie, who is seventh in line to the throne, is not entitled to be an HRH or a prince due to rules set out more than 100 years ago by King George V. He will be entitled to be an HRH or a prince when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne. As the first born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton - one of Harry's subsidiary titles - or have been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, instead at the time of his birth, a royal source said Harry and Meghan had decided he should a regular Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. - The Prince of Wales The Duke of Sussex said his father the Prince of Wales stopped taking his calls while Harry and Meghan were in Canada 'because I took matters into my own hands. I needed to do this for my family'. He said Charles wanted him to put his plans in writing. - The Queen Harry denied that he had 'blindsided' his grandmother Queen with the bombshell statement about stepping down as senior royal. The duke said he believed the report probably could have come from 'within the institution'. - The Duchess of Cambridge Meghan said Kate made her cry ahead of her wedding. Reports circulated ahead of the Sussexes' nuptials that Meghan left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress fitting. But Meghan told Winfrey the 'reverse happened'. Meghan said she was not sharing the information to be 'disparaging', but added it was 'really important for people to understand the truth'. 'She's a good person,' the duchess added Advertisement

He said: 'That was right at the beginning, when she wasn't going to get security, when members of my family were suggesting that she carries on acting, because there was not enough money to pay for her, and all this sort of stuff.

'Like, there was some real obvious signs before we even got married that this was going to be really hard.'

Meanwhile, Meghan told Oprah she 'couldn't be left alone' and told her husband she 'didn't want to be alive anymore' before claiming the Buckingham Palace HR department ignored her plea for help because she wasn't a 'paid employee'.

Describing how she considered ending her life believing it 'was better for everyone', Meghan said: 'I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it. I just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. I remember how he just cradled me. I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that 'I've never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere'. And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution'.

She said that after confiding in her husband, she was forced to go to the Royal Albert Hall for a charity event in January 2019, claiming photos from that night 'haunt me'. She told Oprah she later reached out to one of the best friends of Diana, Princess of Wales, because she felt unsupported by the palace.

She said: 'When I joined that family, that was the last time I saw my passport, my driving licence, my keys - all of that gets turned over'. Meghan said Harry had 'saved my life' by agreeing to move to Los Angeles.

Meghan also sensationally claimed that a relative of Harry asked him 'how dark' their unborn child would be with the Duchess claiming Archie being mixed-race was a 'problem' for the royals after Oprah asked her if they were worried their son would be 'too brown'.

The former Suits star said she would not name the person because it would be 'too damaging' for them. But she confirmed that the duke was asked the question  'how dark his skin might be when he's born'  'by family'. She then said Archie may have been denied the title of prince because he is mixed-race, but has never been told. Harry was also asked to identify the culprit but said he didn't feel 'comfortable' discussing it.

In the most extraordinary royal interview since Diana spoke to the BBC's Martin Bashir in 1995, Meghan said her sister-in-law Kate made her cry in a row over dresses for the flowergirls, including Princess Charlotte, before her Windsor wedding. She said: 'She (Kate) was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologised. And she brought me flowers'.

Harry also laid into his own family, claiming their 'lack of support and understanding', the couple's mental health problems and fears 'history repeating itself' with Meghan like his mother Diana, who died in 1997.

Harry also said he felt 'very let down' by his father Prince Charles, accusing him of refusing to take his calls and and then 'cut him off' financially when they emigrated.

He said: 'My father and brother. They're both trapped' and added that his mother Diana would be 'angry and sad' that he felt he had to leave the royal family, but 'she saw it coming'. Harry said: 'All she'd ever want for us is to be happy', adding that his wife had 'saved me', declaring: 'I myself was trapped, as well. I didn't see a way out'.

The prince said he had to sign multi-million dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify because he was spending his inheritance from Princess Diana and claimed the palace suggested that Meghan should go back into acting to pay the bills.

Asked about his relationship with Prince Charles, Harry said they were now speaking again, adding: 'There's a lot to work through there, you know? I feel really let down, because he's been through something similar. He knows what pain feels like, and Archie's his grandson. I will always love him, but there's a lot of hurt that's happened. And I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship'. When asked about if he remains close to William he replied: 'I love William to bits. He's my brother. We've been through hell together. I mean, we have a shared experience. But we're on different paths'.

Meghan claimed she had been completely 'naive' about what royal life was like, claiming she didn't know about needing to curtsy for the Queen and being taught by Fergie minutes before meeting Her Majesty for the first time in 2017. The Duke and Duchess said they speak to her regularly on Zoom - but hinted at little contact with the other royals.

The Sussexes also revealed they were already planning 'Megxit' just six months after they married in May 2018 and Meghan compared life in Kensington Palace to lockdown in the Covid world today because she was 'banned' from going to lunch with friends. But said their new life was a 'happy ending' for after a journey 'greater than any fairytale you've ever read.

The Duchess was greeted by Oprah as a friend when the show began and admired her growing baby bump, before the host said that while they knew each other none of the questions had been shared in advance.

The Duchess of Sussex sat alone as she claimed she entered the Royal Family 'naively' and didn't do any research about her husband or the institution before entering it.

Describing meeting the Queen for the first time at Windsor and that she was shocked when she was told by Harry would need to curtsy to Her Majesty, and was taught by her husband's aunt Fergie.

Describing her initial experiences of becoming part of the royal family, Meghan said: 'I will say I went into it naively, because I didn't grow up knowing much about the royal family.

'It wasn't something that was part of conversation at home, it wasn't something that we followed.'

Meghan said she did not research Harry or the family beforehand, and had little expectation of what becoming a working royal would involve.

She said: 'I didn't fully understand what the job was, what does it mean to be a working royal, what do you do?

'I didn't romanticise any element of it, but I think as Americans especially - what you know about the royals is what you read in fairy tales.

'It's easy to have an image of it that's so far from reality and that's what was really tricky over those past few years, when the perception and reality are different things and you're being judged on the perception but you are living the reality of it, there's a complete misalignment and there's no way to explain that to people.'

A tearful duchess also told interviewer Oprah Winfrey that the stress of her role became so bad that she felt suicidal as a result of the pressure she was under. I didn't want to be alive any more -this was a very real and frightening constant thought,' she said.

She said she didn't want to tell Harry at first because of the loss he had suffered as a result of his mother's death, but she did and he 'cradled me'.

Meghan said she begged a senior member of the royal to assist her get help for mental health issue but she was left to suffer alone.

Meghan then denied making Kate cry before her wedding in 2018  and said the opposite had happened. Oprah asked the Duchess: 'Was there a situation where she (Kate) might have cried? Or she could have cried?'

But the Duchess of Sussex replied: 'No, no. The reverse happened. And I don't say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding. And she was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologised.

'And she brought me flowers and a note, apologising. And she did what I would do if I knew that I hurt someone, right, to just take accountability for it.' Meghan added that it was 'shocking' that the 'reverse of that would be out in the world'.

She continued: 'A few days before the wedding, she was upset about something pertaining - yes, the issue was correct - about flower girl dresses, and it made me cry, and it really hurt my feelings.

'And I thought, in the context of everything else that was going on in those days leading to the wedding, that it didn't make sense to not be just doing whatever-- what everyone else was doing, which was trying to be supportive, knowing what was going on with my dad and whatnot.'

Meghan also said: 'It wasn't a confrontation, and I actually think it's I don't think it's fair to her to get into the details of that, because she apologised.

'What was hard to get over was being blamed for something that not only I didn't do but that happened to me. And the people who were part of our wedding were going to our comms team and saying: 'I know this didn't happen. I don't have to tell them what actually happened'.'

But the Duchess of Sussex also insisted that she has now forgiven Kate Middleton and said she bought her flowers to apologise about the incident.

It then got even more uncomfortable for the royals when Meghan Markle accused the Royal Family of having 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white.

Harry said he loved his brother William but they were now on different paths and said their mother would be 'angry and sad' that he felt he had to leave the royal family, but 'saw it coming' herself

Oprah fails to ask Meghan Markle anything about her family as she probes rift with the Royals in bombshell two-hour interview - but teases more to come tomorrow Meghan has been open about her contentious relationship with her father, Thomas Markle (pictured together) in the past - but was not asked to address it in the Oprah interview Oprah Winfrey grilled Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their rift with the Royals in Sunday's bombshell interview - but made no mention of drama within the duchess's family. The long-awaited interview produced a bevy of revelations about Meghan and Harry's struggles with his family - including how she felt 'silenced', became suicidal during her pregnancy with their baby Archie and how an unnamed relative questioned how dark the boy's skin would be. Oprah kept true to her promise to ask the tough questions, repeatedly pressing the couple to clarify their claims and offer specifics. But the talk show legend left one rather large stone un-turned as she failed to ask Meghan about her relationship with her own family, which has long been contentious. Meghan did bring up her estranged father Thomas Markle at one point and appeared to suggest that they still aren't speaking. 'I grieve a lot,' she said as she reflected on the turmoil of the past few years. 'I mean, I've lost my father. I lost a baby. I nearly lost my name. I mean, there's the loss of identity. 'But I'm still standing, and my hope for people in the takeaway from this is to know that there's another side.' Oprah declined to press Meghan on the bit about Thomas, who has railed against his daughter in the press on multiple occasions. At the end of the two-hour program Oprah noted that it was impossible to fit everything in and said that more content would air Monday on CBS This Morning. It's possible that discussions of Meghan's family could be included in the footage yet to air. Advertisement

The Duchess of Sussex also described her 'pain' that officials had denied Archie the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect him by denying him 24/7 security.

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it.

She told Miss Winfrey that it was 'a pretty safe' assumption to suggest that the royal family member was 'concerned' that Archie being 'too brown' was 'a problem'.

When asked if it was 'important' for Meghan that Archie be called a prince, she said she doesn't have any attachment to the 'grandeur' of official titles.

But she said it was about 'the idea of our son not being safe, and also the idea of the first member of colour in this family not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be.' Prince Harry described the conversation as 'awkward', saying it left him 'shocked'. But he declined to reveal anything more about what was said, saying: 'That conversation I'm never going to share.'

After Meghan spoke to Oprah alone, she was joined by Harry where they celebrated on screen as they announced to millions watching they were having a baby daughter.

Harry then said the couple left because of the media in Britain and because of a 'lack of support and lack of understanding' from his family, and revealed that his father refused to speak to him after they left for Vancouver. And in a sign that his relationship with his brother William is strained, claiming he 'didn't have anyone to turn to' and was 'ashamed' to admit his wife struggling.

He said: 'I love William to bits. He's my brother. We've been through hell together. I mean, we have a shared experience. But we're on different paths'. Harry added: 'My family literally cut me off financially. Members of my family were suggesting that she [Meghan] carries on acting, because there was not enough money to pay for her. There was some real obvious signs before we even got married that this was going to be really hard'.

He also claimed that he was asked by his father, Prince Charles, to put his request in writing 'before he stopped taking my calls'.

Asked by Oprah Winfrey during their televised interview about why they left, Harry blamed a 'lack of support and lack of understanding'.

The chat show queen said she wanted 'clarity' and asked Harry: 'Was the move about getting away from the UK press...because the press is, you know, is everywhere, or was the move because you weren't getting enough support from the firm?'

He replied: 'It was both.'

Winfrey asked 'did you blindside the Queen?' with the announcement they were leaving the family, and Harry replied: 'No, I would never blindside my grandmother, I have too much respect for her.'

Asked where that story came from, Harry said: 'I hazard a guess that it probably could have come from within the institution.'

As Oprah wrapped up the interview the couple insisted that they had had a 'happy ending' by moving to LA, with Harry saying he had 'no regrets'. But his wife added: 'My regret is believing them [the Royal Family] when they said I'd be protected.'

Meghan then called their journey 'greater than any fairytale you've ever read' and said Harry had saved her life. Harry replied: 'Without question, she [Meghan] saved me.'

The Duchess of Sussex, who brokered the interview, has already accused 'The Firm' of 'perpetuating falsehoods' about her and Harry and said they refused to be 'silenced' any more.

The Sussexes have been branded 'selfish' and 'disrespectful' to go ahead with the shown when Harry's 99-year-old grandfather Prince Philip is in hospital recovering from heart surgery.

The interview, expected to be viewed by tens of millions of people in the US and millions more around the globe, is considered the most important piece of royal TV since Harry's mother spoke to the BBC's Martin Bashir in 1995 after she separated from Prince Charles.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have today insisted that their Oprah interview would be the 'last word' on their rift with the Royal Family.

The couple, who will have their second child later this year, said they felt they 'needed to have their say' but now want to 'move on'.
French activists celebrated International Women's Day by setting up a giant five metre clitoris opposite the 'phallic' Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The Clito Gang carried the giant inflatable sexual organ on to the Place du Trocadero in view of the tower about half a mile away.

Members of the gang said they set up the stunt to draw attention to the widespread 'sexual illiteracy'.

International Women's Day is held annually to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, while raising awareness regarding gender equality and parity across the globe.

The Clito Gang set up the five metre sexual organ in view of the Eiffel Tower to draw attention to widespread 'sexual illiteracy'

They chose the spot for the symbolism opposite the 324-foot tower, built in 1887.

Group co-founder Julia Pietri said: 'The penis and clitoris are treated differently.

'Your Clito gang wanted to draw attention to the widespread sexual illiteracy with the action.

'A quarter of girls do not know that they have a clitoris. And 82 percent do not know that it is an erogenous erectile tissue.

'Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide better education in schools.'

The move received criticism online from both male and female social media users.

The event was held today, International Women's Day, but received some criticism online

The Clito gang chose the spot as it is in fell view of the 'phallic' Eiffel Tower about a mile away

The Clito Group's actions opposite the Eiffel Tower drew scorn from some people

One said: 'This is counterproductive, a woman is not a sexual object, but putting forward this kind of thing produces the opposite effect.'

Another added: 'As much as I am very committed to the rights and respect for women, I find this action completely null.'

And one user commented: 'It's a shame: the struggle of women deserves better, much better, than reducing them to a sexual organ of pleasure.'

The activists also aim to better protect girls and women from sexual violence.

Victoria and David Beckham lead the celebrity tributes on Monday morning as International Women's Day kicked off with an empowering new message and another opportunity to celebrate with balloons, gifts and obligatory messages of support.

And Victoria, 46, paid tribute to 'all the ladies and young girls out there' in a short, empowering video message shared with her 28 million Instagram followers.

Presenter Davina McCall defied convention by crediting a man for his work on behalf of women's rights.

She said: 'Happy International Women's Day. I actually want to shout out a man; I'm going to say thank you to Jonathan Ross. He's a massive supporter of women and equal rights and he does it kind of quite quietly but he's really brilliant.

'Thanks to the men that support us on our journey. I'm going to be fighting this year for women to get better help around the menopause. I think this is a great place of inequality because I think that if men went through the menopause they would not be having the hard time we have trying to get help with it.'
" " Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement, at Kensington Palace, London on Nov. 27, 2017. Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

There was a lot of buzz when biracial Meghan Markle married into the British royal family May 2018 because  let's face it  the image of the Windsors has long been that they are rich, privileged and ultra-white. So, the welcome addition of Markle to the fam had a lot of people applauding this seemingly new, progressive attitude.

It didn't quite turn out that way, and now, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have taken a step back from their senior roles in the British royal family and are living in Los Angeles. They're expecting their second child, a girl, who like their son Archie, will not be the first multiracial royal of Britain's royalty by a long shot. Here are some other members of the British royal family with African connections.

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Queen Charlotte

" " Duchess Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (Sophia Charlotte, 1738-1820) was the queen consort of King George III (1738-1820). The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images

A genealogist named Mario De Valdes y Cocom made waves when he confirmed long-suspected rumors that Queen Charlotte, who was born in 1744, actually boasted significant African ancestry. A German princess probably selected by King George III's mother to marry him, she bore the monarch a whopping 15 children. Her great-granddaughter, Victoria, later became Queen, and those diverse genes are present today in Queen Elizabeth II.

Although some historians dispute Valdes's claim, there was always a lot of interest in Charlotte's appearance, because of her rich skin tone and the fact that her features bore characteristics considered "negroid." In fact, one prime minister of her day wrote, "Her nose is too wide and her lips too thick," and the royal physician described her, "true mulatto face." Queen Charlotte's African lineage dates back to the 13th century, when Portuguese royal Alfonso III took a black Moor as a concubine, and had three children with her. Then, one of their children married into another family with black roots, further increasing Charlotte's eventual African blood.

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Queen Philippa of Hainault

Queen Philippa was the wife of King Edward III, and was born in 1314 in what is now Belgium, in an area once ruled by Moors. Her father was a nobleman and at just 9 years old, she was selected as a wife for the future king of England. The claim of African ancestry is derived from a detailed picture given of her by the bishop Edward's father sent over to meet her. He wrote, "[H]er nostrils are also broad, her mouth fairly wide. Her lips somewhat full and especially the lower lip...all her limbs are well set and unmaimed, and nought is amiss so far as a man may see. Moreover, she is brown of skin all over, and much like her father, and in all things she is pleasant enough, as it seems to us."

At age 15, Philippa married Edward, by all accounts a happy union. One of their children, Edward, was known as "the Black Prince" but no one is sure why; historians think this was because of the color of his armor. Her kindness and compassion won her much respect in Europe and helped her husband maintain his long reign.

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Joy Elias-Rilwan

Third time was the charm for the Hon. James Lascelles, who wed Nigerian actress Joy Elias-Rilwan in 1999 following two previous marriages. Neither are what you would call standard royals. In fact, Lascelles spent time in the 1970s living on a commune, rather than taking tea with his first cousin, once-removed, the Queen. Currently 57th in line for the throne, Lascelles is a career musician who has traveled the world and studied jazz and Native American music. His wife is an actress who has appeared in film, television and theater productions, and has done extensive voice-over work. She's also said to be actively involved in AIDS charity work.

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Meghan Markle

An established American actress with a degree from Northwestern University, Markle became successful in her own right long before she met Prince Harry. She was also married once before, and has worked with several charities.

Her biracial status has been a topic of commentary from the very beginning. The daughter of a white father and African American mother, Markle has been praised as a welcome addition to the royal family by her fans, but has also endured racial profiling pretty much since the moment the world found out about her relationship with Harry.

In fact, the couple finally reached their breaking point following years of especially distasteful stories in the British tabloids. In a March 7, 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey  the couple's first since leaving the royal family  Markle said the situation was worsened by press coverage that was often racist and included "outdated, colonial undertones." Markle admitted that she had thoughts of suicide, which Harry said terrified him. The couple confirmed their son Archie had also been denied the title of prince.

Now That's Interesting The royal line of succession is full of interesting people, especially Olav Lorentzen, a descendant of King Edward VII, an artist whose website features a picture of him getting his head shaved...while totally naked.

Originally Published: Dec 8, 2017
(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 8 - Police in the southern city of Bari said Monday that they have identified a 36-year-old Algerian man suspected of being involved in the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris in which 130 people were murdered, including 90 at the Bataclan theatre..

Athmane Touami, alias Tomi Mahraz, allegedly provided support to the terrorists who actually carried out the attacks, giving them fake documents, among other things.

The suspected ISIS member was already in jail in Bari in relation to a two-year conviction for using counterfeit documents.

He was due to be released from jail in June 2021, but a new detention order related to the probe into his alleged involvement in the Paris attacks means that will not happen.

The detention order said that, if Touami were released, he would probably disappear without trace. (ANSA).


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On International Women's Day, Manitoba announced it is spending $50,000 to try and rectify a so-called "she-cession."

On International Women's Day, Manitoba announced it is spending $50,000 to try and rectify a so-called "she-cession."

With Manitoba women facing the second-highest loss of jobs of any province, and with Manitoba facing a major skills shortage, the province is seeking to get more women working in male-dominated sectors.

The Empower program at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology is receiving $25,000 to help women training in information and communications technology.

Another $25,000 has been tabbed for the Manitoba Construction Sector Council to promote careers in heavy construction, partnering with the River East Transcona School Division.

Women in Grade 12 and adults will receive career awareness, certificates and networking opportunities with job opportunities this spring.

"Jobs in trades and technology are often better-paying and have job security that minimum-wage jobs do not," Cathy Cox, minister responsible for the status of women, said at a news conference Monday, joined virtually by two advocates for women in trades and technology.

The sector is made up of just over three per cent women, and experiencing a skills shortage of more than 8,000 jobs, said Colleen Munro, chairwoman of the Manitoba Construction Sector Council.

"The challenge for us to attract women in trades and technology is fear of the unknown," said Beverlie Stuart, acting vice-president at MITT. "You have to see yourself in that career to have the confidence to pursue it."

Manitoba women have borne the career brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, and lost the second-highest percentage of jobs of any province, according to a report released Monday by the Manitoba office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

Most of the jobs were lost in retail, services and accommodations, social services and health. Manitoba's unemployment rate was 7.1 per cent for women, compared to 5.1 per cent for men.

Before the pandemic (January 2020), womens unemployment rate was slightly lower (4.4 per cent) than mens (five per cent), the report says. Womens part-time employment was down dramatically from more than a year ago, with 36,500 working part-time, compared to 41,600 a year ago,citing Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey data.

Women working part-time, racialized women, and women earning less than $17 an hour were hardest hit, the anti-poverty think tank report says.

Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government isnt doing enough to respond to the needs of women, says the NDP status of women critic.

"Right now, we know this has been an asymmetrical recession. Most of the people that have been hardest hit by this recession are women, specifically mothers, young people, newcomers and racialized people," MLA Malaya Marcelino said at a news conference.

The province needs to invest more in affordable and accessible child care, she said.

"They have actually frozen child care operating grants across the province for the past four years. And theyve also cut inclusion supports for children with additional needs."

Improved child care will enable mothers to retrain and get back to work, boosting the economy, Marcelino said. Government can help address employment inequities by offering subsidies to industry to hire from under-represented groups, she said.

Meanwhile, in honouring International Women's Day, the City of Winnipeg unveiled a photo display celebrating a century of women on council.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of Jessie Kirk, the first woman elected to council. Winnipeg elected its first female mayor, Susan Thompson, in 1992, and its first female speaker of council, Devi Sharma, in 2013.

The display will be installed in the Susan A. Thompson Building at a later date.

 with files from Larry Kusch

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
Zar Ni Maung fled Myanmar in 1989 for the Bay Area after the country, formerly called Burma, had a nationwide uprising against military power in 1988.

On Sunday, he was one of hundreds in San Francisco who walked the Golden Gate Bridge in solidarity with the people of Myanmar who have been protesting since the military seized power in a coup there on Feb. 1.

Zar Ni Maung said videos on social media that show military officers attacking peaceful protesters reminded him of what it was like 33 years ago when he was a first-year college student during the student-led movement in the summer of 1988.

Im very concerned about the kids because what we have seen in 1988, Zar Ni Maung said. As far as Im concerned, (the military) are armed terrorists taking over the country and terrorizing (people) using weapons.

Hundreds of people  many of whom wore red and raised their hands in a three-finger salute  walked halfway across the Golden Gate Bridge with signs that read Stop the coup and Save Myanmar. The hand gesture  adopted by Myanmar demonstrators  is from the film The Hunger Games, and symbolizes resistance and solidarity.

Myanmar had transitioned into a democratic government in 2011 after the military had ruled the country since 1962. According to the BBC, the ruling military changed the countrys name from Burma to Myanmar in 1989, and some countries initially refused to use the name. But Myanmar has become increasingly common, and in 2016, the countrys elected civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, said either name is acceptable, according to the U.S. Institute of Peace.

The recent coup brought Myanmar back under military control after it refused to accept the Nov. 8 election results. Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy, won the election, but the armed forces backed the opposition, which had claimed widespread fraud, according to the New York Times. The election commission said no evidence supported these claims.

Numerous countries and the U.N. secretary-general have condemned the takeover, the BBC reported. The U.S. and Britain have responded with sanctions on military officials.

The military announced a one-year state of emergency and has detained Aung San Suu Kyi, Cabinet ministers, writers and activists. Police and military officers have killed at least 54 people since the coup, the United Nations said Thursday.

Jack Kornfield, a Buddhist teacher and a co-founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin County, organized the walk with Patty Curran, executive director of Partners Asia.

Our goal is to remind the people of Burma that they are in our hearts, Kornfield said. That we march and walk in solidarity with love and kindness and peace.

To be able to send this message of solidarity at a time when they can use the hope is really important, Curran said. Theyre not forgotten.

Gloria Neumeier, who lives in Marin County, said she taught civic education to Burmese college students in 2012 after the transition to a civilian government. Universities were shut down after the 1988 movement and reopened in 1991, according to the New York Times.

I came because I respect those people in Burma that are really struggling. The military are scared. They know that the world is changing, said Neumeier, 90.

Chaw Tun traveled from Las Vegas with her friend to San Francisco for the walk to show that were here in spirit supporting (the people of Burma) and letting them know that their voices are heard through us since they cant share or report anything.

She said that her family members who live Myanmar have moved into one home to keep each other safe. She and her parents have been communicating with their family through Facebook.

She said she hopes the walk will bring not only attention to Myanmar, but also international intervention.

This is the least we can do, Tun said about the walk. My fear is (for this) to be yesterdays news and nothing has changed.

Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores
[March 08, 2021] Leica Camera USA Announces the Second Annual Leica Women Foto Project Award Winners

ALLENDALE, N.J., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dedicated to the expansion of diverse representation and inclusion in photography, Leica Camera USA is proud to announce on International Women's Day the three recipients of its second annual Leica Women Foto Project Award. This prestigious award is a part of the Leica Women Foto Project, an ongoing commitment to diversity in visual storytelling to help empower the female point of view through photography. This year's winners: Matika Wilbur, Karen Zusman and Anna Boyiazis were selected by a diverse panel of judges ranging from award-winning photojournalists to renowned contributors to the world of photography. Each recipient is awarded $10,000, a Leica Q2 (valued at $4,995) as well as a mentorship to support the continuation of their award-winning photo project. Matika Wilbur, acclaimed Tulalip & Swinomish Pacific Northwest photographer and social documentarian, has produced a stunning visual narrative of Tribal sovereignties in the US, Project 562, to "change the way we see Native America". Wilbur has visited over 400 Tribal Nations in all 50 states by car, RV, plane, train, boat, horseback, and on foot. She has exhibited her work and presented at scores of leading galleries, universities, and other venues while hosting her groundbreaking podcast, All My Relations, ranked at the top of feminist and race & society categories. She is currently completing a 500-page book for Ten Speed Press of Project 562 photographs and oral narratives and is curating a massive career retrospective exhibition and is a National Geographic Explorer for her Alaskan Tribal series. Matika's extraordinary creative initiative and singular body of work began after a dream with her grandmother, who asked her to photograph their own peoples. Matika honors her ancestor by portraying the richness and diversity of lived experiences of Indian Country with bold and inspired creativity. New York-based photographer Karen Zusman began her journalism career documenting human trafficking in Malaysia and over the past several years has made over 20 trips to Cuba for a photo book project. When travel came to a stop during the pandemic, Zusman was spending more time in New York and the inspiration for her winning project, The Super Power of Me Project was born. Growing out of her involvement with a Black Lives Matter bicycle protest group, her latest portrait series documents the strength and spirit of children of color in New York City, which the photographer says, "Shows who they are before the world tells them otherwise." With the assistance of the Leica Women Foto Project Award, Zusman plans to expand the project to an outdoor exhibit and workshops that foster creativity and self-esteem building for children to express, protect and expand their vision of who they are. Anna Boyiazis is a documentary photographer whose areas of focus include human rights, public health, and women and girls' issues. Based between Southern California and East Africa, Boyiazis has been working on her project Finding Freedom in the Water since 2016. The winning series bears witness to women and girls in Zanzibar who are learning to swim, which she describes as, "an act of emancipation in an ultraconservative region where such an act conflicts with patriarchal, religious norms." Boyiazis' work focuses on an in-deph, visual narrative of these women and girls, revealing the intimate context of their daily lives. With the support of the Leica Women Foto Project Award, she will be able to resume her work on the project later this year by returning to Zanzibar during the dry season and continuing to document the women and girls she has built relationships with so far.



"The second annual Leica Women Foto Project Award underscores our ongoing commitment to diversity in visual storytelling," says Kiran Karnani, Director of Marketing for Leica Camera North America. "With the Award and the overarching initiative, we aim to empower, inspire and amplify underrepresented voices in photography. Our commitment continues with a virtual summit in April and a call for entries for the next iteration of the Leica Women Foto Project Award this summer." The projects submitted by Matika Wilbur, Karen Zusman and Anna Boyiazis were carefully selected by nine influential women in photography, art and journalism, which include:

Karin Rehn-Kaufmann , Art Director & Chief Representative, Leica Galleries International

Art Director & Chief Representative, Leica Galleries International Amanda de Cadenet , Entrepreneur, journalist, author, photographer, activist and found of Girlgaze & The Conversation

, Entrepreneur, journalist, author, photographer, activist and found of Girlgaze & The Conversation Laura Roumanos , Executive producer and co-founder, United Photo Industries and Photoville

, Executive producer and co-founder, United Photo Industries and Photoville Sheila Pree Bright , Fine-art photographer and visual cultural producer

, Fine-art photographer and visual cultural producer Elizabeth Avedon , Independent curator, photo consultant, designer and writer

, Independent curator, photo consultant, designer and writer Elizabeth Krist , National Geographic photo editor and founding member of the Visual Thinking Collective

, photo editor and founding member of the Visual Thinking Collective Lynn Johnson , Photographer and National Geographic contributor

, Photographer and contributor Maggie Steber , VII Agency photographer and Guggenheim Grant Fellow

, VII Agency photographer and Guggenheim Grant Fellow Sandra Stevenson , Assistant Editor in the photography department at The New York Times In addition to the $10,000 award, recipients will each receive a Leica Q2, a fixed-lens compact camera with a rangefinder-style electronic viewfinder that produces unparalleled high-quality images. Designed with a weather-sealed body and crafted to last a lifetime, the Leica Q2 cameras will be gifted to this year's award recipients: Matika Wilbur, Karen Zusman and Anna Boyiazis so they can continue their groundbreaking work for years to come. To further elevate the voices of these female award recipients and their diverse photographic subjects, the new awardees will also be offered opportunities to participate in Leica Gallery exhibitions and Leica Akademie workshops as well as receive mentorship from notable photographers in the industry. As part of the brand's campaign to celebrate the power of photography and continued dedication to amplifying diverse voices in photography, Leica Camera will also be holding a virtual Summit in April. The Summit will be open to the public and those who submitted for the Leica Women Foto Project Award will have access to exclusive programming, including panels, opportunities to meet with photographers and more. For additional details on timing and how to sign up, please be sure to visit the Leica Camera website and follow @leicacamerausa on social media. To learn more about the Leica Women Foto Project Award and the award recipients, visit http://bit.ly/Leica_Women and @leicacamerausa on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . About Leica Camera Leica represents a union of craftsmanship, design and experience. It is a beautiful collision of art and engineering, and the future of form and functionality. Leica Camera, headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany, is an internationally operating, premium-segment manufacturer of cameras and sport optics products. The legendary status of the Leica brand is founded on a long tradition of excellence in the supreme quality and performance of cameras and lenses, and the iconic images that artists and photojournalists everywhere captured with them. For more information about Leica visit www.leicacamerausa.com , or follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Press Contact M Booth PR: Leica@mbooth.com / 212-481-7000 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leica-camera-usa-announces-the-second-annual-leica-women-foto-project-award-winners-301242453.html SOURCE Leica

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LOVELAND, Ohio  A former police officer in southwest Ohio is being held in jail on a $1 million bond after being charged with two counts of rape, reports say.

Anthony Pecord resigned last month after being placed on administrative leave after the accusations emerged, Fox 19 reports. He was arraigned Saturday morning.

According to WLWT Channel 5, court records show Pecord is accused of raping a man on Jan. 24. The assault reportedly occurred at the victims home in Miami Township.

The court records say Pecord used an intoxicant on the victim, Fox 19 reports. Records say the victim was unable to consent.

Fox 19 reports the city has hired an outside investigator and is cooperating with the investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office and Hamilton County Prosecutors Officer.

Stew Matthews, the lawyer for Pecord, tells Fox 19 there is more to the story. We will find out whats going on and we will defend it vigorously, Matthews said.
(Newser)  Olivier Dassault, a French billionaire and conservative politician, died Sunday in a helicopter crash in Normandy, the Guardian reports. The helicopter carrying Dassault, 69, crashed shortly after taking off from Deauville, a coastal resort. Dassaults brutal death is a great loss, French President Emmanuel Macron said in a tweet. As a business leader, MP, local councilor, a reserve commander in the air force, throughout his life he never ceased to serve our country, to promote what was great about it, he said. The helicopter pilot also was killed, per Reuters. Dassault, a father of three, was the grandson of Marcel Dassault, founder of Dassault Aviation, which manufactures military and business jets, according to the BBC.

story continues below

Dassault was appointed director of civil aircraft strategy at the company in 1986 and then chairman of the Groupe Dassault board in 2011. He later stepped down to avoid conflict of interest related to his political career. Dassault had been a lawmaker in the Les Republicains party since 2002. Great sadness at the news of the sudden passing of Olivier Dassault, Valerie Pecresse, a conservative politician in France, said, per Reuters. With a mostly inherited fortune of about $7.15 billion, Dassault, alongside his brother and sister, was considered the 361 richest man in the world. (Read more Dassault stories.)
The Duchess of Sussex was criticised today for not specifically ruling out the Duke of Edinburgh when sensationally accusing a Royal Family member of racism.

Harry and Meghan claimed a royal, whom they both refused to identify, was worried about how dark their son Archie's skin tone might be before he was born.

But former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly said the lack of a name had led to social media speculation mounting in the US over the person being Prince Philip.

There is no suggestion that the 99-year-old Duke was responsible, and Buckingham Palace has not yet commented on the claims made in the Oprah Winfrey interview.

The claims relating to Philip may have been made because of his famous history of gaffes, but ITV royal correspondent Chris Ship told Good Morning Britain today that he had been told it was neither the Queen nor Prince Philip who made the remark.

Philip was taken to King Edward VII Hospital in London on February 16 for treatment for an infection, before having heart surgery at St Bartholomew's Hospital last week.

Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain, Ms Kelly said: 'Her implication that someone in the Royal Family objected to her having a baby of colour could, right here, the speculation on Twitter is that it was Prince Philip, right, so I don't know who it was.

'But while the guy's in a hospital you might want to put like a corral around him, and say I can tell you it's not the suffering 99-year-old  I don't know, something, to throw the guy a bone.'

There had been growing calls over the past week for Harry and Meghan to postpone their two-hour interview for CBS out of respect for Philip and his ill health.

In the interview, Meghan said, when she was pregnant with Archie, an unnamed member of the royal family raised 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pictured during their interview with Oprah Winfrey

The American duchess is the first mixed race person to marry a British senior royal in modern history. A stunned Oprah asked: 'What? Who is having that conversation?'

Meghan paused and said there were 'several conversations' with Harry about Archie's skin tone, and 'what that would mean or look like'.

Asked whether there were concerns that her child would be 'too brown' and that would be a problem, Meghan said: 'If that is the assumption you are making, that is a pretty safe one.'

Pushed by Oprah on who had those conversations, Meghan refused to say, adding: 'I think that would be very damaging to them.'

Prince Philip is pictured during a military ceremony at Windsor Castle on July 22 last year

Harry refused to give further details, adding: 'That conversation, I am never going to share. At the time it was awkward, I was a bit shocked.'

The Duke also said that none of his relatives spoke out in support of Meghan following the alleged racism he said she faced in the media.

'No-one from my family ever said anything over those three years. That hurts,' Harry said.

'But I also am acutely aware of where my family stand, and how scared they are of the tabloids turning on them.'

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan hold Archie in Cape Town while visiting in September 2019

Meghan spoke of her upset, particularly with the Commonwealth being such an important factor for the monarchy.

The duchess said: 'I could never understand how it wouldn't be seen as an added benefit and a reflection of the world today at all times, but especially right now, to go how inclusive is that you can see someone who looks like you in this family, much less one who's born into it.'

The Sussexes have been vocal supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly speaks to ITV's Good Morning Britain today

Meghan previously delivered an impassioned Black Lives Matter speech to her old high school following the death of George Floyd in the US, sharing her 'absolute devastation' at racial divisions.

Harry has also outlined his personal commitment to tackling institutional racism in a message to children and young adults at The Diana Awards ceremony.

But he admitted in the past that his privileged upbringing as a member of the royal family meant he had no understanding of unconscious racial bias.

Harry said it took him many years - and the experience of 'living' in wife Meghan's shoes - to recognise the issue.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

We may have been taught that milk does a body good, but when it comes to the ability of our tendons and ligaments to withstand the stresses of walking, running and injury, Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC) is what the doctor ordered. The findings have been published in Science Translational Medicine.

Muscles may be our primary fitness focus at the gym, but without strong tendons, we'd be unable to function as we normally do. Walking, running, lifting, even reaching or bending could cause a ruptured ligament or tendon in the absence of typical development.

"Tendons transfer great forces between muscles and bonesa human Achilles tendon could be used to pull a small car," Dr. Andreas Traweger, lead author of the study and head of the Institute for Tendon and Bone Regeneration at the Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg, explained to Medical Xpress. "Without SPARC, however, they are poorly developed and tear easily under load. In humans, a defective SPARC gene variant means that those affected more often end up in hospital with torn tendons and ligaments."

Together with professor Minghao Zheng from The University of Western Australia and professor Jiang Qin at Nanjing University (China), Dr. Traweger examined the Achilles tendons of mice without SPARC. These tendons were less developed than in normal mice, which resulted in their inability to withstand normal force at the bone attachment; these mice experienced tendon rupture more often after walking on a treadmill.

Professor Minghao Zheng and Dr. Toby Leys from the University of Western Australia discuss the findings and future of their research. Credit: University of Western Australia

"SPARC is usually produced by tendon cells and secreted into the extracellular matrix," says Dr. Traweger. "In our study, we were able to show that the extracellular matrix is weaker when this protein is missing.  This causes tendons to deteriorate: the tissue matrix, mainly composed of collagen fibers, is broken down and inflammation occurs."

The findings are clinically relevant in two respects, explained Dr. Traweger: "On the one hand, athletes could be examined to see whether they are at an increased risk of a tendon rupture." This is a preventive measure that could help avoid more than 40% of injuries suffered by competitive runners, and more than 8% of injuries incurred by all competitive athletes. "Further," says Dr. Traweger, "SPARC could potentially be targeted as a therapeutic option to treat tendon injuries."

This is a hopeful finding. At current, the options for treating a tendon rupture vary with the injury location, but most commonly the recommendation is RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. For specific injuriessuch as tears in the quadriceps, Achilles tendon or severe tears in the rotator cuff of a younger patientssurgery is the preferred treatment. All other major tendon or ligament injuries are treated with long-term immobilization, but the re-rupture rate can be high for patients who don't comply with medical advice. A SPARC-related treatment option would likely be noninvasive, and could provide faster, more reliable repair of injured muscle tissues.

Explore further Individual differences in Achilles tendon shape can affect susceptibility to injury

More information: Tao Wang et al. Load-induced regulation of tendon homeostasis by SPARC, a genetic predisposition factor for tendon and ligament injuries, Science Translational Medicine (2021). Journal information: Science Translational Medicine Tao Wang et al. Load-induced regulation of tendon homeostasis by SPARC, a genetic predisposition factor for tendon and ligament injuries,(2021). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abe5738

 2021 Science X Network
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Chandigarh: The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday unanimously passed a Resolution saluting the indomitable spirit of women in contributing to the progress of the Nation, with Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh declaring his governments strong and continued commitment to the empowerment of women and the girl child at every level, including the family, the work place and the society in general.

Recognizing the immense contribution of women in making this world a better place to live, the House resolved to work with dedication towards providing them an ambience of equity, justice, and freedom to further empower them to be equal partners in the progress of Punjab and our country. The Akalis continued to remain suspended as per the Speakers directions.

Captain Amarinder Singh

Lauding the decisions of the State Government to provide 50% reservation for women in the Urban Local Bodies and the Panchayati Raj Institutions, and 33% reservation in State Government employment, it noted that this ensures better representation of women in decision-making and contributes to the furtherance of their interests.

Earlier, placing the Resolution before the House on the occasion of the International Womens Day today, the Chief Minister termed it an occasion to realistically assess where we have reached and to rededicate ourselves to providing a life of equality and dignity to every woman in the State.

Recalling the words of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who had said about women: so kyun manda aakhiye jittu jammen rajan, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of various measures to power the changing attitudes about women. He expressed happiness over the fulfilment of his governments promise to provide 50% reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, asserting that this increased political representation will provide political empowerment to women.

Punjab government

Referring to the reservation of Punjabs women in 33% of jobs in Government and State Government undertakings, Captain Amarinder hoped this economic empowerment would also lead to their social empowerment. He also underlined the need to commit ourselves to ensuring that every girl child is educated so that she is provided the right foundation to access her rights.

The Chief Minister underscored the importance of ensuring an environment where women can be provided both safety and any offenders can be brought to justice, swiftly and surely. He cited the recently launched Mata Tripta Mahila Yojana for the empowerment of women headed households in Punjab as another step to strengthen thousands of women and their families in the state. Under this scheme, 105 sub-schemes are to be implemented by the various Departments, he disclosed.

Digging into the history of Punjab, the Chief Minister pointed out that it was replete with great women personalities, such as Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher and Bibi Sahib Kaur.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged party members to be circumspect with their utterances in order not to play into the hands of detractors waiting to exploit the current uneasy situation in the country.



This follows an emergency meeting of the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the Party, on March 4, to discuss recent developments relating to the work of the NDC Caucus in Parliament regarding the approval of the Presidents nominees for a number of ministerial positions.



A statement signed by Mr Kakra Essamuah, the Director of Communications, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said: "The FEC is of the considered view that whatever the disappointments and disagreements may be, especially from among the rank and file of the Party, care should be taken not to allow these to degenerate into unnecessary bickering at the expense of party discipline and cohesion".



"We are also of the view that urgent action is required to deal with the matter and consequently we have initiated a consultation process with the Partys Council of Elders in this regard. It is in our collective interestto address challenges facing the Caucus Leadership and the Backbench as a whole.



It said the task would be tackled expeditiously so as to preserve the unity, cohesion and resilience of the NDC parliamentary Caucus.



"We remain confident that the Party will emerge from this more united and focused.as the NDC pursues its vision of a more egalitarian and inclusive Ghana," the statement said.

Source: GNA









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Steelworkers at specialty steel manufacturer Allegheny Technologies (ATI) in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, located about 20 miles outside of Pittsburgh, voted to authorize a possible strike by an overwhelming 95 percent majority on Friday night. The 1,300 workers who voted on the authorization are members of the United Steelworkers (USW) union.

The USW claims that ATI has proposed a four-year contract that will cut workers wages, overtime pay and health insurance, make scheduling worse for workers, and expand the use of contract labor. Workers at the Brackenridge facility have not had their wages increased since 2014, over half a decade, according to the union, and workers are also threatened with layoffs. ATI plans to eliminate up to 200 jobs in the Alle-Kiski region by the summer of this year and close the melt shop at the Brackenridge facility.

The vote is a sign of the growing militancy among industrial workers in the US in the face of austerity and the herd immunity policy of the ruling class in the US and globally.

Allegheny Technologies mill at Midland (Image Credit: Wikipedia/Public Domain)

In spite of the overwhelming support of rank-and-file workers for strike action, the USW has made it clear that it does not intend to prepare for a walkout. A statement issued by union officials after the vote tally was announced states, It is clearly in the best interest of everyone to resolve the outstanding issues through collective bargaining without a work stoppage, but ATI must change its approach before we can achieve a fair contract.

USW officials intend to use the strike authorization vote merely to pressure company officials to return to the bargaining table to work out a rotten concessions deal that union leaders can then attempt to sell to workers as a victory, or otherwise browbeat workers into submission.

The history of repeated betrayals by the USW of the struggles of steel and mine workers contains vital lessons for the ATI workers as they approach this contract struggle. The strike vote takes place against the backdrop of the intense political and economic crisis of the capitalist ruling class, whose interests the USW serves.

If workers at the Brackenridge mill strike, it will be the second time production has been halted at the company by a labor dispute since 1994. In the last round of negotiations, the USW pushed through a concessions contract, ending a six-month lockout of 2,200 workers at ATIs flat-rolled products division. Throughout the lockout, the USW worked to systematically isolate ATI workers throughout the Pittsburgh area from one another, from 31,000 steelworkers also under the USW at US Steel and ArcelorMittal throughout the US, from other critical sections of workers in the country, and from workers globally.

ATI workers have not had a wage increase since 2014. The USW has worked to isolate and demoralize workers in order to push concessions through in the name of maintaining the competitiveness of the corporation. During the lockout, the USW did not lift a finger to defend workers attacked by the company. Managements provocations included transporting scabs accross the picket line in vans that struck and injured workers.

In 2018, the USW refused to call a strike by over 30,000 steelworkers at ArcelorMittal US (now Cleveland-Cliffs) and US Steel mills after workers at the two corporations voted unanimously to go on strike. Instead, the union isolated the workers, demoralized them by putting on a show of strike preparations without ever calling a strike, and forced through a concessions contract behind the workers backs through a blackout of negotiations. Most workers still have not seen the full contract, only the highlights, which include paltry wage increases that amount to pay cuts, no protections against layoffs, no benefits for new hires, and no improvements to health and safety measures or reductions to the grueling working hours in the mills.

Along with the Teamsters and several other unions, the USW isolated and betrayed the struggle of Asarco workers in the states of Arizona and Texas in August 2020 after a courageous 10-month strike, sending 1,800 workers back to the mines on managements terms. Striking miners were allowed just $225 in maximum strike payments per week, while the USW strike fund contained well over $150 million.

As it wrapped up the betrayal of the Asarco miners, the USW isolated a strike of 450 steelworkers at the Russian-based steel giant NLMK north of Pittsburgh.

In January of this year, the union betrayed the strike of over 400 aluminum workers at Constellium in Muscle Shoals, Alabama after collaborating with trade union officials in Europe to isolate them from their brothers and sisters in the industry internationally, who were facing the same attacks on their living standards while being forced to work in unsafe conditions as the pandemic surged.

Workers at ATI must not have any illusions that things will go differently this time if the struggle remains under the control of the USW. The bitter lessons of the past point to the need for ATI workers to break out of the grip of the union.

The strike vote takes place against the backdrop of a major escalation in the restructuring of the steel industry in the US and worldwide parallel to the shift to electrification of the auto industry, and the crisis of capitalism that accelerated in the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic.

In the past year, as lockdowns began to be lifted worldwide amid predictions of a growing demand for steel on the global market, iron ore pellet producer Cleveland-Cliffs announced the takeover of ArcelorMittals US operations. This marked a significant step toward the further consolidation of the means of raw steel production into fewer hands. US Steel, the second-largest raw steel producer in the US, has also made advancements in the integration of electric steelmaking into its operations.

Both corporations have been racing to corner the global market and are preparing to carry out attacks on the living standards of workers to ensure the highest level of profitability possible amid a deepening economic crisis. Trade unions like the USW, rooted as they are in the defense of capitalism and the nation-state system, are playing a key role in the corporations plans.

In 2016 the USW gave full support to Trumps reactionary America First agenda and tariffs on metals imports, which ultimately created a crisis in the American steel industry, the brunt of which was borne by workers in the shape of mill closures, layoffs, and wage and benefit cuts. It is now in full support of Democratic President Bidens right-wing America is back strategy, which is the nationalism of the Trump administration re-branded with an even harder line against China that threatens the escalation of military conflict between the two nuclear-armed powers. Their aim, which is the same as that of the corporations, is to suppress the struggle of workers against the attacks that are coming and to prevent strikes as the capitalist powers prepare for war.

What is the way forward for workers who voted to strike? ATI workers know that they cannot trust the USW to carry out a struggle in their interests. They have powerful allies in the working class, to whom they must turn. While the capitalist class has been thrown into turmoil over the past year, workers in the metals industry in the US, Mexico and Germany, and autoworkers, teachers, health care, meatpacking workers and many others have shown their opposition through strikes, walkouts, and the forming of rank-and-file safety committees independent of the trade unions and the capitalist political parties.

ATI workers have a powerful example to follow in the Pennsylvania Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee where educators formed an independent structure, outside the control of the unions and the Democratic Party, to democratically draft their own demands based on what the workers need and not what the corporations say is affordable.

The will of ATI workers to strike is part of a growing movement in the working class that ultimately leads in the direction of a political general strike against the capitalist system. The formation of these committees will give the organizational structure they need to organize a struggle in defense of their interests against the corporation. For this to succeed workers must be armed with a socialist program aimed at placing the steel industry under the control of the working class worldwide, not the profit interests of a wealthy few.

Workers at ATI who are reading this and want to take the steps to build their own committee should contact us today.
IN NUMBERS: Over 18,500 fresh cases reported

India reported 18,599 fresh infections on Monday, taking the cumulative caseload to 11,229,398, according to a report in the Scroll. The country saw 97 deaths due to the pandemic, taking the death toll to 157,853, according to central health ministry data. The active caseload is at 188,747, while the total recoveries have surged to 10,882,798. As many as 20,989,101 people have been inoculated since the nationwide inoculation programme kicked off on January 16. Of these, 66,666 people received their shots on Sunday. Read more here

A continued rise in cases further intensify fears of a second wave

The recent rise in Covid-19 infections which had appeared to be confined to Maharashtra and Punjab has spread to many other states sparking strong concerns of a second nationwide wave, a report in The Indian Express said. The states of Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh showed a steady dip in cases until the first week of February, but are on an upswing ever since. The trend echoes the national trajectory which has also begun to rise after reaching its lowest levels in the second and third weeks of February when daily cases dipped below 10,000. In contrast to that, daily cases have been averaging at around 18,000 in the last few days. Read more here

Arthritis drug could improve survival odds against severe Covid: Lancet study

An Indian study in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet has revealed that a drug used to treat arthritis called tocilizumab improves the chances of survival for patients who have contracted a severe form of Covid-19, said a report in ThePrint. According to the researchers, the COVID India Tocilizumab (COVINTOC) trial is the first randomised controlled trial of the arthritis drug carried out entirely in a lower-middle-income country for Covid-19. The study, whose phase 3 trial data was published in the journal, has been authored by a team of 20 researchers that include doctors from Apollo and Fortis Hospitals. Read more here

Business leaders urge Modi government to ease grip on vaccine distribution

Several high-profile business leaders such as Biocon's Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Wipro's Azim Premji, and Mahindra Group's Anand Mahindra have called on the Modi government to ease its control on the supply and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, a report in news website Quartz said. The business leaders urged the government to allow private firms to participate in the ambitious vaccination programme that has been criticised for being slow to ramp up. The sentiment was echoed by healthcare entrepreneurs who feel the private sector could significantly speed up the vaccine roll-out if only the central government was not as rigid. As of now the Centre buys the vaccines directly from manufacturers and supplies them to public and private hospitals. Read more here

Maharashtra: Crowding on public transport, recent panchayat polls key reasons for spike

The surge in Covid-19 cases in recent weeks in Maharashtra is due to several reasons that include crowding on public transport and the recent gram panchayat elections, an article in Hindustan Times said based on a report from the central government. The rise is not specific to any region, though it started with the Vidarbha, the report said. Read more here
Phishing: Over 90 percent of all security incidents start here (where someone will always "click"!)

Ransomware, including morphing malware/crypto-mining: Its easy and profitable, and now comes with a data breach extortion threat too .

. Poor cyberhygiene: known vulnerabilities not patched (98 percent of exploits use these)

Ineffective access controls: Identity is the new perimeter and core (ZTA) (e.g., we need multifactor authentication everywhere)

Hostile intruders: hackers, insider threats, careless users, any malicious user

Crime as a service: as now anyone can be a hacker, just pay the criminals

Internet of Things security: the many atypical computing devices connected to your network

Third-party/vendor access and risks: this is a major threat all by itself and accounts for half of all breaches

Regulation/compliance (e.g., GDPR, SOX, PCI DSS, etc.): Fines, loss of integrity/brand and competitiveness.

Cyber Education and Awareness Training Program: educate users with periodic training courses, email notes on security topics, posters, frequent phishing exercises, etc. Tightly manage access controls: use multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere, strictly control privileged account management (PAM), monitor access changes (active directory, etc.). Excel at TVM and cyberhygiene overal: go beyond just patching (yet that must be a top priority!), assess your status in the CIS items 1-6, then fix the gaps. Data protection approach: endeavor to encrypt everywhere (its easiest in the long run), control data and classify it, and use a tailored identity access management. Combine with privacy elements as you can. Get cyberinsurance. Third-party/vendor risk management: go beyond the paper drill (NDAs, Ts&Cs, SLAs, etc.) and actually have a risk assessment  lack of this causes over half of all data breaches  and start with a detailed questionnaire, then ask what certs they have. Partner with a managed detection and response (MDR) provider: 24/7 coverage, gain extensive threat intel reach back, enhance your threat hunting, and reduce the alert fatigue of the security folks.

How can organizations protect critical information resources? What processes and procedures work best? What are the challenges to reducing risk?To answer these questions and much more, I turned to a cybersecurity industry thought leader from Texas: Mike Davis Mr. Davis is the CISO in alliantgroups Houston national office, where he operationalizes data security, privacy and risk management while advising leadership on protecting critical information resources and managing an enterprise cybersecurity portfolio. Mike and his teams mission includes executing a risk-based security strategy that supports enabling the companys success objectives by securing and protecting both sensitive company and client information and resources.Before joining alliantgroup, Mike was the CISO of a large global maritime classification company. He is an experienced cybersecurity professional with 20-plus years in several environments (commercial, military and government) and diverse leadership positions: CISO, senior cyber technical authority, cybersecurity/risk management consultant, cyber program manager and chief systems engineer, among others. Mike is also a retired U.S. Navy Engineering Duty Officer and federal government employee (GS-15).Mike supports several professional associations: the FBI InfraGard, IEEE (Life Member) and ISSA/ISC2, among others. His certifications are: CISSP, CISO and Systems Engineering, along with senior qualifications in Program Management and Risk Management, and he holds a master's in electrical engineering and in management.I have known Mike for several years, and he always brings insightful, thought-provoking content and insights to complex cyber discussions.To start our risk journey, we need to all have an overall risk assessment baseline  assess our vulnerability baseline and the top threats applicability to our environment. We use a periodic sampling approach from the many threat reporting sources (as part of our CTI program), then distill those results into the following current risk areas that we sense apply to most organizations:Overall, start with a risk assessment to set your baseline tailoring threats and associated mitigations to your organization, develop a clear risk-value-based risk reduction plan, with OPS/IT concurrence (as they will need to support many). Then get understanding from your IT/risk steering committee (ITSC), to then do the same with senior leadership. This in an older two-page article that goes into the question overall: " Cyber risk, what really matters? By the way, if you are interested in which mitigations to focus on first, skim this article on the hierarchy of cybersecurity needs from Microsoft; it follows the Maslow hierarchy of needs triangle, with a cyber perspective. The foundation is access control, and each layer is well described.Short answer: use an enterprise, holistic, Risk-Based Security Strategy (RBSS). Risk is a combination of threat, vulnerability, likelihood and impact/consequences, along with asset values. Within the risk strategy we need to provide the rationale and "cyber story" that goes with that RBSS assertion. Cybersecurity is a wide capability area with complex technical and business interactions, and must work in conjunction with a variety of other security measures: physical security, personnel security, contingency planning and disaster recovery, operational security, and privacy. Typically, one of the highest impacts from inadequate cybersecurity is a data breach, whereas most realize those damages can be extensive and expensive both in reputation and actual costs incurred.A well-known framework for improving cybersecurity is the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cyber Security Framework (CSF) for Improving Cybersecurity, which has five phases: identify, protect, detect, respond and recover. NIST also has a small/medium business (SMB) version of this framework and processes therein called NIST-IR 7621 Rev1. This publication is a highly recommended authoritative source to use as your SMB implementation guide. We recommend folks start their risk management journey with the CIS CSC top 20 controls as their foundation, then complement that with NIST CSF. Its also a solid basis for what "reasonable security" entails, as discussed here: " Cyber Security Risk, what does a reasonable posture entail, and who says so? Overall, as mentioned, using some form of RBSS, which includes using a risk framework that the company can align to with an approved risk appetite set of thresholds, and provide a clear risk-value-based risk reduction plan (this is a common theme!). Take vulnerability management, for example cyberhygiene; a risk-based approach is effective to minimize the greatest actual risk to the company focused on more than just critical CVEs, where you work on the top 20 or so risks each week and make measurable progress. In addition, some assets will stand out based on their individual risk scores and you can focus on those as well.I think most of the top risks are "known" to leadership at this point (phishing, ransomware, data breaches, etc.), yet what is their full comprehension, especially for the negative business impacts? I like the saying "security always costs too much, until it is not enough" as it sums up the leadership awareness gap. This means we security folks are not communicating the tops risks well enough using the vernacular they understand. We dont focus on their key concerns, like productivity, revenue, long-term stakeholder value, resiliency and innovation, as well as overall corporate risk management. We need to tell the risk story in their lingo.In addition, risk management reporting needs to be periodic, not once a year (or adhoc). Engage a few key business stakeholders to see what their information needs are and the style they most relate to. No death by PowerPoint  consider a one-page, or at most two-page, risk report, as executives are used to getting those. Minimize the technical jargon and use an analogy that resonates (like protecting ones house and valuables). Ideally, your organization has documented business success factors that you can relate the top risks to. If not, then start with the generally accepted key concerns listed earlier, and the typical business success factors: market share, customer trust and relationships, new business/markets, global presence, P&L and regulatory compliance, for a few. Run your report by OPS/IT first, then a business lead that understands the risk environment, to get feedback on the content, context and usability; then share with your ITSC next.Overall, once you put your risk story into motion, get specific feedback on improvement, do it regularly and stay aligned with OPS/IT and a business champion. Ideally you have an ERM effort where the major business leads participate, as they will get the utility and process and support the cyberview.Once you have a clear risk-value-based risk reduction plan, the known high-value risks need to be highlighted. By the way, the unknown risk elements need to be accounted for as well, and that entails having a Cyber Threat Intel (CTI) effort that monitors threat and vulnerability sources for new risks, TTPs and early vulnerability warnings of the systems you have (Solarwinds, Acelleron, etc.). Frequently, its the known risks that may not get fully addressed, like cyberhygiene, Secure SDLC, cloud security, etc., because of other operational priorities (building out new capabilities that directly support business productivity, revenue, etc.) and the full impact of the risks are not well understood by most. This risk-versus-operational-needs balance is frequently the source of why known risks are not well accounted for (e.g., patching versus building out requested revenue-enhancing capabilities).Thats why any risk mitigation prioritization plan must start with OPS/IT  besides fully understanding the business impacts, do they have the resources to do their part? Using your risk-value-based risk reduction plan, ensure that has clear OPS/IT required support captured for all their parts, with an estimated level of effort. Then rank their efforts in terms of risk value and personnel availability, especially as that may entail the support of just a few folks who undoubtedly have other business-related tasks. This is where an integrated OPS/IT and security project plan comes in for personnel resource allocation. In addition, there are likely IT/network changes planned that might minimize the risk source or offer enhanced functions to use later on [e.g., upgrading to Microsoft E5 license which brings a lot of data and access capabilities (using ATP features)]. Thus the risk can be delayed to fit in with planned upgrades.Overall, competition for resources will always be an issue for many risks, and that needs to be addressed up front. If organic support cannot be used, then external support can be proposed or management can formally accept the risk, documenting it in your risk register. Risk management is a companywide endeavor that requires a common understanding of the risk value and resource allocation. While obvious, your RBSS must factor this in from the start, yet doing so takes time and effort from all parties, which gets back to resources.First assess your current security capabilities environment  are you one of those entities that has 20 to 30 security tools? Have you quantified your enterprise security risk requirements and then parsed those out to the major security capabilities, starting with taking advantage of your OEM products (Microsoft, Cisco, etc.), which have significantly advanced their features set and integrated operations in recent years. Once you do the capabilities to product mapping, the major functional overlaps will be clearer and you can proceed to rationalize what capabilities can be dropped. Its not only the product cost that is removed, but the personnel resources to maintain and monitor them. You then have a defendable security capabilities road map, including any gaps and required new functionality.Then comes minimizing the operational resource level of effort. As mentioned earlier, all proposed risk tasks need to have the resources to implement and maintain, the latter being frequently overlooked. Part of the capabilities to product mapping needs to include the effort to monitor, maintain and support each function. These will be rough estimates initially, but good enough to assess the sustainment effort each needs, being iterated as they are used  keeping metrics. This information can be used to justify added personnel or even outsource the risk support needed. Effective use of resources is a major part of minimizing the costs, as is using "lean" practices on resource-intensive processes.Then, as part of the risk mitigation prioritization effort, collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure the risks are effectively quantified and understood by all. Assess all mitigations for both effectiveness and a potential phased approach, doing the more effective sub-tasks with fewer resources first. In addition, collectively explore alternative mitigations and compensating controls that could be used; that could offer effective risk reduction at reduced cost. Also as mentioned earlier, revisit the planned future state and new technologies that will minimize the risk, as innovation therein could be more cost effective.Overall, start with the highest risk value mitigations, then factor in available resources (whereas the limitation is typically OPS/IT resources, as security is generally focused on the requirements, though their time is also limited). Rebalance your risk mitigation efforts and timeline as required and document all risks that are accepted or need additional external resources. Periodically brief any revised risk posture and required resources to leadership.Sure, principally as some industries are more targeted for starters, as their data is valuable (like the medical industry), they are less prepared or their services are more critical; thus there's a higher propensity for an attack. Higher vulnerability industries, in general, tend to be small/medium businesses (SMB), health care, government, retail, energy/utilities (many of the critical infrastructure sectors), higher education and of course corporations (especially those that are not actively supporting their security teams). Yet even then, an effective threat and vulnerability management (TVM) program can significantly reduce the risk posture  as it will for all of us. It still amazes me that while we all know doing the security basics like cyberhygiene can significantly reduce security incidents, we collectively dont put enough effort into doing those well.Thats where a structured, holistic, RBSS provides the best risk value in maximizing the business success factors. An RBSS should be based around assuming the hackers are inside and youve likely already been breached. This means you must have a well-practiced incident response plan to minimize damage and strictly control internal and external incident communications.The main activities needed in what really matters are:The major risks are still the ones we all must account for, listed in the first question here, especially phishing, ransomware, poor cyberhygiene and weak access controls. Typically, SMBs dont think they are targets or are overconfident in their actual residual risk posture. The question is then what data protections and risk mitigation efforts are most effective, affordable and do not require a heavy lift to implement and operate? Controls that mitigate several risks are clearly more valuable, as is using embedded OEM security functions from major systems (Microsoft, CISCO, etc.).Just as for the rest of us, they need to have an overall risk assessment to baseline their residual risk posture and where the key gaps are. Many SMBs have strong cloud presence, and in many ways the SMB risks are similar to those we all face from remote work (endpoint security, connectivity/secure VPN, access controls/MFA, effective security training and cloud/SaaS security), few are all in the cloud, so any on-premise environment must be accommodated as well. Policies are always needed to ensure consistent application of company directives in use of IT and data protection. Critical technical capacities are firewall, NGAV, email security, access controls (password quality and at least 2FA), DNS/URL filtering, mobile security and secure backups, plus that security and awareness training.Overall, SMBs need to know their security baseline (as we all do), and using one of the free, self-administered risk assessment tools is a good start. It will be a high-level view, yet relatively easy to conduct, which will help identify their key weaknesses. From the risk assessment, develop a simple RBSS based on their environment and structure it by risk value  the greatest impact reduction for the least resources  and focus on the top items therein. Generally those will be in the capability areas mentioned here, starting with ransomware. In almost all cases, SMBs should partner with an MDR to get the 24/7 broad coverage and extensive back-end threat coverage, as well as early warning of attacks on other companies they support. Cyberinsurance is also recommended, not only for the liability coverage, but they offer several other services (forensics, extensive data breach experience, bitcoin broker, etc.). Join local cybersecurity professional and community groups, and share what works. There is a lot of SMB security support, they dont have to go it alone and there are numerous groups that will help them.
When the coronavirus pandemic hit and restaurant owners faced difficult decisions, the Richards family that owns Picos, a Mexican restaurant in Houston, quickly adapted to continue sharing their Latin cuisine - from selling to-go margarita kits to stationing a mariachi band at curbside pickup.

This week, after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, said Tuesday that he would rescind the statewide mask mandate while the vast majority of residents remain unvaccinated, the tough choice to enforce public health guidance fell to business owners, and Picos announced it would continue requiring masks. But, after such a challenging year, the reaction to their decision was disheartening, co-owner Monica Richards said: Several people sent hateful messages through social media and called the restaurant, threatening to report staff to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"It was just horrific," Richards said. "People don't understand unless you're in our business what it felt like, how hard it was to go through everything we went through during covid. For people to be negative toward us for trying to remain safe, so that this doesn't continue to happen, just makes zero sense to us."

Abbott's decision to lift the mandate will make Texas the largest state to not require masks, which has not come easily for many businesses that are navigating enforcement mask rules to protect employees and customers while facing backlash. Masks, which health experts say are among the most effective ways to curb the spread of the coronavirus, have become a partisan symbol, with one conservative group planning a mask burning party for March 10, the day the order is lifted.

When the mandate is rescinded, Texas restaurant owners say, the businesses are more likely to continue requiring staff to wear masks, but they are split on making the same demands of customers, according to the Texas Restaurant Association, which informally surveyed its members this week. The association's updated guidance recommends restaurants mandate employees wear masks and encourages guests to do the same, spokeswoman Anna Tauzin said.

If a restaurant requires masks, it is unfair to argue the choice infringes on business, Tauzin said.

"This is a decision business owners are making, and it's right for them," Tauzin said. "For a group that touts personal responsibility is something key to good stewardship of your business, it seems strange that they might criticize or throw insults at people who are trying to do just that. It's alarming."

There have not been many instances reported to the association of harmful fallout for businesses that are continuing to require masks since Abbott's announcement, as Picos faced. Yet, restaurants have endured a share of violence and harassment this year as other businesses have remained closed.

Another Houston Mexican restaurant, Cantina Barba, received similar intimidating messages, and staff have been bullied by some screaming customers who refused to wear masks while it was required statewide, co-owner Steven O'Sullivan said.

"This has been ongoing through covid," O'Sullivan said. "We've had threats of calling ICE. I had one guy just stand there and berate one of my bartenders and tell her 'you're an absolute idiot, you don't know what you're doing. If you think these masks are going to save your life, you're stupid' blah, blah, blah. Nobody wants to deal with that stuff."

One employee of Grand Prize Bar in December had to get stitches after he was hit in the head with a glass by a maskless customer he approached, Houston Police said.

Reacting to the potential violence that could ensue from confusion or disagreements over mask rules, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo reminded residents this week that businesses have the right to implement their own mandates. Acevedo also encouraged "common decency," saying in a video that wearing a mask can save lives.

"Forget what the governor says, forget what the law says. What does our own humanity call upon us to do?" he said on MSNBC. "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 expressed faith that most Texans will continue to wear masks once the mandate is lifted - a hope shared by Richards. After the threats to her restaurant staff were reported by the Houston Chronicle, she said, a wave of support followed, as people thanked her and her family for keeping people safe. Many customers who reached out told Richards that they favored masks, she said.

"That other side has been wonderful," she said. "We had a wonderful day yesterday. Our staff was thrilled and thankful."

But Richards, whose family has served Mexican food in Houston for over three decades, says she has also seen a less predictable - and in this case, a hateful - side of people in the pandemic that she had not before.

"Being Hispanic, and going through that immigration process, and finally receiving your papers, and then for somebody to start threatening you after you've been through all that, that's crazy," she said. "It's just heartbreaking."
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Monday that the Centre is considering expanding the list of comorbidities thus making more people eligible for the COVID-19 jab in the 49-59 age group. In the second phase of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive, people above 60 years of age and between the ages of 45 and 59 with comorbidities are being administered the vaccine.

Vardhan stated that the Centre is considering revising the list while responding to a query about why conditions such as obesity which is a significant factor in the hospitalisation of coronavirus patients weren't included in the list of the comorbidities, according to The Economic Times.

"We are constantly revisiting all of this. As the second phase of vaccination has started, there are many such issues which are being flagged to the ministry. You must understand it's a work in progress and these issues will be addressed," Vardhan said.

Vardhan added, "These issues are all decided by NEGVAC (National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19). These have been flagged to us and will be addressed by NEGVAC. We will revise our list, if need be."

State governments have flagged the issue of bedridden senior citizens not being able to get the vaccine. At many vaccination facilities across the country, senior citizens are requesting help for their bedridden spouses. Responding to this, some states have adopted a cohort approach by taking the COVID-19 vaccination drive to community centres that are near old-age homes. However, bedridden senior citizens could still not get the vaccine, as per the daily. Discussing this issue, Vardhan said, "This issue will be addressed. NEGVAC is regularly monitoring all the issues coming up in vaccine administration".

Vardhan explained that the country is moving towards a new phase in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. "Last year we had started on a mission saying test, test, test. Now it is vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate. We are trying to iron out issues," Vardhan added, as per the daily.

Vardhan insisted that there were no glitches in the Co-WIN COVID-19 vaccine portal. He said, "There were some teething problems on the first day but now it is seamless. We are now trying to tell hospitals to upload their appointments so that people have a visibility of slots for 28 days."

Also read: COVID-19 crisis: 6 states including Maha, Punjab report 86.25% new cases
Black Hat, the worlds leading producer of information security events, to host its virtual Black Hat Asia conference, taking place Singapore Time (SGT/UTC+8), on May 4  7. Registration is currently open with early bird pricing available. Attendees will receive access to high-quality content through the Black Hat Briefings, a selection of in-depth Training courses, and the latest hacking tools in the Black Hat Arsenal.

On May 6 and 7, attendees will learn the latest in information security risks, research and trends with nearly 40 Briefings. Briefings highlights include:

Disappeared Coins: Steal Hashrate in Stratum Secretly  The researchers in this briefing debut novel man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack schemes in the Stratum Cryptomining communications protocol.

New Attack Surface in Safari: Using Just One Web Audio Vulnerability to Rule Safari  The researcher in this demonstration explains the attack at the Tianfu Cup International Cyber Security Competition hosted by Chengdu Municipal Government of China, via a web audio vulnerability in Safari.

A New Era of One-Click Attacks: How to Break Install-Less Apps  The researchers in this briefing will share key observations on Install-Less app structures and give insights into multiple vulnerabilities found in Apple App Clips, Google PWA, Google Instant App, and QuickApp.



Two- and four-day Trainings will take place from May 4  7 with a variety of courses in malware, exploit development, platform security and more. All training course participants receive firsthand technical skill-building taught by specialists for offensive and defensive hackers of all levels.

Attendees can register for free passes for the Business Hall which will take place on May 6 and 7. Business Hall Attendees can access free content, network and learn from expert security practitioners. Business Hall ticket holders will also gain access to Arsenal, Sponsored Sessions and more.

The Black Hat Arsenal will welcome researchers from the open-source community on May 6 and 7 for two days of demonstrations of innovative tools. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with presenters as they showcase the latest open-source tools and products.

For registration and information on Black Hat Asia 2021, please visit www.blackhat.com/asia-21/.

About Black Hat

For over 20 years, Black Hat has provided attendees with the very latest in information security research, development, and trends. These high-profile global events and trainings are driven by the needs of the security community, striving to bring together the best minds in the industry. Black Hat inspires professionals at all career levels, encouraging growth and collaboration among academia, world-class researchers, and leaders in the public and private sectors. Black Hat Briefings and Trainings are held annually in the United States, Europe and Asia. More information is available at: blackhat.com. Black Hat is brought to you by Informa Tech.

About Informa Tech

Informa Tech is a market leading provider of integrated research, media, training and events to the global Technology community. We're an international business of more than 600 colleagues, operating in more than 20 markets. Our aim is to inspire the Technology community to design, build and run a better digital world through research, media, training and event brands that inform, educate and connect. Over 7,000 professionals subscribe to our research, with 225,000 delegates attending our events and over 18,000 students participating in our training programmes each year, and nearly 4 million people visiting our digital communities each month. For more information, please visit www.informatech.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210307005026/en/
Pilot Jimmy Nicholson, 31, was announced as 2021s Bachelor for 10 last week, bringing some much-needed diversity to the long-running reality show.

Nicholson is of New Zealand and Fijian heritage, and follows from 2014s Blake Garvey having African-American heritage.

But while 10 shows are frequently lauded for their on screen diversity, The Bachelor represents one franchise which has been sluggish in casting with a wide lens.

Bachelor is certainly not the easiest show to cast, Beverley McGarvey, Chief Content Officer & EVP, ViacomCBS Australia & New Zealand tells TV Tonight.

Its a particular type of show, and there are certain cultural groups that dont want to be part of that. That is absolutely fine and it is disrespectful of us to try and encourage particular groups to be part of something they dont want to be part of.

This years cast are a great mix of young ladies from a range of backgrounds. Its obviously not as representative as a show like MasterChef or perhaps even Survivor or Amazing Race. But we have worked very hard to cast the right show, and also ensure that the cast is representative of the audience that will be watching it.

Other reality shows such as The Block have also spoken about how some franchises, such as food and talent shows, attract a wider range of diverse applicants.

Filming is now underway in Sydney on the 9th Bachelor season, with single ladies meeting their man for the first time last week. McGarvey is optimistic about whats in store for Jimmy Nicholson and viewers alike.

Im always looking for that fairytale ending and he really wants to meet a girl and settle down. Hes the right kind of age. We started filming last (week), and its gone really well, she said.

Were really excited about him as a Bachelor, because getting that authentic love story is the end game of Bachelor. You get drama, fun and all of that stuff on the way through, but at the beginning and at the end its a fairytale.

Those great stories that weve had in the past -Sam & Snezana, Matty J. & Laura- we want every year. Hopefully, Jimmy will find his happy ending, which I would be thrilled about.

Bachelor returns to 10 later this year.

Photo: Instagram

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Russia has tried to play up the actions of Ukrainian nationalist groups in an effort to justify its hostile actions toward its neighbor.

Facebook has blocked articles by Russian news agencies claiming police last month arrested alleged Ukrainian nationalists after experts concluded the radicals were Russian.

RBK and Kommersant published articles in February reporting that Russian law enforcement had arrested alleged members of MKU, a Ukrainian nationalistic youth organization, in the southwestern city of Voronezh, RFE/RL reports.

Police reportedly discovered during raids extremist literature, symbols of nationalist organizations, knives, and an object resembling on old military mine.

Citing Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) press service, the news agencies claimed their connection to a Ukrainian extremist organization.

However, Russia's Investigative Committee published a release at the time saying simply that three individuals aged 18, 19, and 33 had been arrested for stirring up racial animosity in Voronezh, the city located close to the border with Ukraine.

Read alsoExposed: Fake news sites run by Russian intelligence spread misinformation about COVID vaccinesIt made no claim whatsoever that the persons involved were members of a Ukrainian nationalist group.

StopFake, a Ukrainian agency that works with Facebook to find and block Russian disinformation on its platform, said its research concluded the three individuals arrested in Voronezh in fact all belong to a Russian nationalist organization.

Russia has tried to play up the actions of Ukrainian nationalist groups in an effort to justify its hostile actions toward its neighbor.

Reporting by UNIAN
Februarys winter storm crisis was catastrophic, but it would be a fallacy to think every Texans suffering was equitable.

Of the millions who lost power, water or both, those with lower incomes and people of color suffered more deeply  and some lost their lives. It is imperative that local and state leaders prioritize equity as they seek to repair these failed systems. This means going beyond the loss of utilities.

At the local level, leaders cant ignore the gaps that emerged between the needs of our citys most vulnerable and the lack of a crisis response plan to provide and coordinate help at the peak of the crisis and after. As San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenbergs panel investigates the emergency response, it must also provide a blueprint for quickly and coherently reaching our most vulnerable in a crisis. Panelists must seek out and listen to the stories of the community.

Leaders cant ignore San Antonios inequities or the need. San Antonio Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper reported a 40 percent increase in people served. City 311 operators fielded more than 32,700 calls between Feb. 15 and 21. This is a 140 percent increase from the previous year; 911 calls doubled.

Queta Rodriguez, a community activist who provided aid during the storm, said finding resources to meet the overwhelming needs was beyond challenging.

I was upset. I was calling emergency numbers and posting messages on Facebook, she said of finding hundreds of elderly in their cold dark apartments. (Bexar County Commissioner) Tommy Calvert got the ball rolling to get buses to take them to the Grand Hyatt  but there was really poor planning. I get that we couldnt have anticipated this, but there was zero sense of urgency from many leaders in helping them.

We admire Rodriguezs efforts, and in every disaster heroes emerge, but the point here is our city needs a much clearer, equity-focused crisis-response plan.

Funding is only part of the solution, said Marisa Bono, VIA Metropolitan Transits chief strategic officer and a civil rights attorney: The city cant just throw money at this and walk away. There are serious issues that need to be evaluated so this doesnt happen again.

Bono helped a friend who drove a 26-foot truck from Florida offload donated items in just hours, another example of heroism.

But Bono also highlighted the gap of not integrating community activists in a crisis-response plan that connects them to support systems already in place, saying, Community activists and organizers are angry  they are mad. We need to think about how to be outcome-based.

State Rep. Diego Bernal, a Democrat who represents San Antonio, called the community effort heroic, but said it signaled a massive system failure.

And it should have never come to that, he said. The lack of a plan, unified comms apparatus or blockchain-style sequence of responses was harrowing. We must now think in terms of systems, not individual players. Anything less would dishonor those we lost. Its on us.

The response by elected officials was haphazard, he said, adding, When individual offices are engaged in the scramble independent of each other, its commendable but wildly inefficient in terms of a government response.

Just a week after the winter storm, the nonprofit SA2020 published a Guide to Strengthening Crisis Response, Relief and Recovery. It asks critical questions in six key areas of inequities  critical information access, safe shelter access, housing affordability, food and safe water access, wage recovery and affordable, reliable transportation.

These inequities are long-standing and pervasive. The storm  freezing temperatures, utility outages, unsafe roads and canceled work  exacerbated the problems that so many families already face, said Kiran Kaur Bains, president and CEO of SA2020.

SA2020 and the citys Office of Equity should be included on the mayors panel, as should people on the ground who can share real stories of serving the most vulnerable.

There is hope for change. During a recent Editorial Board meeting, when we asked about the lack of planning for vulnerable communities, Nirenberg acknowledged that health and weather crises affect the most vulnerable the hardest and that the city must learn from the experience.

We have to use that as a catalyst, he said.

Make it so.
Boris Johnson flatly refused to take sides in the row over the extraordinary Harry and Meghan row today as Downing Street insisted he has not even watched the bombshell interview - while Labour demanded a Palace probe into claims of racism.

The PM batted away questions about his views on the dramatic intervention by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as he hosted a No10 press conference this evening.

Mr Johnson said he had the 'highest admiration' for the Queen and the 'unifying role' she played for the UK and Commonwealth.

But he added: 'I've spent a long time not commenting on Royal Family matters and I don't intend to depart from that today.'

Pushed again for his opinion, Mr Johnson said: 'I really think that when it comes to matters to do with the royal family, the right thing for prime ministers to say is nothing and nothing is the thing that I propose to say today about that particular matter.'

However, climate minister Lord Goldsmith - a close ally of Carrie Symonds - did wade into the raging controversy, tweeting that 'Harry is blowing up his family'.

'What Meghan wants, Meghan gets,' the peer added in an apparent reference to a remark the Prince reputedly made about his wife.

Earlier Mr Johnson's spokesman was pressed repeatedly on the allegations levelled during the interview - including that there were Royal concerns about what skin colour the couple's child might have.

Asked whether Mr Johnson agreed with Labour there should be a probe into the racism claims, the spokesman said: 'It is a matter for the Palace but the Prime Minister hasn't seen those interviews.'

In contrast to Mr Johnson, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the allegations made by the Duchess must be taken seriously.

Boris Johnson's spokesman batted away questions about his views on the dramatic intervention by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at a briefing with journalists. The PM is pictured meeting US climate envoy John Kerry today

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have insisted their interview with Oprah Winfrey would be the 'last word' on them quitting as senior royals

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan hold Archie in Cape Town while visiting in September 2019

Climate minister Lord Goldsmith - a close ally of Carrie Symonds - waded into the raging controversy, tweeting that 'Harry is blowing up his family'

Speaking during a visit to a school in Dagenham, east London, Sir Keir said: 'It is really sad to see the family in turmoil like this.

'The issues that Meghan has raised of racism and mental health are really serious issues.

'It is a reminder that too many people experience racism in 21st-century Britain. We have to take that very, very seriously.

'Nobody, but nobody, should be prejudiced (against) because of the colour of their skin or because of their mental health issues.

'This is bigger than the royal family. For too many years we have been too dismissive and too willing to put these issues to one side.'

Challenged on whether it was acceptable to ask questions about the skin colour of an unborn child, the spokesman said Mr Johnson had previously said there was 'no place in society' for racism.

Tory MPs have led the backlash against Prince Harry and Meghan's 'appalling' accusations of racism against the Royal Family as they accused the couple of 'detonating a nuclear weapon' with the allegations.

The Duchess of Sussex said 'concerns' were raised about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white, but refused to say who made the alleged comments.

One Tory MP, who did not want to be named, suggested that the couple appeared to be 'telling the Royal Family I've got this nuclear weapon and I'm going to detonate it'.

Another MP, Michael Fabricant said: 'Every family is dysfunctional one way or another. The holder of every high position will have personal little secrets they want hidden. We are all human. Only HM Queen seems to float selflessly above it all.'

In the first interview last night, The Duchess of Sussex told Oprah she 'couldn't be left alone' and told her husband she 'didn't want to be alive anymore' before claiming the Buckingham Palace HR department ignored her plea for help because she wasn't a 'paid employee'.

In the first broadcast, the Duchess of Sussex said 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born' happened 'in those months when [I] was pregnant' with Archie.

However, when Prince Harry was asked about the exchange later he appeared to suggest he heard the alleged slur from a royal figure earlier, before he and Meghan got married. Oprah Winfrey says Harry made clear off camera it was not either of his grandparents.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (left) said the allegations made by the Duchess must be taken seriously. Shadow education secretary Kate Green (right) said the Palace should investigate

Earlier, shadow education secretary Kate Green said the claims were 'really distressing, shocking', adding: 'If they are allegations of racism I would expect them to be treated by the Palace with the utmost seriousness and fully investigated.'

She went on: 'There is never any excuse in any circumstances for racism. And I think it is important that action is taken to investigate what are really shocking allegations.'

Prince Harry today claimed racism drove him and Meghan out of Britain and the Queen was too busy to meet him as he piled on new insults to his family in a series of unseen clips from his bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview.

The Duke of Sussex accused the Queen of snubbing him after she was allegedly overruled by royal aides when she tried to invite him and Meghan on a trip to Sandringham after they announced they were stepping down.

Harry said he received a message from the Queen saying he wanted them to visit 'the moment you land', but he later got a message from his private secretary at the time saying the trip had been cancelled.

Harry said he then rang the Queen from Frogmore cottage and she said: 'Yes, there's something in my diary that I didn't know that I had.'

The prince claimed the exchange showed that even the Queen could be overruled by aides, despite them giving her 'very bad' advice.
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Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Monday welcomed plans by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to require election candidates to be vetted by a pro-Beijing committee, as a new pro-China party looks set to replace many familiar political figures with a new breed of CCP loyalist.



Speaking in Beijing, where she had attended the National People's Congress (NPC) annual session, Lam said plans unveiled last week to enable the committee to screen election candidates for loyalty to the CCP were an "improvement" on the partial democracy Hong Kong had previously enjoyed, which saw a landslide victory for pro-democracy candidates in the 2019 District Council elections in a year of mass protest.



"What I am doing is not about my personal preference or inclination," Lam told reporters in Beijing following a meeting with vice premier Han Zheng. "I'm doing this to improve the electoral system in Hong Kong."



She said the changes target "deficiencies in the electoral system ... that may ... undermine the fundamental principle of safeguarding China's national sovereignty, security and development interests."



Lam blamed political debate about when Hong Kong would move towards fully democratic elections, as promised under the terms of the 1997 handover, for the "difficulties" the city had faced recently, in an apparent reference to the 2019 protest movement, which began as an anti-extradition movement, then broadened to include demands for greater democracy and official accountability.



She said extensive consultations wouldn't be an option, given the "urgency" of the reforms, saying the people of Hong Kong could still eventually have a vote in the new system, but only for candidates vetted by Beijing.



'Those promises have been broken'

Her comments were in keeping with an Aug. 31, 2014 decree from the NPC standing committee allowing Hong Kong's five million voters a vote apiece in elections for the chief executive and the Legislative Council (LegCo) where candidates would have to be approved by Beijing.



The decree sparked the 2014 Occupy Central movement for universal suffrage.



"We could still move forward and achieve that ultimate objective in giving each person one vote in the selection of the Chief Executive and in forming the Legislative Council in future," Lam told reporters, dismissing the notion that democracy was defined by international standards.



Hong Kong current affairs commentator Johnny Lau said the insistence that candidates be vetted by Beijing was crucial.



"There was a glimmer of hope [for fully democratic elections] in the past, but now that Beijing has said it must maintain a firm grip on the reins of governance in Hong Kong, those promises have been broken," Lau told RFA.



"It makes a difference who is allowed to hold these seats," Lau said, adding that plans to expand the number of seats in LegCo will simply mean more seats for Beijing loyalists.



"This is actually very much in line with the idea that officials will be in charge," he said.



Beijing's Bauhinia Party

Meanwhile, a newly formed pro-Beijing political party, the Bauhinia Party, says it is poised to win seats in LegCo and on the election committee, its leader Li Shan told journalists in Beijing on Monday.



Speaking after the CCP has said that only "patriots" should rule Hong Kong, Li said that "the color of the Bauhinia Party is patriotism."



Li, who is a member of Beijing's advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said he speaks no Cantonese, and called on Hong Kong's seven million residents to learn Mandarin.



He said he decided to form a new political party along with "like-minded people" after feeling disheartened by the 2019 protest movement.



"Hong Kong is Asias World City. If, in an international city, you do not accept, or allow a person who speaks Mandarin to serve the people here, then it wont be an international city," he said.



Former Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau said the electoral "reforms" show that Beijing fully intends to wield political power directly, and control all aspects of life in Hong Kong, in future, despite earlier promises of a "high degree of autonomy."



"Its not just the democrats who will be affected, but the whole of society including civil society," Lau said.

"This isn't just about not being able to vote, but also about not being allowed to speak out, express one's views or demonstrate."



"I dont know if there will be any freedom of thought, freedom of religion or academic freedom left," she said, speaking in a personal capacity. "It's pretty terrifying, right?"



Reported by Lau Siu Fung and Lu Xi for RFA's Cantonese and Mandarin Services. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
WABASHA COUNTY, Minn. - A man accused of murdering his father in southeastern Minnesota had placed the body in the trunk of a car before it was found, court documents state.

James Riley is being held in the Wabasha County Jail on murder charges in the death of Edward Riley.

Documents state Riley had placed the victim's body in the trunk of a vehicle next to a pail of dirt and a hoe.

James Riley returned to the scene of the crime 2 1/2 hours after the initial call was received. He told investigators that others may have been involved and that "someone had been racing up and down the road."

However, Riley eventually stated his father was "mean" to everyone and eventually told investigators he committed the murder, documents state.

Documents also indicate Riley was upset about finances related to the family farm.

Riley told investigators that he hit his father with a hammer before he stabbed him. He then used a tractor to move the body into the trunk of the vehicle.

That knife was later found in the kitchen sink.

A witness said that earlier this month Riley had broken into his parents' safe and cleared it out. That witness said that in February, Riley took a trip to Arizona and said he met people who knew how to get rid of a body.

Riley is being held in the Wabasha County Jail on $500,000 bond.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Even as many small businesses in New Mexico struggled while the pandemic dragged down the economy, Los Alamos National Laboratory increased its spending with small businesses in the state by 30%, according to an economic impact report the lab released last month.

LANL boosted spending with New Mexico small businesses by nearly $125 million to $413 million during fiscal year 2020, which ended Sept. 30, and covered roughly the first six months of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The lab reported that small business in the state handled 7,315 projects, 202 more than the year before.

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The report was released about a month after lab managers received low marks for small-business relations on its annual evaluation by the National Nuclear Security Administration, the semiautonomous agency within the Department of Energy thats in charge of national security and oversees the production of the U.S. nuclear stockpile.

But LANL Director Thom Mason said in a statement that working with small businesses soon became a priority when management of the lab switched from Los Alamos National Security to Triad National Security LLC, a consortium made up of the Battelle Memorial Institute, the University of California and the Texas A&M University System.

When Triad began managing LANL at the beginning of FY19, we set clear priorities, Mason said. One of these was to strengthen the laboratory impact to the regions economic growth. Last years increase in small-business subcontracting was largely the result of our increased efforts to collaborate with small-business partners and to bring in new business partnerships. We hit the ground running on that goal in FY2019 and really saw the pace ramp up in FY2020.

Across all states, LANL increased its total small-business spending by 17% to $652 million, according to the labs data.

Mason said an increase in the labs budget, from $2.75 billion to $3 billion, translated to more money flowing from the lab to small businesses in 2020.

This increase launched an industrious period of recapitalizing aging facilities, launching new construction and expanding our general operations, Mason said. This expansion also gave us more flexibility to work with New Mexico partners to hire full-time employees and supplemental labor support. We expect this trend to continue in FY2021, especially as we continue streamlining the process of subcontracting with LANL.

Mason mentioned three small business subcontractors  Longenecker, TechSource and Merrick-SMSI JV  as being instrumental in helping LANL carry out its mission by providing personnel, equipment and expertise.

The largest amount of small-business spending in New Mexico went to disadvantaged businesses  those at least 51% owned by individuals socially and economically disadvantaged  and businesses owned by women. Business in each category received more than $140 million from LANL, according to their data. However, some businesses can qualify in more than one subcategory  economically disadvantaged and owned by women, for instance.

Of all the labs spending with businesses owned by women, 88% was spent in New Mexico, according to the report.

Of all the labs spending with Native American businesses, 95% was spent here, though the overall total is less than $3 million.

A LANL news release said the lab plans to put even more emphasis on small businesses as it works toward aggressive goals in collaborating with more small businesses.

The announcement highlights Freshies of New Mexico, a fruit grower in Velarde. Through the labs small-business program, the company was able to install equipment that monitors temperature, wind speed and direction, and soil moisture and chemistry.

The lab works with dozens of businesspeople in a wide variety of fields to develop and expand their businesses. Other examples are Georgia OKeeffe Museum Innovations, a for-profit subsidiary of the Georgia OKeeffe Museum in Santa Fe, which sought help in developing a crate with a suspension system to limit damage to shipped artworks; UbiQD, a Los Alamos firm that wanted to enhance the color purity of its quantum dot technology; and Taos-based ThermaSun, which benefited from the labs help in developing parts for a heat conversion device.

The economic data was released a month after Triad, the nonprofit entity which has managed LANL since late 2018, was dinged on its performance evaluation for falling short of small-business goals.

The NNSAs annual review of LANL management said that Triad, and by extension LANL, failed to meet four of six small-business goals and struggled with small business relationships.

Asked about that in January, Mason emphasized the increase in money spent on small businesses.

The most important (goal) is the overall fraction of our procurement that goes to small businesses, and we met that one, he said, pointing to the $413 million that went to New Mexico small businesses.

But Mason acknowledged that the evaluation showed that there was room for improvement.

What it points to is that we need to work harder to identify more capable small businesses in some of those subcategories, he said.

LANL employs 12,367 people, according to the report, which was 326 more than in fiscal year 2019. About 43% of employees (5,269) live in Los Alamos County, 23% (2,896) reside in Santa Fe County, and 16% (1,986) live in Rio Arriba County.

Bernalillo County is home to 618 LANL employees, accounting for 5% of LANLs workforce.

The annual payroll for LANL is $1.24 billion, up from $1.16 billion the previous year.

By the numbers

LANLs economic impact during fiscal year 2020Budget for FY2020: $3 billion.

Projects with New Mexico small businesses: 7,315.

Total small-business spending: $651,533,469

Total New Mexico small-business spending: $413,448,617.

Percentage of procurement dollars spent with all small businesses: 65.3%.

Number of employees: 12,367.

Percentage of LANL employees who are New Mexico natives: 40.4%.

Percentage of LANL employees with at least one degree from a New Mexico college: 31%.

Salaries paid to LANL employees: $1.24 billion.

Number of union employees at LANL: 1,146 (9.3% of all employees).
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HISD Board Meeting Set For Monday Evening The Hillsboro Independent School District (HISD) Board of Trustees will meet in regular session at 6 p.m. Monday, March 8, to discuss and possibly approve a Texas Education Agency waiver for missed school days.



Other items on the agenda include certification of unopposed candidates for the May election date and hearing reports from school directors, principals and the superintendent.



The meeting will be held at the HISD administration building, located at 121 East Franklin Street in Hillsboro.



The meeting may also be accessed by calling 1-224-585-8683 using the access code 139-891-170.






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 popular child protection bill that fell through the cracks last legislative session is gathering momentum in the new session.

Last July, the House and Senate each unanimously approved similar versions of the bill, but it slipped off the Beacon Hill radar screen in the ensuing five months. It briefly surfaced on the sessions last night but Democrats were unable to agree on details, leading to disappointment among its supporters.

Were happy that this bill is coming forward, Rep. Paul Donato, a Malden Democrat who credited Reps. Denise Garlick and Tricia Farley-Bouvier for their work on the bill, told the News Service on Monday after the House revived the bill, passing it over to the Senate.

House leaders last week said that despite investments and reforms to address caseloads, licensing and technology, persistent systemic issues remain in the states child welfare system and have been exacerbated during the pandemic. They said they interpreted a drop in 51A abuse and neglect reports during the pandemic as a sign that more children and families are at risk, and that more needs to be done to avoid any preventable tragedies.

Last May, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins cited a large decline in calls reporting child abuse and neglect over the first several weeks of the pandemic and said at the time that we know thats not true. With schools and much of public life shut down at the time, children were missing the eyes and ears and love of teachers and other mandated reporters of abuse, she said.

Without discussion or debate, the House on Monday approved legislation (H 88) establishing a bill of rights to help recruit and retain foster parents, and transferring the child fatality review team from the chief medical examiners office to the Office of the Child Advocate.

The bill also requires the Department of Children and Families to create or update case management policies in the areas of collateral checks, in part by requiring human services programs receiving state funding to respond to state caseworkers conducting such checks within five business days.

If enacted into law, the bill would also update reunification reviews and require the state child protection agency to establish a formal internal review policy that creates a managerial review process prior to a decision to reunify children.

The bill requires DCF to notify a child or young adults attorney of changes in placement or if the child or young adult is involved in a 51A report, and the agency under the bill is also required to review policies to improve protocol for complex cases involving multiple social workers and area offices.

The proposed bill of rights, according to a bill summary, is designed to prevent discrimination of foster parents. It would require DCF to keep information about foster parents confidential, require training to be part of the onboarding process, and require that foster parents be provided with basic information regarding a foster child. DCF under the bill must also provide basic information regarding hearings, complaints process, and financial eligibility.

As part of the offboarding process, the bill authorizes an opportunity for foster parents to share information that could assist the childs future foster parent or adoptive parent with the childs everyday routine.

Its a bill that ensures ... parental rights relative to foster care, gives foster care parents a voice in whats going on, Donato said. It holds the DCF accountable to all of the things that theyre working on.

To measure the impact of COVID-19, the bill requires DCF to report monthly, for the duration of the crisis, on changes in child abuse and neglect reports, and to analyze the effects of virtual and video technology on services during the COVID-19 crisis.

The bill now moves to the Senate, which held a one-minute session Monday and plans to return for another session on Thursday.

Chris Van Buskirk contributed reporting.
A temporary receiving area the size of two soccer fields, Pagak is overcrowded and ill-equipped to handle the significant water, sanitation, health, and food needs of the more than 16,000 people currently seeking refuge there. Action Against Hunger conducted a mass screening of 1,979 refugee children younger than five years old in the Pagak Reception Center from February 17-19, 2021. The new data shows that 20.8 percent of the children were acutely malnourished, including seven percent diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition, the deadliest form of hunger. This prevalence is more than double what the UN Refugee Agency considers a serious public health emergency.

Many refugee mothers have resorted to foraging in nearby forests for wild and nuts to eat and feed their children.

"Life was joyful and we had enough food until my husband died in the civil war. I came here because my children were starving," said Nyabuony Puoch, a 30-year-old mother of four children. The family walked for seven days before they could borrow money to pay for transport to Pagak. Her youngest daughter is currently receiving treatment for malnutrition.

Typically, people like Nyabuony are resettled into official camps within a few weeks of arriving in Pagak, but COVID-19 has stalled registration and resettlement, leaving thousands of families stuck in overcrowded camp conditions and at risk of hunger and disease. The extent of COVID-19's spread is unknown due to inadequate testing.

Many of the new refugees and asylum seekers arrive malnourished, after traveling for several days or even weeks. According to Action Against Hunger, more than 70 percent of people in Pagak are women and children.

"It is a dire situation," said Abdulwasi Yusuf, Action Against Hunger's Field Coordinator for Ethiopia's Gambella region, where Pagak is located. "Food supplies are extremely limited, and many refugee mothers have resorted to foraging in nearby forests for wild leaves and nuts to eat and feed their children. With no place to shelter, many families are exposed to the blazing sun and other elements all day and night, without relief."

Pagak has substandard water and sanitation services, lacks a hospital, and has little capacity to provide other essential support. Conditions in the congested reception center make the outbreak and rapid spread of diseases, such as cholera and COVID-19, a real and dangerous possibility. Many refugees need additional medical treatment for malnutrition or other health issues, yet the nearest health center is more than 10 miles away, with no reliable transportation system.

Action Against Hunger is calling on the Government of Ethiopia to resume registration for refugees and asylum seekers, which would allow authorities to resettle thousands of vulnerable families in Pagak to official camps. Its teams also are providing lifesaving nutrition treatment to young children in Pagak and, with support from the World Food Program, UNICEF and the UN Refugee Agency. The organization is distributing high energy biscuits to children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers and has scaled up its emergency nutrition program.

"Life is very difficult here because we came from far away, and do not have enough necessities like food, utensils, good shelter, soap, and bedding. We collect firewood, gather wild fruits to sell, and work often providing services such as carrying water for traders to subsidize the food gaps," said Puoch. "Even if I am suffering now, I would rather tolerate the suffering than to go back."

"Pagak is not a refugee camp. It's a reception center where people are supposed to stay for days or weeks, not months," says Panos Navrozidis, Country Director for Action Against Hunger in Ethiopia. "We urgently call on the Government of Ethiopia, the United Nations, and donors to support the relocation of the reception facility to a more suitable location. We need to improve conditions there, ensuring health and nutrition interventions, food rations, and basic water, sanitation and hygiene services, as well as an expansion of COVID-19 testing."

Action Against Hunger in Ethiopia

Operational since 1985, Action Against Hunger's teams in Ethiopia provide lifesaving nutrition, food security, mental health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene support to communities most in need. In 2019, its staff of 615 reached more than 950,000 people with gender-sensitive programs to promote food security and livelihoods; malnutrition treatment; and water, sanitation, and hygiene services that promote long-term resilience.

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger is the world's hunger specialist and leader in a global movement that aims to end life-threatening hunger for good within our lifetimes. For more than 40 years, the humanitarian and development organization has been on the front lines, treating and preventing hunger across nearly 50 countries. It served more than 17 million people in 2019 alone.

SOURCE Action Against Hunger
According to the police, the accused Akash was cornered by them and was asked to surrender, but he whipped out his pistol and fired at the team members, following which they fired back in self defence.

Akash sustained injuries in both his legs during the brief encounter with the Special Cell of Delhi police.

A total 4 rounds were fired from both sides in the shootout on Saturday night.

"One semi automatic pistol of 32 bore with 3 live cartridges was recovered from Akash.," said P.S. Kushwah, DCP (Special Cell).

Police added that Akash was earlier arrested for his involvement in more than a dozen of criminal cases including 5 robbery, 3 snatching and 2 theft cases.
Charles biographer Jonathan Dimbleby told the BBC that he did not believe the heir to the throne would have ever said it. I know him. Ive known him for a long time. I have never seen a hint of that, Dimbleby said. He is someone whose professional [and] personal life has been dedicated to bringing people together, not pulling them apart. Buckingham Palace has made no comment about the interview. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was asked about the racism allegation at a press conference but declined to get involved.

Perhaps the best thing I can say is that Ive always had the highest admiration for the Queen and the unifying role she plays in our country and across the Commonwealth, he said. Loading In new developments, previously unaired footage from the interview shows Harry claiming the Queen gets really bad advice, and complaining that his family had sadly not contacted the couple to apologise for anything that may have contributed to their decision to split from the monarchy in January 2020. The feeling is that this was our decision, therefore the consequences are on us, he said. I am part of the system with them  I always have been. But Im very aware that my brother cant leave that system but I have.

Asked whether William wanted to leave too, Harry said: I dont know, I cant speak for him. Meghans surprise claim that she and Harry had been secretly married by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby three days prior to their May 2018 wedding extravaganza also prompted questions on Monday about the legality of the ceremony. We called the archbishop, and we just said, Look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world, but we want our union between us, Meghan told Winfrey. She claimed the service took place with just the two of us in our backyard with the Archbishop of Canterbury. Meghan claimed the public extravaganza of May 2020 was not the couples real wedding. Credit:AP However a marriage must be solemnised by a member of the clergy in a church, or in a place specified in a special licence such as a cathedral, a chapel or hospital and in the presence of two witnesses. It is not known whether the small service was a legally binding marriage as Meghan suggested in the interview.

Welbys office was inundated with requests to provide an explanation but declined. Royal reporters also questioned Meghans claim that Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace did not defend her against negative press coverage, noting they had received many calls from media officers to correct the record or advocate for the royal couple. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video American network CBS released a cache of fresh clips on Monday that were not included in the final two-hour special. There are nearly two more hours of footage that did not make it to air. In one clip, the prince revealed the Queen had invited him and Meghan to see her at Sandringham Estate during negotiations in January 2020 about their intention to leave the royal family, but were later told they could not go.

The Queens private secretary told Harry the monarch was busy, shes busy all week. Harry said he phoned his grandmother but she said there was something in my diary that I didnt know I had. I said, What about the rest of the week? and she said, Oh thats busy now as well. I thought OK, I didnt want to push as I kind of knew what was going on. When a bemused Winfrey asked why the Queen couldnt do what she wanted, Harry replied: When youre head of The Firm there are people around you that give you advice. And what has also made me really sad is some of that advice has been really bad. The Firm is a term used to describe the administrative operation of the royal family, particularly the private secretaries, equerries and senior staff who control logistics and protocol.

Harry told Oprah in the new footage that racism contributed to his and Meghans decision to leave Britain. He recounted a conversation with an unnamed media identity who warned him about underlying racism in Britain. Loading He said, you need to understand that the UK is very bigoted. And I stopped and I said, the UKs not bigoted - the UK press is bigoted, specifically the tabloids. Is that what you mean? And he goes, no, the UKs bigoted. And I said, I completely disagree. But unfortunately if the source of information is inherently corrupt or racist or biased, then that filters out to the rest of society. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said allegations of racism had to be taken seriously.

It is really sad to see the family in turmoil like this. The issues that Meghan has raised of racism and mental health are really serious issues, he said. It is a reminder that too many people experience racism in 21st-century Britain. We have to take that very, very seriously. This is bigger than the royal family. For too many years we have been too dismissive and too willing to put these issues to one side. Zac Goldsmith, Johnsons minister for the Pacific and climate, said on Twitter that Harry was blowing up his family. If you or anyone you know needs support call Lifeline on 131 114, or Beyond Blues coronavirus mental wellbeing support service on 1800 512 348.
A Chilean feminist collective, known for their anthems against gender violence, have showcased their latest performance aimed addressing human rights.

The performance by Lastesis, dubbed "Resistance or the claim of a collective right" was presented Sunday at the Santiago a Mil International Festival which continues through March and April.

The new performance "is a way of claiming the right to a life free from violence," according to a statement on the Santiago a Mil International Festival website.

In late 2019, Lastesis performed a piece entitled "The Rapist is You," that spoke against violence against women, bringing attention to rapes, abuses, violence, and harassment against women in Chile.

The anti-sexism lyrics have quickly become part of the feminist anthem in Chile and beyond, with several groups of men and women staging similar public displays in cities in Latin America and Europe.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
European private equity house Agilitas has raced to a 565m hard cap close for its latest fund despite ongoing market volatility caused by the Covid-19 crisis.

The firm is understood to have filled demand for Agilitas 2020 Private Equity almost immediately, with sources telling AltAssets demand was so high that LP allocations had to be significantly slimmed down, while many investors were turned away.

Never miss a story  click to sign up to AltAssets free daily PE newsletter

Agilitas beat its initial 425m target by a third, with LPs potentially partly attracted by a couple of strong exits managed by the firm over the past 18 months.

The sale of Recover Nordic to EQT, in particular, scored the firm a 4.5x return, with EBITDA multiplied by about 5x since Agilitas bought the business.

Agilitas has also been in the buying market recently, agreeing deals for Learning Curve Group and TenCate Advanced Armour.

The firm said its latest fund would be used to target mid-market companies across Western Europe, within sectors including high-acuity healthcare, environmental technologies and services, education and essential infrastructure.

Anne-Claire de Pompignan, head of investor relations at Agilitas, said, We are humbled by the positive response we have received for the fund and would like to thank our investors for their strong show of support, particularly during an extensive period of significant market uncertainty.

Our team is passionate about the power that private capital can have in delivering both significant financial returns and broader positive societal impact, and so we are delighted that our investors have recognised our long-term track record of delivering just that.

Martin Calderbank, managing partner at Agilitas, added, The high demand we have seen is testament to the strength of Agilitass investment strategy, to our ability to create sustainable value and to the defensibility of our existing portfolio, which has continued to perform well throughout the pandemic.

Credit Suisse Private Fund Group acted as a placement agent for the raise, while Ashurst worked as fund lawyers and EY as tax advisor.

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Rep. Crenshaw Visits Border, Calls Situation Unstable

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) over the weekend visited the southern border of the United States, describing the situation there as unstable.

Crenshaw was briefed by Texas Department of Public Safety officials and toured the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility in Edinburg. At one point, he shared footage of himself boarding a helicopter and viewing the border from the air.

Heres going to be the big takeaway from today and everything weve put out about whats going on on the border: The situation is completely unstable. Thats the takeaway, he said in a video he posted on social media.

Crenshaw said the areas he toured have been seeing a huge spike in migrants, with over 6,000 apprehended at just one station.

Thats just one station along the border in Texas, the Rio Grande City station. And they expect that to possibly double within the next monththats just the trend that theyre seeing, he said.

Republicans have been critical of President Joe Bidens immigration and border-related executive orders, including halting construction of the border wall and repealing former President Donald Trumps declaration of an emergency at the border.

In the air with Texas DPS on the border. Below you can see how easy it is to cross. Migrants turn themselves in because they know theyll just be released into the country. This creates an incentive for thousands to keep crossing. pic.twitter.com/qwWDIoNKsb  Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) March 6, 2021

Texas on Saturday launched an operation to counter the growing crisis, activating National Guard troops and deploying them and other law enforcement officers to the border to combat drug and human smuggling.

The surge of migrants in recent weeks triggered the sending of a team by the White House to examine in person the influx of unaccompanied minors and an assessment of additional steps that can be taken to ensure the safety and care of these children, a spokesperson for the Biden administration said last week.

According to Crenshaw, Texas has had to pay hundreds of millions more in recent weeks due to the Biden administrations handling of border security.

Texas has to fund Operation Drawbridge. Theyve got to fund an operation to secure Texas, which means, in practical terms, theyve got to fund camera systems; theyve got to fund the personnel and the officers to go try to catch drug traffickers that are getting through because CBP is dealing with 100 migrant families at a time. Why? Because the Biden administration basically decided that they dont really want to enforce the law anymore, and that creates a backend for more and more people to come across. Why? Because they get a bus ticket, and they get to go wherever they want even if they have a positive drug test, he added.

Were going to get to the bottom of this, he pledged.
Only the Tata Group and private airline Spicejet remain in the fray for buying Air India as all the other bids have been rejected, according to sources close to the development.

The bids have been rejected after the evaluation of the expressions of interest (EoI) where multiple bids were received.

The transaction advisors have been in touch with the interested bidders regarding several queries and the qualified bidders will be intimated only after the government is satisfied with the responses from the bidders.

Apart from Tata Sons and Spicejet, Tata Sons and the New York-based Interups Inc backed by strategic NRI investors from the US and Europe are said to be the interested bidders for the national carrier.

DIPAM Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey had earlier said that the government has received multiple expressions of interest for the strategic disinvestment of Air India.

The process has been divided into two stages. In stage one, expressions of interest have been submitted by the interested bidders and they will be shortlisted based on the eligibility criteria and other terms mentioned in the Preliminary Information Memorandum (PIM).

In stage two, the shortlisted interested bidders will be provided with a request for proposal (RFP) and thereafter there will be a transparent bidding process.

A group of 209 employees of Air India had also put in a bid. Essar and Pavan Ruia of Dunlop and Falcon Tyres had also put in bids for Air India.
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Apart from the legendary macaron badge, the legendary Veyron and its successor, the gorgeous Chiron, share one of the most mind-blowing engines ever built, the mighty quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16.Producing from 1,001 to 1,500 PS (987-1,479 hp) depending on the model and variant, this intricate technological marvel requires a lot of attention and regular maintenance to ensure that all those ponies are healthy and ready when needed.To make life easier for owners of the two legendary models, Bugatti has recently announced the launch of the Passeport Tranquillite program, which includes one comprehensive service per year with an official Bugatti partner.This program is designed to cover the all-important service-life of the two Bugattis after the end of the standard manufacturer-provided warranty period, guaranteeing owners that their prized possessions will continue to be well maintained and in peak technical condition.According to the French carmaker, regardless of the service partner they chose, owners and their vehicles will benefit from a team of highly skilled and dedicated technicians specifically trained to work on these models.Depending on their requirements, Veyron owners can choose between a two- or four-year Passeport Tranquillite program. Both options include the standard yearly service taking up to 14 hours of workshop time and another, more complex service performed in alternating years, which requires up to 32 hours of work.Additionally, owners can choose between "Active" or "Collector" plans that are specifically tailored for those who drive their Veyron frequently or prefer to preserve it as part of a collection Even if rarely used, these collector items still require constant maintenance, so the manufacturer developed the "Collector" plan specifically for Veyron models that record less than 124 miles (200 km) every year.For the Chiron, the Passeport Tranquillite is only available as a four-year plan designed to cover its specific service intervals. It includes the hypercars standard, annual 14-hour service, and the extensive 72-hour service performed every four years.The luxury carmaker has also announced that it plans to offer additional benefits as part of this program which includes premium roadside recovery service and a Bugatti-branded car care kit that contains a wide range of cleaning and detailing items.The premium recovery service will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in the world. In the unlikely event that a Veyron or Chiron breaks down, this service will provide transportation for the owner while arranging for their Bugatti to be delivered to an authorized service partner for emergency repairs.The company also states that owners will not be limited to a specific Bugatti service partner throughout the duration of their Passeport Tranquillite plan, with facilities available in Europe, the Middle East, or Asia. By the end of this summer, the company will also roll out a complex partner network on the North American continent.Each Passeport Tranquillite plan will be assigned to the vehicle rather than the owner to be passed on if the car ever gets sold , potentially adding value to the model.Unfortunately, Bugatti hasnt revealed the price for this new service program but considering that a simple oil change for either of these two models costs well over $20,000, owners can expect to pay a hefty six-figure fee for a four-year plan.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 23:33:19|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- China's "dual circulation" development paradigm, a major strategy championed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and featuring domestic and overseas markets reinforcing each other with the domestic market as the mainstay, is under the spotlight during the country's ongoing annual "two sessions."

The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), a draft outline of which has been submitted to the country's top legislature and political advisory body for deliberation and discussion, will further clarify how China will implement the "dual circulation" strategy and achieve high-quality development.

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, officials and experts have said.

STRATEGIC DECISION

In May 2020, the leadership of the Communist Party of China 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.

China on Friday unveiled a draft blueprint for economic and social development over the next five years and clarified the long-range objectives through the year 2035, setting policy priorities for a new development stage that is crucial for the country to achieve socialist modernization.

The draft outline includes 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).

PARALLEL EMPHASIS

Jochen Goller, chief of BMW Group Region China, said China's new development pattern of "dual circulation" is an effective strategy customized to the strength of the Chinese domestic market.

"'Dual circulation' puts a parallel emphasis both on domestic and international circulation. A high-level opening up certainly serves this end, brings win-win outcomes both for Chinese and multinational companies," he noted.

Alexander Lomanov, deputy director at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said the transition to the "dual circulation" model is an important stage in the development of China's economic policy.

"It has its own internal logic and the Chinese leadership has stressed the importance of domestic demand for years," he noted.

WIN-WIN CHOICE

Dual circulation is seen as a strategic and win-win choice for China to reshape its international cooperation and new competitive edge, said Justin Yifu Lin, former World Bank chief economist and honorary dean of the National School of Development at Peking University.

"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 National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Ji said the international capitals are optimistic about the Chinese market thanks to the country's business environment and economic resilience.

Zarko Obradovic, member of the Serbian parliament and president of the Friendship Group with China, said China's new development pattern featuring "dual circulation" would help the country take advantage of the development of the domestic market and make China an ideal economic partner.

Boga Thura Manatsha, senior lecturer at the Department of History of University of Botswana, said that China needs the world for its economy to continue growing and the global economy also needs China to make a sustained comeback.

"It is basically a win-win scenario," he said, noting that as the whole world, especially developing countries, has been hit hard by COVID-19, China has a critical role to play in reviving the world economy. Enditem
President Joe Biden nominated two female generals to four-star command posts Sunday, the highest peacetime rank normally awarded. The candidates, who had been approved months prior to Bidens nomination, were delayed by the Pentagon over fears that then-President Donald Trump would reject them because they were women.

Biden nominated Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost to lead the Transportation Command, which handles transportation and logistics for the militarys global operations, and Army Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson to head the Southern Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in Latin America.

The Pentagon also announced that Biden endorsed the nomination of Navy Adm. John Aquilino to head U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The nominations will now head to the Senate for approval, where they are expected to be approved.

A February New York Times report found that former Defense Secretary Mark Esper had delayed the formal nominations of the female generals to protect their nominations from being shot down by Trump.

Only one other woman has ever headed a U.S. Command: Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson, who in 2016 took charge of Northern Command, which oversees military operations in North America.

 Matthew Brown

Sen. Joe Manchin open to some filibuster reform

Sen. Joe Manchin, the moderate West Virginia Democrat whose vote has become critical in the evenly divided Senate, expressed some openness to reforming the filibuster on NBC News "Meet the Press" Sunday.

"If you want to make it a little bit more painful, make him stand there and talk, I'm willing to look at any way we can. But I'm not willing to take away the involvement of the minority," Manchin said.

The moderate Democrat has repeatedly said he will not vote to abolish the filibuster, a procedural quirk of the Senate that requires at least 60 senators to vote to end debate on any legislation before it can be voted on. The filibuster has been used increasingly over the past few decades as the nations two increasingly polarized parties have been unable to compromise on most major policy questions.

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During the interview, Manchin expressed openness to the idea of implementing a "talking filibuster," where any senator would be able to halt proceedings if they were physically present on the floor of the Senate. Once the senator stopped speaking, a simple majority vote would be able to end debate.

"And now if you want to make it a little bit more painful, make him stand there and talk, Im willing to look at any way we can," Manchin said of potential reforms to the filibuster. Other moderate Democratic senators who have also expressed openness to a similar reform include Sen. John Tester, D-Mont., and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.

Manchin again stressed that he remains opposed to abolishing the filibuster, which he sees as promoting bipartisan cooperation. "Can you imagine not having to sit down, where theres no reason for you to sit down with your colleagues on both sides and have their input?" the senator asked.

"Ive been in the minority. Ive been in the majority. And I can tell you the respect I have on both sides when Ive been there should be Ive got something to say, listen to me, and I want that to happen," Manchin said.

 Matthew Brown

Defense Secretary Austin: US will 'strike if thats what we think we need to do'

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was firm in his support for U.S. military intervention in situations the military believes such strikes are necessary during a discussion Sunday of recent retaliatory strikes in Iraq after U.S. and Iraqi forces were attacked by rockets.

"We want to make sure that again, we understand whos responsible for this. The message to those who would carry out such an attack is you know expect us to do whats necessary to defend ourselves," Austin said on ABC News "This Week."

While Austin said the Pentagon and Iraqi investigators were still gathering intelligence on who was responsible for the strikes, the U.S. would not hold back military force if American troops were endangered.

"Well strike if thats what we think we need to do at a time and place of our own choosing. We demand the right to protect our troops," Austin emphasized.

Austin, the first Black defense secretary to preside over the armed forces, has highlighted combatting extremism in the military and repositioning the military to combat national security threats like cyberwarfare, climate change and the rise of China as top concerns.

"China's been busy modernizing its military and developing capabilities, and trying to close the competitive edge that we've always enjoyed," Austin said. "They've also been very aggressive in the region. In some cases, they've been coercive and some of that coercion has been directed against our allies, and our allies are very important to us."

 Matthew Brown

Sens. Ossoff and Warnock credit Georgia voters for $1.9T relief package

Georgia Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock  two Democrats elected in Jan. 5 runoffs in what was once considered a Republican stronghold  held a press conference hours after the Senate narrowly approved a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package in a 50-49 vote that fell along party lines.

Both senators made it clear that the package would likely have never come to pass without their upset victories.

"This is the most significant economic relief package for working- and middle-class families in American history," Ossoff told reporters after the vote. "We will crush COVID-19, recover economically, safely re-open our schools, and get our daily lives back  and well do it thanks to Georgia voters.

Warnock agreed.

"There is no question that the people of Georgia deserve a great deal of credit for what happened here today," he said. "We simply would not be here had they not stood up in such a profound way in this historic election."

 Sarah Elbeshbishi

More: Some House progressives aren't happy with Senate version of COVID relief package. Here's what changed.

'One more giant step forward: President Biden praises passage of COVID plan

President Joe Biden praised the Senate's passage of his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan on Saturday, calling it "one more giant step forward" on promises he made on the campaign trail to send aid to millions of Americans suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Today I can say we've taken one more giant step forward in delivering on the promise help is on the way," he said of his package that includes $1,400 relief checks, an extension of federal unemployment benefits, and billions of dollars for vaccine development and distribution.

"The bottom line is this: this plan puts us on a path to beating this virus," he said.

Biden made an indirect reference to his predecessor President Donald Trump, saying passing the relief plan would show how he was "going to get the government out of the business of battling on Twitter and back in the business of delivering for the American people."

He congratulated Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for shepherding the bill through the Senate. The chamber worked for more than 27 straight hours as it made its final deliberations on the package.

"Ive never seen anyone work as skillfully, as ably, as patiently with determination to deliver such a consequential piece of legislation," Biden said.

The president had been in touch with several Democratic senators throughout the process.

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., a longtime Biden confidante, told reporters Saturday morning he had spoken to Biden, who had told him he was "really glad" the bill passed. The president had been in touch with Schumer with "some frequency" through the whole process, Coons said.

 Nicholas Wu and Joey Garrison

'Dinner table' politics: Why Joe Biden ditched bipartisan dealmaking to pass his COVID-19 relief bill

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Politics updates: Joe Manchin open to making filibuster 'more painful'
Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers

Mar 8, 2021

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With all its historic and artistic attractions, most tourists don't go to Rome for the beaches. But after a few days of sightseeing in the city's stifling summer heat, it's good to know there are handy places nearby to take a refreshing dip in the sea.

Within an hour of the city are several choices, and only a bit farther brings you to some of the prettiest beach towns on the Lazio coast. Because they are within such easy reach of the city, Romans make good use of their beaches in the summer, especially on weekends and in the traditional vacation month of August, so expect to find crowds of others competing for a patch of sand.

Most Italian beaches are not free. Large sections of the sand - and in some cases the entire beach - will be lined with the lounge chairs and cabanas of a stabilimento balneare, or lido, a beach club where you rent a space and access to the restrooms and showers. The cost of these varies considerably, but the shade, facilities, and access to refreshments delivered to your lounger make them preferable to the often ill-kept free areas at the fringes.

While the beaches around Rome may not have the idyllic green waters of Sardinia or Sicily, they are pleasant and lively places to get away from the city for a day. There is quite a variety of choices, so to find your perfect place in the sand, use this list of the best beaches near Rome.

Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
We were to board at 11 a.m. Tokyo time, just my parents and I, a three-year-old child. After 13 hours in the air, we were to arrive at our new home in New York City, 11 a.m. EST. We landed 11 hours later in Toronto. The pilot's voice came over the intercom. He mentioned something of a
Pope Francis' historical Iraq visit underlined his commitment to interfaith dialogue, tolerance and coexistence, and their necessity in today's world.

The Head of the Catholic Church arrived in Iraq on March 5 to a red carpet and military-band reception at the beginning of the first-ever papal visit to Iraq. He went with a plea for the country to protect its centuries-old diversity, urging Muslims to embrace their Christian neighbours and asking the embattled Christian community, "though small like a mustard seed", to persevere.

The aim of the trip was to encourage Iraq's dwindling Christian communities, which have faced violent persecution by the now defunct Islamic State terror group, to stop fleeing Iraq and to promote greater dialogue with the country's Shia majority.

The visit was marred by controversy due to the Pope's decision to travel during the continuing pandemic, but the Vatican defended his decision, saying all health care precautions had been taken and that the trip was an "act of love for this land, for its people and for its Christians".

During his meeting in Baghdad with Iraqi President Barham Salih, Pope Francis said Christians and other minorities in Iraq deserve the same rights and protections as the Shia Muslim majority.

He said that the religious, cultural and ethnic diversity that has been a hallmark of Iraqi society for millennia is a precious resource on which to draw, not an obstacle to eliminate, and urged Iraqis to show everyone, especially in the Middle East, that diversity, instead of giving rise to conflict, should lead to harmonious co-operation in society.

President Salih, belonging to ethnic Kurdish minority, echoed his call. He was of the view that the East cannot be imagined without Christians and the continued migration of Christians from the countries of the east will have dire dire consequences for the region in future.

In his long and momentous meeting with Iraq's Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, the most influential Shia cleric, in the holy city of Najaf, the Pope urged Muslims to embrace the beleaguered Christian minority. On his part the Shia cleric affirmed his concern for Christians and said that they should live like all Iraqis in peace and security, and with their full constitutional rights. He also said that religious authorities have a role in protecting Iraq's Christians.

The Vatican said Francis thanked Al Sistani for having "raised his voice in defence of the weakest and most persecuted" during some of the most violent times in Iraq's recent history. The Pope further said that Al Sistani's message of peace affirmed "the sacredness of human life and the importance of the unity of the Iraqi people".

Cradle of civilisation The Pope later visited the ruins of ancient Ur in southern Iraq, revered as the birthplace of Prophet Abraham, father of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, to reinforce his message of inter-religious tolerance and fraternity.

In his speech, Pope urged Iraq's Muslim and Christian religious leaders to put aside animosities and work together for peace and unity. He underlined that hostility, extremism and violence are not born of a religious heart: they are betrayals of religion. He also urged Iraq's Muslim and Christian religious leaders to put aside animosities and work together for peace and unity during an interfaith meeting in the traditional birthplace of Prophet Abraham.

In Irbil, the head of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, welcomed him. He then travelled by helicopter on to Mosul where he visited Church Square to pray for the victims of the war with the Islamic State group, which left thousands of civilians dead.

Referring to the historic region of Mesopotamia, which covered much of modern Iraq including Mosul, Pope Francis wondered aloud how cruel it is that this country, the cradle of civilisation, should have been afflicted by so barbarous a blow, with ancient places of worship destroyed and many thousands of people - Muslims, Christians, Yazidis and others - forcibly displaced or killed.

Christian-Muslim relations Pope's Iraq visit was in keeping with Francis' long-standing efforts to improve relations with the Muslim world, which have been augmented in recent years with his friendship with the leading Sunni cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Al Tayeb. Sheikh is an imam and academic at the Al Azhar University in Cairo and he signed a landmark document on February 4 in Abu Dhabi, with the Pope.

The document calls for greater mutual understanding and solidarity to confront the problems facing the world. With the backing of the United Arab Emirates, the initiative has gone on to create a high-level commission to spread the message and plans are under way to build a centre in Abu Dhabi with a synagogue, mosque and church to demonstrate the feasibility of interfaith coexistence and sharing.

Christians in Iraq In Iraq, the pontiff brought his call for tolerance to a country rich in ethnic and religious diversity but deeply traumatised by hatred. After the invasion of the country by the US in 2003, it has seen vicious sectarian violence between Shiites and Sunni Muslims, clashes and rising tensions between Arabs and Kurds, and militant atrocities against minorities like Christians and Yazidis.

In Iraq, Christian presence goes back nearly to the time of Christ. They subscribe to a number of rites and denominations, of which the Chaldean Catholic is the largest sect, along with Syriac Catholics, Assyrians and several Orthodox churches. They once constituted a sizeable minority in Iraq, estimated at around 1.4 million. But their numbers began to fall rapidly at the hands of the Sunni and Shia militants after the disposition of Saddam Hussein.

Pope's call for tolerance and co-existence Pope Francis' efforts to promote tolerance and coexistence amongst faiths and particularly between Christians and Muslims are nothing new. His efforts have earlier seen endorsing partnership with Sheikh Tayeb in the recent past and the messaging, which he conveyed in Iraq.

Though symbolic, this sort of messaging carries enough weight and support amongst people, many of whom are guided by such spiritual and kind-hearted initiatives by their religious leaders. Such gestures and meetings become the cornerstone of long lasting partnership among faiths, which has been a hallmark of Iraq particularly, which is often described as the cradle of civilisation and has seen co-existence of Christians, Jews and Muslims together in a tolerant manner, each paying tribute to other's faith and holding all faiths as equal.

The Pope's Iraq visit underlined his commitment to interfaith dialogue, tolerance and coexistence and it is need of the hour to promote these sentiments amongst the masses and the political leadership too, particularly in the backdrop of the continuing pandemic, when each can help the other with sensitivity and sympathy, and in countries where these values were the hallmark of their secular setup but are now being eroded due to narrow interests.

(Asad Mirza is a political commentator. He can be contacted at asad.mirza.nd@gmail.com. The views expressed are personal)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
A 101-bedded dedicated free-of-charge kidney dialysis centre is up and running at the premises of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib from Sunday onwards.

The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Sunday inaugurated the facility, touted as the country's biggest kidney dialysis hospital.

Established in the gurudwara complex, the Guru Harkishan Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Kidney Dialysis Hospital, has no cash or billing counter to ensure free treatment to the patients admitted there.

In addition to the treatment, the patients along with the attendants will be provided free food during the course of the treatment. The food will be supplied from the gurudwara's 'langar', hospital authorities informed.

Besides, the hospital will soon increase its capacity to 1,000 beds from the current 101 beds. For this and operational expenditure, the committee said it will raise donations from corporate giants, individual donations and also implement government schemes.

"All services are being provided totally free in this most technically advanced hospital. There is no billing or payment counter. The DSGMC will take services from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of corporate houses and from those who are willing to contribute for such initiatives and various government schemes," DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.

He added that the hospital is equipped with most technically advanced medical facilities and would function round-the-clock.

For now the hospital will take patients who visit in person. The online registration will be started in a week once the system is in place, the authorities added.
DUBLIN  Irelands judges voted on Saturday to adopt new guidelines for personal injury claims that aim to reduce the size of awards for minor injuries and encourage early settlements as a way to reduce legal fees and in turn cut insurance costs.

The guidelines, approved by majority of the countrys 166-member Judicial Council, will replace the Book of Quantum, which currently gives guidance to judges on how much should be awarded in different personal injury claims.

Seven senior judges drew up the new framework, and the Judicial Council said it would provide greater certainty and lead to increased numbers of early settlements, and therefore a reduction in the legal costs of both claimants and defendants.

The panel of judges set the guidelines after comparing Ireland with other countries including England and Wales and Northern Ireland, where awards for damages for personal injuries are lower.

It examined data that suggested whiplash awards in Ireland were 1.2 to 1.3 times higher than in Northern Ireland and 1.9 to 2.3 times higher than in England and Wales.

Anticipating Saturdays approval vote, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said on Friday she would ask her cabinet colleagues to back a minor legislative amendment so the guidelines take effect as soon as possible.

This approach will ensure that the law is robust as we seek to reduce the cost of insurance, she said.

(Reporting by Graham Fahy; editing by Helen Popper)

Topics Legislation
Detroit has down 6,200 doses of the newly authorized Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, favoring shots from Pfizer and Moderna, but said Friday it will accept J&J doses in the states next allocation.

Mayor Mike Duggan had said Thursday that residents should get the best vaccines  from Moderna and Pfizer  conflicting with guidance from top state and federal health officials who caution against comparing the three vaccines and note all provide strong protection against the worst outcomes.

Duggan had also said the allotment of 29,000 Pfizer and Moderna doses covered everyone who wanted a vaccination this week. On Friday, he called J&J vaccines a key part of our expansion of vaccine centers.

No other local health department declined any of the 82,700 J&J shots sent to Michigan this week, the state health department said.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigans chief medical executive, said earlier in the week that people who are offered the J&J vaccine should take it because declining  could be the difference between life and death. In a statement Friday, she cited differences in when and where each company conducted its studies, with the Moderna and Pfizer research finished before concerning variants began spreading.

In the U.S., the two-dose Pfizer and Moderna shots were 95% protective against symptomatic COVID-19. J&Js one-dose effectiveness of 85% against severe COVID-19 dropped to 66% when moderate cases were rolled in. The Food and Drug Administration has reported that, just like its predecessors, the J&J shot strongly safeguards against serious illness, hospitalization and death.

All of the vaccines are safe and effective and I recommend that all vaccines be offered in all communities, Khaldun said.

White House coronavirus special adviser Andy Slavitt said Friday that the White House talked to the Detroit mayors office, which called the situation a misunderstanding.

In fact, he is very eager for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Slavitt said of Duggan.

As of Wednesday, 11% of Detroit residents age 16 and older had gotten at least one dose. The statewide rate was 19%.

Detroit this week expanded vaccinations to any resident who is a factory worker, no matter their age or where they work. Non-residents can also get a shot if they work in manufacturing in the city.

Detroits 6,200 J&J doses went to health departments in counties with the lowest vaccination rates of people age 65 and up, state spokesman Bob Wheaton said.

J&Js vaccine is produced using a cell line derived from an aborted fetus, which has prompted moral concerns from Catholic leaders. The chairmen of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops committees on doctrine and abortion issues said the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are preferable if one has the ability to choose a vaccine.

A $4.2 billion COVID-19 relief plan approved by Michigans Republican-led Legislature this week includes a provision that would require vaccine recipients to be informed if and in what manner their vaccine was developed with aborted fetal tissue or human embryonic stem cells. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could declare the item unenforceable.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Confederation of Authorized Operators and Carriers of Romania (COTAR) draws attention to the non-compliance of the legislation in force, at the level of the local authorities, by decreasing the number of authorizations for taxiing and increasing the number of transporters of persons under the "ride sharing" regime, the organisation announced on Monday, according to AGERPRES.

In this context, COTAR representatives charge the authorities with not taking into account the serious consequences of this behavior directed against Romanian companies that bring money to the state budget.

"In Romania there are already more compliant copies for alternative transport than taxi licenses. There are currently more than 30,000 cars in ride sharing in Bucharest alone, and their number is increasing. There are companies that are using the new alternative transport law, which came into force in 2019, so that they can juggle profits freely so that they don't pay taxes. The law allows them to close and reopen whenever they want, which a taxi company can't do, because it would lose its license. These tax games only bankrupt companies that pay taxes to the Romanian state, removing them from the market to leave room for alternative transport firms," it said.

COTAR representatives claim that, in a tourist city such as southeastern Black Sea coast's Constanta, we observe how the local administration "makes room on the market" for alternative transport companies, intending to decrease the number of taxi licences.

The COTAR chairman, Vasile Stefanescu, claims that the authorities of the Romanian state encourage alternative transport and support these companies, to the detriment of those who are tax and dues payers.

According to him, the development of applications that have also entered the area of dispatches, although they are regulated, as is taxiing, are also encouraged.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said "the state was not involved" in helping to vaccinate 1,200 residents of the super-rich Ocean Reef community in January.

But both the hospital system that supplied the doses and Monroe County have contradicted his claims, saying the state authorized the vaccines, the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald report.

Why it matters: DeSantis has faced increasing criticism for directing vaccines toward wealthy communities.

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Some of those who benefitted from the vaccine pop-ups also donated to the governor's political action committee, which has pulled in almost $4 million.

The state of play: A spokeswoman for Baptist Health Systems, which administered the Ocean Reef vaccines, told the Times/Herald that "Florida asked Baptist Health to take delivery of the doses to our ultra-cold freezer storage for delivery to the Medical Center at Ocean Reef."

Brian Keeley, the Baptist Health Systems president and CEO, and his wife own a home in Ocean Reef, but the spokeswoman wouldn't comment on whether they had a hand in getting the vaccines.

Back in January, Baptist Health canceled vaccine appointments for hundreds of members of the general public because it had run out of supply.

What's next: Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried and state Senate Democratic Leader Gary Farmer asked the FBI to investigate.

"If this isnt public corruption, I dont know what is,' Fried said.

This story first appeared in the Axios Tampa Bay newsletter, designed to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news unfolding in their own backyard.

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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Coastal populations are experiencing relative sea-level rise up to four times faster than the global averageaccording to new research from the University of East Anglia.

A new study published today in Nature Climate Change is the first to analyse global sea-level rise combined with measurements of sinking land.

The impact of subsidence combined with sea-level rise has until now been considered a local issue rather than a global one.

But the new study shows that coastal inhabitants are living with an average sea level rise of 7.8 mm9.9 mm per year over the past twenty years, compared with a global average rise of 2.6mm a year.

And the impacts are far larger than the global numbers reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Lead researcher Prof Robert Nicholls, Director of the UK's Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and Chair of Climate Adaptation at the University of East Anglia, said: "Climate induced sea-level rise is caused by melting glaciers and thermal expansion of water due to rising global temperatures.

"Rapid rates of subsidence in deltas and especially cities on deltas are also human-caused, mostly due to groundwater pumping, also oil and gas extraction, and sediment resupply prevented by upstream dams, flood defences, sand extraction or mining.

"About 58 percent of the world's coastal population lives on deltas where land is subsiding. Less than 1 percent of global coastal population lives where land is uplifting.

"We wanted to look at the big picture globally, to better understand the impact of global sea-level rise combined with measurements of sinking land.

"We found that coastal populations live with sea-level rise at three and four times the global average and that the impacts of sea-level rise being experienced today are much larger than the global numbers being reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

"Addressing human-induced subsidence is important in the short term, as it is an essential coastal adaptation to protect people and economies," he added.

The research team assessed four components of relative sea-level changeclimate induced sea-level change, the effects of glacier weight removal causing land uplift or sinking, estimates of river delta subsidence and subsidence in cities.

Sea-level measurements were taken from satellite data. The team then weighted their results by population to show their importance to people.

The overall analysis used the Dynamic Interactive Vulnerability Assessment (DIVA) model which is designed for understanding coastal management needs.

They found that high rates of relative sea-level rise are most urgent in South, South East and East Asia as the area has many subsiding deltas and coastal flood plains, growing coastal megacities and more than 70 percent of the world's coastal population.

They also found that over the 20th Century, the city of Tokyo experienced net subsidence of 4m, while Shanghai, Bangkok, New Orleans, and Jakarta, have experienced between 2m and 3m subsidence.

In Tokyo, Shanghai and Bangkok the subsidence has been stopped or greatly reduced by reduced groundwater extraction, while in other cities there has been little direct response to reduce subsidence.

Prof Robert Nicholls said: "One of the main reasons that Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, is being moved to Borneo is because the city is sinking due to groundwater extraction from shallow wells.

"We hope that our analysis improves the understanding of how sea-level rise and subsidence are hand-in hand for science and coastal management policy worldwide. Jakarta might be just the beginning."

Explore further Climate change puts hundreds of coastal airports at risk of flooding

More information: A global analysis of subsidence, relative sea-level change and coastal flood exposure, Nature Climate Change (2021). dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41558-021-00993-z Journal information: Nature Climate Change A global analysis of subsidence, relative sea-level change and coastal flood exposure,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-021-00993-z
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Columns are hyper-specific to opinion and are written by only columnists employed by the Iowa State Daily. Columnists are unique because they have a specific writing day and only publish on those writing days. Each column undergoes a thorough editing process ensuring the integrity of the writer, and their claim is maintained while remaining research-based and respectful. Columns may be submitted from community members. These are labelled as Guest Columns. These contain similar research-based content and need to be at least 400 words in length. The following requirements should be met: first and last name, email and relation or position to Iowa State. Emails must be tied to the submitted guest column or it will not be accepted or published. Pseudonyms are prohibited and the writer will be banned from submissions.

Read our full Opinion Policies here. Updated on 10/7/2020
Hanoi, March 8 : Vietnam on Monday kicked-off its mass Covid-19 vaccination campaign, deemed to be largest inoculation drive in the country's history, with over 100 million doses expected to be administered nationwide.

According to the Health Ministry, the first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine was administered at 8 a.m. to health workers directly treating infected patients in the capital Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Duong province, reports Xinhua news agency.

In a statement, the Ministry said that vaccination is an important, effective, proactive and indispensable measure in the process of Covid-19 pandemic prevention, and a top priority for the government to help bring lives back to normal.

In the coming days, vaccination will commence in other cities and provinces that have been hit by the latest wave of the pandemic.

It will target people working on the frontline against the pandemic such as health workers, personnel at quarantine facilities as well as contact-tracing teams, police and national defence forces.

Vietnam received the first batch of 117,600 doses of Covid-19 vaccine from the British company on February 24.

As of Monday morning, the country has recorded 2,512 coronavirus cases and 35 deaths.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Phyllis J. Randall (R), chairwoman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, and Koran T. Saines, the vice chair of the Board of Supervisors (2nd L), at the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg, Va., on March 3, 2020. (Sherry Dong/The Epoch Times)

4th Virginia County Passes Resolution in Support of Falun Gong

Loudoun County, Virginia, recently became the states fourth county to pass a resolution this year in support of the Falun Gong spiritual movement and to condemn the Chinese Communist Party for its unethical practice of forced harvesting of organs for transplant from political or religious prisoners.

The killing of religious or political prisoners for the purpose of selling their organs for transplant is an egregious and intolerable violation of the fundamental right to life, the resolution, passed on March 3, stated.

When you harm people anywhere, it harms all of us. Anywhere someone is harmed, humanity as a whole is harmed, Phyllis J. Randall, chairwoman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, said in an interview.

Because Dulles International Airport, located in the county, is a source of flights to and from China, it presents a real opportunity for the unethical practices to occur in this area, Randall said.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice that originated in China. It consists of meditative exercises and spiritual teachings based on the principle of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

The Chinese Communist Party began its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in 1999. According to the Falun Dafa Information Center, millions of adherents have been sentenced to labor camps and prison, and hundreds of thousands have been tortured.

In 2019, an independent peoples tribunal in London concluded that the Chinese Communist Party has been forcibly harvesting organs from detained Falun Gong practitioners for many years, and on a substantial scale.

This shouldnt happen to the Falun Gong people, this shouldnt happen to anybody, even if somebody was in one of our prisons. And even if they were guilty of whatever they were in there for, Randall said. This is murder.

Tiny Tang, a Virginia resident and Falun Gong practitioner, said she was very grateful for the resolution.

The practice of forced organ harvesting in China has been underreported in the U.S. media, and the Chinese Communist Party has been working tirelessly to hide the situation from the rest of the world, she said.

Yang said that Falun Gong practitioners who fled to Virginia from China told her they had been forced to work in labor camps for up to 20 hours a day. They also said that most of the products they made were shipped to the United States.

Randall expressed hope the resolution could help in ending the horrible practice of organ harvesting.

Thats not the proper way to treat other humans, she said. Its a test for the international community.

If we stop it one day sooner, its worth it.

Sherry Dong contributed to this report.

A previous version of the article misstated the last name of Tiny Tang. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
US hegemony Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

Around the same time when China announced on Friday a projected 6.8-percent increase in military spending, eight Republicans on the US House Armed Services Committee pressed US President Joe Biden to increase US defense budget by 3 to 5 percent. The eight lawmakers wrote in the letter to Biden, "If we do not make the investments our military needs today, we will not be able to defend our nation or our allies in the future." Meanwhile, some in the island of Taiwan again called for an increase in the island's military expenses. They claimed that Israel has maintained a military budget of about 5 percent of its GDP but the island's military budget has never been more than 3 percent of its GDP.

Such claims in the US and the island of Taiwan are tantamount to publicly inciting an arms race. Last year, the US' military spending was four times that of China and about 3.4 percent of US GDP. The island of Taiwan's military budget was 2.4 percent of its GDP. Both numbers are much bigger than that of the Chinese mainland - which was less than 2 percent of GDP in 2020. Their call for an increase in military spending is completely driven by their abnormal view of security, and is even out of an intent to meet their domestic political needs, which has nothing to do with China's defense budget increase.

China has gradually stabilized its annual increase in military spending, beginning to generally link the increase with its GDP growth. China has never taken aim at US military spending, nor does China want to engage in any form of arms race with the US. Our military budget is projected based on the need to safeguard China's security, and the budget conforms to China's own abilities. Therefore, China does not encounter many difficulties when formulating its defense budget. As China's military spending-GDP rate is much lower than that of many main economies in the world, and as China is realizing a rapid and stable growth in GDP, China can achieve sustainable and stable rapid growth in military expenditure without having to take on more pressure.

The US has been pursuing absolute advantage in the military sphere. It already has the strongest military in the world, but it always feels that its advantage over other countries is not enough. With this mentality, no matter how much the country's military expenditure is, it won't feel enough. The US' defense budget is too large to have any reference - it is no longer about the real need to address national security, but the greed of geopolitical maniacs in the US.

China has no ambition to become the world's leading military power or seek overwhelming military superiority. China pursues a national defense strategy that is defensive in nature. What we want to build is a strong ability to stop the war, the ability to destroy invaders and inflict unbearable losses on attackers, and then the ability to make them fear of invading China. To ensure that all forces are convinced that a strategic invasion of China is a costly form of suicide, it does not require an unlimited expansion of military power. There is always a vague line of "enough" in China's military development.

If any country tries to engage in an arms race with a strategically conscious country like China, whose military spending is driven by economic development, the result will be more confusion for them. The more money they spend, the farther they are likely to stray from a reasonable route of defense. The US already spends over 3 percent of its GDP on the military, far more than the average country in the world, and nearly three times as much as China. In this case, if the US still feels insecure, it can no longer feel safe. Its anxiety is already coming from the character of the country itself.

Military spending on the island of Taiwan is now less than a 10th of that of the Chinese mainland, and the annual increase in mainland's military spending is equivalent to the island's total annual military expenditure. But the logic of some activists in Taiwan, who argue that increased military spending will keep Taiwan secure, seems particularly silly,

If the US is going to significantly increase its military spending, let them do so. In no way will they increase returns for the US. Even if the US peddles its super military strength around the world as the biggest label of its hegemony, increasing military spending on top of its $700 billion expenditure is an addictive spending quirk. The "protection fees" it collects from the world through various means are already high, and it needs to understand the balance between military expansion and economic development.

The US is fully aware that the island of Taiwan cannot be mentioned in the same breath as Israel. The insecurity of the island is suffering from the DPP authorities' own actions. It's delusional for them try to create certain kind of security. Political rationality is the real safety belt for Taiwan. Without it, its increased military spending is likely to run counter to its goal of greater security. The amount of military spending they increase cannot support the Taiwan independence ambition at all. Stay awake, do not build castles in the air, and Taiwan will be safe without increasing its military spending.
Pro-Life Evangelicals for Biden Feel Used and Betrayed: Open Letter

Pro-life evangelicals for Joe Biden wrote an open letter to the president on March 7, calling on him to honor his commitment and telling him they feel used and betrayed after the Hyde Amendment was excluded from the Democrats $1.9 trillion CCP virus relief package.

The Hyde Amendment is legislation that took effect in 1980 to prohibit federal funds from being used to perform abortions, with exceptions for life-saving situations or pregnancy resulting from rape or incest.

We are very disappointed about the COVID-19 relief packages exclusion of the Hyde Amendment, a longstanding bipartisan policy that prevents taxpayer funding for abortion, the letter reads.

Were even more upset that the Biden administration is supporting this bill. As pro-life leaders in the evangelical community, we publicly supported President Bidens candidacy with the understanding that there would be engagement [with] us on the issue of abortion and particularly the Hyde Amendment.

The evangelicals said they felt used and betrayed because, to obtain their support, they were told that there would be dialogue with them, but they said it hadnt occurred so far.

The Biden team wanted to talk to us during the campaign to gain our support, the letter reads, and we gave it on the condition there would be active dialogue and common ground solutions on the issue of abortion.

There has been no dialogue since the campaign.

Last month, the president of a Catholic civil rights organization released a scathing rebuke of the Equality Act introduced by Democrats, saying it promotes the most comprehensive assault on Christianity ever written into law.

Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, said in a press release that the patently anti-Christian legislation would allow gay rights to trump religious rights.

President Joe Biden holds a meeting on cancer with Vice President Kamala Harris and other lawmakers in the Oval Office at the White House on March 3, 2021. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

He said that although the act claims to be about ending discrimination, and that may indeed be the intention, the repercussions would effectively secularize religious entities and force adherents to violate religious codes of conduct.

Health care providers would be forced to provide hormone therapies and surgical procedures that are required to change the physical characteristics associated with sex changes, Donohue noted, asking if anyone would be allowed to object, or point out the long-term physical and mental problems associated with sex reassignment.

Kansas City Archbishop Joseph Naumann said in a recent interview that Biden should acknowledge that his support for abortion contradicts his professed Catholic faith.

The president should stop defining himself as a devout Catholic, and acknowledge that his view on abortion is contrary to Catholic moral teaching, Naumann said.

It would be a more honest approach from him to say he disagreed with his church on this important issue and that he was acting contrary to church teaching.

Biden for decades supported the Hyde Amendment but reversed the stance in 2019. If I believe health care is a right, as I do, I can no longer support an amendment that makes that right dependent on someones ZIP code, he told a crowd at an event that year.

The Epoch Times reached out to the White House for comment.
An ex-chief adviser to David Trimble has said the former First Minister was wrong to criticise the decision by loyalist paramilitaries to withdraw support for the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Trimble, one of the architects of the peace deal, said the move by the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) in protest at the Irish Sea border should be "deplored".

The LCC represents the views of terror groups the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando.

But David McNarry, Lord Trimble's special adviser at the time of the Agreement, said he "profoundly disagrees" with that assessment.

"During my time as special adviser to David Trimble I was responsible for liaising with the loyalist groups and encouraging them to honour their commitments to disarm," he said.

"In 2015, along with David Campbell and (Tony Blair's former chief-of-staff) Jonathan Powell, I re-engaged with them and supported the establishment of the Loyalist Communities Council.

"I retain the utmost respect for David Trimble, but he has been out of touch with loyalism for many years now.

"His comments are in contrast to his earlier comments that the NI Protocol drove 'a cart and horses through the Agreement' and that he felt personally betrayed by the protocol's imposition on Northern Ireland.

"As someone who helped David sell the Agreement, I did so on the basis that it guaranteed the Union and ensured that no significant decision affecting the people of Northern Ireland would be taken unless both communities consented.

"No such consent has been sought or been given by anyone in Northern Ireland to this protocol. The Belfast Agreement can only work if it works equally for all."

He added: "I support the LCC's decision to withdraw their support until it is put right, and I also withdraw my support.

"Unionism is united in its opposition to this protocol, but we may have differing views on how our opposition should be manifested.

"David Trimble is supporting legal action, and I hope he is successful; but he is wrong to castigate the loyalist groups for seeking the restoration of all the Agreement's rights and guarantees. I hope he reflects on this and revises his opinion."

The LCC letter to the UK and Irish Governments announcing its decision was signed by its chairman David Campbell, once a senior figure in the Ulster Unionist Party and chief-of-staff to Lord Trimble when he was First Minister.

Speaking to The Times at the weekend, Mr Campbell warned that the UVF and UDA were under pressure from "radical elements" in their own ranks.

"Young people are absolutely incensed by the protocol. The danger here is that any radical person who wants to start a movement that isn't based on peace and constitutional means of protest, they will have a ready and receptive audience," he said.

"The leaderships of the loyalist groups, particularly since the ceasefires, could well be undone."
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Stockholm held an conference in 1972. It is doing so gain.

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The must ban loan waiver poll promises by all political parties. If their hearts bleed for the poor, they can always use the party funds to pay off the lenders, says Tamal Bandyopadhyay
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite a disruptive pandemic, investor demand for multifamily real estate was strong in 2020, according to a newly released Yardi Matrix Bulletin.

Around 252,000 apartment units were absorbed last year. That's about 1.7% of total market stock and down 12% from the 286,300 apartments purchased in 2019.

"Considering the economic and social calamity that befell the U.S., in many respects due to COVID-19, the fact that demand held up as well as it did is a relief for the apartment industry," say Matrix analysts.

Net absorption was strongest in 25 of the 30 largest metros, which accounted for 158,300 units absorbed. Dallas, Atlanta and Denver saw the highest absorption rates.

Negative absorption was centralized in key gateway markets hit hard by COVID, which also struggled with renter demand and average rents. The worst performers were the Bay Area and New York City, which combined for -22,100 units absorbed in 2020. Overall, high-cost gateway metros had net absorption of -0.3% (-7,600 units). Demand was better in secondary (154,100 units, or 2.3% of total stock) and tertiary (96,200 units, or 2.0% of stock) markets.

On a regional level, renters continued to flock to the Southeast (96,700 units absorbed, or 2.4% of total stock), the Southwest (56,800 units, 2.1% of stock) and the West (57,100 units, 1.9% of stock).

Find more multifamily market details in the Yardi Matrix absorption bulletin and learn what analysts will watch for in 2021.

Yardi Matrix offers the industry's most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call (480) 663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn more.

About Yardi

Yardi develops and supports industry-leading investment and property management software for all types and sizes of real estate companies. Established in 1984, Yardi is based in Santa Barbara, Calif., and serves clients worldwide. For more information on how Yardi is Energized for Tomorrow, visit yardi.com.

SOURCE Yardi
Chennai: COVID-19 infected voters would be Given personal protective equipment (PPE) kits while others hand gloves for casting their votes in the elections to Tamil Nadu assembly next month as part of preventive measures in view of the pandemic, state Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo said here on Monday (March 8).

On the day of polling, every voter would be given hand gloves before voting to ensure there was no chance of transmission of infection through the Electronic Voting Machine, he said. All other norms to help prevent COVID-19, including screening people with thermal scanners, would be followed during the polling on April 6, the official told a press conference at the Secretariat.

"People must go to polling stations wearing a mask," he said adding public should follow social distancing as well. If people had a fever or in case of suspicion about coronavirus, they would be given a medical certificate and allowed to vote during the last one hour.

In case of people infected with COVID-19 or suspected of being infected with the virus, they would be permitted to cast their votes wearing a PPE kit that would be provided by authorities, he said. Arrangements are in place to ensure the availability of PPEs, he noted. Both polling stations and personnel have been increased in view of the pandemic and as a result the total booths now stood at 88,937 as against 68,324 and would be manned by 4,79,892 personnel, the CEO said.

There are 76 counting centres in the state.

While previously only the vulnerable and sensitive polling stations were monitored through a web camera, for the first time now, a minimum of 50 per cent of polling booths shall be connected to the devices.

As many as 150 general observers and 40 police observers have been deployed and they would all report in their respective assigned constituencies before March 19. Also, a total of 118 expenditure observers, plus one for the Kanyakumari Lok Sabha constituency would be deployed from March 12, he said.

All preparations to hold the polls on April 6 had been done as per the guidelines. A 'candidate handbook' is available on the website of the Election Commission and applicants may submit papers in tune with the stipulations, he said. The filing of nomination begins on March 12 and would close on March 19 and applications cannot be filed on Saturday and Sunday, he said. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, besides the candidate, only two other persons would be allowed during the filing of nominations, he said.

For every assembly constituency, three each of Flying Squad Team and Static Surveillance Teams have been deployed and their movement would be monitored through Global Positioning System 24x7, he said. The Call Centre to receive poll-related complaints could be accessed through toll-free number '1950' and the state-wide facility is now available round-the-clock. Similarly, the Control Room here at the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (1800 4252 1950), manned by 25 people may also be approached by people for filing complaints, he said adding every call is recorded for ensuring prompt action.

Apart from the EPIC, eleven documents, including Aadhar, PAN, MGNREGA job card, bank or post office passbook or pension document (with photo), driving licence, and passport can be used as identity proof. Along with the Voter Identification Slip that would be distributed to voters five days ahead of polls, voters may use one of these 12 documents to exercise their franchise, he said.

For voters aged 80-plus, COVID-19 affected people and persons with a disability, the option of the postal ballot is available. Such people may indicate their preference to the respective Returning Officers on or before March 16 and the ROs and District Election Officers would arrange the issuance of ballots to them following due process, he said.

Live TV
In Sir David Attenboroughs words This is the most important story of our time.

A Perfect Planet explores how everything about our world is perfectly suited to our existence. For the first time, this series focuses on the powerful natural forces -volcanoes, sun, the weather and the ocean currents - all of which work together in an intricate balance to make Earth the only planet in the solar system that can support life. But how does this occur? Unfolding the varied aspects of our natural world and how they blend to create life, Sony BBC Earth premieres an unmissable series  A Perfect Planet on March 8, 2021.

Shot over 4 years, across 31 countries and 6 continents, this five-part series narrated by Sir David Attenborough, shows how animals of all shapes and sizes perfectly adapt to whatever the environment throws at them. While the first four episodes define the power of volcanoes, sunlight, weather, and oceans, the finale episode highlights the dramatic impact of the worlds newest force  humans, and what can be done to restore the equilibrium and protect life on our unique and precious planet.

Ensuring that the audience doesnt miss out on this spellbinding visual experience due to the pandemic, Sony BBC Earth hosted a first of its kind exclusive virtual premiere ahead of the Indian television premiere. Unlike most virtual showcases, the channel created an immersive virtual experience for the audience bringing alive the beauty and grandness of the series and offering a glimpse of all the 5 episodes, from the comfort of their homes. The screening was kept open for celebrities, media, select winners chosen out of a contest on social media and school students across the country. The virtual premiere is open for everyone to watch till 14th March at https://sonybbcearth-aperfectplanet.com/

To amplify the core thought of making our planet a perfect one, the channel, in a unique innovation, tied up with Grow-Trees, a web-enabled, cost-effective platform to plant several trees on behalf of prominent celebrities from the industry and sendt out hampers with personalized certificates under their name. Celebrities like Tahira Kashyap, Sonali Bendre, Hina Khan, Mini Mathur, Nakuul Mehta, Pooja Gor, amongst others took to their Instagram advocating the thoughtful initiative and giving a shoutout to the series premiere.

Beyond the virtual premiere, the series is promoted strongly on social media through a month-long campaign. With the aim of making the series more appealing to digital first audiences, Sony BBC Earth is also creating co-branded promotional content with popular social media influencers, Abhishek Upmanyu and Jordindian. The idea is to drive a powerful message through a medium thats grabs attention and creates intrigue among youth.

In its continued efforts of creating simple, yet striking communication that instantly grabs attention, the channel has also put out animated, 3D-effectsocial media posts that instantly stands out in a clutter and makes people pause and take notice. Lastly, continuing its trend of bringing international talent for LIVE sessions with Indian audiences, the channel is hosting an Insta LIVE with series producer - Huw Cordey, on the day of the premiere.

Comments:

Tushar Shah, Executive Vice President & Business Head, English Channels at Sony Pictures Networks India

"A Perfect Planet is yet another milestone series from Sir David Attenborough that presents the story of Earth's power and fragility and drives a powerful message about how human actions are impacting the perfect balance of natural forces. Through this one-of-a-kind virtual premiere, our endeavor was to deliver a truly immersive viewing experience to audiences in an impactful manner. This has been yet another digital-first and innovative initiative that reinforces our brand promise."

~ A Perfect Planet premieres on 08th March at 9PM on Sony BBC Earth and will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu ~
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden on Monday directed the Education Department to review a regulation governing how colleges and universities handle allegations of sexual assault, with an eye toward unraveling a new system put into place by Trump administration Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

The DeVos regulation released in May spells out due process rights for those accused of harassment or assault, and the former secretary saw it as one of her most significant achievements. But it came under sharp attack from Democrats, women's groups and others, and as a candidate, Biden signaled that he would replace it.

It's not clear, though, how he will go about doing so. Unraveling a regulation that is already in place may require a second complex rulemaking process.

Biden signed an executive order directing the Education Department to evaluate whether the DeVos regulation is "consistent with the policies" of the Biden administration. That's a first step toward a fresh policy.

It also directed the agency to review other regulations, orders, guidances and policies to see whether they are consistent with the administration's policy to "guarantee education free from sexual violence."

Also on Monday, Biden signed an executive order establishing a new White House Gender Policy Council charged with developing a government-wide strategy for advancing gender equity and equality. It will focus on domestic and foreign policy, including examining the burden the coronavirus pandemic has put on women in particular, officials said.

The orders were released on International Women's Day. Biden marked the day at an event announcing the nomination of two female generals as four-star combatant commanders. On Twitter, he said the day was meant to "celebrate the achievements, contributions, and progress of women and girls - and recommit ourselves to the cause of equity and equality for women around the world."

As a candidate, Biden said he would revive Obama-era guidance to schools on how to investigate sexual harassment and assault under the federal civil rights law known as Title IX. That guidance did not carry the force of law, and DeVos rescinded itin 2017.

The DeVos regulation mandated a judicial-like process in which the accused has the right to a live hearing and to cross-examine accusers, providing what supporters see as much-needed due process protections. Opponents said it would allow assailants and schools to escape responsibility and discourage victims from coming forward.

Opponents of the DeVos rule welcomed the Biden action.

"Students should be guaranteed a safe education, protected from sexual harassment and assault," said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn. "This is the first step toward reversing the outrageous policies carried out by Secretary DeVos."

But others fear the rights of the accused will be diminished.

"The right to due process is bigger than partisan politics - it is a cornerstone of American democracy," said Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the top Republican on the House Education Committee. "By overturning these stakeholder-vetted, court-supported rules, key protections for victims and the due process rights of the accused would be jeopardized."

A White House official declined to say how the Biden administration would address issues of due process.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with the notion that everybody involved, accused or accuser . . . should have a fair and full process," said Jennifer Klein, co-chair of the White House Gender Policy Council and a former adviser to former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. "That's exactly what the policy of this administration is. And the secretary of education will look at the regulation with that in mind."

The gender council will also be co-chaired by Julissa Reynoso, chief of staff to first lady Jill Biden. The council, with a dedicated staff of four, is meant to span the administration with an eye toward "full participation of all people," regardless of gender, said an administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity at a background briefing before the announcement.

A similar office that existed in the Obama administration was called the White House Council on Women and Girls. The Biden version was renamed to refer to gender, partly to signal that issues of transgender people would be included, the official said.

Gender discrimination can happen to "people of all genders," the official said. "There will be a focus on women and girls, but the choice of the name of the council is really intentional."

Issues the council plans to address include sexual harassment, workforce issues, family caregiving, gender-based violence and gender equity globally.

"President Biden knows that we need a government-wide focus uplifting the rights of all women and girls," Reynoso said.
This is the third in a series of stories by AL.com to reflect on the 1-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic reaching Alabama. Each day leading up to March 13 we will elevate the voices of those impacted.

The COVID-19 pandemic has tested health care workers like few others.

For the past year, Alabamas healers have faced a crucible of dying patients, long shifts, limited equipment, makeshift ICUs, and overrun vaccination sites. All of that while crowds wont wear a mask, some still calling the virus a hoax, and armchair experts convinced theyve figured out more than the entire medical scientific community.

Then, when the days dying efforts are done, many return home to children struggling with virtual school, partners who carry them through trying times and extended families they havent seen in months, always worried that they could be spreading the same virus they work so hard to fight.

I felt like at its worst it was like going into battle every day, said Dr. Elizabeth Marshall-Smith, chief operations officer of the Pinnacle Physician Group in Tuscaloosa. I could potentially get sick, I could bring it home to my family. Thats hard to deal with. I appreciate my kids and husband.

For the more than 10,000 Alabamians whove died of COVID -- and thousands of other patients who got close -- health care workers in full personal protective armor were the patients only links to the outside world, thanks to visitation restrictions.

With no visitors for COVID positive patients, patients and families put their trust in me, a complete stranger, to take care of them in the most critical time of their life, said ICU travel nurse and Fairhope native Rebekah Roe.

It takes a toll.

There have been times I have felt extreme sadness, said Kristopher Haskins, nurse manager of the COVID-19 unit at USA Health University Hospital in Mobile. I have witnessed people pass away while their families could only watch over social media platforms, health care professionals break down in tears and society lose faith in each other and their political leaders.

For their efforts, they are often hailed as heroes, but some also talked of being pulled unwillingly into the political conflicts and conspiracy theories of the day as the pandemic raged on.

A national medical emergency turned into a political stand, said Felicia Sanders, an occupational therapy worker at UAB. Wearing a mask meant this. Not wearing a mask meant this. Coronavirus doesnt have anything to do with politics and it has killed so many people.

But a lot of people didnt care because they thought it was a hoax.

Even those who werent on the front lines of COVID units felt the strain, as their everyday lives were turned upside-down just like the rest of us.

I grew overwhelmed with the blurring boundaries between work and home, feeling like a failed mother struggling to educate three children at home, building a home workout space and trying to stay COVID-free, said Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, a psychiatrist in Hoover.

Health workers also had to miss out on personal triumphs and tragedies, births and funerals, family reunions and holidays.

I have lost several loved ones, said Janel A. Lowman, an associate manager of community outreach at USA Health Michell Cancer Institute in Mobile. And during those times, it was especially hard for family members not being able to grieve together because of the pandemic.

Teri Killough, a 20-year veteran neonatal nurse from Odenville, had to wait outside as her daughter gave birth to her first grandchild.

I wasnt able to be in hospital with my daughter and son in law but had an awesome tailgate party in the parking lot, Killough said.

Many described feeling a sense of gratitude for the things that werent taken away.

It makes you so grateful for life, said Dr. Richard Menger, a surgeon in Mobile who deployed with the Navy Reserve to New York City in the early months of the pandemic. Its impacted my day-to-day interactions. These small problems arent real problems.

Brooke Olson, a registered nurse at USA Health Childrens & Womens Hospital in Mobile, said she felt a sense of pride in watching her coworkers rise to the occasion of the pandemic.

Of all the emotions experienced during the pandemic, most of all I feel proud, Olson said. Proud to watch my coworkers and community pull together to come up with new ideas to navigate the challenges the pandemic has brought on. Ive seen nurse leaders pray over their staff, community praying over local hospitals during lights on Mobile, as well as nurses stepping out of their comfort zones to help where needed.

And for Olson and many others, there is a sense of optimism that there are better days ahead.

I believe like a bone heals stronger than it was before it was broken, we will come through this pandemic with a new strength and resiliency, Olson said.

You can read the stories of these and other health care workers impacted by the pandemic in the posts below:

Firefighter Ben Thompson: COVID gave a better understanding of what keeps us safe

Healthcare worker Felicia Sanders: I still meet people who think (COVID)s a hoax

Nurse Brooke Olson: Well come through COVID with new strength and resiliency

Dr. Elizabeth Marshall-Smith on COVID: It was like going into battle every day

Community outreach manager Janel Lowman: COVID started an emotional rollercoaster

Dr. Amy Thompson hopeful but frustrated during COVID

Neonatal nurse, grandmother Teri Killough on COVID: I miss hugs

Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox chooses to find the light, even in the midst of COVID

ICU travel nurse Rebeckah Roe: COVIDs lessons will change us for the better

Nurse Jill Stone: Pandemic has made me feel exhausted

Nurse manager Kristopher Haskins: COVID brought sadness, moments of complete awe

Surgeon Richard Menger: Seeing New York COVID deaths left me grateful for life

Professor Errol Crook: COVIDs unequal impacts create sense of urgency

Nurse anesthetist Katherine Thompson: COVID worrisome ... because whats next?

To see all the stories of Alabamians impacted by COVID, go here.
Fifty people are suing a Wisconsin city over the way it handled protests last fall after authorities announced that a police officer would face no charges for the fatal shooting of a Black teenager.

Protesters demonstrated in Wauwatosa in October after the Milwaukee County District Attorney had announced that Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah would face no criminal charges in the February 2020 shooting death of 17-year-old Alvin Cole outside a mall. City officials had enacted a 7 p.m. curfew and called in the National Guard amid fears that protests could turn violent.

The lawsuit, which was filed Saturday, claims that the emergency order for the curfew was unlawful and violated the constitutional rights of protesters. It names the city, the police chief, and Mayor Dennis McBride as defendants.

Coles mother, Tracy Cole, is among the 50 plaintiffs who claim they were ticketed, arrested or harassed in Wauwatosa for protesting.

There is no factual or legal merit to the allegations in the complaint, and we expect to fully prevail, McBride told Wisconsin Public Radio.

The lawsuit also claims that the police department and other operational partners responded to the demonstrations with brutal, violent and unconstitutional tactics.

The protests led to the arrest of dozens of people, including members of Coles family.

Cole was shot five times by Mensah after he fled from police following a disturbance inside the Mayfair Mall.

Mensah, who also is Black, said he shot Cole because he had pointed a gun at him. It was the third time since 2015 that Mensah had fatally shot someone while on duty. He was not charged in any of the deaths. He has since resigned from the police department.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Wisconsin
North-East got its respect only after advent of PM Modi's government in 2014: Smriti Irani

Politicians have no business talking about how people dress: Smriti Irani on CM's ripped jeans remarks

'No HERO Without HER': Smriti Irani lauds role of women healthcare workers in tackling COVID-19

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Mar 08: Saluting women healthcare workers on International Women''s Day, Union minister Smriti Irani said their unequivocal contribution played an important role in India''s fight against coronavirus.

"There is No HERO Without HER! The spread of COVID-19 brought to the fore selfless and determined role of #NariShakti during the crisis. This Women's Day, we salute our 6 million+ women health workforce for their unequivocal contribution in India''s fight against Corona.@WHO," the Women and Child Development minister said.

India's covid vaccine rollout rescued the world: Top US scientist

Muthoot Finance shares drop as chairman falls to death | Oneindia News

International Women''s Day is celebrated on March 8 around the world.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 10:10 [IST]
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New Delhi: The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) on Saturday (March 6) said that it has opened two technical bids for construction or building of bridges for the 508 km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor in the state of Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Nine companies have participated in technical bids for construction or building of bridges.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe had on September 14, 2017 laid the foundation stone for the ambitious Rs 1.08 lakh crore ($17 billion) bullet train project.

Bullet trains are expected to run at 320 km per hour covering the 508-km stretch in about two hours. In comparison, trains currently plying on the route take over seven hours to travel the distance, whereas flights take about an hour.

The project is expected to get completed in 2023.

Live TV

#mute

The bullet train project will cost 1.08 lakh crore. The project is expected to provide 90 thousand jobs directly or indirectly.
Prayagraj : , March 8 (IANS) A 30-year-old man, steeped in debt, staged his own abduction and demanded Rs 30 lakh ransom from his family.

He tried to force his father to sell land and pay the ransom.

However, his father went to the police, who blew the lid off the abduction plot.

The accused, Hem Bahadur, resident of Newada Gaura Daad, did not tell his family that he had borrowed money from more than 12 people on the pretext of getting them jobs in the Railways.

On March 4, he sent anonymous text messages to his wife and another relative, asking them to pay up Rs 30 lakh, if they wanted him alive.

The SMS also cautioned them against going to the police. The message read -- "Hem Bahadur is in our custody, and if you want to see him alive, then arrange Rs 30 lakh. If you contact police or politicians, you won't even get his body." Hem Bahadur was nabbed by the crime branch and Lalganj police while he was travelling in a roadways bus near Naya Purva canal bridge over the weekend.

Superintendent of Police (West) Dinesh Kumar Dwivedi said, "The accused's father Ram Jiyan Verma approached Lalganj police on March 4 and alleged that his son Hem Bahadur had gone missing. Verma also suspected his son had been kidnapped over a monetary dispute. Following the complaint, a case under Section 364 IPC was registered at the Lalganj police station." After activating the surveillance mechanism, police found Hem Bahadur moving towards Rae Bareli from Lucknow on March 6 and a joint team of crime branch and Lalganj police was dispatched to Rae Bareli-Lucknow highway, where they tracked him down in a roadways bus.

During interrogation, Bahadur confessed he had taken money to the tune of several lakhs of Rupees from 12 people on the pretext of arranging jobs in the Railways. When these men began knocking on his door, asking for their money and jobs, he faked his own kidnapping.

Bahadur also confessed he moved to Lucknow on March 4 and sent messages to his wife and relative from an unknown number, demanding ransom.

He also told police he thought his father would sell land to arrange Rs 30 lakh after getting news of his abduction. He would then go underground with the money, after framing those who had loaned him money.
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2021-03-08

Maeci

On the occasion of International Women's Day, my thoughts go out to all the women of the Foreign Ministry, in Rome and abroad, who contribute every day to the fulfilment of our mission with enthusiasm, dedication and passion.

Especially over the last very difficult year, so deeply marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, I wish to emphasise, and rightly so, the importance of this celebration for all those, without distinction, who recognise themselves in our shared heritage of values. A heritage that allows us to progress towards a more balanced, harmonious society, respectful of diversity and merit, and ultimately more just and inclusive.

The Foreign Ministry is constantly committed to pursuing the goals of equal opportunities and gender equality. These are key aspects of the modernity and efficiency of the actions undertaken by the Ministry, and by Government in general, and, at the same time, serve as the inspiring principles of our actions internationally. They represent our core objectives and, today, a specific priority of the Italian G20 Presidency and of our three-year mandate at the UN Human Rights Council.

These are goals that the Foreign Ministry supports wholeheartedly and which we actively promote on the ground  even in the remotest and most crisis-stricken areas  through numerous development cooperation programmes. They are concrete tools in the fight against all forms of violence and discrimination against women and for the benefit of real gender equality and female empowerment.

The pandemic emergency, which has obliged us to redefine our relational and working methods, has highlighted the importance of the work-life balance issue. This has prompted us to intensify our commitment to rooting out all forms of discrimination, strengthening the protection of parenthood, and promoting a constant improvement in our working methods.

This years International Womens Day, therefore, seems to me to be the best occasion to celebrate the contribution to our action by the female members of our Ministry, but above all to reflect and reason together, men and women, on how we can achieve these objectives, according to a constructive and innovative perspective, as a means to guide and encourage change.

Happy International Womens Day to all the women of the Foreign Ministry!

Happy International Womens Day to all women!
Startling CCTV has emerged of an injured man staggering down a busy street moments after he was allegedly stabbed in the thigh and foot in front of horrified bystanders.

Two men have been charged and faced court over the alleged incident in broad daylight in Sydney's south-west.

Emergency services were called to a car workshop in Padstow shortly before 5.30pm on Sunday following reports a man had allegedly been stabbed during an altercation with two other men.

CCTV vision obtained by Seven News shows the alleged attackers fleeing the scene on foot before the injured man is seen hobbling down the street clutching at his wounded leg, leaving a trail of blood behind him.

The injured man was captured on CCTV clutching the back of his thigh moments after the alleged stabbing in Padstow on Sunday

The man, 34, was rushed to Liverpool Hospital to undergo surgery, where he remains in a serious condition.

Police established a crime scene and began inquiries, which led to the arrest of two men at a unit in nearby Lakemba eight hours later in the early hours of Monday morning.

Both men were charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and appeared in Burwood Local Court on Monday.

Muntathader Ajeel, 18, was granted bail while Abdul Fahar, 25, remains behind bars after making no application for bail.

The alleged stabbing unfolded in front of shocked bystanders in Parmal Avenue, Padstow (pictured)

Fahar didn't appear in court after he was taken to hospital to be treated for injuries.

It's understood he was on bail on a separate matter at the time of the alleged assault, Seven News reported.

Both men will reappear in court in May.

Police believe none of the men were known to each other.
I see that Starbucks has become a battleground of sorts.

Playing one type of personality against another, hoping to win the bag of gold in the end result

McDonalds tried that same thing and got their ass handed to them

I was a brew master in that company (Starbucks,) my company, had us go and take classes to make that wonderful cup of very expensive coffee. Millions of dollars was spent to become brew masters, we had thousands of managers that went over a year period of time.I got a wonderful certificate about how I became a special type of person and could then sell and make Starbucks coffee

It was then (Many years ago,) that I saw first hand the push for liberalism at its finest. The classes had nothing to do with making coffee as much as pushing an agenda, upon managers of other companies across America and Europe

I saw McDonalds doing this same thing and they almost lost their shirts in business, recently. Still debatable if they will survive as the king of fast food or not. Starbucks is saying that they are the best and that they have the only way, or the highway. Sounds familiar and that is, it seems the American mistake attitude. It also is the sound of a company that is trying to convince you and themselves that all is good

Grow comes in many forms within a company and expansion with debt accumulation, is one of those types of growths, to cover up the sins of poor product and management and policies

Now folks: The coffee at McDonalds is literally the same coffee that Starbucks has.



Say what you want, but coffee comes from just a few spots on earth. Kinda like tires for your car. That cheap brand is most likely made by the same company that makes your expensive tires. I went to South America as a buyer for coffee, years ago, I know where coffee comes from

You get what you deserve if you sip a cup of Starbucks. I know the food service industry, I know where McDonalds coffee comes from, I know where Starbucks coffee comes from and I know where and how to make good coffee. But I also know that the cup of coffee I make at home is vastly superior to anything Starbucks makes, or McDonalds and or your favorite coffee shop

It is not rocket science and it is not hard and it is definitely cheaper to make a great cup of coffee at home. Or work. Or what ever. Even a freeze-dried coffee is superior to Starbucks (OMG! Did he just say freeze-dried coffeeeeeeeee? No way you damn commie!) 

Get your priorities straight and wake up

Russia has stepped up the defensive posture of the country

And Russia cares to keep others from stealing her resources and keep the devil at bay. (Especially a run amok piece of crap like America has become. You can be an asshole, but be smart about being that Ass! That is the key to it all. We have become all into ourselves)

Manufacturing of defensive weapons in Russia is running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year for about 10 years now. Anti-missile missiles have been being installed at a furious pace all over the country. Big country! But it is being done. Enough according to experts that they can stop a first wave attack in literally full. Second wave attack is what is being worked on now, as more and more defense levels are built up

What this means is that if Russia is attacked, they will be able to retaliate and retaliate they will. The Western Empire is playing with fire and while Russians may all be exterminated, so will you. It is a sad thing we have come to

I am being point blank here

We, the Western Empire, are not all that and we are not special. We have to stop the crap. Leave Iran alone. Leave China alone. Leave Russia alone. Leave the world alone and stop the wannabe world rulers. The humans of the world suck! The ones who care about the world, sit back and play with themselves and we watch while the world wannabe dictators, play there war games. This has gone too far and too long and too much

China, Iran and Russia are all waiting for the attack against one of them. They will stand together and they will bring it to the Western Empires doorstep

Fact Do you really think you are so special? That you will survive a nuclear war?

Do you really study your search results on Google?

I mean look at what you get for results! It is censored and manipulated and all you have to do is think as you search. Try it and really watch what you are doing. Search for something that you know is true, have seen, have studied and then watch the results. If those return results are possibly against certain entities and or products and or companies and or countries. The results will be biased. That bias goes what ever way the political flow is at that moment

Just take an example: Obama information was censored in the expressions of hate against him. Trump and the expressions of hate against him are promoted Fact Jack and we are to blame for allowing it to happen, unheeded

* * * * *

I may take a excursion to the Big Village today. The weather is going to turn very bad and the bridge across the river is going to wash out very soon. Spring is here, but in Russia, Spring means lots and lots of snow. It will melt, then lots and lots of mud. So maybe I will take advantage of the warmer weather (-1) and trot to town today and buy some Bear treats. I need them after the crap I watch coming from the untilled Western Empire

I guess I will stop. I feel better now! 

WtR
The ordinary scanning tunneling microscopy image of a carbon dot on the left shows only a featureless dot. The time-resolved single molecule absorption STM on the right reveals that laser excitation is initially spread over the whole carbon dot, but within a few picoseconds the excitation migrates to a highly localized area on the surface. The white scale bar is 5 nanometers long. Credit: Martin Gruebele

Tiny fluorescent semiconductor dots, called quantum dots, are useful in a variety of health and electronic technologies but are made of toxic, expensive metals. Nontoxic and economic carbon-based dots are easy to produce, but they emit less light. A new study that uses ultrafast nanometric imaging found good and bad emitters among populations of carbon dots. This observation suggests that by selecting only super-emitters, carbon nanodots can be purified to replace toxic metal quantum dots in many applications, the researchers said.

The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, brought together researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Delaware, Baltimore County in a collaborative project through the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at Illinois.

"Coming into this study, we did not know if all carbon dots are only mediocre emitters or if some were perfect and others were bad," said Illinois chemistry professor Martin Gruebele, who led the study. "We knew that if we could show that there are good ones and bad ones, maybe we could eventually find a way to pick the perfect ones out of the mix."

Determining whether carbon dots are good or bad light emitters starts with being able to see them, Gruebele said. The dots are less than 10 nanometers in diameter and, when excited, decide whether to fluoresce in a matter of in picosecondsor one-thousandth of one billionth of a second.

"Using our previously developed single-molecule absorption scanning tunneling microscope, we could only image excited states with no time resolution," Gruebele said. "In this study, however, we can now record quantum dots while in their excited state by combining true nanometer space resolution with femtosecond time resolution."

Martin Gruebele, right, and graduate student Huy Nguyen demonstrate that economical carbon-based quantum dots emit enough light when excited to eventually replace the expensive and toxic metal quantum dots used in many health and electronics applications. Credit: L. Brian Stauffer

The team found that the energy excitation takes one of two paths: either emit light or expel the energy as heat before getting a chance to fluorescence.

"We found that in bulk populations, approximately 20% of a given population of carbon nanodots are perfect emitters, while about 80% have a very short light emission state before expelling heat," Gruebele said. "Being able to see that there are different populations tells us that it may be possible to purify carbon dot populations by selecting only the perfect light emitters."

The ability to pick out the perfect dots could make the concept of efficient carbon-based dots a reality, Gruebele said. "Metal quantum dots are often used to monitor the health of living cells, which is far from ideal, and having a nontoxic, economical option would be a significant advancement."

The new imaging technology also allows the researchers to observe why some dots never light up, hinting that there is hope that researchers can someday synthesize perfect light-emitting carbon dots.

"We now know that we have an instrument that identifies the problem," Gruebele said. "Whether we use it to purify groups of carbon dots or to help synthesize perfect light-emitting carbon dots is now just a question of where we want to head next."

Explore further Researchers control multiple wavelengths of light from a single source

More information: Huy A. Nguyen el al., "Ultrafast nanometric imaging of energy flow within and between single carbon dots," PNAS (2021). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Huy A. Nguyen el al., "Ultrafast nanometric imaging of energy flow within and between single carbon dots,"(2021). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.2023083118
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TIGARD, Ore.  A union representing food and commercial workers in Oregon and southwestern Washington criticized Governor Kate Brown over the weekend after she received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 555 released a statement on Sunday, accusing Brown of cutting in line under the vaccine schedule that she helped to develop and implement.

Governor Brown received the vaccine on Saturday in an effort to prove that the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine was "safe and effective."

Every week my office hears the question: If these vaccines are so safe, then why hasnt Kate Brown gotten one? I want to reassure Oregonians that they should feel confident taking any of the three vaccines available to protect themselves and their loved ones," Brown said in a statement.

On February 26, Brown and state officials outlined the state's vaccine eligibility schedule for the coming months. Under that plan, adults 45 and older with underlying health conditions, seasonal farm and food processing workers, and several other groups become eligible March 29. Most frontline workers  including the bulk of retail and grocery workers  become eligible by May 1. The plan opens up eligibility to all adults 45 and older by June 1.

"Kate Brown said she does not qualify for the vaccine under her own plan," UFCW 555 said. "The Governor gets to choose how much interaction she has with the public. Our members and other retail workers do not. They cannot work remotely. They see hundreds of customers a day."

The union has been pushing for essential workers to be moved up on Oregon's timeline since the schedule was expanded at the end of February, saying that many workers are "livid" at being left out.

"Last week, Governor Brown 'thanked' grocery workers for showing up to work through this pandemic. She also thinks its perfectly acceptable to move these workers to the back of the line for vaccines, while she cuts ahead," UFCW 555 continued.

In the neighboring states of Washington and California, grocery workers have been placed higher on the priority list. California's Phase 1b  already eligible to receive the vaccine  includes "workers supporting groceries, pharmacies, convenience stores, and other retail that seels food or beverage products," along with restaurant workers. Washington's plan opens up eligibility to grocery store workers on March 22.
$1.5 million investment in adult education offers education and career support to Michiganders

$1.5 million investment in adult education offers education and career support to Michiganders

Six grant recipients will help Michiganders complete their high school degree or equivalency, provide placement in career training programs

March 8, 2021

Contact: Mike Murray, 517-275-1820



LANSING, Mich.The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has announced the recipients of approximately $1.5 million in state funding to support adults over the age of 23 with obtaining a high school diploma and placement in career training programs.

The six recipients of the Michigan Adult Education 23+ Grants are Belding Adult Education ($50,000); Graduation Alliance ($791,000); Orchard View Adult Education ($216,500); Plainwell Community Schools ($92,500); Romulus Adult Education ($50,000); and Sparta Area Schools Adult Education ($300,000).

Each of the grant recipients will provide Michigans adult learners who are at least 23 years of age a variety of services including dropout reengagement services, academic intake assessments and integrated learning plans. They will also offer remediation coursework, employability skills development and course catalogs that include access to all graduation requirements.

The data is very clear  the more you learn, the more you earn, said Stephanie Beckhorn, LEOs Director of the Office of Employment and Training. This funding will help adults over the age of 23 receive the services and resources they need to earn a high school diploma or equivalent  and start them on a road for career success that creates new opportunities for financial stability and personal fulfillment.

The programs receiving grant funding are also required to provide these adult learners with access to a robust support framework, including technology, social support and accredited academic assistance.

Adults without a high school diploma are encouraged to contact their nearest adult education provider. The Adult Education Services Locator, which helps visitors search for a variety of nearby services by entering their city or ZIP code, is available at Michigan.gov/LearnMoreEarnMore,

Improving access to Adult Education supports the states Learn More, Earn More efforts to provide opportunities for adults to improve education skills  especially in math, reading and/or writing  obtain a high school credential or become better English speakers. A better educated workforce benefits workers, employers and Michigan communities.

Expanding access to Adult Education also aligns with Michigans Sixty by 30 goal to increase the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree to 60 percent by 2030.

For more information about adult education programs in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/LearnMoreEarnMore.
SPRINGFIELD  Several organizations working with women and families are being awarded $55,000 in emergency grants from the Womens Fund of Western Massachusetts.

Arise for Social Justice, Clinical and Support Options, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Springfield Food Policy Council, Springfield No One Leaves, and Womanshelter/Companeras were selected for their focus on working to prevent homelessness, food insecurity, and to aid survivors of domestic or sexual violence during the pandemic.

It is a good feeling, knowing that our organization is being seen for the work that we do and the impact in the community, especially for women, said Tanisha Arena, executive director of Arise for Social Justice.

The Womens Fund conducted virtual interviews instead of a typical application submission to expedite the funding process for these direct service organizations supporting Western Massachusetts women and families in need. Interview conversations for funding focused on unmet emergency need to prevent homelessness, food insecurity, and to aid survivors of domestic or sexual violence with prioritization given to organizations led by women and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

Women, especially black women, have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic in terms of loss. The effects of schools and daycares being closed are that women are facing the loss of jobs as they navigate these new roles, Arena said.

The pandemic has presented new challenges for women ranging from job loss to child care needs.

During the pandemic, our emergency shelter has continued to be a safe and reliable place for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence, said Carmen Nieves, executive director of Womanshelter/Companeras in Holyoke. " Although our own 33-bed shelter has been at capacity, our direct service staff continues to find confidential, alternate housing for the additional domestic violence survivors seeking our help. Womanshelter is seeing roughly $9,000 a month in additional expenses to keep these survivors and their families safe.

Grant funds were awarded to three organizations that serve all four counties of Western Massachusetts including Clinical and Support Options for their diversion program that supports families through the pandemic crisis and prevent homelessness; Food Bank of Western Massachusetts for their work with women and families to prevent food insecurity and to aid families who receive benefits from the SNAP program and Springfield No One Leaves for their work with women and families to prevent housing insecurity in all four counties of Western Massachusetts.

Grant funds were awarded to three organizations that support communities in Hampden County including Arise for Social Justice for their work in housing logistics and preventing housing insecurity for women and their families; the Springfield Food Policy Council for their program to prevent food insecurity, and additionally their commitment to fostering a relationship with community members who learn and teach how to grow food for their families and Womanshelter/Companeras for their work on housing insecurity and specifically their support of women and girls who are survivors of domestic or sexual violence.

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Texas has undergone two major reopenings over the past year, followed by two disastrous surges of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Laredo physicians worry about this correlation as Gov. Greg Abbott has opened up the state once again, right as the Gateway City entered a welcome period of relative recovery.

History always teaches us lessons, Dr. Ricardo Cigarroa said. Usually we have to go far back in history to remember. If you look at the history of pandemics, quarantine solved each and every one of them  obviously back then we didnt have vaccines. With respect to the COVID pandemic, we dont have to look so far back.

Progressively throughout May 2020, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that all businesses could begin to reopen, at 25%, then 50%, then 75% capacity by mid-June. Laredo could not enforce that people wear masks inside businesses until June 18, by which point cases were already beginning to pick up again.

Cigarroa remembers seeing photos of young people without masks on in crowded bars on Iturbide Street, and seven days later their arrival to the hospital.

By July, the state was in a full-blown surge that lasted through August. In those two months in Laredo, over 200 people died.

Finally, by mid-October COVID-19 patients occupied less than 15% of hospital beds in Laredo, and deaths and new cases had slowed. According to the governors September order, Laredo area businesses could expand their capacity back up to 75%. And on Nov. 1, Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina ruled that bars could open again.

This lasted only about 20 days. By mid-November, Laredos COVID-19 hospitalization rate had crept up past 15% again. Hundreds of new cases were being reported every day, and people began to die in greater numbers. However, the governor never allowed Laredo to close restaurants indoor dining rooms or lower capacity at businesses below 50%. Their only options left were to create a curfew for home gatherings and strengthen police enforcement.

In conjunction with compounding private gatherings over Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Eve, about 400 deaths were reported from mid-November through the end of February.

Now, beginning on Wednesday, businesses in Laredo will be able to open at full capacity, and it will be left up to them whether or not to enforce that their customers wear masks. The city and county are not allowed to issue fines or send people to jail for refusing to wear a mask.

Laredos hospitalization rate remains comparatively low, as does its test positivity rate and the number of active cases. Plus, more and more Laredoans are being vaccinated every week.

But Laredo health officials worry that this is not enough to prevent a third surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths. When restrictions loosen, there are spikes, said Laredo Health Authority Dr. Victor Trevino.

At this point we are in a race against time, he said. Now more than ever there will be a direct correlation with the amount of vaccines and the amount of deaths were going to see in our vulnerable community.

The governors decision is not backed by science but by politics, Trevino said. As of Thursday, about 50% of Laredo residents age 65 and older had been vaccinated, but that is not enough to justify changing behavior, he said. Trevino would have preferred to wait until 75% of this population was vaccinated.

We could have waited a little bit more, until we get better metrics, better vaccinations, better numbers. This governor is gambling in assuming the vaccinations that we will get will help. But what if we dont get them? What if theres not enough? Trevino asked. Theres a lot of variables, and we cant put the carriage before the horse.

In looking for signs of another wave, Trevino will be watching the number of active cases in the community. Getting back over 1,000 cases would indicate the advent of a third wave, he said.

But the most important thing will be continuing to vaccinate the elderly. Hes hoping the arrival of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will help in this effort.

Only 8.5% of Webb County is fully vaccinated, and another 8.7% are partially vaccinated, about 47,000 people combined. Experts believe herd immunity will be reached when 75-80% of a community has been fully vaccinated.

But Cigarroa notes that there are also nearly 43,000 people in Webb County who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last year, plus roughly an equal number of people who have likely been infected without knowing. There have been relatively few cases of reinfection in Laredo, and he believes both of these groups are at least somewhat protected from getting the virus again. Still, considering only about 23,000 people have been fully vaccinated here, this still leaves 200,000 Webb County residents who are susceptible to getting COVID-19, Cigarroa said.

Its just common sense that were not out of this. Why (Abbott) didnt wait another three months or four months  Im just flabbergasted that he didnt, Cigarroa said.

In his conversations with people at Stripes, at the hospital, with his patients, with anyone who has been stung by COVID-19, Cigarroa believes Laredo will continue to wear masks. But the governors message is terrible, he said.

I totally remember this feeling we have now, when we shut the city down and we were down to three COVID cases in our hospital. I totally remember the joy, and the feeling that this may be over. And then when we opened up the bars, the sadness of knowing that no way was it over. To think that theres no virus in town is ridiculous. Its here and its waiting for us to gather, he said.

Julia Wallace may be reached at 956-728-2543 or jwallace@lmtonline.com
Monoclonal antibodies may serve as an effective tool in the global fight against malaria, as per a study at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, in collaboration with Duke University, published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports.



It was found that monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) such as CIS43 were found to be most effective in a culture-based assay that measured malaria parasites' ability to infect a human liver cell, while another mAb 317 showed the best activity in a mouse infection model.

Monoclonal antibodies may serve as an effective tool in the global fight against malaria. They may offer longer protection up to months soon after the administration of a single injectable dose, unlike vaccines that take a longer time.

Global Fight against Malaria



Malaria is spread by infectious mosquitoes, especially by Plasmodium sp., that affects humans and other animals. It is characterized by symptoms like fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. Yellow skin, seizures, coma, or death may occur in severe cases.



Malaria affects over 200 million cases and kills hundreds of thousands of people every year especially in impoverished and resource-limited areas of the world. A cornerstone for prevention and treatment of malaria - antimalarial drug effectiveness can be sub-optimal due to ever-emerging resistance, the need for frequent administration, and difficulties with compliance.



Due to the repeated low efficacy rates shown in field vaccine trials, the researchers are now shifting their interest towards monoclonal antibodies for targeting against the circumsporozoite protein of the parasite.



The mAbs may offer longer protection up to months soon after the administration of a single injectable dose, unlike vaccines that require multiple doses and many months to develop protection. Also, the mAbs can be developed at a fraction of the cost of developing new drugs.



"This was a critical study and will help to guide our future work in isolating monoclonal antibodies of unique specificity and activity from ongoing clinical trials of the FMP013 and FMP014 malaria vaccines that were developed at the WRAIR, in collaboration with our malaria research partners", says Army Col. Jason Regules, MD, director of WRAIR's Malaria Biologics Branch.



Source: Medindia Malaria is spread by infectious mosquitoes, especially bythat affects humans and other animals. It is characterized by symptoms like. Yellow skin, seizures, coma, or death may occur in severe cases.Malaria affects overespecially in impoverished and resource-limited areas of the world. A cornerstone for prevention and treatment of malaria - antimalarial drug effectiveness can be sub-optimal due tothe need for frequent administration, and difficulties with compliance.Due to the repeated low efficacy rates shown in field vaccine trials, the researchers are now shifting their interest towards monoclonal antibodies for targeting against the circumsporozoite protein of the parasite.Theunlike vaccines that require multiple doses and many months to develop protection. Also, the mAbs can be developed at a fraction of the cost of developing new drugs.says Army Col. Jason Regules, MD, director of WRAIR's Malaria Biologics Branch.Source: Medindia

Thus distinct sites on the circumsporozoite protein that can be exploited for developing improved vaccines, are reflected upon by different assay outcomes for mAbs.is a type of protein secreted by the sporozoite stage of the malaria parasite. It is also the
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Denton, TX (76205)

Today

Cloudy early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
The new GNU (Government of National Unity) is a month old and while Abdul Dbeibeh, the GNU prime minister is making progress with appointing 26 new government ministers and moving the GNU capital to Sirte, the nature of the GNU security forces is still unsettled, as is the status of foreign troops, especially the hated Turks. A related issue is the legality of the treaty the GNA (Government of National Accord), signed with the Turks in late 2019. This agreement has Libya and Turkey agreeing to claim and exploit offshore oil and gas discoveries in the waters between Libya and Turkey. Even the UN opposes this deal because it violates numerous treaties that have established rules for how this division of offshore resources is done. The GNA-Turkey deal is similar to the claims China is making in the South China Sea. Greece refuses to negotiate with the Turks over this and is instead appealing the UN and international tribunals that handle such disputes. China was tried this way over its South China Sea claims and ignored the ruling upholding accusations that China was acting illegally. Turkey is no China, does not have the means to enforce its claims, and the Greeks (and many Turks) know it. One of the things most Libyans agree on is the importance of getting the Turks out of Libya. T he rival HoR (House of Representatives) government in the east, based in Tobruk agreed to the GNU with the understanding that security would be a priority and that the status of LNA (Libyan National Army) founder and leader Khalifa Haftar would be respected. The Turks, Islamic militias and GNA diehards hate Haftar and want him gone if not imprisoned. Most Libyans oppose that because Haftar suppressed Islamic terrorism in Libya and nearly united the country under the HoR until the GNA made a deal with the Turks. To further complicate matters, the HoR has long been supported by Russia, Egypt and the Gulf Arabs while the GNA has received support from Iran. The Turks have also worked with Iran in Syria and against Kurdish separatists in general. Both Turkey and Iran support Islamic terrorists when it suits their purposes. The most acceptable solution to the security issue seems to be regional security commands that would put Haftar-led forces in charge of security in some regions.

The 2020 temporary ceasefire has been holding despite Turkish threats to resume their attacks. There have been some casualties this year, mainly the result of tribal or ethnic feuds or gangster behavior by Tripoli and Misrata militias. The Turks are seeking to pacify and disarm these militias but are not able to do so with just their Syrian Arab mercenaries. Instead, the Turks are trying to train a professional police force for Tripoli and Misrata but this is a long-term process, not one that can be accomplished in less than a year.

Dealing with the Turks is more difficult because the Turks have become a regional power. There is even a new term to describe the renewed Turk aggressiveness; Bayraktar Diplomacy. The Bayraktar TB1 is a Turkish made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV, or drone) designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The aircraft is rated as a high endurance platform. It can stay aloft as long as the similar American Predator. Turkish intervention operations in Syria, Iraq, Armenia and Libya rely on intensive surveillance by UAVs and other intelligence sources. In a Bayraktar intervention, Turkish-supported ground forces, often Syrian Arab mercenaries, deploy a mix of light infantry weapons, anti-tank guided missiles and 12.7mm (50 caliber) sniper rifles. Occasionally they will have mortar and light artillery support. A Bayraktar can also carry and use two Turkish-made laser guided missiles. This weapon and personnel mix is inexpensive, compared to deploying conventional ground forces. Turkish advisers also train local personnel. Turkeys support for Libyas GNA is an example of Bayraktar Diplomacy and most Libyans want the Turks and their Syrian mercs gone.

One reason Russia and Turkey remain on good terms is that both countries sell military systems and technology to each other. The Turks have spent billions on procuring Russian S400 air defense systems. Russia is apparently obtaining Hellfire type laser guidance tech from Turkey, who have used locally made missiles with their Bayraktar UAV. Entering service in 2014, Bayraktar is a 650 kg (1,433 pounds) aircraft with a 55 kg (110 pound) payload and an endurance of 24 hours. In 2016 Bayraktar TB2 was equipped to carry two 22.5 kg (50 pound) Turkish designed Mam-L laser-guided missiles. With a range of 8 kilometers, the Mam-l weighs half as much as the American Hellfire and is light enough for Bayraktar TB2 to carry two of them. These are used regularly against PKK separatists in Turkey and Islamic terrorists and rebel groups in Syria as well as more recently against Armenian and Libyan forces. Russia may be building their own version of Mam-L, which Ukraine already did in 2019 when it ordered Bayraktar TB2s armed with Mam-L.

Southern Discomfort

The GNU successor will have to deal with growing Islamic terrorism problems on the southern borders. This is mainly in neighboring Mali. Since 2012 France has been trying to get all Islamic terrorists out of northern Mali, and the southern Sahara Desert regions (also known as the Sahel) in general. A large part of the problem was the past refusal of Western nations to pursue Islamic terrorists defeated years ago in places like Algeria, Morocco and Libya. The survivors of these 1990s defeats went south into the desert and established lucrative smuggling (of drugs and people) and kidnapping (of Westerners) operations that brought in up to $10 million a year. This enabled hundreds of hardcore and experienced Islamic terrorists to continue recruiting and planning new terror attacks against Moslem and Western nations. While a lot of that money was diverted to operating expenses, including bribing or hiring, locals, and corruption there was enough left to buy more weapons than they needed and spreading the word that Islamic terrorism was the way to go and it paid well. This appealed to a lot of young men who had bleak economic prospects and were always up for some adventure, especially if it involved getting a gun, a license to kill or loot, and regular pay. Islamic terrorists are not immune to tribal rivalries, ethnic tensions and corruption. Al Qaeda documents captured over the years indicates internal corruption is still a problem and sometimes it is solved by simply murdering those suspected of such behavior and declaring such prompt executions as Gods Will.

Another thing that kept the Islamic radical pot boiling was the existing ethnic and racial tensions in the region. There was a lot of ethnic and racial animosity in the southern Sahara Desert area, especially in northern Mali and southern Libya. It was most intense in the Mali cities and large towns. Black Africans living northern Mali and, usually in the cities, are often eager for revenge against Arabs, because the most violent Islamic terrorists were Arab, and Tuaregs. The black animosity towards the lighter skinned Tuareg tribesmen of the north is sustained by Tuaregs regularly rebelling against the rule of the black African majority whenever the opportunity presented itself. The Tuaregs also exist in southern Libya and are related to the Berbers, who play a major role in Libyan politics. The animosity between Tuaregs and Arab Libyans in the south grew into armed clashes after 2011. One method former (until 2011) dictator Kaddafi used to control Libya since the 1970s was by playing ethnic groups and tribes off each other. That backfired after when this animosity turned to armed feuding. Haftar was successful dealing with this, the Turks and GNA were not.

March 7, 2021: The first UN monitors for the ceasefire and election preparations arrived.

March 4, 2021: Turkey again used its veto power to prevent the EU (European Union) naval embargo enforcement operation from inspecting two Turkish cargo ships for illegal military cargo for Libya. This veto was granted in late 2020 when the Turks threatened to open fire on EU ships if they tried to inspect Turkish cargo ships headed for Libya. The Turks are also using military transports to fly in personnel and equipment to the Watiya airbase south of Tripoli. This is a major Libyan military air base the Turks captured from the LNA in late 2020 and have turned into a Turkish controlled base in Libya.

Russia and Arab states also supply military aid to the LNA but are able to do it by land from Egypt. The Turks have no such land link because most Moslem nations do not approve of the Turkish military presence in Libya. Russia keeps its support quiet and managed to upgrade the engines and weapons systems of the LNA warplanes after the Turks arrived in Libya without anyone noticing. Russia has also flown in some of its own modern Su-34 warplanes to serve along the Cold War era MiG-20 and Su-24 Russian warplanes the LNA inherited from the pre-2011 air force and Russia recently refurnished. Russia has also given the LNA some Su-27 fighters. .

February 26, 2021: The NOC (National Oil Company) reported that Libya enjoyed record oil income in January, receiving $1.4 billion for oil sales.

February 24, 2021: In Switzerland the Libyan JMC (Joint Military Commission of GNC and LNA) agreed to terms for a permanent ceasefire. Details have to be worked out by the end of March. That may turn out to be difficult.

February 8, 2021: Russia reported that another of their Syrian Arab mercenaries had died in Libya, bringing the total dead to eight, with over 30 wounded or injured. In Libya, Russian Syrian Arab mercenaries are not seeing much actions even though they have been in Libya since mid-2020, shortly after Russia began hiring Syrian mercenaries for service in Syria. So far at least 3,000 of these Syrian mercenaries have been sent to Libya while an equal number serve in Syria. Russia had an edge in recruiting the best and most reliable Syrian Arabs. This was because the Turks, who had been using Syrian Arab mercenaries since 2016, were detested by most Syrians as an old nemesis once more invading Arab territory. The Russians were seen as true allies because the Russians did not want to control any territory, but did rent a few bases and sell military equipment to Arabs. The Russians had been doing this in Syria for over half a century. In contrast the Turks had occupied and ruled most Arab territory for centuries, and were often quite brutal about it. That imperial rule only ended a century ago and is still remembered. The Russian offer the same pay as the Turks, but not the incentive of a residency permit in Turkey.

February 5, 2021: The two rival Libyan governments reach an agreement on a merger and Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh was selected by the GNC and HoR factions to head the unified GNU and make preparations for national elections in December. The GNU will use the coastal city of Sirte as its capital. Prime Minister Dbeibeh is from Misrata, where he was born in 1959, and was educated in Canadian universities before returning to become a successful businessman in the 1980s. During the 2011 revolution Dbeibeh favored the Moslem Brotherhood but was perceived as doing so mainly to protect his family and business interests. Is known to have used corrupt behavior to keep his businesses going during the decade of fighting but is trusted enough to form the temporary government and organize the elections.
Lex-Premier ministre espagnol Rajoy accuse davoir recu de largent illegalement

Lancien Premier ministre espagnol Mariano Rajoy a ete accuse lundi par un ex-tresorier de son parti, le Parti Populaire (PP, droite), davoir illegalement recu des primes avant de prendre la tete du gouvernement en 2011, au cours dun proces sur le financement illicite du PP.

Administrateur du PP de 1990 a 2008, puis son tresorier jusquen 2009, Luis Barcenas est le personnage cle dans cette affaire de corruption baptisee la caisse B, du nom dune caisse noire alimentee pendant vingt ans par des dons dhommes daffaires et qui aurait notamment servi a verser des primes aux dirigeants et aux collaborateurs de ce parti.





Selon lui, ces versements en liquide avaient pour but de permettre a ces responsables de maintenir au sein du gouvernement le meme niveau de remuneration que lorsquils etaient deputes du PP et quils cumulaient leur salaire delu et des frais de representation.





La caisse B a ensuite egalement servi a retribuer des collaborateurs que le parti voulait choyer, a-t-il poursuivi.





M. Rajoy, qui a toujours rejete ces accusations, doit etre entendu en tant que temoin pendant ce proces prevu pour durer jusquen mai a San Fernando de Henares, pres de Madrid.




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The premiere of Eagle Wings, Nigerias first military-themed movie was held at the Blue pictures cinema, Lagos City Mall on Sunday.

The film, which is a collaboration between the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and the Nigerian Airforce, tells the story of how the military combats insecurity with officers risking their lives to protect the nation.

Eagle Wings follows the story of an Air Force Fighter pilot who must navigate his way to safety amid an insurgency.

Directed and produced by Paul Apel Papel, a Colorado Film School-trained filmmaker, Eagle Wings features world-class cameras and shooting devices suitable for cinema production.

The movie based on true events, stars Femi Jacobs, Enyinna Nwigwe, Yakubu Mohammed, Uzee Usman, and Paul Apel Papel who doubles as both director and writer.

Others are Funky Mallam, Nazareth Jesse, Saeed Mohammed, Abdul U. Zada, Patience Ujah among others.

The late movie veteran, Sadiq Daba, also starred in the film, playing the role of the president of Nigeria. The producers didnt use fictional names of states or countries in the film.

Premiere

Speaking at the premiere, the MD of the Nigerian airforce (NAF) investment limited, Uche Nwagwu, said the film brings to the fore an epic tale of the fight for life, peace, and love of our great nation.

This moving story captures the efforts, sacrifices, and impact of the Nigerian Air Force and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in our collective fight against the twin evils of terrorism and insurgency for which a lot have paid the supreme price.

Eagle Wings is the first of its kind to be made in Nigeria, in terms of the technical excellence and realism in the portrayal of the Nigerian Military, the air vice marshal said.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported the partnership between the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Nigerian Film Corporation on the production of movies to tell the story of the Nigerian Military from the right perspective.

Eagle Wings is a story of the Nigerian Armed Force that depicts various aspects of counter-insurgency operations showing the resilience and dedication of officers and men to end violence and restore peace and security in the face of unrepentant terrorists.

The film was produced in line with global best practices, it was shot using cameras equipped with Anamorphic Open-Gate Lens  a first of its kind in Nollywood.

Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES at the movie premiere, Eyinna Nwigwe, the lead actor said the movie is a national treasure that tells the story of bravery, comradery, love, and humanity.

He said the film will enlighten Nigerians on how the military functions and what they go through trying to secure lives and properties.

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The kind of support we got from the Nigerian Air Force was mind-blowing, we filmed across different air force bases, we filmed in Kaduna, Abuja, and Maiduguri. I didnt know they would be as supportive as they were, it was amazing, without missing or losing any sense of security in the process.

Giving us access to the equipment that we used, the fighter jets, automated rifles, and manpower, it is amazing. The support is something I have never experienced in my organisation in film, he said.

Speaking about the production, the producer and director of the film, Mr Papel said the Nigerian Air Force provided the necessary financial support, equipment, training, and personnel to ensure the successful production of the movie.

He said the filming took place from February to April 2020 in various locations across Kaduna, Abuja, and Maiduguri with unparalleled technical support and guidance from the Nigerian Air Force.
Williams: 120 Students Moved to Remote Status in Wake of Party

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The president of Williams College on Sunday confirmed that 120 students are transitioning to remote study in the wake of a Feb. 26 incident at a residence hall.

"Last weekend's party unleashed tremendous feeling," Maud Mandel wrote in an email to the college community. "It shook many campus and community members' sense of safety. It resulted in painful consequences for students who acknowledged their involvement. And it is requiring that we say temporary goodbyes to people we care about. Some individuals have reached out to tell me how mad they feel, including about my decisions."

The college's actions have included an investigation by its Campus Safety and Security Department into a Friday night party that reportedly drew 80 to 100 people to Wood House in contradiction to the school's COVID-19 protocols.

Before they could come on campus for the fall and spring semesters this year, Williams students had to sign a "Community Health Commitment" letter. The last line of the letter, printed in bold type, reads, "you agree that you will comply with the college's public health rules and protective measures, and that any failure to comply may be subject to sanction or discipline in accordance with college policies."

Being told to leave campus to study remotely is not the equivalent of a suspension and does not affect a student's academic standing, a college spokesperson said on Sunday afternoon.

However, there may be a difference in how the incident is reflected in a student's permanent record depending on whether they admit participation or are discovered through the college's investigation to have participated in the party.

"For students who came forward and accepted the consequence, the incident and transition won't show up on their permanent records," Williams Director of Media Relations Gregory Shook said. "There's no disciplinary note on their conduct record. And our academic transcripts don't indicate whether a student studied on campus or remotely.

"If a student didn't come forward and we later find out through other means that they were involved, they'll be transitioned to remote and will also go through the disciplinary process. Depending on the outcome, they very likely could be subject to further consequences, but that would be determined through our process."

Mandel in her letter thanked the students who have come forward and taken responsibility for their participation in the Wood House party.

She also noted that the college has seen low rates of COVID-19 infection since the start of its extensive testing program  mandatory for students and staff who are on campus  in August.

In the last seven days, those tests have turned up two positive results out of 3,588 tests administered, a positivity rate of 0.06 percent. Since Aug. 17, the college has administered 70,622 tests and turned up 39 positives (21 students, 18 faculty and staff) for the same positivity rate, 0.06 percent.

Mandel urged those who are angry about the Feb. 26 incident, which prompted the college to slow its plans to relax some campus restrictions, to show grace and compassion.

"[O]n social media some of you have descended into derision, stereotyping and stigmatization," Mandel wrote. "This must stop. The college has already imposed consequences. It is gratuitous and cruel to pile on."
On Chinese social media, users remain hooked on news about the Nanjing hit-and-run stabbings, as well as a leading scientists predictions that 80% of the population will be vaccinated by year-end

Jun 01, 2021 06:52 PM
FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2021 file photo, SolarWinds CEO Sudhakar Ramakrishna speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. The victim count in the mega-hack of a file-transfer program popular with big companies continues to grow. Much like the SolarWinds hacking campaign, the hack of dozens of Accellion customers on at least four continents suggests both government and the private sector have been falling far short in a digital age core mission: Protecting sensitive data.(Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)
Around half a million patients have missed out on vital heart medication, data suggests.

During the pandemic, prescriptions for drugs including statins and blood thinners, which prevent strokes and heart attacks, fell by 25 per cent. Experts believe this will lead to at least 12,000 more deaths.

Between March and October, doctors issued 1.42million prescriptions for preventative heart drugs, down 470,000 on the same period last year, The Sunday Times reported.

During the pandemic, prescriptions for drugs including statins and blood thinners, which prevent strokes and heart attacks, fell by 25 per cent. Experts believe this will lead to at least 12,000 more deaths.

The figures demonstrate the pandemics widespread disruption to potentially life saving treatment for heart patients, including open heart surgery and procedures, such as fitting stents or balloons to open blocked arteries

And 23,000 cases of heart failure and up to 90,000 coronary heart disease cases have been missed, according to research from the Institute for Public Policy Research and consultancy Carnall Farrar.

Dr Parth Patel, lead author, said: The pandemic now means almost half a million chances to prevent have been missed.

Many have avoided visiting their GP due to the Governments stay at home message.

When those with heart disease wait longer for medication, their condition is likely to worsen, which increases their risk of preventable death.

Latest NHS data shows that over 100,000 fewer heart procedures and operations were performed in England in 2020 compared to the year before.

Around 371,000 heart operations and procedures were performed in 2020 - a 22 per cent drop from 2019 when more than 473,000 were carried out.

The figures demonstrate the pandemics widespread disruption to potentially life saving treatment for heart patients, including open heart surgery and procedures, such as fitting stents or balloons to open blocked arteries.

Latest figures show there have been at least 5,700 excess deaths from heart diseases and stroke in England since the pandemic began, fuelled by delays in care.

The British Heart Foundation said tha pandemic was having a snowballing effect on the backlog of potentially life-saving treatment for people with heart disease.

The pressure from Covid-19 may be lessening, but the backlog of cardiovascular care is ever-increasing, they added.
Joe Biden has endorsed two women to elite, four-star commands whose promotions were delayed over fears for Donald Trump's reaction, according to a former defense secretary.

The nominations of Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, of the Air Force, and Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson, of the Army, will now be sent up to the Senate for approval.

The unusual plan to slow the process was put in place last fall by then-defense secretary, Mark T. Esper, and chairman of the joints chiefs of staff Mark A. Milley, according to The New York Times.

Although Esper and Milley believed the women were exceptional officers, they worried that any candidates who were not white men would be resisted by the White House, it is claimed.

Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, 55, of the Air Force, left, and Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson, 57, of the Army

Trump speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, February 28

Esper and Milley didn't even suggest the women for fear that Trump would ensure different candidates filled the roles to prevent the promotions.

So instead, they gambled that Biden would win the election and set in motion nominations for after the transition of power.

They stuck to their plan, even after Esper was fired by Trump six days after he lost the election.

Speaking to the New York Times last month, Esper revealed: '[Van Ovost and Richardson] were chosen because they were the best officers for the jobs, and I didn't want their promotions derailed because someone in the Trump White House saw that I recommended them or thought D.O.D. was playing politics ...

'This was not the case,' Esper added. 'They were the best qualified. We were doing the right thing.'

On Saturday, the Pentagon announced the promotions of Van Ovost, to head the Transportation Command, overseeing the military's colossal global travel, and Richardson to head the Southern Command, in charge of the military in Latin America.

Esper's claim last month in the Times caused uproar in military circles, with some arguing it was an improper way to seek promotions for the women.

Lt. Col. Alexander S. Vindman, who had his own bust up with Trump over his testimony during the Ukraine scandal, wrote a blog on national security website Lawfare which said Esper and Milley should have put their case to the president.

Vindman wrote: 'The armed forces have a procedure for selecting their officers for promotion, which follow statutes, rules, regulations and long-standing customs. This internal process is not contingent on the person who sits in the Oval Office.

Biden speaks from the State Dining Room following the passage of the American Rescue Plan in the U.S. Senate at the White House on March 6

'By retreating from the expected confrontation with the Trump White House and maneuvering around the military's own process, these senior leaders have undermined good civil-military relations.

'Moreover, this disingenuousness represents the opposite of the institutional values of the military. Upholding good order and discipline within the military does not mean dodging difficult debates with the commander in chief.'

Lloyd J. Austin III, the new defense secretary, last month refused to comment on Esper's claims, stating: 'I would just say that I've seen the records of both of these women... They are outstanding.'

The generals will likely start working in their new roles in the summer.

Van Ovost, 55, leads the Air Mobility Command based out of Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.

Richardson, 57, commands the Army contingent of the Pentagon's Northern Command based in San Antonio.
Brendan J. Lyons, Times Union, Albany, N.Y. (TNS)

A high-strength bolt snapped at the threads as an ironworker, Jimmy Jordan, used a torque wrench to tighten it into a steel plate connecting two massive girders. A piece of the broken bolt bounced off an overhang and split his lip open as he looked up.

It was January 2016, and Jordan was part of the team constructing the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement at the projects main assembly site along the Hudson River in the Port of Coeymans, about 100 miles north of the bridge. Construction of the $3.9 billion twin span, which would ultimately be named after Gov. Mario M. Cuomo, had been under way for a little more than two years when Jordans injury led to a series of revelations that would call into question the new bridges structural safety.

It would emerge that dozens of bolts had similarly broken at the port assembly site, an abnormally high number that indicated the potential for a very serious problem. Bolts also had been breaking on the assembled girders loaded onto barges, and even on some pieces already installed at the bridge  including some more than a year after they had been tightened into the plates that hold the girders together.

For structures like bridges and high-rises, experts say even a few broken bolts can weaken the immense splices and result in a catastrophic collapse.

Despite the states knowledge of the situation, none of that was on the agenda when the 3.1-mile bridge was dedicated three years ago as Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo ceremoniously drove across it in a 1932 Packard convertible during the formal opening.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo drives a 1932 Packard as his then-girlfriend, TV chef Sandra Lee, blows a kiss as they cross the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, in Nyack, N.Y.AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

Beneath the concrete surfaces he passed over are roughly 1,250 girders that serve as the structures backbone. They are up to 120 feet in length and 12 feet high, and weigh more than 100 tons apiece. The girders, which were assembled at the southern Albany County port, are held together by splice plates, with each connection secured by about 500 bolts.

On July 1, 2016  six months after Jordans injury  a safety manager at the port arranged a meeting at a Colonie restaurant with Ken Riley, a quality assurance inspector with Alta Vista, a private engineering firm that had been hired by the New York Thruway Authority. He told Riley that Tappan Zee Constructors, the private corporation building the bridge for the state authority, may have committed fraud by concealing the fact that large numbers of bolts had been breaking due to either improper installation techniques, manufacturing defects, or both.

The safety manager, James S. McNall, who had just been terminated, played tapes for the inspector of conversations that he had secretly recorded five months earlier while interviewing engineers and ironworkers at the port. The conversations appeared to confirm that the contractors team had been hiding the matter from the Thruway Authority and its inspectors, who were a mix of state investigators and private contractors.

Riley, according to McNalls account to investigators, said that he believed the recordings revealed potential criminal fraud. Riley, who still works for Alta Vista, reported the alleged fraud to the state inspector generals office. Riley did not respond to a request for comment.

McNalls information would trigger an investigation by the inspector general, and later by the state attorney generals office, into allegations that Tappan Zee Constructors had potentially endangered the public, violated its contract and falsely certified that the bridge was safe.

For the past eight months, the Times Union has burrowed into the states investigations, the findings of which have remained secret. The newspapers efforts included interviews with confidential sources and multiple people who worked on the project, and a review of engineering reports, scientific analyses, court records and correspondence on file with the attorney generals office.

The newspapers inquiry has raised questions about the structural integrity of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge as well as the thoroughness of the states inquiries, which languished for several years and did not include interviewing many of the ironworkers and laborers who had first-hand knowledge of the situation. The papers probe also suggests the posture of the attorney generals office  over the course of four years and three administrations  devolved from seeking an incisive probe of the bolt failures to pursuing an effort to arguably downplay the severity of the allegations, including any potential structural threat to the bridge.

The attorney generals office, in its handling of the case, had apparently relied heavily on investigations by the inspector generals office and the Thruway Authority. Tappan Zee Constructors and their attorney declined to be interviewed for this story. For their part, they have denied concealing bolt failures, accused McNall of inflating the severity of the situation, and contend the bridge is safe.

Some of the records obtained by the Times Union were generated in connection with a False Claims Act case filed in state Supreme Court in March 2017 by McNall  who is considered a whistleblower  and his attorneys. The case has remained sealed for four years at the repeated requests of the attorney generals office while it investigated the allegations, and more recently at the request of Tappan Zee Constructors.

The False Claims Act imposes liability on companies that defraud the government. Under state law, the cases normally are unsealed when the government agrees to intervene or the case is settled.

The Hearst Corp., which owns the Times Union, recently submitted a letter asking a state Supreme Court justice to unseal the case, in part, because of the enormous public interest at stake. The attorney generals office and McNalls attorneys also have asked that the case be partially unsealed, but Tappan Zee Constructors is fighting to keep it permanently secret, according to a court record in the case that was made public last month.

That court record, an unsealing order by state Supreme Court Justice Joan B. Lefkowitz, outlines many of the allegations made by McNall and indicates the attorney generals office had recently settled the case with Tappan Zee Constructors. A person with knowledge of the settlement said it requires Tappan Zee Constructors to pay a $2 million penalty and to extend its warranty on the bridges construction for one year. The warranty, however, only applies to a limited number of sections of the bridge.

The settlement is an indication that the attorney generals office has accepted Tappan Zee Constructors assertion that while its engineers had concealed they had been secretly replacing broken bolts, it only occurred for a three-month period in early 2016  at the height the construction  and had nothing to do with widespread defective bolts.

The unsealing order that was made public recently indicates the judge rejected the companys arguments for permanently sealing the case, including that its business reputation and ability to win future public projects may be irreparably harmed. The company also had argued that disclosing the details of the case  including specifics of the bridge splices  would make the bridge vulnerable to a terrorist attack.

The judge cast aside those arguments. Although the TZC defendants might prefer there be no publicity about this case, that is not a sufficient basis for sealing, the judge wrote in the order, which apparently is now subject to an appeal.

The settlement falls far short of what McNall and his attorneys had sought, a person briefed on the case said. They had provided expert analyses, including a 2018 PowerPoint presentation that was the subject of several news reports that year, indicating that as many as 1 million bolts used to assemble the bridge might be defective, and had requested a major financial penalty and a thorough inspection  paid for by Tappan Zee Contractors  to determine the structural integrity of the bridge. That type of inspection could cost millions of dollars and result in significant lane closures while the work is done, according to the person with knowledge of the matter.

Despite concerns from engineering experts that girders could separate and the bridge could collapse without notice, the states investigations moved slowly. Also, many workers at the site throughout the multiyear project  some with firsthand knowledge of the extent of the broken bolts  were never interviewed by investigators.

Strikingly lenient

On Sept. 11, 2018, the attorney generals office finally met with Tappan Zee Constructors to disclose its investigative findings. It was more than two years after the state learned of the situation  and four days after Cuomo had christened the bridges second span, and signed the bill naming it in honor of his father.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement, called the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, on a span of the new bridge near Tarrytown, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017.AP Photo/Seth Wenig

The case had initially been handled by the administration of then-Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, who resigned in disgrace in May 2018 due to his alleged abuse of women. Schneiderman, who had eagerly pursued the bridge investigation, assigned the case to Maureen Fitzgerald, an assistant attorney general in the offices Taxpayer Protection Bureau.

After Schneidermans resignation, the state Legislature, with Cuomos support, named Barbara Underwood to temporarily fill the attorney generals post. Underwood had previously served as state solicitor general since 2007, when she was appointed to the position by Cuomo, who was then New Yorks attorney general.

During Underwoods tenure, the bridge investigation was transferred to another assistant attorney general, David E. Farber. According to another person familiar with the case, the posture of the attorney generals office suddenly shifted: While Fitzgerald had been supportive of the investigation into Tappan Zee Constructors and the aggressive pursuit of a potential fraud case, under Farber the office became more adversarial with the whistleblowers legal team and concerned about leaks.

Farber and the attorney generals office declined to comment for this story. The inspector generals office also declined to comment.

The state Thruway Authority conducts ongoing testing of the bridges structural integrity and enlisted an engineering firm five years ago to perform laboratory tests on a relatively small sample of the bolts used to connect the girders. Although the breadth and efficacy of those tests have been challenged by independent experts retained by the whistleblowers team, the Thruway Authority contends the bridge is safe.

As expected in any infrastructure project of this size, this project required rigorous standards for all quality control and assurance processes in both its design and construction, said Jennifer Givner, a spokeswoman for the Thruway Authority. In 2016, independent experts began testing and later concluded that both the bolts and the bridge were safe long before either span of the bridge opened to traffic. Public safety is our highest priority and the bridge is completely safe for the traveling public.

Seven months after being appointed to finish Schneidermans term, Underwood handed over the office to Letitia James, who was sworn in as attorney general after winning the 2018 election. In July 2019, Wayne Lamprey and Harry Litman, attorneys for McNall, wrote a 17-page letter to James outlining their analysis of why the bridge is at risk of catastrophic collapse. They requested a face-to-face meeting. James did not respond to the request and never met with them, according to correspondence filed with the attorney generals office that was obtained by the Times Union.

McNalls attorneys had also previously raised the same concerns with Farber and his supervisor, Thomas Teige Carroll, chief of the Taxpayer Protection Bureau, but were told they would not receive a substantive response, written or otherwise, according to the correspondence.

McNalls attorneys, in their letter, had urged James not to authorize the settlement and warned that the safety of the public was at stake, not to mention the states potentially astronomical liability should the bridge collapse.

A settlement must ensure the safety of the bridge, compensate the people of New York in full for the cost of fixing the dire mess ... (and) impose penalties on TZC commensurate with its egregious conduct, they wrote, characterizing the deal as paltry and strikingly lenient.

An early draft of the settlement also sought to silence McNall and his attorneys from criticizing the propriety of the agreement, including making any statements that questioned whether it was without factual basis. That provision was dropped from the final settlement.

McNall and his attorneys declined to comment.

If girders fail, the bridge will collapse

Three weeks after McNalls attorneys wrote to the attorney general seeking a meeting, the gravity of the situation was outlined in a report by Ahmad M. Itani, a structural engineer and professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Nevada who, at the request of the whistleblowers attorneys, reviewed the states evidence and other information gathered at that time  including an engineering and metallurgical report commissioned by the Thruway Authority.

I find the volume of bolt failures on the bridge to be unprecedented and highly alarming, wrote Itani, who is considered one of the nations foremost experts on bridge construction; he served on the 2013 California Senate Expert Panel for the Bay Bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland. There are no normal or acceptable circumstances that would produce the number of bolt failures that have occurred at the bridge.

Itani based his conclusions, in part, on a December 2017 report by Alta Vista, one of the projects quality assurance contractors, which had been tasked by the Thruway Authority with conducting a follow-up investigation into why bolts had been breaking.

Itani, who declined to comment for this story, identified a likely culprit: a process known as hydrogen embrittlement, which can be caused by manufacturing defects or from overtightening the 1-inch-diameter bolts. Its caused by hydrogen atoms weakening and expanding tiny fissures in defective bolts. He described the condition as among the most dangerous problems that can affect steel bridges. If the joints holding together the massive I-shaped girders fail, the bridge will collapse, he added.

The deterioration of the bolts can take years and may lead to a failure even before they break, including instances in which the rigid connections begin to sway under the weight of the up to 100,000 vehicles per day  many of them trucks  that travel the Route 287 bridge connecting Rockland and Westchester counties.

Itani, who had previously been a bridge engineer and instructor for the California Department of Transportation, also warned that an alarming and dangerous number of (bolt) failures had been concentrated in a few parts of the twin spans, notably a high-stress area of the bridge closer to the Rockland County side.

The presence of any number of bolts with (hydrogen embrittlement) is generally unacceptable, but the situation is even more dangerous at the bridge because the failures to date have been concentrated in a few spans, he explained. If 30 bolts have broken, a much larger number  300, 3,000, or more  could well be weakening and endangering the structure.

Itani characterized it as an unacceptable risk to the safety of the bridge.

Blown way out of proportion

McNall had worked as safety manager at the Port of Coeymans for Tappan Zee Constructors for about four months when he interviewed Jimmy Jordan in January 2016 and filed a report documenting the facial injury the ironworker had suffered from the bolt that snapped.

But before the report was sent to the companys deputy safety director at the main bridge site, the contractors top engineer at the port allegedly made numerous changes to it, including replacing words like ricochet and strike with softer language, according to records obtained by the Times Union. (Tappan Zee Constructors disputes making those changes.)

The engineer-in-charge, McNall would soon learn from his inquiry, did not want the incident to draw unwanted attention; he especially did not want the Thruway Authority or its quality assurance inspectors, who believed that only two bolts had snapped by that point, to know how many had really been breaking.

By then, Tappan Zee Constructors  a consortium made up of American Bridge Co., Fluor Corp., Traylor Bros., Inc., and Granite Construction  had been assembling the bridges girders for more than 10 months, at an accelerating pace.

To facilitate the alleged cover-up, the engineer-in-charge had directed that a laborer be assigned to monitor the assembly bays and quickly discard any broken bolts into a metal scrap bin before the states inspectors would notice, according to the allegations leveled by McNall. The engineer-in-charge and other employees identified in the recordings are not being identified by the Times Union, in part, because they could not be reached for comment.

Tappan Zee Contractors potentially stood to lose millions of dollars from any delays.

The problem of the breaking bolts gets blown way out of proportion, the top engineer at the port told McNall later that month in a conversation recorded by the safety inspector. When people like that (at the Thruway Authority) see that its happening, more than not they are going to instantly think that it is a manufacturing defect.

The engineer, an employee of American Bridge, noted the same thing happened when he worked on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge  the largest self-anchored suspension bridge in the world. He told McNall that bolts broke on that job because ironworkers over-torqued them and not due to any manufacturing defect.

They freaked out and overreacted, the engineer-in-charge said. And we dont want the same thing to happen.

In fact, engineering experts have determined that many of the broken seismic-safety bolts  or rods  on the Bay Bridge project failed due to the way they were heat-treated. When some were submerged in saltwater, it triggered hydrogen embrittlement. Others may have failed due to being stripped by over-tightening when they were put in.

The A-490 bolts used to assemble the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge are subject to stringent manufacturing, safety and installation standards, and Tappan Zee Constructors  despite secretly replacing dozens of broken bolts  had certified that all of the work was being done according to industry and U.S. Department of Transportation standards. They were required under their contract to tell the Thruway Authority about these types of issues, but instead concealed it.

The experts retained by the state and the whistleblower found that many of the bolts had not been coated with a substance known as Geomet, which is also used on products such as brake linings to prevent corrosion. Instead, test results indicated some of the bolts were hot-dipped galvanized, which could cause hydrogen embrittlement. But the jobs specifications prohibited that treatment of the bolts, and its unclear that it was done.

The whistleblowers team also warned the state in November 2018 that a proposed remedial testing plan was not enough to ensure public safety, and that major connections on the bridge could fail even before any bolts break as their clamping force weakens  a deficiency that can go undetected.

But Jordan, whose facial injury had sparked the whistleblowers probe, told the Times Union in a series of interviews last year that he believes that the bolts were defective. At a meeting in a parking lot, he showed a reporter a plastic grocery bag full of cracked and broken bolts that he had collected during the construction project  in part because he thought something was wrong. Some of the bolts had gouge-like fissures on the tops where they had apparently not been finished during the manufacturing process. Others had snapped along the threads.

I got a whole bin full of them at home, said Jordan, who says he was never interviewed by state investigators. They had us take them out and replace them if the inspector found them. ... This is the way they came from the factory.

Jordan said the bolts would inexplicably shear and break, while others would stretch and snap on the threads.

When told that the state accepted Tappan Zee Constructors explanation that ironworkers had been overtightening the bolts  leading to them breaking  Jordan scoffed.

They can definitely break because of the ironworkers doing it wrong, but were professionals, he said, noting he had been an ironworker for 35 years and installed thousands of similar bolts. If we were the ones that were breaking them, why didnt they take us off the job?

Jordan said the ironworkers on the bridge job in southern Albany County were being paid New York City wages  about twice their normal rate of pay  so many may have kept quiet about the situation because they didnt want to lose the work.

Never in my whole career, Jordan said, when asked if he had ever experienced that number of bolts breaking on a project. Everybody knew it.

We dont want them to know that were replacing bolts

A few weeks after Jordans injury in January 2016, McNall, as he often did, arrived before dawn at the port in southern Albany County. It was Presidents Day and McNall was surprised to run into an engineer who was not usually at the job site that early.

By then, McNall had collected a few broken bolts from one of the assembly bays, including the one he believed had caused Jordans injury. He put three of them on top of a filing cabinet in his office and tucked another in his desk drawer. The three he left in the open were subsequently removed by someone without his knowledge, according to records from the investigations.

The engineer, according to McNall, explained he had not slept that night. He and a foreman, along with the engineer-in-charge, had taken a tugboat across the river  equipped with generators and lights  and secretly replaced broken bolts in the assembled girders that were already loaded onto a barge for the 12-hour trip south to be installed at the bridge.

It was not the first time the TZC engineers and workers had replaced broken bolts when they knew the projects inspectors were not around.

McNall, according to records from the investigations, would discover that Carver Companies, the owner of the port, had on other occasions taken the small group across the river to replace bolts under the cover of darkness. Carver Companies was not implicated in any wrongdoing, but the engineers replacing the bolts were making the repairs in off-hours to avoid drawing the attention of the Thruway Authority and its quality assurance inspectors, McNall concluded. He also discovered that ironworkers had on one occasion also found broken bolts strewn on a barge beneath assembled girders that had received final inspections and certifications.

McNall began interviewing ironworkers, foremen and engineers about the bolts they told him had been breaking for months. He also consulted a private attorney and secretly recorded the conversations, fearing that any safety scandal could be deemed his responsibility, according to the records.

Top officials with Tappan Zee Constructors would later assert that the bolts had broken only because ironworkers had over-torqued them during an intricate two-step fastening process.

But Jordan, the ironworker, said he had assembled more girders than any other ironworker during his time on the job. He showed a reporter the markings they put on the bolts to ensure that the two-step tightening process is done properly. He also disputed any assertion that the bolts were only breaking during a three-month period in early 2016.

There was bolts breaking before that winter break and after  as we were moving sections they were breaking, he said. They showed up on the job down in New York with empty holes because they were breaking on the way down. They had to replace bolts when they got to the bridge. ... Why are you trying to hide bolts from the inspectors if you dont have a problem?

In a series of interviews that McNall conducted on Feb. 25, 2016, none of the workers or engineers denied that the A-490 bolts had been breaking, or that they were concealing it from the Thruway Authority as well as the inspector generals office  which had investigators assigned to monitor the work  and the Thruways quality assurance inspector.

When you look at them, bro, the heads of them were like hollow, bad spot, sometimes the shank-lead to the thread has got a hollow spot, an ironworker told McNall that day. You know, some of it could be over-torqued because the iron is spread, and if you try to get tight iron all in one bolt that will warp it...

In an interview with the Times Union, that 59-year-old ironworker, who lives in Newburgh and asked not to be identified, said he was never contacted by the states investigators or asked about the bolts by anyone else. He also did not recall speaking to McNall and said he believes the bolts were not defective.

Every so often (they break) and you get that in any bolts where like the quality control isnt good; youd see a slight defect in the head or the shank, he said. If you did them bolts to the correct procedure. ... Theres guys that just didnt take pride in what they did, thats all. In the turn-of-the-nut procedure youve just got to pay attention.

Rick Starr, a laborer at the job site, had been tasked by the engineer in charge with quickly discarding broken bolts in a scrap pile before anyone noticed, according to records from the investigation. Starr told McNall that there were about seven kegs filled with broken bolts and pins.

In an interview with the Times Union last year, Starr said he was the only laborer assisting the ironworkers at the Port of Coeymans for the more than three years that the girders were assembled there.

We didnt want any hassles, obviously, because we were on a time frame, but I dont recall doing anything sneaky, he said. For me, to recall any specific incident as far as trying to push something under the carpet, I never (participated) in anything that was criminal or illegal or anything like that.

Starr, who said there were about 95 ironworkers at the port, confirmed that it was his job to pick up any bolts that hit the deck, including broken ones, and that they were sent to a scrap yard.

Starr said that no one from the offices of the state inspector general or attorney general ever contacted him as part of their investigations.

A field engineer at the job site explained to McNall in another recorded conversation in 2016 that the contractors top officials wanted only a limited number of people to know that bolts were breaking, or that the information should be kept on a really small boat, as he explained it.

An ironworker foreman told McNall that the contractors believed the bolts were breaking due to overtightening and it had been corrected by instituting a new process.

Still, the ironworker foreman confirmed that they had been concealing the broken bolts from the Thruway Authority.

We dont want them to know that were replacing bolts, he told McNall, according to a transcript of their conversation.

The ironworker foreman went on to tell McNall that the manner in which some of the bolts were breaking  the heads popping off  was something that he had not seen in his 35 years as an ironworker. The foreman had no explanation for why many bolts would break at the head.

I throw them away and fix them, the foreman told McNall. That would shut the whole job down. ... Its a major defect that does not normally occur. ... The bolt heads an integral part of the bolt.

A confidential report issued in April 2017 by a California metallurgy company, L. Raymond & Associates, which was retained by the Thruway Authority, estimated that in a best-case scenario only 1 percent of the bolts may fail, but in a potential worst-case scenario up to 50 percent of the bridges bolts could be at risk. The firm is operated by Louis Raymond, who has set standards for construction bolts and studied hydrogen embrittlement for 40 years.

Raymond, who did not respond to requests for comment, has done failure-analysis work for the U.S. military and NASA. He blamed hydrogen embrittlement for the broken bolts on the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge and warned that additional failures due to microscopic cracks may occur over several months or years and not be recognized until a bolt breaks.

Raymond recommended that a broader sampling of bolts be conducted to determine how many contain defects that may lead to failure due to hydrogen embrittlement. But that testing apparently was not done.

The attorney generals office was forced to publicly acknowledge the problem in December 2018, three months after Cuomo celebrated the opening of the second span. That acknowledgment came only after a document outlining many details of the bolt failures was leaked to an NBC news station in New York City.

Since then, the attorney generals office and inspector generals office have said nothing about their investigations or findings.

Traffic disruptions

McNall stands to receive less than $500,000 from the $2 million settlement with Tappan Zee Constructors, according to a person familiar with the settlement.

The proposed settlement also indicates that no one will face criminal charges as a result of the alleged fraud that occurred when bolts were secretly replaced, and certifications of that work were falsified. The settlement would essentially punish Tappan Zee Constructors for only the states quality assurance costs over a three-month period in early 2016 when, the attorney general asserts, the company was failing to report that bolts were breaking.

In their July 2019 letter to the attorney general, McNalls attorneys warned that office it was making a grave mistake. They claimed it was undisputed that Tappan Zee Constructors had hidden the problem and defrauded the Thruway Authority, including falsifying records, and the result is a bridge with an unknown number of defective bolts, some portion of which are likely to deteriorate and fail.

The situation is likely to worsen as more bolts deteriorate, and critical testing has not been performed, they wrote. Experts retained by the Thruway and (the whistleblower) agree on the likely cause of the breakage  extremely small flaws or cracks in the bolts ... that will grow and ultimately cause the bolts to fail.

In their ongoing bid to keep the case sealed, one of the arguments made by TZCs attorneys is that the public would be hesitant to use the bridge which would cause traffic disruptions.

Lefkowitz, in her decision ordering the case be unsealed, called that and many of the companys other arguments for secrecy unavailing.

TZCs appeal to keep the case sealed is pending.
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(Bloomberg) -- Sign up for the New Economy Daily newsletter, follow us @economics and subscribe to our podcast.Turkeys economy has continued to grow at a strong pace so far this year, but that doesnt necessarily mean its citizens are getting richer.The $717 billion economy likely outperformed all Group of 20 nations except for China in the first quarter after nearly stalling a year ago when the pandemic struck. Its been bolstered by robust consumption on the back of last years government-led credit push, an expansion that came at the expense of price and currency stability.Data on Monday is likely to show gross domestic product rose 6.3% from a year earlier and 1.3% from the fourth quarter, according to the medians of forecasts in Bloomberg surveys. Treasury and Finance Minister Lutfi Elvan said Thursday that data point to 6% growth in the first quarter.There is an exchange rate illusion in Turkeys economic growth data, according to Enver Erkan, chief economist at Istanbul-based Tera Yatirim, whos ranked by Bloomberg as the most accurate forecaster on Turkish GDP data.Noting that the GDP per capita in U.S. dollar terms dropped nearly 40% since 2013 to around $7,700 last year, Erkan said Turkeys recent economic model isnt sustainable as the growth is mainly driven by consumption supported by government spending and loan campaigns.This comes at the expense of lira and price stability, he said.The government pushed banks to ramp up lending to help businesses and consumers ride out last years Covid-19 emergency. The credit boom was coupled with a front-loaded easing cycle that helped prime the economy. That growth push weakened the currency by 20% last year and kept headline inflation in double digits. The size of the economy dropped to $717 billion last year from $760.8 billion a year earlier.The currency further lost 10% against the dollar in the first quarter, especially after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fired the central banks former hawkish governor Naci Agbal in March. The decision to fire Agbal, who had sought to restore the central banks credibility, set off a swift reversal of investor enthusiasm, sending Turkish markets into a nosedive.The data expose the challenge facing new central bank Governor Sahap Kavcioglu as he looks to restore price stability without cooling the economy ahead of the general elections in 2023.Kavcioglu has pledged policy continuity after his appointment and kept benchmark interest rate unchanged at 19% for a second meeting this month, saying the pace of price gains had peaked in April. Consumer inflation quickened for a seventh month to 17.14% in April.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 Romanian Orthodox Church has reportedly rejected calls for modification on the Baptism practice amidst backlash over the death of a six-week old child last January.

According to the Christian Post, the Romanian Orthodox Church has decided in its recently-held Holy Synod to retain its ancient practice of full-immersion baptism of babies despite public clamor to change it. Part of the modifications suggested by the public was to sprinkle water on the baby's head instead of the full immersion as Roman Catholics and other Protestant denominations do.

Basilica News Agency, the official media of the Romanian Orthodox Church, said that the Holy Synod met for the first time this year last February 25 and urged that the celebration of Holy Mysteries be done responsibly. It lined-up several clarifications on the Baptism of children with poor health in response to public discussions, concerns, and misunderstandings about it.

The clarifications included requiring a priest to meet with the parents and godparents of the child to be baptized prior to the ritual to check on the child's health after the parents have consulted with a pediatrician and to check on the parent's desire for the child to be baptized.

It also provided directives for the Romanian Patriarchate's Faculties of Theology in its teaching of the three immersions done during Baptism for the final years of theology students' section for Pastoral Theology. An annual meeting on the correct celebration of the Holy Mystery will be held by each Romanian Patriarchate deanery will also be implemented, making sure that proper catechesis on the Holy Mysteries' spiritual significance be given to the faithful.

Meanwhile, DW alleged that the Romanian Orthodox Church washed its hands on the baby's death and even indirectly blamed baby Iustin's parents for his death citing a remark of Archbishop of Tomis Teodise Petrescu's comment that the baby could have possibly been "overfed" and suffocated on the mother's milk for it was impossible for the baby to swallow up any water during the brief three immersions. Teodosie is renowned for his outlandish views and have been subject to much controversy in Romania.

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, on the other hand, narrated that Orthodox priest Alexandru Mazarache performed the Baptism on baby Iustin on January 30 in Suceava. Baby Iustin was crying when he was immersed in water before he fell silent as his lips turned blue, which prompted his parents to rush him to the hospital where he died the next day.

"The child was crying; he was put in the font with his face up, anyone would swallow water. This is a secondary drowning. When he came out, he wasn't crying. It was a sound, like a cry for help, that's all he could do...death came later," the family lawyer Ian Bulboaca told RFE/RL in an interview.

Doctors, RFE/RL said, found baby Iustin's lungs filled with a deciliter of water although official autopsy results are expected to come out after some weeks. The case's prosecutors have already questioned baby Iustin's family, baptism guests, emergency room doctor, and Mazarache on what happened. While the priest's lawyer Marcel Balatchi defend him for being "innocent" since he "performed the ritual according to church canons" in an interview with Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty.

RFE/RL added that baby Iustin's father, Alexandru Ungureanu, remarked that the Baptism rite of full immersion "should have been changed long ago" when a similar instance occured in 2017 in Iasi. The said case didn't receive much media attention as did baby Iustin's.

The media took attention on baby Iustin's case after the petition filed online at CampaniaMea initiated by Macin Biology Teacher Vladimir Dumitru reached, as of March 7, a total of 65,533 signatures for the Romanian Orthodox Church to change the ritual of immersing the baby in the baptismal font.

It has been a news headline in Romania for weeks and subject for public discussions that has reopened for changes in the Roman Orthodox Church beyond the Baptismal ritual, the Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty said. Specifically, the Romanian Orthodox Church's influence in their society and government, along with its state funding, has been put on the spotlight.

Dumitru gave the Romanian Orthodox Church a copy of the petition last February 15 as demonstrators against him called him a "neo Marxist" and "satanist." He said the directives given by the Holy Synod was a mere "small step forward, but it's not the right step" and, as such, have prompted him to create another petition this time for the parliament authorities to carry out a medical assessment of the risks that Orthodox baptisms bring.
Vietnams Ministry of Health confirmed 12 COVID-19 cases on Monday, when the nation started mass inoculation with AstraZeneca shots.

One local infection was logged in Hai Duong Province, which is the countrys current coronavirus hotbed.

The patient had been exposed to an infection and been quarantined since February 14.

The health ministry also registered 11 imported cases the same day, including one in Binh Duong Province, three in Ho Chi Minh City, and seven in Ninh Thuan Province.

The 11 patients had been sent to centralized quarantine upon arrival in Vietnam by plane, the ministry noted.

Vietnam had spent almost two months detecting zero domestic COVID-19 cases before it found the first one on January 27 and confirmed it one day later, according to the Ministry of Healths data.

A total of 893 local cases have been recorded 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.

Hai Duong alone accounts for 709 cases, while Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have registered 35 and 36 patients, respectively.

Vietnam has recorded 2,524 coronavirus cases as of Monday night, including 1,586 local infections and 35 virus-related deaths, according to the Ministry of Healths data.

A total of 1,920 patients have recovered from the respiratory disease.

The dead had suffered from comorbid medical problems, including 31 in Da Nang, three in Quang Nam Province, and one in Quang Tri Province.

Vietnam started mass immunization on Monday, with 377 medical workers and contact tracing staff in Hanoi, Hai Duong Province, and Ho Chi Minh City already vaccinated with AstraZeneca shots, according to the health ministry.

The government has said it will inoculate people in the said 13 provinces and cities as well as other priority groups, including frontline workers, diplomats, military and police officers, and teachers.

The country received its first-ever shipment of 117,600 AstraZeneca shots on February 24.

Vietnam says it will obtain 150 million vaccine doses for the whole population this year, including 30 million through the COVAX scheme co-led by WHO, 30 million through AstraZeneca, and the rest through negotiations with U.S. and other producers.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Unlocking amateur radio technology

The SARL (South African Radio League) technology symposium will be held on 27 March 2021 from 10:00 to 14:00 CAT.

Registration will open next week when details will be published on the SARL web and in next weeks SARL News. Registration is free for SARL members and R50 for non-members.

The symposium will be presented on the BlueJeans platform.

http://www.sarl.org.za/
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A brief police standoff late Sunday at a Brooklyn apartment ended with an officer and a civilian wounded, and an alleged gunman in handcuffs, according to multiple reports.

The male suspect had allegedly shot his roommate in the leg, at which point the victim hid in a closet while he called authorities, sources told the New York Post.

The officer was struck in a bulletproof vest and was treated at a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The condition of the roommate wasnt immediately known.
Kannauj: Twenty nine people were admitted to a hospital when they complained of stomach ache after having 'prasad' during a religious function here, police said on Sunday.

A 'Bhagwat Khata' was organised at Jukhaya villeage here on Saturday night after which people ate 'prasad' at a 'Bhandara' following which they complained of stomach ache and were taken to the district hospital, police said.

Hospital

Their condition was stated to be out of danger, police said.

District Magistrate Rakesh Kumar Mishra said all those admitted were fine and a team of doctors has also been sent to the village.

Senior district administration officials have also been rushed to the village to keep an eye on the situation.

The doctors said those admitted had suffered food poisoning.
The life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from indoor cannabis cultivation modeled across the U.S. Credit: Hailey Summers/Colorado State University

It's no secret that the United States' $13 billion cannabis industry is big business. Less obvious to many is the environmental toll this booming business is taking, in the form of greenhouse gas emissions from commercial, mostly indoor production.

A new study by Colorado State University researchers provides the most detailed accounting to date of the industry's carbon footprint, a sum around which there is only limited understanding. What is clear, though, is that consumer demand for cannabis is insatiable and shows no signs of stopping as more states sign on to legalization.

The study, published in Nature Sustainability, was led by graduate student Hailey Summers, whose advisor, Jason Quinn, is an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Summers, Quinn and Evan Sproul, a research scientist in mechanical engineering, performed a life-cycle assessment of indoor cannabis operations across the U.S., analyzing the energy and materials required to grow the product, and tallying corresponding greenhouse gas emissions.

They found that greenhouse gas emissions from cannabis production are largely attributed to electricity production and natural gas consumption from indoor environmental controls, high-intensity grow lights, and supplies of carbon dioxide for accelerated plant growth.

"We knew the emissions were going to be large, but because they hadn't been fully quantified previously, we identified this as a big research opportunity space," Summers said. "We just wanted to run with it."

The CSU group's efforts update previous work by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers, which quantified small-scale grow operations in California and predated the cascade of state-by-state legalization since Colorado was first to legalize in 2012. To date, 36 states have legalized medical use of cannabis, and 15 have legalized recreational use.

Mapping variable emissions

The CSU team surmised there would be substantial variability in emissions depending on where the product was being grown, due to climate as well as electric grid emissions. Their recently published work captures the potential cross-country spread of large commercial warehouses for growing cannabis, and it models emissions for several high-growth locations around the country. Their results include a map that shows relative emissions anywhere in the U.S., as defined as emissions per kilogram of cannabis flower. They've also developed a GIS map that allows users to enter a county name and find local emissions estimates.

Their research shows that U.S. indoor cannabis cultivation results in life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of between 2,283 and 5,184 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilogram of dried flower. Compare that to emissions from electricity use in outdoor and greenhouse cannabis growth, which is 22.7 and 326.6 kilograms of carbon dioxide, respectively, according to the New Frontier Data 2018 Cannabis Energy Report. Those outdoor and greenhouse numbers only consider electricity, while the CSU researchers' estimate is more comprehensive, but the comparison still highlights the enormously larger footprint of indoor grow operations.

The researchers were surprised to find that heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems held the largest energy demand, with numbers fluctuating depending on the local climatewhether in Florida, which requires excessive dehumidifying, or Colorado, where heating is more important.

The high energy consumption of cannabis is due in part to how the product is regulated, Quinn said. In Colorado, many grow operations are required to be in close proximity to retail storefronts, and this has caused an explosion of energy-hungry indoor warehouses in urban areas like Denver. According to a report from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, electricity use from cannabis cultivation and other products grew from 1% to 4% of Denver's total electricity consumption between 2013 and 2018.

The team is seeking more funding for continuing their modeling work, with hopes of extending it to a comparison between indoor and potential outdoor growth operations. Ultimately, they would like to help the industry tackle environmental concerns while legal cannabis is still relatively new in the U.S.

"We would like to try and improve environmental impacts before they have become built into the way of doing business," Sproul said.

Explore further Novel research accounts for future impacts of greenhouse gas emissions

More information: The greenhouse gas emissions of indoor cannabis production in the United States, Nature Sustainability (2021). dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41893-021-00691-w Journal information: Nature Sustainability The greenhouse gas emissions of indoor cannabis production in the United States,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-021-00691-w
Priyanka Chopra is one of those celebs who never fail to share some lovely aspects of her personal and professional life with her fans. The actor is currently in London wherein she is busy with her upcoming endeavours. However, Priyanka is also spending some quality time with her family and also shared a glimpse of the same on her social media handle. The actor also flaunted a sweater that was knitted by her mother in one of the pictures.

Talking about the same, Priyanka Chopra can be seen donning the sweater knitted by her mother in the first picture. The 7 Khoon Maaf actor is looking pretty as a daisy in the cream-coloured turtle neck sweater which she has paired with blue pants. Priyanka has her hair tied up to a neat ponytail as she strikes a lovely pose for the camera. In the second picture, the actor can be seen posing with her mother, husband Nick Jonas and his parents. She captioned the picture stating how her mother knitted the sweater for her while being in London. She added how her family is her greatest blessing and that she is happy to be reunited with them. Her caption read as "My mother knitted this sweater for me while she's been here in London. My family is my greatest blessing. So happy to be reunited." Take a look at the post shared by The White Tiger actor.

Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra recently launched her own restaurant called Sona in New York City. Sharing some pictures from the inauguration ceremony of the same, the actor mentioned how the restaurant is the embodiment of timeless India and the flavours she grew up with. The Sky Is Pink actor revealed that the main chef in Sona will be Hari Nayak whom she described as a masterful talent, who has created the most delicious and innovative menu, taking one on a food journey through her amazing country. The actor further added that the restaurant will soon be opening later this month and that she cannot wait to see people visit the same. Take a look at the pictures from the inauguration of the restaurant.

Also Read: Priyanka Chopra To Part With This Prized Possession Of Hers? Read On

Also Read: Priyanka Chopra Feels Disheartened When People From Her Own Community Pick On Her For No Reason!
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 21:12:40|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian and French naval forces held joint military drills in the Red Sea, said the Egyptian army on Monday.

The joint exercise involved various areas, including protection of a vital target in the sea against potential threats, air defense activities, and exchange of helicopter landings on helidecks of marine units, Egyptian military Spokesman Tamer al-Refai said in a statement.

Aiming at consolidating the Egyptian-French bilateral relations and enhancing the prospects for military cooperation between the two countries, the drills effectively contribute to preserving maritime security and stability in the region, he added.

Egypt regularly holds joint military exercises with other countries to boost military collaboration and exchange military expertise.

In late January, Egyptian and French air forces carried out a several-day joint training at one of the Egyptian air bases.

Later in February, the navies of Egypt and Spain carried out joint drills twice, also in the Red Sea. Enditem
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Austrian officials have halted immunizations of a batch of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine as a precaution. Investigation is ongoing over the death of one individual and the illness of another.

AstraZeneca Vaccine's Suspension

According to the Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (BASG), on Sunday, it had been sent two reports in a temporal association with an immunization from the same batch of the vaccine in the Zwettl district clinic. A 49-year-old woman passed away as a result of serious coagulation disorders. Meanwhile, one 35-year-old woman developed a pulmonary embolism and is in the stage of recovery.

BASG stated, "Currently there is no evidence of a causal relationship with the vaccination." Austrian newspaper Niederoesterreichische Nachrichten, the APA news agency, and broadcaster ORF reported that the women were both nurses working at the Zwettl clinic, reported Breaking News.

Based on the clinical data available, a linking cannot be established. Thrombotic events, in particular, are not among the typical or known side effects of the vaccine as the subject of discussion. Current knowledge indicates the clinical data do not display concerning data or signals in this respect in contrast to placebo, reported BASG.

According to BASG, "The Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (BASG) has received two reports in a temporal connection with a vaccination from the same batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the district clinic of Zwettl." It further remarked blood clotting was not among the known side effects of the novel coronavirus vaccine, reported US News.

Late-stage studies of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine candidate are on a temporary halt as the company probes into whether a recipient's "potentially unexplained" disease is a side effect of the dose. In a statement released on Tuesday, the company stated its standard review process initiated a pause to inoculation to allow a review of safety information.

Also Read: COVID-19 Relief Package: Are You Eligible for a Third Stimulus Check?

According to an AstraZeneca spokesperson, there have been no recorded severe adverse events linked with the vaccine. The spokesperson added all batches are subject to rigid and rigorous quality controls. He said trials and real-world experience so far suggest that the vaccine is safe and effective. The vaccine had been authorized for use in more than 50 nations.

As a precautionary measure of the BASG, the remaining stocks of the affected vaccine batch will not be issued or vaccinated anymore. AstraZeneca also stated that it was in contact with Austrian authorities and would support the probing.

European Union regulators at January's end approved the product. They said it was safe and effective for administering. The World Health Organisation (WHO) in mid-February recorded the product for emergency use. Adverse reactions witnessed in trials were mainly short-lived. Blood clotting issues were not recorded.

They immediately conducted international evaluation of side effect reports also displays no accumulation of identical case reports yet. At present, all important investigations involving the respective experts are running at full speed, purported to be able to completely exclude a potential connection.

As a conclusion, a safety evaluation by Germany's vaccine regulator of over 360,000 individuals who received the AstraZeneca vaccine in the country indicated that adverse reactions were in line with the safety profile depicted in clinical trials. This was between the launch of early February and February 26.

Related Article: Children To Start Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine in the Fall

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
One of the world's rarest tree species has been transformed into a sophisticated model that University of Queensland researchers say is the future of plant research.

"Macadamia jansenii is a critically endangered species of macadamia which was only described as a new species in 1991," said Robert Henry, Professor of Innovation at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI).

"It grows near Miriam Vale in Queensland and there are only around 100 known trees in existence."

However, with funding from Hort Innovation's Tree Genomics project, and UQ's Genome Innovation Hub Macadamia jansenii has now become the world's most sophisticated plant research model.

Professor Henry said Macadamia jansenii was probably the best studied species on the planet in terms of its genetics.

"Macadamia jansenii has potentially become the model for assembling all future plant genomes," he said.

Professor Henry said the entire jansenii species grows in one small area. "This means we have the potential to study the diversity of the whole species," he said.

"This is unusual, even for rare or endangered plants - it means we can get a lot of information about how rare plant species survive the impact of small population size and the associated genetic bottleneck.

Professor Henry said that particular characteristics of Macadamia jansenii made it useful for improving the technology and methodology for sequencing and assembling plant genomes.

"We investigated the different sequencing technologies, all the different software and algorithms that you can use in genomic sequencing, and then applied each of them to the same sample to find out what worked best," he said.

"It's a long, complex and very expensive process, so we wanted to use the latest technology to improve its efficiency."

The Genome Innovation Hub's Ms Valentine Murigneux analysed the genome sequence and QAAFI researchers then assembled all 14 chromosomes for the species, in collaboration with laboratories in the United States. This work was published in GigaScience.

Professor Henry said the work is of great interest globally.

"High quality genome sequences are proving much more useful than rough draft sequences with less errors and better outcomes for plant breeding," he said.

Macadamia jansenii was first brought to the attention of Western plant scientists in 1983, by Ray Jansen, a canefarmer and skilled amateur botanist from a South Kolan in Central Queensland.

Ms Denise Bond, Executive Officer of the Macadamia Conservation Trust said since 2018 about 60 new mature Macadamia jansenii trees have been located, although a quarter of these were destroyed in the bush fires of 2019.

"We very much welcome the genomic research on Macadamia jansenii as it will help prioritise future conservation efforts, although right now the most critical thing is to protect the remaining wild trees in their original habitat," Ms Bond said.

She said the remaining three macadamias species - M. ternifolia, M. tetraphylla and M. integrifola - were listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species in 2020.

"This is a wake-up call to Australia to take better care of our native macadamia species."

Professor Henry said all four macadamia species - tetraphylla, integrifolia, ternifolia and jansenii have now undergone the same analysis.

"It is fitting this work has been developed in Queensland using the Macadamia genus - one of Australia's few additions to the world's food crops," he said

The macadamia genomic work forms part of a five-year project to develop detailed high quality genome sequencing for five of Australia's key horticultural tree crops - avocado, macadamia, mango, citrus and almond - which account for 80 percent of Australian horticulture tree crop value.

"The macadamia data we have generated has been fed through to a range of projects including research on sustainably intensifying tree crop production and breeding for key commercial attributes in macadamia production," Professor Henry said.

###

This project is funded by Hort Innovation, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland and The University of Queensland.

Contacts: Professor Robert Henry, robert.henry@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 2445; Denise Bond, Macadamia Conservation Trust, Denise.Bond@macadamias.org, +61 (0) 488 432 226; QAAFI Communications, Margaret Puls, m.puls@uq.edu.au, +61 (0) 419 578 356.
Proud parents Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have revealed more details of their son Archie's extensive vocabulary during a more light-hearted moment in their bombshell Oprah interview.

Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, who now live in Montecito, California, said that their talkative toddler's new favourite thing to say is 'hydrate', a week after his doting dad told James Corden's Late Late Show that Archie's first word had surprisingly been 'crocodile.'

But critics appeared baffled, with some demanding 'proof' that 21-month-old Archie can say the three-syllable word.

In last night's interview, it was also revealed that the youngster tells everyone to 'drive safe' whenever they leave the house.

Meghan added: 'Drive safe. He's not even two yet!'

Some royals fans were touched by the revelations and said Harry's mother Diana was 'speaking through' Archie.

Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 39, who now live in Montecito, California, have now revealed their son Archie's favourite word is 'hydrate' (Archie pictured on the beach with Meghan'

Prince Harry was discussing the benefits of living in California and away from the limelight for his son.

'I guess, the highlight for me is sticking him on the back of the bicycle in his little baby seat and take him on these bike rides, which is something I was never able to do when I was young,' he said.

'I can see him on the back, and he's got his arms out. And he's like "whoo," chatting, chatting, chatting; going, "Palm tree, house," and all this sort of stuff,' he said.

'What's his new favorite word? What's his favorite word now,' Oprah asked.

Harry and Meghan with Archie during their tour of South Africa in September 2019, where the couple met with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mrs Tutu

'Oh, my gosh. He's on a roll. In the past couple weeks, it has been "Hydrate," which is just hysterical,' Meghan revealed.

'But, also, whenever everyone leaves the house, he's like, "Drive safe,' Harry added.

Some royals fans said Harry's mother Diana was 'speaking through' Archie when he was telling them to 'drive safe.'

Diana died in a car accident in Paris on 31 August 1997 during a high speed chase trying to escape paparazzi.

'You couldn't watch the #Oprah interview without thinking Princess Diana is with #HarryandMeghan and Archie #drive safe,' one said.

'Omg the fact that Archie's latest words are "drive safe! is literally haunting,' said another.

'Archie knows... Harry talks about cosmic forces,' another wrote.

#Drivesafe, I felt that,' another fan said.

'#Drivesafe said Diana through Archie,' another said.

'Yup! #DriveSage out of the mouth of babes,' another wrote.

'Diana's Spirit speaking through Archie, 'drive sage,' '#chills,' wrote another.

Royal fans said the spirit of Lady Diana was speaking to Harry and Meghan through their son Archie by telling them to 'drive safe'

During a chat with James Corden last week, when asked what Archie's first word was, the Duke of Sussex said: 'Crocodile, three syllables.'

Corden replied: 'Crocodile? That's a big word.'

Harry also revealed how Archie was able to put 'three, four words together,' adding, 'he's already singing songs.'

A plaque on the side of the hut reads 'Archie's Chick In. Established 2021'. The broadcast took a look at the 'cute' barge

Social media users have poured scorn on Prince Harry's claim that his son Archie's first word was 'crocodile.'
(Natural News) As sub-freezing temperatures engulfed Texas last week and roughly 15 million people lost power after the states green power windmills froze and failed, several disturbing search terms began trending on Google.

It was clear just by glancing at the trends that far too many Texans were not ready for an extreme weather emergency or, really, any emergency.

People were desperate to find supplies to keep them alive, as searches for firewood, for instance, skyrocketed, along with soup, fireplace, and propane. Photos showing freezing Texans bundled up against the cold trudging through snow and waiting for hours to have empty propane tanks refilled.

Google Trends also showed that Texans searched for literally life-saving items like free water near me, which exploded 1,650 percent over a 24-hour period. Another phrase, Is it safe to wash dishes when there is a boil order trended upward by 1,400 percent.

Both of those phrases indicate that Texans were disturbingly low on potable water as power outages also affected the operation of water treatment plants.

More #Texas trends over past day: "Free water near me +1,650%

Is it safe to wash dishes when there is a boil order +1,400%

When will grocery stores be restocked +1,200%

Food bank registration +450%  GoogleTrends (@GoogleTrends) February 19, 2021

Meanwhile, thousands of others searched for Foodbank registration, which likely also meant that many of those Texans were already suffering food insecurities due to income losses or reductions from the lingering COVID-19 pandemic.

Natural News founder and editor Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, who lives in Texas, highlighted the fact that far too many fellow residents were pitifully unprepared for the weather emergency.

In a column published Monday titled, Fifteen HARD lessons I learned from the Texageddon blackouts and collapse of critical infrastructure, Adams noted:

The Texageddon blackouts and near-collapse of all infrastructure (food, fuel, cell towers, power grid, water systems, emergency services, roads, etc.) taught us all some very difficult lessons in survival. We learned that the infrastructure is far more vulnerable than most people thought, and we saw with our own eyes that most people still refuse to prepare with extra food and water, even after a year of covid lockdowns that should have been a universal wake up call.

In a subsequent podcast, Adams went on to note:

 Trying to survive in harsh, unnatural conditions requires a lot of extra physical effort.

 Culture is a big deal; finding yourself in a community whose residents have no moral compass will become dangerous and unsustainable.

 Whatever can go wrong will go wrong with any preparation plan, so think redundancies and other mitigation efforts when making plans.

 Have fall back systems that are not dependent on things like a functional power grid in order to operate (solar power cells, solar-and-crank emergency radios, etc.).

 Dont count on anyone coming to help you anytime soon; hundreds of thousands of Texans were without power for days.

 Pre-store fresh water and fuel.

 Cryptocurrencies are worthless; physical monetary assets like cash, gold, and silver work best.

 Food prepping is vital. As Adams pointed out, no one ever said during an emergency, Gee, I wish I had less food here.

 Since emergency scenarios often demand more physicality, youre increasing your chances of getting hurt, so make sure you a) take more care to be careful than you normally do; and have some medical supplies on hand.

 Dont rely on the government because, as in Texas case, it appears as though government failed the people by investing in unreliable green energy that cost lives.

To that point, Adams noted that his dog, a Great Pyrenees, fell through some thin ice during the Arctic conditions in Texas some 15-20 feet from shore. Adams said he had to scramble to save his life, and he almost died from hypothermia.

No doubt that Adams himself was in danger of becoming hypothermic after having to wade into freezing water, even for a few moments, having to retrieve a dog at that.

Listen to his Fifteen HARD lessons podcast to learn more.

See more reporting like this at PowerGrid.news.

Sources include:

NaturalNews.com

ZeroHedge.com
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Photo by Kevin Scott [enlarge] The Louisiana Childrens Museum is certified LEED Gold.





The Louisiana Children's Museum, designed by Seattle-based Mithun, is one of two museums to win the 2021 Buildy Award, a national honor recognizing the most outstanding recent museum building projects.





. . .
When Cassell Jones took on a clean-up job at an East Side residents home, he didnt know he was about to unearth a lost chapter of San Antonio history.

Jones was clearing an overgrown corner of Tommie Hinton Jr.s backyard to make room for a larger storage shed. With tools and gloved hands, Jones diligently scraped away vines, wild grass and weeds.

Then he tripped over something hard: a rustic, coral-colored block of stone embedded deep in the ground.

THE DOCKET: True crime, legal buzz, courtroom news and more. Delivered to your inbox.

As Jones cleared away the dirt and debris, he was shocked to see an inscription:

489, U.S.C.T., JAS Green

I knew it was a tombstone, said Jones, 61. I was worried that it was a graveyard.

He called Hinton, who was floored by the news. Hinton, 34, wondered whether there might be remains buried beneath the marker and whether the discovery would require excavation of his property.

It turned out there wasnt anything beneath the tombstone, which made its presence in a strangers backyard all the more mysterious.

Every answer just led to more questions, Hinton said, recalling the moment in December. As relieved as I am that theres no body back here, Im still, like, why is this headstone even here?

On ExpressNews.com: Historian leads project to reclaim acreage of rediscovered San Antonio African American cemetery

The questions eventually led to a tantalizing glimpse into the past, as clues to the mystery revealed a Buffalo Soldier who once lived in San Antonio.

Hinton and Jones learned more from the descendants of Cpl. James Green  thats whose grave marker Jones uncovered  at Hintons home during a recent visit.

It was dusk when Robert James Jr., 51, his wife, Denise James, 49, and his brother Rodney James, 42, arrived at Hintons home with Jack James, 81, the grandson who never knew his military grandfather.

Cpl. Green died on Nov. 17, 1917.

City Archaeologist Matthew T. Elverson was there, along with Claudia Espinosa and Ken Stewart from the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum. Hintons father, Tommie Hinton Sr., 64, and Jones also stopped by.

Hinton walked the James family to his backyard, where they squeezed between a fence and shed to examine their ancestors marker, still lodged deep in the ground. Jack James had just learned about the discovery that morning when his nephew Robert called him with the news.

At first it shocked me, Jack James said. I couldnt say anything.

On ExpressNews.com: Conservationists and descendants explore forgotten San Antonio African American cemetery

The archaeologist began delving into the mystery of Greens identity in December, after Hintons father contacted him. He pored over census records, death certificates, military files, phone directories and county deed records. His initial foray into deed records and documents came up short.

Then he focused on the number on the headstone. Following a hunch, he visited the San Antonio National Cemetery at 517 Paso Hondo St. and found what he was looking for: Between markers 488 and 490 was another Green headstone.

Elversons following research yielded Greens storied military history and explained the seemingly coded tombstone inscription. JAS stood for James. The soldier was born in Maryland in 1845; someone paid Green to enlist in the Army in his stead in Baltimore. Elverson said the U.S.C.T. on the headstone stood for United States Colored Troops. Green served in the 39th Infantry, Company D, and fought in the Civil War on the Union side.

The archaeologist found that the corporal also served in the 24th Infantry, associated with the Buffalo Soldiers stationed at Fort Duncan in Eagle Pass. Elverson said that assignment is how Green ended up in Texas. Records show the veteran lived in San Antonio, at a home near Callaghan Street, before his death.

A big part of what we do is archival research, Elverson said. We focus on the investigation, the excavation, the identification of artifacts, and features. Then you have to put it in context. Archaeology in general is a sub-discipline to anthropology. To be a good archaeologist you have to be a good anthropologist and understand how people lived and what they lived through.

On ExpressNews.com: Retired major helps uncover long-lost African American cemetery in San Antonio neighborhood

The unearthed tombstone in Hintons yard was the first marker commissioned for Green. The archaeologist believes the homes previous owner, Vernon Crane, a white man, took the marker into his possession when a second tombstone was made for Green.

There isnt a record of how or why Crane, a World War II and Korean War veteran who died in 1999, had the grave marker.

Hinton believed it could have been a case of Crane not wanting to see a fellow veterans monument cast away.

It had been boggling my mind for months now, he said. Why he wanted it, heaven only knows.

The city archaeologists research revealed a series of coincidences involving Hinton and Green.

Both men served in the Army. When Elverson called Hinton to give him a little more news  that Green had died from nephritis, inflammation of the kidney  the East Side homeowner almost drove off the side of the road.

After 12 years of service in the U.S. Army, Hinton was medically discharged in 2017 for the same condition.

Hintons work for Veterans Affairs takes him to sites around Texas. During a stop in South Texas, he made a detour to see Fort Duncan with his parents and a friend. When they returned to San Antonio, they visited Greens gravesite at the East Side cemetery on Paso Hondo.

Although Im not related to this man by blood, it felt as if I was visiting a relative, Hinton said.

The hallowed ground at Paso Hondo is also the resting place of Brig. Gen. John L. Bullis, several Indian scouts, numerous Chinese civilians who accompanied Gen. John Pershings American Expeditionary Force from Mexico and more than 200 Buffalo Soldiers.

Greens original headstone remains lodged in Hintons backyard where it was found. Jones is still hard at work on the shed project, clearing space beyond the historic stone he scraped into the 21st Century.

Hinton plans to work with the archives and museum organization to possibly put the tombstone in a public exhibit. Elverson said sharing the marker would highlight the headstone and inform the world about James Green, whose life and times are an important chapter in the history of San Antonio.

The evening sky was darkening as Hinton stood in his front yard for photos with the James family. They posed with a faded American flag staked on parched grass and Hintons new blue Jeep.

In honor of the late Army veteran, Hinton christened the jeep Cpl. Green.

vtdavis@express-news.net
Standing amid the rubble left behind by the now defeated ISIS terrorists in the Iraqi city of Mosul, Pope Francis on Saturday declared hope to be 'more powerful than hatred and peace more powerful than war.'

Francis called for 'harmonious coexistence' of people from different backgrounds and cultures while leading a prayer at a square overlooking the ruins of the Syro-Catholic Church in Mosul's Old City. Once an ISIS stronghold, the whole city has been completely destroyed in 2017, during the nine-monthslong battle over its control.

'Here in Mosul, the tragic consequences of war and hostility are all too evident,' Francis said. 'How cruel it is that this country, the cradle of civilization, should have been afflicted by so barbarous a blow, with ancient places of worship destroyed and many thousands of people -- Muslims, Christians, Yazidis and others -- forcibly displaced or killed!'

Thousands of people were killed during the battle to recapture Mosul from ISIS, which controlled the city between 2014 and 2017.

The visit to Mosul came on the third day of the Pope's tour of the war-ravaged nation, the first ever papal visit to Iraq and Francis' first trip outside Italy since the coronavirus pandemic began. He has repeatedly denounced religious extremism and called for friendship between religions during the trip.

After leaving Mosul, Francis traveled to the Qaraqosh, the largest Christian city in Iraq. Like Mosul, Qaraqosh was also controlled by the ISIS terrorist group for more than two years.

The Pope visited the city's Church of the Immaculate Conception, where he gave a speech and led a prayer. He was greeted by thousands of people there -- a marked difference from his visits to other locations across Iraq. The government has imposed a total curfew for the entirety of the four-day papal visit to minimize health and security risks.

Late on Sunday, the Pope was scheduled to hold celebrate Mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, according to Iraq state-run Iraqiya TV. Some 8,000 people have gathered at the stadium to welcome the Pope there, security officials told CNN. The plan had been to have the 35,000 seats stadium at some 50% capacity with an empty seat between each of the attendees to allow for social distancing, according to officials. However, images from the stadium showed swathes of the stadium stands filled with people seated closely together without social distancing.

Earlier Sunday, Francis met with Nechirvan Barzani, the president of the Kurdish Regional Government, the semi-autonomous region in northern Iraq.

The Pope is believed to have long wished to go to Iraq, which figures heavily in the Old Testament, and whose dwindling Christian minority has suffered greatly from the country's long cycles of violence.

Thought to be one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, prior to the 2003 US invasion, there were 1.5 million Christians in Iraq. Around 80% of them have since fled, according to leading Christian clerics there.

He touched down in Baghdad on Friday, where he was met by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Francis later met with clerics and other officials at a Baghdad church that was the site of a bloody 2010 massacre.

On Saturday, the Pope held a historic meeting with revered Shia Muslim cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the holy city of Najaf before visiting Ur, the ancient Iraqi city where Jews, Christians and Muslims believe their common patriarch Abraham was born.

Francis then returned to Baghdad on Saturday afternoon and celebrated Massaat the Chaldean Cathedral of Saint Joseph. He is scheduled to leave Iraq on Monday.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (March 8) hailed the invincible spirit of women as the world celebrated International Women's Day and said it is the governments honour to work towards further empowering women in the country.

PM Narendra Modi buys products from various women self-help groups & entrepreneurs, on International Women's Day. "Women are playing a leading role in Indias quest to become Aatmanirbhar. Let us commit to encouraging entrepreneurship among women," says PM Narendra Modi.

"Saluting our indomitable #NariShakti on International Women`s Day! India takes pride in the many accomplishments of the women of our nation. It is our Government`s honour to be getting the opportunity to work towards furthering women empowerment across a wide range of sectors," Modi tweeted.

Adding emphasis on how the women of India have set new records in various fields, the PM decided to purchase a number of items made by the women of different caste and state. PM Narendra Modi hailed the accomplishments of these women and called to eliminate gender inequality.

While sharing his shopping list, PM Modi created a thread on the microblogging website and weaved all of his posts of purchases from women entrepreneurs with a common hashtag, #narishakti.

Art by our tribal communities is spectacular. This handcrafted Gond Paper Painting merges colours and creativity. Bought this painting today. #NariShakti, read the Prime Ministers first tweet.

Adding more colour to the surroundings! Art by our tribal communities is spectacular. This handcrafted Gond Paper Painting merges colours and creativity. Bought this painting today. #NariShakti https://t.co/Z8IQtbIg3Y pic.twitter.com/QaRupmq7fF  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2021

Not only the artistic commodities, PM also bought numerous clothing and daily use items like a jute folder for his documents from West bengal and a shawl from Nagaland.

Additionally, PM Modi also bought a gamusa from Assam, similar to the one he has been seen wearing on multiple occasions. While sharing this purchase PM Modi wrote, You have seen me wear the Gamusa very often. It is extremely comfortable. Today, I bought a Gamusa made by various self-help groups of Kakatipapung Development Block. #NariShakti.

You have seen me wear the Gamusa very often. It is extremely comfortable. Today, I bought a Gamusa made by various self-help groups of Kakatipapung Development Block. #NariShakti https://t.co/jvHk5YFJof pic.twitter.com/8exa9oli8Z  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2021

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(Alliance News) - UK unions and businesses in the aviation industry have published a joint call for support to help it survive the crisis sparked by the pandemic.

The TUC and unions representing thousands of workers, Heathrow Airport and ground-handling giant Swissport International Ltd called on the government to help protect aviation and secure its recovery.

Thousands of jobs in the sector have been lost and there are fears that more than 100,000 others are at risk across aviation and the industries it supports.

A joint statement called for treasury funding to help the industry survive until pre-pandemic levels of travel are safe again.

The groups also want a testing framework for the safe lifting of quarantine requirements.

TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: "We can't have a full UK recovery if we don't have a full aviation recovery, but too many jobs in the industry have been lost already.

"We lack a clear and realistic plan from government to protect aviation workers and businesses until they can safely operate at full capacity again."

Heathrow Chief Executive John Holland-Kaye said: "Aviation has been an engine for creating high-quality skilled jobs and will serve as an important catalyst for economic prosperity post-Covid.

"However, the continued lack of targeted support threatens both the viability of thousands of jobs and this government's own vision of a global Britain.

"While we welcome the launch of the Global Travel Taskforce and will work closely with the group to ensure the safe restart of international travel, our sector has been effectively shut down for almost a year with minimal support.

"Ministerial action is long overdue, and our leaders must act now to protect livelihoods by providing sufficient financial support and delivering an effective restart plan that safeguards the progress made in the fight against this virus."

A government spokesman said: "The government has put in place one of the most comprehensive packages of business support in the world, and we are continuing to explore how best to support all sectors across the economy, including the travel industry.

"The budget set out the next phase of support available for businesses a including the extension of government-backed loans and furlough payments, which build on around GBP7 billion of support already pledged for the aviation sector since the start of the pandemic."

Jim McMahon, shadow transport secretary, said: "It's almost a year since ministers promised a sector specific support package for the aviation industry, but it's yet to materialise. It's clear that government failure is costing jobs.

"Labour has consistently called for a sectoral deal that supports the whole aviation industry, including securing jobs and protecting the supply chain, while continuing to press for higher environmental standards."

source: PA

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
A woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted by NRL star Jarryd Hayne in 2018 sent messages to her friend that night saying he had been so rough and pushy and she kept saying no, a court has heard.

Mr Hayne, 33, is on trial in the NSW District Court on two counts of aggravated sexual intercourse without consent after he allegedly assaulted the 26-year-old woman at her home in the Newcastle suburb of Fletcher in September 2018. He has pleaded not guilty.

Jarryd Hayne arrives at court on Monday. Credit:Kate Geraghty

On Monday, Judge Helen Syme told the jury of seven men and five women that there was a previous trial in the case, which did not finish, and the jury must draw no conclusions about why that is or research it on the internet.

In an opening statement, Crown prosecutor Brian Costello said Mr Hayne and the woman had never met before, and had only spoken on social media, when he went to Newcastle for a bucks party on the weekend of September 29 and 30.
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State Comptroller Susana Mendoza said she is hopeful outdoor events can return as early as this summer with large indoor events such as conventions and trade shows beginning in the fall.

Mendoza said that the return to holding events would be gradual and based on a number of factors, including COVID-19 transmission and vaccination rates.

Were on a favorable trajectory in the pandemic, Mendoza said. Lets continue to prepare for the worst and plan for the best and optimally position ourselves to reopen with greater capacity sooner rather than later.

Mendoza said she is hopeful the governors office will be receptive to a wider reopening approach this year.

Working now in concert with industry shareholders, organized labor, the legislature, of course, and the administration on agreed safety measures is a sensible course, she said.

Mendoza said allowing events and gatherings to resume safely in a quick and efficient manner would be key to jump-starting an economic turnaround following the COVID-19 pandemic as the state works to return to a full reopening.

My job, as you know, is to pay the states bills, which is hard to do when businesses close and people lose their jobs, and neither the businesses nor the employees are in any position to pay taxes, Mendoza said.

Citing numbers from the states tourism office, Mendoza said COVID-19-related shutdowns and event cancellations cost the state nearly a $500 million in tax revenue over the past year. Prior to the pandemic, tourism in the state brought in nearly $2.5 billion in sales tax revenue annually, she said.

Mendoza also said state hotel revenue fell from $300 million in fiscal year 2019 to $250 million in fiscal year 2020. In the first six months of the current fiscal year, the state has only brought in $42.5 million in hotel tax revenue, she said.

This is economic activity that we need to nurture and sustain to the best of our abilities while we combat the pandemic, Mendoza added.

Mendoza cited recent decisions by the National Restaurant Association and the International Housewares Association to cancel their annual conventions in the state as an example of how the state could lose out on key income if large-scale events do not return in some capacity in 2021.

Some business leaders told the committee that they have been set back by the states current cap of 50 people for event gatherings under Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois guidelines. Phase 5 of the reopening plan would allow for a return of large-scale events with the necessary safety precautions, pending the widespread availability of a COVID-19 vaccine or treatment.

As a result of the federal government moving up projections that a vaccine could be available to the entire population by the end of May, business leaders asked the committee for a ramp approach to reopening under Phase 5 to allow events to resume in some capacity as soon as possible.

I dont think we need to have capacity limits, Bob Reiter, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor told the committee on Thursday. We need to have percentages that account for actual spaces.

In the ramp approach, Reiter asked that public health guidelines on event gatherings be made more flexible as the state works towards the next phase of reopening amid vaccinations and a declining positivity rate.

I think we can move past that benchmark and set other benchmarks that get us closer to full capacity as the vaccines work their way through the system, Reiter said.

Mendoza expressed confidence that the state could exercise flexibility in allowing events to return as early as this summer.

As more and more of our people are vaccinated and Illinois continues in a positive direction, its really gratifying for me to hear that outdoor events like the State Fair this summer are a very real possibility, Mendoza said.

All of us, Democrats and Republicans, from Chicago to Galena to Cairo, we all agree we need to do whatever we can within appropriate safety protocols to gradually open this critical segment of our economy again, she said.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - A Harvard University professor has ignited an international uproar and faces mounting scrutiny for alleging that Korean women who were kept as sex slaves in wartime Japan had actually chosen to work as prostitutes.

FILE - In this March 1, 2017, file photo, former "comfort woman" Lee Yong-soo, left, who was forced to serve for the Japanese troops as a sex slave during World War II, shouts slogans during a rally to mark the March First Independence Movement Day, the anniversary of the 1919 uprising against Japanese colonial rule, near the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea. Harvard University law professor J. Mark Ramseyer alleged in a December 2020 article, scheduled to appear in the March 2021 issue of the International Review of Law and Economics, that the Korean women had actually chosen to work as prostitutes. Lee described Ramseyer's claim as "ludicrous" and demanded an apology. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - A Harvard University professor has ignited an international uproar and faces mounting scrutiny for alleging that Korean women who were kept as sex slaves in wartime Japan had actually chosen to work as prostitutes.

In a recent academic paper, J. Mark Ramseyer rejected a wide body of research finding that Japans so-called "comfort women" were forced to work at military brothels during World War II. Ramseyer instead argued that the women willingly entered into contracts as sex workers.

His paper has intensified a political dispute between Japan, whose leaders deny that the women were coerced, and South Korea, which has long pressed Japan to provide apologies and compensation to women who have shared accounts of rape and abuse.

Decades of research has explored the abuses inflicted on comfort women from Korea and other nations previously occupied by Japan. In the 1990s, women began sharing accounts detailing how they were taken to comfort stations and forced to provide sexual services for the Japanese military.

Hundreds of scholars have signed letters condemning Ramseyer's article, which united North and South Korea in sparking outrage. Last Tuesday, North Koreas state-run DPRK Today published an article calling Ramseyer a "repulsive money grubber" and a "pseudo scholar."

Ramseyer, a professor of Japanese legal studies at Harvard Law School, declined to comment.

Ramseyers article, titled "Contracting for sex in the Pacific War," was published online in December and was scheduled to appear in the March issue of the International Review of Law and Economics. The issue has been suspended, however, and the journal issued an "expression of concern" saying the piece is under investigation.

Most alarming to historians is what they say is a lack of evidence in the paper: Scholars at Harvard and other institutions have combed though Ramseyer's sources and say there is no historical evidence of the contracts he describes.

In a statement calling for the article to be retracted, Harvard historians Andrew Gordon and Carter Eckert said Ramseyer "has not consulted a single actual contract" dealing with comfort women.

"We do not see how Ramseyer can make credible claims, in extremely emphatic wording, about contracts he has not read," they wrote.

Alexis Dudden, a historian of modern Japan and Korea at the University of Connecticut, called the article a "total fabrication" that disregards decades of research. Although some have invoked academic freedom to defend Ramseyer, Dudden counters that the article "does not meet the requirements of academic integrity."

"These are assertions out of thin air," she said. "Its very clear from his writing and his sources that he has never seen a contract."

More than 1,000 economists have signed a separate letter condemning the article, saying it misuses economic theory "as a cover to legitimize horrific atrocities." A separate group of historians of Japan issued a 30-page article explaining why the article should be retracted "on grounds of academic misconduct."

At Harvard, hundreds of students signed a petition demanding an apology from Ramseyer and a university response to the complaints against him. Harvard Law School declined to comment.

A United Nations report from 1996 concluded that the comfort women were sex slaves taken through "violence and outright coercion." A statement from Japan in 1993 acknowledged that women were taken "against their own will," although the nations leaders later denied it.

Tensions flared again in January when a South Korean court ruled that the Japanese government must give 100 million won ($90,000) to each of 12 women who sued in 2013 over their wartime sufferings. Japan insists all wartime compensation issues were settled under a 1965 treaty normalizing relations with South Korea.

In South Korea, activists have denounced Ramseyer and called for his resignation from Harvard. Chung Young-ai, South Koreas minister of gender equality and family, expressed dismay over the article last week.

"There is an attempt to distort (the facts about) the Japanese militarys comfort women issue and tarnish the honours and dignity of victims," Chung said, according to comments provided by her ministry.

Lee Yong-soo, a 92-year-old South Korean and survivor, described Ramseyers assertion as "ludicrous" and demanded he apologize.

An influential activist, Lee is campaigning for South Korea and Japan to settle their decadeslong impasse by seeking judgment from the International Court of Justice.

When asked about Ramseyer last Wednesday, Lee said: "That professor should be dragged to (the ICJ) too."

The controversy, amplified by its source at an Ivy League university, has yielded new scrutiny of Ramseyer's other work.

In response to new concerns raised by scholars, The European Journal of Law and Economics added an editor's note saying it's investigating a recent piece by Ramseyer  this one studying Koreans living in early 20th century Japan. Cambridge University Press said a forthcoming book chapter by Ramseyer is "being revised by the author after consultation between the author and the editors of the book."

Ramseyer repeated his claims about comfort women in a submission to a Japanese news site in January. In it, he alleged the women entered into contracts similar to those used under a separate, licensed system of prostitution in Japan. He rejected accounts of forced labour as "pure fiction," saying the Japanese army "did not dragoon Korean women to work in its brothels."

"Expressing sympathy to elderly women who have had a rough life is fine," he wrote. "Paying money to an ally in order to rebuild a stable relationship is fine. But the claims about enslaved Korean comfort women are historically untrue."

Opponents counter that many of the women were so young they would have been unable to consent to sex even if there was evidence of contracts.

"We're really talking about 15-year-olds," said Dudden, at the University of Connecticut. "This article further victimizes the very few number of survivors by asserting claims that even the author knows cannot be substantiated."

Associated Press writers Hyung-jin Kim and Kim Tong-hyung contributed from Seoul.
ROME  On an icy evening last month, Akas Kazi, a 35-year-old originally from Bangladesh, huddled under a blanket in the portico of one of Romes main post offices, as Red Cross volunteers distributed hot meals of pasta and tea.

Working in a restaurant kitchen had barely paid the bills, but after the restaurant closed six months ago  yet another casualty of the pandemic  Mr. Kazi found himself living on the street. No work, no money for rent, he said.

Job searches had been fruitless: Theres nothing, he said. And even sleeping on friends couches was not an option. Everyone has problems because of Covid.

The winter has been especially hard: Since November, 12 homeless people have died on the streets of Rome, where a growing number of people have ended up because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Drivers heading to Pennsylvania beware, the two Express E-ZPass lanes at the I-78 Toll Plaza in Williams Township, Penn. will be closed from 6 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, March 9 for nearby road surface repairs by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.

Officials warned of possible backups and delays between 9 a.m. to noon as westbound truck traffic to Lehigh Valleys warehouse/distribution centers increases.

The Express E-ZPass lanes carry the bulk of traffic at this toll plaza. During the repaving work, all toll traffic will need to use the adjoining four-lane toll-booth facility that handles both cash and E-ZPass transactions.

The left travel lane of I-78 west will be closed from the toll plaza to the vicinity of the Morgan Hill interchange (Exit 75). The closed lane will allow Commission maintenance workers to fix a bump that developed in the left-lane pavement.

The work and lane closure is subject to change due to weather, emergencies, and traffic situations. Drivers should reduce speeds in work zones, allow extra travel time and be cautious, officials said.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com.
Medical workers at Kaiser Permanente French Campus test a patient for COVID-19 at a drive-thru testing facility in San Francisco, California on March 12, 2020. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)

Updates on CCP Virus: 2 Dead, 2 in ICU After 83,400 Receive Sinovac Vaccines in Hong Kong

Two Hong Kong residents are in serious condition after receiving Chinas Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines, the Hong Kong government announced on Sunday, after a 55-year-old woman with chronic illness died four days after receiving her vaccinethe second related death in the city.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus.

On Sunday, 8,100 people were vaccinated with Sinovacs CoronaVac vaccine, which was 82.3 percent of the daily vaccination appointments, according to the citys Health Department.

Wyoming Governor Removes Statewide Mask Requirement, Except for Schools

Wyomings governor on March 8 announced hes removing his statewide mask requirement because of improving COVID-19-related metrics.

Wyoming, like most states in the country, has seen a declining number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. At the same time, more residents are getting COVID-19 vaccines.

I thank the people of Wyoming for their commitment to keeping one another safe throughout this pandemic, Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, said in a statement. It is through their efforts that we have kept our schools and businesses operating and our economy moving forward. I ask all Wyoming citizens to continue to take personal responsibility for their actions and stay diligent as we look ahead to the warmer months and to the safe resumption of our traditional spring and summer activities.

Fully Vaccinated People Do Not Need Masks or Physical Distancing

People who are fully vaccinated can now gather indoors without masks or social distancing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in its new guidance on Monday.

People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after getting the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

They also do not need to be tested or quarantined if they are asymptomatic following exposure to individuals confirmed or suspected of COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP virus.

New US Cases Fell 12% Last Week

The United States reported a 12 percent decline in new cases of the CCP virus last week, according to a Reuters analysis of state, county, and CDC data.

New infections have dropped for eight weeks in a row, averaging 60,000 new COVID-19 cases, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, per day for the week ended March 7. Deaths linked to COVID-19 fell 18 percent last week to 11,800, the lowest since late November and averaging 1,686 per day.

New York City Public High School Students to Return to Classroom on March 22: Mayor

Public high schools in New York City will welcome students back for in-person instruction on March 22, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday, the latest step by the United States largest school system to open classrooms shuttered due to COVID-19.

We have all the pieces we need to bring high school back and bring it back strong, and, of course, bring it back safely, de Blasio told a news conference. We are bringing our schools back fully in September, period.

UKs Johnson Warns of Risks of Quicker Lockdown Exit

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that the CCP virus still poses a significant risk and a quicker exit from the lockdown restrictions than currently planned may exacerbate it.

Johnson said the curve is going up again in other European countries. He warned that every time infection rates rise on the continent, its not too long after that that we see an increase in this country as well.

Restrictions Easing in Some Provinces as US Issues Advice to Those Fully Vaccinated

Restrictions meant to stem the spread of COVID-19 were easing in some parts of Canada on Monday, while U.S. public health officials signaled a partial return to normal is possible for anyone who has been fully vaccinated against the virus.

A new report from scientists advising the Ontario government says vaccinations in long-term care homes have helped cut infections by 89 percent and deaths by 96 percent in the eight weeks since inoculations began in December.

UK Students Back to School After 2-Month Closure

British children returned to school on Monday after a two-month closure, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying he aimed to get the country  moving closer to a sense of normality.

As part of the plan, millions of high school and college students coming back to UK classrooms will be tested for the first few weeks. Authorities want to quickly detect and isolate asymptomatic cases in order to avoid sending entire schools home. Britain has had Europes deadliest outbreak, with nearly 125,000 COVID-19 deaths.

Greece Eyes Lifting Curbs in Retail Before End-March, Tourism in May

Greece plans to lift CCP virus restrictions in the retail sector and open schools before the end of March and begin to re-open the tourism sector in May ahead of the vital summer season, a government spokeswoman said on Monday.

How the sector fares will be crucial for the country which is slowly emerging from a decade-long debt crisis but which has seen its economy shrink sharply due to COVID-19 restrictions.

White House Calls on Texas Governor to Accept Federal Funds for Testing of Illegal Immigrants

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declined an offer of federal funds to pay for CCP virus testing for illegal immigrants, adding that the administration hopes hell reconsider.

Federal officials have asked Texas to assist with this issue, Abbott said Thursday, but he declined, saying testing and quarantining migrants is the federal governments job.

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, Abbott said in a statement.

Hungary Closes Stores, Schools to Curb Surge Due to Variants

Hungarians on Monday awoke to a new round of strict lockdown measures aimed at slowing a record-breaking wave of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths that are among the worst in the world.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that the strain on the countrys hospitals will soon surpass any other period in Hungary since the pandemic began, and that failing to impose harsher restrictions now would result in a tragedy.

Syrias Assad and His Wife Test Positive

Syrias President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma have tested positive for COVID-19 after showing minor symptoms, his office said on Monday.

The Syrian leader and his spouse, who announced her recovery from breast cancer in 2019, were both in good health and would keep working while in isolation at home, the statement said.

2 Dead, 2 in ICU After 83,400 Receive Sinovac Vaccines in Hong Kong

Two Hong Kong residents are in serious condition after receiving Chinas Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines, the Hong Kong government announced on Sunday, after a 55-year-old woman with chronic illness died four days after receiving her vaccinethe second related death in the city.

On Sunday, 8,100 people were vaccinated with Sinovacs CoronaVac vaccine, which was 82.3 percent of the daily vaccination appointments, according to the citys Health Department.

Zachary Stieber, Meiling Lee, Alexander Zhang, Nicole Hao, Tom Ozimek, Reuters, The Canadian Press, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
FAILTE Ireland is supporting the greening of several locations across Limerick city and county throughout March to mark St Patricks Day this year.

Local Authorities applied to Failte Ireland, as part of a competitive process, for support to assist local St Patricks Day festival organisers in the locations identified for this greening project.

The organisers will also benefit from support for marketing content, website improvements and long-term festival development plans.

This activity is in addition to the greening of Heritage sites and State buildings announced this week by the Government in association with the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the St. Patricks Festival Organisation.

Speaking ahead of the local greening projects for St Patricks Day, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin said: Despite the current challenges we want Ireland to celebrate safely its unique culture this St Patricks Day. These greening projects across the country will do this and position Ireland firmly in the mind of the world with a message of hope for brighter days ahead for people here at home while reassuring tourists that, when it is safe for them to do so, they will be welcomed to celebrate with us once more.

Head of Festivals at Failte Ireland, Ciara Sugrue commented: While we cant celebrate St Patricks Day in the same way this year, we hope to keep Ireland front of mind and showcase what we have to offer across the country. We have been working with local St Patricks Day festival organisers and the local authorities to illuminate key locations throughout the month of March to mark our national holiday. The content captured during the time will be used to inspire international visitors to celebrate St Patricks Day here in Ireland when it is safe to do so.

Locations across Limerick city and county including King Johns Castle will light up throughout March to celebrate St Patricks Day and there will be a number of virtual events from family friendly workshops to an array of traditional and contemporary music and performance.

Dr Pippa Little, Culture and Arts Officer with Limerick City and County Council said: We are delighted to work with Failte Ireland on this greening project and on development and marketing plans for the St Patricks Day festival in Limerick to promote our county and attract international visitors to celebrate here when travel opens back up. We will be lighting a number of locations across the city and county to mark St Patricks Day and have a fantastic line up of virtual events to celebrate this March.
The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has been facing a barrage of criticisms after he reportedly slammed the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin and some MPs for 'betraying' the political party.



In a post on his official Facebook wall, Sammy Gyamfi said: Comrades, the betrayal we have suffered in the hands of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, the leadership of our Parliamentary group, particularly Hon. Haruna Iddrissu and Hon. Muntaka Mubarak, and dozens of our own MPs, is what strengthens me to work hard for the great NDC to regain power



Its about time we understood, that we dont have any NDC Speaker of Parliament. No, we dont! We have a Speaker who rode on the back of the NDC into Office to pursue his own parochial agenda and nothing more. You trust them, at your own peril part of the post read.



Adding his voice to the criticisms, the former Member of Parliament for Ayensuano constituency, Samuel Ayeh Paye says it will be wrong for Sammy Gyamfi to go unpunished.



Contributing to a panel discussion on Neat FM's Me Man Nti programme, he demanded that he is 'hauled before Parliament's Privileges Committee to be dealt with.



Listen to him in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Grandma bee Carol Smith, from Helensville, with her grandchildren Felix and Elodie.



From left, ApiNZ chief executive Karin Kos had nothing but praise for festival organisers, Grass Espoti and Isabella Sullivan.



Every now and again, a working bee just has to take a break. Pictured at the Big Buzz Festival is Matakana School student, Hunter Murray.

Organisers of what was believed to be New Zealands first honey and bee festival could not have got their timing more perfect last month.

The Big Buzz was held at the Matakana School on Sunday, February 14 and wrapped up just hours before torrential rain hit the district and the announcement of the level 3 lockdown.

An estimated 2500 people attended the event, which celebrated all aspects of beekeeping and honey production. Honey-related products ranged from candles and beeswax wrappers to tonics and beauty products, and a line-up of speakers throughout the day kept audiences engaged with bee-themed talks on everything from cooking with honey to planting for pollinators.

At the opening ceremony, ApiNZ chief executive Karin Kos congratulated the organisers on a timely event. ApiNZ is the peak industry body representing New Zealand apiculture.

Ms Kos said there were about 10,000 beekeepers in NZ, compared to 4000 a decade ago.

Of that total, about 6000 were hobbyists, averaging between one and 10 hives each.

She put the growth in interest in beekeeping down to growing environmental awareness and a better understanding of the important job bees do. She urged anyone who was thinking about becoming a beekeeper to get in touch with their local club.

Caring for bees can be quite complex so the clubs are a wonderful way to learn and exchange ideas and information, she said.

An organiser Isabella Sullivan says a survey done at the festival has provided some valuable feedback.

It has been lovely to see how much people enjoyed the event and how complimentary they were, she says. It was a relaxed atmosphere and people just soaked it up.

Isabella confirmed the festival would be run again next year.

About 70 volunteers helped throughout the day and earned a special thanks from the organisers. The Matakana School was also thanked for its support, particularly principal Darrel Goosen and teacher Kim Scott.
The Queen's Gambit was one of 2020's most talked about series, earning huge streaming numbers and rave reviews.

And now the Netflix chess drama is heading to Broadway, courtesy of production company Level Forward.

Level Forward has obtained the rights to the Walter Tevis novel the awards-winning show was based on and is now developing a musical adaptation of the Anya Taylor-Joy-fronted limited series.

Music to my ears: The Queen's Gambit is being adapted into a musical by Level Forward production company, which just acquired the rights to the book the series is based off of

The company has a history on hits on stage, previously working on Alanis Morrissette's musical Jagged Little Pill and Jeremy O'Harris' critically-acclaimed Slave Play.

The Queen's Gambit can surely bank on a built-in audience, boasting the title of Netflix's most watched limited series in November 2020.

And the show has been sweeping up during awards season, already taking home top limited series honors at the Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards.

Leading lady Taylor-Joy, who plays an orphan named Beth Harmon who becomes a chess prodigy in the seven-episode show, also won the Best Actress In A Limited Series award at the Globes and CCAs.

Track record: The company has a history on hits on stage, previously working on Alanis Morrissette's musical Jagged Little Pill (above)

Stage presence: Level Forward also worked on Jeremy O'Harris' critically-acclaimed Slave Play (above)

And Level Forward's CEO Adrienne Becker and producer Julia Dunetz seemed thrilled at the opportunity to take on the story.

In a statement they said: 'It is a privilege for Level Forward to lead the charge of bringing The Queen's Gambit to the stage through the beloved and enduring craft of musical theater.

'Told through a brave and fresh point of view, audiences are already sharing in the friendship and fortitude of the story's inspiring women who energize and sustain Beth Harmon's journey and ultimate triumph.

'The story is a siren call amidst our contemporary struggles for gender and racial equity, and we're looking forward to moving the project forward.'

Winner: Leading lady Taylor-Joy, who plays an orphan named Beth Harmon who becomes a chess prodigy in the seven-episode show, also won the Best Actress In A Limited Series award at the Globes and CCAs

The Queen's Gambit is looking like a front-runner as April's Screen Actors Guild Awards draw near.

Anya is nominated for Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Television Movie Or Limited Series, competing against Cate Blanchett (Mrs. America), Michaela Coel (I May Destroy You), Nicole Kidman (The Undoing), and Kerry Washington (Little Fires Everywhere.)

Co-star Bill Camp - who plays custodian Mr. Shaibel, the man who teaches Beth to play chess - is also up for Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Television Movie Or Limited Series.

The Queen's Gambit is available to stream on Netflix now.
The "Robot Operating System Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021-2026)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Robot Operating System (ROS) Market is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 9.6% over the forecast period 2021-2026.

The ROS is a robotics middleware, a set of software libraries and tools upon which robotic systems or applications can be developed. It is not just an operating system and is designed to work with different components and subsystems that operate on various programming languages.

Increased adoption of ROS by major automotive manufacturers, increasing demand for automation in industries among SMEs and large enterprises, continued innovative technical improvements in robots, rapid industrialization are some of the major factors influencing the growth of ROS market.

Key Highlights

The market studied is experiencing a significant transformation. Industrial automation across business operations is happening at a rapid pace around the globe and is creating a lucrative demand for ROS with robots growing beyond being the workhorses of industrial shop floors and beginning to adopt the roles of personal assistants, surgical assistants, delivery vehicles, autonomous vehicles, exoskeletons, and unmanned aerial vehicles, among many other uses.

The market is further expanding into new territories, with small- and medium-sized industries (SMEs) adopting automation, thereby creating demand for robots. The availability of small-capacity and cost-effective solutions from major providers is enabling the penetration of robots into various sectors.

The government of Singapore is working alongside solutions providers to offer automation packaged solutions at a reasonable cost, to help SMEs innovate, automate and adopt new technologies. Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMtech) was established, and more than USD 332 million was set aside to help companies to adopt the process automation quickly.

Market Trends

Story continues

Increased Adoption of Robot OS by Major Automotive Manufacturers

The market for industrial and collaborative robots is expanding at a rapid pace, and the ROS market is quickly following suit. The emergence of robotic technology has transformed the way businesses are carrying out their operations. The adoption of industrial robots in the manufacturing industry is due to their ability to perform dangerous and repetitive tasks with consistent accuracy and precision.

The market growth of ROS is intimately tied to the growth of the robotics market as a whole, as they play an essential part in automation. Factors like the workplace safety, increasing investments in industrial robots worldwide, and technological innovation like big data, machine learning, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) are driving the demand for industrial robots market, thereby driving the need for ROS.

As per the estimates by the Japan Robot Association, the robot sales to the automotive industry increased at a CAGR of 14%, between 2012 and 2017. European robotics association, euRobotics estimates that the global spending on industrial robotics is expected to reach USD 24.4 billion by 2025, from USD 11 billion in 2015.

Asia-Pacific is Expected to Grow at a Significant Growth Rate

Asia-Pacific has recorded impressive growth in robots, both in volume and robots and is expected to highest growth rate during the forecast period owing to increasing adoption of automation by manufacturing industries and adoption of industrial robots throughout the region.

Countries such as China, Japan, Thailand, and South Korea are manufacturing both commercial and industrial robots in high volume. The adoption rate of robotics in China and India is very high, owing to the massive deployment in the electronic and automotive manufacturing sector.

The Indian government, for instance, plans to invest in military robotics as well and has recently tied up with Japan. By 2023, the country is planning to implement AI and induct around 544 advanced robotic soldiers that are lightweight and consist of surveillance cameras and transmission systems with a range of 200 metres, for the purpose.

Competitive Landscape

The ROS market is highly competitive and is currently dominated by a few players with their technological expertise in robotic technology.

The global market is expected to be consolidated in nature, and the major players with a prominent share in the market are focusing on expanding their customer base across foreign countries by leveraging on strategic collaborative initiatives to increase their market share and their profitability.

Microsoft Corporation, ABB Ltd., KUKA AG, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, Clearpath Robotics, Omron Corporation, Husarion, Inc., and Cyberbotics Ltd. are some of the major players present in the current market.

Key Topics Covered

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Study Assumptions

1.2 Scope of the Study

2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4 MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 Market Drivers

4.2.1 Increasing Demand for Industrial Automation among SMEs and Large Enterprises

4.2.2 Increased Adoption of ROS by Major Automotive Manufacturers

4.2.3 Increased Funding in Research and Development Activities

4.2.4 Rapid Industrialization

4.3 Market Restraints

4.3.1 High Cost of Maintenance

4.3.2 High Cost of Installation

4.4 Industry Value Chain Analysis

4.5 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Force Analysis

5 MARKET SEGMENTATION

5.1 By Type

5.1.1 Industrial Robots

5.1.1.1 SCARA

5.1.1.2 Articulated Robots

5.1.1.3 Cartesian Robots

5.1.1.4 Linear Robots

5.1.1.5 Other Industrial Robots

5.1.2 Commercial Robots

5.1.2.1 Stationary

5.1.2.2 Portable

5.2 By End-User Industry

5.2.1 Manufacturing

5.2.1.1 Automotive

5.2.1.2 Food & Packaging

5.2.1.3 Retail

5.2.2 Healthcare

5.2.3 Aerospace & Defense

5.2.4 Other End-User Industries

5.3 Geography

5.3.1 North America

5.3.1.1 United States

5.3.1.2 Canada

5.3.2 Europe

5.3.2.1 United Kingdom

5.3.2.2 Germany

5.3.2.3 Rest of Europe

5.3.3 Asia-Pacific

5.3.3.1 China

5.3.3.2 Japan

5.3.3.3 South Korea

5.3.3.4 Rest of Asia-Pacific

5.3.4 Rest of the World

5.3.4.1 Latin America

5.3.4.2 Middle-East & Africa

6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

6.1 Company Profiles

6.1.1 Microsoft Corporation

6.1.2 ABB Ltd.

6.1.3 KUKA AG

6.1.4 Yaskawa Electric Corporation

6.1.5 Clearpath Robotics

6.1.6 Omron Corporation

6.1.7 Husarion, Inc.

6.1.8 Cyberbotics Ltd.

7 INVESTMENT ANALYSIS

8 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hw4o9n

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005640/en/

Contacts

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry spoke their minds for the first time. The pair, who are expecting their second child, had a tell-all with Oprah Winfrey for their first joint interview since their royal exit. The interview was aired on Sunday.

Meghan, Prince Harry's bombshell revelations

We knew the tell-all would be explosive based on the few teasers we'd already seen. Indeed, Meghan and Harry didn't hold anything back. Meghan has been subjected to an incredible amount of criticism and overt racism since she first met Harry in 2016, so this opportunity was long overdue. Hearing Meghan and Harry's side of the story was extremely refreshing, and our only hope is that the palace and the British press were paying attention.

Following their 12-month trial period, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced in February that they would not be returning as senior members of the British royal family, PopSugar via Yahoo reported. As a result, Queen Elizabeth II removed them from honorary military appointments and royal patronages, but their titles remained.

Read also: Meghan Markle's Half-Brother Claims She Bullies People, Reveals 'True Colors'

Since then, the tabloids have become hell-bent on smearing Meghan's reputation, most famously with accusations of coercion by a former counselor. But if there's one thing we gathered from Harry and Meghan's interview, it's that the palace and the British press have no idea how to deal with a self-assured woman who speaks her mind and isn't afraid to test the status quo.

Here are the 5 biggest bombshells Meghan Markle and Prince Harry revealed during the CBS primetime special "Oprah with Meghan and Harry:"

Princess Kate made Meghan cry, not the other way around

According to Parade, though it was widely reported months after Meghan and Harry's royal wedding that Markle made Kate Middleton sob during a dress fitting for Princess Charlotte, Meghan says that Kate was the one who made her cry, that she apologized and that it was all over. Meghan, on the other hand, was upset when rumors circulated that she was mean to Kate.

Markle had suicidal thoughts after she joined the royal family

After marrying Prince Harry and settling into royal life, Markle said she considered suicide. Her mental health suffered as a result of the harsh public attention she received from the British press. The Duchess of Sussex had disclosed that she had talked to a senior official of the royal institution when she was suffering, who told her she couldn't get treatment with her mental health because it would reflect adversely on the royal family.

Markle said she sought support from "The Institution," a network of Palace workers, to go elsewhere for mental health care, but they declined to help her or allow her to get outside help. She hadn't seen her driver's license or passport since her wedding day, and she had no idea where to turn. Since no one else knew, she eventually confided in one of Princess Diana's closest friends.

Read also: Prince Philip Recovering After Surgery, Spending More Days in Hospital as Interview Looms

Markle accused The Firm of "perpetuating falsehoods"

One of The Firm's purposes in sitting down with Winfrey, according to Markle, was to spread rumors about her and Prince Harry. "Ever since Harry and I started dating, everyone in my life was told to always say 'no comment,'" she recalled, adding that she was told she would be safe. "It wasn't until after we got married and things began to get worse that I knew I wasn't being shielded, but that they were able to lie to defend other family members but not to say the truth to protect me and my husband."

Meghan Markle learned how to curtsy

Meghan Markle revealed that the first time she met the Queen, there was not a huge formality. She added that she and Prince Harry went to lunch at Royal Lodge, where Prince Andrew and Fergie live and where Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice often visit.

When Harry asked Markle if she knew how to curtsy, she replied that she just knew how to do it outside, not inside. "That was the first moment that the penny dropped," Markle said. Outside the house, she practiced curtsying, remembering that a deep curtsy is a sign of respect.

Meghan says she and Prince Harry secretly married before the televised wedding

Before marrying Harry, Markle assured Winfrey that she didn't know anything about the royal family, as per the Insider. The actress from "Suits" went on to say that she never romanticized the royal lifestyle but just pictured it as many Americans might. Markle also announced that she and Prince Harry married three days before their televised royal wedding in 2018 in their backyard. According to the duchess, they did so because they wanted to get "back to basics" and have a time just for the two of them. After all, the broadcast wedding was all for everyone else, as Markle put it.

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.
Nairobi, March 8 : The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated gender inequities in Africa, a top World Health Organization (WHO) official said here.

The remark was made in a statement on Sunday by Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO's Regional Director for Africa ahead of International Women's Day to on March 8, reports Xinhua news agency.

WHO said that African women bore the brunt of income losses, social marginalisation, and health risks that escalated at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the continent.

Moeti pointed out that the pandemic's aftershocks had a disproportionate impact on women and girls in the continent amid the absence of a robust safety net to minimize their vulnerabilities.

African women despite accounting for about 41 per cent of Covid-19 cases suffered immensely from social and economic disruptions linked to the pandemic including violence, job losses, and poverty.

"The work that African women rely on for example in personal care and the informal sector came to a standstill for several months in some countries," she added.

"The aftershocks of Covid-19 pandemic on women and girls have been profound, leaving many grappling with heightened risk to their health and safety," said Moeti.

"Our response must go beyond the clinical aspects of the pandemic and address the hidden crises that risk causing long-term effects to lives and livelihoods," she added.

An analysis conducted by WHO in 22 African countries says that 10 of them reported a rise in maternal deaths linked to the pandemic with Comoros, Mali, Senegal, and South Africa reporting the highest toll between February and July 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.

According to the WHO, nine of the 22 countries reported a decline in skilled birth attendance carried out in formal health facilities alongside an increase in abortion-related complications amid disruptions caused by the pandemic.

Moeti said that WHO has partnered with African governments to minimise the negative impact of the pandemic on maternal health with a focus on expanding access to contraceptives and safe deliveries.

"We are working with governments to ensure the continuous delivery of essential gender-responsive services and we are providing training for health workers to support women suffering from gender-based violence," said Moeti.

Oulimata Sarr, regional director, Central and West Africa at UN Women said the pandemic slowed down progress towards gender parity in the continent amid poor health and economic outcomes for women and girls.

She said that harmful practices like under-age marriages and female genital mutation surged during the pandemic adding that empowering women and girls is key to realise a sustainable recovery.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The government is likely to amend the telecom licence norms this month to incorporate the guidelines of directive on telecommunication sector that will help in controlling installation of network equipment from and other non-friendly countries.

Under the provisions of this directive, the government will declare a list of trusted sources and trusted products for installation in the country's telecom network.

"DoT is almost ready to amend licence conditions to incorporate guidelines NSD ( directive). It should be done in the coming week," an official source said.

Notably, Chinese telecom gear maker Huawei has had its run-ins in the past with the governments of Canada and the US. The US has alleged that it did not comply with its cybersecurity and privacy laws, leaving the country and the citizens vulnerable to espionage.

The list of the trusted source and product for installation in telecom networks will be decided based on the approval of a committee headed by the deputy advisor.

The committee will consist of members from relevant departments, ministries and will also have two members from the industry and independent experts.

The directive, however, does not envisage mandatory replacement of the existing equipment already inducted in the network of telecom operators and it will also not affect annual maintenance contracts or updates to existing equipment already inducted in the network as on date of effect of the directive.

While the government has not barred procurement of equipment from Chinese companies, it amended the general financial rules (GFR) 2017 to enable the imposition of restrictions on bidders in public procurement from countries that share a land border with India on grounds of defence of India, or matters directly or indirectly related thereto, including national security.

Public companies need to scrap tenders if a qualified bidder is from a country that shares a land border with India, which includes

(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.)
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The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved two grants for research that will increase African womens access to a range of digital financial services including loans and micro-insurance.

The grants, for $1 million and $300,000 respectively, will be disbursed through the Africa Digital Financial Inclusion Facility, a blended finance vehicle supported by the Bank, to two financial technology firms, Pula Advisors Kenya Ltd., and M-KOPA Kenya Ltd.

Pula Advisors will use the $1 million for research of social, cultural and economic factors that impact women farmers access to micro-insurance in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia. Research findings will inform the design and implementation of gender-centric insurance products. The project will be undertaken over a 3-year time frame.

This grant funding will be used to leverage technology to develop innovative and responsive loan and insurance products that can spur productivity and inclusion, especially for our women smallholder farmers and traders. said Sheila Okiro, the Banks Coordinator for ADFI.

The three-year project will have three phases: product development; piloting; and scaling; the outcomes are expected to benefit 360,000 farmers, 50 per cent of them women, as well as boost farm yields by up to 30 per cent. This will also raise incomes and enhance household and national food security.

M-KOPA will use the $300,000 grant funding for research involving 250 women and 250 men in Kenyas Kisumu, Eldoret and Machakos counties. The company will assess the barriers to and opportunities for womens access to digital financial services and financial literacy programmes via smartphone, and use the research insights to design a financial services app that is relevant to small-scale women traders.

The project, approved by the Bank on February 9, 2021, will benefit women with no or limited access to financial services that run small informal businesses. Once developed, the mobile app will be used to pilot small loans to the women traders.

Both projects align with ADFIs digital products and innovation and capacity building intervention pillars as well as its cross-cutting focus on gender inclusion, a thematic running across all its interventions.

The PULA grant approval meets African Development Bank strategic goals, including the Ten-Year Strategy, two High-5 priority areasfeed Africa and improve the quality of life for Africans and the financial inclusion strategies of Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia.

The M-KOPA project is aligned with the Banks Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) program that seeks to increase access to finance for women.

ADFI is a pan-African initiative designed to accelerate digital financial inclusion throughout Africa, with the goal of ensuring that 332 million more Africans, 60 per cent of them women, gain access to the formal economy. The Facility was formally launched in June 2019 at the Banks Annual Meetings in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Current ADFI partners are the French Development Agency (AFD); the French Treasurys Ministry of Economy and Finance; The Government of Luxembourgs Ministry of Finance; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; and the African Development Bank, which also hosts the fund.
Seoul: Samsung Electronics on Monday said it will release a new 5G budget smartphone in South Korea this week to expand its dominant status on home turf.

Samsung said the Galaxy A42 5G smartphone will be launched here on Friday with a price tag of $400, the cheapest among 5G smartphone models sold in South Korea.

The A42 5G was already released in select markets in Europe and Southeast Asia last year.

The latest smartphone, equipped with a 6.6-inch display, comes with a rear quad-camera setup offering a 48MP main camera, 8MP ultra wide lens, 5MP depth sensor and 5MP macro camera. It also has a 20MP selfie camera on the front.

The handset, which packs a 5,000mAh battery, has 4-gigabyte (GB) RAM and 128GB internal storage, which can be expanded up to 1 terabyte via a micro SD card, reports Yonhap news agency.

According to market researcher Counterpoint Research, Samsung was the dominant player in the South Korean smartphone market last year with a share of 65 percent, followed by Apple Inc. with 20 per cent and LG Electronics Inc. with 13 per cent.

Globally, Samsung hopes it can further expand its market share with affordable 5G smartphones as its Chinese rival Huawei Technologies Co. is struggling with US sanctions.

Samsung defended its leading status in the 2020 global smartphone market, but its market share dropped from 20 per cent to 19 per cent as its shipments declined from 296.8 million units to 255.7 million units, Counterpoint Research data showed.

The South Korean tech giant is expected to release more 5G-supporting models in the Galaxy A series this year, which will include the A32, the A52 and the A72.
Health Minister Vlad Voiculescu demanded on Monday an investigation of the Control Body at the Sibiu Clinical Emergency County Hospital, following the reports emerged in the public space on irregularities in the treatment of patients hospitalised in the ICU ward of this medical unit.

"The Health Ministry informs that, following the reports emerged in the public space on irregularities in the treatment of patients hospitalised in the ICU ward of the Sibiu Clinical Emergency County Hospital, Health Minister Vlad Voiculescu requested the initiation of an investigation by a team of representatives of the minister's Control Body and the State Sanitary Inspection," a Health Ministry press release reads.

Prosecutors opened a criminal case for homicide on Monday, in the case of the Sibiu Clinical Emergency County Hospital, after an article was published in the local media, in which a source stated, under anonymity protection, that as a former ICU employee, both him and other medical staff would have murdered COVID-19 patients, First Prosecutor with the Sibiu Court Ion Vestemean pointed out for AGERPRES.
Wearing a face mask during intense exercise is safe for healthy people, according to the results of a new study.

Italian researchers tested breathing ability, heart activity and exercise performance in a group of 12 healthy people while they were using an exercise bike with and without a mask on.

Although the experts found differences in some measurements between wearing a mask and not wearing a mask, there were no signs that wearing a mask during exercise presents any risk to health.

Mask use during exercise causes 'modest respiratory discomfort', but for people of full health their use is safe even during maximal exercise, the authors claim.

It should be noted that they only tested healthy people, and anyone with respiratory problems should not combine exercise with wearing a face mask.

Despite their conclusions, the World Health Organisation (WHO) stresses that no one, healthy or otherwise, should wear a mask when exercising.

Wearing a protective face mask has only a modest effect on the ability of healthy people to do vigorous exercise, according to the study published today .The researchers say: 'exercise ventilatory limitation is far from being reached ... [mask use] is safe even during maximal exercise, with a slight reduction in performance'

Overall, the new research suggests that masks could be worn safely during intense exercise to reduce Covid-19 transmission, for example between people visiting an indoor gym.

Gyms can reopen in England from April 12 and in Scotland from April 26 as part of the gradual removal of lockdown measures.

Although gyms won't make people wear masks when they're working out, some chains may enforce mask-wearing when people are entering the gym and in communal areas like changing rooms.

One author on the new study said it's possible that breathing harder during exercise could facilitate transmission, especially indoors.

WHAT'S WHO'S ADVICE? The conclusions of this new study could form conclusions that go against the World Health Organisation (WHO), which stresses that people should NOT wear masks when exercising. WHO says masks can reduce the ability to breathe comfortably and get wetter faster from sweat and exhaled respiratory droplets. This, WHO claims, makes it more difficult to breathe and promotes the growth of microorganisms. Advertisement

'We know that the main route of transmission for coronavirus is via droplets in the breath,' said study author Dr Elisabetta Salvioni from Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.

'Research suggests that wearing a mask may help prevent the spread of the disease, but there is no clear evidence on whether masks are safe to wear during vigorous exercise.'

In their research paper, which has been published in the European Respiratory Journal, the team stress that he use of protection masks 'is essential to reduce contagions'.

However, they say there is a general belief that 'their use is associated with shortness of breath during exercise and the need of a greater respiratory effort even at rest'.

To learn more, the team worked with a group of healthy volunteers made up of six women and six men with an average age of 40.

Each person took part in three rounds of exercise tests  once while not wearing a face mask, and another while wearing a blue, surgical, single-use mask of the kind commonly worn in Britain that can be bought in bulk from supermarkets.

For the third test, participants wore a 'filtering face piece 2' (FFP2) mask.

FFP2 masks are medical-grade and are much bulkier.

They're said to filter 95 per cent of large and small airborne particles and are widely used in hospitals.

For one of the exercise tests, participants wore the standard blue single-use surgical mask (left) under the testing equipment (right)

For another test, participants wore FFP2 (left) under the testing equipment (right). The white FFP2 masks are also single-use but are believed to offer better protection than a surgical mask

WHAT ARE FFP2 MASKS? FFP2 masks are white, single use masks believed to offer slightly better protection than a surgical mask. FFP2 is recommended by the World Health Organisation and is the equivalent to the US's N95 mask FFP2 masks are designed to fit closer to the face than other disposable face masks. They're not shaped to your face but are simply held in place by the elastic earloop. Advertisement

While the volunteers used an exercise bike, the researchers measured their breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and the levels of oxygen in their blood.

Results of the tests showed that wearing a face mask had a small effect on the volunteers.

For example, there was an average reduction of around 10 per cent in their ability to perform aerobic exercise according to their 'peak VO2'  their highest possible oxygen uptake.

According to the study authors, this reduction was probably because it was slightly harder for the volunteers to breathe in and out through the masks.

'This reduction is modest and, crucially, it does not suggest a risk to healthy people doing exercise in a face mask, even when they are working to their highest capacity,' said Dr Mapelli.

'While we wait for more people to be vaccinated against Covid-19, this finding could have practical implications in daily life, for example potentially making it safer to open indoor gyms.

'However, we should not assume that the same is true for people with a heart or lung condition.

'We need to do more research to investigate this question.'

The team are now studying the impact of wearing a face mask while carrying out daily activities, such as climbing the stairs or doing housework, in both healthy people and those with heart and lung conditions.

Experiments carried out using exercise bike. Researchers carried out detailed testing on breathing, heart activity and exercise performance in a group of 12 people while they were using the exercise bike with and without a mask

Despite the wide-scale rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine and the upcoming relaxation of lockdown measures, people will still have to wear their mask.

In the UK, chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, said last month that face masks may still be required next winter, even if all adults in the UK have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

The government will keep a set of Covid measures after the country comes out of lockdown on June 21, which could include wearing masks in public.

Professor Graham Medley, a SAGE adviser and infectious disease expert at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, also said masks may still be used in five years from now out of habit.

In a document discussing life after Covid, SAGE said keeping some social distancing measures were 'almost certain to save many lives and minimise the threat to hospital capacity'.

Getting a coronavirus vaccine won't necessarily mean that you can stop wearing a face mask

Children are not legally required to wear face masks when they go back to school today and should not be sent home if they refuse to wear one, UK government officials previously stressed.

Face coverings were first made mandatory for public transport in June 2020 and later for shops and other indoor spaces, after heated debates about whether they actually slow the spread of the virus.

People wear face masks to protect others from the viral droplets that they might be emitting, rather than to protect themselves.

Results of one large Danish study from last year suggested face masks may only offer the wearer limited protection against Covid-19.

The authors found there was no statistically significant difference in the number of people who contacted the virus in a group wearing masks in public compared to a group that did not do so.

In January, US researchers found wearing face masks triples the chance of keeping the coronavirus R rate below 1.


LAST week marked the end of an era in so many ways with the sad loss of Sr Claude Meagher.

Sr Claude was a vibrant, energetic woman who became a legend in the field of education. She was a visionary and pioneer with big dreams, an inspirational leader and motivator of people. Innovative, intelligent and persistent, she made an outstanding difference to the lives of those in the communities in which she worked and of those with whom she worked.

Sr Claude was light years ahead in developments in education in Ireland for several decades. She was particularly to the fore in Co-Education being head of several amalgamations and also as founder Board member in the establishment of Community schools in Cashel, Castlecomer, Heywood, Rathcoole and of course Hospital, serving as President of the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools from 1999 to 2001.

These projects gave an outlet for her huge talents in community building, negotiation, persuasion, and forging relationships, allowing her to bring her vision to reality. She involved all the partners in Education long before it was fashionable- religious communities, staffs, parents, students, local communities, Government Departments and Vocational Education Sector. The respect she showed to her fellow sisters in the Presentation Order gained her loyalty and support beyond measure.

Her kindnesses to everyone, especially in times of suffering, brightened and helped those whose lives she touched. She had a tolerance and understanding of human frailty while seeing each individuals huge potential.

She used her vast wisdom to guide and direct many young people in the right direction. Her ability to inspire self confidence and self belief in people doubtful of their own abilities was evident throughout her life.

Sr Claude was born in Cappawhite almost ninety years ago. Her childhood memories were of a close and loving family. Her brother Michael was particularly protective of her, having being tasked by his father to look after his petite little sister, in a family of six boys and two girls. Her mother was a primary school teacher whose example in her care of the underprivileged provided a role model to a young Sr Claude. She remained very close to her family and their children and grandchildren throughout her life.

She attended secondary school in Presentation Convent, Thurles and her fate was sealed. She gave many years of service as an educator and also roles with her congregation, holding high offices in the Provinciate. Her care of her fellow sisters was reciprocated in the wonderful care and attention lavished on her by her true friend Sr Declan and all her sisters in Presentation Convent, Hospital.

UCC provided a wonderful opportunity to Sr Claude to flourish as a historian, scholar and lecturer. She returned to Hospital in 1972 having brought about a secondary school amalgamation between the De La Salle brothers and The Presentation Sisters, the first of its kind in Ireland.

So much development in Hospital was spearheaded and completed by her: Community School, Housing in Presentation Close, Building projects in the primary school. In all these undertakings she had the steadfast support of her sisters in religion and the local community, a testament to how she could relate to people and her affinity with rural communities.

The all embracing love of people that directed Sr Claudes life was very evident in her work with CASA, caring for people with disabilities. Her lighter side and capacity for fun was evident in trips to Lourdes and many social gatherings.

Sr Claude had a presence and one knew when she was about, in areas such as school corridors and yard, as an order would descend. This came from a deep respect as she was such a warm person to each individual she met showing interest, concern and encouragement always.

Our sympathy to Sr Claudes family and many friends, her sisters in Presentation and especially the sisters who supported her in her many endeavours throughout the years and cared for her so well in her final days.

Ni bheidh a leitheid ann aris.

Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam dilis

- An obituary from John the Baptist Community School in Hospital

______________________________

To submit an obituary for publication in print and online, email news@limerickleader.ie
The Fall and Hollyoaks actress Bronagh Waugh is pregnant with her first child.

The Northern Irish actress, 38 announced the happy news on Instagram with a glamorous photoshoot taken over Zoom by Stewart Bywater - where she displayed her blossoming bump.

Bronagh wrote: 'Happy International Womens Day!' as she debuted her blossoming bump while clad in black underwear and a dressing gown.

Big reveal: The Fall and Hollyoaks actress Bronagh Waugh is pregnant with her first child - the star debuted her bump in a striking photoshoot by Stewart Bywater

'Over Lockdown Ive been busy preparing for my next role (spoiler alert: its pretty major - Im going to be a Ma!)

'Womens bodies are incredible with what they can do and what they withstand. Absolute miracle machines and strong as an ox!

'So Happy International Womens Day to all of the incredible women out there doing their thing; surviving, thriving, coping and carrying on. You make the World go round & I salute each & every one of yiz!'

Parents to be: Bronagh Waugh is expecting her baby with husband Richard Peacock (pictured 2019)

Wow: The Northern Irish actress, 38 announced the happy news on Instagram with a glamorous photoshoot

Emotional: Bronagh shared a message in honour of IWD as she prepares to become a mum

The star's celebrity pals took to Instagram to share their best wishes, with Laura Whitmore, Noel Clarke and Kieron Richardson all posting sweet messages.

Bronagh also showed off her bump once more as she posed in a cropped t-shirt with the slogan 'decriminalise' as she spoke in support of reproductive rights.

She wrote:: 'Being pregnant has only affirmed how important reproductive rights are to me & how we must continue to fight for them.

'Its been over a year since abortion was decriminalised in N Ireland and yet still women are being forced to travel to England in the middle of a pandemic to access proper healthcare. It is unacceptable.

'The UK government, the Secretary of State & Stormont are all playing pass the buck & proper, safe, local abortion services are barely available or hanging on by a thread (due to the sheer perseverance of medical professionals and doctors).

'This is in spite of the UK Gov decreeing by law, nearly 18 months ago that abortion services should be made available in NI.

'The DUP only a few weeks ago, introduced a bill in Stormont to try & reverse some of our new abortion laws.

Gorgeous: Bronagh wowed in the incredible photoshoot as she revelled in impending motherhood

Go for it: Bronagh also showed off her bump once more as she posed in a cropped t-shirt with the slogan 'decriminalise' as she spoke in support of reproductive rights

'Women & pregnant people are being let down by both governments in Northern Ireland. Do not let these politicians stand in the way of our rights. We should all have the right to choose.

We should all have the right to proper healthcare. We still have work to do. Lobby your MP or your MLA today to put pressure on them.'

Back in November 2019 Bronagh spoke of her intention to legally tie the knot with her fiance after previously refusing to have a legal marriage until same-sex marriage was legalised in her native Northern Ireland.

She had previously celebrated her love for partner Richardin a romantic Celtic hand-fasting ceremony in September 2018.

The actress had revealed her excitement at legally becoming Richard's wife, over a year after their initial ceremony.

Radiant: Bronagh showed off her growing bump in the empowering shoot

Baby on the way: The star looked pensive as she penned a heartfelt caption in support of reproductive rights

Smitten: Back in November 2019 Bronagh spoke of her intention to legally tie the knot with her fiance after previously refusing to have a legal marriage until same-sex marriage was legalised in her native Northern Ireland

Speaking about her upcoming legal nuptials, Bronah told The Belfast Telegraph: 'Yes, this is it! Now I can finally get married properly. We are are going to do it. We will dust the dress off and do it properly back in Northern Ireland.

'I am going to have a big, big party and invite everybody from Love Equality and Amnesty and all my old friends from home and have a big party and celebration for equality.'

Bronagh is known for her role as Cheryl Brady on Hollyoaks between 2009-2013 and serial killer's wife Sally-Ann Spector in The Fall alongside Jamie Dornan.
Bengaluru, March 8 : Opposition Karnataka Congress leaders protested against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government by wearing black armbands during the Budget speech by Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa on Monday.

The Congress alleged that with a case of 'sexual exploitation' coming to light last week involving Karnataka Water Resources Minister, Ramesh Jarkiholi, more than six cabinet ministers in the Yediyurappa's government have approached the court seeking restrain orders fearing that such an objectionable CD might come to light.

The moment Yediyurappa rose to present the state Budget in the assembly, Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah opposed it and some Congress leaders trooped into the well of the House wearing black armbands.

Siddaramaiah alleged that the ruling BJP has lost the moral right to present the Budget on International Women's Day on Monday.

"With women being preyed upon by none other than the ruling party's minister, how can the opposition keep quiet to allow such injustice meted out to women. In order to uphold the dignity of women and strong opposition to a minister getting caught in a sex scandal, the Congress is boycotting the Budget," Siddaramaiah said.

Siddaramaiah, who is also Karnataka's former Chief Minister, alleged that six cabinet ministers approaching the court last week and seeking restrain orders against the media to ban telecast or publishing of any defamatory content speaks volumes about the ruling BJP's commitment to protect the dignity of women.

"This step taken by six cabinet ministers is even more intriguing as they have sought permission after one of their party colleague's sex scandal came out in the public. Therefore, the ruling BJP government has lost its popular mandate to run the state," Siddaramaiah added.
Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that he will be deploying National Guard troops along the border to address the immigration crisis the state is facing after there has been a surge of immigrants trying to enter the country.

Abbott announced through Twitter that Texas launched Operation Lone Star to address the border crisis.

"It deploys Nat'l Guard + DPS Officers + air, ground, marine, & tactical border security assets to deny Mexican Cartels & smugglers the ability to move drugs & people into Texas," Abbott was quoted in a Washington Examiner report.

Abbott said that Operation Lone Star will fight the smuggling of people and drugs into Texas after the issue has been worsened by the Biden administration.

Abbott said that the crisis at the southern border continues to worsen due to the Biden administration's policies that refuse to secure the border, which causes a surge in illegal immigration.

"Texas supports legal immigration but will not be an accomplice to the open border policies that cause, rather than prevent, a humanitarian crisis in our state and endanger the lives of Texans," Abbott was quoted in a report.

He added that they will increase the resources and law enforcement personnel required to face the crisis.

Meanwhile, Texas Department of Public Safety Col. Steve McCraw met with the Texan governor last month to discuss how the state should address the ongoing crisis along the border, according to a Western Journal report.

Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar said that the time is rapidly going, adding that he fears Laredo will soon be swamped.

Cuellar added that in the last 7 days in the valley they have stopped 10,000 individuals and 2,500 individuals in the last two days.

He cited the previous problem of having too many people in the south, which resulted in sending the refugees in Laredo. Cuellar also added that he fears that illegal immigrants might bring the COVID-19 inside the U.S. territory.

ALSO READ: Trump Officials Warn of Illegal Border Crossings Surge If Biden Reverses Immigration Policies

Migrant Facilities

The Biden administration will turn two Texas facilities, detaining adults and children who cross the border for a maximum of 72 hours, before being released into the U.S.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said families continue to be detained at a Karnes City detention center. However, the U.S. government plans to hold adults and children at those sites for three days or less, according to a Fox News report.

The Department of Homeland Security has preliminary plans to transform the two facilities in southern Texas into rapid processing centers aimed at screening 100 families daily.

Russell Hott, a senior official with ICE, said that the number of unaccompanied minors and families reaching the U.S.-Mexico border this year is seen to be the highest numbers observed in over 20 years.

Hott said that despite two facilities in southern Texas are being turned into rapid-processing facilities, it may not be enough to keep pace with the detentions.

ICE-contractor MVM plans to select hotels in McAllen, El Paso, and Phoenix, Arizona, according to Hott.

Officials added that anyone who tests positive would be quarantined for 10 days.

READ NEXT: 'This Is Not Okay': AOC Slams Biden Admin for Reopening Texas Facility to Hold Migrant Children



WATCH: Fact-checking Gov. Abbott's claim of migrants entering Texas border cities with the virus - from KSAT 12






[March 08, 2021] New Book by Co-Director of Advanced Cybersecurity Program Reveals Effective Cybersecurity Measures for Enterprises & Consumers

Former Google (News - Alert) & Twitter security leader, Co-Director of Stanford Online's Advanced Cybersecurity Certificate Program and best-selling author Neil Daswani is releasing his highly anticipated book, Big Breaches: Cybersecurity Lessons for Everyone, co-authored together with Moudy Elbayadi, CTO of Shutterfly (Apress Publishing; Currently available for purchase at book retailers worldwide), showcasing some of the largest security breaches in history, their impact on economic, social, and political landscapes and what was learned to prevent similar breaches in the future. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005188/en/ Big Breaches: Cybersecurity Lessons for Everyone (Photo: Business Wire) As a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), entrepreneur and educator, Daswani distills his experiences, research and analyses to offer current and aspiring CISOs, CIOs, CTOs as well as security and technology professionals a roadmap for recovery, providing actionable insights. As cybersecurity remains a top business concern, Big Breaches helps technology professionals navigate security strategy and members of boards of directors ask the right questions in the boardroom. The book also provides investors with a deep analysis of the areas where more cybersecurity investment is needed. By digging into some of the most high-profile breaches in recent history and analyzing their root causes, Daswani offers enterprises advice for mitigating damage and recovering should a breach take place. This includes key attributes shared by many of the most successful security organizations, ranging from building privacy into their processes to effectively automating critical security activities. The dangers of cybercrime are real and vast, not only for enterprses but also for the average consumer. In fact, the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a nonprofit organization that tracks data breaches, reports that more than 11.7 billion records have been breached since 2005.1 While major corporations have access to security professionals and tools, individuals, especially in a remote working environment, are facing similar threats without additional protections in place.



Whether you're a small business owner or simply one of the millions of Americans currently working remotely, Big Breaches provides a solid understanding of how phishing, malware, software vulnerabilities, third-party compromise and abuse, unencrypted data, and inadvertent employee mistakes have devastated businesses, and personal lives. Daswani provides guidance on how we can all learn from mistakes of the past and ensure our cybersecurity. The book also offers a chapter dedicated to helping consumers protect themselves with a Consumer Defense Checklist that has exclusive tips to ensure your digital profile is secure, including:

Enabling two-factor authentication on every platform that offers it

Using a password manager

Enrolling in identity protection

Securing your home router with firewalls, parental controls, etc.

Installing anti-malware software

Enabling storage encryption

Backing up files within secure cloud software If you are interested in learning more about Big Breaches: Cybersecurity Lessons for Everyone follow @neildaswani and visit https://bigbreaches.com/. 1 "Privacy Rights Clearinghouse," accessed March 6, 2021, https://privacyrights.org. ABOUT NEIL DASWANI Neil Daswani is a Co-Director of the Stanford Advanced Cybersecurity Program, and Co-Author of "Foundations of Security: What Every Programmer Needs To Know" (Apress, ISBN 1590597842; amongst the top 100 selling of all Apress titles). He has served in a variety of research, development, teaching, and managerial roles at Symantec, LifeLock, Twitter, Dasient, Google, Stanford University, NTT DoCoMo (News - Alert) USA Labs, Yodlee, and Telcordia Technologies (formerly Bellcore). At Symantec, he was the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Symantec's Consumer Business Unit, and at LifeLock (News - Alert) he was the company-wide CISO. His DNA is deeply rooted in security research and development, he has dozens of technical articles published in top academic and industry conferences (ACM, IEEE, USENIX, RSA (News - Alert) , BlackHat, and OWASP), and he has been granted over a dozen U.S. patents. Neil frequently gives talks at industry and academic conferences and has been quoted by publications such as The New York Times, USA Today, and CSO Magazine. Neil earned Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Computer Science at Stanford University and holds a B.S. in Computer Science with honors with distinction from Columbia University. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005188/en/

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New report shows that young women feel under constant scrutiny, and this anxiety and distress has been amplified during the Covid-19 pandemic

Professor Rosalind Gill, from City, University of London's Gender and Sexualities Research Centre, has today published a new report to mark International Women's Day.

The report - Changing the Perfect Picture: Smartphones, Social Media and Appearance Pressures - is based on research with 175 young women and nonbinary people in the UK.

Covering a range of issues - experiences of lockdown, feelings about 'body positivity', how to show support for Black Lives Matter - the research documents young people's persistent anger with a mass media that they deem 'too white', 'too heterosexual' and too focused on very narrow definitions of beauty.

Professor Gill said: "A critique of perfection ran through the research like a bass track, with young people telling me that they feel overwhelmed by images that are 'too perfect'.

"Women of colour, disabled women and gender nonconforming folk told me they rarely see anyone like them in the media."

The report raises particular issues about how appearance standards are narrowing and how the affordances of smartphones (e.g., magnification and screenshotting), together with editing and filtering apps like Facetune, are contributing towards a society in which young people feel under constant forensic scrutiny by their peers.

Ninety per cent of women report using a filter or editing their photos before posting to even out their skin tone, reshape their jaw or nose, shave off weight, brighten or bronze their skin, and their whiten teeth.

Young women in the study also described regularly seeing advertisements or push notifications for cosmetic procedures - particularly for teeth whitening, lip fillers, and surgery to enhance bottom, breasts or nose.

Social media algorithms mean that, as one 21-year-old put it: "Once you look, you will never be allowed to forget."

Professor Gill said: "With nearly 100 million photos posted every single day on Instagram alone, we have never been such a visually dominated society.

"Posting on social media can produce the intense pleasure of 'getting likes' and appreciative attention, but it is also a source of huge anxiety for most young women.

"I was struck by young women saying to me again and again: 'I feel judged'."

Professor Gill noted that, while the research would have been important at any time, the unique context of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown gave it a particular urgency.

She said: "Day after day, reports were published highlighting the devastating mental health impacts of the pandemic on young people: their education suddenly halted, their freedoms curtailed, with many experiencing financial hardship, emotional difficulties or bereavement.

"This research helps to shed light on how a diverse sample of young people navigated this challenging time, as well as offering more general insights into their lives.

"In some ways, young people's familiarity with online tools and platforms better prepared them (relative to older groups) for the lockdown period in which so many aspects of life moved online - including work, education, psychological and health services, and social lives.

"In other ways, as this report shows, they experienced heightened pressure and distress."

The research was funded by City, University of London, and carried out at the Gender and Sexualities Research Centre (GSRC) during 2020.

The GSRC analyses how gender and sexuality intersect with other social divisions and identities in a rapidly changing world, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, collaboration and research.

A summary report was submitted to the Government Equalities Office's Inquiry into Body Image.

###
Lets begin with the understanding that there is no hate speech exception to the First Amendment. That has been settled law since the Founders first signed the Constitution of the United States in 1787. Yet, on college campuses all across the United States, the First Amendment rights of commencement speakers have been repeatedly violated by those who think they have a First Amendment right to forcefully silence any speech they dont like.

To demonstrate the absurdity of this response, Wall Street Journal columnist Kimberley Strassel cites her five-year-old daughters definition of the First Amendment: Free speech is that you can say what you want -- as long as I like it How have we arrived at the point where so many of our college-educated citizens now have the perspective of a five-year-old?

This trend became downright embarrassing during the spring of 2014 when such prestigious institutions as Brandeis University, Rutgers University, Smith College, and Haverford College all failed to protect the First Amendment rights of their invited commencement speakers, especially since each guest speaker represented some allegedly persecuted minority -- religion, race, gender or gender preference. In other words, these incidents had nothing to do with identity politics.

What, then, is this all about? What do these distressed college students and pusillanimous administrators really want? Do they want everybody else just to sit down and shut up? Thats what one flummoxed Midwestern mom must have thought when she wrote this letter to the editor of the Wall Street Journal in 2014:

Due to the rash of powerful, accomplished women being disinvited from commencement activities at notable U.S. universities, I wanted to offer my services to speak in their stead. As an anonymous middle-aged suburban mother, I have absolutely nothing to offer. I promise to say nothing of import, offend no one, challenge no collective wisdom or create any controversy. Like all (desirable?) commencement speakers, I promise to be utterly forgettable.

When even the benign voices of Charles Murray, Betsy De Vos, and Mike Pence became triggers for barbaric outrage in the spring of 2017, it was obvious this trend was getting completely out of control. Writing about her own experience at Claremont-McKenna College, Heather Mac Donald warned that others should always expect traumatized students to try to disinvite any remotely conservative speaker This soft totalitarianism, she explains, is routinely misdiagnosed as primarily a psychological disorder. Instead, she argues, it is at root ideological.

But this diagnosis may be too generous, for it attributes some level of rationality to such primitive responses. Fox News Tucker Carlson may have identified the nature of this problem more accurately when he recently observed, "Violence is what separates politics from war It's when hurt feelings become dead bodies, the point at which countries become ungovernable."

Those who have seen the video of Betsy De Vos futile attempt to address the graduating class at Bethune-Cookman University in May of 2017 will understand how scary this level of tribal behavior really is. Its like watching a snuff film rendering of Lord of the Flies. In witnessing such an event, one cant help asking, Who stole the conch?

Writing of this event, also in May of 2017, Wall Street Journal, African-American columnist Jason Riley has provided a chilling account of the deliberate planning behind this incident: The petition that garnered more than 50,000 signatures opposing Mrs. DeVoss commencement address wasnt started by students and alumni but by the Florida affiliate of the National Education Association, the nations biggest and richest teachers union. And it was a state chapter of the NAACP that hired lawyers for the effort and actively helped organize the protests. Both the teachers union and the civil-rights organization oppose Mrs. DeVos because she supports school choice. Never mind that large majorities of black families have long sided with the secretary on this matter, according to polls.

Meanwhile, President Trump toured the Middle East to enlist the Muslim worlds support in the war against terrorism. In the minds of the sore loser Democrats here at home, it is President Trump who has stolen the conch.

But lets remember how Goldings novel ends when adult conceptions of law and order prevailed and, yes, the good guys won!

During his CPAC speech in Orlando on February 28, 2021, President Trump said we can do it again in 2024 because Weve become the Party of Love.

Thats good enough for the millions of us who voted for Trump in both 2016 and 2020. We all just have to remind ourselves of what Pope John-Paul told us more than 40 years ago: Be not afraid.

Image: Montecruz foto
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. The field of applied mathematics enables the ability to solve real-world problems through mathematical models and computational methods. The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) promotes research that will lead to new mathematical and computational techniques for solving challenging problems in science, engineering, industry and society.

SIAM has elected Purdue University computer scientist and applied mathematician Alex Pothen to receive its prestigious 2021 George Polya Prize in Applied Combinatorics.

A professor of computer science, Pothen specializes in combinatorial scientific computing, graph algorithms, high-performance computing and bioinformatics. He was nominated for his research paper "What Color is Your Jacobian? Graph Coloring for Computing Derivatives, which appeared in SIAM Review in 2005. He is being honored with his co-authors, Assefaw Gebremedhin of Washington State University and Fredrik Manne of the University of Bergen in Norway.

Graph coloring is a mathematical technique to divide a collection of objects into few groups so that a scarce resource can be used optimally. An example might be to group courses to be taught in a semester into time periods so that classrooms can be used effectively. Pothens article describes efficient algorithms to solve several variant coloring problems and then applies them to compute Jacobian and Hessian matrices  matrices of derivatives that are key calculus concepts. These enable scientists to solve nonlinear problems that could be modeled as optimization problems or differential equations, including machine learning.

His work provides a unifying framework for developing graph models and algorithms for 10 variant derivative matrix estimation problems. This work is being used in more than 50 areas of science and engineering, from robots that assist patients with impaired mobility to the dynamics of star formation.

Hungarian mathematician Polya, who taught at Stanford University, was one of the leading mathematicians of the 20th century, and is well-known for his book How to Solve It: A New Aspect of Mathematical Method. The George Polya Prize was established in 1969 in his honor. This honor is given out once every four years to individuals making significant contributions to applications of combinatorics, the branch of mathematics that explores finite, countable, discrete entities. It alternates every two years with the Polya Prize in Mathematics. Earlier winners of the Polya prize in combinatorics and mathematics include several celebrated mathematicians, including a Fields medalist (considered the Nobel prize of mathematics). The prize will be awarded during the 2021 SIAM annual meeting in July.

I am very pleased that SIAM has recognized the significance of the research results of professor Pothens and his collaborators with this important award, said Sunil Prabhakar, professor and head of Purdues Department of Computer Science. It is also noteworthy that one of the co-recipients of the prize, Assefaw Gebremedhin, also has a Purdue connection  he was a research assistant professor at Purdue for several years.

Gebremedhin was at Purdue from 2008-14.

Strengthening computer science is one of the Purdue Moves Initiatives intended to enhance the universitys strengths and prepare it for the future. Computer science drives todays digital and connected society, but there is a dramatic shortfall in graduates with the skill sets necessary. The Purdue Moves Initiatives incorporates affordability and accessibility, online education, STEM leadership, world-changing research and transformative education measures to forge innovations and achievements that empower Purdue graduates to change the world for the better.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 5 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/.

Writer: Bella Vina

Media contact: Brittany Steff, bsteff@purdue.edu

Source: Alex Pothen, apothen@purdue.edu

Journalists visiting campus : Journalists should follow Protect Purdue protocols and the following guidelines:
SPRINGFIELD  It was one year ago this week when Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic, and municipal and health officials said Monday they anticipate long-lasting harm despite improving trends.

During the weekly update at City Hall, officials said there continues to be reductions in new COVID-19 cases, infection rates and hospitalizations, at the local, state and federal levels.

They continued to warn against any relaxation of personal precautions, and urged people to take advantage of vaccinations as soon as eligible.

Baker announced a state of emergency in Massachusetts on March 10, 2020 in response to the pandemic, enacting some initial COVID-19 restrictions and recommendations. By the end of the month, there were 54 cases in Springfield, said Helen R. Caulton-Harris, the citys commissioner of health and human services.

The number of infections among Springfield residents now total 18,147 cases.

While we will celebrate our numbers going down, we know that even when our numbers are under control, that this virus is going to have a lasting impact on our society and on the city of Springfield, Caulton-Harris said. We will continue to see the emotional impact and the mental health impact on individuals. We will continue to see physical challenges with individuals who have been impacted, and certainly our spiritual health has been challenged as well.

Last week, there were 391 new COVID-19 infections among Springfield residents, Feb. 28 to March 6,, as compared to 414 the prior week, continuing a downward trend in recent months.

Springfield COVID cases had peaked at 1,177 new infections weekly during the first week of January, with a general weekly decline since then..

There were six new COVID-19 deaths among city residents last week, bringing the total to 224 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, in a prepared statement Monday afternoon to reflect on the one-year annivesary, said it has been a been a tumultuous and surreal past year as we have dealt to defeat this COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.

We have faced the full spectrum of death to resiliency, Sarno said. We have mourned many a times alone and prayed in the spirit of hope. For those of you all who continue to be on the front lines, with your dedicated, brave and compassionate efforts, a huge thank you goes out to you all and your families too. We have shed many a tears, but rest assured, hope springs eternal and we will laugh and smile again.

Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health, and Dr. Robert Roose, chief medical officer of Mercy Medical Center, commented on the long-term impact and continued need for caution as COVID-19 trends improve.

Roose, in an update read by Sarno, said there were 17 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Monday, as compared to 19 the week before. He cited the one-year anniversary.

It has been a year that we will never forget both for tragedy we have endured, but also for resolve and resiliency that has been shown together, Roose said.

At Mercy, there has been over 900 patients hospitalized with COVID, Roose said.

Keroack said there were 64 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Monday at Baystate Health, including 57 at Baystate Medical Center and 7 at community hospitals in the region.

There were 78 patients at Baystate Health a week ago.

Keroack and Roose joined Sarno and Caulton-Harris in urging people to wear face coverings in public, follow social distancing, and stay away from gatherings of people. With the increase in vaccines, and continued precautions, hopefully the city can help hold the line on the spread of the virus, Keroack said.

The state and Western Mass., in particular has done a quite good job in dealing with the pandemic, by having an early focus on the issues, and a cordinated response and adjusting to some of the curve balls that were thrown as us the past year, Keroack said.

The numbers of COVID-19 cases also remained low among city departments including the police and fire departments, officials said. The police had two officers out of work with COVID and the fire department also had two employees out, officials said.

Sarno and Caulton-Harris said they are continuing to work with partners including the hospitals in seeking vaccinations for residents at neighborhood locations, not yet available. The state operates a mass vaccination site at the Eastfield Mall on Boston Road, along with vaccines provided to hospitals and some pharmacies.

Caulton-Harris and Sarno said the neighborhood sites are being sought to help reach some of the marginalized, underserved populations including minority communities.

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Monday 08 March 2021

Today is Commonwealth Day, and His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland, and Mrs Kaye de Jersey attended the 2021 Commonwealth Day Multi-Faith event at St John's Cathedral, Brisbane, where the Governor read The Queen's Message:

Over the coming week, as we celebrate the friendship, spirit of unity and achievements of the Commonwealth, we have an opportunity to reflect on a time like no other.

Whilst experiences of the last year have been different across the Commonwealth, stirring examples of courage, commitment and selfless dedication to duty have been demonstrated in every Commonwealth nation and territory, notably by those working on the frontline who have been delivering healthcare and other public services in their communities.

We have also taken encouragement from remarkable advances in developing new vaccines and treatments.

The testing times experienced by so many have led to a deeper appreciation of the mutual support and spiritual sustenance we enjoy by being connected to others.

The need to maintain greater physical distance, or to live and work largely in isolation, has, for many people across the Commonwealth, been an unusual experience.

In our everyday lives, we have had to become more accustomed to connecting and communicating via innovative technology - which has been new to some of us - with conversations and communal gatherings, including Commonwealth meetings, conducted online, enabling people to stay in touch with friends, family, colleagues and counterparts, who they have not been able to meet in person.

Increasingly, we have found ourselves able to enjoy such communication, as it offers an immediacy that transcends boundaries or division, helping any sense of distance to disappear.

We have all continued to appreciate the support, breadth of experiences and knowledge that working together brings, and I hope we shall maintain this renewed sense of closeness and community.

Looking forward, relationships with others across the Commonwealth will remain important, as we strive to deliver a common future that is sustainable and more secure, so that the nations and neighbourhoods in which we live, wherever they are located, become healthier and happier places for us all.
One of the most despicable things about the Biden administration is that, even as it doubles and triples down on the COVID restrictions it wants for Americans, it's utterly unconcerned about the diseases flooding across the border along with the illegal aliens Biden is unconstitutionally welcoming in. The president and CEO of Greyhound Lines is demanding that, at the very least, its workers and other passengers get protected from the COVID so many illegal aliens bring with them.

From the start of his campaign, Biden weaponized the Wuhan virus against Trump. Informed and intelligent people realized quickly that Trump was moving with extraordinary rapidity to get systems in place to combat the virus (masks, ventilators, temporary hospitals, etc.) and was unleashing the scientists so that they could find a vaccination for the virus. On the other side, Fauci was saying whatever nonsense entered his head, frightening people and often stymieing Trump's efforts; the media were battling any treatment Trump supported (most notably hydroxychloroquine); and Biden, despite a 47-year record of incompetence, was promising to do everything better than Trump did.

Once in the White House, Biden and Fauci said America will be dysfunctional for months or years, that we'll be wearing masks indefinitely, and that even getting the vaccination will not return things to normal. The administration also targeted Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis, who'd never closed his state and who ended up with slightly fewer deaths than lockdown states while keeping Florida's economy alive.

When Texas governor Greg Abbott announced that he was returning the state to normal status, with citizens allowed to use their discretion about the level of protection they wanted, and Mississippi's governor also lightened that state's regulations, Biden announced that these Southern states were "Neanderthals." And the Democrats just passed a $1.9-trillion bill ostensibly to lighten the burden of lockdowns (with only 9% of the money going to beleaguered Americans and the rest going to Democrat boondoggles).

Clearly, for Biden and his Democrats, the Wuhan virus is a big deal. Unless we yield to the government's demands, we're all going to die.

Except that's not the case when it comes to the Latin Americans whom Biden has unconstitutionally invited across the border. (His actions are unconstitutional because his role as Executive is to enforce American laws, not to announce via edict that, when it comes to immigration, America has no laws.)

It turns out that, with regard to illegal aliens, the Biden administration has abandoned any effort to diagnose whether they're bringing in the Wuhan virus:

The Washington Examiner reports that the Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security are not COVID-testing the illegal aliens and their children. Why? Even if they did test positive, "they cannot return children and some families." Adults can be deported, but not people with children. The Border Patrol is not allowed to quarantine illegal aliens with the virus. The Examiner reports that they're urged to turn them over to "local health systems."

While the illegal aliens are not being tested, that doesn't mean they're not sick. According to one Arizona hospital worker, nearly all of the new Wuhan virus cases in the hospital are illegal aliens. This is entirely believable. The last time a Democrat opened the southern border, the illegal aliens from less sophisticated countries brought in diseases we Americans had mostly stamped out:

1. Tuberculosis

2. Measles

3. Whooping Cough

4. Mumps

5. Scarlet Fever

6. Bubonic Plague

Now we can add the Wuhan virus to the list.

However, in a single bright spot on the grim immigration landscape, David Leach, the president and CEO of Greyhound Lines, has told the Department of Homeland Security that his line will not transport illegal aliens who haven't been tested for and cleared of having the Wuhan virus:

"Our top priority is the safety of our employees and passengers," Greyhound's David Leach wrote in a letter sent Wednesday to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. [snip] "We need assurance that any detainees released by ICE have proof of a negative COVID-19 test, similar to the proof required for international airline passengers who arrive at US ports of entry," Leach's letter continued. "Greyhound already asks our customers to stay home and NOT travel if they are not feeling well or have been diagnosed with COVID. However, migrants simply do not have that choice unless the government or their sponsors house them while they quarantine. Therefore, it is critical to public safety that ICE provide 100% assurance that no one released that can be reasonably expected to ride a Greyhound bus be infected with COVID-19 (or mixed with other potential passengers that have tested negative)."

This is how you do it: you make Democrats abide by their own rules. And if Americans have to be imprisoned because the Democrats are weaponizing the Wuhan virus, the illegal aliens had better damn well be imprisoned, too.

Image: Greyhound bus by Secondarywaltz. Public domain.
In the Production Linked Incentive scheme for white goods segment announced by the Cabinet with an approved financial outlay of Rs 6,238 crore over five years, the air conditioner industry has major potential. While the budgetary level allocations have been approved by the Cabinet, details on guidelines and scheme are still awaited and are expected to be announced in a month or two. "How do we take this industry from a current level of Rs 16,000 crore to Rs 1 lakh crore in next nine years? Out of this 35 per cent should be coming out of exports, and the remaining from domestic consumption," says Manish Sharma, President & CEO, Panasonic India, and Chairperson, FICCI Electronics & White Goods Manufacturing Committee.

The conversation around the PLI scheme for air conditioners started in the month of May last year and a couple of weeks later, the government and industry came together to initially chart out a strategy to enable three important objectives in the air conditioner industry.

"The first objective is to manufacture in India. And I say, not assemble, but manufacture. Currently, a lot of product components still come from elsewhere. The first idea is to go beyond assembling products. For example, before the ban on refrigerants fitted air conditioners was imposed, 1.5 million units of ACs were coming from elsewhere, which was almost 30 per cent of the total ACs sold in the country, whereas 70 per cent was getting produced in the country," says Sharma.

Further analysis revealed that value addition in air conditioners is very low, at just about 25 per cent. While many manufacturers draw copper wires and aluminum foils, manufacture heat exchangers, do sheet metals and molding in the factory and then produce air conditioners, the material components such as aluminum, copper, PCB, compressor, motors among other materials are sourced from elsewhere. "That is why the second objective is to take the current value addition of 25 per cent to 75 per cent in the next 5 years and backward integrate," adds Sharma.

The third and the most important objective is to make India competitive on the global scale in terms of cost, quality standards, and delivery benchmarks set by some of the competing nations.

"The issue today is that the market size in India for air conditioners is just about 7.5 million units. China is 120 million units, and out of this they export 50 million units. Even with a similar population (of course, the differential is the per capita income) we have to go a long way. I think it's the responsibility of multinational companies to ensure that they establish the global supply chain footprint in the country. And that is our objective too - to make India the export destination," says Sharma.

Panasonic India has been manufacturing air conditioners at its manufacturing plant in Jhajjar, Haryana. While the company has been exporting ACs from the facility, it intends to scale exports going forward.

Also read: Chemical sector to go 'atmanirbhar'; govt considering PLI scheme

Also read: Cabinet approves PLI scheme for pharmaceuticals, to bring Rs 15,000 cr investment
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CCP Is Enemy of Humanity: Victims Call for World to Unite Against It

CANBERRA, Australia  Representatives of Tibetan, Uyghur, and Falun Gong groups that have been victimised by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have called on world leaders to unite against the regime.

Kalsang Yonten Tipnak, the president of the All Australian Tibetan Community, said it was time for the free countries of the world to unite in their efforts to combat human rights abuses around the world.

It is high time that the international community muster enough courage and commitment to substantively register their protest against high-handed Chinese atrocities against Tibetans and other oppressed peoples under the CCP rule such as Uyghurs, Southern Mongolians, and Hongkongers, he said.

Tibetans, Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Hongkongers, Southern Mongolians, Taiwanese, and Chinese Democracy Activists join together to call on governments to stand against the Chinese Communist Partys suppression of freedom, democracy, and human rights, in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York City on Oct. 1, 2020. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Tipnak, who spoke about the atrocities occurring currently in his homeland, said he was concerned by how the CCP was increasing its repressive behaviour towards other ethnic groupings in China.

In particular, he noted that Beijing is now discussing implementing laws akin to the Hong Kong National Security Law for Tibet, which he said would be like a sword of Damocles hanging over all Tibetans heads.

Mehmet Celepci, a migration agent and professional Uyghur interpreter and translator, echoed Tipnaks call for the international community to do something about the CCP.

A display shows photographs of prominent Uighur intellectuals detained by China as protesters gather across from the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles on Oct. 1, 2020, during a global day of action called Resist China. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

Celepci, who spoke about the mass killings of Uyghur men and the rape, torture, forced sterilisation, and enslavement of the Uyghur women, noted that currently, many living abroad are concerned that this situation will destroy Uyghur history and their way of life.

We need to fight to get rid of the CCP, so we can all have a free breath, Celepci said. This regime is the enemy of humanity.

Echoing both their concerns, Lucy Zhou, PhD, president of the Falun Dafa Association of Australia, noted that the unprecedented number of atrocities currently occurring in China under the CCP could only be compared to the notorious genocide and crimes against humanity committed by the Nazi regime during WWII.

We come from different groups and may have different beliefs and political views but we share something in common: support for human rights and freedom of belief and a wish to end the suffering of the communist atrocities, Zhao said. The CCP tries to silence the free world with trade and intimidation and attack us in isolation.

Dr. Lucy Zhao of the Falun Dafa Association speaks on July 20, 2018, in Sydney, Australia, in remembrance of those Falun Gong practitioners tortured and killed in the Chinese Communist Partys persecution of the peaceful spiritual practice. (Frank Ling/The Epoch Times)

That is why our gathering here today is important because by joining forces, we will make our voice stronger and give courage to the Australian government and the free world to resist the CCP, she said.

Currently, there is a slow but steady growing alliance of nations pushing back against the increasingly belligerent behaviour of the CCP and the PLA Navy.

In the past year, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, and the United States have all instituted policies and made statements that indicate they will no longer tolerate the aggressive behaviour of the Chinese regime on the issue of Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Taiwan, and militarisation of the South China Sea.

Moreover, both Canada and the United States officially recognised the genocide of the Uyghur ethnic minorities in Xinjiang.

The Victims of the Communist Regime of China: Retrospect and Prospect Seminar brought together representatives from the Tibetan, Uyghur, Falun Gong, Catholic, Christian, Hong Kong, and Chinese democracy groups in Canberra on Feb. 27-28.
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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  It has been nearly a year since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shut down school buildings across the United States, but Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday that opening high schools this month means students will have hope again.

The mayor explained during his Monday press briefing that high school is a formative time in life for students during normal times, but added that a pandemic has disrupted everything. Students havent seen their friends for a year, kids are suffering emotionally, and the city has lost many children to suicide, de Blasio said.

Theres so many reasons that we need to bring our kids back, de Blasio said. Theres so many reasons they need to be back where loving, caring adults, trained professionals, are there to support them. Think about that child that right now is feeling a little hopeless, a little lonely, what its going to mean for them on Monday, March 22, when they walk back through the door of their high school, see their friends, see their teachers, and have hope again. Thats what this is all about.

De Blasio announced that high schools will reopen on Monday, March 22, for students who opted into blended learning in the fall.

He pointed to the successful return of students in elementary and middle schools, as well as students with disabilities in District 75 schools. Elementary schools and District 75 schools that serve students with special needs, have been open since December. Middle schools reopened on Feb. 25.

We are ready to go, de Blasio said. We have all the pieces we need to bring high school back and bring it back strong, and of course, to bring it back safely.

Incoming Schools Chancellor Meisha Ross Porter, currently the Bronx executive superintendent  who will replace Chancellor Richard Carranza on March 15  said that school staff will return to campus on March 18 to prepare for students returning.

With a 0.57% positivity rate, our schools are the safest place to be and we are ready to reopen schools for our high schoolers, Porter said. Approximately half of our high schools will be offering in-person learning five days a week to all or a majority of their students. And we will continue to ramp that up the same way we did with elementary and middle schools.

*** CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK ***

According to the city Department of Education (DOE), about 55,000 students in grades 9-12 who opted into in-person learning will return to school. All 488 high schools will reopen, with 17,000 school staff returning.

Students who didnt opt into blended learning, either at the beginning of the school year or during a one-time opt-in period in November, will continue to learn remotely full-time.

The mayor said the city is not there yet, when asked if there will be another opportunity for New York City students to opt into blended learning, but said it is possible before the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

When they return, all schools will have 20% of students and staff randomly tested on a weekly basis. All students are required to provide consent for testing by their first scheduled in-person learning day in order to participate in in-person learning.

Families are encouraged to submit consent through their NYC Schools Account at mystudent.nyc prior to their childs first day of in-person learning.

As spring break starts March 29, the DOE also reminded families that students and staff who travel outside of New York to a place on the states travel advisory list must quarantine for 10 days, or test out of the quarantine.

School Zone: A new newsletter with the updates you need as our schools try to get back to normal. Enter your email address here and hit "subscribe" to receive this weekly newsletter:



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INNOVO adds significant incremental investment for pioneering home-based treatment for stress urinary incontinence, a condition that impacts 1 in 3 women worldwide

Netherland's Borski Fund backs female-led, femtech focused companies

Largest single investment Ireland's Western Development Commission has made to date

Western Development Commission has made to date Financing will support the expansion of Atlantic Therapeutics commercialization activities into their core US & UK markets & beyond

GALWAY, Ireland, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlantic Therapeutics, the Galway-based company pioneering a non-invasive, wearable treatment for urinary incontinence, today announced it has raised significant new investment from the Borski Fund (Netherlands) and the Western Development Commission (Ireland).

The Borski Fund addresses the venture capital gender gap through investments in female-led and femtech companies, and their support for Atlantic Therapeutics is a strong endorsement of the progress made since the appointment of CEO Susan Trent in mid-2020. WDC Investment Fund's support for Atlantic Therapeutics is the largest investment the group have made to date and is complemented by returning investors Seroba Life Sciences, Earlybird, LSP, Andera Partners and Atlantic Bridge, who continue their ongoing support for the company with a substantial undisclosed investment.

The financing will support the expansion of the company's commercialization activities in the core US and UK markets for its INNOVO technology to treat urinary incontinence. Also known as bladder weakness, urinary incontinence is a stigmatised condition that impacts one in three women worldwide, having a profoundly negative impact on quality and enjoyment of life.

Atlantic Therapeutics has established the INNOVO brand as the leading innovation in non- invasive, wearable neuromuscular electrical stimulation. The device acts to strengthen the pelvic floor and thereby treat the underlying cause of bladder weakness. Today, the market for disposable products to manage this life-limiting condition, such as pads and liners, is growing significantly worldwide. These non-curative, symptom-masking solutions carry a significant lifetime cost and are environmentally unsustainable. For the 1 in 3 women living with UI, INNOVO will offer a revolutionary solution to bladder leaks, helping them to break free from their daily reliance on pads and diapers.

Commenting in the investment, Simone Brummelhuis, Partner at the Borski Fund, said "While 51% of the world population are women, most innovations are male centric. Atlantic Therapeutics is not only addressing this underserved market head-on, with the INNOVO product it serves an unmet need of a very large group of women. The combination of respected pan-European investors, the medical and science based sustainable product and the vision and strategy of the team led by Susan delights us at Borski Fund in supporting Atlantic Therapeutics in their growth and international expansion."

Gillian Buckley, Investment Manager at the Western Development Commission said: "The WDC Investment Fund has helped support the position of the West of Ireland as a start-up hub for indigenous medtech and lifescience companies building on the region's reputation as a global centre of excellence. Atlantic Therapeutics is our 35th life science investment making the WDC Investment Fund one of the largest medtech / lifescience investors in the country. The WDC is an impact investor so we seek not only a financial return on investment but also seek a socio-economic impact. Atlantic Therapeutics offers both, it will support high quality jobs in Galway and Mayo as well as addressing a significant women's healthcare issue."

Atlantic Therapeutics CEO, Susan Trent commented: "We are thrilled to have such strong support from the Borski Fund and the Western Development Commission and I look forward to working closely with them on realising the incredible potential of our brand. We are a proudly female-led, female-focused company, and we are excited to be bringing the first-in-world INNOVO technology to several key global markets from our base in Galway. We firmly believe that INNOVO represents a paradigm shift in the $13bn urinary incontinence market when compared to the current sub-optimal choices. This investment will help us to accelerate global momentum for INNOVO and allow us to amplify the launch of our next generation innovation later this year."

For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact Danny Forde, Director of External Relations, Atlantic Therapeutics [email protected]

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

About INNOVO

INNOVO is an FDA-Approved, CE-marked treatment for women suffering from Stress Urinary Incontinence. It works by delivering clinically proven, safe, non-invasive pelvic-floor stimulation via unique wearable technology. In the privacy of their own home, women can simply pull on a pair of exercise shorts for a 30-minute pelvic floor workout. Innovative NMES (neuromuscular electrical stimulation) technology embedded in the INNOVO shorts does the work to strengthen and re-educate their pelvic floor muscles, giving women the opportunity to live a leak-free life in as little as three months. Extensive exceptional clinical trial outcomes conducted on over 600 subjects consistently confirm improvements in key outcomes, symptoms and acceptability.

About Atlantic Therapeutics

Based in Galway, Ireland and Boston, MA, Atlantic Therapeutics develops consumer medical devices, related software, apps and connected health technologies to treat all types of incontinence. The company's mission is to improve the quality of life of millions of people each year, by enabling them to restore and strengthen their pelvic health, this regaining the confidence and control to lead and active lives. Atlantic Therapeutics has attracted both international VC investment and enterprise grant funding and is now poised to begin this exciting new phase of growth and establish itself as the leading Femtech solution provider to treat SUI. For more information, please visit www.myinnovo.com .

About Borski Fund

The Borski Fund is an innovative Venture Capital fund. We invest in companies with diverse teams. We believe in diversity, gender equality and fair opportunities. We invest in the increasingly expanding group of ambitious female entrepreneurs because their talent must be better utilized, and because it is important that innovation originating from female entrepreneurs is stimulated. We help entrepreneurs to realize their ambitions by using our entrepreneurial experience and exposing them to an extensive network. Success has no gender.

About Western Development Commission

The WDC is a State agency of the Government of Ireland established under statute to foster and promote the economic and social development of the Western Region (Donegal, Sligo , Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare).

established under statute to foster and promote the economic and social development of the Western Region (Donegal, , Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare). The work of the Western Development Commission focuses on investment, lending, regional development and policy analysis.

The WDC is leading on The Atlantic Economic Corridor initiative. The AEC is an initiative to attract investment, support job creation and improve the quality of life in the West from Kerry to Donegal. This includes the Enterprise Hubs Project which is a 3- year project to create an interconnected community network from the 101 hubs identified as either operating or in development, in the AEC region.

SOURCE Atlantic Therapeutics

Related Links

http://www.myinnovo.com


Martha Huro is the Managing Director, East Africa at Transsnet Music Limited, a Hong Kong-registered company that owns Boomplay music streaming service.

The 30-year-old who started her career selling phones at a Safaricom shop holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) majoring in Marketing and Finance from Mount Kenya University Kenya.

Ms Huro narrated her Career Path via Sunday Nation.

******************

My childhood was very adventurous and enjoyable. I was born and raised in Umoja 1, in a Christian family. I am the last born out of nine children. Growing up, I was a very cheeky child, I guess it was because being the last born and having seven brothers meant I was guarded and untouchable in the estate.

My educational journey started at Unity Primary School in Umoja where I sat my Kenya Certificate of Primary Education. Thereafter, I joined St Francis Secondary but later transferred to Moi Girls Kamangu, where I completed my secondary school education.

After high school, I enrolled in a computer certificate and diploma course at Kenya Methodist University. I later joined Mount Kenya University, where I studied business management and administration, majoring in marketing and finance.

Project manager

I started my career journey working as a promoter at Neo Marketing, where I sold Blackberry phones at a Safaricom shop on Kimathi Street in Nairobi. I earned Sh500 a day for two weeks. My drive and determination saw me rise to the role of a project manager, where I was in charge of handling different brands such as Safaricom, Multichoice, Mumias, iPhone, Blackberry, and Creambell (Daima).

I was eager to try my hand at a difference experience, so I joined Despec, where I was part of the team that successfully introduced Obi Mobiles, which was founded by former Apple CEO John Scully, into the African market. The brand performed extremely well.

With my never-die spirit and interest in the tech space, I joined Mdundo as head of marketing for East Africa. In 2017, I joined Boomplay as senior marketing manager, for East Africa. Two years later, I was promoted to general manager-Kenya. At the end of 2019, I was appointed as the managing director, East Africa, a role I currently hold.

When I look back on my career journey, there are several highlights. However, the one that stands out the most is coordinating and planning the Safaricom Open Day across 13 cities from 2013- 2014. I hardly slept during that period! In 2014, our target for the first half was Sh530 million, which we surpassed! It was a huge celebratory moment for the team and me.

Communication, discipline, teamwork, leadership and curiosity to broaden by knowledge have been the driving forces in my growth over the years.

Some of the people who influenced my career trajectory are my former boss Andrew Kangethe, managing director of Neo Marketing, who pushed me to get out of my comfort zone.

Discipline

He was tough but taught me discipline, plus how to break boundaries. So did Anne Njathi who headed the client service department at the time. She was very tenacious and taught me the importance of striving for more knowledge. In the tech arena, Waithera Kabiru, the digital diva, ignited my curiosity in the digital business and strategy space. I look up to Michelle Obama. She is an unerring representation of strength, resilience, knowledge and power.

A message to my younger self would be to, Always listen to your intuition, be disciplined, and patient.

My plans? It would be too cliche to say the world is my oyster? because thats exactly how I feel. Im ready to continuously break boundaries as a young woman in the industry, while also mentoring young women to find their career breakthrough. I also look forward to celebrating more milestones for Boomplay as we affirm our position as the pacesetter in the continent.

A message to my younger self would be to, Always listen to your intuition, be disciplined, and patient! Also, dont worry everything will be fine! Oh, one more, dont be shy, speak your mind!

To the youth, always be disciplined (I cant empathize this enough), strive to get more knowledge, dont be fearful to try out new things. Work hard, but most importantly, work smart. Life is easy if you have a plan, life is hard if you dont have a vision.
Sixty percent of the graduates credited their post-graduation success to Bentley's top rated Pulsifer Career Development Center , which is consistently ranked by the Princeton Review among the top five in the country for both career services and internship opportunities.

The center pivoted quickly when the pandemic started, moving all its programs, career development classes, recruiting events and job fairs online. More than ninety two percent of the class completed at least one internship and the center worked with faculty to create research projects for students who had internships fall through due to the pandemic. Students attended remote workshops on how to network, interview and onboard to a new job in a virtual environment.



"This class truly represents the resilience and strength of Bentley students," says Executive Director of the Pulsifer Career Development Center Janet Ehl. "They stayed focused on their goals and job search, while facing tough obstacles and an uncertain job market. I'm thrilled to see them make a positive impact in their work and lives."

Members of Bentley's Class of 2020 were hired by top companies and organizations. In addition to all the major global accounting firms, Bentley graduates were hired by diverse industries and companies including Accenture, Bloomberg LP, Boston Consulting Group, Boston Scientific Corporation, Citizens Bank, Dell, Eaton Vance, Epsilon, Fidelity Investments, JPMorgan Chase, L'Oreal, Liberty Mutual, Publicis Sapient, Rapid7, Staples, State Street, TJX, Travelers, Wayfair, Wellington Management and Willis Towers Watson.

Other data about Bentley's Class of 2020 graduates include:



354 different employers hired Bentley graduates in 2020



29 percent said they obtained jobs as a result of networking efforts



60 percent of students said they obtained a job through Bentley's Pulsifer Career Development Center, which works with companies to recruit Bentley students, sponsors career fairs, facilitates faculty and staff referrals that lead to jobs, and helps students secure internships that lead to full-time positions.

Bentley's job placement statistics are compiled through a survey of graduates and research by the university's career development staff. The responses represent 84 percent of the Class of 2020 graduates.

Bentley students begin career management first year with a Career Development Seminar where they start to identify their personal strengths and talents and find out how those can impact career decisions. They also create the career tools they will need including a resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile and elevator pitch. Bentley also offers career development seminars designed for sophomores and juniors.

This approach has led to consistently high placement rates - for more than a decade, 97 to 99 percent of Bentley graduates have been employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.

SOURCE Bentley University

Related Links

www.bentley.edu


[March 08, 2021] Catalina Forms Innovative Business Alliance with Toshiba Tec in Japan

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Catalina Marketing Japan K.K. has formed a business alliance with Tokyo-based Toshiba Tec Corporation to expand data-driven marketing solutions for brands and retailers in Japan's rapidly expanding in-store marketing space and to develop digital transformation (DX) services for various retail technologies. Our making more promotional offers available to more consumers will greatly benefit retailers and brands alike. As a first step, starting in April 2021, Catalina will provide a wide variety of micro-targeted brand coupon content to retailers, including supermarkets, general merchandise stores and drugstores across Japan, via Toshiba Tec's cloud-based, coupon issuing platform. Toshiba Tec first launched "Tec Coupon Deli" in 2020 as a service for retail stores using its "PrimeStore" Point Of Sale (POS) system. Depending on the details of the consumer's purchase, the cloud determines in real time whether the consumer is eligible for a coupon and issues it immediately along with the receipt. Via the latest version of "PrimeStore," brand coupons can be issued together with receipts from existing POS systems and instantly provided to consumers. Benefits for Retailers

Through its revolutionary "Tec Coupon Deli", Toshiba Tec will be responsible for the dedicated cloud connection, and a wide range of retailers will be able to issue coupons from Catalina's expansive collection of major brand-names spanning many categories, withno basic monthly fee.



Benefits for Brands

In addition to connecting with Catalina's broad retail network of over 6,000 stores in Japan, brands will be able to reach new retailers via Toshiba Tec's "Tec Coupon Deli" network, enabling a wider direct reach to targeted consumers and delivering more effective sales promotion messages. "In the retail industry in Japan, which is facing a serious shortage of labor, it is necessary to maintain consumer-oriented promotions while implementing labor-saving measures. In the past, retailers would develop their own promotions after meeting with each consumer goods brand and wholesaler, which placed a very heavy burden on them, and made it difficult for all but a few major retailers to implement such promotions. Our exciting alliance with Catalina Japan streamlines that process. Our making more promotional offers available to more consumers will greatly benefit retailers and brands alike," said Kohji Taira, Vice President of Toshiba Tec.

"Through this alliance, we are excited to provide new solutions in the retail marketing area by combining and leveraging the strengths of Toshiba Tec's large retail network with Catalina's brand network and digital marketing know-how," said Brett Wayn, President & CEO of Catalina Japan. "In the future, we look forward to continuing to work closely with Toshiba to expand data-driven marketing solutions for brands and retailers in the rapidly expanding in-store marketing domain, and to develop DX services compatible with various retail technologies." Added Wayne Powers, global president and CEO of Catalina, "We continue to be impressed with how our Japanese colleagues effectively drive innovation in Japan and across our network. We will be closely tracking the effectiveness of 'Tec Coupon Deli' and its potential to expand into other markets." About Catalina

Catalina is the market leader in shopper intelligence and highly targeted in-store, TV, and digital media that personalizes the shopper journey. Powered by the world's richest real-time shopper database, Catalina helps CPG brands, retailers and agencies optimize every stage of media planning, execution and measurement to deliver $6.1 billion in consumer value annually. Catalina has no higher priority than ensuring the privacy and security of the data entrusted to the company and maintaining consumer trust. Catalina has operations in the United States, Costa Rica, Europe and Japan. To learn more, please visit www.catalina.com or follow us on Twitter @Catalina. About Catalina Marketing Japan K.K.

A subsidiary of Catalina, Tokyo-based Catalina Marketing Japan improves the business of consumer goods brands and retail chains. The company has a network capable of directly distributing checkout coupons to over 100 million checkout customers every week for retail chains, mainly SM/GMS in Japan, and has built the "CATALINA 360 Platform" that seamlessly integrates online and offline touch points and data. By grasping consumer preferences, needs, and purchasing trends through Catalina's proprietary network, Catalina Marketing Japan supports the development of targeted marketing that delivers the right message to the right consumer at the right time. http://www.catalina-jp.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/catalina-forms-innovative-business-alliance-with-toshiba-tec-in-japan-301242442.html SOURCE Catalina

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Felicia Sanders of Birmingham, who has been on the front lines combating COVID-19 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, still hears conspiracies about the deadly virus  including from her own coworkers.

Arriving for work at UAB recently, she was stunned to hear a fellow health care worker explain that the lasers in digital thermometers used to check temperatures were planted there by Bill Gates as part of a plan 30 years in the making.

The baffling and outlandish conspiracy theory  one of many circulating about the virus  proved two things to Sanders: One, conspiracy theories during the pandemic are so widespread and pernicious that health care workers who seen the impact of the coronavirus firsthand can still be taken by them. Second, national politics has made the pandemic more difficult to combat. The disheartening exchange happened only one day after Sanders said she attended a funeral for someone who died of complications from COVID-19.

A national medical emergency turned into a political stand, said Sanders, 50. Wearing a mask meant this. Not wearing a mask meant this. Coronavirus doesnt have anything to do with politics and it has killed so many people.

But a lot of people didnt care because they thought it was a hoax, she said. I still meet people who think its a hoax. The bottom line is weve had over 500,000 people die and people have lost their jobs and cant pay for essentials. Just yesterday I got a message about giving away free food.

And Sanders notes that death toll likely doesnt include everyone killed by the virus.

Sanders has experienced several family milestones during the pandemic, including her own, muted 50th birthday celebration. She wanted to travel somewhere with her family, but, like many people, she ended up celebrating outdoors in a park and socially distanced from a few friends.

Sanders says spending extra time with her family over the past year has been a blessing. She emphasizes the importance of getting the vaccine.

Were not finished with COVID. Thats what people have to remember, Sanders said. Just because you have the injections, doesnt mean you cant stop wearing your mask and washing your hands.

This is part of a series of stories by AL.com to reflect on the 1-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic reaching Alabama. Each day leading up to March 13 we will elevate the voices of those impacted.
Senegal deployed armoured cars in the capital Dakar on Monday after days of deadly protests, as supporters of detained opposition leader Ousmane Sonko called for fresh demonstrations ahead of his latest court appearance.

Five people including a schoolboy have been killed in clashes sparked by the arrest of Sonko and dozens of his supporters.

It is the worst violence in years in a country usually seen as a beacon of stability in volatile West Africa.

The United Nations and Senegal's neighbours have appealed for all sides to show restraint, and President Macky Sall is facing mounting pressure to speak out.

Sonko came third in 2019's presidential election and his popularity with Senegal's young people has fuelled speculation that he could be a future leader.

He was due to appear in court on Monday to answer questions about a rape charge, in a case he says is politically motivated.

Early Monday, dozens of opposition supporters waved flags and chanted "free Sonko" outside the courthouse with armoured vehicles posted nearby, while access to the building was heavily policed.

An opposition collective known as the Movement for the Defence of Democracy called on Saturday for three days of massive demonstrations starting from Monday.

- Cars set alight -

Vehicles topped with machine guns were stationed in areas in Dakar where recent clashes took place, and a dozen others were seen passing Independence Square, in the heart of the city's government quarter where the presidential palace is located.

Schools in the capital have been ordered closed for a week.

Sonko, 46, a fierce critic of the governing elite, was arrested last Wednesday on charges of disturbing public order.

Scuffles had broken out between his supporters and security forces as he was on his way to court in Dakar to answer the separate rape charge.

People torched cars, looted shops and threw stones at police during the protests, which have highlighted longstanding grievances over living standards and inequality.

Story continues

The clashes had abated by Saturday but calls from the opposition to take to the streets again have led to concerns the violence could escalate.

Sonko adviser Etienne Ndione told AFP his detention on the public order case had been lifted on Sunday and the authorities must now decide if they will hold him over the rape case.

Ahead of the new protests, 19 foreign embassies in Dakar -- including those of the United States, the European Union and former colonial ruler France -- issued a joint statement on Sunday urging non-violence and dialogue.

The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called for a peaceful resolution, voicing "significant concerns".

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The Karnataka Budget for ensuing fiscal 2021-22 has not proposed increase in state tax on petrol or diesel to avoid financial burden on the people, said Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Monday.

"As the Covid pandemic has caused untold miseries to the people in the year 2020-21, I am not willing to put burden of additional taxes on them. No taxes, including tax on petrol or diesel has been increased for the year 2021-22," said Yediyurappa while presenting the state Budget in the Legislative Assembly amid boycott and walkout by opposition Congress.

Yediyurappa, who also holds the finance portfolio, said that though sales tax on petrol and diesel in the state was lesser compared to other southern states, he was not increasing it (tax) on fuels.

"The Budget has been formulated in such a way so as not to increase the burden on the common man," said Yediyurappa in Kannada while presenting his 8th Budget during his tenure as Chief Minster.
RTHK: UK watchdog fines CGTN for licence breaches

British regulators on Monday imposed fines of 225,000 (US$311,000) on Chinese news network CGTN, having already revoked its licence, and upheld a further two complaints made by Hong Kong dissidents.

Ofcom fined the network 100,000 over a complaint brought by a UK national, Peter Humphrey, who says he was forced to make a criminal confession aired by China Global Television Network (CGTN) in 2013.

The regulator ruled that CGTN, which was called CCTV News before 2016, "ought to have been aware that, in light of the fact he was confessing to offences in advance of trial and in the presence of those who were holding him in custody, there were reasons to doubt whether Mr Humphrey's consent was genuine and informed."

Humphrey was jailed for more than two years by a court in Shanghai in 2014 in connection with a corruption case involving pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline.

The Chinese broadcaster, whose licence was owned by Star China Media, justified the controversial report to Ofcom on public-interest grounds, arguing it had obtained Humphrey's consent and was not aware of any mistreatment.

CGTN must also pay 125,000 after Ofcom ruled that five programmes aired in 2019 covering the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests "had failed to maintain due impartiality".

Ofcom revoked CGTN's licence last month after finding the state-backed ownership structure broke UK law. However, it is still liable for penalties over programmes aired while it had a licence.

It could face further fines after Ofcom upheld the complaints of two high-profile dissidents, former British consulate worker Simon Cheng and publisher Gui Minhai.

Last month, the mainland broadcasting regulator banned BBC World News, accusing it of flouting guidelines over a hard-hitting report about Beijing's treatment of the Uighur minority. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2021-03-08. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
WINCHESTER  Several projects in Winchester are moving forward or nearing completion, with a renovation of the citys pool set to wrap up within a month.

We are hoping by the end of April (the pool) will be 100% complete and in time to open in the summer  depending on the COVID situation, Mayor Rex McIntire said.

The city demolished its pools previous bathhouse to build a new house, which will be completely updated, McIntire said.

It will have all new fixtures  water, electric and plumbing, he said.

The pool liner still needs to be replaced, but that work is scheduled to happen in April if the weather cooperates, McIntire said.

The project is on track to cost roughly $670,000, half of which has been covered by an Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant, he said.

City council also heard updates on a project that would connect the citys water system to Scott Countys system.

Winchester has been looking to connect the two systems in a case of emergency, McIntire said.

The project had to be postponed for about a month because of the weather but is expected to resume as the weather improves.

Everything is ordered for it and ready to go, McIntire said.

An update on a potential grant also means a sewer installation project may move forward soon.

The city bought a 28-acre lot in the city limits that it hopes to develop after sewer lines are installed on the property, McIntire said.

We are expecting to hear next month whether we are the recipients of a 100% construction grant, McIntire said. While the city had to pay for the plans, development and engineering fees, McIntire said the construction costs would be completely covered under the grant.

The acres will be developed into residential and commercial properties.

Once we get the system in, well be more aggressive in getting it developed, he said, noting they expect interest in the properties to pick up after the sewer lines are in place..

The council also heard an update from John Simmons, Public Works superintendent, who is looking into a project to update the citys utilities system.

The city now uses a manual meter reader system that is becoming outdated and uses equipment that is beginning to fail.

Simmons is looking into a system that will allow for a smoother meter-reading process, he seaid.

We currently use handsets; our guys go and read the meters, plug the numbers into the handsets, bring it back to the office and it gets plugged into the computers, Simmons said.

The system being considered as a replacement would allow a more remote approach. While the person collecting the data still would have to travel the route, they would not have to physically read the meter. The handsets would work with a receiver on the meters and collect the data once the handsets are within a certain radius.

Itll be a lot faster and easier on everyones legs, he said.

Simmons said he just began the process of looking into the system and has not received any quotes for costs.

We are just starting, so we have to figure out costs, how and when we can pay for it, he said.
DETROIT -- A 55-year-old man wanted in connection with a triple homicide in Ohio has died after being shot by police last week. According to the Associated Press, Chandra Moore, died Friday March 5, after being shot on Monday, March 1 outside of the Rivertown Inn and Suites in Detroit.

Moore was wanted in Cincinnati in connection with the deaths of his estranged wife, Brittany Wagoner, 28, and two men: Timothy Dugar, 33, and Andrew Wesley, 35, according to the AP.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig said officers were watching the motel in hopes of finding Moore, who eventually emerged from a motel room and began firing at police. Officers returned fire, striking Moore who never recovered from his injuries suffered in the shooting.

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Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
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FAIRBURY, Neb. (AP)  There's a new sheriff in town. Jefferson County officials appointed Nick Georgi as the county's new sheriff after the former sheriff, Matthew Schultz, announced he was resigning just five months into the job.
TOKYO, March 8 (Reuters) - Japanese shares rose on Monday as the central bank governor's remarks eased speculation that yields on government bonds would be allowed to rise, while optimism over a $1.9 trillion U.S. pandemic relief plan also underpinned sentiment.

The Nikkei share average rose 0.66% to 29,050.17 by 0218 GMT, while the broader Topix rose 0.82% to 1,911.68.

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said on Friday he saw no need to widen an implicit band set for its long-term interest rate target at a policy review this month, stressing the need to keep borrowing costs low to support a pandemic-ravaged economy.

Kuroda's remarks are having a strong impact on the stock market, said Norihiro Fujito, chief investment strategist, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities.

"Investors were prepared to sell bonds at a loss and compensate that loss with a gain from selling stocks. But Kuroda's view has completely changed that direction," Fujito said.

The rise in Japanese shares also followed the passing of the COVID-19 stimulus bill by the U.S. Senate and a surprisingly strong U.S. payrolls report that augured well for a global economic rebound.

Takeda Pharmaceutical jumped 4.18% after the drugmaker said it had sought approval for the use of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine.

Japan's biggest steelmaker, Nippon Steel Corp, advanced 4.08% after the company said it would further reduce capacity due to falling domestic demand and intensifying competition from China.

Japan's biggest oil and gas explorer, Inpex, gained 2.5% as oil prices rose to their highest levels in more than a year.

The stocks that gained the most among the top 30 core Topix names were Takeda, followed by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group , which rose 3.31%.

The underperformers among the Topix 30 were Nidec Corp , which fell 3.91%, followed by Nintendo, losing 2.74%. (Reporting by Junko Fujita in Tokyo; Editing by Aditya Soni)

Islamabad, March 8 : Aurat Marches are scheduled to take place on Monday across Pakistan to mark International Women's Day, during which participants will demand for the protection of female rights in the country.

The first-ever Aurat March took place in 2018 in Karachi, after which it extended to other major cities, including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Larkana, and Hyderabad, reports Dawn news.

According to organisers, Monday's marches are expected to take place in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and other cities.

Marking the day, top Pakistani officials paid tributes to women and also called for them to be given equal rights.

Taking to Twitter, Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said: "Pakistani women contributed immensely for glory and honour of our nation. They are also at forefront against Covid. Women in uniform have proved their mettle by contributing copiously in diverse fields serving the nation and humanity. They deserve our immense respect and gratitude." While Minister for Information Shibli Faraz said that March 8 "highlighted women's high status in society and their commendable services in different sectors", National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser said protection of women's rights was the "top priority" of the government "for the formation of a progressive society".

In her message, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said she "dream(s) of a Pakistan where women excel in every field and play leading roles".

Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry encouraged girls to opt for science subjects to change their and the country's destiny.
Shoppers can now treat themselves to a cool new summer-inspired range of ice cream flavoured lollies from Allen's.

The Australian confectionery brand has launched Ice Pops and Sorbet Cone lollies so fans can enjoy the taste of summer all year round.

The classic flavours of raspberry and lemonade have been turned into mini popsicles while the sorbet variety consists of luscious lychee, summer berry and tangy lemon, shaped into bite-size cone lollies.

Australia's iconic confectionery brand Allen's has launched Ice Pops and Sorbet Cones lollies so fans can enjoy the taste of summer all year round

The lollies are made with no artificial flavours and will bring summer smiles to any party or get together with friends or family.

'Nothing beats a classic summer in Australia - it's a season we all love. We wanted Aussies to be able to enjoy their favourite summer flavours all-year round, in a truly unique Allen's way,' Nestle head of marketing confectionery Joyce Tan said.

'We hope that our new Allen's Ice Pops and Sorbet Cones help bring back those nostalgic memories of summer that always make us smile - until we're able to enjoy the next one.'

The classic flavours of raspberry and lemonade have been turned into mini popsicles (left) while the sorbet variety consists of luscious lychee, summer berry and tangy lemon, shaped into bite-size cone lollies (right)

The new range is available in Coles and in Woolworths and independent supermarkets from March 15, and convenience stores from April for $2.95 a bag.

Founded in 1891, the iconic brand is known for creating the nation's favourite and widest range of lollies - including Snake Alive, Strawberries & Cream, soft Bananas, Ripe Raspberries, and beloved Frogs Alive.

Offering sweet treats for all types of fans, the brand is famous for its delicious jellies, chews and chocolates - each of which has a distinctive Allen's flavour, texture and colour - and are produced locally in Broadford Victoria.
KYIV -- On February 26, Oksana Mayboroda, a councilwoman in the western Ukrainian city of Rivne, addressed a town hall meeting with remarks about the importance of pedestrian-only zones in urban planning. She held her 2-year-old daughter while delivering the presentation.

In less than a week, Mayboroda faced a firestorm of criticism on social media after a man from her European Solidarity party posted a photo on Facebook and the first commenter asked, What, nursery schools arent accepting toddlers anymore?

Another comment said it was improper to appear onstage with her child.

And while some weighed in with support, posting pictures of their children at their workplaces, many of the more than 800 comments amounted to political bullying, internalized misogyny, and discrimination based on motherhood, Mayboroda, who had taken her daughter with her on the campaign trail ahead of elections in October, said on Facebook.

The online criticism provided a snapshot of attitudes ahead of International Womens Day, which is marked around the world -- in some places more avidly than in others -- on March 8.

In Ukraine, not everybody is celebrating.

To feminist blogger Zoya Kazanzhy, Womens Day is the most deceptive and hypocritical holiday.

A communications manager at the Kyiv-based public relations agency ECOMM and a native of the Odesa region, Kazanzhy told RFE/RL she started writing about her rejection of the holiday more than a decade ago. The way it is celebrated now is a facade, she said.

Womens Day was first celebrated early in the 20th century in the United States and several European countries, amid a surge of socialist politics and growing calls for better labor conditions and equal rights with men in an array of matters such as work, voting, and seeking public office.

While it faded fast in the United States, reemerging only in recent decades, by the 1970s it had become a prominent holiday in the Soviet Union and some other countries. But somewhere along the line, calls for womens rights and equality were eclipsed, to a substantial degree, by gifts of greeting cards, bouquets, and sweets.

In the run-up to the holiday, television and the Internet in Ukraine, Russia, and other former Soviet republics was full of ads, memes, and other content focusing on flowers, chocolates, hearts, and holiday recipes.

'No Substitute'

Classic gender roles tend to prevail, and critics say the holiday has long since ceased to be about striving for gender parity and celebrating the achievements of women -- especially outside the home and family.

Its a disappointment for Tetyana Durnyeva, the executive director of a Kyiv NGO.

Flowers are fine, she said, but only if this kind of celebration is accompanied by serious discourse about what barriers women face.

Durnyevas organization is comprised of former NGO officers who were displaced from eastern Ukraine by the war that began after Russia-backed separatists seized parts of two provinces in the industrial region known as the Donbas in 2014. More than 13,000 people have been killed and the conflict continues.

Every year on March 8, she speaks to her two children about the importance of womens suffrage and the fact that women werent allowed to vote in the past.

On March 8, I posted a bouquet of tulips on Facebook crossed out with a black line, saying I no longer will observe this holiday.

While some gains have been made, we still require more protection instead of flowers. They are no substitute for attention [to issues affecting women disproportionately], and they dont justify violence or the glass ceiling, Durnyeva said, referring to the hurdles that hamper womens progress toward high-level positions at work and in society.

Kazanzhy said that radical change is needed and that children should be taught why womens rights are importantstarting in kindergarten.

The state and citizens need to rethink the holiday, she said.

Iryna Shvets, a professor of economics and provost at the Donetsk National Technical University, holds a different view.

She gave her university, which was displaced after Russia-backed militants seized the regional capital and is now located in the government-held city of Pokrovsk, as an example of approximate gender parity: The president is a man, but two of the four provosts are women and department heads are roughly 50-50.

Gender Gap

Women dont really need the March 8 holiday, Shvets said, because in essence, women dont have to fight for their rights anymore -- we have all the rights.

Equal rights on paper, perhaps, but research shows there are major inequities in real life.

In February, the data analysis consultancy Global People Strategist said in a report that the gender pay gap between men and women in Ukraine is about 32 percent.

On average nationwide, women make the equivalent of more than $4,000 a year less than men, according to an April 2020 study conducted by the Association of Women Lawyers of Ukraine.

The same study found that only 23 percent of managers at workplaces in Ukraine are women, while a joint report by home security systems company Ring Ukraine and social-research firm Info Sapiens concluded that gender stereotypes...contribute to gender inequality within leadership positions as well as to gender-based pay disparity.

'Male-Dominated Government'

At home, meanwhile, men are apparently not much help, at least with small children. A 2020 survey by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) found that men did most of the rearing of children aged 3 or younger in only 2 percent of households, whereas mothers did most of the rearing in 85 percent of households.

In a telephone interview with RFE/RL, national parliament member Iryna Herashchenko lamented that women continue to be kept out of the decision-making process when it comes to important government affairs.

In local, regional, and national legislative elections, there is now a 40 percent quota for women candidates on political party lists.

But only 21 percent of the 422 occupied seats in the Verkhovna Rada, the national parliament, are held by women and all but three of the 23 cabinet ministers are women, while women are basically absent from influential posts in the presidential administration, she said.

There are no female generals in the armed forces and only one in the main domestic intelligence agency, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Herashchenko said.

It is a male-dominated government. There is no concept of parity with women. It is a concept of sexism and stereotypes, she said, adding that she believes March 8 should be a holiday but not a day off and should be about solidarity and fighting for womens rights.

'We Always Had To Work'

Larysa Konovalyuk, a 58-year-old supermarket cashier who moved from Donetsk to Kyiv in 2018, also believes March 8 should be a working day. We always had to work in Donetsk -- if youre in a factory or mine, men and women alike, she said.

For Natalia Veselova, a former lawmaker who is also from the Donbas, the stark events of seven years ago soured her on Womens Day, which she now associates with upheaval, war, and occupation.

First, about 100 demonstrators were killed during the Euromaidan protest movement in Kyiv that pushed Moscow-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych from power in February 2014, precipitating Russias seizure of the Crimean Peninsula in March of that year and its support for militants in the Donbas, where war broke out that April as Moscow fomented separatism.

By the time March 8 arrived in Donetsk, Veselova said, busloads of Russians had arrived, occupied government buildings, set up tents with Russian and Soviet flags, and were playing old Soviet songs together with local fringe groups.

To me, this is unacceptable, Veselova, who left Donetsk the following year and works for a a policy analysis group, said of the developments of spring 2014. On March 8, I posted a bouquet of tulips on Facebook crossed out with a black line, saying I no longer will observe this holiday.

Pandemic Pressure

As it has in many countries, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated some of the problems women face in Ukraine. Domestic violence has spiked since restrictive measures were first imposed in March 2020, Herashchenko said.

In 2018, the UNFPA said that more than 1.1 million women in Ukraine suffer from physical, sexual or emotional violence in their families annually.

Police statistics show there were 235,720 reported cases of domestic violence in 2020, an increase of 66 percent over 2019. And the UNFPA reported that in the second month of the initial lockdown, from April 13 to May 10, a 41 percent increase in gender-based violence was registered compared to the first month of restrictive measures.

A law that came into force that year criminalized domestic violence. It also contains provisions for services like shelters for battered victims and guarantees of punishment -- not a warning or probation -- for offenders who are found guilty.

But Kazanzhy said that that many women tolerate domestic violence, adding that there is not enough research being done and that improvements will be elusive unless the problem is given more attention.

A 2019 report by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe found that 2 out of 3 women in Ukraine have experienced psychological, physical, or sexual violence. Only 32 percent of women who survive physical or sexual violence seek help, according to the UNFPA.

What we still have is a society of closed male clubs, including in government bodies, Kazanzhy said.
"Our partnership with Blue Desert Cabo guarantees a best-in-class getaway and is a strong addition to our portfolio as our first international venture," stated AvantStay's founder and CEO Sean Breuner. " Cabo San Lucas as a destination seamlessly aligns with our brand DNA and serves as an example that we are listening, supporting and customizing our platform to meet the needs of our loyal customer base. Cabo is one of the most frequented places in Mexico for the West and Midwest (where a majority of our portfolio is), as we will continue to provide our guests with the AvantStay experience wherever they want to be."

AvantStay's foray into Mexico comes as the brand plans to launch properties in more than 60 cities in 2021 and increase its portfolio by 4x while delivering several new business divisions that will meaningfully elevate the guest experience. AvantStay saw a 1,752% increase in its bookings from 2017 to 2020 and expects its Cabo San Lucas assets will contribute to its continued growth.

"Today's traveler has transformed into a digital nomad, prioritizing wellness, nature and privacy  all of which are cornerstones of AvantStay's short-term rental offerings, especially at our Blue Desert Cabo luxury villas," continues Breuner. "As remote work flexibility prevails and travel restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to loosen, we anticipate a comeback for corporate retreats and a boom in international travel, especially in warmer, outdoor-centric destinations like Cabo San Lucas."

For those planning to embark on this "dunes of the desert meets waves of the ocean" escape, Blue Desert Cabo by AvantStay will curate a customized itinerary to include authentic travel experiences, from a bespoke foodie tour with a private mezcal tasting to a wellness retreat inclusive of beachside yoga. The collection of homes is perched on the Baja California peninsula, with several private villas overlooking the Sea of Cortez featuring infinity pools, outdoor bars, patios, firepits, oceanfront views, and private beachside entrances. The Blue Desert Cabo by AvantStay team can also arrange for unique packages to include welcome amenities and air transportation.

"We couldn't be more thrilled to be a part of AvantStay's expansion into Mexico," said Sean McClenahan, co-founder and president of Blue Desert Cabo. "We're very happy to be working with a partner that has the same standards and brand ideals, providing first-class services just like Blue Desert Cabo currently offers to guests."

COVID-19 testing is currently required to return to the U.S. from Mexico. As such, guests of Blue Desert Cabo by AvantStay will have access to at-home COVID-19 testing through its concierge services.

To learn more about AvantStay or to view additional properties, visit www.avantstay.com. To view Blue Desert Cabo by AvantStay or book a trip, check out the new landing page: https://avantstay.com/regions/cabo-san-lucas. For questions, email [email protected], or call +1 (833) HI-AVANT.

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AvantStay is a next-gen, tech-enabled experiential hospitality brand redefining how people travel today by offering short-term rentals tailored for groups. AvantStay assures a highly curated experience tailored to guests' preferences with one-of-a-kind touches, in-home technology, on-demand mobile concierge, and beautiful designs. When staying with AvantStay, guests' vacation begins as soon as they step into space so they can spend less time worrying about their plans and accommodation and more time enjoying their travels. For more information, visit www.avantstay.com .

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Blue Desert Cabo has developed a refreshingly different approach to luxury travel, distinguishing itself with its best-in-class concierge team that curates bespoke itineraries for their guests with a bevy of once-in-a-lifetime services and amenities. From weddings to family events, corporate retreats, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and guys' or girls' getaways, Blue Desert can accommodate it all. Guests' own private villa becomes their own private resort as Blue Desert Cabo offers many of the same amenities as a Five-Star resort. Many of the gated 50+ properties ranging from 2-10 bedrooms feature infinity pools, outdoor bars and patios, fire pits, private gyms, ocean-front views of the Sea of Cortez, and private beach entrances and maid service. Since 2007, Blue Desert's partners have catered to discerning travelers in the Los Cabos region, managing multi-million-dollar properties in Palmilla, El Dorado, and Punta Ballena to name a few. With bi-national and LGBTQIA+ owners, Blue Desert is deeply committed to providing an all-inclusive and welcoming experience. To stay connected with Blue Desert Cabo and find out more, visit www.bluedesertcabo.com and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Media contacts:

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The Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Parade is canceled this year because of the coronavirus, but organizers on Monday announced two new ways people can still celebrate in New Orleans.

Both events raise money for St. Michael Special School, which was started in 1965 to educate students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Club fundraises for the school annually.

The parade organizers also said they will hold their annual Mass at noon Saturday, March 13, at St. Mary's Assumption Church, 923 Josephine St.

Green beer all month

The club has partnered with Parasol's Bar & Restaurant in the Irish Channel and The Holy Ground Irish Pub in Mid-City for a monthlong fundraiser.

Anyone who goes to those two bars and donates to the school will get a free green beer, the parade organizers said Monday.

Drive-thru event

On St. Patrick's Day, the club is hosting a drive-thru event at St. Michael Special School, 1522 Chippewa St., in New Orleans from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

People can drive in front of the school and members of the Irish Channel Parade will accept cash, check and credit card donations for the school. Gifts from the students will be given to drivers.

Masks and social distancing will be required during the event, the organizers said.

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The High Court of Oyo State, in Ibadan, on Monday, sentenced Michael Lawal, an Uber driver, to three months imprisonment.

A statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said Mr Lawal was convicted and sentenced by the court after he pleaded guilty to the offence of obtaining money by false pretence.

The judge, M. A. Odegbola, also ordered the convict to restitute $50 to his victim through the EFCC and forfeit items recovered from him to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The convict was said to have in 2020, in Ibadan Oyo State, fraudulently obtained gift cards from one Trevor, a white male, by falsely representing to him that he was a white female by the name Cyndy Tyler from the United States of America.

READ ALSO: Polytechnic student bags jail term over Internet scam

READ STATEMENT IN FULL:

EFCC Press Release

Uber Driver Bags 3 Months Jail Term over Internet Fraud

Justice M. A. Odegbola of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on Monday, March 8, 2021, convicted and sentenced one Michael Tosin Lawal, an Uber driver, to three-months in prison.

He was convicted after he pleaded guilty to an amended one count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, preferred against him by the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The lone charge reads, that you, Michael Tosin Lawal M sometimes in the year 2020, in Ibadan Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained Gift Cards from one Trevor, a white male by falsely representing to him that you are a white female by the name Cyndy Tyler from the United States of America, which pretence you knew to be false.

Following his plea, Justice Odegbola convicted and sentenced him to three months in prison. He also ordered the convict to restitute the sum of $50 (Fifty United States Dollars) to his victim through the EFCC and forfeit items recovered from him to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

8 March, 2021
New Delhi, March 9 : To recognise and celebrate the achievements of women on the occasion of International Women's Day (March 8), the women staff of Delhi Police were given an array of leading roles on Monday.

Women police personnel were leading from the front in all areas of field policing, inter-alia, managing major traffic intersections, pickets, driving PCR vehicles, attending to help desks at police stations and functioning as Duty Officers and Emergency Officers, holding self defence classes, playing of Women Police Band & Motor and bicycle Patrolling.

To celebrate Women's Day with larger participation, a number of programmes such as lectures on gender sensitisation, meeting with residents, installing sanitary pad dispensing machines in female washrooms, visiting women among senior citizens, Nukkad Nataks on Good Touch-Bad Touch and display of 'Jansampark Vahans' were organised in the run-up to the Women's Day.

On this occasion, S.N. Shrivastava, Commissioner of Police, Delhi honoured 22 women police personnel for their remarkable efforts beyond the call of duties during the Covid pandemic period, and 15 civilian women from various fields like including medical, those involved in social services, social services, entrepreneurs, good Samaritans, among others, who have made a significant contribution to the society.

To highlight the occasion, nine women who had delivered babies in PCR vans on their way to hospitals were special invitees with their kids to witness the women's day function. Two policewomen who had helped such a lady with childbirth were also felicitated.

Reiterating Delhi Police's Zero Tolerance approach towards crime against women, Commissioner S.N. Shrivastatva said that although a lot of progress has been made in achieving gender equality, discrimination is still there in some areas of the society which would also change with time. Last year, the crime against women reduced by 30 per cent in Delhi.
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference in the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 27, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Rep. Boebert Accuses Democrats of Being Obsessed With Conspiracy Theories

Democrats obsession with conspiracy theories is a major factor in fencing at the U.S. Capitol not coming down over two months after the Jan. 6 storming of the building, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) alleged Saturday.

No one on the outside can get into the Capitol. It is only staffers and and members of Congress who are allowed at the peoples house, at our nations capital. This is complete bonkers, that we are keeping people out of the United States Capitol. Theres clearly not a threat. There was nothing that happened on March 4. The Democrats are obsessed with conspiracy theories, and they wont let them go, Boebert said on Fox News Justice with Jeanine.

We have a border fence around the peoples house with miles of razor wire and Speaker Pelosi wants to keep it up, she said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)s office has not returned requests for comment on whether she supports the fencing remaining in place indefinitely. She told reporters last week that thousands of National Guard troops, who have been in Washington since Jan. 6 and are patrolling openings in the fence, will stay as long as they are needed.

The Capitol Police also last week requested the Pentagon extend the Guard support past March 12. The request came after the agency said it obtained intelligence showing a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on March 4. A joint intelligence bulletin issued on March 2 by the Justice Department, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security claimed that domestic violent extremists might target the Capitol on March 4 or March 20.

Nothing ended up happening on March 4.

Razor wire is attached to the top of temporary fencing as the U.S. Capitol is seen in the background, in Washington on March 4, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

A number of lawmakers have made certain allegations about the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, including alleging no Antifa activists were involved. At least one self-described activist was charged in the breach.

Lawmakers on both sides, meanwhile, oppose the fencing, arguing its creating a totalitarian atmosphere.

If were not going to use a fence at the border, why should we use a fence at the Capitol? Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) told The Epoch Times in February.

Boebert noted that Pelosi does not support a fence at the southern border while the Biden administration is pushing to curtail the number of deportations of illegal immigrants.

And if they pass H.R. 1 through the Senate, the Democrats will have millions of illegal voters, some of them criminals, to help Democrats keep their control in 2022. I want the wall to come down. I want our National Guard to go home and stop this nonsense, she added.

House Democrats passed H.R. 1, or the For the People Act, on March 3. The bill would enact a number of voting system reforms. Its prospects are uncertain in the Senate, where Republicans hold half the seats.
TN elections 2021: MNM chief Kamal Haasan alleges DMK has copied its poll promises

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

Chennai, Mar 08: Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) on Monday slammed the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and accused them of copying many of its poll promises, including those about providing a monthly salary to home-makers and creation of jobs.

It can be seen that the allegations came a day after DMK chief MK Stalin said that if voted to power in the 2021 assembly elections, his party would give Rs 1000 per month to every housewife in the state. It was one of the seven key promises that he made while announcing his party's vision ahead for the next 10 years.

In a tweet, Kamal Haasan said, "I would be pleased if the DMK, which had copied all the highlights of our election manifesto, will also take up our honesty."

Tamil Nadu elections 2021: CPI, CPI-M to contest 6 seats each in DMK alliance

Kamal Haasan also centred his women's day wishes around the topic. "Our party, which intends to give government salary to housewives, celebrates womanhood every day," he said on Twitter.

R Mahendran, MNM's vice president, also alleged that the DMK had repeated the welfare measures announced earlier in their election manifesto in the poll-bound southern state. "In February 2020, we had presented 'Reimagining Tamil Nadu' with measures for women homemakers. If they (DMK) have proof that this vision was launched before, please educate us. No doubt that it came from us," Mahendran said.

According to reports, the MNM chief made these promises during his poll campaign in southern Tamil Nadu districts while interacting with the fishing communities in the coastal Thoothukudi district in December last year.

Assembly elections are scheduled in Tamil Nadu for April 6 and Haasan's MNM had been projecting itself as an alternate to the two Dravidian majors DMK and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

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Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 18:03 [IST]
As one of the most promising agents in the Mid-Atlantic region, we are thrilled to have Lydia and her fantastic team to help grow our footprint in the dynamic Maryland marketplace.

TTR Sothebys International Realty is pleased to welcome Lydia Travelstead and The Travelstead Team.

Led by Baltimore, Maryland real estate expert Lydia Travelstead, The Travelstead Team represents one of the emerging real estate teams in the Mid-Atlantic region.

As a Sothebys International Realty agent for the duration of my career, Im enthused and excited to join TTR Sothebys International Realty, says Travelstead, who has gained a strong reputation as one of the Baltimore Metropolitan Area's premier agents as a result of her deep market expertise, strong negotiation skills, and consistent sales performance.

TTR Sotheby's International Realty's network, marketing resources, sales tools, professional development, and industry-wide reputation will allow my team to best serve our clients as they navigate their real estate needs.

A graduate of The Bryn Mawr School and George Washington University and a contributor to several Baltimore-area non-profit institutions  including the Greater Baltimore Medical Center  Travelstead prides herself on delivering value to the communities in which she lives and serves.

We're extremely excited to have Lydia as an addition to our dynamic roster of Maryland agents, says Rick Hoffman, Managing Broker of TTR Sothebys International Realtys Annapolis, Maryland and Easton, Maryland brokerage offices.

Lydia's wealth of knowledge and experience will help further our reach into the growing suburban markets of Maryland that so many of our clients in Annapolis and on the Eastern Shore desire and gravitate towards.

Following its most successful year to date, with over $4 Billion in closed real estate sales for 2020, TTR Sothebys International Realty understands Maryland represents a growing opportunity.

Lydia's long-standing community engagement represents what we look for in an agent, says Mark C. Lowham, CEO and Managing Parter of TTR Sothebys International Realty.

As one of the most promising agents in the Mid-Atlantic region, we are thrilled to have Lydia and her fantastic team to help grow our footprint in the dynamic Maryland marketplace.

About TTR Sothebys International Realty

TTR Sothebys International Realty is regarded as one of the highest-performing real estate firms in the United States. With nine offices and over 500 real estate associates, our commitment to professional service, flawless integrity, and community leadership allowed us to capture more than $4 Billion in closed sales in 2020 while also serving as one of the Washington Metropolitan Areas foremost leaders in corporate philanthropy. To learn more, visit us at ttrsir.com.
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Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying brain "plasticity"(how the brain can learn, develop and reorganise itself) is crucial for explaining many illnesses and conditions. Neurocientists from the University of Gottingen and University Medical Center Gottingen (UMG) have now managed to repeatedly image synapses, the tiny contact sites between neurons, in awake adult mice. They are the first to discover that adult neurons in the primary visual cortex with an increased number of "silent synapses" (ie newly formed synapses that are inactivated), lacking a certain protein (PSD-95), display structural changes that were previously only reported in young mice. This research by the Collaborative Research Centre CRC889 was published in PNAS.

It is well known that during early brain development, there are critical periods during which the brain is particularly plastic and individual experiences can trigger reorganization and adaptation in neuronal circuits. In developing brains, silent synapses are common and they help to functionally optimize the connections between principal neurons. The research teams of Professor Siegrid Lowel (University of Gottingen) and Professor Oliver Schluter (UMG) had already discovered that the maturation of silent synapses requires postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95) and closes early critical periods. However, the specific processes that govern whether synaptic connections are kept or removed depending on experience were largely unknown.

To investigate this, the researchers imaged neurons from the mouse visual cortex with a two-photon microscope while the animal was awake before and after a particular visual experience. As first author Rashad Yusifov from the University of Gottingen explains, "Previous studies have generally used anaesthetised mice but we now know that anesthesia itself can influence neuronal plasticity, which is why we did the current study in awake animals." Yusifov goes on to say, "This challenging technique, which entails repeatedly locating and imaging very tiny structures - around one-thousandth of a millimetre - known as dendritic spines, can only be carried out in a few laboratories in the world".

Researchers discovered that adult neurons deficient in PSD-95 display increased experience-dependent spine removal, an effect in the past only observed in young animals. Building on their previous discoveries, this collaborative research shows that PSD-95 deficient neurons display both functional and structural hallmarks of plasticity associated with a critical period. This means that neurons lacking PSD-95 keep a juvenile ability to restructure cortical connectivity even into adulthood. Senior author Professor Lowel adds, "Answering these key questions will not only help to understand the rules underlying brain development, functioning and learning, but will also open up new avenues to develop clinically relevant concepts to promote regeneration and rehabilitation for diseased and injured brains."

###

Original publication: Yusifov R, Tippmann A, Staiger JF, Schluter OM* and Lowel S* Spine dynamics of PSD-95-deficient neurons in the visual cortex link silent synapses to structural cortical plasticity, PNAS 2021. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2022701118

Paper available at: https:/ / www. pnas. org/ content/ 118/ 10/ e2022701118

Contact:
Kim Jung-gon, a professor in the Pediatrics Department at Seoul Medical Center who heads the investigation team on damage of COVID-19 vaccine, speaks during a briefing at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) office in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, Monday. Yonhap



By Lee Hyo-jin



The health authorities said Monday that they had found no correlation between the COVID-19 vaccine and a number of recent deaths following the administration of AstraZeneca vaccinations.



The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced the interim results of its investigation into the deaths of patients with pre-existing conditions after the inoculations, which indicated that none of the fatalities were a result of the vaccine.



An investigation team consisting of vaccine experts and forensic medical examiners reviewed the eight fatalities reported as of March 6 since the vaccination program started Feb. 26.



"None of the eight fatalities fell into the category of anaphylaxis  a severe allergic reaction which could rapidly lead to death after inoculation. Also, there is a low possibility of abnormalities in vaccine products or mishandling during the inoculation process," said Kim Jung-gon, a professor at the Pediatrics Department of Seoul Medical Center who headed the investigation team.



"Therefore, we came to the tentative conclusion that there were no causal links between the deaths and adverse reactions to the vaccine."






Representative image

New Delhi [India], March 9 (ANI): Iran on Monday strongly repudiated what it said were unsubstantiated allegations about the involvement of Iranian entities in the January 29 blast outside the Israeli embassy in New Delhi, stating that it sees such remarks as steps towards "realizing the sinister intentions of the enemies of Iran- India relations".

The statement issued by the Iranian embassy follows after it was reported that India's central counterterrorism agencies have concluded that the Iranian Quds force was behind the improvised explosive device (IED) explosion outside the Israeli embassy.

The statement said the blast on January 29 here in the national capital has led to an "unfair onslaught and unsubstantiated defamatory accusations" against Iran.

A low-intensity explosion took place near the Israel Embassy on January 29. Investigators recovered an envelope with text written on it related to Israel Embassy officials from the blast site.

"While respecting the honourable government and authorities of India in their endeavour to thoroughly investigate and probe into the above-mentioned incident in order to identify the orchestrators of such actions and to bring them to justice, this embassy strongly repudiates any unsubstantiated allegations or irresponsible comments in this regard and considers them as steps towards realizing the sinister intentions of the enemies of Iran- India relations," the statement read.

"The culture, civilization, history and also the national and religious beliefs of the government and people of I. R. Iran would never allow conduct of any actions which are inhumane, terrorist, barbaric and in contravention with human and divine values and which are done in order to cause fear and destruction to the lives of innocent people and even animals and plants," the embassy said.

The Iranian embassy statement said it expects all "the media and commentators not to fall into the traps and thereby unknowingly enforce the scenarios conspired by third parties whose intention and interest is nothing but to deteriorate the growing Iran -India relations".

"The government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as flag bearers of peace and security in the world, have been on the forefront of fighting against terrorism, warmongering and violence globally and have been themselves victim to terrorism waged by some terrorist governments and their agents," the statement read. (ANI)
In a massively-anticipated interview that was broadcast this morning, Meghan and Harry met up with Oprah and blew our minds away with one shocking revelation after another.

No subject was off-limits, as revealed in the beginning of the show itself, and that became increasingly apparent as the interview went on. But if you missed it or cant spare the time for the 90-minute show, weve got you covered. Here are 9 of the biggest revelations from the interview that are all you need to get up to speed.

1. Meghan and Harry got married 3 days before their royal wedding

 CBS

No one knows that, but we called the Archbishop and we just said, look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world but we want our union between us, Meghan said, adding that the vows that we have framed in our room are just the two of us in our backyard with the Archbishop of Canterbury.



2. Kate Middleton was actually the one who made Meghan cry, not the other way around

 CBS

The British media had reported extensively after the wedding that Meghan had made Kate cry before her wedding over flower girl dresses. Meghan revealed in the interview that, actually, the reverse happened.



She went on to say that, at that time, Kate took accountability for her actions, brought her flowers, and apologised. Everyone in the Institution knew it wasnt true, she said. And yet no one from the palace had bothered to set the media straight on the issue.

3. Meghan had suicidal thoughts during her time as a royal, and was refused help when she asked

 CBS

On the topic of her mental health, she revealed that she had been ashamed to have to admit it, to Harry especially, that she just didnt want to be alive any more.



That was a very clear and real and frightening, constant thought, she said, further adding that she went to one of the senior people in the Institution to get help but was refused because it wouldnt be good for the Institution.

Theres nothing we can do to protect you because youre not a paid employee of the Institution, she said Human Resources had told her, when she went to them.

4. There were conversations around whether their son Archie would receive a title, and consequently any security, due to the colour of his skin

 CBS

Meghan revealed that in the last few months of her pregnancy, there were concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when hes born between Harry and family members she didnt reveal because it would be very damaging to them.



The palace told them that due to not being a prince, he wouldnt receive any security or safety. When asked whether that was due to his race, Meghan said, If thats the assumption youre making, then its a safe one.

She also revealed, on the topic of not taking the traditional picture with their child, that they werent asked to take the picture.

5. Meghan was essentially trapped in the house

 CBS

She admitted that she had been lonely and that, at one point, hadnt left the house for more than twice in four months  yet had been not allowed to go out because she was everywhere [on the media].



On the topic of seeking help for her mental health, she mentioned that there was no way for her to get it on her own without the Institutions support, revealing that she didnt have possession of her keys, her passport, or any such items inside the palace.

6. The royal family cut off their security after their move to Canada

 CBS

Shortly before the world went into lockdown due to the pandemic situation, the couple were told that their security detail was going to be removed due to their change of status.



With their exact location being public knowledge, courtesy of The Daily Mail, they realised they werent safe where they were and moved to American director and producer Tyler Perrys home in Los Angeles for several months.

7. They didnt quit or walk away, but rather suggested a part-time or non-senior role in the royal family

 CBS

While the media had gone wild with news that the couple had stepped back from their royal duties to live more independent lives, the couple now clarified that they hadnt left the family.



Meghan said that they had specified that they were stepping back from senior roles to be just like the several other royal members who earn a living, live on palace grounds, [and] can support the Queen if and when called upon.

Prince Harry also added, on the topic of whether they blindsided the Queen [with their stepping back]: No, Ive never blindsided my grandmother. I have too much respect for her.

8. Prince Charles stopped taking Harrys calls

 Shutterstock

Prince Harry revealed that, while they were in Canada, his father stopped taking his calls after two conversations about the couples role in the royal family. He said his father told him to put this all in writing, what your plan is.



When asked why, he said it was because he took matters into [his] own hands.

9. Meghan and Harry are having a girl

 AP

In lighter news, they also revealed the sex of the child they are having. Its a girl, Harry said, to much excitement. Two [children] is it, Meghan added when Oprah prompted.



And those were some of the highlights. What was the most shocking part of this interview for you? Tell us in the comments below.
It was an interesting day in the world of technology today. On one hand, Flipkart announced a smartphone carnival on its platform. On the other hand, it launched the Motorola 4K Android TV Stick in India. In addition to that, the Realme Nazro 30 Pro 5G went on its second sale in India.

So, here's what happened in tech today:

Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G goes on sale in India

Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G will go on its second sale today. It costs 16,999 for the base model with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage and 19,999 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage model.

Google hosts Google for India event

Google hosted its first Google for India event for the year in India today. At the event, Google announced Business Pages on GPay and special badges for women-led businesses on Search and Maps. It also announced a partnership with the NASSCOM Foundation. Here are all the details.

Excitel introduces a new bundle with access to select OTT apps

Excitel today announced a new scheme with complimentary access to select Over-the-Top (OTT) applications. Subscribers will get access to Zee5, Voot, Eros, and Shemaroo at no additional cost. The bundle is available as a complimentary offering on the companys 300Mbps/3months plan that is priced at 752.

Flipkart launches Motorola 4K Android TV Stick

Flipkart launched the Motorola 4K Android TV Stick in India today. It will be available on the e-commerce platform in the third week of March for 3,999.

Flipkart announces Smartphone Carnival

Flipkart kicked off its Smartphone Carnival today. It will go on until March 12. In addition to discounted prices, Flipkart has partnered with Axis Bank for an instant discount up to 1,250. Here are all the details.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Bobde maintained that the Court has the highest respect for womanhood as an institution, and there was "misreporting" on its recent queries in a rape case.

New Delhi: The Chief Justice of India SA Bobde on Monday said that as an institution and Court, "We have always had the highest respect for womanhood" and have never asked a rape accused to marry the victim.

"We never asked anyone to marry," Chief Justice said.

His query to rape accused -- 'Will you marry her?' was in the facts of that case, said Chief Justice clarifying that Court never gave a suggestion that "You should marry her".

"This court has always given the largest respect to women. Even in that hearing, We never gave a suggestion that you should marry, we had asked are you going to marry. It has been completely misreported," the Chief Justice said while referring to a case where he asked a state government employee, facing charges of raping a relative when she was a minor if he intended to marry her.

The remark of Chief Justice Bobde caused a stir and a group of more than 4,000 women's rights activists and progressive groups have written an open letter to him, saying that he must resign for asking a rapist to marry his schoolgoing victim and justifying marital rape in the Supreme Court.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that Court's statements were taken out of context and were twisted, statements can be twisted and will mean something different.

The Bench today made the observation while hearing a plea of a 14-year-old girl, who wants to terminate her unwanted 26 week-pregnancy.

Advocate VK Biju, appearing for the 14-year-old girl, told the Bench that people were trying to tarnish the Judiciary's image, and some mechanism should be set up to deal with these people.

The Bench said that its reputation lies at the hands of the bar.

The apex court adjourned the matter for Friday after advocate Biju requested an adjournment in the case.

Haryana government last week told the Supreme Court that the medical report of a 14-year-old girl, who wants to terminate her unwanted 26 week-pregnancy, is ready and will be submitted to the Court.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA asked the government to submit the report to examine if it would be safe for a 14-year-old girl to terminate her 26 week-pregnancy and posted the matter for hearing on March 8.

The girl in her plea said she was raped by her cousin brother that led to the unwanted pregnancy. She has approached the apex court seeking permission to terminate her 26 weeks-pregnancy.


SHANGHAI, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- USHOPAL, a leading new luxury beauty and new retail group in China, has announced the completion of a 100 million USD round of financing, driving up its investment pool to 200 million USD, aimed at supporting USHOPAL's portfolio brands' rapid growth in China and Asia Pacific. The leading investor for this round is FountainVest Partners, a leading private equity firm that specializes in global brand investment, which recently acquired the parent company of ARC'TERYX, Amer Sports. Co-investors include Cathay Capital, Zhongyuan Capital, Hengxu Capital and Dazhong Zhongsong Fund.

Founded in 2017, USHOPAL is uniquely positioned to focus on niche, global luxury beauty brands of the highest standards but with limited awareness in China. Its portfolio mainly covers brands exclusively sold at high-end retail outlets such as Harrods from the UK, Le Bon Marche from France, Neiman Marcus from the US, etc.

With gross merchandise value (GMV) in 2020 surpassing 200 million USD, USHOPAL has scaled a portfolio of luxury niche brands into major new luxury beauty players in China, such as Natura Bisse, Juliette Has a Gun, Chantecaille, and more.

USHOPAL offers unique omni-branding and growth capabilities for portfolio brands with a fleet of more than 2,500 luxury influencers, an in-house content studio, branding team, an omni-channel growth team, Tmall retail operations, global logistics and Bonnie & Clyde (BC) - a chain of multi-brand brick-and-mortar brand stores and experience centers.

In 2019, to better align long-term growth objectives with the brands USHOPAL distributes for China and Asia Pacific, USHOPAL built a large capital reserve so that it may co-invest for brand awareness, and even further, to provide much more flexible operations supported by equity investments. One recent example includes leading niche perfume brand, Juliette Has A Gun, which USHOPAL invested in equity at a global level, and built awareness and scaled rapidly in China.

In addition to shopping USHOPAL's compelling brand portfolio online, customers could also experience them at its chain of luxury multi-brand beauty centers - Bonnie & Clyde. Bonnie & Clyde has built its presence as a top luxury beauty sales channel at top-tier locations including Jing An Kerry Center, HKRI Taikoo Hui, Plaza 66 and K11 in Shanghai. All BC locations boast an average transaction value exceeding 5,000 RMB (approximately 770 USD), with customers often spending over 10,000 RMB (approximately 1500 USD) per ticket. Commanding five brand centers in Shanghai, USHOPAL plans to expand Bonnie & Clyde to more metropolitan areas such as Beijing and Chengdu and reach 11 destinations by the end of 2021.

Unlike other beauty chains that focus on mass traffic, discounting and sample-selling without authorization and hence cannot access top-tier locations, Bonnie & Clyde is fully authorized by the brands with full brand-dedicated zones and meet-up spaces for key opinion leaders (KOLs).

Bonnie & Clyde also offers customers the unique opportunity to experience non-animal-tested cross-border products in all their locations. Consumers can then purchase the products they like online. Bonnie & Clyde is also the only beauty destination with an infrastructure that will deliver all products within 4 hours to customers with customs fully cleared.

Lu Guo, founder and CEO of USHOPAL, said, "With this round of financing, the already cash-flexible USHOPAL will be even more equipped to invest in its portfolio, and Bonnie & Clyde experience centers. The USHOPAL leadership team has many years of brand-building and omnichannel-building experience, making it uniquely positioned to fuse story-telling and know-how to build up superbly differentiated niche luxury beauty brands into category leaders in China. We will continue to co-invest and reinforce USHOPAL's brand matrix to become a retail group bold and respected globally."

About USHOPAL

The USHOPAL brand acceleration group partners and invests in the next generation of luxury brands in the beauty and wellness space. We seek passionate innovators and management teams looking to develop category-leading brands. We provide the operational resources and capital required to take brands to the next level.

SOURCE USHOPAL
Moving embassy to Jerusalem: After US, Guatemala does the same; Paraguay next

Embassy blast: Role of Jaish-ul-Hind under scanner, but it could be a false flag

Terror at Israel Embassy: Irans Quds force used local module to plant bomb

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Mar 08: The Indian investigating agencies have learnt that the Quds force of Iran was behind the terror plot at the Israel Embassy in Delhi in January.

The agencies have also found that a local module was used to plant the bomb. Investigators say that the bomb was a low intensity one and this clearly suggests that the group did not want any casualty. Further, Iran also did not want to rub a friendly nation like India the wrong way. It was clearly aimed at sending a message to Israel, officials tell OneIndia.

The Israel Embassy blast case was handed over to the National Investigation Agency last month.

Israel Embassy blast: NIA, Mossad exchange leads

While several leads have emerged from the investigation into the low intensity blast that took place outside the Israel Embassy in New Delhi, there are more pointers towards an Iran angle.

While there is nothing conclusive as yet owing to the false flags, officials in New Delhi say that the probe into the Iran angle is on and some of the leads are pretty strong.

Muthoot Finance shares drop as chairman falls to death | Oneindia News

After observing the CCTV footage, the cops found that the two suspects were getting off a cab moments before the blast. The cab driver has been identified and was questioned by the Delhi Police.

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Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 8:55 [IST]
Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia:

Australian multi-affiliate manager, Mantis Funds announced that Rodney Green, a founder of Pacific Current Group and a pioneer in the multi-affiliate space, is joining its board.

The Sydney-based fund manager which was launched last year by hedge fund managers Timothy Cheung and Damien Hatfield informed that as co-founder and managing director, Green helped drive the growth of the backdoor-listed Treasury Group.

Since leaving the ASX-listed Treasury Group in 2008, Green has had his own portfolio of private investments, directorships, and investment committee advisory roles said a press note.

He became a shareholder and director in the listed Easton Investments platform business, from which he stepped down last year but remains a shareholder. He is also an expert adviser on the Sunsuper investment committee, it said.

Green said: "Often if the multi-affiliate acquires a firm run by older managers, the vendors see it as their exit strategy. If they don't look after their succession, it becomes the problem of the equity owner. I've always thought you don't want to own more than 50 percent.

"With Mantis, we have a revenue base. We have separate access to capital, which is not coming from the manager. They are running the money, which is what they enjoy doing, and reinvest [their share of fee income] as they see fit. If they want to take a helicopter to a meeting, that's their business."

Mantis was formed to look at acquiring the thr......................

To view our full article Click here
Restoring the gray wolf to this part of America was a long and difficult but ultimately successful mission. There now are hundreds in Michigan and more than 2,000 in Minnesota. As of last year, there were more than 1,000 in Wisconsin. To nature lovers, this sounds like nothing but good news. But to those who regard wolves with fear and loathing, its just the opposite  and that group had its way last month in Wisconsin.

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A neighbor helped a man escape his burning house on Hixson Pike early Monday morning.

At 5:02 a.m., the Chattanooga Fire Department responded to a home in the 900 block after receiving reports that the front porch was fully engulfed in flames that were quickly spreading. A second alarm was called to bring extra manpower to the scene.

Engine 12 found smoke and flames showing. They started an exterior attack as other crews arrived.

Thankfully, all parties were out of the structure. A neighbor assisted the resident in getting out the back door. Two dogs were also safe.

Once firefighters had the fire subdued from the outside, they conducted an interior search and confirmed that no one was still inside. The flames spread to the attic and crews continued working to get the fire under control and fully extinguished. It was a fast response and quick knockdown, fire officials on the scene stated.

The cause will be under investigation. There were no injuries. The home sustained extensive damage. The American Red Cross will be assisting the impacted resident.

Ladder 1, Squad 1, Engine 12, Quint 16, Quint 1, Battalion 1, Battalion 2, Battalion 3 (Green Shift), EMS, EPB, CFD Supply, CFD Investigations and CPD responded. Blue Shift is swapping out on the scene.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen warned on Monday that the bloc could halt further exports of the coronavirus vaccine, after Italy stopped a shipment to Australia.

"That was not a one-off," the president of the European Commission told business newspaper Wirtschaftswoche.

Italy last week revealed it had blocked the export of 250,700 doses of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine meant for Australia, blaming the shortage of jabs in virus-hit Europeand the lack of urgent need in Australia.

Defending Italy's action, von der Leyen said AstraZeneca had delivered less than 10 percent of the volumes that the bloc had ordered for December to March.

The European Commission has criticised the Anglo-Swedish company for failing to fulfil its delivery schedule to the EU, even as it supplied full doses to Britain.

Under the EU scheme, a company wanting to export outside the bloc needs to apply for permission to the national government, which decides after consulting the commission.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert last week stressed the EU was supplying vaccines to the whole worldunlike countries such as the United States.

"We stand by this European approach, which differs from the American approach when it comes to production, for instance," Seibert said.

100 million doses vow

As criticism rises within the 27-nation bloc over its stuttering rollout, the commission is battling to secure doses to get the pace of vaccinations back on track.

Von der Leyen said in a separate interview with Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper that she expected the bloc to receive 100 million doses every month from April, thanks both to higher delivery volumes and the regulatory approval of more vaccines.

The EU would receive "in the second quarter an average of around 100 million doses a month, in total 300 million by end June", she said.

By February 26, the bloc with a population of 446 million people had received 51.5 million doses, according to official EU data.

The bloc has already approved three vaccinesBioNTech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca/Oxford and Modernaand the European Medicines Agency is due to decide on Thursday on the Johnson & Johnson single-shot jab.

The regulator last week began a rolling review of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 AFP
A mural commemorating Sgt. Henry Johnson of Albany, a World War I hero, has been painted on the new Simulations Training Center at Camp Smith Training Site, Cortlandt, near Peekskill, Orange County.

After a long fought effort, Johnson was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously in 2015 for a battle in which he single-handedly defeated a raiding party of more than a dozen German soldiers and prevented Pvt. Needham Roberts from being taken prisoner. At one point after Johnson ran out of ammunition he fought hand-to-hand with a bolo knife.

Johnson and Needham were on duty at a remote listening post when the Germans attacked them at 2 a.m. May 14, 1918. After enemy snipers first opened fire on the post, Roberts and Needham readied their rifles and grenades for an attack. But, Johnson sent Needham to their headquarters to warn others of the attack. But after Needham heard Johnson come under attack, Needham decided to return to help his fellow soldier.

Needham was wounded by an enemy grenade blast. After Johnson threw a grenade at the attackers, the Germans countered with a heavy volume of fire. Johnson countered by throwing more grenades and fired his rifle until he ran out of ammunition.



Before Johnson was able to repulse the attack, he was wounded 21 times, including in the head, lip, hip, a side and a hand. Despite the wounds Johnson swung his rifle like a club until the wooden rifle butt splintered.

Johnson then saw several German soldiers try to capture Needham. He grabbed his bolo knife and stabbed several enemy soldiers. After Johnson killed an enemy officer another German soldier jumped on Johnsons back and shot him in the arm before Johnson was able to stab the attacker.

Next, Johnson dragged Needham away from the battle as French and American reinforcements arrived.

Despite all of the wounds didnt receive a Purple Heart until he received a posthumous award of the Purple Heart in 1996. He also received a Distinguished Service Cross posthumously in 2002 before that medal was finally upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

The mural salutes the sergeant, a New York National Guard soldier who served with the all-Black 369th Harlem Hellfighters.

Buildings at Camp Smith are named for Medal of Honor winners, but none of those soldiers were African-American, explained Timothy Connor, the training site director. Dedicating a mural of Johnson at this building was a way to include one of the New York Army National Guard's Black heroes, he added.

"These kinds of symbols are important and young soldiers today need to see themselves in the heroes we commemorate," Connor said.

Johnson was profiled in newspaper articles and former President Theodore Roosevelt called him "one the five bravest soldiers in the war." But though he received the French Croix de Guerre, he received no American award during his lifetime.

Retired New York State Command Sgt. Major Louis Wilson, who accepted Johnson's posthumous Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama, said he was pleased to see Johnson remembered at Camp Smith.

"I'm glad that the legacy of Sgt. Henry Johnson continues and hasn't died because he is a representation of all of us, no matter what race, religion, color, or gender," Wilson said. "What it's about for all of is to continue to fight, keep getting back up, just as Sgt. Johnson did, and to keep that legacy alive." he added.

Westchester County artist Chris Rios painted the mural, which depicts Johnson being greeted at the train station in Albany by New York Gov. Al Smith after his return from combat in 1919. Johnson had worked as a luggage handler at that train station.

Camp Smith is named for Smith, who served as governor from 1919 to 1920 and then again from 1923 to 1928 after an unsuccessful run for president.

Rios said he was motivated to paint the mural as he watched a Public Broadcasting System documentary about Johnson.

"It's truly an honor to be here today. I have friends and family in the military, so I feel like I'm honoring my family, the military, and Henry Johnson all at the same time," Rios said after the mural was unveiled. "I've been building my own personal style and brand for the past five years, and I see that style more in this mural than anything else I've done beforeI have an emotional attachment to this more than anything else I've done because this has so much meaning behind it, more than anyone will really understand."

The new Camp Smith simulation center consolidates a number of high-tech training devices in one location. Soldiers can hone their marksmanship skills on a digital rifle and pistol range, learn to escape from a rolled over Humvee, and learn the basics of how to fire a machine gun mounted on a vehicle in one location.

More Information New of your troops and units can be sent to Duty Calls, Terry Brown, Times Union, Box 15000, Albany, NY 12212. See More Collapse

Today, the New York Army National Guard's 369th Sustainment Brigade, a logistics unit, carries the lineage of honors of the 369th Infantry Regiment, which was originally organized as the 15th New York (Colored) Infantry Regiment. The regiment was organized in Harlem to give African-Americans an opportunity to serve in a segregated Army.

The unit was shipped to France, but originally the soldiers were put to work unloading ships because American officers distrusted Black troops.

But the French Army accepted Black soldiers, and the 15th New York, renamed the 369th Infantry, fought with the French Army until the war ended in November 1918. They were the first African American unit in the U.S. Army to engage in combat overseas and had more days in combat than any other American unit, serving 191 days in the front lines. The 369th was also the first Allied unit to reach the Rhine River and occupy German territory at the end of the war.

The 369th was attached to the French 16th Division. The French government awarded the Croix de Guerre to 170 individual members of the 369th, as well as a Croix de Guerre citation to the unit as a whole.

The 369th's Soldiers called themselves "The Black Rattlers" and the French soldiers called them hommes de bronze or Men of Bronze. Their German enemies were called the "hollenkampfer" or Hellfighters and that was the name that stuck.

When the regiment returned to New York in 1919 it was honored with a parade. Johnson was one of its most famous members of the unit and was sent on a speaking tour. But when he started talking about the way the Army had mistreated Black soldiers the tours ended.
People wait in line to get tested for COVID-19 at a testing clinic in Montreal, Sunday, March 7, 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 08:05:19|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, March 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken proposed a United Nations-led peace conference on the Afghan issue in a recent letter to Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, U.S. media reported on Sunday.

In a Feb. 28 letter to Ghani, Blinken proposed a UN-led peace conference in Turkey "to discuss a unified approach to supporting peace in Afghanistan," reported The New York Times that obtained a copy of the proposals.

Envoys from the United States, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran and India would attend the proposed UN-led conference, according to the report.

The proposals included a road map for a future Afghan government with Afghan Taliban representation, a revised Afghan constitution, and terms for a permanent and comprehensive cease-fire.

Blinken noted in the letter that the United States had not decided to pull out the remaining about 2,500 troops from Afghanistan by May, but he expressed concern that "the Taliban could make rapid territorial gains" following a U.S. withdrawal.

The report said the existence of the letter, which was first reported by the TOLOnews channel in Afghanistan, was confirmed by a U.S. official in Washington and the Afghan government.

However, a spokesperson of the U.S. State Department on Sunday declined to comment on the letter. "We have not made any decisions about our force posture in Afghanistan after May 1. All options remain on the table," said the spokesperson.

The United States and the Afghan Taliban signed an agreement in late February 2020, which called for a full withdrawal of the U.S. military forces from Afghanistan by May 2021 if the Taliban meets the conditions of the deal, including severing ties with terrorist groups.

The administration of President Joe Biden had noted that the Taliban had not met its commitment under the U.S.-Taliban deal.

The war in Afghanistan, which has caused about 2,400 U.S. military deaths, is the longest one in U.S. history. Enditem
Since the beginning of this day, Russian-occupation forces in Donbas have violated the ceasefire once, and Ukrainian servicemen have not been wounded, the Joint Force Operation (JFO) headquarters said.

"As of 07:00, March 8, the situation in the area of the Joint Force Operation remains under control. One violation of the ceasefire was recorded by Russian-occupation forces. For example, in the area of the Vodiane settlement, on the Azov Sea, the enemy opened fire in the direction of our positions from grenade launchers of various systems and small arms," the headquarters said in the morning report on Facebook page on Monday morning.

The headquarters said that over the past day, March 7, Russian-occupation forces violated the ceasefire five times in the area of the Joint Force Operation, including from prohibited weapons.

"Over the past day, on March 7, in the JFO area, five ceasefire violations were recorded. Thus, near Avdiyivka and Lebedynske, the Russian armed formations fired at the positions of our units with the use of 120 and 82 mortars prohibited by the Minsk agreements, as well as from an anti-tank grenade launcher. Near the village Opytne, the occupation forces fired indirectly towards the Ukrainian positions from a grenade launcher, and near the village Pivdenne the occupation forces made targeted attacks from an anti-tank missile system and small arms [...] There are no casualties among Ukrainian soldiers," the headquarters said.

Ukrainian defenders returned fire to all shelling by Russian-occupation forces.

"The Ukrainian side of the JCCC informed the OSCE representatives of all the facts of violations by the Russian occupation forces," the headquarters said.
(Newser)  Historians agree that Japan forced many thousands of women into sexual slavery in World War II, euphemistically calling them "comfort women." Harvard law professor J. Mark Ramseyer, however, has caused an uproar by claiming that the women were actually sex workers who had chosen to work in military brothels, the Guardian reports. His recent academic paper, "Contracting for sex in the Pacific War," has been condemned by US lawmakers, fellow academics, and the governments of North Korea, South Korea, and China, although some far-right lawmakers in Japan have expressed support, reports the Harvard Crimson. In an article for a right-wing Japanese newspaper, Ramseyer described the widely accepted view of the comfort women system as "pure fiction."

story continues below

Ramseyer is a professor of Japanese legal studies at Harvard Law School, and fellow Harvard academics have been among his strongest critics, the AP reports. Scholars say they have looked at Ramseyer's sources and found no evidence of the contracts he claims the women entered into with the Japanese military. "We do not see how Ramseyer can make credible claims, in extremely emphatic wording, about contracts he has not read, Harvard historians Andrew Gordon and Carter Eckert said in a statement. More than 1,000 economists have signed a letter condemning the paper for misusing economic theory "as a cover to legitimize horrific atrocities." The International Review of Law and Economics says it has suspended plans to publish Ramseyer's article, which appeared online in December. (Read more comfort women stories.)
A pair of free COVID-19 testing clinics are scheduled this week in Cayuga County.

The county health department and Auburn Community Hospital are hosting the no-cost drive-thru clinic from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, March 10, at the hospital. Visitors should use the helipad entrance on Lansing Street and will be given instructions on how to get results from an online portal.

This clinic is for people who are both symptomatic or asymptomatic.

In addition to the testing at the hospital, a free rapid-result clinic is set for noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 11, at Emerson Park Pavilion, 6843 E. Lake Road, according to a news release from Cayuga County Emergency Services.

This clinic is for people who are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

People are asked to prepare to wait at the site for up to 30 minutes for their results. Participants must wear face masks and observe social distancing. People are also asked in park in the pavilion's lot and not in the circle in front of the pavilion. There is no residency requirement for the clinic.


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Emmanuel Macron: The Azerbaijani troops must leave Armenias sovereign territory

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Armenia Ombudsman addresses OSCE officials in regard to Ilham Aliyev's Armenophobic statements

Turkey's Erdogan expresses willingness to support Georgia-Azerbaijan-Armenia trilateral cooperation

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

French-Armenians hold protest against Armenia acting PM's visit to France

Angulo's goal helped Armenia tie score with Croatia

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: I've fallen in love with AS Roma and Rome over the last two years

Roma extend contract with Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Croatia-Armenia 1-0 (after first half)

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

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Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

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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

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Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

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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

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Countries worldwide are struggling to find enough syringes to administer COVID-19 vaccines.

Experts say between 8 billion and 10 billion syringes are needed for COVID-19 vaccinations alone. But in previous years, only 5 to 10 percent of the estimated 16 billion syringes used worldwide were earmarked for vaccination and immunization, health care supply chain expert Prashant Yadav, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development, told The New York Times.

U.S. and European officials say they need more syringes for COVID-19 vaccinations, and other countries are also struggling with syringe shortages. Wealthier nations like the United States, Britain, France, and Germany pumped billions into developing the vaccines, but little public investment has gone into expanding manufacturing for syringes, The Times reported.

So, the industry has ramped up to meet demand. Becton, Dickinson and Co., which is the world's largest manufacturer of syringes and is based in New Jersey, said it was producing 2,000 each minute to meet orders of more than a billion, The Times reported.

The United States is the world's largest syringe maker by sales, according to Fitch Solutions, a research firm. The United States and China are neck and neck in exports, with combined annual shipments worth $1.7 billion.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

More information: The New York Times Article

Copyright  2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8)  Now may not be the time to put up a new agency that would reorganize existing offices into the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers, senators said Monday.

Senator Franklin Drilon questioned if the new agency, planned to be called DOFil, will be more responsive to reports of abuse of Filipino service workers in the hands of their foreign employers.

"Is this the time to put up a separate department considering the limited resources that we have today as a result of the pandemic? Our economy is in shambles," Drilon said.

"It would appear that everything is being done within the present structure of government."

Abuses

Senator Nancy Binay also doubted if the DOFil would help bring down cases of violence towards Filipino workers.

There were 4,302 Filipino workers in the Middle East who reported maltreatment last year, followed by 593 among OFWs based in Asia and 86 in Europe and the Americas, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.

"Sa palagay ko kahit magkaroon pa tayo ng DOFil, for as long as we deploy especially our women as domestic helpers abroad, patuloy tayong magkakaroon ng problema [Even if we put up DOFil, for as long as we deploy especially our women as domestic helpers abroad, we will continue to encounter problems]," Binay said, calling for an "exit plan" that would eventually ban the deployment of domestic helpers.

READ: 4 OFWs killed by ISIS in Libya to undergo forensic identification; employer to pay for repatriation

An official from the Department of Foreign Affairs said they also prefer that only Filipino skilled workers be allowed to work abroad, as household service workers are often the victims of violence.

"The only time that the state can intervene is if the abuse already happened because we cannot enter the homes of the employers," DFA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said.

"While we want to really stop the deployment, we have to first upskill our people before we decide to stop deploying household service workers because many of our people will not be qualified for other jobs than that."

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III assured that the skills training provided to OFWs is ongoing, with a focus on workers displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year.

Timing and cost

Center for Migrant Advocacy executive director Ellene Sana added that the timing of the transition to the new department is another concern.

"How much will the restructuring cost at a time when our resources as a country are almost depleted because of our responses to COVID-19. Is this the time to add to the cost?," Sana told the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development.

While most OFW groups support the greater attention given to the sector, there are also issues regarding who they run to during times of need.

Senators also pointed out that it's unclear how DOFil will operate alongside the existing DFA, the Labor Department, and its attached agencies Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Both DOLE and the DFA still supported the creation of the new agency, saying it will provide "focus" in addressing the many concerns of OFWs.

President Rodrigo Duterte has been calling on Congress for the new agency. In March 2020, the House of Representatives approved a bill creating DOFil on third and final reading.

Committee chairman Senator Joel Villanueva said another hearing will be scheduled about the topic to thresh out issues.

There are more than 10 million OFWs globally who sent $29.9 billion or over 1.45 trillion to the Philippines in 2020, according to central bank data, supporting the needs and luxuries of their families here.

RELATED: DFA, POEA suggest foreign employers pay for OFWs' vaccination
Russian peacekeepers offered flowers to women in Nagorno-Karabakh ahead of International Women's day on Sunday.

The soldiers also carried out demining work in the disputed area.

Under the peace deal brokered by Russia between Armenia and Azerbaijan after weeks of armed conflict, Russia has deployed about 2,000 peacekeepers to Nagorno-Karabakh for five years.

The Nov. 10 peace deal ended 44 days of hostilities in which the Azerbaijani army routed Armenian forces and reclaimed control over large parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas.

Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said 2,783 troops were killed and more than 100 are still missing.

Armenia's Health Ministry reported at least 2,718 Armenian servicemen killed in the fighting.

Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but was under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994. That war left Nagorno-Karabakh itself and substantial surrounding territory in Armenian hands.

Hostilities flared up in late September and the Azerbaijani military pushed deep into Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas in six weeks of fighting involving heavy artillery and drones that left more than 6,000 people dead on both sides.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Internally displaced Congolese woman, Jilly, 38, is learning soap-making while recovering from gender-based violence in Kananga.  UNHCR/Olivia Acland

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening the lives and rights of refugee, displaced and stateless women and girls, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is warning on International Womens Day today.

The unprecedented socio-economic impacts of the pandemic are leaving many lives in peril. We are seeing extremely worrying increases in reports of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, forced marriages, child labour and adolescent pregnancies, said UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.

These are being attributed to burgeoning socio-economic pressures, increased tensions in homes and communities, and school closures, all induced as a result of pandemic-related poverty. Some survivors are even resorting to the drastic measure of withdrawing their complaints owing to economic dependency on abusive partners.

We are seeing grave manifestations of gender inequality for some of the worlds most vulnerable and disadvantaged and a tragic erosion of some important and hard-won gender equality gains achieved over the past few decades, said Grandi.

The international community must step up and help protect the rights of forcibly displaced and stateless women and girls. This requires support for humanitarian programmes that combat gender inequality, including gender-based violence, and also the expansion of education, and vocational and self-reliance initiatives. It is imperative that they are also included in the socio-economic relief packages being designed and implemented by governments.

Around 85 per cent of the worlds refugees are hosted in developing nations and largely dependent on humanitarian aid or day labour. Many have now lost fragile livelihoods and have been thrust into abject poverty with disastrous and wide-ranging impacts.

In addition to the mounting risks of violence, abuse, sexual exploitation and trafficking, all of which are consequences of gender inequality, the effects of the pandemic are also proving catastrophic on refugee girls education. Many girls are being forced to drop out of school and into work, sold off or married, said UNHCRs protection chief, Gillian Triggs.

While humanitarian partners estimate that an additional 13 million girls are now at risk of forced marriages as a result of the pandemic, child marriages are already being resorted to by some refugee families buckling under debilitating poverty.

Refugee women are also being burdened with extra caregiving at home, turning to precarious jobs in the informal sector, or onto the streets. Increased household demands are also diminishing their opportunities for education while increasing exposure to the virus.

Disabilities, marginalization, diverse sexual orientation and gender identities are also compounding discrimination and risks of violence for refugee, displaced and stateless women and girls, said Triggs.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic fuelling gender inequalities and increasing the risks of violence against women and girls, prevention and response programmes remain severely underfunded.

UNHCR is urging attention be paid immediately by governments to these risks and to support the full involvement and leadership of refugee, displaced and stateless women in response and recovery plans.

The active and meaningful participation of women and girls in the decisions that impact their lives, families and communities is essential for upholding their human rights, ensuring their effective protection and supporting their empowerment.

Unless concerted efforts are made to mitigate the gendered impacts of COVID-19, we risk leaving refugee, displaced and stateless women and girls behind, said Triggs.

More information about UNHCR's gender responsive and GBV prevention, risk mitigation and response interventions is available here.

For more information, please contact:

In Geneva, Shabia Mantoo, [email protected], +41 79 337 76 50
POE ON VACCINATION ROLLOUT, RISE IN COVID-19 CASES:

The alarming surge in COVID-19 infections must be addressed with quicker action to deliver the shots to our health workers and other priority groups as we anticipate the arrival of more vaccines in the coming days.

We should vaccinate faster than the virus can spread. This is taking into account that the supply of the government-procured and donated doses will reach the Philippines on time.

We count on the task force to continue equitable negotiations for the purchase of safe and efficient vaccines, complemented by a smooth implementation of the inoculation program.

The challenge is to speed up and harmonize processes to ensure that all Filipinos will have an access to the vaccine to banish COVID-19 and help steady the economic ship.
U.S. President Joe Biden directed federal agencies Sunday to take modest steps to promote voting access even as a major congressional fight looms over balloting rights across the country.

Biden ordered the government agencies to expand access to voter registration and election information and told the agency heads to devise plans to give several million federal employees time off to vote or volunteer as nonpartisan poll workers.

The U.S. leader signed the executive order on the 56th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday," the 1965 incident in which about 600 civil rights activists were beaten by Alabama state troopers as they tried to march for voting rights in the small city of Selma. The attack was a turning point in the civil rights movement in the United States and led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act later in 1965.

"Every eligible voter should be able to vote and have it counted," Biden said in pre-taped remarks aired at Sunday's Martin and Coretta King Unity Breakfast. "If you have the best ideas, you have nothing to hide. Let the people vote." This year's breakfast, at Wallace Community College, was billed as a drive-in event because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Biden's action follows last week's passage in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives of sweeping voting rights measures that would set national standards for how elections are conducted in the U.S., overriding a disparate set of rules that vary widely throughout the 50 states.

The measure cleared the House on a near party-line 220-210 vote, but Republicans broadly oppose it. In the evenly divided Senate, with 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans, Democrats supporting the legislation will likely need at least 10 Republican votes to end any filibuster against it.


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The Sussexes explosive tell-all interview has raised a lot of issues. What are the questions that need answering?

 How will the royal family respond and how will they restore their damaged reputation?

The family and their aides have some challenging questions to answer about why a suicidal Meghan was not supported and given help, and about accusations of racism.

Expand Close The Queen has not watched the Oprah Winfrey interview (Steve Parsons/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp The Queen has not watched the Oprah Winfrey interview (Steve Parsons/PA)

The Queen, known for her calm approach, is never reactive or rash during challenging times, but the allegations mark a crisis point for the monarchy and its future.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have long been vocal campaigners on the issue of mental health so questions remain about their involvement and what their response will be.

 Who made the racist comment about how dark the Sussexes babys skin would be?

The duke and duchess refused to say which member of the royal family had this conversation with Harry while Meghan was pregnant with Archie.

Winfrey later said Harry told her it was not the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh.

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Meghan said: That was relayed to me from Harry, those were conversations the family had with him, and I think it was really hard to be able to see those as compartmentalised conversations.

Harry said he will never reveal who said it and what was said, but this will not stop the speculation.

While Meghan said it happened when she was pregnant, the duke said this happened right at the beginning what will the kids look like?

 What damage has been done to Harry and Meghans relationship with the royal family?

At this stage, the damage could be irreparable.

The duke has vowed to try to restore his relationship with his father, the Prince of Wales, and said he hopes he can heal his rift with William in time.

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The interview is likely to be seen  by the press or the royals, or both  as an attack on the whole family, and questions will be asked about how William will react to Meghan singling out Kate?

Harry has, however, spoken of his closeness to the Queen.

 What did Kate say to Meghan to make her cry?

Meghan said it was Kate who left her in tears over flower girls dresses, not the other way round, as was reported.

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It was a really hard week of the wedding, and she was upset about some things, Meghan said.

Kate apologised and sent flowers and a note, but Meghan said it was a turning point when the false story was not put straight.

 Who did Meghan approach in the palace for help when feeling suicidal?

Meghan said she went to one of the most senior people.

The duchess sent emails and begged for help and people said Yes, yes, its disproportionately terrible but nothing was ever done, she claimed.

 Why was Meghan not supported  especially after Diana, Princess of Waless experience?

Meghan said: There was no guidance theres no class on how to speak, how to cross your legs, how to be royal, theres none of that training.

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She added that it might exist for other members of the family but it was not offered to her.

 Who was jealous of Meghan?

Harry indicated that members of the royal family were jealous of Meghan because of the ease with which she carried out royal duties on their tour of Australia and New Zealand.

 What about Meghans father?

The duchess has been estranged from Thomas Markle since her wedding, but Winfrey was not seen questioning her about their relationship in the main programme.

In clips released later, Meghan said she found it difficult to discuss his actions, adding: I genuinely cant imagine doing anything to intentionally cause pain to my child.

 Why did Meghan think Archie should be a prince?

Meghan said she wanted Archie to be a prince so he could have police protection, and expressed her shock at the idea of the first person of colour in the family not being titled in the same way as other grandchildren.

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But seventh in line Archie is not at this stage entitled to be a prince because of rules established more than 100 years ago by King George V.

 Why didnt the Queen make Archie a prince?

The Queen stepped in ahead of Prince Georges birth to issue a Letters Patent to ensure all the Cambridges children, not just George, would have fitting titles.

But the Cambridges children are the offspring of a future monarch whereas Archie is not.

He will be entitled to be an HRH or a prince when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne.

 What about the alleged bullying Meghan is accused of?

The interview was filmed before the Times revealed that a senior aide raised concerns over bullying and that Meghan allegedly drove out two personal assistants and humiliated another, which she denies.

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Questions remain as to what exactly went on and how Meghan treated her staff.

Buckingham Palace has launched an investigation.

 Who told Meghan she should be 50% less?

Winfrey later said an unnamed person  it is not known whether it was a royal or a courtier  told Meghan it would be best if she could be 50% less than she was.

 What was this other wedding?

Meghan said she and Harry had a secret marriage ceremony with the Archbishop of Canterbury in their back yard three days before their royal wedding.

It is thought to have been a blessing or the informal sharing of vows.

 How could Meghan not have known about royal life?

As a teenager, she was pictured as a tourist outside Buckingham Palace, but Meghan said she knew little of the royal family growing up and had never looked up Harry online.

In their engagement interview in 2017, Harry said he warned her about life in The Firm, saying he sat down on the sofa for frank conversations, telling her: You know what youre letting yourself in for. Its a big deal and its not easy for anybody.

 What will Harry and Meghan name their daughter?

With the couple set to have a baby girl, the bookmakers will be predicting Diana as the frontrunner. Or perhaps Elizabeth in honour of the Queen.
In every job Missourians have allowed me to have, Ive tried to do my best, Blunt said in his announcement made via video. In almost 12,000 votes in the Congress, Im sure I wasnt right every time, but you really make that decision based on the information you have at the time.
SELMA, Ala.  The process was different for this year's commemoration of "Bloody Sunday" in Selma, but the spirit was the same.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 56th commemoration of the event was largely virtual. And the event was missing one of its regular attendees  John Lewis. The civil rights icon passed away last year at the age of 80.

But the event still memorialized the proceedings of March 7, 1965, when hundreds of civil rights foot soldiers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in an attempt to march to Montgomery in support of voting rights for Blacks.

They were met on the east side of the bridge by Alabama State Troopers and mounted sheriff's posse men and brutally beaten. The images of that day and the national outrage that resulted helped led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In the wake of the carnage on the bridge, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. put out a call for people to come to Selma. Two weeks later another march began. That time it succeeded in reaching Montgomery.

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Martin Luther King III, from left, civil rights icon Bernard Lafayette, Rep. Teri Sewell and foot solider Sheyann Webb-Christburg lead the march during the 56th Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., on Sunday, March 7, 2021.

President Joe Biden marked the day with the signing of an executive order which promotes voting registration and access. It also directs heads of federal agencies to give federal employees time off to vote or to serve as non-partisan poll workers and revamps the government's Vote.gov website.

"Every eligible voter should be able to vote and have it counted," the president said. "If you have the best ideas, you have nothing to hide. Let the people vote."

'Let the people vote': Biden signs executive order promoting voter access, marking anniversary of Selma march

Before a virtual re-enactment of a bridge crossing, speakers took part in the Brown Chapel service. The historic African Methodist Episcopal church served as headquarters and sanctuary for the Selma Movement.

There were speeches from national leaders, singing of gospel and freedom songs, looks back on history and looks forward to challenges of today of racism and efforts at voter suppression.

Story continues

History brought people together over social media and the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee website, which broadcast the events of the weekend, said AME Bishop Harry L. Seawright.

"We salute all people who crossed that bridge on Sunday," he said "It was only an act of God no one was killed."

A small group crossed the bridge at about noon. The virtual effort included historical footage of that day, and quotes from people who were part of the 1965 march. The footage began with Alvin Garrett, a Grammy nominated artist from Birmingham, singing his song "It Starts in the Heart".

The song begins with him at the apex of the bridge, and then he walks backward along the route, back to Brown Chapel.

Modern aerial footage was used along with shots of a small group of people wearing masks walking the route and walking across the bridge. The footage included the group stopping to kneel and pray in the middle of U.S. Highway 80, near the very spot where the beatings occurred in 1965.

Usually 40,000 to 50,000 people come to Selma for the commemoration activities according to city and chamber of commerce officials. Hotel rooms in Selma would be full and the overflow in lodging needs would go to regional cities. Calls to several Selma hotels this past week reported about a 50 percent capacity.

An icon was missing

There was a void, however. The late John Lewis, Georgia congressman and one of the the marchers that day who received serious injuries, was an attendee of past commemorations.

U.S. Rep. John Lewis speaks on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., on Sunday, March 1, 2020.

Today, we commemorate the 56th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the day when ordinary Americans in my hometown of Selma, Alabama, brought about extraordinary change as they peacefully demonstrated for the equal right to vote, said Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., who grew up as a member of Brown Chapel. Each year, we return to the Edmund Pettus Bridge to honor the heroic sacrifices made by those foot soldiers, but this year, we will do so without my beloved friend, Congressman John Lewis.

While my heart breaks knowing that John will not lead this years commemorative march, my hope is that we will rededicate ourselves to his lifes work by restoring the full protections of the Voting Rights Act. As weve recently seen in state legislatures across this nation, voter suppression is alive and well. That is why we must pass H.R. 4, The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, to ensure all Americans can fully participate in our democracy," Sewell said in a statement.

The brutality on the Edmund Pettus Bridge "sanctified a noble struggle," Biden said. He called on Congress to "fully restore," the Voting Rights Act which he said the U.S Supreme Court "gutted" in 2013.

"There is an all out assault on the right to vote in state legislatures all across the country," Biden said, citing dozens of states that have introduced bills that he says would make it harder for Americans to vote. "We can not let them succeed."

Denise Morse, daughter of civil rights activist C.T. Vivian, and Yvonne Kennedy, daughter of late civil rights leader Joseph Lowery, hold hands as they honor their fathers during the 56th Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., on Sunday, March 7, 2021.

"You know you don't need a lot of money or a million people," Vice President Kamala Harris said. "But you do need a righteous cause and a whole lot of resolve. Friends, there is no cause more righteous than the right to vote. It is the right that unlocks so many other rights."

Reach Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney on Twitter: mroney@gannett.com

'There is no way I resign': Cuomo refuses to quit amid scandals as top NY Dem says he should step down

Education: Students are struggling to read behind masks and screens during COVID-19, but expectations are no different

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Despite virtual stream, 'Bloody Sunday' commemoration goes on in Selma
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ALBANY  When you call 911 in the future, you won't find an attorney rather than a police dispatcher on the line.

But attorneys are proliferating across the emergency services, playing an increasingly important role in dealing with disasters and emergencies along with traditional responders like firefighters, EMTs and National Guard members.

Thanks to our increasingly complex, legalistic, and litigious society, lawyers now are routinely involved in disaster response and recovery. They are called upon to help people navigate the many assistance programs and potential pitfalls they may face after being hit by a flood, power outage, hurricane, riot or a pandemic such as COVID-19.

In light of that phenomenon, two Capital Region educators, Albany Law School Professor Ray Brescia and Eric Stern, a professor at the University at Albanys College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, have edited a kind of lawyers guidebook to disasters.

Crisis Lawyering: Effective Legal Advocacy in Emergency Situations, [published by NYU Press] contains essays by lawyers and recovery experts across the nation who have dealt with disasters both natural and manmade.

The idea was to provide insight and ideas for attorneys as well as disaster response officials. And it aims to help attorneys, who are typically meticulous and linear in their thinking, adapt to the rapidly-evolving needs that arise in a crisis.

Nimble and quick. They are not the type of qualities we often associate with lawyers, said Brescia, himself a public interest attorney. The book helps to overcome that stereotype and help lawyers who need to respond to disasters.

The book also comes as lawyers in many quarters are looking to become more proactive in these areas.

There is a movement in legal education to emphasize problem solving, said Stern.

The collaboration made sense since UAlbany and Albany Law School have had since 2015 a formal affiliation for teaching-and-developing projects across a variety odisciplines.

The events of the past two decades, from the 9/11 attacks to Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Katrina, as well as political events like the Trump crackdown on immigration and travel as well as the Ferguson, Missouri-disturbances all are covered in the book.



Brescia and Stern take a broad view of the term crisis, including the New York City homeless epidemic of the 1980s, and past Election Day problems as crises in which lawyers were called upon to help.

The events of the past year have highlighted the need for lawyers to be both proactive in trying to prevent problems and quick in their responses.

The COVID-19 pandemic, the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol and the recent deep-freeze that hit Texas after a series of winter storms all bring lawyers in.

Texans, for instance, who are being hit with $6,000 electric bills, will likely need legal help. That event is sure to spark lawsuits, said Brescia.

And when it comes to the Capitol insurrection, Brescia and Stern note that attorneys worked on both side of President Donald Trump's efforts to ahve vote results overturned in several states.

Trumps lawyers helped fuel the insurrection with some of their falsehoods they spread about the vote.

You cant separate the riot from the argument that the lawyers were making, remarked Brescia.

But he noted that courts across the nation ultimately upheld the legitimacy of the November elections by dismissing the "Stop the Steal" lawsuits. From a legal perspective, the system worked.

More for you News College students are flocking to Homeland Security courses

With the increasingly wild weather sparked by climate change, the disasters seem to keep on coming. Stern, who is also working on response planning with the national Red Cross, said people in that organization have noticed that that crises and disasters these days seem to occur one right after another.

On the national level, there used to be breathers or slack periods between disasters but thats no longer the case, he said.

Brescia and Stern are hosting a free, public Zoom conference on their new book from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday March 8. For more information go to https://securelb.imodules.com/s/977/18/interior-one-col.aspx?sid=977&gid=1&pgid=3332&cid=6792

or contact Albany Law School at alumni@albanylaw.edu

rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU
An autonomous version of the historical Mayflower ship thats powered by artificial intelligence (AI) is set to make its maiden voyage across the Atlantic next month. On April 19, Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS)  pictured above  will depart from Plymouth, England and arrive at Plymouth, Massachusetts about 3,000 miles and two weeks later. The original ship, which transported 102 passengers known as the Pilgrims, took 10 weeks to reach its destination in the autumn of 1620. The new 50-foot ship, which wont carry any human passengers or even crew, will roughly take the same route as its predecessor. Powered by AI and solar energy, it will gather critical scientific data about the ocean. See The Daily Mail.

The US is expressing growing concern over a hack on Microsofts Exchange email software that the tech company has blamed on China. This is an active threat, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday. Everyone running these servers  government, private sector, academia  needs to act now to patch them. Microsoft said hackers had used its mail server to attack their targets. It is reported that tens of thousands of US organisations may be impacted. See full story on the BBC. See: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-56304379

Honor looks to be prepping a new smartwatch and fitness band, which would be the first wearables launched since the former Huawei off-shoot was sold by the Chinese tech giant. Details of an Honor Smart Watch and Honor Smart Band were discovered in US FCC listings, which appears to confirm the pair of devices are on the way. Along with revealing the type of wearable form factors we can expect, it also lists that the smartwatch will pack an 180mAh capacity battery and the band will host a smaller 100mAh battery. See full story on Wearable.

According to The Times, Labour has ordered all of its MPs to sign up to TikTok in a belated attempt to prevent parliamentarians from falling foul of online pranksters. Opposition officials wrote to all Labour MPs to ask them to secure your username on the Chinese-owned social network after a spate of malicious parodies. Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, is among those whose identity has been appropriated by users of varying levels of artistic ability. The party is now lobbying TikTok to remove the accounts. We are aware of a number of parody MP TikTok accounts that have been set up recently, officials wrote. We would encourage all MPs to create a TikTok account (even if you arent planning on using it).
Matt Hancock is furious. Tony Blair, the Health Secretary alleges, has been pinching his ideas for dealing with the pandemic and passing them off as his own.

In December, Blair published a paper arguing there should be a 12-week delay between the first and second doses of the coronavirus jab so as to give as many people as possible some immunity. Hancock was outraged as he maintained this was his idea, which he had previously discussed with Blair.

A decidedly huffy Hancock  already breathless from his eccentric workouts in the park, captured by photographers  has been telling friends he will no longer return Blairs calls.

Blair is continuing to insist the delay was his idea, but should we be listening to him anyway?

For all his frequent recent interventions from the political sidelines, Blair (pictured) must be secretly relieved he wasnt Prime Minister during the Covid-19 outbreak

Over the weekend, eagle-eyed readers took down Blairs lengthy memoirs from their shelves and referred to his governments handling of the bird flu outbreak in 2005.

Im afraid I tried to do the minimum we could with the minimum expenditure, writes the ex-PM in Tony Blair: A Journey.

I understood the risks but it didnt seem to me the panpanic was quite justified. And in those situations, everyone is so risk-averse that unless you take care, you end up spending a fortune to avert a crisis that never actually materialised.

Panpanic? For all his frequent recent interventions from the political sidelines, Blair must be secretly relieved he wasnt Prime Minister during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Feathers will be flying soon, Rishi

Sunak (pictured) may have avoided too much hissing last week. But with income-tax thresholds frozen for five years, many taxpayers will soon be discovering that they have been well and truly plucked

Did Chancellor Rishi Sunak follow the advice of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, finance minister to Frances Louis XIV, before announcing his budget?

Colbert is credited with saying: The art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest amount of feathers with the least possible amount of hissing.

Sunak may have avoided too much hissing last week. But with income-tax thresholds frozen for five years, many taxpayers will soon be discovering that they have been well and truly plucked.

Poet Pam Ayres on Boriss road map out of lockdown:

For many months now, we have felt on the skids;

We cant meet our friends and we cant hug the kids,

But friends, be emboldened! All may not be lost,

For the crocus of hope, she has poked through the frost.

Tory MP Tim Loughtons weekly Facebook update on the vaccine was shared by 92 people. By way of comparison, he says, the photograph of my home-made sausage rolls, which I was rather proud of ... has now been shared 263 times.

Talk about pork-barrel politics!

Proof the lib dems never learn

The Lib Dems foreign affairs spokeswoman Layla Moran (pictured) told the BBC that the Government should have pooled resources with the EU

Few now dispute that the EUs vaccine scheme has been a shambles. The woman who has presided over the calamity, Ursula von der Leyen, increasingly finds her old nickname VDL stands for very damaged leader.

Even diehard Eurocrats such as the Belgian MEP Guy Verhofstadt have been forced to praise Britains vaccination programme.

Yet some people never learn. The Lib Dems foreign affairs spokeswoman Layla Moran tells the BBC that the Government should have pooled resources with the EU.

If we were part of that ... maybe it wouldnt have happened in the way that it did, she insists.

Meanwhile, fellow Lib Dem MP Daisy Cooper last week asked Boris Johnson whether he had sought scientific advice in agreeing to let Dominic Cummings travel to Durham last March.

Give it a rest, Daisy! Cummings is gone. Voters have moved on.

After Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer appears in the Commons sporting a natty new pair of spectacles, waspish Tory MPs could not resist making jokes at his expense. My favourite?

Starmer has gone from Captain Hindsight to Captain No Sight.

And with a YouGov poll giving the Tories an astonishing 13-point lead, Labours ex-leader Ed Miliband did no favours for his boss. The shadow business secretary told the BBC: There is an inevitable and understandable rallying round the Government. Doh!
As we approach the March 11 anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic, nurses across Canada are at their breaking point. We are exhausted, burned out  and angry.

Opinion

As we approach the March 11 anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic, nurses across Canada are at their breaking point. We are exhausted, burned out  and angry.

Nurses are on the front lines of the pandemic and our health-care system every day. We see its problems in brutal detail and we have the experience to know whats needed. We have repeatedly called on decision-makers to address critical staffing shortages and provide basic protections to keep workers safe.

We continue to be disregarded, and the result has been devastating.

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the number of COVID-19 cases among health workers has tripled since July 2020. As of January 15, 65,920 health workers had been infected with the COVID-19 virus, representing 9.5 per cent of all infections in Canada. More than 40 health workers are known to have died from the illness.

In our troubled long-term care system, insufficient staffing and safety protocols have contributed to a national tragedy. About 25,000 health-care worker infections are in long-term care. More than 14,000 vulnerable residents have died from COVID-19, representing about 70 per cent of all deaths in Canada.

It didnt have to be this way.

As early as January of last year, the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions began urging governments across Canada to heed the lessons of SARS and adopt a precautionary approach. This meant assuming the virus was airborne and protecting health workers  potential vectors of transmission  accordingly.

As soon as it became apparent that COVID-19 would reach Manitoba, the Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU) set to work on strengthening personal protective equipment (PPE) standards and access policies.

In July of 2020, MNU negotiated its first memorandum of agreement with Shared Health. This agreement established a joint PPE committee with representatives from the employer and government; required all nurses be provided an N95 respirator when working with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients; and recognized nurses right to use their clinical expertise when conducting a point-of-care risk assessment to determine the appropriate level of protection.

The agreement was enhanced this January, ensuring nurses are now automatically provided with an N95 respirator in defined situations.

Despite similar efforts by unions across the country, health-care workers have still been put at unacceptable risk, with implications for their families, patients and communities.

It took the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) until January 2021 to acknowledge what unions and many experts have said all along: health-care workers are at risk of airborne transmission when in close proximity to an infected person. Yet PHAC still does not require health-care workers in COVID-19 units and "hot zones" to wear protection from airborne transmission, such as N95 respirators.

Similarly, provinces across Canada have failed to update their guidance to adequately reflect what we now know about the virus and how its spreads. Only Quebec has followed the scientific evidence to its natural conclusion: as of Feb. 11, 2021, Quebec requires health-care workers in COVID-19 hot zones to wear an N95 respirator or superior level of protection.

As new variants circulate in Canada, dramatically increasing the rate of transmission, burned out health-care workers are under even more pressure. Without action, health staffing, which is already in short supply, could become depleted even further.

We must not let this happen.

We know from experts and evidence that there is a desperate need for more staff, not less. The long-standing cycle of budget cuts, short staffing and higher workloads has eroded the health-care workforce and quality of patient care. A major investment in the retention and recruitment of nurses is needed now, or it is likely we will see an exodus from the profession as burnout takes its toll.

Its time for governments across Canada to take their heads out of the sand and show their respect and appreciation for health-care workers. A good first step would be to act on our calls for better workplace safety and safe staffing.

Had decision-makers heeded nurses warnings prior to the pandemic, perhaps many more lives could have been saved.

Linda Silas is a nurse and president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions. Darlene Jackson is a registered nurse and president of the Manitoba Nurses Union.
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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Wen Fei, general manager of Haval, Great Wall Motor (GWM)'s SUV line, has been promoted to CEO of Shalong Zhixing, a smart EV brand that embodies the mission to help GWM speed up the transition to a global technology mobility company.



Local media outlets reported in last December GWM would launch an all-new upscale intelligent EV brand dubbed Shalong Zhixing (in Chinese), which is operated by Shanghai Shalong Zhixing Industry Co.,Ltd. Vehicles under the brand will be positioned above GWM's existing models.

Joining GWM in 2018, Wen Fei has served as the marketing deputy general manager, marketing general manager and general manager of Haval brand. Under his leadership, Haval made significant headway in expanding user base and improving user services.



Third-generation Haval H6; photo credit: Haval



In 2020, Haval rolled out a number of hotter-selling models, such as the third-generation Haval H6 and the Big Dog (in Chinese: Dagou). The brand sold 750,228 vehicles throughout the year. Notably, the Haval H6 was honored the best-selling SUV model in China for the eighth year in a row with an annual sales volume of 376,864 units.

To usher in the era of intelligence and electrification, many automakers opt to build their own upscale EV brands. For instance, Dongfeng Motor released the high-end EV marque VOYAH and the first mass-produced model FREE has gone into trial production; SAIC Motor launches the premium EV brand IM in tie-up with Alibaba Group; Changan Auto also announced a forthcoming upmarket EV brand co-developed with Huawei and CATL.
Vision Lithium (CVE: VLI- OTC: ABEPF) Executive Chairman Victor Cantore joined Steve Darling from Proactive with news the company is looking to do some serious exploration of their Sirmac Lithium Property, which is Northwest of Chibougamau, Quebec.

That exploration includes a host of new claims they have staked recently. Those new claims join the Main Lithium zone and East Lithium zone. Vision is planning groundwork this summer to search for new lithium discoveries.
A playful pygmy hippo nicknamed Bacon looked to be in her element as she was doused with spurts of water from a hosepipe.

The six-week-old was filmed at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, eastern Thailand.

She sat patiently as her handlers gave her a shower to keep cool in the searing heats of up to 86F (30C).

In the clip, filmed on February 26, Bacon can be seen sitting on a bed of vegetation near her six-year-old mother Kanya.

A cool jet of water squirts directly toward her body before she repositions her head to ensure she receives a thorough dousing all over.

Bacon tentatively sniffs at the spurt of water but then shuts her eyes as it rains gently down on her face.

The youngster was born at the sanctuary on January 14 and handlers are now appealing for the public to help officially name her.

A playful pygmy hippo nicknamed Bacon looked to be in her element as she was doused with spurts of water straight from a hosepipe at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand

The six-week-old sat patiently as her handlers gave her a shower to keep cool in the searing heats of up to 86F (30C)

So far Moo-Wan, or Bacon, is the favourite for the little hippopotamus.

The hippo's carer said: 'This little girl is full of energy. She has lots of personality. Everything is new to her, so she is curious and enjoys it, like when the water was being splashed on her. She's very playful, too.'

Khao Kheow Open Zoo is now home to ten hippos and eight pygmy hippos - which are one-tenth the size of their larger cousins.

Among them is the oldest hippopotamus in Thailand, Mali, at 55 years of age.


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The company said highlights of the trial data included a 24% reduction in all-cause mortality in patients treated with leronlimab versus placebo, as well as a reduction in the average length of hospital stay by 6 days and an improved probability of being discharged alive at Day 28

The trial data has been sent to the US, the UK and Canadian medicine regulators

CytoDyn Inc ( ) said a Phase III trial of its leronlimab treatment, known as Vyrologix, for severe-to-critical patients with coronavirus (COVID-19) has demonstrated continued safety, a substantial improvement in the survival rate, and faster hospital discharge in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

The biotechnology company said the trial data has been reported to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the UKs Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and Health Canada (HC), and that it is in discussions with each regulator to determine the best path forward for the approval of leronlimab for the treatment of COVID-19 in the critically ill population. A manuscript of the trials data is also being prepared and will be submitted for publication in one or more major medical journals.

Highlights of the trial data included a 24% reduction in all-cause mortality in patients treated with leronlimab versus placebo, as well as a reduction in the average length of hospital stay by six days and an improved probability of being discharged alive at Day 28.

CytoDyn also said that given the size of this critically ill population relative to the trials size (62 out of 384 patients), it 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 added that it has continued to enroll patients through the open-label arm of the CD12 trial and is working with regulators to expedite this process.

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 III 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, CytoDyn President and Chief Executive Nader Pourhassan said in a statement.

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, he added.

Regulatory updates

In a separate announcement, the company said that the MHRA has told the company it will accept more data from the open-label portion of the current CD12 trial, and that to date, an additional 46 patients have been enrolled, but the results have not yet been communicated to any agency.

CytoDyn also said it anticipates that a Health Canada Interim Order (IO) could allow it to sell leronlimab in Canada, while additional critical COVID-19 patients are enrolled. These discussions are ongoing, it said, adding that it has also initiated the process to submit an IO with Health Canada.

The group also confirmed that the FDA has received its protocol for enrolling 140 critically ill COVID-19 patients with the primary endpoint defined as the length of hospital stay.

CytoDyn added that it has performed an age adjustment analysis on its data for critically ill COVID-19 patients, which it said showed consistent numerical superiority over the placebo group, with some secondary endpoints approaching statistical significance.

We are grateful for the chance to help critically ill COVID-19 patients. We continue to be pleased with the results from over 80 EINDs, 394 patients in CD12, and another 46 patients in the continuation of CD12s open-arm access, as well as the results published in two different peer- reviewed journals, Pourhassan said.

I am humbled by comments from the families whose lives they believe were saved with leronlimab and we look forward to making leronlimab more readily available to treat patients with COVID-19 and many other indications we are working on. Im excited to address our investment community on Monday and to congratulate our entire extended team for their tireless support of the leronlimab program, the CEO added.

Contact the author at calum@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @Cal_Proac
She is known for her signature golden tresses.

And Gigi Hadid debuted her new strawberry blonde locks, thanks to an apparent Instagram Filter on Sunday, as she spent the day at home.

The supermodel, 25, worked her best angles in a series of stunning selfies posted to her social media account.

New look! Gigi Hadid debuted her strawberry blonde locks, thanks to an apparent Instagram Filter on Sunday, as she spent the day at home

She tucked pastel blue clips into her transformed locks which complemented her bright blue eyes.

Gigi decorated her neck with a gold necklace while sporting a black knitted jumper.

The new mother enhanced her visage with natural make-up as she captioned her Instagram upload with a strawberry emoji.

Earlier in March, Gigi firmly cemented her status as a supermodel as she returned to the runway, five months after giving birth to her daughter, Khai.

Strike her a pose: The supermodel, 25, rocked minimal make-up as she worked her best angles in a series of stunning selfies posted to her social media account

The fashionista stormed the catwalk at Versace's Milan Fashion Week autumn/ winter 2021 showcase alongside her younger sister Bella, 24, with the virtual pre-recorded show released on YouTube.

The fashion forward show was recorded on March 1 in the Italian city at the Milan Congress Center and released online on Friday, with the models since jetting off to other locations across the globe.

Rocking a ginger wig, Gigi showed off her incredible post-partum figure in a sheer chiffon dress which was emblazoned with Italian designer's signature Greca motif.

The top half of the dress clung to Gigi's slender figure before it billowed out in a floor length skirt that came complete with a sexy thigh-high slit and dramatic train which Gigi flicked into the air when the camera was on her.

She's still got it! Earlier in March, Gigi firmly cemented her status as a supermodel as she returned to the runway for Versace, five months after giving birth to her daughter, Khai

The American beauty appeared in her element as she strutted down the catwalk in chunky black heels.

She teamed the racy dress, which had some jewel detailing on the bust, with a silk headscarf. Gigi later changed into a plunging black crop top, mini skirt and blazer.

Unlike previous years, designers have had to think of new ways to showcase their clothes in keeping with current health and safety guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Debuting the collection on Instagram, Versace wrote: 'The new Versace La Greca code features the Greek Key along with the Versace logo in various sizes and colour combinations. The geometric pattern has sharp angles, clean lines and a strong palette that represents power and self-confidence.'

Speaking of her vision for the show Donatella told Vogue: 'Models are like actors, they bring the designs to life, just like when a performer portrays a character.

'During the filming of this show I saw how important it is to give the models time to 'feel' the clothes they wear on the runway.

'Despite living in a digital era of immediacy, taking this time is crucial to form a genuine connection. This is what the present and future look like to me.'
ST. PAUL, Minn.  The Governor says more than 90% of Minnesota school districts and charters schools are now offering some form of in-person learning to students.

Across the state, Minnesotas students are heading back to the classroom. As a former classroom teacher of more than 20 years and as a parent, I know how critical in-person learning is to a childs wellbeing, and I am proud of this milestone, says Governor Tim Walz. With more than one million Minnesotans vaccinated against COVID-19 and our students back in the classroom, the light at the end of this pandemic grows brighter every day.

Governor Walz in February relaxed the states COVID safety rules to allow all middle and high school students to return to the classroom for hybrid or in-person learning.

Walz announced on Saturday that nearly 55% of Minnesotas educators, school staff, and child care providers have received the COVID-19 vaccine, and that more than one million Minnesotans have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, including 61.7% of Minnesotans aged 65 and older.
St Pauls Cathedral, which hosted the marriage of Charles and Diana back in the previous century, famously survived the Blitz intact  while all around it, buildings were levelled by German bombs.

There's little chance Britain's royal family  aka The Firm  will emerge similarly unscathed after the bombs dropped during Oprah with Meghan and Harry, broadcast on CBS in the US on Sunday night and showing on RTE2 at 9.30pm tonight.

Inevitably, the way the programme is received in America and other countries, including Ireland, will be very different to how it goes down in the UK. If you want to take the temperature of the gammon demographic, its commander-in-chief Piers Morgan spent most of today's edition of Good Morning Britain bellowing about how Meghan and Harry had trashed the royal family and disrespected the Queen.

In fact, if you watch the entire thing for yourself  and it really is a compelling piece of television, whatever your views of the monarchy or Meghan and Harry  you'll find neither of them has anything but affection and praise for the Queen. She's about the only member of "the institution", as the pair of them call it, that comes out of it looking good.

It starts gently enough. There's even room for a little humour as Meghan, who Oprah interviews alone for the first hour, recalls having to learn how to curtsy five minutes before meeting her future mother-in-law for the first time.

Ten minutes in, however, the revelations begin. And they just keep on coming. We learn that the couple were married in secret by the Archbishop of Canterbury in their "backyard" three days before the formal ceremony.

Read More

Meghan reveals that the story of how she made Kate Middleton cry during a row over the flower girls' dresses for the wedding was false. "The reverse happened," she says. Kate was angry over something, but Meghan was the one who ended up in tears. Kate apologised soon after, even giving her flowers.

She says she's forgiven Kate, but the damage was done. "Everyone in the institution knew it wasn't true," she says, yet none of them came forward to say that publicly. This, she says, was "a turning point".

The spectre of Princess Diana hangs over the encounter throughout, but never more heavily than when Harry joins them for the second hour. When Meghan talks about being "trapped" inside for months on end, unable to meet or speak to friends, and about being "silenced", it all sounds grimly familiar.

The theme of not being supported or protected by the royal family crops up again and again, not least when they talk about the barely-disguised racism of the UK tabloids' coverage of Meghan. Seeing dozens of headlines flash up on screen, you're reminded of just how disgusting and offensive the coverage was.

Seventy-two MPs condemned what they called the tabloids' "colonial coverage" of Meghan, yet nobody inside the institution, says Harry, spoke out about it once during a three-year barrage. Clearly, this hurt and angered him.

The two biggest revelations have already flashed around the world ahead of tonight's Irish and UK broadcasts of the programme. The first is that the relentless, negative coverage and the lack of support from inside Buckingham Palace drove Meghan to thoughts of suicide while pregnant with their son Archie.

"I just didn't want to be alive anymore," she says. Her pleas to be let seek psychiatric help were rejected by several senior people inside the royal circle, on the grounds it wouldn't "look good" for the institution.

"You have no idea what's going on for people behind closed doors," she says. I think we do now.

The second big bombshell, and one that's likely to leave a stain on the royals that will never be washed out, comes when the couple talk about the "conversations" that were had in the upper echelons of the family about the as-yet unborn Archie's skin colour.

These were relayed to Harry by a member of the family, and he then relayed them to his wife. Neither is prepared to say who it was, and never will.

There's a lot more in the two hours, including Harry speaking frankly, and with obvious distress, about his fractured relationship with his brother and father, who stopped taking his calls for a time. He also talks about how they and every other member of the family are "trapped", just as he was.

A long time ago, Princess Diana, in a bombshell interview of her own, painted a vivid picture of the royal family as being insular, uptight, out of touch, cruel, unfeeling and dysfunctional. You come away from Oprah with Meghan and Harry feeling that none of them have learned anything in the decades since.
A few days before the presidential election, the leadership of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project gathered at the Utah home of Steve Schmidt, one of the groups co-founders, and listened as he plotted out the organizations future.

None of the dissident Republican consultants who created the Lincoln Project a year earlier had imagined how wildly successful it would be, pulling in more than $87 million in donations and producing scores of viral videos that doubled as a psy-ops campaign intended to drive President Donald J. Trump to distraction. Confident that a Biden administration was on the horizon, Mr. Schmidt, a swaggering former political adviser to John McCain and Arnold Schwarzenegger, pitched the other attendees on his post-Trump vision for the project over a breakfast of bagels and muffins. And it was ambitious.

Five years from now, there will be a dozen billion-dollar media companies that dont exist today, he told the group, according to two people who attended. I would like to build one, and would invite all of you to be part of that.

In fact, Mr. Schmidt and the three other men who started the Lincoln Project  John Weaver, Reed Galen and Rick Wilson  had already quietly moved to set themselves up in the new enterprise, drafting and filing papers to create TLP Media in September and October, records show. Its aim was to transform the original project, a super PAC, into a far more lucrative venture under their control.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The economic benefits of conserving or restoring natural sites "outweigh" the profit potential of converting them for intensive human use, according to the largest-ever study comparing the value of protecting nature at particular locations with that of exploiting it.

A research team led by the University of Cambridge and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) analysed dozens of sitesfrom Kenya to Fiji and China to the UKacross six continents. A previous breakthrough study in 2002 only had information for five sites.

The findings, published in the journal Nature Sustainability, come just weeks after a landmark report by Cambridge Professor Partha Dasgupta called for the value of biodiversity to be placed at the heart of global economics.

For the latest study, scientists calculated the monetary worth of each site's "ecosystem services", such as carbon storage and flood protection, as well as likely dividends from converting it for production of goods such as crops and timber.

The team initially concentrated on 24 sites and compared their "nature-focused" and "alternative" states by working out the annual net value of a range of goods and services for each site under each state, then projected the data over the next 50 years.

A major economic benefit of natural habitats comes from their regulation of the greenhouse gases driving climate change, including the sequestration of carbon.

Assuming each tonne of carbon carries a cost of $31 to global societya sum many scientists now consider conservativethen over 70% of the sites have greater monetary value as natural habitats, including 100% of forest sites.

If carbon is assigned the paltry cost of $5 a tonne, 60% of the sites still provide greater economic benefit when unconverted or restored to natural habitats. Even if carbon is removed completely from calculations, researchers found that almost half (42%) of the 24 sites are still worth more to us in their natural form.

"Stemming biodiversity loss is a vital goal in itself, but nature also fundamentally underpins human wellbeing," said lead author Dr. Richard Bradbury from the RSPB, and honorary fellow at the University of Cambridge.

"We need nature-related financial disclosure, and incentives for nature-focused land management, whether through taxes and regulation or subsidies for ecosystem services."

Andrew Balmford, Professor of Conservation Science at the University of Cambridge and senior author of the research, said: "Current rates of habitat conversion are driving a species extinction crisis unlike anything in human history."

"Even if you are only interested in dollars and cents, we can see that conserving and restoring nature is now very often the best bet for human prosperity. The findings echo at an operational scale the overall conclusions drawn by the Dasgupta Review," he said.

A decade ago, the scientists devised TESSA (Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment), enabling users to measure and where possible assign a monetary value to services provided by a site under natureclean water, nature-based recreation, crop pollination, and so onand when it is converted for farming or other human uses.

The new study synthesises results from 62 applications of TESSA around the world: 24 sites with relatively detailed economic data, and a further 38 with enough data to gauge whether services would increase or decrease following conversion of the site.

Most sites were either forest or wetland. For natural habitats, researchers looked at similar near-by locations where conversion had occurred, and compared economic outputsincluding those driving the conversionin both areas. At sites already "modified" by humans, existing outputs were compared to the value if the site was restored to nature.

For example, scientists using TESSA discovered that if Nepal's Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park lost its protection and was converted from forest to farmland, it would cut carbon storage by 60% and reduce water quality by 88%, along with other costs, leaving an $11m a year deficit.

TESSA also revealed that Hesketh Out Marsha saltmarsh near Preston, UKis worth over $2000 per hectare annually in emissions mitigation alone, outweighing any forgone income from crops or grazing.

In fact, conserved or restored habitats were strongly associated with greater overall "net present value" in 75% of the 24 main sites when compared with their human-dominated alternative state.

Researchers also divided goods and services into those that are a common resource and the "private and toll" goods of benefit to only a few people. The value of common goods was greater for natural habitats in 92% of the 24 sites.

Habitats even provided greater economic benefits in terms of some private goodse.g. harvested wild plantsin 42% of the main sites. "People mainly exploit nature to derive financial benefits. Yet in almost half of the cases we studied, human-induced exploitation subtracted rather than increased economic value," said study co-author Dr. Kelvin Peh of the University of Southampton.

Where economic gains from private goods were higher in the human-modified alternative state, it was from high price "commodity crops" such as cereal and sugar. However, in many sites currently suffering degradation caused by farming rubber, tea and cocoa, overall financial value would be higher if they had stayed as natural habitats.

For the remaining 38 sites with limited data, overall provision of all goods and services was greater when sites were in the natural state for 66% of them, and at least equal with the alternative state in the rest.

Results for the best-studied sites are likely to be conservative, say scientists. Many ecosystem services were not easily evaluated economically, yet data across all 62 sites shows they were typically delivered at a much higher level by natural habitats. Taking their value into consideration would "make the economic case for conservation overwhelming."

Study co-author Anne-Sophie Pellier from BirdLife International added: "Our results add to evidence that conserving and restoring key biodiversity areas makes sense not only to safeguard our natural heritage, but also by providing wider economic benefits to society."

Explore further Putting a value on what nature does for us

More information: The economic consequences of conserving or restoring sites for nature, Nature Sustainability (2021). dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41893-021-00692-9 Journal information: Nature Sustainability The economic consequences of conserving or restoring sites for nature,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-021-00692-9
[March 08, 2021] FORESEE SPI NAND from Longsys, Featuring High Efficiency and Outstanding Stability, Fully Supports Smart Home Development

SHENZHEN, China, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2021, FORESEE brand from Longsys launched FORESEE SPI NAND in global. It is mainly utilized in smart home applications (such as AI speakers and smart access control) and other electronic fields. Like other micro storage products, FORESEE SPI NAND has received AVL approval for more than 100 master-control models from 25 master platforms. The NAND Flash product has been fully tested with over 80 sub-tests and has been both widely accepted and well received by customers. In terms of practical use, FORESEE SPI NAND features outstanding stability and superb performance. Take, for example, the smart home applications of FORESEE SPI NAND. Thousands of homes have been turned into smart homes. Various smart products such as smart access control, speakers, panels, and air conditioners are favored by consumers. When a smart home product is in operation, memory devices collect sensor data and transmit that data to control elements. These devices play a key role in the stable and smooth operation of such products. Uner these situations, FORESEE SPI NAND is most definitely a new choice for smart home memory devices. FORESEE SPI NAND's WSON-8 package takes up less space and can therefore be used in a greater amount of smaller smart products. It also supports OTP and provides customers with greater security data storage capacity. In addition, this product is equipped with ECC (error correction code) to ensure efficient data transmission and data security.



With operating temperatures as low as -40C and as high as 85C, FORESEE SPI NAND meets the temperature requirements for industrial-grade products. It is available in capacities ranging from 1 to 4Gbit, which satisfies different customer capacity needs and results in it being widely used. In addition to extensive applications in the smart home field such as smart access control, smart hardware, and AI speakers, FORESEE SPI NAND is also widely used in many other fields such as routers, PONs, and IPCs.

As one of the FORESEE micro storage products, FORESEE SPI NAND is the embodiment of FORESEE's superior quality control and assurance, and can provide stable and high-quality service to global customers. It is for these reasons that FORESEE SPI NAND has been well received by customers all around the world. FORESEE will also continue to increase its R&D efforts to provide more high-quality products to customers worldwide. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/foresee-spi-nand-from-longsys-featuring-high-efficiency-and-outstanding-stability-fully-supports-smart-home-development-301241840.html SOURCE Shenzhen Longsys Electronics Co. Ltd

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NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- To mark International Women's Day, Plan International USA (Plan) and the Always brand are releasing a new report entitled, Menstrual Health & Hygiene "It's Time to Talk." The findings indicate 85% of girls and young women agree that if they heard others talking openly about periods, they would feel more confident about their own. In the U.S., people are more comfortable talking openly about sex, STDs, politics, and family issues than they are about periods.

"It is hard to believe how much shame and secrecy there is worldwide around something as normal as periods," says Tessie San Martin, President and CEO of Plan. "Menstruation should be a subject that is spoken about openly and intentionally to help educate and empower young people. Yet, in this report, we see that the lingering taboos around periods compromise a young person's confidence during puberty, a formative time in their lives."

The report, which sheds light on the negative effects of period stigma in society, is a compilation of newly uncovered data and in-depth historical research and analysis conducted by Always and their research partners throughout the years. It underscores the importance of having open conversations about periods and offers educational guidance to facilitate discussions that help eradicate period stigma.

"This newly released report by Plan International USA and Always confirms what many of us have known for years: that period stigma inflicts serious harm on young women," said Representative Grace Meng (D-NY) who is expected to reintroduce the Menstrual Equity for All Act. "For too long, periods were only spoken about in secret or in whispers; it was mere bathroom talk or something to be embarrassed about. We must be able to talk about periods freely and without shame. We must be able to name it and discuss it  so that we can address the injustices of period poverty. After all, period poverty impacts so many facets of our society  from education to housing, and from our daily livelihoods to our workplaces. Access to safe and affordable menstrual products is a basic need and a healthcare right for over half of our population; it is a human right."

Data gleaned from this report include:

2 in 5 young people don't feel prepared for their first period.

1 in 4 young people don't know why some people get periods and how to manage them.

58% of young girls lose confidence at puberty and starting their period marks girls' lowest point in confidence during their teenage years.

Since the pandemic, nearly 1 in 4 women are worried about their ongoing ability to afford period products, rising to nearly 1 in 3 among parents. More than 1 in 3 young people have been shamed or teased because of their period.

"For more than 35 years, Always has been committed to providing free educational resources and creating positive social norms around menstruation to ensure young people, and their supporters, are prepared to navigate puberty with confidence," says Jennifer Davis, President P&G Feminine Care. "This report further highlights the critical need to continue to elevate this issue and ensure that everyone is equipped with the information needed to have period conversations. By talking openly about periods, we can normalize what is in fact a normal part of life."

The report also highlights the fact that nearly 3 out of 4 young women believe that boys and men need to be involved in the conversation about periods to encourage all of society to get involved, thus reconfirming that everyone has a role to play in challenging period stigma.

Other key actions identified as critical to ending period stigma and period poverty by 2030 include:

Improving the intentionality and standards of period health and education across the U.S.

Continue addressing the lack of access to period products that too many people still face today.

Elevating the voices of young people who are already leading the charge against period shame.

Always and Plan have joined forces to Lead with Love with Acts of Good in support of equality. To help provide a place for these period conversations, Plan USA and Always have enabled a website where people can go to share their period stories and experiences. For every story shared from International Women's Day, March 8th, to Menstrual Hygiene Day, May 28th, Always and Plan USA will donate a pack of Always to those in need. You can go to www.planusa.org/its-normal-period to participate.

To learn more, the Menstrual Health & Hygiene "It's Time to Talk" Executive Summary can be found at always.com/ItsTimeToTalk.

About the research

Menstrual Health & Hygiene "It's Time to Talk" Report is based on 11 studies fielded in the U.S. between 2014 and 2020, by independent research agencies, including Glocalities, an international research agency specialized in consumer values. The most recent survey was conducted in partnership with Plan International.

About Always

Always, the world's leader in menstrual protection, offers a wide range of pads, wipes, and liners designed to fit different body types, period flows, and preferences. For over 35 years, Always has been empowering millions of girls globally through puberty and confidence education, providing products to those in need, and tackling societal barriers to their confidence through the Always #LikeAGirl movement. Together, Always believes we can create a world where neither periods nor gender get in the way of young people reaching their full potential. Please visit www.always.com for more information.

About Plan International

Powered by supporters, Plan International USA partners with adolescent girls, young women and children around the world to overcome oppression and gender inequality, providing the support and resources that are unique to their needs and the needs of their communities, ensuring they achieve their full potential with dignity, opportunity and safety. Founded in 1937, Plan is an independent development and humanitarian organization that is active in more than 80 countries.

SOURCE Plan International USA

Related Links

http://www.always.com


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Henrikh Mkhitaryan declines Zenit's and Monaco's offers
Tax services integration transfers data between Waves software and Block Advisors small business certified tax pros



KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paperwork, tracking income and expenses, and other accounting tasks arent likely why small business owners started their businesses, but complete bookkeeping records are as important to small business owners filing accurate taxes. Now, a new capability integrates access to Block Advisors small business certified tax pros with Wave, a software used by small businesses for accounting, invoicing, payments, and payroll.

Block Advisors, a team within H&R Block (NYSE: HRB), and Wave Financial Inc., a subsidiary of H&R Block, bring the ability for small businesses to file their taxes easily with automatic transfers of their bookkeeping and accounting data from their Wave account to a Block Advisors small business certified tax pro. For small business owners choosing to do their own taxes, the new feature also imports business income and expenses directly into Block Advisors online DIY software.

Managing and organizing finances throughout the year is a pain point for many small business owners, said Ian Hardman, vice president and GM of small business at H&R Block. These ambitious and determined small business owners have built their businesses from the ground up and new features like our Tax Services Integration with Wave are meant to ease administrative burdens, so they can keep focusing on growing their businesses and doing what they love.

Throughout the year, Wave customers create detailed bookkeeping and accounting data including business income and expense records. The seamless transfer of data from their accounting records to a tax pro can save time and effort for small business owners, especially during a time when they are managing hardships stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

Wave was created to remove the complexity of managing finances for small business owners, said Kirk Simpson, co-founder and CEO of Wave. Now, customers who have been using our platform to manage their finances can transition quickly into tax season with help from Block Advisors. Were supporting small business owners from initial transaction through tax filing, while delivering a best-in-class accounting to tax solution for small businesses.

To learn more about Block Advisors and H&R Blocks year-round support for small businesses, visit blockadvisors.com . To learn more about Waves all-in-one accounting and business banking system, visit waveapps.com .

Our small business tax professional certification is awarded by Block Advisors, a part of H&R Block, based upon successful completion of proprietary training. Our Block Advisors small business services are available at participating Block Advisors and H&R Block offices nationwide.

About H&R Block

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) provides help and inspires confidence in its clients and communities everywhere through global tax preparation, financial products, and small business solutions. The company blends digital innovation with the human expertise and care of its associates and franchisees as it helps people get the best outcome at tax time, and better manage and access their money year-round. Through Block Advisors and Wave, the company helps small business owners thrive with disruptive products like Wave Money, a small business banking and bookkeeping solution, and the only business bank account to manage bookkeeping automatically. For more information, visit H&R Block News or follow @HRBlockNews on Twitter. Our small business tax professional certification is awarded by Block Advisors, a part of H&R Block, based upon successful completion of proprietary training.

About Wave Financial

Wave Financial Inc (waveapps.com) combines powerful financial tools with no-fee business banking designed especially for service-based small businesses. Waves comprehensive platform includes accounting, invoicing, payroll and payments software solutions, as well bookkeeping services. Wave Money, a no-fee business bank account, provides small business owners with quick access to payments, automates bookkeeping and creates accurate records ready for tax time. Over 400,000 small businesses rely on Wave as their smart money management solution. Wave has won awards for growth, innovation and company culture, including Deloitte Fast 50, Deloitte North American Fast 500, KPMG Fintech 100, CB Insights Fintech 250, Canadian Innovation Awards (Financial Services), Canadas Best Workplaces and many more. Wave is a subsidiary of H&R Block.

For further information

H&R Block Media Relations: Angela Davied | 816-854-5798 | angela.davied@hrblock.com

Wave Financial Media Relations: Marsh Abraham | 416-986-0752 | mabraham@waveapps.com
Chinas state-owned broadcaster has been fined 225,000 by broadcasting watchdog Ofcom.

The fine comes after the UK regulator stripped China Global Television Network (CGTN) of its UK broadcasting licence.

BBC World News was later banned by China after the country threatened to retaliate.

An Ofcom spokeswoman said: Weve today fined Star China Media Limited a total of 225,000 for serious breaches of our fairness, privacy and due impartiality rules on its CGTN service.

Expand Close BBC World News has been banned by China (Ian West/PA) PA / Facebook

Twitter

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Whatsapp BBC World News has been banned by China (Ian West/PA)

Ofcoms latest decision comes after Peter Humphrey, a British investigator, complained to UK regulators about Chinese state TV.

He complained that programmes included footage of him which made it appear, falsely, that he was voluntarily confessing to crimes.

Mr Humphrey and his wife were detained during a probe into corruption at pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline.

He said he became collateral damage in a wider dispute between the company and the Chinese authorities.

After being released from prison, he told the BBC: I was constantly harassed in prison over signing a thing they call an admission of guilt and a statement of remorse.

I never signed those documents because I did not admit to having committed that offence as charged.

Ofcom has fined the broadcaster 100,000 after upholding Humphreys fairness and privacy complaint, and 125,000 is in respect of due impartiality breaches in its coverage of the Hong Kong protests.
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(Natural News) Japan has asked China to stop its practice of anal swabbing on Japanese citizens to obtain samples for COVID-19 testing. The request came after a number of Japanese based in China complained of psychological pain stemming from the procedure. China began obtaining samples for COVID-19 testing from the anal region in late January 2021, saying that samples obtained from the rectal area register better results.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters during a March 1 news conference: Some Japanese reported to our embassy in China that they received anal swab tests, which causes a great psychological pain. Kato said that it was not known how many Japanese citizens underwent anal swabbing, adding the Japanese government has not received a response if the testing will be changed. Because of this, he remarked that Tokyo will continue to request that the manner of COVID-19 sample collection be revised.

Beijing first started obtaining samples from the rectal area in late January following a nine-year-old boy who tested positive for the Wuhan coronavirus. The Chinese capital began using the method more frequently to ensure no potential carriers remain undetected, with some cities following suit. To conduct anal swabbing, the swab needs to be inserted about three to five centimeters into the rectum and rotated several times. The swab is then removed after the motion is done twice and placed inside a sample container.

Japanese citizens were not the only ones subjected to this intrusive method of sample collection. The week before, American diplomats based in China claimed they were forced to take anal swab tests for COVID-19. The U.S. government complained about the undignified procedure and told diplomatic staff to decline if asked to take one.

A U.S. source said the State Department never agreed to this kind of testing. They added that a protest was issued to the [Chinese] Ministry of Foreign Affairs upon learning that some staff were subjected to it.

Beijing claimed that the swabbing on U.S. diplomats was done in error and that diplomatic personnel were exempt from the anal swab test. Currently, the test is mandatory for incoming travelers in some parts of China. However, Beijing has now denied any knowledge that it required U.S. diplomatic staff to undergo anal swabbing. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters in a daily news briefing: To my knowledge  China has never required U.S. diplomatic staff  to conduct anal swab tests. (Related: American diplomats in China were FORCED to take humiliating and invasive coronavirus anal swab tests.)

Wuhan coronavirus tests are just a cover for the actual plan to obtain genetic information

Beijing-based pulmonologist Li Tongzeng defended the use of anal swabbing to test for COVID-19. He said during an appearance in Chinese state television last month that traces of the Wuhan coronavirus in stool and anal swabs could remain detectable for a longer period compared to those from the respiratory tract.

But not all medical professionals are on the same boat as Li. The accuracy and efficiency of anal swabs remain points of contention among experts. Yang Zhanqiu of Chinas Wuhan University asserted that nasal and throat swabs remain the most efficient COVID-19 testing method. According to him, the coronavirus is proven to be contracted through the upper respiratory tract rather than the digestive system.

The deputy director of the universitys pathogen biology department told state-run paper Global Times: There have been cases concerning the coronavirus testing positive in a patients excrement, but no evidence has suggested it had been transmitted through ones digestive system.

But even more concerning is the fact that COVID-19 testing is a cover for something more sinister. The U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) warned that Chinas collection of health care data through swab tests such as those from the American diplomats undermine U.S. privacy and security. In a Feb. 1 fact sheet, the NSCC elaborated that China finds Americans genomic information valuable because of the populations ethnic diversity. Thus, the regime will resort to both legal and illegal means just to obtain this trove of data. (Related: ITS A SCAM: Communist China is collecting American DNA through coronavirus testing.)

Federal Bureau of Investigation Supervisory Special Agent Edward You said China aims to create a huge domestic database of Americans genetic information. The former biochemist turned federal agent told 60 Minutes: If they are now able to supplement that [database] with data from all around the world, its all about who gets the largest, most diverse data set. He continued: Theres a very uncomfortable truth that comes out. [In] the last decade or so, youll see that China has heavily invested  [to gain] access to our [genetic and health] data.

Visit Surveillance.news to find out how China is using COVID-19 testing to obtain important health data.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Globaltimes.cn

TheEpochTimes.com

DNI.gov [PDF]

CBSNews.com
The assumption by Harry that tax- payers would fund security after he and Meghan left the UK was branded arrogant and unworkable yesterday.

Former chief superintendent Dai Davies, who led the Metropolitan Polices royalty protection unit, said the couples plans were utterly unrealistic and could have put British police at risk.

UK officers cannot carry guns under US laws or access intelligence about potential threats.

Donald Trump, who was then president, made it clear the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would have no US-funded Secret Service bodyguards after the couple moved to California from Canada in March 2020.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, with her police protection officer and heavy security in Fiji

Harry told Oprah Winfrey they were informed at short notice that their Met police security detail would be cut off.

The prince said, Their justification was a change in status, adding that he pushed back.

Mr Davies said he was gobsmacked that the couple expected British taxpayers to pick up the bill  estimated at 4million a year.

He insisted: It shows you their naivety and sense of entitlement.

It was utterly unrealistic to think they could continue to have their royal protection team working in America  in fact it would have put their [police] lives at risk.

Prince Harry arrives in Scotland surrounded by his own security team which were cut off after his US move

There is a reciprocal agreement in place with the US for occasions like official state visits, but British officers couldnt just carry on working there, unable to bear firearms and with no access to integrated intelligence from the security services. It was unworkable.

He added: It was simply arrogant to presume they and their baby would get protection.

Russell Stuart, a former California State Guard officer turned celebrity bodyguard, pointed out that Harry and Meghan had increased their threat level by moving from Vancouver.

Former chief superintendent Dai Davies, who led the Metropolitan Polices royalty protection unit, described the couple's hopes of security in the US 'unworkable'

He said: This is America. Were a nation of gun owners, weve got a lot of weapons. Were ten times the population of Canada.

California is a much bigger place, its more dangerous, you have a lot more potential threats than back in Vancouver.

Initially when they went to Canada, the couples royal protection officers were given assistance by Canadian mounties, but this was only ever intended as an interim measure until other arrangements could be made.

The Canadian Government later confirmed it would stop providing security assistance to the family in keeping with their change in status.

Aside from the legal and practical difficulties of protecting a royal living abroad, the financial burden would have been astronomical.

The cost of a close protection team and static security at events was estimated at more than 1million a year when officers salary, overtime payments, overseas allowance, pensions, flights and accommodation costs were added up.

The couple told Oprah Winfrey they were informed at short notice their Met police security detail would be cut off

An armed team made up of at least six people including a principal personal protection officer and back up close protection officers accompanied the family at all times.

They work in pairs and if the couple travelled separately or attended separate engagements it required at least four of them to do the job as they work on relay shift patterns.

Many of the Scotland Yard officers who protected them had families in the UK and it would have been unfair to expect them to travel back and forth.

Such a vast expense would have been untenable at a time when Scotland Yard had already nearly doubled its flight budget to cover the escalating cost of protecting of globe-trotting Royals on official visits and holidays in 2019.
[March 08, 2021] Federal Direction Requires Prioritization of All K-12 and Child Care Teachers and Personnel for COVID-19 Vaccine

At the direction of the federal government, retailers participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program must prioritize the following individuals for vaccine appointments until further notice: teachers, school staff and child care workers who work in pre-primary, primary and secondary schools, as well as Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff and bus drivers) and

those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers. Publix will follow this new directive during its next COVID-19 vaccine scheduling opportunity in Florida, Wednesday, March 10. After those in the prioritized group are finished making appointments, any remaining appointments will be available to other eligible individuals. Johnson & Johnson vaccine Publix Pharmacy has received its first shipment of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. With this distribution, Publix will begin administering both the Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines in its Florida pharmacies. To allow eligible individuals to choose which vaccine they will receive, starting March 10, every Wednesday scheduling opportunity will be dedicated exclusively for appointments to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Eligibility In accordance with state and federal requirements, the following groups are currently eligible to receive vaccinations: all K-12 and child care teachers and personnel (the prioritized group referenced earlier); adults under the age of 65 who are determined to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 by a physician (a completed state of Florida form signed by a physician is required); health care professionals with direct patient contact and residents or staff members of long-term care facilities; individuals ages 50 and older who are firefighters or sworn law enforcement officers; and individuals ages 65 and older. Appointments Vaccinations are provided by appointment only, while supplies last, through the online reservation system at publix.com/covidvaccine. Appointments cannot be made by calling Publix or the Publix Pharmacy. The online reservation system will open Wednesday, March 10, at 7 a.m. Eastern time for any individual who meets state and federal requirements, with priority given to school and child care teachers and personnel as directed by the federal government. Appointments made on Wednesday March 10, will be to receive the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on either Saturday, March 13, or Sunday, March 14. Moving forward, eligible individuals can plan to access the online reservation system to make appointments as follows, as long as Publix continues to receive vaccine doses from the state and federal governments and barring unforeseen circumstances. Appointments may not be available in every county during every scheduling opportunity:







Scheduling opportunity Appointment days Vaccine provided Monday Wednesday - Friday Moderna Wednesday Saturday - Sunday Johnson & Johnson Friday Monday - Tuesday Moderna

Customers with appointments for their second dose of the Moderna vaccine are not impacted by any variations in scheduling opportunities and should arrive at the COVID-19 vaccine check-in area at their scheduled date and time. Required documentation Adults under the age of 65 who rely on the state's criteria of being extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 to be eligible are required to provide the completed official state form that can be found at the Florida Department of Health website and must be signed by a physician. Locations Publix administers the vaccines in all 43 Florida counties with Publix Pharmacy locations. Publix pharmacies have also administered the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible individuals in select Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia locations. The company continues to communicate with the states in its operating area to provide COVID-19 vaccinations as part of their distribution efforts. Costs and insurance Vaccinations are provided to eligible individuals, by appointment only, while supplies last, and at no cost to the individual. Customers with health insurance will need to bring their insurance card to their scheduled appointment. Medicare members should bring their red, white and blue Medicare Part B card. Customers without health insurance will need to provide their driver's license or Social Security number. The most up-to-date information about Publix's COVID-19 vaccination efforts can be found at publix.com/covidvaccine. Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 225,000 associates, currently operates 1,267 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. For 23 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. In addition, Publix's dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company's website, corporate.publix.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005244/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
(ANSA) - CROTONE, MAR 8 - A 26-year-old Sudanese man who came to Italy on a migrant boat last month was arrested Monday on suspicion of being one of the migrant detention camp guards who allegedly mistreat and torture would-be migrants in Libya each year.

Sabir Abdalla Ahmed has also been charged with conspiracy to favour illegal immigration.

Ahmed was rescued from a rickety migrant boat by an NGO ship in February.

Eye witnesses have accused him of being a people trafficker who physically abused and tortured them in a Libyan detention camp.

Ahmed was in the asylum seeker processing camp (CARA) at Isola Capo Rizzuto when he was arrested.

The Libyan camps have been denounced by human rights groups.

(ANSA).


With the arrival of Patch Tuesday for March, its time for me to urge you to again review how you handle updates from Microsoft  and hold off a bit before installing anything. By waiting a week or two, any earth-shattering side effects can be identified and workarounds found. (I give the same advice for the feature-release process. I normally wait until the next release is ready before I install the current one; its served me well to protect against side effects triggered by bad updates.)

So, before Microsofts patches arrive, heres what to do: click on Start, go to Settings, then Update and security, Windows update, and look for Advanced options. Scroll down to the section that says, Pause until and pull down the select date to choose a specific date for dealing with updates. It should be at least a week after Patch Tuesday to give us time to deal with any issues. I personally patch on weekends when I have more time to handle any side effects. I recommend something like March 27 as a good date to choose. By then, we will have identified any issues.

While most enterprises skip releases and only do them once a year (or longer), I find that my own machines ultimately patch better  and with fewer issues  if I keep to this delayed feature release installation process without completely skipping a release. Installing a feature release also refreshes the Windows updating components, which can fix quite a few update issues.

Case in point: I had a misbehaving workstation that threw off a Windows updating error and no amount of sfc/scannow or DISM commands would fix the underlying corruption causing the problem. I had two choices: An in-place upgrade over the top, or  since I was one version behind on the feature release  I could opt to use the Windows 10 software download page to fix the issue. I clicked on Update now and had the system upgrade itself to Windows 10 20H2, fixing the problem. I also got a machine that has refreshed Windows updating components ready to tackle future updates. Early on, installing these feature updates would reset printers, affect video, and, in general, make for a stressful time. But Microsoft apparently heard from enterprises that change for changes sake is not acceptable and made these releases relatively trouble-free.

That said, if you still run Windows 10 1909 on hardware with a Conexant audio driver, Microsoft is still unable to provide an automatic fix that lets you to move to either Win 10 2004 or 20H2. If youre in this boat, click on the Search box and type in device manager. Find the sound driver section and click on the > to expand the selections. Now, find the Conexant sound driver and right mouse click to uninstall it. Dont panic, once the feature release is installed it will put a proper driver back for your system. With the driver removed, go to the Windows 10 software download page and click the button to update now to install 20H2. If you are on 1909, the process may take some time  especially if you dont have an SSD drive. But once the install is complete, your system will automatically pick up the Conexant audio driver and be none the worse for wear.

Now that Im urging everyone to move to 20H2, I also want you to set the targetreleaseversion to 20H2. I recommend that you use the registry key method to keep your Windows 10 machine on 20H2 until you are ready to move to 21H1. While 21H1 wont be a large release, its still wise to avoid any potential blocking events that could impact your computer. As soon as its released, Ill report on any issues.

...About those Exchange attacks

While its smart for users to hold off on updating, it wasnt so wise to hold back on business patching last week. Microsofts on-premises email server, Microsoft Exchange, was hit by attacks. If you are a small business that still has an on-prem email server, you may have a big problem on your hands.

First, if you are running the out-of-date Small Business Server 2011, which includes Exchange 2010, theres good news: that older platform doesnt suffer from the vulnerabilities affecting Exchange 2013, 2016 and 2019. Microsoft released an out-of-band update for that platform on March 2, while attackers are actively going after those newer Exchange platforms. They all suffered from a vulnerability where attackers could  without authenticating on the machine  take over the system and possibly gain total access. Because most Microsoft mail servers set up Outlook Web Access over a web port (port 443) many servers were open to these attacks.

Microsoft originally said the attacks were targeted, not widespread. Whenever I see that, I translate it to mean that only large enterprises are getting targeted attacks and I have time to watch for side effects before installing updates. Well, the attackers soon went from targeted attacks to broadly going after anyone running an Exchange server.

Bottom line: if you are a small business owner who uses email and you have outsourced your IT operations, make sure to reach out to them and ask whether they need to review your mail server for possible intrusion. You may have to authorize your consultant to rebuild your mail server and change every password used on your systems to ensure that the attackers cant gain access.

To be clear, this only impacts businesses still hosting email on a standalone server, not email hosted on the cloud using Microsoft 365. If you are at all unsure, double-check to make sure you havent been impacted. Between the SolarWinds breach and now Exchange-gate, this has not been a banner year in security for businesses using Microsoft products.


Meghan, the wife of Britains Prince Harry, and her husband spoke to American Oprah Winfrey Sunday on American television.

Meghan accused Britains royal family of being worried about her sons skin color, and of causing her to have thoughts of harming herself. Meghan also said on the program that her requests for medical attention were refused.

Their discussion will be replayed in Britain on Monday.

Meghans mother is Black and her father is white. She said her son Archie had been denied the title of prince because of concerns about his race.

That was relayed to me from Harry, she said, saying that her concerns had been expressed to her husband and not to her. Neither Meghan nor Harry would say who had made the statements.

Harry said his family had cut them off financially. He also said his father Prince Charles refused to accept his telephone calls at one point.

Nearly three years since her 2018 wedding in Windsor Castle, Meghan described some members of the royal household as cruel, lying and racist.

She also accused Kate, wife of Harrys brother Prince William, of making her cry before her wedding. She said she had thoughts of suicide.

I just didnt want to be alive any more. And that was very clear and real and frightening, Meghan said.

Meghan was known as Meghan Markle before marrying Prince Harry. She became famous after appearing in the American TV program Suits.

The British royal family has not yet commented about the accusations.



Really let Down

Harry and Meghan, known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, announced in January 2020 that they would leave their royal duties. The move caused a crisis for the royal family.

Last month, Buckingham Palace confirmed the split would be permanent.

Harry is 36 years old. He said he and his wife had left royal duties because he was worried that Meghan might be driven to her death by Britains tabloid newspapers. His mother Diana died in a 1997 car crash as she was being chased by photographers.

What I was seeing was history repeating itself, but definitely far more dangerous  because then you add race in, and you add social media in, Harry said.

I had three conversations with my grandmother, and two conversations with my father before he stopped taking my calls. And then he said, can you put this all in writing? Harry said.

He felt really let down by his father.

Both Meghan and Harry said they did receive support from the queen.



Additional accusations

Meghan has been accused of bullying employees of the palace, a charge that appeared in British tabloids. Buckingham Palace said it would investigate the accusations.

Meghan told Winfrey that palace employees failed to protect her and lied to protect others.

It was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, Meghan said.

Meghan said she and Harry were not paid to talk to Winfrey.

The two also said that Meghan, who is pregnant with their second child, was expecting a girl.

The royal family has other problems. The largest is Prince Andrews friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, who was found guilty of sex crimes and later died in prison. That led Andrew, Harrys uncle, to be removed from royal duties.

Im Susan Shand.

The Associated Press and the Reuters News Agency reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

title  n. a name given to someone as a mark of honor, respect or to show their social rank

relay  v. to pass something from one person to another

cruel  adj. describing people wo hurt others and do not feel sorry about it

tabloid  n. a newspaper that that is about half the size of a regular newspaper and that usually has many photographs and stories about famous people and less serious news stories

conversation n. an informal talk involving two or a small group of people

bully  v. someone who frightens, hurts or threatens smaller or weaker people

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An American professor is facing criticism after suggesting that Korean women kept as sex slaves in wartime Japan willingly took part in sex work.

Harvard University professor J. Mark Ramseyer made the claims in a recently published paper. His arguments reject a wide body of research finding that so-called comfort women in Japan were forced to work as sex workers during World War II.

Historians say tens of thousands of women from around Asia -- many of them Korean -- were sent to military brothels to provide sex to Japanese soldiers during the war.

In the 1990s, women began speaking publicly about how they had been taken to comfort stations and forced to provide sexual services. They have shared their experiences of rape and abuse.

Ramseyer, however, argues that the women willingly entered into contracts as sex workers. His paper has intensified a political dispute between Japan and South Korea. South Korean leaders have long urged Japan to offer apologies and damages to the victims of sex slavery.

Both North and South Korea have spoken out against Ramseyers paper. Hundreds of scholars have signed letters condemning the paper, which was published online in December.

The paper was supposed to appear in the March issue of the International Review of Law and Economics. But the publication suspended the issue and released an expression of concern, saying the piece is under investigation.

Ramseyer is a professor of Japanese legal studies at Harvard Law School. He did not provide comments to Associated Press reporters.

Historians have raised major concerns about Ramseyers research. Scholars at Harvard and other universities have examined his sources and say there is no historical evidence of the sex worker contracts he describes.

Harvard historians Andrew Gordon and Carter Eckert have called for the article to be withdrawn. We do not see how Ramseyer can make credible claims  about contracts he has not read, the two said in a statement.

Alexis Dudden is a historian of modern Japan and Korea at the University of Connecticut. She said the article ignores many years of research.

Although some have pointed to freedom of scholarship to defend Ramseyer, Dudden argued that the article does not meet the requirements of academic integrity. She added: Its very clear from his writing and his sources that he has never seen a contract.

More than 1,000 economists have signed a letter condemning the paper. The letter said the article misuses economic theory as a cover to legitimize horrific atrocities. A separate group of historians on Japan issued a 30-page paper calling for the article to be withdrawn.

At Harvard, hundreds of students signed a letter demanding that Ramseyer apologize and calling on the university to answer the accusations against him.

A United Nations report from 1996 found that comfort women serving as sex slaves were taken through violence and coercion. A statement from Japan in 1993 admitted that women were taken against their own will, although the nations leaders later denied it.

In South Korea, activists denounced Ramseyer and called for his resignation. Chung Young-ai, South Koreas minister of gender equality and family, criticized the paper last week. She called it an attempt to distort (the facts about) the Japanese militarys comfort women.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

brothel  n. a place where people pay to have sex

comfort  n. a state or feeling of being less worried, upset, frightened, etc., during a time of trouble or emotional pain

source  n. someone or something that provides what is wanted or needed

credible  adj. able to be trusted or believed

scholar  n. someone who has studied a subject and knows a lot about it

integrity  n. honesty and the ability to do or know what is morally right

legitimize  v. to make something legal or acceptable

atrocity  n. a very cruel or terrible action

coerce  v. to persuade someone forcefully to do something that they are unwilling to do

distort  v. to change something so that it is false or wrong
New Delhi: India's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI), offering further cheer to women borrower on International Women's Day, has announced reduction of interest on home loans by further basis points.

"As we celebrate Women's Day, SBI is proud to announce additional concession of 5bps to women borrowers," a newspaper advertisement by SBI read.

SBI home loan now starts at interest starting as low as 6.70% per annum, while the bank commands a market share of 34% in the home loan segment.

SBI has also completely waived the processing fee till March 2021 for customers availing home loans in SBI approved projects. The Bank is also working on themes like focused development of the Home Loan business, refined analytics for boosting growth, easing home loan journey for customers, and post disbursal engagement with home loan customers.

In February 2021, State Bank of India (SBI) has reached another landmark by crossing the Rs. 5 trillion (5 Lakh crore) mark in its home loan business. The bank has set its sight on achieving a home loan AUM of Rs. 7 trillion by FY 2024.

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The Bank has also launched a new facility for new home loan customers who can get all information on home loans by giving a missed call on 7208933140.
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Hyderabad, March 8 : Telangana's Minister for Industry and Information Technology K.T.Rama Rao on Monday said the state government is giving priority to education sector and it has taken several steps during the last six years.

The Minister said the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government has set up 672 gurukuls to provide quality education to the students belonging to the marginalised sections.

KTR, as the Minister is popularly known, claimed that the government is spending about Rs 1.20 lakh on each student in 970 gurukuls of the state.

A total of four lakh thirty thousand students are pursuing their studies in these gurukuls.

KTR, who is also the working president of TRS, was addressing heads of various educational institutions and teachers' associations at ST. Mary's Pharmacy College, Secunderabad as part of the party's campaign for March 14 election to Hyderabad-Rangareddy-Mahabubnagar graduates' constituency of Telangana Legislative Council.

KTR alleged that the Centre has done injustice to Telangana even in the educational sector.

He pointed out that the TRS government has allocated Rs 350 crore to construct permanent buildings to 240 Gurukula. He also mentioned that the TRS government is providing the post-matric scholarships to 15 lakh students in the State.

The TRS leader said in the last 6 years, the State government spent about Rs 12,800 crore on fee reimbursement.

The government also paid off old arrears of Rs 1,800 crore towards fee reimbursement accumulated for four years before formation of Telangana state.

The government revised mess charges from school to university level which benefited 18 lakh students.

"The government has set up 53 Degree colleges, 11 polytechnic colleges in the state in the past six years. In 65 years, before Telangana formation five government medical colleges were set up. But within six years, we set up five new government medical colleges," he said.

KTR stated that about 3850 students were provided with overseas scholarships.

With the budget of Rs 250 crore, the government has set up study circles at district levels which are being utilized by civil services aspirants in the State.

To strengthen the educational sector, the government has filled 133,000 jobs of which 19,200 posts were of teachers, said the minister.

He accused the BJP and Congress parties of mudslinging inspite of the government filling many government posts.

KTR mentioned that revolutionary policies like TS-iPASS succeeded in attracting major investments to the state. Through this policy, 15,000 companies were set up creating about 15 lakh jobs in the region. Huge investments were brought to the State through TS-iPass, he added.
Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that President Joe Biden has not taken questions from reporters in a solo news conference since being inaugurated because his staff doesnt have faith he could handle it.

The pressure is mounting when you have even left wing outlets calling him out for this, McEnany told Fox Business Network on Friday.

I would say its extraordinary for him not to have taken questions.

In the six weeks since Biden took the oath of office, he has yet to stage a news conference on his own.

Each of his 15 predecessors in the White House, including McEnanys former boss, Donald Trump, held a full news conference within their first 33 days of being sworn in.

Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany (left) said that President Joe Biden (right) has not taken questions from reporters in a solo news conference since being inaugurated because his staff doesnt have faith he could handle it

Biden has been in office for 47 days.

Trump took questions from reporters at a news conference on February 16, 2017 - less than four weeks after his inauguration.

Trumps predecessor, Barack Obama, held his first news conference as president on February 9, 2009 - less than three weeks after he moved in to the White House.

In response to the growing pressure for Biden to appear before reporters, the White House on Friday announced that the president would hold a news conference by the end of the month.

'We look forward to holding a full press conference in the coming weeks before the end of the month,' McEnanys successor, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, told reporters at the press briefing on Friday.

'And we're working on setting a final date for that and as soon as we do we will let you all know.'

McEnany said that Bidens staffers are deliberately muzzling the president - similar to how his aides handled the recent presidential campaign.

The basement strategy is what he employed on the campaign trail, McEnany told Fox Business.

Former President Donald Trump (left) took questions from reporters at a news conference on February 16, 2017 - less than four weeks after his inauguration. Trumps predecessor, Barack Obama (right), held his first news conference as president on February 9, 2009 - less than three weeks after he moved in to the White House

He went something like 50 days and he only took questions twice, McEnany said.

And when he did, they were hand-picked questions.

The former press secretary-turned-Fox News contributor thinks that Biden is being shielded from the media due to his staff.

I think his staff does not have faith that he can stand at the podium and have a press conference the way President Trump did many times, she said.

McEnany thinks that Biden actually enjoys speaking to the press.

I don't think this is President Biden saying, I don't want to do this, she said.

I think it's those around him recognizing when he does speak, it doesn't always turn out so well, like calling Republicans Neanderthals, as he did recently in the Oval Office.

Psaki on Friday defended Bidens use of the phrase neanderthal thinking, which he used on Wednesday when he criticized the governors of Texas and Mississippi for lifting COVID-19 restrictions in their states.

Asked about it during Thursday's press briefing, Psaki said Biden was describing 'the behavior of a neanderthal. Just to be very clear. The behavior of.'

In response to the growing pressure for Biden to appear before reporters, the White House on Friday announced that the president would hold a news conference by the end of the month. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki (seen above at the White House on Thursday) is pictured

McEnany hit out at Biden for reacting on Wednesday to Texas and Mississippi reopening and killing off mask mandates by calling it a 'big mistake.' Biden added: 'The last thing we need is neanderthal thinking'

'Look, I think the president, what everybody saw yesterday, was a reflection of his frustration and exasperation, which I think many American people have, that for almost a year now people across the country have sacrificed.'

Biden and members of his administration have implored Americans to wear masks and stay socially distant as the country's population get vaccinated against COVID-19.

'And many times they haven't had the information they need from the federal government,' she continued. 'They haven't had access to a greater understanding of what the public health guidelines should look like. And those include many, many people in Mississippi and Texas, in Ohio, Florida, in every state across the country.'

Biden said 'the last thing we need is neanderthal thinking' on the heels of Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announcing that their state would no longer mandate mask-wearing and businesses could reopen to full capacity.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey broke with Republican governors in Texas and Mississippi and announced Thursday that she'll extend a mask mandate until April 9

Texas Gov Greg Abbott (right) and Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves (left) both announced on that their states would end mask mandates and reopen businesses without capacity limitations

On Thursday, another southern Republican governor, Alabam's Kay Ivey, extended her state's mask mandate for another month and five days.

Psaki told DailyMail.com that she was unaware Ivey's decision came from direct White House pressure.

'I'm not aware of a direct conversation between them today,' she said during Thursday's briefing.

She also couldn't answer if Biden had made calls to additional Republican governors who may be flirting with reopening their states.

Biden's 'neanderthal' dig was met with furor.

'President Biden said allowing Mississippians to decide how to protect themselves is "neanderthal thinking,"' Reeves tweeted Wednesday.

'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.'

Later on Fox News Channel, Reeves said that Biden needed to 'get outside of Washington, DC, and actually travel to middle America.'
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry today revealed their second child is a girl and is due to be born this summer, during their bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who now live in Montecito, California, said they are preparing to welcome a sister for their 22-month-old son Archie later this year.

Harry, 36, joined his 39-year-old wife for the second half of the bombshell interview on CBS with Oprah, and excitedly told the chat show host: 'It's a girl.'

He said his first thought was 'amazing' when he learned they were having a girl, adding: 'Just grateful. To have any child, any one or any two, would have been amazing.

'But to have a boy and then a girl, I mean what more can you ask for? Now we've got our family, we got the four of us and our two dogs.'

While the couple made no hint of what their daughter's name would be, fans are already speculating that they will call her Diana, after Harry's late mother.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry revealed their second child is a girl during their interview

Asked if they were 'done' with two children, Harry said 'done' and Meghan said: 'Two is it.' She also confirmed the baby is due in the 'summertime'.

The girl will not be entitled, at this stage, to be an HRH nor a princess due to rules set out more than 100 years ago by George V - but this is the same as what would have happened pre-Megxit.

The baby is entitled to be a Lady, but Harry and Meghan will again opt to style their second-born a plain Miss, with the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.

The couple announced on Valentines Day last month that they are expecting a second child, saying they were 'overjoyed' at their pregnancy.

If born in the US, the baby will be entitled to US citizenship as an automatic right, and will have dual citizenship through her father. She will also be able to run for US presidency if born on US soil.

Frenzied fans were quick to speculate on the future baby girl's name, with many hoping Harry and Meghan would honour his late mother's memory by calling the child Diana.

'A mini Diana for Meghan and Harry,' one fan rejoiced.

'Diana?', simply asked another.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released this picture last month to announce they are expecting their second child

'I hope they name their baby girl Diana,' another,' another wrote.

'Plot Twist.... Please name her Alexandra Diana Mountbatten Windsor,' said one.

'Name the baby Diana,' another simply said.

A creative fan said the couple could go for 'Spencer Markle,' in order to switch things up, referencing the late Lady Diana's maiden name.

Bookies have started taking odds on what the name of Archie sibling would be, with Diana coming in first position as well, before Alexandra and Florence, Arabella and Elizabeth.

Bookmakers Ladbrokes had said at the time that the chances of Harry and Meghan naming their girl Diana were four to one.

What will Harry and Meghan name their baby daughter? After Harry and Meghan announced they were expecting their second child, these were Ladbrokes' odds for a girl Diana - 4/1 Alexandra - 4/1 Florence - 5/1 Amelia - 5/1 Arabella - 6/1 Grace/Gracie - 6/1 Lily - 6/1 Elizabeth - 6/1 Alice - 6/1 Clementine - 7/1 Victoria - 7/1 Sophia - 7/1 Delilah - 8/1 Olivia - 8/1 Poppy - 8/1 Emily - 10/1 Frances - 10/1 Ottilie - 10/1 Doria - 10/1 Marina - 12/1 Rose - 12/1 Willow - 14/1 Violet - 14/1 Isabella - 14/1 Jessica - 16/1 Phoebe - 16/1 Charlotte - 20/1 Fay - 25/1 Chloe - 25/1 Lucy - 25/1 Eloise - 33/1 Hannah - 33/1 Rebecca - 50/1 Kerry 50/1 Kate/Catherine - 50/1 Samantha - 50/1 Oprah - 100/1 Advertisement

To celebrate the news last month, the couple released a black and white photograph which showed them beaming with delight.

Meghan lay with her head in her husband's lap, her hand resting on her visible baby bump.

Barefoot Harry cradled her head in his hand as the couple relaxed together under a tree on a sprawling sunlit lawn.

The picture was shot by photographer Misan Harriman, a friend of the duke and duchess.

It was believed to have been taken in Montecito, California, where the pair now live after deciding to leave Britain and step down from their roles in the Royal Family.

Royal fans were quick to speculate on whether Harry and Meghan would call their baby girl Diana in a hint to his late mother

A spokesman for the couple said at the time: 'We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.'

The announcement comes after Meghan, 39, suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage last year.

Harry, 36, is expected to return to the UK this summer to see his family for the first time since 'Megxit'.

Meghan was already said to be unlikely to join him for 'personal and practical' reasons, according to sources.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan hold Archie in Cape Town while visiting in September 2019

Mr Harriman said last month that being asked to take the photograph felt especially poignant after the duchess's miscarriage.

He said: 'To be asked to help share this absolute joy after such an unimaginable loss and heartache is a marker of true friendship.

'Meg reminded me that had I not introduced her to a mutual friend then she wouldn't have met Harry. I'm grateful for whatever small part I played.'

It came almost exactly 37 years after Princess Diana was confirmed to be pregnant with her second child - Prince Harry. Buckingham Palace made that announcement on February 13, 1984.

Harry and Meghan chose to put out a statement themselves on Valentines Day, in keeping with their decision to move away from their traditional roles within the Royal Family.

In what appeared to be a hastily prepared response, Buckingham Palace said at the time that Her Majesty, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and 'the entire family' were 'delighted'.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex introduce their baby son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor during a photocall in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle in May 2019

It is understood the Royal Family had been told in advance of the announcement. But it was not clear how much notice they were given, and it was clear that Palace staff had been left in the dark.

The new Sussex baby will become eighth in line to the throne, after Prince Charles, Prince William, William's three children George, Charlotte and Louis, Prince Harry and Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

Harry retained his place in the line of succession despite his decision to quit royal life.

Harry, Meghan and Archie left Britain for Canada in November 2019, meaning Archie has not seen any of his British relatives since he was six months old.

They then moved to California, where they have bought an 11million mansion and signed multi-million-pound deals with internet streaming companies including Netflix and Spotify.

Harry previously said in an interview with Vogue in August 2019 that he planned to have two children, in the context of his increasing concerns for the environment and future of the world.
Vivienne Hos volunteerism is driven by a strong desire to promote justice and inclusiveness.

Opinion

Vivienne Hos volunteerism is driven by a strong desire to promote justice and inclusiveness.

Since moving to Winnipeg almost 19 years ago, Ho has volunteered with more than 10 different organizations.

One of her main commitments is leading Womens March Winnipeg, the local chapter of a national organization that promotes marches across the country aimed at raising awareness about the issues and challenges facing women.

The 42-year-old was inspired to start the chapter after spending time as a volunteer counsellor with the sexual assault crisis program at Klinic Community Health, where she supported clients in the immediate aftermath of their assault.

After nearly four years at Klinic, Ho knew she wanted to bring awareness to gender-based violence.

"I had seen firsthand that a staggering amount of violence women experienced went unreported," she says. "I started the Womens March chapter in Winnipeg with the hope that I can shine a light on gender-based violence and the many inequalities women face."

The chapter organized successful events in January 2019 and January 2020. In between those two marches, Ho revived the local Take Back the Night march, which went on hiatus in 2018.

After finding out that a local Take Back the Night event wouldnt take place in 2019 unless she stepped in, Ho organized the march in just 10 days so that it could take place on Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Ho was inspired to organize the event after reading the final report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

"It was powerful and it left me in tears," she recalls. "I felt this was an urgent issue and I needed to find a way to talk about it in the community."

Since then, Ho has joined the organizing committee for the Annual Manitoba Women Memorial March in Honour of MMIWG and 2SLGBTQQIA, which calls for justice and brings awareness of murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual people.

Ho was one of the lead organizers for the Times Up Nygard protests that took place last August and earlier this year. She is also a labour activist with Canadian Union of Public Employees, serving as president of CUPE Local 2348 and chair of CUPE Manitobas human rights committee.

Born and raised in Singapore, Ho says she "lived a very sheltered life" prior to arriving in Manitoba.

After moving to downtown Winnipeg in 2002 so that she could study psychology and criminal justice at the University of Winnipeg, she was struck by the injustice she witnessed in the community.

Hos efforts to work for justice since then have led to her being chosen as an Honour 150 recipient.

Presented by Canada Life in conjunction with the celebration of Manitobas 150th anniversary, Honour 150 recognizes 150 people from across the province who have contributed significantly to the community.

Each honouree received a commemorative medal designed and created by Manitoba artist Takashi Iwasaki, and Canada Life made a $500 donation to the charity of each honourees organization of choice.

Ho chose Harvest Manitoba (formerly Winnipeg Harvest), where she works as a client services associate.

"I feel very humbled," Ho says of the Honour 150 recognition. "I know its not just me  there are so many people doing the same work  but I feel honoured that someone would nominate me."

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.
Grants Awarded to Build Literacy Skills for Michigan Children

Martin Ackley, Director of Public and Governmental Affairs 517-241-4395 Education

March 8, 2021

LANSING  Five Michigan school districts are being awarded federally funded literacy grants of $3 million each over a five-year period to begin work to advance literacy skills, including pre-literacy skills, reading, and writing, for children from birth through grade 12, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) announced today.

Districts to receive these awards are:

Benton Harbor Area Schools

Detroit Public Schools Community District

Flint Community Schools

Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System

Pontiac School District

Literacy is the foundation of learning, said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. These grants and the literacy work that they will fund and inspire in these five communities can be game changers. To build literacy communities for childrenin local communities and across the stateis to change academic and life trajectories for our kids.

The five districts selected for this project will use the funds to begin building local literacy professional learning communities in support of children. These districts will participate in a statewide educational and professional development literacy network to improve literacy supports and outcomes for children and students from birth through grade 12. This partnership will focus on the needs of high-poverty school districts and their children.

Dr. Rice said that the federal grant is aligned with the goal to improve early literacy achievement in the states Top 10 Strategic Education Plan and will be supporting families and communities as essential partners of teachers, support staff, and administrators in the education of students.

MDE won a national competitive grant of nearly $16 million from the U.S. Department of Education (USED) through the federal literacy state development program. In its own competitive grant process, MDE sought applications from local school districts with low percentages of students at or above grade level in literacy. Additional consideration was given to districts that serve high percentages of students who are economically disadvantaged, English learners, and/or children with disabilities.

Including more school districts from around the state could greatly expand the number of children who benefit from this initiative, Dr. Rice said, and adding complementary state or philanthropic funding could make that happen.

Superintendents from the five districts receiving the grants are eager to move forward with their literacy initiatives.

Literacy is our primary focus at Benton Harbor Area Schools, said Benton Harbor Superintendent Dr. Andrae Townsel. An opportunity to get this grant to focus on literacy is a game changer for our young people. We cant wait to execute the plan.

Dr. Nikolai Vitti from the Detroit Public School Community District said: DPSCD is excited to receive this grant because it will continue to expand our current efforts to train all of our teachers and support staff in the science of reading. We know that when we train all of our teachers and support staff on research-based, best practices regarding literacy intervention, our students will respond with stronger literacy skills. The challenge has never been or will be with our students, its the strategies and materials we use to support them to become grade level readers. This grant will rapidly scale our initial investments in stronger literacy training intervention while also scaling the promising results we are experiencing with student achievement.

"We are honored to receive this grant, said Kelley Williams, superintendent of the Pontiac School District. Literacy is a critical key to success for students. We are proud to steward these funds and look forward to the direct positive impact on our children through the resources and tools it provides."

I am over the top excited to receive this grant in Muskegon Heights, said Rane Garcia, superintendent at the Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System. This grant will provide critical funds to ensure a stable and cohesive birth-12th grade system where every teacher is an expert reading teacher and literacy is embedded in every instructional interaction. Within the framework of this grant, and in partnership with our families and community, we will build a challenging curriculum and nurturing pedagogy focused on joy and identity to provide the opportunities Muskegon Heights students need and deserve for personal and academic thriving.

Anita Steward, superintendent at Flint Community Schools said: "Literacy is essential to long-term success for our students. Flint Community Schools is honored to receive this grant from the Michigan Department of Education to expand on our existing programs. Through the support of this grant, Flint Community Schools will bolster early childhood, upper elementary and secondary programs; establishing greater community and family partnerships; support the transition into our Great Start Readiness programs; and provide parents with additional resources to participate in their childs learning.


Global Online Learning saw revenues rise by 19% reflecting strong enrolment growth in Virtual Schools

s ( ) new chief executive Andy Bird has announced more restructuring of the online education specialist with the business to be re-jigged into five divisions.

Going forward, Bird said Pearson will focus on the faster-growing areas of its business: Online and digital learning; English language tuition; workforce skills and accreditation and certification.

Costs of the plan will be 40-70mln in 2021 with an additional one-off charge to profits of 130mln for cutting its corporate office infrastructure with a benefit of 10-20mln expected in later years.

The president of global online learning, Rod Bristow, is leaving, while the head of Virtual Schools Tom ap Simon will head a new Virtual Learning division.

Mike Howells, Chief Strategy Officer, will be interim president of Workforce Skills assisted by Albert Hitchcock, who is stepping down as chief technology officer.

Bird added that in addition to the pending sale of Sistemas in Brazil, it is also reviewing the rest of its international courseware local publishing businesses, including Canada.

Pearson confirmed sales in the year to end-December had fallen by 12% to 3.4bn while underlying profits dropped 46% to 315mln, both of which were in line with a trading update in January.

Global Online Learning saw revenues rise by 19% reflecting strong enrolment growth in Virtual Schools. Global assessment sales dropped by 14% and in the international operations revenues were down by 19%.

The final dividend was maintained at 13.5p, with net debt at the year-end reduced to 413mln following the sale of the Penguin book publishing business.

For 2021, Pearson said it expects year on year revenue growth, with adjusted operating profit to be in line with current market expectations.
Spring is just a few weeks away, and with it, potentially, comes hope for a rebirth. Vaccines continue to roll out across Oregon, and businesses are starting to reopen to customers.

On the latest episode of Beat Check with The Oregonian, we hear from three staff writers about the state of affairs in Oregon: Hillary Borrud, our state politics reporter; Mike Rogoway, who covers business and technology; and one of our newest staffers, homelessness reporter Nicole Hayden.

We talked about the state of the economy, the state of homelessness services in the city and whats to come, the Legislature and another Republican walkout, the pandemic and much more.

Heres the full episode:

Subscribe to Beat Check on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Women have marched across Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, and Central Asia demanding governments do more to respect their rights as the world marks International Women's Day.

Thousands of activists in Kyiv marched through the city center on March 8 from the Mykhaylivska Square to the Poshtova Square holding posters with slogans like, "My Body-My Business," "Human Rights-Women's Rights," and "Join Istanbul Convention Against Domestic Violence Now." Many also held LGBT rainbow flags.

A group of feminist activists from Belarus were among the marchers in Kyiv, holding Belarusian flags and portraits of jailed Belarusian opposition politician Maryya Kalesnikava.

Hundreds of police marched along with the demonstrators to prevent possible brawls with activists of a far-right radical group called Tradition and Order, members of which, known for opposing feminist groups, held a parallel march.

Dozens of activists joined a march in Kosovo's capital, Pristina, under the slogan, We March, We Dont Celebrate-Against The Patriarchy That Kills."

WATCH: Kazakh Women Mark International Women's Day With Demand For Equality

The participants demanded the investigation of domestic abuse cases and greater commitment to institutions working for women's empowerment.

According to Kosovo's police, 1,362 cases of domestic violence, mainly against women, were reported across the Balkan country last year.

In Almaty, Kazakhstan, hundreds of activists set out from the Mahatma Gandhi Park and headed across the city to the building of the Shoqan Valikhanov Science Academy, where they demonstrated holding posters saying, "Stop Domestic Violence," and "Women Want To Be Safe." They also demanded tolerance towards the LGBT community in the Central Asian nation.

One of the activists, Arina Osinovskaya, said at the rally that many feminist activists faced trials and were either fined or jailed for several days in similar rallies across Kazakhstan in the past.

Quiz: 10 Women Who Have Made A Difference Test your knowledge! Begin

"Being a feminist activist means to fight for the lives of the victims of domestic violence, for the women convicted for defending themselves, for women who decided to stop being silent," Osinovskaya said, adding that she hopes more women and their supporters will take part in similar rallies in the future.

In Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, dozens of women marched across the city and rallied in the city center, demanding equal rights.

The activists held posters saying, "An Educated Girl Will Find Her Place," "Girls Will Win in The End," "Real Men Aren't Scared Of Equality," and "Safety For Women."

At a similar rally a year ago, feminists were attacked by a group of unknown men. Instead of protecting the women, police violently dispersed them while detaining several activists.

Six of those detained were later fined 3,000 soms ($35) each for violating the law on mass gatherings.

The women refused to pay the penalties and in November 2020, Kyrgyzstans Supreme Court ruled that the police crackdown was illegal and annulled the fines.

According to official statistics, since January 1 there have been 727 cases of domestic violence against women registered in Kyrgyzstan. The National Statistics Committee said that in 2020, as restrictions over the coronavirus pandemic locked down the country, domestic violence cases increased 65 percent. Most of the victims in such cases were women.

With contributions by RFE/RL's Ukrainian, Belarusian, Balkan, Kazakh, and Kyrgyz services

Bollywood actress and fitness icon Shilpa Shetty Kundra has been roped as the fitness ambassador of active nutrition brand Fast&Up.

Shilpa says: "I have always believed in clean and intelligent nutrition and for me, Fast&Up signifies that. I have been a user of the brand (even before I signed on) and what it brings to the Indian market in terms of having a holistic approach to nutrition and fitness."

She adds: "With this partnership, I am excited to see how our shared goal of getting India fit and healthy the right way. This in turn will bring about a family health revolution which is what our country needs right now."

Commemorating International Women's Day, the brand also launched 'Plant Protein for Women' to meet their daily protein requirements.

Vijayaraghavan Venugopal, CEO and Co-Founder Fast&Up said: "We are delighted at this opportunity to collaborate with Shilpa Shetty Kundra who is a fitness icon. Through this partnership, we will be focusing on raising awareness on the importance of overall fitness for the family and empowering millions of Indians to lead an active and fit lifestyle.

"Also, we are excited to launch Fast&Up Plant Protein for Women on International Women's Day. They are the strength and pillars of the families and as a brand, we want to ensure that their nutritional needs are taken care of. Fast&Up Plant Protein For Women has been designed in a scientific and well-researched manner backed by Swiss technology to ensure women get their complete amino acid profile from our vegan plant-based protein."

'Plant Protein for Women' is made of herbs such as Ashwagandha and Tulsi extracts to reduce anxiety, alleviate stress and remain calm. It has 100 per cent vegan ingredients such as Protein Blend, Super Skin Blend, Stress Management Blend and Digestive Enzyme Blend that help fulfil the daily protein requirements of women, while promoting fitness and supporting in weight management. It provides amino acid profile which is sourced from pea and brown rice protein, said the brand.
Mayor Pro Tem of California City Resigns After Pleading Guilty to Election Fraud

The mayor pro tem of a Northern California city resigned after he pleaded guilty to election fraud, according to local reports last week.

Crescent City Mayor Pro Tem Alex Campbell entered the plea to making a false declaration of candidacy in Del Norte County Superior Court, local news outlet Wild Rivers Outpost reported, citing the citys clerks office.

Campbell submitted a form to the Del Norte County Clerk on Aug. 6, 2020, saying his current address was in Crescent City, when his actual residence was outside the city limits, Deputy District Attorney Eric Bryant told Del Norte County Superior Court Judge Bob Cochran.

He had faced two felony counts of perjury and one count of false declaration of his candidacy, KIEM-TV and Wild Rivers reported, but the Del Norte County district attorney agreed to dismiss the perjury charges.

Campbell faces two years of felony probation and fines of up to $20,000 and restitution of up to $10,000, said Cochran, according to the reports.

Campbell was elected to the City Council on Nov. 3, 2020, before he eventually became mayor pro tempore in December 2020. Campbell is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on April 15.

So in filing the vacancy, the council has two basic options for them, one is to hold a special election, which can be pretty expensive, or the other, is to appoint someone into the position, City Manager Eric Weir told KIEM-TV, while confirming that Campbell formally resigned last week. Which that position would then appointed up until the next general municipal election municipal which would be November of 2022.

Alex Campbell (Del Norte County Sheriffs Office)

Campbell didnt comment following his court appearance last week, as reported by Wild Rivers. He provided a sticker that says Free Alex Campbell that appeared to be designed like Monopoly money.

Campbell previously stated that he does indeed have a house in the county, but he claimed hes renting a room in city limits from a friend of his, adding hes currently living there. Im currently at that house right now, Campbell told Wild Rivers. I do have a house (in the county). I stay there occasionally, but my main official residence is on I Street.

Other details about his case werent provided. Crescent City is located in Del Norte County, located near the Oregon-California border in the northwestern party of the state.

Last week, in Aberdeen, Mississippi, a judge ordered a new runoff election for a city alderman seat after more than three-quarters of absentee ballots cast in the June 2020 Democratic runoff election were found to be invalid, while a notary involved in the election was arrested.

As a result, a new runoff election for Ward 1 alderman is necessary, WCBI reported.

Judge Jeff Weill, in a 64-page order, said that there was evidence of fraud and criminal activity in how absentee ballots were handled, how they were counted, and actions from individuals at polling places during the runoff election.
A number of Acadiana communities have issued water advisories after freezing weather, which caused frozen pipes and low water pressure in many areas.

Lafayette Parish

Lafayette Utilities System has issued a boil water advisory for residents and businesses in the areas north of Interstate 10, south of Gendarme Road, west of Wilderness Trail and east of Janvier Road.

Because of an increase in customer usage, water pressure has dropped significantly in this area.

As a precaution, customers in the affected area need to vigorously boil their water for at least one full minute prior to drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, using it for food prep or rinsing food. The one minute starts after water has been brought to a rolling boil.

If you suspect a leak, try to identify where the leak is and turn the water off at the hand cutoff. The hand cutoff is usually located 12-24" behind the meter going toward the home.

To ensure water safety and quality, the advisory will remain in effect until collected water samples are cleared by the Louisiana Department of Health-Office of Public Health.

Acadia Parish

Officials say all Acadia Parish residents should minimize use of water as most systems across the parish are struggling to keep up with the demand.

The Village of Morse is under a boil water advisory until further notice caused by a broken pipe at the water system.

Customers of the Egan Water Corporation #2 are under a boil advisory until further notice.

On Tuesday, the Bayou Des Cannes Water System at 3864 George Soileau Road in Basile issued a boil water advisory until further notice.

On Tuesday, the Village of Esterwood announced a boil advisory in effect until further notice.

Evangeline Parish

City of Ville Platte is under a system-wide boil advisory.

All East Side Water Customers in Ville Platte are under a boil advisory because of heavy demand on the system and lost pressure. There will be an update when the advisory is lifted in the next few days.

The Village of Turkey Creek Water System is under a boil advisory because of the loss of water pressure to the entire water system.

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The Mamou Water System is under a boil advisory until further notice. The system has lost pressure caused by the rolling blackouts.

Iberia Parish

Parish President Larry Richard said that customers in Iberia Parish Waterworks District #3 (Coteau) should inspect property for leaks and to stop running water faucets immediately. The facility cannot sustain production levels or distribution pressure for much longer. Richard said that the district is stopping water distribution at 2 p.m. Wednesday as long as they can maintain operating pressure for the district. Water service will resume between 6 and 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday morning at 6 a.m.

Louisiana Water Company in New Iberia has issued a boil advisory for the entire system, and requested that customers conserve water.

St. Landry Parish

The City of Opelousas was placed under a system-wide boil advisory Wednesday. Mayor Julius Alsandor said the advisory was necessary because of low water levels. The City of Opelousas planned to lower pressure Wednesday night to try to avoid future issues.

St. Landry Parish Waterworks District No. 2 Rural will be shutting off water at the plant intermittently in order to refill storage tanks. Because of freezing temperatures and broken pipes along the system, the system is experiencing lower pressure than normal. Customers are advised to boil water until further notice.

The Town of Melville has issued a voluntary boil water advisory until further notice because of low water pressure. Residents should boil water for one full minute before consumption.

The Prarie Ronde Water System in Opelousas has issued a system-wide boil advisory for all of its customers.

Water Works District #3 in St Landry Parish issued a boil advisory Wednesday for areas B, C and D.

St. Martin Parish

The Cecilia Water System announced Wednesday that because of low water pressure caused by excessive use, the Cecilia Water System is issuing a boil water advisory for the entire water system. This boil advisory is to remain in effect until rescinded by the Cecilia Water System.

St. Martin Water and Sewer Commission No. 1 is experiencing problems with water supply. A boil advisory has been issued for the Stephensville area. The boil order is in effect until further notice.

St. Mary Parish

Morgan city has issued a boil water advisory. All Morgan City water customers should boil or disinfect their water before consuming it or using it for food preparation.
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union

I was thrilled to learn the Capital Region will soon be getting a second Trader Joes, this time in Halfmoon (Trader Joes building second store in region, Feb. 26). Ill never forget how excited I was when I learned that my efforts, and the efforts of thousands of area residents, were going to be successful in bringing the first Trader Joes to Wolf Road.

Trader Joes has made the quality of living in the region better. It provides a venue where creative, health-conscious and reasonably priced foods are offered in a friendly, customer-service-centered environment. For Trader Joes, its about more than selling products. Food is a gateway to community and neighborhood, and every week I join many of our neighbors patiently waiting on-line to safely shop at Trader Joes and experience that sense of community.
Margaret, an 80-year-old retiree who lives near Tulsa, Okla., has spent the past year fearing the coronavirus. She's constantly worn masks, toted hand sanitizer and used drive-throughs to run her errands. Her age and preexisting health conditions - including heart failure, diabetes and blood clots- put her at elevated risk if she gets sick.

But unlike many at-risk Americans seeking safety and an end to the pandemic, Margaret refuses to get a coronavirus vaccine.

"There's too many unanswered questions," said Margaret, who agreed to be interviewed only if her last name was withheld because of concerns that she might be harassed. Margaret also said she fears side effects, such as the headaches that some people have gotten from the second shot. "I'd just as soon as not go through that," she said.

Margaret is a Republican - a fervent Donald Trump supporter - and polls have repeatedly found that nearly one-third of Republicans share her staunch resistance to the coronavirus vaccine for a variety of reasons. Some, such as Margaret, worry that the vaccines were developed too quickly. Others argue without evidence that many vaccines are unsafe or will make them sick. More echo Trump's repeated contention that the coronavirus threat is overblown and do not trust the government's involvement.

"I had a slight fever of 99.5 for a day and a half," said Steven Rousey, a 43-year-old aircraft mechanic in Georgia who describes himself as a "Libertarian Republican," and said tests confirmed that he caught the virus in September. "I don't think it was the boogeyman they made it out to be."

While other groups have also been wary about the shots, for instance, communities of color, polling shows that hesitancy has started to wane while GOP resistance to the vaccine remains relatively high. A Kaiser Family Foundation poll released last week found that 28% of Republicans said they would "definitely not"get the vaccine, and another 18% said they would "wait and see" before getting a shot. As a result, millions of Republicans could remain unvaccinated, a potential roadblock to efforts to achieve the high levels of immunity needed to stop the virus in the United States - an irony that is not lost on Trump officials who worked to end the pandemic.

"It's a little bit confounding," said Paul Mango, who helped lead the Trump administration's Operation Warp Speed initiative that sped coronavirus vaccines to market in less than a year. "I really don't understand it, to tell you the truth. To me, this was the most spectacular medical development in our lifetimes."

Some of that hesitancy is embodied by Trump himself, who spent years raising questions about vaccine safety, dismissed the value of flu shots while president and got vaccinated against the coronavirus in January, shortly before leaving the White House - opting not to publicly disclose or televise the decision.

The Washington Post spoke with more than two dozen people about Republicans' vaccine hesitancy, including Trump voters balking at the shots, analysts who have studied vaccine concerns, and health officials from the Biden administration, counties that voted for Trump and the de Beaumont Foundation, a public health group that has teamed up with longtime GOP political strategist Frank Luntz to win over vaccine skeptics.

"I'm determined to crack this code," Luntz said, detailing his plans to bring together a focus group of Republicans next week, trying to craft messages to convince conservatives to get the vaccine. "Their decision affects everyone."

But some of the Americans who Luntz and others are desperate to persuade say they've already made up their minds.

"If the coronavirus is supposed to kill you, it's going to kill you even if you hide under a rock and wear a mask," said Gary, a 73-year-old retired pipe fitter in West Virginia who voted twice for Trump, and who spoke on the condition that his last name to be withheld so he could speak freely about his beliefs. "Personally, I don't think it's any worse than the flu."

- - -

It was Trump who most famously compared the coronavirus with seasonal influenza as the virus spread across the world, and public health officials decried his efforts to minimize the threat.

"This is a flu. This is like a flu," Trump said on Feb. 26, 2020 - before more than 500,000 Americans would die after contracting the virus in subsequent months.

"I think the president set the tone early on by downplaying the coronavirus or comparing it to the flu," said Robert Coon, a GOP consultant in Arkansas who's conducted coronavirus-related surveys for clients. "For a lot of people, the first impression was that it's not that big a deal, and it's kind of hard to come back from that."

Even after Trump was stricken with covid-19 last October, he told Americans that the threat was overblown and he again contrasted with the flu the virus that can cause covid-19 - a connection that pollsters and analysts say is evident in Republican voters' responses.

"The attitude that the seriousness of covid was being exaggerated in the media tracks well with how President Trump talked about it when he was in office," said Liz Hamel, who helps lead KFF's polling on the coronavirus. "His message 'you shouldn't be worried about it,' his relentless positivity, is reflected in the attitudes of many Republicans who don't want to get the vaccine."

The recent revelation that Trump chose not to get the coronavirus vaccine on camera was criticized by public health experts, who said he missed an opportunity to signal the vaccines' safety and benefits to millions of his supporters, unlike then-Vice President Mike Pence, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Trump's unannounced vaccination also came as a surprise to four former senior administration officials working on vaccine efforts.

"A reporter asked me about it this week, and it was the first I heard of that," Mango said.

Trump did repeatedly invoke his administration's success in developing coronavirus vaccines, but "I don't think the support from the president was so much to convince people to take the vaccine, as it was about the political benefit," said Coon, the Arkansas-based GOP consultant. "I don't think it was as focused on the public health benefit as it should have been." The administration's promised public service announcements touting vaccines also never materialized.

And it was not until last month's Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, that Trump first explicitly instructed conservative voters: "Go get your shot."

"I wish it had been earlier," said a former senior Trump official, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "He's the only one that can get to these people."

"For them, he's the pope and the chief rabbi rolled into one," Luntz agreed. "I don't need a focus group to tell me that nothing would have a greater impact than a Donald Trump PSA."

- - -

Public health experts say they've begun implementing strategies to reach out to communities of color, worried that their historic distrust of the medical establishment might lead to low vaccination rates. But there's been less focus on winning over Republicans. The head of the de Beaumont Foundation said that lack of action prompted him to enlist Luntz, the longtime communications consultant and pundit, to come up with messages to reach conservatives.

"[About] half of Republicans say they are unsure or unwilling to take the vaccine and that hasn't changed since December," said Brian Castrucci, the foundation's leader. "I was alarmed when I saw that."

Luntz said he planned to convene about 20 people from more than a dozen states for a virtual focus group Saturday - all two-time voters for Trump who have not decided on whether to get the shots - and to bring in prominent Republicans "to see if they can fashion a language that will change their minds." Luntz declined to identify who would be involved, but he said he'd then test the focus group's results through polling after the event.

The Biden administration is also researching how to reach holdout Republicans, said a senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss in-progress efforts. "The most trusted messengers are doctors, nurses, faith leaders," the official said, suggesting that Biden officials would also appear on conservative networks such as Fox News. "We want to talk to everybody," the official added.

The quest to find a credible messenger who can reach Republicans also has been complicated by the cool relationship between Biden's administration and the one it replaced. Biden's team has repeatedly criticized Trump officials' handling of the outbreak, and it moved to quickly usher offstage many of those involved, including Deborah Birx, who coordinated the White House coronavirus task force and Surgeon General Jerome Adams.

"If people are saying they'd listen to Jerome Adams, I'd call Jerome tonight," said Castrucci. "This isn't selecting teams for dodgeball, this is about the health of the nation."

Mango, the former Trump official, said that at 62, he's waiting his turn for the vaccine but offered to "do it on camera, if The Washington Post wants to send a photographer."

- - -

Luntz said he's uncovered differences between young Republicans who do not want to get the shots, often arguing that the virus' threat is overblown, and that older conservatives worried about possible side effects. But all share a common worldview: "They simply don't trust the government to do the right thing," he said.

Hamel, the KFF polling expert, concurred that skepticism of the government has grown among conservatives. She pointed to significant declines in Republicans' trust of institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and of officials such as Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious-disease expert, that paralleled Trump's own attacks on them last year.

About 8 in 10 Democrats and Republicans told KFF in April 2020 that they trusted Fauci to provide reliable information about the coronavirus. By September, KFF pollsters found, less than half of Republicans said they still trusted Fauci, while Democrats' trust in the scientist had increased.

"That shows a pretty clear relationship between the messaging coming out of the White House and the stance that Republicans were taking on trusted public health messengers," Hamel said.

Yet vaccine-hesitant Republicans defy easy categorizations.

Marianne, a teacher in her thirties in Florida, described herself as a "classic conservative" who refused to vote for Trump. But having already contracted a mild case of the virus in October, which could give her short-term immunity, she says getting vaccinated is unnecessary.

"I feel completely confident weighing my own decision-making and understanding of scientific studies, and weighing the real risk and relative risk," said Marianne, who spoke on the condition that her last name be withheld to speak freely about her beliefs. She said she reads research on the virus and has followed the Food and Drug Administration's emergency-use authorization process for the vaccines.

"My husband makes fun of me, 'Why did you have to become an expert in this too?' " she added. "Well, it was a long pandemic."

Meanwhile, Clarence Cooper, a 64-year-old retired mortician in Florida who does not want the vaccine, gets his coronavirus information mostly from talk radio, has yet to be infected and is a loyal Trump supporter. "I voted for him the second time, I'd vote for him for the third time," Cooper said.

Trump's recent exhortation to get the vaccine did not motivate him because their situations are so different, Cooper added. "He needs the vaccine - he's been risque, not wearing masks," Cooper said. "I'm kind of like a cave man. . . . I don't go out for 10, 11 days at a time . . . and when I do, I wear two or three masks, wash my hands, carry hand sanitizer, wipe the shopping carts."

Cooper said he's also heard conspiracy theories on talk radio about the vaccine's development. "I don't want to be a pin cushion," he said.

Such resistance, multiplied by millions, could complicate the push to reach herd immunity. "I don't think you're going to end up with 70% adoption in some states, where you're not going to have the majority of the biggest political party," said Coon, the Arkansas-based consultant. The proportion of people who need to be immune to reach herd immunity for covid-19 is not known, but experts estimate that it is between 70% and 85%.

It's too early to see those views play out. Health officials in eight rural counties that Trump won handily - such as in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia - said demand is still outpacing scant supply.

"We've had a huge outpouring of people wanting the vaccine here," said Deborah Baker, the health director of the Pulaski County Health Center in Missouri where Trump carried the county by a 46-percentage-point margin. "I don't think the political environment has mattered," she added.

But Republican resistance could become more apparent when vaccines become more available this spring. "The thing that's most concerning to me right now is that share of 'definitely not' is not budging among the public overall, including Republicans," said Hamel, the KFF polling expert.

One of those "definitely not" is Margaret, the Oklahoma retiree, who said she needled her son over his vote for Biden so much that they did not speak for a few days. Yet for all her admiration of the former president, she drew no confidence in the vaccines developed under his administration.

"He didn't develop the vaccine. Scientists did it," she said. "I know one thing: Biden didn't do it."
This past year has been unparalleled in so many ways.

Families, parents and children have had to forego many of the normal activities they would have previously enjoyed.

Work has changed, lifestyles have adapted and education is carried out in a way we never thought was possible.

I have heard so many stories of incredible teachers and principals providing a level of remote learning that was unthinkable a year ago. I want to thank them again for their determination and professionalism.

Parents also have had to adapt the kitchen table to the classroom desk, and I know that this has not only been extremely challenging, but so many have sacrificed significantly to give this new calling their absolute best and I appreciate that it has been really tough at times.

Read More

We have also protected our most vulnerable children and supported our key workers through ongoing supervised learning in schools.

Regardless of our efforts and sacrifices, it remains clear to me that remote teaching and supervised learning is very much a second best to children being taught in the classroom.

This is not solely about the education of our children, but also their mental health, physical wellbeing and social development. It will come as no surprise to anyone reading this that I have consistently lobbied the Executive to prioritise school return above all other sectors.

This week again I will be directly engaging with Executive ministers to persuade them we must ensure all children are back to school as soon as possible, and we have firm dates for this return to be realised.

I would also like to address the issue of the safety of our children at school in relation to Covid-19. Last week an article in the British Medical Journal stated "children are 30-50% less susceptible to infection than adults and have no or just mild symptoms when infected".

The Government's own chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty also said last week: "It is absolutely universally accepted that there are huge advantages for children to be in school from a health point of view, as well as educational and from a life course point of view. If you keep children out of school, every single one of the children you keep out of school is disadvantaged. The risk to children is incredibly low from going to school and from catching Covid. So everything is strongly in favour of children going to school."

It remains my view that school is a safe environment for children to be in and statistics fully support this view. My department has provided significant funding (21m) to put in place additional safety measures for both children and staff.

Few things we do are without some small element of risk but daily we mitigate these risks because we cannot live our lives wholly in a protective bubble.

For our children, we cannot lose sight of the significant benefits they realise through daily school attendance.

Over the last number of weeks I have made clear at the Executive my desire, as a minimum, to get all special school staff prioritised for vaccines.

This was not to grant them some special status, but primarily to protect provision for the many clinically vulnerable children they care for. As has been well reported, I did take that matter to the Executive in order to seek its support for my preferred option of full vaccination but was unable to achieve consensus for this option.

As we recover from Covid-19 there are a number of unprecedented steps that my department will take to underpin educational recovery. The very successful 'Engage' programme was rolled out this year, but I intend to go further in the next academic year. This will include a brand new Engage II programme taking place with upwards of 15m of funding for schools to underpin recovery.

The department will also offer free summer schemes for children to not only aid educational recovery, but also to just have fun with their friends and peers.

I have always been clear about my heartfelt desire to see children back in school and this week I will again press this matter with Executive colleagues to persuade them that this is the right time to start normalising the world again for our children.
It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

For more than a decade, Poetry Out Loud has given New Mexico high school students a platform for their words.

This year may look a little different as the competition is virtual. Nonetheless, six students will compete to become state champion.

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The six finalists  Vanessa Sosa of Arrowhead Park Early College High School in Las Cruces, Analisa Ibarra of La Cueva High School, Barbara Akin of Los Lunas High School, Zoe Sloan Callan of the Native American Community Academy, Michelle Montez of Taos High School and Jenna Tulonen of Volcano Vista High School  earned their shot after competing at the classroom level.

According to the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, 169 students from eight schools began the competition.

The event will take place on Zoom at 1 p.m. Sunday. It is free and open to the public.

The state winner will receive $200, plus $500 for their school library for the purchase of poetry books, as well as the honor of representing New Mexico at the virtual Poetry Out Loud National Finals this spring. At the National Finals, a total of $50,000 in awards and stipends will be given, including $20,000 for first place, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third place.

New Mexico Arts Executive Director Michelle Laflamme-Childs will host the event, which will include special guests from the New Mexico School for the Arts and the New Mexico School for the Deaf performing the national anthem.

State Poet Laureate Levi Romero, University of New Mexico professor Lisa D. Chavez and Eastern New Mexico University professor Lindsay Tigue will serve as recitation judges, and Santa Fe poet Debbi Brody will serve as accuracy judge.

Poetry Out Loud also looked locally to create the poster. The illustration Dissection of an Unidentified Object is by Emily Cai, who is a student at Centennial High in Las Cruces.

This piece was part of a series of otherworldly still lives in colored pencil, Cai said. Basically, I wanted to portray ordinary objects from an aliens point of view.
President Joe Biden is planning to deliver a prime-time address to the nation on Thursday where he will speak about the grave losses Americans have suffered amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The speech will come a year after the World Health Organization officially labeled the outbreak a pandemic. Since that time, more than 500,000 Americans have died of the virus.

The White House announced the speech as it also revealed Biden will scrap a planned Wednesday trip to Baltimore to tour a vaccine plant. Instead, Biden will meet the heads of Johnson & Johnson and Merck, who are partnering to ramp up production of J&J's new vaccine.

President Joe Biden watches as a medical worker prepares a COVID-19 vaccine as he visits a Veterans Affairs (VA) COVID-19 vaccination center in Washington, DC, USA, on 08 March 2021. He will address the nation Thursday to mark the one year anniversary of the pandemic

Biden will deliver the speech from the White House to 'discuss the many sacrifices the American people have made over the last year and the grave loss communities and families across the country have suffered,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at Monday's White House press briefing.

The timing gives Biden the opportunity to point not only to losses, but to some promising developments. As the new head of the Centers for Disease Control said at a briefing Monday, Americans are now getting more than 2 million coronavirus shots each day.

President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden commemorate the grim milestone of 500,000 U.S. deaths from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during a moment of silence and candle lighting ceremony at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 22, 2021

A body wrapped in plastic is unloaded from a refrigerated truck and handled by medical workers wearing personal protective equipment due to COVID-19 concerns, Tuesday, March 31, 2020, at Brooklyn Hospital Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York

J&J just delivered a substantial batch of millions of vaccine doses, with more coming on line after a pause of a few weeks.

The speech also will likely follow House action on $1.9 trillion coronavirus bill. A House vote could come Tuesday following Senate passage over the weekend.

'We are starting to turn a corner, ' CDC chief Rochelle Walensky, echoing a comment repeatedly made by former President Trump as deaths and infections mounted.

Still, she noted, a seven-day rolling average of 59,000 Americans are becoming infected each day, an amount Dr. Anthony Fauci warned is an unacceptable plateau.

That is a 12 percent decline from the average 14 days earlier.

On Sunday, a total of 40,340 new infections were reported, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, which is a 28 percent decline from the 56,044 cases recorded just two weeks ago.

That is the lowest figure seen since October 5, before a spike around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Biden said Monday he was eager to sign the relief bill that passed on a party-line vote. 'As soon as I get it,' he told reporters during a trip to the Washington DC VA Medical Center, in an event pegged to vaccine distribution.
Tirupati is one of the world's only vertically integrated graphite companies

PLC ( ) has reported on progress made in the redevelopment of hydropower facilities at the Sahamamy graphite project in Madagascar and on the initiation of further studies for hydropower across both its Madagascar graphite projects.

The initial 100Kw hydropower facility at Sahamamy will result in an estimated ongoing saving of around 10% in operating costs per tonne and a 50% reduction in carbon emissions.

The company is now accelerating further studies and detailed planning on the back of the earlier conducted prefeasibility studies for an additional 900Kw hydropower capacity to provide 100% renewable power generation for the next two production modules.

Meanwhile, improved monthly sales from Sahamamy indicate that Tirupatis operations are starting to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prices have been stronger, and Tirupati continues to advance various work streams to increase primary flake graphite capacity in Madagascar to 12,000 tonnes per annum during the second quarter of 2021.

"Increasingly, consumers and manufacturers alike realise that zero carbon at use is just part of the story and that there is a need to look holistically at the processes along the whole supply chain, said Shishir Poddar, chief executive of Tirupati.

Accordingly, as highlighted by the strong demand for our primary flake graphite, there is significant preference for the lowest impact deposits around the world. With this in mind, we remain focused on delivering eco-friendly operations, and being a green source in the supply chain for EVs and other green applications. Our hydropower renewable energy initiatives are part of this strategy, which will help us reduce our carbon footprint by almost 50% and also result in cost savings.

He went on to talk about the likely uplift in production.

"Additionally, given the strong demand for our product, we are excited to have accelerated the development of our primary flake graphite operations in Madagascar to an initial 12,000 tonnes per annum in the second quarter of 2021. We are on track to commission the 9,000 tonnes per annum plant in Vatomina which will enable us to fast-track the development of markets for our three business units in this opportune time of strong and growing demand for our products, besides enhancing our significance in the global ex-China graphite markets.
The National Structured Settlements Trade Association (NSSTA) announces the formation of the NSSTA Womens Caucus, the first such organization in the structured settlements industry. In a traditionally male-led industry, women have been steadily growing in numbers, and now 17 percent of NSSTAs membership is comprised of women. We are excited to support the growth of women in the structured settlements industry officially with the establishment of the NSSTA Womens Caucus. By providing a forum to address the unique issues faced by women in our business through education, mentorship and community, we all benefit, said Eric Vaughn, Executive Director at NSSTA.

NSSTA members, Paula Rubinstein, Settlement Consultant at NFP Structured Settlements, Christine Logan, President & CEO at Logan & Associates, and Erin Muller Eddy, Settlement Consultant at Ringler Associates created the Womens Caucus. Membership has already doubled since January. The Womens Caucus aims to elevate women in the structured settlement industry through mentorship, professional development and networking. When women are empowered, they go on to empower others. They improve the lives of everyone around them, said Paula Rubinstein, Womens Caucus Chairwoman adding, We are committed to providing a strong support system for women as they grow and develop in their careers.

One of the goals for the Womens Caucus is to gain greater representation on the NSSTA Board of Directors level and to rally more women to lead the initiatives of the organization toward educating the public about the tax free financial security afforded people with structured settlements after an unforeseen tragedy in their lives. With the theme of Choose to Challenge (#ChoosetoChallenge) on heard around the world on International Womens Day, the NSSTA Womens Caucus and the entire NSSTA organization embraces the days mantra that from challenge comes change.

For more information about the NSSTA Womens Caucus, visit the website or email us.

About NSSTA: The National Structured Settlements Trade Association (NSSTA) is the leading voice of the structured settlement industry, representing more than 1,200 professional structured settlement consultants, life insurance industry leaders, property casualty company claims professionals and lawyers in the United States and Canada. A structured settlement is a tax-free stream of periodic payments paid to an injured party by the defendant primarily through the purchase of annuity (fixed and determinable) issued directly by highly rated and state regulated life insurance companies.

For more information about NSSTA: https://nssta.com/

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This year is looking to be one of changes and big possibilities for surgeons. While 2020 brought declines in surgical revenue and drops in patient intake, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a paradigm shift. Adaptations and innovations designed to cope with the pandemic could be a boon for the surgical field in 2021, and changes in malpractice coverage could impact how surgeons conduct business this year.

Here are some things to look for as we move through the year:

The comeback of elective surgery. The COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to most elective surgeries across the country. In March of 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidelines that recommended postponing or cancelling elective and non-essential surgical procedures. When stay-at-home mandates went into effect shortly thereafter, it further complicated physicians abilities to provide elective care. The result was an overall 35% drop in surgical volumes from March 2020-July 2020.

However, with the decrease in new COVID-19 cases, the rollout of the vaccine, relaxation of stay-at-home orders, and adaptations in healthcare to make surgical environments safer, elective surgeries are on an astronomical upswing. Part of this rise is from the backlog of surgeries not performed during the pandemic (its suspected that there is a backlog of over 1 million orthopedic surgeries in the United States). With this news, surgical revenues are expected to jump and get back to pre-pandemic numbers, but surgeons should beware of burnout when trying to keep pace with surgical demands. Burnout is a leading cause of medical mistakes that can result in a malpractice claim.

Medical malpractice insurance rates arent going down  but they arent going up either. Many insurance providers for other verticals (auto, homeowners) offered discounts to their customers to help cope with the 2020 pandemic. This was not the case for medical malpractice insurance. Rates for neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons and bariatric surgeons maintained at their pre-pandemic prices. However, the onslaught of elective surgeries did not cause a rise in rates for surgical coverage, and rates are expected to be flat over the first two quarters of 2021.

Make sure any surgical specialty is covered by insurance. Certain types of surgery are more high-risk than others, making them less lucrative for medical malpractice insurance companies to cover. Bariatric surgery is one type that is sometimes excluded from a surgical medical malpractice policy. With the rise in elective surgery, it is now more crucial than ever for bariatric surgeons and all surgical specialists to check their medical malpractice coverage and make sure they are protected.

The future of robotic surgery in the wake of the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a rise in the use of telemedicine and telehealth, and it demonstrated a need for remote treatment options across all specialties. Robotic surgical tools like the da Vinci and Ion are providing new avenues for surgical teams to remotely perform surgery. Though advancements in remote surgical technology and processes are needed before telesurgery becomes mainstream, the advent of telemedicine in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is a harbinger for whats to come with surgery. Expect telemedicine to play a larger role in the surgeon-patient relationship in 2021.

Source: MEDPLI

Topics COVID-19
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 19:28:26|Editor: Xiaoxia

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BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government has officially ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao said Monday.

Some member countries are also accelerating their procedures, and it is hoped that relevant countries can speed up their progress and finally reach the threshold of entry into force, Wang told reporters on the sidelines of the annual national legislative session.

Ratifications of six ASEAN member countries and three non-ASEAN member countries are needed for reaching the threshold, and the sooner the agreement enters into force, the sooner the people of the member countries will be benefited, he said.

The RCEP, the world's largest free trade agreement, was signed in mid-November 2020 by 10 ASEAN member countries and China, Japan, the Republic Of Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Enditem
Large cloud of white smoke rising behind a residential building after a series of large explosions at a military base in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, on March 7, 2021. (Screenshot/Courtesy of Modibo Mangoule via Reuters)

Dynamite Explosions at Army Base in Equatorial Guinea Kill at Least 15

MALABOA series of large explosions at a military base that killed at least 15 people in Equatorial Guinea on Sunday were the result of negligence related to the use of dynamite, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema said.

Another 500 people were injured in the blasts that rocked the city of Bata.

In a statement carried on national television, Obiang called for international support in the recovery effort, adding, I translate all my support to the people who are affected.

Television station TVGE showed teams pulling people from piles of rubble, some of whom were carried away wrapped in bed sheets. A health official had earlier told TVGE the death toll was at least 20.

Pick-up trucks filled with survivors, including children, drove up to the front of a local hospital.

Inside, wards were overwhelmed with the wounded, many covered in blood. Some lay on the floor or on tables, awaiting attention.

TVGE called on people to donate blood and said hospitals in the Central African nation were full.

The blasts come as Equatorial Guinea, an oil producer, is suffering a double economic shock because of the coronavirus pandemic and a drop in the price of crude, which provides around three-quarters of state revenue.

The former Spanish colony has been run by Obiang, Africas longest-serving leader, since 1979 when he staged a bloody military coup and ousted his uncle, who was later executed.

Critics point out that Obiang and his family enjoy lavish wealth while the majority of the population lives in poverty.

In the blast area on Sunday, iron roofs were ripped off houses and lay twisted amid the rubble. Only a wall or two remained of most residences.

In the immediate aftermath, people ran in all directions, many of them dazed and screaming.

A column of smoke reached into the sky and around its base firefighters sought to put out the blaze.

Following developments in Equatorial Guinea with concern after the explosions in the city of Bata, Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said on Twitter.

The Spanish Embassy in Malabo said Spanish nationals should stay in their homes.
(CNN)  Swiss voters have approved a ban on full facial coverings including niqab and burqa in nearly all public places in a closely contested referendum on Sunday.

The result means facial covering will be banned in all publicly accessible places, including on the streets, in public offices, on public transport, in restaurants, shops and in the countryside.

The controversial proposal gained support of 51.21% of voters and the majority of the country's 26 cantons, according to official provisional results published by the federal government.

The only exceptions include places of worship and other sacred sites. Face coverings will also be allowed if worn for health and safety reasons, because of the weather and in situations where it is considered a "local custom" to do so, such as at carnivals, according to the text of the proposal published by the Swiss federal government.

There will be no additional exceptions, for example for tourists, the government document said.

The proposal, put forward by several groups including the right wing Swiss People's Party, does not mention Islam specifically, but has been widely referred to as the "burqa ban" in Swiss media.

It has been criticized by a number of Swiss religious organizations and human rights and civic groups, as well as the federal government. The Swiss Council of Religions, which represents all major religious communities in Switzerland, condemned the proposal earlier this year, stressing that the human right to religious freedom also protects religious practices such as dress codes.

The Swiss Federal Council, which serves as the country's federal government, and the Swiss Parliament also rejected the initiative as going too far and advised people to vote against it, according to the government documents. The two bodies have tabled a counter-proposal to the ban, which would require people to remove any face covering and show their faces to the police or other officials if necessary for identification purposes.

Those opposing the ban have also pointed out it appears to be mostly pointless. According to a new book by Andreas Tunger-Zanetti, a researcher at the University of Lucerne who has been studying Islam in Switzerland since 2007, virtually nobody wears a burqa in Switzerland and the number of people wearing a niqab is limited to three dozen at the most.

The referendum on Sunday was the culmination of several years of debates over the issue and comes 12 years after another referendum outlawed the construction of minarets in the country. Two Swiss cantons -- St Gallen and Ticino -- have already introduced a ban on full facial coverings in the past, according to the Federal Government's website. In several other cantons full facial covering is currently only banned at protests.

The result of the vote has been criticized as "anti-Muslim" by Amnesty International. "Swiss voters have once again approved an initiative that discriminates against one religious community in particular, needlessly fueling division and fear," the group said in a statement on Sunday.

Bans, partials bans and local bans of face coverings are already in place in several European countries, including France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark. France was the first to ban burqas and niqabs in public spaces in 2011. The European Court of Human Rights upheld the ban in 2014. In 2018, the United Nations Human Rights Committee said the ban violates the human rights of Muslim women and risks "confining them to their homes."
March 8, 2021

Residents interested in proposed actions in those areas invited to offer feedback by March 19

Alpena, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Charlevoix, Chippewa, Dickinson, Leelanau, Gogebic and St. Joseph. If you spend time hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, birding or otherwise enjoying the outdoors on public lands in these counties, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources wants your attention.

The DNR has completed review of this first group of counties as part of the departments multiyear state land review process and is determining which parcels best meet its goal of delivering broad public access to quality outdoor recreation opportunities, while also protecting the natural and cultural resources on those lands.

We set out to carefully evaluate the more than 15,500 acres that are prescribed for review in these 10 counties, and then either retain them as important to the DNR mission, protect them through conservation partners, use them to trade to consolidate state ownership, or make them available for sale to the public through auction, said Scott Whitcomb, DNR senior adviser for wildlife and public lands.

Its a long-term, detailed process that helps ensure the DNR is focused on the lands with the greatest conservation, recreation and resource management potential on behalf of the residents of Michigan, Whitcomb said. Now that the review is complete for this first group of counties, the next important step is to hear from the public  the people who know these local areas and use them in a variety of ways  about their ideas on the initial recommendations.

The classification label for each parcel may be based, in part, on the natural or cultural resources present on the land; how the land is used, accessed or managed; and whether the land contributes to the DNRs mission. The DNRs initial recommended classifications break down as follows: retain (73.7%), offer to alternate conservation partner (6.8%), exchange (1.1%) or dispose (18.4%).

Use the interactive map to see DNR recommendations and submit your comments.

Virtual public meetings March 9, 10

The DNR is offering two virtual public meetings: Tuesday, March 9, and Wednesday, March 10. Participate in either meeting by following the given Microsoft Teams link. You dont have to have Microsoft Teams on your computer or smart device to join, but please note that each link is specific to its meeting date and time, and the links will not be live or accessible until each meeting is opened by the moderator. Anyone without access to a computer may call in using the phone number provided.

6 p.m. (Eastern) Tuesday, March 9

Join Microsoft Teams meeting

or call (for audio only) 248-509-0316

Conference ID: 913 574 808#

Join Microsoft Teams meeting or call (for audio only) 248-509-0316 Conference ID: 913 574 808# 2:30 p.m. (Eastern) Wednesday, March 10

Join Microsoft Teams meeting

or call (for audio only) 248-509-0316

Conference ID: 661 614 816#

For those unable to participate, the public meetings will be recorded and made available on the DNR's State Land Review webpage (linked at Michigan.gov/PublicLands), along with additional updates that will be posted throughout the process. For special accommodations requests, contact Kerry Wieber at 517-643-1256.

More opportunities for public feedback

Aside from at public meetings and through the interactive map, feedback on these initial recommendations for this first group of counties can be submitted via email through March 19 at DNR-StateLandReview@Michigan.gov.

All comments received will be taken into consideration as DNR staff develops final recommendations for the DNR directors consideration and decision, which will occur at a public meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission.

DNR land managers already are at work on the initial phases of review for the second group of 10 counties. Those recommendations are expected to be available for public review early this summer.

About the state land review process

With nearly 4.6 million acres of public lands to take care of, the DNR makes many decisions about how best to manage the state parks, trails, game and wildlife areas, forests and developed facilities (like boat launches and fish hatcheries) that belong to the people of Michigan.

In 2013, the DNR developed a public land strategy aimed at guiding public land ownership and maximizing benefits to residents and the states natural resources. That strategy called for DNR land managers  using an approach that cuts across different land uses and multiple management levels and perspectives  to review approximately 240,000 acres of public land statewide to determine their contribution to meeting the DNRs mission. That 240,000 acres includes parcels that are 1.) 200 acres or smaller in size, or 2.) difficult to manage due to irregular shape resulting in a significant shared private-public boundary. The strategy calling for this review was approved in September 2018, and work began in early 2020 to determine next steps. The formal review of the first group of counties began last fall.

DNR land managers decided on a county-by-county approach, with all counties placed into one of eight groups for review. The DNR team will review the groups one at a time in order to work through the evaluation, public review and final recommendation process for each group. A single group review will take about five to six months to complete, and the DNR expects to get through all 83 counties by the end of 2023.

Watch the DNR's State Land Review webpage for news and progress updates.
(Alliance News) - Three more people have died with Covid-19 in Ireland.

A further 525 positive cases of the virus were also notified on Sunday.

The figures came as 423 Covid-19 patients remained in hospital, with 103 being treated in intensive care units.

Most of the latest cases (214) were detected in Dublin, with 37 in Meath, 28 in Offaly, 28 in Limerick and 25 in Wicklow, with the remaining 193 cases spread across 19 other counties.

This week will see the extension of the national vaccination programme to people considered at high risk due to serious illness.

Over the weekend, Ireland hit the milestone of doses of the vaccination being administered to half a million people.

However, Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster has expressed concern at the pace of the vaccination programme in the Republic.

"There will have to be conversations about how we move forward in this," she told RTE Radio's This Week programme.

Foster said Stormont's Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride has made it clear that if a lot of people are coming to Northern Ireland who are not vaccinated it "could have an impact on the efficacy" of the vaccine on those who have received it.

She said that so far Stormont has advised people to be sensible rather than issue a ban on crossing the border.

"That's something we haven't done unlike the Republic, we have never had that rule, we have tried to say to people to be sensible and not move between different jurisdictions during the different lockdowns," she said.

"But I think we want to take advice from our medical experts on all of these issues."

Meanwhile, President Michael D Higgins has signed a bill into law which provides for the mandatory quarantine of people entering the state from certain areas to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly described it as "another important element of Ireland's defence against Covid-19".

He said the next step will be to finalise and sign a contract with a service provider which he anticipates will happen "shortly".

source: PA

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
London, March 8 : UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the reopening of schools in England as a "national effort" to beat coronavirus, even though some experts warned that the country is still not "out of the woods".

On Februay 22, Johnson had announced his long-anticipated "roadmap" exiting the lockdown, under which schools in England are scheduled to reopen from Monday as first part of the four-step plan, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the Prime Minister, the plan was designed to be "cautious but irreversible".

Under the guidance, secondary schools students across England are to receive three Covid-19 lateral-flow tests before using at-home kits twice a week.

Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, Johnson said: "The reopening of schools marks a truly national effort to beat this virus.

"It is because of the determination of every person in this country that we can start moving closer to a sense of normality -- and it is right that getting our young people back into the classroom is the first step." Meanwhile, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said that Monday will "mark a moment of joy for millions of people across the country".

"I do not underestimate how challenging the last few months have been with some children in class and most at home, but I do know how important it is for all children to be back in school, not only for their education but for their mental health and wellbeing," he said.

However, experts have warned Britain is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new variants and the risks of the public breaching restriction rules.

"We have done fantastically well in the last couple of months but we are not completely out of the woods yet," Britain's National Statistician Ian Diamond said on March 6.

"I'm in very much the view that we should do everything we can not to blow it nationally," Diamond added.
The author is among the many millions who have seen multitudes of women on television ranging from leaders of countries to ministers. chief medical officers, nurses and researchers working tirelessly to combat the pandemic and attend to patients.

by Dr. Ruwantissa Abeyratne in Montreal

It's not a women's issue but a caregiving issue, and to move forward toward real equality, we not only need a men's movement where caregiving is respected and valued, but also women have to shed their preconceptions about masculinity ~ Anne-Marie Slaughter

The 8th of March every year heralds International Womens Day and this years theme is Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world. It is not clear why the leadership of women has necessarily been narrowly linked with womens role in a world riddled with the pandemic and why their leadership should not be considered irrespective of any special circumstances. The progenitor of this designation  The United Nations - says that March 8th this year celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not made entirely clear how shaping a more equal future (which in and of itself is an oxymoron as something that is equal cannot be more equal) has been brought to bear by women.

The United Nations vindicates itself somewhat by mitigating its generic claim by saying:  It is also aligned with the priority theme of the 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, Women in public life, equal participation in decision making, and the flagship Generation Equality campaign, which calls for womens right to decision-making in all areas of life, equal pay, equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work, an end all forms of violence against women and girls, and health-care services that respond to their needs. So much for that.

The author is among the many millions who have seen multitudes of women on television ranging from leaders of countries to ministers. chief medical officers, nurses and researchers working tirelessly to combat the pandemic and attend to patients. This makes the leadership of women a moot point when it comes to the pandemic and health care. Another incontrovertible fact is that women are generally equal to men in every respect and even better in some respects. Famed behavioral biology professor Melvin Konner has said [W]omen are fundamentally pragmatic as well as caring, cooperative as well as competitive, skilled in getting their own egos out of the way, deft in managing people without putting them on the defensive, builders not destroyers. Womens superiority in judgment, their trustworthiness, reliability, fairness, working and playing well with others, relative freedom from distracting sexual impulses, and lower levels of prejudice, bigotry, and violence.

Harvard Business Review (HBR) in its issue of June 26, 2020 carries an article titled Will the Pandemic Reshape Notions of Female Leadership? by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic and Avivah Wittenberg-Cox. The authors say: Countries with women in leadership have suffered six times fewer confirmed deaths from Covid-19 than countries with governments led by men. Unsurprisingly, the media has swelled with stories of their pragmatism, prowess  and humanity. Will these positive outcomes influence our collective readiness to elect and promote more women into power? They go on to say: There are not (yet) enough women running countries to legitimately examine gender effects. Women only govern 18 countries or 545 million people globally. That is 7% of the worlds population  an achievement, nonetheless statistically insignificant.

These definitive criteria put women squarely ahead of men in terms of their competence and eligibility to play leadership roles in society and it is a social enigma that women should be ascribed a day of the year where they are encouraged and verbally empowered with patronizing empathy. The blanket emollient of the United Nations cited above, particularly in its final part, hints at grave social injustices perpetrated against women

As Sunday Observers Editorial of 7 March reports:  No country has, however, achieved gender equality. Legal restrictions have kept 2.7 billion women from accessing the same choice of jobs as men. Less than 25 percent of parliamentarians were women, as of 2019. One in three women experience gender-based violence, still. A gender pay gap persists across the globe - women earn 23 percent less than men and nearly 60 percent of women around the world work in the informal economy, earning less, saving less, and at greater risk of falling into poverty.

Women are still not present in equal numbers in business or politics. According to the World Economic Forum, the gender gap wont close until 2186. In 2019, women effectively worked for free from November 14 until the end of the year because of the gender pay gap.

Turning to the United Nations, one finds that the philosophy of International Womens Day rests primarily on the perceived economic, financial, and professional value that women bring to society which is marginalized by a contrived gender gap. This might well be the case, but this is not the end of the story. There are also the psychological, social, and historical dimensions.

All these three dimensions rest on the unique role played by women as caregivers, which carry implications for equality of opportunity and recognition. Anne-Marie Slaughter, a professor at Princeton University and CEO of The New America Foundation , in an article in The Atlantic titled Why Women Still Cant Have it All has said: If you are a woman without caregiving responsibilities, there is very little that is going to hold you backThere is still discrimination out there, there is still sexism out there, yes, but by and large (and the statistics bear this out), women without caregiving responsibilities are doing better than men in high school and college and better than men going into the job market. They are ascending rapidly  as long as they are allowed to focus entirely on their careers.

Looking back at early human society, historian Yuval Noah Harari in his celebrated book Sapiens refers to various theories of male domination over women citing social rules that varied widely across societies and time periods, where nearly all human societies since the Agricultural Revolution have been patriarchalthey tend to place men at the top of their social hierarchies. Harari refers to many theories suggesting that men are biologically superior to women among which is one theory which suggests that men are physically stronger, and they used their physical power to suppress women. The innate tendency of men to be more violent and aggressive has also been a theory that has percolated from early periods of human history. Yet another theory suggests that biological differences (such as childbearing) made women evolve to be dependent on men to survive. Needless to say, Harari disagrees with all these trends.

Simone de Beauvoir, in her book The Second Sex, posits the fact that men fundamentally oppress women by characterizing them, on every level, as the Other, defined exclusively in opposition to men. Man occupies the role of the self, or subject; woman is the object, the other. He is essential, absolute, and transcendent. She is inessential, incomplete, and mutilated. He extends out into the world to impose his will on it, whereas woman is doomed to immanence, or inwardness. He creates, acts, invents; she waits for him to save her. This distinction is the foundation of the overall thesis of de Beauvoir of exploitation of women.

After explaining how male superiority in society developed from ancient times - from nomadic hunter-gatherers through the French Revolution and contemporary times, where female subservience and inferiority were forced on the women through the exploitation of their physical frailty and vulnerability de Beauvoir credibly explains how myths have been concocted along the lines of male superiority, effectively depriving women of opportunity and relegating them to the background of ignominy. Implicit in Anne-Marie Slaughters presentation of the caregiver theory is this stark fact.

Whether it be in under employment or under pay, sexual abuse or other forms of exploitation or subjugation, it might be time to cease the patronizing of women by offering them equality in numbers of employment or parity of wages. These are of course necessary to right wrongs. But a deeper appreciation of recognition should not be shrouded in what appears on the surface.

This is the alternate reality.
The $30 million guaranteed Super MILLION$ Week is coming to a close at GGPoker but there is still more action ahead with Day 2 and the final table of the Super MILLION$ $10,300 Main Event still yet to come over the course of the next two days.

The Main Event will provide value for those that cash as the event attracted 976 entries to add $240,000 to the prize pool thanks to the massive $10 million guarantee.

A total of 121 players will return including 47 players from the Day 1d flight with 100 players guaranteed at least a min-cash of $31,012 with the eventual winner banking an impressive $1,242,332 top prize.

Second place will also walk away as a millionaire with a $1,000,991 runner-up prize with many other great prizes in between.

Recap of Day 1d

All of the opening flights featured 22 blind levels of 20-minutes each and Day 1d was no different. Christian Jeppsson, who had more than $1 million in tournament cashes at GGPoker alone, led the way among the 47 Day 1d survivors after bagging an impressive stack of 1,918,599.

Jeppsson, who was already near the top of the leaderboard, took the chip lead near the end of the day while also sending "pochi" to the rail after his ace-nine got there against his opponent's big slick.

Marcelo Asensio (1,681,740), Ludovic "Gr4vyB04t" Geilich {1,327,346), Krasimir Yankov (1,362,902), and Mark "Chasseneige" Demirjian (1,229,053) were closest on Jeppsson's tail at the end of the day.

Meanwhile, Kristen Bicknell will be able to celebrate tomorrow's International Women's Day at GGPoker thanks to bagging a healthy stack of 1,213,252 into tomorrow's Day 2.

GGPoker Ambassador Fedor Holz fired six bullets on Day 1d and the sixth one got him through to Day 2 with a stack of 432,818. Holz fared better than his two fellow GGPoker Ambassadors to get in on the action with Felipe Ramos hitting the rail near the end of the day and Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier ending his day before the end of late registration.

Fedor Holz advanced to Day 2

Top Ten Stacks of Day 1d

Place Player Country Chips Day 2 Big Blinds 1 Christian Jeppsson Sweden 1,918,599 96 2 Marcelo Asensio Brazil 1,681,740 84 3 Ludovic "Gr4vyB04t" Geilich United Kingdom 1,327,346 66 4 Krasimir Yankov Bulgaria 1,326,902 66 5 Mark "Chasseneige" Demirjian Lebanon 1,229,053 61 6 Rodrigo "01123581321" Seji Brazil 1,222,744 61 7 Kristen Bicknell Canada 1,213,252 61 8 Julien "GiuseppeL" Perouse France 1,212,261 61 9 Lucas Greenwood Canada 1,143,296 57 10 Michael Addamo Australia 1,132,696 57

Lache Leads Heading Into Day 2

Isaac Baron enters Day 2 in third place

Day 1d chip leader Christian Jeppsson (1,918,599) will head into Day 2 in sixth place while Day 1b chip leader Vlad-Stefan "HaiFanFan" Lache will kick off Day 2 in the captain's chair with a stack of 2,818,433.

Day 1a chip leader Luigi "shadinho94" Shehadeh (2,705,791) and Day 1c chip leader Isaac Baron (2,689,768) will enter just behind Lache with Artur Martirosian (2,056,261) and Thomas Muehloecker (1,943,839) also in the top five to start Day 2.

Place Player Country Chips Day 2 Big Blinds 1 Vlad-Stefan "HaiFanFan" Lache Romania 2,818,433 141 2 Luigi "shadinho94" Shehadeh Italy 2,705,791 135 3 Isaac Baron United States 2,689,768 134 4 Artur Martirosian Russia 2,056,261 103 5 Thomas Muehloecker Austria 1,943,839 97 6 Christian Jeppsson Sweden 1,918,599 96 7 Alex Foxen United States 1,810,137 91 8 Marcelo Asensio Brazil 1,681,740 84 9 Pavlo Veksler Ukraine 1,617,522 81 10 Adrian Mateos Spain 1,563,606 78

Day 2 Next

The 121 opening flight survivors will return to battle it out tomorrow, March 8 at 6 p.m. GMT (1 p.m.) for Day 2. The blind levels will be 20-minutes in length starting at Level 23 with blinds at 10,000/20,000/2,500a.

The action will play through the money and beyond with the day concluding only after a nine-max final table is reached

GGPoker Commentators Randy "nanonoko" Lew and Kevin "RotterdaM" van der Kooi will then host a live stream of the final table when it kicks off the following day on Tuesday, March 9 at 6 p.m. GMT (1 p.m. EST) at the GGPoker YouTube channel.

Of course, PokerNews will be back with you the rest of the way so stay tuned to see who wins the Super MILLION$ Main Event.

Super MILLION$ Main Event Payouts

Place Prize Place Prize Place Prize 1 $1,242,332 8 $299,366 22-25 $67,700 2 $1,000,991 9 $244,811 26-33 $57,913 3 $818,576 10 $126,425 34-41 $49,542 4 $669,403 11-13 $108,149 42-57 $42,379 5 $547,414 14-17 $92,515 58-73 $36,253 6 $447,657 18-21 $79,141 74-100 $31,012 7 $366,078

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The bonus releases into your account in $10 increments each time you earn 6,000 Fish Buffet Points, which is the equivalent of $60 in rake or tournament fees.
Sarah Ferguson taught Meghan Markle how to curtsy moments before meeting the Queen, as the Duchess of Sussex reveals she went into her royal role 'naively'.

Meghan used her two-hour bombshell Oprah Winfrey tell-all to reveal she 'never looked up her husband online' when they first started dating.

She admitted she 'didn't do any research' into the royal family before she married into it and said she 'didn't fully understand what the job was'.

The Duchess of Sussex - who also used the interview to reveal her second baby will be a girl - said: 'I went into it naively because I didn't grow up knowing much about the royal family. I didn't fully understand what the job was.'

Such was her naivety, that when Meghan went to meet the Queen for the first time at The Royal Lodge in Windsor, she 'didn't even know how to curtsey' and was shocked when Harry explained it was expected of her.

The mother-to-be said that was the moment 'the penny dropped' that her perception about the Firm was 'very different' to the reality, and she had to learn how to perform the royal custom 'very quickly'.

Meghan Markle had no idea she had to curtsy to the Queen and was taught by Sarah Ferguson outside Royal Lodge moments before meeting Her Majesty for the first time (pictured in a teaser clip from the interview)

Meghan told how she first met Prince Harry 's grandmother in a very informal manner at Royal Lodge, the Yorks' home in Windsor, but was stunned when her husband revealed during the car journey there that she was expected to curtsy (pictured on Christmas Day in 2018

'Right in front of the house we practiced and ran in. Fergie ran out and said, "Do you know how to curtsy?",' she recalled.

'Apparently I did a very deep curtsy, I don't remember it, and then we sat there and we chatted.

'I grew up in LA, I see celebrities all the time. it's not the same. This is a completely different ball game.'

Meghan - dressed in an elegant black belted dress by Giorgio Armani - added: 'Thank God I didn't know about the family, thank God I didn't research, I would have been so in my head about it.'

Fergie - as Meghan referred to the Duchess of York throughout the interview - is renowned for her trademark deep curtsies to Her Majesty.

Fergie - as Meghan referred to the Duchess of York - is renowned for her trademark deep curtsies to Her Majesty (pictured with Princess Beatrice at Ascot)

Despite not being an official member of The Fold for more than two decades, Fergie always enthusiastically greets her former mother-in-law with an elaborate knee bend.

During the couple's highly-anticipated two-hour interview, Meghan hailed her 'happy ending' with Prince Harry and Archie now the family are in California - calling their escape from the UK 'better than any fairy tale'.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are 'thriving' in the US after having 'been through a lot' during their time as senior royals.

Meghan hit nerves across the world in 2019 when she said 'it is not enough to just survive something' and instead 'you've got to thrive and feel happy' when speaking about her struggles with life in the Firm.

And now, the duchess said she, Harry and Archie are 'on the other side' and circled back to her earlier comments, triumphantly declaring 'we've actually not just survived but are thriving'.

But it their joy followed hardship, with Meghan revealing she was suicidal when she was pregnant and had warned Harry 'I don't want to be alive anymore'.

Meghan Markle hailed her 'happy ending' with Prince Harry (pictured together in 2020) and Archie now the family are in California - calling their escape from the UK 'better than any fairy tale' in their bombshell CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey

The duchess said she, Harry and Archie (pictured together in 2019) are 'on the other side' and circled back to her earlier comments, triumphantly declaring 'we've actually not just survived but are thriving'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex - who used their two-hour special (pictured) to reveal their second baby will be a girl - are 'thriving' in the US after having 'been through a lot' during their time as senior royals

Harry also revealed that his father Prince Charles stopped taking his calls after they decided to quit while his wife said an unnamed member of Harry's family was 'worried' about how 'dark' their son Archie's skin would be when he was born.

But Meghan said: 'Now, because we're actually on the other side, we've actually not just survived but are thriving.

'I mean, this is miracles. I think that all of those things that I was hoping for have happened, and this is in some ways just the beginning for us.

'You know, we've been through a lot. It's felt like a lifetime. A lifetime.'

Oprah asked: 'So, your story with the prince does have a happy ending.

Meghan replied: 'It does.'

Oprah added: 'It has a happy ending because you made it so.'

Meghan hit nerves across the world in 2019 (pictured) when she said 'it is not enough to just survive something' and instead 'you've got to thrive and feel happy' when speaking about her struggles with life in the Firm

Meghan replied: 'Yeah, greater than any fairy tale you've ever read.'

The Duchess of Sussex also used the interview to liken herself to Disney's The Little Mermaid, a princess who loses her voice when she marries a prince.

While standing in the family's chicken coop, Meghan told Oprah: 'I was sitting in Nottingham cottage, and The Little Mermaid came on.

'Now, who as an adult really watches The Little Mermaid? But it came on, and I was like, "Well, I'm just here all the time, so I may as well watch this."

'And I went, "Oh, my god! She falls in love with the prince, and because of that, she has to lose her voice."

'But by the end, she gets her voice back.'

Meghan cited this event at the Royal Albert Hall in January 2019, claiming she was forced to go when struggling with her mental health

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have insisted their interview with Oprah Winfrey would be the 'last word' on them quitting as senior royals. Pictured: Meghan and Harry in a teaser trailer for the interview

The main bombshells from the Oprah interview - Meghan's mental health The Duchess of Sussex revealed she had suicidal thoughts and said: 'I just didn't want to be alive any more.' She said she begged for help, and asked to go somewhere to get help, and approached one of the most senior people in the institution, but was told it would not look good. The duchess said: 'I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that I've never felt this way before and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution.' - Baby Sussex is a girl Harry and Meghan revealed they are expecting a baby girl. The duke joined his wife in the second half of the interview, and told the chat show host: 'It's a girl.' He said his first thought was 'amazing' when he discovered they were having a girl, adding: 'Just grateful. To have any child, any one or any two, would have been amazing. 'But to have a boy and then a girl, I mean what more can you ask for? Now we've got our family, we got the four of us and our two dogs.' Asked if they were 'done' with two children, Harry said 'done' and Meghan said: 'Two is it.' She also confirmed the baby is due in the 'summertime'. - Royal family accused of racism Meghan said, when she was pregnant with Archie, an unnamed member of the royal family raised 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'. Asked whether there were concerns that her child would be 'too brown' and that would be a problem, Meghan said: 'If that is the assumption you are making, that is a pretty safe one.' Pushed by Winfrey on who had those conversations, Meghan refused to say, adding: 'I think that would be very damaging to them.' She added: 'That was relayed to me from Harry, those were conversations the family had with him, and I think it was really hard to be able to see those as compartmentalised conversations.' - Archie's title Meghan suggested she and Harry wanted Archie to be a prince so he would have security and be protected. The duchess expressed her shock at 'the idea of our son not being safe', and the idea of the first member of colour in this family, not being titled in the same way as other grandchildren. Archie, who is seventh in line to the throne, is not entitled to be an HRH or a prince due to rules set out more than 100 years ago by King George V. He will be entitled to be an HRH or a prince when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne. As the first born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton - one of Harry's subsidiary titles - or have been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, instead at the time of his birth, a royal source said Harry and Meghan had decided he should a regular Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. - The Prince of Wales The Duke of Sussex said his father the Prince of Wales stopped taking his calls while Harry and Meghan were in Canada 'because I took matters into my own hands. I needed to do this for my family'. He said Charles wanted him to put his plans in writing. - The Queen Harry denied that he had 'blindsided' his grandmother Queen with the bombshell statement about stepping down as senior royal. The duke said he believed the report probably could have come from 'within the institution'. - The Duchess of Cambridge Meghan said Kate made her cry ahead of her wedding. Reports circulated ahead of the Sussexes' nuptials that Meghan left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress fitting. But Meghan told Winfrey the 'reverse happened'. Meghan said she was not sharing the information to be 'disparaging', but added it was 'really important for people to understand the truth'. 'She's a good person,' the duchess added. Advertisement

Oprah said: 'And this is what happened here. You feel like you got your voice back', to which Meghan replied: 'Yeah.'

The Sussexes also used the interview to reveal they were already planning 'Megxit' just six months after they married in May 2018.

Describing how she considered ending her life believing it 'was better for everyone', Meghan said: 'I just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.

'And I remember - I remember how he just cradled me. I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help.

'I said that "I've never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere."

'And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution'.

She added: 'I don't want to put more on my husband's shoulders. He's carrying the weight of the world. I don't want to bring that to him'.

The Duke of Sussex also said his family had 'cut him off' financially in early 2020, claiming that they had to sign multi-million dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify because he was relying on spending his inheritance from Princess Diana.

In the biggest royal interview for decades, Meghan claims Harry's family were worried about how 'dark' their son's skin would be. Harry also accused the family of failing to 'show support' for his wife when she suffered racism, and said he was 'trapped' in the Royal Family until he met Meghan.

He said: 'My father and brother. They're both trapped. They don't get to leave'. He added that his mother Diana would be 'angry and sad' that he felt he had to leave the royal family, but 'she saw it coming'. Harry said: 'All shed ever want for us is to be happy'.

Asked about his relationship with Prince Charles, Harry said they were now speaking, adding: 'There's a lot to work through there, you know? I feel really let down, because he's been through something similar. He knows what pain feels like, and Archie's his grandson. I will always love him, but there's a lot of hurt that's happened. And I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship'.

Harry also said the couple left because of the media in Britain and because of a 'lack of support and lack of understanding' from his family, and revealed that his father refused to speak to him after they left for Vancouver. And in a sign that his relationship with his brother William is strained, claiming he 'didn't have anyone to turn to' and was 'ashamed' to admit his wife struggling.

He said: 'I love William to bits. He's my brother. We've been through hell together. I mean, we have a shared experience. But we're on different paths'. Harry added: 'My family literally cut me off financially. Members of my family were suggesting that she [Meghan] carries on acting, because there was not enough money to pay for her. There was some real obvious signs before we even got married that this was going to be really hard'.

Meghan also revealed that Kate Middleton made her cry before she married Harry in a row over flowergirls' dresses, and claims she called the Queen when she heard Prince Philip was admitted to hospital almost three weeks ago.

In the sensational interview she also accused the Royal Family of having 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white.

The Duchess of Sussex also described her 'pain' that officials had denied him the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect their son Archie by denying him 24/7 security.

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it.

When Oprah asked if she was denied the title because of he is mixed-race, Oprah asked if the palace had concerns Archie would be 'too brown', Meghan said: 'In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, we have in tandem, the conversation of 'He won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title,' and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'.

Oprah then interrupted and said: 'Hold on. Hold up. Stop right now. There's a conversation... about how dark your baby is going to be?' Meghan replied: 'Potentially, and what that would mean or look like'.

'And you're not going to tell me who had the conversation?', Oprah asked. To which Meghan replied: 'I think that would be very damaging to them. That was relayed to me from Harry. Those were conversations that family had with him'.

Much of the two-hour show was about the Royal Family, but there was no mention of Meghan's rift with her father and a brief mention of her mother Doria.

Meghan As Oprah wrapped up the interview the couple insisted that they had had a 'happy ending' by moving to LA, with Harry saying he had 'no regrets'. But his wife added: 'My regret is believing them [the Royal Family] when they said I'd be protected.'
BRUSSELS - Greek authorities should provide assistance and assess the conditions of the cattle onboard one of the two ships stuck in the Mediterranean Sea since December, EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides has asked.



She was quoted by the Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) NGO.



The commissioner was referring to a case of 2,600 cattle that were unable to disembark in their ports of destination in Turkey and Libya due to suspected illness, after a petition on the matter that was discussed in the European Parliament on February 24.



One of the two ships, the Elbeik, was authorised to weigh anchor off Crete over the weekend but the other, Karim Allah, has instead returned to Spain, where the animals will be culled.



CIWF has asked debate on a revision of the regulations on transporting animals and to "put an end to this useless suffering, once and for all" through an EU ban on exporting all animals outside of its borders, CIWF's Olga Kikou said.



She added that the time had come to stop treating cattle as if they were goods in the EU, "a region that claims leadership in animal welfare standards".



CIWF is now in contact with the authorities in Brussels, Greece, Cyprus, Spain, and Italy to reduce the suffering of the animals involved as much as possible.
Meghan Markle gained a reputation for herself as an actress, activist, and writer before marrying Prince Harry three years ago. She was known for starring as Rachel Zane, a paralegal who later became a prosecutor, on the hit US television show Suits. She gave up her career as an actor when she became a part of the Royal Family and involved herself in the lifestyle of working royalty. Meghan had been committed to someone else well before she met Prince Harry.

The Duchess of Sussex was previously married to Trevor Engelson, a 43-year-old American actor and producer. The pair wed in September 2011, but separated in August 2013, less than two years later. Meghan was 30 years old when she wed Engelson. Find out here who is Meghan Markles first husband.

Also read: Meghan Markle And Harry's Interview Might Mark A 'turning Point'

Who was Meghan Markles husband before Prince Harry?

As per Town & Country, there was really no clear reason for the couple's divorce, but they specifically cited "irreconcilable discrepancies" as a factor. Meghan's supporters and the general public were taken aback by the divorce, as the two had been together for seven years prior to the wedding. The divorce was later revealed to be due to the Duchess' shooting obligations in Toronto for Suits, and Mr Engelson's need to remain in Los Angeles for work.

Also read: Royal Family To Appear In Front Of Cameras Hours Before Meghan, Harry's Interview

Meghan's first marriage, like her second, was well out of the ordinary. Meghan wed Engelson in a beachside service at the Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, as per the article. The ceremony was allegedly a four-day celebration, with everyone hitting the dance floor after a short ceremony.

As per an early snippet from Andrew Morton's Meghan: A Hollywood Princess memoir, "Meghan allegedly returned her wedding and engagement rings to Trevor via registered mail, according to a wealthy entrepreneur acquaintance. Meghan decided to end the union, according to another source, and it came completely out of the blue.". The memoir also spoke about how Meghan decided on that course of action because it was the best decision for her at that time.

Also read: Meghan Markle Reveals She And Prince Harry Got Married 'three Days Before' Royal Wedding

In addition, Engelson is currently working on a "divorce comedy" about the royal family, the magazine wrote. It's 'fictional', but it's based on his own life experiences. The official pitch for the show, which Fox is producing, is as follows: "Divorce is a difficult process. It's more difficult to share custody. When your wife ends up marrying a prince in the brutal glare of London's tabloid media, fighting for custody with the British Royal family is next tier."

Also read: Meghan Markle Reveals She 'just Didn't Want To Be Alive Anymore' In Oprah's Interview

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.
American media outlets are responding after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry levelled astonishing claims of racism, cruelty and emotional neglect at the Royal Family, with some critical of her appeals for pity, but most taking her side.

Some were sharply critical of Meghan, including a New York Post columnist calling her a 'manipulative piece of work' and saying her answers to Oprah were 'full of bull' and that she had been 'pitiless and cruel' towards her husband's family while demanding the same pity for herself.

But most U.S. pundits sided with Meghan, with a CNN commentator saying the interview laid bare 'hypocrisy' within the Palace, while a Wall Street Journal writer said Harry had described the monarchy as an 'oppressive system' from which he had 'escaped'.

The interview, the most significant with a royal in over two decades, also exposed a stark difference of opinion between the US - where newspapers and social media users were broadly supportive of Meghan - and the UK - where she came in for criticism.

Meghan and Harry sat down for their bombshell interview with Oprah on Sunday night, with US news outlets rushing to her defence afterwards

Broadcast pundits react with sympathy to Meghan's revelation that she had suicidal thoughts

On CBS This Morning, Gayle King, who is close friends with Oprah Winfrey, called Meghan 'brave' for opening up about her suicidal thoughts in the interview.

'I got very choked up just listening to her explain how difficult it is to seek help, and then to be told no, no there's nothing we can do,' she said.

King also revealed that the interview was not held at her home as had been previously rumored.

Other commentators also expressed sympathy for Meghan, who claimed that her attempts to seek referrals for counseling were rebuffed by Palace staff.

On CBS This Morning, Gayle King, who is close friends with Oprah Winfrey, called Meghan 'brave' for opening up about her suicidal thoughts in the interview

Today Show co-hosts Hoda Kotb (left) called the interview 'nuclear' and Jenna Bush (right) praised Meghan as 'honest' about 'so many things'

'It's really sort of seismic to hear a member of the Royal Family say that she herself felt that much in crisis,' Michelle Tauber wrote for People Magazine.

On NBC's Today Show, Hoda Kotb said of the interview: 'People keep calling it nuclear, it was.'

'I sort of feel like it's the day after the Super Bowl, I ate too much, I dreamed about Royals,' co-host Jenna Bush added. Bush is a daughter of former President George W. Bush.

'There were so many things that she was honest about,' Bush added of Meghan.

However, British pundit Piers Morgan appeared on Fox & Friends and accused Meghan of 'outrageous lies,' calling the interview a 'complete and utter betrayal' of the Royal Family.

British pundit Piers Morgan appeared on Fox & Friends and accused Meghan of 'outrageous lies,' calling the interview a 'complete and utter betrayal'

He called the interview 'two hours of disingenuous horrible, one-sided, self-serving, delusional claptrap.'

'I think it was the acting performance of her life,' he said of Meghan. 'It was designed to portray her as the ultimate victim.'

Morgan also slammed Harry for participating, asking 'what is [he] thinking?'

'It is a dereliction of all loyalty to his country,' he added.

Columnists claim interview exposes 'hypocrisy and oppression' in the British monarchy

In a report on the interview, Forbes said the reality for Meghan was that she had allegedly encountered 'racism and stoicism' behind the royals' fairy tale image.

Forbes wrote: 'As an American, Meghan Markle said her views of royalty were shaped by fairy tales. She seemed to step into that fantasy when she wed Prince Harry in 2018.

CNN columnist Holly Thomas said the interview exposed 'palace hypocrisy'

'But the reality she allegedly encountered  one of racism, and an official stoicism that silenced her and her closest friends led the first royal of color to consider taking her own life.'

In the New York Times, writer Ellen Barry recalled speaking to black Britons at the time of Meghan and Harry's marriage, saying it 'really meant something' to them - and that she 'hates to think' what their reaction to this interview will be.

Meanwhile Mark Landler at the NYT wrote that Meghan had described 'a royal life that began as a fairy tale but quickly turned suffocating and cruel.

'Meghan's blunt answers raised the combustible issues of race and privilege in the most rarefied echelon of British society,' he added.

A CNN columnist drew a comparison between Buckingham Palace's investigation into claims of bullying against Meghan - aired in the days before the interview - and its defence of Prince Andrew amid claims about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

'Harry and Meghan expose palace hypocrisy,' read the headline on an opinion piece by writer Holly Thomas.

CNN ran an opinion piece which compared Buckingham Palace's treatment of Harry and Meghan with Prince Andrew, saying it exposes 'hypocrisy'

In a report on the interview, Forbes said the reality for Meghan was that she had allegedly encountered 'racism and stoicism' behind the royals' fairy tale image

The Wall Street Journal, while leading with Meghan's suicidal thoughts, also recalled her row with the British press and later described Harry's 'escape' from an 'oppressive system'

In a lighter response, Washington Post columnists penned a satirical essay saying Megan's remarks should galvanize fictional princesses to unionize

'Though full details of the allegations against Meghan are as yet unknown, the palace's eagerness to respond to them stands in stark contrast to its previous reactions to other controversies,' she wrote.

'Most notably the substantially more serious complaints against the Queen's third child, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.

'These statements have been minimal and resolutely supportive of the prince - not to mention an illuminating insight into the values the family seems to hold most dear.'

Meanwhile the Wall Street Journal recalled Meghan's battle with the British press, saying it had 'exacerbated' her misery around the time she confessed to having suicidal thoughts.

The paper also picked up on remarks made by Prince Harry - that his father, Prince Charles, and brother, Prince William, are 'trapped' in the institution - to brand the monarchy an 'oppressive system'

'Prince Harry described his family's exit in terms of an escape,' the paper wrote.

In a lighter response, Washington Post columnists Alexandra Petri and Jessica M. Goldstein penned a satirical column saying Megan's remarks should galvanize fictional princesses to unionize.

New York Post scribes break with the pack to slam Meghan and Harry as disingenuous and manipulative

The New York Post was an exception among US outlets - with columnist Maureen Callahan calling Meghan a liar, pointing out inconsistencies in her and Harry's account of events, and taking a swipe at Oprah for failing to clear them up.

Meanwhile Post scribe Miranda Devine used her column to call Meghan a 'manipulative piece of work', 'pitiless and cruel' and attack her central claim that the royal family were set on denying son Archie a title and protection because of the colour of his skin.

New York Post columnists Maureen Callahan (left) and Miranda Devine (right) broke with the pack to level harsh criticism at Harry and Meghan over the interview

Not all American sites defended Meghan, with the New York Post branding her 'full of bull' and 'a manipulative piece of work'

'You only have to remember how cruelly she treated her own father and sister after she met Harry to understand how pitiless she is,' she wrote.

'Now she is intent on inflicting the same cruelty, or worse, on her husband's family.'

But Erin Vanderhoof, a writer for Vanity Fair, gave a very different view of that same remark - saying it was 'past the line'.

'That taboo against interracial marriage and the ways that it does still survive are some of the things that we do know as being racist,' she said.

Asked bluntly by the BBC whether the row with Meghan had changed the way American people see Britain, she added: 'On the one hand clearly the Royal Family is not representative of all British people.

'But in a lot of ways Meghan is the realisation of a certain meritocratic idea in America.

'To see someone who, in their own way, was a self-made person, to see them be so roundly rejected or mocked, it does come to very foundational ideas of what Amercians see society as being about.'

Vogue praised the interview as 'raw' and 'emotional'. Meghan previously guest edited the British version of the magazine

The New York Times said Meghan's interview had 'raised the combustible issues of race and privilege in the most rarefied echelon of British society'

Today's Parent focused on the 'unbearable things' Markle said she suffered while pregnant

Media reactions expose the vast gulf in opinions between the US and UK

The US version of Vogue praised the interview as 'raw and emotional'.

The British version of the magazine, which Meghan once guest-edited, read simply 'The Duchess Of Sussex Opens Up About Having Suicidal Thoughts During Her First Pregnancy'.

US broadcaster Megyn Kelly was also critical of Meghan, attacking her claim that she was not attached to the 'grandeur' of her royal role - despite inviting celebrities to her wedding and covering herself 'in blood diamonds'.

She told Good Morning Britain: 'What I saw tonight was somebody who is totally un-self-aware, completely unaware of how she sounded.

'Like, I wasn't planning on saying anything shocking, expect for my husband's racist family almost drove me to suicidal thoughts while I was pregnant with my baby.'

Opinion was similarly divided on social media as those in the UK called on The Duke and Duchess of Sussex to be stripped of their royal titles while Americans praised the couple's 'honesty' and 'bravery'.

Several viewers took to Twitter calling on the couple to be stripped of their Duke and Duchess rank - while Piers Morgan branded the interview an 'absolutely disgraceful betrayal of the Queen'.

However, many of Meghan's American friends rallied behind her, with Serena Williams and make-up artist Daniel Martin are leading the support for the former actress.

Fox New led with the emotional impact on Meghan - but also questioned whether people were starting to get 'sick of royal mania'

The Hollywood Reporter branded the UK's reaction to the interview 'hysterical' while also leading with its most salacious allegation - that members of Harry's family had questioned what the baby's skin tone would be like

In a statement on Twitter after the interview aired, Williams - who was among those to attend Meghan's wedding to Prince Harry - described her as a 'selfless friend' who 'teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble'.

'Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she's experienced,' Williams wrote.

'I know first hand the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of color to minimize us, to break us down and demonize us. We must recognize our obligation to decry malicious, unfounded gossip and tabloid journalism.

Meanwhile, US poet Amanda Gorman said: 'Meghan is living the life Diana should have, if only those around her had been as brave as she was. Meghan isn't living a life without pain, but a life without a prison'.

Daniel Martin - who did Meghan's make-up on her wedding day - shared a picture of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Instagram.

He posted the photo alongside a poem from Maya Angelou that said: 'You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt. But still, like dust, I'll rise.'

'Very sickening what Meghan had to go through. Abolish this racist, incompetent monarchy,' one viewer wrote.

'I'm SO PROUD of Meghan. To come out and speak her truth about the monarchy being racist towards her OWN BABY is incredibly brave,' said another.

While US viewers praised Meghan for 'calling out racism,' those in the in the UK accused her of 'disrespecting the Queen'.
5 Ways Students Could Impact the Global Coronavirus Pandemic

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(Photo : pexels)

Students of all ages have taken center stage now that "back to school" has arrived in many parts of the country. Throughout the pandemic, it seems that certain demographics have been taking the brunt of complaints-and now it's students' turn.

There have been recent headlines touting students at traditional in-person campus environments breaking the rules and getting together in large groups. Of course, any large gathering has a high chance of spreading COVID-19. Students are not, and have not been, the only groups to be doing this.

You will find risk-taking in virtually every facet of American life. However, it's undeniable that the strong desire for a "normal" campus experience has led some students to taking unnecessary risks.

This is only one way students are impacting the global coronavirus pandemic. Yes, these in-person campus environments are creating hot spots of COVID; however, they're no more dangerous than the recent Sturgis motorcycle rally or the hubs of in-person church gatherings.

This is no excuse, but rather a singular example of how students are affecting the spread of coronavirus. Here are a few more:

Changing the Face of Education for Good

We're definitely still in the early stages of figuring out how distance learning works. Just like in-person learning, there are some students (and parents!) who are better suited for it than others.

There are issues of socio-economic factors to take into account. However, some students and families are finding that at-home learning actually works better for them. It also prepares students for an increasingly virtual and global career future. Even better, it is also a fantastic means of reducing bullying.

Making More Time for What Matters

If you have a student, have you noticed they seem to have more time with distance learning? If their learning capabilities and grades have stayed the same or improved, that's a great thing. Removing the time necessary to commute, physically change classes, and all of the time waste that happens in traditional settings gives students more precious time. This means students can prioritize rest, hobbies, and even family time.

Tech Skills are Improving

There's no getting around the fact that students need a certain level of tech skills in order to undertake at-home learning. This leads to disparities for families and/or school districts that can't afford to provide this.

However, for those who do get the tech and Wi-Fi they need, students are enjoying stronger tech skills than ever. They're negotiating virtual meetings with the same finesse as their business leader parent, learning real life skills they can translate to their careers.

Stress Management Techniques are Being Tested

Maybe your student counted on regular recess breaks to manage their stress or anxiety. If that isn't built into an at-home model, that could be dangerous. We will all figure out the quickest and easiest ways to self-soothe, including students, and that could lead to drug use and coronavirus-required distance learning.

If parents have to work during the day, even if they're in the same house as their children, they simply can't watch them as closely as they should. Keep an eye out on older children who might be using vices as a means of handling their stress.

There's no learning environment that is ideal for every student, and there never will be. For decades, there has been a very specific format followed by most of the U.S. and that included in-person learning in increasingly crowded classrooms.

Now is a time to assess how distance learning works and doesn't. We can see the pros, cons, and how we can make modifications to improve it. Students as well as teachers are the driving force behind this "experiment," and they're the best resources for when the pandemic is over to gauge whether or not virtual learning should continue.

See Now: Facebook will use AI to detect users with suicidal thoughts and prevent suicide

 2017 University Herald, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) The second edition of India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise 'Dustlik-2' started on Monday at Chaubatia in Uttarakhand, the Defence Ministry said.

The first edition of the joint military exercise had taken place in Tashkent in November 2019.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's office said on Twitter, 'The 2nd edition of India-Uzbekistan military Exercise starts from today at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand. This Exercise is an important milestone in growing cooperation between the armies of both the countries.' Singh 'extends his best wishes for the success of 'Dustlik-2',' it added.

Around 45 military personnel of armies of both the countries are participating in Dustlik-2, said senior Indian military officials.

The focus of this joint exercise would be on counter-terrorism, they noted. PTI DSP SMN SMN
Prince Harry has told Oprah Winfrey the royal family's attitude to his wife Meghan changed after the couple's wildly successful visit to Australia in 2018.

The revelation came as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were asked about about The Crown, the controversial Netflix television series which Harry defended in an interview with James Corden last month.

The couple told Oprah they 'have watched some of' the show, but gave few other hints of their feelings about it.

However, they suggested they had seen some of the most recent episodes, which focused primarily on Harry's parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

Those episodes featured Diana's turbulent relationship with her husband, with Oprah asking specifically about the show's depiction of Charles and Diana's 1983 tour of Australia.

Prince Harry has told Oprah Winfrey the royal family's attitude to his wife Meghan changed after the couple's wildly successful visit to Australia in 2018. Harry and Meghan are pictured meeting a koala during a visit to Sydney's Taronga Zoo in October 2018

Prince Harry has hinted the royal family became envious of his wife Meghan during the couple's tour of Australia, much as his father is portrayed in The Crown as growing jealous of Diana's rising popularity during her trip to the country 35 years earlier

Defense: Prince Harry says he 'had' to make a multi-million-dollar deal with Netflix because he was 'cut off' by the royal family at the start of 2020 and needed money to pay for security

In the series, Charles is portrayed as growing jealous of Diana's rising popularity during the trip, something that Harry suggested was echoed when he and Meghan visited Australia in 2018, hinting the Duchess faced envy from other members of his family.

'You know, my father, my brother, Kate and and all the rest of the family, they were really welcoming,' he said of his wife's introduction into the royal family. 'But it really changed after the Australia tour, after our South Pacific tour.'

He continued: 'It was the first time that the family got to see how incredible [Meghan] is at the job.'

Oprah then referenced scenes from The Crown in which Charles is seen growing increasingly jealous of his wife and the incredibly positive reception she received as they traveled throughout Australia.

She asked Harry whether his and Meghan's tour of Australia 'brought back memories' of his parents' trip, saying: 'Your father and your mother went there, and your mother was bedazzling. So, are you saying there were hints of jealousy [from the rest of the royal family]?'

Harry refused to confirm whether he thought other royals were envious of Meghan, but said: 'I just wish that we would all learn from the past'.

'But to see the... to see how effortless it was for Meghan to come into the family so quickly in Australia and across New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, and just be able to connect with people...'

'It was the first time that the family got to see how incredible [Meghan] is at the job,' Prince harry told Oprah of their Australian tour. The couple is pictured at Bondi

Harry refused to confirm whether he thought other royals were envious of Meghan, but said: 'I just wish that we would all learn from the past'. Prince Charles and Princess Diana are pictured on the NSW Central Coast in January 1988 during the Australian Bicentennial tour

He then described his wife as 'one of the greatest assets to the Commonwealth that the family could have ever wished for'.

Prince Harry insists that he 'had' to make his own lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify after being 'cut off' financially by the royal family, insisting that he needed to make money so that he could afford to pay for security to 'keep his family safe'.

The Duke and Duchess claimed to Oprah during their bombshell primetime interview that they 'had no plan' to ink multi-million-dollar deals with the 'streamers' when they first quit the royal family, but said that they were forced to find ways of making money when the royal family took away his security.

Insisting that their deals with Netflix and Spotify - which are believed to be worth upwards of $100 million - were 'never part of the plan', Harry, 36, said: 'We didn't have a plan. That was suggested by somebody else by the point of where my family literally cut me off financially, and I had to afford security for us.'

The Duke of Sussex revealed that his family stopped all financial support in the 'first quarter of 2020', likely soon after Harry and Meghan, 39, announced that they were stepping down as working royals, adding that had he not had money that had been left to him by his mother Princess Diana, the couple would not have been able to afford to move to the US.

'I've got what my mum left me, and without that, we would not have been able to do this,' he said.

Safety first: Harry, 36, said that making deals with Netflix and Spotify were 'never part of the plan' but said 'all he needed was enough money to pay for security to keep his family safe'

Oprah asked Harry whether his and Meghan's tour of Australia 'brought back memories' of his parents' first trip to the country. Princess Diana and Prince Charles are pictured talking to a boy in tribal costume at Mildura in Victoria on another royal tour in October 1985

'During COVID, the suggestion by a friend was, "What about streamers?"' Harry continued, while Meghan added: 'We genuinely hadn't thought about it before.'

'We hadn't thought about it,' Harry continued. 'So, there were all sorts of different options. And look, from my perspective, all I needed was enough money to be able to pay for security to keep my family safe.'

When Harry and Meghan first announced that they were quitting their roles as senior working royals, there was much speculation over who would foot the enormous bill for their security - a subject that they touched on a number of times during their explosive interview with Oprah.

The couple revealed that Hollywood heavyweight Tyler Perry, who lent Harry and Meghan his $18 million Beverly Hills mansion when they first moved to LA, also paid for their security while they were living there.

'We needed a house, and he offered us security as well, so it gave us breathing room to try and figure out what we are going to do,' Meghan explained, while Harry hit out at the royals for removing his security at such 'short notice'.

'The biggest concern was that while we were in Canada, in someone else' house, and then I got told short notice that security was going to be removed,' he said, explaining that this news came shortly before the world went into lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.

'So suddenly it dawned on me, hang on a second, the borders could be closed, we're going to have our security removed, who knows how long lockdown is going to be,' he said.

'The world knows where we are. It's not safe. It's not secure.'

Princess Diana is given a traditional Maori greeting at Eden Park Stadium in Auckland during the royal tour of New Zealand in 1983

Harry described his wife as 'one of the greatest assets to the Commonwealth that the family could have ever wished for'. She is pictured greeting a local woman at Roturua when she toured New Zealand with Harry in October 2018

At the time, it was estimated that security for the couple could cost upwards of $5.5 million a year - a sum that was previously paid by British taxpayers through the Metropolitan Police budget.

Many critics insisted that the couple should have to pick up the bill themselves after they quit working royal life in favor of a move to the US.

According to Harry, the couple's police protection - which is given to all of the most senior working royals - was taken away because of their 'change in status'.

'Their justification is a change in status, of which I pushed back and said, "Well is there a change of threat or risk?"' he recalled.

'And after many weeks of waiting, eventually, I got the confirmation that, no, the risk and threat hasn't changed, but [it was] due to our change of status, which we would not longer be official working members of the royal family.'

The Duke admitted that the move came as a surprise to him, because he had thought that he would always be afforded protection because he was a royal by birth and therefore 'inherited the risk' that comes with being in that position.

'I never thought I would have my security removed, because I was born in to this position,' he said. 'I inherited the risk. So that was a shock to me.'

Meghan also said that she 'wrote letters' to the royal family in which she pleaded with them to keep Harry's security in place, but claimed that she was told it 'was not possible', despite her insisting that he was facing 'death threats' and 'racist propaganda'.

'I even wrote letters to his family saying, "Please, it's very clear the protection of me or Archie is not a priority. I accept that, that is fine. Please keep my husband safe. I see the death threats. I see the racist propaganda.

'Please keep him safe, please don't pull his security and announce to the world when he and we are most vulnerable." And they it's just not possible.'

The couple's decision to partner with Netflix raised many eyebrows, and several critics slammed Harry and Meghan for teaming up with the streaming site responsible for The Crown, which has been accused of painting a 'twisted' image of the royal family.

Fans: Harry and Meghan revealed that they 'have watched some' of controversial Netflix show The Crown, hinting that they had seen episodes which focus on Prince Charles and Diana

Looking back: The fourth series of the show depicts Prince Charles and Princess Diana's 1983 tour to Australia, and portrays Charles as growing bitterly jealous of his wife's popularity

Echo: Harry hinted that other royals were jealous of Meghan's popularity during their own tour of Australia in 2018

The couple's confession that they have indeed watched episodes of The Crown come days after Harry defended the controversial show and its depiction of his family to Late Late Show host James Corden.

The fourth series of The Crown, which premiered last November, showed Charles meeting and marrying an innocent Diana while maintaining his affair with the then-married Camilla Parker-Bowles. Scenes showing Diana gorging on food before vomiting into a toilet are so graphic that they carry on-screen warnings.

Prince Harry - who also name-dropped Netflix elsewhere in the interview - said The Crown is 'fictional' but is 'loosely based on the truth' and captures the feeling of being expected to put 'duty and service above family and everything else'.

Harry added he would like Homeland actor Damian Lewis to play him if his character ever appears on the show as an adult.

'They dont pretend to be news, its fictional,' Prince Harry said of The Crown. 'But its loosely based on the truth.

'Of course its not strictly accurate but it loosely it gives you a rough idea of that lifestyle and the pressures of putting duty and service above family and everything else and what can come from that.

'Im way more comfortable about The Crown than the stories I see written about my family, my wife or myself. Because its the difference between thats [the fact] obviously fiction, take it how you will  but this is reported on as fact because youre supposedly news.'
The Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut (PIACT) elected Shannon Rabbett, of Windsor, Connecticut, as president at the associations annual business meeting, held virtually on March 4, 2021. She will serve as the associations president during its 2021-2022 term.

Rabbett is principal of Rabbett Insurance Agency in Windsor, Connecticut.

As an active member of the association, Rabbett was president-elect in 2020-2021; vice president in 2019-2020; treasurer for 2018-2019; and serves as vice president of the Administrative/Nominations Committee. She also is conference chairperson of PIACTs Association Programs Committee and is a member of PIACTs Virtual Conference Task Force and the Executive/Budget & Finance Committee.

Rabbett also is past president of the Connecticut Young Insurance Professionals.

PIACT is a professional association for independent insurance agents, working to advance the needs of its members and be a voice in the insurance industry.

Source: Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut

Topics Agencies Connecticut
LANSING, MI  A Roscommon County man pleaded guilty to child sex crime charges in Shiawassee County.

Michael Clune pleaded guilty on Thursday, March, 4 in Shiawassee County Circuit Court to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child under age 13, and one count of aggravated child sexually abusive activity.

Clune, 50, of Houghton Lake, will be sentenced as a habitual second offender. He entered the plea before 35th Circuit Court Judge Matthew Stewart.

Clune will spend a minimum of 25 years in prison for the charges in Shiawassee County, per a news release from the Michigan Attorney Generals Office.

He 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.

According to Nessels office, 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. He was previously convicted of two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in Wayne County in 2004.

Michigan State Police executed a search warrant on Clunes residence in Houghton Lake and found electronic devices which led to charges of child sexually abusive activity. Troopers secured additional evidence to support the first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge.

Read more on MLive:

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Convicted murderer with terminal illness seeks clemency to die at home with mother

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Santiago, March 7: More than 4 million people in Chile have been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus and more than half a million have received two doses, the Ministry of Health reported.

According to the Department of Statistics and Health Information, the total number of people who have been inoculated in Chile reached 4,041,536, while 551,485 have received two doses of vaccine, reports Xinhua news agency.

Health Minister Enrique Paris said on Saturday that of the total number of people who have received vaccines, 2,614,615 were aged over 60. Pakistan's COVID-19 Cases Rise by 50% in Less Than Two Weeks, Total Active Cases Increased to 17,352.

Besides, 59.2 per cent of the recipients were women and 40.8 per cent were men. Interior Minister Rodrigo Delgado said that Chile has donated 20,000 vaccines to Ecuador.

Chile has so far registered over 21,008 deaths from Covid-19, while the caseload increased to more than 850,000, the Ministry of Health said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 07, 2021 03:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Millions of pounds in taxes paid on the frozen assets of Colonel Gadaffi should be used to compensate victims of IRA bombs that used Libya-supplied Semtex, an MP has said.

Westminster's Northern Ireland Affairs Committee has summoned William Shawcross, who wrote an in-depth report on the Libyan dictator's IRA links and the compensation issue, to appear before it later this month.

His report was submitted to the Foreign Office in May 2020, but the Government has so far refused to publish it. Committee chairman Simon Hoare said despite "repeated public and private correspondence and written and oral parliamentary questions", the Foreign Office has "taken no substantive action and is apparently determined to suppress your report and the matter".

Ulster Unionist peer Lord Empey said: "This is a sorry saga of Government inaction for several decades. The latest attempt to thwart the publication of the Shawcross report indicates a lack of will on the part of Government to see justice done for the victims."

Last month peers were told that 17m was paid to the Treasury in tax from the late dictator's frozen assets.

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley told the Sunday Telegraph: "This staggering amount of money ought to be used to compensate without further delay those individuals who suffered at the hands of Gadaffi-sponsored IRA terrorism."
An Australian zoo has shared a photo of a brave baby koala who was treated for a fractured arm after being rescued when her mother fell from a tree in a eucalyptus plantation.

The tiny joey, was just five-months-old and weighed 500grams, when she was rushed to Werribee Zoo in Victoria where she was treated by veterinarians.

'She was just at the stage where she would have been starting to poke her head out of mum's pouch. Joeys that size don't have a good survival rate in care,' vet nurse Jess Rice said.

A tiny koala joey has recovered after being fitted with a mini-cast to repair a broken arm it suffered after falling from a tree on a logging plantation in 2019

But expert staff at the zoo refused to give up - providing round the clock care and fitting the marsupial with an adorable arm cast after x-rays revealed she had fractured her limb in the fall.

Soon the koala began to gain weight and recovered enough strength to explore her surroundings and climb on the back of a koala stuffed toy as she would naturally do with her mother.

Unfortunately, the difficult decision was made by an external veterinarian to euthanise the adult koala as she suffered severe injuries in the fall from the tree.

Staff at the zoo, however, were ecstatic they were able to save the baby who recovered enough to be sent to live with a wildlife carer before being returned to the wild in 2020.

The koala joey named Millie was released to a carer for the final months of her recovery until being released back into the wild in 2020

'It was really touch and go when she was brought to us,' Ms Rice said.

Commenters on a video uploaded to the Zoos Victoria YouTube page were also quite enamored with the joey.

'Awwww, bless her,' one person said.

'Poor baby she is so cute, give her a kiss from me,' another person said.

'How adorable, thank you for saving her and other animals,' added a third.

Koala's are listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN - with bushfires, deforestation, and disease having affected their numbers.

On Monday, the New South Wales government reached a deal to protect koala habitats under their new Koala State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) 2021.

The deal exempts some rural NSW land zoned for farming or forestry, labelled 'core rural zones' from the protected areas - to quell infighting within the government against the scheme led by the NSW deputy premier.

Environment Minister Matt Kean said the new SEPP would facilitate the government's push to double the NSW koala population by 2050.

However, the NSW Greens have argued the watered-down laws will threaten koala habitats.

Another koala joey named Mini was rescued by Weribee Zoo in 2020 after being found in the wild after the koala's mother was attacked by a dog

In November 2020, Victorian premier Daniel Andrews visited the site and announced Weribee Zoo would be receiving an $84million upgrade.

Among the new features will be a state-of-the-art 22 hectare Asian Elephant enclosure and a Sky Safari gondola ride gliding above the savannah landscape.

The zoo has also unveiled how they will spend $8.8million donated by the public after Australia's 2020 bushfire season.

Zoos Victoria Bushfire Response and Recovery Plan includes $2.67million for future-proofing Animal Wildlife Health and Welfare.

This involves the employment of an emergency management specialist, upskilling staff to administer care to bushfire affected wildlife, as support facilities.

There is also $4.8million for threatened species recovery. This is for projects specifically related to threatened species within bushfire areas, in addition to the 27 threatened species already on Zoos Victoria's 'Fighting Extinction' list.

Also $330,000 will be used for nature-based community recovery, which will assist in rebuilding local communities devastated by the bushfires, along with associated partners as part of a larger recovery effort.

Melbourne and Weribee Zoos have reopened to visitors after coronavirus lockdowns but guests will need to book tickets in advance via their website.

Five-month-old baby koala Millie on the back of her surrogate mother as she recovered from her injuries in 2019

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Because we already know a thing or two about how the TFL crew likes to have things played around, we werent surprised they again propose a game of apples versus oranges. This time around, though, its motivated by the underlying challenge of seeing more than just which of these six serious off-roaders is king of the rock crawling hill.They also wanted to make a point of settling the score between SUVs and pickup trucks at the same time. And, while their usual home offices in Colorado present themselves with ample opportunities for an off-roading battle , this time around, they decided theres just one proper setting: the home of off-roading in the U.S. - Moab, Utah.So, lets meet the contestants. In the car corner reside three SUVs, and we can tell you they came up with a pretty eclectic roster even though two of them are from the same brand. They have an old 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser (its also the most affordable of the bunch), their third (and least problematic so far) 2020 Land Rover Defender, as well as a modified Toytec Toyota 4Runner. Apparently, the latter was thrown into the mix just to salt things up a little bit and see how modified compares to stock.The truck representatives could easily be described as even more impressive, as were dealing with a second-generation Ford F-150 Raptor, the all-new 2021 Ram TRX, and another modified rig, a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon thats brims with Mopar parts.Before the action kicks off, were presented with TFLs O.R.I. (Off-Road Index Leaderboard) scores at the 1:50 mark, signaling that at least on paper, theres a clear overall winner. Its a surprising one (Landys Defender), but thats before the actual trail testing begins.Unfortunately, what we are dealing with here is just part one of the encounter as the TFL crew decided to break down the competition between the SUVs and the arguably more interesting trucks. So, fair warning, its just car action from now on (and that means the 3:10 mark).After a bit of teasing and a quick presentation of the three SUVs, they hit the trail from the 5:45 mark as each driver thinks hes got the best chance at coming up on top of this off-roading battle. Thats before things heat up from actual off-roading (finally kicking off at the 9:50 mark after incessant talking), and the trio meets the challenges : The V Notch, Frame Bender, One Three Hill, as well as the aptly named Butt Clencher and Butt Scratcher.Were not going to rob the beauty of checking out every one of them out, but we can tell you theres a part one conclusion from the 27:40 mark where the TFL crew selects a winner among the SUVs.
A teenager who recorded his accomplice stabbing a man on Snapchat has been remanded on bail pending sentence for assault.

Jason Finnegan (18) was with Mark Pidgeon (30) when they called to the flat of Kenneth Osbourne, who owed Finnegan 300 or 400.

Detective Garda Graham ONeill told Elva Duffy BL, prosecuting, that Finnegan recorded the incident and captured the initial conversation between all three before it showed Pidgeon lash in the direction of the victim with a large knife and stab him a number of times.

Finnegan can be heard shouting words of encouragement such as lash him, lash him out of it and calls Mr Osbourne a rat, Det Gda ONeill told the court.

He said the recording last for about 90 seconds before both leave the scene after Finnegan alludes to the fact that they are on camera, the detective continued.

The victim was later treated for multiple stab wounds including injuries to his arm which required surgery.

Finnegan of Kilworth Road, Drimnagh, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal to assault causing harm at Basin Street Flats on March 15, 2020.

Last January, Pidgeon of Bluebell Road, Bluebell was sentenced to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the same offence. He had 45 previous convictions including offences for production of knives.

Judge Karen OConnor adjourned Finnegans case to June 4, next, and ordered a report from the Probation Service for that date.

She told Keith Spencer BL, defending, that she could not give any assurances on how she will proceed with the case but said she is impressed with progress Finnegan has since been making with various agencies in his local community.

I have to mark the seriousness of the offending and the impact it had on the victim, Judge OConnor said before she added that she had to take into account that the victim suffered significantly and the fact that he (Finnegan) was recording the assault and taunting his accomplice to behave in a certain way.

Det Gda ONeill said Mr Osbourne didnt wish to make a victim impact statement and would not identify his attackers to gardai. He told gardai that he was attacked by two men and that he owed the younger man a few bob.

He said he was terrified and that these guys tried to kill me and recorded the whole thing before putting it on social media.

Det Gda ONeill said the Snapchat recording and various CCTV footage from the area allowed them to identify Finnegan and Pidgeon.

He confirmed that Finnegan has no previous convictions and agreed with Mr Spencer that his clients brother died in a tragic way in 2016.

Mr Spencer told Judge OConnor that his client was a very troubled young man with emotional issues who has recently been acting out in a manner which is violent and explosive.

Counsel said that Finnegan has recently been engaging with various agencies in his local community who have carved out paths for him in an attempt to help him.

John Behan from the Youth Justice team at the Solas Project, told the court that Finnegan has been engaging with their project for a number of months.

The contact has been coming from him. You can see he is trying to get help for himself, Mr Behan said.

Mr Spencer submitted that Finnegan has gone from being a person with no support to a person being targeted by agencies. He seems to be moving in the right direction. The green shoots of rehabilitation and recovery are there.
Prince Harry said he was forced to flee Canada and make multi-million pound deals with Spotify and Netflix after his family, 'literally cut me off financially'.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex told Oprah Winfrey during their primetime interview that they 'had no plan' to ink multi-million-dollar deals with the 'streamers' when they first quit the royal family.

But Harry said they were forced to find ways of making money when the royal family cut him off and took away his security.

Insisting that their deals with the streaming giants - which are believed to be worth upwards of $100 million - were 'never part of the plan', Harry, 36, said: 'That was suggested by somebody else by the point of where my family literally cut me off financially, and I had to afford security for us.'

In the bombshell interview, Harry sensationally revealed his family 'cut me off financially' and said he was only able to step away from royal life thanks to money left to him by his late mother Princess Diana.

'I've got what my mum left me, and without that, we would not have been able to do this,' he said.

Defense: Prince Harry says he 'had' to make a multi-million-dollar deal with Netflix because he was 'cut off' by the royal family at the start of 2020 and needed money to pay for security

Safety first: Harry, 36, said that making deals with Netflix and Spotify were 'never part of the plan' but said 'all he needed was enough money to pay for security to keep his family safe'

'During COVID, the suggestion by a friend was, "What about streamers?"' Harry continued, while Meghan added: 'We genuinely hadn't thought about it before.'

'We hadn't thought about it,' Harry continued. 'So, there were all sorts of different options. And look, from my perspective, all I needed was enough money to be able to pay for security to keep my family safe.'

Prince Harry admits he was 'hurt' by the Queen removing his royal patronages but insists he 'completely respects' her decision Prince Harry today said he was 'hurt' by the Queen's decision to remove his royal patronages and honorary titles, but insisted he 'completely respects' her decision. The Duke of Sussex told Oprah Winfrey that he would 'still love for us to be able to continue to support those associations, albeit without the title or the role'. Harry and Meghan at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2020, when the Duke of Sussex attended as Captain General, Royal Marines The interview was filmed before Buckingham Palace announced on February 19 that Harry and his wife Meghan Markle would lose all their remaining royal titles. Oprah asked Harry about the decision which was 'coming up at the end of this month', and the Duke told her it would be that 'they will be removing everything'. The chat show host asked Harry: 'Are you hurt by that decision?' Harry replied: 'I am hurt. But at the same time, I completely respect my grandmother's decision. 'I would still love for us to be able to continue to support those associations, albeit without the title or the role.' Oprah also asked the couple: 'Could you be as satisfied now, doing this through your own organisation, Archewell?' And Meghan replied: 'Well, we this is what we're doing, right? We're still doing it. We're still going to always do the work. 'But I also think it's important for you or everyone to know this decision that was made about patronages and all of that was before anyone knew that we were sitting down with you.' Oprah added: 'I heard a story that you're getting punished now. Those were being taken away because you did sit down with me.' But Meghan said: 'Those letters, those conversations, that was finalised before anyone even knew that we were going to sit down. So, that's just not true.' Advertisement

When Harry and Meghan first announced that they were quitting their roles as senior working royals, there was much speculation over who would foot the enormous bill for their security - a subject that they touched on a number of times during their explosive interview with Oprah.

The couple revealed that Hollywood heavyweight Tyler Perry, who lent Harry and Meghan his $18 million Beverly Hills mansion when they first moved to LA, also paid for their security while they were living there.

'We needed a house, and he offered us security as well, so it gave us breathing room to try and figure out what we are going to do,' Meghan explained, while Harry hit out at the royals for removing his security at such 'short notice'.

'The biggest concern was that while we were in Canada, in someone else' house, and then I got told short notice that security was going to be removed,' he said, explaining that this news came shortly before the world went into lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.

'So suddenly it dawned on me, hang on a second, the borders could be closed, we're going to have our security removed, who knows how long lockdown is going to be,' he said.

'The world knows where we are. It's not safe. It's not secure.'

At the time, it was estimated that security for the couple could cost upwards of $5.5 million a year - a sum that was previously paid by British taxpayers through the Metropolitan Police budget.

Many critics insisted that the couple should have to pick up the bill themselves after they quit working royal life in favor of a move to the US.

According to Harry, the couple's police protection - which is given to all of the most senior working royals - was taken away because of their 'change in status'.

'Their justification is a change in status, of which I pushed back and said, "Well is there a change of threat or risk?"' he recalled.

'And after many weeks of waiting, eventually, I got the confirmation that, no, the risk and threat hasn't changed, but [it was] due to our change of status, which we would not longer be official working members of the royal family.'

The Duke admitted that the move came as a surprise to him, because he had thought that he would always be afforded protection because he was a royal by birth and therefore 'inherited the risk' that comes with being in that position.

'I never thought I would have my security removed, because I was born in to this position,' he said. 'I inherited the risk. So that was a shock to me.'

Meghan also said that she 'wrote letters' to the royal family in which she pleaded with them to keep Harry's security in place, but claimed that she was told it 'was not possible', despite her insisting that he was facing 'death threats' and 'racist propaganda'.

'I even wrote letters to his family saying, "Please, it's very clear the protection of me or Archie is not a priority. I accept that, that is fine. Please keep my husband safe. I see the death threats. I see the racist propaganda.

Fans: Harry and Meghan revealed that they 'have watched some' of controversial Netflix show The Crown, hinting that they had seen episodes which focus on Prince Charles and Diana

Looking back: The fourth series of the show depicts Prince Charles and Princess Diana's 1983 tour to Australia, and portrays Charles as growing bitterly jealous of his wife's popularity

Echo: Harry hinted that other royals were jealous of Meghan's popularity during their own tour of Australia in 2018

Meghan makes sensational claim that Royals banned Archie from being a Prince because of concerns over how 'dark' he would be and told her he would get no police protection, in incredible Oprah interview Meghan Markle today used her bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview to accuse the Royal Family of having 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white. The Duchess of Sussex also described her 'pain' that officials had denied Archie the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect him by denying him 24/7 security. Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin color, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it. She told Miss Winfrey that it was 'a pretty safe' assumption to suggest that the royal family member was 'concerned' that Archie being 'too brown' was 'a problem'. Prince Harry - who later joined his wife and Miss Winfrey for the last part of the interview - described the conversation as 'awkward', saying it left him 'shocked'. But he said declined to reveal anything more about what was said, saying: 'That conversation I'm never going to share.' Oprah asked Meghan if Archie was denied the title of Prince because of he is mixed-race, asking if the palace had concerns Archie would be 'too brown'. Meghan said: 'In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, we have in tandem, the conversation of "He won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title," and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'. Oprah then interrupted and said: 'Hold on. Hold up. Stop right now. There's a conversation... about how dark your baby is going to be?' Meghan replied: 'Potentially, and what that would mean or look like'. 'And you're not going to tell me who had the conversation?' Oprah asked. Meghan replied: 'I think that would be very damaging to them. That was relayed to me from Harry. Those were conversations that family had with him'. She continued: 'I wasn't able to follow up with why, but if that's the assumption you're making, I think that feels like a pretty safe one, which was really hard to understand, right?' Oprah then asked Prince Harry about the conversation, saying: 'Well, what is particularly striking is what Meghan shared with us earlier, is that no one wants to admit that there's anything about race or that race has played a role in the trolling and the vitriol, and yet Meghan shared with us that there was a conversation with you about Archie's skin tone. 'What was that conversation? Prince Harry replied: 'That conversation I'm never going to share, but at the time, it was awkward. 'I was a bit shocked.' Oprah asked him if he can reveal what that question was. Harry refused, saying: 'I'm not comfortable with sharing that.' He added: 'But that was right at the beginning, when she wasn't going to get security, when members of my family were suggesting that she carries on acting, because there was not enough money to pay for her, and all this sort of stuff. 'Like, there was some real obvious signs before we even got married that this was going to be really hard.' Advertisement

'"Please keep him safe, please don't pull his security and announce to the world when he and we are most vulnerable." And they it's just not possible.'

The couple's decision to partner with Netflix raised many eyebrows, and several critics slammed Harry and Meghan for teaming up with the streaming site responsible for The Crown, which has been accused of painting a 'twisted' image of the royal family.

When asked about the controversial series - which Harry defended during an interview with James Corden last month - the couple revealed that they 'have watched some of' the show, but gave little other hints about their feelings over it.

However they suggested that they have seen some of the most recent episodes, which focus primarily on Harry's parents, including Diana's battle with bulimia and her very turbulent relationship with Charles, with Oprah asking specifically about the show's depiction of Prince Charles and Diana's tour of Australia in 1983.

In the series, Charles is portrayed as growing jealous of Diana's rising popularity during the trip, something that Harry suggested was echoed when he and Meghan visited the country themselves in 2018, hinting that the Duchess faced envy from other members of his family.

'You know, my father, my brother, Kate and and all the rest of the family, they were really welcoming,' he said of his wife's introduction into the royal family. 'But it really changed after the Australia tour, after our South Pacific tour.'

He continued: 'It was the first time that the family got to see how incredible [Meghan] is at the job.'

Oprah then referenced scenes from The Crown in which Charles is seen growing increasingly jealous of his wife and the incredibly positive reception she received as they traveled throughout Australia.

She asked Harry whether his and Meghan's tour of Australia 'brought back memories' of his parents' trip, saying: 'Your father and your mother went there, and your mother was bedazzling. So, are you saying there were hints of jealousy [from the rest of the royal family]?'

Harry refused to confirm whether he thought other royals were envious of Meghan, but said: 'I just wish that we would all learn from the past.

'But to see the... to see how effortless it was for Meghan to come into the family so quickly in Australia and across New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, and just be able to connect with people...'

He then described his wife as 'one of the greatest assets to the Commonwealth that the family could have ever wished for'.

The couple's confession that they have indeed watched episodes of The Crown come days after Harry defended the controversial show and its depiction of his family to Late Late Show host James Corden.

The fourth series of The Crown, which premiered last November, showed Charles meeting and marrying an innocent Diana while maintaining his affair with the then-married Camilla Parker-Bowles. Scenes showing Diana gorging on food before vomiting into a toilet are so graphic that they carry on-screen warnings.

Prince Harry - who also name-dropped Netflix elsewhere in the interview - said The Crown is 'fictional' but is 'loosely based on the truth' and captures the feeling of being expected to put 'duty and service above family and everything else'.

Harry added he would like Homeland actor Damian Lewis to play him if his character ever appears on the show as an adult.

'They dont pretend to be news, its fictional,' Prince Harry said of The Crown. 'But its loosely based on the truth.

'Of course its not strictly accurate but it loosely it gives you a rough idea of that lifestyle and the pressures of putting duty and service above family and everything else and what can come from that.

'Im way more comfortable about The Crown than the stories I see written about my family, my wife or myself. Because its the difference between thats [the fact] obviously fiction, take it how you will  but this is reported on as fact because youre supposedly news.'
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Edwin Poots has returned to his role as DAERA Minister.

Edwin Poots has returned to his position as DAERA Minister after recovering from surgery for kidney cancer.

It was announced on Monday the DUP MLA was back in his role at the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

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He takes over from his party colleague Gordon Lyons who filled in for him during his recovery.

Mr Lyons returns to his position as Junior Minister, with Foyle MLA Gary Middleton returning to the backbenches after taking on the role in the interim.

The news was announced by First Minister Arlene Foster who posted a picture of Mr Poots signing the official forms to return to his role.

"Delighted to see Edwin Poots recovered and back in Ministerial office," she said.

"Gordon Lyons has now returned to Junior Minister. Many thanks to Gordon and Gary Middleton for stepping up temporarily.

"Both demonstrated the depth of talent within the party."

Mr Poots said it was "great to be back at the Ministerial desk".

"So thankful to be on the right side of treatment, and to the exceptional staff who administered it," he wrote on social media.

"Plenty of work to be done."

Lagan Valley MLA Mr Poots was diagnosed with kidney cancer while in hospital at the start of last December for emergency surgery after developing appendicitis.

While in hospital the former Health Minister also tested positive for Covid-19, becoming the first Executive minister diagnosed with the virus.

The 55-year-old returned to the Assembly late last month, just three weeks after undergoing surgery to treat his cancer.

I feel good, he told the Belfast Telegraph on his return to Stormont.

I went through the cancer operation with flying colours, entering hospital on a Wednesday morning and back home on the Friday. I stopped taking pain killers the following week and havent looked back.

Mr Poots returns to the department amid ongoing tension around the Northern Ireland Protocol.

DAERA are responsible for implementing the checks on goods travelling travelling into Northern Ireland from Great Britain as part of the protocol.

While filling in for Mr Poots, Mr Lyons halted building work on port inspection facilities for goods crossing the Irish Sea.

The move provoked fury from the Executive's non-unionist parties.

Mr Lyons said he was not going to commit to building structures that might ultimately not be needed.

He said he wanted to see what solutions the joint EU/UK committee on the implementation of the protocol might agree to address some of the problems facing traders.

Mr Poots had also attempted to halt construction of the facilities last year but stepped back from that position due to the legal obligations attached to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
By CIP

A challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change.

So let's all choose to challenge.

#ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021

International Womens Day 2021 falls on March 8th of this year. It takes place during Womens Month, a yearly celebration of the many contributions that women have made to our society and our world. Lisa Borello, Director of UDs Womens Center, says, This International Womens Day, its important to recognize the role women have played in advancing gender equity and human rights in their home countries and across the globe. With this in mind, the Center for International Programs asked international students from across the UD community to nominate an inspiring woman from their home country. We collected stories of challenge, triumph, and adversity that reflected our diverse student body. Here are a few of their nominations.

Fahad Ameen, a graduate student in TESOL, was one of the first students to nominate Anisa Mohammed Jaafar, widely known as Mama Anisa, a Kuwaiti TV icon and inspiration to millions of Kuwaiti children. Fahad says, Kuwaitis all remember the voice of Mama Anisa. She was the first teacher in Kuwait. She helped many orphans to study and graduate. Born in 1935, Mama Anisa was trained in journalism in Egypt and England. Over her lifetime, she worked as a teacher and activity director in schools, as well as several roles in the Ministry of Education. She was one of the first announcers for Kuwait television programs in the State of Kuwait in the early sixties and was the third presenter in television specializing in children's programs. She has had many programs throughout the years, including Childrens Paradise and Boys and Girls Club. Her kind spirit and teachers heart have impacted many children growing up in Kuwait.

Sungmin Jung, a second year student in the UD School of Law from South Korea, nominated Gwan-soon Yoo, the independence activist and heroine born there in 1919. Under the rule of Japanese imperialism and colonization, she marched with a large crowd calling for Korean independence. This was called the March First Movement, which was carried out in a non-violent manner. Gwan-soon Yoo was detained at the age of 17, but held to her convictions and advocated for the independence of the Republic of Korea to the end, eventually dying in prison. Sungmin says, although her death did not bring immediate independence of the Republic of Korea, her cries caused numerous citizens to participate in and to have concerns in the independence of the country, which later influenced many independence movements.

Several of our Indian students, including Divya Shetty, Sankarshan Dasgupta, and Kumar Nikhitha Kokila, nominated Mother Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu, otherwise known as Mother Teresa, as an inspiring woman from their country. Many of us know the story of Mother Teresas inspiring and devoted work amongst the poor in India, and her advocacy as a nun and missionary. Kumar notes that Mother Teresa, recognized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta in the Catholic tradition, brought great impact to our country. She served diseased people and the destitutes. Divya, a second-year graduate student studying computer science, agrees, saying that Mother Teresa was very active in serving the community through charity and serving the poor. Sankarshan notes her impact on India beyond her Catholic faith: She cured, helped and supported many needy people, when India needed it the most. She was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the work. She is worshipped as a deity by some Hindus, such was her impact on the society.

Why celebrate International Womens Day? Sungmin says that women like Gwan-soon Yoo can be an inspiration for our own lives. Her [Yoos] effort inspired me with a benevolent sense of altruism. I have thought about my family, my neighbor, further, my country and our world. I have tried to understand the others without biases. Learning the stories of these international champions can help us to embrace difference through community, a pillar of our Marianist charism at UD. Sankarshan says of Mother Teresa: The sacrifices and efforts she made are beyond human capabilities, and can only be admired and worshipped. If we could engage ourselves little-bit of what she has done and preached, I think the world will be a much better place to live in. Lisa Borello agrees: Its incredible to see the ways women throughout the world are leading grassroots and broad scale efforts to fight for justice, equal access to education and economic opportunities, and to eradicate all forms of gender-based violence. We have much to learn from their efforts.

Happy International Women's Day!
The Duke of Sussex has described himself, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge as being 'trapped' within the system of the monarchy.

In his bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry sensationally revealed his family 'literally cut me off financially' and said he was only able to break away from royal life thanks to his inheritance from his late mother Princess Diana.

He claimed he was 'trapped' before he met Meghan as he revealed his father Charles 'stopped taking my calls' during the build-up to the announcement that he and Meghan were leaving the royal family.

The Duke of Sussex has described himself, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge as being 'trapped' within the system

William, Harry, Meghan and Charles together at the Commonwealth Day service in 2019

Asked if he would have left or ever stepped back were it not for Meghan, Harry replied, 'No.'

In the candid sit-down, Harry added: 'I wouldn't have been able to, because I myself was trapped, as well. I didn't see a way out. You know, I was trapped, but I didn't know I was trapped.

Prince Harry admits he was 'hurt' by the Queen removing his royal patronages but insists he 'completely respects' her decision Prince Harry today said he was 'hurt' by the Queen's decision to remove his royal patronages and honorary titles, but insisted he 'completely respects' her decision. The Duke of Sussex told Oprah Winfrey that he would 'still love for us to be able to continue to support those associations, albeit without the title or the role'. Harry and Meghan at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2020, when the Duke of Sussex attended as Captain General, Royal Marines The interview was filmed before Buckingham Palace announced on February 19 that Harry and his wife Meghan Markle would lose all their remaining royal titles. Oprah asked Harry about the decision which was 'coming up at the end of this month', and the Duke told her it would be that 'they will be removing everything'. The chat show host asked Harry: 'Are you hurt by that decision?' Harry replied: 'I am hurt. But at the same time, I completely respect my grandmother's decision. 'I would still love for us to be able to continue to support those associations, albeit without the title or the role.' Oprah also asked the couple: 'Could you be as satisfied now, doing this through your own organisation, Archewell?' And Meghan replied: 'Well, we this is what we're doing, right? We're still doing it. We're still going to always do the work. 'But I also think it's important for you or everyone to know this decision that was made about patronages and all of that was before anyone knew that we were sitting down with you.' Oprah added: 'I heard a story that you're getting punished now. Those were being taken away because you did sit down with me.' But Meghan said: 'Those letters, those conversations, that was finalised before anyone even knew that we were going to sit down. So, that's just not true.' Advertisement

'But the moment that I met Meg, and then our worlds sort of collided in the most amazing of ways. [I was] trapped within the system, like the rest of my family are.

'My father and my brother, they are trapped. They don't get to leave. And I have huge compassion for that.'

Discussing their fractured relationship, Harry also revealed he and his father were not on speaking terms after Prince Charles stopped taking his calls.

He added: 'There's a lot to work through there. I feel really let down.'

In the most anticipated royal interview in decades, Meghan and Harry also revealed:

Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, made Meghan cry ahead of the royal wedding - but 'owned it' and apologised;

She described meeting the Queen for the first time and having to learn to curtsy

Meghan claims she was 'naive' when she joined the Royal Family - and never researched what it would be like, or Harry. She said that she was initially welcomed by the royals, but was later 'silenced' and felt trapped;

She described being cradled by Harry after feeling that she no longer wanted to live; Meghan claimed she begged for help from Palace but denied it because she wasn't a 'paid employee';

The Sussexes choose to reveal the gender of their baby to Oprah;

Asked by Winfrey why they stepped back from the Royal Family to forge their own family life, Harry blamed a 'lack of support and lack of understanding'.

Winfrey asked 'did you blindside the Queen?' with the announcement they were leaving the family. Harry replied: 'No, I would never blindside my grandmother, I have too much respect for her.'

Asked where that story came from, Harry said he could 'hazard a guess' that it may have come 'from within the institution'.

Harry said while in Canada he had 'three conversations with my grandmother and two conversations with my father, before he stopped taking my calls'.

He also revealed Charles had asked for him to put his plan 'in writing'.

Harry said he had to act for the wellbeing of himself, Meghan and Archie, adding: 'He asked me to put it in writing, and I put all the specifics in there, even the fact that we were planning on putting the announcement out on the 7th of January.'

Oprah asked: 'So, you just said that your dad stopped taking your calls. Why did he stop taking your calls?'

Harry replied: 'Because... by that point, I took matters into my own hands. It was like, I need to do this for my family. This is not a surprise to anybody.

'It's really sad that it's gotten to this point, but I've got to do something for my own mental health, my wife's, and for Archie's, as well, because I could see where this was headed.'

He added: 'I feel really let down because he's been through something similar, he knows what pain feels like, (and) Archie's his grandson.

'But at the same time - I will always love him - but there's a lot of hurt that's happened and I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship.

'But they only know what they know, or what they're told.'

After Harry said his family were scared of the tabloids turning on them, Winfrey said: 'Turning on them for what? They're the royal family.'

Harry added: 'To simplify it, it's a case of if you as a family member are willing to wine, dine and give full access to these reporters, then you will get better press.'

Winfrey said: 'Why do you care about better press if you're royal?'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have insisted their interview with Oprah Winfrey would be the 'last word' on them quitting as senior royals

Harry said: 'I think everyone needs to have some compassion for them in that situation.

'There is a level of control by fear that has existed for generations.'

Meghan said it was not 'just catty gossip', adding: 'It was bringing out a part of people that was racist and how it was charged.

'And that changed the threat, that changed the level of death threats, that changed everything.'

'The Palace lied about me to protect other royals': Meghan tells Oprah she was 'silenced' and says officials failed to protect her and 'were willing to lie to protect other members of the family'

Meghan Markle today told Oprah Winfrey that Palace officials failed to protect her and 'were willing to lie to protect other members of the Royal family.'

Harry and Meghan's TV interview with Oprah Winfrey has started in the US and began with Meghan Markle showing her growing baby bump.

In the historic interview, the mother-to-be opened up about life in 'The Firm' and the struggles she faced adjusting to life in the Royal family.

The Duchess of Sussex has already accused The Firm of 'perpetuating falsehoods' about her and Harry and said they refused to be 'silenced' any more.

But she revealed she was 'silenced' by Buckingham Palace officials, who told her to always answer 'no comment', adding, 'because it was also through the lens of 'And we'll protect you.'

Meghan added: 'It was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, but they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.'

Meghan revealed she was 'silenced' by officials who told her to always answer 'no comment', adding, 'because it was also through the lens of 'And we'll protect you.'

Meghan Markle has spoken of 'The Firm' - a mafia-like term used to describe the Royal Family - had tried to smear and silence her

Meghan, pictured during her first engagement with the Queen in 2018

The Duchess of Sussex also described her 'pain' that officials had denied her first born son the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect Archie by denying him 24/7 security.

A 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.'

Oprah asked, 'Were you silent? Or were you silenced?'

Meghan replied: 'The latter.'

Oprah said: 'So, how does that work? Were you told by the comms people or the - I don't know - the institution, were you told to keep silent? Were you told to say nothing?'

Meghan told her: 'Everyone from my world was given very clear directive from the moment the world knew Harry and I were dating to always say 'No comment.'

'That's my friends, my mom and dad. And we did. I did anything they told me to do.

'Of course I did, because it was also through the lens of 'And we'll protect you.'

'So, even as things started to roll out in the media that I didn't see but my friends would call me and say, 'meg, this is really bad,' because I didn't see it, I'd go, 'Don't worry. I'm being protected.

'I believed that. And I think that was really hard to reconcile because it was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, but they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.'

Oprah asked: 'So, are you saying you did not feel supported by the powers that be, be that the firm, the monarchy, all of them?'

Meghan said: 'It's hard for people to distinguish the two because there's-- it's a family business, right?

'So, there's the family, and then there's the people that are running the institution. Those are two separate things.

'And it's important to be able to compartmentalize that, because the Queen, for example, has always been wonderful to me. I mean, we had one of our first joint engagements together.'

Meghan pictured with sister-in-law Kate watching the tennis at Wimbledon in 2019

But Meghan praised the Queen today, saying she had been 'wonderful' to her and had once asked her to share a blanket which sits across her knees for warmth.

Meghan went on her first trip with the Queen on the royal train to Cheshire in June 2018, a month after her wedding, which saw them open a bridge and visit a theatre.

Meghan went on to talk about how Her Majesty took her under her wing and gifted her 'beautiful' pearl earrings and a matching necklace on the day, in 2018.

Meghan was also asked whether a trip to watch tennis at Wimbledon with the Duchess of Cambridge was 'what it looked like ... helping you adjust'.

Oprah asked: 'Did you feel welcomed by everyone? It seemed like you and Kate at the Wimbledon game where you were going to watch a friend play tennis...'

Meghan laughed before Oprah asked, 'Was it what it looked like? You are two sisters-in-law out there in the world, getting to know each other. Was she helping you, embracing you into the family, helping you adjust?'

But the Duchess replied: 'My understanding of the past four years is it's nothing like what it looks like.'
A court here on Monday convicted Ariz Khan, allegedly associated with the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen, for the murder of Delhi police inspector Mohan Chand Sharma and other offences in connection with the 2008 encounter.

Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Yadav said the evidence produced by the prosecution duly proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge said that it was duly proved that Ariz Khan and his associates caused murder of police official and fired gunshot on the police official.

The court will hear arguments on the quantum of sentence on March 15.

Inspector Sharma of the Special Cell of Delhi was killed during the 2008 encounter in Jamia Nagar in south Delhi.

A trial court in July 2013 had sentenced Indian Mujahideen terrorist Shahzad Ahmed to life imprisonment in connection with the case.

His appeal against the trial court's verdict has been pending in the high court.

Ariz Khan had fled from the spot and was declared proclaimed offender.

He was arrested on February14, 2018 and faced the trial.

(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 priest and school chaplain who was convicted of masturbating in a car beside a popular Galway beach on a bank holiday would not comment on the incident.

Fr Jerry Carey, who has been a priest based in Co Clare since 1984, pleaded guilty this week to intentionally engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature at Blackrock in Salthill on August 3 last year.

He was given a one-month prison sentence which was suspended in full.

Fr Carey has stood down as chaplain to Colaiste Muire all-girls secondary school in Ennis and also stood down from ministry.

As well as being school chaplain he had been the parish priest of Doora-Barefield in the Diocese of Killaloe.

The Sunday World made numerous attempts to contact Fr Carey about the conviction yesterday but he did not respond to requests for comment.

Bishop Fintan Monahan issued a statement last week apologising for the hurt caused by Fr Carey's "highly unacceptable behaviour".

Galway District Court heard gardai received a report from a member of the public that a man was masturbating in his car beside the popular beach and swimming spot where temperatures rose to 18C on that August Bank Holiday Monday.

Stress

His solicitor said he had travelled up to visit Galway that day and was under a lot of stress due to health issues.

Judge Mary Fahy said that families go to swim and relax by the beach in Blackrock and it is "highly upsetting" for people to see someone masturbating in public.

She said while he was in his own car he could be clearly seen as someone reported him to Gardai.

His solicitor said his client felt deeply ashamed and was "shocked and remorseful" of his own behaviour. In a previous interview speaking about being a priest Fr Carey previously talked about the aloneness that comes with celibacy.

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"There is at times a feeling of aloneness, due to celibacy. This is not the same as loneliness as I know many people who are married become quite lonely. In a way this can be a good thing allowing for a lot more reflection on what is happening."

Fr Carey was heavily involved in his local community and would travel with dozens of young people from Co Clare on an annual week-long pilgrimage to Taize in France followed by a trip to Disneyland Paris. He was also involved in the annual Cycle against Suicide.

Bishop Monahan issued a statement this week saying Fr Carey "has sincerely apologised for his behaviour and deeply regrets the damage caused by his actions".

"As bishop of Killaloe, I acknowledge the upset and distress caused to his parishioners, the priests and the many people to whom he ministered in the diocese.

Unacceptable

"On behalf of the diocese I wish to apologise for the hurt caused by this crime and what is highly unacceptable behaviour.

"Once the incident came to light, Fr Carey stood down from ministry and immediately engaged in a therapeutic course of assessment and counselling, which continues.

"Once the criminal proceedings are concluded a canonical process will follow. If there is anyone who has been affected by any of these issues, you are encouraged to contact the diocese or relevant authorities".

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A portrait of John Keats (1822) by William Hilton, after Joseph Severn. Keats lost most of his family members to tuberculosis, the disease that would eventually take his own life on Feb. 23, 1821. (Public Domain)

John Keatss Concept of Negative Capability Is Needed Now More Than Ever

Keats understood the importance of humility, which he described as a 'capability of submission'

When John Keats died 200 years ago, on Feb. 23, 1821, he was just 25 years old. Despite his short life, hes still considered one of the finest poets in the English language.

Yet in addition to masterpieces such as Ode to a Nightingale and To Autumn, Keatss legacy includes a remarkable concept: what he called negative capability.

The ideawhich centers on suspending judgment about something in order to learn more about itremains as vital today as when he first wrote about it.

Keats lost most of his family members to an infectious disease, tuberculosis, that would take his own life. In the same way the COVID-19 pandemic turned the worlds of many people upside down, the poet had developed a deep sense of lifes uncertainties.

Keats was born in London in 1795. His father died in a horse-riding accident when Keats was 8 years old, and his mother died of tuberculosis when he was 14. As a teenager, he commenced medical studies, first as an apprentice to a local surgeon and later as a medical student at Guys Hospital, where he assisted with surgeries and cared for all kinds of people.

After completing his studies, however, Keats decided to pursue poetry. In 1819, he composed many of his greatest poems, though they didnt receive widespread acclaim during his lifetime. By 1820, he had contracted tuberculosis and relocated to Rome, where he hoped the warmer climate would help him recover. He ended up dying a year later.

Keats coined the term negative capability in a letter he wrote to his brothers George and Tom in 1817. Inspired by Shakespeares work, he describes it as being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason.

Negative here isnt pejorative. Instead, it implies the ability to resist explaining away what we dont understand.

Rather than coming to an immediate conclusion about an event, idea, or person, Keats advises resting in doubt and continuing to pay attention and probe in order to understand it more completely. In this, he anticipates the work of Nobel laureate economist Daniel Kahneman, who cautions against the naive view that what you see is all there is.

Its also a good idea to take the time to look at matters from multiple perspectives. Shakespeares comedies are full of mistaken identities and misconceptions, including mixed-up genders. Keats reminds us that we are most likely to gain new insights if we can stop assuming that we know everything we need to know about people by neatly shoehorning them into preconceived boxes.

Negative capability also testifies to the importance of humility, which Keats described as a capability of submission. As Socrates indicates in Platos Apology, the people least likely to learn anything new are those who think they already know it all. By contrast, those who are willing to question their own assumptions and adopt new perspectives are in the best position to arrive at new insights.

Keats believed that the world could never be fully understood, let alone controlled. In his view, pride and arrogance must be avoided at all costs, an especially apt warning as the world confronts challenges such as COVID-19.

At the same time, information technology seems to give everyone instant access to all human knowledge. To be sure, the internet is one gateway to knowledge. But it also indiscriminately spreads misinformation and propaganda, often fueled by algorithms that profit off division.

This, it goes without saying, can cloud understanding with false certainty.

And so our age is often described as polarizedwomen versus men, blacks versus whites, liberals versus conservatives, religion versus scienceand its easy to automatically lapse into the facile assumption that all human beings can be divided into two camps. The underlying view seems to be that if only it can be determined which side of an issue a person lines up on, theres no need to look any further.

Against this tendency, Keats suggests that human beings are always more complex than any demographic category or party affiliation. He anticipates another Nobel laureate, writer, and philosopher Alexander Solzhenitsyn, who wrote that instead of good guys and bad guys, the world is made up of wonderfully complex and sometimes even self-contradictory people, each capable of both good and bad:

If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?

Uncertainty can be uncomfortable. Its often quite tempting to stop pondering complex questions and jump to conclusions. But Keats counsels otherwise. By resisting the temptation to dismiss and despise others, its possible to open the door to discovering traits in people who are worthy of sympathy or admiration.

They may, with time, even come to be regarded as friends.

Richard Gunderman is a chancellors professor of medicine, liberal arts, and philanthropy at Indiana University. This article was first published on The Conversation.
Virgin Voyages. Inset: Vivien Killilea/Getty

A third ship will be joining adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages' fleet next summer, and its name feels like a nod to the cruise industry: "Resilient Lady."

The luxury travel company, headed by billionaire businessman Sir Richard Branson, made the announcement Monday morning, sharing that the ship will have a home port of Piraeus (Athens), Greece, and will host two, 7-night itineraries across the Mediterranean scheduled to begin July 1, 2022.

"Sailing in the Med is such an extraordinary experience, and we're so excited to bring the adventure of a Virgin Voyage to this beautiful place," Branson said in a press release. "I'm so proud of the incredible work the team has accomplished to introduce Resilient Lady."

The first of the two itineraries, the Greek Isles Itinerary, will bring guests on a historical tour through Athens before going island hopping in Santorini, Rhodes, Crete and Mykonos. The second, the Adriatic (with Greek Isles) Itinerary, will sail out of Athens and bring guests to Dubrovnik, Croatia (famous for being a filming location for Game of Thrones) for a day before sailing to Kotor, Montenegro; Corfu, Greece and Argostoli, Greece.

RELATED: Virgin Voyages Announces New Sail Date and Health Plan for First Adults-Only Cruise

Mike Marsland/WireImage

The company noted that they intentionally chose Monday, which is International Women's Day, to share the big news.

"While the year has been filled with adversity and adaptation for all of us, it's no secret that women have been challenged to rise up more than ever during the pandemic," read the press release. "The introduction of Resilient Lady arrives on the heels of International Women's Day, which is symbolic of the spirit of our Lady Ships and is in celebration of women and their achievements, strength, leadership and resilience."

RELATED: Richard Branson's Adults-Only Cruise Line Will Have On-Demand Champagne with the Shake of a Phone

Story continues

Virgin Voyages' first ship, Scarlet Lady, was announced in January 2019. It was originally supposed to sail from Miami for the Caribbean starting on April 1, 2020, but is now aiming for a "soft opening" in July 2021, the company tells PEOPLE.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages

In November 2019, the company announced that their second ship will be named "Valiant Lady," and will sail three itineraries out of Barcelona, Spain, when cruising returns.

RELATED VIDEO: Richard Branson Tours Virgin Voyages Cruise Ship

Richard Branson Tours Virgin Voyages Cruise Ship

Richard Branson Tours Virgin Voyages Cruise Ship

All three ships will embody Virgin Voyages' unique approach to cruising: Not only will they be adults-only, but they will also be all-inclusive, have unlimited fitness classes, have 20 dining options for guests (and no buffets), will not force guests to wear formal wear and won't have assigned seating or dining times.

They also will boast a "Shake for Champagne" delivery service that will allow travelers on board to summon a glass by simply opening the Virgin Voyages Sailor App and giving their phone a little shake.

Virgin Voyages

The cruise line will also have a "no-tipping" policy, including gratuity in the overall price, to avoid unexpected expenses for guests.

In July 2019, Branson told PEOPLE that he wanted to start his own cruise company because he had never found a cruise ship he actually wanted to set sail on.

"I've never been on a cruise, I've wanted to go on a cruise," the 70-year-old business magnate explained. "That's why we started a cruise line, just to try to create a cruise ship that was fun, and that was for adults."
(Newser)  Stewart-Allen Clark, pastor of a Baptist church in Missouri, is on leave after video of a February sermon went viral. In the 22-minute video, Clark urges wives not to give their husbands any reason to stray, the BBC reports. "Why is it so many times that women, after they get married, let themselves go?" he muses. "Now look, I'm not saying every woman can be the epic, epic trophy wife of all time like Melania Trump, I'm not saying that at all. Most women can't be trophy wives, but you know ... maybe you're a participation trophy." An image of the former first lady was shown on a screen behind him as he spoke. "I dont know, but all I can say is not everybody looks like that. Amen!" he continued. "Not everybody looks like that. But you dont need to look like a butch either."

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Clark goes on to decry everything from women's clothing, to weight, to hair and makeup, to how often they have sex with their husbands. "Ladies, its the way God made us. Its the way we are. Men are going to look. He made us to look. You want them to be looking at you. Dont let yourself go." General Baptist Ministries released a statement saying the message "included comments that are not consistent with the positions and values of" the denomination, which believes "that every woman was created in the image of God, and they should be valued for that reason." Malden First General Baptist Church later told KCTV that the 55-year-old took a leave of absence starting last week, though it's not clear whether it's paid or unpaid. He is also said to be in professional counseling. (Read more Melania Trump stories.)
After the rough year we had in 2020, people are itching to hit the road. For many, travel is a basic human necessity. What were seeing is that you dont have to travel halfway around the world to scratch this itch, said Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest Hosts. The survey results may seem extreme, but it comes down to the fact that many still have reservations about air travel. The data shows that people will continue opting for the safety of road trips, leading to a boom in backyard exploration and growing interest in RVing.
Two men have been arrested after a 19-year-old homeless woman's body was found wrapped in plastic in an abandoned fish market now covered in graffiti in New York City.

Rosalee Sanchez was found around 9.20am on Saturday by on the second-floor staircase of the former Fulton Fish Market.

A homeless man has now admitted to beating and killing Sanchez, NYPD sources told the New York Post.

Austin Boehm, 25, confessed to killing Sanchez after he tried to check himself into the psychiatric ward at Bellevue Hospital on Saturday, sources told the outlet.

Boehm and a second suspect, 20-year-old Christian Mercado, were both hit with second-degree murder charges.

A 19-year-old homeless woman's body was found wrapped in plastic in an abandoned fish market now covered in graffiti in New York City

Crime Scene Unit investigators were on the scene after the teen's body was found inside

A 911 caller said his friend 'Zozo' took him to the scene to show him the Sanchez's body and named Boehm as the killer, sources told the Post on Sunday.

Law enforcement sources told AMNY that cops found Boehm and Mercado, who is also homeless, at the scene when they arrived on Saturday.

It was previously reported that the woman's boyfriend and friend called 911 when they found her.

It remains unclear how the suspects and 911 callers are connected to Sanchez and if they are the same people. An NYPD spokesperson would not confirm to DailyMail.com if Boehm and Mercado were the 911 callers.

Boehm and Mercado have been uncooperative with cops since they were arrested, source told the New York Daily News on Sunday.

Cops said there were no obvious signs of trauma on her body, the New York Daily News previously reported. Her body was transported to the Medical Examiner's office and an autopsy has been scheduled to determine how she died.

Cops said there were no obvious signs of trauma on the young woman's body after her corpse was found wrapped in plastic bags inside an abandoned fish market

Local residents said the homeless have taken over the building 'for years now' after a homeless teen's body was found inside

The woman may have been dead for several days before her body was found, sources told AMNY.

However, the Daily News reported that cops found a fresh pool of blood in an adjacent room.

The woman's boyfriend told cops she 'had been led' to the warehouse weeks ago but cops could not immediately verify if that was true, the Post reported.

On Saturday, cops did not consider her boyfriend a suspect, outlets reported.

Local residents told the outlet that homeless people have taken over the building 'for years now.'

The market, which would sell 125 million pounds of fish a year, was associated with at least one Mafia family throughout the 20th century and the U.S. Attorney's Office filed a lawsuit under federal racketeering laws to appoint a trustee In 1988.

In 1995, a fire destroyed one of the main buildings at the market just as former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's administration was about to take control of it, The New York Times reported.

The fire prompted officials to further investigate to determine if it had been caused by arson.

The Giuliani administration had asked the New York City Council to give it power to regulate the market and investigate its ties to organized crime, the outlet reported.

The City of New York's Business Integrity Commission has regulated the market since 2001 to prevent influence from crime families.

In November 2005, the once-bustling Fulton Fish Market relocated to a new facility in the Bronx after its 183-year tenure at the original site near the South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan.

The market's historic location was comprised of several buildings, including the city-owned New Market Building - where the body was found.

The market's historic location was comprised of several buildings, including the city-owned New Market Building - where the body was found

The New Market Building at the Fulton Fish Market was inaugurated by Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia in 1939

In November 2005, the once-bustling Fulton Fish Market relocated to a new facility in the Bronx

The market, which would sell 125 million pounds of fish a year, was associated with at least one Mafia family throughout the 20th century

In 2007, the Howard Hughes Corporation wanted to raze the buildings and redevelop the area

Fiorello LaGuardia, Mayor of New York City, poses with a 300-pound halibut at the Fulton Fish Market in 1939

The New Market Building was inaugurated by Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia in 1939, The New York Times reported.

In 2007, the Howard Hughes Corporation wanted to raze the buildings and redevelop the area, including the landmarked Tin Building, which was later renovated, and the adjoining New Market Building.

However, a man named Robert LaValva wanted to transform the buildings into a premiere public market, the outlet reported. LaValva's market opened in December 2007.

In 2011, the Howard Hughes Corporation offered to collaborate with LaValva. He turned them down, and eventually the New Market Building fell into ruin.
Seven people were injured in a natural gas explosion near Houston, including one person who was flown to a hospital for treatment, officials said.

Workers for Comcast struck a gas line while working in Klein on Friday, news outlets reported. CenterPoint Energy crews arrived to fix line and ended up striking a larger, 6-inch gas line that sparked the explosion.

All seven people injured were CenterPoint workers, Klein Fire District Chief Shane Dawson said. One of the injured workers was flown to a hospital. That persons condition wasnt immediately released.

People living close by were evacuated from homes, the Harris County Fire Marshals Office said. One house sustained some damage to its exterior and fence.

The fire from the explosion burned a power line and a power pole fell over.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Burma Myanmar Regime Detains Increasing Numbers and Steps Up Violence

Anti-regime protesters in Mandalay. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy

Yangon  More than 200 anti-regime protesters, including members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), were arrested by the security forces on Sunday during an intensified crackdown against pro-democracy demonstrations in Myanmar.

The military regime has stepped up violence across the country, using tear gas, rubber and live bullets, deadly air-guns firing lead pellets and sound grenades.

On Sunday night, police and soldiers used hundreds of the explosives, that are used to simulate a grenade in training, and fired warning shots in several Yangon townships.

Some Yangon homes were hit by bullets and numerous vehicle windows were smashed by the security forces.

In Hlaing Township, a prominent NLD Muslim member, U Peter, the father of young NLD lawmaker Sithu Maung, who won a seat in the Nov. 8 general election, was detained.

The lawmaker, who is a member of the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH)  which represents elected MPs and supports the anti-regime demonstrations  is now in hiding and faces an arrest warrant.

Sithu Maung posted on Facebook on Monday that his father was beaten by the security forces during the arrest.

U Khin Maung Latt, 58, an NLD ward chairman from Pabedan Township and a campaign manager for Sithu Maung during the November election, was arrested and tortured to death on Saturday night.

Security forces cracked down on anti-regime demonstrations led by thousands of university students in Mandalay on Sunday. Around 100 protesters were detained and several people were injured.

A video on social media shows a man dressed as a medic being kicked and beaten severely by police until he is unconscious.

The man was also dragged away on the ground by the police.

Another video shows a Mandalay protester being severely beaten by the police with sticks while he lies in a drain.

A Mandalay University student union member trying to secure the release of detained students told The Irrawaddy on Monday that the security forces are using tear gas, sound grenades, rubber and live bullets and batons without giving warnings to protesters to disperse.

The student union has compiled a list of 73 people who have been reported missing by their families during the Sunday crackdown.

The violent crackdowns are unacceptable, the student said.

The security forces also arrested 130 anti-regime protesters in Yangons Shwepyithar Township on Sunday, according to a legal group assisting those detained.

Some injured protesters are being taken to military hospitals, the lawyer told The Irrawaddy.

During a crackdown against a pro-democracy demonstration in Bagan, one of Myanmars Unesco World Heritage Sites, on Sunday about six protesters were detained and several were injured.

A male protester was injured in his neck and chin by a live round.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners on Sunday, said 1,790 people, including elected leaders, election commissioners, journalists, writers, actors and striking civil servants, have been detained.

It said 1,472 of them are still in detention or have faced charges.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Regime Steps Up Vehicle and Pedestrian Searches in Yangon

Myanmar Military Sues Charity for Supporting Civil Servants on Strike

Myanmar Regime Steps Up Crackdown Ahead of Mondays General Strike
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NPP National Youth Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye has lauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for taking his dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.



President Nana Akufo-Addo and his wife, Rebecca Akufo-Addo as well as Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Second Lady Samira Bawumia were the first to be vaccinated in the country.



They were inoculated on Monday, March 1 at the 37 Military and Police Hospitals respectively.



Their vaccination was telecast live nationwide as part of public education to encourage Ghanaians to embrace the vaccine.



Nana Boakye praised the President for setting the pace.



He urged all Ghanaians to emulate the President's example and take the vaccine in order to eliminate the deadly Coronavirus from the country.



Nana Boakye, popularly called Nana B, also commended former President John Dramani Mahama who together with his wife, Lordina Mahama also took their jab on Tuesday, March 2 at the Police Hospital in Accra.



Speaking on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Nana B said; ''God bless the President...The President has shown the way; I am happy. The former President has also shown the way.''





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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.

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The headmaster of an elite boys' school claims parents are enabling sexual assault if they host alcohol-fuelled teenage parties.

More than 2,000 young women shared harrowing stories of sexual abuse at the hands of schoolboys after a petition calling for better sex education in Australian schools went viral in February.

Many of the women allege they were assaulted at house parties as teenagers, often while they were passed out or drunk.

Tim Bowden, principal of Trinity Grammar in Sydney's inner-west, slammed parents who host underage parties as 'foolish' and said they need a wake-up call.

Chanel Contos (pictured) started a petition for better sex education in schools in February

Trinity Grammar's principal Tim Bowden (pictured) slammed parents who host underage parties as 'foolish'

'Anyone who's read the testimonies of these young women must be compelled to think 'what can we do to keep them safe?',' he said on 2GB radio.

'Don't have the parties. Any parent that throws a party where alcohol is allowed is being an absolute fool and creating great difficulty for the little people coming to them.'

Former students from Trinity Grammar were accused of sexual assault by young women in the petition.

The father-of-two explained that many of the horrific allegations took place at parties.

'In homes with significant intoxication and space for people to be taken off to the side where others won't see, and apparently no effective supervision,' he said.

'Those testimonies should have woken us up.'

Ms Contos' petition went viral and has thousands of signatories - most of whom detailed their own shocking experiences of abuse

'This is not a game of being a cool parent, this is a situation where people are getting hurt. We have a moral obligation to stand in the way of this hurt.

'Reading the testimonies opened this up. The girls have reflected on something that happened to them when they were 13, 14, or 15 and years later continues to scar them. It affects their ability to trust people.'

Mr Bowden went on to say that sexual assault impacts the girls' ability to trust and relate to people, and can scar them for the rest of their lives.

'A parent who throws a party for underage kids where alcohol is provided, or tacitly allowed, is being an absolute fool and is creating great difficulty for the little people who come to them,' he said.

The principal also explained that while the aim is to ensure there are no perpetrators of sexual violence, another method for keeping teenagers safe if parents don't allow alcohol-fuelled parties to begin with.

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

Mr Bowden also urged young women to take some 'protective action' for themselves, but made it clear that this was something that shouldn't be necessary.

'Not because boys will be boys or anything like that, but we lock our cars because some people can't be trusted. We lock our houses because some people can't be trusted,' he said.

'In the parties they're going to, there is every chance there will be some people who can't be trusted, and it's good sense to be safe. '

Mr Bowden's advice to young boys was 'Respect, respect, respect'.

'Consent is just one way in which respect for other people plays out. The great difficulty that the young boys have is that they get too caught up in themselves and they're not respecting the other person,' he said.

'That's the big cultural change that is necessary, from our school corridors to the corridors of parliament house.'

Parliament House has come under fire over the last month amid two explosive sexual assault allegations.

Attorney-General Christian Porter was last week accused of assaulting a 16-year-old girl while on a school debating trip in the late 1980s.

Former Kambala High School student Ms Contos (pictured) wants school to teach consent to girls and boys in younger years

Ms Contos said Kambala High School (pictured) gave her a 'great consent education but they gave it too late'

Mr Porter fervently denied claims that he assaulted the girl, who took her own life last year.

The news broke only weeks after former Liberals staffer Brittany Higgins accused a former male colleague of raping her inside their boss's office in 2019.

The sexual abuse petition was started in February by former Kambala student Chanel Contos, 22, who was raped at the age of 13.

She was forced to give oral sex to a boy when she was in Year 8, but did not realise she had been raped or learn about consent until she attended a sex consent class in Year 10 that presented by a former police officer.

'I was sexually abused and I also found out last year when I was talking with my friends that the same person who did it to me did it to another one of my friends,' she told The Project last month.

The now 22-year-old said she couldn't sleep the night she found out and felt as though she could have stopped it but she didn't realise at the time that it was wrong.

'I just felt anger - why didn't I know it was wrong? Why couldn't I stop that?,' she said.

Chantel Contos' petition now has signatures from former and current school students across Australia

Ms Contos previously told Daily Mail Australia she 'knew that something had to be done' about the issue of consent in schools

Ms Contos previously told Daily Mail Australia she 'knew that something had to be done'.

'The realisation you've been sexually assaulted, it's a hard thing to go through'.

Ms Contos said despite her school giving her a 'great consent education, they gave it too late.'

'A lot of people are already sexually active by 15 or 16, and you need to have this consent training before you become sexually active', she said.

'People who have contacted me have said they received no consent sexual education, especially boys schools said that it was minimal to none.'

Ms Contos' petition now has thousands of testimonies from woman aged between 13 to 50-years-old from across Australia.

More than 29,200 people had signed Ms Contos' petition as of Sunday night.
Theres perhaps no one in the music industry more well-positioned for leadership than Ethiopia Habtemariam, who became chairman and CEO of Motown Records last week.

Habtemariam, 41, has worked in music since she was a teenager, interning for LaFace and Elektra. She forwent a college education and worked up the ranks in music publishing at Universal before becoming Motowns president in 2014, where she ushered in a renaissance for the historic record label  securing major partnerships with Quality Control and Blacksmith and bringing in a roster of prolific hip-hop artists. Motowns place in the industry shifted from housing legendary R&B acts like the Jackson Five and the Supremes to pushing new chart-toppers such as Lil Baby, City Girls, and Migos.

More from Rolling Stone

With Habtemariams promotion, Motown is separating from parent label Capitol Music Group and becoming its own flagship label for Universal Music Group (UMG). The music exec will report directly to CEO Sir Lucian Grainge. In her first interview since the announcement of the new role, Habtemariam, who is only the second woman to currently helm a major label  the other is Sylvia Rhone, CEO of Sony Musics Epic Records  spoke with Rolling Stone about how she plans to evolve the iconic label and champion fresh voices in an old-school business.

Howve you been handling your first few days as CEO?

Im extremely proud, and Im grateful, but Im a person whos always been head-down working. But its not lost on me that this isnt really about me per se.

Coming up in the industry, coming up in Atlanta as a young kid, I saw a lot of incredible black women and black executives that I looked up to. Ive never felt like it wasnt possible for me to achieve higher levels of success in my career, even though my intention and purpose was never about getting to a certain title or position. But I also realized that there were a lot of people from my young eyes I felt like should have reached this level in their career because of how impactful they were. Im proud that Ive been able to achieve this.

Story continues

It must have felt like justice, in a way  after seeing people you looked up to get passed over for jobs like these.

Its interesting that you said it like that. Justice. That kind of feels right for me in many ways. Its not always the easiest task. If youre in it because of your love for the music and youre always innovating and remembering that its about supporting the artists in the music, when you go through tough times in your career, it allows you to keep going, and you understand how much resilience is a part of it.

I would read the trades every week, and Id read about executives, and I wanted to be just like them. There used to be so many incredible black female A&Rs and publishers, and its coming back  and Im proud of that, but I want to stop the idea of that being a cycle. I want to get out of the idea that this could end.

I think this makes people hopeful that it wont just be me now getting to this level. Im hoping this opens up the door for a lot more that happens for people that look like me, and have done the work, and deserve to to grow to this level in their careers.

It was always about getting to this place where we could really run our race.

Youve headed the label as president for several years already. What can you do now as CEO you couldnt before?

Motown has gone through many different iterations that have been combined with other companies over time. I want to acknowledge Sir Lucian for having the vision to bring me to Motown and understand that it would take steps to get Motown back to a healthy place where we have new talent and could build a strategy that gets us to a standalone label. He paved the way for us to concentrate on finding Motowns global voice and strategy and also to put our focus on our artists and creatives.

As a standalone label, you have expanded support to build on a global strategy for artists in the company overall. From Capitol Music Group, theres infrastructure thats in place we will utilize  but my goal is to create a new model of what a major label could be, which is being able to operate in stealth mode, quickly being able to turn things around for our artists, build out strategies, and not having much of a filter in between that. Its exciting to me. It was always about getting to this place where we could really run our race.

Its a status we havent seen for Motown in a while.

Its been a process. It was really challenging for me coming into Motown in 2014 because it was also a time when our industry was struggling. I remember being in rooms where there was a question about Motowns value or our genre of music. I thought, How could you ever question this space of music where you see global artists have huge success every decade?

And so we were purposeful in thinking about how to connect the dots in culture. People talk about wanting to support entrepreneurship a lot, but that really was a key focus for us six years ago. Theres a responsibility to continue to do that.

The thinking became, Were going to help build our partners and touch youth culture in a different way. I think my partners at Quality Control would tell you that weve been in it together. Motown was new in the Sixties and people were able to see the impact it had  and I feel like thats what Quality Control has been able to do today. Well be a part of recreating that over and over again.

As Motown enters this new chapter, do you feel a need to change the public association of Motown with older classic eras?

I dont think its about changing the perspective; its about telling the story. In no way do we ever want to dismiss the iconic artists or the history that has been created, but I do know the onus is on us to have artists of today that could be as impactful. Its also about being relevant to where the times are today.

I was thinking about our music from last year and the fact that Motown now has a catalog that represents Marvin Gaye and Whats Going On  and we also have Lil Baby and The Bigger Picture. I think about what that means and where Motown sits in society culture from the 60s and today. Im proud of the fact that we can have artists developing in real-time like Tiana Major9 and support projects like the Queen & Slim soundtrack that authentically speaks to Motown. We need to honor the past and create a platform for the future.

Motown was a sound, and had iconic artists, but it continued to transcend over time. Even Mr. Gordy talked about it in the documentary we did together. As the times changed, the music and the label had to change and grow. So then you started seeing the Supremes, and the Commodores and then the Jackson Five. When I was a kid, Motown for me was The Boyz II Men Motown Philly era. I remember how huge that was for me. I want us to get to a place where that [cultural weight] can never be questioned again.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

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In a widely criticized move, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, stepped back from royal life in March 2020. For their first televised interview since then, the two sat down with Oprah Winfrey to elaborate on their reasons, explaining they were essentially pushed to that point after being hounded by the press and receiving little support from the royal family. During the tell-all, Prince Harry also told Oprah what Princess Diana would have thought about Megxit, saying shed be angry and sad that things got to that point.

(L-R) Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in 2018 and Princess Diana in Argentina | Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage; Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left the royal family, in their own words

As the Sussexes explained in the interview  which aired on the evening of March 7  they fully intended to dedicate the rest of their lives to their royal duties when they wed in 2018. But with that came a torrent of problems.

A big issue was how they were portrayed in British tabloids, which often ran negative headlines. Both said they eventually sought advice on how to deal with it, but their concerns were allegedly brushed off.

Meghan seemed particularly upset over the alleged lack of action from the communications team, as representatives would refute the most ridiculous story for anyone, things that are super artificial and inconsequential, but not for them. And they knew it wasnt true.

After years of this, it started to take a toll on their mental health, with Meghan admitting she started to have thoughts of suicide. She also noted that she tried to get help, but the institution behind the royals allegedly told her that it wouldnt look good.

Prince Harry said that lack of support and lack of understanding was what ultimately led to their January 2020 announcement that they were stepping down.

RELATED: Prince Harry Says He and Meghan Markles Relationship With the Royal Family Really Changed After Australia Tour

When Oprah asked what his mom, who died in a 1997 car accident, would think about their exit, Prince Harry replied: I think she would feel very angry about how this has panned out, but ultimately, all shed ever want is for us to be happy.

He also told Oprah that his inheritance from Princess Diana supported them after the royal family allegedly cut them off financially following their leave. In hindsight, he thinks she sensed a point would come when hed really need that money.

Touching back on what you asked about what my mum would think of this  I think she saw it coming, he continued.

And I certainly felt her presence throughout this whole process, he added. Im just really relieved and happy to be sitting here talking to you with my wife by my side. Because I cant begin to imagine what it must have been like for her going through this process by herself all those years ago, because its been unbelievably tough for the two of us, but at least we had each other.

What the couple is up to now

Since leaving the United Kingdom, the Sussexes have purchased and settled into a Santa Barbara, California mansion with their 1-year-old son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

Now working with Netflix and Spotify, the couple has become financially independent, just as they said they would in their statement about stepping down. Though its not the outcome they imagined, the two, who are expecting a baby girl in 2021, seem optimistic about the next part of their lives.

How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor at the free Crisis Text Line.
Dylan McDermott competed in the Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie Made for Television category for Netflix's Hollywood.

For the 2021 Critics' Choice Awards ceremony on Sunday night, the 59-year-old star wore a bold velvet blazer from Armani, black turtleneck and matching trousers.

His look, styled by Cat Pope, was completed with a pair of black loafers as he attended the ceremony virtually from the comforts of his own home.

Handsome: Dylan McDermott looked sharp as he competed for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie Made for Television for Ryan Murphy's series Hollywood on Sunday night

While McDermott was unable to walk a red carpet due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, he posed for numerous shots in his living room.

In addition to standing in front of his brick fireplace for a few shots, the actor sat on his white couch with a blue blanket draped on the corner.

Showing an affinity for the industry and also interior design, behind him was a framed poster of the 1966 French film, A Man and a Woman.

Handsome: For the ceremony, the 59-year-old Netflix star wore a bold velvet blazer Armani, black turtleneck and matching trousers

Looking good: His outfit, styled by Cat Pope, was completed with a pair of black loafers as he attended the ceremony virtually from the comforts of his own home

The Golden Globe winner, best known for his role on The Practice, lost his category to Donald Sutherland, who won for HBO's hit The Undoing.

McDermott starred as Ernie West, the smooth-talking owner of Golden Tip Gas in Ryan Murphy's series Hollywood, which arrived to Netflix last May.

In January, McDermott confirmed he would be a series regular in Christopher Meloni's Law & Order spin-off Organized Crime, which premieres this spring on NBC.

Making it work: While McDermott was unable to walk a red carpet due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, he posed for numerous shots in his living room

It's unclear who Dylan (born Mark Anthony) will portray in the 13-episode police procedural, which centers on the 59-year-old Emmy nominee's character Detective Elliot Stabler.

After a devastating personal loss, Stabler 'rebuilds his life while leading an elite task force that aims to take apart New York's most powerful crime syndicates one by one,' according to Deadline.

Christopher originated the role in NBC's Law & Order: SVU for 12 seasons before quitting in 2011 over a contract dispute.
Dr Anthony Fauci has warned state officials against lifting coronavirus restrictions, as experts warn a new surge could impact young people.

The warning from the nation's top infectious disease expert came as Republican-led states like Texas and Mississippi have decided to ease back on coronavirus restrictions despite new variants leading to a stall in the decline in cases and hospitalisations.

"We're going in the right direction but we just need to hang on a bit longer," Dr Fauci said on CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday.

The United States experienced a decline in Covid-19 infections in the last two months following a holiday surge. But this decline has now stalled at an average of 60,000 to 70,000 new infections per day, causing concern among health officials.

More than 525,000 Americans have died from the novel virus, and January was the deadliest month since the start of the pandemic.

Dr Fauci warned that states turning restrictions "on and off" could cause another surge across the country.

"This is not going to be indefinite. We need to gradually pull back as we get people vaccinated," he said.

The warning from Dr Fauci and other experts of another surge comes from what has happened previously ahead of other surges in the virus.

"Historically, if you look back at the different surges we've had, when they come down and then start to plateau at a very high level, plateauing at a level of 60 to 70,000 new cases per day is not an acceptable level. That is really very high," Dr Fauci said.

"And if you look at what happened in Europe a few weeks ago, they're usually a couple of weeks ahead of us in these patterns, they were coming down too, then they plateaued. And over the last week or so, they've had about a 9 per cent increase in cases."

Elderly people and those with co-morbidities have been the ones most impacted by the novel virus since the start of the pandemic. But new variants have emerged as Covid-19 continues to mutate, and experts have warned younger people could be impacted more severely by newer strains.

"We're going to have some tough days ahead in the older population and in the younger population with this new variant virus," infectious disease expert Dr Michael Michael Osterholm said on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday.

One variant causing concern was the B.1.1.7, which was initially detected in the United Kingdom and has spread at a rapid rate through the US, now making up about 30 to 40 per cent of cases.

"And we've seen in Europe when we hit that 50 per cent mark, you'll see cases surge," Dr Osterholm said.

The country was currently working to vaccinate the vast majority of the public as new variants spread, but Dr Osterhold said that "tough days" could still be ahead in the pandemic.

"We're going to have some tough days ahead in the older population and in the younger population with this new variant virus," he said.

More than 90 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been administered, and about 9 per cent of the US population has been fully vaccinated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

States have largely targeted elderly and at-risk populations to help decrease the number of people experiencing severe disease from the virus. But Dr Osterholm warned people still needed to be worried about their reaction to the virus if they become infected.

"We still have a lot of high-risk people out there," he said. "When this surge comes, they're going to be highly vulnerable."
Every government, no matter what political persuasion, does its best to stick to a certain narrative. It broadly sets the policy framework by which it governs, with parameters dictated by a governments ideology and the perceived views of its support base.

It can be jarring when a government moves away from its conventional narrative. And the Coalition has grappled with explaining a skyrocketing deficit driven by the enormous fiscal pump priming to keep the economy afloat during the pandemic.

With the Morrison government trying to reaffirm its fiscally conservative credentials, it should come as no surprise that it has kept very quiet about its increased spending on foreign aid. It certainly does not fit its political narrative. Nor, according to polling, does it have the backing of most Australians.

In 2018, a government survey found 80 per cent of voters did not want an increase in spending on foreign aid, and it appears focus groups conducted over the past year show these views havent changed. However, it should be pointed out that published polls also show that most Australians think the nation spends significantly more on foreign aid than it does, which may explain why they are against increasing it.

Since former prime minister Tony Abbott made deep cuts to Australias foreign aid budget, the Coalition had  up until last year  rebuffed attempts to reinstate funding. It has instead preferred to promote its narrative of protecting Australia via rapidly increased spending on defence and national security agencies, while diverting money from elsewhere in the aid budget to pay for its Pacific step up.
Walter Wobmann, chairman of the referendum committee and supporter of the proposal to ban face coverings. Photo: Peter Klaunzer

Voters in Switzerland voted narrowly in favour of banning face coverings in a referendum yesterday , as the countrys far-right party won what it described as a victory against radical Islam, despite minimal numbers of women wearing a full face covering.

The final result showed that 51pc of voters backed the ban. It also won support in a majority of the 26 cantons, meaning it will now pass into law.

Switzerland has a system of direct democracy that allows any proposal to be put to a referendum as long as 100,000 signatures are gathered in support of it.

Opposed by the Swiss government and parliament, the proposal did not specifically mention burqas, appealing only for, Yes to a ban on full facial coverings. However the yes campaign made clear that the conservative Muslim face and hair covering was the specific target, with posters encouraging voters to stop radical Islam. Radical Islam must be put in its place, said Anian Liebrand, of the right-wing SVP party, yesterday.

The ban will apply to all head coverings in public places, but not in places of worship. Critics have described it as both Islamophobic and sexist.

Posters opposing the bill stated No to an absurd, useless and Islamophobic anti-burqa law.

About 5pc of the population of Switzerland is Muslim, but the number of women who wear face veils is tiny.

It is not the first time that Swiss voters have chosen in a referendum to curtail symbols associated with Islam. A 2009 ballot banned the construction of minarets on mosques.

Austria, France, Belgium and Denmark have also banned face veils in public in recent years as governments faced pressure to oppose a dress code viewed by some as oppressive.

Even some Muslim majority countries have restricted the wearing of the veil.

Tunisia banned it in public institutions in 2019 amid security concerns. Reacting to the referendum result, Karin Keller-Sutter, the justice minister, conceded that the Swiss people and a majority of the cantons see things differently from the government.

Ministers had proposed introducing a law that would require a woman to lift her veil should she be asked to by state officials for security reasons.

The Swiss cantons will now have two years to implement the decision. ( Telegraph Media Group Ltd 2021)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
Pyx Resources Limited

Pyx Resources Limited (PYX.NSX) Signs Binding Zircon Offtake Agreement

Sydney, Australia, Mar 9, 2021 - (ABN Newswire) - PYX Resources Limited (NSX:PYX) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding Offtake Agreement with India-incorporated Microtech Zircon. Microtech Zircon is a member of Delta Tiles, a group of companies which fall under the brand name Geo Gres. The Offtake Agreement is for a committed quantity of 3,600 tonnes of zircon over a two-year period. The negotiation for the agreement was overseen by PYX's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Hasler.



The execution of this third Offtake Agreement builds on PYX's commitment to rapidly grow the Company and increase its production and global sales capacity. PYX has customers all over the world, including in Indonesia, Taiwan, China, India, France, UK, France, Germany, Spain and Mexico.



Delta Tiles is based in Morbi, Gujarat, India, and operates five different production units of ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles and sanitaryware. Microtech Zircon, as a member company of Delta Tiles, produces end-products of zircon to be used in Delta Tiles' manufacturing processes, as well as products to be sold outside the group.



Last year, PYX announced the signing of two separate binding Offtake Agreements. The first was with China's Qingyuan Jinsheng ZR & TI Resources Co. Ltd. for a total of 6,000 tonnes of premium zircon for two years, and the second was with Taiwan-incorporated Euronics Inc. for a total of 4,000 tonnes of zircon product per annum, also over two years. PYX's global and diversified customer base, as well as the offtake agreements signed to date, bring stability to revenues, assuring future growth as capacity increases.



Commenting on completing the Offtake Agreement with Microtech Zircon, Oliver Hasler said: "I am delighted to announce another Offtake Agreement, which will greatly contribute to our plans to expand our processing capacity in Indonesia and gain market share. In Microtech Zircon, we have found yet another highly respected zircon specialist that recognises the premium quality of our product."



PYX will supply the premium-quality zircon required from its world-class Mandiri deposit in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Pricing under the Offtake Agreement shall be the prevailing market price in U.S. dollars of zircon, with payment terms 40% in advance and 60% upon final documentation. Under the agreement termination may occur by mutual consent or by either party with a 60-day prior written notice.



PYX recently announced that it has completed its acquisition of the entire capital of Tisma Development (HK) Limited. The acquisition resulted in an important change of scale in PYX's activities, converting PYX into the second-largest producing mining company in the world in terms of JORC-compliant zircon resources. With this acquisition PYX now controls 263MM tonnes of JORC-compliant resources, with 10.5M tonnes of contained zircon.



About Microtech Zircon



India-incorporated Microtech Zircon is a member of Delta Tiles. Delta Tiles is a group of companies which fall under the brand name Geo Gres. Based in Morbi, Gujarat, India, Geo Gres was formed in 2006 to manufacture products with a high technological content. High-quality material combined with unrivalled technology has enabled them to reinterpret some of the rarest, most refined and valuable products of nature, while also enhancing their technical and qualitative properties. Their products are inspired by the latest trends in the worlds of interior and graphic design.







About Pyx Resources Limited:



PYX Resources Limited (NSX:PYX) is a global producer of premium zircon listed on the National Stock Exchange of Australia. The Company's flagship asset is the Mandiri mineral sands deposit, located in the alluvium sediment rich region of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Boasting the world's 5th largest producing deposit of zircon, PYX is a large-scale, near-surface open pit operation in production since 2015 and with exploration to date validating the presence of additional Valuable Heavy Minerals such as rutile, ilmenite among others within its mineral sands.



Contact:



ir@pyxresources.com

Tel.: +61 2 8823 3132



Source:

Pyx Resources Limited



Copyright (C) 2021 ABN Newswire. All rights reserved.
President will formally create a gender policy council within the as part of two executive orders he intends to sign on Monday to mark Womens Day. The council will include a staff of four, three of whom will hold the title of special assistant to the president, according to a senior administration official who previewed the two orders. The councils mandate is to work across the federal governments domestic and foreign policy to fight discrimination and bias, boost economic security, increase access to health care, and advance general equality through diplomacy, trade and defense. The second order asks the Department of Education to re-examine the Trump administrations policies and rule-making on Title IX, the 1972 law which governs the way sex-based discrimination in schools is handled.

The goal, one of the officials said, is to ensure students have an education free of sexual violence. The Trump administration also scrapped key Obama-era policies and put forward their rules which, among other items, said transgender students couldnt use the bathroom consistent with their own gender identities. Bidens executive order instructs the agency to make sure all policies related to Title IX are consistent with the ethos of the Biden-Harris administration.
After graduating from Auburn in 2020, ICU travel nurse Rebeckah Roe, from Fairhope, was assigned to one of the most overwhelmed hospitals in New York City.

On a daily basis, I am having life-altering conversations with patients about the realities of intubations and what it means to have a Do Not Resuscitate code status, she recalled. It is a responsibility that is heavy, and a privilege that I do not take lightly.

Since March 2020, Roe has worked in six states.

From working in New York in the beginning of the pandemic to currently being on an assignment in Georgia, one part of the job has remained consistent: I am the patients only connection to the outside world. With no visitors for COVID positive patients, patients and families put their trust in me, a complete stranger, to take care of them in the most critical time of their life.

Roe said she will always remember the patients she worked with, and sadness and loss have made each positive outcome so much sweeter.

In the months and years to come, the effects of the virus will continue to leave a large impression on the medical world, she said. I am optimistic as the vaccines roll out. Although the definition of normalcy may look a little different in the future, the lessons 2020 produced will change us for the better.

This is part of a series of stories by AL.com to reflect on the 1-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic reaching Alabama. Each day leading up to March 13 we will elevate the voices of those impacted.
More than nine months after the killing of George Floyd, the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is getting underway, though with a delay in jury selection.

Chauvin, the police officer who kneeled on Floyd's neck for over eight minutes while he said that he couldn't breathe, is facing charges of second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter. Jury selection in his trial was set to begin on Monday, but was delayed until Tuesday, CNN reports.

The delay came after an appeals court ordered Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill to reconsider his dismissal of a third-degree murder charge against Chauvin, with prosecutors saying they'll file an appeal to "halt the selection process until the charges are set," NPR writes. The jury selection process was called off for the day on Monday pending a ruling on whether an appeals court will issue a stay in the case, The Washington Post reports.

After Floyd's death was captured on video and sparked nationwide protests last summer, former top prosecutor Susan Gaertner told The New York Times it's "going to be extremely difficult to pick a jury," noting that "there have been few incidents in our state that have had as much impact on the community," and it's "hard to imagine finding a juror who is enough of a blank slate to really give both sides a fair hearing."

But former chief Hennepin County public defender Mary Moriarty explained to CNN that the aim won't be to find jurors who don't know about Floyd's killing, but rather to ask, "No matter what a potential juror has seen or heard, can they set that aside and base their decision on evidence in court and the law the judge gives them?"

According to CNN, the jury selection process is expected to last around three weeks, with opening statements beginning "no earlier than March 29."

More stories from theweek.com

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Belfast City Hospital was one of three hospitals in Northern Ireland where the military assisted (Brian Lawless/PA)

The militarys recent assistance at hospitals on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic in Northern Ireland was named after a female nurse, it has emerged.

Some 110 combat medical technicians (CMTs) were deployed to the region in January as hospitals struggled to cope with the post-Christmas surge in Covid-19 cases.

They stepped in at three hospitals for five weeks, finishing at the end of February.

On International Womens Day, the Ministry of Defence in Northern Ireland tweeted further detail about Operation Baird.

On #InternationalWomensDayA we remember Mary Baird after whom our recent NI MACA task, Project BAIRD was called. An Irish Nurse who served with the Army Nursing Service during WW2, her pioneering work and devotion to duty makes her a role model to many nurses today. pic.twitter.com/nwWyUvTBSP  Armed Forces in Northern Ireland (@ArmedForcesNI) March 8, 2021

The operation was named after Mary Baird MBE, described as a former Belfast chief nursing officer and Second World War veteran who had served in Normandy in 1944.

Of the 110 CMTs, 28 were women while a further ten women were involved in supporting roles such as driving and administrative duties.

Northern Irelands chief nursing officer Professor Charlotte McArdle last month told the health committee the CMTs had been a welcome addition.

They have been a valuable asset to the current nursing workforce at the peak of the pandemic surge, she told MLAs.

First Minister Arlene Foster issued a public thank you for their assistance.

Meanwhile, during 2020 the RAF transported four very ill Covid-19 patients to hospitals in England for specialist life-saving treatment that was then not available in Northern Ireland.

On a flight in June, the RAF A400M pilot and lead medical crew were women, as well the NHS consultant in charge of the specialist transferral team.
This International Women's Day, celebrated annually on 8 March, the FBW Group is urging businesses to do more to showcase the work of Africa's female architects and engineers, encouraging more women that to pursue careers in construction.

Image source: Gallo/Getty

Antje Eckoldt, FBW Group director and Kenya country manager

Too few women coming through the ranks

MaryRose Akii, architect,FBW Groups Nairobi office

Role models to aspire to

The tech industry needs more gender diversity - here's why Women remain significantly underrepresented in tech. This despite a number of studies confirming that gender-diverse companies perform better...

That includes forging closer links with schools and colleges to show the merits of careers in architecture, design and engineering and the role women are playing in delivering important projects across the region. Taking a mentoring role is also important way forward, says FBW which has operations in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.Many of its female team members started their careers as interns and are now working in its offices across the region on major development projects.Antje Eckoldt, FBW Group director and its Kenya country manager, said it was important to encourage young women and show them at an early age that they can be successful in the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths.It is also about giving them that confidence to be involved in technical studies, to help them gain more technical understanding so they realise what they are capable of achieving and that they can make their mark in these fields," says Eckoldt.Businesses have a role to play in that by showing what women in their organisations are achieving and by highlighting the roles they are playing and the influence they have on delivering their success. We need to get the message out in the classroom and in front of the next generation.Antje says that there are still too few women coming through the ranks to take up senior roles in both architecture and engineering. And challenges remain in the construction industry when it comes to the acceptance of women as project managers and leaders.There is still a culture in construction that means women have to work hard to be heard and to be respected for what they bring to projects. There is still much work to do in changing attitudes on site, she says.Mary Rose Akii is an architect working out of FBW Groups Nairobi office. Speaking from experience, she says being a female architect leading on a project can be challenging.Very often when you go out to site meetings, people expect the boss to be a man. Ive been in meetings where people have ignored me and started conversations with a male colleague because they assume that I am their assistant," says Akii.You cant take it personally and you have to get on with the job. You need to have that level of self-confidence and always ensure your professionalism is at the forefront of everything you do.Miriam Ofwono, project architect based at FBWs Kigali office in Rwanda, also believes it is important to raise the profile of women in the profession to give young women role models they can aspire to.Its about seeing people like me. We need to let young women see that there are successful women in architecture, design and engineering and to start more conversations about what they are achieving," says Ofwono.We also need to promote and highlight the women who are standing out when it comes to the STEM subjects. To take away any fear factor that they are too hard or not subjects female students should take an interest in.Ofwono, who is from Kampala and studied in South Africa, also believes the profession has its part to play in becoming more inviting for would-be female architects and that includes becoming more diverse in the way it approaches design.
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US Climate Envoy John Kerry

Washington [US], March 7 (ANI): US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will head to Europe on Monday, ahead of the upcoming climate summits, the US State Department informed on Saturday (local time).

"Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will travel to London, Brussels, and Paris March 8-10, 2021, to work with European allies to strengthen global climate ambition heading into President Biden's Leaders Summit on Climate April 22-23 and the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change later this year," read a statement from the State Department.

The department further said that Kerry will meet with representatives from the British government who are hosting COP26 this November in Glasgow.

"In Brussels, Secretary Kerry will meet with representatives of the European Commission. In Paris, he will meet with French government officials," it added.

According to Sputnik, In February, Kerry held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, agreeing to boost cooperation on cutting carbon emissions.

Lavrov welcomed the United States' return to the Paris climate deal, which seeks to tackle global warming by drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Last month, Kerry also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to address climate issues in the world.

"PM Modi's announcement of a target of 450 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy by 2030 is a strong terrific example of how to power a growing economy with clean energy and it's going to be one of the most important contributions in the world because India today is already the third-largest emitter in the world," he said during the World Sustainable Development Summit 2021. (ANI)
The three-day initial public offer (IPO) by Easy Trip Planners (ETP), an online travel agency, is slated to open on March 8. The issue has been priced in the band of Rs 186-187 per share and is entirely an offer for sale (OFS). At the upper price band, the total issue size stands at Rs 510 crore.

The company will not receive any proceeds from this offer as the prime purpose of the issue is to enhance visibility, brand, provide liquidity to existing shareholders and achieve benefits of listing shares on exchanges.

Easy Trip has no listed peers in the domestic market, having a similar operating model although it faces competition from private players like Cleartrip, and Yatra Online.

The issue that's available at P/E of 49x (annualised basis on FY21E EPS of Rs 3.8) is fairly priced, according to Geojit Financial Services.

Financial Snapshot

Easy Trip is the only profitable company among the key OTAs with a positive return on equity (RoE) and returns on capital employed (RoCE) of 36 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively over FY18-FY20. The company has not used any outside capital infusion to date to finance its working capital requirements and business expansion.

On the back of rapid growth in the travel and tourism sector over FY17-20, ETP has reported a consistent track record of business growth but there is huge volatility in the operating profitability, notes Choice Broking.

During FY17-20 standalone operating revenue increased by 11.1 per cent CAGR. In FY20, the company posted standalone Ebitda loss at Rs 12.58 crore. In two out of four years, the company has reported an Ebitda loss.

The company's profit grew from Rs 7 crore in FY18 to Rs 35 crore in FY20, driven by recurring other income, mainly comprising of claims written back recovered during the period. The revenue grew at a CAGR of 19 per cent over FY18 to FY20. In FY20, the revenue stood at Rs 141 crore but slipped to Rs 49 crore for the 9MFY21. However, analysts expect it to revive back to pre-Covid levels.

"Rising digitalisation, adoption of latest technology and implementation of cost reduction initiatives will aid better margins going ahead," said Geojit Financial.

Business Model

The company has been providing customers with the option of a no-convenience fee, such that customers are not required to pay any service fee in instances where there are no alternate discount or promotion coupon being availed. This has helped ETP record a repeat transaction rate of 85.7 per cent in FY20, which depicts customer stickiness to use their services again and again, said Geojit Financial.

Besides, the company has developed a streamlined, efficient and lean organisation structure relative to the size of its business that has helped drive profitability in the past few years, said Devang Bhatt, research analyst at ICICI Securities.

The company had the lowest number of employees among key OTAs as of March 31, 2020.

Opportunities Ahead

In order to tap into the online penetration of hotels, which is expected to grow from 21-26 per cent in FY20 to 29-31 per cent in FY23E, ETP intends to focus on direct tie-ups with hotels, hotel suppliers and expand its presence outside India. The margin in the hotel business is higher compared to airline ticketing. Currently, hotels and holiday packages make 5 per cent of Easy Trip's revenues while airline tickets contribute 94 per cent.

Further, it also aims to utilise the services of traditional travel agents to tap corporates and Tier II and Tier III cities.

Key Risks

Analysts see Covid-19 related air travel restrictions, subdued macro-economic environment and intense competition in the online travel segment as some of the key risks.

Should you subscribe?

ICICI Securities

Taking cognisance of the huge growth opportunities for EaseMyTrip and a lean cost of operations that would aid the flow of profitability to the bottom line, we recommend Subscribe rating to the issue.

Geojit Financial

With no listed peers and as the travel business is expected to pick up its charm going forward, we assign a Subscribe rating for the issue on a long-term basis considering the wide distribution network, rising digitalization, negligible debt and asset-light business model of the company.

Hem Securities

We like the strong fundamentals as it being the only profitable OTA with the highest CAGR growth because of lean and cost-efficient operations. Also with the ongoing vaccination drive, we believe that in the coming months the airline industry will be back to normalcy and volume will surge which largely benefits the company. We recommend investor to subscribe to the issue for the short and long-term.

Choice Broking

Even though Easy Trip's financial performance on the operating level is inconsistent, considering its market positioning among the key OTAs, we feel the company has advantages like a scalable business model, business growth in excess of the sector, cash generation ability etc. Thus, we assign a Subscribe rating.
Ambassador of Thailand to China Arthayudh Srisamoot. (Photo provided by Embassy of Thailand in Beijing)

BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhuanet) -- The experience from Chinas targeted poverty alleviation strategy could be a model that many countries can learn from, said Arthayudh Srisamoot, Ambassador of Thailand to China, in a recent written interview with Xinhuanet.

Other countries can adapt the strategy to help their own people to address the root cause and find appropriate solutions accordingly, said the ambassador.

He hailed Chinas achievements in poverty alleviation, attributing it to the result of strong commitment and tremendous efforts from the Chinese government at all levels as well as the private sector and the people.

He further illustrated that the number of Chinese people lifted out of poverty accounts for a significant number of the global total and is in line with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The ambassador expressed his interest in the ongoing Two Sessions, saying he looks forward to seeing the priorities for China in terms of economic and social cooperation that Thailand and China can explore and work together.

This year marks the 46th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China.

He said Thailand and China enjoy close relationship underpinned by comprehensive cooperation at all levels and aspects based on mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual benefit.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand and China relations have shown resilience and huge potential, he said.

Both sides have overcome the adverse impact of the pandemic, maintained communication and exchanges, as well as further deepened cooperation in many areas, he added.

Thailand aims to strengthen cooperation on logistical and digital infrastructure connectivity within the region and beyond, the ambassador said.

He also mentioned China's "dual circulation", believing that there would be opportunities for Thai businesses to invest and explore more cooperation in China in areas with high potential, such as tourism, health and wellness, as well as service sector.

China's "dual circulation" is a development paradigm, in which domestic and overseas markets reinforce each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay.

The ambassador commended the significance of building a community with a shared future for mankind, saying that Thailand has always recognized the importance of multilateralism as the solution to new challenges and uncertainties.

The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly shown just how intertwined countries are, and has illustrated how no country alone can succeed in containing the pandemic without multilateral cooperation, he added.

On the Belt and Road, he said, at present, Thailand is steadily pushing forward the construction of the Thailand-China high-speed railway and supports the connection between the Thailand-China high-speed railway and the China-Laos railway.
 Woo-hoo! A new ranking of the Top 100 Conservative Websites is out, and Power Line is #37! The ranking is based on Alexa data, and I have no idea whether that is a good method. I see that Newsbusters has climbed since last year to nudge just ahead of us, and whats this?American Greatness is two notches above us? Good for them, the upstarts. And I do have to wonder how we can be ranked higher than Rush Limbaughs site. This may be an artifact of the Alexa-based methodology behind these rankings. (Also, how can the Weekly Standard still make the rankings at allat #90since it no longer exists, and redirects you to the Washington Examiner?)

 But wait, theres more! Did you know that our own John Hinderaker is has received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Whos Who? Well he has, as of last week. Does this mean we have to address him now as the Marquis Hinderaker of Apple Valley, alongside the Duke of Argyle and such? Anyway, the press release is flattering:

Marquis Whos Who, the worlds premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present John H. Hinderaker with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Mr. Hinderaker celebrates many years experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. . . Mr. Hinderaker practiced law at Faegre and Benson LLP and its successor, Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, in Minneapolis, where he rose from an associate attorney in 1974 to a partner from 1981 through 2015. Originally established as Cobb and Wheelwright, the firm later became recognized as one of the largest, full-service law firms headquartered in the U.S. During his 41 year tenure there, Mr. Hinderaker developed a national litigation practice, tried approximately 100 jury cases, including a $200 million jury trial, appeared in courts in 19 states and chaired his firms practice standards committee from 1986 to 2001.

Subtext: Dont mess with John.

But heres the best part, including a terrific typo:

Additionally, Mr. Hinderaker co-founded the successful web site Power Line in 2002. Providing commentary on the news online, Power Line was recognized by Time magazine in 2004 as the first and only Slog of the Year for its role in the exposure of Dan Rathers fraudulent 60 Minutes piece on President George W. Bush. To date, Power Line has garnered well over one billion page views.

Well, it can seem like a slog sometimes. . . Anyway, congrats to John, er,. . . The Marquis Hinderaker of Apple Valley.

 Oh lookChinese government propagandists are learning to speak Woke:

Reminds me of how Pravda saved time and effort back in the Cold War. When Soviet propagandists wanted to attack the U.S. government, they just reprinted New York Times editorials, and went to the bar for their daily vodka at 10 am.

 Another completely unsurprising news story:

Walgreens shutters 10 stores in San Francisco as residents point to rampant shoplifting Pharmacy giant Walgreens has closed its 10th store in the San Francisco area, prompting residents to blame rampant shoplifting caused by the citys soft-on-crime policies. The store is set to permanently shut its doors on March 17, and the move has drawn an online petition against the closure, which accrued over 200 signatures at the time of publishing. The closure is the third since mid-October 2020, and those living in the area reported brazen thefts at Walgreens pharmacies throughout their hometowns. All of us knew it was coming. Whenever we go in there, they always have problems with shoplifters,  a regular customer, Sebastian Luke, told the San Francisco Chronicle. One October incident was caught on video as Inside Edition reporters were following a story on the rampant larcenies. A thief, donning black clothing, was seen on video scaling a counter, grabbing an air vent, and leaving the store on a scooter as shelves in the store were left bare from similar sprees.

And when the last convenience stories are gone from SF, expect the left to complain that the city has become a retail desert because of white privilege. Also expect that Nancy Pelosis premium ice cream deliveries will be unhampered.

 News item: A recent Washington Post news story about the wrong kind of diversity in elite public schools contains these sentences:

The scope of the problem is galling: For example, Thomas Jefferson High in Fairfax County is 68 percent Asian and 21 percent White, with less than 4 percent of students identifying as Black or Latino. In contrast, the district overall is 27 percent Hispanic and 10 percent Black, while Asian students make up 20 percent of the district, and Whites 37 percent.

Galling that Asians are over-represented. Just as it was galling at Harvard 75 years ago that too many Jews were getting in. Like this:

But then this story, also from the racialist Washington Post:

As schools reopen, Asian American students are missing from classrooms Its happening in well-to-do Pakistani households in the suburbs of Washington and among Chinese restaurant workers in Philadelphia. Its happening among weary Filipino nurses in Queens, Hmong refugee families in Minneapolis and in Silicon Valleys Asian American community.
A career burglar has been charged with victimizing three businesses in Secaucus going back to February 2020, authorities said.

Secaucus police patrolling on County Road at 4 a.m. on March 1 pulled over Henry Singleton, 58, of Jersey City, knowing that he was wanted for prior offenses, Police Chief Dennis Miller said.

Singleton was charged with burglarizing a tractor trailer chassis at 501 Penhorn Ave. on Feb. 24, 2020, burglarizing a warehouse at 20 Enterprise Ave. on Oct. 25, 2020, and breaking into a trailer at 550 Meadowlands Parkway earlier on the morning of his arrest. He was also charged with theft in each incident, as well as receiving stolen property and heroin possession, Miller said.

The 58-year-old has been arrested at least eight times going back to 1996, according to electronic court records.

Singleton also was wanted on an outstanding NCIC warrant issued by the Hudson County Sheriffs Office with no bail, a warrant issued out of Jersey City with no bail and an outstanding warrant out of Jersey City in the amount of $1,000. He was taken to Hudson County jail.
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Senior Ulster Unionist peer Lord Rogan has called for urgent action to address an increasingly serious shortage of vets carrying out official meat inspections in Northern Ireland.

Last week, the Provinces Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Robert Huey, told a Stormont committee that, when the supermarket grace period in the Northern Ireland Protocol expires, the number of argi-food certificates processed locally will be close to the figure handled by the EU as a whole.

Dr Huey advised the Northern Ireland Assemblys Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee that these duties were currently being carried out by just 12 vets and thats not going to work.

Lord Rogan spoke of his plan to table further Parliamentary Questions to seek to establish a clearer picture of what exactly is going on.

Lord Rogan said: The disastrous Northern Ireland Protocol has clearly made the situation much worse, but the shortage of qualified vets to undertake certification responsibilities should have been dealt with long ago and certainly well before the end of the Brexit transition period.

The UK Government and Food Standards Agency must get a grip on this situation and do so urgently.

We need more vets and they must be fully-qualified, trainees will not do.

It is yet another instance of the UK Government taking its eye off the ball on Northern Ireland in general and Brexit in particular. I commend Dr Huey for bringing this matter to wider public attention, but it should never have come to this.

Lord Rogan has also received an answer to a Parliamentary Question in which the UK Government admitted that contingency plans had been put in place in the event that the current contract to deliver official veterinary controls in Northern Ireland was not delivered.

The answer given by Lord Bethell said that the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has taken forward a recruit-to-train project, recruiting staff as trainee meat inspectors.

The agency contract is to secure agency workers to maintain continued delivery of official controls until such time as these trainees become fully qualified, Lord Bethell responded.

DAERA have established a group of vets and ex-meat inspectors in the Department who can be called upon to carry out meat inspection duties as a contingency in the event that the current contract is unable to deliver.

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In late February 2020, it was a joy to discover that we were expecting our first baby. However, almost simultaneously, the world seemed to change.

The initially distant threat of Covid started to become a reality. At a time when no-one really knew what to expect, it was worrying to be expecting.

In the early stages of pregnancy we were naturally very careful. My husband Chris would go shopping in the mornings and practically decontaminated everything the moment he got home. Shopping was a challenge. One day he returned with 24 toilet rolls  it felt like he had just brought home a gazelle from the savannah.

The first few weeks went by quickly. Luckily, restrictions in Sydney were not too harsh and Chris could come to doctor appointments and scans. It was incredible to see images of our baby and hear its heartbeat. I was grateful to have him there with me.

Initially, we thought we would fly back to have the baby at home in Ireland. However, quite early on our doctor told us it wouldnt be advisable. It was a shock, but we came round to the idea of having the baby here in Sydney. It was made easier when we learnt that the midwife looking after us throughout the pregnancy was Irish too.

Weeks turned into months and we were all adapting to the new normal of working from home. This was ideal.

I didnt have to worry about public transport or racing between buildings in heels when I was tired or nauseous. We are lucky to live by the beach and every day we would walk the promenade and talk about what was to come.

We were so excited to tell our parents and friends, but it was bittersweet. We would have loved to be at home to share such happy news.

We wanted to surprise them so I bought a t-shirt with Due in October printed on the front for our FaceTime calls. It was early in their morning and my mum was half asleep.

I held the phone down and asked what they thought of my new t-shirt. After a quick scramble for glasses they saw it and were overjoyed.

Its a lovely memory. We found out other friends at home were expecting too, It was special to have that connection even though we were far apart.

Nine months flew by.

My due date came and I was all ready for the imminent arrival, but our baby had other ideas. A week went past and still no sign. I tried every natural remedy in the book  dates, raspberry leaf tea, acupuncture and constant walking, but still nothing.

Friends and family messaged daily, hoping for news. Nearly two weeks after my due date, just before an induction was scheduled, things started happening.

It might have been fate because, when we got to the hospital, we were told that our main midwife was from Kerry, just like my dad. She was lovely and talking to her throughout the day made it feel like we could have been at home. After a long labour, our amazing boy Finn arrived.

We called our parents and they were ecstatic. Even though we werent together, it felt like they were part of it all.

The first few days were a blur. We were inundated with messages and gifts and couldnt quite believe we actually had a baby. We were overwhelmed with joy one minute and fear the next, all in a sleep-deprived haze.

Chris was incredible. He became a swaddling pro and developed a real talent for rocking and singing Finn to sleep. I loved those first few days, especially in the quiet of the night. I would just look at my son looking back at me, knowing I would do anything for him.

At home, there were lots of socially-distanced celebrations in Finns honour. They had fireworks, champagne and even a personalised banner.

Within the first few weeks, his great-grandmother had his picture on her mantelpiece. We would have loved to share in the celebrations but every call and message made us feel closer to home.

Finn is four-months-old now. He smiles, laughs and brings us joy every day. We call our families weekly and send them endless amounts of photos and videos. We expected to be home by now, but with flight restrictions in Australia and Irish lockdown, we decided to delay it.

I have different types of support here. I joined a mothers group with girls who all had babies around the same time as me.

Most of these mums come from across Australia and the UK. They dont have family here either, so we navigate things together. We regularly meet up for playgroup and baby sensory classes, or even just for a walk or coffee. My friends at home keep me company when Im feeding in the middle of the night.

Then theres Chris. I have loved seeing him become a dad. He does so much for us and Finn lights up when he sees him.

We are so grateful that Finn is thriving. We know Australia is the right place for us to be now, but were counting down the days until we can go home and finally introduce him to everyone.

Seeing him in their arms for the first time is going to be incredible and we cant wait.
A Mount Ephraim man died after suffering an apparent medical emergency that caused his vehicle to crash into a pole in Franklin Township, Gloucester County Sunday afternoon, authorities said.

Jack Sparacio, 79, died in the accident and a passenger, a 76-year-old woman from Blackwood, was injured, according to township police.

The crash occurred at 3:30 p.m. in the area of Delsea Drive and Roosevelt Avenue. The vehicle was traveling north on Delsea Drive when Sparacio suffered an apparent medical emergency and went off the road, striking the pole, police said.

He was unconscious when police arrived and was rushed to Inspira Medical Center in Mullica Hill, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

His passenger was taken to Jefferson Hospital in Washington Township and was listed in stable condition, police said Sunday night.

Police said the crash remains under investigation. First responders from the Malaga Fire Department, Gloucester County EMS, and Inspira Paramedics assisted on scene.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

BRIDGEPORT  Police are investigating whether a woman who was shot in the back at the P.T. Barnum apartments is connected with a person showing up at a McDonalds wearing only underwear around the same time late Sunday night, according to a city official.

Police were dispatched to Bridgeport Hospital around 11 p.m. after medical personnel reported a female victim with a gunshot wound to the back.
By Jeff Masters,Yale Climate Connections. Originally published at Yale Climate Connections.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave Americas infrastructure a C- grade in its quadrennial assessment issued March 3. ASCE gave the nations flood control infrastructure  dams and levees  a D grade. This is a highly concerning assessment, given that climate change is increasingly stressing dams and levees as increased evaporation from the oceans drives heavier precipitation events.

U.S. Dams Need $93.6 Billion in Upgrades

The groups 2021 report card gave the nations 91,000-plus dams a D grade, jus as they had received in each of its assessments since the first one was issued in 1998. Drawing upon the latest data from the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, ASCE estimated the cost of rehabilitating all U.S. dams at $93.6 billion, of which $27.6 billion is needed for federal dams. Over half (56.4%) of U.S. dams are privately owned. The cost to rehabilitate deficient high-hazard-potential dams, whose failure would result in loss of life, is estimated at nearly $20 billion. Over 2,300 dams in the U.S. are in this category. The average age of Americas dams is 57 years.

The report identified one program that can help address existing funding needs  the High Hazard Potential Dam Rehabilitation Program authorized in the 2016 Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act. The goal of this program is to help fund the repair, removal, or rehabilitation of the nations non-federal, high-hazard-potential dams. In federal fiscal year 2020, Congress appropriated $10 million for the program, less than 0.1% of the state dam safety groups needs estimate, and a quarter of the $40 million Congress had authorized for the program.

A 2019 story by the Associated Press reported that the most recent U.S. fatalities from a dam failure were in March 2019, when the 92-year-old Spencer Dam on the Niobrara River in Nebraska failed, killing one person. The most recent previous dam failure fatalities involved seven people killed on Hawaiis Kauai Island in 2006 after the earthen wall of the Kaloko Reservoir collapsed.

At least five fatal dam failures occurred in the 1970s  Teton Dam, Idaho (14 deaths), Kelly Barnes, Georgia (39 deaths), Buffalo Creek coal slurry impoundment dam, West Virginia (125 deaths), Rapid City, South Dakota (238 deaths), and Johnstown, Pennsylvania (84 deaths). These failures ushered in the modern dam safety era. AP reported that many states have problematic private dams whose owners cant be identified. In 2018, for instance, Rhode Island listed 32 high- or significant-hazard dams with safety concerns and unknown owners.

A 2019 YaleEnvironment360 story by Jacques Leslie reported that many people living on property that would be flooded if a dam fails are unaware of that possibility, in part because federal officials blocked public access to inundation maps after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In recent years, some states have again made the maps available. California requires that prospective buyers be informed if a property is in an inundation zone, a practice that should be far more widespread. The 2021 ASCE report card recommended initiating a public awareness campaign that would alert residents of the location and condition of dams in their area.

U.S. Levees Need More Than $21 Billion in Upgrades

In spring 2019, the midwest U.S. experienced severe flooding, causing over $20 billion in damage. More than 80 Corps of Engineers levee systems were overtopped or breached, sometimes multiple times, and more than 700 miles of levees were damaged. Levee repairs were estimated at $1 billion. However, the Army Corps estimated that the levees prevented almost $350 billion in flood damages from October 2018 to September 2019. At least 17 million people live or work behind a levee, and U.S. levees protect $2.3 trillion in property, so the condition of these levees is critical. In addition, approximately 1,400 sites listed in the federal Toxic Release Inventory  including many EPA Superfund sites  lie in areas at high risk of flooding, according to a 2018 New York Times analysis.

In that context, the Civil Engineers 2021 report card grade of D for the nations 40,000 miles of levees is concerning. Drawing upon the latest data from the Corps of Engineers, the ASCE says in its report card that $21 billion is needed to improve and maintain just the moderate to high-risk levees in the Corps of Engineers portfolio. That is about 15% of the known levees in the U.S.

U.S. levees are, on average, 50 years old, many built using engineering standards less rigorous than current best practices. Encouragingly, fewer than 4% of U.S. levees are rated high or very high risk, down from 5% in 2017. However, 80% of high- or very high-risk levees have issues that likely would result in a breach prior to overtopping in an extreme flood, the report said.

The report card identified one program that can help address existing funding needs  the National Levee Safety Program. In federal fiscal year (FY) 2021 this program was funded at $5 million, just 0.02% of the $21 billion needed to repair just 15% of U.S. levees, and only 6% of its FY21 $79 million authorization.

Climate Change is Driving More Precipitation and River Flood Damages

Increased precipitation in the U.S. in recent decades, partially the result of climate change, has caused an additional $2.5 billion a year in U.S. flood damages, according to a January 2021 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The researches, climate scientists at Stanford University, found that between 1988 and 2017, heavier precipitation accounted for more than one-third of the $200 billion in damage. Causing heavier downpours, Climate change may be exacerbating the cost of flooding, the authors concluded.

In an interview with E&E News, study co-author Noel Diffenbaugh said that there is real economic value in avoiding higher levels of global warming. Thats not a political statement. Thats a factual statement about costs. And it also shows that theres real economic value to adaptation and resilience because were clearly not adapted to the climate change thats already happened.

U.S. River Floods are Increasing in Frequency

The number of extreme streamflow events observed in U.S. river systems since 1910 has increased significantly, according to a December 2020 study from Dartmouth College.

Along rivers that observed significant changes in streamflow in recent decades, the incidence of extreme streamflow events has doubled in frequency since the 1950-1969 period. Evan Dethier, a postdoctoral researcher at Dartmouth and lead author of the paper, said in an interview with phys.org that the shifts toward more extreme events are especially important given the age of our dams, bridges, and roads. The changes to river flows that we found are important for those who manage or depend on this type of infrastructure.

Bob Henson contributed to this post.
He's an award-winning movie star and handsome heartthrob.

But Clive Owen had his dad hat on as he spent some quality time with his youngest daughter Eve, 22, in London on Monday.

The actor, 56, opted for a casual ensemble, pairing a black padded jacket with a black hoodie, dark jeans and comfy trainers.

Family: Clive Owen enjoyed some quality time with his daughter Eve, 22, as they headed out for a low-key stroll together in London on Monday

Meanwhile Eve also wrapped up warm in a long brown jacket worn over a black turtleneck jumper.

She completed her look with blue tie dye jogging bottoms and pink trainers and wore her hair up in a bun.

Both looked in high spirits as they enjoyed their stroll, picking up a takeaway lunch during the trip.

Relaxed: The actor, 56, opted for a casual ensemble, pairing a black padded jacket with a black hoodie, dark jeans and comfy trainers

Clive resides in north London and Essex with his wife Sarah-Jane Fenton, Eve, and their eldest daughter Hannah, 24.

The Coventry-born actor and Sarah-Jane, an actress-turned-academic, are celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary this year, making theirs one of the strongest marriages in show business.

Promoting his film Words And Pictures in 2014, Clive revealed the secret of a lasting marriage in the movie industry is to ensure you're never parted through work for too long.

Stepping out: Meanwhile Eve also wrapped up warm in a long brown jacket worn over a black turtleneck jumper

Out and about: Both looked in high spirits and they enjoyed their stroll, picking up a takeaway lunch during the trip

He explained: 'If you go away for a long period of time for a shoot you then go home for a long period of time and put it back there because otherwise you're not going to sustain it.'

The actor also admitted he and Sarah-Jane enjoy the independence of an equal union.

He explained: 'I couldn't bear a marriage in which one partner hinges on the other.

'My wife needs her freedom just like me. The wonderful thing about my wife Sarah Jane is that she's an actress herself and she knows what that means: constant travels and goodbyes.'

The actor met his wife when they were putting on a production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet while students at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art).

The couple tied the knot on March 6 1995, welcoming first daughter Hannah in June 1997 and Eve in October 1999.
CC HELEN MCENTEE ...24/11/2020 Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD speaking to media following a post Cabinet briefing on further Government amendments to the Harassment Harmful Communications Bill, which have been drafted to specifically tackle the distribution of intimate images without consent at Government Buildings, Dublin. Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins

Gardai visited the home of Justice Minister Helen McEntee last night after a threatening phone call was made against her claiming there was a bomb at the property.

Sources have revealed that the threat was made to the Samaritans charity, who in turn contacted gardai.

It is understood the caller claimed that there may be a bomb at the Ministers home.

Gardai rushed to Ms McEntees Co Meath home but no device was found there after a detailed search.

It is understood that she was given security advice.

Officers have begun an investigation into the hoax phone call but no arrests have been made.

When contacted by Independent.ie, a spokesman for the Minister declined to comment.

Sources say that the minister, who is expecting a child in May, is the latest high profile public figure to be subjected to hoax threats.

She is among the most senior positions at Cabinet and among her key roles is being briefed on urgent security matters by the Garda Commissioner.
Denton, TX (76205)

Today

Cloudy early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Brad Pitt has recently been embroiled in his custody battle with ex-wife Angelina Jolie, which saw the in court back in October.

But the two-time Academy Award winner is back to work on his first role after Hollywood bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

He made the case for bucket hats Friday, as he took a call while shooting a neon-lit scene in the Chinatown neighborhood of Los Angeles for his upcoming star-studded movie Bullet Train.

Leading man: Brad Pitt made the case for bucket hats Friday, as he took a call while shooting a neon-lit scene in the Chinatown neighborhood of Los Angeles for his upcoming star-studded movie Bullet Train

The 57-year-old was spotted in a brown double-breasted peacoat, layered over a blue shirt with grey trousers.

His look was finished with the white hat and a pair of matching white sneakers, as he walked through the bustling streets.

Pitt stars in the David Leitch-helmed action thriller as Ladybug, one of five assassins who find themselves on a Japanese bullet train with mysteriously connected assignments.

He stars alongside Sandra Bullock and Joey King in the movie, which is based on the 2010 novel Mariabeetle, from Kotaro Isaka's hitman series.

Casual chic: The 57-year-old was spotted in a brown double-breasted peacoat, layered over a blue shirt with grey trousers

Fresh kicks: His look was finished with the white hat and a pair of matching white sneakers, as he walked through the bustling streets

All aboard: Pitt stars in the David Leitch-helmed action thriller as Ladybug, one of five assassins who find themselves on a Japanese bullet train with mysteriously connected assignments. He stars alongside Sandra Bullock and Joey King in the movie, which is based on the 2010 novel Mariabeetle, from Kotaro Isaka's hitman series

The cast has recently been filled out with such names as Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Zazie Beetz, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Logan Lerman and Masi Oka.

Producer Kelly McCormick recently told Collider that the movie drew such big names because of the chance to work with Pitt and Leitch, who's directed John Wick, Atomic Blonde and Deadpool 2, after working as Pitt's stunt double.

She said: 'I think the combo in what this movie is, which is kind of a crazy crime caper, is a really exciting combo for fans as well as actors. I can't speak more highly of the picture and the experience. Every day is an absolute riot.'

McCormick went on to praise Pitt's performance: 'Brad is a generous actor and a good human being. In my opinion, this is a Brad performance that we've never seen him do before.

'It's light, it's fun, it's crazy, and he's having a ball, I think. And, we are too He trained a lot. And, part of it, I think is because he's working for the guy who used to take the punches for him, so he has something to prove.'
Amaravati, March 8 : Andhra Pradesh could be the first state in India to incorporate a concept called 'Gender Budget' in its annual Budget for FY 2021-22 aimed at better serving women.

On International Women's Day on Monday, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy emphasised that the Gender Budget should clearly list out the expenditures for women's welfare under various schemes.

As per the 2011 Budget, only 60 per cent women in Andhra Pradesh were literate while the balance 40 per cent were unable to pursue education.

In order to resolve this issue and lower the burden of providing quality education, the state government has introduced schemes such as the Jaganna Amm Vodi, which encompassed an expenditure of Rs 13,022 crore in two years' time.

In five years' time, this scheme will spend Rs 32,500 crore, benefiting over 44.5 lakh mothers and 85 lakh students.

"Women should be given equal rights economically, socially and politically and their services in bettering the society should be recognised," said Reddy.

He said the state government has spent Rs 80,000 crore in 21 months for women's welfare through schemes such as Amma Vodi, YSR Cheyuta, YSR Asara and Kapu Nestam.

"Besides ensuring women's welfare, the government has also focused on empowering women socially, politically, economically and made laws to provide 50 per cent reservation to women in all nominated posts and works," said Reddy.

Along with 900 Disha patrolling vehicles, the Chief Minister has also launched 18 Disha crime scene management vehicles.

Meanwhile, Suprava Harichandan, the wife of Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, celebrated International Women's Day at the Raj Bhavan's Durbar Hall at an event organised by women the employees.

"It is a very important day for all the women as it is celebrated in recognition of their contribution to the society and the equal role played by women in nation building," she said, as she distributed gifts to the women employees of the Raj Bhavan.
[March 08, 2021] Cloud Nine Adds Web3 Tech Entrepreneur, Pavel Bains, CEO of Bluzelle, as Strategic Advisor

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cloud Nine Web3 Technologies Inc. (Cloud Nine or the Company) (CSE: CNI) (OTC: CLGUF) (CNSX: CNI) is pleased to announce adding blockchain expert, Pavel Bains, CEO and co-founder of Bluzelle Networks Pte. Ltd. (Bluzelle), as a Strategic Advisor.

Pavel Bains is an entrepreneur, futurist, designer and investor in exponential technologies. A contributing writer to Fast Company, Venture Beat, and Forbes, Bains often speaks on panels and conferences about where digital media, finance and technology are heading. We are thrilled to have Pavel on board. His in-depth expertise in the space will help pave the way for our extensive roadmap of upcoming emerging technology products, including the proposed closing and launch of partner platform, Limitless Technologies, and the expansion of our partnership with Next Decentrum, said Allan Larmour, CEO of Cloud Nine. As a Strategic Advisor, Bains will work together with the senior team at Cloud Nine to align strategic opportunities, support future plans, and help advance Cloud Nines ambitious innovation roadmap to capitalize on the global ed-tech market, valued at USD $76.4 billion in 2019 and expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.1% from 2020 to 2027. (According to a report from Grand View Research , a market research and consulting company headquartered in San Francisco). It gives me great pleasure to take on this advisory role at Cloud Nine and contribute to the innovative future plans and products in the decentralized and Web3 space, said Pavel Bains. Awarded Technology Pioneer status by the World Economic Foru, Bluzelle is a decentralized database that solves the security, integrity and reliability issues facing data management. Bluzelle has the backing of leading blockchain funds, NGC, Hashed and KR1 amongst others.



With Pavels background in consumer media and decentralized technologies, he can help shape Cloud Nines ed-tech platform and new developments and support its efforts to pursue Web3 opportunities on a global scale, stated Allan Larmour. Bains is a well-recognized thought leader in the blockchain, cryptocurrency, and decentralized internet sectors. He led the successful $19.5 million Bluzelle ICO with a stellar set of team and advisors to build a decentralized database for blockchain applications.

An investor in Defi, crypto, and fintech, he invested in fintech startup Bench and virtual reality startup VR Chat. Bains has been a speaker at conferences including the World Blockchain Forum and BlockShow, and appears on CNBC. A serial entrepreneur, Bains worked with Disney, Microsoft, Warner Bros. and DreamWorks, and was also the co-founder of Storypanda, a digital book platform that published critically acclaimed titles by the worlds best independent authors. In consideration of his advisory position, the company has agreed to pay Pavel for a 12 month term based on milestones. On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Cloud Nine Web3 Technologies Inc. Allan Larmour Allan Larmour

President and Chief Executive Officer

Tel. 778-240-7724 About Cloud Nine Web3 Technologies Inc.: Cloud Nine Web3 Technologies Inc. is an education-based technology company focused on incorporating emerging technologies into its current platform. Cloud Nines mission is to fuel innovation and make the future more accessible by powering the launch and growth of technologies. About the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) The Canadian Securities Exchange, or CSE, is operated by CNSX Markets Inc. Recognized as a stock exchange in 2004, the CSE began operations in 2003 to provide a modern and efficient alternative for companies looking to access the Canadian public capital markets. The CSE has not reviewed, nor approved or disapproved the content of this news release. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements and are prospective in nature. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as may, should, will, could, intend, estimate, plan, anticipate, expect, believe or continue, or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding: the Companys pursuit of emerging technology products; the proposed closing and launch of Limitless Technologies and expansion of the Next Decentrum partnership; intention of the Company to grow its ed-tech platform and new developments and support its pursuit of Web3 opportunities on a global scale. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in light of such factors, and, except as required by applicable law, the Company is not under any obligation, 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.



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It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on March 10, 1951



ANTI-RED ACT HELD INVALID

HIGH COURTS DECISION

Menzies: Not End Of Fight



The Full Court of the High Court held yesterday that the Communist Party Dissolution Act was invalid.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, said last night: I say on behalf of the Government that this is not the end of the fight against Communism; it is merely the beginning.

Graffiti against the Red Bill outside Security headquarters in Pitt Street, Sydney on 24 October 1950. Credit:Staff photographer

The Court gave judgment in Melbourne. The decision was made by a six,to one majority.

TENSE, CROWDED COURT

MELBOURNE, Friday.

-The Chief Justice, Sir John Latham, was the only member of the Court to hold that the Communist Party Dissolution Act was valid.
SAM PEGGS cant wait to hear the roar of a West End crowd again.

The 24-year-old Henley actor, who is in the cast of Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre in London, has barely set foot in the spotlight since the coronavirus pandemic broke out last year.

He and his colleagues were sent home indefinitely on March 16, when Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the nation to avoid large gatherings but hadnt then enforced the first lockdown.

Since then Mr Peggs has appeared in just two virtual shows, including the Britains Got Talent live final on ITV in October, while earning extra money by teaching singing and piano online.

He was also planning to organise and sing in a streamed concert at the Kenton Theatre, where he played the lead in Dick Whittington at Christmas 2018, but the show was scrapped when the covid-19 infection rate began rising and the government restrictions on mixing were tightened.

The concert would have raised funds for the historic New Street venue, which has been closed since March.

Mr Peggs, who lives in Hart Street with his partner Courtney Hows, a childrens gymnastics teacher, moved to Henley from London shortly before the covid crisis began because he fell in love with it during his panto stint.

He had just landed his part as a swing in Les Miserables, which means he understudies for 11 leading male roles and must be able to step into any of them in an emergency.

Mr Peggs says: This time last year, coronavirus was only being reported as an international story but as soon as it hit the UK, it was on all the casts minds because we worried about how things would go.

It was getting obvious that wed have to close and in our final two weeks we kept saying to each other, This could be our last night, so lets get out there and have a great one. It was half-joking but tinged with seriousness.

The audiences really started thinning out  the curtain would come up and youd see empty seats, which had never happened.

Les Mis gets packed houses every night but people were nervous about gatherings before they were banned.

We were ordered not to work even if we were slightly ill, then one day we were sent home to await further announcements. There was such a weird vibe because we didnt know whether it was a proper goodbye or whether wed be working again soon.

No one understood the seriousness of the situation and some people stayed for a quick drink before leaving.

We assumed things would be under control after a week or two and had zero idea that wed still be off now.

Mr Peggs was paid a retainer by producer Cameron Mackintoshs company.

He also earns a living from his teaching venture, MasterKeys, which he set up before joining Les Mis. He now has 15 students, all in the Henley area, with five other teachers on his books.

As long as the covid crisis continues to ease with the rollout of vaccines, he will go back to the show when it resumes on May 29.

Mr Peggs says: I was lucky to have a business already in place and to be able to play piano. Its another way to supplement my income as I used to play at the Hart Street Tavern as well.

Many actors are now working on building sites or in supermarkets because theres very little work and they dont have other skills so theyre having to do all kinds of unexpected things.

One friend was making lots of money touring on cruise ships and generally living the high life in South America but he had to go back to live with his parents.

Recently he has done everything from working in Amazons stock room, at Hermes parcel centres and in restaurants to selling car warranties and even being an estate agent. Its a very difficult time.

Actors over 35 might have developed other skills or started sidelines but Im probably a bit unusual in having that at my age.

Most younger actors are just pursuing as much stage experience as possible and dont mind the uncertain pay and hours, or working in coffee shops, because theyve got fewer responsibilities.

Ms Hows is also teaching from home, which the actor says offers a lifeline to parents stressed by the demands of home schooling.

He says: Some mums and dads are struggling so virtual lessons offer respite and keep the children busy while giving them a sense of achievement.

Ive moved all my business to Henley and Ive started teaching singing as well as piano because people were asking for it on Facebook. Knowing that Im in Les Mis probably helped with that.

Ive put a limit on new students because I want to have a life, give everyone my full attention and not struggle to accommodate everyone when my main job picks up again.

However, theres currently a waiting list and Id like to recruit more teachers so I can allocate pupils straight away.

Mr Peggs and several dozen colleagues performed One Day More from Les Miserables at the Britains Got Talent final, which was filmed in front of an online audience at a studio in Wembley. The lead actors included comedian Matt Lucas as Monsieur Thenardier and West End veteran Michael Ball as Inspector Javert.

The song was chosen because of its theme of strength in the face of adversity and the final lyric was changed to one show more.

The cast appeared as part of a medley with actors from The Phantom of the Opera and Mary Poppins, also produced by Mackintosh.

They had to be tested for covid-19 before rehearsals and on the day, which involved swabbing the backs of their noses and throats.

Mr Peggs recalls: It was strange and a bit scary because one of my tests came back as inconclusive, though it turned out fine on the second go. Its an unpleasant experience and not one Id recommend.

However, it was nice to get a result almost immediately and then you could relax with everyone else, albeit at a distance and with a feeling of caution, in a covid-safe environment.

I didnt play any of the main roles, I was just there for sheer volume. When I put my costume on, I realised I hadnt worn one in months and it felt amazing, though the real highlight was just working with others again.

Over the last few years, Ive been on stage most nights and you soon get used to that.

Acting is about being silly and having fun, which is why people do it. Its like being back in the school play and you miss the camaraderie when it suddenly goes.

It was strange not having a real audience of 1,000 people or more. Instead there was this electronic board of viewers at home on their webcams.

Despite that, it was great to hear the music and sing again, albeit all too short-lived.

Mr Peggs also appeared in a live-streamed concert of songs from the musical Sunset Boulevard in Leicester, which ran for two weeks.

He planned his Kenton gig with fellow West End star Mike Sterling, from Shiplake, who has appeared in Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and Evita.

Mr Peggs, who has wanted to stage a show there since 2018, says: We had several meetings and a video production company was lined up to film it from four angles but the situation kept getting worse so it felt right to call if off. It was a shame and I have absolute sympathy for the theatre as its a wonderful venue with so much heart and soul. Its a big part of the reason I came here because I got such a great welcome from the community.

It has a great programme and really wants to offer something positive but its options are so limited for now. Id encourage everyone to support the Kenton for Keeps campaign because I want it to keep going.

Mr Peggs, who is originally from Basingstoke, is now feeling optimistic about the future.

Nobody knows whats in store, he says. I have a return date for Les Mis but in my profession you get used to disappointments and things changing or being cancelled beyond your control. You have to live in the moment and let the cards fall where they will. The Leicester show was an interesting view of a possible future with masks and social distancing, which isnt great because acting is about following your instincts and being spontaneous with gestures like kissing, shaking hands or hugging. Its tough going against that because you want freedom to tell the story.

However, if any show can make a success of things, itll be Les Mis because of its huge following. It has never had a problem selling tickets and some people even come to see it every week.

A lot of the audience are from overseas, particularly Asia, so I dont know how long itll take before travellers feel confident coming to Britain but Im excited for the future. Well just have to wait and see what happens next.
Rice Stadium will open as a vaccination hub next week under a partnership between Rice University and St. Lukes Health.

Announced Monday, the new center is aimed at vaccinating the most vulnerable populations, including healthcare workers and seniors.

The site is expected to open March 15, the university said in a press release.

We are honored and proud to partner with such a historic institution to continue to vaccinate our most vulnerable populations, Doug Lawson, Chief Executive Officer of St. Lukes Health, said in a statement. The iconic Rice Stadium is large and functional and conducive to an efficient clinic operation. We are looking forward to collaborating with the leadership at Rice University to continue to vaccinate our communities as quickly and safely as possible.

The site is the latest to open in the Houston region. Late last month, the states largest vaccination hub opened at NRG park, where officials expect to inoculate roughly 126,000 people over the coming weeks.

The Rice Stadium vaccine clinic, located at 2200 University Blvd., is not a drive-through clinic and will operate Monday through Friday, by appointment only, through the end of July.

Individuals who qualify for the current distribution phases and are interested in receiving the vaccine must fill out an online form at stlukeshealth.org/CovidVaccine

To be placed on the waitlist for future vaccine appointments. Individuals without Internet access can register for the waiting list by calling 281-407-8137.

robert.downen@chron.com
Whether its through legislation or at the ballot box in 2022, expanded civil rights protections for Michigans LGBT residents are coming, advocates said during a Monday news conference.

Michigans Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act currently protects people from discrimination based on several factors when it comes to employment, housing and public accommodations: religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status or marital status.

There have been several efforts in recent years to add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to that list of protected classes, both in the Legislature and via ballot initiative.

In a Monday virtual news conference in support of the latest iteration of the bills in the House and Senate, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and lead legislative sponsors, Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, and Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, said that while progress has been made on advancing LGBT rights in Michigan, its time to address gaps in the law.

With this bill, Michigan has the opportunity to become a model of equality, Whitmer said. Every step we take toward enshrining protections on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation will impact Michiganders for generations to come.

The reintroduction is the latest step in a years-long effort to include additional protections for Michigans LGBT residents, a cause thats garnered support among business leaders and advocacy groups, but historically hasnt gained traction in the Republican-led Legislature.

Senate Bill 208 and House Bill 4297 both have a Republican co-sponsor  Rep. Tommy Brann, R-Wyoming, and Sen. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City. Both Moss and Pohutsky said they were confident that more Republicans would support the measure if it were put up for a floor vote in either chamber.

And with signatures for an effort to change the law via ballot initiative in 2022 currently pending, they said leadership in the Republican-led Legislature wont be able to ignore the issue this session.

There is a reckoning coming on this, Moss said. We can either pass the ballot proposal as introduced, we could pass the legislation as introduced or we could go to the public. And public support for this far exceeds the leadership of the state Senate or state House of Representatives.

Related: Michigan lawmakers reintroduce bill to add LGBT protections to civil rights act

Last fall, the group Fair and Equal Michigan submitted 483,461 signatures to the state for its initiative to amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to add gender identity and sexual orientation to the list of protected classes.

Initially, Fair and Equal Michigan was collecting signatures in preparation for a 2020 ballot initiative. The COVID-19 pandemic interfered with those plans  the group successfully petitioned the Court of Claims for a time extension to gather the remaining signatures needed due to state stay-home orders interfering with the ability to meet normal petition signature requirements.

Jeynece Poindexter, a co-chair of the Fair and Equal Michigan initiative, said LGBT residents still face marginalization and violence despite progress thats been made, noting she and other transgender women of color are at the end of the totem pole when it comes to respect and inclusion and real equitable interest.

She said supporters of anti-discrimination protections for LGBT residents are done waiting for the Legislature to affirm their rights.

We are no longer asking for permission to have respect of our lives and to be recognized as human beings, she said. We are pushing forward, and either you want to join us, or you dont. Were going.

In the Legislature, a 2014 bipartisan push to change the law backed by former Republican Rep. Frank Foster ultimately failed, and Foster himself lost his re-election bid during the primary to former House Speaker Lee Chatfield, who did not support expanding anti-discrimination protections to LGBT residents during his tenure.

Chatfields record on the issue sparked a wave of intense criticism when he was hired as CEO of Southwest Michigan First early this year. Eleven days after his hire was announced, Chatfield resigned from the post, and organization officials said they are making internal changes to boost diversity, equity and inclusion in the hiring process.

Pohutsky said the landscape has changed profoundly on LGBT rights since the idea of expanding the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act was first introduced. Citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Pohutsky said its important all Michigan residents can support and rely on each other as they take steps to rebuild.

If there is anything that we have learned through this time, its that when our backs are against the wall, it doesnt matter who the person fighting beside you loves or what their gender identity is, she said. It does matter, though, when those same characteristics are used to deny them housing or public services.

In 2019, Whitmer extended protections to cover people based on sexual orientation and gender identity within the state workforce and for state contractors and services. She also renamed a state office building after the two co-sponsors of the original law, Daisy Elliott and Mel Larsen.

Related coverage:

LGBT anti-discrimination campaign turns in nearly 500,000 signatures for 2022 ballot proposal

Michigan House Speaker not interested in expanding civil rights law to include LGBT protections

Southwest Michigan First apologizes after Lee Chatfield resigns, promises inclusive search for next CEO

Lawmakers, Whitmer renew push to expand civil rights protections to Michigans LGBTQ residents

Lee Chatfield made LGBT friends in Lansing, and they dont see his resignation as a win


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Huntsville Hospital is receiving an increased supply of the COVID-19 vaccine. This means around 2,500 people will receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine this week.

Starting Monday, about 500 people each day will get their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. In addition to the 500 first doses, they'll be giving about 500 people their second dose of the vaccine as well.

Giving 1,000 doses a day is nothing Huntsville Hospital isn't used to. In fact, the hospital's Vice President of operations, Tracy Doughty, said they're hoping a mass vaccination clinic becomes a regular thing for them.

Were hoping as time goes on and more vaccine is produced, the state gets a larger allocation, and we can up our amount to whatever the state can give us," said Doughty. "Were prepared to go back up to 2,000 doses a day. We can double the 500 a day easy.

Doughty said the hospital has requested the Johnson and Johnson vaccine as well. Until then, they will continue administering the Pfizer vaccine.
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art approved a policy last week that allows proceeds from the sale of works from its collection to be used for salaries and overhead costs associated with the collection's care. The move follows similar actions by other museums, including ones in Brooklyn, Baltimore and Chicago, and marks the latest development in a debate that has been roiling the museum field, and has set some of the country's leading museum directors against one another.

Deaccessioning - the routine practice of pruning and shaping a museum's collection by putting works up for sale - has become intensely controversial since the spring of last year, when the field's membership organization relaxed the rules governing the use of proceeds from art sales. As a result, American art museums hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic are wrestling with a vexing problem: To what extent should they use the proceeds from these sales to avoid financial trouble or even to pay for other, program-related goals?

The museum field is on edge after an attempt last fall by the Baltimore Museum of Art to raise $65 million by selling three works provoked a huge backlash, resulting in the works being taken off the market at the last moment. But tensions around deaccessioning predate both the Baltimore controversy and covid-19.

Some supporters of liberalized deaccessioning frame the relaxed rules as a minor accounting detail that could provide temporary financial relief.

"It's not as if crazy things are happening," Met Director Max Hollein said in a phone interview with The Washington Post last week. The Met is not planning to sell works it wouldn't be selling anyway, he said, and there are still strict limits on how the funds can be used. Met officials will release a report on the past year at a media event Tuesday, but they are not expected to offer more details about the deaccessioning plan, including what pieces might be sold or when.

Critics of the new guidelines, including Hollein's predecessor, Thomas Campbell, believe in the sanctity of public collections and want to maintain strict controls to protect them. They view the shift as the first step in a fundamental change in museum operations. If museums use deaccession funds more broadly - even to survive a crisis like the pandemic - there may be no going back. Terms like "Pandora's box" and "slippery slope" are routinely invoked by those who believe a museum's artworks should never be treated as assets to be monetized, unless it is to buy new art.

Critics have taken their argument public, protesting the Met and the practice writ large. An online petition calling on Met leaders "to resist any attempts to sell off the art the Met holds in the public trust" has collected nearly 25,000 signatures. (Organizers delivered the signatures to the Met on Monday.)

In a recent op-ed, Campbell outlined his fear that the well-intentioned move by the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) will become permanent and will undermine its authority.

"Donor trust will be damaged," Campbell, director and chief executive of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, wrote. "Boards and civic entities may take advantage of the new guidelines to evade their fiduciary responsibilities . . . [and] the premise that museum art collections are not taxable assets could be overturned."

Campbell also notes that deaccessioning is not a silver bullet. "It is often hard work for relatively slim returns," he said in an interview published in the forthcoming book, "Collections and Deaccessioning in a Post-Pandemic World." "The objects that could legitimately be deaccessioned as second rate or duplicates were often exactly that, second rate and not very valuable. Where the money was to be made was in Impressionist paintings and modern masters."

But Museum of Modern Art Director Glenn Lowry questions the benefits of having so many works "in the basement."

"Over time, if you release hundreds or thousands of objects that might be worth $1,000 or $5,000 or $10,000, you know what? That adds up to a lot of money," he said.

There's widespread disagreement about whether the AAMD change is really temporary. Hollein expects them to revert to the pre-covid guidelines next year, a move he supports. Stefanie Jandl, co-editor of "Collections and Deaccessioning in a Post-Pandemic World," thinks the new guidelines are here to stay.

"I think they're going to be solidified in the present form, which allows for a lot of flexibility," she said.

Lowry supports the AAMD policy as it stands, but says the issue needs to be debated. He frames it as an appropriate historical shift. In the 20th century, he argues, American museums were focused on building up many of the world's best collections. In the 21st century, they "have to make good on the promise of those collections."

"It doesn't mean we stop acquiring. But we have to shift the focus from what we have already acquired to how we're going to use that - how we're going to meet the needs of the public through programs," he said. "And in that context, we should ask ourselves what role can judicious and carefully regulated deaccessioning play in helping us to achieve that."

It's still unclear how museums will respond to the temporary rule change, although some answers will come at the auction houses' spring sales in May, when more art from museum collections is certain to be sold.

"I think it's going to be a tsunami," said Mark Gold, an attorney, author and organizer of "Deaccessioning After 2020," a virtual symposium planned for March 17-19.

The debate over the use of deaccession funds first erupted last April, when the AAMD announced a change to help its members weather the financial fallout from the pandemic. Between then and April 2022, AAMD members who are in financial distress would not be sanctioned if they use proceeds from the sale of art to fund the care of their collections. The field's other service organization, the larger American Alliance of Museums (AAM), had issued a similar update to its guidelines in 2019. That update required museums to adopt policies defining "direct care"; it did not require financial duress.

Museums across the country responded and some, including the Brooklyn Museum, the Palm Springs Museum of Art in California and the Everson Museum in Syracuse, N.Y., announced deaccessioning plans. But the Baltimore Museum of Art grabbed headlines when it said it would sell three major paintings to create a fund for long-term diversity efforts. Community members and former trustees signed letters of protest, board members resigned and donors rescinded their planned gifts. Facing a month of unrelenting pressure, the museum canceled the sales.

The Baltimore plan had many flaws. The AAMD's change was supposed to apply to financially struggling museums, but BMA's director, Christopher Bedford, repeatedly said his organization was fiscally sound. The sale was needed, he said, to address long-standing inequities and to improve diversity and access. The three works - Andy Warhol's "The Last Supper" and paintings by Clyfford Still and Brice Marden - were problematic, too, because they flouted the accepted traditions that museums should never sell masterpieces should never sell masterpieces - which many consider the Warhol to be - or works by living artists such as Marden. Baltimore's plan proposed both. (Baltimore did not give up on its goal, and last month announced gifts of almost $1.5 million for diversity, equity and inclusion, including funds for evening hours and for pay increases for hourly workers.)

The BMA controversy brought wider attention to the difficult issues facing museums in general, leaders say. Beyond the many losses tied to the pandemic, museums are also facing internal and external calls for racial and social justice. In a survey released last summer, one-third of AAM museum directors said they were at risk of closing or unsure if they could survive.

"People are having conversations and understanding that museums are being pulled in a hundred different directions for growth, when our finances are not growing," said Brooklyn Museum Director Anne Pasternak. "The cost of direct care has grown exponentially in recent years. Institutions are acquiring, acquiring, acquiring, but without support for its care, you're undermining your collection."

The Brooklyn Museum began discussing its deaccessioning plan in 2019, a year before the AAMD's modification. Last fall, the museum sold just over 40 works, including a group of decorative art objects and pieces by Monet, Miro and Cranach, and placed the $35 million in proceeds in a permanent endowment (with a goal of $40 million). The annual interest from the fund will cover the estimated $2 million required to care for the collection.

"To me, the most responsible thing is not to sell a Monet and use [the proceeds] for general operating support. The most responsible thing is to create a fund to benefit the institution in perpetuity," Pasternak said. The museum has taken a "conservative approach" to its definition of collection care, which covers storage, conservation, documentation and the safe installation, de-installation and transport of art. Salaries of those performing these duties are included, but Pasternak said the endowment will cover only staff time spent with the art.

"It's an interesting lifeline," said Sally Yerkovich, chair of the AAM committee on direct care, who teaches museum ethics at Columbia University. "What it does is it frees up resources. If you can use money for conservation, then you're freeing other money to use for other aspects of your operations. It could be exactly what some art museums really need."

Many smaller museums have avoided deaccessioning because they fear getting entangled in controversy, Yerkovich said. As a result, they spend their limited resources on caring for things that no longer contribute to their mission.

"For years there was a chill, and one of the things that we had hoped with the [AAM's] direct care of collection report was that it would normalize the process," she said.

Lowry welcomes the increased flexibility provided by AAMD's temporary change. Acquiring new work may not be the primary concern of many institutions, he said, especially small ones struggling to survive.

"We as a profession should be doing everything we can to give those institutions in particular the tools they need to survive in this time," Lowry said.
Christine McGuinness, Katie Price and Myleene Klass all marked their children's return to school.

Millions of children went back to school on Monday after over two months of home studying during the third national lockdown, with many celebrity parents marking the occasion.

Primary school pupils are able to head back into the classroom while secondary schools can stagger the return over the week to allow for COVID testing.

Among those posting about their offspring's return was Katie Price, who posted a photo of her youngest two children Bunny, six, and Jett, seven, posing in their school uniforms with breakfast in hand.

Read more: Katie Price's third divorce is finalised

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"Finally my babies back at school and they are so excited ," she wrote.

Meanwhile, her ex husband Peter Andre divulged on his page that he had dropped the children they share together, Princess, 13, and Junior, 15, off at school before taking the son and daughter he has with second wife Emily, daughter Amelia, seven, and son Theo, four.

"Wait what.... ? Omg what a moment. So I just dropped J and P off and Im back home with Millie and Theo having breakfast before school...........Was kinda wondering if and when the day would come when all 4 would be going back. Wow. Now wheres that coffee.....

"Seriously though, these kids will feel some sense of normality at last. Very happy for J and P to actually be with their friends again. They are at the age where they need social interaction. Have a Good day everyone," he remarked.

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Stacey Solomon wished luck to all parents sending their kids back to school as she wrote in an Instagram Story: "Good luck to everyone sending their babies back to school today. I know it's a mixture of relief and worry, happiness and sadness all at once. But You've been incredible. And done such an amazing job."

The Loose Women panellist is parents to two school age sons, Zachary, 12, and Leighton, eight, while she also has one-year-old son Rex.

Read more: Ulrika Jonsson steps in to defend Stacey Solomon from parenting troll

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Mother-of-five Kerry Katona noted that her youngest daughter Dylan-Jorge, six, would be heading back into school.

The former Atomic Kitten posted a picture of herself smiling while holding a mug as she wrote: "Happy bloody Monday you beautiful people the best of the week!!!!! Its a new day, a new week, a fresh start, a new beginning and one out of my kids are back to school today! Whats not to be happy about!!!

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"Gonna miss my little side kick Dj today! But shes so super excited about seeing all her friends again!! Have a beautiful and blessed day everyone! ."

Elsewhere, Myleene Klass told her followers on Sunday night that her nine-year-old daughter Hero had been feeling anxious about getting back to school.

"Just had a big old cry with Hero putting her to bed," she divulged. "Shes feeling anxious about going back to school and I know how she feels as despite lockdown and homeschooling bringing its own mega challenges to us all, its been a privilege to be able to spend extra time with my girls, be completely surprised by what they can do on online school (Heros some kind of Nasa Techie and Ava can write lyrics to rival Bernie Taupin) and of course, film our lockdown music klasses together."

The former Hear'Say member posted a video of herself playing the piano with Hero and her elder daughter Ava, 13.

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"This was exactly 50 weeks ago when we were just starting out. It wasnt easy, we laughed, we cried, we laughed till we cried but it bonded us even more so," Klass continued

She added: "I guess what Im trying to say is, Im going to miss them and thank you girls, youre simply amazing, such huge hearts and talents."

Read more: Christine McGuinness says autistic daughter developed stutter in lockdown

On Sunday, a proud Christine McGuinness showed off her seven-year-old daughter Penelope's artwork welcoming her schoolmates back to the classroom.

She said: "My absolute sweetheart Penelope made this Welcome back poster for her friends at school  her kindness and thoughtfulness for others is beyond what I could have wished for my daughter to be.

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"Even though she has been feeling quite anxious and overwhelmed with everything recently she just wants to make sure her class mates feel welcomed back. Proudest mummy, I really am so lucky! 

"Wishing all the children a happy return to school tomorrow!.  Wishing all the mums, dads, carers a nice cuppa Tea whilst its still hot."

McGuinness shares Penelope, her twin brother Leo and daughter Felicity, four, with actor and presenter Paddy McGuinness.

Watch: Katie Price's divorce to third husband Kieran Hayler finalised
The scheme is known as SneakyTerra and is said to mark an important evolution in CTV fraud being far more sophisticated than other large schemes, such as ParrotTerra which spoofed 3.7 million device signatures and 2.7 million IP addresses each day before it was found and blocked. It operates by purchasing a real impression and then inserting impression trackers from multiple ads, obtained through spoofed SSAI calls, into one creative response. When an actual CTV device receives this response, pixels fire for all the impression trackers  meaning although only one ad is seen, impressions for multiple ads are generated. In its report on how SneakyTerra operates and the risk to business it presents, DV said the use of purchased impressions  stuffed with multiple fake ads that will never be seen by a real person  as making the threat more difficult to detect. Ad servers and measurement vendors get real data on where the ad served, rather than spoofed SSAI data, because SneakyTerras stuffed impressions serve on real devices.DVs Fraud Lab said CTV continues to be a lucrative target for fraudsters with its data showing that CTV fraud impressions more than tripled - a 220% increase - in 2020 compared with 2019. It added that the rise in fraud schemes demonstrated just how critical it is to continuously track and monitor emerging fraud threats.Fraud follows the money, and the revenue opportunities in CTV are growing rapidly, commented DV chief executive officer Mark Zagorski. In 2020 alone, DoubleVerify identified more than 10 SSAI schemes, and were seeing fraudsters execute increasingly sophisticated, larger schemes meant to divert more revenue from unprotected advertisers. T rusted, independent measurement i s critical in the CTV space to give global brands confidence in their CTV buys.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Kenya Moore and Marc Daly

Before Kenya Moore turned 50, she took some time to reflect on past relationships and decisions made in her life  specifically, her marriage to now-estranged husband Marc Daly.

On Sunday's Real Housewives of Atlanta, Kenya had a phone chat with her dad, Ronald, and opened up about the state of her marriage.

"Since Marc and I have been separated, I just need a father's advice, and it's really brought us closer," Kenya told cameras.

At the time, Marc had recently filed for divorce  "He withdrew [the filing] 12 hours later," Kenya told her dad  from the Bravo star. The couple did not have a prenuptial agreement in place when they got married.

"I always tell people to have a prenup," Kenya said in a confessional. "I just didn't listen to my own advice."

The couple wed in June 2017 and welcomed their daughter, Brooklyn Doris, in November 2018. But less than a year later, in September 2019, they split for the first time. Following their decision to part ways, things seemed to be improving for the couple, with Kenya telling Andy Cohen in February 2020, "We're in a good place right now. We're trying to figure it out." But Marc confirmed this January that the pair had split once again.

Last month, Kenya clarified that Marc withdrew his divorce petition a day after filing. "For the record: Marc withdrew the divorce petition the next day and said that he was not asking for alimony in the filing and that we misinterpreted NY law. There has been no further divorce action to date. This scene was taped months ago," she tweeted on Feb. 28, adding the hashtags "#RHOA #itscomplicated."

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RELATED: Which Real Housewives Stars Have Signed Prenups? Erika Girardi, Kandi Burruss, Lisa Vanderpump & More Tell All

On Sunday's episode, Kenya said she regretted not inviting her father to her and Marc's wedding: "I made the very bad decision not to invite my dad to my wedding because I didn't think my dad would get along with Marc, and I regret it."

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Still, Kenya wanted to glean marriage advice from Ronald and told him that she had chosen to "continue with therapy"  a decision she made to help secure answers to questions she had been asking herself, including why she ultimately said "yes" to marrying Marc after receiving many proposals before his.

"I recently started therapy because I do have a lot of questions in terms of my behavior in my marriage," she said in a confessional. "I accepted a lot of things, like anger, dismissal and complete disrespect. I've had a lot of proposals in my lifetime, but why did I choose Marc in the end?"

Kenya Moore/Instagram Kenya Moore, Marc Daly and daughter Brooklyn

To her dad, she said, "I'm having a big birthday coming up, and I don't want to be in limbo with my life."

Later on in the episode, Kenya paid a visit to her therapist, Dr. Kristy, with whom she discussed her relationship with Marc, as well as pain stemming from her relationship with her estranged mother.

"Things have been hanging in the balance the last couple of days with Marc and me. I don't know what my next move is, but therapy will be a good start to just help me get somewhere," she said in a confessional.

During the session, Dr. Kristy recalled how Kenya had spoken about "having men specifically in your life that are the same type."

"That I fall for," Kenya clarified.

RELATED: The 15 Most Shocking Breakups in Real Housewives History

When Dr. Kristy pressed about "what else is under there" that led Kenya "into these relationships that are not healthy," the RHOA star admitted to seeking out partners that were "emotionally unavailable, 100 percent."

"Not very transparent," she continued. "I shared everything with my husband. I said, 'This is my list. If you have a problem with it, let me know now. This is who I am.' And he never gave me the same."

Kenya figured she would "give them time," believing that Marc would "come around." "That's how I've always operated in relationships like that," she said, remarking that she did "the same thing" with her mother "for 30 years."

"I was always trying to demand that she see me and that she acknowledge me," she said. "And that never happened." (In flashback footage from five years ago, viewers saw Kenya knock on her mother's door unannounced, and her mom lock it from the inside.)

RELATED: RHOA's Kenya Moore Reveals Why She and Husband Marc Daly Didn't Sign a Prenup Before Their Split

Recalling her childhood, Kenya explained in a confessional that she was raised since infancy by her grandmother. "My mother, from 3 days old, gave me to my grandmother. I've had a lot to deal with growing up. I didn't want children until I was about 30 years old because I just was afraid to bring a child into chaos, or even treat my child as my mother treated me."

Growing emotional, a tearful Kenya told her therapist, "I'm always ending up in these relationships. It's the same."

Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

The reality star said that she wanted "acknowledgement" from her mother, going on to open up about the pain she felt from her "treating me like I was invisible. My whole family sat back and watched my own mother be cruel to me and I wasn't protected."

As a result, "I got into trouble all the time and I fought all the time and I just started skipping school," Kenya told Dr. Kristy. She also said she "dated a man that was 11 years older than me at 15, and he was physically abusive."

"I feel like with my husband, with my mother, the things that they've said, it's like they make me feel like I'm the bad guy," Kenya said.

RELATED: Kenya Moore and Marc Daly's Marriage Falls Apart in RHOA Episode Filmed Day Before Their Split

Reflecting on her relationship with Marc, Kenya felt he had been "cruel" to her.

"The things that have happened and have been said and done ... it's like, how can you not see that this is cruel? In his mind, it's been him against me. 'I'm going to try to break you because I am broken.' It's always angry communication," Kenya claimed, denying that she communicated angrily with him. "No. I have restraint. Anyone can tell you that. I don't scream and go crazy. I don't do that to people that I love. I can do it to people that I don't care for that way."

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Looking ahead, Kenya wanted to focus on her happiness and daughter as she prepared to enter a new decade of life.

"My takeaway is to do my homework to really just sit down with my feelings. And I'm going to prioritize my happiness, and I'm going to give Brooklyn the family that she deserves  even if it doesn't look like how I initially thought it would," she told cameras.

In January  the same month that Kenya turned 50  Marc confirmed their split in a statement to The Root. A rep for Kenya did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment at the time.

"After recently attending mediation, Kenya and I have agreed to end our marriage. I will always have great care for her and look forward to amicably continuing to co-parent our daughter Brooklyn with an abundance of love and wisdom," the businessman said.

"As always, in addition to perpetual self-improvement, my primary focus will continue to be helping the underserved and people of color in Brooklyn to recover from the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," he continued. "This focus will take shape through using my restaurant as a 'Community Hub' where positive and diverse perspectives on important topics such as economic empowerment, social activism and political engagement can be highlighted in a safe and productive forum. I'm blessed to be a positive change agent for not just my family but also my community."

The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays (8 p.m. ET) on Bravo.
The stock of a pharma company has defied gravity and has delivered unmatched returns of over 6,000 per cent in just four months. The stock of Orchid Pharma has outperformed not only equities and commodities like gold, but also most popular cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. Share of Orchid Pharma has rallied 6,488 per cent in just 4 months from Rs 18 on November 3, 2020, to record high of Rs 1,186 as of March 8, 2021. In contrast, the BSE benchmark SENSEX has gained 26.63 per cent during the same period, while Bitcoin price surged 203 per cent. The returned delivered by Orchid Pharma shares outperformed the combined gains of Sensex (27 per cent) and Bitcoin (203 per cent) by a factor of 28.

On Monday, Orchid Pharma share price opened at 52-week high of Rs 1,186 against previous closing price of Rs 1,129.55. The stock was locked in upper circuit of 5 per cent today. It is worth noting that the stock has hit an upper circuit every day since it got relisted on the stock exchange on November 3, after Dhanuka Labs acquired Orchid Pharma under an NCLT resolution. The market cap of the Chennai-based pharmaceutical company surged to Rs 4,840.83 crore. On the volume front, there was a surge in buying as 3,494 shares changed hand over the counter as compared to two-week average volume of 1,788 shares.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2020, the pharma company reported net loss at Rs 45.33 crore as compared to loss of Rs 34.75 crore in December 2019. Net sales were down 20.18 per cent to Rs 102.63 crore, from Rs. 128.58 crore in December 2019. On operating front, EBITDA was negative at Rs 3.81 crore as against Rs 2.02 crore in December 2019.

As per the latest shareholding pattern, Dhanuka Labs hold a 99.96 per cent stake in Orchid Pharma and financial institutions hold a 0.04 per cent stake.

Also read: Share Market Highlights: Sensex ends 35 pts higher, Nifty below 15k; L&T, ONGC, HCL Tech, NTPC top gainers
Rohit Bhargava with postdoctoral researcher Kevin Yeh, who designed the custom infrared microscope used for this study. This photo was taken in February 2020. Credit: L. Brian Stauffer, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Researchers have developed a spectroscopic microscope to enable optical measurements of molecular conformations and orientations in biological samples. The novel measurement technique allows researchers to image biological samples at the microscopic level more quickly and accurately.

The new instrument is based on the discrete frequency infrared spectroscopic imaging technique developed by researchers at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

"This project is about bringing the study of molecular chirality into the microscopic domain," said Rohit Bhargava, a professor of bioengineering, and the director of the Cancer Center at Illinois.

Molecular chirality refers to the spatial orientation of atoms in molecules or multimolecule assemblies. In biological systems, one molecule may elicit a cellular response, while its mirror image could be inactive or even toxic. While vibrational circular dichroism can be employed to help determine a molecule's chemical structure and orientation, VCD measurements are time-intensive and could not previously be used to image complex biological systems or solid tissues samples.

The paper "Concurrent Vibrational Circular Dichroism Measurements with Infrared Spectroscopic Imaging" was published in Analytical Chemistry and featured on the cover.

Rohit Bhargava and graduate student Yamuna Phal analyzing a microscopic image of solid tissue. This photo was taken in February 2020. Credit: L. Brian Stauffer, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The novel infrared microscope makes imaging of biomolecule chirality possible by accelerating both the acquisition time and improving the signal-to-noise ratio of traditional VCD techniques. "When you send light down a microscope from a spectrometer, you're essentially throwing away a lot of it," Bhargava said. "For VCD measurements, you also have to send it through a photoelastic modulator, which changes the polarization of light to left- or right-handed. At that point, you don't have a lot of light left, which means you have to average your signal for a long time to see just one pixel within an image."

The Chemical Imaging and Structures Laboratory, led by Bhargava, achieved rapid and concurrent infrared and VCD measurements by building on the framework of their high performance discrete frequency infrared imaging microscope. Instead of employing a traditional thermal light source, the instrument is built around a quantum cascade laser.

"The laser source motivated the whole design," said Yamuna Phal, a graduate student researcher in electrical and computer engineering. "The QCL source has higher power, which means we can acquire faster measurements. Previously, you could only perform VCD on liquid samples, but we can image solid tissues as well. This was never attempted before because it takes so long to acquire VCD signals in the first place."

Kevin Yeh, a postdoctoral research associate, who co-led the development of the microscope, asserted that other applications could arise from the microscope built for this project. "We initially envisioned the discrete frequency infrared microscope as a platform on which other techniques could be built," Yeh said. "We've solved one of these extensions, which is VCD, but we could envision many others."

Although the applications of this technique could span the biological sciences, the work itself is a testament to the strength of interdisciplinary science. "This project was possible only by bringing together thinking from different fields," Bhargava said. "It's a chemistry problem solved by a physics-based design, implemented by an electrical engineering student. It's in our DNA at Beckman to take that kind of approach to solving problems."

Explore further Developing new techniques to improve atomic force microscopy

More information: Yamuna Phal et al, Concurrent Vibrational Circular Dichroism Measurements with Infrared Spectroscopic Imaging, Analytical Chemistry (2020). Journal information: Analytical Chemistry Yamuna Phal et al, Concurrent Vibrational Circular Dichroism Measurements with Infrared Spectroscopic Imaging,(2020). DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c00323
New Delhi:

A Bangladeshi national carrying illegal Indian passport and other documents was arrested from Phalauda area of Meerut by the Special Task Force (STF) on Sunday.

The person who is identified as Abu Hanna belongs to Rajshahi area of Bangladesh.

Fake documents like Aadhar Card, Voter Id, Pan Card, Domicile certificate and illegal Indian Passport have been recovered by the team of STF. Apart from these, he was also carrying an Indian sim, a Bangladeshi sim and Rs.210.

Read more: Jammu and Kashmir: Security forces launch search operation in Phulwama

The STF team had launched campaign to arrest criminals with bounty on their heads and illegal immigrants living in the area.

When interrogated, Hanna accepted that he ran away from Bangladesh and entered India illegally few years back. He said that he had worked at different places in Kolkata, Muzaffarpur, Delhi, Ludhiana and later in 2006, married a woman who belonged from Meerut. He then settled here with his wife, whose family helped him to get the fake Indian document.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Bryan, OH --News Direct-- The Ohio Art Company

In a Special Shareholder Meeting on March 1, 2021 (the Special Meeting), Shareholders of The Ohio Art Company, in attendance, voted unanimously to approve a Reverse Stock split. The Ohio Art Company announced today that as of 12:01 am Eastern Time the Company completed a 1-for-2,300 reverse stock split of its common stock.

Each holder of less than 2,300 shares immediately before the reverse stock split will receive the Cash Out Price for each share held immediately before the reverse stock split and will no longer be a shareholder of the Company. Each Cashed Out Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of $10.05 in cash (the Cash Payment) for each common share held immediately prior to the Effective Time; and Each holder of 2,300 or more Company shares immediately prior to the reverse stock split will be entitled to receive one share of Company stock for each 2,300 shares of Company stock held immediately before the reverse stock split along with a fractional share interest for any remainder. Fractional share interests held by holders of more than 2,300 shares on the Effective Date will not be purchased by the Company and holders of 2,300 or more shares will not be entitled to receive any cash payment from the Company.

The Company anticipates that the Exchange Agent for the reverse stock split will begin to distribute transmittal documentation as early as next week to all Cashed Out Holders, including both those who hold their shares directly, as well as those who hold their beneficial ownership through brokerage accounts or bank trust or IRA accounts (the street holders).

The information statement provided to shareholders in advance of the Special Meeting stated that street holders with holdings above the reverse split cutoff who had not consented to being identified on the NOBO List were required to take additional action to verify their qualifying ownership in order to avoid being cashed out. The information statement granted those holders a period of 30 days from the date of the Special Meeting to direct their bank or broker to certify the existence of an account in their name that held 2,300 or more Company shares as of the effective time of the reverse stock split.

Story continues

In the interim, however, it has come to the Companys attention that such 30 day period is no longer necessary because all applicable banks and brokers have been directed by the Exchange Agent to make the determination of which accounts are above and below the reverse split cutoff regardless of the account holders status as a non-objecting beneficial owner. Street holders should contact their bank or broker if they have any questions regarding the status of their particular account or accounts.

Contact Details

The Ohio Art Company

Thonda G. James

+1 212-777-2220

jamest@ohioart.com

Company Website

https://ohioart.com/

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/the-ohio-art-company-announces-reverse-stock-split-933199308
BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature will formulate a personal information protection law in 2021, according to a work report.

The annual work report of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee was submitted Monday to the ongoing fourth session of the 13th NPC for deliberation.
While the U.S. military's fifth-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets are still rolling off the production line and deploying across the globe, work has already begun on a futuristic 6th-generation fighter -- an aircraft that may have increased stealth, drone companions, boosted artificial intelligence and even the ability to heal itself when damaged.

Richard Aboulafia from the Teal Group breaks down what we can expect from a 6th-gen fighter jet.

Subscribe to the Left of Boom podcast:

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Mentioned in this episode:

Stealth Aircraft

F-35

F-22

Fighter Jets

Bombers

Loyal Wingman

The following is an edited transcript of this episode of Left of Boom:

Hope Hodge Seck 0:00

Welcome back to Left of Boom. I'm your host, Military.com managing editor Hope Hodge Seck. Late last year, a top Air Force official acknowledged that the service had secretly built and flown a prototype for a future fighter jet. Even as the US military continues to produce its premier fifth-generation fighter, the F-35, speculation abounds about what comes next. At least a dozen countries are now at some phase of work developing a sixth-generation fighter -- even though experts continue to debate exactly what "sixth generation" means. A few things seem clear: The plane of the future will be smarter and get more help from drones, and it will still have a pilot in the cockpit. To give us more insights into the future of fighter warfare. We're joined by Richard Aboulafia, vice president for Analysis with the Teal Group. He's one of the leading voices on military aircraft and his columns appear regularly in Aviation Week and Forbes.com. Richard Aboulafia, welcome to the show.

Richard Aboulafia 1:01

Great to be here. Thanks for having me on.

Hope Hodge Seck 1:03

So let's start with a very basic question. I think a lot of people have heard of fourth-generation, fifth-generation, and now sixth-generation fighter aircraft. Can you walk through what are the defining characteristics of a sixth-gen fighter? And also what the key characteristics of previous advanced generations are?

Richard Aboulafia 1:22

Well, I'll let you know when we get there. Right. I mean, it's, you know, we're sort of loosely defining generations of combat aircraft designed over the years. And, you know, there have been so many, I guess, tranch breaks, if you will, between generations, and the first generation wasn't even supersonic at the end of the day, you know, so you look at what's arrived in terms of key enablers and technology over the years. Whether it's accurate radars capable of firing beyond visual range, air-to-air missiles, better electronic warfare systems, you know, radars, graduating to airborne, electronically scanned-array antenna, there have been so many. Fifth generation, you know, you can broadly characterize as having some degree of stealth, maybe not all aspects stealth, but low observability, integrated sensor fusion that allows pilots to have a far better sense of what's happening around them in the battlefield. Fully integrated EW systems, of course, that respond to an array of threats. And several other enablers, those are the key ones. It's it's sort of a, almost a way of defining the marketplace to a certain extent. And, and as a consequence, it's it's sort of a curiosity, the only production fifth-generation planes ever were the F 22, and F-35. Everything else was fourth-generation. But given a number of the building blocks and subsystems associated with fifth-generation, to be called generation 4.5, which, of course, further blurs the lines.

Hope Hodge Seck 3:08

If I were Michael Scott, asking for, "tell it to me like I'm five," then you had to kind of give a one sentence 4th, 5th, 6th, how would you boil it down?

Richard Aboulafia 3:22

There have been trenches of technology that had been introduced, and the fifth is characterized that most notably by low observability. And by having a lot of data, a lot of offboard and onboard sensors, all feeding data to the pilot, to give him or her a really clear picture of the threat environment battlefield.

Hope Hodge Seck 3:43

Got it. That's helpful. Thank you. So I think I have seen that 12 countries have now announced that they are working on developing a sixth-generation fighter, including some of our favorite great power competition rivals and friends. Which nations do you think are the farthest along in development at this point? And what does that progress that they're making look like?

Richard Aboulafia 4:07

Well, you know, there are big questions about what constitutes that sixth generation. And, you know, first of all, you have to start with the fifth generation as your fundamental, your primary building block. That means, of course, the U.S. is going to have this enormous advantage, because that's the only country that's ever really built a true fifth-generation plane. Now, what constitutes sixth generation other than everything in the fifth generation that people didn't build, because they only built generation 4 or generation 4.5. On top of that, you know, probably one of the biggest enabler is going to be just a hyper-connectivity, just everything being connected. There are systems, other nodes in the battlefield, other sensors offboard onboard, all being connected with with just hyper-fast speeds, that will be a key part of it. Another thing that's emerging as very desirable is, basically, greater degrees of man-machine teaming. And that means Loyal Wingman-type systems. And the ability for the pilot to control adjunct systems around him or her. That means Skyborg, Loyal Wingman, or what airpower teaming Australia, one of the systems that's being set up. And that's going to be a key enabling technology because it also leverages artificial intelligence. You know, one pilot can't do a whole lot with a with a bunch of adjunct systems. Unless, of course, those hydraulic systems are given a level of warfighting autonomy. So artificial intelligence is going to be key there. One key aspect of sixth-gen might be sort of a way of rectifying the limits of the primary fifth-generation plan. The F-35 in terms of sensor fusion was absolutely brilliant. In terms of stealth, pretty impressive achievement, relative to the mission. But as an air vehicle, kind of underwhelming, relative to the F-22. The joke was, the F-22 is an amazing air vehicle in search of a good mission equipment package. And the F-35 is an amazing mission equipment package in search of a good air vehicle. You know, so if you could just reconcile the traditional metrics of time to climb, speed, payload, range, all those other things with fifth-gen mission equipment, maybe that sixth generation really depends on your definition.

Hope Hodge Seck 6:31

That's interesting. Well, there's so much to unpack there. And so I'm going to take it piece by piece, but let's talk about stealth. First of all, there's lots of misconceptions about it -- what is and isn't stealthy, especially as regards to the F=35. Can you provide kind of a basic primer and talk about what stealth is, how to understand it, and what stealth characteristics we might see on a sixth-gen platform?

Richard Aboulafia 6:55

Yeah, and there has been an awful lot of misunderstandings about stealth, obviously. To a great majority of the public, it's seen as a Romulan cloaking device, including the legendary Donald Trump moment where he says how stealth meants it can't be seen, you know, great moment in, in political-aerospace relations. In reality it just means that you want to be seen second. That's what it comes down to. And, of course, the traditional pattern of air-to-air combat, that means that frontal stealth is most important for a fighter. You might be using your fighter to penetrate enemy airspace for a strike mission, in which case, all-aspect stealth would be nice, but it's not the priority, right, the priority is being seen second, so you get your first shot, and you get to kill the other person before they kill you. Now, when it comes to penetrating stealth, like, for example, in the B-21, the follow-on to the B-2 bomber, all-aspects stealth is far more important, because that is not a plane that'll be shooting at other planes. That's a plane that will be penetrating into the airspace to you know, take out some high-value target. But with fighters, stealth, low observability. That's more frontal, and it means being seen second, and it can show up in terms of the shape of the airframe, it can show up in terms of emissions. You know, there are many different metrics by which we gauge stealth.

Hope Hodge Seck 8:29

So you mentioned Loyal Wingman, what is the main idea behind that concept? And in the future we foresee, well, all manned fighters have an unmanned sidekick, like an R2-D2?

Richard Aboulafia 8:42

Well, you know, is easy to overstate the pace at which flamboyant and impressive new technologies get developed, right? History tells us that, you know, oh, five to 10 years, it'll all be different. Most likely, this kind of technology is a 2040 story, maybe even 2050. But the potential is very impressive. And it's it's exactly what it sounds like, you know, the ability to have helper drones that are also shooting and sensing and whatever else that work with you. And obviously, that hugely rectifies quantitative disadvantage in some theaters. Read the Pacific, right? You know, I mean, obviously, deployability is a huge issue, you can only have a couple of carriers and a couple air bases. And if you're in a conflict with a peer or near-peer adversary, and that's their geographical home turf, you'd better have the ability to make your individual platforms more effective than their numbers would indicate. And historically, that's been better is our assets like AWACS or tankers, and now that's a bit of a concern because one priority for the Chinese has been developing systems that will target those enabling assets. Hence the J-20. With its, you know, beyond visual range missile, that plane only exists as a way of taking out tankers and AWACS, really. So how do you do it? Well, you come up with these adjunct drones that work closely with the pilot, but increasingly have their own level of autonomy, thanks to artificial intelligence. And there are so many interesting new air vehicle concepts and systems, no one really knows what the ideal Loyal Wingman air vehicle looks like. And they could be bigger, they could be smaller, no one knows how to get deployed. I mean, that's a key thing, you're not going to carry them, maybe we'll develop a new air vehicle that can carry them, but most likely there'll be deployed on rails or something from the ground or maybe from a carrier, who knows? That part of the that technology is unreal.

Hope Hodge Seck 10:58

I believe it was a former Navy secretary who said some time ago that the F-35 would be the last manned fighter jet. I'm not hearing a lot of discussion about the sixth-gen fighter as an unmanned-only option.

Richard Aboulafia 11:09

You know, the it's I'm sorry, sorry to interrupt. But I just met my favorite point. We know that the last manned fighter was the English Electric Lightning of 1957. Because a British government white paper told us so.

Hope Hodge Seck 11:27

So why are piloted fighter jets still the future?

Richard Aboulafia 11:32

Yeah, great question. That's because the real utility of a combat aircraft platform, and this will hopefully stay that way, is in operations other than war. You know, you think, oh, fighters have been used for many decades now, the majority of missions have been, you know, fire-zone enforcement, civil war intervention, maritime zone enforcement, so many different ways other than an outright shooting war. And, you know, if it's the 38th parallel, and both sides start shooting, and all hell breaks loose ... yeah, you don't want any people there. But if you're intervening in a in some proxy conflict, or trying to understand what a potential adversary is doing with their forces in a third-party country, and trying to enforce a no-fly zone, or something like that, it's all about the Mk-1 human eyeball. There's no way you can overcome the inherent limitations on remote sensors, latency, breadth of vision, and then there's just the, you know, accountability aspect. I mean, if you do decide that it's an enemy vehicle, and it turns out to be a school bus, you know, frankly, that quick judgment, that instant split second, it should come down to a person, just from the standpoint of human accountability.

Hope Hodge Seck 12:59

So you're saying there's no substitute now, or there's no substitute ever, like, technology just hasn't gotten there yet.

Richard Aboulafia 13:07

Well we're gonna find out. I mean, you know, we've made tremendous progress in the sort of breadth of view hat sensors can provide, that could be one day that smart skins really do give you a true God's-eye view of the battlefield, which is now now attainable with that, yeah, that human eye. And it could be that the problems of latency will be overcome, so that instant transmission will be permissible. And then on top of that, we'll have encryption capabilities that remove any possibility of disruption. If all of those technologies are brought to bear then yeah, you know, you could eventually get the human out of the loop. But oh, you know, it's gonna take a while.

Hope Hodge Seck 13:49

I heard some reporting out there not that long ago about how the sixth-gen fighter could be self-regenerating, or have a self-regenerating coating. Can you break down what exactly that means and what it could look like?

Richard Aboulafia 14:01

I think it means different things. From a stealth standpoint, coatings are a big chunk of the low observability. As you know, if you've been to Holloman Air Force Base, you know, I haven't had the pleasure, but I know it's, it's an elaborate treatment. You know, regeneration could take the form of coatings that can somehow heal up from battle damage or just natural, you know, weather damage or, or maritime damage or whatever else. Or it could be something more elaborate, where, you know, if you lose part of one subsystem, other parts of that subsystem cover for it. You know, I think it all falls into the heading of resiliency, and how you avoid one single point of failure, destroying the platform or disrupting a mission.

Hope Hodge Seck 14:57

So I'm aware that the Air Force and the Navy have been looking ahead to the next generation for some years now. There's been some reporting recently about this flight test shrouded in mystery that the Air Force just did the Navy's got, I think they call it the FA-XX. Can you talk about the status of efforts within both services, from where you stand, what you've been able to track?

Richard Aboulafia 15:20

Yeah, you know, FA-XX, it's easy to be cynical about it. Because at this point, it's not really clear that the Navy can purchase enough aircraft in sufficient numbers to justify its own purely bespoke platform. And that's why it's become an all-Super Hornet fleet. Basically, they were able back in the 70s, to adapt what was effectively an Air Force, lightweight or fighter competition plane. The YF-17, for naval purposes, everything they've done since has either died of age, the F-14D program, for example, great plane, but it was the last of its type and very expensive, or just died, because they simply didn't have the budget bandwidth or the technological path. So A-12, Naval Advanced Tactical Fighter, all of these things, as a result, you know, 50 years later, they still could be dependent upon the same platform. Will they be able to design a clean sheet replacement? It's it's very easy to be cynical, it's very easy for them to say, imagine them saying, you know, what, FA-XX looks like, Super-Super Hornet. You know, as many technological additions put into the same platform that we become dependent upon, it's it's hard to imagine what they would do otherwise, frankly. The Air Force is more interesting. And of course, you know, the outcome of what the Air Force does, the Navy is going to be looking at that maybe that'll be adaptable, the way the FA-18 was adaptable from the YF-17. And here, it's it's sort of interesting, at one point, the sort of perfect answer was for something relatively short-term, which was, what if we took something that looked a lot like an F-22, and gave it something that was a lot like the F-35 mission equipment package and engines. And that would have been a short-term fix that seemed, they seemed to move away from that. Another possibility is just next generation F-22. Not an F-22, but something in that size class, something with a kind of super-cruise capability. Super-cruise being the ability to go supersonicly without afterburner, a key enabling technology on the F 22. What if we just did that? And then there's the other possibility, which is now being discussed, I think it's been sort of the dominant vision for some time. What about a bigger platform? What about something that is truly adapted for the Pacific environment? And oh, by the way, also really good for that Loyal Wingman approach, because you've got one big central platform with a lot of range and payload. And, you know, the capability of working with these adjunct droid systems. I think that's probably, you know, could it even be an adaptation to the B-21. You know, it's an outlier as a concept, but you can't rule it out. It could be something in that class, but most likely, you know, clean sheet design. It could be, you know, in short, or returned to the sort of F-111 size philosophy that the Air Force, you know, really came to appreciate sometime in the 80s. Other than that, it's hard to see, you know, just this morning, General CQ Brown mentioned that they might be looking at a next generation F-16, which, of course, is a lightweight multi-role fighter, perhaps one that was somewhat less expensive, and plus a jack-of-all trades, and the F-35. So the future is really unwritten.

Hope Hodge Seck 18:54

You talked about an F-111 size theory, I have to say that, that's Greek to me. Can you talk about what that is?

Richard Aboulafia 19:02

Yeah, back in the 60s, there was a program called TFX. And it was meant to create a large swing-wing multi-role fighter for everybody. And predictably, it did not, there have been many comparisons between the F-35 and the TFX. But TFX at its time was scandalous, massive cost overrun, there was just a lot of rebellion against it. And the naval version predictably died. Many naval adaptations do, but it also produced this heavyweight, long-range platform that everyone thought, Oh, God, what a white elephant. But in the 80s, it became the system that would be deployed to areas of crisis because it could do an awful lot, and it could go very far with a lot of ordinance and was still a fighter. Oh, my goodness, you know, the combination of all of that hadn't really been done with that level of technology and it soldiered on, you know, well into the 90s. Matter of fact, Australia didn't retire their F-111 fleet till the early 2000s, I believe, and to this day, they still regret having to leave that capability behind, that enormous range and payload capability. And given the greater emphasis on the Pacific theater, and of course, China as a potential adversary, something in that size and capability class might look appealing again.

Hope Hodge Seck 20:28

Are there any elements of fighter warfare that you think we'll never see again? I mean, I've covered the Navy and Marine Corps for a long time, there's a lot of talk about how beach landings are a fixture of the past that we'll never quite be able to lose the romance with, so they still train for them. But are there any comparisons in fighter warfare?

Richard Aboulafia 20:50

There are certainly people out there who think that the concept of close-air support for a supersonic fighter is not relevant. And that's why there should be dedicated close-air support planes like the A-10, for example. It's hard to say whether that that view is completely correct, because, you know, the point's been made over and over again, that in the Afghanistan conflict, B-1 were used for close air support. Precision-guided munitions can do all kinds of great things with the right sensors, it could be that yes, you won't see any fighters used on strafing runs. But it doesn't mean they won't be relevant for some degree of close-air support. The whole virtue of the crude fighter platform is that it's meant to be adaptable, to a whole spectrum of conflicts, everything from a full up shooting war, down to just a no-fly zone enforcement, just the complete spectrum. So in other words, you wouldn't want to exclude the possibility of it being used for any specific mission. I mean, it's within the range of my career to remember reconnaissance versions of fighters, RF-5s and RF-4s and even RF-16s. So yes, and it's probable that using them in reconnaissance missions has been overtaken by events. There are simply too many other great sensors from UAVs, to satellites, to whatever else to have that requirement. So that's about the only thing that that really comes to mind on this end.

Hope Hodge Seck 22:25

So you've talked about all of these elements and aspects and really amazing cutting-edge technology and things like AI that are going to be baked in to whatever the next generation does look like. But if you had to pick one aspect, you know, what would you say, is the most transformational aspect in terms of warfare that we'll see from the next generation?

Richard Aboulafia 22:50

Well, I fear it might be artificial intelligence. Obviously, that's an area of concern from from a moral standpoint, whatever else. But let's break down the possibilities, and I'll let your listeners judge. You know, one is certainly artificial intelligence, especially as an enabling capability for the use of adjunct drones and Loyal Wingman-type program. Another is hyperconnectivity, where everything is wired up. And there is absolutely no information on your side from a satellite, or an AWACS or other peer fighters or even small drones or whatever. It isn't instantly funneled into your observability. When you're sitting in a cockpit, you see it all happening instantly. We're heading there with sensor fusion, but what if it was from all sources and using artificial intelligence to prioritize threats and targets and other factors that you would need to know? So basically, kind of hyper-awareness network, if you will, that might be another one. And then third, it might be hypersonics. It could be that in 15, 20 years, hypersonic munitions migrate down to the tactical platform level, I can't rule it out, right. Now, of course, it's seen as more of a, you know, strategic thing or a B-52. But it could be that, you know, something in the F-15, or who knows, maybe even F-35 class, or certainly this concept of a new, larger sixth-gen platform could be able to carry and deploy. And that would be absolutely huge leap in terms of capabilities. If it really was a, you know, straightforward, air-breathing hypersonic weapon. So those are the three areas I think that could be truly transformational. We don't know enough. I don't know enough, certainly about likely rates of maturation, or threat, or any of these things to decide which of those three things but I can't expect it would be one of those three.

Hope Hodge Seck 24:58

And then the last question, I guess, is a personal one. How did this become your life's work? I mean, what was the the on-ramp to becoming an expert in this field for you?

Richard Aboulafia 25:10

I was always fascinated by the the topic. And I went to grad school for more studies. And I guess it's usually relevant, did my master's thesis in the destruction of the second echelon of Warsaw Pact forces by by NATO airpower. Maybe it'll be useful again one day, who knows? Maybe something that was personal, thank you for asking, you know, my dad was an infantryman in World War II. And whenever I'd asked him about it, he would always say, we had no relationship with airpower whatsoever. But when we looked up, and we saw friendly planes, we knew the war was going our way. You know, it sort of fits in with that, I guess. One very important narrative of airpower that I think has evolved over the years, which is that it might not be the thing that wins you the war, but if you don't have it, you're going to lose the war.

Hope Hodge Seck 26:06

Yeah, well said. Well, thank you so much for taking some of your morning to be with us today. This has been an education and a half for me.

Richard Aboulafia 26:16

Thanks so much.

Hope Hodge Seck 26:17

Can't wait till 2035 until we see some of these things take shape.

Richard Aboulafia 26:21

Who knows? But we are heading towards a generational change. That's absolutely right.

Hope Hodge Seck 26:35

Thanks again for spending time here at Left of Boom. 2021 is shaping up to be a year of transformation and change as the world emerges from the pandemic. And that definitely holds true for the military community. In our next episode, we're going to be talking about the most important trends and events for veterans to watch this year. It should be a lively show, you won't want to miss it. You can find all our past episodes and listen to them for free wherever podcasts are found, and we have a great lineup of new shows planned for this year. While you're waiting on new episodes, be sure to check out all the news and information you need about your military community every day at Military.com.
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Man Utd shatter Citys winning run, Liverpool crisis mounts

FOOTBALL: Manchester United shattered Manchester Citys record winning streak with an impressive 2-0 victory against the Premier League leaders, while Liverpool hit a new low as relegation-threatened Fulham won at Anfield yesterday (Mar 7).

FootballPremier-League

By AFP

Monday 8 March 2021, 09:17AM

Manchester Uniteds Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring at Manchester City. Photo: AFP.

Pep Guardiolas side were on an English top-flight record run of 21 successive wins in all competitions heading into the Manchester derby.

But United ruined Citys 28-game unbeaten run in all competitions thanks to an early penalty from Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaws second-half strike at the Etihad Stadium.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaers team, unbeaten in their last 22 away league games, moved above Leicester into second place, but they are still 11 points behind City with 10 games left.

Despite surrendering their 15-match winning league run in their first defeat since losing at Tottenham in November, City remain firm favourites to lift the title for the third time in four seasons.

Barring a dramatic collapse from City in the closing weeks, Uniteds third win in the last four league meetings with their bitter rivals is likely to be remembered for cementing a top-four place rather than rekindling their title hopes.

United will be left to rue the recent slump that allowed City to pull so far ahead in the title race, but at least they slowed their neighbours march towards the trophy.

With just 34 seconds gone, Anthony Martial made a dangerous raid into the City area and Gabriel Jesus responded with a needless, clumsy challenge that sent the French striker sprawling.

Fernandes stepped up to take the penalty and squeezed his shot past Ederson, who got a hand on the ball but couldnt keep it out.

It was Uniteds first goal in four games, putting City were behind for the first time in 20 league games.

Guardiolas men gradually wrestled control and had a strong penalty appeal rejected by referee Anthony Taylor when Raheem Sterling was blocked by Fred.

Riyad Mahrez shot inches wide and Rodris drive hit the bar, but City were caught with a 50th minute sucker punch.

United left-back Shaw broke from deep inside his own half, played a one-two with Marcus Rashford and fired a fine finish past Ederson from just inside the area.

Liverpool crash again

Likely to be replaced by City as champions, Liverpool have now lost six consecutive home league games and gone eight without a win at Anfield after a 1-0 loss to Fulham.

That run is all the more remarkable as Jurgen Klopps men had gone nearly four years without a league defeat at home in 68 games between April 2017 and January this year.

Liverpools best chance of qualifying for next seasons Champions League may now be in winning the European Cup for a seventh time as they sit seventh, four points adrift of the top four, having played at least one game more than all their rivals.

Despite their lowly position in the table, Fulham had lost just one of their previous six games and were well worthy of a half-time lead.

Mohamed Salahs surprise substitution in midweek provoked fresh speculation over the Egyptians future and he was at fault for the only goal in first-half stoppage time.

Mario Lemina outmuscled Salah to win the ball inside the Liverpool box before firing low across Alisson Becker into the far corner.

The hosts were far better after the break, but have not scored from open play at Anfield in seven games.

Alphonse Areola produced a stunning save to deny Diogo Jota before Sadio Mane came off the bench to hit the woodwork.

Fulham remain in the bottom three but only on goal difference behind Brighton.

Newcastle, one point above in the relegation zone, remain in deep trouble after a 0-0 draw at West Brom.

The Magpies had been unsettled by a dressing room bust-up between manager Steve Bruce and Matt Ritchie over the past week.

Mbaye Diagne missed Albions best chances to leave Sam Allardyces second-bottom side eight points from safety.

In the late game, Tottenham beat Crystal Palace 4-1 thanks to a brace each from Gareth Bale and Harry Kane.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa presented State Budget on Monday (March 8). This is CM BS Yediyurappa's eighth State Budget. The budget has been affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and CM Yediyurappa has predicted this in the past. He said that "Amid the COVID-19 situation, we have to ensure development in all the districts across Karnataka. This time emphasis would be on women empowerment, tourism, agriculture and irrigation".

    @BSYBJP    12  2021-22     . CM Shri B.S.Yediyurappa will present the State Budget for the financial year 2021-22 at 12 noon on Monday, March 08th, 2021#KarnatakaVikasaPatra2021 pic.twitter.com/wm0ZkPutBj  CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) March 7, 2021

The economic activities in the State had come to standstill due to natural calamities, floods and the Covid-19 pandemic. Karnataka State Budget size is Rs.2,46,207 crore.

The budget has been classified into 6 sectors and the details of allocation:

- Agriculture and allied activities are allotted Rs. 31,028 crore

- Welfare and Inclusive growth is allotted Rs. 62,150 crore

- Stimulating Economic growth is allotted Rs. 52,529 crore

- Comprehensive Development of Bengaluru gets Rs. 7,795 crore

- Conservation of Culture, Heritage and Natural Resources gets Rs. 2,645 crore

- Administrative Reforms and Public Service Delivery gets Rs. 52,519 crore

The fiscal deficit was estimated at Rs.46,072 crore in 2020-21. It will be Rs.59,240 crore during 2021-22. Revenue surplus in the previous year was estimated at Rs.143 crore. In this year Revenue deficit will be Rs.15,134 crore. Total Receipts including loans is Rs.2,43,734 crore. The revenue receipts being Rs.1,72,271 crore, it will be less by Rs.7,649 crores than the previous year. Non-tax revenue was at Rs.7,767 crore in the previous year. It is satisfying that non-tax revenues will increase to Rs.8,258 crore (6.3% growth).

The Central Government has provided grant-in-aid of Rs.15,538 crore in the current year excluding GST compensation.



Agriculture Sector

- Implementation of a scheme with Rs.500 crore for encouraging Organic farming.

- Increase in reservation from 40% to 50% to the farmers children in the Agricultural Universities.

- Subsidy being given to the small tractors is extended for 25 to 45 HP tractors.

- Under Atma Nirbhar Bharath Abhiyan subsidy at 35% from Central Government together with an additional subsidy of 15% from State Government to agro-processing and post-harvest management units.

- A sum of Rs. 25 crore is reserved for research in yellow leaf disease of areca nut and encourage growing alternate crops.

- The high-tech cocoon market will be built in Ramanagar at an expenditure of Rs.75 crore.

- Goshala will be established in every district for the protection of Cows.

- To introduce native breeds of cows to our state farmers Samagra GoSankula Samrudhi will be started at a cost of Rs.1 crore.

- 1.5 kilolitres of tax-free Diesel will be distributed at the delivery point to the owners of mechanised boats instead of reimbursement of the taxes.

- For the implementation of Pradhana Mantri Matsya Sampad Yojana an allocation of Rs.62 crores will be made for the year 2021-22.



Irrigation

- To implement the Irrigation schemes of the State on priority an allocation of Rs. 21,000 crores have been made.

- Important schemes like Upper Krishna Phase-III, Yettinahole, Mahadayi, Mekedatu and Upper Bhadra will be implemented on priority.

- An allocation of Rs. 5,500 crore has been made to implement UKP-III and other schemes of Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam.

- 1348 vented dams will be constructed under the Pashchimavahini master plan scheme over the next five years at a cost of Rs. 3,986 crores an allocation of Rs. 500 crores have been made for the same in 2021-22.



Education, Health and Other Development Sector

- An allocation of Rs. 100 crores for the development of Karnataka Public Schools. Repairs and maintenance of school toilets will be taken up at a cost of Rs. 100 crores through Panchayat Raj Institutions.

- To improve the learning standards in schools, a technology-based teaching system has been implemented in high schools.

- Priority to improve the health services of the State 250 model Primary Health Centres will be developed. In order to give better treatment facilities beyond Bengaluru, regional cancer centres will be established at a cost of Rs. 100 crores in Shivamogga and Mysore. Sub centre of Jayadeva Cardiology Institute will be established in Davanagere.

- 50 Post Matric hostels will be started at a total cost of Rs. 50 crores by Social Welfare Departments. This will help the 5000 SC/ST students.

- The capacity of Post Matric Backward Classes hostels will be increased by 5% in all hostels which are running in their own buildings. This will help 5000 students.

- Rs. 1,500 crore has been set aside for the development of Minorities.

- Completion of approved and unfinished houses are a priority of our government. 9.74 lakh under-construction houses will complete at a total cost of Rs. 10,194 crores over the next 3 years.

- Drinking water tap connection to 21.75 lakh rural households will be completed under the Jal Jeevan Mission at a total cost of Rs. 4,316.5 crores in the year 2021-22. Bulk water supply will also be given to villages at a total cost of Rs. 25,740 crores.

- Drinking water connections and underground drainage facilities will be provided to ULBs at a total cost of Rs. 900 crores over the next five years by Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board.

- Rs. 1,500 crores allocation has been made to Kalyana Karnataka Development Board. Rs. 3,000 crores allocation has been made under a special development plan.

- To increase the coverage of the rail network in the State, State Government has taken up 7 new railway projects for laying 1173 kilometres of the railway line on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis with the Railway Ministry. The estimated cost of these works is at Rs.7984 crore and out of this, the State Government will incur Rs.3991 crore. Further, the State Government is going to spend Rs.2630 crore for the land acquisition for these railway lines.

- It is proposed to develop a Bulk Drug Park having world-class infrastructure facilities at a cost of Rs.1,478 crore with the assistance of the Central Government in 1,500 acres of industrial land at Kadechuru industrial area in Yadgir district.

- Special importance has been given to the development of Bengaluru.

- Efforts will be made for starting the works of Bengaluru peripheral ring road. An allocation of Rs. 850 crores have been made for Bengaluru Sub-urban rail. Namma Metro project will be completed on priority.

- Experience Bengaluru centre will be developed in the land belonging to Mysore Lamp Works Limited in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru.

- Tree Park will be developed in N.G.E.F land in Byappanahalli.

- 57 Jana Aarogya Kendras will be started in Bengaluru at a cost of Rs. 10 crore. BBMP schools will also be upgraded at a cost of Rs. 33 crores.

- Ring road will be constructed in Belagavi and Raichur.

- Development of beaches and eco-tourism will be encouraged and the overall development of tourism will be planned at a total cost of Rs. 500 crore.

- Even in the light of the adverse financial situation, I have strived to protect the interest of all sections of society.

Live TV
DUBLIN, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "2021 Nutritional Analysis 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 Nutritional Analysis Market at a global, regional and key country level, split by different sub-segments of the industry.

The report presents growth projections in the Nutritional Analysis Market between 2021 and 2027 for companies operating across different types, applications, and end-user verticals.



Nutritional Analysis 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 Nutritional Analysis 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 Nutritional Analysis 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 Nutritional Analysis 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 Nutritional Analysis report computes the 2020 market value in revenue terms based on the average Nutritional Analysis prices and sales/revenue models of key companies operating in the Nutritional Analysis Market Industry. The study forecasts the market size to 2027 for different types of Nutritional Analysis and provides respective market share and growth rates.



The study discusses technological innovations and the potential shift in demand among various products in the Nutritional Analysis Market, over the forecast period. The leading five companies in the Nutritional Analysis Market Industry together with their products, key strategies, and comparisons are provided.



The Nutritional Analysis 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 Nutritional Analysis Market value is also provided.



All recent developments in Nutritional Analysis 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 Nutritional Analysis Market Industry size, 2020-2027

Market trends, drivers, restraints, and opportunities

Porter's Five forces analysis

Types of Nutritional Analysis, 2020-2027

Nutritional Analysis applications and end-user verticals market size, 2020-2027

Nutritional Analysis 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

1.1 List of Tables

1.2 List of Figures



2. Nutritional Analysis Market Latest Trends, Drivers and Challenges, 2020 -2027

2.1 Nutritional Analysis Market Overview

2.2 Post COVID Strategies of Leading Nutritional Analysis Companies

2.3 Nutritional Analysis Market Insights, 2021-2027

2.3.1 Leading Nutritional Analysis types, 2021-2027

2.3.2 Leading Nutritional Analysis End-User industries, 2021-2027

2.3.3 Fast-Growing countries for Nutritional Analysis sales, 2021-2027

2.4 Nutritional Analysis Market Drivers and Restraints

2.4.1 Nutritional Analysis Demand Drivers to 2027

2.4.2 Nutritional Analysis Challenges to 2027

2.5 Nutritional Analysis Market-Five Forces Analysis

2.5.1 Nutritional Analysis 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 Nutritional Analysis Market Value, Market Share, and Forecast to 2027

3.1 Global Nutritional Analysis Market Overview, 2020

3.2 Global Nutritional Analysis Market Revenue and Forecast, 2021-2027 (US$ Million)

3.3 Global Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by Type, 2021-2027

3.4 Global Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by End-User, 2021-2027

3.5 Global Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by Region, 2021-2027



4. Asia Pacific Nutritional Analysis Market Value, Market Share and Forecast to 2027

4.1 Asia Pacific Nutritional Analysis Market Overview, 2020

4.2 Asia Pacific Nutritional Analysis Market Revenue and Forecast, 2021-2027 (US$ Million)

4.3 Asia Pacific Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by Type, 2021-2027

4.4 Asia Pacific Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by End-User, 2021-2027

4.5 Asia Pacific Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by Country, 2021-2027

4.6 Key Companies in Asia Pacific Nutritional Analysis Market



5. Europe Nutritional Analysis Market Value, Market Share, and Forecast to 2027

5.1 Europe Nutritional Analysis Market Overview, 2020

5.2 Europe Nutritional Analysis Market Revenue and Forecast, 2021-2027 (US$ Million)

5.3 Europe Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by Type, 2021-2027

5.4 Europe Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by End-User, 2021-2027

5.5 Europe Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by Country, 2021-2027

5.6 Key Companies in Europe Nutritional Analysis Market



6. North America Nutritional Analysis Market Value, Market Share and Forecast to 2027

6.1 North America Nutritional Analysis Market Overview, 2020

6.2 North America Nutritional Analysis Market Revenue and Forecast, 2021-2027 (US$ Million)

6.3 North America Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by Type, 2021-2027

6.4 North America Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by End-User, 2021-2027

6.5 North America Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by Country, 2021-2027

6.6 Key Companies in North America Nutritional Analysis Market



7. South and Central America Nutritional Analysis Market Value, Market Share and Forecast to 2027

7.1 South and Central America Nutritional Analysis Market Overview, 2020

7.2 South and Central America Nutritional Analysis Market Revenue and Forecast, 2021-2027 (US$ Million)

7.3 South and Central America Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by Type, 2021-2027

7.4 South and Central America Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by End-User, 2021-2027

7.5 South and Central America Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by Country, 2021-2027

7.6 Key Companies in South and Central America Nutritional Analysis Market



8. Middle East Africa Nutritional Analysis Market Value, Market Share and Forecast to 2027

8.1 Middle East Africa Nutritional Analysis Market Overview, 2020

8.2 Middle East and Africa Nutritional Analysis Market Revenue and Forecast, 2021-2027 (US$ Million)

8.3 Middle East Africa Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by Type, 2021-2027

8.4 Middle East Africa Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by End-User, 2021-2027

8.5 Middle East Africa Nutritional Analysis Market Size and Share Outlook by Country, 2021-2027

8.6 Key Companies in Middle East Africa Nutritional Analysis Market



9. Nutritional Analysis Market Structure

9.1 Key Players

9.2 Nutritional Analysis 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. Nutritional Analysis 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/iayf0t

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

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A senior official with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has warned European Union members to hold off from giving national authorization for the Russian-developed Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine until the agency finishes its safety review.

"We need documents that we can review. We also don't at the moment have data...about vaccinated people," EMA managing board chief Christa Wirthumer-Hoche told Austrian broadcaster ORF on March 7.

"It is unknown. That's why I would urgently advise against giving a national emergency authorization," she said.

"We can have Sputnik V on the market here in future when the appropriate data have been reviewed. The rolling review has begun now at EMA," she added.

"Data packages are coming from Russian manufacturers and, of course, they will be reviewed according to European standards for quality, safety, and efficacy. When everything is proven, then it will also be authorized in the European Union," she said.

Europe's medicines regulator on March 4 said it had started a "rolling review" of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, a key step toward approval for use across the 27-nation European Union.

The EMA's human medicines committee will review data from ongoing trials of the vaccine until there is enough clinical data for approval, the Amsterdam-based agency said in its statement.

Following some initial uncertainty about the vaccine, peer-reviewed, late-stage trial results published last month in The Lancet medical journal showed the two-dose regimen of Sputnik V was 91.6 percent effective against symptomatic COVID-19, about the same level as the leading Western-developed vaccines.

EMA's "rolling reviews" are intended to speed up the process of approving a successful vaccine by allowing researchers to submit findings in real time, even before final trial data is ready.

The agency has already approved vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and AstraZeneca /Oxford, and is expected to give its verdict on Johnson & Johnson's single-shot vaccine next week. Reviews for CureVac and Novavax's candidates are also under way.

Slovakia earlier this month received its first shipment of Sputnik V doses, becoming the second EU member state to obtain the vaccine after Hungary, even though it lacked approval by the EMA.

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 head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, which has funded the vaccine and is responsible for selling it globally, said on March 4 that the country would be able to provide the vaccine for 50 million Europeans from June if it was approved by the EMA

Kirill Dmitriyev also said that the country expects several European countries to approve the Sputnik V this month.

Macedonian Health Minister Venko Filipce said the small Balkan state had received the first batch of Sputnik V vaccines on March 7 after it began inoculations last month.

The first shipment of 3,000 vaccines out of 200,000 that were ordered was delivered to the country after it approved Sputnik V for emergency use.

North Macedonia began vaccinating its health workers in a COVID-19 center in February after it received a donation of 4,680 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech shot from Serbia.

With reporting by Reuters, ORF, and AFP
The Education Minister is to press the NI Executive for the return to school of all primary pupils before Easter.

Speaking on a visit to Springfield Primary School in west Belfast as P1 to P3 pupils returned to the classroom for the first time this year he said he saw no reason why that shouldnt be achievable.

Pre-school and nursery children also returned on Monday morning, but Mr Weir said he now wants to see the Executive speed up plans for a full return for all pupils across the board.

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That would be my preference, said Peter Weir, who said he will be urging the Executive to abandon the plan to pull primary school pupils back out of the classroom in two weeks time to allow Year 12-14 return to post primary education.

Well have to see what health say in that regard and what the Executive says, but I would like to see the restart for our qualification years in two weeks time and alongside that all our primary school children.

If thats not possible at the very least everybody across the board should be back in school after Easter.

It would be great to get all our primary school pupils back before Easter. Ultimately that will be in the hands of the Executive.

While there has been lots of great work done remotely at primary level, lots of tireless work by parents, theres no substitute for children being directly in schools.

The Minister spoke to staff at pupils at Springfield PS and said it was particularly gratifying to see them back in school.

Expand Close Peter Weir after visiting Springfield Primary School in west Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Peter Weir after visiting Springfield Primary School in west Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ive spoken to quite a few of the P3s and the delight they all have, particularly in terms of seeing their friends again does show from an academic point of view and also a socialising point of view the real value of getting them back into education.

This is the first step. Clearly the end goal is ensuring we get all our children back in a safe manner.

Nobody can entirely predict the future but the aim is to ensure whatever steps we take now, we dont have to go back on at any future point.

The Education Minister will this week discuss the further reopening of schools with the Health Minister but will present a paper to the Executive asking for the restart to speed up.

Years 12-14 are due to return to post primaries on March 22 with P1 to P3 reverting to remote learning, but Mr Weir will seek for primary pupils to remain at school.

Continuity of learning is important, he said.

The steps weve taken so far are what we could take with regards to health.

I think were in a fast-moving situation so Ill be bringing proposals forward which will say actually, particularly for P1 to P3, they should carry on throughout and I think we dont want to see any more disruption to our young peoples education.

Last week First Minister Arlene Foster said the NI Executive hopes to have a definitive answer this week on whether P1 to P3s and nursery pupils will reverting back to remote learning from March 22.

Its a collective hope that they wont have to go back to remote learning and can stay in school, the DUP leader said.

It is important that we can give that clarity next week so that parents and teachers can plan.

Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill said the Executive is making a return for all to education a priority as Northern Ireland begins tentative steps away from restrictions, but was still targeting a return after Easter.

Subject to levels of community transmission we are aiming to have all students safely returned to school as soon as possible after the Easter holidays, she said.

The Executive has placed a priority on the education and wellbeing of our young people and we are making use of the head room we have to get them back into school.

Mr Weir also said he would be working with health officials to develop testing procedures across the school network.

While he did say there had been concerns over the scheme being run in England around the number of false positives reported, he added: Already testing is rolled out and has started within special schools and I think the next step is the work that will be ongoing particularly in post primary schools.

I think we need to make sure just the detail of that is got right, because I know that, for instance, within England theres been some concerns about whether that creates a high level of false positives.

So we need to make sure that whatever methodology we use, and thats why were taking the advice from our health professionals, is one that can aid children to be directly in schools and make sure that were not creating any additional barriers beyond what is needed.

Longer school days and shorter holidays are among the measures the UK Government is considering to help pupils in England catch up on lost learning.

I think we should be evidence-based and were looking at that, were looking at how the school year runs, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said.

There was no suggestion from the Minister that Northern Ireland is looking at a similar proposal.

Mr Weir did confirm he will be bringing a paper to the Executive within the next two weeks to assist schools in planning for the summer.

I think its important that we have a series of interventions, he said.

Thats both as we come back through April and throughout the year in terms of schools providing additional services for academic and wellbeing support.

Were looking at schemes that can happen over the summer. Those will be a mixture of learning recovery but also wellbeing. There will be fun elements as well.

There will be a package sent out for consultation with schools. There is a greater appetite this year and it will be on a voluntary basis by schools.

I hope to have a paper to the Executive in the next couple of weeks on how well roll things out over the summer, said Mr Weir.

In certain regards, with remote learning, theres been a certain level of protection of learning, but this is more about the mental health and wellbeing of our children, physical wellbeing too. Any package will have all those elements.

There will also be flexibility for schools. If theyre getting a certain level of funding, they can see where their priorities are and be able to spend that.
The so-called "2+2" meeting between the foreign and defense ministers of Korea and the U.S. appears set to be revived for the first time in five years.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are expected to visit Seoul on March 17 after stopping over in Tokyo earlier that week. They meet with new Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Defense Minister Suh Wook.

The visit has raised fears here that Washington will increase pressure on Seoul to fall in line with efforts to counter China's growing influence in the Asian region.

The U.S. has military alliances with around 40 countries around the world but 2+2 meetings with only a small handful. The Trump administration only liked Australia and Japan and ditched the 2+2 meetings with Korea. The last one took place in Washington in October of 2016. One reason may have been that ties between Korea and Japan were becoming increasingly fractious, and Tokyo was much more amenable to Trump's caprices.

But since President Joe Biden took office, U.S. officials have stressed the importance of Washington's relationship with both Seoul and Tokyo. Blinken was assistant secretary of state back in 2015, when Washington pressured Seoul and Tokyo to reach a settlement over the compensation of Korean women who were forced to serve as sex slaves by imperial Japan during World War II.
Cyberincs Browser Isolation Platform to Protect Universitys Online Activities by Isolating and Blocking Malicious Sites and Documents

Cyberinc announced today that the Philippine Womens University (PWU) in Manila, Philippines, has chosen the Isla Browser Isolation Platform to protect the university, its teachers, and staff from the risk of online activities and ensuing threats such as phishing, ransomware and other malware. The Isla deployment adds a strong layer of security for PWU employees who are working or teaching online by isolating web pages and documents to ensure only safe content is rendered to end-user devices.

Browser isolation is a powerful technology that proactively stops breaches before they happen, easing the burden on university IT and security teams to help them operate more efficiently and effectively. With Cyberincs Isla Isolation Platform, PWU can protect employees and end-users who may accidentally click on a malicious link, download a risky file from phishing schemes, or succumb to credential theft, and other prominent web-based threats.

PWU is a 102-year-old university established in 1919, to lead the national charge seeking to empower women. It's the first university for women in Asia founded by Asians and operates as a non-profit and non-sectarian institution. It started admitting men as early as the 1970s and has been fully co-educational ever since. PWU is in the top tier of the Philippine educational hierarchy and works to develop individuals through excellence in teaching, dynamic and relevant research, and responsive service supported by evolving technology for global competence.

"The PWU vision is to maintain excellence in teaching, research, and services. Security is an important component to delivering on our vision. Since the Covid-19 pandemic forced all education online, our university has been aggressively looking for ways to strengthen its cybersecurity," said Marco Benitez, PWU President. "With our faculty and personnel needing access to online services for banking, or to download documents from government agencies and other organizations nearly every day, our risks have only risen. We were looking for a platform that offered robust and flexible protection against online threats before the breach, while not impeding productivity for users.

Story continues

"Cyberincs Isla stood out in our tests for the security and experience," he continued. "Knowing that users can safely go about their jobs without the risk of ransomware, phishing, and other malware provides everyone peace of mind."

"The browser is effectively the new endpoint, and its highly susceptible to attacks when its not properly secured," said Bing Magpayo, VP Sales, APAC for Cyberinc. "Isla is designed with a Zero Trust model to ensure that even sophisticated web-based threats do not get through frontline defenses. Organizations like PWU that use Isla to isolate web content and documents are relieving security teams from the overwhelming number of alerts they must keep up with every day, enabling them to be more impactful in maintaining security operations, while empowering the business to focus on more strategic initiatives."

Proactive Isolation Security Gets Even Smarter

The Isla Isolation Platform creates a Zero Trust environment by securing all code, media objects, and scripts in a remote virtual browser, and transforming it into a stream of harmless pixels rendered to each end device. As a result, Isla proactively eliminates the majority of potential infections and compromises without degrading the user experience.

The Isla Isolation Platform offers protection against web, email, and document-based attacks by eliminating major threat vectors and reducing the organizations attack surface. Isla secures both unmanaged and managed endpoints through agentless deployment with standard browsers.

The newest version of Isla offers Cyberincs advanced Smart Isolation technology. This unique innovation adapts the browsing experience with dynamic risk assessment, powered by Cyberinc Threat Intelligence Service, to remotely fetch and execute web pages and safely render them according to risk levels. More information about Isla Smart Isolation is available at https://www.cyberinc.com/smart-isolation.

About Cyberinc

Cyberinc prevents web, email, and document-based threats before the breach. The company uses a Zero Trust model, powered by isolation-based security, to shrink the exposed threat surface and eliminate the risk of breach from an inadvertent click or document download. The company simplifies security by preventing threats before they cause damage. Cyberinc is trusted by business and government institutions around the world. More information can be found at cyberinc.com.

A product demo can be scheduled here. Find Cyberinc on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210307005065/en/

Contacts

Nancy MacGregor

Cyberinc PR

nancy.macgregor@cyberinc.com | 415.309.5185

One year ago, COVID decimated the music industry and the first band out of the blocks were Dundalk trio The Mary Wallopers.

Unfazed by the immeasurable obstacle dropped in their path and forgoing all the industry grants, the three Dundalk men self-built a pub/studio in their house, becoming one of the first bands in the world to host a livestream on St. Patrick's Day 2020.

Creating a space where Wayne's World meets Irish ballads, the show brought joy with over 40 thousand people watching it in the first 24 hours alone.

They connected people through the chat room and speaking directly to camera the Wallopers have made their show unmissable to those trapped in lockdown or overseas.

Two episodes later with one at Halloween and one at Christmas they introduced the Walloper's extended family with musical guests like CMAT, Daragh Lynch (Lankum), Radie Peat and Katie Kim alongside guest appearances from Junior Brother and Shane McGowan (The Pogues).

On March 17, 2021 the Wallopers will be celebrating their first anniversary stream and promise even more surprises and less professionalism.

Find out more through their social media channels.
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Buckingham Palace is bracing for yet more dramatic revelations from Oprah Winfrey's interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from midday today.

Oprah will appear live on CBS This Morning in New York from 12pm UK time (7am Eastern Time) to reveal 'never-before-seen clips' from her chat with the Sussexes.

Royal watchers will be waiting with baited breath for what more could be revealed by the US chat show queen today, given the dramatic nature of the first instalment.

In a preview for the programme tweeted last night, CBS host Gayle King, who is also Oprah's friend, said there had been a 'whole lotta chatter' about the interview.

And a tweet from the show said: 'Oprah Winfrey will join us live with never-before-seen clips from her interview with Duchess of Sussex, Meghan and Prince Harry.'

CBS This Morning host Gayle King (left) and Oprah Winfrey (right, in 2016) are good friends

Gayle King said Oprah Winfrey will appear live on CBS This Morning in New York today

It comes after Oprah promised at the end of the interview that 'this conversation doesn't end here' and there was 'so much more that we couldn't fit into this special'.

One topic which Oprah did not discuss - and could therefore be spoken about today - is Meghan's lack of relationship with her estranged father Thomas Markle.

KJ Matthews, an entertainment journalist based in Los Angeles, told BBC Breakfast today: 'I'm hearing now Oprah will appear live on the CBS Morning Show to reveal and show clips of the interview that we have not seen, so there's even more.

'There could be more bombshells that we see. It's just the gift that keeps on giving, and it's quite shocking. So I will be surprised to see what else she can drop on us.'

It comes after the couple accused an un-named royal of racism, suggested the Royal Family were jealous of Meghan and said she contemplated taking her own life.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's interview with Oprah Winfrey aired on US channel CBS

Meghan and Harry hit out at the institution and members of the royal family in a series of astonishing admissions during their candid interview with Oprah on CBS.

Meghan revealed that working for the Royal Family ultimately left her feeling that ending her life was an option, and how she had not been protected by the monarchy.

A member of the royal family - who the couple refused to identify - was allegedly worried about how dark their son Archie's skin tone might be before he was born.

Meghan also said the Duchess of Cambridge had made her cry ahead of her wedding - the opposite of reports circulating ahead of the Sussexes' nuptials.

The Queen, Meghan and Harry stand together at Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018

In a lighter moment the couple, who announced last month that they are expecting their second child, said they are due to have a baby girl in the summer.

As the dust settles on the chat, attention will turn to what the revelations mean for the couple, and the senior royals they have chosen to leave behind.

Since leaving the UK last year, the pair have signed lucrative deals with Spotify and Netflix to give them the capital to pursue their new lifestyle and public goals.

They have also bought an 11million home in the celebrity enclave of Montecito in California, and also launched a non-profit foundation called Archewell.

British viewers can watch the interview when it airs on ITV at 9pm tonight.

Two men who followed an 87-year-old woman who had just withdrawn 2,000 from a bank and distracted her while they stole it from her handbag have been jailed.

Robert Malole (43) and Gheorghe Cocos (44) were caught on CCTV observing the woman at the bank and following her to a shop, pharmacy and onto her car.

Cocos approached and asked her to point out a location on a map which obstructed her view of her handbag while the money was stolen.

The court heard gardai traced the pair through CCTV and by tracing their rental car which they had obtained using their real passports. The men have repaid the money taken from the victim in full.

Malole and Cocos, both with an address at Cardy Rock Ave, Balbriggan, Dublin and originally from Romania, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to theft at Brackenstown Road, Swords on October 20, 2020.

Malole has nine previous convictions including theft, aggravated theft and fraud. Cocos has three previous convictions and is currently serving a two-year sentence with the final 8 months suspended for theft, which was imposed last month at Bray Circuit Court.

Judge Martin Nolan said this offence was particularly reprehensible. He said the men had spotted an opportunity and taken advantage of the woman.

She tried to help one of them and for her trouble, her money was stolen, he said. He noted the victim impact statement of the woman handed into court and the effect the offence has had on her.

He said the theft had been by trick, not violence, and noted the men had both been under financial pressure and had come to Ireland to try and help their families financially.

Judge Nolan took into account Malole is currently serving a sentence, due to expire next February, and imposed an eight-month sentence consecutive to his current term.

He imposed a 20 month on Cocos, noting his record was more comprehensive.

The court heard the men had pleaded guilty at a very early stage and were remorseful.
Commissioner McCall leads crusade to clear roadsides of litter

Someone dumped a chair in a cornfield off Airport Road. Litter and discards large and small is a growing problem.

Rebecca McCall is fed up with roadside trash.



The feeling seems to be in her DNA. Her fifth grade school project focused on litter. The countys largest park, Jackson Park, is named for her grandfather, former County Commissioner Clyde Jackson. Now a county commissioner herself, McCall is on a crusade to get rid of the beer cans, fast food containers, cigarette packs, mattresses and other discards that are littering the countys roadways at an increasing rate.

Every year at this time, during the early stages of budget-crafting for the upcoming fiscal year, commissioners traditionally take the opportunity to pick a pet project and seek support from their fellow commissioners. Sometimes the projects are big and expensive  like a new emergency services headquarters  and sometimes theyre low cost and high reward, like McCalls idea to promote action to Keep Henderson County Beautiful.

Theres been a tremendous increase in the amount of trash we see on the side of the road because of the Covid situation, she said, blaming the prevalence of takeout meals over dining in among other factors. In fact, its just snowballing. The intersections are especially bad. This isnt just being talked about in Henderson County. This is being talked about statewide.

County commissioners from across the state talked trash at a recent meeting of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners board, which McCall serves on.

This was the No. 1 conversation in the NCACC board meeting recently, she said. It goes all the way from here across to the other end of our state.

The recognition of the problem has spread to Raleigh, where legislators filed House Bill 100, a measure to focus on cleaning up the states roads.

At McCalls request, Lonnie Watkins, the Mills River-based district engineer for the NCDOT, reported last month on the various state programs to pick up litter. Christine Wittmeier, the countys environmental programs coordinator, also reported on the countys litter prevention and code enforcement programs. It turns out, plenty of opportunities exist to clean up road shoulders and ditches. The trouble is, theres less marketing than there could be, and during the socially distanced pandemic Adopt-a-Highway programs are seeing less participation than they used to.





Participation lags in litter pickup

The NCDOT has three programs for litter pickup in addition to Adopt-a-Highway: Sponsor a Highway, often a project of a corporation or a large civic club; contract litter removal crews the NCDOT pays; and the semiannual Litter Sweep, a statewide pickup effort. Programs locally include Clean Streams Day in May, the WNC Big Sweep in September, Spring Cleaning on the Green River and Trash Trout.

Organized in 1998, Adopt-a-Highway has 120,000 participants statewide. Henderson County has 51 active Adopt-a-Highway groups. Theyre required to adopt a stretch of highway at least two miles long and must pick up trash at least four times a year. The DOT provides safety vests, gloves, grabbers and orange trash bags and picks up the bags when the volunteers are done.

Sponsor-a-Highway is a public private partnership where companies pay a private contractor to pick up litter on a stretch of highway. Statewide there are 608 stretched of sponsored highways but only four in Henderson County.

Litter Sweep usually occurs in the last two weeks of April and September.

This is kind of an all hands on deck operation, Watkins said. Anybody that shows up, we will give them their supplies and they can go out and pick up litter.

McCall asked whether participation had declined in the volunteer cleanup work.

It has, Watkins said. Also the maintenance budget took a hit because of the NCDOTs cash crunch last year.

The N.C. Department of Transportation announced on Tuesday that is seeking volunteers to help clean up trash along roads during the Adopt-A-Highway Spring Litter Sweep April 10-24.

In just two months, NCDOT and our partner organizations have picked up over one million pounds of litter, David Harris, state roadside engineer, said in a news release. We need to keep that momentum moving forward. The annual Litter Sweep is a great opportunity to get outdoors with family and friends and work alongside NCDOT to ensure North Carolina remains a beautiful place to live and work.

During their meeting Monday night, commissioners decided that promoting existing programs would be a good start, including the Adopt-a-Highway and Sponsor-a-Highway opportunities, the April and September Litter Sweeps and the Swat-a-Litterburg program to report littering. McCall noted that the NCDOT has a place on its website to report trash and dead animals DOT crews will remove. She said its hard to find and ought to be more prominent.

Residents of the countys five towns can expect to hear about McCalls push to Keep Henderson County Beautiful. She plans to bring it up at the quarterly meeting of the Local Government Committee for Cooperative Action next month. And Henderson County government employees may soon be grabbing trash from road shoulders. When McCall suggested the county adopt a highway and let employees time off to pick up litter, commissioners agreed that was a good idea.

Putting a best foot forward is important, McCall said. If an industry visits (to scout for allocation), its just not a good first impression to have trash-filled roadsides.

* * * * *

Litter Sweep volunteers are provided with clean-up supplies such as trash bags, gloves and safety vests from local NCDOT County Maintenance Yard offices. All volunteers are encouraged to follow proper COVID-19 safety guidance. This includes wearing a mask and gloves at all times and keeping six feet apart from other volunteers. To sign up or to get more information, visit the Litter Sweep web page or call 919-707-2970.

On the occasion of the International Womens Day, Indias leading investment platform Groww has launched a new ad campaign. The campaign aims to put the spotlight on the sensitive issue of gender-based wealth gap and argues that every investment made by women on its platform, helps in bridging the gap between men and women when it comes to ownership of wealth.

The ad film conceptualised by Growws creative team and put together by Veda Media House is a montage of moments that subliminally highlight women who are in the position of influence and how they set an example for other impressionable women in their own way. As women get inspired by each other and take steps towards building wealth proactively, they bridge the gender-based wealth gap and pave the way for more women.

The film showcases how when a woman is appreciated at work, she becomes a role model for a younger woman in the team. It goes on to show slices of life like a young child emulating her mother in front of the mirror and a middle-aged housewife, taking online classes, while her household sleeps soundly. She inspires her daughter in her own way. The film showcases these women as investors, leading by example.

Speaking on the campaign, Harsh Jain, Co-founder and COO, Groww said, About 10% of investors on Groww are women, and while our women user base has been increasing steadily, there is still a long way to go. We recently conducted a nationwide survey to understand the roadblocks faced by women when it comes to investing, and the biggest challenge cited by the majority of respondents was knowledge of investing.

To encourage more women to invest, we are introducing 'Groww Women's Week' wherein we'll charge zero brokerage for women investors from March 8 to March 15." Groww has also partnered with leading women finance educators on its Youtube channel, that is viewed by millions of investors every day and is unveiling many educational initiatives that would help women find investing relatable. Content and community based support will catalyse the next phase of growth in the numbers of women investors in India.
Former President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held in the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 28, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Graham: Trump Could Make GOP Bigger and Stronger, or He Could Destroy It

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he thinks former President Donald Trump could make the Republican Party bigger and stronger, or lead the party to its destruction.

The South Carolina senator made the comments to Axios on HBO while reflecting on his support for the former president. This comes as Republicans are assessing their path ahead post-Trump presidency.

Graham, who was critical of then-candidate Trump prior to the 2016 election, has stood by the former president on major issues throughout his administration. But he has also broken with Trump on a number of decisions, including the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria.

He could make the Republican Party something that nobody else I know can make it. He can make it bigger. He can make it stronger. He can make it more diverse. And he also could destroy it, Graham said.

The senator criticized Trump following the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol and had expressed opposition to his Republican colleagues efforts to challenge the electoral college votes. When pressed about why he still supports Trump despite criticizing him, Graham said he believes the former president and his America First agenda are good for the country.

I want this to continue. I want to continue the policies that I think would make America strong. Probably the best way for the Republican Party to do that is with Trump, not without Trump, he said.

Trump has done what past Republican presidential nominees John McCain and Mitt Romney had failed to achieve, Graham added.

Theres something about Trump. Theres a dark side and theres some magic there, he said. What Im trying to do is just harness the magic.

Trump has focused much effort on helping the Republican party take back the House and the Senate in 2022 since leaving office. During a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Feb. 28, the former president talked of the influence he had on the Republican base and laid out a roadmap for the future for the party.

I stand before you today to declare that the incredible journey we began together four years ago is far from over, Trump said, referring to his Make America Great Again agenda.

He outlined a party platform focused on restoring election integrity, reopening schools, stopping illegal immigration, standing up to China, and breaking up big tech monopolies, among other issues. He has also vowed to campaign against Republican lawmakers who have worked to undermine his American First agenda, such as Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

A CPAC straw poll conducted with attendees of the conservative event indicated that Trump still commands a solid lead for preferred presidential candidate. When pitted against 20 other potential GOP primary candidates, 55 percent of respondents said they would vote for Trump in a hypothetical primary.

Meanwhile, 68 percent of respondents said that they would like to see Trump run for president again in 2024.

Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report.
A Green Party Councillor who resigned her seat on the South Dublin County Council has said the lack of maternity leave for politicians is embarrassing.

Clare OByrne, who was co-opted onto the South Dublin County Council in February 2020 after Francis Noel ODuffys election to the Dail, said it is not feasible to ask a new mother to return to work straight away.

Ms OByrne was speaking on RTEs Drivetime when she said it was simply not possible to fulfill all her duties as a councillor after recently giving birth.

Read More

I only missed one meeting following the birth of my daughter.. but its one thing to show up to meetings, but if you want to do it right - which I do - you have to put the work into it. As a new mother, I think any new parent will tell you, in the first weeks after your child is born you just dont have that time, Ms OByrne said.

While fellow Green Party Councillors offered to help with her Firhouse-Bohernabreena constituency work for as long as she needed, Ms OByrne agreed a more formal recognition of maternity leave was required within politics rather than the goodwill of colleagues.

Ms OByrne said while the role of councillor is funded and treated as a part-time job, she felt the demands of being a councillor are more akin to that of a full-time position and couldnt find the time to attend all meetings required and advocate for constituents while tending to her newborn baby.

There is no maternity leave at all for politicians, which has been highlighted by Minister McEntees at the moment and as a councillor, youre expected to return to meetings immediately.

I feel its quite embarrassing, for a country such as Ireland, a progressive, wealthy country in the 21st century. I think its such a shame that it has come to this, that two months before she is going on maternity leave that there is a scramble underway to find a solution, Ms OByrne said.
US State Secretary Antony Blinken

Washington [US], March 8 (ANI): US State Secretary Antony Blinken has written to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani proposing a United Nations-facilitated peace conference with representatives of six countries including India to discuss a "unified approach to supporting peace in Afghanistan".

In the letter sent to Ghani on Sunday, Blinken said that Turkey will be approached to host a senior-level meeting of both sides in the coming weeks to finalise a peace agreement.

According to the letter published by TOLO News, the UN should convene a meeting of foreign ministers and envoys from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India and the US to discuss a unified approach to supporting peace in Afghanistan.

It further said that US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad should share with President Ghani and the Taliban leaders written proposals "aimed at accelerating discussions on a negotiated settlement and ceasefire. These proposals reflect some of the ideas included in the roadmap for the peace process".

Blinken also said that Turkey will be asked to host a senior-level meeting of both sides in the coming weeks to finalize a peace agreement. He also urged Ghani or his "authoritative designees" to attend the meeting.

The US State Secretary said these documents will help the Afghan government and the Taliban to move towards developing principles, which will guide the country's constitutional and governing arrangements, develop a road map to a new, inclusive government and develop the terms of a permanent ceasefire.

He pointed that a revised proposal for a 90-day reduction-in-violence has also been prepared "to prevent a spring offensive by the Taliban...to coincide with diplomatic efforts to support a political settlement between the two parties."

While concluding his letter, Blinken said, "We are considering the full withdrawal of our forces by May 1, as we consider other option".

"Even with the continuation of financial assistance from the United States to your forces after an American military withdrawal, I am concerned that the security situation will worsen and that the Taliban could make rapid territorial gains," he said.

Story continues

"I am making this clear to you so that you understand the urgency of my tone regarding the collective work outlined in this letter," he added.

Last year in February, then US President Donald Trump and the Taliban had signed an agreement that calls for a full US withdrawal from Afghanistan if the terror group upholds counterterrorism commitments such as denying safe haven to al Qaeda.

Since the deal was signed, the Taliban has stepped up attacks against Afghan forces, which US officials have repeatedly condemned as threatening the peace process. (ANI)
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LOS ANGELES, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Therapeutic Research Center, LLC ("TRC"), a portfolio company of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners ("LLCP"), announced today that it has acquired CE Resources, Inc., d/b/a NetCE ("NetCE").

Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Roseville, California, NetCE is an industry leading continuing education platform focused on the healthcare industry, specializing in the education of nurses, physicians and mental health professionals. Nearly 425,000 healthcare professionals rely on NetCE's proprietary content library to fulfill mandated education requirements.

TRC is a leading provider of original, independent, and clinically referenced recommendations and education on drug therapy and medication management for pharmacists, physicians, nurses and other clinicians. TRC also provides online continuing education programs for medication learning, competency, and compliance programs, sterile compounding training and online training of new pharmacy technicians. Nearly 500,000 healthcare professionals rely on TRC's advisory and education services to access concise, unbiased and timely information. TRC was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

Wes Crews, CEO of TRC, commented, "We are thrilled to add NetCE to our clinician education platform, further cementing our market-leading position. NetCE and TRC share a deep commitment to serving as an independent and unbiased source of education content for healthcare professionals and empowering clinicians to improve patient care."

Matthew Rich, a Senior Managing Director at LLCP, stated, "We are pleased to demonstrate our continued support of TRC through this transformative acquisition. The addition enhances TRC's ability to reach a broader set of healthcare professionals with an unmatched library of proprietary content to educate and impact entire care teams in the service of improved outcomes."

TRC is a portfolio company of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Fund V, L.P.

LLCP was advised by Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

Deloitte Corporate Finance LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to NetCE.

About Levine Leichtman Capital Partners

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, LLC is a middle-market private equity firm with a 37-year track record of successfully investing across various targeted sectors, including franchising, professional services, education and engineered products. LLCP utilizes a differentiated Structured Equity investment strategy, combining debt and equity capital investments in portfolio companies. This unique structure provides a less dilutive solution for management teams and entrepreneurs, while delivering growth and income with a significantly lower risk profile.

LLCP's global team of dedicated investment professionals is led by seven partners who have worked together for an average of 21 years. Since inception, LLCP has managed approximately $11.7 billion of institutional capital across 14 investment funds and has invested in over 90 portfolio companies. LLCP currently manages $7.8 billion of assets  including its most recent flagship fund, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners VI, L.P., which closed in 2018 with $2.5 billion of committed capital  and has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Charlotte, Miami, London, Stockholm and The Hague.

Media Contact:

Mark Semer or Ross Lovern

Kekst CNC

(917) 439-3507 or (917) 842-7205

SOURCE Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
Alert 360 home security opens another office serving Southern California. Our local security team is excited to provide top-rated security systems to homes and businesses throughout Southern California from our new office in Corona said Richard Ginsburg President and CEO of Alert 360

Alert 360, one of the leading providers of home security systems and home automation in the nation, has opened a new branch in Corona, Calif. Alert 360 is the fourth largest monitored home security system company in the United States. From this new location, Alert 360 will serve Southern California, including Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego and Imperial counties.

The local Corona Alert 360 security team can design and install a range of security systems from a basic home security system to the most comprehensive business security package. Alert 360 home security and business security systems include wireless video security cameras, 24/7 alarm monitoring, mobile app access, the new Alert 360 Smart Video Doorbell 2.0, smart home and business automation solutions, and more.

Tech-savvy Californians always have shown tremendous interest in the latest wireless security and automation technology. Our local security team is excited to provide top-rated security systems to homes and businesses throughout Southern California from our new office in Corona said Richard Ginsburg, Alert 360 President and CEO . For home and business owners who are considering installing a monitored security system or automation solutions, we provide free security evaluations. We also offer more than 45 years of experience in installing security systems, along with an A+ BBB rating.

Alert 360s complete line of home security, business security, energy management, and home automation services include interactive security, a free mobile app, wireless home security cameras, remote access, smart thermostats, water detection sensors, smart doorbell cameras, and monitored heat and carbon monoxide detectors. Alert 360 also provides professional installation or integration of smart home devices, such as sprinkler systems, sound systems, Amazon Echo, Google Home and more.

Alert 360s smart security systems allow home and business owners to observe and manage their security systems, using a free mobile app. In addition to the above security system options, Alert 360 offers HD video surveillance cameras, keyless entry door locks, Geo-Fence garage door controllers, and smart lighting. Alert 360 also offers the ability to control these security and smart home devices through Google Home or Alexa from a smart phone, laptop, or tablet, providing total wireless access to your security system.

Alert 360 has been recognized for its top-rated security systems for homes and businesses and its award-winning team. The company, which also has offices in Fresno, Anaheim, and Sacramento, has earned Five Diamond Monitoring Center designation from The Monitoring Association for excellence in alarm monitoring for security systems. Alert 360 also has been recognized for five consecutive years as a Best Places to Work.

For a free home security or business security system consultation in or around Southern California, contact the local Alert 360 security professionals at 951-460-1056 or at Alert360.com. For information about the companys Corona security office and service area, learn more https://www.alert360.com/locations/corona-home-security/.

About Alert 360

Founded in 1973, Alert 360 is one of the nations oldest-licensed alarm monitoring providers. Today, the company is the fourth largest provider of monitored home security and home automation solutions to homes in the United States. Alert 360 operates a monitoring and customer service center in Tulsa, Okla., and has offices coast to coast, serving customers in 26 states. The company has achieved Five Diamond alarm monitoring designation. It also has been named an Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Privately Held Company in America and a Best Places to Work for five consecutive years.
A new provider is stepping onto the scene to help some of the 40,000 Houston-area children with autism build a foundation for success in school and life. Its also looking to hire dozens of people to fulfill that mission. Life Skills Autism Academy officially opens its doors March 9 in Katy, serving those 18 months to 6 years old.

When a young child gets a diagnosis of autism, one of the first things parents often hear is the importance of early intervention. The communication and social skills that typical kids pick up through observation generally have to be taught to those with autism  the sooner the better.

The gold standard for treatment is Applied Behavior Analysis, intensive therapy that breaks down everyday processes and situations into small steps that can be learned, repeated and rewarded. Life Skills Autism Academy employs the ABA method in the treatment plans it tailors to each childs specific needs, according to Timothy Yeager, vice president of clinical quality for owner/operator Centria Healthcare.

Other ABA therapy providers operate in Greater Houston, including Katy. But building on the success of its original Life Skills Autism Academy, opened in 2019 in Plano, Centria Healthcare identified the Katy area as one with great demand, Yeager said.

Life Skills Autism Academy  Katy 610 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy For more information or to set up a tour: lifeskillsautismacademy.com; 888-975-4557 To apply for a position as a behavior technician: lifeskillsautismacademy.com/careers See More Collapse

Our organization looked at what areas are underserved  and where we can be the most impactful and meaningful to the families in that area, Yeager said.  it made sense for us to try to step in that gap.

Growing demand

That need keeps growing as rates of autism have increased sharply in recent decades. Today the developmental disorder affects 1 in 54 children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It consists to varying degrees of challenges in social skills, communication, sensory sensitivities and repetitive behaviors.

Interventions, notably ABA therapy, seek to improve daily living skills and ideally set children up to be mainstreamed in general education, Yeager added. The academys setting mimics the look of pre-school or kindergarten; a child undergoes one-on-one learning activities as well as group instruction.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Temple Grandin talks pandemic and signing on to Houston authors childrens book

Even free play is guided. Its more than just getting the wiggles out, Yeager said.

To be successful within the community or at school, you need to be able to learn and thrive in a group environment.  By making that part of their day and part of the goals, it helps them thrive after they leave our center and they go into school.

Desiree Cashs now 6-year-old son Jaxson was one of the first to enroll at the Plano location after his developmental pediatrician said he needed more interaction with children on the autism spectrum.

Life Skills Autism Academy has had a great impact on our son Jaxson. He has come a long way since moving from home-based therapy to clinical therapy. It has been a successful journey and has opened so many doors of opportunity for our little man.

Unlike pre-school, which usually is a few hours a day, Life Skills Autism Academy requires a commitment of 35 to 40 hours a week. The idea isnt to fix people with autism but rather to change behaviors that can cause difficulty and ultimately impede independence and quality of life for the whole family. The investment is intense and early in a childs development so that the need for services tapers and is complete in two or three years, Yeager explained. Once a child enters kindergarten, some therapy hours are transferred to the school.

Help wanted

Intensive therapy takes many helping hands. As more children are registered, the academy is hiring and training behavior technicians to work with them, with a goal of 60 such employees. Many positions pay $17-$22 per hour.

Those technicians implement the individualized therapy plans created by one of eight board-certified behavior analysts, trained professionals in the field of autism.

Such expertise doesnt come cheap. Generally, one hour of ABA therapy in the United States costs about $120; 35 hours a week is $4,200. How much is covered by insurance varies widely, Yeager said. Centria Healthcare helps clients understand insurance plans, secure sponsorships or grants and work through that burden, he said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Harris County sheriff launches Project Guardian to improve interactions with residents with autism

Cash touted Life Skills Autism Academys larger acceptance panel for the majority of insurance carriers, (which) plays a very important role for parents, as therapy can be quite expensive.

For families enrolled in Medicaid, the federal and state program that covers low-income families and those with disabilities, more help may finally be on the way.

In June 2019, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law to include ABA therapy as a Medicaid benefit. But families and advocates were disappointed when a subsequent Health and Human Services Commission hearing to set provider-reimbursement rates was canceled, and the pandemic has further delayed implementation.

But now the Texas Senates finance committee is discussing the Health and Human Services budget, which would fund intensive behavioral intervention for people with autism younger than 20 via Medicaid. The commission is expected to take up the issue March 16. Once rates are set, it can begin contracting and credentialing licensed behavior analysts. Providers such as Life Skills Autism Academy hope the momentum continues.

All kids (with autism) should have access to ABA therapy, Yeager said.

A Special World shares programs and experiences by and for the disabled community in Greater Houston.

suzanne.garofalo@chron.com
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Burma Myanmar Military Sues Charity for Supporting Civil Servants on Strike

U Kyaw Thu, the chairman of the Free Funeral Service Society (Yangon). / The Irrawaddy

In their attempt to stop the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), which has shown a growing defiance of the military regime, the military has sued the leaders of the Yangon-based Free Funeral Service Society (FFSS), for allegedly supporting the movement.

The well-known social welfare organization has been assisting wounded anti-coup protesters and providing funerals for those killed in the security forces crackdowns. Since the Feb. 1 coup, more than 50 people have died from police and soldiers shooting at peaceful protesters across the country.

U Kyaw Thu, the chairman of the FFSS, was sued for incitement under Article 505 (a) of the Penal Code on March 4, hours after his FFSS office in Yangons North Dagon Township was raided by security forces.

At 12 a.m. Thursday, during a raid on the office of the FFSS, volunteers and staff present at the office were beaten and the organizations computers and electronic devices were confiscated.

Daw Myint Myint Khin Pe, the finance officer of the FFSS and the wife of U Kyaw Thu, was sued under the same charge at the Mayangone Township police station on Feb. 25. The charge carries up to three years imprisonment, according to the regimes amendment to the provision made last month.

They are now in hiding. The military is hunting them and accusing them of misusing donations for free funeral services.

The regimes mouthpiece Myanmar News agency said that during the raid, they seized the documents, as they did not find the finance officer. It said the FFSS accepted donations of more than 613 million kyats and US$20,670 from nearly 500 individuals and companies from Feb. 10 to March 3, to support civil servants taking part in the CDM.

Of those, the FFSS supported 2,008 people who are in the CDM with 100,000 to 200,000 kyats each and provided cash assistance to container truck drivers and railway workers to join the CDM, the paper said.

Initiated by the medical professional on Feb. 3, the CDM movement is joined by the education, energy, construction, and media workers under the Ministry of Information and hundreds of police in support of the democratically elected government. They support the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), which was formed by lawmakers elected in last years vote.

The military also intensified its threat against the civil servants who are taking part in the CDM, while urging them to come work for them. Meanwhile the Myanmar security forces stepped up crackdowns and nighttime raids on the weekend.

Following the militarys killings of protesters, the FFSS recently announced it wouldnt provide family members of police or military personnel with funerals and health care.

You may also like these stories:

Another Bloody Day in Myanmar: At Least 28 Protesters Slain by Military

Myanmars Rescue Workers, Medical Volunteers Targeted by Security Forces

Myanmar Regimes Appointed Envoy to UN Resigns Despite Promotion
The Italian Health Ministry Monday changed course and signed an order approving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for people 65 and older.

Even though Europe's drug regulator, the European Medicines Agency, fully approved the vaccine, the Italian government initially balked, as did Germany, at giving the vaccine to people over 65 due to "limited data" on its efficacy within that age group. Germany has reversed course on its use, as well.

The doubts raised by some health officials prompted people to turn down the vaccine, resulting in doses going unused and slowing down the vaccination process throughout the continent.

Italy's decision comes as the nation's COVID-19 death toll approaches 100,000 since the pandemic started. The nation is expected to pass the milestone by Tuesday.
A Stormont department has been accused of causing "unacceptable delays" to planning applications.

There was heavy criticism of the system at a meeting of Ards and North Down Borough Council's planning committee.

DUP councillor Alistair Cathcart forwarded a motion urging the council to demand reform to the planning system.

The motion, passed unanimously, states the council "recognises that an efficient and effective planning system can assist our recovery from the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic by encouraging investment and growing the local economy".

It adds: "The council therefore expresses concern at the continued delay in the responses of statutory agencies to planning applications, particularly the Historic Environment Division (HED) and DFI Roads - which often prevent the council from making timely determinations."

The council resolved to write to the infrastructure minister and the statutory agencies urging delays are addressed urgently and reform implemented.

Mr Cathcart told the committee: "If it's going to take 18 to 24 months to get something through planning then investors are simply going to look elsewhere or indeed implement without planning and ask for forgiveness later."

He said Northern Ireland should look to England, where a white paper has been launched proposing substantial changes to the planning system, and where policy change has recently been implemented around change of use and permitted development.

The councillor said the devolution of planning in 2011 to councils left local authorities "without sufficient resources".

He said the 50million Bangor town centre regeneration planning application was delayed by HED - which he said "wanted to see a church spire from every direction under the sun."

He quoted a council officer who said the department made "unacceptable delays late in the process," that they were "under-resourced" and "required more information than was necessary."

He referred to a 2019 review into planning efficiency at Department for Infrastructure adding: "The department knows there is a problem, have recommendations on how to address them, but we still face the same issues a year and a half after the report came out."
Ha Tinh Provinces Phuc Trach pomelo, Cu do candy and smelt-whiting fish salad have made the list of 100 special dishes and souvenirs compiled by Vietnam Records Association.

Smelt-whiting fish salad

Smelt-whiting fish salad is a dish unique to the central province's coastal areas like Loc Ha, Nghi Xuan and Thach Ha districts. The fish, found close to the coast, is thumb-sized with an average length of 13-18 centimeters and looks similar to goby.

Due to its firm, white sweet meat and availability almost through the year, smelt-whiting fish is a favorite with fishermen for making salads and grilled dishes.

To make a salad, prepare the fish by scaling and decapitating them, then slice their body vertically. Marinate the meat in lemon juice for 15 to 30 minutes before squeezing the meat to remove the liquid, and let it dry. Remember to keep the water for dipping sauce.

To make the dipping sauce, boil the squeezed water with lemon juice, chopped garlic, tomato, onion, peanut, and chilly until it thickens into a sweet-sour mixture.

When you eat, wrap the fish in rice paper with herbs, perilla leaves, lettuce, and sliced cucumbers.

Phuc Trach pomelo

Phuc Trach pomelo is a specialty of the mountainous district of Huong Khe. Huong Trach Commune in Huong Khe is considered the Phuc Trach pomelo capital and has 360 hectares of orchards. Each household owns up to two hectares on average and 50 to 400 trees.

The pomelo trees here are on average five meters tall and yield about 50 fruits a harvest season, though some even yield more than 100. The harvest season is in August-September.

Phuc Trach pomelo is sweet and sour, fragrant and juicy. It is popular around the country.

Cu do candy

Cu do candy is made from roasted peanuts and molasses. Once cooked, the candy is poured in a thin layer on top of rice crackers.

It is usually served with green tea, and is famous for its characteristic elasticity.

It is made in a number of places across Ha Tinh Province, but the most famous variety is from Dai Nai Ward near Phu Bridge. There is a saying in the province: "Cu do of Phu Bridge, buy it whenever you see it."

According to the Vietnam Records Association, the creation of the 100 specialties and souvenirs list is part of its efforts to promote the countrys culinary achievements.
Bradley Cooper was spotted strolling along New York City's sidewalks on Monday morning.

The 46-year-old A Star Is Born actor was pictured holding his daughter Lea, aged three, close to him as they shared a bit of quality time.

Later in the morning, the child's mother, 35-year-old Irina Shayk, was seen as she pushed the little girl in a stroller.

Dad knows best: Bradley Cooper was seen holding his daughter Lea while taking her for a walk in New York City on Monday morning. Later his ex Irina Shayk was seen pushing the child in a stroller

Shayk had on a long black brown coat over a black hoodie with spotted slacks and a face mask on as her hair was worn pulled back.

Cooper was dressed in a dark blue double-breasted jacket during his walk; he popped his collar up to keep his neck warm.

The actor paired his top with a set of form-fitting light beige jeans and a pair of leather boots.

The producer tied off his casual look with large pair of sunglasses and a black trucker cap that covered up a majority of his light brown hair.

Cooper also wore a large facial covering to reduce the chance of contracting COVID-19 during his morning stroll.

Staying cozy: The actor wore a dark blue double-breasted sweater to keep himself comfortable in the frigid winter temperatures

Taking precaution: The A Star Is Born actor wore a large black facial covering to keep himself protected against COVID-19

Lea is the actor's only daughter with his former partner Shayk, whom he began dating in 2015.

Before becoming romantically involved with the supermodel, the performer was briefly married to Jennifer Esposito from 2006 until 2007.

Cooper was also in high-profile relationships with actresses Zoe Saldana and Renee Zellweger prior to meeting the runway fixture.

The director and the model welcomed their daughter two years after they met, although they eventually split up for good in 2019.

The pair remain on good terms and appear to have put aside their differences with their daughter's best interests in mind.

Happy mom: Cooper welcomed his daughter in 2017 while he was still in a relationship with his former partner Irina

Her fashion choice: Shayk had on a long black brown coat over a black hoodie with spotted slacks and a face mask on as her hair was worn pulled back

During a recent interview with Elle, Shayk commented that she and Cooper, whom she described as 'the most amazing dad,' aim to devote as much energy as they can to raising their daughter.

'I never understood the term co-parenting...When Im with my daughter, Im 100 percent a mother, and when shes with her dad, hes 100 percent her dad,' she said.

The fashion industry icon also spoke about her reluctance to discuss her time with the actor and noted that she was not interested in making any specific details known to the public.

Going his own way: After dropping Lea off at home, the director ventured back out into the streets to take a solo stroll

Shayk remarked, 'My past relationship, its something that belongs to me, and its private...Its just a piece of my inner self that I dont want to give away.'

The supermodel finished the interview by noting that she preferred to focus on making sure her daughter had a positive upbringing than on the media's perception of her as a mother.

'I dont read what is out there. Honestly, Im too busy raising a child...Im concentrating on my life and my friends. The rest is just noise,' she stated.
A house was sold this past weekend by one of Australias leading real estate professionals (self-described), writes Nino Pol of Randwick. The vendor must have been delighted as the result was in their favour by 39 per cent above the auction guide. This perhaps raises questions about acceptable latitude in professional opinion and which occupations are right to describe their staff as professionals.

George Zivkovic of Northmead notes: Bunnings buildings retain the trademark device of three columns topped by coloured balls. Why? What is the significance of this instantly recognisable landmark? Um, that its instantly recognisable?

Ive never watched Home and Away, admits Garrett Flamin Naumann of Cammeray. But judging from the promotions, I take it no one is over 30, no one is ever working and everyone has a problem?

Time to take Root. Kersi Meher-Homji of St Ives says: In the just-concluded Test series between India and England, Englands captain Joe Root scored 218 runs in the first innings of the first Test. In the remaining seven Test innings, Englands batsmen failed to reach Roots 218, being bowled out for 178, 134, 164, 112, 81, 205 and 135.

Sound bars as a visual on news reports (C8) add about as much to a story as a pixilated photo. If a picture tells a thousand words, why bother? asks John Adamson of Caringbah South.
(Natural News) Back in 2016, Democrats and their sycophants in the media claimed that Donald Trump won the election because he colluded with Russia to steal it from Hillary Clinton.

It was a blatant, fabricated lie, but to this day there are Democrats and Democratic voters who still make the claim, despite a series of congressional investigations and a special counsel probe that failed to turn up a shred of proof.

But in the face of demonstrable evidence as well as a frank admission that the 2020 election was rigged, those same Democrats are looking the other way while their buds in big tech silence everyone who tried to present evidence of it.

That said, the evidence hasnt changed; the 2020 election was rigged, fixed, stolen  however you want to describe it  from President Trump, and now there is even more evidence to prove it.

Lifesite News reports:

Statistical experts say theyve found patterns in 2020 election data that suggest algorithm manipulation may have affected absentee votes in multiple states.

The findings were initially cited in reports of swing state voting patterns compiled by John Droz, a physicist and founder of Alliance for Wise Energy Decision in North Carolina. Droz described the reports to LifeSiteNews as the work of a team of statistical experts (PhDs) who expressed an interest to working on this topic of national importance, for free.

Analyzing Michigans results, a pair of statisticians working with Droz  Dr. William M. Briggs and Thomas Davis  discovered that absentee vote results for Democratic and Republican candidates appear to track one another in a number of counties.

Briggs, who once taught at Cornell Medical School, and Davis, a former Michigan State University prof turned IT entrepreneur, said that the pattern they discovered strongly indicates fraudulent activity.

But they told LifeSite News that the evidence may never even have been presented to courts.

Their analysis, titled, Irrational MI Absentee Ballot Findings, features several graphs showing vote tallies for candidates of both major parties in the recent elections based on data obtained from official state of Michigan sources.

Both men said that while the states high absentee voting by Democrats did not arouse any suspicions, precinct-level patterns did. For instance, they discovered odd correlations between percentages of votes for either of the major parties that were cast by mail or absentee ballot.

They cited as an example Ingham County, whose 2016 absentee vote data is what normal looks like.

Note the irregularities that occur: some precincts are higher for [Republicans] some are higher for [Democrats], they noted. More importantly, the difference between the two [Republican minus Democrat] varies widely  from plus to minus. In other words: neither the red line nor the blue line has a discernible pattern.

Meanwhile, the 2020 results definitely do have a discernible pattern.

Not surprisingly, the percentage of Democratic absentee voters exceeds the percentage of Republican absentee voters in every precinct. What is remarkable (and unbelievable) is that these two independent variables appear to track one another, the two experts continued. (Related: Situation Update, Feb. 25th  Is FAKE Prez. Biden about to be exposed and removed?)

There is no apparent legitimate explanation for the two absentee lines to be tracking each other like that  other than it being due to a computer algorithm, they added.

A total of 10 counties showed a similar pattern, the two statisticians wrote.

From a statistical perspective these are independent variables  which have no relationship with one another, Davis said of the absentee vote results for Democrats and Republicans. Yet, the graphical representation of these values in many cases reveals a clear pattern, even to a casual observer.

That the same type of pattern is seen across such a wide variety of locations is truly remarkable, he added. Algorithmic manipulation of absentee votes remains a plausible explanation.

But were all still supposed to disbelieve our eyes and our common sense that the evidence, matched with the fact that Joe Biden couldnt draw 100 people to a campaign event, led to his historic victory in November.

BS. This latest analysis just proves how much BS Bidens victory was.

See more reporting like this at VoteFraud.news.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

NaturalNews.com

The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has explained that the nationwide power shutdown that occurred on Sunday [March 7, 2021] was due to a challenge in the power system.



The company in a statement said its Technical team is currently working to restore power supply to all Bulk supply Points (BSPs) in the country.



It also explained that the company is also working to ascertain the reasons behind the total system shutdown and will update the relevant stakeholders in due course.



There was a nationwide power shutdown on Sunday afternoon at about 2:10. Many people took to the social media to react to the unannounced power shutdown. Power has since been restored in many parts of the country following GRIDCo's statement.

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.

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP)  Hungarians on Monday awoke to a new round of strict lockdown measures aimed at slowing a record-breaking wave of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths that are among the worst in the world.

A rapid rise in pandemic indicators since early February prompted Hungary's government to announce the new restrictions, including closing most stores for two weeks and kindergartens and primary schools until April 7. Most services are also required to cease operations, and the government urged businesses to allow employees to work from home. Grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and tobacconists can stay open.

Hungary's high schools have been remote learning since November and its bars, restaurants and gyms have been closed since then as well.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that the strain on the country's hospitals will soon surpass any other period in Hungary since the pandemic began, and that failing to impose harsher restrictions now would result in a tragedy.

The next two weeks will be difficult ... but if we want to open by Easter, weve got to close down, Orban said Friday on a Facebook video.

The number of patients on ventilators in Hungarian hospitals has more than doubled in the last two weeks, with 806 patients on Monday compared to the previous peak of 674 in early December.

Deaths have also risen sharply. With nearly 16,000 confirmed deaths in a country of fewer than 10 million, Hungary has the 8th worst death rate per 1 million inhabitants in the world, according to Johns Hopkins University. The number of COVID-19 patients being treated in hospitals is also likely to break its previous record on Tuesday.

We can see that the third wave is spreading very forcefully, mainly due to (virus) variants, Hungarys chief medical officer Cecilia Muller said Sunday. We cant do anything else now but break the chain of infections.

The new restrictions came as many Hungarian businesses were already struggling to make ends meet as shoppers stayed at home amid the surging cases. Zoltan Suto, the founder and owner of Hungarian fashion brand Griff Collection, said revenues were down 70% through the winter thanks to cautious consumers avoiding crowds at shopping malls.

Story continues

I can't pay rent. I can't pay salaries or social contributions, not to mention the taxes, Suto said, adding that a 50% commercial tax break offered by the government meant little in the absence of revenues.

Last year's pandemic-induced economic recession, which saw a 5.1% decrease in Hungary's GDP, led to the shuttering of five of Griff Collection's 10 stores in Hungary, which employ around 80 people. Suto says his business suffered a loss of 200-300 million Hungarian forints ($645,000-$968,000) in 2020, and that the crisis will only deepen if the two-week closure that begins Monday is extended further.

Such economic pain has made Hungary's government, which is facing an election next year, reluctant until now to introduce restrictions on businesses, even as COVID-19 cases and deaths have skyrocketed since early February.

Many parents scrambled over the weekend to alter work schedules and arrange for childcare, including Gyongyver and Szilard Brasnyo, a couple in Budapest who have two young daughters.

We are lucky, my parents are coming over to help us out with the kids, said Gyongyver, adding that her parents live in Serbia, which has one of the highest vaccination rates in Europe, and have already received two vaccine shots.

Szilard, who works from home, said they felt exhausted after a year of raising the children during a pandemic. But he was optimistic that Hungary's ambitious vaccination program - which has given more than 1 million Hungarians a vaccine shot, the second-highest vaccination rate in the 27-nation European Union  would soon bring life back to normal.

Hungary has obtained vaccines from Russia and China as well as those approved by the EU.

We're really looking forward to having a much safer environment for all of us," Szilard said.

___

 Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic,https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
Ashli Babbitts Family Considers Lawsuit in Capitol Shooting Death

The family of the woman shot dead inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 is considering filing a lawsuit against the officer who shot her.

The lawsuit would allege constitutional violations, Terrell Roberts, a lawyer for Ashli Babbitts family, told The Epoch Times, including excessive use of force.

That will be filed against the officer, the Capitol Police, he said, pending the outcome of the investigation into the shooting.

Babbitt, an Air Force veteran, was shot as she attempted to climb through a broken window into the Speakers Lobby, which is adjacent to the House chamber in the Capitol. It was the only shooting during the breach.

The U.S. Capitol Police has confirmed that the person who shot Babbitt is a sworn officer.

The Metropolitan Police Department is leading the investigation, with help from the federal agency and the Department of Justice.

The officer hasnt been identified by officials or in news reports. He is reportedly in hiding out of fear for his safety.

U.S. Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

A group of protesters gathers inside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Lawyers for Babbitts family say the shooting wasnt justified. In a written statement, Roberts said that universal law enforcement standard outlines how officers should use no more force than necessary to accomplish a lawful purpose.

Noting that Babbitt was just 5 feet, 2 inches tall and 110 pounds, he argued that an arrest could have easily been accomplished by a single officer with a set of handcuffs.

However, the officer who shot Ashli never attempted to arrest her. Nor did he call on his fellow officers to arrest her. Instead, he fired a shot into her chest, Roberts said.

Witnesses confirm that the officer did not give Ashli a single verbal warning prior to firing. In fact, Ashli was not even aware that the officer was present, as he was located in the doorway of a room off to the side of her field of vision.

An investigator with the law firm told The Epoch Times that a team has spent weeks collecting open-source videos and photographs as part of the effort to reconstruct what happened in the moments leading up to the shooting. Roberts said the firm has successfully identified multiple witnesses and spoken to them.

Because agencies involved in the probe are releasing little information, the firm is conducting its own investigation.

A pool-cleaning business co-owned by Ashli Babbitt, the woman fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer in Washington, is seen in Spring Valley, Calif., on Jan. 9, 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

An eight-foot-tall steel fence topped with concertina razor wire circles the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 29, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Mark Schamel, an attorney for the officer, told RealClearInvestigations that the officer did issue several warnings.

The words couldnt be heard on video because of the noise being made by others in the area, he alleged.

He was acting within his training, Schamel said. Lethal force is appropriate if the situation puts you or others in fear of imminent bodily harm.

The Capitol Police said the shooting happened as protesters were forcing their way toward the House Chamber where Members of Congress were sheltering in place.

A Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson told The Epoch Times via email last month that there are no updates on the probe. The case remains under investigation, he said.
Arlington Man Arrested on Meth, Marijuana Charges

By West Kentucky Star Staff

CARLISLE COUNTY - Vehicle trouble led to an Arlington man's arrest on drug charges Sunday morning.A deputy with the Carlisle County Sheriff's Office spotted a man having vehicle trouble near the intersection of US 51 and KY 1181.As the deputy stopped to help, he allegedly smelled marijuana.The man, 26-year-old Cody Mitchell of Arlington, reportedly told the deputy he had a partially smoked marijuana cigarette in the vehicle.A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered the partially smoked marijuana cigarette, a bag of marijuana, methamphetamine, scales, and other drug paraphernalia.Mitchell was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance first-degree (methamphetamine) and possession of marijuana.He was lodged in the McCracken County Jail.
(@FahadShabbir)

Aboard the Papal Plane, March 8 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Mar, 2021 ) :Pope Francis said on Monday his gruelling three-day trip to Iraq was "a lot more" tiring than past foreign visits.

"I have to confess to you that during this trip I felt a lot more tired than during other ones," the 84-year-old told reporters on the plane returning to Rome.

Francis added, however, that he did not know whether his papal voyages would slow down.

Over the past two months, the pope had to cancel some events because of sciatica -- nerve pain that means he often walks with a slight limp.

After several early morning starts and domestic flights, the pontiff appeared to have more trouble walking than usual.

Francis had insisted on making the trip to Iraq -- the first by a pope -- after 14 months of not travelling overseas because of coronavirus restrictions.

In preparation, the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics was vaccinated, as were all members of his entourage.

- 'Conscious of risks' - Francis arrived in Iraq just as the country was hit by a new surge in infections, and his visit led crowds to assemble in several churches and a stadium.

Asked about the potential danger to Iraqis posed by his visit, the pope said he took the decision to go "conscious of the risks".

"I thought about it a lot, I prayed a lot over it. And in the end, I made the decision, freely, with an inner call," he said.

On the plane, Francis said he would go to Budapest in September and mentioned possible trips to Slovakia and Lebanon.

He said he would attend the closing Mass of the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, an event scheduled for September 5-12.

Since the city "is two hours' drive from Bratislava, why not pay a visit to the Slovaks," he asked.

As for Lebanon, engulfed in a triple economic, health and political crisis, Francis said he wanted to go as soon as possible to a country that was "suffering".
Press Release

March 8, 2021 Privilege Speech of Senator Cynthia Villar on Wildlife Protection

March 9, 2021 Mr. President, my dear colleagues, I rise on a matter of personal and collective privilege. Last week, on March 3, World Wildlife Day was celebrated. It was designated as such in 1973 during the Sixty-sixth Session of the United Nations General Assembly in commemoration of the adoption of CITES or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The theme of this year's celebration was "Forests and Livelihood: Sustaining People and Planet". It focuses on the links between the state of our planet's forests and woodlands and the preservation of the millions of livelihoods that depend directly on them, highlighting the traditional knowledge of the communities including or particularly indigenous people. Very relevant during these times as well for our country. This representation, as all of you here, of course support the conservation of wildlife, which is the all-encompassing goal of the World Wildlife Day. Among the efforts I have exerted as a legislator and environmentalist myself, is pursuing the conservation and protection of places such as rivers and wetlands, which are critical habitats of various species, many of which are threatened by human development and what we call progress. What makes the issue even more important to our country is the fact that the Philippines is one of the world's 17 megadiverse or biodiversity-rich countries, which hosts two-thirds of the Earth's biodiversity and contain about 70 to 80 percent of the world's plant and animal species. We need to not only create awareness about biological diversity, but to take action about its protection because any damage or loss will cost too much for a country such as ours. There is so much at stake and we become vulnerable to the adverse side effects if we do not commit to taking care of our environment. We need to be more vigilant against biodiversity loss, wildlife protection, conservation of their habitats and related issues or concerns. The Philippines is biodiversity-rich but is also among the world's biodiversity hotspots or those areas experiencing high rates of habitat loss. Hotspots have lost around 86 percent of their original habitat and are also considered to be significantly threatened by extinctions induced by climate change. Many areas in the country remain under-protected, these include wetlands, marine sanctuaries, tropical forests among others. That is why, I also pursued the amendment of Republic Act (RA) 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act which was passed into law in 1992. The Act provides the legal framework for the establishment and management of protected areas in the country. NIPAS refers to the classification and administration of all designated protected areas to preserve genetic diversity and to maintain their natural conditions to the greatest extent possible. We successfully passed RA No. 11038 or the Expanded NIPAS Act or E-NIPAS in 2018 to include more areas. Under the operation of the original NIPAS law, 13 sites were individually legislated as protected areas. The expanded NIPAS law facilitated the legislation of 94 more protected areas, bringing the country's total legislated protected areas to 107. Eleven (11) of these PAs are internationally recognized. Eight are ASEAN Heritage Sites, namely the Mt. Apo, Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Malindang, Mt. Hamiguitan, Mt.Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok, Mt.Iglit-Baco, the Tubbatah Reefs and the Agusan Marsh. Four (4) of these PAs are Ramsar sites, namely:Agusan Marsh and Tubbataha Reefs (earlier also cited to be part of ASEAN Heritage sites),Olango Island,and Las Pinas Paranaque Wetland Park (formerly the LPPCHEA). Also, the protected area Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area, which is a transboundary protected area shared by Malaysia and thePhilippines. The more natural habitats we protect, the lesser the loss in biodiversity and the better it is for wildlife and of course people, to survive and thrive. Our population, particularly rural and indigenous people, depend on natural resources for food and income. That is relevant also to the theme of this year's World Wildlife Day. The United Nations itself cited that over 800 million people live in tropical forests and woodlands in developing countries. Indigenous and local communities, who are also considered as "historic custodians of the planet's most important reservoirs of biodiversity", rely on them for their essential needs from food and shelter to medicines among others. The various conservationists and environmentalists who joined the celebration of World Wildlife Day on March 3 emphasized the livelihood aspect of this year's theme ("Forests and Livelihood: Sustaining People and Planet"). We share the habitat of wildlife, thus we are both sustained by them, too. Destruction of those habitats translate to loss of livelihood and economic opportunities for people. That was one of the points I cited when years ago I stood here before you also defending the destruction from a planned reclamation of a critical habitat in my home city of Las Pinas--LPPCHEA or the Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area what we know call the Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Park. It threatened to disrupt the livelihood of thousands fisherfolks and urban poor who depend on the wetland for their daily sustenance. Back then, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), cited a study conducted by the National Fisheries Development Institute that cited LPPCHEA as a "hotspot for spawning is in the Eastern part of Manila Bay and the volume of (fish) eggs laid is the highest in that area. Ayon mismo sa mga mangingisda at mga fisherfolks groups, napakaraming yamang-tubig ang kanilang naha-harvest sa LPPCHEA. Ilan sa mga ito ay mga tilapia, tahong, hipon, alimango, alimasag, talangka, kanduli, dalagang bukid, banak, halaan, tulya, gulaman (sea weeds), salinyasi at iba pa. Ang mga ito ay bumubuo sa suplay ng isda sa Cavite at Southern Metro Manila at iba pang yamang tubig sa buong CaMaNaVa region (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela City) at pati na rin sa Bulacan. Kung nagkataon, hindi lang mga mangingisda ang apektado, pati na rin ang mga tao sa mga nabanggit na lugar dahil maaari itong magdulot ng shortage of fish or seafood supply. I just wanted to cite that as an example of the link between livelihood and natural habitats. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB), which is the CITES Management Authority of the Philippines for terrestrial species, implements a program that deals with the conservation and protection of wildlife, and/or maintenance, restoration, and enhancement of their habitats pursuant to RA 9147. Priority activities under this program are the following: Sustainable wildlife resource use; management of invasive alien species (IAS); and Enforcement of wildlife laws, rules and regulations which include the operations/mobilization of Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Units (WTMUs); deputation and mobilization of Wildlife Enforcement Officers (WEOs); operations and maintenance of Wildlife Rescue Centers (WRCs); establishment and management of Critical Habitats; and conservation of threatened wildlife species such as, but not limited to, the marine turtle, dugong, tamaraw, Philippine eagle, freshwater and saltwater crocodiles, tarsier, Philippine cockatoo, and the Visayan spotted deer. DENR-BMB sees the need for stricter laws on wildlife conservation and protection Last week, Mr. President, in time for the observance of World Wildlife Day, I have filed Senate Bill No. 2078 or the "Revised Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2021". This bill seeks to strengthen the wildlife conservation and protection mechanism in our country by amending the 20-year-old RA No. 9147. The Philippines joined and ratified the CITES in 1981 and as such, the Philippine government has the obligation, among others, to adopt its own national laws applying the provisions of the CITES, such as prohibiting the trade of wildlife in violation of the convention, imposing penalties for violations, and confiscating illegally traded specimens. All of which are under Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act that was passed into law in 2001. RA No. 9147 is as a measure that provided the necessary environmental policy enabling Philippine government to manage and conserve the wildlife resources of the country comprehensively. RA 9147 included a list of illegal acts that are considered detrimental to wildlife with corresponding penalties, such as imprisonment or fines, or both, that are intended to serve as deterrent for violative acts against wildlife and their habitats In fairness, since its implementation of RA 9147, the Philippine enforcement authorities were able to apprehend perpetrators of wildlife offenses. The more recent ones reported in the news include: the seizure of 447 exotic animals in Mati City, Davao Oriental, valued at PHP 50 million in April 2019; the seizure in March 2019 of 1,529 live exotic turtles inside an abandoned luggage at the NAIA Terminal 2; and in July 2018, a truckload of banned wildlife meat, composed of 21 frozen pangolins and 16 sea turtles was confiscated at a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) checkpoint in Puerto Princesa. But admittedly while there were successful arrests of wildlife violators and confiscation of wildlife specimens over the years, there are many other violations that remain rampant and even undetected. Furthermore,the incidence of wildlife crimes has evolved and grown, violators have become more equipped, organized, and syndicated or with international connections.Likewise, the trade and transport of wildlife species have become wide-scale and transnational in nature. Thus, we need to give more "teeth" so to speak to existing policies and laws to further empower enforcement authorities to apprehend violators. And that's what Senate Bill 2078 seeks to provide--to fortify the mechanisms in place to afford better protection to our wildlife resources. The need to protect our wildlife resources finds critical relevance now as we continue to battle the ill-effects of the COVID-19 virus. We have gathered that there were researches indicating that the constant exploitation of wild fauna and their habitats, mostly through human actions, had the effect of raising the risk of zoonotic disease transmission (or the transmission of disease from animal to human). For instance, when human destroy the natural habitats of wild animals, the latter may be constrained to transfer to locations where humans live. Destruction of natural habitats has been linked to the spread of infectious diseases such as Ebola, HIV, swine fever and avian flu. More than two thirds of these diseases originate in animals, and about 70% come from wild animals, or what is referred to as zoonotic diseases. According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, habitat loss forces animals to move to areas populated by people, who become exposed to the pathogens of animals that in turn spread viruses. Scientist cited as example the Nipah virus outbreak in Malaysia in the late 1990s. Deforestation drove fruit bats to transfer from their natural habitat to trees in pig farms. The pigs came into contact with bat droppings and became infected. The pigs then infected farmers. Another example is the hunting of wild animals and eating them afterwards. And third, the interaction of humans and wild animals is greatly increased in cases of illegal wildlife trade. There were studies suggesting that COVID-19 virus may have originated from bats and that the first people infected were traders in bat meat, who may have subsequently visited the Huanan seafood market, where the virus spread was first traced. Mr. QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization or FAO cited that: "The growing demand for wildmeat, especially in urban settings, is increasing humans' exposure to zoonotic diseases and hunting pressure in forests. Wildmeat is an essential source of food for millions of indigenous and rural people, accounting for more than 50 percent of protein intake in many tropical and subtropical regions. But unless hunting and consumption are conducted in a sustainable manner, that supply will gradually diminish, with serious implications for food security. Already, recent studies estimate that 285 mammal species are threatened with extinction due to hunting for wildmeat." Indeed, illegal wildlife trade and unsustainable hunting and consumption are just two of the main threats and challenges that confront wildlife protection all over the world. Many countries have in fact tightened their own policies and laws to protect and save their own wildlife, from extinction and other threats. Most of their efforts and actions have been successful and effective in fact. The Philippines, a mega-diverse or biodiversity-rich, should be leading the way or the most proactive and vigilant in the area of conservation and protection. Our wildlife protection law is over two decades old and as such, needs to be amended and revised to be more attuned to the needs and challenges of the present times. As I cited earlier, there is so much at stake for a country such as ours and we run the risks of irreparable damages, consequences and losses. Our concerted and timely actions will save not only wildlife, but our lives too, because we share one home, one planet. As legislators, the best we can do is to pass relevant and proactive laws as well as to keep on reviewing or assessing the relevance of existing laws such as Republic Act No. 9147 or "Wildlife Resources Conservation And Protection Act Of 2001". As this representation has done, the amendments to which are proposed on Senate Bill 2078. The proposed bill will provide timely or relevant amendments to RA 9147. These include the following, among others: It recognizes the jurisdiction of Palawan Council for sustainable Development (PCSD) and the Bangsamoro Government over wildlife species in their respective territories;

It addresses the crime of "wildlife trafficking" by providing its definition and commensurate penalties, and other strategies to deter the devious schemes of wildlife syndicates that are large-scale and transnational;

It provides the definition of "wildlife laundering", considers it illegal with and assigns a corresponding penalty for its commission;

It includes control and management mechanism for invasive alien species, that threatens the survival of our local plants and animals;

It provides guidelines on the collection, possession and transport of wildlife, its by-products and derivatives;

It provides increase in the penalties (imprisonment and/or fines) for illegal acts to serve as deterrent for the commission of wildlife crimes; and

Provisions on the applicability of the disputable presumption that wildlife offenses have been committed. As in any environmental issue, problem, concern or goal, our concerted efforts are crucial. It is good that people, now more than ever, are realizing that progress need not be at the expense of the environment and those who inhabit it. That is really worth emphasizing. We owe it to the future generation. It part of our duty to leave this world better than we found it. Let us make sure that the future generations will still see real wildlife or animal species, not just in pictures, because the rate of extinction and decline in their population is really alarming. My guiding philosophy in carrying out my environment advocacies is a Native American proverb that says: "We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children". Protecting this planet we call home in the best of our capacity is a legacy that we can and we should all leave behind. That truly matters more than anything else. Thank you Mr. Senate President and dear colleagues.
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Oprah Winfrey today revealed that in 2018 Meghan was 'advised' to be 'half herself' shortly after she joined the Royal Family - as the talk show host admitted to being 'surprised' by the couple's racism claims during their CBS interview.

Oprah said Meghan approached her and confided that she had been told to be '50% less' - in an apparent reference to the need for the duchess to adopt a lower profile to fit into the royal pecking order.

The talk show host said she was left 'disheartened' by the exchange, although she did not reveal who gave Meghan the advice or its precise meaning.

Today, Oprah gave her reaction to the bombshell interview, including the claim that a royal had raised concerns that Archie could be 'too brown'. Oprah replied: 'I was surprised they were telling me about it. Even on the tape you can hear me go ''Whoa, I cannot believe you are saying this right now''.'

Winfrey was a guest at the couple's 2018 wedding and given a prime seat at the ceremony.

She had reportedly been courting Meghan for an interview for a number of years before the couple stepped back from royal life. She has also been photographed with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland.

Oprah said Meghan approached her in 2018 and confided in her that she had been told to be 'half herself', leaving the talk show host 'disheartened'. Pictured are Meghan and Harry on Oprah

Oprah appeared on US breakfast show CBS This Morning to discuss her bombshell interview with Meghan and the Duke of Sussex and recalled a conversation she had with Meghan.

She told the programme: 'She had just joined the royal family and she shared a conversation with me then that made me feel somewhat disheartened.

'She said she had been told, been given advice, that it would be best if she could be 50% less than she was. That was the quote, if she could be 50% less.

'I remember hearing that in 2018 and I said to her, 'I don't know how you're going to survive, being half of yourself'.'

Meghan has previously complained about feeling constrained by royal protocol and having to run comments by palace officials before speaking in public.

Oprah said she was 'surprised' the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed details of an alleged conversation with a member of the royal family who expressed 'concern' before he was born about how dark their son Archie's skin tone might be.

The talk show host also said she was taken aback by Meghan's disclosures about her mental health, and about Harry's revelation at feeling 'trapped', during their explosive interview.

Both Harry and Meghan refused to identify who made the alleged racist comment, and Winfrey has said the couple did not confide in her off-camera.

However, the talk show host has said Harry told her it was not the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh who made the remark.

During the interview Meghan also said she contemplated taking her own life while pregnant.

Discussing the revelations on US breakfast show CBS This Morning, Winfrey was asked what surprised her in the interview.

Winfrey said: 'I think the skin tone, the discussions about what colour Archie's skin tone would be.

'What also surprised me, and that is why I clarified, were you just feeling badly, were you feeling sad or were there suicidal ideation thoughts of harming yourself, that also surprised me. It surprised me Harry said he was trapped.'

Oprah appeared on US breakfast show CBS This Morning to discuss her bombshell interview with Meghan and the Duke of Sussex and recalled a conversation she had with Meghan

Asked how the couple is feeling today, Winfrey said: 'I haven't really spoken to them since the interview because we are in different time zones.

'I got a text from Meghan yesterday saying 'How is it going?' because she was putting Archie to bed waiting on the west coast feed and had no idea what was happening on the east coast. I said 'I don't either but from what I can tell it's going well, I know it's airing.'

'I will probably have a conversation with them later on today.'

The couple's home in California is close to Winfrey's in the affluent neighbourhood of Montecito and Winfrey's best friend Gayle King, an anchor on CBS This Morning, was a guest at Meghan's baby shower.

It came as Prince Harry today claimed racism drove him and Meghan out of Britain and the Queen was too busy to meet him as he piled on new insults to his family in a series of unseen clips from his bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview.

The Duke of Sussex accused the Queen of snubbing him after she was allegedly overruled by royal aides when she tried to invite him and Meghan on a trip to Sandringham after the couple announced they were stepping down.

Meanwhile, Prince Philip was cleared of making a racist remark about how 'dark' Archie's skin would be, with Oprah saying Harry had confirmed the comment was not made by the Duke of Edinburgh or the Queen.

Harry refused to reveal the person's identity on Sunday night as did Meghan and claimed they wanted to protect whoever it was - leaving the rest of the family open to suspicion.
United Nations, March 8 : As India recovers from the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, its leadership in vaccine production and its growth projection of 11.5 per cent will have an important role in helping the world overcome the pandemic, Gita Gopinath, the chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said on Monday.

India makes up about 7 per cent of world gross domestic product (GDP) based on purchasing power parity and "when you're that large, what happens in India has implications for many other countries in the world, especially countries in the region", Gopinath said during an interaction with the permanent representative of the UAE, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, at the Hansa Mehta Memorial Dialogue.

"Because of its size, when you have it growing, it increases demand for goods from other parts of the world, and that's a big positive," she said.

While there were troubling signs of Covid cases going up, "we're still looking at very low numbers" of Covid-19 infections and India is reopening and activities are coming back, leading to the IMF growth projection of 11.5 per cent for the next fiscal year after a negative growth of 8 per cent, she said.

India, which is the world's vaccine hub, has "been playing a very important role in helping the world in this crisis through its vaccination policies", she said.

The Serum Institute of India is the world's largest vaccine producer and a lot of its Covid-19 vaccines are going to the COVAX programme of the World Health Organization to provide vaccines to developing countries, she said. The Indian government has also donated vaccines to neighbouring countries, she added.

"Everyone is looking to India to help lead out of this economic challenges that we're facing this year and next," Nusseibeh said.

The dialogue on the theme "Women's Economic Empowerment and Inclusive Global Economic Growth: COVID-19 and Beyond" was organised by India's Permanent Mission and UN Academic Impact on International Women's Day.

The dialogue honours Hansa Mehta, the Indian freedom fighter and pioneer in the quest for women's rights who was a member of the UN Human Rights Commission and one of the drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

UN Under Secretary-General Melissa Fleming said that during the drafting of the Declaration, Mehta "fought to change a phrase that now forms the start of Article One of the Declaration." Through her perseverance, the phrase "all men are born free and equal" became "all human beings are born free and equal", Nusseibeh said.

"This reminds us that altering just one word can make a very big difference," she added.

Assistant Secretary-General Anita Bhatia listed the legal, political, economic and social progress made by women since the time of Mehta, but said that the status of women was lagging in many areas.

While Mehta would be astonished by the progress, she would also ask "what we are going to do" about the persisting areas of inequality, Bhatia said.

This would require "putting women at the centre of efforts to build back better, so that we build back equal, paying attention to the childcare burden that most women carry and making it a national policy, and not an individual issue", Bhatia said.

In her keynote address, Gopinath said, "As an Indian woman, I am especially grateful for the opportunity to honour Hansabehn, on whose strong shoulders I and many others stand." She said that ensuring women's equality is a "moral imperative", "gender empowerment is critical for the economic wellbeing of both men and women, and for societies as a whole".

Globally, only 55 per cent of the women are in paid employment compared to 78 per cent of the women and if women's employment is to rise to the level of men, national income would increase by 15 per cent in countries with the lowest women's labour force participation rates, Gopinath said.

"With female labour force participation falling in many countries during the pandemic, targeted policies such as hiring subsidies may be needed to swiftly bring about the reintegration of female workers' into the labour force," she suggested.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis)

New Delhi, March 8 : Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a jab at his once close friend and former Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, saying "who earlier was counted among 'decision makers' in his former party, now only gets to enjoy from the back seat as a spectator ever since he crossed over to saffron pastures".

The former Congress chief's remarks came during a two-day national executive meeting of the Indian Youth Congress here that started during the day earlier.

According to party sources, Gandhi said he used to tell Scindia "to work hard, so that he could be a Chief Minister".

"He (Scindia) had decision making powers in our party and he always remained with me. But he left the party and joined the BJP, and look where he is sitting today. He is sitting among the backbenchers," the source quoted Gandhi as saying.

Scindia, was one of those Congress leaders who could call on Gandhi at any time. He had a free pass to the former Congress President's home. However, Scindia left the party in March last year orchestrating the collapse of the Kamal Nath-led government in Madhya Pradesh.

Scindia was made a Rajya Sabha member by the BJP. He had lost the 2019 Lok Sabha polls to K.P. Singh Yadav despite contesting from his traditional seat of Guna, which was considered a family bastion of the Scindias in Madhya Pradesh.

To a question by a youth leader, about turncoats, who have returned to the party-fold, the source quoted Gandhi saying, "The Congress is like a sea. Here everyone following the ideology of the party are welcome. And those who do not follow the ideology of the party can leave anytime." When pressed hard on how turncoats returned to top posts in the party, Gandhi asserted that they had to work really hard to return to that high post.

After the Youth Congress meet, Gandhi tweeted: "Met with IYC colleagues and discussed national issues. At every step, we have to wage a non-violent struggle against the RSS mentality - so that India's diversity and culture does not come under fire." The National Executive of the Youth Congress is being organised in the national capital in which several top leaders of the youth wing are participating.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi: The second part of Parliaments Budget Session, which begins from Monday, is likely to witness uproarious scenes as the Congress-led opposition is determined to corner the Narendra Modi-led NDA government over the fuel price hike, farmers protest and other issues.

However, the duration of Parliaments Budget Session is likely to be curtailed as most top politicians would be busy campaigning for assembly polls taking place in March-April.

As of now, the session will conclude on April 8. Sources said parties across the board support curtailing the session in view of polls in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. However, an official decision is yet to be taken.

The main focus of the government in the second part of the Budget session is to get various demands of grants for the financial year 2021-22 passed along with the Finance Bill which carries various tax proposals.

Besides these mandatory agendas, the government has listed various bills for passage in the Budget session. Some of the bills listed by the government include the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Bill, Electricity (Amendment) Bill, and cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill.

Part two of the Budget session is taking place at a time when political parties have their focus on elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry.

Senior leaders of various parties, especially the regional ones, are likely to skip most of the House sittings to focus on campaigning. The first part of the Budget session started on January 29 with the President's address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament.

The address was boycotted by over 20 opposition parties, including the Congress, in support of the demand of the protesting farmers for the repeal of the three farm laws.

The Union Budget was tabled on February 1. Thereafter, House proceedings were washed out for four consecutive days over the opposition's demand for separate discussion on farm issues. To compensate for the session's lost time, the House sat till midnight for several days.

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Paducah Woman Charged with Exploiting an Adult

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - A Paducah woman was arrested Sunday for allegedly exploiting an adult.On December 30, the McCracken County Sheriff's Office began investigating an allegation that 19-year-old Jetta Owen was exploiting someone for money.McCracken County Detectives and Adult Protective Services say they were able to prove that the victim was a young adult that was easily susceptible to exploitation and needed protection.Over a year, Owen reportedly gave the victim multiple false reasons for needing the money, including for her children and surgery. Detectives say Owen does not have children and is not seeing a physician. She allegedly received over $5,000 from the victim.Sunday afternoon, Owen was arrested and charged with knowingly exploiting an adult over $300, a class C felony.She was lodged in the McCracken County Jail.
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Warning: Disturbing photo below.

Baghdad: Pope Francis on Sunday (Iraq-time) met the father of Alan Kurdi, the boy whose body washed up on a Turkish beach six years ago became an image of the suffering of Syrians trying to escape war.

The pontiff, winding up a historic trip to Iraq, met Abdullah Kurdi at the end of Mass in the Iraqi Kurdish city of Erbil, the Vatican said in a statement.

Pope Francis speaks to Abdullah Kurdi, left, father of Alan Kurdi, a 3-year old Syrian boy whos image made headlines after he drowned in the Mediterranean Sea and drew global attention to Europes refugee crisis. Credit:AP

The Pope spent a long time with him [Kurdi] and with the help of an interpreter was able to listen to the pain of a father for the loss of his family, it said.
The Balearic Ports Authority (APB) is to present projects valued at 310 million euros to the European Commission. These relate to the Mediterranean Corridor and will mean that part of the investment in Palma until 2030 will be financed by the EU.

Palma was recently included in the Mediterranean Corridor, which crosses six countries - Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary - and is one of the priority axes of the Trans-European Transport Network.

The planned investment of 310 million euros includes 275 million for modernisation of infrastructure, internal connections and access in Palma. The remaining investment is for clean energy and new technologies.

The various projects aim to transform Palma into a "smart" port with connections to other ports and further developments in terms of electronic administration and cybersecurity. The president of the APB, Francesc Antich, says that the Mediterranean Corridor will strengthen ties with the continent and mean that Palma participates in committees which decide on financing to improve infrastructure and services.

The Mediterranean Corridor, because of European high-speed rail line connections and interoperability with the main Spanish ports, will constitute one of the most important commercial and economic transport hubs in Europe.
AMG

SUV

ECU

The German auto surgeons over at Mansory dont exactly require much introduction. These folks never fail to stun the automotive world with their surreal works of mechanical art, many of which we've featured here on autoevolution. Those include a downright bonkers Rolls-Royce Cullinan and a menacing Ford GT thats been dubbed  Le Mansory , to name but a couple.It goes without saying this tuners conversions arent for everyone, having stirred a great deal of controversy among petrolheads over the years. Although many of you will be inclined to raise an eyebrow when looking at these four-wheeled leviathans, Ill have to admit that I generally find their work to be fascinating in the most real sense of the word. Personally, Ive got nothing but love for companies that think outside the box, and Mansory is a perfect example of one such enterprise.Take, for instance, the manufacturers Gronos 2021 , a sinister monstrosity based on the Mercedes-G 63. In stock form, Daimlers boxypacks a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 powerplant that feeds its ruthless oomph to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic gearbox. At 6,000 rpm, this nasty animal is perfectly capable of delivering up to 577 horses, along with a colossal torque output of 627 pound-feet (850 Nm) at approximately 2,500 revs.Ultimately, this whole ordeal enables Stuttgarts beloved machine to accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 kph) in as little as 4.5 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited at 155 mph (250 kph). All things considered, its quite safe to conclude that the Three-Pointed Stars range-topping G 63 is a force to be reckoned with. Now, lets dive in for a closer look at Mansorys transformation, shall we?The very first thing youll notice is an ominous body kit adorning the vehicle from head to toe. At the front, we spot a fresh grille and a revised bumper wearing a pair of LED auxiliary lighting strips thatll enlighten your ride without breaking a sweat. Additionally, Germanys aftermarket doctors installed a forged carbon fiber hood with integrated air vents, while the cars flanks received a set of beefy doors, carbon mirror caps, vented fender flares, as well as new side skirts to round it all out.At the rear, the Gronos comes equipped with a custom spare wheel cover made of forged carbon composite. The beast was enveloped in a British Racing Green base, neatly complemented by forged carbon accents on the vents, door handle inserts, and headlight housings. Inside, the entire cabin has been reupholstered with premium tan leather that Mansory refers to as Fawn Brown. We also find aluminum pedals, a gorgeous steering wheel, and black floor mats.If you think this cosmetic pizzazz is impressive, the firms powertrain enhancement will certainly blow your mind. The twin-turbo V8 was blessed with an upgraded, larger turbochargers, and a top-shelf exhaust system. Long story short, this state of affairs unlocks as much as 838 hp and 737 pound-feet (1,000 Nm) of brutal twist at optimal revs, allowing the Gronos to reach 62 mph (100 kph) from a dead stop in no more than 3.5 seconds.Finally, the creature rolls on the companys humungous Y-spoked forged wheels (a.k.a. YN.5), boasting a diameter of 24 inches on all four sides. Brands experts havent revealed any details on the price for this conversion , but we do know that only ten copies are to be built.
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NEW YORK, March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TAG Associates, LLC, a leading multi-family office, is pleased to announce that Stacy Haislip, Director and Portfolio Manager with TAGs portfolio management team, has been named by Crains New York Business as one of its 2021 Notable Women on Wall Street.



The list honors 56 executives in the New York City metropolitan area who have had an impact on the citys financial sector in areas such as investment banking, equity research, wealth management and quantitative strategy, as well as others.

Beyond their accomplishments as financial professionals, the women on the list were selected because they demonstrated a commitment to helping their communities through volunteer work utilizing their financial skills. Crains said the successes achieved by the women selected offer hope for parity in the upper echelons of New York City finance.

Were fortunate to have someone of Stacys skills and intelligence, but shes most deserving of this recognition because shes an outstanding citizen of this great city, said David Basner, CEO of New York City-based TAG. Her community involvement and commitment to making New York City a better place for future generations is inspiring.

Ms. Haislip is a founding board member of the Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy, an all-girls charter school in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. She is also a member of the boards finance committee.

Ms. Haislip has been with TAG for almost two years, after previous stints at hedge fund D.E. Shaw and JP Morgan. She was previously named to the Crains New York Business list of 2020 Notable Women in Financial Advice.

About TAG Associates (www.tagassoc.com)

TAG Associates was founded in 1983 to offer a more effective and personalized way to serve the family office and investment needs of wealthy individuals, families, endowments and foundations. As one of the first multi-family offices, TAG Associates pioneered the integrated, objective fiduciary model. Since that time, the firm has established itself as a leader in the wealth management business, with more than $8 billion in assets under management serving over 110 high net worth families.
The recommended US$12.50 a share offer represents a 40% premium to Fridays closing price

The Middle East drilling group ADES International ( ) has agreed to be taken private by a consortium including Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund in a deal worth US$516mln.

The recommended US$12.50 a share offer represents a 40% premium to Fridays closing price and is worth 36% more than the volume-weighted average price over the last 30 days.

The bid has been tabled by newly formed Innovative Energy, which is jointly owned by 64% shareholder ADES Investments, Saudis Public Investment Fund and Zamil Group.
DUBLIN, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "United States Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market, By Method of Synthesis, By Source, By Distribution Channel, By Therapeutic Application, By Form, By Molecule Type, By Potency, By Drug Type, By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2016 - 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The United States Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market stood at USD17.81 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.73% to cross USD31.48 billion by 2026.

This can be attributed to growing prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, respiratory disorders, among others. This has drastically increased the patient pool thereby increasing the demand for drugs. This in turn is expected to positively influence the market growth through 2026.

Additionally, increasing R&D by various biopharmaceutical companies in drug discovery is further expected to spur the market growth over the next few years. Besides this, growing importance of generics is also expected to foster the market growth in the next five years.



The United States Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market can be segregated based on method of synthesis, source, distribution channel, therapeutic application, form, molecule type, potency, drug type, region and company. Based on method of synthesis, the market can be split into synthetic and biological.

The synthetic method of synthesis dominated the market with a share of 58.29% in 2020 on account of the easy availability of raw materials and easier process for development of active pharmaceutical ingredients. While the biological method of synthesis segment is expected to grow at a rate of 10.82% during the forecast period owing to the growing demand for vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, biosimilars, among others.



Leading players operating in the market include Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Merck & Co., Inc., Pfizer Inc., Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited, Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Novartis Inc. (Sandoz), Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Eli Lilly and Company, AbbVie Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC and others.

Major companies are developing advanced technologies and launching new products to stay competitive in the market. Other competitive strategies include mergers & acquisitions and new product developments. For instance, in 2020, Pfizer (US) signed a multiyear agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc., to manufacture and supply Gilead's antiviral drug (Remdesivir) for the treatment of COVID-19.



Key Target Audience:

Active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturers, contract manufacturers and other stakeholders

Market research and consulting firms

Government bodies such as regulating authorities and policy makers

Organizations, forums and alliances related to active pharmaceutical ingredient

Years considered for this report:

Historical Years: 2016 - 2019

Base Year: 2020

Estimated Year: 2021

Forecast Period: 2022- 2026

Key Topics Covered:



1. Product Overview



2. Research Methodology



3. Impact of COVID-19 on United States Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market



4. Executive Summary



5. Global Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market Outlook



6. United States Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market Outlook

6.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.1.1. By Value

6.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.2.1. By Method of Synthesis (Biological v/s. Synthetic)

6.2.2. By Source (In-house v/s Contract Manufacturing Organizations)

6.2.3. By Distribution Channel (Online v/s Offline)

6.2.4. By Therapeutic Application (Cardiovascular Disease, Anti-diabetic, Oncology, Neurological Disorders, Musculoskeletal, Others)

6.2.5. By Form (Tablet, Capsule, Injection, Others)

6.2.6. By Molecule Type (Small v/s Large)

6.2.7. By Potency (High v/s Low)

6.2.8. By Drug Type (Innovator v/s Generic)

6.2.9. By Region (West, Mid-West, North-East, South)

6.2.10. By Company

6.3. Product Market Map



7. United States Biological Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market Outlook

7.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.1.1. By Value

7.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.2.1. By Product Type (Recombinant Proteins, Vaccines, Monoclonal Antibodies, Hormones, Others)

7.2.2. By Therapeutic Application

7.2.3. By Source

7.2.4. By Distribution Channel

7.2.5. By Form

7.2.6. By Molecule Type

7.2.7. By Potency

7.2.8. By Drug Type



8. United States Synthetic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market Outlook

8.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.1.1. By Value

8.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.2.1. By Product Type (Inorganic Synthetic Drugs vs. Organic Synthetic Drugs)

8.2.2. By Therapeutic Application

8.2.3. By Source

8.2.4. By Distribution Channel

8.2.5. By Form

8.2.6. By Molecule Type

8.2.7. By Potency

8.2.8. By Drug Type



9. Market Dynamics

9.1. Drivers

9.2. Challenges



10. Market Trends & Developments



11. Trade Dynamics (Top 5 APIs)

11.1. Export

11.2. Import



12. Policy & Regulatory Landscape



13. United States Economic Profile



14. Competitive Landscape (SWOT Analysis of Top 5 Players)

14.1. Competition Outlook

14.2. Company Profiles

14.2.1. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited

14.2.2. Merck & Co., Inc.

14.2.3. Pfizer Inc.

14.2.4. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited

14.2.5. Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

14.2.6. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

14.2.7. GlaxoSmithKline Plc

14.2.8. Novartis Inc. (Sandoz)

14.2.9. Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc.

14.2.10. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

14.2.11. Eli Lilly and Company

14.2.12. AbbVie Inc.

14.2.13. Bristol-Myers Squibb

14.2.14. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

14.2.15. Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC



15. Strategic Recommendations



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mcfdgh



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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WASHINGTON  A fifth Republican senator decided to pass up a 2022 reelection bid, complicating GOP efforts to reclaim control of the U.S. Senate.

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who turned 71 in January, announced his retirement via video Monday, citing his decades of public service as a factor in his decision.

After 14 general election victories  three to county office, seven to the United States House of Representatives and four statewide elections  I wont be a candidate for reelection to the United States Senate next year," Blunt said.

More: At CPAC, Donald Trump targets the Republican Party of Liz Cheney and Mitch McConnell

More: Donald Trump expands his Republican enemies list to Karl Rove, Wall Street Journal op-eds

In declining to run in 2022, Blunt joins retiring Republican Sens. Rob Portman of Ohio, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Richard Shelby of Alabama and Richard Burr of North Carolina.

"I wont be a candidate for reelection to the United States Senate next year," Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., says.

The party is waiting on decisions by other GOP senators, such as Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Chuck Grassley of Iowa.

Blunt and other retiring Republicans avoid a congressional election in which ex-President Donald Trump plans to play a major role, forcing GOP candidates to take a stand on his divisive presidency.

Republican strategist Liz Mair said there's a "trend" of mainstream conservative Republicans "walking away from an environment in which traditional conservatism has been little rewarded, but jumping on crazy trains has been."

The result, she said, could be a series of elections "that pit die-hard liberals against a nuttier, and often deeply un-conservative and ethically compromised, breed of Republican."

In last month's Senate impeachment trial, Toomey and Burr were among the seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump on a charge that he incited the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. They would probably have been targeted by Trump-backed primary opponents, had they run.

Story continues

Blunt, a two-term senator, has been generally supportive of Trump. He did not give a particular reason for his retirement, beyond his longevity.

Missouri is a largely Republican state, but Democrats are often competitive. Blunt barely won reelection in 2016, holding off Democrat Jason Kander with 49.2% of the vote to 46.4%.

On Twitter, Kander said after Blunt's announcement that he would not for the Senate next year, but "Ill campaign for the Dem nominee!"

A former Democratic senator from Missouri, Claire McCaskill, also said she would not seek Blunt's job. "I will never run for office again," she tweeted. "Nope. Not gonna happen. Never. I am so happy I feel guilty sometimes."

The U.S. Senate is split 50-50 between the Democratic and Republican caucuses. Vice President Kamala Harris, who serves as president of the Senate, provides the tie-breaking vote that gives Democrats control.

Republicans faced an uphill battle before the retirements. They have more positions to defend, holding 20 of the 34 Senate seats up for election in 2022.

Sabato's Cystal Ball, a newsletter produced by the University of Virginia Center for Politics, downgraded the Missouri Senate race from "safe Republican" to "likely Republican," still favoring the eventual GOP candidate.

"We'll see if Democrats can get a good recruit here," said J. Miles Coleman, associate editor of the newsletter.

Coleman said Blunt's retirement creates the possibility of a "messy" Republican primary involving Trump, his supporters and anti-Trump campaigners.

Reed Galen, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump political action committee, said most of the GOP Senate candidates in Missouri "will be begging" for support from Trump and his backers, such as the state's other senator, Republican Josh Hawley.

"It will be an ugly, fascistic, Big Lie-filled contest," Galen said. "The only good news? Even Missourians are likely to understand the insanity and elect a Democrat."

In his retirement announcement, Blunt said he always tried to do his best: In almost 12,000 votes in the Congress, Im sure I wasnt right every time. But you really make that decision based on the information you have at the time."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Roy Blunt to retire, complicating Republicans' bid to retake Senate
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Burma Myanmar Protesters Say an Attack on Chinas Pipelines Would Be Internal Affair

Anti-coup protesters gather in front of Chinese Embassy in Yangon in February, demanding China to stop supporting the military regime. / The Irrawaddy

YANGONMyanmar people have issued a sharp response on social media after Beijing voiced serious concern over the security of its ambitious twin pipelines project in the country, saying whether or not the pipelines are blown up is an internal affair.

As the military regimes security forces intensified their deadly crackdown on anti-coup protesters in Myanmar in late February, Beijing held an emergency meeting with Myanmar officials from the Home Affairs and Foreign ministries, according to the leaked document.

The document revealed that Bai Tian, the director-general of the department of external security affairs under the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asked the military regime to assure the security of the oil and natural gas pipelines, following the emergence of anti-Chinese sentiment across the country due to its stand on the coup.

The project spans nearly 800 kilometers, comprising twin pipelines running in parallel from the port of Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State on the Bay of Bengal through Magwe and Mandalay regions and northern Shan State before entering China.

Beijing is expecting Myanmar to impose better security measures for the pipelines project, saying it is a crucial part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Myanmar, according to the leaked document.

Any damage to the oil and gas pipeline would cause huge losses for both countries and also undermine confidence in foreign investment, Bai warned.

Developed by he state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)  which is the main shareholder in the pipelines project  the project has been controversial since 2013, provoking opposition among communities and environmental organizations. The agreement for the project was signed under the military regime in 2008. The company said the crude oil pipeline is designed to transport 22 million tons annually, while the natural gas pipeline is designed to carry 12 billion cubic meters of gas.

The document revealed that the permanent secretary of Myanmars Foreign Ministry was not able to attend the meeting, as it received a notification just four hours ahead of time. It showed how China is desperately concerned about its project security.

The document also revealed that China hopes that the military regime will put pressure on the Myanmar media, to reduce its skepticism of China. Bai said the regime should rein in the media to only write about China in a positive way.

Additionally, the director-general said, Criticism about the gas pipeline should not be allowed, as it is important for the socio-economic development of Myanmar. Relevant organizations should control fake news relating to project.

Chinas apparent pursuit of its own interests has strengthened Myanmar peoples opposition to Beijings interests in the country. In response to Chinas failure to condemn the coup, more than 50,000 people on social media shared a status notice encouraging movements to boycott Chinese products in the country.

Moreover, nearly 1 million people shared on Facebook and Twitter in Burmese, Chinese and English a message saying that Beijings pursuit of its own interest showed that China officially consider the deaths and injuries of Myanmar people are a domestic matter, and that its own interests are paramount.

Social media users told China, If you are still concerned that whats currently happening in Myanmar is an internal affair, to blow up the natural gas pipeline that passes through Myanmar is also an internal affair. Lets see what you say.

They added, We, the Myanmar people, have nothing more to lose. If a veto is used again at the UN meeting, the people of Myanmar will do the same to CHINA! they said.

Moreover, thousands of Twitter users also warned Beijing, mentioning @MFA_China that if you care about the safety of your gas pipeline, dont cover the Myanmar junta with a veto. We Myanmar people are very united.

Many Twitter users also wrote that if China continues to support the unofficial illegitimate junta, Myanmar-based Chinese businesses must be brought down soon, including the pipelines project. They said they would target mining projects and every business across the country for destruction.

Social media users said that if China continues to block strong UNSC action, there will be more and more anti-China activities in Myanmar, which will have serious consequences for the gas pipeline, the BRI and other Chinese projects in Myanmar.

Since the military takeover, China has repeatedly insisted that the armed forces seizure of power from the democratically-elected government is Myanmars internal affair, including at UNSC and Human Rights Council meetings. The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar has faced daily protests, demanding Beijing stop its support for the Myanmar military. Moreover, anti-Chinese sentiment has emerged among the people of Myanmar in the form of boycotts of Chinese products.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Military Detains More Than 1,500 Since Coup

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Anger in Myanmar But Crisis Distant to Singaporeans
HOUSTON, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In a move to protect its CMS technology patents and bring singular focus to its VeriCure Cured-In-Place Pipe Curing Monitoring System, Vortex Technology Group, LLC, a business entity of the Vortex Companies' Products Division, announced today that it has acquired Zia Systems, LLC, an integrated system solutions provider of CMS (Curing Monitoring System) and CiPPi temperature monitoring technology for Cured-In-Place Pipe trenchless rehabilitation applications. With this latest deal, the Vortex Technology Group will move forward with consolidating and rebranding CMS and CiPPi offerings under the single brand name of VeriCure.

Columbus, OH based Zia Systems Co-Founders, Gary Rapp and Larry Rapp, will be working with Vortex Technology Group to ensure a smooth transition of its CIPP monitoring systems and existing customers. Vortex Technology Group, who recently acquired the patented CMS intellectual property and the VeriCure trademark, will now be able to stabilize the market, level-set pricing and standardize QA/QC measures. It will also focus on expanding product field support and educating the trenchless infrastructure rehabilitation engineering community on the benefits of monitoring Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) applications.

VeriCure, which is currently patented in 19 countries, captures and records a thermal temperature reading, incrementally, along the entire length of a CIPP liner. This information significantly improves the efficiency and quality of the installation, while lowering overall costs. For questions regarding the Zia Systems acquisition, or for more information about VeriCure, please contact Andrew Gonnella, President of Vortex Products, at 1-855-WHYDIG1.

About the Vortex Companies

Comprised of two divisions, Products and Services, the Vortex Companies deliver advanced trenchless technologies and turnkey services to cost effectively renew municipal, industrial, and commercial infrastructure. Solutions offered include pipe linings and coatings, sewer robotics, CIPP resin, application equipment and CCTV inspection. Vortex Technology Group, LLC is a business entity and vertical within Vortex Products geared to support the sale and development of Vortex's Curing Monitoring System and other future technology acquisitions. Vortex Companies remains focused on its vision of expanding and providing a broad range of intelligent and economical trenchless infrastructure renewal solutions, supported by highly experienced and trained personnel. For more information go to: www.vortexcompanies.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kit Jones

713-269-2333

[email protected]

SOURCE Vortex Companies

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Reenactment of one of the torture methods employed by Chinese officials to coerce Falun Gong practitioners to renounce their faith. (Courtesy of Minghui.org)

Mass Rape, Sexual Abuse: Communist Chinas Genocidal Tool to Eliminate Faith

Regardless of their ages, the CCP is persecuting spiritual believers of all faiths under the disguise of 're-educating' them.

Since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) came to power in 1949, it has been employing unethical ways to persecute citizens and suppress spiritual groups. Recently, several reports have confirmed how the CCP is using sexual abuse as a tool for re-educating and transforming prisoners of faith, regardless of their age.

Rooted in atheism and materialism, the communist regime has been brutally suppressing Uyghur Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and Falun Gong practitioners for years. Those who refuse to comply with the CCPs orders are detained and taken to secretive re-education camps where they are subjected to unimaginable abuses, including gang rape and electrocution.

[R]ape has become a culture. It is gang rape and the Chinese police not only rape them but also electrocute them. They are subject to horrific torture.  Anonymous policewoman from a camp in Xinjiang, China

Sexual Abuse of Uyghurs

To condemn the CCPs grave human rights violations, the Trump-era administration said on Jan. 19, 2021, that the communist regime has committed genocide and crimes against humanity in its repression of the Uyghurs Muslims.

The then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that the CCP has incarcerated over a million Uyghurs, subjecting them to forced labor, forced sterilizations, and torture.

After careful examination of the available facts, I have determined that the PRC [Peoples Republic of China], under the direction and control of the CCP, has committed genocide against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang, Pompeo said. He added, I believe this genocide is ongoing, and that we are witnessing the systematic attempt to destroy Uyghurs by the Chinese party-state.

Two weeks later, the BBC published a detailed report on the systematic sexual torture happening in Xinjiangs tightly-guarded re-education network. The report that is based on first-hand interviews of several Uyghurs who were previously detained in the internment camps revealed the torture and gang-rape horrors they witnessed or lived through.

A watchtower on a high-security facility near what is believed to be a re-education camp where mostly Muslim ethnic minorities are detained, on the outskirts of Hotan, in Chinas northwestern Xinjiang region, on May 31, 2019. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

Tursunay Ziawudun, 42, who fled to the United States after escaping from Xinjiang following her release, recounted to the BBC the sexual abuses she underwent and witnessed while detained for nine months in Chinas secretive camps in Xinjiang.

Ziawudun, who is married to a Kazakh and had returned to Xinjiang for work in 2016 after staying in Kazakhstan for five years, detailed how she was shocked with an electric baton and gang-raped on three occasions, the BBC reported.

The woman took me to the room next to where the other girl had been taken in, Ziawudun told the BBC. They had an electric stick, I didnt know what it was, and it was pushed inside my genital tract, torturing me with an electric shock.

They dont only rape but also bite all over your body, you dont know if they are human or animal, she said. They didnt spare any part of the body, they bit everywhere leaving horrible marks. It was disgusting to look at  And it is not just one person who torments you, not just one predator. Each time they were two or three men.

Talking to Fox News, Ziawudun said: Any woman under 40 was raped. Every one in the camp experienced this  I was also beatenI was kicked and stamped ononce so much on my private parts that I was bleeding, and I since had to have my ovaries removed.

The BBC report said that even the elderly women detainees were not spared. Ziawudun recalled seeing an elderly Uyghur woman being humiliated.

They stripped everything off the elderly lady, leaving her with just her underwear. She was so embarrassed that she tried to cover herself with her arms, Ziawudun told BBC. I cried so much watching the way they treated her. Her tears fell like rain.

Ziawudens claims were backed by Qelbinur Sedik, an Uzbek woman from Xinjiang who was coerced to teach the Chinese language to the internment-camp detainees. Sedik told the BBC that a camp policewoman confirmed, after Sedik once secretly asked her, that sexual abuse is indeed happening in the camps.

Yes, the rape has become a culture. It is gang rape and the Chinese police not only rape them but also electrocute them. They are subject to horrific torture, Sedik recalled the policewomans words.

Gulzira Auelkhan, another Kazakh woman from Xinjiang who was forced to help the camp guards by stripping women, also confirmed to the BBC that gang rape is common in the camps.

They forced me to take off those womens clothes and to restrain their hands and leave the room, Auelkhan said. You cant tell anyone what happened  It is designed to destroy everyones spirit.

In the recent past, several previously detained Uyghurs had also described similar harrowing tales of torture and rape from the Xinjiang camps.

Gulbakhar Jalilova, a Uyghur and Kazakhstan national who was detained in 2017 for 15 months in an all-female camp, told The Epoch Times that rape happened on a daily basis in the camps. Young girls are taken out and raped all night long. If you keep resisting, they will inject you with something and kill you, Jalilova said.

In 2019, Sayragul Sauytbay of Kazakh descent, who was forced to teach the Chinese language in the camp, told Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, that she once witnessed a female detainee being raped by policemen, one after the other, in front of 200 inmates. The incident left Sauytbay traumatized.

While they were raping her they checked to see how we were reacting, Sauytbay told Haaretz. People who turned their head or closed their eyes, and those who looked angry or shocked, were taken away and we never saw them again. It was awful.

I will never forget the feeling of helplessness, of not being able to help her. After that happened, it was hard for me to sleep at night.

Sexual Abuse of Other Spiritual Believers

Apart from targeting Uyghur Muslims, the CCP also employs such horrendous torture methods on Falun Gong practitioners, Buddhists, and Christians.

Female adherents of Falun Gong are routinely subjected to sexual abuse and rape for not renouncing their faith. Falun Gong (or Falun Dafa) is a spiritual meditation discipline based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, tolerance; it is freely practiced by over 100 million people worldwide but is being violently persecuted in China, and has been since July 1999.

Detailing the torture and routine sexual abuse faced by Falun Gong practitioners, a two-part report has been compiled by Minghui.org, a U.S.-based website dedicated to documenting the persecution of Falun Gong.

At the notorious Masanjia Forced Labor Camp in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 18 female practitioners were thrown into the mens cells and the guards encouraged the inmates to rape the spiritual adherents, Minghui.org reported. The elderly or young, no one was exempted from these abuses.

In 2001, Zou Jin, 70, of Changsha City, Hunan Province, was gang-raped at the Changsha City First Detention Center and sentenced to nine years before she passed away. A 9-year-old girl, who was the orphan child of a Falun Gong practitioner, was gang-raped at the Changping Mental Hospital in Beijing in 2002. Her screams and cries were heart-wrenching, the Minghui.org report said.

The report said the authorities also forced pregnant practitioners to abort their unborn babies, beating and shocking them with electric batons which eventually lead to miscarriage.

The CCP hasnt shown any leniency in abusing Buddhist nuns or Christians either.

The Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy has reported on the personal account of an anonymous Tibetan monk who was detained for four months in a re-education center, in Sog County, Tibet Autonomous Region, in 2017. The monk recounted seeing nuns being sexually abused after participating in military drills.

Many nuns would lose consciousness during the [military] drills, the monk wrote. Sometimes officers would take unconscious nuns inside where I saw them  grope all over their body.

Who knows what else they did to the nuns? the monk wrote.

Citing the sexual abuse account of a Chinese Christian, the editor-in-chief of the Bitter Winter magazine, Massimo Introvigne, wrote that Jiang Guizhi, a member of The Church of Almighty God in China, was raped by policemen and later died after the severe torture.

In 2019, the Association for the Defense of Human Rights and Religious Freedom (ADHRRF) reported a more detailed account of the torture experienced by Jiang. After being repeatedly asked by a cellmate, Jiang revealed that the police had taken her to a private room in a hotel where she was interrogated, raped, and had objects stuffed inside her vagina, the ADHRRF reported.

Arshdeep Sarao contributed to this report.
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BEATTYVILLE, Ky. (AP)  Standing in the gooey, dank-smelling muck coating the floor of her mobile home in Beattyville, Cindy Spencer considered how she would describe the experience of being flooded out, of losing keepsakes her kids made in school, of having to dig through the soggy debris of her life to salvage some clothes.

Only words I can come up with is heartbreaking and devastating, said Spencer, 43. Youre hopeless. You dont even know where to turn.

Spencer was among dozens of people displaced from their homes in Lee County early Monday when heavy rains swelled the Kentucky River to levels not seen in decades and sent brown water surging into downtown Beattyville.

Lee County Judge-Executive Chuck Caudill Jr. said the water reached a depth of six to seven feet in town.

The flood inundated at least 20 businesses in town and numerous homes in Beattyville and the county.

Its the worst in anybodys memory, Caudill said of the flood.

Electricity was still out in downtown Wednesday, but business owners and their employees, as well as residents, throughout the town of about 1,200 were starting the daunting jobs of figuring out what could be saved and cleaning up.

Amid the hum of generators and the growl of equipment scooping mud from streets, people used brooms and squeegees to push mud out of businesses onto the sidewalk, then hosed it into the street.

They put items that might be salvageable, such as chairs, on the sidewalk to dry, carried items that couldnt be saved to dumpsters set up on Main Street, and figured out what it would take to get back in business.

At the Kentucky Farm Bureau insurance office, agency manager Robbie McKinney and his wife, Cheryl, along with a team that came from the Louisville office to help, carried out equipment with the plan to set up an office in temporary space in town.

McKinney said floodwater hadnt gotten into the building he used since 1957.

He estimated it will take three to four months to do repairs and get back in the office on Main Street.

You just tear everything out to the studs and rebuild, he said.

Debbie Dunaway, owner of Beattyville Florist and Gift, and her husband, Tracy Dunaway, and James Treadway were beginning clean-up at the store.

Dunaway had put vases and other items on shelves because of the potential for flooding, but the water got deeper than she thought it would, knocking over shelves and ruining her stock.

She didnt know yet Wednesday if the flood destroyed the big cooler where she kept flowers, but it was clear the water had done a lot of damage.

Weve got a big loss, Dunaway said. Its just something weve never seen in our life.

Dunaway said the mess was discouraging, but she and other business owners dont have a choice about rebuilding.

We have to work, so we have to do it, she said.

At Los Two Brothers, a Mexican restaurant, workers were cleaning equipment in the parking lot.

Owner Jessica Hernandez said it was raining when she was at the restaurant Sunday during lunch, but everything was fine. Less than 24 hours later, booths and chairs were floating in the dining room.

Its amazing how fast you can go from having everything together to being covered in water, she said.

Several people said the floodwater rose quickly early Monday, leaving little time to move cars or collect many belongings before they had to leave.

Jonah Lucas lost several pieces of equipment he needs to run his business, H&H Tire, as well as three cars.

Like many others, he didnt have flood insurance because it was too expensive for his small business. Hed been in business 17 years and the water had never gotten into his business, so he thought it never would.

But I was wrong, he said. I guess I know what it means to live in a floodplain now.

Lucas said hell buy back equipment as he is able and get his business going _ eventually.

Spencer said she was home about 3 a.m. Monday when police came to her house to say she should leave.

The water was coming quickly as she and her daughter, Olivia Lutes, grabbed some clothes and left for a friends house, riding out of the water on a fire-department vehicle.

Spencer couldnt take her Chevrolet Cavalier. The flood ruined it as well, creating a worry about how to get to her job at an apparel factory.

This is bad, Spencer said.

Firefighters and other volunteers used a dump truck and Humvees to take people out of the mobile home park, said Tyler Phillips, who is the circuit clerk but also a captain with Lee County Search & Rescue.

Caudill said he was in awe of firefighters, rescue-squad members and other volunteers who waded into the flood to help people from their homes.

As Spencer figured out what she could salvage on Wednesday, she could feel the floor of her trailer buckling.

Spencer said it wont be safe to stay in the mobile home because of the floor and the likelihood mold will grow, but that there arent many other places to rent in the county. She said she might have to move to another county.

Peyton Henry, 21, was at home in Beattyville with her fiancee and 4-month-old baby on Sunday when her landlord called and told her that she and her family should take what you can and get out.

At first, Henry didnt think much of it, she said. Shes lived in the house since 2019 and seen several rains that would cause water to stand in the yard, but never major flooding.

But about 30 minutes later she said she looked outside and saw her dogs house floating down the driveway.

Henry called her father to help them get what they could out of the house, but from the moment the water started rising they had about 10 minutes to grab some essentials, move their vehicles to higher ground and get out, she said.

After they evacuated, a family friend was able to get close enough to Henrys house to see through a window that the water level inside the home was as high as it was outside, and items were floating.

The work of assessing the damage was underway Wednesday, but Caudill and Jon Allen, the county emergency manager, said some people who had to leave their homes havent yet been able to return.

That means it will take awhile to get information on damages, but its clear the flood was historic, officials said.

This is a catastrophic event, Allen said.

Churches and individuals donated food, water, clothing and cleaning supplies at a community center Wednesday.

Caudill said people interested in making donations for flood relief could call 606-560-0721, and the Downtown Beattyville Alliance had set up a fundraising page to help small businesses.

The county was planning a food distribution Thursday, and had bottled water available. Most of the county was under a boil-water advisory.

Marcia Thomas, an agent at Peoples Insurance, said the water got 61 inches deep in her office downtown by the courthouse. The high-water mark was easy to see on the wall.

On Wednesday, she and another agent, Tasha Cundiff, and Cundiffs husband Eddie were carrying ruined items out of the office to throw away _ computers, a refrigerator, coffee pots, everything.

Its just nasty, mucky, yucky, Thomas said of the mess.

But like others, Thomas said the flood wont keep Beattyville down.

Were gonna keep our chins up and work through it, she said.

About the photo: The city of Beattyville, Ky., sits underwater following heavy rains which caused the Kentucky River to flood, Tuesday, March 2, 2021. (Alex Slitz/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP)

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
WINNIPEG, MB, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Medicure Inc. ("Medicure" or the "Company") (TSXV: MPH) (OTC: MCUJF), announced today that it will be participating in Renmark Financial Communications Inc.'s live Virtual Non-Deal Roadshow Series to discuss its latest investor presentation on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 12:00 PM EST (11:00 AM CST, 10:00 AM MST). Medicure welcomes stakeholders, investors, and other individual followers to register and attend this live event.

The presentation will feature Dr. Albert Friesen, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of the Board. Topics to be covered will include the latest investor presentation followed by a live Q&A. Investors interested in participating in this event will need to register using the link below. As a reminder, registration for the live event may be limited but access to the replay after the event will be on the Company's website (www.medicure.com).

REGISTER HERE:

https://www.renmarkfinancial.com/events/renmark-virtual-non-deal-roadshow-tsx-v-mph/2021-03-09-170000

To ensure smooth connectivity, please access this link using the latest version of Google Chrome.

About Medicure Inc.

Medicure is a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for the U.S. cardiovascular market. The present focus of the Company is the marketing and distribution of AGGRASTAT (tirofiban hydrochloride) injection and ZYPITAMAG (pitavastatin) tablets in the United States, where they are sold through the Company's U.S. subsidiary, Medicure Pharma Inc. Medicure also operates Marley Drug, Inc. ("Marley"), a pharmacy located in North Carolina that offers an Extended Supply mail order drug program serving all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Marley is committed to improving the health status of its patients and the communities they serve while reducing overall health care costs for employers and other health care consumers. For more information visit www.marleydrug.com. To learn more about The Extended Supply Generic Drug Program call 800.286.6781 or email [email protected]. For more information on Medicure please visit www.medicure.com. For additional information about AGGRASTAT, refer to the full Prescribing Information. For additional information about ZYPITAMAG, refer to the full Prescribing Information.

About Renmark Financial Communications Inc.

Founded in 1999, Renmark Financial Communications Inc. is North America's leading retail investor relations firm. Employing a strategic and comprehensive mix of exposure tactics; Renmark hosts Virtual Non-Deal Roadshows as well as in-person corporate presentations and maintains daily communications with thousands of brokers and money managers across Canada and the United States. Renmark empowers its publicly-traded clientele to maximize their visibility within the financial community and strengthen their investor audience.

SOURCE Medicure Inc.

Related Links

www.medicure.com


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The company said it intends to build a new cryptocurrency mining facility on the 320-acre plot, located in the west of the US state

( ) ( ) said it has now completed the acquisition of 320 acres of land in West Texas, US, following a non-binding letter of intent with DPN LLC signed in February.

The cryptocurrency miner said it has now acquired DPN, and by extension the Texas acreage, for an initial price of US$5mln satisfied by the issue of around 3.5mln new shares in Argo to DPN shareholders. A further payment of shares worth up to US$12.5mln will also occur if certain contractual milestones are fulfilled.

Argo said the acquisition provides it with access to up to 800 megawatts (MW) of electrical power and that it intends to build a new 200MW mining facility over the next 12 months.

The firm added that it believes the facility will provide it with some of the lowest electricity rates in the world, the majority of which is from renewable sources.

"Argo's purchase of land in Texas represents a significant milestone for the company and is a cause for celebration. It not only gives us greater control over our mining operations but also the ability to meaningfully expand our mining capacity on a large scale. We now have access to some of what we believe is the cheapest renewable energy worldwide, in a location where innovation in new technologies is encouraged and incentivised," Argo chief executive Peter Wall said in a statement.
Sony may have only just released the PS5, but the company is already making moves for what would appear to be a new console. According to a report, Sony has signed on with TSMC for its 5 nm node for what could be the PS5 Slim.

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The PS5 has already been a roaring success for Sony, so it should come as no to surprise that the company plans to release a mid-generation refresh at some stage. For context, Sony claims to have sold over 4.5 million PS5 consoles, and this only accounts for sales up to December 31, 2020. The PS5 has a long way to go before it reaches to sales volumes of previous PlayStation consoles, but it currently ranks as the 21st best-selling home games console. Incidentally, the PS5 has amassed about half the lifetime sales of the Sega Dreamcast and the Saturn.

Sony's latest console runs on 7 nm chipsets, but RedGamingTech claims that the company has 'booked time' with TSMC in 2023 for its 5 nm node. Typically, a node switch implies that a new console is in development, like with the move from 28 nm in the original PS4 to 16 nm with the PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro. RedGamingTech asserts that Sony has assigned TSMC's 5 nm node for a PS5 Slim, although he stresses that this is more of a theory than a leak. The company may be planning to release a PS5 Pro using a 5 nm node, but RedGamingTech believes that Sony would need to increase the console's GPU die size if it were to do so.
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, Prof. Daniel Kahneman, among 30+ opinion leaders set to outline global future trends at WGS Dialogues

Senegal President, H.E. Macky Sall to speak of global priority to vaccinate Africa against COVID-19



The World Government Summit Dialogues will deliver 21 predictions for the future social, economic, and political order, between 9  10 March.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005451/en/

The World Government Summit Dialogues convenes world leaders for two days of virtual sessions to forecast the future trends that will shape the world (Photo: AETOSWire)

The virtual event will host political and industry leaders from around the world, who will each offer their outlooks on the future of vital sectors including healthcare, space, cryptocurrency and more.

Day one will open with a keynote from His Excellency Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, the UAEs Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Government Summit Organization, on the priorities for governments in 2021, as they look to navigate the global recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Sessions on day one will focus on the future of Africa, the future of Asia, the future economic order, cryptocurrency and the decentralisation of finance. They will feature Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, the United Bank for Africa, Nandan Nilekani, Co-founder of Infosys, Professor Daniel Kahneman, Economics Nobel Prize winner, Anthony Di Iorio, Co-Founder of Ethereum and Jutta Steiner, Co-founder CEO of Parity Technologies, among others.

Day two will open with a keynote address from Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) where he will outline the future of global public health.

That will be followed by the high-level discussion, Will the Earths Population Be Vaccinated by 2021?, where His Excellency Macky Sall, President of Senegal, will be joined by Henrietta Fore, Executive Director, UNICEF, His Excellency Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World and Dr. David Nabarro, Special Envoy on Covid-19 to the WHO.

A highlight of the second day will see Astrophysicist, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson in conversation with the Right Honourable Lord Martin Rees, Astrophysicist, Cosmologist and 60th President of the Royal Society, as they discuss how public-private partnerships can inspire a new generation of STEM enthusiasts to lead the space race and the quest to understand life beyond Earth.

For the full agenda and list of speakers, visit: https://www.worldgovernmentsummit.org/

To register for the event, visit: https://www.worldgovernmentsummit.org/event-registrations/

*Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005451/en/
Concerned about data privacy and data manipulation, the Oklahoma House of Representatives has passed an opt-in data privacy bill with a bipartisan vote of 85 to 11.

The Oklahoma Computer Data Privacy Act, House Bill 1602, requires internet technology companies to obtain explicit permission to collect and sell personal data.

The legislation is authored by Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, and Rep. Collin Walke, D-OKC.

More than 40 representatives and senators signed onto the legislation. West and Walke filed The Oklahoma Computer Data Privacy Act to give citizens more control over their privacy.

HB1602 is now eligible to be heard in the Oklahoma Senate.

Source: Oklahoma House of Representatives

Topics Oklahoma Privacy
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Credit: Children's Hospital Boston

The ability to track seizures has a number of potential benefits: It could allow physicians to better determine optimal dosing and timing of medication, as well as enable timely interventions to help prevent impending seizures. Traditionally, electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocorticography have been used to evaluate and forecast seizures.

However, more compact, portable approachessuch as wearable devicesare far more appealing to both physicians and patients for long-term seizures monitoring. One such device, a biosensor wristband developed by Empatica, records autonomic nervous system features, patient movement, and other vital signs and parameters. To learn more, Tobias Loddenkemper, MD, and his colleagues in the Epilepsy Center at Boston Children's Hospital recently conducted the first human feasibility study on this topic. They sought to evaluate whether data derived solely from these wristbands could accurately predict various types of seizures in pediatric patients. "For patients and their caretakers, the constant worry and uncertainty about presumably random patterns of seizure recurrence are among the most disabling aspects of epilepsy," says Loddenkemper.

Going deeper with AI

Loddenkemper, the hospital's director of clinical epilepsy research, and his team in the Loddenkemper Research Laboratory, recruited 69 epilepsy patients who were admitted to Boston Children's long-term video-EEG monitoring unit between 2015 and 2018. These patients wore the Empatica wristband on either their wrist or ankle while in the unit. Using data collected from the wristbands, the researchers analyzed all types of seizures that occurred, including primary and secondary generalized and focal seizures.

To determine whether the wristbands could accurately predict seizures, they used a technique known as deep learninga type of artificial intelligence, or AI, that relies on programmable neural networks to perform various classification tasks. Unlike traditional machine learning models, which still require some human guidance, deep learning algorithms use their own artificial neural networks to independently assess the accuracy of their predictions.

Forecasting seizures is feasible

Based on this work, Loddenkemper and his colleagues demonstrated that forecasting seizures is feasible using wristband data. Specifically, they found that the wristbands had a predictability that was better than chance in 43 percent of patients. The ability to predict seizures was independent of the type of seizure and the time of day it occurred, suggesting that this approach could benefit a wide range of epilepsy patients. In addition, the prediction performance of the wristbands increased with additional patients and when they used all sensor modalitiesa sign that the larger and richer the data collected, the more accurate the wristbands might be.

"Forecasting seizures with greater precision will enable us to titrate therapies to periods of greatest seizure susceptibility, with potentially fewer side effects at times of lower risk and better therapeutic coverage at times of greater risk," Loddenkemper explains. Although the potential use of such wristbands is still several years away, this study represents an important first step in harnessing the power of wearables to improve patient care.

The study, led by former Boston Children's researcher Christian Meisel, MD, Ph.D., now at the Universitatsmedizin Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, was published in the October 11, 2020 issue of Epilepsia.

Explore further Wristband devices detect dangerous seizures in patients with epilepsy

More information: Christian Meisel et al. Machine learning from wristband sensor data for wearable, noninvasive seizure forecasting, Epilepsia (2020). Journal information: Epilepsia Christian Meisel et al. Machine learning from wristband sensor data for wearable, noninvasive seizure forecasting,(2020). DOI: 10.1111/epi.16719
President Joe Biden has nominated two female generals for four star commands after their promotions were previously held back under the Trump administration, according to a New York Times report.

General Jacqueline Van Ovost of the Air Force and Lieutenant General Laura Richardson of the Army were both first considered for a promotion back in the fall of 2020, as senior leaders of the Pentagon all agreed they should be given four-star commands.

Despite the positive reviews from Pentagon leaders, Mark Esper and General Mark Milley, Donald Trumps joint chiefs of staff at the time, reportedly held back from asking the White House about the promotions due to who was in charge at the time.

The two leaders worried any candidates other than white men for jobs mostly held by white men might run into turmoil once their nominations reached the White House, according to The New York Times.

Mr Esper was also feuding with the president at the time, so he worried that any nomination coming from him would be tainted in the eyes of Mr Trump.

Read more: Follow live updates from the Biden administration

They were chosen because they were the best officers for the jobs, and I didnt want their promotions derailed because someone in the Trump White House saw that I recommended them or thought DOD [Department of Defense] was playing politics, Mr Esper said. This was not the case. They were the best qualified. We were doing the right thing.

Six days after the 2020 presidential election in November, Mr Trump announced he was firing Mr Esper from his post.

Pentagon officials at the same time held back from announcing their recommendations until after the November election because they wanted to see if Mr Biden would win. If he did, they believed Mr Biden and his aides would have a higher likelihood of accepting their recommendations for the promotion over the Trump administration.

The Pentagon officials bet paid off, as this weekend Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that Gen Van Oust and Lt Gen Richardson would both be promoted to four-star commands.

Lt Gen Richardson was nominated to run the US Southern Command in Florida, while Gen. Van Ovost was nominated to run the US Transportation Command, Mr Austin announced.

Christopher C Miller, the former Acting Secretary of Defense under Mr Trump, denied that gender played a role in the Pentagons decision to hold back the nominations until the former president was out of office.

It was about timing considerations, not that they were women, he said.

Former Trump administration members also told The New York Times that Congress likely played a part in the Pentagon officials withholding nominations until January, as it would be unlikely lawmakers would consider nominations as the year came to a close. So the Pentagon instead decided to wait until the new term in January to submit recommendations.

According to the report, the two women would have still been recommended by the Pentagon for the positions even if Mr Trump won re-election. But the officials believed that they would likely face a smoother nomination process under the Biden administration versus the Trump administration for a variety of reasons.

Mr Biden and Mr Austin had the opportunity to suggest other people for the positions instead of what the Pentagon recommended, but they ultimately decided that both Lt Gen Richardson and Gen Van Ovost would be best for the roles. The two generals were both vetted and evaluated over a series of several months.
ROME, MAR 8 - Pope Francis returned to Rome Monday after a historic trip to Iraq, the first ever by a pontiff. "Terrorism and death never have the last word," he said on the last day of his four-day visit, in the ruins of Mosul, a city laid waste by the Islamic State. Francis also comforted local Christians who had been persecuted by ISIS. President Sergio Mattarella welcomed Francis back saying that he had spoken "words of hope for Christians" during his visit. The pope's visit took him to six cities and sites across Iraq. He comforted the people, especially Catholics and Christians, hard hit by sectarian violence and terrorism. The pope also made several impassioned appeals for tolerance, fraternity, hope and peace. (ANSA).
Elon Musk-owned Tesla Inc. is looking to increase its footprint in Israel by building the first-ever 'Supercharger' in the Middle-Eastern country. Tesla Inc. is reportedly building a V3 Supercharging station at Azrieli Mall in Tel Aviv, which will have eight supercharging ports. According to Tesmanian, the stalls were planned for Quarter 1 of 2021 and are currently going as planned. The charging station is looking almost ready to open for the public as stalls have already been installed.

Read: Tesla Share Price Continues To See A Downfall In The US Stock Market

Instagram user 'israelevclub' shared a picture of the Tesla charging station from Tel Aviv. In the picture, one can see all eight charging ports installed at the station, looking ready to begin operation in the coming weeks. Israel is relatively a new market for Tesla as the company officially entered the Middle-eastern country just last month. The basic Tesla Model 3 vehicle has been priced at $54,000 (About INR 40 lakh) in the country, however, the top end of the car could reach as high as $75,000 (INR 54 lakh).

Read: Elon Musk's 2008 Video Explaining Why Tesla Cars Are Expensive Goes Viral Again

Tesla's India entry

Earlier this year, Tesla made its long-awaited entry in India, registering a company in Karnataka's Bengaluru city. Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa welcomed the US electric car manufacturer and wished Elon Musk well for his future endeavors. Tesla is likely to set-up a Gigafactory in India and is reportedly in touch with numerous state governments for the same. The first Tesla car to be launched in India will likely be the cheapest Model 3 vehicle.

Read: Tesla To Set Up Electric Car Manufacturing Unit In Karnataka, Announces CM Yediyurappa

Tesla's share price drop

Meanwhile, Tesla is presently suffering on the market front as the company recorded a downfall in share prices last month. Tesla's share price is seeing a downfall as investors are worried that the car company may be vastly overvalued. Also, rising US bond yields are making companies that pay small dividends unappealing and Tesla has never paid dividends, reported The Guardian citing analysts. The share price closed at 3.8 per cent down to $567 billion last Friday.

Read: Tesla Makes India Debut; Netizens Welcome Elon Musk With Memes And Jokes
New Delhi:

US President Donald Trump "covfefe" error on Twitter was not just enough that Mr. Trump has come up with his new typo error. Recently Donald Trump took Twitter to comment on the anti-fascist protest rally, he mistakenly typed "heel" instead of "heal".

Trump was making comment on the protest rally held in Boston where more than 15,000 anti-fascist demonstrated against right-wing activists on Saturday.

But his first two tweets included the same mistake "heel" as "heal". It was in his third tweet in which he realized his mistake and corrected spelling.

Our great country has been divided for decades. Sometimes you need protest in order to heal, & we will heal, & be stronger than ever before!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2017

This is not the first time US President Donald Trump in news for his typo error. Earlier Trump tweeted a nonexistent wordcovfefe which also has sparked a flood of humour and ridicule on the internet.

The White House team has repeatedly fallen prey to embarrassing errorsa list of global attacks released in February included Denmakr (Denmark) and San Bernadino (San Bernardino).

Also Read: 'Covfefe': Trump's typo entertains and confounds Twitterati

When British Prime Minister Theresa May visited Washington, the presidential and vice-presidential agenda both spoke about Teresa, and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was referred to as the president of his country.

Merriam-Webster has also not missed the chance to take a jibe for Trump's tweet. tweeted out few definitions of the words pronounced the same heel.

 heal (to become healthy again)

 heel (a contemptible person)

 he'll (he will)  Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) August 19, 2017

US journalist Mark Harris gave a witty reply saying that one of Trump's staff members had been helping him understand the importance of the Boston counter-protesters and good spelling.

"Sincere thanks to whoever ran into the crapper to explain the value of protest to the president, then ran in again to explain spelling," Harris wrote.



In just 120 minutes more than 73,000 people retweeted the tweet.

Also Read: Donald Trump's adviser resigned ahead of negative magazine story

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Bavarians rushed to get their hair cut last week as Germany eased some of its toughest coronavirus restrictions and opened barbershops and salons for the first time since December. But Frederik Mayet didnt join the newly shorn and shaven throngs.

In fact, Mayet plans to keep growing his hair and beard for another year, so he can be more like Jesus.

With the hair growing, he explained, you start to grow into your role as well.

Mayet will play the starring role of the Savior in the 42nd Oberammergau Passion Play season in 2022, after a two-year pandemic postponement.

The village, about an hour south of Munich, has put on the theatrical reenactment of Christs suffering, death, and resurrection every 10 years since 1633, when the town was famously spared from the bubonic plague. In the intervening years, its only been canceled a few times: once for the Franco-Prussian War, once for each of the World Wars, and last year, because of COVID-19.

Mayet and more than 2,000 other locals spent months preparing for the 2020 performance, before itlike much of the rest of the worldwas unceremoniously canceled by the pandemic.

We worked really great together as a village being on stage for half a year before the lockdown, and then suddenly, from one day to the next, you dont see anyone for weeks and months, Mayet told Christianity Today. Im really looking forward to see people coming together again.

The passion play is now set to run May 14 to October 2 next year. The actors of the village formally began to prepare last month on Ash Wednesday, when director Christian Stuckl put out an official hair and beard decree.

The decree instructed all the local actors to let their hair grow out, and the males to also grow a beard.

Mayet, laughing, said the Bavarian government wanted the reformers to start a little earlier this year.

Its difficult to say when the hairy tradition began, but it is a very old tradition, according to Stuckl. He thinks its origins lay sometime in the 1800s. Photos from the Oberammergau archives show participants with robust beards and flowing locks at least as early as 1870.

Stuckl said it feels a bit different this year, though, as Germans rush out to get their hair cut and Oberammergau starts to look like a hippie village.

Mayor Andreas Rodl, who has been part of the performance from an early age, doesnt seem to mind. With his previous job as a police officer, Rodl was only eligible for short-hair roles. This year, his mane grown long, hes enthusiastic about performing as part of the choir.

This is the moment when you can feel the enthusiasm for the Passion Play in the town even more, said Rodl. We are definitely excited. And so are the visitors.  We are already 70 percent booked and have more tickets sold at this point in time than we did in 2019.

That is good news for Oberammergau, where 2,400 of the villages 5,400 residents either perform on stage or play a supporting role behind the scenes. Its perhaps even better news for those whose shops, restaurants, hotels, and other tourist services depend on the plays for their bottom line.

The region was expecting between 500,000 and 750,000 visitors during the Passion Plays five-month run.

Jake Krengel, who runs Bavaria and Beyond tours in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 30 minutes south of Oberammergau, said the past year has been hard for local tour operators. The UN tourism organization reported a 74 percent decline in global tourism in 2020. The forecast for 2021 remains cautious given continued restrictions and uncertainty around vaccine rollout in Germany and elsewhere.

Nevertheless, Krengel remains optimisticparticularly when it comes to the Passion Play.

For a lot of people, this is a once in a lifetime trip, Krengel said, so we tried to remain flexible and stay in touch as we adjusted to new realities.

Krengel said that when they offered clients the opportunity to keep their deposits and apply them to a trip in 2022, half of them were immediately ready to recommit.

Theres a lot of interest in coming back, he said, I think people just love to travel and want to get back out and see the world. For others, its a religious pilgrimage, so theres another added significance for them.

Cindy Friedrich of Apache Junction, Arizona, is one person who was willing to reschedule. A retired church secretary and pastors wife, she was part of a church group planning to attend in 2020. Canceling plans was hard, but shes looking ahead to 2022 now, excited for the play, the spiritual fellowship, and enjoying Gods creation, she said.

Some of the original travelers in the group have opted out, though, due to age or health or finances.

We continue to promote this excursion, but with COVID it is a challenge, Friedrich said. I hope the vaccine will make a huge difference.  God is in control of the future and this trip will happen in his time, not mans.

While some travelers like Friedrich are hoping to fulfill the plans they made to go in 2020, others see the postponement as an opportunity to make new plans.

Katherine Gross of Gainesville, Florida, did not plan on going to Oberammergau in 2020. But now, with a trip to Germany planned for 2022, she is excited to attend the Passion Play.

For us the cancellation and postponement was a huge blessing. We feel God has a plan for us because it is working out so nicely with the timing, said Gross, a financial advisor with Thrivent. We could not afford to go in 2020, but I had a very good business year, which gave us the ability to go.

Gross is especially excited to bring her children. She attended the play in 2000, during the 40th season. I remember when I went 20 years ago, she said, it felt like you were there in Jerusalem.

Things may look and feel a bit different compared to the last time she came. The Passion Play has changed with the timesthe script updated to remove the implication that Jews killed Jesus and to add more female roles in the events leading up to Easterand it may have to make more adjustments for the coronavirus.

Stuckl, the plays director, said they are going to have to wait and see how regulations might alter their plans for attendance or production. Regulations could limit the number of attendees the village welcomes to each of the 103 planned shows. If Germany is still requiring social distancing in 2022, Stuckl isnt sure what that will mean for the many crowd scenes involving the whole cast, including around 500 children.

On the one hand, it has been difficult, said Stuckl, but on the other hand with all the preparation we already had for 2020, its been easier in some ways.

Whatever happens, he said, we continue. We make our way forward. And he can be sure that this season, Jesus beard has a few extra months to grow in.
(BPT) - Minority-owned businesses are the cornerstone of their communities, and over one-third of Black-owned businesses in the U.S. are headed by women  the highest share of any ethnic group. Yet according to Visas new Black Women-Owned Business Report 2021, nearly three quarters (71%) of Black women-owned businesses estimate they cant survive another year under current pandemic conditions.

In the wake of the pandemic, small and medium-sized businesses nationwide have taken a major hit, with minority businesses suffering the most devastating blows. While more than half (54%) of businesses surveyed for Visas new report stated their business was positively impacted following the Black Lives Matter movement in Summer 2020, more than three quarters (78%) of businesses who saw benefits have said those increases have ceased.

The successes of Black-owned business are hard fought, as the Federal Reserve reports Black-owned businesses are less likely to be approved for bank loans, with an approval rate of only 46.5% (compared to 75.3% for white-owned businesses). Visas study supports this data, finding nearly one third (31%) of Black women-owned businesses stated raising capital and funding to stay afloat was one of their biggest challenges since the pandemic hit the U.S.

While women-owned businesses have been historically underfunded, new resources and support are emerging, including a newly formed Visa program focused on supporting Black women-owned businesses at a hyperlocal level. Addressing the needs of local entrepreneurs in cities with the highest concentration of Black-owned businesses in the U.S. and building on support provided to women-owned small businesses through "She's Next, Empowered by Visa"  the company brings resources and expertise to provide entrepreneurs with tailored solutions in the following cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington, D.C. In addition, Visa has announced it will:

Commit $1,000,000 and extend its grant and mentorship program to the six U.S. cities. Call for applications have opened and can be found at: https://ifundwomen.com/visa.

Host its first Shes Next virtual conference of the year, Shes Next 2021 on March 25, in partnership with The Female Quotient, to celebrate the Black community and women entrepreneurs. Interested small business owners can register at https://thefemalequotient.equalitylounge.com/shesnext2021empoweredbyvisa.

Launch spotlight marketing campaigns to encourage consumers to shop at Black women-owned small businesses.

Partner with Black Girl Ventures to work with local organizations that can more easily reach small businesses and help with point-of-sale and other technology upgrades.

Black Girl Ventures is proud to partner with Visa on not only financially assisting these entrepreneurs, but also on providing a megaphone to each communitys most pressing needs, said Shelly Bell, founder, Black Girl Ventures. While the Black Lives Matter movement elevated consumer support of these businesses, the movement must continue to lift up these neighborhoods financially and spiritually.

Are you a female business owner of color, or do you know someone who is? Visit IFundWomen.com/Visa to apply for a grant to fund your business, or to learn more about how Visa is supporting women entrepreneurs around the world, visit their Shes Next page.
The PSNI have confirmed an investigation is now underway after several thousand Rangers fans gathered on the Shankill Road in Belfast.

The gathering, including a car cavalcade and fireworks display, took place following Rangers being mathematically confirmed as champions of the Scottish Premiership.

In a statement on Monday afternoon, the PSNI confirmed they were now investigating the events of Sunday evening.

Read More

Superintendent Nigel Henry said: "Police received reports last night (Sunday 7th March) about large numbers of people celebrating in the Shankill Road area of north Belfast.

"This included reports of a street party and flares being set off on the Shankill Road. Police also became aware of fireworks being let off in the Shankill Road area and in the Ballysillan Road area.

"The numbers involved in the scenes last night were clearly a breach of the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations, which is so disappointing when we know so many other people are adhering to the Regulations and playing their part to keep people safe.

"An investigation is under way, and appropriate enforcement action will be taken in relation to breaches of the Regulations."
OLYPHANT  Work is rapidly progressing on a 908,000-square-foot aluminum can manufacturing plant at the site of the former Technicolor plant.

The Canpack Group expects to finish construction on its facility in May, and the plant will open its first of three assembly lines in September, said George Sweda of Sweda Advertising, who is representing the firm. The second line will open in November, and the third will open sometime in the second quarter of 2022, making the plant fully operational, Sweda said.

The new facility will create more than 400 jobs with salaries ranging from $37,000 to $191,000. They have already started interviewing candidates for technical positions, Sweda said. Those positions include electrical technicians, machine technicians and quality control. Canpack had 11 job listings on Indeed.com as of Friday night. They plan to hire nontechnical positions, such as forklift drivers or loading dock workers, in the third quarter of the year, he said.

Canpack is a Krakow, Poland-based subsidiary of the food manufacturing and packaging company Giorgi Global Holdings Inc.. The Olyphant plant will be its first in the United States. An affiliated company purchased the plant at 1400 E. Lackawanna Ave. for $12 million in May.

Soon after, crews demolished Technicolors 1-million-square-foot facility where it duplicated and packaged CDs. Technicolor shuttered the plant in 2018. Prior to Technicolor, Cinram owned the site, and before that, WEA Manufacturing  a division of Time Warner. The facility was once one of the largest employers in the region, with about 4,000 workers, but that number dwindled to fewer than 200 when Technicolor closed.

Canpack began construction in October, Sweda said. Workers havent encountered any hurdles, he said, adding that not even the difficult winter set them back.

When Canpack announced its plans in July, officials said the firm plans to invest $366 million into the site.

To incentivize development, Olyphant borough, the Mid Valley School District and Lackawanna County commissioners approved a 10-year tax break for the property known as a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance program, or LERTA. Under the LERTA agreement, Canpack will continue to pay property taxes on the now-demolished Technicolor building but wont be taxed on its new plant for 10 years.

When council President Jimmy Baldan recently drove past the new facility, he was surprised to see how quickly construction had progressed.

I said, Oh, my God, the building is up, he said, laughing.

Baldan said the borough is ecstatic about the development. He hopes the 400-plus new jobs coming to Olyphant will bolster borough restaurants affected by the pandemic.

The 400 jobs isnt just going to help the 400 people that are working there, he said. Theyre going to help every business in town.
It is the bombshell interview that has made headlines around the world.

On Sunday evening, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed all about their unhappiness with the British royal family in an explosive two-hour-long CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey

Harry and Meghan made revelation after revelation about the problems they had faced within the family. Meghan detailed allegations of racism, bullying and described her own mental health issues.

The Duke said he had been cut off financially by the palace, and that Prince Charles had stopped taking his calls. In contrast, Meghan explained that the Queen had always been wonderful to her.

Reactions to the interview have not been confined to the UK and US. Media across the globe reacted to the CBS special, with many making scathing remarks about how the British royal family have once again been caught up in a scandal.

In France, Le Monde said the British royal family had suffered a new crisis.

Another French newspaper, Liberation, also focused on the effect that the revealing interview would have on the royal family, claiming the controversy could overwhelm the royals.

Liberation went on to make a series of scathing remarks about the royal family, calling them a trap, a bottomless well from which it is impossible to escape, as well as a golden prison.

The paper said that within The Firm every initiative or personal view is erased. The article then went on to describe the tears that the couple shed during the interview and the anger and sense of abandonment that they said they feel on the other side of the Atlantic.

Meanwhile, Spanish newspaperEl Pais called the interview one bomb after another for two hours. It also underlined how Meghan felt the palace had been concerned about the colour that her sons skin would be.

The article accused the Queen of not wanting to listen to the couples cry for help, saying that unlike the millions of viewers, it is she who has no interest in listening. This comes as a host of other papers have reported that the Queen has apparently no intention of watching the interview.

In Australia The Sydney Morning Herald called the interview a top-rating drama.

It went on to describe the interview a performance and said that it was a triumph with Meghan painting the royal family as cold-hearted racists. It also called Meghan a homecoming queen, the United States most marketable celebrity, even comparing her to Kim Kardashian.

German newspaperBild gave a more factual, bullet point-style rundown of the interview, also comparing the allegations to bombs. The article described how lonely and suicidal the Duchess of Sussex became as a member of the royal family. It also noted that she was unable to leave the house often for months.

Meanwhile in Italy, La Repubblica speculated how much the couple would make for their appearance.

The article finished with a withering remark: The script for the new series of The Crown is already here: written and even performed.
ROME, MAR 8 - A businessman who founded university training group CEPU was arrested Monday on suspicion of fraudulent bankruptcy. Police also seized 28 million euros from the man, Francesco Polidori. The site of E-Campus, a CEPU group company, was impounded near Como. It is worth some six million euros. The probe involves a total of six people accused of fraudulent bankruptcy and tax evasion, among other financial crimes, judicial sources said. Polidori and others allegedly caused the fraudulent bankruptcy of two large companies, police said. Polidori has been placed under house arrest. (ANSA).
Brigitte Nielsen has been with her husband Mattia Dessi for over 17 years and the duo seem to be doing better than ever.

The 57-year-old Danish born actress was see walking with her 42-year-old film producer spouse who hails from Italy as they dined out in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Not seen was their cute daughter Frida, aged two.

In step: Brigitte Nielsen has been with her husband Mattia Dessi for over 17 years and the duo seem to be doing better than ever. The 57-year-old actress was see walking with her spouse as they dined out at one of Los Angeles' better restaurants on Sunday

The blonde Red Sonja star, who was once wed to action movie star Sylvester Stallone, stood out in a beige, gray and white camo sweatsuit.

The leggy wonder paired that look with black combat boots and a Burberry bucket purse.

Her white blonde hair was barely seen as she had on a black Adidas cap and matching face mask.

Her husband, whom she started dating in 2004 and wed in 2006, had on a tank top that said Armani Exchange and the number 91.

Easy style: The blonde Red Sonja star, who was once wed to action star Sylvester Stallone, stood out in a beige and white camo sweatsuit. The leggy wonder paired that look with black combat boots and a Burberry bucket purse

He added light gray sweatpants and sneakers in a similar color.

The two had just left the celebrity beloved Italian restaurant Toscanova in Los Angeles which has been frequented by Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick.

Brigitte carried a takeout box after they sat al fresco together.

The Talk guest star has been staying at home over the past year amid lockdown laws. Brigitte shared a sweet photo of her little one on Valentine's Day as their dog looked on.

Her baby: She and Mattia shared daughter Frida, age two; seen here on February 14

Brigitte welcomed Frida in 2018 with fifth husband, Mattia.

One of her husbands was Sylvester Stallone whom she was married to for 19 months, between 1985 and 1987.

Frida is the star's fifth child and first daughter. She is also the mom to Julian Winding, 36, Killian Marcus Nielsen, 30, Aaron Nielsen, 27, and Raoul Ayrton Meyer Jr, 24.

Over a year ago the siren talked to The Guardian about having a baby later in life with IVF.

'I was always like: I want to do it until there are no more embryos left,' said Nielsen. 'Somebody has to win the lottery.'

Former love: One of Brigitte's husbands was Sylvester Stallone (pictured 1987)

But she said it sure was not easy. 'You're on a lot of medication. It is very expensive. Hormones will do different things to different women ... you always think you're going to get pregnant, but most of the time, the phone call comes and it's: I'm sorry.'

She added, 'It is devastating. The partner you're with has to be onboard as much as you, unless you're a woman who wants to have a baby on your own. You have to stay realistic and, if you're older, the odds are against you.'

And she says she is now a role model.

'I get a lot of letters and emails from women, so excited that I've given them the courage,' says Nielsen.
The electricity failure in Texas was mostly caused by freezing natural gas pipelines, which is responsible for the majority of Texas power supply. Windmills make up about 7% and there are anti-icing methods available to keep wind turbines in frigid temperatures, but Texas has not invested in them. So, how about going with the facts?

Pottsville



On Fox News, Gov. Abbot said 10% of his power was supplied by wind power. Simple math dictates 90% of Texas electricity comes from other sources of power generation; the largest is fossil fuels. The common denominator is unregulated electric companies that were too cheap to winterize their equipment.

Mahanoy City



An excellent letter from Chester Corse. It is wonderful to have intelligent responses to a legal issue that has been plaguing us for a long time regarding the election.

Llewellyn



Whatever happened to the snow removal operation? It seems like it all disappeared. What about the people who did not get any snow removed from in front of their houses? Are they going to get a tax break? I doubt it.

Mahanoy City



Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Rachel Levine placed our seniors at risk by putting COVID-positive hospital patients into nursing home. They should suffer the same fate as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. I hope that our Republicans and Democrats are doing something about removing them from office.

New Ringgold



During all these recent snowstorms except for today, Butler Township had one heck of an awesome guy plowing the roads. Hardly any snow in anybodys driveway. Recently, the guy they had plowing had snow 15-20 feet into the driveways off the roads.

Gordon



Pat Toomey votes to convict President Trump after the House impeached him with no lawyer present, and in the matter of 24 hours, no investigation. I think when they find out what really happened at the Capitol, the real villain is Nancy Pelosi for not calling out the National Guard. As far as Pat Toomey goes, he doesnt represent me. He doesnt represent any Trump supporter.

Frackville



As soon as I read the compiled list of Trumps accomplishments was by Hannity, I stopped reading the letter to the editor from Magnani. Please.

Pottsville



Thank you, Rich Magnani from Brockton, for your Heres what Trump did as president. At least some people agree with you. I very truly do agree with you. I was going to make the list but you beat me to it.

Pottsville



Republican legislators like Johnson and Hawly continue their willful blindness toward anything concerning Donald Trump. Now the riot at the Capitol was like a peaceful picnic where a few Trumpers got out of hand. Or it was caused by agent provocateurs or fake Trump supporters? Now they are trying to drag Nancy Pelosi into it. They are just pathetic.

Schuylkill Haven
SAN FRANCISCO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The global plastic packaging market size is expected to reach USD 486.2 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., registering a CAGR of 4.2% from 2021 to 2028. The rapid expansion of the food & beverages, personal care, and pharmaceuticals sectors coupled with the rising penetration of organized and e-retail across the world is expected to fuel market growth.

Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) are the most widely used materials for the manufacturing of products, such as bottles & jars, trays & containers, wraps & films, and pouches, as they are cost-effective, lightweight and have extensive functionalities and strong barrier properties against moisture. Growing demand for sustainable packing solutions is prompting manufacturers to use recycled plastic resins to make such products.

Key suggestions from the report:

In terms of revenue, the flexible product segment is projected to ascend at the fastest CAGR of 4.5% over the forecast period on account of the growing demand for pouches and bags in the food & beverages sector owing to their low cost and high sustainability

The extrusion technology segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 38% in 2020

The segment is estimated to retain the leading position throughout the forecast period as the majority of the flexible packing solutions, such as pouches, bags, and films, are produced with the help of extrusion technology

Food & beverages was the largest application segment in 2020 and accounted for more than 51% of the global revenue share

Extensive product usage for the packing of raw food products and for final packaged single-serve food packing mainly contributed to the higher share of the food & beverages segment.

Read 145 page research report with ToC on "Plastic Packaging Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Flexible, Rigid), By Technology (Extrusion, Thermoforming), By Application (Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals), And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028'' at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/plastic-packaging-market

Globally, the changing lifestyle led to the introduction of single-serve packaging that significantly contributed to the market growth in the past few years. Moreover, advancements in technology, such as the development of modified atmosphere technology (MAP) and airless packaging, and their growing penetration in the food & beverages and personal care industries are likely to boost the growth of the global market.

However, plastic is a non-biodegradable, unsustainable material; thus, its products, specifically single-use packing solutions, are banned across several countries. For instance, on March 11, 2020, the European Union (EU) released its new 'Circular Economy Action Plan' intended to promote sustainable packaging in the region. Moreover, growing consumer awareness levels are compelling manufacturers to switch to biodegradable materials, which is expected to hamper the industry growth to some extent.

Asia Pacific emerged as the leading regional market with a revenue share of 43.8% in 2020 and is expected to witness the fastest CAGR from 2021 to 2028. This growth is attributed to the robust growth of manufacturing and e-commerce sectors in several emerging Asian countries, such as India, China, and Thailand. The global market is highly fragmented with the presence of large-scale international companies as well as small- and medium-scale domestic players. Key players are focusing on acquisitions and also increasingly expanding their product portfolios to gain maximum market share.

Grand View Research has segmented the global plastic packaging market on the basis of product, technology, application, and region:

Plastic Packaging Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2028)

Rigid



Bottles & Jars





Cans





Trays & Containers





Caps & Closures





Others



Flexible



Wraps & Films





Bags





Pouches





Others

Plastic Packaging Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2028)

Injection Molding



Extrusion



Blow Molding



Thermoforming



Others

Plastic Packaging Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2028)

Food & Beverages



Industrial



Pharmaceuticals



Personal & Household Care



Others

Plastic Packaging Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2028)

North America



The U.S.





Canada





Mexico



Europe



U.K.





Germany





France





Italy





Spain



Asia Pacific



Japan





China





Japan





South Korea





Australia



Central & South America



Brazil



Middle East & Africa

&

South Africa

List of Key Players of Plastic Packaging Market

Amcor plc

Sealed Air

Coveris

Berry Global, Inc.

Mondi

Sonoco Products Company

Winpak Ltd.

CCL Industries, Inc.

Constantia Flexibles

Find more research reports on Plastics, Polymers & Resins Industry, by Grand View Research:

Recycled Plastic Market  The global recycled plastic market size was valued at USD 45.1 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0% from 2020 to 2027.

The global recycled plastic market size was valued at in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0% from 2020 to 2027. Dunnage Packaging Market  Growing demand for sustainable and green packaging solutions on account of their cost-effectiveness as opposed to expendable packaging is expected to drive the market growth over the upcoming years.

Growing demand for sustainable and green packaging solutions on account of their cost-effectiveness as opposed to expendable packaging is expected to drive the market growth over the upcoming years. Injection Molded Plastics Market  Growing demand for plastic components from various end-use industries including automotive, packaging, home appliances, electrical and electronics, and medical devices is anticipated to drive growth.

Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

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SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
Trump Seen Outside Trump Tower in First New York City Visit Since Leaving Office

Former President Donald Trump was seen outside his Trump Tower building on New York Citys 5th Avenue on Sunday night, according to photos published by several news outlets.

The trip to the Trump Tower marks Trumps first trip to New York City since he left office. Trump was seen pulling up to the building at around 9 p.m. in a black SUV and appeared to wave, reported the New York Post and according to a video published by Freedom News TV.

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) started providing additional security around the skyscraper on Saturday, it confirmed to WABC. The video footage showed a large presence of armed police officers and police vehicles situated around the building.

In February, the NYPD started removing barriers in front of the Trump Tower, where Trump used to reside. Those were set up about four years ago after Trump was inaugurated.

The building, which features the former presidents name in gold lettering, had previously drawn protests when Trump was in office, including a Black Lives Matter protest last year in the midst of riots across numerous U.S. cities.

Trump, who was born in the borough of Queens, switched his residency from Manhattan to Florida in October 2019. Trump currently lives at his Palm Beach resort Mar-a-Lago.

A security guard stands at the door of Trump Tower in New York City on March 7, 2021. (Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images)

It comes as an aide to the former president, Jason Miller, told Mediaite that its likely Trump will return to social media after he was banned by Facebook, Twitter, and other Big Tech firms. YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki appeared to suggest that Trump could return last week.

I do want to confirm that we will lift the suspension of the channel when we determine that the risk of violence has decreased, Wojcicki said, according to CNBC. Where we stand today, its hard for me to say when thats going to be. But its pretty clear right now where we stand that there still is an elevated risk of violence.

Miller, over the weekend, also disputed a Bloomberg News report that Trump was looking to run in 2024 without former Vice President Mike Pence on the ticket. The Bloomberg report cited anonymous sources.

I can tell you, as someone who probably speaks with him on the political side as much, if not more than anybody else, never once has there been a conversation internally or in a group about doing something different for the VP position for 2024 if he decides to go that route, Miller said. President Trump and Vice President Pence have had a couple of really good conversations since President Trump left office.
The latest Bloomberg monthly survey of economists shows the annualized pace of growth in the first quarter will be 4.8%, twice as fast as respondents expected just two months ago. For the full year, gross domestic product is projected to rise 5.5%, which would be the fastest since 1984 and is up from Januarys estimate of 4.1%.
Firefighters from across the state were honored for their heroism and commitment to keeping people safe during Mondays 31st annual Firefighter of the Year heroic awards.

The ceremony, usually held with a live in-person audience, was virtual in 2021 amid the COVID pandemic.

A total of 16 awards were presented to 76 firefighters including the medal of honor which was given to fallen Worcester Fire Lt. Jason Menard, who died battling a blaze on Nov. 13, 2019.

Menard was able to save another firefighter by pushing him out of a window during the fire inside a three-decker at 7 Stockholm St.

Weve asked a lot of our public safety professionals over the last year, day after day, they showed up time and time again to do their jobs and keep us safe, said Gov. Charlie Baker. The brave men and women who run into burning buildings, jump into icy waters, pull people from burning cars and provide emergency medical help to those in need had their hands full in 2020.

Gov. Baker noted the essential and pivotal role firefighters have played throughout the COVID pandemic in keeping their communities safe.

Firefighters are always on the frontline helping others throughout this pandemic, said Baker. They responded to every call not knowing what they would face when they arrived on the scene and whether or not they would be exposed to COVID-19.

He noted his administrations support of firefighters through initiatives such as a five year commitment to a fire equipment grant, investments in fire training, support for grants for community education to prevent fires and the recently signed flame retardant bill.

Firefighters from Chicopee were honored for their efforts to try to find two missing children on Dec. 28, 2019, when the boys fell through the ice at the Chicopee River.

Officials also honored firefighters from Fitchburg who helped save a woman trapped on the third floor of a building during an Oct. 14, 2019 fire.

Here are the departments and firefighters who were honored Monday and the descriptions of the incidents provided by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services:

Hanover Fire Department: Norman Knight Community Service Award Recipients: Deputy Chief Jason Cavallaro, Captain Fred Freeman, FF/EMT-P Shayne Blakeman, FF/EMT-P Joseph Centeio, FF/EMT-P Joseph Pacella, FF/EMT-P Sebastian Rivas, FF/EMT-P Richard Salvucci, and FF/EMT-P Kyle Stetler

In March of 2020, Deputy Chief Jason Cavallaro, Captain Fred Freeman, FF/EMT-P Shayne Blakeman, FF/EMT-P Joseph Centeio, FF/EMT-P Joseph Pacella, FF/EMT-P Sebastian Rivas, FF/EMT-P Richard Salvucci, and FF/EMT-P Kyle Stetler recognized the need to deliver COVID testing directly to Hanovers most vulnerable residents and developed a Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program to accomplish it.

As the pandemic was still emerging, this group of firefighters developed a mobile testing concept in collaboration with several other departments in their town, obtained the training necessary to conduct testing, applied successfully for a grant that provided equipment needed to deliver testing, and received a license to conduct the program from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Testing began on April 14, and by the end of June, the team had tested over 100 patients. In September, the program expanded to include testing of school teachers, staff and symptomatic students. By the end of September, over 1,000 tests had been conducted. While a COVID-19 outbreak within the fire department caused significant illness and absence at one point during this time period, a sense of duty and service led them to press ahead with this important work as soon as it was safe to do so.

Hanson Fire Department: Governors Citation for Meritorious Conduct (Group)

Recipients: Chief Jerome A. Thompson Jr., Lieutenant Keith Wilson, FF Timothy Royer, FF Gary Somers, and FF Thomas White

On New Years Eve 2019, at approximately 10:40 p.m., the Hanson Fire Department responded to two people who were in the water on an open section of Maquan Pond, which was partially covered in ice. When they arrived, they heard the victims shouting and learned they had fallen out of a kayak about 10 minutes prior.

The men were clinging to the ice edge about 100 yards from shore, but unable to get out of the water and up onto the ice. FF Gary Somers and FF Thomas White donned rescue suits and began to cross the ice, while Chief Jerome Thompson Jr. and FF Timothy Royer launched a rescue boat. The ice was too thick for the rescue boat, but too thin to hold the weight of FF Somers and FF White.

When the men said they could not hold on any longer and were going to slip underwater, FF Somers and FF White aggressively broke the ice with their elbows to create a path. With only seconds to spare, they reached the victims, securing the first to the rescue sled, and grabbing the second, who had just slipped below the surface, by hand. The two rescuers and two victims were pulled to shore by Lt. Wilson and four members of the Hanson Police Department who had arrived to assist.

Attleboro Fire Department: Governors Citation for Meritorious Conduct (Group)

Recipients: Captain David Hardman, FF Carl Aveiro, and FF Brian Sweeney.

At 3:00 a.m. on March 19, 2020, the Attleboro Fire Department was called to a fire in a 3-story residential structure with one victim trapped on the second floor. Using directions provided by dispatch, the crew of Ladder 1 was able to locate the man quickly. He was in imminent danger due to heavy smoke, but they quickly raised the ladder and removed him from the structure to safety.

Reading Fire Department: Governors Citation for Meritorious Conduct (Group)

Recipients: Captain Mark Dwyer, Lieutenant Scott Myette, FF Eric Bagby, FF Robert Beck, FF Paul Dalton, FF Steven DeBay, FF Robert Forsey, FF-P Derek Loftus, FF Thomas McCarthy, and FF Brian Roche.

On Feb. 24, 2020 at 3:30 a.m., the Reading Fire Department was dispatched to a fire in a 12-unit apartment building. Immediately upon arrival, Capt. Dwyer began evacuating the building, FF McCarthy and FF Dalton began a transitional attack on the fire, and FF Bagby and FF DeBay entered the third-floor apartment with a hand line.

They found one bedroom fully involved and the whole apartment filled with smoke. They immediately located an unconscious man and removed him to the hallway with the assistance of Capt. Dwyer. At this time, Lt. Myette, FF Loftus, and FF Roche arrived at the third-floor landing. Lt. Myette and FF Bagby re-entered the apartment and found an unconscious woman. They carried her down the stairs and found she was in cardiac arrest. FF Bagby began CPR, while Lt. Myette returned to the third floor with a Stokes basket. There, FF Beck, FF Loftus, FF Forsey, and FF Roche carried the man down the stairs, after which FF Loftus, FF DeBay, and FF Bagby took over treatment and transported him to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center. A mutual aid ambulance transported the woman to the hospital shortly afterwards. While the male victim survived and was released from the hospital after 14 days of intensive care, the female victim passed away two days later.

Fitchburg Fire Department: Governors Citation for Meritorious Conduct (Group)

Recipients: Deputy Chief Anthony C. Marrama, Captain Chad M. Couretmanche, Lieutenant Andrew K. Roy, FF Jeffrey Boudreau, FF Kenneth Hollums, FF Skyler Kozloski, FF Dean P. Osgood, FF Kristy C. Pappas, FF Michael J. Pawlak, FF Yona Vaughan, and FF Bill R. Vautour.

Shortly after 9:00 a.m. on Oct.14, 2019, the Fitchburg Fire Department was dispatched to a call for smoke in a three-story residential structure on Holt Street. They found heavy smoke venting from the second story windows, and a frightened woman trapped on the third floor.

While two members of Engine 4 brought a hose line to the seat of the fire on the second floor, a third climbed a ladder that had been put in place by nearby contractors to the third-floor window from where the trapped victim could be heard yelling. As the window the woman needed to exit was very small, two firefighters from Tower Ladder 3 climbed a second ladder and entered an adjoining room in the third-floor apartment. From there, they battled through heavy smoke to locate her and help her out the window.

She was helped down the ladder by the waiting member of Engine 4. A second hose line brought to the third-floor apartment by the Rescue 3 crew held the fire back long enough for the woman to be rescued successfully.

Chicopee Fire Department: Governors Citation for Meritorious Conduct (Group)

Recipients: Deputy Chief Wayne Lemay, Captain Peter Jerusik, Lieutenant Nicholas Lacasse, Lieutenant Daniel Sousa, FF Jon Fisher, FF Donald Grey, FF Steven Laurin, FF Zachary Pirog, and FF Stephan Willett.

At 2:45 p.m. on Dec. 28, 2019, the Chicopee Fire Department assisted with a search for two missing children. The frantic parents provided firefighters with a social media video the children had posted just before they went missing, showing that they were on the ice above the Chicopee River.

Capt. Peter Jerusik was able to use landmarks in the video to approximate the location it was taken and identify a coinciding break in the ice shelf. As this information was being developed, FF Stephan Willett and FF Zachary Pirog were already searching the shoreline; Lt. Daniel Sousa and FF Steven Laurin were donning rescue suits; and Lt. Nicholas Lacasse, FF Donald Grey, and FF Jon Fisher were launching a rescue boat.

Despite tenuous ice conditions and dangerous moving water beneath them, Lt. Sousa and FF Laurin carefully pushed out towards the suspected entry point at the edge of the ice shelf. Lt. Sousa entered the 10-foot-deep water, battling the current and avoiding entanglement in numerous tree limbs. He was able to locate the first victim quickly and transferred the child to the crew on the rescue boat.

The boat crew began CPR while speeding back to an awaiting ambulance at the boat ramp. Due to river conditions, Lt. Lacasse had to exit the boat and enter the freezing water on several occasions to push it through sand bars to return to the boat ramp. The search for the second child continued at a torrid pace throughout the rest of the day, with members rotating through time in the water looking for him. Unfortunately, the first victim passed away at the hospital the following day. Divers recovered the second victim from beneath the ice several days later.

Attleboro Fire Department: Governors Citation for Meritorious Conduct (Group)

Recipients: Deputy Chief Dennis Perkins, Lieutenant Timothy Infante, Lieutenant Bruce Tondreau, FF Marcio Barcelos, FF/EMT-P Ryan Bielawa, FF Brian Dubuc, FF/EMT-P Cameron Eames, FF/EMT-P Matthew Ethier, FF/EMT-P Justin Jackson, FF Russell Sanford, FF Brian Sweeney, and FF/EMT-P Nicholas Walker.

Just after 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 24, 2019, the Attleboro Fire Department responded to a fire involving an overturned vehicle on South Main Street with one person trapped. They found the vehicle on its side against a concrete wall, fully involved in fire. With no time to spare, Engine 5 began fighting the fire; Ladder 1 stabilized and ventilated the vehicle; Rescue 1 began providing medical care to the unconscious and critically injured patient. After extinguishing the fire, the group was able to remove the windshield, cut the roof off the vehicle, and extricate the victim to an awaiting ambulance. From the time the call was received to the time the victim was put into the ambulance was just 16 minutes.

New Bedford Fire Department: Governors Citation for Meritorious Conduct (Group)

Recipients: Captain Kurt Houghton, Lieutenant Michael Dillon, Lieutenant Robert Ferreira, FF Joshua Charbonneau, FF Robert Kirby, and FF Stephen Mourao.

Late in the afternoon on Dec. 28, 2019, a driver on Route 195 in New Bedford reported a fire in a two-family home. Firefighters found the fire was already burning out of control, with flames venting from windows on three sides of the second story apartment. Neighbors reported that an elderly man was trapped inside. Lt. Michael Dillon and FF Stephen Mourao immediately advanced a hand line to the front door of the 2nd floor apartment, while Lt. Robert Ferreira, FF Joshua Charbonneau, and FF Robert Kirby from Ladder 8 rushed to begin search and rescue operations.

Despite encountering heavy fire conditions, they advanced further into the apartment and located and extricated the man who was delivered to awaiting EMS. Though in cardiac arrest when rescued, the elderly man was resuscitated by paramedics but later succumbed to his injuries. Captain Kurt Houghton, commanding the first fire of his career, led and coordinated this challenging but well-executed rescue.

New Bedford Fire Department: Governors Citation for Meritorious Conduct (Group)

Recipients: Lieutenant Derek DaCosta, Lieutenant Antonio Miraglia, and FF Richard McCue, and FF Matthew Perry.

Just after midnight on May 20, 2020, Engine 7 and Engine 9 of the New Bedford Fire Department responded to a structure fire in a 2-story multi-family dwelling. Upon arrival, they were informed that a single occupant was trapped on the first floor. Lt. Derek CaCosta and FF Richard McCue initiated an interior attack on the fire, while Lt. Antono Miraglia and FF Matthew Perry began searching for the victim. They located a woman near the rear door of the apartment suffering from significant 2nd degree burns and severe smoke inhalation. Lt. Miraglia and FF Perry removed her from the apartment and immediately initiated CPR, before her care was transitioned to New Bedford EMS Paramedics. She later made a full recovery.

Rockland Fire Department: Medal of Valor

Recipients: Capt. Jason Fricker and FF Michael Tracy

Governors Citation for Meritorious Conduct: Recipient: FF Richard Furlong Sr.

Just after midnight on Jan. 2, 2020, the Rockland Fire Department received multiple calls for a residential building fire on East Water Street. With half of the six-person shift of firefighters at a separate medical call, just Capt. Jason Fricker, FF Michael Tracy, and FF Richard Furlong Sr. responded. They found a 3-story building showing smoke, with interior conditions rapidly deteriorating.

Capt. Fricker and FF Tracy entered the building and encountered heavy smoke at the second-floor landing. As they were about to enter the second-floor apartment where fire was heaviest, they heard a moaning above them. FF Tracy climbed the stairs and found a victim who lost consciousness. With Capt. Fricker holding back the fire to preserve an escape route, FF Tracy was able to extricate the woman down the stairs to the entry landing, where FF Furlong and Rockland Police Officers gave her oxygen and emergency medical care.

Though exhausted from the rescue, Capt. Fricker and FF Tracy immediately re-entered the building to search for additional victims. As they again reached the second-floor landing, they encountered impassable smoke and heat conditions, and were ordered out of the building by the fire chief who had just arrived. The fire eventually reached five alarms and displaced 20 residents, but all survived. The victim rescued by Capt. Fricker and FF Tracy was discharged from the hospital within hours and made a full recovery.

New Bedford Fire Department: Medal of Valor

Recipients: Lieutenant Kevin Cormier and FF Christopher Mount

On the afternoon of Oct. 22, 2019, Lt. Kevin Cormier and FF Christopher Mount of the New Bedford Fire Department responded to a working fire in a three-family dwelling fire on Coffin Avenue. Recognizing that there was no time to wait for more help to arrive, they began a search of the building despite not having a hose line available. Upon reaching the third floor, they overcame heavy smoke and fire conditions to rescue an elderly woman who was trapped in the building. They carried her down the stairs to safety to the arriving engine crew and returned to the third floor to extinguish the fire. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries the following day at the hospital.

Fitchburg Fire Department: Medal of Valor

Recipient: FF Roger Ortiz

At 5:40 p.m. on Sept. 22, 2019, the Fitchburg Fire Department was dispatched to a fire caused by a series of explosions in a 22-unit condo building on Beekman Street. Upon arrival, they found heavy fire conditions, and were alerted by dispatch to a woman who was trapped on the third floor. She told firefighters that she was about to jump from the window due to intolerable heat and smoke conditions.

The only ladder immediately available was 3 or 4 feet too short and had to be placed several feet to the side of the window due to ground terrain. Recognizing that there was no time to wait for a longer ladder to arrive, FF Roger climbed it anyways. Once he reached the window, he was able to persuade the woman to stand on his shoulders while he slowly lowered her down so that her feet could reach the top rung of the ladder. Once her feet were on the ladder, he climbed back up and assisted her down to safety.

Worcester Fire Department

Medal of Honor: Lieutenant Jason Menard

On Nov. 13, 2019, at approximately 12:58 a.m., the Worcester Fire Department was dispatched to a three-story residential structure fire at 7 Stockholm Street. The temperature was 12 Fahrenheit, with winds gusting to 40 mph. Lt. Jason Menard, responding as the company officer on Ladder 5, led a primary search of the second and third floors, with no results. After changing air bottles, Lt. Menard and four firefighters re-entered the structure to clear the second and third floor rear exits of debris.

As the group climbed the stairwell, tremendous heat from below trapped them between the second and third floors. Three of the firefighters were able to escape directly through the rising fire, though all received first- and second-degree burns. Lt. Menard and one additional firefighter were trapped above the fire. After initially seeking shelter while awaiting rescue, intolerable heat conditions led the two to attempt to escape onto the roof. In the process of this attempt, Lt. Menard forced the other firefighter out a third-floor window, saving his life. Ultimately, Lt. Menard was unable to get himself out of the building before the heat from the fire overcame him.

Lt. Menard was hired by the Worcester Fire Department on Oct. 25, 2010 and promoted to Lieutenant on Oct. 14, 2018. He passed away on November 13, 2019 at the age of 39, leaving behind his wife Tina and three children, Joshua, Hailee, and Morgan.

This family is spotlighted today, because they show what a firefighter family is all about, said Lt. Gov Karyn Polito. Its about service. Its about dedication. Its about courage and bravery. Its about selflessness. Thats what Lieutenant Jason Menard will always be remembered for. For that, we will always remember you, Tina, and your beautiful children, your daughters and your son, for your support to Jason, in his pursuit of serving the people of this Commonwealth.

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The death that sparked a worldwide movement took center stage in a heavily fortified Minneapolis courtroom on Tuesday as jury selection began in Derek Chauvin's trial in the death of George Floyd.

Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin, then a Minneapolis Police officer, placed his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly eight minutes while Floyd pleaded, 'I can't breathe.' His final moments were captured on video, and his death led to widespread protests against police brutality and racism under the banner Black Lives Matter as well as incidents of unrest and looting.

Chauvin has pleaded not guilty to second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter charges. In addition, a charge of third-degree murder that was dismissed in October is now in limbo after an appeals court ruled the trial judge should reconsider a motion to reinstate it, which could lead to a delay in the start of the trial.

Jury selection in the trial began Tuesday at the Hennepin County Government Center and is expected to last about three weeks. Opening statements are expected to start no earlier than March 29, followed by testimony over the next two to four weeks.

Nine potential jurors were interviewed over the course of about seven hours by Judge Peter Cahill, a prosecutor, and defense attorney. As of Tuesday afternoon, two men and one woman had been selected to serve as jurors during the trial.

Court was scheduled to resume with a motions hearing at 9 a.m. ET Wednesday. Jury selection continues at 10 a.m. ET.

How jury selection goes

In a case with so much media attention, it may be impossible to find a jury that hasn't heard about Floyd's death. But the goal is not to find ignorant people; it's to find jurors who can be impartial and are open to hearing the evidence and the law.

'No matter what a potential juror has seen or heard, can they set that aside and base their decision on evidence in court and the law the judge gives them?' said Mary Moriarty, the former chief Hennepin County public defender.

In December, prospective jurors were sent a 16-page questionnaire asking for their thoughts on Black Lives Matter protests, their views on policing and their personal interactions with police.

Starting Tuesday, prospective jurors who completed the questionnaire were questioned one by one in court in a process known as voir dire. The juror's name, address and other information is kept anonymous.

The judge first asks questions of the prospective juror, followed by the defense and then the prosecution. If the defense or prosecution believes the person cannot be impartial in the case, they can ask the court to dismiss the person for cause. Each side has unlimited challenges for cause.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys can also move to dismiss prospective jurors without cause using what's called a peremptory challenge. Chauvin's team has 15 of these challenges and the prosecution has nine, according to the court. These peremptory challenges can themselves be challenged, though, if they are based on race, ethnicity or sex -- known as a Batson challenge.

The process continues until the court decides on 14 people -- split into 12 jurors and two alternates, Hennepin County Court Director of Communications Spenser Bickett told CNN.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the jurors selected included two White men -- one in his 20s or 30s and the other in his 30s -- along with a woman of color in her 20s or 30s.

The defense used a peremptory strike on a Hispanic woman and on a Hispanic man, leading the state to raise a Batson challenge that the strikes were race-based. The defense said the strikes were race neutral, and the judge agreed with that reasoning.

The prosecution used a peremptory strike on a White man in his 50s or 60s who said people should not second-guess police officers' decisions.

Finally, three prospective jurors were excused by the judge: one woman for saying she could not be impartial, a man who was worried the trial would affect his work as an accountant and a 19-year-old man because he said he'd treat police officer witnesses differently than others.

Who's who in the trial

George Floyd, 46, was born in North Carolina and raised in Houston and moved to Minnesota as an adult for a fresh start, working as security at a restaurant.

On May 25, 2020, police were called about a man who had used a $20 counterfeit bill at a Minneapolis store. Officers were directed to a parked car with Floyd in the driver's seat, and they handcuffed him and moved to put him into the back of a police car, according to the amended complaint.

Two other officers, including Chauvin, then responded to the scene and struggled to get Floyd into the vehicle, the complaint states. Chauvin allegedly pulled Floyd to the ground in a prone position and placed his knee on Floyd's neck and head. His knee remained there even as Floyd pleaded, 'I can't breathe,' said 'I'm about to die' and ultimately stopped breathing, the complaint says. He was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's autopsy listed the cause of death as heart failure 'complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression,' and ruled it a homicide. The medical examiner also noted arteriosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease; fentanyl intoxication; and recent methamphetamine use as 'other significant conditions.'

Medical examiners hired by Floyd's family also ruled it a homicide but said Floyd died of 'asphyxiation from sustained pressure' during the arrest.

Derek Chauvin, 44, had been an officer with the Minneapolis Police Department since 2001 until he was fired in the wake of Floyd's death. He was the subject of at least 18 prior complaints, two of which were 'closed with discipline,' according to a department internal affairs public summary.

A motion to dismiss the charges filed last August previewed his possible defense. In that filing, his attorney argued that Chauvin had no intent to harm Floyd while restraining him, that he was acting within police policy, and that Floyd's cause of death was the result of a drug overdose and other existing health issues.

Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, all former Minneapolis Police officers, were also on scene with Chauvin and are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. They have pleaded not guilty.

Due to limits on courtroom space because of the pandemic, their joint trial was moved to this summer. They will not testify in Chauvin's trial, but their names, statements and actions will be heavily featured.

Eric Nelson is Chauvin's defense attorney and will represent him at trial. He is part of the Halberg Criminal Defense practice and has worked exclusively in criminal defense since being admitted to the bar, according to his online bio.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's office says the three main presenting prosecution attorneys are Jerry Blackwell, Matthew Frank, and Steve Schleicher.

Peter Cahill is the Hennepin County judge overseeing the case. He was first appointed to the bench in 2007 and has been reelected to the position three times since, most recently last November.

An explanation of the charges

Chauvin is charged with second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter.

The second-degree unintentional murder charge alleges that Chauvin killed Floyd 'without intent' while he committed or attempted to commit felony third-degree assault, which is defined as inflicting 'substantial' bodily harm. The charge is punishable by up to 40 years in prison.

The second-degree manslaughter charge alleges that Chauvin caused Floyd's death by 'his culpable negligence, creating an unreasonable risk and consciously took the chances of causing death or great bodily harm.' 'Culpable negligence' is essentially a heightened form of ordinary negligence, Moriarty explained. The charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

An earlier charge of third-degree murder was dismissed in October as the judge ruled it did not apply to this case. The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled Friday that the judge should reconsider the state's motion to reinstate the third-degree murder charge. Chauvin's defense has appealed that ruling.

On Monday, the state asked an appeals court to stop jury selection until the charges issue is resolved, but Judge Cahill said he would continue with jury selection unless otherwise told.

How the pandemic changed the trial

The possibility of a courtroom Covid-19 outbreak looms, so the court has taken a number of steps to prevent one.

Everyone who attends the Chauvin trial will be required to distance from others and wear a mask, although witnesses and attorneys may remove their masks during testimony and other court statements. Plexiglass has been installed around the courtroom as well.

In addition, the trial will be livestreamed for those not able to attend, a first for a Minnesota criminal trial.

Only one member of Floyd's family and Chauvin's family will be allowed to attend the trial because of the Covid-19 restrictions. For each family, a different family member can rotate through that in-court position with appropriate credentials, the judge ruled.

During the trial, the jurors will be partially sequestered during the day but will be allowed to return to their homes at night. They will be fully sequestered during deliberations.

How police are preparing

Given the unrest and looting that ensued when Floyd died, local and state authorities are taking major security measures. The Hennepin County Government Center is now surrounded by fencing and barricades, and the building will be empty aside from those participating in Chauvin's trial and approved staff.

Mayor Jacob Frey said the city is preparing for potential unrest with 'painstaking detail.' He said up to 2,000 National Guard members will be prepared to respond along with up to 1,100 law enforcement pooled from 12 other jurisdictions.

'Safety is a top priority through this very difficult time in our city,' Frey said last month. 'There's great frustration, there's anxiety, and there's trauma. We anticipate that trauma increasing as we get closer to jury deliberations.'

Minnesota law enforcement leaders last month outlined their plan to work together to provide security during the trial in what they called 'Operation Safety Net.'

State Patrol Col. Matt Langer said the goal is to protect lawful protests and demonstrations while preventing violence, property damage, fires and looting.

'Planning for this operation occurred starting back in July,' Langer said. 'It occurred in earnest all summer.'

Operation Safety Net is organized into four phases, according to Langer: (1) Planning and preparation, (2) jury selection; (3) closing arguments, deliberations and a verdict; and (4) demobilization.

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said the unified command will help everyone stay on the same page.

'It will allow all of us to be able to respond metro and region wide, if needed, and it will allow great cooperation coordination and communication,' he said.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said last month the actions were all precautionary.

'As of right now, we do not have any current, actionable intelligence about groups planning to come here to disrupt the trial or to cause disorder,' Harrington said. 'We are exercising this unified command out of caution.'
(@FahadShabbir)

German industrial production unexpectedly dropped in January compared to December as semi-conductor shortages and a cold snap impacted output in the automobile and construction sectors

Frankfurt am Main, March 8 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Mar, 2021 ) :German industrial production unexpectedly dropped in January compared to December as semi-conductor shortages and a cold snap impacted output in the automobile and construction sectors.

Analysts said the data raised the possibility that the German economy, Europe's biggest, could be shrinking again after recovering strongly from the coronavirus pandemic downturn of early last year.

Federal statistics agency Destatis said industrial output declined 2.5 percent in January, well short of short of analyst forecasts for a 0.5 percent increase.

The economy ministry noted that a semiconductor shortage had hit Germany's vital automobile sector, forcing Volkswagen to halt production for a few days in January.

Meanwhile the construction sector "showed a sharp decline because of unfavourable conditions".

Temperatures fell to sharply in parts of Germany, bringing heavy snow in a cold snap that gripped Europe's biggest economy for about a week.

Compared to a year ago -- before pandemic restrictions across the world kicked in -- industrial output was down 3.9 percent in January.

Destatis meanwhile revised upwards its December output figure to show month-on-month growth of 1.9 percent, compared with its initial estimate of no change.

ING analyst Carsten Brzeski warned that January's difficulties show "that it will be hard for industry to prevent the entire economy from falling into contraction once again."After several months of shutdowns, Germany has begun gradually easing restrictions, with pupils back in school since the end of February.

Hairdressers opened last week, and some non-essential shops such as flower stores are due to be allowed to re-open Monday.
An Bord Pleanala has rejected an appeal against the decision to refuse planning permission for a crematorium in Donegal.

Dozens of objections were lodged against plans to build the crematorium at a site near Manorcunningham off the main Derry to Letterkenny road.

The plans for the proposed Sallybrook North West Crematorium were lodged with Donegal County Council last August by Lawrence Donnelly and Sane Stewart.

The decision by the council to refuse planning permission was appealed to An Bord Pleanala.

There is no crematorium in the north-west with the population on both sides of the border served by crematoriums in Cavan and Belfast.

Donegal County Council rejected the plans saying the development was unsuited for the site, insufficient information had been submitted and that it had not been adequately demonstrated that it could appropriately deal with emissions.

The council was also concerned that the development was located close to a designated conservation site.

Concerns were also expressed that there were insufficient sightlines at the entrance to the proposed crematorium and funeral home.

The Health Service Executive also expressed concerns about the location of the septic tank and inadequate information regarding the operational procedures of the crematorium.

Concerns were also expressed that the road network serving the development may be insufficient to cater for large funeral corteges.

An Bord Pleanala upheld the councils decision stating that the proposed change of use from a commercial development to a crematorium and funeral home would constitute a haphazard and piecemeal development on lands more suitable for agricultural commercial development.

The board said the surrounding land uses are generally unsuitable and unsympathetic for the use of the subject site as a crematorium and funeral home.

An Bord Pleanala also ruled the building is generally unsuitable and unsympathetic to accommodate a crematorium and funeral home and said it was not satisfied that the proposed development would not seriously impact on the residential amenities and depreciate the value of dwelling houses in the vicinity of the subject site to excessive noise and air pollution emissions.
Mar. 7The state is taking the unusual step of filing criminal charges against the operators of a Houston cannabis business based on accusations they sprayed potentially toxic pesticides on marijuana plants.

A state environmental crimes prosecutor this week filed misdemeanor charges of pesticide pollution, misuse of pesticide and reckless endangerment against Ron and Lacey Bass and their businesses, marijuana cultivator Calm N Collective LLC and retailer Houston Grass Station LLC.

The charging documents, filed in Palmer on Monday, also indicate plans to charge the couple with falsifying business records, a felony.

Houston Grass Station, located along the Parks Highway, remains open but the state Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office more than a year ago shut down retail sales of cannabis grown by Calm N Collective. A former employee reported the pesticide spraying in October 2019, triggering an investigation by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.

Ron Bass at the time said one disgruntled employee sprayed the plants and was trying to frame him for it.

The new case marks the first time state prosecutors have targeted a cannabis operation in criminal court, according to Cindy Franklin, the attorney representing the couple, who also says it was employees and not Bass who did any pesticide spraying.

Franklin oversaw Alaska's rollout of legal marijuana as the head of the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office before resigning in December 2016. She entered private practice two years ago.

The charges against the Houston operation have been pending before the state Marijuana Control Board for more than a year, which is where any decisions should be made instead of criminal court, Franklin said.

"Every business in this industry should be highly concerned that there are prosecutors sitting there looking for something to prosecute them for, because this is a reach," she said.

Ron and Lacey Bass had not received a court summons as of Friday.

Story continues

A spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Law did not immediately respond to questions and said no one was available for an interview Friday.

The case began in October 2019 with the employee report.

An undisclosed number of unidentified former employees told investigators that Calm N Collective's marijuana plants had mold or fungus so Bass told them to regularly spray them, texting when it wasn't safe to enter, according to a statement filed with charges and signed by state environmental crimes prosecutor Sophie Stratton. Surveillance footage captured "multiple instances" of employees dressed in Tyvek suits and respirator masks.

Someone using Bass' email address and credit card bought the pesticides, the statement says.

Franklin says the employee took the credit card and used it to buy the chemicals.

Franklin said the state is going after her clients based on a few vindictive former workers who sprayed the plants because they weren't doing a good job taking care of then, then blamed Bass.

One former worker in particular "is on a very single-minded mission to bring Ron down," Franklin said. "He's been spending all of his time trying to ruin my client."

There have been no reports of anyone getting sick from the pesticide-sprayed marijuana, she said.

The state document says tests revealed three pesticides sprayed on plants grown by Calm N Collective: Eagle 20 EW, a fungicide not approved in Alaska that's used on turfgrass, ornamental plants and non-commercial tree fruits and vines; Avid 0.15 EC, a miticide and insecticide for ornamental plants; and Floramite, a miticide for ornamental plants.

Lab results showed four pesticide active ingredients  myclobutanil, kuron, cyfluthrin and thiabendazole  in high concentrations on Calm N Collective's plants, the document says.

Myclobutanil is a key ingredient in Eagle 20EW that releases toxic hydrogen cyanide and hydrochloric acid gases when heated past roughly 400 degrees Fahrenheit, it says. Disposable lighters burn at about 3,500 degrees.

The case highlights the lack of pesticide testing requirements for marijuana sold in Alaska. Growers are required to get plants tested for potency and some molds, but not pesticides.

Cultivators are, however, required to submit plans that include any pesticides used, which the state says the operation failed to do by only listing two organic nontoxic fertilizers. Retail packages were also not labeled with any pesticides used, as required, and the operation did not disclose additives, as required, to the Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting & Compliance database, state prosecutors say.

Franklin, however, contends that Bass didn't know the pesticide was applied so he couldn't report it. She also says not reporting something doesn't constitute falsifying records.

"The idea that marijuana businesses who file plans are subject to prosecution for what they do or do not put on their plans is a false legal theory," she said. "It's alarming for the entire industry."
A nun in Myanmar has faced up to armed police by getting down on her knees to beg them to stop the violence on a day in which two more protesters were killed.

Sister Ann Roza was wearing white robes and a black habit as she knelt in front of the armed junta officers in Myitkyina.

She previously squared up to police on February 28 and said she was prepared to die to save others.

A nun in Myanmar has faced up to armed police by getting down on her knees to beg them to stop the violence on a day in which two more protesters were killed

The nun again confronted the officers again on Monday moments before they opened fire on protesters.

She even told them 'if you want to do this, you have to come through me.'

She told Sky News: 'Around 12 noon the security forces were about to crack down, so again I was begging with them, I was kneeling down in front of them and I was pleading not to shoot and not to arrest the people.

'The police were also kneeling and they told me they had to do it because this was to stop the protest.

'After that, tear gas was used and I was struggling to breathe and I was dizzy, and then I saw the man who had fallen down in the street and [he had been shot].'

She previously squared up to police on February 28 (pictured) and said she was prepared to die to save others

Sister Roza even told the armed officers 'if you want to do this, you have to come through me'

The nun said she couldn't see who shot the protesters because of the tear gas but she hopes it was not the officers she had spoken to.

The military government is continuing its attempts to stamp out any opposition to its February 1 coup.

The Irrawaddy newspaper said Monday's victims were shot in the head during anti-coup protests in Myitkyina in Kachin State.

Graphic video on social media showed protesters in the street backing away from tear gas, responding with rocks, then fleeing after a fusillade of what seemed to be automatic gunfire.

Demonstrators hurriedly carried away a number of injured people, including one apparent fatality, a person who had sustained a severe head wound. A second body was seen later on a stretcher, his head covered with a cloth.

To date, the government's violent crackdown has left more than 50 protesters dead. At least 18 people were fatally shot on Sunday last week and 38 on Wednesday, according to the UN Human Rights Office.

Anti-coup protesters discharge fire extinguishers to counter the impact of the tear gas fired by police during a demonstration in Naypyitaw on Monday

The military government is continuing its attempts to stamp out any opposition to its February 1 coup

Security forces also clamped down on anti-coup protesters elsewhere Monday, firing tear gas to break up a crowd of about 1,000 people who were demonstrating in the capital, Naypyitaw.

The protesters deployed fire extinguishers to create a smoke screen as they fled from authorities.

Thousands of protesters who marched in Mandalay, the country's second-largest city, dispersed on their own amid fears that soldiers and police were planning to use force to break up their demonstration.

Meanwhile, an armed force from one of Myanmar's ethnic groups deployed to protect anti-coup marchers in the wake of a brutal junta crackdown.

The unit from the Karen National Police Force (KNPF) arrived shortly after dawn to accompany about 2,000 protestors near Myitta in Tanintharyi Region in south-eastern Myanmar.

They carried an assortment of firearms including assault rifles as they marched ahead of the column down dusty rural roads.

To date, the government's violent crackdown has left more than 50 protesters dead

The KNPF are under the control of the Karen National Union (KNU), one of many ethnic organizations that have been fighting for greater autonomy from the central government for decades. The KNU employs both political and, through its armed wing, military means to achieve its aims.

Large-scale protests have occurred daily across many cities and towns in Myanmar since the country's military seized power, and security forces have responded with ever greater use of lethal force and mass arrests.

Details of protests and actions by security forces have been reported extensively by news media and by individuals on Facebook and elsewhere.

On Monday evening, the military government announced that the licenses of five local media outlets - Mizzima, DVB, Khit Thit Media, Myanmar Now and 7Day News - have been canceled.

Police officers search for hiding demonstrators during a protest in Yangon on Monday

Protesters hold homemade shields after tear gas was fired during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon

'These media companies are no longer allowed to broadcast or write or give information by using any kind of media platform or using any media technology,' it said on state broadcaster MRTV.

The coup and its violent aftermath have led foreign governments and international organizations to impose measures against Myanmar's military leaders.

In the latest case, Australia suspended its defense cooperation with Myanmar and is redirecting humanitarian aid in the country because of the military takeover and detention of an Australian citizen.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Monday that diplomats and relatives had only been able to contact economic policy adviser Sean Turnell twice by phone since he was detained in early February. She described the access as 'very limited consular support.'

Australia announced late Sunday that it had suspended a defense training program with Myanmar worth about 1.5 million Australian dollars ($1.2 million) over five years. The program had been restricted to noncombat areas such as English-language training.

A demonstrator runs away after being exposed to tear gas fired by the police amid the protests

Australian humanitarian aid will be directed away from the Myanmar government and government-related entities. Instead it will focus on the immediate humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable and poor in Myanmar, including the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities, Payne said.

On Sunday, police occupied hospitals and universities and reportedly arrested hundreds of people involved in protesting the military takeover.

In Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, gun shots from heavy weapons rang out for a second straight night in several neighborhoods after the start of an 8 p.m. curfew. The sounds of what apparently were stun grenades could also be heard on videos posted on social media.

The use of such weapons after protesters had left the streets appeared to be part of a strategy to strike fear in anyone who might think about defying the authorities. In a similar vein, many filmed incidents of police and soldiers show them savagely beating protesters they had taken into custody.

Some of the shooting was heard near hospitals, where reports said neighborhood residents sought to block the entry of police and soldiers.

In Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, gun shots from heavy weapons rang out for a second straight night in several neighborhoods

Protesters take part in an anti-coup protest as they hang women skirts to slow down the riot force on International Women's Day

Security forces have often targeted medical personnel and facilities, including ambulances and their crews. Members of the medical profession launched the Civil Disobedience Movement, which is the nominal coordinator of the protests, frequently hailed on demonstrators' signs by its initials CDM. Taking over hospitals would allow the authorities to easily arrest wounded people presumed to be protesters.

Meanwhile, a Canadian-Israeli lobbyist hired by Myanmar's junta said the ruling generals want to get out of politics and shift the nation away from China.

Ari Ben-Menashe, who previously represented Sudan's military leader and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday from the U.S. after returning from his second trip in the past month to Myanmar.

He said he was confident he can persuade the Biden administration to lift sanctions imposed on military leaders who directed the coup last month that deposed and detained Myanmar's elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

He said the US and others in the West have reduced Myanmar's political conflict to a black and white tale of military repression against pro-democracy activists and ignore the exclusion of millions of minority members from voting in last year's election.
Raksha Bandhan: Groundwork For Akshay Kumar's Film Begins, Set To Be Created In Film City By April

Akshay Kumar would be shooting back to back this entire year, and maybe next year, thanks to the lineup that he has.It was just a day back that he posted a picture with the team of Ram Setu and announced that the script reading session for the film has begun. However, before shooting this one, he would complete Aanand L. Rai's Raksha Bandhan. And looks like the groundwork of the film has already started.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar)

If a report in Mid Day is to be believed, then Rai has already instructed the production team to build a set in Film City. A source revealed, A set of a Mumbai chawl is being created at Film City. The production design team has been instructed to build the set by mid-April. By then, Akshay will have wrapped up his portions of Bachchan Pandey and will turn his attention to the family drama. He also added, Unlike Akshays past few movies, Raksha Bandhan is an emotional drama and will showcase him in a different light.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar)

It was earlier reported that Akshay Kumar would begin shooting for Raksha Bandhan from April end. The actor has a number of films lined up for release including Sooryavanshi, which would hopefully release in April, Bell Bottom which is lined up for May 28th, Prithviraj which will release on Diwali this year, Atrangi Re which will hit theatres in December and Bachchan Pandey. He has also signed Ram Setu and is said to have given his nod for Jagan Shakti's next, Mission Lion.
[March 08, 2021] Inaugural Lazada Forward Women Awards Celebrates Outstanding Women Sellers Forging New Paths Through E-Commerce

Six Lazada women sellers across Southeast Asia are recognised for their inspirational online business journeys SINGAPORE, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lazada hosted its inaugural Lazada Forward Women Awards 2021 (the Awards) on International Women's Day that recognised six outstanding women across Southeast Asia who are trailblazers in the eCommerce space, and showcased resilience and innovation in their journeys as entrepreneurs. The Awards celebrates the range of accomplishments and milestones women in the region have achieved by overcoming challenging circumstances in their personal lives, communities and cultures. Comprising three award categories, namely the Creative Seller Award, Enterprising Seller Award and Inspiring Seller Award. The first-ever six award recipients have demonstrated their different approaches to overcoming and embracing new ideas when building an online business. The winners are: Creative Seller Award Anne Ong , Owner of Anne's Secret Recipes, Singapore

, Owner of Anne's Secret Recipes, Pham Thi Xuan Hong , Owner of PinkShopGiayDep, Vietnam Enterprising Seller Award Georgianna Carlos , Owner of Fetch, Philippines

, Owner of Fetch, Lalilla Thamnita, Owner of AggieHome, Thailand Inspiring Seller Award Hanna Suhardi , Owner of Shopping Shoes, Indonesia

, Owner of Shopping Shoes, Annie Chia , Owner of NLWK Florist, Malaysia During the awards ceremony, Chun Li, Chief Executive Office of Lazada Group, said, "I am honoured to be amongst such inspirational women today. You found interesting and unique ways to leverage the Lazada platform to not only establish your online business, but also to engage customers and build a niche following while uplifting the lives around you. Lazada is proud to be your partner and have the opportunity to be part of your successful journey." As part of the Awards presentation ceremony, Chun Li also joined in a lively discussion moderated by Virginia Tan, Founding Partner of Teja Ventures and Co-Founder of She Loves Tech, with panellist Ayesha Khanna, CEO of Addo.ai, on the topic of Growing Women Entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia: Current Challenges and Opportunities. With the steady acceleration and growth of eCommerce in Southeast Asia, there is an increasing number of women business owners who have turned to the digital economy due to the convenience of starting a home business, the low barriers of entry and ease of registering a store on the Lazada platform, as well as the availability of services, solutions and knowledge to sustain and grow a business. Held live in Singapore, the Awards was also livestreamed on the Lazada LazLive channel to viewers in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. It also featured guest performers like Malaysia's rap darling, Zamaera and Singapore's very own funny woman, Sharul Channa. About Lazada Group Founded in 2012, Lazada Group is the leading eCommerce platform in Southeast Asia. We are accelerating progress in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam through commerce and technology. With the largest logistics and payments networks in the region, Lazada is a part of our consumers' daily lives in the region and we aim to serve 300 million shoppers by 2030. Since 2016, Lazada is the Southeast Asia flagship platform of Alibaba Group powered by its cutting-edge technology infrastructure. ANNEX LAZADA FORWARD WOMEN AWARDS 2021 WINNER STORIES CREATIVE SELLER AWARD Anne Ong, 56 years old, Singapore Anne is the owner of Anne's Secret Recipe that sells quality baking premixes on Lazada Singapore's RedMart Specialty Stores platform since 2017. Making a career switch from being an architect, Anne started her business in 2014 stocking the shelves at supermarkets, and ran the company with the motto No Mess, No Fuss, Just Mix, Bake and Serve. She comes from a Nonya family background where cooking runs in her family genes, witha love to preserve heritage recipes.



From happenstance, Anne started baking cupcakes for her son at kindergarten to help add colour and joy to his tea breaks. As her son happily shared the treats with his classmates, many parents started asking Anne for her recipe. Instead of simply sharing the recipe, Anne started packing little packets of premixes to be given out in the school, where parents could easily recreate the cupcakes with their children. Despite the preconceived perception that only men could be leaders, Anne, with the support of her family, has embraced every obstacle that came her way single-handedly, adopting and learning new technologies and spending time to ensure heritage tastes are not lost. Anne has managed the art of raising her children, research recipes, running a central kitchen while marketing her business offline and online. In 2020, when she learned of some families losing their jobs, she also found time to mentor them how to bake and to sell their products to earn some money. Today, apart from Asia, her business goes all the way out to the Maldives as well. She is still intending to cater more for other communities by having her items certified as halal or kosher.

To sign up as a seller, please visit http://lzd.co/LazadaSGSellerSignUp. Pham Thi Xuan Hong, 34 years old, Vietnam Hong started her online store PinkShopGiayDep selling shoes on Lazada Vietnam in 2018 with the initial idea of having a side hobby. After realising that online sales can be quite active and trendy, she decided to make a full-time switch, leaving her job as a software engineer. Subsequently, Hong began to get more involved with livestreaming and started leveraging LazLive to provide her followers a holistic review of her products while introducing ongoing promotions and upcoming deals to drive greater excitement. Working with her relative who owns a shoe factory, Hong sources for trendy and fashionable designs that she feels consumers will be attracted to. The beginning was hard as Hong's livestream viewership rate was low. However, she persevered by upskilling her knowledge from Lazada University and the LazLive team. Gradually she incorporated her learnings into her daily operations and put into practice various different communication styles to keep her audience engaged. For example, she will plan and curate content in a storytelling format such as "How to pick the right shoes for a first date" or "Choosing the right shoes for yourself". Hong will also strategise her livestreaming content to coincide with special occasions such as Valentine's Day, Teacher's Day, Mother's Day, and more. With a consistent and well-thought-out pipeline of livestream content calendar, Hong also created her own gameshow to keep her followers excited during voucher giveaways that has kept her followers updated of product styles and latest fashion trends. This led to her viewership to grow more than 60% alongside increasing orders.



Coming from the countryside of Vietnam where people are generally camera shy, Hong has grown more confident with her presentation and business skills, with the strong support and encouragement from her husband and mother-in-law. Hong continuously keeps up with new livestream features and proactively signs up for trainings and courses to learn of fun new ways to keep her followers interested in her content. To sign up as a seller, please visit http://lzd.co/LazadaVNSellerSignUp. ENTERPRISING SELLER AWARD Georgianna Carlos, 30 years old, Philippines A psychology graduate, Georgianna was a children's guidance counselor for almost a year before realising that it wasn't the right job for her. After a brief stint at a PR agency, she later joined the team of MyOffice, a virtual office company founded by her mother. Around the same time, her family adopted four puppies, and she realised the youngest dog Khal Drogo had super sensitive skin and would get an allergic reaction no matter which pet product she used. Eventually she came across a product all the way from Italy, but it was expensive. She realised the ingredients were widely available in the Philippines, especially the active ingredient Neem. Partnering with a chemist, they began research to create a new, locally-made product in late 2016. The first batch of Fetch was ready by March 2017. Besides being an effective and safe pet for skin/fur sensitive animals, the product was also registered and approved by the Philippines' Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Leveraging her success with Fetch, George also works with local pet shelter "Pawssion Project" to donate proceeds from some of her sales and even products to help with the upkeep of the local initiative. To sign up as a seller, please visit http://lzd.co/LazadaPHSellerSignUp. Lalilla Thamnita, 39 Years Old, Thailand Lalilla started selling agricultural tools three years ago with her husband. Back then, they were a fully offline store and Lalilla started to look at selling online. She wanted the business to be modern and have the ability to keep records of the prices, inventory etc. she didn't want a customer to walk in and leave empty-handed. Starting from scratch and within two months, she received her first order on AggieHome that she started on Lazada Thailand, which was for a small item costing just B3,000. With the excitement and encouragement of the first sale, Lalila focused on growing her online store. When she found that such agricultural products were not easily understood and common with consumers, hence she decided to educate her buyers by uploading more videos and product information. Although agricultural and equipment products are still her primary selling items in her stores, she has also branched out to selling solar panels after discovering that some villages in Thailand only had water but no electricity. To sign up as a seller, please visit http://lzd.co/LazadaTHSellerSignUp. INSPIRING SELLER AWARD Hanna Suhardi, 29 years old, Indonesia Hanna Suhardi, owner of the online store Shopping Shoes on Lazada Indonesia, sells women's shoes and men's bags. Collaborating with the residents of several villages in West Java and Central Java that have special sewing convection expertise, Hanna has managed to revive the tradition of tailoring villages through continuous flow of orders. In the beginning, due to limited capital for renting a place to sell, Hanna decided to sell her products through the online marketplace. With her careful reading of trends and understanding of basic designs, Hanna supports more than 100 tailors from two villages in West Java and one village in Central Java to fulfill Shopping Shoes orders which can reach more than 9,000 orders per month. Currently based in Jakarta, Hanna and her husband work with three local communities to produce her products and enhance the communities' well-being. To sign up as a seller, please visit http://lzd.co/LazadaIDSellerSignUp. Annie Chia, 44 years old, Malaysia In 2017, a portion of Pasar Perambang caught fire, and half of Annie's store, NLWK Florist, that was passed down from her parents was affected, losing almost everything including their family's livelihood. She rented a temporary space for two years and upon recommendation from her friend, she decided to explore new ways of selling through digital means via online marketplace, eventually landing on Lazada Malaysia. It was a challenging phase for her as she wasn't familiar with technology. She had to learn from scratch things she didn't do before, such as taking pictures, editing and uploading them onto the digital platforms. Not only did she research and learn from online community groups, whenever she came across English terms she was did not understand, she would get her daughter to explain to her as well. Every night, Annie will put in the time and effort to practice her photo taking and editing skills and it took her at least a month before she was confident of setting up her online store. To sign up as a seller, please visit http://lzd.co/LazadaMYSellerSignUp. SOURCE Lazada Group

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Antibiotics are life-saving drugs but can also wipe out beneficial gut bacterial. Credit: Shutterstock

As early as the 13th century, scholars proposed that diseases were caused by 'invisible entities' unseen to the naked eye. However, it was not until the 1670s when Antonie van Leeuwenhoek made his microscope did the theory gain traction. Just as seeing tiny 'animalcules' zipping around under the microscope enabled the field to advance, it has taken development of the right tools to enable 21st century scientists to uncover the full impact that microorganisms have on human health.

Observational studies have long suggested a link between microorganisms in the gut and metabolic diseases. However, without the tools to prove what many had observed, the role of the gut microbiome was a major blind spot in biomedical research. Only in the past few decadeswith the advent of high throughput sequencing and sophisticated analytical methodshave researchers been able to perform cause-and-effect studies, helping this key area of research finally flourish.

Since then, research has revealed that disruptions to the delicate balance of microorganisms in the gut can have wide-reaching effects on health and disease. Dysbiosis, or perturbations to the gut microbiome, has not only been linked to common metabolic disorders like diabetes, but can have effects that extend to autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis, cancer, and even cognitive disorders like Alzheimer's disease.

While various factors can cause dysbiosis in the gut, one particular culprit stands out: antibiotics. Despite having saved millions of lives since the famed, fateful accident that led Alexander Fleming to discover penicillin nearly a century ago, antibiotics have proven to be a double-edged sword. Because they kill bacteria non-discriminatelygood and bad alikeantibiotics use can lead to a tipping of the balance in these communities, causing a myriad of problems, one of which is obesity.

The impact of early exposure

As in adults, obesity in children is a growing epidemic around the world. While just four percent of children aged 519 were overweight or obese in 1975, that figure rose to over 18 percent by 2016. The issue is particularly profound in Asia, which in 2019 accounted for nearly half of the 38 million children overweight children under the age of five. Far from being a temporary problem, childhood obesity can have life-long effects, having been linked to the development of a wide range of health problems such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

While growing affluence and increasingly sedentary lifestyles have been blamed for the rise of childhood obesity, scientists suspect that the overuse of antibiotics could also play a role. "Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is one of the influencing factors involved in the initiation of obesity," explained Ling-Wei Chen, a Research Scientist at A*STAR's Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS). "The major reasons are disturbances in energy balance, lipid metabolism and a potentially related downstream impact on endocrine function."

Chen, together with teams led by Neerja Karnani and Yung Seng Lee, principal investigators at SICS, hypothesized that early exposure to antibiotics could alter the gut microbiome, thereby affecting a child's metabolism and, consequently, their risk of obesity. Although previous studies have shown that such a mechanism might be at play in mice, there has been little evidence that the same occurs in humans. The researchers thus conducted the first-in-human study examining the impact of antibiotic exposure on the gut microbiome in children, specifically focusing on whether antibiotic use led to obesity.

The study used survey data, stool samples, and height and weight measurements collected as part of the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes study (GUSTO), a collaborative research initiative involving SICS, the National University of Singapore, KK Women's and Children's Hospital and the National University Hospital. Data from more than one thousand mother-offspring pairs followed over five years showed that infants who received antibiotics in their first year of life were more likely to be obese before they turned five, particularly if they had received three or more courses of antibiotics or had been treated between 612 months old.

Digging deeper into their results, the researchers also sequenced the children's gut microbiome using stool samples taken at 24 months. They found that antibiotics use altered the gut microbiome, reducing species such as Eubacterium hallii while increasing Tyzzerella 4, and that these changes were linked to a higher risk of adiposity.

These findings have important implications for medical practice, Karnani said. Although antibiotics may be necessary in some circumstances, physicians and caregivers should balance the benefits and risks of administering antibiotics to children, she explained.

"Understanding the factors linked to dysbiosis in gut microbiota in early life and its relationship with metabolic adversities can help early intervention and reduce the burden of obesity on society," Karnani added.

Restoring the balance

Gut microbiome sequencing studies, like the one performed by Chen and colleagues, have been made possible by recent advances in technology. The ability to determine the profile of microorganisms living within a given environment like the gutknown as metagenomicsallows researchers to compare populations and the effects of interventions. On the flip side, researchers can also use this information to develop ways to manipulate microbiomes for therapeutics.

For example, Niranjan Nagarajan, a Senior Group Leader at A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), used metagenomics to identify 'keystone' bacteria, species that would promote the healthy re-colonization of the gut following antibiotic treatment. Comparing gut microbiome of patients from Singapore, Canada, England and Sweden given different classes of antibiotics, Nagarajan and his team found that the patients could be grouped into 'recoverers' or 'non-recoverers."

"Recoverers exhibited a "U-shaped' diversity profile where their gut microbiome diversities rebounded within a specified period post-antibiotics treatment," Nagarajan said. "Non-recoverers, on the other hand, continued to have low gut microbiome diversities within the same specified period post-antibiotics treatment."

Classifying patients in this way allowed the researchers to search for bacterial species that may aid the recovery of microbiome diversity. They discovered 21 recovery-associated bacterial species, or RABs, so-called because they were significantly linked to the recovery of the gut microbiome after treatment with antibiotics in at least two of the four patient cohorts studied.

Just like food webs in oceans or rainforests, the different species of bacteria in the gut form complex interactions, with a few primary species proving to be essential for the survival of the many secondary and tertiary species, which are more synergistic in nature. Using a computational method to fit the RABs into the gut microbial food web, the researchers identified both primary and tertiary species among the 21 RABs.

Testing the practical applications of their results, the team found that inoculating mice with both primary and tertiary RABs bolstered the recovery of absolute microbial abundance by 100-fold. These mice also had higher gut microbiome diversity after receiving treatment with antibiotics compared to mice that received just a tertiary species or control substance.

"These findings are critical for improving our understanding of how gut microbiomes recover and the type of microbial species that play a crucial role in this process," Nagarajan noted. "The 21 RAB species can potentially be used for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes for restoring the gut microbiome post-antibiotics perturbation."

Working hand in glove

While both studies examine the gut microbiome through the lens of antibiotics, they do so through different but complementary lines of inquiry: the impact on human health and the potential for finding therapeutic and diagnostic solutions.

These diverse but linked lines of research are made possible through A*STAR's integrative research infrastructure and the establishment of various health and technological initiatives. For example, the institute's involvement in seminal collaborative population-wide studies like GUSTO provides researchers the opportunity to investigate the effects of the gut microbiome in a range of settings and across a variety of populations, factors and diseases.

Meanwhile, initiatives like A*STAR's integrated Omics research program complement these studies by facilitating the development of new and improved toolslike OPERA-MS, which was developed by researchers at GIS to enhance metagenomics methodsto transcend the possibilities of researchers' endeavors. Aided by these tools, A*STAR researchers are advancing our understanding of the gut microbiome, just as van Leeuwenhoek's homemade microscope first opened human eyes to the existence of microorganisms nearly four centuries ago.

Explore further Antibiotic exposure in infants associated with higher risks of childhood obesity
" " NASA and Nokia are sending 4G to the moon! HowStuffWorks

In a bygone era, "4G on the moon" might have referenced the G-force astronauts aboard an imaginary ship of the future might experience. But 4G today is in reference to a communications network, like those that connect our cell phones and other devices. And this 4G network is going to be located on the lunar surface.

No. This doesn't mean we'll soon see cell towers on the moon. Instead this 4G is part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, which awarded several companies contracts worth $370 million to help the space agency install new technology on the moon. Nokia Bell Laboratories got $14.1 million of that for the first 4G communications system in space.

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Nokia will work with Intuitive Machines to integrate the network into its Nova-C Lunar Lander, which will deliver the 4G system to the moon. Once there, it will "self-configure."

The main purpose of the 4G network will be to support future astronauts in NASA's Project Artemis, which is scheduled to land astronauts near the lunar south pole as early as October 2024. The 4G network will likely provide improved communications between future moon-based astronauts and those orbiting the moon with all of us on Earth. Astronauts will also be able to transmit science data more rapidly than would be possible without the network.

The network also will make other critical communications capabilities a bit easier, including remote control of lunar rovers, real-time navigation and streaming of high definition video. But the astronauts will also be able to phone home, and upload selfies and videos to Instagram, too.

So why 4G and not 5G? According to Nokia, 4G is better suited for the surface of the moon because it's more reliable, but it will eventually be upgraded.

"Reliable, resilient and high-capacity communications networks will be key to supporting sustainable human presence on the lunar surface," Marcus Weldon, chief technology officer and president at Nokia Bell Labs, said in a press statement. "By building the first high performance wireless network solution on the moon, Nokia Bell Labs is once again planting the flag for pioneering innovation beyond the conventional limits."

Now That's Cool To protect against the health effects of space radiation from the long Artemis mission on the lunar surface, astronauts will live in caves and lava tubes, or at least in prefabricated modules covered with thick layers of lunar surface material called regolith.
Highlights The Flipkart smartphone carnival sale is giving discounts on a minimum purchase of Rs 5000 and is giving an additional discount to Axis bank users.

Flipkart smartphone carnival is also giving a discount of over Rs 10,000 on some iPhones.

The sale is also giving discounts on popular phones from Poco, Realme and Motorola phones.

Flipkart smartphone carnival is now live and will go up to March 12, 2021. The sale has brought discount offers on select smartphones for a minimum transaction of Rs 5000 and has additional benefits for Axis bank users. Flipkart is also giving a discount of over Rs 10,000 on some iPhones. The offer also brings an up to 10 per cent discount on a purchase of up to Rs 1250 with Axis credit cards, debit cards, and EMI transactions.

Flipkart has also listed a few conditions for a user to avail of the offer. If a user buys a smartphone between the range of Rs 5000 and Rs 12,500, they can avail of a maximum 10 per cent discount per card. If the cart value is between Rs 12501 and Rs 20000, buys will get an additional Rs 250 discount. If the purchase is over Rs 20,000, the added discount will be Rs 500. Following are some popular picks from the sale.

-- Poco X3 with 6GB RAM and 128 GB storage is being sold for a discounted price of Rs15,999 during the Flipkart smartphone carnival. Poco X3 has 2 variants on the sale -- the cobalt blue and the shadow grey. There is also Poco X3 with 8GB RAM on sale which is priced at Rs 17,999. Another variant with 64GB storage is priced at Rs 14,999. There is a bank offer where users will get an additional Rs 500 off if they buy the smartphones from a credit or debit card. The smartphone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G processor and a 6000 mAh lithium-ion battery.

Buyers can also exchange their old phones for up to Rs 15,150. The Poco C3 in the sale is priced under Rs 10,000 as well. The two variants of the budget smartphone come for Rs 6999 and Rs 7999 and feature 3GB Ram and 32GB storage and 4GB ram and 64GB storage respectively. The recently launched Poco M3 with 128GB storage is available for Rs 11,999.

-- The Realme Narzo 30A is being sold under Rs 10,000 in the Flipkart carnival sale. Its 3GB and 32GB variants and 4GB and 64GB variants are being sold for Rs 8999 and Rs 9999. The smartphone features a Mediatek Helio G85 processor, houses a 6000 mAh battery, and comes with a 1-year warranty.

 Motorola Moto G 5G, which is popular as the affordable 5G smartphone in India, is being sold for Rs 18,999 in the sale. For Axis bank users, the phone further gets a discount of Rs 1000. The smartphone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor.

-- There are also offers on the iPhone XR and iPhone SE. The iPhone XR is being sold for Rs 38,999. It is compatible with iOS 13 and has a 15.5 cm display. The phone has a 64GB ROM and comes with an A12 bionic chip processor. The phone includes AirPods and a power adapter. For Axis bank users, the iPhone XR comes for Rs 37,749. The iPhone SE is also listed on the product page of the Flipkart carnival sale and is being sold for Rs 29,999. For Axis bank users, the phone comes for Rs 28,749.

The 64GB iPhone SE is currently available in red, white and black colours. The iPhone SE is also available with 128GB and 256 GB and is being sold for Rs 34,999 and Rs 44,999 respectively. The iPhone SE has a 4.7-inch display and is featured with an A13 bionic chip with 3rd gen neural engine processor.




A venomous red-bellied black snake has been found curled up inside a teenager's asthma puffer.

The teenage girl was bringing in the washing at her home in Bli Bli, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, when she spotted the snake slithering out of the clothes basket.

The baby red-bellied black snake sought refuge in the open top of her blue asthma puffer, after finding its way into her room.

A red-bellied black snake has been found curled up inside a teenager's asthma puffer in her home in Bli Bli, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast

Luckily, an expert snake handler from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 was on call to relocate the innovative snake.

Although the red-bellied black snake was only a hatchling, the reptile could have still delivered a nasty bite if it had felt intimated or been provoked.

Expert snake handler Stuart McKenzie posted the heart-stopping photo of the black snake on Facebook.

'This is crazy and super lucky we were able to find the snake', Mr McKenzie said.

'Its one of the most incredible places we have ever found a snake before.'

The bite of the red-bellied black snake (pictured) will usually only cause the victim mild symptoms, including headache, vomiting, diarrhoea and excessive sweating

The post attracted hundreds of comments from awe-struck Facebook users.

'I will be handling my daughters inhalers with extra care from now on!' One said.

'Holy cow, that would bring on an asthma attack,' another user joked.

Native animal relocation specialist Darren Darch, from Fauna For the Future, has previously told Daily Mail Australia it is normal for snakes to seek a hiding place.

Native animal relocation specialist Darren Darch (pictured) has said it's normal for snakes to seek a hiding place when they feel scared

When snakes feel scared, they do what's needed to protect themselves, he explained.

If a snake is found inside a home, Mr Darch recommends throwing a towel or blanket on top of the snake to provide a hiding place.

Or alternatively, a wet towel could be placed at the base of the bedroom door to ensure the snake stayed put, while waiting for a professional.

Red-bellied black snakes are most frequently encountered on the east coast of Australia and are mild, shy snakes who will freeze if approached in the wild.

The bite of the red-bellied black snake will usually only cause the victim mild symptoms, including headache, vomiting, diarrhoea and excessive sweating.
CHICAGO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Treasurer Maria Pappas and ABC 7 Chicago will host "Black and Latino Houses Matter" on March 11, 2021, a phone bank to help Cook County homeowners find refunds, apply for property tax exemptions and avoid the Tax Sale, Pappas said today.

"I am grateful to ABC 7 for participating in my program to return money to taxpayers and prevent them from losing their homes because of unpaid taxes," Pappas said. "While the Tax Sale disproportionately impacts Black and Latino homeowners, all Cook County homeowners are welcome to call the phone bank."

John Idler, President and General Manager of ABC 7 Chicago, said: "It's gratifying to join forces with the Treasurer's Office to help Cook County homeowners get much needed information and resources, especially in Black and Latino communities hardest hit by the pandemic. The phone bank will go a long way to provide struggling homeowners assistance and reaffirms that working together to help our community makes us all stronger."

Here are the phone bank details:

Date: March 11, 2021

Time: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Phone Number: 312.603.5105

Samantha Chatman, a consumer investigative reporter with ABC 7's I-Team, will report on the phone bank during the station's newscasts. A team from the Treasurer's Office, fluent in Spanish, Polish, Chinese and English, will:

Search $76 million in available property tax refunds

in available property tax refunds Check if you are eligible for $46 million in missing tax exemptions

in missing tax exemptions Verify if your property is on the Tax Sale list with delinquent taxes

SOURCE Cook County Treasurer's Office

Related Links

http://www.cookcountytreasurer.com


(Newser)  A particularly spectacular blast from Italy's Mount Etna volcano belched out a towering cloud of ash and lava stone Sunday onto Sicilian villages, the latest in a series of explosions since mid-February. Italys national geophysics and volcanology institute INGV said the powerful explosion at 2 am was the 10th such big blast since Feb. 16, per the AP, when Europe's most active volcano started giving off an impressive demonstration of nature's fire power, coloring the night sky in shocking hues of orange and red (heres video of an earlier eruption). Increasing tremors rattled the mountain throughout much of the night.

story continues below

Ash and small lava stones rained down on eight villages on Etnas slopes Sunday morning, while lava flowed from the southeast crater slowly down an uninhabited side. The column of ash and lava reached a height of 33,000 feet on Sunday, according to scientists who monitor volcanic activity. Locals swept ash and lava stones from their front steps and balconies. They have taken to covering cars parked outdoors with carpets, blankets and sheets of cardboard to make cleanup easier after each blast. Winds helped carry the ash eastward. No injuries or serious damage have been reported after the recent blasts. Geologically active, Etna occasionally becomes particularly noisy and explosive as it has been lately.

(Read more Mount Etna stories.)
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah will meet chief ministers and deputy-chief ministers of BJP-rules states in the national capital.

The prime minister and party president will discuss the development and social welfare work being done in their respective states.

As per sources, the meeting will also be attended by a few cabinet ministers apart from 13 chief ministers and six deputy chief ministers.

This will be Modi's third meeting with the chief ministers after the BJP swept to power in 2014, but the first such exercise since it formed a government in Bihar by joining hands with the JD(U).

The discussions in the meeting are expected to revolve around the implementation of the Centre's flagship schemes in the states and development works being done there, they said.

#TopStory: PM Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah to meet chief ministers and deputy chief ministers of BJP-ruled states in Delhi.  ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017

The meeting is being organised just days after Shah unfolded the blue print for 2019 elections, which may also feature in the discussions.

Shah had asked party leaders to focus on about 120 winnable seats which party lost in 2014 elections and is aiming for more than 350 in the next general elections. (With PTI Inputs)

Also Read: WB CM Mamata Banerjee softens stance on PM Modi, says Amit Shah is meddling in govt affairs

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
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Indeed, it was true when the son of Mother Ghana, Dr Kwegyir Aggrey said If you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a nation. This has lived on with clear evidence worldwide as the role of women in our society today is an integral part of our development and progress in all spheres of life.



Drawing inspiration from the words of Dr. Aggrey, Mr. Abanga Fusani Yakubu who is popularly known as NPP Abanga shares with Ghanaians and the world at large that as we dedicate this day to celebrate women across the globe and particularly our wonderful women in Ghana, he reminds ourselves to speed up gender parity and women empowerment. This he said I believe we are not only celebrating the achievements of women in the past, but we need to keep on with ourselves through reflection on the crucial roles of women to our nation building throughout our 64 years of independence, and keep on empowering women with equal opportunities to do more for Ghanas economic and political development.



Today we are observing International Women's Day. This day is a chance for reflection on accomplishments in women's strengthening and for a call to address the difficulties still set up in transit towards accomplishing gender equality and women in leadership. I can't discover the words to communicate how I feel about women. Their solidarity and force, their capacity to keep their heads up regardless. I respect it on each conceivable level. Women run the world, that is the solitary thing I know without a doubt.



Also, NPP Abanga lauded the NPP government under the leadership of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo for making women in leadership (governance and politics) his priority and giving women a good place in his government to serve Mother Ghana.



NPP Abanga opined in his last words saying there is no doubt celebrating the day with the theme Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world. I always want the people of Ghana to understand that they can always trust this government with good policies and governance that seeks the welfare of all women. This is demonstrated in the current NPP administration, he added. Happy Women's Day to all the incredible women! Shine on... Not just today but every day!.





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.

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Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a shower late. Low 58F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a shower late. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.
New Delhi:

Flight operations on Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport were halted for a few minutes on Sunday night after an Air Asia pilot spotted a drone near the runway.

According to reports, all three runways were closed and at least seven flights were diverted in the meantime.

The flight operations have now resumed. More details on drone awaited.

Updates:

#AirAsia India confirms pilots of flight i5 799 spotted unidentified object flying close to aircraft while landing at IGI, Delhi: Statement



#Pilots followed normal procedure,carried out uneventful landing.Upon landing,pilot reported incident to Air Traffic Controller:AirAsia India



#Pilot informed airlines Director Flight Ops & Head of Corporate & Flight Safety upon landing. Filed a report with the DGCA: Statement



#Statement from IGI Airport: On 20/08/17 at about 1909 hrs Air Asia flight no I5-799 pilot reported that he had seen a Drone like object near IGI Airport. In this regard all 03 runways Operation was closed as precautionary measure. At about 1955 hrs the operation of all the 03 runways resumed normally after clearance from Delhi police. Detail report is awaited.

#UPDATE: Two AI flights diverted to Lucknow & Ahmedabad, one flight each of GoAir & IndiGo that were diverted to Jaipur, returning to Delhi  ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2017

#Air India 2 flight has been diverted : AI144 diverted, Chennai Delhi diverted to Lucknow

#The Air Asia spotted the drone at 7:09 PM. The runaway was closed from 7:12 PM till 7:55 PM. Delhi Police gave clearance at 7:55 PM

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Pupils will return to schools and loved ones will be able to visit care home residents in person as part of the first phase of lockdown easing in England.

Boris Johnson said he hoped Mondays tentative softening of restrictions marked a big step on his road map to freedom  a plan which could see all Covid measures lifted by June 21.

As well as pupils returning to classrooms for the first time in at least two months, the rules around meeting with a person from another household outdoors will be loosened to permit recreation and not just exercise.

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While the stay at home message will remain in place, it means people can leave home to meet one other person for a coffee or picnic.

The Prime Minister, in comments made to the Daily Telegraph, said that even though it was only a small relaxation of the rules, this weeks changes would bring joy and relief to families after months of tough restrictions.

Mr Johnson, asked on Sunday about the risks involved with reopening more than 20,000 schools, echoed the warnings of education experts that more damage was being done to pupils by keeping them at home than having them return to in-person lessons.

I think the risk is actually in not going back to school tomorrow given all the suffering, all the loss of learning we have seen, he said on a visit to a north London vaccination centre.

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Whatsapp Boris Johnson was asked about the safety of schools reopening during a visit to a vaccination centre in north London (Geoff Pugh/Daily Telegraph)

It comes after Amanda Spielman, Englands chief schools inspector, expressed concern about eating disorders and self-harming among children after she said pupils endured boredom, loneliness, misery and anxiety during Englands third lockdown.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said he was looking at proposals that included a five-term academic year, a shorter summer holiday and longer school days to help pupils catch up on lost learning during the pandemic in transformative measures not seen since the Second World War.

But Ofsted chief Ms Spielman, asked on Sky News Sophy Ridge On Sunday for her opinion, said such ideas had fallen by the wayside in the past and that any proposals should have the support of parents.

I think a number of schools have experimented over the last couple of decades with things like five-term years and I dont think many of those have persisted, she said.

Labour is calling for catch-up breakfast clubs before the school day starts, with leader Sir Keir Starmer and his shadow education secretary Kate Green due to argue during a visit to a school in east London on Monday that the concept would allow for both extra socialising and learning.

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The party said its analysis of Government data suggested children have each lost an average of 109 face-to-face school days since the first lockdown in March 2020.

Secondary school pupils, who are likely to have their return staggered over the week to allow for mass testing, are being asked to take three voluntary Covid-19 tests on site and one at home over the first fortnight. They will then be sent home-testing kits to do twice-weekly.

The Department for Education (DfE) is also advising secondary school students to wear face coverings wherever social distancing cannot be maintained, including in the classroom.

But primary school children are not being asked to carry out Covid-19 tests or wear face masks on their return.

Some children will also return to classrooms in Northern Ireland for the first time since December.

P1 to P3 pupils will return to class but are set to go back to remote learning after two weeks.

First Minister Arlene Foster has expressed hope that those primary pupils will ultimately be able to remain in school.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of care home residents in England will be able to receive indoor visits from a nominated friend or relative as of this week.

Visitors will be tested prior to visits, wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and be asked to keep physical contact to a minimum.

Handholding is permitted but hugs and kissing are not, to help reduce the chance of spreading the virus, the Government has said in its latest visiting guidance.

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There were further positive signs over the weekend that the virus is being suppressed.

The Government said a further 82 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Sunday  the first time that fewer than 100 deaths have been reported since October 19.

The declining case rate, with a further 5,177 cases recorded on Sunday, has led to renewed calls for the Prime Minister to accelerate the plan for lifting the lockdown.

Mark Harper, chairman of the Covid Recovery Group (CRG) made up of lockdown-sceptic Conservative MPs, said: With the speed that were seeing deaths, hospitalisations and infections drop, I think when we get to the end of April its going to look a bit odd that the Governments road map still has another two months nearly to run.

He told BBC Radio 4s Westminster Hour that the Government should bring forward the road map rather than be tied to the dates its already set out.

Across the whole of the UK, more than 1.1 million people have received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, while 22.2 million first doses have been administered, with people aged between 56 and 59 being invited to book for a jab from this week.
Are you looking to get a personal loan via an online lending platform? These days online lending apps have found themselves in controversies after cases of harassment, violence and many others are being filed against them. This has also led to an increase in unauthorised and fraudulent lending apps. Google recently took action against many such lending apps by removing them from Play Store.

Despite that, if a borrower wants to get a loan by this route, he/she needs to be extremely cautious while sharing their personal information/documents online.

Credibility is important

The first and foremost thing should be checking the credibility of the particular lender and borrowers should check whether the lender they have approached is genuine and is approved by the RBI. Besides that, it is also important to spend some time on the website/app, as the look and feel of the website/app/social media accounts can help check the credibility and authenticity of the lender.

Medium of communication

Next comes the safety factor where borrowers need to share their personal and important documents via a safe and secure communication channel and to safeguard further, they can protect documents with a password.

Online reviews

Checking online reviews is very important when it comes to unauthorized lending apps and sharing personal documents and data with them, it is important to go through the app reviews on the play store or app store or even on Quora where borrowers can check the feedback shared by previous/existing borrowers.

Fineprint

Borrowers must go through the terms and conditions on the website/app carefully and a genuine lender will have the terms and conditions, privacy policy, etc clearly listed down on their website/app.

Lastly, they must ensure to check the fineprint before sharing documents on these platforms.
To the Editor:

In light of our nations current state of healing from this terrible pandemic, it is unfortunately evident that cases of coronavirus continue to remain high. With the recent move to relax restrictions in many states, it is ever apparent the need for specialized manufacturing workers be added to New York states Covid-19 vaccine eligibility list. This is especially true for companies like ours who manufacture products for Covid-19 therapeutics, vaccines and sanitization products.

Since last April, the Feldmeier Equipment workforce has been making sanitary vessels, as part of what is formerly known as Operation Warp Speed. Feldmeier and its hard-working employees are proud to do our part in the fight to defeat this pandemic. Based on the importance of the work of these essential workers, it has been even more critical to keep these individuals safe and healthy. The risk of unnecessary interruptions or delays in our manufacturing due to increased cases of Covid-19 in our facilities is of great importance as it will directly impact not only our state but our country.

Of the 10 groups currently eligible to receive the vaccine in New York, it is difficult to understand the lack of focus on the significance of these important tradesmen who continue to build the very tanks the vaccine is created in. We implore New York leaders  the state Assembly, state Senate and the governor  to consider these specialized manufacturing workers as the next eligible group for the Covid-19 vaccine, as it did for the preceding at-risk populations.

New York has come a long way since this time last year. We, at Feldmeier, salute all those in government who have bravely navigated us through these unchartered waters. We strongly applaud the efforts of all first responders and frontline workers who continue the fight against this virus. Most of all, we pray for those who have lost so much in this difficult battle.

Colby Clark

Vice President

Feldmeier Equipment

DeWitt

Write to us: How to submit letters and commentary to Syracuse.com
Tel Aviv, Mar 8 (UNI) Israel permits emergency entry of foreign citizens starting Monday, provided certain rules are followed, the country's government said.

"The entry of foreign nationals to Israel will be allowed in case of emergencies," the government said in a statement.

In order to enter the country, foreign citizens will have to fill an entry form within 24 hours before the flight, as well as receive an entry permit. After provided necessary documents and information, a passenger will either be allowed or refused entry.
An extension of The Create Fund launched in December 2020, the "Through Their Eyes" $10,000 grant provides financial and professional support to female and non-binary artists

NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Shutterstock, Inc . (NYSE: SSTK) a leading global creative platform offering full-service solutions, high-quality content, and tools for brands, businesses and media companies, today announced the launch of " Through Their Eyes ," a $10,000 grant to champion underrepresented female and non-binary creators, and their creative projects across photography, visual journalism, videography, illustration, 3D modeling, and writing.

Launching on International Women's Day, the grant was established to celebrate and embolden the diverse perspectives of female and non-binary artists, by highlighting their visual stories, and providing a glimpse into their thoughts, experiences and perceptions of the world as portrayed in their art. Moving away from stereotypical content and towards more inclusive works, "Through Their Eyes" focuses on the female gaze at a time when women and non-binary artists are increasingly taking hold over their own narratives.

"Shutterstock is powered by storytelling from its diverse global contributor community, and with "Though Their Eyes," we aspire to empower and elevate women and non-binary people in the arts," said Kristen Sanger, Senior Director of Contributor Marketing at Shutterstock. "Diversity, authenticity and representation are themes that echo the collective spirit at Shutterstock, and the "Through Their Eyes" grant enables these talented female and non-binary artists to create and exhibit visually stunning content that is both relevant, and reflective of their experiences."

The $10,000 grant will be awarded in three prizes: a first prize of $5,000, with second and third prize each receiving $2,500.

Female and non-binary artists including photographers, videographers, illustrators, 3D artists or writers are open and encouraged to apply. Applicants must submit a project proposal, examples of their work, and a short biography by 5 p.m. EST on April 22, 2021 to be considered for the three grants. Applicants are encouraged to outline how their submitted projects will add to the narrative of the female and non-binary perspective. Grant recipients will be selected by a diverse panel of expert judges who are knowledgeable in the various genres of grants Shutterstock will be offering. All artists selected for a grant will be provided an outlet to license their work, either via Shutterstock, Shutterstock Editorial, Premium Beat or OFFSET.

The Create Fund, a $300,000 artist grant, was established by Shutterstock in December 2020, to fill content gaps and further diversity and inclusion within its content library and contributor network.

At launch, the first three grants offered through The Create Fund included:

Create for Climate: Drawing awareness to global climate change by supporting artists who use their talents to depict climate change, environmental protests, and our changing landscape.

Support Invisible Illness: Promoting artists who create visual stories and representations that break the stigma around mental health, portraying a more inclusive view of mental illness around the world.

The Senior Creatives: Supporting our community of senior creativesthose over 50 who have had years to hone their craft and want to share their experiences and perspectives through creative means.



In addition to launching the "Through Their Eyes" grant, we are thrilled to announce the recipients of these three grants:

Create For Climate: Joao Esteves, Portugal

"My goal with this project is to create a short-documentary film at this pivotal moment, to feel the pulse of the Fridays for Future movement and other climate activists in Portugal ."

Supporting Invisible Illness: Aaliyah-Janay Williams , U.S.A

"Through film, I intend to show the emotional and mental toll that self-exploration can have, especially when an individual is unlearning habits, behaviours, and patterns that do not serve them."

The Senior Creatives: Erkin Bolzhurov, Kyrgyzstan

Erkin's son Bektur has cerebral palsy, and Erkin began to document his life and the lives of others with disabilities through photography.

"I want to show their lives, and relationships with their relatives."

To learn more about the "Through Their Eyes" grant, visit https://www.shutterstock.com/explore/create-fund

About Shutterstock

Shutterstock, Inc. (NYSE: SSTK ), is a leading global creative platform offering full-service solutions, high-quality content, and tools for brands, businesses and media companies. Directly and through its group subsidiaries, Shutterstock's comprehensive collection includes high-quality licensed photographs , vectors , illustrations , videos , 3D models and music . Working with its growing community of over 1.6 million contributors, Shutterstock adds hundreds of thousands of images each week, and currently has more than 360 million images and more than 21 million video clips available.

Headquartered in New York City, Shutterstock has offices around the world and customers in more than 150 countries. The Company also owns Bigstock , a value-oriented stock media offering; Shutterstock Studios, an end-to-end custom creative shop ; Offset, a high-end image collection ; PremiumBeat, a curated royalty-free music library; Shutterstock Editorial, a premier source of editorial images and videos for the world's media; Amper Music, an AI-driven music platform ; and TurboSquid, a leading 3D content marketplace .

For more information, please visit www.shutterstock.com and follow Shutterstock on Twitter and on Facebook .

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China turns to "post-colonial" countries to create its own global sphere of influence. The exploitation of Covid vaccine diplomacy. Attempt to weaken the Euro-Atlantic front. Myanmar coup lays bare the limits of Chinese foreign policy.

Beijing (AsiaNews) - China must "unite postcolonial nations". On the sidelines of the annual meeting of the National Peoples Congress, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi yesterday dusted off an old Maoist slogan to outline his countrys foreign policy goals.

Experts observe they can be summarized in Beijing's attempt to break or weaken the anti-Chinese front that Joe Biden's US is steadily building.

In a meeting with selected media (excluding CNN, BBC and Reuters, for example), Wang said that China is opposed to the "exclusive circle" created by the United States. He hinted that Beijing will use Covid vaccine diplomacy to strengthen ties with developing countries in Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia and Central Asia. So far, China has sent its vaccines to 35 African and 12 Latin American states.

In an effort to highlight China's growing global influence, Wang pointed to an increase in trade with the Middle East and Latin America, and the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCP) with 14 economies in the Asia-Pacific region. He reiterated his government's commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi Jinping's major project to build new trade routes with the rest of the world. Due to the pandemic, Chinese investment in this area collapsed in 2020.

Beijing intends to build its own global sphere of influence while simultaneously reducing that of the United States. Yesterday Wang declared that his government is ready to sign, ratify and respect the ILO (International Labor Organization) conventions on the ban on forced labor. This is the precondition set by the European Union to ratify the bilateral investment agreement signed on December 30th.

During the years of the Trump presidency, China sought to undermine the Euro-Atlantic alliance and the signing of the EU agreement is a sign. Wang explained that Beijing does not want to sow discord between the EU and the US, but also said that his government is in favor of a "strategic autonomy" in Europe.

China criticizes EU and US support for protests in Hong Kong. Wang also termed Western charges of genocide in Xinjiang against Uyghurs and other Turkish-speaking minorities of Muslim faith false". He maintains the accusations are just a gimmick to hinder progress in Chinese development, even if several humanitarian organizations and experts from the United Nations are launching them.

In a nod to the risk of "external interference", Wang also stated that China should work with Russia to fight possible, new "colour revolutions". However, many note that Beijing is encountering major problems in building its own sphere of influence, as seen on its own borders in the recent coup in Myanmar, where the military overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, with whom the Chinese leaders had established excellent relations. Experts point out, China has so far offered no solution to the Burmese crisis.

Rating: 3.5 /5 Star Cast: Pooja Bhatt, Shahana Goswami, Amruta Subhash Director: Alankrita Shrivastava

Duration: 6 Episodes / 40 minutes

Language: Hindi

Story: Netflix describes the show as, "From boardrooms to society's margins, five ambitious women from various walks of life navigate dreams, desires and disappointments in modern Mumbai."

Review: Bombay Begums follows five women who start out lost in their own journeys but after experiencing each other's ordeals and seeing a bit of themselves in others, they come together and begin to uplift each other.

In the first episode, Alankrita Shrivastava sets the simple, real and fast-paced tone for the show. We are introduced to Rani (Pooja Bhatt), the CEO of Royal Bank of Bombay, who used to be a bank teller in Kanpur and now heads a major financial institution. The rest of the episode quickly glances through the other protagonists' lives - Fatima (Shahana Goswami), Ayesha (Plabita Borthakur), and Lily (Amruta Subhash).

Fatima is offered the bank's deputy managing director position but is wary to accept it because of her husband and the upcoming baby. Ayesha from Indore is an ambitious employee who gets fired by Fatima but is given a chance by Rani to work in the bank's Corporate Social Responsibility division.

Meanwhile, Rani's stepson injures Lily, a bar dancer turned sex worker's son in a road accident. Lily then blackmails Rani, aiming for a life of respect so her son can have a respectable future. Last but not the least, Rani's stepdaughter, Shai (Aadhya Anand), who is the series' voiceover and conscience, is eager to become a woman and lose herself in love.

The show offers a good mix of well-represented realistic characters. The story does not shy away from being dramatic but certainly embraces all the teenage cringe, the conscious adult mistakes and the confusion that comes with it. The show hooks you with the ladies fighting against the world, halfway through the six-part series, you realise they are a part of the world against them. By the end of the show, Pooja Bhatt's character even agrees, she says "We are part of the problem."

The screenplay is bland and without any big moments, but the cinematography and the performances make up for it. All five of the leading ladies shine in their own key moments and also while sharing screen space. One of the best parts of the show is, Shai's (Aadhya Anand) narration as she describes the characters and the situation in poems.

The teenager's philosophical commentary on her own life also runs in tune with the adults, who have lost themselves busy surviving the cat and mouse game. On the other hand, the male characters in the show contribute very little and for once that is not a bad thing.

Overall, Bombay Begums will turn the world against you from under you to show you the mirror. As much as the story may seem in the audience's face, the subject is such that it needs to be.

ALSO READ: Bombay Begums Trailer: Pooja Bhatt, Amruta Subhash Are Fighting To Survive In The Relentless City Of Mumbai

ALSO READ: Bombay Begums: Netflix Announces Pooja Bhatt's Web Series To Release On International Women's Day
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New Delhi, March 8 : Troubles may escalate for Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat as the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership has summoned him to Delhi on Monday. Moreover, many big leaders, including Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari will also be a part of the discussion.

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and National General Secretary Dushyant Gautam have already submitted their report to the BJP high-command as observers.

Acting on the report, the BJP leadership has summoned Rawat to Delhi, party sources told IANS.

Meanwhile, according to the information, four ministers and 10 MLAs of Uttarakhand are already present in Delhi. Minister Arvind Pandey, Satpal Maharaj Subodh Uniyal, former MP Balraj Pasi, MLA Khajan Das, Harbans Kapoor, Harbajan Singh Cheema and other leaders are present in the national capital.

In view of the ongoing Parliament Session, Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, MPs from the state Ajay Bhatt, Ajay Tamta and other MPs are already in Delhi.

The issue of Uttarakhand is also likely to be discussed in the meeting of the BJP's parliamentary board on March 9.

According to sources, Rawat on Monday cancelled the visit to the state's summer capital, Gairsain. In Delhi, he is to meet party chief J.P. Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Sources said that the two observers sent by the BJP leadership to Dehradun on Saturday had a separate meeting with several MLAs in Uttarakhand.

During this time, the MLAs said that contesting elections under the leadership of the current Chief Minister could be a negative deal. Public representatives are being ignored due to the dominance of bureaucracy in the government. This has also caused resentment among the public.

The observers have sent this report to the BJP leadership.

An Uttarakhand BJP leader told IANS, "There is an election in 2022. Due to the displeasure of many MLAs, it could be dangerous to contest election under the leadership of the current Chief Minister. However, the party leaders are trying to do 'damage-control' by counselling the Legislatures. The BJP leadership would take the further decision according to the observers' report. If the Chief Minister's face is not changed then a big reshuffle in the Cabinet is expected." (Navneet Mishra can be reached at navneet.m@ians.in)

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Masks have been permanent staple of American life for the past year. Recommendations change like spring weather, from none to one to two or more, all based on flimsy evidence from the follow the science crowd.

Last March, the World Health Organization recommended no masks for individuals unless they are sick with COVID or caring for someone who is sick.

The esteemed Dr. Anthony Fauci agreed saying, Theres no reason to be walking around with a mask And, often, there are unintended consequences. How right he was, in an unintended way.

Last month, Dr. Fauci made the case for two masks. After all, if one is good, two or more must be better. Try that with your prescription medications and see how that works out.

Gov. Newsom wants his California subjects to wear two masks, hoping to suffocate voters ahead of his recall election. He describes states that are now ditching their mask diktats absolutely reckless. He did not apply that descriptor to himself after posting, a video of himself inside a restaurant in an area of the state where indoor dining is still banned in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Where he was wearing only one mask while he flouted his own rules.

The unintended consequences Dr. Fauci referred to included face touching as people fiddle with their masks, contaminating their faces and fingers, defeating the purpose of a face covering. There is another consequence receiving no attention, mask pollution.

Masks act as air filters rather than barriers. A barrier would be one of those space suits with a self-contained breathing apparatus worn by researchers in the most secure biolabs like the one at Fort Detrick.

Masks filter the air, to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the type of mask and fit. As filters, masks capture virus in inhaled room air, or exhaled by the mask wearing person if they carry the virus. Masks are like the filters in your furnace, capturing dust blowing through your ventilation system, turning the filters black.

If such a filter was in the ventilation system of a bioweapons lab, capturing lethal viruses, would it be tossed in the trash along with coffee cups and candy wrappers? It certainly would not, instead considered hazardous biowaste, decontaminated, and disposed of safely.

Why are not masks treated similarly? If masks are filtering out the deadly coronavirus, why are they not treated as medical waste rather than normal trash tossed on the ground or in the nearest rubbish bin?

COVID can persist on inanimate surfaces for up to nine days, yet infected masks are being discarded anywhere and everywhere like cigarette butts. Why are not masks considered medical waste? What if a hospital discarded bloody waste or used hypodermic needles in the regular trash?

Beyond the biohazard risk, what are masks doing to the environment?

The U.K. alone will generate yearly, mask waste equivalent to over five Eiffel Towers. Add in the rest of the world and its an Eiffel Tower of masks every day.

Another U.K. analysis calculated that single use masks, made from multiple layers of plastic, worn by every person in the U.K. for a single day, Would create 66,000 tonnes of contaminated plastic waste and create ten times more climate change impact than using reusable masks.

Cloth masks are often washed after a day of use, but surgical masks are not, disposed of at the end of the day, dropped in trash can, in parking lots or wherever.

Masks take 450 years to biodegrade. How many will end up in oceans and landfills, contaminating water and food chains with micro-plastics? Will sea animals become entangled in elastic mask straps as they are with plastic six-pack rings?

Oceans Asia screen grab, via YouTube

Surprisingly environmental groups are saying little about this new form of pollution. The BBC at least acknowledged the problem as did Oceans Asia, but the Green New Deal gang on this side of the pond does not seem concerned.

Microplastics in masks which contain toxic chemicals released during the degradation process. Masks dont grow on trees, requiring energy and raw materials for production. Plastics are petroleum based, not magically grown from wind or solar energy. Ironically those on the left pushing universal masking are trying to ban the source of these masks.

There is also the disposal problem. The United Nations warns, It can be expected that around 75 per cent of the used masks, as well as other pandemic-related waste, will end up in landfills, or floating in the seas.

Sea birds and other aquatic life can become tangled in the elastic mask straps. Animals may ingest the masks or microplastics, harming the animals or contaminating the food chain.

Plastic gloves, also in common use these days, are derived from fossil fuel-based plastics and take hundreds of years to degrade, shedding microplastics into the environment.

Where are the climate warriors? As states end their mask mandates, climatistas should be cheering, Instead President Biden refers to this environmentally friendly move as neanderthal thinking. Greta Thunberg, the scowling environmental scold, should be wagging her finger at Dr. Fauci and state governors who want to keep everyone perpetually masked, creating tons of environmental waste.

The same follow the science crowd is also quite certain that man made global warming will destroy the planet, now in nine short years according to climate scientist John Kerry. Yet they are ignorantly or willfully paying no attention to the real environmental impact of the mountains of trash created over dubious COVID rules and mandates, such as masking up the entire population indefinitely.

Was it ever about the environment? Or the virus? Or simply a power grab by the left?

Brian C. Joondeph, M.D., is a physician and writer. He is on sabbatical from social media.
A former State Department aide arrested over the Capitol riot has complained of his cell conditions.

The former aide, Federico Klein, told a judge he felt "cockroaches crawling" all over him.

Klein is believed to be the first Trump appointee arrested in connection to the Capitol riot.

Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.

A former Trump-appointed aide arrested in connection to the US Capitol riot has complained to a judge about the conditions in his jail cell - including cockroaches.

Authorities arrested Federico Klein, a former staff assistant at the State Department, on Thursday, saying in an affidavit that he was seen attacking police officers during the January 6 insurrection.

The affidavit also said he was seen on video "physically and verbally" engaging with police officers. Klein was spotted in a MAGA hat and described in the affidavit as "resisting officers, attempting to take items from officers, and assaulting officers with a riot shield."

Since his arrest, Klein has been held in a detention facility but asked a judge to be moved elsewhere because of poor conditions.

"I wonder if there's a place where I can stay in detention where I don't have cockroaches crawling over me while I attempt to sleep," he said, according to a report from The Washington Post. "I mean, I really haven't slept all that much, your honor. It would be nice if I could sleep in a place where there were not cockroaches everywhere."

The judge, Zia M. Faruqui, told Klein in response that he would soon be moved to another jail in Washington, DC. Faruqui also said the conditions would be addressed at his present cell.

"Very well, I appreciate that," Klein said, according to The Post.

The Capitol riot left five people dead, including one police officer. In the weeks after, insurrectionists scrambled to delete photos and social-media posts proving their participation.

Story continues

Klein joined the State Department in 2017 just ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration, according to a public database. He had a salary of $66,510.

He faces felony charges in connection to the riot.

Read the original article on Business Insider
SPRINGFIELD  Looking to find college graduates with an interest in law enforcement, the Springfield Police Department recently set up a booth at a Westfield State University career fair.

The university offers both undergraduate and masters degrees in criminal justice  so it seemed like a good bet, said Police Commissioner Cheryl C. Clapprood.

We got one person that came to our booth to talk to us, she said in an interview. And he found out he was at the wrong booth.

The story serves as a ready example of the difficulties the department is having in finding new recruits, she said.

Policing was seen by previous generations as a promising and exciting career, offering steady work, public service, good pay and a pension. But according to some police officials, todays generation of young people are saying, no thanks.

Clapprood says it isnt just a Springfield problem, but a nationwide issue that will only grow as more veteran cops retire without enough new recruits in the pipeline.

Black Lives Matter activism that has helped shine a spotlight on police misconduct, the COVID-19 pandemic, controversy and an increasingly cynical public are combining to drive down recruiting numbers in Springfield, across Massachusetts and nationwide, officials say.

With a new Massachusetts Civil Service examination for entry-level police officers and state troopers on the horizon, Clapprood and others are sounding the alarm that fresh interest just isnt there.

Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes, also president of the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs of Police Association, said his impressions of the recruiting picture mirror Clapproods. And, hes hearing the same from other chiefs.

It seems like this is the early phase, and certainly if two years ago was any indication, the numbers are down, said Kyes, whose association represents the states 40 largest police departments. Springfield, Worcester, Boston are down significantly  over 50%.

Chelsea, a department with 112 sworn officers, has noticed a decline in interest over the last few years, he said.

There was a time when we would have well over 300 people take the exam, he said. Now if we get 50, thats a lot.

In previous years, the state exam would attract 500 or more applications in Springfield, Clapprood said. So far, with just six weeks to go before the April 20 registration deadline for the June 12 exam, the department had fewer than 100 as of last week.

The Springfield Police Department employs just under 500 officers and supervisors. An average 30 each year retire due to age or injury, resign for other work, or are fired.

For Clapprood, its a problem of basic math. If 30 people leave, 30 more have to sign on to keep staffing levels steady.

Its important to me that I try to maintain staffing levels by having an academy class of between 30 and 35 every year, the commissioner said.

Early next month, 34 recruits will graduate from the Springfield Police Academy and be sworn in as city officers. But Clapprood is thinking ahead to the next class.

For every recruit who completes the academy, three to four applicants are weeded out along the way  either by the Civil Service test scores, physical fitness and psychological testing or background checks.

On average, it takes 130 to 140 applicants to get to 30 to 35 recruits, Clapprood said.

There is also the matter of tight finances amid a pandemic. As of Thursday, 61 city residents were signed up to take the state exam. Of those, only 29 have paid the $100 exam fee.

Running down the numbers, Clapprood sighed. You know, its pretty depressing, she said.

Graduates of a police academy in Worcester in 2019. Of the 40 recruits, 26 joined the Worcester Police Department while 14 joined departments including Millbury, Barre, Paxton, UMass, Shirley, Foxborough and Hopkinton. (Melissa Hanson / MassLive file)

Kathleen A. Daly, spokeswoman for the Worcester Police Department, said interest in that city also reflects a downturn.

Currently, we only have 85 individuals signed up to take the next exam. This is a sharp decline in comparison to previous years, she said  though she noted there is still time for the numbers to improve ahead of the April 20 deadline.

During our recruitment efforts we have seen less interest in the profession of policing, which appears to be partially due to the challenges facing law enforcement, she said.

A 2019 report by the Police Executive Research Forum, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit devoted to policing issues, found that staffing issues nationwide are becoming a critical problem for police departments.

The report, titled The Workforce Crisis, and what Police Agencies are Doing about It, points to what it calls a triple threat affecting staffing.

First, fewer people are applying to work as police officers, with 63% of departments surveyed reporting declines in the number of job applicants over the previous five years.

The second factor: more current cops are taking voluntary resignations than in years past. Often, officers are leaving to take jobs outside law enforcement. Most occur within the first five years on the job.

Finally, an estimated 8.5% of working police officers are already eligible to retire, with up to 15.5% becoming eligible within five years. Officers hired in the 1990s, when federal funding helped communities hire more cops, are now rapidly approaching retirement.

This triple threat  fewer applicants, more resignations, and a looming retirement bubble  comes at a time when many agencies are already short staffed, the report said. And traditional sources of new police officers such as military and legacy hires are drying up.

Across the county, police departments are seeing more officers retiring at the first opportunity.

A 2019 survey by the Research Forum found 41% of police departments reporting a shortage of available officers. And the same poll showed 63% of departments reporting a decline in the number of applications over the previous five years  with 36% saying applications have decreased significantly.

Meanwhile, a 2018 U.S. Department of Justice survey found that between 2013 and 2016, the number of police officers in the U.S. dropped by 3.3%, from 725,000 to 701,000. The decline came after a period of steady increases that began in 1997.

The report recommends police departments change with the times in terms of how, and who, they recruit. It suggests looking for people who are fluent in technology and who have the temperament for dealing with the public, while relaxing rules regarding tattoos and facial hair. It also recommends easing the hiring process, emphasizing police work as community service, and putting more emphasis on nontraditional forms of recruiting.

This story is part of The Republican's ongoing reporting about efforts to reform the Springfield Police Department. Have a tip or story suggestion? Email newsdesk@repub.com.

In addition to being a police chief, Kyes teaches criminal justice classes at colleges in his area.

At the start of each semester he asks for a show of hands for those interested in police work.

There was a time when all the hands would go up, he said. Now I dont see those numbers. Ill see three or four, maybe five hands go up out of a class of 20 to 25.

Clapprood, who joined the force in 1981, said the profession has been hit so hard in the wake of protests, legislative police reform and frustration with the judicial system that many veteran cops are frustrated, and discouraging their children and younger siblings from following in their footsteps.

I have a friend who is a state trooper. He said his son was thinking about joining and my friend said, Absolutely not. As a matter of fact, Im getting out early, she recounted.

Clapprood and Kyes each said that over the past 10 years, the perception of policing has changed in large part because of the fallout over a number of unarmed civilian deaths at the hands of police, beginning in 2014 with Eric Garner in New York and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. It continued last year with protests over the death of George Floyd, who was killed in Minneapolis by a police officer who kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes.

Floyds death, which was recorded on video by a bystander, triggered Black Lives Matter protests across the county  including a showing of more than 3,000 people in Springfield.

Clapprood said the reputation of the Springfield police has been marred by incidents and protests in other cities.

We have no control or say or influence on those cases you mentioned. They happened far away from us, she said. Its a profession where if one does it, youre all grouped together. So were all living with those mistakes.

But the Springfield Police Department has its own history of misconduct. Over a dozen officers were charged in connection with an assault on a patron outside a bar in 2014 and trying to cover it up. A former narcotics detective is facing federal civil rights charges for threatening several teens accused of stealing a police car during interrogations. And a Department of Justice report released last summer alleged widespread civil rights abuses by the departments Narcotics Bureau.

Clapprood acknowledges that the departments own missteps have likely had an impact on recruitment.

A mistake in policing is magnified much greater than a mistake in a lot of other professions, she said. If that was something you would be looking at, I think you would go in the opposite way.

Kyes said most police officers were horrified to see the Floyd footage. But media coverage of bad cops also impacts the many good ones, he said.

You hate to say the profession gets painted with a broad brush, but it does, he said.

Clapprood said the pandemic has also limited traditional forms of recruiting at high schools, as well as face-to-face networking.

Were in a position where we should be, where I should be, going to school assemblies. I should be out there talking to young people about (policing) as a career, she said. Its limiting and its constricting to only be able to do it on Zoom.

The department has been trying to promote itself where and when it can. Clapprood says she has tried to nurture an active presence on social media to promote careers in policing, selling the idea that officers do good work for the community.

One thing that has remained a constant, one thing I will always say, is we do have the ability to help people, and we do have the ability to make their lives better, she said. The officers have been doing a lot of good out there.

Another selling point is the salary. Clapprood said even rookie Springfield police officers make good money.

The base salary for a Springfield police patrol officer ranges from $65,780 to $78,072.

If youre a young person and you like to work and want to work ... theres a lot of overtime with this job, she said, adding that working extra-duty jobs directing traffic a few times a week, you make yourself a pretty good paycheck for a down-payment on a house or a car.

According to city payroll records for 2020, the department paid salaries to 386 patrol officers. Because of overtime and extra-duty assignments, all but nine of the 386 patrol officers made more than the base salary of $65,780.

The average gross salary for 2020 was $93,876, and 178 patrol officers earned more than that. Of those, 134 earned between $100,000 and $145,695  and six earned more last year than Mayor Domenic J. Sarnos $137,596 annual salary.

Clapprood said she ultimately hopes the declining interest is cyclical, and that it will eventually turn around  as will public perception.

It might take some time now. Weve taken a few heavy punches in a row here, and especially in Springfield, she said. But hopefully, yes, it does come back and its a job that people once again desire to have.

Related content:
[March 08, 2021] TerraPay forays into Bank Account payments in the USA and Canada to facilitate same day international money transfers and cross border remittances

- TerraPay's global presence now reaches 70 countries. - The Company is committed towards fostering inclusive digital mobility for all and is building a credible digital payments highway, beyond borders. THE HAGUE, Netherlands, March 8, 2021 /CNW/ -- TerraPay, a leading global payments infrastructure company, announced its expansion into Bank Account payments in the USA and Canada markets to facilitate digital cross border remittances and speedy money transfers to senders (partners and their customers) from key corridors around the globe. TerraPay's objective is to build global digital payment highways that interconnect financial institutions such as Banks and Mobile Wallets across the world, nurturing inclusivity, independence and empowerment to all in the global ecosystem. Users across these countries and continents who currently have traditional access to bank transfers directly into the USA and Canada, will now be able to send and receive remittances more efficiently and at global best practice rates directly into their bank accounts through TerraPay's partner networks. With this entry, TerraPay's global footprint reaches 70 countries. The USA and Canada markets have a largely potential payments ecosystem, including significant Business, Personal, and Education payment requirements. This lends to the markets being the home to millions of students and migrant workers across the world, who immigrate for better education and work opportunities. With TerraPay's expansion into these cashless economies, individuals and businesses across the globe who have to make a small, mid-size or large payment to the USA or Canada can do so through TerraPay's well entrenched global partner network of 4 Bn+ Banks and 500 Mn+ Mobile Wallets. TerraPay's state-of-the-art interoperability engine will enable it's partners' customers to send and receive payments on a scalable, secure, transparent, an efficient platform, and with an assured same day credit notification. All this, at a nominal validation.



"We are proud to announce our expansion into bank account payments in the USA and Canada, expanding our reach to 70 countries, globally. By facilitating same day international money transfers and cross border remittances, we will offer an edge to our partners' customers. The USA and Canada are one of the biggest cashless economies globally, which gives us the right opportunity to scale up our operations going forward. We look forward to paving these two new destinations on our global payments highway," said Ani Sane, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer, TerraPay. Speaking on the foray into the new marquee geographies, Philip Daniel, Regional Director, TerraPay, said, "Presently, there are more than 5 million students studying and working away from their country of origin. Most of these students and other migrant populations are living in countries such as the USA, UK, Australia, Germany, Canada and others, contributing a cumulative $300 Bn to the economy. For students, these billion dollar spends cater to application fees, tuition fee remittances, spends on debit cards off and on campus, living payments. Therefore, it can be easily ascertained how big the market potential for seamless cross border digital remittance transactions is. Our solution enables P2P and B2B fund transfers on the same day compared to the current 2-3 days delivery as with traditional banking channels. Our partners and end consumers benefit from higher cost efficiencies and increased revenues, transforming the future of efficient digital money transfers."

TerraPay has established itself as a global partner to leading banks, money transfer operators, mobile wallet operators and financial Institutions to facilitate digital transactions without borders. As a B2B company, TerraPay partners with other businesses and helps them leverage its agile, secure, and scalable technology platform to enhance their customer proposition for remittances, payments, and cross border spends. TerraPay is regulated in over 45 countries around the world. About TerraPay TerraPay is a licensed digital payments infrastructure and solutions provider, paving the global payments highway. The company's robust foundation and innovative platform technology serve as the digital interoperability engine enabling customers and businesses globally to send and receive payments on a secure, transparent, efficient, and real-time basis. The agile network supports diverse payment instruments and types of payments while adhering to complex regulations and compliance standards in different markets. For more information, please visit terrapay.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/terrapay-forays-into-bank-account-payments-in-the-usa-and-canada-to-facilitate-same-day-international-money-transfers-and-cross-border-remittances-301242060.html SOURCE TerraPay

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La vacunacion no se detiene!??



Hoy empezo la inmunizacion de nuestros adultos mayores, personal de la @PoliciaPeru y de las Fuerzas Armadas @CCFFAA_PERU ????????????????????????#PongoElHombro ???? pic.twitter.com/5dFvJqFuhn
A decision on giving the jabs to children will probably be made this summer on completion of tests of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine on younger people

A huge drive to immunise millions of children against coronavirus could begin before the autumn term, a government vaccines adviser has revealed.

The move might be deemed essential to keep schools open.

Jabs could be administered in schools and may be offered first to pupils aged between 11 and 18 though vaccinating all children over six years old has not been discounted, said Professor Adam Finn, who serves on the Government's Joint Vaccination and Immunisation Committee.

'I would say that we will be immunising some children, at least, by the end of the year,' he said. 'It might prove necessary to create the resilience for a stable education system because if there is ongoing transmission in the general population while everyone else from 18 up has been offered the vaccine, it might prove that what's driving that is the transmission that goes on in schools.

'And, of course, it is to the benefit of children directly to keep schools going.'

A huge drive to immunise millions of children against coronavirus could begin before the autumn term, a government vaccines adviser has revealed. The move might be deemed essential to keep schools open [Stock image]

A decision on giving the jabs to children will probably be made this summer on completion of tests of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine on younger people.

In the US, children aged 12 to 18 have already been immunised in trials using the Pfizer vaccine.

Coming ahead of today's big return to the classroom, with older pupils facing regular tests to ensure they are free of the virus, his prediction will inevitably raise concerns among some parents.

However, Professor Finn cited three reasons why he feels it could become important to inoculate more than 10 million young people in the six to 16 age bracket once the adult vaccination programme has been completed.

Though many children with coronavirus show no symptoms, a small percentage become so ill that they require hospital treatment.

Paediatricians are also concerned by the emergence of an inflammatory illness that can follow infection in children, albeit rarely.

In extreme cases this can cause multiple organ-failure.

A decision on giving the jabs to children will probably be made this summer on completion of tests of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine on younger people [Stock photo]

Given the British public's longstanding tradition for supporting national vaccination programmes, and the enthusiastic response among older adults to the Covid-19 jab, Professor Finn is confident that the majority of parents would agree to their children being immunised.

However, he stressed that a schools roll-out might yet prove unnecessary. A decision would probably be made this summer on completion of the trials, which began last month and involve 300 young volunteers aged from six to 18.

With the Oxford vaccine's effectiveness in preventing the virus already established, this study will assess whether it causes the same antibody response in children as in adults, and whether the side-effects sometimes suffered by older people, such as a sore arm and fever, are different.
OAKRIDGE, Ore.-- Community members in Oakridge express frustration after an investigation found the removal of the school superintendent Reta Doland not warranted.

"In one year, 20% of the staff retired or had to take a leave of absence and almost every single one of them said it was because of Ms. Doland," Oakridge High School parent Nicole Sulick said.

Sulick originally submitted a formal complaint to the Oakridge School Board against Doland last December.

An independent agency called RS2 Education Consulants reviewed the investigation and found the removal unwarranted. In February, Sulick submitted a 30-page rebuttal of the investigation's report to the school board but didn't hear back.

"The entire community and the teachers are coming together with a common message and we're not sure that they are listening," Sulick said.

According to a letter by the Oakridge Teacher's Association, 90 percent of teachers voted that they had no confidence in Doland's leadership.

Supporting documents state the reason for petitioning a removal of Doland include lack of communication, having a non-collaborative management style and failing to respond to emails in a timely manner.

Robin Tysoe is a fourth grade teacher at Oakridge Elementary School. She said she is disappointed with the school board's actions.

"We just didn't feel our voices being heard," Tysoe said. "They're supposed to be an independent body but they're not."

A school board meeting is set to take place at 6 p.m. on Monday night. Community members must sign up before noon to make public comment.

KEZI reached out to Reta Doland for comment but did not hear back.
UK Commends Burmese Ambassador for Defying Junta

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab commended Burmas ambassador to London for his courage and patriotism after the envoy openly called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders detained by the junta.

Burmas military seized power on Feb. 1 and arrested leaders of the civilian government, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.

Earlier today I spoke to Myanmar Ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn. I praised his courage and patriotism in standing up for what is right. We join his call for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, and for a return to democratic rule pic.twitter.com/B7PGhspwL9  Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) March 8, 2021

In a defiant statement published on Monday on the Burmese embassy website, the countrys ambassador to the UK, Kyaw Zwar Minn, said he continues to follow instructions from Aung San Suu Kyi.

The answer to the current crisis can only be at the negotiating table, he said. We request the release of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint.

The ambassador said he had discussed the situation in Burma (also known as Myanmar) with Raab and Britains minister for Asia, Nigel Adams.

Riot police officers fire teargas canisters during a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Burma, on Feb. 28, 2021. (Stringer via Reuters)

In reaction, Raab said: I commend the courage and patriotism of Myanmar Ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn in calling for Aung Sung Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint to be released and for the results of the 2020 election to be respected.

The military regime must end their brutal crackdown, and restore democracy, he said in a statement.

Kyaw Zwar Minn is not the only Burmese diplomat to openly defy the junta.

Burmas U.N. Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun appealed to the United Nations on Feb. 27 to use any means necessary to take action against the Myanmar military to restore democracy.

He was sacked by the junta, but in letters to the U.N. General Assembly president Volkan Bozkir and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Kyaw Moe Tun said he remains Burmas U.N. ambassador.

The military regimes violent crackdown has left more than 50 protesters dead. At least 18 people were fatally shot Feb. 28 and 38 on March 3, according to the U.N. Human Rights Office.

At least three people were shot dead on Monday.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Somethings fishy about how the Department of Defense chose Alabama for the U.S. Space Command headquarters.

The Air Force chose Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, Ala., in January as the new home for the four-star general responsible for fighting wars in space. The decision disappointed leaders in what most people thought were the front-runners: San Antonio and Colorado Springs.

Houston also bid to host the militarys newest combatant command but was eliminated before the final round of the selection process.

Redstone Arsenal is home to the Armys missile development program, the Missile Defense Agency and the Missile and Space Intelligence Agency. NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center also calls the base home.

But Alabama? Does Huntsville really offer a better workforce, more military facilities, higher quality childcare and greater transportation networks than San Antonio?

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Attracting business to relocate to your community is not that hard

Those were among the 21 factors considered by the site selection team that made the recommendation to the secretary of defense, according to scoresheets the department recently shared with Congress. Im not the only one wondering if someone put a thumb on the scale.

We really think Space Command belongs in Texas, said Jim Perschbach, CEO of Port San Antonio, which was a finalist for newest military branch. Were not being parochial about Texas; Im not sure I understand the Colorado Springs rankings either.

Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers was less diplomatic.

Its comical, Suthers said. It is absolutely comical.

The Air Forces 21 factors fall into four broad categories: mission, capacity, support and costs to the Department of Defense. Every city interested in hosting the command put forth a proposal addressing the 21 factors, and a DOD team visited each site.

The DOD team then settled on a preferred location with five reasonable alternatives, including Albuquerque, N.M., Bellevue, Neb., and Cape Canaveral, Fla.

San Antonio ranked in the top third for emergency response, access to a military airfield, communications, medical support, quality of schools, cost of living, affordable housing and veteran support services.

What stumps Perschbach is how San Antonio ended up in the bottom third for facility and parking space, infrastructure costs and workforce availability. Port San Antonio is on the former Kelly Air Force Base with large, inexpensive and easily accessible lots next to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

When I see something that ranks us in the bottom-third for being able to deliver something within six years when we have a contractor who says we can deliver within four, it doesnt make a whole lot of sense, he said.

Nor does he understand how a cost range between $197 million and $432 million, depending on bells and whistles, ranks so low.

Im really interested in seeing what the numbers are, but I have a hard time believing were in the bottom third on speed and cost of delivery, Perschbach said.

As for workforce availability, he said, they seem to be talking about people in the GS ranks that are available. We have the largest joint base in the world right here in San Antonio; Im sure we have a lot of very good people on the GS schedule. But I am hoping they did not limit this to people who are government employees. There are a lot of really good people in San Antonio.

Good people at home may not be nearly as important as having the right people in Washington. When the decision was made, Alabamas Sen. Richard Shelby was chairman of the Appropriations Committee and its Defense Subcommittee, which determines DODs budget.

The decision was made by former President Donald Trumps defense secretary after Alabama voters elected Trump-supporter Tommy Tuberville.

Despite rating systems and thorough evaluations, military base selection remains a highly-political process. The site selection team has made a recommendation to the defense secretary, but he is free to overrule it. The president can also have a say.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Port San Antonio trying to get development right

The decision is also far from final. Engineers and consultants must still conduct a three-year environmental impact study of the Redstone Arsenal site before anyone starts packing their bags.

As with any high-profile decision, theres always an appeals process. The DOD inspector general has opened an investigation into the site selection process to ensure no one fudged the numbers to make influential members of Congress happy.

This should not be about politics; this should be about how we can maintain a presence in space, Perschbach said. Focusing on getting them ready to do their job should be the number one priority, and on that, I think Texas absolutely wins.

I have a hard time believing Alabama is a better home for Space Command than San Antonio, and I hope DOD will wake up to that fact very soon.

Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and policy.

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A more contagious variant of the coronavirus is spreading in Houston and the citys positivity rate crept up last week, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Monday, two days before all state COVID-19 restrictions are lifted across Texas.

Last month, city officials who sample sewage for traces of the virus detected the B.1.1.7 variant at 31 of the citys 39 wastewater treatment plants, up from 21 plants earlier in the month. A study published last Wednesday estimated the variant, which was first discovered in the United Kingdom, is 43 to 90 percent more infectious than previous variants.

About 19 percent of wastewater samples contained the more contagious variant when it was most recently sampled on Feb. 22, according to a city news release.

The prevalence of the U.K. variant in our wastewater shows its actively spreading in our city, said David Persse, the citys public health authority. This is another clear indication that we must continue to mask up, practice social distancing, wash our hands, get tested and get vaccinated when possible.

Meanwhile, the rate of Houstons COVID tests coming back positive increased last week to 13.1 percent, up from 11.9 percent the week before and a low of 11.2 percent during the winter storm.

All businesses in the city, and across Texas, are allowed to reopen at full capacity Wednesday, when Gov. Greg Abbott is lifting all the states social distancing measures. The governor also is lifting his statewide face covering requirement.

Turner said the warning signs in Houston hint at a potential new wave of COVID cases.

Its just important for us all to continue to do what we know we need to do, and that is, at the very minimum, please keep your mask on, Turner said. That protects you from me and me from you.

Houston health officials have tested the citys wastewater for COVID since May through a partnership with Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine. Traces of the coronavirus remain in human feces, even for those who do not have symptoms, allowing city officials to find virus hots pots and measure its true spread with greater precision.

Sample results for other more contagious variants, including those first detected in South Africa, Brazil and California, remain pending, city officials said.

To some degree, the race is on, Persse said. The race is on to get as many people vaccinated as possible before the U.K. variant is able to take over and cause us to have another surge.

Medical experts said individual behavior will dictate where Houston goes from here. If residents continue to be vigilant until they can get a vaccine, the spread of the variant should not be too concerning. If they let their guard down, however, it could result in another hard-hitting wave.

It really does depend on what our fellow citizens decide to do and how they decide to act, said Dr. Robert Atmar, a professor of infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine. It is a mixture of optimism and a sense of improving well-being with the rollout of a vaccination program and then a sense of concern, as the potential for people (who could) relax their personal vigilance may place them and the rest of the city and county at increased risk.

The governors order lifting all restrictions Wednesday could compound that pursuit of continued vigilance. Already, local leaders have had to scramble to pressure a popular Houston bar to cancel one planned mask off party.

Rebecca Fischer, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Texas A&M University, said one concerning consequence of the more contagious variants spread is that it makes so-called superspreader events more likely. Social gatherings or travel  spring break is this month  could further hasten that spread.

I think certainly its more widespread than anyone had wrapped their mind around so far, Fischer said of the variant. We can just think of each person contributing to more infections as they move forward, so you can imagine how this would snowball.

Fischer and Atmar said the good news is that the vaccines approved so far appear to be effective against the U.K. variant. That means public health officials are counting on a rising number of vaccines to help limit transmission.

Still, not everybody will be able to get their shot during the next month. That makes the more traditional methods of protection  masks, distancing and hand-washing  vital, according to the experts.

Many of us are expecting to see another wave, Fischer said. How high that peak goes depends very largely on what we are doing today to prevent that spread.

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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Outside buyers have long purchased high-priced vacation homes in places such as Santa Fe and Taos. A new bill could make them even more expensive.

House Bill 291 would, in part, remove the 3% cap on property tax increases for second or third homes in New Mexico and replace it with a 10% limit.

Rep. Matthew McQueen, D-Galisteo, has sponsored similar legislation during two previous sessions, but said this is the first time its been done with good organization.

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He said the 3% cap dates back to a law passed in 2000, which sought to prevent New Mexicans from being priced out of their homes due to property tax increases. An unintended consequence of that law, though, was that it applied to those who live primarily in other states, but have property in New Mexico.

HB 291, he said, would close the loophole.

Those arent the same homeowners we need to protect, McQueen said of second-home owners.

Second homes and vacation properties have become increasingly popular in New Mexico, especially in and around cities such as Santa Fe and Taos, which rely heavily on tourism. Census data shows that more than 40% of homes in Taos County are vacant, with about half of those listed as seasonal or recreational.

In Santa Fe, second homes have historically drawn the ire of residents who say the influx of wealthy second homebuyers increases property values across the city, thereby pricing people out of the market.

Joseph Montoya, executive director of the Santa Fe County Housing Authority, said the bill is more focused on tax equity, rather than housing affordability.

Its not trying to target people who live here or dont live here, Montoya said. Its just making sure that its targeted for a very specific set of folks.

Cities and counties have also voiced support for the legislation, as its passage could lead to higher revenues, especially for cities with high numbers of second homes.

In a letter to legislators, Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber wrote the removal of a cap for second-home owners is necessary because the bill is designed to protect New Mexico families.

The social policy that applies to our long-standing Santa Fe families certainly doesnt apply to (second-home owners), Webber wrote.

McQueen said it would certainly help the finances of some communities if passed.

But many say this new version will still have unintended consequences for some.

John Garcia, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico, said its common for New Mexican families to purchase second homes for relatives, but would be less likely to do so if taxes spike.

He also said that his organization has worked to attract wealthy senior citizens to retire in New Mexico and that HB 291 would only act as a deterrent.

The House of Representatives passed the bill Wednesday. It now has to make its way through Senate committees before receiving a final vote.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed all Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to submit an inventory of all election materials under their care before March 12.

INEC Chair, Mahmood Yakubu, who gave the directive on Monday at a meeting with the RECs in Abuja, said the move would enable the commission to prepare early for 2023 general elections.

Mr Yakubu restated the commissions commitment to deepening the culture of planning for elections.

As we continue to plan for the next general election, the RECs have been directed to compile and submit an inventory of all election materials in order to determine shortfalls and take early steps to ensure their adequacy and availability.

Only a few states are still outstanding. I wish to remind the states that are yet to make their submissions to do so by the end of this week.

This will enable us to address some of the logistics issues that have become a recurring decimal in the conduct of elections in the past.

The 2023 general elections must be different from all previous elections in terms of our preparations and readiness, Mr Yakubu said.

He said the meeting would ,among other things, review the commissions engagements with stakeholders on the planned expansion of voters access to polling units.

Mr Yakubu said the meeting would also discuss INEC preparations for the commencement of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

Our plan is to conclude the ongoing consultations and the actual work on the polling units in earnest so that the new locations will be made public for eligible registrants to choose where they wish to register and vote on election day.

Furthermore, those who wish to replace their lost or damaged Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), as well as those who are already registered but who may wish to apply for transfer of their registration from one location to another, will be able to do so as provided by law, he said.

Mr Yakubu said the report of the committee inaugurated on February 9 to review INEC strategic plan as well projections for future elections would be ready by the end of March.

The current five-year plan covering the period 2017-2021 expires in 2021.

For this reason, a committee involving the participation of some RECs was inaugurated a few weeks ago to review the Strategic Plan (SP) and the Strategic Programme of Action (SPA) to cover the next cycle of five years from 2022-2026. The committee is making good progress.

Its report should be submitted by the end of this month to enable the commission to engage stakeholders for its validation and subsequent implementation.

READ ALSO: INEC announces date for 2023 Presidential elections

I want to assure Nigerians that this will be accomplished long before the expiry of the current plan at the end of 2021, he said.

Mr Yakubu said that the commission would release the time table for by-election for Isoko North State Constituency in Delta House of Assembly before the end of the week.

He commended the RECs and staff of the commission for ensuring that Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency re-run election and the Kafin Hausa State Constituency by-election in Niger and Jigawa, met the standard for credible elections.

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He advised them to strive to do better in the forthcoming by-election in Ekiti and Abia.

The election included Ekiti East State Constituency 1 by-election scheduled for March 20 and the Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency by-election in Abia on March 27.

(NAN)
Galeria de las Huellas I/Miguel Angel Martin Merino. Credit: CENIEH

The CENIEH has participated in the study of the prints of bare feet found at the Sala y Galerias de las Huellas site in the Ojo Guarena Karst Complex (Burgos), which are the marks left in a soft floor sediment of an exploration by a small group of people between 4600 and 4200 years ago. Dating carried out in the access galleries to this site has documented intensive human traffic during the Neolithic, Mesolithic and Upper Paleolithic, confirming reiterated visits to this great cave complex throughout prehistory.

The prestigious publisher Springer Nature has just published a monograph with 22 chapters dedicated to the research and analysis of the main prehistoric human footprints preserved around the world. The Centro Nacional de Investigacion sobre la Evolucion Humana (CENIEH) has participated in chapter 17, which covers the prints of bare feet preserved in the soft floor sediment of Palomera Cave in the Ojo Guarena Karst Complex (Merindad de Sotoscueva, Burgos).

These footprints, ascribed to traces left by about ten individuals who explored the caves between 4600 and 4200 years ago, were discovered in 1969 by Grupo Espeleologico Edelweiss (GEE) at the Sala y Galerias de las Huellas site, some 1200 m from the entrance to Palomera Cave. The fragility of the footprints and their environment meant it was not possible to study them, and doing so has had to await the development of the new non-invasive teledetection techniques.

"Thanks to 3-D scans and digital photography, in combination with GIS techniques, we have been able to meticulously identify over 1200 human footprints at this site," explains the archaeologist Ana Isabel Ortega, a researcher at the CENIEH and the Fundacion Atapuerca who led this study.

Radiocarbon dating

Human footprint. Credit: Galeria de las Huellas I)/Miguel Angel Martin Merino

This work also includes an array of radiocarbon dates for the remains of torches found both along the itinerary in the Galerias de las Huellas, where the human footprints are preserved, and in the access galleries to the same: the sector of Laberinto Otilio, Sala Negra and the sides of Galeria del Cacique.

"The exceptional nature of these incursions is due to how complex access is. Studying the route taken by the explorers and their trackways is enabling us to learn more about how the subterranean world was used in prehistory, and especially about the use of the dark zone as part of the journey toward a symbolic and social landscape," adds Ortega.

Of the samples dated, six are from the itineraries where the prints of bare feet are preserved, with dates ranging from 4600 to 4200 years ago (Chalcolithic). However, along the access conduits, the chronological range expands considerably. Apart from two Chalcolithic dates situated in the immediate access to Sala de las Huellas, four samples were documented between 6600 and 6200 years ago (Neolithic) and three others between 7800 and 7700 years ago (Mesolithic). The most ancient is dated to around 19000 years old (Upper Paleolithic).

"The advances in the prehistoric research at Ojo Guarena are underlining the intensive and reiterated use of the subterranean world during prehistory," concludes Ortega.

Explore further 12,000 years of parietal art in the Ojo Guarena karst complex

More information: Ana I. Ortega et al. Prehistoric Human Tracks in Ojo Guarena Cave System (Burgos, Spain): The Sala and Galerias de las Huellas, Reading Prehistoric Human Tracks (2021). Ana I. Ortega et al. Prehistoric Human Tracks in Ojo Guarena Cave System (Burgos, Spain): The Sala and Galerias de las Huellas,(2021). DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-60406-6_17

Provided by CENIEH
A member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body, has proposed that English no longer be a compulsory course for the national college entrance examination.

The CPPCC National Committee member said that since only 10 percent of surveyed college graduates said English is useful to them and given the translation software available, English should no longer be a set requirement along with Chinese and math.

The proposal, if adopted, would put an end to the nation's tradition of foreign language teaching and learning that dates back more than a century.

English is still the most commonly used language in the world, and will continue to be so in the future. China is the world's second-largest economy, largest trade partner of more than 120 countries and regions, largest destination for foreign investment and largest source of international travelers.

The reason why China and the world can interact so closely and deeply is to a large extent due to the use of English as a communication bridge. It is difficult to imagine how students would understand China and the world without foreign language education.

Were primary and middle schools no longer to teach English as they have been over the past decades, it would be predictable that only the students from better-off families would be able to afford expensive extracurricular language courses, and it would become more difficult for their counterparts from lower down the social ladder to master the language, putting them at a disadvantage.

That many Chinese students cannot use English fluently after learning it for years at school should not be attributed to the language itself, which is arguably one of the easiest languages to learn and to use, but to the poor methods used to teach the language. It is no secret that English teaching in Chinese schools focuses more on preparing students to get high scores in exams rather than having the ability to use the language in real world situations.

Many people inevitably need to understand and use English. It would be more sensible to improve how English is taught in schools rather than simply stopping teaching the language.
[March 08, 2021] OPPO gears up to launch its latest Reno5 Series of all-5G smartphones in the UAE

DUBAI, UAE, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global technology brand, OPPO, will launch the all-new Reno5 Series in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) next week. The company's first 'all-5G' launch includes three variants - Reno5 Pro 5G, Reno5 5G and Reno5 Z 5G  that both boast the ultra-fast speed and power of 5G. True to its 2021 theme 'Technology for mankind, kindness for the world', OPPO believes that 5G will empower humanity to live fully connected lives and reap the full benefits of a technology-powered world. The grand launch of the Reno5 series in MEA, themed 'Featuring You', will take place on Tuesday 16 March 2021 at 8:00 PM UAE time (GMT +4), hosted virtually on the brand's official social media platforms  Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. UAE consumers are welcome to join the event and explore OPPO's latest smartphone innovation, by clicking on the links www.facebook.com/oppo, www.youtube.com/oppoarabia and https://twitter.com/oppoarabia. Following a successful global launch, the Reno5 series is set to take the UAE market by storm with industry-leading Qualcomm 5G chipsets, best-in-class AI-powered all-scene photography, never-seen-before portrait photography and videography, and 65W SuperVOOC2.0 Flash Charge  the safest and one of the fastest charging technologies commercially available in the world, delivering a full charge of Reno5 battery in 35 minutes. Ethan Xue, President of OPPO MEA said, "The Reno5 Series is our first ever 'all-5G' launch and we are very excited to bring you the latest and best in ultra-fast, ultra-powerful connectivity. Understanding customer needs is a top priority for us at OPPO, hence while designing the Reno5 series, we made sure to pack it with not just powerful hardware and ground-breaking imaging technology, but also the latest in connectivity. Launching a 5G-only series was inspired by our theme for this year, 'Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World', which pushes us to do everything with heart and soul, for the benefit of people. We're also excited to have our brand ambassador, Mohamed Salah, on board as he sets an example when it comes to achieving goals and dreams, which are also part of our brand's many values." The technology innovations in OPPO Reno5 series will appeal to creative minds and enable them to ully express themselves. OPPO partnered with Sony to jointly developed an IMX766 sensor for the Reno5 Pro 5G, which brings more possibilities for portrait and night video shooting, backlighting and sports. The Reno5 Pro 5G also comes with professional gaming-grade hardware and other gaming features for a cool gaming experience. The Reno5 5G variant is the 'AI Portrait Expert' that combines OPPO's Ultra Night Video Algorithms and Live HDR Algorithm to deliver unprecedented quality in portrait photography and portrait videography that empowers users to create and capture life's best moments.



Keeping with OPPO Reno Series' focus on design, both phones are smooth, light and slim and come in attractive colours and finishes. The Reno5 series debuts an industry-first silver colour, in addition to the ever-popular black. OPPO's Reno Glow 2.0 diamond cutting technique adds a glittery visual effect of millions of shimmering diamonds embedded into the back cover while at the same time providing a matte finish that is fingerprint resistant. AMOLED screens and 90hHz refresh rate make for easy and comfortable viewing. The all-5G Reno5 Series launch will reiterate the OPPO's commitment to commercialization of 5G in the UAE. Adding three new 5G phones to its existing portfolio of 5G smartphones launched in 2020, OPPO will address the UAE consumer demand for ultra-fast speed and real-time connectivity.

About OPPO OPPO is a leading global technology brand since 2004, dedicated to providing products that seamlessly combines art and innovative technology. OPPO is on a mission to building a multiple-access smart device ecosystem for the era of intelligent connectivity. The smartphone devices have simply been a gateway for OPPO to deliver a diverse portfolio of smart and frontier technologies in hardware, software and system. In 2019, OPPO launched a $7 Billion US Dollar three-year investment plan in R&D to develop core technologies furthering design through technology. OPPO is firmly pursuing the creation of the best technology products and technological artistry for global users. Based on the brand elements of leading, young and beautiful, OPPO dedicates to the mission of letting the extraordinary users enjoy the beauty of technology. For the last 10 years, OPPO has focused on manufacturing smartphones with camera capabilities that are second to none. OPPO launched the first mobile phone, the Smile Phone, in 2008, which marked the launch of the brand's epic journey in exploring and pioneering extraordinary technology. Over the years, OPPO has built a tradition of being number one, which became a reality through inventing the world's first rotating camera smartphone way back in 2013, launching the world's then thinnest smartphone in 2014, being the first to introduce 5X Zoom 'Periscope' camera technology and developing the first 5G commercial smartphone in Europe. Today, OPPO was ranked as the number five smartphone brand globally. OPPO brings the aesthetics of technology of global consumers through the ColorOS system Experience, and Internet service like OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO's business covers 40 countries with over six research institutes and five R&D centers across the world, from San Francisco to Shenzhen. OPPO also opened an International Design Centre headquartered in London, driving cutting edge technology that will shape the future not only for smartphones but for intelligent connectivity. About OPPO MEA OPPO started its journey in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region in 2015 after setting up its regional office in Egypt. Following the immense success of the brand's sales centre in Cairo in the first year, OPPO accelerated its expansion plan across the MEA region and inaugurated its country operations in the UAE in 2019. Now OPPO is physically present in more than 12 markets across the region, including Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Unites Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Kenya, Nigeria, and the Levant. To empower its presence in the region in line with its product localisation strategy, OPPO further invested in MENA and set up its very own factory in Algeria in 2017, thus, becoming the first Chinese brand to build a manufacturing premises in North Africa. Based on insights of local consumers in each country, OPPO has evolved the progress of product localisation, taking into consideration several perspectives towards each market, including product localisation, to further meet the core needs of users; marketing localisation, to better communicate with local young customers; and talent localisation, to understand local consumers further and provide an optimum customer service. Within the last year, OPPO has started to adjust its product line in the Middle East region specifically. This has included the launch of its flagship OPPO Find X Series and the introduction of the OPPO Reno Series. OPPO will continue to evolve its local product line to offer more premium series to consumers in the region. A forward-thinking international technology company, OPPO strives to be a sustainable company that contributes to a better world and have enacted positive change in every way possible through activating local community initiatives and humanitarian, charity campaigns. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1451541/OPPO_Reno5_Pro_5G.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1451542/OPPO_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oppo-gears-up-to-launch-its-latest-reno5-series-of-all-5g-smartphones-in-the-uae-301242366.html SOURCE OPPO

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[March 08, 2021] International Women's Day Virtual Event -- Qatari Businesswomen: Shaping the Present. Leading the Future.

The Embassy of the State of Qatar in the United States in partnership with the Association of Women in International Trade (WIIT), the US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) and Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA) will host a virtual event on March 9 at 9 a.m. ET titled, "Qatari Businesswomen: Shaping the Present. Leading the Future." This virtual event, coordinated by the Office of the Commercial Attache at the Embassy of Qatar, will highlight the leadership roles of Qatari women in the workforce on the occasion of International Women's Day. Their discussion will focus on Qatari women's success in the corporate space, executive management, and boardroom decisions. The webinar will feature keynote remarks from QBWA Vice Chairwoman Ms. Aisha Hussein Al-Fardan, as well as other leading Qatari and American businesswomen including: Ambassador Anne Patterson, President, USQBC Ms. Andrea Durkin, President, WIIT Ms. Amanda Horan, Vice President and Head of Government Relations, EMEA, MetLife Ms. Mishael Al-Ansari, Board Member, QBWA and Restauranteur Ms. Reem Al-Suwaidi, Acclaimed Entrepreneur and Founder of Saikl Chef Sara Al-Sayyed, Celebrated Chef and Founder of SOCIETE Ms. Terra Sabag, Chief of Staff, US Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02) "Qatar has a 59%1 female labor participation rate, above the global average, and the highest in the Arab world," said QBWA Vice Chairwoman Aisha Hussein Al-Fardan. "This event will showcase the leadership roles Qatari women hold, as well as the advances women are making in various fields." Through this virtual exchange, the panelists will discuss the important role that Qatari women play in the country's rapid economic development. Currently, Qatari women hold executive positions in all industres and government, in addition to being strong leaders in a variety of fields, including the medical and engineering sectors as well as entrepreneurship.



"Qataris know no country can become an economic powerhouse without valuing the contributions of all women," said Ambassador Anne Patterson, President of USQBC, "Businesswomen from the US will find a warm welcome and excellent opportunities in this rapidly growing market. For women, Qatar is a great base to do business in the rest of the region." Through the Qatar National Vision 2030, Qatar has put a large emphasis on effective participation of women in the country's labor force. In fact, the Qatar Second National Development Strategy 2018-2022 specifically addresses how "taking advantage of highly educated Qatari women" is central to the country's transition to a knowledge-based economy.

"Qatari women's role in business is a key component of the country's future economic growth," said Ms. Andrea Durkin, President of WIIT. "Through both private and public sector initiatives, Qatar is becoming a leader in women empowerment in the region." To learn more about the economic, cultural and political achievements of women in Qatar, register for the event here: http://bit.ly/3qaff9B. About the Embassy of the State of Qatar to the United States The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, D.C. houses Qatar's diplomatic mission to the United States. The primary purposes of the Embassy of Qatar are to highlight Qatar's policies on regional issues, strengthen Qatar-U.S. bilateral relations, and to assist Qatari citizens who travel or live in the U.S. The current Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States of America is His Excellency Sheikh Meshal Bin Hamad Al-Thani. 1https://www.psa.gov.qa/en/statistics/Statistical%20Releases/Social/LaborForce/2018/statistical_analysis_labor_force_2018_En.pdf View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005096/en/

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The accused has denied raping and threatening his ex partner after the former couple spent Valentines Day together. (stock photo)

A 32-year old Belfast man today denied raping and threatening his ex after the former couple spent Valentines Day together.

Instead, he claimed the woman played the victim and made something up so people took sympathy on her.

The accused is currently standing trial at Belfast Crown Court after being charged with five offences linked to alleged incidents at the womans home last February.

He has been accused of, and denies, raping and sexually assaulting the woman, assaulting her, threatening to kill her and breaching a restraining order.

As the trial entered its second week the defendant gave evidence from the witness box, where he confirmed he had spent the evening of February 14 and into the following morning at his exs home.

He confirmed that when he started a relationship with the woman around 2012, she had three children, and that they went on to have a child together.

Under questioning by his barrister Des Fahy QC, the man also confirmed that in July 2019 a restraining order was put in place after their relationship broke down.

The accused claimed that despite the court order, he and his former partner began seeing each other again and started having regular sex, but that she didnt tell her family.

When asked about the events on Valentines Day last year, the accused said he and the woman had been texting that day, and that he called at her home that evening.

He said that after exchanging gifts, they enjoyed an Indian meal that he cooked and a few drinks, then they went upstairs where they had consensual sex.

The woman has already given evidence, and claimed that after dinner and drinks, she and her ex started arguing, and when she asked him to leave he went to the kitchen and got a knife.

She said she was then raped and sexually assaulted by the defendant, who threatened to end her if she went to the police.

When these allegations were put to the accused, he denied her claims and said the only time he had a knife was when he was cooking dinner.

And when asked about what occurred in the bedroom, the accused said he and the woman had fully consensual sex then we lay on the bed, we laid there for a wee while and cuddled.

He said a short time later they got into a heated argument and when asked what happened next, he replied: I do what I normally do when I feel myself getting really agitated and annoyed, and I left.

Under cross-examination from Crown barrister Gavan Duffy QC, the accused confirmed that in April 2019 he did brandish a knife at her  which he described as a moment of madness  but denied this occurred again last February.

When he was asked why he thought she would have made this up, the accused said she played the victim. After being asked to elaborate, the accused said there had been social services involvement and that his former partner was really scared of losing the kids.

The defendant claimed the woman didnt want her family or social services to know they had been seeing each other again, and that after they spent Valentines night together his ex made something up so people would take sympathy on her.

The case continues.




Conference (NC) president and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday accused (BJP) of spreading lies and attempting to pit leaders of other parties against each other.

Abdullah said, "A few days ago I got a fake call where a person impersonating as Jharkhand Chief Minister asked me to work for Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata and get rupees 50 lakh.

I called up Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP who told me tjat Devegowda ji (former PM) got the same call. They (BJP) will use any means to pit us against one another."

The Conference president made this statement while addressing a meeting of party workers leaders in Udhampur.

On the revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution, Abdullah said it is not just a Kashmir-centric issue and much more important for the regions of Jammu and Ladakh.

Abdullah, Member of Parliament from Srinagar said, he continued to reiterate demand for the restoration of statehood and Article 370 and 35 A "to protect the rights of residents of Jammu and Kashmir, the land and government jobs."

He also contested the claim by the BJP-led government of development in Jammu and Kashmir after the revocation of Article 370. "Unemployment is at its peak here," he claimed.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 08th March, 2021) Russia's only current female cosmonaut Anna Kikina told Sputnik that the exact time when she is expected to head to the International Space Station (ISS) has not been determined yet.

"There is no exact information. I am waiting to be appointed to the crew," Kikina said, adding that she is currently undergoing preliminary training.

In June of last year, Russian space agency Roscosmos said that Kikina was going to head to the ISS as part of the Russian crew in two years.

Kikina has been the only Russian female cosmonaut since September 2016.

In November 2017, she took part in the international SIRIUS (Scientific International Research in Unique Terrestrial Station) project that studies the effects of isolation, simulating Moon missions.

The Soviet Union sent the first two women into space: Valentina Tereshkova in 1963 and Svetlana Savitskaya in 1982 and 1984. Another two Russian women were sent into space after the collapse of the USSR: Yelena Kondakova who traveled to the Mir space station in the 90s, and Yelena Serova who became the first Russian woman to fly to the ISS in 2014.
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Vice Premier Han Zheng on Saturday afternoon met with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam and Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Ho Iat Seng respectively in Beijing.



Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, spoke highly of the work of both SARs over the past year.

On Hong Kong, Han called on the HKSAR government to continue making epidemic control its central task.

He urged efforts to better implement the decision to be made by the National People's Congress (NPC) on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR, the revisions to be made by the NPC Standing Committee to the annexes of the Basic Law, as well as to conduct Hong Kong's local legislative work well.

On Macao, the vice premier encouraged the Macao SAR government to continue containing COVID-19 on a regular basis, make good preparations for the election of the seventh Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR, and actively strive for appropriate economic diversification.



Lam and Ho both expressed sincere appreciation of the central government's strong support for Hong Kong and Macao and pledged to fulfill their duties and responsibilities and maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of the regions.
South Africa: Condolences for Peter Matlare

Acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has paid tribute to Peter Matlare for his contribution to the economic development of South Africa as he held various roles both in the public and private sector.

Matlare passed away on Sunday due to COVID-19-related complications.

His passing is a great loss to South Africa when the nation is confronted with the task of rebuilding an inclusive post-COVID-19 economy that requires seasoned and experienced leaders across the society. He has held senior executive roles across a diverse range of economic sectors and thus giving testament that he was an executive par excellence, the Minister said on Monday.

At the time of his passing, he was the Deputy CEO of Absa Group.

He has held several executive positions over the years at various organisations such as Group Chief Executive Officer at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Executive Director at Vodacom, and CEO of Tiger Brands, Primedia amongst others.

Matlare was also the founding Director of the National Electronic Media Institute of SA (Nemisa) and also held executive positions in the Chamber of Mines and served as the Chairman at the National Association of Broadcasters.

He also served as an instrumental member of the task team, which worked on the Green Paper for the Broadcasting Act.

While we mourn his untimely death, we must also celebrate this remarkable person, who made an immense contribution to growing South Africa and the African continent. He has left behind a solid foundation for us to build on in our pursuit of economic development, Ntshavheni said.

Government has expressed its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Matlare.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-03-08. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
CLEVELAND, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Park Place Technologies, a single source for award-winning data center hardware maintenance and a full suite of managed services, today celebrates 30 years of employee growth, technology innovation and company success. This Park Place milestone is a continuation of the innovation and entrepreneurial drive that has characterized the company from its start and has helped it become the world's largest third-party maintenance provider (TPM)  and so much more.

"I personally want to thank every employee, customer and partner that has played a part in Park Place's success and in helping us reach this milestone," said Chris Adams, Park Place Technologies president and CEO. "Park Place is first and foremost about people. That has been a core part of our culture since the beginning and will continue to be our focus as we grow."

Incorporated in Ohio on March 8, 1991, Park Place was founded by Daniel Grajzl and John Warcaba as a data general reseller with the goal of helping companies realize their business objectives through more effective use of technology.

John, Dan and their team, several of whom are still with Park Place 30 years later, built long-term relationships with their clients based on mutual trust and respect. As hardware companies merged, were acquired, and began end of life-ing clients' mission-critical hardware, clients turned to a vendor they trusted. They turned to Park Place.

Investments in employees, management, sales, infrastructure and facilities over the years have enabled the company to keep up with its tremendous growth. The company smartly recognized the business opportunity and began recruiting talent from the large OEMs. Today Park Place's Field Service team has an average of 15 years of service experience, from organizations such as Dell EMC, IBM and HP.

A Shift in Direction

Past President and CEO Ed Kenty, who joined Park Place in 2004, oversaw the beginning of a strategic shift to evolve Park Place into a multi-platform service provider which has continued under the leadership of current President and CEO Chris Adams, who joined Park Place as CFO in 2006 and also served as COO.

Park Place has evolved into a global organization that simplifies the management of complex technology environments with a network of parts to support data centers in 154 countries. Parts are stored regionally, locally and on-site to allow for fast parts distribution and service to drive uptime. In early 2020 Park Place created a new technology service category  Discover, Monitor, Support, Optimize (DMSO)  a fully integrated approach to managing critical infrastructure. Park Place's industry-leading and award-winning services include ParkView Managed Services, Entuity software, and their Enterprise Operations Center.

An Aggressive Growth Strategy

Park Place has had, and continues, an aggressive acquisition strategy, having acquired 15 domestic and international companies since 2016.

As part of the M&A process Park Place invests considerable resources into integration to ensure success. This includes having a dedicated team of M&A specialists who are involved throughout the acquisition process. The team is in constant communication throughout the process and has a full complement of onboarding materials, including digital guides, videos and in-person presentations, all designed to give new Park Place employees clear direction and immersion in Park Place culture.

In November 2020, Park Place acquired Curvature, a global TPM. The acquisition of Curvature:

assembled the largest team of field service engineers on the ground in the industry

tripled the spare parts inventory, with more than 1.15 million parts now available in 2400+ stocking locations

supported Park Place's continuous global expansion plans with four new international markets: Denmark , Australia , Thailand , and Japan

continuous global expansion plans with four new international markets: , , , and created a new tier of TPM, covering multiple OEM environments with the most resources globally for faster and cost-effective data center support.

About Park Place

Park Place Technologies simplifies the management of complex technology environments worldwide. Our network of parts to support data centers is stored regionally, locally and on-site to allow for fast parts distribution and service to drive Uptime. Park Place created a new technology service category  Discover, Monitor, Support, Optimize (DMSO)  a fully integrated approach to managing critical infrastructure. Our industry-leading and award-winning services include ParkView Managed Services, Entuity software, and our Enterprise Operations Center. For more information, visit us at www.parkplacetechnologies.com.

Park Place is a portfolio company of Charlesbank Capital Partners and GTCR.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Park Place Technologies Contacts:

Jennifer Deutsch, Chief Marketing Officer

[email protected]

440-991-3105

Michael Miller, Global Content and Communications Manager

[email protected]

440-683-9426

SOURCE Park Place Technologies

Related Links

http://www.parkplacetechnologies.com


Mr. Berger was 19 when he marched 70 people to their deaths outside Meppen, Germany, in 1945. If he had committed that crime at the same age in the United States today, he would most likely face the death penalty in states, including Tennessee, that still offer juries that horrific option. He definitely would not have married and raised a family in a small town. He definitely would not have been given 75 years worth of ordinary days in which to carry out a meaningful life  working hard, being neighborly, contributing to the community.

Its easier for me to feel mercy for the not-quite-adults sentenced to death row, even if they committed hideous crimes, when I know that they grew up in homes where no one protected them when they were frightened or fed them when they were hungry. Especially when I know that they have learned to live exemplary lives in prison.

Its much harder to know how to think about the young Friedrich Karl Bergers who stood silent while innocent people were worked to death on their watch, even if they have lived good lives in the years since. Neuroscience tells us that they deserve the same understanding as the young offenders sentenced to death row for drug violence, but I cant seem to find any understanding in my heart for the young Nazis.

Well, life isnt fair, and we all know it, but justice is about doing our best to impose fairness in an unfair world. And the presence of the once-young Friedrich Karl Bergers among us  living a good life, causing no trouble, exacting no harm  impels us into an uncomfortable gray area. Somehow we must weigh the imperatives of justice against the imperatives of compassion for the heedlessness of youth.

In that context, what happened to the Oak Ridge Nazi seems to me both far too little and also exactly right. No punishment can possibly restore to life the people who died in a concentration camp that Mr. Berger helped to guard, and exile in an assisted living facility is hardly fit recompense for such unspeakable crimes. But sending him to prison at the age of 95 for what he did as a teenager also seems wrong. Surely deportation from his home of more than 60 years is a fair penalty for a nonagenarian for whom prison could provide no possible rehabilitation.

So which is it: real justice, or too little too late? I honestly dont know.

Margaret Renkl is a contributing opinion writer who covers flora, fauna, politics and culture in the American South. She is the author of the books Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss and the forthcoming Graceland, At Last: And Other Essays From The New York Times.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com.

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by BizReport

'Oh, it's the 21st Century. The age of the internet. You don't need a degree anymore!' Everyone has met or spoken to one person who has said this. They go forward to make their point by saying how John, who didn't have a degree, is now a manager at a hotel. Well, Good luck to John! When the hotel goes bust, let's hope John will have some qualifications to fall back on.

To learn is not a race to make it to the top first. It's a ladder to climb up one at a time with a firm hold on the ground. A degree might not bring the golden spoon gateway to your dream career but it makes the chances of success more likely. Statistics have shown that university graduates are more likely to be employed. Also, the salaries are higher for degree holders than those who do not have one.

Let's take a look at the 4 degrees that could be a stepping soon to a good paycheck for you.

1. Health Care Industry

Be it the current times or earlier, the healthcare industry is always looking out for new workers to join their team. Along with good benefits, the pay too is always better in this field as compared to other industries. Neurosurgeons come under the highest paid specialist in the medical field. Nursing too is an option available to almost anyone.

2. Finance or Accounting

A degree in finance or accounting has a pay package that starts with $65000 to $89000 per year. It is known, without a doubt, that this field is one of the college majors that pay well. In many business organizations, to promote career advancement, sponsoring is offered to workers to improvise on their finance course. This helps enhance your skills and opens a source of career development.

3. Scientist

Where would we all be without scientists? Science is one field that is growing by leaps and bounds. Businesses are paying a good amount of salaries to get ahead in development and improvisation. Innovation is the mantra of the 21st century. Apart from the evident financial benefits, scientists get to travel for research and information exchange, This provides a chance to meet more people from different parts of the world. Now that does look like a good option, doesn't it?

4. Engineering

This field has boasted of being an extremely lucrative career choice with the most comfortable salary. Engineer degree holders can easily find a job in many parts of the world as engineering education is universal. Though a considerable amount of hard work is involved in this field, the financial security it brings is definitely a reason to get an engineering qualification.

We can see that getting a college degree doesn't only have good financial benefits but many other indirect benefits too. If you are confused, take a career test to find out what options suit you most. Research your favorite topics to know what interests you the most. So if you have been thinking about getting one for yourself, why not just go for it?

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With our Crown Royal ready to drink cocktails, the gap is bridged between loyal whisky fans and cocktail enthusiasts. With three classic, signature Crown Royal serves to choose from, all offering the quality and deliciousness of a great cocktail, there is something for everyone of legal drinking age, no matter the occasion. Unlike most ready-to-enjoy products, Crown Royal's whisky beverages are better likened to a cocktail one might order at their favorite bar, canned for the convenience of at-home enjoyment.

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Available nationwide, Crown Royal ready to drink cocktails are available for a SRP of $14.99 for a 4-pack of a single flavor and a SRP of $3.99 for a single can.

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Crown Royal Canadian Whisky is the number-one selling Canadian whisky brand in the world and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal's smooth, elegant flavor and gift-worthy presentation reflect its regal origins  it is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. For more information, visit www.crownroyal.com. Crown Royal encourages all consumers to please enjoy responsibly.

About Diageo North America

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow at Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Halley Barnes Kyra Zeller TAYLOR DIAGEO [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Crown Royal
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex embarked on their first big royal tour in the fall of 2018 and it changed everything for them. During their interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired on March 7, 2021, Harry revealed things shifted between them and the rest of the British royal family following the tour.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand in 2018

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit Australia in 2018 | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

RELATED: Meghan Markle or Kate Middleton  Which Duchess Had the Most Expensive Royal Tour of 2019?

After their royal wedding on May 19, 2018, Meghan and Harry officially began their life together as senior royals. They attended events in and around the U.K. before gearing up for a massive tour abroad. In October 2018, they embarked on a 16-day tour during which they visited various Commonwealth countries including Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand.

Their first major overseas tour, the press closely followed Meghan and Harrys every move. The couple appeared to take the royal spotlight in stride. They interacted with members of the Commonwealth and had some adorable moments together. Memorably, Meghan held an umbrella for Harry while he gave a speech in the rain.

All seemed to be going well for the newly minted Duke and Duchess of Sussex. They were representing Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family. However, Harry told Winfrey their success  particularly how Meghan easily connected with the public  led to some issues within the royal family.

Prince Harry told Oprah Winfrey the royal family was welcoming to Meghan Markle before tour really changed it

Harry told Winfrey, My father, my brother, Kate, and all the rest of the family, they were really welcoming to Meghan. But it really changed after the Australia tour, after our South Pacific tour. It was the first time that the family got to see how incredible [Meghan] is at the job.

Winfrey then referenced The Crown Season 4 where, in one particular episode, Prince Charles (Josh OConnor) became jealous of Princess Diana (Emma Corrin) when thousands of fans lined up to see her during their 1983 tour of Australia. She asked the Duke of Sussex if he and Meghans Australia tour brought back memories of his parents trip.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with Oprah Winfrey during Oprah With Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special | Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese via Getty Images

RELATED: Prince Harry and Meghan Markles Oprah Winfrey Interview: Royal Expert Fears Harry Will Feel Same Regret as Princess Diana After Bombshell Interview

Your father and your mother went there, and your mother was bedazzling, Winfrey said. So, are you saying there were hints of jealousy?

Refusing to answer whether or not he believed people in the royal family were jealous of Meghan, the 36-year-old said, I just wish that we would all learn from the past.

To see how effortless it was for Meghan to come into the family so quickly in Australia and across New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, and just be able to connect with people  Harry added, before describing Meghan as one of the greatest assets to the Commonwealth that the family could have ever wished for.

Meghan Markle admitted she only wanted to make the British royal family proud

Meghan, 39, who is pregnant with her and Harrys second child  they revealed during the interview theyre having a girl  told Winfrey it was her sole intention to represent the royal family well.

I just wanted to make them proud, she said.

Meghan continued, saying she didnt get any training on how to be a royal. She described one instance where she stayed up late learning the lyrics to the British national anthem so she wouldnt embarrass the royal family. When she met Queen Elizabeth II for the first time  Harry and Meghan ran into her on their way to lunch at the Royal Lodge  Meghan had only a few minutes to learn how to curtsy.

Harry and I are in the car, and he says, Okay, well, my grandmother says youre going to meet her,' she told Winfrey. I loved my grandmother, I used to take care of my grandma, this is great.

Then Harry asked her if she knew how to curtsy.

That was really the first moment that the penny dropped that this wasnt easy for me, she said.

Meghan and Harry practiced how the introduction would go shortly before the queens arrival. Despite the couples relationship changing after their 2018 tour, things with the queen seem to be going well. The queen has always been wonderful to me, Meghan said.
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?

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New Delhi:

The Indian Railway has claimed to distribute total of Rs 25 lakh so far as ex-gratia to passengers and kin of the dead in the Utkal Express accident on Sunday.

"We have paid a total of Rs 25 lakh as of now," Member, Traffic, Railways, Mohd Jamshed told the media.

He added that number of dead stood at 20 and the injured was 92 in the Utkal Express derailment at UP's Muzaffarnagar.

Earlier, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had announced that Rs 3.5 lakh will be paid to the kin of the dead and Rs 50,000 to the grievously injured and Rs 25,000 to passengers who suffered minor injuries.

40 percent of the passengers who were travelling in the Utkal Express were insured under the e-ticket scheme. Other than that, the railways pays its own compensation as ex-gratia, said Jamshed.

Also Read: Utkal Express accident: 14 coaches derail claiming 23 lives; ex-gratia of Rs 3.5 lakh announced

Informing further he added that under the insurance scheme started by Prabhu in 2016, passengers are given the option of insurance cover at the time of booking the ticket on the Indian Railway and Tourism Corporation website.

The insurance cover includes death or total disability insurance of Rs 10 lakh; partial disability insurance of up to Rs 7.5 lakh; hospitalisation expenses of up to Rs 2 lakh.

The scheme is available for confirmed and reservation against cancellation (RAC) ticket holders.

Also Read| Utkal Express accident: Suresh Prabhu says CRB to fix responsibility on prima facie evidence by today evening

"The list of dead and injured has been made after meeting passengers in seven hospitals. The list was provided by our director general, health services, added Jamshed.

He further added that 92 injured and 22 grievously injured are the final figures.

Jamshed further added that every passenger even if suffering from most minor injury will get assistance whether medical or ex-gratia.

The railway official added that the affected passengers have been sent to Haridwar by buses and taxis.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (March 8) lauded the women of India and said it is the governments honour to work towards further empowering women in the country. On International Womens Day, President Ram Nath Kovind also extended his wishes as well.

Using the #NariShakti hashtag, he said in his post that India takes pride in the many accomplishments of the women of the nation.

The Prime Minister said Saluting our indomitable #NariShakti on International Women's Day! India takes pride in the many accomplishments of the women of our nation. It is our Governments honour to be getting the opportunity to work towards furthering women empowerment across a wide range of sectors.

Saluting our indomitable #NariShakti on International Women's Day! India takes pride in the many accomplishments of the women of our nation. It is our Governments honour to be getting the opportunity to work towards furthering women empowerment across a wide range of sectors.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2021

Adding emphasis on how the women of India have set new records in various fields, President Kovind extended his wishes.

Speaking about empowering women and promoting gender equality, the President said On the occasion of International Women's Day, greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens. Women in our country are setting new records and achievements in various fields. Let us collectively resolve to promote gender justice and eliminate inequality between women and men.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens. Women in our country are setting new records and achievements in various fields. Let us collectively resolve to promote gender justice and eliminate inequality between women and men.  President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 8, 2021

The theme for this years International Womens Day is Choose To Challenge. A challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change.

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She's basking in that maternal glow ahead of giving birth to her first child.

And Emily Ratajkowski caught up on her texts and steps as she circled the block with her husband in tow on Sunday afternoon in New York City.

The 29-year-old model-turned-author bundled up in layers as she checked her phone while walking with Sebatian Bear-McClard in Manhattan.

Out and about: Emily Ratajkowski caught up on her texts and steps as she circled the block with her husband in tow on Sunday afternoon in New York City

Emily's baby bump was hidden underneath a cozy black sweater and a thigh-skimming red coat which featured brown suede lapels.

She pounded the pavement in khaki colored hiking shoes and wore a classic pair of black leggings to match a black beanie.

Ratajkowski typed away on her iPhone as she walked alongside her husband of three-years.

Updates: The 29-year-old model-turned-author bundled up in layers as she checked her phone while walking with Sebatian Bear-McClard in Manhattan

Walk it out: Emily's baby bump was hidden underneath a cozy black sweater and a thigh-skimming red coat which featured brown suede lapels

The producer held on closely to their dog's leash and kept one hand in the pocket of his colorful warm coat.

Emily recently posed in a stunning set of maternity snaps ahead of giving birth to her first child.

The images were captured by Renell Medrano and featured Emily entirely nude as she modeled at home amid the pandemic.

Beautiful: Emily recently posed in a stunning set of maternity snaps ahead of giving birth to her first child

Blessed: The images were captured by Renell Medrano and featured Emily entirely nude as she modeled at home amid the pandemic

She first found fame as a music video vixen in Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines and went on to work alongside Ben Affleck in Gone Girl followed by a stint in Entourage and with Amy Schumer in I Feel Pretty.

Her Inamorata swimwear line debuted in November 2017 and she expanded the collection to include include bras, tanks and underwear in 2019.

While Emily took a step away from the spotlight to focus on her brand, she'll soon star in the TV movie Bright Futures with Lisa Kudrow and Shameik Moore.
With final passage of the American Rescue Act expected this week, the bill would extend the time that lawmakers increase the maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by 15%; extend and expand Pandemic-EBT through this summer and beyond; and provide direct, financial assistance to people who are most likely to struggle with hunger by expanding the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which could cut child poverty rates by half, said Vince Hall, interim chief government relations officer for Feeding America, which supplies the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana and 199 other food banks nationwide, in a recent release. For Indianas SNAP recipients, thatll mean a $28 increase per month to their benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
[March 07, 2021] dunnhumby in Spotlight at the Largest-ever Virtual Machine Learning Summit

- dunnhumby team named in 40 under 40 Data Scientist awards 2021, features in top 10 research papers and presents showstopping workshop and tech talk GURUGRAM, India, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The largest-ever virtual summit for machine learning developers recently concluded after three action-packed days of tech talks, workshops, paper presentations, networking, and awards. The team from dunnhumby, one of the fastest growing customer data sciences companies in India, received remarkable recognition at the Machine Learning Developer Summit (MLDS 2021) hosted by Analytics India Magazine in February. Sanjay Shukla from dunnhumby was named as one of the '40 under 40' data scientists in India at the summit. The award recognizes the innovators and achievers of the analytics industry. Currently Sanjay is working as Director - Data Science, Media and Customer Engagement where he leads the development and deployment of personalization science in retail. He has published multiple research papers on optimisation and machine learning approaches in peer-reviewed journals. "It's is an honour to receive the 40 under 40 Data Scientist award. This award is a true testimony of the cutting-edge AI and ML solutions that we develop for our customers in dunnhumby. I think the real power of AI and ML gets unleashed when data, science and engineering comes together at scale. In dunnhumby, we are doing it very efficiently and imroving shopping experiences for millions of people across the globe," - Sanjay Shukla.



Along with this, a research paper from dunnhumby's Neeraj Mishra was selected in the Top 10 papers presented at the conference. The topic of his paper was Predicting Missing Product Taxonomy in Retail: An Embedded Approach Using N-gram Mixture Models and Newton's Method. Neeraj developed a novel machine learning algorithm to predict product taxonomy by leveraging N-gram Mixture Model, cross-entropy function, and Newton's optimisation method. "MLDS was a great platform to present the innovation that we do in dunnhumby. I am thankful to dunnhumby India leadership for providing all the tools needed to push boundaries and bring out tailor-made solutions for our customers," - Neeraj Mishra.

Seema Mudgil's paper on Product Based Store Clustering and Range Recommendation was also selected as one of the presenting papers for this summit. In her paper, she provides a store clustering solution that facilitates customer-centric assortment. A key highlight of the summit was an exclusive workshop by Dr. Anthony Kilili, Head of Science at dunnhumby, on Machine learning gone wrong: Common mistakes and challenges in bringing ML into production. The session received rave reviews from over 300 attendees coming from top technology, consulting, and data science firms. In the workshop, Anthony shared his experience on the challenges he faced in various stages of the ML project lifecycle. The workshop raised awareness for ML practitioners to be better equipped to build sustainable ML systems with emphasis on criticality of collaboration among various stakeholders such as product managers, data engineers, data scientists, DevOps engineers, and MLOps engineers. Rochak Khanna and Mukul Sabharwal jointly ran a Tech Talk on Discovery of a customer journey and uncovering the potential purpose of a shopping visit. They presented various unsupervised ML algorithms that can identify specific visit purposes by extracting the latent/hidden factors within data. About dunnhumby India Established in 2008, dunnhumby India is a hub of Data Engineering, Data Science, and Product Development with deep expertise in Price & Promotions, Category Management, Customer Knowledge, Customer Engagement, and Media delivery. The teams in India play a key role for clients spread globally at different stages of their journey with dunnhumby. With a long history of Data Science and software development and the ability to attract exceptional talent through encouraging a culture of innovation, agility and flexibility, the India office sits at the heart of global dunnhumby, influencing the success of our entire client network. It is at the forefront of developing the best products and science using a variety of techniques and tools including highly scalable cloud hosted models, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. Learn more at www.dunnhumby.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1450503/dunnhumby_ML_Developer_Summit.jpg

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Wits and Biovac partner to develop skills to produce viral vectored vaccines in South Africa

The Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit via Wits Enterprise has partnered with Biovac to develop the skills capacity to produce viral vectored vaccines in SA.

Demonstrating that South Africa has the capability and the skills resources to tackle serious health problems, Wits Universitys Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit (AGTRU), with Wits Commercial Enterprise acting on its behalf, partnered with Cape Town based bio-pharmaceutical company, Biovac, in a partnership announced on 2 March 2021.

Wits Enterprise is a private company wholly owned by Wits University and mandated to promote and commercialise Wits intellectual capital, research and innovations, so as to broaden and deepen the University's societal impact.

AGTRU has specialised expertise in advancing gene therapy for viral infections. Viruses can be genetically engineered for gene therapy to treat genetic diseases, viral infections, develop vaccines and boost immunity.

Wits' team specialises in the engineering, propagation and assay of adenoviruses, which as carriers (vectors) of genes encoding immunogenic proteins, are gaining favour in the production of viral vectored vaccines including vaccines against COVID-19.

Our teams ability to engineer, propagate, purify and assay the engineered viruses is a highly specialised technology. To the best of our knowledge, the Wits/SAMRC facility is the only one with expertise in this technology in the country, and perhaps the continent, says Personal Professor Patrick Arbuthnot, Director of AGTRU.

Viral vector-based vaccines are different from most conventional vaccines in that they use the bodys cells to produce antigens. The modified virus is capable of carrying the genetic code for the antigen into many different types of cells, including those of humans, which are then instructed to make large amounts of antigen. This triggers an intended immune response to fight the pathogen (fir example, SARS-CoV-2).

Arbuthnot explains: The genetic material of the virus - DNA in the case of adenoviruses - is modified by removing some of the viral genes. These are replaced with the DNA coding of an immunity-causing protein, such as the spike protein of the SARS Coronavirus-2 that causes COVID-19. The virus itself is harmless and by stimulating cells to produce antigens, can safely promote an immune response.

As a safety precaution, engineered viruses are replication-incompetent. This means that they cannot produce new viruses in a person receiving the vaccine and they can only proliferate in a laboratory-controlled setting where the deficiencies of the engineered virus are complemented in the cells producing the virus.

The Wits team will assist with building specialist skills capacity within Biovac to generate engineered viruses that may be used as COVID-19 and other vaccines, according to Arbuthnot.

We have confidence that the collaboration will facilitate an enhanced capability and readiness for future production of active pharmaceutical ingredient/drug substances for vaccines targeted at viruses such as SAR-CoV-2 in South Africa. If successful, it will be a good example of how leveraging South African partnerships to tap into specialist resources can address South Africas preparedness for future disease outbreaks. It will also be an endorsement of the governments investment in basic research in South Africa, he adds.

Biovac is a bio-pharmaceutical company based in Cape Town that is the result of a partnership formed with the South African government in 2003 to establish local vaccine manufacturing capability for the provision of vaccines. The company started its journey of building manufacturing capability by following a reverse integration approach wherein it has been importing, exporting, formulating, filling packaging, testing and supplying vaccines. Biovac currently supplies over 15 million doses of vaccines via its cold and supply chain infrastructure.

Commenting on the partnership with the Wits/ South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Dr Morena Makhoana, Biovac CEO, says: South Africa desperately needs to build capability to manufacture viral vaccines from scratch rather than importing the API [active pharmaceutical ingredient]. Biovac has built capability in formulation and filling of vaccines and this partnership, utilizing the skills transfer from Wits, is an excellent start to building the know-how to produce viral vectored vaccines. Its part of Biovacs reverse integration strategy towards building end-to-end vaccine manufacturing capability.
State Secretary has written to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani proposing a United Nations-facilitated peace conference with representatives of six countries including to discuss a "unified approach to supporting peace in Afghanistan".

In the letter sent to Ghani on Sunday, Blinken said that Turkey will be approached to host a senior-level meeting of both sides in the coming weeks to finalise a peace agreement.

According to the letter published by TOLO News, the UN should convene a meeting of foreign ministers and envoys from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, and the to discuss a unified approach to supporting peace in

It further said that envoy Zalmay Khalilzad should share with President Ghani and the Taliban leaders written proposals "aimed at accelerating discussions on a negotiated settlement and ceasefire. These proposals reflect some of the ideas included in the roadmap for the peace process".

Blinken also said that Turkey will be asked to host a senior-level meeting of both sides in the coming weeks to finalize a peace agreement. He also urged Ghani or his "authoritative designees" to attend the meeting.

The US State Secretary said these documents will help the Afghan government and the Taliban to move towards developing principles, which will guide the country's constitutional and governing arrangements, develop a road map to a new, inclusive government and develop the terms of a permanent ceasefire.

He pointed that a revised proposal for a 90-day reduction-in-violence has also been prepared "to prevent a spring offensive by the Taliban...to coincide with diplomatic efforts to support a political settlement between the two parties."

While concluding his letter, Blinken said, "We are considering the full withdrawal of our forces by May 1, as we consider other option".

"Even with the continuation of financial assistance from the United States to your forces after an American military withdrawal, I am concerned that the security situation will worsen and that the Taliban could make rapid territorial gains," he said.

"I am making this clear to you so that you understand the urgency of my tone regarding the collective work outlined in this letter," he added.

Last year in February, then US President Donald Trump and the Taliban had signed an agreement that calls for a full US withdrawal from if the terror group upholds counterterrorism commitments such as denying safe haven to al Qaeda.

Since the deal was signed, the Taliban has stepped up attacks against Afghan forces, which US officials have repeatedly condemned as threatening the peace process.

(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.)
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The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that a Closure Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on the Twisted Dough Wicklow (Service Sector), Food stall trading at The Crescent Boyle, Roscommon during the the month of February for breaches of food safety legislation.

The Enforcement Orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) and officers of the FSAI.

The order was issued on the premises occupied by Mr Karol Kowalczyk and Ms Magdalena Michalewicz at Leitrim Village, Co. Leitrim and name trading as Twisted Dough Wicklow (Stall) and which was trading at The Crescent, Boyle, Co. Roscommon on Thursday, 11th of February 2021.

The FSAI outlined the particular reasons for making this order:

1. The nature and extent of food activities carried out in this food business had changed without the provision of sufficient and adequate facilities to cater for this change resulting in heightened risk of cross contamination.

2. There was an immediate risk of cross contamination due to raw chicken being prepared in the foodstall on a folding table immediately adjacent the coffee machine, where various selections of coffee were being prepared.

3. (a) There was a serious risk of cross contamination due to no provision for the collection of contaminated liquids seeping from raw meat packaging and the limited workspace available. There was no hot and cold running water supplied in order to carry out proper cleaning and disinfection of this area.

(b) There was serious risk of cross contamination due to absence of no running hot and cold water provided at the utensil sink therefore utensil and equipment washing and disinfection was not possible.

4. There was an immediate risk of cross contamination due to absence of running hot and cold water for purposes of hygienic handwashing post raw meat preparation and after times of general food and waste handling. The operator was observed to be involved in direct handling of ready to eat foods.




Supreme Court rejects Trump's final legal challenge to 2020 election results

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The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the Trump campaigns lawsuit against the Wisconsin Elections Commission over its handling of the 2020 election, dealing the final blow to his election legal challenges.

In an order released Monday morning, the Supreme Court allowed for a lower court decision in favor of the elections commission to stand. The case was Trumps final remaining legal appeal of his three challenges to the results of the 2020 presidential election.

At issue was a unanimous opinion by a three-judge panel of the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals released last Christmas Eve. The appellate court ruled that Wisconsin lawfully appointed its representatives for the Electoral College.

The case dealt with whether the Wisconsin Elections Commission and local election officials violated federal law by implementing unauthorized absentee voting practices inconsistent with state law and whether the states election should be declared void.

The Supreme Courts rejection Monday came without published dissent or comment.

The Seventh Circuits three-judge panel, which consisted of three Trump appointees, had previously ruled that the errors that the President alleges occurred in the Commission's exercise of its authority are in the main matters of state law.

They belong, then, in the state courts, where the President had an opportunity to raise his concerns, the lower courts majority opinion states.

For our part, all we need to say is that, even on a broad reading of the Electors Clause, Wisconsin lawfully appointed its electors in the manner directed by its Legislature.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden defeated Republican incumbent Donald Trump in an election held during the coronavirus pandemic. Biden narrowly beat Trump in the battleground state of Wisconsin, which Trump won in 2016, by about 20,000 votes.

From the onset, Trump disputed the election results, with his campaign filing lawsuits in multiple states, accusing officials and others of engaging in extensive voter fraud.

However, legal efforts in states won by Biden were rejected by courts. Trump filed three appeals to the Supreme Court near the end of his presidency  two in Wisconsin and one in the battleground state of Pennsylvania. All three have been denied.

Last month, a majority of the high court declined to hear the Trump campaigns legal challenges to the Pennsylvania Supreme Courts authority to extend the states mail-in ballot deadline three days past the election.

Regarding the Pennsylvania decision, Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch disagreed with the refusal to grant certiorari. Thomas wrote an 11-page dissent.

Thomas argued that while the Constitution says that the state legislature is responsible for setting election policy, "nonlegislative officials in various states took it upon themselves to set the rules instead" before and after the 2020 election.

We failed to settle this dispute before the election, and thus provide clear rules. Now we again fail to provide clear rules for future elections. The decision to leave election law hidden beneath a shroud of doubt is baffling, wrote Thomas.

By doing nothing, we invite further confusion and erosion of voter confidence. Our fellow citizens deserve better and expect more of us. I respectfully dissent.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Katie,

Please see my attached alternative School Resolution.

Push out in an email to everyone and also print copies for tonight.

Thanks,

Frankie

Frankie Waters

Chairman

Beaufort County Board of Commissioners

Washington NC 27889

252/945-1992 cell

252/935-5422 office



Resolution Demanding that North Carolina Fully Open All Public Schools, Ensuring Every Child Has Access to In-Person Education



Whereas, the United States of America and the Great State of North Carolina have now for an approximate year been in the vicious grip of Covid-19, which has inhabited OUR Public Education, and;

Whereas, since the beginning of the 2020/2021 school year, most, if not all private schools and public charter schools returned back to educating children, and now, understanding that there was always, and will always be an acceptable risk to living, are primarily providing in-person education, which has proved to be a safe and effective program in doing their jobs, and;

Whereas, The North Carolina General Assembly has now passed Senate Bill 37, with the NC House also approving that same NC Senate Bill; however, North Carolinas Democratic Governor, Roy Cooper, has vetoed the Bill. Beaufort Countys Commissioners humbly request that a super bipartisan majority override the Governors veto of Senate Bill 37.

Whereas, Beaufort Countys school administration is more than ready and long patiently waiting to provide more in-person learning at the option of parents and Beaufort County taxpayers that they have honorably served during this Age of Covid, but are incapable of doing so without administrative guidance as authorized from North Carolinas government, and;

Therefore, Let It Be Resolved, that Beaufort Countys Commissioners do hereby demand that North Carolina fully opens all public schools, ensuring every child has access to in-person education.

Adopted this the 1st day of March, 2021

___________________________________

Frankie Waters , Chairman

, Chairman Beaufort County Board of Commissioner

__________________________________

Kathleen Mosher

Clerk to the Board, Beaufort County

The segmented county commissioners' video representing the presentation of this resolution of support of Senate Bill 37 is shown: Below.

Resolution Demanding that North Carolina Fully Open All Public Schools, Ensuring Every Child Has Access to In-person Education

Should public schools fully open NOW to the extent that parents feel comfortable; exposing their children to in-person, or virtual learning, or a hybrid of both? Yes, parents should have some determination in the process of educating their children here in the Age of Covid. No, schools should not fully open until the Education Industry and a majority of Leftist politicians deem it practicable. I never cared much about that whole education thing. 59 total vote(s) What's your Opinion?



It was my vision, my words, North Carolina's great problem , the general assembly's senate initiative, and our state's Democratic Socialist Governor's negligence in favor of political expediency, while Beaufort County's Commissioners just could not make a suitable stand to do what is immutably right. Instead, Beaufort County's governing board opted for a watered down version of a partial truth, and in the end will probably fail to make any difference whatsoever.Possibly, the same would be true regarding the unabridged version of my thoughtful resolution to seek a wiser version of a better outcome to open our North Carolina public schools, but we will never know since that version that I fully wrote for ratification; or thatnever passed, failing 2 to 5, with Commissioner Hood Richardson and myself, Commissioner Deatherage, voting in the losing affirmation of what was best.Alternatively, the watered down version, which, in my considered opinion (since I wittingly wrote , and then unwittingly wrote the second version - edited by Commissioner Waters - see below.) should have far less effect with the intended recipients - those politicians that make policy that affects every North Carolina citizen The Frankie Waters edits were not the first time that the nominal Republican commissioner had taken broad liberties with a resolution that I had pondered in great detail; however, it is the first where the Commissioner had appeared to take credit for my words, partial as they may be, as you can see here: Below.I have highlighted the names mentioned above to better represent that the mention of the name - Stan Deatherage as the author - was never a consideration, which did necessitate Commissioner Hood Richardson to accuse Frankie Waters of Plagiarism in the segmented commissioners' general meeting below.The aforementioned resolution is here below with the changes by removal (shown here as italics in bold) from the original version, at the behest of Commissioner Frankie Waters, who would not consider the original resolution written by Commissioner Stan Deatherage ... just the one where Commissioner Deatherage's written words were used, in part, to satisfy the political ambitions of Commissioner Waters as shown: Below.the United States of America and the Great State of North Carolina have now for an approximate year been in the vicious grip of Covid 19, which has strangled our Small Businesses and inhibited OUR Public Education, and;Since the beginning of the 2020 /2021 school year, most, if not all private schools and public charter schools returned back to educating children, and now, understanding that there was always, and will always be an acceptable risk to living, are primarily providing in-person education, which has proved to be a safe and effective program in doing their jobs, and;The North Carolina General Assembly has now passed Senate Bill 37 , with the NC House also approving that same NC Senate bill; however, North Carolina's DemocraticGovernor, Roy Cooper,(has vetoed the Bill),(Beaufort Countys Commissioners humbly request that a super bipartisan majority override the Governors veto of Senate Bill 37), and;Beaufort County's school administration is more than ready and long patiently waiting to provide more in-person learning at the option of the parents and Beaufort County taxpayers that they have honorably served during this Age of Covid, but are incapable of doing so without administrative guidance as authorized from North Carolina's government, and;that Beaufort County's Commissioners do hereby demand that North Carolina fully opens all public schools, ensuring every child has access to in-person education,Since this well consideredwas rendered of most of its contextual support to drive this political point home, by Commissioner Frankie Waters, he deserves some of the credit for the Democratic Politicians becoming emboldened to follow the dictates of the decision of their Central Committee, and not follow through in overriding this Democratic Socialist Governor's unwise decision to keep the public schools mostly closed.It also bears mentioning that including the removal of my name from my words written to create this resolution, in part, Commissioner Waters also removed any reference to: China; President Trump; the Trump Administration'sas a political wedge issue; the enumerated devastating effects upon our society's children; including perfect descriptors such as Leftist(s), Teachers' Unions, Democratic Socialist(s), among others.Real Republicans should intuitively know that if they wish to best represent their constituents in the political fight that is well underway against the Democratic Socialists, many of which are unrepentant non patriots, they must be willing to not shrink from treating their adversaries in a real and truthful manner. That is the real political landscape that is now afoot, and to pretend otherwise is a monumental misjudgment by any politician, including Frankie Waters.
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OMPULs are multi-purpose mobile autonomous good manufacturing practice facilities intended to develop, optimize, and manufacture cell and gene therapies at the point of use

The latest collaboration follows a recent joint venture agreement between Orgenesis and Cure Therapeutics to target cancer and infectious diseases

Inc ( ) (FRA:45O) announced Monday it has signed a collaboration agreement with Dong-a University Hospital in South Korea and Cure Therapeutics Inc to utilize Mobile Processing Units and Labs (OMPULs).

The company said the teams will align to use the OMPULs for point-of-care development of cell and gene therapies and immunotherapies that meet regulatory and governmental approval standards to scale through to commercialization.

OMPULs are multi-purpose mobile autonomous good manufacturing practice (GMP) facilities intended to develop, optimize, and manufacture cell and gene therapies at the point of use.

said that process development and validation for the therapies will be completed at Dong-a University, leveraging the technologies in the Orgenesis POCare Platform to automate the processes for quality and reproducibility.

The company noted that the latest collaboration follows a recent joint venture agreement between Orgenesis and Cure Therapeutics, a developer of immuno-oncology and cell and gene therapies, to target cancer and infectious diseases.

Under the JV, Orgenesis said that both companies have agreed to collaborate in developing and commercializing Cure Therapeutics pipeline on a global basis, as well as developing, commercializing, and supplying Orgenesis therapeutic pipeline in South Korea and Japan.

The OMPULs will be placed onsite with the goal of accelerating development and commercialization of our immunotherapies targeting cancers and infectious disease, while ensuring the highest quality control standards and reducing overall manufacturing costs, said David Kim, CEO of Cure Therapeutics.

Vered Caplan, CEO of Orgenesis, added: We are pleased to partner with Cure Therapeutics and Dong-a University Hospital to accelerate the development and market launch of breakthrough cell and gene therapies utilizing our proprietary OMPUL system. This latest agreement is another step in our efforts to rollout OMPULs throughout our network of leading healthcare facilities and partner companies across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham
Matt Hancock faced the fury of MPs over a proposed 1 per cent pay rise for nurses today by sending his deputy to the Commons in his place.

Labour demanded the Health Secretary answer an urgent question over the Department of Health's recommendation to an independent pay review body last week.

The offer, which amounts to a pay cut once inflation is taken into account, sparked widespread condemnation and threats of strike action from nursing unions, coming after a year of backbreaking efforts to save lives from coronavirus.

But Mr Hancock sent Social Care Minister Helen Whately in his place this afternoon to answer questions from MPs about an offer that has been branded 'insulting'.

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: 'I am grateful for the minister, but where is the Secretary of State?

'Why isn't the Secretary of State here to defend a Budget that puts up tax for hardworking family and cuts pay for hardworking nurses?

'The Secretary of State has stood at that despatch box repeatedly waxing lyrical, describing NHS staff as heroes, saying they are the very best of us, and now he is cutting nurses' pay.

'Last summer, when asked by Andrew Marr if nurses deserved a real-terms pay rise, he replied ''well of course, I want to see people properly rewarded, absolutely'' - and yet now he is cutting nurses' pay.'

Ms Whately hit back by saying that 'this International Women's Day it is a shame he hasn't got as female colleague at the despatch box on his side.'

Ms Whately continued: 'In these difficult times, the Government has submitted its evidence to the pay review bodies and, as I said in my opening statement, those pay review bodies will report back to us.

'The pay review bodies will look at a wide range of evidence, including, for instance, evidence from the trade unions, the situation of inflation and also the wider situation with the economy and pay levels.

'They will report back and we will, of course, look at their recommendations very carefully.'

It came after Downing Street refused to rule out a one-off Covid bonus for nurses as it faces a tsunami of fury.

Boris Johnson is under pressure to up the offer made to an independent pay review, after ministers said it was the only 'affordable' increase.

The offer sparked widespread condemnation and threats of strike action from nursing unions, coming after a year of backbreaking efforts to save lives from coronavirus.

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: 'I am grateful for the minister, but where is the Secretary of State?' Ms Whately hit back by saying that 'this International Women's Day it is a shame he hasn't got as female colleague at the despatch box on his side.'

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already said that nurses in Scotland will receive a 500 bonus, and the Prime Minister's official spokesman today refused to rule out a similar move in England.

'We have been clear that we think the 1 per cent pay rise is what is affordable,' he said.

'I'm not going to comment on speculation. We've set out what we think is affordable, it's now for the pay review body to look at that and look at the other evidence and come forward with their recommendation.'

It came as new research suggested that three out of four NHS workers affected by the Government's controversial pay offer are women.

Unison's head of health Sara Gorton said: 'The overwhelming majority of staff working in the NHS are women. The people who've been working tirelessly to care for us during the pandemic, and who expected a decent pay rise to recognise their efforts and boost morale.

'International Women's Day would be the perfect opportunity for ministers to swiftly admit they've got this wrong and think again about their paltry pay offer.'

Mr Johnson (pictured today with US climate change envoy John Kerry) is under pressure to up the offer made to an independent pay review, after ministers said it was the only 'affordable' increase

Labour, which commissioned the research, accused the Government of refusing to address these issues in any of its economic responses to the pandemic.

Marsha de Cordova, shadow women and equalities secretary, said: 'Once again the Chancellor has chosen to turn his back on women who have experienced the worst economic and social impacts of the pandemic.

'To give women on the NHS front lines a pay cut is just another example of how badly Boris Johnson's government have consistently failed women.

'Inaction risks further entrenching inequalities long into the future and turning the clock back on progress made over the last few decades.

'The Government must guarantee NHS workers a real pay rise.'

Labour said women made up the majority of jobs in professions including nursing, midwives, health visitors and support roles.

Labour said women made up the majority of jobs in professions including nursing, midwives, health visitors and support roles.

The Government is facing growing anger over its recommended 1% pay rise, with some unions threatening industrial action, while Unison is urging the public to join a 'slow handclap' next Thursday in a show of support for NHS workers.

A Government spokesman said: 'Over one million NHS staff continue to benefit from multi-year pay deals agreed with trade unions, which have delivered a pay rise of over 12 per cent for newly qualified nurses and will increase junior doctors' pay scales by 8.2 per cent.

'Pay rises in the rest of the public sector will be paused this year due to the challenging economic environment, but we will continue to provide pay rises for NHS workers, on top of a 513 million investment in professional development and increased recruitment. That's with record numbers of doctors and 10,600 more nurses working in our NHS, and with nursing university applications up by over a third.

'The independent pay review bodies will report in late spring and we will consider their recommendations carefully when we receive them.'

A Health Department spokeswoman added: 'This takes into account an extra 0.7 per cent that was already committed in 2021/22 as part of the multi-year Agenda for Change deal (2018/19 - 20/21).'
The women at Hollard Ghana, fondly called Hollardite Women have a purpose to enable more people

to create and secure a better future. With the companys moral compass, The Hollard Way as their

guiding light, Hollardite women across various departments, roles, and locations are leading the charge

to ensure that insurance becomes a lifestyle; easily accessible, available to all, and providing much-

needed financial security when people need it most. As it should be. Today, we celebrate their

leadership, hard work, innovation, and excellence in shaping a more equal future in a COVID-19 world.



As a three-time recognized Top Employer, Hollard Ghana and our subsidiaries Hollard Insurance and

Hollard Life Assurance believes in providing equal opportunities and an enabling environment to help

women advance. Our People goals are akin to the priority of the UN to ensure full and effective

participation and decision-making in public life for the empowerment of all women. We care about their

well-being.



So, this International Womens Day, we turn the spotlight on Hollardite women.

Hollardite women are leading courageously.



At Hollard, women are integral to our decision-making, mirroring the diversity of the world. With 50% of

our executive leadership being women, we are gender diverse. Hollardite women run our Broker

(Maame Efua Sackitey-Williams); Claims (Iris Logan); Group Legal and Compliance (Valerie Ackwerh);

Group Marketing and Corporate Affairs (Cynthia Ofori-Dwumfuo); IT (Doreen Anang); Life Assurance

Group Business (Roswitha Amoako); Life Assurance Operations (Dorothy Salifu); Retail & Partnerships

(Yvonne N. Dowuona); and Technical Underwriting/Global Accounts (Maa K Nai). Similarly, numerous

women fill up middle management, business executive (sales), Hollard2U (agent), and support roles

across our businesses. Our groups business leader is female.



From our Group CEO, Patience Akyianu, a seasoned business leader, to our national service personnel,

Hollardite women are competent, and leading at every touchpoint while driving the achievement of our

social, financial, people, customer, transformation, and excellence goals.



Through their work, delivering financial security to our customers and doing well by doing good, as our

mantra goes, our accomplished Hollardite Women are vanguards of the insurance industry. They take

ownership of their roles, are enterprising, make no excuses, form alliances with partners to overachieve

targets. They are stars who show up at work with fierce energy while putting their best foot forward to

get things done and done well. Even in the face of personal and work challenges brought on by COVID,

they are provident, delivering, and we could not be prouder of their contributions. Their priority is to the

success of our business.

Hollardite Women are lionhearted and unconventional.



Living the Hollard Way, guided by tenets of community, mindfulness, innovation, sustainability, and

excellence, our Hollardite women are examples of our personality and culture. In everything they think,

say, and do, they are lionhearted, challenging, and inventive; wholehearted, down to earth, and

genuine. Sometimes playful, always unconventional but never cliche. They are serious about what they

do, but never about themselves. They have a certain thing that sets them apart, a spark, an energy, and

a twinkle of an eye. In their work and interactions, they are Hollardites, through and through.



#ChooseToChallenge

On this International Womens Day, 2021, Hollardite women hold their hands up and pledge to

challenge systems, and cultures by speaking up against inequality and being accountable their biases at

work and home. As part of our social goals towards an equal future we will use our skills and resources,

and those of our partners, to actively engage in developing systemic social impact solutions. We

#ChooseToChallenge because a challenged world is truly an alert world, motivated by change

(InternationalWomensDay.com), enabling a better future for all.



Doing well by doing good. Thank you!

To all our women partners and customers, we say, thank you for partnering with us to deliver the triple

win, achieving better futures for our customers, partners, and business. With you, we are achieving

exceptional, sustainable, and inclusive growth by treating everyone, especially the marginalized and

uninsured, with care and dignity. Together, we are being catalysts for positive and enduring change in

Ghana.

Thank you to all women at Hollard Ghana, who despite the challenges presented by COVID; be they

working from home with the distractions of family responsibilities, to ensuring the health and safety

of people they interact with, while delivering excellently for our customers and partners, are

supporting our business objectives of achieving exceptional and sustainable growth. Propelling us

forward, as the countrys favourite insurer. We celebrate you!

Yours in service,

Hollard Ghana

Get to Know Hollard Ghana

The countrys favourite insurance group Hollard Ghana, with subsidiaries Hollard Insurance and Hollard

Life Assurance combines its deep local knowledge of the market from 25 years of experience as

Metropolitan Insurance, with the world-class expertise of an international insurance brand. With feet

firmly planted on Ghanaian soil but headquartered in South Africa, Hollard delivers innovative insurance

solutions customized to the unique risks Ghanaians face.

Hollard offers various life and general insurance products including funeral, personal accident, motor,

business, home, and more; and can be reached via the following means: 0501603967 (Hollard

Insurance) and 0501533698 (Hollard Life).

Beyond various nationwide office branches and Hollard 2U franchise shops, Ghanaians can find Hollard

at Shell Fuel Station Welcome Shops, and Melcom stores, for all their insurance needs.









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.

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PEOPLE

Cerberus brings back Nixon

Private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management has brought back a familiar face to help them identify investment opportunities in the technology, security and defense sectors.

Cerberus said Friday that Greg Nixon has taken the role of strategic investments, senior legal counsel and senior managing director.

Nixon is chairman of the board of directors for portfolio company Navistar Defense and was a member of the board at Sparton Corp., which Cerberus acquired in 2019 and then sold a year later to Elbit Systems of America.

His most recent executive role was chief administrative officer and chief legal officer at DynCorp International, which Cerberus sold to Amentum late last year.

In its announcement, Cerberus touted Nixons nearly 10-year career with Cerberus on a wide range of projects and investments.

Nixons private sector career includes leadership roles at Booz Allen Hamilton, McKinsey and CH2M Hill. Before that, he served in government as special intellectual property counsel at the Defense Department and judge advocate general officer at the Air Force.
New Delhi: Extreme air pollution and toxic industrial pollutants discharged into the Yamuna river has caused large amounts of white, toxic foam to form on the river, as seen in New Delhi on Oct 21, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, March 9 : The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Monday moved the Supreme Court against the Haryana government, seeking its immediate intervention in the matter of discharging untreated pollutants into the Yamuna river.

DJB vice-chairman Raghav Chadha said the water body has approached the top court seeking immediate stoppage of discharge of pollutants and also to release adequate raw water to Delhi.

Chadha said the national capital has reached a stage of water crisis because of the high ammonia levels in Yamuna and depleting water level at the Wazirabad barrage, which supplies drinking water to Wazirabad, Okhla and Chandrawal water treatment plants in Delhi.

According to the DJB, water levels that should stand at 674.50 feet have come down to a low of 670.4 feet.

Chadha said, "Haryana government has once again reduced the supply of raw water to Delhi which is leading to a water shortage in the city. The Haryana government has repeatedly shown such behaviour which is highly disappointing at the time when Delhi needs more water." He further added that continuous fall in the water level of Yamuna has been a matter of grave concern for Delhi.

"Despite several concerns raised before the Haryana government in the matter, no concrete action has been taken yet and there has been no improvement towards restoring any normalcy," Chadha added.

The national capital receives raw water from Haryana via three different sources - carrier-lined channel (CLC), Delhi sub-branch (DSB) and the Yamuna. According to the DJB, CLC and DSB supply water from the Hathni Kund via the Munak canal and Bhakra Nagal canal. Currently, DJB receives only 479 MGD water per day against 609 MGD from Haryana.

Chadha said, "Decrease of raw water supply has had a serious impact on the functioning of DJB's treatment plants. Delhi faces raw water problem every two weeks. This is caused either due to less flow in the Yamuna or less flow in the Delhi sub-branch and also due to the discharge of polluted water in the Yamuna, which affects water production." Chadha further added that observing the current situation of water shortage, the DJB has moved to the Supreme Court to avert a severe water crisis in Delhi and also to immediately cease the discharge of untreated pollutants into the Yamuna.
After a year of dealing with the COVID-19 crisis and a particularly difficult winter, springs arrival this year has literal and figurative significance.

Renewed sunshine and warmth themselves provide a psychological lift after this years storms and incessant cold. And the accelerating rollout of COVID-19 vaccines further raises prospects.

A sound plan to vaccinate school personnel, announced by Gov. Tom Wolf and his bipartisan COVID-19 Joint Task Force  including Rep. Bridget Kosierowski of Lackawanna County  adds to the momentum toward normalcy.

The vaccine rollout so far has been problematic primarily because demand outstrips supply. Many people, who are eligible for vaccination under state and federal standards, have not been able to schedule appointments.

Yet, as of Friday, just over 3 million Pennsylvanians had received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, and 947,000 of them had received both doses.

Wolf announced that the states first 200,000 doses of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires only one shot, will be administered exclusively to teachers and other school personnel.

Some frustrated Pennsylvanians, who have been unable to secure shots, complained that the policy, in effect, allows school employees to jump the line.

But the urgency of reopening schools redefines that line. Allocating the J&J vaccines exclusively for school personnel will expedite school openings, and it will prevent further delays in distributing the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.

It might take years to calculate the degree to which millions of students have been harmed by the absence of in-person instruction. It already is certain that students in poor and rural districts, which lack the resources of more affluent districts, disproportionately have been harmed. That, combined with the social, nutritional and psychological effects of closed schools, makes it crucial to get them back in their classrooms as soon as possible.

The COVID-19 emergency also has demonstrated the degree to which fully functioning schools undergird the broader economy.

The administration plan for mass-vaccinating school personnel is timely and on the mark, and a benefit even to those who are not directly tied to school operations.
Pope Francis on Sunday visited the northern part of Iraq, including the autonomous Kurdish region. The pontiff is the first Catholic pope to make a trip to Iraqi Kurdistan. Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, the Kurdistan Regional Government Representative to the U.S., joins CBSN to discuss the significance of Pope Francis' trip to the region and more.

Video Transcript

LANA ZAK: Sunday marks the last full day of Pope Francis's trip to Iraq. The pontiff visited the northern part of the country, including the autonomous Kurdish region. He was welcomed by the president and prime minister of the Kurdish regional government. The pontiff is the first Catholic Pope to make a trip to Iraqi Kurdistan. Thousands of Christians live in the region, including many who found refuge there after ISIS massacred thousands of religious minorities across northern Iraq. For more, I want to bring in Ambassador Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman. She is the Kurdistan Regional Government Representative to the United States. Ambassador Rahman, how has Pope Francis been received in the Kurdistan region?

AMB. BAYAN SAMI ABDUL RAHMAN: Well, thank you for having me. He has been welcomed very, very warmly. There's a jubilation, I can say, in the Kurdistan region, that his holiness Pope Francis has visited not only other parts of Iraq, but the Kurdistan region as well, which has become a safe haven for Christians, Yazidis, and many others who have fled persecution. And as you mentioned, most recently, they fled ISIS, who took over their towns, their villages, their province. And they have found safe haven in Kurdistan and we were delighted that his Holiness, the Pope, took the trouble to visit Kurdistan and to hold or celebrate mass in the stadium in Erbil.

LANA ZAK: Many Christians left the area when ISIS was in control. So how significant is the pope's visit, in terms of bringing refugees back into the region?

AMB. BAYAN SAMI ABDUL RAHMAN: Well, it's certainly our hope that the Christians, Yazidis, and others will not continue to leave the country. It's their country as much as anybody else's. Historically, they go back thousands of years. And so it's a tragedy for all of us when they leave the country to take refuge in Europe or here in North America. So for us, it's very important that they stay, they maintain the mosaic that makes up Iraq and Kurdistan region within Iraq. And I think the visit of Pope Francis may have given them some hope that they are not forgotten, that Iraq is not always seen as the country of devastation and bloodshed, that with his visit he has raised some hope, he has spoken about coexistence, , brotherhood brotherly love, and peace.

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And we hope that this will empower the Christians, Yazidis, and others in Iraq to stay, and certainly, they can stay in Kurdistan region where they are safe.

LANA ZAK: It is a beautiful and an admirable message. I want to ask your opinion, now that ISIS is gone, what do you think is next for the region and the people there?

AMB. BAYAN SAMI ABDUL RAHMAN: Well, ISIS is gone in terms of the caliphate. As you know, a few years ago, they took over about a third of Iraqi territory and were able to hold that territory and committed genocide as we know. The caliphate is finished. The territories were liberated by the Peshmerga Iraqi forces, of course, with the invaluable and-- you can't even say invaluable, with the essential support of the coalition led by the United States. However, while the caliphate is finished, ISIS is not finished. There are still ISIS fighters or terrorists in Iraq and in Syria. And so both we in the Kurdistan region and Iraq and the coalition need to remain vigilant.

And I'm very proud that we have a partnership with the United States that enables us to do that. But we do need the coalition to stay the course, maintain the vigilance for ISIS not to be able to return. Now with that, I want to move on to things that are more positive. In the Kurdistan region, we really want to be able to rebuild our economy that took such a massive hit from the fight against ISIS. We hadn't quite recovered from that when COVID-19 came last year. And that has also devastated our economy as it has around the world.

So first and foremost, we want to stay vigilant, make sure ISIS doesn't rebuild, and then rebuild our economy and make sure that Kurdistan region in Iraq remains a welcoming place both for business, for tourism, and for anybody who wants to visit.

LANA ZAK: So something really remarkable happened in this trip. Pope Francis met with Iraq's most influential Shiite Muslim leader. It was the first ever meeting between a Catholic Pope and a Shiite Grand Ayatollah in Iraq. What do you make of that summit? And can you put into perspective for us how monumental the meeting was?

AMB. BAYAN SAMI ABDUL RAHMAN: Well, it's historic. As far as I'm aware, as you said, this is the first ever. And that has its own significance. The other significance is that Ayatollah Sistani, for the Shia community in Iraq and the Shia make up, perhaps 55% of Iraq's population, the rest are Sunni Arabs and Kurds who are also by majority Sunni. So Ayatollah Sistani is not only the spiritual leader of more than half of Iraq's population. He is also the spiritual leader of many Shia outside of Iraq.

So this was very, very significant. And with the message of peace and brotherly love and coexistence that Pope Francis brought to Iraq, it was significant that he met with Ayatollah Sistani. And as we could see in the video clip, Ayatollah Sistani lives in a very humble home, and met Pope Francis there. But it was extremely significant despite the humble surroundings. I think the importance of that brief meeting of about 40 minutes will echo and reverberate around the Shia world, and I would argue around Islam as well in general.

LANA ZAK: Well, before we let you go, Ambassador, women across the globe will celebrate International Women's Day on Monday. What role are women playing in Kurdish politics?

AMB. BAYAN SAMI ABDUL RAHMAN: Well, we've made enormous strides forward in Kurdistan region towards promoting women's rights towards equality. Of course, we're not there yet, 100%. We can't compare ourselves to Finland, for example, or New Zealand. However, Kurdish women have historically played a prominent role in political life, in other aspects of society. And today, we have women in our cabinet. We have two representatives abroad who are women. I have a colleague in Italy, and the Vatican also, she represents the KRG there.

And then in our parliament, we have 30% quota in our parliament for women. So we've made huge strides. And women are seen in public life. And we're very proud of that. But of course, we want to do much more and achieve much more.

LANA ZAK: Well, what a wonderful privilege to have you on our show and to give us a glimpse into an area and issues that many of us know so little about. Ambassador Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, thank you.

AMB. BAYAN SAMI ABDUL RAHMAN: Thank you for having me.
While the U.S. and Afghanistan focus on ongoing peace talks with the Taliban in Qatar, the murders of three female journalists in Jalalabad last week illustrate how high the stakes are for those who are not at the decision-making table but have a vested interest in the outcome -- Afghan women.

In many ways, Afghan women are less hopeful about their future today than they were a decade ago. While Afghan women have made significant gains in civil rights and education in that time, in 2019, their ratings for where they see their lives in the next five years were more than three points lower than they were 10 years prior -- standing at 2.3 on a scale of zero to 10, where 10 is the best possible life.

However, men are also less optimistic about the future than they were a decade ago -- underscoring the uncertainty that hangs over all Afghans, regardless of gender. The trajectory for men has followed a path similar to women's over the past decade, and they've been even less optimistic at several points along the way.

Alt text: Line graph. This is the trend line for where Afghan women and Afghan men see their lives in five years, based on a scale from zero to 10, where 10 is the best possible life.

Some of women's loss of hope may be related to the fact that fewer women feel like they have control over their futures. Afghan women in 2019 were less than half as satisfied with the freedom they have to choose what they do with their lives as they were in 2008. Slightly more than three in 10 (31%) Afghan women were satisfied with their lives in 2019, compared with the 66% who said so a decade earlier.

Notably, Afghan women are not alone in feeling this way. As their country has been marred by violence and political turmoil, Afghan men were also less likely to feel satisfied with their freedom in 2019 than they were a decade ago. However, the decline has been sharper for women, and Afghan men have consistently been more satisfied with their lives than their female counterparts.

Alt text: Line graph. This is the trend in how satisfied Afghan women and men are with the freedom to choose what they do with their lives from 2008 to 2019.

In addition to feeling less satisfied with their freedom to choose what they do with their lives, Afghan women today are also less likely to feel that they are treated with respect than they were a decade ago. A record-low 42% of Afghan women said they felt treated with respect the day before in 2019 -- down from 64% in 2008.

Alt text: Line graph. This is the trend for whether Afghan men and Afghan women felt treated with respect all day the previous day to the survey, from 2008 to 2019. The 42% of women treated with respect was a record low for Afghan women.

Bottom Line

Continuing violence and insecurity , along with food insecurity and declining economic opportunity, have contributed to Afghans losing faith in their nation's future. Despite their gains, Afghan women still have fewer job opportunities than men, and most Afghan women have only a primary school education. These limitations continue to put Afghan women in a most vulnerable position in their society.

As the U.S. government and the Taliban negotiate peace, questions remain regarding the future of gender equality and women's rights in the country. After four decades of war and social upheaval, the need for peace and security in Afghanistan is paramount to all Afghans, but the interests of the country's women also need to be represented in the negotiations.

Khorshied Samad is the Principal Communications Advisor at Gallup. Khorshied was a former ABC News reporter and FOX News Bureau Chief in Kabul, Afghanistan, from 2002-2004.

Julie Ray is the Managing Editor for Global News at Gallup.

Learn more about how the Gallup World Poll works.
Northern Irelands Education Minister has expressed hope that plans to return children to classes in the region can be accelerated.

Peter Weir visited a primary school in Belfast on Monday as thousands of P1-P3 pupils from across Northern Ireland returned to classes for the first time since December. Pre-school and nursery children also returned.

Under Stormonts phased plan for schools, the next pupils to resume face to face learning are secondary school pupils in key exam years, year groups 12-14, on March 22.

The P1-P3, nursery and pre-school children are supposed to resume remote learning on that week to minimise the impact on community infection rates of the secondary school return.

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The Easter holidays begin the week after that, but no date has yet been confirmed for the return of the wider school population.

Mr Weir said he would be proposing to executive colleagues that the plan to bring young children back out of classes on March 22 be cancelled.

He also expressed hope that all primary school pupils would be able to get back into a classroom before the Easter holidays.

On the visit to Springfield Primary School in west Belfast he said: It would be great for instance if we could get all our primary school children back before Easter, that will ultimately be in the hands of the executive.

The minister added: I think we need to see continuity of learning. Obviously, the steps that weve taken so far are the steps that we can only be taking at this point with regard to health.

I was delighted this morning to be invited to Springfield PS to see the return of our P1-P3s. Everyone was clearly very happy to be back - Scarlett & Lucy told me what they had missed most during remote learning was seeing their friends. pic.twitter.com/gJi7QzTzhe  Peter Weir (@peterweirmla) March 8, 2021

But I think were in a fast-moving situation so Ill be bringing proposals forward which will say actually, particularly for P1 to P3, they should carry on throughout and I think we dont want to see any more disruption to our young peoples education.

He said health officials would need to consider this proposal and his suggestion that other primary school year groups  P4-P7  also return to classes this month.

The minister added: While theres been lots of great work thats being done by remote learning by schools, lots of great work, tireless work being done by parents, you know theres no substitute for children being directly in school themselves on a face-to-face basis.

Mr Weir also said he would be working with health officials to develop testing procedures in secondary schools.

Primary school pupils from Springfield PS, Belfast talk about what they have missed as nursery, preschool and P1 to P3 pupils return to school today. pic.twitter.com/uT46WWcyhU  Education NI (@Education_NI) March 8, 2021

He highlighted concerns in England around the number of false positives reported by lateral flow testing systems.

Already testing is rolled out and has started within special schools and I think the next step is the work that will be ongoing particularly in post primary schools, he said.

I think we need to make sure just the detail of that is got right, because I know that, for instance, within England theres been some concerns about whether that creates a high level of false positives.

So we need to make sure that whatever methodology we use, and thats why were taking the advice from our health professionals, is one that can aid children to be directly in schools and make sure that were not creating any additional barriers beyond what is needed.

Education Minister Peter Weir outlines why it is so important that schools begin to reopen today for pre-school, nursery and primary school pupils in years P1 to P3. pic.twitter.com/I0EGtEzGWM  Education NI (@Education_NI) March 8, 2021

Vulnerable children and the children of key workers have been able to attend school since January.

Special schools have been allowed to open to all their pupils during the current lockdown.

The Stormont Executive published its Pathway to Recovery plan for exiting wider lockdown restrictions last week.

It sets out an emergence from lockdown in stages, described as lockdown, cautious first steps, gradual easing, further easing, and preparing for the future.

The blueprint does not include any target dates, with ministers instead insisting decisions on moving between stages will be based on scientific and medical evidence, not the calendar.

Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill has said ministers hope the process of exiting lockdown will be well advanced by June 10.
Air India employee consortium, which had bid for taking over the national carrier, could not advance to the next round of the disinvestment process.

Meenakshi Malik, Commercial Director of the airline, reportedly informed the consortium in a three-page letter that it did not make the cut to advance to the next stage of the stake sale, reported the Mint. Malik has been leading the employee consortium.

"As of late last night, I have seen an email from the Transaction Advisor to the Government of India (Ernst & Young LLP), informing the Employees of Air India that we have been unsuccessful in qualifying to the next phase of the 'Disinvestment Acquisition process'," the daily quoted her as saying.

ALSO READ: BEML disinvestment: Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, M&M in fray for buying govt stake

As per Malik's letter, the bid from the consortium was turned down due to three reasons, as per the report. The listed reasons include non-submission of three years audited financial statements for foreign consortium member, non-submission of information or details by interested bidders for investments in offshore companies that form a substantial part of the net worth of the foreign consortium member, and the foreign consortium member not being an appropriately regulated foreign investment fund as defined in the Preliminary Information Memorandum.

Malik clarified in her letter that the consortium had partnered with a financial fund based in Republic of Seychelles and dealt exclusively with it for the purpose of the disinvestment process.

"It was certainly upsetting to read this, but what I found reassuring in the email is that the government had no objection or reservation whatsoever with any of the documentation furnished on behalf of the employees," wrote Malik.

ALSO READ: Air India ground handling, maintenance arms to be put on block

This was an indication that the employees' documentation was "perfect" and reflected "not just our sincerity in the process but also of our competence to have participated and, if selected, to run our airline", she further stated.

Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) had said that the names of bidders for Air India would not be made public and will remain confidential with the transaction advisor. They might be released with certain agencies in national interest on government's advice.

"Each of the potential bidders will be assigned a code by the transaction adviser. All activities including due diligence, site visits, bidding, etc, shall be performed using the code only," DIPAM had said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said in her Budget speech last month that the privatisation of Air India will be completed in 2021-22. It is crucial to meeting Centre's Rs 1.2 lakh crore disinvestment target for the next financial year.

ALSO READ: Air India, BPCL disinvestment to be completed by July-August
Plans have been announced for Kutztown Universitys upcoming fall semester to return to a more typical kind of classroom experience.

In a press release, the university has announced that it plans for a primarily face-to-face environment for the upcoming 2021 fall semester.

While some health and wellness protocols may remain in place, KUs course offerings and residential experience will more-closely reflect its traditional on-campus environment, the press release said.

University president Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson added in the press release that the plans come due to encouraging news on the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, including fewer statewide cases and increased availability of vaccines.

The fall semester is scheduled to begin on Aug. 30, with courses offered primarily in-person that will closely resemble pre-pandemic configurations, the press release said. Residence halls will be open for occupancy, with residency requirements for freshmen and sophomore students, and reopened dining facilities and increased extracurricular activities.

The press release adds that KU strongly encourage members of the campus community to get vaccinated prior to the fall semester, and that the university will continue to evaluate all options and review guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Department of Education and State System of Higher Education.

For more information, visit the Kutztown University website.
A drone handed to police last weekend is being examined to determine if it is linked to the disappearance of missing Victorian campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

The development comes several days after police renewed an appeal for information about the missing pair.

Mr Hill, 74, and Ms Clay, 73, have not been seen since they embarked on a camping trip to Wonnangatta Valley, about 250 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, on March 19 last year.

Mr Hill owned a DJI Mavic drone that police said he took with him on the camping trip and had not been recovered. Police are examining whether the drone handed to police was owned by Mr Hill.
Without a doubt, the data points to the sobering fact that Black and brown-owned businesses have taken a disproportionate hit from the coronavirus.

In the past year, more minority-owned businesses have gone under or drastically reduced their staff and hours. A survey by H&R Block released in February found more than half of Black small businesses owners said their revenue fell by at least 50% (by comparison, 37% of white small business owners responded similarly).
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
India's domestic air traffic fell 37 per cent year-on-year to 78 lakh (7.8 million) passengers in February amid travel curbs and capacity restrictions due to the pandemic, according to Icra.

Even the sequential growth slowed down for the second consecutive month in February with a nearly flat growth over January 2021, rating firm Icra said in a release.

Domestic passenger traffic in January this year was recorded at 77.34 lakh, according to DGCA data.

Similarly, 1.23 crore people travelled on local routes in February 2020 as against 78 lakh passenger in February this year.

"The number of flights departing has also gradually increased from 416 on day one (May 25, 2020, when domestic operations were resumed)to 2,885 on day 267 (February 14, 2021).

"For February 2021, the average daily departures were around 2,296, significantly lower than the average daily departures of 3,137 in February 2020, though better than around 2,190 in January 2021," said Kinjal Shah, Vice President, Icra.

The average number of passengers per flight during February 2021 was 121, against an average of 136 passengers per flight in February 2020, she said, therefore, it is expected that the domestic aviation industry operated at a passenger load factor (PLF) of around 78 per cent in February 2021, against 87.7 per cent a year ago, that too on a low capacity.

The PLF for February 2021 was higher than around 73 per cent in January 2021, due to the decline in capacity deployment by around 5 per cent, she added.

Overall, from May 25, 2020, till February 28, 2021, domestic passenger traffic has been pegged at around 45.6 million, said Shah.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)has allowed the Indian airlines to gradually increase capacity from about 33 per cent in May 2020(at the time of resumption of operations) to 80 per cent at present.
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Aspen, CO (81611)

Today

Widely scattered showers or a thunderstorm this evening. Then partly cloudy. Low 43F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Widely scattered showers or a thunderstorm this evening. Then partly cloudy. Low 43F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
We all know life can be complicated. Relationships are hard whether with an immediate family member, someone you work with, or someone you are dating. But can you imagine what it must be like to be a soap opera character? The characters in The Young and the Restless have been through a lot. One relationship, between Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) and Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson), has particularly been tumultuous. And quite frankly, fans are getting a bit tired of it. They have been married to each other twice and had affairs, relationships, and other marriages as well.

(L-R) Amelia Heinle as Victoria Newman and Jason Thompson as Billy Abbott | Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images

The beginnings of Victoria and Billy

Today on #YR, Victoria examines her past with Billy. WATCH FULL EPISODE: https://t.co/8QKy4kOP14 pic.twitter.com/t0c7cjXYN8  Young and Restless (@YandR_CBS) February 3, 2021

The Young and the Restless first aired on CBS in 1973. Victoria, the daughter of Victor (Eric Braeden) and Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott), was born on the show in 1982. Billy, the son of John (Jerry Douglas) and Jill Abbott (Jess Walton) was introduced as a child in 1993, taking on a larger role as a teenager in 1999. Their early relationship was rocky until their children wanted to play together on Thanksgiving 2009. With that things began to change.

Victoria and Billys relationship becomes more friendly when she rescues a drunken Billy from the snow on New Years Eve, according to Fandom. Eventually, their hormones kick in, and they start sleeping together. Following the loss of custody of her son, Billy takes Victoria on a trip to Jamaica where they end up having an unplanned quicky and what turns out to be an illegal wedding. A fight between Victoria and her father over her relationship with Billy leads the two to legally marry, and she learns she is pregnant.

The off and on relationship

Today on #YR, Billy and Victoria experience deja vu. WATCH FULL EPISODE: https://t.co/r5iRmIZxKp pic.twitter.com/xKl6tk1qo8  Young and Restless (@YandR_CBS) January 29, 2021

Victoria loses her baby. Subsequently, they adopt. That turns out illegal, and they must give up the baby. Billy starts drinking and loses custody of his daughter. He leaves the country. Victorias dad hires another woman, Chelsea, to drug Billy and take compromising photos. She also plants heroin on him. He ends up in a Burmese prison. Victoria tries to find Billy, but to no avail. She thinks he is dead but finds him alive in an airport bar, and they reunite. They remarry. The couple decides to adopt a second time but finding out Chelsea is pregnant with Billys child hampers the idea. Victoria and Billy learn that Victor had hired Chelsea to break up their marriage. She gives birth to a baby boy but decides to let Billy and Victoria raise him and gives up her parental rights.

Following Billys daughter being killed by a hit-and-run driver, he pushes Victoria away and has an affair. Eventually, she learns about it and files for legal separation. She finds comfort in a new doctor in town and finds herself pregnant not knowing whether Billy or her new man, Ben Rayburn (Brandon Larracuente), is the father. After she and Billy divorce, she gives birth to a baby girl and confirms that Billy is the father. Meanwhile, Billy has moved on with another woman, Lily Winters (Christel Khalil). Victoria has given a lot of thought to trying to break them up.

Fans want them to be done for good

And the answer to Billy's card is pic.twitter.com/35voGyhIai  Young and Restless (@YandR_CBS) February 19, 2021

While fans say she should move on and Victoria has claimed she is over Billy, the love wont ever go away, according to Celebrating the Soaps. Deep down shell always love him, and hes still a big part of her life. Not too long ago we reported that fans were tired of Billy. Not letting up, fans are now saying that Victoria should turn the page and find someone else.

Fans are getting sick of Victoria seeming to only want Billy when hes occupied with someone else. Fans on Twitter made it clear they think Victoria lost her chance and needs to get a life, find a new and better relationship, and work on maintaining a good friendship with Billy. Some fans think it would be best for Victoria to take some time away from relationships and focus on her business, but its clear fans agree: its time for these two to separate. But could their relationship finally be over? Dont count on it.
(En francais)

An inclusive election in a generally peaceful atmosphere

In a preliminary statement released today, the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) and The Carter Center presented their initial findings following the observation of the election of members of the National Assembly which took place on March 6, 2021. The mission notes that the election was held in a much calmer and peaceful socio-political context than that of the Oct. 31 presidential poll.

The political agreement of December 29, 2020 contributed significantly to easing political tensions and the organization of inclusive and largely peaceful elections. The mission salutes the efforts of the electoral, administrative, and traditional authorities, the police and Ivorian civil society to ensure peaceful elections.

Although prohibited by the electoral code, pre-campaign activities were carried out by the ruling party and the opposition. Although the election campaign took place in a generally calm atmosphere and without any major incidents, the lingering impact of restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, particularly in relation to demonstrations and protest activities during the presidential election and post-election crisis, negatively affected the legislative electoral process. Despite the absence of new prohibitions, the continued detention without trial of several hundreds of demonstrators and supporters of the civil disobedience movement arrested during the presidential election cycle raised concern among citizens and activists regarding public gatherings. These apprehensions were compounded by uncertainty over the prevailing COVID-19 measures for the holding of public gatherings during the pre-campaign and election campaign.

The pre-campaign and campaign activities, as well as polling, received significant coverage in a highly polarized media environment. However, it generated little voter enthusiasm, and on election day, voter turnout appeared low. The mission observed that the campaign gained in intensity in its last hours, notwithstanding the use of ethnically discriminatory speech in some localities.

There are some shortcomings in the existing legislation related to aspects of the electoral process, among others on the use of State resources and candidate eligibility. In terms of national legislation and its implementation, the mission encourages the State of Cote d'Ivoire to further its efforts in the field of civil and political rights and to enforce its commitments more strictly and rigorously, including with respect to ensuring greater womens representation in parliament. Most political parties or groups did not comply with the law setting a quota of 30% of women in their lists of candidates, ignoring legal obligations.

The mission's 20 teams observed polling and counting operations in 293 polling stations across the country. Polling station staff conducted voting operations in a largely professional and transparent manner. Despite the calm and peaceful climate that persisted in most constituencies throughout election day, the mission observed limited voter turnout. The IEOM enjoyed a collaborative relationship with Electoral Commission at the central and local level. The mission encourages the Independent Electoral Commission (Commission electorale independante, CEI in French) to report on its management of the electoral process and to publish all decisions and orders relating to the election of Members of the National Assembly in a timely manner, including on the transmission and proclamation of the results.

The CEI has committed itself to publish results disaggregated by polling station to allow comparison with the results protocols. The IEOM applauds the CEI for this initiative, which is in alignment with international standards for transparency and access to information, and encourages it to publish the disaggregated results in a timely and effective fashion so as to facilitate a candidate ability to file and substantiate any electoral challenges. The mission continues to observe the ongoing tabulation process.

The full preliminary statement is available here.

Translations

Communique De Presse: Mission Internationale Dobservation Electorale (Mioe), Cote d'Ivoire 2021  Elections Legislatives | Declaration Preliminaire

Head of Mission

Denis Kadima

Contacts

EOM Cote dIvoire 2021

Abraham KOUASSI  Press Officer  Mobile: +225 07 57 84 74 90

Email: abraham.kouassi@cartercenter.org
The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost.
All primary pupils and fifth year students will return to school next Monday, the Department of Education confirmed.

A letter has gone to schools principals today stating that the next stage of the phased re-opening can continue as planned.

Half primary classes as well as Leaving Cert students went back last Monday while around 100,000 children returned to preschool today under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme.

The gradual roll out of the re-opening strategy depends on the public health landscape, which is being closely monitored to see whether the earlier phases led to higher Covid transmission rates.

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Todays letter to principals stated that the Department of Health and the HSE have reaffirmed that the gradual phased reopening can proceed as planned.

Public health has reviewed the measures put in place to ensure safe operation of schools and is satisfied that these infection prevention and control measures, if rigorously adhered to, will keep the school community safe during this period.

The letter emphasis that all infection prevention and control measures must be followed carefully by pupils, staff and parents.

The letter reminds principals that all unnecessary travel should be avoided, and that in the interests of minimising the spread of Covid, schools must make every effort to avoid organising events that could lead to the congregation of pupils.

Schools are also asked to remind parents and pupils not to congregate in school grounds/at school gates.

As schools prepare for the wider return next Monday, pregnant staff have been told that they can continue to work from home.

A temporary arrangement allowing pregnant teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) to work remotely for the initial phases  up to the March 15 - has been extended.

The Department of Education has confirmed to schools that they should continue to work remotely pending clarification on the issue of a possible link between Covid and stillbirths.

However, teachers aged over 60 and those in the high-risk category who have also been facilitated to work from home during the initial phases of re-opening, must return to school next Monday.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) has also asked that he question of mask wearing by pupils in senior primary be kept under review.

Last week, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) reiterated that a compulsory face mask policy is not recommended in primary schools, however the INTO believes it would help to reduce the risk of infection.

Schools will close for Easter holidays on Friday March 26, and when they re-open on April 12, the final group of pupils to return, second level students from first year to fourth year, are due back.
INDIANAPOLIS -- In a study conducted shortly before COVID-19 vaccines became available in the U.S., more than two-thirds of nursing home and assisted living staff in Indiana indicated willingness to receive a vaccine immediately or in the future. The study was led by researchers from Regenstrief Institute, Indiana University and the State of Indiana. Vaccine uptake by front-line staff is important because it will help protect against serious illness and death for the high-risk people who receive care in these facilities.

"The vaccines offer the opportunity to return to a more normal life within the nursing facility, but that cannot be achieved without staff being willing to take the vaccine," said study leader Kathleen Unroe, M.D., MHA, a Regenstrief research scientist, IU School of Medicine associate professor of medicine and a geriatrician. "The rates of willingness found in this survey are a positive sign, and more staff may be amenable to the vaccines if they receive more education and outreach."

Nursing home and assisted living facility staff were included in the first phase of vaccine distribution, so the Indiana State Department of Health sent an anonymous survey to staff in facilities across the state to gain an understanding of willingness to participate. More than 8,000 responded. 45 percent indicated they would be willing to take a vaccine as soon as it was available, and an additional 24 percent said they would take it at some point in the future.

Staff members were surveyed on their reasons for not wanting to receive a vaccine. The most common responses were:

Concern over side effects (70%)

Health concerns (34%)

Questions about effectiveness (20%)

Religious reasons (12%)

"We found significant differences in willingness to take a vaccine among staff sub-groups, for example older employees were more interested in getting it as soon as possible, whereas direct care clinical staff who deal directly with patients were less likely to report willingness to receive the vaccine in the first wave,"said Justin Blackburn, PhD, associate professor at Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI. "This information can help public health and facility leaders identify which groups may need education and outreach about the vaccines so that these efforts can successfully protect residents." Dr. Blackburn is also a program faculty with the Indiana University National Library of Medicine Public Health Informatics T15 program hosted by Regenstrief Institute and Fairbanks School of Public Health.

###

"Willingness of long-term care staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine: A single state survey" has been published online ahead of print in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

In addition to Dr. Unroe and Dr. Blackburn, other authors of the paper are Russell Evans, R.N., MHA of Indiana University Health; Lindsay Weaver, M.D. of the Indiana State Department of Health and Dan Rusyniak, M.D. of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

About Regenstrief Institute

Founded in 1969 in Indianapolis, the Regenstrief Institute is a local, national and global leader dedicated to a world where better information empowers people to end disease and realize true health. A key research partner to Indiana University, Regenstrief and its research scientists are responsible for a growing number of major healthcare innovations and studies. Examples range from the development of global health information technology standards that enable the use and interoperability of electronic health records to improving patient-physician communications, to creating models of care that inform practice and improve the lives of patients around the globe. Sam Regenstrief, a nationally successful entrepreneur from Connersville, Indiana, founded the institute with the goal of making healthcare more efficient and accessible for everyone. His vision continues to guide the institute's research mission.

About IU School of Medicine

IU School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the U.S. and is annually ranked among the top medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The school offers high-quality medical education, access to leading medical research and rich campus life in nine Indiana cities, including rural and urban locations consistently recognized for livability.

About the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI

Located on Indiana's premier research and health sciences campus, the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI is committed to advancing the public's health and well-being through education, innovation and leadership. The Fairbanks School of Public Health is known for its expertise in biostatistics, epidemiology, cancer research, community health, environmental public health, global health, health policy and health services administration.

Kathleen Unroe, M.D., MHA

In addition to being a research scientist at Regenstrief Institute, Kathleen Unroe, M.D., MHA, is an associate professor at Indiana University School of Medicine and a practicing geriatrician.
Meghan said that her son Archie was denied a royal title and royal protection and that there were "concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he is born."

New York : In an interview with American talk show Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle revealed that members of the British royal family expressed concern to her husband Prince Harry about the potential skin colour of the couple's first child.

In her sit-down interview with Oprah, which is aired on Sunday, Meghan said the palace decreed that Archie would not have any title, a move she says was "different from the protocol."

"They didn't want him to be a prince... which would be different from protocol, and that he wasn't going to receive security," the Duchess of Sussex told Oprah.

She added, "we have in tandem the conversation of, 'He won't be given security. He's not going to be given a title.' And also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born."

An astonished Oprah asked Meghan who made that comment, with the 'Suits' actor declining to answer, saying the revelation would be too damaging.

Regarding the conversations, which Meghan was not part of, Oprah asked, "Because they were concerned that if he were too brown, that that would be a problem? Are you saying that?"

Meghan responded, "I wasn't able to follow up with why, but that--if that's the assumption you're making, I think that feels like a pretty safe one, which was really hard to understand, right?"

Later in the interview, Oprah pressed Harry on the issue, asking him who was behind the comment. "That conversation I'm never going to share. It was awkward. I was a bit shocked," he said.

He also said that the conversation happened early in his romance with Meghan. "That was right at the beginning: What will the kids look like?'"

When Harry and Meghan were married in May 2018, Queen Elizabeth gave them the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chief Executive Officer of Surety One, Inc., Constantin Poindexter has this week transferred one quarter of one million frequent flier miles to the "AA Miles for Social Good" program. The benefit of the mileage package is spread among the program facilitator's preferred charities which support humanitarian efforts, feeding the hungry and disaster response.

Surety One, Inc. (PRNewsfoto/Surety One, Inc.)

Said Poindexter, "I made this donation as part of my ongoing efforts to support organizations that contribute to the eradication of hunger, alleviate suffering due to poverty and promote the health of children. Financial contributions are the standard but I am always pondering novel ways to meet the specific needs of the more vulnerable members of my communities. These people need resources far more than I need a handful of flight upgrades."

The American Airlines Social Good program reserves all rights to the disbursement of mileage gifts however there are three organizations that enjoy partner agreements with the social good project. Per AA, "The Red Cross prevents and relieves suffering through disaster relief, health services and blood donations. Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs that provides food and services to those in need. UNICEF's Change for Good program raises funds to benefit children around the world."

Says Poindexter, "In my youth I was taught that 'faith may be lost in sight, hope ends in fruition, but charity extends beyond the grave.' I make a regular effort to incorporate this ideal in my daily life and remember that there are so many that don't enjoy the many blessings that I do."

Surety One, Inc. is an international insurance intermediary domiciled in Puerto Rico, licensed nationwide, in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic. For more information call (800) 373-2804 or email [email protected].

Website: https://SuretyOne.com

SOURCE Surety One, Inc.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a list of four non-negotiable rules for their bombshell interview with television legend Oprah Winfrey ahead of its launch.

The highly-anticipated interview aired in the US on CBS on Sunday evening local time, where the couple broke their silence on wide-ranging topics from 'racism' in the Royal Family to the deep rift 'Megxit' caused between Prince Charles and Prince Harry.

Network 10 secured the rights to air the tell-all in Australia, with the channel offering a rumoured $400,000 in a bidding war.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex instructed broadcasters around the world to run the interview in full and not 'edit' it in any way, The Australian reports.

Network 10 secured the rights to air the tell-all in Australia, with the channel offering a rumoured $400,000 in a bidding war

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex instructed broadcasters around the world to run the interview in full and not 'edit' it in any way

Secondly, networks were banned from editing a series of ads for the special - which have been sent to Ten from the US in the leadup.

The third demand states that Network 10 and other channels airing the interview can't edit it at all, even the synopsis that is being provided for program guides is off limits to change.

The fourth and final rule dictates host broadcasters are only allowed to use approved still images supplied to promote the tell-all.

During the special, Meghan revealed she 'couldn't be left alone' and told her husband she 'didn't want to be alive anymore' before claiming the Buckingham Palace HR department ignored her plea for help because she wasn't a 'paid employee'.

Meghan also sensationally claimed that a relative of Harry asked him 'how dark' their unborn child would be.

She claimed Archie being mixed-race was a 'problem' for the royals after Oprah asked her if they were worried their son would be 'too brown'.

Meghan claimed Archie being mixed-race was a 'problem' for the royals after Oprah asked her if they were worried their son would be 'too brown'

Secret: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have revealed that they were married in secret three days before their royal wedding on May 19, 2018

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan hold Archie in Cape Town while visiting in September 2019

The former Suits star said she would not name the person because it would be 'too damaging' for them. But she confirmed that the Duke was asked the question  'how dark his skin might be when he's born'  'by family'.

Harry was also asked to identify the culprit but said he didn't feel 'comfortable' discussing it.

Describing how she considered ending her life believing it 'was better for everyone', Meghan said: 'I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it. I just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.

'I remember how he just cradled me. I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that 'I've never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere'. And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution'.

She said that after confiding in her husband, she was forced to go to the Royal Albert Hall for a charity event in January 2019, claiming photos from that night 'haunt me'.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released this picture last month to announce they are expecting their second child

In the most extraordinary royal interview since his mother spoke to the BBC's Martin Bashir in 1995, Harry also laid into his own family claiming Prince Charles had stopped stopped taking his calls and 'cut him off' financially when they emigrated. Pictured, the family in 2019

Meghan told Oprah she later reached out to one of the best friends of Diana, Princess of Wales, because she felt unsupported by the palace

She told Oprah she later reached out to one of the best friends of Diana, Princess of Wales, because she felt unsupported by the palace.

She said: 'When I joined that family, that was the last time I saw my passport, my driving licence, my keys - all of that gets turned over'. Meghan later said Harry had 'saved my life' by agreeing to move to Los Angeles.

In the most extraordinary royal interview since his mother spoke to the BBC's Martin Bashir in 1995, Harry also laid into his own family claiming Prince Charles had stopped stopped taking his calls and 'cut him off' financially when they emigrated.

The prince said he had to sign multi-million dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify because he was spending his inheritance from Princess Diana and the palace wanted Meghan to go back into acting to pay the bills.

'My father and brother. They're both trapped' and added that his mother Diana would be 'angry and sad' that he felt he had to leave the royal family, but 'she saw it coming,' he said.
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A livestock product market in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, is closed on Monday, after more than 50 of its 570 employees tested positive for the coronavirus. Yonhap



More than 50 employees from a livestock meat processing and auction facility south of Seoul have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said Monday, becoming the latest in a recent string of mass infections at industrial workplaces.



According to the municipality of Anseong, 77 kilometers from Seoul, 50 employees of the Anseong Livestock Product Joint Market were additionally confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 after two others first tested positive for the virus Saturday.



The city's health authorities have been conducting the coronavirus tests on all of the livestock facility's 570 employees and initially singled out the 50 patients, with 100 of them yielding negative results.



But the number of COVID-19 cases is expected to further rise, as 125 employees are still waiting for their test results, municipal officials said, adding reexaminations are still under way for 45 others.






She could re-wire a plug in record time, do every DIY job on her list, cook the best macaroni cheese and roast chicken dinner ever and always knew exactly when we needed a hug. She was our mum.

As the Democrat pays tribute to just some of the inspiring Louth ladies for International Women's Day, I remember the most important woman in my life, my inspiration, my mum Joan O'Keeffe (nee Prendergast), who married the love of her life John (JJ) O'Keeffe.

They went on to have two daughters, myself and my little sister Lisa, who will always be my little sister, despite being a strong, independent woman and amazing mum herself now.

Our mum found herself in the nightmare of being a young mum left on her own to raise a seven-year-old and a two-year-old when our dad, her husband and soulmate passed away.

There are no words I could use to even try to begin to describe the pain and loss our mum felt, but I know from watching her as a child she had lost her best friend, her team-mate and her life partner.

There were of course dark times, when I am sure she wondered how she would go on without our dad, but she did, she got up every morning and was always there for us without fail.

Now as I write this nearly a decade older than she was when dad passed away, I can't even begin to imagine where she found her strength.

We were too young to really know, but I am sure at times she didn't feel strong or brave enough to put one step in front of the other, but she did and that was with the help of her lifeline, her sisters, her family, her friends, her neighbours.

She always had her female tribe. She was never alone.

Mum packed everything up from our home in Dublin and headed home to Dundalk, where she had grown up and where so many of our family lived and still do.

She built a life for us, not just a life, an amazing life.

We had sad times but we had great times, happy times, fun times all thanks to our clan of strong, beautiful, opinionated, funny, loving, kind, amazing women - and of course men (but it is today we celebrate the women).

We always knew we had a network, but we were also the three amigos - these three females who were taking on the world in our own way.

Our mum was beautiful - I am sure many men that remember the Pavilion dance hall in Blackrock can vouch for this - the Prendergast sisters from Cocklehill turned a head or two in their day.

Our mum was also kind, generous, nurturing, encouraging, feisty, determined, strict at times, but always loving.

She would give out to you for not washing the dishes properly - which she never really let us do because of her 'if you want a job done right do it yourself' attitude - but if the mood took her she would teach us how to jive around the kitchen as a tape bought in some supermarket blared out the tunes of her youth.

There were summer holidays with uncles, aunts and cousins where mum squealed in terror and delight after being convinced her pony would be well behaved and docile and agreed to go on that pony trek.

The rolling of her brown eyes at me as a child after she laid a beautiful table for tea after a long walk with moaning children when yet again, I spilt the jug of juice over the tablecloth, becoming a running family joke.

And in my teenage years when I dared to come home in the early hours of the morning hours after a night out, the creaking floorboards would always give me away, resulting in her vigorously hoovering my bedroom early Sunday morning and being march to mass.

But there was always the roast chicken dinner later that day and an unspoken forgiveness.

Above all she taught myself and my sister how to always believe in ourselves, overcome obstacles, embrace the best of times, live through the worst of times, and always try our best to live our lives to the fullest and love with the biggest of heart those who love you.

She also taught us the strength of a female tribe - the aunts, cousins, nieces, and friends that are always there when you need a shoulder to cry, rant with over a bottle of wine, stand by you when you think you can't stand on your own, defend you and most importantly dance around a kitchen or dancefloor with like you haven't a care in the world.

She might not be here with us anymore, passing away 20 years ago, but I can still hear her voice, and remember her warm hug and even the taste of her macaroni cheese.

I don't know what she would make of the lockdown we are all in now, I know she would hate to be separated from family and friends, but I know she would have had the resilience and strength to endure it until it is over.

So, to all the women out there, always remember that it is not just on International Women's Day that we are all amazing, it is every day.

And we will all see each other again on the other side of this pandemic and celebrate together as only women can!
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Monday said an evening curfew to combat the coronavirus outbreak must remain in place until at least March 31 due to the continuing high number of new cases.

Exceptions will be made to ensure national elections on March 15-17 proceed as planned.

"It would not be prudent now to announce any easing," Rutte said, adding that some adjustments might be possible around the Easter vacation and gradually as vaccination levels increase through the summer.

Coronavirus infections in the Netherlands have stabilized in the past week, following a modest rise in February attributed by health authorities in part to new variants of the virus becoming more prevalent.

The 9 p.m.-4.30 a.m. curfew sparked several days of rioting throughout the country when it was first imposed six weeks ago.

Restaurants and bars might be allowed to start serving customers on outdoor terraces by next month if the infection rate drops in the coming three weeks, Rutte said.

Public gatherings remained banned, private visits are limited to one person at a time. Government advice against unnecessary international travel will remain in place until at least April 15, Rutte said.

Bars and restaurants in the Netherlands have been closed since mid-October, along with other public places such as museums, libraries, gyms and cinemas.

Last month the government allowed non-essential stores and hairdressers to reopen for a limited amount of customers by appointment.

Shopkeepers, restaurant owners and anti-lockdown activists have launched several court cases to get relief from lockdown measures in recent weeks, but without success so far.

Polls indicate that Rutte's conservative VVD party will remain the largest at the elections, even though public support for his coronavirus policies has declined in recent weeks.

(Reporting by Bart Meijer and Toby Sterling; Editing by Chris Reese and Nick Macfie)
Update (March 10): Once the largest apologetics ministry in the world, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) will stop doing apologetics work this year.

CEO Sarah Davis announced to staff Wednesday morning that over the next six months, the downsized ministry will remake itself as a grant-making charity. It plans to give money to organizations fulfilling its original purpose of defending the truth of the gospel as well as organizations that care for victims of sexual abuse.

RZIM cannot and should not continue to operate as an organization in its present form. Nor do we believe we can only rename the organization and move forward with business as usual, said Davis, who is Zachariass daughter and has led the ministry since his death in May 2020.

RZIMs speakers have had invitations rescinded since allegations against Zacharias were reported in September. Over the past several months, donations slowed to the $35 million$40 million ministry as it investigated and ultimately confirmed abuse by its late founder.

The investigation found guilt beyond anything that we could have imagined, Davis acknowledged on Wednesday.

The ministry of RZIM has been on a journey almost unlike anything we can think of in modern evangelical history, Davis said. We, as a ministry, have been processing a wide range of emotions, including intense grief for victims of abuse, abhorrence at Ravis actions, disillusionment, dismay, anger, and uncertainty about the future of the ministry we love and serve.

The ministry is currently undergoing a broad review of culture and structure by the consulting firm Guidepost Solutions. Davis told staff that they can expect layoffs of about 60 percent of staff, starting immediately, as well as leadership changes when the review is finished in four to six months.

In the meantime, staff in each department are being instructed to focus their gifts, skills, and resources on repentance, restitution, learning, and serving.

-----

Original post (March 8): Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, in the midst of an outside review of its corporate culture and past handling of abuse allegations, has announced it will change its name. It also is calling for additional victims to come forward and report sexual abuse and harassment by its late world-famous founder.

Last months investigative report confirmed allegations against the apologist dating back to 2004 and uncovered additional evidence of abuse continuing up until a few months before his death in May 2020. But while the investigation was conclusive, it was not comprehensive.

In a statement released over the weekend, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) acknowledged there may be many more victims. This is the first time RZIM has directly asked victims to come forward.

The consulting firm Guidepost Solutions will field reports by phone and email as part of its comprehensive review of RZIM, while victims advocate Rachael Denhollander will serve as a confidential liaison with survivors. Phone lines have been set up in English, Spanish, and French.

We continue to grieve deeply for the victims who have been treated in ways that are completely antithetical to the gospel, wrote CEO Sarah Davis, who is also Zachariass daughter, in the official statement. We also painfully and increasingly recognize organizational failures that have occurred and the repentance that needs to take place in both heart and action.

Davis said the review is comprehensive and is expected to take months. Layoffs are expected soon.

The ministry also announced it is removing Zachariass teaching from its website and social media. The 12 international branches of RZIM are independently evaluating their own ministry cultures and future plans.

Ministry knew about previous allegation

Top RZIM leaders in the US and Asia have known about allegations against Zacharias since at least 2008, when an Indian team member reported to the head of the Singapore board that Zacharias had been seen with a woman he wasnt related to in a Singapore hotel. Zacharias was holding her hand and appeared to be intimate with her. Zacharias dismissed it as a misunderstanding, and the ministry did not investigate, according to internal documents obtained by CT.

The team member raised the issue again in 2012, along with questions about Zachariass solo trips to Thailand, where Zacharias owned two apartmentsone for himself and one for a massage therapist. The ministry didnt investigate then either. The Singapore board instead launched a full inquiry into whether the team member was spreading rumors about Zacharias.

Directors agreed that derogative remarks of any kind by any of the parties must cease immediately as they do not glorify the Lord, the Singapore board chair wrote in a 2012 email obtained by CT. We are of the same conviction that brothers should reconcile where there have been misunderstandings.  The work of RZIM is making great impact on unbelievers and any public dispute will bring irreparable damage to parties concerned and the organization.

Similar arguments were made at RZIMs other international offices. Team members in India, the US, the UK, and Canada told CT that when they raised concerns, they were dismissed. Leadership pointed to Zachariass reputation. He was considered above reproach and beyond question.

RZIM spokeswoman Ruth Malhotra, in a 26-page letter to the US board about corporate complicity in Zachariass abuse, wrote that the leaderships strategic response to allegations was to delay, deny, defy, defame. According to Malhotra, she raised questions in 2017, when Zacharias denied soliciting explicit sexual images from a woman in Canada. Instead of trying to answer her questions, a senior leader demanded to know, Whose side are you on?

After the investigation in 2021, the US board acknowledged mistakes and promised a review of the culture and leadership of the ministry.

Our trust in Ravis denial of moral wrongdoing and in his deceptive explanations of emails and other records that became public was severely misplaced, the statement said. We also recognize that in situations of prolonged abuse, there often exist significant structural, policy, and cultural problems. It is imperative that where these things exist in our organization, we take focused steps to ensure they are properly diagnosed and addressed.

The US board is anonymous, and the statement was not signed by individual members. It is not clear who wrote the statement or whether board members agreed with it unanimously.

International reckoning

RZIMs 12 international offices are also evaluating their own culture and making decisions about the future. Leadership in the respective countries have to decide whether to shut down or continue, whether to remain affiliated with the US ministry or separate, and whether to keep the Zacharias name or abandon it.

The UK ministry and the Latin American ministry have each announced their intentions to separate and establish independent apologetics organizations. The Latin American board shut down its website after making its statement.

RZIM Spain is evaluating next steps but said it has received many expressions of encouragement to continue doing apologetics and evangelism in Spain.

The German-language branch of RZIM, operating in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, has announced team training on abuse and a review of its own organizational structure and culture.

Looking back, we realize that we as the institute were positively biased towards Ravi Zacharias and that we also trusted the control mechanisms within RZIM too much, the ministry said in an official statement. We are extremely sorry for these failures.

RZIM Canada is closing down. We recognize the ongoing need for an apologetics-based approach to evangelism, the Canadian board said. Regrettably, we are of the conviction that it is not possible for RZIM Canada to fulfill this mandate within the current environment.

RZIM Hong Kong, which serves Southeast Asia and Oceania, stated it is considering all possible paths that would honour our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and also said, We apologise unreservedly for the hurt we have caused others through our misplaced trust in Ravi.

The RZIM officers in India and Turkey have translated the US boards apology and publicized the information about the investigation, but have not made individual public statements about the future of those ministries. RZIM Middle East does not appear to have made any public statements.

RZIM Romania and RZIM Singapore announced times of prayer and re-evaluation.

The Romanian ministry said it is praying that God will heal any wound caused by the actions of Ravi Zacharias and any disappointment caused by this news. We put all our hope in His grace and continue to remain committed to searching and presenting #Truth.

RZIM Africa said its top priority is to Pray for, listen to and learn from victims and victim advocates, seek their forgiveness where appropriate, and take steps that emerge.

Two African leaders personally reached out to one victim to apologize. The ministry is also encouraging others to come forward.

Given the extent of Ravis deception and abuse, the statement said, we recognize that there may be many others who have suffered, and whose stories have not yet been told.

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[March 08, 2021] Olo Announces Launch of Initial Public Offering

Olo Inc. ("Olo") today announced that it has launched the roadshow for the initial public offering of its Class A common stock. Olo is offering 18,000,000 shares of its Class A common stock. The initial public offering price is expected to be between $16.00 and $18.00 per share. The shares are expected to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "OLO." Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan are acting as lead book-running managers for the proposed offering. RBC Capital Markets is acting as book-running manager for the proposed offering, and Piper Sandler & Co., Raine Securities LLC, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Truist Securities, Inc., and William Blair & Company, L.L.C. are acting as co-managers for the proposed offering. The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus relating to this offering, when available, may be obtained from: Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, by telephone at 1-866-471-2526 or by email at prospectus-ny@ny.emai.gs.com; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by telephone at 866-803-9204 or by email at prospectus-eq_fi@jpmorganchase.com; or RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate, 200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10281, by telephone at 1-877-822-4089, or by email at equityprospectus@rbccm.com.



A registration statement relating to 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 Olo

Olo powers digital ordering and delivery programs that connect restaurant brands to the on-demand world, placing orders directly into the restaurant through all order origination points - from a brand's own website or app, third party marketplaces, social media platforms, smart speakers, and home assistants. Olo serves as the on-demand ordering and delivery platform for over 400 brands, such as Applebee's (DIN), Checkers & Rally's, Cheesecake Factory (CAKE), Chili's (EAT), Dairy Queen, Denny's (DENN), Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Jamba Juice (JMBA), Noodles & Company (NDLS), Portillo's Hot Dogs, Shake Shack (SHAK), sweetgreen, Wingstop (WING), and more. SKIP THE LINE View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005503/en/

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GENEVA, March 8 (Reuters) - The United Nations human rights office voiced deep concern on Monday at the fate of 200 peaceful protesters trapped by Myanmar's security forces in Yangon and called for them to be allowed to leave in safety without reprisals.

Three people were killed in Myanmar on Monday at demonstrations against last month's military coup, and hundreds of protesters in the main city Yangon pleaded for help after they were cornered by security forces after dark.

The office of Michelle Bachelet wrote on Twitter: "#Myanmar: We are deeply concerned about the fate of some 200 peaceful protestors  incl. women  who have been cordoned by security forces in Yangon, and may be at risk of arrest or ill-treatment. We urge the police to immediately allow them to leave safely and without reprisals." (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
The Southern Star newspaper in Co Cork has appointed Siobhan Cronin, who started her career in the Leitrim Observer, as its new Editor.

This is a significant announcement as Siobhan will be The Southern Star's first female Editor in its 132-year history.

The Southern Star is a West Cork-based, family-owned media company encompassing print, digital and creative design functions, and is the long-established, trusted source of news in West Cork.

It is also one of Irelands best known and most respected regional newspapers, with a colourful history that includes having had General Michael Collins as a former shareholder.

Siobhan started her career as a junior reporter in the Leitrim Observer in 1988, and was promoted to deputy editor before moving to its then-sister paper the Longford News as News Editor in 1991.

"Siobhan has done a fantastic job over the last seven years as our News Editor and has played a key role in our transition and evolution to becoming a successful multimedia local news and information publisher for West Cork," commented Sean Mahon, Managing Director. "Siobhans appointment ties in with the proactive culture of The Southern Star, which we believe is so important to our business success," he said, adding: "This appointment is also very apt, as today is International Women's Day."

"I am delighted and honoured to be the next Editor of The Southern Star," said Siobhan. "My family has strong ties with the West Cork area and I am very proud to have been given the opportunity to lead a newspaper with such an excellent reputation in newsgathering and telling the stories of the wonderful people of West Cork and beyond. I look forward to overseeing it progress and develop at a time when trusted journalism is more important than ever."

Leitrim Observer editor Claire McGovern and former colleagues would like to congratulate Siobhan on her new appointment.

"Having worked with Siobhan for a number of years I have no doubt that she will utilise her impressive journalists talents to progress and develop the Southern Star even further. She is one of the best journalists I have had the pleasure to work with. I and the staff would like to wish her every success," said Claire.

- A native of Ennis, Co Clare, Siobhan grew up in Blackrock, Cork and was educated at Christ King Secondary in Turners Cross in Cork city and at TU Dublin, from where she holds an honours degree in journalism. Her 35-year career includes senior roles at the Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, In Dublin magazine (editor), and several regional newspapers, including the Leitrim Observer, Longford News and Nationalist group of newspapers in Carlow and Kildare.
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 cross-sectional image of selective hydrogen gas permeation in a super hydrophobic membrane formed on a porous tubular support. Credit: Yuji Iwamoto from Nagoya Institute of Technology

Hydrogen has been hailed as the 'fuel of the future' owing to several reasons. First, compared to the conventionally used hydrocarbons, hydrogen exhibits higher energy yield. Second, the commercial use of hydrogen fuel, which yields only water as a byproduct, would help mitigate the imminent global warming crisis by reducing the use of exhaustible and polluting fossil fuels. Thus, ongoing research has been focusing on efficient and environment-friendly ways to produce hydrogen fuel.

Solar hydrogen production through a photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting reaction is an attractive 'green' method of hydrogen fuel production, owing to its potential for high conversion efficiency, low operating temperatures, and cost-effectiveness. However, efficient separation of hydrogen gas from a mixture of gases (called syngas) under different environmental conditions, has proven to be a challenge. A recent paper published in the journal Separation and Purification Technology seeks to address this challenge. In this study, a group of researchers from Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan, led by Professor Yuji Iwamoto, in collaboration with researchers in France, successfully characterized a novel membrane that allows highly selective separation of hydrogen gas generated from the PEC reaction. Prof. Iwamoto says, "Membrane separation is attractive as a low-cost hydrogen gas purification technology. However, current techniques face several challenges, for example, water-induced swelling with polymer membranes and lower hydrogen permeance with metal, polymer, and supported liquid membranes. "

The researchers first developed an organic-inorganic hybrid polymeric membrane, primarily consisting of a polymer called polycarbosilane (PCS) formed on an aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 )-based porous support. Prof. Iwamoto further explains, "By using high-molecular-weight PCSs with a melting point above 200C, we showed that a superhydrophobic PCS membrane could be deposited on a mesoporous -Al 2 O 3 -modified macroporous -Al 2 O 3 tubular support. "

After successfully developing the PCS membrane, the researchers tested it under PEC reaction conditions. As hypothesized, the PCS membrane showed high hydrophobicity. Moreover, under the flow of a simulated highly humid gas mixture at 50C, the PCS membrane exhibited excellent hydrogen selectivity. Further analysis revealed that the preferential hydrogen permeation through the PCS membrane was governed by the "solid state diffusion" mechanism. Overall, irrespective of the ambient environmental conditions provided, the PCS membrane exhibited efficient hydrogen gas separation.

With the development and characterization of this new PCS membrane, it is inevitable that its commercial adoption will not just facilitate the use of hydrogen fuel for energy needs but also curb the use of non-renewable fossil fuels. Prof. Iwamoto concludes, "With this technological development, we expect great progress in environmental-friendly and sustainable hydrogen production."

Let's hope that the use of PCS membrane is a step towards a hydrogen-based society.

Explore further Novel two-polymer membrane boosts hydrogen fuel cell performance

More information: Miwako Kubo et al, Superhydrophobic polycarbosilane membranes for purification of solar hydrogen, Separation and Purification Technology (2020). Miwako Kubo et al, Superhydrophobic polycarbosilane membranes for purification of solar hydrogen,(2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2020.117998
Shortly after learning that he and his wife were expecting their fourth child, Mobile neurosurgeon Richard Menger was deployed for Navy Reserve duty at a COVID-19 ICU in New York City. While his wife, Beth Ann Menger, was doing an epic job homeschooling children ages 2, 4 and 6, he was at one of the countrys grimmest hot spots of the pandemic.

When he got back home, he found a big shift in operations that left him thoughtful about the future.

Some industries and organizations will pivot and others wont change, said Menger, 36. For example, we have increased our digital care footprint for spine surgery with varying degrees of success. Some people enjoy a virtual appointment, and we have had great success with virtual visits for post-operative wound evaluations. However, most patients want to see their doctor person-to-person for a true evaluation. I personally dont feel comfortable performing surgery on someone unless I get the formal chance to meet them beforehand.

Our spine center treats all parts of spine care from conservative care to pain management to surgery. Our spine surgery numbers are higher than last year. However, people are much more wary about doing preventative conservative care like physical therapy in person. I think the pendulum will swing to an efficient middle ground where we adapt technology to best serve the human interaction.

His tour of duty in New York continues to influence his mindset.

I honestly feel sincere gratitude, he said. Its obviously hard to see some of the morbidity and mortality intensity that I saw in New York, but it makes you so grateful for life. Its impacted my day-to-day interactions. These small problems arent real problems. Having the burden of seeing all of that pathology actually gave me the unexpected gift of being given that perspective. We have so much to be grateful for. Its not to say the pandemic has been easy for me or my family, or anyone else, but it just gives perspective.

This is part of a series of stories by AL.com to reflect on the 1-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic reaching Alabama. Each day leading up to March 13 we will elevate the voices of those impacted.
Hands up those of you who would like to retire at 47 with a small fortune.

Cecile Reinaud, the glamorous founder of London-based maternity brand Seraphine, has done just that after selling the business for 50 million, netting herself 20 million.

Covid permitting, she looks forward to spending more time on her twin passions of scuba diving and horse riding. It is what she always dreamed of.

'Growing a business is like raising a child, and it was always my idea to let it go when it was 18. I started it in 2002, so the timing is perfect.'

Cecile Reinaud (above), founder of London-based maternity brand Seraphine, is retiring at the age of 47 after selling her business for 50million, netting herself a staggering 20million

Born near Paris, with her grandfathers supplying fabric to couturiers including Chanel and Lanvin, Reinaud has business and fashion 'in her blood'.

After moving to the UK in the 1990s to start in advertising, she spotted a gap in the market for stylish maternity wear when her friends were pregnant but couldn't find anything beyond Mothercare.

With 100,000 of her own money, plus 150,000 from investors, she opened a shop in West London stocking her designs.

Low-waist jeans with a hidden jersey panel, little black dresses cut to accommodate an expanding midriff, silk cocktail frocks  this was revolutionary stuff then.

And Cecile was the perfect figurehead  chic, Parisian and, very quickly, pregnant. The bump, though, was both literal and metaphorical.

'New motherhood was the biggest challenge I faced,' says Cecile, whose sons Lorenz and Florian are now 17 and 12.

Cecile was born in Paris and moved to the UK in the 1990s and spotted a gap in the market for stylish maternity wear and set up her own shop

'It's exhausting being a new mother and you need energy to be ambitious  especially when women have to be twice as good as men to succeed.

'If you think starting a business offers flexibility for a family, you soon realise it's not the case.'

Cecile thinks Covid will help women climb the ladder. Home-working has ripped up the rulebook, she says, revolutionising the culture of long office hours and presenteeism that has held women, especially mothers, back.

'If you can drive more of your business without having to do the commute, or be in the office for hours on end, that has to be a positive.'

She also believes women should refuse to feel bad if they don't do it all. 'I've always said the best tactic for women is to think like a man. Men don't feel guilty if they haven't cooked all the dinners from scratch that week or if they don't do the school run. Neither should we.

'I never did the school run. That was my conscious choice.'

It surely helped that her husband then was Austrian venture capitalist Markus Golser, who kept the home fires burning while Seraphine was in its infancy. (Reinaud is now divorced, with a new partner.)

Business ticked over nicely, becoming a favourite of supermodels Elle Macpherson and Claudia Schiffer, until its big break in 2013, when the Duchess of Cambridge wore a dress from the brand while pregnant with Prince George.

Cecile's Seraphine maternity designs quickly got celebrity approval from Kate Middleton (above) as well as Kate Winslet and Gwen Stefani

Kate then chose a 46 fuchsia Knot dress from Cecile's range for his first official family portrait. Within hours of that photo appearing, the dress sold out and had a five-week waiting list.

From then, celebrity approval  from Kate Winslet to Gwen Stefani  formed a big part of Reinaud's marketing strategy.

A swift pivot over the past 12 months from office outfits to less-structured loungewear has paid off. As big brand retailers topple, Seraphine's growth  30 per cent per year is claimed  perhaps proves niche is the way forward in fashion.

Her top tip for other women who want an early retirement?

'Don't fall at the first hurdle,' she says. 'My company was almost always profitable and it looked from the outside like a very smooth ride. But there were lots of hurdles. You've just got to keep on jumping.'
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A toddler whose body was found submerged in a dam on a rural Queensland property was days away from her third birthday.

Ruby Gulliver was reported missing on Monday afternoon from a 1500-hectare rural property at Tara, Western Downs, about 280 kilometres west of Brisbane.

On Tuesday, police confirmed the missing toddlers body had been found and there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.

Search and rescue co-ordinator Inspector Terry McCullough said Ruby was last seen playing with a dog beside the house.
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 to Sign Bill Stripping His Emergency COVID-19 Powers

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday that he will sign a bill to limit his emergency powers as calls for his resignation continue to intensify over the states CCP virus response and mounting sexual harassment allegations against him.

Im signing today the legislatures emergency powers bill, and Im going to implement it today with a significant change, Cuomo, 63, told reporters during a conference call, saying that cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus are dropping in the state.

The New York Legislature on Friday voted in party-line votes of 43 to 20 and 107 to 43 to pass the bill to strip Cuomo of his emergency powers, which were due to finish at the end of April when state of emergency ends.

Cuomo at the time said he backed the bill.

Any governor in New York has the power to suspend laws in a state of emergency. But last spring, lawmakers approved Cuomos request for additional authority to pass sweeping mandates unilaterally. Republicans have long opposed the additional powers.

Under the new legislation, the governor would no longer have the power to pass new mandates but it would allow the governor to extend or amend dozens of his ongoing COVID-19 mandates, which include limits for restaurant capacity, eligibility rules for vaccinations, the number of vaccine locations, gathering limits, social distancing rules, testing, quarantine rules and air quality or filtration requirements.

During the call, Cuomo said that restaurants outside of New York City will now be allowed to open up more seats for indoor dining from March 19up to 75 percent capacity from 50 percent. In New York City, restaurants will remain at 35 percent indoor capacity, Cuomo said.

The legislature has five days to review the change, he added. And well discuss it with any members of the legislature or local governments who have issues. Legislature has the ability to cancel it with 50 percent of the vote.

Harassment Allegations

The news comes as Cuomo repeatedly said he wont resign after a fifth woman came forward with allegations of sexual harassment.

The fifth woman, Karen Hintonone of the governors former press aidesalleged that Cuomo called her to his hotel room and made inappropriate advances. The Democratic governor has said the claims are not true and described Hinton as a long-time political adversary.

The fourth accuser, Ana Liss, told The Wall Street Journal last week that Cuomo kissed her hand, asked if she had a boyfriend, and made other inappropriate remarks.

Earlier, Anna Ruch, 33, said that she and the governor met at a wedding in September 2019, where he made unwanted advances toward her.

Ruch alleged that he placed his hand on her bare lower back, called her aggressive when she promptly removed it, and then put his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her.

Boylan, a Democrat running for the post of Manhattan borough president, in a post published last month, accused Cuomo of making inappropriate remarks, and allegedly touching and kissing her without consent. She said he would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms, and legs, compare her to one of his rumored former girlfriends, and once suggested that they should play strip poker on a flight from an event in October 2017.

Bennett, a former executive assistant and health policy adviser to Cuomo, accused the governor of sexually harassing her, including asking inappropriate questions.

Nursing Home Deaths

Separately, New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, published a report in January that found that the state under-counted nursing home deaths by as much as 50 percent, while the New York Post later reported that one of Cuomos aides, Melissa DeRosa, admitted to lawmakers in a private setting that the administration hid nursing home data last summer due to a federal probe.

The lawmakers in their letter said that the Cuomo administrations admission of withholding critical information, including the thousands of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes, from the public and from the federal government was sufficient to proceed with the governors impeachment, before the emergence of sexual harassment allegations.

As socialists and as elected representatives, we must demonstrate solidarity in this moment and ensure Governor Cuomo cannot simply walk away from these accusations, they said.

Cuomos office hasnt responded to multiple requests for comment by The Epoch Times. His office previously issued a statement saying he never intended to offend anyone or cause any harm.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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The bishop of the archdiocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has said that the delivery of governance in the country has been stalled due to accidental leadership with no proper succession plans.

He said the men who have ruled the country since independence came to power without being prepared to solve the nations challenges.

Buhari had already said after he tried in 2011 Im done. Im no longer interested. YarAdua had already said Im done. I want to go back to the classroom. Obasanjo was brought from prison to (become president), he said.

Mr Kukah spoke Sunday at a virtual session titled Cast without a plot, where he fielded questions from panelists on the issues around governance, leadership, development and security in the country. The event was moderated by Toyin Falola, a professor of history at the University of Texas,

He noted that the unpreparedness of the nations past leaders limits their ability to plan and think about how they might resolve the problems of the country. This is what accounts for corruption in the system.

He blamed this on the collapse of institutions, the difficulty to thrive outside of government and for meritocracy to thrive without political patronage.

What passes for governance is digging a whole to fill a hole because you borrow money to win elections and you see that there is a correlation between the spiral of awarding of contracts and the contracts not being finished, he explained.

As a way forward, he suggested that it was important to raise the bar of leadership and increase the quality of the good people in leadership.

This, he said, can be achieved through education, which he said can help expand the frontiers of cohesion in the country.

Asked if religion was contributing to the challenges in the country, he described religion as a sword, which does what its handler uses it for.

He noted that to checkmate this, education is key as it helps to drive a counter narrative because it ensures independence of thought and healthy debates.

In response to a question posed to him on Nigerias diversity which has been dogged by agitation over suspicions of dominance of some groups over others, Mr Kukah suggested that the government needs to manage the nations diversity in order to grow confidence among the citizens.

On Nigerias democracy, citing the introduction of sharia to Zamfara, Mr Kukah said attempt at theocracy in some parts of the country have not yielded the desired results.

What we see (in Zamfara) today, is it what we are proud of? Are we saying what we have in northern Nigeria is what we are happy to say that theocracy is what we are happy to have?

On the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests that swept across the country last year, he added that it was important that the government began to take the street seriously. because thats where the people reside.

He added that the street is the most fundamental signpost that we must erect because it is on the streets that we speak after the election.
Epic fail, ERCOT

Really? The Electric Reliability Council of Texas refused to accept responsibility for the disastrous loss of power during San Antonios week of snow, ice and frigid temperatures?

ERCOT was warned 10 years ago that power plants and equipment needed to be winterized. Yet, nothing was done for that many years. Did they think we would never again experience winter storms? Are Texans lives not worth time, effort or money?

The Legislature is also complicit, with their insistence on a separate grid to avoid federal regulations. This disaster did not need to reach such epic proportions. People did not need to suffer just to make a point.

Helen Henderson

Tap reserve fund

Now would be the time to use the Texas rainy day fund. Use this fund to help ratepayers and winterize the Texas electrical grid, so that we never again have a loss of power.

James Womack Jr.

Ducks responsibility

Gov. Greg Abbott blames the power failure  and by extension the water shortage  on frozen natural gas pipes in West Texas or renewable energy, depending on whom he is talking to.

Governor, you have been in charge long enough that you should accept that the buck stops with you.

Tom Hoskings, New Braunfels

Dont take the bait

For the past 15 years, Texas has been fighting culture wars: gay marriage, abortion, Medicaid expansion  you name it. In the meantime, we let our infrastructure rot. To help sweeten the bet, we put everything into the belief that fossil fuels would be our savior. Well, the pandemic and climate change have proven how foolish we have been.

Jason Burk

Facing the inevitable

Why should we be surprised about the winter storm here in South Texas? Climate scientists have been warning us about extreme weather events for years. Sometimes the sky is falling. Of course, our utility providers should be prepared!

Mark Gilbertson, Seguin
When Finnish solo skipper Ari Huusela crossed the finish line of the 2020-2021 Vendee Globe on Friday 5 March at 08 35 46 hrs UTC, in spring morning sunshine, light winds and mirror smooth seas, to finish in 25th place on the solo non stop race around the world, it marked the ultimate conclusion of an ocean racing dream which has occupied almost all of his spare time over the last 22 years.



The elapsed time for Huusela is 116 days 18 hours 15 minutes and 46 seconds and he closes the finish line 36 days after winner Yannick Bestaven and Charlie Dalin crossed.



Huusela's low risk 'one chance only' race round the planet has been executed with all the prudent weather routing precision and safeguards that might be expected of a long haul airline pilot who, while competing in his own ocean racing pinnacle event at the age of 58, always wanted to give himself the absolute best chance of finishing the course.



An airline maintenance engineer turned career pilot who has been a keen amateur ocean racer since 1999 when he first raced the Atlantic in a tiny Mini650, Huusela becomes the first skipper from a Nordic nation to start and complete the Vendee Globe.



He may be the last finisher to break the finish line, 25th from a record entry of 33 skippers, but it is doubtful there is a sailor on this race who has taken more pleasure nearly each and every day of his race.



Emotional arrival



A skipper who has built a huge, respectful following for his safety first approach and his regular, relaxed communication, as the last finisher into the Les Sables d'Olonne channel an emotional Huusela was given a huge welcome back.



"I was crying most of last night, I have been thinking about this for so long. I am so thankful to my team. Without them I would not be here, and to Alex Thomson who was the first one who pushed me and helped me a lot to start the project. And this welcome here today is so touching. To have been to all the starts of this race since 1996 and now to finally have finished today seeing all these people on the sea, in the Channel and now on the land is just amazing, to be able to enjoy it myself. I am so happy Les Sables d'Olonne and the Vendee region arrange this race, and so to see these nice people from Les Sables d'Olonne taking care of us and being out here this morning is just lovely."



And while he quickly built his reputation as the race's 'super happy sailor' he had tough times too, particularly beating back up the Atlantic ocean in big, confused seas.



"The hardest bit was when the boat was slamming when the sea state was so terrible and confused, the boat was slamming, slamming at the time. I thought the boat would break into pieces. And it was so uncomfortable to be in the boat at that time, that lasted two or three days and I called Niina (his partner and project manager) and I said had reached a point where I hoped the boat would break in two pieces and I could be rescued by a cargo ship, saving me."



Few setbacks



Both technically and mentally he suffered his biggest setbacks very early on in the race, in the first couple of weeks. But having overcome these minor issues himself, since then Huusela's two primary modes have been either 'Happy' or 'Super Happy'.



As he closes a Vendee Globe which sees the highest ever number of finishes - 25, seven more than 2016-17's previous best when 11 of the 29 skippers who started abandoned - Huusela can also reflect that he was in the race almost all of the way round.



Only in the last two weeks of the course did he finally lose contact with his nearest rival when Alexia Barrier escaped out of the zone of high pressure south of the Azores to move several hundred miles ahead of the Finnish skipper, who suffered three frustrating days crawling at sub 5kts speeds and making only around 50 miles a day.



Speaking a few days before his arrival, Huusela confirmed again that his only main goal was always just to finish. Were he to be in last position that was not going to be a concern for him.



"I am not worried at all. I am just super happy to be in the race and to be where I am. When I started the race I would have been happy to do it in 110 days but to me, it doesn't matter if it is 150 days; that's fine as long as I do finish. I knew I would be far away from the others. The most important thing is to finish with a solid boat in a good condition."



Completing the Vendee Globe is the high point of an ocean racing career which really started in the Mini Class at the back end of the 1990s. He completed the 1999 MiniTransat on a Finnish boat designed by Kamu Strahlmann which was previously sailed on the 1997 race.



He placed 13th of 16 finishers, one place behind French skipper Yannick Bestaven. In the intervening years he purchased the Andrew Cape designed former Aberdeen Asset Management which was sailed to 11th in the 2001 race by Sam Davies.



For reasons that he still does not fully comprehend, he was not allowed to start the 2003 MiniTransat race - because the organisers said he had not accumulated enough miles on his 'new boat'. Undaunted, he sold the boat on to Isabelle Joschke and helped her start in the class before locating his previous Mini which was in a state of disrepair in a field in Ireland. So he completely refitted the boat and raced the 2007 Mini-Transat on it, finishing 37th.

Seven years later, after a spell sailing F18 catamarans, he returned offshore to progress his Vendee Globe dream and took on the solo Route du Rhum on a Pogo 40 in the Rhum class, sailing a steady race to ninth position.



But the Vendee Globe was always his goal and in April 2018 he purchased the Owen Clarke design which had started life as Dee Caffari's AVIVA for the 2008-9 race, and which she also raced on the 2010-11 Barcelona World Race with Anna Corbella.



In the time available to him away from flying Airbus 350s for his job, he prepared his campaign doing the 2018 Route du Rhum to Guadeloupe on which he finished 2018 and the 2019 Transat Jacques Vabre with Mikey Ferguson finishing 26th. His goals were always modest as were his budgets, simply building enough miles and experience towards his Vendee Globe challenge.



In the summer before the start, he secured the sponsorship of STARK, one of Finland's biggest building materials groups. While he was racing, their programme won three national sponsorship awards in his native country, where Huusela has become a national hero with a huge following.



When he left the dock for his Vendee Globe on November 8th it was an emotional moment. It was the fifth time he had been to Les Sables d'Olonne for a start and this time he was crossing the line.



In fact he settled into his routine early, even if he felt slightly more nervous than on his 'normal' Transatlantic races that he had become used to. His confidence was knocked when he was flattened in the first big frontal system. Followed by an electrical problem - his batteries overcharging from the hydrogenator causing a complete system blackout - Huusela became concerned that his race might be plagued by daily problems.



"At first it was like the Route du Rhum or the MiniTransat or the Transat Jacques Vabre. But I had a bad time in the Doldrums with lots of thunderstorms and rain like I have never seen before, I thought I was going to drown in the rain. And then after that it was annoying to be upwind for the first while; I did not like that," he recalled recently.



"Afterwards it was so nice sailing all the way to under South Africa, I really got into it then and enjoyed sailing under my A3, my biggest Code sail. At one point under South Africa we had three boats within a mile, Clement Giraud, Seb Destremau and I, and I took pictures and it was really cool. It was sunny, with beautiful days of easy miles. It was not really like the big south."



Comfort Zone



He set himself strict wind limits downwind for his routing - 30kts maximum downwind - to minimise the stress on himself and the boat, which he has a significant finance loan on and which he therefore needed to sell in good condition on his return.



"I am sticking to my comfort zone, a slower, longer route but I am always so happy to be here. I feel safe and felt the boat was safe, this is the way I can stay in the race."



At Cape Leeuwin he stayed north out of a nasty low pressure system which his nearest rival and running mate Alexia Barrier sailed through.



"I just did not want to be in those areas. I enjoyed the stable conditions and easy miles and I was sure I could keep the boat in one piece. The main thing has been finishing the race for me. I don't think I will ever have the chance to make a big project like this again and so I have to make it to the finish," he said a few days ago.



His toughest days were the wipeout a few days after the start and when he was obliged to route through a 40-50kts storm to get to Cape Horn.



"The boat was knocked flat and the mast was in the water, I have never experienced that before, so that night was really, really bad, just a few days into the race," he recalls.



"The heavy downwind coming to Cape Horn was so bad with the waves, I had two wipeouts with the waves, but they were not so bad as the mast did not hit the water, but it was scary."



In fact at Cape Horn, rather than being very isolated and alone, he rounded in close company with Alexia Barrier and Sam Davies - who was completing her Vendee Globe out of the race - and he enjoyed and profited from contact with them, and many other skippers, on the climb up the Atlantic.



"But the worst bits recently have been slamming in the horrible waves in the Atlantic, that has been really bad for me and the boat," Huusela said just before the Azores.



The final days of his race, spring sunshine and flat seas have been a just reward for Ari Huusela who has become a huge national hero at home in Finland, just as he has become a treasured memory on this Vendee Globe for his seemingly endless good humoured Christmas advent messages and his daily video reports from the super happy sailor on 'STARK IMOCA Vendee Globe 2020.'

Sabien Technology Group PLC - Maidenhead, England-based energy efficiency technology - Says its operating subsidiary, Sabien Technology Ltd, has been awarded a further contract by a "major UK government department" worth GBP400,000. This is for the extended deployment of Sabien's M2G Boiler Optimisation Technology across multiple sites throughout the UK. Follows on from previous order from this customer in September.

Current stock price: 0.12 pence, up 12% on Monday

Year-to-date change: 38% lower

By Arvind Bhunjun; arvindbhunjun@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
'Govt should soothe public concerns about vaccines'

Medical experts say authorities should release more data regarding the Sinovac jab, to put people's minds at ease. File image: Shutterstock

Medical experts have urged the authorities to take action to help people make informed choices and soothe public concerns over the safety of coronavirus vaccines.



Two people with chronic diseases were taken into intensive care over the weekend after receiving Sinovac jabs, while two others with long-term illnesses recently died after getting the vaccine.



Government experts have already stated that they don't believe the first death was directly caused by the Sinovac vaccine, and they were to meet on Monday to look into the second death.



Speaking on an RTHK programme, the president of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists, William Chui, said authorities should give people with chronic illnesses more information so they can judge whether their condition is sufficiently under control that they can safely be inoculated.



"For the Hong Kong people, it is very difficult to understand what's the meaning of 'controlled'. For example, what are the blood pressure levels of the hypertension, or the HbA1c level of diabetes? So this is very important for Hong Kong people to know that their disease, especially chronic diseases, are under control," he said.



Chui said data from the mainland and Brazil has not directly linked the Sinovac jab to worsening chronic illnesses or death, but experts need to look at whether there are any indirect links, such as possible low-grade inflammation of blood vessels.



Speaking on another show, infectious disease expert Leung Chi-chiu said some elderly people may feel stressed by news of the deaths and hospitalisations and it's important for the government to make people feel safe when they receive the jab.



He said the authorities should release data from other places using the Sinovac jab.



Leung also noted that several thousand elderly people in Hong Kong die of heart disease, stroke or cerebrovascular issues every year.



University of Hong Kong microbiologist Ho Pak-leung, meanwhile, said officials should consider using electronic medical records to track people who have received the vaccine, to find out whether there are any changes to rates of diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease in the SAR.
Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry pulled back the curtain on Buckingham Palace. Vaccinated people have a new set of eased-up COVID guidelines. And is that green for St. Patrick's Day? Our coronavirus relief checks could be here in a few weeks.

It's Ashley and Alex with the news you need to know.

But first, calling all burger queens: Burger King UK is under fire for an empowering tweet gone wrong on International Women's Day.

The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe here!

Pending murder charge in Chauvin trial delays jury selection

Jury selection was delayed Monday in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin as an appeal proceeds over the possible reinstatement of a third-degree murder charge. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter in George Floyds death last May. Legal experts say reinstating the third-degree murder charge would improve the odds of getting a conviction. The question at the heart of the case is whether what people saw on the video was murder or a terrible tragedy. Bystander video of the incident, as well as two autopsy reports, will play central roles in the trial. What's next? Twelve jurors and up to four alternates will be selected in a process that could take up to three weeks. Opening arguments are scheduled for March 29.

Minneapolis wanted to pay social media influencers to fight misinformation in the trial for the officer charged in George Floyd's death.

Demonstrators march past the Hennepin County Government Center on March 7, a day before jury selection was set to begin in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is accused of killing George Floyd in Minneapolis.

It's the eve of the COVID-19 relief bill's fate in the House

Millions of Americans should see checks of up to $1,400 land in their bank accounts in a few weeks. The one-time payments are part of President Joe Bidens $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, which is likely to get final approval in the House on Tuesday. The Internal Revenue Service hasnt given us insight into how soon it will distribute the money, but analysts say checks should start appearing in bank accounts via direct deposit in a couple of weeks. Keep in mind: Not everyone who got a check the last time the government issued relief payments will be eligible this round. The package calls for checks of up to $1,400 to go to individuals with an adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less.

Story continues

What everyones talking about

Meghan and Harry spill the royal tea

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan sat down with Oprah Winfrey last night and dropped some serious revelations about the royal family and the challenges they faced while living in the palace. I watched it, and my jaw was on the floor for nearly the entire two-hour interview. The big revelations:

Duchess Meghan said there were concerns during her first pregnancy about the color of her babys skin.

Meghan said she was so close to suicide during her time in the palace that she couldn't be left alone. She received no support from the royal family.

Harry said his father, Prince Charles, wouldnt take his calls for a time.

Meghan and Harry revealed that the second child shes expecting is a girl.

Meghan said that, contrary to reports that she made Kate Middleton, her sister-in-law, cry, the reverse was true.

The Sussexes were secretly married three days before their royal wedding in 2018.

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan exposed royal friction during an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Charges permanently dropped against Breonna Taylor's boyfriend

The charges against Kenneth Walker stemming from last March's fatal Louisville Metro Police shooting of Breonna Taylor were dismissed with prejudice, meaning he cannot be recharged. Walker, Taylor's boyfriend, was arrested and charged with assault and attempted murder of a police officer after he shot Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly in the thigh as police burst into Taylor's apartment. Walker maintained he did not know police were at the door and thought intruders were breaking in. In May 2020, the charges were dismissed without prejudice, and Jefferson Commonwealth's Attorney Thomas Wine called for further investigation to determine whether criminal charges were warranted. In a motion filed last week, Wine's office moved to dismiss those charges with prejudice, writing "no new information relevant to the charges against (Walker) in this matter has been brought to commonwealth's attention."

Real quick

Vaccinated Americans can shoot their shot

To all our vaccinated (or soon to be vaccinated) readers, listen up: The CDC eased guidelines for those vaccinated against COVID-19. Fully vaccinated individuals may get together with other vaccinated individuals in small groups inside their homes without masks or physical distancing. They can visit with unvaccinated people from one other household who are at low risk for severe disease. The new guidelines say fully vaccinated people dont need to quarantine or take a coronavirus test if theyve been exposed, unless theyre symptomatic. Experts say the announcement may be the agency's attempt to clear up confusion created by some states rolling back coronavirus safety measures despite public warnings from health officials. Whether the guidelines will actually clarify things is up for debate.

A break from the news

These cities could become the biggest winners and losers as more Americans shift to remote work.

"Superhero" women have been juggling it all during the pandemic. But it comes at a cost.

Read the fine print: A year into the pandemic, travelers find some of their flight credits are expiring. Have yours?

This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for The Short List newsletter here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Derek Chauvin, CDC, COVID-19 relief, Women's Day: It's Monday's news
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The sky above an erupting volcano in Indonesia has turned a stunning electric purple during a lightning storm.

Spectacular images captured the spectacle as Mount Sinabung in Karo, North Sumatra, continued to spew a column of ash and smoke up to 16,400ft (5km) into the sky as lightning bolts crackled above.

Sinabung leapt back into life last week, with 13 separate blasts on Tuesday alone, and it continued to shoot volcanic debris for several days afterwards.

The purple skies - which can be caused by the scattering of white light due to moisture, haze and dust in the air - were captured by photographers on Friday using long exposures.

Lightning strikes near Mount Sinabung with ash and smoke continuing to be spewed high into the air above Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, turning the sky this vivid hue of purple

Mount Sinabung in Karo, North Sumatra, erupted early last week with hot ash climbing 16,400ft into the sky and volcanic debris depositing on nearby villages. The volcano continued to send material into the sky for several days

The incredible images showing the lightning striking above the volcano in the purple sky were captured using a long exposure

Sinabung, a 8,530-feet-tall volcano, had been dormant for centuries but has come back to life with regular, deadly eruptions over the past ten years.

Two people were killed in the first in 2010, before 16 people died in an eruption in 2014. Seven more perished two years later.

Last week's eruption did not claim any victims, but Muhammad Nurul Asrori, a monitoring officer at Sinabung, said the plume of smoke and ash was the largest he had seen since 2010.

Officials had earlier urged people to stay at least two miles (3.2km) from the crater, Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Centre said.

Locals were instructed by Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Centre to avoid at least a two-mile radius around the crater. Molten lava was seen spilling out from nearby Naman Teran village.

'The residents are scared, many are staying indoors to avoid the thick volcanic ash,' Roy Bangun, 41, told AFP news agency.

There was no evacuation order and no reported flight disruption.

People watch as Mount Sinabung erupts in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Tuesday, March 2. The 2,600-meter volcano spewed materials a few thousand yards into the sky and deposited ash on nearby villages

Mount Sinabung's activity has increased since last year and the alert for the volcano in North Sumatra province has been placed at the second-highest level. Pictured: People watch from a market in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, March 2, 2021

Sinabungwas dormant for centuries before roaring back to life in 2010 when an eruption killed two people.

After another period of inactivity, it erupted again in 2013 and has remained highly active since.

In 2014, an eruption killed at least 16 people, while seven died in a 2016 blast.

Mount Sinabung's activity has increased since last year and the alert for the volcano in North Sumatra province has been placed at the second-highest level.

Indonesia - an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands and islets - has nearly 130 active volcanoes.

It sits on the 'Ring of Fire', a belt of tectonic plate boundaries circling the Pacific Ocean where frequent seismic activity occurs.

Mount Merapi on Java island, one of the world's most active volcanoes, also erupted last week, spewing lava down one of its flanks.
The second defeat former President John Dramani Mahama has suffered in the 2020 election in the Supreme Court by the seven Justices of the Supreme Court should be blamed on some leaders and lawyers in the NDC, according to the founder and leader of Alive Chapel International, Bishop Dr Elisha Salifu Amoako.



On the 9th of December 2020, the Presidential Candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), former President John Mahama lost to President Nana Akufo-Addo as declared by the Returning Officer for the Presidential Election Madam Jean Mensa.



Former President John Mahama not satisfied with the declared Presidential Election results petitioned the Supreme Court to order for a re-run of the Presidential Election but the seven Justices hearing the case unanimously dismissed the petition on the grounds that it has no merit; making it the second defeat for Mr John Mahama.



Commenting on the Supreme Court final ruling on the 2020 election petition, Bishop Dr Elisha Salifu Amoako told the media last Thursday that some people and lawyers in the NDC did not give former President Mahama good advice.



I believe that some people and some lawyers in the NDC did not give Mahama good advice. They pushed Mahama to go to court, assuring him of winning the case; they instilled some hope in him that the case will favour him, he asserted.



Mahama and his legal team did not do their homework well. Prophetically, I was telling Mahama to accept defeat and if he had accepted defeat, it would not have travelled to this point, wasting money and time in court, he added.



He disclosed that God had already spoken about Mahamas defeat in the 2020 Presidential Election; thus, the former President should have conceded defeat and congratulated President Akufo-Addo when the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission announced the results on the 9th December 2020.



He indicated that that former President John Dramani Mahama should have let go of this 2020 election and prepare adequately for the next four years election.



He did not do that because of some peoples influence on him; he was pushed to go to court but their case has no merit as the judges of the Supreme Court said in the final verdict. All the seven judges looked into the case and they unanimously concluded that the case has no merit, he opined.



Inasmuch as Bishop Dr Salifu Amoako considered it wrong for the former President to rush to the Supreme Court, he says the move by the opposition NDC Leader shows the depth of the countrys democracy.



We, therefore, have to commend President Mahama and the NDC for going to court rather than using machetes to drum home their demands. The way the NDC handled the 2020 election should be applauded because they could have caused a mess in the country, he commended.



We cannot say that Mahama and the NDC have made a mistake going to court to address their grievances about the 2020 election; it is their legal right to go to court as it is the same court that has the authority and power to determine the matter, he reiterated.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/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.

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Albertas United Conservative Party (UCP) government greenlighted the re-opening of slaughterhouse and meatpacking operations at Olymels Red Deer plant this past Thursday and Friday even as a virulent COVID-19 outbreak continues to plague the 1,850 low-wage workers at the pork processing facility.

At least 515 workers have been infected by the virus since mid-November when the outbreak began.

The plant is reopening with at least 91 COVID-19 cases still active among the workforce. Four deaths have resulted from the outbreak, including three in the weeks leading up to and during a two-week plant shutdown that began in mid-February. Several other workers remain severely sickened by the virus.

Olymel meat processing plant in Red Deer, Alberta.

Workers are once again being herded back onto the killing floor by a government that has repeatedly demonstrated that the corporate profits of Olymel, a company with annual revenue of over $4 billion, are more important than workers lives. Since November, government health and labour agencies have visited or remotely checked the plant on at least 16 different occasions. Every time, they chose to keep production rolling even as infections steadily climbed.

The UCP governments steadfast refusal to close the plant left it up to Olymel to grudgingly take the decision, which it made sure to implement on its own terms. Olymel was thus allowed to continue ordering workers into its COVID-19-stricken plant for several days in order to clear a backlog of pig carcasses before finally imposing a temporary shutdown. As a result, workers lives were unnecessarily placed at further risk.

Totally disregarding the threat posed by the pandemic, Olymel had been making plans in the weeks prior to the temporary shutdown to intensify production, including by hiring new low-wage workers.

The company is now telling the largely immigrant workforce that procedures are in place to ensure their safety. Reopening can occur because Olymel management and the regulators are satisfied that employees can return to the plant safely, said company spokesperson Richard Vigneault.

Attempting to wash the companys hands of any responsibility for a resurgence in cases, Vigneault cynically blamed the actions of workers in advance for any future outbreak. Alberta Health Services authorities, continued Vigneault, have however specified that the coronavirus is still spreading and that everyone is at risk of contracting it, whether in the community or otherwise. Accordingly, they recommend the utmost vigilance.

It goes without saying that not everyone is at the same risk of illness or death. As they have already so tragically discovered, workers crowded together in carpools and in plant bottlenecks, such as break rooms and lavatories, and labouring in the moist, cold slaughterhouse conditions most conducive to mask breakdown and virus-spread are at much greater risk of infection than Olymel company executives and union bureaucrats in their private offices and work-at-home redoubts.

In a survey by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 401, over 75 percent of respondents said that they were afraid to return to the plant.

What has been the union apparatuses response to this overwhelming opposition? Predictably, it has been to mouth militant rhetoric against the company while doing absolutely nothing to protect the health and safety of workers. Local 401 President Thomas Hesse has insisted that the plant is not yet safe; that the company is putting pigs ahead of people; and that he, like the workers, is scared, confused and grieving.

Yet while acknowledging that the low-paid meatpackers are working in dangerous, potentially life-threatening conditions, Hesse and the UFCW are adamantly opposed to workers taking any practical action to shut the plant down so as to protect their health and lives. All they have done is extend their support to a bogus call by the New Democratic Party, the official opposition in the Alberta legislature, for a public inquiry into the outbreak at the Olymel plant. This is a process that even were the UCP government to agree to it, which is unlikely, would be held months, even years, hence and thus do precisely nothing to safeguard workers and their loved ones in the here and now.

Workers should also reject Hesses claims to be confused and scared. He is part of a union apparatus that has systematically prioritized its cozy relations with employers and governments across North America over organizing job action to protect the workers it purports to represent.

The unfolding tragedy in Red Deer has already been mirrored in dozens of slaughterhouses across North America, including in Hesses own jurisdiction with the infection of 950 of 2,000 workers and three deaths at Cargills High River, Alberta slaughterhouse last spring.

The record of the industry over the past year gives no cause for union confusion. Outbreaks and deaths are considered the cost of doing business by the food processors. And in jurisdiction after jurisdiction, union officials, after ensuring their outrage is properly recorded, have refused to back their memberships by organizing or even authorizing strike action to save their very lives.

At Cargill, as workers clamoured for job action, Hesse was keen to tell reporters that no work stoppages would be organized. We are looking at legal options. We are not asking for a work stoppage. A work stoppage would not be legal, he said, referring to the terms of the workers collective bargaining agreement and the anti-worker provisions of the Alberta Labour Code.

Of course, no effective challenge to Cargills return-to-work drive was ever pursued. Workers were simply abandoned and advised to weigh their own personal options on their return to work.

If the current struggle at Olymel remains under the control of the UFCW, its outcome will be no different.

The pandemic has cast into sharp relief the role of the unions as the junior partners of the meat processing corporations, assisting in the maximization of profit extraction from the largely immigrant and low-wage workforce. In this, the UFCW has played an especially pernicious role. Representing low-wage and highly exploited workers at hundreds of plants across North America, the union has worked systematically to block all worker opposition to the continued operation of the meatpacking giants amid the pandemic.

Even before the emergence of COVID-19, the meatpacking industry had some of the highest rates of workplace injuries and illnesses across North America, driven by unsanitary conditions and breakneck line speeds. Packed tightly on the line, meatpacking workers perform the same precise cutting motions thousands of times each day, producing lacerations due to fatigue, joint dislocations as well as astronomical levels of carpal tunnel syndrome and other cumulative trauma injuries.

The UFCWs reliance on the labour and health and safety boards of Albertaoverseen by the pro-big business, United Conservative Party government of Jason Kenneyis a flagrant abdication of its responsibility to protect the well-being of the vulnerable Olymel workers. The union bureaucrats are more concerned with reassuring employers and the government that they are responsible partners, who will enforce capitalist labour laws and contracts, than in fighting for the very lives of the workers they claim to represent.

To advance and enforce their own demands for a safe place to work and, when necessary, initiate job actions to protect their lives, workers need to build new organizations of strugglerank-and-file safety committees independent of the corporatist, pro-capitalist UFCW.
News she'll be taking the stage at next week's Grammys thrilled fans earlier today.

And country talent Miranda Lambert looked like she was busy as she touched down in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The Texas-native, 37, took a call as soon as she got off the plane with police officer husband Brendan Mcloughlin, who was also seen on his phone.

Dressed down: Miranda Lambert looked low-key while touching down at Los Angeles International Airport with husband Brendan Mcloughlin on Sunday

Miranda flaunted a fresh-faced glow as she made her way through the airport donning a retro-looking New Balance sweatsuit which was pale green with a gradient of red and orange stripes running down the arms and legs.

She carried a fancy Chloe purse but opted for well-loved Converse sneakers on foot. Diamond studs and a sparkling ring tied her look together with some polish.

Walking besides Lambert was husband of two-years, who looked cheery as he chatted with someone.

His flying attire consisted of jeans and a sand-colored hoodie with his own All-Star kicks.

Busy bees: Both the country star and her husband were busy on the phone upon their arrival

Sporty: The Texas girl made her way through the airport donning a retro-looking New Balance sweatsuit which was pale green with a red and orange stripes running down the arms and legs

Mixed bag: Miranda carried a fancy Chloe purse but opted for well-loved Converse sneakers on foot

Miranda and Brendan's trip to LA comes on the heels of news she's performing at the 2021 Grammy Awards, which are set to take place next Sunday.

She'll join the likes of Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion and more for the highly-anticipated event..

Though the exact format of the show is still unclear, the Recording Academy has promised 'artists will be coming together, while still safely apart, to play music for each other as a community and celebrate the music that unites us all.'

Exciting: Miranda will perform at the Grammys, joining an A-list bill which also includes Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and Cardi B. Swist is seen on December 13, 2019 above

Next week: The Recording Academy promises 'artists will be coming together, while still safely apart, to play music for each other as a community and celebrate the music that unites us all' (Styles seen in 2017)

The show was originally supposed to take place on January 31, but was pushed back due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Trevor Noah is hosting the show for the first time and Swift's first in five years.

She has performed at the event six times, most recently singing Out of the Woods in 2016, a jaw-dropping performance of All Too Well in 2014 and a duet with Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Macs Rhiannon in 2010.

Other performers include Chris Martin, John Mayer, Doja Cat, Maren Morris, DaBaby, HAIM, Lil Baby, Brandi Carlile, Roddy Ricch, Brittany Howard, Miranda Lambert, Mickey Guyton and Black Pumas.

More than ready: The Grammys were originally supposed to take place on January 31, but were pushed back due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; Cardi B seen in 2019; Cardi B pictured in October 2019

Beyonce is leading nominee with nine, followed by Swift, Lipa and Ricch, who each earned six nominations.

The show will reportedly be filmed 'inside the Los Angeles Convention Center, as well as on the venue's outside deck and on streets surrounding the venue, including Chick Hearn Way, LA Live Way and Georgia Street,' according to Billboard.

The show will be available to watch on Sunday, March 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and also streaming live on Paramount+.
 Flash

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday put forward a three-point proposal on de-escalating tensions in Myanmar.

First, China hopes all parties in Myanmar will keep calm and exercise restraint, address their differences through dialogue and consultation within the constitutional and legal framework, and continue to advance the democratic transition, Wang said.

The immediate priority is to prevent further bloodshed and conflict, and ease and cool down the situation as soon as possible, he said at a press conference on the sidelines of China's annual legislative session.

Second, China supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to uphold the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and making decisions through consensus, mediate in the ASEAN way and seek common ground.

On the basis of respecting Myanmar's sovereignty and the will of its people, China stands ready to engage and communicate with all relevant parties, and play a constructive role in easing the tensions in Myanmar, said Wang.

Third, as China and Myanmar are a community with a shared future through thick and thin, China will not waver in its commitment to advancing China-Myanmar relations, and will not change the course of promoting friendship and cooperation, no matter how the situation evolves, Wang said.

He stressed that China's friendship policy toward Myanmar is for all the people of Myanmar.

"Over the years, we have maintained friendly exchanges with various political parties in Myanmar, including the National League for Democracy," Wang said, adding that developing friendship with China has also been a consensus across all sectors of Myanmar.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI  Another mass vaccination site is opening in Washtenaw County to better serve residents on the countys west side, health officials said.

Chelseas Pierce Lake Elementary School, 275 N. Freer Road, will open as a vaccination clinic on Tuesday, March 9, in collaboration with St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea hospital and Chelsea School District, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department.

The school building is not currently in use by the district.

The Chelsea site will provide approximately 324 vaccinations per day and add additional days as supplies allow, health officials said.

We are happy to collaborate with the Washtenaw County Health Department and St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea to provide a site in western Washtenaw County for our community to receive their vaccines, Chelsea School District Superintendent Julie Helber said.

Eastern Michigan Universitys Convocation Center has been used as a vaccination site since the health department began administering the vaccine.

We continue to use all of our resources to make sure we give available vaccine as quickly as possible, said Jimena Loveluck, Washtenaw County Health Department health officer. Our vaccine supplies are increasing, and we look forward to vaccinating everyone who is ready to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea has been providing COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible western Washtenaw County residents and will continue to do so in the short term, but the hospital will eventually transition its operations entirely to the Pierce Lake Elementary site, officials said.

Individuals eligible for vaccination under state prioritization guidelines can request an appointment online or by calling the Health Department at 734-544-6700 or contacting 211.

Starting Monday, March 8, those age 50 and older with medical conditions or disabilities can sign up for an appointment to be vaccinated. Caregivers, family members and guardians of those ages 16 and older can also sign up for appointments.

Those who are eligible will likely have to wait several weeks or more for an available vaccination appointment, depending on supplies, health officials said.

READ MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:

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A Rolex watch worth nearly 8,000 has been left stored in a safe at the Department of the Taoiseach for almost two years despite requests for it to be sold for charity.

The watch had been gifted to Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail when he visited the United Arab Emirates in late 2018.

However, strict rules forbid the Ceann Comhairle from retaining such a valuable gift and it was handed over to the Department of the Taoiseach for safe-keeping.

Records released by the department reveal they have made no further plans for the watch despite one collector expressing an interest in purchasing it.

Mr O Fearghail had requested the 7,700 Rolex Milgauss be sold, and the money donated to the charity Trocaire.

However, even when a watch collector contacted the department asking for information on any future auction, he was told there were still no plans for its sale.

Read More

In an email to Secretary General Martin Fraser, the watch collector said: As it is now over a year since your instructions were sought, I request that I be informed if a decision on the matter has been made, what that decision is, and if arrangements have been put in place for the disposal of the watch if it is to be disposed of in accordance with the reported wishes of the Ceann Comhairle.

If a decision has not been made, can you please advise when such a decision will be made, and who has custody of the watch now. I am a collector of watches and wish to be informed of any sale, auction, or disposal by any other means of the said watch.

In response, the department said: I refer to our telephone call yesterday evening, and confirm that at present there are no plans to sell the Rolex watch gifted to the Ceann Comhairle. If that changes, we will let you know.

Asked again this week if any further steps had been taken for its disposal, a department spokesman said: The watch remains in safe storage at the department.

The watch itself is a Rolex Milgauss  a model which has been manufactured by the world-famous Swiss watchmakers since the 1950s.

It was specifically developed for scientists because it can withstand magnetic fields and was best known as the watch of choice for staff working at the famous Cern nuclear research lab in Geneva.
PENSACOLA, Fla.  Deadmans Island doesn't look like a marvel to the naked eye.

Its a quiet, 10-acre sandy peninsula, tucked around a corner of Gulf Breeze in the Pensacola Bay. It looks like a salt marsh on one side, a desolate sandbar on the other.

Folded into its marshes are species of endangered migratory birds and mice that thrive in the undisturbed habitats.

But as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage, its the historical aspects of Deadmans Island that have been of particular interest lately.

While the peninsula is important for its ecological benefits, a rich history just beneath the top layer of sand sheds light on waves of previous pandemics that circled the globe and were brought into the Pensacola area during the colonial shipping boom of the 1700s and 1800s.

Sally slop: Deadman's Island in Gulf Breeze becomes collection point for 1.5 tons of hurricane debris

New water trail: Gulf Breeze looks to launch water trail around city for paddlers

Deadmans Island was established as one of two quarantine stations in Pensacola Bay at the turn of the 20th century, when the yellow fever epidemic was raging.

A quarantine station was a place on the coast where all ships coming into the harbor had to anchor. It wasnt in town, and it was a remote and separate location where ships, once they enter, had to go and wait, said Judy Bense, an archaeologist at the University of West Florida, the university's former president and one of the leading experts on Pensacola Bay shipwrecks.

First, everyone on board was monitored for coming down with a disease, like malaria or smallpox or yellow fever. Just like we have to quarantine today for the COVID virus.

While the sailors were quarantining on Deadmans Island, the ship would be fumigated with a sulfur gas to rid it of any germs from traveling the world. Pensacola was a booming shipping port for the Gulf of Mexico in the 19th century, and Deadmans Island was the first stop for thousands of sailors and travelers each year  not all of whom, unfortunately, made it off Deadmans Island alive.

Story continues

Deadman's Island is 10-acre sandy peninsula, tucked around a corner of Gulf Breeze in the Pensacola Bay, Fla.

After a couple of weeks of quarantining, if anybody came down with a disease, they wouldnt be allowed to enter the city, Bense said. There was a hospital there, and if people got sick, they were treated like patients, and if they got better, they went back into society. If they died, they were buried.

Centuries later, an unknown number of graves containing the remains of yellow fever and other epidemic and pandemic victims are still buried on Deadmans Island. Six coffins were unearthed after Hurricane Dennis walloped the island in 2005, and Bense examined two of them. They were full of roots and human bones, she said, and gave important insight into the human toll that epidemics like yellow fever took on everyday laborers and travelers.

Ground-penetrating radar studies performed after the coffins were unearthed in 2005 showed even more graves deep within the islands sandy trenches.

The sound waves picked up evidence of more coffins and graves under the ground, said Heather Reed, a marine biologist and project manager of the Deadmans Island restoration project. That validated the history that was given by Judy Bense after the coffins were dug up.

But despite its sinister-sounding name, Deadmans Island is not named so because of the pandemic victims. A quick walk across the island won't turn up any human skulls sticking out, and there are no marked graves  although its dark, twisty trees can certainly add a spookiness factor under the right shade of moonlight.

Its name origin is much more simple, and has to do with a colloquial marine term called a deadman that helps sailors right ships if theyre stuck or careening.

They would clean a lot of boats here, and when you put the boat on its side and clean the barnacles off, there are these poles that they would take and use to help pull the boat back over with, said Bobby Switzer, a Pensacola businessman who has lived in a home overlooking Deadmans Island for 30 years. Thats why they call it Deadmans Island.

Site of Pensacola Bay's first shipwreck discovery

Aside from being a quarantine station, Deadman's also was coveted for how deep the water gets so quickly from the shoreline. Its shores were perfect for ships at the turn of the 20th century to stop and clean or repair before continuing on a voyage.

Switzer, who has familiarized himself with almost every nook and cranny of Deadman's Island over the past three decades, motored up to the isthmus on the northern part of the peninsula on a recent sunny weekday. He craned his eyes and shielded his vision with one hand while pointing with the other toward the direction of three large dark objects lurking just beneath the shallow water, a stone's throw from Deadman's beach.

"Those are from the old shipping days, that was part of the railway," he said.

A marine railway was installed at Deadman's Island in the late 1700s to help hoist large ships out of the water and onto the shoreline so they could be cleaned. Remnants of the centuries-old railways still can be seen today as waves break over the tops of the rails at low tide.

Given that Pensacola was such a busy port, it isn't surprising that almost 40 shipwrecks have been found in and around Pensacola Bay during the past several decades. The first shipwreck of Pensacola Bay was discovered just off the coast of Deadman's Island in 1988, by some young boys snorkeling after a storm came through.

Bobby Switzer talks about Deadman's Island as his boat approaches the island off Gulf Breeze, Fla., on Feb. 24, 2021.

Bense, the archaeologist, was out excavating Deadmans Island on that August day for a separate project. She was commissioned by the city of Gulf Breeze to do an archaeological survey of the island for its 25th incorporation anniversary.

There was a storm that day that had a waterspout in it right by the site, so we all went home because it was stormy, Bense said. The next day we came back and I noticed that there were some boys out in the water, about waist or shoulder deep, and they were diving and coming up with things and talking about what they were finding. I asked a boy, he was a 14-year-old neighborhood boy who was volunteering with us, to swim out there and see what they were doing.

He came back and said, Well, they found a shipwreck, Bense recalled. And I said, Yeah right.

But the boys had discovered the remains of a narrow colonial English vessel that is estimated to have been built between 1760 and 1780, during the British occupation of Pensacola. The ship's bones sat undisturbed off Deadman's Island for at least two centuries before the waterspout brought it back to light in August 1988.

Bense and her archaeology team excavated the entire ship, and Bense credits its discovery with offering legitimacy to underwater archaeology in Pensacola and jumpstarting the discovery of 30 to 40 more shipwreck sites throughout Northwest Florida waters.

Underwater archaeology in the 1980s was not accepted by the professional academic community, Bense said. They called us treasure hunters, cowboys, not professional. Nobody liked them, they were banned or not accepted. But you know, thank goodness for this shipwreck. It was quite a shipwreck."

A 'time capsule'

The Deadman's Island of today doesn't see anywhere near the hustle and bustle that it saw in its Pensacola shipping boom glory days.

Most people don't even know Deadman's Island exists, or they think it's just a random sandbar at the foot of the Pensacola Bay Bridge, one that will wash away over time.

The only way to access Deadman's Island by land is via private properties that happen to be lucky enough to connect to the peninsula via sand or a small isthmus. Otherwise, the peninsula itself is a small piece of public land accessible by boat or kayak that can be used for fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, sunbathing, or just scenic recreation.

"It's one of the nice little treasures of Gulf Breeze," said Switzer, idling in his boat along the northern bend of the island. "It's a nice public water access point. But in one aspect, you don't want too much access to it, or it'll tear it all up. But it's an asset that everybody should have if they can get over here to enjoy it."

The peninsula continues to take a beating with each major hurricane, causing erosion issues that threaten the protected habitats and shorelines. Deadman's has also become an unwitting gathering point for about 1.5 tons of Hurricane Sally debris since the Sept. 16 storm blew through Pensacola, thanks to its location along several currents that have funneled dock and construction parts, derelict boats, storm debris and other housing items straight into the peninsula's waiting embrace.

Reed and others will take a barge out to Deadman's on March 6 for a massive community cleanup effort in an attempt to rid it of its Sally debris.

After the grave discovery in 2005, the city of Gulf Breeze launched an initiative to protect and preserve the island, both in its historical capacity and its environmental importance to the local ecosystems. Reed leads the Deadman's Island Restoration Project and has conducted more than 200 projects on the island since 2007, including historical excavations, wildlife catalogs, erosion control measures and dredging efforts.

Its a very unique gem of Pensacola Bay, Reed said. You have salt marshes, people like to kayak in that area, its very close to other accesses and to other boat ramps. People just enjoyed coming to Deadmans because of the solitude. For years, it was a nice little place to walk and get away.

People like Reed, Switzer and Bense hope that more people knowing and appreciating the history of the island will encourage them to treat it better and to marvel at the history that can be present in such an unassuming place.

I think one of the most important things that most people realize is Pensacola has such a long history, way back to Tristan de Luna in 1559, so people are sensitive to history here. We have historic forts, like Fort Pickens and Fort Barrancas, and we jostle back and forth with the city of St. Augustine about who was the first city or settlement, Bense said. We have been here from the get-go. Thats why the history of Deadmans Island is so important. It was a big part of the colonial days of Pensacola, and its sort of living history. Its still with us, its not gone, and we know a lot about it, so it has real historical significance like no other place does. Its really quite unique. Its a time capsule.

Annie Blanks can be reached at ablanks@pnj.com or 850-435-8632.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Deadman's Island in Gulf Breeze Florida has pandemic history
DEFIANCE, Ohio, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Credit Adjustments, Inc. (CAI) made a HUGE announcement - they have finalized their rebranding efforts to change their company name to Mammoth Tech, Inc.

CAI has been a world-class leader in receivables management for over 50 years since being founded in 1964. The CAI team that started as just six employees has evolved into a mammoth-sized team of 500+ employees with a coast-to-coast presence.

The organization has recently experienced incredible growth as they've become one of the biggest players in Government and Debt Collection industries. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Education awarded CAI with the United States Department of Education Default Collection Services Contact  a highly sought-after contract which was only awarded to 11 companies. CAI was subsequently awarded a five-year renewal of this contract in October of 2019, once again proving their value in the space.

When the COVID-19 pandemic overtook the world last year, many businesses were forced to lay off millions of people. Committed to putting people first, CAI innovatively sought out new opportunities and expanded its business focus.

"With the expansion of our business focus and the services we offer, we knew it was time to rebrand our company," said Tony Gericke, President of Mammoth Tech. "The name Credit Adjustments, Inc. did not fully encompass who we are today, nor who we intend to be in the future - so it was time to change our brand into something that embodies our vision and more accurately describes the company's expanding abilities."

"We all know the future of business revolves around technology, and Mammoth Tech will strive to be at the forefront of that movement in the outsourcing industry," said Brennen Creer, CMO of Mammoth Tech. "This rebranding effort will allow us to capitalize on the total suite of services and products the company offers as well as the tremendous potential our organization has. We're looking forward to what the future holds."

Mammoth Tech has already worked with some of the largest brands in the world where they have provided contact center and debt collection services. They have worked with a Top-7 Global Restaurant Company, a Top-15 U.S. Healthcare System with over 80,000 employees, and they are still one of thirteen companies who hold the United States Department of Education Default Collection Services Contract.

With services such as calls, email support, live chat, debt collection, IT as a Service and fundraising - Mammoth Tech will continue to establish themselves as a GIANT force in the outsourcing industry.

To learn more, please visit https://mammothtech.com/.

SOURCE Mammoth Tech
Symbol of hope: Archbishop Najib Mikhael Moussa, left, waves next to Pope Francis at Hosh al-Bieaa Church Square, in Mosul, Iraq. Photo: AP

Pope Francis prayed for the victims of war in battle-scarred Mosul on the third day of his historic Iraq visit yesterday, before holding Sunday Mass for thousands of Christians in the capital of the Kurdistan region.

The 84-year-old pontiff started the day by travelling by helicopter from Erbil, Kurdistan, to Mosul, Iraqs second city, which was occupied by the Islamic State (IS) group less than four years ago.

Security across Mosul was extremely tight for his arrival, with the Pope riding in a black armoured sedan to the old city, which was largely destroyed in the battle to drive out IS.

Flanked by Iraqi special forces and a Vatican security detail, Pope Francis was greeted by ululating women and a crowd chanting Viva el Papa, as children dressed in traditional Nineveh folk costumes waved Iraqi flags.

Among the hundreds gathered in the ruined Church Square, dozens of Christians who had recently returned to the city were joined by local dignitaries and Yazidi, Christian, Shia and Sunni leaders.

In an address, the Pope referred to the citys rich cultural history and the attempts by IS extremists to eradicate it.

How cruel it is that this country, the cradle of civilisation, should have been afflicted by so barbarous a blow, with ancient places of worship destroyed and many thousands of people  Muslims, Christians, Yazidis and others  forcibly displaced or killed, he said.

Today, however, we reaffirm our conviction that fraternity is more durable than fratricide, that hope is more powerful than hatred, that peace more powerful than war.

Pope Francis referred to the extremist jihadist group indirectly, telling the audience that hope could never be silenced by the blood spilled by those who pervert the name of God to pursue paths of destruction.



Later the Pope held Sunday Mass for several thousand at a stadium in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, which has become a relative safehaven for many of Iraqs remaining Christians.

The Pope ended his trip to Erbil by meeting the father of Alan Kurdi. The three-year-old drowned, along with his mother, while trying to reach Europe in 2015. A photograph of his body washed up on a beach brought worldwide attention to the plight of refugees in the Mediterranean. ( Telegraph Media Group 2021)

Read More

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
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.
BEIJING, Mar. 8 -- The complete reunification and national rejuvenation of China will surely be achieved, it is a historical trend that cannot be stopped by anyone or any force, said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and Peoples Armed Police (PAP) delegation to the 4th session of the 13th National Peoples Congress (NPC), in a media interview on Sunday. 

Wu made the remarks when asked to comment on Taiwan media reports that the PLAs aircraft have entered the so-called southwest air zone of Taiwan for actual combat drills since the beginning of this year, and the speculation that the Chinese mainland might use force to promote reunification, as well as the statement issued by the US State Department urging the mainland to stop military pressure on Taiwan.

Wu pointed out that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The Taiwan question is purely Chinas internal affair which allows no foreign interference. China is willing to strive for peaceful cross-Strait reunification with the utmost sincerity and best efforts, but meanwhile, will never tolerate the splitting of the country by Taiwan independence separatists. China makes no promise to abandon the use of force and reserves the option of taking all necessary measures, but this only targets interference from external forces and the very small number of Taiwan independence separatists and their activities, not compatriots in Taiwan, said Wu.

Wu warned that the current cross-Strait situation is complicated and severe. The DPP authorities in Taiwan are relying on foreigners to seek independence by force, which runs against the overall national interests, severely harms the common interests of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan strait, and severely jeopardizes cross-Strait peace and stability. It is extremely dangerous and has no way out. History has proven that those bad elements who try to split the country will never end well, said Wu.

Wu once again stressed that the complete reunification and national rejuvenation of China will surely be achieved, it is an unstoppable historical trend. China is willing to create a vast space for peaceful reunification but will never leave any space for various forms of Taiwan independence separatist activities. Safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the sacred duty of the Chinese PLA. Our capabilities are always there and our will is firm as a rock, said Wu.
You get a car! You get a car! Everybody gets a car! Oprah Winfrey shouted these iconic words on her talk-show on September 13, 2004. Winfrey kept this same energy when she sent out her first tweet in April 2009. The upbeat businesswoman sent her first tweet out in all caps, sticking to her signature style even on Twitter.

While Winfreys long-running talk-show ended in 2011, her career certainly hasnt slowed down. Read on to learn more about Oprah Winfreys epic career and what she has been up to over the last decade.

Escaping a life of poverty

Oprah Winfrey | 2020 Global Citizen Prize/Getty Images for Global Citizen

On January 29, 1954, Oprah Winfrey was welcomed into the world by an unmarried teenage mother in rural Mississippi. Oprah and her young mother struggled through years of poverty in the deep south. However, against all odds, Oprah Winfrey was able to crawl her way out of circumstances.

After being sent to live with her family in Tennessee, education was made a top priority for the teenage Oprah Winfrey. In high school, Oprah placed in a national speech team event and secured a full scholarship to Tennessee State University.

Once at college, Winfrey continued to entertain and become involved in media-related events. She worked at a local black radio station and worked to expand her media skills. Oprah majored in Speech Communications and Performing Arts at Tennessee State University. However, bigger things were calling towards the end of her college career.

In 1975, Oprah left college a credit short to take a job in the television industry. While it was the right move at the time, Oprah did go back to college. She officially earned her bachelors degree in 1987.

Becoming an American icon

RELATED: How Did Oprah Become Famous?

Oprahs first taste of television came at Nashvilles WLAC-TV. At her local news station, she became both the youngest and first black female news anchor at the station. While this was an amazing accomplishment, this was just the beginning for Oprah Winfrey.

After working in the Tennessee area for a few years, Winfrey relocated to Chicago in 1983. Three short years later, The Oprah Winfrey Showwas launched.

The launch of The Oprah Winfrey Show transformed Oprah Winfrey into an American icon. The talk show first aired on September 8, 1986. The show ran for 25 seasons, officially coming to an end on May 25, 2011. The Oprah Winfrey Show had an amazing run.

Oprah could have easily retired after an amazing career, but that just wouldnt be Oprah. She wanted more, and knew she could achieve it.

The Queen of all media

RELATED: Oprah Winfrey Is So Wealthy She Has a Marble Bathtub That Is Carved to the Shape of Her Body

Since the ending of The Oprah Winfrey Show a decade ago, Winfrey has created her own TV network, a radio channel, a website, and has written a few books too. Winfreys TV network, the Oprah Winfrey Network or OWN, has become widely successful since its launch in 2011.

Through her success in multiple media forms, Winfrey has garnered the nickname the Queen of All Media.

As one of the most successful and richest African Americans of the 20th Century, the Queen of All Media is definitely a deserving title for the one and only Oprah Winfrey. From being born into poverty in the deep south in 1950s America to becoming the first black multi-billionaire in America, Oprah Winfrey has been on a journey like no other.

If her past is anything to go off of, the Queen of All Media probably has a few more tricks up her sleeve as well.

The rocks seen here along the shoreline of Lake Salda in Turkey were formed over time by microbes that trap minerals and sediments in the water. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

On Titan, Saturn's largest moon, it rains on a regular basis. As with Earth, these rains are the result of liquid evaporating on the surface, condensing in the skies, and falling back to the surface as precipitation. On Earth, this is known as the hydrological (or water) cycle, which is an indispensable part of our climate. In Titan's case, the same steps are all there, but it is methane that is being exchanged and not water.

In recent years, scientists have found evidence of similar patterns involving exoplanets, with everything from molten metal to lava rain! This raises the question of just how exotic the rains may be on alien worlds. Recently, a team of researchers from Havard University conducted a study where they researched how rain would differ in a diverse array of extrasolar planetary environments.

This research was conducted by Kaitlyn Loftus, a Ph.D. student from Harvard's Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Her supervising professor (and co-author on the study) was Robin D. Wordsworth, who leads the Wordsworth Planetary Climate and Atmospheric Evolution Research Group at Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS).

Research into precipitation and records of past rainfall on Earth has taught scientists a great deal about the dynamical nature of its climate. Unfortunately, this same research is not yet possible with exoplanets, which prevents scientists from being able to place tighter constraints on their potential habitability. However, knowledge of these conditions on Earth has helped scientists to predict planetary climates Mars, and Titan.

For the sake of their study, Loftus and Wordsworth examined how this could be applied to exoplanets as well. As Loftus explained to Universe Today via email:

Exoplanet Kepler 62f would need an atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide for water to be in liquid form. Credit: NASA Ames/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle

"A key component of habitability is climate (to test whether a planet can support liquid surface water). A major driver of uncertainty in understanding climate in different planetary environments (even, say, the current transition of modern Earth to higher CO 2 levels) is how clouds behave. Precipitation is a key way clouds "die," so understanding how precipitation works can help us constrain cloud behaviors and eventually better predict planetary climate.

"Precipitation additionally helps control how much water stays in an atmosphere. As water vapor is a very good greenhouse gas, this balancing of how much water is in an atmosphere can also impact climate... Finally, rainfall is an essential component of the negative feedback mechanism to stabilize planetary climates (the carbonatesilicate cycle) that underlies the concept of the exoplanet "habitable zone."

This knowledge will be essential, Loftus added, when next-generation telescopes join the search for potentially habitable exoplanets. In the coming years, astronomers and astrobiologists will be able to conduct direct imaging studies of exoplanet atmospheres. Having models in place that predict how clouds and water vapor behave on these planets will go a long way towards measuring their habitability.

While predicting the precipitation patterns of a distant exoplanet is highly difficult, one component that can be easily understood is the behavior of individual raindrops. Given that every raindrop that falls from a cloud is governed by a combination of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and atmospheric conditions, their study can reveal much about a planet's climate.

Loftus and Prof. Wordsworth proceeded to show how three key properties could be calculated based on three key properties: their shape, their falling speed, and the speed at which they evaporate. Said Loftus:

An artists illustration of the exoplanet HR8799e. The ESOs GRAVITY instrument on its Very Large Telescope Interferometer made the first direct optical observation of this planet and its atmosphere. Credit: ESO/L. Calcada

"Clouds and precipitation are very dependent on what happens on very small size scales (cloud drops/raindrops ~microns-millimeters), medium-size scales (clouds, kilometers-10s kilometers), and very large scales (planetary-scale water budgets). Representing all these scales accurately in a single model isn't tractable with modern (or foreseeable future) computers."

"What we're trying to do is use the simplest and best-understood component of the water cycleraindrops below a cloudto constrain what's 'important' among all the complexity," she added. Important is certainly a subjective term, but in this case, it entails tracking how much atmospheric water vapor will utlimately become water on the surfacea key requirement to the existence of life as we know it.

From these three properties, they were able to obtain a simple expression to explain the behavior of raindrops from more complicated equations. Ultimately, they found that (across a wide range of planetary conditions) it was only raindrops in a relatively narrow size range that could reach the surface. As Loftus indicated, their research could allow for improved representations of rainfall in complex climate models in the future:

"Right now a lot of what we understand about how clouds and precipitation work in a larger climate system is driven by what we see (and have seen) on Earth. However, this leaves a lot of uncertainty in how valid it is to transfer such empiricisms to regimes where many physical conditions are different.

"[S]o there are a lot of big question marks surrounding any non-modern Earth science questions that depend on how clouds/precipitation behave. This work is trying to slowly build up the capacity to develop theoretically-based expectations for how clouds and precipitation should behave outside of modern Earth and to ultimately put better constraints on those big question marks."

NASAs James Webb Telescope, shown in this artists conception, will provide more information about previously detected exoplanets. Beyond 2020, many more next-generation space telescopes are expected to build on what it discovers. Credit: NASA

This will come in very handy when the James Webb Space Telescope launched on October 31st, 2021. Using its advanced suite of infrared instruments and spectrometers, the James Webb will be able to study the atmospheres of smaller-mass exoplanets that orbit more closely to their starsi.e., where potentially-habitable rocky planets are most likely to reside.

These will allow scientists to determine the chemical composition of these planets' atmospheres, which may include water vapor and other telltale "biosignatures." Other telescopes, such as the ESO's Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will be able to conduct similar direct imaging studies of exoplanets.

These instruments will allow for unprecedented levels of exoplanet characterization, which is something exoplanet studies have been transitioning into in recent years. With over 4000 confirmed exoplanets available for study, astronomers are no longer exclusively focused on finding promising candidates for study. At this juncture, it's about figuring out which of these candidates meets the requirements for life!

The results were published in a paper, titled "The Physics of Falling Raindrops in Diverse Planetary Atmospheres," that recently appeared online and was submitted for publication to the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.

More information: The Physics of Falling Raindrops in Diverse Planetary Atmospheres. The Physics of Falling Raindrops in Diverse Planetary Atmospheres. arxiv.org/abs/2102.09570
Burma Myanmar Regime Steps Up Violence to Tackle General Strike

Two protesters shot dead in Myitkyina, Kachin state.

YANGON  Another general strike planned by anti-regime protesters on Monday faced heavy crackdowns by the security forces in many cities, leaving at least three protesters dead, many injured and several hundred detained.

The military regime has dealt with two previous general strikes on Feb. 22 and Feb. 28 since it seized power on Feb. 1. Millions of protesters took to the streets across the country and the security forces struggled to cope with the numbers of protesters.

For the general strike on Monday, the security forces took preemptive action with deployments and gunshots fired throughout Yangon through the night. Many residents believed the security forces intended to scare people away from protesting.

But thousands of protesters took to the streets across the country on Monday and faced heavier crackdowns than in previous days.

In Myitkyina, Kachin State, protesters faced shooting soon after arriving in the streets in the morning. Two men, 22 and 62, died on the spot in the shooting. Witnesses said at least seven protesters were injured by gunshots and about 50 protesters were detained.

In Shwegu Township, Kachin State, the security forces arrested more than 80 protesters, plus one journalist, according to Myitkyina News Journal based in the state. It reported that four detainees remained in custody and had been charged.

The security forces, including soldiers, had been stopping vehicles and pedestrians in Yangon to search for anti-regime posters and placards to prevent protesters from gathering.

Despite early crackdowns, thousands of protesters managed to demonstrate peacefully against the regime before facing heavy crackdowns.

Many towns in Shan State and Yangon, Mandalay, Ayeyarwady and Bago regions have seen numerous arrests and causalities during the protests.

At noon in Mandalay, military vehicles chased down motorcycles being ridden by six protesters and deliberately hit them. Two of the activists, include a teenager, were severely injured.

In Pyapon Township, Ayeyarwady Region, a protester was shot dead and four others injured as soldiers and police cracked down on a sit-in protest. One of those injured is in a critical condition, a resident told The Irrawaddy.

In Pyapon, at least 50 protesters were detained on Monday morning, of which 14 were later released.

The security forces also raided the offices of the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society led by prominent activist Ko Min Ko Naing in Thingangyun Township, Yangon, and the Myanmar Now news publication. Computers and other materials were seized, according to witnesses.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Military Regimes Forces Establish Bases at Civilian Schools, Universities, and Hospitals

Myanmar Protesters Say an Attack on Chinas Pipelines Would Be Internal Affair

Myanmar Regime Detains Increasing Numbers and Steps Up Violence
Mumbai: Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty eke out gains on Monday after two sessions of decline as investors snapped up energy, IT and pharma shares.

After fighting multiple bouts of volatility during the session, the BSE gauge Sensex settled 35.75 points or 0.07 per cent higher at 50,441.07. Intraday, the index rose as much as 667 points, but pared most of its gains tracking weakness in global markets.

The NSE Nifty ended with a gain of 18.10 points or 0.12 per cent at 14,956.20.

On the Sensex chart, L&T, ONGC, HCL Tech, NTPC, Axis Bank and Infosys were major gainers. On the other hand, Bajaj Finance, IndusInd Bank, UltraTech Cement, Bajaj Auto and HDFC twins emerged as top laggards.

In other Asian markets, equities suffered losses amid sustained volatility in view of concerns over rising bond yields. Though, Asian shares had started the session on high, cheering the US Senate passing a USD 1.9 trillion stimulus bill for Covid-19 relief package.

Investor nerves also calmed a bit after the US labour department reported stronger-than-expected jobs data for February.

Meanwhile, global crude oil prices climbed after Saudi Arabia reported drone attack on its oil facilities.

Foreign investors had offloaded equities worth Rs 2,014.16 crore on a net basis in Indian capital markets on Friday, according to exchange data.

Live TV

#mute

On the forex market front, the rupee tumbled 23 paise to close at 73.25 against the US dollar on Monday.
Four out of five most popular international destinations for US travellers are island countries, said travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth, adding that Turks and Caicos is the fastest growing of its 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," said Squaremouth Lead Data Analyst, Steven Benna. "This includes countries that have never been among our most popular destinations for US travellers, such as Turks and Caicos and the US Virgin Islands."



Europe 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%

 The percent of travellers buying insurance for domestic trips has nearly tripled to 30%

 The percent of travellers going on Caribbean trips has surpassed 20%, nearly double the pre-pandemic rate



Historically, travellers going to Europe have comprised the largest share of travel insurance sales, typically ranging from 25% to 45%. In 2021, the share of travellers buying travel insurance for trips to Europe has dropped to 8%.



On the other hand, the percent of travellers 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 travellers 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%.  TradeArabia News Service
Two-day unreserved auction attracts a record 12,000 online bidders from 66 countries

DENVER, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Ritchie Bros. has come out strong in 2021, driving record demand and achieving strong equipment and truck prices for sellers. Last week the company attracted close to 12,000 bidders for its Rocky Mountain Regional Auction, selling 4,150+ items for US$54+ millionmaking it the company's largest auction ever in the region.

Equipment for the March 3  4, 2021 Rocky Mountain auction was stored at three Ritchie Bros. locations in Denver, CO; Salt Lake City, UT; and Williston, ND; but all bidding was done online at rbauction.com. Highlights included six 2019 John Deere 300GLC hydraulic excavators that sold for a combined US$1.17 million and two 2018 Caterpillar 745 6x6 articulated dump trucks that sold for a combined US$840,000.

"We have seen a steady increase in bidder registrations over the past year, especially for these combined regional events, helping drive great returns for our consignors," said Noni Garcia, Regional Sales Manager, Ritchie Bros. "Our Rocky Mountain auction featured a great selection of late-model, low-hour equipment that sold extremely well. In fact, we have received a ton of great feedback from consignors recently, they just wish they had consigned more equipment as demand is very strong right now."

With bidding 100% online, Ritchie Bros. is driving record web traffic in 2021. In fact, last week's Rocky Mountain auction saw a 33% increase in pageviews (956,000+) over the same auction in December 2020, as well as a 35% increase in watchlist adds (89,000+), and a 19% increase in PriorityBids (28,000+).

Approximately 93 percent of the equipment in the auction was sold to U.S. buyers, including 24% to Colorado, 9% to Utah, and 1% to North Dakota, while the remaining 7% was sold to international buyers from as far away as Australia, Egypt, and the United Kingdom.

More than 600 owners sold equipment, including local Colorado companies 1888 Industrial Services and Miete.

"I've worked with Ritchie Bros. in Texas and Colorado, they have always been a great partnerthey have it figured out," said Jeremy Townley, CEO of 1888 Industrial Services, based in Greeley, CO. "The new auction format is great. Inspect onsite ahead of time and then bid online. We sold more than 30 items in the Rocky Mountain auction and exceeded our expectations."

"Ritchie Bros. is passionate about equipment and its customers," added Corey Huwa, Co-owner of Miete, based in Keenesburg, CO. "We consigned more than 160 pieces of equipment two weeks before the auction and Ritchie Bros. immediately jumped into action. They put a team together to appraise items, working through the weekends, taking inspection photographs and videos for buyers, and advertising our equipment to the world. At the end of the auction our returns were right where Ritchie Bros. said they would be."

AUCTION QUICK FACTS: ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL AUCTION (MARCH 2021)

Gross Transaction Value (GTV): US$54+ million

Total Registered Bidders: 12,000

Total Number of Lots: 4,150+

Total Number of Consignors: 600+

Ritchie Bros. will sell more than 70,000 equipment items and trucks in its upcoming auctions, including a two-day auction in Fort Worth, TX on March 17  18; a Los Angeles, CA auction on March 19; and a Northeast Regional Auction on March 23  24. The company also has weekly featured online auctions at IronPlanet.com and a daily reserved option with Marketplace-E.

About Ritchie Bros.:

Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is a global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets. Operating in a number of sectors, including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, oil and gas, mining, and forestry, the company's selling channels include: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world's largest industrial auctioneer offers live auction events with online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with featured weekly auctions and providing the exclusive IronClad Assurance equipment condition certification; Marketplace-E, a controlled marketplace offering multiple price and timing options; Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service; and Ritchie Bros. Private Treaty, offering privately negotiated sales. The Company's suite of solutions also includes Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions and Rouse Services LLC, which together provides a complete end-to-end asset management, data-driven intelligence and performance benchmarking system. Ritchie Bros. also offers sector-specific solutions including GovPlanet, TruckPlanet, and Kruse Energy, plus equipment financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. For more information about Ritchie Bros., visit RitchieBros.com.

Photos and video for embedding in media stories are available at rbauction.com/media.

SOURCE Ritchie Bros.
Spruce Forest opens for season through a new door

With the crashing of the trees, three of the cabins were destroyed, along with damaging the village church and other buildings as well.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Hospitals in the Paris region have been ordered to cut all non-COVID patient care and surgery by 40 percent as new virus cases risk overwhelming their intensive care capacity, health authorities said on Monday.

The Ile de France greater Paris region, which counts about 12 million inhabitants, currently has 973 COVID patients in intensive care compared with a capacity set aside for virus cases of 1,050, the director-general of the ARS regional health service, Aurelien Rousseau, told AFP.

"This is a very tense situation," he said.

Since a spike in the number of virus infections two weeks ago, daily admissions into intensive care have been between 70 and 80 patients, but only half that number at most were being discharged, leading to a daily net increase of 35.

At that growth rate, current hospital and clinic COVID capacity will be exhausted as early as this week.

"We needed to react very fast," said Rousseau, who gave "a firm and immediate order" to cancel 40 percent of scheduled hospital care.

The move will take capacity to 1,577 COVID intensive care spots by next week, he said.

The order comes as the French government has been scrambling to avoid another national lockdown although COVID infections remain stubbornly high.

On Sunday 21,825 new cases were reported in the previous 24 hours and 130 new deaths.

Vaccination centres stayed open at the weekend as Prime Minister Jean Castex called for "a national mobilisation" to boost the number of inoculations.

So far France has administered around 5.5 million doses of the three vaccines authorised for usePfizer/BioNtech, Moderna, and AstraZeneca/Oxford Universityaccording to government figures.

On Monday, Industry Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said that weekly vaccine deliveries to France would go above two million doses within two weeks.

This meant that 30 million peopletwo thirds of the French adult populationcould be vaccinated by the end of June, she said.

As the country waits for vaccinations to make a dent in infection statistics, the government has resorted to regional weekend lockdowns, with the latest one affecting hundreds of thousands of people in the north of the country.

There has been speculation about a similar move coming for the greater Paris region, but so far the government has appealed to people to behave responsibly, and police banned the consumption of alcohol outdoors in the capital to try to reduce the crowds gathering to enjoy the spring sunshine.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 AFP
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In a progressive move, the Indian Navy has recently deployed four women officers onboard its warships after a gap of around 23 years when lady officers were posted for the first time on the maritime force's vessels.

"Four Indian navy women officers have been deployed recently on warships in recent times. Two of them are posted on the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya while two others are deployed on the tanker ship INS Shakti," an Indian Navy spokesperson told ANI on International Women's Day.

ET

For the first time in 1998, women officers started getting deployed onboard warships but the decision was changed soon after due to certain logistical and other issues.

The lady officers were posted on two different warships recently.

Women officers deployed onboard the tanker vessel INS Shakti include a doctor who said the Indian Navy has given her an opportunity to serve both as a doctor and onboard warships.

INS Vikramaditya/wikimedia

"We work shoulder to shoulder with our male counterparts," the lady officers said.

Indian Navy had started building separate cabins and toilets for women officers a few years ago on its warships to prepare the vessels for lady officers.

The force also recently deployed a lady officer as the first women defence attache posted abroad. The lady officer is Lieutenant Commander Karabi Gogoi who is posted at Moscow as naval attache.
Callan woman Professor Linda Hogan has blazed a trail in academia and is a candidate to become the first ever female Provost of Trinity College, Dublin.



Professor Hogan is one of three final candidates, from whom the new Provost will be chosen, in April.

The daughter of the late Bea and Patsy Hogan of the Steppes Bar, Linda attended St Brigids College, Callan, and is currently a Professor of Ecumenics at the School of Religion in Trinity College.



Professor Hogan is an ethicist with extensive experience in research and teaching in pluralist and multi-religious contexts. Her research interests lie in the fields of inter-cultural and inter-religious ethics, social and political ethics, human rights and gender.



In addition to her academic expertise, Professor Hogan has expert knowledge of institutional management and governance, having spent five years as the Vice-Provost/Chief Academic Officer and Deputy President at Trinity College.



In that role she had overall responsibility for education and research at the university and was an ex officio member of the universitys Senior Management Team. She co-ordinated strategic planning, and had responsibility for the direction and quality of research, undergraduate and postgraduate education and the student experience.



Professor Hogan has lectured on a range of topics in ethics and religion, including Ethics in International Affairs; Ethics of Globalisation; Biomedical Ethics; Human Rights in Theory and Practice; and Comparative Social Ethics.



She has held posts at Trinity College Dublin and at the University of Leeds, where she was a member of the Centre for Gender and Womens Studies and of the Centre for Business Ethics. She has been a member of the Irish Council for Bioethics and has been a Board member of the Coombe Hospital, Science Gallery and Marino Institute of Education.

She has worked on a consultancy basis for a number of national and international organisations, focusing on developing ethical infrastructures.
VIRGINIA  The Cass County Board is scheduled to meet in regular session at 7 p.m. today in the Cass County Courthouse at 100 E. Springfield St.

Among the items on the agenda are:
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Monday she expects the bloc to receive 100 million doses of coronavirus vaccines every month from April, giving a boost to Europe's stuttering inoculation campaign.

Given higher delivery volumes promised by manufacturers, and "because more vaccines are about to be approved," von der Leyen told the Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper the bloc should see a big ramp up in arrivals of the jabs.

The EU will receive "in the second quarter an average of around 100 million doses a month, in total 300 million by end June," she said.

The 27-nation bloc with a population of 446 million people has received 51.5 million doses of vaccines as of February 26, according to official data posted on the EU's website.

The EU has already approved three vaccinesBioNTech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca/Oxford and Modernabut its inoculation campaign has been hit by delays because of production bottlenecks.

Impatience has also grown as the pace of vaccination has lagged behind countries like Britain, Israel and the United States.

The European Medicines Agency is to decide Thursday on whether to authorise Johnson & Johnson's single-shot vaccine.

The regulator last week began a rolling review of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 AFP
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Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a shower late. Low 58F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a shower late. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.
Master canoe builder Mario Borja "Sakman Mario" with Che'lu after her arrival in Saipan from Guam.

500 Sails photo
In a major crackdown by the Jammu & Kashmir administration, a verification drive was started on Saturday to collect biometric and other information from Rohingyas in Jammu.

In a major crackdown by the Jammu & Kashmir administration, a verification drive was started on Saturday to collect biometric and other information from Rohingyas in Jammu. At least 155 Rohingyas have been sent to the holding centre as a part of the verification process.

Many of the Rohingyas reached India illegally via Bangladesh after being persecuted in their home country and sought refuge in Jammu and other parts of India. The verification process of these Rohingyas Muslim took place at the MAM Stadium in the midst of tight security.

Abdul Hanan, a Myanmar national, told reporters that they filled up the forms and their fingerprints were taken by the authorities. Mukesh Singh, Inspector General of Police, Jammu Range, said in a press release that the 155 illegal immigrant Rohingyas who were living in the Union Territory of J&K were sent to the holding centre formed vide Home department notification dated 5th March 2021 on Saturday.

Also Read: China plans to connect Tibet with high speed bullet trains; strategic concern for India

Also read: After France, Switzerland votes to outlaw face coverings including Burqa in public

According to the officials, the verification process of identifying more such immigrants is still in progress. This was done under section Foreigners Acts section 3(2)e. These immigrants lacked the required travel documentation under section (3) of the Passports Act.

After they are sent to the holding centre, the nationality verification process will be followed as directed. The process of deportation of these illegal immigrants will begin after the nationality verification is completed, as per IG Jammu Mukesh Singh.

Some political parties and civil groups have urged the Centre to take urgent action to evict Rohingyas and Bangladeshis, claiming that their existence is a conspiracy to change the demographic character of the country and a danger to regional stability.

Also read: Spotlight on Indias role in Afghan peace talks: US proposes UN meeting of India, 5 other nations.
W

hen Kimberly Bryant started the organisation Black Girls Code she wanted to address a glaring deficiency within the world of technology: it was too male and it was too white. The corporate executive wanted there to be more women, and particularly more women of colour. So she quit her job and set about trying to move the needle.

Ten years later, her group has helped train and mentor more than 80,000 girls and young women in many of the skills that could help them launch a career in various fields of technology. Yet, when she assesses the system she is trying to correct, while the issue of male-female disparity has improved a little, the number of women of colour has decreased.

There's still a significant amount of work to do in terms of building this pipeline, she tells The Independent, speaking from San Francisco. But theres even more work to do around longevity and sustaining participation in the industry, once women of colour are able to access these worlds.
Gorakhpur:

Terming the deaths of scores of children at a state-run hospital here as a "government made tragedy", Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said today that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath should not try to cover up the matter.



"All those whom I met told me that oxygen shortage led to the death of their children. Many families were given ambu bags (a manual resuscitator) and they pumped it for hours...It is very clear that it government-made tragedy," Gandhi said.



The government should take action in the matter and not try to cover it up, he said.



It is absolutely clear that oxygen shortage and laxity were the reasons behind the tragedy, he told reporters after meeting family members of the victims.

Also Read | Yogi Adityanath targets Rahul Gandhi, says will not permit 'Yuvraj' to turn Gorakhpur into picnic spot



"The chief minister should not try to cover up (the matter) and action should be taken against the guilty. This is my message," the Congress vice-president asserted.



Gandhi said that he had visited the BRD medical college and hospital here earlier as well and had told Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the media that it needs funds as there were too many shortages.



But no action was taken, he rued.



There have been scores of encephalitis related child deaths in the BRD medical college hospital in recent days triggering a nation-wide outrage.



"Modiji speaks of a new India. This kind of new India we do not want. We want hospitals where poor people can take their children (for treatment) and come back happily," Gandhi said.



He complimented the media for raising the issue.



"...I want to thank them for this (highlighting the issue)...it is not a matter concerning Uttar Pradesh but is a national tragedy. It is indicative of the health care of the country," he said.



Earlier in the day, Adityanath also had hit out at the Congress vice-president over his visit here, saying the 'yuvraj' (prince) sitting in Delhi cannot make Gorakhpur 'a picnic spot'.



Adityanath, who launched a cleanliness campaign in the district to tackle the deadly encephalitis outbreak in the wake of death of 71 children at the BRD hospital here, also hit out at his predecessor and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.



"I feel that the shehzada sitting in Lucknow ..'yuvraj' sitting in Delhi will not know the importance of this cleanliness campaign. They will come here to make it a picnic spot, we cannot permit it," the chief minister said taking a jibe at Gandhi, before the Congress leader's visit to Gorakhpur to meet the families of the victims.



Other opposition parties, the SP and the BSP have also been attacking the Adityanath government over the hospital deaths.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
It seems as though the cast of Sister Wives started encountering serious marital problems once they moved to Flagstaff, Arizona. The familys quick move to a new state never made much sense to fans, and it certainly hasnt done Kody Brown any favors when it comes to managing his four separate marriages. If you look closely, though, the problems existed long before that. Fans believe the Brown familys first move was when things started to unravel. The second move to Flagstaff just further highlighted existing problems.

The Brown family was forced to interact while living in Lehi, Utah

When Sister Wives premiered in 2010, Kody and his three wives, Meri Brown, Janelle Brown, and Christine Brown lived in a home specifically outfitted for plural families. With three separate apartments and a common area, the family was more or less forced to interact with each other.

RELATED: Sister Wives: Is Kody Brown Older Than His Four Wives?

While forced interaction might not be great, it did have a few benefits. Namely, the Browns had to deal with problems as they arose. Once they found themselves in separate houses, it seemed a lot easier to ignore each other. As time passed, it became clear that the family preferred the separation.

The Brown family moved from Utah to Las Vegas in 2011

In 2011, the Browns changed a lot about their family. After adding a fourth wife and her three children from a previous marriage to the family, they moved to Las Vegas, reportedly under duress. While the amount of actual pressure involved might have been exaggerated for a Sister Wives storyline, the move was still a big change. The Brown kids mostly thrived, but the family found themselves living somewhat separate lives.

Sister Wives Robyn Brown, Meri Brown, Kody Brown, Christine Brown and Janelle Brown | Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The move led to the family having four separate homes. The privacy might have been great in some ways, but it accidentally gave the Brown wives a taste of what monogamy must feel like. Most of them seemed pretty OK with the idea. Some fans strongly believe the move to Las Vegas increased the jealousy and competition within the marriage.

The move to Flagstaff seems to be the final straw for the Sister Wives stars

The family moved from Las Vegas in haste, but they had a reason to do so. The move to Flagstaff, Arizona, on the other hand, was almost inexplicable. While Reddit users strongly believe Robyn Brown forced the family to move closer to her eldest child, there is no concrete evidence to support the theory. The move, however, led to even more separation.

RELATED: Sister Wives: Does Meri Brown Even Have a Home in Flagstaff, Arizona Anymore?

With the family spread across the city in four very separate houses, the time apart didnt seem to make any hearts grow fonder. The independence appears to have led Kody and his four wives to question plural marriage in their own way. As the latest season continues, viewers cant help but wonder why they are continuing the farse. None of them seem to want to be in a plural marriage anymore.
It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
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The council is an absolutely critical first step.

 Hillary Rodham Clinton

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President Biden signed an executive order on Monday  International Womens Day  establishing a Gender Policy Council in the White House that will seek to advance gender equality and equity in both domestic and foreign policy across government. The council will report directly to the president, making it the most powerful body of its kind to date.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic and an economic downturn, the Gender Policy Council will play a critical role in pushing forward Mr. Bidens agenda, signifying a sharp departure from the past four years when the Trump administration effectively sidelined womens issues.

Leading the effort are two co-chairs: Jennifer Klein, who served as a senior adviser to Hillary Clinton when she was first lady and secretary of state; and Julissa Reynoso, who served as ambassador to Uruguay during the Obama administration.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 02:02:13|Editor: huaxia

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A ship carrying the slogan of "celebrating the passage of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)" sails at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, south China, July 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

Hong Kong is an integral part of China and revising the electoral system there is China's internal affairs. Pointing fingers over the issue runs counter to the principle of international law and the basic norms governing international relations.

BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- A draft decision submitted to China's top legislature on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has come under global spotlight.

Despite some Western countries' familiar clamoring citing so-called "democracy" and "freedom," Beijing's action to improve Hong Kong's electoral system has won extensive support from those who truly care about Hong Kong's stability and development.

It is legitimate, reasonable and necessary for the National People's Congress, the highest organ of state power in China, to make a decision at the constitutional level to improve Hong Kong's electoral system.

It is a common practice across the world for central governments to play a leading role in revising their electoral laws. For example, the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed an election reform bill, which requires U.S. states to set up independent redistricting commissions, among other mandates. In France, it is up to the National Assembly to stipulate the rules for local parliamentary elections.

Citizens wearing face masks take a walk at a park in south China's Hong Kong, March 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Lo Ping Fai)

Hong Kong is an integral part of China and revising the electoral system there is China's internal affairs. Pointing fingers over the issue runs counter to the principle of international law and the basic norms governing international relations.

It is widely recognized by the world community that a country should be governed by those who love and are loyal to it.

In the United States, students pledging allegiance to the national flag and immigrants who wish to become U.S. citizens chanting the oath of allegiance is decades-old tradition, and the oath of public offices also unequivocally involves loyalty to the state.

No country in the world, including the United States, will allow its lawmakers and officials to betray the state or split the national territory. However, when it comes to China, some Western countries only adeptly use a different set of standards.

For a long time, aided by their agents in Hong Kong, Western forces have been exploiting the city for their own political interests, flagrantly interfering in China's domestic affairs.

An evidence image of violent acts by rioters is displayed at a press conference in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhu Xiang)

By collaborating with external Western force, the anti-China and destabilizing forces in Hong Kong have taken advantage of longstanding loopholes in the existing electoral system to try to disrupt the governance of the HKSAR government.

Improving Hong Kong's electoral system and ensuring that the city is administered by patriots are imperative to safeguarding China's sovereignty, national security and interests, and to making sure "one country, two systems" is well implemented.

China's measures to maintain the city's prosperity and stability in the long run has gained increasing support from the international community.

Belarus on Friday delivered a speech on behalf of 70 countries at the ongoing 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, where it called on relevant countries to respect China's sovereignty and quit interfering in its internal affairs, including those of Hong Kong. Furthermore, over 20 countries have voiced their support to China during the UN event.

China's domestic affairs leave no room for foreign interference. With China's unswerving determination to safeguard its sovereignty and security, Hong Kong's long-term stability and development will be well guaranteed. 
A female tyre shop owner in western Turkey has been challenging gender roles for over 28 years in a male-dominated sector. Remziye Cankiran has been in the tyre business since 1992, starting off as a secretary in sales and then opening up her own shop in Edirne eight years later. Cankiran developed her passion during her time in sales, often leaving her desk and helping out mechanics. When she first launched her garage, Cankiran was met with disbelief, especially from her male customers.

"There were some who thought 'a woman can't do this' at first," Cankiran said. "They (eventually) saw that I can do this job and I know the vehicles that they are driving better than they do."

Over the years, Cankiran struggled but persevered as a female business owner at the automobile industrial site in Edirne. Other businesses eventually started to direct customers to her for tyre repairs and she grew her customer base. "I am one of those people who love their jobs. When my customers say that I am different, I think that this quality would set me apart at the most because I'm not any different from my other colleagues. I just love my job," she said.

In 2016, Cankiran was diagnosed with breast cancer. Cankiran's son helped her out during the arduous two-year process, when she would leave chemotherapy sessions and return to work. She beat cancer and said: "I think that all women should stand on their own two feet, without leaning on anyone else. You first have to lean on God, then yourself, then maybe after that to your spouse. But first, I think that all (women) should trust in themselves."

Cankiran's 16-year-old daughter, Sila, is also at her mother's side and learning her trade. Sila, whenever her schoolwork allows, helps around the shop and can perform a variety of repairs from checking tyre pressure to reattaching tyres. Sila is aware of the daily hardships her mother faces but says: "There is always a mould in society saying 'a man can do it, a man's work, a man's job.' But it's not like that. If a person can do that work and loves it, then there are no male or female jobs."

Over the years the Cankirans garnered respect through their competency, especially from female customers. Yesim Dramali, a customer of Cankiran for over 10 years, says she had trouble explaining her problems to male technicians. Cankiran understands her, informing her about her car and that she can confide with Cankiran even with issues not related to vehicles.

The International Labour Organization says Turkey's labour force has a "significant gender gap with low female participation and low employment opportunities for women". According to July 2019 data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), labour participation rate for women is 34.5% while for men, 71.8%. According to official statistics, women make up 49.9% of Turkey's population.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Peoria, Illinois-based specialty insurer serving niche property, casualty and surety markets, RLI Corp., has promoted or named several leaders to new roles.

Kevin Horwitz, vice president, Claim, has assumed the role of vice president, Innovation Management and Policy Development, a newly created position. Horwitz is responsible for identifying, evaluating and supporting emerging product, policy, InsurTech and innovation opportunities. Horwitz joined RLI in 2010 as manager, Claim, and held several Claim leadership roles before being promoted to vice president, Claim in 2015. Prior to joining RLI, he served as claim consultant at CNA. Horwitz has 20 years of industry experience.

Eric Raudins, vice president, Personal Lines, has been promoted to senior vice president, Transactional Insurance Solutions, and will oversee RLIs Personal Lines and Commercial Transactional Insurance Solutions products. Raudins joined RLI in 2012 as assistant vice president, Specialty Markets and was promoted to vice president, Personal Lines in 2014. Prior to joining RLI, he served as chief operating officer for RIS Holdings LLC. Raudins has 30 years of industry experience.

Jill Johnson, vice president, Branch Operations, has assumed the role of vice president, Personal Lines and will oversee RLIs Personal Umbrella, Hawaii Homeowners and Home Business products. Johnson joined RLI in 1993 as underwriter, Specialty Markets, and held several underwriting and operations roles before being promoted to vice president, Branch Operations in 2016. Prior to joining RLI, she served as personal lines underwriter and call center supervisor at CIGNA. Johnson has 37 years of industry experience.

Eric White, assistant vice president, Risk Services, has been promoted to vice president, Commercial Transactional Insurance Solutions and will oversee RLIs Easy Excess, Environmental Liability, General Binding Authority and Security Guard Liability products. White joined RLI in 2007 as assistant manager, Property, and held several risk services leadership roles before being promoted to assistant vice president, Risk Services in 2014. Prior to joining RLI, he served as senior underwriter at Pekin Insurance. White has 20 years of industry experience.

Justin Doss, assistant vice president, Sales & Marketing for Specialty Personal Lines, has been promoted to vice president, Sales & Marketing for Transactional Insurance Solutions, and is responsible for leading the groups sales and marketing initiatives. Doss joined RLI in 2016 as manager, Sales for Specialty Personal Lines and held several sales leadership roles before being promoted to assistant vice president, Sales & Marketing for Specialty Personal Lines in 2019. Prior to RLI, he served as senior district sales manager at Erie Insurance Group. Doss has 20 years of industry experience.

RLIs products are offered through its insurance subsidiaries RLI Insurance Company, Mt. Hawley Insurance Company and Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company.

Source: RLI

Topics Carriers Excess Surplus Leadership Illinois
Connecticut businesses not rushing to get back in the office, experts say
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A woman who stole more than 20,000 from her company social club and company credit card and spent the money on luxury holidays and shopping trips has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment.

Nicola Henry (32) was the secretary of the Johnson & Johnson social club when she wrote 37 cheques to herself, forging her colleagues' signatures.

She received a total of 17,326 from 27 of these cheques, which she spent on luxury holidays to Australia, Sri Lanka and Dubai, as well as restaurants, shopping trips and beauty treatments, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. The other 10 cheques bounced as there wasn't enough money in the account.

Henry, an office manager with the Tallaght-based company, was suspended when the thefts came to light. She then went on to spend a further 3,233 using the company credit card, Detective Garda Kevin Bowen told the court.

After she was charged, Henry buried her head in the sand and missed several court appearances, leading to warrants being issued for her arrest, defence counsel said. She was arrested in November last year and placed in custody.

Sentencing her on Monday, Judge Pauline Codd said she accepted Henry's thefts were a result of her ongoing depression and was a method of escapism in dealing with that. She took into account a psychological report which found Henry was at a low risk of re-offending and would benefit from therapy.

The judge handed down a two-year sentence but suspended the final 18 months on a number of conditions. She backdated it to last November, when Henry went into custody.

Henry, of Carrownegh, Kiltoom, Co Roscommon, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and two counts of attempted theft from Johnson & Johnson social club and company between April 2014 and September 2015. She also pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false instrument between those dates.

A further 65 counts on the indictment were taken into consideration. Henry has no previous convictions.

Det Gda Bowen told Gerardine Small BL, prosecuting, that Henry joined the company in 2011 as an accounts assistant and went on to have several different roles within the company, including office manager. She joined the company social club in 2012 and became secretary of the club.

The court heard employees who were members of the social club paid a contribution from their salaries every month for social gatherings, with the company also regularly adding funds.

Although Henry was on the club committee and had a cheque book, she did not have authorisation to sign cheques on behalf of the club. As a result, she forged the signatures of two of her colleagues who were authorised to do this and cashed cheques which she made out to herself.

Ten of the 37 cheques - with a value of 35,340 - bounced as there wasn't enough money in the account. Henry's offending came to light when the bank contacted the company controller about the bounced cheques in August 2015.

She was immediately suspended and her company credit card was blocked. However, the company noticed in November of that year that further sums of money had been spent using the blocked card.

It emerged the bank had contacted Henry about the card being blocked and she authorised them to unblock it before continuing to spend company money, the court heard.

Det Gda Bowen said Henry did not spend any money on day-to-day expenses. It was all luxury items, he said.

As well as the holidays, the court heard Henry spent money on restaurants, hairdressers, nail treatments and a shopping trip to Northern Ireland.

Defence barrister, Kieran Kelly BL, said his client had a normal upbringing, a good education and came from a good family. The court heard her mother became ill with cancer when she was a teenager and Henry took on a caring role in the home. She suffered from depression in the wake of her mother's death in 2008.

Mr Kelly said his client, who was tearful during the sentence hearing, was extremely remorseful for her actions.

He said she had taken on a number of accounting roles since the incident, but had been let go when her offending in Johnson & Johnson came to light. She was unable to repay any of the money she stole, he said.

Mr Kelly said his client is a very private person.

She has buried her head in the sand very much in relation to this matter, he said. She is a person who should follow through on counselling available to her.
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With the Oregon Legislature taking up bills to overhaul or eliminate the Oregon Forest Resources Institute after a news investigation last August, lobbyists have repeatedly attacked the reporting as incorrect.

The institute is a quasi-governmental agency meant to promote forestry education. The joint investigation by The Oregonian/OregonLive, Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica found that the institute had acted as a de facto lobbying arm of the timber industry, in some cases skirting legal constraints that forbid it from doing so.

At a hearing last Tuesday, a timber lobbyist set aside his prepared remarks and told lawmakers that the investigation was full of half-truths, absolutely inaccurate and completely bogus.

The lobbyist, Jim James, representing the Oregon Small Woodlands Association, told lawmakers we took a segment of an email, interpreted it for [ourselves] ... and came up with some conclusions that were absolutely inaccurate.

James, who did not respond to emails seeking comment, expanded on his criticism in written testimony, telling lawmakers, This so-called news is full of half truths that the authors chose to, without justification, put a biased slant on the information they had collected. To suggest they know everything about OFRI from emails and their own interpretation of the emails is absurd.

Thats not what we did. And below well share the emails so readers can see for themselves.

We provided the emails we cited in our investigation to the people who wrote them. We asked detailed questions. When their responses werent clear, we asked them to clarify. This is how journalism works.

The investigation was based on a year of reporting, including interviews with more than 20 people inside and outside the institute, as well as a review of tens of thousands of pages of emails, budgets, publications and other institute records that we obtained under Oregons public records law.

James told lawmakers he didnt understand why the media and others hate the wood products industry and anything associated with it. It is obvious the media works diligently to exaggerate everything it can to disadvantage the wood products industry.

A lobbyist for the industrys main state trade association, the Oregon Forest & Industries Council, made similar claims in a message rallying supporters to testify. Many, if not all, of the allegations made in the Oregonian/OPB/ProPublica article are false, half-truths, or the information was misconstrued in a way to cast OFRI in a negative light, wrote the lobbyist, Sara Duncan.

Asked repeatedly for specific examples, Duncan told reporters in a March 5 email: There is not nearly enough time, nor do I have interest, nor do I think it would be productive to spend my day going line by line identifying mischaracterizations and sensational over-blown conclusions with those who hold the pen.

In her message to the institutes supporters, Duncan said one of our primary assertions was an incorrect description of the institute as taxpayer funded. James also repeated the claim in his testimony.

Our investigation said the institute is tax-funded because it is. The institutes $4 million annual budget comes from a tax on logging.

Without providing evidence, lobbyists said we twisted the truth. We didnt. Here are the investigations major findings. And the receipts.

The Institute Attacked Climate Scientists

In 2018, the institute led a coordinated industry effort to undermine two Oregon State University scientists whose research found that logging, once thought to have no negative effect on global warming, was one of the biggest sources of climate pollution in the state.

OFRIs leader at the time, Paul Barnum, told lobbyists in an email that the research was of grave concern to all of us in Oregon. He protested one researchers planned radio appearance to her dean and suggested the dean should commission an independent review of the study.

These are folks who likely believe that the planet would be better off without humans, Barnum wrote of the researchers in one May 2018 email.

An email from the Oregon Forest Resources Institute.

Another OFRI employee, Timm Locke, offered to help a timber lobbyist draft a counterargument that those of us in the industry can use. Locke told us in an interview that the line between lobbying and educating at the institute was unclear. He said his pushback against the study wasnt an attempt to sway state policy, but rather to make sure policy was based on sound information.

An email from the Oregon Forest Resources Institute.

Barnum, who retired as executive director in 2018 but continued working under contract through June 2020, said it was not wrong for him to question the Oregon State University study or other academic research. But he acknowledged that hed made inappropriate comments, including those that questioned the researchers motives.

In testimony submitted to lawmakers last week, Barnum said he took the press coverage very seriously.

But lets be honest, he wrote. If the Legislature eliminated every state agency and department criticized by the Oregonian, there would be far fewer state agencies.

The Institute Attacked Other Forestry Researchers and Professors

OFRI tried to undercut an Oregon State researcher who planned to survey public perception of spraying herbicides in private forests, a project that Barnum in 2017 called fairly dangerous.

An email from the Oregon Forest Resources Institute.

Timber companies raised concerns with OFRI in 2019 after the survey resurfaced and included questions about whether residents trusted private timber companies to provide truthful information about spraying herbicides used to kill vegetation that sprouts in the bare earth of clear-cuts. The survey asked respondents whether they would vote for or against aerial spraying if the issue appeared on the ballot.

OFRIs current director, Erin Isselmann, challenged the validity of the researchers project with his dean. She suggested in an email to a timber executive that the institute could prepare for the results by spending $60,000 on its own study. She told us she wasnt attacking science, she just wanted to learn more about the survey. Isselmann, who has been the institutes executive director since July 2018, said she has operated under the highest ethical standards.

An email from the Oregon Forest Resources Institute.

In 2017, the institutes then-leader, Barnum, joined industry lobbyists in targeting a University of Oregon journalism professor who produced a video that criticized logging as part of a research project.

Barnum and the lobbyists met with school officials and threatened to pull donor funding. Heres an industry lobbyists summary of that day:

An email from the Oregon Forest Resources Institute.

Despite Prohibitions Against Lobbying, OFRI Kept Tabs on Politicians, Legislation and Ballot Measures

In 2018, OFRIs outgoing and incoming executive directors sat through private industry deliberations about political attack ads that opposed Oregon Gov. Kate Browns reelection that year. And in 2019, its board discussed rushing a report in an attempt to stop ballot measures that targeted logging, the news organizations found.

Barnum later said they should not have stayed in the private meeting; Isselmann noted that it happened during her first week on the job. The board member who suggested rushing the report, Casey Roscoe, whose company gave more than $100,000 to the industry campaign against the measures, said she wanted both sides to have the best information available.

Wondering whether a 2017 bill amendment that meant to target the institute was a bait-and-switch, Barnum said of Rep. Paul Holvey, who introduced it, I dont think the representative is that smart.

An email from the Oregon Forest Resources Institute.

And when state Sen. Michael Dembrow registered for a tour OFRI helped organize, Barnum told a staffer to keep his eye on Dembrow, a Portland Democrat whod tried to tighten spraying laws.

An email from the Oregon Forest Resources Institute.

After Rep. Pam Marsh, an Ashland Democrat, questioned whether the institutes funding should be cut during a 2017 hearing, Barnum told a lobbyist: I know someone from southern Oregon who might be able to talk to March w/o it getting back to me.

Barnum acknowledged in an interview that he had made inappropriate comments about legislators.

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Weather

High: 39; Low: 34. Cloudy and warmer.

Photo of the Day

SHAMROCK RUN GOES VIRTUAL: In any other year, the Tipp Hill Shamrock Run would have filled the streets of the West Side neighborhood on Saturday and filled the area pubs afterward. This year, though, the streets were mostly empty and the bars could only operator at 50% capacity. Like many events, the Shamrock Run went virtual this year. Participants can run the normal route or any 4-mile stretch they choose between now and March 17. Tipp Hill residents still decorated their homes for the occasion, though, and the race committee placed signs throughout the neighborhood. (See more photos) (Charlie Miller photo)

Whats trending

Cuomo defiant despite increasing pressure: There is no way I resign:Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday once again said he would not resign in the wake of accusations of sexual harassment, adding that stepping down in the face of allegations without a completed investigation is anti-democratic. There is no way I resign, Cuomo told reporters. His statements come as two more women in recent days have accused him of inappropriate behavior.

Few answers after fatal Jamesville shooting: Nearly four days after a Jamesville teen was killed in a police-involved shooting, officials of the New York State Police, Onondaga County Sheriffs Office and DeWitt police have released few details about what happened and answered few questions.

A surprise to honor a century: Anthony Pircio, a World War II veteran, received a happy surprise for his 100th birthday on Friday. A parade of family, neighbors, firefighters, politicians, police officers and volunteers from Honor Flight Syracuse and the Manlius VFW celebrated Pircios 100th birthday with a Centurion Salute. Watch the video.

Coronavirus Update

Bigger crowds ahead for most restaurants: Restaurants outside of New York City can start operating at 75% capacity starting March 19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday. This is all very good news, Cuomo said. Seventy-five percent is what the consumer is ready for.

No parade, but some St. Patricks events still going on: 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.

MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:

Sports

FANS RETURN TO THE DOME: Clap by distant clap, a familiar sound returned to the Carrier Dome on Saturday afternoon when the Syracuse lacrosse team hosted Vermont. For the first time in more than a year, fans were back in the Dome for an Orange sporting event. The Orange sent the fans home happy, picking up the win. (Dennis Nett photo)

SUs ACC tournament opponent set: Syracuse will face a familiar opponent when it opens play in the ACC tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina, next week. Syracuse earned the No. 8 seed in the ACC tournament and will face 9th-seeded North Carolina State in the tournaments second round on Wednesday.

SU women look ahead to NCAAs: Quentin Hillsman was disappointed with the outcome of Syracuses 72-59 loss to Louisville on Saturday, but he couldnt help but be proud of the effort his shorthanded team displayed throughout the ACC tournament. With that tourney in the rearview, Syracuse shifts its focus to the NCAA tournament.

In Brief

Two men stabbed at downtown apartment building, Syracuse police report

National Guard member from Utica gets photos with all 100 US senators

$850,000 home in Manlius: See list of 114 home sales in Onondaga County

A question. A sandwich. A surprise: A tale of superb customer service

Ali-Frazier 50th anniversary: Ring from Fight of the Century now in CNY

Meghan and Harry interview with Oprah shines spotlight on royal rift

Todays Obituaries

To view todays obituaries, please click here.

Amazon Flash Briefings

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and

Notice of General Meeting

NOTICE OF COURT MEETING

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

BUSINESS AND PROPERTY COURTS

OF ENGLAND AND WALES

COMPANIES COURT (ChD) CR-2021-000231





DEPUTY ICC JUDGE AGNELLO QC IN THE MATTER OF DIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR PLC - and - IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2006

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that by an Order dated 5 March 2021 made in the above matters, the Court has given permission for a meeting (the 'Court Meeting') to be convened of the Scheme Shareholders (as defined in the scheme of arrangement referred to below) for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, approving (with or without modification) a scheme of arrangement (the 'Scheme of Arrangement') proposed to be made between Dialog Semiconductor Plc (the 'Company') and the Scheme Shareholders, and that such meeting shall be held at Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP, Tower Bridge House, St Katharine's Way, London, E1W 1AA on 9 April 2021 at 2.00 p.m. (London time). A copy of the Scheme of Arrangement and a copy of the explanatory statement required to be furnished pursuant to section 897 of the Companies Act 2006 are included in the scheme circular ('Scheme Circular') to be sent to shareholders, which incorporates this Notice. Capitalised terms not otherwise defined in this Notice have the meanings given to them in the Scheme Circular, which incorporates this Notice. Voting on the resolution to approve the Scheme shall be by poll, which shall be conducted as the Chair of the Court Meeting may determine. COVID-19 Restrictions At the time of publication of this Notice, the UK Government has prohibited large public gatherings, save in certain limited circumstances. In light of these measures, together with the uncertainty as to any additional and/or alternative measures that may be put in place by the UK Government, and in order to protect the health and safety of the Company's shareholders and directors, we hope that shareholders will understand that Scheme Shareholders, holders of interests in Scheme Shares which are traded and settled through Clearstream ('CI Holders') and other attendees will not be permitted to attend the Court Meeting in person, save for the Chair and anyone else nominated by the Chair in order to establish a quorum. Scheme Shareholders and CI Holders are strongly encouraged to instruct the appointment of 'the Proxy Agent for the Company' (being Martina Zawadzki, the attorney for Martina Zawadzki or such other person appointed as Proxy Agent by the Company from time to time) as proxy. If any other person is appointed as proxy, he or she will not be permitted to attend the Court Meeting in person, but will be able to attend, submit written questions and/or any objections and vote at the Court Meeting remotely via a virtual meeting platform provided by Lumi AGM UK Limited (the 'Virtual Meeting Platform'), further details of which are set out below. This situation is constantly evolving, and the UK Government may change current restrictions or implement further measures relating to the holding of shareholder meetings during the affected period. Any changes to the arrangements for the Court Meeting will be communicated to Scheme Shareholders and CI Holders before the Court Meeting, including through the Company's website https://www.dialog-semiconductor.com/investor-relations

and by announcement through a Regulatory Information Service. Instructions for accessing the Virtual Meeting Platform Scheme Shareholders and CI Holders will be given the opportunity to remotely attend, submit written questions and/or objections and vote at the Court Meeting via the Virtual Meeting Platform. Scheme Shareholders and CI Holders can access the Virtual Meeting Platform via a mobile web client, which is compatible with the latest browser versions of Chrome, Firefly, Internet Explorer 11 (Internet Explorer v. 10 and below are not supported), Edge and Safari and can be accessed using any web browser, on a PC or smartphone device. To attend remotely, submit written questions and/or vote using this method, please go to https://web.lumiagm.com

Once you have accessed https://web.lumiagm.com

from your web browser, you will be asked to enter the Lumi Meeting ID which is 196-498-742. You will then be prompted to enter your unique Shareholder Reference Number ('SRN') and PIN. These can be found printed on the Forms of Proxy / Instruction sent to you along with this Notice. Please note that only one person will be able to access the Virtual Meeting Platform per SRN. Access to the Court Meeting via the website will be available from 1.45 p.m. (London time) on 9 April 2021, as further detailed below. If you are unable to access your SRN and PIN, please call Link Market Services (Frankfurt) GmbH between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. (Frankfurt time) Monday to Friday (except public holidays in Germany) on 06196 8870 555 (from within Germany) or +49 (0) 6196 8870 555 (if calling from outside of Germany). Calls from outside Germany will be charged at the applicable international rate. Different charges may apply to calls from mobile telephones. Please note that Link Market Services (Frankfurt) GmbH cannot provide advice on the merits of the Acquisition or the Scheme or give any financial, legal or tax advice. Access to the Court Meeting will be available from 1.45 p.m. (London time) on 9 April 2021, although the voting functionality will not be enabled until the Chair of the Court Meeting declares the poll open. Scheme Shareholders and CI Holders will be permitted to submit written questions (via the Virtual Meeting Platform) to the Dialog Directors during the course of the Court Meeting and can use the same function to submit any written objections they may have to the Scheme. The Chair of the Court Meeting will ensure that all such questions and/or any objections relating to the formal business of the Court Meeting are addressed during the Court Meeting, unless no response is required to be provided under the Companies Act 2006 or the provision of a response would, at the Chair's discretion, otherwise be undesirable in the interests of the Company or the good order of the Court Meeting. During the Court Meeting, you must ensure you are connected to the internet at all times in order to submit written questions and/or any objections and vote when the Chair commences polling. Therefore, it is your responsibility to ensure connectivity for the duration of the Court Meeting via your wireless or other internet connection. The Virtual Meeting Guide (which will be sent to shareholders along with the Scheme Circular) contains further information on remotely accessing and participating in the Court Meeting via the Virtual Meeting Platform and is available on Dialog's website at www.dialog-semiconductor.com/acquisition

Right to and Procedure for Appointment of Proxy Scheme Shareholders and CI Holders are strongly encouraged to submit proxy appointments and instructions for the Court Meeting as soon as possible, using any of the methods set out below. Scheme Shareholders and CI Holders are also strongly encouraged to appoint or instruct 'the Proxy Agent for the Company' (being Martina Zawadzki, the attorney for Martina Zawadzki or such other person appointed as Proxy Agent by the Company from time to time) to effect their votes. If any other person is appointed as proxy, he or she will not be permitted to attend the Court Meeting in person, but will be able to attend, submit written questions and/or any objections and vote at the Court Meeting remotely via the Virtual Meeting Platform as described above. The completion and return of the Blue Form of Proxy / Instruction by post, by email or by fax (or transmission of voting instructions by email) will not prevent you from remotely attending, submitting written questions and/or any objections and voting at the Court Meeting, in each case via the Virtual Meeting Platform, if you are entitled to and wish to do so. (a) Sending Blue Form of Proxy / Instruction by post, by email or by fax A Blue Form of Proxy / Instruction for use in connection with the Court Meeting will be sent to shareholders with this Notice. Instructions for its use are set out on the form. It is requested that the Blue Form of Proxy / Instruction (together with any power of attorney or authority, if any, under which it is signed, or a duly certified copy thereof) be returned to: (i) by post to Dialog Semiconductor Plc, c/o Art of Conference - Martina Zawadzki, Postfach 11 06, D-71117 Grafenau, (ii) by emailing a scanned copy to: dialog_cm_gm@art-of-conference.de or (iii) by fax to +49 711 470 9713, so as to be received as soon as possible and ideally no later than 2.00 p.m. (London time) on 7 April 2021 (or, in the case of an adjournment of the Court Meeting, 48 hours (excluding any part of such 48 hour period falling on a non-working day) before the time of the adjourned meeting). If the Blue Form of Proxy / Instruction for the Court Meeting is not lodged by the relevant time, it may be emailed to dialog_cm_gm@art-of-conference.de any time prior to the commencement of the Court Meeting. (b) Email instructions As an alternative to completing and returning the printed Forms of Proxy / Instruction, CI Holders may also give instructions as to how they would like some or all of the Scheme Shares to which their CIs relate voted at the Court Meeting by email. Any such email instruction must set out the CI Holder's unique SRN, the number of Scheme Shares to which the instruction relates (failing which it will be deemed to relate to the entire holding to which the SRN relates) and the way in which such Scheme Shares are to be voted. Any such email instruction must be received at the following email address dialog_cm_gm@art-of-conference.de not later than 48 hours (excluding any part of such 48 hour period falling on a non-working day) before the time fixed for the relevant meeting or any adjournment thereof. If the email instruction is not received by this time, the Blue Form of Proxy / Instruction (or an email instruction in accordance with this paragraph) may still be emailed to dialog_cm_gm@art-of-conference.de any time prior to the commencement of the Court Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Scheme Shareholders and CI Holders are entitled to appoint a proxy / give a voting instruction in respect of some or all of their shares. A space has been included in the Blue Form of Proxy / Instruction to allow Scheme Shareholders and CI Holders to specify the number of shares in respect of which that proxy / instruction is given. Scheme Shareholders and CI Holders who return the Blue Form of Proxy / Instruction duly executed but which leave this space blank shall be deemed to have provided their instruction in respect of all their Scheme Shares (or, as the case may be CIs). Scheme Shareholders and CI Holders who wish to instruct the appointment of more than one proxy in respect of their shareholding should contact Martina Zawadzki by email at dialog_cm_gm@art-of-conference.de

for further Blue Forms of Proxy / Instruction. Such Scheme Shareholders should also read the information regarding the appointment of multiple proxies set out on the Blue Form of Proxy / Instruction. Voting Record Time Entitlement to attend (remotely, via the Virtual Meeting Platform) and vote (remotely, via the Virtual Meeting Platform, or by proxy / instruction) at the Court Meeting or any adjournment thereof and the number of votes which may be cast thereat shall be determined by reference to the register of members and register of CI Holders of the Company at 6.30 p.m. (London time) on the day which is two business days before the date of the Court Meeting or adjourned meeting (as the case may be). In each case, changes to the register of members of the Company after such time shall be disregarded. Joint Holders In the case of joint holders of Scheme Shares or joint CI Holders, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the vote(s) of the other joint holder(s) and for this purpose, seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the register of members or of CI Holders of the Company in respect of the joint holding (the first-named being the most senior). By the said Order, the Court has appointed Jalal Bagherli or, failing him, any other director of the Company, or, failing them, the Company Secretary, to act as Chairman of the Court Meeting and has directed the Chairman to report the result thereof to the Court. The Scheme of Arrangement shall be subject to the subsequent sanction of the Court.

Dated 8 March 2021 LINKLATERS LLP

One Silk Street

London EC2Y 8HQ

Solicitors for the Company

Nominated Persons Any person to whom this Notice is sent who is a person nominated under section 146 of the Companies Act 2006 to enjoy information rights ('Nominated Person') may have a right, under an agreement between them and the shareholder by whom they were nominated, to be appointed (or to have someone else appointed) as a proxy for the Court Meeting. If a Nominated Person has no such proxy appointment right or does not wish to exercise it, they may, under any such agreement, have a right to give instructions to the shareholder as to the exercise of voting rights. NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGDIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR PLC

(Registered in England and Wales with registered number 03505161)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a GENERAL MEETING of the Company shall be held at Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP, Tower Bridge House, St Katharine's Way, London, E1W 1AA on 9 April 2021 at 2.15 p.m. (London time) (or as soon thereafter as the Court Meeting (as defined in the Scheme Circular which incorporates this Notice) has concluded or been adjourned) for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, passing the following resolution which shall be proposed as a special resolution: SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT: (1) for the purpose of giving effect to the scheme of arrangement dated 8 March 2021 (the 'Scheme') between the Company and its Scheme Shareholders (as defined in the Scheme), a print of which has been produced to this meeting and for the purposes of identification signed by the chairman thereof, in its original form or subject to any modification, addition or condition agreed by the Company and Renesas Electronic Corporation ('Renesas') and approved or imposed by the Court, the directors of the Company be authorised to take all such action as they may consider necessary or appropriate for carrying the Scheme into effect; and (2) with effect from the passing of this resolution, the articles of association of the Company be amended by the adoption and inclusion of the following new article 167: '167 SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT (a) In this Article, the 'Scheme' means the scheme of arrangement dated 8 March 2021 between the Company and its Scheme Shareholders (as defined in the Scheme) under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006 in its original form or with or subject to any modification, addition or condition approved or imposed by the Court and agreed by the Company and Renesas Electronics Corporation ('Renesas') and (save as defined in this Article) expressions defined in the Scheme shall have the same meanings in this Article. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles or the terms of any other resolution passed by the Company in any general meeting, if the Company issues or transfers out of treasury any Ordinary Shares (other than to Renesas or its nominee(s)) on or after the adoption of this Article and before the Scheme Record Time, such shares shall be issued or transferred subject to the terms of the Scheme (and shall be Scheme Shares for the purposes thereof) and the holders of such shares shall be bound by the Scheme accordingly. (c) Subject to the Scheme becoming Effective, if any Ordinary Shares are issued or transferred out of treasury to any person (a 'New Member') (other than to Renesas or its nominee(s)) on or after the Scheme Record Time (the 'Post-Scheme Shares'), they shall be immediately transferred to Renesas (or as it may direct) in consideration of the payment to the New Member of an amount in cash for each Post-Scheme Share equal to the cash consideration per Scheme Share payable pursuant to the Scheme. (d) On any reorganisation of, or material alteration to, the share capital of the Company (including, without limitation, any subdivision and/or consolidation) effected after the Scheme Effective Date, the value of the cash payment per share to be paid under paragraph (c) of this Article may be adjusted by the Directors in such manner as the auditors of the Company or an independent investment bank selected by the Company may determine to be appropriate to reflect such reorganisation or alteration. References in this Article to Ordinary Shares shall, following such adjustment, be construed accordingly. (e) To give effect to any transfer of Post-Scheme Shares, the Company may appoint any person as attorney and/or agent for the New Member to transfer the Post-Scheme Shares to Renesas and/or its nominee(s) and do all such other things and execute and deliver all such documents as may in the opinion of the attorney or agent be necessary or desirable to vest the Post-Scheme Shares in Renesas or its nominee(s) and pending such vesting to exercise all such rights attaching to the Post-Scheme Shares as Renesas may direct. If an attorney or agent is so appointed, the New Member shall not thereafter (except to the extent that the attorney or agent fails to act in accordance with the directions of Renesas) be entitled to exercise any rights attaching to the Post-Scheme Shares unless so agreed by Renesas. The attorney or agent shall be empowered to execute and deliver as transferor a form of transfer or other instrument or instruction of transfer on behalf of the New Member in favour of Renesas and/or its nominee(s) and the Company may give a good receipt for the consideration for the Post-Scheme Shares and may register Renesas and/or its nominee(s) as holder thereof and issue to it certificates for the same. The Company shall not be obliged to issue a certificate to the New Member for the Post-Scheme Shares. Renesas shall send a cheque in Euro drawn on a German / UK clearing bank in favour of the New Member for the consideration for such Post-Scheme Shares to the New Member within ten business days of the issue or transfer of the Post-Scheme Shares to the New Member. (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, neither the Company nor the Directors shall register the transfer of any Scheme Shares between the Scheme Record Time and the Effective Date.'. By order of the Board 8 March 2021 Colin Sturt

General Counsel

Registered office

Tower Bridge House,

St Katharine's Way,

London, E1W 1AA,

United Kingdom

Notes: The following notes explain your general rights as a shareholder and your right to attend and vote at the Dialog General Meeting or to appoint someone else to vote on your behalf. 1. COVID-19 Restrictions The Dialog Board notes the measures issued by the UK Government in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of publication of the Scheme Circular, the UK Government has prohibited large public gatherings, save in certain limited circumstances. In light of these measures, together with the uncertainty as to any additional and/or alternative measures that may be put in place by the UK Government, and in order to protect the health and safety of the Company's shareholders and directors, we hope that shareholders will understand that Dialog Shareholders and other attendees will not be permitted to attend the Dialog General Meeting in person, save for the Chair and anyone else nominated by the Chair in order to establish a quorum. Dialog Shareholders are strongly encouraged to appoint / instruct 'the Proxy Agent for the Company' to effect their votes. If any other person is appointed as proxy, he or she will not be permitted to attend the Dialog General Meeting in person, but will be able to attend, submit written questions and vote at the Dialog General Meeting remotely via a virtual meeting platform provided by Lumi AGM UK Limited (the 'Virtual Meeting Platform'), further details of which are set out below and in the Virtual Meeting Guide (which will be sent to shareholders along with the Scheme Circular). This situation is constantly evolving, and the UK Government may change current restrictions or implement further measures relating to the holding of shareholder meetings during the affected period. Any changes to the arrangements for the Dialog General Meeting will be communicated to Dialog Shareholders before the Dialog General Meeting, including through the Company's website https://www.dialog-semiconductor.com/investor-relations

and by announcement through a Regulatory Information Service. 2. Instructions for accessing the Virtual Meeting Platform Dialog Shareholders will be given the opportunity to remotely attend, submit written questions and vote at the Dialog General Meeting via the Virtual Meeting Platform. Dialog Shareholders can access the Virtual Meeting Platform via a mobile web client, which is compatible with the latest browser versions of Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer 11 (Internet Explorer v. 10 and below are not supported), Edge and Safari and can be accessed using any web browser, on a PC or smartphone device. To remotely attend, submit written questions and/or vote using this method, please go to https://web.lumiagm.com

Once you have accessed https://web.lumiagm.com

from your web browser, you will be asked to enter the Lumi Meeting ID which is 196-498-742. You will then be prompted to enter your unique Shareholder Reference Number ('SRN') and PIN. These can be found printed on the Forms of Proxy / Instruction. Please note that only one person will be able to access the Virtual Meeting Platform per SRN. Access to the Dialog General Meeting via the website will be available from 1.45 p.m. (London time) on 9 April 2021, as further detailed below. If you are unable to access your SRN and PIN, please call Link Market Services (Frankfurt) GmbH between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. (Frankfurt time) Monday to Friday (except public holidays in Germany) on 06196 8870 555 (from within Germany) or +49 (0) 6196 8870 555 (if calling from outside of Germany). Calls from outside Germany will be charged at the applicable international rate. Different charges may apply to calls from mobile telephones. Please note that Link Market Services (Frankfurt) GmbH cannot provide advice on the merits of the Acquisition or the Scheme or give any financial, legal or tax advice. Access to the Dialog General Meeting will be available from 1.45 p.m. on 9 April 2021, although the voting functionality will not be enabled until the Chair of the Dialog General Meeting declares the poll open. Dialog Shareholders will be permitted to submit written questions (via the Virtual Meeting Platform) to the Dialog Directors during the course of the Dialog General Meeting. The Chair of the Dialog General Meeting will ensure that all such questions relating to the formal business of the Dialog General Meeting are addressed during the Dialog General Meeting, unless no response is required to be provided under the Companies Act 2006 or the provision of a response would, at the Chair's discretion, otherwise be undesirable in the interests of the Company or the good order of the Dialog General Meeting. During the Dialog General Meeting, you must ensure you are connected to the internet at all times in order to submit written questions and vote when the Chair commences polling. Therefore, it is your responsibility to ensure connectivity for the duration of the Dialog General Meeting via your wireless or other internet connection. The Virtual Meeting Guide (which will be sent to shareholders along with the Scheme Circular) contains further information on remotely accessing and participating in the Dialog General Meeting via the Virtual Meeting Platform and is available on Dialog's website at www.dialog-semiconductor.com/acquisition

3. Entitlement to attend and vote Entitlement to attend (remotely, via the Virtual Meeting Platform) and vote (remotely, via the Virtual Meeting Platform, or by proxy / instruction) at the Dialog General Meeting or any adjournment thereof and the number of votes which may be cast thereat shall be determined by reference to the register of members and register of CI Holders of the Company at 6.30 p.m. (London time) on the day which is two days before the date of the Dialog General Meeting or adjourned meeting (as the case may be). In each case, changes to the register of members of the Company after such time shall be disregarded. 4. Appointment of proxies Dialog Shareholders are strongly encouraged to submit proxy appointments and instructions for the Dialog General Meeting as soon as possible, using any of the methods (by post, by email or by fax) set out below. Dialog Shareholders are also strongly encouraged to instruct the appointment of 'the Proxy Agent of the Company' as their proxy. If any other person is appointed as proxy, he or she will not be permitted to attend the Dialog General Meeting in person, but will be able to attend, submit written questions vote at the Dialog General Meeting remotely via the Virtual Meeting Platform as described above. The completion and return of the White Form of Proxy / Instruction by post, email or fax (or transmission of a voting instruction by email) will not prevent you from remotely attending, submitting written questions and voting at the Dialog General Meeting via the Virtual Meeting Platform as described above and the Virtual Meeting Guide (which will be sent to shareholders along with the Scheme Circular), if you are entitled to and wish to do so. (a) Sending Forms of Proxy / Instruction by post, by email or by fax Dialog Shareholders will receive a White Form of Proxy / Instruction for the Dialog General Meeting. Please complete and sign the White Form of Proxy / Instruction in accordance with the instructions printed on them and return them to Dialog Semiconductor Plc c/o Art-of-Conference - Martina Zawadzki, either (i) by post to Postfach 11 06, D-71117 Grafenau, (ii) by emailing a scanned copy to dialog_cm_gm@art-of-conference.de or (iii) by fax to +49 711 470 9713, so as to be received as soon as possible and in any event not later than 2.00 p.m. (London time) on 7 April 2021 or, if the Dialog General Meeting is adjourned, not later than 48 hours (excluding any part of such 48 hours period falling on a non-working day) before the time fixed for the adjourned meeting. If the White Form of Proxy / Instruction for the Dialog General Meeting is not lodged by the relevant time, it will be invalid. (b) Email instructions As an alternative to completing and returning the printed White Form of Proxy / Instruction, Dialog Shareholders may also instruct how they would like some or all of their Dialog Shares to be voted at the Dialog General Meeting by email. Any such email instruction must set out the Dialog Shareholder's unique Shareholder Reference Number or SRN (which can be found printed on the White Form of Proxy / Instruction), the number of Dialog Shares to which the instruction relates (failing which it will be deemed to relate to the entire holding to which the SRN relates) and the way in which such Dialog Shares are to be voted. Any such email instruction must be received at the following email address dialog_cm_gm@art-of-conference.de not later than 48 hours (excluding any part of such 48 hour period falling on a non-working day) before the time fixed for the Dialog General Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Partial and multiple voting instructions As a Dialog Shareholder, you are entitled to appoint a proxy / give a voting instruction in respect of some or all of your shares. A space has been included in the White Form of Proxy / Instruction to allow you to specify the number of shares in respect of which that proxy / instruction is made. White Forms of Proxy / Instruction duly executed but which leave this space blank shall be deemed to have made their appointment / instruction in respect of all shares. You may instruct the appointment of the proxy agent appointed by the Company ('Proxy Agent'). The Proxy Agent will be Martina Zawadzki, the attorney for Martina Zawadzki or such other person appointed as the Proxy Agent by the Company from time to time. If you wish to instruct the appointment of more than one proxy in respect of your shareholding you should contact Martina Zawadzki by email at dialog_cm_gm@art-of-conference.de

for further White Forms of Proxy / Instruction. 5. Joint Holders In the case of joint holders of shares or joint CI Holders, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether remotely or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the vote(s) of the other joint holder(s) and for this purpose, seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the register of members or of CI Holders of the Company in respect of the joint holding (the first-named being the most senior). 6. Votes to be taken by a poll and results At the Dialog General Meeting voting on the Special Resolution will be by poll. The results of the polls will be announced through a Regulatory Information Service and published on the Company's website as soon as reasonably practicable following the conclusion of the Dialog General Meeting. 7. Nominated Persons Any person to whom this Notice is sent who is a person nominated under section 146 of the Companies Act 2006 to enjoy information rights ('Nominated Person') may have a right, under an agreement between them and the shareholder by whom they were nominated, to be appointed (or to have someone else appointed) as a proxy for the Dialog General Meeting. If a Nominated Person has no such proxy appointment right or does not wish to exercise it, they may, under any such agreement, have a right to give instructions to the shareholder as to the exercise of voting rights. The statement of the rights of shareholders in relation to the appointment of proxies in paragraph 4 above does not apply to Nominated Persons. The rights described in that paragraph can only be exercised by shareholders of the Company. 8. Website providing information regarding the Dialog General Meeting Information regarding the Dialog General Meeting, including information required by section 311A of the Act, and a copy of this Notice may be found on the Company's website at www.dialog-semiconductor.com/acquisition

9. Issued share capital and total voting rights As at 5 March 2021 (being the Latest Practicable Date prior to the publication of this Notice) the Company's issued share capital consisted of 71,268,687 ordinary shares of 10 pence each, carrying one vote each (excluding 5,413,452 shares held in treasury). Therefore, the total voting rights in the Company as at 5 March 2021 were 71,268,687 votes. 10. Further questions and communication Under section 319(a) of the Companies Act 2006, any shareholder attending the Dialog General Meeting has the right to ask questions. As set out in paragraph 1 above, Dialog Shareholders will be permitted to submit written questions (via the Virtual Meeting Platform) to the Dialog Directors during the course of the Dialog General Meeting. The Chair of the Dialog General Meeting will ensure that all such questions relating to the formal business of the Dialog General Meeting are addressed during the Dialog General Meeting, unless no response is required to be provided under the Companies Act 2006 or the provision of a response would, at the Chair's discretion, otherwise be undesirable in the interests of the Company or the good order of the Dialog General Meeting. Dialog Shareholders who have any queries about the Dialog General Meeting should contact the Shareholder Helpline operated by Link Market Services (Frankfurt) GmbH between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. (Frankfurt time) Monday to Friday (except public holidays in Germany) on 06196 8870 555 (from within Germany) or +49 (0) 6196 8870 555 (if calling from outside of Germany). Calls from outside Germany will be charged at the applicable international rate. Different charges may apply to calls from mobile telephones. Please note that Link Market Services (Frankfurt) GmbH cannot provide advice on the merits of the Acquisition or the Scheme or give any financial, legal or tax advice. Dialog Shareholders may not use any electronic address or fax number provided in this Notice or in any related documents to communicate with the Company for any purpose other than those expressly stated. Any electronic communications, including the lodgement of any electronic proxy form, received by the Company, or its agents, that is found to contain any virus will not be accepted.

Indian companies' overseas investment fell 35% in February 2021, says RBI

According to banking data, India Inc's overseas direct investment fell by 31% to USD 1.85 billion in February this year.

RBI said the data is provisional and is subject to change based on online reporting by the banks. Photo courtesy: RBI

Domestic companies made investments of USD 2.66 billion in their overseas subsidiaries and joint-ventures in the year-ago month, February 2020, the Reserve Bank of India reported.

Of the total investment made by Indian companies in foreign markets, USD 1.36 billion was in the form of loans; USD 297.37 million comprised as equity investment and the rest of USD 183.82 million was by way of issuance of guarantees, according to the RBI data on outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) - February 2021.

However, total OFDI by domestic firms in February was higher than that of USD 1.19 billion in January 2021.

Among the major companies who invested in their overseas ventures during the month included Tata Steel (USD 1 billion in its wholly-owned subsidiary in Singapore), and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries -- USD 100 million in a joint venture in the US.

ONGC Videsh Ltd invested a total of USD 96.15 million in various joint ventures/wholly-owned subsidiaries in Russia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Sudan, Colombia, Vietnam and Azerbaijan.

RBI said the data is provisional and is subject to change based on online reporting by the banks.
Pupils were delighted to get their hands on new Mail Force laptops after months of sharing tiny mobile phone screens with their siblings.

Children who struggled with online learning because of limited resources at home are returning to school today  but they need to catch up on the months of schooling lost during the pandemic.

So youngsters were jumping for joy when the Mail Force van made a delivery to the Langley Academy Primary and Langley Academy Secondary schools in Slough, Berkshire.

After being handed ten Microsoft Surface Go 2 devices, Tracey Bowen, head teacher of the primary school, said the donations would help to narrow the academic gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.

Langley Academy staff and pupils hold their new laptops. Pictured from left: Head of Year 8 Jennie Bevan, Tilly Darienzo, eight, executive principle Rhodri Bryant, Yaqoob Briars, 10, Alicia Carvalho, 7, headteacher of Langley Academy Tracey Bowen and Agris Nadwem, 12

We cant thank the Daily Mail and its readers enough for this life-changing opportunity, she said.

How to get the SIM cards Schools can apply for free SIM cards at www.vodafone.co.uk/mailforce Head teachers can request a maximum of 80 for a secondary and 50 for a primary. Cards are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, but priority is given to areas with higher numbers of pupils on free school meals. 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 the equivalent of approximately nine weeks of online learning. ... and computers Schools in England can apply via the Department for Education. They should visit get-help-with-tech.education.gov.uk/start In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we welcome applications from education authorities, trusts or charities focused on children and young people. They should visit www.mailforcecharity.co.uk/register to apply. Schools should encourage their LEA or trust to submit their details. Advertisement

This has put smiles on the faces of the children and their parents who have struggled during lockdown.

I know the impact it will have on their lives. It will finally allow the kids to do their best. They have walked into school with the biggest smiles on their faces, thanks to you.

The 49-year-old added: Some kids have had to use one device between multiple family members, which has meant a lot of children havent had access to online learning materials.

We can already see the gap between the children whose parents can afford the technology and their classmates.

Tilly Darienzo, eight, has had to rely on her mothers mobile phone to take part in lessons  and has had to share it with her three-year-old sister. She said: I am so excited to have my own laptop and do all of my work because most of the time my sister gets her own way!

Meral Begu, 44, was struggling after the computer her three children were sharing during lockdown stopped working a few weeks ago. Her sons Mohammed, nine, and Muadh, eight, and daughter Kanita Kelmendi, six, had to take it in turns to use their mothers smartphone.

Miss Begu said: Thank you so much for this. It will help them all so much because it has been so hard for them to study and to learn.

Mohammed added: I am so happy with this new laptop because it will help me at school. The old one broke and it has been hard to focus on that small screen and do all my work. The Department for Education has already provided 119 laptops to Langley Academy Secondary, which has around 1,200 students, and 47 laptops to Langley Academy Primary, which has almost 600 pupils. Schools across England have now placed orders for some 10,000 Mail Force laptops, with hundreds more destined for other parts of the UK.

Heads can also claim free Vodafone SIM data cards to hand out to pupils struggling to afford the cost of getting online. Each 30GB card provides enough data for about nine weeks of learning. Mail Force has teamed up with Vodafone to make thousands of SIMs available free of charge.

Langley Academy Primary school pupils. Pictured left to right on the front row: Tilly Darienzo, 8, Kenzo Ellayatt, 7, and Alicia Carvalho, 7. Back row: Yaqoob Briars, 10, and Jovan Mader, 7

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 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

Barclays 500k boost... and another 10,000 from firm behind Photoshop

by Sam Greenhill Chief Reporter for the Daily Mail

Mail Force was given a double boost yesterday by big companies.

Barclays pledged a stunning 500,000 to the campaign to help school- children get online.

And software firm Adobe offered a further 10,000  every penny of which will be spent on buying new computers or refurbishing donated ones.

It means the total raised in cash and computers by the Mail Force charity now stands at more than 11.4million.

As schools prepare to reopen today, teachers face the herculean task of helping pupils catch up on months of lost learning.

It is a challenge made all the more daunting by the digital divide  the yawning gap between families with enough devices and those without.

Thanks to the Daily Mails Computers for Kids campaign, thousands more children will now have a laptop or tablet to access schoolwork in the evenings and at weekends.

Barclays pledged a stunning 500,000 to the campaign to help school- children get online

And the sensational gift from Barclays will fund thousands more. Matt Hammerstein, chief executive of Barclays UK, said: Whilst the return to classrooms will be hugely beneficial for our children, the digital divide exposed over the last year will not disappear as schools revert to face-to-face learning. Campaigns such as this remain vital. We are proud to be supporting Mail Force.

The first mass batch of Mail Force laptop deliveries went to schools across the country last week. Some 5,000 Chromebooks and other models were shipped to more than 100 towns and villages.

Hundreds more will follow until the Mail Force funds run out  and yesterday software giant Adobe helped to put off that day a little longer.

Its generous donation will buy new laptops or be spent on refurbishing used computers donated by other big firms.

Lee Edwards, Abodes vice president of UK, Ireland, Middle East and Africa, said: Education and digital literacy is vital for every child, which is why being able to support the valuable efforts of Computers for Kids is one of the many ways companies such as our own can help.
The covert cyber operations will be combined with new sanctions, sources say.

In the coming weeks, Washington is set to launch cyber operations against the Russian Federation as a response to the efforts by Russian hackers aimed against U.S. digital infrastructure.

That's according to the New York Times referring to a number of U.S. officials.

The U.S. will conduct covert operations targeting Russian networks in the next three weeks, sources claim. They should be obvious to the Russian armed forces, intelligence agencies, and President Vladimir Putin, but not to the general public.

Officials said these actions will be combined with certain sanctions set to be imposed on Russia, as well as U.S. measures to strengthen security of own networks.

Read alsoRussia poses "existential threat" to U.S.  PentagonAt the same time, the US is considering the possibility of a similar confrontation with China. Chinese hackers are suspected of attacking Microsoft's email servers.

According to Microsoft, hackers tried to gain access to information from American universities, Pentagon contractors, scientific institutions involved in infectious disease studies, as well as law firms.

Earlier, Microsoft accused the Russian foreign intelligence service of a similar attack.

SolarWinds: Background

Almost all U.S. government agencies were affected by a massive cyberattack in December 2020. The hack occurred through the SolarWinds Orion Platform product management system update server (its versions 2019.4 - 2020.2.1 HF1), as reported on the NSDC's website.

The attack is linked to the activities of the APT29, or Cozy Bear, hacker group, believed to be affiliated with Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service.

Reporting by UNIAN
Zandvoort is hoping to welcome a full house of spectators to its first Dutch GP in September.

Formula 1 has just announced that Portimao will join the 2021 schedule in May - with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali declaring that he hopes spectators will be there.

"We hope to welcome fans to Portimao again this season in a safe way and are working with the promoter on the details of that plan," he said.

As for Zandvoort, that race was cancelled last year as organisers opted against a 'ghost race' format amid the pandemic.

Now, circuit boss Robert van Overdijk is hoping for as normal a 2021 event as possible.

"Last year we really had a hard time so we had to take certain measures," he told Ziggo Sport. "The calendar for this season gives us hope.

"So we are preparing for the race as though 105,000 people will come to the circuit every day. At the moment we don't know how many spectators will be allowed, but we must be ready for a full house.

"One way or another, the grand prix will take place," van Overdijk added.

(GMM)
How many women participated that first year was not reported, but at least one woman, Jennie Hancock, certainly did, or at least tried to. The Chicago Tribune reported she stole a mans suit while he was sleeping, and dressing herself in it, took up a green flag and joined the parade. She got into a public argument with the Grand Marshal, Col. James H. Lynch, when she announced that she, not he, would lead the parade up Halsted Street. The police were called in and she was arrested.
Australias decision to suspend foreign aid and military co-operation with Myanmars government has raised fears economist Sean Turnells detention may drag on.

Dr Turnell, an Australian citizen and adviser to overthrown leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was detained on February 6, five days after the military coup in Myanmar.

Sean Turnell, right, with Aung San Suu Kyi. Foreign Minister Marise Payne says Australias ambassador in Yangon and other senior diplomats are working to secure the release of Dr Turnell at the most senior levels.

Herve Lemahieu, director of the Lowy Institutes power and diplomacy program, said Australia was right to wait more than a month to redirect foreign aid and suspend military co-operation to see if Myanmars armed forces would reverse course.

But he said the military, also known as the Tatmadaw, had shown it was not receptive to foreign influence and engagement and it was now time to pull the support.
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Sue, in her 60s, (pictured) who lives on an organic beef farm in the Peak District with her husband Terry, has painted an image for every day of lockdowns one, two and three

From bad hair days to home workouts on Zoom, these little paintings depict life in lockdown.

Witty, satirical and tender and, at times, heartbreakingly poignant, they are the work of folk artist Sue Prince.

Sue, in her 60s, who lives on an organic beef farm in the Peak District with her husband Terry, has painted an image for every day of lockdowns one, two and three.

They begin on March 23 last year, the first day of lockdown. Two weeks ago, she completed No 180. It depicts her leaving a vaccination centre after receiving her first jab.

Her father Brian Norrie was in a care home as the pandemic began. Sadly, he died, aged 91, in December after catching Covid  she had at least been able to see him in his final days after a long separation.

Sue, who has two daughters and three grandchildren, says: As an artist, my life is about the images around me and recording whats going on. They got a phenomenal response on social media and were viewed thousands of times. Each painting takes about one to two hours, and it has helped me feel ok in these really weird times.

Now Sue has turned her first 84 paintings, of lockdown one, into a book called The Isolation Chronicles, and also made some Christmas cards. A second book, covering the other 96 paintings is imminent.

The first book, priced 34, is available at sueprinceartist.co.uk

March 23, 2020: Lockdown is declared and Sue cancels appointments and farm cottage bookings

A tender hug: Seeing dad Brian in the care home before family visits and cuddles were outlawed

Nightmare: Sue is woken in the early hours by a raging temperature  luckily not the dreaded Covid

Local heroes: They may be shut but the pubs try to keep the community spirit going with online quizzes

Every little helps: Wear a mask, sanitise hands, keep your distance  the new rules for a shopping trip

The quiet life: Like countless others, Sue fills her time with solitary walks and audio books

Here is the news... Daily updates from Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, give solace

Lifting their spirits: Sue and Terry stick to the rules to have a socially distanced drink with neighbours

A brave new world of box sets: The couples son-inlaw helps out by showing them how to stream TV

Taming the lockdown locks: Sue tackles her unruly hair for the new way to socialise  a Zoom video call

It all ends in tiers: As autumn hopes of beating Covid fade, Sue braces herself for a winter of new rules

A testing experience: Sue endures the discomfort of a Covid test  and discovers a nasty side-effect

While shepherds watched their screens by night: Carol concerts can go ahead  albeit with a big difference

The final touch: Sues PPE-protected hand holds her fathers on December 20, the day he passed

Zoom with a phew: Online exercise classes help to keep the nation fit and active  if a little worn out

Four steps to heaven: At last a light at the end of the tunnel as the roadmap out of lockdown is revealed
The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost.
The battlelines for the next phase of the tussle for economic and strategic supremacy between China and the US are being drawn, not directly in military capabilities but in a race for advantage in next generation technologies.

China made its ambitions clear when it unveiled its 14th five-year plan at the national congress that got under way late last week.

Premier Li Keqiang detailed seven areas of frontier technology that China will pour resources into over the next five years, but the US has a healthy head-start. Credit:Mark Schiefelbein

On Friday, Premier Li Keqiang detailed seven areas of frontier technology that China will pour resources into over the next five years: artificial intelligence; quantum computing; semiconductors; neuroscience and brain-inspired computing; genetic research; genomic and biotechnology research; medical and health research and deep space, earth, sea and polar research.

Li said China would achieve major breakthroughs in advanced semiconductors, operating systems, computer processors and cloud computing and aimed to get 56 per cent of the country onto 5G telecommunications systems. China is already aggressively pursuing research into 6G, which could be 100 times faster than 5G speeds.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that a student in Georgia could pursue a lawsuit challenging speech restrictions at his college even though he sought only nominal damages.

Justice Clarence Thomas, writing for the majority in the 8-to-1 decision, said a request for even a token sum, typically a dollar, satisfied the Constitutions requirement that federal courts decide only actual cases or controversies in cases. The fact that the college had withdrawn the speech code challenged in the suit, he wrote, did not make the case moot.

Despite being small, Justice Thomas wrote, nominal damages are certainly concrete.

In a spirited dissent, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said the majoritys approach will have the effect of turning judges into advice columnists.

If nominal damages can preserve a live controversy, he wrote, then federal courts will be required to give advisory opinions whenever a plaintiff tacks on a request for a dollar.
The 62-year-old man accused of killing Sylvia Quayle in her Cherry Hills Village home in August 1981 has been formally charged with first-degree murder in the 18th Judicial District.

David Dwayne Anderson was arrested in February in Nebraska, where he was living.

If Anderson is convicted, he will face the penalty for murder from 1981, life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years. First-degree murder now carries a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Quayle, 34 at the time of her death, was found dead in her bedroom by her father. She had been stabbed, shot and sexually assaulted, according to an autopsy report.

The Cherry Hills Village Police Department solved Quayles death with the help of Denver Metro Crime Stoppers and United Data Connect, a company that uses DNA to solve cold cases. Police opened the case to United Data Connect and Denver Metro Crime Stoppers in January 2020.

Quayle graduated from Englewood High School and worked at an architectural firm. She also opened a cake bakery called The Buttery. She was close to her sister and parents, with whom she had coffee each morning.

Quayles sister and brother-in-law have been in touch with police throughout the investigation. However, her mother and father have both since died.

A DNA profile for an unidentified male was developed in 2000 by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation from evidence collected at the crime scene and entered in the FBI Combined DNA Index System, according to Andersons arrest affidavit.
Minneapolis, where neighborhoods and storefronts still bear the scars of last summers looting and arson, is already bracing for unrest if Mr. Chauvin is acquitted. Concrete barriers around government buildings and high fencing topped with razor wire have transformed downtown into a fortress and blocked off one of the most popular sites for large demonstrations. National Guard soldiers will stand watch.

Mr. Floyds family will gather, along with social justice activists and civil rights leaders like the Rev. Al Sharpton, who recently told reporters that Mr. Chauvin lynched George Floyd with his knee. And there are fears that members of the same white supremacist groups that ransacked the Capitol on Jan. 6 might descend on the Twin Cities.

Inside the courtroom, though, a slow and deliberative process will play out, as questioners probe prospective jurors for signs that they have already made up their minds.

I think its going to be extremely difficult to pick a jury, said Susan Gaertner, the former top prosecutor in nearby St. Paul who is now in private practice. There have been few incidents in our state that have had as much impact on the community. Its hard to imagine finding a juror who is enough of a blank slate to really give both sides a fair hearing.

It is expected to take three weeks just to seat a jury of 12 members and up to four alternates. Lawyers for both sides may have already begun vetting jury-pool members, checking their social media posts. They will have read the returned questionnaires, which are not publicly available, and will use them as a starting point for questions intended to ferret out anything that is proxy for political bias, down to their bumper stickers, said Ted Sampsell-Jones, a professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minn.

The questions will help the lawyers pinpoint ideological leanings and flesh out fuller portraits of each prospective juror. The defense will be looking for candidates who are politically conservative and favorably disposed toward law enforcement, while the prosecution may prefer young, highly educated people with liberal leanings.

The judge is supposed to strike any potential jurors who show an inability to set aside their preconceptions. In addition, the prosecution may strike nine potential jurors of its choice, and the defense may strike 15.
Britain's leading business group, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said that the city must "spearhead" a post-COVID recovery, develop sustainable prosperity and redefine Londons pitch to the world. Photo: Getty

UK businesses have called on the incoming London mayor to focus on "levelling-up" the capital so it can maintain its footing on the global economic stage.

Britain's leading business group, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said that the city must "spearhead" a post-COVID recovery, develop sustainable prosperity and redefine Londons pitch to the world.

In its London Revival Plan, launched today, the CBI sets out a blueprint for the capitals future which urges the winner of the 6 May ballot to champion Londons unique strengths and sectors.

The CBI says that securing a world-leading business ecosystem is a key priority "bold borough-level action" to tackle inequality, develop skills and encourage investment.

It has also urged for sustainable prosperity, calling for action on retrofit and emissions reduction as well as "revival" of the Central Activities Zone (CAZ) and development of Londons high streets.

Additionally, it's seeking a collaboration with peers across other mayoral regions to help ensure the citys recovery is shared by the rest of Britain.

But, the business group has warned that it will be "critical" for the new mayor to be "more of a partner to business than ever before" to deliver on these goals and strengthen Londons international competitiveness.

READ MORE: London retains title of most popular city for work

The CBI has identified three key criteria and a series of recommendations which outline how companies and the incoming mayor can work together to drive recovery and build long-term success.

It hopes to "address inequalities and equip London with the infrastructure, talent and investment needed to thrive through post-pandemic recovery and beyond," the CBI said.

The plan has identified five core comparator cities, identified as other leading global cities that sit alongside London. Four of these are firmly established  New York, Paris, Singapore, and Tokyo. Shanghai is seen as a "rapidly growing megacity" and London's fifth comparator.

Story continues

The CBI has used the core comparator cities, as a guide to steer the capital in the right direction through its London Revival Plan.

GPCI comprehensive competitiveness ranking. Chart: Institute for Urban Strategies, The Mori Memorial Foundation, Global Power City Index 20201

Firstly it seeks to champion London's dynamism and global competitiveness, by using the recovery to ensure the city has a dynamic economy across both inner and outer boroughs. Developing a dynamic and world-leading business eco-system to harness diverse entrepreneurialism, support start and scale-ups and SME development to attract international investment. It also wants to protect and grow Londons international competitiveness and status as the European epicentre of business, investment, study and tourism.

Secondly, it seeks to "transform" digital and physical infrastructure on the path to achieving net zero emissions.

This will ensure safe and sustainable travel is at "the heart of the green recovery," with renewed commitment to electric vehicle infrastructure delivery and stable and long-term investment in Transport for London (TfL).

The collaboration will establish "unified approach to decarbonisation" across the capital, support industry to work towards net zero and accelerate the development of Londons hydrogen economy. It will also "supercharge" the citys connectivity and make the capital the most digitally-connected city in the world.

Thirdly, it wants to address economic exclusion and stimulate job creation to secure an inclusive workforce for the future, by "delivering affordable and sustainable homes to aid levelling-up within London and ensure the capital remains an inclusive, accessible and attractive destination for all talent."

The plan says that "investing in people today" will give them "the skills they need for tomorrow."

Finally, it's calling on the new mayor to work in partnership with business to ensure the capitals recovery tackles inequality to build a truly inclusive and diverse society and economy.

High ranking and rising cities: Environment. Chart: Institute for Urban Strategies, The Mori Memorial Foundation, Global Power City Index 2020

Jordan Cummins, CBI London Head of Policy, said: "This mayoral election comes at a pivotal time for Londons economy. As our capital city faces the triple shocks of Coronavirus, Brexit, and climate change, its more important than ever London protects its status as a dynamic, progressive, and coveted global city.

"Domestically, London faces a growing levelling-up agenda and a national economy in shock. Internationally, it faces renewed competition for investment and talent, as its peers all seek to build back better. Yet our capital is still the home of ground-breaking industry; still boasts a melting pot of extraordinary talent and is still renowned, the world over, for culture, academia, and research.

"But now is not the time to rest on our laurels. London finds itself under the watchful eye of the world and many of its pre-Covid challenges remain. Housing affordability still prices out key workers, while infrastructure investment is still critical to Londons long-term ambitions. And economic and social inequality unfortunately remain currents running through our city."

WATCH: UK and Europe drive towards net-zero emissions
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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.
Britons have jokingly accused the Queen of taking down ITV Hub after eager viewers were plagued with technical issues ahead of the UK airing of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell interview.

Some viewers were tonight left frustrated ahead of the broadcast of the much-talked about interview with Oprah Winfrey, which is being aired on ITV.

And some took to social media to joke that the Queen was behind the technical issues ahead of the airing of the interview - which contains a number of explosive allegations about the Royal Family.

One Twitter user joked: 'Never underestimate the Queen's ability to disconnect ITV Hub in times of need.'

Another added: 'The Queen just disconnected ITV hub by the looks of it.'

Some viewers were tonight left frustrated ahead of the broadcaster of the explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, which is currently being aired on ITV

Other Britons also complained about technical issues ahead of the UK airing of the interview, which was broadcast on America's CBS on Sunday night.

One Twitter user said: 'When will ITV Hub sort this out on the Chromecast???

Another said: 'Anyone else's STV Player and ITV Hub not working?'

'Oh my god ITV Hub is already crashing,' one Twitter user said.

Another added: 'I'm having to watch the interview on my phone because my stupid ITV on my Xbox won't let me play live things.'

It comes after stony-faced royals today broke cover amid the continuing fallout from an onslaught of damaging allegations from Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview - as they prepared for UK viewers to watch the bombshell documentary when it airs on ITV tonight.

Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, bore grim expressions as they were seen driving through London this afternoon.

The pair have been caught up in the wave of claims aired by the Sussexes, with Meghan earlier this month blaming them for leaking stories about her to the press while she was a senior royal.

Meghan has also accused Kate of making her 'cry' during a row over bridesmaids dresses.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have made no formal response to the interview, instead the only two posts on their official Instagram page today have recognised International Women's Day, and Commonwealth Day.

Prince Harry today claimed racism drove him and Meghan out of Britain and the Queen was too busy to meet him as he piled on new insults to his family in a series of unseen clips from his bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview.

The Duke of Sussex accused the Queen of snubbing him after she was allegedly overruled by royal aides when she tried to invite him and Meghan on a trip to Sandringham after the couple announced they were stepping down.

British viewers are enthralled as they sit down to watch UK premiere of Harry and Meghan interview British viewers sat down to watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey tonight as one blasted ITV for 'allowing a woman to appear on primetime TV just to slag off the Royal Family'. The broadcast, which runs from 9pm until 10.50pm, saw people in the UK get their first chance to see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's conversation with Oprah in full, nearly 24 hours after it was first shown in the US on CBS. ITV Hub appeared to be wilting under the strain of huge demand as viewers in homes across Britain took to social media to complain that the online service was continuously buffering or not working at all. Commenting on the programme which first aired overnight at 1am UK time on CBS, one viewer said: 'Treacherous! Actually allowing a woman to appear on primetime TV just to slag off the Royal Family!' Another added: 'So Meghan is expecting the world to believe that she didn't look into Harry's life at all? She knew nothing of the royal family? What an actress she is! She's fooling no one in this little innocent victim act entering into a world she hadn't a clue about.' Advertisement

Meanwhile, Prince Philip was cleared of making a racist remark about how 'dark' Archie's skin would be, with Oprah saying Harry had confirmed the comment was not made by the Duke of Edinburgh or the Queen.

Asked about the alleged comment at his Covid press conference today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: 'The best thing I can say is that I've always had the highest admiration for the Queen and the unifying role she plays.

'And as for all other matters to do with the royal family I've spent a long time now not commenting on royal family matters and I don't intend to today.'

Harry refused to reveal the person's identity on Sunday night as did Meghan and claimed they wanted to protect whoever it was - leaving the rest of the family open to suspicion.

In one of the previously unseen clips released today, Harry said the Queen told him she wanted to see him and Meghan in Sandringham 'the moment' they returned from a trip to Canada in January 2020, but he then received a message from a royal aide saying the trip was off.

Harry claimed he then rang the Queen from Frogmore Cottage and she said: 'Yes, there's something in my diary that I didn't know that I had.'

The prince said the exchange showed that even the Queen could be overruled by aides, who he accused of giving her 'very bad' advice.

Meanwhile, the prince reignited his war with the press, claiming that racism 'was a large part' of his and Meghan's decision to leave Britain.

He said he was told by an unidentified person at a charity event: 'You need to understand that the UK is very bigoted,' to which he replied: 'The UK is not bigoted, the UK press is bigoted, specifically the tabloids.'

He added: 'But unfortunately if the source of info is inherently corrupt or racist or biased then that filters out to the rest of society.'

Meghan also discussed her own family with Oprah for the first time, claiming that she 'didn't have a relationship' with her sister, Samantha, and that she only changed her surname back to Markle when she started dating Harry.

She said she 'found it hard to reconcile' with her father, Thomas Markle, who will be appearing on Good Morning Britain tomorrow morning, Piers Morgan announced earlier today.
Opinion

WINNIPEGGERS are growing increasingly alarmed over the increased number of people experiencing homelessness in our city.

The key to understanding why Winnipeg continues to struggle is highlighted by the unproductive kicking of the can between Mayor Brian Bowman and Premier Brian Pallister. The mayor feels cost pressures of trying to keep up with growing demand for emergency services and the premier, thinking addressing homelessness will cost money, says he doesnt want to "take the bait" of even discussing the "municipal" matter with the mayor.

But how do these statements jive with the evidence? The results from the At Home/Chez Soi study, the largest research effort of any kind in Canada, confirms that financial savings of providing supportive housing across multiple agencies can be twice what is needed to provide the housing in the first place.

Specifically, the data from six major Canadian cities show a large portion of the homeless population is in constant contact with emergency services. For example, a cohort of 100 would see the various emergency service providers cumulatively more than 10,000 times a year.

Typically, a call to 911 about someone struggling in the cold or sleeping in a bus shelter summons a police car and a fire truck. An ambulance ride is then initiated to take the individual to an emergency room and an eventual stay in a psychiatric bed. Often, people are charged with offences such as disorderly conduct, which triggers Legal Aid, court appearances and jail time. It would be difficult to imagine a more expensive, less effective response. This prompts the question: if providing people with actual help saves money, then why are our political leaders arguing over who is going to pay? Shouldnt they be arguing about who gets to keep whats saved?

Going forward, what is needed is a new way of moving money that shifts these emergency systems away from expensively managing problems and toward affordably solving them. Governments need a new tool that will create markets for solutions. Governments are good at buying goods and services; they can choose to buy reduced workload from non-profits.

Non-profit supportive housing agencies can be paid by emergency-service providers based on the value of not having to deploy the resources in the first place. A key difference is instead of funding, non-profits should be paid the actual value of lowering workloads on an outcomes basis. This allows the true value of non-profit work to be realized and will lead to meaningful impact.

When comparing the costs of responding to crises to the costs of avoiding them, emergency-service providers will quickly see the financial benefits of paying non-profits to lower their workloads. This is what value for money looks like.

The premier should well know that 75 per cent of the benefits of reducing homelessness are going to be felt in provincial systems, including courts, jails and in visits to emergency rooms. The mayor can finally address the relentless growth in the percentage of city spending  now 46 per cent  that goes to support overburdened emergency services at the expense of libraries, road renewal and recreation. This approach will also free up the Winnipeg Police Service to focus on crime.

What is clear is that both the premier and mayor are stuck in old thinking that has resulted in bloated government and continued exclusion and suffering of our fellow citizens. They would benefit by embracing the benefits that the non-profit sector has to offer.

Neither the premier nor the mayor wants homelessness. No one does. They both agree their respective systems are struggling under the weight of managing the problem rather than solving it. The good news is that with new thinking, theres a clear financial and humanitarian benefit in working together, by procuring outcomes that can be delivered by Winnipegs trusted and experienced non-profit sector.

Im hopeful they can see the value in solving problems rather than just managing them.

Shaun Loney is a social entrepreneur and the author of The Beautiful Bailout.
A Georgia man died in a single-vehicle crash Friday in DeKalb County.

Mark L. Wilson, 59, was fatally injured when the 2020 Ford Ranger in which he was a passenger left the roadway, struck a culvert and overturned, said Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

He was pronounced dead at the scene on Alabama 117 near East River Road, about two miles south of Mentone.

The driver, George William Hurt, 67, also of Georgia, and another male passenger were injured and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, Bailey said.

The crash remains under investigation.
With the help of the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT), astronomers have discovered and studied in detail the most distant source of radio emission known to date. The source is a "radio-loud" quasar -- a bright object with powerful jets emitting at radio wavelengths -- that is so far away its light has taken 13 billion years to reach us. The discovery could provide important clues to help astronomers understand the early Universe.

Quasars are very bright objects that lie at the centre of some galaxies and are powered by supermassive black holes. As the black hole consumes the surrounding gas, energy is released, allowing astronomers to spot them even when they are very far away.

The newly discovered quasar, nicknamed P172+18, is so distant that light from it has travelled for about 13 billion years to reach us: we see it as it was when the Universe was just around 780 million years old. While more distant quasars have been discovered, this is the first time astronomers have been able to identify the telltale signatures of radio jets in a quasar this early on in the history of the Universe. Only about 10% of quasars -- which astronomers classify as "radio-loud" -- have jets, which shine brightly at radio frequencies [1].

P172+18 is powered by a black hole about 300 million times more massive than our Sun that is consuming gas at a stunning rate. "The black hole is eating up matter very rapidly, growing in mass at one of the highest rates ever observed," explains astronomer Chiara Mazzucchelli, Fellow at ESO in Chile, who led the discovery together with Eduardo Banados of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Germany.

The astronomers think that there's a link between the rapid growth of supermassive black holes and the powerful radio jets spotted in quasars like P172+18. The jets are thought to be capable of disturbing the gas around the black hole, increasing the rate at which gas falls in. Therefore, studying radio-loud quasars can provide important insights into how black holes in the early Universe grew to their supermassive sizes so quickly after the Big Bang.

"I find it very exciting to discover 'new' black holes for the first time, and to provide one more building block to understand the primordial Universe, where we come from, and ultimately ourselves," says Mazzucchelli.

P172+18 was first recognised as a far-away quasar, after having been previously identified as a radio source, at the Magellan Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile by Banados and Mazzucchelli. "As soon as we got the data, we inspected it by eye, and we knew immediately that we had discovered the most distant radio-loud quasar known so far," says Banados.

However, owing to a short observation time, the team did not have enough data to study the object in detail. A flurry of observations with other telescopes followed, including with the X-shooter instrument on ESO's VLT, which allowed them to dig deeper into the characteristics of this quasar, including determining key properties such as the mass of the black hole and how fast it's eating up matter from its surroundings. Other telescopes that contributed to the study include the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's Very Large Array and the Keck Telescope in the US.

While the team are excited about their discovery, to appear in The Astrophysical Journal, they believe this radio-loud quasar could be the first of many to be found, perhaps at even larger cosmological distances. "This discovery makes me optimistic and I believe -- and hope -- that the distance record will be broken soon," says Banados.

Observations with facilities such as ALMA, in which ESO is a partner, and with ESO's upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) could help uncover and study more of these early-Universe objects in detail.

###

Notes

[1] Radio waves that are used in astronomy have frequencies between about 300 MHz and 300 GHz.

More information

This research is presented in the paper "The discovery of a highly accreting, radio-loud quasar at z=6.82" to appear in The Astrophysical Journal.

The team is composed of Eduardo Banados (Max-Planck-Institut fur Astronomie [MPIA], Germany, and The Observatories of the Carnegie Institution for Science, USA), Chiara Mazzucchelli (European Southern Observatory, Chile), Emmanuel Momjian (National Radio Astronomy Observatory [NRAO], USA), Anna-Christina Eilers (MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research, USA), Feige Wang (Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, USA), Jan-Torge Schindler (MPIA), Thomas Connor (Jet Propulsion Laboratory [JPL], California Institute of Technology, USA), Irham Taufik Andika (MPIA and International Max Planck Research School for Astronomy & Cosmic Physics at the University of Heidelberg, Germany), Aaron J. Barth (Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, USA), Chris Carilli (NRAO and Astrophysics Group, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK), Frederick Davies (MPIA), Roberto Decarli (INAF Bologna -- Osservatorio di Astrofisica e Scienza dello Spazio, Italy), Xiaohui Fan (Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, USA), Emanuele Paolo Farina (Max-Planck-Institut fur Astrophysik, Germany), Joseph F. Hennawi (Department of Physics, Broida Hall, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA), Antonio Pensabene (Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Alma Mater Studiorum, Universita di Bologna, Italy and INAF Bologna), Daniel Stern (JPL), Bram P. Venemans (MPIA), Lukas Wenzl (Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, USA and MPIA) and Jinyi Yang (Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, USA).

ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It has 16 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile and with Australia as a Strategic Partner. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope and its world-leading Very Large Telescope Interferometer as well as two survey telescopes, VISTA working in the infrared and the visible-light VLT Survey Telescope. Also at Paranal ESO will host and operate the Cherenkov Telescope Array South, the world's largest and most sensitive gamma-ray observatory. ESO is also a major partner in two facilities on Chajnantor, APEX and ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky".

Links

* Research paper - https:/ / www. eso. org/ public/ archives/ releases/ sciencepapers/ eso2103/ eso2103a. pdf

* Photos of the VLT - http://www. eso. org/ public/ images/ archive/ category/ paranal/

* More information about the ELT - https:/ / elt. eso. org/

* For scientists: got a story? Pitch your research - https:/ / www. eso. org/ sci/ publications/ announcements/ sciann17369. html

Contacts

Chiara Mazzucchelli

European Southern Observatory

Vitacura, Chile

Email: Chiara.Mazzucchelli@eso.org

Eduardo Banados

Max-Planck-Institut fur Astronomie

Heidelberg, Germany

Email: banados@mpia.de

Barbara Ferreira

ESO Public Information Officer

Garching bei Munchen, Germany

Cell: +49 151 241 664 00

Email: press@eso.org
When the coronavirus pandemic hit and restaurant owners faced difficult decisions, the Richards family that owns Picos, a Mexican restaurant in Houston, quickly adapted to continue sharing their Latin cuisine - from selling to-go margarita kits to stationing a mariachi band at curbside pickup.

This week, after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, said Tuesday that he would rescind the statewide mask mandate while the vast majority of residents remain unvaccinated, the tough choice to enforce public health guidance fell to business owners, and Picos announced it would continue requiring masks. But, after such a challenging year, the reaction to their decision was disheartening, co-owner Monica Richards said: Several people sent hateful messages through social media and called the restaurant, threatening to report staff to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"It was just horrific," Richards said. "People don't understand unless you're in our business what it felt like, how hard it was to go through everything we went through during covid. For people to be negative toward us for trying to remain safe, so that this doesn't continue to happen, just makes zero sense to us."

Abbott's decision to lift the mandate will make Texas the largest state to not require masks, which has not come easily for many businesses that are navigating enforcement mask rules to protect employees and customers while facing backlash. Masks, which health experts say are among the most effective ways to curb the spread of the coronavirus, have become a partisan symbol, with one conservative group planning a mask burning party for March 10, the day the order is lifted.

When the mandate is rescinded, Texas restaurant owners say, the businesses are more likely to continue requiring staff to wear masks, but they are split on making the same demands of customers, according to the Texas Restaurant Association, which informally surveyed its members this week. The association's updated guidance recommends restaurants mandate employees wear masks and encourages guests to do the same, spokeswoman Anna Tauzin said.

If a restaurant requires masks, it is unfair to argue the choice infringes on business, Tauzin said.

"This is a decision business owners are making, and it's right for them," Tauzin said. "For a group that touts personal responsibility is something key to good stewardship of your business, it seems strange that they might criticize or throw insults at people who are trying to do just that. It's alarming."

There have not been many instances reported to the association of harmful fallout for businesses that are continuing to require masks since Abbott's announcement, as Picos faced. Yet, restaurants have endured a share of violence and harassment this year as other businesses have remained closed.

Another Houston Mexican restaurant, Cantina Barba, received similar intimidating messages, and staff have been bullied by some screaming customers who refused to wear masks while it was required statewide, co-owner Steven O'Sullivan said.

"This has been ongoing through covid," O'Sullivan said. "We've had threats of calling ICE. I had one guy just stand there and berate one of my bartenders and tell her 'you're an absolute idiot, you don't know what you're doing. If you think these masks are going to save your life, you're stupid' blah, blah, blah. Nobody wants to deal with that stuff."

One employee of Grand Prize Bar in December had to get stitches after he was hit in the head with a glass by a maskless customer he approached, Houston Police said.

Reacting to the potential violence that could ensue from confusion or disagreements over mask rules, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo reminded residents this week that businesses have the right to implement their own mandates. Acevedo also encouraged "common decency," saying in a video that wearing a mask can save lives.

"Forget what the governor says, forget what the law says. What does our own humanity call upon us to do?" he said on MSNBC. "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 expressed faith that most Texans will continue to wear masks once the mandate is lifted - a hope shared by Richards. After the threats to her restaurant staff were reported by the Houston Chronicle, she said, a wave of support followed, as people thanked her and her family for keeping people safe. Many customers who reached out told Richards that they favored masks, she said.

"That other side has been wonderful," she said. "We had a wonderful day yesterday. Our staff was thrilled and thankful."

But Richards, whose family has served Mexican food in Houston for over three decades, says she has also seen a less predictable - and in this case, a hateful - side of people in the pandemic that she had not before.

"Being Hispanic, and going through that immigration process, and finally receiving your papers, and then for somebody to start threatening you after you've been through all that, that's crazy," she said. "It's just heartbreaking."
Aarti Drugs share rose nearly 8% today after the company's subsidiary received approval under Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the pharmaceutical sector. The pharma stock opened with a gain of 6.11% at Rs 706.35 today. The mid cap stock touched an intraday high of Rs 717.85 rising 7.83% against previous close of Rs 665.70 on BSE.

The share trades higher than 5 day, 20 day, 50 day and 200 day moving averages but lower than 100 day moving averages. In a year, the share has gained 314% but fallen 1.84% ince the beginning of this year. Market cap of the firm rose to Rs 6,434 crore on BSE. At 2:39 pm, the stock was trading 3.64% higher at Rs 689.80.

"Aarti Speciality Chemicals (ASCL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aarti Drugs, stands out to be one of the beneficiaries of the Government of India's recently approved Production Linked Incentive (PLI) for the pharmaceutical sector," the company said.

Aarti Speciality Chemicals received approval for 2-Methyl-5Nitro-Imidazole (2-MNI) with a committed production capacity of 4,000 MT per annum under target segment III (Key Chemical Synthesis Based KSMs/Drug Intermediates). The rate incentive will be 10 percent of sales value per annum for a period of 6 years - FY23 to FY28.

Cabinet approves PLI scheme for pharmaceuticals, to bring Rs 15,000 cr investment

In February this year, government approved production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for pharmaceutical sector for financial year 2020-21 to 2028-29 to increase investment and production in diversified product categories. The scheme is expected to bring in investment of Rs 15,000 crore in the sector.

The scheme is expected to promote production of high-value products in the country and increase the value addition in exports. Total incremental sales of Rs 2,94,000 crore and total incremental exports of Rs 1,96,000 crore are estimated during six years from 2022-23 to 2027-28, the government said in a release.

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1. Roads. The citys roads are a mess. Significant resources are needed to fix them.

2. Public safety. The crime rate is too high. Police pay and resources come first.

3. More city programs. The city must invest more in city programs and services.

4. Comprehensive plan. The city needs to focus on rebuilding and rebranding.

5. Cut city spending. City officials must get serious about trimming the budget.

Vote

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Monday, March 8, 2021

Dear Readers,

Today is International Womens Day.

Its the perfect day to reflect on the progress women have made in the world, and to also reflect on what remains to be done.

The ability to read and write is something most of us take for granted. But it is a skill that is out of reach for millions of people, especially women and girls.

Just as we can eradicate diseases through vaccines and proper hygiene, we can eradicate illiteracy rapidly in the world- through focused and concerted action.

Literacy is a social vaccine that confers many benefits including: participation in the workforce; reduction of marginalization and associated psychological distress; reduction of risk of human trafficking; and improvement in the health of individuals and nations. It is also a proven pathway out of poverty.

Unfortunately, education is not viewed as urgent when it comes to various health and social agendas. Its just not sexy. Thus it is not aggressively pursued in the same way politicians and other decision makers pursue the development of vaccines against infectious diseases.

However, education is crucial for good health and is one of the foundations for a strong society. Literacy falls under the rubric of social determinants of health, i.e. non-medical factors that have a significant impact on health and which can account for anywhere from 30-50% of health outcomes.

Womens literacy is associated with reduced risk of violence in the family, reduced risk of trafficking and increased participation in civic and community activities.

When people, especially women and girls can read and write, individual lives are transformed. Families are transformed. And ultimately nations and our entire planet are transformed  for the better.

Some years ago, I was interviewed at Northwestern University in Chicago, following a talk, on how to eradicate female illiteracy, that I gave at a global health conference there. Heres the link if you would like to read a bit more about this topic.

Those of us who can read and write are among the lucky and privileged.

Please consider joining me in making this basic human right accessible to all. In so doing, you will contribute toward: reducing dire poverty; ending the global epidemic of violence which affects one in every three women around the world; and reducing the risk of human trafficking which is occurring at sickeningly high numbers.

Ive already developed a road map for eradicating female illiteracy in this world. I developed it during a fellowship at Stanford University and its been peer-reviewed by experts. Additionally, with help from a few students at Stanford, I developed and piloted an awareness and fundraising event that is ready for scaling across colleges and universities around the world.

What I lack are people to help me get the word out and mobilize support so we can rapidly eradicate female illiteracy, and through that, improve lives. Even just a few minutes of your time will make a difference  when you lend your voice to collective action.

If you have not already signed up for the mailing list, please do so. This way we can keep in touch and you can stay updated about next the steps.

I would also be grateful if you might consider inviting your friends to sign up and keep informed about this and other Prescriptions for Hope.

Together, we can eradicate female illiteracy.

I look forward to hearing from you, and look forward to the day when we will create a world where everyone, including women and girls everywhere will be able to read and write.

Sincerely,

Dr. S.D. Shanti

Pity the linguistic summersaults required of a debutant postman finding his feet in the baronies of Magunihy and Truhanacmy. In a corner of the Kingdom where an address can vault vowels into an alphabetical foxtrot, imagine the mental dexterity required for correct mail delivery on the byways and boreens of Tooreennahone, Tooreennascarty, Tooreennasliggaun and Tooreennastooka.

A few miles in any direction across those Kerry hills and said postie will need keen eyes to distinguish Rossacroobeg from Rossacroonaloo, not to mention the differing geographic joys between Mweennalaa, Cappyantanvally and Lisheennashingane. One can only guess how many times slow-witted mailmen must endure the exasperation of irate locals: For the umpteenth time, Sean, this is Cummeennabuddoge, sure tis Cummeenduvasig you want!

Of course its not just in Kerry such magnificently jaw-stretching combinations occur  every county has a multitude of its tongue-twisting appellations. To say that Irelands native placenames have a semantic beauty is surely an understatement, and one especially true when city dwellers depart their familiar urban highways on jaunts to the valleys and hills of the heartland.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry gushed about their new life in Los Angeles as they shared candid footage of son Archie playing on a beach and showed off the hens they rescued from a factory farm during their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Meghan told the talk show host how their move to California was 'greater than any fairytale you've ever read' after revealing she had been left feeling suicidal while living as a senior royal in the UK.

She claimed she and Harry want to 'live authentically' and get back 'down to basics' as they offered a glimpse into their life in their $14.5million mansion by showing Oprah around Archie's chicken coop.

The couple's son, who turns two in May, made a cameo appearance at the end of the tell-all interview as they told the chat show host he loves their LA lifestyle and is always 'chatting', with his latest words being 'hydrate' and 'drive safe'.

This came as the couple, who announced in the show they are expecting a girl in the summer, accused the Royal Family of raising 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be before he was born and said the boy was denied 24/7 security and the title of being a prince by Buckingham Palace.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry shared candid footage of Archie playing on a beach during their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey

The couple showed off the hens they rescued from a factory farm as the duchess said the couple want to 'live authentically' and get back 'down to basics' at their $14.5 million mansion

Meghan told Oprah the couple are embracing a more 'authentic' life since they quit the Royal Family as senior working royals last year.

'I think just being able to live authentically [has been the most important thing],' said Meghan.

'This kind of stuff is so basic, but it's really fulfilling and about getting back to basics.'

This 'back to basics' lifestyle comes after they set up home in their sprawling nine-bedroom and 16-bathroom $14.65 million mansion in upscale Montecito back in July, where their neighbors include Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres and Ariana Grande.

Meghan and Harry took the talk show host around the grounds of their lavish home and introduced her to their rescued birds which live in Archie's chicken coop.

A plaque on the side of the hut reads 'Archie's Chick Inn. Established 2021'.

In the footage, the trio are dressed down with Harry sporting a pair of wellies and jeans and T-shirt as he fed one of the rescue birds.

Meanwhile, Oprah and Meghan, who were both dressed casually in jeans, appeared to be deep in conversation.

In a separate clip, they are seen enjoying some time on the beach with Archie running along the sand in the direction of the camera followed closely behind by his mother.

The little boy then runs between the legs of his father who is filming the outing in black and white footage.

Meghan revealed their son has already developed an impressive vocabulary and is 'on a roll' learning new words, with his latest favorite phrases being to tell people to 'drive safe' when they leave home and to stay 'hydrated'.

A plaque on the side of the hut reads 'Archie's Chick In. Established 2021'

'In the past couple weeks, it has been 'Hydrate', which is just hysterical,' she said of his new favorite word.

Harry added that his son tells everyone to 'drive safe' whenever they leave the house, to which Meghan proudly added: 'Drive safe. He's not even two yet!'

Harry described the last year as 'crazy' as he spoke of his favorite times being able to spend time with his son and go on bike rides with him - something he said he was 'never able to do' when he was young.

'This year has been crazy for everybody, but to have outdoor space where I can go for walks with Archie, and we can go for walks as a family and with the dogs, and we can go on hikes,' he said.

'We'll go down to the beach, which is so close - all of these things are just - I guess, the highlight for me is sticking him on the back of the bicycle in his little baby seat and take him on these bike rides, which is something I was never able to do when I was young.

'I can see him on the back, and he's got his arms out. And he's like 'whoo,' chatting, chatting, chatting, going, 'palm tree, house,' and all this sort of stuff.'

Viewers reacted on social media to the moment the couple took Oprah on a tour of their chicken coop with some saying they were 'obsessed' with the revelation.

'I LOVE the fact that Meghan and Harry's chicken hut is called 'Archie's Chick Inn',' one person tweeted.

'Obsessed with the fact that Meghan and Harry own chickens that they rescued from a factory,' added another.

One person shared a picture of SpongeBob SquarePants smiling with the comment: 'Meghan and Harry's chickens have a tiny picnic table in their coop!'

Others cited Harry's absence from the interview so far - but for his outing to the chicken coop.

The clip showed the couple taking the talk show host around the grounds of their lavish home in Montecito and introducing her to their rescued birds which live in their son Archie's chicken coop. Pictured the interview

'So far, all Harry's done in this interview is feed a chicken,' they tweeted.

'I love that Oprah and Meghan are having this deep discussion in Meghan's chicken coop and Harry is in the background clucking like a chicken. I love them,' added another.

Later in the show, the three are seen again standing in the coop as Meghan likened herself to the Disney character The Little Mermaid since meeting her real-life prince.

In the fairytale, mermaid Ariel meets a human prince and falls in love but, in order to be with him on land, she makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula to give up her life in the sea and her voice in exchange for three days as a human.

In the end, the sea witch is defeated, Ariel gets her voice back and is changed into a human permanently so she can live happily ever after with her prince.

'I was sitting in Nottingham cottage and The Little Mermaid came on,' Meghan said.

'And who as an adult really watches The Little Mermaid but it came on and I was like, 'Well I'm here all the time I might as well watch this.'

'And I went, 'Oh my God she falls in love with the prince and because of that she loses her voice.'

'But in the end she gets her voice back,' Meghan said smiling as she continued her Disney princess analogy.

Oprah said: 'And this is what happened here. You feel like you got your voice back', to which Meghan replied: 'Yeah.'

'[Their story has been] greater than any fairytale you've ever read,' she later said.

Meghan likened herself to the Disney character The Little Mermaid since meeting her real-life prince. 'Oh my God she falls in love with the prince and because of that she loses her voice... But in the end she gets her voice back,' Meghan said

While much of the interview honed in on the couple's criticism of life in the UK and 'The Firm', they told new neighbor Oprah how they are now 'thriving' and have found their 'happy ending' since upping sticks and moving to LA.

In the bombshell two-hour special Meghan revealed she was suicidal when she was pregnant and had told Harry: 'I don't want to be alive anymore'.

Meanwhile Harry revealed he didn't realize he was 'trapped' in his Royal life until he met Meghan and how he has 'compassion' for his other family members are still 'trapped'.

'I was trapped but I didn't know I was trapped,' he said.

'I myself was trapped as well. I didn't see a way out. I was trapped but I didn't know I was trapped,' he said.

'Trapped within the system, like the rest of my family are. My father and my brother, they are trapped. They don't get to leave, and I have huge compassion for that.'

Other shock claims about their old life included allegations that Prince Charles stopped taking Harry's calls after they decided to quit the Royal Family and that an unnamed Royal was 'worried' about how 'dark' their son Archie's skin would be when he was born.

'Now, because we're actually on the other side, we've actually not just survived but are thriving,' Meghan said.

'I mean, this is miracles. I think that all of those things that I was hoping for have happened, and this is in some ways just the beginning for us.

'You know, we've been through a lot. It's felt like a lifetime. A lifetime.'

Oprah asked: 'So, your story with the prince does have a happy ending.

Meghan replied: 'It does.'

Oprah added: 'It has a happy ending because you made it so.'

Meghan replied: 'Yeah, greater than any fairy tale you've ever read.'

Viewers reacted on social media to the moment with some saying they were 'obsessed' with the revelation

In the bombshell interview, Meghan accused the Royal Family of having 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be because she is mixed-race and Harry is white.

The Duchess of Sussex also described her 'pain' that officials had denied him the title of prince and accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect their son Archie by denying him 24/7 security.

Meghan refused to say which royal had the conversation with Harry about Archie's skin colour, claiming it would be 'damaging' to the person in her husband's family who raised it.

And in an extraordinary moment, Meghan was on the verge of tears as she recounted having suicidal thoughts back in the UK where she felt: 'I don't want to be alive anymore'.

In the most extraordinary royal interview in decades, Meghan also revealed in her Oprah interview that the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry before she married Harry - but insists she has forgiven Kate who bought her flowers to apologise.

The interview aired first in the US on Sunday night despite protests it should be put on hold while Prince Philip - Harry's grandfather - recovers in hospital from heart surgery.

The same week, Buckingham Palace launched a probe into allegations Meghan bullied Kensington Palace staff, drove out two PAs and inflicted 'emotional cruelty' on aides.

The main bombshells from the Oprah interview - Meghan's mental health The Duchess of Sussex revealed she had suicidal thoughts and said: 'I just didn't want to be alive any more.' She said she begged for help, and asked to go somewhere to get help, and approached one of the most senior people in the institution, but was told it would not look good. The duchess said: 'I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that I've never felt this way before and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution.' - Baby Sussex is a girl Harry and Meghan revealed they are expecting a baby girl. The duke joined his wife in the second half of the interview, and told the chat show host: 'It's a girl.' He said his first thought was 'amazing' when he discovered they were having a girl, adding: 'Just grateful. To have any child, any one or any two, would have been amazing. 'But to have a boy and then a girl, I mean what more can you ask for? Now we've got our family, we got the four of us and our two dogs.' Asked if they were 'done' with two children, Harry said 'done' and Meghan said: 'Two is it.' She also confirmed the baby is due in the 'summertime'. - Royal family accused of racism Meghan said, when she was pregnant with Archie, an unnamed member of the royal family raised 'concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born'. Asked whether there were concerns that her child would be 'too brown' and that would be a problem, Meghan said: 'If that is the assumption you are making, that is a pretty safe one.' Pushed by Winfrey on who had those conversations, Meghan refused to say, adding: 'I think that would be very damaging to them.' She added: 'That was relayed to me from Harry, those were conversations the family had with him, and I think it was really hard to be able to see those as compartmentalised conversations.' - Archie's title Meghan suggested she and Harry wanted Archie to be a prince so he would have security and be protected. The duchess expressed her shock at 'the idea of our son not being safe', and the idea of the first member of colour in this family, not being titled in the same way as other grandchildren. Archie, who is seventh in line to the throne, is not entitled to be an HRH or a prince due to rules set out more than 100 years ago by King George V. He will be entitled to be an HRH or a prince when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne. As the first born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton - one of Harry's subsidiary titles - or have been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, instead at the time of his birth, a royal source said Harry and Meghan had decided he should a regular Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. - The Prince of Wales The Duke of Sussex said his father the Prince of Wales stopped taking his calls while Harry and Meghan were in Canada 'because I took matters into my own hands. I needed to do this for my family'. He said Charles wanted him to put his plans in writing. - The Queen Harry denied that he had 'blindsided' his grandmother Queen with the bombshell statement about stepping down as senior royal. The duke said he believed the report probably could have come from 'within the institution'. - The Duchess of Cambridge Meghan said Kate made her cry ahead of her wedding. Reports circulated ahead of the Sussexes' nuptials that Meghan left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress fitting. But Meghan told Winfrey the 'reverse happened'. Meghan said she was not sharing the information to be 'disparaging', but added it was 'really important for people to understand the truth'. 'She's a good person,' the duchess added. Advertisement
New Delhi, March 8 : Scores of women farmers at the Ghazipur border have got the 'protest' slogan painted on their palms with mehendi, as a mark of protest against the Centre's three agri laws, on the occasion of International Women's Day.

Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at the Ghazipur border of Delhi for over 100 days, demanding withdrawal of the farm laws and a legal guarantee on the minimum support price for their crops.

On Monday, women farmers took the centre stage at the protest site, as they managed the stage, arranged food and security and shared tales of their struggles on the occasion. However, 17 of them sat on a hunger strike.

Harshman Kaur, one of the woman farmers sharing the stage, said: "While some women harvesters are present on the stage, there are others who are on a hunger strike. We have sported mehendi on our hands with the 'protest' slogan. We have given a new dimension to the movement." "The participation of women has increased significantly with the arrival of scores of women."
In late February 2020, it was a joy to discover that we were expecting our first baby. However, almost simultaneously, the world seemed to change.

The initially distant threat of Covid started to become a reality. At a time when no-one really knew what to expect, it was worrying to be expecting.

In the early stages of pregnancy we were naturally very careful. My husband Chris would go shopping in the mornings and practically decontaminated everything the moment he got home. Shopping was a challenge. One day he returned with 24 toilet rolls  it felt like he had just brought home a gazelle from the savannah.

The first few weeks went by quickly. Luckily, restrictions in Sydney were not too harsh and Chris could come to doctor appointments and scans. It was incredible to see images of our baby and hear its heartbeat. I was grateful to have him there with me.

Initially, we thought we would fly back to have the baby at home in Ireland. However, quite early on our doctor told us it wouldnt be advisable. It was a shock, but we came round to the idea of having the baby here in Sydney. It was made easier when we learnt that the midwife looking after us throughout the pregnancy was Irish too.

Weeks turned into months and we were all adapting to the new normal of working from home. This was ideal.

I didnt have to worry about public transport or racing between buildings in heels when I was tired or nauseous. We are lucky to live by the beach and every day we would walk the promenade and talk about what was to come.

We were so excited to tell our parents and friends, but it was bittersweet. We would have loved to be at home to share such happy news.

We wanted to surprise them so I bought a t-shirt with Due in October printed on the front for our FaceTime calls. It was early in their morning and my mum was half asleep.

I held the phone down and asked what they thought of my new t-shirt. After a quick scramble for glasses they saw it and were overjoyed.

Its a lovely memory. We found out other friends at home were expecting too, It was special to have that connection even though we were far apart.

Nine months flew by.

My due date came and I was all ready for the imminent arrival, but our baby had other ideas. A week went past and still no sign. I tried every natural remedy in the book  dates, raspberry leaf tea, acupuncture and constant walking, but still nothing.

Friends and family messaged daily, hoping for news. Nearly two weeks after my due date, just before an induction was scheduled, things started happening.

It might have been fate because, when we got to the hospital, we were told that our main midwife was from Kerry, just like my dad. She was lovely and talking to her throughout the day made it feel like we could have been at home. After a long labour, our amazing boy Finn arrived.

We called our parents and they were ecstatic. Even though we werent together, it felt like they were part of it all.

The first few days were a blur. We were inundated with messages and gifts and couldnt quite believe we actually had a baby. We were overwhelmed with joy one minute and fear the next, all in a sleep-deprived haze.

Chris was incredible. He became a swaddling pro and developed a real talent for rocking and singing Finn to sleep. I loved those first few days, especially in the quiet of the night. I would just look at my son looking back at me, knowing I would do anything for him.

At home, there were lots of socially-distanced celebrations in Finns honour. They had fireworks, champagne and even a personalised banner.

Within the first few weeks, his great-grandmother had his picture on her mantelpiece. We would have loved to share in the celebrations but every call and message made us feel closer to home.

Finn is four-months-old now. He smiles, laughs and brings us joy every day. We call our families weekly and send them endless amounts of photos and videos. We expected to be home by now, but with flight restrictions in Australia and Irish lockdown, we decided to delay it.

I have different types of support here. I joined a mothers group with girls who all had babies around the same time as me.

Most of these mums come from across Australia and the UK. They dont have family here either, so we navigate things together. We regularly meet up for playgroup and baby sensory classes, or even just for a walk or coffee. My friends at home keep me company when Im feeding in the middle of the night.

Then theres Chris. I have loved seeing him become a dad. He does so much for us and Finn lights up when he sees him.

We are so grateful that Finn is thriving. We know Australia is the right place for us to be now, but were counting down the days until we can go home and finally introduce him to everyone.

Seeing him in their arms for the first time is going to be incredible and we cant wait.
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When a young woman realised Jarryd Hayne had left a taxi outside her home she said there was no way she was having sex with him, a jury has heard.

But despite the then 26-year-old's protests of 'no' and 'stop', the former NRL star proceeded in a pushy, rough, and forceful way to remove her jeans and sexually assault her, crown prosecutor Brian Costello said in his opening address to the NSW District Court on Monday.

Jarryd Hayne, 33, is facing a retrial and has pleaded not guilty to two charges of aggravated sexual assault inflicting actual bodily harm.

NRL star Jarryd Hayne is facing a retrial for allegedly assaulting a woman in her Newcastle home in 2018

Hayne had been celebrating a bucks weekend in Newcastle when he arranged to meet-up for the first time with his alleged victim shortly after 9pm on September 30, 2018.

The pair had been communicating over social media apps after she first texted him 'you're absolutely gorgeous', via Instagram about a year prior.

He paid a taxi driver $550 to drive him back to Sydney, but asked for a small detour 'to pick up a bag' in the outskirts of Newcastle where the woman lived with her mother.

Inside the woman's room, he looked up an online Ed Sheeran version of Oasis's Wonderwall and began a singalong before she noticed the car waiting outside and became upset.

The 33-year-old was seen leaving the Downing Centre District Court on Monday with new wife Amellia Bonnici

The driver then knocked on the door of the home and while Hayne went outside the complainant told her mother 'there's no way I'm about to have sex with him'.

By this stage of the evening she had formed the view he was at her house for one thing and one thing only, and it became abundantly clear once he got what he came for he would not remain for any significant amount of time, Mr Costello said.

Back inside, Hayne walked to the living room where the mother was watching the NRL grand final and yelled: 'Go the Roosters', before returning to her daughter's bedroom and shutting the door.

Hayne began kissing her on the bed and she moved further away from him stating no, but he kept going and at one point grabbed her face, the Crown has submitted.

The victim, 26 at the time, claims the NRL player was 'pushy and rough' during the encounter

Not long after allegedly forcefully removing her clothes, Hayne and the woman noticed she was bleeding and she had a shower while he washed the blood from his hands.

A doctor who later examined her said she had suffered two clear lacerations to her vagina consistent with penetration of her genitalia.

Hayne left soon after and she sent a text message saying 'I'm hurting so much'.

'I know I've talked about sex and stuff so much but I didn't want to do that after knowing the taxi was waiting for you,' she wrote in a follow-up text.

His only reply was 'Go doctor tomorrow'.

Ms Bonnici has stood by her husbands side during the publicised sexual assault case, and accompanied Hayne during his NSW District Court trial in 2020 (pictured)

She soon messaged another friend saying he was 'really pushy and rough' and that he 'ended up getting his hand down there' and that she was 'scared and unsure'.

'I just feel like I let it happen to myself by not screaming at him,' she texted.

'That experience was not pleasurable for her at all,' Mr Costello said.

Hayne's defence lawyer Richard Pontello said the woman was living a fairytale and fantasised about being with the star for more than one night.

He said the resulting injury was not inflicted recklessly, was entirely accidental and Hayne had been apologetic.

Hayne does not deny the sexual activity occurred but thought his alleged victim was saying no to sexual intercourse but had willingly and voluntarily consented to other acts he performed on her, his defence has argued.

Hayne married his long-term partner Amellia Bonnici on Australia Day this year, to mark the five year anniversary since the pair met over Instagram back in 2016

Hayne married his long-term partner Amellia Bonnici on Australia Day this year, to mark the five year anniversary since the pair met over Instagram back in 2016.

Only a few months later, Bonnici fell pregnant, with the couple now sharing four-year-old daughter Beliviah Ivy.

Ms Bonnici, 29, was seen leaving the Downing Centre District Court in Sydney with her husband, holding his hand supportively.

She has stood stoically by her husband's side during the publicised sexual assault case, and accompanied Hayne during his NSW District Court trial in 2020.

The trial is estimated to last for two weeks before Judge Helen Syme.
New Delhi, March 8 : The Indian Medical Association on Monday condemned the latest narrative developing around the Covid-19 disease in the political sphere in which leaders are attributing the fallen trajectory of positive cases to a situation of an 'endemic'.

This is amid a state when resurgence of cases are witnessed in more than half a dozen states including Punjab, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi etc.

An infection is said to be endemic in a population when it is constantly maintained at a baseline level in a geographic area without external inputs.

The apex association of found painful to observe that political leaders are making unsubstantiated claims about the Covid-19 status which should have been reciprocated by nodal medical research agencies.

"It is painful to note the discussions on endemic vs pandemic status of Covid-19 are echoing in the political corridors. However, it ought to be substantiated by scientific evidence by the World Health Organisation (WHO) or ICMR only," the IMA said.

A day ago, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said coronavirus was nearing an "endemic" phase in the national capital.

However, Delhi, for over a week, has been witnessing a rise in daily new cases reported.

The association feels that unauthorised political statements will invoke a false sense of security among the public and would lead them let down their guard against the viral disease.

"Unauthorised political statements shall invoke false sense of security. The IMA feels as the world's countries are still reeling under the clutches of this disease, we need to deem it as pandemic only at this stage and work hard from all cylinders of preventive, curative and rehabilitative works," the association stated.

The IMA noted that for the last one week the infection has shown 35 to 40% increase in the number of cases from different parts of the country and even in the national capital, the daily average has risen up from 100 to 140 patients.

"It is not appropriate to call the current stage the end of pandemic or an endemic. The introduction of much efficacious and safe corona vaccine in our country, is a tool for us to face this challenging war with confidence.The invasion of muted virus from UK, South Africa and Brazil are still haunting us," said Dr JA Jayalal, president, IMA.

"Let us not boast or trumpet and indulge in prognosticating the course of this viral disease and lower our guard on preventive measures against this dreaded disease. The good gains of cohesive frontal services of upkeeping physical distance, hand and respiratory hygiene, masking and the timely supportive vaccination drive must not go in vain with this tussle of words," he said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
JACKSON, MI -- A Jackson community center is becoming the site of a weekly COVID-19 vaccination clinic.

The city of Jackson is partnering with Henry Ford Allegiance Health to host the clinic at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 1107 Adrian St., to help reach the citys Black population, city officials said.

Henry Ford Allegiance Health began administering COVID-19 vaccines at the center on March 4 and will continue to do so from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays for those eligible under latest state guidelines. Currently, anyone age 50 and older with pre-existing conditions is eligible for the shot, along with previously approved groups like those in certain essential occupations.

The hospital sought a location on the citys south side to address COVID-19 pandemic inequities, Director of Community Engagement Myeshia Jones said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified evidence that some minority groups are disproportionally affected by COVID-19, and social determinants of health, such as poverty and healthcare access, can change some peoples health outcomes.

Related: New Michigan vaccine data shows disparities along racial lines

The MLK Center is a trusted location in the community where we know Black and brown people feel comfortable and safe coming to, Jones said. Equity is at the center of our work and this shows that our health system cares about our entire community.

Residents who want to be vaccinated at the MLK Center should sign up through their health care provider, officials said. Henry Ford Allegiance Health patients should use the Henry Ford MyChart online platform. However, walk-ins at the MLK Center vaccination site are welcome, officials said.

Jackson resident Ricky Hurst got his COVID-19 vaccination at the first distribution event on March 4, and said he thought access to the vaccine at the community center would encourage others to get it.

I think some people might be afraid to get the shot, but the more we show African Americans like me getting it, I believe more people in the community will be at ease, Hurst said.

In Jackson County, 9,371 residents have contracted COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the Jackson County Health Department, and 217 residents have died.

MORE JACKSON NEWS:

12 months of coronavirus in Michigan: A look back by the numbers

Jackson County Courthouse reopens to public

Overtime costs bring public safety employees to the top of Jacksons payroll in 2020
PT Semen Padang announces export volumes

08 March 2021

Indonesias PT Semen Padang has announced its export volumes of cement and clinker in January and February 2021. The deliveries were made to the Maldives, Australia and Bangladesh.

"From early January to mid-February 2021, the Semen Indonesia Group, through PT Semen Padang, has exported 333,532,391t of cement and clinker," said Rahman Kurniawan, sales manager.

Cement and clinker exports have continued to increase, because shipments are still ongoing, he added.

The company exported around 15,000t of OPC 52.5 N to Australia and around 21,924,180t of OPC 42.5 N to the Maldives. Elsewhere, more than 296,608,211t of Type I clinker was exported to Bangladesh.

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[March 08, 2021] Xitoring Introduced Innovative Server Monitoring Platform for Those Who Are Tired of Traditional Ways of Server Monitoring

NEWARK, Del., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Xitoring, a software development company in Delaware, has created a new Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) that allows for a single command setup of server monitoring. Eliminating the tedious hours of setup, configuring alerts, and struggling with dashboards, Xitoring lets users set up server monitoring with a single command in their SSH. The system then sets up a dashboard, creates appropriate notifications, and provides natural language information, not simply data points that need to be interpreted. More information is available at www.xitoring.com. Xitoring is offering lifetime server monitoring, with its complete package, for free on up to five servers. No credit card is required. Interested users can log onto www.xitoring.com and register their servers, add a single command line to the SSH, and have world-class monitoring in minutes. "It seems like everything else in the world has gotten simpler,

except server monitoring," said Mohammad Oslani, CEO of Xitoring.

"Typically, you spend a lot of time configuring the service, setting

up notifications, and interpreting a bunch of raw data. Xitoring is a

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NEW HARTFORD, N.Y.  The New Hartford Central School District Board of Education is looking for input from the community in its search for a new superintendent, asking people to help define the district's strengths and areas for improvement.

The board is using an online tool called ThoughtExcange, where parents and staff can share feedback and rate comments by others using a star system. All thoughts and ratings are confidential.

New Hartford Superintendent Robert Nole announced his resignation last month, and will continue through the end of March. On April 1, Dave Langone will take over until a new superintendent is hired. Langone was the Whitesboro Central School District, retiring in 2016.

For more information on the participating in ThoughtExchange, and to access the forum, click here.

The board will provide updates during regular meetings.
A new study by the international network Women In Supramolecular Chemistry (WISC) has highlighted the equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) issues faced by women and marginalised groups working within that field.

The network has also set out a 'calling in' approach to address these issues.

The study, led by Dr Jennifer Leigh and Dr Jennifer Hiscock (both University of Kent) alongside WISC's wider team of international researchers, found that both men and women in the supramolecular community wanted to see more mentoring opportunities and more visibility for women and marginalised groups. There is a desire for more guidance during the transition from postdoctoral researcher to independent Principal Investigator, to ensure women can be retained and progress in supramolecular chemistry.

Furthermore, it was established that there is the need for a space to share concerns around career breaks, parenting, and the demands of balancing work with other aspects of life. Shared lived experiences documented in the survey showed differences in experiences between men and women taking career breaks or parental leave, with women reporting obstacles in progression and increased pressures upon return. The men surveyed did not note problems upon return.

WISC is following up on the study with a mentoring scheme to actively support the needs of the supramolecular chemistry community and will continue its approach to 'call in' colleagues to act together to address EDI issues. 'Calling in' is the gentler act of alerting peers to their behaviour with compassion and guidance, as opposed to 'calling out' which usually refers to publicly pointing out oppressive behaviour. A second survey exploring experiences through Covid-19 (open to the supramolecular community) is currently underway as ongoing research continues.

It is well documented that women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) academia are disproportionately affected by funding structures, academic culture, research environments and caring responsibilities, which has been further implicated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Culture and other factors such as disability, ethnicity and race, are also noted by the study team as marginalising barriers. WISC, which was formed in 2019 as an area specific international community, hopes to bring change to the EDI issues experienced in supramolecular chemistry through its network.

While the study was carried out specifically in the supramolecular chemistry community, the team hope that new EDI approaches could be adopted in other fields. Dr Leigh said: 'Our strategy of calling in and rigorous social science research is not field-specific. By sharing our approach and results, we hope that our work may act as a framework to those within other fields and disciplines who are keen to tackle EDI issues.'

Dr Hiscock said: 'WISC is only at the beginning of its work. When we launched the network, we were cautious of projecting our own experiences and assumptions onto others, therefore bringing a social science approach into our research ensured rigour, validity and ethics. 'Calling in' invites individuals to discuss something that might be uncomfortable in a safe environment without the fear of getting it wrong, and then pulls together the community as a whole to make positive changes. We look forward to continuing to bring change in the community.'

###

Their research paper 'An area specific, international community-led approach to understanding and addressing EDI issues within supramolecular chemistry' (Dr Jennifer S. Leigh, University of Kent; Dr Jennifer R. Hiscock, University of Kent; Dr Claudia Caltagirone, University of Cagliari; Dr Emily R. Draper, University of Glasgow; Professor Michaele J. Hardie, University of Leeds; Dr Cally J. E. Haynes, University College London; Professor Katrina A. Jolliffe, University of Sydney; Dr Marion Kieffer, University of Bristol; Dr Anna J. McConnell, Christian-Albrechts-Universitat zu Kiel, Germany) is published by Angewandte Chemie.

https:/ / www. onlinelibrary. wiley. com/ doi/ 10. 1002/ anie. 202015297

DOI: 10.1002/anie.202015297

About Women In Supramolecular Chemistry (WISC)

Women In Supramolecular Chemistry (WISC) is led by an international team of women from early-to-mid career levels, with an advisory board comprising diverse and senior researchers in the field. As a cohort we represent researchers from four continents, different ethnic backgrounds, and include members with disabilities/chronic illnesses/neurodivergencies.

WISC was formed when its founders (Jennifer Hiscock - University of Kent, Cally Haynes - University College London, Claudia Caltagirone - University of Cagliari and Anna McConnell - University of Kiel) realised that they needed more support and organised themselves to have bi-monthly online meetings to talk about their research, publications, grant proposals and to generally connect. They found support from senior women within supramolecular chemistry (Professors Kate Jolliffe - University of Sydney and Michaele Hardie - Leeds University), and quickly realised they had formed themselves into an informal mentoring cluster, with a group of peers. They all saw the value of this model and were encouraged by Jolliffe and Hardie to expand the idea and turn the network into something that could benefit the supramolecular community as a whole.

For further information or interview requests, please contact Sam Wood at the University of Kent Press Office.

Tel: 07713087981

Email: s.wood-700@kent.ac.uk

News releases can also be found at http://www. kent. ac. uk/ news

University of Kent on Twitter: http://twitter. com/ UniKent

Notes to Editors

The University of Kent is a leading UK university producing world-class research, rated internationally excellent and leading the way in many fields of study. Our 20,000 students are based at campuses and centres in Canterbury, Medway, Brussels and Paris.

With 97% of our research judged to be of international quality in the most recent Research Assessment Framework (REF2014), our students study with some of the most influential thinkers in the world. Universities UK recently named research from the University as one of the UK's 100 Best Breakthroughs of the last century for its significant impact on people's everyday lives.

We are renowned for our inspirational teaching. Awarded a gold rating, the highest, in the UK Government's Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), we were presented with the Outstanding Support for Students award at the 2018 Times Higher Education (THE) Awards for the second year running.

Our graduates are equipped for a successful future allowing them to compete effectively in the global job market. More than 95% of graduates find a job or study opportunity within six months.

The University is a truly international community with over 40% of our academics coming from outside the UK and our students representing over 150 nationalities.

We are a major economic force in south east England, supporting innovation and enterprise. We are worth 0.9 billion to the economy of the south east and support more than 9,400 jobs in the region.

In March 2018, the Government and Health Education England (HEE) announced that the joint bid by the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University for funded places to establish a medical school has been successful. The first intake of undergraduates to the Kent and Medway Medical School will be in September 2020.

We are proud to be part of Canterbury, Medway and the county of Kent and, through collaboration with partners, work to ensure our global ambitions have a positive impact on the region's academic, cultural, social and economic landscape.
[March 08, 2021] Arctic Canadian Diamond Company Ltd. Announces New Ownership, Interim President, and Appointment of Advisor on Aboriginal and Northern Affairs

Arctic Canadian Diamond Company Ltd. ("Arctic" or the "Company") completed the sale of the Ekati Mine and associated assets from Dominion Diamond Mines to Arctic, a company formed and owned by funds and accounts managed by DDJ Capital Management, Brigade Capital Management, LP and Western Asset Management Company, LLC., effective February 4, 2021. Arctic has acquired substantially all of Dominion's assets, excluding Dominion's interest in the joint venture agreement and liabilities relating to the Diavik Diamond Mine. The Company has successfully completed recalling all furloughed employees and returned to production on January 20, 2021. "We believe Arctic has a bright and successful future ahead," said Eric Hoff, of DDJ, speaking on behalf of the new owners. "We look forward to working with the executive team and thank all the employees, our communities, suppliers and other partners for their patience and resilience. The company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Rory Moore as Interim President to lead the organization while the search for a permanent CEO is completed." Rory Moore is a diamond geologist with 35 years of international experience in diamond exploration and executive management. He has experience in a major mining company, running junior public companies, raising venture capital and managing a private international consultancy. He is a graduate of the University of Cape Town, South Africa where he completed a Ph.D. in Geochemistry in 1986. Mr. Moore also serves as Vice President of Exploration and Project Development for Arctic. Arctic has also appointed Wally Schumann as a senior advisor on Aboriginal and Northern Affairs to the Board and Management. "It is my pleasure to welcome the new owners and Mr. Schumann to the Arctic team," said Rory Moore, Interim President. "They join the Company at a very exciting time as we embark on the next stage of our journey with Ekati and renew mutually beneficial relationships with our employees, stakeholder communities in the North, the Government of the Northwest Territories, suppliers and customers." "I am very pleased to be working closely with Arctic," said Wally Schumann. "My appointment strengthens Arctic's commitments to the Northern communities and helps deliver positive economic results for all parties involved." DDJ is a privately held asset manager based in Waltham, Massachusetts that specializes in investments within the leveraged credit markets. Founded in 1996, DDJ curently manages over $8 billion in assets on behalf of corporate and public defined benefit plans, Taft-Hartley plans, mutual fund sponsors, foundations, and other domestic and foreign institutional investors. For more information, please visit www.ddjcap.com.



Brigade Capital Management, LP, founded in 2006, is a global asset management firm that specializes in employing a multi-strategy, multi-asset class approach to investing across the broad credit universe, with $30 billion in assets under management and 111 employees globally, including a seasoned investment team with significant industry-specific experience. Brigade, headquartered in New York with a global footprint that includes offices in London and Tokyo, is an SEC (News - Alert) registered investment adviser and one of the largest independent alternative asset managers focused on credit. Brigade currently manages a diverse capital base for institutional investors. Brigade's global investment platform is focused on below investment grade credit strategies. The firm employs a disciplined investment process across all strategies which has been proven over numerous market cycles. For more information, please visit www.brigadecapital.com. Western Asset Management is one of the world's leading fixed-income managers. With a focus on long-term fundamental value investing that employs a top-down and bottom-up approach, the firm has nine offices around the globe and deep experience across the range of fixed-income sectors. Founded in 1971, Western Asset has been recognized for an approach emphasizing team management and intensive proprietary research, supported by robust risk management. For more information, please visit www.westernasset.com.

About Arctic Canadian Diamond Company Ltd. (formerly Dominion Diamond Mines) Arctic Canadian Diamond Company Ltd. is a Canadian mining company and one of the world's largest producers and suppliers of premium rough diamond assortments to the global market. The company owns a controlling interest in the Ekati Diamond Mine, which it operates. The company also holds a controlling interest in the Lac de Gras Diamond Project. The Ekati Diamond Mine, and the Lac de Gras Diamond Project are located in Canada's Northwest Territories. In addition to its mining and exploration operations, Arctic Canadian Diamond Company Ltd. has offices in Canada and Belgium. For more information, please visit www.ddmines.com and the Company's private investor portal, or contact investor@ddcorp.ca. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005756/en/

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 19:39:49|Editor: Xiaoxia

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BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- China has been an unwavering supporter of the international order and global cooperation with a foreign policy that upholds equality and justice and exemplifies solidarity and mutual respect, experts have said.

To pursue peaceful development and win-win cooperation and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind is the goal of China's diplomacy, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a press conference Sunday afternoon on the sidelines of the fourth session of China's 13th National People's Congress.

"Facing the new problems and challenges in globalization, the answer is not to retreat into protectionism, isolation or decoupling, but to work together to make globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial for all," Wang said.

"Chinese foreign policy deals with all countries on the basis of achieving a mutual win, which is the main concept in solving problems peacefully with any country," said Muhammad Zahra, a Syrian expert on Chinese affairs.

China has sent a message that "it's able to respond to and repel any threat, but it prefers cooperation," explained the expert, noting that "China is trying to achieve sustainable and peaceful development ... without clashing with any other power."

At the press conference, Wang also stressed that China will continue to cooperate with other countries in solidarity and work tirelessly for humanity's final victory against the COVID-19 pandemic.

China has taken action to foster international cooperation against the pandemic, which resonates with the World Health Organization's call for countries to look beyond their borders when tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, said Cavince Adhere, a China-Africa relations expert based in Kenya.

Adhere added that Wang's message has enlivened hopes that China will continue helping the developing world mount an effective response to the pandemic.

China is committed to strengthening multilateralism, said Alberto Rojas, director of the Observatory of International Affairs of Chile's Finis Terrae University.

The shipment of medical supplies and the dispatch of health professionals to other countries, together with the development of effective vaccines, have put China at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic, said Rojas, adding that for many countries, "China's help has been very important."

Touching upon relations between the European Union and China, Georg Zanger, president of the Austrian Chinese Business Association, said broad cooperation is a win-win solution for both sides.

The economic agreements between China and the EU offer Europe the opportunity to benefit from growing investment and technology exchanges, and to keep pace with the development of the Chinese economy, said Zanger.

"After listening to Wang's speech, I am convinced that without China's head-of-state diplomacy headed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is being extremely active and efficient in international affairs, our civilization would be in no position to cope with the contemporary major global development problems," said Sylwester Szafarz, former consul general of Poland in the Chinese city of Shanghai. Enditem
BLOCKED FROM POSTING LINKS TO THIS VERY NEWS SITE ON FACEBOOK (its executives involved in case since 1996/1997 - far before one even existed...
Updated 3/12

President Joe Biden signed the expanded child tax credit into law Thursday as part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. House and Senate voting on the bill fell almost entirely on party lines, with no Republicans in favor.

The House of Representatives is expected to approve the American Rescue Plan  the $1.9 trillion COVID relief package at the center of President Bidens domestic agenda  on Tuesday. While education observers will celebrate the inclusion of billions of dollars in aid to schools, one of its tax provisions also holds indirect but monumental implications for American education.

The legislation would significantly expand the reach of the federal child tax credit during 2021 by increasing its maximum payout per child from $2,000 to $3,600, making it fully refundable (i.e., available in the form of cash if a parents tax liability is already at zero), and lifting the age of child eligibility from 16 to 17. It would also disperse payments to families throughout the year, effectively converting the credit into a kind of monthly child allowance program.

The cost of the proposal is around $110 billion. But for that price, Congress would be buying one of the most ambitious, if temporary, welfare reform experiments in history. By some estimates, it would cut the number of children living in poverty by nearly half, a reduction that is projected to increase their educational attainment and prospects for successful adult lives. It would also be available to families in the middle class, with two-parent families earning up to $150,000 receiving access to the full credit. Though not targeted specifically to K-12 schools, the expansion holds the potential of boosting students achievement and helping them finish high school.

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Among wealthy, Western nations, the United States is somewhat rare in not making direct payments to families raising children. A slew of European nations including Norway, Germany, France, Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom offer direct child allowances, while Australia, Japan, and South Korea provide similar benefits.

Story continues

Greg Duncan, an economist at the University of California, Irvine, said that the U.S. has always been a laggard in supporting low-income families, a reality underscored by the business failures and mass layoffs of 2020. Researchers who regularly track household income have found that the economic damage inflicted by COVID-19 has pushed more families below the poverty line, even after accounting for the substantial assistance provided by previous relief bills.

One argument is that as long as child poverty is quite extensive here  and its more extensive here than in other advanced countries  itstime to be thinking about a policy like a child allowance, Duncan said. I think the COVID economic complications reinforced that, but I dont think that when the economy goes back to being more normal and high-growth that it would eliminate the need.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) gives a thumbs up after the Senate passed the latest COVID-19 relief bill by 50 to 49 on a party line vote, after an all night session. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Indeed, the idea of enhancing the existing child tax credit, or shifting it toward a full-on cash transfer, began gaining wider support in domestic policy circles long before the pandemic. The Republican tax cuts of 2017 expanded the credit from $1,000 to $2,000 through 2025, and Sen. Mitt Romney co-sponsored an allowance bill with Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet in late 2019. The flurry of new proposals seemed to reflect a recognition that millions of American families are struggling to meet the full costs of bringing up kids in an economy that can be chaotic even for those in the middle class.

Among the nations roughly 12 million children experiencing poverty, the challenge is especially acute. Irwin Garfinkel, a researcher on poverty at Columbia and a co-founder of the universitys Population Research Center, said that Americas lack of national infrastructure supporting low-income families was entirely the reason why child poverty rates are higher in the United States than in comparable countries. Along with several co-authors, Garfinkel has advocated for the passage of a child allowance along the lines of the Canadian Child Benefit, which was enacted in 2016 and has been associated with impressive poverty reductions.

This is a matter of social policy, he said. If we want to, we can do this. Other rich nations have.

How poverty affects schools

The near-ubiquity of child benefits in other countries is partly a recognition of an educational fact: Ample evidence suggests that poor children simply do not have access to the same learning opportunities that their wealthier peers do.

Schools with high concentrations of poor students, often located in large and majority-minority urban districts, perform dramatically worse on standardized tests, even when compared with schools with similar racial profiles. Nationwide data collected by Stanford sociologist Sean Reardon strongly suggests that large achievement gaps between white and minority students are overwhelmingly driven by the concentration of poverty in schools that enroll large numbers of Hispanics and African Americans. In one study, children from the bottom fifth of the national income distribution were found to be five times more likely to drop out of school than those from the top fifth.

Related: Williams: Bidens Proposed Child Tax Credit Is Smart Fiscal Policy, But Thats Not the Real Reason America Should Take Better Care of its Children

But perhaps the most persuasive illustration of povertys impact on K-12 outcomes is offered by successful attempts to reduce it. In 2019, the National Academy of Sciences released a mammoth report examining the state of child poverty in America and the most promising means of curbing it. Part of the effort included looking at existing programs supporting the poor, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, Temporary Aid for Needy Families (our most prominent existing cash transfer program), Medicaid, and other initiatives. The panels conclusion was that the effects of low income levels  even independent of associated conditions like living in a single-parent family  were clearly detrimental to childrens physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and that poverty-reducing programs tended to mitigate those effects.

Irwin Garfinkel (Columbia University)

With several other researchers, Garfinkel undertook a similar analysis to judge the costs and benefits of adopting a child allowance, gathering 20 high-quality studies of direct cash and near-cash provisions to needy families. The impacts were both large and varied, he said.

There are effects on birth weight, on neonatal mortality, on child health between the ages of one and death, on longevity of children as adults  19 of the 20 studies find positive effects, Garfinkel said. Children, because theyre healthier, get more education, earn more as adults, pay more in taxes, [have] less involvement in protective services and the criminal justice system. In total, he found, a $100 billion expansion would generate up to $800 billion in value each year.

That said, programs that directly benefit the poor have typically proven to be politically vulnerable. New York University professor J. Lawrence Aber told The 74 that much of public discourse around welfare spending was filled with fears that recipients would squander their benefits on drugs. In reality, he said, they were much more likely to spend them on food, shelter, and educational costs.

Most families that are struggling economically really want nothing more than for their children to succeed, and that aspiration is voiced and exercised by making investments in their education, Aber argued. The vast majority of parents say, Im investing everything I can, short of starving them or freezing them.'

But the child tax credit as presently constructed denies its full benefits to millions of low-income Americans. Ultra-poor families making less than $2,500 per year, who would likely benefit the most receive no portion of the $2,000 credit because its value exceeds what they owe in federal tax; those making less than $12,000 cannot receive its refundable value of $1,400. A research study circulated in October found that the vast majority of households in the bottom 10 percent of the U.S. income distribution are ineligible, while nearly all households in the top half are.

(Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy)

By contrast, an analysis released in January by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that Bidens expanded credit would increase the average benefit to the poorest 20 percent of families from a little over $1,000 to nearly $5,600. Irvines Duncan said that the proposed adoption of a child allowance would, in effect, merely extend the benefits of the current policy to those who currently go without it.

Weve been doing it for 20 years in the form of the child tax credit, Duncan said. I tell people, We already have a child allowanceSo dont tell me this is a new thing, because weve had a child allowance all along. And we dont worry about middle-class moms spending the money on gym memberships.

The Romney proposal

The last year, in which the government spent trillions of dollars shoring up Americans whose livelihoods were imperiled by the pandemics disruptions, provided an imperfect preview of what direct cash transfers might look like. In the absence of direct $1,200 stimulus checks and enhanced unemployment benefits, the deprivation would have been far worse, said Aber.

Lawrence Aber (New York University)

Minus government assistance, the loss in earnings and work would be having a very, very significant negative impact on families, he said. We didnt have a child allowance in place, but we did enact those [emergency measures]. If we had a child allowance, those heroic efforts wouldnt be necessary to guarantee some level of support for kids even though their parents are losing income. It is, in that sense, a safety net.

The American Rescue Plan is the latest of the mammoth relief packages to pass through Congress, and the Senates version is likely to land on President Bidens desk by mid-week with a one-year expansion of the child tax credit included. But that proposal, though favored by the president, is not the only one making the rounds in Senate offices.

At the beginning of February, Mitt Romney released his own child allowance legislation. Substantially similar to the Biden administrations, it is in some respects even more generous: It would set payments at $350 per month for the youngest children (the Democratic proposal only hits $300) and begin them at the third trimester of a mothers pregnancy. Even more importantly, it is designed to be permanent, rather than disappearing after one year.

The Democrats built-in expiration date is already regarded with suspicion by Republicans, many of whom believe that the party will act next year to push the newly reformulated credit into the future rather than make families accept a de facto tax increase. But if they do, theyll have to find a way to pay for it going forward. Romneys bill does so mostly by eliminating or reorganizing other benefits, such as the deduction for state and local taxes and the cash transfer known as Temporary Aid for Needy Families.

That idea doesnt sit well with progressive defenders of those expenditures, the bulk of whom would rather add a child allowance atop the status quo. Aber said that the Romney plan was a serious counterproposal with aspects that could be helpfully incorporated into future bipartisan overhauls. He also added that it was generous to call it a GOP proposal, given how few of Romneys fellow Republicans are likely to join him.

At the level of principle, I would trade some benefits for making it permanent and making it sustainable because you have a realistic financial package, he said. But I also cant refrain from thinking sensible things about kids, and from that point of view  boy, Id love to get this sucker passed and get some relief for the poorest families.

Related: Sign up for The 74s newsletter
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

3

1

[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
Yemens Houthi forces fired drones and missiles at the heart of Saudi Arabias oil industry on Sunday, including a Saudi Aramco facility at Ras Tanura vital to petroleum exports, in what Riyadh called a failed assault on global energy security.

The Saudi energy ministry said there were no casualties or loss of property from the attacks. The defence ministry said it intercepted an armed drone coming from the sea prior to hitting its target at an oil storage yard at Ras Tanura, site of a refinery and the worlds biggest offshore oil loading facility.

Shrapnel from a ballistic missile fell near a residential compound in Dhahran used by state-controlled Saudi Aramco, the worlds biggest oil company, the ministries said.

The attacks drove Brent crude prices above $70 a barrel to their highest since January 2020, while U.S. crude futures touched their loftiest since October 2018. [O/R]

The sites are located on the Gulf coast across from Iran and near Iraq and Bahrain, which is home to the U.S. Navys Fifth Fleet. Yemen lies thousands of kms southwest on the Gulf of Aden.

Announcing the attacks, the Houthis, who have been battling a Saudi-led coalition for six years, also said they attacked military targets in the Saudi cities of Dammam, Asir and Jazan.

Such acts of sabotage do not only target the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but also the security and stability of energy supplies to the world, and therefore, the global economy, a ministry spokesman said in a statement on state media.

The Saudi-led coalition earlier said it intercepted 12 armed drones aimed at civilian targets without specifying a location as well as two ballistic missiles fired towards Jazan.

The Eastern Province is home to most of Aramcos production and export facilities. In 2019, Saudi Arabia, the worlds top oil exporter, was shaken by a big missile and drone attack on oil installations just a few km (miles) from the facilities hit on Sunday, which Riyadh blamed on Iran, a charge Tehran denies.

That attack, which was claimed by the Houthis but which Riyadh said did not originate from Yemen, forced Saudi Arabia to temporarily shut more than half of its crude output, causing a huge price spike.

ESCALATION

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on Sunday that the group had fired 14 drones and eight ballistic missiles in a wide operation in the heart of Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis recently stepped up cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia at a time when the United States and the United Nations are pushing for a ceasefire to revive stalled political negotiations to end the war.

Last Thursday, the movement said it fired a missile at an Aramco petroleum products distribution plant in the Red Sea city of Jeddah which the Houthis had attacked in November 2020, hitting a storage tank. Aramco and Saudi authorities have not commented about Thursdays claim.

The military alliance intervened in Yemen in March 2015 after the Houthis ousted the Saudi-backed government from power in the capital, Sanaa. The conflict is widely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Colonel Turki al-Malki, the spokesman of the Saudi defence ministry and of the Saudi-led military coalition, said in a statement that the ministry would take all necessary, deterrent measures to safeguard its national assets.

Earlier, the coalition said it conducted air strikes on Houthi military targets in Sanaa and other Yemeni regions on Sunday and warned that civilians and civilian objects in the Kingdom are a red line.

It said the Houthis had been emboldened after the new U.S. administration revoked terrorist designations on the group in February that had been imposed by former President Donald Trumps administration and backed by Riyadh.

Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on two Houthi military leaders in the first punitive measures against the group by President Joe Bidens administration following the increase in attacks on Saudi cities and intensified battles in Yemens Marib region.

In February, Biden declared a halt to U.S. support for offensive operations by the coalition but said the United States would continue to help Saudi Arabia defend itself.

The war, which has been in a military stalemate for years, has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression.

SOURCE: REUTERS
The Supreme Court is reviving a lawsuit brought by a Georgia college student who sued school officials after being prevented from distributing Christian literature on campus.

The high court sided 8-1 with the student, Chike Uzuegbunam, and against Georgia Gwinnett College. Uzuegbunam has since graduated, and the public school in Lawrenceville, Georgia, has changed its policies. Lower courts said the case was moot, but the Supreme Court disagreed.

Groups across the political spectrum including the American Civil Liberties Union had said that the case is important to ensuring that people whose constitutional rights were violated can continue their cases even when governments reverse the policies they were challenging.

At issue was whether Uzuegbunams case could continue because he was only seeking so-called nominal damages of $1.

This case asks whether an award of nominal damages by itself can redress a past injury. We hold that it can, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for a majority of the court.

Writing only for himself, Chief Justice John Roberts disagreed. Roberts argued that the case brought by Uzuegbunam and another student, Joseph Bradford, is moot since the two are no longer students at the college, the restrictions no longer exist and they have not alleged actual damages.

Writing about the symbolic dollar they are seeking, Roberts said that: If nominal damages can preserve a live controversy, then federal courts will be required to give advisory opinions whenever a plaintiff tacks on a request for a dollar. He accused his colleagues of turning judges into advice columnists.

It appears to be the first time in his more than 15 years on the court that the chief justice has filed a solo dissent in an argued case. Thats according to Adam Feldman, the creator of the Empirical SCOTUS blog, which tracks a variety of data about the court.

Uzuegbunams lawyer, Kristen Waggoner of the Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom, a group that focuses on faith-based cases, cheered the ruling. We are pleased that the Supreme Court weighed in on the side of justice for those victims, she said in a statement.

Georgia Gwinnett College did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

In January, during arguments in the case which the justices heard by phone because of the coronavirus pandemic, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said it was his strong suspicion that the dispute has continued because the issue of nominal damages is important to determining who pays Uzuegbunams attorneys fees.

Georgia Gwinnett College for years had a restrictive policy that limited where students could make speeches and distribute written materials to two free speech expression areas. Students had to get permission to demonstrate, march or pass out leaflets in other areas.

In 2016, Uzuegbunam was distributing Christian pamphlets and talking to students on campus when a security guard told him hed need to make a reservation and distribute the literature in one of the colleges two speech zones. But when Uzuegbunam did, he was approached again and told that there had been complaints and that hed need to stop.

Uzuegbunam sued and the college changed its policy in 2017. Students can now generally demonstrate or distribute literature anywhere and at any time on campus without having to first obtain a permit. The college has said it wont go back to its old policy.

The case is Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski, 19-968.
Eight-year-old Maram al-Amawi was severely burned a year ago in the Palestinian refugee camp of Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip.

According to local authorities, the inferno was caused by a gas leak and left 25 people dead, and dozens injured. It also destroyed several shops.

Also read: Woman In Gaza Designs Multi-Tasking Disinfection Machine To Fight Spread Of COVID

AFP

Now, Maram has to wear a 3D-printed mask that covers her face and treats her burns. However, she does not want to go out in public wearing it due to fear of being made fun of by others.

Maram's mother was also seriously injured on the face and hands during the devastating incident. Along with her daughter, she also has to wear a transparent plastic mask developed by medical charity Doctors Without Borders.

Also read: Israeli War Planes Bomb Hamas Targets In Gaza As Retaliation For Fire Balloons; No Casualties

AFP

The 3D-printed mask applies pressure on the face and helps in the healing process, explains Firas Suergo, head of physiotherapy for MSF in Gaza.



The patient's face is copied with the help of a 3D scanner which allows the printing of a customised plastic mask. The project was launched in April 2020 and has also been run in Jordan and Haiti.

Also read: After A Night Of Fighting With Palestinian Militants, Israel Shuts Gaza Fishing Zone

AFP

The fitted mask comes with adjustable straps to hold onto the face and has to be worn for between six months and a year, depending on how serious the burns are.

Despite the mask being transparent and a perfect fit on Maram's face, she still doesn't want to wear out in public. She said, The mask has made my burns better, but Im afraid people will laugh at me if I wear it outside the house."
Her decision to sell racy snaps on the X-rated adult subscription website Glow has caused concern among her family and friends.

But Lottie Moss left nothing to the imagination once again when she posed in series of snaps wearing a tiny leopard print halter-neck bikini.

The model, 23, took to Instagram on Monday to display her sensational curves in the PrettyLittleThing two-piece in Los Cabos, Mexico.

Sizzling: Lottie Moss took to Instagram on Monday to display her sensational curves in a leopard print two-piece by PrettyLittleThing in Los Cabos, Mexico

She drew attention to her figure in the leopard bikini top which crossed over her chest as she fixed the camera with a sultry gaze.

Lottie displayed her taut midriff in a pair of matching bottoms which she'd tied at the sides as she showed off her legs.

The model, who is Kate Moss's half sister, leaned against a chair and captured the stunning mirror pictures.

Posing: The model, 23, displayed her taut midriff in a pair of matching bottoms which she'd tied at the sides as she flaunted her legs

She styled her blonde tresses in subtle waves and added a lick of makeup to her pretty features.

The snaps come after Lottie admitted that her decision to sell racy snaps and videos of herself on the adult platform Glow has caused a rift in her family.

Sources say Lottie's modelling agency Storm is working frantically to protect Lottie and 'save her from herself'  though some family members fear she could have already sabotaged her future.

If you've got it, flaunt it! The model, who is Kate Moss's half sister, leaned against a chair and captured the stunning mirror pictures

A source told The Mail On Sunday's Charlotte Griffiths: 'These photos and the path she's on will affect her future as a model, but also as a woman. What if one day she wants a normal job?

'Storm can't let Lottie become another victim of this crazy influencer-meets-celebrity, image-obsessed culture. Her mental health needs to be protected.'

Another source close to the agency said: 'Storm feels very protective of the lovely Lottie. They are hoping this phase will pass.'

Stunning: She drew attention to her curves in the leopard bikini top which crossed over her chest and wore her hair in loose waves as she fixed the camera with a sultry gaze

In years gone by, an agency like Storm, which takes pride in its high-end reputation, would not have kept Lottie on the books after she started selling photos on Glow.

But thankfully, these are more responsible times and agencies no longer throw their clients to the wolves the moment they are 'over'.

The source added: 'Lottie is still pretty and is far from finished, but she needs to stop messing with her appearance and underselling herself.

'Not so long ago she... was modelling for Chanel and appearing in Vogue. She showed a lot of promise and now she has lost her way.

Lottie lets users see some pictures on the site for free - these are mostly also shared on Instagram - but she charges a 14/$20 monthly subscription to view racier content and up to 1000 for a naked video.

She also offers fans the chance to DM her for 'personal requests' and more pictures can be unlocked for a further 50/$70 fee.

Unsurprisingly, Kate hasnt made any comment on Lotties dismaying new direction. Neither have her parents, Peter and Inger.
Oprah Winfrey is receiving mixed reviews for her bombshell interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as some viewers praise her 'masterful' questions while others say she needs to stop interrupting.

The talk show legend's long-awaited conversation with Meghan and Harry aired on Sunday night, beginning with a solo chat with the duchess.

Oprah kept true to her promise to ask the tough questions about everything from baby Archie's title to being 'silenced' by the Royal family to reports of her troubled relationship with Kate Middleton.

Many viewers sounding off on Twitter praised Oprah for repeatedly pressing Meghan to explain her claims and offer specific details.

But others expressed frustration with Oprah talking over Meghan before she finished speaking on multiple occasions.

Oprah Winfrey is receiving mixed reviews for her bombshell interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as some viewers praise her 'masterful' questions while others say she needs to stop interrupting

The talk show legend's long-awaited conversation with Meghan and Harry aired Sunday night

Many viewers sounding off on Twitter praised Oprah for repeatedly pressing Meghan to explain her claims and offer specific details

Other viewers expressed frustration with Oprah talking over Meghan before she finished speaking on multiple occasions

'Oprah needs to stop interrupting this juicy narrative,' one viewer wrote.

'Is it just me or does Oprah keep interrupting Meghan in the middle of a sentence you really wanted to hear?' another asked.

'@Oprah is asking great questions, but I wish she would stop interrupting Meghan Markle. I was to hear Meghan's story, not Oprah's thoughts about it in real time,' a third wrote. 'Too many famous interviewers need to interject while interviewees are talking.'

But many viewers defended Oprah's interjections, saying that she was merely trying to get full answers from Meghan.

'Oprah is really DIGGING for this info sksksk i don't think anyone couldve done this better,' one impressed viewer wrote.

'Oprah is giving a masterclass on interviewing right now,' another wrote.

'Oprah asking direct questions no beating around the bush,' a third viewer added.

Another viewer wrote: 'Oprah is a master. She is letting Markle destroy herself.'

One of the most captivating moments of the interview came when Meghan revealed that members of the Royal family had discussed the potential color of her son's skin before he was born and informed her that he wouldn't receive security protection because he wasn't going to have a Prince title.

Describing her pregnancy with baby Archie, Meghan said: 'All around this same time, we have in tandem the conversation of he won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title and also concerns and conversations as how dark his skin might be when he's born.

'That was relayed to me from Harry from conversations that family had with him.'

Meghan refused to say who had those conversations with Harry, saying: 'That would be really damaging to them.'

It came after Meghan said she had been informed Archie wouldn't have security protection when he was born because he wasn't going to be given a HRH or Prince title.

One of the most captivating moments of the interview came when Meghan revealed that members of the Royal family had discussed the potential color of her son Archie's skin before he was born

Their son, who is seventh in the line to the throne, was christened Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

At the time of Archie's birth, it was widely reported that Harry and Meghan had broken with royal convention by making a personal decision not to use a title.

Meghan denied that her and Harry declined the title.

'If you're saying without a title is what's going to affect their protection, we haven't created this monster machine around us in terms of click-bait and tabloid fodder,' Meghan said.

'You've allowed that to happen, which means our son needs to be safe.'

She said: 'I was very scared of having to offer up our baby knowing he wasn't going to be kept safe.'

Oprah questioned Meghan about why her son wasn't a prince.

'How did they explain to you that your son, the great-grandson of the queen, wasn't going to be a prince. You certainly must have had some conversations with Harry about it and had your own suspicions as to why they didn't want to make Archie a prince,' Oprah asked.

At the time of Archie's birth, it was widely reported that Harry and Meghan had broken with royal convention by making a personal decision not to use a title. But speaking to Oprah, Meghan denied that her and Harry declined the title

Archie, who will turn two in May, is the eighth great-grandchild to Queen Elizabeth.

He is not currently entitled to be an HRH, nor be a prince or a princess, due to rules set out more than 100 years ago by George V.

Only the children and grandchildren of the Sovereign automatically get those titles. Great-grandchildren are only given the title if the Queen intervenes, which explains why Princess Charlotte and Price Louis have those titles.

Archie will be entitled to be an HRH and a prince or princess when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne.

As the first-born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton - one of Harry's subsidiary titles - or been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

The decision was thought to be inspired by Harry's wish to have been a normal child, rather than a prince, as he grew up.

Meghan and Harry, who are now living in Montecito, California with their son, are expecting their second child later this year.

Baby Sussex will be the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's 10th or 11th great-grandchild, depending on whether he or she arrives before or after Zara Tindall's baby, which is also due in 2021.

The same title rules will apply to their second-born child.

Harry and Meghan have sought to keep Archie out of the public eye for the most part since moving to California, only releasing a few photos of him on holidays such as his birthday.
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The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost.
(Natural News) No doubt former President Donald Trump did not quite understand the breadth and scope and influence  or even the existence of  the deep state and its military-industrial complex before being sworn into office in January 2017.

He was already getting an object lesson in just how dirty and slimy the swamp was that he vowed to drain during his campaign: Reports that his campaign was spied on by Obamas FBI and Justice Department, over the hoax of Russian collusion, had just broken, and it wouldnt be long before his administrations first political casualty, Michael Flynn, would be forced to resign.

But through it all, the one constant foreign policy that President Trump pursued was peace. He also campaigned on bringing American troops home from the endless wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and even Syria. And while he succeeded in his pledge to defeat the ISIS caliphate, ultimately he was unsuccessful in bringing American men and women in uniform home completely from those endless wars.

And why? Because the deep states military-industrial complex didnt want that, and so Trump was cajoled and lied to in order to keep U.S. forces deployed where theyd been for decades, which was just exactly what Joe Bidens deep state handlers wanted.

During his tenure Trump did oversee wars but he didnt start any new ones; he did manage to bring some peace to the Middle East and eastern Europe; he managed to bring home some troops. And he did use force on occasion, when it was necessary and in our countrys legitimate interests, including in Syria, twice.

And yet, his two strikes killed fewer people than Joe Bidens first Syrian strike just last week (and not even two months in office), as Big League Politics reports:

President Joe Biden has surpassed President Trumps body-count for US involvement in Syrias bloody and seemingly endless civil war-killing more people in one batch of airstrikes than were killed in both of Trumps military actions targeting Syrian government forces in the country in 2017 and 2018.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has indicated that 22 pro-Assad militia fighters were killed in the airstrike, which reportedly struck three trucks after they crossed the Iraq-Syria border. The airstrikes were staged in response to missile attacks that killed an international contractor and injured US military service members earlier this month, with the Biden administration pointing to Iranian backing of Shia militias in both Iraq and Syria.

Trump first struck Syrian government facilities in 2017, in response to Damascus illegal use of chemical weapons against its own people. The death toll from that attack is estimated at between none and 16 deaths. Trump struck Syria again targeting scientific and alleged chemical munitions facilities; no one was killed in that attack, though the Syrian government said a half-dozen soldiers were wounded. (Related: Pentagon says military does not have resources for urban combat in dystopian megacities.)

But whats more telling is that Biden has been lightening fast in returning to the bad old days of Americas love affair with Middle East interventionism. Trump literally spent four years trying to extricate American forces from Iraq and Syria  and greatly reduced our footprints there  while doing the same in Afghanistan. Yet it took Bidens handlers 24 hours to send U.S. forces back into Syria and less than six weeks to launch new military strikes there.

Why? What are Americas national security interests in Syria or, for that matter, Iraq? Trump made the country energy independent (though Biden is trying to undo that, too, with executive orders) so we dont even need to be there anymore in any enduring capacity.

China is our biggest threat moving forward, and yet the Biden regime has already begun appeasing them.

Democrats  not Republicans  are the new war party, but they are fighting the wrong battles, as usual.

See more reporting like this at NationalSecurity.news.

Sources include:

SGTReport.com

BigLeaguePolitics.com

MilitaryTec.news
Pity the linguistic summersaults required of a debutant postman finding his feet in the baronies of Magunihy and Truhanacmy. In a corner of the Kingdom where an address can vault vowels into an alphabetical foxtrot, imagine the mental dexterity required for correct mail delivery on the byways and boreens of Tooreennahone, Tooreennascarty, Tooreennasliggaun and Tooreennastooka.

A few miles in any direction across those Kerry hills and said postie will need keen eyes to distinguish Rossacroobeg from Rossacroonaloo, not to mention the differing geographic joys between Mweennalaa, Cappyantanvally and Lisheennashingane. One can only guess how many times slow-witted mailmen must endure the exasperation of irate locals: For the umpteenth time, Sean, this is Cummeennabuddoge, sure tis Cummeenduvasig you want!

Of course its not just in Kerry such magnificently jaw-stretching combinations occur  every county has a multitude of its tongue-twisting appellations. To say that Irelands native placenames have a semantic beauty is surely an understatement, and one especially true when city dwellers depart their familiar urban highways on jaunts to the valleys and hills of the heartland.

That old joke of the lost Dubliner asking for directions only to be told, Well, I wouldnt start out from here. is no idle myth. Local landmarks like hills, rivers and ancient boundaries often come into play when motorists find themselves confronted with a rustic crossroads devoid of signposts. Indeed with the recent proliferation of AirBnBs popping up on many a distant knoll, the colloquial instruction to pass straight by the shed near the mown meadow and take the second big left after the withering beech tree is a geographical jigsaw weve all endured on weekend mini-breaks in search of the real Ireland.

Sad to say, though, but the joy of wrestling with our poetic nomenclature has been a sport somewhat in decline due to the creeping Anglicisation of native placenames dating back centuries. While, for instance, it might be more verbally efficient to follow a signpost indicating Ballysodare, doesnt its ancient address as Beal Easa Dara  the Mouth of the Waterfall of the Oak Grove  conjure up a far more enticing world? Similarly, though theres much to admire about Donnybrook, who can deny the fantastical imagery invoked by its ancient alter ego, Domhnach Broc  the Church of the Badgers. The dismal effect of these Anglicisations seems particularly sad during the current Seachtain na Gaeilge  Irish Language Week  one of the biggest celebrations of our native tongue and culture.

Yet, all is not lost, due in part to the diligence of a scholar who saw the glory of recording those uniquely Celtic names. The letters of John ODonovan, the man in charge of the Ordnance Surveys epic topographical trawl of 1842 and 43, has left us a trove of folk tales, myths and legends connected to local place-names.

A treasure map to the way we were, ODonovans archived memoirs at the Royal Irish Academy exude the soul of a man who cared. Though my letters appear as wild as the mountains in which they were written, still do I feel myself exceedingly in love with all the rhymes and rags of history that they may be hereafter digested and arranged in proper order.

Amen to that, sir.

As to my choice for best address in all the land? It has to be Muckanaghederdauhaulia, deep in the Connemara Gaeltacht. Its Irish origin  Muiceanach idir dha shaile  translates as a piggery between two expanses of briny water.

Only Termonfeckin gorgeous, so tis.
Oklahoma House passes bill banning govt closure of churches

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The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed legislation last Wednesday that would prohibit state and local government entities from forcing churches or any other houses of worship to close even during a pandemic.

Having passed by a vote of 80-18, the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act will now head to the state Senate.

House Bill 2648 states that no governmental entity shall substantially burden a persons free exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability.

No governmental entity shall substantially burden a persons free exercise of religion unless it demonstrates that application of the burden to the person is  essential to further a compelling governmental interest; and ... the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

The legislation states that any order or rule issued by a government entity pursuant to an emergency that requires closure of any place of worship entitled to the religious exemption found in Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code shall be considered a substantial burden even if the order or rule is one of general applicability.

State Rep. Brian Hill, a Republican who sponsored the bill, told KOCO 5 News that people came to North America seeking religious freedom and to escape a tyrannical government.

He argued that our countrys founders had the wisdom to specifically outline the freedom to worship in one of our founding documents.

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 contends.

Fellow Republican Rep. Jon Echols, the House majority floor leader, issued similar comments to the local news outlet, saying the U.S. was founded by individuals seeking freedom to worship in the manner they so choose without persecution.

I can think of nothing more patriotic than protecting those rights for future generations, Echols said.

Democrats, however, have opposed the bill and argued that temporarily closing church buildings for safety during the pandemic is not a substantial burden because there are other means of worship available, The Tulsa World reports.

[Do] you understand our concerns have much less to do with attending church and more to do with where the attendees go afterward and [the virus] they spread? Democratic Rep. Forrest Bennett of Oklahoma City was quoted as saying.

Oklahoma, with a population of more than 3.9 million people, has had about 429,000 COVID-19 infections and 4,534 deaths coronavirus-related deaths as of Sunday afternoon, according to the states COVID-19 data.

Last month, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said he plans to make the state a sanctuary state for people of faith by introducing similar legislation that would limit future governors power to shut down churches should the nation face another pandemic like COVID-19.

In an interview with CBN News, Kemp discussed the Faith Protection Act, which would bar Georgia governors from using emergency powers to specifically limit the practice of any religion after seeing the impact of such actions in other states.

... My goal is for us to be a sanctuary state, if you will, for people of faith, Kemp was quoted as saying. I think this pandemic has shown us that ... people will overreach, especially people in positions of power, and that's not good. ... Looking around other states, it was concerning to me that we shouldn't have any governor or a future governor be able to stop religious services.

Kemp, whose state was among the first to ease restrictions for the general population as other states extended lockdown orders last year, stressed that religious freedom is embedded in our Constitution as a fundamental right of this country. He explained that Georgians were never forced to shut down religious services during the pandemic but worked to implement safety guidelines by either worshiping virtually or holding services outdoors.
Assemblywoman Pam Hunter says shes been sexually harassed in the workplace in the past, including during her service in the U.S. Army.

She says shes spent much of her career working in private-sector human resources offices, investigating claims of sexual harassment.

Now, she said, is the time for investigation into claims that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has sexually harassed or acted inappropriately, as five women say he has. Hunter is not calling for Cuomos resignation as Attorney General Letitia James starts examining the claims.

In any situation, there always needs to be a balance of an investigation, Hunter said by phone from Albany. Ive had to do my own investigations. I know what thats like. I think there needs to be a space to be able to do that.

Hunter, who is also chair of the Onondaga County Democratic Committee, said the allegations against Cuomo are serious and important and should be investigated.

But those allegations deserve examination before drawing conclusions, she said. Hunter is one of about 20 female lawmakers who have signed a letter calling for James to be allowed appropriate time to complete the investigation.

Plus, she said, shes more focused on what residents say they care about in her Syracuse-area district.

She says most calls to her office in recent days are about fears of evictions and losses from opioid deaths. Some are worried about plummeting revenues for non-profits. Others are worried about services for people with developmental disabilities.

Few are about Cuomo, she said.

I can tell you, of the hundreds of emails, one or two is related to the governor, she said. Among those few, usually half want to impeach him and half want him left alone, she said.

Hunter isnt criticizing other lawmakers, including Democrats, who have called for Cuomo to step down. Sen. Rachel May, D-Syracuse, on Sunday called for Cuomo to step down.

Hunter also said shes under no pressure from other politicians to speak out, one way or the other.

In recent days, four women who formerly worked for Cuomo have accused him of inappropriate behavior, from inquiries about their romantic lives to an unwanted kiss. A fifth woman said Cuomo acted inappropriately at a wedding.

Cuomo has apologized for making anyone uncomfortable. Hes also said he never intended to intimidate or harass anyone.

On Sunday he reiterated he has no plans to resign. Later that day, the Democratic leader of the state Senate, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, said he must step down. Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie stopped short of that, saying Cuomo should consider whether hes able to serve New Yorkers.

Hunter said she never made any complaints of workplace harassment herself, including when she served in the Army in the 1980s.

When asked if she might make a different decision now, she said, I dont know, mentioning the #metoo movement. I think its been more accepting for more people to come forward. I think its everyones personal choice if they decide to speak up. Its always their decision to make.

In her work in human resources, she said investigations sometimes proved the claim and sometimes proved nothing untoward happened. (She declined to say where she worked in this capacity.)

Thats why its important to be able to do a thorough investigation, she added. Bring me a summary of what has been investigated.

Whether Cuomo steps down before that? Thats entirely up to him, she said.

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.
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Meghan on the secret wedding

Meghan: 'Even at our wedding, you know, three days before our wedding, we got married. No one knows that.

'But we called the archbishop, and we just said, "Look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world, but we want our union between us."

Prince Harry: 'Just the three of us.'

Meghan and Kate argument

Meghan: 'The narrative with Kate which didn't happen was really, really difficult and something that I think that's when everything changed, really.

'The reverse happened. And I don't say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding.

'And she was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologised. And she brought me flowers and a note, apologising.'

On press narrative:

Oprah: So, do you think there was a standard for Kate in general and a separate one for you? And if so, why?'

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are interviewed by Oprah Winfrey

Meghan: I don't know why. I can see now what layers were at play there. And, again, they really seemed to want a narrative of a hero and a villain.'

On being silent or being silenced

Meghan: The latter. Everyone in my world was given very clear directive from the moment the world knew Harry and I were dating to always say "No comment."

'That's my friends, my mum and dad. I did anything they told me to do. Of course I did, because it was also through the lens of "And we'll protect you."

'So, even as things started to roll out in the media that I didn't see but my friends would call me and say, "Meg, this is really bad," because I didn't see it, I'd go, "Don't worry. I'm being protected."

On 'not being protected'

Meghan: 'I think that was really hard to reconcile because it was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, but they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.

On meeting the Queen

Meghan: We had breakfast together that morning, and she'd given me a beautiful gift, and I just really loved being in her company. And I remember we were in the car.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II pose for a picture during the Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London in 2018

'She gave me some beautiful pearl earrings and a matching necklace. And we were in the car going between engagements, and she has a blanket that sits across her knees for warmth.

And it was chilly, and she was like, "Meghan, come on," and put it over my knees, as well. I think everyone welcomed me.

On 'character assassination'

Meghan: I'm talking about things that are super artificial and inconsequential. But the narrative about, you know, making Kate cry I think was the beginning of a real character assassination.

And they knew it wasn't true. And I thought, well, if they're not going to kill things like that, then what are we going to do?

On claims Archie was to be denied security

Meghan: And that was when they were saying they didn't want him to be a prince or a princess not knowing what the gender would be, which would be different from protocol and that he wasn't going to receive security.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex with their baby Archie

But if you're saying the title is what's going to affect their protection, we haven't created this monster machine around us in terms of clickbait and tabloid fodder.

'You've allowed that to happen, which means our son needs to be safe.'

On if the titles are important to her?

Meghan: 'All the grandeur surrounding this stuff is an attachment that I don't personally have, right?

I've been a waitress, an actress, a princess, a duchess. I've always just still been Meghan, right?

So, for me, I'm clear on who I am, independent of all that stuff. And the most important title I will ever have is "Mum." I know that.'

Meghan on race and the royal family

Meghan: 'I can give you an honest answer. In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time so we have in tandem the conversation of "He won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title," and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born.'

Oprah: 'Who is having that conversation with you? What?'

Meghan: There were several conversations about it.'

Oprah: 'About how dark your baby is going to be?'

Meghan: 'Potentially, and what that would mean or look like.'

Oprah: 'And you're not going to tell me who had the conversation?'

Meghan: 'I think that would be very damaging to them.'

On UK Press and mental health

Meghan: I just didn't see a solution. I just didn't see a solution. I would sit up at night, and I was just, like, I don't understand how all of this is being churned out.

And, look, I was really ashamed to say it at the time and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry, especially, because I know how much loss he's suffered.

But I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it. And I just didn't I just didn't want to be alive anymore.

'And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. And I remember I remember how he just cradled me.

Meghan Markle discussed mental health during her conversation with Oprah Winfrey on CBS

And I was I went to the institution, and I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. I said that "I've never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere."

And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution.

Oprah: 'So, were you thinking of harming yourself? Were you having suicidal thoughts? Meghan: Yes. This was very, very clear.

On telling her truth

Meghan: 'I think I'm not going to live my life in fear. You know, I think so much of it is said with an understanding of just truth.

But I think, to answer your question, 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.

That at a certain point, you're going to go, "But, you guys, someone just tell the truth." And if that comes with risk of losing things, I mean, I've lost there's a lot that's been lost already.'

On the latest royal baby

Oprah: 'For the new addition to your family.

'Meghan said she wanted to wait until you were here to tell us, is it a boy or is it a girl?

Harry: 'It's a girl.'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were having a girl for their second child - which is due in the summer

Meghan: 'It's a girl.'

Harry: 'Yes! I'm just grateful, like any to have any child, any one or any two would have been amazing. But to have a boy and then a girl, you know, what more can you ask for?'

'But now, you know, now we've got our family. We've got, you know, the four of us and our two dogs, and it's great.'

Oprah: 'Done? Two is it?'

Harry: 'Done.'

On leaving the UK

Meghan: 'We didn't have a plan. We needed a house, and he (Tyler Perry) offered security, as well, so it gave us breathing room to try to figure out what we are going to do.

'It's been so spun in the wrong direction, as though we quit, we walked away, all the conversations of the two years before we finally announced it.'

On Megxit

Harry: Yeah, it was desperate. I went to all the places which I thought I should go to, to ask for help. We both did... Separately and together.'

Oprah: 'So, you left because you were asking for help and couldn't get it?'

Harry: 'Yeah, basically. But we never left.'

Meghan: We never left the family, and we only wanted to have the same type of role that exists, right?'

So, we weren't reinventing the wheel here. We were saying, "Okay, if this isn't working for everyone, we're in a lot of pain, you can't provide us with the help that we need, we can just take a step back. We can do it in a commonwealth country." We suggested New Zealand, South Africa.'

On history repeating itself

Harry: (We wanted to) Take a breath. From this constant barrage. My biggest concern was history repeating itself, and I've said that before on numerous occasions, very publicly.

And what I was seeing was history repeating itself, but more, perhaps or definitely far more dangerous, because then you add race in and you add social media in.

And when I'm talking about history repeating itself, I'm talking about my my mother.'

Harry on the press

Harry: 'You know, as sad as it is to say, it takes living in her shoes in this instance, for a day or those first eight days to see where it was going to go and how far they were going to take it.

And get away with it and be so blatant about it. That's the bit that shocked me.

'This - the UK is my home. That is where I was brought up. So, yes, I've got my own relationship that goes back a long way with the media.

'I asked for calm from the British tabloids once as a boyfriend, once as a husband, and once as a father.'

Why did Harry and Meghan leave?

Harry: Lack of support and lack of understanding.'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, in a conversation with US television host Oprah Winfrey

Oprah: 'So, I want clarity. Was the move about getting away from the UK press? Or was the move because you weren't getting enough support from the firm?

Prince Harry: It was both.

Harry and blindsiding the Queen

Oprah: 'Did you blindside the queen?'

Harry: 'No. I've never blindsided my grandmother. I have too much respect for her.'

My grandmother has been amazing throughout. You know, my father, my brother, Kate and all the rest of the family, they were.

'They were really welcoming. But it really changed after the Australia tour, after our south pacific tour.

Harry on his relationship with Prince Charles

Harry: When we were in Canada, I had three conversations with my grandmother and two conversations with my father and before he stopped taking my calls and then said, "Can you put this all in writing what your plan is?"

'I put all the specifics in there, even the fact that we were planning on putting the announcement out on the 7th of January.

Oprah: 'So, you just said that your dad stopped taking your calls. Why did he stop taking your calls?'

Harry: 'Because... I took matters into my own hands. It was like I need to do this for my family. This is not a surprise to anybody.

'It's really sad that it's gotten to this point, but I've got to do something for my own mental health, my wife's, and for Archie's, as well, because I could see where this was headed.'

Harrys claim that his family is scared of the press

Harry: No from my family ever said anything over those three years. And that hurts. But I also am acutely aware of where my family stand and how scared they are of the tabloids turning on them.

Prince Harry claimed members of the royal family were 'scared' of the press

'Yes, but it's there is this invisible what's termed or referred to as the "Invisible contract" behind closed doors between the institution and the tabloids, the UK. Tabloids.

On being trapped in royal life

Oprah: 'How were you trapped?

Harry: Trapped within the system, like the rest of my family are. My father and my brother, they are trapped.

'They don't get to leave. And I have huge compassion for that.'

On Netflix and Spotify

Harry: 'Yeah, it exists. But, also, the Netflix and the Spotify, they're all that was never part of the plan.'

Meghan: 'We didn't have a plan.'

Harry: 'We didn't have a plan. That was suggested by somebody else by the point of where my family literally cut me off financially, and I had to afford security for us.'

Oprah: 'Wait. 'Hold up. Wait a minute. Your family cut you off?'

Harry: 'Yeah, in the first half, the first quarter of 2020. But I've got what my mum left me, and, without that, we would not have been able to do this.'

Harrys relationship with his family

Harry: 'I've spoken more to my grandmother in the last year than I have done for many, many years. We did a couple of zoom calls with Archie.

'My grandmother and I have a really good relationship...'

Oprah: 'Your relationship with your father? Is he taking your calls now?'

Harry: 'Yeah. Yeah, he is. There's a lot to work through there, you know? I feel really let down, because he's been through something similar.

He knows what pain feels like, and this is and Archie's his grandson. But, at the same time, you know, I of course I will always love him, but there's a lot of hurt that's happened.

And I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship.

Oprah: 'Yeah. And your brother? Relationship? Much has been said about that?'

Harry: 'Yeah, and much will continue to be said about that. You know, as I've said before, I love William to bits. He's my brother.

'We've been through hell together. I mean, we have a shared experience. But you know, we're on we're on different paths.

On the future

Harry: I'm sad that what's happened has happened, but I know, and I'm comfortable in knowing that we did everything that we could to make it work.

'And we did everything on the exit process the way that-- the way that it should have been done.'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said they were 'thriving' in their new life in the United States

On taking away his patronages

Harry: I am hurt. But at the same time, I completely respect my grandmother's decision.

'I would still love for us to be able to continue to support those associations, albeit without the title or the role.'

Meghans one regret

Meghan: I have one. My regret is believing them when they said I would be protected. I believed that.

'And I regret believing that because I think, had I really seen that that wasn't happening, I would have been able to do more.

But I think I wasn't supposed to see it. I wasn't supposed to know.

And now, because we're actually on the other side, we've actually not just survived but are thriving.
MR. HUMBLE AND DR. BUTCHER

A Monkeys Head, the Popes Neuroscientist, and the Quest to Transplant the Soul

By Brandy Schillace

One day in the 1960s, a priest walked into an operating room in Cleveland to find a dead dog lying on the table. The transplant surgeon Robert White had drained its blood and cooled its brain to 50 degrees. The priest then looked on, aghast, as White spread a picnic cloth on the table and began munching on a sandwich.

Halfway through his meal, White asked the priest if he thought the dog really was dead. The priest said yes  right? With a merry twinkle, White set to work, recirculating blood and rewarming the brain. However groggy, the dog eventually lurched to life and began staggering around. At this, White winked at the priest. Maybe like Christ, he teased. Dead and revived.

White didnt pull this stunt to mock religion; he was actually a devout Catholic who attended Mass daily. Nor was he simply showing off his medical skills. Rather, as Brandy Schillace explains in her delightfully macabre Mr. Humble and Dr. Butcher, Whites real goal was to push the boundaries of both surgery and theology, which he viewed as complementary fields  each one wrestling with big questions about life, death and the human soul.
So, you had COVID-19 a few months back and you still can't smell that first steaming cup of coffee in the morning. Is there anything you can do to hasten the return of that vital sense?

Experts say there is, including "physical therapy" for your nose.

"In most cases, smell loss is temporary, but it can take months or even years to recover," said researcher Dr. Tran Locke. She's an assistant professor of otolaryngologyhead and neck surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston.

People with prolonged smell loss after recovering from COVID-19 should see an ear, nose and throat specialist to rule out other causes, according to Locke and her colleague, Dr. Sunthosh Sivam.

"Seasonal allergies or inflammatory sinus disease would also impede your smell baseline and your ability to recover from the effects of an infection like COVID-19," Sivam said. He is also an assistant professor of otolaryngologyhead and neck surgery at Baylor.

"We want to minimize any inflammatory issues first," Sivam said in a university news release.

Patients with smell loss due to COVID-19 may be prescribed nasal steroids or rinses to reduce inflammation. If smell loss persists, the next step is olfactory retraining, which both experts describe as physical therapy for your nose.

Patients gently smell different essential oils or herbs with familiar scents for 20 seconds while focusing on their memories and experiences associated with those scents. Rose, lemon, clove and eucalyptus are commonly used, but patients can choose their own scents. Patients should do two sessions a day for four to six months.

"It takes patience. The more you train, the better the outcome will be," Locke said. "I recommend patients find a quiet place where they won't be disturbed so they can give their full attention to the practice."

Sivam said patients should manage their expectations before starting the regimen, because they may not regain the same level of smell as they had before they were infected with COVID-19.

"When you smell a rose scent, your characterization may be different than before you had the smell loss," Sivam said. "You're relearning what a rose smells like with your new smelling status. I talk with my patients about building a new smell vocabulary."

Because smell and taste are closely linked, many patients who lose their sense of smell after recovering from COVID-19 also lose their sense of taste, Locke noted.

It's crucial to talk with your doctor before trying any method of restoring your sense of smell, the doctors emphasized.

"If you have no smell for two weeks, it's important to come in and get checked out," Locke said. "It could be due to COVID-19. It could be unrelated. Either way, I think having a doctor evaluate the condition is important to avoid self-treatment resulting in a delay in diagnosis."

More information: Harvard Medical School has more on Harvard Medical School has more on COVID-19 and loss of smell SOURCE: Baylor College of Medicine, news release, March 3, 2021

Copyright  2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
International Womens Day is a global day of celebration for the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Marked annually on 8 March, IWD is also an opportunity to reflect on and further the push towards gender parity.

Each year IWD is given a theme, which often relates to contemporary events, trends and struggles. This year the theme is based on the challenges brought about by the pandemic, and is titled "Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world".

What is the origin of International Womens Day?

The earliest form of IWD began in 1908 when 15,000 women took part in a New York City march, calling for shorter working hours, better pay and the vote. A year later, the Socialist Party of America marked the anniversary of the march by declaring it the first National Womans Day.

At this stage is was only an American celebration but in 1910 Clara Zetkin addressed the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen and suggested that they make the event international.

The 100 women in attendance unanimously supported the idea and in 1911 the first International Womens Day was celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, as well as in the United States.

IWD remained a stand-alone event until 1975, when the United Nations began marking the day and organised celebrations. In 1996 the UN began issuing a theme for each years celebration, the first of which was "Celebrating the past, Planning for the Future".

What to expect from International Womens Day 2021

Of course the 110th International Womens Day will be unlike previous iterations due to the pandemic and resultant restrictions, but efforts are still being made to mark the day.

Virtual events are being held online, such as the United Nations Observance of International Womens Day 2021, which is an online conference featuring speakers such as Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women.

The international event is marked in different ways in different countries: Russia has a national holiday; Italy celebrates the occasion with an exchange of mimosa blossom; while the US has named the month of March as Women's History Month.

Mlambo-Ngcuka said of the importance of this years IWD: "We need women's representation that reflects all women and girls in all their diversity and abilities, and across all cultural, social, economic and political situations.

This is the only way we will get real societal change that incorporates women in decision-making as equals and benefits us all."
It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
Thousands of pupils will begin to return to school in England after months of remote learning.

All children will be able to return to class from Monday under the first step to ease restrictions, but secondary schools can stagger the return of students over the week to allow for mass testing.

Secondary school pupils are being asked to take three voluntary Covid-19 tests on site and one at home over the first fortnight. They will then be sent home-testing kits to do twice-weekly.

The Department for Education (DfE) is also advising secondary school students to wear face coverings wherever social distancing cannot be maintained, including in the classroom.

But primary school children are not being asked to carry out Covid-19 tests or wear face masks on their return.

Testing for secondary school and college students, their families, and staff - hereas what you need to knowhttps://t.co/poZUfCdkIH  Department for Education (@educationgovuk) March 5, 2021

It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there were dangers involved in keeping classrooms shut for too long when asked about the risks of schools returning.

He said on Sunday: I think the risk is actually in not going back to school tomorrow given all the suffering, all the loss of learning we have seen.

I do think we are ready, I think people want to go back, they feel it, they feel the need for it.

Separately on Sunday, Amanda Spielman, Englands chief schools inspector, expressed concern about eating disorders and self-harming among some children after she said pupils had endured boredom, loneliness, misery and anxiety during two months stuck at home.

Pupils in England, except children of key workers and vulnerable pupils, have been learning remotely since the start of the lockdown in January.

The latest Government figures show that more than one in four (27%) primary school pupils in England were being taught on-site in the week after half-term.

Overall, nearly a fifth (18%) of state school pupils were in class on February 25, up from 16% on the week before half-term, according to the DfE statistics.

An Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) survey suggests that nine in 10 parents would send their child back to school this week even if it was optional.

The Government has introduced asymptomatic coronavirus tests for secondary school and college pupils  as well as tougher measures around face masks  ahead of the full reopening.

Further improving safety measures in schools would help reduce the chance of future disruption Paul Whiteman

But school leaders have been struggling to get parents permission for the voluntary tests, and some are concerned that pupils will refuse to wear face coverings in classrooms as they are not mandatory.

A survey by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) found that more than half (52%) of heads have faced difficulties in securing parental consent for pupils to take part in regular rapid Covid-19 tests.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders union NAHT, said: This is a special week. It will be good to hear the sounds of more young people back in classrooms and school playgrounds again after the latest lockdown.

But he added: Whilst there is a great deal of excitement about children returning, there is understandable anxiety too.

It is therefore essential that the Government monitors the early data following the wider reopening very closely and acts accordingly.

Equally, the Government must do more to ensure that the return to school is a sustainable one. Further improving safety measures in schools would help reduce the chance of future disruption.

In Northern Ireland, the youngest children will also return to primary schools on Monday, but they are set to go back to remote learning after two weeks.

In Scotland, children between the ages of four and eight in primaries one to three returned to school last month, alongside some secondary pupils who needed to do practical work.

All primary school pupils in Scotland are due back in classrooms on March 15, while secondary pupils are likely to receive some in-school education each week before the Easter break.

Children aged between three and seven also started a phased return to school in Wales on February 22, and some vocational learners were back at college for their practical qualifications.

All primary school pupils in Wales, as well as older age groups in Years 11 and 13 who have exams, are expected to return from next week.
Mystery surrounds a horrific house fire that killed three young girls and their mother as detectives are yet to say whether it was deliberately lit.

Kaoru Okano and her daughters - Ako, 7, Uta, 5, and Enna, 3 - were killed on January 10 when the blaze ripped through their townhouse in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.

Hiroyuki Kikuchi, her husband and father of the children, escaped the flames and was rushed to Alfred Hospital in a serious condition.

He was interviewed by arson detectives investigating the fire on Tulloch Grove in Glen Waverley, and released without charge.

Scroll down for video

Kaoru Okano lost her life alongside her three young daughters (pictured together alongside her husband and the father of the kids, Hiroyuki Kikuchi) in a horrific house fire in Melbourne's east on January 10

Kaoru Okano and the girls, Ako, seven, Uta, five, and Enna, (left to right) tried in vain to shelter from the smoke in an upstairs bathroom

Two months on, detectives are still investigating what sparked the inferno, which started in the garage where Mr Kikuchi stored flammables including cooking oils, chemicals, and rubbish.

Kaoru Okano and her three girls tried in vain to take cover from the blaze in the upstairs en suite bathroom as the suburban home filled with smoke.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill earlier said flammable liquids found at the scene were connected to Mr Kikuchis restaurant, Rolls Japanese Kitchen, in Balaclava, near St Kilda.

Mr Kikuchi's daughter to a previous relationship has since raised more than $120,000 through a GoFundMe for her father, the sole survivor, to 'get back on his feet' and 'put a roof over his head'.

'My dad has lost everything; his beloved children, his wife Kaoru, their two cats Nixon and Tsuppy, and their home and everything in it,' Shana Kikuchi wrote.

'On top of all this, his business was decimated this year from COVID-19 and the financial hardship it caused; leaving them with nothing.'

Hiroyuki Kikuchi (pictured) was interviewed by arson detectives but no charges were laid

The young family had no chance of escaping the inferno (pictured, the rear of their home)

The panicked father attempted to douse the flames with a bucket of water but did not tell anyone his wife and children were still in the home, according to bystanders.

'He was in a panic and was trying to control the fire and because he was in a panic he was not able to communicate with us,' Neighbour Hanish Poonia told the Herald Sun.

'After the (fire) services got here, he started shouting "my kids, my kids, they are upstairs".

'If he had told us before, I think we would have gone in and tried to do something but it was too late,' he said.

Neighbours told Daily Mail Australia Ms Okano had allegedly separated from Mr Kikuchi, 50, just weeks earlier and he had had been notably absent from the property for the few weeks leading up to the fire.

Kaoru Okano (pictured with one of her daughters) had tried to take cover from the blaze in the home's en suite bathroom as the property became engulfed in smoke

Rows of flowers lined the driveway near the fatal house fire, with mourners also leaving large teddy bears

It is not suggested that Mr Kikuchi was in any way involved in starting the house fire.

Neighbours have described seeing the family return home in the hours before the tragedy.

They had appeared happy, with the children enjoying ice-creams.

Alex Rodriquez said it appeared like any ordinary night in the neighbourhood until they woke to the sounds of screams and 'banging'.

'My brother told us to get out as quickly as possible,' he said.

Mr Rodriquez said the tragedy had shocked residents across the adjoining townhouses.

'The mother was beautiful. She was a wonderful, devoted, loving mother - the girls were beautiful and that's what's the saddest part about it.

Ms Okano regularly posted loving photos to Facebook of her children smiling and playing together

'I saw them every single day going to school, the mum taking them. They were beautiful.'

Neighbours have spoken of the chaotic moments that claimed the lives of the young family.

Mr Rodriguez, whose partner is on crutches, said they had no time to render assistance.

'We had to get out as quickly as possible and the fireys were all screaming at us to leave, so we had to just get out,' he said.

Neighbours have described the family as 'ordinary', with no apparent signs of conflict within the home.

'We've just noticed that the father hasn't been around the past few weeks. And he lived here,' a neighbour said.

Ms Okano had regularly posted loving photos of her children on Facebook as they smiled and played together.

Ms Okano has been described by friends and family as a 'loving mother'

Police take a look at the boarded-up garage where the inferno is believed to have started

Her father, Yutaka Okano, who lives in Japan, expressed his heartbreak over the loss of his loved ones in a Facebook post this week.

'January 10th will be remembered as a day that is too sad  too much to suffer,' he wrote in a post translated into English.

Detective Senior Sergeant Neville Major said the bodies were found 'huddled together' in the bathroom.

'There has been a very tragic incident here. There is a lot of damage in the garage area and the house has been engulfed in smoke,' he said.

It took 35 firefighters several hours to bring the blaze under control, at which point they found the four bodies in the wreckage.
Utah legislature passes bill to require porn filters on mobile devices sold in state

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The Utah legislature passed legislation last week that would require filter mechanisms on smart devices sold in the state to prevent users from accessing pornography and other information harmful to minors, a move sexual exploitation advocates applaud.

National Center on Sexual Exploitation, a leading national activist group exposing sexual exploitation in the United States, praised the passage of Utahs House Bill 72. The measure seeks to protect children from viewing inappropriate sexual content online.

Utah has passed a critical, common sense solution to help protect vulnerable children from accessing harmful pornographic content on phones and tablets, NCOSE Senior Vice President and Executive Director Dawn Hawkins said in a statement.

Benjamin Bull, NCOSEs senior vice president, general counsel and law center director,told The Christian Post in a Monday interview that this measure is the first of its kind and is just the first step in protecting children and families from unsolicited sexual content.

This is an incremental step, Bull said. It wont cure the problem. The only thing that will stop the total problem is aggressive federal enforcement of existing laws to stop companies like Porn Hub  from polluting the internet with hardcore pornography. This is an incremental step that will protect some children. Its a first step that we can build off going forward.

All devices have filters to restrict content, but the default position for filtering content is turned off when the device is initially sold. The bill requires content filters to block explicit material on smart devices sold in Utah to be turned on.

The bill requires the default filter on all devices such as smartphones and tablets sold in the Beehive State to automatically enable a filter to block material considered harmful to minors.

Were demanding that providers of electronic communications, anything accessing the internet, should have greater ability to protect children and families from unwanted pornographic material, Bull said.

Adults will be given a PIN to deactivate the filter if they choose, but children will not receive a PIN to remove the filter.

Hawkins said the current guardrails on devices against sexually explicit material make it very difficult for parents to shield their children from viewing inappropriate material online.

This ensures that the devices are effective for protecting minors while being unrestrictive on adults, Hawkins shared. While these filters are already available on most devices now, on an Apple device, for example, it takes 20+ complicated steps to turn them on, leaving most parents helpless to protect their kids online.

Hawkins explained how Utahs measure could protect children from unwanted harm and trauma in the future by restricting internet access now.

There are countless heartbreaking stories of the harm caused by childrens unhindered access to Internet devices  including the individual and familial trauma of pornography exposure and addiction and adult predators targeting and grooming kids online, Hawkins said. We commend the Utah legislature for passing this bill that will aid parents in protecting their children from unwanted exposure to pornography.

The bill also allows a civil penalty of up to $10 for each violation of the legislation. A portion of the fine would be provided to the Crime Victims Reparations Fund.

Proponents of the bill admit the bill is imperfect but point out that it will not take effect until five other states pass a similar law.

It gives us years, most likely, to iron out all of the problems, if there are problems, Republican Sen. Todd Weiler said Thursday, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. But it does send a strong message.

Rep. Susan Pulsipher was the chief sponsor of the bill passed last week. The bill awaits a signature from Republican Gov. Spencer Cox.

The bill will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, if five other states implement similar measures. Utahs Senate passed the legislation 19-6 after the bill passed the House with a 41-30 vote.

There is no doubt in my mind that five states will enact this or similar legislation, Bull argued. Once again, Utah is a leader in this area.

Bull explained five other states must also implement the bill since Utah alone is such a small market. With other states support, the legislation would be harder for leading technology manufacturers like Verizon and Apple to ignore.

In order to gain sufficient legislative support to pass it, we agreed that it would become effective when five other states pass similar legislation and that would create a sufficient market force , Bull said. They would have to adapt their business practices to a basically six-state market.

Bull said Idaho, Montana and Missouri, among other statehouses, are considering similar legislation.

We feel like we have started a good legislative movement, and we think its going to encourage other states. And I think its going to happen rapidly, Bull shared.

Utah and other states have taken steps to address the public health repercussions of pornography.

In April 2016, former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert signed a resolution deeming pornography a public health crisis.

Around 70% of children between seven and 18 years old have accidentally encountered pornography online, and 90% of children between eight and 16 years old have seen online pornography, Guard Child reports, citing a compilation of child internet crime and abuse statistics from a variety of online resources.

The average age a child receives his first phone is just over 10 years old, and screen time for children has more than doubled throughout the pandemic, according to Internet Safety 101.
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For more information about Andrea Mottura's private and group language classes, go to - Andrea Mottura has enjoyed a successful singing career with the duo BohemiaViva and has traveled and performed all over the world, spending the past ten years in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She loves to infuse music and lyrics into the Spanish lessons that she shares, communicating the passion and beauty of language in creative ways.Since the pandemic began, Andrea has had to pause her performing career and has returned to her passion of teaching Spanish.Andrea was born and raised in Argentina, where she trained as a translator and interpreter, and has taught languages at various academies and institutes as well as privately. Andrea's language certifications include: Degree in Scientific, Technical, and Literary Translation; Bilingual Assessor granted by the Argentine Ministry of Education; Teaching English Online - Cambridge Assessment; ATC Language School Teacher Training; Teaching Language Online Authorized by Arizona State University.Language is a powerful force and a transforming experience that connects us with each other and our surroundings. Andrea can't wait to help you open some doors you've never imagined, that will bring you into a whole new world of communicating and understanding the Spanish language.Andrea considers being bilingual one of the greatest gifts of her life. It has opened up many opportunities in her life, both personally and professionally, and she wants to be able to share that gift with YOU!Andrea Mottura would like to invite YOU now to share and enjoy the process of learning through her online Spanish courses and guide you closer to the rich and endless culture of the Hispanic world.Through FUN videos of her singing adventures with BohemiaViva, Andrea will teach you songs and lyrics as you work together.private classes are available to you to help you move at your own pace and go deeper with each subject matter.a In different levels: Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Each class has a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 students. You get to grow and practice with each other. Andrea will help you figure out your appropriate level so you can enjoy being with other people at the same level of proficiency. She will help you assess your level with a free consult.Andrea teaches Spanish spoken in Mexico, which is Universally understood, focusing on conversation, including colloquial expressions and some slang, with a non-threatening approach to grammar.The classes are fun and focused, designed to help you improve as quickly as possible. Andrea loves singing and incorporating songs and music into her classes. At the end of each 6-week program, you will get a SPECIAL TREAT with a LIVE performance from BohemiaViva, her singing duo with her husband Luis Lujan.For more information about Andrea Mottura's private and group language classes, go to andreamottura.com.



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GameStop took a step toward a more digital future Monday, naming an activist investor to lead company efforts to push more of its business online.

The stock, which has become the focus of federal regulators after online traders challenged more institutional investors and sent shares gyrating wildly, jumped almost 50% in midday trading.

Ryan Cohen, the co-founder of the online pet supply company Chewy, will chair the company's new Strategic Planning and Capital Allocation Committee.

Cohen took a huge stake in GameStop before the online frenzy over company shares began in January. He has been seen as an agent of change and someone who knows how to make a traditional business more nimble through technology.

Cohen won a seat on GameStop's board early this year about a month after the company revealed plummeting sales in its third quarter. He has since lobbied to move GameStop's focus away from store locations, and toward a more online existence.

Cohen's arrival helped to spark a stock buying frenzy in which smaller, online investors challenged massive GameStop short positions held by hedge funds that believed the company was overvalued and in for a rough ride.

A share of GameStop that could be had for less that $20 at the start of the year, rocketed north of $480 by the end of January. Trading for more than $200 on Monday, shares are still up 970% this year.

GameStop, based in Grapevine, Texas, also said Monday that it has appointed a chief technology officer, hired executives to lead its customer care and e-commerce functions, and begun the search for a new chief financial officer with experience in tech or e-commerce.

Joining the strategic committee with Cohen are Alan Attal and Kurt Wolf, the company said Monday.
Israel has begun vaccinating Palestinians working in Israel and the occupied West Bank as part of a two-week voluntary COVID-19 vaccine drive.

Israel, which has one of the worlds highest vaccination rates, had come under fire for failing to include the roughly 5.2 million Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza in its inoculation drive. Israeli officials argued the Oslo Accord instructed the Palestinians to manage their own health care, including the estimated 122,000 Palestinians working in Israel or its settlements.

But human rights groups said Israel had a responsibility to administer the vaccine to those living under its occupation. Israel captured the West Bank, an area the Palestinians seek for a future state, during the 1967 war.

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli military liaison in the Palestinian territories, announced late last month it would provide Modernas COVID-19 vaccine to all Palestinians with Israeli work permits. On Monday, COGAT announced that some 5,000 Palestinian workers had received a jab.

According to The Times of Israel, immunization centers opened at eight West Bank crossings on Monday; a further four are expected to open at industrial centers in the territory on Tuesday.

The ruling Palestinian Authority had only acquired 12,000 doses for its population  2,000 from Israel and the rest from Russia. Under the World Health Organizations COVAX initiative, the Palestinians are expected to get 37,440 doses of the Pfizer vaccine this month and 24,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The leadership in Ramallah has faced criticism for reportedly allowing members of the ruling Fatah party to jump the line of its own vaccination program, which prioritizes frontline health care workers and certain members of the government. Citing unnamed senior Palestinian officials, The New York Times reported last week that the Palestinian Authority had administered vaccines to some senior members of the ruling party in the West Bank who have no formal role in government.

Israel, meanwhile, is reopening much of its economy after having successfully vaccinated nearly 40% of its population since January. The country has so far administered the vaccine to more than 5 million of its citizens, with over 3 million having received both doses.
Hyderabad, March 8 : Dr. Kolluri Chiranjeevi, one of the first activists of separate Telangana movement, passed away at a private hospital here on Monday following a brief illness. He was 74.

Convenor of the 1969 Telangana Movement Founders Forum, Kolluri Chiraneevi was admitted to the hospital a few days ago with respiratory problems.

As the family was facing difficulties in meeting the expenses for his treatment, the Telangana government on February 27 sanctioned Rs 10 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF).

Health Minister Etela Rajendar and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader K. Kavitha had also visited the hospital and met Dr. Kolluri's family.

Hailing from Warangal district, Dr. Kolluri played an active role in the 1969 Telangana movement when he was pursuing MBBS from the Kakatiya Medical College.

An activist and a historian, Kolluri was once associated with the People's War movement, a far-Left communist outfit founded by Kondapalli Seetharamaiah in 1980. He remained underground for about five years but later left the group.

He was also associated with the Dalit movement in 1990s when he tried to bring Dalits together under the leadership of Kanshiram, the founder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Kolluri also played a key role in the second phase of Telangana movement which began in early 2000s. He served as a member of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) that led the movement.

In 2011, he re-published the book 'Tragedy of Hyderabad', a first person account of the tumultuous events leading up to the merger of Hyderabad with the Indian Union, penned by Mir Laiq Ali, the last Prime Minister of Hyderabad State.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and several of his cabinet colleagues expressed their condolences over the death of Dr. Kolluri Chiranjeevi.

The Chief Minister said that Chiranjeevi's life is an ideal for society, as he was a qualified doctor who lived for the well being of the society. He conveyed his condolences to members of the bereaved family.

Minister K.T. Rama Rao, Eatala Rajender and T. Harish Rao also condoled the death of the leading activist.
They will know the state is collapsing: Kangana Ranaut to Maha govt on building collapse

School boundary wall collapse: Six killed, many feared trapped under debris in Bihar's Khagaria

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

Patna, Mar 08: As many as six people were killed and six others seriously injured on Monday when the boundary wall of a high school collapsed in Bihar's Khagaria district.

It can be seen that the incident took place at Chandi Tola area under the jurisdiction of Maheshkhunt police station. The tragedy reportedly took place when an excavator was digging a drain near the boundary wall of the school.

Tamil Nadu elections 2021: CPI, CPI-M to contest 6 seats each in DMK alliance

According to an eyewitness, the six-foot deep drain was being constructed without any proper planning. He alleged that the wall of the school was damaged due to the excavation and it collapsed trapping labourers working at the site.

Police said that the injured were rushed to a local hospital and their condition was said to be serious.

DMK promises Rs 1,000 cash aid for women family heads in Tamil Nadu if voted to power

"Around 4.30pm a wall of the school suddenly collapsed. There was a loud sound and about 12 labourers got trapped under the debris", said Mishra, adding that during the rescue operation, the bodies of the six labourers were pulled out.

Following the incident, the state government announced a probe into the incident and possible action against those responsible for the wall collapse. The government sought detailed enquiry from the administration.

TN elections 2021: Times Now-C-Voter opinion poll suggests DMK-Congress alliance likely to win big

Chief minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident and ordered compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of each of the deceased. Irate over the incident, locals blocked the road, shouted slogans against the administration and demanded government jobs for the next of kin of the deceased.

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Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 23:26 [IST]
US Bitter Cold Snap is a sign of the times

The polar vortex is at it again.

The weather phenomenon responsible for bone-chilling cold fronts settling over parts of North America and Europe, including those that normally experience mild winters, has held much of the central United States in its icy grip the past few weeks.

In mid-February, a blob of Arctic air moved as far south as Texas, causing extreme cold and heavy snowfalls, loss of life, traffic chaos and power outages for millions. According to the US National Weather Service, more than 100 million people over a distance of 1.6 million square kilometers were under winter storm warnings. On Feb. 16, some three-quarters of the continental USA was covered in snow, the greatest extent on record in the database which goes back to 2003.

As the mercury plunged to 31F (-37C) in Lincoln, Nebraska and 28 (-33F) in Sioux City, Iowa, parts of Texas were colder than Alaska. Dallass 4F (-15C) was the chilliest the city has experienced since 1989, while in Houston, the temperature at the airport fell to 17F, or -18C. A reported 4 million Texans were at one point without power, due to the extreme cold and several snow / ice storms. The two maps below by NASA show Houston and surrounding areas that were plunged into darkness overnight on Feb. 15-16, compared to the week earlier.

Russia and parts of northern and central Europe also saw freezing temperatures. In the week beginning Feb. 8, observation stations in Germany broke monthly records, while in the UK, the coldest night since 1955 came on Feb. 10, with the temperature in Aberdeenshire dipping to 23C. Canals in the Netherlands froze over, while southern Europe and the Mediterranean experienced major snowstorms, including Greece. The white stuff even fell in Syria and Yemen, adding to the misery of populations there.

However unlike in North America, central Europe then experienced a pleasant, though outlier warming trend. According to the World Meterological Association, the city of Gottingen, Germany, saw a massive temperature difference of 41.9 degrees in less than a week, swinging from 23.8C on Feb. 14 to +21C on Feb. 21.

Scientists believe the extreme cold, and sudden warming, are both manifestations of a weaker polar vortex.

Polar vortex

The polar vortex is a seasonal atmospheric phenomenon whereby high winds swirl around an extremely cold pocket of Arctic or Antarctic air. The winds are like a barrier that contains cold air, but when the vortex weakens, the frigid air escapes from the vortex and travels south, bringing with it a freezing cold blast of Arctic weather. In 1985, the polar vortex became so distorted that cold air pushed down to Florida, destroying the normally balmy states orange crop.

It may sound counterintuitive, but the weakening of the polar vortex is actually due to warming happening in the stratosphere, about 30 km above the North Pole. Called Sudden Stratospheric Warming, this meterological event breaks down the area of low pressure and cold air surrounding the pole, allowing cold air to spill out into the midwestern/ eastern US, and parts of western/ central Canada, and for the warmer air to hang over the Arctic.

How does climate change affect the polar vortex? The answer is warming oceans. As more ice melts during the summer, the Arctic Ocean heats up. The effect is less pronounced in Antarctica because its a land form, not a polar ice cap. That heat gets radiated back to the atmosphere in winter, which reduces the intensity of the northern polar vortex winds. The polar vortex gets disrupted, allowing cold air in the center of the swirling cyclone above the pole to migrate south. According to Scientific American, in years when a lot of Arctic sea ice disappeared, the vortex was more likely to weaken.

Along with escaping cold Arctic air that flows into parts of the Northern Hemisphere, a distorted polar vortex also warms polar regions.

In fact, the poles are warming faster than anywhere else on the planet. Canada, where the Arctic makes up 40% of its land mass, is warming at a rate twice as fast as the rest of the world  and will continue to do so.

This is the phenomenon of the wavering jet stream. The polar jet stream crosses the North Atlantic from west to east and determines the paths of weather systems. As the Arctic warms, it causes the jet stream to become weaker and wavier, allowing cold polar air to reach further south and warm air to stretch north. This makes weather systems linger in the same locations for longer, such as the 2019 summer hot spell that baked Europe, and the cold snap that froze the eastern and midwestern United States the same year.

Meteorologists use something called the Arctic Oscillation (AO) index to gauge the extent to which blobs of cold air are held above the Arctic or meander south. A positive AO indicated cold air trapped in the Arctic, where it belongs, versus a negative AO whereby the cold escapes and moves south.

Its interesting to see the difference between a positive AO in the winter of 2020, which resulted in a mild winter across most of the northern US; and the recent negative AO that brought harsh winter conditions.

The breakdown of the polar vortex and wavering jet stream theory are a good defense of global warming against critics who claim that exceedingly cold winters in certain cities are proof that climate change is not real; in fact, these events are just another manifestation of our changing climate.

Should we expect more of these polar vortex breakdowns? The answer is yes, but the longer-term trend is towards more warming than cooling. The World Meterological Association states that cold waves are becoming more infrequent as a result of climate change, but they will continue to be a part of typical weather patterns in the Northern hemisphere winter.

In its Fifth Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change writes that it is virtually certain that there will be more frequent hot and fewer cold temperature extremes over most land areas on daily and seasonal timescales as global mean temperatures increase. It is highly likely that heat waves will occur with a higher frequency and duration. Occasional cold winter extremes will continue to occur.

A study in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society found that a weakening polar vortex over the past 40 years, brought on by a melting Arctic, explained 60% of the cooling in Eurasia since 1990. The scary part of all this is the specter of the polar vortex collapsing. This would mean a total disruption of normal atmospheric warming and cooling. Without halos of swirling Arctic and Antarctic winds serving to cool the poles, they would be left to heat up, accelerating global warming.

Forbes writes: Whats concerning is the frequency and duration of breakdowns in the polar vortex, indicating its potential collapse. While the strength of the polar vortex relies on the temperature difference between the mid-latitudes and the Arctic we concurrently see increasing average temperatures in the pole. In addition, NASA puts the rate of declining Arctic sea ice at 13.2% per decade. These signs point to a continued weakening of the polar vortex and a potential collapse.

Melting ice, rising seas

Average global temperatures in 2020 were 1.76 degrees Fahrenheit or 0.98 degrees Celsius warmer than the 1901-2000 base period, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The world just finished the hottest decade on record, with the past six  2015 to 2020  the warmest in recorded history.

The warming of the Earths surface has caused a widespread retreat of the glaciers at both poles.

The Greenland ice sheet is losing nearly 267 billion metric tons of ice per year. Melting of the continent-sized island started early in 2019 and and reportedly reached historically high levels when warm air from Europes heat wave turned ice to water over more than 90% of its surface. Meanwhile Arctic sea ice measured in September  when it is thinnest  is now declining at a rate of 13.2% per decade. The IPCCs Fifth Assessment Report says Arctic sea ice extent is decreasing by 0.17 million to 0.2 million square miles, every 10 years, about twice the area of Nevada.

In September 2020 Arctic sea ice averaged 3.92 million square kilometers, the second lowest in a 42-year satellite record, behind only September 2012. The ice cover is also thinner, making it more vulnerable to warming air and oceans.

Climate scientists predict if emissions levels continue, summer sea ice will disappear within the next 20 to 25 years.

All of this melting ice has caused sea levels to rise from between seven and eight inches over the last 117 years, NASA states, with the most rise occurring since 1993. Higher sea levels are also caused by the expansion of ocean water as it warms. The latest International Panel on Climate Change report predicts sea levels rising between 20 and 38 inches by 2100 if rising temperatures do not stop. An increase of 65 centimeters, or roughly two feet, is expected to cause significant flooding in coastal cities.

What would happen if the Earth warmed by 3 degrees, just one more degree than currently? According to scientists the effects would be calamitous. With eight out of the 10 largest cities near a coast, several millions would be at risk of flooding, shoreline erosion and storm surges. The worst-hit cities would be in Asia, including Shanghai, Hong Kong and Osaka. Rio de Janeiro, Miami, The Hague, and Alexandria are also included among the most populated, at-risk cities. Climate Central ranked the 25 US cities most at risk of coastal flooding and sea level rise. It found that New York is most likely to have problems, with Miami second. Twenty-two of the 25 cities are in Florida.

One of climate sciences greatest unknowns is what could happen if the Antarctica ice sheet melts. In the 3 degrees scenario, some models predict melting South Pole ice could lift the oceans by a catastrophic 6.5 meters (21 feet). However recent information reveals that changes to the Antarctic ice sheet are not as linear as previously thought. Instead, a more detailed model shows that while the rate of ice loss in the South Pole is rapidly accelerating, there are bumps of snowfall and brief reprieves from melt along the way, Science Alert reports.

Thawing permafrost

Along with calving glaciers, shrinking ice caps and disappearing sea ice, evidence of Arctic warming can also be seen in the thawing of permafrost. Permafrost is land that is permanently frozen except for the top layer, which freezes in the winter and thaws in the summer; 70% of Russia sits on permafrost, which in some areas is over a kilometer deep. When it melts, permafrost exposes carbon dioxide and methane, a greenhouse gas that is about 30 times more powerful than CO2, in terms of its ability to trap heat.

This creates a feedback loop, which accelerates warming.

Arctic permafrost in 2017 reached record warm temperatures. Its estimated that this phenomenon could release between 300 million and 600 million tons of net carbon per year into the atmosphere. Another negative impact of melting permafrost, is subsidence. This is what happens when the surface layer gets deeper and the structures (like houses and industrial buildings) embedded in it start to fail as the ground beneath them expands and contracts.

It had been assumed that the melting of the top layer of tundra that remains frozen year-round would be a slow process, releasing carbon as the ground

thawed. In fact, the permafrost melt is happening much quicker than expected. Scientists studying the phenomenon are finding Instead of a few centimeters of thaw a year, several meters of soil can destabilize within days. Landscapes collapse into sinkholes. Hillsides slide away to expose deep permafrost that would otherwise have remained insulated, states CBC.

Climatologists predict that an estimated 2.5 million square miles of permafrost, or 40% of the worlds total, could disappear by the end of this century, significantly accelerating global temperature rise.

Conclusion

The polar vortex is a seasonal atmospheric phenomenon whereby high winds swirl around an extremely cold pocket of Arctic air. The winds are like a barrier that contains the cold air, but when the vortex weakens, the cold air escapes and travels south, bringing with it a cold blast of Arctic weather.

The weakening polar vortex, made worse by more warm water allowed to escape into the atmosphere due to thinning Arctic sea ice, leads to enhanced waviness in the polar jet stream.

These waves, called Rossby waves, help to move heat from the tropics toward the poles, and cold air to the tropics, thereby keeping temperatures moderate. When the temperature difference between the higher and lower latitudes is great, the Rossby waves flow in a relatively straight line with little meandering. When the waves meander, causing more pronounced dips and bulges, weather events occur, at the intersection of warm and cold air masses.

The scientific evidence suggests the same phenomenon is likely responsible for extreme heat experienced in Europe in early summer, 2019. The regular pattern of the jet stream changed, resulting in warm, dry air being pulled north from Africa, and settling above Europe.

Climate scientists believe that the overall warming of the planet is more likely to cause warming situations such as the European heat wave. A study done after the 2018 heat wave in the UK, found the probability of a similar event was 30 times more likely than in 1750 when there was less concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

The Independent quotes Peter Stott, an expert on climate change and extreme weather, saying that a similar heat wave 100 years ago would have been about 4 degrees cooler, because the baseline temperature was lower. In other words, because Europes average temperature has risen about 1.5C over the last century, suddenly adding a warming event makes temperatures spike higher than if the baseline temperature was cooler.

Heat waves therefore are likely to be amplified by a rise in global temperatures, due to heat-trapping greenhouse gases, and occur more often. We should also expect breakdowns in the polar vortex, with blasts of cold air suddenly reaching quite far south, to keep happening, as long as the poles continue to warm, creating wintry weather patterns.

Richard (Rick) Mills

aheadoftheherd.com

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Billionaire Mackenzie Scott's surprise announcement that she has remarried just two years after divorcing Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has left many clamoring to know more about the man who captured her heart.

Dan Jewett, a chemistry teacher at the $38,000-a-year private school where Scott's children are enrolled, is incredibly private, much like his new wife. However the couple appears to have bonded over their shared love of philanthropy  even using their marriage announcement as a way to draw attention to a charitable initiative.

Jewett  who was educated at a Christian college in Pennsylvania  has been a teacher at Lakeside School in Seattle, Washington, since 2016, having previously taught at one of the city's other top private institutions.

The couple met at the school where Jewett taught, but in the wake of their marriage announcement, his name appears to have been scrubbed from its database of teachers, suggesting that he is no longer working there.

It may be that he plans to dedicate more of his time to the philanthropic work that took center stage in Jewett and Scott's marriage announcement. Scott, 50, is one of the world's richest women with an estimated net worth of $53 billion, and Jewett has joined her in signing the Giving Pledge  a campaign that encourages the uber-rich to dedicate the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes.

It was on the site created by billionaires Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet that Jewett publicly announced his marriage to Scott for the first time, while referencing the 'generosity' of his new wife.

Happy: MacKenzie Scott, who is worth an estimated $53 billion, has married science teacher Dan Jewett following her 2019 divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos

Educator: Jewett has been a teacher for over two decades and has been working at the Lakeside School in Seattle, Washington, since 2016

Scott, who is an author and philanthropist, has also changed her Amazon biography page to say she lives in Seattle with her four children and husband Dan.

A source confirmed Scott and Jewett's marriage to the Wall Street Journal.

Steve and Jean Case; Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan; and Sara Blakely are among those who have signed the pledge, and the long-time teacher admitted that he had never imagined he would have the kind of money that would allow him to be a part of such a campaign.

Indeed, his participation in the initiative only appears to have been made possible by the wealth of his new wife.

'It is strange to be writing a letter indicating I plan to give away the majority of my wealth during my lifetime, as I have never sought to gather the kind of wealth required to feel like saying such a thing would have particular meaning,' he wrote in his post that was shared on Saturday.

'I have been a teacher for the majority of my life, as well as a grateful student of the generosity of those around me. This has meant doing my best to follow their example by passing on resources of all kinds  from time, to energy, to material possessions  when I have had them to give.

'And now, in a stroke of happy coincidence, I am married to one of the most generous and kind people I know  and joining her in a commitment to pass on an enormous financial wealth to serve others.'

What Jewett did not share were the details of how the couple's romance first began, nor the date of when they actually tied the knot. In fact, the teacher has kept much of his personal life very much under wraps, sharing only that he has been a teacher for the 'majority' of his life.

Meeting place? Scott's children with Bezos attend the Lakeside School. The private school is for grades five to 12 and costs $38,000 per year

Philanthropists: Jewett first mentioned their marriage publicly on Saturday in a post on the Giving Pledge, a site where the uber-rich vow to dedicate the majority of their wealth to others

EDUCATION

Jewett's home state remains unknown, but he started his career in education in Pennsylvania, where he went to college.

He attended Eastern University in St. Davids and graduated from the private Christian school with a bachelor's degree in chemistry 1998.

A year later, he returned to the university pursue a master's degree in education and graduated in 2002.

TEACHING CAREER

According to Apollo, Jewett has been an educator for over two decades and has been teaching at the Lakeside School since 2016.

The private school, which counts Bill Gates among its notable alumni, is for grades five to 12 and costs $38,000 per year.

Before that, he spent five years teaching chemistry at The Bush School, a private K-12 school in Seattle. Tuition varies depending by grade, but the cost of attendance for high school students was a whopping $38,930 for the 2020-2021 school year.

It appears as though Jewett didn't move to Seattle until 2011, when he started teaching at The Bush School.

While he has worked at two of the top private schools in the area, he actually got his start as a public school teacher.

After graduating with his master's degree in 2002, he taught high school chemistry in the Lower Merion School District in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

It appears as though he didn't move to Seattle until 2011, when he started teaching at The Bush School.

Looking back: Scott, who was previously known as MacKenzie Bezos and is worth an estimated $53 billion, divorced the Amazon founder back in 2019

Family photo: Scott and Bezos were married from 1993 to 2019 and share four children together. They are all pictured together in 2016

CLOSELY-GUARDED PERSONAL LIFE

Much like his new wife, Jewett has only shared a few small details about his marriage and personal life.

He alluded to 'challenging times' in his life and his diverse friend group while explaining in his Giving Pledge post why he wants to give back.

'Kind people in my life have been instrumental in making me the person I am today people who supported me through challenging times, showed me grace when I was at my worst, befriended me despite our differences, and offered me a home when I had none. I have been inspired to look out for others by their example,' he wrote.

The teacher went on to open up about how is friendships with different people have made him a better person.

News: Scott, who is an author and philanthropist, has also changed her Amazon biography page to say she lives in Seattle with her four children and husband Dan

'Relationships and a common humanity are foundational parts of my life and worldview. I recognize that the differences between people are vast,' he explained.

'I have been lucky to find my closest friends in people very unlike me in distinct ways: religion, sexual orientation, race, gender identity, socioeconomic background, you name it. Kindness and a willingness to find commonality despite differences has brought me together with them and changed me for the better.'

'Recognizing how much I have to learn from those unlike me has led me to a partner similarly inclined. I have seen many ways that MacKenzie has seen her efforts enhanced when she acts on the belief that those with common values but different perspectives, strengths, and experiences are essential to effecting positive change. We are united in that understanding and in our excitement for all we have to learn from so many people working in service of others.

'With that as a foundation, I join with the kindest and most thoughtful person I know in making this pledge, grateful for the exceptional privilege it will be to partner in giving away assets with the potential to do so much good when shared,' he continue.

'As others writing these letters have indicated in some form or another, I am sure that this pledge will benefit me as much as it benefits anyone else served by it. I look forward to the growth and learning I have ahead as a part of this undertaking with MacKenzie.'

Split: Scott and Bezos announced their separation in January 2019, shortly before the billionaire's affair with Lauren Sanchez was exposed. Sanchez and Jeff are still together

Scott  who helped create Amazon  has already dedicated a portion of her wealth since her divorce from Bezos in 2019. She gave away almost $6 billion last year alone.

In a Medium post in December, Scott revealed she had given away $4.1 billion in the previous four months to hundreds of organizations in a bid to help those financially gutted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

She had previously donated $1.68 billion to 116 nonprofits, universities, community development groups, and legal organizations in July 2020.

Scott pledged to donate the majority of her fortune after her divorce from the world's richest man left her with a four per cent stake in Amazon, which translates to 19.7 million shares.

Her wealth surged another $30.3 billion last year after Amazon shares rocketed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bezos has so far not signed the pledge but he does routinely donate some of his wealth to charitable causes.

The Amazon founder was married to Scott from 1993 to 2019, and they share four children together.

They announced their separation back in January 2019 shortly before the billionaire's affair with Lauren Sanchez was exposed.

Their divorce was finalized in April 2019 with Bezos keeping 75 per cent of the couple's stock and Scott receiving shares worth roughly $35 billion at the time.

Sanchez and Jeff are still together.
WASHINGTON  When Sen. Kyrsten Sinema stepped onto the Senate floor Friday to vote against including a minimum-wage increase in President Joe Bidens pandemic aid bill, she knew she would draw the ire of progressives in her own party.

Sinema, D-Ariz., did it anyway, punctuating her defection from the party line with a jaunty thumbs-down.

Senators frequently use the motion to register their opposition to legislation, and she was one of eight on the Democratic side to vote against the wage increase. But Sinemas gesture drew a singularly scathing response from liberal lawmakers and activists, who accused her of callously casting her vote to deny workers higher pay.

The backlash captured the simmering anger that progressives harbor toward Sinema, a onetime Green Party activist turned centrist who has emerged as an impediment to their highest aspirations in the 50-50 Senate, where she is one of a handful of moderates who hold outsize sway.

Her refusal to embrace progressive priorities like fast-tracking the minimum-wage increase as part of the stimulus bill, along with her opposition to changing Senate rules to kill the filibuster  which effectively requires 60 votes to advance any major legislation  has made her a target for liberals across the country.

Perhaps nowhere is the anger hotter than among progressive activists in Arizona, a state where demographic change has brought about rapid political shifts. Liberal Democrats labored last year to deliver the states critical electoral votes to Biden and to flip the remaining Republican-held Senate seat, all in the hopes of securing a Democratic-controlled Washington that could pass longtime priorities currently constrained by the filibuster.

We want her to be the best senator possible, said Dan ONeal, the Arizona state coordinator for Progressive Democrats of America. But we want her to start voting like a Democrat, not a Republican.

Sinema had earlier signaled her discomfort with passing the minimum-wage proposal as part of the pandemic relief bill, a rationale she cited in explaining her vote Friday, arguing that the Senate should hold a separate debate on the issue.

The move was in keeping with her overall approach in Congress, where she served three terms in the House before winning election to the Senate in 2018. She has emerged as one of the few true wild cards in her party, with a perpetual asterisk next to her name on Democrats whip card.

It is the culmination of a full-scale political transformation by Sinema, a former social worker and lawyer. The woman now known as a committed centrist ran for the Arizona Legislature nearly two decades ago as a Green Party activist; protested the Iraq War with Code Pink, the left-wing social justice movement; and once warned of the dangers of capitalism and the almighty dollar.

Her allies argue that the shift sprang from Sinemas desire to play a productive role as a legislator.

She realized that she could get stuff done working the middle and it had more impact, said Robert Meza, a Democratic member of Arizonas statehouse who served with Sinema during her tenure there from 2004-10. The left-wing groups, the business community  they started listening more to her. She realized, Hey, I actually have more power in the middle. 

In Washington, while some of her moderate colleagues have been very public about their policy preferences and legislative ultimatums, Sinema has remained largely inscrutable, declining most interview requests from publications not based in Arizona (including for this article) and refusing to preview how she is thinking about voting on any given bill or nominee.

She is known as a maverick in the staid and stodgy Senate, where her colorful wigs and quirky fashion sense  she turned up on one recent day wearing a hot-pink shirt emblazoned with the phrase DANGEROUS CREATURE  belie a preference for keeping her opinions to herself and operating behind the scenes.

Even as Democrats fought to salvage the doomed nomination of Neera Tanden, Bidens pick to lead his budget office, Sinema never disclosed how she would vote.

In stimulus negotiations, Sinema emerged as a key behind-the-scenes mediator, listening as her colleagues sparred over their differences and trying quietly to guide them to middle ground.

On Friday, as the Senate sputtered to a halt after Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., balked over the size and duration of federal unemployment payments in the relief package, Sinema implored him not to sink the bill.

Weve been getting almost everything, Sinema told him on the Senate floor, referring to the modifications that leading Democrats had made to the plan to placate moderates.

Separately, she was working with Republicans to secure a $25 billion relief fund for independent restaurants and place stricter guardrails around how states could use stimulus funding.

Shes developed a lot of conversational relationships with a lot of people on the other side, said Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla. Thats helpful just to be able to get into a dialogue when things get hard.

It is a battle-tested approach in Arizona, where Sinema defeated Martha McSally, a Republican, in 2018 in large part by showcasing her centrist credentials and emphasizing her across-the-aisle outreach to woo moderate voters. Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat, defeated McSally again in November, hewing closely to the playbook Sinema helped write.

It wasnt by chance that it happened, Meza said. Shes a great chess player.

But her history as a liberal has only sharpened the sense of resentment she inspires among progressive activists.

Its just beyond my understanding that someone could go from a Code Pink activist to saying, Yeah, there are some good things Trump did and I vote with him sometimes,  said Jenise Porter, an activist in Arizona who helped draft a resolution censuring Sinema in 2019 for failing to vote along party lines.

Sinemas political evolution began a year into her time in the state Legislature, and by the time she was in Congress and running for the Senate, she had established herself as a pragmatist and bipartisan operator. She cited Sen. John McCain as a political idol, and wrote a book  part how-to and part political memoir  that included tips like no one likes a humorless and rigid activist.

The bomb thrower doesnt get to make friends much (understandably so), and she certainly doesnt get to work with all the people shes throwing bombs toward, she wrote in the book, Unite and Conquer: How to Build Coalitions That Win  and Last.

It is in that spirit that Sinema has staunchly opposed the elimination of the filibuster, a position that has earned her entry into a small club alongside Manchin that is under withering pressure from the left. She has said little about her views on the matter, but has taken to sending inquiring constituents  of which there are many, some angrier than others  lengthy explanations defending her stance.

Debate on bills should be a bipartisan process that takes into account the views of all Americans, not just one party, Sinema wrote in one such missive. Regardless of the party in control of the Senate, respecting the opinions of senators from the minority party will result in better, common-sense legislation.

Having never served in the majority party of a legislature until this year, Sinema has herself practiced that approach for years. She is known to her colleagues as a social butterfly and appears to relish forging friendships with lawmakers across the aisle, a proclivity and skill that is exceptionally rare among politicians.

Shes very engaging, shes very bright, shes very frank, said Jonathan Rothschild, a Democrat and former mayor of Tucson. Every time I have been with her, she has that ability to make you feel you are one of the most important people in the world.

She has also refrained from litigating differences with colleagues in public, an attribute that has won her adoration from members of the other party.

Matt Salmon, a conservative former Republican congressman from Arizona, said his relationship with Sinema reached an inflection point during a particularly fraught period of his political career, after he initially expressed reluctance to endorse marriage equality after his son came out as gay.

When a local reporter asked Sinema, who is bisexual and had long lobbied for marriage equality, for her reaction, Salmon braced himself for the worst. Instead, he recalled, Sinema responded that she knew how much he loved his son.

From that moment on, I probably would have walked on hot coals for her, Salmon said, growing emotional. She had an opportunity to slice my throat and let me bleed to death politically.

Everybody expects that when somebody has the position she has, it goes without saying youre going to exploit the heck out of that, he continued. But she doesnt do that, and it adds to her strength.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey. CBS

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's highly anticipated interview with Oprah aired Sunday.

They said they stayed at Tyler Perry's home in Los Angeles after stepping back from royal duties.

They also said Perry provided security after their royal support was removed.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said during a wide-ranging interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired Sunday night that Tyler Perry provided them a home and a security detail when they moved to Los Angeles after their royal support was removed.

The couple said that they moved to Los Angeles with their son, Archie, because their location in Canada, where they had initially settled after stepping back from royal duties in early 2020, became public, and the palace told them they would stop receiving security.

"The biggest concern was while we were in Canada, in someone else's house, I then got told, short notice, that security was going to be removed," Harry said. "At this point, everyone knew, thanks to the Daily Mail, our exact location. So suddenly it dawned on me: 'Hang on. The borders could be closed. We're going to have our security removed. Who knows how long lockdown is going to be. The world knows where we are. It's not safe, it's not secure. We probably need to get out of here.'"

"We didn't have a plan," Markle added. "We needed a house, and he offered his security as well, so it gave us breathing room to try to figure out what we were going to do," she said of Perry.

Harry during the interview. CBS

Harry said that the couple's royal security detail was withdrawn because of their "change in status," despite receiving confirmation that their risk had not changed.

The couple stayed at Perry's home for three months, then decided to stay in California and purchased their own home.

Perry, who has a net worth of about $1 billion, is best known for his long-running and hugely successful Madea film series. He made headlines in 2019 when he unveiled his 300-acre film studio in Atlanta.

Story continues

Markle said in the interview that when she was pregnant, she and Harry were told that their child would not receive a royal title and therefore would not be provided a security detail. She also said that some members of the royal family had voiced "concerns" about how dark Archie's skin would be "and what that would mean or look like" if their baby had dark skin.

"In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time we have in tandem the conversation of 'he won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title,' and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born," she said.

Harry and Markle didn't name the royals who had expressed the concerns. On "CBS This Morning" on Monday, Winfrey clarified that it wasn't Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, or his grandfather, Prince Philip.

"That conversation I am never going to share, but at the time it was awkward," Harry said in the interview. "I was in shock."

Read the original article on Insider
The body of a woman has been found in a hotel room at Kokomlemle in Accra.

The deceased, who is yet to be identified, is believed to be in her mid 30s and is suspected to have been murdered by a man whose identity is also not yet known.



The woman is said to have visited a man who was lodging at the Nana Gyimah Hotel, located at Kokomlemle, but was found dead in the room two days later.



Break into room



Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Public Relations Officer at the Accra Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mrs Effia Tenge, said the police received a report last Wednesday about 3:30 p.m. regarding the incident.



She said information provided by the hotels managers indicated that a man with a foreign accent booked a room in the hotel last Monday, and received a female visitor later on.



The man, she said, left the hotel on Tuesday, and did not return compelling managers of the hotel to break into the room only to find the female visitor lying dead on the bed with wounds and blood stains on her body.



Poor records



Mrs Tenge said following the report, a team of police personnel were dispatched to the scene of the crime and found the deceased.



No form of identification was found on the woman and when the body was inspected, wounds, suspected to have been inflicted with a sharp implement, were seen on the face.



It was found that the hotel did not keep proper records of their clients as it failed to record the details of its guests even though the hotel had a book for that purpose.



In addition, the hotel did not have a close circuit television (CCTV) to capture people leaving the hotel and coming in, as that could have helped the police with its investigations.

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.

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[March 08, 2021] Europe TV and Video Market Dataset & Report 2021-2024: TV Access Systems, TV and OTT Service Revenue, Audience and Subscriptions for the Top Players

DUBLIN, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The TV and Video Market in Europe - Dataset & Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. In this study, the report delivers an analysis of the sector's key indicators, and so providing readers with a deeper understanding of current and upcoming shifts and trends in Europe's TV and OTT markets: A dataset of 17 countries and 2 sub-regions, historical data back to 2016 and market forecasts up to 2024.

It covers the key indicators for tracking the TV and video sector: TV access systems, TV and OTT service revenue, audience and subscription figures for the top players.

The report provides an analysis of the main market trends, and the developments to watch. Dataset Scope Indicators by country Consumption indicators Video viewing time: live linear TV, time-shifted TV, online video

The top free-to-air channels' audience share Access indicators General access indicators: TV households

Households' television access mode on the main TV set: terrestrial, satellite, cable, IPTV

Pay-TVpenetration: pay-TV/free-to-air only split

Customer number for the main pay-TV services

Customer number for the main OTT services

Customer number for the main SVoD offers



Revenue indicators Income from public financing/licensing fees

TV ad revenue

Pay-TV revenue

Revenue from OTT services: video advertising revenue (in-stream ad), DTR, Download to rent, EST, Electronic Sell-Through, SVoD - Subscription Video on Demand Type of data

Background data 2016-2019

Estimates as of the end of 2020

Forecasts for 2021-2024 Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. TV & Video Consumption

2.1. Linear TV viewing: Europe in the global average

2.2. Solutions for stemming viewer losses 3. TV Access Networks

3.1. High TV penetration rate in households starting to decline

3.2. Terrestrial television still dominates in southern Europe, while cable and satellite share the market in continental and northern Europe

3.3. IPTV: main beneficiary of changing viewing habits in Europe

3.4. But Europe will still be a land of contrasts in 2024

3.5. Pay TV's weight in the equation 4. TV Revenue

4.1. A continent that is losing steam

4.2. Balanced reliance on three main sources of financing

4.3. Clear decrease in growth

4.4. A downward trend driven by multiple factors

4.5. Dwindling growth confirmed in Europe with the Covid-19 crisis 5. OTT Video Market

5.1. A market massively concentrated in a handful of countries

5.2. The Covid-19 crisis benefitted subscription services

5.3. Still steady growth momentum for OTT in Europe, but at a lesser pace

5.4. OTT ensuring audiovisual industry growth 6. The Players

6.1. European players' dwindling clout on the international stage

6.2. Having to compete with American OTT players, European media companies are looking to form strategic alliances



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/57fryd

Media Contact: Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/europe-tv-and-video-market-dataset--report-2021-2024-tv-access-systems-tv-and-ott-service-revenue-audience-and-subscriptions-for-the-top-players-301242337.html SOURCE Research and Markets

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Emmanuel Macron: The Azerbaijani troops must leave Armenias sovereign territory

Armenia 3rd President on authorities and the upcoming elections

Armenia 3rd President reacts to photos of bodies of soldiers in freezer: It felt like the blood froze in my veins

Armenia Ombudsman addresses OSCE officials in regard to Ilham Aliyev's Armenophobic statements

Turkey's Erdogan expresses willingness to support Georgia-Azerbaijan-Armenia trilateral cooperation

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

French-Armenians hold protest against Armenia acting PM's visit to France

Angulo's goal helped Armenia tie score with Croatia

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: I've fallen in love with AS Roma and Rome over the last two years

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Armenia President appoints judges

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Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

Yerkir.am: ARF-D Bureau member: Armenia acting PM ignored Macron's phone calls on November 9, 2020

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Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

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Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

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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

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Thomas Tuchel's contract with Chelsea automatically extended

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USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

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Both companies will operate under the Morris Sheet Metal brand with full integration expected by May 2021

Alpine 4 CEO Kent Wilson says the combined companies should reach revenues in excess of $50 million within the next 36 months

Alpine 4 Technologies Inc ( ) announced Monday that its subsidiaries Deluxe Sheet Metal Inc and Morris Sheet Metal Corporation are merging to become one of the largest sheet metal contractors in the Midwest region.

Both companies will operate under the Morris Sheet Metal brand, and Deluxe and Morris are expected to be fully integrated by May 2021, Alpine 4 said in a statement.

This merger creates a more harmonious relationship between the two companies, the company said. The combining of resources empowers Morris to strengthen its brand through its strategic banking relationship, eliminate duplicative and competitive interests, and expand its footprint beyond the Indiana home base.

Alpine 4 noted that Morris will now have over 100,000 square feet of production and office space and over 90 Union Sheet Metal Workers in South Bend and Fort Wayne, Indiana. Both locations put the company within 2-3 hours of Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan, Toledo and Columbus, Ohio, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

"The merger of Deluxe Sheet Metal and Morris Sheet Metal will have enormous implications for the Mechanical Contractor industry in the American Midwest, said Alpine 4 CEO Kent Wilson in a statement.

The merger will provide positive impacts for the customers and communities we serve. These impacts will range from; better pricing and enhanced quality control, the latest in construction management technology, and a well-capitalized parent company ready to dominate the Midwest sector. Our competition, however, will have to reckon with these resources, though I doubt they will be able to compete at our level in the market.

Wilson said Deluxe Sheet Metal can trace its roots back to the 1950's and is known in the industry as the go-to contractor for high-tech thermal management. Its customers range from the University of Notre Dame to GE and many other top-tier companies in the Midwest. The company recently built one of the largest cryptocurrency mining facilities in the Midwest, requiring precise thermal management.

He noted that Morris Sheet Metal is the preferred contractor for one of the largest hospital networks in Indiana. During 2020 and the coronavirus (COVID 19) epidemic, Morris was responsible for building hundreds of isolation rooms.

The combined company anticipates the benefits of that merger to drop the General & Administrative expenses by almost 7% in the first 12 months after the transaction, Wilson said.

We also expect our gross profit margin to increase as our Material Cost of Goods will decrease by 5% due to increased purchasing power. The combined companies should reach revenues in excess of $50M, without major capital investments, within the next 36 months."

Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham
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Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service (ODVSS) and Tusla have launched the Ethnic Minority Community Development project last week, completing a two-year pilot programme.

The project was established to identify the barriers and gaps that prevent women from the ethnic community in seeking help and support.

In the report, former Chairperson of ODVSS, Molly Buckley said that the ODVSS was delighted to be part of this project. It is without doubt that there has been a significant amount of work completed to identify the barriers and gaps that prevent women from the ethnic community in coming forward for help over the last two years.

Barriers such as language, finding the right service, shame stigma, racism, immigration status, culture and religion, need defined strategies if we are to break down and address the complexities of abuse. Inter-agency support and partnerships with key stakeholders is key to this success, she continued.

Later, she wrote: We have experienced challenging times over the last few months with Covid-19 and very quickly like all services we had to adapt and meet increasing needs of victims of abuse. Despite, Covid-19, Anna Heagney continued to implement strategies that advanced the project along and achieved results. Anna is a valuable member of the ODVSS team and her work and dedication to the project has been outstanding.

Ms Buckley then expressed her thanks to all the ethnic minority groups, who met with Anna Heagney, Ethnic Minority Community Development worker, provided information, engaged with surveys, focus groups, and one to one network meetings. Without this support, the project would not have been possible. We would not have been able to identify the concerns and recommendations outlined in this report. Thank you to the domestic violence support services in the midlands, who cooperated with the project providing valuable information from each county.

Ms Buckley congratulated Anna on a very informative piece of work that will address barriers for victims of abuse within the ethnic community. She also thanked Varlier Everard, Tusla for "trusting and believing in ODVSS carry out such an important project.

The Chairperson then went on to further thank Anne Clarke, the Manager of ODVSS, who guided the project's development and supported Anna in her role as an ethnic minority community development worker.

It is imperative that we continue the excellent work that has been achieved by Anna and this project and build the capacity within the ethnic minority community to make women aware that support is available and that there shall be no barriers in front of them in seeking a life away from abuse, she concluded.

Anna outlined how it was an amazing journey and a great learning curve for her over the last two years and there's no doubt that there's an urgent need for more awareness and support for ethnic minority women and men, as well as structural improvements on a national level for breaking down barriers that are facing minority victims of domestic abuse.

Anna also thanked all the groups that had contributed to the project and expressed she was delighted that Tusla had acknowledged the benefits of the recommendations and had agreed to continue to provide funding for the next stage of the project.

Meanwhile, the background to the report is that in 2017, Tusla Child and Family agency commissioned a needs analysis of needs and gaps in domestic violence support service delivery in the midlands (Offaly, Laois, Westmeath, Longford and Roscommon. One of the key findings of this report identified that women from ethnic minority backgrounds, who were experiencing domestic abuse weren't disclosing abuse or seeking support from domestic violence support services. It was evident that significant barriers were preventing women from seeking help. The conception of this project aimed to address these barriers and examine and provide recommendations to support women in the ethnic minority communities, who were experiencing domestic abuse.

An advisory group was established to include Tusla, the Manager of ODVSS and Laois Domestic Abuse Service, Snr Child and Family Support Network co-ordinator, Tulsa Roscommon, AkiDwA and the Manager of EROC, Ballaghaderreen. ODVSS was delegated to host the project and create the role of Ethnic Minority Development Project Worker.

To gain more knowledge around the issues, the project worker also established contacts with and started networking with ethnic minority support organisations in other areas of Ireland, predominantly Dublin. An initial survey went out to services and organisations in late 2019. 70 surveys were circulated in various guises and this generated 60 responses and identified three barriers including language, lack of childcare and lack of awareness of services offered.

A second survey aimed at women from any ethnic minority background opened in early 2020 and 227 completed surveys were received from 34 different minority backgrounds, the largest group of respondents were from Pakistan, Lithuania and Latvia. This survey then identified six large barriers, which included language and communication, difficult to find the right service to use and not aware of what DV services can offer, shame and stigma and fear of being rejected by their own community, fear of racism or prejudice, immigration status issues and cultural or religious issues.

Networking with stakeholders needed to continue and in early 2020, the process of building trust and making contacts with minority groups and individuals progressed at a steady pace. However, as strategies were beginning to form, Covid-19 arrived and dramatically changed the dynamics of the approach as the whole country went into lockdown in March. New strategies were adapted on raising awareness of the project by engaging with local newspapers, radio and across social media platforms, while other opportunities such as webinars and training were utilised as well as the formation of new partnerships with the Russian and Muslim community.

Following two years of research, a number of findings and actions have been made including that the EMDP continues into a second phase to build capacity, engage with stakeholders and work with ethnic minority groups to encourage them to set out community champions that can help to address some of the barriers, which have been identified in this report.

Actions include developing a training road map and tool kit for other front line services that encounter and work with ethnic minority communities, provision of adequate resources of trained and accredited translators and interpreters for frontline services, addressing language barriers, adequate search engine profiling of DV services online, diversity in volunteers and staff in DV services, training and awareness for frontline DV services around culturally harmful practices such as FGM, HBV and forced married, continued co-partners awareness campaigns to ethnic minority groups and faith communities to raise awareness of signs of domestic violence, ethnic minority victims of domestic abuse, regardless of immigration/visa status, should be allowed to access refuge and other protective services while waiting for the process of their independent visa application, development of a strategised 'best practice' approach by the Gardai when supporting ethnic minority victims of abuse where a language barrier is present, full access to trained and accredited interpreters in family law courts, the development of a national educational learning programme on domestic abuse and the ethnic minority communities, for all domestic violence support service to be adequately resourced to provide specialised support to meet the need within the ethnic minority communities and via for DV victim dependents should be fast tracked or given a temporary visa to be able to access funds.
Astronomers have discovered new hints of a giant, scorching-hot planet orbiting Vega, one of the brightest stars in the night sky.

The research, published this month in The Astronomical Journal, was led by University of Colorado Boulder student Spencer Hurt, an undergraduate in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences.

It focuses on an iconic and relatively young star, Vega, which is part of the constellation Lyra and has a mass twice that of our own sun. This celestial body sits just 25 light-years, or about 150 trillion miles, from Earth--pretty close, astronomically speaking.

Scientists can also see Vega with telescopes even when it's light out, which makes it a prime candidate for research, said study coauthor Samuel Quinn.

"It's bright enough that you can observe it at twilight when other stars are getting washed out by sunlight," said Quinn, an astronomer at the Harvard and Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA).

Despite the star's fame, researchers have yet to find a single planet in orbit around Vega. That might be about to change: Drawing on a decade of observations from the ground, Hurt, Quinn and their colleagues unearthed a curious signal that could be the star's first-known world.

If the team's findings bear out, the alien planet would orbit so close to Vega that its years would last less than two-and-a-half Earth days. (Mercury, in contrast, takes 88 days to circle the sun). This candidate planet could also rank as the second hottest world known to science--with surface temperatures averaging a searing 5,390 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hurt said the group's research also helps to narrow down where other, exotic worlds might be hiding in Vega's neighborhood.

"This is a massive system, much larger than our own solar system," Hurt said. "There could be other planets throughout that system. It's just a matter of whether we can detect them."

Youthful energy

Quinn would like to try. Scientists have discovered more than 4,000 exoplanets, or planets beyond Earth's solar system, to date. Few of those, however, circle stars that are as bright or as close to Earth as Vega. That means that, if there are planets around the star, scientists could get a really detailed look at them.

"It would be really exciting to find a planet around Vega because it offers possibilities for future characterization in ways that planets around fainter stars wouldn't," Quinn said.

There's just one catch: Vega is what scientists call an A-type star, the name for objects that tend to be bigger, younger and much faster-spinning than our own sun. Vega, for example, rotates around its axis once every 16 hours--much faster than the sun with a rotational period that clocks in at 27 Earth days. Such a lightning-fast pace, Quinn said, can make it difficult for scientists to collect precise data on the star's motion and, by extension, any planets in orbit around it.

To take on that game of celestial hide-and-seek, he and colleagues pored through roughly 10 years of data on Vega collected by the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory in Arizona. In particular, the team was looking for a tell-tale signal of an alien planet--a slight jiggle in the star's velocity.

"If you have a planet around a star, it can tug on the star, causing it to wobble back and forth," Quinn said.

Hot and puffy

The search may have paid off, said Hurt, who began the study as a summer research fellow working for Quinn at the CfA. The team discovered a signal that indicates that Vega might host what astronomers call a "hot Neptune" or maybe a "hot Jupiter."

"It would be at least the size of Neptune, potentially as big as Jupiter and would be closer to Vega than Mercury is to the sun," Hurt said.

That close to Vega, he added, the candidate world might puff up like a balloon, and even iron would melt into gas in its atmosphere.

The researchers have a lot more work to do before they can definitively say that they've discovered this sizzling planet. Hurt noted that the easiest way to look for it might be to scan the stellar system directly to look for light emitted from the hot, bright planet.

For now, the student is excited to see his hard work reflected in the constellations: "Whenever I get to go outside and look at the night sky and see Vega, I say 'Hey, I know that star."

###

Other coauthors on the new study include David Latham, Gilbert Esquerdo, Michael Calkins, Perry Berlind, Christian Latham and George Zhou at the CfA; Andrew Vandeburg at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Ruth Angus at the American Museum of Natural History.
New Delhi, March 8 : The first day of the second-leg of the Budget Session failed to conduct normal business on Monday as the joint opposition created pandemonium inside the House by raising slogans against the government over rising prices of LPG cylinders and petroleum products.

The Opposition mounted attack on these issues soon after the House assembled at 4 p.m.

Amid the din, the Lower House somehow managed to conduct little business like laying of papers with some women MPs getting the chance to speak on issues of women on International Women's Day. However, the proceedings were adjourned twice amid uproar by the Opposition.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the first adjournment of the House at 5 p.m. for the next two hours, before BJP member Rama Devi, who was on the chair then, announced the final adjournment for the day after a brief discussion as the uproar continued.

Opposition parties, as well as the former allies of the ruling BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Shiv Sena, took on the government on the issue of price hike issue.

Led by leaders from the Congress, Trinamool Congress and DMK, the Opposition members approached the Speaker's podium raising "LPG ke daam wapas lo" (roll bak LPG price) and "Perol, diesel ke daam kam karo" (reduce the prices of petrol and diesel) slogans.

The NCP, RSP, J&K National Conference and other opposition leaders were also part of the move, but they chose only to stand from their respective seats.

Before announcing the final adjournment, Rama Devi requested the agitating parliamentarians to let the House discuss women's issues on International Women's Day, but the latter didn't pay any heed to her requests and kept on sloganeering.

After speeches of three-four women parliamentarians on women's issues, Rama Devi had to adjourn the House for the day.

Earlier, Speaker Om Birla had requested the opposition parties to dedicate the House proceedings to the women MPs, considering the celebration of Women's Day which was observed across the world on Monday.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had then requested the opposition to support the House proceedings, saying it was dedicated to women MPs of the House for the day in view of the International Women's Day. "We should run the House and discuss issues related to women. A separate discussion on women is also acceptable," Joshi said.

Congress leader of the House Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury suggested giving reservation to women, requesting the government to come up with a resolution on it to honour the women.

Later, SAD leader and former Cabinet minister Harsimrat Kaur asked how the women will run their homes amid price rise of LPG, petrol and diesel.

As the opposition continued the din, the Lok Sabha Speaker adjourned the House first for two hours till 7 p.m.
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, March 8 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Mar, 2021 ) :The death toll from accidental explosions that rocked a military camp in Equatorial Guinea and the surrounding area rose sharply Monday to 98 with hundreds wounded, the vice president said, as the scale of the disaster became clearer.

The blasts on Sunday, involving ammunition stocks and explosives at the camp in the country's economic hub Bata, devastated buildings at the compound and houses in surrounding residential areas.

"At the moment, we deplore 98 dead and 615 injured," Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue wrote on his Twitter account.

An earlier toll reported by state television said 30 dead and 600 injured.

State television has shown images akin to a war zone, in which rescue workers and civilians struggled to remove bodies from smoking ruins.

Three young children were brought out alive and taken to hospital, it said.

In a hospital in Bata, many wounded, some on the floor, received first aid.

A string of four huge explosions occurred in mid-afternoon on Sunday, hitting the Nkoa Ntoma camp, which houses special forces and gendarmes and their families, as well as homes nearby.

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who has ruled the small central African state for 42 years, has blamed the accident on stubble-burning by local farmers and on "negligent" supervision of the camp's munitions depot.

"My uncle, who is an officer at the camp, has just called to say that this morning he found the bodies of five members of his family, which were totally burned," one Bata resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP.

Another resident, Teodoro Nguema, told AFP by phone, "We haven't slept all night -- the houses were burning all night long and we kept hearing small explosions.

"Anyone living in a radius of two to four kilometres (1.2 to 2.5 miles) of the explosions has been unable to return home." Bata is home to 800,000 of Equatorial Guinea's 1.4 million people, most of whom live in poverty despite the country's oil and gas wealth.

The capital is Malabo, on the island of Bioko.

- 'Victim of negligence' - In a statement, Obiang said, "The city of Bata has been the victim of negligence by the team in charge of guarding stores of dynamite, explosives and munitions." "(These) caught fire because of embers caused by stubble-burning in the fields by farmers, which ended up causing a series of explosions."The defence ministry said blasts caused by heavy-calibre munitions caused "shock waves which totally destroyed numerous homes nearby".

The only Spanish-speaking country in sub-Saharan Africa, Equatorial Guinea is one of the most enclosed nations in the continent.
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Kabul, March 8 : The UN said on Monday that it sought a leading role for Afghan women in the country's peace process that is expected to enter a new phase in the coming weeks or months.

In a statement marking International Women's Day, the UN said that to give Afghan women a leading role in peace, support was required from all sectors of society as well as from the government and the international community, reports Xnhua news agency.

This is also an opportunity to showcase the strengths of Afghanistan's women leaders in all their diversity, the world body said, adding that when today's women leaders are respected and supported and more girls will be encouraged to follow their path.

"The peace process has brought to the fore strong Afghan women leaders, who have negotiated on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and rallied support in their communities for a peaceful solution to the conflict," said Deborah Lyons, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan.

"Empowering these women and expanding women's participation will be critical to ensure a just and sustainable peace that protects the rights of all Afghans." "Women must be at the front and center of decision-making, to achieve a peace that lasts, for a bright future for all Afghans," said Aleta Miller, UN Women Representative in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the Friends of Afghan Women Ambassadors' Group said that the progress made by women are preserved in a negotiated political settlement.

Women in Afghanistan gained equality under the 1964 constitution, but rights were taken away in the 1990s, including under the Taliban regime.

But in 2001, a new government under the President Hamid Karzai, which was formed by the UN, included women.

Under the new constitution of 2004, 27 per cent of the 250 seats in the House of the People are reserved for women.
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Her shapewear range SKIMS has become a smashing success.

And Kim Kardashian was certainly her own best advertisement in her latest social media post.

The 40-year-old reality star took to Instagram on Monday to share an eye-popping snap of herself in a blush pink SKIMS bra.

She puckered her lips in the seductive snap as she sat in a chair in front of a vanity mirror for the seemingly behind-the-scenes snap.

Pretty in pink: Kim Kardashian, 41, took to Instagram on Monday to share an eye-popping snap of herself in a blush pink SKIMS bra

Kim raised her hands toward the camera to show off her ruby red manicure in the snap which was captioned to 209million followers with a simple red lips emoji.

Her signature brunette tresses were worn down in a perfect middle-part as she accentuated her looks with complementary make-up on her face.

The post came just a day after she made quite the glamorous and memorable statement in a skintight olive green gown as she enjoyed Givenchy's virtual fashion show.

As she watched a live stream of the fall 2021 collection runway show from Paris from home, the mogul wowed in a stunning dress with a jewel-encrusted neckline.

Stunning: The post came just a day after she made quite the glamorous and memorable statement in a skintight olive green gown as she enjoyed Givenchy's virtual fashion show

To showcase her look, she shared a slideshow with five snaps of her striking a number of different poses, which showed off her enviable curves.

In her first snap, she can be seen crouched down with both arms atop her head as she looked off in the distance.

She styled the ensemble with a large gorgeous necklace, a few rings and a pair of open-toed high heels.

As she crouched down, the KKW Beauty founder put on a very busty display in her plunging necklace.

Bombshell: As she watched a live stream of the fall 2021 collection runway show from Paris from home, the 41-year-old reality star wowed in a stunning dress with a jewel-encrusted neckline

Wow: To showcase her look, she shared a slideshow with five snaps of her striking a number of different poses, which showed off her enviable curves

For makeup, Kardashian rocked a classic smokey eye, nude lips and a glowing golden tan.

Meanwhile, her younger sister Kendall Jenner also shared pictures of herself on Instagram 'at home in' Givenchy's new collection.

As the 25-year-old supermodel wowed in an edgy midriff-baring leather ensemble, she sat on a black stool and smoldered at the camera.

Glam: For her makeup, Kardashian rocked a classic smokey eye, nude lips and a glowing golden tan

Kendall's beloved Doberman Pyro also made in appearance in two snaps as she stroked his chin and flashed her gym-honed torso.

Her cool bottoms featured silver studs and a slit on her thigh.

Kylie Jenner also shared a stunning outfit, which included a thigh-skimming pink dress from the Parisian designer.

Edgy: Kim's younger sister Kendall Jenner also shared snaps of herself on Instagram 'at home in' Givenchy's new collection

Dog mom: As the 25-year-old supermodel wowed in an edgy midriff-baring leather ensemble, she sat on a black stool and smoldered at the camera

She paired the very sexy dress with a pair of thigh-high pastel boots and her dark tresses perfectly straightened.

Anne Hathaway posted a slideshow, along with a sweet caption thanking Givenchy Creative Director's Matthew M. Williams and Youssef Marquis for the invitation and sending her 'these gorgeous threads.'

'How I look getting to see Givenchys virtual fashion show,' the Oscar winner, 38, wrote, nodding to her in the first picture.

Supermodel: Kendall's beloved Doberman Pyro also made in appearance in two snaps as she stroked his chin and flashed her gym-honed torso

Barbie: Kylie Jenner also shared a stunning look wearing a thigh-skimming pink dress from the Parisian designer

Pink: The youngest member of the KarJenner family looked fierce in her all-pink ensemble

As for the second photo of her smiling, she wrote: 'How I feel getting to see Givenchys virtual fashion show!!'

Her pal and Ocean's 8 costar, Mindy Kaling, commented: 'Annie Im screeching.'

Her brown hair was styled in loose waves as she rocked a red lipstick, matching turtleneck and a cool blazer.

Grateful: Anne Hathaway also posted a slideshow, along with a sweet caption thanking Givenchy Creative Director's Matthew M. Williams and Youssef Marquis for the invitation and sending her 'these gorgeous threads'

Happy: The second photo of her smiling, she wrote: 'How I feel getting to see Givenchys virtual fashion show!!'

Bella Hadid, who walked in Givenchy's show, opted to upload a few images of herself 'right after' storming the catwalk in a black vest, white blouse and trousers.

In one behind-the-scenes snap, she can be seen tying her shoe and another fixing her tie.

She was sporting a dramatic winged eyeliner and received more than 581,858 likes in less than an hour.

Catwalk queen: Bella Hadid, who walked in Givenchy's show, opted to post a few images of herself 'right after' storming the catwalk in a black vest, white blouse and trousers
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The high-speed rail connection project is a part of China's progressive plan of expanding connectivity across the Tibet Autonomous Region especially alongside the border areas of India.

China is going to operate bullet trains to Tibet which is close to the Indian borders of Arunachal Pradesh by July 2021. China plans to expand the total length in operation of its high connectivity train links to around 50,000 Km by the year 2025.

In a report published by state-run Xinhua news agency on Saturday, Lu Dongfu, Chairman of the China State Board Company Ltd. and a deputy to the National Peoples Congress (NPC), had said that a 435 Km rail network to the regional capital of Lhasa will operate Fuxing high-speed trains powered by both electricity and internal combustion. the construction of the rail link project was started in the year 2014 connecting Lhasa and Nyingichi in eastern Tibet, further operations shall begin in June 2021. the report also mentioned that the track-laying work was finished by the year 2020.

China lay claims to the Indian state as part of South Tibet and has been speedily developing infrastructure in the remote areas of Nyingchi, which is located less than 50km away from the border with the Indian state- Arunachal Pradesh and is not accessible to journalists and foreign diplomats.

Also Read: After France, Switzerland votes to outlaw face coverings including Burqa in public

The official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported under a national blueprint, China plans to extend the total length of its rail network to 200,000 Km and its high-speed rail system to about 70,000 km by the year 2035. Chinas TAR will further be supported to construct an important passageway opening to South Asia, as published in the draft outline of the 14th five-year plan for national, economic, and social development as well as the long-range objectives through the year 2035.

Also Read: Ancient port city of Korkai to be excavated after 52 years
21-Year-Old Tortured Over Posts About Chinese Leaders Daughter

A 21-year-old man was sentenced to 14 years in a Chinese jail and suffered repeated torture for allegedly posting personal details about the Chinese leader Xi Jinpings close family, his mother told The Epoch Times.

The lawyer told me after seeing him that he saw cigarette burns on his arm. He cant move his right arm and has to eat with his left hand, the mother of Niu Tengyu, the jailed administrator of the wiki-based forum Esu Wiki, said in an interview. They injected some unknown substances into his feet that caused pus. It was so painful that he cant sleep at night.

Nius supposed offense stemmed from posts dating to May 2019 that revealed photos, the identification number, and the passport photo of Xis Harvard-educated daughter, Xi Mingze, as well as details of Xis brother-in-law, Deng Jiagui. The forum, characterized by parodies of celebrities and nationalistic memes, has since been shut down.

Niu, a self-taught coder, received the harshest punishment among 24 people arrested in connection with the case. All of them are students with administrative access to the forum, including nine who were under 18 years old.

Last December, Maoming Maonan District Peoples Court in Chinas southern Guangdong Province deemed him guilty of picking quarrels and provoking trouble, an umbrella offense the Chinese regime frequently applies to stifle dissent. Besides a 14-year jail sentence, the court also imposed a 130,000 yuan fine (approximately $20,010).

The heavy jail term sent such a shock to Nius mother that she collapsed, breaking her leg as a result, she said.

A post that purported to reveal personal details of Chinese leader Xi Jinpings daughter, Xi Mingze. (Screenshot)

She insisted that Niu had no involvement in the doxxing. The trove of information about Xis family had first appeared on two other similar sites based overseas, with one called Zhina Wiki, the parents of 10 arrestees wrote in an open letter dated Feb. 8.

They said their children were made scapegoats because the police couldnt reach the culprits who are based overseas.

Niu disappeared in October 2019, after being held weeks in the local Maoming No. 1 Detention Center. Only months later did his mother learn that Niu had been secretly transferred to Foshan Nanhai District detention center, where he was given the code name MM20. He was locked in an isolated room in a remote village, she said.

It was as if he had suddenly evaporated from this world.

The goal of the police was to exact a confession. When Niu refused to admit his guilt, they doubled the tactics to force him to submit, his mother said.

The officers stripped Niu naked, set the air conditioning at the lowest temperature, and beat him, Nius mother said. A police officer surnamed Chen also verbally abused him and made video and photo records of the torture sessions.

He was hung up and splashed with cold water when he collapsed from the beating. They also shocked him with electric batons the moment he dozed off.

They said this kid is too tough and needs special treatment, she said.

Three inmates released from that detention center had called her to reveal more about Nius ordeals, she said.

One person was so choked with sobs that he couldnt speak, she said. In tears, the person described how Niu was beaten to the point that he had chest pains and gasped for air due to difficulty in breathing. Several times, he lost consciousness and was sent to the hospital, the person said, adding that Niu couldnt lie down on the bed when going to sleep because of his injuries.

In a handwritten note recently made public, Niu said he was forced to fabricate and make up a lot of nonexistent, deliberately concocted facts based on the titles and outlines that police gave. When he failed to finish within the required time, he was beaten, deprived of sleep, and was given only white rice to eat.

Niu said he wrote tens of thousands of words that filled up several hundred sheets of A4 paper.

Between Dec. 10[, 2019] and Jan. 20, 2020, I slept no more than 30 hours, he wrote. He stated that these documents were forged under the coercion of the case handlers and dont represent his thoughts.

Nius mother is appealing the court ruling. Several lawyers have dropped the case because of pressure by authorities. One of them had been summoned by the police after he submitted a statement arguing that his client was innocent. Nius current lawyer, Bao Longjun, said he plans to sue the interrogators over the mistreatment.

Still recovering from her fall, she is suffering from worsening eyesight and heart issues from anxiety for Niu. But with the hefty fine and no source of income, she hasnt been able to seek proper medical treatment, she said.

Despite the challenges, she said she will stay mentally strong and tell the world what the Chinese police have done.

May heaven help me so that I can live to the day when I can see my child again, she said.

Hong Ning contributed to this report.
New Delhi:

A doctor tried to jab HIV+ve virus at his senior at a government hospital in Andhra Pradeshs Kadapa.

According to a Time of India report, an orthopaedician Dr David Raju holding a syringe containing HIV +ve blood stormed into the hospital superintendent Dr Lakshmi Prasads cabin on Friday morning.

The report added that superintendent of the hospital managed to dodge the attack after a hospital raised an alert on on seeing a syringe filled with blood being carried by Raju.

The incident was reported at Proddatur police station and the accused doctor was detained by hospital staffs till the time police arrived.

Police investigating the case suspect the incident was result of a grudge.

The accused doctor claimed that he was repeatedly being harassed by the hospital superintendent.

District Coordinator of Hospital Services (DCHS), Dr Jayarajan has been asked to inquire the incident.

Hospital's staff are protesting against the incident and demanding stern action against Dr Raju.

A hospital staff staging protest told the media, Dr. Raju went to the special ward for HIV patients. He withdrew blood from a patient and attacked the senior doctor.

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Photographer Captures Stirring Before-and-After Portraits of Former Child Laborers, Now in School

For over two decades, award-winning photographer GMB Akash has been preoccupied by the lives of marginalized people in his home country of Bangladesh. Akash has spent 17 years documenting the plight of child laborers. His work has culminated in a heart-rending series of before and after photos, depicting children who are now able to attend school.

After seeing the same little faces time and time again, representative of the four million Bangladeshi children forced into labor to support their families, Akash intervened. He started helping impoverished families establish profitable small businesses, getting their children out of the labor force and into the classroom.

His photographs tell the tale. And the childrens transformations are nothing short of breathtaking.

Growing up beside the biggest red-light district in Bangladesh, Akash, 44, heard the cries of women every single night. I wanted to know more about the lives of those women who lived inside those walls, he explained to My Modern Met.

He also spent sleepless nights thinking about the Dalitspeople belonging to the lowest caste in Indiaostracized by all but their own community. [The] camera became my passport to go to the places that I could never go to otherwise, Akash explained.

We are all human beings, he reasoned; nobody chooses a life of marginalization.

Building a relationship with his subjects over time became very important to the photographer. Owing to these sustained relationships, it wasnt long before Akash realized that life wasnt changing for child laborers.

In order to get children out of the factories and brickfields, I needed their parents to make enough money to support the family and have their children attend school, he explained.

Akash began using his own income and donations to give families small business opportunitiescows for milking, tuk tuk taxis, and vegetable stands at the marketplus training on how to make a business successful and sustainable. To date, he has established 150 different businesses for 150 families.

Despite the illegality of child labor in Bangladesh, some of the parents took some coaxing to get their kids to school. In order to facilitate this, Akash even assumed responsibility for admission fees, tuition fees, daily food, books, and clothes.

By the grace of God, I have admitted a total of 30 working children to school and I am monitoring them very closely, he told Bored Panda. I am regularly visiting their homes and schools to assess their situation. Hopefully, in a few months, I will be able to admit another ten child laborers to school.

Akash also provides scholarships to hundreds of students, allowing them to pass exams and attend university. He distributes clothes to the needy, sandals to street kids, and essentials to elderly couples with no children of their own.

Whenever I get any money, I try to help people, he explained.

Akashs passion has earned him over 100 international photography awards. Today, he spearheads GMB Akash Institute of Photography in Dhaka, and with the support of several partners, a rural school building outside the capital city for children from eight neighboring villages with no access to education.

This rural branch of the school was started five years ago under a tree, with 30 eager students, said Akash. The student body has since increased to 160, plus ten paid teachers.

On Feb. 17, the photographer posted an update on 23 former child laborers, now thriving students, on Facebook. [They] have been promoted to their new classes and they have received their new books. With happiness they all were shining like stars, he wrote.

Its a great pleasure for me to share these radiant faces with my friends, Akash continued. Without you, nothing was possible.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired Newsletter here: TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
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How does MPs leave work? There is no fixed limit to how much leave an MP can take. The record is held by Adair Blain, the then member for the Northern Territory who was given almost two years leave after being captured by the Japanese during World War II. (On his return, Mr Blain received the warmest and most sincere welcome from then-prime minister Ben Chifley and served until 1949.) At the end of 2019, then-immigration minister David Coleman was given about a year off for personal reasons. Section 38, to which Senator Ferguson was subject, kicks in only after two consecutive months. Nowadays, parties typically grant leave, which is done via a motion in Parliament, when an MP needs more time off for reasons including ill health, as well as official travel and maternity or paternity leave. Adair Blain in 1936. He was given two years leave after being captured by the Japanese during WWII. Credit:National Library of Australia Why do MPs get such generous arrangements? The process for MPs taking leave is different from that of employees because, legally, MPs are not employed.

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They are ministers and MPs, they hold constitutional offices, Associate Professor Luke Beck, a constitutional law scholar at Monash University, says. Loading MPs are not covered by the Fair Work Act that governs almost all private-sector employment in Australia and are paid not hourly but rather for holding their office. That means their leave is determined by the constitution but also by politics. With the government holding only 76 seats in the House of Representatives, every vote counts and a missing MP would leave the government dependent on a crossbencher to pass bills and retain power. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video That kind of political maths raises the unedifying spectacle of MPs being forced to abandon ill relatives or rush back to Parliament House after giving birth just to make a vote. To fix the problem, political parties developed a system of pairing, which typically allows an MP of one party to sit out when one on the opposite side has a good reason to be absent, keeping the numbers constant.

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In this case, Labor will give Mr Porter a pair and a spokeswoman said the party would consider any request for Senator Reynolds as part of ordinary pairing arrangements, which prioritise pairs for any senator on leave for medical reasons. The situation is different outside sitting weeks, where there is no constitutional or political requirement for MPs to be present. The parties have largely informal systems for MPs to let their party leaders know when and where they will take time off but it is ultimately the individual parliamentarians decision. Attorney-General Christian Porter denies rape allegations and is taking time off to seek mental health assistance. Credit:Trevor Collens Is that the same for ministers? No, its a bit more complex. There has to be someone holding the fort in case urgent decisions come up, Dr Beck says. So, when a minister is on leave, the Prime Minister has the power to appoint someone else to act in their place. In this case, Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne is acting defence minister while Employment Minister Michaelia Cash has Mr Porters legal and industrial portfolios.

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What about for ordinary workers? What most people think of as sick leave is technically called personal leave and full-time workers get 10 paid days a year, accruing over time, at a minimum under the Fair Work Act. Part-timers get an amount proportional to how much they work, while casual workers and independent contractors, such as Uber drivers, get none. Loading Bosses are allowed to ask their staff for evidence, such as a doctors certificate, that they are taking leave for the purpose they say they are. However, that requirement and the amount of leave employees are allowed can be increased by collective enterprise agreements, industry-wide awards and individual contracts and policies. Employees can ask for unpaid leave too, but there is no guarantee they will get it. You dont have a statutory right to unpaid annual or personal leave, and if theres nothing in an award or agreement, it comes down to the largesse of your employer really, University of Sydney law professor Shae McCrystal says.

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Editor: During a recent address to the country, his lips barely moved, causing him to mumble and slur his speech.

He had long, awkward pauses between random words and even longer pauses between sentences. He would just finish a sentence and stand there, staring blankly ahead for a good 15 seconds before starting to talk again.

I thought the CNN town hall was bad. This is 10 times worse. No matter what the left says, that is not a lifelong speech impediment. I think it is dementia. If anyone had any relative or friends suffer through it, you see the same thing in every speech by President Biden.

He seems to talk constantly about his first wife who died 45 years ago, along with his daughter. His two sons survived the accident but one died as an adult from brain cancer. I often wonder how first lady Jill Biden feels when he rants on about his first wife being killed in a car accident.

Biden, the first lady, the vice president and her husband of only six years all went outside the White House where hundreds of candles were lit and the doors were draped in black cloth for a moment of silence. Biden appeared to listen as his wife apparently gave him instructions on what to do. Sorry, I have no sympathy for him.

I feel sad so many died from this virus that came here from China. Many died of other preexisting diseases but hospitals reportedly said they are paid to list the cause of death as COVID-19. So, really, do we know how many actually have died from this virus?

I had difficulty following Biden, his sentences all run together and get jumbled up terribly. Its hard to follow as he rambles on and on making no sense.

RICHARD OTIS LENAHAN

CLARKS SUMMIT

Editor: Mental illness never takes a break and we at the National Alliance on Mental Illness never stop advocating, educating and supporting individuals and their families living with mental illness.

In 2019, 51.5 million American adults experienced mental illness, that is one in five people. Locally, NAMI Scranton and Northeast Region helps individuals impacted by mental illness.

We offer support groups on the first and third Thursdays and the second and fourth Mondays of each month via Zoom. Please visit our website to register for our support group meetings. We provide trainings for families and individuals and we support the crisis intervention training for police officers in our area.

To provide these programs, we rely on our executive director, Marie Onukiavage, and our committed board members: Kelly Ankenbrand, Kevin Brown, Gina Constantini, Charlene Dougherty, Mike Joyce, Teri Lacey, Helen Mae Newcomer, Kathleen Spencer, Joanne Van Tine and myself. We also rely on our members, volunteers and donations from the community.

Three of our goals for this year call for raising awareness, increasing our membership and our community engagement.

So we urge readers to join in our efforts to address the mental health needs in NEPA. Contact us through our website at www.naminepa.org or call us at 570-342-1047.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of individuals with mental illness and their families. Please join us.

OWEN DOUGHERTY JR.

PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS SCRANTON AND NORTHEAST REGION,

JESSUP

Editor: For WNEP-TV to air a despicable night vision hunting video recently on its Pennsylvania Outdoor Life show and for the host to describe it as fun to bait and kill defenseless animals with expensive, high-tech equipment is sick and wrong.

How does anyone condone this unfair, unsportsmanlike and cowardly way to kill innocent creatures that are only equipped with eyes, ears, noses and a honest desire to survive that God has given them?

Shame on these cowardly hunters, shame on the state Game Commission for making night vision slaughter legal and shame on WNEP-TV and the shows host, Don Jacobs, for condoning and promoting the night vision guides business and the actions of all involved.

Money talks and conscience walks. But I see no heart, soul or conscience in any of them, only our wildlifes potential extinction.

DAWN BIESECKER

MADISON TWP.

Editor: When you purchase real estate it is accompanied with certain rights. These rights include extraction of natural gas unless restricted by deed or existing zoning.

The Delaware River Basin Commission has banned natural gas drilling and fracking in the Delaware River watershed. The editorial board of The Times-Tribune quickly endorsed this decision.

I think an obvious problem with this action can be found in the Bill of Rights. The Fifth Amendment says, 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.

The commission has taken away valuable rights granted to most property owners.

When courts finish with this fiasco, the commission will be left with two options: Either allow drilling or pay the landowners. I dont know where the commission would get the funds to do the latter.

E. H. WILLIAMS

HOP BOTTOM, SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY

Editor: I commend Times-Tribune columnist Chris Kelly for his Feb. 14 column (QAnon Realtor has a deal for gullible).

The Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol was caused by members of QAnon to some extent, along with other terrorists. Kelly has a gift of explaining things in laymens terms and he hit the nail on the head with this investigation of Realtor Phil Godlewski.

I hope that young men and women and all adults in the Scranton area do not condone QAnons garbage. I believe all Scrantonians and people with brains are smarter than that.

Thanks to Kelly for his insights.

JANE E. ROBERTS

SCRANTON
The Amtrak inspector general is auditing the Gateway Tunnel project in advance of what could be federal approval for the long-awaited construction job this year.

In its announcement, the government watchdog did not indicate any problems but said the project had reached a phase where they are appropriate to audit to help ensure the company is positioning itself for successful implementation.

Amtrak and the New Jersey and New York transportation agencies plan to build two new tracks under the Hudson River and then close the existing tubes to repair damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

Marie Corrado, senior director of the Amtrak Gateway Program, welcomed the audit to help ensure the company has the necessary internal policies, structures and resources are in place to deliver on Amtraks commitments as the projects continue to mature and advance toward the start of major construction.

Approval of the project, including the required environmental impact statement, had been held up four years by President Donald Trump, who at one point threaten to shut down the federal government rather than fund Gateway.

Trump later supported federal funding for the new Portal Bridge but his administration remained opposed to the tunnel, even lowering the rating to make the Gateway ineligible for similar support.

Those delays helped increase the cost of the tunnel project, including the new tubes and repairing the old ones, to $11.6 billion, $300 million higher than its last estimate.

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Despite Trumps opposition, Congress continued to fill various transportation accounts with money for the project awaiting its final OK.

President Joe Biden endorsed Gateway during his campaign and his transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, told the Senate Commerce Committee in January that he wanted to move forward on the project.

The new administration also reversed a Trump administration ruling and said states could use U.S. government loans that have to be repaid to cover the required local share of a federally funded project.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him at @JDSalant.

Start your day with the latest from Trenton, D.C. and your town. Get the N.J. Politics newsletter now.
British-Iraninan charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is free from house arrest in Iran but must return to court to face a new charge, her lawyer said on Sunday.

She was pardoned by Irans supreme leader last year, but spent the last year of her term under house arrest with electronic shackles on her feet. Now theyre cast off, her lawyer Hojjat Kermani told Iranian website Emtedad News, according to Reuters. She has been freed.

Kermani said Iran has now charged Zaghari-Ratcliffe with spreading propaganda, an accusation linked to her participation in a 2009 demonstration outside Irans embassy in London, as well as an interview she gave to BBC Persian. She is scheduled to appear in court on March 14.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 42, was arrested at Tehrans airport in April 2016 and sentenced to five years in prison for allegedly plotting to topple the government. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who worked as a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, denies the charges and says she traveled to Iran with her 22-month-old daughter to visit her family.

She and tens of thousands of other detainees were released temporarily in March 2020 over concerns the coronavirus could spread through Irans crowded prisons. For the past year, Zaghari-Ratcliffe was confined to her parents home in Tehran with an ankle bracelet limiting her movement.

Her husband, Richard Ratcliff, told The Guardian that after having her ankle tag removed, Zaghari-Ratcliffe was able to visit with her grandmother in Iran and hopes to visit with the family of a former cellmate and the wife of another British prisoner.

She is determined to enjoy her afternoon today and only worry about what next week will bring later, Ratcliff told the paper.

On Sunday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was pleased to see Zaghari-Ratcliffes monitoring bracelet had been removed but urged Iran to make her release permanent.

"She must be released permanently so she can return to her family in the UK, and we continue to do all we can to achieve this, Johnson tweeted.

Media reports have linked her detention to a decades-old debt owed by the United Kingdom over Chieftain tanks that were paid up front by the former shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. When he was overthrown in 1979, the sale was canceled but the money was not returned.

Sir Simon McDonald, who headed the British Foreign Office until this summer, told BBC Radio that the government is looking for ways to repay the debt, possibly through humanitarian payments that wouldnt be subject to sanctions.
(@FahadShabbir)

HELSINKI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 08th March, 2021) Estonia is set to receive over 52,000 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca/Oxford and Moderna coronavirus vaccines this week, the department of health said on Monday amid COVID-19 resurgence.

"This week, 14,040 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, 31,200 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and 7,200 doses of the Moderna vaccine will arrive in Estonia," the department said.

The Baltic nation embarked on coronavirus vaccination on December 27. As of Monday morning, 102,417 or 7.7 percent of the population have been inoculated against COVID-19, with 43,975 of them having already received both shots.

Estonia is currently witnessing a resurgence in coronavirus cases. From March 1-7, the country registered a total of 9,427 infections, marking the highest weekly figure since the onset of the pandemic.

In total, the country has confirmed over 76,000 coronavirus cases, including 667 deaths.
SPRINGFIELD  Sara Bedford, director of the New American Program at Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts that resettled 63 refugees last year in Greater Springfield, is among the panelists who will discuss their work, as well as the resilience of those fleeing oppression, on Tuesday, March 9, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The link to the virtual panel on Zoom can be accessed on the Springfield College website, springfield.edu/news/virtual-panel-discussion-refugee-issues-march-9

Before coming to the U.S., refugees demonstrate their ingenuity and resilience repeatedly  by escaping persecution, crossing international borders to relative safety, survival in refugee camps or often dangerous urban settings, and by navigating the years-long process to be approved for U.S. resettlement, Bedford said.

Refugees arriving to the U.S. fight for the American dream  they persist through language barriers, new and complicated systems, they encourage their children toward higher education, they push toward buying a car or a home.

She added, The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated once again to all of us at Jewish Family Service, that refugees and former refugees have an instinct for making it through, for holding each other up, and for forging ahead despite their circumstances

Like all Americans, refugees have had a tough year and faced losses and disappointments and severe hardships, but this is a community with experience grounded in strength and resilience that is looking forward, said Bedford whose program and others at JFS work to help refugees obtain access to housing and employment as well as other needed services in their resettlement.

Other panel participants include Manny Sabeti, chief executive officer of Net Circuit/ New Horizon, Guam, Micronesia; D. Dina Friedman, an author and member of Western Massachusetts Jewish Activists for Immigration Justice that has sent delegates to the U.S. border with Mexico, and Susannah Crolius, founder of Montague-based Art & Soul.

Panel on Refugees and Resilience was initiated by Simone Alter Muri, who holds a doctorate in education, creativity and child development and is director of art therapy-counseling and art education at Springfield College, and is sponsored by the colleges Holocaust Remembrance Committee and Office of Spiritual Life.

A related virtual exhibit, Refugees, Resistance, Resilience: Creating Emotional Resonance, in the colleges William Blizard Gallery, may be viewed online March 15 through April 9. There will be a virtual talk March 18 at 7 p.m. on Zoom by those in the exhibit whose artwork connects present-day refugee crises to those of the past, and Friedman will read her poems about the plight of refugees on the Mexican-U.S. border.

Participating artists include Alter Muri, Harriet Diamond, Viki Gable, and Judy Shintani.

As the granddaughter of refugees and immigrants, I hold this issue close to my heart, Alter Muri said.

We may not all have a direct connection to refugees or recent family memories of such circumstances, but we can all become refugeesand find ourselves suddenly needing to leave our homes due to political, social, economic, and/or ecological crises.

She added, However, when we think about the plight of refugees in todays world, its easy to become numb to the issue, because there are so many people, so many children hungry and traumatized, and living in sub-human conditions in crowded refugee camps, with little hope of bettering their lives, and yet with an inner resilience that keeps them from giving up.

I hope all members of the local community and students in the Pioneer Valley will attend, said Alter Muri of the events.

I hope they will learn about the resettlement of refugees in our community, the treatment of refugees at the border, and the experience of being a refugee.

The panelists will talk about issues concerning refugees both here and abroad and what work is being doing to help them. There will be time for questions.

In early February, President Joe Biden said he would like to increase refugee admissions to 62,500, which is four times the cap of 15,000 - an historic low - set by President Donald Trump for the current budget year that ends in September, and to 125,000 in fiscal 2022.

Some one-third of refugee assistance agencies closed during the years of the Trump administration as federal funding is tied to the number of refugees they settle.

The issue of resettlement became increasingly politicized by Trump whose anti-immigration rhetoric stereotyped refugees as terrorists and criminals, and some 31 governors sought to bar resettlement of Syrian refugees in their states. Biden issued an executive order revoking some Trump orders including one that allowed state and local agencies to not consent to resettlement in their jurisdictions.

According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, there are 79.5 million forcibly displaced people in the world including 26 million refugees. Their top countries of origin including Syria, Venezuela and Afghanistan and the top host countries include Turkey, Colombia and Pakistan.

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MacKenzie Scott, philanthropist, author, and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has married a science teacher named Dan Jewett. The Seattle-based schoolteacher acknowledged his marriage to Scott this weekend in a letter to the website of the non-profit organization, the Giving Pledge, started by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet.

Scott, who is the third richest woman in the world, as per Forbes data, has emerged as one of the most publicly generous philanthropists after she signed the "Giving Pledge" in May 2019-- a commitment to give away at least half of her fortune to charitable organisations either during her lifetime or after she dies.

"I am married to one of the most generous and kind people I know -- and joining her in a commitment to pass on an enormous financial wealth to serve others. I look forward to the growth and learning I have ahead as a part of this undertaking with MacKenzie," Jewett wrote.

He has been a teacher for decades and most recently taught chemistry at the private Lakeside School, where Scott's children attended.

Besides, Scott's Amazon biography also updated the details which say she "lives in Seattle with her four children and her husband, Dan."

Scott's marriage to Dan came after she and Bezos announced their divorce in January 20219 after a 25-year-long wedlock.

The divorce made her stand among the richest people on Earth. Currently, Scott holds a $53 billion fortune after receiving a quarter of Bezos' Amazon shares.

Scott played a pivotal role in the early years of Amazon but kept a low profile prior to her divorce from Bezos in 2019. She was awarded $38 billion in that split, a war chest that has grown to over $60 billion as Amazon's stock skyrocketed in the two years since.

In 2020, Scott donated a total of $5.7 billion and asked a team of advisers to help her "accelerate" her giving with immediate help to those financially gutted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

She was ranked number 2 among the 50 Americans who gave the most to charity last year, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy's annual rankings. Bezos topped the list by donating $10 billion to launch the Bezos Earth Fund.Also read: Bank strike, holidays in March 2021: Banks to remain closed for these days this month, check dates

Also read: Minting money on Dalal Street: What draws women to stock investing
A specialist lender advised by David Cameron has crashed into administration.

Lawyers for Greensill Capital, set up in 2011 by Australian Lex Greensill, told the High Court in London it was in 'severe financial distress' and had 'no conceivable way' of meeting a 101million repayment demand from bank backer Credit Suisse.

The demise of the firm  which specialises in supply chain finance  will send shockwaves through the British economy and put thousands of jobs in the steel industry at risk.

The collapse is a humiliation for Greensill, 44, whose popularity with government officials landed him a CBE in the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours List (pictured at the ceremony with his mother Judy).

Greensill is the biggest lender to the business empire of Sanjeev Gupta, who was dubbed the 'saviour of UK steel' after buying up swathes of the industry but now faces a funding crisis.

It also lends to major corporations including Astrazeneca and Vodafone and around 1,000 pharmacies use the firm to borrow money to fund the cost of medicines. Furthermore, the lender owns a business called Earnd, which allows NHS workers to get parts of their salary ahead of payday.

US private equity firm Apollo Global Management was last night picking over Greensill's carcass as it seeks to buy the best parts of the group.

But it has offered just 43million for the assets it wants  a far cry from the 5billion value Greensill had recently been targeting in a potential stock market listing.

Apollo will retain 'the majority' of the company's 595 UK employees if a deal is done, according to court documents seen by the Financial Times.

A spokesman for Grant Thornton, the administrator, said it was in 'continued discussion with an interested party in relation to the purchase of certain Greensill Capital assets'.

The deal will likely wipe out shareholders, including Japanese investment giant Softbank which had ploughed 1billion into the firm in 2019.

The collapse is a humiliation for Greensill, 44, whose popularity with government officials landed him a CBE in the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

'He said it was 'the graduation that my mother was never able to go to, at Buckingham Palace'.

Both Greensill and Gupta were plunged into crisis last week when the lender's main insurer refused to renew key cover.

This meant that rather than being insured if its borrowers failed to repay, Greensill would have to bear the brunt of any losses.

3,000 steel jobs at risk as Gupta defaults By FRANCESCA WASHTELL Five thousand UK steel and manufacturing jobs were on the line last night after the main lender to Sanjeev Gupta's empire plunged into administration. Specialist finance house Greensill Capital was the biggest backer of the steel magnate's collection of companies, the GFG Alliance. This group includes Liberty Steel, which employs 3,000 people at 11 steel plants in Britain. On the line: Sanjeev Gupta bought the Aldwarke steel plant, Rotherham (pictured) Another 2,000 GFG staff in the UK work at manufacturing sites. Gupta also owns Scotland's only aluminium smelter. Court documents filed by Greensill yesterday included a letter sent by GFG in February that warned it would collapse into insolvency if Greensill went under and stopped providing it with money. Greensill had about 3.6billion of exposure to GFG, the papers showed. The lender also said GFG had already started to default on its payments. Gupta, a 50-year-old Indian born British tycoon, was dubbed the 'saviour of UK steel' after a spending spree that saw him buy up plants in Rotherham, Stocksbridge in South Yorkshire, Newport and Hartlepool. When Greensill began running into difficulties a couple of weeks ago, Gupta is understood to have tried unsuccessfully to seek loans from other lenders. Unions and politicians were last night desperate to find out from him what Greensill's implosion will mean for GFG's factories in the UK and thousands of workers. The chief executive of Liberty Steel, Jon Ferriman, held talks with business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng on Sunday. But nationalising the steel sites was not part of the contingency plans discussed. Unions are due to speak to Gupta today and have been growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of transparency around the funding crisis. A representative from steel union Community said: 'Sanjeev Gupta needs to tell us exactly what the administration means for Liberty's UK businesses and how he plans to protect jobs. Gupta has not spoken publicly since it was first reported more than a week ago that Greensill was in trouble. But there are growing expectations that Gupta will launch a fire sale of GFG's assets, with potential buyers already lining up to pick off parts of the group.

Credit Suisse, one of Greensill's major backers, took fright. It froze 7billion of funds, leaving the lender short of cash.

This had an impact on Gupta's GFG Alliance, which effectively borrows money from Greensill to pay its suppliers, and then pays Greensill back when it has more cash. Without the money flowing in from Greensill, GFG itself was left struggling to pay suppliers.

In a sign of the dire straits Gupta's businesses are in, the steel tycoon last week told senior staff that he would stop repayments to Greensill in an effort to hold on to more cash.

The heavy lending to GFG by Greensill had already raised eyebrows at Germany's financial regulator, BaFin. It intervened last week to halt operations at Greensill's German subsidiary.

But regulators in the UK are now likely to face questions.

Greensill is not directly regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Instead, it pays ACA Mirabella, which is authorised by the FCA, to supervise it and make sure it stays within City rules.

The FCA is understood to have been in contact with Greensill leading up to its collapse, but a spokesman refused to reveal when talks began.
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Mumbai, March 8 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested four persons on charges of defrauding Pune's Shivaji Bhosle Co-operative Bank Ltd to the tune of Rs 71.78 crore deposited by small investors. The fraud was noticed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2019.

Anil Shivajirao Bhosale, Suryaji Pandurang Jadhav, Tanaji Dattu Padwal, and Shailesh Bhosale were arrested on March 6 after taking custody of the said accused persons from Yervada Jail.

The arrest was done by the ED's Mumbai Zonal Office-II. Anil Bhosale and his associates were earlier arrested by the Crime Branch, Pune, and were placed in judicial custody at the Yerwada Central Jail.

The central agency started probe into the money-laundering investigation on the basis of the First Information Report (FIR) registered by Maharashtra Police against the four and others alleging that RBI team during their periodical visit at the head office of Shivajirao Bhosale Co-operative Bank Ltd on April 26, 2019 noticed various discrepancies in records or books of accounts of the bank.

Further, as per RBI's directions to the statutory auditor of the bank for verification of cash record, it was noticed that the entry of cash of Rs 71.78 crore was kept pending at the bank's headoffice in their cash book, the ED said.

The ED investigation reveals that Anil Shivajirao Bhosale, who was the Director of Shivajirao Bhosale Co-operative Bank, had misused his position and conspired with the co-accused and siphoned off the amount from the bank and its branches for personal gains.

The agency during the investigation unearthed the connivance of all accused in the report submitted by the bank auditor. They were found cheating, defrauding, and siphoning off the public funds available in Shivajirao Bhosale Co-operative Bank which was deposited by the small investors.

"It was further revealed that the deposits had been sanctioned as a loan to different companies as well as entities comparatively more than their repayment capacity resulting in most of the loan account becoming NPA (Non-Performing Asset), creating a loss to the bank and corresponding gains to the accused," the ED said.

Based on the investigations, all the accused were brought to the ED office Mumbai under a production warrant from Pune and were placed under arrest. The accused were produced before a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai which granted five days ED custody till March 11.
Seamlessly transferring complex queries to human agents on Zendesk Chat . This sheds off the load on the human agents.

. This sheds off the load on the human agents. Deep integration with Zendesk Sunshine Conversations enables an automation-first strategy across popular messaging such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter & Line messenger.

enables an automation-first strategy across popular messaging such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter & Line messenger. Plugging in with the Zendesk Ticketing System to automatically generate customer support tickets.

Swapan Rajdev, CTO and Co-founder at Haptik, said, "Working with Zendesk, Inc. gives us the opportunity to power thousands of organizations around the world with AI-driven connected experiences. Haptik brings a full-stack conversational AI solution including advanced NLU capabilities & ready-to-use industry-specific Smart Skills trained on 3Bn+ interactions. In addition to ticketing and live chat, we are also excited to integrate with Sunshine Conversations, the future of all conversational experiences within Zendesk."

Haptik's out-of-the-box Integration with Zendesk will help businesses unlock the power of their existing business systems to deliver a unified and AI-first user experience. Earlier this year, Haptik also launched a Conversational IVR solution to enable omnichannel voice AI-assistants.

About Haptik

Haptik is one of the world's largest Conversational AI companies, having reached over 100 million devices, and processed over 3 billion conversations. Part of the $65 billion Internet conglomerate Reliance Jio Platforms, Haptik Intelligent virtual assistants enable Fortune 500 brands globally to enhance customer experience while saving costs and increasing revenue. The company has been featured as a leader in the category across many platforms including Gartner, AI Time Journal, Opus Research & more. Haptik's leading clients and partners include KFC, Oyo Rooms, Starhub, HP, Tata Group, Disney Hotstar, OLA, and Zurich Insurance among others

Media Contact:

Madhurima Gupta

[email protected]

SOURCE Haptik
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-09 05:38:54|Editor: huaxia

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KHARTOUM, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Head of United Nations Integrated Transitional Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), Volker Perthes, on Monday said the mission would work to mobilize international support and resources to support the transitional period in Sudan.

Perthes made the remarks after meeting with Chairman of Sudan's Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan at the presidential palace in Khartoum on Monday.

He further said the mission would work with the Sudanese government to support issues of census, the elections and the second phase of the peace process.

He said the mission is looking forward to be of assistance to Sudan on the basis of Sudan's priorities for the transitional period.

On June 4, 2020, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 2524 to establish a political mission in Khartoum to support the transitional period in Sudan.

Sudan entered a political transition process after the Sudanese army ousted former President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 following a popular uprising that lasted for months.

On Aug. 21, 2019, Sudan started a 39-month transitional period under a transitional government comprising military and civilian officials. Enditem
Apple has released a set of updates it recommends all iPhone, iPad and Mac users download as soon as possible. No, iOS 14.5 and Big Sur 11.3 arent out yet. Instead, what we have are iOS 14.4.1 and macOS 11.2.3 .

When you download them on your devices, all youll get is a terse explanation from Apple saying that theyre important. However, the support pages spotted by 9to5Mac provide more information. Both updates address a memory corruption issue within WebKit, the engine that powers Apples Safari browser. The vulnerability, which was discovered by security researchers from Google and Microsoft, may have allowed bad actors to execute code on your devices using maliciously crafted web content.

On iOS, you can manually download an update to your iPhone or iPad by opening the Settings app, and then tapping General followed by Software Update. Meanwhile, on macOS, open the System Preferences menu and click on Software Update.
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(Bloomberg) -- Bhavish Aggarwal surveys the empty 500-acre expanse encircled by neon-painted homes, tiny shrines and mango groves. The high-profile Ola founder hopes to erect the worlds largest electric scooter plant on this vacant plot on Bangalores outskirts within the next 12 weeks, cranking out about 2 million a year -- a landmark for one of Indias largest startups.

A two-and-a-half hour drive southeast of Bangalore, Aggarwals envisioned $330 million mega-factory marks a bold foray into uncharted territory for an entrepreneur whos spent 10 years building a ride-hailing giant. His follow-up Ola Electric is getting into an electric vehicle market already crowded by names from Tesla Inc. to Chinas Nio Inc. -- albeit with a humble two-wheeler initially -- but that could play in a $200 billion domestic EV industry in a decade.

If all goes according to plan, his Ola Electric Mobility Pvt hopes to make 10 million vehicles annually or 15% of the worlds e-scooters by the summer of 2022, starting with sales abroad later this year. That would be one scooter rolling out every two seconds after the plant expands next year. Its the first step in Aggarwals goal to eventually assemble a full line-up of electric cars in a boost for Prime Minister Narendra Modis Make in India and sustainable mobility ambitions.

Its a vehicle weve engineered ground-up so India can get a seat at the world EV table, the 35-year-old said in an interview last week. Indian companies have the smarts and energy to leapfrog into the future of EV.

Aggarwal is getting into the market just as the core business of ride-hailing slows during the pandemic. Fume-spewing scooters and motorcycles remain the most popular mode of transport in Indias infamously smoggy cities, 21 of which ranked among the 30 most polluted urban centers in the world in 2019. But the country is now pushing electric vehicles and self-reliance in battery technologies that could, according to the think-tank CEEW Centre for Energy Finance, underpin a $206 billion EV market in 10 years.

Story continues

That wont be easy. Middle-class Indians worry about air quality but are reluctant -- at current rates -- to fork out twice the price of a regular scooter for an electric version. Aggarwal too will have to fend off competition from not just local rivals Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj Auto, but also up-and-comers such as Ather Energy and Chinese brands including Niu Technologies.

Read more: Why One Startup Founder Turned Down a $1.1 Billion SoftBank Deal

The entrepreneur takes inspiration from the likes of Tesla, Nio and Xpeng Inc., which have out-engineered established auto giants with ever-cheaper batteries and over-the-air software capabilities, but hes taking a different tack. He wants to sell affordable two-, three- and four-wheelers for urban rides. Our ambition is to build the worlds leading urban mobility EV company, he said.

Ola Electric is Aggarwals second act. A decade ago, he pioneered ride-hailing in the country and took on Uber Technologies Inc., expanding across 200 cities before heading overseas to the U.K, Australia and New Zealand. His EV startup was incorporated in 2017 and became a billion-dollar company, or unicorn, two years later, when SoftBank Group Corp. and Tiger Global Management forked out hundreds of millions. It was the second time for the pair of global investors, even though Aggarwal had fought them to maintain control of Ola.

This time round, hes even more firmly in the driving seat. Hes also secured capital from Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. and recently won over more backers whose names he wouldnt reveal.

Were very well-capitalized and investor interest is unprecedented, said Aggarwal.

Aggarwal, who often interrupts himself to ask What do you think?, wants to introduce five two-wheeler models at the outset, including mass-market, premium and self-balancing versions. Even more audaciously, he wants to get the first electric cars on Indian roads in 18 to 24 months. He talks about someday selling autonomous vehicles and futuristic four-wheelers that dont look like cars.

Read more: Next Big Wave of Tech Unicorn Listings Could Be in IndiaOn this particular Thursday, he zipped around on a sleek scooter prototype in the office park in the Koramangala neighborhood, the epicenter of Bangalores startup scene. He showed off novel lighting, removable batteries and a large storage trunk. His plan is to sell the scooters digitally as well as via dealerships, offering monthly payment plans to make it easier on buyers pockets.

Electric vehicles now comprise fewer than 1% of all automobiles sold, estimate consultancy KPMG and the Confederation of Indian Industry. In India, battery-powered scooters could account for between a quarter and 35% of the two-wheeler market by 2030, and three-wheeled vehicles -- popular locally -- 65% to 75% by then.Vehicle affordability could be key to cracking the India market, and it boils down to the running cost per kilometer. Aggarwals not revealing prices yet but said his product would compete with traditional scooters going for about $1,000 apiece. Well drive costs down by playing at scale.

To keep costs in check, Ola is designing, engineering and manufacturing its own battery pack, motor, vehicle computer and software. Like Tesla, it wants to keep costs down by building its own power cells. Its testing charging solutions and battery-swapping stations. Last year, it acquired Amsterdam-based smart scooter startup Etergo BV to jumpstart its own scooter manufacturing.

Olas factory site will sport more than 3,000 robots working alongside 10,000 workers. Software built by its 1,000-member team -- mostly engineers -- will divvy up the work. The factorys roof will be covered with solar panels and be carbon negative. Two supplier parks at either end of the complex will make about half of the scooter components required.Aggarwal oversees it all scrupulously. Once a week, he trudges around the construction site checking on progress. On other days, cameras mounted on tall pipes around the site relay the action directly to his desk. His pride is evident: a graduate of the elite Indian Institute of Technology, he said he designed the automated storage, retrieval and delivery system for the electric scooters and won a patent for it.

It has to come in handy sometime, right? he said of his education, using the popular Hindi phrase kahin toh kaam aana chahiye na.

Indias Ride-Hailing Honeymoon is Over: Fully Charged

(Updates with analysis of the EV market from the fifth paragraph)

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2021 Bloomberg L.P.
MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, has married a Seattle teacher who teaches at the private school where her children are enrolled.

Scott, who was previously known as MacKenzie Bezos and is worth an estimated $53 billion and is the world's fourth richest woman, divorced the Amazon founder back in 2019 after 25 years of marriage.

The 50-year-old's new husband is Dan Jewett - a science teacher at the private Seattle Lakeside School where the children she shares with Bezos attend.

It is not yet clear when Scott and Jewett married or how long they have been together.

Bezos, who shares four children with his ex-wife, said in a statement via an Amazon spokesman: 'Dan is such a great guy, and I am happy and excited for the both of them'.

The couple first mentioned their marriage publicly on Saturday in a post on the Giving Pledge - a site where billionaires and millionaires vow to dedicate their wealth to others.

MacKenzie Scott, who is worth an estimated $53 billion, has married Seattle teacher Dan Jewett following her 2019 divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Scott and Jewett are pictured above together in an undated photo

Scott, who is an author and philanthropist, has also changed her Amazon biography page to say she lives in Seattle with her four children and husband Dan.

A source confirmed Scott and Jewett's marriage to the Wall Street Journal.

The private school where Jewett teaches and his wife's children attend is for grades five to 12 and costs $38,000 per year.

Famous alumni of the private school include Bill Gates.

In a post on the site, Jewett said he was joining his wife's 'commitment to pass on an enormous financial wealth to serve others'.

'It is strange to be writing a letter indicating I plan to give away the majority of my wealth during my lifetime, as I have never sought to gather the kind of wealth required to feel like saying such a thing would have particular meaning,' Jewett wrote.

'I have been a teacher for the majority of my life, as well as a grateful student of the generosity of those around me. This has meant doing my best to follow their example by passing on resources of all kinds - from time, to energy, to material possessions - when I have had them to give.

'And now, in a stroke of happy coincidence, I am married to one of the most generous and kind people I know - and joining her in a commitment to pass on an enormous financial wealth to serve others.'

Scott, who was previously known as MacKenzie Bezos and is worth an estimated $53 billion, divorced the Amazon founder back in 2019

MacKenzie and Jeff were married from 1993 to 2019 and share four children together. They are all pictured together in 2016

Since her divorce from Bezos in 2019, Scott - who helped create Amazon - has already dedicated a portion of her wealth.

Scott, who is an author and philanthropist, has also changed her Amazon biography page to say she lives in Seattle with her four children and husband Dan

She gave away almost $6 billion last year alone.

In a Medium post in December, Scott revealed she had given away $4.1 billion in the previous four months to hundreds of organizations in a bid to help those financially gutted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

She had previously donated $1.68 billion to 116 nonprofits, universities, community development groups and legal organizations in July 2020.

The donations are related to her Giving Pledge commitment that she made after divorcing Bezos.

The Giving Pledge site was created by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet.

Other cosigners include Steve and Jean Case; Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan; and Sara Blakely.

Bezos has so far not signed the pledge but he does routinely donate some of his wealth to charitable causes.

MacKenzie and Jeff announced their separation in January 2019 shortly before the billionaire's affair with Lauren Sanchez was exposed. Sanchez and Jeff are still together and are pictured above in February last year

The couple first mentioned their marriage publicly on Saturday in a post on the Giving Pledge - a site where billionaires and millionaires vow to dedicate their wealth to others. Their joint page is pictured above

The private school where Jewett teaches and his wife's children attend is for grades five to 12 and costs $38,000 per year. Famous alumni of the private school include Bill Gates

Scott pledged to donate the majority of her fortune after her divorce from the world's richest man left her with a 4 percent stake in Amazon, which translates to 19.7 million shares.

Her wealth surged another $30.3 billion last year after Amazon shares rocketed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

MacKenzie and Jeff were married from 1993 to 2019 and share four children together.

They announced their separation back in January 2019 shortly before the billionaire's affair with Lauren Sanchez was exposed.

Their divorce was finalized in April 2019 with Jeff keeping 75 percent of the couple's stock and MacKenzie receiving shares worth roughly $35 billion at the time.

Sanchez and Jeff are still together.

Her 14-year marriage to Hollywood agent husband Patrick Whitesell came to an end after the affair was exposed.




Haiti - DR : The Dominican fence at the border will cost more than $100 million





Following the announcement on Saturday February 27 by President Abinader of the construction of a double fence at the border https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33130-haiti-flash-president-abinader-announces-the-construction-of-a-double-fence-at-the-border.html , Roberto Alvarez, the Dominican Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided some details in particular that this "perimeter fence" envisaged, would have a length of 190 kilometers on the 391 km from the border with Haiti.



He indicated that the Government was negotiating with two Israeli companies and a Spanish one for the construction contract for this border fence "which is, as the President said, is a lemage of physical construction and electronic technology."



Recall that this fence, according to the Dominican authorities, will be double in the most conflicting sections and simple in the other sections. They will be reinforced at the surveillance level, among other things, by motion sensors, facial recognition and night vision cameras, radars, thermal detectors and drones.



The Chancellor added "It could cost more than 100 million dollars in total, it is not an excessive sum and long-term financing arrangements are foreseen [...] The objective is to create the conditions to achieve various objectives. One to facilitate trade, the other to prevent irregular migration, to stop smuggling of all kinds, at the same time guaranteeing coexistence between the two Nations."



Roberto Alvarez stressed that the construction of this fence also aims to regularize the border points of entry and official trade.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33130-haiti-flash-president-abinader-announces-the-construction-of-a-double-fence-at-the-border.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32914-haiti-flash-nearly-1-000-cameras-monitor-the-dominican-border.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32908-haiti-flash-the-dominican-republic-will-test-an-israeli-system-of-electronic-border.html



SL/ HaitiLibre


















Sofa Sirens. Gabbie Carters professor, Mick Blue, invites her to his place for the night. Another woman is there, LaSirena69. Mick soon gets to work, squeezing his cock into Gabbies ass in reverse cowgirl. Then its LaSirenas turn, same position. They take turns with the butt-fucking until both are gaping and screaming with pleasure.

Shaken and Stirred. Avi Love and Naomi Swann take cocktails on the terrace of a luxe hotel and slip waiter Oliver Flynn their room key. When he shows they pull down his pants and giggle and chatter as they trade sucking his cock. Naomi takes the first anal entry, moaning Omigod over and over. Then they take turns getting butt-fucked and doing A2M is various positions. Avi squirts a geyser.

Shes All That. European students Kaisa Nord and Lana Roy seduce their middle-aged teacher, Leo Casanova, in search of better grades. Kaisa pumps her pussy on his dick with a ruby-red buttplug lodged in her anus, soon replaced by Leos dick. Then Lana repeats the same, but with a silver buttplug.

Two for One. One girl wants to fuck her hot art history professor and enlists another for support. Izzy Lush strips while Jaye Summer comes in fully naked, and teacher Markus Dupree just cant say no. Izzy takes the anal first. Then its Jayes turn and she gapes enormously. So it goes through different positions. Markus cream pies Jayes ass and Izzy licks up the drool.
Emma Corrin is reportedly set to star in the new film version of classic novel Lady Chatterleys Lover.

The Crown star, 25, is thought to be in talks to appear in the movie after dazzling audiences with her portray of Princess Diana in the Netflix series- and winning awards at both the Critics' Choice and Golden Globe Awards.

Not much is known about the upcoming adaption of D.H. Lawrence's book, however is thought to be directed by Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, according to Deadline.

Next project? The Crown's Emma Corrin is reportedly set to star in the new film version of Lady Chatterleys Lover (pictured in March 2020)

The script was reportedly written by American screenwriter David Magee, who also penned Life of Pi and Finding Neverland.

MailOnline has contacted Emma's representatives for further comment.

The last film adaption of Lady Chatterleys Lover was in 2015 and featured Borgias star Holliday Grainger in the title tole, Game of Thrones Richard Madden as her gamekeeper lover and Happy Valley's James Norton as her husband.

However after its release some viewers complained that there wasn't enough nudity, despite shirtless scenes from Madden, with some taking to Twitter to call it tame.

Adaption: The last film version was in 2015 and featured Borgias star Holliday Grander in the title tole and Game of Thrones Richard Madden as her gamekeeper lover (pictured)

DH Lawrence's novel about love across the social divide tells the story of Constance Chatterley, a married woman who seeks sexual satisfaction elsewhere after her husband is wounded in the First World War and left paralysed from the waist down.

Sir Clifford Chatterley is desperate for an heir to inherit his mining fortune so is not averse to the idea of Constance sleeping with other men  as long as they are from the right social class.

However he is mortified when he discovers that his wife has fallen in love with gamekeeper Oliver Mellors and is carrying his child.

In the 2015 adaptation, Lord Chatterley grants his wife a divorce so she can marry Mellors. But in the novel he refuses and Constance goes to live with her sister.

Racy: The 2015 adaption left some some viewers complaining there wasn't enough nudity, despite several shirtless scenes from Madden

Other adaptions include the 1993 BBC series which starred Sean Bean and Joely Richardson and was much steamier.

Lady Chatterley's Lover was also brought to the big screen in 1981, with Sylvia Kristel and Nicholas Clay having leading roles.

Lawrence's book was first published in Italy in 1928 and subsequently banned in Britain, before becoming the first novel to be tested under the 1959 Obscene Publications Act for frequent use of the word f*** and its derivatives.

A full unexpurgated edition was finally released in 1960 following a six-day trial at the Old Bailey in which publishers Penguin was prosecuted for obscenity.

Made for TV: Other adaptions include the 1993 BBC series which starred Sean Bean and Joely Richardson and was much steamier

Versions: In 2006, a French version of the infamous tale called Lady Chatterley was released

Emma's apparent role in the latest version of the story comes after an exciting few weeks which have seen her win the Best Actress in a Drama Series gong at the Critics' Choice Awards and Golden Globes.

The actress looked completely stunned as she heard the result of the Critics' Choice Awards while watching the ceremony from home on Sunday.

In two snaps shared to Instagram, she appeared to be struggling to take in the news as she perched on a chair and put on a very animated display.

Emma seemed to be screaming while processing the result in one surprised snap, turning to the camera and another person in the room for support.

She was also seen holding her hands up to her blonde locks in another image from the big night.

Taking it in: Emma's supposed role in the new film comes after she won at the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday (pictured looking surprised as she celebrates the news at home)

Stand-out: Emma played Princess Diana in The Crown, to much critical acclaim

Sharing her delight with fans, Emma wrote: 'criticschoice THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU'

Emma and her co-star Josh O'Connor, 30, led the Brits by winning once again after last week's Golden Globes success, as she won the Best Actress in a Drama Series award and he earned the prize for Best Actor in a Drama.

Emma also beat Olivia Colman, who plays the Queen in the Netflix hit, to the prize for her portrayal of the late Princess Diana in The Crown's fourth season.

She gushed: 'Thank you so much. What an incredible collection of women to be nominated with.

'Thank you so much to Netflix and my incredible family on The Crown and it left bank. Her for letting me play or Diana. It's been the biggest joy. Thank you to all the cast and crew who worked on the series with me.'
The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) says there is the adequate generating capacity to meet electric power demand in Ghana.

The assurance follows a total power shutdown in Ghana on Sunday, March 7, 2021, at 2:10pm.



Power was restored at about 5pm same day in some areas with intermittent outages in many areas in the night.



GRIDCo in a statement on Monday morning, March 8, 2021, explained that Sundays nationwide power shutdown was due to a technical fault that affected one of its major transmission lines between Prestea in the Western Region and Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.



Read also: GRIDCo explains Sunday's nationwide power shutdown



The situation, the company explained, led to overload on other adjacent transmission lines, leading to a sequence of trips and an eventual power system shutdown in Ghana.



GRIDCo in a the statement assured that there is adequate generating capacity to meet demand in the country.



The statement also added that all relevant stakeholders in the power sector value chain will also continue to work to ensure consistency of supply to Ghanaians.





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.

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Maurice Cogan and his son Robert had been beef and tillage farming for many years but when they started to plan for the future they realised that dairy farming was where they wanted to take the family farm. To help make this plan a reality, they turned to their local credit union and applied for a Cultivate loan.

Cultivate is an initiative created by a group of 26 credit unions to provide short to medium-term loan finance built specifically around the growing needs of Irish farmers. In these uncertain times, Cultivate is a farmer-friendly finance option for farmers seeking unsecured funding up to 50,000 over seven years. Given the uncertainty with beef and tillage prices, the Cogan family felt a move into dairy was their best option especially with the next generation coming through and the growth in demand in the dairy industry.

With Robert, a young farmer who is progressive and ambitious involved, they decided to invest in a meal bin and a slurry tank while also making improvements to their existing milking parlour.

To support some of these activities, Maurice and John turned to their local credit union and availed of a Cultivate loan. The application process for Maurice and Robert worked really well; in their own words From start to finish, the whole process was very straight forward. We wouldnt be where we are today without the help of the Cultivate loan.

Finance from people who understand farming

Equally as important for Robert was the level of understanding and support available at his local credit union in relation to the needs of their business The ambition is to farm into the future by increasing the size of the herd and continually investing and improving the facilities on the farm. Moving to dairy requires a very big investment. The credit union understood our business and our needs. With the help of the Cultivate loan, in June 2020 Maurice and Robert fully transitioned into dairy farming. They are now milking 49 cows and have ambitions to grow their herd significantly in the coming months and years ahead.

Dairy Farmer, Robert Cogan

Having gone through the full process of applying and securing a Cultivate loan, Maurices words of advice reflect a very positive experience: I would highly recommend that farmers wanting to make improvements to their farm consider applying for a Cultivate loan.

Unsecured loans

As a farmer-friendly finance option, loan repayment schedules are available up to a period of seven years, with the flexibility to repay at times that make sense for the individual farmer. Cultivate loans are unsecured, and there is no need to be an existing credit union member to avail of a loan. Farmers can sign up in their local participating credit union office and be eligible to apply for a Cultivate loan immediately.

Maurice Cogan and his son Robert

Cultivate loans are used by farmers like Maurice and Robert Cogan for a wide range of investments including:

Stocking or working capital

Upgrading farm buildings and facilities

Purchasing new or second-hand machinery

Undertaking farm improvement works such as fencing and reclamation.

Cultivate loans are offered by 26 credit unions in Ireland. A full list of participating credit unions is available at www.cultivate-cu.ie/#map

Normal life may be on hold, but farming life continues. Like farmers, credit unions are here for the long haul. If you need a flexible farmer-friendly loan, call FREEPHONE 1800 839 999, pop into your participating local credit union today, or visit Cultivate-CU.ie to learn more.

Loans are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. If you do not meet the repayments on your loan, your account will go into arrears.

This may affect your credit rating which may limit your ability to access credit in the future. The cost of your repayments may increase. Credit unions in Ireland are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
A new president who still hasn't given a State of the Union address or a press conference, and who is comfortable that part of Washington D.C. is a militarized zone, thinks that people who think for themselves are "Neanderthals." In fact, Biden is promoting one-sided thinking based on political propaganda instead of actual science; the true science is on the side of the "Neanderthals."

I live in Missouri, which hasn't had a mask mandate, nor has it been fully locked down since last summer. Our COVID numbers are the same as or less than those in fully locked down states with mask mandates. Yet large corporations and some small businesses still require masks. When my farmer's markets and local farms don't have what I need or are closed, my options are so limited I find myself forced into venues that require or encourage masks.

When I go to these stores, I must decide if I will challenge the status quo. This means walking into a grocery store with a smile while everyone wanders around, dully looking down under their face covering.

Interestingly, every time I go into a store without a mask, I see someone else take his mask off. I've had a few people ask me about why I'm not wearing a mask. I offer up the information I have found about the efficacy of a mask. I always keep a respectful tone because I understand that if I become combative, it will not help either the mask-promoter or me. We're all just people trying to make the best of the situation.

I recently fought successfully for my daughter's right to go to summer camp without masking herself. The moment the outdoor horseback riding stable mentioned masks, I asked for a refund and explained why. The director of the camp personally sought me out, and we discussed the politics of the situation.

It turned out that, as a business owner, she felt the need to enforce a rule she doesn't believe in because so many people just go along with it. For me, though, this issue is not up for debate when it concerns my children. I dug my heels in, and she yielded. My daughter will not be required to wear a face covering at any time during her camp. The rule is still there for others who do not challenge it, though.

What we achieved is a compromise for compromising times. Others can go on doing what they're told while my daughter's lungs and her psychological development thrive. It's not the win I was hoping for, but it is a step in the right direction because someone was willing to discuss it.

We must have a respectful debate. We must be allowed to research information for ourselves. Above all, we must treat each other as we wish to be treated, no matter how much hostility is out there.

Our president has asked for unity, but so far all he's offered up is name-calling and one-sided party politics. Even so, we don't have to fall prey to that line of thinking.

Every single American has the power to live free. We can support each other no matter how our ideologies differ. Here in Missouri, we don't care what you do so long as you don't infringe on our right to live as we choose. It's a simple request, yet it's one that is constantly being challenged on the public stage every single day.

Jessica is a homeschooling mother of 4, and author of The Magic of Nature, The Golden Rule, and many more. She has been featured by The Epoch Times, Evie Magazine, The St. Louis Post Dispatch, and many more.

Image: Reconstruction of a Neanderthal by Neanderthal-Museum, Mettmann (cropped and edited). CC BY-SA 4.0.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- A Japanese restaurant first announced in the fall is now slated to open in the food court at Destiny USA this spring.

Sake Japans will open next to Arbys in space previously occupied by Boston Market, which closed in 2019, according to a news release from the mall. Its menu will include dishes such as hibachi, teriyaki, bento and ramen.

The mall first announced Sake Japans plans in October, saying at that time that it would open soon. It announced on Thursday that the restaurant will open in the spring but did not provide a specific date.

No reason was given for the delay in its opening, but the food court has been periodically shut down or restricted by state rules intended to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Destiny was shut down last March by state order because of the pandemic and was not allowed to reopen until July 10. Table seating at its restaurants, including in the food court, was not allowed until Aug. 20, however.

Indoor dining was again shut down in November when the state put Syracuse in its pandemic orange zone. The restriction was lifted in January.

Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148
Ministry of Finance to earmark RMB156.1 bn for rural revitalization

By:Wu Qiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-03-08 12:06

China is to earmark RMB156.1 billion for rural revitalization, said the Ministry of Finance.

The news was shared by Liu Kun, minister of finance, after he attended an opening meeting of the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing.

(The minister passage at the two sessions [Photo/Shanghai Observer])

Starting from 2021, areas which have been lifted out of poverty are to work for a new goal: rural revitalization.

As the countrys No. 1 central document for 2021, the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) puts forward measures to consolidate and expand the results of poverty alleviation and rural revitalization. To this end, financial departments of different levels will make efforts to achieve the effective combination of the consolidation of poverty alleviation results and rural revitalization, so as to bring a better life to farmers, according to Liu Kun.

During the transition period, fiscal support policies and the scale of funds will remain generally stable. This year, the central government has set up a special subsidy fund worth 156.1 billion yuan to promote rural revitalization. That means an increase of 10 billion yuan over last years Poverty Alleviation Fund, said Liu.

Additionally, the existing fiscal transfer payments will continue to tilt towards poverty-alleviated areas, highlighting support for key counties and promoting financial development. The payments will also keep supporting those counties in terms of coordinated use of agriculture-related financial funds, so as to promote rural revitalization. Thirdly, populations with low incomes in the rural areas will be managed to prevent them from falling into poverty again and help them with employment and income growth.
ALBANY  With many Democratic legislators demanding the resignation of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Republicans on Monday called for impeachment proceedings to begin immediately.

Its been one bombshell after another, said state Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay of the overlapping scandals that have engulfed Cuomos administration, including allegations of sexual harassment, hostile management style and the coverup of the COVID-19 death count of nursing home residents.

Barclay and other Republican members of the state Assembly gathered at the state Capitol to say they will be pushing a resolution to initiate Cuomo's impeachment, and are urging their Democratic colleagues to support it. The Republicans can't force a vote on the issue without majority support, so it will ultimately be up to the Democrats whether it moves forward.

If they really believe in resignation, why not start the impeachment process? he said. We think now is the time to act.

The calls for Cuomos resignation have been bipartisan. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said Sunday that the governor should step down, and Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie questioned the governor's ability to be an effective leader under the weight of multiple scandals. Nearly three dozen Democratic legislators in the Assembly and Senate support impeachment or resignation, Barclay said. Impeachment would require a significant number of Democratic votes in the Assembly, and removal would require 42 votes in the Senate.

Its unclear whether the Democratic calls for resignation contain an implicit threat of impeachment if Cuomo decides to hold on.

Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy, D-Albany, was one of 21 women in the chamber who signed onto a statement seeking a thorough and independent investigation into the allegations of misconduct by the governor, and expressing support for Attorney General Letitia James handling the investigation.



We believe the attorney general will exercise due process and expediency in her deliberations. We continue to support our attorney general, the first women, and the first African American woman to be elected to this position, as she launches this investigation, the members wrote. We request that she be allowed the appropriate time to complete her investigation rather than undermine her role and responsibility as the chief law enforcement officer of the state of New York.



Fahy said whether Cuomo can effectively govern as scandals mount in his administration is a good question, agreeing with Heastie's statement.



I think its growing more and more difficult, she said. But the Legislature remains focused on doing the peoples work, Fahy added.

Assemblyman John McDonald, D-Cohoes, said he believes state government would continue to function normally despite the governor's woes.



"This governor  and Im neither friend nor foe  is that hard-charging that I do believe even he can work through something like this," McDonald said.



The assemblyman pointed out that the legislative bodies continue to focus on the work that New Yorkers elected them to do.



"I know there are a lot of detractors out there that hope he is distracted and does fail, and to that I say shame on all of us," McDonald said. "Its about the people of the state of New York, and thats where our focus should be and needs to be a priority, whether you like him or not."

Theres little precedent for a full impeachment process playing out in New York for a statewide elected official accused of misconduct.

Gov. William Sulzer remains the only New York state executive to be impeached. He was booted from office in 1913 after facing charges of misuse of campaign funds for personal gain; historians argue that the real reason for his fall was Sulzer's break with his former patrons in the Tammany Hall political machine.

With very minimal case law on the matter, there are many unanswered and complex legal and procedural questions regarding how impeachment works in the state, said James A. Gardner, a professor of law and political science at the state University at Buffalo.

On the other hand, theres a certain sort of standard framework for thinking of impeachment in the American constitutional tradition, he said. "The presumption would be that its not necessary to show a violation of some express criminal law," but merely "willful and corrupt misconduct."

It will take a majority vote to advance an impeachment through the Assembly, which is procedurally equivalent to an indictment of a federal crime: Its not a finding of guilt, but a finding that theres enough reason to hold a trial. That part of the process mirrors the way a presidential impeachment works, but it begins to substantially differ at the trial stage in the Senate.

While a a two-thirds vote is required to convict  as in the federal process  the "jury" in New York would be made up of not just the Senate, but the Senate and the seven members of the state Court of Appeals, all of whom were appointed by Cuomo.

Some political observers, including Barclay on Monday, have said that Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul would become acting governor during any impeachment trial. That understanding is based on the precedent set during the Sulzer impeachment, said Timothy Kneeland, a history and politics professor at Nazareth College.

Barclay said one reason to proceed quickly with impeachment would be to move Hochul into the acting governor spot so the Legislature could negotiate the state budget with her before the April 1 start of the new fiscal year.

But Gardner said his reading of the law doesnt indicate that it's a requirement for the governor to step aside. He said the law holds that only judges who are facing impeachment trials must step aside, not the governor. That exemplifies the opacity of the process, and Cuomo  well-known for his aggressive style  would surely fight back against any effort to sideline him.

Impeachment has historically been used in New York more as a threat to provide leverage to force resignation, Kneeland said. That also happened with President Richard Nixon at the federal level in 1974, an exit Barclay alluded to in his Monday press conference.

Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned his post before impeachment proceedings could begin against him for a prostitution scandal, as did former state Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman after he was accused of domestic violence.

The Associated Press reported Sunday that Cuomo called Stewart-Cousins that day and told her that the Legislature would have to impeach him to get him out of office. Spokespeople for Democratic leadership in the Assembly and Senate did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

"I wasnt elected by politicians, I was elected by the people of the state of New York. Im not going to resign," Cuomo said Sunday.
Longhua Liao/Getty Images

Rice University has developed two innovative tools that will take COVID-19 detection to the next level.

The tools include a real-time sensor to detect the virus and a cellphone device that can detect the disease in about 55 minutes, as reported by Culture Map Houston's Steven Devadanam. The real-time sensor promises to detect minute amounts of the airborne virus.
Nigel Farage is set to rake in up to 60,000 a year after signing up to flog personalised greetings videos - just days after he said he was quitting politics.

For just 63.75 a pop, the leading Brexiteer will be wishing fans a happy birthday and congratulating newlyweds through the online message platform Cameo.

It comes after Mr Farage announced he was stepping down as The Reform UK party leader - and from frontline politics - on Saturday.

Writing for MailOnline, he said: 'I have made this decision because, again, I want my life back. This time, I really have knocked on my last door. It has been a long, hard road, but I've accomplished more than anybody believed possible.'

But in what is seen as a lucrative money-spinner the 56-year-old announced the next day he had joined Cameo's raft of celebrities offering personalised messages.

For just 63.75, leading Brexiteer Nigel Farage will be wishing fans a happy birthday and congratulating newlyweds through the online message platform Cameo

In a promotional clip, Mr Farage bursts out of a red phonebox and says: 'Hello, I'm Nigel Farage and Cameo is my latest incarnation.

'So if you want a message for Mother's Day, a birthday, wedding to surprise somebody I'm happy to do it but I promise I will mention Brexit, I will mention Trump... God, I hope the pubs open soon.'

He made 160 on his first day on the platform, with several five-star reviews being left by happy customers.

One person said: 'Thank you! I have sent to my three brothers and they all think it's absolutely brilliant!'

Another customer said: 'Brilliant, will make his day!'

In a promotional clip, Mr Farage bursts out of a red phonebox and says: 'Hello, I'm Nigel Farage and Cameo is my latest incarnation'

Former Bake Off judge Sue Perkins was less keen on the venture, joking on twitter: 'Could you do one for my birthday saying "We took an advisory referendum to its most extreme conclusion... Happy Birthday Sue!"'

It is just the latest money-making venture for the arch-Brexiteer, who has stashed away close to a million pounds in a firm where he banks his earnings from media appearances.

The right-wing commentator and outgoing Reform Party leader has pumped more than 750,000 into his Thorn in the Side Ltd over the past four years.

Mr Farage squirreled away more than 100,000 into the firm last year, publicly available Companies House documents show.

The Brexiteer (pictured) - who has led UKIP several times - has stoked wide-spread criticism during his time in the political mainstream, most recently for strong support of former-US President Donald Trump

Mr Farage is director and sole shareholder of the personal service company, and its current assets have soared from 683,639 in 2019 to 834,632 as of May last year. This is up from 77,893 in 2016.

Thorn in the Side's total net assets also spiked last year, rising from 554,130 to 731,482.

The earnings come from roles such as his former LBC show, which he quit in June, and regular appearances on US TV station Fox News.

The controversial former MEP - widely regarded as one of the key architects of Brexit - set up a new media company, Farage Media Ltd, in December but it hasn't filed accounts yet.

The controversial former MEP - widely regarded as one of the key architects of Brexit - set up a new media company, Farage Media Ltd, in December but it hasn't filed accounts yet.

The arch-Brexiteer quit his LBC show in June after a showdown with radio chiefs which came two days after he likened Black Lives Matter protestors to the Taliban.

Mr Farage told the European Parliament in 2019 that he earned 27,000 a month through his media company - more than his salary as an MEP.

Mr Farage has previously been criticised for allegedly using Thorn in the Side to slash the tax bill on his media appearances.

In 2019 Labour MP Ian Murray blasted: 'Nigel Farage has made himself rich as a snake oil salesman for Brexit. You don't get more metropolitan elite than Farage.

'He's no more a man of the people than he's a teetotal vegetarian.'

But a spokesperson for Reform UK - then called The Brexit Party - hit back: 'People of this country do not hate success, they applaud success. They hate hypocrisy, and he is no hypocrite.'

In 2014, it was revealed that by using the company Mr Farage could halve the tax bill on his media appearances.

It meant that in 2012-13 he only paid 20 per cent corporation tax on profits of 45,000 instead of 40 per cent income tax.

It isn't illegal to use personal service companies but has been criticised by politicians as a way of reducing one's tax bill.

Mr Farage has previously lambasted tax avoiders in a speech to the European Parliament in 2013.
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A massive fight broke out at a Bath & Body Works on Saturday - with two people now facing charges.

Video of the incident at the Fashion Square Mall, in Scottsdale, Arizona, which quickly went viral, shows an employee hitting a maskless customer in a black and white dress, and dragging her to the ground before her coworkers joined and piled on the woman.

A friend of the customer, in a black tube top, appears to try to pry the four employees off her which quickly devolves into violence and as punches are thrown.

Two women have since been arrested but it is not clear whether they are the customers or staff members.

A witness at the store, who shared the video online, claimed the fight began when one of the women got in an argument with another customer about cutting in line.

Bath & Body Works employees were caught on video wrapping their arms around the neck of a customer wearing a black and white striped dress and taking her to the ground

Another woman in a black tube top also brawled with employees and she seemed to be on the same team as the woman in the dress

Another video posted on TikTok, which captured the beginning of the fight, showed the woman in the tube top angrily throwing bags at the customer.

When her friend, in the black and white dress went to intervene, she was attacked by the employee.

'Are you f**king kidding me right now?' a woman's voice shouts in the videos.

Employees then order the women out of the store.

'A whole fight just happened at bath & body works. Im dying,' witness Genevieve posted.

She later said that the incident started because a 'white lady was standing too close to another customer,' which video footage does not show.

'They started arguing. BBW employees tried to de-escalate but the white lady wouldnt leave,' Genevieve said.

Genevieve claimed that one of the women 'pushed many people beforehand' and said she was 'loud and uncooperative the whole time before the fight started.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Genevieve for more information and additional comment.
Statehouse Reporter

Danny Jin is the Eagle's Statehouse reporter. A graduate of Williams College, he previously interned at the Eagle and The Christian Science Monitor. Danny can be reached at djin@berkshireeagle.com or on Twitter at @djinreports.
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Snoring isn't fun for anyone. These products can help. (Photo: Canva)

Nobody likes to hear that they snore, and most people arent exactly thrilled to share their bed with a snorer either.

Theres usually a reason why youre sawing logs at night, and figuring out the root of your snoring can go a long way toward solving it, according to Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh, an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor) at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif.

In general, snoring usually happens as air flows through the throat during sleep and causes the soft palate to vibrate, Dr. Ofer Jacobowitz, a sleep medicine specialist and co-director of sleep at ENT and Allergy Associates, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. The throat relaxes in sleep and becomes narrower, so air has to flow faster through the throat and causes the tissues to vibrate.

There are a few factors that can increase the odds that youll snore, including being exhausted and drinking alcohol (both can cause your throat muscles to be more relaxed when you sleep and make snoring worse), says Jacobowitz. Gaining weight, having a small jaw structure or having large tonsils can also create a smaller airway and make you more likely to snore when you sleep, he adds.

Snoring by itself is usually not dangerous, says Mehdizadeh. However, more than 18 million Americans have a condition known as sleep apnea, which causes their breathing to be briefly interrupted off and on throughout the night, according to the National Sleep Foundation and snoring is a major symptom of this. Sleep apnea can be dangerous if its severe, which is why Mehdizadeh recommends seeing your doctor to at least check in if you know youre a chronic snorer. (If you do have sleep apnea, your doctor will likely recommend next steps in treatment that may include a mouthpiece like the one we call out below.)

Story continues

Of course, you can just be a snorer without it being due to an underlying condition. And, if this describes you, doctors say there are a few anti-snoring products that could help you stop.

These strips will help you breathe easier. (Photo: Amazon)

These bandage-like strips stick to your nose and help open up your nasal passages. That can help reduce snoring, especially if you tend to breathe through your mouth while you sleep, Mehdizadeh says.

Shop it: Breathe Right Nasal Strips, $15, amazon.com

Gently keep your nasal passages open in the night. (Photo: Amazon)

This little device goes into your nose and gently opens your nasal passages. Its similar to how nasal strips work, just from the inside. This has a greater potential to work for those who report nasal obstruction that causes them to open the mouth in sleep, Jacobowitz says.

Shop it: Rhinomed Mute Nasal Dilator, $22 for three pack, amazon.com

This mouthpiece can help reduce snoring. (Photo: Amazon)

The ZQuiet mouthpiece is designed to help position your mouth in a way that reduces snoring. These kind of devices help reposition your lower jaw forward, make your palate and throat stiller and help widen your upper throat, says Jacobowitz.

Snuggle up next to this tonight. (Photo: Amazon)

A body pillow seems random, but hear us out here: Body pillows help encourage you to sleep on your side, and side-sleeping can reduce snoring, Mehdizadeh says. When you sleep on your side, the effects of gravity are not pushing down on the structures of the chest and throat, he says. Plus, this one is under $20.

Shop it: Oubonun Premium Adjustable Loft Quilted Body Pillows, $40, amazon.com

This humidifier can help relieve parched nasal passages. (Photo: Amazon)

A humidifier alone isnt going to clear up all snoring issues, but it can definitely help tamp down on things if youre snoring because youre congested, or if you have dry nasal passages or a dry throat, Mehdizadeh says. This one is super quiet and lasts up to 16 hours, so you can get plenty of moist air in your bedroom while you sleep.

Shop it: Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, $40, amazon.com

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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Queenslands Health Minister has cast doubt over whether the state would meet its self-imposed deadline for the first phase of the coronavirus vaccine rollout.

Queensland Health is responsible for inoculating 37,000 health and quarantine workers included in phase 1a of the rollout.

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young had set a target for all those workers to receive their first jab between March 21 and April 4, depending on the supply of vaccine from the federal government.

At least 8300 of those workers have received their first dose, with another 3000 staff expected to get their injection by the end of the week.
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They've been filming together for their new film Fresh in Vancouver, Canada.

And Daisy Edgar Jones has now been pictured enjoying a 'very friendly' weekend with her co-star Sebastian Stan amid claims they have 'grown close' during the shoot.

The Normal People actress, 22, and the Captain American star, 38, were seen out together over last weekend and appeared very at ease in each others company as they snapped pictures and enjoyed a glass of wine.

Co-stars: Daisy Edgar-Jones, 22, and Sebastian Stan, 38, enjoyed a 'very friendly' weekend together in Vancouver last week, going for a stroll and snapping fun pictures

In the snaps of the pair, Sebastian and Daisy, who is 16 years his junior, put on a 'very friendly' display before heading to a restaurant together.

The duo were seen strolling along the street before pausing so Daisy could take a few pictures of Sebastian as he larked around.

Sebastian jumped into the air and kicked his leg out to ensure the best shot, with Daisy appearing to be so impressed with his moves at one point she flung her head back in laughter.

Both of the screen stars kept things casual for their sightseeing outing together, opting for laid-back ensembles.

Friends: The Captain American star placed one hand on the Normal People actress' back (left) as they looked at something on her phone during the stroll

Daisy donned a blue padded jacket from the North Face X Gucci collection which she paired with grey tracksuit bottoms and black trainers.

While Sebastian opted for black trousers paired with a brown leather jacket and yellow jumper.

An onlooker told The Sun: 'Daisy and Sebastian seemed very friendly and were constantly laughing. He seemed very taken with her and touched her arm a lot.'

MailOnline has contacted both Daisy and Sebastian's representatives for comment.

Relaxed: The co-stars, who are currently filming movie Fresh, seemed at ease in each others company

Seeing the sights: Daisy held onto a large pink camera as she chatted away to the Marvel actor during their day off filming

Strike a pose: Sebastian made sure to work all his angles as he posed up a storm for Daisy

Earlier this week, Sebastian was seen dropping a bunch of flowers outside Daisy's apartment ahead of the Golden Globe Awards.

Daisy was nominated in the Best Actress in a Limited Series category for her role in Normal People, but lost out to the Queen's Gambit's Anya Taylor-Joy.

It comes following reports that the duo had struck up a 'close friendship'.

Earlier this month, the British actress was spotted shooting passionate kissing scenes with the Romanian-born hunk, on the streets of Vancouver.

Refreshments: They were also spotted enjoying a large glass of red wine at a restaurant

Dinner: Both of the screen stars opted for the same drink during the meal stop, with Sebastian added a hat to his ensemble

And while their characters enjoy a romance onscreen, The Sun reports that the screen stars have become good friends away from rolling cameras.

A source told the publication: 'Sebastian has told friends that he thinks Daisys a bright spark and set for a massive career in Hollywood. He cant believe shes so young as shes so talented and mature. They get on really well.'

A source close to Daisy, who continues to fly high on the success of her BBC drama Normal People, also told The Sun: 'They're colleagues and mates.'

During the pair's recent kissing scene, Daisy and Sebastian were seen larking around as they talked and at one point bent over in a fit of giggles.

Going for it: The actor put on an animated display after kicking his leg high into the air

Larking around: Daisy kept things casual in a padded blue jacket and grey tracksuit bottoms

Getting the angles: She knelt on the floor to ensure she got the best shots for her co-star

Showing off his skills: Sebastian showcased his impressive range of facial expressions during the impromptu photoshoot

Something funny? Daisy seemed so impressed by something she tilted her head back in laughter

Not much is known about the upcoming social thriller Fresh, as the studio is currently keeping details about the plot under wraps.

The new film will be directed by Mimi Cave and is based on Lauryn Kahns script, reports Variety.

Daisy became an overnight sensation when she starred as Marianne in Normal People, alongside Paul Mescal (Connell) in the adaptation of Sally Rooney's novel.

Paul and Daisy won huge critical acclaim and the hearts of fans across the world for their portrayal of the 2018 coming-of-age book's characters.

The drama follows Irish students Connell and Marianne as they navigate social and class dynamics from school to university.

Taking it all in: Daisy also snapped some pictures from their evening outing in the city

What is it? Sebastian seemed very intrigued by whatever Daisy was pointing at

Dressing down: Sebastian opted for a brown jacket and black trousers while Daisy was a little brighter in blue for their weekend together, with the duo often stopping to check their phone and take pictures

Here he comes! The actor appeared to be running towards his crouching co-star

Looking good: He beamed a smile as he larked around in the car park

Daisy is said to have called it quits with her actor ex, 29, late last year after they both decided it would be best to focus on their careers.

Despite their break-up, Daisy and Tom are said to still be on good terms and there are 'no hard feelings' between them.

A source speaking to The Sun claimed: 'They got on really well during lockdown last year, but they're both young and passionate about following their careers.

'Daisy has been inundated with opportunities and feels she has to put them first, Tom's also really dedicated to his acting and wants the best for both of them. They were sad they couldn't make it work, but are still close and there's no hard feelings.'

MailOnline contacted Daisy and Tom's representatives for comment at the time.

Delivery? Sebastian was also seen taking flowers to Daisy's apartment ahead of the Golden Globes last week

Loaded down: The brunette beauty was carrying several bags as she crossed the road

Oh dear: Elsewhere during the weekend Daisy was seen struggling with her groceries and dropping some flowers

Going, going, gone! The bouquet started to slip from Daisy's grasp (left) but luckily she was helped by a passerby

So kind: She thanked the man as they parted ways after the drop

Having a rearrange: Daisy found another spot for the bouquet in her carrier bags for the remainder of her outing

Daisy and Tom dated for two years and first became a couple after meeting on the set of film Pond Life in 2018.

In August last year, Daisy revealed that Tom would 'rather not' watch the sex scenes with Paul Mescal in Normal People but found the hit series 'very beautiful'.

Daisy explained how she was mindful of her loved ones seeing the passionate clips with her co-star, 24, but described how her then-boyfriend is aware of such scenes as an actor.

She said: 'I made sure to send it to my mum before they watched it live, so that she knew exactly when to inform my grandparents to go and make a cup of tea.

'It was the exact same with Tom. He's an actor  he's done those scenes before. He had read the book and was incredibly moved by it.'

Speaking about her boyfriend watching her sex scenes with Paul, who portrayed Connell, she added: 'I'm sure he'd rather not watch those scenes but, on the whole, he found the series very beautiful and he thought they were handled really well.'
(Newser)  Scientists have discovered the ultimate case of regeneration: Some decapitated sea slugs can regrow hearts and whole new bodies. Biology researcher Sayaka Mitoh explains the genesis of the study published in Current Biology on Monday: She saw something bizarre in her lab one day. A sea slug had decapitated itself and the head kept on moving and living. Then a couple more did the same, according to a So the doctoral student and Nara Womens University aquatic ecology professor Yoichi Yusa tried it themselves, cutting the heads off 16 sea slugs. Six of the creatures started regeneration, with three succeeding and surviving. One of the three even lost and regrew its body twice. Two different species of Japanese sea slugs did this regeneration trick. More on the fascinating study from the AP:

story continues below

Other creatures can cast off body parts when needed, like when some lizards drop their tails to get away from a predator, in a biological phenomenon called autotomy. "We think that this is the most extreme case of autotomy," Yusa said. "Some animals can autotomize their legs or appendages or tails, but no other animal shed their whole body."

Scientists had thought that such a relatively large animalone of the sea slug species can grow to 6 inches longcouldn't survive without a heart to pump blood and nutrients to the brain, said Canadian marine biologist Susan Anthony, who wasnt part of the study.

Anthony and Yusa's theory: When these sea slugs eat a certain type of algae they can photosynthesize their food from sunlight and oxygen, just like a plant, for about 10 days. Whats probably happening after decapitation is that the head sort of acts like a plant, Yusa said. It turns a shade of green and gets its energy from oxygen and sunlight. These species probably developed the feat as a way of fighting off parasites, Mitoh and Yusa said.

Whats especially intriguing is that these sea slugs are more complex than flatworms or other species that are known to regenerate, said Nicholas Curtis, a biology professor at Ave Maria University who wasnt part of the study. "It is of course a wonder of nature, but understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms involved could help us to understand how our cells and tissues can be used to repair damage," Curtis said in an email.

(Read more discoveries stories.)
Mumbai: A total of 36 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra Legislative assembly, informed JJ hospital on Monday (March 8).

"A total of 2,746 samples were tested for re-entry to the legislative assembly for the budget session of Maharashtra on March 6 and 7, out of which 36 were found positive," JJ hospital said in a statement.

The samples were taken from MLAs, their staff, government officials, police personnel and journalists, etc who are attending the assembly sessions from last week. A test was conducted a week back also when over 3,900 samples were tested and 42 were found COVID-19 positive.

The Maharashtra assembly will table the budget on Monday morning. The budget will be presented by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar who holds charge of the finance ministry.

The budget session of the Maharashtra assembly was earlier curtailed due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

After reporting more than 10,000 fresh coronavirus positive cases on two days in a row, Maharashtra on Sunday added 11,141 new infections, taking the tally to 22,19,727 while 38 deaths pushed the toll to 52,478, the state Health department said.

Additionally, amid the upsurge in COVID-19 cases in the state the authorities have declared partial lockdown and night curfew in numerous districts.

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KYODO NEWS - Mar 8, 2021 - 18:37 | All, World, Japan

Japan and the United States are arranging a meeting between Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and President Joe Biden in Washington as early as April, Japanese government sources said Monday.

While the coronavirus situation in the United States will be a key factor in whether the summit can go ahead, if realized Suga could become the first foreign leader to meet with Biden in person under his presidency.

The meeting would provide a chance for the two countries to showcase their alliance amid China's increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, including around the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

The planned meeting has yet to be finalized and could be pushed back to May or later, the sources said. The leaders are also expected to discuss plans to hold the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics this summer as well as efforts to tackle climate change.

Japan's top government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, said there were no concrete plans for Suga to visit Washington but that arrangements would be made as soon as the coronavirus situation allows.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are arranging to travel to Japan next week for talks with their counterparts, according to other Japanese government sources, the first visit by senior members of the administration under Biden, who was sworn in on Jan. 20.

Suga showed eagerness to visit the United States at an early date in his telephone talks with Biden in January.

Biden picked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as his counterpart for what the White House called his "first bilateral meeting" since taking office, but he used a virtual format for the talks.

The 78-year-old president has so far not met foreign leaders in person in Washington or visited other countries as he prioritizes efforts to contain the coronavirus.
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An Australian-first inquiry backed by royal commission powers will investigate the ongoing effects of colonisation on Victorias Indigenous community and chart a path to reconciliation.

The Andrews government will on Tuesday launch a truth-telling commission that will help guide the states treaty negotiations and potentially examine how reparations could be paid to Indigenous people for past injustices.

The Truth and Justice Commission  modelled on the commission set up by Nelson Mandela in post-apartheid South Africa as well as those that have been held in New Zealand and Canada  will be run by eminent commissioners who will recommend reforms to improve Indigenous peoples quality of life.

It will host public hearings about social, economic and health disadvantage and the role colonisation and discriminatory government policy have played in fostering that disadvantage.

The commission will listen to Indigenous stories from the time of colonisation through the stolen generations up to the present day detailing the treatment of Indigenous Australians. It will aim to educate the public and generate momentum for legislative and cultural change.
TIMES NOW, Indias leading English News channel announces an unmatched programming line-up for the upcoming Assembly Elections under Mandate 2021. With its special programming, TIMES NOW, India's election news headquarters will once again be at the forefront of election news coverage tracking the state assembly elections of five states, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry. Through engaging properties, TIMES NOW offers the most extensive coverage of the elections, making it more exciting and captivating for its viewers.

Pre-Poll Surveys: Capturing the mood of 5 States going to the polls (Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Puducherry, Assam, Kerala) and the mood of the nation ahead of the critical election, TIMES NOW will broadcast two Opinion Polls in association with C Voter. C Voter or Centre for Voting Opinions and Trends in Election Research headed by Indias top Psephologist Yashwant Deshmukh is a leading international stakeholder research organization with its roots in India. Powered by state-of-the-art research practices, managerial acumen, world class analysts and a phenomenal track record of predictive analysis on various polls, C Voter produces high quality data on voting, public opinion, and political participation. Presenting how the elections will likely shape, the surveys will be a significant indicator of which way the electorate may swing. The first of these Opinion Polls will be telecast on March 08, 2021 and the second Opinion Poll will on March 24. The analysis is powered by a panel of experts like Dr Anand Ranganathan, Sanjay Jha, Senior journalists R Rajagopalan, Shekhar Iyer, Sanjeev Shrivastava and Author Chetan Bhagat, among others.

Exit Polls: On the last date of Polling April 29, TIMES NOW in association with C Voter will broadcast an exit poll of the states going to the Polls. Using state of the art technology and on ground field research the Polls maps the stat and the data is then processed to call a projection for a state. The results are a fair indication of how the election has played out with the Voters.
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Other women have been attacked in the streets around where Sarah Everard vanished, detectives have reportedly been told, as the search goes on for the missing marketing worker.

The 33-year-old, described by close friends as 'strong and beautiful', went missing on Wednesday night while walking home from a friend's house in Clapham, south west London.

She is believed to have walked across Clapham Common towards her home in Brixton, and was last seen on CCTV in Poynders Road.

As the search for Ms Everard today enters its sixth day, police investigating her disappearance have reportedly been told of previous assaults on women in the area.

The Metropolitan Police received a report of a sexual assault on a lone female on January 14, on a road half-a-mile away from where Ms Everard was last seen.

Other women have also reportedly come forward to the police, saying they were followed by groups of men in nearby Balham. Another woman claimed she was followed while walking with a buggy.

It comes as a close friend of Ms Everard yesterday made an emotional appeal for her safe return.

Josh Lowth, 33, of Brixton, London, revealed his devastation in a Facebook message and urged others to help find 'our strong beautiful friend' by 'sharing this post'.

Mr Lowth, a marketing director, said: 'Sarah is still missing. Please share this post to help us to find her. Today more than ever we miss our strong beautiful friend.'

Meanwhile Mark Berlingeri, a family friend in the American village of Sandy Hook, Connecticut, also tweeted: 'To my friends across the pond, one of my colleagues Chris Lowth, ... and his family are enduring an unimaginable scare. I appreciate you taking a look below.'

Mr Birlingeri then tweeted a link to an appeal to find Sarah which began: 'Chris' son's girlfriend Sarah went missing.'

CCTV images released showed Sarah Everard, 33, in a white hat before her disappearance on Wednesday night. Ms Everard was last seen walking between Clapham Junction and Brixton at 9pm and it is unclear if she made it home before vanishing

A team from London Search and Rescue assist police on Clapham Common in south London

Close friend Josh Lowth, 33, of Brixton, London, urged others to help find 'our strong beautiful friend' by 'sharing this post' as the search for Sarah Everard continues

It comes as the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command, who are leading the investigation, said a white hat found in a bush yesterday did not belong to the missing woman.

The white hat was found by a member of the public and the Met's investigators reportedly cordoned off an area of Clapham Common as they continued to search for clues.

Officers were seen examining the white bobble hat this afternoon after it was found on Clapham Common, South London, close to where Ms Everard vanished.

However a spokesman for the force has since told MailOnline they have ruled out any connection between the hat and Ms Everard's disappearance.

Meanwhile, investigators have widened the search beyond Clapham Common.

A source close to the investigation told the Evening Standard: 'It's like she just disappeared into thin air (after the last CCTV sighting). We think she went up Poynders Road because it's usually busy and safer than the back routes.'

Yesterday, Sarah's uncle Nick Everard pleaded for any abductor holding her against her will to 'be human' and release her.

He added Sarah's phone is 'not ringing' and the Whatsapp messages the family have sent her have not been received.

He said: 'If someone is holding her against her will I would plead with them just to be human and to let her come home, to let her talk to us, give us a ring or text to let us know she is OK.'

The father-of-four, a building company director from Coventry, added that these are 'desperate times' for the family and said it was 'agonising' not knowing 'what has happened after four days'.

Mr Everard added that Sarah's parents, his sister-in-law and brother who is a York University professor, were 'beside themselves with worry'.

Speaking to MailOnline, he also said Sarah had 'no troubles', has a boyfriend, and recently started a new job as a marketing manager.

Police have said they remain 'open-minded as to all possibilities' over her disappearance.

Det Ch Insp Katherine Goodwin, who is leading the Metropolitan Police's investigation, said: 'This is definitely a missing person investigation at the moment but I remain open-minded as to all possibilities in the investigation.'

Providing an update to the media outside Scotland Yard in central London this afternoon, Ms Goodwin said efforts to find Ms Everard continue 'at pace'.

She said: 'We are currently knocking on doors. We've spoken to over 750 different people and addresses have been visited.

'We continue to receive hundreds of calls from the public. We've received over a hundred calls so far.'

Police investigating the disappearance of the 33-year-old have said a white hate found in a bush this morning did not belong to the missing woman as the search for clues enters its fifth day. The force ruled out a connection with the hat this afternoon

Police search Long Pond on Clapham Common for missing woman Sarah Everard, 33, who left a friend's house in Clapham

Police officers use specialist equipment to search Long Pond on Clapham Common for clues to help their investigation

She said police had reviewed hours of CCTV around Ms Everard's movements on the night she was last seen.

Ms Goodwin appealed for anyone with more footage to come forward, particularly people with a dash cam, such as delivery drivers, who may have been driving along Poynders Road at around 9pm on Wednesday.

'The evidence that you have on your dash cam could be absolutely vital to finding Sarah,' she said.

The 33-year-old was last seen wearing was last seen wearing a green rain jacket, navy blue trousers with a white diamond pattern, and turquoise and orange trainers. She is also thought to have been wearing green earphones and a white beanie hat.

The force released new information about the route she took home after leaving a friend's home via a back gate in Clapham at about 9pm.

Officers have now revealed Sarah was spotted on CCTV at approximately 9.30pm on Wednesday.

She was walking alone on the A205 Poynders Road, from the junction with Cavendish Road, in the direction of Tulse Hill.

Specialist Met Police officers in Long Pond on Clapham Common as the search for Sarah Everard enters its fifth day

The search continued this morning as officers from were seen searching the grounds of Poynders Gardens Estate, Clapham

Police search near Poynders Road, Clapham where missing poster asks for help to find Sarah who went missing five days ago

A police diver emerges from a pond at Poynders Gardens Estate as the extensive search for Sarah Everard continues

Met said an extensive investigation is underway, including house enquiries to establish whether there were any sightings

It appears to suggest she walked through Clapham Common and was walking towards her home, although the force said it is unclear whether she did return to her house.

The Met said an extensive investigation is underway, including searches and house-to-house enquiries to establish whether there were any further sightings of Sarah beyond that which was captured on CCTV.

The investigation continues to be treated as a missing person's enquiry but due to its complex nature and concerns for Sarah's welfare, the Met's Specialist Crime Command has now taken the lead, they have said.

The Met's Specialist Crime Command provides specialised policing on serious and complex investigations including homicides and major crimes.

Sarah Everard's sister shared a heartfelt plea on her Instagram page as she thanked supporters who have helped so far

An appeal poster in Brixton, south London, for information on missing Sarah Everard, 33

Police search Poynders Gardens Estate in Clapham, London, on Monday morning shortly before a cordon was set up nearby

A Met spokesperson told MailOnline: 'This case is still very much a missing person's case. Our specialist teams work on a variety of different incidents and have more resources and experience dealing with a missing person.'

Det Ch Insp Katherine Goodwin said: 'I would like to stress that there is no information at this stage to suggest anything untoward may have happened to Sarah.

'The focus remains on returning her home to her family safe and well and that is our number one priority.

'I would like to thank Sarah's family and friends, the local community and members of the public for their help to raise awareness of this appeal and for coming forward with information.

'I would urge anybody who has information or noticed any suspicious activity in the area to contact us if you haven't already. '

Yesterday Earlier today, teams were photographed searching Clapham Common where Sarah Everard is thought to have been walking before she disappeared.

The 33-year-old was last seen walking between Clapham Junction and Brixton at 9pm on Wednesday.

Ms Everard was last seen wearing a green rain jacket, navy blue trousers, a white hat, and turquoise and orange trainers

A police boat with a search dog traverses the Mount pond and its island for any signs of Sarah Everard who has disappeared

This is the second day in a row police officers have headed out in a boat with a sniffer dog to search bodies of water for clues

Her family, who are from York, have travelled down to London as the search continues and have said they are growing more worried with every day she has not been found.

Aunt Jane Everard, of Bolton, Lancashire, told The Sun: 'We're devastated. It is so out of character for her.

'She has a very big circle of friends from Durham, where she was at university and down in London. It has been a real shock. We are all so worried.'

Sarah left her friend's house in Leathwaite Road, Clapham, through a back gate on to the A205 South Circular and began walking to her home address in Brixton, the force said.

It is thought she walked across Clapham Common and was expected to arrive home around 50 minutes later. It is not clear if she did return home, the Met said.

Ms Everard was last seen wearing a green rain jacket, navy blue trousers with a white diamond pattern, and turquoise and orange trainers.

She is thought to have been wearing green earphones and a white beanie hat.

Yesterday, London Metropolitan Police released a fresh appeal to find her and told MailOnline it was searching the ponds in Clapham Common for her yesterday afternoon.

Police carry out search of a pond on Clapham Common with a sniffer dog as they look for clues

Ms Everard is thought to have walked across Clapham Common, and was due to arrive home in Brixton 50 minutes later but has not been seen since she left her friends house that evening

They were joined by London Search and Rescue volunteers who said they had been searching the park since Friday night.

Detectives have released new information about where missing Sarah Everard was last seen on CCTV.

The Metropolitan Police said Ms Everard, 33, was spotted in footage walking alone on the A205 Poynders Road, from the junction with Cavendish Road, in the direction of Tulse Hill, in south London at around 9.30pm on Wednesday.

The investigation is being led by the Met's Specialist Crime Command because of the 'complex nature' of the case, the force said.

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin said: 'I would like to stress that there is no information at this stage to suggest anything untoward may have happened to Sarah.

'The focus remains on returning her home to her family safe and well and that is our number one priority.

'I would like to thank Sarah's family and friends, the local community and members of the public for their help to raise awareness of this appeal and for coming forward with information.

'I would urge anybody who has information or noticed any suspicious activity in the area to contact us if you haven't already. '

In a statement, Ms Everard's family said: 'With every day that goes by we are getting more worried about Sarah.

'She is always in regular contact with us and with her friends and it is totally out of character for her to disappear like this.

'We long to see her and want nothing more than for her to be found safe and well.

'We are so grateful to the police and all our friends for all they are doing.

'We are desperate for news and if anyone knows anything about what has happened to her, we would urge you to please come forward and speak to the police. No piece of information is too insignificant.'

Reports suggest Sarah spoke with her partner on the phone on her way home to Brixton on Wednesday evening and talked for about 15 minutes about how their day had been and discussed plans to see each other the following day.

Friends have said they believe something happened to her after the call ended at 21.28.

Sarah Everard (pictured), 33, was last seen walking between Clapham Junction and Brixton at 9pm on Wednesday

Met Police were joined by London Search and Rescue volunteers who said they had been searching Clapham Common

The London rescue team has said that they've found 'nothing significant' so far in their search for missing woman, Sarah Everard.

A combination of volunteers and the police have ramped up the search for the woman, who went missing in the Clapham area on Wednesday night.

This morning, a member of the rescue team confirmed that 'nothing significant' has been found in the search.

Sarah's Uncle Doug told the Sun she had moved to London about 12 years ago and that she also had a sister and brother who also lived in London.

He added: 'She is lovely, a really lovely young lady, very sensible.

'The police are keeping my brother informed and we are on the end of a phone.

'It is a really tough time. They are devastated and they are desperate to find out anything they can.

'None of us really know anything.

'They have always been a very very close family. Sarah, her parents and her sister and brother, they are all in touch on a regular basis.

Sarah's best friend Rose, a teacher, told the Brixton Blog: 'Sarah and I met many years ago whilst studying together at Durham University.

'She has always been an exceptional friend, dropping everything to be there to support her friends, whenever they need her.

Pictured: A team seen searching undergrowth yesterday. She is thought to have left Leathwaite Road through a back gate

'It was only recently that she was telling me the good news about her new role as a senior marketing account manager which she was excited to start.

'She is a beautiful, thoughtful and incredibly kind friend. It is extremely uncharacteristic of her to have gone missing, which is why we are all deeply concerned something has happened to her.'

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Kenward, from the Central South Public Protection Team, said: 'Sarah's disappearance is completely out of character and understandably her family and friends are incredibly worried.

'We are also growing increasingly concerned for her welfare and have officers working round the clock to try and find her.

'I would ask anybody who was in the Clapham Common area on Wednesday night to think about whether you saw Sarah or any suspicious activity around the time of her disappearance.'

Det Ch Insp Ian Kenward, from the Central South Public Protection Team says 'her family and friends are incredibly worried'

Her family and friends released a plea for her return, saying: 'Sarah, we are here for whenever you are ready'

Her family and friends released a plea for Ms Everard's return yesterday, saying: 'Sarah, we are here for whenever you are ready.'

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.'

Specialist officers and volunteers from London Search and Rescue are carrying out searches in the area of Clapham Common and the walking route between Clapham and Brixton.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 3309/06MAR. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling the Missing People charity on 116 000.

People with information can also contact the incident room on 0208 785 8244 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The International Space Station is expected to offer 2 prime naked-eye viewing opportunities as it passes over central Pennsylvania later this week.

The ISS is expected to appear in our sky at 6:15 a.m. Thursday, March 11, a bit more than twice the width of a fist at the end of an outstretched arms (24 degrees) above the west-northwest horizon. Over the next 5 minutes it will move toward the southeast, rising to a maximum height of 74 degrees before disappearing at 10 degrees above southeast.

It will appear again at 5:29 a.m. Friday, March 12, at 54 degrees above east, which will be in its point in the sky, and then, after 3 minutes, will disappear at 10 degrees above east-southeast.

NASA explains, The horizon is at zero degrees, and directly overhead is 90 degrees. If you hold your fist at arms length and place your fist resting on the horizon, the top will be about 10 degrees. Each additional fist-width above the horizon is roughly another 10 degrees of elevation.

NASA doesnt issue one of its Spot the Station alerts for anything less than 40 degrees.

According to NASA, the space station looks like an airplane or a very bright star moving across the sky, except it doesnt have flashing lights or change direction. It will also be moving considerably faster than a typical airplane (airplanes generally fly at about 600 miles per hour; the space station flies at 17,500 miles per hour).

Contact Marcus Schneck at mschneck@pennlive.com.
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Ranchi, March 8 : Two Maoists carrying bounties on their heads, surrendered before police in Jharkhand on Monday.

The insurgents were TSPC zonal commander Raghubansh Ganjhu alias Chiretan and sub zonal commander Lakshman Ganjhu alias Patthar. They surrendered with one SLR, one pistol, 145 live cartridges, three SLR magazine among other things.

According to the police, the insurgents surrendered before Chatra Police Deputy Commissioner (DC) Divyanshu Jha and Superintendent of Police (SP) Rishbh Jha.

Raghubansh was carrying Rs 10 lakh reward and he was facing seven criminal cases. Lakshman was carrying Rs 1 lakh reward on his head and he was facing 14 criminal cases.

Maoist Guerrillas are active in 18 of the 24 districts of the state.
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The Nigerian Army has refuted claims by Islamic scholar, Ahmed Gumi, that some of its troops are deliberately deployed to kill worshipers of a certain religion.

The Army stated this , on Monday, in a statement by its spokesperson, Mohammed Yerima, a brigadier general.

In a viral video, Mr Gumi had alleged that non-Muslim soldiers launch attacks on communities in troubled northern states, prompting bandits to seek vengeance by killing residents.

Mr Gumi earlier visited Zamfara villages to have peace talks with bandits in the forest and to negotiate with them on the need to surrender their arms.

While addressing some of the bandits, Mr Gumi claimed that the soldiers were stirring confusions with the aim of wreaking havoc.

What I want you people to understand is, soldiers that are involved in most of the criminalities are not Muslims. You know, soldiers have Muslims and non- Muslims. The non-Muslims are the ones causing confusion just to ignite a crisis, Mr Gumi said.

However, while responding to the allegations, the Army urged the public to disregard the claims which it said were capable of creating bad blood amongst Nigerians.

READ FULL STATEMENT

PRESS RELEASE

NIGERIAN ARMY DOES NOT DEPLOY ITS TROOPS ALONG ETHNIC OR RELIGIOUS LINES

The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a viral video-cilp showing the renowned and respected Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi alleging that non-Muslim soldiers were responsible for the attacks against bandits. In the video clip, the islamic scholar was seen telling the bandits that the soldiers involved in most attacks against them were non-Muslims. He further stated that they should be aware that soldiers are divided into Muslims and non- Muslims.

While the Nigerian Army would not want to join issues with the respected Sheik Ahmed Gumi, it is however important to restate that the Nigerian Army as a national institution does not deploy its troops along ethnic or religious lines.

Therefore Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and other opinion merchants are pleased to exercise restraint not to drag the image and reputation of one of the most reliable national institutions to disrepute.

The Nigerian Army remains the pride of the nation and has continually defended the territorial integrity of this great nation. Comments suggesting to mudslide the image and reputation of the Nigerian Army are not only inimical but tended towards creating bad blood amongst Nigerians.

Furthermore, most operations conducted by the Nigerian Army were done in strict adherence to rules of engagement, code of conduct and respect for the fundamental human rights of the citizenry without any exception. It is therefore disturbing that an opinion leader would deliberately want to disparage the Nigeria Army to portray it in bad light.

The Nigerian Army wishes to seize this opportunity to advise opinion leaders to be more courteous while expressing their views , taking into cognisance the imperative for national security, particularly at this difficult times when our gallant troops have redoubled their efforts to tackle the myriads of security challenges facing our dear nation. What our troops need now is public support to discharge their responsibility effectively and in the most professional manner.

MOHAMMED YERIMA

Brigadier General

Director Army Public Relations

8 March 2021
From 1962 through 2011, a military junta ruled Myanmar. During that time, independent media reported in exile from neighboring countries or went undercover. The military imposed strict censorship, kept the price of sim cards prohibitively high, and isolated the southeast Asian country from the world.

When the democratically-elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi came to power in early 2016, it loosened some of its harshest restrictions on the press. But less than a year into its term, its relations with the press deteriorated. The government began suing and arresting journalists, and it blocked access to parts of the country where the military was committing widespread human rights abuses against the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities.

This year, on February 1, the military arrested Aung San Suu Kyi and more than forty other elected officials, and declared a state of emergency. By the end of the month, millions of protesters had demonstrated against the military regime. In response, authorities have fired live bullets, slingshots, rubber bullets, water cannons, teargas, and stun grenades into crowds. As of March 3, theyve killed sixty-one people, according to Fortify Rights, and arrested more than 1,500 people, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Journalists reporting on the militarys crackdown on civilians have come under increasing threats from state forcesand from their supporters, who have beaten and intimidated journalists with escalating frequency and intensity. At least thirty-four journalists were arrested between February 14 and March 2, according to an AAPP tally; authorities beat at least five of them, according to CJRs analysis of media reports. Some are still being held in jail, without charges.

This could turn back to a situation like before 2010, said Myint Kyaw, the former secretary of the Myanmar Press Council, a media adjudication body. The council, established in 2014 during the countrys political transition, had worked to intervene in press disputes and uphold media ethics. Now, at least fifteen of its twenty-six members have resigned. Myint Kyaw said the coup had rendered the councils intervention on behalf of journalists impossible. If we cannot protect them, he said, there is no use in staying in the MPC.

In the first hours after the coup, Myanmar was under a near-total internet and mobile services blackout; as mass protests gained momentum, a second daylong internet shutdown ensued. Since February 15, the military has imposed nightly blackouts. The situation may worsen if a cybersecurity law passes: it would allow the military to shut down the internet, intercept data, and block certain websites.

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On March 8, a Yangon-based news site, Myanmar Now, reported that soldiers and police raided its newsroom, taking computers, printers, and parts of the data server. The military junta also revoked its license to legally operate, along with four other prominent Yangon-based independent media outlets, according to a Reuters reporter.

CJR interviewed six journalists across six states and regions as protests against the military regime continue. They spoke about personal experiences with physical violence, fears of arrest, and the difficulties of reporting amid internet and mobile network shutdowns. Some were granted anonymity due to fear of reprisals from the authorities, while others requested to speak using their own names.

Shooting journalists using slingshots has become their daily activity.

On February 15, as a group of journalists filmed authorities violent response to demonstrations in the city of Mandalay, police officers and soldiers began to chase them. They knew we were journalists and taunted and chased us while cursing at us, said one photojournalist. They said, Come and take pictures of us, come! and insulted us. The photojournalist escaped into a house. He climbed onto the roof and watched as a friend was caught and beaten.

He was wearing a hat that said press, and he showed his staff identity card and shouted I am a journalist! I am a journalist! the photojournalist told CJR. In response, the beating intensified.

What we are seeing is that they are targeting people who wear press uniforms, a photojournalist in the Kachin State capital said. On February 19, authorities cracked down on protesters in front of a teacher training college. The journalist said state forces used slingshots to shoot her and others covering the protestdespite shouting that they were members of the media. Since then, she said, shooting journalists using slingshots has become their daily activity.

J Paing, who heads the Yangon-based Myanmar Pressphoto Agency, said he is worried about continuing to give his staff t-shirts and hats that mark them as press, not only because of direct threats from the military, but also due to the potential of violence from regime supporters disguised as protesters. There are invisible hands such as military supporters who go around holding knives, iron rods and wooden sticks, he said. They might stab us without anyone noticing because we are very visible with our press t-shirts and cameras.

Journalists across the country are hindered by police barricades that delay their movements, and a nationwide nightly curfew beginning at 8pm. Additionally, Mone Thant Mon, an editor with the Mon News Agency in the Mon State capital, said that the level of violence and arrests has made it increasingly difficult to find people willing to be interviewed.

One reporter in Kayah State, on Myanmars eastern border with Thailand, said that their office had been closed since the coup; theyre reporting minimally on the crisis. The least populous of Myanmars seven ethnic states, Kayah has only one local media outlet with around a dozen journalists. Theyre afraid to travel to collect news, and worry they could be arrested from their homes. The military already has information on all of uswhere we live and where we work, she said.

Mya Wun Yan, editor in chief of the Thanlwinthwaychinn Journal, said she has twice noticed people following her as she travels on her motorbike. Her journalists have been harassed, and have noticed what they suspect to be plain-clothes intelligence gatherers taking their photographs. The Journal has reduced its reporting capacity by around seventy percent, and several of its journalists are currently in hiding.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Kyaw Hsan Hlaing and Emily Fishbein are the authors. Kyaw Hsan Hlaing is a researcher and freelance journalist from Myanmars Rakhine State writing on peace, human rights and social justice. His work has appeared in Time Magazine, Foreign Policy, Al Jazeera and other media. You can follow him on Twitter @kyawhsanhlaing1. Emily Fishbein is a freelance journalist writing about human rights and social justice issues in Myanmar and among refugees in Malaysia. She especially seeks to amplify underrepresented voices and highlight the experiences of those affected by conflict. You can follow her on Twitter @EmilyFishbein11
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Katni : , March 8 (IANS) Archana Kewat, 21, the daughter of a vegetable vendor, who took on criminals who were teasing two minor girls and handed them over to the police, was on Monday appointed as collector of the district for a day in Madhya Pradesh's Katni district.

To commemorate International Women's Day, Kewat attended meetings in Katni district and cleared pending official work as a collector would. She also presided over some events on the occasion of International Women's Day.

Earlier this year, in January, Kewat had made headlines when she beat up miscreants who were teasing two minor girls. She got injured but handed over the miscreants to the police with the help of villagers.

Recognising her bravery, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had recently felicitated Kewat. And now she was given the honour of becoming the collector for one day.

Kewat, a resident of Mehgaon Village in Katni district, wants to become an inspector. She has even applied for the inspector's post but hasn't been able to get the job so far.
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Nokia brand licensee HMD Global will introduce a new naming convention this year, reports Nokiapoweruser.

According to the report, HMD Global will introduce the G and H series of smartphones. The new naming system will also replace the current lineup. At the moment, HMD Global has C-series and number-based naming systems such as Nokia 5.4 and Nokia 2.4. The naming convention will also bring the smartphones closer to rivals offerings, usually the combination of an alphabet and number. For instance, Samsung has A, M and S series of phones. Xiaomi offers series like Redmi Note and K.

The report further said that Nokia G10 could be HMD Globals first phone under the new naming convention. The smartphone is said to come with a 6.4-inch display. An octa-core processor will reportedly power the phone. The handset is also rumoured to come with a quad-camera setup with a 48-megapixel primary sensor.

On the software front, Nokia 3.4 runs on Android 10 out-of-the-box. It is also based on Googles Android One programme. It means the phone will receive at least three years of monthly security updates and two years of software upgrades. The smartphone also comes with Google Podcasts pre-loaded.

For photography, the phone offers a triple rear camera setup that consists of a 13-megapixel primary sensor, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a 5-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor. On the front, it has an 8-megapixel selfie camera.
AG Nessel Announces New Director of Legislative Affairs, Special Projects Director

AG Nessel Announces New Director of Legislative Affairs, Special Projects Director

Ryan Jarvi 517-599-2746 Attorney General

March 8, 2021

LANSING  Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today announced the appointments of Mitch Albers as her new director of legislative affairs and Amber McCann as special projects director in the Office of Public Information & Education.

I am happy to welcome Mitch and Amber to our team  I know they will prove to be invaluable as they take on these new roles, Nessel said. They each bring a wealth of experience and knowledge needed to serve the people of this great state. Mitchs legal background will provide this office with another perspective as we dissect the many statutory questions we are presented with, and I look forward to his counsel. Amber has proven herself a tireless public servant, working for many years in state government and I am confident she has the skills and experience needed to succeed in this new position.

Prior to joining the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Albers served as deputy legal counsel and policy adviser in the Michigan House of Representatives Democratic Policy Office. There, Albers also served as lead policy adviser for the House committees on Elections & Ethics, Insurance, Ways & Means, and the House Select Committee on Reducing Car Insurance Rates.

Before that, Albers was assistant director of government relations for the Michigan Association of School Boards where he was responsible for advocacy efforts on state and federal issues impacting public education.

Albers is a Bowling Green State University graduate and earned his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

McCann, who is joining the Department as special projects director, previously served as deputy chief of staff in the Senate Majority Leaders Office for more than a decade. During that time, she was a member of senior staff teams for Senate Majority Leaders Mike Bishop, Randy Richardville, Arlan Meekhof and current Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey.

Before that, McCann worked as a grant administrator for Learning Care Group, the second largest for-profit childcare provider in North America.

McCann is a Western Michigan University graduate and earned her masters in public administration from Oakland University.
(SII), the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by volume, has sought the central government's intervention so as to enable the firm import essential raw materials from the US for uninterrupted manufacturing and supply of Covid-19 vaccines.

In a letter to Commerce Secretary Anup Wadhawan and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs at Pune-based SII, Prakash Kumar Singh said the US government has invoked the Defence Production Act because of which the firm is facing difficulties in importing necessary products like cell culture medias, raw material, single-use tubing assemblies and some specialty chemicals from the US.

He said in the letter that Covishield vaccine manufactured by the SII is being widely used in India and across the globe and millions of people have been vaccinated with it.

Singh further said the Serum Institute is working on many other Covid-19 vaccine projects in technical collaboration with various Institutions i.e. Novavax (US),Codagenix(US) etc. for which it depends on import of many necessary products like raw materials, consumables and components from various foreign manufacturers, especially from the US.

"Through the Defence production Act, the US government has established two prioritizing systems, Defence Priorities and Allocations System Program (DPAS) and Health Resources Priority and Allocations System (HRPAS). The HRPAS has two principal components i.e. priorities and allocations. Under the priority component, certain contracts between the government and private parties or between private parties for the production or delivery of industrial resources required to produce Covid-19 vaccine will be given priority over other contracts to facilitate expedited delivery in promotion of the US, National defence," he said in the letter.

This essentially means that if the orders from US manufacturers are rated/prioritized under the above-mentioned systems they take precedence over orders of manufacturers of other countries, Singh stated.

He said the whole world is depending on mass manufacturing of Covid-19 vaccine at an uninterrupted speed and scale to end the pandemic. "But if we cannot get timely supplies of these essential products from the US, it is going to be a serious limiting factor resulting in acute shortage of Covid-19 vaccines as their manufacture depends on uninterrupted supply of these raw materials, consumables and components etc," Singh said in the letter dated March 6.

"I humbly request for your kind intervention to resolve this matter in larger public interest. This will enable us to import these essential products soon from the US for uninterrupted manufacturing and supply of Covid-19 Vaccines in India and globally," he said.

(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 COVID-19 vaccine is now available to more South Carolinians, as the state enters phase 1b of its vaccination plan Monday. Here's what the new additions to the eligible group need to know, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Question: Who is included in phase 1b?

Answer: This phase includes all residents aged 55 or older, residents aged 16-64 with underlying health conditions and frontline workers with increased occupational risk including, but not limited to, school staff and daycare workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers and law enforcement officers.

Q: How can I sign up for an appointment?

A: Residents can visit scdhec.gov/vaxlocator to see an interactive map, showing all the vaccine providers that have available appointments. If clicked on, each location will provide more information about how to sign up for an appointment at that location or a contact number. Residents can also call DHEC's COVID-19 Vaccine Information Line at 1-866-365-8110.

Q: How many doses of the vaccine will patients receive, and how much time is there between doses?

A: There are mainly two different vaccines being given right now  one by Pfizer and one by Moderna. They both require two doses, but there are a few differences. One of the differences is that the two Pfizer doses must be separated by an interval of 21 days, while the two Moderna doses must be separated by an interval of 28 days. The doses cannot be interchanged. For example, a person cannot get the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine and the second dose of the Moderna vaccine.

Q: How will I know when it is time to get the second dose?

A: After receiving the first dose, people will receive a paper immunization record that will include the vaccine received, date and location of the vaccine and the date when the next shot is needed. Individuals will be reminded when its time to receive their second shot.

Q: What if I get COVID-19 between vaccine doses?

A: If a person contracts COVID-19 between doses, that person should wait until the illness has passed and the isolation period is complete.

Q: What is the cost of the vaccine?

A: The federal government will cover the cost of the vaccine.

Q: Do I need to still wear a mask and socially distance after receiving both doses of the vaccine?

A: DHEC says yes, stating "vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Other steps, like covering your mouth and nose with a mask and staying at least 6 feet away from others, help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others."

Q: Is there a waiting period after receiving the vaccine?

A: Patients should be prepared to wait around 15 minutes for an observation period after they receive their vaccine. This is to ensure that patients do not have an abnormal reaction.

Q: Do I have to be a South Carolina resident to receive the vaccine in South Carolina?

A: South Carolina does not have a residency requirement, so non-residents are eligible to receive the vaccine in the Palmetto State. This is unlike neighboring Georgia, where one must be a Georgia resident to receive the vaccine there.

Q: Can I get the vaccine if I've already had COVID-19?

A: Yes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends those who have had COVID-19 to receive the vaccine.

Q: Does the vaccine contain a live virus?

A: The vaccine does not contain a live virus. It contains the gene for a virus protein. Thus, residents cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine.

Q: Is the vaccine safe?

A: The vaccine has undergone the rigorous scientific and clinical testing that all vaccines in development receive. The COVID-19 vaccine took less time than other vaccines to develop because scientists had already begun research for a coronavirus vaccine during previous outbreaks caused by related coronaviruses, such as SARS.

Q: Are there any side effects from the vaccine?

A: Results from the first COVID-19 vaccines show no serious side effects. Any vaccine or medication can cause minor side effects, such as a sore arm or low-grade fever, but these go away within a few days.

Q: What are the other phases of the state's vaccination plan and their expected start times?

A: Based on current vaccine supply levels, the DHEC anticipates that phase 1c will begin on approximately April 12. That phase will include all residents aged 45 or older and essential workers not included in phase 1b because they do not have frequent, close contact with others in the work environment. Phase 2 will begin on approximately May 3 and will include all residents aged 16 or older.
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McDonald's Offers Free Drink to Healthcare Workers

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - Local McDonald's restaurants will celebrate area healthcare workers by offering a free beverage of choice this week to any healthcare worker in the drive-through.The offer good through this Friday is to celebrate the extraordinary efforts of local healthcare workers and recognizes the one-year mark of battling COVID-19 from the front lines."We know that during the toughest of times, we can count on our healthcare heroes to be there for us," said Mike Love, local McDonald's owner/operator. "We hope through this gesture, they know we're here for them, too, and appreciate the sacrifices they make for us every day, especially over this last year."McDonald's is extending this offer of thanks to local healthcare employees in the drive-through only. To redeem, healthcare workers must show a valid healthcare ID badge when ordering. There is no purchase necessary.
Dairy farmers are in line for windfall earnings this year, as surging global demand for milk proteins and fats is forecast to outstrip available supplies.

Calls for an immediate 2c/l hike in Irish milk prices could deliver 50 million to dairy farmers this spring, and a further 100 million for the remainder of the year.

However, both the ICMSA and IFA have warned that returns to farmers will have to keep pace with buoyant world market trends.

An unprecedented 15pc jump in the most recent GDT, and steady increases on European dairy spot markets, is piling on the pressure on processors for a sizeable lift in February milk prices.

While co-ops and dairies generally delivered a 0.5c/l increase for January supplies, both the IFA and ICMSA have insisted that a more substantial lift is required for February deliveries to keep pace with international developments.

Stephen Arthur of IFA pointed out that the GDT increase equated to a farm-gate price of close to 40c/l, and he said the processors could not ignore its implications.

Gerald Quain of ICMSA urged processors to show confidence and intent by moving to a base price of 34c/l for February. This would generally represent a 2c/l hike in returns to farmers.

Mr Quain pointed out that the Ornua PPI is at its highest level in 12 months and has increased over 1.5c/l in 2021 alone, the GDT has been stronger in 11 of the last 12 auctions, while the improvement in Dutch spot market quotes for butter and skim milk powder equates to 4c/l.

Dairy markets have moved on significantly since the start of 2021 and a base price of at least 34c/l should be the target for all milk processors for February milk, Mr Quain said.

The latest data points unmistakeably to a strong price base for April-May-June peak production and we expect a significant step to be taken with February milk price, he added.

The stronger milk prices forecast for this year could push milk deliveries over the 8.6 billion-litre threshold. Ireland processed 8.3 billion litres in 2020, with that expected to increase by 3pc to 8.5 billion litres this year.

But total milk volumes in 2021 could now expand by more than 5pc to top 8.7 billion litres industry sources have now conceded. Weather will dictate it, one dairy official said.

A combination of increased milk output and higher prices will also drive on dairy farmer incomes, which stood at an average of 69,000 in 2020.

However, industry sources said higher milk prices should not undermine the sectors capacity to process peak milk supplies, since increased returns are unlikely to be reflected in stronger deliveries this spring.

Concern had been expressed that the dairy sector nationally could struggle to process milk volumes at peak this year  there was just 1.5-2pc spare capacity last year  but industry sources said works completed at a number of centres meant sufficient head room should be available.
The system in which Pennsylvania pays charter schools for special education is broken. For every special education student who leaves a traditional public school to attend a charter school, their home district is required to reimburse that charter school based on an illogical average cost to educate special education students.

The problem is that in practice, nine times out of 10 the true cost is lower than this average, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in overpayments funneled away from the students in our traditional public schools.

This is because theres a huge range in the costs associated with providing a federally-mandated free and appropriate special education. The costliest students might require services such as a full-time aide and specialized transportation that can climb into six figures. Others might only need speech therapy in a group setting once per week  a marginal cost of a few thousand dollars.

In Pennsylvania, 90% of special education students fall into our lowest-cost range of up to $25,000. Of the remaining 10%, 7% cost between $25,000 to $50,000 while 3% are high-cost students requiring services costing $50,000 or more.

So, when we bill school districts on the average costs of all special education students, the tuition amount is driven higher by the few high-cost outliers. To make matters worse, the data shows that charter schools tend to enroll a higher proportion of the lowest cost students (94%) and fewer of the most expensive students (only 1.4%).

Further, we dont even calculate averages correctly. We falsely assume 16% of a school districts enrollment needs special education services  an outdated assumption that is another way the tuition amount gets an artificial boost.

We dont need to use averages. We have the data that represents the true cost of providing these services. In 2014, Pennsylvanias bipartisan Special Education Funding Commission recommended a simple fix to the glaring unfairness in charter school tuition amounts for special education students. Rather than calculating the average based on all special education students, charter schools should be paid based upon the average cost of the low-, middle- or high-cost range that the student falls into.

Unfortunately, the General Assemblys majority has not implemented this bipartisan, fair, and commonsense recommendation, and they have even barred the reconstituted Special Education Funding Commission from making further recommendations on the issue.

To be clear, special education students have an absolute right to all the services, in inclusive settings, that will help them reach their full potential. Property taxpayers have shouldered too much of the responsibility for paying for these rising costs. Its time for the state to step up by substantially increasing our state subsidy for special education and fixing the charter tuition formula to ease school districts strained budgets.

Gov. Wolfs 2021-22 budget proposal does just this by calling for a $200 million increase for special education funding while advocating for charter school funding reform that would save school districts $229 million annually. Lets begin the 2021-22 legislative session in a productive and bipartisan fashion by enacting the overdue charter tuition formula reform in House Bill 272.

State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, who was first elected to represent the 146th Legislative District in 2018, serves on the House Education Committee and is a member of the Special Education Funding Commission.
When Yale New Haven Hospital officials opened their first mass vaccination clinic at the Floyd Little Athletic Center, they thought they had found the perfect site  near the center of the city and accessible by multiple bus lines for the residents it hoped would come there.

But it didnt take long for hospital officials to realize that while they were vaccinating lots of people at Floyd Little, few of them were from New Haven.

We were very disturbed in the first two weeks of opening the Floyd Little site that it was predominantly white suburban people getting vaccinated, Yales chief medical officer, Dr. Thomas Balcezak, said.

Floyd Little wasnt alone. Many mass vaccination clinics  established in cities to encourage minority residents to participate  instead were drawing more white suburban residents than anticipated.

Yale New Haven Hospital and Hartford HealthCare, two of the largest vaccinators in the state, have vaccinated the states most vulnerable residents at similar rates, according to data they shared with CT Mirror.

Yale had administered about 45,000 first doses to the general public as of March 3, and 82 percent of those went into the arms of white people, while only 6 percent went to African Americans and 4 percent to Hispanics.

For Hartford HealthCare, as of March 1, about 78 percent of their vaccines went to white people, 5 percent to Hispanics and 4 percent to African Americans.

Those percentages closely reflect the general population of the 65-and-older age group that was eligible at the time to get vaccinated. Census data show that about 84 percent of the states residents older than 65 are white, about 7 percent African American and 6.4 percent Hispanic.

But some of the mass vaccination sites, such as the Floyd Little site in New Haven and another Yale opened at Mitchell College in New London, were supposed to target the more vulnerable populations in the cities, where the demographics are different.

The largest mass vaccination site at Rentschler Field, operated by Community Health Services Inc., inoculated in quantity, not to targeted populations. For weeks, it was the only mass vaccination site where people were getting appointments if they called the states dedicated vaccine line, whether they lived near the East Hartford location or elsewhere in the state.

Community Health Services Vice President of Communication Leslie Gianelli said since most of the appointments at the Rentschler site are booked through the federal VAMS website and the states dedicated vaccine line, they have not been able to access ethnicity data and are in the process of creating a program to capture the data themselves.

Both Yale and Hartford HealthCare cautioned that their data is skewed because vaccine recipients arent required to disclose their race, and many dont. About 15 percent of Hartford HealthCares first dose recipients didnt disclose their race when they got vaccinated. At Yale, the non-disclosure rate was about 6 percent.

At the Floyd Little site, when Yale officials realized it was mostly suburbanites getting the vaccine appointments, they made changes to the system.

We quickly changed our policies and practices for how we get people signed up at Floyd Little, Balcezak said. We are trying to be nimble and change to try to accommodate the people we need to reach.

Yale made the clinic accessible only to people who live within certain ZIP codes in New Haven, a process that the state is now asking vaccinators to adopt statewide.

State officials recently sent a list of 50 or so ZIP codes that they have identified as qualifying for the CDCs Socially Vulnerable Index to vaccinators and told them to concentrate on getting vaccines to those areas.

Dueling Bloomfield clinics

Both hospitals are now ramping up pop-up clinics focusing on working with church leaders in the minority communities.

Hartford Health did its first church clinic last weekend at the United Methodist Church in Hartford, vaccinating 55 people. On Friday, hospital officials came to the First Cathedral Church in Bloomfield, the same place where Gov. Ned Lamont made one of his last campaign stops before his election, to vaccinate another 80.

Many of them left First Cathedral to go to another event in Hartford with the Hispanic Health Council, where they announced a new pop-up clinic that will run every week. The first 100 people who signed up were getting vaccinated Friday.

People started lining the halls of First Cathedral about 20 minutes before the clinic opened, and William Rhoe was one of the first people in line. The 64-year-old Hartford man doesnt have a computer and was wondering how he would get a vaccine when a friend of his wifes told him to call First Cathedral because they were having a clinic.

We were fortunate enough to have a friend call us, Rhoe said as he sat for his 15-minute waiting period after getting his shot.

I am too old to be nervous. I just wanted to get it done, Rhoe said. Im relieved. Its been a long year.

Venita Goodwin decided to get her shot after seeing Gov. Ned Lamont get his at the church a few weeks earlier. She called First Cathedral the next day to ask if they were doing more clinics. They took her number and called last week to sign her up for Fridays clinic.

Goodwin suffers from diabetes and has been careful not to go out much. She admitted she had concerns about the vaccines initially, but after seeing people get vaccinated without side effects, including the governor, she felt it was time.

People are dropping like flies from this virus. I dont want that to be me, she said.

Get the shot

First Cathedral Pastor Michael Bailey said theres no reason to fear the vaccine. He believes people are willing to get it if they have access to it. He pointed to the fact there were two clinics going on at his church to show there should be no excuses not to get the shot.

We want to be a place of comfort, a place where you can come here, feel safe, feel happy, feel cared for, Bailey said. If the door is open, you have to walk right through it to be able to get whatever you need as far as getting the shot. Certain places you have to register  theres also places you dont necessarily need to register to get the shot.

While Hartford HealthCare officials set up their clinic inside the First Cathedral Church, the staff from the Charter Oak Health Center and a few members of the Connecticut National Guard set up tents for nurses to prepare the vaccine. They set up a row of computers to register people and put out orange cones in the parking lot to mark lanes.

Charter Oak is one of four federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that will be getting extra vaccine from the federal government under a new program. It is the third week they have run a vaccine clinic out of the church parking lot. They had used Bloomfield High School previously, but that is no longer available.

Charter Oak Communications Director T.J. Clarke said they expected to administer about 110 shots on Friday.

We have been working with the mayor to set this up for Bloomfield residents, Clarke said.

The FQHCs are seen as a vital part of reaching minority populations because many dont have health care and use the facilities as their main medical provider.

As the age limit has gotten lower, we have seen more people driving here, so we expect that it will continue to grow as the weather gets better and people more likely to have a car become eligible, Clarke said.

Clear line of sight

In January and February, Hartford HealthCare was busy doing mobile vaccinations at six different homeless shelters in the Hartford and Windham areas. They are now turning to pop-up clinics to reach the socially vulnerable population.

Hartford HealthCares Chief Clinical Integration Officer Dr. James Cardon said they study their numbers to see where were doing well, where were not doing so well and where we need to move to ensure that were not leaving anybody behind.

Cardon acknowledged that racial and ethnicity numbers at the hospitals mass vaccinations sites were not good. He said with all the systems people use to sign up for vaccines, it is easy for some to get lost and sometimes difficult for vaccinators to see the full picture.

Nobody has the clear line of sight of the universe, except for potentially the state, in the end, Cardon said. We are continuing to parse in and look at the vaccine schedules to make sure that were reserving them for the populations were trying to target.

Similar to Yale, Hartford HealthCare has started blocking off appointments by ZIP codes to make sure that, unless youre from a ZIP code the state has asked us to target, you wont be able to get appointments at certain sites, he said.

You have to protect schedules somewhat and limit access to where they can schedule to make sure that youre reserving spots for those that just arent savvy enough to figure out how to search the world and find myself a vaccine, or who may not have the technology to do that, Cardon said.

At Gov. Ned Lamonts press conference Thursday, state Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe said that the vaccine team has been meeting regularly with providers all around the state, talking about strategies to make sure people in those critical ZIP codes have access to vaccines.

Weve got a number of initiatives, dedicated call-in lines, outbound calling. Many of our providers are now reserving appointment slots to make sure people in those ZIP codes have better access to appointments. We have community workers out literally knocking on doors and more and more mobile clinics getting spun up everyday, Geballe said.

So we are working really hard at this, and were hopeful we will see improvements in those vaccination rates in the coming weeks.

They are ready

On Dec. 28, New Haven Director of Public Health Maritza Bond stood before a small crowd to see the first Moderna vaccines administered to nurses and firefighters.

She recalled a conversation she had had that morning at the Fair Haven Community Center, where a woman had asked her in Spanish when the vaccine would be coming.

It really reminded me of last March, when we were looking and scrounging to expand testing in the community, and we will vouch today that we will do everything together collectively to ensure the vaccines are available to the community, because they are ready.

Since then, Bond has done 14 pop-up clinics all over the city, including one at the Bethel A.M.E. Church, where Yale officials did their first pop-up clinic Wednesday. Bond has paused her community pop-up clinics to comply with DPH orders to vaccinate teachers, other school staff and child care workers this month.

Griffin Hospital did its first mobile clinic on Jan. 21 at the Macedonia Baptist Church in Ansonia. They vaccinated 22 people that day, Griffin Hospital CEO Pat Charmel said.

The next day, they did a three-hour mobile clinic at a Derby Housing Authority complex and vaccinated 16 residents.

Since then, theyve done at least 16 other mobile clinics all over the Naugatuck River valley and beyond, from a senior center in Beacon Falls, where 60 people were vaccinated on March 3, to senior housing complexes as far away as Wilton.

They have returned twice to several housing projects in Ansonia and Derby, two towns in the CDCs SVI Index, and have clinics throughout March, including some as far away as Newtown.

Charmel said the hospital sent vaccination teams to senior housing facilities and churches even before they started getting vaccine to generate interest.

Towns that are high on the SVI index usually have a significant number of low-income people who might have challenges with things like transportation to a mass vaccination site, Charmel said.

They also met with church leaders from some of the African American churches in the area.

As a hospital, we dont have deep relationships in the community. Our relationship is more episodic  they visit someone at the hospital or use the emergency room, so we knew we needed help reaching the community, Charmel said.

As they have returned to some housing authority complexes to vaccinate residents 65 and older, they have seen an increase in the number of people willing to get vaccinated, Charmel said.
On the occasion of International



Women's Day on Monday, over 8,000 women were given COVID-19 vaccine at five centres in Mumbai, civic officials said.

The centres were set up in Seven Hills hospital, and jumbo facilities in BKC, Goregaon, Mulund and Dahisar, where women who came for the inoculation were given roses and chocolates, a BMC release said.

The centre at BKC administered the vaccine to 1,982 women, followed by 1,932, 1908, 1852 and 418 at Goregaon jumbo facility, Seven Hills hospital, Dahisar jumbo facility and Mulund Jumbo facility respectively, it said.

(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.)
Last month, when the Department of Immigration introduced a proposal, which would restrict women under 40 from travelling to Africa and the Middle East for the first time by requiring familys permission and ward office approval, activists protested against the proposals outside the department. Subsequently, a protest rally (womens march) against the proposal as well as for demanding an end to violence against women and impunity was organised. First initiated by Yogmaya Neupane against the oppressive rules of the Rana regime imposed on women about a century ago, the womens rights movement in Nepal has just reached this stage today.

However, Renu Adhikari, a veteran womens rights activist in Nepal, thinks the movement also has taken a big leap over these years. But, referring to several challenges, she says, There still has not been a fundamental shift on the status of women in Nepal. In a conversation with Onlinekhabar on the occasion of Womens Day, Adhikari talked about the achievements, challenges, and opportunities of womens movements in Nepal.

Excerpts:

You have devoted almost three decades of your life to the rights of women in Nepal. What achievements do you see these womens rights movements have achieved till today? Are you satisfied with these achievements?

It has been around 100 years of the womens rights movement. Coming to this point, if we look phase-wise, the womens rights movement seems to have made great strides. However, it is painful to see that there has been no difference in the roots of these problems.

At the time of Yogmaya only, she had strongly raised the issues of widow marriage (now, we associate this with the right to body, sexuality), caste discrimination, and violence against women. She had symbolically brought up the root cause of all these issues, or power relations, back then.

Likewise, during the time of Divya Koriala as well, voices against violence against women (VAW), the dowry system, the ghumto system were raised. It was only after the formation of the Nepal Womens Association in the last 1940s that the issue of women enfranchisement was raised.

After the 1951 democratic movement, the All Nepal Womens Association was formed by Marxist women. They spoke up for labour rights (equal pay). Also, activists like Chanchala Devi fought for the right to education and also started a school in Banepa. Gradually, in the 1959 elections, Sadhana Pradhan became the first elected womans representative at the municipality level.

Women movement 1951. Photo: Sahana Pradhan Collection/Nepal Picture Library

Then, the womens movement took a different appearance in the early 1960s. Political parties become underground. King Mahendra came into power. And, he suppressed those voices raised in the movements by establishing Nepal Mahila Sangathan of royalist women.

The Panchayat system also brought different programmes for women. Although it is said that such programmes have made significant contributions to the womens rights movement in Nepal, politically women were suppressed. Meanwhile, donors launched welfare-driven programmes considering the political condition of Nepal.

After the re-establishment of democracy in 1990, two major changes took place: womens participation in politics was more visible, and international organisations began working on womens rights in Nepal.

During the civil war, the role of women gradually began to change as the Maoists movement raised the issues of identity, participation, and right to lineage. Also, the women were included in the Maiosts army. The attitude of people towards the image of women began changing since then.

But, just before the 2006 people movement, WOREC (the organisation that Adhikari founded and led for several years) organised womens conferences in all five development regions of the country. We found that many women were sexually abused, displaced, and some became widows during the war. But, they could not speak up about their sufferings only at that time.

Also, after the reinstatement of the House of Representatives in 2006, laws were made to ensure that various political mechanisms include women at least 33 per cent of their positions. This step initiated a new wave in the womens movement of Nepal. But, when the committee for drafting the interim constitution was formed, there was no woman. After pressure from various womens rights activists and organisations, women were included in that committee.

In recent years, the dominant issues in the womens movement have become gender-based violence and womens participation. As a result, the 2015 constitution included the major rights of women. We also saw womens increased participation in politics as around 40 per cent of local government officials are women now. Strict laws regarding gender-based violence, reproductive rights, and the rights to quality, education, health, and employment have been formulated.

Analysing the current situation, do you find Nepal as a progressive or regressive country for women?

No doubt, Nepal is a progressive country for women. But, what pinches us is that in the current political conflict, the kind of slogans used, statements made, how women have been addressed at every level from the president to the public have given a negative message. This has hindered the transformation that has just begun.

In my perspective, the negative statements of the opinion-makers have pushed the women 10 years back.

What kinds of negative statements have taken women 10 years back?

If you listen to the statements made by political leaders like Raghuji Pant (about Komal Oli), Ram Bahadur Thapa (that rape is not a new phenomenon), Ram Narayan Bidari (that women resort to complaining about a rape case after they do not find a relationship enjoyable), it will be clear that such mentality is still prevalent in our society and their impacts are also seen in the society.

Activists staged a protest outside the Department of Immigration after the news of a proposed regulation, which would restrict women under the age of 40 in Nepal from Travelling freely that would require familys consent and ward offices approval to travel abroad independently in Kathmandu, Nepal on Thursday, February 11, 2021.

Besides that, what other weaknesses do you find in these movements? Have these movements highlighted some issues more and left behind some crucial issues of women?

Every movement has weaknesses. The major weakness I see in the womens rights movement in Nepal is that there has been a lack of political analysis of womens rights issues. Most of the things moved forward in the welfare approach.

And, the next weakness I see is that womens associations affiliated with political parties are not strong enough.

If we see the womens rights movement of the entire world, we can see that their primary focus is political participation, meaning there should be the participation of women at the decision-making level. Secondly, they were focused on improving the status of women as they were considered second-class citizens.

It may seem that it has been a long time since the womens movements have started here. However, if we look in essence, we can find that the actual movements began after the 1990 revolution. The reason is that without democracy, womens rights cannot be guaranteed in any other political system.

As of now, what are the major hurdles in the way of assuring womens rights in Nepal?

There still has not been a fundamental shift on the status of women in Nepal because there still lies the question of identity (citizenship) in the constitution.

Likewise, womens leadership has not been accepted. Impunity: there still has not been an environment of getting justice after gender-based violence. The perspective of looking at womens bodies has not still changed. Sexual violence at the time of civil war is not still addressed.

I already talked about mysoginistic statements made by our politicians.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

So, who should do what for creating an equal society?

Patriarchy controls three major things. The first is productivity. Patriarchy controls the productivity of women as womens work has not been recognised as work and has not been valued.

It is very crucial to value the home-based labour of women by making labour desks at every local level and registering their works and including them under the boundary of social security. Likewise, the reproductive role of women should be respected. Child care centres should be increased from the community level.

Second is the control over the body of women (sexuality, wearing whatever we like). I feel the government needs to bring systematic programmes to end that control and also bring awareness to the public.

The third thing that patriarchy controls is the mobility of women. We need to bring freedom from these controls. For this, first and foremost, the government has to bring gender equality policies and programmes in order to localise or implement the laws and rights guaranteed by the constitutions. Also, the government should run mass social transformation campaigns jointly with activists, media, local leaders and all.

The deep-rooted definition of masculinity and femininity in society should be refined or changed.

When do you hope to see an equal society in Nepal?

If we could work together as I have mentioned earlier, I do not see the transformation away. We are in a positive place.
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Rome, March 8 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Mar, 2021 ) :Italian police said Monday they had arrested a 36-year-old Algerian on suspicion of belonging to the Islamic State group and helping the authors of the November 2015 Paris attacks.

The man, identified by La Repubblica newspaper as Athmane Touami, is alleged to have "guaranteed the availability of forged documents" to the Paris attackers, police said.

"The investigations have made it possible to ascertain... the proximity of the suspect to radical jihadist environments, as well as his direct support to the authors of the terrorist attacks at the Bataclan theatre," police in the southern city of Bari said in a statement.

Some 130 people were killed and 350 wounded in a night of carnage on November 13, 2015, when Islamist suicide bombers and gunmen attacked various sites in Paris crowded with people, including the Bataclan concert hall, the Stade de France and the Le Carillon bar.

Touami is suspected of being part of an Islamic State cell operating in France and Belgium with his two brothers, according to La Repubblica.

He is alleged to have been in contact with Belgian Abdelhamid Abaaoud, an IS extremist and mastermind of the Paris attacks, as well as Khalid Zerkani, the jihadist preacher in Brussels who recruited scores of young Muslims as jihadist fighters to Syria, it added.

A source close to the French investigation, however, played down Touami's importance, telling AFP: "The link with the perpetrators of the attacks of November 13 is tenuous." - 'Forger' role - Touami was serving a two-year term in Bari for possession of fake documents and was due to be released in June, police said.

The role of Touami and his brothers Medhi and Lyes was as "forgers at the service of terrorist organisations", able to provide logistical support and other help, according to the detention order cited by La Repubblica.

French investigating magistrates have established that the perpetrators of the Paris attacks were in possession of 14 fake Belgian identity documents from the same manufacturer.

The forgeries enabled them, according to the French judges, "to carry out preparations for the attacks and in particular to rent flats, to travel around Europe to set up the terrorist cell, to withdraw money." Living with his brothers in the Molenbeek neighbourhood of Brussels, Touami had contact with Zerkani, now in prison, whom Belgian investigators have described as the country's "biggest recruiter" of jihadist fighters.

The detention order, according to Repubblica, states that Touami also had contact with Abaaoud, considered the coordinator of the Paris attacks who shot indiscriminately at cafe patrons that night, and his accomplice Chakib Akrouh.

Abaaoud and Akrouh were killed in a police raid five days after the attacks.

The order claims that since 2010, Touami and his brothers also had contact with Amedy Coulibaly and Cherif Kouachi, two of the extremists in the earlier Paris attacks of January 2015, who attacked a Jewish supermarket and the Charlie Hebdo newsroom, respectively.

In a press conference in Bari, Prosecutor Federico Perrone Capano said Touami's brother Medhi was serving a 16-year prison sentence in Belgium for association with terrorists, while Lyes was killed in Syria.

"It's impressive how the family of Athmane Touami... was in contact with subjects most of whom have been sentenced in Germany, France and Belgium for terrorist crimes," Capano said, as quoted by La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno newspaper.
In his first public address since the end of the Trump administration, former Vice President Mike Pence is traveling to South Carolina, set to speak to a conservative Christian nonprofit in the state that plays a crucial role in the presidential nominating process.

Next month, Pence will keynote a dinner hosted by the Palmetto Family Council, a Pence aide told The Associated Press on Sunday.

The aide spoke on the condition of anonymity due to a lack of permission to discuss the plans publicly.

Vice President Mike Pence will keynote a speech in front of the Palmetto Family Council next month, marking his first public appearance since leaving office on January 20. South Carolina has an important presidential primary, the first in the south

Former Vice President Mike Pence (left) is seen with his wife Karen Pence (right) attending the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20. Pence will make his first speech since leaving office next month in front of Palmetto Family supporters

The Palmetto Family lobbies for what it considers to be 'biblical values,' such as heterosexual marriage, and most recently helped push through a ban on most abortions in South Carolina.

That law is now being challenged in court.

Pence, who since leaving the administration has been doing work with the Heritage Foundation and Young America's Foundation, has not indicated if he plans a future run for office, but his choice of making his post-administration debut in South Carolina helps set down a marker for a potential 2024 presidential bid.

The state holds the first presidential primaries in the South, and candidates of both major parties typically spend more than a year in the state ahead of those votes, introducing themselves and trying to secure support.

As vice president, Pence made numerous trips to South Carolina, meeting several times with Gov. Henry McMaster for coronavirus-related forums.

He also recently campaigned in the state for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace.

Throughout his political career, beginning as an Indiana congressman-turned-governor, Pence has long advocated for restrictions on abortion and has voiced support for the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

The speech to Palmetto Family is advantageous for Pence in a state that Republican candidates use as a proving ground to test their 'pro-life' mettle.

The Pence aide described the former vice president's speech as one that will focus on traditional conservative talking points but will also tout what Pence sees as the accomplishments of the Trump administration.

According to Dave Wilson, president of Palmetto Family, Pence will speak to between 450 and 600 guests at a ticketed, sponsored dinner at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on April 29.

Wilson told AP that he considered Pence a 'prime person' to address the organization due to the 'level of faith' the former vice president embodied while in office.

'Vice President Mike Pence ... is very reflective of the ideas, policies and direction that we at Palmetto Family want to see in South Carolina: bringing faith to the forefront and growing the next generation of conservative leaders for our state,' Wilson said.
Emmanuel Macron: The Azerbaijani troops must leave Armenias sovereign territory

Armenia 3rd President on authorities and the upcoming elections

Armenia 3rd President reacts to photos of bodies of soldiers in freezer: It felt like the blood froze in my veins

Armenia Ombudsman addresses OSCE officials in regard to Ilham Aliyev's Armenophobic statements

Turkey's Erdogan expresses willingness to support Georgia-Azerbaijan-Armenia trilateral cooperation

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

French-Armenians hold protest against Armenia acting PM's visit to France

Angulo's goal helped Armenia tie score with Croatia

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: I've fallen in love with AS Roma and Rome over the last two years

Roma extend contract with Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Croatia-Armenia 1-0 (after first half)

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Wargonzo: Russian MOD is dealing with settlement of conflict in Armenia's Syunik Province on a daily basis

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

Yerkir.am: ARF-D Bureau member: Armenia acting PM ignored Macron's phone calls on November 9, 2020

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

Oliver Kahn replaces Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as Bayern Munich's manager

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

Arturo Vidal tests positive for COVID-19

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

Thomas Tuchel's contract with Chelsea automatically extended

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

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Sean Bean stops watching Game of Thrones after his hero's execution

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

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Roma, Mkhitaryan reach deal

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Armenia national squad hold last training session before friendly against Croatia

Roland Garros: Naomi Osaka withdraws due to disagreement with organizers

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Non-mandatory lateral flow tests rolled out to help eduction return  Minister encourages parents and students to help tackle virus

This article is old - Published: Monday, Mar 8th, 2021

Over five and a half million lateral flow (LFT) tests will have been sent to schools and education settings across Wales by the end of the week.

Older secondary school students are being asked to carry out the twice weekly asymptomatic tests, which can provide a result within 30 minutes, when they return to school from March 15.

In a written statement issued last month, Education Minister Kirsty Williams and Health Minister Vaughan Gething said although there is no evidence to suggest widespread transmission, they would be offering tests to older secondary school students and all FE college learners and learners on work-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship programmes.

Their use for all staff in all registered childcare settings including Flying Start settings, schools and further education settings, was announced by Education Minister Kirsty Williams last month as part of the phased return of primary schools.





All upper secondary school and all Further Education (FE) learners will be able to access LFDs to undertake regular twice weekly asymptomatic testing.

The Welsh Government say that anyone who tests positive using a LFT:

Must then book a follow up PCR test through the online booking portal

Must notify their setting of the result

Must notify other organisations as per the guidance for your sector (LAs or CIW)

They will also be contacted by the local contact tracing team.

Speaking at todays Welsh Government briefing, Ms Williams said that more than five and a half million of the tests will have been sent to education settings across Wales by the end of the week.

She said: We all know that its been a tough 12 months for young people, being away from their friends and adjusting to studying at home.

 I have seen terrific work that schools and colleges have done to ensure that learning has continued, while putting in place preparations so that the return of learners is safe, and the return to the classroom is as smooth as possible.

Im so very grateful for school, college and local authority staff for also embrace embracing the testing programme in our schools.

By the end of this week more than five and a half million lateral flow tests will have been distributed distributed to schools, colleges and childcare settings across Wales, which will be an important measure to provide further assurance at this time.

Asked whether she could guarantee that all students in years 10 to 13 would be offered the home testing kits, the minister said she is confident that the testing kits that will be required will be distributed to our settings.

She continued: We would encourage parents and students to undertake these tests at home, giving them greater levels of assurance.

Its not mandatory and students will be able to access education without taking the test

But throughout this pandemic The Welsh public has shown an absolute determination to do everything that they can to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe.

Im really hopeful that parents and students themselves will see this as another way and another expression of their commitment to tackling this disease by undertaking these tests, keeping themselves, their colleagues and their community safe.

Last week we asked Wrexham Council about the process of testing in schools, with Welsh Government saying extra money is being provided to allow lateral flow testing and masks.

Wrexham Councils Chief Executive said that was being dealt with direct with schools: There has been test packs received by schools and early years settings, so that theyre being used at the moment.

We dont get in the middle as a council in relation to that, our key role is around making sure that risk assessments are updated, in light of the fact that those additional resources are being provided and making sure schools are in a position to safely reopen.

Council Leader Mark Pritchard added: The costs have been met by the Welsh Government, which is good, and I would like to thank them for that.

The individuals who are employed in the schools, teachers, teaching assistants, support staff, they have been given testing kits and self testing twice a week. So that is happening as we speak, and thats good news.

Los Angeles, March 8 : Big-ticket gigs scheduled at the 63rd Grammy Awards will include Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Cardi B, BTS, Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Chris Martin.

At the awards gala slated to take place on Monday, March 15 (according to Indian Standard time), other mega names lined up include Megan Thee Stallion, Miranda Lambert, John Mayer, Doja Cat, and Roddy Ricch. The show will be hosted by The Daily Show host Trevor Noah.

The Recording Academy released the list of global pop stars who will perform at this year's ceremony, in-person live as well as virtually on Sunday, reports E!online.

South African comedian Noah revealed his excitement in a statement, on getting to host the ceremony for the first time in his career.

"Despite the fact that I am extremely disappointed that the Grammys have refused to have me sing or be nominated for best pop album, I am thrilled to be hosting this auspicious event. I think as a one-time Grammy nominee. I am the best person to provide a shoulder to all the amazing artists who do not win on the night because I too know the pain of not winning the award! (This is a metaphorical shoulder, I'm not trying to catch Corona.) See you at the 63rd Grammys!" Noah said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Warning: Jersey's financial regulator has slammed Neil Woodford's (pictured) plans for a fund management firm

Jersey's financial regulator has criticised an attempt by Neil Woodford to rebuild his career from the island.

Martin Moloney, director-general of the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC), slammed the fallen fund manager's plans for a Jersey-based fund management firm, saying the island cannot be used as a 'back door' to dodge UK regulators.

His warning came after 61-year-old Woodford announced his comeback last month, revealing he was setting up WCM Partners, to be based in Jersey with offices in a Buckinghamshire mansion.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Moloney said: 'Anyone who gets off the plane thinking that Jersey is a soft touch has wasted the price of the ticket.

'Jersey is not the place to come if you are trying to get around UK regulation, or any other regulation for that matter.'

Woodford's proposed return to fund management sparked fury among his former customers, who lost more than 1billion when his flagship Equity Income Fund was suspended and his entire business empire, Woodford Investment Management, imploded in 2019.
Photo: (Photo : Priscilla Du Preez / Unsplash )

One would have to question if yelling, negotiating, and arguing with a child is the norm worldwide. If not, how do other parents manage to be calmer parents sans the tension and power struggles? Some families from hunting-gathering villages are highlighted as an example of calmer parenting.

Calmer Parents Rarely Need to Tell Their Kids What to Do

Anthropologist Sheina Lew-Levy conducted a study with BaYaka hunter-gatherers in Central Africa. She observed adults rarely needed to tell their children what to do, which is only about three verbal commands per hour, Time shared. The anthropologist noted such parents interfered minimally, have confidence in the children, and restrained themselves from constant meddling.

ALSO READ: Why Parents Yell More Amid the Pandemic and How to Stop It

Michaeleen Doucleff, the author of "Hunt Gather Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans," observed a similar kind of calmer parenting Inuit families in a Maya village in the Yucatan Peninsula above the Arctic circle. She saw a parenting style without yelling, bickering, little if at all any resistance-and it was effective.

Calmer Parents Do Not Argue with Children

Inuit parents never yelled, nagged, or negotiated with their children, noted Doucleff. 74-year-old Sidonie Nirlungayuk explained, "When a child mistreats you, do not fight back with the young one."

These parents consider arguing with a child a silly waste of time. Arguing with a child is like stooping the child's level, and the child receives a lot of attention due to misbehavior.

"Arguments occur if you let it," Empowering Parents noted. Do not argue with a child. To avoid arguments, consider:

Giving them an option, both choices of which are agreeable to your conditions but still, the child thinks he has made a choice

Do not ask "Can you do this," or "Do you want to do this," when it comes to chores. Be objective and tell them what you need them to do, what you need help with

Set and agree on negative consequences for misbehavior ahead of time

Asking for permission prevents many arguments

ALSO READ: Dad Smashes Electronics Because Kids are 'Not Doing Chores'

Observing the hunter-gatherer families, Doucleff further learned what she now dubs as TEAM parenting: Togetherness, Encouragement, Autonomy, and Minimal Interference all minimized conflict and encouraged cooperation.

These parents tap into a child's innate instinct to work in collaboration with the people they love. Inuit parents include their children in adult activities, from chores and work to social outings, and request help from children. The result is genuine contributions from children.

"As soon as a child can walk, they can help," noted one Inuit mother. At first, toddlers are given simple tasks like fetching herbs, and as the child grows, they can do more complicated tasks like preparing a dish and cleaning up afterward.

Children of Calmer Parents Help without being Asked

Psychologist Suzanne Gaskins observed families in a small Maya village near Yucatan as well. She saw children as young as seven years old being proud of the fact that they can wash their clothes, and perhaps even a younger sibling's clothes when she turns 9. They take pride in being able to help around the house. In essence, they understand they are part of a team, that is, the family.

Gaskins noted that the child made considerable contributions to the household and helped around the house without being told, NPR said. Moreover, helping out is their idea. There were no allowances, gold stars, or any rewards tied to the chores. Here are tips for replicating this in your own home:

Allow children to observe and help around at an early age.

Give them tasks appropriate with their skill level to avoid frustrations.

Start with mock projects before actual chores. This includes learning to sweep the floor and fold clothes.

Work together, rather than independently. Make working on household chores a social activity.

Encourage rather than force help.

ALSO READ: 6 Helpful And Effective Ways To Raise Responsible Children
Conventional non-invasive evaluation tools for liver fibrosis post-Fontan surgery are invalid. Credit: Daisuke Tokuhara

Collecting liver tissue from 22 postoperative patients with long-term post-Fontan surgery, researchers have found a specific liver fibrosis to develop from the sinusoidal region which is difficult to accurately assess by conventional examination methods (ultrasound elastography and blood tests).

It is well-known that patients who undergo Fontan surgery slowly develop liver fibrosis for years post-operatively. In the past decade, these incidences have been steadily increasing and this is due partly to the need for an accurate diagnostic method. A research group led by Dr. Daisuke Tokuhara, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine and Dr. Yuki Cho have found that the conventional methods of ultrasound elastography and biomarkers via blood tests do not show the actual status of postoperative liver fibrosis. Their findings have been published in Hepatology Research.

With a sample size of 22 postoperative patients, their illumination into this matter was 3-prong.

Frist, the team observed dilation of the sinusoid during a long-term period post-Fontan surgery, with moderate fibrosis extending from the sinusoidal region to the portal vein region in about half of the patients, and a severe form developing in 30% of the patients. "After Fontan surgery, we believe as central venous pressure increases and the sinusoids dilate, fibrosis spreads from the sinusoidal region to the portal vein region," states Professor Tokuhara. Contrast this with hepatitis C and B, which are well-known causes of cirrhosis, where fibrosis is observed mainly in the portal region.

Then the team tested this unique regional development of fibrosis. Using a method of investigation that measures liver stiffness called ultrasound elastography, they found that the score did not significantly relate to liver fibrosis after Fontan surgery because the liver hardness tended to be related to portal pressure.

Next, they diagnosed liver fibrosis by looking for the elements that are naturally present as a result of the diseases progression. The research team investigated a variety of these fibrosis biomarkers from blood tests. Analysis of hyaluronic acid, type 4 collagen 7s, APRI, FIB-4 Index, and FibroTest did not render any association with the liver fibrosis score after Fontan surgery. The biomarker M2BPGi showed a significant inverse U-shaped association with postoperative liver fibrosis score, "but this cannot be used in a clinical practice," says Dr. Cho.

The team concluded that the complication with long-term care after Fontan surgery lies in a specific liver fibrosis that is difficult to assess using conventional methods. "Postoperative patients should receive regular medical care at specialized medical institutions for the presence of liver complications for at least 10 years after surgery, and until useful biomarkers and imaging techniques are established," advises Dr. Tokuhara. "We will use the liver tissue and serum obtained from this study to continue our search for the world`s first biomarker for liver fibrosis specific to post-Fontan surgery."

Explore further Liver scarring relatively common among middle-aged adults

More information: Yuki Cho et al. Assessing liver stiffness with conventional cutoff values overestimates liver fibrosis staging in patients who received the Fontan procedure, Hepatology Research (2021). Yuki Cho et al. Assessing liver stiffness with conventional cutoff values overestimates liver fibrosis staging in patients who received the Fontan procedure,(2021). DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13627

Provided by Osaka City University
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US, Britain seek new WHO look into possible origins of COVID-19 in China

Against backdrop of an increasingly assertive China, Quad meeting to be held this month

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Mar 08: Against the backdrop of an increasingly assertive China, the leaders of the four nation Quad grouping would seek to counter Beijing and work towards peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific later this month.

The meeting also comes in the backdrop of Being tightening its grip on Hong Kong and also announcing plans to build a high-speed railway and expressway linking China and Taipei.

China, India should not 'undercut' each other; shed mutual 'suspicion': Chinese FM

The Quad meeting would also be US President Joe Biden's first interaction under the security and diplomatic initiative that was revived by former president of the US, Donald Trump. The Biden administration has made it clear that it would work closely with other nations including Quad members to strengthen partnership as part of the strategy on China.

While Delhi does not expect any drastic change in Chinese President Xi Jinping's approach towards India, the Quad meeting would be an important message to Beijing, officials tell OneIndia.

Muthoot Finance shares drop as chairman falls to death | Oneindia News

The meeting also comes in the wake of India and China finally deciding to disengage troops at the north and south banks of the Pangong lake. The two sides have decided to continue talking and disengaging at the other friction points along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 8:18 [IST]
To mark International Women's Day today, we caught up with some of Kildare's most inspirational women.

Veteran broadcaster and Monasterevin resident, Mary Fanning has forged her own path in the world of media.

Although Covid has impacted how programmes are put together, she has learned to adapt to working in a pandemic.

My day to day job involves reporting on the positive stories around Ireland for RTE's Nationwide programme. I've produced, directed and reported with the flagship programme for 26 years.

It's such a joy to travel around the country meeting the real people of Ireland who make us who we are. I love rural Ireland and it never ceases to amaze me how resilient communities are. I especially love programmes of the horse industry, such a cornerstone of employment.

She explains how the restrictions have impacted her work.

Yes we can travel but we cannot under the present circumstances go inside houses, so all of our filming is outside in fields, farms and other spaces. I have, with the help of my children, upskilled on technology, to be honest I keep pressing buttons until it works!

A filming day requires huge planning now  pack water, pack food, bring masks, wipes, gloves and hand sanitizer  so everything is packed the night before.

So with the vaccination programme underway and hopes of an end to lockdown, what are Mary's aspirations for the times ahead.

My plans for the coming year are to keep me and my family and loved ones safe and continue to produce good TV.

When asked about the role of women in the media, she replies: The role of women has changed hugely when I started in journalism in the early eighties, there were only 20% of women working as journalists.

It was a very misogynistic profession. We even had a woman journalist of the year award which I won in 1985! RTE has always been very forward thinking and inclusive and our present Deputy Head of News and Current Affairs is a woman,

Hilary McGouran. I think us early women journalists paved the way for the next generation, we fought hard, took no crap and my biggest influence was my dearest friend former News Anchor, Anne Doyle, she was a warrior and still is.
A toddler has been found dead in a dam after she was reported missing from a rural property in Queensland.

Emergency crews found the body of Ruby, two, after she was last seen patting her family's dogs in Tara, Western Downs about 3.30pm on Monday afternoon.

Police said her body was found on the 1500ha Males Road property about 1am on Tuesday.

The body of Ruby, two, was found early on Tuesday after she was last seen patting her family's dogs on a 1500ha property in Tara, Western Downs on Monday afternoon

They said though were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the discovery.

Ruby is believed to have been missing for between 30 minutes to an hour by the time police were called to search the home about 3.30pm, The Courier-Mail reported.

Her body was found after police divers arrived at the property about midnight on Tuesday morning.

Police and SES crews had used thermal technology in the search for Ruby.

Police divers arrived at the property about midnight on Tuesday morning, before Ruby's body was found inside the dam about 1am

File image of SES workers. Emergency crews had used thermal technology in the search for Ruby

The youngster's mother Sky Gulliver had earlier issued a desperate plea for her daughter to be returned home safely.

'I just want my little girl home where she is safe,' Ms Gulliver said.

'Its killing me to know she is out there away from her parents that love her so much.'

A report will be prepared for the coroner.
When the actor Danny Glover came to Bessemer last month to lend his well-known face to the union campaign at Amazons fulfillment center, there was one small problem.

The 74-year-old actor, star of the Lethal Weapon movies, from a distance was just another guy with a mask on, standing at the road to the center, urging employees as they left to vote in the ongoing union election. He looked much like other organizers who have stood at the traffic light since November.

So before he left, Glover recorded a video message for organizers from the Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union.

The message, with Glovers face only partially obscured by his mask, was immediately shared on the BAmazonunion Twitter page to its more than 14,000 followers.

The same was true last week, when five members of Congress visited the center and recorded messages that were quickly filmed and shared to various accounts affiliated with the union and labor causes. And in the background of the photo op, Amazon inserted its own message, with a large digital billboard and a traditional printed banner underlining that its workers already make $15 an hour, a wage the visiting Democrats had pushed for nationally.

The incidents illustrate how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is shaping the union election, which is the largest of its kind since the outbreak started, according to the National Labor Relations Board. More than 5,000 employees at the center are participating, with ballots to be counted March 30.

Here is full coverage of the Alabama Amazon unionization effort

Since voting began early last month, organizers have worked to create content that can be shared through social media accounts, to keep momentum going as ballots come in. Amazon has also responded with messaging of its own. Its a strategy that previously played out last year during the 2020 presidential election, with Republicans favoring large scale organization in swing states through Facebook and Twitter, while Democrats tended to microtarget supporters, according to MarketWatch.

As Joshua Brewer, an organizer for the RWDSU explained, a traditional labor campaign is about organizing. The simple business of getting people together. But when the campaign originally began last November, Alabama was seeing the largest numbers of COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

In a traditional union campaign, were all about bringing people together, Brewer said. So were usually renting out meeting spaces and having hundreds of people gather in rooms. Thats what generates that excitement and that solidarity that youre looking for.

One of the few public mass gatherings the union attempted was in early February in Bessemer, on a day when temperatures were in the mid-30s and a frigid rain dampened a gathering of more than 100 people representing unions from the Southeast. Since then, the events have been largely virtual - with celebrities and other unions showing their support through recorded messages and social media posts. President Joe Biden also got in on the action last Sunday, releasing a video statement urging employees to vote.

For us, weve had to be smart and safe, and we saw the way to do it was to make sure everyone had the ability to see the support that came in and we can do that through sending messages to their phone, Brewer said. And then the workers can see everybody that comes down and really generate the excitement and support.

Stuart Appelbaum has been president of the RWDSU since 1998 and has seen many campaigns. The same things that are important in any organizing campaign are important here, he said. Thats the ability to get the unions message to people and answer questions.

During the pandemic, a lot of that has been done through calls, and social media and text messages, but thats being done in every campaign these days, he said. The only difference is that during the pandemic you have less opportunity to do it face-to-face.

The strategy hasnt been confined to the union, however. Amazon has adopted several approaches, some more successful than others.

Employees at the center say they regularly receive texts from the company regarding the election. This came after the company created a website, doitwithoutdues.com, which hammers home a message that members will be on the hook for monthly dues, and at the mercy of a union that could vote to strike, endangering their jobs and benefits.

The company also sank money into a series of targeted ads with anti-union testimonials.

We really dont need anyone coming in and telling us what they want to give us, because basically we have everything we need here, says one woman in one of the ads. Twitch, a video live streaming service which is a subsidiary of Amazon, eventually pulled the ads because the company said they violated a policy against political advertising.




Haiti - March 8 celebration : The UN considers it urgent to promote the presence of women in public life





As part of the celebration of the 36th Edition of International Women's Day (March 8), the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) on Sunday published a document in which it affirms that it is "urgent to strengthen temporary special measures to promote the presence of women in all areas of public life in Haiti."



"The link between women's leadership at the political, economic, administrative and community levels, on the one hand, and human development, on the other hand, is clearly established as a lever to accelerate the achievement of the sustainable development objectives of the Nations. United," underlined the BINUH



"The under-representation of women in these fields represents a limitation to the enjoyment of their rights and a significant loss for the Nation" adds the document. Based on this situation, Binuh said, "women's organizations, the Haitian State and progressive entities are carrying out various actions to combat political and electoral violence directed against women, to promote a better understanding of the importance of female leadership, and for women to work in politics.



[...] Haitian women also continue to be agents of change as the country faces a political and security crisis, and they are among the victims of kidnappings by organized criminal gangs," declared the unusien office.



"However, women remain firmly committed to building an egalitarian, secure and peaceful Haitian society [...]



"Haiti has made significant progress in promoting women's leadership, although there are still many systemic, institutional, cultural, behavioral and financial obstacles", notes the UN body which considers that the results are "quite disparate" in terms of integrating women into Haiti's political and administrative circuits.



For BINUH, this new celebration of International Women's Day, "represents an opportunity to deepen reflection and revitalize dialogue to better promote women's leadership for an equal future."



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Channel 4 news presenter Jon Snow has announced he has welcomed a baby boy with his wife Dr Precious Lunga.

The TV journalist, 73, from Sussex, said he and his wife, 46, had a baby boy with a surrogate last Tuesday after 'numerous medical setbacks and miscarriages'.

The presenter said he and Precious are 'delighted' to announced their child arrived safely on March 2.

In a statement, Jon, who has two older daughters from his first marriage to former partner Madeleine Colvin, 64, said: 'In our desire to seal our now 11 years of marriage with a baby, my wife suffered numerous medical setbacks and miscarriages.

Channel 4 news presenter Jon Snow, 73, and his wife Dr Precious Lunga had a baby boy with a surrogate last Tuesday after 'numerous medical setbacks and miscarriages' (pictured in 2018)

'Consequently, we will always be deeply grateful to our surrogate, who carried our embryo to term.

'Amid these challenging times, we feel doubly blessed to be able to celebrate our good fortune.'

Snow has had an eventful romantic life. He was once briefly engaged to fellow ITN journalist Anna Ford, 70.

And proving that age is no barrier to love, he married Zimbabwean-born academic Precious in March 2010.

Jon and Precious, 46, said they are 'delighted' to announced their child arrived safely on March 2, after they married 11 years ago in 2010 (pictured together in 2015)

Snow said her mental age was far higher than his, saying: Shes somewhere in her forties. Shes very, very mature. I mean, shes a serious boffin.

Snow, the son of a former Bishop of Whitby, walked Precious down a beach rather than the aisle.

The pair married on the Caribbean island of Mustique, the exclusive hangout of rich and famous.

It was conducted at the 800-a-night Firefly Hotel, where past guests have included rocker Mick Jagger, royal Zara Phillips and actors Liz Hurley and Hugh Grant.

How does surrogacy work and what are the laws in the UK? Surrogacy is when a woman carries a baby for a couple who are unable to conceive or carry a child themselves. Such couples 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? Surrogacy is legal in the UK, however, it cannot be advertised. No third parties are allowed to be involved and surrogates can only receive payments to cover expenses incurred as a result of being pregnant. In the US, surrogacy costs around $100,000 (75,879), with laws varying between states. Source: Surrogacy UK Advertisement

At the time, Snow himself said: Yes, I have got married, but I have absolutely no interest in discussing my private life. It was actually some time ago.

Unlike Snow, who failed to complete his Liverpool University degree, Precious is a serious scholar.

She is an epidemiologist with the Medical Research Council, specialising in HIV prevention in Africa, and a Yale World Fellow.

She also captained the Cambridge University womens karate team while doing a PhD in neuroscience there a decade ago.

He is best known for being the longest-running presenter on Channel 4 News, which he has fronted since 1989.
Covers a 630-acre area of the total 6,830-acre (2,764 hectare; ha) Oro Cruz Project

Allows for:

65 drill pads for Reverse Circulation (RC) and/or core drilling in seven drill target areas that include the formerly producing Cross and Queen open pit and underground mine areas



Creation of a 2.6-acre staging area at the Cross Mine underground portal for infrastructure related to future underground exploration and development



Construction of approximately 2.94 kilometres (km; 1.83 miles) of new, permanent access roads, ~9.98 km (6.2 miles) of temporary drill site access roads and ~4.21 km (2.62 miles) of improvements to existing roads

field studies for environmental, water and cultural resources assessments have started

Dale Wallster, CEO of Southern Empire stated: "While the permitting process in California is multi-layered and complex, permits are most certainly attainable, as evidenced by our recent sonic drill programs that confirmed the gold potential of the historical American Girl and Padre y Madre heap leach pads. We are very pleased to now work together with the BLM to get boots on the ground and complete the necessary baseline studies that should ultimately result in core drilling of our high-grade Oro Cruz gold targets this fall."

The MOU allows Southern Empire, working in collaboration with the El Centro Field Office of the BLM and other relevant environmental regulatory agencies, to design and complete the baseline archaeological, environmental, groundwater and cultural resources work plans and field studies to develop the data necessary to thoroughly understand and document the currently existing surface conditions of that specific 630-acre area covered by the Plan that occurs within the Picacho Area of Critical Environmental Concern ("Picacho ACEC"; see Figure 1), prior to undertaking the Plan-related exploration proposed by Southern Empire. As such, the regulatory-compliant EA baseline field studies to support further permitting of the project have been initiated with biological resource studies anticipated to be completed by the end of March, 2021 and cultural resource studies in April, 2021. Receipt of this work by the BLM will initiate the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) review process for the Plan.

Highlights of Oro Cruz Project Permitting, to date, include:

BLM notice-level authorizations (see Southern Empire news releases of November 17, 2020 and January 13, 2021 ), together with two Building Permits received from Imperial County , allowed the completion of 20 sonic drill holes on Oro Cruz Project lands outside of the Picacho ACEC; more sonic drilling of the American Girl and Padre y Madre historical heap leach pads is planned

and ), together with two Building Permits received from , allowed the completion of 20 sonic drill holes on Oro Cruz Project lands outside of the Picacho ACEC; more sonic drilling of the American Girl and Padre y Madre historical heap leach pads is planned The Exploration Plan of Operations for Oro Cruz Project lands within the Picacho ACEC (see Southern Empire news release of January 19, 2021 ) was deemed by the BLM to be administratively and technically complete

) was deemed by the BLM to be administratively and technically complete The BLM has determined that the environmental review process required by the NEPA can begin through the solicitation of public comment regarding the Plan

Tribal engagement has been initiated and 16 regional tribal organizations have been contacted

A Memorandum of Understanding, between the BLM and Southern Empire, has been established and will define roles and responsibilities during the NEPA review process

Baseline studies to support NEPA and CEQA have started. These studies include:

Desert tortoise, bats, raptors and other wildlife assessments



Botanical assessments



Archaeological and other cultural resource studies



Ground disturbance assessments



Waters of the United States and Waters of the State of California reviews

and Waters of the reviews Design of a SMARA-compliant Reclamation Plan has commenced.

Permits for Oro Cruz Project exploration within the Picacho ACEC are expected within six months of the initiation of the NEPA process, co-ordinating with an exploration field season in the fall of 2021.

The scope of proposed exploration and development work will also determine whether permitting of Oro Cruz Project lands may be subject to the requirements of the State of California's Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (1975) (SMARA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Regarding this, Southern Empire has, in co-ordination with Imperial County, started engineering and environmental analyses to support the submittal of:

1) A CEQA analysis to support the associated county and state permitting processes for the Plan

2) A Reclamation Plan to fulfill requirements of SMARA

3) A Conditional Use Permit ("CUP") to fulfill Imperial County permitting requirements

Southern Empire's environmental, permitting and regulatory efforts are co-ordinated by Del Fortner Consulting of Tucson, Arizona. To facilitate timely completion of the EA, Southern Empire has agreed with the BLM to contract a third-party environmental contractor for the preparation of the EA. The third-party environmental contractor will work at the sole direction of the BLM for NEPA-related matters.

Southern Empire's environmental and permitting team also includes:

Sespe Consulting, Inc. of Ventura, California ; specialists regarding SMARA and CEQA requirements who are liaising with, and providing baseline studies and documents for the State of California and Imperial County .

; specialists regarding SMARA and CEQA requirements who are liaising with, and providing baseline studies and documents for the and . Stantec Consulting Services Inc.; an international firm that are conducting baseline environmental studies, liaising with, and providing NEPA documents for the BLM, the State of California and Imperial County .

and . WestLand Resources, Inc. of Tucson, Arizona ; specialists in environmental permitting and planning, who are conducting baseline archaeological, biological and other cultural and environmental studies, providing documentation necessary to comply with NEPA and CEQA permitting, and liaising with the BLM, State of California and Imperial County . WestLand are also proving support to Southern Empire's engagement with regional tribal organizations.

Investor Relations Update

Southern Empire is pleased to announce that it has entered into an investor relations agreement with CM-Equity AG (CM) of Munich, Germany to provide investor relations services, including communicating with members of the European financial community as well as shareholders.

CM-Equity AG is a European-regulated investment boutique and financial service provider that is licenced for corporate brokerage services from market making to fund-raising and M&A activities. CM offers its corporate clients access to its regulatory compliant digital asset platform which offers attractive and modern forms of public financings. Also, CM provides both institutional and retail investors with a platform for direct access to its corporate clients through meetings, conferences, webinars and social media channels.

Under the terms of the investor relations agreement, Southern Empire has agreed to retain CM for a period of one (1) year which shall automatically renew for a further year unless a party to the agreement provides three month written notice. CM will be paid a fee in the amount of 50,000 Euros as well as applicable disbursements and taxes. CM shall be granted 100,000 incentive stock options to purchase common shares of Southern Empire, subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance. Each option will be exercisable to purchase one common share of Southern Empire for five years at a price of 30 cents per common share in accordance with the terms of the company's stock option plan. CM will assist Southern Empire in its investor presentations, awareness campaigns and providing corporate brokerage functions for the Southern Empire in Germany and beyond. Michael Kott, CM's founder and CEO, will act as the CM's representative in this regard.

TSX Venture Exchange Approval of the American Girl Mine Property Acquisition

Southern Empire has finally received TSX Venture Exchange (Exchange) approval allowing the acquisition of 7 privately-owned, patented lode mining claims and 10 BLM administered claims that cover the former gold producing American Girl Mine area of the Oro Cruz Project to close. Terms of this transaction are further disclosed in Southern Empire's news release dated September 14, 2021,

Highlights of the American Girl Mine Property Transaction

The acquired American Girl Mine Property:

comprises 100% of 7 privately-owned, patented lode mining claims and 10 BLM administered claims

covers 116 ha (287 acres) including portions of the formerly producing American Girl gold mine operations that produced more than 500,000 oz gold from four underground and four open pit deposits

has significant exploration potential for underground high-grade, oxide gold mineralization

is subject to no royalty interests

covers mine waste dumps which may, at current gold prices, present an opportunity to develop a resource in a manner similar to the conversion of waste dumps to resources by Equinox Gold Corp. at their nearby Mesquite Mine

Qualified Person (QP)

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been prepared, reviewed and approved by David Tupper, P.Geo. (British Columbia), Southern Empire's VP Exploration and a Qualified Person (QP) within the context of Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101; Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101).

About Southern Empire Resources Corp.

Southern Empire is focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of gold deposits in North America.

In the Cargo Muchacho mountains of Imperial County, California, Southern Empire owns 100 per cent of the historical gold-producing American Girl mine property and also holds options to acquire a 100-per-cent interest in the adjacent 2,160-hectare (5,338-acre) Oro Cruz property located approximately 22.5 kilometres (14 miles) southeast of the operating Mesquite Mine of Equinox Gold Corp.

At Oro Cruz, extensive historical drilling and large-scale open-pit and underground mining of the American Girl, Padre y Madre, Queen and Cross oxide gold deposits by the American Girl Mining Joint Venture (AGMJV; ultimately owned 53 per cent by MK Gold Company and 47 per cent by Hecla Mining Company) occurred between 1987 and 1996. At that time, gold was recovered by either heap leaching of lower-grade or milling of higher-grade ores until AGMJV operations ceased in late 1996 because of declining gold prices leaving the Oro Cruz Project with many gold exploration targets in addition to the historical inferred resource estimate, reported In 2011 by Lincoln Mining Corp., totalling 341,800 ounces gold based on 4,386,000 tonnes averaging 2.2 grams gold per tonne at a cut-off grade of 0.68 g/t Au (4,835,000 tons at 0.07 ounce gold per ton; please refer to the Cautionary Notice Regarding Historical Resource Estimate below).

Southern Empire is well financed, having completed two oversubscribed, non-brokered private placement financings during 2020; see Southern Empire's news releases dated March 18 and June 12, 2020, for details. With its strong working capital position, which also includes a significant equity holding in Augusta Gold Corp., Southern Empire has the financial resources to continue exploration and development programs at Oro Cruz and consider new opportunities.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Southern Empire Resources Corp.,

Dale Wallster, CEO and Director

Cautionary Notice on Forward-Looking Information

Information provided in this news release may contain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. Such information or statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations and are not guarantees of future performance. Southern Empire cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond its respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Southern Empire limited operating history, the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations, results of exploration programs on its projects and those risks and uncertainties identified in its annual and interim financial statements and management discussion and analysis. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Southern Empire undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

Cautionary Notice Regarding Historical Resource Estimate

The historical resource estimate outlined above is disclosed in a technical report dated April 29, 2011, prepared for Lincoln Mining Corp. by Tetra Tech, Inc. and filed on Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR). It is termed an inferred mineral resource, which is a category set out in NI 43-101. It was based on historical reverse circulation and core drill hole sample, underground channel sample, and blasthole sample assay results and calculated using ordinary kriging to estimate gold grades in 10-foot-by-10-foot-by-five-foot blocks. Accordingly, Southern Empire considers this historical estimate reliable as well as relevant as it represents key targets for future exploration work. However, a QP has not done sufficient work to verify or classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource and Southern Empire is not treating this historical estimate as current mineral resources.

Work Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Timing of Southern Empire's exploration programs will be contingent on governmental regulations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and also the availability of exploration-related personnel, drill contractors, equipment, lodging, et cetera. Southern Empire will adhere to COVID-19 directives regarding safe working practices putting worker, community and national safety first and will proceed with exploration and development work programs only if potential COVID-19 risks can be effectively managed.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Southern Empire Resources Corp.
Police have reportedly raided a hotel in Anambra, Nigeria, where a group of suspected gays were having a party, following an anonymous tip-off.

According to a local source who spoke to Nigerian publisher Punch Newspapers: The gays were holding a party at the facility when trouble ensued, leading to the invitation of policemen from the Ukpo Police Division.

The suspects attempted fleeing in all directions when the policemen arrived, leading to the destruction of ceilings and other items in the hotel.

The suspects were taken to the commands anti-cult office in Ukpo for investigation.

The number of men arrested has not yet been confirmed.

Nigeria brought in the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act (SSMPA) in 2013, which criminalises making a public show of a same-sex relationship as well as being involved in any LGBT+ clubs, organisations or unions.

In recent years, a number of similar parties have been raided by Nigerian police under the SSMPA as police have claimed they were a gay club or organisation.

Penalties for engaging in these prohibited activities can reach up to 14 years imprisonment. Some Nigerian states employ Sharia Law which imposes harsher punishments, however Anambra does not currently enforce Sharia Law.

According to the Human Dignity Trust, in 2018 the Nigerian United Nations representative, Tijjani Muhammad Bande, said: Nigeria rejects unreservedly same-sex marriage, lesbians, and gays in its population and that Nigeria had as duty to protect family values, religious and cultural values which are the bedrock of society.

The anti-cult office, where the men were reportedly being investigated, was set up to counter cultism in Nigeria.

Nigerian cultism is believed to originate from Nobel literature laureate Wole Soyinka who had a confraternity in the 1950s which resisted the affluent middle class. However, they are now known as a major menace to Nigerian society, contributing to the violent killings of thousands across the country, according to the Institute of Current World Affairs.

Last week, the Archbishop of Nigeria, Henry Ndukuba, called homosexuality a virus and likened to a yeast that should be urgently and radically expunged and excised lest it affects the whole dough.
Raise your hand if you have found the last 12 months or so to be difficult, confusing, even painful. The rest of you, raise your hands for not being truthful. Because in one way or more, 2020 and so far in 2021 (aka 2020, version 2.0), have perplexed us, confounded us, and maybe even unsettled our faith.

With chaos manifesting itself in so many forms  pandemic fears and mandates, extreme weather, political madness, the abrupt and drastic departure from normal  one could hardly be faulted for wrestling with periods of doubt. For non-believers, the go-to question has been, How could a loving God allow this? Even for believers, weve probably all had times when we wondered, Lord, where are You?

However, during less stressful, more predictable moments, doubts can emerge as well, from just about anywhere. A few days ago, a friend admitted her faith had been shaken a bit while reading a challenging section of the Old Testament, one of those portions of Scripture that make us think, Wait! What? What she read didnt seem to mesh with the God of love, grace and mercy, manifested in the person of Jesus Christ, the New Testament shows to us.

Even though wed like to deny them, doubts are actually an integral reality of the walk of faith. We see this throughout the Bible. The Israelites were a classic example. Every time circumstances got a bit difficult, they were ready to throw in the towel and trudge back to Egypt. Hey, Moses! Yeah, we were slaves, but at least we had leeks and onions and a little bread!

Reading the accounts today, we wonder, Come on, Israel, after all God had done for you  being freed from Egypt, walking through the parted Red Sea, being given manna, then quail to fill your bellies  how can you doubt Him? But they did. Repeatedly. It was an attitude of, Yahweh, what have You done for us lately? No wonder Moses smashed the first set of the 10 commandments in anger and frustration.

We see this over and over in the New Testament as well. By the time the man approached Jesus with the son possessed by a demon, the Lord had performed many miracles of healing and restoration. Explaining his sons plight, the man said to Jesus, But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. To which Jesus replied, If you can? Everything is possible for him who believes (Mark 9:22-23).

The list of biblical doubters could go on and on, but we cant omit Mr. Doubter himself, doubting Thomas, the skeptical disciple. Ole Tom hadnt been there when Jesus appeared to the other disciples following His resurrection, so when he heard the others declare, We have seen the Lord!, his response was in the yeah, right category. Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it (John 20:25). He was probably president of the Galilean Skeptics Society.

Even when Jesus appeared a second time, with Thomas in attendance, the disciple was hesitant. Jesus addressed his doubts. Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. Finally, Thomas set aside his incredulity and responded, My Lord and my God! (John 20:27-28).

Were tempted to dismiss dubious Thomas, but arent we like that? Theres no need to rehash the trials and travails of the past year, but weve probably all wondered why God has seemed silent, even absent, when a loved one has died or suffered greatly from the virus. Or when financial woes have set in, or when an unexpected, unrelated crisis only added to our dismay.

I heard recently that studies have shown more than 70 percent of atheists lost their faith after going through difficult circumstances. Thats the case for people like Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking and many others. But just because God doesnt respond the way we want Him to, when we want Him to, doesnt mean Hes not there  or that He doesnt care.

So what are we to do as such times when nagging doubts dont want to disperse? There are no easy answers, but for one thing, dont deny the doubts. Going back to the story of the man with the demon-possessed son, when Jesus assurance him that everything is possible for those who believe, the father replied, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief! (Mark 9:24). God isnt threatened or befuddled by our doubts or questions.

We also need to make sure were listening to folks who will affirm our faith, not undermine it. As Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us, And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting togetherlet us encourage one another  and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Faith isnt intended or designed to be embraced and lived out in isolation.

God knows our minds and our thoughts, so we can be honest in approaching Him. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

And lastly, press through our doubts, reminding ourselves of what the Lord has already done in our lives and trusting He will continue to hear us and meet our needs. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does (James 1:6-8). God is always at work, even when we cant see or understand what Hes doing.

* * *

Robert J. Tamasy is a veteran journalist, former newspaper editor and magazine editor. Bob has written, co-authored and edited more than 15 books. These include the newly published, Marketplace Ambassadors; Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Todays Workplace; Tufting Legacies, The Heart of Mentoring, and Pursuing Life With a Shepherds Heart. A weekly business meditation he edits, Monday Manna, is translated into more than 20 languages and sent via email around the world by CBMC International. The address for his blog is www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com. His email address is btamasy@comcast.net.
GWANGJU, South Korea, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The landmark 2015 Paris Agreement resulted in multiple studies examining the impact of global temperature increases, but these rarely investigate the effect of warming on "fire weather" conditions. Now, in a new study, scientists have found that by projecting two different types of fire weather conditions, an additional half-degree of warming could drastically increase the likelihood and significance of blazes worldwide.

Changes in fire weather climatology under 1.5C and 2.0C warming

Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change agreed to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 2.0C and, ideally, to 1.5C, over preindustrial levels. However, even before that treaty was signed, scientists had already warned that those "best case" targets were unlikely to be achievable. Consequently, many fire weather studies are built with models that simulate much higher levels of climate warming.

Recently, researchers from South Korea, Japan, and the United States have found that by projecting the fire weather conditions under two mildly varying warming levels  one in which the global climate warms by 1.5 and the other by 2  even just a half-degree of warming could significantly increase the likelihood and significance of wildfires.

"When it comes to the conditions that make wildfires more likely, a little bit of warming goes a long way," explained lead author Rackhun Son, Ph.D. candidate at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Korea, "but, of course, this is troubling, because it is quite unlikely that we will only be experiencing a little bit of warming."

"Although it is reasonable to look at fire weather under more extreme circumstances, there is little sense in making goals without a good understanding of what might happen if you were to reach those goals," said co-author Seung-Hee Kim of Chapman University, "so, we asked 'what would happen if we did reach these goals? Would the fire weather conditions not become as severe?'"

That answer is complex, but this study's key finding is that just a half a degree of additional warming would likely create a notably greater danger of fire on the most widely inhabited continents, with dangers particularly concentrated in the Amazon rainforest and African savanna, and around the Mediterranean. "We also provided evidence that places like Australia and Indonesia are likely to reach peak levels of fire susceptibility even before we reach that lower threshold," said co-author Simon Wang of Utah State University.

The study does provide a silver lining of hope to this cloud of danger. Commenting on the implications of their findings, Dr. Wang comments, "If we were somehow able to suppress this extra half a degree of warming, we could reduce climate-driven extreme fire activities in many places, potentially saving many lives and billions of dollars."

Their research has been published in the journal Environmental Research Letters.

Reference

Title of original paper: Changes in fire weather climatology under 1.5C and 2.0C warming

Journal: Environmental Research Letters

DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abe675

About Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)

Website: http://www.gist.ac.kr/

About the author

Jinho Yoon is Associate Professor of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering at GIST. His group focuses on understanding and predicting weather-climate extremes under climate change. Prof. Yoon's group is also analyzing aerosol-cloud-precipitation interactions to understand the distribution and characteristics of clouds. Before coming to GIST, he was a scientist (level 3) at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. In 2004, Prof. Yoon received a PhD in Atmospheric Sciences from Iowa State University.

Contact:

Nayeong Lee

82 62 715 2114

[email protected]

SOURCE Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology

Related Links

http://www.gist.ac.kr


Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that restaurants across most of New York state will be able to welcome indoor diners at 75 percent capacity later this month - but has left the hard-hit Big Apple stuck at 35 percent.

The governor said Sunday he was upping capacity from 50 percent to 75 percent everywhere other than New York City from March 19 as cases, deaths and hospitalizations fall across the state and the vaccination rollout continues.

The move came the same day Cuomo signed a bill stripping himself of his emergency executive powers amid the growing sexual harassment and nursing home deaths scandal.

Cuomo is facing mounting calls to resign from State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and almost 50 New York Democrats after five women have now come forward with allegations of sexual harassment.

Meanwhile, this week he was also forced to deny claims that his aides massaged the data on COVID-19 deaths in the state's nursing homes back in July in order to hide the true extent of the crisis after an order meant infected patients were sent back to facilities.

Governor Andrew Cuomo (above) has announced that restaurants across most of New York will be able to welcome indoor diners at 75 percent capacity later this month - but has left the hard-hit Big Apple stuck at 35 percent

Cuomo announced a relaxation to the state's COVID-19 restrictions for restaurants in a call with reporters as he said it was 'very good news' for business owners and that he believes the 'consumer is ready' for the change.

'That is all very good news. It's not just good news for the restaurant owners, remember you have a lot of good restaurants. There are a lot of jobs for a lot of suppliers. So we'll go to 75 percent,' he said.

'We also think that 75 percent is what the consumer is ready for, all the same safety capacities remain in effect, but we will go to 75 percent.'

The date of the change coincides with the date restaurants in Connecticut move to 100 percent indoor capacity, he added.

However, the governor warned however that the easing of restrictions is dependent on continued progress on the state's COVID-19 numbers.

'As a caveat. Between now and March 19, if the numbers change, if something happens, if there's a downturn then obviously, we will adjust with the new law that the legislature passed,' he said.

The statewide positivity rate fell to 2.98 percent and there were 4,789 people hospitalized with the virus.

Saturday marked the lowest death count since December 6 as 59 people died.

While the relaxation will be welcome news to restaurant owners across most regions of the state, for eateries in New York City there is no increase in capacity for now.

Indoor dining only reopened in the Big Apple on February 12 at 25 percent capacity before rising to 35 percent two weeks later on February 26.

Diners in NYC on February 12 when indoor dining reopened in the city at 25 percent

The governor said Sunday he was upping capacity from 50 percent to 75 percent in restaurants everywhere other than New York City from March 19

The restaurant industry was crippled by months of closures during lockdown while NYC was the epicenter of the global pandemic.

Restaurants were shuttered for months with indoor dining only reopening on September at 25 percent before closing again in December.

There was some additional relief for the industry this week when the Senate passed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, including $28.6 billion for restaurants impacted by the pandemic.

The NYC Hospitality Alliance tweeted that the package will help save 'countless' workers and jobs in the industry.

'Today, the U.S. Senate passed the American Rescue Plan, which includes $28.6 billion for dedicated restaurant relief to help save countless small businesses and jobs!' it read.

'Thank you @SenSchumer + so many for their partnership, advocacy and support.'

The federal funding and Cuomo's relaxation of COVID-19 rules in parts of the state will provide some help to hard-hit restaurants however Cuomo added that the New York state legislature can now reject the state's move.

'The legislature has five days to review the change,' he said.

'And we'll discuss it with any members of the legislature or local governments who have issues. [The] legislature has the ability to cancel it with 50 percent of the vote.'

There was some additional relief for the industry this week when the Senate passed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, including $28.6 billion for restaurants impacted by the pandemic. The NYC Hospitality Alliance tweeted that the package will help save 'countless' workers and jobs in the industry

The legislature's position comes after Cuomo signed a bill to remove himself of his expanded emergency executive powers Sunday, following a vote by state lawmakers last week.

The New York State Senate passed a bill Friday by a 43-20 vote to rescind the powers which were handed to Cuomo to help tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

The State Assembly followed later Friday, voting 107-43 to strip the governor of his emergency powers.

Cuomo's additional emergency authority was approved in the early days of the pandemic last year, and designed to give him sweeping powers to rapidly change laws, in the midst of the public health emergency.

Cuomo was not able to veto the move to take away his powers, due to the vote margin, but said he backed the move anyway.

Now, he can only create new directives or extend existing ones with the Legislature's approval.

The repeal came as calls mount for Cuomo to resign or be impeached as the list of women accusing him of sexual harassment continues to grow.

Two women came forward with allegations on Saturday, bringing the total to five and prompting State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins to call for Cuomo's resignation Sunday.

'For the good of the state Governor Cuomo must resign,' said Stewart-Cousins, a fellow Democrat who has publicly sparred with Cuomo in the past.

'Every day there is another account that is drawing away from the business of government.'

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (above) called for Cuomo's resignation as he was stripped of his emergency powers

An electronic billboard in Albany displays a message that reads 'Resign Now' for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the wake of allegations that he sexually harassed young women

'We have allegations about sexual harassment, a toxic work environment, the loss of credibility surrounding the COVID-19 nursing home data and questions about the construction of a major infrastructure project,' the majority leader added, referring to the numerous controversies swirling in Albany.

Fox News reported that a total of 37 legislators have now called for resignation - including Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie - and another 10 have demanded impeachment.

Impeaching Cuomo would require a majority vote in the 150-seat Assembly, followed by a two-thirds vote in favor of conviction in state Senate.

The governor has repeatedly insisted that he will not step down, including on a call with reporters on Sunday where he refuted allegations from one of his latest accusers, Karen Hinton.

Lindsey Boylan, 36, was the first person to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment.

She 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.

Ana Liss, 35, (pictured left) previously served as Cuomo's policy and operations aide between 2013 and 2015 but claims he subjected her to sexual misconduct during her time in his administration. Karen Hinton (right) claims the governor summoned her to his 'dimly lit' hotel room and embraced her after a work event in 2000 before she managed to escape

Charlotte Bennett, 25, worked as an aide for Cuomo. She claims he sexually harassed her and left her 'terrified'

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 leg

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

Boylan claims the unwanted advances included an unsolicited kiss on the lips in Cuomo's New York City office. The governor has denied these allegations.

Charlotte Bennett, 25, became the second woman to come forward.

She worked as a health policy adviser in the New York governor's administration. She was hired in the spring of 2019 and swiftly promoted to senior briefer and executive assistant only a few months later.

She claimed he sexually harassed her, asking her questions about her sex life and telling her he would consider dating 'anyone above the age of 22' - she is 25.

A third accuser, Anna Ruch, 33, then came forward telling 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 said this week he was apologizing to 'people' who were uncomfortable with his conduct but insisted he has never 'touched anyone' inappropriately.

'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.'

On Saturday, Hinton, 62, and Ana Liss, 35, made their separate allegations of sexual harassment against Cuomo.

Hinton told the Washington Post about a 2000 incident when she said Cuomo summoned her to his 'dimly lit' hotel room and embraced her after a work event.

She said she tried to pull away from Cuomo when he pulled her back and held her before she managed to escape the room.

Cuomo said Sunday Hinton's allegations were 'not true' and labeled her a 'long-time political adversary of mine'.

Liss, who previously served as Cuomo's policy and operations aide between 2013 and 2015, told the Wall Street Journal that during her time in his administration, the governor had subjected her to unsolicited advances, including touching her lower back, kissing her hand and quizzing her about her love life.

Cuomo said Sunday: 'There is no way I resign. Let the attorney general do the investigation and go from there.'

The governor added that he will not be 'distracted' from tackling the pandemic by the allegations.

The bombshell claims come amid 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 after a bombshell report this week claimed Cuomo's office asked the state health department to change its definition of COVID-19 nursing home deaths.

A bombshell report this week claimed Cuomo's office asked the state health department to change its definition of COVID-19 nursing home deaths back in July to mask the extent of the crisis

Insiders told The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times Thursday that state health officials had originally included nursing home residents who died after being transported to hospitals in the tally of deaths in long-term care facilities in a report given to Cuomo's office in July.

They said Cuomo's top aides requested the state health department remove the hospital deaths from the figures before the report was made public.

This revision resulted in the report detailing 6,432 nursing home deaths up to that point - a significant undercount of the actual death toll and down from the almost 10,000 which were included in the initial version of the report.

Cuomo's most senior aides allegedly did not want to make that number public as the governor was under fire for an earlier directive that ordered infected patients to be sent back to facilities.

The true number of deaths among nursing home residents only became clear this year following a review by the state attorney general.
Chinas February exports grew at a record pace from a year earlier when Covid battered the worlds second-biggest economy, customs data showed yesterday, while imports rose less sharply.

Exports in dollar terms skyrocketed 154.9pc in February compared with a year earlier, while imports gained 17.3pc, the most since October 2018. The data did not include figures for January alone.

In the January-February period, exports jumped 60.6pc from a year earlier, when lockdowns to contain the pandemic paralysed the countrys economic activity. That exceeded the forecast of analysts in a Reuters poll for a 38.9pc surge.

Strong exports, which benefited from Chinas success in largely containing the public health crisis, have helped fuel the countrys recovery from a pandemic-induced paralysis.

The surge was driven by a rebound in foreign demand, customs said in a statement on its website, citing improvements in manufacturing industries in the European Union and the United States, and their increased imports of Chinese products thanks to fiscal stimulus measures. In addition, a majority of manufacturing employees (in China) chose to stay put over the Lunar New Year holidays, the statement said.

Our survey showed a lot of firms in export-oriented provinces stayed open, and orders that usually only get delivered after the New Year had been delivered normally.

Chinese factory activity usually goes dormant during the Lunar New Year break, which fell in the middle of February this year, as workers return to their hometowns.

This year, the government appealed to workers to avoid travelling to curb the risk of a spread of the coronavirus.

In January-February, imports increased 22.2pc from a year earlier, above the 15pc forecast, partly due to stockpiling of semiconductors and energy products, according to customs.

China posted a trade surplus of $103.25bn (87bn) for the first two months.

Analysts had expected the trade surplus to narrow to $60.15bn from $78.17bn in December.

Chinas economy expanded 2.3pc last year  its weakest growth in 44 years.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 8, 2021) - Roscan Gold Corporation (TSXV: ROS) (FSE: 2OJ) (OTC Pink: RCGCF) ("Roscan" or the "Company") is pleased to announce positive diamond drill results (Figure 1) from an additional 8 holes totaling 2,797 meters (m) at its Southern Mankouke Discovery. DDMan-20-89 intersected 4.78gpt over 24m from 7.5m including 32.9gpt over 2m which is a New Discovery Zone 150M West of the Main Mankouke South Discovery Area. This hole appears to outline another parallel system to Mankouke South and highlights the potential to expand the resource footprint to the west. The new discovery area lies directly on trend to the strong geomagnetic signature of Mankouke West, our KN1 discovery area and Kabaya, further to the NE. This new discovery reinforces the importance of our recent acquisition of the Mankouke West land package which will be a core focus of our 2021 target prioritization work.

In addition to our new discovery, recent drilling encountered multiple significant intercepts in Fresh Rock deeper in the Southern Mankouke Zone. DDMan-20-86 (Figure 1 and Figure 2) intersected 2.36 gpt over 30m from 162.5m. DDMan-20-85 (Figure 1 and Figure 2) intersected 6.01gpt over 7m from 154.3m including 18.0gpt over 2m from 158.3m with the deepest part of the hole intersecting 1.2gpt over 18M from 263.3 to 281.3m increasing the true vertical depth of our Mankouke discovery to 220m and remains open at depth (Figure 3). During the rainy season due to seasonal access issues, we had only 1 rig on Southern Mankouke but now plan to move a second diamond drilling rig to into the area to further expand upon this new discovery zone.

Drilling Highlights: - Diamond Drill Holes

4.78 gpt gold over 24m from drill hole DDMAN21-89 from 7.5m Including 18.1 gpt gold over 1m from 23.5m And 32.9 gpt gold over 2m from 28.5m



2.36 gpt gold over 30m from drill hole DDMAN21-86 from 162.5m

6.01 gpt gold over 7m from drill hole DDMAN20-85 from 154.3m Including 18.0 gpt gold over 2m from 158.3m 1.2gpt gold over 18m from 263.3m



Notes: 1: True width yet to be determined, 2: Table 1 - Assay Highlights, 3: 0.5gpt used as cut-off with 4m internal dilution for drill holes, and 4: No top-cut.

Nana Sangmuah, President and CEO, stated, "Hole 89 is an exciting new discovery for Roscan and has the potential to be another high-grade zone which runs parallel to Mankouke South. This new zone confirms our geological thesis of multiple parallel zones that are close to surface, high-grade and can quickly add ounces and scale to the Kandiole project. Hole 89 also emphasizes the value and potential associated with our Western Mankouke land package where a strong geomagnetic signature, coupled with the results of Hole 89, have us quite eager to begin exploration on that land package.

We were extremely pleased to intersect gold mineralization in all 8 holes, reflecting a 100% success rate, while increasing the depth and footprint of our flagship target. What is equally compelling is the continuous intersections of Fresh Rock at Southern Mankouke highlighted by hole 86, which encountered our best gram meter intercept to date in the fresh rock. With several holes now having intercepted gold mineralization in the fresh rock our confidence continues to increase that the feed source of the deposit should culminate in tracing a big system analogous to some of the known large deposits in the region.

As we await the final interpretation of our high-resolution geophysics survey, we remain focused on testing the full potential of our large tenement package, in order to yield more discoveries and expand on the success at Southern Mankouke (Figure 2). With 5 distinct discoveries made in the last 14 months (Southern Mankouke, Kabaya, Kandiole North, Moussala and Wallia), we are very pleased to potentially add a 6th new focus area with this Western Step Out discovery to Mankouke South. Drilling in 2021 continues to unlock the potential of our highly prospective land package, which should lead to more news flow in the coming weeks."

Figure 1: Plan View of the Southern Mankouke Drilling

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4821/76241_5ee9e8e464cb8a62_001full.jpg

Figure 2: Cross Section Depicting the Extension to Vertical Depth to 220m - DDMan-20-85

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4821/76241_5ee9e8e464cb8a62_006full.jpg

Figure 3: Geophysics data showing the major structure on Hole DDMAN-21-89

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4821/76241_roscan_3.jpg

Geology

The gold mineralization at Mankouke South is located approximately 25km east of the Fekola mine (B2Gold Corp.). Gold mineralization in Mankouke South occurs within hydrothermally altered and sheared metasediments of the Kofi formation which include greywacke, limestone and diamictite.

The Mankouke South deposit is located within the sheared eastern limb of a fold within hydrothermally altered greywacke-diamictite-carbonate rocks directly above a footwall unit of finely banded and alternating graphitic shale and limestone referred to as the dirty limestone ("DLS"). The Mankouke South mineralization clearly occurs in the rock package above the DLS and has been enriched, upgraded, and concentrated by subsequent folding and shearing of the fold limbs. This deposit is therefore structurally controlled.

The gold intersection of 4.78 gpt gold over 24 metres in DDMAN 21 -89 again points out the extensive near surface oxide gold mineralization along this structural corridor.

These fresh rock-sulphide intercepts clearly demonstrate an association of gold mineralization with sericite-silica- dolomite/ankerite-albite-magnetite and quartz veining. The style of alteration encountered is typical of other gold deposits found in the region including Sadiola, Loulo Deposits and Fekola.

The structural corridor is very evident with this round of drilling and many cross-cutting faults occur, which indicates the extension of the Southern Mankouke mineralization towards the West. The recent acquisition of the Mankouke West permit will allow for drill testing of these extensions as we enlarge the current potential resource footprint.

Figure 4: Drill Core Photo DDMan-20-85 showing high grade sections mineralization in Fresh Rock

To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4821/76241_5ee9e8e464cb8a62_013full.jpg

Figure 5: Drill Core Photo DDMan-21-86 showing broadly high-grade Sections in Fresh Rock

To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4821/76241_5ee9e8e464cb8a62_014full.jpg

Figure 6: Drill Core Photo DDMan-21-89 showing broadly high grade of 32.9gpt

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4821/76241_5ee9e8e464cb8a62_015full.jpg

Drilling Contract and Analytical Protocol

The drilling contracts were awarded to Target Drilling SARL and Geodrill who both employ multi-purpose (AC/RC/DD) rig and AC rigs at the Kandiole Project. The AC drilling is mainly focused on drilling exploration targets. Roscan applied industry-standard QA/QC procedures to the program. Certified reference materials, blanks and field duplicates are inserted at appropriate intervals.

The samples are sent for preparation to Bureau Veritas Mineral Laboratories in Bamako, Mali and assayed at their analytical facilities in Bamako and in Abidjan, Ivory Coast with fire assay with atomic absorption finish and by gravimetric finish for grades above 10gpt Au.

Table 1: Drillhole Highlights at Mankouke South (March 08, 2021)

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) gpt Au Comment









Saprolite unless otherwise noted DDMAN20-82 75.5 77.5 2 0.62



88.5 95.5 7 0.82



101.5 102.5 1 1.27 SR

121.5 122.5 1 1.41 SR

185.8 186.8 1 0.74 SR DDMAN20-83 34.5 35.5 1 0.55



143.5 144.5 1 0.79

DDMAN20-84 128.0 132.0 4 0.53 SR

191.0 192.0 1 3.92 FRESH DDMAN20-85 154.3 161.3 7 6.01 FRESH

158.3 160.3 2 18.0 FRESH

176.3 180.3 4 1.60 FRESH

242.3 255.3 13 0.82 FRESH

263.3 281.3 18 1.20 FRESH DDMAN21-86 162.5 192.5 30 2.36 FRESH QFP

198.5 207.5 9 0.77 FRESH QFP DDMAN21-87 296.1 297.1 1 8.61 FRESH QFP

365.1 366.1 1 0.63 FRESH QFP

450.1 457.1 7 0.84 FRESH QFP DDMAN21-88 225.5 228.5 3 1.37 FRESH QFP

238.5 241.5 3 1.13 FRESH QFP

276.5 277.5 1 1.33 FRESH QFP DDMAN21-89 7.5 31.5 24 4.78



23.5 24.5 1 18.1



28.5 30.5 2 32.9



Results Pending









Table 2: Drillhole ID Mankouke South (March 08, 2021)

Hole ID X Collar Y Collar Z Collar Section AZM DIP DDMAN20-82 262830 1375949 179 1375950 270 -50 DDMAN20-83 265182 1389550 179 1389550 270 -50 DDMAN20-84 262852 1376051 175 1376050 270 -50













DDMAN20-85 262381 1375749 205 1375750 90 -50 DDMAN21-86 262456 1375900 177 1375900 90 -60 DDMAN21-87 262300 1375950 179 1375950 90 -50 DDMAN21-88 262404 1375900 176 1375900 90 -50 DDMAN21-89 262276 1375751 172 1375750 90 -50

Qualified Person (QP) and NI43-101 Disclosure

Greg Isenor, P. Geo., Executive Vice-Chairman for the Company, is the designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed and verified that the technical information contained herein is accurate and approves of the written disclosure of same.

About Roscan

Roscan Gold Corporation is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on the exploration and acquisition of gold properties in West Africa. The Company has assembled a significant land position of 100%-owned permits in an area of producing gold mines (including B2 Gold's Fekola Mine which lies in a contiguous property to the west of Kandiole), and major gold deposits, located both north and south of its Kandiole Project in West Mali.

For further information, please contact:

Andrew J. Ramcharan, P.Eng

Executive Vice President - Corporate Development & Investor Relations

Tel: (416) 572-2295

Email: aramcharan@Roscan.ca

Greg Isenor, P.Geo

Executive Vice-Chairman

Tel: (902) 221-2329

Email: gpisenor@Roscan.ca

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, including those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by 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 release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76241
Local shares in the red amid tech sell-off

The Hang Seng Index opens the week nearly 2 percent lower. Image: Shutterstock

Hong Kong and mainland shares led declines in the region on Monday over fears Beijing would tighten policy to contain soaring valuations after setting an economic growth target that came in below consensus.



The Hang Seng Index started the day strong, up more than 260 points, but reversed course soon after.



It tumbled 676 points to a one-month low before recovering some ground to finish down 557 points, or 1.9 percent, at 28,540.



Turnover reached HK$276.8 billion.



Tech shares were battered. Xiaomi and Meituan each slumped more than 8 percent. Tencent sank more than 5 percent. Alibaba lost 2.8 percent.



But banks had a good day. Bank of China (Hong Kong) jumped 4.5 percent to become the blue-chip winner. HSBC rallied 3.6 percent.



Mainland oil giants also fared well as oil prices surged. PetroChina put on 4.1 percent and CNOOC added 2 percent.



Markets across the border also failed to hold on to early gains and underperformed despite official figures showing the country's exports grew at a record pace last month. The Shanghai Composite Index slumped 2.3 percent. The blue-chip CSI300 index and the Shenzhen Composite each slid more than 3 percent.



Shares around the region were mixed. In Japan, the Nikkei shed 0.4 percent. Seoul's Kospi retreated 1 percent. Taiwan inched down 0.2 percent. But Australia edged up 0.4 percent and Singapore gained almost 2 percent.



In commodities, Brent crude topped US$70 a barrel on production concerns after Yemen's rebel forces attacked major facilities owned by Saudi Arabia's state giant Aramco.
A Trader Joe's shopper in Texas forced his way into the store without a mask.

Texas lifted its mask mandate, but stores can impose their own policies.

Workers have already seen a backlash as some customers refuse to accept store policies on masks.

Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.

A Trader Joe's customer accused the grocer of violating Texas state law, after employees denied the man entry without a mask.

The situation highlights how the state's new rules have put many frontline workers in a vulnerable position, as they are forced to impose corporate rules without the support of the government.

Last week, Texas became the largest state to lift its mask mandate. On Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the mandate would no longer be in place as of March 10. Abbott said he plans to open the state 100%. His decision comes just days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned against reopening states too soon.

In Texas, there have been more than 2.6 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, with more than 45,000 deaths, data from John Hopkins University showed.

In a video of the Trader Joe's incident posted on Instagram, the mask-less shopper pushed past greeters at the door who offered to give him a disposable mask and refused to let him enter without a face covering.

The man said he was disappointed in the grocer's decision to maintain a mask requirement in the store and said he should be allowed entry without a mask due to an undisclosed disability. The store's employees - located near McKinney, Texas - told the man they would allow him in without a mask if he put masks on his two children, but then he pushed past the workers.

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"I don't get this anywhere I go in Texas," the man said in the video. "You're violating the law. You're harassing me and discriminating against me because of my disability  I have a civil right to shop in places that are open to the public."

Story continues

Workers then confronted the man as he made his way through the store with his kids, speaking out against Trader Joe's.

The Instagram post, which dubbed the man a "male Karen," received primarily negative comments.

"Businesses have a right to enforce a mask policy, even without the government," user @stefanootchka wrote. "Haven't these people ever heard of nightclubs that require you to wear belts, ties and blazers? Have they ever heard of no shirt, no shoes, no service?"

Customers have revolted against mask mandates in stores and restaurants across the state

After Texas and other states loosened restrictions, customers have become increasingly resistant to wearing masks, signaling that mask enforcement may get more difficult for retail employees.

Workers in Texas at the Mexican restaurant, Picos, said diners threatened to report them to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency for requiring people at the diner to wear masks.

"It was just horrific," co-owner Monica Richards told The Washington Post. "People don't understand unless you're in our business what it felt like, how hard it was to go through everything we went through during COVID. For people to be negative toward us for trying to remain safe, so that this doesn't continue to happen, just makes zero sense to us."

The situation hearkens back to the beginning of the pandemic when people protested and boycotted stores for requiring masks and social distancing.

In some places, a lack of official mask policies put employees in a difficult position, or employees were not allowed to ask customers to wear a mask.

Mask-wearing has also become political. Some encounters with customers even turned violent, with workers shot or assaulted for asking customers to wear masks.

Some stores hired private security companies to help with mask enforcement, while others have told employees that they cannot enforce the mask restrictions for their own safety.

Trader Joe's has faced backlash throughout the pandemic when it comes to enforcing the mask mandate

In July, Trader Joe's employees were attacked in Manhattan by two customers who refused to wear masks.

Just two months ago, a California Trader Joe's was forced to close early due to anti-masks protests.

In February, customers threatened to boycott Trader Joe's after an employee was fired for asking the CEO to implement more COVID-19 protections for workers' safety.

The employee, Ben Bonnema, was rehired within the month, after his letter to the CEO went viral on Twitter.

"We put our lives on the line everyday by showing up to work," Bonnema wrote. "Please, show up for us by adopting these policies."

Read the original article on Business Insider
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, March 9 : The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a plea filed by the Child Rights Trust and a resident of Bengaluru, seeking directions for the protection of the fundamental rights of migrant children in the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The top court has allowed the petitioners to make states/UTs parties in the matter.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian said: "Application for impleadment is allowed. Issue notice to the newly added party respondents returnable in two weeks. As prayed for, the petitioner is allowed to take steps to serve the standing counsel of the states/UTs in the meantime." The plea, filed through advocate Rukhsana Choudhury, argues that children of migrants and migrating children remain invisible and are the most vulnerable, who are denied access to healthcare and proper nutrition, living in unhygienic and testing conditions.

"Migrant children affected due to Covid-19 are still working in brick kilns, stone crusher units, construction sites, rice mills, plantations and other sectors where children as young as five years lend a hand to help their parents earn their daily sustenance," the plea said.

During the hearing, the bench considered an application to implead all the state governments in the matter.

Senior advocate Jayna Kothari, representing the petitioner, requested the court to issue directions on the prayers regarding sharing data of out of school migrant children and a plan to provide temporary education to them till the schools reopen.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, said the application may be allowed, as many schemes are centrally funded but are executed by the state governments. Bhati submitted that she will file an affidavit in the matter which will be submitted within two weeks.

"As prayed for, Aishwarya Bhati, learned Additional Solicitor General appearing on behalf of the respondent - Union of India, is allowed to file a reply affidavit in the meantime," the top court said in its order.
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The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, and other members will on Monday receive doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.

Arrangements have been concluded for SGF/chairman of PTF and members to be vaccinated tomorrow, Monday 8, 2022 during the weekly national briefing, Director of Press, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Willie Bassey, announced on Sunday night.

Nigeria on Friday commenced the vaccination of its citizens against COVID-19, beginning with healthcare workers.

About four million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines were delivered to Nigeria through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Assess Facility (COVAX) on Tuesday.

The doses are part of the 16 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines planned to be delivered to Nigeria in batches over the next weeks.

Cyprian Ngong, a medical doctor, became the first person to receive a jab of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines in Nigeria. Three other health workers also received jabs during the flag-off event.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also received jabs of the COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday to drive vaccine acceptance.

The PTF was established by President Muhammadu Buhari on March 9, 2020, to coordinate and oversee the countrys multi-sectoral inter-governmental efforts to contain the spread and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

The PTF team includes the National Coordinator, Sani Aliyu, a former head of Nigerias AIDS agency (NACA), who has been absent from the weekly briefings in the past few weeks; Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire; Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Minister of Environment, Muhammad Mahmood; Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora; Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu; and the National Incident Manager (NIM) PTF, Mukhtar Muhammad, among others.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we were all waiting for the vaccines.

Then the vaccines arrived, along with a new message that caught a lot of people off guard: Even after youre vaccinated, you have to keep wearing a face mask wherever you go.

Health officials said even though the vaccines are very effective at preventing sickness, there is less evidence about whether they prevent someone from actually getting infected, without symptoms, and possibly spreading the virus.

But on Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new, interim guidance that many had been waiting for. It said fully-vaccinated people can gather with other vaccinated people indoors without masks or social distancing, and even come together in the same way with a small number of people considered at low-risk for severe disease.

It doesnt open everything up completely  thats going to take some time, said Sandra Adams, a professor of biology at Montclair State University and an expert on molecular virology. But for right now, this is a really positive step to getting us back to where we need to be.

In its latest guidance, the CDC acknowledged there is a growing body of evidence that the vaccines provide good protection against asymptomatic infection, further reducing the risk that a person who has been vaccinated can unknowingly spread the virus.

Stephanie Silvera, an epidemiologist and public health professor at Montclair State University, said she expects the guidance will continue to evolve over the next several weeks based on the numbers of people vaccinated, the new case numbers and what we learn about any new variants of the virus. The guidance isnt about creating a free for all, she said, but it does lay out some situations where people can shed their masks based on the risk level of those around them.

No measure is 100% protective, but I think these guidelines are starting to really send home the message and indicate that this is reducing the risk by quite a bit, Silvera said. And so with reduced risk, that means that we can have a little bit more freedom to do some of the things that we wanted to do.

A Clayton resident enjoys a drink with friends and family at the Striped Lion Distilling in Woodbury on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021.Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Here are more details about the newest CDC guidance and how it applies to different circumstances:

Vaccinated people hanging out together

Indoor visits between people who are fully vaccinated are low-risk situations, the CDC said, so those vaccinated people dont have to wear masks or social distance.

People are only considered fully vaccinated when its been at least two weeks since their second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or two weeks since their only dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the CDC said.

Adams said that even if vaccinated people do get an asymptomatic case of the virus, the likelihood that you could infect another vaccinated person is negligible.

Visiting with unvaccinated people

As far as hanging out with people who arent vaccinated, the CDC said fully-vaccinated people can visit, indoors without masks or distancing, with a single household of people who are unvaccinated but at low risk for a severe COVID-19 infection.

In that case, the risk to the vaccinated person is low, so the health conditions and susceptibility of the unvaccinated person should be the deciding factor, the CDC said.

For instance, going to see an unvaccinated person in their 80s is riskier because that person is more likely to have serious complications if he or she catches the virus. But if that 80-year-old grandmother is fully vaccinated, she can probably spend time with her unvaccinated grandchildren, the CDC said.

We shouldnt whip our masks off and invite our whole extended family over for a party or get-together, but be mindful that different people have different risk profiles, Silvera said. If youre somebody whos vaccinated, and youre around a pregnant woman who is not vaccinated, put your mask on, because we know pregnant women have a higher risk for severe illness, and we want to protect them.

Vaccinated people should continue to wear masks, keep their distance and ideally keep activities outside when visiting with someone who is unvaccinated and at increased risk for a severe infection, the CDC said. The guidance says that people should also take those same precautions when visiting with people from multiple, unvaccinated households.

Even vaccinated people should continue to avoid medium- or large-sized gatherings, the CDC said, and never go to gatherings if they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the prior 10 days or are experiencing symptoms.

What about public spaces?

The CDC says people who are fully vaccinated should still avoid indoor spaces with poor ventilation, wear their masks and socially distance from others when in public places. That means that at least for now, masks will continue to be required in stores, gyms and restaurants.

Adams said this is a good idea not just because it will help reduce the chance of catching the virus. If the government said vaccinated people dont have to wear masks anywhere, it would be impossible for store workers or gym staffers to know who was vaccinated and enforce it.

As for when we can expect mask rules in public places to relax, Silvera said she could see that happening in the summer, but it will really depend on how much we reduce the prevalence of the virus in our communities.

Its as important as ever to starve the virus of susceptible hosts. And that means vaccinations and maintaining the public health measures that we know work, especially if youre in indoor spaces, she said.

A group of young men wear face masks while walking on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey on July 9, 2020.Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

When can we throw out our masks?

While Adams is hopeful it will be safe enough to reduce mask rules in the summer, she believes theres too much unknown at this point to be certain.

Until we get a large enough percentage of the population vaccinated, it would be difficult to say when we can eliminate the mask mandate, she said.

Silvera said its also possible some people may choose to keep wearing masks depending on their risk level. Masks help prevent colds and the flu too, she said, so it may be that many people wear masks on public transportation or other crowded spaces for years to come, she noted.

How big of a deal is this guidance?

The new guidance shows that science supports the loosening of some restrictions, and Silvera said we can all feel good about that light at the end of the tunnel.

It also sends a positive message about getting vaccinated, which could sway some people who wondered why they should get vaccinated if they still had to wear masks and social distance.

If we can say its safe to hug your mom again, its okay to go visit your dad, I think thats really helpful, she said. Theres a benefit to being vaccinated now.

Vince Silenzio, professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, said he hopes the message will encourage more people to be vaccinated because your vaccination could also turn out to be your superpower.

The changes dont simply reflect how likely you are to be safe around others who have also been vaccinated, he said. They also reflect that vaccination helps make it less likely that you could unknowingly infect people who are not yet vaccinated. Basically, they reflect how well the current data suggests that your vaccination protects you, and how well it helps you protect others around you.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
New York City is stepping up its fight against anti-Asian hate crimes with 200 additional surveillance cameras.The cameras were installed last Thursday as part of Mayor Bill de Blasios hate crimes action plan, with more to come in the future.I want to ensure every New Yorker that you have the right to walk down our streets, ride our transit system and live your everyday lives unmolested, and not targeted in unprovoked attacks for the way you speak, look or what you believe, said Deputy Inspector Jessica Corey, commander of the New York Police Department's Hate Crimes Unit, according to CBS New York. While February statistics show a decrease in the city's overall crime rate, attacks against Asian Americans have reportedly gone up.

In September, the city made the Asian Hate Crimes Task Force permanent to address anti-Asian incidents, which have surged since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.Overall, the city recorded 29 anti-Asian hate crimes in 2020, 24 of which were attributed to coronavirus motivation.Just last week, a 56-year-old Malaysian immigrant was senselessly beaten while entering the F train station at East Broadway and Rutgers Street. The suspect remains at large.I dont know why he attacked me, the victim told ABC7 News. Maybe because Im Asian?

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Deputy Inspector Stewart Loo, head of the Asian Hate Crimes Task Force, attributed the spike in incidence to the willingness of younger Asian Americans to report the attacks. This is not a problem thats new. This should have been reported many years ago, Loo told CNN. On Saturday, about 100 people in Queens Sunnyside neighborhood gathered to rally against the violence toward Asian Americans. This is not just in the last couple of weeks. This is not just a year ago when I would walk around and wonder, I dont know whats going to kill me first, COVID or racism? This is not new; it is underreported, said advocate Sharon Lee, who attended the rally, according to QNS. Aside from additional security cameras, New York City has also launched a new webpage for reporting anti-Asian incidents. 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 Getty

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There are two types of NeverTrumpers. The first type hates Trump, but that hatred doesnt cause them to abandon long-held conservative principles. The second types hatred of Trump leads them to shift positions on matters of policy.

Bret Stephens is an example of the first type, I think. Max Boot and Jennifer Rubin are extreme examples of the second.

I had assumed that Bill Krisol and Mona Charen, both long-time stalwarts of the conservative movement, were in the first category. But after reading this article in the Washington Post, Im not so sure.

According to the Post, an organization whose founders and directors include Kristol and Charen is spearheading a campaign to confirm Vanita Gupta as associate attorney general. Guptas policy positions are radically leftist. Its difficult to imagine that Kristol and Charen would be part of the charge to get Gupta confirmed if their positions on important policy matters hadnt changed dramatically as a result of Trumps ascent.

Before turning to specifics, lets look at the stated rationale of this campaign to confirm Gupta. Its fraudulent.

According to the Post, the ad states:

Gupta has a record of building bridges across partisan divides. So lets stop playing politics. Confirm Vanita Gupta and lets build an America we can all believe in.

Gupta has a record of building bridges across partisan divides? Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, Gupta is a hyper-partisan operative. She has relentlessly attacked Republican nominees with whom she disagrees on policy.

Take Brett Kavanaugh. Upon hearing that President Trump intended to nominate him for the Supreme Court, Gupta declared Kavanaugh, a judge on the prestigious D.C. Circuit, unfit to serve on the Supreme Court. She stated:

Brett Kavanaugh is a direct threat to our civil and human rights and is unfit to serve on our nations highest court. Like President Trump, he would protect the rights of the wealthy and powerful over the rights of all  a fact verified by his prominence on Trumps vaunted short list of potential nominees. Earning a spot on this list of anti-civil and human rights all-stars required satisfying the ultra-conservative Heritage Foundation and Federalist Society and passing Trumps ideological litmus tests. Trump promised that, if confirmed, his nominee would overturn Roe v. Wade, and undermine the Affordable Care Act, which would have a devastating impact on those with pre-existing conditions, people of color, women, people with disabilities, and millions of others for decades to come. Access to health care is a civil and human rights issue of profound importance. Kavanaugh believes that the president is above the law, and he would not be a check on Trumps abuse of power.

And so on.

Are these the words of a bridge builder?

Kavanaugh has, in fact, been willing to reject some of Trumps positions. And Kavanaugh is less conservative than Justice Scalia. It always seemed to me that Kristol and Charen considered Scalia fit to serve on the Supreme Court.

If anything, Gupta was more hysterical when Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett to the Court. Here is how she greeted that nomination. Here is her intemperate statement following Barretts confirmation.

Gupta also slandered Eric Dreiband, Trumps choice to head the DOJs Civil Rights Division. Eric had previously served as General Counsel of the EEOC, where he gained the respect of liberal attorneys. Three such liberals of my acquaintance spoke highly of Eric when I asked about him before he came to work at the firm I was with. Rick Seymour, a pioneer Title VII plaintiffs lawyer, wrote a glowing letter in support of Erics DOJ nomination.

But Gupta raged against Erics nomination. Notwithstanding his excellent work enforcing civil rights laws at the EEOC, she called him woefully unqualified to lead the Civil Rights Division. In the same letter, she denounced him for defending corporations accused of employment discrimination.

Apparently, Guptas bridge building doesnt extend to lawyers who defend clients she disapproves of, or presumably to those clients.

Gupta also falsely characterized the breadth of Erics experience with anti-discrimination laws. And she neglected to note that she did not have experience with the full range of these laws when she took over the Civil Rights Division during the Obama administration  the very charge she leveled at Trumps nominee.

This is not a bridge builder. This a character assassin.

I wonder whether Gupta supported any standalone Trump nominee. Im not aware of one. Leftists like Chai Feldblum and others who were on bipartisan slates dont count.

Now lets turn to Guptas substantive views. They can be found on the webpage of her organization, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, which she runs. They are also clear from public statements and from her record when she was in charge of the Civil Rights Division.

Sen. Tom Cotton has reviewed Guptas record. He points out that she favors decriminalizing all narcotics, including fentanyl. He also found statements in which Gupta called for decreasing funding of the police and shrinking its responsibilities. Last summer, she declared:

While front-end systems changes are important, it is also critical for state and local leaders to heed calls from Black Lives Matter and Movement for Black Lives activists to decrease police budgets and the scope, role, and responsibility of police in our lives.

When I knew Bill Kristol, he didnt favor decriminalizing all narcotics and decreasing police funding.

It was with Kristols kind encouragement that I wrote an article for the Weekly Standard opposing lenient sentencing legislation (with the Weekly Standard out of business, the article is accessible at the Washington Examiner). Gupta wants more leniency for felons than that provided by the legislation I denounced in my article. In fact, even with the leniency Congress granted, Gupta still considers our criminal justice system a stain on our democracy. Check out her beyond-wokey criminal law vision here.

Do Kristol and Charen believe that opposing the nomination of someone who takes the extreme positions Gupta does constitutes playing politics? Based on the pro-Gupta ad they are backing, it appears they do.

Gupta supports race-based preferences for Black college applicants, at the expense of White and Asian-American applicants. Thats clear from her praise of the decision against the Asian-American plaintiffs in the Harvard case.

Are Kristol and Charen on board now with these kinds of egregious racial preferences?

Gupta is a leader in the crusade to allow biological men into womens rest rooms, locker rooms, and showers. She filed the Obama Justice Departments lawsuit against North Carolina for resisting this crusade.

Theres plenty more to Guptas radicalism. I may have occasion to discuss some of it as the Senate takes up her nomination this week.

In the meantime, I suggest that the support for Gupta of the organization Kristol and Charen head shows either ignorance of what the nominee stands for or an abandonment by both of important views they held before Trump obtained power.

Its possible to favor the confirmation of a presidential nominee with whom one disagrees on important policy matters  the theory being that a president should be served by officials of his choosing.

But its odd, and probably unprecedented, to launch an ad campaign for such a nominee. And its disingenuous to claim that this particular nominee is a bridge builder and that conservative opposition to her confirmation is just playing politics.

Unfortunately, this seems to be where their anti-Trump sentiments have led Bill Kristol and Mona Charen.
A 26-year-old Massachusetts man found over the summer with 20-plus debit cards under more than a dozen different names was arrested last week over claims he used a stolen identity in a multi-state unemployment fraud scheme, authorities said

William Cordor, a Leicester man, was arrested last Friday and charged with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft over accusations he used a stolen name to illegally claim jobless benefits from the state of Nevada last year, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office.

While responding to a domestic violence incident on Aug. 18, prosecutors said, police found Cordor with 21 prepaid debit cards belonging to 13 different people.

Investigators said they later discovered he had filed an online claim for jobless benefits roughly a month early through the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation for jobless benefits. Cordor is accused of filing the claim with one of the identities that appeared on the prepaid debit cards, using the fraud victims name and Social Security number.

He is accused of listing the card as the account to receive the benefits. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, the Leicester mans home address was linked the card as well. Federal agents also found documents with the fraud victims name on Cordors laptop during a search of his residence.

Nevada authorities marked the claim as fraudulent and did not issue the unemployment benefits, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Cordor is also accused of admitting to federal agents on May 21, before the alleged crimes in Nevada, that he had fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits from the state of Massachusetts. The same day, he agreed to surrender $79,600 from his bank account to federal agent. The funds, officials said, were the proceeds of his fraud scheme.

After appearing in federal court in Worcester, Cordor was jailed pending a detention hearing set for Thursday, according to authorities.
The crew of the International Space Station (ISS) has begun the final sealing the second crack in the Russian Zvezda module, which caused an air leak, according to the ISS crew's communications with the ground control, broadcast by NASA on Monday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 08th March, 2021) The crew of the International Space Station (ISS) has begun the final sealing the second crack in the Russian Zvezda module, which caused an air leak, according to the ISS crew's communications with the ground control, broadcast by NASA on Monday.

The ISS crew started repair work on the second crack last week.

"We have three days of sealing work [on the second crack] ahead," an expert from the Moscow-based Mission Control Center told the crew.

According to the expert, cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov need to clean the place between the pipeline of the thermal control system and the compartment body with alcohol wipes.

The crew must then apply sealant to the area.

A small air leak was first detected at the ISS in September 2019 but increased in intensity only in August of 2020. Russian cosmonauts have since established the source of the leak and sealed it. According to Russia's space agency Roscosmos, the air leak posed no threat to the crew. Later in December, the agency said that there might be other cracks.

Last week, a source in the rocket and space sphere told Sputnik that the two cracks in the Zvezda module would be completely sealed by March 12.
CARLSBAD, Calif. and MANAMA, Kingdom of Bahrain, March 08, 2021) and NEC Payments B.S.C(c) ("NECP") today announce financial closure of the agreement entered into by the parties in October 2020.



Under the scope of the agreement, NECP will provide a digital banking and payment technology solution that will enable AppTech to extend its product offering to include flexible, scalable, and secure payment acceptance and issuer payment processing. Through the deployment of NECP's technologies, AppTech will be empowered to drive the digitization of business and consumer payments flows and migrate cash, along with other legacy payment types to distanced, contactless card, and real-time payment transactions.

Additionally, NECP will assist AppTech by providing best in class software to complete the development of its text payment solution and, to do so, AppTech is licensing its patented intellectual property to NECP. In return, AppTech will receive licenses to utilize NECP's digital banking platform, including exclusivity in the United States for its payment acceptance software.

The merging of AppTech's merchant services and secure text payment solution with NECP's digital account and multi-channel issuer payment processing capabilities will open up many value-added digital financial services opportunities including: end-to-end payment acceptance and digital banking for small to medium-sized enterprises; and the ability to embed B2B payments at multiple points in the supply chain to facilitate straight-through processing, eliminate manual administration, and automate financial control and reconciliation on behalf of customers.

As part of the agreement, NECP will become AppTech's single largest shareholder, demonstrating the companies' commitment to building mutual value through joint success under a partnership model.

Luke D'Angelo, CEO, AppTech, stated, "The closing of this agreement and our working partnership with NECP will enable AppTech to concentrate its resources on go-to-market and quickly achieve scale and profitability from the rapid adoption of the products that we will now deliver using these cutting-edge technologies."

Andrew Sims, CEO, NEC Payments, said, "NEC Payments is delighted to have closed this important agreement and is looking forward to deploying our technologies in the US and working with AppTech as partners to develop the innovative products and services that will enable AppTech to realize its objectives and capture significant market share." He continued "Our agreement with AppTech is the first closure under NECP's new strategic initiative to invest in partnerships with customer organizations that create mutual value by using not only our technology assets but also our subject matter expertise and experience in the FinTech space."

Complete terms of the strategic agreement are disclosed in AppTech's related 8K SEC filing.

About AppTech )

AppTech Corp. is a financial technology company utilizing innovative payment processing technologies to complement its core merchant services capabilities. Its patented and proprietary software for merchant services, text marketing and lead generation are licensable or available through a suite of synergistic offerings. AppTech is developing an enterprise-grade text payment system using the simplicity and familiarity of text messaging with multi-factor authentication to ensure security. AppTech also offers digital marketing, software development, mobile app development, website development, website hosting & comprehensive payment processing for brick-and-mortar operations, e-commerce and ACH. For more information about our company, please visit: www.apptechcorp.com

About NEC Payments

NEC Payments B.S.C(c) is a digital banking and payment technology company based in the Kingdom of Bahrain and licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain as an Ancillary Services Provider: Card Processor and Payment Services Provider. The company provides innovative financial technology solutions to power high-performance, flexible and secure payment processing, compliance, and financial control systems that may be securely deployed on the cloud, on-premises, and into hybrid environments to provide flexibility, scalability, redundancy, and to drive rapid growth. The company is a principal member of Mastercard and Visa and is compliant with multiple security and business process standards including PCI-DSS L1 v3.2.1, ISO27001 and ISO9001. It recently received the accolade of "Best Digital Banking Technology Innovator, Middle East 2021" from Capital Finance International.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "intend", "may", "plan", "project", "predict", "should" and "'will" and similar expressions as they relate to AppTech are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties concerning the Company. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in methods of marketing, delays in manufacturing or distribution, changes in customer order patterns, changes in customer offering mix, and various other factors beyond the company's control. Actual events or results may differ materially from those described in this press release due to any of these factors. AppTech is under no obligation to update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts:

AppTech Corp. Investor Relations

ir@apptechcorp.com

(760) 707-5955

James S. Painter III

Emerging Markets Consulting, LLC

jamespainter@emergingmarketsllc.com

(321) 206-6682

NEC Payments

Duaa Ammar, Digital Marketing Manager

duaa.ammar@necpayments.com

+973 1720 3000




Flipkart on Monday announced the launch of the Motorola 4K Android TV Stick in India. The streaming dongle will be available on the e-commerce platform in the third week of March for 3,999.

The Motorola 4K Android TV Stick comes with a 2GHz quad-core Cortex A53 64-bit processor and Mali G31 MP2-850 graphic engine. The device runs on the Android 9.0 operating system. As expected, the streaming dongle runs on compatible apps with Android TV. It also ships with built-in Chromecast functionality.

The new Android TV stick also has 2GB of RAM and 16GB of ROM. The dongle supports multiple resolutions, ranging from 2160p to 720p at 60 frames per second. The HDR 10 and HLG video formats are also supported. There are also hotkeys for popular OTT applications such as Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Zee5, and of course, Netflix.

Other highlights of the Motorola 4K Android TV Stick are Dolby Audio, Google Home (UI), Google Assistant, and Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz  Dual Band (Broadcom) support.

Motorola products address key consumer needs, said Prashanth Mani, Country Head and Managing Director, Motorola Mobility. With India being one of the fastest-growing over-the-top (OTT) markets in the world with relatively low smart TV penetration, we believe that the Motorola 4K Android TV Stick addresses a key consumer need with its best-in-class features such as a Cortex A53 quad-core processor, built-in Chromecast, support for Ultra-HD content and more."

Flipkarts new dongle will compete with a wide range of media streaming devices and dongles in India. The most popular in this segment is the Amazon Fire TV Stick. The 4K variant of the dongle is available for 5,999. The streaming device comes with an Alexa voice remote control and access to all top OTT applications such as Disney+Hotstar, SonyLiv, Netflix, YouTube, Voot, and Discovery+.

You can also consider Xiaomis Mi TV Stick, which costs 2,799. The dongle comes with access to the Google Play Store for apps. It has Chromecast built-in as well. Other than that, it offers popular OTT apps such as Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Zee5 and more.
The UN's top humanitarian affairs official today launched a furious attack on the UK's decision to slash aid to Yemen.

Mark Lowcock, a former permanent secretary at the Department for International Development, warned the move amounted to 'balancing the books on the backs of the starving'.

The extraordinary condemnation came after the government announced it was essentially halving the contributions to war-torn Yemen - with more cuts to support for other nations expected to follow.

Britain announced in November that it is 'temporarily' trimming the proportion of national income allocated to aid from 0.7 per cent to 0.5 per cent in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the action was 'tough but necessary' after the pandemic hammered the economy and left a huge hole in the public finances - with national debt spiralling towards 2.8trillion.

But Tory minister Baroness Sugg quit in protest, and while it was welcomed by some MPs others, including former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell have decried the decision.

The conflict in Yemen (pictured on March 7) is the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with UN officials warning it is quickly becoming the most serious famine in decades

Mr Lowcock, now head of the UN's humanitarian affairs office, told The Guardian the cut will lead to the deaths of tens of thousands of people and will damage Britain's global influence.

He said it was 'an act of medium and longer-term self-harm, and all for saving what is actually  in the great scheme of things at the moment  a relatively small amount of money'.

'The decision, in other words, to balance the books on the backs of the starving people of Yemen, has consequences not just for Yemenis now, but for the world in the long term,' Mr Lowcock said.

The UK has pledged at least 87million in aid this year, down from a promise of 160 million in 2020 and 200 million in 2019.

Boris Johnson has said the decision was due to the 'current straitened circumstances' caused by the pandemic and has says the public would think the Government has its 'priorities right'.

The conflict in Yemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with UN officials warning it is quickly becoming the most serious famine in decades.
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JACKSON, Mississippi (AP)  Leo Carney worries that bigger crowds and mask-less diners could endanger workers at the Biloxi, Mississippi, seafood restaurant where he manages the kitchen. Maribel Cornejo, who earns $9.85 an hour as a McDonald's cook in Houston, can't afford to get sick and frets co-workers will become more lax about wearing masks, even though the fast food company requires them.

As more jurisdictions join Texas, Mississippi and other states in lifting mask mandates and easing restrictions on businesses, many essential workers  including bartenders, restaurant servers and retail workers  are relieved by changes that might help the economy but also concerned they could make them less safe amid a pandemic that health experts warn is far from over.

Many business owners on the Mississippi Gulf Coast were glad Gov. Tate Reeves decided to eliminate mask requirements, limits on seating in restaurants and most other binding restrictions. But the workers themselves... especially ones that have pre-existing conditions, theyre scared right now, Carney said.

This just puts us back in a situation where were on the frontlines, under the gun again, said Carney, who sees Black Mississippians facing the greatest risks from the decision that took effect Wednesday. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black and Latino people in the United States, and many Gulf Coast restaurants have a significant number of Black employees.

Public health experts tracking the trajectory of more contagious virus variants have warned that lifting restrictions too soon could lead to another lethal wave of infections. Although vaccination drives are accelerating as drug manufacturers ramp up production, many essential workers are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccines in Mississippi and other states.

Alabamas state health officer on Friday advised residents to keep following standard infection-prevention recommendations even though the governor is letting the states mask mandate expire next month.

There is nothing magical about the date of April 9. We dont want the public to think thats the day we all stop taking precautions, State Health Officer Scott Harris said.

The governors of Iowa, Montana, North Dakota also have ended mask requirements or plan to suspend them soon. The governor of South Carolina on Friday lifted an executive order requiring face coverings in government office buildings and restaurants, leaving it up to state administrators and restaurant operators to develop their own guidelines.

Governors in several other states, including Michigan and Louisiana, eased the operating limits for bars, restaurants and other businesses in recent days.

The National Retail Federation, the largest retail trade association in the U.S., issued a statement Wednesday encouraging shoppers to wear masks. Some retail chains, including Target and supermarket operator Albertson's, plan to continue requiring them for both customers and workers in states that no longer make them mandatory.

Texas Retailers Association President and CEO George Kelemen said he thinks many members will continue to require workers  but not necessarily customers  to wear masks and other protective gear.

Retailers know their customers best, he said.

McDonalds cook Cornejo, 43, said the end of Texas mask mandate next week alarms her because several of her co-workers already were lax about keeping their faces covered. She said co-workers she has asked to pull their masks back over their noses politely acquiesced, but not always for long.

There are just different attitudes, said Cornejo, whose 19-year-old son began working as a cashier at the same restaurant to help pay the familys bills. Some say its just too difficult to keep it on for eight hours, especially when it gets hot.

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, encouraged Americans to do the right thing by continuing to abide by recommendations for routine mask use and social distancing - even if their states lift restrictions.

Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, said individuals who wear masks still risk infection from unmasked shoppers and diners. He called Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts decision to lift COVID-19 restrictions starting March 10 entirely too soon and entirely too carefree.

While deaths and new confirmed cases have plummeted from their January peaks nationwide, theyre still running at high levels, while outbreak indicators in some states have risen in recent weeks. In Mississippi, for example, the 7-day rolling average of the virus positivity rate rose from 11.47% on Feb. 19 to 12.14% on March 5, and the state's 7-day rolling average of daily deaths increase during the same period from 15 per day to 20.71 per day.

Workers in cities that still have mask mandates or jobs at businesses that maintain their own virus-prevention rules anticipate defiance from customers emboldened by their governors actions and weary of taking precautions.

Molly Brooks, 25, a barista at a Farmers Branch, Texas, coffee shop, said she has regularly dealt with customers who walked out or bullied her and her colleagues when they were asked to wear a mask. Brooks worries how they're going to enforce the rule , which the coffee shop plans to keep in place, now that Texas' governor lifted the statewide mask mandate.

We are gearing up for the emotional toll that this is going to take, said the 25-year-old barista, who started working for the coffee shop in November while looking for a job in education. The people who don't want to wear them are still going to fight...and now they are going to have even more ammunition.

Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi, home of the University of Mississippi, will require masks and allow only eight customers at a time. Although General Manager Lyn Roberts believes the rules will make many customers feel safe, bookstore employee Paul Fyke said he observed a change in Oxford almost as soon as the Board of Aldermen chose to follow the governor's lead and did away with the college town's mask mandate.

I mean, really, even on the drive home, you can kind of already see there were places where, for a lot of people, it was triumph, he said on Thursday, the day after Oxford's mask requirement ended. They were happy to be removing them.

Still, some workers are cautiously hopeful that fewer restrictions will bring more customers, tips and job security after a year short on all three.

In San Francisco, where the mayor last week announced the return of indoor dining and the reopening of movie theaters and gyms, Dino Keres had no qualms about serving drinks to customers bellying up to the bar inside Sam's Grill.

That's partly because he was about to get his second vaccine dose, but also because nobody on staff was infected when indoor dining was briefly permitted last fall. Whats more, masks are required unless people are eating, and indoor seating is limited to 25% of capacity.

We have already went through this once, and now the timing feels about right to try it again, Keres said Thursday.

Ro Hart, an assistant general manager and hostess at Tonys Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco, said the return of indoor dining in the city provoked a mixture of joy and anxiety.

We are happy to be bringing in more revenue, but we are little nervous, too, because we have to be more stringent about making sure everyone keeps their masks on when theyre not eating, Hart said, adding that she would be far more worried if San Francisco didn't require masks.

We feel for our brothers and sisters at all those restaurants in Texas, she said.

___

Associated Press writers Alexandra Olson and Joseph Pisani in New York; David Koenig in Dallas; Dee-Ann Durbin in Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Tammy Webber in Fenton, Michigan, contributed to this story.
SARASOTA, Fla., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sarasota Architectural Foundation (SAF) and Center for Architecture Sarasota (CFAS) will join forces as a single entity to be called "Architecture Sarasota" led by Anne-Marie Russell as Executive Director.

With complementary missions, avid interest in educational outreach and a commitment to the continuing influence of the Sarasota School of Architecture, SAF and CFAS see the power of combining their operations in pursuit of common goals. Having Anne-Marie Russell join forces to direct this work sparked the ultimate impetus to act.

Anne-Marie Russell Scott Building

"I am deeply honored to take the helm of this new enterprise, born of two extraordinary organizations that have worked tirelessly to preserve and promote Sarasota's important architectural legacy. I am thrilled to help demonstrate how the lessons of our regional practitioners are more relevant today than ever," says Russell.

Architecture Sarasota will retain the shared mission of both organizations, stewarding the legacy of the Sarasota School of Architecture as a point of departure for exploring "good design" globally to the present day. The hallmarks of the Sarasota School, notably sensitivity to climate and environmental concerns, aim to spur innovative, sustainable contemporary design. Architecture Sarasota will provide a forum to educate our community, along with a commitment to support resilient urban planning.

Russell's leadership comes at a pivotal moment for both organizations. After a decade of success celebrating the architects and architecture of the Sarasota School, SAF's next era was to be marked by a commitment to scholarship and stewardship of its structures, leading toward establishing a "museum without walls" to ensure the preservation of key Sarasota School of Architecture landmarks and their influence on innovative architecture, design and construction. Russell's knowledge of contemporary art and architecture will further enrich the work Center for Architecture Sarasota has done to create a deeper understanding of modern architecture and the place of good design in the contemporary built environment.

"Sarasota's architectural legacy has been championed by SAF and CFAS separately, achieving incredible interest and success. Together, Architecture Sarasota, under the leadership of Anne-Marie, will exponentially magnify our impact to our community." says Ryan Perrone, CFAS Board Chair.

"Anne-Marie's entrepreneurial cultural leadership, combined with a deep commitment to mission, has produced a significant legacy of institutions, programs and projects over the span of her career. We look forward to experiencing the power of her transformational leadership as we position the Sarasota School to achieve its proper place in the global architectural conversation," says Anne Essner, SAF Board Chair. "But Sarasota is also a place where one can find extraordinary recently-built work. We could not be more excited about the promise our future holds."

Sarasota Architectural Foundation (SAF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that educates, advocates, and celebrates on behalf of the Sarasota School of Architecture's significant contributions to midcentury American architecture. For more information, visit www.saf-srq.org.

Center for Architecture Sarasota (CFAS) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to heightening awareness of and appreciation for innovative architecture, good design, and resilient urban planning. CFAS is located in the historic Scott Building, which is a significant surviving example of commercial architecture completed during the period of time that has since become known as the Sarasota School of Architecture. CFAS's 2014-15 restoration transformed the Scott Building into a museum-quality gallery, lecture hall, studio and office space. For more information, visit https://cfasrq.org.

Images with photos credits here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6awl81v2e5q3z0p/AADeFTfdBDiUp2Q0BXi54vLoa?dl=0

Contact: Allison Moore

Cell: 941-961-3708

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Architecture Sarasota
Isaac Steve Sturgeon, 32, was arrested after tipsters identified him from this photo taken during the US Capitol riot

A man charged in the riot at the U.S. Capitol has been arrested at New York's JFK International Airport, where prosecutors say he returned to the country after being deported from Kenya in an attempt to flee.

Isaac Steve Sturgeon, 32, was arrested on Saturday afternoon on charges including obstruction of justice, obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, and assaulting a federal officer.

Prosecutors say that Sturgeon is a resident of Dillon, Montana, where he owns a lawn care business.

Charging documents accuse Sturgeon of participating in the January 6 riot, where he allegedly picked up a metal police barricade, pushed it into Capitol officers and crawled under to access the Capitol Building, before he was repelled back.

Sturgeon is currently being held in New York, where federal prosecutors are seeking his removal to Washington DC.

Sturgeon is a resident of Dillon, Montana, where he owns a lawn care business. He is seen above in a Facebook photo taken in November

According to an affidavit, the FBI shared an image of Sturgeon with the public taken during the riot, leading to several tips identifying him as the man in the photo.

Investigators were able to trace a Facebook account to Sturgeon showing him posing with a rifle, as well as an Instagram account with several pictures and comments describing the Capitol riot, according to the affidavit.

One tipster warned the FBI that Sturgeon 'traveled frequently and had access to numerous weapons,' the affidavit states.

Investigators say that Sturgeon flew to the African nation of Kenya on January 24, and was not scheduled to return to the U.S. until April 5.

However, authorities in Kenya ordered Sturgeon to be deported, and he was kicked out of the country on a flight to America on March 5.

Investigators say that Sturgeon flew to the African nation of Kenya on January 24, but was deported by authorities there and forced to return to the US

A world traveler, Sturgeon is seen on a US State Department evacuation flight out of Morocco last March, as America repatriated its citizens at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic

When his plane landed at JFK the following day, federal authorities were waiting to arrest him.

Sturgeon is scheduled to appear at a hearing on Monday, where prosecutors will argue for his detention until trial, alleging that he is a flight risk and danger to the public.

Prosecutors are seeking his removal to DC, where the charges were filed.

Sturgeon is charged with obstructing an official proceeding, assaulting a federal officer, civil disorder, entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct in a restricted building, two counts of physical violence in a restricted building, and obstructing passage through the grounds of the Capitol.

It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney to comment on his behalf.

So far, more than 250 people have been charged in connection with the January 6 attack.
The HSE is seeking High Court permission to take a DNA sample from an unidentified vulnerable elderly man in a psychiatric hospital here for more than 30 years.

David Leahy BL, for the HSE, told High Court president Ms Justice Mary Irvine the man is very old and not well and the gardai and HSE want a sample taken while he is alive in order to address posthumous procedures.

The man is a ward of court and Ms Justice Irvine, who manages the courts wardship list, said she will hear the application concerning a DNA test next month. There is an issue whether the sample should be taken posthumously, she indicated.

The judge was told a documentary maker had been in touch about the mans case with a view to making a documentary in the hope of helping to establish his true identity. None of the parties involved in the mans case consider a documentary is a good idea, she was told.

Having outlined details of the mans medical history, including his having cardiac issues, Mr Leahy said the HSE wants to give evidence at next months hearing of the man's clinicians views concerning what should happen if a serious medical issue arises.

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The mans court-appointed guardian has said, notwithstanding his medical issues, the man comes across as being in robust health, the judge heard.

Now believed to be in his late 80s or 90s, the man was first admitted to the psychiatric hospital after being taken there by gardai in the mid-1980s.

He was reported to be living a hermits life and sleeping rough in a bus shelter with a dog whom he said he had on loan.

He also referred to living in Dublin "for years".

At some point after his admission, he was given a name and estimated date of birth of 1930, but he essentially remains a 'John Doe'.

Efforts to establish his true identity and to find next of kin had proven unsuccessful but were reactivated in recent years arising from advances in technology.

The man has a history of mental illness, along with physical health conditions.

The wardship application was initiated last May because his physical health was deteriorating and he had had a number of hospital admissions.

His clinical team considered it would not be appropriate to resuscitate him should his condition deteriorate further to a situation where resuscitation is required.

Rather than a further hospital admission, they said he should be made comfortable where he is.

The man had expressed a desire not to be sent to a general hospital should his condition deteriorate but doctors were concerned whether he had the capacity to make decisions about his health and welfare and that any decision against resuscitation should have a legal basis.

The court last May directed a medical doctor visit the man for the purpose of assessing his capacity and also appointed a guardian ad litem to represent him in the wardship matter.

Last September, the court was satisfied, on foot of the medical visitor's report and other medical evidence, the man lacks capacity and should be taken into wardship.

His guardian reported he had visited the man to seek his views but the man was incapable of giving expression to them.

Although the man has no identified family, "he has made staff and other patients at the hospital his family" and the man is appropriately placed, the guardian considered.

When the guardian queried whether the man should be moved to some other hospital or to a nursing home, the nursing staff's eyes had "filled with tears", he added.
[March 08, 2021]

Shareable Asset, a leading asset digitalization platform in Singapore, makes leadership change

SINGAPORE, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Shareable Asset, one of the few MAS licensed asset digitalization platforms, has appointed its new CEO. Michael Chin, formerly CEO of UBS Asset Management Singapore, joins as CEO effective Mar 5, 2021.

Mr. Chin is a seasoned veteran in the world of investment and finance with over 30 years of experience. He spent 22 years in various locations Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei and Singapore and functions in UBS AG.

Prior to taking this CEO role, Michael served as an independent director in the BOD of Kakao Bank from 2019, a leading digital bank in the world with over 14 million accounts and $20 billion in assets.

Mr. Chin is expected to incorporate his vast financial sector experience into Shareable Asset's strong technology platform to lead Shareable Asset to become a leader in the asset digitization market in Singapore and Asia.

Michael Chin, CEO of Shareable Asset said, "I am thrilled to join Shareable Asset which will be a catalyst to the industry to go digital. Blockchain-based tokenization technology will gradually reform the financial industry and enter a new digital era."

SOURCE Shareable Asset
A father and his 3-year-old daughter were rescued from a burning apartment building in Paterson Sunday morning during a blaze that injured a total of three people and took more than 90 minutes for firefighters to bring under control.

Paterson firefighters responding to the fire at 10 a.m. at 349 Fair St. saw flames coming from the second-floor windows and extending into the third floor, according to a press statement from the city.

As the fire company searched and evacuated the building, firefighters Robert Santore and Brian Hirschmanner spotted a man and his daughter on the second-floor rear fire escape, according to the release.

The man, apparently panicked, was preparing to drop his daughter down to firefighters below when Santore and Hirschmanner stopped him and calmed him down, the statement said. They then quickly ascended the fire escape and rescued the daughter and her father, the release said.

The pair were taken to St. Josephs University Medical Center for evaluation. One other civilian was transported to the hospital for evaluation.

Our disaster volunteers are in #Paterson, helping families affected by a home #fire on Fair St. pic.twitter.com/ZeHLi6sD6e  Red Cross New Jersey (@NJRedCross) March 7, 2021

The three-alarm blaze displaced a total of 18 people, including eight families who were assisted on scene by the Red Cross and Paterson police, the release said.

The building has a dozen apartments. The fire was brought under control at 11:37 a.m. but firefighters remained on scene until shortly after 1 p.m. The city said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
When Richard Carranza showed up to run New York Citys public schools, he did not have a filter when it came to discussing integration. After being appointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2018, he got started on an agenda to address such inequities until he ran into pushback from parents and teachers. But all else would eventually be overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic, forcing Carranza to deal with what de Blasio described to him as a war scenario, the chancellor told City & State.One year after the outbreak began, Carranza announced that he had reached his limit  but it remains in dispute exactly which limit. Carranza said he needed a break from managing a system of more than 1 million students in the middle of a pandemic, but speculation abounds that he and the mayor were butting heads over how far City Hall would take his integration agenda.

I know the pandemic has not been easy for you or for any New Yorker. And make no mistake, I am a New Yorker. While not by birth, by choice, he said with an emotional voice at a Feb. 26 news conference. A New Yorker who has lost  a New Yorker who has lost 11 family and close childhood friends to this pandemic and a New Yorker who, quite frankly, needs to take time to grieve. I feel that I can take that time now because of the place that we are in and the work that we have done together.

It was a surprise announcement, which The New York Times reported came after heated disagreements between Carranza and de Blasio, who exerts mayoral control over the nations largest public school system. Neither Carranza nor de Blasio commented about the Times article to City & State, while their staff deferred to statements from the news conference to answer reporter questions about Carranzas decision to leave. He also had not scheduled any exit interviews.

For three years, hes given his heart and soul to the kids of this city, and it's been a labor of love, de Blasio said at the press conference about Carranza. I've worked shoulder to shoulder with him. I've seen it. And a lot has happened in these three years to move us forward.

Meisha Porter, 47, is to replace Carranza as leader of the massive school system after he leaves on March 15. Porter, the current Bronx executive superintendent, will be the first Black woman to take on the job of chancellor.

Since Carranzas appointment in 2018, the 54-year-old chancellors agenda has been largely focused on racial integration. Carranza is a second-generation American whose grandparents were from Mexico, and he speaks fluent Spanish. He arrived in New York City after serving as superintendent in Houston and in San Francisco before that, speaking bluntly to New Yorkers about how to tackle segregation within the schools. New York City schools remain among the most segregated in the country. Of all Black and Hispanic students, 74.6% attend a school with less than 10% white students, while 34.3% of white students attend a school with more than 50% white students. The racial disparity is also economic: Black and Hispanic students are more likely to attend a school where more than 75% of students experience poverty.

It hasnt been a colossal, sudden blossoming that every kid in the city schools is getting what they need and what they deserve. But I think he has pushed the system forward.  Michael Rebell, professor of law and educational practice at Teachers College, Columbia University

Carranza and de Blasio made some limited progress on integration, including providing $2 million for the citys 32 local school districts to work on their own desegregation plans. The pandemic also presented an opportunity for some temporary measures that could advance integration, including recently removing middle school screenings that relied on academics-based admissions for next year. Carranza and the mayor were also credited for accepting many of the recommendations of a Diversity Advisory Group that was charged with coming up with policies that advance school integration.

In other areas, graduation rates improved under Carranzas tenure. The percentage of students who started high school and graduated within four years was 78.8% in 2020, up from 77.3% a year earlier. College readiness rates also have been inching up, though critics claim the numbers are higher because of so-called diploma mills, which are high schools with above average graduation rates that mask lower college readiness rates. The last measure is one closely watched by experts, who credit Carranza for pushing an agenda while his hands were tied by mayoral control.

RCarranza3.jpg Alt Text: Richard Carranza Image Credit: Sean Pressley

It hasn't been a colossal, sudden blossoming that every kid in the city schools is getting what they need and what they deserve, said Michael Rebell, professor of law and educational practice and executive director of the Center for Educational Equity at Columbia Universitys Teachers College. But I think he has pushed the system forward.

Observers say that while much more work still needs to be done on integration, Carranza is due credit for igniting the issue with blunt words no previous administrator, or even de Blasio, was willing to express before him. Not everybody is ready to have those conversations, said Naomi Pena, whose children attended public school and is president of Community Education Council District 1.

The chancellors push for desegregation still managed to alienate certain groups. Asian American parents mounted protests after the chancellor and de Blasio announced a plan to end the entrance exams for the citys eight specialized high schools shortly after Carranzas arrival. The plan threatened to eliminate about half the school seats held by Asian students at the specialized schools, including Stuyvesant, Bronx Science and Brooklyn Tech, where they have been a majority. Asian American parents responded with chants of Fire Carranza! joining other critics of the chancellor, most of whom have been conservative and white. Because the test for the specialized schools is required by the state Legislature, the entrance exams have stayed.

Carranza wasnt shy about pointing out his perceptions of existing racism within the schools as well. WATCH: Wealthy white Manhattan parents angrily rant against plan to bring more black kids to their schools, he tweeted in 2018, reposting a Raw Story report about Upper West Side parents reacting critically to one of his desegregation plans. In some cases, Carranza has publicly apologized for having heated exchanges with parents who disagreed with him. His persistence on the topic of segregation even led to the start of an online petition calling for his termination a year ago.

As a teacher committed to social justice and equity, I welcomed the Chancellor wholeheartedly and truly believed he could lead us to where we need to go. He proved me wrong, wrote Julie Milner, a lawyer and former teacher from Elmhurst, Queens, who commented on the petition and complained that Carranza was marginalizing Asian voices.

Shino Tanikawa, co-chair of the Education Council Consortium, an advocacy group, said Carranzas unvarnished words were necessary.

I think we needed, as a city, to hear them, Tanikawa told City & State. To have a chancellor who comes in and is able to say things that he said, for those of us who were working on school integration, that was incredibly rewarding and refreshing. Finally, here was a man who could say it like it was, calling a spade a spade. Maybe we can actually move forward because we can now articulate what the problem is, which we were not able to do until he arrived.

Between the pandemic, the end of the administration, it's really been a tough position for Richard at the end.  United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew

When COVID-19 emerged, Carranzas job changed dramatically. He helped usher in remote learning and vowed that it was here to stay, essentially putting an end to snow days. He later was tasked with making sure school buildings were safe for students and teachers when New York became the first major school system to resume in-person learning in the fall. Integration continued on his list of priorities, plus addressing hot-button issues like the cancellation of testing for gifted students and inequities that continue to skew admissions to the citys specialized schools.

But the closing and reopening of schools came with unprecedented challenges, miscommunications and concerns. Not all students had computers to learn from home while there were 200,000 children with disabilities and 114,000 who were homeless. Later, as New York City moved to be the first major public school system to reopen in response to declining infection rates, there remained concerns over aging ventilation systems in school buildings and worries of possible school nurse and teacher shortages. Parents were slow to let their children return, even though many were anxious for an end to months of learning from home.

Critics of mayoral control over the public schools in New York City say the policy undermines a chancellor's authority, and that Carranza was no exception when it came to working for de Blasio. Control, I think that's been the toughest part for him, said Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, the union representing 200,000 teachers and school personnel, said of Carranza. A term-limited de Blasio will leave office at the end of this year, which means its likely a new mayor will bring in a new chancellor, even possibly to replace Porter. Carranza, meanwhile, has continued in what some consider to be an almost impossible job. Between the pandemic, the end of the administration, it's really been a tough position for Richard at the end, said Mulgrew.

During an interview with City & State on Feb. 17, Carranza reflected back on the past three years and what it has been like pushing his agenda for the schools, which he said was in agreement with de Blasios  and not just a case of following orders. I think the fact that the mayor appointed me as chancellor speaks to the fact that he and I are aligned in terms of how we view education. But at the end of the day, the mayor is the mayor of the city of New York and 1.1 million of his citizens are the children in our schools, Carranza said during the 45-minute Zoom call.

He showed little indication of a falling out with the mayor that may have led to his decision to resign. The mayor and Carranza had a good relationship, an administration source, who requested anonymity to protect their job, told City & State. Carranza was just more radical than the mayor. The source noted how Carranza had favored eliminating testing for the citys Gifted and Talented program, which has been criticized for not granting fair access to students of color. The exams were killed this year, but because a city education panel rejected a testing contract in what was viewed as a rebuke to de Blasio. Student interviews and a lottery will be used instead.

The administration source said that Carranza was pushing an agenda to integrate schools that failed to take into account the time-consuming process of government, which de Blasio oversees. This is not a dictatorship, the source said, defending the mayor and his relationship with the chancellor.

Schools have started a conversation with parents on how students who are considered "exceptional," should be taught. I'll tell you, it's usually not in a segregated program, wrote the chancellor in an email followup to the interview. He also offered his insights on how the citys specialized schools could become more diversified moving forward.

People will say to me sometimes, So you work for the mayor. No, but I am working for the children.  outgoing New York City schools Chancellor Richard Carranza

Were bound by a state law from the 1970s to administer a single test that determines who gets admitted to specialized high schools. Ive been crystal clear since I became chancellor  this is not a fair or equitable way to run this process, and the test creates a barrier and results in segregation. No single test should determine a students future. It must be repealed and we have made important, unprecedented progress on this, he said.

Carranza wrote that a goal was set of reserving 20% of seats at each specialized high school for students in the Discovery program, a summer enrichment program that helps high-performing, underserved students gain admission to a specialized high school. But he remained insistent that the Specialized High School Admissions Test be eliminated. Weve moved the conversation forward in substantial ways, yet adults are standing in the way of whats right for New York Citys children, and initiatives like this alone arent going to move the needle to where I would like it to be, he said, in a reference to the state Legislatures requirement of the exams.

COVID-19 made some inequities worse, such as lack of access to technology, but it also created opportunities for at least temporarily ditching biased admissions criteria. We have long been addressing historical inequities, many of which COVID-19 exacerbated, Carranza said. And (we) ushered in new admissions changes, such as the pause on middle school academic screens and the removal of geographic priorities for high schools, to open up access and opportunity for more children in every neighborhood in the city.

The chancellor gave only one acknowledgment that he might no longer be around, as he described what his message would be to the next mayor and chancellor:

My message would be, Don't ever forget who you're working for, Carranza said. People will say to me sometimes, So you work for the mayor. No, but I am working for the children. That's my job to work for the children. So my message would be, If it ain't broke, don't fix it, but make it better, and always remember you're working for children.
A morning commuter walks in front of the China Central Television (CCTV) building in Beijing on Dec. 2, 2015. (Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

UK Fines Chinese Broadcaster CGTN Over Forced Confessions, Hong Kong Coverage

Britains broadcasting regulator Ofcom on Monday imposed financial penalties on Chinese state broadcaster CGTN for airing forced confessions and biased coverage of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

CGTN, or China Global Television Network, is an international English-language satellite news channel owned by the Chinese regime and directly controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Journalists follow the progress on a television screen of the trial of British investigator Peter Humphrey (C), linked to beleaguered pharmaceutical giant GSK, and his wife, at the Shanghai Intermediate Court, on Aug. 8, 2014. (Johannes Eisele /AFP via Getty Images)

Ofcom imposed a fine of 100,000 ($138,359) on Star China Media Limited, CGTNs former licence holder in the UK, after finding the broadcaster guilty of serious violations of British broadcasting regulations for airing a forced confession extracted from British citizen Peter Humphrey in 2013.

The regulator found that CGTNs broadcasts constituted unfair treatment of Humphrey and unwarranted infringement of privacy.

Separately, Ofcom fined CGTNs former licence holder 125,000 ($172,929) after finding the network in serious failure of compliance with UK impartiality laws during its coverage of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

A resident is detained by riot police during a rally in Hong Kong, on Nov. 3, 2019. (Anthony Kwan/Getty Images)

The regulator ruled in May 2020 that five news items on the protests that were aired by the channel between Aug. 11, 2019 and Nov. 21, 2019 were not duly impartial on a matter of major political controversy and a major matter relating to current public policy.

Also on Monday, Ofcom released its final decisions on CGTNs broadcasts of the forced TV confessions by Simon Cheng (pdf), a former UK consulate general employee in Hong Kong, and Swedish book publisher Gui Minhai (pdf).

Cheng was tortured and forced to make a TV confession when he was detained for 15 days in August 2019 by mainland Chinese police.

I feel very pleased, and that is a very significant moment for me, Cheng told The Epoch Times.

Simon Cheng on March 31, 2020. (Courtesy of Simon Cheng)

Gui, who sold books critical of Chinas political leadership while based in Hong Kong, was detained by mainland police in 2018 and was also forced to make TV appearances confessing his alleged offences.

Ofcom upheld complaints about the CGTN programmes unjust or unfair treatment and unwarranted infringement of privacy, and put the broadcaster on notice that it intends to consider imposing a statutory sanction.

Its been a very positive last few weeks when it comes to bringing attention to this issue, and bringing pressure on Beijing to start modifying their behaviour, Peter Dahlin, head of human rights NGO Safeguard Defenders, told The Epoch Times.

Ofcom on Feb. 4 revoked CGTNs UK licence after it concluded that the licence was unlawful, because the broadcaster is ultimately controlled by the CCP, rather than its UK licence-holder, Star China Media Limited.

On March 5, Australian broadcaster SBS announced that it would suspend its broadcasts of CGTN news bulletins after receiving a human rights complaint.

Reporting by Lily Zhou. Reuters and Katabella Roberts contributed to this report.
City police have publicly identified the remains found at Main Street and Alfred Avenue near the Red River last week as 28-year-old Jana Noella Williams.

City police have publicly identified the remains found at Main Street and Alfred Avenue near the Red River last week as 28-year-old Jana Noella Williams.

Her body was discovered March 4. On Sunday night, a vigil was held near the spot she was found.

WPS HANDOUT Jana Noella Williams was found in the area of Main Street and Alfred Avenue last Thursday.

The case is being investigated as a homicide.

On Monday, Winnipeg Police Service public information officer Const. Jay Murray said police believe Williams may not have died in the area, and there was at least one person involved in the "disposal" of her remains.

Williams, who would have turned 29 on March 5, was likely transient and was never reported missing, police said.

"Theres a lot we dont know about Jana, theres a lot that we want to establish," Murray said.

While a post-mortem examination on Williams has been completed, the WPS wouldnt expand on the specifics of her death.

Dozens of people gathered in solidarity and mourning at a weekend vigil in her memory near where she was found.

Shawenim Abinoojii Inc., which provides family support programming for Indigenous youth and parents, released a statement Monday, saying it will work to preserve a memorial left for Williams near a building SAI owns.

Among the vigil crowd was NDP MLA Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns), who said of the many such ceremonies she has attended over the years, this one felt "a bit tougher than others."

"I dont know if its the pandemic, I dont know if its all the years and successions of cuts that weve seen, but Indigenous women and their families are suffering right now," she said Monday.

"Indigenous people as a whole are suffering in this province, you just have to drive down Main Street and see suffering."

Theres a sense of "hopelessness" that comes with visiting the vigil of another slain Indigenous woman, Fontaine said.

"Its been ongoing. Theres not a break for Indigenous peoples. Imagine every couple of months going to a vigil, seeing your relatives, seeing your people."

Also in attendance was Alaya McIvor, an advocate for missing and murdered Indigenous women, who knows Williams family. McIvor said they are still in shock, and trying to piece together unanswered questions.

"Indigenous women, we cant celebrate (International Womens Day) with the women of the world," McIvor said Monday. "Why? Because just yesterday we were mourning on the eve of International Womens Day for one of our women."

Williams was "a happy person, a lovable person," McIvor said.

"She was always considerate of everyone. She was loved, and thats all I heard through the conversations with her family was the love that they held for Jana, and the love that she held for them."

McIvor hopes people following the case will consider the structural biases that harm Indigenous women when thinking of Williams.

"We need to remove that train of thought of blaming our victims for being in those circumstances, or circumstances to their death, because they are a targeted population," McIvor said. "Theyve always been a target. Were still a target."

Such community connections will hopefully lead to tips from the public, Murray said.

"You look at how loved she was by everyone in her family, the significant outpouring of support it reminds us of the human element in these cases," he said.

"People that dont live in the area may read about this homicide and not think much more of it, but this is somebody that was loved by the community, by members of her family."

Anyone with information on Williams' whereabouts over the last two weeks, or any other relevant information, is asked to call the WPS homicide unit at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: malakabas_
From Good Housekeeping

Prince Harry joined Meghan Markle for the second half of their Oprah interview, and the prince spoke candidly about how their decision to step back from their senior royal family roles affected his relationship with his father, the future king Prince Charles. Charles stopped taking Harry's calls, Harry revealed.

Harry revealed the Queen wasn't blindsided by his and Meghan's decision last January to step back from being working royals. They had three phone conversations. He spoke with his father toountil Charles stopped picking up.

"You just said your dad stopped taking your calls," Oprah said. "Why?"

"Because I took matters into my own hands," Harry said. "It was like I need to do this for my family. This is not a surprise to anybody; it's really sad that it's got to this point, but I've got to do something for my own mental health, for my wife's, because I could see where this is headed."

Photo credit: Samir Hussein - Getty Images

Harry said everything changed after the couple's tour of Australia and New Zealand: My grandmother has been amazing throughout. My father, brother, Kate, and all the rest of the familythey were they were really welcoming. But it really changed after our Australia tour. It was also the first time that the family got to see how incredible she is at the job. And that brought back memories."

Harry explained to Oprah that he had a deep fear of his family suffering the same fate his mother Princess Diana didand on a worse level, because of the racism and social media.

"When Im talking about history repeating itself, Im talking about my mother," he said. "When you can see something happening in the same kind of wayto receive no help at all and to be told continuously this is how it is, this is just how it is. Weve all been through it. This union, us, me having a girlfriend was going to be a thingjust the two of us to start with. I hadnt really thought about the mixed-race piece because I thought, well, Ive spent many years doing the work and doing my own learningmy god it doesnt take you very long until you became aware of it. It takes living in her shoes in this instance for a day or those first eight days to see where it was gonna go and how far they were gonna take it and get away with it and be so blatant about it. Were talking about the U.K. press here. And the U.K. is my home; that was where I was brought up. Ive got my own relationship with the media. I asked for calm with the British tabloids: once as a boyfriend, once as a husband, and once as a father."

Story continues

That didn't work, and so the couple decided to step back.



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IOWA CITY, Iowa  A police officer testified Monday that he arrested a journalist at an unruly Black Lives Matter protest last year in Iowa after she did not leave when he repeatedly shot clouds of pepper spray to disperse the crowd.

Des Moines Officer Luke Wilson said he wasnt aware Andrea Sahouri was a Des Moines Register reporter when he responded to a chaotic scene where protesters were breaking store windows and throwing rocks and water bottles at police outside Merle Hay mall on May 31.

Wilson said he sprayed the chemical irritant from a device known as a fogger to clear a commercial parking lot and that it worked in scattering the rest of the group, including Sahouris then-boyfriend Spenser Robnett. But he said Sahouri stayed put despite the spray, which can cause a burning sensation and temporary blindness.

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Once I determined she wasnt leaving, I had to take action, Wilson testified, adding that he still didnt know who she was.

Wilson, who was wearing a riot helmet and gas mask, said he approached and grabbed Sahouri with his left hand while still holding the fogger in his right. He said he shot more pepper spray when Robnett returned and tried to pull Sahouri out of his custody, hitting them both again from close range.

Wilson testified on the first day of trial for Sahouri and Robnett on misdemeanor charges of failure to disperse and interference with official acts. Prosecutors pressed ahead with their case despite local, national and international pressure to drop the rare effort to punish a working reporter.

If convicted, they would be fined hundreds of dollars and have a criminal record. A judge could also sentence them up to 30 days in jail on each count, although that would be unusual.

Advocates for journalism and human rights in the U.S. and abroad have pressed Iowa authorities to drop the charges, arguing that Sahouri was simply doing her job by documenting the newsworthy event. Iowa Democrats have blasted one of their own, longtime Polk County Attorney John Sarcone, for pursuing the case.

The pair are standing trial in a courtroom at Drake University in Des Moines as part of a unique program that allows first-year law students to observe real trials. The university is broadcasting the proceedings, which are expected to last two days. A six-member jury was empaneled mid-day and heard opening statements and prosecution testimony Monday. The trial will resume Tuesday.

The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker has not recorded any other trials of working journalists in the country since 2018. Sahouri was among more than 125 reporters detained or arrested during the civil unrest that unfolded across the U.S. in 2020. Thirteen, including Sahouri, still face prosecution although the majority of those arrested were not charged or their charges were dismissed, the group says.

Employees in the Gannett newspaper chain, which owns USA Today, the Register and hundreds of other newspapers, have flooded social media with support for Sahouri in recent days. The company is funding her defense. Columbia Journalism School, where Sahouri graduated in 2019 before joining the Register, expressed solidarity Monday by promoting the hashtags #StandWithAndrea and #JournalismIsNotACrime.

Amnesty International also publicized her case and demanded the charges be dismissed.

Sahouri was assigned to cover the protest where activists were demanding better treatment for people of color days after the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was declared dead after a white officer put his knee on his neck for about nine minutes.

Prosecutor Brecklyn Carey told jurors that body camera footage will show police giving a dispersal order to a crowd that included both defendants around 6:30 p.m. at an intersection outside the mall. Testimony will show that the pair was arrested 90 minutes later near the same intersection, and that Robnett tried to pull Sahouri away from the officer who arrested them, she said.

Carey urged jurors in an opening statement to keep their eyes on the ball and answer only three questions: was there a dispersal order, did the two disperse, and did they pull away from the officer?

But defense lawyer Nicholas Klinefeldt told jurors that the case was about a journalist who was wrongly arrested while doing her job, adding that Robnett accompanied her to the event for safety purposes.

He said the 6:30 p.m. dispersal order was intended only to clear people who were blocking an intersection and that both complied. Body camera audio played for jurors showed officers yelling to get back and to protest peacefully, while an order to disperse could only faintly be heard.

Nobody was telling anybody to leave the scene. Quite the opposite, Klinefeldt said.

When police deployed tear gas before 8 p.m., Sahouri and Robnett ran away and around the corner of a Verizon store. Wilson then grabbed her and blasted pepper spray into her face as she put her hands in the air and yelled that she was press, Klinefeldt said.

The officer told Sahouri thats not what I asked, Klinefeldt said. Then, Wilson shot pepper spray at Robnett after he yelled that she was a journalist. A second Register reporter who was nearby was ordered to leave but not arrested, he said.

Sahouri was loaded into a police van and jailed for a couple of hours.

Wilson testified that he did not have a whole lot of conversation with Sahouri when he arrested her. He said he believed he had activated his body camera but later learned he had failed to do so and never sought to use a camera function to retrieve the video afterward before it was erased.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will begin probe the case of the explosives-laden car found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence last month. The anti-terrorist task force took over the case following orders from the union home ministry. Now, the NIA is in the process of re-registering the case.

On February 25, a Scorpio car with 20 gelatin sticks inside it was found near 'Antilia', the multi-story residence of Mukesh Ambani in south Mumbai. As per the police probe, the vehicle was stolen from Airoli-Mukund Bridge on February 18.

And, last week, the vehicle owner, Mansukh Hiran was found dead in a creek in Thane. Hiran's wife expressed suspicion that her husband may have been murdered.

Two days after the body of Hiren was found in a creek, the Maharashtra Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS) registered a case of murder against unidentified persons.

The ATS registered the FIR against unidentified persons on the order of the state home department under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including murder, the disappearance of evidence, and a criminal conspiracy, the official said.

Accordingly, all the documents related to the case were handed over to the ATS by Mumbai police in Thane district.

The body of Hiren was fished out from a creek in neighbouring Thane district on the morning of March 5, hours after he went "missing".

Hiran purportedly wrote a letter on March 2 to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and police commissioners of Thane and Mumbai, alleging that he was being harassed by the police and media since the vehicle was found outside Ambani's house.

He had also claimed that despite being a victim, he was treated like an accused.

Meanwhile, officials have said the autopsy report of Hiren reserved the opinion on the cause of his death and added that no visible external injuries were found on his body.

The viscera of Hiren was already sent for forensic analysis, they said.

Also read: More than 55% of 42 crore PM Jan Dhan accounts belong to women

Also read: New 'core entity' feature in filing GST to curb fake bills menace






Australian model Jessica Gomes returned home to Australia in November after a 'hectic 2020 in Los Angeles'.

And now the former David Jones ambassador has revealed her exciting plans to relocate to Byron Bay - the nation's unofficial 'Hollywood 2.0'.

Jessica, 35, appears to have made the decision after becoming the face of local womenswear label Auguste's new Poetica collection.

EXCLUSIVE: Model Jessica Gomes reveals she's moving to Byron Bay after a 'hectic 2020 in Los Angeles' as she front new campaign for Australian boho label Auguste

Byron Bay-based label Auguste is known for its contemporary-boho style, and its new Poetica collection includes frocks, blouses, skirts, knits and T-shirts.

'Im just so excited that I'm in Australia. Im going to live in Byron for sure, there you have it!' Jessica said in a statement.

She added: 'Im excited that Im home with my friends and family now who mean so much to me. Just living the simple life after such a hectic 2020 in LA.'

In exclusive photos provided to Daily Mail Australia, Jessica appears in her element as she poses in a number of designs.

Next best thing? The former David Jones ambassador has revealed her exciting plans to relocate to Byron Bay - the nation's unofficial 'Hollywood 2.0'

New role: Jessica, 35, appears to have made the decision after becoming the face of local womenswear label Auguste's new Poetica collection

About the label: Byron Bay-based label Auguste is known for its contemporary-boho style, and its new Poetica collection includes frocks, blouses, skirts, knits and T-shirts

'Auguste's consciously made "Poetica" collection was inspired by the composition of the Tasmanian coastline and is an ode to natural beauty,' the brand explained.

Jessica herself appeared to opt for a minimal and natural-looking makeup application for the photoshoot.

The flowy dresses looked feminine and elegant, while the blouses and T-shirts gave the model an edgier look.

The items in the new collection range from $79 to $229.

Natural beauty: Jessica herself appeared to opt for a minimal and natural-looking makeup application for the photoshoot

For every occasion and style: The flowy dresses looked feminine and elegant on Jessica, while the blouses and T-shirts gave the model an edgier look

Boho on a budget? The items in the new collection range from $79 to $229. Pictured: Jessica in the label's $199 embroidered Adelaide mini dress

Jessica was born in Sydney, but raised in Perth in a semi-rural environment.

Despite calling LA home for a decade, she told The Daily Telegraph this month that she decided to leave at the end of the city's second coronavirus lockdown because she no longer felt safe.

'It was a heavy year. Having that fear lingering over you for so long, it's quite heavy. You don't realise what you've been through and then you kind of come out of it and go "Oh wow",' she said.

'In LA everyone was really worried and not working, scraping the barrels, and going "Oh god, what's happening?" There was a lot of uncertainty and fear,' she added.

'It was a heavy year': Jessica reflected on the 'uncertainty and fear' she experienced while living in Los Angeles in 2020 during an interview with The Daily Telegraph this month

Jessica had recently been seen visiting Byron Bay to catch up with her model pal Gemma Ward.

She spent her quarantine period at the Meriton Suites hotel on Sussex Street, in Sydney's Central Business District.

In an interview with Vogue Australia in October, Jessica revealed she had discovered a newfound appreciation for her home city of Perth.

'Now, at this time of my life, I have to say I really love Los Angeles and I really love Perth,' she said.

Jessica is one of dozens of Australian models and actors who have left America and returned to their home country during the global Covid pandemic.

Story Highlights Majorities in most countries say it is possible to have a woman leader in 10 years

Men preferred over women as managers

Many believe women should be given scholarships

Many believe movements such as #MeToo are helping women

Fitting with the U.N.'s theme for International Women's Day this year -- women in leadership -- Gallup looks at the never-before-released results on a series of questions that we asked on this topic in 2019 and early 2020.

Gallup asked women and men in 74 countries questions in four areas that are key to starting conversations in an action-driven way: women's leadership in politics and in the workplace, their opportunities for education, and whether movements such as #MeToo help to reduce harassment and sexual abuse of women.

Majorities in Most Countries Think a Woman Could Lead Them in the Next 10 Years

Women have been present in various levels of political leadership for years in Africa, but former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's election as the first female head of state in 2006 opened the door for others who have occupied the top leadership posts since. Africa currently has just one female president and three female prime ministers, but majorities across most of the 21 countries surveyed in 2019 say it is possible that a woman could lead their country in the next 10 years.

Majorities in Most African Countries See Female Leaders as a Possibility In your opinion, is it possible or not possible that a woman could be the leader of this country within the next 10 years? Possible Not possible Woman already leads my country* % % % Mauritius** 87 11 -- Rwanda** 83 13 -- Mozambique** 75 17 1 Botswana 73 21 1 Ivory Coast 69 25 1 Senegal** 67 28 1 Lesotho 66 30 -- Togo** 66 27 -- Benin 65 31 -- Gabon** 65 29 -- Guinea 60 30 -- Burkina Faso 59 30 1 Mali** 58 38 -- Republic of Congo 56 40 -- Chad 53 36 1 Cameroon 52 41 -- Comoros 52 39 2 Madagascar 47 44 1 Niger 46 41 -- Zimbabwe 42 45 -- Mauritania 27 55 1 ** Have had a female prime minister or president at one time *Volunteered response Gallup World Poll, 2019

In Madagascar, Niger and Zimbabwe residents are evenly divided as to whether it is possible for a woman to become the leader of their country in the next 10 years. Mauritania is the only country surveyed where a majority (55%) says it is not possible for a woman to be their country's leader. Such attitudes in Mauritania may reflect the relatively low representation that women have in the country's national politics. However, the 2014 election featured the country's second-ever female candidate.

With a few exceptions, most men and women believe it is possible for a woman to lead their country someday soon, but women in many countries are more confident than men in this possibility. A median of 65% of women across the 21 countries surveyed say it is possible for this to happen in the next 10 years, compared with a median of 57% of men.

Male Managers Preferred Over Female Managers

While the numbers of women in management positions in Africa have improved in some countries in recent years, women in many countries (where data are available) still largely remain underrepresented in middle and senior management. Based on residents' attitudes as to their preference for a manager -- a man or a woman -- this dynamic is unlikely to change anytime soon.

Across the 21 countries surveyed, a median of 47% say that if they could choose to have a man or a woman as a manager, they would prefer a man. A median of 34% would prefer a woman. Men as managers are preferred in all except four countries. While residents in Lesotho, Chad and Togo are more divided, people in Mauritius are the only ones to prefer a woman to a man as a manager.

Male Managers Preferred Over Female Managers Suppose you were taking a new job and had your choice of a manager. Would you prefer to work for a man or a woman? Woman Man No preference % % % Lesotho 48 46 5 Benin 45 41 12 Mauritius 43 35 18 Madagascar 43 50 6 Chad 42 43 13 Togo 40 40 18 Mozambique 40 47 9 Zimbabwe 39 44 15 Senegal 37 43 19 Guinea 37 49 13 Niger 34 53 11 Mali 31 54 14 Ivory Coast 31 56 11 Republic of Congo 30 58 10 Burkina Faso 30 44 23 Botswana 30 38 28 Rwanda 28 56 11 Mauritania 27 42 24 Gabon 27 49 21 Comoros 26 68 5 Cameroon 24 58 16 Gallup World Poll, 2019

Men in the region decidedly prefer a male manager to a female manager if given the choice: a median of 56% say that they prefer a man as their boss. Women, on the other hand, are more divided, with a median of 43% saying they would prefer a woman and 39% preferring a male manager. In six of the countries, including Benin, Madagascar, Niger, Chad, Lesotho and Mauritius, a majority of women say they would prefer a female boss.

More Believe Women Should Get College Scholarships

Although millions of young people have swelled the ranks of colleges and universities across sub-Saharan Africa over the past few decades, the percentage of the population enrolled in tertiary education still remains far lower than elsewhere around the world. And within that population, females continue to be underrepresented: For every 100 males enrolled in tertiary education in 2013, 72 females were enrolled.

With gender parity in higher education slowly improving in sub-Saharan Africa, people may realize how female education disproportionately improves social welfare. Across the 21 countries surveyed, a median of 46% say if a similarly qualified woman and man were competing for a single scholarship to a university, the scholarship should go to the woman. A median of 38% say it should go to the man.

Many Believe Women Should Get College Scholarships Suppose a university is going to give just ONE scholarship that pays all expenses related to education. There are two people who are equally qualified -- a young man and a young woman. In your opinion, who should receive this scholarship, the man or the woman? Woman Man No preference % % % Togo 54 32 11 Senegal 53 32 14 Madagascar 52 39 6 Zimbabwe 52 28 19 Lesotho 50 33 12 Chad 50 33 14 Benin 49 39 10 Guinea 48 42 9 Rwanda 47 38 12 Mauritius 47 18 23 Mali 46 46 7 Burkina Faso 46 34 16 Mozambique 45 43 10 Ivory Coast 43 42 12 Republic of Congo 36 54 8 Cameroon 36 48 13 Comoros 35 60 3 Gabon 35 34 25 Botswana 34 16 45 Niger 31 58 9 Mauritania 30 32 28 Gallup World Poll, 2019

Still, this attitude does not prevail everywhere. In four countries, Niger, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo and Comoros, people are more likely to say the scholarship should go to the man. In several others, including Mali, Mozambique, Mauritania, Gabon and Ivory Coast, populations are more divided as to who should get it.

Men and women across the region do not agree on who the recipient of the scholarships should be. Women are far more likely to believe this shot at higher education should go to the female, with a median of 52% saying a woman should get the scholarship versus 27% who say it should go to the man. Men are more likely to say that the man should get the scholarship, but they are more divided than women are: A median of 47% say the scholarship should go to the man, and 36% say it should go to the woman.

Movements Such as #MeToo Are More Likely Seen as Helping Women

The #MeToo movement that started in the U.S. may not have been as widespread in sub-Saharan Africa as it was in other parts of the world, but it has had an impact in a number of countries. For example, it reportedly motivated female university students in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and Sierra Leone to protest against sexual violence.

Still, in a region where speaking out against such experiences is taboo, residents are more likely to say that movements such as #MeToo have helped reduce harassment and sexual abuse of women in their countries. A median of 52% say such movements help, while 22% say they do not. However, a substantial percentage, 18%, say they have never heard of such movements.

Movements Such as #MeToo Are More Likely Seen as Helping #MeToo is a worldwide movement to publicly condemn sexual harassment and sexual assault of women. Do you think movements like #MeToo help to reduce harassment and sexual abuse of women in this country? Yes No Never heard of it % % % Rwanda 73 9 8 Zimbabwe 61 10 22 Lesotho 60 22 6 Mauritius 59 17 10 Benin 57 27 9 Mali 56 21 20 Botswana 55 17 18 Senegal 55 9 30 Madagascar 53 37 4 Mozambique 53 23 16 Comoros 52 32 8 Niger 51 19 19 Guinea 49 25 18 Ivory Coast 45 24 12 Republic of Congo 40 42 11 Burkina Faso 38 25 25 Cameroon 38 25 27 Togo 37 22 26 Chad 33 20 28 Gabon 32 35 20 Mauritania 28 16 36 Gallup World Poll, 2019

Women and men across the region are both more likely to see these movements as helpful than not. A median of 50% of women compared with 52% of men say that these movements help reduce harassment and sexual abuse of women in their countries.

Implications

These results provide an important baseline to measure Africans' mindsets on women's roles in the not-so-distant future. Harnessing Africans' readiness to have women in leadership positions, whether in politics or at work, is important to building equitable societies. And increasing access to quality education, especially at the university level, will be key to putting African women on their path to such leadership roles for generations to come.

Listen to Magali Rheault discuss the issues facing women in sub-Saharan Africa today and in the future.

Learn more about how the Gallup World Poll works.
Northern Irish actress Bronagh Waugh has revealed that she has an exciting new role coming up  she is to be a mum.

The star of The Fall and Unforgotten, an enthusiastic campaigner for womens rights and same sex marriage, chose International Womens Day to announce her baby news on Instagram, in a series of stunning photographs, proudly displaying her bump.

The Coleraine actress, whose wedding to partner Richard Peacock was postponed last year due to Covid, paid tribute to all the incredible women whose bodies she described as miracle machines.

She wrote: Over lockdown, Ive been busy preparing for my next role (spoiler alert: its pretty major  Im going to be a Ma!).

Womens bodies are incredible with what they can do and what they withstand. Absolute miracle machines and strong as an ox!

So Happy International Womens Day to all of the incredible women out there doing their thing; surviving, thriving, coping and carrying on. You make the World go round & I salute each & every one of yiz.

Bronagh also revealed that the mum-to-be photoshoot was done via Zoom by Stewart Bywater as Covid meant she couldnt see people face-to-face. Thanking the photographer for the series of pictures, Bronagh said he had made her feel strong, empowered and beautiful. And she also paid tribute to all the brilliant men in her life for their love and support.

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Among the people who took to the social media platform to congratulate Bronagh and Richard on their baby news was Love Island host Laura Whitmore, who is expecting her first child with husband and Love Island narrator Iain Sterling. The Irish presenter wrote: Womens bodies are the best. Congrats.

Bronaghs friend and fellow cast member from The Fall, Niamh McGrady, wrote Goddess, while local actress Diona Doherty, who is also expecting her first baby with husband Sean Hegarty, posted: amazing, gorgeous news and such glowing pictures.

Past and present colleagues from the soap Hollyoaks, which gave Bronagh her big break, also joined in the congratulations, including Belfast actor and writer Gerard McCarthy, Jessica Fox, Kieron Richardson and Anthony Quinlan.

While her impending motherhood might be her most important role to date, Bronagh, who played Jamie Dornans wife, Sally Ann Spector in The Fall, will be back on our screens soon in a new ITV drama.

For six months last year, Bronagh filmed the gripping new five-parter, Viewpoint, which was created by Fleabag director Harry Bradbeer. The drama follows a tense police surveillance investigation into a tight knit Manchester community and explores whether it is ever possible to observe the lives of others with true objectivity and zero effect.

Viewpoint, which stars Noel Clarke and Alexandra Roach, was the first ITV drama to begin filming after all UK productions went into lockdown last year.

Meanwhile, Bronagh will also have her Causeway Coast wedding to plan. She and Richard celebrated their love in a ceremony in Somerset in September 2018 but had decided to hold off legally tying the knot until same-sex marriage legislation was introduced here. The couple were due to wed in August 2020, after same-sex marriage came into force at midnight on October 21, but their plans were postponed when Covid hit.
Nearly 450,000 people in Louisiana are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, the Louisiana Department of Health reported Monday.

The number of completed vaccinations now totals 448,730. A total of 1,220,563 doses of vaccines have been administered in the state so far.

The state also reported 329 more confirmed coronavirus cases and 11 more confirmed deaths in its noon update.

Fully-vaccinated people can gather without masks, CDC says in new coronavirus guidance We know that people want to get vaccinated so they can get back to doing the things they enjoy with the people they love.

The number of hospitalizations increased by two, and the number of patients in need of ventilators increased by three.

There are now a total of 372,843 confirmed coronavirus cases and 61,446 total "probable" coronavirus cases in Louisiana, according to the agency's dashboard.

These are another few key statewide statistics as of Monday:

Total confirmed cases: 372,843

Total "probable" cases: 61,446

Total confirmed deaths: 9,044

Currently hospitalized: 534

Currently on ventilators: 78

Vaccine series initiated: 784,241 (updated twice weekly)

Vaccine series completed: 448,730

Presumed recovered: 415,954 as of March 1 (updated weekly)

Vaccine news in your inbox Once a week we'll update you on the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

What, to you, will mark the end of the pandemic? Here's what our readers said This past year has brought challenges for everyone. Losing loved ones, isolation and layoffs are just a few of the countless impacts of the co

Note: The Advocate and The Times-Picayune staff calculates daily case count and confirmed death increases based on the difference between today's total and yesterday's total of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths. The Louisiana Department of Health releases a daily case count on its dashboard that includes probable cases as indicated by a positive antigen test. That case count can be different than the one listed here.

Can't see chart below? Click here.

Can't see chart below? Click here.

Louisiana began reopening for Phase 1 on May 15-16 then moved to Phase 2 on June 5. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards extended Louisiana's Phase 2 restrictions twice in August before moving the state to Phase 3 on Sept. 11. The governor then moved the state back to a modified Phase 2 near the end of November.

This is a developing story. More details and analysis to come.
Kathmandu, March 8

NIVEA, a leading skincare brand of the world, on Monday announced it has partnered with Foodmandu, a pioneer online food delivery service of Nepal, and Daraz, one of the largest online shopping stores in Nepal, to empower women from across the country to achieve their entrepreneurial potential for the occasion of International Womens Day.

Deriving from the brands global Care Beyond Skin programme, the partnership focuses on a campaign that aims to celebrate, recognise and support the achievements of women entrepreneurs who own and run restaurants in the Kathmandu valley, according to the company.

The campaign will provide women entrepreneurs with a platform to share their empowering stories while motivating others to walk on a similar path and break the glass ceiling, the company hopes.

With the help of meaningful narratives and impactful storytelling, the campaign aims to inspire other budding women entrepreneurs to push boundaries.

Under the campaign, experiences of four women entrepreneurs among many have been presented in an interesting video that will help the viewers understand the lives and challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.

The restaurants featured as a part of the initiative include Anshus Homemade Kitchen, China Town, Pizza Connection and Detox Cafe.
Zaharie Ahmad Shah (pictured) was the pilot of the doomed flight

DID THE PILOT HIJACK HIS OWN PLANE?

Pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah planned mass murder because of personal problems, locking his co-pilot out of the cockpit, closing down all communications, depressurising the main cabin and then disabling the aircraft so that it continued flying on auto-pilot until it ran out of fuel.

That was the popular theory in the weeks after the plane's disappearance.

His personal problems, rumours in Kuala Lumpur said, included a split with his wife Fizah Khan, and his fury that a relative, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, had been given a five-year jail sentence for sodomy shortly before he boarded the plane for the flight to Beijing.

But the pilot's wife angrily denied any personal problems and other family members and his friends said he was a devoted family man and loved his job.

This theory was also the conclusion of the first independent study into the disaster by the New Zealand-based air accident investigator, Ewan Wilson.

Wilson, the founder of Kiwi Airlines and a commercial pilot himself, arrived at the shocking conclusion after considering 'every conceivable alternative scenario'.

However, he has not been able to provide any conclusive evidence to support his theory.

The claims are made in the book 'Goodnight Malaysian 370', which Wilson co-wrote with the New Zealand broadsheet journalist, Geoff Taylor.

It's also been rumoured that Zaharie used a flight simulator at his home to plot a path to a remote island.

However, officials in Kuala Lumpur declared that Malaysian police and the FBI's technical experts had found nothing to suggest he was planning to hijack the flight after closely examining his flight simulator.

And there are also theories that t he tragic disappearance may have been a heroic act of sacrifice by the pilot.

Australian aviation enthusiast Michael Gilbert believes the doomed plane caught fire mid-flight, forcing the pilot to plot a course away from heavily populated areas.

IF NOT THE PILOT, WAS THE CO-PILOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MYSTERY?

Co-pilot Fariq Abdul Hamid, 27, again for personal problems, was suspected by rumour-spreaders to have overpowered the pilot and disabled the aircraft, flying it to its doom with crew and passengers unable to get through the locked cockpit door.

Theorists have put forward the suggestion that he was having relationship problems and this was his dramatic way of taking his own life.

But he was engaged to be married to Captain Nadira Ramli, 26, a fellow pilot from another airline, and loved his job. There are no known reasons for him to have taken any fatal action.

There have been a series of outlandish theories about the disappearance of the plane

Others have suggested that because he was known to have occasionally invited young women into the cockpit during a flight, he had done so this time and something had gone wrong.

Young Jonti Roos said in March that she spent an entire flight in 2011 in the cockpit being entertained by Hamid, who was smoking.

Interest in the co-pilot was renewed when it was revealed he was the last person to communicate from the cockpit after the communication system was cut off.

DID THE RUSSIANS STEAL MH370 AND FLY THE JET TO KAZAKHSTAN

An expert has claimed the missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370 was hijacked on the orders of Vladimir Putin and secretly landed in Kazakhstan.

Jeff Wise, a U.S. science writer who spearheaded CNN's coverage of the Boeing 777-200E, has based his outlandish theory on pings that the plane gave off for seven hours after it went missing, that were recorded by British telecommunications company Inmarsat.

Wise believes that hijackers 'spoofed' the plane's navigation data to make it seem like it went in another direction, but flew it to the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which is leased from Kazakhstan by Russia.

However, Wise admits in New York Magazine that he does not know why Vladimir Putin would want to steal a plane full of people and that his idea is somewhat 'crazy'.

Wise also noted there were three Russian men onboard the flight, two of them Ukrainian passport holders.

Aviation disaster experts analysed satellite data and discovered - like the data recorded by Inmarsat - that the plane flew on for hours after losing contact.

Careful examination of the evidence has revealed that MH370 made three turns after the last radio call, first a turn to the left, then two more, taking the plane west, then south towards Antarctica.

MH370 WAS USED BY TERRORISTS FOR A SUICIDE ATTACK ON THE CHINESE NAVY

This extraordinary claim came from 41-year-old British yachtsman Katherine Tee, from Liverpool, whose initial account of seeing what she thought was a burning plane in the night sky made headlines around the world.

On arrival in Thailand's Phuket after sailing across the Indian Ocean from Cochin, southern India with her husband, she said: 'I could see the outline of the plane - it looked longer than planes usually do.There was what appeared to be black smoke streaming from behind.'

Ms Tee's general description of the time and place was vague and she lost all credibility when she later stated on her blog that she believed MH370 was a kamikaze plane that was aimed at a flotilla of Chinese ships and it was shot down before it could smash into the vessels.

Without solid proof of the satellite data, she wrote on her blog, Saucy Sailoress, the plane she saw was flying at low altitude towards the military convoy she and her husband had seen on recent nights. She added that internet research showed a Chinese flotilla was in the area at the time.

While the debris proved the plane went down in the Indian Ocean, the location of the main underwater wreckage  and its crucial black box data recorders  remains stubbornly elusive.

THE JET LANDED ON THE WATER AND WAS SEEN FLOATING ON THE ANDAMAN SEA

On a flight from Jeddah to Kuala Lumpur that crossed over the Andaman Sea on March 8, Malaysian woman Raja Dalelah, 53, saw what she believed was a plane sitting on the water's surface.

She didn't know about the search that had been started for MH370. She alerted a stewardess who told her to go back to sleep.

'I was shocked to see what looked like the tail and wing of an aircraft on the water,' she said.

It was only when she told her friends on landing in Kuala Lumpur what she had seen that she learned of the missing jet. She had seen the object at about 2.30pm Malaysian time.

She said she had been able to identify several ships and islands before noticing the silver object that she said was a plane.

But her story was laughed off by pilots who said it would have been impossible to have seen part of an aircraft in the water from 35,000ft or seven miles.

Ms Raja filed an official report with police the same day and has kept to her story.

'I know what I saw,' she said.

THE AIRCRAFT SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC SYSTEMS FAILURE AND CRASH-LANDED ON THE OCEAN

A catastrophic event such as a fire disabling much of the equipment resulted in the pilots turning the plane back towards the Malaysian peninsula in the hope of landing at the nearest airport.

Satellite data, believable or not, suggests the aircraft did make a turn and theorists say there would be no reason for the pilots to change course unless confronted with an emergency.

A fire in a similar Boeing 777 jet parked at Cairo airport in 2011 was found to have been caused by a problem with the first officer's oxygen mask supply tubing.

Stewarts Law, which has litigated in a series of recent air disasters, believes the plane crashed after a fire - similar to the blaze on the Cairo airport runway - broke out in the cockpit.

After an investigation into the Cairo blaze, Egypt's Aircraft Accident Investigation Central Directorate (EAAICD) released their final report which revealed that the fire originated near the first officer's oxygen mask supply tubing.

The cause of the fire could not be conclusively determined, but investigators pinpointed a problem with the cockpit hose used to provide oxygen for the crew in the event of decompression.

Following the 2011 fire, US aircraft owners were instructed to replace the system - it was estimated to cost $2,596 (1,573) per aircraft. It was not known whether Malaysia Airlines had carried out the change.

If either pilot wanted to crash the plane, why turn it around? So the turn-around suggests they were trying to land as soon as possible because of an emergency.

THE US SHOT DOWN THE AIRCRAFT FEARING A TERROR ATTACK ON DIEGO GARCIA

The Boeing 777 was shot down by the Americans who feared the aircraft had been hijacked and was about to be used to attack the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia atoll in the Indian Ocean. So conspiracy theorists claim.

And former French airline director Marc Dugain said he had been warned by British intelligence that he was taking risks by investigating this angle.

There is no way of checking whether Dugain received such a warning or why he believes the Americans shot down the plane.

But adding to the theory that the aircraft was flown to Diego Garcia, either by the pilot Zaharie or a hijacker, was the claim that on the pilot's home flight simulator was a 'practice' flight to the island.

Professor Glees said: 'The Americans would have no interest in doing anything of the kind and not telling the world.

'In theory, they might wish to shoot down a plane they thought was attacking them but they wouldn't just fire missiles, they'd investigate it first with fighters and would quickly realise that even if it had to be shot down, the world would need to know.'
A woman who never had sex has shared how she discovered she was pregnant - despite still being a virgin.

Nicole Moore, 28, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, suffered from vaginismus - a condition which causes the vaginal wall muscles to involuntarily constrict - and was never able to insert a tampon, have a pap smear or have sex.

So when she got pregnant eight years ago, it was the shock of her life, after Nicole and her boyfriend found other ways of being intimate with each other without penetrative sex.

She revealed nurses who didn't know about her condition wouldn't believe her when she said she had never had sex, but after seeking a second opinion it was confirmed that while rare, it is possible to get pregnant without having penetrative intercourse if the sexual activity introduced fluids to the vaginal area.

With the help of physical therapy, she was able to finally lose her virginity and have penetrative sex at five months pregnant.

Nicole Moore, 28, from Portsmouth, pictured with her daughter Tilly, eight, revealed she hadn't had penetrative sex with her boyfriend when she got pregnant with Tilly aged 18, due to a condition called vaginismus

The supply teacher said: 'I'd spent all my teenage life not being able to insert a tampon, so I knew something was not quite right.

'But doctors told me I was fine, so I just believed for a while that there was something wrong with me.

'When I was 18 I got into a relationship with my daughter's dad. We began trying to have sexual intercourse, he was a few years older and more experienced.

'We tried but it was impossible. I didn't understand why it couldn't happen.

Tilly, pictured as a baby, came into the world without any issue, according to her doting mother Nicole

Nicole revealed nursing staff wouldn't believe her when she explained she hadn't had sex during her pregnancy check-ups, before she was diagnosed with vaginismus

'The only way I can describe it is like it felt like he was hitting a brick wall.

'I went back to the doctors who then gave me an examination but again told me everything was fine, and I was just extremely tight.'

Nicole explained that she and her partner found other ways to be intimate with each other without having penetrative sex.

While she never thought it was possible, this caused her to become pregnant - despite still being a virgin.

She said: 'One day at work I started getting terrible heartburn and sore breasts.

'My boss at the time, who was a close friend and knew about my situation, said she thought I could be pregnant.

'I laughed and said there was no way, as I was still a virgin and never had penetrative sex.

Tilly as a baby with Nicole. The mother-of-one explained she and her boyfriend at the time had had to find other ways to be intimate with each other without having penetrative sex, and that Tilly was somehow born thanks to these practices

Nicole on a day out with Tilly. A doctor explained to the mother-of-one it was possible to get pregnant if any semen had been near her vagina, despite not actually having intercourse

'But she said it was possible if there had been any fluids near my vagina, despite not actually having intercourse.

'I did a pregnancy test on my lunch break that day at work and it was positive.

'I couldn't believe it, I was so shocked and confused.

'All I kept thinking was how on earth am I going to deliver this baby if I couldn't even have intercourse.

'I was worried my partner would think I'd cheated on him, as it seemed so impossible.

'But thankfully he knew me and my body, and he didn't doubt me for a second.

The mother-daughter duo now. Nicole is sharing her message now to spread awareness about vaginismus

Nicole, pictured, who is now separated from her daughter's father, said he had been very supportive of her after her diagnosis

'So many people still tell me I'm the Virgin Mary which really makes me laugh. It was crazy.'

Nicole said that it was difficult to get some medical professionals to believe her when she told them she had never had sex.

After a lifetime of struggling to understand her condition, Nicole was finally able to get some answers while pregnant and she was diagnosed with vaginismus when she was four months along.

An ultrasound of Tilly during Nicole's very unexpected pregnancy. The mother said she now knew how to deal with her vaginismus

Nicole and her graduation with Tilly. Nicole candidly revealed she still couldn't insert a tampon in her vagina due to her condition, but said she was grateful she could have a normal life

She said: 'I really struggled throughout my pregnancy with professionals believing my story.

'My boyfriend at the time often had to come with me to appointments to explain that we really hadn't had sex.

'I remember going for a check-up at the hospital and not being able to have an internal examination because the nurse couldn't insert her finger.

'I tried explaining to her that I still hadn't had sex and she said to me "Don't be ridiculous of course you have"

'I thought I was never going to get anyone to believe me or get answers.

'I had a routine check-up at the doctors for a pregnancy related illness and happened to be seen by a student doctor who had recently been studying vaginismus.

Tilly as a baby. Nicole finally got the help she needed after the diagnosis and revealed she had to use dilators to help overcome her vaginismus

Nicole admitted that treating her vaginismus was frustrating, stressful and upsetting, but that she kept at it and was ab le to have penetrative sex when she was five months pregnant

'I told him about my struggles, and he told me that I likely had this condition.

'I went home to google the symptoms and couldn't believe what I was reading.

'I finally realised there wasn't anything wrong with me and I actually had a medical condition.'

After her diagnosis, Nicole was referred to a therapist who specialised in vaginismus and was able to teach her ways to help overcome the condition.

With this help, she was able to finally lose her virginity and have penetrative sex at five months pregnant.

WHAT IS VAGINISMUS? Vaginismus occurs when the vagina suddenly tightens up whenever penetration is attempted. The woman has no control over it, which can be extremely distressing. It affects between 0.5 and one per cent of women. As well as struggling to have vaginal sex, many also find it difficult to use a tampon. If they can achieve penetration, sufferers may then experience a burning or stinging sensation. However, vaginismus does not necessarily affect a woman's ability to get aroused or enjoy other forms of sexual contact. Vaginismus often has no clear cause but can include a woman: Fearing her vagina is too small

Having a bad first sexual experience

Believing sex is shameful or wrong

Having an unpleasant medical examination

Suffering from an infection or painful condition, such as thrush Vaginismus can sometimes occur even if a woman has enjoyed penetrative sex in the past. If a woman suspects she may have vaginismus, she should make an appointment to see her GP. The consultation usually involves asking about her symptoms and rarely requires an internal examination. Treatment is usually therapy to help a women understand her feelings about sex and her body. Relaxation techniques such as mindfulness can also help. Pelvic floor exercise can also help a woman gain control of her vaginal muscles. In more severe cases, vaginal trainers, which are shaped like tampons and come in different sizes, can help a woman get used to have something inserted in her vagina. Source: NHS Advertisement

And although she feared giving birth, Nicole's little girl Tilly, now eight, came into the world without any issues.

Nicole is now sharing her story to help raise awareness of vaginismus.

She said: 'With the help of the therapist, I began using dilators and could see a light at the end of the tunnel.

'It wasn't easy. The process was frustrating, stressful and upsetting, but I kept with it and was eventually able to have sex for the first time while pregnant.

'My daughter's father and I are no longer together, but he was always supportive of me after my diagnosis.

'I still suffer with vaginismus but I now know how to deal with it and it definitely isn't as bad.

'I still can't do certain things, like insert a tampon, but I feel very fortunate that I am now able to have a normal sex life.

'Tilly is definitely my little miracle. We've got the best life together and having her was the best thing I've ever done.'
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THE Government must intervene to cap pay-outs for minor injuries in the courts because the vote by judges to reduce award levels does not go far enough, campaigners said.

And award levels in England and Wales are set to be slashed in May, the Alliance for Insurance Reform said.

On Saturday, judges here voted to adopt new guidelines that would reduce damages awards for minor personal injuries.

The aim of the Judicial Council is to ensure awards are proportionate to the injuries sustained.

Read More

Justice Minister Helen McEntee is set to bring proposals to Cabinet this week to implement the new guidelines.

Mc McEntee has said the changes will only apply to new cases to be assessed by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB).

Personal injuries cases have to initially go through the PIAB before they can be moved on to the courts.

This has led insurers to pour cold water on the prospect of immediate significant reductions in insurance premiums, despite cuts of up to 50pc in recommended award guideline levels.

We are still completely out of kilter with other countries.

Peter Boland of the Alliance for Insurance Reform said the cuts to the guidelines were not enough.

His group wants an 80pc reduction in minor award levels to bring them into line with those in England and Wales.

We are still completely out of kilter with other countries and we are calling on the Government to intervene to the get job done and cap injury awards.

He said the guideline for a minor thumb injury, where there is no break and no swelling, will go to 12,000 from 21,500 at present.

But in England and Wales the pay-out is 4,500 and award levels for minor injuries there are due to fall by even more in May.

In Germany, the award would be 1,250, with nothing awarded in general damages in Sweden.

Minister for State with responsibility for insurance reform in the Department of Finance Sean Fleming told Pat Kenny on NewsTalk that he has contacted the chief executives of all the main insurers and emphasised the need to pass reductions in claims costs to policyholders.

He said the Government can take further action if required, if we are not getting the cuts we expect.

Head of Insurance Ireland Moyagh Murdock said insurers will pass on each and every saving we get.

However, it could be a while before claims costs are reduced as the new awards guidelines will only apply to new cases.

It takes seven to eight months for a claim to get assessed in the Personal Injuries Assessment Board.

If the award is rejected and ends up being litigated it can take four to five years for a case to be concluded in court, she said.
Burma Myanmar Regime Steps Up Vehicle and Pedestrian Searches in Yangon

Police and soldiers inspect pedestrians and vehicles on Kyuntaw Street on the morning of March 8. / The Irrawaddy
These days - for hand held devices like the iPad and iPhone, most companies just want to copy Apple instead of going back to their own drawing board and releasing something revolutionary compared to their old products. This is what Notion Ink seems to be doing with the Adam.

Of course it has been delayed from it's original release date, but such a bold product can't just be hastily released. It uses a hybrid Pixel Qui screen, high-power GPU and a swiveling camera, things that Apple don't even use - which could make it seem (and hopefully be) a second-generation tablet.
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MBABANE  Stories allegedly written by Zweli Martin Dlamini (popularly known as Zwemart) are under scrutiny as the King and government have engaged the services of a South Arican law firm to deal with them.

According to an email leaked to this publication, the Office of the Attorney General (AG) has hired a South African law firm, Brian Kahn Inc Attorneys, to deal with Swaziland News and its Editor, Zweli, for publishing critical articles about the King in his personal capacity and government. In an email dated February 22, 2021, addressed to Zweli from the law firm, the attorneys stated that they were acting on behalf of the King in his personal capacity as the Head of State, the Eswatini Government and various stakeholders; being ministers and other public officials.

Stakeholders

The office and person of His Majesty King Mswati III (the Head of State), as well as Eswatini Government and various stakeholders being ministers and other public officials (the Eswatini Government, collectively referred to as our clients each of whom have rights separate and distinct from the others and any reference to our clients is intended to refer to them disjunctively and conjunctively) have approached Brian Kahn Inc (BKI) to act on their behalf, reads the emailed letter in part. The lawyers allegedly stated that their clients, who include the King, had been reading and monitoring articles written and published by Zweli; the Head Editor of the publication in various articles, some of which cannot be stated because they are considered defamatory in their nature.

The government, through the lawyers, demanded that the publication should at least give them three days to respond before publishing anything alleged by the publication about the King and government through the office of the Government Spokesperson, Sabelo Dlamini, and his deputy. The attorneys stated that the articles were published through Avuleka Amazulu (PTY) Ltd which allegedly hosted the Swaziland News website. According to the letter from BKI, the Swaziland News and Dlamini (Zweli) have on an ongoing basis published artices that were materially false, defamatory, unsubstantiated and caused reputational harm to their clients. The lawyers listed about seven articles which were allegedly defamatory to both the King and government dating back to August 1, 2020, among others. One of the articles, according to the email or letter, alleged that the authorities had defrauded the nation of billions in a multi-billion mineral deal where the financial documents were currently hidden in this (Times of Eswatini) publications servers.

Reputation

The lawyers stated that it was evident that Swaziland News and Zweli intended to injure the reputation of their clients in their character, trade, business profession or office to expose them to eminity, ridicule and contempt. It was reported that the articles reflected badly or negatively on the King and government. On paragraph 2.6.1, the attorneys stated that the articles affected the moral character such as imputing dishonesty, a commission of crime, association with criminals, unethical or unprincipled behaviour, grave misconduct, immorality and or unchastity. It was stated that this was on the character of the office, profession, occupation and political character.


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Australian businesses have been exposed in a cyber attack targeting a weakness in US technology giant Microsofts enterprise email software, which lets hackers take control of computers.

Microsoft reported last week that a state-sponsored Chinese hacking group called HAFNIUM had exploited security flaws to plant hacking tools in machines running Microsoft Exchange, a very popular software that allows businesses to store email on their own machines. Businesses access these emails through the Microsoft Outlook web app.

Flaws in Microsofts email server software mean hundreds of thousands of businesses around the world may have been implanted with spying tools. Credit:AP

According to Microsoft, the hackers had targeted the software to monitor or steal email communications. It also warned the hackers could install additional spying tools on affected computers. Beijing has rejected Microsofts allegations with a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman saying that the country firmly opposes and combats cyber attacks and cyber theft in all forms.

While Microsoft had originally said the attack was limited to US government agencies and businesses, the problem appears to be more widespread. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has advised local businesses to immediately install the latest security updates.
[March 08, 2021] CyGlass and Ingram Micro Cloud Join Forces to Address Growing Cybersecurity Market in Australia and New Zealand

LITTLETON, Mass., March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ingram Micro Inc. the worlds leading global technology provider and distributor, and CyGlass, a SaaS-based network security and compliance company have formed a strategic partnership in response to Australia and New Zealands growing demand for cybersecurity services. CyGlass Network Defense as a Service (NDaaS) will give small and medium organizations in ANZ advanced cyber security technology able to baseline IT activity and detect anomalies. CyGlass helps organizations see risks, stop attacks and prove compliance. According to AustCybers Digital Census 2020, Australians spent approximately $5.6 billion on cyber security in 2020 - from both local and international providers - a figure that is expected to increase to $7.6 billion by 2024. Small and medium organizations generate about a quarter of the cyber sector's revenue in Australia, with the rest directed to diversified professional services providers, technology integrators, mid-tier providers and defense contractors. Ingram Micro Cloud will enable CyGlass to help secure this growing market by incorporating network security and compliance requirements into its cloud security and managed service offerings. The partnership extends Ingram Micros security capabilities through its analytics, explainable Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, to offer solutions and services that will help partners see and prioritize risks on their network, stop threats gaining a foothold and prove compliance in the ANZ market when securing critical assets and data. The agentless SaaS solution does this without the need for on-premise software or hardware and is easily integrated with the existing security infrastructure. The CyGlass NDaaS



Identify and classify which assets are most important to their business

Gain operational knowledge of the network to surface abnormal risky activities

Surface security and IT risks including those from remote working and cloud

Detect threats that other security tools miss through explainable AI powered detection

Prioritize threats and reduce anomalies to a small number of Smart Alerts prioritized by risk

Automate continuous monitoring for threats across networks, cloud, ransomware, and VPNs. Detects, responds and blocks cyber attacks 24 x 7

Automate compliance policies and AI, activated with the push of a button using CyGlass Goals and Objectives

Prove compliance through prebuilt reporting including control effectiveness, SLA tracking, and compliance objective metrics Jason Langley, Ingram Micro New Zealand Managing Director, says cybersecurity is an issue for every company today. A sound cybersecurity posture backed by intelligent technology is essential. CyGlass is breaking new ground in the fight against cybercrime by being able to bypass traditional network constraints such as firewalls, sending network metadata to cloud servers for analysis and threat detection. We are therefore thrilled to be able to offer CyGlass to our extensive range of Cloud security solutions. Trent Gomersall, Director of Cloud, for Ingram Micro Australia said: Australias large businesses had a cybersecurity wake-up call last year with the news of a sophisticated state-sponsored attack. In 2021, cybersecurity is as important as physical security. Were pleased to be working with CyGlass to help smaller organizations see risks, stop attacks, show compliance and get on with their core business.

Ed Jackowiak, President of CyGlass said: Cloud-based services have become more critical to businesses than ever before thanks to the pandemic, and were proud to be working with Ingram Micro Cloud at the very forefront of this market. The combination of our simple to deploy yet powerful NDaaS solution with Ingram Micro Clouds proven route to market will go far in supporting the needs of small to mid-sized IT and security teams in the ANZ market. Protecting the networks of small and medium organizations against cyberattack is not only important, but it can also be critical to survival  we look forward to working with Ingram Micro Cloud on that mission. For more about CyGlass and Network Defense as a Service (NDaaS) for small and medium organizations watch our video and sign up for a free threat assessment. ABOUT CYGLASS



CyGlass is a leading provider of network-centric, threat detection solutions that allow customers of all sizes to uncover, pinpoint, and respond to advanced cyber threats that have evaded traditional security controls. CyGlass mission is to provide organizations with a new level of intelligence to defend against the most sophisticated cyber-attacks. Its asset oriented, risk-based approach to threat detection and mitigation focuses attention on the emerging attacks which pose the greatest risk. www.cyglass.com . CyGlass is a subsidiary of Nominet Inc. ABOUT INGRAM MICRO Ingram Micro helps businesses realise the promise of technology. It delivers a full spectrum of global technology and supply chain services to businesses around the world. Deep expertise in technology solutions, mobility, cloud, and supply chain solutions enables its business partners to operate efficiently and successfully in the markets they serve. Unrivaled agility, deep market insights and the trust and dependability that come from decades of proven relationships, set Ingram Micro apart and ahead. Discover how Ingram Micro can help you realise the promise of technology. For more information, please visit: https://www.ingrammicrocloud.com/au/en/

Contact: Betsy Kosheff Betsy.Kosheff@Cyglass.com 413-717-1410

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
NEW YORK -- The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) is pleased to announce the recipients of the inaugural Sagol Network GerOmic Award for Junior Faculty: Simone Sidoli, PhD, Assistant Professor, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Oscar Vivas, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine.

Given the biological complexity and heterogeneity of the aging process, the emerging field of GerOmics research--which utilizes Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Systems Research, and Tech to study the biology of aging--can play an important role in providing important insights into the aging process and many age-related diseases. Established in 2020, the Sagol Network GerOmic Award for Junior Faculty provides up to $100,000 for a one- to two-year award to junior faculty (MDs and PhDs) to conduct aging-related -Omics research.

Dr. Sidoli's project, "Accessible heterochromatin in exceptional longevity, a proteomics signature" will apply methods to investigate the composition of chromatin domains that unfold during aging.

Dr. Sidoli will investigate peculiar traits of the chromatin in long living individuals and their progeny. He will also optimize 3D cell culture models to treat chromatin regulations in vitro. "With 3D cell technology, we grow small synthetic organs that accurately model the physiology of solid tissues, allowing us to mature hundreds of biological replicates in a small bioreactor minimizing the use of animal testing and plastic waste," he notes.

Dr. Vivas' project "Gero-Proteomics of the Autonomic Nervous System: A path to understanding the age-associated loss of organ control" will focus on homeostasis, the ability of the body to maintain an internal equilibrium in response to external changes. "Despite the recognized age-related decline in homeostasis, little is known about the direct effects of age on the function of the autonomic nervous system," notes Dr. Vivas. "The main goal of this project is to fill the gap in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind the age-related deterioration of the autonomic nervous system."

"GerOmics research is essential to help unfold the complexity of biology of aging," says Stephanie Lederman, Executive Director, AFAR. "AFAR is grateful for the support of the Sagol Network in launching this award and building the path to -Omics research to extend healthspan."

"In establishing this program, the Sagol Network recognized that AFAR's respected review process and global reputation as a leader in the field of aging research would ensure the brightest talent is supported," says Sami Sagol, Founder, Sagol Network. "We are encouraged that Dr. Vivas and Dr. Sidoldi are integrating Omics to advance biomedical research and excited for the impact of their studies and future of this grant program."

Dr. Vivas recently presented highlights of his Omics-based research at "The Future is Now: Innovations in AI and Big Data for Healthspan and Longevity," hosted by AFAR on February 9. A recording of the event is available here: https:/ / www. afar. org/ events/ the-future-is-now-scientific-symposium-and-awards-ceremony-online .

###

About AFAR

The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) is a national non-profit organization that supports and advances pioneering biomedical research that is revolutionizing how we live healthier and longer. For four decades, AFAR has served as the field's talent incubator, providing more than $184 million to more than 4,200 investigators at premier research institutions nationwide. A trusted leader and strategist, AFAR also works with public and private funders to steer high quality grant programs and interdisciplinary research networks. AFAR-funded researchers are finding that modifying basic cellular processes can delay--or even prevent--many chronic diseases, often at the same time. They are discovering that it is never too late--or too early--to improve health. This groundbreaking science is paving the way for innovative new therapies that promise to improve and extend our quality of life--at any age. Learn more at http://www. afar. org or follow AFARorg on Twitter and Facebook.

About the Sagol Network

The Sagol Network was set up by the Sagol Family with a vision to support and accelerate advanced research, education and therapy in the fields of Neuroscience & Healthy lifespan. Under the leadership of Sami Sagol, the family set up a virtual network of schools & research centers based in leading academic and medical institutions promoting multidisciplinary projects, laboratories, and technologies. Among these, The Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University, Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center at Sheba Medical Centre, Sagol Institute for Longevity Research, Weizmann Institute, The Sagol Center for Neurobiology & Ethology and Emily Sagol Center for Creative Art Therapy at Haifa University, Sagol center for Brain & Mind at the IDC , The Sagol Brain center at Sourasky (Tel Aviv) medical center, The Sagol program for computational healthcare at Hebrew University, Kahn-Sagol-Maccabi Health Data Science Institute and The Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine & Research at Shamir Medical Center. Recently, the Sagol Network's philanthropic efforts have also extended to 'bridge' & promote collaborations between Ivy league institutions throughout the world, with initiatives such as Sagol MIT-Weizmann Bridge program, Sagol-Kandel Brain Longevity Initiative at Columbia University, and The Sagol Center for Epigenetics of Metabolism and Aging between Monash University, in Sydney and Tel Aviv Medical Center. The Sagol Network GerOmic Awards for Junior Faculty with American Federation for Aging Research exemplify the Sagol Network's global approach.
An aide who was fired by Republican state Sen. Wendy Rogers on Wednesday filed a $500,000 claim against the state for wrongful termination and harassment he says were caused by the senator.

The claim is a required step before Michael Polloni Jr. can file a lawsuit. If the state doesnt agree to settle, Polloni can go to court. The claim is against the state, and does not name Rogers. But Pollonis attorney said he may take legal action against her later.

The move comes a day after a divided Arizona Senates Ethics Committee dismissed a complaint against Rogers, who was accused by her former assistant of berating and cursing him during a tirade, making comments about his weight, asking him to do political work on state time and to work while he was out sick recovering from the coronavirus.

The three Republicans on the panel agreed that the evidence collected during an investigation by the committees attorney did not meet the clear and convincing standard required to sustain the complaint and mete out punishment to Rogers.

The two Democrats disagreed, saying there was ample evidence that Rogers yelled and cursed at the assistant and repeatedly asked him to work while he was out sick. They said dismissing the complaint would send the wrong message to other lawmakers and staff.

Polloni, 20, put his college work at Northern Arizona University on hold to take the job helping the newly elected lawmaker in December. He was fired by the Senate on Jan. 14, the day he said Rogers yelled and cursed at him. Rogers apparently played no role in his termination.

Michael was bullied, harassed, and humiliated during his employment by Sen. Rogers, the claim says. She accused him of lying about being ill with COVID-19 to get out of work. She mocked his family and his faith. She attempted to force him to do work for her while he was ill and on medical leave. She discarded and damaged his personal property.

And when Michael had recovered from the virus and was finally able to return to work and get back to the job he had put his college education on hold to pursue, Sen. Rogers assaulted him verbally and physically, and then fired him.

In a written response to the Ethics Committee before it met Tuesday, Rogers called the allegations a complete fabrication by an outgoing, brand new employee who worked only one official day for the state of Arizona after the swearing in of senators.

Rogers also said the complaint contains no allegations that she either broke the law or violated Senate ethics rules.

The investigation conducted by a Senate attorney found little corroboration for many of Pollonis allegations but did locate a witness who backed his claim that Rogers yelled and cursed at him in her office the day he was fired.

Pollonis attorney, Adam Kwasman, said what Rogers and the state did to his client will impact him for years.

The Ethics committee report plainly revealed more than sufficient evidence demonstrating  wrongful behavior by the State of Arizona and Sen. Rogers, Kwasman said in a statement. Mr. Polloni deserves justice for all he has endured these past months.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Arizona
A 20-year-old sophomore at Bowling Green State University in Ohio died on Sunday evening, three days after attending what university officials called an off-campus fraternity event that was said to include hazing activity involving alcohol consumption.

The Bowling Green Police Department is investigating the case, Lt. Dan Mancuso, the public information officer for the department, said on Sunday evening. He declined to provide additional details.

The death of the student, Stone Foltz, 20, of Delaware, Ohio, was announced on Sunday evening by Sean Alto, a lawyer representing the students family. The death of Stone Foltz is a tragedy, he said. At this time we are gathering all of the facts leading to his untimely death, and we have no interest in commenting on speculation.

Earlier on Sunday, Mr. Alto said that Mr. Foltz was being kept alive for the purpose of donating his organs so that others may have a second chance at life.
According to a March 5 report by the New York Times, an FBI official has confirmed that a Trump associate was in contact with a member of the Proud Boys in the days leading up to the January 6 fascistic assault on the US Capitol. The Times article does not reveal the name of the FBI official.

The report follows an FBI announcement on Thursday that the Justice Department filed multiple charges against a former State Department official who was appointed by former President Donald Trump. The individual, Federico Klein, is a Marine Corps veteran who participated in the US invasion of Iraq. He has been indicted and arrested for assaulting police with a stolen riot shield as he stormed the Capitol.

The FBI confirmed that Klein has held a top secret security clearance since 2014. He is the first person thus far charged in the attempted coup who is directly connected to the Trump White House.

Masked Proud Boys at a protest in Raleigh, North Carolina [Wikimedia Commons]

According to the Times March 5 article, the unnamed FBI official told the newspaper that the communications gathered by the agency include location, cellular and call data showing back and forth communication between the Proud Boys member and the Trump White House. No details on the identity of the Proud Boys member or the White House official involved, or the content of the communications, are given in the article.

The Times reports that the FBI official told it the information was obtained via a geofence warrant that included all Android devices Google recorded in the Capitol as the assault was ongoing. In congressional testimony last week, FBI official Jill Sanborn claimed that all data collected by the FBI in connection with the January 6 attack on the Capitol had been obtained through legal search warrants and subpoenas.

Sanborn also made the improbable claim that the FBI was not able to prevent the assault on Congress because it had not been monitoring publicly available social media posts by militia groups on websites such as Facebook and Twitter in which they discussed their plans. Sanborn argued that this demonstrated the need for the FBI to have more tools, such as legal license to break encryption, to prevent future attacks.

The connections between Trump, the Republican Party and the Proud Boys are well known. At a Trump campaign rally in Miami, Florida, on February 18, 2019, the chairman of the Proud Boys, Henry Enrique Tarrio, was given a prime seat directly behind Trump. Moreover, during the presidential debate last September, Trump refused to condemn white supremacists militias and instructed the Proud Boys, by name, to stand back and stand by in the event Biden was declared the winner in the November 2020 election.

In its March 5 article, the Times states that the data revealed to it does not show any communications between insurrectionists and members of Congress on the day of the attempted coup. This, however, does not contradict earlier claims by Democratic representatives such as Mikie Sherrill who stated that they saw Republican representatives giving reconnaissance tours on the eve of January 6 to outside groups believed to be far-right militias, such as the Oath Keepers, the III Percenters and the Proud Boys, all of which have had members charged connection with in the assault.

In a separate interview the Times published Friday with Tarrio, the Proud Boys leader claimed that the FBI might be referring to communications between himself and Roger Stone that occurred on January 2. Tarrio said he had put Stone on speakerphone to address a crowd that was protesting outside the home of Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio, urging him to reject the Electoral College results. However, the Times said that the communications in question were not related to that interaction.

Tarrio was arrested on January 4 as he entered Washington D.C., ostensibly in connection with his role in the burning of a Black Lives Matter banner during a violent December 12 Proud Boy/Trump rally in D.C. that ended with dozens of injuries, including 4 stabbings. Tarrio admitted to the Washington Post after the rally that he had burned the banner.

Stone has been involved with the fascist group for at least the last three years, an association that assumed a more prominent role after the groups founder, Gavin McInnes, stepped down as chairman in 2018, to be replaced by Tarrio. In one of the first appearances Stone and the Proud Boys made together, Stone enlisted the group to provide security during the annual Dorchester Conference, held in Salem, Oregon, in March of 2018.

In a February 2019 Washington D.C. federal court appearance, Stone admitted that he worked closely with the fascist group, enlisting volunteers such as InfoWars reporter Jacob Engels, Florida Proud Boys chapter founder Tyler Ziolkowski, and Tarrio. Stone admitted that Engels and Tarrio regularly spent time at his home in Florida, along with five or six volunteers, who, he claimed, had access to his phone and email accounts.

In an interview with CNN following the attempted coup, Ziolkowski claimed that he was not in D.C. on January 6, but that Engels was with Stone that day. The day before the attempted coup, Stone had spoken at the One Nation Under God prayer rally hosted by Virginia Women for Trump in front of the US Supreme Court. During that appearance, Stone was flanked by Oath Keeper militia members, some of whom served as security for him as he left the Willard Hotel the morning of January 6, and later participated in the storming of the Capitol.

On February 23, the Clark County Republican Party in Washington state voted to formally censure Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler over her vote to impeach Trump. The Columbian reported that at that meeting, Proud Boy Tusitala Tiny Toese served as the sergeant-at-arms. Toese has been a fixture at far-right and Proud Boys protests in the Pacific Northwest, where he could be spotted wearing a black t-shirt reading Pinochet did nothing wrong.
The Boxborough site will be developed in phases, and work on the first two phases has begun. Total investment in Boxborough is expected to exceed $150 million, and with the first phases of construction underway, start-up of GMP suites is expected early in 2022. The facility will employ more than 250 people, and is designed to flexibly support clients, including dedicated lab and GMP capacity that can support commercial products or a pipeline of products for a client. The GMP manufacturing suites are designed to be flexible in scale, size and design to accommodate client and product-specific processing requirements for both drug substance and finished drug product. Initial multi-client capacity will include up to multiple 2,000L scale single-use bioreactors for anaerobic bacteria or 1,000L scale single-use fermenters for aerobic bacteria and fully automated drug product manufacturing. Additionally, Arranta plans to add secondary packaging and labeling capabilities at the facility.

"We are excited by the recent clinical results that demonstrate the potential of microbiome therapies to positively impact patient outcomes in a broad range of diseases," Mark Bamforth, Executive Chair and CEO of Arranta Bio, said. "This new facility demonstrates Arranta's commitment to support the increasing maturity of the microbiome live biotherapeutic product sector by offering innovators best-in-class development and GMP manufacturing capabilities that support their programs from lab to market."

"In discussions with leading microbiome innovators, we see strong interest in dedicated client capacity and new manufacturing capabilities to meet the commercial supply needs of this sector," David Stevens, President and COO of Arranta Bio, said. "We are continuing to expand our organization, adding experience and skills to meet clients' needs, and expect to have over 200 on our team by the end of 2021 and up to 500 employees once fully staffed."

Arranta invested more than $100 million in 2020 to expand its process development and early clinical GMP supply capacity at its campus in Gainesville, and established a state-of-the-art, multi-product, commercial-ready manufacturing facility in Watertown. The Watertown facility was completed at the end of 2020 and is now being commissioned to supply live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) to microbiome innovator companies.

"We are delighted to have the continued support and enthusiasm of our existing shareholders, who over-subscribed in a Series B equity financing round, which will be used to fund the initial build-out and start-up of the Boxborough facility and to fuel additional long-term growth for Arranta," said Steven Favaloro, CFO at Arranta Bio. The amount raised was not disclosed.

About 400 companies are actively exploring the linkage between diseases and the microbiome  millions of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses that live inside and on the human body  in order to identify therapeutic targets. Scientists have called the microbiome the second genome. In fact, the number of genes in the microbes making up one person's microbiome is estimated to be at least 200 times the number in the human genome.

In the past decade, the industry has experienced a rapid acceleration in scientific understanding of the composition and functions of gut microbiota. Arranta is proud to be the leading CDMO focused on supporting the supply needs of these innovator companies.

About Arranta Bio

Founded in 2019, Arranta Bio is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specifically established to focus on serving companies seeking to develop and commercialize therapies targeting the human microbiome. In November 2019, Arranta Bio acquired Captozyme  the leader in process development and clinical contract manufacturing for microbiome pioneers  whose experienced team has worked with and developed processes for over 135 different species spanning 85 different genera of live biotherapeutics since 2009. Headed by a management team and technical experts with a proven track record in both process development and contract manufacturing through fermentation to lyophilization and encapsulation of live biopharmaceuticals, Arranta Bio offers the knowledge and resources necessary to help clients develop and manufacture promising new microbiome therapies and plasmids to meet the needs of patients. Additional information about Arranta Bio is available at www.arrantabio.com.

About Ampersand Capital Partners

Founded in 1988, Ampersand is a middle market private equity firm with more than $2 billion of assets under management dedicated to growth-oriented investments in the healthcare sector. With offices in Boston and Amsterdam, Ampersand leverages its unique blend of private equity and operating experience to build value and drive superior long-term performance alongside its portfolio company management teams. Ampersand has helped build numerous market-leading companies across each of the firm's core healthcare sectors. Additional information about Ampersand is available at www.ampersandcapital.com.

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Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Minneapolis on Sunday - the eve of the first day of ex-cop Derek Chauvin's trial over the death of George Floyd.

The protesters followed behind a replica coffin covered in red roses as chants of 'No Justice, No Peace' rang through the city where Chauvin pressed his knee into the neck of Floyd for nearly nine minutes as he gasped for breath and pleaded for relief during an arrest on May 25, 2020.

Chauvin's trial on charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter is slated to begin with jury selection on Monday morning in the Hennepin County district court.

Lawyers for both sides face the difficult task of finding jurors who, in the intensely publicized case, have not already made up their minds about Chauvin's guilt or innocence.

The process is expected to take up to three weeks, with arguments slated to begin on March 29.

Minneapolis has been preparing for unrest surrounding the trial for weeks, calling in up to 2,000 National Guard members and 1,100 other law enforcement officers to patrol the streets.

Sunday's protest marked the first of many anticipated in the coming weeks at the courthouse, which has been adorned with concrete barriers and barbed-wire fencing.

Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Minneapolis on Sunday - the eve of the start of ex-cop Derek Chauvin's trial over the death of George Floyd

The protesters followed behind a replica coffin covered in red roses as chants of 'No Justice, No Peace' rang out

Protesters carried a banner with the words: 'I can't breathe' - the same statement George Floyd made over and over as Chauvin pressed his knee into the black man's neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest on May 25, 2020

Protesters raise their fists and chant during the 'I Can?t Breathe' Silent March for Justice on Sunday in Minneapolis

Crews work to board up a business as demonstrators march in downtown Minneapolis on Sunday

Derek Chauvin (left) is facing second degree murder and manslaughter charges in the death of George Floyd (right)

Many protesters Sunday said they worry that Chauvin will walk free, but warned that this would not come without consequences.

'I hope that our legal system allows all evidence to be presented and that we get a conviction, but I don't expect it,' Billie Jean Vanknight, a 43-year-old Black woman, told AFP.

'If he walks free, I want even more people on the streets,' she added, saying his acquittal would have to serve as a 'wake-up call' and advocating non-violent responses.

'I hope to get to justice, but I don't know what to expect,' said Allie Jacox, 36.

'People are afraid of changes,' said Jacox, who is African-American.

A child places a flower on a fence near a Black Lives Matter placard during Sunday's rally in Minneapolis

Many protesters Sunday said they worry Chauvin will walk free, but warned that this would not come without consequences

People carry a casket covered in roses during a march in honor of George Floyd on Sunday in Minneapolis

Minneapolis has been preparing for unrest surrounding the trial for weeks, calling in up to 2,000 National Guard members and 1,100 other law enforcement officers to patrol the streets. Pictured: Protesters at Sunday's rally

People carry a mock casket meant to symbolize George Floyd during the rally on Sunday

Law enforcement officers lock the barricades in front of the Hennepin County Government Center on Sunday

Chauvin's case promises to be extraordinary: it will feature star attorneys, be held under tight security and be livestreamed.

It will also be intensely watched as a potential marker of change in a country that recently elected its first Black vice president, but where police officers historically have often escaped punishment for abusive acts.

It will feature gripping testimony, as foreshadowed Sunday by Benjamin Crump, a prominent civil rights attorney representing the Floyd family.

Video of Chauvin pressing his knee into Floyd's neck went viral and sparked protests around the country and the world

'You look at the video, and you hear him say 28 times, 'I can't breathe,'' Crump told ABC's 'This Week.'

'The public is begging the police to take the knee off his neck. They say his nose is bleeding; he can't breathe; he is going unconscious -- you're going to kill him.'

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, social distancing rules mean seating will be limited, with the Floyd and Chauvin families allowed only one seat a day.

Despite intense global interest, only two reporters will be allowed in each day, with scores of others watching monitors from a nearby building.

The Minnesota attorney general's office brought in Neal Katyal, a former US acting solicitor general who has argued cases before the Supreme Court, to help with the prosecution.

Ashley Heiberger, a former police officer who now works as an advisor on police practices, said: 'The fact that a police officer has been charged criminally for an abusive use of force, that in and of itself is an outlier.'

'It's even rarer for them to be convicted.'

The circumstances surrounding 44-year-old Chauvin's case, however, are so troubling that 'to the best of my knowledge, no police officers or police organizations came out and defended his action,' Heiberger said.

Three other police officers involved in Floyd's arrest -- Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao -- face lesser charges and will be tried separately.

All four officers were fired by the Minneapolis Police Department.

Floyd's arrest was prompted by accusations that he tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill in a nearby store.

Protesters participate in the I Cant Breathe - Silent March for Justice in front of the Hennepin County Government Center

Demonstrators carried an array of different signs demanding an end to police killings of black people

A woman puts down a flower at a coffin placed outside the Hennepin County Government Center on Sunday

Dozens gather for 'Pray for MN' outside the Hennepin County Government Center on Sunday

Chauvin, a 19-year veteran of the force, was released from prison on bail in the fall and is expected to plead not guilty to the murder and manslaughter charges.

'Mr Chauvin acted according to MPD policy, his training and within his duties as a licensed peace officer of the State of Minnesota,' said his lawyer, Eric Nelson. 'He did exactly as he was trained to do.'

According to Nelson, Floyd died of an overdose of fentanyl.

An autopsy did find traces of the drug in Floyd's system but said the cause of death was 'neck compression.'

It will take a unanimous verdict by the 12-member jury to put Chauvin behind bars for what could be a long prison sentence.

A hung jury could give rise to another wave of anti-racism demonstrations.

The authorities have mobilized thousands of police officers and members of the National Guard to provide security.

The courthouse where the trial will take place currently resembles an armed camp, surrounded by concrete barriers and barbed-wire fencing.

Prospective jurors have been presented with a 16-page questionnaire.

'How favorable or unfavorable are you about Black Lives Matter?' is one of the questions.

'Have you ever watched video of George Floyd's death?' is another. 'If yes, how many times?'

A verdict is not expected until late April.

Law enforcement officers lock a barricade outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis on Sunday
A former vice principal of Bangor Grammar School accused of sexually abusing a past pupil was today told he will go on trial in August.

Lindsay Thompson Brown, who will be 81 next week, was formally arraigned today before Belfast Crown Court where his expected three-day trial will take place in the summer.

Mr Brown, originally from Bangor, but now with an address in Pirou in the Normandy region in the north-west of France, is accused of the indecent assault on a male between May 1978 and September that year.

In response to the clerk of the Crown Court after putting the single charge to him, Mr Brown replied: I plead not guilty.

No details surrounding the alleged sex abuse was given during the short hearing and the former vice principle of the prestigious grammar school was remanded back into custody.
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Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed Sunday that China had agreed to accept international conventions banning forced labor in order to wrap up China-EU investment talks late last year.

Wang also urged the United States to reopen dialogue with China and abolish all the restrictions imposed on the country as part of efforts to reset China-U.S. relations.

At a wide-ranging press conference about Chinas foreign relations during the annual national political gatherings in Beijing, Wang told reporters, I can say it explicitly that China will honor its commitment in the agreement, including making efforts to ratify relevant international labor conventions.

The foreign ministers confirmation came a week after President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts for an early entry into the China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) during a phone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron late last month.

The two sides announced on Dec. 30 that they had concluded the investment agreement that would grant European companies expanded access to the worlds second-largest economy.

According to EU Ambassador to China Nicolas Chapuis, China made a key concession to ratify the fundamental conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO), clearing the final hurdle for the talks to be concluded before the year-end deadline.

In the face of crisis and challenges, China-EU relations have demonstrated resilience and vitality sending out a positive message to the world, Wang said at Sundays press conference.

He dismissed the notion that China is trying to sow division between Europe and the United States by improving its relations with the EU. The China-EU relationship is equal and open, he said, adding that the two sides are not targeting any third party or controlled by anyone else.

Regarding China as the most serious competitor, U.S. President Joe Bidens administration has been advocating for a coordinated approach with its allies and partners in the EU and Asia in dealing with Beijing.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will travel to Japan and South Korea in mid-March for foreign policy coordination in the Indo-Pacific region. In a foreign policy speech last week, Blinken said: Our relationship with China will be competitive when it should be, collaborative when it can be, and adversarial when it must be.

In Beijing, Wang accused the U.S. of willfully interfering in other countries internal affairs in the name of democracy and human rights.

This created lots of trouble in the world and in some cases, turbulence and conflict, he said. It is important that the United States recognizes this as soon as possible. Otherwise, the world will remain far from tranquility.

Wang called on the U.S. to remove all its restrictions on bilateral cooperation as early as possible, (and) not create new obstacles," adding that the two sides should manage differences effectively through candid communication to prevent strategic miscalculation and avoid conflict and confrontation.

Contact reporter Lu Zhenhua (zhenhualu@caixin.com) and editor Michael Bellart (michaelbellart@caixin.com)

Read more about Caixins coverage of Chinas Two Sessions 2021.

Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go.

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(@FahadShabbir)

Dubai, March 8 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Mar, 2021 ) :At least eight migrants and guards were killed, and scores more injured, in a fire on Sunday at a holding facility in Yemen's capital, the International Organization for Migration said.

"Eight people confirmed dead, the total death toll is reported to be much higher," tweeted Carmela Godeau, IOM's regional director for the middle East and North Africa.

"IOM is responding particularly with emergency health care for over 170 injured, more than 90 of them are in a serious condition."Godeau said that it "remains unclear" how the fire at the centre in Sanaa started, adding: "This is just one of the many dangers that migrants have faced during the past six years of the crisis in Yemen."It is believed thousands of migrants are stranded in Yemen, where a years-long conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions in what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
The Democrats intend to ride the mini-riot at the Capitol on January 6 for all it is worth. One aspect of their strategy is lawsuits by people like Eric Swalwell. Swalwell has sued President Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., Rudy Giuliani and Congressman Mo Brooks for, among other things, intentional infliction of emotional distress. Is there any chance the rest of us can sue Swalwell for the emotional distress he has caused us? I suppose not.

Swalwells complaint goes on and on, for 65 pages. It recites all of the Democratic Partys talking points about the election and its aftermath. It isnt worth critiquing in detail, but here are a few observations.

Swalwells complaint is weirdly pseudo-religious, referring repeatedly to sacraments and the sacredness of the U.S. Capitol. I am not sure that is what the Founders had in mind. It begins:

The peaceful transfer of power is a sacrament of American democracy. Donald Trump, his son Donald Trump Jr., his advisor Rudy Giuliani, and Congressman Mo Brooks, together with many others, defiled that sacrament through a campaign of lies and incendiary rhetoric which led to the sacking of the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.

This is Swalwells real grievance:

Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election; he was unwilling to accept defeat.

Just like Hillary Clinton, the FBI, the CIA, the Washington Post and the New York Times in 2016.

After his electoral defeat, Trump and the other Defendants conspired to undermine the election results by alleging, without evidence, that the election had been rigged.

There is a great deal of evidence, Swalwell just prefers not to mention it. As I have said before, we probably will never know whether the Democrats stole the 2020 election, but we know for sure that they tried hard to steal it.

By his own account, Swalwell cowered in fear before the insurrection led by the guy with a fur hat and horns:

The Plaintiff prepared himself for possible hand-to-hand combat as he took off his jacket and tie and searched for makeshift instruments of self-defense. He listened in shock as the House Chaplaina veteran of war herselfbegan praying for the members from the Rostrum.

I suppose it is too politically incorrect, even for me, to suggest that hand-to-hand combat between the detestable Eric Swalwell and the guy with the horns and the nipple tattoos would be worth the price of admission. Swalwell continues:

As the Plaintiff watched this horror unfold, he texted with his wife in what he felt could be his last moments, telling her I love you very much. And our babies.

No word on whether he texted the Chinese spy Fang Fang.

The complaint goes on and on. In my opinion, President Trump did some dumb things following the election along with others that were not at all dumb. He did not, however, incite a riot on January 6, as Swalwells complaint confirms. The most incendiary language he can quote from Trumps speech is:

Trump implored the crowd to fight like hell and walk down Pennsylvania Avenue . . . to the Capitol.

That is weak tea, obviously. Swalwell apparently overlooked the part where Trump said, If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun! Now that is a real incitement to violence. But waitthat wasnt Donald Trump, it was Barack Obama.

The salient point, if there is one, is that the Democrats intend not just to defeat Donald Trump but to spend the rest of Trumps life persecuting him. Attorneys General in states like New York are insistently demanding his tax returns, his accountant reportedly is under severe pressure to turn states evidence, and ridiculous lawsuits like Swalwells will continue to provide talking points for those who hate Trump, for years to come. The Democrats want Trump to be like Hector, not just killed in battle but dragged around the city walls behind a chariot. Repeatedly.

So that no one who is not a member of the club will ever be so bold as to seek the presidency again. Spill secrets to a Chinese spy as a member of the House Intelligence Committee? No problem! Stand up for the interests of working Americans? Call out the FBI.

PAUL ADDS: I hope the case will be dismissed, but only after Swalwell, having put his emotional state at issue, submits to an examination by a mental health professional of the defendants choosing.
A newspaper is blown by the wind after it is placed on a railing by a television crew outside Buckingham Palace in London, Monday, March 8, 2021. Britain's royal family is absorbing the tremors from a sensational television interview by Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex, in which the couple said they encountered racist attitudes and a lack of support that drove Meghan to thoughts of suicide. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Kirsty Wigglesworth
Symbol Waveform Hopping is a transformative capability for signal protection. No other technology can fully protect a signal with the latency and power efficiency of Symbol Waveform Hopping - Dr. Jerrold Prothero, CEO

Astrapi Corporation has been awarded its second Phase I SBIR contract from the United States Air Force. This is in addition to a USAF Agility Prime STTR Phase I also recently awarded to Astrapi.

The new contract, awarded through AFVentures, is based on Astrapis advanced signal protection capability, Symbol Waveform Hopping (SWH). Astrapi recently completed the competitive Catalyst Cyber Space program, sponsored by the Air Force Research Lab/Space Vehicles directorate, with admission based upon Air Force interest in SWH.

Recent interest coincides with issuance of Astrapi U.S. Patent No. 10,931,403, Communications Devices, Systems, Software and Methods Employing Symbol Waveform Hopping.

Symbol Waveform Hopping (SWH) is a new physical-layer Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) communication technology. It is like frequency hopping (FH), but in the time domain instead of the frequency domain. Unlike FH, SWH is theoretically secure. Unlike encryption, SWH has no latency or power overhead. SWH is secure against any amount of conventional or quantum computing, because the challenge it poses is not computational complexity; SWH is protected by resolution against the noise floor.

SWH has broad application across multiple sectors. This technology represents a major derivative advancement of Astrapis Spiral Modulation capability. Astrapi continues to make foundational improvements at the core physical layer of the communications stack.

Dr. Jerrold Prothero, Founder and CEO of Astrapi Corporation, stated Symbol Waveform Hopping is a transformative capability for signal protection. No other technology can fully protect a signal with the latency and power efficiency of Symbol Waveform Hopping. And, looking forward, it is fully secure against quantum computers. Symbol Waveform Hopping is equivalent to forcing potential signal interceptors to recognize an image that is smaller than their pixel size. No amount of computation can improve resolution.

Symbol Waveform Hopping exploits the huge symbol waveform design space that is characteristic of Astrapis patented Spiral Modulation technology. Astrapi developed the use of Polynomial Symbol Waveform (PSW) alphabets, in which each short message (symbol) corresponds to a particular bandlimited polynomial. By creating many PSW alphabets, SWH enables switching between PSW alphabets in a pseudo-random process known only to the sender and intended receiver.

ABOUT Astrapi Corporation

Astrapi is the pioneer of Spiral Modulation, which opens an unexplored area for innovation at the core of telecommunications. Currently Astrapi has thirteen US patents issued, with more pending and with corresponding international patent coverage. Based on a generalization of Eulers formula, the foundational mathematics for telecommunications, Astrapi provides fundamentally new ways to optimize the use of the spectrum. By applying this new mathematics to signal modulation, Astrapi is able to improve the trade-off between the four fundamental parameters in telecommunications: bandwidth, signal power, data throughput, and error rate. The resulting efficiency translates into higher spectral performance with more bits available at a lower cost. Derivative technologies support unique capabilities for Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) communication and in-the-field measurement of real-world nonstationary spectra. Further information at http://www.astrapi-corp.com

ABOUT AFWERX

Established in 2017, AFWERX is a product of the U.S. Air Force, directly envisioned by former Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson. Her vision of AFWERX  to solve some of the toughest challenges that the Air Force faces through innovation and collaboration amongst our nations top subject matter experts. AFWERX serves as a catalyst to unleash new approaches for the warfighter through a growing ecosystem of innovators. AFWERX and the U.S. Air Force are committed to exploring viable solutions and partnerships to further strengthen the Air Force, which could lead to additional prototyping, R&D, and follow-on production contracts.
CHICAGO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Equality Can't Wait Challenge, which will award $40 million to help expand women's power and influence in the United States by 2030, announced 10 projects that will move on to the final stage of the competition.

The Challenge, hosted by Pivotal Ventures, Melinda Gates' investment and incubation companywith additional support from MacKenzie Scott and Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, and managed by Lever for Changewas launched in June 2020 to accelerate the pace of progress toward gender equality in America.

In the summer of 2021, the Challenge will grant three $10 million awards, with an additional $10 million to be allocated among finalists, bringing the total to $40 million. The Challenge will provide funding for innovative, women-led solutions that enable more women, particularly Black, Indigenous, and other women of color, to be in positions to make decisions, control resources, and shape policies and perspectives in their homes, workplaces, and communities.

"Gender inequality isn't inevitable," said Melinda Gates, founder of Pivotal Ventures. "Solutions exist, but scaling them requires investment. The Equality Can't Wait Challenge has proven there's no shortage of actionable ideas to drive progress for women and that donors are willing to meet bold ideas with big resources. Our hope is that this Challenge serves as a source of connection between innovators and funders, so promising ideas can get the support they need to create change."

There was an enthusiastic response to the Challenge, with a total of more than 550 proposals for expanding women's power and influence from nearly every state in the country. Proposals were evaluated by peers and an expert panel of 130 leaders from sectors including philanthropy, media, entrepreneurship, finance, and academia.

"These organizations are finding new ways to build power and voice for women in their personal and professional communities," added MacKenzie Scott. "The deep empathy and creative partnerships in the finalists' approaches inspire hope for change."

The finalist projects that emerged from the Challenge cover a broad range of topic areas, organization sizes, geographies, and populations.

"I believe gender equality will strengthen both the economic and social fabric of the United States," said Stacy Schusterman, Chair of Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. "Only when all women are able to realize their full potential, including Black, Indigenous and other women of color, will our country thrive. The barriers to gender equality will only be removed when women are in the driver's seat to design solutions that address the most pressing issues they face. The finalists in the Equality Can't Wait Challenge have already shown us what women can achieve when their voices are heard and their talent is unleashed."

"Progress towards gender equality was slow even before COVID-19," said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change. "Since the pandemic began, the barriers facing women especially Black, Indigenous, and other women of colorhave become higher and harder to overcome. Equality Can't Wait is rising to the challenge, bringing together innovators and leaders, who inspire us with their bold solutions. Collectively, these finalist organizations will bring about lasting change in women's lives for generations to come."

The 10 finalist projects are listed below in alphabetical order:

A Call to Action: Holding Society Accountable for Intimate Violence: In partnership with thousands of survivors of intimate partner violence across the country, FreeFrom will build an ecosystem of long-term supportincluding survivors' banks, credit card companies, health providers, and employersto reframe our understanding of the problem as a systemic economic issue, hold society accountable, and help survivors to build collective power and influence.

Building Power Among Grassroots Social Justice Feminist Leaders: Family Values @ Work will scale up their leadership development programs that help women step into power while deepening their social justice feminist analysis and practice (meaning an intersectional, holistic feminist movement-building approach).

Building Women's Equality through Strengthening the Care Infrastructure: The National Domestic Workers Alliance, Caring Across Generations, the National Women's Law Center, The Arc, MomsRising Education Fund, and Family Values @ Work, propose to accelerate women's equality by infusing the idea of care as a shared responsibility and coordinating solutions to transform caregiving for all.

Changing the Face of Tech: Ada Developers Academy supports women and gender-diverse adults, particularly underrepresented minorities, in becoming software developers. Through this proposed project, Ada will expand nationally by providing corporate social justice and management training to 420 of the world's leading technology companies and expand its immersive coding program to train and place 12,000 additional women and gender-diverse folks in technology jobs, increasing their incomes and earning power, and diversifying this critical sector.

Equality Starts Here: Advancing Black Women's Rights in the South: This coalition comprising Oxfam America, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation/Black Women's Roundtable, Mississippi Black Women's Roundtable, and A Better Balance, proposes to increase the power and influence of Black women in the South using advocacy, rights awareness training, policy reform, and research.

Last Mile Education Fund: Last Mile facilitates degree attainment for low-income women in the high-demand sectors of technology and engineering, increasing both women's earning power and contributions to technology innovation. This project has the potential to scale to invest in 9,400 women technologists over the next five years, diversifying the sector and expanding women's leadership and influence in these vital fields.

Project Accelerate: Increasing Young Women's Power and Influence: Girls Inc.'s Project Accelerate proposes to accelerate young women's trajectories through college and career entry, leveraging partnerships with corporations to ensure their preparation and access to positions of influence.

The Future is Indigenous Womxn: Through this bold solution proposed by New Mexico Community Capital, Native Women Lead, and Nusenda Credit Union, Indigenous womxn will reclaim and define their sovereignty in business and finance, on a pathway towards economic liberation, leadership positions, transformative power shifts, and dignity.

The 19th*: News That Represents: The 19th* will transform the media landscape by giving marginalized women and LGBTQ+ people the news and community they need to equally participate in our democracy. The 19th* proposes to double the team's reporting capacity, investing in sophisticated distribution technology and introducing a groundbreaking fellowship program to train and place the next generation of women journalists from underrepresented communities in jobs.

Training Next Gen Women to Flex their Political Power: IGNITE will scale its impact-driven programs to train 100,000 young women a year to flex their political power as voters, activists, policymakers, and candidates.

Lever for Change is featuring the Equality Can't Wait Challenge finalists in its Bold Solutions Network. This Network seeks to match outstanding nonprofits and social enterprises from Lever for Change competitions with additional donors and funding to ensure that they secure the resources they need to carry out their vital work. Donors interested in supporting Equality Can't Wait Challenge projects may contact Dana Rice, Vice President of Philanthropy at Lever for Change.

Additionally, the hosts of the Challenge are exploring ways to spotlight other top competition proposals, with the goal of encouraging additional support for these bold ideas.

For more on the Challenge, visit www.equalitycantwaitchallenge.org.

Any competition questions should be addressed to [email protected].

Pivotal Ventures

Pivotal Ventures is an investment and incubation company created by Melinda Gates. We work with organizations and individuals to accelerate momentum where progress has stalled and use philanthropic and investment capital to substantially improve people's lives.

MacKenzie Scott

MacKenzie Scott has posted about her giving at The Giving Pledge, 116 Organizations Driving Change and 384 Ways to Help.

Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies

Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies (Schusterman) is a global organization that seeks to improve lives, strengthen communities and advance equity. Our philanthropic vision is grounded in a commitment to pursue justice, repair the world and treat all people with dignity and civility. We invest in efforts to improve public education in the United States, strengthen the Jewish people and Israel, and address the needs of marginalized individuals and communities. www.schusterman.org

Lever for Change

Lever for Change, a nonprofit affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, helps donors to find and fund solutions to the world's greatest challenges, ranging from racial and gender equity to economic development and climate change. Building on the success of the MacArthur Foundation's $100 million competition, 100&Change, Lever for Change customizes and manages open and transparent competitions for donors. In addition, we match donors with nonprofits and social enterprises in our Bold Solutions Network whose solutions to significant social challenges were highly ranked after rigorous evaluation in one of our competitions. Currently, Lever for Change is managing nine competitions, ranging in size from $10-to-100 million, awarding $295 million to grant recipients and strengthening dozens of top organizations. For more information, visit www.leverforchange.org.

CONTACT: Marc Moorghen, 773.789.1714, [email protected]

SOURCE Lever for Change

Related Links

https://www.leverforchange.org


In the days leading up to Oprah Winfrey's highly anticipated prime-time interview Sunday night with Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, CBS released a clip that showed Winfrey telling the couple, "You've said some pretty shocking things here."

That may have been an understatement.

Here are 10 takeaways from the interview, in which Winfrey noted that no subject was off-limits; Harry and Meghan didn't know what she was going to ask in advance; and they were not paid to appear in the special.

1. Meghan said she had suicidal thoughts as a member of the royal family.

Winfrey noted that Meghan had once said the daily onslaught of vitriol and condemnation from the U.K. press was "almost unsurvivable." (Meghan, who is biracial, in particular faced racist and sexist coverage in the tabloids not long after she and Harry started dating.) When Winfrey asked whether there was a breaking point, Meghan said that at one point after they got married in 2018, "I just didn't want to be alive anymore."

"That was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought," she said. Meghan said she went to several people in the "institution" (apparently meaning the palace and royal family, although she didn't name names) to get help and said, "I've never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere."

"And I was told that I couldn't," Meghan said. "That it wouldn't be good for the institution."

She also went to royal Human Resources. In response, Meghan said, while they were sympathetic, she was told, "There's nothing we can do to protect you, because you're not a paid employee of the institution."

"This was emails and begging for help, saying very specifically, 'I am concerned for my mental welfare,' " Meghan said. They agreed the attacks she was under were "disproportionately terrible," but no action was taken. "So we had to find a solution," she said.

"Did you ever think about going to a hospital?" Winfrey asked. "Or is that possible, that you can check yourself in someplace?"

"That's what I was asking to do . . . I couldn't, you know, call an Uber to the palace," Meghan said. "You have to understand, as well, when I joined that family, that was the last time . . . that I saw my passport, my driver's license, my keys. All that gets turned over."

Winfrey said it sounded like, "you were trapped and couldn't get help, even though you were on the verge of suicide."

"That's the truth," Meghan said. She added that Harry was very supportive, and he didn't want her to be home alone after she told him all of this. When Harry joined the interview later, he said at first he was "ashamed" to admit to his family that Meghan needed help and ultimately realized it was an issue that they wouldn't understand.

The royal line of thinking about his and Meghan's struggles with the loneliness and scrutiny of their lives, he said, was: "This is just how it is, this is how it is meant to be, you can't change it. We've all been through it."

"But what was different for me was the race element, because now it wasn't just about her - but it is about what she represents. And therefore, it wasn't just affecting my wife. It was affecting so many other people, as well," Harry said. "That was the trigger for me to really engage in those conversations with senior palace staff and with my family to say, 'Guys, this is not going to end well.' "

"When you say "end well," what did you mean?" Winfrey asked.

"For anyone, it's not going to end well," Harry said. "Because the way that I saw it was, there was a way of doing things. But for us, for this union and the specifics around her race, there was an opportunity - many opportunities - for my family to show some public support."

2. Meghan said someone at the palace expressed concern about Archie's skin color.

Meghan also revealed when she was pregnant with their now nearly 2-year-old son, Archie, there were "concerns and conversations" about how dark his skin would be when he was born - and that race may have played a role in why she and Harry were told he would not be given the title of prince, nor would the baby be given security after he was born.

Winfrey, upon hearing this, was stunned. "That's a conversation with you?" she asked. "About how dark your baby is going to be?" When Meghan didn't respond, she followed up: "You're not going to tell me who had the conversation?"

"I think that would be very damaging to them," Meghan said.

Later, Winfrey asked Harry to reveal more details. "That conversation, I'm never going to share," he said, and declined to say any more on the topic or specify who had talked to him about this.

3. Ultimately, they decided to "step back" as senior royals because of a lack of support.

At one point, Winfrey clarified: Did they make their bombshell decision to "step back" as senior royals and leave the United Kingdom for North America in January 2020 because "you were asking for help and couldn't get it?"

"Yeah, basically," Harry said. "But we never left."

Meghan agreed, adding that they envisioned just stepping back from their senior roles, and not necessarily giving up everything. (Buckingham Palace recently announced that the pair also will lose their royal patronages and honorary military titles.) But it became clear that the royal family was not going to be able to help them, or offer protection, and they needed to seek it elsewhere. They left Britain early last year, and ultimately settled in Montecito, Calif., where they have a $15 million estate and count Winfrey as a neighbor.

4. At one point, Prince Charles stopped taking Harry's calls.

Although the U.K. media reported that Queen Elizabeth II was "blindsided" by their decision to leave their royal duties, Harry said that he was in communication with his family before they released their statement in January 2020 and announced it to the world. However, at one point, his father, Prince Charles, stopped taking his calls.

Now, Harry said, he has talked to his father, but "there's a lot to work through there." He also expressed disappointment that his family didn't speak up to defend Meghan.

"I feel really let down," he said, adding that he hoped his father, who has been through similar painful situations, would support him more than he did. "I will always love him, but there's a lot that's happened."

He reiterated previous statements he made that he will also always love his brother, Prince William, but they're on separate paths. He also said that he has a "great relationship" with his grandmother, the queen, and they have talked more this year than they ever have before - including some Zoom calls with Archie. (Meghan said she also has always had a very good relationship with the queen.)

5. Meghan is still stunned at how she wasn't protected by the royal family.

When Winfrey asked if the couple had any regrets, Harry said no, and that he was proud of how he and Meghan handled things - their lives are much better now, compared with when he would come home in London and Meghan would be crying as she breastfed Archie. "So, we did what we had to do, and now we've got another little one on the way," he said. The couple recently confirmed Meghan is pregnant with their second child, due this summer, and they announced during the special that it's a girl.

Meghan, however, was more blunt about her regrets. "I have one," she told Winfrey. "My regret is believing them when they said I would be protected."

6. Meghan strongly disputed the story about how she made Catherine cry before the wedding.

About six months after Harry and Meghan wed, U.K. tabloid stories cropped up claiming that during a disagreement over Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress, Meghan reduced Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, to tears. On Sunday, not only did Meghan vehemently deny this, she said it was the opposite: Catherine made her cry.

"I don't say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding. And she was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologized," Meghan said. "And she brought me flowers and a note, apologizing." (Catherine is married to William, who also holds the title Duke of Cambridge, and Charlotte is one of their three children.)

So months later, Meghan was shocked to see the story twisted in the tabloids - and although she said there were many witnesses who could have come to her defense or shared the real story, none did. That marked a "turning point" Meghan said, as she realized she would be left to her own devices when there were negative media stories - and the general palace guidance was to always say "no comment."

7. Harry elaborated on the strange relationship between the royals and British press.

After Harry said that the royal family gives full access to reporters so they will receive favorable coverage, Winfrey looked genuinely confused: "What do you care about better press if you're royal?"

"There is a level of fear that has existed for generations," Harry said, and added that the "institution survives" on public perception. Meghan noted that the palace hosts holiday parties for the tabloids, and alluded that this symbiotic relationship may have explained why the family never pushed back against racist coverage of her in the media, even though "that changed the threat - that changed the level of death threats."

8. Harry and Meghan were "cut off" by the royal family last year.

The couple moved to Canada in late 2019 and the following January made their announcement that they were stepping back as senior royals. Shortly after, the palace said they would be cut off financially and also wouldn't have security because of their change in status. The Daily Mail published their location in Canada, and Harry said he was worried about security - especially with pandemic lockdowns looming - so they scrambled to move to the United States. Luckily, they said, media mogul Tyler Perry came through and let them temporarily borrow his house.

9. Harry and Meghan got married in secret three days before their public wedding.

They revealed that the archbishop of Canterbury actually married them in private, three days before the televised ceremony.

"We just said, 'Look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world, but we want our union between us,' " Meghan said. "So the vows that we have framed in our room are just the two of us in our backyard with the archbishop of Canterbury."

10. Archie's Chick Inn

The interview as a whole was very intense, so Winfrey made sure to include some lighter moments. Although the interview with the couple took place in a friend's backyard, she also visited Harry and Meghan's home, where they took her to see their rescue hens and chicken coop, appropriately named "Archie's Chick Inn."
PORTLAND, Ore., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, "Airport Duty-free Liquor Market by Type (Whiskey and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212027". As per the report, the global airport duty-free liquor industry was pegged at $8.9 billion in 2019, and is projected to garner $10.4 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 22.2% from 2021 to 2027.

Drivers, restraints, and opportunities

Changes in lifestyle, increase in tourism promotion, and surge in frequent fliers have boosted the growth of the global airport duty-free liquor market. However, strict government rules regarding airport retailing hamper the market growth. On the contrary, surge in disposable income, especially in developing countries is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market players in the future.

Request Sample Report at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/10457

Covid-19 scenario:

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, several governments imposed complete lockdown and international travel was halted. This affected airport duty-free liquor sales significantly.

Moreover, the prolonged lockdown resulted in unsold stock of duty-free liquors and some retailers have found imaginative ways to keep trading.

However, as some countries have lifted lockdown regulations, the sales of airport duty-free liquor would rise.

The others segment held the lion's share

By product, the others segment, which includes beer, wine, vodka, and cognac, held the largest share in 2019, accounting for around 90% of the global airport duty-free liquor market. Moreover, the segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 22.8% during the forecast period, owing to increase in air passenger traffic and rise in female drinkers. The report includes an analysis of the whiskey segment.

Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, held the largest share

By region, the global airport duty-free liquor market across Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, dominated in 2019, contributing to more than two-fifths of the market. In addition, the region is expected to register the highest CAGR of 27.3% during the forecast period, due to rise in number of new air routes and advent of LCC carriers.

For Purchase Enquiry at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/10457

Major market players

Brown-Forman

Diageo

Erdington

Bacardi

Heineken

Glen Moray

Accolade Wines

Constellation Brands, Inc

REMY COINTREAU

Pernod

Ricard

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Similar Reports:

Duty-Free Liquor Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 20212027

Craft Beer Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 20182025

Luxury Wines and Spirits Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 20202027

India Pale Ale Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 20182025

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Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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Mumbai, March 8 : Actress Aahana Kumra on Monday expressed her annoyance after an airline, without prior information, cancelled a flight she was scheduled to board.

"Hi @flyspicejet ! Thanks for cancelling a flight and then not informing the passenger," Aahana tweeted, tagging the airline.

The airline replied: "Hi Aahana, we would request you to share your PNR via DM so we may check." However, this did not calm the actress, who again tweeted calling this an Aahana wrote: "I strongly urge passengers to avoid booking themselves on a @flyspicejet flight !! They cancel without any prior notice. Absolutely unethical!" she wrote.

Aahana is working on the short film "Happy Birthday" where she will be sharing the screen with Anupam Kher. The thriller is being directed by Prasad Kadam.

Aahana also features in Eros Now's slice-of-life film "Bawri Chhori" alongside Rumana Molla, Vikram Koccher and Niki Walia.

The actress has a remake of the popular French television drama "Call My Agent!" lined up, too.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-09 05:29:05|Editor: huaxia

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RIGA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Latvia's COVID-19 incidence has been declining in recent weeks, but the rate of reduction has been so slow that the situation is not expected to improve substantially before May, the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) said Monday.

The Latvian government has said previously that, based on epidemiologists' recommendations, COVID-19 restrictions could be eased somewhat if the cumulative 14-day number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population dropped below 200.

Last week, Latvia's COVID-19 incidence dropped by 11.2 percent from the week before to an estimated 592 new coronavirus cases per day. The cumulative 14-day number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population was 461.9 at the end of last week.

Considering the rate at which Latvia's COVID-19 incidence is decreasing, the target of less than 200 cases per 100,000 population could be achieved no sooner than in May, CDC concluded, describing the current situation as "changeable and delicate."

In the past week, the average share of positive COVID-19 tests was 5.1 percent, down from 6.6 percent the week before, while testing increased by 15.2 percent.

While COVID-19 cases still continued to grow in up to 14-years-old children, in all other age groups the infection rate decreased, the CDC informed.

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, 261 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 79 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 5. Enditem
After Ducati, KTM and others, Honda is now planning to introduce the radar guidance system on its Africa Twin adventure motorcycle, suggests a newly leaked patent. Previously, a few patents have revealed that Honda will be employing a similar tech on its full-fledged touring motorcycle - Gold Wing.

The patent image shows that the new sensors on the Honda Africa have been position just below the headlight. Similar sensor placement is also found on other motorcycles such as the Ducati Multistrada and the KTM Super Adventure. But what's interesting to note here is that the Japanese automaker is also planning to add cameras alongside the radar sensors.

(Also Read: Piaggio, KTM, Honda, & others join hands for EVs' swappable batteries consortium)

These cameras could be used to collect information on the traffic and road status. The leaked image depicts that the front mudguard doesn't interfere with the working of the sensors when it is fully compressed. Apart from the front sensors, there will be similar sensor units placed at the rear section of the ADV. With these units, Honda is aiming to cover the sides and rear of the bike.

Expect the new season equipped Honda Africa Twin to make its public debut sometime by the end of 2021 or early 2022. But it won't make its way to the India-spec bike anytime soon as it will lead to an incremental pricing change on the model.

Other bike makers such as Ducati, BMW and KTM are already selling bikes with Boschs radar-assisted adaptive cruise control. While Ducati has the Multistrada V4 S, R 1250 RT, BMW and KTM have R 1250 RT and 1290 Super Adventure S respectively. Moreover, even Kawasaki is testing the same tech which will be added to the revamped Ninja H2 SX SE+.
More than one in five adults in Britains worst educational blackspots lack any qualifications, official figures reveal.

In Sandwell, West Midlands, and Pendle, Lancashire, over twenty percent of over-16s have no GCSEs or A Levels to their name, according to local government figures.

The shocking statistics will add urgency to Boris Johnsons campaign to level up the nation, which must include putting adult education at the forefront of his plans, experts say.

More than 20 per cent of adults in Britains worst educational blackspots lack any qualifications, official figures say

Others areas that score poorly include Wolverhampton, where 17.3 per cent of the adult population up to 64 have no qualifications, Leicester (16.9 per cent), Dudley (16.4 per cent) and Burnley (15.1 per cent)

In contrast, just one in fifty (1.9 per cent) adults in Fareham, Hants or Harrogate in Yorkshire have not achieved any qualifications. Across England as a whole, 7.5 per cent lack qualifications.

The figures have been spotlighted by the Centenary Commission on Adult Education, which is campaigning for greater access to adult education, to boost the economic and mental health of the nation.

Dame Helen Ghosh, the Chair of the Commission and Master of Balliol College, Oxford, described the findings as 'worrying'

Dame Helen Ghosh, the Chair of the Commission and Master of Balliol College, Oxford, said: These worrying figures illustrate the extent of education inequalities in our country.

Highest proportions of population (16-64) with no qualifications by local authority Sandwell 20.3 Pendle 20.1 Wolverhampton 17.3 Leicester 16.9 Dudley 16.4 Burnley 15.1 Middlesbrough 15.1 Knowsley 14.7 Broxboure 14.6 Barrow-in-Furness 14.3 Advertisement

As we emerge from the pandemic, our Commission is urging the Government to rebuild lifelong learning as a key part of their commitment to levelling up.

As so many jobs will disappear with the digital revolution, we urgently need to boost the skills of the workforce to manage the changes ahead.

'Its also vital to help people with broader life skills, to enhance their wellbeing and reconnect with others.

The findings are taken from the latest Local Government Association figures, reflecting the situation at the end of 2019.

Professor Alan Smithers, Director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham, said: It is surprising that so many adults have no qualifications at all, given the widespread provision through education, apprenticeships and work-place training.

Even more concerning is the gulf between the poorer and more prosperous areas, which is ever-widening.

Too many adults already are ill-equipped for a world of increasingly technical jobs and intense global competition.

'Covid is adding to their number as young people emerge from school with less education than they should have had.

Adult education seems always to be last in the queue when it comes to government support.

It has a vital part to play in making good the Covid losses, closing the gap between the haves and have-nots, and readying the population for a post-Brexit and post pandemic Britain.

It is urgent that the government puts it much higher up the policy agenda and provides the funding to enable it to achieve the many things it can achieve.
This obituary is part of a series about people who have died in the coronavirus pandemic. Read about others here.

Growing up in Trinidad in the 1940s, Monica Alexis was known in her family for a precocious sense of compassion.

Her older brother suffered from severe diabetes, and she bandaged his swollen feet nightly. After a cousin became a doctor, she decided she wanted to pursue a career in health care one day.

When Ms. Alexis was in her 20s, a friend told her that she knew of Caribbean women who were finding steady work as health care aides at hospitals in New York City, and that the pay was much better than in Trinidad. By the 1970s, Ms. Alexis had settled in Astoria, Queens, and was helping patients as a nurses assistant at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. After that, she worked at Reading Hospital in Pennsylvania for nearly two decades.
A state trooper in Michigan has been charged with felonious assault for using a police dog to subdue an unarmed man for nearly four minutes in November, an encounter that the authorities say left the man with bite injuries and was recorded on a police dash camera.

The trooper, Parker Surbrook, was suspended without pay and removed from the canine unit, said the Michigan State Police, which released the dash camera footage of the episode on Friday.

Trooper Surbrook pleaded not guilty at an arraignment on Friday and was granted $5,000 bond, according to court records. A lawyer for the trooper said his clients use of force was justified and that dash camera video did not show the full context of the confrontation.

Investigators said that during a traffic stop on the night of Nov. 13 in Lansing, Mich., the driver and his male passenger in a sport utility vehicle, who the police believed were armed, fled from officers. The driver led officers on a high-speed chase that ended when his vehicle crashed into a tree, the dash camera video shows.
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Jacksonville native Julie Rowe used the extra spare time she had during the pandemic to create a dollhouse that evokes fond memories of growing up in one of Jacksonvilles notable historic houses.

I take a lot of good-natured flak about being the crazy dollhouse lady, Rowe said. Its a hobby, but I take a sense of pride in it. It was one of those things that you can never imagine you can do until you do it.

Rowe painstakingly reconstructed in miniature the historic William Howard Thompson House on West State Street east of Duncan Park. The full-size house was built in 1872 and remodeled in 1902, and is most often associated with Julies parents, Harris and Alice Mary Rowe.

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My parents lived in the house when they were first married and I grew up in that home with my three other sisters, Julie Rowe said. Ive always loved it, I have amazing memories from that home, and Ive always thought of it as the most beautiful home Ive ever seen. And on my bucket list Ive always wanted to remodel a dollhouse to look just like it.

Thats exactly what Rowe did, starting in the spring when pandemic restrictions began and she wasnt able to spend as much time at the store she owns and operates, Home Girls Boutique in downtown Jacksonville. Rowe bought a used dollhouse and went to work transforming its non-descript appearance into a diminutive reproduction of her childhood home.

A lot of people buy kits, you can get a very simple dollhouse kit on Ikea, and then people decorate them to their taste, Rowe said. Remodels are a smaller part of the market. I didnt want to have to build one entirely from scratch, so I knew I wanted to find one already built. This worked out perfectly because it was in a shape where it would accommodate the project.

Rowe had the concept for the dollhouse but didnt have a lot of carpentry tools, so she knew that improvisation would be the key to making her dream mini-home become a reality.

There is a huge community out there of dollhouse miniatures and I discovered it mostly through Instagram, Rowe said. Thats where I got a lot of ideas on how to make things.

Rowe removed the porch from the donor dollhouse and fabricated a replacement that matched the one at the West State Street house because when you drive by thats probably one of the most remarkable features of the actual house.

At first, I thought I would try to replicate the pillars by myself, but fortunately I was able to find those on a website. The rest of it I built myself and I was just amazed that I could actually do it, she said.

The front porch roof is made of foam core board and Rowe learned how to use miter shears, an angle-cutting type of scissor, to produce the homes distinctive trim. The windows came from a supplier in the United Kingdom that Rowe uses for some of the products in her store. But she had to dip into the bakery world to create the French Beaux Arts-style window trim that adorns the original home.

I ordered molds from Amazon that are meant for cake making fondant that were in the shapes and sizes that I needed, Rowe said. I filled those with air-dried clay and I had my window trim.

Rowe used more foam core, Popsicle sticks and coffee stirrers to fashion many of the interior furnishings in her dollhouse. Rowe also employed wooden jewelry beads, which she happened to have because she creates and sells her own jewelry at her store. But she wasnt too proud to buy pre-made miniature furniture on Etsy and other craft-related websites if the pieces matched her childhood memories.

We had a grandfather clock right at the base of our stairs that was always very memorable in the house, and I found a miniature version of that. Rowe said. I have a piece almost exactly like the piano bench we had. Other pieces I purchased were in styles that I like that fit the style of the home.

The major portions of the dollhouse build took approximately one month but Rowe has taken her time completing the interior and furnishings. She plans to display the finished dollhouse in her store some time this spring.

I have an account on Instagram, My Tiny Remodel, and I have over 3,000 followers and Ive had lots of people ask me when and where they can see it, Rowe said. Ive had a couple of people reach out to me about helping them remodel their childhood dollhouses. My niece Maggie York is also a decorator, and weve talked about maybe doing something for some of her clients.

Rowes surviving sisters, Mary Henry and Millie Deal, both live in Jacksonville and have been supportive and encouraging because it brings back childhood memories for them as well.

I had a dollhouse as a child and my dad always helped me to redecorate, so to speak, Rowe said. It was something that I had a taste for already. Im a maker and thats kind of what got me into this hobby. It was a great experience.
China says hopes U.S. will remove 'unreasonable' curbs on cooperation

Chinese and U.S. flags flutter outside the building of an American company in Beijing, (Photo : REUTERS/Tingshu Wang)

China urged the United States on Sunday to remove "unreasonable" curbs on cooperation as soon as possible and work together on issues like climate change, while accusing Washington of bringing chaos in the name of spreading democracy.



Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden singled out a "growing rivalry with China" as a key challenge facing the United States, with his top diplomat describing the country as "the biggest geopolitical test" of this century.



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Speaking at his annual news conference, the Chinese government's top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, struck a tough line even as he outlined where the world's two biggest economies could work together.



Questioned about U.S.-China frictions over Taiwan, Xinjiang and the disputed South China Sea, Wang said Beijing "will never accept baseless accusations and smears".



The United States had used democracy and human rights as a basis for arbitrarily interfering with other countries' affairs, he said. "The U.S. should realise this as soon as possible, otherwise the world will continue to experience instability."



The White House brushed aside the criticisms over Taiwan and said Washington would continue to support Taipei.



Wang said differences between Beijing and Washington must be managed carefully, the two sides must advocate healthy competition not zero-sum finger-pointing, and that areas like climate change and fighting the pandemic were where they could cooperate.



"It is hoped that the United States and China will meet each other halfway and lift the various unreasonable restrictions placed on Sino-U.S. cooperation to date as soon as possible, and not create new obstacles artificially."



The United States and China are at odds over influence in the Indo-Pacific region, Beijing's economic practices, Hong Kong, Taiwan and human rights in China's Xinjiang region.



The Biden administration has indicated it will broadly continue the tough approach to China taken by former President Donald Trump, but do so in coordination with allies.



Wang warned there was no room for compromise on Chinese-claimed Taiwan and the new U.S. government should drop the previous administration's "dangerous acts of playing with fire".



Biden's team called the U.S. commitment to democratic Taiwan "rock solid" and on Monday White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told a regular news briefing Washington would "continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defence capability."



"Our position on Taiwan remains clear. We will stand with friends and allies to advance our shared prosperity, security and values in the Indo-Pacific region," she said when asked about Wang's remarks.



Under Trump, the United States imposed sanctions against China and its officials over Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Beijing's economic policies, which have not been lifted by Biden.



Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said he agrees with his predecessor Mike Pompeo's determination that genocide against Muslims is under way in Xinjiang.



Activists and U.N. experts say 1 million Muslim Uighurs are held in Chinese camps. China denies abuses and says its camps provide vocational training and are needed to fight extremism.



Wang said some Western politicians chose to believe lies about Xinjiang, and took a dig at Western countries' records.



"When it comes to 'genocide', most people think of North American Indians in the 16th century, African slaves in the 19th century, Jews in the 20th century, and the Australian aborigines who are still fighting today," he said.



"The so-called 'genocide' in Xinjiang is ridiculously absurd. It is a rumour with ulterior motives and a complete lie."


(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 8 - Around two-thirds of Italy's school pupils, some 5.7 million students, were having class via distance learning on Monday after a new package of COVID-19 containment measures came into force.

The government has decided that all schools in high-contagion-risk red zones must stop giving lessons on site, while regions that are not red have the option to do the same in specific areas where COVID rates are high.

It is feared that as many as nine in 10 Italian pupils will be on distance learning shortly, with more regions in danger of being classed as red zones with contagion on the up.

Family Minister Elena Bonetti told Radio Capital on Monday that a "retroactive measure" has been inserted into a new decree featuring COVID aid to help parents cope with having children at home rather than in school.

She said this included paid leave of up to 50% of full pay, the right to work from home and vouchers to pay for babysitters for the self-employed. (ANSA).


Denton, TX (76205)

Today

Cloudy early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
I grew up in Canada loving it, but now I hate my government for its incompetence.

Why is it media outlets only speak their side of a story or happening and do not allow comments? For correction!

When you do this, You are being part of the problem for all of society has.

Such is the case for all of government,

One should be able to speak and tell the truth to expose their incompetence !

Such is the case for Trudeau, promised to correct criminal activity and has done nothing except to allow more criminal activity. He should be exposed for his incompetence,

When he has done nothing to correct the justice system and he won't, and yet spends billions of dollars of our money blindly to confiscate guns, and hurt law abiding citizens. Creating more debt that should never be.

The problem is, he does nothing, The symptom he thinks is a problem wastes good tax payers money on a symptom, not the real problem.

The man called Trudeau is totally incompetent and needs to be exposed.

David Chura
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Andrew Cuomo was handed a seven figure advance for his pandemic memoir - but sales are plummeting in the wake of the dual scandals plaguing the New York governor, according to a report Monday.

His book, American Crisis: Leadership Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic, was widely criticized when it was published in October last year as the virus continued to rage in the state and around the world.

But its publisher, Crown, thought that it had found 'another political star', Vanity Fair reports, and shelled out the hefty advance for the book.

Now sales are taking a hit. A spokesman for BookScan told the outlet: 'We can confirm that the titles sales have dropped in the last five weeks, and for context, this is not reflective of a larger market trend.'

Cuomo, 63, faces a federal investigation into claims of a cover up of the true COVID-19 death toll in nursing homes and an independent investigation into claims of sexual harassment by former aides.

He is said to have been backed into corner with 'few allies' to defend him and 'many people who don't like him', according to one political analyst.

On Sunday he remained defiant, vowing not to step down in a call with reporters - despite a growing list of 50 New York lawmakers calling on him to step down or be impeached.

Echoing comments he made in a news conference last week, Cuomo acknowledged he'd made jokes and asked personal questions in an attempt to be collegial and frequently greeted people with hugs and kisses. He has denied touching anyone inappropriately.

But sources tell the New York Times he is shaken and his fall from grace reminds them of ex-governor Eliot Spitzer, who resigned in 2008 after patronizing a prostitution service.

A sex scandal also helped derail the careers of his other predecessors; David Paterson ended his reelection bid in 2010 after acknowledging extramarital affairs.

Andrew Cuomo faces a federal investigation into claims of a cover up of the true COVID-19 death toll in nursing homes and an independent investigation into claims of sexual harassment by former aides

Eliot Spitzer, who resigned in 2008 after patronizing a prostitution service, is pictured with his wife Silda Wall Spitze

Political analyst George Arzt said: 'The governor is in trouble because he's a very tough guy and there are many people who don't like him.

'He doesn't have that reservoir of friends and good feeling to sort of push back. At this point, you don't see many surrogates out there, and that's a problem.

'Spitzer at one point thought that he could fight it, and that was quickly given up when he realized that his allies were not saying a word.'

Cuomo had called on New York Democrats in the immediate aftermath of the nursing homes scandal first being reported but appears to have gone quiet since allegations of sexual harassment also emerged.

State Senator Liz Krueger said: 'None of my colleagues have said they have heard from the governor on this.

'I distinctly remember with Spitzer, watching it all go down and saying at the time to myself, if he just had a few more friends who were willing to stand by him, I bet he could get past this.

'But it was all really rapid, and there wasn't anybody coming forward.'

She has tweeted calling for Cuomo's resignation, adding: 'I stand with Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins in calling for the Governor to resign.

'Our state is rightly crying out for truthful, transparent government. The people's business is too pressing to continue to be derailed in this way.'

Analyst Arzt says Cuomo does have 'his own inner circle that is still ready to go to war with him', adding: 'I do believe if anyone can get out of this, he can. If no other shoe drops. tremendous skill as a tactician.'

Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf added: 'Eliot Spitzer had no friends. Andrew Cuomo has some friends.'

Cuomo is pictured alongside his top aide Melissa DeRosa, who remains a close ally

Cuomo did reemerge after nine days without a news conference last week following meetings with a small group of loyal aides. Those include Melissa DeRosa, pollster Jefrey Pollock, right, special counsel Beth Garvey and former aides Steven M. Cohen, left, and William Mulrow

Cuomo did reemerge after nine days without a news conference last week following meetings with a small group of loyal aides.

Those include Melissa DeRosa, pollster Jefrey Pollock, special counsel Beth Garvey and former aides Steven M. Cohen and William Mulrow.

Others on his team have been described as 'demoralized and exhausted'; some have left the office.

State Senator Rachel May, a Democrat from Syracuse, said of allegations the nursing home death toll was covered up: 'If true, everyone involved in lying to the public and to the Legislature must resign immediately. And that includes the governor.'

Two women came forward with allegations on Saturday, bringing the total to five and prompting State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins to call for Cuomo's resignation Sunday.

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.

Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said: 'For the good of the state Governor Cuomo must resign. Every day there is another account that is drawing away from the business of government'

Sen. Liz Krueger tweeted: 'I stand with Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins in calling for the Governor to resign. Our state is rightly crying out for truthful, transparent government. The people's business is too pressing to continue to be derailed in this way'

'For the good of the state Governor Cuomo must resign,' said Stewart-Cousins, a fellow Democrat who has publicly sparred with Cuomo in the past. 'Every day there is another account that is drawing away from the business of government.'

'We have allegations about sexual harassment, a toxic work environment, the loss of credibility surrounding the COVID-19 nursing home data and questions about the construction of a major infrastructure project,' the majority leader added, referring to the numerous controversies swirling in Albany.

Those calling for his resignation also includes Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

Others are calling for his impeachment. That would require a majority vote in the 150-seat Assembly, followed by a two-thirds vote in favor of conviction in state Senate.

The governor has repeatedly insisted that he will not step down, including on a call with reporters on Sunday where he refuted allegations from one of his latest accusers, Karen Hinton.

Hinton, 62, and Ana Liss, 35, both made their separate allegations of sexual harassment against Cuomo, 63, on Sunday.

Hinton told the Washington Post about a 2000 incident when she said Cuomo summoned her to his 'dimly lit' hotel room and embraced her after a work event.

She said she tried to pull away from Cuomo when he pulled her back and held her before she managed to escape the room.

Lindsey Boylan also revealed in a February Medium post that the governor had tried to kiss her on the lips in his office and suggested they play strip poker during a 2017 flight. Cuomo's office has said these claims are false. Charlotte Bennett, 25, revealed this week that Cuomo had questioned her about her sex life and whether she had relationships with older men.

Ana Liss made an allegation of sexual harassment against Cuomo, 63, on Sunday

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

Liss, who previously served as Cuomo's policy and operations aide between 2013 and 2015, told the Wall Street Journal that during her time in his administration, the governor had subjected her to unsolicited advances, including touching her lower back, kissing her hand and quizzing her about her love life.

Speaking with reporters on Sunday, Cuomo said Hinton's allegations were 'not true' and labeled her a 'long-time political adversary of mine'.

'There is no way I resign. Let the attorney general do the investigation and go from there,' Cuomo said, adding that he will not be 'distracted' by the allegations.

Amid the mounting allegations, other aides spoke to both the Journal and Post about the 'toxic' work environment allegedly cultivated by Cuomo in his office.

It included testimonies from two male aides who claimed the governor would berate them using explicit language, calling them 'pu**ies' and saying that they 'have no balls'.

Many of those aides said they would only speak on the grounds of anonymity because they were fearful of Cuomo's 'wrath' and his power to destroy careers, the Post reported.

Prior to Liss and Hinton, Charlotte Bennett, 25, revealed this week that Cuomo had questioned her about her sex life and whether she had relationships with older men.

Lindsey Boylan also revealed in a February Medium post that the governor had tried to kiss her on the lips in his office and suggested they play strip poker during a 2017 flight. Cuomo's office has said these claims are false.

A third accuser, Anna Ruch, 33, then came forward telling the New York Times that Cuomo put his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her after meeting her at a September 2019 wedding.

The governor apologized for making the women feel uncomfortable during a press conference last week and claimed that the actions were part of his general behavior with everyone.
New Delhi:

The defence ministry has delegated more administrative and financial powers to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for the speedy completion of the construction of strategic roads along the India-China border.

The decision to give additional powers to BRO came months after the Comptroller and Auditor General also took strong objection to the long delays by the BRO in constructing 61 strategically important roads, with a total length of 3,409km, under the India-China Border Roads (ICBRs) project.

The defence ministry said in a statement on Sunday it intended to bring transformational changes in the BRO to improve the pace of execution of work and to achieve the desired outcome according to the requirements of the Army.

Besides conferring additional administrative powers to the BRO, the government has enhanced the delegation of financial powers of up to Rs 100 crore to the BRO Director General for procurement of both indigenous and imported construction machinery and equipment, the ministry said.

Earlier, the DG had powers of only up to Rs 7.5 crore for procurement of indigenous equipment and Rs 3 crore for procurement of imported equipment.

The defence ministry has also approved policy guidelines to allow the BRO to engage big construction companies for taking up road projects on a turnkey basis.

?The Ministry of Defence has decided to delegate administrative and financial powers to the BRO right up to the level of chief engineer and Task Force commander, so as to avoid delays on account of references between the chief engineer and Director General of BRO and also between the Director General and the ministry,? the statement said.

The decision to accord more powers to the BRO comes amid a face-off between the Armies of India and China at Dokalam in the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction.

ALSO READ | Doklam standoff: Indian Army is in no war, no peace' mode, say sources

Official sources said the Indian Army was unhappy over delays in the implementation of the India-China Border Roads and had requested the defence ministry to speed up the project, originally scheduled for completion in 2012.

The ministry said a chief engineer in BRO can now accord administrative approval for contracts of up to Rs 50 crore, the additional director general (ADG) can approve projects worth up to Rs 75 crore and the director general (DG) can take decisions on projects worth up to Rs 100 crore.

These projects can be implemented through departmental and contractual modes of execution.

Under earlier provisions, a chief engineer in the BRO could give administrative approval of works only up to Rs 10 crore, that too only for departmental work, whereas the ADG had powers to accord administrative approval only up to Rs 20 crore.

For contractual works, all administrative approvals were given by the DG, who had powers only up to Rs 50 crore.

?With the intent to speed up the tendering process, the defence ministry has now enhanced the powers of the chief engineer for acceptance of bids with cost of contract up to Rs 100 crore and that of ADG for cost of contract up to Rs 300 crore. With this delegation, the entire tendering process including acceptance of bids would be completed at the level of the chief engineer/ADG for a majority of the contracts,? the ministry said in the statement.

Earlier, a chief engineer had the power to accept the execution of contracts only up to Rs 10 crore, the ADG had powers of up to Rs 20 crore and all tenders beyond the limit had to be sent to the DG.

For carrying out a detailed project report (DPR), the ministry now has enhanced the powers of the chief engineer to accord administrative approval for outsourcing of consultancy services for up to Rs 2 crore and up to Rs 5 crore to the ADG.

?In case of an emergent need for construction equipment, the DG has been given full powers for hiring up to three years and for chief engineers (project), powers have been enhanced from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 5 crore and the period of hiring has been enhanced from 6 months to one year,? the ministry said.

Earlier, all cases of revision of norms of equipment had to be referred to the defence ministry. In a departure from the earlier policy, full powers in this regard have now been delegated to the DG.

?The Ministry of Defence in consultation with the armed forces would identify the roads to be entrusted to the BRO and fix priorities by approving the Long Term Roll-On Works Plan and Annual Works Programme for the BRO. Thereafter, powers related to the execution of works have been delegated to be exercised by different levels within the BRO,? it said.

To ensure accountability, software is being developed for an online monitoring of progress of works.

It is expected that with the delegation of powers by the Ministry of Defence to the BRO, the pace of road construction in border areas would improve and the BRO would be able to complete ongoing/new projects in a compressed timelines," the ministry said.

ALSO READ | Sikkim row: China accuses India of trampling on Panchsheel pact, asks it to pull back troops

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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Jemez Pueblo Gov. Michael Toledo Jr. walked down rows of computer servers, colorful cables, blinking lights and whirring fans at the bigbyte.cc Data Center in Downtown Albuquerque on Friday.

An hour drive away, a smaller set of equipment and towers was connecting nearly 500 Jemez Pueblo homes to high-speed internet for the first time through a fiber-optic network.

This is a big moment, Toledo said. For years our tribal leaders, the governors, tribal council, and directors from our departments have been planning how to get internet service to our people.

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The new tribally owned Jemez Pueblo Tribal Network also connects government offices and departments.

COVID relief funded project

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, a $4.8 million project to upgrade the pueblos internet was just a five-year plan on paper.

A flood of federal and state relief money made the project a reality.

Its really about location, Toledo said. Jemez didnt have the resources to get fiber all the way to us, and we dont really have a way to generate our own funding. This project was shovel ready. The need was there, and then that money became available.

The Jemez Tribal Council approved a total of $2 million for the project from the tribes allocation of federal CARES Act funds.

New Mexico directed $1.4 million from its state CARES Act allocations, and the project received $1.3 million in state capital outlay funds.

Private grants funded the remainder of the project.

Fast internet for libraries, schools, homes

The pueblo-wide project expands on a program to connect Jemez schools and libraries to high-speed internet.

A Federal Communications Commission E-rate program directed about $4 million from 2016 to 2018 for fiber infrastructure in two schools and six libraries at Jemez, Zia, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo, San Felipe and Cochiti pueblos.

The programs success prompted tribal leaders to think of a way to connect the rest of the tribal community, said Kevin Shendo, Jemez Pueblo education director.

Its night and day, Shendo said of the new internet. Its redefining the digital landscape of our community. The beauty of it is that we own the network. We are able to have control over the service and the speeds that we provide.

About 3,000 people live on Jemez Pueblo in Sandoval County.

The project will also bring high-speed internet to Jemez students and families who live just outside of reservation boundaries.

Nerissa Whittington, bigbyte founder and owner, said on-site amplifying equipment helps bring strong internet the long distance to Jemez.

This is next-generation technology for the next generation, she said. Its especially important at this time when so many people need to be working from home.

The main distribution frame at the Albuquerque data center is mirrored by a smaller piece of equipment at Jemez Pueblo.

A new tower distributes the wireless signal to the community. Each home is set up with a receiver and modem to connect to the internet.

The data center also provided training space for the Jemez team as they prepared to roll out the internet network. The company i9 Technologies assisted with the programs engineering and deployment.

Opening doors

The pandemic has closed or restricted schools and businesses and canceled events across New Mexico to prevent spread of the virus.

Michael Chinana, Jemez Pueblo first lieutenant governor, said the restrictions and closures severely affected pueblo residents who did not have any internet in their homes.

This broadband just opens up a bunch of doors for our artists, for our children, for our business people, for those people who have been laid off from restaurants, casinos, hotels that closed, Chinana said. Now that a lot of them are looking at working from home, this internet opens up that capability.

About half of households on tribal land have basic broadband access, according to the FCC.

The Jemez internet project could be a model for other pueblos and rural communities, said Lynn Trujillo, cabinet secretary for the state Indian Affairs Department.

The pueblo did an incredible job of planning and preparing for the time when the funds would become available, Trujillo said. Its a total package that covers everything from infrastructure to workforce. I think thats really promising and empowering, and it could be replicated elsewhere. We just need funding.
The United States sent a pair of nuclear-capable B-52 bombers across the Middle East on Sunday, renewing a show of force as attacks by Iran-linked groups in the region continue.

The Stratofortress bombers took off from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota before linking up with aircraft from the Israeli, Saudi and Qatari air forces at different stages of the flight to deter aggression and reassure [US] partners and allies in the region, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The round-trip sortie is the fourth this year, a sign of tactical continuity between the Trump and Biden administrations as both have sought to dissuade Tehran and its proxies from carrying out attacks in the region.

Such attacks picked up during the previous US administration, which took a hard line by abandoning the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and replacing it with a campaign of economic sanctions in a failed bid to force Tehran to end its support for proxy militias throughout the region.

Why it matters: The Biden administration is putting diplomacy first in its bid to re-enter the Iran deal and usher in an end to Yemens civil war, hoping to eventually stabilize the Middle East so Washington can focus on competition with China and Russia.

Meanwhile, Washington is keeping up the sanctions pressure on Iran as CENTCOM follows through on efforts to build regional defense cooperation to stand up to the Islamic Republic.

The B-52 flights are a way to reassure those regional governments. They also pose opportunities for American and Middle Eastern pilots to train together, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said Monday.

Although CENTCOM commander Gen. Kenneth Frank McKenzie has credited the military with deterring direct aggression by Irans military, the Pentagon isnt ready to say whether the moves have been effective in reducing attacks by proxies supported by Tehrans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Saudi Arabia once again found itself in the crosshairs this weekend as at least one explosive drone targeted the countrys largest oil storage facility at Ras Tanura. Riyadhs oil ministry said no infrastructure was damaged and no one was reportedly hurt, but the attack sent the price of Brent crude oil below the $70 per barrel threshold.

Ballistic missiles and drones also targeted sites in Jeddah and at a Saudi Aramco residential facility in Dhahran this weekend. Saudi Arabia, which blamed the attacks on Yemen's Houthi rebels, responded yesterday by bombing their capital in Sanaa for the first time since President Joe Biden ceased offensive support for the Riyadh-led military coalition, citing humanitarian concerns.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price on Monday also attributed the attacks to the Houthis. Current US officials have refrained from directly implicating Iran in such incidents but have vowed to hold Tehran accountable for the activities of its proxy militias.

Last week the United States reacted to additional strikes on Saudi Arabia with new sanctions on two Houthi military officials, accusing them of receiving training in Iran and carrying out the Iranian regimes destabilizing agenda.

Were going to continue to look for ways to improve support to Saudi Arabia to defend against these threats," Kirby reiterated on Monday.

Sporadic rocket attacks by suspected pro-Iran militias in Iraq have likewise continued despite a US airstrike last month against a militia position in eastern Syria. Pentagon officials have said the strike was intended to deter further attacks.

Whats next: Attacks are likely to continue as Iran and its proxy Houthi force press for the strongest position possible before negotiating an end to Yemens civil war and the resumption of nuclear talks with Iran, but it remains to be seen whether they will do enough damage to derail the Biden administrations regional goals.

Price said on Monday afternoon the Biden administration is still waiting for Iranian officials to submit their plan of action toward engaging in nuclear talks.

Know more: A group of Democratic lawmakers is urging the Biden administration to restore humanitarian aid to Yemen that was cut by the Trump administration, Elizabeth Hagedorn writes.
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The Government of Canada plans to provide C$2.75 billion (US$2.17 billion) in funding over five years, starting in 2021, to enhance public transit systems and switch them to cleaner electrical power, including supporting the purchase of zero-emission public transit and school buses.

This funding is part of an eight year, C$14.9-billion (US$11.77-billion) public transit investment recently outlined by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and will also support municipalities, transit authorities and school boards with transition planning, increase ambition on the electrification of transit systems, and deliver on the governments commitment to help purchase 5,000 zero-emission buses over the next five years.

This investment will create more jobs in Canadas electric vehicle manufacturing sector, including Nova Bus in Saint-Eustache, Lion Electrique in Saint-Jerome, GreenPower in Vancouver and New Flyer in Winnipeg.

Infrastructure Canada will ensure coordination between this investment and the Canada Infrastructure Bank commitment to invest $1.5 billion in zero-emission buses and associated infrastructure as part of its three year Growth Plan.

Since 2015, the Government of Canada has approved C$13.6 billion (US$10.75 billion) in funding towards more than 1,300 public transit projects across Canada. These investments have helped build more than 240 km of new public transit subway and light rail line, create more than 380 km of active transportation trails, bike and pedestrian lanes, and already supported the purchase of more than 300 zero-emission buses.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank has a long-term target to invest $5 billion in public transit, including $1.5 billion over the next three years specifically for zero emission buses and associated infrastructure as part of its Growth Plan.
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SANTA FE  A proposal that could have opened the door to ranked-choice voting in New Mexico election was derailed Monday in a Senate committee.

But backers of the measure vowed to bring back the idea, which allows voters to rank candidates by preference in whats also described as an instant run-off.

We look forward to a further discussion about this next year, said Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, after a tie 5-5 vote in the Senate Rules Committee left the measure effectively stalled.

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In its revised form, Senate Joint Resolution 22, would have authorized  but not mandated  the Legislature to permit the use of alternate voting methods like ranked-choice voting.

It would have also required approval from state voters, likely in November 2022, in order to take effect.

At least two states  Alaska and Maine  have already enacted ranked-choice voting for statewide elections, while Santa Fe and Las Cruces have adopted the voting method for their city elections.

Two Democratic senators, Bill ONeill and Linda Lopez, both of Albuquerque, joined with three Republicans to vote against advancing the proposal during Mondays hearing.

Backers of ranked-choice voting say it ensures that winning candidates, especially in crowded primary elections, dont triumph with just a plurality of votes, but instead with at least 50% of support from voters.

It works by eliminating the lowest vote-getting candidate in a race, if no candidate has hit the 50% mark, and reallocating votes for that candidate to a voters second-choice candidate.

That process then continues until a candidate reaches the 50% threshold.

If enacted, ranked-choice voting could decrease election costs because it would remove the need, in Albuquerque and other cities, to conduct a second run-off election in races where no candidate received a majority of the votes cast.

However, there could be upfront administrative costs incurred by the Secretary of States office and municipalities in implementing the new voting procedure, according to a fiscal analysis of the bill.

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Olivers office said the states current voting systems do allow for ranked-choice voting, according to the analysis.
OROVILLE, Calif. - Congressman Doug LaMalfa announced he has submitted changes to Democrats gun control bill, H.R. 1446.

He says these amendments would expand Second Amendment protections instead of restricting them.

LaMalfa tells Action News Now this amendment would make it so Americans can buy firearms, ammunition, and other accessories in any state, territory, or district in the country.

Right now the law only lets people buy them in the state they live in.

"Mine addresses your 50 state ability to exercise your right in whatever state you are, according to that state's guidelines," said Rep. LaMalfa. "Not California's tentacles reaching out everywhere else," LaMalfa explained.

"I feel like as a Californian, if I want to buy a gun in Texas and ammunition in Utah, I should have the right to do that... and if I do, then bring it back home," he added.

LaMalfa added the amendment would allow Americans to take any legally purchased firearm from the state it was bought in, to another state, and it would then be legal in that state.

For too long the Second Amendment has been treated like a second class right. Our right to free speech, freedom of religion, freedom from unreasonable search and seizure or the right to a jury trial by our peers doesnt depend on what state, territory or district we may happen to be standing in, yet our Second Amendment rights are largely subject to the whims of the state where you reside," LaMalfa continued.

"My goal is to let any American legally buy any firearm that is legal in the state they may be hunting in, sport shooting in, or just visiting and exercising their right in. Once legally owned, that gun should be legal in every other state," he explained. "I want to restore this freedom back to the American people," LaMalfa added.
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Tram Chim National Park in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap is home to hundreds of vertebrate species, dozens of fish species and more than 198 species of water birds, accounting for about a quarter of all bird species in Vietnam.

Tram Chim National Park is located between Phu Duc, Phu Hiep, Phu Tho, Tan Cong Sinh, Phu Thanh A communes and Tram Chim Town, Tam Nong District, 40km from Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province. (Photo: Vietnam+)

There are different rare and precious bird species found in Tram Chim National Park, such as little egret, grey heron, purple heron, Chinese born heron, Asian openbill, darter, purple swamphen, and bronze-winged Janaca(Photo: Vietnam+)

Since it was listed as Ramsar site in 2012, Tram Chim National Park has become one of attractive ecotourism destinations in Vietnam. (Photo: Vietnam+)

There are different rare and precious bird species found in Tram Chim National Park, such as little egret, grey heron, purple heron, Chinese born heron, Asian openbill, darter, purple swamphen, and bronze-winged Janaca(Photo: Vietnam+)

Since it was listed as Ramsar site in 2012, Tram Chim National Park has become one of attractive ecotourism destinations in Vietnam. Spring is the best time to visit Tram Chim for birdwatching. (Photo: Vietnam+)

Spring is the best time to visit Tram Chim for birdwatching. (Photo: Vietnam+)

VNP/VNA

Wetland forest management project launched for Tram Chim National Park A $625,000 project for ecosystem management at Tram Chim National Park in of Dong Thap was launched at a conference held by the Vietnam Forest Inventory and Planning Institute (FIPI) in HCM City on August 5.
One in five women are considering starting their own business this year, according to new research from support network Small Business Britain.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic having severely damaged some long-standing businesses, and led many to lose their jobs or a large part of their income, budding entrepreneurs are looking to make the most of a bad situation.

And a good chunk of them are women, researchas revealed on International Women's Day.

A poll of 1,000 UK females, found more than a third wanted to start a so-called 'side hustle' to supplement their income, while 10 per cent have decided to go straight into the deep end and start-up a business as a result of a job loss.

Michelle Ovens, founder of Small Business Britain and f:Entrepreneur, said its recent research highlights that female entrepreneurship continues to grow and flourish in the UK

Reconsidering current employment, due to the pandemic was also cited as a key factor by 17 per cent of women, while 14 per cent said they have been inspired to contribute to society.

Small Business Britain's f:Entrepreneur campaign, which has been running since 2017, calls for more recognition and support for female founders through inspiring events, content and storytelling.

This year it received a record number of applications from women to be part of its annual #ialso100 campaign, which showcases entrepreneurs from all over the UK.

Michelle Ovens, of Small Business Britain, said: 'Despite the significant obstacles thrown at women in the last year, female entrepreneurship continues to grow and flourish in the UK.

'We have seen so many female-led businesses embracing change and generating and exploring new ideas during the pandemic, which shows how much female entrepreneurs thrive by connecting, reaching out to each other for support and inspiration, and rallying around their communities.

'We saw a wave of start-up activity after the last recession, and with figures sadly showing that women have been particularly affected by recent redundancies, I believe female-led businesses will be at the very heart of the UK's recovery.

'We need to continue, and increase, our support for these incredible women and celebrate their amazing strength and success in the face of huge challenges.'

To celebrate International Women's Day, This is Money spoke to four female-led businesses about how they fought on through the pandemic and other challenges they've faced along their entrepreneurial journeys.

'I have to work harder to get investors excited about a female-focused business'

Alexandra Pluthero, is founder of Wear My Freedom, which designs and produces non wired bras for D+ cup sizes.

The 28-year-old was fed up of years of frustration with an outdated, and underserved D+ bra market and started developing the idea in 2018.

Alexandra Pluthero, is founder of Wear My Freedom, which sells bras for D+ cup sizes

'Of course, bra companies existed, but there has been a distinct lack of innovation, and understanding of what real women want from their underwear,' she said.

After a year spent tirelessly searching for the right designer and investing 15,000 of her own savings, Alex eventually gathered a team of three talented and determined women to make her vision a reality.

Funding came in from friends, family and angel investors, which came with challenges of its own.

'Finding funding is difficult in a world dominated by male investors, and while there is a lot of discussion around investing in female entrepreneurs, the reality is quite different,' said Alexandra.

'I have to get investors excited about an extremely female-focused product. 90 per cent of start-up resources available are usually for tech businesses, and so I find myself pitching to that sliver of people who are more sector agnostic.

'On top of that, were a female-only team with a very female product, so it is really difficult.'

But by February 2020, Alexandra was ready to launch her first product, the Freedom Bra, only to find herself staring down a global pandemic and the shock of lockdown - which closed her production factory.

She added: 'We worked on other parts of the business in the meantime, but it was really a waiting game before production of our bras could start again. As soon as we had stock, we launched!'

'But we have gone from strength to strength ever since. We only traded in the last six months of 2020 and in that time, we sold over 3,000 of our best-selling Freedom Bras and are on track to turnover half a million in our first year.'

Alex has already increased the amount of sizes available from 22 to 54, and she said demand has only been growing as the vast majority of women are working from home and have realised they don't need to suffer in uncomfortable bras.

'That being said, theres no perfect time to start,' she added. 'It's always risky starting your own business. Id always encourage anyone to just start, you learn so much.'

'The pandemic gave us more time to ensure our brand was perfect'

Another female-fronted business stonewalled by the pandemic but which has come through the other side better than it could have anticipated, is beauty brand REFY.

Founded by fashion and beauty influencer Jess Hunt and the brains behind glitter brand Gypsy Shine, Jenna Meek, the brand specialises in its brow collection Brow Sculpt.

Brow beauty brand REFY was founded in 2020 by Jess Hunt (left) and Jenna Meek

The duo came up with the idea after working on a shoot together and found there was no go-to brand for all the products needed for eyebrow make-up. REFY aims to fill the gap in the market for 'minimal beauty'.

Jess said: 'All our products are new and innovating. We have created a simple, three stage brow process which allows everybody to create the perfect brow using only three products. They are all vegan and cruelty-free and recyclable too.'

Jess and Jenna hoped to launch in June 2020 but development and key dates kept getting pushed back due to the pandemic.

However, they found this allowed them more time to ensure the brand was perfected before they eventually launched in November.

'Like any business, the pandemic brought challenges, but we saw the positives in the situation and think it has been a huge benefit to the success of REFY,' Jess added.

'We had so much time and it's all we worked on for a solid year, nights and weekends. There's no secret to when to launch a business, it just needs a huge amount of work and right now is perfect.

'We worked extremely hard to ensure that the customers receive their products in the safest and fastest way.'

REFY sold over 100,000 units in less than two months and started shipping internationally from day one.

The company is already working with a large US retailer and new collections to be launched later this year.

For any aspiring entrepreneurs out there, Jess says: 'Keep going and keep telling yourself you can do it! Self-belief is the biggest thing I can promote to anyone. It is not the skills, it's the belief that everything else will work itself out.'

'The Rose Review Female Entrepreneur Mentoring programme saved us'

But not every business was able to use the pandemic to their advantage. According to a report, The impact of Covid-19 on UK Small Businesses, by Simply Business, an estimated 234,000 SMEs had permanently ceased trading by September 2020.

Ella Mesma feared for the survival of her company, Business Yoga, which offered in-person sessions to help workers learn how to improve their posture, handle aches and pains and learn other ways of improving their physical and mental wellbeing in the workplace.

Lockdown meant Ella could no longer physically provide the service at clients workplaces, so needed to think fast.

She accessed the Rose Review Female Entrepreneur Mentoring programme, run by Be the Business and NatWest and was matched with a business-focused mentor to help her rethink and develop my business.

'This support helped me to create our membership site where clients join as members, pay a subscription and access the contents and benefits remotely,' said Ella.

'It is still early days but we have developed six different products and services, and our best selling product now is our 23onMe online membership.

Ella Mesma feared for her company, Business Yoga, when the pandemic hit last year

'This involves just taking 23 minutes to focus on your own wellbeing, which in turn makes for a happier you, a happier workplace and more productivity!'

Ella is fortunate to have come out stronger after the pandemic and has learnt a lot including the importance of mentoring, no matter what stage you are at in your entrepreneurial journey.

She said the programme changed her life which has helped her take huge leaps in her confidence as well as the business itself.

'I struggled with my own self-belief and learning and understanding the "business" side of running a business. At times it also felt like it was a struggle to have the business taken seriously,' she added.

'Mentoring is so important to help entrepreneurs, in particular women believe in themselves and empower their business. Having a critical friend in my mentor has given me a different approach to my company.

'Not only is the practical guidance that my mentor, Emily Rider, of Hitachi Capital, offers exactly what I was looking for, but she is also very nurturing, and has my back.'

'Some of the early work we did together was about tackling some of my own limiting self-perceptions. For example, I cringed at the notion of "selling myself" but Emily made me realise that the best way to sell yourself is to simply be yourself, and with conviction  something that I had always done, without realising it.

'I now feel confident to speak, to go forth and to thrive.'

'Every step is a new learning experience for me'

Unfortunately for some female entrepreneurs, there is also the added obstacle of selling a product or service that is sadly considered 'taboo' to some.

Ruby Raut, is founder of WUKA (which stands for 'Wake Up, Kick Ass), which creates reusable period pants that completely replace the need for disposable sanitary products.

She launched the business via a Kickstarter campaign in 2017, which raised more than 7,000 to her going. It has been profitable from day one and has turned over seven-figures every year since.

But the journey to get there was a challenge, especially when she found herself being one of two women in a room full of men at a private bank during her hunt for funding.

'There is definitely both stigma and shame surrounding periods,' she said. 'I was surprised to see male entrepreneurs pitching their businesses to investors, showing examples of another five years of loss making and a weak business plan yet still being very confident in their idea.

'I always thought I had to make a decent profit and be armed with previous successes in order to convince investors. There was certainly a very interesting power dynamic in the room, which was a huge learning curve for me.

'Even today, we often find that male journalists are hesitant to talk about periods in public, and so we speak to female journalists instead.

'We also have created a product that means challenging the attitude and habits of people who have been using conventional pads and tampons for decades. Behaviour change is hard and certainly a challenge in itself.'

With perhaps a different approach to other businesswomen, Ruby lives by the mantra 'done is better than perfect' as she feels being fast-paced is essential and the only way to make progress.

'We must ensure we are always making steps forward, even imperfect ones,' she added. 'Entrepreneurs can get distracted by the "shiny" parts of doing business such as coming up with a name or making a business plan with multi-year financials.

'You need to ensure your product is needed by someone and think how fast you can validate that you have a product-market fit. Only this year have we started to look more than a year ahead in our planning; before that would have just distracted from solving the basic building blocks of an e-commerce business.

'Good things take time but I cant be an expert in everything so I focus on where I can make the biggest impact and get advice on areas that are new to me.

'Since the beginning, I have invested hours in research in all sorts of fields, from manufacturing to PR. Every step is a new learning experience for me.'

Ruby Raut, is founder of WUKA (which stands for 'Wake Up, Kick Ass), which creates reusable period pants that completely replace the need to disposable sanitary products

WUKA doesn't just sell period pants. Ruby is also one of the key campaigners in the fight for the removal of the 'luxury' tax from certain sanitary products.

The Government removed the 20 per cent VAT from tampons, cups and pads in January this year, but did not include period pants.

Ruby said: 'This unfairly penalises period pants - a sustainable menstrual product that is quickly growing in popularity for its value, eco credentials and ease of use.

'By removing VAT from tampons and pads only, the Government is indirectly encouraging the purchase of disposable period products.

'This is irresponsible  our planet is overwhelmed by the waste created by humans and we are in the midst of an environmental crisis. We should not be encouraging more waste.'

WUKA has been campaigning through petitioning parliament, Early Day Motions created by supporter MPs, letters to MPs and the HM Treasury. It also invites the public to join its campaign at PeriodPants.org.
How To Combat White Collar Crime and Financial Frauds

We have seen an avalanche of corporate frauds since the outbreak of the IL&FS (Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services) scandal in October 2018 and the aftermath is sitting as muck and filth (euphemistically termed non-performing assets, NPAs) in the books of banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). The estimate is a mind-boggling sum and is far in excess of a full year revenue of the Central government.

Strangely, neither the Budget nor the Economic Survey that preceded it gave a full picture of this. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)s report on the financial sector did put out projections under different scenarios. None of the scenarios assumed provides any comfort on the figures.

Citizens who invest their hard-earned money and find it suddenly gone like the debentures in the Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) or the deposits in Dewan Housing Finance Corp Ltd (DHFL) or being told without notice that money cannot be withdrawn as in Franklin Templeton mutual fund (MF), have every reason to seek accountability beyond half-hearted rescue measures.

Seldom has a regulator, whether the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) or the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) explained to the affected citizens what went wrong in their oversight role and why the fraud could not be detected.

Such accountability has been sorely missing and even the courts have been shy to crack the whip, whenever the opportunity presented itself.

In the Franklin Templeton MF fiasco that has been unfolding since the 24 April 2020 when the eponymous asset management company (AMC) took the shocking and unprecedented decision to shut down six of its debt schemes and put an embargo on redemptions in open-ended schemes where people had parked short term surplus funds, the Karnataka High Court did not go beyond a few words of admonition for SEBIs failure to deal with the crisis effectively.

This is a classic instance where the regulator was asleep at the wheels when it had every bit of the necessary information at its disposal to have seen the crisis coming. The intent of the article being different than doing an autopsy of the FTMF saga, it is mentioned more as an illustration of how the regulator enjoys a wholly undesirable level of immunity from being punished for failures and thereby making the invigilation of the financial sector in India totally meaningless and impotent.

The same goes with little distinction for RBI on the multiple failures of banks and NBFCs. A very legitimate question to ask is, how come no employee at any level in the regulatory system has been made responsible for any of the cases?

If failures under the very nose of the regulator leave every one other than the helpless investors unscathed, then why operate white elephants like RBI and SEBI at such huge cost to the exchequer?

There is a clear and telling need to address this if the economy needs to be an untilted pitch for both the providers of the capital and the users of the same. There is little doubt that the existing architecture has failed and there is a crying need to change.

In the FT matter multiple courts were approached initially and later the Supreme Court intervened and found a neutral venue in Karnataka for the case to be heard.

Similarly, police cases have been filed in different cities and the latest is the initiative of the enforcement directorate (ED) in approaching the case from an anti-money laundering angle.

It is not easy for any investor, small or big, to individually move any of the agencies in a crisis. The appeal to the regulator is never responded to and seldom acted upon.

In fact it is a farce to have the regulator and the inspector to be the adjudicator as in the case of both RBI and SEBI.

I wrote a scathing mail to SEBI immediately after the outbreak of the FTMF scam and followed it up with an article in The Hindu Business Line on 24 June 2020. I had expressed very clearly that SEBI should look at all redemptions post-October 2019 to check for informed unit-holders taking out large sums.

SEBI had to wait for months and a forensic audit report to seek this data for the alleged insider trading of a senior officer of the AMC. There should be more to the FTMF case than meets the eye which perhaps only a completely independent investigation can help uncover.

But effectively, a small investor has no recourse in a crisis as all regulators are in a way conflicted to deal with the investigation and adjudication. This is a major lacuna that needs to be addressed ASAP.

Ideally, the country needs a special court to adjudicate white-collar crimes and financial frauds (SCWCFF). This court shall enjoy the power equivalent to that of any other high court in the country and have complete suzerainty geographically and over all enforcement agencies and regulators in the country.

The jurisdiction of this court shall prevail over any other body except the Supreme Court, in the event of overlap. Operationally, it can have benches in a few major cities but function virtually so that any aggrieved citizen can file a complaint for investigation of financial frauds involving entities regulated by the three key regulators being SEBI, RBI and Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

This model will help keep the investigation and adjudication away from inspection which is the key function of the three regulators. Ideally, even offences that are otherwise covered under the Indian penal code should be brought under this agency in so far as it involves the type of frauds and the entities specified. All this, of course, are matters of construct and detailing.

But the urgent need is to put a harness on the regulators and make them accountable as every other participant in the financial system. Whenever this happens, it would not be a day too soon.

SCWCFF is not something to scoffed at!

(The author is a CA and CS and retired as a partner at EY, Chennai heading tax and regulatory advice.)
The NSW government has stopped construction of the only new cemetery approved for Sydney despite its own crisis report warning the lack of burial space is much worse than previously thought.

NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey asked the Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust on Monday to place all work on hold at Macarthur Memorial Park, near Campbelltown, until the government responded to the report.

An artists impression of Macarthur Memorial Park.

The report, The 11th hour: Solving Sydneys cemetery crisis, recommends consolidating the five existing cemetery trusts, one Catholic and four government, into a single Crown trust to place the sector on a sustainable basis.

By merging the trusts, it would reduce 30 per cent of existing inefficiencies and provide standardised maintenance, the report found. This would help the government fund net liabilities, estimated to be in excess of $310 million, to pay for the maintenance of cemeteries in the future. Within 20 years, these savings would generate enough excess capital to acquire and construct new cemeteries needed for Sydney.

Melting spring snow and heavy rains that hit the Midwest two weeks ago will cause the Mississippi River to rise to 11 feet by Thursday in New Orleans, triggering the Army Corps of Engineers' "Phase 1 Flood Fight" restrictions on the river's levees south of Baton Rouge.

The Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center, part of the Slidell office of the National Weather Service, on Monday forecast the river to crest at 13 feet on March 21 and 22, and then slowly fall back to 6.9 feet on April 5, the end of its 28-day forecast period.

The river is forecast to drop below 11 feet on March 29, which would ease the restrictions.

Mississippi River rising Mississippi River water heights at the Carrollton Gauge in New Orleans, which is at the Army Corps of Engineers headquarters building on Leake

The restrictions require stepping up inspections of the river levees to twice a week by officials with the Corps and the east and West Bank regional levee authorities.

Any construction work underway within 1,500 feet of a levee must stop until the water drops below 11 feet, unless a waiver is granted by the Corps and the local levee district.

While the official flood level for New Orleans is 17 feet, levees and floodwalls protect from water heights of between 20 and 25 feet. The levees' lowest point -- where there is only 20 feet of protection -- actually is the Corps' New Orleans District office complex, where a two-year project to build a new combination of permanent and movable floodwalls began just two months ago.

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Contractors have been asked to stop driving long, H-shaped metal piles used to stabilize the floodwalls at the site along Leake Avenue near Riverbend.

Water from the rising river also will begin to seep through wooden slats in the lower bays of the Bonnet Carre Spillway gate structure when the river is between 12 and 12.5 feet at the Carrollton Gauge in New Orleans.

Corps officials will be tracking that seepage as it flows north towards Lake Pontchartrain because contractors are expected to soon begin mining sand from the spillway to use as a base material in building the new West Shore Lake Pontchartrain hurricane levee in St. John the Baptist and St. James parishes.

"It is not expected that impacts to any sand removal would occur until the river is higher (than 13 feet) because water is initially confined to ditches," said Ricky Boyett, a Corps spokesman. "It is not until those overfill that we would start to see the sheet flow that could impact haul route and borrow sites."

The high river could also affect several other Corps levee projects. Two segments of the New Orleans-to-Venice levee improvements in Plaquemines Parish might have to temporarily halt operations, Boyett said.

And the high river has curtailed work on installation of a relief well -- designed to allow water seeping through a levee to escape safely into an interior drainage system -- in a river levee just south of downtown Baton Rouge.
FLINT, MI - A 35-year-old man who suffered a gunshot wound to the head Saturday night is in critical condition at a local hospital.

Flint police responded for a report of a shooting around 7 p.m. Saturday, March 6 in the 3800 block of Holly Avenue, between Dexter Street and Center Road.

Officers located the male victim with the head wound, and paramedics transported him to Hurley Medical Center, according to a Michigan State Police news release. He was listed in critical condition by medical personnel.

No suspect information was made available by police. The victims name has not been released by law enforcement officials.

The Flint Police Departments Detective Bureau was notified of the incident and responded to the shooting scene as part of an ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information on the shooting may contact Det. Sgt. Joseph Kennedy at 810-237-6912 or, to report tip anonymously, call Crime Stoppers of Flint and Genesee County at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245), on the P3 Tips mobile app or online at crimestoppersofflint.com.

Videos, photos, and audio can be submitted via the Crime Stoppers app or website.

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Body of missing girl, 16, found along St. Clair County trail

Saginaw Township schools closed Monday due to COVID-19 vaccine related staff shortage

Train strikes back of car in Flint, driver suffers minor injuries

Missing Allegan County woman returns home

Ottawa County bicyclist hospitalized after being hit from behind by car

One dead in shooting on Grand Rapids northwest side

2 arrested, charged in February murder of Inkster man
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Over the past day, March 7, 910 people received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Ukraine.

In total, 17,947 people have been vaccinated since the beginning of the vaccination campaign, according to the Vaccination against COVID-19 portal of the Ministry of Health.

"Over the past day, 910 people were vaccinated against COVID-19 in Ukraine ... In total, 17,947 people have been vaccinated since the beginning of the vaccination campaign  all of them received the first dose of the vaccine," the report reads.

Vaccination against coronavirus in Ukraine started on February 24.

On February 23, 500,000 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca (Covishield) vaccine, purchased at the expense of the state budget, were delivered to Ukraine.

The Health Ministry expects to receive another 1.5 million doses of the Covishield vaccine by March 31. In early March, 117,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are expected to be delivered to Ukraine as part of the global COVAX Facility.

ish
OTTAWA, ON, March 8, 2021 /CNW/ - As we continue the fight against COVID-19, we still remain at risk of other disasters including natural hazards, flooding, storms, and wildfires.

Today, the Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Bill Blair, announced the launch of an Emergency Preparedness Public Awareness Campaign. The campaign aims to protect Canadians, their homes, and their communities by focusing on concrete actions that they can take to better prepare against the risk of natural disasters and emergencies.

Canada's expansive geography, diverse topography and contrasting climates bring a range of natural hazards that often vary from region to region. Only one in ten Canadians have taken steps to reduce the risk of their home being affected by a weather-related emergency or natural disaster. It is important that Canadians are aware of the risks in their region, and how to be ready for different situations.

Building awareness and understanding of disaster risks is an important priority under the Emergency Management Strategy for Canada: Toward a Resilient 2030 and aligns with the Government's recent commitment to develop a national climate change adaptation strategy, in which Public Safety Canada and other federal departments like Natural Resources Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada will play a key role.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud to launch a national public awareness campaign on the importance of emergency preparedness. This emergency preparedness campaign will encourage people to learn about the risks they face in their area and encourage all Canadians to take action to mitigate these risks."

 The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Quick Facts

The campaign will be rolled out on digital platforms in March 2021, followed by a second phase this spring/summer with radio ads.

The Emergency Preparedness Public Awareness Campaign encourages Canadians to be prepared for emergencies and natural disasters. More information and steps Canadians can take to prepare themselves can be found on Get Prepared.

Public Safety Canada is also renewing its Flood Ready public awareness campaign in March 2021 which focuses on preparing Canadians for flooding.

In January 2019, FPT Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management approved the Emergency Management Strategy for Canada: Toward a Resilient 2030. The Strategy established five priority areas of activity in order to strengthen the resilience of Canada by 2030, including a priority to improve understanding of disaster risks in all sectors of society which will be supported by this national advertising campaign.

Associated Links

Story continues

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

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View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2021/08/c2130.html
Hong Kong police detained and arrested the former executive director of Next Digital, Stephen Ting Ka-yu, on March 2 for alleged fraud as part of a broader investigation into the Next Digital media group. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns his arrest and calls on the Hong Kong authorities to stop targeting media workers.

A commuter reads a copy of the Apple Daily newspaper on a train in Hong Kong on August 11, 2020, a day after authorities raided the newspaper's headquarters. Credit: ISAAC LAWRENCE/ AFP

Hong Kong police told the IFJ that the 61-year-old was arrested in relation to an investigation dating back to August 2020 into several top executives of Next Digital, the media group that publishes pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. Ting had served in a number of senior roles at Next Digital over 17 years until 2016. He was the executive director and chief operating officer when he resigned. He has since been released on bail but is ordered to report back to police in May.

Hong Kongs national security police raided the headquarters of Apple Daily on August 10, 2020. Several top executives of the group were arrested the same day, including its founder Jimmy Lai, as well as two of Lais sons and the chief executive officer, Cheung Kim-hung.

In all, ten people detained in the August 2020 police operations were accused of collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security and conspiracy to defraud.

A staunch supporter of Hong Kongs democratic movement and critic of Beijing, Jimmy Lai is one of the highest-profile cases among a growing list of arrests under the national security law. He has been in detention since late December 2020, with his bail applications repeatedly rejected.

As many as 100 people have now been arrested by the Hong Kong authorities under the national security law imposed on the city by the Beijing authorities in June 2020. According to the Hong Kong police, the arrestees include 83 males and 17 females aged between 16 and 79.

The IFJ said: In just six months, the number of arrests under the national security law is gravely concerning. The authorities are utilizing the contentious law to crush political dissidents and critical voices. The IFJ condemns the arrest of Ting and calls on the authorities to stop targeting media workers with ungrounded acts.
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Swedish initiative invites men to talk about gender equality

The Embassy of Sweden Hanoi has just introduced "globalguytalk" initiative in Vietnam, on the International women's day 2021. The aim is to start conversations between men that can influence attitudes and increase gender equality.









Swedish Ambassador Ann Mawe speaks at the event





"In collaboration between the non-profit foundation Make Equal, the Swedish Institute guy dinner now goes international and becomes #globalguytalk. It is exciting to launch it in Vietnam today. The aim is to give men the chance to participate in conversations about how norms and expectations form them, and how they can contribute to creating a more equal society", said Swedish Ambassador Ann Mawe at the opening of the event on March 8 in Hanoi.



"The overall objective of gender equality is a society in which women and men enjoy the same opportunities, rights, and obligations in all spheres of life. One part of achieving that is for men to understand their chance to be a part of positive change and to reflect on their own situation. My belief is that it is necessary for a healthy family relationship that men talk to each other and overcome prevailing patriarchal mentalities of not sharing emotions", Ambassador Mawe added.

#globalguytalk can be seen as a follow-up to the highly appreciated photo exhibition Swedish Dads by photographer Johan Bavman  shown in over 70 countries worldwide including Vietnam. This inspired quite a few similar initiatives in Vietnam during the last few years including Vietnamese Dads and Equal Families. With #globalguytalk we wish to build on the experiences from Swedish Dads  stepping up the work with men and boys in support of a gender equal society.



The first #globalguytalk in Vietnam is arranged in cooperation with the Vietnamese Women Museum.

Nguyen Hai Van, Director of the Vietnam Women's Museum said "Besides preserving and introducing the heritage of Vietnamese women to the public at home and abroad, the Vietnam Women's Museum is also aware of our mission in raising awareness and improving understanding of gender issues. This is reflected in exhibits that the Museum has done to date, as well as events in collaboration with international organizations on gender multidimensional themes. The exhibition #GlobalGuytalk is one such event. I was very impressed and found it really interesting to see the content of this exhibition, because there are not many forums for Vietnamese men to share their thoughts. And that shows us that equality sometimes does not come from the big thing, but it comes from harmony, listening to understand feelings, emotions and desires from both sides ... From there, joining hands, commitment and efforts to build a more equal society".

"One factor identified as undermining men's confidence to become involved in gender equality is the lack of positive male role models in society and the media. Fears that engaging men in gender equality strategies may hinder the empowerment of women may act as an additional obstacle. I believe we would only succeed through the participation of both women and men, to achieve equality in our society. I would like to call upon Vietnamese men to actively join #globalguytalk", said Dang Hoa Nam, Director-General of the Department of Children, Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs - MOLISA, a partner of #GlobalGuyTalk in Vietnam.


Supreme Court Sides With Students Seeking $1 Nominal Damages in Campus Speech Case

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that a Georgia college should be held accountable for its now-rescinded policies that prevented two former students from speaking on campus about their Christian faith.

In an 8-1 opinion (pdf) in which Chief Justice John Roberts was the sole dissenter, the high court said just one dollar in compensation, sought by students who argue that the colleges speech code violated their First Amendment rights, is enough to keep the case alive.

The case stems from a 2016 incident in which Georgia Gwinnett College students Chike Uzuegbunam and Joseph Bradford, both evangelical Christians, were told that they could only speak about their religion in two designated free speech expression areas. But when Uzuegbunam tried to speak in one of the small free speech zones, a campus police officer again asked him to stop, citing a school policy that banned any expression that disturbs the peace and/or comfort of person(s).

In response to the First Amendment lawsuit, Georgia Gwinnett College ultimately chose to discontinue the challenged policies rather than to defend them, allowing speech in any outdoor area of campus. The policy change and Uzuegbunams graduation from the college led a federal district court to declare the case as moot, a ruling that was upheld by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Supreme Court overturned the lower court decision, saying that the $1 nominal damages, previously deemed inadequate to save a case from mootness, were not purely symbolic.

Nominal damages are not a consolation prize for the plaintiff who pleads, but fails to prove, compensatory damages, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for the majority. They are instead the damages awarded by default until the plaintiff establishes entitlement to some other form of damages, such as compensatory or statutory damages.

Because nominal damages were available at common law in analogous circumstances, we conclude that a request for nominal damages satisfies the redressability element of standing where a plaintiffs claim is based on a completed violation of legal right, Thomas wrote.

Roberts, however, wrote in his dissenting opinion that the redressing of a case is meant to alleviate the plaintiffs injury, either by compensating for a past loss or by preventing an ongoing or future harm. In the free speech case of Uzuegbunam and Bradford, according to Roberts, the $1 nominal damages do not serve either of those purposes.

They are not intended to approximate the value of tangible or intangible harms, or the deterrent effect required to prevent further misconduct, Roberts wrote. And they are not calculated with reference to either of these purposes.

Roberts warned that Mondays decision risks a major expansion of the judicial role.

Going forward, the Judiciary will be required to perform this function whenever a plaintiff asks for a dollar, Roberts argued. For those who want to know if their rights have been violated, the least dangerous branch will become the least expensive source of legal advice.

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the conservative legal group representing the suing students, applauded the decision, saying they are pleased that the Supreme Court weighed in on the side of justice for those victims.

Officials within our public institutions shouldnt get a free pass for violating constitutional rights on campus or anywhere else, Kristen Waggoner, a general counsel with ADF, said in a statement. When such officials engage in misconduct but face no consequences, it leaves victims without recourse, undermines the nations commitment to protecting constitutional rights, and emboldens the government to engage in future violations.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 21:48:26|Editor: Xiaoxia

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BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- China will invest more in basic research during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) period, with such funding expected to reach over 8 percent of all research and development (R&D) expenditure, said Wang Zhigang, minister of science and technology.

China will also formulate a 10-year action plan for basic research, Wang said on the sidelines of the annual national legislative session.

The central government's funding for basic research doubled over the past five years, and the funding for basic research is estimated at 6.16 percent of its total R&D expenditure in 2020, Wang said.

China has established 13 applied mathematics centers and plans to build several research centers and platforms for basic disciplines. The country has made achievements in the fields of iron-based superconductivity, stem cells, quantum information and brain-like chips, Wang added. Enditem
The 2020 season was, by all counts, a watershed year for trainer Nancy Takter. With the 2021 stakes season on the horizon, Takter and her team are eyeing a few new targets for the stars of their stable  but admittedly, last season will be a challenge to top.

After Tall Dark Stranger conquered North America last year and accounted for one-sixth of Takter's $8.4 million in 2020 purse earnings, the New Jersey-based conditioner is toying with the idea of taking on Europe's best with three-time Breeders Crown winner Manchego this spring.

"I guess we'll see how the next couple of months play out," Takter told Trot Insider of the potential plans to send Manchego to the Elitlopp. "It's not until the end of May, so we still have some time. I'll probably qualify her mid-April, the beginning of April ... some time around there. She's very easy to get going  she just needs a couple of qualifiers, and she's off."

Of course, a Breeders Crown hat trick is enough to put Manchego in the rarest of trotting company on this continent, and the now six-year-old daughter of Muscle Hill is "coming back just great," having "picked up after her vacation where she left off," according to Takter.

But, while the prestige of winning the Elitlopp can land Manchego in the same air as some of the globe's greatest trotters ever, there remains a significant risk for Takter to weigh, not to mention the logistical challenges in play  for horse and human alike.

"Its a prestige thing to go to the Elitlopp," she explained. "Its not necessarily a money thing because she has more money to race for here than over there. You always have to keep in mind once she comes back from the Elitlopp that shes going to need a little bit of time just to recover from the race and so forth. The whole month of June and half of July is pretty much just going to be her recovering if she were to go over there. If we were lucky, then maybe shed be ready for Hambletonian Day or the Maple Leaf Trot. Its a lot of risk, but its also one of those things  if you have a horse that can go over there and win it, it's an amazing thing.

"Its something that sets horses apart, like Moni Maker, Mack Lobell  those American horses that have been able to go over there and do that, there arent many of them. Theyre few and far between. It makes greatness; it puts her in a completely different status. You could compare her to these other great Open mares, but none of them went to Europe or did that. Thats why I think Moni Maker was a great horse, and what made Moni Maker great was that she went to Europe and travelled across the ocean and did things nobody else was able to do ever."

Despite the rewards of international glory that an Elitlopp win would bring, the logistics of getting Manchego to Stockholm  while the world tries to recover from the worst pandemic in a century's time  remains a major obstacle, as does the toll that the extensive travel and two heats on a foreign continent has taken on many a North American invader over the past two decades, as Takter explains:

"We could probably get her there, but as far as me and Dexter [Dunn] being able to go there and not being able to come back because its an important time in our racing season, too ... Neither one of us could quarantine for two weeks. Were just going to have to see how things kind of play out as far as that goes. And then, were going to have to see how the actual trip works out for her, because the way theyve had to do it in the past [is that] theyve flown to Belgium, then shipped from Belgium to Sweden. It takes almost three days for the horses to get there, and they race on that [Sunday]  going two heats. Well have to see how the travel arrangements work out. Its something we would keep on our radar, I think. I wouldnt say no to it, but a lot of puzzle pieces have to fall into place for it to come into fruition."

And while Manchego could very well hold her own on the world stage, Takter wants to protect her mare as much as possible, just the same:

"I never want to put her in a situation where her health or anything is at risk because she doesnt owe any one of us anything. But she absolutely loves her work. She does not like to be off; she likes to race, is happy on the track. She has that diva quality to her. The great ones, they have that; they know that."

With rival and fellow three-time Crown winner Gimpanzee retiring at the end of last season, it opened the door for Takter and owner Black Horse Racing to put retirement plans for Manchego, who concluded her five-year-old run with wins in the Breeders Crown and TVG Open, on hold. But the mare's improved versatility was a definite factor as well  especially in a day when the sport's top trotters flirt with the 1:50 mile rate with increasing regularity.

"Her having the dimension of being a little bit more versatile was a big factor in it," Takter explained. "And then Gimpanzee retiring  there wasnt much left. Obviously, Atlantas really good when shes good, but shes kind of been a little up and down the last two years, too. And Manchego had issues in the summer with her ovaries and stuff like that. Theres no one standout horse, but theres not two or three or four. Thats the thing  theres a small, select group of four or five horses that are going to finish one, two, three, four, five in the races. I think Manchegos probably  her and Atlanta are probably the best ones returning. Youll have to see how Amigo Volos going to be hes a nice, handy horse, too, and even Ready For Moni  but they have to make the transition to be aged horses, which is difficult sometimes."

Regardless of which side of the Atlantic Ocean Manchego takes up residence in the spring, she's destined for another remarkable campaign  as are a few rising four-year-olds in Takter's barn, including Breeders Crown-winning distaffer Peaky Sneaky, as well as No Lou Zing and Fortify on the pacing side. Also among the roughly 85 horses in her care  a sizeable increase from the 55 she had last year due to more older horses returning to action  are a pair of Australian eight-year-olds transferred to her stable: San Domino A and None Bettor A, both pointed to the MGM Borgata Series at Yonkers Raceway.

"They're tough racehorses; they're seasoned racehorses," she said.

On the trotting side, O'Brien Award winner Sorella and O'Brien Award finalist Ready For Moni are poised to return for their four-year-old seasons, as is Spoiled Princess. With three top older trotting mares in the barn, Takter has indicated she'll point Manchego toward mixed company while the four-year-olds will race against mares whenever possible:

"The Armbro Flight doesnt have an open counterpart that goes that time of the year; Manchegos obviously in the Armbro Flight. But when we went to the Joie De Vie and the Crawford Farms Trot, we made Manchego eligible for the Crawford Farms, and Sorella and Spoiled Princess are eligible for the female parts. In the past, weve never staked Manchego for the Cashman, but this year weve put Manchego in the Cashman, and Sorella and Spoiled Princess are in the Steele."

While Manchego has and will race against the boys this season, Takter's plan to keep Sorella in restricted company as much as possible aligns with her tactic to race her in the Hambletonian Oaks as opposed to the Hambletonian, despite America's trotting classic ultimately going to another filly in Ramona Hill.

"She was so good on Hambo day that I think  I obviously dont know what wouldve happened had we made different choices  but she raced super on Hambo day. She took charge of the race and raced really tough that day.... When I knew that Ramona Hill was going [to the Hambletonian], it doesnt make sense for Crawford [Farms] to race their fillies in the Hambo, either. And I knew that Sorella had a good shot at winning the Oaks. You know, you have to be second in the Hambo to make as much money as you do winning the Oaks, and nobody ever remembers who finished second. They only remember who won."

Through the grind of a long season  once again stretching from March deep into November  Takter's main goal is to manage all of her trainees and help them realize their greatest potential.

"The goal is always to get the most out of each individual horse that you can get," she explained. "You have to be a realist, too. I have horses in my barn that, if that individual makes $60,000 or $100,000 this year, thats very good for that individual. And its my job to make sure that individual does that."

Part of that is through making sure each horse gets the individual care and attention they need:

"Even though I have a big barn, every horse gets a training schedule or a training regimen that fits that individual. Im really trying not to be a factory-type barn where every horse trains Tuesday, Friday or trains Wednesday, races Saturday. I have some that train just on the racetrack, some that go two trips, three trips. I try to keep it very individualized."

... and another part of it is making sure that she herself doesn't fall victim to an unsustainable grind, either:

"In the past, I was really bad about that," Takter admitted. "I would never go away and would try to be there 24-7 all the time. But for my own mental health, you get really tired during the racing season. I dont think my whole staff realizes it, but when I leave the barn, just because Im done training for the day doesnt mean that my day is over. I have to talk to owners, I have to do the staking, I have to make schedules, I have to make sure people are actually paying us so that I can actually run this business. There are papers that need to be signed and bills that need to be paid."

The ability to step away from an 85-horse stable is one Takter never would have fathomed a couple years ago, but after being able to lean on assistant trainer Josert Fonseca and caretaker Katie Remmerswaal through the pandemic-affected 2020 season, her concerns of burning out are allayed considerably  and her ability to rely on her team is evidence of personal growth.

"Im a little bit of a Type-A person," Takter admitted. "COVID actually forced me to let go a little bit. In 2019, if you wouldve told me I was going to send Josert to Canada I wouldve told you [that] you were completely nuts. But you know what, I had to do that. There was no other option, and it worked out. It taught me a little bit that you can relax and you have to trust the people you have in place to do their job, and if you cant trust people to do their job then maybe you have to hire different people to do it. Its a lot of personal growth more than anything."

And to have such a reliable, professional staff keeping the operation running gives Takter the opportunity to recharge periodically  something that is essential given the demands of an arduous stakes season and keeping up with owners' expectations.

"To get away and go to Florida for two or three days here or there..." Takter said. "Im fortunate that I was able to buy a condo down there right on the beach. I can hop on a direct flight. It takes me 2-1/2 hours to get there, and I spend 48 hours there and come back home feeling recharged and focused and ready to go."

A couple days away here or there may not sound like much, but it goes a long way toward helping Nancy Takter stay balanced and relaxed. And while the harness racing industry can be all-consuming for many, Takter asserts that she wants to be able to enjoy all that life has to offer  including being a mother that's present for her two children, Marcus and Ella.

"You only live once, and theres that saying, 'You work to live or live to work,'" Takter said. "I obviously love my job, and I dont think you can be successful at this job without loving this job, because it is like joining the circus or whatever crazy show that has to go on all the time. But, at the same time, I want to enjoy other things  I want to enjoy my children, I want to enjoy my friends. I think its important to enjoy your entire life  it makes you a whole person."
New Delhi, March 9 : The AAP-led Delhi government on Monday presented its fourth Outcome Budget on the first day of the Delhi Assembly's budget session for 2021-22.

Presenting the budget, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government highlighted its achievements in various departments such as Education, Health, Transport, Revenue, Food and Civil Supply and Labour.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds Finance portfolio, presenting the fourth outcome budget, said: "Delhi government is the only state government that makes suo-moto disclosure of its performance to promote transparency and accountability in public spending. The outcome budget is a report card on how various departments have performed based on the funds allocated under Annual Budget 2020-21." Sisodia said that during lockdown, the Delhi government launched the series of 'Parenting in the time of Corona' in which, up to 98 per cent students received worksheets while 89-90 per cent of students of 11th and 12th grades attended online classes. The Delhi government carried out educational activities for 229 days whereas a normal session lasts 220 days.

On the revenue front, the Delhi government said it mitigated basic inequalities caused due to the pandemic and the revenue department set up as many as 1,914 hunger relief centers at the government-run schools for the period over three months.

The government claimed that cooked meals were provided twice a day to over 10 lakh people. Apart from these the AAP government also set-up 260 night shelters, booked 252 trains for migrant workers and provided an ex-gratia relief amount of Rs 1 crore to each of the families of 9 frontline workers who died due to Covid-19.

Sisodia said that responding quickly to the Covid -19 crisis, the Delhi government implemented a comprehensive Covid-19 response strategy. He said that Covid-19 tests of 87.8 lakh people was done in the national capital.

To ensure an adequate number of beds for Covid patients, the Minister said that the government arranged 27,873 beds in all government hospitals, which was twice the number available compared to actual occupancy at all times.

To tackle the coronavirus, Delhi also became the first state in the country to experiment with plasma therapy, he said.

Sisodia said that in addition to providing cooked meals during lockdown, the Delhi government distributed free ration to 71 lakh ration card holders. A total of 65 per cent of Delhi's population were provided free food grains to help them at the much needed time during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Highlighting its achievements in the labour department, Manish Sisodia told the house that construction workers who lost their livelihoods during the pandemic were also provided special assistance.

The Delhi government provided financial aid to 44,683 construction workers who registered under the Delhi government's Construction Workers Welfare Board. Sisodia claimed it was the highest financial assistance provided by any state in the country, followed by Punjab and Kerala at Rs 3,000 each.

Sisodia said to curb pollution and make Delhi a clean and green city, Delhi government also launched the electric vehicle policy.

Concluding the budget presentation, Sisodia said: "The outcome budget has become an integral part of the governance system and helps the government to rank all departments on the basis of their performance. The departments are now more proactive and work in a more target oriented approach, which gives better results."
Determining how rapidly the universe is expanding is key to understanding our cosmic fate, but with more precise data has come a conundrum: Estimates based on measurements within our local universe don't agree with extrapolations from the era shortly after the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago.

A new estimate of the local expansion rate -- the Hubble constant, or H0 (H-naught) -- reinforces that discrepancy.

Using a relatively new and potentially more precise technique for measuring cosmic distances, which employs the average stellar brightness within giant elliptical galaxies as a rung on the distance ladder, astronomers calculate a rate -- 73.3 kilometers per second per megaparsec, give or take 2.5 km/sec/Mpc -- that lies in the middle of three other good estimates, including the gold standard estimate from Type Ia supernovae. This means that for every megaparsec -- 3.3 million light years, or 3 billion trillion kilometers -- from Earth, the universe is expanding an extra 73.3 2.5 kilometers per second. The average from the three other techniques is 73.5 1.4 km/sec/Mpc.

Perplexingly, estimates of the local expansion rate based on measured fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background and, independently, fluctuations in the density of normal matter in the early universe (baryon acoustic oscillations), give a very different answer: 67.4 0.5 km/sec/Mpc.

Astronomers are understandably concerned about this mismatch, because the expansion rate is a critical parameter in understanding the physics and evolution of the universe and is key to understanding dark energy -- which accelerates the rate of expansion of the universe and thus causes the Hubble constant to change more rapidly than expected with increasing distance from Earth. Dark energy comprises about two-thirds of the mass and energy in the universe, but is still a mystery.

For the new estimate, astronomers measured fluctuations in the surface brightness of 63 giant elliptical galaxies to determine the distance and plotted distance against velocity for each to obtain H0. The surface brightness fluctuation (SBF) technique is independent of other techniques and has the potential to provide more precise distance estimates than other methods within about 100 Mpc of Earth, or 330 million light years. The 63 galaxies in the sample are at distances ranging from 15 to 99 Mpc, looking back in time a mere fraction of the age of the universe.

"For measuring distances to galaxies out to 100 megaparsecs, this is a fantastic method," said cosmologist Chung-Pei Ma, the Judy Chandler Webb Professor in the Physical Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley, and professor of astronomy and physics. "This is the first paper that assembles a large, homogeneous set of data, on 63 galaxies, for the goal of studying H-naught using the SBF method."

Ma leads the MASSIVE survey of local galaxies, which provided data for 43 of the galaxies -- two-thirds of those employed in the new analysis.

The data on these 63 galaxies was assembled and analyzed by John Blakeslee, an astronomer with the National Science Foundation's NOIRLab. He is first author of a paper now accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal that he co-authored with colleague Joseph Jensen of Utah Valley University in Orem. Blakeslee, who heads the science staff that support NSF's optical and infrared observatories, is a pioneer in using SBF to measure distances to galaxies, and Jensen was one of the first to apply the method at infrared wavelengths. The two worked closely with Ma on the analysis.

"The whole story of astronomy is, in a sense, the effort to understand the absolute scale of the universe, which then tells us about the physics," Blakeslee said, harkening back to James Cook's voyage to Tahiti in 1769 to measure a transit of Venus so that scientists could calculate the true size of the solar system. "The SBF method is more broadly applicable to the general population of evolved galaxies in the local universe, and certainly if we get enough galaxies with the James Webb Space Telescope, this method has the potential to give the best local measurement of the Hubble constant."

The James Webb Space Telescope, 100 times more powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope, is scheduled for launch in October.

Giant elliptical galaxies

The Hubble constant has been a bone of contention for decades, ever since Edwin Hubble first measured the local expansion rate and came up with an answer seven times too big, implying that the universe was actually younger than its oldest stars. The problem, then and now, lies in pinning down the location of objects in space that give few clues about how far away they are.

Astronomers over the years have laddered up to greater distances, starting with calculating the distance to objects close enough that they seem to move slightly, because of parallax, as the Earth orbits the sun. Variable stars called Cepheids get you farther, because their brightness is linked to their period of variability, and Type Ia supernovae get you even farther, because they are extremely powerful explosions that, at their peak, shine as bright as a whole galaxy. For both Cepheids and Type Ia supernovae, it's possible to figure out the absolute brightness from the way they change over time, and then the distance can be calculated from their apparent brightness as seen from Earth.

The best current estimate of H0 comes from distances determined by Type Ia supernova explosions in distant galaxies, though newer methods -- time delays caused by gravitational lensing of distant quasars and the brightness of water masers orbiting black holes -- all give around the same number.

The technique using surface brightness fluctuations is one of the newest and relies on the fact that giant elliptical galaxies are old and have a consistent population of old stars -- mostly red giant stars -- that can be modeled to give an average infrared brightness across their surface. The researchers obtained high-resolution infrared images of each galaxy with the Wide Field Camera 3 on the Hubble Space Telescope and determined how much each pixel in the image differed from the "average" -- the smoother the fluctuations over the entire image, the farther the galaxy, once corrections are made for blemishes like bright star-forming regions, which the authors exclude from the analysis.

Neither Blakeslee nor Ma was surprised that the expansion rate came out close to that of the other local measurements. But they are equally confounded by the glaring conflict with estimates from the early universe -- a conflict that many astronomers say means that our current cosmological theories are wrong, or at least incomplete.

The extrapolations from the early universe are based on the simplest cosmological theory -- called lambda cold dark matter, or CDM -- which employs just a few parameters to describe the evolution of the universe. Does the new estimate drive a stake into the heart of CDM?

"I think it pushes that stake in a bit more," Blakeslee said. "But it (CDM) is still alive. Some people think, regarding all these local measurements, (that) the observers are wrong. But it is getting harder and harder to make that claim -- it would require there to be systematic errors in the same direction for several different methods: supernovae, SBF, gravitational lensing, water masers. So, as we get more independent measurements, that stake goes a little deeper."

Ma wonders whether the uncertainties astronomers ascribe to their measurements, which reflect both systematic errors and statistical errors, are too optimistic, and that perhaps the two ranges of estimates can still be reconciled.

"The jury is out," she said. "I think it really is in the error bars. But assuming everyone's error bars are not underestimated, the tension is getting uncomfortable."

In fact, one of the giants of the field, astronomer Wendy Freedman, recently published a study pegging the Hubble constant at 69.8 1.9 km/sec/Mpc, roiling the waters even further. The latest result from Adam Riess, an astronomer who shared the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics for discovering dark energy, reports 73.2 1.3 km/sec/Mpc. Riess was a Miller Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley when he performed this research, and he shared the prize with UC Berkeley and Berkeley Lab physicist Saul Perlmutter.

MASSIVE galaxies

The new value of H0 is a byproduct of two other surveys of nearby galaxies -- in particular, Ma's MASSIVE survey, which uses space and ground-based telescopes to exhaustively study the 100 most massive galaxies within about 100 Mpc of Earth. A major goal is to weigh the supermassive black holes at the centers of each one.

To do that, precise distances are needed, and the SBF method is the best to date, she said. The MASSIVE survey team used this method last year to determine the distance to a giant elliptical galaxy, NGC 1453, in the southern sky constellation of Eridanus. Combining that distance, 166 million light years, with extensive spectroscopic data from the Gemini and McDonald telescopes -- which allowed Ma's graduate students Chris Liepold and Matthew Quenneville to measure the velocities of the stars near the center of the galaxy -- they concluded that NGC 1453 has a central black hole with a mass nearly 3 billion times that of the sun.

To determine H0, Blakeslee calculated SBF distances to 43 of the galaxies in the MASSIVE survey, based on 45 to 90 minutes of HST observing time for each galaxy. The other 20 came from another survey that employed HST to image large galaxies, specifically ones in which Type Ia supernovae have been detected.

Most of the 63 galaxies are between 8 and 12 billion years old, which means that they contain a large population of old red stars, which are key to the SBF method and can also be used to improve the precision of distance calculations. In the paper, Blakeslee employed both Cepheid variable stars and a technique that uses the brightest red giant stars in a galaxy -- referred to as the tip of the red giant branch, or TRGB technique -- to ladder up to galaxies at large distances. They produced consistent results. The TRGB technique takes account of the fact that the brightest red giants in galaxies have about the same absolute brightness.

"The goal is to make this SBF method completely independent of the Cepheid-calibrated Type Ia supernova method by using the James Webb Space Telescope to get a red giant branch calibration for SBFs," he said.

"The James Webb telescope has the potential to really decrease the error bars for SBF," Ma added. But for now, the two discordant measures of the Hubble constant will have to learn to live with one another.

"I was not setting out to measure H0; it was a great product of our survey," she said. "But I am a cosmologist and am watching this with great interest."

###

Co-authors of the paper with Blakeslee, Ma and Jensen are Jenny Greene of Princeton University, who is a leader of the MASSIVE team, and Peter Milne of the University of Arizona in Tucson, who leads the team studying Type Ia supernovae. The work was supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (HST-GO-14219, HST-GO-14654, HST GO-15265) and the National Science Foundation (AST-1815417, AST-1817100).
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QINGDAO, Mar. 8 -- A 10,000-ton-class Type 055 guided-missile destroyer named after Lhasa, the capital of Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, officially made its public debut at a military harbor in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province recently.

With new weapons in air defense, anti-missile, anti-ship and anti-submarine, the Type 055 destroyer boasts strong capabilities in information perception, air defense and anti-missile operation and anti-sea strike, marking a strategic transformation development of the PLA navy.

The destroyer Lhasa is the second Type 055 guided-missile destroyer independently developed by China after the guided-missile destroyer Nanchang (Hull 101) was commissioned on January 12, 2020.
[March 07, 2021] IntelliCentrics Launches Patient-Centric Visitor Management Transforming Healthcare Across China, North America, and the UK

IntelliCentrics (6819.HK), the innovator of the SEC (News - Alert) URE Ethos, SECURE Passport, Link & GO!, BioBytes and now BioBytes Visitor, serves healthcare facilities across North America, the United Kingdom, and China, announces the creation of another industry first, BioBytes Visitor. BioBytes Visitor delivers value on two concurrent vectors by giving patients control over who can visit them when receiving care while providing locations of care (LOCs) with the ability to apply their safety and COVID-19 policies to visitors. The result is the first-ever technology platform to support the needs of every individual entering an LOC. "The ability to trust patient visitors is uniquely important for three strategic reasons. Firstly, every year there are literally hundreds of millions of untrusted and unwelcome patient visitors entering our LOCs, compromising everyone's safety and security. Secondly, COVID-19 taught us the most well-intended visits from family and friends can only happen with trust, at the right time and the right way. Thirdly, BioBytes Visitor is the ideal gateway for visitors to learn about our BioBytes elehealth solution which more deeply connects patients with family, friends and physicians," said Michael Sheehan, CEO of IntelliCentrics.



IntelliCentrics' Ethos is the first of its kind technology platform serving both the supply and demand sides of healthcare on a single, integrated, end-to-end technology platform. BioBytes delivers the portfolio of technologies serving the demand side of healthcare and integrates patients with their families and friends with the supply side of healthcare in a safe and trusted way. "Each of our global markets continues to evolve, but they all demonstrate a large appetite for transformational healthcare technologies. By adding patient-centric visitor management to BioBytes, we believe that we can close the loop, offering a more deeply connected, trusted relationships in the healthcare journey," continued Sheehan.

About IntelliCentrics

With a mission to use trust to make high-quality healthcare as accessible as a good cup of coffee, IntelliCentrics created the SECURE Ethos. Built on three core principles - transparency, neutrality, and independence, the SECURE Ethos is relied on by more than 11,000 locations of care worldwide to ensure mutual trust between patients, doctors, vendor representatives and healthcare companies. To learn more about the world's largest trusted healthcare technology platform, visit www.intellicentrics.com. IntelliCentrics is publicly traded on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock code 6819. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210307005029/en/

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Challenger banks continue to see huge infusions of cash from investors bullish on the opportunity for smaller and faster-moving tech-based banking startups to woo customers from their larger rivals. In the latest development, U.K.-based Starling announced that is has closed 272 million ($376 million at current rates), at a pre-money valuation of 1.1 billion.

This means that the round, a Series D, values the company at 1.372 billion ($1.9 billion) post-money.

Starling -- which competes against incumbent banks, as well as other challengers like Monzo and Revolut -- said it will be using the money to continue its growth. The bank is already profitable. In updated financials posted today, Starling said it generated revenue of 12 million ($16.6 million) in January of this year, up 400% compared to a year ago, with an annualized revenue run rate of 145 million. It posted operating profits for a fourth consecutive month, and net income currently exceeds 1.5 million per month.

Starling, founded in 2017, has now passed 2 million accounts, with 300,000 business accounts among them. It's not clear how many of those accounts are active: the figures are for opened accounts, Starling said. Gross lending has passed 2 billion, with deposits at 5.4 billion.

Starling said it plans to use the funding to expand its lending operations in the U.K., expand into other parts of Europe and make some strategic acquisitions.

Digital banking has reached a tipping point," said Anne Boden, founder and CEO of Starling Bank, in a statement. "Customers now expect a fairer, smarter and more human alternative to the banks of the past and that is what we are giving them at Starling as we continue to grow and add new products and services. Our new investors will bring a wealth of experience as we enter the next stage of growth, while the continued support of our existing backers represents a huge vote of confidence.

Story continues

This latest round is being led by Fidelity Management & Research Company, with Qatar Investment Authority (QIA); RPMI Railpen (Railpen), the investment manager for the 31 billion Railways Pension Scheme; and global investment firm Millennium Management also participating, and it comes on the heels of us reporting in November that it was raising at least 200 million.

The funding arrives at a critical time in consumer banking. The trend in the U.K. -- the market where Starling is active -- for the last several years has been a gradual shift to online and mobile banking. To decelerate the spread of COVID-19, those trends rapidly picked up pace in the last year of lock-downs and enforced social distancing.

Challenger (neo) banks have been some of the biggest winners of evolving consumer habits. Using rails provided as white-label services by way of APIs from banking infrastructure providers (another startup category in itself with companies like Rapyd, Plaid, Mambu, CurrencyCloud and others all involved) they will offer the same basic services such as checking and deposit, but they will typically do so with considerably more flexibility, and additional savings and financial tips, and other services provided to customers (such as monthly financial calculators) -- all carried out over digital platforms.

Big, incumbent banks have scrambled to keep up with innovation, but newer generations of users are less beholden to their brands and incumbency, not least a result of the banking crisis last decade that revealed many of them to be considerably less competent and solid than many might have assumed.

That bigger market picture has also meant a surge of many neobanks, and so Starling competes with more than just the incumbents. Others include Monese, Revolut, Tide, Atom and Monzo -- the latter a particularly acute competitor, founded by the ex-CTO of Starling.

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, 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.

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Police at the scene in south Belfast. Photo: Alan Lewis.

Two people have been arrested after a teenager was stabbed multiple times in south Belfast.

The incident occurred in Balfour Avenue shortly before 3am on Monday morning.

Police were pictured at the scene on Monday, with the area cordoned off.

"A teenage male was taken to hospital for treatment of stab wounds. Two people have been arrested in relation to this incident," a PSNI spokesperson said.

"There are no further details at this time."
A year after Mallacoota was almost destroyed by calamitous summer bushfires, the East Gippsland holiday hotspot is dealing with a different menace: wasps.

Many Mallacoota locals say European wasps have become a major nuisance. Residents have noticed many nests in the ground and some have reported being terrorised by the insects, particularly when theyre eating outside.

Mallacoota is being plagued by wasps. These insects drowned in a glass of juice on Monday. Credit:Rachel Mounsey

Mallacoota beekeeper Gerard Berger said this summer he had noticed more wasps than in the 14 years he had been living in the coastal town.

Ive never seen it like that in Mallacoota, he said.
Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State, on Monday, said Nigeria was more divided under the All Progressives Congress, APC. Lamido said...





Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State, on Monday, said Nigeria was more divided under the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Lamido said Nigeria has witnessed more hate and disunity in the past five years of APC government.

He spoke during the inauguration of Rumuji, Ibaa, Obelle Isokpo road in Emouha Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The former governor insisted that the ruling party has no vision and has been disintegrated.

He said: In the last five years of APC in government, Nigeria has become more divided.

There is more hate and disunity between North and South, East and West, Muslim and Christians even and ever and ever, there are bigger and micro problem.

From top to bottom, it is all confusion and crisis. APC has disintegrated. There is no single job, not in the north or south.

It is our common humanity that should be uniting us, Lamido added.
Police have launched a murder probe after a 19-year-old man was knifed to death in broad daylight in London today making him the eighth teen stabbing fatality of 2021.

Officers were called to the scene at 1.54pm on Penhurst Road in Tottenham today after two teenagers were stabbed and a third was injured.

The 19-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene while another teen, 18, was treated for stab wounds and taken to hospital.

His condition is not life threatening. The third victim, another 18-year-old boy, was treated for minor injuries.

Officers were called to the scene at 1.54pm on Penhurst Road in Tottenham today after two teenagers were stabbed and a third was injured

The 19-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene while another teen, 18, was treated for stab wounds and taken to hospital

His condition is not life threatening. The third victim, another 18-year-old boy, was treated for minor injuries

Next of kin have been informed and they are being supported by specialist officers.

A post-mortem will be carried out in due course and no arrests have been made yet.

A crime scene remains in place and enquiries are continuing.

It comes after an 18-year-old was knifed to death in the street in south-east London on Saturday.

Police were called at approximately just after 5.30pm to reports of a fight in Edington Road, Abbey Wood.

Next of kin have been informed and they are being supported by specialist officers

A post-mortem will be carried out in due course and no arrests have been made yet. A crime scene remains in place and enquiries are continuing

Pictured: Police making enquiries in the area

Officers attended along with the London Ambulance Service and found an 18-year-old man with a stab injury to his chest.

The latest killings mean the teenage murder rate in the capital is more than double what it was at the same stage last year.

The latest wave of teenage knife crime began when 17-year-old student Anas Mezenner was fatally knifed in Tottenham, north London, on Wednesday January 20.

Police were called to reports of a fight in Edington Road, Abbey Wood, south-east London on Saturday. Pictured: Police at the scene

When officers arrived at the scene with the ambulance service they found an 18-year-old male with a stab injury to the chest. Pictured: Forensics at the scene yesterday

The teenager died at the scene and is yet to be formally identified but his next of kin has been informed. Pictured: Forensics at the scene yesterday

Since then there has been an average of one teenager stabbed to death in the capital every six-and-a-half days.

Detective Sergeant Michael Hartley said: 'A young man has lost his life in the most tragic circumstances and officers will work round the clock to bring those responsible to justice.

'We are still in the early stages of the investigation and I would ask anybody who was in the area yesterday evening - or who has information about the attack - to contact us immediately.'

There have been no arrests.

Anybody with information or footage that could help the investigation is asked to tweet @MetCC or call 101, quoting CAD 5771/06Mar. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
SignatureCare Emergency Center, 621 Rayford Road, Spring, TX 77386 At SignatureCare Emergency Center, our goal is to serve and partner with Spring and Plano communities. That is what led us to open the new emergency rooms.

SignatureCare Emergency Center has opened two new 24-hour emergency centers in Spring and Plano, TX.

The new emergency centers will provide residents and businesses with the same top-quality emergency medical care SignatureCare emergency rooms are known for.

The 24-hour ERs are located at 621 Rayford Road, Spring, TX 77386 (Google Map) and 3670 Hwy 121, Plano, TX 75025 (Google Map).

We are excited to be in Spring and Plano, TX. We pride ourselves in providing top quality emergency room services and we are sure residents and businesses in these cities will soon see why we are the top-rated emergency center in Texas, said Dr. Kanti Bansal, a board-certified emergency room physician and managing partner at SignatureCare Emergency Center.

At SignatureCare Emergency Center, our goal is to serve and partner with Spring and Plano communities. That is what led us to open the new emergency rooms, he added.

Dr. Bansal said residents and businesses in both cities can look forward to being met with big smiles and friendly faces when they walk into SignatureCare ERs.

"I want to assure Spring and Plano residents that from the moment they walk into our emergency center, they can be confident that they will be met with smiling faces. Also, they will only be seen by board-certified emergency room physicians and licensed ER nurses 24 hours a day. All our physicians have the required experience to diagnose and treat most minor and major medical emergencies," he said.

SignatureCare Emergency Centers emergency rooms offer patients faster service than typical large hospital emergency rooms. Wait times to see a physician in our ER is usually 10 minutes or less.

More information about the new Spring and Plano emergency rooms are available on our website.

About SignatureCare Emergency Center

Houston, TX based SignatureCare Emergency Center owns 24-hour emergency centers throughout Texas including nine locations in the Houston area (Montrose, Houston Heights, Cypress/FM 1960, Copperfield, Memorial City, Westchase, Bellaire, Mission Bend/Sugar Land and Stafford), Spring, Atascocita/Humble, Plano, Killeen, Austin, College Station/Bryan, Paris, Midland, Odessa, Texarkana and Lewisville, TX.

Additional information is on our website at https://ercare24.com.
China has reported the highest jump in export growth in over two decades, a year on from the coronavirus outbreak that brought economic activity to a near halt worldwide, DW reported.

Exports spiked a huge 60.6% on-year in the January-February period, official data showed on Sunday.

The latest figures are in stark contrast to last year's fall of around 17% in exports, during the same time period. This year's growth exceeded the forecast of analysts in a Reuters poll for a nearly 39% surge.

Imports also rose, but less sharply. They increased by just over 22% from a 4% drop in imports during the same time last year.

The comparison to last year's exceptionally low numbers likely boosted the latest figures. A "low base is one of the reasons for the larger increase this year," the customs administration said in a statement.

But some Chinese-made products did see spikes in outbound shipments.

Official data showed that electronics exports rose by 54.1%. Textiles including face masks rose 50.2%.

This was driven by demand for work-from-home supplies and protective medical gear during the pandemic.

Improvements in manufacturing industries in the European Union and the United States that had ground to a halt during the start of the pandemic also contributed to export growth.

Unusually, many firms in export-oriented provinces stayed open over the Lunar New Year.

This meant that "orders that usually only get delivered after the new year have been delivered normally," the customs statement said.

China's overall trade surplus came in at $103.3 billion (86.7 billion), its customs administration reported.

The country's trade surplus with the US doubled from the same period last year to $51.3 billion.

Despite the growth in exports, China is remaining cautious after a year disrupted by COVID-19 and amid heightened tensions, including the ongoing trade dispute, with the United States.

This year, China has set a modest growth target of at least 6 percent.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection through the Department of Gender is wishing all women in Ghana a Happy International Womens Day.



In 1911, the International Women's Day was marked for the first time (19 March) in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, where more than one million women and men attended rallies to demand the right to vote, hold public office, women's rights to work, to vocational training and to end all forms of discrimination against women.



Against this historic backdrop, International Womens Day which is the 8th of March has been earmarked by the United Nations to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women. The day is also used to rally support in ensuring the rights and empowerment of women in all areas of national development.



It is also a time that Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other stakeholders declare their commitments and efforts aimed at addressing the issues that are inimical to the progress of women and their contribution and participation in decision-making processes.



Ghana joins the rest of the world to celebrate this years International Womens Day under the theme: Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World with a campaign themeChooseToChallenge which seeks to promote change in the biases against women and girls. Ghana has adopted this theme as we celebrate the tremendous efforts by women and girls in shaping a more equal future as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.



As part of the celebrations for this years International Womens Day, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection plans to increase awareness on womens rights and equality in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic by engaging and sensitizing market women at the Agbogbloshie and Madina markets on 9th and 10th March 2021 respectively. The Domestic Violence Call Centre at the Domestic Violence Secretariat will also be launched on 11th March 2021 as part of the celebrations.



The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore, the need to take appropriate actions that will ensure a better life for all especially, women, girls and the excluded. The UN Women has therefore identified five critical areas that are associated with the vulnerability of women and girls as the most vulnerable during this pandemic. These areas include:



 Increased risks for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV),

 Unemployment,

 Negative economic and livelihood impacts on the poorest women and girls,

 Unequal distribution of care and domestic work

 Women and girls voices not being included for an informed and effective COVID-19 response.



The Ministry therefore urges all stakeholders to pull resources together to address these challenges that may confront women and girls in our bid to eradicate the pandemic.



As we celebrate this years International Womens Day, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection being the national machinery for the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment wishes to applaud all women of the Republic of Ghana irrespective of their field of work for their immense contribution to national development.



We also appreciate all stakeholders who are championing the course of women to achieve gender equality and women empowerment in the country.



The Ministry is calling on all and sundry to commit to making deliberate efforts toward electing and appointing women into leadership positions to ensure that womens voices are heard at all levels of decision making.



Once again, the Ministry and its partners wish all women a Happy International Womens Day.

ChooseToChallenge.



AYEKOO









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Russian gas giant Gazprom said on Monday that it had delivered the first carbon-neutral liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Europe, shipping the fuel to Shell in the UK.

Gazprom delivered the carbon-neutral LNG to Shell at the Dragon terminal in Wales. According to Gazprom, the Russian company and Shell are jointly offsetting the carbon footprint of the shipment via the Verified Carbon Standard and the Climate, Community and Biodiversity carbon credit standards.

This delivery, made with Gazproms long-term partner Shell, confirms that the natural gas industry helps the worlds climate goals, Elena Burmistrova, Deputy Chairman of Gazproms Management Committee and Director General of Gazprom Export, said in a statement from Shell.

The cargo will enable Shell to supply further carbon-neutral gas to the UKs domestic market, Shell Global LNG, one of the largest LNG traders in the world, said in the statement.

We are grateful to Gazprom for partnering with us in delivering the first carbon neutral LNG cargo in Europe. We have already delivered seven carbon neutral cargoes in Asia and are very excited to be able to now offer this to customers in the UK, said Steve Hill, Executive Vice President, Shell Energy.

Through the additional efforts to decrease emissions along with the broad activity aimed at offsetting the impact for environment, natural gas will remain a key element of global energy for decades ahead, said Gazproms Burmistrova.

Earlier this year, Burmistrova said that Gazprom believes that pipeline natural gas could be compatible with the global climate goals of greenhouse gas reduction and Europes commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.

But Europe, the key market for Gazproms pipeline natural gas, has recently started to see natural gas not as a solution but as a problem in the EU climate goals to become a net-zero emissions bloc by 2050.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
LOS ANGELES - In a wide-ranging interview aired Sunday, Harry and Meghan described painful palace discussions about the colour of their sons skin, losing royal protection and the intense pressures that led the Duchess of Sussex to contemplate suicide.

This image provided by Harpo Productions shows Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, left, in conversation with Oprah Winfrey. (Joe Pugliese/Harpo Productions via AP)

LOS ANGELES - In a wide-ranging interview aired Sunday, Harry and Meghan described painful palace discussions about the colour of their sons skin, losing royal protection and the intense pressures that led the Duchess of Sussex to contemplate suicide.

The interview with Oprah Winfrey was the couples first since they stepped down from royal duties and the two-hour special included numerous revelations likely to reverberate on both sides of the Atlantic.

Harry told Winfrey that he felt trapped by royal life and was surprised that he was cut off financially and lost his security last year. He also said he felt his family did not support Meghan, who acknowledged her naivete about royal life before marrying Harry, as she endured tabloid attacks and false stories.

Meghan, who is biracial, described that when she was first pregnant with son Archie, there were "concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when hes born." The statement led Winfrey to incredulously ask "What?"

While Winfrey sat in silence, Meghan said she struggled to understand why there were concerns within the royal family about her sons skin colour. She said it was hard for her to "compartmentalize" those conversations.

This image provided by Harpo Productions shows Prince Harry, from left, and Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, in conversation with Oprah Winfrey. (Joe Pugliese/Harpo Productions via AP)

Meghan, the actor formerly known as Meghan Markle who starred in the TV drama "Suits," said she grew concerned about her son not having a royal title because it meant he wouldnt be provided security.

Meghan said processing everything during her pregnancy was "very hard." More than the "prince" title, she felt the most troubled over her sons safety and protection.

"He needs to be safe," a teary-eyed Meghan recalled. "Were not saying dont make him a prince or princess, whatever its going to be. But if youre saying the title is going to affect their protection, we havent created this monster machine around us in terms of click bait and tabloid fodder. Youve allowed that to happen, which means our son needs to be safe."

The interview was broadcast in the United States a full day before it will air in Britain. The revelations arent over: Winfrey teased unaired bits of the interview would be shown Monday morning on CBS.

In a rare positive moment in the interview, Harry and Meghan revealed their second would be a girl. The interview opened with Winfrey gushing over Meghans pregnancy and lamenting that COVID-19 protocols kept them from hugging.

Winfrey at various points in the interview ran through headlines about Meghan and at one point asked about the mental health impact. Meghan responded that she experienced suicidal thoughts and had sought help through the palaces human resources department, but was told there was nothing they could do.

This image provided by Harpo Productions shows Prince Harry, left, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, speaking about expecting their second child during an interview with Oprah Winfrey. "Oprah with Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special" airs March 7 as a two-hour exclusive primetime special on the CBS Television Network. (Joe Pugliese/Harpo Productions via AP)

"I was really ashamed to say it at the time and a shame to have to admit it to Harry, especially because I know how much loss he suffered," she said. "But I knew that if I didnt say it that I would do it. And I just didnt, I just didnt want to be alive anymore."

Harry, too, said there are lasting impacts about Meghans treatment and his relationship with his family.

"There is a lot to work through there," Harry said about his relationship with his father. "I feel really let down. Hes been through something similar. He knows what pain feels like. And Archie is his grandson. I will always love him, but there is a lot of hurt that has happened."

Harry said the royal family cut him off financially at the start of 2020 after announcing plans to step back from his roles. But he was able to afford security for his family because of the money his mother, Princess Diana, left behind.

In response to a question from Winfrey, Harry said he wouldnt have left royal life if not for his wife. He said their relationship revealed the strictures of royal life.

"I wouldnt have been able to, because I myself was trapped," Harry said. "I didnt see a way out.

Australian television news in Sydney, Monday, March 8, 2021, reports on an interview of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex by Oprah Winfrey. The interview airs in Australia Monday evening. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

"I was trapped, but I didnt know I was trapped," Harry said, before adding, "My father and my brother, they are trapped."

Harry acknowledged that he does not have a close relationship presently with his brother William, who is heir to the throne after their father, Prince Charles.

Harry disputed rumours that he intentionally blindsided his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, with his decision to split. He suspects the rumours came from the institution.

"Ive never blindsided my grandmother," he said. "I have too much respect for her."

Meghan, too, was complimentary toward the queen, despite saying at one point she realized some in the palace were willing to lie to "protect other members of the family."

"The queen has always been wonderful to me," Meghan said.

Sunday's interview special opened with Meghan describing how naive she was about the ground rules of royal life before she married her husband, Harry, nearly three years ago. "I didnt fully understand what the job was," she said. She also noted that she did not know how to curtsy before meeting Queen Elizabeth II for the first time, and didn't realize it would be necessary.

"I will say I went into it naively because I didnt grow up knowing much about the royal family," Meghan said. "It wasnt something that was part of conversation at home. It wasnt something that we followed."

Meghan said she and Harry were aligned during their courtship because of their "cause-driven" work. But she did not fully comprehend the pressure of being linked to the prestigious royal family.

"There was no way to understand what the day-to-day was going to be like," she said. "And its so different because I didnt romanticize any element of it."

The couple married at Windsor Castle in May 2018, and their son, Archie, was born a year later. Harry and Meghans departure from royal duties began in March 2020 over what they described as the intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media toward the duchess.

At the top of the interview, Winfrey said no topic was off limits and that Meghan and Harry were not being paid for the special.

In Britain, the interview is seen as poorly timed. It will air while Harrys 99-year-old grandfather Prince Philip remains hospitalized in London after undergoing a heart procedure.

It is unclear what public reaction, if any, the queen and other royal family members will have to Sundays interview. The U.K.'s Sunday Times newspaper, citing an anonymous source, reported that the queen would not watch it.

Kelvin Chan in London contributed to this report.
CONCORD, N.H., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal-Bay, the premier pre settlement funding company, announces their support in all sexual abuse cases across the country, including a recent USA Today expose regarding the Youth Development Center in Manchester, a New Hampshire detention facility.

Three dozen adults have filed suit against the facility, alleging they were abused when they spent time there as children ages 7 to 18. Since the filing, many additional plaintiffs have spoken up about their own abuse. 150 staffers are facing accusations of physically or sexually abusing more than 200 children over the span of six decades. The lawsuit alleges that some supervisors were directly responsible for the abuse while other employees turned a blind eye. To allow time for more victims to come forward, the state has been granted several extensions for the lawsuit.

Chris Janish, CEO of Legal-Bay, commented on the case and the issues of child sex abuse the country faces: "We have been an advocate and funding support for many sexual abuse cases throughout the country as victims seek justice. However, the allegations in the New Hampshire case outlined in USA Today piece are some of the most horrific we have seen in this industry. The time has come for our political leaders to focus on the root of this problem and protect the young children that are left in vulnerable positions to no fault of their own. Our company applauds the victims that have had the strength to come forward and the legal teams that have fought so hard on their behalf."

Although some individuals have been charged criminally in multiple litigations, the NH defendants continue to defend liability in the civil suits being brought, says Legal-Bay. Legal-Bay has continued to advance funds to plaintiffs in all of the national litigations as victims need money to pay bills while the cases go through the court system. At this point, settlement values are unknown. In fact, most of the sex abuse litigations nationwide have no guarantee of recovery at all at this time.

If you are a lawyer or plaintiff involved in an active childhood sexual abuse or clergy abuse lawsuit and need an immediate cash advance against an impending lawsuit settlement, please visit Legal-Bay HERE or call toll-free at 877.571.0405.

Legal-Bay's loan settlement programs are designed to provide immediate cash in advance of a plaintiff's anticipated monetary award. The non-recourse law suit loanssometimes referred to as loans for lawsuit or loans on settlementare risk-free, as the money doesn't need to be repaid should the recipient lose their case. Therefore, the lawsuit loan isn't really a loan, but rather a cash advance.

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SOURCE Legal-Bay, LLC
MINNEAPOLIS - On the eve of the criminal trial for Derek Chauvin, the former police officer accused of killing George Floyd and sparking global racial protests, this was a city on edge.

A Sunday afternoon march drew a few thousand people to the Hennepin County Government Center, which these days is encircled by concrete barriers and layers of security fencing. Prince's "Purple Rain" blared over loudspeakers there, but as the crowd began walking, they did so in silence. They carried a white wooden coffin. Helicopters buzzed overhead.

By then, National Guard vehicles were already rolling into the Twin Cities area, the first of more than 3,000 National Guard troops expected to be on patrol during what some are calling the biggest trial in Minnesota history.

Chauvin faces charges of second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter as well as a possible third-degree murder charge in connection with the May 25 arrest that ended with Floyd's death. Chauvin, who is White, was recorded as he knelt on the neck of Floyd, who was Black, for more than nine minutes, allegedly asphyxiating him.

Three former officers with Chauvin during the arrest - Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao - are expected to be tried in late summer. Social distancing and other logistical constraints forced in the courtroom by the coronavirus pandemic are why the four are not being tried together.

Another crowd is anticipated outside the Government Center early Monday, when jury selection is set to start. Opening arguments are not expected until the end of the month.

"There's never been a trial of this magnitude before in these parts," columnist Ruben Rosario wrote Sunday in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "Unprecedented. Historic. Momentous. Pick an adjective."

In a city that saw weeks of civil unrest, injuries and destruction last summer, tensions quickly rose late Saturday afternoon when a man was fatally shot near the square where the 46-year-old Floyd had died. Police said the shooting appeared to result from an earlier altercation between the victim, whose name has not been released, and the shooter, who remains at large.

People at Sunday's vigil and march began to gather about 2 p.m. A large black and white banner that read "I can't breathe" was draped onto stairs below the simple coffin, on which a spray of red roses had been placed.

Most participants wore black shirts that said, "A man was lynched in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020."

"I think the primary mood is anger, anger at the killing of George Floyd, anger at the police reaction afterward and anger at the preparations for this trial," said activist Dave Bicking, a board member of the advocacy group Communities United Against Police Brutality. "And what led to the uprising the first time was anger over the fact that the city has just absolutely avoided doing anything to rein in the police,"

D.A. Bullock, a spokesperson for Reclaim the Block, one of the groups that played a key role in organizing protests immediately after Floyd's death, said the extensive fencing and barricades erected around the Government Center and several precincts are a sign of misplaced priorities. City officials spent more than $600,000 on the security measures.

"They're not protecting any of the buildings around the spaces of the mom-and-pop stores that we lost in North Minneapolis or a lot of the other spaces that ended up being destroyed along Lake Street," Bullock said. "What has the state been doing all along since last summer to really fortify the people?"

Civil rights attorney and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong read from a 45-foot scroll with more than 400 names of Minnesotans who organizers say have died at the hands of police over the past two decades.

Brandyn Tulloch was struck by how long it took to read. "You just sit and think, 'Is it always going to be this way?' When will the police killings end, and when will any of those families ever get justice?" he said.

He is not optimistic that Chauvin will be convicted, and he does not think that would bring justice anyway. "I feel like it is all eyes on Minneapolis, all eyes on Minnesota. . . . This is because the state is on trial. The system is on trial, and it's about time they're held accountable."

Protests were not limited to Minneapolis. About 100 people amassed in front of the governor's mansion in St. Paul, Minn., on Saturday, in part to support nine police policy bills they want state lawmakers to pass to increase accountability.

The bills include one that would end qualified immunity as a legal defense for police misconduct, another that would require police officers to carry professional liability insurance and a third that would repeal a state law that prohibits civilian oversight committees from making findings of fact in police misconduct cases.

"The eyes of the world are going to be on Minneapolis, but our eyes cannot leave the legislature," said Angela Rose Myers, president of the Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP. "It is our responsibility to make sure the family's demands are heard."

The demonstration was led by Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence, an organization constituted of relatives of people killed by police.

"All of the mothers, all of us that are walking through the pain of what has been stolen from us," said Toshira Garraway, whose child's father, Justin Teigen, died in 2009. "My heart is hurting. I look strong on my outside, but my heart is hurting. I am in a lot of pain."

The group is also pushing for an additional omnibus bill named for Philando Castile, whom an officer fatally shot in 2016 as he sat in his car in a suburb of St. Paul, with his girlfriend beside him and their 4-year-old daughter in the back seat.

"Change is possible," said Amity Dimock, mother of Kobe Dimock-Heisler, who was killed by police during a mental health crisis in 2019. "We are taking advantage of this possibility."

- - -

The Washington Post's Sheila Regan in St. Paul, Minn., contributed to this report.
A trans woman who was killed and left in the woods has been remembered as a beautiful soul by loved ones  but persistently misgendered by police and the media.

Jenna Franks, 34, was found on 24 February in a wooded area near a bike trail in Jacksonville, North Carolina as city street crews were clearing a ditch. Police are investigating the case as a homicide.

Her death marks at least the 10th known violent death of a transgender or non-binary person in the US so far this year, a continuation of the devastating epidemic of violence against the trans community.

Franks was an active member of the Onslow County LGBTQ+ Community Centre family, whose director Dennis Biancuzzo described her as a beautiful soul and a breath of fresh air loved by many people.

But the first thing reported about her by local media was the one thing I never wanted to hear: the deadname she was assigned at birth, he said.

He was joined by GLAAD and several of Franks friends in calling out the Jacksonville Police Department and local media for repeatedly misgendering Franks in death.

Its unfortunate that North Carolinas local media has failed transgender North Carolinians at a time when accuracy and representation are needed the most, GLAADs regional media lead, Serena Sonoma, said in a statement.

According to GLAAD, multiple local LGBT+ groups contacted the police, The Jacksonville Daily News and CBS-affiliate WNCT-TV, asking them to update their records with Franks correct name. They have not done so.

By choosing not to respect trans identities, Sonoma said local media opens the community up to discrimination, and potentially more violence.

ABC-afflilate WCTI12 was among the first to misgender Franks in a report that included her deadname, even as it acknowledged a trans activist who insisted she was known as Jenna Franks.

A week later they recognised that she was indeed a trans woman but continued to use her deadname in reports, as did several other news outlets.

Story continues

Such disrespect is sadly all too common for trans victims. By the Human Rights Campaigns estimates, approximately three-quarters of all known victims are misgendered by media and/or by law enforcement.

The advocacy group described Franks treatment in death as an injustice compounding this tragedy.

Anti-transgender stigma is exacerbated by callous or disrespectful treatment by some in the media, law enforcement and elected offices, they said in a statement.

The fatal violence against transgender and non-binary people weve recorded so far this year has been devastating. Jenna had family, friends and a community who cared about her. Her life was taken far too soon.

Biancuzzo and Jennas sister, Amber Franks, are currently raising funds for the Jenna Franks Interim Housing Project in her memory, which will offer housing and job training for LGBT+ people experiencing homelessness.

Speaking about the housing project, Amber said: [Jenna] would be so happy to know that she did something to help those who needed help like she did.
With 500 to 800 estimated individuals at the height of the incident, a Colorado party left several police officers injured following the massive party's dispersal at the University Hill in Colorado.

Based on numerous authorities, the number of attendees in the school's event prompted the police to disperse the event.

According to CBS News, the SWAT team members assisted the police, who used gas and a siren in breaking up the said gathering. Maris Herold, the chief of the Boulder Police, shared to the reporters that two canisters worth of tear gas was used in dispersing the people in the gathering.

The police chief also said that no rubber bullets were used in the police's actions based on her knowledge. She added that it was handled properly by the police.

The Boulder police mentioned that the crowd turned violent, injuring numerous officers after bricks and rocks were thrown at them during the dispersal. A fire truck was also damaged while a car was overturned.

The dispersal conducted by the police finished at around 9 p.m. and left broken glass and debris on the streets. Even some residents helped in cleaning up the mess left by the gathering.

Herold stated that no arrests were made during a press conference starting from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. She also believed that it would not be considered best practices to send officers into the crowd of people.

Herold also shared that because of the number of individuals that needed to be handled, their department will be relying on the bodycam footage. She added that the footage would be released during the follow-up investigation on the injured officers, The Denver Channel reported.

A man who did not identify himself said that the party and the subsequent clash with the police were bound to happen as they have all been caged up for months. As a result, there would be an explosion, and it was what happened during the party.

On their Twitter account, the University of Colorado issued a statement that they condemned the party. The university also stated that any student who will be found responsible for the acts of violence toward law enforcement or even first responders would be removed from CU Boulder and will not be readmitted.

The University also added that at the time that health officials and police have referred public health order violations to their student conduct office, they responded immediately and imposed discipline when violations were proven. Also, the university mentioned that the disciplinary actions include interim exclusions from campus and 45 suspensions so far in the academic year.

Read also: Trump's Social Media Comeback: A 'Spectacular Return' to SocMed Following Ban on Facebook, Twitter

Lastly, the university stated that they will continue making clear and protecting not only their community but also their campus as it is of utmost importance and that they will not tolerate such violations, CBS Denver reported.

On the other hand, the party had been called 'shameful' by the 12th Judicial District Attorney's Office who also issued a statement. The office stated that they would look closely into the investigation as private properties were damaged, first responders were assaulted, and left injured officers.

Related article: Hundreds Gather in Idaho State Capitol in "Burn the Mask" Rally to Protest Pandemic Restrictions

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Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Master's in Human Resources 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 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 Human Resources Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-human-resources-degree-programs/

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

American University

Baker College

Bellevue University

Boston University

Brandman University

Brenau University

Capella University

Charleston Southern University

City University of New York, Baruch College

Clemson University

Colorado State University

Colorado State University, Global Campus

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Cornell University

DePaul University

Drexel University

Eastern Michigan University

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida International University

George Washington University

Golden Gate University

Johnson & Wales University

Loyola University Chicago

Manhattanville College

Michigan State University

National Louis University

National University

New York University

Ohio State University

Pennsylvania State University

Pepperdine University

Saint Francis University

State University of New York, Stony Brook

Texas A & M University, College Station

University of Denver

University of Houston, Clear Lake

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Louisville

University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Minnesota

University of Rhode Island

University of Scranton

University of Southern California

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

University of Texas, Arlington

University of Texas, Tyler

Utah State University

Villanova University

Webster University

Western Carolina 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/.
After a month-long pause, Aeromar is resuming its flights between Mexico City and Laredo next week.

The city announced in late January that Aeromar would be suspending their flight service to Laredo after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mandated that passengers returning to the U.S. on international flights test negative for COVID-19.

Airport Director Jeffrey Miller said they wanted to be able to provide better guidance to passengers who may be apprehensive about testing availability in Mexico.

The flight will resume in two phases. On March 12, flights between Mexico City and Laredo will operate on Mondays and Fridays. On April 12, Wednesday flights will resume as well.

The city has also partnered with Clear Choice Emergency Room to offer COVID-19 testing inside the airport terminal for passengers and the general public. Clear Choice will have rapid tests, same-day PCR tests and mouth swab PCR tests that return results in two to three days, and it will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Proof of a negative COVID-19 test is also required for passengers flying into states such as Hawaii, New York and parts of Colorado.

This test will be free to travelers, according to the city.

This is a welcome effort to add testing capacity for the City of Laredo in a strategically important location, Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz said. Our economy depends heavily on those who travel for both business and pleasure, and this is a step forward in the right direction.

The CDC recommends that travelers stay home for seven days after their trip even if they test negative.
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Catholic leaders both nationally and in Texas are urging Catholics to get COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by Pfizer or Moderna instead of the Johnson & Johnson shot  if they have a choice.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has raised moral concerns because it was developed, tested and is produced with abortion-derived cell lines, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said last week.

However, Catholics can still get the Johnson & Johnson shot if no other options are available, the national conference said.

People across Texas and in San Antonio have been scrambling for COVID-19 vaccinations for weeks since there arent dosages enough for everyone who qualifies to receive a shot. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg has complained that the vaccines arent being equally distributed.

President Joe Biden is aiming for the country to have enough vaccine supply to inoculate every adult by the end of May.

Just getting vaccinated is an act of charity, Catholic leaders said.

On ExpressNews.com: A guide to getting vaccinated in San Antonio

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 U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops said in a statement released March 2. Therefore, if one has the ability to choose a vaccine, Pfizer or Modernas vaccines should be chosen over Johnson & Johnsons.

While we should continue to insist that pharmaceutical companies stop using abortion-derived cell lines, given the worldwide suffering that this pandemic is causing, we affirm again that being vaccinated can be an act of charity that serves the common good.

The Archdiocese of San Antonio shared the national conferences statement with Catholics across South Texas. Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller recorded that statement in both English and Spanish so it could be shared on the archdioceses social media platforms and broadcast on Catholic Television of San Antonio.

Understanding the situation of this pandemic and how much people have suffered already and are still suffering  people should feel comfortable using any one of these three vaccines, Garcia-Siller said during a recent interview with the San Antonio Express-News.

We invite people, if they have an opportunity, to choose. But its complicated. And as we know, the percentage of people vaccinated at the present time in the country is still very low. So it becomes more imperative that when they have an opportunity to get vaccinated, to do it for the common good.

The San Antonio archbishop said when he went to get vaccinated, he was not asked which brand of the COVID-19 vaccine he wanted. He was given the Moderna shot. He has received both doses.

Maybe a time will come in the future  but we dont know when  in which people can choose which manufacturers brand they want, Garcia-Siller said. At this point, there are not even enough vaccines.

The Vatican has previously said it is morally acceptable for Catholics to receive any COVID-19 vaccine, including those in which cells derived from aborted fetuses were utilized.

On ExpressNews.com: Bexar County district attorney says businesses can still legally require masks

Dr. Ruth Berggren, a physician and director of UT Health San Antonios Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics, said there is no fetal tissue in any of the COVID-19 vaccines.

Were talking about using cell lines from a long time ago, Berggren said last week during a daily coronavirus briefing held by the city of San Antonio and Bexar County. But theres no fetal tissue in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention, the nations second-largest faith group, echoed the Catholic churchs stance on the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which was approved for emergency use by federal regulators last month.

We should oppose authorizing or funding research rooted in the taking of innocent human life, Russell Moore, head of the SBCs public policy arm, said in an email. That does not mean, though, that people must shun medical treatments that can save lives because they were discovered through means of which we would not necessarily approve. Taking a medication discovered through unethical means does not render the person receiving the treatment as culpable in the ethics of the research itself.

Moore added that people should not violate their consciences, and noted there are other vaccines available. He also published a lengthy blog post recently in which he expanded on the use of cell lines in the three vaccines that have been approved for emergency use.

It is important to note that although the cell lines potentially originated from abortions, no cells remain from the original fetal tissue in these cloned cells, and the cell lines no longer contain fetal tissue or body parts, wrote Moore, president of the SBCs Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.

pohare@express-news.net | Twitter: Peggy_OHare

robert.downen@chron.com
SALEM, Ore.  Oregon will be providing a quarter of a billion dollars to help students and children keep learning this summer.

Gov. Kate Brown, Senate President Peter Courtney and House Speaker Tina Kotek unveiled the $250 million Summer Learning and Child Care package on Monday.

With $75 million in federal funds, as much as $325 million will be invested in the programs.

The announcement comes after Oregons students faced uncertainty due to the pandemic, with classes largely being held remotely over the past year.

Officials said the money will be distributed in the form of grants for enrichment activities, and investments will be made equitably for Oregons children of color, who have been disproportionately affected by the past years challenges.

The past year has been hard on Oregon kids and their caregiversespecially working mothersin so many ways, said Brown. As COVID-19 recedes from our communities, its time to bring back the summer enrichment programs that spark joy, foster creativity, and encourage healing for our children, who have persevered through adversities few generations have faced at their age. And, we must make sure families and children have equitable access to these programs, as we work to eliminate historic disparities that have been exacerbated during the pandemic.

Breaking it down, the package includes five specific investments:

Summer Enrichment and Academic Program Grants (K-8): $90 million

Summer Academic Support Grants (high school): $72 million

Summer Activity Grants: $40 million

School Child Care Grants: $30 million

Early Learning Programs: $13 million

For more information, CLICK HERE.
Astronomers using the National Science Foundation's Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) have found and studied the most distant cosmic jet discovered so far -- a jet of material propelled to nearly the speed of light by the supermassive black hole in a quasar some 13 billion light-years from Earth. The quasar is seen as it was when the universe was only 780 million years old, and is providing scientists with valuable information about how galaxies evolved and supermassive black holes grew when the universe was that young.

The studies indicate that the quasar -- a galaxy harboring a black hole 300 million times more massive than the Sun -- has a jet of fast-moving particles only about 1,000 years old. While other quasars have been found at its distance and beyond, it is the first found at such a distance with the strong radio emission indicating an active jet. Only a small fraction of quasars have such jets.

"The black holes at the cores of many of these very distant quasars are so massive that they challenge our understanding of how they could have grown in the relatively short time available to them that early in the universe's history. One possibility is that jets provided a mechanism that allowed the black holes to grow more quickly. Finding a jet in a quasar at this epoch is an exciting clue about this question," said Emmanuel Momjian, of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO).

"Jets have a role in regulating star formation and the growth of their host galaxies, so this discovery is valuable to understanding these processes in the early universe," said Chris Carilli, also of NRAO. "The jets at that time also propelled atoms and magnetic fields into what had been pristine space between the galaxies," he added.

Finding a quasar with bright radio emission at such a distance also can help astronomers learn more about closer objects.

"Distant radio-emitting quasars at the beginning of the evolution of the cosmos also serve as beacons to study material that lies between Earth and the quasars," said Eduardo Banados of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Germany.

As radio waves pass through gas en route to Earth the gas will absorb specific wavelengths in patterns that reveal its composition.

The object, called P172+18, originally was identified as a quasar candidate in 2015 in data from the Pan-STARRS sky survey using a visible-light telescope in Hawaii. The astronomers then noted that NRAO's FIRST survey, done with the VLA, showed a radio-emitting object at the same position. They later made infrared observations that yielded the distance to the object and the mass of the black hole.

###

The scientists combined observations from the Magellan Baade Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile; the Nordic Optical Telescope on La Palma, Spain; the Keck telescope on Hawaii; the Very Large Telescope of the European Southern Observatory in Chile); and the Large Binocular Telescope on Mount Graham in Arizona.

The VLA and VLBA observations were made in 2019.

When quasars were first discovered in 1963 they greatly expanded the known distances in the universe. Their extreme brightness initially puzzled astronomers, but now is explained as powered by the gravitational energy of a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy. As material is drawn toward the black hole, it forms a disk -- called an accretion disk -- closely orbiting the black hole. Friction in the disk heats the material and makes it glow brightly. In some quasars, jets, such as those in P172+18, are propelled outward perpendicular to the accretion disk.

The astronomers are reporting their findings in the Astrophysical Journal and the Astronomical Journal.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
By Liang Lihu, Xue Fei, Liu Zaiyao and Xie Jinghao

QINGDAO, Mar. 8 -- The 36th escort taskforce of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy returned to Qingdao on March 5 after successfully completing the escort missions in the Gulf of Aden, multinational naval exercise Peace-21 and China-Singapore joint naval drill. A welcome ceremony was held at a military harbor in Qingdao by the navy of the PLA Northern Theater Command.

The 36th escort taskforce is comprised of the guided-missile destroyer Guiyang (Hull 119), the missile frigate Zaozhuang (Hull 542), and the comprehensive supply ship Dongpinghu (Hull 960), with dozens of special operations soldiers and two ship-borne helicopters on board.

The taskforce set sail from Qingdao, east Chinas Shandong Province on September 3, 2020, taking 184 days with a total voyage of more than 110,000 nautical miles. It completed 38 escort missions for 52 Chinese and international ships and successfully conducted multinational naval exercise Peace-21 and China-Singapore joint naval drill, which have effectively ensured the security of strategic maritime channels of China and demonstrated a good image of the Chinese military, winning wide acclaim from the international community.

During the missions, the taskforce did not rest and replenish at any port in consideration of the epidemic prevention and control, which sets a new record for the longest continuous maritime navigation time among PLA naval fleets.
First designed in India innovative menstrual cup, launched on International Womens Day

Pune, Mar 8 (UNI) Care Form Labs Private Limited, a design-led social innovation start-up has redesigned Menstrual Cups to make it easy-to-use and easy-to-switch, by its innovative user-centered design.



This also happens to be the first novel menstrual cup to be designed in India. The product is called Onpery Menstrual Cup and has been launched on March 8, 2021 on the occasion of International Womens Day, along with their sustainable menstrual hygiene brand called Onpery, by dignitaries from AIM (Atal Innovation Mission), NITI Aayog, New Delhi and fraternity of MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune on a virtual event organized by AIC-MIT Incubator Center, Pune. Menstrual Cups launched by chief guest of this function Mr Manglesh Yadav, IInnovationlead, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Prof, Dr Mangesh Karad, Executive President, MIT ADT University, Dr Mohit Dubey, CEO, AIC  MIT ADT Incubator Forum, Pune, Mr Pramod Priya Ranjan, Co-founder, Care Form Labs Private Limited, and Dr Nachiket Kiran Thakur, MIT ID, Pune.
WARSAW, Poland - Women's rights activists in Poland marked International Women's Day on Monday caught between reasons to celebrate and a heavy sense that they are facing a long battle ahead.

People take part in a protest on International Women's Day in Warsaw, Poland, Monday March 8, 2021. Womens rights activists in Poland marked International Womens Day on Monday caught between reasons to celebrate and a heavy sense that they are facing a long battle ahead. This years Womens Day, which is being marked with protests, comes after a near total ban on abortion took effect in January in the historically Roman Catholic country, a step that had long been been sought by the conservative ruling party, Law and Justice. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

WARSAW, Poland - Women's rights activists in Poland marked International Women's Day on Monday caught between reasons to celebrate and a heavy sense that they are facing a long battle ahead.

This year's Women's Day, which was marked with protests, comes after a near total ban on abortion took effect in January in the mostly Roman Catholic country, a step that had long been been sought by the conservative ruling party, Law and Justice.

But as Polish Women's Strike leader Marta Lempart told The Associated Press ahead of a protest in Warsaw, Poland is also a country that is undergoing rapid secularization, with support growing for a liberalized abortion law.

She and other movement leaders are convinced that the process of social change ultimately will favour their struggle for reproductive freedom. Monday's protest focuses on abortion rights, but also included calls for greater state support for in vitro procedures and sexual education.

We have reasons to celebrate because we are a mass movement, we are the only country that is becoming secular so quickly and that is becoming feminist so quickly," Lempart said.

Marta Lempart, a leader of Polish Women's Strike, a women's rights movement, speaks to The Associated Press on International Women's Day in Warsaw, Poland, Monday March 8, 2021. Womens rights activists in Poland marked International Womens Day on Monday caught between reasons to celebrate and a heavy sense that they are facing a long battle ahead. This years Womens Day, which is being marked with protests, comes after a near total ban on abortion took effect in January in the historically Roman Catholic country, a step that had long been been sought by the conservative ruling party, Law and Justice. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Around her, supporters of the Women's Strike poured into its Warsaw office, preparing banners and other materials for their Women's Day Without Compromises protest hours later.

Compared to mass protests of the past months, Monday's protests were relatively small. The demonstrators, however, faced a large presence of police who created cordons to contain the crowd in a limited area. Police declared the gathering illegal because it defied pandemic restrictions, and officers requested identification from people and some scuffles ensued.

We keep fighting. I don't see a way to stop it, said Klementyna Suchanow, another Women's Strike leader and the author of a book This is War: Women, Fundamentalists, and the new Middle Ages," about global efforts by ultra-conservatives to roll back women's rights.

Marta Lempart, a leader of Polish Women's Strike, uses a megaphone to address protesters who gathered for a protest, on International Women's Day in Warsaw, Poland, Monday March 8, 2021. Womens rights activists in Poland marked International Womens Day on Monday caught between reasons to celebrate and a heavy sense that they are facing a long battle ahead. This years Womens Day, which is being marked with protests, comes after a near total ban on abortion took effect in January in the historically Roman Catholic country, a step that had long been been sought by the conservative ruling party, Law and Justice. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

We are under attack by religious radicals, and this is an international movement. so we women in different countries, we need to face it and fight against it," she said. "It's something that is happening to all of us: to Argentinians, to Americans, to Poles, to Croatians."

Activists noted that Polish women are getting abortions no matter what the law says, some with pills and others by travelling to Slovakia, Germany, Norway or other countries.

If a woman wants to have an abortion nothing will stop her," said activist Marta Krzynowek, who says the restriction on abortion rights are part of a larger assault on democracy in Poland.

Abortion is only one part of this picture, she added. We are all very, very tired, but we have the energy to try and change things. This situation isn't good and it is worth fighting for.

Suchanow noted that many activists have been arrested, charged with crimes, or faced police violence at protests.

This cannot be wasted, it cannot be for nothing, she said.
Fresh on heels of Governor Abbott's announcement lifting the mask mandate on March 10, Houston bar worker Stacy Gouty said there was this immediate sense of "anger and confusion."

Gouty works at downtown Houston cocktail bar "Two-Headed Dog," and he's concerned about the safety of bar workers after Abbott's revoking of the mask order.

"When I first woke up, I was initially feeling anger and confusion," Gouty told Chron. "I started to process it. It felt to me like it was just a reaction to appease his base. He's pretty much the first politician to lift the mask mandate."

CRIMINAL TRESPASSING: HPD Chief Art Acevedo says private stores can still have you arrested for not wearing a mask

One of the things Gouty says his friends in the bar industry have witnessed and experienced are acts of violence over the enforcement of masks. In December, an employee was attacked while working the door at the Grand Prize Bar.

"There's a certain level of aggression with it because people associate it with personal freedom," Gouty said. "For people in the bar industry, we don't look at it as personal freedom, we look at as public safety."

Gouty feels that the announcement to lift the mask order has been an irresponsible move that could potentially endanger the bar staff and bar patrons at Two-Headed Dog and other Houston bars. The policy at Two-Headed Dog is that masks will be required for entry, Gouty said. If certain patrons decide not to wear masks at a Houston private business, they can be asked to leave, HPD Chief Art Acevedo said.

"It's going to embolden people to be resistant to wearing masks," Gouty said. "It could be dangerous for us. It will be dangerous for bar staff and people in the bars, too. I've definitely seen the resistance to masks."

"Mask-Off" parties have also become a hot topic. Washington Avenue club Concrete Cowboy announced it would throw a celebration in honor of the mask order being lifted. The bar has since canceled the party in response to negative publicity, according to the Houston Chronicle's Jasper Scherer

"The culture in those clubs has never cared in the first place," Gouty said. "A lot of the people in those clubs weren't even scared of COVID-19 when it was ravaging Texas. So as soon as the Governor said that, they said 'OK, we're gonna make some money off of it.' The bars in my community are struggling and taking it month by month. At my bar, they are conscious of safety protocols. We're just trying to stay alive."

Gouty said that there's been a sense of urgency to get COVID-19 vaccines for Houston restaurant and bar staff now, especially in light of the mask mandate being lifted.

"One of my good friends spent a day after the Governor's announcement trying to sign industry people up [for the vaccine]," Gouty said.

Gouty stressed that Texas should have waited on lifting the order, since we're not out of the woods yet in the fight against COVID-19.

"We were almost getting our heads out of water a little bit, and then Governor Abbott just threw another bucket in," Gouty stated. "It's ultimately a gigantic hypocrisy, when we only have a little more than 5 percent of the Texas population vaccinated."

What Gouty's most worried about going forward is that dialing back the mandate could ultimately lead to customer conflicts.

"With the Governor lifting the mandate, it could lead to someone getting very angry and lashing out because they don't want to wear the masks, because they were told by the Governor that they don't have to."
Bhopal: On the occasion of International Women's Day, Women Constable Meenakshi Verma has been made the Home Minister of the day. The duty of this woman constable is under security at the residence office of Dr. Narottam Mishra, Home Minister. Home Minister Narottam Mishra made her sit on his seat. Meenakshi, like Narottam Mishra, gave instructions to the OSD to take action after hearing the public's problem.

Home Minister Narottam Mishra also honored women constable Meenakshi Verma. This honor was the biggest for Meenakshi Verma. Because this Women's Day will be a memorable day for them, they never thought that. When he came to know that today he will get an opportunity to work like Narottam Mishra for a day, then he did not believe at first. Honorary Home Minister Meenakshi Verma, Madhya Pradesh heard the problems of the public and directed OSD ADGP Ashok Awasthi to resolve them.

Like every day, many people came to the home minister's residence with their different problems. Today, when Narottam Mishra was not on the seat, people were also stunned. Seeing the women constable in the home minister's seat, he was shocked. However, when he came to know that today a woman constable will work for him in place of Narottam Mishra, then he came back to normal.

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On Saturday, the US Senate passed the Biden administrations $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill, following two days of Republican stalling and negotiations between the Democratic leadership and right-wing Democratic Senator Joe Manchin (West Virginia), which resulted in further cuts in proposed government aid.

The so-called American Rescue Plan was adopted by a strict 50-49 party-line vote, setting the stage for the expected passage of the pared-back measure by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, followed shortly thereafter by President Joe Bidens signing the measure into law.

Senator Chuck Schumer of New York speaking to the media in Washington [Credit: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin]

The major provisions of the Senate bill include:

* $400 billion for $1,400 per person stipends

* $350 billion for state and local governments, which have already laid off tens of thousands of educators and other public service workers

* $300 billion for the $300-a-week supplemental unemployment benefit through September 6 and a tax exemption for the first $10,200 in 2020 benefits for unemployed workers

* $160 billion for vaccinations, testing and other direct COVID-19 measures

* $150 billion to expand child and dependent care tax credits and the earned income tax credit

* $126 billion for school reopenings

* $86 billion for underfunded pension plans through the PBGC (Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation)

* $45 billion for mortgage and rental assistance

* $28.6 billion for restaurants

* $1.25 billion for music venues

* $3 billion for aviation manufacturers

Last week, the House passed the package as initially announced by the White House, including a gradual increase in the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, a one-time cash stipend for all adults earning less than $100,000 a year and all couples earning less than $200,000, and an increase in the weekly supplemental unemployment benefit from $300 to $400. The one-time cash payment is set at $1,400 for individuals making less than $75,000 and $2,800 for couples earning less than $150,000, with additional cash aid for families with children.

However, Biden and the Senate Democratic leadership agreed to drop the minimum wage increasethe most significant concession to working people included in the packagein compliance with an advisory ruling by the Senate parliamentarian. The unelected official said the minimum wage hike could not be passed under the budget reconciliation process used by the Democrats in order to prevent a filibuster, which would require 60 votes to break, and obtain passage of the relief bill with a simple majority in the evenly divided chamber.

Manchin, who had already declared his opposition to the proposed minimum wage increase, used the threat of withholding his vote to demand as well a lower eligibility cap on the cash stipendfrom $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for couples to $80,000 and $160,000, respectively, a cut that will exclude an estimated 17 million people from receiving the benefit. He then obtained a cut in the weekly jobless benefit from $400 to the current level of $300, itself a 50 percent reduction from the supplemental jobless pay enacted under the CARES Act passed in March 2020.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced over the weekend that the House would vote Tuesday on the version of the bill passed by the Senate.

The right-wing character of the Biden administration and the further shift to the right of the Democratic Party as a whole are exemplified in the emergence of Manchin as the dominant figure, exercising virtual veto power of the policies of the government. While Sanders and the so-called progressives are relegated to the role of rubber-stamping Bidens pro-Wall Street and militaristic policies, Manchin and other conservatives are brought forward, as part of the administrations efforts to reopen the economy and suppress the opposition among workers. It is noteworthy that the senator from West Virginia appeared on virtually all of the Sunday morning interview programs yesterday.

Following the Senate vote, Biden hailed the bills passage in remarks from the White House. He downplayed the concessions to the right wing, citing Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who called the Senate bill the most significant piece of legislation to benefit working families in the modern history of this country.

Sanders hyping of the scaled-back bill followed his token effort on Friday to override the parliamentarians ruling on the minimum wage. His proposal fell far short of the required 60 votes, as eight members of the Democratic caucus joined all 50 Republicans to vote it down.

The falling into line of the Democratic progressives was underscored by the remarks of Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington, the chairwoman of the Progressive Caucus, who said, Despite the fact that we believe any weakening of the House provisions were bad policy and bad politics, the reality is that the final amendments were relatively minor concessions.

In his remarks on Saturday, Biden continued to plead for unity and bipartisanship with the Republicans, saying, Theres a lot of Republicans that came very close, theyve got a lot of pressure on them and I still havent given up on getting their support. This is despite the fact that not a single Republican in either the House or the Senate voted for his bill. Even more significantly, the Republican Party overwhelmingly continues to back Donald Trump and lend credibility to his lie of a stolen election, which provided the political pretext for his attempted coup detat on January 6.

In the course of his remarks, Biden once again linked the passage of the relief bill to what he called safely reopening the schools, claiming falsely that the $126 billion allotted to school districts will make it possible to safely resume in-person instruction five days a week in the midst of a deadly pandemic that is far from under control.

While the package provides a measure of desperately needed aid to millions of families facing long-term unemployment, hunger and the threat of eviction, it falls far short of the resources needed to rationally and humanely address the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and overcome the pandemic, while providing full income support for affected workers.

Biden unwittingly shed light on the gap between the massive scale of the crisis and the aid on offer. He noted that the US death toll from COVID-19 is nearing 520,000 and climbing, food bank lines continue to stretch for miles, thousands of families are being evicted, over 400,000 small businesses have closed, and 24 million adults and 11 million children, as I speak, in the United States suffer from food insecurity.

In reality, the Democrats relief bill is seen as a necessary measure to provide political cover at the least possible expense for the brutal herd immunity policy in relation to the pandemic that is, in all essentials, being continued by the Biden administration. The Democratic Party and its faction within the ruling class are acutely aware of mounting anger and opposition in the working class, as they step up the drive to force workers back into unsafe workplaces for the sake of corporate profit. They hope the limited measures in the American Rescue Plan will buy them time and stave off a social explosion.

Another side of the same policy is Bidens unprecedented public call for Amazon workers to back the unionization drive at the companys warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama. The administration is seeking to integrate the trade union apparatus more directly into corporate management and the state in order to suppress the class struggle and block any independent movement of the working class, which they correctly fear will assume an anti-capitalist direction.
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Reveal They Will Welcome Their Daughter This Summer, Will Not Have More Children

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are set to become proud parents to a little girl! The couple revealed the gender of their second child during their interview with American talk show host Oprah Winfrey on Sunday.

As per E! News, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed that they are going to welcome a daughter, with Harry dropping the happy news when he joined his wife in the second half of the interview. Meghan added that their daughter is due in the "summertime."

"To have a boy then a girl -- what more can you ask for?" Harry candidly said. The couple also revealed that they will not have more children following their baby girl's arrival: "Two is it."

Prince Harry spoke about his feelings upon learning the baby is a girl, "Grateful, having any child, any one or a two would have been amazing, but to have a boy and then a girl . . . now we've got our family and we've got four of us."

Meghan and Harry had announced their pregnancy news last month, with a stunning black-and-white photo that was taken remotely via iPad by their friend and longtime photographer, Misan Harriman. A smiling Harry looked lovingly at Meghan, who cradled her baby bump as she lay down in his lap.

The Duchess of Sussex wore a flowing dress by Carolina Herrera that was first made when she was pregnant with Archie. Meghan has a longtime rapport with the brand's creative director, Wes Gordon.

The happy news, which they shared on Valentine's Day, comes after Meghan revealed she suffered a miscarriage last July. "Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few," she wrote in a New York Times essay on November 25.

Meghan and Harry's CBS special with Oprah marked the couple's first joint interview since their royal exit, which was recently made permanent. In the interview, the duo discussed the reasons behind their decision to step back from their royal duties, which they had first announced in January 2020.

'Oprah With Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special' aired on CBS on Sunday. The special was produced by Harpo Productions. Terry Wood and Tara Montgomery executive produced, along with co-executive producer Brian Piotrowicz. The special will be internationally distributed by ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group.

Meghan and Harry officially stepped down from their roles as senior royals last year. Their desire to have a normal family life played a role in their groundbreaking decision.

Since last summer, Meghan and Harry have been living with Archie in their new home in Southern California, not far from Oprah's, near Santa Barbara. Their interview with the former talk show queen and media mogul aired a month after Harry made a rare TV appearance on 'The Late Late Show With James Corden'.

Markle and Harry, who tied the knot in 2018, welcomed their first son, Archie Harrison, in May 2019. (ANI)
cannot claim historical precedence over airport slots, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MCA) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have said in an affidavit before the National Company Law Tribunal.

The ministry and the civil aviation regulator have said the government will consider the airlines request for slots, according to existing policy. However, they have opposed the successful bidder Kalrock-Jalan consortiums plea for mandatory approvals.

According to the slot allocation guidelines issued in May 2013, the use it or lose it rules define the historical precedence which is only granted for a series of slots has not applied for slots for the last three consecutive seasons and hence, does not qualify for claiming the benefits of historical precedence, the ministry and said in a joint affidavit.

shut down in April 2019, following a cash crunch, and is under insolvency since June of that year. The airlines slots and traffic rights were then allocated to other airlines, enabling them to fill capacity vacuum and the launch new services.

In its earlier affidavit in December 2019, the MCA had said its slots and traffic rights were allocated to other airlines in the larger public interest and purely on a temporary basis. However, the governments latest affidavit filed on Monday  is silent on the issue. The ministry said allocating slots to revive Jet Airways would not be an issue, in view of the upgrade of existing airports and the construction of new airports, including Jewar, Mopa, and Navi Mumbai. This capacity creation through new airports and expansion of capacity at existing airports will be helpful in allocating a fair number of slots to the resolution applicant (Kalrock-Jalan) by the competent authority, it said. Slots are not the assets of Jet Airways and no mandatory directives should be issued in respect to their allocation, the ministry and said.

Bidders have come forward and sought to revive the airline only if slots are made available. While the new owner would begin operations in a graded manner, the requirement of slots may not be an issue for launching operations. However, the government should give certainty regarding the slots and protect them if an airline is facing insolvency, said an aviation expert.

The MCA is not per se opposing the revival of Jet. Instead the ministry would be satisfied if an airline is resurrected, as it positively impacts the lives of employees and also the But at the same time, any airline prior to its operationalisation should fulfil certain conditions and the same shall also be applicable to the revival of Jet , it said.
One of two women injured during a daytime armed robbery of a high-end restaurant in Beverly Hills by three gunmen who swiped a $500,000 watch says shes been physically and emotionally traumatized by the experience.

Im still very shaken up and Im very broken emotionally, the woman, who chose to remain anonymous, told KCAL-TV on Sunday.

My shoulder and my humerus bone are broken, she said.

I have no arm for about a month and a half and my chin was torn with a laceration.

A woman who was trampled during an armed robbery of a Beverly Hills restaurant on Thursday afternoon said the incident left her traumatized

The woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, says that she suffered broken bones in her shoulder and arm as well as a laceration on her chin

Surveillance footage captured the moment terrified diners at Il Pastaio on North Canon Drive in Beverly Hills ran for their lives and a robber was wrestled to the ground after he and two accomplices stormed the restaurant in broad daylight on Thursday.

All three gunmen managed to flee on foot, according to law enforcement officials.

Jewelry dealer Shay Belhassen, the man who had a $500,000 watch stolen, was having lunch at the restaurant on Thursday when three armed robbers stormed inside and demanded his watch.

When he refused to hand it over to them, they started shooting and an unnamed woman caught a bullet to the lower leg. He gave them the watch and they ran away on foot while others ran for their lives.

In an interview with The New York Post on Friday, he claimed he tried to fight them and even wrestled them to the ground.

'One of them was choking me from the back with a gun to my head, while the other one was grabbing my arm, and the third one was yanking the watch off my hand,' he said.

Jewelry dealer Shay Belhassen has spoken out about having his $500,000 watch stolen in Beverly Hills in a robbery that left a woman shot in the leg

'I took a chance and grabbed the gun and wrestled them to the ground. They were trying to pull the trigger.

'I believe one of [the robbers] got shot while they were struggling with me on the ground. The eyewitnesses were saying he ran while holding his stomach. I know while we were fighting on the ground, a couple of bullets shot. I believe one of them hit him.

'They were coming to shoot. They didnt come to play around. There was zero fear in their eyes,' he said.

One woman told Variety that she couldn't run because she was wearing designer heels so she hid behind a tree.

'Everyone started running in every direction. I dropped behind a tree. I was in high heels. I'm not going to get very far in four-inch Louboutins,' Ran Ma said.

The trampled woman described the horror of being blindsided and flung to the pavement amid the chaos.

I thought I was shot, she told KABC-TV.

Someone completely knocked me down from behind.

In the wake of the incident, private security guards carrying arms have been deployed to the area near Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills.

According to Beverly Hills Police, officers were called to the scene at 2:10pm on Thursday after receiving a report of a robbery by armed gunmen who discharged their weapons.

When officers arrived, they found a woman who had suffered a gunshot wound. Investigators believe the woman was an innocent bystander.

'The female was at the location with two other people when three male suspects demanded property from another patron,' according to a Beverly Hills Police Department statement.

'One of the suspects shot the female and the three suspects fled the location on foot.'

The surveillance footage clearly shows the second victim being trampled as the gunmen fled while diners were fleeing for their lives.

The video, filmed from a nearby store, shows a man (top left) tumbling out of the covered outdoor dining area at the swanky eatery

Another is wrestled to the ground before fleeing. Diners are seen running in all directions as shots are fired

People were pictured running for their lives after shots rang out, as rapper DaniLeigh sits in her G-Wagon

Some of the diners who were eating in the outdoor patio area scurried inside the restaurant to take cover.

It is the latest in a string of violent incidents in the exclusive Los Angeles enclave.

Last month, Lady Gaga's dog walker was shot while walking her three French bulldogs. The dog-nappers stole two of the animals but they have been safely returned to her.

Seven people had Rolexes taken from them in armed robberies in the area between January 30 and February 15.

It's unclear if the thieves in Thursday's attack knew who to target or if the man with the expensive watch was randomly selected once they'd arrived.

Witness David Rafaelli confirmed to KNBC that the suspects wanted the man's watch.

'He wanted his watch, and while they were fighting with him, he pulled the gun and the gun shot one of the girls,' Rafaelli said.

Pictures taken show customers fleeing for cover past a parked Mercedes. Celebrity photographer Tyler Shields allegedly shepherded a large group of people into a nearby parking garage.

The victim is seen talking on her phone as paramedics wheel her away from Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills, where she was shot in the leg

A $500,000 Richard Mille RM 11-03 Flyback Chronograph watch that is similar to the one stolen at the restaurant

Rapper DaniLeigh, who has been dating DaBaby, had just parked in front of the restaurant and was in her G-Wagon when shots rang out, TMZ reported.

Drew Hancock said his girlfriend was shot and described the chaos as 'crazy' in an interview with KNBC.

The ricocheting bullet grazed the back of her calf, he told the outlet, and photos show her left leg wrapped in bandages.

'I stood up because I'm a big guy and people generally calm down when I'm around,' he said.

'I immediately turned toward my girlfriend and as I was throwing her and her friend through the doorway, there were shots.'

She was dining outside when the shots rang out during a robbery

The man with the watch resisted which led to a loud argument that escalated fast into gunshots being fired

The witnesses were described as three young black males who demanded a $500,000 watch from a man eating at the restaurant

Crime scene photos show a heavy policy presence outside of Il Pastaio after the incident

Il Pastaio is a known celebrity hot spot in Beverly Hills which is known for its patio

The victim was treated by Beverly Hills Fire Department Paramedics and was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, the Beverly Hills Police Department said in a press release.

A second victim was also injured and treated at the scene.

Celestino Drago, the restaurant owner, told KTLA: 'I feel good nobody got injured and nobody got killed because all the other stuff can be fixed.

'I feel bad for the customers, for the city, for the police department, for everybody. You dont expect stuff like this to happen.'
Robert Nichols is the state senator for Senate District 3. First elected in 2006, Nichols represents 19 counties, including much of East Texas and part of Montgomery County. He can be reached at 699-4988 or toll-free at (800) 959-8633. His email address is robert.nichols@senate.texas.gov.
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The first pupils to arrive back at a private school in Ascot were sent home within a matter of minutes after a student tested positive for Covid.

Children at LVS in London Road arrived by bus this morning but after one pupil tested positive for coronavirus they and the 24 students they travelled with were sent home to isolate for 10 days.

It comes amid confusion over whether or not new government rules mean children with false positives can return to lessons.

Education Minister Vicky Ford said that if a student tests positive for Covid with a lateral flow test but then tests negative with a PCR test then they should not return to school.

However, Boris Johnson's official spokesman clarified this was not true and that children who receive a negative PCR test should be allowed to return to school.

The private school in Ascot, which charges between 3,595 and 11,325 a term and boasts the Queen as its patron, is the first in Berkshire known to have had to send pupils home after the coronavirus restrictions were eased.

A spokeswoman for the school said: 'I can confirm that one student at LVS Ascot tested positive this morning.

'The child concerned, and 24 others who travelled with them, have been sent home to isolate. The school remains open.'

Pupils and teachers across the country begin testing as they return under the easing of lockdown restrictions. Pictured: Erin Horn looking in a mirror while taking a Lateral Flow Test as children arrive at Outwood Academy in Doncaster in Yorkshire

Many secondary schools have implemented a phased return as students from different year groups begin Covid testing as well as following a number of other conditions brought in to allow their safe return.

Boris Johnson said that although it is 'only a small relaxation of the rules', the changes will bring 'joy and relief' to families after months of 'tough restrictions'.

The Prime Minister took to Twitter to welcome the first milestone out of lockdown, writing: 'I want to thank teachers, parents, guardians and carers for the work you have done to keep kids learning throughout the pandemic.

'Getting all schools back has been our priority and the first step of our roadmap back to normality.'

Teachers have described their 'immense relief tied to a little apprehension' at students head back - amid chaos over non-compulsory testing schemes and fears over lax mask wearing.

Among the most immediate concerns for secondary schools will be testing every pupil twice in the first two weeks of term, before encouraging a shift to testing themselves at home.

Meanwhile, students who appear positive for coronavirus in rapid home tests will receive a subsequent test that could allow them to return to class, No 10 has confirmed this afternoon after a minister sparked confusion.

The clarification came after children's minister Vicky Ford suggested there would be no PCR tests at all.

The first three tests for secondary and college students will take place under supervision at their places of education, before being taken twice weekly at home.

All secondary pupils are to be regularly tested - which involves swabbing the nose and throat - to try to avoid schools becoming 'vectors of transmission'. But problems with getting consent may threaten the plans.

One head teacher in Halifax has said only a quarter of parents had agreed for their children to be tested, while in Tower Hamlets, east London, a school has reported that the 'vast majority' have opted out.

And mask critics, including parents and MPs, say the rules will impact students' learning. Ministers have vowed to revisit the face covering policy at the end of this month.

Meanwhile, Professor Calum Semple, an expert in child health and outbreak medicine at Liverpool University, warned schools reopening and social contacts increasing meant it was 'inevitable that we will see a rise in cases' but added that people shouldn't panic.

The return to classrooms has come as a major relief for British pupils and their families who have been forced to endure home-learning since December due to Covid lockdown rules.

Parents across the country have expressed their delight as their children have been reunited with friends and teachers.

Their return forms part of the Prime Minister's ultra-cautious 'roadmap' out of lockdown unveiled last month, which put schools front and centre.

Pictured: Pupils at Nottingham High School take Covid-19 lateral flow tests as they return back after the Covid-19 Lockdown

Lateral Flow Tests are processed as children arrive at Outwood Academy in Woodlands, Doncaster, in Yorkshire

Testing: Pupils from Chertsey High School take lateral flow tests for Covid-19 ahead of their full return to school this morning

Some teaching unions have compared school testing sites to 'field hospitals'. Pictured: Nottingham High School testing room

Most of Britain's primary schools will reopen this morning - despite major pushback from teaching unions who call for a more staggered approach. Pictured: Student Leah Anderson takes a lateral flow test at Outwood Academy Adwick in Doncaster

As students across the country undergo lateral flow testing, it has been confirmed by No 10 that those who appear positive for coronavirus in rapid home tests will receive a subsequent test that could allow them to return to class.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman clarified that secondary and college students who get positive lateral flow tests taken outside of school will receive a subsequent PCR test.

If they test negative in the follow-up, then they will be able to return to class rather than spend 10 days in isolation, Downing Street said.

Students, however, who test positive in a lateral flow test at school during the early phase will not get a confirmatory PCR test.

The clarification came after children's minister Vicky Ford suggested there would be no PCR tests at all.

The first three tests for secondary and college students will take place under supervision at their places of education, before being taken twice weekly at home.

Boris Johnson's official spokesman said: 'Children who take a lateral flow test at a school environment or a controlled environment, if they receive a positive lateral flow test, they won't need a PCR test.

'But children who receive a positive lateral flow from a test taken at home, they will require a PCR test.

'If a PCR test is negative following a positive lateral flow, children can go back to school.'

He said that the aim would be to get PCR tests out 'as quickly as possible' after the positive lateral flow test and explained that PCR tests are not needed after school tests because they are done 'under supervision in a controlled environment'.

Children's minister Vicky Ford (pictured) sparked confusion today as she failed to distinguish between home and school tests

Earlier, Ms Ford failed to draw the distinction between home and classroom tests.

'If they test positive then they shouldn't be in school,' she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

'The really important thing here is to make sure we can keep schools open and minimise the risk of having Covid in the classrooms and that is why if people have a test that shows they have got Covid through the lateral flow test we should not take the risk of having that child in the classroom.'

Pressed if there would be no subsequent PCR test, she said: 'They should not take the risk, we all want to make sure we can keep Covid out of the classrooms here.'

Professor Sheila Bird, a member of the Royal Statistical Society, has previously warned it will be 'very likely' that the lateral flow tests will produce false positives and that all positive results should be double-checked with a more accurate PCR test.

It comes as Boris Johnson praised parents and teachers as he welcomed the return of millions of children to the classroom in England under the first easing of coronavirus restrictions.

The Prime Minister told a Downing Street press conference that the return to schools marked a 'big day and an emotional day' for millions of families across England.

He said: 'We all know that the education of our children is so important that the greater risk now is keeping them out of school for a day longer.

'I want to thank all the teachers who have got their schools ready and who have been teaching throughout the period - whether that is remotely or in person. Your work has been astonishing.'

In a Downing Street press conference today (pictured), Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised parents and teachers as he welcomed the return of millions of children to the classroom in England under the first easing of coronavirus restrictions

Mr Johnson also thanked parents who have been teaching their children at home and said: 'We all know that the burden has disproportionately fallen on women - often holding down jobs and providing childcare at the same time.'

He said the Government's job was to ensure pupils not only catch up on lost learning but 'take the biggest possible step forwards with a concerted national programme for educational recovery'.

Teenagers have been self-administering Covid-19 tests as they return to school for the first time this year.

Year 11 students at Archway School in Stroud, Gloucestershire, had to take a rapid lateral flow test, which provides a result in half an hour, before being able to start lessons.

Staff had staggered pupils' return, with tutor groups of 30 students arriving at 30-minute intervals in order to take the test.

The students queued to enter the sports centre before going inside to administer the test in one of six booths.

While school science technicians process the results, the students have to sit and wait in the sports hall until they get the all-clear to join their tutor group in lessons.

Students and staff will wear masks in classrooms and, to help reduce social contact around the school, there are year group 'bubbles', lessons have been extended, and breaks and lunchtimes have been staggered.

Only Years 11, 12 and 13 returned for face-to-face teaching on Monday.

Years 7 and 10 will go back on Tuesday and Years 8 and 9 on Wednesday. and until then online learning will continue from home. All students will be in school from Thursday.

Staff deliver swab solutions from school pupils lateral flow test swabs at Archway School in Stroud in Gloucestershire

Year 11 pupil Harry Archer, 15, is instructed while conducting a nose swab during his test at Archway School sports hall

Year 11 pupil Ozzy Deane, 15, conducts a mouth swab during his lateral flow test as he arrives at school sports hall in Stroud

Science Technician Annie Faulkner-Wicks prepares a school pupil's lateral flow test swab solution at Archway School

Pictured: Year 11 pupil Ozzy Deane, 15, shows his registration card after conducting a lateral flow test in Gloucestershire

Headteacher Kieron Smith said: 'It's been wonderful seeing the faces of the students - well, what I can see of the faces of the students - this morning.

'I can tell that they're just as pleased as us to be back in school because we have Year 11s in this morning and of course for them it's a very important year.

'We've had measures in place since September with the one-way system and the wearing of masks in corridors and communal areas, but we upped that to wearing masks within lessons, and the same goes for staff as well.

'Obviously with the testing regime as well, as students will be testing themselves at home in two weeks.

'For the next two weeks they will be tested three times to make sure they're clear and everyone's feeling happy about being in school.

SAGE expert: 'A rise in cases is inevitable as pupils go back to school' Sending children back to schools is 'absolutely' safe and people shouldn't panic if Covid case numbers rise because of it, a SAGE expert claimed today. Professor Calum Semple, an expert in child health and outbreak medicine at Liverpool University, pointed to studies that have shown primary school pupils are less likely to catch or spread Covid. He said parents can be 'very confident' that their children are not severely affected by Covid. He added teachers faced 'more of a risk' from mixing with their colleagues than their children. Professor Semple warned schools reopening and social contacts increasing meant it was 'inevitable that we will see a rise in cases'. Professor Semple told BBC Breakfast: 'The subtle question about transmission and teachers, and bringing it home, well the school infection survey is showing that primary school children are half as likely to have had it and probably half as likely to transmit it. 'Secondary school children (are) slightly less protected because as they become adolescents they effectively have the biology of an adult, but even there, they're half to a quarter as likely to have had it and transmit it. 'So the main driver is not the pupil-teacher relationship. 'When we talk about schools, it is the fact that the school brings adults together, whether that's teaching staff, the domestic staff, the catering staff, and it's an opportunity for mixing.' He said the issue was down to 'the fact that schools are a place of work'. Professor Calum Semple said it was 'inevitable that we will see a rise in cases' as schools go back, but it was not so important if the reproduction number rose slightly. He said it was more about 'the absolute number of cases going to hospital and needing intensive care'. The advice for teachers 'is going to be wearing face masks, being really careful in the common room  their colleagues are more of a risk to them than the children'. Advertisement

'We're staggering the students' return so they're coming in tutor by tutor with half-hour intervals.

'At any one time we have about 30 students in the queue waiting. They are then being processed one at a time through six booths and three testing stations.

'They are then waiting in a holding bay for the all-clear and we have a computerised system which passes on the all-clear to those students and then they can proceed to their lessons.'

Greg Williams, of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter Academy, said: 'It couldn't have been (put off) any longer'.

At the secondary school, which is run by CORE education trust, 325 students in Year 11, 10 and 9 were back at face-to-face lessons on Monday - many for the first time in months.

On Tuesday, 270 more pupils - the rest of the school's cohort in Years 8 and 7 - are returning.

Mask-wearing is mandatory at the school, but take-up has been almost universal, said the head.

Mr Williams said there was currently only a single pupil who did not have to wear a mask, and that was for a medical exemption.

Many have school-branded masks, which were being handed out to those who needed a face covering at the front gates, together with a squirt of hand sanitiser.

Pupils have also had to get to grips with rapid-result lateral-flow tests (LFT).

But take-up has again been high and by Monday morning the school had parental consent for tests for more than 530 of its 597 pupils on-roll.

Mr Williams said to avoid too much disruption, it had invited pupils in at the end of last week to its own on-site test centre.

More than 350 pupils took up the chance to have one of the Government-mandated three LFTs they need this week, aimed at controlling virus among the school populations.

From the following week, pupils will take home school-supplied tests and use the swabs on themselves, twice-weekly.

Despite the introduction of new health measures, pupils have been 'really keen' to get back to class, with the school recording a 94 per cent attendance on Monday, above the national average.

Mr Williams said, before reopening, the school had focused on supporting pupils through remote learning, giving out 148 laptops and up to 20 dongles to allow internet access, together with BT-donated data bundles.

The school's community has also been distributing food vouchers and handing out food parcels, put together and delivered by staff and volunteers over the past few months.

He said: 'If teachers weren't teaching, we'd drive out and do food parcel drops.'

Asked about the return for all pupils, Mr Williams said: 'It couldn't have been (put off) any longer.

'The support we've had from Government is clear direction, and we're really appreciative of the run-in time; the advanced notice.

Pictured: A teacher speaks to a student in a classroom at the Jewellery Quarter Academy in Birmingham in the West Midlands

Students take Lateral Flow Tests for coronavirus at the Jewellery Quarter Academy in Birmingham, in the West Midlands

Social distancing markings in the reception at the Jewellery Quarter Academy in Birmingham, ahead of the return of students

'We would have been ready to open the day after the announcement.'

He added the additional financial support from the Government had also helped, providing items such as screens for teachers' desks and in meeting rooms.

That support has also allowed the purchase of 18 graphics tablets, allowing teachers in subjects such as art, science and maths to interact more closely with pupils in those subjects.

He added: 'It's absolutely the right time for the students to come back.

'School is the best place for our students.

'Preparations have been extensive, we have set up a brand new testing centre.

'We have also encouraged the students to come in and think about any help and support that they need, so there's an hour's time with their form tutor, just to go through that.'

He added: 'It must be quite daunting for young people sometimes, to think about having to have regular tests and it's not something they're used to.'

He continued: 'We've put in a lot of support - our remote learning provision has been exceptional.

'But they want to come back today.

'Very early this morning, the students were arriving - much earlier than we thought.'

Among the students is Year 11 Dante Ross, who has his eyes set on a career in engineering.

The 16-year-old, from nearby Hockley, said: 'I'm excited to come back to school, see my friends and just get learning with teachers in a friendly environment.'

Asked what he had missed the most, he replied: 'The social interaction with people my own age.

He said the most difficult challenge had been getting used to wearing a mask, which he found 'claustrophobic'.

Dante has the 'stressful' prospect of teacher-assessed grades for his GCSEs this year, with results in August.

He said: 'I think it will be much harder to compete against somebody in the job market, that has sat their GCSEs.'

Asked about the state of pupils' mental health, Mr Williams said: 'By and large, our children are very resilient, and I think that is helped greatly by the frequent contact we have with them.

'But it will be lovely to see them back today.

'I don't think there's any substitute for face-to-face teaching.'

Mr Williams said the potential for an expanded school year would be 'welcomed' if it 'contributes to the well-being and learning progress of students'.

Children arrive at Outwood Academy in Doncaster as pupils in England return to school for the first time in two months

Teachers have described their 'immense relief tied to a little apprehension' at students heading back - amid chaos over non-compulsory testing schemes and fears over lax mask wearing. Pictured: Children arrive at Outwood Academy in Doncaster

Most of Britain's primary schools have reopened their doors this morning, while secondary school students will head back in stages to ensure Covid tests can be carried out. Pictured: Children arrive at Outwood Academy in Woodlands, Doncaster

Three Covid tests will be conducted in school as a union boss says on-site testing facilities look like 'field hospitals'. At-home testing will be in place from then on. Pictured: Children arrive at Outwood Academy in Woodlands, Doncaster, Yorkshire

Paul Whiteman, from the National Association of Head Teachers, said students will be supported 'socially and emotionally, not just academically' amid concerns over the mental health impact of their period at home. Pictured: Students in Nottingham

The Association of School and College Leaders chief, Geoff Barton, warned a wave of non-compliance from students over the Government's face mask rules could create 'ramifications' for school insurance policies. Pictured: Students in Nottingham

Students must wear masks indoors, including classrooms, where it is impossible for them to socially distance. Pictured: Students in Nottingham High School wear masks as they walk through the corridors after returning to school this morning

Previously, face coverings only had to be worn in hallways. Now, they must be warn in socially-distanced classrooms too

A survey by the Association of School and College Leaders earlier revealed that half of secondary head teachers have struggled getting permission from parents for testing. Pictured: Students in Nottingham High School wear masks in class

Students and teachers alike rushed to social media to share their joy at heading back to school today.

Secondary school geography teacher Steve Harris wrote: 'It feels strange to be wearing proper shoes again.

'Good luck to everyone going back in today.'

Ms Harvey - an English teacher in Somerset - shared a picture of a Covid at-home testing guide and wrote: 'Back to school routine has a new twist. Fine by me.

'The classroom here I come!'

Meanwhile, parents declared their 'delight' that schools had re-opened, complaining that they struggled to keep their children focused on their studies during the lockdown.

Manminder Salan, 31 - whose two children Prabjot, five and Gursimrit, ten, were returning to Khalsa School, Southall, West London - said: 'I'm so happy that the schools have re-opened and am praying that it stays that way.

Fantastic for students and their families: Vic Perhar, who was taking twins Arjun and Amrit, seven, (pictured) back to school in Norwood Green, west London said: 'It's fantastic to have the schools open again and I think a lot of parents feel this way'

Mother-of-three Kate Binnington (left) and mother-of-two Elizabeth Gamble (right), both mothers from Leeds, West Yorks., have welcomed back-to-school day as their children are reunited with their friends and teachers at primary school

'The children have really missed their friends and are looking forward to playing with them again.

'The hardest part of the lockdown was trying to get them to do their online lessons. A lot of the time they struggled to understand them, and I couldn't do anything to help them.'

Vic Perhar, who was taking his twins Arjun and Amrit, seven, back to school said: 'It's fantastic to have the schools open again and I think a lot of parents feel this way.

'Part of me just felt like giving up during the lockdown because it was so difficult to keep the kids engaged with their education. They've also really missed playing with their friends.'

He added: 'I just hope that the Government gets the coronavirus situation under control and we don't have to close the schools again because I don't know how I will cope with another lockdown.'

Ms Salan revealed that online classes for her children started at 9am and finished at 2.30pm.

Simon Doy with daughter Bethany, 7, are excited to head back to school as Simon says Bethany has missed her friends

'Closing the schools during the lockdown has made me realise what an incredible job teachers do. I'm so happy that the kids are now going back because it takes a lot of pressure off me.'

She added: 'It was like a full-time job trying to keep them focused. Most of the time they just wanted to go out to play.

Mother-of-three, Kate Binnington, 39, was dropping off Ben, nine, James, six, and Laurie, four.

The occupational therapist from Leeds, West Yorks., said: 'I'm a bit excited but a bit sad as well because it's been nice to have the kids at home.

'We've had three boys running about in the house and it'll be the first time in nine weeks where they're all gone.

'But it'll be good for us and the kids.

'My boys are so excited to be back and with their friends.

'It's been tough juggling work and obviously full time home-schooling but it was nice.

'The school has been terrific though and we're confident that everything is safe for our kids.'

Elizabeth Gamble, 38, is mother to Grace, six, and Dylan, three.

The counsellor from Leeds, West Yorks., said: 'I'm really happy the kids are back because my daughter was desperate to come to school.

'It's not even about learning as she's quite young and you can make that time back.

'She just really missed her friends. It was her birthday the other day and she was heartbroken because the school normally gives the kids a pencil for their birthdays. And she really wanted one.

'It's been quite hectic at home with the kids so I think this is a much needed return to normality.

'But the school has made this difficult situation much easier as they've put no pressure on us and made us comfortable.

'But it's the right time I think for the kids to be back.'

Simon Doy, 44, was dropping his seven-year-old daughter, Bethany, off at school.

The software engineer from Leeds, West Yorks., said: 'To be honest I'm really chuffed the kids are back in school.

'It's been a tough year and education aside the kids really missed their friends and the social aspects.

'We're happy we can return to some sort of normality after this past year. It's been so difficult for them being away from friends.

'The school has been great too so we're confident that everything is spot on.'

His daughter Bethany added: 'I'm extremely excited to see my friends.'

Covid tests are voluntary, with teachers describing the struggle of getting parental consent. Pictured: Children in Doncaster

Year 11 student Dante Ross arrives back at Jewellery Quarter Academy in Birmingham as students head back to school today

Toby Stanton, ten, packs his school bag in Ashford, Kent, as pupils in England return to school for the first time in two months

The return to classrooms will come as a major relief for British students who have been forced to learn from home since December due to Covid lockdown. Pictured: A school boy fastens his tie as he prepares to return to school in Manchester

Office manager Rianne Mills, 33, said her sons' school in Shipdham, Norfolk, held virtual tours of the classroom so her boys, Henry Cheetham, eight, and five-year-old Freddie Mills knew what to expect.

Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary Academy, which is part of the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust, said 99% of pupils attended on Monday.

'The school have been fantastic,' said Ms Mills.

'They did a virtual tour so they've shown photos and videos of how the classroom is set up, explaining things, explaining procedures.

'The boys are quite prepared, I think. They had all different videos of where they'll sit and things like that, how things will go.'

The single mother was furloughed during the most recent lockdown as she home-schooled her sons, and said she is looking forward to some normality.

She said the boys were a 'little bit nervous' about returning to school but 'super-excited' to see their friends.

She said it was easier than after the first lockdown last year.

Rianne Mills (centre) with sons Freddie and Henry, and Victoria Proctor with her sons James and Reuben (right) outside school

Mask critics say the rules will impact students' learning. Ministers have vowed to revisit face covering policy at the end of this month. Pictured: Children line up to enter the Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary Academy in Shipdham in Norfolk

Pictured: Chloe Wicks (right, green coat) talks with friend Erin Stagle (left, red coat) as they arrive at Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary Academy in Shipdham in Norfolk as pupils in England return to school for the first time in two months

Primary students do not have to wear masks in classrooms. Pictured: Children at Thomas Bullock Primary Academy, Norfolk

'I think the first time we were so anxious, really worried, really scared, but I think knowing all the procedures they've put in beforehand has made it easier this time,' she said.

'We know the children are going to be safe, we know exactly what the score is this time, we know what they've got in place, and I think we've just got used to the new normal, if that makes sense.'

The school has almost 200 pupils aged between four and 11, and between 25% and 30% of them attended through lockdown when it was only open to vulnerable and keyworker children.

Headteacher Shannon O'Sullivan said: 'We know that some of the children will be slightly nervous.

'We've tried to ease some of those anxieties with some happy balloons and things outside the front, and we'll just try to take every step as we go today, keeping safety at the forefront.'

She said she felt it was 'absolutely perfect timing' for children to return to school.

'We've been tracking the numbers of Covid cases in our community throughout this period and we're down so much now that we absolutely know that this is the best place for our children as far as the safety of them and continuing their learning,' she said.

Children arrive at Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary Academy in Shipdham, Norfolk as primary schools fully reopen

Teacher Amelia Sharpe reads a story to pupils at Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary Academy in Shipdham in Norfolk

Children queued in socially-distanced lines outside and washed their hands at special hygiene stations before going into class, with all staff wearing masks.

The school operates three staffroom bubbles.

Businesswoman Victoria Proctor, 37, said her two sons, seven-year-old James and Reuben, five, were 'a little bit nervous' about returning to school but were looking forward to seeing their friends.

'Last week they wore their uniforms to kind of get back into the swing of things,' she added.

Tom Carter, who was taking his daughter Millie, nine, to school in Ealing, West London said: 'I've been praying for this day to come.

'I don't understand why the Government closed schools in the first place because kids don't really get coronavirus.

'It's been a very difficult and challenging time. Not only have kids missed out on education but also the social aspect of school life. Whatever happens now, schools must not be allowed to close again because it was driving me nuts having my daughter at home all the time.'

Pictured: Kajinder lamba, 30, with daughters Abnoor, 10, and Harnoor, 3, heading to School in Norwood Green, West London

Kajinder Lamba, 30 who was taking her daughter Abnoor, ten, and son Harnoor, three, to Clifton Primary School in Ealing, West London, expressed concerns over Covid regulations that have been put in place.

She said: 'I'm delighted that schools have reopened but a bit worried that it might lead to an increase in infections again.

'It's been very difficult having two kids at home and making sure that they are doing their schoolwork. But I also want them to be protected and not catch coronavirus.'

She added: 'I'm sure parents all over the country are celebrating today but we want schools to make sure that they are safe environments for our kids.'

South London headmistress Alex Hutchinson wrote on Twitter she 'can't stop smiling' ahead of the return to school - telling her students last night that she will 'see you tomorrow'.

Head of Tanbridge House School in Horsham, West Sussex Jules White told the BBC that the return to school brings 'immense relief tied to a little apprehension'.

Parents of children at Upper Manor Primary School in Smethwick, Birmingham on their return to school.

Codie Longfield, 25, says she is excited for Kian, 7, and Lacie, 5, to be back at Uplands Manor Primary School in Birmingham

Pictured: Mother Lisa Sefton with daughter Demileigh (left) and (right) Jay Patel, 39, a support worker and mother-of-four with daughters India and Priyanka at Uplands Manor Primary School in Birmingham where children are back at school

Codie Longfield, 25, has been at home with her two children, Kian, seven and Lacie, five.

She said: 'I am very excited to have them going back. They have driven me insane and they have missed out on so much education.

'I've tried to teach them at home but they just don't concentrate. Parents and teachers mean different things to them and it is very hard to change that.

'It's also a challenge because the learning is different. I don't remember learning through phonics at school. The language is even different.

'The other aspects I have been able to cope with but I have been very worried about their education.'

Shelley Warburton, 32, mother to Leo, seven and Rylee, two, is a key worker but her children have only been in school for two days a week in a bid to minimise contact.

She said: 'As a single mum it has been very difficult indeed for me and it has also been hard for Leo not being able to see any of his friends for such a long time.

'I hope this is a sign we are making progress but I don't take it for granted. I just hope there won't be another lockdown.'

Davinder Kaur, pictured with daughter Priya, 7, said this lockdown was harder than the previous lockdowns and home learning

Pictured: Jodie Ricketts, 33, (left) with Becca, 10, Liam, 8, and Bunny, 5, and (right) Shelley Warburton with Leo, 7, outside Uplands Manor Primary School in Birmingham as children head back for the first time in months as lockdown begins to ease

Davinder Kaur, 38, and her daughter Priya, 7, were both happy to be back at school.

Priya said: 'I have missed my friends and also my teachers.'

Her mother added: 'This time was harder than the other lockdown. It is difficult having children study at home when that is not where they are used to doing it. Parents are not all good teachers.'

Jodie Ricketts, 33, is a mother-of-five with three at primary school. She has been furloughed from her job in a leisure centre.

She said: 'It has been very difficult and very expensive. I have had to spend way more on food and electric and feel that the kids have eaten me out of house and home.

'The learning was easier this time than in the first lockdown. The school gave us two laptops so we have been doing home learning on Google classroom. It wasn't too bad.

'In the first lockdown it was harder to keep up and we were only given a pack to help us through but this time we were better prepared.

'I made a study area on the dining table for Becca and Liam who are ten and eight and they got on with it. My youngest one Bunny who is five and learning phonics was happy to watch videos.'

Jay Patel, 39, a support worker and mother of four, said: 'We have all been looking forward to this. They want to see their friends and I want to have a bit of time back.

'They did do some work with Google classroom and that was helpful compared to the earlier lockdown but you still have to keep on top of them.

Children arrive back at Uplands Manor Primary School in Birmingham as lockdown restrictions begin to ease across England

'You have no time to do housework or anything else because they are a full time job. My eight year old daughter got on with it OK.

'This lockdown was by far the worst. With it being cold and dark we could not go anywhere. It's been a horrible time.'

Lisa Sefton, 32, who works as a support worker in a care home has struggled with her daughter Demileigh, nine who lives with Century Processing Disorder that makes here difficult to manage.

She was unable to send her daughter in to school because of the acute vulnerability of those she works with.

'It has been an absolute nightmare,' she said. 'Every morning has started off with a meltdown as soon as I have tried to get her to log on to the laptop.

Uplands Manor headteacher Andrew Dickinson

'As far as she is concerned school is for school and home is for home and that is what I have heard.

'It has been far more difficult than the first one. At least you could go outside more because the weather was nice. Being couped up has made my daughter far worse.

'And there has been more pressure from the school. I have had calls from the class teacher telling me that it is very important she doesn't slip behind and calls from the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator saying it will all be OK.'

Andrew Dickinson is head teacher of the Uplands Manor Priimary School which has four classes per year and about 950 children. It is in Birmingham but comes under the Sandwell local authority.

He said: 'When we went into the first lockdown I think there was a novelty factor. There was nice weather and the sense that it would be over quickly so the focus was on welfare.

'This time it has been about continuity of education which has created a lot more pressure on families and school staff.

'There is also fatigue and being stuck in the house in the worst of the winter and families have found it really, really tough.'

During this lockdown the school catered for between 150 and 200 children who were vulnerable or had key worker parents compared to 60 to 70 last year.

He added: 'This return is also a relief to teachers. They have been having to do in school teaching, online classes and also take welfare calls from parents worried about their children.

'And teachers have their own issues to deal with, be it children of their own or ill health in their families.

'I just hope now the government will leave us to it. The children do need to catch up but that will only happen over time.'

The school will still be feeling different. Staggered start times and staggered breaks means the playground will be occupied constantly from 10am to 2.45pm.

Teachers will be wearing masks when not teaching and will have designated toilets are areas where they are allowed to be.

It was not smooth sailing for all schools though as pupils at a private Ascot school were only back for a matter of minutes before a failed Covid test meant they were sent home again.

Children at LVS in London Road arrived by bus this morning - the first day back for schools under the government's roadmap to return to normal.

However, one pupil failed a test, which means they, and the 24 pupils they were travelling with, have now been sent home to isolate for the next 10 days.

The private school in Ascot, which charges between 3,595 and 11,325 a term and boasts the Queen as its patron, is the first in Berkshire known to have had to send pupils home after the coronavirus restrictions were eased.

A spokeswoman for the school said: 'I can confirm that one student at LVS Ascot tested positive this morning.

'The child concerned, and 24 others who travelled with them, have been sent home to isolate. The school remains open.'

It has not been confirmed which year group the child is from. The spokeswoman added more details on the situation would be released later.

A survey by the Association of School and College Leaders earlier revealed that half of secondary head teachers have struggled getting permission from parents for testing which is required to administer the nose and throat swab to pupils

And mask critics, including parents and MPs, say the rules will impact students' learning. Ministers have vowed to revisit the face covering policy at the end of this month. Pictured: Students arrive at the Jewellery Quarter Academy in Birmingham

Clifton Primary School, Norwood Green, West London opens today. Paul Whiteman, from the NAHT, said students will be supported 'socially and emotionally, not just academically' amid concerns over the mental health impact of period at home

A survey by the Association of School and College Leaders earlier revealed that half of secondary head teachers have struggled getting permission from parents for testing which is required to carry them out. Pictured: Students in Doncaster

Boris Johnson dismissed concerns over return saying real risk to children was in not going back. Pictured: Children in Essex

Colby Hoare, 12, helps Taylor Hoare, seven, get ready for school on March 08, 2021 in Truro, England

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson proposed changes he likened to reforms of 1940s to help pupils make up for lost time

Paul Whiteman, from the National Association of Head Teachers, said students will be supported 'socially and emotionally, not just academically' amid concerns over the mental health impact of their period at home.

He added: 'This is a special week. It will be good to hear the sounds of more young people back in classrooms and school playgrounds again after the latest lockdown.

'The reality is that schools have never actually been closed. Teachers and school leaders have worked tirelessly throughout the lockdown to ensure that pupils can keep learning at home, but we all know that remote education is no substitute for face to face teaching.

Teaching unions warn schools may have to CLOSE again if children refuse to wear masks  as millions of English pupils prepare to go back this morning A teaching union has suggested schools may have to close again if not enough students wear face masks - as millions of pupils return to their classrooms this morning. The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL)'s chief, Geoff Barton, has warned that a wave of non-compliance from students over the Government's face mask rules could create 'ramifications' for school insurance policies. The union, which represents secondary school heads, is writing to parents who object to new masks rules, according to the Telegraph. Students are being told to wear masks anywhere indoors, including classrooms, where it is impossible for secondary students to keep two metres apart. Advertisement

'Many children have missed out not just on learning, but also on vital social interactions with friends and teachers, and schools will be supporting their pupils socially and emotionally, not just academically. Such reintegration work will be crucial to ensure a smooth return to school.

'Whilst there is a great deal of excitement about children returning, there is understandable anxiety too. It is therefore essential that the government monitors the early data following the wider re-opening very closely and acts accordingly.

'Equally, the government must do more to ensure that the return to school is a sustainable one. Further improving safety measures in schools would help reduce the chance of future disruption.

'Similarly, we need to remove unnecessary burdens and distractions such as Ofsted inspections so that teachers and leaders can focus on the job in hand.

'We need to make sure our actions over the coming months are about meeting children's needs not just political satisfaction. A child's capacity to learn is no greater today than it was before the pandemic, their need for a childhood no less.

'Once teachers - the real experts in the field - have had some time with all the young people in their care, they'll be able to understand just what each child needs.

'Based on what they find, schools will put in place every measure available to them. We should reject gimmicks or any quick answers done on the cheap. A properly supported long term commitment to education and children is the only way forward.'

The Association of School and College Leaders chief, Geoff Barton, has warned that a wave of non-compliance from students over the Government's face mask rules could create 'ramifications' for school insurance policies.

The union - which represents secondary school heads - is writing to parents who object to new masks rules, according to the Telegraph.

Students are being told to wear masks anywhere indoors, including classrooms, where it is impossible for secondary students to keep two metres apart.

Previously, face coverings only had to be worn in hallways.

A survey by the Association of School and College Leaders earlier revealed that half of secondary head teachers have struggled getting permission from parents for testing.

Geoff Barton (pictured left), from the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL)'s, has warned that a wave of non-compliance from students over face mask rules could create 'ramifications' for school insurance policies. It comes as Boris Johnson (right) batted away concerns around school return  saying the real risk to children was in not going back to class

Mr Barton blamed this on 'misinformation' about the tests.

It comes as Boris Johnson yesterday batted away concerns around today's school return  saying the real risk to children was in not going back to class.

The Prime Minister warned that youngsters remaining at home longer than necessary would suffer in the future.

Ahead of millions returning to their classrooms, Mr Johnson was asked about lingering fears over Covid infections.

But he replied: 'You ask about the risk [of schools returning]  I think the risk is actually in not going back to school tomorrow given all the suffering, all the loss of learning we have seen.'

His comments came as Education Secretary Gavin Williamson proposed changes he likened to the sweeping reforms of the 1940s to help pupils make up for lost time.

Innovations set to be phased in next year include longer school days and shorter holidays.

With children returning to school after two months in lockdown, Mr Johnson said he was 'very hopeful' of a resounding success.

He added: 'I'm massively grateful to parents who have put up with so much throughout the pandemic and teachers who have done an amazing job of keeping going.

'I do think we are ready, I think people want to go back, they feel it, they feel the need for it.'

Mr Williamson has pledged that today's resumption of face-to-face teaching for all is part of 'an irreversible approach' to reopening.

But the return to classrooms is likely to be significantly slower than expected for some families, as most secondaries take days to set up new practices, before resuming properly next week.

However, Mr Williamson told Andrew Marr on his BBC1 show yesterday: 'This is our first step, our real first step in terms of moving out of national lockdown and it is our schools that are leading the way. We are very much factoring in as part of the roadmap that actually schools will be staying open.

'That is why we are taking a cautious approach because we intend for it to be an irreversible approach and that schools will continue to remain open.'

He also promised that schools would reopen after the Easter holidays, even though the impact of today's return on the virus will only become evident to scientists during the April break.

Among the most immediate concerns for secondary schools will be testing every pupil twice in the first two weeks of term, before encouraging a shift to testing themselves at home.

Prime Minister warned youngsters at home longer than necessary would suffer in future. Pictured: Students in Nottingham

Back to normality: Students return to the classroom at Nottingham High School after months of lockdown during pandemic

Among the most immediate concerns for secondary schools will be testing every pupil twice in the first two weeks of term, before encouraging a shift to testing themselves at home. Pictured: Students in Nottingham High School use hand gel

Among concerns for secondary schools will be testing every pupil twice in the first two weeks of term, before encouraging a shift to testing at home. Pictured: A student at Great Academy Ashton is taken through the Covid testing procedure

All secondary pupils are to be regularly tested to try to avoid schools becoming 'vectors of transmission'. But problems with getting consent may threaten the plans.

One head teacher in Halifax has said only a quarter of parents had agreed for their children to be tested, while in Tower Hamlets, east London, a school has reported that the 'vast majority' have opted out.

Downing Street has said that pupils who test positive for coronavirus in rapid tests taken at home will receive a subsequent PCR test, which would allow them to return to class if it comes back negative.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'Children who take a lateral flow test at a school environment or a controlled environment, if they receive a positive lateral flow test, they won't need a PCR test.

'But children who receive a positive lateral flow from a test taken at home, they will require a PCR test.

'If a PCR test is negative following a positive lateral flow, if the PCR is negative, children can go back to school.'

He said that the aim would be to get PCR tests out 'as quickly as possible' after the positive lateral flow test and explained that PCR tests are not needed after school tests because they are done 'under supervision in a controlled environment'.

There is also concern over mask-wearing by secondary pupils, as advised by Public Health England. Some teachers fear they cannot insist on them being worn due to weak government guidance. But that will be reviewed at Easter.

Meanwhile Mr Williamson indicated that a 'transformative' reform of the entire academic year could be on the table in a review led by catch-up tsar Sir Kevan Collins. 'We are looking at holidays, we are looking at lengthening the school day, we're looking at a whole range of measures and we've asked Sir Kevan to leave no stone unturned', he told Sky News.

He added: 'I would see this as one of those moments, a bit like the 1944 Education Reform Act, that came out of the Second World War, about how we can be transformative in terms of changing and improving the opportunities for young people.'

But any such changes are likely to be subject to lengthy debate and phased in gradually, with the traditional teachers' 'perk' of the lengthy summer holiday fiercely guarded by education unions. Paul Whiteman, of the NAHT, said he was not keen on 'gimmicks or any quick answers done on the cheap'.

'A properly supported long-term commitment to education and children is the only way forward', he added.

Ofsted boss Amanda Spielman also sounded sceptical, telling Sky that 'a number of schools have experimented over the last couple of decades with things like five-term years and I don't think many of those have persisted'.

She said it was important that schools 'go with the grain of what parents will embrace to make sure that all children get the very most out of their education'.

Geoff Barton, of the ASCL union, explained: 'The next few weeks are clearly going to present challenges in reintegrating children back into the routines of school life and managing Covid safety measures.

'Secondary schools and colleges are also expected to provide Covid tests and implement policies on face coverings. It is a very demanding situation.

'But the immediate and overwhelming feeling will nevertheless be one of joy in once again seeing all children returning to classrooms and school communities brought back together.'

Labour is calling for catch-up breakfast clubs at school to help children recover from what it has calculated are an average 109 days of lost face-to-face learning.

Education spokesman Kate Green said of the party's 'Bright Future Taskforce' strategy: 'Ministers should listen to Labour's call for breakfast clubs to give every child a healthy breakfast, more time to play with their friends and extra time for teachers to provide targeted catch-up support.'
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Read our full Opinion Policies here. Updated on 10/7/2020
More than 200,000 schoolchildren will learn about British food and farming this week as one of the UK's largest virtual classrooms gets underway.

Millions of children in England are going back to school today (8 March) after more than two months studying at home due to lockdown.

And on their first week back, thousands of primary school pupils will be putting their Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) skills into practice as they tackle farming related topics.

The lessons will range from the lifecycles of farm animals and plants to how future technology can benefit the environment.

The NFU's education team will broadcast the live lessons to celebrate British Science Week, which ends on 14 March.

Welsh sheep farmer Sioned Davies will kick off the programme today by bringing the lambing shed into classrooms.

One lesson will look at how robots and technology can help solve farming problems with engineering experts from Harper Adams University.

Another will Welsh science Museum Techniquest host a farming themed climate science show.

NFU President Minette Batters said bringing farming into the classroom was 'hugely important' as it connected the nations future with its heritage.

"Holding virtual live lessons enables children to have that exciting farming experience, even if they arent able to physically visit a farm, and they will provide fantastic content for their first week back at school.

There is a growing focus on climate-friendly, high welfare food production, so its fantastic that schools want to provide their pupils with greater understanding about how UK farmers produce the food on their plates.

Welsh sheep farmer Sioned Davies, who will be delivering todays lesson on lambing, said she was excited to share farming's opportunities with the next generation.

"Its even better when you get to open up a whole new world to children who may have never been on a farm, or perhaps even to the countryside," she added.

"By sharing my experience I hope to inspire school children to follow a career in agriculture  after all, life in farming is a constant education.
By Diadie Ba

DAKAR (Reuters) - Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was indicted and released on bail under judicial supervision on Monday, his lawyer said, as he faces a rape accusation that has sparked violent protests.

Sonko's release could help ease tensions that have buffeted one of West Africa's most stable democracies in the past week, leaving at least eight dead in clashes between protesters and police, right group Amnesty International said on Monday.

"He (Sonko) has been indicted for rape and death threats and placed under judicial supervision. He is going home," Sonko's lawyer, Cheikh Koureyssi Ba, told Reuters.

Several hundred people gathered outside the courthouse waving flags and chanting "Free Sonko" on Monday morning before beginning to march. His supporters have called for three days of nationwide protests this week.

Much of Senegal's capital Dakar was at a standstill in anticipation of further unrest, and army tanks patrolled downtown streets.

Sonko, who finished third in the 2019 presidential election, was arrested after an employee of a beauty salon accused him of raping her. He denies the allegation and says it is an attempt by President Macky Sall to kneecap a political rival.

The government denies this.

Kindled by Sonko's arrest, the protests have grown into the worst political unrest the country has seen in years as youth vent frustrations about unemployment, inequality and corruption.

Political pressure has risen on President Macky Sall, whose tenure has been plagued by accusations that he unjustly torpedoes political rivals and worries that he may seek to extend his rule beyond his allotted two-term limit.

"This is not only about Sonko. We want Macky to resign," yelled one man marching in a crowd of people on Monday.

Many are suspicious of the accusations against Sonko because two other prominent rivals of Sall were previously targeted by criminal charges that prevented them from running for president in 2019.

(Reporting by Diadie Ba with additional reporting by Cooper Inveen and Ngouda Dione; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Bate Felix and Mark Heinrich)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 9) - The country has so far administered around 44,000 doses of anti-coronavirus vaccine since the rollout started, said vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr.

Kung makikita natin ang ating global vaccination, meron na tayong 300 million plus. At ngayon po, tumaas po ang ating daily rate na 7 million. And then nakakatuwa po ay nakasama na po ang Pilipinas sa numero at meron na po tayong more or less 44,000 doses na na-administer, said Galvez on Monday night.

[Translation: If we look at our global vaccination, we already have 300 million plus. Right now, our daily rate has increased to 7 million. And then, Im glad to report that the Philippines is now included in the number, we already have more or less 44,000 doses that were administered.]

The country has so far received a total of 1,125,600 doses of the Sinovac and AstraZeneca brands, which were donations from China and a number of European nations.

Galvez said that 120 countries around the world have already administered vaccines.

Some 20 million doses of vaccines from different sources are also slated to arrive in the country from April to June, according to Galvez.

He said the expected shipments will come from the British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca, the US-based Novavax, Chinas Sinovac, and the World-Health Organization-led COVAX facility.

Nakikita po natin baka humigit po tayo ng mga ano, mga 20 million po ang ating makukuha between the April, May, and June, Galvez said.

[Translation: Were anticipating that well receive around 20 million in the months of April, May and June.]

Of these vaccines, 2.6 million AstraZeneca doses were procured by the private sector. Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion earlier said half of this will be used by businesses, while the other half will be donated to the government for the inoculation of frontliners.

Increased confidence in Sinovac

Sinovacs CoronaVac was the first vaccine to arrive in the country, courtesy of the Chinese government. The vaccine rollout started in six public hospitals in Metro Manila, with the first shot being administered at the Philippine General Hospital.

Galvez said that more Filipinos are now confident to get inoculated with the Chinese vaccine as hospital officials were seen being vaccinated with the said brand.

Nung nagkaroon tayo ng vaccination ng ating mga direktor ng mga hospital, tumaas ang kanilang level ng confidence, he said.

[Translation: When our hospital directors were vaccinated, their level of confidence has increased.]

Halos araw-araw, maraming nagre-request ng vaccine. Ibig sabihin po nito Mr. President ay tumataas na yung kagustuhan ng ating mga kababayan na magkaroon ng bakuna, added Galvez.

[Translation: Almost every day, we are receiving requests for vaccine. This only means, Mr. President, that more Filipinos are now confident to get vaccinated.]


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ROME, MAR 8 - Premier Mario Draghi is set to start work on cutting red tape one of the priorities of his government, by signing an "innovation pact" with civil service unions on Wednesday, sources said Monday. The former European central banker, who has promised the EU long awaited reforms to the civil service and justice system, will sign the pact with the leaders of Italy's big three union federations, CIGL, CISL and UIL. Civil Service Minister Renato Brunetta will also be in attendance. The accord is formally called "pact for the innovation of the civil service and social cohesion". Cutting business-stifling red tape and speeding Italy's snail-paced justice system are two of the priorities Draghi has set in order to implement over 200 billion euros of EU COVID recovery funding. (ANSA).
A Colorado judge has decided to throw out one of two charges against Christian baker Jack Phillips, who refused to create a transgender themed cake for trans woman, Attorney Autumn Scardina.

Masterpiece Cakeshop owner Jack Phillips can now breathe a sigh of relief after a Colorado judge decided to drop one of the two charges filed against him by a transgender woman, an attorney named Autumn Scardina.

Back in June 2019, biologically male-born Scardina asked Phillips to make a cake that celebrated his "gender transition" from male to female.

The cakeshop owner had already been through a legal battle after being sued by David Mullins and Charlie Craig, a gay couple who asked him to bake a cake for their wedding reception. The gay couple filed discrimination charges against the Christian baker and won before a a civil rights commission and in the courts, the New York Times reported.

Phillips now faces as similar scenario after this new trans case with Scardina, a transgender attorney from Scardina Law who operates the law firm with his brother. The two claim to "know how hard it is to go through changes in life and how important it is to have trusted advocates guide you through your legal challenges."

Scardina filed a lawsuit against the Christian baker in 2019, when she claimed that Phillips violated two state laws, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act and the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, when he declined to make the transgender themed cake for him. Now, a Colorado judge has dropped one of the two charges filed against the Christian baker.

According to the Christian Post, a new ruling was released on Thursday in which Denver District Court Judge A. Bruce Jones granted the Christian baker's motion to drop the charge of violating the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, which alleges that Phillips showed "an unfair or deceptive trade practice."

Colorado Judge Jones wrote in the ruling that the Christian baker "cannot show an unfair or deceptive trade practice because the most salient materials [Scardina] allegedly relied on are not advertisements."

In addition, the Colorado judge ruled that Scardina "failed to establish an actionable unfair or deceptive trade practice. Accordingly, summary judgment enters in [Phillips'] favor on [Scardina's] CCPA claim."

While this is good news for the Christian baker, Phillips will still have to face the second charge that accuses him of allegdly violating the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. According to the Colorado judge, Scardina did not have to establish that her identity as a transgender woman was the "'sole' cause of the denial of services."

Colorado Judge Jones said that the "analysis" of the case would have been different "if the cake design had been more intricate, artistically involved, or overtly stated a message." He wrote in the ruling that "the Court cannot conclude, based on the current record, that the act of making a pink cake with blue frosting, at [Scardina's] request, would convey a celebratory message about gender transitions likely to be understood by reasonable observers."

Alliance Defending Freedom General Counsel Kristen Waggoner, who represents the Christian baker in the case, shared that this is Phillips' "first step toward final justice."
Loading In a 2018 case, Victorian County Court judge Frank Gucciardo reduced an offenders sentence in recognition of the punitive impact of the Narconon programs restrictive measures. On at least four occasions identified by The Age, County Court judges took into consideration peoples treatment at Narconon during sentencing hearings. The facilitys position in Victorias drug rehabilitation system underlines a core complaint contained in a new Health Complaints Commissioner report: the lack of adequate resources for publicly funded rehabilitation is directing people to services on an unregulated fringe that offer uncertain quality of treatment. County Court records from a September 2019 ruling show judge Gabrielle Cannon told a defendant: It is to your credit that you initiated the engagement with the Narconon program ... to the point that ... [Narconon] sang your praises and wished you to stay on as a counsellor.

In a 2011 case, a judge heard concerns from a psychologist that the defendant, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had been required as part of his bail conditions to stay at the Narconon facility, had been denied his medication. A spokesperson for the County Court said they were unable to comment on judges decisions. It is unclear whether the judges and magistrates were aware of the programs Scientology connection or its controversial history. Simon Millington and his daughter Maddie. Victorian Alcohol and Drugs Association chief executive Sam Biondo said courts should act on advice from alcohol and drug experts when recommending offenders for treatment. I would be concerned about courts referring anyone into any private facility which has not been vetted and approved by appropriately qualified individuals.

He acknowledged that the courts are in a difficult spot with the sectors capacity crisis, meaning they are often left with little choice over where offenders go for treatment. A Melbourne-based psychologist with many years experience in treating addictions and who requested anonymity, said former clients of Narconon told him the program had not been useful in learning to manage their addiction or handle challenges. Im fairly regularly asked [by judges] for recommendations, but Id never recommend Narconon. I cant think of any particularly strong reasons why Narconon would be a suitable placement for most people who require a drug rehab placement as part of, for instance, a bail condition. Paul Schofield, a former Scientologist who spent 13 years supervising the Narconon Australasia programs, said while Narconon presented itself as filling a gap in rehabilitation services, its main goal was to recruit people into Scientology. Former clients of the program were pressured to stay on as counsellors and become part of the Scientology spiderweb, Mr Schofield said.

Loading What they were doing was delivering Scientology to people who had a drug problem. An Australian Church of Scientology spokeswoman said Narconon used founder L. Ron Hubbards drug rehabilitation methodology, but denied that the centre delivered Scientology teachings to its residents. She defended Narconons drug-free approach to treatment. Harm reduction has one viewpoint on how to deal with addictions. This is not the model Narconon follows. Narconon works, and people who want a program where they can get off drugs without the use of drugs go to Narconon. Harm Reduction Australia chief executive Gino Vumbaca said he was concerned the rehabilitation facility seemed to develop a program based on the ideology of Scientology first, not on evidence.

Mr Vumbaca said Narconons abstinence-based approach would not work for everyone and could do more harm than good. If you just say you need to be abstinent to access this program  then youre going to lose a lot of people, youre going to have a lot of people harmed and potentially die as well, he said. Mr Vumbaca said research and evidence was needed to determine whether treatment methods are effective and safe in the long term. Some people may benefit from it  that doesnt mean its good, he said. He said the private drug sector needed more regulatory scrutiny.

Loading Were talking about very vulnerable people here, and were talking about, often, very desperate family members. The Church of Scientology in Australia has previously been accused in the media of crimes, including forced abortion and child abuse, details of which were read into the federal parliamentary record by then-Senator Nick Xenophon in 2009. Mr Xenophon, who argued against the churchs tax-exempt status, told The Age the churchs business model was ruthless and questioned whether the program was a Venus flytrap for Scientology recruitment. There is huge demand for rehabilitation services in Australia. Some 200,000 to 230,000 Australians received drug and alcohol treatment in 2019, but demand was estimated to be as high as 755,557, a 2019 study found. The number of drug overdose deaths in Victoria increased faster than the rate of population growth over the decade to 2019.
Families of the three Israeli youths kidnapped and murdered in the West Bank on June 12, 2014, condemned the decision by International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to open a probe against Israel, specifically over events that took place in Palestinian territories that year.

Reportedly, Bensouda intends to investigate incidents that occurred during the 2014 Gaza war that began June 13 that year. In other words, the ICC will not look into the kidnappings and murders of Eyal Yifrach, Gil-Ad Shaer and Naftali Frenkel.

In an open letter to the ICC, the families of Yifrach, Shaer and Frenkel said Bensoudas decision was cruel and cynical. "Had Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda truly wanted to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity, she would have instructed [the court] to open a probe on the great crime that took place just the day before, on June 12, when our three children were kidnapped  three Jewish boys who only wanted to come home safely," they wrote.

The letter of the families adds another layer to this already very sensitive issue. Not only do many Israelis perceive the ICC as bias and politically motivated, but it has also become a personal matter. The ICC could very well target now former and current senior Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officers as well as Israeli politicians who held senior positions at the time of the 2014 Gaza war.

Such is the case of current Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who also holds the justice portfolio. Gantz served as IDF chief between 2011 and 2015. An ICC probe into that period could concern him personally.

In recent days, Gantz discussed the issue with several counterparts in other countries. On March 4, he spoke on the phone with German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, thanking her for her country's support of Israel in opposing the ICC decision. The same day, he also spoke with French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly, urging France to act to help Israel deal with the probe.

In the past few days, Gantz has taken every possible opportunity to stress that he will defend any Israeli targeted by the ICC and that Israeli soldiers must not be afraid at the battlefield of possible legal pursuits from the ICC. After presenting at the Knesset today his proposal for awarding South Lebanon Army soldiers, Gantz tweeted, "I took the opportunity [of speaking from the Knesset podium] to tell all IDF soldiers that they have full backing to defend themselves against any enemy that endangers them, according to the orders and regulations on opening fire. The backing is from me, through the IDF chief and up until the very last of the commanders."

Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman also slammed the ICC. Liberman, who served as defense minister in 2016, had criticized on March 3 a delusional decision by Bensouda, tweeting that the move screams hypocrisy and anti-Semitism.
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The council is to contact Irish Water with regard to the water supply in Clondra after Cllr Peggy Nolan told last weeks meeting of Longford MD that customers in the area are having difficulty with the hardness of the water.

In Clondra, they used to be on the Newtownforbes water scheme and they are now on the Lanesboro water scheme and the water is very hard and its destroying their kettles and their washing machines and their dishwashers and other utensils, she said.

Director of Services John Brannigan stated that the council has nothing to do with Irish Water but that they would attempt to raise the issue with the service.
Public radio hopes to dutifully refocus the conversation after a weekend demonstration was greeted with overwhelming rebuke.



Here's the morning line from our public radio pals . . .
GBP/EUR Exchange Rate Attempts to Climb Again as UK Starts to Reopen

Weakness in the Euro continues this week, making it easier for the British Pound to Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate to resume its advances. Investors are buying the Pound on continued optimism over Britains potential to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, and market bets on the Pounds strength have been hitting impressive highs as well. The Euro, on the other hand, remains unappealing amid Eurozone coronavirus uncertainty and strength in its rivals.

After touching half year highs near the end of February, GBP/EUR quickly tumbled and has been attempting to recover ever since.

Still, amid a lack of solid Euro demand GBP/EUR has been gradually advancing. Last week, GBP/EUR climbed from the level of 1.1536 to 1.1612.

Since markets opened this morning, GBP/EUR has only continued its advances. At the time of writing, GBP/EUR is trending in the region of 1.1650. It remains close to its best levels all year, Februarys high of 1.1673.

The Pound remains broadly appealing, despite signs of weakness in recent weeks. Investors have been hesitant to keep pushing higher and higher with the British currency, as Britains current economic performance has been too mixed to solidly support last months impressive highs.

Speculative longs in the Pound also hit their best levels in three years, indicating that markets continue to expect bullish for Sterling.

Todays news that UK schools were reopening was also good news for markets, as it was the first step in Britains economy gradually reopening.

Still, while markets are increasingly optimistic about Britains recovery outlook, there are some uncertainties in the outlook.

Today, Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey expressed optimism but also warned that the UK may still be far from pre-pandemic normality. He said:

There is a lot of uncertainty around these elements, but my best guess is that we will see some persistence, not full persistence but not a full reversion to pre-Covid either. We will work more from home than we used to and shop more on-line because new habits will persist to some degree, and to the extent they unwind it will be over a period of time.

General tone of #Bailey's latest comments do little to change our view that #BOE is most likely to sit tight on #monetary policy through 2021. #BankofEngland #MPC #interestrates BoE's Bailey urges "cautionary realism" about post-COVID recovery https://t.co/lQgZ9dWlzY  Howard Archer (@HowardArcherUK) March 8, 2021

Euro (EUR) Exchange Rates Pressured by Strength in Rivals

Not only is the Euros appeal being weighed by strength in its rival the Pound, but also a rebound in its biggest rival the US Dollar (USD).

The US Dollar saw a surging rebound last week, amid progress in huge US fiscal stimulus. The Euro often weakens in times of US Dollar strength.

This made it even easier for the Pound to gain against the tumbling Euro.

The primary cause of Euro losses has been strength in rivals like the Pound and US Dollar, but todays weaker than expected German industrial data certainly didnt help the shared currency either.

German industrial production contracted at 2.5% in January, indicating that the bloc did not recover as much as expected from a weak holiday period. According to Andrew Kenningham, Chief Europe Economist at Capital Economics:

With Covid-19 restrictions having been extended until the end of March, and potentially running for longer, overall economic activity will remain subdued for some time. There should be a sustained recovery from the second quarter, however, provided that the vaccination programme gathers pace,

GBP/EUR Exchange Rate Forecast: Key Eurozone Growth Report Ahead

Tomorrow will see the publication of some of this weeks most influential data, but it may not be enough to cause a shift in direction for GBP/EUR.

Eurozone employment and growth rate data from Q4 2020 will be published and will give investors a better idea of how resilient the Eurozone was headed into 2021.

However, markets already expect that the Eurozone performed relatively well in 2020  the blocs 2021 growth so far has been a bigger concern.

As a result, stronger than expected 2020 growth data could boost hopes for Eurozone resilience slightly, but weaker than expected data could cause growth concerns to surge instead.

This may make it difficult for the Euro to recover against a strong Pound.

Unless there is coronavirus news that boosts the Eurozone outlook, or hurts the UK or US outlooks, the Euro may struggle to hold its ground or advance.

Later in the week the European Central Bank (ECB) will hold its March policy decision. This could also influence the Pound to Euro exchange rate if it surprises.
Tesla Inc.s Model 3 sales appear to be taking off in Japan since it cut prices on the mid-range electric sedan last month.

Delivery times for the vehicle have expanded to 12-to-16 weeks, compared with six-to-eight weeks before the price reduction, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. Reservations for test drives are also harder to get, with wait times now at more than three weeks instead of one week, said the person, asking not to be identified because the information isnt public.

(Also Read: Elon Musk says Tesla doubling the size of its full self-driving beta software)

Tesla cut the price of the long-range version of the Model 3 by 24% last month to 4.99 million yen ($46,700), putting it in reach of consumers seeking to buy low-end luxury vehicles. With Japans government pushing to ban sales of cars with gasoline-only engines by the mid-2030s, Teslas price cut is putting Japans automakers on notice for a potential price war in the worlds third-largest car market.

This proves that EVs will sell if theyre cheaper," said Takeshi Miyao, an analyst at consulting firm Carnorama in Tokyo. Its a shocking situation" for Japanese automakers, he said.

Honda Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. both started selling EVs last year, each with a price tag of about 4.5 million yen, but with a much smaller driving range compared with the Model 3. Nissan Motor Co. plans to start selling its Ariya electric crossover SUV later this year. Even including subsidies and rebates, the Model 3 will probably remain one of the most affordable EV options in Japan.

Tesla has been in Japan for about six years, with Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk calling the market one of the most important for the EV company. Yet, data shows that sales never really took off, and Tesla sold less than 2,000 units in the country in 2020, up slightly from the prior year.

At the same time, Tesla lacks the name recognition within Japan enjoyed by domestic automakers. A 2019 poll by Nikkei Research found only half of 1,000 adults polled knew of Tesla. That compares with 98% who said they knew of Nissan. And EV passenger cars made up only 21,000 of the 5.2 million new vehicles registered in Japan in 2019, according to Japans Automobile Manufacturers Association.

The price cut for the Model 3 was the first in Japan, made possible because Tesla will start importing vehicles into Japan from its Shanghai factory instead of from the U.S., a person familiar with the matter has said. Given Teslas production capacity and its ability to procure battery supplies in China, Japanese manufacturers will struggle to compete, Miyao said.

Its going to be difficult for them offer a similar value proposition," he said.
By John Hallanan

What a wonderful time to be alive, the early 1900s in America. There was a new penny in 1909 honoring Lincoln on the 100th anniversary of his birth. In 1912, two more states, Arizona and New Mexico, were added to the Union.

America was now complete from sea to shining sea. And the Age of the Automobile was starting as the automobile was becoming a practical vehicle rather than a buggy with an engine.

So, how was America to participate in this new age as Americans began their love affair with the automobile? New and improved roads was the way Americans could visit and enjoy this new and vigorous America.

So, Henry Joy of the Packard Motor Car Company and other automobile manufacturers and their suppliers formed the Lincoln Highway Association to help the new motoring public. They would lobby states and the federal government to improve the roads suitable only for moving produce from farm to city, but not really for people wishing to use their Pleasure Car to travel from city to city or even further.

Some roads had the words Plank Road as part of their name, not without reason. The roads had actual planks for the road surface, adequate for a person, a horse, or a horse pulling a wagon with big wheels, but not an automobile.

Something had to be done across the nation, and what better way to engage the publics attention and cooperation than a road across America dedicated to the president who united the country, Abraham Lincoln.

So, with all the motor clubs, government entities, local citizen groups and supporting automobile owners participating, the Lincoln Highway was established in 1913.

From Times Square in the East to Lincoln Park in San Francisco in the West, approximately 3,900 miles of dirt, wood block, gravel and asphalt roads would be paved and improved with funding from the federal government. Advice from members of the Lincoln Highway Association would choose the most efficient route with exceptions for suggestions of local residents who knew of special features and attractions where the motorist on the Lincoln Highway would find food, rest and attractions.

What was it like in Jersey City at this time for the new motorist?

Well, aside from the streets being regularly improved, the Hudson County administration was very active with public improvements.

A Carriage Road called Hudson Boulevard opened in 1894. The first county park, West side Park, (renamed Lincoln Park in 1930) opened in 1905. Its world-famous fountain was constructed in 1911. The ancient Indian trail leading to a Colonial Ferry at the Hackensack River called Communipauw Avenue was to be incorporated into a new road to Newark called the Essex Hudson Plank Road.

The discussions for this project held by both Essex and Hudson counties were joined by members or representatives of the Lincoln Highway Association showing the advantages of naming the road part of the new Lincoln Highway and the name of the Lincoln Highway was adopted for the road from Hillside (Pershing) Road along Hudson (Kennedy ) Boulevard to and through West Side (Lincoln) Park to Ferry Street in Newark and beyond through New Jersey to San Francisco.

On Dec. 6, 1913, a parade of hundreds of automobiles and horse-drawn wagons, led by the 4th Regiment of the New Jersey National Guard Band, celebrated the opening of the Lincoln Highway in Hudson County and Jersey City. The parade started at West Side Park, went through the park to Communipauw Avenue and out to Newark on the new road surface.

The enthusiasm of the public for the automobile and following the example of the Lincoln Highway, communities and states were naming roads after local heroes, which caused grief with map makers and the federal government. Finally, in 1925 the government instituted the Numbered Highway System. East and West would be even numbers; North and South would be odd.

The Lincoln Highway Association went away only to be resurrected in 1992 with chapters in each of the 12 states through which it passed.

You can follow the path of the original route of the Lincoln Highway through the county and read more history of the original route of the Lincoln Highway in the county at sites.google.com/site/njchaplha.

Even more history of the Lincoln Highway is available at www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org.

John Hallanan of Jersey City is the New Jersey state director of the Lincoln Highway Association.

Send letters to the editor and guest columns for The Jersey Journal to jjletters@jjournal.com.

Monday 8 March is International Women's Day and while there will be no big demonstrations to mark the occasion in Malaga province, there are a number of events, both virtual and in person, that are taking place.

While the world's attention has been focused on the coronavirus pandemic, women continue the fight for equality.

Working from home and home schooling have brought to light, once again, that it is still women who carry most of the burden when it comes to domestic chores and looking after the children.

According to a survey carried out by the Spanish women's association Yo No Renuncio (I won't give up), 22 per cent of mothers have either reduced their hours or given up work altogether to look after their children during the various lockdowns in Spain.

More women carers

"The pandemic has shown that the percentage of care work carried out by women is excessively high," explained Isabel Jimenez Lucena, the vice dean of equality, diversity and social action at the University of Malaga, to SUR ahead of Women's Day.

The university has recently published a guide to homeworking and work-life balance and a number of women shared their experiences of juggling work and family life.

Ana Chapman, who is a teacher at the university's Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, described her experiences of looking after two young children while teaching online and trying to do 'mini sessions' of work.

Ana Chapman, university lecturer and mother of two small children. / CRONICA

"Switching off is imposible from my point of view. These 'mini sessions' mean that I never switch off because I do little bits of work throughout the day and then I work into the evening because that's when [her two daughters] are asleep," she said.

Women continue to struggle to get to the top of their chosen professions and the assembly of women journalists in Malaga has organised a series of online events (in Spanish) to draw attention to the problem.

Coordinator Teresa Santos Garrote said, "It is socially unacceptable that women are still unable to get the decision-making roles in journalism."

Controversial celebrations

The large demonstrations of 8 March 2020 were blamed by many for a rapid spread in the number of coronavirus cases and critics condemned the government for allowing such events to take place up and down the country. Just one week later, on 15 March, the country went in to lockdown.

comment Breaking out of the vicious circle

Marking the day this year has also been polemic, with outdoor events of up to 500 people being allowed to go ahead, as long as those taking part wear masks and respect social distancing rules.

In Madrid meanwhile a decision has been taken to prohibit any form of demonstration to mark the day. The government had previously said that gatherings up to 500 people would be allowed, but this has now been reversed. Director of Emergencies, Fernando Simon, who was criticised last year for saying he would encourage his son to take part in demonstrations, had already advised against participation in any gatherings, saying it is important to "avoid all situations where safety isn't guaranteed".

Despite the messages, women's groups in this area have found ways celebrate the day.

Making it happen

Costa Women will be hosting three one-day virtual sessions for the ninth annual Make it Happen summit. On 11, 25 and 30 March, from 3pm until 5.30pm, keynote speakers will be talking about different aspects of women in business, including contracts, charging the right price for services, technology and dealing with change in business. There is also the opportunity for individual networking. Each day costs 29 euros.

Costa Women founder and event organiser Ali Meehan told SUR in English, "We are putting this year's event online so we can reach and support more women in business, not just in Spain but internationally. The event again aims to support women through the challenges of running a business while keeping a positive mindset in the process." For further information visit www.costawomen.com/events.

Meanwhile the Costa Tropical branch of Costa Women is marking Women's Day with a series of languages exchanges throughout March in La Herradura and Almunecar.

Feminist dance

The Malaga 8 March platform (Plataforma 8 de Marzo Malaga) is holding a feminist flashmob-style dance on Paseo del Parque in the city centre at 6pm.

While the outdoor, socially distanced event can hold no more than 500 people according to government restrictions, those who wish to attend are asked to wear something purple; the colour that represents International Women's Day, as well as wear a face mask and keep to social distancing rules. The dancing will be followed by a reading of the International Women's Day manifesto in Spanish.

The platform is also encouraging people to hang a purple scarf or banner from their balconies at 8pm in support of the day.

Marbella

Marbella town hall is organising a series of virtual conferences, workshops and concerts, which will run from 8 to 31 March and will be held in Spanish. All sessions will start at 10am.

The town hall will hold a physical event in the building's Salon de Actos, where the council's equality manifesto will be read. There will also be stalls on Plaza de los Naranjos and San Pedro church square with information about the town hall's women's and equality services.
Authorities promised Sunday to pursue criminal charges after a massive party near the University of Colorado in Boulder devolved into a violent confrontation with police that left three officers injured.

Hundreds of people flooded the streets in an area known as the Hill on Saturday night and when told to leave threw bottles, rocks and other objects at police and firefighters, police said.

HPD CHIEF: You can still get arrested for not wearing a mask

At least one car was damaged when the mob flipped it over, and police brought in a SWAT team and used tear gas to break up the crowd that numbered 500 to 800 people at its peak, said Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold.

Images shared by local media showed no social distancing and most without masks despite the coronavirus pandemic. Fireworks were set off in the middle of the street and a law enforcement armored vehicle and a fire truck were damaged, according to police and local media.

At one point Herold said a tactical decision was made to withdraw some officers when a group of about 100 people started to rush them. It took more than three hours to disperse the crowd, according to a timeline she provided.

Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty described the rowdy behavior amid the coronavirus pandemic as shameful.

I hear people refer to it as a party. I don't regard flipping over a car as a party and I don't regard people who throw bottles and rocks at firefighters and police as a party, he said. Those are criminal acts and will be treated as such.

No arrests were made at the scene, police said.

Officers were reviewing officer body camera footage and shared social media videos and photos to identify the individuals involved. They also set up a portal on the city's website to allow the public to submit additional video footage or other evidence from the disturbance.

Herold said it was a calculated call not to make any arrests immediately, out of worry that sending in officers would agitate the large crowd. She added that the department had excellent video to help it pursue those responsible for the violence.

MASK MANDATE: These Houston places will still require a mask

The three injured officers were recovering, including one who was struck in the hand and another who was hit in the face but was wearing a gas mask, Herold said. City vehicles suffered thousands of dollars in damages and private property also was harmed, she said.

The Hill neighborhood has been known for decades for sometimes raucous parties and there have been previous confrontations that resulted in violence, including 12 officers injured in a 1997 riot near the school.

But city officials said during a Sunday press conference that the stakes from Saturday's events are particularly high amid the pandemic, with potentially dire consequences. Health officials advised anyone who participated to quarantine for at least 10 days and to get tested for COVID-19.

CU Boulder students returned to campus for hybrid and in-person learning in mid-February.

University officials apologized to Boulder residents who live near the school and said students who were involved in violence, property damage or failing to disperse would be held accountable.

If they can't meet our expectation, they are not welcome at the university, said CU Boulder Chief Operating Officer Patrick O'Rourke. He added that the university knows its students were involved and We are not going to try to shift the blame.

After the party broke up, other students came to the scene with garbage bags to pick up the large amounts of trash left behind.
Outstanding Intercept of 4m at 10.26g/t Gold within 10m at 4.6 g/t Gold in Maiden RC Drill Program



Outstanding Intercept of 4m at 10g/t Au in Maiden RC Program

Perth, Mar 8, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - OzAurum Resources Ltd ( ASX:OZM ) is pleased to announce the first Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling results from nine holes for 1929 meters (m) of drilling at its Mulgabbie North Project situated two kilometres from the Northern Star Resources ( ASX:NST ) Carosue Dam Operations.Highlights- High grade gold mineralisation intersected, open along strike and at depth.- Currently 31 RC holes totalling 6,327m and 137 Aircore holes totalling 9,781m already completed with remaining assays pending.- Drilling ongoing to reach target stage 1 50,000m campaign.- Strong cash position with A$12m raised at IPO in February 2021.- All nine RC holes intersected significant gold mineralisation, including:o 4m @ 10.26 g/t gold (Au) -Including 1m @ 14.60 g/t Au (within 10m @ 4.6 g/t Au from 48m)o 8m @ 3.41 g/t Au -Including 1m @ 7.50 g/t Au, 1m @ 7.18 g/t Au and 1m @ 5.88 g/t Au (from 135m)o 7m @ 2.90 g/t Au -Including 2m @ 6.39 g/t Au (from 184m)o 7m @ 2.44 g/t Au -Including 1m @ 5.24 g/t Au (from 81m)o 6m @ 2.34 g/t Au (within 20m @ 1.25 g/t Au from 156m)o 1m @ 5.77 g/t Au (from 253m)- Wide zones of Hematite alteration intersected in some deeper holes- a key signature of the adjacent Northern Star Karari and Whirling Dervish Gold Mines.Mulgabbie North RC Drilling ResultsThe first nine holes drilled for 1929m are just the beginning of OzAurum's initial 20,000m RC drilling campaign. All nine RC drill holes have intersected significant gold mineralisation in a highly altered intermediate/felsic volcaniclastic unit that is interpreted to be a stratigraphic equivalent to an Upper Black Flag unit. The key characteristic of this particular Upper Black Flag unit is the presence of fuchsite altered clasts within the mineralised clastic unit.Gold Mineralisation at Mulgabbie North Ben Prospect is currently open at depth and along strike. Of particular interest is hole MNORC 011 that intersected 2m @ 6.39 g/t at 184 m downhole depth. This is an exciting target for future deep drilling.Another important aspect of this drilling program was the intersection of wide zones of hematite alteration in some RC holes, which is the first time that this alteration style has been intersected at Mulgabbie North. Hematite alteration is the characteristic alteration of the adjacent Northern Star's Karari and Whirling Dervish Gold Mines. The hematite alteration observed at the Ben Prospect is indicating oxidised fluids from an intrusive complex suggesting proximity to the mineralising centre - likely to be within OzAurum's 100% owned Mulgabbie North tenure.The planned RC drilling at Mulgabbie North will test strike and depth extensions of gold mineralisation at the James and Ben Prospects that are situated on the Relief Shear. Gold mineralisation at these prospects is hosted in the intermediate - felsic volcaniclastic units that is similar to Northern Star's Karari and Whirling Dervish Gold Mines. The planned RC drilling program at Mulgabbie North will scope out the extent of known mineralisation aimed at making a significant gold discovery.Utilising best practice RC drilling, sampling and assays protocols will allow for a potential future JORC 2012 compliant resource to be estimated with confidence at Mulgabbie North. Systematic RC drilling is being undertaken on a 20m x 20m spacing and a limited number of historic + 33 year old RC drill hole positions will be redrilled to meet JORC 2012 requirements.OzAurum's Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Pumphrey, said:"The Company is thrilled that we have been able to generate these high-grade intercepts so early on in our large-scale drilling campaign. In particular, we are excited by the potential of this area where the host rocks are intermediate-felsic volcaniclastic units- very similar to the Karari and Whirling Dervish Gold Mines. In addition, the wide zones of Hematite alteration intersected for the first time in some deeper holes is very promising since this is a key signature of the adjacent Northern Star Karari and Whirling Dervish Gold Mines. Lastly, this area is under transported cover that has prevented previous effective exploration."In the coming months as drilling results become available the company will be providing the market with regular updates.To view tables and figures, please visit:About OzAurum Resources Limited

OzAurum Resources Ltd (ASX:OZM) is a Western Australian gold explorer with two advanced gold projects located 130 km north east of Kalgoorlie. The Company's main objective is to make a significant gold discovery that can be brought to production.
Compositions and Methods for Enhancing Anti-viral Therapies

CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / March 8, 2021 / XORTX Therapeutics Inc. ("XORTX" or the "Company") (CSE:XRX) (OTCQB:XRTXF), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies to treat progressive kidney disease, with late-stage clinical programs, is pleased to announce the filing of a new provisional patent application entitled "Compositions and Methods for Enhancing Anti-Viral Therapies". This provisional patent was filed with the US Patent Office on Friday, March 5, 2021.

In addition, studies of Coronavirus infections show that SARS and MERS and specifically COVID-19 can be frequently accompanied by pneumonia, acute kidney injury, proteinuria and hematuria1,2. Acute kidney injury ("AKI") has been identified as an independent risk factor for patients' in-hospital mortality due to COVID-19 as well as other Coronavirus infections2. Early reports suggested a lower incidence (between 3% to 9%) of AKI in those with COVID-19 infection2,3,4, however recent reports have shown a higher frequency of renal abnormalities. A study of 59 patients with COVID-19 found that 34% of patients developed massive albuminuria on the first day of admission and 63% developed proteinuria during their stay in hospital5. Associated with modest to severe COVID-19 infection is an increased risk of a hyper-inflammatory state, increased pro-coagulative state and bacterial infection - each can contribute to acute organ injury, and death.

Dr. Allen Davidoff, President and CEO of XORTX stated, "This new patent filing builds upon new and novel observations made in 2020 and 2021 regarding COVID-19 infection and why some individuals are at much greater risk than others. This patent aligns with the view that COVID-19 is likely to become endemic6 and the prediction that on a yearly basis millions of individuals worldwide will remain at risk. XORTX continues to focus on developing leading therapies to treat and protect individuals most susceptible to acute harm to a variety of body systems associated with viral and bacterial infection through our first-in-class programs."

The focus of the patent is based on retrospective clinical data from XORTX scientific partners suggesting that an important therapeutic opportunity lies with addressing aberrant purine metabolism combined with hyperuricemia in patients most at risk to severe COVID-19 outcome. Since the advent of COVID-19 and during 2020, accumulating evidence suggests that individuals most at risk for more severe health consequences fall within a group that includes individuals with obesity, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, diabetes or chronic kidney disease have a higher incidence of hyperuricemia and endothelial dysfunction. Low grade systemic inflammation associated with these disease states and pre-existing vascular injury may suppress and individual's ability to respond with a sufficiently robust response to fight infection and leaves the individual more prone to excessive pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulative state. This new patent filing proposes compositions and methods for enhancing anti-viral therapies for the treatment of individuals most at risk.

The Company is not making any express or implied claims that it has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 coronavirus at this time.

References:

Saraladevi Naicker, Chih-Wei Yang, Shang-Jyh Hwang, Bi-Cheng Liu, Jiang-Hua Chen, Vivekanand Jha, The Novel Coronavirus 2019 Epidemics and Kidneys, Kidney International March 2, 2020. https://www.kidney-international.org/article/S0085-2538(20)30251-9/pdf. Cheng, Y, Luo R., Wang K., Zhang M., Wang Z., Dong L., Li J, Yao Y., Ge S., Xu g., Kidney Impairment is associated with in-hospital deal of COVID-19 patients, medRxiv, March 04, 2020 https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.02.18.20023242v1. Wang D, Hu B, Hu C, et al. Clinical Characteristics of 138 Hospitalized Patients With 2019 Novel Coronavirus-Infected Pneumonia in Wuhan, China. JAMA,2020,doi:10.1001/jama.2020.1585. Guan WJ, Ni ZY, Hu Y, et al. Clinical characteristics of 2019 novel coronavirus infection in China. medRxiv preprint first posted online Feb. 9, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.02.06.20020974Li Z. Wu M, Guo J, et al. Caution on Kidney Dysfunctions of 2019-nCoV Patients. medRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.02.08.20021212. Veldhoven M., Simas JP, Endemic SARS-CoV-2 will maintain post-pandemic immunity, Nature Reviews Immunology, January 2021.

About XORTX Therapeutics Inc.

XORTX Therapeutics Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company with three clinically advanced products in development - XRx-008 for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), XRx-101 for Coronavirus / COVID-19 infection and XRx-221 is a clinical stage program for Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy (T2DN). The Company has strong intellectual property rights and established proof of concept through independent clinical studies. XORTX is working to advance its clinical development stage products that target xanthine oxidase to inhibit production of uric acid. At XORTX Therapeutics, we are dedicated to developing medications to improve the quality of life and future of patients. Additional information on XORTX Therapeutics is available at www.xortx.com.

For further information, please contact:

Allen Davidoff, CEO

adavidoff@xortx.com or +1 403 455 7727

Bruce Rowlands, Chairman

browlands@xortx.com or +1 416 230 7260

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

This news release includes forward looking statements that are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward looking statements, including without limitation any statements concerning the Company's intentions, plans, estimates, beliefs or expectations regarding the future. Although the Company believes that any such intentions, plans, estimates, beliefs and expectations in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such intentions, plans, beliefs and expectations will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions readers that all forward looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Company's future operations and business prospects, are based on assumptions none of which can be assured, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward looking statements. Readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Any forward looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in the forward looking statements. The Company assumes no obligations to update any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE: XORTX Therapeutics Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/634080/XORTX-Files-New-Provisional-Patent-to-Treat-and-Protect-Individuals-Most-at-Risk-to-Severe-Viral-Infection

AMD's unified virtual care framework connects interoperable electronic health records, medical devices, and various engagement models to offer exceptional value to clients

SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the North American virtual care market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes AMD Global Telemedicine with the 2021 North American Product Leadership Award for its unified virtual care framework, Engage N'. The modular solution allows healthcare providers to leverage what they need while allowing them to scale at their pace, without ripping and replacing the existing setup. The engagement model covers the wide array of technologies required for a full-scale delivery of virtual care. This highly customizable solution offers modules by acuity level.

AMD's low-acuity solution options are designed to include basic telehealth video visits. These modules store and forward data and messaging and offer online access to educational materials, in addition to aiding in provider scheduling, secure messaging, and notifications. The high-acuity virtual care solutions build on the video visit capability by extending a virtual visit encounter to include clinical assessment examination, medical device integration, network scalability, simplified workflow, and electronic health record (EHR) integration. Moreover, the call center solution includes digital front door patient assessment, virtual waiting room, audio and/or video engagement, transfer and escalation capabilities, geo-location, and call center reporting.

"AMD scales across the healthcare enterprise and easily adapts to different needs regarding the relevant setting of care. From asynchronous via digital access to a full synchronous video encounter that can support the use of more than 40 different medical devices, AMD is able to offer the products and solutions that create value in measurable ways," said Victor Camlek, Principal Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "AMD enjoys a strong reputation as a global business that can offer solutions or point products ranging from basic virtual visit applications to patient assessment tools, clinical care applications, and direct-to-consumer applications."

Furthermore, AMD leverages a strong partnership strategy to bolster its offerings. For instance, the company has partnered with TeleHealth Solution, a provider of acute care to skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, and acute care hospitals. This partnership involves leveraging reliable telemedicine technology to provide telehospitalist services that treat more patients in place so they can avoid unnecessary transfers and reduce hospital readmission rates.

"AMD Global Telemedicine has extended beyond its telemedicine imprint and emerged as a leading proponent of virtual care, as evident by its extensive array of products that addresses the needs of all segments of the healthcare industry. It works closely with its customer base across a wide range of healthcare establishments, including hospitals, schools, and correctional facilities," noted Camlek. "Overall, it is well positioned to provide a scalable virtual care delivery platform to serve the strong demand that currently exists among healthcare providers."

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a product with innovative features and functionality that is gaining rapid market acceptance. The award recognizes the quality of the solution and the customer value enhancements it enables.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Kristen Moore

P: 210.247.3823

E: [email protected]

About AMD Global Telemedicine

AMD Global Telemedicine is a leading privately held telemedicine technology solution provider of software platforms, integrated medical devices, and telemedicine systems. For the last 30 years, AMD's technology solutions have empowered healthcare providers to deliver the highest possible level of care to any patient anywhere, regardless of circumstances. For more information on AMD Global Telemedicine, visit www.amdtelemedicine.com.

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

Related Links

www.frost.com


Charities are preparing for a surge in demand when the coronavirus supplement for unemployed Australians ends this month, warning a planned $50-a-fortnight increase in JobSeeker will only entrench poverty among the nations least well off.

A Senate inquiry into the proposed permanent lift to the JobSeeker base rate has also been inundated by submissions from people on the payment, revealing they had used the larger coronavirus supplement to purchase much-needed health and dental services and fear they will again struggle to make ends meet.

Charities are preparing for a surge in demand once the coronavirus supplement ends and is replaced with a $50-a-fortnight increase in JobSeeker. Credit:Jason South

The current $150-a-fortnight coronavirus supplement ends on March 31, taking the JobSeeker payment back to its pre-virus level of $565 a fortnight. The government is promising to increase that by $50, the single largest lift in unemployment assistance since 1986, in a measure that will cost the budget $9 billion over the next three years.

But critics say the increase is well short of what is needed, leaving the new JobSeeker rate $150-a-fortnight below the poverty level. The government has also been criticised for extra mutual obligation requirements, including the creation of a hotline for employers to report people who fail to accept suitable employment.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Emmanuel Macron: The Azerbaijani troops must leave Armenias sovereign territory

Armenia 3rd President on authorities and the upcoming elections

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Armenia Ombudsman addresses OSCE officials in regard to Ilham Aliyev's Armenophobic statements

Turkey's Erdogan expresses willingness to support Georgia-Azerbaijan-Armenia trilateral cooperation

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

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Angulo's goal helped Armenia tie score with Croatia

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

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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

Oliver Kahn replaces Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as Bayern Munich's manager

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

Arturo Vidal tests positive for COVID-19

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

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The Department of Education confirmed it will move to the next phase in the reopening of schools next Monday (Brian Lawless/PA)

All primary and fifth year students will return to school next week, the Department of Education has said.

The department confirmed that it will move to the next phase in the reopening of schools as planned next Monday.

The decision comes after it was given the green light by the Department of Health and the HSE.

The partial reopening of schools began last week when younger primary classes and Leaving Certificate students returned to the classroom.

1. The Department of Health and the HSE have reaffirmed that the gradual phased reopening of schools can proceed as planned.

The next phase of return is on Monday March 15 for all primary school children in 3rd to 6th class and 5th years in post primary schools.  Norma Foley T.D (@NormaFoleyTD1) March 8, 2021

Around 100,000 children also returned to preschool on Monday morning.

It is part of a plan to have preschool children return over a period of three weeks.

In a statement, a spokesman for the department said: The Department of Education has today confirmed that the second stage of the phased return to schools will commence on Monday 15 March.

The Department of Health and the HSE have reaffirmed that the gradual phased reopening of schools can proceed as planned.

The next phase of return is on Monday March 15 for all primary school children in 3rd to 6th class and 5th years in post-primary schools.

Public health has reviewed the measures put in place to ensure safe operation of schools and is satisfied that these infection prevention and control measures, if rigorously adhered to, will keep the school community safe during this period.

Meanwhile, the number of cases of Covid-19 in long-term residential care settings has decreased rapidly over recent weeks, deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has said.

The public health doctor said that the number of cases dropped more than he expected, given the level of disease in the community.

2. Public health has reviewed the measures put in place to ensure safe operation of schools and is satisfied that these infection prevention and control measures, if rigorously adhered to, will keep the school community safe during this period.  Norma Foley T.D (@NormaFoleyTD1) March 8, 2021

In a letter to the Department of Health sent last week, Dr Glynn said that the epidemiological situation in Ireland was improving but remained very finely balanced.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) said that while indicators of mobility across the population were low, they continued to drift upwards.

This is a cause for concern, Dr Glynn said.

While we are seeing continued, slower yet constant progress against all indicators of the disease, incidence remains high. Community test positivity remains high but appears to be reducing.

Health and social care services continue to experience significant pressure from the current wave of infection.

The number of confirmed cases in hospital and in ICU is still high but continues to reduce.

The number of cases in long-term residential care settings has decreased rapidly over weeks, more so than would have been expected given the level of disease in the community.

Deaths associated with these outbreaks in these settings also appear to be decreasing, with trends supporting the emerging evidence of the protective effect of vaccination.

Health and social care services continue to experience significant pressure from the current wave of infection Dr Ronan Glynn

Dr Glynn said there had been some recent increase in the average number of close contacts per adult confirmed case, but that it remained stable at 2.6.

We are maintaining a steady suppression of transmission, he added.

Nphet said that the community test positivity rate had decreased over the past week.

It said the rate remained high at 13% over the seven days leading up to March 2, which compared to 15% on February 23.

There were 715 people who died from Covid-19 in February. This is compared to 1,314 deaths in January and 196 deaths in December.

Of the 715 deaths in February, 95 were associated with hospital outbreaks and 273 were associated with nursing home outbreaks.

There were 419 people with Covid-19 in hospital as of Monday morning, with 103 patients in ICU.

Up to 84,000 vaccines are to be delivered this week, with some 37,000 over-70s to receive their first dose of the vaccine.

Around 10,000 people with underlying conditions aged between 16 and 69 will also receive their first dose this week.

The Cohort 4 group includes people aged 16 to 69 with a medical condition that puts them at very high risk of severe disease and death.
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WASHINGTON - The fierce debate over cross-border pipelines is putting more Canadian oil and gas on trains destined for the United States  a country experts fear is ill-equipped for the potential consequences.

Rail cars wait for pickup in Winnipeg, Sunday, March 23, 2014. The fierce debate over cross-border pipelines is putting more Canadian oil and gas on trains destined for the United States  a country experts fear is ill-equipped for the potential consequences. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WASHINGTON - The fierce debate over cross-border pipelines is putting more Canadian oil and gas on trains destined for the United States  a country experts fear is ill-equipped for the potential consequences.

It would take an oil-by-rail calamity of a scale comparable to the 2013 Lac-Megantic disaster in Quebec before Americans wake up to the dangers, U.S. rail safety analysts say.

"There's a bullet whizzing past our head," said Eric de Place, an energy policy expert and director at the Sightline Institute, a Seattle-based think tank focused on sustainability issues in the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

On average, more than a million barrels of crude oil travel through Washington state each week, most of it from North Dakota but about 13 per cent from Alberta and Saskatchewan, according to the state's Department of Ecology.

The risks were punctuated late last year when seven tanker cars carrying crude oil derailed and caught fire just outside Bellingham, Wash., a city of nearly 90,000 people not far from the Canada-U.S. border.

"The only thing I can imagine is that there will have to be a significant loss of life before we get the regulatory attention that the industry deserves, in my opinion, and that's a tragedy that's just waiting to unfold," de Place said.

"We're talking about 300-foot tall fireballs  this is cinematic, when accidents happen. I mean, it looks like a James Cameron movie."

It's a real-life image Canadians know all too well.

In July 2013, an oil-laden train derailed and exploded in the heart of Lac-Megantic in the Eastern Townships region of Quebec, killing 47 and levelling half of downtown  the deadliest non-passenger train accident in Canadian history.

The tragedy put a laser-sharp focus on oil-by-rail in Canada, resulting in a number of regulatory changes, including an end to single-person train crews and the phaseout of DOT-111 or TC-111 tanker cars for crude oil.

In the U.S., however, new rules that took effect in 2016 didn't explicitly prohibit the use of DOT-111s for flammable cargo, said Fred Millar, an independent rail industry analyst and safety expert in Alexandria, Va.

A Bureau of Transportation report submitted to Congress in September found that while DOT-111s stopped carrying crude oil in 2018, the cars still carry some flammable liquids such as ethanol, and won't be completely gone until 2029.

In 2019, the report said, 73 per cent of the tank car fleet carrying crude oil in the U.S. comprised DOT-117 cars  a heavier, "jacketed" tanker with more robust valves and reinforced shields at either end.

"More than 99.99 per cent of all haz-mat moved by rail reaches its destination without a release caused by an accident," Jessica Kahanek of the Association of American Railroads said in a statement.

"Railroads also long advocated for tougher tank car standards and fully endorsed rules that are now in place requiring these cars have higher grade steel, improved thermal protection, thicker shells, and enhanced valves."

Developed after Lac-Megantic, DOT-117s are only "marginally safer" than their predecessors, said Millar, noting that Congress has consistently refused to impose limits on train length or speed, or require that dangerous cargo be rerouted away from population centres.

"The thing about rail car safety is there's a trade-off between the weight of the car and how much product you can carry  there's a conflict between safety and profit," he said.

"If you put on more steel to protect from puncture, that means you have to put in less product."

Oil and gas exports from Canada depend heavily on commodity prices; crude shipments by rail plunged last summer as the price of oil collapsed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, well off the dramatic peaks they posted at the beginning of the year.

But those exports are ticking back up: Canada exported more than 190,000 barrels a day in December 2020, twice the level posted just four months earlier, according to data from the federal energy regulator.

Environmentalists have long opposed pipeline projects like TC Energy's Keystone XL and Enbridge Inc.'s Line 3 and Line 5 for fear of an expansion of Alberta's oilsands operations as well as further North American dependence on fossil fuels.

President Joe Biden cancelled the Keystone XL expansion on his first day in office, while Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to shut down Line 5, which links Wisconsin and Sarnia, Ont., via the Straits of Mackinac between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan has vowed to defend Line 5, which he called a vital source of energy and jobs in Michigan and Ohio, as well as Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec.

That energy is going to get to market by any means available, all of them less reliable "and with regard to oil by rail  far less safe" than pipelines, O'Regan told a House of Commons committee Thursday.

"Just so that we all understand what's at stake  that energy, those molecules, are going to have to be transported either by rail, by truck, or by marine transportation," O'Regan said.

"They will have to get sourced, because people will not be kept cold  that's for sure."

Millar said the Trump administration tried to make it easier to ship energy by rail in the U.S., including authorizing the transport of liquefied natural gas throughout the country and trying to block efforts to require two-person train crews.

An appeals court in Nebraska last month rejected the Trump-era decision to abandon the two-person rule, which the Obama administration introduced in 2016 in response, in part, to Lac-Megantic.

"We've passed through a very dangerous phase," Millar said.

"The rail industry overall  but hazardous-materials transportation specifically  is more dangerous than it was before."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 7, 2021.
The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duchess of Sussex on day twelve of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon.

The Duchess of Sussex has told Oprah Winfrey that the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry ahead of her wedding, after stories suggested that it was Meghan who had made Kate cry.

Reports circulated ahead of the Sussexes nuptials that Meghan left Kate in tears at Princess Charlottes bridesmaid dress fitting  but Meghan told Winfrey the reverse happened.

Meghan said she was not sharing the information to be disparaging  and described Kate as a good person  but added it was really important for people to understand the truth.

Expand Close The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of Sussex arriving to attend the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham (Joe Giddens/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of Sussex arriving to attend the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham (Joe Giddens/PA)

Meghan said Kate apologised and bought her flowers, adding that she has forgiven her.

She told the chat show host: The narrative with Kate, which didnt happen, was really, really difficult and something that I think thats when everything changed really.

Winfrey pressed Meghan: So specifically, did you make Kate cry?

Meghan said no and when asked where that story came from and whether there was a situation where Kate might have cried, Meghan said: No, no, the reverse happened. And I dont say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding, and she was upset about something, but she owned it and she apologised and she brought me flowers and a note apologising, and she did what I would do if I knew that Id hurt someone, right, to just take accountability for it.

What was shocking was, what was that, six, seven months after our wedding, that the reverse of that would be out in the world.

Expand Close The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duchess of Sussex with Pippa Matthews at Wimbledon (Mike Egerton/PA) PA / Facebook

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Meghan added: I would have never wanted that to come out about her, ever, even though it had happened, I protected that from ever being out in the world.

Winfrey asked her to explain what happened, and Meghan said: A few days before the wedding she was upset about something, pertaining to, yes, the issue was correct, about flower girl dresses, and it made me cry, and it really hurt my feelings.

And I thought in the context of everything else that was going on in those days leading to the wedding that it didnt make sense to not be just doing whatever, what everyone else was doing, which was trying to be supportive knowing what was going on with my dad and whatnot.

Winfrey said: This was a really big story at the time that you made Kate cry. Now youre saying you didnt make Kate cry, Kate made you cry.

So, we all want to know what would make you cry? What were you going through? You were going through all of the anxiety that brides go through putting their wedding together, and going through all of the issues with your father, was he coming, was he not coming? And there was a confrontation over the dresses.

Expand Close The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George and Princess Charlotte leave St Georges Chapel in Windsor after the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (Jane Barlow/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George and Princess Charlotte leave St Georges Chapel in Windsor after the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (Jane Barlow/PA)

Meghan replied: It wasnt a confrontation, and I actually think itsI dont think its fair to her to get into the details of that because she apologised, and Ive forgiven her.

She said what was hard to get over was being blamed for something that not only I didnt do, but that happened to me.

Meghan added: Everyone in the institution knew it wasnt true.

Winfrey asked: So why didnt somebody just say that? And Meghan replied: Its a good question.

Meghan added: Im not sharing that piece about Kate in any way to be disparaging to her.

I think its really important for people to understand the truth, but also I think a lot of it was fed into by the media, and look, I would hope that she would have wanted that corrected, and maybe in the same way that the palace wouldnt let anybody else negate it, they wouldnt let her because shes a good person.

And I think so much of what I have seen play out is this idea of polarity, where if you love me, you dont have to hate her.

And if you love her. You dont need to hate me.

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Winfrey said there was an online piece about Kate eating avocado to help with morning sickness, and another about Meghan eating avocados which said the fruit was linked to water shortages, illegal deforestation and environmental devastation.

Meghan replied: Thats a really loaded piece of toast.

She added: You have to laugh at a certain point because its just ridiculous.

Asked if she thinks there was a separate standard for her and Kate, and if so why, Meghan said: I dont know why. I can see now what layers were at play there.

And again they really seemed to want a narrative of a hero and a villain.
An individual who had tried to break into an apartment fled to nearby woods in an effort to escape the police.

On Saturday 6 March a resident living in an apartment in Montee Saint-Crepin, near Luxembourg City was disturbed by someone attempting to break-in.

The resident immediately alerted the police and interrupted burglar made for the nearby woods to hideout.

After a relatively swift search the individual was arrested by order of the prosecution.
Sitting atop a million-pound rocket filled with the 91,000 gallons of fuel needed to reach the International Space Station later this year, Petaluma native Nicole Aunapu Mann will be relying on the thousands of hours she spent in a flight simulator, preparing for every conceivable error. Her next destination could be the moon.

When Im sitting on top of that rocket getting ready to launch, I will be laser-focused, Mann told The Chronicle from her post at a NASA training facility in Houston. I will be running through all my procedures and all my steps.

Mann, 43, is training for the chance to be the first woman on the moon, one of three Bay Area women charting a new era of human space travel as NASA sets its sights on the lunar surface and beyond. Also being considered for the history-making moonwalk is Napa native Kate Rubins, currently completing a six-month stay on the space station.

And rounding out the trio of Bay Area astronauts advancing deep space exploration is Megan McArthur of Mountain View, headed to the space station next month.

A decade after NASA shuttered its domestic launchpad in the wake of the 2003 Columbia explosion that killed seven people, the agency has partnered with American aerospace companies Boeing and SpaceX for a series of pioneering missions intended to pave the way for commercial space travel and, perhaps one day, land a human on Mars.

But the path to deep space is perilous, and past mistakes loom large.

Spaceflight is incredibly dangerous and unforgiving, we understand that, said Mann, speaking on the anniversary of the 1986 Challenger tragedy. The risks that are taken are very calculated risks.

Its a calculation the Rancho Cotate High School and Stanford graduate knows well. She flew combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Marine Corps pilot before joining NASA in 2013. Two years ago, Mann was chosen to pilot the first flight of the Boeing-designed Starliner aircraft and began advising engineers as they perfected the spacecrafts operating software, a process she described as melding the human with the machine.

To prepare for the high-stakes flight, Mann practiced flying a supersonic jet and simulated equipment malfunctions with her three crewmates, making tweaks and improvements after each trial run. She also learned to use a giant robotic arm like the one shell need to maneuver during frequent spacewalks aboard the space station.

When the Starliner launches later this year, Mann will join McArthur aboard the orbiting laboratory. The two will overlap for several months. McArthur is headed to the International Space Station in late April. She will take the place of another Bay Area astronaut, Rubins, who will complete her six-month stay on April 16.

The six-month missions are intended to give NASA the chance to study how the human body reacts to the long-term effects of life in zero gravity. In addition to facing higher levels of radiation exposure from the Earths magnetic field, astronauts can also experience long-term health problems caused by the irregular flow of fluids within the body in low-gravity environments.

For McArthur, who is gearing up to pilot the second SpaceX Crew Dragon mission, the sacrifices required for space travel are part of the bargain astronauts make in their dedication to advancing our knowledge of the outer reaches of the solar system.

The St. Francis High School graduate, whose parents reside in San Jose, knows she wont be among those headed to the moon or to Mars. But her research in space will help sustain future generations of astronauts, especially as NASA sets its sights on the 34 million-mile voyage to the Red Planet, which it estimated could take about two years.

Knowing that the research I did on the space station helped get us there, thats really exciting to me, McArthur said in a recent interview as she entered the final month of preparations before her April departure.

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station spend much of their time on spacewalks doing routine maintenance and corralling incoming cargo vehicles carrying supplies. The astronauts will also perform a broad range of science experiments, some of which are meant to advance NASAs understanding of how the human body reacts to a low-gravity environment  a critical field of study as NASA contemplates an eventual trip to Mars.

Were doing tech demonstrations on the space station that may not sound scientific in and of themselves  like wringing every last bit of drinkable water from urine  but those are things that will enable us to be successful as we go farther away from our home planet, said McArthur, 49.

Before joining NASA in 2000, McArthur spent years probing another environment inhospitable to human life: the ocean floor. As a researcher at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, she led deep-sea diving missions to collect marine sediment for study.

During their months in space, Mann and McArthur will advance research Rubins began last year, when she became the first person to harvest radishes in space as part of a program to farm fresh foods in zero gravity. The farming experiments could one day allow astronauts to grow their own vegetables as a supplement to the current crop of dried astronaut food.

For now, the astronauts will rely on the much-maligned dry space food, a far cry from the meals McArthur enjoys cooking for her family on land.

Every day will be different and bring its own challenges, she said.

Nora Mishanec is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nora.mishanec@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NMishanec
Richard Ratcliffe protests outside the Iranian embassy with the couple's daughter Gabriella on Monday - Shutterstock

Britain is seeking ways to pay off the 400 million debt that Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe's husband believes is linked to her detention in Iran, a senior former diplomat has confirmed.

Baron McDonald of Salford, who was permanent undersecretary of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office until September last year, said that Britain was putting a huge amount of imagination and effort into ways to pay Iran the money that would not be subject to US sanctions.

Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, he said: We acknowledge it is Iranian money and it does have to go back to Tehran...A key complication is that Iran is subject to very comprehensive sanctions, so how this money is repaid is part of the story."

Lord McDonald denied any connection between settling the debt case and Nazanin's release, even though he acknowledged Iran had linked the two in negotiations.

The process was in the end game, the Iranian system is behaving in a typical way. Nazanin has completed her sentence. But the final moves have still to take place, he said.

Nazanin poses for a photo after being released on Sunday - Reuters

Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe was jailed in Iran on secret espionage charges in 2015. She was released from house arrest on completion of her sentence on Sunday, but has been ordered to attend another court hearing next week.

Richard Ratcliffe, Nazanin's husband, believes she and other dual national prisoners are being held hostage until the UK pays the debt and has expressed frustration at the refusal of British diplomats to admit to it.

Iran has for decades been seeking reimbursement from Britain for a large 1970s arms purchase that was only partially delivered.

In 2008 an international arbitration court ruled that the UK owed the money, but the two governments have been locked in an extended legal wrangle over the exact sum owed and whether or not the UK should pay interest on it. The next court hearing in the dispute is due in April.

The remarks came as a top Iranian official appeared to blame Nazanin's continued detention on former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt's rejection of a proposed prisoner swap.

Story continues

At a press briefing on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said: Jeremy Hunts hypocritical remarks do not cover up his destructive actions from a few years ago... and he knows that if his destructive actions had not taken place, [Nazanin] would have been freed a few years ago.

The official gave no explanation as to what Mr Hunt had done, but the former foreign secretary in 2019 publicly rejected Iranian suggestions that a prisoner swap could secure Nazanin's release, which angered Tehran at the time.

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, had suggested a swap between Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Negar Ghodskani, an Iranian woman held in Australia on a US extradition warrant.

But Mr Hunt at the time said there was a huge difference between the two women. On Sunday he described Iran's treatment of Nazanin as totally and utterly inhumane.
City Council Honors Former City Manager The Hillsboro City Council met in a regular session Tuesday, March 2, and approved a resolution expressing appreciation to past City Manager Frank Johnson for his service to the city.



Johnson announced his retirement in September and wrapped up his six years with the city in February. The council recognized him for a distinguished 42-year career serving Texas municipalities.



"The City of Hillsboro will be forever grateful for the leadership and faithful service he has contributed in order to improve the quality of life and to help make Hillsboro a better place to live and work," the resolution read.



Mayor Andy Smith presented Johnson with parting gifts, and council members and city officials shared highlights and memories of his time in Hillsboro.



Economic Development Administrator Arthur Mann read a letter from the Hillsboro Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) Board of Directors thanking Johnson for his support, which the board said has been key to growth in the city.



"Through the HEDC and citys partnership and your leadership, the city was able to land Skeeter Brush Trucks, the expansion at Gate Precast and most recently Johns Manvilles roof board manufacturing facility. You were also key in wrapping up the IKO Southwest project," the letter read.



"In addition, this working partnership enabled us to secure the Economic Development Administration grant, allowing the corporation to provide water service to property it has owned since 2004," it continued.



Johnson expressed his gratitude to his coworkers, the mayor and council. He said that new City Manager Megan Henderson will be working with a council that wants nothing but the best for Hillsboro.



The council also accepted a preliminary and final plat for property at 1200 Corsicana Highway.



It was reported that Palm Development Partners is in the process of buying a 0.703 acre tract of land on the south side of Corsicana Highway west of Hodges Drive for the purpose of developing an urgent care clinic.



Before the developer can begin constructing the clinic, the city's zoning ordinance requires the property to be platted. The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the plat in February and forwarded their recommendation to the council.



A resolution was also approved authorizing city staff to contract for janitorial services at city facilities due to the retirement of the owner of the city's previous cleaning service provider.



In the city manager's report, Henderson spoke about several economic development projects.



The city manager said that Johns Manville was scheduled to start erecting the first walls on its building the previous day, but the weather delayed the start.



The company recently posted the plant managers position and hopes to have it filled in April, and additional management positions will be filled in June. The company's current plan is to start commissioning the plant shortly after the first of the year.



Bids on the Texas Capital Fund project to extend Johns Manville Drive and water and sewer utilities will be opened March 10 with a recommendation coming to the council March 16.



The Economic Development Administration grant project is also wrapping up, Henderson said.



The tie-in of the new 12-inch water line between the industrial and downtown towers took place Wednesday evening. The EDA project is expected to be finished by the end of March, about six months ahead of the contract schedule.


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KABUL  Deputy Foreign Minister, Mirwais Nab, met with, Charge d' Affaires of the US Embassy in Kabul, Mr. Ian J. McCary at the Storay Palace this afternoon.

During the meeting, Mr. Nab spoke about his recent visit to the Republic of Tajikistan which was aimed at coordinating the 9th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process to be held in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, and stressed the importance of Central Asian countries' support for peace talks.

Both sides discussed issues of mutual interest, including the peace process and the expectations of the Afghan government and people of the ongoing endeavors towards restoration of security and stability, emphasizing the importance of supporting national, regional and global peace talks.
US and South Korea Agree on Cost-Sharing Deal for American Troop Presence

The United States and South Korea reached an agreement March 7 on how to share costs for American troops present in the country, which will entail a meaningful increase in the longtime U.S. allys contributions.

The State Departments Bureau of Political-Military Affairs announced the deal in a series of tweets, saying it had been reached in principle on proposed text for a New Special Measures Agreement that will strengthen our Alliance and our shared defense.

A State Department spokesperson said that, under the deal, South Korea will increase its contribution to the cost of U.S. forces stationed in the country, but didnt provide specifics as to the amount.

President Donald Trumps administration had demanded South Korea increase its contributions, with former Defense Secretary Mark Esper in 2019 pressing the case that the longtime ally should pay a bigger share of the cost of having U.S. troops on its soil.

This is a very strong alliance we have, but Korea is a wealthy country and could and should pay more to help offset the cost of defense, Esper told a joint news conference with his South Korean counterpart, Jeong Kyeong-doo.

While South Korea has provided a fair amount of support in the past, Esper said its important to note that most of that money stays here in this countryeasily over 90 percent of that money stays here in Korea, it does not go to the United States.

There are some 28,000 U.S. troops in South Korea, and the amount the country has paid for their presence has varied over the years. The cost-sharing agreements, also referred to as the Korea Special Measures Agreement, have been in place since 1991, with the latest deal expiring at the end of 2019.

In April 2020, Trump said he rejected a sum offered by South Korea in response to his administrations demands for Seoul to pay a bigger share.

Now theyve offered us a certain amount of money and Ive rejected it, Trump said at a White House news conference last April, adding that Seoul was paying about a billion dollars a year toward the U.S. troop presence.

Were defending a wonderful nation. Were asking them to pay for a big percentage of what were doing. Its not fair.  Its a question of will they contribute toward the defense of their own nation, Trump said.

In a March 7 statement, the State Departments Bureau of Political-Military Affairs noted a negotiated increase in South Koreas financial backing of the U.S. troops but didnt indicate any specific numbers.

The agency said that the deal reaffirms U.S.ROK Alliance as the linchpin of peace, security, and prosperity for Northeast Asia, a free and open #IndoPacific, and across the world.

A State Department spokeswoman said the agreement reflects the Biden administrations commitment to reinvigorating and modernizing our democratic alliances around the world to advance our shared security and prosperity.

The spokeswoman said the agreement included a negotiated meaningful increase in host nation support contributions, but gave no further details.

The deal must still be approved by the South Korean legislature. South Koreas Foreign Ministry confirmed the agreement in principle in a statement but offered no details.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Customers have threatened to call the immigration authorities on the owners of a Mexican restaurant in Houston after they said they will keep a mask mandate in place despite Governor Gregg Abbott vowing to 'open Texas 100 percent'.

The Richards family, who own Mexican restaurant Picos, said they have been bombarded with abusive messages from some patrons following their announcement they will continue to require customers to wear masks.

This comes after Abbott announced Tuesday he was lifting all COVID-19 restrictions including the mask mandate on March 10 in the Lone Star State where more than 45,000 residents have so far died from the virus.

From Wednesday, businesses in Texas can welcome back customers at 100 percent capacity but have the power to continue to enforce mask mandates or other COVID-19 restrictions in their establishments if they see fit.

The governor's relaxation of rules came despite Joe Biden, the CDC and Dr. Fauci all urging states not to drop their guard before residents are vaccinated, with the president slamming the likes of Abbott for his 'Neanderthal thinking.'

Customers have threatened to call the immigration authorities on the owners of Picos (above), a Mexican restaurant in Houston, after they said they will keep a mask mandate in place despite Governor Gregg Abbott vowing to 'open Texas 100 percent'

Monica Richards, co-owner of Picos, said staff have been bombarded with abusive messages from some patrons following their announcement that they will continue to require customers to wear masks

Picos' co-owner Monica Richards told the Washington Post several people sent 'horrific' messages on social media and called the restaurant after they decided to keep a mask mandate in place for customers.

Some of the perpetrators even threatened to report staff members to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, she said.

'People don't understand unless you're in our business what it felt like, how hard it was to go through everything we went through during COVID,' Richards said.

'For people to be negative toward us for trying to remain safe, so that this doesn't continue to happen, just makes zero sense to us.'

Richards said the threats to call ICE were especially upsetting given the family is Mexican and has been through the immigration process in the past.

'Being Hispanic, and going through that immigration process, and finally receiving your papers, and then for somebody to start threatening you after you've been through all that, that's crazy,' she told the Post.

'It's just heartbreaking.'

The threats came after Picos shared a post on Facebook Wednesday saying both staff and customers will continue to be required to social distance and wear masks when not seated.

This comes after Governor Abbott (pictured) announced Tuesday he was lifting all COVID-19 restrictions including the mask mandate on March 10 in the Lone Star State where more than 45,000 residents have so far died from the virus

'With all of our hard work and combined community efforts we will continue to maintain table distancing and proper social distancing at Pico's,' the restaurant said.

'We will require masks on every staff member and any customer walking into or around our establishment while not seated.

'We feel this decision is best to protect our employees, and guests alike and we kindly ask for your support in following these guidelines while visiting with us.'

News of the threats directed toward Picos' staff sparked outrage from members of the community and state Democrats who defended the restaurant staff for both their right to set their own business requirements and their efforts to protect staff and patrons from the virus.

Democrat Julian Castro, who served as Barack Obama's Housing and Urban Development secretary, shared the Post's report and tagged his brother, Texas Democrat Rep. Joaquin Castro, on Twitter.

'Well @JoaquinCastrotx, it seems our state keeps making the news these days for all the wrong reasons.'

Joaquin Castro has previously slammed Abbott's lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and urged Texans to not 'let our guard down'.

Steven O'Sullivan, owner of Mexican restaurant Cantina Barba (above), said customers have screamed in his staff's faces and refused to wear masks throughout the pandemic that has so far killed 524,000 Americans

'Governor Abbott's failure to listen to science and medical advice will cost Texans their lives,' he tweeted Tuesday, following the governor's announcement.

'This decision is reckless and dangerousand a desperate distraction from the Governor's dereliction of duty during the power outages.

'He's putting politics above the people of Texas.'

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo also issued a video statement Wednesday reminding residents that businesses have the right to enforce their own mask rules and said anyone not wanting to comply should 'take your business elsewhere.'

'We want to remind you that private entities, private businesses have a legal right to require you to wear masks,' he said.

'If you go to a business and they tell you to wear a mask please either wear the mask or decide to take our business elsewhere just remember if you remain in the business after they ask to leave can be arrested for criminal trespass.'

Acevedo urged people to 'make good choices' and 'have common decency' adding that we are 'close' to getting the population vaccinated.

News of the threats directed toward Picos' staff sparked outrage from members of the community and state Democrats who defended the restaurant staff for both their right to set their own business requirements and their efforts to protect staff and patrons from the virus

'We are close to winning the battle against COVID,' he said.

Richards said the family has also received an outpouring of support from some customers who slammed the people making threats and said they were glad the restaurant is keeping its COVID-19 precautions in place.

'That other side has been wonderful,' she told the Post. 'We had a wonderful day yesterday. Our staff was thrilled and thankful.'

Staff at another Houston restaurant told the Post they have also faced abuse while trying to get patrons to wear face coverings even as the mask mandate was in place in Texas - sparking concerns over the treatment they may endure come March 10.

Steven O'Sullivan, owner of Mexican restaurant Cantina Barba, said customers have screamed in his staff's faces and refused to wear masks throughout the pandemic that has so far killed 524,000 Americans.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo issued a video statement Wednesday reminding residents that businesses have the right to enforce their own mask rules

'This has been ongoing through COVID,' O'Sullivan said.

'We've had threats of calling ICE. I had one guy just stand there and berate one of my bartenders and tell her 'you're an absolute idiot, you don't know what you're doing.

'If you think these masks are going to save your life, you're stupid' blah, blah, blah. Nobody wants to deal with that stuff.'

The Texas Restaurant Association told the Post restaurant owners are making decisions that are right for them and branded it 'strange' that customers would 'criticize or throw insults at people who are trying to do just that'.

The organization said most of the state's restaurant owners have vowed to continue to require their staff to wear masks but there is a split over whether or not to require the same of their customers.

The furore came off the back of Abbott's announcement Tuesday that the state's mask mandates and restrictions will end on March 10 as he vowed it was time to 'open Texas 100 percent'.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves almost immediately followed suit announcing he was rolling back all county mask mandates and removing statewide restrictions on all businesses from Wednesday, with the exception of maintaining a 50 percent capacity on indoor arenas and keeping rules in place for K-12 schools.

The steps taken by the two states are some of the most drastic to date in lifting COVID-19 restrictions as cases, deaths and hospitalizations fall and the vaccine rollout continues.

In Texas, 15.5 percent of residents have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while 8.4 percent have been fully inoculated.

Nationwide, 90.3 million doses have gone into the arms of Americans.

But Biden blasted the Republican governors for their 'Neanderthal thinking' for liftign restrictions before their residents are fully vaccinated and urged Americans to keep wearing masks.

CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky echoed his concerns this week, saying Texas and Mississippi's decision to defy federal guidelines and drop mask requirements are premature.

'Now is not the time to release all restrictions,' she said. 'The next month or two is really pivotal in terms of how this pandemic goes. I would still encourage individuals to wear a mask, to socially distance.'

Meanwhile Dr. Fauci described the move as 'inexplicable' and said restrictions shouldn't be eased until new daily COVID-19 cases fall below 10,000.

The US as a whole has reported between 65-68,000 cases over the past few days, but on Saturday that number dipped to 59,620.

More than 28.9 million cases of the virus have been confirmed in the US since the start of the pandemic last year.
The past year of pandemic precautions and cutbacks has radically altered the way the East Baton Rouge Public Defenders Office works to represent clients.

It is not the first time public defense has weathered a crisis. When much of the parish flooded in 2016, the office suffered: financially with fewer traffic tickets that provide much of the local public defense revenue, and personally with staffers losing their homes.

However, the practice of defending clients, while hampered, went back to normal in about a month, according to Lindsay Blouin, deputy district defender. During the pandemic, setbacks have lingered and normal has a different meaning.

The pandemic has totally impacted how we represent people, Blouin said. Its changed how weve practiced as public defenders. Financially, things are bad  but theyve been bad.

+2 Future of public defense threatened with fiscal collapse as coronavirus closes courts across state The Louisiana Public Defender Board has long claimed their offices are dangerously underfunded, but now the financial blow dealt by the corona

Lacie Dauzat, supervisor over the pretrial services unit, has seen firsthand how everything changed in mid-March of last year when the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison halted visitation for both families and attorneys.

"Its been extremely frustrating for the attorneys within our office to not have those important face-to-face conversations with our clients," she said.

Normally, a public defender who might need to speak to a client and would drive to the jail immediately. Now, these meetings must be scheduled, a client needs to be brought to the courthouse, a room needs to be made available to meet  the list goes on.

"It has caused things to slow down dramatically," Blouin said. "We already have too many clients and not enough attorneys...and that was a problem before the pandemic."

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Amid coronavirus closures, Louisiana's public defense leaders consider drastic budget cuts Louisiana's public defenders face steep financial challenges as the coronavirus rages on, forcing leaders to declare an emergency shortfall in

When judges held their dockets on Zoom, Douzat found herself working with a small laptop that had to be wheeled around the entire prison while they tried to communicate with attorneys working from home or physically in court.

For defenders representing clients accused of violent crimes, the pandemic has presented unique obstacles. Those cases require a lot of manpower to interview witnesses and collect video surveillance.

"With your more serious charges, those are the ones that take the most time," Dauzat said. "Investigators are used to going from door to door. A lot of gathering that evidence is time sensitive, and when things are getting pushed back and were not able to review that discovery thoroughly with the client, that creates issues."

However, Dauzat said that "as horrid as the pandemic is, it kind of shined a light on the things" the office had missed, such as working with the jail to set up a phone system so inmates can conduct private calls with their attorneys. The office also created a team of client advocates whose job is to keep families informed about their incarcerated loved ones.

When it comes to finances, the office has long been cash-strapped, especially after 2016. A fiscally conservative approach in the aftermath of several lean years, along with additional emergency funding, helped the office avoid layoffs.

But Blouin said the office's larger funding issue is that "people can't pay what they don't have" for court fines and fees that public defense relies on to stay solvent. They don't want clients to have to choose between paying their court fines or public defender fees instead of their rent during the uptick in unemployment.

In 2016, we were the parish underwater, but now everyone is underwater," Blouin said. We all have the same problems. It makes us worried."
Chandigarh, March 8 : Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Monday informed the state legislative assembly that no proposal is under the consideration to give martyr status to the farmers who died in the ongoing agitation against three Central farm laws.

State Education Minister Kanwar Pal separately blamed the Congress leaders for the loss of life of the farmers during the ongoing agitation.

Clarifying further, Vij said that there is no proposal to provide either government jobs or financial assistance to the next of kin of the deceased farmers belonging to the state.

Earlier, the opposition Congress had sought martyr status for the deceased farmers and financial assistance for their families on the pattern of Punjab.

Vij said that 68 farmers had died till February 18, of which 21 belonged to Haryana while 47 were from Punjab.

Accusing the Congress members for misleading the House, Education Minister Pal said the state also sympathised with the death of the agitating farmers.

"The death of anyone is painful, but the Congress and its leaders who directly encouraged the elderly farmers to sit on the agitation site are solely responsible for their deaths," he informed said.

The minister said the people of the country would not forgive the leaders who have instigated the innocent farmers.

"The leaders who encouraged the farmers should have thought about the health of the elderly farmers rather than inciting them to sit on the agitation," he said.

While directing questions at a Congress MLA, he asked him to share what is wrong with the farm laws, saying the MLA should not try to mislead the House.

"They should talk on facts as the state government is ready to share each and every fact in the House and is even ready to share information about the crops which were purchased and how much payment was made during the 10-year tenure of the Congress," Pal added.

On sanitation facilities provided to the protesting farmers, the Home Minister said the government has engaged 118 workers and there is a provision of 750 toilet seats.

"Drinking water is being supplied through water tankers at the agitation sites," he said.

Also, 10 ambulances and 10 bike ambulances have been stationed on National Highway 44 and four ambulances at the Tikri border.
Last week, the president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz, as Germanys domestic secret service is called) informed his colleagues from the federal states that the agency would treat the entire Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a suspected right-wing extremist case and will now subject it to observation for intelligence purposes. After years of refusing to do so, the government is now forced to officially recognise the fascistic character of Germanys largest opposition party.

Given the significance of the rise of fascism once again in Germany, the home of Nazism, it is extraordinary how little media attention is given to the phenomenon in the international press. Outside of an article once every couple months in the New York Times, it is virtually ignored in the United States. The fact is, however, that thirty years after the reunification of Germany and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, all claims of an end of history and triumph of liberal democracy have been conclusively refuted.

In a comprehensive report leaked to various media outlets, the Verfassungsschutz summarised its justification for the classification, which is based on the statements of 302 functionaries, 88 of them at the federal level. It concludes that the officially disbanded, openly fascist  Der Flugel  (wing) grouping in the party still exerts great influence. Violent resistance could also not be excluded in principle, the Verfassungsschutz wrote.

File picture taken May 1, 2019 shows AfD supporters walking along a party elections poster in Erfurt, Germany. German media outlets are reporting the country's domestic intelligence agency has put the opposition Alternative for Germany party under observation under suspicion of extreme right sympathies. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer, file)

According to the summary statement, political opponents are dubbed enemies of the people and destroyers of Germany by the party, Muslims are defamed, belittled and marginalised across the board. The failure to respect the human dignity of migrants is not only diametrically opposed to the constitutional guarantee of human dignity and the principle of equality, but also greatly endangers social cohesion and peaceful coexistence in Germany.

There can be no doubt about the right-wing extremist character of the AfD. As early as 2017, its parliamentary group leader and honorary chairman Alexander Gauland called the crimes of the Nazis just so much bird shit in over 1,000 years of successful German history and expressed his pride in Hitlers Wehrmacht soldiers. Party members and elected officials maintain close contacts with violent neo-Nazis and those in the right-wing terrorist scene, whose members hoard weapons and draw up lists of thousands of political opponents whom they intend to round up and shoot on a day X.

Alexander Gauland (right) and the Thuringian AfD spokesman and leader of the fascist 'wing' Bjorn Hocke (AP Photo / Jens Meyer)

However, the Verfassungsschutz, which ostensibly answers to the interior ministry, has covered up for and supported the right-wing extremists for years. When the AfD marched through Chemnitz in August 2018 together with other right-wing extremists, inciting the hunting down of refugees as well as anti-Semitic attacks, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer stood behind the demonstration and declared, If I wasnt a minister, I would also have taken to the streets as a citizen.

The then head of the Verfassungsschutz, Hans-Georg Maassen, even denied that there had been any right-wing extremist agitation at all. He had also met regularly with AfD leaders to advise them on how to escape surveillance by the intelligence agencies.

In the same year, the Verfassungsschutz classified the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) as left-wing extremist and anti-constitutional, among other things, because it positioned itself against supposed nationalism. The SGP, more than any other party, has warned of the right-wing danger and organised resistance against it.

In its annual report, the intelligence service cites protests against AfD party conferences, the ongoing fight against right-wing extremists and the collection of information about alleged or actual right-wing extremists and their structures as evidence of left-wing extremist sentiments.

The AfD entered the Bundestag (federal parliament) in 2017. For the first time since the end of the Nazi dictatorship, over 90 right-wing extremist deputies sat in parliament. The party was subsequently courted by all parliamentary groups and integrated into parliamentary work. It was elected to the chair of important committees and finally made the official leader of the opposition when the Social Democratic Party (SPD) resumed its place alongside the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) in the Grand Coalition government. In Thuringia, the CDU and Free Democratic Party (FDP) even formed a government majority with the fascists. In 2019 alone, the AfD received over ten million euros in state support.

It was only because of this policy that the AfD was able to enter all 16 state parliaments, build up a comprehensive party apparatus and massively expand its influence inside the police, army and secret services.

Now, given the enormous opposition to the right-wing extremists, even the Interior Ministry and the Verfassungsschutz cannot avoid officially recognising the character of the AfD. This shows how serious the fascist danger really is and fully confirms the warnings of the SGP.

But neither the government nor the secret services can be expected to seriously fight the AfD in any way. After all, the last few years have shown how closely the Verfassungsschutz is linked to the extreme right.

Even before the AfD, secret service employees set the tone in right-wing extremist organisations, and the Verfassungsschutz financed large sections of the fascist scene. In the course of its observation, the Verfassungsschutz infiltrated the neo-Nazi German National Party (NPD) to such an extent that, according to the judges of the Supreme Court, it had to be spoken of as a state affair.

The Grand Coalition not only made the AfD the leader of the opposition but is also putting the policies of the right-wing extremists into practice. The construction of inhumane deportation camps for refugees, the strengthening of police state measures and the most massive rearmament since the Second World War all bear the AfDs imprimatur. This takes on particularly sharp forms with the ruthless policy of re-opening the economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which places corporate profits before health and lives.

Because capitalism has nothing more to offer the vast majority of the population than social inequality, militarism and death, the ruling class is increasingly resorting to authoritarian and fascist methods to enforce the policies of the financial oligarchy, as it did in the 1930s. This is why far-right tendencies are being built and strengthened throughout the world.

Donald Trumps coup attempt on January 6 was a turning point in this respect. Trump mobilised significant parts of the state apparatus, the Republican Party, and a fascist mob to try and overturn the US elections and establish a presidential dictatorship. Not for nothing did AfD Bundestag member Martin Renner write on Facebook shortly after the storming of the Capitol, Trump is waging the same political battlewhich already has to be called a culture waras we are as the Alternative for Germany.

In the US, as in Germany, the opposition of official politics to the far-right is mendacious and hypocritical. They do not fear the programme of the fascists so much as the resistance that is developing against it in the working class. All historical experiences show that the struggle against fascism cannot be based on the bourgeois state and its secret services. The latter inevitably use their increased powers to suppress opposition from the left.

The only way to stop the right-wing danger is to mobilise the international working class against the root of the evil, capitalism. This is the perspective for which the SGP is fighting in this years federal election. We call on all those who reject the return of fascism and war to support this election campaign and become members of the SGP.
The patient needed a test to see if the esophagus muscles that help swallow food worked properly. At the dawn of the pandemic, an esophageal manometry posed risks for both the patient and her nurse.

It was February 2020, and San Francisco General Hospitals nursing staff was starting to talk about the coronavirus. There hadnt been a local confirmed case yet, so nurse Juliet Palarca wasnt wearing much protection beyond a standard surgical mask. Palarca was going to open the womans mouth to insert a camera; if she coughed, respiratory particles would spray everywhere. And if the patient had the coronavirus, Palarca might catch it, too.

Palarca, a San Francisco resident, said shes used to patients asking her where shes from. This patient was more direct.

Wait, youre not Chinese, are you? the woman asked.

Palarca tried not to react. She simply responded: No, Im Filipino American.

The patient went on to discuss her personal experiences on public transportation. If any of yall coughed around me, Id just get up and get off the bus.

Palarca was included in that yall.

I still have to complete her procedure; she still has to trust me to touch her and get close enough to do this procedure safely, Palarca told The Chronicle. It was very disheartening, and I struggled to be professional. I didnt want to pull the race card.

Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle 2020

Stoked by racist political rhetoric about the coronavirus, encounters like these became more common in the months to follow, according to anecdotal reports and anti-bigotry groups. Now, Asian American medical professionals and advocates say the discrimination continues a year later  even as health care workers try to save the lives of the people disparaging them.

In California, 25% of active registered nurses are either Asian-born or Asian American, according to research from the Healthforce Center at UCSF. As workers on the front lines, theyre more likely to be exposed to COVID-19. Theyre also more likely to die.

The changing health care workforce is a result of 60 years of the United States recruiting Asia-trained nurses  especially from the Philippines  to fill shortages in American public hospitals. Now, these nurses are experiencing anti-Asian bigotry while they work to save American lives, said Catherine Ceniza Choy, professor of ethnic studies at UC Berkeley.

What would happen if the Filipino nurses stopped working? What would the consequences be? Choy said. Wed see how our health care system would not be as efficient and effective without their labor.

For decades, immigrants have played a critical role in Americas health care system. Among the 14.7 million U.S. health care workers employed in 2018, an estimated 18%  or 2.6 million  were foreign-born, according to the Migration Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.

Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle 2020

U.S. and foreign-born Filipino nurses play a particularly big role in the Bay Area, where they account for more than 20% of the regions licensed nurses, according to the 2018 Survey of Registered Nurses. An additional 13% self-identified as Asian or non-Filipino Pacific Islanders.

Post-1965, so many Filipinos coming to the United States were coming to fill those jobs, said Valerie Francisco-Menchavez, a San Francisco State associate professor who studies Filipino caregivers and home aides in the U.S. They were getting them through immigrant social networks in their communities.

Francisco-Menchavez interviewed approximately 70 caregivers last year about their experiences, and said they often described race-based discrimination in the workplace. Throughout the pandemic, some of that discrimination has been tied to the coronavirus, she said.

The virus has been sort of coded as a China virus, and many of them are definitely mistaken as such, she said.

Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle 2020

Former President Donald Trump was the person most responsible for that, according to a report from Stop AAPI Hate, a project from Chinese for Affirmative Action and the Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council. Many frontline health care workers have shared experiences of anti-Asian racism in the past year, the projects creators say. In one case recorded by STOP AAPI Hate, a physician working in a COVID unit at a hospital in the Bronx last year said she was preparing to do a nasal swab on a patient when the woman raised her hand and yelled, get your Chinese ass away from me!

Like every other site and workplace where Asian Americans have been shunned and harassed, health care sites are no different, said Russell Jeung, a professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State and one of the creators of Stop AAPI Hate. Part of the problem is that when they use the term Chinese virus, it stigmatizes people as having the virus. ... The virus isnt just a physical thing; its a racial entity.

Dr. Kenny Mok said comments by the former president  including frequent uses of Chinese virus or kung flu  made his professional life more difficult.

Mok, a hospitalist who specializes in inpatient care at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco, said he was often the target of bullying and racism growing up in the Mission District in the 1970s and 80s. But the discrimination subsided as more Asians migrated to the Bay Area, and Mok said he never encountered it in his professional career.

That changed in September, when a patient crudely imitated Chinese dialect as Mok entered the patients room during morning rounds, he said. The encounter shocked and frustrated Mok, who said Asian doctors are risking their health to care for COVID patients  while also exposing their own families  only to be discriminated against in return.

We risk our lives taking care of really sick patients with contagious diseases, and we just want to focus on getting patients well, Mok said. When you have this added stressor in your work life, it just makes it really difficult. We still do our job, but it certainly doesnt help our mental well-being.

Mok said he confronted the patient before leaving the room and immediately told the on-duty nurse manager, who spoke to the patient and urged Mok to fill out an incident report. Mok said the patient is no longer enrolled with Kaiser, meaning he can receive only emergency care at Kaiser hospitals.

Mok said he believes the vitriol surrounding the virus has emboldened people to express anti-Asian sentiments that were brewing under the surface.

There have always been microaggressions against Asians, even in liberal San Francisco, Mok said. I think maybe COVID just gave people permission to act them out.

Tatiana Sanchez and Janelle Bitker are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: tatiana.sanchez@sfchronicle.com, janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TatianaYSanchez, @JanelleBitker
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Details still pending on third agreement between Emmet and Bay Bluffs
Womens Day: How these 5 women are leading conservation efforts and fighting for a sustainable planet

by Anju Ann Mathew

March 08,2021 | Source: YourStory

On International Womens Day, SocialStory highlights the efforts of women who are working their way towards sustainability.



Among them are:



Neethi Mahesh, who has been working in the Western Ghats, focusing her efforts on Riparian (land-river interface) Habitats with the endangered Mahseer fish as the flagship species.



Nayantara Jain, the executive director of ReefWatch Marine Conservation, a non-profit that was established in 1993, is working towards monitoring, rehabilitating, and restoring Coral Reefs in Chidiyatapu in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.



Richa Priyadarshini, Associate Professor, Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences (SoNS), Shiv Nadar University, who has made a unique discovery with the help of her team. She and her team have discovered two strains of plastic-eating bacteria.

Theme(s): Communities and Organisations.
Eirgrid is to install up to 2bn worth of new electricity pylons, cables, substations and converter stations across communities and countryside over the next 10 years.

The company says the project is the most radical transformation of the grid since electricity was invented.

It is beginning a 14-week public consultation on the plans, presenting different options for how to proceed and anticipating the controversy some projects are likely to generate.

We know that grid infrastructure projects lead to robust and emotive debates, the company says.

Communities expect compelling and persuasive reasons for disruptive change.

Eirgrid says the reasons are compelling. Electricity demand will increase by 50pc by 2030 due to growth in population and industry and the switch-over from fossil fuels to electric heating and electric vehicles.

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The existing electricity grid, which includes 6,600km of overhead and underground cables, is not strong enough to handle the extra load.

The extra electricity is to come from renewable sources, mainly wind and solar, which is generated at different frequencies and times.

The existing grid does not have the flexibility to manage the variety.

There is also a mismatch between where most renewable energy is generated, in rural wind farms in the west, and where it is mostly used, in the built-up east coast.

Eirgrid says it can take four different approaches to transforming the grid, with the number of major infrastructure projects ranging from 38 to 77 and the cost from 500m to 2bn.

It is not in favour of the current developer-led approach where developers decide where to build wind farms and solar parks and the grid must stretch out to meet them.

But issues also arise if a demand-led approach is taken where high energy users such as industry and data centres are made to locate near sources of power, which are often in remote areas.

A technology-led approach would rely on continually boosting the existing grid so power generation and use could locate anywhere  but this is difficult, costly and would require multiple large converter stations.

A generation-led approach, where government dictates where power producers locate with emphasis on off-shore wind in the Irish Sea and solar in the south-east, is favoured.

But Eirgrid says as everyone in the country will be affected, it wants as much input from the public as possible.

Chief executive Mark Foley said: This transition to clean electricity will affect everyone in Ireland will unquestionably be difficult. However, the benefits will be truly transformative at both a societal and an economic level.

A recent ESRI study found widespread opposition among the public to having wind turbines or pylons anywhere closer than 5km from homes.

Plans to build the North-South interconnector using a string of high-voltage pylons through Monaghan, Meath and Cavan faced mass opposition in those counties.

Climate Action Minister Eamon Ryan urged people to consider what was being proposed. Climate change is one of the starkest challenges we face and Ireland is currently lagging far behind on our emissions targets, he said.

In the coming decades we will be electrifying large parts of our economy, including our heating and transport systems, so building a grid that can handle a high level of renewables will be critical to our success.
A glance at some of the day's highlights from the Proactive Investors US and Canada newswires

Ipsidy Inc ( ) reported a 19% year-over-year improvement in its Fiscal 2020 Adjusted EBITDA loss to $5.2 million, as the company managed to lower its overall cash expenses for the year and secure about $8.5 million in additional funding from existing and new investors. In what the company called a year of change, Ipsidy also said it enhanced and simplified its identity verification and authentication solutions with the launch of its web browser applications.

AgraFlora Organics International Inc ( ) (FRA:PU31) (OTCPINK:AGFAF) announced Monday that Canadian cannabis industry veteran Elise Coppens has been appointed as its new CEO. Coppens was also named to the companys board of directors. Both appointments are effective from March 8 but subject to the final acceptance of the Canadian Securities Exchange. During her career in the Canadian cannabis industry, AgraFlora noted that Coppens roles have included but are not limited to serving as president of Bloomera, marketing director for Aurora Cannabis, and the director of international sales for Ample Organics.

Cloud Nine Education Group Ltd ( ) (OTCMKTS:CLGUF), which is planning a name change to , told investors Monday it was adding serial entrepreneur and blockchain expert Pavel Bains, the CEO and co-founder of Bluzelle Networks (Bluzelle), as a strategic advisor. Bains will help Cloud Nine to "align strategic opportunities, support future plans, and help advance the company's ambitious roadmap to capitalize on the global ed-tech market", the tech group said.

Inc ( ) said it has appointed Dr Lisa Johnson-Pratt to the companys board of directors. TRACON noted that Dr Johnson-Pratt brings more than two decades of broad business and commercialization leadership experience to the company and she currently serves as the senior vice president, New Product Planning at , Inc. We are very pleased to welcome Lisa to TRACONs Board of Directors. She is a physician who has focused the majority of her career on the commercialization of innovative products, including Gardasi and Singulairat Merck, prior to her appointment as Head of the Global Commercial Operations at (GSK), TRACON CEO Dr Charles Theuer said in a statement.

( ) (OTCMKTS:CCWOF) (FRA:4T9B) has announced a new website for the battery recycling initiative utilizing the proprietary, environmentally friendly hydrometallurgical process. The Re-2Ox process has already been successfully used in the development of a cobalt sulphate compound for end use in lithium-ion batteries. Now, the company is seeking to use this process in the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries and other recyclables that contain metals of value. The company's CEO Frank J. Basa, commented: "We strongly considered this initiative a few years ago but initial research turned up a lack of feedstock at that time, but this has now changed. With feedstock currently available and coupled with the Re-2Ox process, the path is clear for the Company to develop what can be a robust and ever-increasing potential income stream by providing future tolling services for the treatment of used batteries." The Re-2Ox website is now on-line at http://www.re-2ox.com/

CytoDyn Inc ( ) said a Phase III trial of its leronlimab treatment, known as Vyrologix, for severe-to-critical patients with coronavirus (COVID-19) has demonstrated continued safety, a substantial improvement in the survival rate, and faster hospital discharge in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The biotechnology company said the trial data has been reported to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the UKs Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and Health Canada (HC), and that it is in discussions with each regulator to determine the best path forward for the approval of leronlimab for the treatment of COVID-19 in the critically ill population. A manuscript of the trials data is also being prepared and will be submitted for publication in one or more major medical journals.

( ) has revealed new high-grade gold and silver results from a sampling program on the Pyramid Peak area of its Snoball property in British Columbia (BC). Rock samples taken from the C Zone at Pyramid Peak included 23 grams per ton (g/t) gold and 309 g/t silver in one sample and 25.6 g/t gold and 750 g/t silver, while talus fines samples included 32.3 g/t gold and 53.8 g/t silver. The Toronto-based firm also released assays from the final hole of its 2020 Snoball drill campaign, which returned a high-grade gold intercept of 18.4 g/t gold and 5.6 g/t silver over 1.6 metres.

Cloud Nine Education Group Ltd ( ) (OTCMKTS:CLGUF) has announced the launch of its new Education Technology Platform. In a statement Friday, the company said the move comes as part of a long-term strategy to partner with companies and technologies at the crossroads of education and emerging technologies. The premiere platform will target the education and stay-at-home sectors with selective learning modules and critical information.

Corp ( ) (OTCPINK:NPEZF) (FSE:4NPB) has told investors that recent and historic drill findings show the potential to "significantly" expand the known mineralization at its flagship Majuba Hill project in Nevada. Recent and historic holes at the asset in Pershing county "bottomed in significant copper grades below the copper oxide zones", the firm said. The company highlighted one hole for example that was sunk to 1,100 feet (ft) and encountered an intercept of 370 feet at a grade of 0.45% copper (Cu) from between 730 and 1,100 ft in the enrichment zone.

KULR Technology Group Inc ( ) said veteran manufacturing and operations executive Keith Cochran has joined the company as its president and chief operating officer. The developer of lithium-ion battery safety and thermal management technologies noted that Cochran brings over 25 years of successful operations and business management experience to the group, having previously served as senior vice president of Jabil Greenpoint's global business units in Singapore.

Altamira Gold Corp ( ) (OTCPINK:EQTRF) ( ) said Monday it has confirmed four high-grade gold-silver vein structures at its Apiacas project in Brazil. In a statement, the Vancouver-based junior revealed that the veins appear to extend over at least a one-kilometre strike length on the Mutum target. Surface grab samples returned values of up to 403.5 grams per ton (g/t) gold, while recent channel samples included values of up to three metres at 10.4 g/t gold. Silver assays also returned high-grade values of up to 871 g/t.

Inc ( ) (FRA:45O) announced Monday it has signed a collaboration agreement with Dong-a University Hospital in South Korea and Cure Therapeutics Inc to utilize Mobile Processing Units and Labs (OMPULs). The company said the teams will align to use the OMPULs for point-of-care development of cell and gene therapies and immunotherapies that meet regulatory and governmental approval standards to scale through to commercialization. OMPULs are multi-purpose mobile autonomous good manufacturing practice (GMP) facilities intended to develop, optimize, and manufacture cell and gene therapies at the point of use.

(NYSEAMERICAN:AIM) announced Monday that it has dosed the first healthy subjects in its Phase 1 clinical study of Ampligen as a potential intranasal therapy for the coronavirus (CVOID-19) and other respiratory viral diseases. The current study plans call for the enrollment of eight healthy subjects in each of four Ampligen treatment groups and eight placebo subjects, for a total of 40 healthy subjects, the company said. The trial is designed to assess the safety, tolerability and biological activity of repeated administration of Ampligen intranasally. The subjects will receive intranasal dosing every other day for 13 days, for a total of seven doses each. AIM is funding the clinical study, it added.

Alpine 4 Technologies Inc ( ) announced Monday that its subsidiaries Deluxe Sheet Metal Inc and Morris Sheet Metal Corporation are merging to become one of the largest sheet metal contractors in the Midwest region. Both companies will operate under the Morris Sheet Metal brand, and Deluxe and Morris are expected to be fully integrated by May 2021, Alpine 4 said in a statement. This merger creates a more harmonious relationship between the two companies, the company said. The combining of resources empowers Morris to strengthen its brand through its strategic banking relationship, eliminate duplicative and competitive interests, and expand its footprint beyond the Indiana home base.

QC Copper and Gold Inc ( ) ( ) said Monday that drilling at its Opemiska project in Quebec was exceeding performance milestones and that it had hired a new independent director. As of March 8, 23 holes have been completed with a total of 5,125 metres (m) drilled and 1,907 samples sent to the lab for assaying, the company said.

( ) has rescheduled the release of its fourth-quarter 2020 financial results (ended December 31) from March 18 to March 17 at 4:30pm EST To participate in the conference call on March 17, please dial (833) 729-4776 (inside the U.S.) or (830) 213-7701 and reference the access code 3178466#. A replay of the call will be available two hours after the conference call ends on March 17, 2021. To access the replay, please visit https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/xhvdnuqd. The archived webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of Gevo's website at www.gevo.com.

( ) (OTC:TECXF) (FRA:C0B) told investors Monday that its initial investment in the Canadian cryptocurrency exchange CatalX CTS Ltd has been an early success after it achieved significant growth in trading volume, daily users, deposits and revenue in February. Compared to January, trading volume more than tripled from about C$4 million to C$14.9 million in February. Monthly transactions jumped 2,281% from 1,012 to 24,091, while daily average users grew 75% from 16.41 to 28.64. Deposits tripled from C$1.2 million to more than C$4.6 million and revenue increased by 61% from $97,430 to $156,754.

( ) ( ) (FRA:NPAU) has said it is partnering up with Carleton University in Ottawa to study TD-0148A - a second-generation LSD molecule - to treat depression. BetterLife reckons the therapy will mimic the projected therapeutic potential of LSD without causing undesirable psychoactive dissociative side effects. The university's head of neuroscience Dr Argel Aguilar-Valles and his team will work with BetterLife to test TD-0148A in both in vitro and in vivo models in the lab in a bid to understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Empower Clinics Inc ( ) (OTCQB:EPWCF) (FRA:8EC) announced Monday that its KAI Medical Laboratory reached the milestone of 1,000 coronavirus (COVID-19) tests processed in one day last month and is now generating an annual revenue run rate of more than C$10 million. The company said it has seen specimen collection volumes grow in both January and February, with the latter delivering month-over-month growth of 27%. Additionally, the debut of Empowers KAI Saliva PCR Test achieved an initial soft launch of 5,000 units, leading to an order of 25,000 additional units with a sales value of around C$5.5 million on January 7, the company said. It now anticipates placing an order for 50,000 additional KAI Saliva units with a retail sales value of around C$11 million to build inventory sufficient for the current demand in both the US and Canada.

Plurilock Security Inc ( ) (OTCQB:PLCKF) announced that it has expanded its direct sales team with the hiring of two new employees, including a US Armed Services veteran who has held cybersecurity and information technology leadership roles with companies such as and JP Morgan Chase. Plurilock noted the new sales members will be tasked with executing numerous sales initiatives to promote the company's cybersecurity offerings to companies in North America in order to grow Plurilock's client base. The expansion of our direct sales team represents an integral step for us to grow our North American client base, Plurilock Security CEO Ian Paterson said in a statement.

Ltd ( ) (OTCMKTS:GTBAF) (FRA:0G6A) announced the appointment of Gilbert Lawson to the companys board of directors. Lawson, the former Chief Operating Officer (COO) of TMAC Resources Inc, has experience managing operations at both the Musselwhite and Campbell Mines, two of the largest gold mines in Ontario.

Orogen Royalties Inc ( ) (OTCMKTS:EMRRF) (FRA:5EV) has optioned its Ecru gold project, which lies in the prolific Cortez camp in Lander County, Nevada, US, to Australia's first all-female-led resources company, Moneghetti Minerals Ltd. Moneghetti will be able to buy 100% of the asset over six years, by paying US$2.5 million in cash, and spending US$5 million on work. Upon earning all of it, it will grant a 2% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on 112 unpatented claims to Orogen.

Benchmark Metals Inc ( ) (OTCQB:CYRTF) (FRA:87CA) has released more positive results from the Cliff Creek area at its flagship Lawyers project in British Columbia, which has extended the mineralized system there. Drilling at Cliff Creek South has hit broad zones of high-grade and bulk-tonnage mineralization, including 186 metres (m) at a grade of 1.34 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 25.48 g/t silver or 1.66 g/t gold equivalent.

( ) (OTCQB:HLTRF) shares will soon be listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange as part of the companys rebrand to Hillcrest Ltd. The firm said Monday that it had received conditional approval from the CSE to list its shares under the ticker symbol HEAT. The moves are part of Vancouver-based Hillcrests plan to transition from a pure-play oil producer to a diverse clean energy technology company.

( ) (FRA:AGW) ( ), said it has increased and completed its previously announced non-brokered private placement of units raising gross proceeds of C$2,815,010. The clinical-stage pharmaceutical development company said it has issued an aggregate of 11,260,040 units at the price of C$0.25 each, with the net proceeds of the offering to be used to fund the companys general corporate purposes.

Victory Resources Corporation ( ) (FRA:VR61) (OTCPINK:VRCFF) announced that it has completed its previously announced non-brokered private placement, raising proceeds of $622,800 through the sale of 8,304,001 units. The company said it intends to use the proceeds for general working capital, acquisitions and work programs on its existing exploration properties in Nevada and British Columbia, and any additional properties the company may acquire. Securities issued as a result of closing of the financing will be subject to a statutory hold period until July 9, 2021.

Phunware, Inc. ( ), a fully-integrated enterprise cloud platform for mobile that provides products, solutions, data and services for brands worldwide, said it will be presenting at the 33rd Annual Roth Conference, which is being held virtually on March 15-17, 2021. Phunware said its management has recorded the presentation, which is available for replay here - https://wsw.com/webcast/roth35/register.aspx?conf=roth35&page=phun&url=https://wsw.com/webcast/roth35/phun/1846791 - and will be attending one-on-one meetings throughout the conference. To receive additional information or to schedule a one-on-one meeting, please contact Phunwares IR team at phun@gatewayir.com.

. ( ) ( ) (FRA:P731) has announced that Ken dEntremont, its chief executive officer, and Roland Boivin, its chief financial officer will be conducting 1x1 meetings with investors during the 33rd Annual Roth Conference being held virtually from March 15March 17, 2021. This years event will consist of 1-on-1/small group meetings, analyst-selected virtual fireside chats, thematic industry panels, and selected companies on-demand presentations. Institutional investors interested in one-on-one meetings with Medexus management should contact their ROTH Capital institutional sales representative.

, Inc. ( ), a molecular diagnostics company with a unique, patented platform for the development of molecular diagnostic tests, has announced that its CEO Dwight Egan will present at the 2021 H.C. Wainwright & Co. Global Life Sciences Conference, being held virtually on March 9-10. Participants can register for the conference via the following link: https://hcwevents.com/globalconference/. An archived version of the presentation can be accessed on the 'Events and Webcasts' section of the website following the conclusion of the conference.

Lions Bay Capital Inc. (CVE:LBI) revealed Friday that on March 4, 2021, it acquired ownership of an additional 1,000,000 common shares of (CVE FMN) at a price of $0.12 per share on the open market for consideration of $120,000. As a result of the acquisition, Lions Bay now owns a total of 22,380,312 Fidelity Minerals common shares, representing approximately 44.84% of the issued and outstanding common shares on an undiluted basis. It also owns warrants exercisable to acquire up to 10,815,583 Fidelity Minerals common shares which, if it were to exercise all of its warrants, it would then own 33,195,895 common shares of the Issuer, representing approximately 54.67% of the issued and outstanding shares. Lions Bay said the shares acquired will be held for investment purposes. "We are very excited by the potential of the gold properties held by Fidelity. Lions Bay has been instrumental in the restructuring and strengthening of Fidelity's balance sheet. There is no doubt in our view, that two of the properties, Las Huaquillas and Las Brujas, are world-class, tier-one epithermal gold and porphyry targets," said John Byrne, executive chairman of Lions Bay in a statement.

Limited (NYSEAMERICAN:VNRX) says CEO Reynolds and Scott Powell, its executive vice president of investor relations, are scheduled to present at six conferences at which they will outline the companys business, clinical, regulatory and operational milestones. Details of the conference presentations (all virtual) are as follows: H.C. Wainwright Global Life Sciences Conference on March 9 at 7am ET; Maxim 2021 Emerging Growth Virtual Conference on March 17-19 (TBA); Sidoti & Co. Spring Virtual Investor Conference on March 24 at 10am ET; Life Sciences Investor Forum on March 25 at 11am ET; Benzinga BIOTECH SMALL CAP CONFERENCE on March 25 (TBA); Lytham Partners Spring 2021 Investor Conference on March 30-April 1 (TBA).

Bioasis Technologies Inc ( ) ( ), a pre-clinical, research-stage biopharmaceutical company developing its proprietary xB3 platform technology for the delivery of therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier and the treatment of central nervous system disorders, say CEO Dr Deborah Rathjen will attend and present at the Inaugural Emerging Growth Virtual Conference presented by M-Vest LLC and Maxim Group LLC on March 17-19 and the 4th Annual Neuroscience Innovation Forum  Digital Conference on April 28-30. For the latter, Dr Rathjen will participate in the Progress in Alzheimers and Dementia Panel, deliver Bioasis corporate presentation, and participate in partnering meetings.
BEDMINSTER, N.J., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jubilant Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company advancing small molecule modulators to address unmet medical needs in oncology and autoimmune diseases, announced today the appointment of Luca Rastelli, Ph.D. as Chief Scientific Officer. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Rastelli will lead all aspects of R&D for Jubilant Therapeutics and serve as a scientific liaison for the company to investors, partners and the medical community.

"Luca is a highly accomplished scientist and oncology drug developer and it is a pleasure to welcome him to the team," said Syed Kazmi, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Jubilant Therapeutics. "His experience and leadership advancing novel targeted therapeutics will be integral as we execute our corporate vision."

"I am thrilled to join Jubilant Therapeutics and I look forward to working with the experienced management and scientific teams to further the development of the company's exciting and innovative programs into the clinic and beyond," said Luca Rastelli, Ph.D.

Dr. Rastelli brings to Jubilant Therapeutics more than 20 years of oncology drug discovery and development experience, as well as business development experience ranging from startups to large pharmaceutical companies. Most recently, he was Chief Scientific Officer at Kleo Pharmaceuticals where he led all aspects of R&D for the company and was instrumental in bringing a CD38 targeting compound based on Kleo's novel ARM technology to the clinic for multiple myeloma.

Previously Dr. Rastelli was Vice President, Oncology at BioXcel Therapeutics where he helped bring the company to a successful IPO. He has held multiple preclinical and clinical project leadership positions at Boston Scientifics, CuraGen, Sopherion and EMD Serono (Merck Serono). He led the initial development of c-MET inhibitor TEPMETKO, approved for the treatment of METex14 positive NSCLC patients. Dr. Rastelli was also part of the initial development of the immuno-oncology antibody BAVENCIO, a PDL-1 inhibitor approved for several type of cancers. He received the American Brain Tumor Association's 25th Anniversary Translational grant for his work on Medulloblastoma tumors at the Department of Neuro-Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is a named inventor on more than 10 issued patents and holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Geneva.

About Jubilant Therapeutics

Jubilant Therapeutics Inc. is a patient-centric biopharmaceutical company advancing potent and selective small molecule modulators to address unmet medical needs in oncology and autoimmune diseases. Its advanced discovery engine integrates structure-based design and computational algorithms to discover and develop novel, precision therapeutics against both first-in-class and validated but intractable targets in genetically-defined patient populations. The Company's entrepreneurial-minded leadership and scientific teams strive for speed and efficiency by employing a business model that leverages the proven and synergistic capabilities of Jubilant Pharmova Limited's value chain and shared services. Jubilant Therapeutics is headquartered in the U.S. and guided by globally renowned key opinion leaders and scientific advisory board members. For more information, please visit www.jubilanttx.com or follow us on Twitter @JubilantTx and LinkedIn.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1064788/Jubilant_Therapeutics_Logo.jpg
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ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP)  Isaiah Miller scored 21 points, including a monster dunk with just over a minute left, and UNC Greensboro defeated East Tennessee State 77-65 in the semifinals of the Southern Conference tournament on Sunday.

Keyshaun Langley added 11 points and seven assists for top-seeded UNC Greensboro (20-8), which was making a third semifinal appearance in the last four seasons. No. 5 seed East Tennessee State (13-12) was the reigning SoCon champion.

Ledarrius Brewer pulled ETSU as close as 54-52 when he converted a three-point play with 12:23 remaining and, after UNCG rebuilt the lead to ten, Ty Brewer cut it to 65-60 with a 3-pointer at the 5:16 mark. The Bucs didn't get any closer.

ETSU led for much of the first half before a Miller 3 put the Spartans up 40-39 at the break. Kaleb Hunter scored a 3 off the second-half tip and Miller followed with a steal and a layup as UNCG took over and led the entire final period.

Ty Brewer had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Buccaneers, David Sloan added 13 points and Ledarrius Brewer 11 with six rebounds.

UNCG will face the winner of No. 7 seed Mercer and sixth-seeded VMI in Monday's title game.

___

For more AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and http://twitter.com/AP_Top25

___

Elements of this story were generated by Automated Insights, http://www.automatedinsights.com/ap, using data from STATS LLC, https://www.stats.com
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Volunteer opportunities for the week of May 13 - 19, 2021DUE TO COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS, CALL TO VERIFY THE VENUE IS OPEN.
Emmanuel Macron: The Azerbaijani troops must leave Armenias sovereign territory

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Armenia Ombudsman addresses OSCE officials in regard to Ilham Aliyev's Armenophobic statements

Turkey's Erdogan expresses willingness to support Georgia-Azerbaijan-Armenia trilateral cooperation

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

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Henrikh Mkhitaryan: I've fallen in love with AS Roma and Rome over the last two years

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Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

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Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

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Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

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Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

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Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

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Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

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Meet IG Laxmi Singh, the incredible IPS officer who puts duty before self

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Mar 08: Every day is a great day to celebrate the amazing women in your life, but International Women's Day gives you an extra reason to do just that.

As the world celebrates International Women's day 2021, OneIndia brings you the story of woman IPS officer posted in Uttar Pradesh.

IPS officers are posted at some of the most challenging districts of the state where law and order situation requires in-depth planning and constant monitoring.

She has challenged the established gender order - pushed the boundaries when she was expected to be within the borders. She has showed courage and reached the position which she truly deserves but not without overcoming some of the patriarchal roadblocks. This is an astonishing journey of Lucknow Range Inspector General (IG) Laxmi Singh, her struggles and fights that has a lesson for the new generation of women leaders.

'Yogi's trusted officer'

A mechanical engineering graduate with a MA degree, Laxmi Singh, is an IPS officer of the 2000 batch. In 2014, she was posted as DIG PAC Meerut and has strained every nerve to keep criminal gangs under a strict check. She has also arrested some of the most notorious dacoits and their aides during multiple raids. She advocated zero-tolerance towards crime.

Born in Lucknow, Laxmi Singh has in the past been given important assignments as DG, ADG, DIG.

Impressed by her work, Yogi Adityanath promoted her in 2019 and was posted in Lucknow. She led a team of experienced cops that cracked sensational criminal cases which helped the police retained public trust. The state government had also appointed her to investigate the role of police personnel in Kanpur encounter case that claimed lives of at least eight policemen including DSP Devendra Mishra. Even in Unnao case, the Police arrested a 21-year-old man and his teenage associate for allegedly poisoning three Dalit girls and killing two of them.

She especially earned praises for as many as 4,500 pending cases in three weeks.

How hard was it for a woman IPS officer to climb the ladder and be there?

Women must prove their worth on an everyday basis - feels Laxmi Singh. Policing is largely a masculine space and women are always under scrutiny by their male counterparts.

She also believes that a woman should be mentally strong to take challenges head on and be able to take risks and mitigate them.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 17:34 [IST]
"We proposed a complete overhaul and strategically designed a dynamic website where customers can easily access services while tying together all of the Advisors branches into one place. - Chris Mulvaney, CEO of CMDS

CMDS, a creative, full-service digital marketing agency (https://www.cmdsonline.com/) located in New Jersey, recently launched a new website for client, Advisors Mortgage Group, LLC, at https://advisorsmortgage.com/.

Advisors Mortgage Group, LLC is a leading multi-state mortgage provider focused on delivering a seamless mortgage experience to their customers. They came to CMDS with the challenge of redesigning their website with the goal of giving visitors a richer online experience, deeper insight into the companys comprehensive services, and more opportunity to connect with their best-in-class team. Their current website was outdated, so it was important to the company that their new website be designed to provide the ultimate user-friendly experience.

When we initially met with Advisors Mortgage Group, they wanted a new website that was designed to engage their visitors, highlight their expertise, add value for their clients and prospects, and position them for future growth, said Chris Mulvaney, CEO of CMDS (https://www.instagram.com/chrismulvaneyofficial/). So, we proposed a complete overhaul and strategically designed a dynamic website where customers can easily access services while tying together all of the Advisors branches into one place.

The new website has been fully customized to not only help users navigate with ease, but also to provide a stress-free mortgage experience built around teamwork, communication, and a strong focus on community. At the same time, the redesign also supports the companys vision for future growth and expansion, making it evident that we are at the forefront of industry trends and technology.

Some of these new features include:



A dynamic daily market update section to keep consumers in the know (https://advisorsmortgage.com/market-updates/).

User-friendly tools and calculators to provide users with helpful online financial planning tools (https://advisorsmortgage.com/calculators/).

Streamlined online loan application process to provide the ultimate convenience for applicants.

Online chat feature to engage with visitors more effectively.

Salesforce and Pardot integration to streamline the flow of communication.

Individual broker pages with customized backend features to provide turn-key mortgage tools for their nearly 200 brokers.

Individual branch pages for locations in 31 states.

In addition to completely overhauling the functionality and navigation, the site also gives users the ability to see the full portfolio of services that Advisors Mortgage Group has to offer nationwide. Visitors are encouraged to explore the new website and utilize all the tools and resources available while staying informed on market updates and news at https://advisorsmortgage.com/.

About CMDS

https://www.cmdsonline.com/

Headquartered in Colts Neck, New Jersey, CMDS is an award-winning full-service marketing and web design agency dedicated to branding businesses. CMDS has been offering reputable services since 2002, including website design, e-commerce integration, online advertising, marketing services, and search engine placement. To date, CMDS has built its business on the consumer-packaged goods, real estate, construction, finance, and healthcare industries. For additional information about CMDS, contact Chris Mulvaney at (732) 481-1012.

About Advisors Mortgage Group

https://advisorsmortgage.com/

Advisors Mortgage Group is a multi-state mortgage banker with more than thirty branch locations across the country. Focusing on residential lending, Advisors prides itself on maintaining a local and personal feel so that all customers leave feeling confident that their home financing needs are in the right hands. Advisors has been on the Best Places to Work in NJ list for close to a decade, making sure that all employees feel like family, while also maintaining the customer service standards that the company was built on. The mission statement at Advisors is to take care of our family, who help us take care of our customers, which allows us to give back to our community.
The Pacific Islands Forumthe Pacifics major regional leadership bodyis facing a crisis after nearly one-third of its 18 member countries quit last month. The Micronesian sub-groupingPalau, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, and Naurugave notice they will leave in protest over the selection of the new secretary-general on February 3.

At the reportedly heated 16-hour remote meeting, former Cook Islands prime minister, Henry Puna, defeated the Marshall Islands US ambassador Gerald Zackios by 9 votes to 8 in the final round. Other contestants included Tongan economist Amelia Kinahoi Siamomua, Fijis former foreign minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, and Jimmie Rodgers of Solomon Islands.

Following the vote, the Micronesian leaders group released a statement expressing great disappointment with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General appointment process. It declared the northern sub-group will act swiftly like the Republic of Palau. Palau, a former US territory, had unilaterally announced it would close its embassy in Fiji and commence withdrawal proceedings.

Former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna (Source: Wikimedia)

Palaus newly installed president Surangel Whipps Jr said the split was in response to the decision by other Pacific leaders to ignore Micronesias expectation that their candidate would take up the role. By convention, leadership of the forum is meant to cycle through the regions three major subgroupings: Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia.

With former PIF head Meg Taylor stepping down after six years, positioning over her replacement was fractious from the start. Last October, the Micronesian group issued the Mekreos Communique, insisting the Forum honour the supposed agreement to rotate the position. In reality, Micronesia has only held the post once (Kiribati from 1992-98), while the two larger and more populous sub-regions have held it three times each.

Behind the manoeuvring lie profound geo-strategic rivalries fuelled by the US-led preparations for war with China, which are intensifying under President Joe Biden. Three of the defecting statesPalau, FSM, and the Marshall Islandsare closely allied to the United States in compacts of so-called free association.

Palau, Nauru, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu are the only Pacific states maintaining relationships with Taiwan, after the Solomon Islands and Kiribati switched diplomatic ties to Beijing in 2019, heightening concerns over Chinas growing regional influence. Nauru, a former Australian colony and the site of its notorious refugee offshore processing centre, remains heavily dependent on Canberra financially. However, its president, Baron Waqa, has repeatedly denounced China for allegedly seeking to entice and hook up countries in the Pacific.

Pacific Forum Island members in dark blue (Source: Wikimedia)

The split may well have involved the US State Department. The US ruling class views China as its main economic rival and chief obstacle to maintaining its post-World War II global dominance. The US and its local allies, Australia and New Zealand, have sought to push back against China diplomatically and economically while carrying out provocative military exercises.

The PIF was formed in 1971 by New Zealand, Australia, Nauru, Western Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and the Cook Islands. Eleven more states progressively joined, mostly as they achieved formal independence. The Micronesian countries began joining in 1987, while the French territories of New Caledonia and French Polynesia were admitted in 2016 with the support of Canberra and Wellington.

Palau would doubtless have viewed Micronesian leadership of the PIF as an opportunity to shift the organization closer to Washington. Whipps Jr, a US-born businessman and former member of the Palau senate, has taken an aggressive pro-US agenda. He has bluntly declared he will oppose Chinese bullying in the north Pacific, and Palau will stand by its true friends, the US and Taiwan. Last September, Palau formally requested that the US military build new ports, airstrips and bases on its islands, which are strategically positioned in the Philippine Sea.

Speaking to Radio NZ on February 10, Whipps Jnr condemned Polynesia and Melanesia as siding with Australia and New Zealand to dominate the Forums decision-making. He challenged the membership of the Cook Islands and Niue, which are semi-colonies of New Zealand, while the US territories of American Samoa, Guam, Saipan and the state of Hawaii are not. Maybe we need to come up with a new organisation and find new members because the current configuration is self-interest and that is the problem, he concluded.

Punas appointment is clearly a disruption to US interests. The 71-year old Cook Islander campaigned for the position with a reputation for being friendly towards Beijing. The Cook Islands established consular relations with the US in 1995 and full diplomatic relations with China in 1997. In 2019, Puna remarked that China had been increasingly financially supportive of island nations. China is very present in the Pacific. Unfortunately for a long time, America has not been, Puna declared.

The impoverished Pacific island states have been forced into a delicate balancing act, reducing their dependence on the local powers by increasing economic and aid relations with China. Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic the Cook Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu have all reached out to Chinese-led funding agencies to prop up their budgets after exhausting financing options from traditional sources.

According to the Diplomat, Australia and New Zealand are likely to have supported Punas candidacy under their policy of closer regional integration within their respective spheres of influence. New Caledonia and French Polynesia were also rumoured to have voted for the Cook Islands candidate. Papua New Guineas Prime Minister James Marape revealed he had supported Zackios on the basis that the rotation agreement should have prevailed.

Writing in the Guardian on February 19, Whipps Jnr alleged that Australia, which had promised not to influence the process, should have abstained from the vote in the interests of consensus, as could have New Zealand and Fiji. The lack of leadership by PIFs strongest members could hardly be more jarring, he wrote. Whipps Jnr further claimed that Ambassador Zackioss relationship with Washington could well have harmed his candidacy among South Pacific nations.

Since the launching of the Obama administrations Pivot to Asia strategy, Australia and New Zealand have increasingly marched in lockstep with US policy across the region. However, the local powers still maintain their own imperialist interests, as does France with its substantial military presence.

Following the 2006 Fiji military coup, in which the current Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama seized power, Canberra and Wellington imposed sanctions and had Fiji suspended from the PIF. The move backfired, with Bainimarama encouraging Pacific neighbours to take a more independent stance. Concerned that Fiji was shifting closer to China, Washington unilaterally restored diplomatic relations, forcing Canberra and Wellington to fall into line and Fiji was readmitted to the PIF in 2014.

Tensions again emerged at the 2019 summit over a bitter dispute regarding the Australian governments refusal to agree to limit coal production in order to address climate change. Bainimarama told the Guardian that Canberras intransigence was alienating Pacific leaders and warned that this would again push them closer to China.

The Diplomat claims that Washington remains unhappy with the way the two local powers are running their Pacific affairs. The subtext, the journal maintains, is that the USs Five Eyes partners havent been delivering, allowing China to make inroads. Despite the particularly close relations between the US and Australia, the result will now force some deep re-evaluations. in Washington, with the prospect that the PIF result may well be countered.

The crisis comes as Pacific economies are being crushed by the shutdown of travel from the COVID-19 pandemic and the islands face the existential threat of global climate change. Australia, New Zealand and China have all called on the Forum nations to stay together. The Marshall Islands and the FSM have, however, followed Palau in initiating their withdrawal. With the formal process likely to take up to 12 months, anything can still happen. Meanwhile, Bainimarama has invited Biden to visit Fiji in August when it hosts the next summit.
Accor has announced the appointment of Afif Salibi as General Manager of Raffles Dubai.

Formerly with Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, within the Accor portfolio, Salibi will lead the strategic direction and manage the operations of the groups legendary property in Dubai.

Canadian and Lebanese national, Salibi is no stranger to Accor and the Raffles brand, having been with the group since 2007, bringing over 20 years of international hospitality experience to this role. Starting out in Food & Beverage at Le Richemond in Geneva, Switzerland and later in Athens, Greece, he then moved to rooms division operations at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta, US. By 2006, he was the Front Office Supervisor at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai and a year later, he moved to Lebanon as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager at Le Royal Beirut.

In mid-2007, Salibi moved back to Dubai as part of the pre-opening team of Raffles Dubai as Assistant Front Office Manager and was later promoted to Front Office Manager. In 2010, he was part of the task force recruitment for the opening of the Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotel complex in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. He then moved to Cambodia as Director of Rooms at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh and later moved to Edmonton, Canada as Director of Operations at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. He returned to Raffles Dubai as Director of Operations for almost three years before moving to Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech in 2017 as General Manager where he spearheaded the rebranding and repositioning of this flagship luxury resort.

Having grown with Raffles Dubai and seen it evolve for the past 14 years, Salibi is passionate about the hotel and looks forward once again to lead an exceptional team and Raffles legacy. Known for its unparalleled guest experience, the property continues to be positioned at number one out of 761 hotels in Dubai for the past six years and was awarded amongst the top 10 hotels worldwide on TripAdvisor in 2020.

Salibi holds a Bachelors degree in Hospitality Business Management from Washington State University and a Diploma in Hotel Management from Cesar Ritz Colleges in Switzerland. - TradeArabia News Service
NEW ORLEANS, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TruFund Financial Services, Inc. has received a $1M Grow with Google Small Business Fund loan and a $150K Google.org-funded grant from Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), a leading network for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). The loan fund and grant will support TruFund Financial's lending services to minority- and women-owned small businesses in Louisiana.

TruFund Financial Services, Inc. is a 501(C)3 certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) headquartered in New York City with field offices in Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas. TruFund's mission is to promote and foster economic development within underserved communities and among disadvantaged populations by providing affordable loan capital to small businesses and nonprofit organizations who have difficulty accessing capital from banks or other conventional lenders.

TruFund operates in all areas of Louisiana and specializes in providing affordable lending options, professional services, and business development training to construction companies, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses throughout the state. As of Jan. 31, 2021, TruFund has awarded over $32 million in small business loans and provided technical support to hundreds of minority- and women-owned small businesses in the state, including small businesses located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

"When my husband and I decided to open our business 15 years ago, we weren't sure where to start, but TruFund Financial supplied us with all the tools and collateral we needed to establish a profitable and sustainable business," said Evelyn Braud, co-owner of G.E.N.T.S' Enterprises, LLC . "TruFund opened the door to funding that wasn't available to us from traditional financial institutions. We also received business management training that helped us develop a solid business plan and prepared us for successful operation. If I meet anyone who needs funding or resources for their business, I always recommend that they call TruFund."

Funding received through the Google Small Business Loan Fund and Google.org grant will help TruFund continue expanding its reach and community impact in Louisiana, particularly in the low- and moderate-income communities that need it most. Google's support will also further TruFund's ability to serve critical COVID-19 pandemic relief resources and funding to Louisiana entrepreneurs.

"The economic uncertainty sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for increased capital to minority- and women-owned small businesses," said Kim Carter Evans, TruFund's Vice President, Director of Corporate Communications and Managing Director - Southeast. "This partnership with Google will help us serve a greater number of small businesses who are desperately seeking capital to sustain their operations and continue serving their communities."

"Our work as a CDFI has been more important than ever throughout the months of the COVID-19 pandemic," said TruFund President and CEO James H. Bason. "The immediate assistance we've been able to provide our Louisiana clients wouldn't be possible without funding made available through opportunities such as the Grow with Google Fund loan and the Opportunity Finance Network's Google.org grant. TruFund is exceedingly grateful to Google and OFN for their commitment to helping small businesses and the communities they serve remain resilient during times of crisis."

CDFIs are lenders with a mission to serve small businesses underserved by mainstream finance and a proven model for moving capital into the most disinvested communities. In March 2020, Google.org made a $5 million grant to OFN to enable OFN's member CDFIs, like TruFund, to improve access to capital for the most marginalized communities. The unrestricted grants can support operations, loan capital, loan loss reserve, capacity building, or any other purpose. In total, Google has now committed $170 million in loans and $10 million in Google.org grants. TruFund Financial Services, Inc. is one of a growing list of CDFIs to received Google.org grants or Grow with Google Small Business Fund loans .

There are more than 1,100 CDFIs working in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. OFN's more than 300 members serve 58 percent people of color, 85 percent low-income, 26 percent rural, and 48 percent women (OFN Annual Member Survey, 2018). Nationwide, the CDFI industry manages more than $222 billion.

About TruFund Financial Services, Inc.

TruFund Financial Services, Inc. is a wholly independent national nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). TruFund seeks to stimulate economic development in communities that are underserved by traditional banking institutions by providing fair and accessible capital, hands-on technical assistance, and innovative solutions to small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

TruFund was established in 2005 as an organization that advances economic opportunity for people, businesses, and communities in need. TruFund offers more than a loanit provides an opportunity for underserved small businesses and low-income areas to thrive. Over the past 15 years, TruFund has been instrumental in strengthening low- and moderate-income communities and their minority- and women-owned small businesses. As of Jan. 31, 2021, TruFund has approved approximately $168 million in small business loans to over 2,000 small businesses. It has also helped create and retain more than 12,000 jobs and provided $97.1 million to the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program (MWBE).

Follow TruFund on Facebook , LinkedIn , and Twitter to find out more about the company's programs and initiatives or visit www.trufund.org .

SOURCE TruFund Financial Services, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.trufund.org/


They secretly tied the knot in a small ceremony before Christmas.

And Oliver Proudlock looked smitten as he posed shirtless and cuddled up to his bikini-clad wife, Emma Louise Connolly, 29, in a throwback holiday snap.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, took to Instagram on Sunday to share the loved-up picture with beautiful Emma.

Loved up: Oliver Proudlock looked smitten as he posed shortless and cuddled up to bikini-clad wife Emma Louise Connolly in a throwback holiday snap he posted on Instagram on Sunday

He appeared to be pining for warmer climates as he flaunted his six pack abs and beamed for the camera.

Emma looked nothing short of sensational as she fixed the camera with a smile and threw an arm around her beau.

She showcased her cleavage in a black bikini top and covered half of her face with her hair, while appearing to go makeup free.

Smitten: The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, appeared to be pining for warmer climates as he shared the snap with his model wife, 29

The pair flaunted sunkissed skin and lighter locks indicating they'd been enjoying themselves on a sunny break.

Oliver penned: 'Sunday blues got me' and added a thought bubble emoji to show he's dreaming about warmer climates, along with #tb and #opxec, the couples initials.

They got married on December 15 after Oliver rearranged their wedding to ensure they could tie the knot before lockdown weddings were banned.

Last month, the TV star revealed he finally met wife Emma face-to-face after they spent four years messaging each other.

Speaking to Tom Green on the Dangerous Dinners Podcast, Oliver admitted he cried 'tears of joy' as gushed about their 'crazy emotional' wedding day.

Forever: The couple announced their engagement in August 2018 after Oliver got down on one knee during a romantic trip to Gothenburg, Sweden

He explained that he had been in Scotland for five days to do Personal Appearances and go partying, back in his Made In Chelsea days.

He said: 'I hadn't seen any culture and I became good mates with these guys there and they said look 'you should go and check out this art gallery called Kelvingrove.

'So I was like "ok cool", so I went down there and I was on the ground floor and I came into the central room and there was this long catwalk.

'It was this graduate fashion show, and so I'm standing there at the front and this model walks down and it's Emma. And I'm like "oh my gosh, this chick is out of control." And we catch eyes and then after she's doing her show, doing her thing.

'I went back to my buddies and I said "guys, I saw this girl, described what she looked like, she was just insane!

First sight: Oliver revealed he first laid eyes on Emma by chance, as she strolled down a catwalk at an art gallery in Glasgow

'And they were like "sounds like this girl Emma Louise." So I was like "show me". So they showed me a picture and I was like "oh my god that's her." I was probably just like 'I'll probably never see her again.'

The star admitted: 'Had I not decided to go to this particular place on that day I don't think we'd be together now and I always look back on that moment.'

But, a few weeks later, when Oliver returned to Edinburgh for another PA, he saw a photograph of Emma modelling jewellery and ended up adding her on Facebook.

Proudlock sent a friend request, which spurred Emma to drop him a message, and their communication began.

Nuptials: Speaking on the Dangerous Dinners Podcast, Oliver admitted he cried 'tears of joy' as gushed about their 'crazy emotional' wedding day on December 15, 2020

He explained: 'We ended up talking on Facebook for, I don't know, two or three months maybe and then she was in Glasgow this time.

'I was down in London and then about a year in she moved down to London with modelling, we got each other's number.

After messaging for years without ever having met, Oliver decided to go to the commonwealth games in Glasgow, after hearing that Emma would be there and knowing that they were both single.'

The couple ended up finally meeting on a train journey from Glasgow to London, which lead to a date the next evening.

Four years later, they announced their engagement in August 2018 after Oliver got down on one knee during a romantic trip to Gothenburg, Sweden.
Louis Tomlinsons sister, Phoebe has been accused of trying to fleece a company out of 500 worth of freebies.

Manchester-based business owner Zac Cooper accused her of taking hundreds of pounds worth of free Essentials clothing from him in return for Instagram posts and failing to hold up her end of the bargain.

Phoebe, 16, who describes herself as an UK influencer' on Instagram appears to have accepted 500 worth of clothing in exchange for a promotional posts which were never shared.

But both Phoebe and Zac have since acknowledged the situation has been resolved with Phoebe now sending him a 500 payment for the goods.

Row: Louis Tomlinsons influencer sister, Phoebe, 16, (left - pictured with sister Daisy, right) has been accused of trying to fleece a company out of 500 worth of designer freebies

Calling her out: Business owner Zac Cooper accused Phoebe of taking 500 worth of free Essentials clothing from him in return for Instagram posts and failing to hold up her end of the bargain - she has since paid him back the money

According to the posts, it was Phoebe who requested the goods and she was not initially offered them for free by the company.

Zac, who owns AZ Personal Shopping, posted on Twitter on March 6: 'Calling out Phoebe Tomlinson.

'Sister of One Direction star Louis Tomlinson. Sent her nearly 500 worth of FREE Essentials products for a promotion in return.

'Now its come to her end of the deal shes done a runner. Please like and retweet this. It needs to be publicised!'

Fan of the brand: Phoebe had already shared a picture of herself wearing an Essentials top back in February, tagging in another company, @aceluxuryps

Phoebe had messaged Zac asking if he was able to source the Essentials hoodies.

When he told her they are 150 each, she replied: 'Ohhh. Do you work with influencers. I was going to ask whether you'd gift in return for a post.'

He replied: 'Yeh sure thing I'm up for that. 1.1 million followers sounds good to me.'

Zac said he would require a story and a tag on the grid.

At one point, Phoebe tried to get a bigger size and after seeing her wearing them on the grid, already, Zac questioned: 'Don't you wear Essentials already?'

After a while, he began to chase the content but Phoebe did not reply. He chased again but was ignored over the space of a few days.

In the end, Phoebe reimbursed Zac with the full 500.

'Misunderstanding': Taking to Instagram Stories on Monday in a now deleted post, Phoebe wrote this post acknowledging she had been linked to a scandal but said it was 'completely sorted'

In a follow-up tweet he wrote: '[If she is] 16 or not. That doesnt justify taking 500 worth of free clothes off me.

'If she walked in your home and robbed 500 worth of stuff from you, would you be saying the same thing?

'No you wouldnt. Its wrong on so many levels.'

Something to say: Business owner Zac Cooper, 22, (pictured) has admitted the situation is resolved but is leaving his post up for transparency

Sibling: Phoebe's brother is One Direction star Louis Tomlinson

Taking to Instagram, Phoebe appeared to address the post claiming that the situation had been 'completely sorted and a complete misunderstanding.'

She wrote: 'Many people follow me have sent me certain things that have been said about me on here and on Twitter regarding a "scandal" involving myself.

Back and forth: Zac shared a series of messages between himself and Phoebe on social media

Frosty: But Zac soon started to be ignored when he pressed Phoebe to share the agreed content

'Please don't ignore me': The conversation turned when Zac grew frustrated over feeling ignored

'The situation is completely sorted and was a complete misunderstanding. Dont believe everything you read guys. Please.

Mr Cooper later confirmed via Twitter: 'Phoebe has refunded me 500. However the post will stay open for future reference.'

MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for Phoebe for further information.

In demand: An example of the Essentials hoodie that Phoebe requested was sent to her
On Monday morning, about 1,200 boxes of free food will be distributed at the Madison City Stadium. The need for food remains very high because of the pandemic. So, the "Farmers to Families" food drive will continue every Monday through the end of March.

Each box is full of about 30lbs of fresh food. Anyone needing some assistance is encouraged to come. The food drive starts Monday morning at 9:30 and will go until supplies last.

The pastor for the drive, Eli Brooks, said they understand people may not feel comfortable asking for help. So, all you have to do is show up, and they will give you a box of food. No questions asked.

We really want to get this to those that need it the most, and again, if youre in that situation where youre like, you know what, normally I wouldnt say we need it but this paycheck is not coming until this, come and get one, and dont feel bad about that. We want everyone to get one that could use one," said Brooks. "Bring them to some family or friends that could use them as well so that we can all together encourage and help one another through this time.

The Daystar Church in Hartselle is hosting a "Farmers to Families" food drive on Monday as well.
The state of the COVID-19 pandemic in San Antonio continued to improve Sunday as officials reported lower hospitalization numbers, two new deaths and just 15 new cases.

The number of new infections could be artificially low because of logistical problems at testing sites or laboratories.

The rolling seven-day average of new cases, considered a more accurate representation of coronavirus transmission than daily case counts, now stands at 206 per day.

The coronavirus situation in Bexar County has been improving steadily since January, when the seven-day average was above 2,000 cases a day and hospitals were treating more than 1,500 COVID-19 patients.

On ExpressNews.com: State of the pandemic in San Antonio, in Texas and across the U.S.

Still, city officials are reminding residents that the pandemic is not over, and that safety measures are as important as ever, especially as schools let out for spring break.

Our numbers continue to show improvement, but the virus remains active throughout our community, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said in a statement. Lets work together to keep COVID suppressed while our community is being vaccinated. Our best tools still are wearing masks, physical distancing and aggressive sanitary measures.

Area hospitals were treating 291 patients with COVID-19 on Sunday night  10 fewer than on Saturday and the fewest since Nov. 8. Twenty-eight of those patients were admitted within the past 24 hours.

The number of people seriously ill also dropped Sunday. There were 123 COVID-19 patients in intensive care, down from 138 on Saturday. Sixty-eight needed ventilators to breathe, down from 72 on Saturday. Those figures were about four times higher in late January.

In addition to the 15 new cases reported Sunday, officials reported 632 backlogged cases from more than two weeks ago and 160 deaths that only recently were confirmed to have been caused by COVID-19. Those deaths occurred between Nov. 9 and Feb. 20.

The two deaths reported Sunday happened in the past 14 days. The victims were a woman in her fifties and a man in his eighties. Both had been hospitalized at Methodist Hospital Stone Oak, officials said.

Since the pandemic arrived in the region nearly a year ago, 198,568 San Antonians have tested positive for the coronavirus and 2,847 have died of COVID-19.

On ExpressNews.com: A guide to getting vaccinated in San Antonio

City officials announced Sunday that 10,000 appointments to receive first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the Alamodome will be available starting Monday at 6 p.m. To register, go to the citys vaccine registration website. Residents without internet access can call 311, Option 8, for help.

In all, Bexar County is expected to receive more than 48,000 vaccine doses this week to be distributed among dozens of vaccination sites, including hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, according to the Department of State Health Services.

As of Sunday, about 110,500 people in Bexar County have received a first dose of the vaccine. An additional 155,300 people have been fully vaccinated.

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines require two doses for full effectiveness. The new Johnson & Johnson vaccine, authorized by the Food and Drug Administration at the end of February, requires one dose.

Residents can sign up to receive a text message when vaccination appointments become available by texting VACCINE or VACUNA to 55000.

The Express-News vaccine FAQ page has detailed information  updated daily  about vaccination locations, vaccine supplies and how to make appointments.

andy.picon@hearst.com | Twitter: @andpicon
Local Fine Gael TD, Fergus ODowd, has welcomed news that two Louth aquaculture companies have secured 311k in funding through the Department of Agricultures European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme.

Deputy ODowd said Keenan Oysters Ltd have been awarded 179k through the EMFF to increase the production area of their oyster farm, the cost of the project will see a total investment of 448k.

"Separately Cooley Oysters Ltd have been awarded 132k through the EMFF to develop capacity building and expanding of their oyster farm in a project that will see a total investment of 330k.

The grants are co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union and are subject to terms and conditions.

"The total EMFF investment announced by Minister McConalogue today will see 1.8m in grants to 28 Aquaculture companies, the grants will support 4.5m in investment in the sector.

This is great news at a difficult time for Aquaculture, Brexit has and continues to cause many problems for shellfish companies but it is very encouraging to see local organisations signalling their expansion plans.

This is a very strong return for the two local businesses and I wish them all the very best in the years ahead.
Surface grab samples returned values of up to 403.5 g/t gold, while recent channel samples included values of up to three metres at 10.4 g/t gold

Apiacas is located in Mato Grosso state, around 50 kilometres west of Altamiras Cajueiro gold project

Altamira Gold Corp ( ) (OTCPINK:EQTRF) ( ) said Monday it has confirmed four high-grade gold-silver vein structures at its Apiacas project in Brazil.

In a statement, the Vancouver-based junior revealed that the veins appear to extend over at least a one-kilometre strike length on the Mutum target.

Surface grab samples returned values of up to 403.5 grams per ton (g/t) gold, while recent channel samples included values of up to three metres at 10.4 g/t gold. Silver assays also returned high-grade values of up to 871 g/t.

All of the veins originate from an area of disseminated gold mineralization, which was mapped over four square kilometres on surface.

Apiacas is located in Mato Grosso state, around 50 kilometres west of Altamiras Cajueiro gold project. Cajueiro hosts 43-101 compliant indicated resources of 5.7 million tons at 1.02 g/t gold for a total of 185,000 ounces, and inferred resources of 12.7 million tons at 1.3 g/t gold for a total of 515,000 ounces.

"At least 1 million ounces of gold were produced primarily from weathered bedrock at the Mutum target within the Apiacas Gold Project, Altamira CEO Michael Bennett told shareholders in a statement.

Mutum displays broad distribution of disseminated gold mineralization occurring within altered intrusive rock. This target, covering at least four square kilometres, has the potential to host a very large gold system. Altamira's recent identification of four high-grade vein structures, locally carrying bonanza gold and silver values, makes this target even more compelling."

Altamira told investors it plans to conduct a ground induced polarization geophysical survey to better define the limits of altered and mineralized intrusive rock carrying disseminated ahead of drilling in mid-2021.

Shares in Toronto zipped up 12.5% on the day to C$0.27 each.

----Updates for share price---

Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas
Ben Caspit speaks this week with former Mossad Chief Efraim Halevy. The top ex-spy says the ICC ruling on investigating Israel has no real legal basis. "It is possible that the upcoming prosecutor will review the decision and possibly even cancel it," he notes. Still, Halevy says Israel has over-reacted. "We would be better served if we did not play this story up and did not cry foul and immediately introduce the element of this being an antisemitic act. Its not antisemitism, its struggle between two national movement struggling over a piece of land."
Shares of Muthoot Finance plunged over 6 per cent in opening deals on Monday as investors reacted to sudden demise of MG George Muthoot, the chairman of the largest gold loan NBFC in the country. The Muthoot group chairman passed away on Saturday reportedly after falling from the fourth floor of his house. The incident occured in Delhi's East of Kailash at around 9 pm on Friday and he was rushed to Fortis Escort Hospital where he was declared dead.

Reacting to the news, Muthoot Finance share price declined as much as 6.57 per cent in opening deals to hit low of Rs 1,205. There was spurt in volume as 0.56 lakh shares changed hands over the counter as compared to two-week average volume of 0.82 lakh shares. In contrast, the BSE Sensex was trading 499 points 0r 0.99 per cent higher at 50,904.

On the National Stock Exchange, Muthoot Finance shares were trading at Rs 1,294, down 1.58 per cent, after opening sharply lower at Rs 1,283.

In an exchange filing on March 6, Muthoot Finance said, "M G George Muthoot was the Mentor and Visionary leader who played pivotal leadership role through his long career in building one of the most trusted financial power house in the country."

Under his stewardship, Muthoot Finance saw new heights of growth and became the market leader in gold loan industry. He was responsible for scaling up the Muthoot Group's presence beyond South India by expanding its branch presence across North, East and West india and thereby transforming the company into a pan india organization, the company said.

"M G George Muthoot's sudden and unexpected demise will be an irreparable loss to the Company, employees, all stakeholders, family, and friends. All directors and employees of the company convey deep sympathy, sorrow and condolences to his family," it added.

Meanwhile, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, who conducted the postmortem of Muthoot group chairman, said they are not ruling out any aspect, adding that since it is a case of fall from a height, it is considered "not a natural death."

Meanwhile, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, who conducted the postmortem of Muthoot group chairman, said they are not ruling out any aspect, adding that since it is a case of fall from a height, it is considered "not a natural death."

Also read: Share Market Live Updates: Sensex surges 500 pts to 50,904, Nifty holds 15k levels; Muthoot Finance plunges 6%

Stock in news: Adani Ports, Muthoot Finance, BEML, Just Dial, Ircon, Tata Chemicals and others
Claudio Didero, a lay missionary of the Pope John XXIII Community, reflects on the message of peace and fraternity often promoted by Pope Francis and its importance for the people of Iraq.

By Vatican News staff writer

As Pope Francis brings his message of solidarity and fraternity to Iraq, several organizations working in the country have taken up his call, committing themselves to working to promote peace and rebirth in the nation.

One of such groups is the Pope John XXIII Community which, since its presence in Baghdad in 2015, has been working closely with differently-abled and physically challenged people to put smiles on their faces and to protect their dignity. Founded in 1968 by Father Oreste Benzi, the Pope John XXIII Community Association embraces a commitment to combatting marginalization and poverty.

Ahead of the Popes visit from 5  8 March, the Pope John XXIII Community, alongside several other faith -based organizations jointly signed a statement reaffirming their commitment to embracing the Popes message of peace, convinced that this is the necessary way to heal the wounds of the past and build a future for the different communities in the country.

In this regard, Claudio Didero, a lay missionary of the community in Baghdad, spoke to Massimiliano Menichetti of Vatican News reflecting on the Popes visit and its significance to the Middle Eastern country. He also spoke about the work of the Pope John XXIII Community with the physically challenged and their primary aim of bringing the message of peace and fraternity to them.

Close to the physically challenged

Claudio explained that the work of the Pope John XXIII Community includes being close with the physically challenged children, mostly Muslim, who experience marginalization and difficulties every day and who, because of their physical challenges, are not admitted to schools.

He noted that efforts to work with them are currently limited to welcoming them to one house where they can stay during the day. The Community also lends a helping hand to the Sisters of Mother Theresa who also take care of abandoned and handicapped children.

We share our lives with these children, Claudio said. We show them our love, our interest, we eat with them, we play and we do some activities with them in the house and also in the center of the sisters.

Amid this welcoming environment, Claudio highlights that many of them, feeling the friendliness of others, reciprocate in turn by being kind. He notes that in this manner, Christians and Muslims alike share in the spirit of fraternity that Pope Francis often speaks about because they feel welcomed.

The Popes visit to Iraq

Claudio said Iraqis welcome the Popes visit to Iraq as a gesture of the Holy Fathers closeness to the country which has a difficult history with wars and violence. He however laments that many who would have loved to come out into the streets, will only be able to participate via television due to the restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

I am very happy that the Pope came here to give us his attention, his love, Claudio said.

Claudio affirmed that the Popes message is very important because it is fraternity and love for everybody. It is this fraternity, Claudio hopes, that will stop people from carrying out acts of violence in the name of God because God is love and will not do things of that sort.
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LOS ANGELES, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Harris & Hayden Law (formerly Harris & Associates) is pleased to announce it is representing Antelope Valley Union High School District former board member Robert Davis and current members Victoria Ruffin and Amanda Parrell in their defense against a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by Bridget Cook, the former general counsel for the district.

Harris & Hayden Law Are Champions of Civil Rights for All People

On Tuesday, March 2, the judge ruled in favor of the three Harris & Hayden clients, throwing out the vast majority of the claims against them. With more than 50 years of legal experience between the partners of Harris & Hayden Law, John Harris and Herbert Hayden not only have strategic legal thinking but also are effective at execution.

In a case involving all the elements of a made-for-TV movie  intrigue, innuendo and racism  Harris & Hayden has defended its three Antelope Valley clients zealously, charging ahead against injustice.

Over the past few years, Antelope Valley Union High School District has faced allegations of racism and discrimination. The community's polarization is evident, including the tone of some of its teachers, who blatantly showcased nooses and a Black man hanging dead from a tree in front of city hall on social media.

Harris & Hayden, a Black-owned law firm, has been unwittingly dragged into the middle of this imbroglio of unfounded and unsubstantiated accusations by the school district. The firm has endured numerous baseless, derogatory articles written about it in the local newspaper, the Antelope Valley Press. "We know the truth  and we will file suit," said John Harris.

The current climate of racism and political unrest has been particularly difficult to witness. Cellphone videos have brought us a torrent of outrageous images of Black death. Perhaps the racism and division in Antelope Valley Union District will cause it to take a long, hard look at itself. And with the latest successful ruling for its three clients, Harris & Hayden is bringing a moral reckoning. The Antelope Valley Union High School District must decide what kind of society it wants to promote  one that encourages a thriving and hopeful democracy or one that continues to foster racism and inequality.

Harris & Hayden Law is a champion of civil rights and equality for all people. We have represented clients in courts, arbitration and administrative forums throughout California and the U.S. To download the Harris & Hayden media kit, click the following link: https://bit.ly/2Rjyrmq.

Media Contact:

Hampton Bates Public Relations

Sylvia Hampton

T 603.570.4816

E [email protected]

SOURCE Harris & Hayden Law
The 'challenger' bank plans to grow beyond its current 2mln accounts, which amount to 5.4bn of deposits and 2bn of gross lending

is raising over 270mln in its latest funding round, according to reports, with the banking app firms call exceeding expectations.

The funding tips Starlings value to around 1.1bn marker, making it Britains unicorn (the term given to large pre-market tech companies, worth over US$ / 1bn).

Sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority is among the notable backers for the funding, along with Railpen, and Millennium Management. Fidelity led the funding and Rothschild acted as advisor.

Starling has earmarked the new funds for its growth plans.
According to a report by NokiaPowerUser, Nokia could be planning to launch a G-Series smartphone. According to the source, this could be the Nokia G10 which previously leaked with the model number TA-1334. It is speculated that the G-Series will stand for gaming, but this is not confirmed.

Specifications of the smartphone are not known apart from the fact that it will feature a 6.4-inch display and a quad-camera setup at the back with the primary camera sporting a 48MP sensor. The smartphone is speculated to share features with the Nokia 5.4.

The smartphone has been certified in Thailand as well as by TUV Rheinland, so it is possible we could see some official announcement of the phone soon.

Nokia phones to have a new naming convention later this year

In other Nokia news, it looks like the brand is possibly reconsidering its naming convention for the devices. The information comes from Twitter user @baidunokibar who says that Nokia may remove the dot from its smartphone naming convention. Nokia has distinguished its new series from the previous years models by increasing the number after the dot. So the Nokia 5.4 for example is the successor to the Nokia 5.3. While this is a straightforward naming convention, it can get confusing for some.

In other Nokia news, the company recently launched the Nokia 3.4, 5.4 and Power Earbuds Lite in India priced at Rs 11,999, Rs 13,999 and Rs 3,599. The Nokia 3.4 made its debut globally back in September 2020 and was followed by the launch of Nokia 5.4 in December. You can learn more about the smartphones here.

The Nokia 5.4 competes directly with the Poco M3. If you are confused as to which is the right one for you, then you can check out our comparison here.
Africas health systems are poorly attuned to meet the healthcare needs of the poor, the disabled and other vulnerable groups putting the continents quest of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) further out of reach, a recently released report revealed.

Achieving UHC will continue to be a challenge in Africa until customized, quality, and affordable essential health services are made available, the report states.

The independent Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) Commission unveiled the State of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Africa Report, a comprehensive document that maps the progress of African countries towards their UHC goals.

The report was released on Monday at the opening ceremony of the AHAIC 2021  a biennial convening of health ministers, private sector leaders, civil society and representatives from multilateral organisations.

AHAIC 2021 is holding between March 8 and 10 to advance the critical conversations initiated in Rwanda at AHAIC 2019 when calls were made for African countries to reinvigorate their quest for UHC.

The event which is considered one of the largest health gatherings in the continent is holding virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With a virtual format, AHAIC 2021  co-convened by Amref Health Africa, Africa CDC, IFPMA, Johnson & Johnson, Roche and Takeda  will reach an even larger and more diverse audience, organisers say.

The COVID-19 pandemic has pointed out the glaring gaps in African  and global  health systems and made a strong case for the urgent achievement of UHC, Githinji Gitahi, Global CEO, Amref Health Africa said shortly after the launch of the report. While progress towards achieving Health for All has been slow, the current reality has reinvigorated countries efforts to ensure better access to quality, affordable health care.

Through the State of UHC in Africa report and AHAIC 2021, we are hoping to provide a realistic roadmap that will guide African countries on their journeys to UHC and to ramp up support for greater multi-stakeholder collaboration across the continent, so that we can move from rhetoric to sustained action, he said.

The report

The report highlights the progress made by African countries towards realising Health for All and details the challenges and opportunities faced by countries on their journeys to UHC. It also provides key recommendations for transformative change, which African countries should adopt to accelerate progress towards UHC.

Compiled between November 2020 and March 2021, the State of UHC in Africa report takes stock of Africas progress in fulfilling commitments made by African leaders, such as the Abuja Declaration (2001), the Africa Health Strategy (2007-2015, 2016-2030) and the Addis Ababa Call to Action on UHC (2019).

It acknowledges the impact of colonial legacies, poor governance, and economic challenges on the continents health policies and outcomes and details the performance of African countries on key UHC indicators, including effective coverage with needed health services, financial risk protection and health outcomes.

According to the report, coverage of essential health care services in Africa is low: only 48 per cent of the population (approximately 615 million people) receive the healthcare services they need.

Quality of healthcare services provided in African countries is also low and is considered the poorest performing indicator of UHC. When quality of healthcare services is considered, service coverage scores across African countries are even lower, it states.

The report also reveals that coverage of essential services needed by women and girls in Africa is low, with data indicating that between 2015 to 2019, only 49 per cent of African women had their demand for family planning satisfied by modern methods.

Despite the dismal performance on some indicators, a number of data indications were positive. For example, although the proportion of individuals that are pushed into poverty due to out-of-pocket healthcare payments each year is high, at 15 million people (representing 1.4 per cent of the continents population), the number is gradually reducing.

Despite these challenges, the report concedes that the 21st century has seen African leaders show stronger political will to achieve UHC, creating an opportunity for countries to push the needle on change.

UHC 2030

During Tuesdays opening ceremony, participants of AHAIC2021 were immediately confronted with the stack reality that Africa is falling behind in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Three, one of the 17 goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 for the year 2030.

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Achieving UHC by 2030 is the central target of SDG 3.8.

Targets of SDG 3 include ending preventable deaths of newborns and children under five years of age by 2030.

Providing an affordable option for Africas poorest will determine whether countries achieve SDG 3, which is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all by 2030, Mr Gitahi, CEO Amref Health, had explained in his first press briefing two years ago at AHAIC 2019 held in Rwanda.

Eleven million Africans are pushed into poverty every year by medical expenses, according to the WHO.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, health services are mostly paid for out-of-pocket and those gravely affected already live far below the poverty line.

Recommendations

In its recommendations, the AHAIC Commission proposes several actions to ensure steady progress towards UHC, including reorienting health systems and health system priorities to respond to population health needs; prioritising and strengthening primary healthcare as the foundation for UHC, boosting the number of skilled health workers especially in primary healthcare; investing in health technologies to enhance the performance of all health system functions and strengthening governance and accountability.

In addition to the report launch, the first day of AHAIC 2021 also saw attendance from Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, who in his opening remarks acknowledged the progress made towards Africas vision of a continent free of poverty, ignorance and disease and urged African countries to consider seven priority areas to anchor their health policies and programmes, including giving greater priority to primary healthcare; increasing access to healthcare services; making healthcare more affordable; harnessing Africas innovative energy and creativity; strengthening health sector collaboration; improving health security and increasing political will towards UHC.

Also in attendance was the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, who noted the COVID-19 pandemics role in highlighting the centrality of health to the social and economic wellbeing of African nations. He called on leaders to boost their nations capacities to enhance disease prevention and preparedness to mitigate the impact of disease outbreaks through greater political commitment.

The three-day conference will bring together a vast range of thought leaders in the health space, including government officials, private sector stakeholders, technical experts and grassroots organisers.
Epiwall provides a unique mix of private and public spaces; they key to privacy relies on private spaces... the key to monetization relies on the user's interactions with public spaces- normally used by businesses wanting to advertise at Epiwall

Inspired by the recent events on breaches of data and privacy of social network users, a Florida-based company has released Epiwall, the world's first social network with end-to-end encryption. Epiwall, which stands for "Enhanced Private Interactions", aims to bring peace of mind to users of social media concerned about their privacy or the usage of their interactions data for business purposes. This is achieved by using end-to-end encryption, meaning that all user posts and chat messages are encrypted by the application at the user's device, stored encrypted and decrypted at the devices of the user's social media connections.

Although the concept of end-to-end encryption is not new and it's currently being used in messaging applications like Signal and WhatsApp, it had never been applied to all social network functionalities, like posting, commenting and sharing. These features make Epiwall unique in its category.

Epiwall's patent-pending technology will also allow for monetization of public spaces. According to its creator, Dr. Javier A. Arroyo-Figueroa, "Epiwall provides a unique mix of private and public spaces. Both types of spaces are encrypted; however, they key to privacy relies on private spaces, as the encryption keys are only known to the user's connections at the space. The key to monetization relies on the user's interactions with public spaces- normally used by businesses wanting to advertise at Epiwall".
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 8, 2021) - Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PEMC) ("Pacific Empire", "PEMC" or the "Company") is pleased to report on assay results received for the Jean Marie Project in North-Central British Columbia.

Highlights:

Copper mineralization was encountered in 13 of 15 holes with 8 holes averaging greater than 1000 ppm copper over the entire length of hole.

A broad, tabular zone of elevated Cu values (>0.2% Cu) was delineated over an area of approximately 400 x 500m; this zone remains open to the NE and SW and suggests the presence of a larger mineralizing system.

Elevated levels of copper, silver and molybdenum were encountered in drilling with drill hole JMR014 averaging 3.37% Cu and 11.4 g/t Ag over 3.05m and drill hole JMR008 averaging 1.4 g/t silver over the length of the hole; a strong correlation exists between Cu-dominant (Au-poor) mineralization and Ag grades.

Drill results demonstrate kilometer-scale base and precious metal mineralization over a large, under-explored property with untested diamond-drill targets.

Figure 1 - Area of 2020 RC drilling at Jean Marie



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/76465_7023f6d4c47d08ae_001full.jpg

The 2020 reverse circulation ("RC") drill program at Jean Marie consisted of 15 holes totaling 1,691 metres and focused on the northern-most "A Zone", where historical drilling in the 1970s encountered copper mineralization; historical holes were only assayed for copper and molybdenum. The 2020 RC drill program was successful in identifying a broad zone of elevated copper and intriguing silver mineralization and has provided the Company with multi-element geochemical data that has been incorporated into the growing property database. In combination with the airborne magnetic survey that was completed in October of 2020, the data is being used to develop additional targets for diamond drilling during the 2021 exploration season. At this time, the trend and true width of mineralization unknown.

Figure 2 - Jean Marie Property Target Areas



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/76465_7023f6d4c47d08ae_002full.jpg

Exploration activities during 2020 confirmed the presence of a 5 km long porphyry footprint at Jean Marie in addition to the identification of new areas of copper, gold and silver mineralization at the Leap prospect and to the south of the C Zone. At the Leap prospect, located 800 metres to the south of the B Zone, rock sampling returned 8.79 g/t gold, 86.7 g/t silver and 1.74% copper (Sample No. 13708, see PEMC News Release dated September 28, 2020). Approximately 400 metres south of the C Zone, additional gold mineralization was encountered when continuous chip sampling of a hand trench (Trench 1) yielded 4.0 g/t gold over 8 metres with the entire 20-metre length of the trench averaging 1.7 g/t gold. A second hand trench (Trench 2) was sampled approximately 250 east of Trench 1 where continuous chip sampling yielded 4 metres grading 1.37% copper, 0.08 g/t gold and 67.4 g/t silver. Follow up work is planned at these new areas during 2021 to assess the significance of the mineralization in the areas. At this time, the trend and true width of mineralization at both hand trenches is unknown.

"Results from drilling and rock sampling during 2020 confirm the presence of copper and gold mineralization over a wide area on the property. In addition, results from the airborne magnetic survey have identified coincidental geophysical and geochemical targets on the southern half of the property that will be followed up on in 2021. The company is planning expanded ground geochemical surveys and geological mapping programs," stated Brad Peters, Pacific Empire's President and CEO. "We look forward to getting a head start on exploration at Jean Marie this year in order to develop targets for the next stage of diamond drilling."

Summary of Selected Intercepts.

Table 1 - Selected Intervals from 2020 RC Drilling

To view an enhanced version of Table 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/76465_7023f6d4c47d08ae_003full.jpg

Additional details from the 2020 RC drill program and rock sampling can be found on our website by clicking here.

The Jean Marie Project in The Age of Copper

The Jean Marie consists of 7,350 ha (73.5 KM2) of contiguous mineral claims situated 50 kilometres west of Centerra Gold Ltd.'s operating Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine. PEMC holds an option to earn a 100% interest in the Jean Marie property.

The Jean Marie property provides investors with early-stage exposure to copper in a premier jurisdiction at a time when the world is moving towards electrification.

"Copper's time has arrived," stated Brad Peters, Pacific Empire's President and CEO. "In the drive towards cleaner and greener energy, copper is indispensable. Copper is a core input for manufacturing and electrification. The high durability, high malleability, high electrical and heat conductivity, in addition to antimicrobial properties provide additional sources of demand from growing global industries; importantly the health care industry amidst the ongoing global pandemic."

Historical work conducted on the Jean Marie Project includes over 10,000 metres of drilling and dozens of ground-based geophysical and geochemical surveys, with the majority of exploration being completed by Cominco Ltd. between 1970 and 1974. Historical exploration activities were focused on drilling in three copper porphyry zones: the A, B and C Zones. Each of the three mineralized zones straddle the Jean Marie fault, an important controlling structure that has been mapped for over 12 km on the property.

Although the historical focus of exploration at Jean Marie has been at the A,B and C Zones, it is apparent from surface sampling that there appears to be a gold-dominant zone to the south of these areas of previous focus.

The A Zone has seen limited historical drilling, with the deepest drilling being 92 vertical metres. Mineralization at the A Zone exists as chalcopyrite dominated by pyrite, with covellite and bornite. Rock sampling by PEMC during 2020 confirmed the presence of anomalous to highly anomalous gold values associated with chalcopyrite mineralization and monzonite dikes.

The B Zone has seen more extensive drilling, with the deepest historical drilling being a 277 metre vertical drill hole, J97-11. A high-grade interval in this hole occurs between 181 and 208 metres, where a hydrothermal breccia containing angular clasts of mineralized porphyry with bornite and chalcopyrite graded 1.2% copper over 27 metres. The presence of this breccia provides direct evidence of a mineralized porphyry system at depth beneath the B Zone.

Prior to 2020, the most recent drilling at any of the three primary zones was completed at the B Zone in 1997. The final hole of the 1997 program intersected 184 metres @ 0.33% copper, which includes an interval of hydrothermal breccia grading 1.2% copper over 27 metres.**

The C Zone is characterized as a broad area of low-grade copper-molybdenum mineralization, with the easternmost hole in the zone grading 0.17% copper over the entire 85.3 metre length of bedrock drilled. However, the presence of a large, strong copper-in-soil anomaly measuring 2,500 x 600 metres, immediately north and east of the C Zone, with soil samples with anomalous copper suggests more appreciable copper mineralization may exist in the immediate area. The presence of widespread clay alteration further suggests there may be potential for higher copper grades at depth.

Based on field work conducted by PEMC during 2020, numerous additional exploration targets exist on the Property, particularly along a 9-kilometre trend that extends southeasterly from the A zone.

If you would like to stay informed of the latest corporate activities please click here to provide consent and receive news, updates and important information as we move our projects forward.

** The Company has not verified historical drilling results but has reviewed the historical sampling and analytical procedures and has no reason to believe the historically reported results are unreliable or misleading.

QA/QC Procedures

RC chip samples and rock grab samples were collected and placed in polyethylene bags before being shipped to MS Analytical ("MSA") in Langley, BC. Internal laboratory standards are checked upon analysis as a means of quality assurance. Samples were analyzed using MSA's IMS-130 multi-element analytical package, whereby 0.5 g aliquots are subjected to an aqua-regia digest and subsequently analyzed with ICP-AES/MS. Sample were also assayed using MSA's FAS-111 fire assay gold package, whereby a 30 g fusion is ultimately finished with AAS. Certified reference standards and blanks were inserted as a part of the QA/QC program.

Figure 3 - Jean Marie Property Location Map



To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/76465_7023f6d4c47d08ae_004full.jpg

Qualified Person

George Cavey, P.Geo., Technical Advisor for the Company, serves as a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical information in this news release, approving the disclosure herein.

About Pacific Empire Minerals Corp.

PEMC is an exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, that employs a "hybrid prospect generator" business model and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEMC. The Company's strong portfolio of projects is a result of continuous generative work conducted since the Company's inception in 2012.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

"Brad Peters"

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pacific Empire Minerals Corp.

Tel: +1-604-356-6246

brad@pemcorp.ca

www.pemcorp.ca

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

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume and the additional risks identified the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76465
Longfords Aneta Safiak believes International Womens Day should be acknowledged and celebrated even more than ever before.

Also read: Celebrating Longford's Inspiring Women on International Womens Day #IWD2021 #ChooseToChallenge

She writes; The Earth is a woman. The nature is a woman. The brightest planet in our solar system is a woman.

Hestia was a woman, the guardian of the hearth and home but if this pandemic has taught me something it is that: We do not need to feel guilty if we do not want to spend all the time with our loved ones.

It is ok to feel overwhelmed and look for boundaries, look for aloneliness. Look for your own space in the family home.

Also read: Still no confirmed vaccination centre location for Longford, the county with highest incidence rate of Covid-19

Setting boundaries in a pandemic house has not been an easy task for many of us. Working from home, being a wife, a mother, taking care of daily chores have all blurred into one hour, a day, a month, timed by the role of a provider.

Deprived of other easy distractions like a cup of coffee with your best friend or a bit too long chit chat at the post office, it was easier than ever to lose balance, the balance of a well-minded head space.

Pandemic has shown us that simple things should never be taken for granted. Things that we might have not paid any attention to before, suddenly have made it to our longing posts on Facebook.

Also read: Longfords 'day in the sun' and investment that the town 'has been crying out for'

To see a familiar face outside of the house. To go for the Chinese on a Thursday night or a swim in the swimming pool at the weekend.

But paradoxically, the pandemic has taught us as well that we do not need many things to live and be happy. We do not need to spend hours hanging around shopping centres or go through traffic to a business meeting, it can take place online! A lot of things that used to take our time can be, in fact, simplified and shortened.

No matter when things go back to normal, maybe we should not get rid of the word essential too easily?

We just need to redirect the meaning of it and see ourselves as essential.

I hope all women will receive a lot of kindness and appreciation on March 8. I hope that we will get to cherish this day and celebrate it fully, no matter what. I hope we will show appreciation and love for each other. Support each other and be kind.

Also read: Roscommon woman who stole over 20,000 from employer to fund luxury holidays and shopping trips jailed
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8)  The Department of Health on Monday said another 3,356 people in the country tested positive for COVID-19, raising the nationwide case count to 597,763.

This is the fourth day in a row that the number of new patients topped 3,000, as the Philippines reports spikes in cases in several areas, especially in Metro Manila. Data from six testing laboratories, which failed to submit their reports on time, were not yet included in this count, the DOH said.

Recoveries also reached 545,912 with 61 more survivors, while fatalities climbed to 12,521 after five more succumbed to the illness. These latest figures pushed the tally of active cases to 39,330, which makes up 6.6% of the total infected.

The DOH also noted it removed five duplicate entries from the case count, including two recoveries, after final validation.

RELATED: 761 more overseas Filipinos contract COVID-19, a record-high for the year  DFA
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The socialist roots of International Women's Day

"Wanita Bangkit!" (Woman Rise)  the cry echoed down the streets from Sogo right up to Masjid Jamek under the sweltering afternoon sun on March 8, 2018, commemorating International Women's Day (IWD).

Speeches made by women for women cutting across the community and class struggle of Malaysia rang out loud. But it wasn't long before criticisms against the rally for being radical and "kecoh" (troublemaking) descended. It was then that it struck me!

As a society, we seem to have forgotten the radical roots of the International Women's Day (IWD) as it becomes more accepted, mainstream and dare I say, commercialised? By all means, please keep the flowers and gifts coming but also join us on the streets to amplify the class struggles unique to women.

The IWD's origin story is not one that can be fixated on a specific incident or date. However, the spirit of it remains constant - IWD is rooted in socialism and the conditions of working women at the turn of the last century when women were not only labouring within their homes but began to become a force in industry.

Far before the United Nations formally acknowledged March 8 as the IWD, records attribute several incidents between the months of February and March from the mid-1800's until the early 1900's in America and Europe as the starting point for women's rallies and protests for solidarity and improved working conditions.

Let's not forget this was an era when women in most 'developed' societies were denied the right to vote.

Notable events include the strike of women workers in a New York garment and textile company in 1908, leading to a commemoration by the Socialist Party of America on Feb 28 the next year.

Clara Zetkin, the editor of the German Socialist Democratic party's women's newspaper, then formulated a day to commemorate solidarity for the liberation of women inspired by Bastille Day's rallies in Paris.

Story continues

In 1911, IWD was marked for the first time (19 March) in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, where more than one million women and men attended rallies.

In 1917, women in Russia protested against the war for "Peace, Land and Bread" and helped sparked the Russian Revolution. After women gained the right to vote in Soviet Russia in 1917, March 8 became a national holiday there.

The day was then predominantly celebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries until it's adoption by the feminist movement in the late 1960s.

Nivetha Sri Shanker at Woman's Day March 2018

The socialist view that all workers are equal, and hence, women are part of the working class and will be united within the class struggle, is insufficient. This is because women face additional oppression that is unique to their gender.

Hence, even the hypothetical overthrow of capitalism will not of itself remove the systemic oppression of women. Recognising the struggles of women as an equal part of the class struggle is important to move towards a more inclusive society.

Now, annually and across the globe  be it Poland, India, South Korea or even Spain - women's day marches are clarion calls of solidarity in the struggles against discrimination and violence towards women. However, and once again, this is contrary to a popular notion - that the culture of protests and radical movements for the struggles of women are only Eurocentric - they are also very much rooted in our anti-colonial past.

The first nationalist women organisation in Malaya was the Angkatan Wanita Sedar (Awas), the women wing of Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya, which was led by Shamsiah Fakeh.

The women of Awas were involved in anti-colonial struggles which also included participating in strikes such as the All-Malaya Hartal of 1947, protests and proposals of the People's Constitution among other activities. Shamsiah Fakeh went on to participate in the anti-colonial armed struggle, spending many years in exile.

Nivetha at the Global Climate Strike march in 2019

The IWD, having been rooted in class struggle and solidarity of women, reflected the differing needs and conditions of women. In Malaysia, an intersectional approach is what fits best given our colonial history, diversity and status of being a developing country. The class struggle of women in Malaysia cuts across the economic divide as much as it does the societal divide.

The participation and speeches of the IWD march in Malaysia in both 2018 and 2019 reflected this.

We had women representing indigenous tribes and their struggle to protect their livelihoods and the impact of government policies on their way of life,

There were also women advocating for women's safety at their workplace and eradicating domestic violence.

There were calls for acknowledging unwaged domestic labour demands, better sex education and other forms of gender equality include lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights.

These calls, thus far  have been heard, but that is just the first step.

So, this IWD, here's to moving towards a more radical and bold mobilisation against the struggles faced by women across this country and around the world.

And again, Wanita bangkit!

Related reports:

COMMENT | In honour of Malaysian mothers abroad

COMMENT | Key steps to better protect Malaysian women

MP SPEAKS | Women's Day: A salute to their courage and strength

MP SPEAKS | Happy International Women's Day

Glorene Das remembers the battered child who survived a coma

Activate!  frontliner recalls pandemic's first cases

Standing up for their beliefs - 12 women you should know about

COMMENT | This Int'l Women's Day, I'm thinking about how tired we are

Malaysiakini is running a series of articles from March 8-10 in celebration of International Womens Day 2021. Read more here.
Rakhi Sawant has been busy tending to her ailing mother, Jaya Sawant who is battling cancer. Many of the actor's Bigg Boss 14 co-contestants have met her mother who is currently undergoing her chemotherapy treatment. However, Rakhi is miffed with Bigg Boss 13 winner Rubina Dilaik and Aly Goni as the two still have not met her mother.

Rakhi Sawant had recently addressed the media while attending her friend's birthday party. The 'Pardesiya' star had revealed during the same that her mother has been admitted to the hospital for her chemotherapy session. However, she mentioned that she will not reveal who has been visiting her mother as saying such things out loud is not a good thing. Rakhi said, "My mother is being admitted again to the hospital for her chemo. I will not tell you all who all are coming to see her. You guys will see it yourself. As saying all this doesn't sound good."

Also Read: Rakhi Sawant On Rubina Dilaik And Abhinav Shukla: They Are Only Close Because Of Me

However, during the media interaction, Rakhi Sawant expressed her displeasure with Rubina Dilaik as the latter has still not visited her mother. Rakhi said that the Shakti Astitva Ek Ehsaas Ki actor should take out some time from her busy schedule and visit her mother once. Rakhi also said that her mother has been especially asking for Rubina and Aly as she is fond of them. She revealed, "Rubina ko maine baar baar bulaya but uska koi message nahi aa raha hai. I saw in one of the news that Rubina said we will help Rakhi in every way and all. But I want to tell her that I don't need any help. Rubina mujhe koi help nahi chahiye. Meri maa hosh mein aane ke baad baar baar bas aapka hi naam le rahi hai. She is constantly asking about you and Aly as she is fond of you guys. Please take some time out of your busy schedule and come to see her or connect with her on video call. Mummy ka koi matlab nahi hai vo sirf aapko ek baar dekhna chahti hai she loves you."

Also Read: Rakhi Sawant Is Missing The Bigg Boss 14 House; Shares Hilarious Video Of Herself Washing Utensils

Rakhi Sawant had also revealed in a recent media interaction that only she is responsible for bringing Rubina Dilaik and Abhinav Shukla closer on the show. She claimed that the couple had no chemistry before she started her track with Abhinav. Rakhi had also said that she had taken the responsibility of making Abhinav interesting on the show.
Japanese Prime Minster Yoshihide Suga is set to be the first world leader to visit the White House under President Joe Biden's administration, according to a new report.

Biden could host a visit from Suga as soon as April, though the details have yet to be finalized, people familiar with the matter told Axios. The White House declined to confirm the plans.

Thus far, Biden and his cabinet heads have stuck largely to video conferences in order to meet with foreign officials, and a visit from Suga would mark a step toward returning to normalcy in the pandemic.

Suga would not be eligible for a state dinner, as Japan's official head of state is Emperor Naruhito, and his trip would likely be classified as an official visit or working visit, rather than a state visit.

Biden could host a visit from Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga as soon as April, though the details have yet to be finalized, people familiar with the matter

The selection of Suga (above) as the first foreign leader to visit Biden's White House would send a strong message to China that the U.S. remains committed to Japan's security

The selection of Suga as the first foreign leader to visit Biden's White House would send a strong message to China that the U.S. remains committed to active involvement in Indo-Pacific security issues.

Biden's first phone call with Suga in January, just a week after he took office, focused heavily on regional security issues, including China and North Korea, according to a White House summary of the call.

On that call, Biden also expressed America's 'unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan' under a mutual defense pact, including the contentious Senkaku Islands, which are controlled by Japan but claimed by China.

Details of Suga's visit could still be subject to change, in particular if the pandemic takes a turn for the worse in either the U.S. or Japan.

Suga faces political challenges at home, and his White House visit would be watched closely for signs of support from Biden.

Perks could include a meal with photo op, or a joint press conference.

Trump hosted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Mar-a-Lago multiple times, including the visit seen above in February 2017

During Donald Trump's presidency, the first foreign leader to visit the White House was British Prime Minister Theresa May, who came calling just seven days after his inauguration. That visit included a lunch and a joint press conference.

Trump hosted two state dinners during his term, receiving the president of France and prime minister of Australia.

Trump hosted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Mar-a-Lago in February 2017, making him the first world leader to visit Trump's Florida club.

During Barack Obama's term, Japan's prime minister, then Tara Aso, was also the first foreign leader to visit the White House. Obama welcomed Aso to the Oval Office but did not extend an invitation for a lunch or joint press conference.
Gov. Greg Abbott appeared this week to rebuff help from the federal government to give coronavirus testing to migrants before they are released from federal custody, saying it's a federal responsibility to screen immigrants coming into Texas.

The announcement came after Abbott, a Republican, repeatedly accused the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden of releasing immigrants in South Texas that have been exposing Texans to COVID. The Biden administration denied that Thursday, and CNN reported that Abbott was stalling on a federal offer to pitch in on testing migrants.

MASK UP: Here's where you still have to wear a mask in Houston

Abbott and Biden have been fighting for days over coronavirus safety protocols and whose actions have been putting the health of Texans at risk. After Abbott announced this week that he was lifting Texas' statewide mask mandate and capacity restrictions on businesses, Biden called that decision "Neanderthal thinking." Abbott shot back in multiple interviews and social media posts that Biden's immigration policies were the real threat to Texans and accused the president of releasing migrants with COVID-19 into Texas.

"The Biden Administration is recklessly releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants who have COVID into Texas communities," Abbott wrote in one tweet Wednesday afternoon.

Asked for evidence of that claim, Abbott's office pointed to news reports from NBC News, Fox News and the New York Post earlier this week that 108 migrants had tested positive since Jan. 25 in Brownsville after being released by federal authorities. The city has been conducting the tests since late January. It's unclear from the reports how many of the asylum seekers are staying in Texas. The majority of migrants apprehended by or who surrender to federal authorities usually leave for places farther north.

Migrants released from custody while their asylum cases are pending are given notices to appear for court, a document that, when issued, signals the beginning of removal proceedings for migrants if they cannot convince federal authorities they have the right to stay. The office of Customs and Border Protection in South Texas did not respond to a request for comment seeking more information about the testing process.

The testing in Brownsville was reportedly administered by the city. NBC reported that 6.3% of the migrants tested were confirmed to have the coronavirus. That rate is smaller than the positivity rate statewide, in which an average of 8.3% of tests came back positive over the past seven days. The 108 tests over the past five weeks is a small share of the more than 3,800 confirmed cases in Cameron County reported by the state since Jan. 25.

After Abbott began upbraiding Biden for releasing the migrants, CNN reported that the Department of Homeland Security had tried to use Federal Emergency Management Agency dollars to help local officials test migrants released from federal custody and isolate them if they test positive. The grant money needed state approval to be allocated, CNN reported.

Abbott seemed to make clear Thursday that he was not interested in the federal offer. He argued in a statement that border security is strictly a federal responsibility, and thus the Biden administration alone should test, screen, and quarantine migrants who may have 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, Abbott said. Texas refused.

On Saturday, Abbott announced that the Texas Department of Public Safety would integrate with the Texas National Guard to "deny Mexican Cartels and other smugglers the ability to move drugs and people" into the state in what is being called Operation Lone Star. In a release announcing the operation, Abbott accused the Biden administration of inviting illegal immigration.

"Texas supports legal immigration but will not be an accomplice to the open border policies that cause, rather than prevent, a humanitarian crisis in our state and endanger the lives of Texans," Abbott said in a statement. "We will surge the resources and law enforcement personnel needed to confront this crisis."

Asked about Abbott's statement on testing, the White House referred to comments that press secretary Jen Psaki made Thursday that the federal policy is for coronavirus testing for migrants released from custody "to be done at the state and local level with the help of NGOs [nongovernmental organizations] and local governments." She added that the policy states that migrants should be tested "before they are even moved to go stay with family members or others they may know while their cases are being adjudicated."

Since before the 2020 election, the number of migrants apprehended on the border has increased significantly. From October through January, more than 296,000 undocumented immigrants have been apprehended. That's more than half of the 458,000 apprehended in all of the 2020 federal fiscal year, according to federal statistics.

The Biden administration has also stopped adding migrants to the Trump-era Migrant Protection Protocols, which forced tens of thousands of asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their hearings in American courts. Some of the first MPP arrivals began entering Texas last week at Brownsville and El Paso, but they are tested for COVID-19 before entering, confirmed Ruben Garcia, the director of the Annunciation House shelter network that is temporarily housing the migrants.

The release of asylum seekers from custody with notices to appear has been a lightning rod issue for Republicans who incorrectly claim that most asylum seekers ignore the notices and instead try to live in the shadows unlawfully. A 2019 study from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University, which uses Freedom of Information Act requests to track immigration court cases, found that more than 80% of all migrants show up for their court hearings, and that number increases to nearly 100% if the asylum seekers have representation.

But Abbott said Thursday that Texas will not aid a program that makes our country a magnet for illegal immigration.

Texas has already been sending tests to border communities, however. The Texas Division of Emergency Management confirmed to the Tribune that it has provided testing to "local officials in border communities who have been responding to an influx of individuals crossing the international border."

"Since the end of January, the state has provided 40,000 COVID-19 tests to Brownsville, McAllen, Laredo, and Del Rio to meet the testing need not being fulfilled by the federal government," the division's spokesperson, Seth Christensen, said in a statement.

As for whether the state will provide more tests to border cities, Christensen said TDEM "does not have any outstanding requests from our local partners for testing resources."

Abbott's comments about migrants with coronavirus have sparked dismay among many advocates along the border. The governor, along with other Texas politicians, has a history of describing migrants in terms that suggest they are a threat. In 2019, a day before a gunman targeting Mexicans killed 22 people in El Paso, Abbott sent out a campaign mailer calling on supporters to "DEFEND" Texas at the border. He later said "mistakes were made" about the mailer.

Clara Long, the associate director with the U.S. Program at Human Rights Watch, said Abbotts comments this week are disturbing but not surprising as the governor tries to distract from his own executive order, which critics say will put Texans at risk.

That fact that that is just such a political statement seems so revealed by the mask [order], she said. Do you care about peoples health or do you not? But its just clear its not about protecting Texans or protecting migrants. Its about political gain.
But Molinaro isn't limiting his thought process to the gubernatorial campaign. He is also considering a run for Congress next year. If he does run, he would likely challenge U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado, a Hudson Valley Democrat.

Molinaro was approached about running against Delgado in 2020. He decided not to run for Congress last year.

There will be other factors that could affect Molinaro's decision to run for Congress. New York is expected to lose at least one congressional seat when the districts are redrawn next year.

"These last 12 months have made it perfectly clear that we have had a lot of talk from a lot of politicians," Molinaro said. "We've got bullies. We've had tyrants. We've had lazy folks who don't necessarily want to do much more than collect their government paycheck as elected officials.

"I just think that we need real competence, real compassion and real serious people who will help us learn from what we've experienced, but also ask the question: What's next? How do we take on this challenge that we have? How do we confront the opportunities ahead of us? What do we do next? And what we do next will define us."
The targeted reservoirs are expected to be encountered between 3,000-3,500m measured depth.

( ) shares rose 5% to 4.55p after the spudding of its latest hole in Egypt.

ASD-1X, is a vertical exploration well north-east of the producing Al Jahraa field, targeting the four-way dip-closed Prospect D structure, said house broker Cenkos.

Primary targets are the sandstone reservoirs of the Abu Roash C and E reservoirs, with a secondary target in the Abu Roash G reservoir.

The targeted reservoirs are expected to be encountered between 3,000-3,500m measured depth.

The Abu Roash C and E reservoirs are proven across the Abu Sennan licence, and the Western Desert, with the Al Jahraa-1 discovery having previously tested at a rate of 835bopd from the Abu Roash E reservoir in 2012, says Cenkos.

Whilst the geological chance of success and the prospective resources of the Prospect D target have not been made public, we would expect that the prospect is of relatively low risk (for an exploration well) given it is a four-way dip closed structure close to existing discoveries and the historic 80% success rate on the licence.

The broker adds that United is highly geared towards increases in the oil price, with the current forward curve increasing its 2021 year revenue and closing cash estimates to US$21.3mln and US$4.8mln, respectively.

Shares were 4.55p today and have risen over 50% since the start of February.

United owns a 22% interest in the Abu Sennan licence, which is host to a number of oil and gas fields.
STOCKHOLM, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Crunchfish has created its own cryptocurrency Crunchcoins in an official Ethereum blockchain based test network and integrated it with Crunchfish's Digital Cash with the purpose to showcase cryptocurrency offline payments and interoperability in physical retail.

Digital Cash may be integrated with any of the current payment schemes - card, Real-Time Payment and closed-loop wallets - as well as the payment schemes of tomorrow - Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and cryptocurrencies.

Crunchfish has created its own cryptocurrency Crunchcoins to experiment and showcase that the world's cryptocurrencies may be used in physical retail by integrating Digital Cash in a digital offline wallet. Digital Cash is based on a patent-pending two-tier settlement architecture, first offline at the moment of payment followed by settlement online to move money between accounts. VISA has recently proposed this two-tier architecture for CBDC. The digital offline wallet manages an offline balance, which is locked at a corresponding virtual account at the bank or the payment service to guarantee that enough funds are available at the settlement online. The two-tier settlement architecture enables cryptocurrency with payment services interoperability, cross-scheme and cross-border, and that it may be used within retail in the world.



"Digital Cash with cryptocurrency enables offline payments and payment services interoperability. This creates the possibility for broad scale use of crypto within retail", says Paul Cronholm, Crunchfish's founder and CTO.



Cryptocurrency is a digital currency without any central regulating body where cryptographic methods are used to guarantee transactions with a distributed consensus by blockchains. Bitcoin and Ether from Ethereum are well known examples. Cryptocurrencies have often been used for speculative investments, which has made the exchange rates very volatile.

For more information, please contact:

Joachim Samuelsson, CEO of Crunchfish AB

+46 708 46 47 88

[email protected]



Ulf Rogius Svensson, IR & Marketing Manager

+46 733 26 81 05

[email protected]



Vastra Hamnen Corporate Finance AB is the Certified Adviser. Email: [email protected]. Telephone +46 40 200 250.



This information is information that Crunchfish AB is obliged to publish in accordance to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was provided by the contact person above for publication on March 8, 2021.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/crunchfish/r/digital-cash-enables-cryptocurrency-in-physical-retail,c3301990

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SOURCE Crunchfish
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Avaya Introduces New Devices to Deliver Seamless Workstream Collaboration For Work From Anywhere Environments

Avaya (NYSE:AVYA), a global leader in solutions to enhance and simplify communications and collaboration, today announced new devices designed to significantly improve workstream collaboration. This includes a redesigned Avaya (News - Alert) Vantage K155 with Amazon Alexa built-in, as well as a new Avaya IP Conference Phone B129, and Avaya Huddle Camera HC010.

The Avaya Vantage K155 has been redesigned to deliver a new level of simplicity and productivity for the home office worker, providing a horizontal touch screen and physical keypad. It is integrated with the Avaya Spaces workstream collaboration platform for immersive virtual communications and team collaboration, and extends Avaya's Composable Home Office. Leveraging the Avaya OneCloud portfolio of UCaaS, CCaaS and CPaaS solutions, the Composable Home Office empowers businesses to create personalized and more productive home office experiences for employees and customer service agents.

Avaya Vantage K155 provides a high-definition camera, wideband audio, wireless connection and new "screen shifting" technology to enable new flexibility when participating in a meeting. Content, meeting participants, or both can be shifted to a larger screen based on the meeting dynamics at any given moment. For presenting content, one touch on the Avaya Vantage opens the same meeting on a laptop to enable presentation sharing options.

Avaya has integrated Amazon Alexa into the Avaya Vantage portfolio to provide easy access in the workplace to Alexa capabilities that many are accustomed to using in their home. With Alexa built-in, employees can now ask their Avaya Vantage to dial them into their next meeting or advise them of their calendar for the day -- in addition to numerous other Alexa capabilities. Amazon Alexa is initially available on Avaya Vantage devices in the U.S. and Canada.







"Avaya has enabled thousands of workers to have the same level of productivity in their home office as in the workplace. As we start returning to the business office, the script is flipped - and we need to ensure employees continue to enjoy the same capabilities they are using at home," said Anthony Bartolo (News - Alert) , Avaya EVP and Chief Product Officer. "Amazon Alexa adds to the unique set of building blocks Avaya provides for our users to compose new employee and customer experiences."

Additional new devices include:

Avaya IP Conference Phone (News - Alert) B129, supporting meetings of up to 12 participants with Avaya OmniSound technology. It uses four microphones, beam forming technology, Bluetooth and USB connectivity to elevate any meeting and workstream collaboration experience.

The latest Avaya USB camera - the Avaya Huddle Camera HC010 provides a very cost-effective High-Definition camera option with 4X digital zoom, for professional quality video.

These new devices are available with the Avaya Device as a Service (DaaS) offering making them widely available with a small monthly fee.

Additional Resources

About Avaya

Businesses are built by the experiences they provide, and everyday millions of those experiences are delivered by Avaya Holdings Corp. (NYSE: AVYA). Avaya is shaping what's next for the future of work, with innovation and partnerships that deliver game-changing business benefits. Our cloud communications solutions and multi-cloud application ecosystem power personalized, intelligent, and effortless customer and employee experiences to help achieve strategic ambitions and desired outcomes. Together, we are committed to help grow your business by delivering Experiences that Matter. Learn more at http://www.avaya.com/

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains certain "forward-looking statements." All statements other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking" statements for purposes of the U.S. federal and state securities laws. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "our vision," "plan," "potential," "preliminary," "predict," "should," "will," or "would" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While the Company believes these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond its control. The factors are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC (News - Alert) ") available at www.sec.gov, and may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The Company cautions you that the list of important factors included in the Company's SEC filings may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release may not in fact occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

All trademarks identified by , TM, or SM are registered marks, trademarks, and service marks, respectively, of Avaya Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Source (News - Alert) : Avaya Newsroom

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005079/en/
The White Sox probably wont make any more additions before Opening Day, general manager Rick Hahn told Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. While Hahn cautioned the front office would never foreclose the possibility of another pickup, it seems theyre content with the group of players already in the organization. We still have conversations outside to see if theres a move that makes sense, but the far more likely result is the 26 we break with are from the group thats in camp, Hahn said.

Some more from the American League:
The contraption we bring you today also looks like an amphicar , but comes with a very surprising twist. Its a powerboat made by JetCar Turkiye, a Turkey-based company that seems to be churning them out by the half-dozens and then offering them for demos in Antalya. The name probably doesn't ring a bell, but one of their creations made headlines before, when a GIF went viral in May 2020.Available at the bottom of the page are the latest videos posted to the companys official Instagram.Whether JetCar Turkiye is offering these incredible vehicles for sale or rent is a big mystery right now, one that will hopefully be solved if they reply to our inquiries. In the meantime, we can only look and be amazed at the incredible attention to detail in crafting these powerboats that look exactly like real cars.The one in the videos (hat tip to CarScoops ) is a near dead-ringer for a C7 Corvette. While most of the stuff on the body is not functional, starting from the doors and ending with the wheels, you can tell that a lot of effort went into making this a convincing replica, if "replica" is even the right term in this circumstance. This isnt just a lame attempt to make a boat look like a car, but a considerable effort to make the two similar.As you can see, in motion, that impression is enforced even more, to the point where, from a distance, you could probably swear you saw a guy doing donuts in his Vette out on the water.JetCar Turkiye is equally ungenerous with details on the official website, though it seems to be very active on social media. In one of the videos, the C7 replica/fake car-boat is described as the Seado 260 hp jetcar, which seems to indicate a Seadoo speedboat is the basis, topped with the fake Vette body.
JOENSUU, Finland, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Rokote Laboratories Finland Ltd., a newly-founded academic spin-out based in Finland is working to develop and introduce to the markets a nasal spray vaccine against COVID. The vaccine is based on research carried out at the University of Helsinki and the University of Eastern Finland.

The vaccine uses gene transfer technology developed at the University of Eastern Finland by Academy Professor Seppo Yla-Herttuala's research group, and the technology has already been successfully used in several clinical trials using gene therapy to treat cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The vaccine uses a safe adenovirus carrier that contains a cloned DNA strand, which causes nasopharyngeal cells to produce the virus protein which, in turn, produces a response to the vaccine. There is no actual SARS-CoV-2 virus in the vaccine. Preliminary results show that the vaccine has performed well in animal studies, and clinical testing in humans will start within a few months.

Nasal delivery was chosen as the new vaccine's method of administration because the virus is also naturally transmitted through the airways. Indeed, nasal administration seems to induce a wider immune response than intramuscular administration.

"Vaccines injected intramuscularly produce IgG antibodies in the bloodstream, but nasal vaccines also produce an IgA response that protects mucous membranes. We assume that this can also prevent those who have received the vaccine from transmitting the virus," Academy Professor Seppo Yla-Herttuala from the University of Eastern Finland says.

According to him, the currently ongoing vaccination programmes do not eliminate the need for new vaccines, as new variants are expected to cause new waves of infection.



"Even if we were able to vaccinate the entire population, at least people in medical risk groups will still need new vaccines against new variants in the upcoming years. The vaccines currently in use provide a clearly lower protection against the South African variant, which will likely be the dominant virus in the next wave. Our vaccine already takes into account the most important variants, i.e. the South African, Brazilian and the UK one. There will certainly be a demand for this type of vaccine," says Professor of Virology Kalle Saksela from the University of Helsinki.

The company will carry out the first clinical vaccine trials in Finland. In Kuopio, there is already the commercial technology needed to produce the vaccine.

The founders and board members of Rokote Laboratories Finland Ltd. are the vaccine developers Academy Professor Seppo Yla-Herttuala from the University of Eastern Finland, Professor Kalle Saksela and Professor Kari Alitalo from the University of Helsinki, and Mr Pasi Kemppainen, MSc (Techn.). The University of Helsinki and the University of Eastern Finland are also co-founders of, and shareholders in, the company.

According to Mr Kemppainen, the company is now negotiating on funding to ensure further development of the vaccine and its moving towards clinical trials. After being granted a marketing authorisation, the vaccine could ensure Finnish and European security of supply, and vaccine self-sufficiency.

"The vaccine can be manufactured in considerable quantities here in Kuopio and, in the long term, it can also be licensed outside Europe. The current focus is, of course, on the COVID vaccine, but the same method can also be used to develop vaccines against other viruses," Mr Kemppainen says.

For further information, please contact:

Academy Professor Seppo Yla-Herttuala

University of Eastern Finland

tel. +358 40 355 2075

seppo.ylaherttuala(at)uef.fi

Professor Kalle Saksela

University of Helsinki

tel. +358 294126770

kalle.saksela(at)helsinki.fi

Pasi Kemppainen

Rokote Laboratories Finland Ltd.

pasi(at)rokote.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/university-of-eastern-finland/r/finnish-researchers-introduce-a-nasal-covid-vaccine,c3301696

The following files are available for download:

https://news.cision.com/university-of-eastern-finland/i/a-vaccine-produced-in-a-bioreactor-goes-under-further-processing-in-a-sterile-laminar-flow-cabinet--,c2885714 A vaccine produced in a bioreactor goes under further processing in a sterile laminar flow cabinet. The photo is from the National Virus Vector Laboratory at the A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular

SOURCE University of Eastern Finland
WASHINGTON - The promise was clear and hopeful: With strong public health measures, President-elect Joe Biden declared in early December, "the majority of our schools can be open by the end of my first 100 days."

The reality has been far more complicated.

First came the clarification on Biden's first full day as president, when the administration released a 200-page coronavirus response plan that explained that the schools reopening schedule included only K-8 schools - not high schools - in those first 100 days.

Then came a walk-back from White House press secretary Jen Psaki, who said the administration's goal was only to have the majority of schools back in classrooms "at least one day a week."

And finally came Biden's walk-back of the walk-back in a CNN town hall, in which he described the one-day-a-week standard as a "mistake in the communication," and said he still expected to be "close" to opening the majority of K-8 schools five days a week by April 30 - the end of his first 100 days in office.

The shifting messages on school reopenings illustrate the administration's ongoing struggle to meet one of Biden's central promises - and to get as many of the nation's children as possible back in classrooms as soon as possible.

Unlike many of his other vows and directives - pledging 100 million coronavirus vaccine doses in his first 100 days or mandating that all Americans wear masks on federal property - reopening schools is a daunting task over which the federal government has little authority. Local and district leaders, and sometimes state officials, control how and when schools reopen, with guidance from Biden and his team on the margins.

Dan Domenech, executive director of AASA, the School Superintendents Association, said the Biden team did not consult his group before setting its reopening goal. Domenech said had he been asked, "my recommendation would have been don't put yourself out in terms of promises you might not be able to keep."

"Most people don't understand when it comes to a school district, the federal government and even the state government have little power over them," he said, adding that his concern is that Biden is "raising expectations that cannot be met."

And another deadline looms: the start of next school year in August, when the public may prove less forgiving if children are forced into a third consecutive year of disrupted learning.

"If the next school year doesn't look more familiar, then that's going to be a big problem," said David Griffith, the senior director of advocacy and government relations for the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Griffin said that although Biden and his team cannot control when schools open, the president can create the conditions for it. "If those conditions aren't there, that is going to be on them," he said.

Last week, the Biden administration logged meaningful progress. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona laid out his five-point plan in USA Today, promising to gather experts for a reopening summit later this month. And in the early morning hours of Saturday, the Senate cleared a coronavirus relief package that included nearly $130 billion to help K-12 schools manage and recover from the pandemic.

"If we can continue as a country to follow those mitigation strategies that we know work, and we can control the spread of covid-19, I do anticipate that we can continue to see more and more students in school," Cardona said in an interview with The Washington Post. "I do anticipate that, come the fall, if the progress that we're making now continues, that we're going to be seeing a school that looks more similar to what we were before the pandemic."

His agency plans a second guidance document with "best practices" on school reopening, Cardona said. Webinars are planned to amplify the message across the country.

And later this spring, the administration is preparing to open testing hubs to oversee expanded coronavirus testing, including at K-8 schools.

Biden also announced Tuesday that coronavirus vaccines would be offered directly to educators and child-care workers, promising that they could all get at least the first dose by the end of March.

On Wednesday, first lady Jill Biden, a community college English professor, joined Cardona on a trip to an elementary school in Meriden, Conn. - where Cardona grew up and began his teaching career - and to a middle school in Waterford, Pa. Advisers are discussing sending Biden to visit an open school, a senior administration official said.

In Meriden, the first lady quipped that Cardona's homecoming had been "a lovefest," adding, "Now our nation is going to have that love for you."

- - -

Some Biden officials had long contended that getting teachers vaccinated would be key to reopening schools - but there were a host of competing constituencies to manage in navigating the larger debate.

Teachers unions, longtime Democratic allies, have been cautious and hesitant in returning to schools. And parents and students are hardly monolithic in their views: Some families want their children back full time in classrooms as quickly as possible, while others - especially in Black and Hispanic communities that have borne the brunt of the pandemic's devastation - are reluctant to send their children back while virus risks remain.

During the transition, the teacher vaccination idea was nixed by Biden's public health advisers, who argued that the imperative was to stem deaths and ease pressure on the country's overwhelmed hospitals. The priority, they reasoned, had to be vaccinating the elderly, who were most likely to become very sick and die.

The administration also tussled with teachers unions over its vaccine recommendations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last month that although teachers should be prioritized for vaccination, they can still go back to school if they're not vaccinated. That upset some teachers and their unions, and White House officials avoided saying whether they agreed with the CDC recommendation. In the end, they backed the CDC.

As more vaccines became available - and the Johnson & Johnson one-shot dose was readied for Food and Drug Administration emergency authorization - administration officials revisited the idea of using their federal authority to push teachers and other school workers to the front of the line.

"Let's treat in-person learning like an essential service that it is," Biden said Tuesday, announcing the new policy in the White House State Dining Room. "And that means getting essential workers who provide that service - educators, school staff, child-care workers - get them vaccinated immediately. They're essential workers."

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a Democratic Biden ally who had suggested to administration officials prioritizing teachers, said the new directive is an encouraging step.

"Nobody should have an excuse not to open schools, and nobody should feel unsafe when we do," he said.

- - -

When they spoke in December, Randi Weingarten - president of the American Federation of Teachers and a longtime Democratic operative - had a pointed message for Rochelle Walensky, then the incoming director of the CDC: The administration had one chance to get the guidance for school openings right.

"The last CDC director so messed this up and so undermined the credibility of the CDC that you really have one shot to get this right and to be a credible scientist leading the CDC," Weingarten said she told Walensky.

When the CDC released its guidance in mid-February, Weingarten was pleased with parts and disappointed with others. She thought, for instance, there should have been more emphasis on coronavirus testing in schools and on proper ventilation. But she said she appreciated the science-based blueprint and was eager to promote the agency's work.

Under President Donald Trump, the agency had become a political punching bag and frequent target of the president's ire, while Trump appointees had interfered with CDC guidance for schools.

The Biden White House initially had planned to release the schools guidance alongside the CDC, but it nixed the plan because "it would look too political," said one administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to avoid angering the White House.

In the end, the guidelines may have slowed down school openings more than sped them up. The document recommended that communities with high levels of virus transmission operate school remotely or on a part-time schedule - known as a hybrid - with reduced numbers of students in the building at any given time. Under the CDC's rubric, that included most of the country.

"It was a chance to clear up a lot of confusion, and I think it had the opposite effect," said Joseph G. Allen, an associate professor at the Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Some groups that have been in touch with the administration say they are pleased with the guidance.

"They don't control the science, they don't control the virus, and they don't control the local school districts," said Elaine Auld, executive director of the Society for Public Health Education. "So, it would be egregious to point a finger at the administration and say, 'You didn't solve my problem,' when the solution is not necessarily in their hands."

- - -

Biden outlined three specific coronavirus-related goals for his first 100 days in office - distributing 100 million vaccine doses, urging a 100-day mask mandate and opening the majority of K-8 schools. Of the three, only the schools plan was largely out of the federal government's control, but top advisers saw the school pledge as necessary and the trio as intertwined.

"If we do these things, then we can take a huge step toward what people would think of as normal," said Anita Dunn, a senior Biden adviser. "But you need to do these things in concert with each other. Schools can't just magically reopen, vaccines aren't going to magically get into people's arms. We actually need a plan."

Others close to the administration said the plan for schools reopening was a little more nebulous than the others. "It was partly thought through" when Biden announced it on Dec. 8, said one official familiar with the conversations, speaking on the condition of anonymity to share a candid assessment, but "not all the way."

Many praised the administration for its aspiration. "The goal of reopening schools was an ambitious one, and I applaud them for putting that down as a goal they wanted to reach," said Nina Rees, president of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, a Republican-leaning group.

But reopening schools quickly became a moving target even for Biden administration officials, who offered shifting and sometimes conflicting public statements on the objective.

A key question was whether hybrid systems would count as open or whether a school needed to be physically open to all students five days a week to be counted in Biden's tally. If hybrid systems were included, the goal probably was met before Biden took office. But opening schools fully would be hard, especially given the CDC recommendation against it.

After some gyrations - including the back-and-forth between Psaki and Biden - the White House decided school buildings need to be available to all students five days a week to be considered "open."

Allen, the Harvard professor, said the changing explanations confused many. "The administration so far has not done a good job on messaging around schools," he said. "Schools are confused, parents are confused, and this country still doesn't have a clear plan on how to get kids back."

Dunn said the initial tweaks to the goal were a reflection of the fast-moving virus and evolving circumstances, but Republicans seized on the issue as a political one and are declaring the effort a failure.

Last month, the Republican National Committee tweeted that although Biden had promised to reopen most schools within his 100 days, "all he has done so far is put special interests ahead of our students." And on Thursday, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., brandished a fake oversize report card for Biden with a large F circled in red at a news conference and claimed the president was a pawn of the teachers unions.

"If you were to grade Joe Biden's abilities to keep his promises of opening schools, Joe Biden's report card - he deserves an F," Barrasso said. "He promised that he would have the schools open all across America within 100 days, and he's failed and we're halfway there."

Tracking from Burbio, a data firm, found that as of last week, about 47% of K-12 students were in fully open traditional schools and 23.7% were in all-remote schools. The remaining 29.4% were in hybrid systems.

Another challenge was the lack of a clear Biden administration point person tasked solely with helping to open schools. The Post spoke with more than 30 education and public health groups in touch with the administration on the issue, and many remained unclear who was overseeing schools reopening. One top ally said health officials, rather than education officials, seemed to be taking the lead.

White House officials said that Cardona, confirmed last week, is the administration's point person focused full time on reopening schools, but that he probably will appoint a deputy to help.

Rahm Emanuel, who was chief of staff under President Barack Obama and is close to many in the Biden administration, said the White House made progress on meeting its goal, substantively and symbolically, over the past week.

"The Republicans were upfront that they wanted to use school closings as a way to make gains in the suburbs, and the Biden administration in a one-two-three did a great job of checkmating that issue - secretary of education confirmed; vaccine priorities for teachers; and Dr. Jill Biden, the teacher greeting parents, students and teachers at a school in Connecticut," Emanuel said.

On Thursday, Psaki declined to offer a new schools goal for the fall. When asked whether families should expect that their children will return to a more traditional classroom setting five days a week at the start of the new school year, she offered an optimistic note.

"That certainly is our hope and our objective," Psaki said.

- - -

The Washington Post's Lena H. Sun contributed to this report.
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Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 21:22:21|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on May 29, 2018 shows a highway outside Wangbao Village of Henandian Township in Shexian County, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Wang Xiao)

- China observers in the United States have highlighted the Asian country's determination to pursue high-quality growth and sustainable development in the coming years.

- China's goals for 2021 and the draft blueprint for economic and social development over the next five years "are impressive."

WASHINGTON, March 7 (Xinhua) -- China observers in the United States have highlighted the Asian country's determination to pursue high-quality growth and sustainable development in the coming years, as demonstrated in the government work report recently delivered by Premier Li Keqiang.

The goals for 2021 and the draft blueprint for economic and social development over the next five years "are impressive," Jeffrey Sachs, an economics professor at Columbia University and a senior United Nations advisor, told Xinhua, commenting on the report delivered at the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress.

"They aim for sustainable development, based on reduced pollution, resource efficiency, scientific and technological advance, expanded education, and improved quality of life," said Sachs, director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University.

A vehicle runs across a wind power plant in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 18, 2018. (Xinhua/Zhao Ge)

"I hope that other countries carefully study the government's program. It gives lots of good ideas about organizing a comprehensive sustainable development program," said the economist.

Calling it "a very impressive report" both in the accomplishments of 2020 and the aims of 2021, Sachs underscored China's success in containing the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining economic growth, exploring space, ending poverty, fighting pollution and advancing technology last year.

Tianlei Huang, a research fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said the report shows that the leadership is "committed to pursuing high-quality development."

"The Chinese economy was the only major economy in the world that expanded in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. But the leadership has remained clearheaded about the uncertainty and risks out there both domestically and internationally," Huang told Xinhua.

Noting that the consensus projection for China's economic growth in 2021 is higher than its growth target, Huang said the annual growth goal of above 6 percent in the report shows that the government intends to lay emphasis on the quality of development.

Huang also noted that the report reiterated China's commitment to a higher level of economic opening up through further market access and more open investment policies.

Photo taken on Dec. 23, 2020 shows the packing line for inactivated COVID-19 vaccine of Sinovac Biotech, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

Sachs, meanwhile, suggested that China boost efforts on two international priorities in 2021: large-scale production of China's vaccines for worldwide use, and large-scale deployment of renewable energy in the Belt and Road Initiative projects.

Greg Cusack, a former member of the Iowa House of Representatives, told Xinhua that he read the premier's "excellent report" with considerable interest, calling it "coherent and substantive."

Chinese nationals "must be -- and, indeed, deserve to be" -- very proud of the substantial achievements of the government, Cusack said.

"So many good and decent things have been accomplished in such a short time, which is an occasion for pride by all of us, wherever we live, since it represents what we can do when we unite behind common purposes," he said. 
The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost.
She said last week that her children were not looking forward to going back to school on Monday when pupils returned to the classroom.

But Kate Garraway appeared to be quite thrilled with the return as she had a big smile on her face when she made her way to the Global Radio Studios in London.

The Good Morning Britain presenter, 53, flashed a grin and a wave as she sported a calf-length brown padded jacket to head to her Smooth radio show .

Good spirits: Kate Garraway had a big smile on her face outside the Global Radio Studios on Monday as her children returned to the classroom after a long homeschooling stint

Smiling: The Good Morning Britain presenter, 53, continued to put a brave face on things despite her husband Derek Draper's continued health woes

She was seen arriving at the studio on a motorbike and sporting a helmet and black jacket, before she walked into the building for her morning show.

Kate gave a cheery wave as she showed off her slender legs in a short black dress with a large bow detail at the neck.

The mother Darcey, 14, and William, 11, added height to her petite frame with a pair of khaki ankle boots and added a pair of tights to her ensemble.

She beamed as she pulled a small suitcase behind her and draped a blue lanyard round her neck.

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 (pictured)

Kate's husband Derek Draper, 53, remains in intensive care nearly a year after he was first admitted to hospital with coronavirus.

She said on Friday her two children were not looking forward to going back to school after months of homeschooling.

Ben said: 'It is the last day, Kate Garraway, 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!

Transport: The mother-of-two was seen arriving at the studio on a motorbike and sporting a helmet and black jacket, before she walked into the building for her morning show

'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!"'

Last week, Kate also revealed on Good Morning Britain that she has been targeted by cruel scammers, who are sending her messages pretending to be from the NHS.

Cheery: Kate gave a cheery wave as she showed off her slender legs in a short black dress with a large bow detail at the neck which she paired with khaki ankle boots

She questioned Dr Amir Khan on if it was really the NHS sending messages warning people about Covid variants discovered in their area.

'I have and I just wanted to check with you if this is likely to be real or not, I've noticed increasingly more on local WhatsApp groups and indeed on the Internet generally.'

Kate continued: 'I am getting messages that look like they're from the NHS, saying things like: "The South African variant has been discovered in your area, take extra care".

'Is it likely that the NHS is doing that? It looks like it is, but there's also something about it that doesn't look official as well.

Targeted: Kate revealed on Good Morning Britain last week that she has been targeted by cruel scammers, who are sending her messages pretending to be from the NHS

'Have you noticed this happening? Can you confirm if this is real or not? Or is it part of the spamming that's going on?'.

Dr Amir replied: 'I'll be honest with you, Kate. I haven't heard about this and I work closely with the NHS and in public health campaigns.

'I've not been made aware of such a messaging services so I would stay be mindful of unsolicited messages like that.'

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.

Derek has regained minimal consciousness from his medically induced coma.

In September, he 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'.
On International Womens Day, Leah Sharibus parents are renewing pressure on Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to secure their daughters release from Islamic extremists after nearly 300 recently kidnapped schoolgirls were released last week.

Rebecca and Nathan Sharibu released an open letter to Buhari published by Nigerian media Monday morning. Their daughter has been held captive for three years after being abducted by Boko Haram terrorists from her school in northeast Nigeria in 2018.

Mr. President, you have promised me on the phone that my daughter will soon be [released] because negotiations are going on and not long Leah will be returned home but it has been over two years since you made that promise and Leah is now three years in captivity, the Sharibus wrote.

The Christian Post obtained a copy of the open letter from Dede Laugesen of Save the Persecuted Christians. The letter was released by Gloria Puldu, executive director of the Leah Foundation.

Source:The Christian Post
WESTPORT  Though its winter season winds down on Thursday, the Westport Farmers Market continues to blossom as both a community gathering place and a conscious choice for meeting ones food needs.

For me, Im pretty reflective at the moment about what this past year has meant, said Lori Cochran-Dougall, the markets executive director.

She and her organization stepped up to open the market last spring, despite the pandemic and its inherent restrictions, to great success.

Their work also gained national recognition. American Farmland Trust named it the best farmers market in Connecticut, the 10th best in the Northeast and 26th best in the country for 2020. The market had previously ranked high in the annual competition, including a third place finish for Connecticut in 2019.

And while they recognize the value theyve brought to the community as a mainstay during a harrowing year, Cochran-Dougall said they also understand the importance of some much-needed rejuvenation before reopening May 13.

We realized it was important for us to close and get ourselves ready for the next season, she said.

To celebrate its last day of the winter months, the market will offer some unique events on Thursday, including a food drive to benefit both the Gillespie Center and ,food bank.

All non-perishable food items are welcome, Cochran-Dougall said.

For our last day we have historically done a celebration with live music and adult beverages, she said, but this year  following the epidemic of need and devastation experienced by many people  they decided to have an event geared toward helping others.

Some different scheduled activities will include educational demonstrations from two Staples High School siblings, Jesse and Sefra Levin, who will present material relating to their new business centered on preparedness and related skills.

The market will also introduce a woman kelp farmer, who will be joining market in the summer as vendor.

Im beyond excited for our next line-up, Cochran-Dougall said, with 30 permanent vendors in place each week, along with a rotating group of a couple dozen.

We have the strictest guidelines in the state, she said of the requirements that have helped make it a sought-after market for customers and vendors alike. Each vendor must produce their own foods, or in the case of prepared items, include at least one locally sourced item.

When we open this spring we will be 98 percent plastic free, she said, noting that the remaining two percent involves items maintained by the state health department for safety.

Orna Stern, a Westport resident, said shes thrilled to see how far the market has come in 15 years. She helped start the original market in 2006 when is was at the back of The Westport Playhouse with the aid of activist and resident Paul Newman.

Its really incredible to me how every year it grows, Stern said. Its a great feeling in your heart.

She noted how amazing it was to see the market striving especially during the pandemic, which clearly demonstrated a need within the community.

Its always busy, which means Westport needed something like this, she said. Westport was craving it.

The market is not only popular with its patrons, but the vendors themselves, who place great value on it.

We just always like Westport, even as a consumer, said Mackenzie Brant, a farm worker with Roxbury-based Riverbank Farm, which was one of its original vendors 15 years ago.

Christopher Lea of The SoNo Bakery Company, another original vendor, agreed.

Its a really great privilege to come here and even to work here, Lea said.

He said the focus on limiting waste, on real organic products and on general high quality make it an important place for people who not only care about health and quality, but see the far-reaching value of supporting a local economy.

And its nice to meet the people youre getting your food from, he said.
By Jonathan Allen

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - The trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd was delayed until at least Tuesday morning as the judge contended with a last-minute order by a higher court to reconsider adding an additional murder charge.

The trial had been scheduled to begin on Monday with the screening of jurors to weigh murder and manslaughter charges in a case seen as a referendum on police violence against Black Americans. Chauvin appeared in court dressed in a navy blue suit and tie, a white shirt and a black face mask, jotting notes in a yellow legal pad on the table before him.

Judge Peter Cahill of the Hennepin County district court has set aside three weeks for jury selection alone, mindful of the difficulties finding impartial Minneapolitans in a case that has convulsed a nation and in which an image of the victim  a selfie of Floyd faintly smiling  has become an international icon of racial justice.

But that was delayed at the urging of prosecutors after the Minnesota Court of Appeals told Cahill in an order issued on Friday he must reconsider prosecutors' request to also reinstate a third charge, third-degree murder, over the defendant's objections.

Eric Nelson, Chauvin's lead lawyer, told the court on Monday morning that Chauvin would soon ask the Minnesota Supreme Court to overturn Friday's order, a process that could take weeks, although he saw no reason for that to delay jury selection.

But prosecutors from the Minnesota attorney general's office urged the court to delay the trial's start until the appeal was resolved.

"We're not doing this to interfere, to slow this down, but it is a very important matter," Matthew Frank, an assistant attorney general, told the court. Prosecutors feared picking a jury when the number of charges was still unresolved could make it easier for Chauvin to appeal a verdict later, Frank said.

Story continues

Cahill declined.

"Unless the Court of Appeals tells me otherwise, we're going to keep going," the judge said.

Prosecutors asked the Appeals Court to intervene to delay the trial, and so Cahill suspended jury selection until at least Tuesday.

Chauvin, 44, is charged with second-degree murder, which carries a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, and manslaughter.

He was released from jail on a $1 million bond last October and will be tried in a courtroom in the Hennepin County Government Center, a tower in downtown Minneapolis now ringed with fencing and concrete barricades for fear of disruption by protesters.

Hundreds of anti-racism protesters chanted in the streets around the courthouse, blocking traffic. They scattered flowers on the tarmac, along with mirrors smeared with fake blood and daubed with slogans asking passers-by to "reflect" on Floyd's death. A few volunteers set up tables, handing out donated coffee and donuts. A small number of soldiers called in from the Minnesota National Guard watched from a distance.

The courtroom has been adapted to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, and Cahill has sharply limited attendance inside: the families of Chauvin and Floyd have each been allocated a single seat inside the courtroom.

Bridgett Floyd, George Floyd's sister and founder of the George Floyd Memorial Foundation, went inside for the first day.

"I sat in the courtroom today and looked at the officer who took my brother's life," she told reporters outside afterwards, saying she implored both police and civilians to eschew violence. "I just really wanted the officer to know how much love Floyd had." She told reporters that some family members had always called him Floyd instead of George.

No one took the seat reserved for Chauvin's family, according to a pool reporter inside the courtroom.

Lawyers for Chauvin, who was fired from the police force the day after Floyd's death, have argued that he correctly followed his training in helping colleagues arrest Floyd on suspicion of using a counterfeit $20 bill at the Cup Foods grocery store. A handcuffed Floyd can be seen in videos struggling against being placed in a police vehicle complaining he has claustrophobia.

The medical examiner ruled that Floyd's death was a homicide caused partly by police restraint holds. But the autopsy report also noted that Floyd had recently ingested the opioid fentanyl, and Chauvin's lawyers contend that an overdose was the main cause of death.

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen in Minneapolis; Editing by Steve Orlofsky and Grant McCool)
As many as 23.21 crore Indian women are the beneficiary of the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) account, the union finance ministry informed on Monday on the occasion of international women's day. The ministry added that in the past seven years, it launched various schemes such as Stand Up India, Mudra Yojana, among others, which have special provisions for empowerment of women.

The PMJDY was launched on August 28, 2015, which envisages universal access to banking facilities with at least one basic banking account for every household. There are a total of 41.93 crore beneficiaries of the PMJDY scheme and women account for 55.3 per cent of the total beneficiaries.

In another Centre's scheme called Stand Up India, more than 81 per cent of account holders are women. According to the union finance ministry, 91,109 women entrepreneurs have been sanctioned Rs 20,749 crore under the Stand Up India scheme.

On the other hand, under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY), 68 per cent, that is, 19.04 crore accounts with an amount of Rs 6.36 lakh crore were sanctioned to women until February 26, 2021. The Mudra scheme provides loans up to 10 lakh to non-corporate, non-farm small or micro-enterprises.

Stand Up India Scheme was launched on 5 April 2016 to promote entrepreneurship at the grass-root level.

The Stand Up India facilitates bank loans between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore to at least one Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) borrower and at least one-woman borrower per bank branch for setting up a Greenfield enterprise.

Separately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed women entrepreneurs of the country on Twitter on Monday. The PM wrote, "Women are playing a leading role in India's quest to become Aatmanirbhar. On International Women's Day, let us commit to encouraging entrepreneurship among women".

The PM also shared details of a range of products that "celebrate women enterprise and India's culture".

Also read: World's largest e-scooter plant: Bhavish Aggarwal shares video, visuals of Ola Future Factory

Also read: Paytm ad on financial literacy gap between men, women hits the right chord with Twitterati
Bankrupt coal company Blackjewel was ordered by a federal judge last month to clean up a Kentucky mine site.

In a bankruptcy court ruling, Judge Benjamin Kahn said the Bell County site presented a potential threat and ordered Blackjewel to excavate and treat coal mining ponds until the company is allowed to abandon them, the Courier Journal reported.

The state had argued the mine presented an imminent danger, which the judge rejected. Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet inspectors found coal mining ponds this year that were overfull, contained high levels of iron and manganese and could breach at any time. Officials argued that threatened drinking water, a state highway, a railroad and the environment.

Scott Kane, a lawyer for Blackjewel, said the company was working to mitigate the problem.

Topics Training Development Kentucky Mining
Erin McGreehan fights for an inclusive and equitable society as a senator working on behalf of minorities within our community and people with disabilities.

The busy mum of four young boys was elected in May of 2019 on her first election campaign to Louth County Council and in June 2020 was nominated to the Seanad.

Senator McGreehan said: As long as I can remember, I have been involved and interested in politics and consumed by political debates and public affairs.

I come from a politically engaged household and a politically active one you could say.

None of my family ever ran for elected office, however, they were all very interested and there is a long history of my familys association with Fianna Fail which goes back to the origins of the state and the origins of Fianna Fail.

Senator McGreehan, from Castletowncooley, said that the world that she lived in led her to the path of politics.

Living here in the border region and being acutely aware of the realities of the Troubles, shs said.

The notifications of bomb scares, going to Newry and being stopped and questioned by the British Army when you were going to do a little bit of shopping, that was the reality.

Then when I would listen to the news and look at what violence did to my own community and how it tore it apart, that really put a focus on me of how politics, how positive political activism and how through political dialogue you can achieve almost the impossible and the impossible was peace.

I never thought it was ever possible.

However, through the Good Friday Agreement, I saw how the art of politics changes lives, saves lives and makes for basically a better country and it has changed my life.

Politics has made me want to be an activist. It has allowed me to know that change is possible by working away, by grafting away, by speaking to different people, you can make a change.

It is about dialogue and listening to different views.

The Fianna Fail politician said people inspire her to do what she does.

What people achieve against all odds inspires me. How against the greatest of adversity people can rise up.

But they rise up by being positive, by working with people, by accepting differences, by negotiating and working hard.

It is my responsibility now as a public representative to help create an equitable country.

To make it that people do not have to fight for what they want.

The Disability Matters Committee in the Oireachtas is one the ways in which I fight for an inclusive and equitable society and community.

She advised young women who want to get into politics to just do it.

She said: Politics is not a normal career. It is a vocation in a way and if you want policies that are fair and progressive you need your Oireachtas to reflect that. Government needs to reflect society.

People from all walks of life, all sexes, people with disabilities, from different ethnic backgrounds should all be encouraged to partake in every aspect and layer of our community.

Politics is not an easy career to go into.

It can be quite lonely and can be isolating. It can be the most exhilarating, invigorating, exciting time.

It can be very challenging; however, it is the most worthwhile job that I have ever decided to do.

I have always wanted to be where I am today. Ever since I was a little girl. For someone whose dreams have come true, I think Im incredibly lucky.

She said being elected to Louth County Council as a councillor in May 2019 was her first step in pushing for change.

Since then I became a Senator in the Oireachtas and I will forever focus my efforts on disability and the marginalised.

I am constantly pushing for a more inclusive society that allows everyone a fair and equal opportunity in our country.

It is the reason that I ran for election as a Councillor and I will work everyday to lobby to reduce the barriers for all to live in a fairer society.
De La Salle North Catholic High School didnt have a Black Student Union. So TreNisha Shearer decided to start one.

Shes also a student council member, a student ambassador and senior class representative. And with a group of friends, she organized an African American read-in for Black History Month.

For those and other achievements, Shearer, 17, won the Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metros 2021 Youth of the Year for the second year in a row. The award comes with a $1,000 scholarship, which she said is definitely going to go towards college.

She will go on to compete for the Oregon Youth of the Year title in mid-April, but shes unfazed.

Ive gotten much better at these Zoom speeches and stuff, she told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Shearer grew up in North Portlands New Columbia neighborhood, surrounded by people who went to the same school  Rosa Parks Elementary  and neighbors who were also close friends.

She lives with her mom, three siblings, terrier-chihuahua mix Boujie and a bunny named Cookie Monster.

The dedicated high schooler has been involved with the Regency Boys & Girls Club since kindergarten. Its in the same building as Rosa Parks, so she started going there every day after school and hasnt stopped since.

Its really made me who I am, she said.

Over the years, Shearer has volunteered extensively with the group  helping at the Childrens Museum, making lunches for people who are homeless or doing whatever the community needs help with. Shearer said she met her best friend, Luvenia, at the club as well.

Theyve brought me closer to people in my own community, she said.

Last summer, she created a short film, Black til its Backwards, while participating in the Virtual Youth Media Academy hosted by The Representation Project, a non-profit focused on documentary film and activism.

The film includes Shearer reciting a poem she wrote for the African American read-in she hosted last year. It brought some who watched it, including her childhood mental health counselor, Nicole McMullin, to tears.

It was really moving and extremely well-done in its simplicity and just speaks for her community, said McMullin, who has known Shearer since she was 7.

Shearer said she was inspired to write the poem after seeing many of her friends posting on Snapchat about incarcerated friends and family.

Theres always racial injustice in the world, you know, and theres always people of color getting locked up for anything, really, Shearer said. In Black History Month, in February 2020, I was just really noticing an increase in the amount of people who were posting that someone in their life had been locked up.

Shearer decided to organize an African American read-in with a group of friends after noticing that her school, which has a large proportion of Black students, did not have events planned despite the months special designation, she said.

Her sophomore English teacher, Marie Argento, helped organize the event, which was hosted at De La Salle as part of a nationwide initiative by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English.

Argento said Shearer was quiet and thoughtful and a great writer.

She just was sort of beyond her years in terms of her maturity and level of understanding of literature, she said.

In addition to her extensive involvement with school activities and the Boys & Girls Club, Shearer has worked as a teachers assistant at St. Clare preschool and an office assistant at the advertising agency Wieden + Kennedy as part of De La Salles corporate work study program once a week.

Her older sister, Teya Shearer, also won Youth of the Year in 2018 and 2019 and was a big role model for her, Shearer said, as well as everyone else she met growing up in the Boys & Girls Club.

Now, Shearer hopes to be that role model for someone else.

I definitely want to provide guidance to the younger people of color in the world, she said. I want to give an example of being able to do something that maybe they wouldnt see themselves doing.

She hopes to attend Georgia State University and study something related to business and entrepreneurship. Shes been keeping busy during the pandemic, delving deeper into filmmaking and continuing to be involved with activities at school and the Boys & Girls Club.

I just want to do something that contributes back, she said.

-- Jaimie Ding

jding@oregonian.com; 503-221-4395; @j_dingdingding
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From an early age we had been seen women in the role of a mother busy in the kitchen whipping up the perfect meal for her family, a docile wife dependant on her husband for a secure financial future, a sister looking up to her brother for protection or a daughter being groomed to follow her mothers footsteps. This, we saw in our daily lives and also reflected in our films and brand communication.

Not any more.

Today, we see detergent brands urging husbands and sons to share the laundry and household chores load, a noodle brand showcasing a mother preparing her son to be adept in kitchen work as well, jewellery brands that celebrate different facets of womanhood, brands breaking through the period taboo and many, many more examples.

From portraying women either in traditional roles or as arm candy in some really regressive deo/ innerwear/ umpteen other ads, brands today are giving a more empowering message when it comes to depicting women in ads, and also while addressing the women TG.

On the occasion of International Womens Day, Adgully spoke to a cross-section of industry experts on how brand communication has evolved today in terms of addressing the women TG. Heres what they had to say...

Pulkit Agrawal, Co-Founder, Trell:

In the past few years, the portrayal of women in brand communication has definitely evolved. Brands and content creators are constantly working towards narrowing the apparent gender stereotypes. The trend has shifted from the portrayal of women only as a care-giver, like a mother, a daughter, or a sister to powerful roles. People have often spoken up about this and we are seeing changes now. We at Trell, Indias largest lifestyle social commerce platform, are trying to build this narrative further by celebrating womanhood this International Womens Day and applauding the Super in our lives by launching a women-centric fest filled with a myriad of engaging activities across 8 languages, Trells Super campaign aims at giving users the right platform to celebrate the women in our lives creatively.

Naina Ruhail, Co-founder, Vanity Wagon:

There are quite a few brands redefining the brand communication ideology by keeping it real. For instance, at Vanity Wagon we did a #Loveyourskin campaign, wherein real women shared their no-filter selfies, showing off their skin and celebrating it. The campaign was a success and was initiated in a quest to make the women feel more connected to realism. Another example that I can think of is Sabyasachi, Every brides dream! The designer started a revolution to use plus-size women as a muse to exhibit his collection. This campaign shook the Indian fashion industry to be more inclusive in terms of size and skin tone.

Ritika Jatin Ahuja, COO, Big Boy Toyz:

We are instilled with gender stereotypes from birth, leading us to believe things like all men like cars and sports, all women like shopping and reality television, and so on. Gone are the days when only men were concerned with automobiles; now, women actively engage in the process of purchasing a vehicle. Their decision has a huge effect on this. When it comes to family cars, female choices are mostly preferred and they know exactly what car will be suitable to their family. Even males tend to take the advice of the women while buying a family or any other car.

Shikhee Agrawal, AVP, Kiehls India:

Many companies are running commercials in which women are seen not only doing housework, but also shaping their careers while taking care of the families. Companies have realised that in order to reach women, especially in Indian markets, they no longer need to rely on the stereotype of women doing housework. By portraying women as multi-taskers , it makes an emotional connection with the audience. As we all know, social media sites are the most successful way to target millennial, and marketers have taken advantage of this by working with female influencers to reach this group. Social Media marketing is being dominated by female influencers only. These female influencers usually draw a female-dominated audience, making these influencer networks perfect for brands seeking to tap into female buying power.

Anurag Avula, CEO, Shopmatic Group:

Good advertising and good brand communication have always been reflections of whats truly happening in the real world. What used to be stereotypical portrayals of women earlier, have now slowly transformed into portrayals of women with intelligence, emancipated points of view, equal say. Some of you will recall the Lalitaji, Mera Wala Pink kind of advertising depicting intelligent, thrifty, opinionated women. Those have been celebratory markers of how society was changing or wanted women to change.

On the other hand, weve also seen the Bell Bajao kind of advertising that puts pressure on society to not allow women to be treated badly and to fight against realities like domestic violence. Today, advertising has evolved greatly to showcase women of substance, doing interesting things with their lives, being known for entrepreneurial pursuits and wanting to maximise their participation in multiple aspects of life. The narratives have gone beyond just growing up, marrying, having kids and keeping the fires burning at home to women being seen to make the most of life, drinking in all kinds of rich experience, for themselves and their families. And, its great to see stories of women from urban and rural areas thrive! While we see a lot of great stuff happening in communication, we still have some way to go to see women in life realise all the opportunities that exist. Women influence is only going to continue to grow in the years to come and it will be great to see their progression mapped across all kinds of communication formats.

Akanksha Jain, Head - PR & Communications, BharatPe:

The brand communication has evolved a lot from a women TG perspective over the last few years and more so since 2020. Brands have given up on gender stereotyping and evolved to focussing more on communicating about their overall purpose. From a pure-play sales pitch, the brand communication has evolved to be more positive and with a larger emotional connect. Lastly, brands have been using inspirational stories of successful women to connect better with women TG. One example of this is Apples Behind the Mac ad that was primarily a slideshow of images of the most inspiring women from all over the world.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iRWCFetoxg)

Jigyasa Kishore, Senior Director  Brand, Growth & Excellence, Moglix:

In small pockets, we are starting to see authentic brand communication, which talks about the societal and cultural norms which disproportionately affect women negatively  such as the #ItsNotOk campaign by Truecaller. A few brands are also starting to show a mirror to a changing society as well, new roles and new family structures. For instance, the Facebook Diwali Ad normalised a young enterprising woman running her own family business. But we have a long way to go. Many brands still participate in tokenism or stereotyping, casting women only in the domestic sphere, as a mother or wife figure. Some brands go the other route, glorifying womens stories of sacrifice or achievement. In future, we hope, women and men will be shown as human and each having their unique nuances, not just as gendered beings.

Naina Aggarwal Ahuja, Founder and COO, Talking Point Communications:

Brand communication must now revolve around letting people know why they must use a product and service and how it will help them, instead of, telling them about how it will be good to buy it. Another crucial thing is to remember that these are challenging times for all, and as humans, people tend to seek support and validation. Communication has to be built in a way that the brand image is of a support mechanism and not the sell-sell push. Above everything else, as communicators, we need to go with our intuition and innovate constantly to ensure relevancy and impact. Organisations are increasingly realising that inclusivity and gender diversity have positive impacts on brand equity.

Deepa Sasidharan, Head - Corporate Communications, Continental Automotive India:

This has led to conscious efforts towards gender-neutral communication within organisations, sensitisation on stereotyping (e.g. in advertisements), tonality of communication, unconscious biases, etc. Futuristic brands dont split their target audience into water-tight compartments of gender. They communicate to people, acknowledge the differences and understand the difference between commitment to inclusivity and tokenism. This makes all the difference, and such brands create content that is authentic and resonates with all target groups. Of course, the trend is still evolving, but it is heartening to see brands graduate from shallow messaging to serious discourse.

Paritosh Kataria, Head - Marketing, Care Health Insurance:

One of the principal objectives for a brand is to build a relevant association with its pre-defined target audience and thereafter consistently work towards building trust and confidence. As understanding of consumer groups continue to evolve, we are witnessing an increasing trend of gender-neutral communication. The advent of specific products for women, such as health & wellness services and maternity products, and their relevance in the households decision making process, have encouraged insurers to take a universal approach to communication as opposed to male-skewed messaging.

Neha Motwani, Founder and CEO, Fitternity:

"Today, brands have creatively pushed the envelope by launching campaigns that celebrate womanhood and encourage them to be strong, independent, and powerful. Earlier, brands used to portray women based on their roles they are conditioned to to follow, however, the ideologies have changed over the decade, and brands are taking the active step in breaking the stigmas & welcoming the change by imparting values to spread awareness.

The focus has shifted towards women empowerment, educating girls, gender equality, and sanitation among others. Brands today have been producing encouraging women-centric campaigns like the Doves #StoptheBeautyTest, fbb's #BuraNaKhelo, and #WithinHerReach by Uber to celebrate today's women and have been sparking up conversations in this space that haven't been talked about before."
The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks!

Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics.

The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc.

The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics.

The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates.

Access to college recruiters and advisors  its harder to line up higher education.

Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family.

Vote

View Results
DUBLIN, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Mission Critical Communications Market for Voice, Data, and M2M in Public Safety, Enterprise, Industrial and Government Sectors 2021 - 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report assesses core public safety technology and solutions as well as emerging areas for mission critical communications including ultra-reliable low-latency communications for enterprise, industrial and government sectors.

The mission critical communications market is rapidly evolving as developing technologies provide solutions necessary to meet emerging demands for improved voice, data, and machine-oriented communications. Industry verticals that manage critical infrastructure (such as utilities, ports, and transportation) and services also require enhanced communications to safeguard assets and optimize operations.

The report also provides analysis of supporting technologies for mission critical communications including 5G, AI, and IoT. The report also identifies market opportunities and outlook for mission critical communications, applications and solutions by industry vertical with forecasts for 2021 to 2028.

In conjunction with land mobile radio (LMR) modernization, and industry digitization for the public safety sector transition from LMR to 4G and beyond, LTE Advanced and 5G networks establish and support mission critical voice and data communications as well as facilitate opportunities for new mission critical applications.

While mission critical communications technology is often referred to synonymously with the public safety sector, the need for ultra-reliability, low-latency, and/or high bandwidth capabilities are also necessary for enterprise, industrial, and government sectors. Like public safety, solutions in the commercial arena are typically realized via dedicated networks for specific industries including the public safety sector, transportation (air, rail, road, and water), utilities, mining, manufacturing, and the oil & gas industry.

Looking beyond LTE, 5G provides essential support for mission critical communications in many ways including improved support for quality of service through various mechanisms including 5G network slicing as well as other technologies optimized for what is known as Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC). Thanks to URLLC capabilities, 5G will be a viable alternative to WiFi for indoor mission critical communications.

5G network slicing and URLLC capabilities will work in conjunction with edge computing in support of latency-sensitive apps and services for various enterprise, industrial and government use cases. The combination of 5G and edge computing is expected to reduce network latency significantly, which will enable many previously tethered-only applications to achieve greater operational flexibility, such as nomadic implementation/operation or even mobility.

We see a few key technologies playing a key role in support of LTE and 5G, including Artificial Intelligence, big data analytics, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. The convergence of AI with IoT, known as the Artificial Intelligence of Things (or AIoT) is another important area as AI adds value to IoT through machine learning and decision making and IoT adds value to AI through connectivity and data exchange. The AIoT market constitutes solutions, applications, and services involving AI in IoT systems and IoT support of AI solutions.

The market for mission critical communications is rapidly moving beyond voice to encompass data, and machine-oriented communications. For example, the public safety community increasingly relies upon IP-based solutions for first responders (ambulance, police, fire) and dispatch communications as well as overall coordination in the event of a disaster.

Private IoT networks will also connect mission critical commercial operations, such as connecting infrastructure with monitoring and control, supported by AI and advanced data analytics. This will involve intelligent and connected systems that rely upon newly allocated 5G spectrum sharing management solutions for communications. Each of these technologies are evaluated in the report.

Select Report Findings:

The global mission critical communication market will reach $32.6 billion by 2028, growing with 9.8% CAGR through 2028

by 2028, growing with 9.8% CAGR through 2028 Military, public transportation, and smart grids are the largest industry verticals in the non-public safety critical communication market segment

The global AI-powered IoT critical communication market in public safety will approach $20.6 billion by 2028, growing 17.8% CAGR during 2021 to 2028

by 2028, growing 17.8% CAGR during 2021 to 2028 Asia Pacific is the largest region with a 43.8% of the total mission critical communications market and the greatest opportunity for certain technologies

is the largest region with a 43.8% of the total mission critical communications market and the greatest opportunity for certain technologies IoT in critical infrastructure is the largest segment with 52% of the total market with growth driven by the need for inter-system communications and AI integration

Other than cybersecurity for support of critical infrastructure, there is nothing more important to government and sovereign nation safety and security than critical communications

Report Benefits:

Mission critical communications forecasts from 2021 to 2028

Understand core technologies for mission critical communications

Identify companies, strategies, and solutions for mission critical communications

Recognize the role and importance of key supporting technologies including AI, M2M and IoT data integration, and big data analytics

Understand the evolution of public safety LTE technology and how 5G will improve first responder and dispatch communications effectiveness

Identify the market opportunity for mission critical communications in enterprise, industrial and government sectors including public safety, military and homeland security

Understand the role and importance of 5G including massive IoT, substantial bandwidth improvements, enhanced SLS support via network slicing, and ultra-reliable low-latency communications

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Introduction

3. Public Safety Technologies and Solutions

3.1 Public Safety in Perspective

3.2 Public Safety Expectations

3.3 Public Safety Objectives

3.4 Public Safety Infrastructure

3.5 Emergency Response and Control

3.6 Current Technologies Supporting Public Safety

4. 5G Technology and Solutions

4.1 5G Equipment and Network Operation

4.2 5G Technology and Network Impacts

4.3 5G Technology and Network Architecture

4.4 5G Network Implementation

4.5 LTE Advanced, LTE Pro, and Beyond Supported Solutions

5. AI Technology and Ecosystem Analysis

5.1 AI Technology Matrix

5.2 AI Technology Readiness

5.3 Machine Learning APIs

5.4 AI Technology Goals

5.5 AI Tools and Approaches

5.6 AI in Emotion Detection

5.7 IoT Application and Big Data Analytics

5.8 Data Science and Predictive Analytics

5.9 Edge Computing and 5G Network

5.10 Cloud Computing and Machine Learning

5.11 Smart Machine and Virtual Twinning

5.12 Factory Automation and Industry 4.0

5.13 Building Automation and Smart Workplace

5.14 Cloud Robotics and Public Security

5.15 Self Driven Network and Domain-Specific Network

5.16 Predictive 3D Design

6. IoT Technology and Value Chain Analysis

6.1 IoT Semiconductor Building Blocks

6.2 IoT Chipsets

6.3 Network Technology and Protocols

6.4 Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)

6.5 IoT Software and Platforms

6.6 IoT Industry Applications

6.7 Value Chain Analysis

6.8 IoT Investment and Market Alliances

6.9 Role of Mobile Network Operators

6.10 IoT and Next Generation Public Safety

7. Critical Communication for Public Safety and Enterprises

7.1 Deployment Status

7.2 3GPP-Defined Critical Communications

7.3 IoT to Improve Public Safety

7.4 Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications or URLLC

7.5 Comparison of 5G with WiFi Version 6 (WiFi6)

8. Critical Communication Market Analysis and Forecasts

8.1 Global Critical Communication Market 2021 - 2028

8.2 Regional Critical Communication Market 2021 - 2028

9. Mission Critical Company Analysis

9.1 AGT International

9.2 Atos SE

9.3 Cisco Systems

9.4 Dataminr

9.5 Enforsys

9.6 ESRI

9.7 General Dynamics Corporation

9.8 L3Harris Technologies

9.9 Hexagon

9.10 Hitachi Vantara

9.11 Honeywell International

9.12 Huawei Technologies

9.13 IBM

9.14 Ericsson

9.15 Motorola Solutions

9.16 NEC Corporation

9.17 Nice Systems

9.18 Nokia Corporation

9.19 Northrop Grumman Corporation

9.20 RapidSOS

9.21 SAP SE

9.22 SAS

9.23 Sonim Technologies

9.24 Tyler Technologies

9.25 FirstNet

9.26 Verizon

9.27 AT&T

9.28 Red Box Recorders Ltd.

9.29 iNet Public Safety

9.30 Codan Communications

9.31 Intellitech Corporation

9.32 Parallel Wireless

9.33 Twilio

9.34 Intersec

9.35 Bandwidth

9.36 Intrado

9.37 Comtech

10. Mission Critical Company Case Studies

10.1 AT&T

10.2 Motorola Solutions

10.3 Nokia

10.4 L3Harris

10.5 Ericsson

10.6 ZTE

10.7 Huawei Technologies

10.8 Hytera

10.9 Ascom

10.10 Cobham Wireless

11. Critical Communication Case Studies

11.1 Modernizing Public Safety Applications and Services

11.2 5G Connected Ambulances

11.3 Intelligent, Multiservice, and Ultra-Broadband Network Architecture

11.4 Tsunami Preparedness with Connected Drones

11.5 Emergency Communications Platforms

12. Conclusions and Recommendations

12.1 Public Safety Sector

12.2 Enterprise and Industrial Sectors

13. Appendix: Critical Communications Infrastructure, LTE and 5G in Industrial Verticals

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rlg2gb

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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(Natural News) Former Fox News talk show host Megyn Kelly spoke with Bill Maher the other day about why she and her husband chose to pull their three children out of New York City public schools. During the exchange, she explained how her eight-year-old son was exposed to a three-week trans-education experiment, which even Maher was forced to admit is nothing short of horrific.

Kelly revealed that the goal was not merely to expose her son and his classmates to transgenderism and other LGBTQ perversions, but to convince them to come on over to the dark side. In other words, NYC public schools are now engaged in pedophilic recruitment of innocent young children.

Kellys other son, who is only six, was told by his teachers to write a letter to the Cleveland Indians objecting to their racist mascot. This, too, was an act of leftist grooming designed to thwart the minds of the young and innocent to see racism hiding behind every rock.

Rather than teach their students useful things like reading, writing and arithmetic, NYC public school teachers are engaging in full-scale social justice warrior (SJW) indoctrination  and Kelly, for one, is tired of it.

One local school in the Big Apple was recently featured in the news for dividing white people into different categories. Known as Critical Race Theory, the purpose of this Marxist training exercise was to pit races and social classes against one another  and again, this is happening to children who barely even know how to tie their own shoes.

Critical Race Theory is a pernicious form of Marxism that seeks to destabilize nations by creating protected classes and races and pitting them against one another, writes Leisa Audette for 100percentfedup.com. By doing this, social cohesion and law fail.

All industries, governmental bodies, histories, and traditions are demonized and hollowed out or destroyed; entire cultures fall, Audette adds. It is called ideological subversion, and it happens without an army firing a single wartime shot. This takes about 15 to 30 years on average.

Parents: If you love your children, take them out of public school

Fifteen to 20 years, it turns out, it just enough time to reprogram an entire generation of people to hate their own country, for instance, or to hate people who have fair skin. It is also enough time to brainwash an entire generation into thinking gender dysphoria, a mental illness, is just another normal identity.

In Austin, Tex., public schools are attempting to normalize anal sex, as another example. Children in third grade, we reported, are being instructed into the ways of anal sex as part of the same pedophilic grooming effort.

Totalitarian regimes throughout history have utilized this tactic many times. First they demoralize a nation; then they seize control of it. And it all starts with the children, which Kelly and apparently now Maher are beginning to understand.

The anti-white agenda is a big part of this as well, indoctrinating the youth into believing that having light skin makes you evil.

There is a regime of whiteness, and there are action-oriented white identities, reads an 8 White Identities brainwashing curriculum now being used at East Side School in NYC. People who identify with whiteness are one of these.

Its about time we build an ethnography of whiteness, since white people have been the ones writing about and governing Others.

In other words, white people need to be demoralized, according to anti-white racists. This is what your children are learning if they attend public school, which is why we encourage our readers to seek out alternatives to public education.

More of the latest news about the brainwashing of American youth into LGBTQ perversions can be found at Gender.news.

Sources for this article include:

100percentfedup.com

NaturalNews.com
Earths inner core has an inner core of its own and its distinct properties may point to a dramatic event in the history of our planet, according to new research from the Australian National University.

The Earths solid inner core remains one of the most enigmatic parts of our planet, despite numerous studies in the fields of seismology, geodynamics, mineral physics and materials science.

Making up only 1% of Earths total volume with a temperature of over 5,000 degrees Celsius, understanding the structure, current dynamics and evolution of the inner core is vital to understanding Earths thermal history.

In particular, this provides insights to the geodynamo, without which life would not exist as we know it today.

Investigating the structure of the inner core can help us understand more about the Earths history and evolution, said studys lead author Dr. Joanne Stephenson, a researcher in the Research School of Earth Sciences at the Australian National University.

Traditionally weve been taught the Earth has four main layers: the crust, the mantle, the outer core and the inner core.

The idea of another distinct layer was proposed a couple of decades ago, but the data has been very unclear.

For the study, Dr. Stephenson and her colleagues from the Australian National University, Professor Hrvoje Tkalcic and Professor Malcolm Sambridge, used data from the International Seismological Centre (a database of seismic arrivals gathered from seismological institutions globally) in conjunction with the so-called neighbourhood algorithm.

We got around this by using a very clever search algorithm to trawl through thousands of the models of the inner core, Dr. Stephenson said.

Its very exciting  and might mean we have to re-write the textbooks!

While this new layer is difficult to observe, its distinct properties may point to an unknown, dramatic event in the Earths history, she added.

We found evidence that may indicate a change in the structure of iron, which suggests perhaps two separate cooling events in Earths history.

The details of this big event are still a bit of a mystery, but weve added another piece of the puzzle when it comes to our knowledge of the Earths inner core.

The findings were published in December 2020 in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth.

_____

J. Stephenson et al. Evidence for the Innermost Inner Core: Robust Parameter Search for Radially Varying Anisotropy Using the Neighborhood Algorithm. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, published online December 7, 2020; doi: 10.1029/2020JB020545
MORRISTOWN, N.J., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- vipHomeLink announces the acquisition of My Home Expert, a privately-held preventative home maintenance company founded in 2016 and based in Chicago.

My Home Expert makes proactive home maintenance effortless through a flexible, well-designed series of annual home checkups  like a physical for your house  to improve the way homeowners protect their most-valued asset and reduce unplanned expenses around their home.

"By acquiring My Home Expert, which became a strategic partner of ours in 2020, vipHomeLink will be able to offer their differentiated preventative home consultations on a much broader scale," said Alfred Bentley, vipHomeLink Founder and CEO. "We can help homeowners catch and address issues in the home before they become costly repairs."

"We identified vipHomeLink last year as the best digital home management platform for homeowners, and it perfectly aligns with our business of proactive home maintenance," said My Home Expert Founder Fritz Hirsch, who will remain an advisor to the Company. "Now, together with vipHomeLink, we can offer a comprehensive game plan to tackle homeowner 'To Do's' all on one integrated platform."

Each year approximately 22 million U.S. homeowners experience an unexpected home repair  often a stressful and expensive problem that could have been avoided. vipHomeLink helps homeowners identify and more easily solve small issues in their homes before they become bigger, more expensive claims.

"This is an exciting acquisition for us," said Geoff Martin, vipHomeLink co-Founder and President. "In the coming months, we'll begin offering My Home Expert's highly complementary services more broadly to our members. Together we will provide members on our platform with specially-designed 'virtual' home maintenance checkups, conducted by experts, and supported by the personalized, preventative plans and rich digital content through our integrated app experience."

The Company's virtual checkups will work much like periodic "telemedicine - style" doctor visits. Initially, a home specialist will connect with homeowners on video and perform a 30-minute virtual preventative consultation of the home, both inside and out. Following each virtual checkup, members will receive a Home Fitness summary that details any preventative maintenance steps taken, specific repair issues to address, and any recommendations to improve the maintenance, value, safety, or efficiency of the home.

"Homeownership can be challenging," added Dayna Weitzman, President of My Home Expert. "There is no owner's manual for the home, and frankly, it can be a headache for most people. Now, with our combined proactive solution, we put that whole process of preventative home maintenance on autopilot for homeowners. I could not be more excited to significantly scale our business and launch our innovative virtual solution for homeowners."

Martin added, "As an insurTech business, vipHomeLink continues to add value for insurance partners. Traditionally, insurance has been 100% reactive, particularly in the US. Now, vipHomeLink is flipping the script by helping insurance companies become proactive and focus more on prevention by leveraging our technology platform. Launching our new virtual offering with the team at My Home Expert is a huge win for our members and provides substantial benefit to our insurance partners as well."

The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

About vipHomeLink

vipHomeLink LLC, based in Morristown NJ, launched its digital home management solution in 2018 with the deep belief that homeowners need a solution to help simplify the experience of homeownership. With interactive reminders, engaging content and expert home recommendations, the Company's app and engaging features empower homeowners to maintain, organize and improve their home. Visit us today at www.vipHomeLink.com.

Contacts:

Geoff Martin

President

(917) 691-5901

Jacqueline Joyner

VP, Marketing

(908) 415-7522

SOURCE vipHomeLink

Related Links

www.viphomelink.com


Do I offend you?

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Today, it seems that many people are offended by everything and ashamed of nothing. And their rubbed-the-wrong-way attitude is typically accompanied by a hair trigger that goes off the instant something touches it.

This dynamic has created a walking-on-eggshells society and an anxiety in people who now dont feel comfortable respectfully expressing themselves because theyre afraid of offending someone who then brings the cancel culture down on them.

While I personally try to follow the Apostle Pauls admonition of If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men (Rom. 12:18), I find that I still irk the world from time to time. And when I do, its usually for one of three reasons.

Because I am a Christian

One reason I might offend you is simply for the general fact that Im a Christian. That alone could be enough for you to have ill feelings toward me. Perhaps youre of the same mind as atheist Sam Harris who said, If I could wave a magic wand and get rid of either rape or religion, I would not hesitate to get rid of religion. I think more people are dying as a result of our religious myths than as a result of any other ideology.

Harris point would be interesting if it were correct. In fact, the reverse is actually true and theres plenty of proof to back up that assertion.

For example, read through Alvin Schmidts book, How Christianity Changed the World. The professor of sociology at Illinois College shows in page after page the central role Christianity has played in the development of hospitals, orphanages, science, music, education, literature, family values, womens rights and more.

Or if youre really feeling ambitious, tackle Kenneth Scott Latourettes, seven-volume work A History of the Expansion of Christianity. The once professor of Church history at Yale University states this about the Christian faith:

We have, and properly, had much to say about the effects of Christianity upon the collective life of communities, nations, and mankind as a whole. Here has been the most potent force which mankind has known for the dispelling of illiteracy, for the creation of schools, and for the emergence of new types of educationThe universities, centers for pushing forward the boundaries of human knowledge, were at the outset largely Christian creations. Music, architecture, painting, poetry, and philosophy have owed some of their greatest achievements to Christianity. Democracy, as it was known in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, was in large part the outgrowth of Christian teaching. The abolition of slavery was due chiefly to Christianity. The most hopeful movements for the regulation of war, for the mitigation of the sufferings entailed by war, and for the eventual abolition of war owed their inception chiefly to the Christian faith. The nursing profession of the nineteenth century had the same origin, and the extension of Western methods of surgery and medicine too much of the non-Occidental world in that and the twentieth century was chiefly through the Christian missionary enterprise. The elevation of the status of women owed an incalculable debt to Christianity. Christian ideals made for monogamy and for a special kind of family life. No other single force has been so widely potent for the relief of suffering brought by famine and for the creation of hospitals and orphanages.

As to the often-stated charge of religion historically being the number one cause for war, we have the work of Philip and Axelrods three-volume Encyclopedia of Wars, which chronicles some 1,763 wars that have been waged over the course of human history (up to 2004). They found that only 123 of historys wars have a religious backbone, which means that 93% of all wars have been secular in nature. Of the 7% that were religious, 4% were attributed to Islam, leaving only 3% for all other religions including Christianity.

All that to say that I should not offend you simply because Im a Christian.

Because I believe there is only one way to God

Maybe I offend you because, given that I am a Christian, I believe that faith in Jesus is the only way to God. Perhaps that conviction strikes you as being arrogant, narrow-minded, and intolerant and you agree with Gandhis statement: The soul of religion is one, but it is encased in a multitude of forms.

There are two important things to consider here. First, every religion is exclusivistic in its teachings, so Christianity is not alone in that regard. The poet Steve Turner humorously underscores this point in his poem, Creed, when he says: We believe that all religions are basically the same, at least the one that we read was. They all believe in love and goodness. They only differ on matters of creation, sin, heaven, hell, God and salvation.

Second, exclusivity is a daily life practice. Exclusivity is practiced in relationships, government, economics, medicine, mathematics, etc. In the same way its not intolerant to say that 2 + 2 = 4 or that there is only one medication in existence to cure an illness you have, its not unreasonable for a Christian to assert that Christ is the only way to Heaven.

That being true, my claim of salvation being found only in Christ should not offend you.

Because I believe the Bibles moral pronouncements

Perhaps Im offensive because I believe what the Bible says about moral issues. Whether the matter is truth itself, life inside the womb, sexual relations, gender or something else, you become angry when I say I respect the Bibles opinion on the subject and instead you take the position of atheist Christopher Hitchens who remarked, What do I care what some Bronze Age text says about ?

But consider this: its one thing to condemn my Christian rationale for morality, but its quite another to intelligently (not emotionally) defend your own. Your moral epistemology must explain whether objective moral standards exist, and if so, from where do they come? Like C. S. Lewis wrote, A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line.

Unless you have an unchanging source for moral standards and authority  and outside of God there is none  then ethics become emotive (e.g. I dont like rape vs. rape is wrong) and a tool to be used by the loudest and most aggressive mob voices. That, to me, seems more offensive than reasons for holding to what the Bible teaches about morals.

Does Jesus offend you?

Jesus obviously founded Christianity and had the audacity to say, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me (John 14:6). Thats pretty narrow-minded thinking.

And where the Bibles moral teachings are concerned, Jesus said Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35), that it is divinely authoritative (Matt. 4:1-10), imperishable (Matt. 24:35), is literal truth (John 17:17), and has ultimate supremacy (Matt. 15:6). Pretty heavy stuff for the rambunctious culture in which He lived.

Jesus also said, Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me (Luke 7:23). The Greek word for offense is skandalizo, from where we get our word scandal.

Jesus was enough of a scandal in His day to get Himself killed. Thats how aggressive offended people can get, and sadly, were seeing violence of a similar nature in our own day directed towards those with a Christian (or even vaguely conservative) worldview. If you think this is an overblown statement, read any monthly issue of the Voice of the Martyrs newsletter.

Its my belief that, if Im offensive, its not because Christianity is responsible for most of the ills in the world, or that it is exclusivistic, or that it has no good foundation for its moral positions. Its because, if Im reflecting Christ, Im going to be odious to the world in the same way He was.

Paul states this fact plainly when he says, For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life (2 Cor. 2:15-16). About these verses, John MacArthur says, To some, the message brings eternal life and ultimate glorification. To others, it is a stumbling stone of offense that brings eternal death.

If I offend you, that most likely means you are outside the Body of Christ and thats the last thing in this world I want for you. Instead, its my hope that one day youll give the gospel biographies of Jesus a read for yourself, change your tune, and come to see the beauty and glory of Jesus.

Then we can be offensive together.
West Bengal elections 2021: Mamata Banerjee slams PM Modi, says 'One day country will be named after PM Modi

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

Kolkata, Mar 08: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the inclusion of his picture in COVID-19 vaccination certificates saying that the "day wasn't far when the country will be named after him".

"The prime minister has named a stadium after him. He has put his photographs on COVID-19 vaccination certificates. A day will come when the country will be named after him," Banerjee said while addressing a rally on the occasion of International Women's Day.

BJP names its National Vice President AP Abdullakutty as candidate for Malappuram Lok Sabha bypoll

The West Bengal Chief Minister further attacked PM Modi accusing him of "spreading lies and canards" against the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. She said voters, this time, would witness the 'Didi versus BJP' fight in all 294 constituencies of the poll-bound state.

"They (BJP leaders) will come to Bengal only during elections and spread canards and lies. He is lecturing us on women's safety. What is the situation of women in BJP-ruled states? What is the situation in Modi's favourite Gujarat?" the Bengal chief minister said.

Women's issues at heart of TMC, BJP poll campaigns in Bengal

The TMC and BJP are at loggerheads ahead of Assembly polls in West Bengal. Last month, the chief minister warned the centre of launching a bigger protest if the latter does not reduce the prices of fuel.

Elections in Bengal will be held in eight phases on March 27, April 1, 6, 10, 17, 22, 26 and 29, making it the longest ever polls in the state. The votes will be counted on May 2.

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Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 17:31 [IST]
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-09 01:50:06|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The latest data published Monday by UN Women, a United Nations entity working for the empowerment of women, shows that women's rights and leadership are under threat, even more due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Current projections show that gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 years. This year's International Women's Day rings the alarm on rising threats to gender equality and highlights the need to build back better for a more gender-equal future, according to a press release.

"We must remember 2021 as a global inflection point on gender equality -- a year when women's rights and leadership accelerated irreversibly. The Generation Equality Forum will be a catalyst for lasting change. A more equal world will be a different world. More inclusive decisions will be made, different voices heard, and different solutions created," said UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

The Generation Equality Forum is a civil society-centred, global gathering for gender equality, convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France. Kicking off in Mexico City, Mexico, on March 29-31, and culminating in Paris, France, in June, the forum will secure a set of concrete, ambitious, and transformative commitments to achieve immediate and irreversible progress toward gender equality. The landmark effort will bring together governments, corporations and change to define and announce ambitious investments and policies.

"Gender equality is essentially a question of power. A male-dominated world and a male-dominated culture will yield male-dominated results. But the opportunity of man-made problems -- and I choose these words deliberately -- is that they have human-led solutions. These solutions can only be found through shared leadership and decision-making; and through the full realization of women's rights, including the right to equal participation. Realizing women's rights will benefit all of us," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

This International Women's Day comes at a moment where evidence is growing that the pandemic is having a disproportionate and severe impact on women's rights -- from their role as front-line healthcare workers often without adequate protection, to the loss of jobs as the informal economy shrinks, and the alarming spike in domestic violence and unpaid care burden.

The press release said that striking new data on women's leadership further emphasizes the imperative for action. Major facts are that only three countries globally have 50 percent or more women in parliament, and the same amount have no women in parliament at all; women under 30 years make up less than one percent of parliamentarians globally; and women parliamentarians reported in one survey that they experienced nearly twice as much exposure to torture, ill treatment and acts of violence compared to men.

Research shows that when women are in power, overlooked policy issues, such as ending violence against women, childcare services and healthcare get more attention; there is often less government corruption and political parties are more likely to work together. For example, in Liberia during her first term as president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf introduced a specialized court to prosecute violence against women. Norway's former Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, and current German Chancellor Angela Merkel, both strengthened family leave provisions and increased funding for early childhood education.

The Generation Equality Forum's Action Coalition on Feminist Movements and Leadership has developed plans to achieve gender parity in executive and legislative positions in 50 countries by 2026.

UN Women has also put forth a series of concrete recommendations from improving legal frameworks, especially through adopting and enforcing gender quotas, addressing social norms and violence against women in public life, and increasing funding to support women candidates.

Launching on International Women's Day, the actions of the Action Coalitions, which will be a main deliverable of the upcoming Generation Equality Forum, will define the most catalytic areas for investment in advancing gender equality. The coalitions will seek a wide range of commitments from diverse organizations -- governments, nonprofits, corporations and youth leaders -- on six themes ranging from Feminist Movements and Leadership to Gender-based Violence, to accomplish lasting gender equality. Enditem
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif.  The Butte County Public Health Department (BCPH) was notified of one case of the more contagious COVID-19 B117 variant in the county.

The variant strain was first detected in the United Kingdom and has spread to over 200 countries. As of March 4, 250 cases of the B117 variant have been detected in California, according to health officials.

Detection of a variant that spreads more easily is a reminder that even though case rates are declining in Butte County, we must maintain our vigilance and continue using protective measures against coronavirus until most of the population has immunity, Dr. Robert Bernstein, Butte County Public Health Officer said. We cannot let down our guard.

Case investigation and contact tracing efforts have been initiated after the first report of the case, prior to variant testing. BCPH said the individual who contracted the virus is an adult.

Currently there is no indication that the vaccines or monoclonal antibody treatments are less effective on the B117 variant, however, there is evidence that his variant may be more severe, BCPH said in a news release Monday.

The public health department is recommending people continue to follow guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and all its variants.
For the past year, I have been involved with an organization that works at the border camp in Matamoros, Mexico, right across from Brownsville.

I have been into the camp many times. Many of the individuals we are working with are from Central America and were part of the Migration Protection Protocol, or MPP, also known as the Remain in Mexico policy.

Due to the change in administrations, many of these individuals have been allowed to enter the U.S. to go through the asylum process. In fact, just recently some of our good friends from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala were finally able to cross the border.

This is a wonderful development and will save the lives of many people. However, there are certain people who do not qualify to enter and were never able to join the MPP program, perhaps most notably a small group of Mexican families that have been waiting at the camp for over a year.

Most of the Mexican families I have met are from the area of Guerrero and are fleeing the cartel violence that plagues their region. The story of one family we work with is hard to even comprehend. The young son found the fathers mutilated body, and the son is now facing a mental health crisis.

On top of all this, they have to live in filthy conditions and insecurity.

Another family fleeing the extortion of cartels came to the camp only to have their 15-year-old daughter raped by a cartel member.

In yet another family, the wife does not know if her husband is alive as she has not heard from him in more than a year. In another family, the son is facing night terrors from all he has seen while living in the camp. He is a U.S. citizen  he showed me his passport  but cannot enter the U.S. without leaving his family behind.

These individuals are blocked from entering the U.S. due to the Donald Trump-era policy called Title 42 that restricted border crossings based on COVID-19 concerns. This has continued under the Biden administration. So even though the administration has officially ended the Remain in Mexico policy, it has in some ways warped into another form of that policy. New asylum-seekers from Central America and the original asylum-seekers of Mexican descent are forced to remain in Mexico.

It is being reported by those in the camp that because most of those under MPP are now allowed to enter the U.S., the Mexican government will close the camp. This might put many of these individuals in even more precarious situations.

It is vital we ensure these individuals are allowed to enter just like their fellow camp members who are from Central America. It is also deeply important that we end Title 42 right now. We are the hot spot for COVID-19. We should not use COVID-19 as an excuse to keep people in horrific conditions and deny them the basic human right of seeking asylum. It is time for us to raise our voices and act. There have been some positive changes, but there is much more work to do.

Will McCorkle is an education professor at the College of Charleston who helps asylum-seekers along the Texas border.
Indian benchmark indices ended marginally higher on Monday, paring most of early gains, weighed down by losses in realty and FMCG space, weak Asian markets, falling US futures and rising oil prices. The BSE Sensex ended 35.75 points or 0.07 per cent higher at 50,441.07 and the NSE Nifty closed at 14,956.2, up by 18.1 points or by 0.12 per cent. Outperforming the benchmark indices, the broader market settled with decent gains. The BSE MIDCAP closed 0.36 per cent higher, while the BSE SMLCAP up by 0.66 per cent. The Market breadth, indicating the overall strength of the market, was strong. Out of 3,644 shares traded on BSE, 1,869 advanced, while 1,522 shares declined and 253 were unchanged. Among the individual stocks, Larsen & Toubro, ONGC, HCL Technologies, NTPC and Axis Bank were among top gainers, while Bajaj Finance, IndusInd Bank, UltraTech Cement and HDFC were among top losers.

On the sectoral front, capital goods and PSU index were among top gainers, while realty and FMCG sectors were among top losers. The capital goods and PSU index gained 1.76 per cent each, while realty and FMCG index fell 0.94 per cent and 0.38 per cent, respectively.

""Domestic markets pared its early gains taking cues from weak Asian markets, falling US futures and rising oil prices. Oil & Gas, PSU Banks and Metal stocks were the sectors in focus inching broader market. Oil prices were parked near record highs following geopolitical issue in Gulf while reports of the progress of PSU Bank privatization tempered buying in PSBs," says Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.

Also read: Top gainers today: 5 shares rose upto 6%; L&T, ONGC, HCL Tech, NTPC, Axis Bank

Rohit Singre, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities said, "Index opened a day with gains but unable to sustain on highs and after showing good volatility index closed a day at 14959 with mild gains of 21 points. The index has formed stiff resistance near 15070 if the index managed to cross above-said levels then some positive traction can be witnessed in the index and we may see a good move towards a good hurdle zone of 15150-15240 zone, immediate support for nifty is coming near 14900-14850 zone."

Stock in news: Adani Ports, Muthoot Finance, BEML, Just Dial, Ircon, Tata Chemicals and others

Here's a look at highlights of the market action on BSE and NSE today.

3:30 PM: Sensex, Nifty end marginally higher

Indian benchmark indices ended marginally higher on Monday, paring most of early gains, weighed down by losses in realty and FMCG stocks. The BSE Sensex ended 35.75 points or 0.07 per cent higher at 50,441.07 and the NSE Nifty closed at 14956.2, up by 18.1 points or by 0.12 per cent. Outperforming the benchmark indices, the broader market settled with decent gains. The BSE MIDCAP closed 0.36 per cent higher, while the BSE SMLCAP up by 0.66 per cent. The Market breadth, indicating the overall strength of the market, was strong. Out of 3,644 shares traded on BSE, 1,869 advanced, while 1,522 shares declined and 253 were unchanged.

The BSE Sensex ended 35.75 points or 0.07 per cent higher at 50,441.07 and the NSE Nifty closed at 14956.2, up by 18.1 points or by 0.12 per cent. The top gainers of the BSE Sensex pack were Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (Rs. 1513.85,+3.43%), Oil And Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (Rs. 118.30,+2.96%), HCL Technologies Ltd. (Rs. 962.15,+2.22%), NTPC Ltd. (Rs. 110.55,+1.66%), Axis Bank Ltd. (Rs. 742.90,+1.60%), among others.

Meanwhile, Bajaj Finance Ltd. (Rs. 5323.40,-2.22%), IndusInd Bank Ltd. (Rs. 1018.40,-2.05%), UltraTech Cement Ltd. (Rs. 6687.25,-1.81%), Bajaj Auto Ltd. (Rs. 3799.60,-1.40%), Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (Rs. 2509.95,-1.31%), were among top losers of the BSE Sensex pack.

1:45 PM: Adani Green Energy shares trade lower

Shares of Adani Green Energy were traded lower at Rs 1,167.35, down 0.32 per cent, on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The company said that its subsidiary, Adani Wind Energy Kutch Three Limited (AWEKTL), has commissioned a 100 MW wind power plant located in Kutch, (Gujarat), 5 months ahead of scheduled date of commissioning.

1:35 PM: Tech Mahindra share price rises over 1%

Shares of Tech Mahindra were trading at Rs 972.15, up 1.32 per cent, on the Bombay Stock Exchange after the company announced that it has achieved System and Organization Control (SOC) 2 type 2 attestation for BPS and IT services. The SOC 2 report reinforces Tech Mahindra's commitment towards safeguarding customers security, privacy, availability and confidentiality across all services globally, the company said.

1:25 PM: Expert views on real estate sector

Amit Modi, Director- ABA Corp, President (Elect), CREDAI - Western UP says, "Multiple developments in the year 2020 are projected to have a positive impact on the real estate market in 2021. As a result of the increased use of online channels by the general public, the sector is also using digital media. One of the most important developments for the residential segment in 2020 was the reduction of EMIs, which is below 7%; this trend is helping the sector attract more demand, including from fence-sitters. The market on the Yamuna Expressway and Greater Noida West has already benefited from the developments surrounding Jewar Airport and the upcoming Film City. Activity in these areas and regions within 25 kilometers of planned projects will ramp up in 2021."

1:10 pm Expert take:

Ravi Singhal, Vice-Chairman, GCL Securities said,"At present, Nifty is trading in the lower low and lower high channel. Here the support is 14,800, and resistance stands near 15,150. This translates into the higher and the lower ranges of Nifty. Wherever Nifty gives a break out of this range, that means if it is above 15,150 or below 14,800, it is bound to display an extra move of 5 percent in the coming days. For the shorter time frame, insurance and pharma stocks look promising."

12: 45 pm: BEML share hits 52-week high

BEML share climbed to its 52 week high amid reports that companies such as Tata Motors, Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, Bharat Forge Ltd and Megha Engineering are likely to submit expressions of interest for the government's stake in the PSU. Share of BEML zoomed 19.03% to a fresh high of Rs 1,394.95 against previous close of Rs 1,171.90 on BSE.

Also read: BEML share zooms 19% after Tata, Mahindra, Ashok Leyland eye govt stake

12: 20 pm Just Dial share rises 8%

Just Dial share rose over 8% in early trade today after the local search engine said it has inked a pact with broadcaster Star India for advertising as co-presenting sponsor during Indian Premier League (IPL) 14. The tournament will be held in April-May 2021.

Also read: Why Just Dial share rose over 8% today

12: 15 PM: Astral Poly jumps 5% on bonus issue

Shares of Astral Poly Technik surged as much as 5 per cent to hit fresh 52-week high of Rs 2,332 on the BSE after the company said it has fixed March 19 as the record date for the 1:3 bonus share issue. The stock breached its previous high of Rs 2,249.95 touched on March 2.

12:05 PM: Oil & Gas shares rally; ONGC hit 52-week high

Shares of oil & gas major Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) surged up to 6 per cent and hit its 52-week high of Rs 122.30 on the BSE in the intra-day trade. Among others, Gail (India) rose7 per cent to hit record high of Rs 157.95 in the intra-day trade, while Oil India rose 5 per cent to Rs 133.50 on the BSE.

11:50 AM: Annuj Goel, MD of Goel Ganga Developments, on real estate sector

"Green shoots of recovery in the real estate sector have already started cropping up, and that's a really good signal for the much-required post-pandemic bounce back. Now, the Indian economy is betting big on the realty projects for the revival. Moreover, the government has also extended its support to help the real estate sector bounce back to pre-Covid levels. The recent real estate stimulus package unveiled by the Maharashtra government too is expected to act as a booster dose to the property sector in the state for various realty projects. The fee discounts for developers and duty-free homes for buyers by the Uddhav Thackeray government will certainly aid in propelling the real estate sector towards new targets."

11:05 AM: Petrol, diesel price remain unchanged

Prices of petrol and diesel remained unchanged for the ninth consecutive day despite surge in brent crude oil. A barrel of the black gold rose to $70.82 a barrel, the highest levels since May 2019, after a missile attack on facilities of Aramco in Saudi Arabia.

10:50 AM: Easy Trip IPO starts today

The Rs 510 crore initial public offer (IPO) of Easy Trip Planners started today. The issue is entirely an offer for sale (OFS) by two promoters, ishant Pitti and Rikant Pittie, who will sell up to Rs 255 crore worth of shares each. The firm has fixed a price band of Rs 186-187 per share. Lot size for the IPO is a minimum of 80 equity shares and in multiples of 80 shares thereafter.

10:40 AM: Sensex, Nifty extends gain

Extending early morning gains, the BSE Sensex was trading 499 points 0r 0.99 per cent higher at 50,904, and the NSE Nifty was 15,049.45, up by 111.35 points or by 0.75 per cent. The broader market outperformed, with BSE MIDCAP and SMLCAP rising 1.05 per cent and 1.41 per cent, respectively. The Market breadth, indicating the overall strength of the market, was strong. Out of 2,690 shares traded on BSE, 1,875 advanced, while 665 shares declined and 150 were unchanged.

Among the individual stocks, ONGC, NTPC, State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank were among top gainers, while Bajaj Auto, Power Grid Corporation of India, IndusInd Bank, UltraTech Cement, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories were top laggards.

10:30 AM: Analyst at LKP Research recommends 'BUY' call on Canara Bank target price of Rs 210

Brokerage firm LKP Research has recommended 'BUY' call on state-owned lender Canara Bank with 12-month target price of Rs 210 against current price of Rs 161.50. The lender has moderate stress and strong future outlook, LKP Research said in its report. Canara Bank shares were currently trading at Rs 160.45, up 0.56 per cent.

"The bank may raise capital from stake sale in AMC, HFC and Insurance. We believe the hurdles from merger (with Syndicate Bank) are behind and the bank shall witness gradual improvement in profitability," it said.

10:15 AM: Rupee opens lower at 73.18 against US dollar

Indian rupee opened 16 paise lower at 73.18 against US dollar on Monday against Friday's close of 73.02. The Indian currency was trading lower despite positive trade in the domestic equity market.

10:00 AM: Gold, silver futures gain

Gold and silver futures were trading higher on Monday on optimism over a stimulus package passed by the US Senate. Gold futures for April contract were up 0.10 per cent to trade at Rs 44,729 per 10 grams. Silver futures for May delivery were trading at Rs 66,420 per kg, up 1.25 per cent. The gains in yellow metal was restricted by recent ETF outflows and strong US payrolls data.

9:45 AM: Adani Port share price rises over 1%

Shares of Adani Port rose over 1 per cent in opening deal after Windy Lakeside Investment Ltd, an affiliate of private equity firm Warburg Pincus, announced to invest Rs 800 crore to acquire 0.49 per cent stake in India's largest private port operator.

9:40 AM: Muthoot Finance shares fall nearly 4%

Shares of Muthoot Finance dropped nearly 4 per cent in opening trade after MG George Muthoot, the chairman of the largest gold loan NBFC in the country, passed away on March 6. The shares were trading at Rs 1,241.95, down 3.71 per cent. According to Delhi Police, "Muthoot Group Chairman MG George Muthoot fell from 4th floor of a building in East of Kailash, Delhi yesterday. He was rushed to Fortis Escort Hospital & was declared dead during treatment. Today, his postmortem was conducted. No foul play is suspected, the police said.

Also read: Why Muthoot Finance shares fell over 6% today

9:30 AM: Expert view on the market:US bond yields, dollar index and crude weigh on market sentiment

According to Dr. V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, three factors that weighed on market sentiments are US bond yields, dollar index and crude. "All the three firmed up last Friday impacting sentiments. The combined FII, DII cash market selling ( above Rs 3000 cr on last Friday) reflected the market's concern. Brent crude rising beyond $71 is a macro concern for India. But rising US bond yield and dollar index , though a concern, need not be a market impacting move provided growth recovery keeps up pace. The latest job data from the US indicates that the US economy is bouncing back. In India, too, the growth and earnings data are set to improve. These positive trends can sustain market buoyancy provided the bond yield doesn't spike sharply," says Vijayakumar.

9:15 AM: Sensex, Nifty opens higher

The Indian benchmark indices opened higher on Monday, tracking firm cues from global peers and positive trading at Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange. The Indian benchmark indices opened higher on Monday, tracking firm cues from global peers and positive trading at Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange. At 9:17AM, the BSE Sensex was at 50674.94, up by 269.62 points or by 0.53% and the NSE Nifty was at 15002.45, up by 64.35 points or by 0.43%.

8:56 AM: SGX Nifty trades in green

The SGX Nifty was trading 9.5 points or 0.06 per cent higher at 14,992.50, indicating a positive start for the Sensex and Nifty.

8:45 AM: Global markets

Globally, Asian stocks were trading higher on $1.9 trillion stimulus bill passed by the US Senate as well as strong macro data which indicates recovery in global economic outlook.

8:30 AM: Stocks in focus

Among the individual stocks, shares of Adani Ports, Muthoot Finance, BEML, Just Dial, Ircon, Tata Chemicals others will be in focus in Monday's trading session.
Yes, no matter what

Yes, but it depends on variety

No, for medical reasons, uncertainty

No, principle

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The "UK Tankless Water Heater Market 2020-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The UK tankless water heater market is estimated to grow significantly during the forecast period.

The market is mainly driven due to various factors including the rising demand for convenient and energy-efficient water heating solutions in the residential and commercial sectors. Additionally, the commercial sector is one of the major end-users for water heaters due to widespread water heating applications in power plants in the country.

Single or multiple water heaters are used in various energy-based industries in order to increase the efficiency of energy generation. In the commercial sector, automotive production, manufacturing industry, energy generation facilities and others contribute to the heat demand.

Demand for heat pumps for water heating is expected to increase due to the growing application of water heating equipment in the commercial sector. However, high initial cost and low capacity are further projected to hinder the market growth during the forecast period.

The UK market for the tankless water heater is further classified on the basis of product type and application.

Based on the product type, the market is further classified into an electric water heater and gas water heater. The electric water heater segment is projected to have significant growth in the UK tankless water heater market. The growing demand for tankless electric water heater in the residential and commercial sectors due to convenience and cost-effectiveness is further projected to contribute to the growth of the segmental market.

On the basis of application, the market is further segregated into residential and commercial. The residential application is projected to hold a considerable share in the UK tankless water heater market.

The companies which are contributing to the growth of the UK tankless water heater market include A.O. Smith Corp., Bradford White Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, Rinnai Corp., Navien Inc., Rheem Manufacturing Company, Inc., and others. Product launch, merger, and acquisition, collaborations with government, and technological advancements through which market players are considerably contributing to the market growth to stay competitive in the market.

The report covers:

A comprehensive research methodology of the UK tankless water heater market.

A detailed and extensive market overview with key analyst insights.

An exhaustive analysis of macro and micro factors influencing the market guided by key recommendations.

Analysis of regional regulations and other government policies impacting the UK tankless water heater market.

Insights about market determinants which are stimulating the UK tankless water heater market.

Detailed and extensive market segments with regional distribution of forecasted revenues.

Extensive profiles and recent developments of market players.

Key Topics Covered

1. Report Summary

1.1. Research Methods and Tools

1.2. Market Breakdown

1.2.1. By Segments

2. Market Overview and Insights

2.1. Scope of the Report

2.2. Analyst Insight Current Market Trends

2.2.1. Key Findings

2.2.2. Recommendations

2.2.3. Conclusion

3. Market Determinants

3.1. Motivators

3.2. Restraints

3.3. Opportunities

4. Market Segmentation

4.1. UK Tankless Water Heater Market by Product Type

4.1.1. Electric Water Heater

4.1.2. Gas Water Heater

4.2. UK Tankless Water Heater Market by Application

4.2.1. Residential

4.2.2. Commercial

5. Company Profiles

5.1. A.O. Smith Corp.

5.2. ATC Electrical and Mechanical, Ltd.

5.3. Bradford White Corp.

5.4. General Electric Co.

5.5. Navien Inc.

5.6. NORITZ Corp.

5.7. Robert Bosch GmbH

5.8. Rheem Manufacturing Company, Inc.

5.9. Rinnai Corp.

5.10. Stiebel Eltron, Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/n55d9h

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005586/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



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Mumbai, March 8 : On the International Women's Day, over 2,600 women across Big Bazaar outlets in India appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to save the livelihood of over 2,00,000 women working for the Future Group's retail chain, here on Monday.

The 'Women of Big Bazaar SOS (Save Our Sustenance)', serving with the Future Group narrated the plight of women whose jobs are jeopardised -- comprising 10,000 direct employees and another 2,00,000 indirectly earning their livelihood by supplying products to the company's brands.

A total of 2,677 women working in various positions with Future Group from Assam to Rajasthan, Kashmir to Kerala and all other states, have petitioned the PM to "urgently intervene" and save their livelihoods from "certain ruin in the wake of the ongoing crisis precipitated by Amazon".

"Future Retail and Reliance had entered into an arrangement through which Future's retail stores will continue to be operated by Reliance. Reliance has also committed to clear all debts and dues owed by Future Retail to suppliers and vendors," the Group's appeal said.

Owing to the tough times during the pandemic, this deal kindled hopes and confidence for their continued livelihoods, but Amazon has tried to stop this tie-up and consequently the future of the women and their families hangs precariously, implored the women.

Seeking the PM's priority attention, they pointed out how "India's daughters continue to live in fear and under the looming threat of cruel uncertainty to our livelihoods and lives".

They stressed that owing to close family links, leaving the towns where they currently reside was not an option, even if they stopped earning or losing their current sources of livelihood.

"Without our jobs and sources of income, we would be left at the mercy of the cruel world. We shall all suffer deeply, and our families will undergo untold and unimaginable hardships. Just to think of this, shatters our hearts," they appealed.

They said that in the wake of the Amazon-Reliance face-off for control over India's retail, the Future Group's vast and vibrant service and socio-economic ecosystem is under severe duress.

"For women, retail offers the unique advantage of it being the only industry where they are readily employed in blue-collar jobs particularly in smaller towns and cities across the country," they said.

Invoking the PM's philosophy of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' Mission, the Group urged him to "extend to us a little support so that we may live with dignity and be able to provide succour to our families".

The group's members are convinced that if the contentious Amazon interference in the FG-Reliance deal is permitted to proceed, the most severely hit will be the small-town retail women employees and those women of the extended support ecosystem set-ups where the impact of the impediment will be far greater and deeper than can be imagined, said the appeal to PM.

The appeal has been made by the Women of Big Bazaar SOS on behalf of the 10K-plus direct women staffers of the Future Group's retail chains, plus another 2,00,000 who supply products to its associates like Central, Brand Factory, Easy Day, Heritage City, WH Smith, 7-Eleven, fbb, etc.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Representative of Ukraine to the European Union, Ambassador Mykola Tochytskyi believes that right now is the moment to take advantage of the time for deepening political association and economic integration of the European Union with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, which formed the Associated Trio within the Eastern Partnership, the press service of the Missions of Ukraine to the EU said on Facebook.

"This event is taking place against the backdrop of a significant increase in the number of initiatives from the Associated Trio countries. These countries have come to a critical moment where their achievements do not coincide with the aspirations of the European Union. This, in particular, concerns our intention to deepen economic association and political integration, which has a legitimate basis," Tochytskyi said during the presentation of the report of the Centre for European Policy Studies to compare the achievements of the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership Associated Trio.

The ambassador said the relationship between the European Union and the countries of the eastern region needs clarification.

"Our countries continue to fight for their European choice, in particular, in the confrontation and in the war with Russia. President of the European Council Charles Michel visited Donbas during his visit to Ukraine, saw the consequences of Russia's aggressive policy, which could destroy the entire region. I would like to outline our striving for full membership in the EU is determined by the requirements of the times," Tochytskyi said.

In his opinion, these relations have reached a certain critical stage, when the real achievements of the countries in political and economic development already exceed the goals that were initially determined by the European Union.

The Ukrainian diplomat said the Associated Trio countries have almost similar achievements with the countries of the Western Balkans region, and in some areas, since the beginning of the EU association process, these countries have even surpassed the Balkan countries, which already have a clear prospect of EU membership.
[March 08, 2021] PageUp to provide streamlined and accelerated recruitment solutions for leading US university

NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PageUp [https://www.pageuppeople.com], a provider of cloud-based talent management software, today announced that Stanford University's Faculty Affairs unit has selected PageUp Recruitment Management to help streamline its faculty applicant tracking processes across its schools and divisions. PageUp's Recruitment Management module will help Stanford University Faculty Affairs to automate and streamline the faculty search and applicant tracking processes for its faculty hiring efforts. The PageUp solution is designed to drive greater efficiency, automation and transparency in recruitment processes, allowing the institution to increase the quality and diversity of hires while delivering an outstanding candidate experience. PageUp offers first-class customer support and a proven track record in the higher education industry, with colleges and universities around the globe using the PageUp solution. PageUp will provide Stanford University Faculty Affairs with: Recruitment Management solutions to automate faculty search and applicant tracking processes.

Position management funcionality

Streamlined reporting with visibility into EEO and diversity data

A configurable system to manage different workflows for each school/division

Full search committee management



Mark Rice , PageUp CEO, says, "PageUp is excited to help Stanford University to attract the talent required to continually advance the needs of the institution. We're proud to work with one of the world's leading universities to deliver an innovative recruitment management solution and wonderful candidate experience." About PageUp

The powerful PageUp platform optimizes each step of the talent management lifecycle  so everyone can reach their full potential. PageUp Talent Management software enhances HR processes with technology that HR professionals, people leaders and employees love to use. From Recruitment Marketing  including sophisticated content management, marketing automation and candidate relationship management tools  through to Recruitment Management , Onboarding , Learning , Performance , and Succession  all underpinned by Analytics . Customers love PageUp for its deep functionality and ability to be configured for a range of workflows and industries, all accompanied by outstanding customer service. Used in over 190 countries, PageUp is a truly global solution. PageUp has offices in Melbourne, Sydney, New York, London and Dublin. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pageup-to-provide-streamlined-and-accelerated-recruitment-solutions-for-leading-us-university-301241453.html SOURCE PageUp

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The Riverina Projects high proportion of oxide tonnes and current mineral resource of 322,000 ounces and open-pit reserve of 81,000 ounces make it an attractive early ore source for the companys Davyhurst Project.

( ) (FRA:M6N) has delivered further strong Riverina South and Riverina Underground gold assay results from an infill drilling program that recommenced in January 2021 at the deposits near Davyhurst processing plant in Western Australia.

Assay results returned from Riverina South to date include:

10 metres at 10.8 g/t gold from 80 metres, including 6 metres at 17.3 g/t;

8 metres at 9.9 g/t from 69 metres, including 6 metres at 13 g/t; and

13 metres at 3.8 g/t from 5 metres.

Results from Riverina Underground include:

14 metres at 6.6 g/t from 148 metres, including 10 metres at 9 g/t;

6 metres at 10.1 g/t from 96 metres in the Hanging Wall Lode;

2 metres at 10.9 g/t from 126 metres; and

4 metres at 5.2 g/t from 88 metres.

Solid basis for resource upgrades

The Riverina South infill drilling is expected to allow the inferred mineral resource of 650,000 tonnes at 2.1 g/t for 43,000 ounces to be upgraded to the indicated status.

Riverina Underground drilling is expected to allow the upgrading and the potential extension of the current resource of 728,000 tonnes at 5.9 g/t for 139,000 ounces.

Ora Banda managing director David Quinlivan said: These results continue to provide a solid basis for significant open pit and underground mineral resource upgrades at Riverina South.

We accordingly have increased confidence that Riverina South has the potential to deliver both a substantial extension to current open pit mining operations and a new underground mining operation at Riverina.

Numerous highly prospective areas remain to be tested at Riverina and we look forward to the ongoing exploration efforts at Riverina delivering exciting results into the future.

Shares have been as much as 10.5% higher to 27 cents while Ora Banda's market cap is approximately $206.3 million.

Riverina South open pit

The Riverina South drilling program has targeted a 1-kilometre-long, highly prospective strike extension corridor immediately south of the main Riverina mining area.

Open pit mining commenced at Riverina South in October 2020 with the mine now providing the bulk of the mill feed to the Davyhurst 1.2 million tonnes per annum process plant.

The Riverina open pit mine has a declared ore reserve of 1.4 million tonnes at 1.8 g/t for 81,000 ounces.

The current program is the third phase of drilling at the deposit, with Phase 2 resulting in the declaration of the maiden mineral resource in October 2020.

Phase 3 is expected to be completed in mid-March with 1,800 metres remaining.

Riverina and Riverina South overview plan.

Riverina underground

The drilling at Riverina Underground comprises an RC and diamond drill program targeting Main lodes which were mined from underground between the 1900s and 1930s and again in the 1980s.

Main lodes are two sub-parallel, sub-vertical mineralised shears with significant strike (>1000 metres) and depth (>250 metres) extent.

The drill program of 14 holes for 3,270 metres aims to increase resource classification and extend the resource down plunge to the south and is scheduled for completion in early March.

Ora Banda expects to update the underground resource following receipt of all assays.
On the morning of March 8, the first Vietnamese were injected with Covid-19 vaccine at four places:

The Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases in HCM City, the Health Center of Hai Duong Province and Kim Thanh District Medical Center in Hai Duong.

The vaccination started at 8am. Nearly 300 health workers who directly treat Covid-19 patients were the first who were vaccinated.

Three Deputy Ministers of Health  Mr. Tran Van Thuan, Mr. Nguyen Truong Son and Mr. Do Xuan Tuyen  were present at the vaccination sites for monitoring.

Each person received 1 dose of 0.5 ml. The second dose will be injected in 3 months. The person had to stay at the vaccination site for 30 minutes and monitored at home for the first 24 hours.

Vietnam has received 117,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine. The Ministry of Health delivered 71,000 doses to the Centers for Disease Control in 13 Covid-19-hit provinces and cities, 30,000 doses to the Ministry of Defense, and 5,200 doses to 21 medical facilities treating Covid-19 patients.

This year, Vietnam plans to inject at least 100 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine, the largest immunization campaign in the country ever.

This morning, the first 151 people were vaccinated in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Duong. In the afternoon, 130 people were vaccinated in Hanoi and HCM City.

Ms. Rana Flower, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)s representative in Vietnam, said the agency had contacted 10 international airlines to transport vaccines for free to 92 poor and low-income countries participating in the COVAX Facility alliance. Vietnam is one of the member countries of COVAX. When Vietnam meets the requirements, COVAX will deliver 1.2 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine in March and 2.8 million doses in April.

Dr. Kidong Park, Chief Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam, said that AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine used in Vietnam was licensed and manufactured in Korea.

This vaccine has undergone a very rigorous research and testing process, ensuring safety, and approved by WHO for use in an emergency epidemic situation. This is the biggest vaccination campaign in human history.

Worldwide, Covid-19 vaccine is in short supply, said Dr. Park, although all countries want their people to be vaccinated, but the number of vaccines is still very limited.

In the context of limited vaccines, WHO very much welcomes the Vietnamese government's direction of giving priority vaccination to priority groups based on risk assessment, said Park.

The WHO representative also emphasized that, although the vaccine has been tested to meet safe vaccination, this is the first time the world has produced a vaccine in just one year. He emphasized the need to have follow-up after 48 hours of vaccination as well as follow-up at home.

In Hai Duong, 80 people in the high-risk group were vaccinated first, including 50 people at the Hai Duong City Medical Center and 30 people at Kim Thanh District Health Center.

Ho Chi Minh City started to vaccinate at 9:30am. Doctor Du Le Thanh Xuan, from the Rehabilitation Ward of the Hospital for Tropical Diseases of Ho Chi Minh City was the first to be vaccinated.

In Hanoi, Mr. Truong Van Truong, a staff of the Emergency Ward was one of the first who were vaccinated at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

Dr. Pham Thi Nguyet Quyen, from the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, was the second person to be vaccinated this morning.

In Hanoi, at 7:50 a.m., Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan was present at the vaccination site of the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

Dr. Vu Minh Dien, Deputy Director of the Center for Disease Control and Vaccination of the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, said that in the first phase of vaccination, 420 medical workers of his hospital will receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

On March 8, the first 100 medical staff of the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases were vaccinated. The remaining 320 staff members will be vaccinated tomorrow.

One of the first people who were vaccinated in Hai Duong on March 8.

Ms. Do Thi Nhai, born in 1983, a medical worker of Tan Hung ward, was among the first who were vaccinated at this site.

Le Thanh Lam, born in 1989, manages volunteers in a quarantine zone in Hai Duong City.

In Ho Chi Minh City, 20 medical workers were vaccinated this morning.

In Ho Chi Minh City, 100 medical staff at the HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases were the first to receive Covid-19 vaccination.

Photo: Ms. Rana Flower, UNICEFs representative in Vietnam

Dr. Kidong Park, Chief Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam

A press conference chaired by Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan was held at the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi at 10am.

At 8:06 am, the first people were vaccinated at the Medical Center of Kim Thanh district in Hai Duong province.

Ms. Pham Thi Tuyet Nhung was the first person to be vaccinated at Hai Duong City Health Center

Deputy Health Minister Do Xuan Tuyen directly injected Ms. Do Thi Nhai

Doctor Vu Cong Danh, who treats Covid-19 patients at Hai Duong Field Hospital No. 2, was vaccinated this morning.

Ho Chi Minh City started to vaccinate at 9:30am. Doctor Du Le Thanh Xuan, from the Rehabilitation Ward of the Hospital for Tropical Diseases of Ho Chi Minh City was the first to be vaccinated.

In Hanoi, 100 health workers of the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases were vaccinated today.

In Hanoi, Mr. Truong Van Truong, a staff of the Emergency Ward was one of the first who were vaccinated at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

Dr. Pham Thi Nguyet Quyen, from the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, was the second person to be vaccinated this morning.

The Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases received the vaccine.

Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen was present at the Hai Duong City Medical Center this morning.

At the Medical Center of Kim Thanh district, Hai Duong province

At the Medical Center of Hai Duong

Prepare for the first injections at Hai Duong City Medical Center

Medical workers at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in HCM City received the vaccine from VNVC

A vaccination site in Hai Duong province.

Officials of Kim Thanh district, Hai Duong province check the vaccination sites

A truck carrying vaccines from the cold storage system of VNCV arrives at the HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

A representative of VNVC instructs reporters to ensure safety rules in the vaccination area.

The truck carrying vaccine arrives at the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi

The vaccination site of the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

The truck carrying vaccines Covid-19 at the Medical Center of Kim Thanh district

The medical staff are ready for the first vaccination in Hai Duong

Three specialized trucks carrying vaccine begin to move to the vaccination site in Hai Duong.

In Hanoi, the first batch of vaccines were moved from VNVC's storage to specialized trucks to transport to vaccination sites.

VietNamNet
In a bid to crackdown on radical Islam, after France, now people of Switzerland have narrowly voted against face coverings in public, including burqa, niqab, hijab or any other face coverings worn by Muslim women.

Swiss Peoples Party (SVP), a right-wing political party in Switzerland had put forward this proposal and campaigns with slogans like Stop extremism were also carried out. The Swiss voters backed this proposal as the voting percentage passed by 51% to 48.8% in Sundays referendum.

People carried out campaigns across the Swiss streets with posters that featured a woman in a black niqab. Similar posters were also plastered on the walls across Switzerland.

Also read: Ankara has rejected the baseless decisions against Turkey taken by the Arab Leagues foreign ministers meeting that demanded an end to Military intervention by Turkey in their Arab brotherland

Also read: Myanmar coup: Scores of protestors back on streets after night raids by security forces
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday (March 8) said that she was confident of a third term in the state and that the fight was between the BJP and her in all the 294 seats going to polls.

She slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "spreading lies and canards" against the TMC government, and said voters, this time, would witness 'Didi versus BJP' fight in all the constituencies of the state.

Taking a dig at Modi over the inclusion of his picture in COVID-19 vaccination certificates, she said the "day wasn't far when the country will be named after him", adding "Modi-Shah's 'model state' Gujarat has witnessed four rapes, two killings every day in the last two years" citing media reports.

"Had there been no safety, women in Bengal would not have been able to move around freely at night," said Mamata, rebutting PM Modi's assertion that they feel unsafe.

Asserting that she will return to power for the third consecutive time in Bengal, the TMC chief said, "The fight is between the BJP and me in all 294 seats."

"They (BJP leaders) will come to Bengal only during elections and spread canards and lies. He is lecturing us on women's safety. What is the situation of women in BJP-ruled states? What is the situation in Modi's favourite Gujarat?" she said.

"The prime minister has named a stadium after him. He has put his photographs on COVID-19 vaccination certificates. A day will come when the country will be named after him," Banerjee, who led a rally here on the occasion of International Women's Day, stated.

Rebutting the PM's claim that women do not feel safe in Bengal, she said, "Had that been the case, they wouldn't have been able to move around freely at night."

Hitting out at the PM, Banerjee also said that Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah should shift focus on BJP- ruled states, including 'model state' Gujarat, "where, media reports suggest, four rapes and two killings have been recorded every day over the past two years."

The TMC rally, which commenced in the College Square area in central Kolkata, concluded near Dorina crossing, five kilometres away.

Senior party leaders Chandrima Bhattacharyaa and Mala Roy joined the march. Among others, actresses and now TMC candidates June Maliya, Saayoni Ghosh and Sayantika Banerjee were also seen taking part in the rally.
The Biden Administration released a report last week which concluded that Saudi Arabias crown prince approved the savage murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

But while the administration announced sanctions and visa restrictions for dozens of Saudis and ended US support for offensive operations and arms sales for its war in Yemen, it stopped short of punishing its de facto leader, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

That drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, roiling debates over the complicated alliance and the meaning of justice and accountability.

To sort it out, we called on Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-7th Dist.), who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and is the former assistant Secretary of State. The congressman from Hunterdon County spoke with Dave DAlessandro of the Star-Ledger Editorial Board last week, with comments edited for brevity.

Q. The president punished some Saudis, called Mohammad bin Salman a murderer, and said its time to recalibrate our relationship. But did he pull his punch?

A. I applaud President Biden for being willing to say plainly that MBS was responsible for this horrific crime. To say what President Trump refused to say. I applaud him for the other steps hes taken to rebalance this relationship, including suspending the arms sales and other US support for Saudi Arabias war in Yemen. But I do think its important that MBS personally face some additional consequences.

Q. Accordingly, you and Rep. Andy Kim have introduced a bill that extends travel sanctions to all complicit parties, including MBS. What kind of impact will that have?

A. I actually think that MBS is banned under current law. There is a law that says pretty clearly that if the Secretary of State has credible information that a foreign official has committed a serious human rights abuse such as this, then that official has to be denied entry into the US unless the Secretary of State issues a waiver. So whatever the administration might say, I think he is effectively banned. I think we should say it  and not in any way to suggest to Saudi Arabia that were afraid to say it. So we introduced a bill that clarified that that is indeed the case. It would prohibit entry into the United States by anyone deemed responsible for the killing of Khashoggi, and also require the administration to certify to Congress that the Saudis are no longer engaged in this pattern of intimidation and threats towards people in the US as a condition of future arms sales.

Q. Should we consider Saudi Arabia an ally? It buys our military hardware and we park our planes and ships in their bases and ports, but how do you characterize the relationship?

A. Well, youre not an ally if youre murdering people from the US. Thats the bottom line here. I understand the arguments for not rupturing the relationship with Saudi Arabia, but the rupture was the murder. If I steal your wallet, and you call the police and they arrest me, which of us is responsible for the rupture of our relationship? So I think its important to put the burden of repairing this relationship on the Saudis.

Q. Failing that, should we recalibrate our security relationship with the Saudis?

A. Biden has taken some important steps in ending all support for and cooperation with their war in Yemen. I have not argued for ending the security relationship altogether. But I do think it should be conditioned on Saudi Arabia no longer threatening people on US soil. Thats not too much to ask  its a fairly easy bar. And there are numerous cases beyond Khashoggi where they tried to intimidate dissidents inside the United States.

Our bill affirms that MBS will be denied entry into the US. And it requires the administration to certify that the Saudis are no longer engaging in a pattern of intimidating their critics in the US (as required by current law) as a condition for further arms sales.  Tom Malinowski (@Malinowski) March 2, 2021

Another thing I give Biden credit for is the announcement that the administration would be, as a priority of US foreign policy, combating this trend of dictatorships reaching beyond their borders to target dissidents living in other countries, including the United States  whether its Putin poisoning someone in England, or the Chinese government threatening Chinese-Americans who might critical of them, or the Saudis murdering a journalist. This goes well beyond human rights. These are attacks on Americas sovereignty, and the sovereignty of our allies. So the administration said that they will have zero tolerance for this stuff going forward, and I think we have to make it clear with Saudi Arabia that there will be consequences  both for past cases and any continuation of that conduct.

Q. What is your biggest fear of having MBS around for the next 50 years, knowing the instability he has created throughout the region?

A. Im very worried about it. This is someone who has proven himself to be totally reckless, by throwing Saudi Arabia into this damaging and totally unwinnable war in Yemen; by imprisoning and purging and ordered the torture of rivals within his own royal family; and by seeking to kidnap and murder his critics living abroad. Saudi Arabia has never been a democracy. But past Saudi rulers did not act as MBS has. And while it is absolutely not our place to tell the Saudis who their leaders should be, I hope some thought is being given to this question: Is it really in their interest for someone so reckless to be literally given the keys to the kingdom for 50 years?

Q. MBS has amassed great power  controlling the sovereign wealth fund, putting billions into American companies like Uber and Tesla  so what can be done here to diminish his influence?

A. Nothing directly, and it would probably backfire if the United States tried to overtly influence a royal succession in Saudi Arabia. But we can make clear what our interests and values are, and what kind of relationship were willing to have with Saudi Arabia  depending not on who governs it, but on how it is governed. And then it becomes up to the Saudis to decide what risks they are willing to take.

Q. Are there economic consequences Biden must factor in? Could sanctioning MBS send him running into the arms of China, allowing them to control the oil market in a more profound way?

A. The oil market is governed by the laws of market economics, not political preferences. Saudi Arabia needs to sell oil to the whole world. Russia and China cant support Saudi Arabias oil industry. And as for security, Russia and China would be happy to sell defective weapons to the Saudis for profit, but theyre not going to defend Saudi Arabia if, for example, Iran attacks their country. Only the United States guarantees Saudi Arabias security, and the Saudis know that perfectly well.

Q. A Bloomberg piece pointed to another get-along reason: that our efforts to curb climate change could take a beating if the Saudis create an oil glut, driving down prices, making it more competitive with renewables, etc.

A. Their control over oil prices is one of the many, many reasons why we need to move as rapidly as possible to other, renewable sources of energy. I dont want us to be dependent on Saudi Arabia or any foreign country any longer. I dont want that to influence our choices  on national security, whether we defend human rights around the world, how we fight climate change. So yes, the Saudis potential ability to flood the market with cheap oil is a strong argument to accelerate the transition.

Q. Off topic, you sponsored the bill that protects elections from foreign interference, which is a key part of the HR-1 package that just passed the House. Given whats at stake here  ending gerrymandering and voter suppression, campaign finance reform  is this the bill that kills the filibuster? Should it be?

A. Well, it is a bill that is overwhelmingly popular with the American people. There is nothing more bipartisan among the voters I represent than being against corruption, being for high levels of voter participation, and being for government ethics. So, absolutely, I would say that if Republicans in the Senate choose to filibuster this  because they are transparently threatened by efforts to eliminate dark money and facilitate access to the polls  that is an argument for taking away the power that a minority of Senators have to block legislation. Right now, 40 percent of senators representing about 20 percent of the American people can block whatever they want without even lifting a finger.

Q. Is it hyperbolic to say that HR-1 could help save our democracy?

A. Well, we can all help save our democracy. People have overcome voter suppression many times in American history just by being stubbornly determined to prevent anyone from denying them that right. Weve seen people willing to wait 12 hours in line to vote in the last cycle. But no one in 21st century America should have to do that, which is why we need reforms.

This is one of many reasons why I'll proudly vote for H.R. 1 today.



Another is that this is the 21st century. We've been a democracy for 243 years. We should have political parties that compete by persuading voters, not suppressing them. https://t.co/wRO7RMf0Eq  Tom Malinowski (@Malinowski) March 2, 2021

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Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Susan Rice, burns sage in her office, which was formerly occupied by Donald Trump strategist Stephen Miller. (Susan Rice via Twitter)

Susan Rice, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, is apparently burning sage in her office, which was formerly occupied by Donald Trump strategist Stephen Miller.

Mr Miller was the architect of some of the last administration's most controversial immigration plans, including the child separation policy, the Muslim ban and the use of military money to build the border wall.

Burning sage has long been used by indigenous peoples in ceremonies meant to cleanse spaces from negativity and to promote healing.

Alongside her sage, Ms Miller also hung a painting made by a Haitian artist depicting a group of Black individuals in colourful clothing walking on a street.

Ms Rice will take a leading role in Mr Biden's immigration policies.

She said on 3 February that the administration would form a task force with the purpose of reuniting the 3,000 children separated from their families under the Trump-era policy.

That was the same month that Mr Biden's administration was criticised for re-opening a Trump-era border detention facility to house children of migrants.

In response to the criticism, Ms Rice recently led a Biden administration trip to tour a Department of Homeland Security Border Patrol facility and a Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement centre.

The visiting officials discussed capacity needs at the facilities.

Ms Rice formerly served as Barack Obama's national security advisor and faced fierce scrutiny from Republicans in the wake of the Benghazi attack that left four Americans dead.

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In a bid to support the economic empowerment of women in India, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai on Monday announced $25 million in grants to non-profits and social enterprises in India and around the world.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, Pichai also committed to help 1 million women in rural villages in India to become entrepreneurs through business tutorials, tools and mentorship, as part of the Google Internet Saathi programme.

"Women are almost twice as likely to lose their jobs during the pandemic and an estimated 20 million girls are at risk of not returning to school. We have the opportunity to build a future that is more equal and more inclusive - and we must take it," Pichai said during the virtual 'Google for India' event.

The company also announced $500,000 Google.org grant to Nasscom Foundation to support 100,000 women agriculture workers with digital and financial literacy.

The virtual event also marked the completion of Google's joint effort with Tata Trusts to empower women across rural India with digital literacy skills via the Internet Saathi programme that was launched in 2015.

"In bringing today's technology, and perhaps tomorrow's technology, to bear for the benefit of rural women is a great move forward. Over time, these efforts will ensure that the true value of the internet can come into the fore,"said Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts.

Over six years, the Internet Saathi programme has benefitted over 30 million women across India through training provided by over 80,000 "Internet Saathis".

In a special address, Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said that women can act as great enablers of India's growth story, creating tectonic shifts in society.

"Over the last few years, under Jan Dhan Yojana, we have supported 220 million women to become financially independent. Under the Mudra Yojana, we have dedicated 27 crore worth of funds, accessed by 70 per cent women," she said during the event.

"I am happy to learn about Google's efforts and commitment to enable women entrepreneurs in India as these will create pathways for the socio-economic advancement of women," she added.

Google said it has launched the 'Women Will' web platform that will be complemented by community support, mentorship and accelerator programmes for rural women entrepreneurs.

Available in English and Hindi, the platform is designed especially for women aspiring to explore entrepreneurship.

To begin with, Google will work with 2,000 Internet Saathis to help other women gain from this resource and start on their entrepreneurial journey.
The already bad sanitation situation at the CMB enclave in the Central Business District of Accra where many families buy their foodstuff has worsened.



This follows the offloading of tomatoes by some traders at unauthorized places within the area during the day and at night.



According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Korley Klottey Municipal Assembly, Mr Nii Ofori Quaye, the traders had resorted to that practice to evade taxes and the assembly had not been able to keep up with the pace of cleaning after them.



He added that the assembly was gathering data on market women who did tomato bulk buying.



There will be data on the various transport networks. We want to put them under one umbrella so that we can hold on to vehicles operating illegally, he said.



Mr Quaye explained that tomato dealers were to offload and operate at the Accra Hearts Park.



Accra Hearts Park

But traders at the Accra Hearts Park claim the assembly had allowed some of their counterparts to trade on the shoulders and pavement around the Accra Brewery, CMB and the Abuja market.



They threatened to leave the area if the assembly did not compel those traders to relocate to the Accra Hearts Park.



The traders believe that those on the shoulders and pavement are making more sales than they are.



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The Accra Hearts Park demarcated for tomato bulk buying is almost empty



Some of the traders have moved their goods from the park to sell at the bus stop at the Arts Centre while others hawked in traffic.



The market women who appeared agitated, told The Mirror that customers had ditched them for their counterparts in town due to the distance and traffic, and that was affecting their business.



The Executive Secretary of the Makola Women at the Accra Hearts park, Madam Emelie Quaye, alleged that some of the members of the task force whose duty it was to ensure traders stayed within their areas demarcated for trading took monies from the traders and allowed them space to operate.



She called on the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the municipality to stop those illegalities.



MCE

Reacting, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, Mr Samuel Nii Adjei Tawiah, said some of the market women were corrupting the task force, prompting the assembly to begin processes to restructure the whole setup.



Though he admitted seeing sellers operating on pavements around the Accra Brewery, Abuja and CMB market, he explained that they were unable to prevent them because they were not trading on their land.



He said most of them were operating on the land of AMA hence, the assembly would liaise with the AMA to get them off.



We have jurisdictions and l cant cross my border, he explained.



He said: La to the Independence Square, Customs, National Lottery Authority and Accra Hearts Park are all under us. Opposite Kinbu is for us. Right side of Accra Brewery falls under us. However, Accra Brewery, Graphic Road through to the Railway are for AMA.



Mr Tawiah said the assembly was in the process of moving the market women from the Accra Hearts Park to a more convenient place.



Background

As part of measures to decongest markets to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the AMA and other assemblies allocated some markets to traders.



The AMA, for instance, allocated the Accra Hearts Park to the Makola and Agbogbloshie market women to engage in bulk buying of tomatoes for wholesale purposes.



However, those at Makola are complaining of unfair treatment since some of the market women were not complying with the directive.





Source: Graphiconline.com









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Al Capone, the boss of the Chicago Outfit, is arguably the most iconic gangster of the Prohibition era. He was American's biggest mobster for seven years, and that meant two things for him. He had a lot of power, but he was also a target for several assassination attempts from gangster rivals.Capone wasn't hauling moonshine himself, but he spent a lot of time in his car getting business sorted out or getting rid of his rivals. Following a 10-car drive-by ambush, Capone realized that he needed better protection against automatic weapons, so he commissioned what could be the world's first civilian armored car. I'm obviously talking about his highly modified Cadillac Series 341 , which was offered for $1 million back in January 2021.Armored cars weren't commercially available in the 1920s. Although many automakers had developed armored vehicles before and during World War I, they weren't available to civilians.Capone had to take the matter into his own hand, so he took his 1928 Cadillac Series 341 , which was part of the company's famous V8 line, to a local auto shop to have it prepped for Chicago's then-common street wars.Much like a moonshine hauler, Capone's Caddy looked almost identical to the stock car once the shop was done with it. But in reality, it was a very different car thanks to heavy armor plating mounted into the doors and one-inch (25-mm) thick bulletproof glass all around.It's believed that the plating and the bulletproof glass weighed around 3,000 pounds (about 1,360 kg), some 30% more than the curb weight of the Cadillac itself.Evading from an attack would have been obviously tricky in a car that tipped the scales at more than 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg), so the big 5.6-liter V8 was modified too.It's not clear whether the beefed-up engine delivered notably more than the stock 90 horsepower, but Capone's Cadillac was reportedly fast enough to reach 110 mph (177 kph), higher than any American sedan of the era.But Capone wanted more than a big sedan that could survive a drive-by shooting. He wanted his men to be able to fight back, so the Caddy was fitted with side windows that could be cranked up to create a two-inch (50-mm) gap at the base, just enough for the barrel of a Thompson machine gun.Likewise, the rear window opened as well, allowing Capone's gunmen to shoot at pursuing vehicles. Finally, Capone had the four-door refinished in green, a color that made it indistinguishable from Chicago police cars of the era, many of which were also Cadillacs.The police siren and the flashing lights mounted behind the grille also helped Capone disguise himself in track. The police radio hidden in the glove compartment kept the mobster informed of law enforcement activities.Capone bought a second Cadillac in 1930, this time around a Series 452 fitted with the then-new 7.4-liter V16 engine.The Imperial Sedan was modified in a similar fashion but also fitted with slit cuts into the floor so that oil and tire-puncturing tacks could be dropped to obstruct pursuers.Capone reportedly spent a whopping $30,000 to upgrade this car. That would be almost $500,000 in 2021. Armored cars are believed to have surfaced for the first time in 1902 when Vickers, Sons & Maxim of Barrow finished a prototype designed by Simms using a Daimler chassis. By 1920, both Rolls-Royce and Peugeot had built their own armored cars. However, all of them were destined for military use and not offered to civilians.By 1928, when Capone had his first Cadillac modified, Mercedes-Benz and other carmakers were also offering armored cars, but only to state leaders, government, and military personnel.With no proof of armored vehicles commissioned for or built specifically for civilian use, it's safe to say that Capone's 1928 Cadillac was the world's first such car.Both cars are known to exist today and have been sold recently. The Series 341 model was left with a Chicago auto dealer when Capone went to prison in 1931, but it was eventually sold to a promoter who shipped it to London to serve as an attraction at an amusement park.The car spent some 40 years abroad before returning to U.S. soil in 1975 to help promote Steve Carver's biographical crime film "Capone." The Cadillac was auctioned off for $341,000 in 2013 and then listed for $1 million in January 2021.The V16 sedan, which Capone didn't get to drive much before serving his federal sentence, was impounded initially by the FBI. It remained in U.S. custody for several years before being sold a few times privately. It made one final public appearance in 2009 when it was auctioned off for $309,000.
Im not going to resign because of allegations, the governor said. There is no way I resign.

But later on Sunday, he was dealt a stunning blow that placed him in the most politically precarious position since the scandal emerged: Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the leader of the New York State Senate, called on Mr. Cuomo to resign for the good of the state. Shortly after, Carl E. Heastie, the leader of the Assembly, issued a statement expressing concerns about the governors ability to continue to lead this state.

[Ms. Stewart-Cousins is the most prominent New York State official to call for Mr. Cuomos resignation.]

The background

In recent weeks, three women have lodged accusations against Mr. Cuomo. Two were former state workers who accused the governor of sexual harassment, and a third woman accused him of unwanted touching and kissing at a wedding.

The state attorney general, Letitia James, is leading an investigation into the sexual harassment allegations.
Three weeks ago, Texas faced the costliest natural disaster in its history: 4.5 million people without power, nearly 15 million without running water, and a death toll we wont fully understand for months. Among those who lost their lives was a 69-year-old San Antonian who lived alone. He did not have electricity, and the authorities said his bedroom was 35 degrees when they found him.

Texas failed this man, and there are no words to describe what must have been a painful, lonely death.

In the weeks following, we have been overwhelmed with news and a tightly scripted narrative from Gov. Greg Abbott attempting to contain the fallout. His finger-pointing deflects attention from his inaction and a vain attempt to protect former employees that he appointed to the Public Utility Commission, the agency entrusted to regulate our gas and electricity infrastructure.

Its hard to keep up with the avalanche of breaking news and political spin. Piling on, Abbott rescinding our mask mandate is more political misdirection. Here is what Abbott is not telling you.

Notified in advance

After 25 hours of legislative testimony, the most shocking development is this: According to two witnesses, Abbott was informed of likely widespread power outages 48 to 72 hours before the storms hit. What did he do with that time? What could you have done if you knew?

I can tell you what Abbott didnt do: He didnt pass the warning along to Mayor Ron Nirenberg or Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. Anyone who lives on the Gulf Coast can tell you how vital the 72 hours before a storm are. Giving people time to prepare, stock up on groceries, ready shelters  these actions save lives. If our business community and local leaders had been warned about the looming outages, we could have been better positioned to offer aid.

No lessons learned

The week of the storm, $50 billion in electricity sales occurred, the same amount sold in the previous three years combined. Yes, you read that correctly. In seven days, the electricity market sold what it took 1,095 days to sell under normal conditions.

I know what some of you are thinking  thats supply and demand. Not so much. The scarcity in the market had nothing to do with the amount of gas in the ground. We have so much supply in Texas that oil producers often burn excess gas to avoid the high cost to store and market it.

Scarcity resulted from single-digit temperatures freezing wellheads and pipelines, forcing many producers offline. These assets were inoperable because producers failed to heed warnings to weatherize pipelines to ensure deliverability after the catastrophic 2011 winter storms.

Hitting the jackpot

The scarcity in the market was partly created by many of the same actors now being compensated handsomely for their screw you market mentality. So its no surprise that on an earnings call with investors, the chief financial officer of Comstock Resources, an energy company controlled in part by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, said energy sales during the storm were like hitting the jackpot. Never mind that while his company rolled around in profits, Texans were literally freezing to death and boiling snow to flush toilets.

If gas producers like Comstock are hitting the jackpot, who is the casino forking over the winnings? We are. We will be paying out that windfall for a long time.

Responsibility before reform

We cannot begin to reform this broken system without first taking responsibility. Singling out the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, is not enough. Thats like blaming the gasoline for the fire instead of the arsonist. Abbott has yet to hold himself and his appointees accountable, and he is silent on reining in industry.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently launched an investigation into these massive price spikes and the possibility that some actors were participating in market manipulation. I welcome this news, but its not enough. We need a transparent outside investigation by law enforcement authorities to ensure that every responsible agency, official or industry actor is held to account. Last week, I called on Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza to open an investigation. I am encouraged that he has since elected to do exactly that.

There will be multiple reform proposals, and I welcome the debate. But no amount of reform can fix a broken system unless we hold accountable those who left Texans out in the cold.

Trey Martinez Fischer, a Democrat, is serving his tenth term in the Texas House.
The Duchess of Sussex has suggested it was her son Archie Mountbatten-Windsors birthright to be a prince and the decision not to give him a title went against convention.

She expressed her shock at being told he would not get security and the idea of him not being safe, and said she wanted him to have the title so he could have police protection.

Meghan also suggested that the decision was taken because of Archies race.

Expand Close Archie is not a prince nor an HRH (Dominic Lipinski/PA) / Facebook

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The duchess shared her upset at the idea of the first member of colour in this family, not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be.

Its not their right to take it away, she added.

Oprah Winfrey asked in the televised tell-all: Do you think its because of his race? I know thats a loaded question.

Meghan replied: In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, so we (had) the conversation of he wont be given security, hes not going to be given a title.

And also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when hes born.

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But Archie was not entitled to be a prince because of rules set down by King George V more than 100 years ago.

And being a prince or princess does not automatically mean royals have police protection.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenies security is no longer paid for by the taxpayer.

Because of the Queens long reign and extended family  her great-grandchildren  Archie is too far removed from the throne to be a prince.

But he will be entitled to be an HRH or a prince when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne.

Harrys great-great-grandfather, George V, issued a Letters Patent in 1917.

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It read: the grandchildren of the sons of any such sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of dukes of these our realms.

Only Prince George  as a great-grandson of the monarch down the direct line of succession to the throne  was originally entitled to be a prince.

He is the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales.

The Queen stepped in ahead of Georges birth to issue a Letters Patent to ensure all the Cambridges children would have fitting titles.

Princess Charlotte would have been a Lady and Prince Louis a Lord had the Queen not intervened, and they would have not been HRHs.

But they are the children of a future monarch, whereas Archie is not, and he will move down the line of succession if the Cambridge children have their own families.

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Other title options were open to Harry and Meghan.

As the first-born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton  one of Harrys subsidiary titles  or Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

Eventually Archie will also be entitled to succeed Harry as the Duke of Sussex.

At the time of his birth, a royal source said Harry and Meghan had decided he should be a regular Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

Harry has always stressed the importance of wanting to be seen as normal, and he was thought to have wanted to give his baby the opportunities of an ordinary life that he never had, without the burden of being a prince.

But Meghan said this was not correct, adding: It was not our decision to make.

She said titles can lead to from my experience, a lot of pain.

But added: I wouldnt wish pain on my child but that is their birthright to then make a choice about.

Asked if Archie being a prince was important to her, she replied: If it meant he was going to be safe then of course.

She said she was not interested in the grandeur and she had been a waitress, an actress, a princess, a duchess, but added Ive always just told them Meghan.

The most important title I will ever have is Mom, she added.
Police are at the scene of a security alert in Lurgan.

A security alert in Lurgan has ended after a suspicious object found in the area was declared "nothing untoward".

Police attended the scene in the Edward Street area after the object was discovered at a local premises.

Edward Street was closed for a period as a result of the security operation but has now reopened to traffic.

"A suspicious object which was discovered at premises in the area was examined by police and ATO and has been declared as nothing untoward," a PSNI spokesperson said.

"Police would like to thank all those inconvenienced by the alert for their patience whilst officers worked to keep them safe."
The Texas A&M University System has named Texas A&M International University associate director of marketing Mika Akikuni one of 11 faculty and professional honorees recognized within the A&M System at its Second Annual Chancellors Summit on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards Ceremony.

The Chancellors Summit on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which brought together faculty and staff from A&M System universities to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at all system campuses, was conducted virtually last week with over 900 participants.

The Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp and Chairman of the A&M Board of Regents Chair Elaine Mendoza led the keynote address. Summit panel discussion topics included The Issue of Inclusion, Addressing the Issues of Social Justice in Higher Education, Data Insights: What You Already Have at Your Fingertips, and Current Initiatives.

Honorees were chosen by system presidents as having best exemplified the work of diversity, equity and inclusion at their respective campuses.

Of his nomination of Akikuni, TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz said he has been impressed with her commitment and leadership with TAMIUs Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee, or TIDE.

Ms. Akikuni has worked diligently with our TIDE representatives to find multiple platforms to help affirm and elevate our universitys commitment to inclusion, diversity and equity. Through this commitment we are now better able to share this commitment and continue to expand upon it through programming and resources, Dr. Arenaz said.

Akikuni said she is grateful for the recognition.

I am deeply honored by this important recognition by The Texas A&M University System, Akikuni said, This is a testament to the quality of work TIDE generates daily through presentations, offerings and strategies to advance the principles of inclusion, diversity and equity at TAMIU and beyond.

At TAMIU, Akikuni, associate director of marketing, serves as TIDE co-chair, as charged by the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Most recently, TAMIUs Diversity and Inclusion website, which Akikuni spearheaded with TAMIUs Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services and TIDE, won a Gold Award in the 8th Annual Education Digital Marketing Awards competition, under the Social Equality category and an additional Gold Award in the Educational Advertising Awards competition under the Equality and Diversity Promotion category.

Akikuni earned her masters degree in public administration from TAMIU and a bachelors in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University.

Fellow TIDE Committee members include Dr. Peter Haruna, professor of Public Administration and co-chair; Jeanette Hatcher, Special Collections librarian; Dr. Aaron Olivas, associate professor of History; Lorissa Cortez, director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity; Dr. Marivic Torregosa, College of Nursing and Health Sciences dean; Dr. Barbara Hong; University College dean; Dr. Nicholas Hudson, Student Orientation, Leadership and Engagement program director; Nayeli Lopez, assistant director of Student Activities; Dr. Maria Viloria, associate professor of Education; Dr. Mehnaaz Momen, associate professor of Public Administration; Lilia Cantu, University College instructor; Dr. Hayley Kazen, assistant professional, University College; and Dr. Adam Kozaczka, assistant professor of Humanities.

Also, Dr. Jared Dmello, assistant professor of Criminal Justice; Diana Valdez, Office of International Engagement associate director; Dr. Brittany Hood, assistant professor, Department of Social Sciences; Dr. Sharmin Hasan, assistant professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry, and Pedro Segovia and Anabel Contreras, student representatives.
Created by UN Women, the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women, the HeForShe solidarity movement for gender equality provides a systematic approach and targeted platform where a global audience can engage and become change agents for the achievement of gender equality in our lifetime. HeForShe invites people around the world to stand together as equal partners to craft a shared vision of a gender equal world and implement specific, locally relevant solutions for the good of all of humanity.

UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. For more information, visit

www.unwomen.org

.

About De Beers Group



Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the worlds leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the worlds largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of the De Beers Group strategy as it develops its portfolio of brands, including De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions, such as recently launched diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives GemFair and Tracr. De Beers Group employees are committed to Building Forever, a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future  one that is fairer, safer, cleaner and healthier; where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; and where communities thrive and the environment is protected. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
I am not sure how the acronym AUKNASE is pronounced but stand for African Union Kwame Nkrumah Award for Scientific Excellence. It is an annual continental prize awarded by the African Union (AU) to the African scientist considered to have done best in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the previous year.



24th February



On 24th February 2021 at the AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the prestigious continental Kwame Nkrumah Award for 2020 went to the 66-year-old Tanzanian Life and Science & Biomedical Engineering Professor Hulda SWAI. Delighted at winning the award, Prof Swai described it as a sweet surprise.



Coincidentally, the award was given on the 55th anniversary of the overthrow of President Kwame Nkrumah on 24th February 1966. Described as the African of the Millennium, President Nkrumah is remembered permanently by this award in his name for his leadership and pan-Africanist drive for continental unity which time has vindicated him about.

In Ghana, the day passed quietly, except for a conference by the Convention Peoples Party.



Prof Swai



Speaking on the BBC, Professor Swai expressed her joy at winning the Kwame Nkrumah Award not only because of the prestige and the $20,000 cash prize but more importantly, for the reason that she will serve as a role model to young African ladies to aspire to great heights in STEM.



This brought to mind the Methodist Girls SHS, Mamfe who won an international world Science and Technology award in 2019.



Mamfe Girls



The Methodist Girls High School (MEGHIS), Mamfe-Akwapim is a relatively new institution founded in 1984. It was therefore a big surprise to many Ghanaians when they won the World Robotics Competition in the International Science and Technology contest in 2019 in Oklahoma, USA. Indeed, that was the first time many Ghanaians heard of the school.



Mamfe Campus



On Saturday 27th February 2021, GTV documentary showed a rather sorry state of affairs in the school. Starting as a private school called the Mamfe State College in 1984, it runs into difficulties. In 1988, the Methodist Church took over and renamed it Methodist Girls SHS, Mamfe. Subsequently, it became a government-assisted high school in 1993.



For a young institution which has won such a prestigious international Science and Technology competition, one would have thought they have good facilities, but no!



Paradoxically, the school lacks basic infrastructure like classrooms and dormitories. What little is available therefore is overcrowded. Dormitory blocks that were started were not completed and now harbour snakes and birds.



Chemicals/Water



Chemicals and reagents for science experiments are not ideally stored in an air-conditioned environment. The schools roads are untarred and rainy seasons are a nightmare as students walk through mud to their classrooms. Perhaps the biggest problem is water unavailability!



The Vice-President of the PTA made a passionate appeal through the Ghana Education Service to government for assistance.

It is unbelievable that, with such rudimentary science equipment, Mamfe Girls won the 2019 World Robotic competition.

Anger-Sky news



When the UK Sky news reported a British minister saying that, Ghana was the first of the worlds poorest nations to receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccines under the COVAX arrangement, some Ghanaians were offended.



According to them, Ghana is not poor.



For these proud countrymen/women, I recommend they watch the daily 7pm GTV and TV 3 news every evening for just two weeks. Schools under trees, pupils trekking for hours to fetch muddy water they compete for with cows, abandoned building projects, road traffic accidents, open defecation etc are routinely aired on TV.



Are these signs of a rich country? Pride does not help, especially where the country borrows so much and relies on donors, and has a debt to GDP ratio of about 70%.



For a country that imports tomatoes/vegetables, rice, meat and even toothpick, it is difficult to understand how one can sincerely say, we are not poor!



Conclusion



STEM is what will transform Ghana from depending on imports for virtually everything. Indeed, that was what KNUST was established for. The AU Kwame Nkrumah Award should therefore inspire Ghanaian scientists to achieve what the Tanzanian Professor Swai has done. From the brilliant performance of MEGHIS, Mamfe, one hopes that sooner than later, the prestigious Kwame Nkrumah Award will come to Ghana.



Fellow Ghanaians, please support our Mamfe Girls!



Ultimately, it is Science and Technology, harnessed by good leadership and discipline which will lift Ghana out of poverty like our classmate Malaysia, (independent on 31st August 1957) whose 2020 GDP per capita was $12,000 as against Ghanas $1,700.



Covid-19 is real! Please observe the protocols.

Fellow Ghanaians, WAKE UP!



Brig Gen Dan Frimpong (Rtd)

Former CEO, African Peace Support Trainers Association

Nairobi, Kenya



Council Chairman

Family Health University College

Accra

[email protected]





Source: Brig Gen Dan Frimpong (Rtd)









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.

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Charles Dwight Dixon told a Lackawanna County judge he will never forget Rebecca Blanco.

Her family members and friends would have wished the bus driver never had a reason to know her name.

Dixon was sentenced Monday by Judge Michael J. Barrasse to nine years, nine months, to 20 years in state prison for the 2018 commercial bus crash on Interstate 380 in Covington Twp. that killed Blanco, 33, and injured several other passengers.

Dixon, 52, of the Bronx, New York, who pleaded guilty in December to homicide by vehicle while under the influence and other charges, admitted he was impaired by cocaine when his Big Red Bullet bus crossed the median and crashed into trees along the highway on Oct. 14, 2018.

Investigators say Blanco, of Vacaville, California, texted the county 911 center shortly before the crash that Dixon was driving erratically. State police were dispatched, but the bus crashed before troopers located it.

Blancos parents, who addressed the court separately during the remote sentencing hearing, each talked about the depth of their loss.

Esther Blanco said the family had been waiting more than two years to speak.

There is nothing I could say that could express our loss or grief. You see her as a 33-year-old woman. She is my little girl, the mother told Barrasse, her voice cracking. She will always be my little girl.

Clay Blanco said one of the last things his daughter told him is that she loved him.

Those words will be with me forever. ... I miss her. I miss my daughter, he said.

Barrasse also heard from five of the victims friends, most of whom spoke in front of a Justice for Becca Blanco background and called for the imposition of the harshest sentence possible.

Amber Beliakoff, who met Blanco when she was 12 years old, said her friend personified intelligence, wit and inspiration, and brought texture and depth to the lives of everyone who knew her.

Of all the things she excelled at, Blanco was best at being a friend, Beliakoff said.

You knew you were loved by her because she made sure of it, she said.

Reading mostly from a lengthy statement, Dixon repeatedly expressed his remorse when he was given the opportunity to speak.

He told Blancos parents and friends they were not the only ones grieving. He called their recollections of Blanco heart-wrenching.

Dixon acknowledged his actions were selfish but said he is not a monster and asked for abundant forgiveness. As he finished speaking, he displayed a black-and-white photograph of Blanco.

I keep her with me. I will never forget her. ... I have to live with this for the rest of my life, Dixon said.

In handing down the sentence, Barrasse said while court supports rehabilitation, it must also consider deterrence and incapacitation.

Dixon had a responsibility to get his passengers safely from one point to another, he said.

The court is not going to lecture Mr. Dixon. He knows full well what happened, Barrasse said, calling it a tragedy not only for Blancos family and friends but also for the other 11 passengers and their family and friends.
It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
Alliance Defending Freedom to purchase Prison Fellowship's 11.3-acre headquarters

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The Alliance Defending Freedom, a prominent conservative nonprofit legal organization, is in the process of purchasing the Virginia-based headquarters of the global evangelical prison ministry Prison Fellowship.

Founded by Chuck Colson, the worlds largest Christian ministry for prisoners, moved into the 11.3-acre Lansdowne, Virginia property in 2005, after having outgrown its previous headquarters in Reston, Virginia.

The decision to sell the property in the Washington, D.C. suburbs was due in large part to the ministry work increasingly becoming virtual or on location at prisons, according to a statement.

ADF President and CEO Michael Farris told The Christian Post in an interview Monday that his organization signed a letter of intent as of last week and is going through closing now on the property.

Weve been renting in the area for a couple of years now, and our growth is so explosive that we were looking at getting a long-term place to grow, where were not going from one rental to another, Farris said.

This opportunity became available. With the legacy of the building, it is especially wonderful, but just the building itself was perfect for our needs. And so, were really excited to pursue it.

Farris also told CP that his organization and Prison Fellowship had worked on multiple projects together, with the group offering legal advice to Prison Fellowship via ADF Ministry Alliance.

James Ackerman, president and CEO of Prison Fellowship since 2016, told CP that his ministry was in the process of finalizing certain contingencies and inspections but expected to close the transaction by the end of June.

According to Ackerman, Prison Fellowship decided to sell the property more than a year ago but held off on doing so due to the poor market caused by the recent economic downturn.

Farris had been interested in the property for some time, noted Ackerman, with the ADF head telling them a couple of months ago that he was still interested in acquiring the land.

Ackerman also told CP that the sale was not tied to any financial problems, explaining that Prison Fellowship has had a steady stream of income, even during the coronavirus pandemic.

Our revenue has grown year over year for the last three years. From everything I can see today, were going to see revenue grow again this year, said Ackerman.

The pandemic has not impacted us financially. We have not had to lay off a single person or furlough any employees. Weve been super busy, and we carry no debt. We have zero debt on the balance sheet.

Prison Fellowship plans to remain on the property as renters for at least the next couple of years, moving its personnel from the third floor of the building to the second.

Over the last five years, Prison Fellowship became an increasingly virtual organization with more employees operating closer to its in-prison work. According to Ackerman, over two-thirds of the organizations staff worked from home before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The Board of Prison Fellowship and the senior management team are thrilled Alliance Defending Freedom will operate on the same property and buildings our founder, the late Charles Colson, dedicated to the Lord, Ackerman said in a statement.

Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian nonprofit headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is dedicated to defending religious freedom and free speech in court. The organization, founded in 1993, has won nearly a dozen Supreme Court cases since 2011.

The Lansdowne campus will be an expansion of ADFs existing offices.

In a statement, Farris described Prison Fellowships late founder Chuck Colson as a  strong advocate for freedom of conscience and religion.

As a drafter of the Manhattan Declaration, he defended the very principles that we defend today, Farris explained. With the purchase of this new property, we carry on his legacy and begin a new and exciting chapter in ADFs 28 years of ministry as the worlds largest legal advocacy organization committed to protecting religious freedom, sanctity of life, freedom of speech, and parental rights.

MARYVILLE  The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce on March 4 delivered 1,100 Healthcare Kindness Day bags to Anderson Hospital.

Our healthcare workers were working hard every single day but, in March of 2020, they were asked to not only work harder but put themselves at risk of COVID, said Chamber Executive Director Dawn Mushill. Every one of them has had a very trying 10 months and they are still dealing with so much. So we created a holiday for them.

Mushill said the idea came from a Chamber board meeting. The bags have been in progress for a couple of months. Each bag contained gift certificates, treats, a kindness jar (with over a dozen kindness sayings that they can take as needed), a handwritten thank you note, a scratch off ticket for a free item at a local restaurant and a flyer telling the story of Healthcare Kindness Day.

We hope the healthcare workers know how much we appreciate every single thing they do every single day, Mushill said.

The Chamber used monetary donations from Busey Bank, Edward Jones/Linda Manley and Maryville CARSTAR to purchase headbands with buttons to hold masks and kindness jars. Gifts were donated by 1st Mid-America Credit Union, Collinsville Building and Loan, Integrity Spine & Joint Center, Profile by Sanford, SIUE Office of Online & Education Outreach, Dr. Midkiff Obstetrics & Gynecology and Just4You Insurance.

The customized scratch off tickets were donated by Alfonzos Pizzeria, DQ/Troy, Dunkin/Troy and City Scoops/Troy and Edwardsville. Note writing volunteers  more than 200  included Friedens Church, the Triad School District, Triad TLS Transition Students/Staff, the Chamber board and Ambassadors.

For more information on the Chamber visit www.troymaryvillecoc.com or call 618-667-8769.
Get AfricaFocus Bulletin by e-mail! Format for print or mobile USA/Global: Taxing the Tech Giants AfricaFocus Bulletin

March 8, 2021 (2021-03-08)

(Reposted from sources cited below) Editor's Note How should we determine the corporate tax a big tech company should pay in each country where they operate? There are many ways that this could be calculated, but most recommendations suggest looking at their sales, their assets and the number of employees they have in each country. In the absence of transparent reporting, collecting such data is not easy, but we can get a useful estimate through looking at a proxy indicator: the number of users they have in each country. For example, in just 20 developing countries there are nearly 1.5 billion internet users accessing Google, about 900 million people using Microsoft on their desktops and over 750 million Facebook users. For these companies, the number of users is a good indicator of both their sales and their assets. - ActionAid This October 2020 report from ActionAid, focusing on developing countries, exposed a potential $2.8bn tax gap which these three tech giants alone could be liable for in the developing world, if tax rules were fairer. But the issue of tax avoidance by tech giants is not limited to developing countries. A 2019 report from Fair Tax Mark estimated that six tech giants (including also Amazon, Netflix, and Apple as well as the three already noted above, paid over $100 billion less than their fair share worldwide over a ten-year period. Taxing the digital economy is one of key strategies that governments at all levels are turning to in their efforts to meet the fiscal demands of fiscal crises, from national governments in Europe and Africa to state governments in the United States. A global debate is underway, with talks at the OECD continuing this year. In a significant step, the Biden administration has abandoned the previous U.S. demand that U.S. companies be allowed to opt out of any new multilateral regulation. But the digital giants are fighting back on all fronts against such challenges. Last month the Maryland approved a digital tax that could bring in $250 million a year for schools in the state, overriding the Republican governor's veto. But the law will meet challenges in court. Similar battles are playing out behind the scenes as the global debate steps up. This AfricaFocus Bulletin contains excerpts from the ActionAid report quoted above, as well as selected links on the global tax debate in general and on the issue of digital taxes in particular. The outcomes of this debate will weigh heavily on the capacities of governments around the world to address today's intersecting crises, including the pandemic, transition to a green economy, and rising global inequality. For previous AfricaFocus Bulletins on tax justice, visit http://www.africafocus.org/intro-iff.php Note: AfricaFocus Bulletin is a strategic partner of the new US-Africa Bridge Building Project, featured in links on the global tax debate immediately below. ++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++ The global tax justice debate https://www.us-africabridgebuilding.org/tax-justice/tax-justice/

The basic principle of tax justice is that everyone should pay their fair share. https://www.us-africabridgebuilding.org/tax-justice/movement/

In the 21st century, a host of organizations around the world have emerged to fight back against inequality and tax injustice, beginning by exposing the secrecy behind which tax evasion and corruption are hidden. https://www.us-africabridgebuilding.org/tax-justice/local-and-global-action/

Organizing for economic equality requires linking understanding and action not only at global and national levels, but at local community levels. https://www.taxjustice.net/2021/02/25/a-tide-turning-moment-in-the-global-struggle-for-tax-justice/

Its not often that you can celebrate an outright, global triumph for the advocacy efforts of a movement. Today, for tax justice, is one of those days. The high level UN panel report launched today, by a group of heads of state and ministers from around the world, may come to be seen as a pivotal moment in the worlds fight against illicit finance and tax abuse. If their envisaged changes follow, the $427 billion that we conservatively estimate to be lost in tax revenue each year may finally be curbed. Nigerian activists lobby African Finance ministers meeting. Photo credit: ActionAid. Taxing the digital economy Overviews and background https://www.ictd.ac/theme/taxing-the-digitalising-economy/ https://blog.taxamo.com/insights/africa-digital-services-tax https://qz.com/africa/1976517/how-jeff-bezos-influenced-african-e-commerce/ Recent news and analysis - global https://www.politico.eu/article/oecd-digital-tax-france-united-states-silicon-valley-bruno-le-maire-janet-yellen/ https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report/scholz-says-u-s-drops-demand-that-digital-tax-must-be-optional https://roarmag.org/essays/digital-colonialism-the-evolution-of-american-empire/ Recent news  local https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/12/technology/maryland-digital-ads-tax.html https://www.natlawreview.com/article/maryland-enacts-first-digital-advertising-services-gross-receipts-tax-now-what ******************************************************************* How just three Big Tech companies could address nurse shortages in 20 poor countries by paying their fair share of corporate tax 26 October 2020 https://actionaid.org/opinions/2020/how-just-three-big-tech-companies-could-address-nurse-shortages-20-poor-countries By David Archer, Head of Participation and Public Services for ActionAid International For years, the World Health Organisation has flagged the desperate shortages of nurses in developing countries. A quick review of just 20 nations battling Covid-19 with limited resources shows that 1.7 million nurses are needed to get them on track to achieve their health-related sustainable development goals by 2030. With Covid-19 there is added urgency in addressing these shortages, to ensure a comprehensive public health response to an unprecedented pandemic. But how can governments stretch their resources to fund 1.7 million new nurses? They cant. They have to find new sources of income and one way is by increasing tax revenue. New ActionAid research looks at Facebook, Alphabet Inc (the parent company of Google) and Microsoft and exposes a potential $2.8bn tax gap which these three tech giants alone could be liable for in the developing world, if tax rules were fairer. But to make that happen we need urgent international action. Sadly, we are witnessing the opposite. The OECD was supposed to come up with the solution for taxing the digital economy, for agreement by the G20 in November, but recently kicked this down to road to next year. The EU said theyd go it alone on taxing the digital economy if no global agreement was reached. This remains to be seen. It is clear that present tax rules are not fit for purpose when it comes to taxing big technology companies like Google, Facebook and Microsoft. The nature of their businesses gives them the ability to shift profits to tax havens even more easily than other multinational companies. Little is known about how much tax these companies are currently paying in developing countries, as they are still not required to publicly disclose this information. ActionAids new research shows that billions could be at stake in the long overdue reform of international corporate taxation  enough to transform underfunded health and education systems in some of the worlds poorest countries. The world desperately needs a global tax agreement which ensures companies are taxed according to their real economic presence. Developing countries offer tech businesses new markets, increased global brand recognition and billions of new users data, which translate into continuing revenue growth. How should we determine the corporate tax a big tech company should pay in each country where they operate There are many ways that this could be calculated, but most recommendations suggest looking at their sales, their assets and the number of employees they have in each country. In the absence of transparent reporting, collecting such data is not easy, but we can get a useful estimate through looking at a proxy indicator: the number of users they have in each country. For example, in just 20 developing countries [including 12 in Africa  see list below] there are nearly 1.5 billion internet users accessing Google, about 900 million people using Microsoft on their desktops and over 750 million Facebook users. For these companies, the number of users is a good indicator of both their sales and their assets. For digital companies, user data is perhaps the most valuable commodity  something that is mined in multiple ways and can be sold onwards. Our $2.8 billion calculation was based on the share of the three tech giants global profits, relative to their number of users and adjusted for countries GDP per capita, which accounts for users relative values across the 20 countries studied. Any actual tax would of course need to be more carefully designed but this is a useful indicator of the scale of resources that could be raised and is likely to be the tip of the iceberg. Those 1.7 million nurses needed in countries battling the coronavirus pandemic Their salaries could be paid for in just three years if global rules meant these silicon three and other companies paid their fair share. On this basis, setting fair global tax rules for big tech companies is not an obscure discussion for technocrats to have behind closed doors or be terminally delayed. It is a matter of life and death. The task of developing global tax rules for the digital economy should never have been given to the club of rich nations, the OECD. It is unsurprising then that they have failed in this urgent task. Instead governments should urgently get behind a representative UN led process that is resourced and empowered to set and enforce global tax rules. And as global reforms will take time, governments should also take immediate steps to tax big technology companies in their countries on an interim basis. Covid-19 has made this more urgent than ever. ****************************************************************** $2.8bn tax gap exposed by ActionAid research reveals tip of the iceberg of Big Techs big tax bill in the global south ActionAid 26 October 2020 https://actionaid.org/news/2020/28bn-tax-gap-exposed-actionaid-research-reveals-tip-iceberg-big-techs-big-tax-bill-global New research from ActionAid International reveals that 20 developing countries could be missing out on as much as $2.8bn in tax revenue from Facebook, Alphabet Inc. (parent company of Google) and Microsoft due to unfair global tax rules. Potential taxes raised from these three Big Tech companies alone could address the World Health Organisations (WHO) estimated shortages of more than 1.7 million nurses in these countries within just three years. $2.8bn could pay for 729,010 nurses, 770,649 midwives or 879,899 primary school teachers each year in 20 countries across Africa, Asia and South America. The research is released as the G20-mandated and OECD-led corporate tax reform process failed to meet the original deadline amidst political and technical challenges; and in advance of Alphabet Inc. publicly reporting its latest quarterly financial results on 29 October, following todays shareholder conference. ActionAid International has today (Monday, 26 October) published new research on the scale of potential tax revenue that could be raised from Big Tech companies operating in the global south. ActionAids new research analyses Facebook, Alphabet and Microsoft and the potential tax revenue that their market activity could generate, if the tax regime and resulting corporation tax bills better reflected these companies economic presence. 2020 Quarter Two reporting of Big Tech companies revealed how shares have soared as a result of increased sales during the outbreak of the pandemic.[1] Little is known about how much tax these companies are currently paying in developing countries, as they are still not required to publicly disclose this information. This research shows, however, that billions could be at stake in the long overdue reform of international corporate taxation  enough to transform underfunded health and education systems in some of the worlds poorest countries. The world desperately needs a global tax agreement which ensures companies are taxed according to their real economic presence. Developing countries offer tech businesses new markets, increased global brand recognition and billions of new users data, which translate into continuing revenue growth. ActionAid is also calling for a global minimum rate of corporate tax to resolve the issue of multinationals using tax havens to lower their tax bills. Governments urgently need this money to fund public services such as healthcare and social protection for the billions of people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet, the OECD has proven unable to deliver a new global tax deal.[2] A new UN-led process could be a solution to ensuring poorer countries have a seat at the table in developing global tax rules that affect their ability to invest in public services. Given the urgent needs of women and young people impacted by Covid-19, hunger and unemployment, governments should take steps to tax tech companies, in lieu of a global deal being agreed. These taxes should be progressive, targeting the enormous profits of tech giants, ensuring the costs arent passed to the users. If all governments compelled all companies to publicly report their financials in each country where they have a presence, a clear route to fair taxation would be possible. The potential $2.8bn tax gap calculation is based on the share of the three tech giants global profits, relative to their number of users and adjusted for countries GDP per capita, which accounts for users relative values across the 20 countries studied.[3] India, Indonesia, Brazil, Nigeria and Bangladesh are the markets studied with the highest tax gaps from these three companies. The total tax gap for the 20 countries contained in the research is $2.8bn, equivalent to 729,010 nurses, 770,649 midwives or 879,899 primary school teachers. The WHO estimates that the 20 countries studied by ActionAid need to employ at least 1,790,000 more nurses by 2030 to achieve their benchmark of 40 nurses per 10,000 people. These shortages of nurses could be fully covered in just three years if global tax rules allowed fair taxing of these three Big Tech companies and the revenue was allocated for this purpose. David Archer, global taxation spokesperson for ActionAid International, said: Women and young people are paying the price for an outdated system that has allowed big tech companies, including giants like Facebook, Alphabet and Microsoft, to rack up huge profits during the pandemic, while contributing little or nothing towards public services in countries in the global south. The $2.8 billion tax gap is just the tip of the iceberg  this research covers only three tech giants. But alone, the money that Facebook, Alphabet and Microsoft would be paying under fairer tax rules could transform public services for millions of people. Commenting on the research findings Alex Cobham, CEO, Tax Justice Network, said: The Covid-19 pandemic has confirmed the urgent need to reprogramme our tax systems. In 2013, the G20 asked the OECD to deliver reforms that would make sure taxable profits were declared where companies real economic activity takes place. Eight years later, ActionAids research shows there has been no progress  so that even in countries where public services are desperately short of resources, the excess profits made by digital companies during the pandemic, while local businesses are ordered to lock down, are not giving rise to a fair tax contribution. Data is revealed in advance of Alphabet reporting its latest quarterly profits on 29 October. It is expected that Alphabet will reveal huge profits which depend significantly on the 1.5 billion people in these 20 countries who use their products. In the absence of more transparent reporting requirements it is impossible to determine how much tax, if any, Alphabet or other big tech companies pay to the governments in these countries. If global rules were fair and effective, they could raise enough in tax from Alphabet alone to employ 244,360 nurses, transforming the public health response to Covid-19 in these 20 countries. [1] The Guardian July 2020 [2] The OECD was mandated by the G20 to deliver a consensus-based solution to tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy by the end of 2020. It has now clear there is no consensus, and the process has been extended until at least mid-2021. From the outset, the process was criticised as lacking legitimacy due to the failure to adequately involve developing countries. The current proposals have been further criticised for lacking ambition. [3] The 20 countries contained in this research include: Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Editors Notes [available at https://actionaid.org/news/2020/28bn-tax-gap-exposed-actionaid-research-reveals-tip-iceberg-big-techs-big-tax-bill-global] AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus Bulletin is edited by William Minter. For an archive of previous Bulletins, see http://www.africafocus.org, Current links to books on AfricaFocus go to the non-profit bookshop.org, which supports independent bookshores and also provides commissions to affiliates such as AfricaFocus. AfricaFocus Bulletin can be reached at africafocus@igc.org. Please write to this address to suggest material for inclusion. For more information about reposted material, please contact directly the original source mentioned. To subscribe to receive future bulletins by email, click here.
The Pantera (which is Italian for Panther) is most famous for a few things. No, were not talking about the legend regarding Elvis Prestley, his yellow 1971 example, and handgun incidents. Instead, we're talking about this supercars odd relationship with both Europe and the United States.Thats because, unlike other Italian exotics , the Pantera was mostly sold (allegedly, at least three-quarters of total production) in the United States through Lincoln-Mercury dealerships. And Ford didnt just act on the kindness of its corporate heart, but above all, because its another lovely example of a hybrid, just like Shelbys Cobra.As such, it was styled by Ghia's American-born designer Tom Tjaarda, built in Italy, and powered by the 351 ci (5.8-liter) Ford Cleveland V8, while the dogleg ZF transmission is the same as the one in the GT40, only with a flipped case. Better yet, this black example we see in the video embedded below is also a clear statement on what happened once the Pantera arrived in America ; yes, it was modified.According to the owner of this black beauty, the 1974 Pantera underwent a major transformation back in the nineties, courtesy of Hall Pantera. The latter added a complete GT4 (some like to call them GT5 as well) widebody kit to make it look as if ready for a racetrack showdown.We also find out from the 2:35 mark that the Ford motor has been modified as well, sporting an Electromotive injection system and all the necessary NoS elements (though its been lacking a bottle for some time now). Even without the latters intervention, this V8 could sport some 550 hp back in the day.That should suffice to make Shawn smile (a lot) during the driving part, which kicks off from the 5:50 mark. Needless to say, when the Pantera is one of those childhood dream cars, one can only say that its crazy how heavy this steering is on this, for one its all manual and then you have that big tire on the ground.Hes, of course, referring to the meaty front specification (a 285 one, the 335s belong to the rear if we recall that correctly), but above all, his reaction to driving this widebody Pantera can actually be surmised in way fewer words: this car is just bitchin...
Boris Johnson is facing fresh Tory pressure to bring forward his lockdown timetable as deaths continue to plunge.

The first phase of the relaxation plan is coming into effect today, with pupils returning to classrooms and one-on-one social meetings allowed outdoors.

However, despite the surging vaccine rollout and deaths continuing to plummet the PM has so far dismissed calls for the relaxations to be speeded up.

In England, non-essential shops are set to open from April 12, and pubs and restaurants will be able to serve outside from the same date - but the restrictions will not be lifted in full until June 21.

Former chief whip Mark Harper, head of the lockdown-sceptic Covid Recovery Group, has warned that by the end of April it will look 'odd' that England still has tough curbs if fatalities and cases continue to tumble.

Despite the surging vaccine rollout and deaths continuing to plummet Boris Johnson (pictured right yesterday) has so far dismissed calls from Tories including Mark Harper (left) for the relaxations to be speeded up

The first phase of the relaxation plan is coming into effect today, with pupils returning to classrooms and one-on-one social meetings allowed outdoors

'With the speed that we're seeing deaths, hospitalisations and infections drop, I think when we get to the end of April it's going to look a bit odd that the government's roadmap still has another two months nearly to run,' he told BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour.

'And I think if it believes in data not dates, as the data improves the government should bring forward the roadmap rather than be tied to the dates it's already set out.'

Tory ex-minister David Jones told MailOnline: 'At the moment it is pretty clear we are getting on top of the virus.

'The vaccination programme is remarkably good... I am not a scientist but I would have thought that the government must star to think about an accelerated timetable of the restrictions that we have got at the moment.'

Mr Jones pointed out that in Wales they were talking about reopening hairdressers much more quickly. 'There should be far more coordination with the devolved administrations rather than having a piecemeal approach,' he said.

There were further positive signs over the weekend that the virus is being quelled.

It was revealed yesterday that another 82 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Sunday - the first time that fewer than 100 deaths have been reported since October 19.

The case rate continued its decline with 5,177 more infections recorded.

Nicola Sturgeon is expected to accelerate her cautious timetable for Scotland this week after saying the picture was much more 'optimistic', and moves are also due in Wales.

Mr Johnson said he hoped the tentative softening today will be a 'big step' on his 'road map to freedom'.

As well as pupils returning to classrooms for the first time in at least two months, the rules around meeting with a person from another household outdoors will be loosened to permit recreation and not just exercise.

While the 'stay at home' message will remain in place, it means people can leave home to meet one other person for a coffee or picnic.

He told the Telegraph that even though it was 'only a small relaxation of the rules', this week's changes would bring 'joy and relief' to families after months of 'tough restrictions'.

Asked yesterday about the risks involved with reopening more than 20,000 schools, echoed the warnings of education experts that more damage was being done to pupils by keeping them at home than having them return to in-person lessons.

'I think the risk is actually in not going back to school tomorrow given all the suffering, all the loss of learning we have seen,' he said on a visit to a north London vaccination centre.

It comes after Amanda Spielman, England's chief schools inspector, expressed concern about eating disorders and self-harming among children after she said pupils endured 'boredom, loneliness, misery and anxiety' during England's third lockdown.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said he was looking at proposals that included a five-term academic year, a shorter summer holiday and longer school days to help pupils catch up on lost learning during the pandemic in 'transformative' measures not seen since the Second World War.

But Ofsted chief Ms Spielman, asked on Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday for her opinion, said such ideas had fallen by the wayside in the past and that any proposals should have the support of parents.

'I think a number of schools have experimented over the last couple of decades with things like five-term years and I don't think many of those have persisted,' she said.

Labour is calling for catch-up breakfast clubs before the school day starts, with leader Sir Keir Starmer and his shadow education secretary Kate Green due to argue during a visit to a school in east London on Monday that the concept would allow for both extra socialising and learning.

The party said its analysis of Government data suggested children have each lost an average of 109 face-to-face school days since the first lockdown in March 2020.

Secondary school pupils, who are likely to have their return staggered over the week to allow for mass testing, are being asked to take three voluntary Covid-19 tests on site and one at home over the first fortnight. They will then be sent home-testing kits to do twice-weekly.

The Department for Education (DfE) is also advising secondary school students to wear face coverings wherever social distancing cannot be maintained, including in the classroom.

But primary school children are not being asked to carry out Covid-19 tests or wear face masks on their return.

Some children will also return to classrooms in Northern Ireland for the first time since December.

P1 to P3 pupils will return to class but are set to go back to remote learning after two weeks.

First Minister Arlene Foster has expressed hope that those primary pupils will ultimately be able to remain in school.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of care home residents in England will be able to receive indoor visits from a nominated friend or relative as of this week.

Visitors will be tested prior to visits, wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and be asked to keep physical contact to a minimum.

Handholding is permitted but hugs and kissing are not, to help reduce the chance of spreading the virus, the Government has said in its latest visiting guidance.
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021

World at a Crossroad: Two Months Into New U.S. Administration Updated Invitation: Schiller Institute/ICLC Conference

March 7 , 2021 (EIRNS)Two months after the inauguration of Joe Biden as President of the United States, the world is faced with a multitude of crises: The U.S. is heading for a geopolitical confrontation against China and Russia. The effort to contain the rise of China by trying to forge an Indo-Pacific alliance, or even a global NATO, has been answered with the formation of a military alliance between China and Russia. The financial oligarchy, centered in the City of London, Wall Street, and Silicon Valley, is trying to postpone the inevitable collapse of the transatlantic financial system by pumping anywhere between $30 and $50 trillion into the Great Reset of the Green New Deal, which will be the end of industrial nations and, if implemented successfully, would lead to a gigantic population reduction worldwide.

The World Food Program is warning that this year alone there is the danger that 270 million people will starve to death from the condition of severe underdevelopment aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns, which have already destroyed 500 million jobs. The most dramatic humanitarian crisis since the Second World War is occurring right now in Yemen, where 20 million people are in acute danger of starvation. The fact that such a situation, which could be remedied easily if the political will existed, is not dealt with, means this is genocide. In Syria, one-third of the population is starving and victimized by a proxy war, which seemingly is between Israel and Iran, but really is the cockpit for a potential Third World War between the modern form of the British Empirethe U.K. and the U.S.and Russia and China.

There is a systemic competition: While not only China, but also many Asian nations, have revived their ancient civilizations and combined them with an extremely optimistic perspective for the future based on scientific and technological innovation, the so-called West has plunged into a new Dark Age by adopting the most degenerate cultural practices, a policy of everything goes, which makes the end of the Roman Empire look pale by comparison. Therefore, the only way the human species has any hope of escaping this existential crisis will be by consciously initiating a Renaissance of classical culture and a dialogue of the most elevated cultural traditions of universal history.

The Schiller Institute is gathering leading spokesmen from Russia, China, Africa, Europe, and the Americas for a dialogue on how to meet this existential crisis of mankind with the idea of peace through development. Lyndon LaRouche fostered this approach for fifty years, with the idea of looking ahead to the next fifty years, to create the necessary revolution in human affairs to both meet these crises together as a human race, and to unleash the creative potential of mankind to create a world worthy of the dignity of man.

Join us for three panels (times are approximate; there will be simultaneous interpretation):

March 20:

10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. EDT: Reversing the Cultural WastelandThe Urgency of a New Renaissance

2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. EDT: The Strategic Crisis Facing the Human Race

March 21:

10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. EDT: The Indo-Pacific, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia: Pivots for War, or Peaceful Development with the New Silk Road
SAN DIEGO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Four women entrepreneurs in STEM: Y'vonne Ormond, CEO of 5P Consulting, Nancy Ridge, President of Ridge Innovative, Deborah Ward, CEO of Televergence Solutions, and Cate Heaman, CEO of Prelude Solutions, have joined forces to empower their clients' business outcomes through digital solutions. These women have established the Power Women Alliance for the sole purpose of bringing a unique combined value to organizations across the globe.

5P Consulting, LLC

"The Power Women Alliance represents a new ecosystem program that supports today's line of business buyers," says Nancy Ridge. "Together, we bring solutions that serve the customer directly."

"Our goal is to be a one-stop-shop providing value to prospective buyers and our combined clients, so they don't have to hunt around for multiple solutions, providers, and products. Our trusted partnership and ecosystem bring a full portfolio of solutions," says Y'vonne Ormond.

"Excited to work with this team of innovative women. By collaborating together and thinking outside the box, we're able to provide the best business outcomes for our customers," says Deb Ward.

"Having a technology ecosystem of women-owned businesses delivering innovation strategies, services, solutions, and savings to clients is so powerful on so many levels," says Cate Heaman.

With combined decades of experience and global reach, the four founders of Ridge Innovative, Televergence, Prelude Solutions, and 5P Consulting are addressing all aspects of todays' complex environments. Their solutions optimize, mitigate, manage and secure IT environments. As women-owned businesses, their mission is to fuel economic growth globally by delivering world-class products and services to companies that demonstrate their support for women entrepreneurs.

About Ridge Innovative: Founded by Nancy Ridge, Ridge Innovative helps you source, save, secure, support, and achieve your business outcomes using the latest technology. For more information check out www.ridgeinnovative.com or contact Nancy at [email protected]

About Televergence: Founded by Deborah Ward, Televergence is a nationwide telecommunications carrier providing premium Toll-Free & Long-Distance service to companies with mission-critical needs. To find out more, check out www.televergence.com or reach out to Deborah for more information at [email protected]

About Prelude Solutions: Founded by Cate Heaman, Prelude Solutions is a woman-owned telecommunications consulting company that performs an in-depth analysis of your communication services and systems with the objective of reducing costs through pure savings, credits, erroneous charges, and service realignment. To find out more, check out www.preludesolutions.com or reach out to Cate for more information at [email protected]

About 5P Consulting: Y'vonne founded 5P Consulting in 2016 and provides business architecture, data architecture, and cloud infrastructure solutions to businesses of all sizes. 5P Consulting is all about the client: small enough to provide personal attention and large enough to execute quick wins through their 5P framework. To find out more, check out www.5pconsulting.biz or reach out to Y'vonne for more information at [email protected]

Media Contact:

Aleah Wood

5P Consulting - [email protected]

Related Images

power-women-alliance.png

Power Women Alliance

SOURCE 5P Consulting, LLC
Women in very rich suburbs are much more likely to own a home without needing a husband or boyfriend.

Sydney's eastern suburbs and north shore, and Melbourne's inner-east are, different to the rest of Australia in this one regard.

They are the only pockets of Australia where the number of women owning a home without a romantic partner or a spouse is higher than it is for men.

CoreLogic's head of research Eliza Owen said women on higher incomes tended to be concentrated in the wealthy, inner-city areas of Sydney and Melbourne, making them more likely to buy property on their own.

Women in very rich suburbs are much more likely to own a home without needing a man. Sydney's eastern suburbs and north shore and Melbourne's inner-east are different to the rest of Australia. Pictured are two women at Bondi

Where women are more likely to own a home by themselves Sydney eastern suburbs Sydney north shore Melbourne inner east Melbourne inner south Advertisement

'Higher rates of home ownership reflects a demographic of women that have more opportunity in terms of employment or income,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'Therefore, these women may be more empowered to buy than women in other parts of Australia.

'The eastern suburbs, the north shore, and the inner east of Melbourne are high- income areas.'

Wealthy women are also much more likely to buy property than high-income men, who are more inclined to put their earnings into shares.

'Wealthier women have been more inclined to buy real estate over time, compared with a decline in the inclination of men to buy property in high-income brackets,' Ms Owen said.

'This in turn could reflect different investment preferences among wealthy men and women.

'There is some research to suggest that women are more risk averse, and bricks and mortar is often thought of as a more "safe" asset because it is tangible, and tends to have less volatility than other asset types.'

on Sydney's north shore, 28.8 per cent of homes were only owned by a woman, compared with 27.2 per cent where only a man was the owner. Pictured is a view of Sydney Harbour from Mosman

A nationwide gender gap persists in the property market with 27.7 per cent of homes solely owned by a man, compared with 24.1 per cent under sole female ownership, CoreLogic's Women and Property: State of Play report revealed on Monday.

The situation was reversed in Sydney's expensive eastern suburbs where almost a third or 32.5 per cent of homes were owned solely by a woman, compared with 29.7 per cent of homes solely owned by a man.

Across the harbour, on Sydney's north shore, 28.8 per cent of homes were only owned by a woman, compared with 27.2 per cent where only a man was the owner.

In Melbourne's inner east, 31.6 per cent of properties were solely female-owned compared with 27.8 per cent of entirely male-owned homes.

In the nearby inner south, 30.5 per cent of homes were solely owned by a woman compared with 25.2 per cent under only male ownership.

These were the only areas among the 76 sub-markets analysed where more women than men owned a home on their own.

Ms Owen said these wealthy parts of Sydney and Melbourne also had a higher female workforce participation rate and a higher proportion of women than the national average.
(HealthDay)Yet another study confirms what doctors have long known: Being obese greatly raises the odds that if you contract COVID-19, your case could be a severe one.

The study, from researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, supports calls for obese Americans to move to the head of the line for protective vaccines.

"These findings highlight clinical and public health implications of higher BMIs, including the need for intensive management of COVID-19-associated illness, continued vaccine prioritization and masking, and policies to support healthy behaviors," wrote a team led by Lyudmyla Kompaniyets, of the CDC COVID-19 Response Team.

In the study, researchers pored over data on more than 148,000 patients treated for COVID-19 at 238 U.S. hospitals between March and December 2020. In this cohort, "28.3% had overweight and 50.8% had obesity," Kompaniyets' group reported.

"Overweight and obesity were risk factors for [patients requiring] invasive mechanical ventilation, and obesity was a risk factor for hospitalization and death," the CDC team said, especially for people under 65 years of age. As clinicians develop care plans for COVID-19 patients, they should consider the risk for severe outcomes in patients with higher BMIs, especially for those with severe obesity, they added.

The findings will probably be of little surprise to physicians who have seen the sometimes deadly combination of obesity and coronavirus infection play out in hospital wards.

"Since the beginning of the pandemic, many of us treating patients have noted the propensity for obese and overweight individuals to have more severe illness," said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, in Baltimore. "This is true with other respiratory viruses, as well, as obesity does compromise respiratory fitness and has many other metabolic effects."

Dr. Robert Glatter is an emergency medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Reading over the report, he noted that obesity already produces "inflammatory effects" in the body, putting patients at a disadvantage when COVID-19 strikes.

Glatter said the findings underscore "the importance of prevention strategies, such as continued vaccine prioritization and masking."

Last week, one global investigation found that 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% 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% threshold were also those with some of the largest proportions of coronavirus deaths, including 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 524,000 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.

For individuals carrying extra pounds, the solution to easing the threat from COVID-19 is clear, according to Glatter.

"Preventative health strategies that focus on daily exercise, healthy eating and moderation, along with a focus on mental health awareness, can be invaluable," he said.

The new study was published March 8 in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Copyright  2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Tauranga City councilor Steve Morris has questioned the figures and methodology used by Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Garry Webber in a comparison of rates between main centres.

Mayor Webber provided a spreadsheet to the Bay of Plenty Times last week which councillor Morris has disputed.

In the article, former Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell called on the citys commissioners to consider amalgamating the Western Bays three councils; Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Webber argued that it would be unfair for the Western Bay council to provide any financial assistance toward aiding the Tauranga council's current issues.

Webber supplied a spreadsheet of rates comparisons between New Zealand's main centres. It suggested Tauranga as one of the lower-rated councils in New Zealand.

But Morris has some fundamental issues with the data Webber provided.

It was an absolute shocker, says Morris. This is just misinformation for our community.

Morris claims that Webber has undercooked Tauranga City Council's figures and has significantly overcooked Wellingtons rates by $1000-$2000.

Morris also disputes the methodology being used for the figures provided by Webber.

Those figures rely on capital values which are based on property valuations in different years between different councils. They ignore the fact that there are different targeted rates and user-fees and charges between councils.

Morris highlights several differences between Tauranga and other main centres, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin, including water meters and rubbish collection.

He claims these differences skew the figures and are not highlighted in the table provided by Webber.

It is an easy trap to fall into. What is a $5m house in Tauranga compared to a $5m house in Wellington? But Wellington doesnt have water meters and they have rubbish collection. Tauranga, up until now, has water meters and doesnt have rubbish. So it is not an apples for apples comparison.

But Webber has made it clear that his loyalty is to his ratepayers.

I am not in a position to comment on Mr. Morris figures but the article in question was headlined regarding Powells call to merge councils.

Why should Western Bay ratepayers pay for Tauranga City infrastructure? In the Western Bay we are already highly burdened financially, why would I burden our ratepayers anymore?

Morris believes these figures have been pushed to Tauranga commissioner chair Anne Tolley in a bid to justify rate increases.

That is the sort of information that is out there about Taurangas rates and it is completely untrue.

He confirmed he has been in touch with the former National MP to present what he refers to as the correct figures.

That is why you cannot compare Tauranga to a small district it has to be compared to the cities for a meaningful comparison. When you compare us to the cities we are at the very top when it comes to rates.

You have to do a bit more of a sophisticated analysis than a back of the envelope calculation which is just misinformation and wrong.

However, Webber argues that the table is immaterial.

Mr. Morris should stick to the big issue which is why should Western Bay assist Tauranga City and fund Tauranga City infrastructure, says Webber.

We have got to look after our own ratepayers. They are my priority. Our council is totally focused on looking after our district as financially prudently as we can.
Many of the most enduring womens perfumes  Chanel No. 5, Joy by Jean Patou and Guerlains Shalimar among them  feature lush notes of rose. Indeed, the blooms scent has come to define a certain idea of femininity, at once tender and mysterious. In fact, though, the flower has a long history of being used in fragrances for both sexes: the ancient Greeks macerated its petals to make fragrant unisex body oils, and the Traite des Odeurs, an 18th-century French guide to creating aromas, includes recipes for mens scented waters infused with an abundance of roses, says Saskia Wilson-Brown, the founder of the Institute for Art and Olfaction in Los Angeles. The concept of gendered perfumes only really gained traction in the 20th century  in particular after World War II, when advertising firmly reinforced the eras gender norms.

Now, as those notions are being dismantled, a new generation of perfumes is emphasizing the androgynous appeal of roses. They might have a delicate texture, but their scent can be fierce, strong, earthy and leathery, says James Craven, a fragrance archivist at the London perfume boutique Les Senteurs. Some compounds in the aroma are even metallic, almost blood-like, says Wilson-Brown. Todays rose perfumes often tap into that darker side of the flower and are not overtly feminized, says Craven. Instead, they are stripped back to their botanical essence, he continues, to reveal the smell of the live, growing rose, the earth and rainwater that feed it, the grass that surrounds it, the stems, the leaves.
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.
Kabul, March 8 : Afghan forces have killed an operative of the Islamic State (IS) terror group in Nangarhar province, an official statement issued on Monday said.

"Amir Khan alias Amir Masoud Kaftari who served as deputy intelligence chief of the IS outfit has been killed in Khogiani district," Xinhua news agency quoted the statement published by the provincial government as saying.

The security forces also discovered an IS flag and a number of arms and ammunitions from Kaftari's hideout during the raid, the statement added.

The IS, which is still active in parts of Nangarhar and the neighbouring Kunar and Nuristan provinces, is yet to make comment.
WEST SPRINGFIELD - A two-family home off Memorial Avenue was heavily damaged in a Sunday night fire that reportedly left six people in need of shelter.

The fire at 11-13 Barnard St., a side street off Memorial Avenue near Union St., caused significant structural damage to to the property. Large portions of the exterior appeared charred by flames and large sections of the roof had collapsed.

West Springfield fire officials were not available to comment on the fire Monday morning.

Fire Chief William Flaherty told Western Mass News that the fire displaced 6 residents. There were no reported injuries, and two residents of the third floor escaped by using a plank to cross over to the roof on an adjacent building.

More information will be added as it is known.
English Lithuanian

AB Ignitis grupe (hereinafter  the Company) informs that on 8 March 2021 it has announced the selection for the position of new CEO and Member of the Management Board of its subsidiary UAB Ignitis (hereinafter  Ignitis).



Among the requirements set for the candidates to the Ignitis CEO and Chair of the Management Board position there are requirements of at least 5-year experience in a managerial role in the position of business development and/or product development and/or trading and/or sales; an ability to develop a technologically advanced environment suitable for innovations.

You can find all requirements set for candidates in the official advertisement ( link ). The Company will announce the new Ignitis CEO and Member of the Management Board as a notice via the securities exchange.

The current Ignitis CEO and Chair of the Management Board Darius Montvila is leaving the position due to health-related reasons. He will remain in the current position until the new CEO and Chair of the Management Board is appointed and, afterwards, will remain an advisor to the Ignitis companys Management Board.

The newly selected CEO of Ignitis would be appointed for the term of five years. They would serve as the Member of the Management Board until the current end of term of Ignitis Management Board  31 May 2023.





For more information please contact:

Arturas Ketlerius

Head of Public Relations at Ignitis Group

arturas.ketlerius@ignitis.lt

+370 620 76076








Following closely on the heels of the Sunday drone and missile attack fired from Yemeni Houthi territory targeting the heart of Saudi Arabia's oil industry, specifically on the Saudi Aramco facility at Ras Tanura, the Saudi-led coalition is reporting Monday a new ballistic missile attack on Saudi soil.

According to a coalition statement, the Saudis "destroyed a ballistic missile heading towards Khamis Mushait and booby-trapped drone heading towards the kingdom's southern region."

The statement further blamed the Shia rebels fighting the Saudi-UAE coalition since 2015, noting the projectiles were "launched by Houthis militia".

Within hours of the reported fresh missile attack, Saudi state media SPA quoted the coalition as condemning the continued "sabotage attacks":

"The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strongly condemned and denounced sabotage attacks that attempted to target one of the petroleum tank farms at Ras Tanura Port in the Eastern Region and Saudi Aramco facilities in Dhahra," SPA wrote.

It further condemned what it called the "cowardly attack" that "targets energy supplies and security".

Video footage of yesterday's Houthi's attack:

NEW ???? Yemens Houthis carry out a large offensive operation with 14 drones and 8 ballistic missiles against Saudi Arabias territories. Houthis also claim to have targeted a Saudi Aramco site. pic.twitter.com/k4dflePTFR  Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) March 7, 2021

Meanwhile the White House commented on the spate of latest attacks, with a spokesperson saying the Saudis face "genuine security threats" from Yemen's Houthis.

Concerning the details of Sunday's attack, a new Saudi statement said "Shrapnel from a ballistic missile fell near a residential compound in Dhahran used by state-controlled Saudi Aramco, the worlds biggest oil company," according to Reuters.

The attack drove Brent crude above $70/barrel on Monday - which was the highest price seen in over a year, since January 2020.

By Zerohedge.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Princess Diana may have died in 1997 but shes still leaving her mark on the British royal family. More specifically, shes impacting the lives of her son, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Harry and Meghans royal exit wouldnt have been possible without Diana.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down as senior royals in 2020

(L-R) Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in 2018 and Princess Diana in 1995 | Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage; Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

RELATED: British Royal Family Missing 1 Quality Since Meghan Markles Departure, Author Says

In a bombshell statement in January 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their intention to step down as senior working royals. They explained they wanted to carve out a progressive new role in The Firm and step back as senior members of the royal family. They also said they wanted to split their time between the United Kingdom and North America with the goal of becoming financially independent.

Following a series of conversations deemed the Sandringham Summit where Queen Elizabeth II and other high-ranking members of the royal family discussed the details of Harry and Meghans exit deal, the couple wrapped up the last of their royal engagements in March 2020. They moved from the U.K. to Canada before finally buying a home in Montecito, California, a wealthy enclave of Santa Barbara thats home to celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Rob Lowe, and Ellen DeGeneres.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lived off money from Princess Diana after royal exit

When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as senior royals they no longer had access to funds from the Duchy of Cornwall. That meant the couple had to rely largely on Harrys estimated $10 million inheritance from Diana, according to Forbes.

When Harry and Meghan put down roots in California they made a pretty big dent in their bank account. Their Montecito home cost $14.7 million. The couple put down $5 million leaving them with a mortgage of about $10 million. On top of that, they paid back the roughly $3 million spent remodeling Frogmore Cottage.

Until Meghan and Harry signed whats believed to be lucrative deals with Spotify and Netflix they had to be strategic and thoughtful with their spending. Now that theyve cut ties as senior royals, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to have some major earning potential meaning their net worth will only grow.

Prince Harry left the royal family because the British media was destroying his mental health

RELATED: Meghan Markle Just Revealed Another Nickname for Prince Harry

Buckingham Palace confirmed Meghan and Harry wouldnt be returning to their royal roles, in a statement on Feb. 19, 2021. Queen Elizabeth II spoke with Harry and what came out of it was that hed have to give up his honorary military titles. He and Meghan would also have to relinquish their royal patronages.

Why did the Sussexes leave the royal family? During an appearance on The Late Late Show With James Corden on Feb. 25, 2021, Harry said the treatment from the British press played a major role.

It was a really difficult environment, as I think a lot of people saw. We all know what the British press can be like. It was destroying my mental health, he said. I was like, This is toxic, so I did what any husband and what any father would do which is, I need to get my family out of here, but we never walked away.

Harry and Meghans royal exit will be one of the main topics during a CBS sit-down interview with their neighbor, Oprah Winfrey. The exclusive special will air on March 7, 2021, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Two thirds (65%) of those working from home feel pressure to stay connected after normal hours with an average of 22 hours put in of overtime per month by employees over the last year, worth 7 billion.



The research, which measures the wellbeing of over 1,000 Irish employees and 180 HR leaders during the pandemic, is the second barometer issued by laya healthcare during Covid-19 and will be unveiled at a free virtual event for HR leaders on 11 March 2021.



The findings reveal a desire among Irish employers and employees to make mental health services within organisations more accessible. Seven in 10 (69%) organisations admit that the biggest challenge to working from home is managing the mental wellbeing of employees, up by almost 10% compared to six months ago. Along with mental health management, over seven in 10 employees (74%) believe the workforce should be vaccinated before returning to work and an encouraging 79% said they would get it if available.



Commenting on the research, Head of Health and Wellbeing at laya healthcare, Sinead Proos said, "We are seeing worrying signs of deteriorating morale among employees, due in part to less social interaction with colleagues, the struggle to self-motivate, and having to be always-on. Our latest barometer shows that employee motivation and maintaining organisational culture are becoming more notable issues compared to six months ago, with a greater number of employees now citing the loss of workplace bonding as their top challenge of working from home."

She added, "There is an overwhelming feeling of being stuck in stasis  some say the hopeful start to 2021 has failed to materialise while almost half of workers feel stuck in their current employment, wanting to change jobs but held back because of lack of opportunities. Employers also indicated that effective communication is a challenge, and this has a real knock-on effect  if workers arent feeling communicated to, and supported, this can lend itself to the feeling of stagnation."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Denton, TX (76205)

Today

Cloudy early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

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Cloudy early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
The local quotient of killing is basically unchanged.



On the bright side, a new office established by a councilman offers some semblance of a plan. Meanwhile, our suburban neighbors gloat over the slaughter and the Mayor's office continues to ignore the problem by way of motivational tweets or posting hopeful sunset pix.



Read more . . .
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 23:53:58|Editor: huaxia

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-- China's defense budget is around one-quarter of the U.S. figure.

-- Since dropping to 7.6 percent in 2016, China's annual defense budget growth rate has remained under 10 percent for six consecutive years.

-- Never seeking hegemony, expansion or spheres of influence is the distinctive feature of China's national defense in the new era.

-- The United States appears to be the real threat to world peace.

BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- A draft budget report submitted to China's top legislature has unveiled the country's planned military spending for this year. In 2021, China's defense budget will be around 1.35 trillion yuan (about 200 billion U.S. dollars), up 6.8 percent from last year.

Is China's military spending too hefty? Is the figure growing too fast? Is the so-called "Chinese military threat," as hyped by some Western politicians and media outlets, well-grounded?

The answer is no.

The national flag guards march from the Monument to the People's Heroes towards the national flag-raising post at the start of the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2019. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

QUARTER OF U.S. DEFENSE BUDGET

A country's defense expenditure is determined by various factors, including the demands of national defense, the size of its economy and its defense policy.

China is the world's second-largest economy and the most populous country with a vast land area. It has a great length of land border and complex maritime security environment. And yet, China's defense budget is around one-quarter of the U.S. figure.

Factoring in the country's vast population of 1.4 billion, China's planned defense expenditure per capita in 2021 will be about 140 U.S. dollars.

In sharp contrast, the defense budget of the United States for the 2021 fiscal year is 740.5 billion U.S. dollars, which makes for a per capita expenditure of about 2,230 U.S. dollars, around 15 times the Chinese figure.

When measured in terms of the proportion of GDP spent on the defense budget, China's military spending is undoubtedly at a low level.

A Chinese government white paper compared the average defense expenditures of various countries. As a percentage of GDP, from 2012 to 2017, China's average defense expenditure was about 1.3 percent. The figures for other major countries were: the United States about 3.5 percent; India 2.5 percent; the United Kingdom 2.0 percent; France 2.3 percent.

When calculated based on other standards, including as a ratio of spending to government expenditure, China's military spending is at a lower level than other major countries, according to the white paper.

Military medical staff airlifted by eight large transport planes of the air force of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) arrive at Tianhe International Airport, to support coronavirus fight in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

DOWNWARD TREND

Since dropping to 7.6 percent in 2016, China's annual defense budget growth rate has remained under 10 percent for six consecutive years.

Observed over a longer period, China's defense expenditure as a percentage of GDP has been falling from a peak of 5.43 percent in 1979, and has remained below 2 percent for the past three decades. Also on a clear downward trend is its share of government expenditure.

In terms of usage, China's defense input is assigned to sectors mainly including personnel, training and sustainment, and equipment.

This year's increase in budget will be mainly spent on supporting major projects included in the military's five-year development plan, upgrading weaponry and equipment, stepping up the transformation of military training, improving the wellbeing of service personnel and supporting small-unit level development, according to Wu Qian, a Chinese military spokesperson.

"China's defense expenditure is reasonable and appropriate. In fact, it is barely enough for meeting the needs of safeguarding the country's sovereignty, security and development interests," He Lei, a national lawmaker and former deputy head of the Academy of Military Sciences, told Xinhua.

Anita Kiki Gebe, deputy joint special representative of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), awards UN peace medal to a soldier of the 2nd China Medium Utility Helicopter Unit (CMUHU02) in El-Fashir, Sudan, July 17, 2019. (Xinhua)

NEVER SEEKING HEGEMONY, EXPANSION, SPHERES OF INFLUENCE

Never seeking hegemony, expansion or spheres of influence is the distinctive feature of China's national defense in the new era.

The country has never initiated a war or taken an inch of foreign land since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

By contrast, during its 240-plus years of history, the United States has only experienced less than 20 years when it was not at war. The country owns hundreds of military bases around the world, and has sent ships and planes across the world to flex its muscles.

Since 2001, the United States has illegally launched wars and military operations against Iraq, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan and several other countries, at a cost of more than 6.4 trillion U.S. dollars, resulting in over 800,000 deaths and tens of millions displaced.

A new research by anti-war group CODEPINK reveals that the United States and its allies have dropped at least 326,000 bombs and missiles on countries across the globe since 2001.

The real threat to world peace is quite evident.

"For quite some time, the United States has been willfully interfering in other countries' internal affairs in the name of democracy and human rights," said State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a press conference on Sunday. "This has created lots of trouble in the world and, in some cases, turbulence and conflict."

The U.S. side has repeatedly sent warships and aircraft to the South China Sea for all kinds of military drills and close-in reconnaissance, posing serious challenges to the Chinese military in safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and maritime rights and interests.

Given such facts, the increase of China's defense expenditure is based on practical considerations.

China's homeland security risks and challenges should not be overlooked, said Wu Qian, adding that land territorial disputes are yet to be completely resolved and disputes still exist over the territorial sovereignty of some islands and reefs, as well as maritime demarcation.

"The world is not entirely a peaceful one, so national defense must be strong," said Wu.

Committed to peaceful development, China has also actively assumed the responsibilities of a major country and has safeguarded world peace with concrete actions. It is the second-largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget and the largest troop contributing country among the permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Since 1990, China's armed forces have sent more than 40,000 peacekeepers on UN peacekeeping missions. They have faithfully performed their duties and made a positive contribution to world peace and common development.

"China's moderate and steady growth of defense spending poses no threat to any other country and is an anchor of stability for world peace," said He Lei.

(Video Editor: Peng Ying) 
Declan Reid, 34, was kayaking with his eight-year-old son Aaron on Sunday, February 28 when their kayak capsized near Ardreigh Lock on the Barrow.

The boy was rescued from the water by a passerby who spotted them in trouble.

A search for Declan was carried out by garda divers who were later joined by local gardai and over 80 members of the Civil Defence from Kildare, Laois, Dublin, Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford.

Search and rescue teams from Meath, Mallow, and Dublin were also involved in the search operation along with local kayakers.

Mr Reid, late of Moorefield Drive, Neilstown, Clondalkin is predeceased by his mother Patricia.

Kildare Gardai said: "This last week in Athy has been a difficult one for our community.

"An Garda Siochana in Kildare would like to thank all those who joined in the search efforts for Declan Reid RIP.

"To the Garda Water Units in Athlone and Dublin, the Garda Air Support Unit, Kildare Civil Defence led by Patrica McNeela aided by Laois, Dublin, Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford units. Local kayakers from Athy. Local people and their boats. Mallow search and rescue Meath search and rescue. The Irish underwater search and rescue based in Dublin. To the countless volunteer's who walked many miles searching.

"The Reid family have expressed so much gratitude and thanks for finding Declan. May we send our deepest sympathy to all Declan's family and friends."

Mr Reid will be sadly missed by his son Aaron, his partner Fiona, his father Paul, sister Roisin and extended family, neighbours and friends.

The funeral cortege will pass along the Carlow Road, Emily Square and Leinster Street areas at 9.20am on Wednesday morning en route to the Funeral Mass in Clondalkin.

People are welcome to stand along the route with social distancing being observed at all times.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- The Anhui-based automaker JAC Motors and NIO Holding Ltd. signed on March 4 a letter of intent for the establishment of a joint venture in Hefei, where NIO China is headquartered, according to JAC Motors announcement.

NIO China's headquarters in China; photo credit: NIO

Under the letter of intent, both parties intend to deepen their cooperation on advanced manufacturing, management of services and supply chain related to intelligent-connected new energy vehicles.

The joint venture is temporarily named Jianglai Advanced Manufacturing Technology (Anhui) Co.,Ltd.. It involves a planned registered capital of 500 million yuan ($77.268 million), 51% and 49% of which were subscribed by JAC Motors and NIO, according to the announcement.

The board of directors will be set up while the joint venture is formally founded. It is set to be composed of 5 members, and NIO has the right to occupy 2 seats. Besides, the chairman should be appointed by JAC Motors.

According to the statement, the joint venture would have a line of businesses including the production, technology R&D, manufacturing management and service operation related to intelligent electric vehicles, the manufacture, R&D and sale of auto parts, as well as the technology consultation and transfer about smart electric vehicles.

The business scope should be finally determined by the operating license.

On Feb. 5, NIO Holdings Ltd., formerly known as NIO (Anhui) Holdings Ltd., the legal entity of NIO China, saw its registered capital increase to 6.167 billion yuan ($952.956 million) from 5.817 billion yuan ($898.922 million), according to the corporate data platform Tianyancha.


People who are infected with Covid-19 can expect to be free of re-infection for six months, according to a new review by the countrys patient safety watchdog.

Previously the guideline on re-infection only extended three months.

The new guidance does not apply to new strains of the virus which have been identified.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) today published its advice to the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) on the duration of immunity-and protection from reinfection- following coronavrivus infection.

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It has already been accepted by Nphet.

This advice was informed by international evidence and expert opinion, from the Covid-19 Expert Advisory Group.

Dr Mairin Ryan, Hiqas Deputy CEO and Director of Health Technology Assessment, said: We have advised Nphet that presumptive immunity should be extended to six months post-infection. The risk of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 is low and no evidence was found to suggest that immunity wanes over this period.

The previous guidance in Ireland was that immunity lasts for at least 12 weeks.

Dr Ryan continued: With regards to guidance, we have recommended that the post-infection exemption for close contacts be extended to six months in line with this evidence.

The studies Hiqa examined were conducted prior to December 2020, since then new variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been found and vaccines have begun roll-out.

Therefore, the applicability of the findings to the new strains and vaccinated populations is unknown.

Hiqa said it will continue to review the question of immunity and monitor the latest international evidence and national surveillance data.

The report said that evidence from five large cohort studies, including three studies that enrolled healthcare workers, demonstrated that the risk of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 is very low up to seven months post-infection.

These findings were supported by evidence of long-term duration of T- and B-cell responses up to eight months post-infection

The included studies provided estimates in the general population and in healthcare workers

It is unclear if the findings are generalisable to other populations such as the elderly, those with comorbidities and immunocompromised individuals.

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Two men have died in separate road crashes at the weekend.

A man in his 40s was killed yesterday when the car he was driving crashed into a wall on the R127 between Skerries and Lusk in north Co Dublin.

The crash occurred shortly after noon and no other vehicle is believed to have been involved.

The mans body was taken to James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown where a post mortem examination was due to take place. The road was closed for a time as forensic accident investigators examined the scene.

Gardai are appealing for anyone who was in the area between 11.45am and 12.15pm to contact them at Balbriggan garda station, or any garda station.

They have also asked that anyone who was driving in the area at the time, and who has dash-cam footage, to make it available to gardai.

Meanwhile, another man also lost his life after his motorcycle crashed in Co Tipperary about 2.10pm on Saturday.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash occurred on the R497 in Reiska, Kilcommon. When gardai arrived at the scene, they found the motorcycle in a ditch.

The mans body was removed to the mortuary in Templemore, where a post mortem examination was due to take place.

Gardai at Thurles are appealing for any witnesses or for anyone with information about the incident to contact them on 0504 25100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or to contact any garda station.
POSCO Chairman Choi Jeong-woo



By Nam Hyun-woo



POSCO Chairman Choi Jeong-woo is pushing for a second term as head of the steelmaker, sending letters promising improved profitability to shareholders before their upcoming annual general meeting, according to the company, Monday.



"The global economy will show a soft recovery this year due to governments' expanded expenditure and vaccinations, but will not likely reach pre-pandemic levels due to remaining uncertainties and slower economic growth," Choi said.



"Against these challenges, POSCO will focus on recovering its profitability by expanding sales of high-margin products such as high strength vehicle plates and improving cost efficiency through the utilization of artificial intelligence technologies."



Choi, who became POSCO chairman in July 2018, may be given another term during the shareholders meeting, Friday.



The POSCO board has already given him the green light, but concerns have been voiced that shareholders such as the National Pension Service (NPS) could exercise their rights more actively following a series of fatal accidents at the steelmaker's facilities. The NPS is the largest stakeholder in POSCO with an 11.75 percent stake, followed by Citibank with 7.41 percent.



Including a Feb. 8 accident that took the life of a 35-year-old contractor, 14 contractors and five POSCO employees have died in work-related incidents since 2018. Of the 19 fatalities, 14 occurred after Choi's appointment in July 2018, while none occurred in 2017.



According to the letter, Choi's top priority will be workplace safety. He also said he will enhance POSCO affiliates' presence in the supply chains for the liquid natural gas, food trading and rechargeable battery sectors.



Regarding POSCO Group's battery materials businesses, he pledged to develop affiliates into "top-tier vendors" by expanding their production capacity and incorporating raw material businesses.



Choi added that the steelmaker is seeing high potential in the hydrogen business, and is continuing to expand its hydrogen production capacity as well as exploring new business opportunities with domestic and overseas partners. Last month, POSCO signed an agreement with Hyundai Motor Group to jointly create a hydrogen economy ecosystem.



POSCO plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through hydrogen-based steelmaking technology. Called HyREX, it uses hydrogen to split oxygen from iron ore. Since the technology is still under development, Choi said POSCO will come up with other emission-cutting technologies and low-carbon products over the short term.



Meanwhile, POSCO and SK Global Chemical, a subsidiary of SK Innovation agreed, Monday, to jointly develop light-weight materials for vehicles.


Seoul, March 8 : The combined forces of South Korea and the US kicked off their joint annual military exercises in a scaled-back manner in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said on Monday.

The Combined Command Post Training (CCPT), or the annually-held computer-simulated command post exercise in springtime, was scheduled to last until March 18, reports Xinhua news agency.

No field manoeuvers will be staged this year amid the continued pandemic.

Tough antivirus measures will be in place throughout the training period, a South Korean military official was quoted as saying.

In 2020, the two sides cancelled the springtime command post exercise and carried out the summertime one in an adjusted manner amid the pandemic.

Boo Seung-chan, a spokesman of South Korea's Defence Ministry, told a press briefing that the verification of the Full Operational Capability (FOC) will be limited this year out of the comprehensive consideration of relevant conditions, such as the Covid situation, combat readiness posture and efforts to settle peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The FOC verification is crucial in an early transfer of the wartime operational command of South Korean forces from the US.

South Korea's wartime command was handed over to the US forces after the 1950-53 Korean War broke out.

South Korea won back its peacetime operational control in 1994.

Boo noted that this year's CCPT will involve a part of a rehearsal for theater operations, led by the Combined Forces Command under the command of a four-star South Korean general.

South Korea has claimed that the joint annual military drills with the US are defensive in nature, but Pyongyang has denounced it as a dress rehearsal for a northward invasion.
Andrew Bondi was recently promoted to Vice President, Retail and Franchise Operations, for Woodcraft Supply. Andrew has a firm foundation from which to approach this new opportunity.

Andrew Bondi has been promoted to Vice President for Retail and Franchise Operations at Woodcraft Supply, an industry leader in providing top quality woodworking products, educational opportunities and one-on-one guidance to woodworkers of all skill levels.

Andrew has a firm foundation from which to approach this new opportunity, Woodcraft President and CEO Jack Bigger said. With many years of well-rounded experience in our power tool segment, along with product, sales, sales promotion and most recently store operations, he is ready to take on this key position of leadership within the Woodcraft organization.

Bondi started at Woodcraft in June of 2000 as a Vendor Manager. Over the next 20 years, he held numerous positions within the organization, including Power Tool Manager, Director of Product Development, Director of Multi-Channel Sales and Director of Retail Operations. Prior to joining Woodcraft, he served four years in the US Navy as a Boiler Tech and was Delta Machinery Account Manager for eight years.

Its an honor to be a part of an organization that has laid the foundation for success with a rock solid corporate culture and a top-notch staff, Bondi said. Im looking forward to working closer with some of the best franchise operators and store managers in the business.

An avid woodworker, Bondi describes as simply magical the transformation of a pile of lumber into a piece of fine furniture. He said woodworking provides him a means of relaxation and reflection. Fishing is another hobby Bondi enjoys, especially with his children.

Bondi and his wife Audrey will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary in April. They have three sons, Drew 25, Jake 22, and Nick 18, and a daughter, Lindsey 11. The family lives in Williamstown, West Virginia.

For more information about Woodcraft, please contact the store nearest you, visit woodcraft.com or call (800) 535-4482. To learn about Woodcraft franchise opportunities, visit woodcraftfranchise.com or email woodcraftfranchise@woodcraft.com.
New Delhi, March 8 : The national capital recorded 35,738 vaccinations on Monday, the highest it has achieved so far since the Covid immunisation drive started here, the department of health and family welfare of the Delhi government said.

As many as 28,422 people received the first dose while 7,316 took the booster shot on Monday. One case of Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) was also reported, the department added.

More than half of the day's vaccination was covered by people aged above 60. The government data estimates around 56 per cent of the contribution by the senior citizens. As many as 20,123 people in this category received their first shot of Covid vaccine, the data showed.

In the 45-59 years age group category, 2,710 beneficiaries received the jabs on Monday, it added. Besides, the turn-up for inoculation at the private facilities continued to dominate the immunisation scenario in Delhi on Monday as well. The Delhi government shared that about 68 per cent of the people (15,485) turned up at the private facilities, while the remaining 32 per cent (7,348) went to the government facilities for vaccination.

A total of 3,252 frontline workers received their dose, in addition to 2,337 healthcare workers in the city, it added.

According to official estimates, there are around 42 lakh people in the specified priority category of 60 years or above and those within 45-59 years with comorbidities in Delhi.

People in the age group of 45-59 years with comorbidities are required to produce a comorbidity certificate signed by a registered medical practitioner. A total of 20 comorbidities have been specified for vaccination by the Union Health Ministry.
New Delhi, March 8 : Bollywood actress and fitness icon Shilpa Shetty Kundra has been roped as the fitness ambassador of active nutrition brand Fast&Up.

Shilpa says: "I have always believed in clean and intelligent nutrition and for me, Fast&Up signifies that. I have been a user of the brand (even before I signed on) and what it brings to the Indian market in terms of having a holistic approach to nutrition and fitness." She adds: "With this partnership, I am excited to see how our shared goal of getting India fit and healthy the right way. This in turn will bring about a family health revolution which is what our country needs right now." Commemorating International Women's Day, the brand also launched 'Plant Protein for Women' to meet their daily protein requirements.

Vijayaraghavan Venugopal, CEO and Co-Founder Fast&Up said: "We are delighted at this opportunity to collaborate with Shilpa Shetty Kundra who is a fitness icon. Through this partnership, we will be focusing on raising awareness on the importance of overall fitness for the family and empowering millions of Indians to lead an active and fit lifestyle.

"Also, we are excited to launch Fast&Up Plant Protein for Women on International Women's Day. They are the strength and pillars of the families and as a brand, we want to ensure that their nutritional needs are taken care of. Fast&Up Plant Protein For Women has been designed in a scientific and well-researched manner backed by Swiss technology to ensure women get their complete amino acid profile from our vegan plant-based protein." 'Plant Protein for Women' is made of herbs such as Ashwagandha and Tulsi extracts to reduce anxiety, alleviate stress and remain calm. It has 100 per cent vegan ingredients such as Protein Blend, Super Skin Blend, Stress Management Blend and Digestive Enzyme Blend that help fulfil the daily protein requirements of women, while promoting fitness and supporting in weight management. It provides amino acid profile which is sourced from pea and brown rice protein, said the brand.

(Puja Gupta can be contacted at puja.g@ians.in)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
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UWs Fay Receives College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Lifetime Achievement Honor

David Fay

A molecular biologist whose research and publication prowess are internationally known has received the Andrew Vanvig Distinguished Faculty Lifetime Achievement Award from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming.

Professor David Fay joined the Department of Molecular Biology in 2001. A developmental geneticist, Fay uses nematodes -- tiny roundworms -- to analyze gene functions across many species, including humans.

David Fay already ranks among the most accomplished biomedical research faculty that have ever graced the halls here at the University of Wyoming, wrote department colleagues Dan Levy, Jay Gatlin and Peter Thorsness, department head.

The award honors professors with a minimum of 15 years in the college. Vanvig served as head of the Department of Agricultural Economics for 25 years and was a faculty member for 35 years. He established the award to honor lifetime accomplishments in teaching, scholarship/creative activity and service.

I am thrilled to have amazing faculty in our college, says Barbara Rasco, dean of the college. Dr. Fay epitomizes everything a faculty colleague should be. He is leading research in a critical area but, more importantly, is inspiring the next generation of scientists to be the best that they can be.

Fay received his Ph.D. in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale University in 1995. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University and then at the University of Colorado-Boulder from 1997-2001, before joining UW as an assistant professor.

David is a superstar at the University of Wyoming and would be a leader at any research university, says Daniel Starr, an Allen Distinguished Investigator and professor of molecular and cellular biology at the University of California-Davis.

Starr, who spent 2013-14 on sabbatical at UW, praises Fays scholarly and research activities, research funding, mentoring and service to the field and UW.

David could have gone to a top-tier major research university after completing his postdoc at the University of Colorado, Starr says. David chose Wyoming because of the lifestyle and the realization he could have a positive impact on the community.

Fay has had 57 papers published and has brought in more than $9 million in external funding while at UW. As an assistant professor, he helped create the Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Program, the largest interdisciplinary graduate program at UW. He served as the programs director from 2005-2015.

Since its inception, the program has trained more than 110 graduate students from across the world, produced more than 45 Ph.D. graduates, and contributed to over 70 publications in scientific journals and procurement of more than $20 million in extramural grants.

Natalia Kirienko, a former molecular biology Ph.D. student and now an assistant professor at Rice University, recalls Fays approach to teaching his students.

Fay is careful to ensure students starting in his lab receive the assistance they need. But, as their training proceeds, he takes the training wheels off and allows students to proceed with as little (or as much) of his involvement as they need, she wrote.

In 2015, Fay accepted the associate director position of the National Institutes of Health-funded Wyoming INBRE (IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence) and is director of its research wing. Its goal is to help the state build its biomedical research and education infrastructure.

INBRE has helped support more than 75 individual faculty research programs, more than 100 graduate Ph.D. students, and has influenced hundreds of undergraduates at UW and Wyomings community colleges.

In his leadership role, Fay is impacting faculty members and students at UW and across Wyomings higher education system, says Scott Seville, director of Wyoming INBRE.

Dr. Fay joined the faculty in 2001 and, since that time, has established himself as a prolific researcher, an exceptional administrator, a stellar instructor and a model university citizen and colleague, Seville says.

Fays colleagues in molecular biology note that, within a few years of starting at UW, he was urging them to aim higher, think deeper, write better grants and be better colleagues.

David was largely responsible for moving our department from a cluster of semi-isolated silos to an integrated group of cooperating scientists, Thorsness, Levy and Gatlin wrote. He showed us that we could contribute significantly to the success of each others programs by reading and critically evaluating grant applications and manuscripts, participating actively in each others student seminars and defenses, and sharing resources and equipment.

Fays most recent research funding is a $2.7 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health. The project, In vivo regulation of the extracellular matrix, seeks to understand how the process of molting, or outer-skin shedding, is carried out in roundworms. Many of the same genes and cellular processes that control molting in worms also are found in humans, where theyve been implicated in genetic diseases including cancer and organ malfunction, Fay says.

In addition, a deeper understanding of molting may lead to new strategies to combat parasitic roundworms, which infect hundreds of millions of humans, along with nematodes that negatively impact agriculture through the destruction of crops and animals, he says.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits national political advisors from education, medical and health sectors attending a joint group meeting at the fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 6, 2021. Xi joined them in the discussion and heard their comments and suggestions. Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, also attended the discussion. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Saturday stressed giving "strategic priority" to safeguarding people's health and building a high-quality and balanced basic public education service system.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when he joined national political advisors from education, medical and health sectors in a joint group meeting.

The meeting was held during the fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body.

Xi called for focusing on tackling major diseases and problems that affect people's health.

The country's public health protection network should be fortified and efforts should be made to promote the high-quality development of public hospitals, he said, demanding comprehensive health care for the people at all stages of life.

Noting that China had scored hard-won achievements over the past year, Xi commended health workers for "putting up an iron wall" against COVID-19 at a critical time.

The fight against COVID-19 has once again proved that prevention is the most economical and effective health strategy, Xi said, calling for reforming and improving the disease prevention and control system.

He urged efforts to strengthen the capabilities for initial monitoring and early warning, rapid testing, emergency response and comprehensive treatment.

Stressing the "main force" role of public hospitals in fighting COVID-19, Xi called for strengthening construction of public medical and health institutions.

Health infrastructure at the grassroots level should be improved and support policies for rural doctors should be implemented in an effort to enhance the grassroots capacity of disease prevention and treatment, he said, calling for efforts to deepen the reform of the medical and healthcare system.

Xi also urged the preservation and development of traditional Chinese medicine and breakthroughs in core technologies in key areas, as well as more protection, care and support for health workers.

On education, Xi said China must strive to build a high-quality and balanced basic public education service system.

He emphasized the socialist orientation in running schools, the non-profit nature of education and developing education that people are satisfied with.

Education is essential to the country and the Party, Xi stressed.

To build a high-quality education system, the reform of the evaluation system should be in the lead, so as to push forward reforms in other aspects of education, said Xi.

He called for efforts to train more talents who can contribute to the country's high-quality development and high-level self-reliance.

Teachers are the central pillar of education, and strengthening the professional ethics of teachers must be a top priority, Xi said.

He praised education workers for their contributions to fighting the epidemic. He also demanded more support for teachers in rural areas.

Ahead of the International Women's Day, which falls on March 8, Xi extended festive greetings and best wishes to the country's women of all ethnic groups and from all walks of life. He applauded the contributions made by Chinese women to the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

The joint efforts of the whole Chinese nation, including Chinese women, are needed in realizing the development goals of the Party and the state, Xi said.

Party committees and governments at all levels should fully understand the great significance of women's cause and protect women's rights and interests in accordance with the law, he said. Enditem

3

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[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]

Associated Press

President Joe Biden called out two fellow Democrats on Tuesday in explaining why he hasnt enacted some of the most ambitious elements of his agenda, noting that slim majorities in the House and evenly divided Senate have hamstrung legislative negotiations around key issues like voting rights. Biden, speaking during an event marking the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre, responded to critics who question why he hasnt been able to get a wide-reaching voting rights bill passed. Well, because Biden only has a majority of effectively four votes in the House, and a tie in the Senate  with two members of the Senate who voted more with my Republican friends, he lamented.

President Joe Biden vowed an 'all hands on deck effort' to combat sexual assault in the military during an International Women Day's event on Monday, where he appointed two women as four-star generals.

Biden described sexual assault in the ranks as a 'threat to our national security.'

'We have to take on sexual assault harassment and violence against women in the military. Sexual assault is a abhorrent and wrong at any time. And our military so much of unit cohesion is built on trusting your fellow service members to have your back. There's nothing less than a threat to our national security,' he said.

The president, who was accompanied at the event by Vice President Kamala Harris and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, noted Austin as set up an independent review commission on sexual assaults in the military.

'This is going to be an all hands on deck effort. Under my administration to end the scourge of sexual assault in the military. And we're going to be focused on that from the very top,' Biden said.

President Joe Biden walks with U.S. Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, left, and U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson before speaking at an event to mark International Women's Day

President Biden, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, said combating sexual assault in the military will be an all hands on deck effort

Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, 55, of the Air Force, left, and Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson, 57, of the Army

Meanwhile, Biden's nominations of Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, of the Air Force, and Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson, of the Army, will be sent up to the Senate for approval.

If confirmed by the Senate, General Van Ovost and Lieutenant General Richardson will become the second and third women to lead a Combatant Command, according to the White House.

Biden's appointment comes after their promotions were held up over fears then-President Donald Trump would resist them because they weren't white men.

'Each of these women have led careers demonstrating incomparable skill, integrity, and duty to country. And at every step, they've also helped push open the doors of opportunity to women in our military blazing the trail, a little wider, a little brighter for all proud women following in their path,' the president said in announcement the appointments.

He also noted Van Ovost, the daughter of Dutch immigrants who owned a flying business, flew herself, at age 16, to see Sally Ride lift off as the first woman in space. He praised her career as a test pilot and noted she flew Air Force Two when he rode on it as vice president.

And he noted Richardson, in her position, oversaw the military medical personnel deployed to help the response to the COVID pandemic.

'More than 4500 military medical personnel deployed in hospitals across 14 states and the Navajo Nation to treat COVID-19 patients,' Biden said.

President Joe Biden speaks during an event to mark International Women's Day as Vice President Kamala Harris and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin listen

U.S. Air Force General Jacqueline Van Ovost fist bumps Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin following President Joe Biden's remarks on International Women's Day

President Joe Biden (C) speaks, flanked by the nominees to positions as 4-star Combatant Commanders General Jacqueline Van Ovost (L) and Lieutenant General Laura Richardson (R)

Then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley held up the two women's promotions last year out of a fear of bias on Trump's part, according to The New York Times.

Although the two men believed the women were exceptional officers, they worried that any candidates who were not white men would be resisted by the White House. Instead, they gambled that Biden would win the election and set in motion nominations for after the transition of power.

Biden also signed two executive orders on Monday that will help combat sexual harassment but the president has yet to publicly comment on the allegations against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Biden signed an executive order requiring the Department of Education to review a controversial policy from Betsy DeVos on how colleges and universities handle sexual assault cases. And he signed an order creating a Gender Policy Council, which among its charges, will look at combating harassment and discrimination.

But Biden hasn't spoken about Cuomo. The New York governor is facing allegations from five women of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior. On Sunday, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the powerful Democratic leader of the New York state Senate, called on Cuomo to resign.

President Biden will sign executive orders to combat sexual harassment of women but has yet to publicly comment on Andrew Cuomo

White House press secretary Jen Psaki has said Biden supports a review into the allegations but the president, who touts himself as an ally of women and courted them heavily in his successful 2020 presidential bide, has not spoken about the issue himself.

Cuomo has resisted calls to resign and he has urged the public to withhold their judgment until an inquiry overseen by the state attorney general, Letitia James, is complete.

Meanwhile, Biden's administration announced two new executive orders Monday to help issues facing women.

One will examine the regulation from DeVos, who was Donald Trump's Education secretary. Her policy spelled out due process rights for those accused of harassment or assault on college campuses and gave the schools more latitude in deciding whether to report accusations to the Title IX office. It was heavily criticized by women's groups and Democratic groups.

As a presidential candidate, Biden said he change how investigate sexual harassment and assault under the federal civil rights law known as Title IX.

He will sign an executive order directing the Education Department to evaluate whether the DeVos regulation is 'consistent with the policies' of the Biden administration, an administration official said.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona will consider suspending, revising or rescinding DeVos' actions if they are found to be inconsistent with the Biden administration's policies, the administration official told reporters on a briefing call Sunday night.

President Biden will sign an executive order requiring the Department of Education to review a controversial policy from Betsy DeVos

Betsy DeVos, who was Donald Trump's Education secretary, changed an Obama-era policy and her action reduced the liability of schools for investigating sexual misconduct claims

DeVos, in 2018 rescinded an Obama-era policy in regards to reports of sexual harassment on campuses that required a 'preponderance of evidence' - meaning it is more likely than not that sexual harassment occurred - to 'clear and convincing evidence.'

Her changes reduced the liability of schools for investigating sexual misconduct claims and bolstered the due process rights of the accused. It gave the accused the right to cross-examine their accusers through a third-party advocate at campus hearings.

Biden also signed a second order that creates a Gender Policy Council.

The Council will focus on advancing gender equity, combating discrimination, building female participation, and transgender rights.

It is similar to the White House Council on Women and Girls that existed under Barack Obama but an administration official said the name was purposely changed to 'Gender' to indicate transgender people would be included.

Gender discrimination can happen to 'people of all genders,' the official said. 'There will be a focus on women and girls, but the choice of the name of the council is really intentional.'

The Gender Policy Council will be led by Julissa Reynoso, chief of staff to first lady Jill Biden, and Jennifer Klein, the chief strategy and policy officer for the anti-sexual-harassment group TIME'S UP.

Attorney Wendy Murphy, center, speaks through a bullhorn as she and a small group of other women protest the Trump administration's rollback of sexual assault rules in Title IX in 2017

Almost every cabinet secretary will be required to participate with the council and the council will report directly to the president.

The coronavirus pandemic has hit women the hardest with 2.5 million leaving the work force compared to 2.1 million men. Black and Hispanic women show the greatest decline in employment, according to statistics from the Labor Department.
Limiting global warming to targets proposed in the Paris Agreement could keep tropical regions from reaching temperatures that are beyond human tolerability, a new study projects.

Researchers estimate that if countries are able to cap warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the tropics will be spared temperatures that surpass the 'survival limit.' But life in the world's hottest latitudes could become intolerable if those controls aren't met.

The study focused on a measure called wet-bulb temperature, which accounts for heat and humidity, and is similar to what weather watchers know as the heat index.

"The general idea is, the body doesn't just respond to temperature, it responds to humidity," said Kristina Dahl, a climate scientist who was not involved in the study.

The body cools itself primarily through sweating and the evaporation of sweat from the skin, Dahl explained. At a certain heat-humidity point, she said, it becomes "thermodynamically difficult" for that to happen.

Scientists believe that a wet-bulb temperature of 35 degrees C is the upper limit of human tolerance.

People vary in how much heat they can stand. But at a wet-bulb temperature of 35 degrees C, anyone lingering outdoors would be in trouble.

The body normally maintains a fairly stable internal temperature of 37 degrees C (98.6 degrees F). Skin temperature has to be a little lower, to allow core heat to flow to the skin. If it's not, a person's internal temperature could quickly rise, explained Yi Zhang, the lead researcher on the new study.

"High core temperatures are dangerous or even lethal," said Zhang, a graduate student in atmospheric and oceanic sciences at Princeton University in New Jersey.

For their study, Zhang and her colleagues made projections as to how global warming could affect wet-bulb temperatures in the tropics (between 20 degrees north and south of the equator). That includes the Amazon rain forest, a large share of Africa, the Indian peninsula and parts of Southeast Asia.

The researchers started with the theory that fairly simple atmospheric dynamics control local wet-bulb temperatures across that tropical region. Then they used decades' worth of weather-station data to confirm that was the case.

From there, they were able to project that if global warming is limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius, that will prevent "most of the tropics" from reaching intolerable wet-bulb temperatures.

The findings were published March 8 in the journal Nature Geoscience.

Under the Paris Agreement, an international treaty on climate change, the target is to limit global warming to "well below" 2 degrees Celsius, and preferably 1.5 degrees, versus pre-industrial levels.

These latest projections underscore the importance of that, said Dahl, a senior climate scientist with the nonprofit Union of Concerned Scientists.

The findings translate a policy target into a potential real-world impact, Dahl said.

Averting intolerable wet-bulb temperatures does not, however, mean the planet is out of the woods. Human health can certainly suffer under less-extreme heat, she noted.

Heat waves routinely cause sometimes fatal heat illness. Warming also contributes to air pollution, which can exacerbate chronic health conditions like heart and lung disease, Dahl added.

A group of medical organizations called the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health has highlighted a range of health effects related to global warming. It can feed insect-borne infections like Lyme disease and Zika, for example, or contaminate food and water supplies by causing rising sea levels, heavy rains and flooding.

Zhang said more research is needed to understand the full health effects of wet-bulb temperatures below the "survival limit" of 35 degrees C. She also noted that the study looked only at countries between certain latitudes, and the findings do not necessarily apply to other regions.

What's needed to cap global warming? The short answer, according to Dahl, is less reliance on fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) and greater use of cleaner energy sources like solar and wind.

Human-generated emissionschiefly carbon dioxide, as well as nitrous oxide and methaneare blamed for the rise in global temperatures since the 1950s. In the United States, most of those emissions come from burning fossil fuels for energy use, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Explore further Heat stress may affect more than 1.2 billion people annually by 2100

More information: Projections of tropical heat stress constrained by atmospheric dynamics, Nature Geoscience (2021). dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-021-00695-3 Journal information: Nature Geoscience Projections of tropical heat stress constrained by atmospheric dynamics,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-021-00695-3

Copyright  2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
To mark International Women's Day, Belfast Telegraph political editor Suzanne Breen talks to five of our up-and-coming female politicians.

Kathryn Owen (43) is a DUP member of Newry, Mourne & Down Council. She is a likely candidate in next year's Assembly election.

Unionism has a lack of women politicians, and it's a problem. Look at DUP and UUP benches in Stormont. They have very few female faces compared to the other side of the chamber. We need to change that.

The personal abuse that females in politics suffer means it doesn't appeal to many as a career. Arlene Foster and Carla Lockhart receive a barrage of insults over their appearance. Jeffrey Donaldson and Ian Paisley will be criticised for what they say, but they could wear two odd socks and nobody would notice.

Politics and military service runs in our family. My grandfather William Biggerstaff was a former council chairman. He was fierce but fair. He was an Ulster Unionist but left the party over the Good Friday Agreement, and died voting DUP. Both my grandfather and my father served in the UDR.

I never thought of politics. I left boarding school at 16 with one GCSE much to my parents' disappointment, and started working as a hairdresser. I then joined the RAF where I worked as a medic, and met my husband who is English.

I went back to education as a mature student to do a degree in human biology. I'm now doing a PhD in cardiovascular medicine. It was tough going with two children, but I've persevered.

I live, eat and breathe everything Covid. I volunteered to returning to my nursing roots to help out in the pandemic last April. I've worked in Belfast's Nightingale Hospital, and I'm currently in a vaccine centre.

At the start of the pandemic, I borrowed a caravan from my aunt and lived in it as my husband and son have had breathing problems, and I didn't want to put them at risk.

I became a councillor in 2019. I hope to help make politics more attractive to women - that they could see it's not all suits, ties and briefcases, and that politicians stand in the queue at Tesco, make the dinner, help the kids with their homework, and muck out horse stables.

I am a feminist, and take inspiration from an eclectic mix of heroines. Audrey Hepburn - a strong, beautiful woman in trousers and flat shoes, not stilettos and a skirt. Margaret Thatcher, who certainly didn't get everything right, but made it in a man's world. And Rosalind Franklin, the female scientist who discovered the structure of DNA yet never got the credit for it.

Connie Egan (26) is an Alliance member of Ards and North Down Council. She is a potential Assembly candidate next year.

Sexism is still very much alive and kicking for women in local politics. At my first meeting of Ards and North Down Council, I was standing with two female colleagues, and a councillor from another party said: "You're just like the Beverley Sisters."

When it was clear I didn't even know who they were, he said: "Well, I mean The Spice Girls."

Women make up just a quarter of our council, and it very much feels like an old boys' club. You deal with even more unconscious bias when you're young. At one meeting, everyone else who spoke was addressed by their titles as 'councillor' or 'alderman', I was just called 'Connie'.

I've had strange requests from some constituents too. They'll report a broken street light or a pothole, and be really insistent on meeting up when it can be sorted with an email or phone call.

I never thought I'd end up in politics. Lady Sylvia Hermon (former independent unionist MP for North Down) came to talk to my class when I was a 16-year old pupil at Glenola Collegiate. She said "You all can do what I'm doing", but I'd no interest.

My views changed at Queen's University. I took a fantastic Women in Politics course, and came out a feminist.

Northern Ireland lagging behind the rest of the UK on abortion law and equal marriage had a big impact on me. I found the story of Sarah Ewart, who had to travel to England for an abortion despite a diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality, very moving.

After graduation, I joined Alliance. I chose the party because of its progressive views on equality issues and integrated education. Stephen Farry and Anna Lo impressed me when the Assembly debated abortion, and Naomi Long is an absolute inspiration.

New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, is someone I admire massively. To have a baby while in office, and then to handle a pandemic like she has done, is amazing.

Emma Sheerin (29) is a Sinn Fein MLA in Mid-Ulster.

I'm not from an overtly political family. My mother is from a Donegal Gaeltacht so she was shielded from what was going on in the North. My father is a farmer in the Sperrins. I'd a strong Irish identity, but I didn't grow up attending protests.

I got really interested in Irish history when I was about 14. It was the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Rising. I found the leaders fascinating. Patrick Pearse and Constance Markievicz were part of the Dublin elite and had lives of privilege - very different to mine as a teenager in rural South Derry - but they were committed to republican ideals and chose to act for the greater good.

Learning about 1916 led me on to read about the civil rights' campaign, internment and the hunger-strikes. I found Bobby Sands' diary very moving. It was hard to believe that men, and women like Mairead Farrell, went through so much in jails here when just a decade older than me.

I joined Sinn Fein at 17 because I believed in Irish unity. I did Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at Queen's. I always loved reading and writing, and considered journalism, but I knew that my strong affiliation to Sinn Fein ruled that out.

After graduating, I worked in retail and for Citibank but neither job fulfilled me creatively. I went to work in the office of Sinn Fein Mid-Ulster MP, Francie Molloy, in 2017, and learnt so much. He's been a great mentor.

I was co-opted into the Assembly in December 2018. That night, somebody tweeted a GIF of a pig with the words 'Another pig in a skirt'. I cracked up laughing. The online abuse doesn't bother me, but it enrages my wee sister - she's a lot feistier than me.

As a female MLA in Sinn Fein, my experience is probably different to that of women in other parties because there are so many of us. You never feel like the token woman. Men from other parties have spoken down to us in the chamber, and I've called them out.

Michelle O'Neill and Linda Dillon are the two other Sinn Fein MLAs in my constituency. It's great to have that support, strength and sisterhood.

My grannies are my role models. My Granny Doherty in West Donegal used to spend summers potato picking in Scotland.

My Granny Sheerin had to leave school when her daddy died because the family couldn't afford it. I am lucky to have enjoyed opportunities denied to other women for so long.

Laura Devlin (39) is an SDLP member of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

My daughter Polly was born a few weeks before the 2019 council election. I could hardly sit at home so I just put her in the buggy, filled it up with election literature, and hit the road.

When I'd taken my oldest son Tom to council meetings three years earlier, I'd leave to breast feed him in a side room. By the time Polly came along I'd the confidence to not care. I just fed her in the chamber.

My daddy was a milkman, and my mummy had a shoe shop, so I grew up in Castlewellan with a strong work ethic. John Hume was a hero in our house, and my parents voted SDLP, but weren't involved with the party.

I got a job with SDLP MLA Eamonn O'Neill as a receptionist, answering the phones, and progressed from there. I was happy to stay in the background and had to be encouraged to become a councillor.

I'm the chair of the council now, but I sometimes still doubt myself. I'll chair a five-hour meeting, and it will go brilliantly, but I'll worry that maybe for five seconds I did something wrong.

Covid has meant that councils have worked virtually, and that shouldn't be abandoned. It makes night meetings a lot easier for many women.

Offering maternity leave to female politicians would also help. Plans are being drawn up for British Government ministers to have maternity leave. They should be extended to all women elected representatives.

It would help encourage and keep more women in politics, and not just those with no kids or whose families are older. Maternity rights for all are important.

It can be hard to juggle everything. At the outbreak of the pandemic, creches closed. I had the kids at home and my constituents needed me more than ever.

Demand rocketed with people needing information about services and business. A CrossFit Zoom class at 7am every morning keeps me sane.

I enjoy council hugely and wouldn't rule out running for the Assembly, but not while my kids are so young.

I'm in awe of Claire Hanna and Nichola Mallon who have led the way for women in politics. Nothing fazes them. In terms of role models, I love Hillary Clinton's 'fightability', and Serena Williams is a powerhouse who has changed society's ideal body image for women.

Jill Macauley (41) is a UUP member of Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon Council, and a possible Assembly candidate next year.

When I joined Newry, Mourne and Down Council five years ago, I was completely ignored by two other councillors during a meeting with statutory agencies. I came out, cried the whole way home, and swore never to let anyone make me feel small and inferior like that again.

I was the only unionist woman on that council then. Now, I'm on Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council, and there's a trio of UUP female councillors - Julie Flaherty, Louise McKinstry, and myself.

We support each other and we're always trying to reach out and bring in younger women. We organised a Zoom meeting the other night for 20 girls aged from 18-30. We had a laugh, a chat, and talked a bit of politics. We plan to do it regularly.

I joined the UUP when I was 18 with my sister. My parents were members. I was a Business Studies student at Ulster University, but left to work for Direct Wine Shipment, and then Botanic Inns.

I later worked for John McCallister, whom I knew from the Young Farmers, when he became an MLA. I feel it's important to have a modern, positive unionism. As a councillor, a wife of a dairy farmer with my own holiday let business, and a mother of four children, life is hectic.

I was the UUP's only female Westminster candidate in 2019. Some, who had previously criticised my party's lack of prominent women, mocked me. "Why wheel out the secretary?" they asked.

After receiving sexually explicit phone calls, I told my husband: "Is it any wonder so many women want nothing to do with politics?" As women, we've almost come to accept this treatment as normal, to brush it aside and move on.

The woman I most admire is the Queen. She leads with dignity and respect. Her role has altered since she came to the throne. She has changed and adapted to modern-day life. She brings a calmness to the nation when she speaks.
A state senator says he expects the Alabama Senate to debate his lottery and casino bill this week.

Republican Sen. Del Marsh of Anniston said Monday that he expects his bill will come to the Senate floor on Tuesday. It will be the first major test of the proposal to start a lottery and have as many as eight casinos in the state.

The proposal, which must be approved by lawmakers and then state voters, seeks to authorize a state lottery and five casinos locations. It also would allow a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for casino games at their three sites.
Who will be the next CM of Assam? Sarbananda Sonowal or Himanta Biswa Sarma?

People of Assam eager to bring back BJP-led govt: Sonowal

India

oi-Deepika S

Guwahati, Mar 08: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday claimed that the people of the state are 'eagerly waiting' to bring back the BJP-led government to power with over 100 seats in the 126-member Assembly.

He said party is heavily banking upon the developmental work done by the NDA government and sought another term to make Assam one of the best states in India.

'People of Assam have found a suitable performing government ... They are very happy with the developmental work of our government ... They are convinced that only BJP-led NDA government can provide security, peace and development.

'These commitments were fulfilled in the last five years of our regime. That is why people are eagerly waiting for the polling days to come,' Sonowal told reporters here.

Assam Jatiya Parishad nnounces 2nd list fo 50 candidates for state polls

BJP had promised an Assam free from corruption, pollution, terrorism and illegal foreigners along with ushering in development. The people have got the assurance of their fulfillment because of the 'sincere efforts' by the BJP-led government in all these fronts, he added.

Asked what will be his message to the people during the campaigning, Sonowal said 'Only development. For making an 'atmanirbhar Bharat' (self reliant India), we have to make an 'atmanirbhar Assam' (self reliant Assam). That is why we are aiming to make Assam one of the best states in the country.' He exuded confidence that the BJP-led three-party alliance will achieve its target of winning over 100 seats out of 126 during the forthcoming Assembly polls.

'The people are seeing the condition of the opposition parties. They don't have any noble aim but only want to create confusion. So, the party having no specific goal and no clear policy cannot give security, peace and development to public,' Sonowal said.

The BJP has clear policies on important aspects of life and the government has worked with that in the past, he added.

'Filing of nomination has begun. People are just waiting for the voting day to bring back the BJP-led alliance government,' Sonowal said.

Of the total 126 seats in Assam Assembly, election to 47 will be held on March 27, while 39 will go to polls on April 1 and voting in the remaining 40 seats will be held on April 6.

The BJP has announced the first list of candidates for 70 seats, leaving 26 and eight constituencies for its allies AGP and UPPL respectively.

The 2016 elections in Assam had given a fractured mandate and no party got an absolute majority.

The BJP became the single largest party with 60 MLAs, while its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF) had won 14 and 12 seats respectively. The ruling coalition also had the support of an Independent MLA.

The Congress had won 26 seats, while the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) bagged 13.

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Story first published: Monday, March 8, 2021, 17:44 [IST]
100 years ago  1921

Frackville: Mr. and Mrs. James Taggart did shopping in Pottsville today.

George Sebold Sr. and George Sebold Jr. made a business trip to Reading to buy a new truck.

75 years ago  1946

HOLLYWOOD  Ray Milland lost a weekend. And Joan Crawford lost the biggest evening of her life. But both won Oscars in the process. They were the recipients last night of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards for the best performances of an actor and actress.

50 years ago  1971

ASHLAND  Ballots provided by North Schuylkill taxpayers Association concerning the new junior-senior high school building will be available for taxpayers at a meeting of the North Schuylkill School Board.

25 years ago  1996

CRESSONA  Clouds of thick black smoke billowed into the air this morning as over 150 firefighters battled a fire that seemed likely to destroy Cressona Knit Products Inc. There were no injuries reported by press time, as the 45 T-shirt making employees at work fled from the building into the snowy streets. The day shift had started at 6:30 a.m. and the fire broke out about 6:50 at the 41,000-square-foot building at 87 Schuylkill St., according to workers.

Jessica Boonstra launched online grocery startup Yebo Fresh from her Hout Bay home in 2018, with a vision to expand access to quality fresh produce and household goods in underserved areas.

Jessica Boonstra, Yebo Fresh

Lets go back to the beginning. What drove you to launch Yebo Fresh in 2018?

SA's lucrative township food economy still underserved The long-running misconception that the township food economy is insignificant compared to the 'formal' economy, has hampered retail growth in townships in South Africa...

Can you share a bit about how the Yebo Fresh business has grown from its humble beginnings to what it is today?

What were the main challenges you encountered during the startup phase and scale-up phase respectively? How did you navigate these?

What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about the township retail economy?

#EcommerceDay2021: Redefining retail - A future view of digital commerce in 2030 Kantar's Norman Reyneker says that as companies define their future-fit commercial strategies, they must challenge assumptions related to the evolving digital retail landscape...

What are the most common problems you see in the way many retailers attempt to serve township consumers?

Yebo Fresh has benefitted from a few rounds of investor funding. Managing cashflow, especially in large sums, can be tricky for small business owners. Do you have any advice for other growing startups in this regard?

The pandemic has accelerated growth of e-commerce in SA. What do you believe is needed to drive its sustainable growth beyond Covid-19, and ensure that its accessible to more of the countrys population?

Initially delivering groceries to residents of the Imizamo Yethu informal settlement, the company has since expanded to deliver food and household goods to both private households and organisations in all Cape Town townships within a 40km radius.Customers place their orders either via the website, a WhatsApp order bot or a WhatsApp call service. Because not all customers have access to smartphones or know how to order online, the company also makes use of paper forms, which are then digitised by local agents.Yebo Fresh has also played a key role in food distribution during the Covid-19 pandemic, by assisting charities with getting food parcels into informal settlements, with the company's local network of drivers able to navigate the sometimes intricate labyrinth of streets in more informal areas.In the run-up to E-commerce Day on 10 March, Boonstra chatted to us about starting and scaling Yebo Fresh, and the misconceptions that cloud SA's lucrative township retail economy.What drove me to launch Yebo Fresh back in 2018 was a combination of my engineering background, many years in logistics and retailing and the need for transformation in the world of online shopping, as well as making quality, fresh food and household goods accessible to all.Through my love for this country, I moved to South Africa in 2015, and I was able to see the growth of online retail here, and how drastically it changed peoples lives for the better, be it for safety or convenience. While doing volunteer work and retail consulting, I had a conversation around the challenges of township shopping with an entrepreneur, who encouraged me to start a business, and said he would assist with funding.What resulted was a small business operating from my kitchen table and garage in Hout Bay, servicing the local community. It has now transformed into a business operating all over the Cape, with plans for nationwide expansion in the near future.As described above, the business really began with humble beginnings operating out of my home, and we now occupy a 1,200 square metre warehouse in an industrial area. We have grown through a customised offer, strong partnerships, talent, and a high service level.We offer an affordable safe, convenient alternative to the hectic shopping trip and when covid19 hit, we're very well placed to respond to the rapidly increasing demand. Our main priority is always to bring food efficiently, cheaply and safely into townships.We work among multiple segments that complement each other, like private households, NGOs and spaza shops. They have similar challenges, with slightly different solutions. Through all our work we have managed to build a solid foundation serving these multiple segments, with a model that has been proven to work and is ready to scale.Our growth is also proof that the main market is ready for the online revolution, although it requires a solution that is different from the upper market and is customised to the needs of the township customer.There are many misconceptions about the township economy, and it shouldnt be that way given that the market is worth an estimated R158bn. Township does not equal informal settlement The township economy is negligible  in fact it is worth R158bn There is one township market  every area is different with different dynamics People with a small budget cannot afford to be picky  they are more critical than anyone else because they cannot afford to make a mistake Price is more important than quality  brands are important, people are price-sensitive but will pay a bit more to get the right brand on the tableThe traditional way is to build more retail square metres instead of innovating. Why should there be non-stop innovation in the upper market but the response to the township market is build more stores?Also, the quality of products on offer in, particular produce, is often considerably less in a township mall than in an upper market area. The customer sees that and will thus choose to buy at a local street vendor, who often has fresher products at a better price.Many retailers stunt with price deals but when the shopper arrives in store, the product is sold out. This feels like a scam. As a result, trends show a decrease in big basket shopping in favour of the local neighborhood store and, in our case, online. Listen to your customer base Have a grand vision and a clear goal, be relentless in saying "no" to anything that does not contribute considerably to delivering on the goal Find investors that believe in your vision and share your passions, and are not just in it for the promise of a high return on capital Partner up as much as possible: the market is big enough for you not to be overly possessive about what you think you know, and finding the right partners will make all the difference Be agile enough to keep learning and if need be, to change the what and how that is needed to deliver on the whyThe belief is that e-commerce is here to stay and that it is a big part of the future of township retail, just like it is a big part of the present and future of upper-market retail. The fact that it is really hard (because it is!) does not mean it will not happen, it just means that there is a higher barrier to entry and the players in this space will have to be even more persistent and even more resourceful to win.E-commerce can be a safer, more efficient, cheaper and lower-waste solution to getting good access to good food, and we expect and hope to see a great variety of exciting offers to appear in this market in the future.
The number of children currently smoking has dropped by 17% in the last 20 years, new research has found Sean Dempsey/PA)

The number of children currently smoking has dropped by 17% in 20 years, new research has found.

The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Trends Report 1998-2018 (HBSC) found that 5.3% of children were smoking in 2018, compared to 22.6% in 1998.

The report also found that fewer children had reported being drunk since 1998.

Research found that 19% of children in 2018 said they had been drunk, compared to 33% in 1998.

Expand Close The report also found that that fewer children had reported being drunk since 1998. / Facebook

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Whatsapp The report also found that that fewer children had reported being drunk since 1998.

The report was led by senior researcher Aoife Gavin in collaboration with the HBSC research team at the Health Promotion Research Centre in NUI Galway.

Compared to the findings from 1998, the study found fewer children using substances, more than half of children exercising regularly, more children feeling pressured by school work and more children feeling low.

The HBSC is a cross-sectional study conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe. It runs every four years.

In 2018, 45 countries and regions participated, collecting data on health behaviours, health outcomes and the social contexts of childrens lives.

The study compared findings of health behaviour in school-aged children from 1998 to 2018.

The report found there was an overall decrease across all substance use measures.

Among the findings was that fewer children reported cannabis use, with 8.5% in 2018, compared to 12.3% in 1998.

There was also an overall improvement in positive health behaviours.

These included more children brushing their teeth more than once a day (70.1% in 2018, compared to 57.6% in 1998).

More children are now wearing a seat belt on car journeys, with 81.4% in 2018, compared to 41% in 1998.

The proportion of young people doing vigorous exercise four or more times a week has remained stable at 52.1% in 2018, compared to 52.6% in 1998.

Junior Health Minister Frank Feighan said: This international project has provided us with essential data which has helped to shape and inform policy relating to the health and wellbeing of our children and young people.

This new trends report gives us a wonderful opportunity to take stock, both of the many very significant improvements to our childrens health, and of those areas where we have not, perhaps, made as much progress as we would have liked.

Ireland is headed in the right direction when it comes to the health of young people Roderic O'Gorman, Children's Minister

The information contained in this study will be of great importance in terms of future planning and policy direction regarding childrens health.

Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman said: Ireland is headed in the right direction when it comes to the health of young people, and it is clear that past government initiatives to support healthy choices are having a positive impact on reducing alcohol consumption and smoking, helping to keep our young people safe.

The research also suggests that an increased emphasis is needed around supporting the positive mental health of young people, and following the impact of Covid-19 this is an issue that may become more prevalent.

In February my department launched the Supporting Children Campaign which aims to outline the supports available for children and families during the pandemic. We have also increased funding for youth services in 2021, in recognition of the positive impact youth work can have on young peoples lives.

Co-principal investigator Dr Colette Kelly, from the Health Promotion Research Centre at NUI Galway, said: There is a continuing positive trend in children communicating with parents and reports of good places in the local area to spend free time.

The report also highlights areas in need of improvement. In particular, more young people are reporting that they feel pressured by school work and there is an increase in the proportion of children who report feeling low.

The report provides a breakdown of age, gender and social class patterns which provide more in-depth information on each of the indicators.
#VacunarEsSalud ?? | La senora Maria Eudocia Araya de 104 anos, paciente de #Padomi fue la primera adulta mayor en recibir la dosis de la vacuna contra la #COVID-19. Hasta su domicilio, en Lince, llego el #VacunaMovilPADOMI.#SeguimosEnGuardia ?? pic.twitter.com/UCdaKtKjfw
Deputy Chief Minister on Monday presented a report card of the government's 2020-21 budget which showed that projects under the Directorate of Education, including installation of CCTV cameras at 459 government schools, were "on track".

Sisodia presented the fourth consecutive report card of the government in the Delhi Assembly on the progress and achievements of schemes, programmes and projects up to December 2020 under the 'Outcome Budget'.

The 'Outcome Budget' was introduced in 2017-18 as a tool linking the budget with outcomes to capture the progress of various schemes, programmes and projects and final deliverables from the citizens' perspective.

The 'Outcome Budget' for 2020-21 showed that out of 44 critical indicators of the Directorate of Education, 84 per cent were "on track".

The highlights of the directorate have been the admission of 35,275 EWS students in private schools, providing mid-day meals to 7.87 lakh students of primary and upper primary classes of government schools, and installing CCTV cameras in 459 out of 728 government school buildings.

The report card also noted that for Class 12, the government schools recorded a pass percentage of 97.92 per cent during academic session 2019-20 as compared to 94.24 per cent the previous year and for Class 10, the pass percentage of government schools was 82.61 per cent as compared to 71.58 per cent the previous year.

For Higher Education, the report card showed that 84 per cent of the indicators covering 13 programmes were "on track" which included 80 per cent progress in the construction work of the east campus of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University.

A total of 8,248 new students were enrolled in 2020-21 in the 12 sponsored colleges of Delhi University fully funded by against 7,539 students admitted during 2019-20.

A total of 3,760 students have been provided financial assistance during 2020-21 under the 'Merit cum Means Linked Financial Assistance Scheme', the report said.

The Public Works Department recorded 73 per cent indicators as on track, it said.

The PWD completed the target of installing 1.32 lakh CCTV cameras in Phase-II in common public places for general public safety in various assembly constitutions. The flyover at Shastri Park intersection and Seelampur was completed and opened to public on October 19,2020.

While 68 per cent work of widening of bridge on Najafgarh drain at Basai Darapur to cover the complete ROW was completed up to December 2020, only 56 per cent construction was finished of two vehicular half underpass between Wazirabad and Jagatpur and one pedestrian subway near Gandhi Vihar on Outer Ring Road, it said.

Only 40 per cent of the construction of an underpass at Ashram Chowk was completed, it said.

The PWD also established 7,000 hotspots till December 2020, the report said.

The 'Outcome Budget' breaks down the performance of each major scheme and programme of the into two kinds of indicators.

The first is the output indicators which determines services or infrastructure that government departments are required to provide.

The other indicator - outcome indicators - shows exactly how people have benefitted from those schemes. All the output and outcome Indicators are expressed in quantifiable and measurable numbers, along with timelines for capital projects.

Progress of each department on the basis of the performance of output and outcome indicators has been graded as "On-Track" if they have made about 75 per cent of the progress and "Off-Track" if achievement is less than 75 per cent of proportionate target under the reference review period.

The 'Outcome Budget' 2020-21 has covered all major departments and agencies combined into eight major sectors.

There are a total number of 595 schemes which contain 1,391 unique output indicators and 1,122 unique outcome indicators.

The prime objective of this exercise is to significantly enhance transparency and accountability in the use of public money, said the report.

(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.)
After receiving my first COVID-19 shot Tuesday, I was sitting in the observation room with other first-timers. Two women were talking about their jobs at H-E-B when one asked, Did you hear about the big announcement the governors going to make today?

No. About what?

I think hes lifting the mask mandate.

The other woman pondered that before saying, I dont think now is a good time for that.

That answer alone makes her a better choice for governor than Greg Abbott, who, within a couple of hours would not only lift the mask mandate, effective Wednesday, but also say, It is time to open Texas 100 percent.

If coronavirus were a country, wed have reason to wonder if Abbott had been compromised into aiding and abetting it with as reckless, irresponsible, idiotic, shameless, negligent, selfish, cynical and life-threatening decision ever made by a Texas governor.

Nothing screams My political interests are more important than the publics health louder than ignoring the advice of national, state and local health officials, the White House, and mayors and county judges by pursuing actions that spread COVID-19.

Three of Abbotts four medical advisers on the Department of State Health Services werent consulted by the governor before he made his announcement. The one medical adviser he did talk to is the one who agrees with the governors decision.

With COVID-19 numbers down in Texas and multiple vaccines more readily available, were close to the place we want to be. But leaving that route will take us on a lengthy and deadly detour.

Abbotts lack of leadership during the pandemic has been defined by three characteristics: a consistent delay in responding to the virus; prematurely ending his executive orders that were slowing COVID-19s spread; and blaming others when his poor decisions spiked infections across the state.

Mayors and county judges got ahead of Abbott in making masks mandatory in their municipalities only to see him supersede their authority. Last May, he reopened Texas despite the state failing to reach three key benchmarks. When COVID predictably spread, Abbott blamed it on young people not wearing masks, something he wouldnt make mandatory until the next month.

Now, less than a month after being literally and metaphorically powerless to bring light, heat and running water to wide swaths of his constituents, Abbott is using the power of his office to make COVID-19 more accessible to those same constituents.

Preceding his announcement, he tweeted out the tease: Get ready. Big announcement in 15 minutes.

At a Mexican restaurant in Lubbock, before cheering unmasked business leaders and elected officials, he made his big announcement. There was no reporting on whether Abbott or his unmasked cheerleaders left the wait staff with tips big enough to cover their wages should they get sick, but a giddy Abbott boasted on Twitter, I just announced Texas is OPEN 100%. EVERYTHING. I also ended the statewide mask mandates.

Abbott declared a state to be 100 percent open when nearly 100 percent of its residents  about 93 percent  had yet to be fully vaccinated.

Remember his tweet in two or three weeks.

Abbott is saying to rip off the masks, fill up the restaurants, pack the movie theaters, and body-roll through Spring Break and St. Patricks Day.

No doubt Abbott would have prematurely declared victory in a war we had yet to win. But its hard to believe it happened so soon after the humiliation and disgrace he and others invited by leaving millions of Texans unprotected from power outages during the winter storm.

The enduring image of Abbott last month was his lie blaming the outages on renewable energy.

Informing his announcement to open an unmasked Texas 100 percent wasnt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but likely the 2024 presidential candidate he may see each time he looks in the mirror. Its the same candidate who told him to lie about the power outage.

This is his play to the anti-mask brigade who believe freedoms just another word for nothin but someone elses life left to lose  the No one is more put upon than I patriots who pretend theyre the only ones whove had to sacrifice this past year.

All of us want to go back, unmasked, to our lives, doing the things we did, seeing and holding the people weve missed.

Because we want to return to those lives while protecting each other is why many of us will continue to mask up, socially distance and avoid large crowds.

Gov. I just announced Texas is OPEN 100% can listen to his conscience.

cary.clack@express-news.net
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New psychoactive substances (NPS), also known as designer drugs, are a growing problem for law enforcement and customs agencies.

Image Credit:Shutterstock/LoisGoBe

These substances are modified versions of illicit or controlled drugs and intended to mimic their effects but, due to their novelty and unknown chemical structure, they are not listed as controlled substances. As such, they have become known as legal highs and are sold in the place of illegal drugs.

In Europe, the number of NPS identified and seized each year is growing. In 2013, there were around 35,000 seizures of NPS, of which synthetic cannabinoids composed the vast majority. Many NPS are manufactured in China and shipped to the European Union (EU), making customs the first point of contact when they arrive in Europe. However, identifying them is extremely challenging because their structure is unknown. Secondly, customs laboratories are typically not equipped with the type of advanced analytical tools needed to characterize a new unknown substance.

In the EU, customs authorities perform routine analysis on unknown substances, but can refer them to the European Commissions Joint Research Centre for full analytical identification. Reporting in Forensic Science International, a team from the Centre analyzed two unknown substances that were seized by Belgian Customs on their way from China to a buyer. One of the substances was labeled as 5F-AMB, a synthetic cannabinoid, and the other was unlabeled. However, the buyer had intended to purchase Clonazolam, a designer benzodiazepine. These drugs are sometimes taken together to either enhance a high or suppress adverse effects. The team set out to fully characterize both samples using an integrated approach with data from multiple modalities.

Initial gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were conducted. These approaches are used by customs laboratories and can provide identification if the substance is previously known. The first sample analyzed showed a close match to existing data for 5F-AMB. The second sample was not an exact match for any existing data but did bear some similarity to spectra for the synthetic cannabinoid AB-CHMINACA.

The team then acquired NMR spectra for both samples using a Bruker Avance III HD 600 spectrometer equipped with a 5 mm QCI cryoprobe, allowing for structural elucidation. This was followed up by high-resolution tandem mass-spectrometry (HR-MS/MS), which showed that the mass spectrum was in agreement with the NMR data. The fact that the theoretical structure of the molecule had already been obtained also allowed the team to perform fragmentation matching. Finally, they performed Raman spectroscopy. Combining this data with that from the NMR spectra allowed them to confirm their proposed structure for the two substances.

The team confirmed that the first sample was 5F-AMB. The second was also a synthetic cannabinoid, APP-CHMINACA, or PX-3, and not the benzodiazepine ordered by the buyer. If consumed together, these could have had severe toxic effects, highlighting the danger posed to consumers by NPS, note the team.

The researchers say that the identification of NPS remains a challenge and requires the use of advanced analytical tools. Their case study demonstrates that an integrated strategy with multiple analyses, facilitates the rapid and complete characterization of a new unknown substance. The team says that using this approach they have successfully identified around 100 samples over a two-year period.

End-to-end Solutions of Forensic Drug Testing

Bruker offers the broadest range of analytical techniques used globally in forensic drug analysis by law enforcement today. The portfolio includes benchtop and floor-standing NMR, optical methods like FTIR and Raman spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. This makes Bruker the only end-to-end solution provider with applications tagging into every stage of narcotics identification and quantification, from place of seizure where early detection is key to comprehensive in-depth analysis of new and unknown substances at high-performance forensic laboratories. We enable our customers to generate consistent analytical data for legal proceedings via various orthogonal technologies.

Reference

Vicente JL, Chassaigne H, Holland MV et al. Systematic analytical characterization of new psychoactive substances: A case study. Forensic Science International 2016; 265:107-115.
Birminghams Buffalo Rock Co. has a new CEO, the first in its 120-year history who is not a member of the Lee family.

Matthew Dent will replace Jimmy Lee III, according to the company.

Buffalo Rock is the nations largest privately-held, family-owned Pepsi and Dr Pepper bottling company, with more than 2,100 employees and a reach that includes Alabama, western Georgia and the Florida panhandle.

Lee will continue to serve daily as executive chairman and will be involved in company strategy. Dent will be responsible for the overall day-to-day performance of the company.

Dent started as an intern 25 years ago in the Tuscaloosa division of Buffalo Rock while he was a student at the University of Alabama. Since joining the company, he has been involved in all aspects of the business, serving as president for 10 years and as chief operating officer.

For well over half my life I have worked at Buffalo Rock, Dent said. The people I work with here are family, and I could not be prouder to lead such a talented, driven and committed group.

Its the latest in a string of major announcements for the company over the last year. Last November, Buffalo Rock announced a $75 million Birmingham expansion plan and plans for a $20 million Huntsville facility.

Lee said Dent knows and practices the companys culture.

This year we are celebrating the 120-year anniversary of when my family started our company right here in Birmingham and we have come a long way since that time thanks to our employee-partners, Lee said. Matthew has shown the necessary skills to lead the company into the future and I have complete confidence in his leadership.
Sunrise host Sam Armytage said she wanted to 'step out of this public world for a while' as she announced her resignation live on air on Monday.

And it's fair to say her life will look very different once she turns off her daily 3am alarm and walks away from Australia's top-rating breakfast show.

Daily Mail Australia takes a look at what's potentially on the horizon for Sam, 44, as the sun officially sets on her Sunrise career.

Scroll down for video

Fresh country air, time with family and a new podcast: What Sam Armytage's 'slow-living' lifestyle will look like after cancelling her 3am alarm and quitting Sunrise after eight years as host. Pictured here with her husband, Richard Lavender, at his Southern Highlands estate

For months, it was rumoured that 2021 would be Sam's last year hosting Sunrise.

Speculation was rife she wanted to quit TV and focus on family life with Bowral businessman Richard Lavender, whom she married on New Year's Eve.

The death of her mother, Libby, from an autoimmune disease in November had also made her rethink her priorities in life, sources said.

Gossip: For months, it was rumoured that 2021 would be Sam's last year hosting Sunrise. Speculation was rife she wanted to quit TV and focus on family life with Bowral businessman Richard Lavender, whom she married on New Year's Eve (pictured on their wedding day)

Sad loss: The death of her mother, Libby (left), from an autoimmune disease in November had also made her rethink her priorities in life, sources said

Family life with her husband, Richard Lavender

Sam made it clear during her farewell speech that she was quitting Sunrise to spend more time with her family.

'I want to step out of this public world for a while and take some time and calm things down, enjoy a bit of slow living, and spend some time with my precious family, my husband and [dog] Banjo,' she said on Monday.

Sam has been settling into married life with horse breeder Richard, 60, at his sprawling estate in the NSW Southern Highlands over the last few months.

Stepping away: Sam explained she was leaving of her own choosing, and was looking forward to life away from the spotlight to start her new life with husband Richard (right)

Sam would stay in a hotel in Sydney during the week because of her early starts, and return to the Southern Highlands at weekends to live with her husband.

She has spoken warmly of life on Richard's acreage property, and how he built her an impressive stone path at the homestead.

In June last year, Sam sold her North Bondi home for $2.8million, which suggested she was planning to move to the country full time.

'Take some time and calm things down, enjoy a bit of slow living': Sam would stay in a hotel in Sydney during the week because of her early starts, and return to the Southern Highlands at weekends to live with her husband. Pictured at the beach in 2019 with her dog Banjo

Plans for motherhood?

Sam has no children of her own, but she has been the proud owner of a Labrador Retriever named Banjo since late 2016.

The Channel Seven host said in 2017 she had always wanted children, but was also at peace with the idea of never becoming a mother.

'Well, yes [I want kids], I've never made any secret of it. But I don't know whether that is my path,' she told The Daily Telegraph two years before meeting Richard.

'It would be nice but if it doesn't happen then c'est la vie and if it does, it would be lovely,' Sam added.

She is now a step-mother to Richard's two grown-up daughters, Grace and Sasha.

Richard, who is a successful equestrian businessman, shares his daughters with his ex-wife, Kate Lavender.

'Yes, I want kids, I've never made any secret of it': The Channel Seven host said in 2017 she had always wanted children, but was also at peace with the idea of never becoming a mother. Pictured on Sunrise with Bonds baby competition entrants in 2017

Caretaker to father Mac

Sam said one of the reasons she resigned from Sunrise was because she wanted to spend more time with her father, Mac.

Mac suffered a stroke last year and did four weeks of rehab sessions at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney in September.

Sam's late mother, Libby, had been 'gravely ill for a while' and was already in hospital when Mac collapsed from a stroke while on his way to visit her.

Sam said at the time: 'Luckily he wasn't out the back of Wagga [Mac lives on the family farm in Wagga] in a paddock as he probably wouldn't be here to tell the tale.'

'He's a tough old bugger and he's in rehab, frustrated but determined. And giving plenty of cheek to his long-suffering, wonderful nurses.'

Libby died from an autoimmune disease in November.

Daddy's girl: Sam also said on Monday that one of the reasons she resigned was because she wanted to spend more time with her father, Mac (right), who suffered a stroke last year

Health concerns: Sam's father, Mac, suffered a stroke last year and did four weeks of rehab sessions at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney in September. Pictured with Banjo in 2017

Career movements

Seven West Media's Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, said on Monday that Sam would be involved in other projects going into 2022.

'Sam has been an important part of the Seven team for almost two decades, including eight fantastic years as co-host of Australia's number-one breakfast show,' Mr Warburton said in a statement.

'We will be sad to see her leave Sunrise, but completely understand and support her decision to step back for a while and focus on her family.

'We wish Sam nothing but the very best for her break and look forward to announcing some exciting new projects for her in late 2021 and into 2022.'

Her $800,000-a-year contract with Seven expires at the end of the year, and she will take an 'extended' leave of absence until then, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

Not going anywhere: According to industry website TV Blackbox, Sam is likely on a retainer with the Seven Network, meaning she won't be able to defect to a competitor

'TV isn't a place that's necessarily very healthy': Sam's emotional farewell comes days after she said the TV industry was full of 'narcissists and sociopaths' - remarks which undoubtedly wouldn't have gone down well with her colleagues. Pictured with co-host David 'Kochie' Koch

According to industry website TV Blackbox, Sam is likely on a retainer with the network, meaning she won't be able to defect to a competitor.

'She will be looking for roles in prime time shows when she is ready to comeback,' the publication claimed.

Meanwhile, Sam hinted at other possible roles at Seven in her resignation speech.

'After I take a break, and only after I feel refreshed, will I decide on my next chapter. Thank you,' she said.

In the meantime, it's believed Sam will continue her work as a columnist for The Daily Telegraph's Stellar magazine, which she has done since 2017.

In February, Sam launched her first podcast called Something to Talk About with Samantha Armytage, in partnership with Stellar.

Still in the media: In February, Sam launched her first podcast called Something to Talk About with Samantha Armytage, in partnership with Stellar

Hot contender: While Seven has not yet announced Sam's replacement, it's likely newsreader Natalie Barr (left) will step in alongside co-anchor David 'Kochie' Koch

While Seven has not yet announced Sam's replacement, it's likely newsreader Natalie Barr will step in alongside co-anchor David 'Kochie' Koch.

Sam had hinted at her resignation in an interview with The Kyle and Jackie O Show last month.

She told hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson that while she was still under contract at Seven, she hadn't ruled out giving up her TV career.

Sam's last day on Sunrise will be Thursday, March 11.
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MTN Group on Monday announced the appointment of Chika Ekeji as Executive Strategy and Transformation officer, as part of plans to further bolster management capacity to accelerate the groups strategic ambitions.

Effective from March 15, Mr Ekeji would join Africas leading mobile operator from Management Consultancy, McKinsey & Company in Nigeria.

He had previously led the West Africa Digital Practice and served telco, financial Services, and public sector clients across Africa.

The MTN Group Chief Operating Officer, Jens Schulte-Bockum, in a statement in South Africa, said he was very pleased that Mr Ekeji was joining the company as they work on strategic repositioning.

A Nigerian-American national, Mr Ekeji has a Masters of Engineering in Computer Science from Cornell University and an MBA from MIT.

In his new role, he would be based in South Africa.

Mr Schulte-Bockum said that in December 2020, MTN Group announced the completion of a comprehensive strategy review with a focus on accelerating growth, deleveraging the holding company debt and unlocking value.

The statement said that the revised strategy would be presented in more details after the release of 2020 full-year results on March 10.

(NAN)
Burma Myanmar Military Regimes Forces Establish Bases at Civilian Schools, Universities, and Hospitals

Military troops deployed in Mandalay amid the regimes crackdown on its protesters on Feb. 22, marking '22222' nationwide general strike. / The Irrawaddy

YangonAt least 20 government universities, school and hospitals in major cities including Yangon, Mandalay, Magway, Monywa and Ayeyarwady have been occupied by security forces of the military regime as their base camps.

On Sunday night, security forces that have occupied a teaching hospital in Yangons North Oakkalapa Township as their base camp, opened fire and exploded percussion grenades in an attempt to intimidate a crowd that had appeared in front of the hospital opposing its use by the military.

A resident was wounded in the leg when shot by security forces.

Also, residents of Yangons Yankin Townships staged protest against an encampment of security forces at the townships general administrative department office last night.

Security forces who have occupied Yangons Waibargi Infectious Disease Hospital, which had been left behind by doctors and medical staff taking part in nationwide civil disobedience movement, also conducted a crackdown against people opposing their occupation of the hospital. Security forces used slingshots, rubber bullets and sound grenades.

Sunday night, security forces occupied the Dagon University of Yangon as their base camp.

They also used hundreds of percussion grenades and fired warning shots in several Yangons townships to frighten residents. Some houses were hit with live rounds. Security forces destroyed windows of a dozen of vehicles and closed circuit television systems in Kamayut Township last night.

Residents said that security forces opened fire at two rooms of an apartment that had switched lights on.

In the countrys second biggest city Mandalay, security forces have occupied all universities as well as 500 and 300 bed hospitals as the base camps.

On Saturday, security forces retreated back from an encampment at the Loikaw University in Kayah State after facing a protest by residents.

During their retreat, security forces left behind more than 200 rounds of ammunition including live bullets, rubber bullets and tear gas. Residents transferred the ammunition to the police force of the Kayah State.

Some said that military is setting up base camps near residential neighborhoods in order to firmly manage their administrative operations.

Dr. Sai Khaing Myo Tun, the president of the Myanmar Teacher Federation, told The Irrawaddy the military is trying to set up base camps as a frontline near population centers because their mobility had previously delayed due to roadblocks of anti-regime protesters.

This is believed to [make possible a] crackdown on the anti-regime protest leaders at night, said Dr. Sai Khaing Myo Tun, concerning about setting base camps of security forces.

Ko Than Kyaw Oo, student union chair of Sagaing Regions Monywa University which is being used as military base camp, said that students condemned the military use and they will drive the security forces out of the university.

Universities are not for the military. Campuses are not the place for the military dogs (soldiers), said Ko Than Kyaw Oo.

The 88 Generation Peace and Open Society said on Sunday that according to the Geneva Convention, school, hospital and religious buildings are to be protected zones for refugees.

Occupying those protected zones by the police and military is breaching the Geneva Convention and International Humanitarian Law, said the group.

The groups office in Yangon also was raided by the police and soldiers on Monday. A safe box, computers, offices usages and paintings were taken.

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Myanmar Regime Detains Increasing Numbers and Steps Up Violence

Myanmar Regime Steps Up Vehicle and Pedestrian Searches in Yangon
Dressed in white, Francis took to a red carpeted stage in Mosul on his first stop of the day, surrounded by the grey hollowed-out shells of four churches  Syriac Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox and Chaldean  nearly destroyed in the war to oust IS fighters from the city. It was a scene that would have been unimaginable years earlier. Mosul, Iraqs second largest city, was at the heart of the IS so-called caliphate and witnessed the worst of the groups rule inflicted on Muslims, Christians and others, including beheadings and mass killings. Pope Francis arrives in Mosul on Sunday. Credit:AP He deviated from his prepared speech to emphasise the plight of Iraqs Yazidi minority, which was subjected to mass killings, abductions and sexual slavery at the hands of IS. How cruel it is that this country, the cradle of civilisation, should have been afflicted by so barbarous a blow, Francis said, with ancient places of worship destroyed and many thousands of people  Muslims, Christians, Yazidis  who were cruelly annihilated by terrorism and others forcibly displaced or killed.

Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video IS inflicted atrocities against all communities, including Muslims, during its three-year rule across much of northern and western Iraq. But the Christian minority was hit especially hard. The militants forced them to choose among conversion, death or the payment of a special tax for non-Muslims. Thousands fled, leaving homes and churches that were destroyed or commandeered by the extremists. Loading Iraqs second largest city, became ISs bureaucratic and financial backbone. It took a ferocious nine-month battle to finally free the city in July 2017. Between 9000 and 11,000 civilians were killed, according to an AP investigation at the time, and the war left a swath of destruction. Many Iraqis have had to rebuild on their own amid a years-long financial crisis. The Reverend Raed Kallo was among the few Christians who returned to Mosul after IS was defeated. My Muslim brothers received me after the liberation of the city with great hospitality and love, he said on stage before the pontiff.

Before IS, he had a parish of 500 Christian families. Now only 70 families remain, he said. But today I live among 2 million Muslims who call me their Father Raed, he said. Gutayba Aagha, the Muslim head of the Independent Social and Cultural Council for the Families of Mosul, invited all our Christian brothers to return to this, their city, their properties and their businesses. Loading Throughout his four-day visit, Francis has delivered a message of interreligious tolerance to Muslim leaders, including in a historic meeting on Saturday with Iraqs top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. But Christians say it will take real changes on the ground for them to be able to return and stay, saying they face discrimination and intimidation from Shiite militias on top of the economic hardships suffered by all Iraqis.

Qaraqosh resident Martin Auffee said he was overjoyed by the popes visit and appreciated that he showed he was with Christians as he urged them to endure. But the 27-year-old said many of the young in his area have grown weary of lack of opportunity. We dont know for how long they can cling onto hope and continue to stay in Iraq because theres a lot of pain, unemployment and uncertainty, he said. My whole life has been filled with pain, misery, war, persecution and displacement. Things are difficult for those living here. At Qaraqosh, Francis urged its residents to continue to dream, and forgive. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Forgiveness is necessary to remain in love, to remain Christian, he said.

One resident, Doha Sabah Abdallah, told him how her son and two other young people were killed in a mortar strike August 6, 2014 as IS neared the town. The martyrdom of these three angels alerted the other residents to flee, she said. The deaths of three saved the entire city. She said now it was for the survivors to try to forgive the aggressor. Francis wrapped up the day  and his visit  with a Mass at the stadium in Erbil, in the semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region, after travelling there by helicopter. An estimated 10,000 people erupted in cheers when he arrived and did a lap around the track in his open-sided popemobile, the first and only time he has used it on this trip due to security concerns. On the makeshift altar for the Mass was a statue of the Virgin Mary from the Mar Adday Church in the town of Keramlis, which was restored after IS militants chopped off its head and hands. Few in the crowd wore facemasks, as was the case during all of Francis visits in northern Iraq. The pope headed back to Rome early Monday morning.

Public health experts had expressed concerns ahead of the trip that large gatherings could serve as superspreader events for the coronavirus in a country suffering from a worsening outbreak where few have been vaccinated. The pope and members of his delegation have been vaccinated but most Iraqis have not. Pope Francis speaks to Abdullah Kurdi, left, father of Alan Kurdi, a the-year-old Syrian boy who drowned at the height of the 2018 migrant crisis. Credit:Vatican/AP At the end of the event, he met the father of Alan Kurdi, the boy whose body washed up on a Turkish beach six years ago became an image of the suffering of Syrians trying to escape war. The Pope spent a long time with him [Kurdi] and with the help of an interpreter was able to listen to the pain of a father for the loss of his family, it said. Kurdi thanked Francis for his closeness to the tragedy and to the pain of all those migrants who seek understanding, peace and security, leaving their country at the risk of their lives, it added.
It appears drug dogs aren't as needed as they used to be

opinion
Aizawl, March 8 : The Mizoram government has been providing relief and shelter to the people who have sneaked into the Indian territory from military coup hit Myanmar, state Home Minister said on Monday adding that the government is waiting for advice from the Centre "to handle the foreign nationals".

Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana, while giving a statement in the Budget session of the state Assembly, said that the state government has sent the details about the "people who entered Mizoram from neighbouring Myanmar" to the Union Home Ministry and it is waiting for the Centre's advice to deal with the foreign nationals.

"The district administrations are for the time being providing relief and shelter to the people who have crossed over to Mizoram from Myanmar. As the matter is highly sensitive and an issue of two neighbouring countries, we are officially not disclosing the details and the number of people who have come from Myanmar. However, all the details have been communicated to the MHA," the minister informed the House.

The authorities in Myanmar had on Friday requested India to send back their eight police officers, who had crossed into Mizoram since March 3.

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.

Mizoram's 510 km international borders with Myanmar are guarded by the Assam Rifles, while the Border Security Force maintains the security along the state's 318 km borders with Bangladesh.

Assam Rifles officials and the villagers of the border areas of Champhai, Serchhip and Hnahthial districts told the media that around 100 people comprising unarmed police personnel and civilians, including children, had crossed over to the mountainous state from Myanmar since March 3.

Meanwhile, the National Campaign Against Torture (NCAT) on Monday filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), urging it to process the asylum/refugee claims of the Myanmar refugees who have fled following the coup in Myanmar.

The NCAT urged the NHRC to send an investigation team to Mizoram to interview each of the refugees and determine their refugee status in conformity with the national law and India's obligations under the international law.

It also requested the MHRC to direct the government not to forcibly repatriate any Myanmar refugees until their claims have been assessed by the NHRC and further to extend humanitarian assistance to the fleeing refugees.

"As India has no law or mechanism to process the asylum applications and the decisions on refugee claims are taken by the Government of India on security considerations, which are often in violation of India's constitutional obligations, the NHRC ought to intervene to fulfil its obligations," Suhas Chakma, coordinator of the NCAT, said in a statement.

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.

A one-year state of emergency has been declared in Myanmar and state power has been transferred to Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing after President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi were detained by the military on February 1.
[March 08, 2021] Audi of America awards fourth Audi Drive Progress Grant supporting STEM education at Forbes Idea Incubator

HERNDON, Va., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On Feb. 27, Audi of America partnered with Forbes and the New York University's Tandon School of Engineering to host the fourth Forbes Idea Incubator, a one-day virtual event designed to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for collegiate women. This year, Audi and Forbes challenged female students from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering to think critically and help develop potential solutions that address the gender gap in female consumers' education around the benefits and ease-of-use of electric vehicles. Audi of America knows that the future is electric and is committed to that future with an ambitious goal that 30% of its new U.S. model lineup will be electrified by 2025 to help create a more sustainable future. An extension of Audi of America's sponsorship of the 2020 Forbes Women's Summit that was held virtually on December 9, the Forbes Idea Incubator served as a platform to present the fourth Audi Drive Progress Grant, a $50,000 fund poviding financial assistance for student tuition and related expenses. This year's fund included an additional $7,500 individual award given to the student that showcased strong teamwork and collaboration skills, representing the Audi value of inclusion throughout the ideation process.



"By empowering today's female STEM students, we're underscoring our commitment to building a better tomorrow, allowing more people to reach their highest potential and helping to support gender equality, inclusion and innovation," said Sara Whiffen, vice president, Strategy and New Business, Audi of America. "Audi is honored to stand alongside Forbes and NYU Tandon and help support a program dedicated to inspiring and building future generations of STEM leaders as we all work to drive progress in the automotive industry and beyond." Through various inclusion initiatives, Audi is committed to cultivating and promoting a diverse culture that helps enable women to achieve their highest potential by removing barriers to equity, inclusivity, growth and development.

At Audi of America, we believe the Future is Electric. Our U.S. model lineup will be 30 percent electrified, including fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, by 2025, and globally we are committed to net CO2 neutrality by 2050. In 2020, Audi sold 186,620 vehicles in the U.S., and this year, we look forward to the next chapter in our journey to reinvent premium mobility with the arrivals of the fully electric Audi e-tron GT and Audi Q4 e-tron. Learn more about who we are and how we're working to create a more electric, innovative, and inclusive future at audiusa.com or media.audiusa.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/audi-of-america-awards-fourth-audi-drive-progress-grant-supporting-stem-education-at-forbes-idea-incubator-301242609.html SOURCE Audi of America

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Aimed at maintaining the leadership



role of Karnataka in innovation and to support emerging technology institutes, the state budget presented by Chief Minister on Monday proposed to establish a Venture Capital Fund of Rs 100 crore.

The government will provide Rs 25 crore as its share for this and the balance Rs 75 crore will be contributed by other institutions,the CM,who also holds the finance portfolio,said.

The Karnataka Start-up Policy will be revised to utilise in full the already existing congenial environment for new enterprises in Karnataka.

The CM also said the government would encourage research pertaining to solar electric devices and its technology.

To encourage use of electric vehicles and reduce air pollution in the state, 1,000 charging centres will be set up under Public Private Partnership, he said, adding that a 1,000 mega watt project of Pumped Hydro Storage Plant will be implemented on the basis of private investment of Rs 4,000 crore for continuous supply of clean energy based electricity.

Also the EV and fuel storage policy will be revised to increase the production of electric vehicles, renewal of incentives and speeding up of the usage of electric vehicles.

Due to Covid-19, Invest Karnataka-2020 was not organised and will be held in Bengaluru this year, he said.

Also to give attention towards indigenous production under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, a new Aerospace and Defence Policy will be announced.

To encourage the establishment of industries, a proposal was made in the budget to have a new slab in property tax separately for industries in urban local bodies.

The CM said 'Chief Minister Mega Integrated Industrial Townships' will be established in the BengaluruMumbai and Bengaluru-Chennai industrial corridors on a minimum of 500 acres at each of the places,utilising available opportunities.

These townships, which will be developed with PPP, will attract Rs 10,000 crore investment in the next three years and is expected to create jobs for five lakh people, he said.

Towards attracting manufacturing, an industrial township will be established in Peenya. Necessary infrastructure will be developed here at a cost of Rs 100 crore, he added.

A Cyber-Security Policy would be announced to adopt necessary data protection measures to create a secure cyber environment, it said, adding that a data centre policy will be formulated to create demand and value for data centres.

"This policy has infrastructure development as its aim".

For developing bio-technology industries and innovative start-ups and to encourage production of light food items utilising bioactive compounds from fish and sea weed, an Advanced Bio-tech Innovation Centre for Aqua-Marine will be established in Mangaluru at an estimated cost of Rs six crore.

To reduce death and impairment caused by snake bites to 50 per cent by the year 2030,a Rs seven crore Anti-Venom Research and Development Centre will be set up, the CM said, adding it is to develop next generation anti-venom and provide it at an affordable price and make it easily available.

To encourage quantum computing and related technologies, a Rs 10 crore Research Park will be set up, which will help stimulate scientific inventions and innovations in the field of quantum computing in Karnataka.

The government also proposes to make Bengaluru a geospatial hub.Under the National Geospatial Policy, Karnataka State Remote Sensing Application Centre would be strengthened with private sector participation and public services would be provided effectively utilising geospatial technology.

Stating that a State Mineral Policy 2021-2026 will be formulated, Yediyurappa said, "A single window system will be implemented for the timely disposal of applications submitted seeking license for mining/leasing of quarries.

Along with this, mining adalats will be started very soon in four revenue divisions of the State."



The budget also proposed to set up a Smart Handloom Design Studio with PPP in North Karnataka to create awareness among handloom weavers about the latest designs and to increase demand for their products and their income.

A Textile Park will be set up with PPP in Guledagudda town in Bagalkote district to encourage livelihood and creation of employment at local level to stop seasonal migration, it said.

With the assistance of Central Government, a Plastic Park will be developed at a project expenditure of Rs 66 crore in 100 acres at Ganjimath in Mangaluru to encourage plastic and petro-chemical in districts.

It is also proposed to develop a Bulk Drug Park having world class infrastructure at a cost of Rs 1,478 crore with Central Government aid in 1,500 acres of industrial land at Kadechuru industrial area in Yadgir district.

(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.)
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More than 87 percent of Chinese parents have signed their children up for online tutoring sessions to supplement their education, according to a recent survey from China Youth Daily.

English and math have proven the most popular online courses, respectively attracting 68.7 percent and 58.5 percent of surveyed parents, said China Youth Daily on Thursday.

Entertaining classes that encourage kids to pursue personal hobbies were ranked third most popular, with the Chinese language coming in fourth.

A total of 1,523 parents took part in the survey. They mainly attributed the booming online tutoring market in China to the fact that the courses are immune to anti-COVID-19 measures.

Online courses also spare parents the stress of taking their children to extracurricular training centers and bringing them back home after their classes, according to respondents.

Most respondents (83.5 percent) expressed positivity toward the quality of online tutoring, while just 0.5 percent expressed complete disapproval.

Their biggest concern was the impact of online classes on their children's eye health, with 49.3 percent of respondents citing this issue.

More than 95 percent of respondents called on authorities to enhance scrutiny over online training platforms in terms of advertisement content, operation licensing and financial safety.
Cancers that are resistant to radiotherapy could be rendered susceptible through treatment with immunotherapy, a new study suggests.

Cancers that are resistant to radiotherapy could be rendered susceptible through treatment with immunotherapy, a new study suggests.

Researchers believe that manipulating bowel cancers based on their 'immune landscape' could unlock new ways to treat resistant tumours.

Cancers can evolve resistance to radiotherapy just as they do with drugs.

The new study found that profiling the immune landscape of cancers before therapy could identify patients who are likely to respond to radiotherapy off the bat, and others who might benefit from priming of their tumour with immunotherapy.

Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, in collaboration with the University of Leeds and The Francis Crick Institute, studied inflammation in bowel tumour samples taken before and after radiotherapy from 53 patients. They aimed to understand how tumour immune activity before and after radiotherapy differs between patients who respond well and those who respond poorly to treatment.

The study is published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer and was supported by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), and the Medical Research Council.

The team showed that the effectiveness of radiotherapy partly depends on the level of inflammation within tumours before and after treatment.

In the study, patients who showed a poor response to radiotherapy - with no substantial falls in numbers of tumour cells - started with chronically inflamed tumours, with high levels of activity in 40 immune genes. The level of inflammation within their tumours showed minimal changes following radiotherapy.

In contrast, good responders - who saw a marked drop in the number of tumour cells during radiotherapy - started with a relatively low inflammation tumour landscape which revved up following treatment. Here, there was a significant increase in the activity of 198 immune genes including genes representing immune cells that can directly kill tumour cells.

Together, the findings show that carefully timing a combination of immunotherapy and radiotherapy, based on an assessment of the cancer's immune landscape, could provide a way forward for treating resistant cancers.

Although the study was carried out specifically in bowel cancer the researchers believe the findings could be relevant for other types of the disease too, particularly for cancers where surgery is not an option and radiotherapy is particularly important.

Increasing evidence shows that radiotherapy not only works by causing DNA damage and cell death in cancer cells but also in potentially a similar way to a vaccine - priming the immune system to recognise tumour cells and ramp up an immune response to attack them.

This work is part of growing activity at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and in radiotherapy and immunology which includes the RadNet radiotherapy research network, in collaboration with The Royal Marsden.

Study leader Dr Anguraj Sadanandam, Leader of the Systems and Precision Cancer Medicine Team at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said:

"Radiotherapy has revolutionised cancer treatment and is the most effective way of curing cancer other than surgery.

"Our study has shown that the immune landscape and levels of inflammation within cancers is crucial to determining how they respond to radiotherapy. It suggests that combining radiotherapy with immunotherapy could prove a highly potent mixture - improving our ability to eliminate hard-to-treat cancers further still.

"Now we want to improve our understanding of how to combine and sequence radiotherapy and immunotherapy together to maximise the treatment response for the individual biology of each patient."

Study co-author Dr Anna Wilkins, Clinical Research Fellow in the Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, now at The Francis Crick Institute, said:

"Radiotherapy is an important curative treatment option for many patients with cancer. We are starting to understand how the immune response is important for radiotherapy to work most effectively.

"Our study suggests that by targeting specific non-cancer cells that block this immune response we can further improve radiotherapy responses in patients."

Dr Nick West, Clinical Academic Fellow at the University of Leeds and Honorary Consultant in Gastrointestinal Pathology, said:

"Radiotherapy is commonly used in patients with rectal cancer and there are currently no validated biomarkers that reliably predict how well the cancer will respond. Patients who do not respond well to radiotherapy may still experience significant side effects despite no clinical benefit.

"This study suggests that we can potentially improve the response in these patients through modulation of the immune system, which is a very exciting development. The study also showed that a novel technique developed at the University of Leeds, tumour cell density, can be used to objectively measure the degree of tumour response to radiotherapy."

Professor Paul Workman, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said:

"This fascinating study adds to the evidence that the effectiveness of radiotherapy is closely intertwined with the involvement of the immune system. It's now clear that the radiotherapy response in cancer cells and surrounding tissues can empower a patient's own immune system to recognise and destroy their tumour.

"But radiotherapy requires a healthy immune response, and the new research suggests we might need to tune that response through immunotherapy. It could provide a foundation for future trials to test new combinations of drugs, including immunotherapies, alongside radiotherapy."

###

Notes to editors:

For more information please contact Julia Bakker in the ICR press office on 02071535396 or julia.bakker@icr.ac.uk. For enquiries out of hours, please call 07595 963 613.

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world's most influential cancer research organisations.

Scientists and clinicians at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) are working every day to make a real impact on cancer patients' lives. Through its unique partnership with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and 'bench-to-bedside' approach, the ICR is able to create and deliver results in a way that other institutions cannot. Together the two organisations are rated in the top centres for cancer research and treatment globally.

The ICR has an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. It provided the first convincing evidence that DNA damage is the basic cause of cancer, laying the foundation for the now universally accepted idea that cancer is a genetic disease. Today it is a world leader at identifying cancer-related genes and discovering new targeted drugs for personalised cancer treatment. A college of the University of London, the ICR is the UK's top-ranked academic institution for research quality, and provides postgraduate higher education of international distinction. It has charitable status and relies on support from partner organisations, charities and the general public.

The ICR's mission is to make the discoveries that defeat cancer. For more information visit ICR.ac.uk
Around 100 people gathered outside Idaho's state Capitol in Boise in a Burn the Mask rally in order to make a statement against the COVID-19 restrictions, Saturday. In a statement by the Idaho State Police, the organizers had permits for the rally, thus no one was arrested. However, the rally is still under review due to the use of open fire during the event.

According to the police, the organizers and participants in the event were informed that open flames were prohibited on the State Capitol Grounds yet they still ignited one inside a barrel during the rally. Footage and photos of the event showed that there were children present and some even participated in the burning of masks.

Burn the Mask

Meanwhile, Darr Moon, a conservative activist, and husband of Rep. Dorothy Moon stated that the rally in Idaho is just one of the several Burn the Mask rallies that were organized by different groups across the state on Saturday. He even posted photos of an event which also happened in Rexburg on Facebook.

Moreover, Moon stated that Idaho has very low COVID-19 infection numbers since it is mostly rural. Thus, he noted that wearing masks and other pandemic restrictions aren't always necessary.

He also said that there are certain towns or health districts that are still mandating wearing masks despite the low numbers in the state. He also emphasized that the state has long flattened the curve and that people should be allowed back to their normal lives and back to work, The Hindu reported.

Based on data by Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center 25% or 1 out of 4 of people in Idaho who had COVID-19 tests was positive. This is a huge drop in numbers since December when two-thirds of those who got tested in the state had positive results. Idaho has reported 1,876 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, NBC News reported.

Read also: Biden Fires Trump-Appointed Lawyer Who Refused to Step down from Office

In response to the Burn the Mask rallies, the state of Idaho said that they "strongly recommend" the wearing of facial coverings but it is not mandated. However, there are still several cities that require it.

The state also noted that indoor and outdoor gatherings have been limited to 50 participants or fewer. Bars have also been allowed to operate but all patrons are required to remain seated and the tables need to be at least six feet apart.

On Thursday, Republican Gov. Brad Little posted a tweet reminding people to continue practicing things that work such as proper handwashing, wearing masks, and staying home when sick, The Guardian reported. Meanwhile, the House State Affairs Committee of Idaho discussed the bill which would prohibit government entities to mandate people to wear masks.

On the other hand, Moon, who was the point person for the Burn the Mask rally at the state capitol, said that they are not against masks but they just want healthy-bodied people to be allowed back to work. He also said that the mandates and executive orders on the pandemic restrictions have put their jobs in jeopardy.

Related article : Children To Start Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine in the Fall

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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, has come out in support of California Gov. Gavin Newsom amid calls for the governor to depart from office.

As the campaign to recall Newsom gains more headway  with leaders announcing nearly two million signatures, enough to put the recall on ballots, as of this weekend  the former presidential candidate signaled his support for Newsom in a tweet Monday.
Coronavirus. Credit: European Centers for Disease Control

Italy on Monday surpassed the grim milestone of 100,000 official coronavirus deaths, amid warnings the spread of new variants is fuelling a fresh wave of infections.

Just over a year since it became the first European country to be overwhelmed by COVID-19, Italy's health ministry recorded another 318 virus-related deaths, taking the total to 100,103.

The figure is almost certainly an underestimate of the true toll, but is nevertheless shocking.

When the pandemic started, "we could have never imagined that after a year ... the official death toll would have neared the terrible threshold of 100,000," said Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who took over last month.

In a video message that represented his first public statement in three weeks, he added: "The pandemic has not yet been defeated, but with the acceleration of the vaccination plan, we can see a way out."

As in many other European countries, Italy's vaccine programme has had a slow start, dogged in large part by a lack of jabs.

It expects to have 50 million doses of coronavirus vaccines by the end of June, allowing for the vaccination of "at least half of our population"some 30 million peoplewithin the next four months, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said Sunday.

Italy will start using the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine on people over the age of 65, while it also has high hopes for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which could win EU approval on March 11.

So far, Italy has fully vaccinated only 1.65 million people.

However, Speranza warned Monday that Italy faced difficult weeks as it needs "to flatten this [infection] curve at a time when variants make the virus even harder to handle".

New national lockdown?

Weekly infection numbers rose by a third to more than 123,000 cases between February 24 and March 2, according to the GIMBE health think tank, the highest since early December.

As hospital intensive care units are again coming under pressure, the government is considering new restrictionsincluding extending the current 10:00 pm to 05:00am curfew and a national lockdown, according to media reports.

"With these numbers we need stricter measures," Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio wrote on Facebook, adding: "There is no alternative to stricter measures."

Tough new nationwide restrictions would be another blow for the economy, which was plunged into a historic recession by last year's lockdown.

But a poll published on the weekend by the Corriere della Sera newspaper suggested that 44 percent of Italians would back it, up from 30 percent two weeks earlier.

Tighter restrictions took effect Monday as southern Campania, which includes Naples, joined Basilicata and Molise in the list of "red" regions under lockdown.

Lockdowns have also been enforced at more local level in dozens of provinces and citiesleading to the closure of bars, restaurants, museums and of all schools including nurseries.

Face-to-face learning is now off for almost six million students, around two thirds of the total, according to specialised website Tuttoscuola.com.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 AFP
Its International Womens Day on March 8, and one fun way to celebrate is by sipping on a special cider brewed to honor the women of Michigan. Virtue Cider in Fennville created Those Women from Michigan, a cider created specifically to celebrate this holiday.

Here at Virtue Farm, were all about community and collaboration, said Michele McDonnell, Senior Brand Manager for Virtue Cider. We are proud of the women that make up our team, who lift each other up, support each other, and have worked together to bring this cider to life.

The cider is a bold brew, that comes in at a hearty 9% ABV. It was made with lavender and butterfly pea pollen, in a nod to self-care qualities. The cider has a slight purple tint to it, which is a color that is historically connected to feminist groups. It will be available at the taproom in Fennville, by the pint or by the crowler. While supplies last, when you order Those Women from Michigan youll also get a commemorative pin for International Womens Day, and Womens History Month.

Those Women from Michigan is especially fun as it embodies the creativity and innovation that we value at Virtue Cider, McDonnell said.

Our lady cidermakers, marketers, farmers, scientists, and general manager are what Those Women from Michigan embody, said McDonnell. Were so thankful to the women of Michigan who work so hard to make this state so great and this cider is our way of celebrating them and giving back.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the cider will go to local charity Sylvias Place, which provides emergency shelter and help for domestic violence victims in Allegan County.

You can experience this special brew until supplies run out. Virtue distributes some cider statewide, and they also ship direct to consumers. All of their ciders feature Michigan apples, that are pressed, fermented and blended right in Fennville. Coming soon from Virtue will be their Spring Brunch Cider Bundle, a specially curated offering of small batch ciders that can be purchased at the tap room or online to be shipped.

Were so thankful to the women of Michigan who work so hard to make this state so great and this cider is our way of celebrating them and giving back, said McDonnell.

Celebrate International Women's Day with a special brew from Virtue Cider.Courtesy Photo, used with permission.

If you go:

Virtue Cider

2170 62nd St, Fennville, MI 49408

(269) 722-3232

More info: https://www.virtuecider.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/virtuecider

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Third Nature Brewing built for outdoor dining, and a pandemic

Michigans largest winery celebrates a century of winemaking

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 15:34:31|Editor: Xiaoxia

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Deputies to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) walk towards the Great Hall of the People for the second plenary meeting of the fourth session of the 13th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Nan)
Q. We have exported certain goods to a customer in Germany. We had also imported certain services from them. Can the customer set off the amount receivable for the services against the amount payable for the goods and remit the net amount?

No. AP (DIR) Circular no. 8 dated December 12, 2020 of RBI revised the instructions for banks allowing set-off of export receivables against import payables. Para 3 stipulates several conditions for allowing the set-off. One of the conditions says that set-off of export receivables against goods shall not be allowed against import payables for services and vice versa. Therefore, you may remit the amount against the import of services separately and ask the buyer abroad to remit the full payment against your export bill.

Q. We have been importing our raw materials on a CIF basis, paying basic customs duty, social welfare surcharge and IGST on the full CIF value of the goods, which includes the freight amount. Now, the audit team says that we are required to pay IGST also on the same freight amount on a reverse charge basis. Please guide us.

S.No. 9 of notification 8/2017-IT (Rate) dated June 28, 2017 covers transport of goods in a vessel, including services provided or agreed to be provided by a person located in non-taxable territory to a person located in non-taxable territory by way of transportation of goods by a vessel from a place outside India up to the customs station of clearance in India. The IGST on this service is payable by the importer under reverse charge mechanism through S.No.10 of notification 10/2017-IT (Rate) dated June 28, 2017. However, this levy has been struck down by the Gujarat High Court in the cases of Mohit Minerals Pvt. Ltd. [2020(33) GSTL 321 (Guj)]. The same Court has followed that very judgment in the cases of Gokul Agro Resources Ltd. [2020 (35) GSTL 82 (Guj)] and Bharat Oman Refineries Ltd. [2020 (41) GSTL 292(Guj)].

Q. We had imported certain goods in August 2020 on open credit terms. We understand that as per RBI instructions, we are now allowed to pay within 12 months of import, instead of six months earlier. Can you please confirm the correct position?

RBI through its AP (DIR) Circular no. 33 dated May 22, 2020 had extended the time period for completion of remittances against normal (i.e. excluding import of gold/diamonds and precious stones/jewellery) from six months to 12 months from the date of shipment for such made on or before July 31, 2020 (except in cases where amounts are withheld towards guarantee of performance). Since your are made in August 2020, the extended time limit is not available to you. However, you may approach your bankers for any extension required up to three years (six months at a time) in accordance with Para B5 (ii) of Master Direction no.17/2016-17 dated January 1, 2016, as amended.

Business Standard invites readers SME queries related to excise, VAT and exim policy. You can write to us at smechat@bsmail.in
The Porch Group, a software platform focused on home services companies, is acquiring Irving, Texas-based managing general agent and insurance carrier, Homeowners of America (HOA).

Under a merger agreement, Porch will acquires HOA and all related subsidiaries. The transaction, which is pending regulatory approval, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.

Founded in 2006, HOA operates in six states, including Texas, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia, and is licensed in 31 states. HOA generates new policy sales through an independent network of more than 800 independent agency partners.

Seattle-based Porch provides software and services to more than 10,500 home services companies such as home inspectors, moving companies, real estate agencies, utility companies, and warranty companies.

In a media release announcing the acquisition, Porch said combining the MGA and insurance carrier hybrid with Porchs insurance agency business will allow Porch to attract the highest lifetime value potential customers through a comprehensive insurance offering. Matt Ehrlichman, Porch founder, chairman and CEO, said the company remains committed to HOAs independent agent distribution channel.

In addition to HOA, Porch announced three other strategic acquisitions it said will strengthen the companys platform for home service companies and homeowners: V12, PalmTech and iRoofing.

V12 is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) marketing and data platform with tools to help brands connect with and engage consumers at key purchasing decision points, such as moving.

PalmTech is a software company for home inspectors, historically targeted to smaller home inspectors, which complements Porchs strong adoption across medium and large inspection companies.

iRoofing provides an all-in-one SaaS application for roofing contractors bundled in a monthly or annual subscription. Its software provides remote measurement and quoting, contract management and materials ordering. iRoofing currently processes more than 485,000 jobs on its platform annually.

Porch is acquiring HOA and V12 for a combined $122 million. This includes $97 million in cash and $25 million in cash or equity (at Porchs election) based on Porchs share price at the time of the HOA acquisition close. This equates to a purchase price multiple of 2.0 times combined estimated 2021 HOA and V12 revenue. With these acquisitions, Porch is increasing its 2021 revenue guidance from $120 million to $170 million.

Source: Porch Group

Topics Mergers Carriers Texas Homeowners Insurance Wholesale
NORTH ADAMS  Mayor Tom Bernard will ask the North Adams City Council to approve borrowing $300,000 to replace hydrants.

In an ongoing survey prompted by recent hydrant failures, the city has identified more than 50 nonworking hydrants, Bernard said.

Currently, the condition of the fire hydrant system in the city represents a significant threat to our shared commitment, as well as to the physical safety and peace of mind of our residents, Bernard wrote in a news release.

Twice vexed by faulty hydrants, North Adams drilling down on problem NORTH ADAMS  North Adams officials are reviewing the citys fire hydrant infrastructure, after nonfunctioning hydrants delayed firefighters a

The mayor pointed to two recent fires where firefighter response times were slowed by inoperative hydrants.

These fires highlighted significant issues of communication and maintenance among and between city departments and city leadership," he wrote.

The city plans to contract out to replace 50 to 60 hydrants. Hydrant repairs done by the city typically cost $2,500 to $3,000, according to estimates from the Water Department, which would mean a total cost of less than $200,000. City councilors pointed out that a significant portion of the money would go to hiring a contractor, in order to quickly finish the repairs.

Bernard also announced that the Water Department has filled a budgeted position and continues its work inspecting, cleaning, greasing and bagging hydrants across the city.

The City Council will vote Tuesday on taking out the loan.
The (DJB) on Monday moved the against the to avert a potential severe water crisis in Delhi, water utility's vice chairman Raghav Chadha said.

Chadha claimed the has reduced the supply of raw water to Delhi, resulting in shortage of water supply in the capital.

Such behaviour of the is not only undesirable, but also deeply disappointing. The regular fall in the level of Yamuna, especially during summers, along with the discharge of pollutants that cause rise in ammonia levels, is a matter of grave concern, he said in a statement.

"Delhi is facing a potential severe water crisis due to high ammonia levels in the Yamuna and the continuously depleting water level at Wazirabad barrage, which supplies drinking water to the Wazirabad, Okhla and Chandrawal water treatment plants of the DJB, he said.

The DJB has moved the SC against Haryana to avert a severe water crisis in Delhi. It has sought directions from the apex court to the neighbouring state to immediately cease the discharge of untreated pollutants into the Yamuna and release sufficient water to the capital, Chadha said.

Raw water is sourced from the Yamuna and is drawn at Wazirabad barrage. The quantity and quality of raw water at Wazirabad Barrage is dependent on the release of water by the Haryana government, he said.

Haryana supplies water to Delhi through the Carrier-Lined Channel (CLC), Delhi Sub-Branch (DSB) and the Yamuna.

CLC and DSB supply water from Hathni Kund via Munak canal and Bhakra Beas Management Board.

At present, Delhi receives 479 million gallons water a day (MGD) against 609 MGD from Haryana. Besides, Delhi draws 90 MGD groundwater and receives 250 MGD from the Upper Ganga Canal.

The continuous fall in the Yamuna's water level is a matter of grave concern. Despite notifying officers concerned of the Haryana government on a daily basis, no concrete action has been taken yet and there has been no improvement towards restoring any normalcy, Chadha said.

As per a order of February 1996, the pond level in Wazirabad has to be kept full.

The normal level of the Yamuna near Wazirabad Pond should be 674.50 feet but it has dropped to 670.90 feet.

The drastic fall in the water level at Wazirabad pond has affected water production at Wazirabad, Okhla and Chandrawal water treatment plants which supply drinking water to central, north, west and south Delhi.

Currently, Haryana through CLC canal is supplying only 549.16 cusecs against 683 cusecs and Delhi Sub-Branchcanal is supplying 306.63 cusecs against 330 cusecs, Chadha had said on Sunday.

The treatment capacity at Wazirabad and Chandrawal water treatment plants has dipped by 30 per cent. The same has reduced by 15 per cent at Okhla WTP, he had said.

(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.)
(TNS) Of all the epidemiological jargon that has spilled over into our common vocabulary during this pandemic, none has captured the popular imagination more than "herd immunity."Few of us considered ourselves part of a herd before, but the concept rooted in livestock management made it disconcertingly clear that we, too, are animals at the mercy of a microbe. Then herd immunity became a political flashpoint for those who argued it was better to let the virus rampage than impose lockdowns.Now, it's mostly invoked as the pandemic finish line  the point when so many people have immunity from vaccination or infection that the virus will fizzle out like sparks that can't find sufficient tinder to sustain a flame.Or, as King County's top health official describes it: "some sort of magical threshold."But Dr. Jeffrey Duchin doesn't put much stock in magic. He's one of a growing number of experts who doubt herd immunity against the novel coronavirus will ever be achieved  and who say it doesn't really matter."It would be great if we reached that threshold," says Duchin, public health officer for Public Health  Seattle & King County. "I think it's very questionable that we will, and I also think we don't need to achieve true herd immunity to return to a normal lifestyle."Herd immunity essentially requires vanquishing the virus except for occasional flare-ups that can be quickly quenched. But there are several obstacles, foremost among them the emergence of new variants that are more infectious, possibly more deadly, and better able to dodge immunity.A more realistic goal, Duchin and others say, is preventing serious illness and death by vaccinating as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. The virus will almost certainly continue to circulate, but it won't be nearly as deadly.It would, in essence, become more like influenza  a virus we coexist with and have somewhat tamed through long exposure and regular vaccination, says Deborah Fuller, a UW Medicine microbiologist and vaccine expert."Instead of herd immunity, maybe we should be talking about getting back to where we're not going to have to worry about dying or having our loved ones in the hospital or not being able to hug our grandparents anymore," she says. "We live with flu. It still kills 30,000 people a year, but it doesn't kill 500,000 people."Vaccine vs. the variantsThat's a shift for Fuller, who initially thought the hard work was over when the first vaccines were shown to be about 95% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19. Some models estimated as few as 60% of Americans might need to be vaccinated in order to reach herd immunity.More contagious variants "kicked the can" further out of reach, Fuller says. Vaccine coverage needs to be higher to counter the variants' ability to jump more easily from person to person. Estimates of proportion of the population that would have to get shots began creeping up and now range as high as 90%  though no one knows for sure.One of the most pressing questions is whether the variants will significantly erode vaccine effectiveness, says Washington State Epidemiologist Dr. Scott Lindquist.The state recently bought high-speed genetic sequencers to boost surveillance of the mutants and is also looking for signs the variants are escaping immunity. "If someone who's vaccinated gets the disease, I want to know if it's one of the variants breaking through," Lindquist says.Evidence remains sparse, but the B.1.1.7 variant, first detected in the U.K., seems almost as vulnerable to vaccines as the original virus, while variants first detected in South Africa (B. 1.351) and Brazil (P. 1) seem more adept at evading antibodies induced by several vaccines, including Moderna's and Pfizer's.Natural immunity is also breaking down against some of the variants. In South Africa, people who were infected with the original strain are now falling sick again from a variant. With 75% of residents infected in an early wave, the Brazilian city of Manaus seemed like a good candidate for herd immunity. But the virus is surging again, and reinfection with the P. 1 variant appears to be on the rise.A rapidly evolving virus makes herd immunity even more difficult to achieve, Duchin says. The pathogen will always be one step ahead and regular boosters may be necessary to keep up.The encouraging news is that vaccine-induced immunity is more robust than natural immunity, says Dr. Larry Corey, co-director of the national COVID-19 vaccine trials network based at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. And most of the vaccines remain highly effective  even against the variants  in their most crucial function: preventing hospitalization and deaths."This is the relevant first metric for the success of the vaccine program," Corey says. "We need to get the vaccine into people's arms and educate people about the importance of this ... and stop talking about herd immunity.""Herd immunity" originCorey has never been comfortable with the emphasis on herd immunity, especially once it became politicized. "I feel the concept has been used too imprecisely," he says.It was originally coined for strategies to eliminate "contagious abortion" from bacterial infection in sheep and cattle. "Abortion disease may be likened to a fire, which, if new fuel is not constantly added, soon dies down," a pioneering veterinarian wrote in 1918, advising ranchers to breed only cows that were immune and avoid introducing new animals.Herd immunity in humans rarely  if ever  develops from natural infection. Measles, the best-known example, was brought under control by vaccination alone. At 95% coverage, people who can't get shots because of age or health conditions are protected by the herd effect.But measles rarely mutates. The same vaccine has remained effective for decades.The measles shot also generates what's called sterilizing immunity, preventing the virus from replicating in the human body. With the COVID-19 vaccines, immunity is more of a continuum than an on-off switch, says UW Medicine immunologist Marion Pepper. And that can be another problem for herd immunity. Even though they're protected from severe illness, vaccinated people may still get mild infections and pass the virus to others.New evidence, including from Israel where 40% of the population is fully vaccinated, suggests that may be less of a concern than originally feared  though more data are needed. "I think people are pretty optimistic that these vaccines are reducing transmission, and that's important," Pepper says.But other impediments to herd immunity remain, including uncertainty about how long vaccine protection lasts. At least 15% of American adults say they will never get the shots, and there's no vaccine yet for children and most teenagers, who comprise more than 20% of the country's population, Duchin points out.While it's likely some regions, especially in wealthy countries, will eventually reach very low levels of transmission, the threat of emerging variants will remain until vaccination is global, says Ali Mokdad, of the UW's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.Countries like the U.S. and the U.K., which have locked up more than enough vaccine should consider donating the excess to poorer nations, he says."We have a moral obligation, and it's in our national interest to protect everyone else in the world so we can be protected.""Dry tinder" for variantsThe next few months will be a race between the vaccines and the variants, with the outcome likely to determine whether there's a fourth wave of disease this spring caused by the U.K. variant, says The Hutch's Dr. Joshua Schiffer. His team's modeling suggests Washington is particularly vulnerable precisely because the state has done such a good job in controlling the virus.Only about 8 to 15% of Washingtonians have been infected so far, which leaves a lot of "dry tinder" for the variants to spark, Schiffer cautions.Lindquist, the state epidemiologist, isn't too worried. More than 1.7 million vaccine doses have been administered in the state, and rates are picking up. If variant cases start to spike, he's optimistic residents will double down on masking and social distancing and flatten the curve again.Trevor Bedford, a Fred Hutch computational biologist whose pandemic analyses have sometimes seemed prophetic, said recently he expects transmission of the B.1.1.7 variant to continue increasing in Washington and the U.S., causing "more of a wave" in April or May than otherwise expected. But by summer, he says the virus should fall to very low levels.But another wave is possible in the fall as the variants that originated in South Africa and Brazil become more common.Fuller, the microbiologist, advises humility."This virus always surprises," she says. "There's always something new around the corner."___(c)2021 The Seattle TimesVisit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Sir Keir Starmer has demanded the Government introduce school breakfast clubs for all children to help them recover from the coronavirus crisis.

The Labour leader accused ministers of 'treating our children as an afterthought' during the pandemic and 'now they are being forgotten in our recovery'.

Labour said providing every child with a 'healthy breakfast' before school would also give them 'more time to play with their friends and extra time for teachers to provide targeted catch-up support'.

The policy demand came as Sir Keir tries to reverse Labour's fortunes in the polls after a post-Budget survey gave the Tories a massive 13-point lead.

Sir Keir Starmer is demanding the Government introduce school breakfast clubs for all pupils

Labour said analysis of Government data showed children have lost an average of 109 face-to-face school days since the first lockdown in March 2020.

The party is today launching a 'Bright Future Taskforce' to deliver a long-term strategy for children's recovery from the pandemic.

Marking the day that schools fully reopen in England, the party said breakfast clubs would help make up for lost time.

Sir Keir said: 'The Government has treated our children as an afterthought throughout this pandemic and now they are being forgotten in our recovery.

'I am announcing our Bright Future Taskforce to ensure every child can recover from the impacts of the pandemic and every child is able to reach their potential.

'Labour wants to see our children's recovery at the heart of efforts to rebuild our country so we can make Britain the best place to grow up in.'

The Government has allocated hundreds of millions of pounds as part of its catch-up plans.

And Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said yesterday he is considering cutting the summer holiday and introducing longer school days to aid pupils' recovery.

Labour's shadow education secretary, Kate Green, said: 'The Government's catch-up plans fall woefully short of the support needed to help children recover from the pandemic, condemning the life chances of a generation of young people.

Research by YouGov published last week found Conservative support had surged four points to 45 per cent - while Keir Starmer's party tumbled to 32 per cent

'Ministers should listen to Labour's call for breakfast clubs to give every child a healthy breakfast, more time to play with their friends and extra time for teachers to provide targeted catch-up support.

'The Government must be more ambitious for children's recovery.'

It comes after a YouGov survey published last week put the Tories 13 points ahead of the Labour Party.

The research found Conservative support had surged four points to 45 per cent while support for Sir Keir's party tumbled to 32 per cent.
Saudi Aramco has claimed the title of the Middle Easts most valuable brand for the second consecutive year, with a brand value of $37.5 billion.

Last years Brand Finance Middle East ranking saw the new arrival of the oil & gas behemoth, following the top oil exporters recording-breaking IPO.

The brand maintains a considerable lead over the rest of the ranking, despite it losing 20% of its brand value this year.

As with other oil & gas brands globally, Aramco has suffered major dents to its profits in the first half of last year as it negotiated reduced demand and lower oil prices, which turned negative in April of last year. As the global economy starts to pick up and return to some level of normality, the brand will be hoping this uptick will be reflected in its profits.

For national oil companies (NOCs), like Aramco, economic contribution to national wealth is paramount to their mandate. To ensure this economic contribution is sustainable, NOCs must increasingly venture into new sources of energy for the world after oil. Aramco has made substantial strides towards building a sustainable future and is focusing on utilising technology and embracing digitisation to reduce CO2 emissions and create next-generation materials.

Sitting in second in the overall ranking, is fellow oil & gas brand, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc). Adnoc has managed to successfully shelter its brand value during an incredibly challenging year for its industry, with only a 6% brand value loss to $10.8 billion, making it the most resilient of all National Oil Companies (NOC) globally.

Adnocs transformation since 2016 has taken the brand from strength to strength. Under the astute leadership of Managing Director and Group CEO Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Adnoc has evolved into a trusted global player with one brand and one strategic vision at its core.

It has attracted some of the worlds leading institutional investors as partners across its business and has raised more than $64 billion through such transactions since the start of its transformation.

Due to Adnocs competitive advantage in cost and carbon efficiency per barrel of oil produced, it is a likely contender to be the last barrel standing in the ongoing transition to a low carbon economy.

Adnoc is actively investing in diversifying its portfolio beyond raw commodity exports with recently announced efforts in hydrogen, ammonia and other value-add Downstream products  part of the brands longstanding commitment to future proofing its economic contributions to the UAE and maintaining a legacy of environmental stewardship. To date, the Group has invested in a number of measures to reduce its carbon footprint, notably through a significant expansion of carbon, capture and storage (CCS) technology across its business.

Adnoc once again is set to raise the profile of Abu Dhabi and the GCC through the launch of the highly anticipated futures exchange for Murban crude.

This year, the Brand Finance Middle East ranking has been expanded to include 100 brands for the first time, with nine Middle Eastern nations brands featuring from: Saudi Arabia; the UAE; Qatar; Kuwait; Oman; Bahrain; Jordan; Lebanon; and Iraq. Saudi Arabian brands are the most represented with 45 featuring and account for 56% of the total brand value in the ranking, the UAE sits in second with 25 brands featuring with its brand accounting for 36%, and Qatar in third with its 12 brands accounting for 11% of the total brand value.

Andrew Campbell, Managing Director, Brand Finance Middle East, commented: The Middle East is home to some of the worlds leading brands and each of these are supporting the regions rise on the global stage. It is not surprising that the six oil & gas brands in the Brand Finance Middle East 100 ranking account for 38% of the total brand value, making it the most valuable sector, with banking and telecoms following in second and third, respectively. As we are witnessing nations across the region focus on diversification  including Saudi Arabias Vision 2030, the UAE Vision 2021, Qatars National Vision 2030, and Kuwaits Vision 2035  no doubt we will be seeing the rise of other sectors in the coming years to rival the traditional oil & gas brands dominance. -- Tradearabia News Service
Pune, India, March 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global workforce management market size is projected to reach USD 5.25 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.1% during the forecast period. Growing need to enhance productivity and efficiency of employees among organizations will be the central growth driver for this market, as per the new Fortune Business Insights report, titled Workforce Management Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Component (Software, and Services), By Deployment (On-Premise, and Cloud), By Enterprise Size (SMEs and Large Enterprises), By Application (Workforce Analytics, Workforce Scheduling, Time and Attendance Management, and Others), By End-Use Industry (IT and Telecommunication, BFSI, Government, Retail, Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing, and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026. The majority of office tasks today are performed in a clockwork manner, requiring executives and other employees to use their decision-making faculties even for routine administrative work. This has resulted in declining productivity of the workforce, necessitating solutions to optimize management of the workforce in companies. For example, Apollo Hospitals, a leading healthcare provider in Asia, deployed the Kronos Workforce Central in early 2019 in a bid to increase the efficiency and productivity of its employees. The product allows staff members to program their schedules and make user engagement easier and more convenient. Incorporation of such innovations by end-users in various sectors is expected to lead the workforce management market trends in the foreseeable future.





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According to the WFM market report, the value of this market stood at USD 2.44 billion in 2018. The report also contains the following insights:

In-depth analysis of the key market drivers;

A detailed evaluation of the challenges facing the market;

Comprehensive research of the regional dynamics of the market;

An exhaustive study of all the market segments; and

Microscopic assessment of the competitive landscape of the market.





Market Driver





Lack of Knowledge about WFM Software Tools to Hamper Growth

Managing and maintaining the productivity levels of human resources is an expensive undertaking for companies of all sizes. The Human Capital Management Institute estimates that 70% of an organizations operating costs are eaten up by employee management tasks. In such a dire scenario, where reducing operational costs is the prime focus in the private sector, the demand for effective workforce management systems is rising as they offer numerous advantages for organizations. For instance, WFM software can empower managers to make more informed decisions due to better access to data. It would also enable managers to select the right person for the right job, ensuring efficiency in task performance. Unfortunately, awareness of these benefits is abysmally low, stemming from the adoption of these technologies, particularly among the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This can put crippling limitations on the workforce management market growth during the forecast period.





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Regional Analysis

Government-led Digitization Initiatives to Drive Market Growth in Asia-Pacific

The market size in Asia-Pacific is anticipated to showcase the most impressive growth trajectory in the forthcoming years. The prime factor propelling the market in this region include digitization of services and processes, backed by strong government support. An excellent example of this is Singapores Go Digital initiates that encourages SMEs to integrate digital solutions in their existing setups.

North America, with a revenue generation of USD 0.92 billion in 2018, is poised to dominate the workforce management market share as companies in the region are aggressively implementing cloud-based solutions. Additionally, the region is also home to some of the largest technology giants such as IBM and oracle, which augurs well for this market. In Europe, on the other hand, rising demand for automation is expected to fuel the market.





Competitive Landscape





Upgradation of Existing Offerings with WFM Solutions to Intensify Competition

Companies across the board are recognizing the benefits of WFM tools, creating a wide field of opportunities for players operating in this market. Some key participants are also entering into strategic collaborations to expand their presence in this market, according to the workforce management software market analysis.





Industry Developments:

January 2020: The Italian gum and confectionary manufacturer Perfetti Van Melle chose Kronos Incorporated, the US-based workforce management leader, to automate its 2,600-strong workforce in eight countries. With Kronos Workforce Central, Perfetti will have a unified WFM platform to monitor its employees as well as optimize its manufacturing processes.

The Italian gum and confectionary manufacturer Perfetti Van Melle chose Kronos Incorporated, the US-based workforce management leader, to automate its 2,600-strong workforce in eight countries. With Kronos Workforce Central, Perfetti will have a unified WFM platform to monitor its employees as well as optimize its manufacturing processes. October 2019: The American human resource management tools provider Automatic Data Processing, Inc. expanded its WFM solutions portfolio to include ADP Compliance on Demand to track employee performance efficiently.

List of Players Profiled in the Workforce Management Market Report:

 NetSuite, Inc.

 Verint

 Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc.

 WorkForce Software, LLC.

 Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

 Oracle Corporation

 Infor

 IBM Corporation

 Ultimate Software

 Workday, Inc.

 SAP SE

 Kronos, Inc.





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Major Table of Content:

Introduction Definition, By Segment Research Approach Sources

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Emerging Trends

Key Insights Macro and Micro Economic Indicators Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players Porter's Five Forces Analysis

Global Workforce Management Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026 Key Findings / Summary Market Size Estimates and Forecasts By Component (Value) Software Services By Deployment (Value) Cloud On-Premise By Organization Size (Value) SME's Large Enterprises By Application (Value) Workforce Analytics Workforce Scheduling Time and Attendance Management Others (Task Management and fatigue management) By End Use Industry (Value) Telecom and IT BFSI Government Retail Healthcare Education Manufacturing Others By Geography (Value) North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa Latin America



TOC Continued...!!!





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CLEARWATER, Fla., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DocuPhase LLC, a Florida-based low-code/no-code accounts payable (AP) and business process automation software company serving enterprise organizations, has acquired New Hampshire based company Treeno Software, a Document Management and Workflow Automation software provider serving the small to middle market. Through this acquisition, DocuPhase and Treeno combined will provide organizations of all sizes with incremental automation capabilities, support, and services.

"We are excited to join forces with Treeno Software," Dan Gaertner, CEO of DocuPhase, says. "Combined, Treeno and DocuPhase have over 40 years of experience helping businesses of all sizes create efficiency and increase productivity." Both companies provide a tremendous value proposition through automation, document management, and payment processing to their clients, Gaertner explains. "Acquiring Treeno allows us to serve a broader market. The real driver in bringing the companies together was to combine strengths and feature offerings to make both companies more competitive in their specialized market segments."

Treeno Software, founded in 2002, is headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Lisa McCoole, COO and VP of Sales shared her enthusiasm about the acquisition. "We started this company 18 years ago with a vision to educate and help organizations become more efficient by leveraging advancements in cloud technology and online data storage. No one could predict the life-changing impacts that 2020 would bring to businesses and our personal lives. This past year has been a reflection point for us and has really highlighted the importance of our initial mission and vision." The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent extended quarantine showed a lot of companies that the time for a digital transformation including automation of key business processes is now. McCoole continues, "Demand is at an all-time high with businesses continuing to adjust to new ways of conducting business online. The DocuPhase investment in Treeno is timely and will give us the resources and investment we need to continue to serve our customers and the growing demand for business automation."

About DocuPhase:

DocuPhase is a complete low-code/no-code browser-based platform that includes four core componentsWorkflow Automation, Document Management, Web Forms, and Capture Recognitionthat delivers unmatched efficiency and unparalleled performance to companies around the world. Founded in 2000 in Clearwater, FL, DocuPhase specializes in automating accounting processes, purchase orders, sales orders, invoice capture, AP approvals, payments, vendor management, and other business processes. For further information, visit https://docuphase.com.

Contact: Jessie Bumgarner

Email: [email protected]

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Oil prices fell on Monday, hours after an early sharp price rise caused by a drone attack on Saudi oil infrastructure, per a Reuters report. Saudi Arabia later confirmed the attack.

In the early hours of the morning, both Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate were up by close to 2 percent from Fridays close, following the news.

But by 10:30 a.m. ET, the price of a Brent barrel sank back to $68.72, a loss of nearly 1% on the day.

Yemen Houthis said they had fired 14 drones and eight ballistic missiles at oil facilities at the Saudi port of Ras Tanura and military targets in three other Saudi cities.

Such acts of sabotage do not only target the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but also the security and stability of energy supplies to the world, and therefore, the global economy, a military spokesman said.

The Saudi Energy Ministry later confirmed a drone hit: the target was an oil tank farm at Ras Tanura. However, a military spokesman for Riyadh said the attack had not resulted in any property loss.

The news of the attacks comes just days after another announcement by the Houthis that they had hit an Aramco facility in Jeddah. That announcement came a few days after Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis over Riyadh.

Related Video: Goldman Calls $70 Oil in Q2, But Jet Fuel Is The Joker

Since 2015, Saudi Arabia and Iran have been essentially fighting a proxy war in Yemen, where the Saudis lead a military Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in the country, while the Houthi movement, which holds the capital Sanaa, is backed by Iran.

The Houthi rebels have often claimed they have hit oil infrastructure assets in Saudi Arabia and have taken responsibility for several high-profile attacks in the region.

The most notable attack that the Yemeni rebel group claimed responsibility for was the September 2019 attacks on Saudi Aramcos oil facilities. That attack cut off 5 percent of the daily global supply for weeks, sending oil prices soaring. But Saudi Arabia and the United States have said that it was Iranand not the Houthisthat was responsible for the attack.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt on Monday added his name to the stream of Republican senators who announced they will retire in 2022, a year when Republicans are seekin to pry the Senate back from Democratic control.

Blunt is a member of the Senate GOP leadership, where he runs the Policy Committee of the GOP Conference.

'After 14 general election victories  three to county office, seven to the United States House of Representatives, and four statewide elections  I won't be a candidate for reelection to the United States Senate next year,' Blunt said in a video where he positioned himself in front of a barn where he says his parents milked cattle.

Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) announced his retirement in front of a barn where he said his parents milked cows

He is the fifth Senate Republican to announce his retirement from the chamber Democrats now control 50-50  and the fourth since the Capitol riot and bitter second Trump impeachment.

His decision leaves Republicans playing defense in multiple political battlegrounds, two years after Democrats gained control of the Senate but fell short in races against multiple Republican targets.

Blunt represents a conservative state that has gone Republican in every presidential election going back to 1996, although Democrat Claire McCaskill served two Senate terms there ending in 2020.

Blunt's retirement makes Sen. Josh Hawley, 41, who raised his fist to greet protesters the day of the Jan. 6th riot, the state's senior senator.

Blunt is the 5th Senate Republican to announce his retirement and the fourth since the Capitol riot

Sens. Rob Portman and Richard Shelby are among Republican senators who have announced their retirements

Sens. Pat Tommey and Richard Burr both hail from competitive states

Josh Hawley (R) is now the senior senator from Missouri

Democrat Jason Kander said he doesn't 'want a new job'

Retiring Republican senators Pat Toomey (Pa.) Rob Portman (Ohio) Richard Shelby (Ala.) Richard Burr (N.C.) Roy Blunt (Mo.) Advertisement

Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania announced his coming retirement last October. The others who announced they would leave are Sens. Richard Shelby of Alabama, Rob Portman of Ohio, and Richard Burr of North Carolina  setting up potentially competitive races in multiple battlegrounds during an off-year election when Democrats historically would be on the defensive.

Democrat Jason Kander, who trailed Blunt by just 3 percentage points in 2016, immediately announced he didn't want a new job.

'Regarding the Senate in 22: Always nice to be asked. Thanks. My decision not to run was never about who Id run against. Im the President of [Veterans Community Project] and were building campuses for vets around the USA. Love this work, dont want a new job. Ill campaign for the Dem nominee!'

Former state Sen. Scott Sifton already declared his candidacy last month.

As the top Republican on the Rules Committee Blunt took part in Joe Biden's inauguration, which he called a 'moment of unification.' He voted to acquit Donald Trump of 'incitement of insurrection.'

Blunt said in his video: 'My mom and dad used to milk cows in this dairy barn. Its a long way from here to the United States Capitol, but the things I learned here continue to shape how I work for our country and for our state.'
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SPRINGFIELD  The plant on the banks of the Chicopee River in Indian Orchard has been making Saflex plastic interlayers for car windshields since 1938.

Now, the company operating there  Eastman Chemical Co.  makes a special version of the Saflex brand designed for heads-up displays in cars. The technology projects a cars gauge information on the windshield, so drivers dont have to take their eyes off the road ahead.

Think of it as a product that enhances safety, said Shawn Pace, site manager for Eastman.

The features include sound dampening and protection against the suns rays. Saflex is also used as a safety and strengthening interlayer in architectural window glass.

Eastman announced the new Saflex Solar Connect polyvinyl butyral interlayer in November.

The plant has 325 employees and staffing has been stable in recent years, Pace said. He said demand for the plastic interlayer suffered a bit in 2020 as the pandemic disrupted auto manufacturing. The plants major market, makers of original-equipment windshields and car factories, were shut down.

We are expecting a major rebound in the second half of 2021, Pace said.

In a photo provided by Eastman, a worker cuts a sample of the Saflex interlayer sheet during the quality testing process.

Eastman has been in the headlines a lot in recent months, having played an active role in Springfields COVID-19 response.

The company donated $40,000 to the Indian Orchard Citizens Council establishing a relief fund for businesses hurt by the COID-19 pandemic. And, Eastman and other manufacturers have helped supply personal protective equipment to Springfield.

The company also donated 1,000 lap desks so Springfield students would have a place to comfortably complete their remote learning schoolwork.

The local efforts grew out of the plants work with its community advisory board.

One of the things they do for us is that they help us understand the needs in the community, Pace said. When people see a large company, they can lose perspective that yes we may be a large company but each facility is  each plant is managed by local folks who care about this community.

Eastman employs about 14,500 people around the world and has customers in more than 100 countries.

The site was a Monsanto plant for many years. Monsanto bought Fiberloid Corp. in 1938. In 2012, Eastman Chemical Co. purchased Monsanto spin off Solutia for $4.7 billion.

The Eastman chemical plant in Springfield's Indian Orchard section, March 2, 2021. (Don Treeger / The Republican)

The Eastman plant has also seen headlines about its environmental impacts.

In 2014 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cited Eastman as the leading source of toxic waste among Massachusetts industries in both 2011 and 2012. The facilitys coal fired power plant was cited as the primary culprit.

Eastman converted the plant to natural gas in 2015.

The company says it has made a number of environmental improvements at the site:
First lady Jill Biden on Monday honored nearly two dozen women from 15 countries for making the 'extraordinary choice' to demand justice despite their fear.

'The United States will stand with you,' she told the women in a virtual ceremony at the State Department's International Women of Courage Award.

The 21 women being honored include seven from Afghanistan who are receiving posthumous honors, Iranian chess arbitrator Shohreh Bayat, an imprisoned women's right leader in Belarus and Sister Alicia Vacas Moro, a registered nurse who established clinics to help impovrished women and children.

'On this #InternationalWomensDay, we celebrate the resilience and courage of women everywhere. Each time a woman stands up for herself...she stands up for all women. - Maya Angelou,' Jill Biden wrote on Twitter Monday morning.

Her speech will be followed by a trip to the West Coast to visit military bases in Washington state and California, part of her Joining Forces Initiative. The first lady has focused on women's issues, children and military families in her first month in the role.

Jill Biden honored nearly two dozen women from 15 countries for making the 'extraordinary choice' to demand justice despite their fear

At the virtual State Department ceremony on Monday, Jill Biden noted that the women's stories make it easy to think of them as 'mythical heroes or angels among us' but that they're also humans who want to enjoy life's simple pleasures.

'Some of these women have spent their lives fighting for their cause. Others are just starting out on a journey they didn't ask for,' she noted.

'Some were called to service, and some couldn't escape it,' Biden says. 'They are fighting for their own lives and for their children. They want to right the wrongs of our past, to build a brighter future for everyone. They aren't immune to fear. No one is.'

The women being honored represent all corners of the globe. Maria Kalesnikava is imprisoned in Belarus for challenging the 26-year rule of Alyaksandr Lukashenka. Wang Yu is a Chinese human rights lawyer who has faced imprisonment and harassment.

Shohreh Bayat is an Iranian chess judge who was photographed at the 2020 Womens Chess World Championship without her hijab visible, which is compulsory in Iran. It caused outrage in Iran and officials there said they could not guarantee her safety if she returned. She sought refuge in the UK, leaving her husband  who lacked a UK visa  in Iran.

Biden says that in the course of ordinary lives, each of the women made 'an extraordinary choice.'

'You see, courage isn't really found,' Biden said. 'It doesn't conjure away our doubts. It's an intentional decision made.'

The 14 living awardees are from Belarus, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Venezuela.

The honorees include seven women leaders and activists from Afghanistan who were assassinated for their dedication to improving the lives of Afghans.

'These women made an extraordinary choice, to persist, to demand justice, to believe that, despite the obstacles and fear they faced, there is a future worth fighting for,' Biden said.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken praised the women for leading the charge on human rights

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and first lady Dr. Jill Biden deliver remarks at the 2021 International Women of Courage Awards virtual ceremony at the State Department

Honorees included Shohreh Bayat, an Iranian chess judge who was photographed at the 2020 Womens Chess World Championship without her hijab visible (above) and had to seek refuge in the United Kingdom

Monday is International Women's Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

'It is often women lead the charge for human rights, democracy and justice, including in places where women hold much less than half of the political, economic, and social power,' Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in his remarks.

'And it's often women and girls with the most vulnerable to human rights abuses,' he noted.

Touching on the past year, the first lady said the pandemic shows 'how the things that connect us - our love for family and friends, our hope that we will be together soon - transcend language and distance.'

She said that diplomacy, 'at its best, is a recognition of this connection' and that the United States, under President Joe Biden's leadership, will support women around the world.

She praised State Department workers, who saw their morale plunge during Donald Trump's presidency when he accused the department of being part of the deep state working against him.

'Joe and I have so much respect and admiration and to the men and women of this department. We are so grateful for your work,' she said.
Mercy Ships and CURE International Announce Partnership Providing Surgery to Reach More Children Living with Disabilities



NEWS PROVIDED BY

CURE International

March 8, 2021



SPRING LAKE, Mich., March 8, 2021 /



During a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has made access to specialized surgical care even more difficult, combining the resources of two like-minded organizations will provide treatment to the most vulnerable in under-resourced countries like Uganda and Niger. Even before the pandemic, children that need specialized surgical care often wait years before receiving treatment because of limited national resources or the lack of specialized doctors, resulting in added economic burdens for their families and additional suffering. The pandemic has only further compounded these factors.



"An estimated 16.9 million people die each year from lack of accessible surgical care. A situation that has only been made worse by the current COVID pandemic. Addressing that need in Africa requires partnership and collaboration. Together with our colleagues at CURE we are pleased to be able to extend the essential services Mercy Ships provides alongside our ship-based programs," said Dr Peter Linz, Mercy Ships International Chief Medical Officer.



"Dr. Peter Linz and I meet on a monthly basis with the Chief Medical Officers from two other medical NGOs to discuss COVID and it became clear that if we pooled our resources and people, it would increase our capacity to reach even more children in need of surgical care," said Dr. Richard Gardner, Chief Medical Officer of CURE International.



Mercy Ships sent UK volunteer anesthesiologist, Dr. Sarah Kwok (pictured), to the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda, which has been open during the pandemic and admitting children in need of specialized neurological care for conditions like hydrocephalus.



"It has been a privilege to work with CURE Uganda at their neurosurgical hospital. The children here have life threatening conditions and the surgeries performed on a daily basis are changing lives and transforming futures. I have joined a team of amazing anesthesia providers and we are learning so much from each other. My hope is that CURE and Mercy Ships continue to partner together to provide the highest standards of care for every child we touch," stated Dr. Kwok.



Additionally, Dr. Tertius Venter, a South African volunteer plastic reconstructive surgeon for Mercy Ships is also currently at the CURE Children's Hospital of Niger assisting in the provision of surgery to children who have suffered from the effects of burn accidents that contract their skin and limit mobility.



"We're so excited to join hands with Mercy Ships to increase access to surgical care in strategic locations across the CURE network. The challenges of COVID have resulted in creative solutions and collaborative partnership that help us effectively treat the most vulnerable, children with disabilities." said Justin Narducci, President & CEO of CURE International.



ABOUT CURE INTERNATIONAL

CURE International is a Christian nonprofit organization that operates a global network of pediatric surgical hospitals that serve children with disabilities. Patients at CURE children\'s hospitals suffer from conditions that can limit mobility, opportunities for education, and employment such as cleft lip/palate, neglected clubfoot, bowed legs, burn contractures, spina bifida, or conditions that are life-threatening such as brain tumors and hydrocephalus. In addition to world-class clinical service, CURE intentionally ministers to the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their communities. Since its inception in 1996, CURE has conducted more than 5 million patient visits. For more information, visit



ABOUT MERCY SHIPS

Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services, capacity building, and sustainable development to those with little access in the developing world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 55 developing countries, providing services valued at more than $1.7 billion and directly benefitting more than 2.8 million people. Our ships are crewed by volunteers from over 60 nations, with an average of over 1,200 volunteers each year. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, healthcare trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills. With 16 national offices and an Africa Bureau, Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and serve nations one at a time. For more information click on



SOURCE CURE International



CONTACT: Debbie Stowell, Director of Communications, CURE International,

Diane Rickard, Int'l Media Relations Manager, Mercy Ships,



Related Links



www.cure.org



www.mercyships.org/press



Share Tweet NEWS PROVIDED BYMarch 8, 2021SPRING LAKE, Mich., March 8, 2021 / Christian Newswire / -- Mercy Ships and CURE International announced a partnership to provide specialized surgical care to children living with disabilities across the continent of Africa. Both organizations provide hope and healing to children living with disabilities through surgical care in under-resourced countries.During a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has made access to specialized surgical care even more difficult, combining the resources of two like-minded organizations will provide treatment to the most vulnerable in under-resourced countries like Uganda and Niger. Even before the pandemic, children that need specialized surgical care often wait years before receiving treatment because of limited national resources or the lack of specialized doctors, resulting in added economic burdens for their families and additional suffering. The pandemic has only further compounded these factors."An estimated 16.9 million people die each year from lack of accessible surgical care. A situation that has only been made worse by the current COVID pandemic. Addressing that need in Africa requires partnership and collaboration. Together with our colleagues at CURE we are pleased to be able to extend the essential services Mercy Ships provides alongside our ship-based programs," said Dr Peter Linz, Mercy Ships International Chief Medical Officer."Dr. Peter Linz and I meet on a monthly basis with the Chief Medical Officers from two other medical NGOs to discuss COVID and it became clear that if we pooled our resources and people, it would increase our capacity to reach even more children in need of surgical care," said Dr. Richard Gardner, Chief Medical Officer of CURE International.Mercy Ships sent UK volunteer anesthesiologist, Dr. Sarah Kwok (pictured), to the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda, which has been open during the pandemic and admitting children in need of specialized neurological care for conditions like hydrocephalus."It has been a privilege to work with CURE Uganda at their neurosurgical hospital. The children here have life threatening conditions and the surgeries performed on a daily basis are changing lives and transforming futures. I have joined a team of amazing anesthesia providers and we are learning so much from each other. My hope is that CURE and Mercy Ships continue to partner together to provide the highest standards of care for every child we touch," stated Dr. Kwok.Additionally, Dr. Tertius Venter, a South African volunteer plastic reconstructive surgeon for Mercy Ships is also currently at the CURE Children's Hospital of Niger assisting in the provision of surgery to children who have suffered from the effects of burn accidents that contract their skin and limit mobility."We're so excited to join hands with Mercy Ships to increase access to surgical care in strategic locations across the CURE network. The challenges of COVID have resulted in creative solutions and collaborative partnership that help us effectively treat the most vulnerable, children with disabilities." said Justin Narducci, President & CEO of CURE International.CURE International is a Christian nonprofit organization that operates a global network of pediatric surgical hospitals that serve children with disabilities. Patients at CURE children\'s hospitals suffer from conditions that can limit mobility, opportunities for education, and employment such as cleft lip/palate, neglected clubfoot, bowed legs, burn contractures, spina bifida, or conditions that are life-threatening such as brain tumors and hydrocephalus. In addition to world-class clinical service, CURE intentionally ministers to the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their communities. Since its inception in 1996, CURE has conducted more than 5 million patient visits. For more information, visit https://cure.org/ Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services, capacity building, and sustainable development to those with little access in the developing world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 55 developing countries, providing services valued at more than $1.7 billion and directly benefitting more than 2.8 million people. Our ships are crewed by volunteers from over 60 nations, with an average of over 1,200 volunteers each year. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, healthcare trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills. With 16 national offices and an Africa Bureau, Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and serve nations one at a time. For more information click on www.mercyships.org SOURCE CURE InternationalCONTACT: Debbie Stowell, Director of Communications, CURE International, debbie.stowell@cureinternational.org Diane Rickard, Int'l Media Relations Manager, Mercy Ships, Diane.rickard@mercyships.org Related Links
CARO, MI - A variant of the COVID-19 virus was recently identified in Tuscola County, according to local health officials.

The Tuscola County Health Department issued a press release on Sunday, March 7, announcing that a case of the United Kingdom variant of the COVID-19 virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7, was discovered in Tuscola County.

This variant is concerning because it is associated with increased transmissibility, the department said in the release. Compared to the wild-type virus, the B.1.1.7 variant is approximately 50 percent more transmissible, leading to faster spread of the virus and potentially increasing numbers of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Therefore, additional levels of public health intervention are required once the variant has been identified.

The case is associated with the zip code of 48723 and no other information can be released due to the privacy of the individual, said the health department. The department added that there was no identified travel associated with this case.

The B.1.1.7 variant gives the infection a speed boost in a race that pits vaccination efforts against the transmission of the virus, according to the health department.

Because of this, the department released a set of guidelines surrounding case isolation, contact tracing and quarantine measures for suspected variant infections such as:

The collection of all travel, exposure, and contact information during case investigations is critical in evaluating the risk of variant infection.

Strictly enforce isolation and quarantine protocols

During the isolation of B.1.1.7 variant infections and the quarantine of associated contacts, enhanced monitoring, including twice-daily check-ins, is strongly advised. Cases and close contacts are educated about the increased risk of transmission with the variant strain.

There is strict enforcement and assurance of a full 14-day quarantine period with monitoring, regardless of the symptom status of any close contacts of possible variant infections.

More from 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

Monday, March 8, coronavirus data by Michigan county: States positivity rate at 4% for first time in weeks

Positive test puts Unionville-Sebewaing and boys basketball rivals on pause

Mask mandates and restaurant restrictions linked to lower COVID-19 cases and deaths, CDC study says
Royal commentator ROBERT JOBSON

The only winner in this latest Meghan Markle debacle is billionaire Oprah Winfrey.

No wonder the Palace aides tried to keep the chat show queen and the fame hungry royal duchess apart early in her tenure as a working royal.

I watched a live feed of the CBS broadcast as the self-obsessed Duke and Duchess of Sussex poured out their troubles to millions.

It felt like I was intruding on private grief. In places it was terribly self-indulgent and cringe-making, at times hard to watch.

Meghan Markle, whose acting skills have been over-blown, gives a stilted and over-staged performance. The dramatic pauses are so obvious.

But it is not how she says it but what she says that is most damaging.

To brand the Royal Family racist without being specific is appalling.

They both claim a member of the Royal Family questioned what Archie's skin tone would be like when he was born.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke to Oprah Winfrey in the interview shown overnight

She suggests, wrongly, that Archie was not made a prince because he was mixed race.

She and Harry know that is being disingenuous.

They both know when Prince Charles becomes King their children are entitled to prince and princess titles according to the system laid down by King George V.

The claims are about mental health are more worrying.

Meghan says she was suicidal, didn't want to live and not safe to be left alone. That is very sad.

But Harry and Charles have both had counselling.

Meghan says HR turned her away. Why didn't she just ask Harry to organise a private mental health practitioner?

They have both worked with mental health charities so it is not as if they didn't know where to go or to ask for help.

They talk about respecting the Queen all the way through, whilst attacking the Royal Family, who they claim are 'trapped' and cannot escape the institution.

The attack on the Duchess of Cambridge was uncalled for too.

Prince Charles must look back and regret walking Meghan Markle down the aisle in May 2018

Meghan claimed that Kate made her cry and she has apologised for it.

Again this is unfair as Kate can hardly answer back.

I cannot see the Palace coming out with an immediate response. But they surely must respond, despite claims the contrary they are not into tit for tat.

But after the claims that a member of the Royal Family is overtly racist, surely this needs to be addressed.

Also they must address the claims that they did not protect Meghan and rejected her cries for help over mental health issues are very serious and should be answered.

Throughout this interview, which Oprah says was no holds barred, it was almost as if she had written the most dramatic lines in ink on the back of her hand so she got them right.

Acting or not, Meghan doesn't hold back with her insults.

Frankly, when Harry joins the interview he looks lost. A hostage to her fortune.

I couldn't help feeling sorry for the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles in particular when his multi-millionaire son revealed he was cut off financially and he depended upon the millions his late mother Diana left him.

Prince Charles must look back and regret walking her down the aisle. He is a kind man and has been betrayed by his son and daughter-in-law.

I am sure Prince William will be livid with his brother and wife too for the attack on his wife, Kate, who has been the embodiment of duty since she married into the Royal Family.

Make no mistake this is a gross betrayal of trust, a betrayal of family, yes, even of country.

Our Constitutional Monarchy is, after all at, the core of our Parliamentary Democracy. Our above political Head of State matters.

What Harry and his wife has done by going on US television is equivalent to insulting the office of the US President, to burning the US flag.

Meghan is clearly not content with falling out with her own family but driving a wrecking ball through the Royal Family too.

Why was this necessary? It seems the entire interview come about out of bitterness.

Meghan has been disingenuous from the start, when she claimed she had no idea who Prince Harry was. Seriously?

She gushed about the royals during her engagement interview and was even given a trial run carrying out royal engagements before the hugely expensive wedding, which come three days after her first private wedding.

Within months Meghan got what she wanted.

What Harry and his wife has done by going on US television is equivalent to insulting the office of the US President, to burning the US flag

A mansion in LA, worldwide fame and lucrative TV deals worth multi-million of dollars seems to have sweetened the situation.

But it seems it wasn't enough for a fame hungry Meghan.

But why throw the baby out with the bathwater?

Why not just launch themselves as smiling ex-royal charity entrepreneurs state-side and thank the Queen for all she has done?

But there is a serious issue that now needs to be addressed.

As it stands Harry is sixth in line to the throne. His son Archie, seventh, and his unborn child eighth. That is a farcical situation.

If anything happened to the Prince of Wales or Prince William we would be left with the farcical situation that Harry  who has rejected and criticized the system of monarchy - could be Regent to Prince George. If not Harry then Prince Andrew.

Let's hope that doesn't happen, but if it did, I  a life-time supporter of Constitutional Monarchy - would reject it, as would millions of others.

The monarchy would be in crisis.

It is time MPs woke up to their responsibilities and moved for Harry to be struck from the line of succession. His royal dukedom should be taken back too.

Meghan hates our monarchy. Fine, she should not be allowed the title HRH.

Only Parliament, as it is sovereign, can do this.

In my view to protect the monarchy the law of primogeniture should be altered to include the Princess Royal, so that she leapfrogs her younger brothers, Andrew and Edward.

That way if anything happened to Charles or William before Prince George came of age then at least we would have a dutiful figure of stature like the Princess Royal to over see the transition.

I thought the Meghan issue was at first a clash of cultures.

After watching this two-hour long 'poor me' whinge, I fear both Harry and Meghan are so wrapped up in their own self-importance, they appear deluded.

The only winner has been billionaire Oprah.

In time the couple will regret this interview, just as Diana, Princess of Wales regretted hers with BBC Panorama.

Robert Jobson's latest biography, 'Prince Philip's Century', is published next month
Meghan Markle, it seems, isn't much of a scholar.

While much of the focus has been on her barbs accusing the British royal family of abnormal interest in her baby's skin color and denying him a title and personal security protection supposedly because he is black and they are racists, what's striking to me is how unprepared she was for the royal role she sought when she married Prince Harry. And not just ignorant, but willfully ignorant, proud of her ignorance, flippantly stating she never did "any research," as if that's something to be proud of.

Here's the video of it, beginning at the 8:30 mark, with some choice quotes:

Oprah: "Everybody who gets married knows that you are really marrying the ... family, too." Meghan: "Hmmm." Oprah: "But you weren't just marrying a family, you were marrying a 1200-year-old institution. You were marrying the monarchy. What did you think it was going to be like?" Meghan: "I will say went into it naively, because I didn't grow up knowing much about the royal family, it wasn't something that was part of conversation at home, it wasn't something that we followed. My mom even said to me a couple months ago, she said: 'Did Diana ever do an interview?' But now, I can say 'yes, a very famous one.' But my mom doesn't even know that. Oprah: "But you were certainly aware of the royals..." Meghan: "Of course." Oprah: "And if you were to marry a royal, you would do research about what that would mean..." Meghan: "Woah, I didn't do any research about that!" Oprah: "You didn't do any research?" Meghan: "No."

You can tell from the transcript that I transcribed that Oprah was a little flabbergasted.

Meghan claimed (not in the clip) that Prince Harry told her all she needed to know, so no need for that.

Oh.

She also claims she didn't know how to curtsy to the queen, which is a little hard to believe, given that curtsies are pretty common in stage performances with children, especially in dance, and as an actress from the get-go, she participated in many. In any case, she's seen movies, and presumably, she's seen ballet, where this act is common. But maybe she didn't.

How'd that work out for you, Meghan?

Markle started out as a duchess with a fancy royal wedding, a revamped Frogmore Cottage, a high and honored place in British society, and now she's back to seeking gig work in Hollywood, along with some emoting with Oprah. Maybe if she had researched what the royal position would be like, she wouldn't have been in for such surprises. Instead, she's unwittingly exposed herself to be a fool and the bad kind of fool: the one who doesn't know it.

Her flip refusal to research her coming new life suggests a lot of shallowness, which is kind of what you expect in a Hollywood actress, but until now, most would have given to her the benefit of the doubt.

Anyone who has read anything about the unique, rarified life of the British royals would know that its demands are rigorous and include considerable personal sacrifice. It requires service for others and a lack of sense of self. It also includes bright camera glare and a thick skin based on the acts of a rude and tasteless press. In return, one could expect a life of luxury with few personal finance worries and a steady and high place in society. That's the tradeoff, and the people who understand this can make it work.

I've met royals. I met Prince Charles as an exchange student at Oxford University in the 1980s, and the king of Jordan's lovely sister. I have a friend from college who became a royal through marriage. They all showed considerable selflessness. Charles was kind and accommodating to all of us students, who were thrilled to meet a real royal for the first time. The king of Jordan's sister, whom I met at an Asia Society event in New York in the 1990s, went out of her way to greet me after I'd been shoved out of the way by a fat, pushy United Nations official, and I wasn't even dressed properly. (Embarrassingly, I was wearing a skirt and flip-flops). Yet she treated me so memorably kindly, and I told her how much she looked like her recently deceased brother. My friend who became a royal gave up her chance for a fancy wedding, donating her wedding money to the poor.

You see a lot of selflessness among people who are in the authentically royal life.

But Meghan didn't. She didn't even know there was something special about meeting the queen, given her lack of butterflies for the affair. To her, the queen was just some in-law old lady.

Nevertheless, she seemed to be canny of the politics. She was careful not to directly criticize the queen and, for that matter, her sister-in-law, Duchess Catherine, at least in name, because she was trying to influence public opinion to her side of things and knew that both are very popular with the British public and she'd be a goat if she did. Nevertheless, she threw them all under the bus, saying it was Kate who made her cry and the queen's staff who were awful, as if any of this were important. It was to her, but that was the problem. She didn't have any idea about the kind of enterprise she was on and, as a result, failed miserably. If she had researched the matter, maybe she would have had realistic expectations about what she could and couldn't do and come up with a plan to make the best of it, assuming she really loved Harry.

And that's another thing. Was there any effort to love these people in all this? If they were to be family, wouldn't you do research on how to please them, how to understand them, how to contribute to their mission, how to support them, how to know what they'd expect? Couldn't you spend a bit of time in England first to get acculturated, to know what Brits are really like, the good and bad of it, for sure? She constantly sounds like someone who's a victim of culture shock and doesn't realize it.

She claims she was lonely and demanded a shrink, and they said "no," but did she ever try to get close to the family, maybe learn from them how they coped? That would have fixed the loneliness problem, but it doesn't sound like it. She bagged her prince, and she was on her way, her career always coming first, and the royal family merely "the firm" and her vehicle, which for her cultural failure to assimilate, or even try to assimilate, she failed to achieve mightily.

She didn't really give them a chance, and it's pretty obvious she didn't research the royal life because she's neither a listener nor a learner. She didn't try to adapt to anything as she joined their lives. She seemed to think they were joining hers.

She may have emoted something fierce with Oprah about how hard her life was, and as Andrea Widburg, in her piece here, said, plenty of things that didn't sound terribly truthful  especially the one about her baby's prince title, which at the time, she claimed she didn't want. (New York Post columnist Maureen Callaghan is even harsher in her skepticism, rooted in her not so disguised slavering for fame.) But what strikes me most is that she jumped into a role and she wasn't ready. If she did that in an acting role, she'd be panned. But she failed to research a big life role, including a sense of what she was getting into. She didn't care about them, and she didn't even care that she didn't. She only cared about herself from start to finish, exposing herself as a fool. She seems a little big for her britches.

Image: Mark Jones via Wikimedia Commons (cropped), CC BY 2.0.
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ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE  Pope Francis said Monday he weighed the risks of a high-profile trip to Iraq during the coronavirus pandemic, but said he decided to go ahead with it after much prayer and belief that God would look out for the Iraqis who might get exposed.

Francis described his decision-making process en route home from Iraq amid concerns that his four-day visit, which featured oftentimes maskless crowds in packed churches, singing  could result in the spread of infections in a country with a fragile health care system and a sustained surge in new cases.

Francis said the idea of a trip cooks over time in my conscience, and that the pandemic was the issue that weighed most heavily on him. Francis has experienced close-up the ravages of COVID-19 in Europe given Italy has had one of the worst outbreaks in the world, with the official death toll soon to hit 100,000.

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I prayed a lot about this. And in the end I took the decision freely, Francis said. It came from inside. I said He who makes me decide this way will look after the people.'

I took the decision this way, but after prayer and knowing the risks, he said.

Francis on Monday wrapped up the first-ever papal trip to Iraq, which was aimed at bringing hope to the countrys marginalized Christian minority while boosting relations with the Shiite Muslim world.

At every turn of his trip, Francis urged Iraqis to embrace diversity  from Najaf in the south, where he held a historic face-to-face meeting with powerful Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, to Nineveh to the north, where he met with Christian victims of the Islamic State group and heard their testimonies of survival.

But at every turn he also experienced crowds that often ignored social distancing norms and mask requirements, even though the Vatican and Iraqi church officials had promised anti-virus measures would be enforced.

Francis, the Vatican delegation and traveling media were vaccinated against COVID-19, while most Iraqis havent been. Infectious disease experts had questioned the wisdom of such a trip given Iraqs latest cases are being spurred by the more infectious strain that first appeared in the U.K.

Iraq recorded 4,068 infections Saturday, up significantly from infection rates at the start of the year. In total. 13,500 people have died among a total 720,000 confirmed infections.

While Francis said he prayed on the decision, it was clear the globe-trotting pope of the peripheries was also getting antsy being cooped up in the Vatican for more than a year. He said he hoped he soon might be able to resume public audiences at the Vatican, which have been suspended for months, and hinted at a possible trip to Lebanon.

After these months of imprisonment, and truly I felt a bit imprisoned, this for me is to live again, he said of the chance to be close to his flock. To live again because its touching the church, the holy people of God.

In one of the historic highlights of the trip, Francis was invited into the home of the notoriously reclusive al-Sistani, among the most influential and revered Shiite clerics, and together they delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence and affirmed the rights of Iraqi Christians. The Vatican hopes the message can help preserve the place of the thinning Christian population in Iraqs tapestry of faith and ethnic groups.

Francis said he was honored to have been received by al-Sistani, whom he called a great man, a wise man, a man of God.

He was very respectful, Francis said, publicly acknowledging the rare honor the 90-year-old al-Sistani showed him by standing up to greet him.

He never stands up for the greeting. He stood up to greet me  twice, Francis said. This meeting was good for my soul. He is a luminary.

Francis counted the meeting as the second major step forward in the Vaticans interfaith efforts with Muslims after he penned a landmark document on shared Christian-Muslim values with a top Sunni cleric in 2019.

Francis also shot back at critics who questioned his outreach to Muslims as watering down of Catholic doctrine or downright heresy, saying sometimes you have to take risks to take steps forward.

These are risks that you take in prayer and in dialogue, in seeking advice and in reflection, he said. They are not (based on) whims.

The trip, however, was taxing on the 84-year-old pope, whose sciatica nerve pain was apparently flaring and making him walk with a pronounced limp.

Francis said he wasnt sure if he would have to slow down his usual whirlwind pace on future trips.

I do confess that on this trip I got a lot more tired than during other ones, he said, noting his age. Its a consequence. But well see.

The next likely trip is to Budapest, Hungary, to close out an international Eucharistic conference in September, with a possible side trip to Bratislava, Slovakia, he said. The Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest Peter Erdo later confirmed the visit to Budapest to Hungarian news agency MTI, while the Slovak Bishops Conference said the popes possible trip to Slovakia hasnt been confirmed yet.

Otherwise, the only other trip Francis has promised to make is to Lebanon, though he offered no time frame.

Lebanon is suffering, Francis said, referring to its political, economic, social and coronavirus crises. He said the countrys patriarch had asked him to add a Beirut leg onto his Iraq trip but that he had declined, thinking it would be like tossing the country crumbs, given all Lebanons current problems.

But I wrote him a letter and promised Id go to Lebanon.

___

Samya Kullab reported from Baghdad.
Workplaces across Myanmar were shuttered on Monday, part of a general strike aimed at strangling the power of military rulers who toppled an elected government last month. But if manufacturing and commerce were idled, anger at the brutality of the military flared further, despite the increased presence of security forces in urban centers and a tougher clampdown on the press.

At least two participants in a mass protest movement were shot dead on Monday in Myitkyina, a city in northern Myanmar, where Roman Catholic nuns dropped to their knees to plead for soldiers to stop the killing. Another protester was fatally shot in the abdomen in Pyapon, a town not far from Yangon, Myanmars commercial capital. The deaths were reported by medical workers and relatives.

And in Yangon itself, hundreds of people were trapped in a security force cordon on Monday night, fearing arrest or worse. Help, wrote one of the people who said he was stuck. The military troops have blocked every single way out.

More than 60 people have been killed since a Feb. 1 coup ousted Myanmars civilian leaders, returning the country to full military rule. About 1,800 others have been detained, according to a local group that monitors political prisoners.
CHICAGO, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Aircraft Health Monitoring Market by Platform (Commercial, Business & General, Military Aviation), Installation (Onboard, On Ground), Fit (Linefit, Retrofit), End User, Solution, System, Operation Mode and Region - Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market size is projected to grow from an estimated USD 3.3 billion in 2020 to USD 5.5 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 10.8% during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the increasing aircraft operational and flight safety activities.

Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=954

The MRO segment accounts for the largest market size during the forecast period

Based on end user, the aircraft health monitoring market has been segmented into MRO, OEMs and Airlines are considered in the aircraft health monitoring market. The MRO is estimated to be account for the largest share in the aircraft health monitoring market. Increase in aircraft modernization programs is one of the most significant factors driving the MRO segment in the aircraft health monitoring market.

The commercial aviation segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Based on the platform, the aircraft health monitoring market has been segmented into commercial aviation, business and general aviation and military aviation. Commercial aviation will register the fastest growth in the aircraft health monitoring market owing to the high demand for health monitoring systems, solutions, and services. Airlines in the commercial sector are focused on implementing these solutions to reduce the operating costs of their air fleets, which will support the market growth over the projected timeframe.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Aircraft Health Monitoring Market"

400  Tables

58  Figures

331  Pages

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The hardware segment accounts for the largest market size during the forecast period

Based on solution, the aircraft health monitoring market is segmented into hardware, software and services. the aircraft health monitoring market is estimated to be dominated by the hardware segment with a market share of highest market share in 2020. This growth can be attributed to increasing use of sensors in engines to analyze real-time condition data for preemptive detection of failures will drive aircraft health monitoring demand over the projected period.

"Asia Pacific is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period."

Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region in the aircraft health monitoring market during the forecast period, backed by significant development in air transport, The region is a diverse mix of countries and aviation requirements; it is projected that by 2038, it will witness the highest number of aircraft deliveries than any other region. The increase in aircraft deliveries will eventually lead to the growth of the aircraft health monitoring market. The increasing demand for aircraft models such as the A380, A350 XWB, B787 Dreamliner, B777, and other AHMS integrated aircraft models will support market demand in the region. Airbus and Boeing provide their own health monitoring systems, AiRTHM (Airbus Real-Time Health Monitoring) and AHM (Airplane Health Management), respectively. This, in turn, is expected to drive the aircraft health monitoring market in the Asia Pacific region.

Major players operating in the aircraft health monitoring market include Safran S.A.(France), Airbus S.A.S (Netherlands), Raytheon Technologies Corporation (US), Honeywell international Inc (US), Teledyne Technologies Inc (US), among others. These key players offer aircraft health monitoring across regions, and have well-equipped and strong distribution networks across the North American, European, Asia Pacific, Middle East, African, and Latin American regions.

Related Reports:

Aircraft Sensors Market by Connectivity, Platform (UAV, EVTOL, Fixed, Rotary), Sensor (Pressure, Temperature, Speed, Proximity, Gyro) Application (Engine, Door, Environmental Control), End Use (OEM, Aftermarket), Region - Global Forecast to 2025

Flight Data Monitoring Market by Solution Type (On Board, On Ground), Component (FDM Service, FDM System, FDM Software), End User (Fleet Operators, Drone Operators, FDM Service Providers, Investigation Agencies), Region - Global Forecast to 2022

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Days Gone By: Images of the Ashley House from The Eagle's archive
Stacey Abrams insists that other red states can turn blue after Georgia was flipped during the 2020 election - as she turns her hand from politics to posing while starring on the cover of Marie Claire's latest issue.

In an interview with the women's monthly, the 47-year-old politician discussed her voting rights activism, her second career as a romance novelist, and her confidence that other red states can be turned blue just like Georgia.

'If you can do it [in Georgia], you can prove that it is possible in enclaves that have given up,' she said. 'If you can do this stuff in the Deep South  if you can elect a Black Southern preacher and a Jewish son of an immigrant to the U.S. Senate while Donald Trump sits in the White House  then, by God, everything else is possible.'

Ta-da! Stacey Abrams is Marie Claire 's new cover star, gracing the front of the April issue of the magazine in a head-turning Thom Browne cape

Opening up: The 47-year-old politician discussed her voting rights activist and her confidence that other red states can be turned blue just like Georgia

'If you can do this stuff in the Deep South ... then, by God, everything else is possible,' she said (pictured left: Sen. Raphael Warnock, right: Sen. Jon Ossoff)

Abrams  who served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2007 to 2017  shifted her focus in 2018 after losing to Republican Brian Kemp for Governor of Georgia.

Appalled by what she called 'gross mismanagement of the 2018 election by the Secretary of State's office,' she went on to found Fair Fight Action.

Through her work fighting against voter suppression, Abrams was instrumental in flipping Georgia blue in the 2020 presidential election and the 2021 Georgia senate runoff, putting Rafael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in office in the state.

However, Abrams isn't so quick to accept claims that she is a 'hero.'

'This isnt magic,' she insisted. 'This is math. It is maneuvering, but it is also a mental reset of who we are and what were capable of.'

Her goals continue to be the same, which first and foremost includes defending voting rights.

'This isnt magic,' she insisted. 'This is math. It is maneuvering, but it is also a mental reset of who we are and what were capable of

'Im certainly always dismayed by the level of treachery that we saw on [January 6], but I wouldnt say that that is new,' she said

'I want us to effectively leverage the census and redistricting, and I want us to serve the disproportionately harmed communities,' she said.

'I want us to rebuild the public infrastructure of the South, using COVID not as an excuse for what was broken but as a template for what we need to do right.'

She knows that turning deeply red states blue is no easy task considering how ingrained certain types of thinking are. In fact, she said, it's not so surprise that insurrectionists stormed the Capitol on January 6.

'Im certainly always dismayed by the level of treachery that we saw on [January 6], but I wouldnt say that that is new,' she said.

'When I see the surprise, the aghast reaction, I think what people are reacting to is the immediacy of their interaction with this, but they forget about the years of conditioned exposure that so many more of us have lived with.

'I grew up in the state of Mississippi, where the Confederate battle flag was the state flag,' she went on.

Abrams also opened up about being a romance novelist, saying writing 'is how I can tell about other parts of me and get to explore things and ideas that Im interested in without having to create another life and find another 30 hours in a day Its also how I can continue to connect'

Books: From 2001 to 2009, she published eight book under the pen name Selena Montgomery, including Never Tell , The Art of Desire , and Reckless

'I moved to Georgia, where the Confederate battle flag was incorporated into the state flag, where you could not enter a bank or the state capitol without this waving notion of what you should expect inside. I dont have the capacity for surprise at this.'

In addition to sharing her thoughts on voting rights and the political climate, Abrams also opened up about her second career as a writer of romance novels.

From 2001 to 2009, she published eight book under the pen name Selena Montgomery, including Never Tell, The Art of Desire, and Reckless.

In May, she'll publish her first novel under her real name, a thriller called While Justice Sleeps.

'Writing is cathartic, but its also demonstrative,' she said.

'It is how I can tell about other parts of me and get to explore things and ideas that Im interested in without having to create another life and find another 30 hours in a day. Its also how I can continue to connect.'
England's deputy chief medical officer, Dr Jenny Harries, is the odds-on favourite to run No10's National Institute of Health Protection  which will replace Public Health England.

PHE is set to be disbanded when the worst of the coronavirus pandemic is over and replaced by the NIHP, which will be bigger and more powerful.

Dr Harries, who has been one of the top advisers to the government throughout the pandemic, has been tipped for the top spot, according to The Times.

At the helm of the NIHP, Dr Harries would be in control of much of the country's long-term coronavirus response.

She has been defensive of the Government's actions during the pandemic even in the face of critics and evidence suggesting it could have saved more lives by acting faster during the first wave.

Dr Harries defended the UK's decision to stop testing the public for coronavirus in spring 2020, saying it was 'not appropriate'.

She later said there was no proof that doing more testing would have saved more lives, although it is the approach the Government is now following to control Covid outbreaks.

Dr Jenny Harries, England's deputy chief medical officer, has worked in public health for over a decade, for councils in Norfolk, Swindon and Monmouthshire, and as regional PHE director for the South of England for seven years.

Despite her comments about the need for mass testing, if Dr Harries takes the chief executive job at the NIHP she would be in charge of all coronavirus testing in the UK.

She would take this role away from Baroness Dido Harding, the businesswoman and member of the House of Lords who currently runs Test & Trace.

Baroness Harding does not have a medical background but Dr Harries has worked in public health in England for over a decade, for councils in Norfolk, Swindon and Monmouthshire, and as regional PHE director for the South of England for seven years.

On testing everyone suspected of having the virus, Dr Harries said in a briefing in March: 'There comes a point in a pandemic where that is not an appropriate intervention,' the Financial Times reported.

The appointment would see Dr Harries replace Dido Harding (pictured) as NHS Test & Trace boss

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH PROTECTION? The National Institute for Health Protection has already been set up, in August last year, but it is not yet fully operational. It is set to begin its controlling remit in the spring of 2021, in the coming weeks, when it will take over from Public Health England, the Joint Biosecurity Centre  which currently advises on lockdowns  and NHS Test & Trace. All the organisations, which ultimately answer to the Department of Health, will basically be streamlined and run from under one roof  the NIHP's. It is likely to be connected to local public health teams and to advise the Government on infectious illnesses and other diseases, as PHE does, as well as providing physical support to control them, as Test & Trace does. Advertisement

The UK had stopped testing people because PHE  responsible for the system at the time, before NHS Test & Trace was set up  didn't have enough capacity.

It was capable of doing far fewer tests than the hundreds of thousands of people getting infected of coronavirus would have demanded.

As a result, everyone who thought they might have coronavirus was simply instructed to stay at home and wait for it to blow over, or to get medical help if they became seriously ill.

Dr Harries later admitted the UK might have done more testing if it had been able to, saying: 'If we had unlimited capacity, and the ongoing support beyond that, then we perhaps would choose a slightly different approach.'

Sir Patrick Vallance, chief scientific adviser to the Government, later said: 'I think if we'd managed to ramp testing capacity quicker it would have been beneficial.

'And, you know, for all sorts of reasons that didn't happen.

'I think it's clear you need lots of testing for this but, to echo what Jenny Harries has said, it's completely wrong to think of testing as the answer.

'It's just part of the system that you need to get right. The entire system needs to work properly,' the BBC reported.

The National Institute for Health Protection has already been set up, in August last year, but it is not yet fully operational.

It is set to begin its controlling remit in the spring of 2021, in the coming weeks, when it will take over from Public Health England and the Joint Biosecurity Centre  which currently advises on lockdowns and NHS Test & Trace.

All the organisations, which ultimately answer to the Department of Health, will basically be streamlined and run from under one roof  the NIHP's.

It is likely to be connected to local public health teams and to advise the Government on infectious illnesses and other diseases, as PHE does, as well as providing physical support to control them, as Test & Trace does.
LONDON, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Investment Banking boutique CFE Finance, specialised in niche credit strategies and trade finance, has been listed as one of the first 300 companies in the 2021 special ranking "FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies".

The Financial Times report, compiled with the German research company Statista, analyses the performance of hundreds of companies and lists the ones that have achieved the highest compound annual growth rate in revenue in the last twelve months. The 2021 ranking has been published this week in the special report "FT 1000: Europe's fastest-growing companies".

Mario Cordoni, CEO and Founder of CFE Finance, comments: "Our company has been listed in the report thanks to months of research and analysis of thousands of European companies' revenues from the Financial Times and Statista professionals. We are very pleased to be ranked among the fastest growing companies in Europe, having achieved this result through teamwork, transparency, patience and daily commitment".

ABOUT CFE FINANCE

CFE Finance is an Investment Banking boutique specialised in niche credit strategies, recognised as a leading non-bank player in the origination of Trade Finance Opportunities with 1.5 billion euros of asset under management (AUM). CFE Finance was founded in 2001 with the aim of supporting the trade of commercial transactions both towards and from emerging markets. In fact, the firm is certified with the main Export Credit Agencies in Europe and the world. Since 2014, they offer Trading and Execution services on global fixed income markets out of their Monaco and London offices. For this reason, CFE Finance is now validated throughout more than 200 counterparts worldwide (banks and broker).
The new service, with flights starting at 44.99 one way, will commence on May 24

Loganair has announced it will step in to replace Ryanair flights between City of Derry and Liverpool after the carrier pulled the route.

The new service, with flights starting at 44.99 one way, will commence on May 24.

Tickets go on sale from tomorrow.

The Glasgow-based carrier will initially offer flights on four days - Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Weekday flights will leave City of Derry at 10.50am arriving in Liverpool an hour later, and return from Liverpool at 12.20pm arriving at 1.20pm.

The frequency of flights will increase to daily from late June.

The service will be operated by Loganair's own team of pilots, cabin crew and engineers already based at City of Derry Airport.

Loganair was the airport's first operator when it opened in April 1980.

The news follows close on the heels of confirmation by the Department for Transport of continued funding for the City of Derry to Stansted service.

The 4.37m will secure the Loganair-operated route for the next two years.

Loganair said it will also be increasing flights linking City of Derry and Glasgow from late June. Services will gear up from four days per week to daily as extra flights on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are introduced to the timetable.

The move will secure the long-standing air bridge between City of Derry and Scotland despite Ryanair's decision to withdraw its flights to Edinburgh from the airport.

Last week Ryanair announced it was recommencing flights from Belfast City Airport after an 11-year absence.

Loganair chief executive Jonathan Hinkles said: "Frequent air links are essential for so many aspects of working and family life, even as we work to rebuild and recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Loganair already serves both City of Derry and Liverpool Airports, and when the opportunity arose for us to connect these two important destinations in our network following another airline's withdrawal we were only too pleased to step in to safeguard these connections."

City of Derry Airport managing director Steve Frazer said: "We are pleased that Loganair have again shown their commitment to regional connectivity from the north west of NI. Increasing the frequency to seven days a week from the end of June will give maximum choice and flexibility to both business and leisure travellers."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  It has been more than a year since the first case of the coronavirus (COVID-19) was confirmed in New York City  and its been almost one year since the first death in the city related to the virus was reported.

The first positive case of novel coronavirus was confirmed in New York State on March 1, 2020, of a woman who lived in Manhattan. The first case of COVID-19 on Staten Island was confirmed just days later on March 9, 2020.

And on March 14, 2020, the first confirmed coronavirus-related death was confirmed by city and state officials.

An 82-year-old woman was the first New York City resident to die from complications due to COVID-19, Mayor Bill de Blasio said during an interview at the time with MSNBC host Joy Reid. She was also the first New York State resident to die from the virus.

The woman, who had pre-existing conditions, died in Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn.

Today, we are confirming our first death due to severe complications from COVID-19. The patient, an elderly woman with advanced emphysema, was admitted to the hospital last week as one of our first cases, and had been in critical condition ever since, de Blasio said during the interview last year.

During this time last year, there were at least five confirmed cases of the virus on Staten Island. One patient was being treated at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) in Ocean Breeze.

*** CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK ***

The first deaths reported on Staten Island were on March 20, 2020, when two Staten Islanders died from coronavirus-related illness at SIUH. At the time, there were 29 coronavirus deaths citywide.

Staten Islands death total rocketed to 28 just six days later. The number surpassed the death toll of Hurricane Sandy after the deadliest 24 hours on Staten Island since the onset of the pandemic. SIUH had seen 23 deaths and five residents die at Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) as of March 26, 2020.

ONE YEAR LATER

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to impact New York City and Staten Island. Six additional fatalities were reported on Staten Island as of Saturday, according to the latest data from the city Health Department.

And 263 additional cases of the coronavirus were reported on Staten Island.

A total of 1,602 borough residents have died since the beginning of the pandemic. Of those deaths, 1,396 are considered confirmed, while 206 are categorized as probable, according to the data.

A death is classified as probable if the decedent was a city resident who had no known positive laboratory test for the coronavirus, but the death certificate lists COVID-19 or an equivalent as a cause of death.

A total of 28 Staten Islanders died after contracting COVID-19 since last Saturday.

Now, the United States is working to vaccinate as many adults across the country by May, as three coronavirus vaccines received emergency authorization for use  Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson.

More than 5.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in New York State to date.

In New York City, more than 2.45 million first and second doses have been administered. Nearly 94,000 Staten Islanders received at least one dose, and over 48,000 completed their vaccine series, according to state data.

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Shona Gillan went missing last week and her body was found on Saturday

A cousin of an 18-year-old whose body was found in Antrim at the weekend after she had gone missing said she had "so much to give".

Toni-Marie Mailey said she was left heartbroken after learning of the news with the family left devastated.

Shona Gillan had not been seen since leaving her Valiant Court home in Antrim on Wednesday, March 3.

Police confirmed on Sunday her body had been recovered in Antrim on Saturday, shocking the local community.

The teenager's body was recovered by search and rescue teams from Six Mile Water.

"My heart is broken," said Toni-Marie.

"My beautiful wee cousin was finally found.

"Unfortunately, it is not the news we prayed for.

"Thinking of my aunt Deirdre, big Gerard and all my cousins at this devastating time."

She added: "Rest in peace, beautiful."

She urged anyone who knew of her final movements to contact police.

Following the tragic news, tributes were paid to the young girl from across Antrim and further afield.

Antrim councillor Roisin Lynch said it was a "terrible tragedy" and appealed for anyone with information to contact the police.

"I want to offer my sincere condolences and heartfelt sorrow to Shona's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time," she said. "The whole community in Antrim has been taken aback and I know that people here will offer the family as much support as they can in the days and weeks ahead."

Police appealed for the public's help in tracing the movements of Shona.

Inspector Julian Buchanan said: "As part of our investigation into the circumstances of her death we are keen to establish when and where Shona may have entered the water and to give her family those answers.

"I am appealing for anyone who saw or spoke to Shona in recent days, or who can provide information to police to please call us on 101, quoting reference 1122 06/03/21."
RTHK: Houthi drones, rockets target Saudi oil facilities

Yemen's Houthi forces fired drones and missiles at the heart of Saudi Arabia's oil industry on Sunday, attacking a Saudi Aramco facility at Ras Tanura in an assault the kingdom said was aimed at the security and stability of global energy supply.

Announcing the attacks, the Houthis also said they attacked military targets in the Saudi cities of Dammam, Asir and Jazan.

The Saudi energy ministry said an oil storage yard at Ras Tanura, the site of an oil refinery and the world's biggest offshore oil loading facility, was attacked with a drone but there were no casualties or property loss.

It added that shrapnel from a ballistic missile fell near Aramco's residential compound in Dhahran.

Saudi state media earlier said the Saudi-led military coalition battling the Houthis had intercepted 12 armed drones aimed at "civilian targets" without specifying a location in the kingdom as well as two ballistic missiles fired towards Jazan.

Two residents in Dhahran said they heard an explosion. The US mission in Saudi Arabia issued an advisory, citing reports of possible missile attacks and explosions on Sunday evening in the tri-city area of Dhahran, Dammam and Khobar in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.

The Eastern Province is home to most of Aramco's oil production and export facilities. In 2019, Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, was shaken by an unprecedented missile and drone attack on key oil facilities in the east of the kingdom which Riyadh blamed on Iran, a charge Tehran denies.

That attacks forced Saudi Arabia to temporarily shut down more than half of its crude output.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on Sunday that the group had fired 14 drones and eight ballistic missiles in a "wide operation in the heart of Saudi Arabia". (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2021-03-08. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
on Sunday released a list of three more candidates for the first phase of the upcoming Assam Assembly elections. leader Bhaskar Jyoti Baruah will contest from Titabar, Bharat Ch Narah from Naoboicha and Padma Lochan Doley from Dhakuakhana.

The main opposition party had on Saturday released the first list of 40 candidates for the upcoming three-phase election for the 126-member Assam Assembly.

Polls to the 15th Legislative Assembly polls in the state will begin on March 27 as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission of India with counting slated to be held on May 2.

Leader of Opposition Debabtata Saikia will contest from Nazira, his traditional bastion and former minister Rakibul Hussain will contest from Samuguri.

Assam Pradesh Committee (APCC) president Ripun Bora will contest for Gohpur seat and former minister Bismita Gogoi will fight from Khumtai seat.

Angkita, the daughter of former Assam Congress president Anjan Dutta, has won party ticket for Amguri seat.

The Congress-led grand alliance or 'Mahajath' comprises the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI (M), the Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist) Liberation or CPI(ML), and the Anchalik Gana Marcha (AGM).

The Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF) has also broken away from the BJP-led alliance to join the 'Mahajath'.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had on Friday released the first list of 70 candidates for the elections. In the last assembly election in 2016, the BJP scripted history and formed the government for the first time in Assam ending Congress' 15-year rule led by former chief minister Tarun Gogoi.

The term of the 14th legislative assembly of Assam is up to 31 May 2021. The Assembly elections for 126 seats will be held in three phases starting from March 27.

The first phase of notification is March 2 and 47 seats in 12 districts will go to the polls.

The last date of nomination March 9 and the date of poll is March 27. In the second phase, 39 constituencies in 13 districts will go to the polls on April 1.

A total of 41 constituencies in 12 districts will go to the polls on April 6.

(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.)
For many children returning to the classroom this morning, it's the first time they've set foot on school grounds since mid December.

And for parents charged with educating their own offspring for two long months, Monday March 8th at 9:01am offered perhaps 2021's biggest reason to celebrate so far.

Many took to social media to find a comedy meme to express the unbridled joy of no longer being forced to homeschool their children, often while juggling full-time jobs.

Scroll down for video

One parent revealed how the peace that had descended had proved a 'revelation'.

@StarkeyStardust wrote: 'I can hear the radio! I can't hear anything else other than the tippity-tap of my keyboard. This is a revelation. Parents of school-aged children, enjoy your day!'

@moonla26 penned: 'The sun is shining and I'm enjoying a cup of tea in blissful peace #BackToSchool #Peace'

@totalkharnage wrote: 'Any other parents working from home feel slightly weird with an empty house? Not complaining.!'

The Twitter account for BBC soap EastEnders shared an gif of its cast dancing the conga around Albert Square to express the newfound freedom of many parents.

Elsewhere, others pondered how their little darlings would fare without access to the constant steam of snacks they could access at home.

On Friday, parents rejoiced that it was the last day of homeschooling as Ofsted's chief inspector said families have been stretched 'almost to breaking point with remote education'.

Hundreds took to social media to express their relief that months of juggling children, work and chores will end from Monday.

Schools also congratulated 'exhausted' mothers and fathers for their endurance in keeping their young ones occupied during the winter lockdown.

Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman said the last few months has left many families stretched 'almost to breaking point' with remote education.

She said it had been a 'sticking plaster' that had left a large proportion of children 'bored, lonely and miserable'.

But CEO of Childcare.co.uk Richard Conway said a 'year of home-learning won't have a huge effect on a child and could lead to greater skills in other areas'.

It comes as parents branded plans to segregate pupils who wear masks and those who do not as 'mask apartheid'.

Meanwhile Britain's biggest teaching union was urged to show its 'collective strength' by threatening to strike over schools reopening next week

Maria Brown, a librarian at Nottingham University Hospitals, said: 'I don't know about anyone else but for me the last two weeks of homeschooling have been the toughest yet.

'I have lost my motivation and am exhausted. To all teachers, parents and kids out there give yourselves a great big pat on the back. Well done. We did it! Onwards and upwards!'

Poornima Nayar from Slough, Berkshire, said: 'Last day of homeschooling.... whoop whoop.'

Jo Watson from London wrote: 'We did it! Last day of homeschooling. Hopefully back to some normality next week.'

Isla Young from Southampton posted: 'Hand up who else is bunking off homeschool today?'

Gareth Elliott from Whitton, London, said: Is it the last Friday of homeschooling? This is me and I imagine all other parents who have been with our little darlings throughout this pandemic. #schoolsreopeninguk NEXT WEEK!!!!'

Government announced it's roadmap out of lockdown with schools heading back on March 8

Twitter user Kate Lewis said: 'Happy last day of pretending you were actually homeschooling.'

A woman called Georgina put: 'The last day of homeschooling and it better bloody stay that way otherwise my kids will just be stupid adults cos I'm not cut out for this, sorry babies.'

Stephen from Kent added: 'Homeschooling finishes today,so would be a nice treat to celebrate that.'

Meanwhile some schools across England also expressed their sympathies with tired parents.

One teacher, going by the Twitter name Mrs Ramsell, posted: 'A big ''shout out'' to parents for your support, dedication and resilience in homeschooling your child/ren during the last couple of months. THANK YOU.'
Charleston, WV (25301)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
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Chinese wary of domestic vaccine drive

WORLD: Shirley Shi has received three offers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 - through her hometown, her Beijing residential area and her office area - but the human resources manager is in no rush.

ChineseCoronavirusCOVID-19healthSafety

By AFP

Monday 8 March 2021, 09:02AM

China has had success controlling coronavirus, but vaccinations in the worlds most populous country have proceeded slowly. Photo: AFP.

Id like to keep an eye out for any adverse effects first, said Shi, who like many Chinese seems happy to take a wait-and-see approach.

Through aggressive lockdowns and mass testing of millions, China has had success controlling the virus that first surfaced on its soil in late 2019.

But vaccinating the worlds most populous country is a different story.

China is still working to ramp up production of its four domestically-produced vaccines and has yet to approve any foreign-made shots in a global race for bragging rights.

For Shi, the problem is not accessibility, but a lack of urgency.

With Chinas control of the epidemic domestically and my lack of plans to go abroad in the near-term, there is no need for now, she said.

Chinese experts have signalled the vaccination rate could soon quicken.

Zhong Nanshan, a respected pulmonologist and key national figure in the fight against COVID-19, said recently that China plans to immunise 40% of its 1.4 billion people by June.

That would require massively increasing the number of jabs given in China, where currently only around 3.5% of the population is inoculated.

Thats far behind the UKs 32.99 jabs per 100 people and the USs 25.42, according to Our World in Data, a collaboration between Oxford University and a charity.

The sense of urgency that exists in the West, where vaccination is no less than an expected game-changer, is not present in China, said Mathieu Duchatel, director of the Asia Programme at Institut Montaigne, a Paris-based think tank.

The slower pace could pose risks for China by delaying herd immunity.

There is no globally-accepted standard for the percentage of a population that needs to be jabbed - or to develop the necessary antibodies through infection - for herd immunity against COVID-19 to kick in.

A November paper in medical journal Lancet estimated that percentage at 60-72 for a 100% effective vaccine, while Gao Fu, the head of the Chinese disease-control agency, put it at 70-80% for China in comments this week.

China would need to administer 10 million doses every day for seven months to reach such thresholds, Chinese infectious-disease specialist Zhang Wenhong told a recent forum. Only around 52.5 million doses had been administered as of end-February, according to Zhong.

The current pace is of great concern, Zhang added.

Besides quickening production, China has also committed to shipping vaccines overseas as it works to blunt foreign criticism of the initial spread of the virus from its shores.

Chinese companies are set to export nearly 400 million doses, state media has reported, and the government said it is providing free vaccines to 53 countries.

China is caught between both the vaccination requirement of achieving herd immunity... and the demand associated with its vaccine diplomacy, said Yanzhong Huang, a global health fellow at the US Council on Foreign Relations.

Huang said delays in herd immunity could mean China falls behind in reopening its borders - now largely closed to all but Chinese citizens - while other economies forge ahead.

This might make China look bad, he said.

In China, public take-up of the vaccine may also be slowed by trust issues in a country with a history of drug-safety scandals.

Market research firm Ipsos found in January that 85% of adults in China said they were willing to get jabbed, but it was unclear how soon they would do so.

At one Beijing clinic, a doctor said jabs had been offered to all staff, but many demurred until more data on vaccine efficacy was available.

Chinese producers are yet to release detailed data, unlike their foreign rivals.

Chinas vaccinations started last year with key groups like medical staff and state workers headed overseas. This has been expanded to other citizens, although largely in the biggest cities.

With its resources and demonstrated ability to mobilise for a mass effort, China may well catch up on vaccination rates once supplies increase.

Zhang Yutong, a dental clinic employee, was among a steady flow of people streaming in to one Beijing clinic after her employer arranged for jabs.

She told AFP nearly two-thirds of her colleagues had also taken the offer.

The epidemic has become a regular part of life. Its better to have antibodies, she said.
Every resident will be able to nominate a person to visit them indoors (PA)

Hundreds of thousands of care home residents in England will be able to receive indoor visits from a nominated friend or relative from today.

Every resident will be able to nominate a person to visit them indoors, while residents with the highest care needs can receive more frequent visits from a loved one who will provide essential care and support.

Visitors will be tested prior to visits, wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and be asked to keep physical contact to a minimum.

Handholding is permitted but hugs and kissing are not, to help reduce the chance of spreading the virus, the Government has said in its latest visiting guidance.

Visiting is not conditional on the resident or visitor having been vaccinated, but this is strongly recommended, it says.

Outdoor visits, window visits and those in pods should continue so residents can see other loved ones, it adds.

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In care homes where there are coronavirus outbreaks, nominated visitors will not be able to come into the care home.

But visitors providing essential care, and visits when the resident is at the end of their life, can continue.

According to the latest Public Health England surveillance data, there were 230 suspected respiratory outbreaks in care homes reported in the week ending February 28, 167 of which involved at least one confirmed cases of Covid-19.

It is around a year since some care homes first closed their doors, several weeks ahead of the first lockdown on March 23.

Over this time, visiting guidance has changed several times and visiting opportunities have varied across the country, with some areas in local lockdowns.

Some indoor visits resumed in December as rapid-result tests were rolled out to care homes, but this was not permitted during the current lockdown.

Opening up care homes forms part of the first step of the Governments road map which sets out how restrictions could be eased over the coming months.

The Government will decide whether to extend the number of visitors to two per resident at step two of its road map and no earlier than April 12.

Well be monitoring the situation very carefully to ensure all types of permitted visits are happening, and look for them to be extended to more family members at the earliest possible opportunity Alzheimers Society

Campaigners have welcomed the resumption of visits, but some said the new guidance does not go far enough.

The guidance is advisory and notes that care home managers are best placed to decide how to best enable visiting.

Just over a week ago, the care regulator intervened after it emerged that blanket visiting bans were in operation in England contrary to the guidance in place at the time.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said this was unacceptable and warned that providers should not wait until the vaccination programme is complete before allowing loved ones to visit residents.

It said it may inspect homes if it receives reports of blanket visiting bans and will take regulatory action if appropriate.

New visiting guidance just published (finally!). Analysis to follow...https://t.co/1llGCDZslQ  R&RA (@relresuk) March 4, 2021

The Relatives & Residents Association (R&RA) wants the CQC to go further and proactively monitor how care homes are complying with guidance.

Director Helen Wildbore said: The new guidance lacks the teeth necessary to ensure the Prime Ministers promise to reunite older people with their families becomes a reality.

Instead the Government continue to pass the buck on to care providers without providing the clarity and direction needed to make sure this happens.

The Alzheimers Society said the resumptions of visits couldnt have come soon enough following months of families watching their loved ones through windows and screens.

James White, head of public affairs and campaigns, said: Close contact indoor visits must be the default position  so its good the Government has been clear that blanket bans on visiting are not acceptable.

Weve campaigned for many months to ensure family carers are recognised as essential to the care of people with dementia.

Well be monitoring the situation very carefully to ensure all types of permitted visits are happening, and look for them to be extended to more family members at the earliest possible opportunity.

We hope, at last, further anguish and loss of life can be ended for people with dementia, who have been worst hit by the pandemic and endured months of isolation.
Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Sign up for the New Economy Daily newsletter, follow us @economics and subscribe to our podcast.Turkeys economy has continued to grow at a strong pace so far this year, but that doesnt necessarily mean its citizens are getting richer.The $717 billion economy likely outperformed all Group of 20 nations except for China in the first quarter after nearly stalling a year ago when the pandemic struck. Its been bolstered by robust consumption on the back of last years government-led credit push, an expansion that came at the expense of price and currency stability.Data on Monday is likely to show gross domestic product rose 6.3% from a year earlier and 1.3% from the fourth quarter, according to the medians of forecasts in Bloomberg surveys. Treasury and Finance Minister Lutfi Elvan said Thursday that data point to 6% growth in the first quarter.There is an exchange rate illusion in Turkeys economic growth data, according to Enver Erkan, chief economist at Istanbul-based Tera Yatirim, whos ranked by Bloomberg as the most accurate forecaster on Turkish GDP data.Noting that the GDP per capita in U.S. dollar terms dropped nearly 40% since 2013 to around $7,700 last year, Erkan said Turkeys recent economic model isnt sustainable as the growth is mainly driven by consumption supported by government spending and loan campaigns.This comes at the expense of lira and price stability, he said.The government pushed banks to ramp up lending to help businesses and consumers ride out last years Covid-19 emergency. The credit boom was coupled with a front-loaded easing cycle that helped prime the economy. That growth push weakened the currency by 20% last year and kept headline inflation in double digits. The size of the economy dropped to $717 billion last year from $760.8 billion a year earlier.The currency further lost 10% against the dollar in the first quarter, especially after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fired the central banks former hawkish governor Naci Agbal in March. The decision to fire Agbal, who had sought to restore the central banks credibility, set off a swift reversal of investor enthusiasm, sending Turkish markets into a nosedive.The data expose the challenge facing new central bank Governor Sahap Kavcioglu as he looks to restore price stability without cooling the economy ahead of the general elections in 2023.Kavcioglu has pledged policy continuity after his appointment and kept benchmark interest rate unchanged at 19% for a second meeting this month, saying the pace of price gains had peaked in April. Consumer inflation quickened for a seventh month to 17.14% in April.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 Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has filed a 62000-page chargesheet in the drugs case in connection with Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death, on March 5, 2021. Notably, the chargesheet is six times bigger than the bomb blast cases, which have been filed in Special NDPS court. According to the ANI report, the chargesheet has more than 12,000 pages in hard copy and 50,000 pages in digital format.

The NCB has mentioned Rhea Chakraborty's name along with 33 other accused, such as the actress' brother Showik Chakraborty, Anuj Keswani, Azam Sheikh Junman, Kshitij Prakash, Sanket Patel, Paramjit Anand and others. The 62000-page chargesheet also includes the bank transactions, WhatsApp chats and testimonies of 200 witnesses.

Talking about the previous bomb blast cases, chargesheet of the 1993 bomb blast was 10,000 pages long, in which 189 accused's names were included for killing 257 people in the terror attack. Apart from that, the Mumbai suburban local train blast which happened on July 7, 2006, had a chargesheet of 10,667 pages against 13 accused.

Lastly, the biggest terror attack that happened in India - 26/11 Mumbai attacks had a chargesheet of 11,500 pages against prime accuse Ajmal Kasab. The 10 terrorists had killed 174 people including cops during the attacks that happened in 2008. Coming back to the current case, the chief of NCB Sameer Wankhede himself mentioned all the details in the chargesheet.

On a related note, Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence, Mumbai on June 14, 2020. His mysterious death has indeed become a hot topic of debate on social media, and his fans want to know the truth.

Also Read : NCB Chargesheet Claims Rhea Chakraborty Funded Drug Deals & Conspired To Sell

Also Read : Rhea Chakraborty's Lawyer On NCB Chargesheet: All Efforts Have Been Directed To Rope Rhea In
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New legislation to enforce mandatory hotel quarantine for passengers arriving from high-risk countries as well as arrivals without a negative Covid test has been signed into law by President Michael D Higgins.

The Health (Amendment) Act 2021 is expected to be operational within a week and will allow the State to require passengers arriving from a list of named countries with a high incidence of Covid-19 to quarantine for 14 days in a designated hotel.

The government has yet to announce what facilities will be used for quarantine purposes and how much it will cost, but it is understood to be around 2,000 per adult.

As Ireland joins the list of countries enforcing mandatory hotel quarantine, what other countries have done it and how?

Read More

United Kingdom

The British government introduced its quarantine programme for Britons arriving home from Covid-19 hotspots abroad on 15 February.

The scheme means travellers arriving back from a list of 33 Red List nations are forced to stay in hotels for 10 days at their own expense before being allowed to go home.

Nationals of those countries are already refused entry to the UK and most direct flights have already been banned.

The countries include all of South America, large parts of Africa - including South Africa - and the United Arab Emirates.

Portugal is currently the only European country on the list, which is reviewed on a weekly basis.

While arrivals from non-Red List nations can be freed from home quarantine after five days if they pass a test, this option is not available to Red List arrivals and there is no way around the 10-day stay.

Quarantine hotels are located near airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Hotel staff provide residents with three meals a day as well as other essential services.

Residents can also order items to be delivered, but are prohibited from stepping outside of their hotel rooms.

Travellers are required to take two Covid-19 tests during their stay, on day two and day eight.

Failure to stick to the hotel quarantine will be punishable with a fine of up to 10,000 (11,662).

Canada

Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first announced mandatory hotel quarantine on 29 January as part of the federal response to clamp down on the surge of Covid-19 cases across the country.

The new mandatory hotel stopover came into effect on 21 February and states that international travellers flying to Canada will have to quarantine for a minimum of three days at a selected hotel.

Many have questioned the efficacy of the new mandatory hotel quarantine rules and complained about the cost of staying in a hotel for the allotted time -three days with a mandatory bill of $2,000 (1,685).

Travellers are required to reserve a government-authorized hotel for three nights prior to departure to Canada, take a Covid-19 molecular test on arrival in Canada and stay in the government-authorized hotel while awaiting the results of the Covid-19 molecular test taken on arrival.

Residents must also pay for the cost of the hotel stay, as well as all associated costs for food, security, transportation and infection prevention and control measures.

Hotels are responsible for transporting guests, providing meals, Wifi and phone access, as well as allowing travellers some time outside of their hotel rooms, while being separated from other guests.

Hotels are also responsible for reporting traveller information to the authorities and ensuring that travellers comply with the rules.

The mandatory 3-night reservation at a government-authorized hotel is a fully prepaid, non-refundable rate.

New Zealand

New Zealand has maintained some of the toughest travel guidelines in the world since March 2020 and the country's prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, has been praised for her handling of the crisis, in which only 26 people have died, with 2,405 cases in total.

Its early lockdown and strict border measures mean it has suppressed the virus to an impressive degree.

All arrivals, including New Zealand citizens, must undertake 14 days of mandatory quarantine and test negative for Covid-19 at the end of this period before entering the community.

Passengers have to book their stay at a quarantine-managed four or five-star hotel selected by the government and book via an online Managed Isolation Allocation system and receive a voucher confirming their appointment.

The system is currently fully booked through to the end of May and anyone wanting to book a slot must join an online waiting list.

Passengers cannot choose which city or hotel to stay in, although those on the same flight are usually taken to the same hotel.

Travelers coming from the UK or US must also have a negative Covid-19 test result before boarding their flight.

On January 26, 2021, Ardern confirmed that New Zealand's borders will remain closed for most of this year, but the country will continue to pursue travel arrangements with neighboring Australia and other Pacific nations.

Australia

Prime Minister Scott Morrison first announced the governments plan to introduce a mandatory hotel quarantine scheme on March 27, 2020.

The measures apply to all international travellers entering Australia, except for those travelling from New Zealand.

Currently, only Australian citizens and residents can travel to Australia and all arrivals are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine at a variety of state-picked hotels, many of which hold four or five-star ratings.

Travellers dont get to choose which hotel they stay at, nor do they get to pick their rooms.

Travellers landing at the airport must undergo a Covid-19 symptom and temperature check at the airport, after which they are transported to a state-managed hotel via buses.

Most hotel quarantines state that doors and windows of the room be closed at all times during the stay, with some exceptions for hotels that include a balcony.

Hotel staff deliver meals, laundry services and health checks, to the rooms daily, and some states allow travellers to order takeout meals on a limited basis.

The exact cost of a 14-week quarantine depends on the state and the hotel someone stays in, but solo-travellers can expect to pay on average around $3,000 (1,938) for two weeks, while a family of four will pay around $5,000 (3,230).

Travellers are expected to pay the fee within 30 days of leaving the hotel.

Anyone who violates quarantine rules can expect penalty fines of up to $50,000 (32,302), depending on the state, as well as jail time.

China

Since the onset of the pandemic which originated in Wuhan, international travellers arriving in China are subject to tests in airports and ordered to stay in designated quarantine hotels for 14 days, where their movements are tracked by smartphone apps.

Passengers are taken from the airport by bus to state-designated hotels, with no information given about which hotel beforehand.

Hotel staff wearing full PPE call to the rooms at least twice a day to record everyones temperatures.

Food, included in the final price, is provided but the quality and quantity vary dramatically and some hotels do not allow outside delivery or alcohol.

A Covid-19 test is taken after one week and a second time just before the end of quarantine.

The cost for a fortnight for one traveller is typically between RMB4,200 and RMB7,000 (542 and 903).

In some quarantine hotels, special robots are used to deliver meals and water to rooms to reduce contact between guests and staff.

Beijing introduced a "14+7+7" quarantine system for incoming travellers, which involves 14 days of hotel quarantine, seven days of home quarantine and seven days of health monitoring.

The provinces of Jilin and Zhejiang and the city of Dalian have introduced similar measures.

United States

The US does not have a mandatory quarantine programme, however with cases of Covid-19 now past the 29 million mark, many states have updated or expanded their travel rules and regulations.

It comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to warn against nonessential travel for US citizens.

While some US states still have no restrictions on leisure travel, the majority of states have mandates on face masks in public settings.

California lifted its recent stay-at-home order but discourages out-of-state visitors and encourages arrivals to quarantine for 10 days upon entering the state.

Other states enforcing mandatory quarantine include Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and New Mexico.
A PAINTING of the woman airbrushed from Irish history has been unveiled in the Seanad to mark International Womens Day.

Elizabeth OFarrell was a nurse with the GPO garrison in the Easter Rising of 1916. Under a flag of truce she accompanied Padraig Pearse to his surrender to Brigadier General William Lowe and his son John, near the lower western corner of Parnell Square.

A grainy photograph of the occasion showed OFarrells feet and part of her dress, her body hidden by Pearses own figure as he offered surrender after a week of hostilities.

It was British newspapers of May 1916 that painted out the distraction of evidence that a woman was present, making it seem as if Pearse surrendered alone.

The painting entitled Her Surrender by Leitrim artist Sinead Guckian now shows the view imagined from the other side - with OFarrell fully visible and Pearse partially obscured.

The artist has generously donated the painting to the Oireachtas, with Seanad leader Regina Doherty unveiling it this morning and speaking of her pride in doing so, adding that the intent now was to find a suitable place to hang it in the halls of the Oireachtas.

Cathaoirleach Senator Mark Daly said: By displaying this painting in the Seanad we remember someone who has come to symbolise the airbrushing of women from Irish history.

Elizabeth OFarrell is remembered for having been forgotten.

International Women's Day was a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and acted as a call for action to accelerate gender parity, he said.

I also believe that there is room to improve the representation of women in the display of artworks in Leinster House, he said.

I have therefore proposed the re-establishment of the Joint sub-Committee on Art and Portraiture so that progress can be made on this.

Artist Sinead Guckian said she embarked on the painting having discovered that Elizabeth OFarrell the woman Padraig Pearse selected to carry his message seeking to open negotiations for the cessation of hostilities at the end of Easter Week, had been painted out of the photograph of Pearse delivering the surrender.

Senator Lisa Chambers of Fianna Fail said it was a beautiful painting and served powerfully to show how women had been airbrushed from history.
Turkey surpasses 10 million vaccinations Less than 2 months since campaign began, fourth second doses

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, 08 MAR - Turkey on Monday surpassed 10 million COVID vaccines administered.



Health ministry data show that almost a fourth were second doses some 28 days after the first, as called for by the vaccine used thus far and made by the Chinese company SinoVac.



The vaccination campaign began in mid-January. By the end of this month, Turkey expects to get 4.5 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.



Since last week, the country has been using a "controlled normalization" by dividing the country into four risk levels - color coded into blue, yellow, orange, and red areas - with different restrictions.



Some 42 of the country's 81 provinces are classified as low risk, including the capital Ankara, while Istanbul and Izmir are in the orange risk category.



Several restrictions have in any case been reduced across the entire country, with cafes and restaurants opened and able to fill to 50% of capacity and schools once more open.



Since the pandemic began, Turkey has registered 2.7 million cases and over 29,000 deaths. (ANSAmed).




The suspect behind the killing of a 74-year-old Filipino in Phoenix, Arizona has been arrested, the police announced last week.

Filipino Juanito Falcon was attacked by the suspect, Marcus Williams, near 17th Avenue and Bethany Home Road, the Phoenix police said in a tweet. Falcon died two days later from the injuries. The police said it was still unclear why Williams attacked the elderly Filipino.

Read: PH embassy in Washington DC wants Asian-Americans protected from hate crimes

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Williams allegedly punched Falcon in the face, which caused the latter to fall and hit his head. Williams fled but witnesses were able to identify his car before he sped away. Falcon was also able to tell the police the last two numbers of the vehicles license plate. Williams was found about three miles from the crime scene with his girlfriend; both of them refused to answer the cops questions.

The suspect was arrested on Wednesday and is facing a murder charge. His bail was set at US$500,000.

Falcons daughter Malou Acunin expressed her sadness over her fathers passing in a statement.

Read: Filipino mans face disfigured after attack in New York subway

I have a lot of questions. Nobody should experience what happened to my father. I want this incident to be a cause of awareness to everybody, she said.

I dont want the same incidence of violence and crime to happen to anybody especially to the elderly. My father was just doing his morning walk. He was a good man and loved by many. He could have lived longer with his family if this didnt happen, Acunin added.

The Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce condemned Falcons death, which comes after a string of violence that has been committed against elderly Asian-Americans.

We absolutely condemn the attacks against Asian-Americans. These acts of violence are showing up regularly in the news, and its painful to think that someones grandparent, child, sibling, or parent will never hug them or share a smile with them again, it said.

Story continues

Asian-Americans have been the target of hate crimes since the pandemic began. An elderly Thai man out for his morning walk died in January in San Francisco after a teenager barreled through him. A 61-year-old Filipino had his whole face disfigured when he was attacked by a man wielding a box cutter in New York City early this month. A few weeks ago, an elderly Vietnamese woman was robbed in San Jose, California.

Advocates say that the attacks against Asian-Americans were reminiscent of yellow peril, a racist ideology that arose in the 19th century that sees Asians as a threat to the Western world. Such crimes are allegedly linked to the spread of the coronavirus, which was first discovered in Wuhan, China in late 2019.

In response, community leaders put up a website called Stop AAPI (Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders) Hate, which began recording instances of such crimes. As of this month, the website has received more than 2,800 first-hand reports of hate crimes, which included verbal harassment (71%), shunning (21%), physical assault (9%), and being spit on (6%).

This article, Hate Crime? Alleged killer of elderly Filipino arrested by Arizona police, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company.
Meriden Police / Contributed Photo

MERIDEN  Police said a man was found dead 30 minutes after first responders transported a woman from the same Olive Street apartment to the hospital for suspicious circumstances.

Medical personnel responded to an apartment on Olive Street at 7 a.m. Friday for a report of a possible drug overdose or seizure, police said. The female victim was taken to Midstate Medical Center for treatment.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low 47F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low 47F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
New photos show the trail of destruction left by an out-of-control street party near the campus of the University of Colorado that injured three cops on Saturday.

Photos released by the City of Boulder shows the smashed windshield of a Terradyne light armored patrol vehicle used by the SWAT team.

Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold told KCNC-TV that the SWAT vehicle suffered 'thousands and thousands and thousands' of dollars worth of damage.

A Boulder fire truck also sustained heavy damage, according to the outlet.

Scroll down for video

The windshield of a Terradyne light armored patrol vehicle used by the Boulder Police Department's SWAT team had its windshield smashed while breaking up a party

Another photo shows cracked windows of a Terradyne light armored patrol vehicle at the Boulder Police Department

Another view shows the smashed windshield of a Terradyne light armored patrol vehicle

A fire truck used by a Boulder Fire Department engine, pictured, also had its windows cracked while breaking up a massive party

A number of other cars were damaged including one that was flipped over by the destructive mob, as cars were seen with busted out windows and large dents.

Students and neighbors were seen sweeping up the massive mess after sunrise on Sunday morning and filling bags and bags of trash, KDVR reported.

Andrea Clark, who lives nearby, told KDVR that she felt disappointed when she was images of the chaos.

'We have friends in the area and also know there are students in the area that didnt have a part in it. We care about our community and our neighborhood,' she said.

'If you can vote, buy alcohol  which a lot of them can, if you can serve our country, then youre an adult enough to know that this is not acceptable.'

The chaos unfolded just after 8pm yesterday evening in the University Hill neighborhood of Boulder, as an estimated 800 people - many forgoing face masks - gathered near Pennsylvania Avenue and 10th Street

Some neighbors and students were up soon after sunrise to help clean up the aftermath of a CU street party that turned violent and destructive on Saturday night

Shae Swerdfeger, a sophomore at CU-Boulder, picked up broken glass and beer cans on Sunday

Residents were seen sweeping up broken glass with brooms after a massive party in Colorado

Concerned neighbors and students filled bags and bags of trash during the sunrise cleanup

Cars were seen with large dents and broken out windows after the massive party in Colorado

A video from KDVR shows trash covering the University Hill neighborhood of Boulder on Sunday morning

Shae Swerdfeger, a sophomore at CU-Boulder, picked up broken glass and beer cans on Sunday.

'I wasnt doing anything today and I thought that was a way I could contribute, I guess to kind of counteract the bad image this gave of CU Boulder,' she said.

The Saturday night party turned destructive and violent as three officers were injured after they were hit with bricks and rocks when they sought to break up the illegal gathering.

One of the officers was struck in the head but all three are now said to be in good condition.

'It could have been much worse,' Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold said Sunday.

Cops are seeking criminal charges after the party turned violent.

The chaos unfolded just after 8pm yesterday evening in the University Hill neighborhood of Boulder, as an estimated 800 people - many forgoing face masks - gathered near Pennsylvania Avenue and 10th Street.

Officers from the Boulder Police Department were on scene by 8:30pm and used loudspeakers to warn the crowd they must disperse or otherwise risk arrest, tear gas or use of force.

But the already unruly scenes escalated further, with revelers shooting off fireworks in the road and allegedly throwing projectiles at police and other first responders.

Boulder PD said on Twitter that it's reviewing all of its officers' body camera footage, in addition to reviewing social media posts, to 'identify the individuals involved in damaging property and assaulting first responders.'

Officers from the Boulder Police Department were on scene by 8:30pm and used loudspeakers to warn the crowd they might disperse or otherwise risk arrest, tear gas or use of force

In a statement, the University of Colorado condemned the illegal gathering, and warned than any student found to have attacked police and other first responders during the mayhem will be expelled.

'It is unacceptable and irresponsible, particularly in light of the volume of training, communication and enforcement the campus and city have dedicated to ensuring compliance with COVID-19 public health orders. CU Boulder will not tolerate any of our students engaging in acts of violence or damaging property,' the school said.

'We appreciate the efforts of law enforcement to address the unacceptable conduct of these students and apologize to the residents of University Hill for their behavior.'

Police first started receiving complaints about the gathering at around 7pm local time at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and 10th Street, about five blocks west of the university campus.

Hundreds of college-aged carousers packed the street, with no social distancing and very little mask wearing, the Daily Camera reported.

Boulder police spokeswoman Dionne Waugh said police estimated that there may have been up to 800 people in the area at one stage.

A SWAT vehicle arrived and began telling those gathered over the loud speaker to disperse at around 8:30pm.

The moment was captured on video by the Daily Camera's Mitchell Byars.

A large number of those present did comply with the demands upon seeing the police vehicle, Waugh said, however some did remain on scene.

The truck deployed two canisters of tear gas, and then drove through the street blaring a high-pitched siren in an attempt to disperse the remaining revelers.

'Due to riot conditions, you are ordered to leave the area. You must leave the area immediately. If you fail to leave, you will be subject to arrest and the use of tear gas,' the cops can be heard saying in the clip.

Police said they opted to use only a small amount of tear gas because they didn't want to further agitate an already hostile crowd.

Revelers shot off fireworks in the road, flipped over a nearby car and allegedly threw projectiles at police and other first responders

A SWAT vehicle arrived and began telling those gathered over the loud speaker to disperse at around 8:30pm

The moment was captured on video by the Daily Camera's Mitchell Byars

The truck deployed two canisters of tear gas, and then drove through the street blaring a high-pitched siren in an attempt to disperse the remaining revelers

Hundreds of college-aged carousers packed the street, with no social distancing and very little mask wearing, the Daily Camera reported.

University of Colorado: Full Statement: 'We are aware of a large party on University Hill on Saturday evening and allegations of violence toward police officers responding to the scene. We condemn this conduct. It is unacceptable and irresponsible, particularly in light of the volume of training, communication and enforcement the campus and city have dedicated to ensuring compliance with COVID-19 public health orders. CU Boulder will not tolerate any of our students engaging in acts of violence or damaging property. CU Boulder has made it clear to our student body that following county public health orders is required under the student code of conduct. The vast majority of our students have followed these directives. When health officials and police have referred public health order violations to our student conduct office, CU Boulder has responded quickly and imposed discipline when violations were established. Disciplinary actions include interim exclusions from campus and 45 suspensions so far this academic year. We will continue to take these actions to make clear that protecting our community and our campus is of utmost importance and that we will not tolerate such violations. Any student who is found responsible for having engaged in acts of violence toward the law enforcement or other first responders will be removed from CU Boulder and not readmitted. We appreciate the efforts of law enforcement to address the unacceptable conduct of these students and apologize to the residents of University Hill for their behavior.' Advertisement

Over the next hour, police and party attendees clashed as projectiles were thrown and cars, including police vehicles, were damaged.

By 9:30pm most of the revelers had cleared out, police said.

Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty also condemned the party, calling it 'shameful'.

Dougherty released a statement on Sunday, saying his office is working with detectives to identify suspects who 'should be held fully responsible for their outrageous actions.'

'Our community was put at risk last night by the individuals involved in the incident in the Hill area. Their callous disregard for our communitys safety and well-being is shameful,' he said. 'There is no excuse for this conduct, especially while the people of this community endure the pandemic.'

An unidentified man told CBS Denver the party and its subsequent clash with police was bound to happen.

'When we're all caged up for months there's going to be an explosion, and this was the explosion,' the man said.

A group of students, who also asked not to be named, told the network: 'No one was trying to do anything harmful. Its the cops that were trying to harm us.

'Its sad, but when kids are locked up for months they act like animals.'

Several cars were damaged by the crowd and one was even turned over (seen above)

Another car parked along Pennsylvania Avenue and 10th Street is seen above with a smashed windscreen

Revelers are seen jumping atop a car, left, and one attendee is seen kicking the windshield of an overturned Nissan, right

Looks like theres a mask-less party on the Hill in Boulder. Awful, awful look when were this close to the end of the pandemic. @CUBoulderPolice @boulderpolice can something be done? pic.twitter.com/UIyD6Gsbhr  Ben Berman (@benfromsf) March 7, 2021

Saturday night's incident came as police and prosecutors were already investigating possible criminal and civil violations stemming from a smaller off-campus party at an apartment building in the same University Hill neighborhood from the weekend prior.

It also came just one day after Colorado Gov. Jared Polis extended the state's Covid-19 mask mandate, which has been in place since July 2020.

As of Sunday, 438,000 residents of Colorado have so far tested positive for COVID-19 and 6,075 people have died.

Boulder County Public Health Executive Director Jeff Zayach said officials expect to see an increase in coronavirus cases after the party-turned-riot on Saturday.

In response to yesterday night's events, some students organized a call to action to help clean up the mess and debris left behind by partygoers on Sunday morning.

A group of students, who also asked not to be named, told the network: 'No one was trying to do anything harmful. Its the cops that were trying to harm us'

In response to yesterday night's events, some students organized a call to action to help clean up the mess and debris left behind by partygoers on Sunday morning

College students in Boulder had a party with several hundred people in the middle of a pandemic. Boulder PD showed up to disperse the crowd and threatened to arrest people. This is what remains of a car people flipped over and destroyed #9News pic.twitter.com/221GjNNijP  Marc Sallinger (@MarcSallinger) March 7, 2021

One of the organizers of the clean up, Hailey Breaker, a CU Boulder senior whos studying environmental studies, told the Camera: 'A lot of the partiers today, they didnt necessarily consider the consequences and they may not live on that street to visibly see the aftermath of what happened.'

While Breaker says she doesn't live on 10th Street, she lives close enough by to hear the commotion last night, including fireworks being set off.

'I was just disappointed,' she said of the event. ' I do understand the need to socialize with peers, but it was in such mass quantities and a lot of students just went back to in-person classes.'

Breaker said she hopes Sundays clean up sends a message about CU Boulder students.

'I hope that it shows that a lot of us do care about the Boulder community and keeping it clean,' Breaker said. 'CU is and can be a really great place to be and its not just a place where these parties are happening.'
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An exhausted Senate narrowly approved a 1.9 trillion dollars COVID-19 relief bill Saturday as Democrats bagged a victory they called crucial for pulling the United States out of the pandemic and economic hardships.

Even though nearly all Republicans rejected the trillion-dollar stimulus check, Congress managed to seek approval on a 50-49 party-line vote where lawmakers can whisk it to Joe Biden for his sealing signature.

"This nation has suffered too much for much too long," Biden told reporters at the White House after the vote. "And everything in this package is designed to relieve the suffering and to meet the most urgent needs of the nation, and put us in a better position to prevail."

Saturday's vote

Saturday's vote was such a crucial moment for both Biden as well as the Democrats, where they sought party unanimity in a 50-50 Senate run on a tie-breaking vote to approve the COVID-19 relief package.

When the bill was initially proposed, not one Republican would back the bill in the Senate or when it initially passed in the House. A small group of moderate Democrats were able to act as the bridge between the two parties in leveraging changes that led to the final ratification by the Senate.

In a written statement, Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, invited Republicans "to join us in recognition of the devastating reality of this vicious virus and economic crisis and of the need for decisive action".

What is the third stimulus bill?

The bill provides direct payments of up to 1,400 dollars for most Americans and extended emergency unemployment benefits. This new benefit is for families who earn under 160,000 dollars per year and for individuals who earn under 80,000 dollars per year.

Republicans' criticism

Republicans call the measure a wasteful spending spree for Democrats' liberal allies that ignores recent indications that the pandemic and economy was turning the corner.

"The Senate has never spent two trillion dollars in a more haphazard way," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. He said Democrats' "top priority wasn't pandemic relief, it was their Washington wish list".

The vote was stretched out overnight as the chamber looked like an experiment in sleep deprivation. Several lawmakers dozed off at their desk and some even trotted into the chamber and did a prolonged stretch. The reason why the Senate package was delayed repeatedly is because Democrats made 11th hour changes aimed at balancing demands by their competing moderate and progressive factions.

Under their compromise, 300 dollars of weekly emergency unemployment checks - on top of regular state benefits - would be renewed, with a final payment on September 6. There would also be tax breaks on some of that aid, helping people who the pandemic abruptly tossed out of jobs.

The House relief bill, largely similar to the Senate's, provided 400 dollars of weekly benefits through August. The current 300 dollars per week payments expire on March 14 and Democrats want the bill on Biden's desk by then to avert a lapse.
Walker County Sheriffs Office detectives are investigating a large theft at Jenkins Chrysler Jeep Dodge in LaFayette, Ga., according to Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson.

By Monday evening, authorities began recovering some of the vehicles. Two were located in the area of the 600 block of Bella Vista Drive in Chattanooga. Chattanooga Police and Walker County detectives have been working through the evening following leads.

He was identified as 22-year-old Corey M. Fletcher, Jr. of a Chattanooga address. A Chattanooga man who was found to be driving one of the stolen vehicles was arrested and booked into the Hamilton County Jail on a felony charge.He was identified as 22-year-old Corey M. Fletcher, Jr. of a Chattanooga address.





The five recovered vehicles were being hauled to LaFayette for processing.





Three vehicles remain unaccounted for as of late Monday night.





Between 12:50 and 6 a.m. on Monday, a Chrysler vehicle with five people entered the dealership parking lot. All individuals went to the rear of the service department where they made entry into the dealership by prying a rear door open.



Once inside the building, the thieves accessed the keys to eight vehicles parked on the car lot. Evidence reveals that all eight vehicles left the dealership going north on U.S. Highway 27. The suspects returned multiple times to the dealership in order to remove the vehicles.

The vehicles that were stolen were:

- a red 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

- a silver 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

- a white 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee

- a green 2020 Dodge Challenger

- a green 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport

- a silver 2020 Jeep Wrangler Sport

- a green 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

- a purple 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport

A $2,500 reward is being offered by Jenkins Chrysler Jeep Dodge and the Walker County Sheriffs Office for information that leads to the recovery of the vehicles and the arrest and conviction of the responsible parties.

Any information should be directed to Det. Sgt. Walt Hensley 706-639-0839 or whensley@walkerso.com.
Ahmedabad:

The Gujarat High Court is expected to pronounce its order on Monday on a petition by Zakia Jafri, widow of slain Congress leader Ehsan Jafri, challenging a lower court order upholding a clean chit to the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and others in the 2002 riots cases.



The matter was listed for pronouncement of order on August 9, but Justice Sonia Gokani, who heard the case, had then deferred it to August 21.



The hearing in the case had concluded on July 3.



The court heard a criminal review petition moved by Jafri and activist Teesta Setalvads NGO Citizen for Justice and Peace, challenging the lower court order upholding the clean chit given by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the alleged larger criminal conspiracy behind the 2002 riots.



The petitioners have also demanded fresh investigation into the case.



The petition demanded that Modi and 59 others be made accused on charges of criminal conspiracy behind the riots.



On February 28, 2002, 68 people, including Ehsan Jafri, were killed by a mob at Gulberg Society in Ahmedabad.



During the course of the hearing, the SIT had submitted before the court that a lower court, where the case was first heard, had looked into all aspects of allegations and concluded that there was no further need to investigate the matter from the angle of larger conspiracy.



Zakias lawyer Mihir Desai had told the court that the magistrate, who accepted the SITs closure report, did not even consider other options like rejecting the report, or ordering a fresh probe.



He submitted that the lower court ignored the Supreme Courts guidelines and had not considered the signed statements of witnesses which suggested that there was conspiracy behind the incidents.



The SIT had on February 8, 2012, filed a closure report, giving a clean chit to Modi and others in the case.



In December 2013, a metropolitan court had rejected Jafris plea to book Modi and others for criminal conspiracy, after which she moved the High Court in 2014.



Apart from political leaders, Jafris complaint also named bureaucrats, police and private individuals.

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YouTuber Grace Victory is awake from the coma she was placed in at Christmas, a day after doctors were forced to deliver her baby two months early.

The British social media star, 30, from High Wycombe, tweeted earlier today to say she was 'awake', followed by a white heart on Monday afternoon, followed by a tweet saying: 'Baby boy is thriving at home x'

Grace developed the virus two weeks before Christmas while pregnant with her first child. She had mild symptoms at first, but her condition started to deteriorate.

Her family revealed that doctors induced her on Christmas Eve, before she was placed in a coma on Christmas Day as she continued to battle the virus.

YouTuber Grace Victory, 30, from High Wycombe, is awake from the coma she was placed in at Christmas, a day after doctors were forced to deliver her baby two months early

Grace won fans with her candid videos addressing tough topics such as eating disorders and mental health.

After catching the disease at the start of December, her condition started to deteriorate.

Doctors decided the baby, which was not due until February, should be induced on Christmas Eve.

The baby was born healthy but a day later Grace was taken into intensive care after developing breathing problems.

The British social media star tweeted on Monday afternoon to say that she is awake and that her 'baby boy is thriving at home'

The YouTube star was then placed in an induced coma as she continued to battle the virus.

Family and other social media stars took to Twitter to share their delight in the good news.

Grace's sister Charleigh tweeted the quote: 'I'm a woman phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that's me,' before adding: 'Thank you God.'

Author of bestselling novel Love In Colour Bolu Babalola said: 'Thank God!! So happy to hear this Grace!! Praying for you and your little one.'

Grace developed the virus two weeks before Christmas and doctors decided she should be induced on Christmas Eve, two months before her February due date (pictured, while pregnant)

Meanwhile Channel 4 presenter Chante Joseph added: 'Thank GOD so happy you are here.'

Capital Xtra host Yinka Bokinni said: 'Our prayers have been answered, hello baby girl'

Presenter Alesha Dixon also tweeted three praying hand emojis, while Katie Piper said: 'Wonderful news'.

At the end of December, Grace's family shared a post online reading; 'As you guys know, Grace gave birth on Christmas Eve to a beautiful baby boy, who is currently doing so well, he's incredible.

Family and other social media stars took to Twitter to share their delight in the good news, including Grace's sister Charleigh

'We love him so much. Grace developed Covid-19 two weeks ago and although her symptoms were mild at first, they worsened as the days went on.

'Which meant they had to deliver the baby as soon as possible, as she was just too unwell to carry on with the pregnancy.

'Grace was admitted into intensive care on Christmas Day due to issues with her breathing & therefore they had to make the decision of placing her into an induced coma, to give her body the rest it needs, in order to recover.'

The message ended: 'She's currently stable but please keep her in your thoughts & prayers.

The YouTuber, pictured with boyfriend Lee, was placed in an induced coma as she continued to battle the virus

A message posted on Grace's Instagram page ten weeks ago told her followers that Grace was 'currently stable'

'We Love her so, so much and we know she'll come out of this stronger than ever. She has dedicated her whole career to healing people, we now ask that you pray, to heal her.'

The message was signed: 'Grace's Family & bubba x.'

In an update just before the New Year, Grace's family shared another statement with her 224k followers on Instagram, writing: 'Update, Grace is currently stable and responding well to treatment.'

They continued: 'We as a family are truly overwhelmed by the amount of Love and well wishes sent to our Grace and we want to thank each and everyone of you for casting a light of hope our way.

'Please still keep Grace in your thoughts and prayers.'

Signing the post off 'Family and bubba', they wrote: 'Let's get her home.'
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Prime Minister-designate of Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA), Abdelhamid al-Dbaiba, has urged MPs to put the national interest above all private and narrow calculations by passing a vote of confidence in his cabinet to allow the government to carry out its duties immediately
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-09 00:08:37|Editor: huaxia

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LUSAKA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The Africa Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has given Zambia 24,000 antigen test kits to boost the country's testing supplies, a senior government official said on Monday.

Minister of Health Jonas Chanda said Zambia will remain indebted to the African Union (AU) and the Africa CDC for the continued support in the COVID-19 response and all public health matters.

"Additionally, we remain committed to ensuring commodity security for the response and continue to enhance our strategy for resource mobilization," he said in an updated statement on the COVID-19.

The Zambian minister further revealed that the country has continued to record huge reductions in the number of case admissions which stands at an all-time low of 183 from the daily highs of up to 510 a day at the peak of the second wave in January 2021.

He however said the majority of people admitted were in a critical condition.

Meanwhile, the country recorded 234 new cases in the last 24 hours out of 3,098 tests done. This brings the cumulative cases to 82,655 while 778 patients were discharged during the period bringing the total recoveries to 78,721. The country also recorded eight deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths to 1,132. Enditem
Summer exam grades to be decided by Island schools

Students on the Isle of Man will not sit GCSE or A-level exams this summer and instead have their grades determined by their schools.

The move to cancel Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) exams for Year 11 and 13 students is fully supported by secondary headteachers on the Island.

Pupils and teachers were already aware that exams regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) and those offered through the Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) would not be held this summer.

A new grading system will be built around a range of assessments between now and early June - with secondary schools using the evidence from these to arrive at their judgements.

This could include mock exams, coursework, essays and classroom based tests and schools will work together to ensure the system is fair.

Dr Alex Allinson MHK, Minister for Education, Sport, said: It is important to put the needs of our young people first and provide clarity to our teachers at this challenging time. That is why we have taken this decision to cancel all exams.

The new system will give students the best possible chance to achieve the grades they deserve and progress to the next stage of their education or career.

These outcomes are extremely significant and we will be working closely with schools to support our young people and our hard working teachers through the process.

This years changes affect most general courses (IGCSE, GCSE & A-level) and technical courses (BTEC and OCR National Courses at Levels 1, 2 and 3).

However, there are some vocational courses that require skills to be assessed through practical exams that will still go ahead as normal.

The Department will continue to work with schools and exam boards in coming weeks and will keep pupils, parents and teachers informed.
SmartLinx Message Center facilitates real-time, two-way employee communication

SmartLinx Solutions, a leader in workforce management solutions for post-acute care and senior living organizations, today introduced SmartLinx Message Center, an SMS platform that facilitates real-time, two-way employee communication on a centralized, easy-to-use platform.

SmartLinx Message Center will help organizations leverage real-time, two-way communication to address employee needs, improve productivity, and resolve critical issues, such as staffing gaps. With the SmartLinx Message Center, managers never miss an important message. A message icon on each screen alerts them of new messages while at-a-glance message threads and audit trails keep them fully informed.

Using Message Center to solve staffing challenges

Properly staffing facilities represents senior care operators most pressing challenge. Every day inefficient and disjointed scheduling communication exasperate this problem as operators strive to fill open shifts. SmartLinx Message Center immediately connects managers and employees to key staffing information and facilitates two-way, real-time messaging, so they can easily work together to fill scheduling gaps.

For example, SmartLinx helps automatically alert s select employees of open shifts and then collects, sorts, and presents responses, generating clear audit trails for all messages. SmartLinx Message Center sorts and organizes all SMS text messages and consolidates them in easy-to-access threads.

SmartLinx Message Center exemplifies our commitment to equipping senior care operators with the tools they need to resolve communication gaps and staffing inefficiencies before they turn into big problems, said SmartLinx CEO Marina Aslanyan. We designed this solution to simplify two-way employee communication and quickly fill open shifts, by providing a one-stop shop for all SMS texts and clear audit trails.

Because SmartLinx Message Center enables administrators to see all employee texts in one place and highlights new and unread texts as soon as they appear, theyll never miss another message or waste time searching through message threads again.

Key benefits:



Closing open shifts faster and easier by notifying managers of shift change requests as well as enabling multiple managers to view open shift threads and shift swap requests at-a-glance.

Facilitating real-time two-way communication that lets employees easily message management if theyre running late, have a problem, a payroll request, or need an immediate answer from HR, schedulers, payroll, and management.

Fostering a more engaged workforce by promoting direct, real-time communication between managers, schedulers, supervisors, and employees.

Improved efficiency through full visibility, highlighted incoming messages, and at-a glance audit trails.

Eliminating siloes by enabling managers to view and share threaded messages from employees with other authorized managers so they can fill shifts faster.

More secure communications by storing all SMS threads and history on a secure cloud platform.

About SmartLinx

Founded in 2000, SmartLinx cares for those who care. Used in thousands of leading organizations, SmartLinxs workforce management solutions help healthcare providers manage people and processes by harnessing the power of real-time data. Solutions include talent acquisition and onboarding, human resources, benefits, payroll, time & attendance, scheduling, compliance, and business analytics. New financing options with preferred commercial lender Ascentium Capital provide several flexible structures and low introductory payment options to help clients utilize the breadth of SmartLinxs capabilities and products. The company is headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey. For more information, please visit http://www.smartlinxsolutions.com or call 877-501-1310.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-08 22:08:28|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit met on Monday with UN Special Envoy for Libya Jan Kubis in Cairo, where they discussed ways to push for a political solution to the Libyan crisis, the pan-Arab body said in a statement.

During the meeting, Aboul-Gheit stressed the AL's support for all efforts aimed at reaching an integrated and comprehensive settlement of the Libyan crisis, through the early installation of the new executive authority until holding the Libyan presidential and legislative elections scheduled in December this year as agreed by rival parties, it added.

Aboul-Gheit expressed "keenness to maximize the joint and complementary work between the league and the United Nations in order to advance settlement efforts on its political, security and economic tracks," said the statement.

For his part, the UN envoy expressed his appreciation for the role played by the AL and its member states in support of reaching a settlement in Libya, "especially at this important and critical stage of the transition process in the country."

The AL and the UN, along with the European Union and the African Union, are members of an international quartet working on a peaceful settlement in Libya.

Libya has been locked in a civil war since the killing of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Enditem
On Wednesday, representatives in the Oklahoma House voted 80 to 18 a bill titled "Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act," which bans the government from forcing churches and other houses of worship to close, even during a pandemic. House Bill 2648 will now make its way to the Senate.

According to the Christian Post, the new bill states that "no governmental entity shall substantially burden a person's free exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability."

House Bill 2648, which the Oklahoma House passed with a landslide vote, orders that not a single governmental entity can "substantially burden a person's free exercise of religion unless it demonstrates that application of the burden to the person is essential to further a compelling governmental interest; and the the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest."

In addition, the "Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act" requires that any order issued by a government body due to an emergency that requires the closure of any church or place of worship "entitled to the religious exemption found in Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code shall be considered a substantial burden even if the order or rule is one of general applicability."

Public Radio Tulsa reported that a number of Republican lawmakers criticized Governor Kevin Stitt's decision to ban gatherings of more than 10 people back in March 2020. His emergency order shut down churches and places of worship, but allowed businesses such as liquor stores to remain open. Republican lawmakers in the Oklahoma House insisted that "people should choose faith above all, even during a pandemic."

Republican Representative Brian Hill told KOCO 5 News that the bill protecting churches from government mandated closures even during pandemics "further protects our God-given right to worship."

He argued that migrants came to North America "seeking religious freedom and to escape a tyrannical government" and that "our country's founders had the wisdom to specifically outline the freedom to worship in one of our founding documents."

Republican Representative Jon Echols echoed the same sentiments, saying that the country was "founded by individuals seeking freedom to worship in the manner they so choose without persecution." Rep. Echols believes that the "Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act" that was passed by the Oklahoma House is a "patriotic" move to protect the future generation's rights to worship.

Arkansas also passed a similar bill last month, earlier reports said. House Bill 1211, passed into law by both the House and Senate, limits a governor's power to close places of worship even in the midst of of a pandemic.

The bill, entitled "An Act To Require That Religious Organizations Are Protected During An Emergency; To Declare An Emergency; And For Other Purposes," is meant to protect Arkansans' religious liberties and was lauded by the state's governor, Asa Hutchinson.

"Great care has been taken by the executive branch to avoid infringing on these sacred rights. Churches and religious institutions are specifically excluded from any directives that could be interpreted as applicable to them," Hutchinson told House Speaker Matthew Shepherd in a letter.

Oklahoma now has 429,000 COVID-19 infections, but is already ramping up the vaccination process. According to The Oklahoman, this week will mark Phase 2 in the local government's distribution plan, in which 40,000 more residents will become eligible for the coronavirus vaccine.

Oklahoma's deputy commissioner of health Keith Reed said that the expansion of eligibility is due to the availability of three vaccines and the steady increase of the overall vaccine supply. Reed said that they are "well ahead" of their goal to inoculate teachers and school staff members by spring break.
If all goes according to schedule, millions of Americans will shortly get another stimulus check. Individuals can get up to $1,400, couples can get up to $2,800, and dependents can get another $1,400. The payments under the American Rescue Plan, which the Senate approved on Saturday, are the third and highest of Americans' coronavirus relief payments.

President Joe Biden acknowledged that the negotiation process was not always 'pretty,' but congratulated senators for passing the 'urgent' bill, as per The Washington Post. After an all-night voting session, tired senators voted 50-49 to approve the relief bill, paving the way for House passage next week, allowing legislators to return it to Biden's desk for signature.

What do I have to do to get a stimulus check?

The IRS will most likely issue advance payments depending on your 2019 federal return or your 2020 return if you have already filed one. If your adjusted gross income was too high for a payout in 2019, but you believe you may be entitled, you can file your tax return as soon as possible, depending on the circumstances from the previous year. You may have missed your work last year, for example. You could have had a child, making you eligible for a $1,400 dependent stimulus check.

However, the IRS advises against filing unless you have all of the documents you need to file an accurate return. Ken Corbin, the IRS's wage and investment commissioner, said, "We're building a variety of contingencies applicable to any proposed laws that might come forward."

Payments will be made depending on the federal return for 2019 or 2020, to be done within the month, The Sun reported. Payments to qualifying Americans were made soon after the second stimulus bill was signed into law in December, so expect a similar time frame in this situation.

Many who have a high Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) but think they might be eligible because of their conditions should file their tax return as soon as possible. Those with $75,000 or less will receive the full amount, while those earning $80,000 or higher and those earning $160,000 or more will not receive the full amount. Also, the bill increases emergency unemployment benefits and spending on COVID-19 testing, as well as tax cuts for low-income families.

Read also: Senate Passes COVID-19 Relief Bill, What's Included, When to Receive Your Stimulus Check

Check the status of your stimulus check

Residents could check when and how their stimulus was given by going to the IRS website and clicking on the "Get My Payment" button." If you got more than one payment for the first round, the IRS explained, the Get My Payment application would only send you the most recent payment details. An invoice will not be given if the Get My Payment method does not include a payment date for your stimulus check, and you may claim the Recovery Rebate Credit if you are entitled.

Read also: Stimulus Checks: Between the Payments in Each Round, Here Is a Major Difference You Should Not Miss

See if you are eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit

Generally, you are eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit whether you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien in 2020, are not a spouse of another taxpayer, and have a Social Security number appropriate for jobs, according to the IRS. If your AGI exceeds the following sums, your credit will be reduced, as per Newsweek via MSN:

$112,500 if filing as head of household.

$150,000 if married and filing a joint return or filing as a qualifying widow or widower.

$75,000 for eligible individuals filing as single or as married filing separately.

Read also: Stimulus Bill: Senate Democrats Agree To Cut Unemployment Benefits in Last Minute Deal

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The husband of a British-Iranian woman detained in Iran since 2016 is to stage a protest outside the countrys embassy with their six-year-old daughter.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 42, has completed a near five-year sentence in the Islamic Republic over widely refuted allegations of plotting to overthrow its government. She strongly denies the charges.

The mother-of-one finished the latter part of her sentence under house arrest due to Covid-19 and had her ankle tag removed on Sunday.

But she must still appear before an Iranian court in a weeks time to face new charges. The Guardian reports the new allegations  long threatened by Iranian authorities  concern Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes involvement in propaganda activity against Iran, including attending a 2009 demonstration outside its embassy in London, and speaking to BBC Persian.

Her husband Richard Ratcliffe  who has long campaigned for her freedom  will demonstrate with the couples daughter Gabriella and his wifes brother Mohamed outside the Iranian embassy in Knightsbridge from around midday on Monday.

He will deliver a 60,000-signature Amnesty International petition to the embassy calling for his wifes immediate release.

Mr Ratcliffe called it a watershed moment, saying: If youd asked me when we first started campaigning with Amnesty to bring Nazanin home that five years later wed still be knocking on the door of the Iranian embassy, still waiting for them to ever open it and explain whats going on, then I would have been horrified.

He earlier said he was grateful for the strong words of Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who condemned the cruel and intolerable treatment of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and called for her swift return to the UK.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged Iran to release her permanently, adding her continued confinement remains totally unacceptable.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, of north London, was arrested at Tehrans Imam Khomeini Airport while taking Gabriella to see her parents in April 2016.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe served a near five-year jail term (Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe/PA)

The charity worker, who was employed by the Thomson Reuters Foundation at the time of her arrest, strongly denies the charges and civil rights groups say she was jailed with no evidence and her trial was unfair.

The UK has been locked in a high-profile diplomatic tussle over Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes detention, which has seen her held in solitary confinement and undergo hunger strikes.

Rupert Skilbeck, director of the Redress legal campaigning group, told the PA news agency the cumulative effect of her confinement over the past half decade crosses that threshold into torture and warned over long-term psychological effects.

The UK Government has afforded her diplomatic protection, arguing she is innocent and that her treatment by Iran failed to meet obligations under international law.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been used as a political pawn, according to Nobel Laureate and Iranian human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi.

Commentators have linked a long-standing debt running into hundreds of millions of pounds as central to the case, which has been dubbed hostage diplomacy by former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt.

The UK is thought to owe Iran as much as 400 million over the non-delivery of tanks in 1979, with the shipment stopped because of the Islamic revolution.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes constituency MP Tulip Siddiq (Hampstead and Kilburn) has connected the debt with the case.

She told the PA news agency last month: My constituents life is basically a bargaining chip because shes not being set free because we havent fulfilled our responsibility of paying the debt.

If theres some movement on that I reckon Nazanins chances are increased.
ALBANY  If the coronavirus pandemic had taken place when her children were in elementary school, County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen would likely not have been able to do the job shes doing today.

Its not lost on me when we talk about the populations that have been affected by the pandemic, that women have been affected in a way that is disproportionate to the effect on men, she said during a COVID-19 briefing Monday morning, marking International Womens Day.

Change needs to be made so that women can continue to work and continue to be productive in society and have the support they need through child care, she said.

Whalen also tipped her hat to her employees in the health department, most of whom she said are women who have been working long hours and making great sacrifices over the past year.

As vaccines continue to be distributed across the county, though, officials say there is light at the end of the tunnel. Twenty-three percent of the county population has received at least one dose of a vaccine. Saratoga County on Monday also had 23 percent with first doses; Warren County has the most saturation in the Capital Region, with 26 percent of people receiving the first dose. Officials said the goal is to reach a 70 percent vaccination rate in order to achieve herd immunity.

There were 56 new positive cases of COVID-19 overnight, bringing the five-day average of daily positives down to 64.6 from Sundays 65.2. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the county has also dropped to 28, the lowest number the county has seen since Nov. 6, McCoy said.

There was, however, one more resident death overnight, a man in his 90s. In Schenectady County, a woman in her 80s also died after contracting the virus.

Officials urged residents to take any vaccine that is available to them, noting some people have walked away from appointments if there was no vaccine of their choice  particularly Johnson and Johnsons vaccine, which officials said is appealing because its a single-dose vaccine.

We do continue to see cases cross the county, we do continue to see deaths, Whalen said. The vaccine thats right for you is the vaccine that is available for you.

On the heels of the Senate passage this weekend of the American Rescue Plan, a roughly $1.9 trillion federal stimulus relief package, local officials celebrated the anticipated funding to local municipalities they say is much needed.

The state will receive $23 billion through the aid package, with $12.5 billion going toward direct state aid and the rest of the funds allocated for education, transit and more.

Local governments will also be receiving funds directly. Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said Albany County will be receiving $55 million, Albany City $72 million, the town of Colonie $7.5 million, Bethlehem $5.9 million, Guilderland over $6 million, New Scotland over $1.5 million, Altamont $1.3 million and the village of Green Island $500,000.

This is the first time federal government has provided direct, unrestricted aid directly to local governments. Its unprecedented, said Stephen Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties. We all need to work together to use these funds in a way to strengthen our communities for the future. This is about rebuilding our society post-COVID.
NATE's "Be Your Brother's Keeper" video focuses on the importance of the planning, procedures, equipment, and training necessary to perform a successful tower rescue. The video was unveiled as part of Volume 3 of the association's popular Climber Connection series, made its debut during the AGL Local Summit in Kansas City, Mo. The video includes an interview with an experienced industry safety instructor walking through a rescue scenario and discussing the measures that must be planned for and implemented in order to successfully perform a rescue of a technician working on a communications tower. The video also includes live mock demonstrations highlighting different rescue options and techniques available to utilize by trained personnel working at a tower site. "It is paramount that all tower crews working in the industry receive consistent rescue training and refresher training in accordance with the NATE Tower Climber Training Standard guidelines," said Denise Frey from D&A Construction Management, Inc. in Branford, Conn. "Today's tower technicians are the first responders when it comes to performing a potential rescue of their fellow co-workers on a tower. This NATE video does a great job of providing an overview of the important elements that lead to a safe and successful rescue."
The Covid-19 pandemic and its impact are a stark reminder of the urgency needed to step up action towards gender equality and women empowerment, writes Emmanuel Hategeka, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Arab Emirates.

Despite the fact that they have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19, women have once again demonstrated their courage, strength and resilience in the pandemic preparedness and response everywhere.

This year, it is against the backdrop of a devastating health and economic crisis, resulting from the global Covid-19 pandemic that we mark the International Womens Day (IWD).

And like many other issues, women have been affected the most. A 2020 UN Women report -From Insights to Action: Gender Equality in the wake of Covid-19, estimates that the pandemic will push an additional 96 million people into extreme poverty by 2021, 47 million of whom are women and girls.

When I reflect on the role that women play from being pillars of family, to nation and peace building, the only question I ask myself is: We have inherited a gender-imbalanced society but what are we doing to bridge the gap?

Tremendous effort and reforms have been deployed to change the status-quo inherited in the last two decades, including in Rwanda and the UAE and today we celebrate women in leadership positions across national, regional and global institutions.

In the most recent past, the world applauded the election of Nigerian Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, the election of Rwandan Economist Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa as the vice-chairperson of the African Union Commission, the election of Hon. Louise Mushikiwabo as the fourth and current Secretary General of organization Internationale de la Francophonie and many more before.

One can draw parallels with the equally laudable successful Hope Probe Mission to Mars, a vision of the UAE leadership come true and the magnificent groundbreaking World Expo2020 officially starting in October of 2021 in Dubai both historic in the sense of the word with women leaders at the helm.

These women trail blazers continue to be the shining light that young ladies follow and emulate along their path. Undoubtedly, women ascension to decision-making positions works to reaffirm their potentials, the world trust in them and acts as a good opportunity to drive and support the gender equality agenda across nations.

Reflecting on the much-needed political will, Rwanda and the UAE share a common vision with regard to women empowerment. High levels of women participation in the UAE Cabinet, distribution of positions in government institutions by gender with women making up 66 per cent of the public sector workforce in UAE, as according to the UAE Gender Balance Council recent data, the country is arguably leading the region in gender parity.

After the devastating effects of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which destroyed the socioeconomic fabric of Rwanda, the government placed gender equality and women empowerment at the forefront as full recovery could only be possible with women and men equally contributing to the countrys vision for development. Rwandan women have taken advantage of these opportunities and made major strides in realizing their dreams while changing the world around them. Deliberate gender equality policies by Rwandas Government have paid off.

Rwanda is now a global leader in women participation in legislative decision-making positions with 61.3% female members of Parliament and also ranked 9th globally in closing gender gaps according to the Global Gender Gap Report, 2020. In addition, 52% of the Cabinet members are women, among the Judges and clerks, women stand at 49.7% while in the local government leadership, women occupy 45.2 % as Members of District Councils.

Given the countrys recent history, Rwanda understands best the cost of insecurity and the responsibility to protect. In the UN peacekeeping missions, Rwanda has the second highest number of women peacekeepers who contribute to peace and relief around the world. Wars and disasters everywhere affect women and children disproportionately, it is always important to have a womans voice and helping hand next to a woman victim in time of need.

In the education sector, gender parity has been stable with girls enrollment standing at 49.5% against 50.5% of male at primary level while the enrolment of girls in secondary education increased to reach 53.3% against 46.7% of boys enrollment, according to 2019 Education Statistics of the Ministry of Education.

Economically women and girls have same access rights to land ownership and inheritance as their brothers do in Rwanda. Suffice to say, Rwandas progress in women empowerment is a result of a solid foundation laid by the highest political will, deliberate legal and policy frameworks among other mechanisms.

As we mark the International Womens Day of 2021, a lot remains to be done to achieve gender equality, let us all together strive for a world where equality and equity prevail.

Rwanda is open

Rwanda received the WTTC Safe Travels stamp after announcing the return of commercial flights to Rwanda starting August 1, 2020. The country was named one of the latest destinations to receive the Worlds first ever safety and hygiene stamp launched by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Women play a leading role in Rwandas tourism Industry. With regular direct flights between Kigali and Dubai #VisitRwanda with @flyRwandair-- Tradearabia News Service
Washington: South Korea will increase its contribution to the cost of US forces stationed in the country under an agreement reached with the United States, the State Department said on Sunday.

The agreement reflects the Biden administrations commitment to reinvigorating and modernising our democratic alliances around the word to advance our shared security and prosperity, a State Department representative said.

The proposed six-year Special Measures Agreement will replace the previous arrangement that expired at the end of 2019, removing a major irritant in US-South Korea ties.

South Korean and US Army soldiers stand guard at the border village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarised Zone, South Korea. Credit:AP

The representative said the proposed agreement included a negotiated meaningful increase in host nation support contributions, but gave no further details.
Opinion Article

8 March 2021

Triggering an interest in gender inequality

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At the age of 15, I asked my father how I could become a diplomat like him. My Korean father, a military colonel by profession, responded that the best option for me would be to get married to a diplomat. While his intention was to protect me from a tough (and toxic) system influenced by the country's dictatorship he knew inside and out, I was nevertheless surprised and disappointed by his answer. Yet, this also triggered in me an interest in gender equality (equal rights and opportunities). All the traveling and living abroad had impacted the way I experienced the world despite the conservative education and upbringing I received.

Fast forward two decades, I joined EHL after having worked in different industries and academic institutions. In an exhibition of EHL alumni who had reached the C-suite, only well-groomed men featured in a black and white photo hanging on the wall. There was not one female executive that our young women could look up to. Yet, women make up 60% of the EHL student body! The lack of female role models couldn't have been more glaring.

In addition, how would this influence the perceptions of our male students: that it is "normal" that top leaders are men, perpetuating the unconscious bias and systems that have held back generations of women? This was an epiphany moment. Change was urgent. After all, among our 25,000+ alumni, only 17% of the executive roles are occupied by women and not surprisingly, this modest number mirrors the situation in the hospitality industry, too.

The first person I approached with the idea of WIL was the Global Alliance & Partnership Director, Valerie de Corte (back then Alumni & Industrial Relations Director). Valerie generously gave me the opportunity to moderate a Women in Leadership Career Panel embedded in the Career Fair back in fall 2017. She then connected me to Business Development Director of Advisory Services, Alexia Muteke Ceppi (back then Senior Consultant of Advisory Services), who was passionate about women empowerment. Around the same time, Communications Director Meloney Brazzola and I started to collaborate more, and her role has been critical in enhancing the visibility of WIL projects through various communication channels.

The birth of Women in Leadership

As a team, these three phenomenal women - and with advice and support from Dr. Ines Blal(the first woman to be appointed Executive Dean and Managing Director (Lausanne Campus) in the institution's 100+ years of existence) - contributed to the creation of the Women in Leadership (WIL) initiative in 2018.

WIL aims to effect social change at EHL and the broader hospitality community in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 5, Gender Equality. WIL covers topics such as leadershipdiversity, inclusion and belonging (DIB); women entrepreneurs; networking, mentoring; managing work-family, flexible work arrangements; and sexual harassment. WIL's activities promote one of EHL's values, namely Respect, and directly contribute to achievingone of EHL's sustainability goal, specifically "Care for our People". Both are geared to fostering safety & wellbeing and diversity & inclusion in our EHL Community.

WIL achievements

So, what has WIL achieved in the last three years? Since 2018, WIL has hosted a dozen events to educate, inspire, and empower women with a total outreach of over 700 participants. While this is a modest number, our events are attracting an increasing number of participants, both women and men. Our latest event, ELEVATE: a panel discussion featuring our outstanding female alumnae who shared their professional experiences with insights and tips on what worked well - and not so well - when navigating their careers and businesses. Going forward, we aim to organize ELEVATE on an annual basis, with the date coinciding with International Women's Day.

In 2019, WIL launched the Sexual Harassment Prevention (SHP) Initiative in collaboration with Academic Advisory to educate, protect, and empower students on this sensitive topic, which is a veritable plague in the hospitality sector. SHP is one of the very few bottom-up, transversal projects at EHL that has been able to raise awareness across differentdepartments and engage with multiple internal stakeholders in a large-scale collaboration. Through SHP, over 1,700 first-year bachelor students have been trained on this topic via our external partner, the Non-Violence Project Foundation (founded by an EHL alumnus in 1993).

We've designed the "SHP Student Journey", a three-tiered intervention method that covers the entire bachelor program. The journey includes: a Basic workshop (prior to their first internship); an Intermediate workshop (prior to their second internship), and an Advanced workshop (prior to joining the labor market). We also formed the "SHP Student Taskforce" a group of volunteer and motivated students involved in the initiative who make valuable contributions such as: proposing the architect of the SHP intranet webpage; creating the SHP icon; participating in the SHP corporate video; and collaborating with the Values Ambassador to embed the SHP Awareness Day into the "Respect" Values Week that will run for a week in April across the entire institution. We recently kicked off a research project on SHP that will measure the effectiveness of interventions and shed light on how behavioral training programs impact individual attitudes and the role of gender.

In 2020, I was invited to Co-Chair LeadingHotelieres with Xenia zu Hohenlohe, Founding Partner at Considerate Group. LeadingHotelieres was founded by Frank M. Pfaller, President and CEO of HoteliersGuild community, and co-founded by Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO at Preferred Hotels & Resorts. The mission of LeadingHotelieres is to accelerate the UN's SDG5 Gender Equality in the hospitality industryand is underpinned by the commitment and talent of exceptional women dedicated to making a difference. With the Covid-19 pandemic, the working theme of LeadingHotelieres was set to be Driving flexible working structures in hotels. I am heading the large-scale flexibility study working side by side with practitioners and academics to bridge both worlds. The study aims to better understand hotels' flexible working structures, the different types of flexibility, their antecedents and consequences on critical outcomes (e.g., innovative capabilities, organizational resilience, and employee wellbeing).

In 2021, together with HoteliersGuild's LeadingHotelieres, IUBH University of Applied Sciences (Germany) and Institut Paul Bocuse (France), we launched Young Hotelieres Insights (YHI). YHI is space dedicated for aspiring female hospitality leaders where they can contribute to our industry with their reflections, ideas, trends and hot topics as viewed by their generation. A compilation of these inputs will be featured in the associated communication channels with the aim to develop the professional visibility of our top female students in a network of established hotelieres/hoteliers.

Looking back, I am grateful, despite his remark, for my father - who is now proud of who I have become and what I do - because the frustration and sense of injustice I felt worked as fuel to envision and drive change that will benefit the future generation, including my own children. Looking ahead, I am very excited about what the future holds and about the needs-driven and research-based WIL projects that will emerge and contribute to the transformation that is so needed in our society.
Russia has been blamed for an airstrike which caused a huge fire burning 180 trucks and tankers, writes Asharq Al-Awsat.

A suspected missile strike on an oil-loading facility used by Turkey-backed opposition forces in northern Syria appears to have sparked a massive fire across a large area where oil tankers are normally parked, satellite images show.

Syrian opposition groups and at least one war monitor blamed Russia for the strike Friday night near the towns of Jarablus and al-Bab, near the border with Turkey. In a report, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain, said Russian warships in the Mediterranean had fired three missiles that struck primitive oil refineries and tanker trucks in the region.

It said more than 180 trucks and tankers were burned in the massive blaze, and at least four people killed and 24 wounded.

Satellite images by Planet Labs Inc. analyzed by The Associated Press on Sunday showed what appeared to be the aftermath of a large fire that tore through an area near Jarablus between Friday and Saturday morning.

Past satellite photos of the site, some 75 kilometers (45 miles) northeast of the Syrian city of Aleppo, showed hundreds of tanker trucks gathered in the area.

An image from Saturday showed char marks across the entire area where the trucks once were. NASAs fire satellite monitoring, which watches for flashes associated with blazes or explosions, showed fires at the site in the early morning hours of Saturday.

The reports of missiles fired from a Russian warship  a rare occurrence  could not be independently verified and Russia, which is a main supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad in the countrys 10-year war, has not commented on the accusations.

Turkeys state-owned Anadolu News Agency reported they were ballistic missiles, but said it was not clear who carried out the attacks.

Turkey and allied Syrian opposition fighters control large parts of northern Syria.

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.
Titusville Lions Club President Mark Conrad presented Melvin Jones Fellowships to three members of the Titusville Lions Club at their most recent club meeting. Pictured with their plaques are Regina Evans (left), past club president and current director and Jan Hipple, club secretary and past vice president. Susan Zaritski, club treasurer (not in photo) also was honored.